Monday, September 30, 2013

Shaquille O'Neal Presents All Star Comedy Jam Live From Orlando



Saw this live and it was awesome!
I had the opportunity to catch this taping in Orlando and it was hilarious! I was literally laughing out loud at all of the comedians. Lil Duval and Capone were especially funny. This comedy series gives all of the rest a run for their money.

Hilarious!
Honestly, this is one of the funniest stand-ups I've ever seen years! Tony Roberts, Gary Owen and Lil Duval had me CRYING! Tony Roberts had one of his best performances in this one. He's incredibly funny and I look forward to more of these!

Awesome dvd
Great for laughs! Capone and Tony Roberts are hilarious! Get this dvd and you won't be sorry. Simply awesome and professionally done.

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Constantine [Blu-ray]



Not Faithful to It's Source, But Pretty Darn Good Regardless
'Constantine' is based on the D.C./Vertigo title 'Hellblazer', which is excellent. Rather than compare the two, I'll just rate it as a movie: John Constantine, who has managed to get himself locked out of Heaven and is so wanted by Hell that Kucifer himself refers to Constantine as the only soul he'd come up personally to get. You had to have done some serious wrongs to the devil in order to get that sort of attention. But the movie itself is pretty straightfoward - stop the devil's son from being born on Earth, or we'll all suffer for it. It's in the details that this film is a little different than the rest. It's got some new mythologies we haven't heard before, some new tricks and some pretty cool villians (not all of whom are from Hell or Earth). As an added bonus you manage to feel something even for the ancillary characters, which is a fun bonus. Very nice F/X, especially Hell. Most of the acting is pretty goo, especially the character of Gabriel. Keanu is fine, even if he...

Flawed, with Flashes of Brilliance
Dreadfully flawed and with a muddled story line, "Constantine" is nevertheless worth watching, for its occasional profound and intense beauty, and its visions of hell and its denizens, which anyone who believes that forces of evil exist and influence our world will find fascinating. Loosely based on characters from the Hellblazer comics, the script is very interesting in parts, but the audio is abysmal. The dialog sounds as if it is coming from an underwater tunnel, and I had to watch the film with subtitles. Also, this is a film that begs to be seen several times, to make some sense of the muddle.

The cast is excellent, and I have always been partial to Keanu Reeves, who as John Constantine, a man dying of lung cancer, who can see, and has walked beyond this dimension, is very good in his own peculiar way. I can't imagine anyone else of his generation playing the part. As he says of the cat in the film, he's "half in, half out," and Reeves also has that quality, of being...

More clever and intellectually stimulating than exciting, but I guess that's not bad
I missed "Constantine" in theaters and thus looked forward to discovering for the first time via home viewing a quality motion picture adaptation of a popular comic book character. And, in the end, I did enjoy the film. Just be warned that it isn't like the "Spider-Man" movies. Unlike those earlier films, "Constantine" is more interesting and intellectually stimulating than exciting.

In particular, I enjoyed the film's somewhat subversive vision that the goals and objectives emanating from Heaven and Hell are sometimes laced with the same base political motivations that are often the springboards for the official positions held by powerful organizations here on Earth. I liked how the bad guys could be charming and somewhat sympathetic despite their Hellish origins, and how the holy characters (I'm mostly thinking of Tilda Swinton's Angel Gabriel character here) can come up with questionable and truly bizarre plans to rid the Earth of evil, even if it means something...

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The Adventures of Scooter the Penguin



Good Message, but Low Budget DVD
Teaching lessons of acceptance, honesty, teamwork and understanding, this family friendly animated movie is about a unique blue penguin named Scooter that is from a lost colony of penguins known for their amazing speed and strength. He was abandoned before he was even hatched and is taken in by a family of silver penguins that encourage his talents. Still, Scooter doesn't feel like he belongs. He finally learns the lessons of love and self-worth and returns to his village to save the day.

This movie was low budget and the events seem to drag on too long throughout the movie. It is OK for younger kids, but didn't hold my little ones' attention and my older kids were extremely bored because the events were too predictable and there was very little eye candy or real detail to the animation. It was, however; a good storyline and message so I believe the whole thing could have been presented better.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Entertainment One for sending me...

A Pleasant Message For Very Little Kids, But This Low-Budget Endeavor Isn't Exactly A Must-Own
Anytime you say something critical about a feature made for children, people go out of their way to condemn your opinion. "Lighten up, it's cute enough for kids." I patently refuse to give in to this ideology, though, because I want quality entertainment choices for my kids! I want to recognize the great efforts of those toiling to make smart, challenging, and truly memorable work for the younger generation and not just rubber stamp anything with the highest rating possible. That's a lot of build-up to poor Scooter. "The Adventures of Scooter The Penguin" is a relatively low-budget affair that's akin in quality to many of the cartoons on TV geared toward the youngest demographic (this is NOT for older children). If it were on TV for free or even as a cheap rental, I'd say give it a look if it appeals to you. Just don't get the kids thinking this is even in the same realm as "Happy Feet" because of the penguin motif. But as a DVD purchase, I can't imagine that anyone will find this an...

"Scooter" great fun for the family!
Fun for everyone! 6 year old grandson loved it! Good family entertainment. The voices were very well done, especially "Walter Windshield."

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Ernest Goes to Africa



Ernest's downfall
I've always pretty much liked the Ernest movies. Yes, they are silly and whatnot but they were always funny and I can't think of another actor who can make such funny faces. Unfortunately, in this one the budget was seemed to have been kept to a maximum of about 200 bucks. It's very low budget and it was dissappointing to see Ernest in something so stupid.
The story was cheesy, flimsy, and stupid. The actors (excluding Ernest himself) were horrible, and it was altogether just cheesy. Ernest also wasn't very funny in this one at all. His co-star, that dumb waitress who goes along with Ernest to Africa was so mean and stupid I just wanted to slap her across the face. Anyways, there's not much to say about this movie except if you want some real Ernest, I'd suggest "Ernest goes to Jail","Ernest Scared Stupid", or "Ernest goes to school."

Almost realistic
In this film, Ernest wants a date with Renee, the waitress at a local diner. She considers herself to deserve more than this Mr. Nobody. At the advice of the other waitress, Ernest tries to win Renee's heart with a gift. Unfortunately, while shopping for the gift, he gets mixed up in a jewel theft involving stolen African treasure. That lands both Renee and Ernest in Africa, where they must try to evade capture by competing teams of jewel thieves. While in Africa, Ernest gets to try out an extended scene with the old lady in the green dress, and he does a masterful job as an Indian swami.

The first time I saw this movie, I thought it lacked continuity. I found it somewhat strange to see Indians, Arabs, and Brits mixed in with the African characters, and I thought that Varney had gotten his geography thoroughly confused this time. I also found the stereotypes that he was playing with a bit offensive- -many of the characters certainly aren't politically correct. However, after...

Pretty Good Ernest
This is what I'd call Pretty Good Ernest. Not up to the level of Brilliant Ernest (e.g. "Ernest Rides Again"), but better than Banal Ernest (e.g. "Slam Dunk Ernest").

If you're already an Ernest fan, you'll probably get a kick out of this movie. If you're just getting started on Ernest, I'd recommend one of "Ernest Rides Again", "Ernest Goes to School", "Ernest Goes to Camp", or "Ernest Goes to Jail."

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Hostel & Hostel II - Blu-ray Double Feature



Good gore movies, terrible Blu-ray
DO NOT BUY THIS!!!

Seriously it is defective! In the final five minutes of the first Hostel movie when Paxton exits the train the audio goes crazy and it becomes a random mix of sounds that do not mix with the movies itself and no doubt ruins the experience imo.

I am not the only one who has this problem because other reviewers here have expressed having the same issue! I only hope that they remove these defective blu-rays from Amazon and department stores because honestly it's a massive error on Mill Creek's part but perhaps I should not be surprised.

1 star for this edition of Hostel/Hostel 2

The movies themselves are gore classics in the horror genre.

Thanks guys now please don't make the same mistake I made.

Mill Creek Earned My Respect
Yep, like everyone has mentioned, the audio was synced improperly during the final scene of HOSTEL. I emailed Mill Creek Entertainment (just do a search concerning the matter) about the disc, got an immediate response about it. I was surprised with the expediency of return contact, honestly. The rep asked for my contact information in order to send a replacement, free of charge. I wasn't expecting anything to happen after that, so I ordered the individual Sony releases, and forgot about it. Surprise! Checked my mail today, to find a corrected set, along with a nice bonus nature blu-ray. I'm guessing Mill Creek is a small company, and hey, crap happens.

By the way, I've watched both presentations. There is no real difference in picture and audio quality, between the Sony and Mill Creek transfers.These are dark, grainy films. If you don't need the special features, go with this one. Nice to have both inexpensively on one disc.

Hostel
If your buying this just to have, check the first movie on the last five minutes, mine had an audio track error. This is relatively new so make sure yours isn't a bad copy.

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Monster High: Ghouls Rule



A One Hour Commercial
I'm old enough to remember when the activists who would go on to ruin broadcast television for children first sounded warnings against half hour or one hour commercials, that is animated children's TV shows based upon an existing line of toys. Frankly, I never understood the alleged vast moral difference between doing this as opposed to creating the TV show FIRST and only THEN merchandising the crap out of it with dolls, action figures, boardgames, Underoos, etc., but I DID find the designations useful because in those bad old days, the toy-based TV shows tended to be just awful, and I studiously avoided them.

Well, time has passed, and would be creators of children's videos with even an ounce of controversy or creativity have largely abandoned broadcast TV, first for cable and then for the Internet, and somewhere along the way toy companies figured out that more was required in an era when watching commercials required making a positive choice. As a father of young...

MH DVD
Pre ordered this DVD for my daughters 10th bday. Received it just in time to. My daughter loves MH. My hubby and I love what MH stands for. We both enjoy watching it with her. Great for self esteem. Made my daughters Birthday. Great gift, great price.

A Ghoul Movie!
This movie was really pretty good. I didn't expect much from it but the kids and my wife and I all enjoyed it. We watched it after we got back from Trick R Treating as the kids ate some of their candy. They are already wanting to see the next Monster High Movie, or should I say two as it is supposed to be a double feature! Pick this one up, as you can tell from the other reviews you won't be disappointed!

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Restless City



Pleasantly Surprised
I really didn't know what to expect from this movie when I first sat down. What I got was an amazingly beautiful story of one musician's struggle to find his voice in New York City. Dosunmu brings beautiful aesthetic that perfectly matches the musician's journey through life and finding love in the dark underground world of the New York City streets. Between the acting, the creative directing, and the story, it's safe to say I was really pleasantly surprised and I'm really glad I got to see it! Would highly recommend it if you're looking for a genuinely great film.

Attention catching and brutal
Restless City tells the tale of a young Senegalese immigrant living day by day in New York city experiencing hardship and occasional pleasure along the way. I give this title 3 stars due to the cinematography throughout the film. Some of the scenes filmed were hard to decipher due to the way the film was shot and left me confused. Other than that, the film's story was beautifully told and well worth seeing!

Wonderful Movie
I didn't expect this movie to be so moving. I enjoyed the visuals and the storyline. The main character needed more development but it was a great movie overall.

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WWE: CM Punk - Best in the World



Best in the World
This is the official match listings for the DVD and my own personal reviews for each match. I've been a huge fan of CM Punk from the very beginning, so this set is like a dream come true. The matches on the set are ones that I had predicted would be on this set, which makes it a must have for any true Punk fan!

Brent Albright vs. CM Punk
OVW 3/1/06
This was the finals of the OVW Heavyweight title tournament after the title was vacated. This was a good bout, but I think that their rematch with Punk coming out on top would have been a better choice but either way it's a great opportunity to see Punk pre-WWE.

CM Punk's WWE in Ring Debut vs. Justin Credible
ECW 8/1/06
This match introduces the WWE Universe to CM Punk and give us a sneak peek as to what we would all expect from him as he progressed...

CM Punk vs. John Morrison
ECW 9/4/07
This was Punk's last chance at Morrison's ECW title after chasing the belt the last three...

The "Eulogy" Of Phillip Jack Brooks
I'll be like Punk himself & be blunt honest in that this day & age, WWE hasn't had a good track record of creating & establishing top name main event caliber talent (another subject for another time) but in over the past year, there has been one name who broke through the "glass ceiling" to become currently one of the longest reigning WWE Champions in history & the one guy who actually brought back old fans to the promotion they left once the "Attitude Era" was over for doing one thing...just speaking his mind & being his "straight edged" himself. That man is C.M. Punk & this is his story which he was personally was hands on with in regards to how it would be presented (or as he's called it in interviews, his eulogy) from his childhood to paying his dues, earning his reputation in the independent scene, and fighting for the proper respect in the WWE. This documentary is different than most of the previous WWE sets in that not only was footage used that WWE owns but also footage from...

CM Punk: Best in the World Listing
Disc 1

A New Day

Spaceboy

Backyard Fame

Taking to the Road

Launching Pad

Constantly Learning

Dark Cloud

Not The Prototype

Outcast Champion

Having Fun

A Challenge

Saving Society

Frustrated Beyond Belief

Hometown High-Pressured Situation

The MAN

Special Features

High School Sports

CM Punk - The Name

Scull Fracture

OVW vs. Albright

From Extra to Champion

December to Dismember

The Hat

"The Most Insulting Thing You Could Say To Me"

A Conversation with Liars

Title in the Fridge

Natalie's T-Shirt

"Teenage Anarchist"

Disc 2

Finals Match in the OVW World Heavyweight Tournament
Brent Albright vs. CM Punk
OVW 3/1/06

CM Punk's WWE in Ring Debut vs...

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Prometheus



4-Disc Collector's Edition Analysis
I'm reviewing the 4-Disc Collector's Edition. I'll go through each disc individually to give you a good idea of what you will be getting, and which version you should purchase. But first, let's briefly discuss the movie itself.

If you haven't seen the film yet, you will still undoubtedly be aware of the polarized reception it received. Some love it, some hate it. Instead of giving you another opinion on why it's the best/worst film ever, let me tell you what to expect. PROMETHEUS is not a horror film. Certainly it has structural similarities to ALIEN, and there is one scene that I would consider very "stressful." But overall, the film is what I would classify as a "concept drama." That is, a drama that doesn't focus on characters, but rather on concept. Don't let any of the tense trailers fool you, this movie was meant as a discussion piece, not an adrenaline rush. You can decide whether it succeeds or fails when you watch it yourself.

Onto the discs...

Take the Scientist's Survival Pop Quiz v2.0!
Are your survival skills as finely honed as the scientists aboard Prometheus? Let's find out...

You, a scientist, have landed on a distant planet with a team of fellow scientists in search of alien life. What would you do in the following scenarios?

1. Upon first arrival and entrance into what appears to be a manufactured cave structure, you deploy very high tech scanning and mapping probes. Do you:
A) Also send out your android crew member to evaluate any possible danger and then wait for the probes to finish scanning and mapping before you begin exploring?
B) Brazenly charge forward into the unknown and maybe consult your equipment's discoveries later, shrugging off any blips of alien life as an equipment malfunction?

2. While traveling through the cave structure on this alien planet you discover the presence of oxygen in the air. Do you:
A) Keep your space helmet secured tightly because there may be any number of unknown elements,...

A Return to SciFi
"Prometheus has landed." You've all no doubt seen the bombardment of television advertisements ranging from ESPN collaborations with the NBA Finals to Coors Light ads featuring the impressive ship landing on an alien surface. Ridley Scott defined the science fiction horror genre when he gave us an absolute perfect film in 1979: "Alien." There is nothing I can fault with this film. It's the perfect blend of science and horror. It uses suspense rather than gore. It rarely shows us the creature lurking aboard the ship, yet we feel like we've been forced to stare at it's disturbing makeup for hours. In fact, the alien (or "xenomorph") is only seen on screen for a total of 4 minutes. In a two plus hour film. You'd swear he was staring you in the face the entire time. So, when Scott announced two years ago that he would be revisiting the universe he helped redefine, I was ecstatic. I followed the film when it was known simply as "Alien 5," then "The Untitled Ridley Scott Alien...

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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Moonrise Kingdom



Stirs the memory of adolescent first love
Set in 1965, Moonrise Kingdom is a stylized coming of age film that delivers on its promise to bring the viewer of any age back to the intensity of just-entering-adolescence love. That alone makes this an extraordinary film. In addition, the music and imagery are beautifully orchestrated to delight the senses. The casting, characters, and acting are superb. It is rare to have a film that puts together this much talent and then taps it to the fullest.

Heavy hitters include the brilliant Edward Norton (for once watching his language and holding his temper) as an anal but dedicated troop leader, Bill Murray who in stark contrast to the young stars in this film, fails to find any joy whatsoever in his work in the law profession, wealth, family or beautiful surroundings. His dissatisfied wife (Frances McDormand who was the psychiatrist in Norton's first film Primal Fear), is also an attorney (the lawyer banter are some of the funniest lines in the film). Bruce Willis (who plays...

Swept away by style and story
IN A WORLD WHERE films must shock, where films must employ impossible stunts, extreme violence and outrageous characters, comes Moonrise Kingdom - with none of it. This is a real STORY, with real characters, in which everything that happens is actually possible. What a concept. Told with humor and compassion, the film sweeps you along without the dreaded need for suspension of disbelief. The story is pure Americana - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Some do it better than others. Not everyone is a winner. Its stars - seven of them! - are all totally out of character. This is not a Bill Murray vehicle or an Edward Norton vehicle or a Bruce Willis vehicle. The stars fit in, almost as afterthoughts. It's the story that counts. Most impressively, it has style. From the opening shots of Susie, face on with her binoculars in various rooms of the house, you know this film will be stylish. And understated. It is worthy of any screen in the world, in a world where American films...

"REMARKABLE IN EVERY WAY!"
It's 1965, and this mystical-magical story will tug at the heartstrings as it entertains with delight for the entire family. Sam and Suzy are both age twelve, neither one of them is popular and they both have their own issues outside of their charming relationship. However, they are appealing to each other in a unique friendship when they decide to run away together in their own great adventure. Bruce Willis can play the role of just about anything, and in this captivating story, his acting performance is excellent, along with all the other characters. The heart-warming story is touching, enjoyable from start to finish, and very funny. A Magnificent fun-filled movie for the entire family. Highly Recommended!

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I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season



Patience Rewarded
I love "I Love Lucy." Whenever I find it on TV, I watch and find myself laughing no matter how many times I've seen the episode. Naturally, it was one of the first shows I knew I wanted on DVD. I wished I'd waited for this set, however.

When season one was first released, it was huge and expensive. Knowing how much I wanted the show, I ignored the price and bought it. Now, over a year later, we get a set more in line with the other three released to date. Now there are only seven discs, and it's much thinner. This takes up a fraction of what the original did on my shelf. Yet all the extras and quality are still there. Believe me, I checked.

So what do you get? You get the 35 official season 1 episodes plus the "lost pilot" that was found and released several years ago. The episodes have been restored and they haven't looked this good in years. Picture is original full frame black and white and sound is original mono. While there is occasional dust and such...

Dieting, Lucy's Play, the Lease, Gossip & Vitametavegamin!
Over 50 years ago during the early years of broadcast television, the very inspired talents of Lucille Ball (1911-1989) and her then husband Desi Arnaz (1917-1986) were showcased on their hilarious television show "I Love Lucy". TV execs had initially rejected the plausibility of the show because of Desi and because they intended to tape the shows. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of Lucille Ball and Desi's obvious talents, the show first aired in 1951 and quickly became one of the most successful TV shows during all six of its regular seasons. As Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on "I Love Lucy", Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were joined by William Frawley (1877-1966) and Viviane Vance (1909-1979) as their best-friends/apartment landlords of Fred and Ethel Mertz.

The first season of "I Love Lucy" that aired between 1951 and 1952 has 35 memorable episodes:

1. "The Girls Want To Go To the Nightclub": For the Mertzes' anniversary, Ethel & Lucy want to go a nightclub,...

This DVD set should have been done like this originally!
I am a huge Lucy fan and just love her shows. With the price of the other version of this set, along with all the space it took up I avoided buying it. I agree with many of the reviewers about the GREED behind the first version of the I love Lucy complete first season DVD set. It takes up so much space (9 DVD Boxes) and it is expensive. Well I guess the powers that be at CBS finally listened to the dissapointed fans. They are now releasing this Reissue of I Love Lucy - The Complete First Season in what they call a new slim pack and the best thing is that it will be under $50.00 which is almost half the price of that other version. The DVDs will also be cut down to 7 instead of 9 which gives you more episodes per DVD. The will be one box set rather than 9 individual boxes. I encourage anyone who is in the process of buying that other more expensive version to wait because on May 3, 2005 this New slim pack and more affordable version will be released and the package looks a lot more...

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5 Time Champion



Poignant and Funny
I saw this movie in Tribeca at a screening earlier in the year and thought it was amazing. Great writing, very strong cast. It's a small-town coming of age story centered around an adolescent, rebellious boy growing up without a father, in a small town, surrounded by characters undergoing their own struggles and transformations. Sexuality, life goals and love are the key themes, shown through offbeat comic timing (lots of great one liners) beautiful cinematography and very relate-able characters. It's poignant without being cheesy, and again - very funny. Thumbs up!

Quiet Humanity
The movie's greatest strength lies in its portrayal of endearing moments of tenderness. The best humanity has to offer.

This is done without alot of hooplah but in the small miraculous ways it happens in real life.

Compassion in the midst of pain...

Much more to love about the movie...acting, setting, coming of age...but this is what I will remember for a lifetime.

Great Film!!!

Really worth your time!
Touching and so poetic and funny! It is really worth the time to step into this story. Great idea for a holiday movie, as it is about love and growth and the different ways we find family. Brilliant acting - I will give this movie as a gift to friends.

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Where the Wild Things Are [Blu-ray]



Outstanding - ignore some critics claims this isn't for kids
It's a funny thing: adults have no problem loading films with whizzing bullets, raging flames and bellowing anger and slap a PG rating on it, but the moment the protagonist is a child they back off and claim "Whoa - this is too intense and scary!".

Nuts.

The claims that this film is a little intense are true - it IS intense because it's much more honest and real than any other films for children available in the last thirty years. By 'for children' I mean ALL children, any age.
Those who can't recall what it was like to be a kid aren't going to get it. They will be those who don't recall what it was like to be frightened, who don't recall how it feels to be second best to those they love most, who never had to carve out a slice of reality (or unreality) for themselves to make sense of the incomprehensible.

The world portrayed in the film is the real world where individuals live their own lives, sometimes at the expense of the feelings of those...

A misunderstood classic
Directed by the wonderfully inventive Spike Jonze, WTWTA follows young Max as he runs away from home following an argument with his mother and finds solace in a world of his own. He sets sail and washes up on an island inhabited by furry beings who take him in and crown him as their new king- unfortunately they have eaten every other king they have ever had. The boys relationship with the wild things is loving but often strained at times. He finds in them what he found back at home- love, jealousy, rivalry, acceptance...
Let me say that this film looks stunning. The voice acting is brilliant, the writing and directing are sublime and the pace of the movie is measured, but perfectly so. I think the reason that people are slamming this movie is because they are approaching it a kids film, which it isn't. It is an adult film about being a kid, and how hard it could be and how we would often find comfort in make-believe.
In my opinion, this is one of the most affecting films I...

Great movie, but pretty much for adults
There is no sex, some violence, no cursing except for "hell". However, it's refreshing and in it's own way very original. I never liked the book, but I'm gradually growing attached to this film. I don't have kids, however I have worked with children, and this is not a film I'd show in a classroom. It has an adult feel, and the overal presentation of an angry boy finding himself through these "things"(these characters are extensions of his anger, self doubt, ect). Adults and teenagers would like this film. Especially the "not sure what I am/where I belong" message that this movie caries. Also, it doesn't come across as the typical Holywood trash, which, some people will find hard to swallow. Instead, the over all flavor has an independant film taste to it...can't fully explain what I mean. Anyway, thanks for reading.

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Nina Conti: Her Master's Voice



"Problems of the Self" Examined by Artificial Others
While my ventriloquism-loving friends either laughed at the crudeness of Jeff Dunham or sang along with Terry Fator, I found myself pursuing the sheer quirkiness that is Nina Conti. Despite having released at least three shows on DVD, being featured in a Christopher Guest film, and being a regular both at comedy shows and in Youtube clips, true fame has eluded Conti, though I'm hopeful that her first solo film project here will give her greater North American recognition. As is her style, Conti uses her documentary to balance spontaneous humor and genuine human emotion for a sometimes-uncomfortable, always-entertaining tribute to her deceased mentor and spiritual center of the piece, theater maverick Ken Campbell.

The gist of the "story" here is that Conti,...

HER MASTER'S VOICE Is A Brilliant Exploration of Life to the Fullest
I'll admit that I've always had a bookish interest in ventriloquism. It's not that I've ever wanted to give it a go - my failure to walk and chew gum at the same time practically insures I'd be nothing short of inept at manipulating a puppet, making it speak, and not moving my lips. Rather, I've always had an interest in acting. Ventriloquists master the unique challenge of creating not one but sometimes many personalities - the artist and the various dolls - and imbuing all of it with charm, wit, and performance grace. As someone who, in his youth, did some minor theatre productions, that's no easy task to do once; can you imagine having to do it simultaneously?

HER MASTER'S VOICE AND THE LEGACY OF SIX BEREAVED PUPPETS is a brilliant mockumentary entirely of Nina's design. When we join her, we find out that she's begun questioning herself and her career choice. At the onset, she's decided that, perhaps, it's time to hang up the puppets, put ventriloquism behind her,...

Different but acceptable
This was different than what I was expecting. It doesn't have the standard emphasis on humor, but it was still interesting. If you are just looking for laughs this isn't for you, but if you love the "vent" industry and the people in it than it's worth your time.

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The Last House on the Left / The Strangers / A Perfect Getaway Triple Feature [Blu-ray]



Underrated Movies
Three underrated Thrillers all in package. This is a good deal if you're into thrillers. Great picture quality and the movies are decent to good.

three blu rays for the price of one. It's a no-brainer if you're trying to rack up your movie collection or just want to watch movies you haven't seen before.

Great movies
What a bargain for these three good movies. The price could not be beat and the picture and sound quality was very good.

Great combo!
Not movies you can watch over and over but definitely a good pick and a must have for my movie collection.

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Jeff Dunham: Minding the Monsters



Docked a star for bitterness.
Typically funny, but laced throughout with far too many bitter divorce "jokes", which dampens the fun. Leave the bitterness to Walter who can do it with humor. The segment with Peanut, Jose, and Little Jeff is the standout.
Once again, Amazon, why all the reviews from people who have never seen this DVD? Reviews from fans written months before the release date are useless and dishonest.

Pleasantly Surprised though I shouldn't be
I am a big fan of Jeff Dunham, and I own every single DVD special he has ever come out with. The last special was disappointing. Some jokes were old or reused in a different and unfunny way. I was starting to think Jeff couldn't come up with anything new. -- Then, "Minding the Monsters" came out. I nearly peed myself several times. All the jokes and stories in this special were new, fresh, and totally funny. The theme is simple -- All of Jeff's characters were given a Halloween theme that best suited them. Walter dressed as Frankenstein, Bubbja J was a One-toothed vampire, Peanut arrived in a Batmobile-type car and appeared as "Bat-nut" with Jose' Jalepeno portraying his version of Robin (which he called Reuben) as well as Peanut's dummy Little Jeff, who was dressed as the Batman villain "The Riddler" (except instead of question marks all over a green outfit, there were little L's all over because Peanut called him, 'Loser-man'), and finally Achmed the Dead Terrorist decked...

He's baaaaaaaaack!
Yes! New Jeff Dunham DVD! I got to go to the taping in Georgia a few months back and it was awesome! Can't wait!!!

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Almost Invisible



The Shortcomings Of This Micro Indie Film Are Too Visible--A Lack Of Coherent Plotting Cuts The Party Short
"Almost Invisible," an extremely low budget effort filmed on video, had the potential to be a solid genre entry into the terrorized teen category (okay, they're probably in their twenties, but that doesn't sound as good)--however, the lack of a comprehensible plot is the film's complete undoing. It's as if an outline of the film were developed, but the screenplay was an afterthought to everything else in this endeavor. And when the story seems to have nowhere to go, the camera crew goes gonzo on weird angles, the editors cut randomly, and the effects wizards throw every devise on their computer at the screen images. The film's look is so haphazard, it really begins to be headache inducing--but all these technical decisions don't support the story, they are used to distract the viewer from the lack of narrative sense.

"Almost Invisible" begins at a local community college where everyone in the picture takes one supremely idiotic class together. All the buddies and babes want...

Surprisingly scarry and fun to watch
At first I was sceptical because many of the reviews were glowing and because I am not a great fan of the horror genre. However, "Almost Invisible" was both frightening and, when it needed to be, fun to watch. The writer/director clearly understands what is expected of the genre and he delivers exactly what is required. I would highly recommend seeing this video. Overall, two thumbs up.

Not the standard stuff
A couple of nifty aspects to this film sets it above the standard teens-get-slaughtered horror fare: the abundance of female nudity (and bikini-wear) and the special effects. And in fact, the film opts more for surrealism than gore, which is a nice change. The story has a bunch of young people gathering at a house for an end-of-summer bash. One by one they fall victim to bizarre hallucinations, then actual violence. Is the house haunted or is the weird goth hostess messing with their (admittedly puny) minds using her super goth-powers in revenge for their juvenile cruelty? I'm not telling, but the answer's a solid double, if not a home-run. Along the way, some very seriously scary and creepy stuff happens. Favorite line: "Sex is everything." Second favorite line: "This party's getting a little out of hand." Third favorite line: "Dude, there's some crazy s--- going on in here.

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20 Country Legends



country gold
I was surprised and delighted to see some of my older favorites singing familiar songs. For lover of old time country stars like tammy wynett, mel tillis, and charlie rich, this is great. Simply singer with a small band singing with no frills in front of a small audience.





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Worlds Greatest F1 Cars



A Great DVD
'The World's Greatest Formula One Cars' is a great DVD. It is about all of the best Grand Prix cars that have ever raced in Formula One, cars like Ferrari, Cooper, Lotus, McLaren, Brabham, BRM, Williams and many others. There is a lot of information on cars that even raced before F1 including the 1930's battles between Mercedes Benz and Auto Union. The DVD starts with the Grand Prix Car from 1920 and continues right up through the years until it reaches Michael Schumacher's Ferrari F2000. There is a lot of great footage on the DVD including the famous battle between Gilles Villeneuve and Rene Arnoux for second place in the 1979 French Grand Prix. This is a great DVD and any fan of Formula One should buy it.

Thorough history, but not the most exciting F1 footage
I think this is a very well put together history of F1, with some content that overlaps other DVDs I have but this title seems much more complete. However, in this video you will spend a lot of time looking at parked cars while listening to a narrative of their accomplishments, leaving a bit to be desired as far as seeing them in action on track from the cockpit or the tv cameras. The extra features include some text describing interesting incidents of various champion drivers - this is again the kind of material I would have preferred to see, not read about.

Fronm Amature to Pro.
I am a F-1 Car collector as well as Racer. I have been looking for comrehensive F1 history cars in DVD format for a long time. This, is no doubt the best DVDs on F1 cars there is along with book Formula1 1950-today is MUST for any amature F1 fan to professionals. See you in France~!!!!

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The Pyramids - Jewels of the Nile (Lost Treasures of the Ancient World)



Well presented also in 3D, good analysis
This documentary presents the ancient Egypt pyramids in detail using local footage, stylish period reconstructions, schematics, 3D graphics and animations, and expert interpretations and analyses. The sound and picture quality is good.

nothing new
I have come to realize the selections for instant video that do not have the release year are not the best. The description makes note of using 3D imaging and that's the reason I decided to watch. The 3D was so basic any 7 year old could probably get the same results. The video and sound quality are straight from the 80's and the information presented has been done to death and far better. Do yourself a favor and skip this.



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Yankee Classics: World Series Magic From The Bronx Bombers



champs
The team with the most world series wins. the video shows why & how they did just that.
I just enjoyed it from begining to end.
Audio & video was fine watched on my ROKU





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Our Town



no sound - need i say more?
I have ordered this DVD twice now, as the first one was defective and a replacement copy soon arrived to take its place. However, both copies had the same basic problem - NO SOUND WHATSOEVER! These appear to be the worst bootleg copies imaginable - scratchy picture (fine, it's an old film, without the benefit of restoration), . . . BUT NO SOUND???
Not negotiable, in my view - steer clear of this one, and please, Amazon, take it off your market and replace it with a quality version, if one exists!

Our Town - Reel Classic Films
Extremely poor video reproduction. If I had known I never would have purchased this. You have been warned!

Good Play--Bad Production Quality
I viewed OUR TOWN and what I saw was a high quality play mangled by some shoddy production values. I saw the VHS version and what I expected to see was an entertaining film that explored Thornton Wilder's view of an pre-World War I small town America in terms of his quest for values that were cyclical in nature. His play on paper asked the basic question: is there a purpose to life or are we doomed merely to re-enact the same dreary saga of birth, growth, death, and rebirth for all eternity? This filmed version tried to answer that, but I literally could not see clearly the scenes in front of me and I kept hearing annoying noises that clouded the characters' parts. Still, I tried to make sense of the movie. The Stage Manager, a folksy-sounding avuncular type, sets Grover's Corners both geographically and socially in context so that the gradual exposition of the main leads, George and Emily, tend to be seen as a natural concomittant of this growth. We see them as youths with a...

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Ferrari at 60



Hubby loves it!
He just got his dream car, a 2002 Ferrari, and was delighted when I gave him this video. We both watched and found it both interesting and informative.

Amazing Documentary Featuring Enzo and Old Ferraris
Absolutely excellent documentary of the history of Ferrari, I really enjoyed the feature of the Enzo and older Ferraris. I now realize old Ferraris are both cool and beautiful too.



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Spookley: The Square Pumpkin



Rudolph for Halloween...
Instant classic - very cute and entertaining, pleasing to watch. It's like the Rudolph story, but for Halloween - teaches acceptance of differences and kids love it. My 4 kids (9, 5, 4, and 1) all watch it and love it. Cute songs, great graphics, and I just hope this company produces some more holiday shows!

Kid's Love it!! RIght of Passage for Parents!!
If you want a less expensive version, without the plush toy, you can buy Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Pixar it's not. It lacks the texture, lighting and subtle nuance of a Pixar film. However, the computer animation is pretty good for a children's video and you won't be disappointed. There are several children's videos that I like to watch with my kids. This particular video leaves me lukewarm. There are very few, if any, bits of humor for adults to bolster our flagging sanity. That said, it passes the most important test; the kids love it. Parents won't find it annoying (at least for the first 50 times they see it).

My kids particularly like the musical bits. My five-year-old also likes the read along version of the original "Spookley" book on the bonus section. It's interesting that the book diverges SIGNIFICANTLY from the video.

My son has specifically asked to see the bonus feature...

Entertaining show with a good message
My kids love this DVD. Spookley is a pumpkin who is teased because he is different but this show teaches not to judge a book by it's cover. 5 Cute songs and it teaches a valuable lesson. Special features include:

-Direct Play DVD-full screen version

-Read Along with Bobby(Monster Mash) Pickett

My 2 year & 8 year old love this show and ask for it all through the year.

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Saturday, September 28, 2013

Fenway Park: The Golden Age



Great baseball history lesson
Great for any Red Sox fan or baseball enthusiast. I've been to Fenway a few times and would love to go there again.





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Sironia



Real Deal
As an artist, this film struck a realistic chord with me. It captured the descent into uncertainty uncomfortably well. The cinematography and mood was all beautifully done, too. Good stuff.

Great story, recommend!
I was pulled into this film by the great writing and acting. The cast did a fantastic job and the music was great. I related to the characters on so many levels and felt the wifes anguish and frustration portrayed as the story developed. I recommend this to all of my friends and family. It was refreshing to see a film filled with such talented actors that are not blockbuster movie actors, playing roles different from their "norm". The message portrayed, is one all kinds can relate to and the soundtrack was awesome too.

Sironia
I love this movie! Very relatable, Sironia depicts the life of a man with a family who is trying to figure everything out. Featuring great music, this movie was entertaining from beginning to end. Wes Cunningham was awesome as the lead, and he's an amazing singer! Really enjoyed this movie!

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Legendary Amazons [Blu-ray]



A good remake of a Shaw Brothers classic
This is a very good remake of the Original made back during the dominant run Shaw Brothers had in the Martials Film making genre. This movie was produced by Jackie Chan and I must say that this is a epic big production, with no shortage of action sequences. It got to be a little long on the drama to the build up but over all a good movie. The main weapon of choice in this film is the sabre and the choreagraph is well done.

Pretty fighting ladies take names!
Very good I love fighting ladies and its much better than some reviews.It almost looks epic and does not look cheap really like the girls amour weapons and fighting!Good tranfer and story along with fast shipping!

Just awful
Don't buy this DVD. It's just awful and isn't worth your money. The acting is poor and the script is sometimes hard to follow. On the lighter side, the scenery is interesting and the costumes are pretty. The ladies seem to know martial arts, though they do have that fly-through-the-air thing going on even though they don't do it very well.

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Casper / The Little Rascals / Harry and the Hendersons / Nanny McPhee Four Feature Films



4dvd pack..5 star value
4movies great value for money the wife and kids will enjoy these films.8hrs of quiet time.funny films &entertaining.a good variety of entertainment.

Harry and the Hendersons
I bought this package just for Harry and the Hendersons. I saw it when it first came out and enjoyed it so much that I wanted to share it with my grandchildren.

Hit a homerun with this DVD
Got this for my two granddaughters (age 3 & 5) . . . wanted Harry & the Hendersons . . girls LOVE all of the movies . . .we've just about worn the DVD out watching them . . best value for the money I've gotten . . .

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Young Ambassadors, The



Saving the 'Innocents'
Brilliant archival film footage of British children who were evacuated to countries all over the world during World War II when England was under attack from Germany. Touching first-hand accounts of parents who sent their children away to safety, as well as those children's perspectives of living abroad, and being separated from their homes and loved ones.

Extremely touching program steeped in the emotional turmoil of families who were facing turbulent times, and of their shared experiences of hardship and separation. Highly recommend this program. A real eye-opener, and a real tear-jerker!





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The Original Promise



A tourism video on israel.
An interesting angle on Israel. Done like a tourism video more so than a documentary. Paints an interesting story most wouldn't know about israel.

Forget What You Thought You Knew About Israel
The Original Promise really opened my eyes to another side of Israel. So much of what we see in the media is one-sided. This film shows an entrepreneurial Israel, a democratic Israel and a place where numerous faith-based groups can co-exist quite comfortably.



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Friday, September 27, 2013

Casino Royale (1967)



Not one but two versions of Casino Royale
Finally this comedic take on the James Bond series makes its way onto DVD, and for completists and fans of James Bond this 2002 DVD promises not only the 1967 version of Ian Flemings first 007 novel but also an edited down version of the very first James Bond movie, the 1950s CBS TV movie that starred Barry Nelson as James Bond (thats right, Sean Connery was NOT the first actor to portray 007). Made for an American audience, the character of James Bond is a CIA agent in that show and Leiter is the British intelligence agent. That movie, which is listed as a special feature on this DVD, also starred Peter Lorre as the villain Le Chiffre. Made in the days of live television this entertaining oddity is worth watching for the bloopers alone.
Years later, the rights to "Casino Royale" made it into the hands of another movie producer who, convinced that any attempt to make a serious version of "Casino Royale" would be doomed without the talents of Sean Connery, decided to make the...

How Many 007s Does It Take To Change a Light Bulb?
Eon Production's DR. NO was a great hit in the early 1960s, and Eon quickly snapped up the rights to the rest of Ian Flemming's novels about super spy James Bond--except for the CASINO ROYALE, which had already been purchased earlier by CBS for a 1950s television adaptation. When the property wound up at Columbia Pictures, they decided to create the satire to end all satires with a host of writers, five famous directors, and an all-star cast led by Peter Sellers. But Sellers' ego reached critical mass during the production and he was fired mid-way into filming--and suddenly roles that were originally envisioned as cameos had to be expanded to finish the project. The result is one of the most bizarre films imaginable. The story, such as it is, finds James Bond (David Niven) called out of retirement to deal with the sudden disappearance of secret agents all over the world. In order to confuse the unknown enemy, Sir James orders ALL secret agents to use the name James Bond--and...

Excellent '60s Magic; Acid Soaked Bond Spoof
As a '60s afficionado I finally got around to seeing this great psychedelic mindblower of a film. It starts off slow....enter Ursula Andress. There are at least 100 beautiful European girls in this film and I can see Woody Allen's motivation to kill all men taller than him so he can get them all. As the film takes off you realize that you have to be on Acid to understand the plot, as everyone remotely connected with this film must've been. The sets range from a Scottish castle to a Berlin haunted house to Orson Wells' psychedelic torture chamber complete with mod spiral funhouse rooms, and it gets more bizarre from there. Great music by Burt Bacharach (The Look of Love).

Has cameos from practically every British star of the time, has a Spaceship full of Woody's duplicate World Leaders...it has everything. What can I say, if you like the '60s you'll love this if you possess that '60s Psychodelic Consciousness that is.

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Fear Island



Decent, but felt like a TV movie
I have to be honest, I saw this on my cable TV's on demand. I didn't purchase the DVD. But seeing as how there are no reviews for this here, I thought I'd post my opinion on this movie.

The movie starts out at the end of all the murders. We see on survivor and are told everyone is dead. I hate when that happens in movies because then I know who survives and that everyone else is gonna bite it. It honestly wasn't that big of a deal with this movie though.

The survivor can't remember anything, and its through them that we find out what happened on this island that they were vacationing on with their friends.

The movie is pretty straight forward other then not knowing who the killer is. It really tries to twist everything around a time or two so that it throws you off the scent of the real killer. And for me it did that. I had no idea who or why until a little while before it was revealed. I honestly enjoyed the ending of the film and all the "twists"...

The Ultimate Movie Review! - [...] - @tss5078
For some odd reason I like things that take place on deserted islands. J.J. Abrams has showed us that there are so many ways to go and that the possibilities are endless, but to be honest I didn't expect much from this film. As it turns out, Haylie Duff isn't a bad actress and Fear Island wasn't a bad movie! This film was exciting, engaging, smart, and pretty well written. Many parts of the story, especially the ending were predictable; however it was still a great story. Fear Island is one of those movies you watch because it appears in your instant recommendations and there isn't anything else to watch, so you give it a chance, and what you find is that it's actually a pretty worthwhile film.

Wrong region
I watched this on Netflix and had to have the DVD (movie is great). I ordered it through Amazon and I always look to make sure it's the right region when it is shipped from another country. I did not see anywhere where it said that it was Region 2. After I got the DVD I rechecked and did finally find the Region 2 notation. Unfortunately it will not play on any of the three blu-ray players I have so I don't know if the DVD even works. The company offered to take it back but the shipping costs for me would have been more than the DVD cost.

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2012: The End



Best 2012 documentary out there!
There are few times when a documentary actually answers questions. This is one of those times! Very well thought out. Exciting to watch. Gives a whole new perspective on life and the future. Regardless of if you believe in Mayan profecy, this fill takes a scientific look at the past, present, and future of the human race, and the resulting conclusions are astonishing!

A MUST SEE for anyone who is worried about or interested in 12/21/2012!!!

Singularity: Postulation: Hope
I have been looking into the End of the current Maya Long Count 9th Epoc for about six years now. 2012 the End? is a great Exposé of many different perspectives on the subject...So to say this carefully that I have personally spoken to and had brief conversations with John Major Jenkins and Carl Calleman that these guys are completly interesting....They have disagreed on the exact end date but do agree some that the end of the cycle is not the end of the world but a new consiousness beginning starting around Dec 21, 2012... I would encourage anyone to watch this...I was able to just rent it at the Amazon link above then stream it....Cheap rental....I would say the front end is all over the place but by the middle to late in the presentation Sean and Louis Paul glue it together in a comprehensive view of many perspectives.....Exciting
Sahsen

Excellent
Very well researched and presented. I especially enjoyed the field work in the Yucatan penninsula. Very brave spending the night alone in the forbidden Mayan tomb!

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A Cadaver Christmas



GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!!!
I saw this movie in the theater when it was privately released by the director in the Quad City area. Going into the showing, I had no idea what to expect, but I walked out a *HUGE* fan of Zerull and this film. His vision for the film is spectacular; he uses camera angles to create a texture to the piece that is hard to come by. There is a grainy, old-time feel to the movie that is somewhat cliche at the start, but then I got into the storyline, and loved how the "scratchiness" of his filming lent to the overall feel. Though I don't watch too many zombie movies, I loved this one! I don't know how much humor is typically included in the zombie genre, but I found myself laughing so hard at times that I couldn't breathe. Additionally, there is one scene that pulls at your heartstrings almost to the point of tears. I can't wait for Oct 9, so I can get my hands on a copy of this film!

A Christmas Classic
A Cadaver Christmas is the rare movie that manages to mix gory horror, humor, and genuine sweet holiday sentimentality and sadness into a film that is far more than the sum of its parts. Composed of two sides, each distinct is a film that amply satisfies both. On one hand you have a film that shows the down sides to the season with people having to work through it while others drown out their troubles at a bar and with out family. On the other side of the coin you have a great horror romp that never allows itself to be taken too seriously. I definately recommend this film for those who like a little heartfelt sentiment with their irony or a little humor with their horror.

Not A Pretender
Recently there have been a lot of new Zombie fans brought about by bigger budget movies like Zombieland and movies of that nature. But Cadaver Christmas is a true, low budget indie zombie movie, the kind that makes the genre great. It knows what it is and it embraces it and the entirety of its genre. If you don't like B-movies you may not fully grasp the humor of Cadaver Christmas. But if you love witty humor, zombies, and B-movies make you feel all warm inside, then Cadaver Christmas might be for you.

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Bonnie & Clyde Vs. Dracula



It's Got a Great Title and a Really Cool DVD Cover
Genre crossovers are nothing new, but with the massive literary success of the novel PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, they're everywhere now and are an entire sub-genre in and of themselves. I like the idea of a crossover. I always enjoyed it as a kid when two or three tv shows would meet up for an episode or a two and would sometimes think of tv shows that would have been neat to see together-how cool would it have been if Magnum P.I. would have visited the mainland and got involved with the A-Team? Therefore, I picked up BONNIE & CLYDE VS. DRACULA just for the title alone. I kept thinking, it would be great to see a couple of gangsters take on the vampire king.

In the movie, Bonnie & Clyde are on the lamb after a bank robbery gone wrong. They are in need of a new car, a hideout, and a way to make some quick cash to get on their feet again. Clyde leads them to an "inn" of disreputable repute in the middle of nowhere where a friend of his is supposed to meet them with...

Better than expected
Let's be clear. This isn't a vampire movie or a Dracula movie. It's a Bonnie & Clyde movie with an appearance by Dracula. If you're looking for a vampire movie (as I was), get over it. The point is, it's a pretty good Bonnie & Clyde movie and also a pretty good mad scientist movie. The acting is decent considering the no-name cast. The story has some interesting twists. What more could you ask for? I knocked off one star because the ending was weak.

It's awful and boring.
Don't waste your time, or your money, on this film unless you are a total Bonnie & Clyde completest, Dracula completest, so and so vs. so and so completest, etc. Yes, the young woman the plays Bonnie is a total hottie; perhaps the film's only redeeming factor, but not worth the price. It's just plain stupid. Personally, I'd like to get a refund, but the seller was not at fault. I'm going to sell it here - "Like New-viewed once and once only!"

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Catholicism: Episode 3



Fr. Barron Rocks!
Father Barron does an amazing job explaining Jesus. He transports us back to the Holy Land, the origins of our faith to explain why Jesus was so important, why His message was so different than other religious leaders (Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius). He lays the foundations for explaining Catholicism.

Queen of the Universe
Of course, Father Robert Barron's knowledge of Church history, culture and the development of theology is always staggering to behold; at least I--a little layman--am always amazed by the historical surveys and hypotheses he offers. I have only viewed two episodes of the 'Catholicism' Series: the one on Peter and Paul, and the other on the Blessed Virgin Mary. The episode on the Blessed Virgin Mary is a look at the cultus of Our Lady on a global level. Father Barron takes the viewer from Her little home in Ephesus, to Lourdes, to Guadalupe. He even demonstrates how the Cathedral of Chartes is built in the image of the Maternity of Mary; an analysis I found wonderful to receive.

Of course, one can never cease speaking of the Virgin Mary, and I wish Father Barron could have said many more things. I wish he could have taken us to Jasna Gora, or spoken to us about Fatima or Khebo. Being a priest of the United States--and living in Chicago, no less--a little cameo of Our...

Amazing!
So glad this is available for purchase on instant download! This is a great series and a great tool for evangelization.

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Excuse Me for Living



Adore This Movie
A charming, suicidal druggie must obey his rehab-clinic’s demand to lead a seniors men’s group or face incarceration and lose the love of his psychiatrist’s daughter

This movie deals with a serious subject in a sweet & funny way. The cast is great especially Melissa Archer & Tom Pelphrey

Tom is awesome
Tom is awesome no matter what part he plays. He really should be in a lot more movies. Thumbs up for Tom Phelphrey!

Great movie......
I like Indie movies.....Stinks that Tom is NOT on the BIG screen more often. He can truely put himself in to ANY character and make you giggle, laugh and cry!

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Sexual Chronicles of a French Family [HD]



Highly edited! Good Movie, but not Amazon version
It was a waste of money to rent this from Amazon. They don't tell you ahead of time this is a highly edited version.

If you love life, you love sex.
This is a beautiful film that looks sex right in the face! The French are fortunate in that they missed the
Influence of Queen Victoria; they are not afraid of the human body and the fact that sex is the key to
a healthy life.
In this film we see three generations of one family- the joys and problems in each generation.
The film is explicit, but not pornograghic.
An American film maker could never have made this film.

Censored version
The movie is available online via other carriers and there the dreaded phallus is allowed into the light. The version available via Amazon has been censored, an odd thing to do to an erotic movie. The original is sensitive, sometimes silly, sometimes hot indeed. I hate being treated like a child by a major corporation, don't you?

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Nativity



A fantastic feel-good film!
I actually saw this a week after Christmas and immediately wanted to watch it again the next day! For that reason I can't wait for this to be released.
There are not many British Christmas films but this is the best I've seen. Even better than Love, Actually.
The characters are so warm you'll forgive any situations that seem implausible. The children are not your usual stage-school kids and that is the key to the film's success. They are totally natural and lovable!
Martin Freeman plays his usual persona and very good he is too. Standouts for me were Pam Ferris and Ashley Jensen. Initially I wasn't sure about the character of teaching assistant Mr Poppy but his child-like enthusiasm won me over. Alan Carr was brilliant too! Only downside to the whole film for me was Ricky Tomlinson as the mayor.

I'm going to buy this and save it to watch on Christmas Eve. This would make a great Christmas present for those that like laughing!

Fabulous!!!!! Sweet and Very Funny Christmas Movie!
I was pleasantly surprised by this movie... from the dvd cover at my local rental place I figured this was more warmed-over seasonal schlock of a Christmas movie. INSTEAD, I was thoroughly entertained (twice in a row!) with this VERY VERY funny and sentimental BBC (British) Christmas movie for all ages which came out in 2009, but is being released this year. It was, in a word, FABULOUS! I am definitely buying my own copy and place it in the 'top 10' of my Christmas musical-comedy movies! [I wish I had a "Mr. Poppy" in all my grammar school classes!]

Perfect Christmas Film for the Whole Family
I watched this special family Christmas film in San Francisco with my girlfriend, and we simply loved it. Heart warming and full of magic, it has that special quality of inspired comic genius and fun you rarely see these days.

The kids are hilarious, laugh out loud funny. Their acting and singing were touching; the whole film reminds one of the first time you watch a child in the Christmas Nativity play, so innocent, so sweet, it may even bring a few tears flowing down along with the constant laughter.

Destined to be a Christmas favorite in our house every year. 5 stars without a doubt.

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2016 Obama's America [HD]



Not Perfect
But just good enough to open some eyes. True die hard Democrats will hate it as you can see by the rating but if one takes off the blinders they will see a much better of "The One".I have to ask myself why anyone would spend upwards of 3 million dollars to seal school records and just about any other record that matters and the media turns a blind eye. I have let several people borrow this and all came back with different opinions of Obama, even two die hards!

Obama's Secret Revealed
2016 Obama's America brings crystal clarity to four years of the strange, Un-American domestic and foreign policies that we have seen as a result of electing a President based on affirmative action instead of qualification.

The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
Back in 2008 I remember being puzzled at the hype surrounded Barack Obama. Fellow students and friends were hanging on every word and I remember celebrations and joyful outbursts floating across campus the night he won. It just didn't make sense to me and I always felt like something wasn't right. Here was a man who came out of nowhere, swooned everyone into loving him, and had no clear experience or new ideas to bring to the table. Now let me state this: I'm a diehard conservative and knew in advance that I was opposed to Obama's ideas. I always felt that something was missing and I couldn't put my finger on what it was about Obama that I found so frightening. I figured he was just incompetent and unable to rise up to the role of Leader of the Free World. That may very well be true. However, 2016: Obama's America finally proposes a theory that makes sense and does it in a compelling and respectful manner.

Dinesh D'Souza did his homework and takes us into Obama's past,...

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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Delta Boys [HD]



Thought Provoking!
A great short documentary about the Niger Delta struggle! The filmmaker lives deeply within the lives of the freedom fighters and shares a view often missed from main stream media. The film was very well put together, good filming, editing and storyboarding. Thanks for taking the time and energy to put share their story!





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Muhammad Ali - The Man, The Moves, The Mouth



Ali: The Man, The Moves, The Mouth - 2012
Ali: The Man, The Moves, The Mouth, is full of the same content we have seen in every other documentary on Ali. Nothing new here.

There is no question that Muhammad Ali was the greatest fighter of the 20th century and his personality endeared him to a generation, but, did we need another documentary on his career?

Having Bert Sugar involved certainly makes this project more attractive, but relegating this legendary writer, sportscaster, and boxing historian, to narrator rather than allowing him to regale the audience with insightful stories was a simple waste of resources.

This latest release which became available on July 24th 2012 from Facts That Matter studio is certainly not without merit. It is a well paced and enjoyable documentary on the life and career of Muhammad Ali. The challenge is that much, if not all, of the material has been seen before. There is virtually no acknowledgement of Howard Cosell, who appears in a few segments, but the...

good documentary
The documentary did a good job covering the highlights and facets of Ali's career.I thought it was well worth watching.

Short and to the point
Some good footage. Not going to knock your socks off but worth you time.
one two three four five six.

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Death Watch



finally distributed at its correct length!
Not only has Death Watch never previously been available on DVD, but this fascinating, moving, and disturbingly prescient SF film has never been distributed in North America at its proper length - something that I'm assured by Shout! Factory will be remedied with this release. Distributors of the film apparently felt, when it was first released in 1980, that a twist that Tavernier introduces into the narrative wouldn't be accepted by the audience, and/or (according to the director) would be seen as too dark a commentary on the cynicism of television producers and their overriding lust for ratings. I won't spoil that twist by letting people know what it is, but for North American admirers of the film as it previously was released here (on VHS, Laserdisc, and on film, clocking in at 117 minutes, as opposed to the correct 128), be advised: you have never seen the film as the director intended it, unless you've bought the hard-to-find French Region 2 DVD (or caught up with it in another...

Unusually thoughtful and sensitively-acted SF
When this movie was first distributed in 1981 it bombed. Presumably it was uncomfortably ahead of its time, for now - 30-plus years later - it's a topical and amazingly relevant. examination of current media intrusions and the prurient popular curiosity that drives them. The settings - Glasgow and its surrounding countryside - are unusual, and magnificently photographed, and the central performances are outstanding. What a talent the film medium lost when the beautiful Romy Schneider died only a short time after making it. Young Keitel is good and truthful too, and of course Dean Stanton and von Seidow do their usual high quality work. There's also an intriguing very early appearance for Robbie Coltrane. The situation is dramatic, the outcome moving and satisfactory. Altogether, this is people-oriented SF and a very fine adaptation of D G Compton's distinguished 1976 novel - which incidentally has recently been reissued by Gollancz in their SF Masterworks series and is well worth a...

Odd Film
I wouldn't say this is for everyone. Great performances by all. Very interesting sci-fi premise that leads to a grim finale,

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Too Young To Die



Too Young To Give Up On
I viewed this movie several years ago and found it absolutely powerful. As an advocate/speaker on the issue of child prostitution, I found the actors portraying realistic and convincing roles. Sexual abuse, abandonment and exploitation are just a few of the issues presented in this video. Sexual abuse and exploitation of young girls is not a issue that can be under-estimated. The actors took risks and great courage to present a very dark and complex issue in our society today.

Not to die for
I finally saw this film the other night, after having it on a wish list for a long time. I'm mixed on Brad Pitt - I think that his later work is really good, while his early work is pretty borderline at best - and Juliette Lewis has her moments.

This was a made-for-TV film, so you know that it won't have amazing production values, which is OK. I'm not a big special-effects guy anyways. But there is one glaring flaw with this film, a flaw that you won't know just by watching: it is based upon an actual case, but the story was changed from that case so much that it loses its value.

I have nothing wrong with writers and directors taking liberties with a story. But sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction so why change it? But here, the original motivation for the film was to take a left-leaning stance on capital punishment I believe, trying to show that our system is flawed. Well, that would be fine, except for the fact that, if you read the real story, you...

Brad's rehersal for Thelma & Louise
I couldn't believe how close the two characters Pitt played in this movie and Thelma and Louise were. They were both scummy dirt bag roles which Brad Pitt plays very well.
It was fun to watch Juliette Lewis in her early days and to reflect on how she has grown (and learned how to dance)(Natural Born Killers; Wow!).
This is a good watch, but only because you know who these two stars are.
If these were two unknowns, I doubt if you would bother watching it.

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Trooper and the Legend of the Golden Key



Homespun Humor And Amateur Theatrics Highlight This Likable Adventure Of A Boy And His Dogs
The live action feature "Trooper and The Legend of the Golden Key" is a low-budget and relatively amateurish effort that still has a number of charms to recommend it. In fact, it is this homemade quality that I found oddly appealing. Before I comment on the actual film, however, I might point out that the DVD cover artwork might lead you to believe this is an entirely different movie. Trooper is shown in a Sherlock Holmes style get-up in a creepy outdoor setting that made me envision the moors from "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Trooper, in truth, is not much of a sleuth on his own and the action is driven by the human characters in a small town environment. There is a quiet homespun humor and folksy whimsy that make "Trooper" a perfectly acceptable entertainment for the younger kids. With a spirited boy lead, a challenge to authority, and a couple of talking pooches (in voice-over internal monologue only, there are no special effects to speak of), it's hard to be too critical...

Trooper is delightful
This little family film is truly one you'll want to watch with your whole family. It's funny, touching and full of pleasant surprises. I happened to see it during a screening for a charity event, and the whole crowd just loved it. Clearly the film makers and the whole cast did their best to put together a sweet mystery that wouldn't bore the adults, and would delight the kids. Highly recommended.

Homespun Humor And Amateur Theatrics Highlight This Likable Adventure Of A Boy And His Dogs
The live action feature "Trooper and The Legend of the Golden Key" is a low-budget and relatively amateurish effort that still has a number of charms to recommend it. In fact, it is this homemade quality that I found oddly appealing. Before I comment on the actual film, however, I might point out that the DVD cover artwork might lead you to believe this is an entirely different movie. Trooper is shown in a Sherlock Holmes style get-up in a creepy outdoor setting that made me envision the moors from "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Trooper, in truth, is not much of a sleuth on his own and the action is driven by the human characters in a small town environment. There is a quiet homespun humor and folksy whimsy that make "Trooper" a perfectly acceptable entertainment for the younger kids. With a spirited boy lead, a challenge to authority, and a couple of talking pooches (in voice-over internal monologue only, there are no special effects to speak of), it's hard to be too critical...

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Exorcism (with Demoniac): Remastered Edition



"You can't knock a good chimney scene."
EXORCISM is a good but not great film. Like so many of Franco's films EXORCISM is at once brilliant and amatuerish. Franco stars as a kinky priest who serves GOD by ridding the world of sinners with his "Sword of the Lord." Crimes of Passion anyone? His best moments are shared with his lover/partner Lina Romay. It's always interesting to watch the couple interact together especially during sadistic scenes. Towards the end of the commentary track Producer Kevin Collins asks Franco how many times he has been killed on film? A more interesting question is how many times has Jess Franco killed Lina Romay on film?
Despite it's strong scenes of violence EXORCISM is not a gory film. The bloodiest scenes involve the beheading of a pigeon and the removal of a woman's entrails. Franco claims (on the commentary track) that the pigeon is a special effect. I seriously doubt that what Franco says is true. The film budget was much too small to afford such a fine effect and the...

Quirky and weird!
If you have never seen a Jess Franco film, you are really missing something. (If you a "film-lover" who detests Franco, well to heck with you.)

"Exorcism" is quirky and weird, even by Franco's standards.

Franco's dual role as director and star give some extra punch to this work: Franco manages successfully (despite severely limited acting skills) to convey the pathetic and twisted character of a defrocked and homicidal priest who wreaks revenge on the participants of a "make-believe" Black Mass.

Lina Romay shines forth in all her sleazy glory.

The screenplay is sketchy , but this only adds to the enjoyment of the film.

Although there are rough patches here and there (including some faded color), the print as a whole stands up well and is more than merely presentable.

Along with extras, the DVD is quite an achievement. My thanks to the people at SYNAPSE for another great addition to their excellent series of strange movies.

'The Exorcist' - This Aint ! (and that's a good thing)
Whereas most films based on the concept of 'exorcsim' deal with some sort of demonic possession and attempts by 'the clergy' to rid the inflicted individual of 'the devilish' influence - Spanish exploitation master Jess Franco managed to turn the concept on its' head in his (1974) version titled: "Exorcism". Apparently, 'this one' was potentially 'so much fun' that Franco wanted to 'play' as well as 'direct' - so he personally took on the lead role of the 'de-frocked' murderous priest who is the main protagonist of the piece. For those who 'appreciate' Franco's, somewhat clunky, style of serving up sexploitational 'thrills' this flik REALLY delivers! The film has barely started to roll when the screen is filled with a massive close up of a totally nekkid Lina Romay chained to a x-frame cross as another naked girl whips her then 'sacrifices' her in a satanic ritual in front of a room full of eagerly watching people. 'Fortunately' (because it would be a shame to dismiss the lovely...

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