Zorro: The Complete Season Two

Best Zorro Ever
I'm 57 yrs old and have been a Zorro fan/atic since age 4, and a Zorro video collector for years. In my opinion, this series is absolutely the BEST incarnation of Zorro ever made, and I have them ALL (with a couple of hard-to-find old movie exceptions. Do NOT try to "compare" it to the Disney series. They're totally different styles. Both are great. The Disney series is pure WALT Disney style family fun. This series has more "meat" to it, much better character development, less comedy, but still quite a few comedic moments. Very family friendly but also excellent for adults.

Zorro, round two
You know pretty much what to expect in "Zorro: The Complete Season Two" -- swashbuckling, romance, action and lots of clever tricks. Like any good second season, it refines everything that was good about the first season, while also introducing Henry Darrow as the new Don Alejandro. And it takes a distinctly unexpected turn near the end.

When a weird inventor arrives at the pueblo, the Alcalde (Michael Tylo) enlists him to use his weird gadgets to trap Zorro... but things don't work out quite that way. And when Diego's fencing instructor arrives in Los Angeles, he's aghast to find that his best student pretends to be inept with a sword.

As the season goes on, Diego/Zorro must grapple with pirates, a cruel master swordsman, schooling Mendoza (James Victor) on romance, running the new newspaper, snake venom, an expert Indian tracker, the Alcalde's devious twin, Felipe's first love, "The Falcon," a scheme to assassinate the Alcalde, an accused bandit's VERY BIG...

Zorro, one of my favorite.
Great to own so I can watch episodes at any time that is convenient. Broadcast time on TV is not always a good time for me.

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Denis Leary & Friends Presents: Douchbags & Donuts

Really enjoyed it
I just watched this last night. Lots of laughs. All of the comics are good. I really liked Lenny Clarke's set.

I was particularly amused when Denis was ranting about guys wearing wool hats in the middle of summer just because they saw Brad Pitt or Colin Farrell do it. All the while Denis is dripping sweat, his t-shirt under his leather jacket is soaked in it. Wouldn't want to take off that leather jacket! It actually made the joke funnier.

Very funny show.

Denis Leary & Friends Presents: Douchbags & Donuts
Denis Leary is at his best in this video. If your a fan of Denis Leary or of Rescue Me you will find this to be very funny. Lenny Clarke is a gem in this as is Adam Ferrara, they have a new comedian with them and she is quite funny also Whitney Cummings. All in all you will fall in love with this video

Excellent Buy
This is a hilarious DVD! Its' Denis and friends at their best. It's worth buying and the money goes to the charity Denis founded in 2000 for firefighters and their families.

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How to be a Femme Fatale, with Jeniviva: Complete instruction in the makeup, hair styling and accessories required for the retro femme fatale look!

If you need to learn makeup, get this!
I am recommending this DVD to any belly dance student who is not yet comfortable with applying makeup and for those who want to know how to get a more dramatic look. This is not just for belly dancers, though. This is for anyone who wants a dramatic look to go out to dinner for the evening, or go dancing, be it clubbing, salsa, or ballroom!
This DVD also covers three hairstyles that are made easy by the step by step instruction. Note that the hair styles are Victorian, 1920's fingerwaves, and the Lolita look that is accomplished with hair falls. The best and most fun way to use this video is to set up your mirror and makeup and follow along with Jeniviva. Have fun!

Fantastic makeup resource, achieve your inner diva
This dvd gives very detailed instructions for creating 3 femme fatale looks, victorian, flapper, and gothic lolita. While I'm a little beyond the gothic lolita look (age-wise), it would be possible to do the other two looks. Jeniviva gives all sorts of tips and pointers along the way, discussing each product that she uses and offering alternatives if money is an issue. There was also chapters on creating just the right hair style for these different looks. I know Jeniviva is a makeup artist, but here style and delivery make me feel that even I, with some practice, could approach these looks, maybe just a little less dramatic for the day.

Vamp it up!
"Jeniviva," a makeup artist and dance performer from New York City, presents a generous helping of "how to" create make up, hair, and accessorizing reflecting the Victorian era in "Femme Fatale."

Sit alongside,in front of a well lit mirror or good lighting for a step by step consultation on creating three complete femme fatale looks: Victorian vampire, flapper vamp, gothic Lolita. It is easy to follow along as Jeniviva talks to you,as if you are sitting beside her and she patiently goes through the following:

The preparations section begins with a blank canvas or clean face.
Each distinct look requires proper steps such as: Concealing skin flaws and applying foundation correctly which are key elements. There's more, such as defining the eyes with proper shades, liners, and color, shading the cheeks, and blending all colors, also applying false eyelashes. Complete the look with a fall, (wig), hair ornaments etc.

Each "look" lists the product used...

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Santa Sangre

It Took Long Enough, But Was Worth The Wait...
After over 20 years, Severin Films announces the release of Alejandro Jodorowsky's internationally acclaimed 'SANTA SANGRE'. The 1989 production, rarely seen since its U.S. theatrical release, comes to Blu-ray and DVD featuring a restored print of the film's European version as well as 5 hours of Bonus Material.

Jodorowsky exploded onto the international scene in the early 70's with his bizarre sensations 'EL TOPO' and 'HOLY MOUNTAIN'. Endorsed by John Lennon, who released 'EL TOPO's soundtrack on the Beatles Apple label, and embraced by underground culture worldwide, these films redefined movies as both art and entertainment while almost single-handedly creating the 'midnight movie' genre. Legal frustrations with the films' owner (and Beatles' disreputable manager) Allen Klein, as well as a failed attempt to direct a 14-hour movie adaptation of `Dune' starring Orson Welles and Salvador Dali, kept Jodorowsky from making films for 16 years until his triumphant return with...

Please watch this movie--it might change your life...
What is a movie? Is it an entertainment? A work of ART? Is a motion picture only a lure to get you to engage in a mass spectacle of consumerism? Is it the catharsis of a crowd in the dark?

Are you an intellectual? Are you passionate? Have you even been interested in Archetypes and Collective unconscience? Do you know that when you take the journey with a story--that that story will always stay with you?

In 1989, a lot of things changed in my life. I really can't explain what they all were, but between August and December of 1989, my hair went from black to white, and I started on the life that I lead today. Then came Santa Sangre.

Allesandro Jodorowsky is what is frequently called a 'visionary' film director. What he is is a wizard and a shaman. Jodorowski is a Jungian psychiatrist who writes comic books and directs movies. He started way back in the sixties, and was actually the first person to direct for the beatle's Apple Corporation. As...

A visionary and haunting film.
Alejandro Jodorowosky has been making films since the 1960s.Though he has made only a handful of films(7 in all),given the quality of "Santa Sangre",a visionary and haunting work,one wishes he was more prolific.It is not possible to describe "Santa Sangre" with due justice within such a small review;the only succinct way of describing it:it as if Pedro Calderon had written "Psycho",or that Alfred Hitchcock had directed "La Vida es Sueno".Influenced by Freudian and Jungian psychoanalysis,the mordant satire and wit of Luis Bunuel and the beautiful baroque pageantry of Fellini,"Santa Sangre" tells the story of a reluctant serial killer(!) controlled by his dominating and insane mother and details his struggle to be liberated from her.The mother worships an imaginary saint,whose hagiography and devotion entails repression,guilt and false self-sacrifice.The son's attempt to attain romantic and sexual normalcy...

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Zorro: The Complete Season One

Best Zorro Ever
I'm 57 yrs old and have been a Zorro fan/atic since age 4, and a Zorro video collector for years. In my opinion, this series is absolutely the BEST incarnation of Zorro ever made, and I have them ALL (with a couple of hard-to-find old movie exceptions. Do NOT try to "compare" it to the Disney series. They're totally different styles. Both are great. The Disney series is pure WALT Disney style family fun. This series has more "meat" to it, much better character development, less comedy, but still quite a few comedic moments. Very family friendly but also excellent for adults.

His name is Zorro
Zorro is one of the more underrated heroes out there -- a sort of Hispanic cross between Robin Hood and Batman.

Admittedly, I've never really been a huge fan of Zorro (I'm more of a Robin Hood girl), but one of the better representations of him is in the well-beloved, family-friendly "Zorro: Season One." It has some downsides, but it's a pleasantly upbeat series filled with romance, swordplay, sneering villains and a guy running around in a mask.

Don Diego de la Vega (Duncan Regehr) is called back from his studies in Spain to his family estate in California. It turns out that Los Angeles (a tiny pueblo instead of the megacity it is now) is now ruled by the tyrannical Alcalde Luis Ramone (Michael Tylo).

Additionally, his father Don Alejandro (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.) and local tavern-keeper Victoria Escalante (Patrice Camhi Martinez) are opposing the Alcalde, which is putting them in danger. Everybody thinks of Diego as a mild-mannered nerd, and don't...

Family entertainment that may not hold their attention
A mixed review for this DVD set.

One of the first things I noticed was that the video was not cleaned up for the DVD release and no subtitles were added. Although this is somewhat disappointing, perhaps the distributors preferred to keep the cost down. Because of the intended audience, this may not have been a bad decision.

The stories are family friendly, but may move too slowly to engage younger audiences. The four-episode origin story was interesting, and some of the action and sword fighting scenes throughout the season were very well done. As with any good Zorro, he is charming, witty and very athletic. His steed Toronado / Tornado is a great looking and well-trained horse. It is enjoyable to watch all of the scenes with Toronado and Zorro looks very impressive when the horse rears up and Zorro holds his sword high.

On the other hand, the bumbling lancers and evil alcalde get old quickly and most of the stories (while entertaining) seem pretty...

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Stone

Misunderstood (a look at the film itself)
'Stone' was not received well critically. It was marketed as a prison drama in which Norton and De Niro tensely face off. It isn't. Once you get over that fact and accept the movie on its own terms, your mind and heart can be opened by its powerful reflections.

I believe great cinema works best as a mirror. This describes 'Stone'; not all viewers will see the same story. Some will interpret Norton as a lying sociopath, while I saw him as a man who maintains the upperhand through real--though accidental--spiritual enlightenment. Actually, guilt and enlightenment are the two main undercurrents in the characters' stories. Norton seeks his enlightenment through a religion that helps him to shut his fast mouth and listen; De Niro seeks escape from his "honest and upright" lifestyle through sexual enlightenment. De Niro's life dissolves while Norton's evolves, and the process is nothing short of compelling. You may not expect the end result.

Some interesting...

Great Performances
Robert DeNiro plays a parole officer about to retire and Edward Norton is cast as a convicted arsonist, trying to convince him that he should get an early release from prison in this gripping "noirish" thriller from director John Curran.

Rather than "convince," the wily Norton is, actually, trying to "manipulate" DeNiro into writing a favorable assessment. He even goes so far as having his beautiful, off-the-wall wife (Milla Jovovich) seduce the corrections official in order to accomplish that.

Though Angus McLachlan's screenplay sometimes tends to meander, it is populated with a quartet of fascinating multi-dimensional characters, none of which are particularly likable, yet all who are seeking some sort of spiritual enlightenment.

DeNiro, in a loveless marriage (to Frances Conroy), finds that his church going cannot help him avoid his darker impulses, while Norton, after he witnesses a fellow prisoner being murdered, claims to have had a religious...

PERFORMANCES that you'd expect
STONE is dubbed a "psychological duel", and it is. Robert Deniro plays Jack, a parole officer who holds all the cards in the life of Stone (Edward Norton) a convicted arsonist who is pleading his case to be released from prison, back into society. Stone will stop at nothing, including using his wife to manipulate Jack.

The movie leads you to believe that you know and understand all the characters involved but they go different directions as the movie goes along. It does a pheonominal job of progressing its characters and revealing more and more about who they were and who they are becoming.

With guys like Robert DeNiro and Edward Norton and a superbly underated and fearless actress Milla Jovovich, STONE is an outstanding character study and may hit home with a lot of people who could be going through life in an unhappy marriage or living life without hope. It is impossible to give too much insight without giving away important elements to the story. The story...

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4 Film Favorites: Epic Romances (Affair of the Necklace, Dangerous Liaisons, Painted Veil, Silk)

Great set
I bought it for one of the movies (Silk), but I watched another (Painted Veil) and I loved it. I can't wait to watch the other two movies - what a great deal.

What a GREAT deal!
These are WONDERFUL movies, great quality and substance!!!! What a fabulous way to spend a rainy afternoon. The acting in all four movies is superb. I wonder why I hadn't heard of some of them before but they do not dissapoint.

Terrible
I wish I would have known how terrible the picture quality would be. I can't even stand to watch it. I gave it away.

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Doing All Righ - In Concert

Ever Have Jet Lag? Diana Krall's Doing All Right
Her Paris concert at the Olympia in 2001 is preserved as a music DVD, as her 2004 performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, her 2008 performance at Rio de Janeiro, and her 2008 performance at the Jazzaldia Festival in San Sebastián, Spain, also are preserved, the last issued for the US market as In Concert Diana Krall Doing All Right. (As of this writing YouTube has her band's performance at the 2010 Montreaux Jazz Festival.)

Diana Krall is a treasure and a gift, born nine months after The Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, and growing up to become a celebrated recording artist coincidentally in the same year the DVD was developed. These are accidents of fate, technology, destiny, and life. We are richer for having those early recordings of Louis Armstrong when recording and preserving music were the same age as Louis himself; and for the unplanned (and barely known) recording of Benny Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert, which could not be...

Good, but it's not an official Diana Krall product
This DVD, recorded in San Sebastian, Spain, in 2008, features only 10 tracks, and one of them is the band introduction. Diana shines on the other nine selections, including two performances not found on her other concert DVDs, "I'll String Along with You," and the title track.

This is not an authorized Diana Krall DVD. The picture quality is not as good as her other concert DVDs, though the sound quality is fine. The end credits are in Spanish; this may have been taped for Spanish TV. This is probably one of those "gray-market" releases; not a bootleg, but not completely legal either.

Doing All Right-in Concert is also available on vinyl on Amazon; other sites list a CD release as well.

Most Krall fans will probably want to stick with her authorized DVDs, Diana Krall - Live in Paris,...

This release was her worst
Elvis Costello should stick to writing and composing songs for himself. There are a couple of cuts that are ok. I loaned this DVD to a friend and had the same reaction. Also, my wife is an avid fan of Krall and she was disappointed. Should have saved my money.

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Louis C.K: Hilarious

Yet another amazing performance.
Probably his best special since Shameless, which is my all time favorite of his.
The passing of George Carlin left a huge void in the world. and the closest we will ever probably have to another Carlin is Louis C.k.

While Carlin would have a focus on the life of politics, Louis has a focus on the politics of life.
One of the most amazing aspects of this special and all of his specials is how effortless he makes his act look. Quite possible the hardest working man in comedy today. But you will never notices these things while watching this special, because you'll be too busy laughing your ass right off.

A must own for any fan of stand-up. Yet another true stand-up classic, that I would gladly put up against any other before it. Shameless, Chewe Up and now Hilarious are all prime examples of what great comedy is, as well as a hope for what it will be in the future. The man continue to crate work that makes my life more enjoyable.

Nearly Perfect
An amazing show. In my opinion compares favorably to the best (including Hicks, Carlin, Bruce, Pryor etc). While his language and jokes are not usually for the faint of heart, something (compassion?) seems to allow him to push only to the exact razor's edge of mean-spiritedness before pulling back long enough to deliver another perfectly measured line. I've honestly never reviewed anything before, but this special was literally so funny that it made me lose my mind. I truly hope that he continues to improve, because this show is his best and most consistent by far.

Never Disappoints
I think Louis CK is this generations best comic. His TV shows are the best on the air, and once again, his stand-up delivers a one-two knockout. I don't really know how to describe his comedy other than relate it to a tsunami of laughter. It starts out with a small laugh, inside, then a chuckle, then as his performance goes on, you laugh out loud, then get belly laughs and you literally fall on the floor laughing...all the while feeling a little bit guilty for laughing at the words coming out of his mouth. He is HILARIOUS. And I mean it, Louis~

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Hot in Cleveland: Season One

This show is pretty Hot everywhere !
From the moment they all landed in Cleveland, I couldn't stop laughing !!!!! Love the entire cast of characters, and Betty White, well she's the glue that holds everyone together, sometimes, when she's not getting into trouble herself...love the quote " who knew I would have game at 80 " I'm so happy they are coming out with the DVD in January ( would have made a great Holiday gift it came out in December )But, thrilled that the show is coming back for a full season. Looking forward to see what they get up to next season.The writer's are a very talented team, and hope they keep up the momentum.

Hysterical! Betty White is Brilliant!
Brilliant writing, outstanding acting, all around a very funny show! Only Betty White could play Elka-the pot smoking, adult diaper wearing, caretaker who is hell bent on destroying Joy-played by Jane Leeves. Joy is a professional hair and make up artist to the stars who's quips are usually directed at Elka. Wendy Malick's character-Victoria is also very well cast as a has-been soap star who played the same character for 27 years before the soap was cancelled, and thinks she is loved by one and all. The Japanese commercial she did for diaper pants is absolutely histerical!! Valerie Bertinelli plays-Melanie, even though she seemed to have a little bit of a slow start in the first episode, she more than makes up for it when she tries to make friends with the entire neighborhood and it sort of backfires! I can't wait for season 2 to start, Mary Tyler Moore is going to make a guest appearance, bringing her and Betty White together for the first time since the Mary Tyler Moore show.

Amazing!
Definitely, I love Betty White! I laugh every-time I saw her in a movie or in a TV sitcom. I also love Hot in Cleveland. Hot in Cleveland is a mix of humor with an excellent script... simply AMAZING!

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Once Upon a Time in America

A magnificant opium dream of a gangster epic
Okay, a four hour gangster movie is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, especially when the pacing is absolutely glacial and DeNiro and Woods aren't on-screen for about half that time because of a childhood flashback that's longer than some full movies. But, if you take this movie on the terms director Sergio Leone sets, it's a richly rewarding cinemeatic experience. I've heard the film described as "an opium dream of a gangster movie" and the pacing seems to justify such a response. But it's slow and richly detailed, and a little odd at times, for very good reasons that pay off in spades by the film's emotionally titanic (though slightly anti-climacticfinale.

Despite what can seem like turgidness on first viewing, this film is likely to stick to your ribs and merit repeat screenings. DeNiro smolders throughout, while James Woods delivers a teriffic scenery-chewing performance. The story is friendship (and betrayal, of course)--or is it Romulus and Remus? Greek tragedy,...

Brilliant
When "Once Upon A Time in America" was initially released, there wasn't much of a stir in America due to the well-documented excision of around an hour and half of footage. But, on its release to home video, the restored, uncut version was suddenly available to American viewers. Thank God. This is a deeply moving, emotionally-wrenching film that deserves its ranks in the annals of some of the greatest motion pictures ever filmed. Movie lovers will delight in this film from frame to frame. Top-notch performances, extended sequences with attention to detail that rival the best Kubrick films, and plot twists told through inventive flashback sequences make this a movie-lovers paradise.

I remember when it first came out, I was mesmerized by it for three reasons. Firstly, when it was released there was possibly never a more violent film than this one, with the possible exception of Scarface. Thus, the action is first-rate. Secondly, the performances were all...

ONCE UPON A TIME - ENTERTAINS, ENTHRALLS AND CAPTIVATES!
"Once Upon A Time In America" is director, Sergio Leone's stunning tale of organized crime and the destruction it unleashes into the lives of four life-long friends. Robert DeNiro headlines a cast of great talent that includes Joe Pesci, Treat Williams and James Woods. When this film first premiered in 1984 it was 229 minutes. However, the subject matter was considered so violent and shocking, and the pace so methodically slow that nearly 40 minutes were excised for general exhibition, rendering the story line practically incomprehensible. I am pleased to say that this new 2-disc set at last gives us the story as it was originally intended, full of robust characterizations, enthralling action sequences and filled with the sort of memorable moments that have reminded me why we all go to the movies - to be entertained (not overwhelmed with way-too-many, ultra-slick digital effects!).
Warner Brothers 2 disc set does have its drawbacks. First, the movie itself is...

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Rules of Engagement: The Complete Fourth Season

Hilarious show
Love this show. I can watch these episodes over and over. After having other family members watch this show they have become big fans too.

funny
We own the first 4 seasons and love it. going to order the rest of the sets. This show is funny

watching
you just cant beat these old comedies and the comerroderiy they have with the chracters..really enjoy great as one two and three

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Heroes of WWII: Collector's Edition

movie
it was a very good movie. very well done. good pictures. good narration. good documentary. keep up the good work.





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Raging Bull (30th Aniversary Edition Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Raging indeed-revised for Blu-ray edition
Revised for Blu-ray release:The two disc 30th Anniversary release combo on Blu-ray looks extremely good but is flawed--there's a noticeable translucent strip in the corner of the image that is slightly brighter than the rest of the image. It's a bit distracting at first but once you get into the film, you'll find it less noticeable. This flaw was also visible in the DVD edition of the film. The transfer is very good but not flawless.

There are some new special features for this edition including: "Marty & Bobby" featuring director and actor interviewed about how they ended up working on the film together (DeNiro brought the project to Scorsese). "Raging Bull-Reflections of a Classic" features four directors Neil LeBute, Richard Kelly and Kimberly Pierce discussing the influence and impact of the film. "Remembering Jake" allows us to listen in as the Veteran Boxer's Association of New York do their monthly get together and discuss Jake LaMotta. "Marty on Film" allows...

Bull on blu is a knock-out!
This is a blu-ray for film lovers. The film grain has been reproduced beautifully. There is some minor ringing on a few high contrast edges, but other than that nit-pick, this looks just like watching it at the movie theater, but with a pristine print. Looks just as Scorcese intended in gorgeous black and white. One of the greatest films has been given a great restoration and now looks its very best on blu-ray!

If there has ever been an American masterpiece, this is it.
A mood masterpiece from director Martin Scorsese, Raging Bull is the authority on boxing films as well as cinematic biographies. The life and times of Jake La Motta (Robert De Niro) are as troubled and bumpy as that of any great figure. A furious man from the backstreets of the Bronx, La Motta rises from the ravages of poverty to become one of the most unbeatable contenders in boxing history. Set amid the backdrop of the 1940's and 50's, this film is the modern pinnacle of the always-arresting theme of Rise and Fall. A man who had everything he wanted, La Motta was forever haunted by personal demons that were expressed through forceful paranoia and the obsessive need for reassurance. Driven by anger rather than passion, he was able to defeat any opponent with sheer grit and thirst for blood. Among his Achilles heels were his young wife, Vikki, whom he met when she was only fifteen. Moving at a steady and always involving beat, La Motta is shown taking more beatings,...

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Booky's Crush

Sweet story of puppy love
After watching Booky and the Secret Santa last night, I saw two more titles pop up as instant plays on a movie rental site we subscribe to. Booky's Crush features the adorable Rachel Marcus in the title role as a young adolescent who suffers through the pangs of puppy love. The story is set in 1930s Toronto, during the Great Depression. The period drama also features one of my favorite actresses, Megan Follows as Booky's mom.

In this story, Booky is assigned a male study partner, played by Connor Price. Booky develops a crush on him and the story centers on Booky going through the challenges of adolescence, with her mom as her guide. As Booky's mom helps her daughter navigate through her puppy love, Booky's mom realizes her own marriage could do with some spark. This is a wonderful story to share with young adolescents, and makes for great family entertainment.

not as good as secret santa
I really enjoyed Secret Santa and so I ordered this, but this one leaves a lot to be desired. The entire movie was focused on who has a crush on whom. Seemed very superficial whereas Secret Santa seemed deeper.



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The Social Network (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]

Friendship, Betrayal, And Success--An Online Social Revolution Is Born From A Real World Social Ineptitude
Director David Fincher is back in fighting form! Those fearing he may have lost some of his bite with the ponderous "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" or the disappointing returns of the criminally overlooked "Zodiac" need not worry. "The Social Network" is a caustically funny and incredibly contemporary look at the evolution of Facebook. Playing like a thriller and a blisteringly dark comedy, this terrific film may be Fincher's most sophisticated piece to date (and certainly his most riveting since the days of "Seven" and "Fight Club"). On paper, "The Social Network" might not sound exhilarating but with the perfect screenwriter (Aaron Sorkin) and the perfect cast (Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, and Armie Hammer)--Fincher's tale of betrayal, pride, and avarice has become one of this year's must see films.

While I'm sure that everyone knows the subject matter of "The Social Network"--very briefly, the film's plot construction is structured as two...

Mark Zuckerberg has 0 friends.
The hype that has been circling around this film is ridiculous. On Rotten Tomatoes 145 out of 150 reviews assert this as one of the year's best films, and half of them make comparisons to Citizen Kane. So to say my expectations for this film were high is an understatement, I expected it to be a masterpiece. And even with its small flaws, I can claim that The Social Network is our defining film.

The film is set up alot like Rashomon, and yes Citizen Kane. It moves back between Zuckerberg's freshman year at Harvard in 2003 when he invented facebook, and a few years later when he's fighting legal battles against his former best friend Eduardo Saverin and 3 Upper Class students who claim to have created the "Idea". I found switching gave this film a very quick pace, and in many ways deepened the stories thick layers even further. But like Rashomon we can never truly percieve who's version of the story is the truth. This also parallels our perception of the film: Did this...

Much better than I expected.
This was much better than I expected it to be (I expected it -- like Zuckerberg himself -- to be annoying!) It's true, for the first half an hour or so (as you acclimatise to the Harvard setting, and Zuckerberg's petty hostility toward (and inability to interact with) the social side of campus life) it is as annoying as expected, but you do get involved and it does become a great film.

Everything is very well shot: the campus atmosphere captured perfectly and the acting is first rate (especially Andrew Garfield as -- the only character who is really likeable -- Eduardo Saverin). It doesn't really follow a standard plot -- the story of how Facebook was founded (and how quickly it became a global success) is interspersed with two subsequent lawsuits against Zuckerberg -- though it is simple enough to follow. I think the main reason this works (as others have mentioned -- as well as the excellent direction by Fincher) is that Zuckerberg (and most of his peers) are portrayed as...

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The Three Stooges: Collector's Edition

Total rip off
The Three stooges( Collectors Edition)
The box says "7DVDs over 11 hours" what they dont say is that there are only 4 classic stooges shorts and only on the first DVD. The rest of the set is crap. The reamaining 6 1/2 dvds /10 hours are patched together bad movies and cartoons ( remember the really bad stooges cartoons you wouldnt even watch back in the 60's) It is intentionaly misrepresented. The packaging is first class, a real eyegrabber, but whats inside is junk.

Reissue of a disappointing DVD set
A 3-disc reissue of 2002's 75th Anniversary 2-disc edition from Madacy and C3 Entertainment. My earlier review of that collection follows, with these additional notes/warnings to this updated edtion...

- Disc 1 is unchanged, with the Stooges' 4 public domain Columbia shorts transferred from mediocre 16mm, Screen Gems, dupe prints.

- Disc 2 contains the same material as the earlier edition.

- Disc 3 is a new addition, featuring 1970's TV pilot KOOK'S TOUR. Previously licensed to Anchor Bay Entertainment, rights owner C3 Entertainment has transferred home video distribution rights of this film to Madacy... the Super8mm source material is unfortunately/inherently bad for both, but this Madacy version is further degraded with digital pixelation problems.

- All bonus features on Disc 3 DUPLICATE the content of Disc 2!

On the plus side, this new version comes in a tin case with a sound-chip mechanism containing a grand total of 4...

Not what you expect
I went into buying this eight DVD box set believing that there would be at least a few classic "Stooges" shorts. Instead, I receive only ONE DVD of shorts, the rest of the set being comprised of various clips, biographies, and rare footage of the Howard brothers. I'm all for learning a bit about our classic comedy heritage here, but my main complaint is that the clips on each DVD borrow greatly from each other (you'll find yourself watching one DVD, realizing you've seen these clips on the LAST DVD!), the clips are poorly edited together, and there are far too many annoying "Pop-up Video"-esque factoids that are indeed informative, but get in the way of enjoying the Stooges' comedy.

If you're interested in learning about the team here, read a biography. If you want to actually WATCH the Stooges, try a different box set.

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4 Film Favorites: Family Fun (The Ant Bully, The Iron Giant: Special Edition, Kangaroo Jack, Racing Stripes)

amazing collection!
my baby cuz loves this collection. i would totally recommend these movies to everyone (even adults). especially the iron giant... i always cry.

I love how 4 dvds fit in box.
Awesome movies. my son and I love these. Kids and family movies in one box. His favorite is the racing strips. only cause he loves horses.



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The Universe: The Complete Season Five

Good Series, Short Season
The fifth season of The Universe is, by far, the shortest season with only 8 episodes:

"7 Wonders of the Solar System"
"Mars: The New Evidence"
"Magnetic Storm"
"Time Travel"
"Secrets of the Space Probes"
"Asteroid Attack"
"Total Eclipse"
"Dark Future of the Sun"

It's a little disappointing -- as a viewer, I feel a bit cheated out of five episodes this season, given that previous seasons had 13 or more episodes each.

This has been a good series thus far -- perhaps the best on TV since "Cosmos" in the 1980s. But it is apparent, based on the last two years, that the producers are running out of new ideas and angles. Now, with this short season, one can't help but wonder if viewers will be seeing a season 6.

Still, with all the discoveries and tantalizing hints revealed by the new particle accelerator, coupled with observations and discoveries from the space-based telescopes, you would think there'd be more...

Running out of episode ideas?
It seems that the creators of this show are running out of ideas for new episodes. I don't see how that is possible seeing that our universe is infinitely large and filled with constant new discoveries.

The content from this season is first class, which is to be expected from this great series. Each episode is well researched and presented in a format that is easy to understand. If you've enjoyed the previous seasons of The Universe, the content of season 5 will not disappoint.

I hope this short season is just a bump in the road for this otherwise excellent series and not the end of the line. Thank you Amazon for giving this abbreviated season an abbreviated price.

How Small We Are
This series gives you the information to view in amazement the sky we live in. You will see the great unknown in a form you never imagined. We are such a small spec in both time and space and we will never get to visit the outer reaches beyond earth no matter how long we live. This series can take you there and show you how it all happened. It certainly leaves you wondering where did it all start billions of years ago and where will it all go billions of years from now? It quickly shows you how little we know about the skys above us and where we came from. Are there other life forms out there, probably, but you quickly find out how lucky we are to have a planet with all the right conditions to support mankind. You will quickly learn how much we have learned about the last billion years in the last 50 years since space exploration began. The series shows us why we need to explore space to survive the next billion years. It also shows you how much more we need to learn about the heavens.

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The 40-Year-Old Virgin [DVD + Digital Copy] (Universal's 100th Anniversary)

2nding the notion that the unrated version pales in comparison to the original
This is one of the funniest movies I've had the pleasure of catching at a movie theater in a long time. I thought I was purchasing more laughs for my buck buying the UNRATED version, but much to my disappointment this is definitely a case of MORE is LESS. The added scenes do nothing to enhance the original; in fact, I'd say 90% of these added scenes should have been left as "deleted scenes." They hurt the comedic pacing of the original. If you thoroughly enjoyed the original at the theaters, stay away from this unrated version. In fact, I'm so disappointed in this unrated version, I'm tempted to buy the r-rated "original" version even though it only comes in full screen (why the original is unavailable in the widescreen format is also cause for this fan to roll his eyes in disbelief).

A 40-Year-Old Virgin's review...
My first viewing of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" was late in its theatrical run. By then it had been banished to the smallest theater in the multiplex, so me and (I assume) the only other middle-aged virgin in town were its sole audience. I wish I'd seen it sooner, because it's now one of my all-time favorite comedies.

Forty-year-old Andy Stitzer lives a comfortably regimented singleton life - similar to the main character from "About a Boy," except chaste, uncool, and with no internal monologue. He works in the service department of Smart Tech, a Circuit City-like electronics store. One day, a couple of coworkers ask him to be the fifth man at a poker party. He accepts, but during the game is outed as a virgin. The rest of the movie revolves around his friends' outrageous attempts to get him hooked up, along with Andy's determined efforts to overcome his fear of women and woo Trish, an attractive customer who owns an online auction store across the street...

One Very Smart, Dumb Movie
Surprise, it's a morality tale disguised as a sex comedy.

Imagine you combined a few of the best parts of Something about Mary, 40 days and 40 nights, Sideways and ( as strange as it might sound) an after school special. Now, throw in more profanity than really necessary and imagine that the combination worked.

Plus, unlike the Josh Hartnett film, 40 days and 40 nights, there is some actual thought given to the kind of person who is shown.

It's not Shakespeare. It's not Once Upon a Time In Mexico. And it's not the Usual Suspects, but for what it is it works.

And what it is, is the smartest dumb movie I've seen in a very long time.

Among its many surprises, is you have a peer group of men who actually look out for each other.

You also have an attractive grandmother who is not the standard cookie-cutter grandmother.

These are just two of the many departures from the expected that make this anything but the...

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4 Film Favorites: Girls' Night (A Cinderella Story, The Clique, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, What a Girl Wants)

Great chick flicks!
These movies are the quintessential chick flicks - very formulaic but very enjoyable. This combination is perfect for households with any females, particularly teens, but even women! I'm 50+ and I enjoyed the scenery, acting and happy endings - the old- fashioned kind!

Go buy now its good
The movie was the best I ever saw funny cute and sexy good jokes excellent lines to learn from so go buy it watch it with a friends bring all and enjoy Ty

Love it!! Great Deal!!
I love three out of four of these movies, and the other I had never seen before, so I watched it and LOVE it too now!! It is a great buy for the money, and you get four great movies!! :-)

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Dances with Wolves (Two-Disc 20th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]

Kevin Costner's Best Film to Date
Kevin Costner directed, produced and starred in the 1990 western epic "Dances with Wolves", which was based upon the novel of the same name by author Michael Blake, who also wrote the film's screenplay. Costner plays U.S. Army Lieutenant John G. Dunbar during and shortly after the U.S. Civil War. Following a victory with Union troops under his command, he requests an assignment to the western frontier and is assigned to an isolated military outpost in the Dakota Territory. John waits patiently for other troops to arrive at the outpost, but they never do. With no means to communicate with his superiors, John bides his time by taking care of the outpost and himself, as well as writing in his journal. A nearby wolf begins to take an interest in John. At first, he tries to chase the wolf away, but eventually, the wolf becomes John's unwitting companion. Later, John realizes that there is a nearby Native American Sioux tribe. Members of the tribe meet John, but since they do not...

A Rare View of My Tribe
When Dances With Wolves first came out, I had some doubts about seeing it. All of my life I had seen movies that either presented my tribe (the "Sioux" or more accurately the "Lakota") as a bunch of savages, or used non-Native American actors to portray "Indian" roles. The book, Dances with Wolves was dumb (they were Comanches???). The movie surprised me. If it hadn't been for Kevin Costner's acting, I would give this five stars. He did a great job of directing the movie, but he came across as a total idiot in the movie ( in my opinion). What I liked most about the film was the accuracy, and use of the language (which was my first tongue), as well as the Native American cast. The extended version is even better, filling in a few gaps, and expanding on a few scenes that needed it. Overall, a very good movie; I can't count how many times I have seen it.

One Reason You Must Buy the Blu-Ray...
I wont bother going into details about the film itself. If by chance you haven't already seen Dances With Wolves or haven't at least heard about it then there are already hundreds, if not thousands, of reviews already written that go into detail about the film itself. At this point I really dont think I can significantly add to whats already been said about this film. Ill simply say that it was, and still is, one of my all time favorite films.

I am writing this review urging people to buy the 20th Anniversary Blu-Ray Edition for one reason and one reason only, the soundtrack. This is not to say that the soundtrack is the only worthy upgrade in this version, quite the contrary as I think this version is outstanding in every possible way (unlike the previous releases). Its simply because its worth upgrading to just for the soundtrack alone. Its hands down one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard and until you have heard it in all its glory on Blu_Ray....well your really...

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