Race

Starring:Race
Studio: Allumination
Product Type: DVD

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:

a potentially epic movie that was very badly made, should have been done as "big fish" was.......2007-07-05

now having read the book, i expected to be seeing something along the lines of "Big Fish" or "Hook"..... full of vast fantasy visuals, heartwarming moments and the tear jerker ending.... unfortunately this one really didnt deliver like the others were able to.

the audience was conned into thinking this was the "never ending story" meets "chronicals of narnia". and if done correctly (or atthe very least with an extra half hour of fantasy world), it would have been both visually stunning and one to leave you with a warm feeling in the heart.

...unfortunately it was very badly adapted and as a result EXTREMELY dissapointing. and it fell short on both points

the fantasy aspects consisted of only 20 minutes (generously approximated) of footage spread throughout the middle of the movie in short 3-5 minute incriments.

they simply did not put enough emphasis on the fantasy aspect as you would be led to believe by all the press, and even the disney channel's "commercial break, behind-the-scenes" stuff only focused on the fantasy of it without giving the audience a fair chance to save the 7 bucks.

all they needed to make this movie to the top of the pack was an extra 30 minutes of fantasy footage and a "sensitive content" warning to spare families from the transformers movie fiasco of the 1980's (when the kids left the theater early, crying at the death of optimus prime)

now, it gets credit for following the book fairly closely, but it was without explaination,

they seemed to put in the key elements of the book without giving any exlaination as to why things were the way they were (ie: the teacher bringing him on the spontainious field trip).....they should have made up sometihng like "the kid had been failing and this was extra credit..."etc. instead of making it a sketchy, grey area, uncomfortable situation. in the book there was no question.

i had to explain alot of things to my finacee who had not read the book, and both of us were dissapointed with the whole movie. i was expecting something more along the lines of "big fish" or "hook"

but all we got from it is a potentially epic movie that really was badly made

and a distrust causing me to pay an extra $2 to rent a movie before purchasing it

i only gave it 2 stars for the actual meaning behind the book/movie

A remarkable film.......2007-07-05

I watched "The Bridge to Terabithia" on a whim with my wife and daughter with little foreknowledge of the plot. I'd never read the Newbery Award-winning book by Katherine Paterson, and I'd seen only one trailer for the film, which left me with the impression it would be a Narnia knock-off. It's not.

I'm not dissing "The Chronicles of Narnia," which in its way was a remarkable film. But "Terabithia" didn't deserve the CGI-laden marketing campaign it received; far from a fantasy blockbuster, this is a deep and thoughtful movie that places substance over sparkle -- a rare treat in the sprawling field of youth-oriented theater. It ranks up there with one of my favorites, "The Secret of Roan Inish," which accomplished more with no special effects than most family-friendly movies could with a billion-dollar budget.

But I just can't shake "Terabithia" from my head, a fact owed mostly to the performance of AnnaSophia Robb. As Leslie, a spirited young girl with a fiery imagination and endless good cheer, AnnaSophia captured my heart. She's the kind of person you want to know when you're a child and, as my wife remarked midway through the film, she's the sort of young woman you'd be happy to see your daughter grow up to be.

An outsider despite her youthful good looks and family wealth, she finds her perfect match in Jesse (Joss Hutcherson), another outsider who has withdrawn into his art to escape a chilly home life and his own problems at school. Together, they discover a secret getaway that might seem like a fairly ordinary patch of woods to most people; to them, it's a magical world replete with fantastic creatures, hidden dangers and amazing triumphs. It's here the special effects intrude more than accentuate the film; the story would have benefited from a vaguer sense of Jesse and Leslie's own wonder. We don't need to see CGI creatures to believe that these two children do.

The strength here, besides outstanding performances from the two lead actors, is the impact of a story that knows no amount of fantasy can prevent real-life tragedies from occurring. And the tragedy here -- it's hard to write about it without giving it away -- slams into unsuspecting viewers like a sudden kick to the gut.

Parents of younger viewers should be prepared to have a long and serious talk with their children after this movie, but that's not a recommendation to avoid it. "Terabithia" deserves to be seen, discussed and seen again. (Although use some discretion; very young children should wait before seeing this.) My thanks to director Gabor Csupo, as well as writer Paterson, for giving kids something honest and real rather than another serving of high-energy fluff.

by Tom Knapp, Rambles.(n e t) editor

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.

A beautiful story with something to say.......2007-07-04

I have been wanting to write a review for this film since I saw it for the first time, back in February. Though the main praises and controversies surrounding the story have been well covered by previous reviews on this site, this movie holds a personal significance that prompts me to share my own thoughts--although I must admit, I wasn't quite sure what to say about it at first.

I am a huge movie fan and have seen a generous number of them over the years, and for some reason, "Bridge to Terabithia" is--in all genuine honesty--the very best, most beautiful, most heartwrenching work of art I have ever seen. Even if it might sound silly to regard a Disney film as something that profound and meaningful, it is certainly true that this particular movie had more time, effort, and sensitivity put into it than most others from the infamous Walt Disney empire.

After watching this movie a good 13 or 14 times (the sad thing is, I'm not even joking), it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why it has moved me in a way that no other film has. Yes, it has a powerful message, a well-executed emotional undercurrent, and some truly impressive acting, but I have seen other movies with similar qualities. I don't even remember being a HUGE fan of the accompanying book by Katherine Paterson, although my fourth grade teacher did read it to our class twelve years ago, and what I remember of it is the strong development of unique, positive characters who--at the tender age of 11 or so--receive a thing or two to think about concerning the "realities of life," as several of us would call them.

Countless children's books have been adapted for the big screen over the years, among them including "Because of Winn-Dixie," "Madeline," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and "Shiloh." When you are transferring stories like these to film, it is so crucial to do it the right way, and sometimes, the end result doesn't really do much justice to the original author. One of the reasons I enjoyed "Bridge to Terabithia" so much is because it did not feel the need to conform the movie script to the things that today's society often deems as important, such domineering special effects and technology-driven means of having fun. This film allowed the main characters to highlight some of the personal creativity that all of us can take a lesson from, without making it too saccharine or unrealistic.

I have read in previous interviews that Katherine Paterson (who, again, penned the original book of the same name) was concerned about how her story would be portrayed on screen once she signed the rights over. To achieve the goal of making her tale shine through in the movie, it was only fitting that her son David Paterson--a producer of the film, a co-writer of the script and the real-life inspiration for the Jess Aarons character--take part in making it all happen, and he was surely the perfect person for the job.

I don't really want to hash over too much of the actual plot, since I was a little late in writing my review and, as a result, have a slew of reviews before mine that provide those details. However, since the acting in this film was so powerful and memorable, I would like to comment a bit on that. There are very few actors who command a role so well that you cannot imagine another person as that character, but Josh Hutcherson was about as incredible in this movie as anyone could have possibly been. I saw him for the first time in "Little Manhattan" and thought he was a cute kid with a fresh face in the booming child star industry, but he has since metamorphosized into this amazing, amazing young actor. Simply put, he just seems to know what he is doing when he gets in front of the camera, and let me tell you, that can't be taught (and in fact, Hutcherson did not take any acting classes when he started out at the age of 9, and his career launched because he was basically a talented kid with a gift for portraying different characters). I've heard about actors who can indicate so much emotion with just their eyes and facial expressions, but Hutcherson absolutely has it down cold. I give him a lot of props for what he did with his character, and I predict he is going to do extremely well in his career (which should easily extend into adulthood, for a 14-year-old with this much natural talent).

As for the critical role of Leslie Burke, it has been said that child star sensation Dakota Fanning was allegedly offered the role first. I admit that I can envision her as the character (though many of you might disagree), but I also feel that the casting director's final choice was for the best, given the remarkable performance by AnnaSophia Robb. Always capable of delivering a strong acting job, Robb used her trademark charisma, beautiful smile, and ever-sparkling eyes to lend all the right elements to this dynamic character. Watching Leslie's strengths and personalities unfold in the plot, she reminded me so much of a friend I had back in grammar school, who was constantly making up stories and thriving in a rambling imagination that did not require a television set, an I-pod, or just hanging around indoors. You know the actors are doing their craft well when you can compare their characters with figures from real life, and for that, both Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb are outstanding up-and-coming stars for being so young. (The obvious close friendship that they have off-screen is also clearly a contributing factor to what they created with Jess and Leslie in the movie.)

Also noteworthy in the cast is young Bailee Madison, whose performance as Jess's younger sister May Belle is about as refreshing as you could ask for in a movie. To see what I mean, just take a second to think about all the 5-year-old children you have seen in the movies over the years, and then ask yourself how many of them actually act like real kids. With her sweet, boisterous, pesky yet affectionate personality throughout the film, Bailee paints a nearly flawless image of any child her age that I would see in my own life, and I give her a lot of credit for that. In some cases, it's far better for a kid to just be herself in a movie, rather than acting too mature and ten years older than she really is, and that is what brings a sense of magic to Bailee's performance (not to mention the fact that you will be hard-pressed to find at least one scene of hers that doesn't make you well up, especially in the film's last thirty minutes). Zooey Deschanel, too, is worth mentioning for the incredibly positive portrayal she gave of a young, vibrant teacher who gets the very best from her students by being compassionate, energetic, and creative. It's the Miss Edmonds-type of educators in our world that make a difference with these kids, as you can see by the impact that Deschanel's character has in the movie.

Although the climax in "Bridge to Terabithia" packs a punch and will leave older audiences with a question or two to answer for the younger viewers, the culminating themes presented are anything but dark and depressing, as some other reviewers here have indicated. Since when is it not completely uplifting to watch kids overcome emotional hardship, recognize the impact of the friends around them, and use what they have learned to make efforts that they may not have considered before? I don't believe for a minute that Jess would have made the decision he did at the end of the film if it weren't for the "close your eyes, but keep your mind wide open" ideal that Leslie introduced to him in their friendship.

And so it goes. Many people have criticized the phenomenon of false advertisement and the unsettling plot threads that changed the film's originally perceived direction in a matter of seconds. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and their differing feelings about the movie are valid, but it's the idea of this being an inappropriate children's film that makes me want to ask the question: What exactly do we want to be teaching our kids, if not courage and compassion in the face of adversity? If we don't want them exposed to certain things, and if we want to protect them from what might be potentially sad or painful, then what opportunity is there to help them learn some of the life lessons that Jess Aarons did at the conclusion of the story? Yes, I understand that it's just a movie, and no kid is going to have a fully developed concept of reality simply by watching "Bridge to Terabithia." However, before we claim that the chosen themes are too much for children and should be replaced with something more along the lines of "The Chronicles of Narnia," we should consider what Katherine Paterson and the filmmakers are trying to communicate with a story like this. Trust me, the message is intended to be a positive one, achieved by working through the tough stuff and discovering a level of happiness that is different, but every bit as valuable.

This isn't to say that I would recommend showing this movie to a preschooler and eagerly filling her plate with all these ideas, but for a kid around the age of 9 or so, it is very much a "children's film" that can be enjoyed by the whole family and appreciated for occasionally uneasy but always important messages it shares. In addition, I am not trying to speak negatively of "Narnia" kinds of action films for kids. Those are also good movies with positive qualities of their own, and if that's what you like, then there is absolutely no problem with it. For the purpose of this particular tale, however, and what it is trying to say to contemporary audiences, I am just saying that it deserves a shot, and if you are looking for a film with kids who are good role models and creative ways of thinking that are encouraged, "Bridge to Terabithia" is worth your time. If you watched it and didn't like it, or if you were upset by the marketing choices that the studio made with the preview trailers, then hey, what's the worst thing that happened? You spent some money on a movie theater ticket, a video rental, or maybe even a DVD purchase that you weren't completely satisfied with--or maybe you watched it with your kids because you were expecting something else, and you had to have a conversation afterward that you weren't exactly thrilled about. Even then, though, in a situation like that, there are far more positive things than negative to derive from the film's ending.

With that in mind, I would like to give this film my strongest recommendation for at least a movie rental. Setting the plot aside, the DVD does have a nice set of special features, including a commentary by Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb--as well as one of the film producers Lauren Levine--that is both sweet and interesting to listen to, especially if you are a fan of these two stars. There is another commentary by the director, writer and producer; a short featurette about the special effects; and a second featurette where the cast teams up with educators and elementary school administrators all over the country to discuss some of the best reasons to add this book to today's classroom curriculums. Lastly, there is a music video for the song "Keep Your Mind Wide Open," performed by AnnaSophia Robb and sprinkled with some scenes from the movie. Although her actress-turned-singer approach is similar to what young movie starlets like Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan have done in their careers, AnnaSophia is a beautiful girl who, to her credit, appeared to give it her all with this song. Regardless of anything else, it is a nice tune, with lyrics that correlates perfectly with everything that this movie is about. In the above mentioned commentary, AnnaSophia discusses this experience and acknowledges that she isn't planning a singing career, but even so, it is a fun music video to watch, and there's no doubt that she will find great things in her future.

I am writing this because this film has reached me in a way that NO other movie has, and there is just something about it that makes me literally want to watch it over and over (which I have essentially been doing ever since I purchased the DVD). If you have not seen it, or if you are debating whether or not it is the right material for young ones, I really hope that you will at least rent it and give it a chance. Just because it is the best movie I have ever seen does not mean that I expect everyone else to agree, but if nothing else, it is a film with an impeccably chosen cast--a group of actors who obviously grasp the movie's purpose and play it out so effortlessly. When she wrote the book in the 1970's, Katherine Paterson wasn't sure if children could deal with the emotions of the story, but her editor knew that kids could, and she was right on target. Paterson did base the plot on a difficult experience that she encountered with her 8-year-old son many years ago, and after all, what hits home harder than a story that is true?

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.

Average customer rating:

I Need Her To Matter To You" ~ We Can't Change The Past, Or Can We?
A movie worth watching!
Captivating Movie From Star To Finish!
A pretty interesting take on reaching back into the past to investigate the present
Not A Cool Movie

Deja Vu
Starring: Denzel Washington , Paula Patton , Val Kilmer , James Caviezel , and Adam Goldberg
Director: Tony Scott
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JPD0
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Amazon.com

In his most effective thriller since Enemy of the State, Tony Scott makes time travel seem plausible. It helps that his New Orleans hero, ATF agent Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington in his third go-round with the director), spends more time in the present than the past. In order to catch a terrorist, FBI Agent Pryzwarra (Val Kilmer) invites Carlin to join forces. They have the technology to see the past. He has the expertise to interpret the data. Unfortunately, the bomb has already gone off and hundreds of ferry passengers have died. Then there's the body of a beautiful woman, Claire Kuchever (Paula Patton, Idlewild), that turns up in the vicinity of the blast. Evidence indicates she was killed beforehand. Since the FBI enables him to observe Claire prior to her murder, Carlin gets to know what she was like and finds himself falling in love. He becomes convinced that the only way to solve the case--and prove her innocence--is to travel to the past. But as Pryzwarra's colleague, Denny (Adam Goldberg), argues, "You cannot go back in time. It's physically impossible." Or so he says. Déjà Vu is constructed around a clever script and executed by a top-notch cast, notably Washington, Patton, and an eerie Jim Caviezel (miles away from Passion of the Christ). In shedding the excesses of recent years--the sadism of Man on Fire and weirdness of Tarantino favorite Domino--Scott re-affirms his rep as one of the action movie's finest practitioners. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Academy Award(R) winner Denzel Washington (Best Actor, TRAINING DAY, 2001) joins forces with blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer and mega-hit director Tony Scott for DÉJÀ VU — the powerful, fast-paced action-thriller with a spectacular mind-bending twist. Called in to recover evidence in the aftermath of a horrific explosion on a New Orleans ferry, Federal agent Doug Carlin (Washington) gets pulled away from the scene and taken to a top-secret government lab that uses a time-shifting surveillance device to help prevent crime. But can it help Carlin change the past? Hold on to your seat for an explosive and intriguing thrill ride you'll want to experience again and again.'

Customer Reviews:

I Need Her To Matter To You" ~ We Can't Change The Past, Or Can We?.......2007-07-05

`Déjà vu' released in '05 stars some of my favorite male stars active today; Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer and James Caviezel. Add to the rooster the talented Adam Goldberg and the devastatingly attractive Paula Patton and you've got all the necessary ingredients necessary to provide a truly great viewing experience. However even with a cast of that caliber the film doesn't quite deliver all the potential it could have.

Time travel movies are always popular but could be a little tricky at times. I think the script handles the scientific explanation of time travel and warping space surprising well but some sequences are a little to unrealistic at times and you can only ask an audience to suspend reality for only so long. I also found the ending to make no sense whatsoever so that definitely is a minus. On the positive side, the romantic angle works wonderfully and Denzel Washington's love interest Paula Patton is drop dead gorgeous. `Déjà vu' combines the futuristic vision of `Minority Report' (`02) with the romantic longing of the '44 classic `Laura'. Not too bad a combination don't you think?

Repeatability Factor: Well worth at least one viewing but that's about it unless you're watching just to see Paula again.

A movie worth watching!.......2007-06-29

Deja Vu brings to the screen the story of an ATF agent as he tries to find those responsible for detonating a bomb aboard a riverboat in New Orleans killing hundreds of people. The investigation will lead to some unexpected discoveries including one that would blow most peoples' minds in a heartbeat...
There are slight hints of the X-Files, and strong elements of Timecop (Jean Claude Van Damme), Frequency (Dennis Quaid, James Caviezel), and The Lake House (Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock).
Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, and the rest of the cast, have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows (the chemistry is AMAZING)! Very well written and very well presented, the movie is without a doubt guaranteed to provide more than just a few thrills, not to mention a few tears.
The setting, the plot, the dialogues, and the music are all wonderful!
In conclusion, Deja Vu is a movie definitely worth watching and one to seriously consider adding to your movie collection as it is one of those films that gets you and keeps you thinking long after it's over. 4.5 Stars

Captivating Movie From Star To Finish!.......2007-06-29

Wasn't quite sure what to expect when I rented this movie.... It was a lot better than I anticipated as I thought it would be some cheesy suspense movie, but it wasn't.

It was a combination action/suspense, science-fiction, time travel, and a bit of romance thrown in at the end kind of movie. The acting was superb as well as the storyline.... With the created/fabricated technology and time travel used in movie, I wasn't sure how it all was going to fit together! But everything worked itself into a neat tightly fit package by the end of the movie.

A pretty interesting take on reaching back into the past to investigate the present.......2007-06-20

Denzel Washington always makes me want to believe in any movie he is in. Here he plays ATF agent Doug Carlin who is brought in to investigate a ferry bombing that killed more than 500 people. Some odd details start bothering him including the body of Caire Kuchever (played very well by the beautiful Paula Patton). At first she looks like another victim of the blast on the ferry, but Agent Carlin notices some things that don't match up.

Agent Pryzwarra (a nicely done turn by Val Kilmer) brings Carlin into a special investigative unit that has a special tool to view a stream from the past. I can't get into details of this team or much more of the movie because unraveling it is part of the fun of the film. You know from the title of the film that it has something to do with reliving the past, but how this film does it is pretty fresh. There is one very cool car chase that includes trying to drive in the present to keep in view the villain in a car from the past and is something I hadn't seen before.

Yes, there are things in the plot that require artificial limits on things and require the cast to say and not say or do or not do things that would make things much more mundane and realistic, but still, as a romantic thriller, it is a pretty good entertainment. And they do pull things together more neatly than one might expect from the early scenes.

So, enjoy the film. It is a pretty good way to have some fun.

Not A Cool Movie.......2007-06-20

Denzel Washington in this movie is way too emotional and not nearly as cool as in other movies like "Training Day". He was basically a stalker!

Another thing I didn't like about this movie is the computer graphics. The director must have believed we will think the past viewer CG so cool and like it so much that he used it over and over again. On the contrary, I feel slightly insulted to be thought of that way. I like computer graphics in movies that are used to reproduce reality to show spectacular scenes that cannot be shot otherwise, like those in Star Wars episodes. However, I loath CG used as if it were something cool, e.g. CG on computer user-interface. When PCs are so ubiquitous these days everybody can tell a good user-interface from a bad one. And bad ones are not cool to me, no matter how much computer graphics you put into it. They should have just showed the past viewer as a Windows-based application as would be developed in research institutions in reality today.

Roots (Four-Disc 30th Anniversary Edition)

Average customer rating:

Roots
Roots
Great story
Roots(Four Disc 30th Anniversay Edition
Top Mini-Series of All-Time!

Roots (Four-Disc 30th Anniversary Edition)
Starring: Maya Angelou , Ji-Tu Cumbuka , Moses Gunn , Thalmus Rasulala , and Hari Rhodes
Director: John Erman , Marvin J. Chomsky , and David Greene
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000NA21S6
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Description

Based on Alex Haley's best-selling novel about his African ancestors, Roots followed several generations in the lives of a slave family. The saga began with Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton), a West African youth captured by slave raiders and shipped to America in the 1700s. The family's saga is depicted up until the Civil War where Kunte Kinte's grandson gained emancipation. Roots made its greatest impression on the ratings and widespread popularity it garnered. On average, 130 million - almost half the country at the time - saw all or part of the series.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Documentaries
Electronic press kit
Featurette
Interviews

Customer Reviews:

Roots.......2007-07-03

I have seen this movie a long time ago, and it is still a excellent picture.

Roots.......2007-06-29

I had forgotten how moving this film is! Great acting, well written characters and a shameful recounting of slavery.

Great story.......2007-06-29

What a story, I think it should be in schools,lest it's forgotten.

Roots(Four Disc 30th Anniversay Edition.......2007-06-27

Everyone should own this disc set. It is a good educational tool for children in helping them to understand how wrong slavery was and how much the black race had to suffer for their freedom.The story behind this saga is sad but it also shows the determination of the black race to survive through unbearable times.

Top Mini-Series of All-Time!.......2007-06-26

The stories, the actors, the emotion ... everything about this mini-series in awe-inspiring and just plain inspiring! I'll be watching it over and over again, especially with my kids!

Bridge To Terabithia (Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

a potentially epic movie that was very badly made, should have been done as "big fish" was
A remarkable film
Very Emotional. Surprising. Not About Fantasy, But About Loss and Relationships
A beautiful story with something to say
Terrible and Completely 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
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ASIN: B000OYCM5I
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

a potentially epic movie that was very badly made, should have been done as "big fish" was.......2007-07-05

A remarkable film.......2007-07-05

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

A beautiful story with something to say.......2007-07-04

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

Average customer rating:

great movie!
An Instant Classic!
In need of some repair
One of the best animated features ever!
Can't believe this didn't win the Oscar!

Cars (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Mario Andretti , Jack Angel , Michael Patrick Bell , Susan Blu , and Rodger Bumpass
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Auto Sports | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Feature Films | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

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

Over the Hedge (Widescreen Edition)
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Happy Feet (Full Screen Edition)

ASIN: B00005JNS0
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Amazon.com

There's an extra coat of hot wax on Pixar's vibrant, NASCAR-influenced comedy about a world populated entirely by cars. Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is the slick rookie taking the Piston Cup series by storm when the last race of the season (the film's high-octane opening) ends in a three-way tie. On the way to the tie-breaker race in California, Lightning loses his way off Route 66 in the Southwest desert and is taught to stop and smell the roses by the forgotten citizens of Radiator Springs. It's odd to have such a slim story from the whizzes of Pixar, and the film pales a bit from their other films (though can that be a fair comparison?). Nonetheless, Cars is another gleaming ride with Pixar founder John Lasseter, who's directing for the first time since Toy Story 2. There's the usual spectrum of excellent characters teamed with appropriate voice talent, loads of smooth humor for kids and parents alike, knockout visuals, and a colorful array of sidekicks, including a scene-stealing baby blue forklift named Guido. Lightning's plight is changed with the help of former big-city lawyer Sally Carrera (Pixar veteran Bonnie Hunt), the town's patriarch Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), and kooky tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy). The Incredibles was the first Pixar film to break the 100-minute barrier, but had enough story not to suffer; Cars, at 116 minutes (including some must-see end credit footage), is not as fortunate, plus it never pierces the heart. Trivia fans should have bonanza with the frame-by-frame DVD function; the movie is stuffed with in-jokes, some appearing only for an instant. Ages 5 and up. --Doug Thomas

Description

From the acclaimed creators of TOY STORY, THE INCREDIBLES, and FINDING NEMO comes a high-octane adventure comedy that shows life is about the journey, not the finish line. Hotshot rookie race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is living life in the fast lane until he hits a detour on his way to the most important race of his life. Stranded in Radiator Springs, a forgotten town on the old Route 66, he meets Sally, Mater, Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), and a variety of quirky characters who help him discover that there's more to life than trophies and fame. Revved up with a sensational soundtrack, featuring Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, James Taylor, and others, plus exciting bonus features, including the exclusive short movie "Mater And The Ghostlight," CARS is full of freewheeling fun for everyone.

Customer Reviews:

great movie!.......2007-07-02

disney / pixar makes great movies and this is one of them! great family movie with a great storyline. loved it

An Instant Classic!.......2007-06-30

I would rate this along the lines of "Toy Story" as far as a child's ability to relate and enjoy the film, and for staying power.

My 3 year old son is addicted to this movie. The "speed" and "lightening" and even the classic music used in the film (Route 66 and the first song I heard right after getting my driver's license at 16 - Life is a Highway) make the perfect blend for a life-long HIT!

The actual story is original - tying racing with the story of Route 66. The characters are likable and entertaining for ALL ages!

Whether you are 3 or 103, I think you will enjoy the originality, comedy, music, action and even a little bit of romance! Two thumbs up and a must- have for all animation film collectors!

In need of some repair .......2007-06-28

Pixar usually makes children's films that also appeal to adults on many levels, including jokes that fly well above the heads of youngsters. My son, who is three, loves to watch the first ten minutes of "Cars." Then he gets extremely bored and stops watching. Good films, such as "Finding Nemo," "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" and "Toy Story," will hold his attention for the duration. (He knows "Finding Nemo" from start to finish and has watched it, at minimum, fifty times.) I also enjoy good children's movies (I know most of the lines from "Finding Nemo"), yet I find this film tedious. At a runtime of nearly two hours, I cannot sit through the entire movie in one sitting and even then have a difficult time watching all of it. It starts out well enough and the ending, with its positive messages of friendship, loyalty and good sportsmanship, is quite good. Much of the material in between, however, is fairly weak. Scenes drag on far too long and are just plain dull. The messages could have been conveyed in fewer and more truncated scenes and still have been as effective. The basis for a very good film here is certainly evident. As usual, Pixar's animation is excellent and the tone is just right for kids: simple without being condescending and with very sparse scatological humor (which is an astonishing feat, given Larry the Cable Guy's involvement). The voice acting is well cast and features uniformly fine performances. With more judicious writing and editing, "Cars" could have been another Pixar classic. (2.5/5 stars)

One of the best animated features ever!.......2007-06-24

Every medium has its own unique opportunities, with animation its the ability to express emotion that has universal appeal without all of the trappings that come with an actor of a specific gender, race, etc.

The cars in Cars are more human than human. This is a very touching movie and true quality family fare. Its a great movie to buy- we watch it over and over and over.

Can't believe this didn't win the Oscar!.......2007-06-20

I watched this with two aging race drivers: one a local dirt track champion and the other a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver. We all loved this movie. Besides being a high quality animated presentation, my companions pointed out the accuracy and realism regarding the racing episodes and techniques that was evident to them. This movie will be a classic!

Average customer rating:

Take a Trip in a New World
I enjoyed watching this movie in hi-def
Blu-Ray Heaven
Greatest movie since Lord of the Rings and Star Wars
Decent movie, great presentation

Mel Gibson's Apocalypto [Blu-ray]
Starring: Raoul Trujillo , Fernando Hernandez , Gerardo Taracena , Rudy Youngblood , and Dalia Hernandez
Director: Mel Gibson
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

Action & Adventure | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

General | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest [Blu-ray]
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Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray]

ASIN: B000NQQ4ME
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Product description

From Mel Gibson, director of The Passion Of The Christ and the Academy Award® winning Braveheart (Best Director, Best Picture, 1995) comes the thrilling historical epic Apocalypto. This intense, nonstop action-adventure transports you to an ancient South American civilization, for an experience unlike anything you've ever known. In the twilight of the mysterious Mayan culture, young Jaguar Paw is captured and taken to the great Mayan city where he faces a harrowing end. Driven by the power of his love for his wife and son, he makes an adrenaline-soaked, heart-racing escape to rescue them and ultimately save his way of life. Filled with unrelenting action and stunning cinematography, Apocalypto is an enthralling and unforgettable film experience.

Customer Reviews:

Take a Trip in a New World.......2007-07-03

That Movie gives you a New Experience in watching a Movie. Soon this Move brings you to a never seen before World. Everything seems to be real as you watching the Movie. Sound and Picture are how Blu-Ray should be...
Take the Trip....
But beware, if you don't like Movie's in Original Language(Maya) with English Subtitel...but give this Movie a try

I enjoyed watching this movie in hi-def.......2007-07-03

This was the first time I have seen this movie. It has a good story line, and the battles were realistic. I would recommend this movie to anyone.

Blu-Ray Heaven.......2007-06-29

Absolutely pristine video transfer and audio transfers make this a reference BD title.

I was not sure if I wanted to see this movie due to it being in Mayan dialogue with english subtitles. However as strange as this may sound I actually understood most of what was being said with only minor glances at the subtitling. Truely an awesome movie, if you want to see a Mayan Rambo then check this movie out.

May I just add that anyone who has put off seeing this movie because of Mel Gibson then I would respectfully suggest that in this instance you are doing yourself an injustice. I am sure Mel had a hand in this film but in all honesty after watching the extras on the disc I think even Mel would acknowledge that there were many, many people who made this film what it is. This truely is a masterpiece when it comes to engaging a predominantly english speaking audience into a non english speaking movie.

I had a couple of friends over tonight to watch it, knowing full well that they are both very anti Mel. They watched the movie and were blown away by it to be honest, the comment that I thought was interesting was when they said that they had deliberately not watched it due to Mel's involvement. However, they thanked me for putting it on as they thought it was a wonderful movie and very thought provoking for them with their beliefs.

Greatest movie since Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.......2007-06-28

Just watched this movie on standard def DVD - didnt know if i was going to like it at first but after 20 minutes in- I was TOTALLY HOOKED!!!!!!!! I cant wait to see it on Blu-Ray! Im buying this tonight!

Decent movie, great presentation.......2007-06-27

Since others have focused on the movie itself, I ask you to read their reviews for a review of the content. I want to focus on the quality of the encode instead.

For a short review of the film, I will say that it is action packed and nicely done, though I found the story slightly sparse; like the action took precedence over story.

It's also pretty violent in places, which is fine by me, but may not be everyone's cup of tea.

As far as the disc is concerned, the Blu-Ray presentation is phenomenal.

For video encoding Buena Vista chose to use the AVC/MPEG4 format. The encode is what you'd expect from HD; crisp and clear. There are no compression issues or any other perceptible visual anomalies present. It just looks darn good! The only real issue is the use of different film stocks. What you have is more grain in some areas due to the use of certain film stocks, while in others you have crisp clarity. This is as the movie is supposed to be presented, but if you don't realize why the change in "quality" it can be a bit confusing.

As far as audio is concerned, I commend Mel Gibson for his use of authentic languages on his films. The LPCM 5.1 audio (uncompressed) is absolutely clear and problem free. The channels have good separation when needed and it works really well in the Mayan language. There is also a more compatible Dolby Digital 5.1 track, listed as English, though this is not the case. There is only the Mayan language available on this release; no English language dub. You have to watch with subtitles, so if subtitles aren't your thing, look elsewhere.

Extras are presented in standard DVD resolution (480p). This is somewhat disappointing, but my guess is that the footage was shot on digital and not digital HD equipment. Hopefully in the future companies will record things in HD and present the entire package, not just the film, in HD. The film is what really matters, but standard def extras are slightly disappointing.

Over all I am happy with this release. The movie itself was good, but not "great" for me, while the technical aspects make the Blu-Ray presentation shine.

The Bourne Identity (Widescreen Extended Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Bourne Identity - A Truely Awesome Movie!
Bourne Identity
Shame on who made this
Action packed and re-watchable!
Though not a masterpiece, a movie worth watching

The Bourne Identity (Widescreen Extended Edition)
Starring: Matt Damon , Franka Potente , Chris Cooper , Clive Owen , and Brian Cox
Director: Doug Liman
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Espionage | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00023B1LC
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Amazon.com

Freely adapted from Robert Ludlum's 1980 bestseller, The Bourne Identity starts fast and never slows down. The twisting plot revs up in Zurich, where amnesiac CIA assassin Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), with no memory of his name, profession, or recent activities, recruits a penniless German traveler (Run Lola Run's Franka Potente) to assist in solving the puzzle of his missing identity. While his CIA superior (Chris Cooper) dispatches assassins to kill Bourne and thus cover up his failed mission, Bourne exercises his lethal training to leave a trail of bodies from Switzerland to Paris. Director Doug Liman (Go) infuses Ludlum's intricate plotting with a maverick's eye for character detail, matching breathtaking action with the humorous, thrill-seeking chemistry of Damon and Potente. Previously made as a 1988 TV movie starring Richard Chamberlain, The Bourne Identity benefits from the sharp talent of rising stars, offering intelligent, crowd-pleasing excitement from start to finish. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

The Bourne Identity - A Truely Awesome Movie!.......2007-06-14

Hip, clever, well written/acted/filmed/directed! A visual feast from start to finish! Matt Damon is Jason Bourne! A must own for all action fans! A truely awesome movie!

Bourne Identity.......2007-06-11

Great fast-paced action, lots of special racing scenes. Great, but simple plot which is vastly improved by Matt Damon's acting. I would recommend this movie to anyone's DVD library.

Shame on who made this.......2007-06-10

This is a great movie but whoever made the dvd really messed up the captions. The extended version has no captions and the other it is more subtitles and difficult to turn on. If the extended has no captions someone tell me the point of buying this dvd?

Action packed and re-watchable! .......2007-05-26

I don't know about this extended version, I saw the movie in the theater and then on pay per view several times. Great suspense, excellent fight scened, Matt Damon at his, in my opinion, best. Great editing and direction, this movie does not slow down and is one of my all time favorite action suspense flicks.

Though not a masterpiece, a movie worth watching.......2007-05-20

The Bourne Identity brings to the screen the story of a young man dragged out of the Mediterranean Sea and without a clue as to who he is. His only lead is a bank account in Zurich. His problems, however, have only just begun...
Matt Damon is amazing in his respective role though the rest of the cast fail to follow with the exception of lovely Julia Stiles who seems to have quite a bit of potential.
The setting, the plot, the dialogues, and the music are all good, but nothing extraordinary.
In a nutshell, it's probably not a movie you would want to add to your collection, but it will provide for an evening's entertainment.

Average customer rating:

great movie!
An Instant Classic!
In need of some repair
One of the best animated features ever!
Can't believe this didn't win the Oscar!

Cars (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Mario Andretti , Jack Angel , Michael Patrick Bell , Susan Blu , and Rodger Bumpass
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Auto Sports | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Feature Films | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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

Over the Hedge (Widescreen Edition)
Ice Age - The Meltdown (Widescreen Edition)
The Little Mermaid (2-Disc Platinum Edition)
The Wild
Happy Feet (Full Screen Edition)

ASIN: B000H5U832
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

great movie!.......2007-07-02

disney / pixar makes great movies and this is one of them! great family movie with a great storyline. loved it

An Instant Classic!.......2007-06-30

In need of some repair .......2007-06-28

One of the best animated features ever!.......2007-06-24

Can't believe this didn't win the Oscar!.......2007-06-20

The Fifth Element (Remastered) [Blu-ray]

Average customer rating:

Great movie finally remastered

The Fifth Element (Remastered) [Blu-ray]
Starring: Bruce Willis , Gary Oldman , Ian Holm , Milla Jovovich , and Chris Tucker
Director: Luc Besson
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

General | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

Horror | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

Science Fiction & Fantasy | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video
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Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest [Blu-ray]
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Mel Gibson's Apocalypto [Blu-ray]

ASIN: B000QTD368
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Product Description

New York cab driver Korben Dallas didn't mean to be a hero, but he just picked up the kind of fare that only comes along every five thousand years: A perfect beauty, a perfect being, a perfect weapon. Now, together, they must save the world. Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, and Gary Oldman star in acclaimed director Luc Besson's outrageous sci-fi adventure, an extravagantly styled tale of good against evil set in an unbelievable twenty-third century world.

Customer Reviews:

Great movie finally remastered.......2007-07-02

This is a really fun, fun movie. It's not the beat all of science fiction as it was hyped when it was released, but it certainly is a good combination high adventure, situation comedy, cyberpunk, and Bruce Willis gun fighting action. Doesn't make sense? Don't worry. I'll explain.

High adventure comes from the plot: save the earth from evil by finding some mystic items and a perfect human before the appointed zero hour. That much is obvious. Cyberpunk explains in a way the setting of the futuristic urban scenes, which are fantastically portrayed in this movie. All of the settings and technology were impressive as well as stylish. The special effects were well above average and in many scenes very impressive, but a situation comedy? You got it. I won't get into the details. I will say there are quite a few scenes that involve the kind of subplots you find in sitcoms. This is a good thing by the way. A lesser movie would mess this up. Director Luc Besson made all of these elements (no pun intended) fit seamlessly.

Acting is great. Despite popular opinion of models not being very good actors the models that acted in this film did a good job of being campy in an entertaining way without hamming it up. I can go on an on about each of the reas actors and how they succeeded in pulling off whatever character, but I will digress to two ends of the spectrum. Chris Tucker as Ruby Rhod is priceless and worth the price of admission alone. One exception I would have to say is Tommy "Tiny" Lister as the President. Up until the final scenes his acting was pretty dry. I also have to criticize whoever decided to hype up the fact the movie has Luke Perry in it, who played Billy. Billy did nothing to carry the plot and only had a cameo role in the beginning. Ugh... Hollywood.

The movie can get too trendy. The music, though nice, didn't really fit the setting. The very last scene is totally lame and if you ask me unlikely (sorry Korby...). And there is a scene or two that was just trying too hard to be hip. I can forgive all that because the comedy, action and drama do fit in to what ends up being a mirthful romp in high flying action.

Sony dropped the ball on their first blu-ray release of The Fifth Element. The uncompressed PCM and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround tracks blew you away, but the video quality was merely on par with regular DVD resolution. This time Sony listened to their fans and remastered the movie so that you get the full 1080p love you deserved the last time. Bought the first blu-ray? No problem. Sony seems to be offering an exchange program. Just contact Sony and they will set up a way you can pass your old blu-ray for the remastered one. Contact info is below:

Phone: (800) 860-2878
Email: consumer@sphecustomersupport.sony.com

One downside though: no extras. That's right. All the cool stuff in the ultimate edition is gone. Getting this DVD is just like getting the first one they released. You get only the movie and some trivia text. If I were you I would still wait until they make some kind of special edition in blu-ray so you get the higher resolution AND the goodies