The Klutz

Starring:Claude Michaud, Louise Portal, Guy Provost, Roger Michael, GÃ©rard Vermette, Marcel GiguÃ¨re, CÃ©line Bernier
Director: Pierre Rose
Studio: Platinum Disc
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

The Princess Diaries (Special Edition)
Starring: Julie Andrews , Anne Hathaway , Hector Elizondo , Heather Matarazzo , and Mandy Moore (II)
Director: Garry Marshall
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
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ASIN: B000209KMW
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Amazon.com

A thoroughly engaging fairy tale that's family friendly without being condescending, The Princess Diaries is your basic Cinderella makeover story given a fresh, affectionate twist courtesy of a game, energetic cast and a screenplay that skirts schmaltz in favor of gentle, effective comedy. Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a frizzy-haired, glasses-wearing 15-year-old girl whose two highest ambitions are to become invisible and to get a few smooches from the slickly attractive school heartthrob. As a girl who can't stand being the center of attention so much that she throws up during debate class, she's stunned and horrified when her coolly continental grandmother (Julie Andrews) shows up and informs her that she's the crown princess of the European principality Genovia. Soon enough, Mia has to undertake "princess lessons" (and a makeover) from her queenly grandmother, and eventually she blossoms into a confident, radiant girl--despite the worries and pressure that her newfound status brings. What makes The Princess Diaries work is director Garry Marshall's guileless, irony-free approach to the material (based on Meg Cabot's novel). In comparison to most snarky, ultra-hip teen comedies, The Princess Diaries is refreshingly and enjoyably square, content to win you over on charm alone and not a slick bag of tricks. Hathaway is a charismatic, appealing role model with a sharp sense of comic timing, and Andrews--who came to stardom as the object of a makeover supreme in My Fair Lady on Broadway--is at her regal best whether teaching Mia the proper royal wave or learning how to eat a corndog. Both leading ladies are complemented by a finely tuned cast, including Hector Elizondo as Genovia's head of security (and romantic counterpart to Andrews), Heather Matarazzo as Mia's best pal, and Robert Schwartzman as the good guy who ultimately wins Mia's heart. All in all, a royal pleasure. --Mark Englehart

Description

Disney's hilarious smash hit gets the royal treatment in this extraordinary 2-Disc Special Edition -- only on DVD. Starring Academy Award(R) winner Julie Andrews (1964 Best Actress, MARY POPPINS), the enchanting Anne Hathaway, and Hector Elizondo (PRETTY WOMAN), THE PRINCESS DIARIES is a cool, comical Cinderella story that will touch your heart. For teenager Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway), just surviving each school day is an adventure. Then the shocking news arrives that she's a real-life princess! So begins a comical transformation towards poise and princess-ness, including a media storm, jealous schoolmates, and a plot to take over her country.

The Princess Diaries 2 - Royal Engagement (Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Princess Diaries 2 - Royal Engagement (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Anne Hathaway , Julie Andrews , Hector Elizondo , John Rhys-Davies , and Heather Matarazzo
Director: Garry Marshall
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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The Princess Diaries (Special Edition)
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The Prince and Me (Widescreen Edition)
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ASIN: B00063KGPU
Release Date: 2004-12-14

Amazon.com

If you're a ten-year-old girl, this sequel to Disney's 2001 hit will completely transfix you. How could it not? Bubbly Mia (Anne Hathaway), the American teenager who in the first film learned she was actually European royalty, finishes college and--whoosh!--heads off to Genovia, where he's given a closet full of fabulous clothes and jewelry in preparation to rule the kingdom under the tutelage of grandmother Julie Andrews. Throw in a horse and a volatile but innocent romantic attraction to the dreamy young stud (Chris Pine) who's also vying for the throne, and you have the kind of stuff that prepubescent girls rhapsodize about at slumber parties. Oh--and there's a slumber party here, too, featuring a bevy of cute, international young princesses mattress-surfing down a giant slide. Resistance is futile. For the rest of us, though, director Garry Marshall has managed to make his Laverne & Shirley days seem positively Shakespearean in comparison. The movie is precious, padded (two hours!), and pandering twaddle; Andrews, in her role as Queen Mother, is even shoehorned into a faux-hip-hop duet with Disney Channel favorite Raven (one of many, many grueling moments intended to sell the soundtrack). Then the film takes a maddening left turn three-quarters of the way into the plot and decides that, despite all the preceding consumption and connubial fantasies to the contrary, it's really about feminine emancipation. But don't worry--what causes you to smack your forehead in frustration will go right over the heads of its hypnotized target market. --Steve Wiecking

Description

Starring the irresistible Anne Hathaway (ELLA ENCHANTED) and Academy Award(R) winner Julie Andrews (Best Actress, MARY POPPINS, 1964), this modern-day fairy tale picks up right where THE PRINCESS DIARIES left off! As future queen of Genovia, Princess Mia (Hathaway) has everything a girl could want -- except the magical romance she's always dreamed of. But soon, Mia's shocked to discover that she needs to get married right now or her family will lose the crown! Comic complications rule the day in this delightful family story about finding out who you really are and discovering what it takes to make your dreams come true!

Average customer rating:

One of Mel's best.
Not bad but also not great
Incredibly Funny!
just wow!!
Fantastic Fun

Dracula - Dead and Loving It
Starring: Lysette Anthony , Gregg Binkley , Mark Blankfield , Megan Cavanagh , and Jennifer Crystal
Manufacturer: Castle Rock
ProductGroup: DVD
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Wrongfully Accused

ASIN: B0001ZX0O2
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Amazon.com

In 1995, it was promising to hear that Mel Brooks was creating "the companion piece to Young Frankenstein." He had also brought in the heavyweight of deadpan--Leslie Nielsen. As Lt. Frank Drebin in the Police Squad movies, Nielsen has no peer for silly stuff--just the player Brooks would seem to need for a strong movie, as any fan of Brooks perpetually hopes a new film may rekindle his madcap magic. Alas, the end results in Dracula: Dead and Loving It include a sprinkling of amusements and one big belly laugh. Brooks and his writers use a very tight adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel, but the spoofs can be spelled out as we go, as if they are paint-by-number. Some are jabs at Coppola's version of Dracula, but most are attached to classic Dracula films. If any real pleasure comes from the movie it's thanks to the efforts of the cast. Peter MacNicol plays the crazed Renfield to the letter, Steven Weber has a good time as the tight British Harkin, and Lysette Anthony charms as the doomed Lucy. Brooks and Nielsen ham it up just fine. There's even a surprisingly controlled performance by Harvey Korman (a character spoofing Anthony Hopkins's role in the misfire The Road to Wellville). As with Brooks's period comedies, the film looks better than it needs to and includes a few tricky special effects for good measure. This has nothing to do with the audience laughing--we need bigger jokes. And when you double over laughing in one scene--involving a stake through the heart and a bucket of blood--you want the movie to achieve Brooks's days of glory, when hearty laughter was the norm, not an isolated moment. --Doug Thomas

Description

A comic reinvention of the Bela Lugosi classic about a Transylvanian vampire who works his evil spell on a perplexed group of Londoners. Mel Brooks's Count is a pratfalling evil prince of a guy who believes in long relationships. Brooks portrays vampire hunter Van Helsing, who won't give a bloodsucker an even break.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary by director/co-writer Mel Brooks, co-stars Steven Weber and Amy Yasbeck, and co-writers Rudy De Luca and Steve Haberman
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

One of Mel's best........2007-05-20

I first discovered this film when I came across it at the video rental store. I hesitated to rent it for a number of reasons: I had heard nothing of it during it's theatrical release; Mel Brooks had been in a slump for some some time; and it starred Leslie Neilsen, who by that time was known primarily for milking his Frank Drebbin character to death in a number of very lame "comedies". But I rented it anyway and boy, was I glad I did!

The film is a laugh riot from beginning to end. Of course, it helps if you are familiar with the original Dracula story and its' various film incarnations and are attuned to Brooks' comedy style. If you are not up on the latter, just watch it a second or third time to get into the rhythm. Once you've gotten into the flow, you'll find it's a really fun ride.

While Neilsen, Brooks, Weber and Korman are all splendidly amusing, it's Peter McNichol who really steals the show as Renfield. Many people think of Artie Johnson's turn as Renfield in "Love at First Bite" to be the quintessential comedic portrayal of the character, but McNichol is much funnier. I would have given him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for this one, but unfortunately, he, as well as the film itself, was overlooked by the critics and the Academy. Too bad, as this film deserved better. The critics pretty much savaged this film (and most of Mel Brooks' films after "Young Frankenstein"), but apparently the critics have just forgotten how to laugh and simply be entertained by a movie. You will laugh and be entertained by this movie.

Not bad but also not great.......2007-05-14

This is quite a funny film in some moments, but also a little bit predictable. Its a good laugh if you are looking for a cheap one.

Wouldn't rate it as good as Spaceballs, though worth a watch every so often.

Incredibly Funny!.......2007-05-09

My husband, my sons and I love this movie. It is silly and hilarious. A+

just wow!!.......2007-04-06

I love this movie. I saw it years ago and laughed so hard. I recently thought about and decided to buy my own copy and it was worth it and still as funny as the first time I saw it.

Fantastic Fun.......2007-03-22

I first saw this film many years ago. It was funny then and it still is now. If you've seen Bram Stoker's Dracula, then you need to see this movie. It's a great spoof that makes fun of the movie.

The Princess Diaries 2 - Royal Engagement (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Princess Diaries 2 - Royal Engagement (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Anne Hathaway , Julie Andrews , Hector Elizondo , John Rhys-Davies , and Heather Matarazzo
Director: Garry Marshall
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
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ASIN: B00063KGQ4
Release Date: 2004-12-14

Product Description

Amazon.com

The Princess Diaries (Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Princess Diaries (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Julie Andrews , Anne Hathaway , Hector Elizondo , Heather Matarazzo , and Mandy Moore (II)
Director: Garry Marshall
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
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ASIN: B00005QJHG
Release Date: 2001-12-18

Amazon.com

Average customer rating:

A Simple Wish
Starring: Robert Pastorelli , Ruby Dee , Francis Capra , Jonathan Hadary , and Deborah Odell
Director: Michael Ritchie
Manufacturer: Universal Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 0783227337
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Amazon.com

Martin Short plays a bumbling fairy godmother to little Mara Wilson, who makes a wish that her actor-father (Robert Pastorelli) finds success. Instead of getting her wish fulfilled right away, however, she and Short end up diverted by an evil witch (Kathleen Turner). Special effects take over once Turner's character starts casting spells. But director Michael Ritchie--a long, long way from his prime (Downhill Racer, The Candidate) as an interesting filmmaker--keeps things moving quickly and gets some good work (albeit slanted toward kids) from his very talented cast. Some of the "magic" in the film--such as the sight of Short flattened and pouring down a set of stairs like liquid--is truly eye-popping. The DVD release has a widescreen presentation, Spanish subtitles, English captions, production notes, and theatrical trailer. --Tom Keogh

Average customer rating:

At War With the Army
Starring: Dean Martin , Jerry Lewis , Mike Kellin , Jimmie Dundee , and Dick Stabile
Director: Hal Walker
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
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ASIN: B00005B1WR
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Average customer rating:

Mermaids still sing for this film
AN EXCELLENT MOVIE!!
Sorry, Rules Of Attraction...
Ugh
Horrible - artistic tripe

I've Heard the Mermaids Singing
Starring: Sheila McCarthy , Paule Baillargeon , Ann-Marie MacDonald , Richard Monette , and John Evans (II)
Director: Patricia Rozema
Manufacturer: Miramax Home Entertainment
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ASIN: B0000DZ3BN
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Customer Reviews:

Mermaids still sing for this film.......2007-02-02

"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me." This lament by T.S Eliot's Prufrock in 1917 is a beautiful introduction to Patricia Rozema's 1987 Canadian cult film, a poignant and humorous story about the 31-year old, "organizationally impaired," social misfit and photographer Polly Vandersma. After twenty years and many viewings, I can still find solace and amusement in this film, which so sweetly and humorously explores the wisdom in those who on the surface are oft times bumbling, outcasts and uncool. The film gods were kind to put this movie on DVD, replete with the director's insightful commentary and amusing remarks about mid-1980's attire.

Those seeking an "art" film that is weird or conceptually complicated won't enjoy this movie. The story, like Polly, is seemingly simple on the outside but complex upon a closer view and relies on the viewer's ability to think and empathize with the characters.

Leading a somewhat solitary life in a "bachelorette" apartment, her photographs as the only décor, Polly is neither self-involved nor bleak, but instead unflappably content in her darkroom and the fantastic visions she finds therein. Things change when she lands a job in a Toronto art gallery working for the curator Gabrielle, a woman as self-composed and concerned with "important" art as Polly is awkward and unsophisticated. As a foil to Polly's innocent joy in the beautiful minutiae of the ordinary world, the failed artist Gabrielle is desperate to create "just one truly beautiful thing" before she dies. In the cross-hairs of their lives, the film examines the ages old ideas about love and art, talent and worth.

Neatly side-stepping any stereotypes, the perfect casting and honest interpretations by the actors keep the story believable. Polly's foibles are simple and her visions at times juvenile, but Sheila McCarthy's portrayal of Polly is so genuine and so touching that there is no doubt the mermaids sing to her.

In 21st century light this low-budget film is showing its age. However it also takes a closer look at our humanity--in particular our need to be understood--and that is something which is eternal.

AN EXCELLENT MOVIE!!.......2006-11-04

A GOOD MOVIE, GOOD PERFORMANCES, NICE IMAGES AND GREAT SOUNDTRACK.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT...THIS IS A GOOD OPTION.
WHAT A PITY NOT TO HAVE AVAILABLE " WHEN NIGHT FALLS" BY THE SAME DIRECTOR THE CANADIAN FILMMAKER PATRICIA ROZEMA.

Sorry, Rules Of Attraction..........2006-09-28

...but I have a new least favorite movie, and its name is I've Heard The Mermaids Singing.

This is easily the worst movie I've seen yet. I've sat through some huge stinkers (Fast and the Furious, The Smokers, the aforementioned Rules Of Attraction, etc.), but this one somehow manages to outstink them all. It's a piece of pretentious, unintelligible, artsy-fartsy garbage. The lead actress (and I use the word "actress" loosely) is so annoying, you'll be hoping for her death in the movie. I am not kidding. Her acting is about as natural as her hair color. She is way too damn hyper and perky. AND don't give me that "but egplamtt, shee s a free sp1r1t LOL LOL" jazz, either.

Again, do NOT see this movie. It will be the most painful 80 minutes of your life. Highly unrecommended. The only reason I give it one star is because that's the lowest Amazon will go. If possible I'd give it -10/5 stars. It's that bad. Seriously. This is Mystery Science Theater 3000 material, and I dunno about you folks, but I'd love to see this P.O.S. get owned by a talking gumball machine.

I've heard the mermaids singing, and they ain't singing to this turkey, that's for damn sure.

Ugh.......2005-02-22

reading all the wonderful reviews, i had high hopes for this movie.

Result: utterly disappointed. waste of time and money.

Horrible - artistic tripe.......2005-01-04

This movie is horrible. I can't understand why anyone would like this pathetic artistic tripe.

Average customer rating:

Not good quality
At War With The Army
Jerry Lewis' Worst Movie
Strictly for fans of this pair
This mediocre comedy is required viewing, of course.

At War With the Army
Starring: Dean Martin , Jerry Lewis , Mike Kellin , Jimmie Dundee , and Dick Stabile
Director: Hal Walker
Manufacturer: St Clair Vision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Stooge
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis Collection - Vol. 1 (The Caddy / Jumping Jacks / My Friend Irma / My Friend Irma Goes West / Sailor Beware / Scared Stiff / That's My Boy)
Jerry Lewis - The Legendary Jerry Collection (The Bellboy / Cinderfella / The Delicate Delinquent / The Disorderly Orderly / The Errand Boy / The Family Jewels / The Ladies Man / The Nutty Professor / The Patsy / The Stooge)
The Disorderly Orderly
The Colgate Comedy Hour - Martin & Lewis

ASIN: B0001GH7QS
Release Date: 2004-03-16

Customer Reviews:

Not good quality.......2007-03-25

The movie is a good one but the quality of the dvd is bad! The sound is very low, picture is jumpy (I'm not sure how that happens on dvd?). I sent mine back and got the Martin and Lewis Collector's Edition with "At War with the Army" Movie included. I recomend that one instead. 6 1/2 hours of FUNNY!

At War With The Army.......2007-01-15

Fantastic, What better way to take a walk down memory lane, than to watch some Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin,to lift your spirits.I really enjoyed every second of it, i also bought the 10 dvd collection of jerry Lewis.Jerry Lewis - The Legendary Jerry Collection (The Bellboy / Cinderfella / The Delicate Delinquent / The Disorderly Orderly / The Errand Boy / The Family Jewels / The Ladies Man / The Nutty Professor / The Patsy / The Stooge)Must have for any fan.

Jerry Lewis' Worst Movie.......2006-10-28

I admit I gave up on this movie after about 50 minutes. But up to that point the whole "comedy" revolved around Dean Martin bullying and shouting at Jerry Lewis, for no obvious reason. I am a life-long Jerry Lewis fan, I adore many of his movies, but not this one. It is pointless tripe. I never thought I'd give up on a Jerry Lewis movie, without watching it all the way through. But after 50 minutes, I felt like shouting back at Dean Martin for his odious carry on in this film. Whoever wrote the script doesn't know the first thing about humour. What a tedious movie!!!!

Strictly for fans of this pair.......2005-12-08

This is a review of the Alpha Video edition of AT WAR WITH THE ARMY (which is listed in the Amazon database as WAR WITH THE ARMY):

From 1949 to 1956, the boisterous team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis starred in 16 feature-length comedies, which vary in quality from undeniably hilarious to absolutely forgettable. AT WAR WITH THE ARMY (1950) falls closer to the latter category. This lackluster effort was their first starring vehicle, released after MY FRIEND IRMA (1949) and MY FRIEND IRMA GOES WEST (1950), in which they had glorified supporting roles.

Though released by Paramount Pictures, AT WAR WITH THE ARMY was an independent production, and a threadbare one at that, which explains why, at times, it looks like Dean and Jerry are appearing in someone's home movie. Based on a stage play-and looking every bit like a dingy, cramped, photographed stage play-this alleged military farce weakens the impact of the nutty duo by continually separating them. The movie springs to life when they're allowed to sing, dance, and do imitations, but these opportunities are few, as the plot sticks rigidly on its course to Dullsville. There are enough good moments to satisfy their devoted fans (Jerry's pretty funny on the occasions where he's allowed to cut loose, and Dean has nice duet with Polly Bergen, "You and Your Beautiful Eyes"), but if you've never seen this pair in action, there are far better M&L comedies awaiting DVD release (LIVING IT UP, SAILOR BEWARE, ARTISTS AND MODELS, and SCARED STIFF, to name a few).

Alpha Video's copy of AT WAR WITH THE ARMY is one of the better editions available, although like the marginally superior Digiview release, it's missing the cast credits after the "End" title. Arguably, the best edition of this film available is the one on Madacy Entertainment's "Hollywood Classics Collection" label. Madacy's print isn't as sharp as the Digiview version, but it does have the end cast credits. Madacy also makes their edition more attractive to consumers by including two 1950s newsreels and outtakes from the Abbott and Costello films IT AIN'T HAY (1943), PARDON MY SARONG (1942), and THE NAUGHTY NINETIES (1945).

This mediocre comedy is required viewing, of course........2005-09-05

This is required viewing since it is Martin and Lewis' first movie. As a comedy, it's not that great. It's not very funny, there's a lot of time wasted on generic dialog, and Dean's character isn't likeable since he mostly shouts, bullies, womanizes, and lies throughout. The movie is based on a play and it seems that some portions that may have played well in a live setting don't work on the screen. I can't be too sure since I don't know what is new to this movie and didn't appear in the play, or what did work in 1950 but doesn't work in 2005.

I got a good nostalgic feeling watching the movie. It gave me a feeling of sitting in a playhouse in 1940 with that era of audience and laughing at silly running gags like the half open door. Now that the bar has been raised so many times with comedy superstars like Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, and Jerry Lewis himself, it's fun to watch material from a simpler time.

Dean comes across well. His singing is great, he dances, and does an excellent impersonation of Bing Crosby. This is a good showcase of his talent.

Jerry also comes across well, as expected, with all of his trademarks. Bumbling clowning, funny faces, pouting, mime. His singing was better than I expected. He switches off between various singing voices like his zany voice, mock romantic, sarcastic, etc. He can hit the high notes and he sounds good.

The plot is pretty good. The various subplots involving Jerry, his wife and baby, his former friendship with Dean, Dean's two girlfriends and his military career, Dean's romantic rival, and the captain and his wife make for a somewhat complex plot. The movie builds up to the climax where all of the misunderstandings (and intentional subterfuges by Dean's character) come together with seven actors onscreen at the same time fighting each other to work things out. We're lucky that all seven made it into the TV frame!

I was touched by the ending in the same way that I remember always being touched by Martin and Lewis' movies: as though they are really good friends and that's heartwarming.

I was surprised to see so much polish on Martin and Lewis for their first movie, but you have to remember that they had been doing a live act before this, so that explains it.

I can imagine that a lot of the physical comedy gags, like running in and out of doors, throwing things around the room, jumping in another's arms, running around the room turning off lights, fighting with the drink machine, etc, would have worked in a play where the actors are actually doing that stuff live right in front of you. That would have added a lot of action to this play, where plays can sometimes be boring. On screen it doesn't work for me. It seems silly but nothing more.

Martin and Lewis' act is something like the Smothers Brothers' act. Martin scolds Lewis and Lewis gets meek and pouts.

I think most of the value in this movie comes from the performance pieces. The feature songs, dances, impersonations, and large comedy bits like the drink machine scene and Jerry as a woman are good stuff. I'm sorry to say that the rest of the material, which is probably the original play, doesn't quite cut it.

Average customer rating:

Dance of the Drunk Mantis
Starring: Siu Tien Yuen , Jang Lee Hwang , Linda Lin , Shun-Yee Yuen , and Corey Yuen
Director: Woo-ping Yuen
Manufacturer: Videoasia
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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7 Grand Masters
The Buddhist Fist
Monkey Fist Floating Snake
Magnificent Butcher
Seven Steps of Kung Fu

ASIN: B0000TPBAK
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Description

This January, celebrate the new year with these classic martial arts films featuring Hong Kong's most celebrated masters - Yuen Woo Ping (martial arts director Kill Bill and The Matrix), and Corey Yuen Kwai (director of The Transporter, and So Close)

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Michel Petrucciani - Power of Three

Flash Gordon: The Purple Death From Outer Space

Amazing Howard Hughes (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: A Christmas Carol

Die Biene Maja - Folge 15: Die Raupe bekommt ein Haus / Die