Mission

Starring:Chris Coburn, Joshua Leonard, Sandrine Holt, Bellamy Young, Adam Arkin, Shane Kramer, Evan Arnold, Kristin Jones, Mari Colabelli, Dawn Walters (II), Janine Pibal, Peter Kepler, Karina Andrews, Kevin Van Driesche
Director: Loren Marsh
Studio: Vanguard Cinema
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Critically hailed as an instant classic, Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima is a masterwork of uncommon humanity and a harrowing, unforgettable indictment of the horrors of war. In an unprecedented demonstration of worldly citizenship, Eastwood (from a spare, tightly focused screenplay by first-time screenwriter Iris Yamashita) has crafted a truly Japanese film, with Japanese dialogue (with subtitles) and filmed in a contemplative Japanese style, serving as both complement and counterpoint to Eastwood's previously released companion film Flags of Our Fathers. Where the earlier film employed a complex non-linear structure and epic-scale production values to dramatize one of the bloodiest battles of World War II and its traumatic impact on American soldiers, Letters reveals the battle of Iwo Jima from the tunnel- and cave-dwelling perspective of the Japanese, hopelessly outnumbered, deprived of reinforcements, and doomed to die in inevitable defeat. While maintaining many of the traditions of the conventional war drama, Eastwood extends his sympathetic touch to humanize "the enemy," revealing the internal and external conflicts of soldiers and officers alike, forced by circumstance to sacrifice themselves or defend their honor against insurmountable odds. From the weary reluctance of a young recruit named Saigo (Kazunari Ninomiya) to the dignified yet desperately anguished strategy of Japanese commander Tadamichi Kuribayashi (played by Oscar-nominated The Last Samurai costar Ken Watanabe), whose letters home inspired the film's title and present-day framing device, Letters from Iwo Jima (which conveys the bleakness of battle through a near-total absence of color) steadfastly avoids the glorification of war while paying honorable tribute to ill-fated men who can only dream of the comforts of home. --Jeff Shannon

On the DVDs
Like the film itself, the two-disc special edition of Letters from Iwo Jima is predominantly Japanese in content, and that's as it should be. Disc 1 presents the film in a flawless widescreen transfer, with a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack that perfectly captures the film's wide dynamic range. The optional subtitles can be turned off for those wishing to immerse themselves in a completely Japanese viewing experience. Disc 2 opens with "Red Sun, Black Sand: The Making of Letters from Iwo Jima," a 20-minute behind-the-scenes documentary that concisely covers all aspects of production, from director Clint Eastwood's initial decision to create a companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers, to interview comments from principal cast and crew, the latter including Flags screenwriters Paul Haggis and Letters screenwriter Iris Yamashita, costume designer Deborah Hopper, editor Joel Cox, cinematographer Tom Stern, production designer James Murakami (taking over for the ailing Henry Bumstead), and coproducer Rob Lorenz. "The Faces of Combat" is an 18-minute featurette about selecting the Japanese (and Japanese-American) cast of Letters, and how they were chosen through the international collaboration of Eastwood's long-time casting director Phyllis Huffman (who turned over some of her duties to her son while struggling with terminal illness) and Japanese casting associate Yumi Takada, who filled important roles with Japanese celebrities (like pop star Kazunari Ninomiya, who plays "Saigo") and unknown actors alike.

"Images from the Frontlines" is a 3.5-minute montage of images from the film and behind-the-scenes, set to the sparse piano theme of Eastwood's original score. The remaining bonus features chronicle the world premiere of Letters in Tokyo on November 15, 2006. The premiere itself is covered in a 16-minute featurette taped at the famous Budokan arena, where we see the red-carpet procession, a full-capacity audience despite cold November weather, and introductory comments from the film's primary cast and crew, many of them quite moving with regard to the satisfaction of working on a film that helps Japanese viewers come to terms with a painful chapter of their history. The following day's press conference (at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo hotel) is a 24-minute Q&A session covering much of the same territory, with additional testimony from principal cast & crew. Throughout this two-day event, it's clear that Eastwood (referring to himself as "a Japanese director who doesn't speak the Japanese language") was warmly embraced by the Japanese, and that Letters from Iwo Jima had served its intended purpose, reminding us of the horrors of war while uniting both Japanese and Americans in somber reflection, 61 years after the battle of Iwo Jima. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima tells the untold story of the Japanese soldiers who defended their homeland against invading American forces during World War II. With little defense other than sheer will and the volcanic rock of Iwo Jima itself, the unprecedented tactics of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai) and his men transform what was predicted to be a swift defeat into nearly 40 days of heroic and resourceful combat. Their sacrifices, struggles, courage and compassion live on in the taut, gripping film Rolling Stone calls "unique and unforgettable." It is the powerful companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers.

Customer Reviews:

Definitely Worth Watching.......2007-07-05

Letters From Iwo Jima is dark. It is claustrophobic. It is gritty and painful and full of rocking explosions and the clatter of machine guns. It tells the story of Japanese soldiers on Iwo Jima fighting for honor and to return home.

The characterizations were moving and original. The people in the film truly were human and showed the impact that war takes on the spirit. The atmosphere communicates completely the desperation and hopelessness of the soldiers and the numbing feeling of being so long in battle.

The script and the acting were both excellent and believable. I applaud the casting of Ninomiya Kazunari as Saigo, one of the main characters, a young soldier who just wants to return home to his wife and unborn child. Though the blurb on the back of the DVD case doesn't even mention Saigo, his story is part of the main focus of the story. I am very proud of Nino for being cast in this role. He is one of the reasons I saw this movie and I was not disappointed.

All in all, Letters is not a fun movie to watch. It's dark and bleak but it's a movie that most people, at least in the U.S. and Japan, should see. In the end, it is heart-wrenching and I was very glad that I'd seen it. It humanizes the war and makes you face the reality that our enemies of the time suffered as much as we did. As many have said, it tells the "other side of the story," and it's a story that we need to hear.

Worst I've seen by Clint Eastwood.......2007-07-04

Watched for 1hour 14 minutes in disappointment. The script is terrible. Don't make the mistake of watching this movie. Why all the hype? How can this be a Clint Eastwood directed movie? Firstly, this movie makes fun of sacrifice. It makes fun of the Japanese commitment to Japan. For sure I do not know precisely what happened at Iwo Jima, all I know is that 22000 fought till only 216 remained. That is a victory. As big as the firefighters of 9/11. It is something, it seems that Clint Eastwood, that willingly directed this movie, will never understand. Having no choice in life but to die honorably.

Iwo Jima was a last-stand before the enemy reached Japan, much like the Alamo. Soldiers don't harbor anti-war sentiment when your home and family is threatened - you pull together. Fight and die together. I didn't get the idea that there were 22000 soldiers on the island. The American forces were realistically depicted. This is a clear anti-war movie - only problem is that it makes fun of the commitment of a die-hard enemy facing destruction.

generational.......2007-07-03

I watched this beautiful movie with my 86 year old Father who had served in WW11. We both felt it was a beautiful movie and were not aware of the subtitles.Ken Watanbe is an exceptional actor!!! mpn

boring unwatchable nonsense.......2007-07-01

, June 29, 2007
By Robert I. Bloom (brooklyn, ny USA) - See all my reviews

more boring bad filmmaking from this over rated stoic and sadly incompetent director-- i grant you- million dollar baby was great-- i guess because hillary swank was in it and even clint eastwood couldnt ruin her incredible devotion to perfection---but yet another movie by this untalented excuse of a director dispLays eastwoOds usuaL MISSTEPS -CAMERA ALWAYS IN THE WRONG PLACE-- NO BUILDING OF TENSION--hence NO RELEASE OF TENSION-- WHICH I THInK HE STRIVES FOR BUT ALWAYS MISSES --- HE CANT TELL A STORY AND APPARENTLY HAS NO CLUE HOW TO DIRECT ACTORS ---IF HE CASTS A GENIUS LIKE SWANK HE MIGHT GET LUCKY W THEM AND NOT RUIN THEIR WORK--OTHERWISE HIS INCOMPETENCE IS OVERWHELMING--NO PACE NOT A CHARACTER THAT ISNT WOODEN--LIKE HIMSELF--the whole movie every pathetic scene is claustrophobic feeling-- I FOUND this movie and its partner movie flags --LITERALLY UNWATCHABLY BORING AND ILL CONCEIVED----so many american movies are so bad its doubly pATHETIC that this untalented guy is raised to such a high level by so many but understandable i guess when u consider the competition---are there any consistently great american directors anymore----w clint eastwoods paultry talents on top its a sad commentary indeed ---I LOVE WAR FILMS--- ARMY MOVIES I USED TO CALL THEM-- GUNS OF NAVARRONE-- DIRTY DOZEN-- BACK TO BATAAN---PEARL HARBOR !!!!LAWRENCE OF ARABIA ! BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI--- THE STORY OF GI JOE COMING HOME APOCOLYPSE NOW BORN ON THE 4TH OF JULY IN COUNTRY JACKKNIFE--- BLACK HAWK DOWN AND THE MASTERPIECE OF THEM ALL-- THREE KINGS !!!! AMONG MANY MANY OTHERS-- MADE BY TALENTED FILMmAKERS WHO KNeW WHAT THEY were DOING-- I HAD GREAT EXPECTATIONS W THESE TWO MOVIES--- BUT THE LACK OF PACE, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT STORY LINE art direction editing !!--ALL THE THINGS THAT MAKE MOVIE MAKING COMPELLING-- ALL ABSENT HERE---- MORE DRIVEL FROM THIS PATHETIC DIRECTOR !!!! I SAY TAKE HIS LICENSE AWAY !!!!!! who can sit thru such interminably dull efforts from this guy !!!??? dont believe the hype-- monkeys could direct his movies better-- in fact he once hired a monkey to do just that-- and the monkey was in the movie too--- and he wasnt bad--- but clint?? retire dude !! please !!

It was okay but not as good as I thought it would be.......2007-07-01

No one can deny that Clint Eastwood is a good filmaker. But all of his films are so dark (literally and figuratevly) that it kind of bores me. LfIG was no different. It was an "inspirational" film that did make you think and makes a good discussion to have with your father, but I found it way too slow. It was relatively long and they were in a cave most of the time. It was okay but in the end, I say it was too long and boring. But good acting and writing and directing

300 (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]

Average customer rating:

Down HD-DVD
The Bluray crowd is suffering from disc envy
HD DVD....the classic tragedy of our time...
Great Movie
The HD DVD disc is awesome

300 (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]
Starring: Gerard Butler
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

General | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000Q6GXW2
Release Date: 2007-07-31

Description

The epic graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City) assaults the screen with the blood, thunder and awe of its ferocious visual style faithfully recreated in an intense blend of live-action and CGI animation. Retelling the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, it depicts the titanic clash in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his massive Persian army. Experience history at swordpoint. And moviemaking with a cutting edge.

Customer Reviews:

Down HD-DVD.......2007-07-05

I love HD movies, but as the world knows HD-DVD is a limited format comparing to Blu-Ray... and what I don't like is the way they are luring people into bying it as a DVD too, so they can make more money. They don't care about us consumers. We earn money the hard way!

The Bluray crowd is suffering from disc envy.......2007-07-05

The negativity from Bluray supporters must be derived from the fact that the HD DVD version has exclusive bonus material. The HD DVD disc has format exclusive web features as well as extended bonus content. HD DVD is in no way a dead format and the fact is the only complete next generation players are HD DVD players. Buy with confidence and realize the HD DVD version has all bells and whistles and the best available audio and video quality.

HD DVD....the classic tragedy of our time..........2007-07-05

Don't buy this!!!!!!! You've read the headlines, HD DVD has
lost the format war!!! Blockbuster has gone all blu-ray now,
and with 50% of the movie rental market, netflix, hollywood video
will HAVE to follow to keep up. There is 5:1 demand for blu-ray
over HD DVD, don't believe all the HD DVD hype you're heading on
here...if HD-DVD is so great, why did Disney sign EXCLUSIVELY
with Blu-ray? ask yourself that, throw in the blockbuster-only
thing, and this is a SHUT CASE!

Great Movie.......2007-07-05

I watched this in the Theater and it was a great movie to watch. Lots of Action and lots of gore. The HD DVD version of this movie will have lots of nice EXTRAS that the Blu-Ray version won't, because as a lot of people don't know, Blu-Ray is not even FINALIZED yet and all the Extra JAVA features that are needed aren't currently supported and won't ever be on current Blu-Ray players other then the PS3. Which is also why other movies have been delayed for Blu-Ray while they wait until October 2007 for the format to be Complete since it was Actually Rushed out into the marketplace in basically BETA format. Movies like Batman Begins and The Matrix are a couple examples. Others they just leave out the extras on the Blu-Ray version and release just the movie on Blu-Ray, which is what's being done with "300"

The Extra $4 for the HD DVD version over Blu-Ray is not for the extra content, but for being a COMBO disc which includes a DVD version also. This allows you to play the movie in your DVD players also!!! Very Reasonable price for that.

I just have to laugh at the Blu-Ray sucker fanboys that must be huge DRM (Digital Rights Managment) fans since it has Double that garbage and far more control to do things such as to disable your Blu-Ray player if they think it's been compromised. All thanks to BD+. Which hasn't been used YET, Let alone buy a format that's not even finshed yet, just so you can spend a bunch more money to buy another Blu-Ray player a little later. Advertising features the system just doesn't support yet. There are still features that will be Optional also even after it's been Finalized in October. I won't get into it here, but Visit a good Audio/Video Forum and learn more!!! If you really just have to have Blu-Ray, unless you like throwing money away, WAIT until the new Blu-Ray players finally get released that support the final Specs. Which is however long after October if nothing goes wrong.

Anyway this is a must buy HD Movie!

P.S. Watched Transformers today, MUST SEE, it was great.

The HD DVD disc is awesome.......2007-07-05

With standard definition and HD definition on the other side, I can play it on my Toshiba HD DVD player and the kids can play it on their regular player. It's a win-win and an awesome movie to boot. This combo disc is the one to get, I can play it anywhere.

*The reviews here are on the content of the film. Ignore the trolling by Blu-Ray fanboys.

The Transformers - The Movie (20th Anniversary Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Compare this to the latest movie (2007) and this one RULES!
Still a great film.
The pinnacle of the Transformers
Good Movie
Transformers The Movie (20th Anniv Special Ed)

The Transformers - The Movie (20th Anniversary Special Edition)
Starring: Norman Alden , Jack Angel , Michael Bell , Gregg Berger , and Susan Blu
Director: Nelson Shin
Manufacturer: Sony Wonder (Video)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000H6SY5K
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Amazon.com

During the 1980s, one cartoon series ruled the airwaves... The Transformers. This paragon of consumerism was created with a dual purpose--to entertain and to galvanize children to buy the toys. Somewhere along the line, the show became a cult favorite, so in 1986 they fashioned an epic tale of good versus evil specifically for the big screen. The result looked vaguely like an animated remake of Star Wars. Who are the Transformers? The good guys are the Autobots: Optimus Prime, SoundWave, Jazz, Ultra Magnus, and many more. Their mortal enemies are the evil Decepticons, led by Megatron and StarScream. The Autobots must save their home planet from an evil entity known as Unicron (voiced by Orson Welles). At the same time, they must defend themselves from an all-out attack from the Decepticons. Along the way, lives are lost, battles are fought, and a new Autobot leader is born as another dies. The story and action never stop in a thrilling ride that often makes you forget that you're watching an '80s cartoon with inferior graphics. The violence will also come as a mild shock to those who haven't seen this film for a while--definitely a movie for the 8 and over audience. For those who grew up on this series, this is a movie that must be watched. Unlike cartoon serials before and after, The Transformers relied on solid stories and interesting characters, a manifesto the film itself upholds with gusto and grace while also being morally responsible. Don't underestimate this movie; there is definitely more to it than meets the eye. --Jeremy Storey

Customer Reviews:

Compare this to the latest movie (2007) and this one RULES! .......2007-07-04

To be perfectly clear here, this review is CO-WRITTEN by a person who loved Transformers when they were at the height of their popularity. If you had a kid like that, your house was probably filled with various transformers, some of which linked together to make one HUGE transformer.

I never fully appreciated the appeal of these toys but their power, their magic was indisputable. Day and night, they were a favorite toy, providing hours of imaginative play. If you were crazy about Transformers (or had a kid who was) you should relate to this review.

Anyway, according to my co-writer, who still has a serious attack of nostalgia when it comes to Transformers, the newest movie "sucks" and this old version "rules". I'll concede to his opinion. I do know that the toys became popular after the tv show became a favorite of kids and, from that point on, names like Optimus Prime and Decepticon rolled off the tongues of my kids (all males) as they started collecting them like mad.

Anyway, if you found the newest movie a disappointment, give this one a try. It certainly held the attention of a group of adult males who were suffering from some serious nostalgia (and disappointment) after seeing the newest movie. This one relieved some of that pain.

So take that for what its worth - and see what YOU think.

Also, check out these:

Transformers Movie Leader Optimus Prime

Transformers: The Ultimate Guide: The Ultimate Guide (Transformers)

Transformers Movie Leader Megatron

Still a great film........2007-07-01

This has to be one of the best animated movies from my childhood. Nothing brings back such a glorious 80's sensation like this movie does. Naturally, I am probably a little biased because I grew up watching the Transformers cartoon and playing with the toys. But if anyone else did that like I did then they know this movie is the thing to have.

I won't give away any plot but I will say that this movie definately has some high points. The battle between Prime and Megatron is great, the music totally fits with the film and in no way (at least in my opinion) dates it, and the creators actually had the guts to kill off a lot of established characters. Add some great voice acting in with those points and you have a great animated film.

This is a great purchase for any Transformers fan, or any Sci-fi person.

The pinnacle of the Transformers.......2007-06-15

My 3 stars pertains more to this new release than the movie. The movie gets a 5 without a doubt, but for me this special edition wasn't very special. My best friend was the one to buy this and I'm glad he did because to me, its a waste. Since I already own the original and I'm satisfied with that. I wont beat on a dead horse cause most of the reviewers went in very deep detail with the wide screen format and how cut and cropped this new release is. I was hoping for some deleted or newly added scenes to the movie and all of the original commercials even concerning the toyline. This was the only cartoon in the 80's that mattered to me. So I was really disappointed with the extras. However for those who has never seen this movie or have no knowledge of the original Transformers I'll try to be brief with it.

First off, If your new or looking for that nostalgic feeling you had years ago. Then I recommend buying the seasons. The seasons contain all of the character development of the Transformers before the movie. If you watch this just to rekindle some old fond memeories, its possible you may hate this and you won't give a damn about any of the characters, because they didn't get the chance to grow on you. You didn't experiance most of the heroics of several Autobots and what made them legends. Most importantly you won't feel the sorrow of watching some of the characters killed off or already on the ground destroyed. You will definitly never truly understand or appreciate the power struggle between Megatron and Starscream. So I advice those to watch seasons 1 and 2 to get a much better experiance of the movie. I'm not saying you have to watch the episodes. But I noticed some of the undeserved 1 star reviews concerning the movie itself was because people didn't know the characters.

Now for the movie itself. The Autobots and Decepticons continue their billion + years of war. This conflict was pretty brutal and saw the end of several characters that made the first 2 seasons milestones. New characters were developed and a brand new threat arised that jeopardized the existance of both waring armies. The animation is the absolute best you will see from anything Transformers. The 80's soundtrack was cool for that time. I just don't enjoy it the way I used too.

Transformers was and still is my favorite cartoon of the 80's. In fact this is the only one that I own and was able to sit down, watch, and enjoy. As far as I'm concerned I'll never get rid of it. This cartoon is timeless. And it can very easily stand up to or knock off just about everything that is out now, came out, and ready to comeout. And thats not just in my opinion either. I feel if you already own the original then this is good for a rental just to see the extras. If you want 2 copies of this movie than good for you. However, should you ever decide to purchase the complete Transformers collection. Also add Beast Wars and Beast Machines to your collection. You cannot go wrong with these.

Good Movie.......2007-06-12

My boys love the Transformers Movie. I have no complaints. It arrived timely and in good condition.

Transformers The Movie (20th Anniv Special Ed).......2007-06-08

I loved the 2 set DVD 20 year commemorative editions. I have watched both of them and their "extras" over and over again. I LOVE THEM BOTH!

Average customer rating:

Lack Of Special Features
Lossless PCM 5.1 and cheaper price - the best choice for 300 in HD.
Do not listen to the ignorant comments of those who bash either format
HD-DUD IS A DEAD FORMAT!!!!!!!
This rating system is a joke

300 [Blu-ray]
Starring: Gerard Butler
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

General | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000Q6GX5Y
Release Date: 2007-07-31

Description

Customer Reviews:

Lack Of Special Features.......2007-07-05

I had to go with HD DVD on this release, the Blu-Ray version doesn't have all the special features as the HD DVD version does. Come on Blu-Ray...get with it!

Lossless PCM 5.1 and cheaper price - the best choice for 300 in HD........2007-07-04

This Blu-ray version of "300" is not only the cheapest way to get 300 in high definition, but also has a lossless uncompressed PCM 5.1 track in addition to a Dolby TrueHD lossless track.
For those of you who want the best audio and video on your main picture, this is the best choice.

Do not listen to the ignorant comments of those who bash either format.......2007-07-04

Don't let people sway your opinion with their ignorant comments about HD DVD or Blu-Ray. Buy the format that you prefer and be happy with it.

I have both Blu-Ray and HD DVD and find that they are exactly equal in picture quality. In cases like "300," and a few other titles, the HD DVD has more features or unique features, but that doesn't matter to many people. If you read the specifications for the disc and find that you really believe that the extra features make one format or the other more attractive, then you should go with that disc.

The HD DVD version of "300" has some sort of blue screen, no CGI, feature or something... I won't be watching that at any time, as I just don't care about it. For me it just comes down to price. I will buy whichever format has the movie I want at the best price. The Blu-Ray version is $4 cheaper than the HD DVD version right now... if the extra features on the HD DVD are worth $4 or more, buy the HD DVD version. If the extra features on the HD DVD version are not worth $4, buy the Blu-Ray disc.

THE PICTURE AND SOUND SHOULD BE IDENTICAL. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE SHOULD BE THE EXTRAS.

If you only have a player for one format, be happy with that format and leave the other alone. All of you on BOTH sides of this bashing stuff are acting like little children who want to be big bullies and I find it ridiculous. I refuse to pick a side, as I benefit from BOTH sides and purchase contents for BOTH formats.

There are two formats and it is going to stay that way. Universal players will be released soon enough and those of you who don't have players will be able to buy a single player to play all content. That is the solution to this ridiculous bickering; co-existence.

HD-DUD IS A DEAD FORMAT!!!!!!!.......2007-07-04

The only way to buy this excellent movie is on BLU-RAY disc-Best picture and Best sound, and the HD format of the now and future. There are many superb BLU-RAY players by Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Samsung, Denon check them out. Only Toshiba makes hd-dvd and that are all inferior and troublsome-Be Wise go BLU for HD Video-You will love it.

This rating system is a joke.......2007-07-03

This rating system is so stupid. Half of the people are rating this movie a 1 just because they are HD-DVD fanboys and are mad because HD-DVD is on its last leg and on its way out. They rate it a 1 without even seeing the movie on BD, just because they are anti-BD. That is not a review, its just some moron commenting on stuff he doesnt know anything about

Mission: Impossible - The Second TV Season

Average customer rating:

Mission Impossible-second tv season
2nd Great Series
Mission: ...... ah, skip it. It's GOLD!!!!
Martin Landau and Barbara Bain are awesome.
Expect the impossible yet again

Mission: Impossible - The Second TV Season
Starring: Barbara Bain
Director: Leslie H. Martinson , Leonard Horn , Barry Crane , Max Hodge , and Reza Badiyi
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Mission: Impossible - The Complete First TV Season
The Wild Wild West - The Complete Second Season
Perry Mason - Season 2, Vol. 1
Hogan's Heroes - The Sixth & Final Season
Hawaii Five-0 - The Complete First Season

ASIN: B000NOIX66
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Amazon.com

The classic Impossible Missions Force lineup made its debut in Mission: Impossible's sophomore season (1967-1968), which is preserved in this essential set for classic TV fans. Gone was Steven Hill as Dan Briggs, and in his place the supremely confident and smooth Peter Graves as new team leader Jim Phelps, whom most viewers identify with the series. Carrying out the missions assigned from a pre-recorded voice on the self-destroying tape recorder was magician and master of disguise Rollin Hand (Martin Landau, who moved up from guest star to regular cast member with this season), top model Cinnamon Carter (Landau's real-life spouse Barbara Bain, who won three Emmys for her work on the show), electronics genius Barney Collier (Greg Morris), and all-purpose strong man Willie Armitage (body builder-turned-actor Peter Lupus). Among the 25 adventures carried out in this seven-disc set: "The Seal," in which the IMF uses a trained cat to assist in the recovery from an important statue from thief Darren McGavin; "The Town," with Phelps discovering that Communists have overrun an entire hamlet; and "The Slave," in which the team tangle with a Middle Eastern slavery ring. Guest stars include Anthony Zerbe, Paul Winfield, Fritz Weaver, and Sid Haig, but it's the team itself that shines the brightest, especially Landau and Bain, who exude the breezy charm of the series itself (though both would depart the show by the following season). Sadly, the second season set includes no extras. -- Paul Gaita

Product Description

The head of the "Impossible Missions Force", a top-secret government group of operatives, starts a tape recorder and finds out about his latest assignment. Throughout most of the series, they would have to stop some petty dictator or powerful bad guy from whatever evil plot they had against the U.S. or Democracy in general. The elaborate use of electronic gadgetry, masters of disguise and detailed plans that require split-second timing made this tv show an "on the edge of your seater"!

Customer Reviews:

Mission Impossible-second tv season.......2007-07-04

Again...if you remember this when you were a child then this is perfect for you! Wonderful can't wait to get the 2nd season. Just what I remember as a child. My kids are interested as well...they are teenager's and I didn't think they would like it but they can't wait to see the 2nd season either!

2nd Great Series.......2007-07-04

Very happy that they finally put this series on DVD. It was great watching it way- back- when as it is now.

Mission: ...... ah, skip it. It's GOLD!!!!.......2007-06-26

Can't think of a clever enough title for my review, but I can say that I'm pleased as punch to get my paws on this set.

I have been bitching for YEARS about this program's absence from the DVD racks, and I was nearly hysterical when I found out that Paramount got their stuff together. I have a sneaking suspicion that Tom Cruise's departure from Paramount (after he exposed himself as a hysterical fanatic on the public airwaves) led to the flexibility for Paramount to finally release the DVD's of the original series. Cruise was probably concerned that the obviously superior writing and performances found on the original show would put a crimp in his rep as Mr. M:I. He would be right!

Anyway, after a nostalgic headlong-leap into the original series DVD's, I can honestly say that I wear the wet-lipped grin of a toddler at the circus, with every sharp-witted episode I re-watch. In retrospect, I'm starting to think that I dig Briggs more than Phelps, but the complexity of the plots definitely grew in season 2. I'm sure Graves needed a few episodes to break himself into the role. By disc 3, his magic is beginning to surface.

The transfer looks good, and the colors look surprisingly crisp for a show that's nearly 40 years old. One star has to come off for the packaging. Nice box w/ slim cases (I like this trend), but absolutely NO extras. No booklet, no featurette.... nothing. Back to the days when "chapter selection" was touted as a "special feature". Regardless, nothing can take the shine off this, the most cherished of all my classic TV memories. (Odd Couple, too).

EDIT: Oh, I noticed that, in Season 2, Episode 7: Operation 'Heart', there is a Georges Rouault painting hanging in Pernell Roberts' office.... The very same one that hung in Brigg's apartment for the entirety of season #1!....

I know re-using props is common, I just like Rouault.

Martin Landau and Barbara Bain are awesome........2007-06-11

Living near Nyc I have often come into the city to see shows. I have often been suprised when I see a television actor who gives an outstanding performance. How is this possible? on television they are only so-so.

This is not the case with mission impossible. Then husband and wife team of Bain and Landau have one of the best roles ever written for television. they do not play stupid one dimensional characters as is common on t.v. They are allowed to give tour de force performances and to suprise us every week. Greg Collins as the only African American is the genius of the group and is remarkably cool and confident and often takes technical control on some of the missions. Peter Lupus is strong and confident and never lets you see him sweat. Peter Graves comes off as non-threatening and middle of the road apple-pie. Who would suspect that he was the ploting brain behind these chess -game plots.

Expect the impossible yet again.......2007-06-08

When the first season was released last year it was more of a blind buy for me than anything, based on fuzzy childhood memories and a well-known theme song. But I had so much fun with the set that I immediately grabbed the second season when it came out.

Season 2 introduces Peter Graves as Jim Phelps, and with his arrival we have what is arguably the show's best-known roster. Objectively I'm torn between Graves and Steven Hill, the first season leader; Graves has a warmer appeal, and he stayed with the show longer, but Hill had more of a special-ops toughness to him. Also debuting as a full cast member is Martin Landau, after spending season 1 under guest billing. Landau always steals the show, and his extensive prosthetics are the coolest element of any episode as well as what takes the most suspension of disbelief.

Speaking of which, there's a tad more of that going on this season. Maybe it's a side-effect of watching so many episodes back-to-back, but you start to question how far ahead the IMF plan to manipulate the bad guy into a certain room, or have them pull a gun at that right moment. Some traps seem overly elaborate for a relatively mild objective, but that's half the fun. The budget this season also seems a little higher; there's less obvious set-redressing like that large room from season 1 that doubled as a lobby/casino/police station/prison/etc.

So 7-discs in nice slim cases covering 25 remastered episodes, which look and sound great. The glaring lack of subtitles from the season 1 set has been fixed. A great value for any spy genre fan, and a great series for those who like classic television.

Finding Nemo (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

DO NOT BE CORRUPTED BY THIS MOVIE!!!
For the kids, mainly
Lighten Up!
Nemo's good, Monsters is better
Nemo

Finding Nemo (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Eric Bana , Nicholas Bird (II) , Albert Brooks , Willem Dafoe , and Ellen DeGeneres
Director: Stanton, Andrew
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JM02
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Amazon.com

A delightful undersea world unfolds in Pixar's animated adventure Finding Nemo. When his son Nemo is captured by a scuba-diver, a nervous-nellie clownfish named Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) sets off into the vast--and astonishingly detailed--ocean to find him. Along the way he hooks up with a scatterbrained blue tang fish named Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), who's both helpful and a hindrance, sometimes at the same time. Faced with sharks, deep-sea anglers, fields of poisonous jellyfish, sea turtles, pelicans, and much more, Marlin rises above his neuroses in this wonderfully funny and nonstop thrill ride--rarely does more than 10 minutes pass without a sequence destined to become a theme park attraction. Pixar continues its run of impeccable artistic and economic success (their movies include Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, and Monsters, Inc). Also featuring the voices of Willem Dafoe, Geoffrey Rush, and Allison Janney. --Bret Fetzer

Description

From the Academy Award(R)-winning creators of TOY STORY and MONSTERS, INC. (2001, Best Animated Short Film, FOR THE BIRDS), it's FINDING NEMO, a hilarious adventure where you'll meet colorful characters that take you into the breathtaking underwater world of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken to a dentist's office aquarium. It's up to Marlin (Albert Brooks), his worrisome father, and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a friendly but forgetful regal blue tang fish, to make the epic journey to bring Nemo home. Their adventure brings them face-to-face with vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish, hungry seagulls, and more. Marlin discovers a bravery he never knew, but will he be able to find his son? FINDING NEMO's breakthrough computer animation takes you into a whole new world with this undersea adventure about family, courage, and challenges. Take the plunge into FINDING NEMO, a "spectacularly beautiful animated adventure for everyone" -- David Sheehan, CBS-TV

Customer Reviews:

DO NOT BE CORRUPTED BY THIS MOVIE!!!.......2007-06-05

The movie was a little boring and looked really fake. You could tell it wasn't real and was just a bunch of silly puppets. I hope the kids that watch it don't really think fish can talk. Most of the movie is scientifically inaccurate. At one point there are a lot of "baby" fish. These fish appear, no, not as fry or something else that makes sense, but as slightly smaller versions of the adult. After this, these "baby" fish climb onto the back of a stingray (a predatory animal that should be eating them" who is their "teacher" he swims around and sings songs while the "baby" fish ride on his back. Other associations appear in this movie that I doubt have ever been observed in the wild. At one point, a clown fish is talking to a seahorse and an octopus, two of which only associate with their own kind, and one of which will kill anything to get within several feet of it! Does this happen in the movie? NO!

However, what I find most disturbing is not the numerous scientific inaccuracies, but the fact that most people that view this movie regard it as a documentary on ocean life. I have seen kids at the aquarium pointing at fish and referring to them as a "Nemo" or a "Dori".

Anyway, the stingray teacher manages to lose the baby clown fish (big surprise, what do you expect with a stingray for a teacher, you're lucky he didn't eat the kid!). And the clown fish gets captured and put into an aquarium in a dentists office with, yes more talking fish, but just wait! In this tank, there are also talking shrimp, and even a talking Starfish.

OK, now talking fish is one thing. They may not have lungs or vocal chords to produce speech, and not even close to sufficient cognitive function, but at least they're vertebrates! But having an animal without even a brain talking!? That's just ridiculous! And speaking the same language as the fish!

Now, yes, there have been strange things in Disney movies before. In Alice in wonderland there are talking flowers, and even a talking slug that smokes opium. However, Alice in Wonderland is the delusion of a madman, and does not take place in the natural world. Hence the name "Wonderland". However, does Finding Nemo take place in "Wonderland"? NO! It takes place in the Great Barrier reed, just outside Australia! Did the maker think "Well, nobody that watches this movie has been to Australia, so they won't know that the fish don't talk there"? I don't know what he was thinking, but I wasn't fooled! I personally have been to Australia, and the fish do NOT talk there! this movie makes no sense and is in no way entertaining.

After that, the fish attempt to make their tank dirty by clogging the filter, in which they succeed. However, the maker of this film has obviously never kept saltwater fish before. If he had, he would realise that after living without a filter for more than an hour, every fish in the tank would be dead. Does this happen? NO! The tank just gets really dirty and the fish remain just as alive as ever! I couldn't take it any more. I walked out of the theater after that.

Do not regard this movie as factual! Do not take your children to see this movie! This is one of the WORST places to get information about fish. Do not be fooled by this movie or the numerous other positive reviews!

For the kids, mainly.......2007-06-05

Adults usually write the reviews here so from an adult perspective, this film is not as rich as Monsters nor the Toy Story films. Those had many in jokes and adult themed gags. I would say that Nemo is entertaining enough to see once, maybe twice, but adults will tire of it soon.
Kids are another matter. It is cute, colorful, and entertaining. My only caution is that my son didn't like the lost mom and separation from dad plots. Most of us grew up on Disney films which always had lost parents though. I don't expect it to cause any major trauma, but more sensitive kids will be sad during those parts. The humor is gentle and okay for tots.

Lighten Up!.......2007-06-04

As far as this sounds, I read the bad reviews. "Finding Nemo" IS NOT as bad as the others who watched it say it is. Let me show some advice. So, Dory has "short-termed-memory-loss," so, Nemo has the "lucky fin," so, Marlin is an over-protective, cowardly clownfish, SO, WHAT?! Everybody likes this movie just the way it is. Try to find this movie in a good way. I did.

Nemo's good, Monsters is better.......2007-06-01

Finding Nemo is a cute movie for sure. Ellen Degeneress lends her voice and makes is a funny movie. Nemo is vivid with beautiful colors, and again, is cute, but lacks some of the creativity of Toy Story, and Monsters, Inc. The story does have an underlying deep meaning which I can totally appreciate.

Nemo.......2007-05-29

This movie will work well with my Spanish students. It is a story they may know and one they will enjoy. It provides a good listening to the target language experience for them. Product was in great shape.

Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

"I'm a person. And my name is Anakin."
hmmm...give my baby nephew this i will (smiles)
I've discovered something revolutionary!
Star Wars I
The best of the new

Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Pernilla August , Kenny Baker , Brian Blessed , Ralph Brown , and Anthony Daniels
Director: George Lucas
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Accessories:

Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast
Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast Collectors Edition

ASIN: B00003CX5P
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Amazon.com

"I have a bad feeling about this," says the young Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Ewan McGregor) in Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace as he steps off a spaceship and into the most anticipated cinematic event... well, ever. He might as well be speaking for the legions of fans of the original episodes in the Star Wars saga who can't help but secretly ask themselves: Sure, this is Star Wars, but is it my Star Wars? The original elevated moviegoers' expectations so high that it would have been impossible for any subsequent film to meet them. And as with all the Star Wars movies, The Phantom Menace features inexplicable plot twists, a fistful of loose threads, and some cheek-chewing dialogue. Han Solo's swagger is sorely missed, as is the pervading menace of heavy-breather Darth Vader. There is still way too much quasi-mystical mumbo jumbo, and some of what was fresh about Star Wars 22 years earlier feels formulaic. Yet there's much to admire. The special effects are stupendous; three worlds are populated with a mélange of creatures, flora, and horizons rendered in absolute detail. The action and battle scenes are breathtaking in their complexity. And one particular sequence of the film--the adrenaline-infused pod race through the Tatooine desert--makes the chariot race in Ben-Hur look like a Sunday stroll through the park.

Among the host of new characters, there are a few familiar walk-ons. We witness the first meeting between R2-D2 and C-3PO, Jabba the Hutt looks younger and slimmer (but not young and slim), and Yoda is as crabby as ever. Natalie Portman's stately Queen Amidala sports hairdos that make Princess Leia look dowdy and wields a mean laser. We never bond with Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), and Obi-Wan's day is yet to come. Jar Jar Binks, a cross between a Muppet, a frog, and a hippie, provides many of the movie's lighter moments, while Sith Lord Darth Maul is a formidable force. Baby-faced Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) looks too young and innocent to command the powers of the Force or wield a lightsaber (much less transmute into the future Darth Vader), but his boyish exuberance wins over skeptics.

Near the end of the movie, Palpatine, the new leader of the Republic, may be speaking for fans eagerly awaiting Episode II when he pats young Anakin on the head and says, "We will watch your career with great interest." Indeed! --Tod Nelson

Description

Feature-Length Audio Commentary
The creators of Episode I give you insight into the film like no one else can. Hear from: writer/director George Lucas, Producer Rick McCallum, sound designer and film co-editor Ben Burtt, ILM animation director Rob Coleman and ILM visual effects supervisors John Knoll, Dennis Muren and Scott Squires.

"The Beginning"
Making Episode I Documentary Film
Culled from over 600 hours of behind-the-scenes footage, this all-new hour-long documentary film takes you inside Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic during the making of The Phantom Menace. Sit in on the film's production process including: pre-production, casting, principal photography, editing, rough-cut reviews, visual effects meetings and other events that few people have had access to before.

Exclusive Deleted Scenes and Documentary
All-new documentary featuring George Lucas, Rick McCallum and guests discussing the painstaking process every director must go through in determining what scenes make the final cut. View seven exclusive deleted sequences that were created specifically for this DVD and learn why they were eliminated from the final version of the film.

Multi-Angle Animatics
Discover the amazing techniques used to create two memorable sequences (Submarine and Podrace Lap 1) from storyboards to animatics to final composites.

Featurettes
Five mini-documentaries give you an insider's look at The Phantom Menace's Storyline, Design, Costumes, Visual Effects and Fight sequences through behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and filmmakers.

Web Documentaries
Originally released on starwars.com during the production of Episode I, this award-winning twelve-part web documentary series gives you a fly-on-the-wall perspective into the making of the film as it was happening.

Exclusive Production Photo Gallery
Scroll through a never-before-seen gallery of candid cast and crew shots, each with captions.

"Duel of the Fates" Music Video
One of the most popular music videos during its release in May 1999, the "Duel of the Fates" video intertwines live footage of John Williams conducting the London Symphony Orchestra with behind-the-scenes clips and dramatic footage featured in Episode I.

Posters and Print Campaign
Examine the Episode I theatrical posters (Teaser and Launch) and the International Outdoor advertising used to support the release of Episode I around the world.

Trailers and TV Spots
Watch the theatrical teaser and launch trailers, plus seven TV spots (including the five original "Tone Poems" along with "The Saga Begins" and "All Over Again").

"Star Wars: Starfighter-The Making of a Game" from LucasArts
This featurette offers insight into the making of the popular flight action combat game along with information on other Star Wars games from LucasArts.

Exclusive DVD-ROM Content
Your Episode I DVD is a key that unlocks exclusive Star Wars content only available through a special DVD-ROM website.

Customer Reviews:

"I'm a person. And my name is Anakin.".......2007-06-22

STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE would have had to have been beyond perfect to survive the almost twenty years of fan anticipation and the avalanche of hype it was met with. When released in 1999, reactions to THE PHANTOM MENACE were very mixed. Disappointed (even embittered) fans claimed that George Lucas had created THE PHANTOM MENACE merely to cash in on the STAR WARS franchise---as if he needed to "cash in" on what had already become a multibillion dollar enterprise. As a result, the whole "prequel" trilogy got a bad reputation, none worse than this film.

Revisiting it years later, after all the shouting has died down, THE PHANTOM MENACE seems far better than it did upon its release. It doesn't measure up to any of the films of the original trilogy. It may in fact be the weakest film of the sextet. THE PHANTOM MENACE suffers from the same mistaken approach that George Lucas has adopted toward his "improved" versions of the original films. THE PHANTOM MENACE has most of the same shortcomings, particularly the (very common) sci-fi bugaboo of using a film to showcase special effects. Lucas gave us a truly Shakespearean tale in the first trilogy, and incidentally set it "a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away." The spaceships, the ray guns, and the alien life forms propelled the story, but they were NOT the story.

Lucas wants to show us all kinds of new, colorful, and beautiful visions in THE PHANTOM MENACE, and he does, but at great expense to the storyline, which meanders all the way from Point A to Point A Prime in this installment.

There's even greater expense to the characterizations. We could relate to Luke, Leia, Han, See Threepio and Artoo Detoo in the first trilogy because they were like us in so many ways. Han Solo especially served to ground the STAR WARS universe in familiarity. Han's "scoundrel" energy was very central to the success of the original movies.

There isn't a lovable scoundrel in THE PHANTOM MENACE. Lucas does give us some truly interesting new characters, but they're alien (both literally and figuratively) and we hardly get to know them.

The young Queen of Naboo, Padme Amidala (played by Natalie Portman, one of the beautiful new visions in this film) is oft-times regally remote, and somewhat mysterious. Her lookalike decoy is played by Keira Knightley (another beautiful new vision), and it is truly difficult to tell them apart at times.

Although Portman's Amidala shows herself to be clearly a warm, open, and sympathetic character, by the end of THE PHANTOM MENACE we know much less about her than we do about her cinematic daughter, Princess Leia, in A NEW HOPE.

Young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) is a slave-child on Tatooine. An inventor and a gifted pilot even at the age of eight, he is so bright-eyed and kindhearted ("Someday, I'll come back here and free all the slaves") that it is difficult to reconcile this gentle little boy who cries for his mother with the horrific Darth Vader he eventually becomes.

The Jedi Council initially refuses to allow Anakin to be trained as a Jedi ("There is much fear in you, young one," says Yoda). We never really see his fear or feel it. Nor do we get much more than a glimmer of the rage and anger he must feel as a slave. Watto, his owner, is a straw boater wearing, comical-looking flying bumblebee/vulture who speaks with a vaudeville Italian accent. Simon Legree should not be doing stand-up. By making Watto a figure of fun, Lucas fails to either underscore the weaknesses of the Galactic Republic, or presage its descent into darkness.

Essentially, we have only the criticisms of the Jedi Masters to go on in consigning young Anakin to the Minus Column. It just isn't enough, especially when he wins the high stakes podrace that is the main act of the story (the stakes being his own freedom), and is eventually responsible for firing the well-placed shot that defeats the enemy in battle (like his cinematic son, Luke).

The oddly mismatched love between the prepubescent Anakin and the much older teenaged Padme comes out of nowhere, with hardly a forethought (Anakin's shy question to the girl at their first meeting---"Are you an angel?"---is the only indicator of what later blossoms).

Likewise, Lucas utterly wastes two of his most intriguing characters, the iconoclastic Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and the truly satanic Darth Maul. Qui-Gon is wise. Qui-Gon is skilled. Qui-Gon should have been Obi-Wan's Obi-Wan and Anakin's ally. But although Qui-Gon is instrumental in freeing Anakin from bondage, he never develops a truly affectionate (Obi-Wan and Luke-type) relationship with the boy, seeming more interested in him as raw material for Jedi training.

The silent Darth Maul, (the evil lord of shopping centers) with his horned black-and-red face, twin-ended lightsaber, glowing sulfur-yellow eyes, kendo-style fighting technique, and flowing black robes is potentially a figure as memorable and frightening as Darth Vader, but both he and Qui-Gon die in battling one another; and so a fascinating second trilogy dynamic between good and evil dies with them.

Added to these missed opportunities are odd inconsistencies between THE PHANTOM MENACE and the original trilogy. See Threepio turns out to have been built by Anakin on Tatooine, but then why didn't the droid recognize Tatooine or the name "Skywalker" in A NEW HOPE? Although Ben Kenobi claims to have been trained by Yoda in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, he is clearly Qui-Gon's student in THE PHANTOM MENACE. Tatooine is ruled by the Hutts in this film, but not in the original trilogy. Although Anakin's mother references Tatooine's twin suns, they're never seen together in the sky.

Clearly, Lucas couldn't have reworked the original films after 20 years to fit all these elements in THE PHANTOM MENACE. Their inclusion here is a sign of his hubris. Why not just be true to the original? Clearly, his desire to make these changes overrode any considerations of film continuity and audience expectations. George Lucas isn't really trying to give us a better cinematic experience here, he's just totally into playing with his favorite toys. It's a form of selfishness.

Possibly the worst of Lucas's new ideas is the Social Darwinist/Nazi race theory concept of a high "midichlorian" count giving rise to greater Force sensitivity. Anakin has a mythic virgin birth due to the midichlorians, a bad twist to the tale when one considers that Lucas could have underscored the horrors of slavery by having Anakin fathered by a freeborn man who exploited Shmi Skywalker's position as a slave. Here, once again, the film fails to foreshadow the lawlessness and unethical evils of the rising Galactic Empire.

STAR WARS isn't sociology, but it's insistence on touching universal themes is what made it so wildly successful. The first trilogy was constructed entirely upon the foundation of our shared collective subconscious. Lucas loses that thread in this film.

The inclusion of the midichlorian factor means that the Jedi are no longer a highly-trained spiritual fraternity. They've become racially superior to the rest of us. If ever he re-edits THE PHANTOM MENACE, the midichlorians must end up on the cutting room floor. Sorry, but as ideas go, this one just stinks.

And speaking of stinks, Lucas also brought us the ridiculous Jar-Jar Binks and his race of Rastafari amphibians, the Gungans (Ganja, anyone?). Jar-Jar Binks is a technically interesting additional character, being primarily a CGI character; but he adds nothing (and detracts much) from the film with his distracting brainless chatter, clumsiness, and utter stupidity. If Lucas thought that this duckbilled dunce would provide comic relief, he was wrong. See Threepio and Artoo Detoo serve that purpose in the first trilogy and should have continued to do so in THE PHANTOM MENACE. Jar-Jar merely irritates the viewer, particularly given that he appears throughout the film, not just in a few scenes. He's merely filler. As filler, he's a sign that Lucas wasn't imaginative enough to use THE PHANTOM MENACE's screen time to its best advantage by progressing the storyline.

Binks may be the only character ever that inspired a website advocating his destruction, the aptly-named www.Jarjarbinksmustdie.com. What was George Lucas thinking when he gave us the jarring Jar-Jar?

THE PHANTOM MENANCE is uneven and inconsistent and suffers from some poor scriptwriting and too many missed opportunities. These reduce the film, but do not ruin it. Despite its weaknesses and flaws, THE PHANTOM MENACE is a solid THREE STAR effort. It is essential to the telling of the tale, and leaves us considering what's next?

In that regard, THE PHANTOM MENACE is as successful as any film can be. It finally gives us the entertaining and engaging introduction to that long time ago and far away galaxy we've come to know and love.

hmmm...give my baby nephew this i will (smiles).......2007-06-21

yeah its was ok but definetly for the younger kids. i guess it goes along with the theme of Aniken Skywalker is also a kid. the next 2 are much better. there's just too much comic relief in this one for an adult.

I've discovered something revolutionary!.......2007-06-13

Hey, folks! I don't know about you, but I've realized something extraordinary! Yoda is a HERETIC! How is this possible, you may ask? Well, here's how. You see, in this highly-anticipated prequel, Quack-Gonn Jinn explains the force to Anakin Snobbwalker. He explains how the force is really just a bunch of microorganisms (similar to sweat) that live in your cells and boss you around. However, in Episode V, Yoda (who in Episode I looks like a monkey) claims that the force is something that surrounds every living thing (something like that). If Yoda is a heretic, that means he's bad. If he's bad, then why do you see him with the good jedi at the end of Episode VI? Meeesa have bad feelzing about this. Can you guess who meeesa is? Youssa right! Issa meeesa, I'mgonnahityouovertheheadwithajellyjar-jar-Bonks.

I am Qui-Gonn Jinn. I am a stone-faced, mature Jedi Master, yet I enjoy the presence of my friend Jar-Jar-Binks more than my audience.

Jar-Jar - Exqueese me! You saved my life! Meeesa your servant for life!

Qui-Gonn - Yes, Jar-Jar. If I were in my right mind, I would slash you with my lightsaber until I could see the individual atoms that you're made of. However, I'm never in my right mind, so I will bear with your company. What's more, I'll even take you with me, so that everyone aboard my ship will lose their minds when you crack fart jokes every five seconds.

Obi-Wan finally meets Jar-Jar. He would also slash him to pieces; however, that would mean he'd lose Jedi points, because destroying an unarmed creature is against the jedi rule. It's bad enough that Padme likes snobby, most-horrible-actor-in-the-world Anakin, but she likes Bonks. How is that possible? I think Jar-Jar is a Sith! How else could anyone like him, than by using Jedi mind tricks? How else could he not die, when thousands of battle droids are around him and none hear his ridiculous screams?

Finally, we see the villain of the movie! Darth Maul, who is not in it at all! What does he do in the movie? Except for some incredibly awesome lightsaber moves, he rolls his eyes! Probably an addiction he developed when going through the movie's storyline with Lucas.

Who is the hero of the movie?

JOHN WILLIAMS!!!!!!!

Star Wars I.......2007-06-12

I think George Lucas has a wonderful imagination and not afraid to apply that imagination on screen. However, I find it hard to believe a boy that young (Anakin) could manuver a craft like that or for that matter, build one. None the less, I loved it and will watch it over again.

Rita

The best of the new.......2007-06-11

Of the 3 new episodes, this is by far the best one. It has a captivating storyline and never ceases to amaze with the fantastic CGI special effects at every angle. Many die-hard SW fans do not approve of all the CGI, but I believe that feeling goes hand in hand with the fact that they were around when the first SW came out, and that film was "theirs" so to speak and can never be duplicated. Something so magnificent as SW in 1977 must've captivated the mind and created such a frenzy that many opinions will be biased some 30 years later. I was not born yet when the first ones came out, but I'm a fan of all 6 and didn't really understand the SW buzz until I was able to watch the first 3 (newer ones) in succession followed by Episodes IV, V, and VI. Many fans have seen it the other way around, but I find the SW saga to still be enjoyable if you watch them in numerical order.

Of course, as a young buck myself, I will gladly say that Episodes I-III are great. A true treat to eye and a gem in fantasy/sci-fi land if you're in to that type of genre. Lucas could've not created anything better in my eyes. As I stated earlier, many old-school fans don't appreciate the new ones and that's completely understandable. For me and my generation, my Star Wars films were The Lord of the Rings trilogies. For me, I will go to my grave saying that LOTR was and is the best film of the genre. Hopefully they will make more as Tolkien wrote a lot, but I will not appreciate them as much as LOTR. That's just the way it is I guess.

The Monster Squad (Two-Disc 20th Anniversary Edition)

Average customer rating:

FINALLY!!!
AND GREAT MUSIC !!!
Monster Squad Has Nards!
Easily one of my favorite movies...finally on DVD! "My name...is Horace!"
"Frankenstein's my friend!"

The Monster Squad (Two-Disc 20th Anniversary Edition)
Starring: Ernie Brown , Adam Carl , Leo Cimino , Sonia Curtis , and Michael Faustino
Director: Fred Dekker
Manufacturer: Lionsgate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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