Life (dvd)

Starring:Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Obba BabatundÃ©, Nick Cassavetes, Anthony Anderson, Barry Shabaka Henley, Brent Jennings, Bernie Mac, Miguel A. NÃºÃ±ez Jr., Michael Taliferro, Guy Torry, Bokeem Woodbine, Ned Beatty, Lisa Nicole Carson, O'Neal Compton, Noah Emmerich, Rick James (II), Clarence Williams III, Heavy D, Bonz Malone
Director: Ted Demme
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy play it surprisingly straight in this film by director Ted Demme. Though there are laughs to be had, this is a story about perseverance in the face of a life of disappointment (yet the film was sold as a prison comedy). But Stir Crazy this isn't. Rather, Lawrence and Murphy play a couple of New Yorkers making a moonshine run from New York to Mississippi during the Prohibition who find themselves framed for murder and sentenced for life to a prison chain gang. As they age, the two become close friends, although the strait-laced Lawrence always resents the free-wheeling Murphy for getting him into the situation in the first place. Ultimately, these two men learn to find meaning where they can, taking value from friendship and their limited ability to affect the lives of others. At times preachy, it ends on an upbeat note; the film's biggest laughs are reserved for the final section, in which Lawrence and Murphy don age makeup and play octogenarians. --Marshall Fine

Bridge to Terabithia (Widescreen Edition)
Average customer rating:

Very Emotional. Surprising. Not About Fantasy, But About Loss and Relationships

Terrible and Completely Pointless

Great Fun! Good Story

Warning - sad movie, too sad for kids

Kooky and mildly pointless....

Bridge to Terabithia (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Josh Hutcherson , AnnaSophia Robb , Zooey Deschanel , Robert Patrick , and Bailee Madison
Director: Gabor Csupo
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
General | Family Life | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video
Patrick, Robert | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Children | By Theme | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Night at the Museum (Widescreen Edition)

Ghost Rider (Two-Disc Extended Cut)

Eragon (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Charlotte's Web (Widescreen Edition)

Breach (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00005JPL5
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Amazon.com

Based on Katherine Paterson's young-adult novel and filmed in picturesque New Zealand, Bridge to Terabithia has lessons to impart about empathy and self-expression, but the tone is never heavy-handed. Jesse (sleepy-eyed Josh Hutcherson, Zathura), a fifth-grade loner, lives in the country with his parents and four sisters, including pesky May Belle (Bailee Madison), who adores him. His strict father (Robert Patrick, The Terminator 2) works in a hardware store. Money is tight and classmates make fun of his hand-me-downs, so Jesse finds refuge in running and drawing. Everything changes when two writers and their daughter Leslie (wide-eyed AnnaSophia Robb, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) move in next door. Leslie is faster than all the boys, which initially puts Jesse off, but the two soon bond over their love of make-believe. In the forest, they find a creek that can only be crossed by rope. Leslie names the land on the other side Terabithia, where they imagine themselves rulers of the kingdom. Jesse and Leslie also connect with their unconventional music teacher, Ms. Edmonds (Zooey Deschanel, Elf), who encourages their creativity. Despite the tension at home, Jesse's personal life is finally coming together when the unthinkable happens. Will he revert to his anti-social ways or will he grow from the experience? Though aimed at all ages, pre-school students may find Terebithia's creatures frightening. For grade-school kids and up, however, there's much to savor in this smartly written, sensitively acted film. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews:

Very Emotional. Surprising. Not About Fantasy, But About Loss and Relationships.......2007-07-04

This movie can be very surprising and possibly an emotional tearjerker if you are not familiar with the story or book it was based on. If you don't mind your young children learning about "loss" and the sadness surrounding it, this will also be an uplifting movie that shows the positive nature of fostering good relationships. I thought I was getting a "fantasy" movie to watch with my son -- it was short on fantasy, and was heavy on the theme of "loss" but was still a good movie overall as it really brought out the emotions it intended to bring out. Many parents may argue whether the movie should be watched by their children (depending on what you are willing to teach your children about early.) As an adult, I found the movie of value and entertaining and also feel it is necessary to be present if you allow younger children watch it.

Terrible and Completely Pointless .......2007-07-04

Boy am I sorry I just wasted an hour and a half watching this movie, and I'm even sorrier that I let my kids see it.

This is not a movie for children, it is far too slow, boring, and sad. Its not a movie for adults, it is far too juvenile and, well, dumb.

I kept waiting for the movie to get to a point - and it never does. It meanders around in the very sad lives of two different adolescents - both terribly neglected by their parents in very different ways, both bullied, both living pretty sad lives. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen, or for the film to reach some pinnacle where it all came together, and it never did. Totally pointless.

The "fantasy" bits of the film [and they are *tiny* bits - not really worth even mentioning] are poorly done and just awful.

There is really nothing redeeming about this film, other than the fact that the two young actors who play the main characters do a good job acting - they just have pretty lame characters. ALL the characters in the movie are really just characateurs - with no depth or meaning. And most of them are "bad" in some way or other, from the insanely neglectful mother to the nasty abusive father to the mean bullies who beat up the other kids.

Anyway, its just a terrible movie and not worth anyone's time or money. And please, parents, if you think you *might* want to show this movie to your children, preview it first. I sure wish I had done that.

Great Fun! Good Story.......2007-07-04

It seems a lot of people were expecting a lot more "fantasy" world in this film and have judged it accordingly. Personally, I love the "simplicity" of the fantasy as it really gives adults a reminder as to what children see when they play make believe.

The fantasy is supposed to be secondary to the plot and it's very well done. I was very pleased when I watched it and had a good cry at the end, not once but twice.

Warning - sad movie, too sad for kids.......2007-07-03

I wish someone had warned us! My daughter and I balled our eyes out. Other than that really sad part, the movie was great, but just to forewarn you...bring your tissues!

Kooky and mildly pointless...........2007-07-03

Yes, I get it. Kids are supposed to be imaginative. Okay so why wasn't the story? You have AnnaSophia Robb staring (brilliantly I might add) in a flick about an adolescent with an overactive imagination... yet her imagination is depicted for all of 20 minutes in a 90 minute flick. The creatures are mindless cardboard cutouts, meant to represent real-life characters in their everyday world, but they wind up being boring parodies of themself.

The movie had great potential. Lots of area for conflict, what with a controlling "down on his luck" deadbeat dad and all. But in the end, the film would have been better if it had gone unmade. Or perhaps benefitted from about another half hour actually IN Terabithia.

Average customer rating:

Miss Potter - a life of courage and beauty
Light-hearted, charming and full of colorful friends
a gem
An Outstanding and Heart Warming Film
Renee Zellweger deserves 6 Stars as does the Movie!!!

Miss Potter
Starring: Renée Zellweger , Ewan McGregor , Emily Watson , Barbara Flynn , and Bill Paterson
Director: Chris Noonan
Manufacturer: Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Feature Films | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Queen
Bridge to Terabithia (Widescreen Edition)
The Painted Veil
Music and Lyrics (Widescreen Edition)
Breach (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000N4SHOE
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Description

(Drama) The story of Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved and best-selling children's book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", and her struggle for love, happiness and success.

Customer Reviews:

Miss Potter - a life of courage and beauty.......2007-07-02

The quiet introduction of a watercolorist at work, sparkling with swirls of vivid color, set the mood for this wonderful, gentle film. The settings were a feast for the eyes, and the story development moved at an satisfactorily eighteenth century pace, but the impeccable characters, wonderfully played, are the life-blood of this movie. The brisk energy of Beatrix [Zellweger], the engaging smile of Norman Warne [MacGregor], and the directness and kindness of Millie [Watson] created a marvelous chemisty. In joy and in sorrow, each character rang true. Though a less central character, Lloyd Owens adds value in his role as Willie Heelis as well. Potter's indomitable spirit, however, is what keeps this movie from sinking into mere romanticism. In spite of pain, disapproval, and deep loss, she found happiness in her art and in her determination to live life forward. It is more than a feel-good movie; it is an inspiration to courageous living wrapped in delightful artistry.

Light-hearted, charming and full of colorful friends.......2007-07-02

I rented this DVD for my wife, thinking it was the kind of thing she'd enjoy. She loves period films and adores Renée Zellweger. I'm not typically fond of either of those two things so I didn't figure on watching much if any of the movie. But as the film started, and I happened to be in the room, I realized quickly that this is a charming and warm movie built on a strong character.

Notably, Renée Zellweger seems to nearly disappear into the role of Beatrix Potter and you quite forget that you're watching her act. It's rare to see that kind of skill but when it is captured in a movie like this it's magical.

Ewan McGregor is every bit the modern leading man but with a respectful nod to the dashing gents of yesterday's Hollywood. He is easy-to-like and doesn't for a moment feel as though he's trying to 'star' in this movie. He's more than happy to let the movie become its own entity in which he is but a part.

I began by saying that I wasn't sure I'd even sit down and watch this film, so it's worth noting that I sat entertained straight through to the end as was glad I did. This is certainly something you can watch with the kids, though the romance and the character development might be a bit slow for some of the younger ones.

One very odd thing to mention is that the DVD cover art is quite strange in that it shows Ewan McGregor clean shaven. But when you watch the movie you'll realize that he sports a moustache throughout. Not sure why the difference in appearance from one to the other but it was something that caught my eye as I navigated to this page to leave this review. It hardly matters though... this movie is about so much more than just a moustache. :)

5 Stars! Highly recommended!!

a gem.......2007-06-29

you can say this movie is perhaps avoiding the much mentioned darker side of miss potter- who seems almost delightfully frothy throughout most of this great bio pic-- u could say mcgregor's performance was a bit superficial---tho there is more chemistry between them here than say between drew barrymore and hugh grant in music and lyrics-- an unwatchable mess of a movie ! but this labor of love-- w a very interesting director's commentary-tho i wish miss zellweger was there to chime in--is probably one of the best movies ive seen recently---- the attention to detail is thrilling actually-- the art direction impeccable ! and ms zellweger-- gives her best performance to date by a long shot---- her sustained performNCE is a revelation---was she even nominated for an oscar?? who remembers ?? but i give her my own right here----and the actors who play her parents--are also so in character so convincing-- so relaxed and nuanced in their work---what goes on between these three actors is just a sheer joy to watch ! very uncommon stuff in any movie---kudos to everyone involved in this charming touching & delightful and very well wrought gem of a movie----i`ve seen this movie 4 times now showing it to different friends---enjoying it more and more each time- i swear!!!beautiful !!!!!!!! i'd like to see the same cast and direcors/producers do chekov's three sisters-- w renee as masha---- and the mother here as the brother's crazy wife who takes over the household--- anyway -- miss potter is golden as they say-----check it out now !! its rich !!

An Outstanding and Heart Warming Film.......2007-06-29

This is an excellent film with truly delightful characters. The most evil person in the film is not really evil -- just clueless. Rene Zellweger makes a great Potter and shows her to be ahead of her time as she opts for independence from male domination. Ewan McGregor does a good job in playing her shy suitor. This was a wonderful film that had no profanity, no nudiy, no explosions, no car crashes, and relied totally on the characters, who came across as realistic and believable. Watching Beatrix grow from a shy spinister into an independent woman in love with a man who loved her for herself was a treat to watch. True love grows by inches and this is what was shown here, so when the kiss came it was powerful and had meaning.

This is really not a guy's movie, but any guy who wants to get on the good side of girl should rent this movie because I think most women will relate to Beatrix and for the guys it is a lesson in how patience is better than haste when it comes to women. I liked the film -- my wife loved it!!

Renee Zellweger deserves 6 Stars as does the Movie!!!.......2007-06-28

Beautifully brought to life, not only the love and beauty of her characters, but of her life as well. Renee Zellweger is American, but she speaks the British accent so brilliantly as she did in Bridget Jones' Diary. It gave me the pleasure of focusing on her acting and how beautifully she does it too. So well written that I found myself there. This movie is being added to my library of everything English!!

The Blue Planet - Seas of Life Collector's Set (Parts 1-4)

Average customer rating:

The Blue Planet
The Blue Planet - Seas of Life Collector's Set (Parts 1-4)
The Blue Planet
Blue Planet enchantment
The Ultimate Ocean Documentary

The Blue Planet - Seas of Life Collector's Set (Parts 1-4)
Director: Alastair Fothergill
Manufacturer: BBC Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Nature & Wildlife | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

7-9 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Documentary | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
The Life of Mammals
Life in the Undergrowth
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [HD DVD]
The Life of Birds

ASIN: B000069HXC
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Product Description

Come explore years of incredible undersea photography and breathtaking views into a world we share. Choose four DVDs or four VHS tapes. Seasonal Seas/Cral Seas, Tidal Seas/Coasts, Ocean World/Frozen Seas, The Open Ocean and The Deep. Two titles per disc or tape. (Some scenes may be graphic in nature.)

Amazon.com

Extraordinary footage and eloquent narration by David Attenborough highlight the BBC's remarkable wildlife series The Blue Planet: Seas of Life. "Ocean World" begins with astonishing views of a gigantic blue whale--the elusive Holy Grail of undersea photography--and the marvels continue to demonstrate the power, diversity, and profound ecological influence of Earth's oceans. "Frozen Seas" examines whales, walruses, penguins, and other creatures under the extreme conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. The next two episodes are even better. "Open Ocean" travels thousands of miles into the vast "liquid desert," where currents determine how the ocean's diverse life forms will assume their places in the food chain. More amazing, "The Deep" descends with a state-of-the-art submersible to the ocean's abyssal plain and beyond, filming such bizarre creatures as the fangtooth, bioluminescent jellies, transparent squid, the giant-mouthed gulper eel, and the never-before-seen hairy angler fish.

"Seasonal Seas" focuses on the explosion of life that accompanies every annual blooming of plankton, numbering in the countless billions and captured here with brilliant microphotography. In "Coral Seas," miles-long reefs of living coral are explored, from deep within (requiring brief computer animation) to the surrounding environs, where you'll see white-tipped sharks in a feeding frenzy while beautiful harlequin shrimp wrestle with a starfish. "Tidal Seas" explores the myriad life forms that thrive when lunar gravity pulls the oceans offshore. "Coasts" is easily the most brutal episode, but no less mesmerizing. The most unexpected, and horrifying, sequence is the orca, earning its "killer whale" nickname by capturing, killing, and tail-tossing a seal pup--a sequence so mysteriously primal that even the most seasoned marine biologist will be utterly amazed. One of the finest wildlife programs you're ever likely to see, The Blue Planet: Seas of Life provides the privilege of visiting a truly alien world teeming with the rarest wonders of nature. The series was recut into the feature-length Deep Blue in 2005. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

The Blue Planet.......2007-07-03

I could not believe it when I saw an ad for deep blue. I remembered a special I had seen on tv about the ocean. I kept trying to watch and see if it was ever going to come on tv again, because i wanted to try to catch it all. I was playing music at night and working in the daytime so it was hard for me to see all of the series. But here some of it was on the ad for Deep Blue. And I wanted it. So I got on [...] and much to my surprise I found Deep Blue and and The collector's set of The Blue Planet. So I ordered both. I had told my sister and her kids and grand kids about The Blue Planet. So I couldn't wait to take it to their house to let them see the amazing filming that was done on this remarkable collection. If anyone enjoys the ocean and films about the ocean, you have not seen anything and I mean anything until you see this collection. Do not see how it can be any better. Their All going to order it to add to their collection.

Larry Hull

The Blue Planet - Seas of Life Collector's Set (Parts 1-4).......2007-07-03

The Blue Planet - Seas of Life Collector's Set (Parts 1-4) Great series. Every science department K-college should have this in their library. Photography is top-notch.

The Blue Planet.......2007-06-27

This DVD collection is very well done and extremily educational. My teenage son loves these DVDs and watches them over other things on TV or other DVDs. Would make anyone a great gift!!!!

Blue Planet enchantment.......2007-06-27

Enjoyable fantastic film of life on earth. The ocean shots are the best I have seen. This is a set that we will watch over and over again.

The Ultimate Ocean Documentary.......2007-06-27

It is rare to see anything on Amazon where this many people have given it five stars. I just had to write a review to say that they were right! Definitely worth five stars. This is the most amazing documentary I have seen of the sea: chock full of riveting footage, filled with amazing facts, and never dull. From bacteria to whales, from the coasts to the open ocean, from the birds that live off the ocean to the deepest ocean floor, from feeding habits to breeding behavior, this series shows you things you could never have imagined. My sister, who was visiting, was so riveted by the DVD she saw that I will have to send her this series for her birthday.

As someone with an interest in saltwater aquariums, a past member of the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and the parent of a little boy who is obsessed with sea animals (we have lots of books), I thought I knew something about the ocean. Boy, was I wrong! I was stunned by what I learned in the first half hour. This series is a GEM. We also have some of the IMAX underwater movies, but the material in the Blue Planet just blows IMAX out of the water. IMAX may have the better video quality, but you learn so, so much more from the Blue Planet. No contest.

Average customer rating:

A great cast makes this a great movie
Funny - Good for men & women
Great Movie!
Great Movie
Fun for some

Wild Hogs (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Tim Allen , John Travolta , Martin Lawrence , William H. Macy , and Ray Liotta
Director: Walt Becker
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Action | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Ghost Rider (Two-Disc Extended Cut)
Shooter (Widescreen Edition)
Zodiac (Widescreen Edition)
Night at the Museum (Widescreen Edition)
Premonition (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000QFCD7W
Release Date: 2007-08-14

Description

Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy star in Wild Hogs, the hysterically funny comedy about four weekend-warrior friends who decide to rev up their ho-hum suburban lives with a cross-country motorcycle adventure. They don their leathers, fire up their hogs and throw caution and their cell phones to the wind as they hit the open highway. A lot can happen on the road to nowhere, including a run-in with the bad-to-the-bone Del Fuegos, a real biker gang who don't take kindly to the wannabes. Filled with hilarious misadventures, screwball situations and madcap mayhem, this laugh-out-loud comedy is a movie your whole family will go hog wild over.

Customer Reviews:

A great cast makes this a great movie.......2007-06-28

Wild Hogs is a typical midlife crisis movie. Four men, who have been friends for years and who suit up in leather and ride to the local bar and grill regularly to hang out, suddenly wonder what happened to their lives. They all realize, one by one, that they've hit middle age and fallen into a rut, and they decide to take a cross country trip on their bikes to get out of it.

This is one of the more entertaining movies I've seen in a while. What made it for me, however, was not the plot or even the comedic moments but rather the excellent performances by a great cast. John Travolta plays the cool-guy-in-a-midlife-crisis role perfectly, and Tim Allen pulls off his when-did-my-life-get-so-bland part flawlessly as well. Throw in great performances by Martin Lawrence, a man desperate to get out from under his overbearing wife's thumb, and William H. Macy, a geek who hopes he can FINALLY do something that will make him cool, and you've got a great group of main characters.

Macy's performance is probably the most surprisingly good of the bunch. He's downright hilarious in this movie as the 'rebel nerd.' And Ray Liotta is excellent as the villain, the antagonist who tries to refuse this group of "Wild Hogs" their right to ride on the grounds that they're not real bikers.

This is a very funny movie and is sure to keep you entertained. With a relatively unoriginal plot this may not have been a great film if not for the excellent cast, but these guys will have you cheering for the middle-aged suburbanite and longing for the open road yourself.

Funny - Good for men & women.......2007-06-26

My husband and I don't often agree on movies - he tends to like horrors (too gory for me) and war movies (same problem) while I like comedy and sci-fi (okay, he likes SOME sci-fis, too) but I never would've thought I'd like a biker movie! This one I did. It's funny and it's manly but not so much that a woman can't appreciate it, as well. My favorite part is when some average (overweight) middle-aged man starts singing "Don't you wish your girlfriend was HOT like ME?!" Histerical!

Actors include: Tim Allen, John Travolta, William H. Mac, Ray Liotta, Martin Lawrence, and others.

Great Movie!.......2007-06-22

I loved this movie. I saw it twice; the first time with my friend who is a Harley man and the second time with my daughter, Both laughed all the way through. I can't wait to buy the movie. My Harley friend is also waiting to buy it to watch with his fellow biker friends.

Great Movie.......2007-06-19

I Loved this movie. this movie is about four friends (Tim Allan,John Trovlta, Martin Lawerence and William H. Macy) who love riding their Motorcycles. Now all four of them are stressed out and are having personal problems and they are being told that they are not real bikers and they are old. so they deside to take a road trip on their bikes and that is where the adventur starts. you will have to get the movie to find out what happens....

Fun for some.......2007-06-17

When this movie first appeared, I read the review by N.O.Scott, in the New York Times. He blasted it (in a very funny way.) Then a friend of mine seconded his opinion, claiming it was dreadful. She mentioned that the 12 yr old boy she brought to the film thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the readers of the NYTimes, a jr. high teacher, said he found the movie to be perfectly geared to a jr. high audience.

So....I waited till it came to the dollar theater, not expecting a whole lot. I think that expectations are important...I have found that if I expect a lot I'm often disappointed, and vice-versa. So I offer this review saying that if you don't expect High Art, and are not bothered by politically incorrect homophobic jokes, you might like this. (I also advise you to read the review here by Mark Eremite, which I think is quite intelligent.)

So, expecting not-much, I bought my very cheap ticket and joined the crowd at the Sat. afternoon show at the cheapest theater in town. I actually enjoyed it! Not a huge amount---but my attention never left the screen from beginning to end. With the exception of a really tacky episode with a gay cop, there's nothing really offensive. And that says a lot for movies these days.

I think that the success of the film (and it was a huge box office smash) is due to the very capable and attractive cast. John Travolta is strong and charismatic. While I wouldn't call him exactly handsome, he certainly is hunky and not bad to look at. He doesn't seem to take the role terribly seriously but maybe that's ok. Martin Lawrence is very funny and endearing. His facial expressions are terrific and he excudes a sweet vulnerability as the hen pecked plumber.

William H. Macy, a fine actor, brings a touch of class to what could have been a very dopey character--the computer nerd. He embues this girl-shy guy with an innocence and simplicity that is really touching. Even with his rumpled face and tendancy to self-destruct, he wins the prettiest girl in town, which I found truly touching.

Tim Allen's performance, as the dentist, was the most lack-luster, in my opinion. He does have a nice moment near the end, when confronting the "real" bikers, telling them that they, are really the posers. That won points for me.

The big surprise is the cameo appeaance of the archetypal film bad-biker, Peter Fonda! He is appropriately adorable with his grey curls under his bandana, eclipsing all of the other bikers, and wannabes with his presence. A nice touch, for those of us who remember him cruising through the same New Mexico territory in Easy Rider.

Under all the silliness, there are some nice lessons and the good guys really do win out. Just read the reviews here, see who you most resonate with, and make that your index of how much you'll like this movie.

The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Sound of Music
the magic is alive...
Pure Magic
The Sound of Music
saw it as a child and now at my 40s.. it still holds the magic

The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition)
Starring: Julie Andrews , Christopher Plummer , Richard Haydn , Peggy Wood , and Anna Lee
Director: Robert Wise
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Mary Poppins (40th Anniversary Edition)
The Wizard of Oz (Two-Disc Special Edition)
My Fair Lady
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Full Screen Edition)
Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)

ASIN: B000AP04OM
Release Date: 2005-11-15

Product Description

Shot in Salzburg against the majestic Bavarian Alps, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is considered one of the greatest screen musicals ever made. Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director (Robert Wise), the film, based on a real family and their true events, tells the story of a young postulate, Maria (Julie Andrews), who, after proving too high-spirited for the Mother Abess and other nuns, is sent off to work as a governess to seven unruly children. The Von Trapp family is run, in military style, by the seemingly cold-hearted Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), a lonely widowed naval officer. Seeing how badly he and his children need companionship, he proposes to the Baroness Schraeder (Eleanor Parker), a calculating, mutual friend of beloved family friend Max Detweiler (Richard Haydn). It is the baroness who soon realizes that it's Maria--with her warmth and love for the children--the captain really loves. It is nearly bliss for the newly formed family who loves to sing together--except for the cloud looming over their beloved Austrian horizon: Hitler is ascending to power, forcing Von Trapp to decide whether to join the Nazi party--which he loathes--or force his family to leave their home forever. One of the most memorable scores ever written (by Rodgers and Hammerstein) and breathtaking performances by Andrews, Plummer, and the seven children mark this classic as one of the world's most favorite films.

System Requirements:

Running Time 174 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

When Julie Andrews sang "The hills are alive with the sound of music" from an Austrian mountaintop in 1965, the most beloved movie musical was born. To be sure, the adaptation of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's Broadway hit has never been as universally acclaimed as, say, Singin' in the Rain. Critics argue that the songs are saccharine (even the songwriters regretted the line "To sing through the night like a lark who is learning to pray") and that the characters and plot lack the complexity that could make them more interesting. It's not hard to know whom to root for when your choice is between cute kids and Nazis.

Read our interview with
Charmian Carr, who played
Liesl von Trapp in The
Sound of Music.

It doesn't matter. Audiences fell in love with the struggling novice Maria (Andrews), the dashing Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), and, yes, the cute kids, all based on a real-life World War II Austrian family. Such songs as "My Favorite Things," "Do Re Mi," "Climb Every Mountain," and the title tune became part of the 20th century Zeitgeist. In addition, The Sound of Music officially became a cult hit when audiences in London began giving it the Rocky Horror Picture Show treatment, attending showings dressed as their favorite characters and delivering choreographed comments and gestures along with the movie. So why resist, especially when the 40th Anniversary Edition is the best DVD yet.

The DVDs
As if the direct involvement of Julie Andrews weren't enough, the 40th Anniversary Edition of The Sound of Music is a must-have for fans because of the fond sense of nostalgia that will touch all but the worst cynic's heart. Andrews introduces both discs and contributes a commentary track on the film. It's a joy to hear her speak about the film (for example, she explains how she solved her dislike for the lyrics of "I Have Confidence"), and also heard are remarks by Christopher Plummer (who at one point refers to his being 48, which if true would mean his comments were made in about 1975), Charmian Carr (Liesl), choreographer Dee Dee Wood, and Johannes Von Trapp (the real-life Maria Von Trapp's youngest son, who admits that his father did have a whistle but claims that he was not as stern as portrayed in the film). Even with all those people involved, there are still significant gaps of silence, however. Retained from the previous two-disc editions is the commentary track by director Robert Wise, which during the musical numbers becomes an isolated score with no vocals. Also new are sing-along subtitles in English, Spanish, and French, which allow you to have your own sing-along at home. In addition, the film's remastering shows off a truer and much warmer sense of color.

On the second disc, Andrews participates in a new 63-minute documentary "My Favorite Things: Julie Andrews Remembers." But it's really a general making-of documentary with contributions from a number of principals, including director Robert Wise, who died in mid-2005 (not surprisingly, some stories are repeated from the commentary track and from the 87-minute documentary on the previous DVD). Andrews also shares a warm 19-minute sit-down with Christopher Plummer. Carr, who over the years has become the film's biggest advocate, narrates a new 22-minute documentary, "On Location with The Sound of Music," in which she revisits the places in Salzburg where the movie was filmed, and even joins one of the "Sound of Music tours" that have become a booming industry. And acknowledging another big industry, there's a 12-minute featurette on the sing-along phenomenon, focusing specifically on the audience, costumed and otherwise, that attended a sold-out Hollywood Bowl sing-along in 2005. Making special appearances at the event are four von Trapp great-grandchildren and all seven of the actors who played the children. Thankfully, those actors also appear in a 33-minute documentary "From Liesl to Gretl: A 40th Anniversary Reunion," in which they explain what they do now (many are still in show business) and share stories about the film, who was afraid of Christopher Plummer, and what they feel is their responsibility to the film's passionate fans. What's touching is how the group still considers themselves a family so many years later. Other material includes an A&E documentary on the von Trapps, Mia Farrow's screen test for the Liesl role, and a restoration comparison.

What's Missing?
If you already own the previous two-disc editions, you'll want this 40th Anniversary Edition as well, but you might not want to toss those versions. Probably the most significant omission from this edition is the original 14-minute documentary Charmian Carr made in 1967, "Salzburg Sight and Sound." Carr's new documentary includes only a couple clips from the vintage piece. It's not a great work of art, but it's a notable loss and would have made a good contrast with the new documentary. In addition, the new making-of documentary is about 24 minutes shorter than the old one. Also missing are the audio-only features--the interviews, the radio programs, the Ernest Lehman spotlight--and the historical still gallery examining the history of Salzburg and the film. Granted, this material probably got the least play of any of the old features, but completists might want to hold onto their old discs for it. It would have also been nice to have screen tests other than Farrow's. Tests for all the children and for Christopher Plummer (including singing in his own voice before he was dubbed for the film) were included on Hollywood Screen Tests and Rodgers and Hammerstein: The Sound of Movies. Again, they're not critical but it would have been nice to have them all in one place. So maybe the 40th Anniversary Edition isn't the complete package on The Sound of Music, but it's the most satisfying edition yet, with enough new material to please even the veteran SoM DVD watcher. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

The Sound of Music.......2007-07-02

Shot in pristine color on location near Salzburg--and featuring that dizzying opening shot of Maria belting out the title tune from a verdant hilltop--"Music" fully deserves its reputation as one of the most popular films of all time. The daisy-fresh Andrews is simply terrific, whether she's acting or singing, and the songs--"Do Re Mi," "Climb Every Mountain," and "My Favorite Things"--have become part of our cultural heritage. Adapted from the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway play, the film might be a bit schmaltzy at moments, but in all, it remains utterly irresistible. The hills are still alive--and your singing pipes will be too--with the wondrous "Sound of Music."

the magic is alive..........2007-06-26

I was only six but I still remember when my mother took us kids to the movies to see 'The Sound of Music'. A memory permantly ingrained as is this film. From the most amazing opening shot ever filmed this classic film never lets go of yor senses. It's fun, thrilling and holds up extremely well. Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer are exquisite. Sure some of the lyrics are corny and simple but it all works and I'm not even a fan of musicals.

Pure Magic.......2007-06-25

Who doesn't know the general plot of this movie? Well just in case: Maria is thinking of becoming a nun, yet Sister Superior isn't so sure about that and sends her off to become the governess to seven Von Trapp children. There she meets the very strict father and the not so angelic children. She quickly wins over the children and their father. While all this is going on the Nazis are slowly but surely taking over the country. By the second half of the movie they become a true family and decide to make a dareing escape from the Nazis.

Now that pretty much wraps it up plot wise, yet there is so much more. The songs are very sugar coated but so what? They are there for a purpose: teaching children to not be afraid, coaching them on how to sing,etc. In most parts they are there for the pleasure of the young and the young at heart.

I'll close with an example. I was driving with my wife and our girls in the car, and we were looking at about an hour trip to my mother's house so we popped The Sound of Music in the DVD and we were on our way. As I heard (I coudn't see the movie of course) the movie and we sang the songs on our journey, I looked back and every face was smiling. Now if you are looking for a movie like that you've come to the right place.

The Sound of Music .......2007-06-11

A Family Night is made of... Sound of Music. Worth watching over and over.

saw it as a child and now at my 40s.. it still holds the magic.......2007-06-05

This review is about the movie and not the DVD Product-

I saw it yesterday, Im 43, last time I saw ir I was 28 and prior to that I was 12 the first time I saw it. It still holds the magic, and now I can say its a classic for all the family.

Yes, now I see details I previously did no see. The plot is so idillic that you don't feel the nazi presence inspiring fear, the love scenes are a perfect example of puritanism and political correctness. Yet there is love and there Julie Andrews gives a performance larger than life to captivate all public.

I do not know why in the review preface there is some critisims of the lyrics of the song "Sound of music"- those were elaborated lyrics and none of that senseless rap or overly simplistic lyrics. Sugarcoated? You bet, but just like the pinl lemonade they were sipping on the terrace, "its not too sweet, not too acid, its just too pink "

The movie has an ending that is rather sudden, just as it starts with that glorious song it should have ended with one as well, a triumph song. I still have the same feeling I did when I was 12, what happened to them?

Bridge To Terabithia (Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

Very Emotional. Surprising. Not About Fantasy, But About Loss and Relationships
Terrible and Completely Pointless
Great Fun! Good Story
Warning - sad movie, too sad for kids
Kooky and mildly pointless....

Bridge To Terabithia (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Josh Hutcherson , AnnaSophia Robb , Zooey Deschanel , Robert Patrick , and Bailee Madison
Director: Gabor Csupo
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000OYCM5I
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Very Emotional. Surprising. Not About Fantasy, But About Loss and Relationships.......2007-07-04

Terrible and Completely Pointless .......2007-07-04

Great Fun! Good Story.......2007-07-04

Warning - sad movie, too sad for kids.......2007-07-03

I wish someone had warned us! My daughter and I balled our eyes out. Other than that really sad part, the movie was great, but just to forewarn you...bring your tissues!

Kooky and mildly pointless...........2007-07-03

Average customer rating:

Just ok
Hugh & Drew --A Winning Team!!!
Awesome and Romantic
No surprises equal Surprisingly good!
Cute boy meets girl movie!!

Music and Lyrics (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Hugh Grant , Drew Barrymore , Brad Garrett , Kristen Johnston , and Campbell Scott
Director: Marc Lawrence (II)
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JPE3
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Amazon.com

Music and Lyrics is frothy and sweet, like the top of a perfect cappuccino shared a deux. Hugh Grant is a self-professed "happy has-been," playing his befuddled, adorable persona more spot-on than he has since Four Weddings and a Funeral. As Alex, former member of an '80s pop band who years later is playing at water parks and high school reunions, he's settled into a life of lesser expectations. Drew Barrymore, quietly radiant, is Sophie, the underachieving girl Friday who arrives to water--make that overwater--Alex's plants--and to explode him out of that comfy rut. If the plot's a bit farfetched, it matters not, since the two lead characters are so likable--and make such beautiful music together. Big bonus: the supportive role of Kristen Johnston as Rhonda, Sophie's older sis (and longtime Alex fan) whose hilarious performance threatens to steal the show whenever she's onscreen. (The owner of a chain of successful weight-loss centers, Rhonda tries to comfort a rattled Sophie: "Want to do some stress eating?") The film also marks the remarkable debut of Haley Bennett, who plays a pop star of Britney/Cristina proportions with deadpan sincerity radiating through her skimpy outfits and mega-extensions. As Alex and Sophie work on crafting musical magic, something else is taking hold. It's music to the ears of anyone needing a sweet romantic comedy that hits all the right notes. --A.T. Hurley

Description

First you're hot, then you're not...and then you're Alex Fletcher (HUGH GRANT). So when the sizzlingest tween-queen on the charts asks the has-been '80s pop sensation to write her a song, he grabs for another chance at stardom. Problem: Alex can say it with music, but he sure can't say it with words. Enter Sophie Fisher (DREW BARRYMORE), his beguiling if quirky plant lady, who has a green thumb for lyrics. Together, they go after songwriting success -- and discover that if you want to write the perfect love song, it helps to fall in love. With Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore at the keyboard and Marc Lawrence (Two Weeks Notice) directing, Music and Lyrics is a witty, wacky romantic comedy that faces the music...and laughs!

Customer Reviews:

Just ok.......2007-07-03

My husband & I sat through this movie with serious doubts about what was going on. It wasn't what we thought it would be at all. I love both the actors, but the content of the show was pretty lame. For two, almost 50 yr olds, this just wasn't that great of a film. Slow at times, but funny at others, it was almost an ordeal to finish. Not something I would recommend except as a spoof on other musical shows.

Hugh & Drew --A Winning Team!!!.......2007-07-01

After seeing this movie all I have to say is I hope Hugh and Drew will continue to pair up again in other movies. Their onscreen chemistry was unmistakable. And besides the great music heard throughout the supporting cast Brad Garrett, Haley Bennet, Kristen Johnson, and Campbell Scott was equally amazing. For people who don't like Hugh Grant, this movie will change your mind!!

Awesome and Romantic.......2007-06-30

There are good types of movies you can see. Different types. Not just action/adventure/fantasy films like "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Harry Potter," but there are some comedies like spoof, and others are romantic comedies.

I have to admit that one of the first most calmest things of a movie genre is a romantic comedy. Especially, when there's lots of love songs. So, watching a movie like "Music and Lyrics," perhaps, you should be entertained with lots of love, excitement and joy through a romantic comedy.

"Music and Lyrics" opens up with Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) singing the song with his band in an 80's style music video called "Pop! Goes My Heart." And that's what makes a movie like "Music and Lyrics" shine, and for the lots of its parts, it works.

The movie tells the story about Alex Fletcher, who is in a band. He is one of the most popular bandsman. He one days meets a lovely woman, Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), when Sophie waters the plants in his house. Together, they come for a good song to write for them, as singers, to perform.

But on the other hand, a young pop star, by the name of Cora Coleman (Haley Bennett) wants to have Fletcher write another song for her. Now, see that's one thing for Alex to work it out with Sophie, maybe yeah, along with his businessman, Chris Riley (Brad Garrett). But their work has brought them faith, friendship and love.

Honestly by trying to be a movie critic, I can know of old romantic comedies, like "Meet the Parents" and "50 First Dates," that I found "Music and Lyrics" to be charming. It has plenty of appropriate humor for the teens, yet kids can try to understand the humor at age 10.

Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore are great together as the lovely romantic comedy couple. They perform a great performance and their singing is incredible. When it comes to music, they are both absolute geniouses, and that's what a type of a movie "Music and Lyrics" should be like. But another great star of the film is Brad Garrett as Alex's businessman, Chris Riley. He sure is funny with his funny humor, and that's another thing that shouldn't stop you from seeing "Music and Lyrics."

If you like romantic comedies, you should definitely enjoy "Music and Lyrics." There's plenty of humor for the teenagers and kids who are older than 10, maybe 8 or 9, should enjoy this movie. I, for one, can take this movie with a lot of movement and feel, and that's what you should get with a movie like "Music and Lyrics."

No surprises equal Surprisingly good!.......2007-06-29

This movie was cutesy, campy and trite. It was a cliche parody of itself from the beginning. And that is part of what makes it so wonderful. It doesn't try to pretend to be something it't not.

Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore are thrown together in the oddest and most unlikely of circumstances when Grant, a throwback to the 80's pop music scene, is offered a chance to write a song for an un-and-coming 21st century teen queen that is an almost annoyingly accurate parody of Shakira, Christina Aguilara and a host of other would be starlets you could name.

When a struggling Grant can't seem to find the words to express his heart's melody, Barrymore walks in completing a pairing that is as wonderful personally as they are professionally.

This is a darling comedy/drama/romance/whatever you'd like to call it... I highly recommend it!

Cute boy meets girl movie!!.......2007-06-29

This is an adorable boy meets girl type of movie. I had heard through friends that this was a great movie but was even more pleasantly surprised after watching it! Great feel good movie and wonderful satire of the 80's music scene.......especially love the opening video clip!!!!

Average customer rating:

CIA spies
C.I.A. Confused I Am
Boring as Heck !!!!!!
Over-hyped, over-cast, poorly written
NOT so great!!!

The Good Shepherd (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Alec Baldwin , Matt Damon , Robert De Niro , Keir Dullea , and Michael Gambon
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000MXPE7O
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Amazon.com

A complicated movie about the Central Intelligence Agency and its agents, The Good Shepherd isn't your typical spy movie. Though it stars Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity films) and Angelina Jolie (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Lara Croft franchise)--actors with considerable experience in the action-espionage genre--The Good Shepherd requires that they play more subdued and (much less interesting) characters here. The movie focuses on the career or Edward Wilson (Damon), a privileged Yale graduate who goes on to help found the CIA. He is a quiet, serious, and guarded man, even in the most intimate moments with his civilian wife (Jolie, in a role that wastes her talent). Set against a backdrop of real-life events such as the Bay of Pigs, The Good Shepherd is meticulous in creating a realistic timeframe. The film gets a jolt of excitement when Robert DeNiro (in his first directing role since 1993's A Bronx Tale) peppers the screen with appearances by Joe Pesci, Alec Baldwin, and William Hurt. But those moments are too infrequent. At 157 minutes long, the film is crammed with many factual details, but the characters are shortchanged when it comes to development. Viewers have to wonder why anyone, much less someone like Wilson who has everything going for him, would devote his life to a thankless job that brings so little happiness to himself and his family. The Good Shepherd is an ambitious but flawed film. The actors do a formidable job with a well-intentioned but meandering script. However, we meet so many characters and learn so little about each that it's difficult to drum up much empathy for any of them. --Jae-Ha Kim

Description

Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie and Robert De Niro star in this powerful thriller about the birth of the CIA. Edward Wilson (Damon) believes in America, and will sacrifice everything he loves to protect it. But as one of the covert founders of the CIA, Edward's youthful idealism is slowly eroded by his growing suspicion of the people around him. Everybody has secrets…but will Edward's destroy him? With an all-star cast including Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, William Hurt, Timothy Hutton and John Turturro, it's the gripping story David Ansen of Newsweek hails as "spellbinding."

Customer Reviews:

CIA spies.......2007-07-04

Movie was great - a little slow at times, but the subject matter was very interesting....

C.I.A. Confused I Am.......2007-07-03

The Good Shephard was one of those movies I had no desire to see in theaters so I rented it with a friend instead. I love movies that involve your complete attention and have to be watched more than once to catch everything- but this movie was terrible. It jumped around way too much and left little explanations for any actions that were performed. Unless you knew exactly what was going on during which year, and I'm assuming most people don't, then you become confused and aggravated trying desperatly to figure out what they are talking about. My friend was even more aggravated than I was.

I don't recommend the movie if you are looking to be educated on the birth of the CIA.

Also, there is violence and sexuality in this movie so it may not be appropriate for kids.

Boring as Heck !!!!!!.......2007-06-28

I like DeNiro, I like Damon, and I really like conspiracy movies. So I was really hyped to see this. Than I did...And it was the most boring movie I've ever seen!!! How can DeNiro who's been so fun to watch for the past 20 years and Matt Damon who I loved in the Ocean's 11, 12, and 13 movies suck it up so bad in this? Now the acting is really great and that's about the only redeeming quality about this movie, but I didn't see it to see great acting. I wanted to be entertained and this movie really didn't help there.

If you see it, than make sure your not sitting comfortably because your going to fall asleep. I did about 1 hour in and than woke up 5 mintues later to see that nothing exciting was happening and I fell back to sleep.

Over-hyped, over-cast, poorly written.......2007-06-27

I had high expectations for this film - it was hyped up pretty good, and how could it not be with the all star cast. The imagery in the film was strong and compelling, as was the subject matter. For a contemporary film, I think they did a pretty good job of splicing historical aspects of the US's conflicts over the past 70 years, into a fictional (as far as I know?) film/story.

With that said, the characters were poorly developed, and the film itself lacked any real emotion. I think the best way to describe the flaw in this film is that I was aware I was watching a film - a good film makes you forget you're even watching a film, and you effortlessly empathize with the characters. The poor writing was directly responsible for this. The film was predictable as well - (spoiler warning) - you knew that the brother was going to tell Matt Damon that Angelina Jolie was pregnant was soon as you saw him on the beach - and, you knew that the poetry professor was going to come on to Matt Damon as soon as he said 'I'd like to see you in my office'...The formulaic Hollywood film factory at its best/worst.

NOT so great!!!.......2007-06-27

I read all the reviews and was extremely disappointed with my purchase. Don't waste your money on this one!

Average customer rating:

Wonderful movie!
Great back at High School
Troy and Gabriella are so cute!
Grease for the 21st Century!
I let the kids rate this one, since they are the target audience, I think

High School Musical (Encore Edition)
Starring: Zac Efron , Vanessa Anne Hudgens , Ashley Tisdale , Lucas Grabeel , and Monique Coleman
Director: Kenny Ortega
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Disney
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Accessories:

Disney Channel's High School Musical DVD Board Game

ASIN: B000F2BNW2
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Amazon.com

The Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical is a combination of backstage action and Grease without the unwholesome habits. Scoring record ratings at the time of its January 2006 broadcast, it's a smash hit with tween audiences (ages 6 to 10), but appealing for all ages. At a New Year's Eve party, Troy (Zac Efron of the WB's Summerland) has a chance meeting with Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) when they share a karaoke song. Lo and behold, when school resumes, they discover that Gabriella has just transferred to Troy's East High School, a campus divided into tight cliques of jocks, cheerleaders, brainiacs, and skater dudes. Eager to recapture the magic they'd discovered during karaoke, Troy and Gabriella consider auditioning for the school's upcoming musical, much to the dismay of the school's frost queen/theater goddess, Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody). Problem is, Troy is also the star of the basketball team and Gabrielle is being recruited to compete in the Scholastic Decathlon. Will they give up their cliques to start something new, or will they do as the show's first big anthem urges and "Stick to the Status Quo"? Well, this is a Disney movie, so maybe the sacrifices won't be that hard, and even the hints of romance are mild.

The bestselling soundtrack is catchy in that Disney-pop kind of way, mixing in a dash of hip-hop ("Getcha Head in the Game," punctuated by squeaky basketball shoes and other sound effects), salsa ("Bop to the Top"), and the endearingly hammy ("What I've Been Looking For" performed by Sharpay and her brother, Ryan, played by Lucas Gabreel). It's not hard to imagine High School Musical becoming a semi-staple for high school groups to perform themselves. DVD bonus features include sing-along subtitles; a 9-minute featurette discussing casting, recording sessions, and rehearsals; a multi-angle look at a rehearsal of "Bop to the Top"; and music videos for "We're All in This Together" and a song that didn't make it into the final film, "I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," performed by Efron, Hudgens, Tisdale, and Gabreel. --David Horiuchi

Description

The all-new, smash hit Disney Channel Original Movie everyone is talking about is now available for the first time ever on DVD -- with never-before-seen bonus features that will rock your house! Troy (Zac Efron), the popular captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens), the brainy and beautiful member of the academic club, break all the rules of East High society when they secretly audition for the leads in the school's musical. As they reach for the stars and follow their dreams, everyone learns about acceptance, teamwork, and being yourself. And it's all set to fun tunes and very cool dance moves! Featuring the hottest talent, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL celebrates the power of music in this hip, entertaining, gotta-get-up-and-dance movie. Own all the excitement and the exclusive extras available only on this Encore Edition DVD.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful movie!.......2007-07-02

I love this movie! I'm ten, i love musicals (and I have seen many) and i Have to say this was a wonderful movie but if you love like you want to watch it 10 times in a row it's MINDWASHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The plot is almost the same as Grease.

Great back at High School.......2007-07-02

We watched the original dvd version after my children had friends who left it with us. It took six months for us to give their dvd back! So in the end I "had" to purchase the dvd for ourselves. I saw the "remix" version and thought why not!

It was worth it. My kids dance and sing every song with more passion than the actors. There is an option on this special edition of a sing along version of the movie, but we have never used it. The second disc has numerous features. Although more would have been good. Some came over from the original dvd like the behind the scenes interviews. But there were more, such as the premiere red carpet clip for the dvd release. Learning dance moves to Getta ya head in the game and the main theme "Wild Cats". There were also clips of the actors going on trips around the world, promoting the movie.

Although when I first watched it I was thinking (oh great an hour and a half wasted). But it is a great movie which inspires everyone to be happy and it be happy with who you are. The support characters make it for me.

Great "SQUEAKY CLEAN" fun for the whole family and a film you are happy to leave your kids in front of.

Troy and Gabriella are so cute!.......2007-06-26

My teenage daughter got this for her birthday and watched it 4 times the first two days. My five year old daugther also loves it and thinks Gabriella is so cute.
It's a musical and they sing a lot. The story line is basically that none of the groups associate with each other. (sports jocks and cheerleaders, science geeks, skaters, no body's, and the drama club. This is afterall a Disney movie and you can guess what is gonna happen and basically does but gives you some surprises along the way. By the end it is a happy after all movie and the groups get along and date etc.
To top that there is apparently a high school musical 2 coming out and they have to deal with the drama duo all over again.

Grease for the 21st Century!.......2007-06-26

I'm sure I'm not the only person who has ever said this, but this movie is basically Grease set in the modern era. Troy, the big sports star, loves singing musicals with Gabriella, but his friends and father think that this is taking his head out of the game. They want him to stop singing and to stop being with the girl.

But Troy is a good guy and thinks he can do both! The movie is all about encouraging the people in your life to follow their dreams. Be a blessing, not a burden!

Also, the movie music is BETTER than Grease! Great stuff!

I let the kids rate this one, since they are the target audience, I think.......2007-06-23

My personal opinion is that this reminded me of Grease but many parents might not consider that movie appropriate for a young audience. This is an excellent alternative and the consensus of the kids who saw it was that it was wonderful. They watched it again and again and....well, you get the idea.
I'm a fan of musicals. If you aren't, then you will not find this to your liking. I have a feeling this one will stand the test of time and become a cult favorite as time passes, much the way Grease became iconic for a certain time and year.

Average customer rating:

Schoolboys In Disgrace
IF only I could decide...
Just one of the Greatest Unknown Films of the 20th Century
Don't forget the music!
Much anticipated!

If... (Criterion Collection)
Starring: Malcolm McDowell , David Wood , Richard Warwick , Christine Noonan , and Rupert Webster
Director: Lindsay Anderson , and Guy Brenton
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Army of Shadows - Criterion Collection
Sweet Movie (Criterion Collection)
La Jetee/Sans Soleil (Criterion Collection)
Ace in the Hole - Criterion Collection
Sansho the Bailiff - Criterion Collection

ASIN: B000OPPAEW
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Description

Lindsay Anderson's If.… is a daringly anarchic vision of British society, set in a boarding school in late-sixties England. Before Kubrick made his mischief iconic in A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell made a hell of an impression as the insouciant Mick Travis, who, along with his school chums, trumps authority at every turn, finally emerging as violent savior against the draconian games of one-upmanship played by both students and the powers that be. Mixing color and black and white as audaciously as it mixes fantasy and reality, If…. remains one of cinema's most unforgettable rebel yells.

Customer Reviews:

Schoolboys In Disgrace.......2007-06-27

The exclusive private school portrayed in "If.." serves as a scathing metaphor of class and privilege in the United Kingdom. What makes the statement that director Lindsay Anderson is trying to convey more stinging is that he treats his subject matter as dark comedy. What I also found interesting is that Anderson doesn't direct most of his criticism at the school administrators, whose crimes are allowing such a stifling atmosphere to perpetuate. Rather, the worst criticism is directed at the Whips, the sniveling fascist students who are given free reign to terrorize and subjugate their fellow students to the worst kind of torment. It's easy to criticize authority but our worst enemies are our peers who will later become the leaders of our world because that's the way it is. The film is anchored by a mesmerizing performance by Malcolm McDowell who portrays rebel iconoclast Mick Travis. Travis belongs in this stifling environment as much as he needs a hole in the head. Travis serves as everyman and reacts to the inanity around him with a knowing smirk. In one memorably hilarious exchange with a Whip Travis accuses him of serving Coca-Cola to the underclassmen while expecting them to lick his fingers for the rest of their lives. What gives this scene more power is that Travis says it knowing it will subject him to a more severe beating. If you could best describe "If..." I would say it's a dark comedy with dramatic and surreal elements. It would serve as a good double bill with another indictment of English classism, Peter Medak's "The Ruling Class". On a final note will somebody, Criterion or Warner Brothers, release "O Lucky Man" on disc.

IF only I could decide..........2007-06-21

In high school in the middle 1970s we never could get to see this movie but we all owned a copy of the screenplay. Finally I saw the film at a university showing in 1978 or 1979. I hadn't seen it since. From the reviews since 2000 it appears some people in the US had it on VHS or DVD but I don't know how that was possible. I never could find it. I assumed it was being surpressed out of political fear. Anyway, all these years later, I'm still not sure I like how the movie slips the bounds of reality to the point where you're not sure this isn't supposed to be just a fantasy (the vicar in the drawer, the main characters not speaking the last 15 minutes of the movie, the charage across the clean quad that in the previous shot was battle strewn). This shift to fantasy is jarring because up to the last half hour of the movie it is as brutally naturalistic as This Sporting Life (except for the fantasy sex sequence - clearly meant to be fantasy - in the cafe). Am I wrong to find this shift to fantasy an artistic capitulation? Am I the only one who thought the lads burning the stuffed crocodile meant this was all to be seen as something like the collages with pictures from Africa? Nevertheless, I know I'll be watching this DVD many times.

Just one of the Greatest Unknown Films of the 20th Century.......2007-06-18

I first saw "If..." during its original release in the late 1960s in a theater in Pittsburgh. I saw it several times then ...which was not the easiest thing to do as a grad student. Maybe it had something to do with having attended a New England prep school and my brother about to start one.

I have owned a copy on VHS, I own a book with the script and commentary by Lindsay Anderson, and I am ordering a copy of this DVD.

Most reviewers talk about the theme of rebellion due to repressive conditions and such. The concern ... I want to say fear ... that it will trigger more school tragedies is misplaced. What Lindsay Anderson has done is help us explore the challenges that are faced by young men coming of age so that as a society we can learn how to respond to those challenges. Why today do schools still tolerate bullies?

When I saw the movie "Animal House" a few years later, my immediate reaction was that it was an Americanized version of "If..." but with more humor. I am amazed that no other reviewer has spoken of the parallels. I have never read that Landis or the writers of Animal House were even aware of the film. Maybe that speaks to the timeless theme of the film.

This may not be an easy movie for many to watch, but the Missa Lubba soundtrack is unforgetable and continually brings you back into the film.

Enjoy.

Don't forget the music!.......2007-06-10

I have waited years for IF to be released on DVD - I trust that the amazing MISSA LUBA that was used as the sound-track will also get a new release.

Much anticipated!.......2007-04-24

I've been waiting for a release of If... for a long long time, and it is so good to see it will be given the deluxe treatment with Criterion. Lindsay Anderson created a landmark film which captured the talents of a young Malcolm McDowell at his best. You get the feeling that Wes Anderson took his cue from this film when he made Rushmore, but what sets If... apart is the surrealism that creeps into the movie and eventually takes it over, resulting in its wildly hallucinogenic climax. All the extras will make this anxiously awaited DVD a real treat, as hopefully we will be able to get a peek into the mind that created this film. The addition of Thursday's Children certainly makes this deluxe package worthwhile.

DVD:

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