Francesco

Starring:Mickey Rourke, Helena Bonham Carter, David Maunsell, Fabrizio Mastracchi Manes, Romuald Andrzej Klos, Gerolamo Alchieri, Paolo Bonacelli, Mario Adorf, AndrÃ©a FerrÃ©ol, Nikolaus Dutsch, Edward Farrelly, Memo Dini, Peter Berling, Matteo Corsini, Nicoletta Boris, Paco Reconti, Diego Ribon, Domiziano Arcangeli, Fabio Bussotti, Tomas Arana
Director: Liliana Cavani
Studio: Simitar Ent.
Product Type: DVD

The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

So disappointed
A good short summary of the book
A good film and book.
The biggest secret of all: a cure for insomnia.
Cast Away this one

The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Tom Hanks , Audrey Tautou , Ian McKellen , Jean Reno , and Paul Bettany
Director: Ron Howard
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JOC9
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Amazon.com

Critics and controversy aside, The Da Vinci Code is a verifiable blockbuster. Combine the film's huge worldwide box-office take with over 100 million copies of Dan Brown's book sold, and The Da Vinci Code has clearly made the leap from pop-culture hit to a certifiable franchise. The leap for any story making the move from book to big screen, however, is always more perilous. In the case of The Da Vinci Code, the plot is concocted of such a preposterous formula of elements that you wouldn't envy screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, the man tasked with making this story filmable. The script follows Dan Brown's book as closely as possible while incorporating a few needed changes, including a better ending. And if you're like most of the world, by now you've read the book and know how it goes: while lecturing in Paris, noted Harvard Professor of Symbology Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is summoned to the Louvre by French police to help decipher a bizarre series of clues left at the scene of the murder of the chief curator. Enter Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), gifted cryptologist. Neveu and Langdon team up to solve the mystery, and from there the story is propelled across Europe, ballooning into a modern-day mini-quest for the Holy Grail, where secret societies are discovered, codes are broken, and murderous albino monks are thwarted… oh, and alternative theories about the life of Christ and the beginnings of Christianity are presented too, of course. It's not the typical formula for a stock Hollywood thriller. In fact, taken solely as a mystery, the movie almost works--despite some gaping holes--mostly just because it keeps moving. Brown's greatest trick was to have the entire story take place in one day, so the action is forced to keep moving, despite some necessary pauses for exposition. As a screen couple, Hanks and Tautou are just fine together but not exactly memorable; meanwhile Sir Ian McKellen's scenery-chewing as pivotal character Sir Leigh Teabing is just what the film needed to keep it from taking itself too seriously. The whole thing is like a good roller-coaster ride: try not to think too much about it--just sit back and enjoy the trip. --Daniel Vancini

Visit The Da Vinci Code Store

On The DVD
The DVD extras on a film as popular as The Da Vinci Code should be plentiful, and this version doesn't skimp. With over 90 minutes of special features, including ten behind-the-scenes featurettes, there's a lot here to explore beyond the film itself. The question is, is there anything new here that we haven't heard before, in all the hype, pseudo-documentaries, and controversy surrounding the movie, to make it worthwhile? For most viewers, the answer will be "yes." Essentially, if you like the movie, if you enjoyed the book, you will get a lot out of them.

Just as the movie is intended to make the book come to life, the DVD extras should make the film come to life by pointing the audience into the world of the filmmakers, connecting the dots between print and film, and for the most part they do just that. The extras here range from the typical look behind-the-scenes to more in-depth features on the supporting characters, the locations, and the Mona Lisa herself. "First Day on the Set with Ron Howard" features the director gushing about the opportunity to film in the Louvre and work with Tom Hanks again (the two worked together before on Splash and Apollo 13). It's a short piece that doesn't reveal much beyond making an attempt to share Howard's excitement (with the "Gee, I really loved working with him/her on this project" that you hear in every such featurette), but viewers might enjoy seeing how the stage was set up in the famous museum, down to the spike tape on the floor showing actors where to hit their marks. The Filmmaking Experience, Parts 1 and 2 further explores the creative and technical aspects of the filmmaking process. A Conversation with Dan Brown starts out feeling like a puff-piece (the man who wrote this book got started at age 5 with a story called The Giraffe, The Pig, and the Pants on Fire. "It was a thriller," he says.) and unfortunately it doesn't go very deep into much of anything of interest. But on the other hand, this isn't 60 Minutes here; it's intended to give viewers a better sense of the man behind the franchise, which it does. Much of the footage from this interview is sprinkled throughout some of the other featurettes. Meanwhile, the character behind the franchise, Robert Langdon, is examined in his own featurette, as is Sophie Neveu. The cool thing here is getting under the skin of the actors to see how they approached the characters, knowing that most of the movie-going public already has formed their own ideas about the characters from the book.

The most interesting extras are the featurettes that focus on the history behind the mystery. Or is it the mystery behind the history? Either way, the first one on the Mona Lisa, and the second featurette on the many codes and symbols that are hidden throughout the movie balance out the remainder of the extras nicely by demonstrating the sense of intrigue, mystery, and game-playing adventure that made The Da Vinci Code so popular in the first place. --Daniel Vancini

Beyond The Da Vinci Code

The Films of Tom Hanks
The Films of Ron Howard

The Da Vinci DVDs: Decoding "The Da Vinci Code"
More About The Artist

Stills from The Da Vinci Code (click for larger image)

Description

Dan Brown's international bestseller comes alive in the film The Da Vinci Code, directed by Ron Howard with a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman. Join symbologist Robert Langdon (Academy Award® Winner Tom Hanks, 1993 Best Actor, Philadelphia, and 1994 Best Actor, Forrest Gump) and cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) in their heart-racing quest to solve a bizarre murder mystery that will take them from France to England - and behind the veil of a mysterious ancient society, where they discover a secret protected since the time of Christ. With first-rate performances by Sir Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina and Jean Reno, critics are calling The Da Vinci Code "involving" and "intriguing," "a first rate thriller."

Customer Reviews:

So disappointed.......2007-07-01

I loved the book. And a book obviously is allowed to be wordy. But not a film. The film was literally like the actors sitting with a copy of the book saying lines. It was all words with bits of good scenery. Ian Mckellen once again saved the film and Audrey Tatou wasn't too bad. Left out some parts and I was not happy with the outcome

A good short summary of the book.......2007-06-27

a good summary of the book, wish it had been longer, key aspects were left out.

A good film and book........2007-06-12

I read the book on which this film is based before viewing the film. I was surprised that the film did, in fact, replicate the book.

There is some great acting in this film, & it does make the viewer think. Do I actually agree with the premise of the book and film? No.

This is not Tom Hanks' best film, but he did a good job of portraying the film's main character. I liked him better in films like "Forrest Gump" because these films truly show his versatility as an actor.

Even if you don't agree with its premise, I recommend that you read the book and then see this film.

The Da Vinci Code

The biggest secret of all: a cure for insomnia........2007-06-07

Tom Hanks is Robert Langdon, the walking bibliophile of ancient codes and symbols, who is implicated in the murder of one of the Louvre's curators, a man who himself is something of a mystery. Brought to the scene of the crime without being told that he's a suspect, Langdon is shocked to find the body positioned according to Da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man", and more shocked to learn that the victim assumed this position himself before dying - a sort of final coded message between two men with a love for codes. Warned of the suspicions surrounding him by Sophie Neveau (Audrey Tatou), the dead man's granddaughter, Langdon escapes and leads the police in a chase across France in a desperate gamble to learn the victim's last, greatest secret. Soon, Langdon's pursuers come to include a homicidal monk dispatched by a Bishop of the reactionary order of Opus Dei, and all events are shown to have been manipulated by a mysterious character known as "Teacher". As Langdon picks up clues, he begins to realize that the mystery may involve the legend of the "Holy Grail", and heads for the home of an old friend, Sir Lee Teabing, the foremost proponent of a particularly unique theory of Grail legend.

Even giving the movie the same allowances as the book, DVC is a horrible movie, slow, pedantic and full of red herrings that no sane moviegoer will fall for. The religious controversy surrounding DVC thinly masks the movie's two cardinal flaws - 1) that it takes itself way more seriously than it deserves (the world is full of distinct religions espousing wholly incompatible beliefs - are we to believe that an admittedly dramatic discovery on one of them will really change the rest of the world? Also, assuming the secret was uncovered, DVC never clears up how it would be proven); 2) it's boring! At over two hours (and boy, will you feel it!) the only secret uncovered is that it's possible to have both Ian McKellan and Tom Hanks in a movie lacking almost any energy. Hanks is serviceable as Langdon, Dan Brown's factotum of symbols nobody really cares about. KcKellen chews up the scenery as Teabing, but ultimately the pointlessness of his character overwhelms McKellen's presence - whether you buy into his theories or not depends largely on the same degree of faith as the religion that Teabing assails. The flick telegraphs its thrills - my wife and I were able to guess what would happen next, who would say what, etc... The novel excelled because skillful pacing kept the action from being overwhelmed by the hot air of its long theories.

The film plays down the novel's attacks on the Church for a more sustained atmosphere of religious antipathy (from disfavored apostles to Isaac Newton, if you've got a mind of your own, the Church hates and fears you, a bit of low-grade demagoguery that the script takes for granted). To add insult to injury, DVC treats the Church as irrelevant (despite their wealth and power, the clergy in DVC are relegated to being unwitting pawns of a higher, if more temporal power). But as I said, the story's attack on religion is itself a smokescreen hiding the fact that DVC is simply inert.

Cast Away this one.......2007-06-04

After hearing and reading all the fuss about this movie, I finally got to see it. Seems the fuss was about the subject matter and not the movie. Tom Hanks gave a mediocre performance at best, taking a back seat to the story I guess. The dots were connected too quickly and easily.

The movie was entertaining, but that was mostly because of the strong performances of Ian McKellen and Jean Reno.

I'm not much for conspiracy theories,so I'm sure I'll get blasted for my review but I have seen better told stories (regardless of the subject).

For some of Tom Hanks best see Cast Away. For some outstanding story telling see Strangers on a Train.

This movie makes for good Cable Fodder, but isn't one that will stand the test of time.

Average customer rating:

Cristian Bale as the "Tetragrammaton cleric" it Rocks!
I didn't understand what was up with the hero's kid, but ...
Happy, kick-butt-and-take-names kind of equilibrium
One Of Those Movies That Slipped Through The Cracks
I HAVE THE WATCH!!!!!!

Equilibrium
Starring: Christian Bale , David Barrash , Sean Bean , Francesco Cabras , and Maria Pia Calzone
Manufacturer: Dimension
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JLWN
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Amazon.com

A broad science fiction thriller in a classic vein, Equilibrium takes a respectable stab at a Fahrenheit 451-like cautionary fable. The story finds Earth's post-World War III humankind in a state of severe emotional repression: If no one feels anything, no one will be inspired by dark passions to attack their neighbors. Writer-director Kurt Wimmer's monochromatic, Metropolis-influenced cityscape provides an excellent backdrop to the heavy-handed mission of John Preston (Christian Bale), a top cop who busts "sense offenders" and crushes sentimental, sensual, and artistic relics from a bygone era. Predictably, Preston becomes intrigued by his victims and that which they die to cherish; he stops taking his mandatory, mood-flattening drug and is even aroused by a doomed prisoner (Emily Watson). Wimmer's wrongheaded martial arts/dueling guns motif is sheer silliness (a battle over a puppy doesn't help), but Equilibrium should be seen for Bale's moving performance as a man shocked back to human feeling. --Tom Keogh

Description

Delivering awesome high-tech action in the power-packed style of THE MATRIX and MINORITY REPORT, EQUILIBRIUM stars Christian Bale (REIGN OF FIRE) and Taye Diggs (CHICAGO) in a thrilling look at a future where the only crime is being human! In an attempt to end wars and maintain peace, humankind has outlawed the things that trigger emotion -- literature, music, and art. To uphold the law, a special breed of police is assigned to eliminate all transgressors. But when the top enforcer (Bale) misses a dose of an emotion-blocking drug, he begins to realize that things are not as they seem! Also starring Sean Bean (THE LORD OF THE RINGS) and Emily Watson (RED DRAGON).

Customer Reviews:

Cristian Bale as the "Tetragrammaton cleric" it Rocks!.......2007-06-19

ok mix one part guns, one part kung fu and add in a dash of post apocalyptic future and you have an idea of what a thrill ride this film is! Superb acting by Bale and others in this film. its about a new age where society has no "feelings" because if you forget to take your "meds" to not feel you WILL be arrested for sense offence! what a wild ride as bale the Tetragrammaton Cleric begins to "sense" the rebels and decides to take the fight to them. however he begins to see how this new society is corrupted but can he save the last of the human race in time? watch this exciting film and find out! (this is what Could happen with censorship! you have been warned!)

5 stars! and 5 star acting! as good as the matrix fighting and fight scenes!

Order from this Hyperlink!
Equilibrium

I didn't understand what was up with the hero's kid, but ..........2007-06-12

So I missed out on exactly what was going on with the little boy even though I watched the movie twice. I forgive myself for not getting it and I'll watch it again until I *do* get it.

I enjoyed this movie for its thought-provoking creation of a maybe-future. To feel or not to feel? To shoot the puppy or save the little fella cuz it wags its tail and licks your face? To turn on your neighbor cuz he's not like you or ask what drummer he follows?

Me, I enjoyed the drama of the government control, its keep-the-status-quo army of trained killers, and the "what works best for the good of all" plotline in general. Plenty of action held my attention throughout.

Highly recommended for sci-fi/action fans.

Happy, kick-butt-and-take-names kind of equilibrium.......2007-05-23

The trailers for EQUILIBRIUM kick a**. Guns, explosions, Matrix-style shots, a futuristic world, Taye Diggs and Christian friggin' Bale. But while the trailer looked attractive, it's well-known that many a polished trailer has masked a giant turd of a movie. I was willing to take that chance, however, and picked up this flick one night to see if it had the goods.

The result? One h*ll of an action flick, that's what!

It's not enough that EQUILIBRIUM was rife with things that went BOOM. The fact that it fused action with martial arts made it that much cooler, much like what the Matrix did by melding martial arts and cyberpunk. From there, it held me on the edge of my sofa with a suspenseful man-versus-Big Brother plot wrapped inside the bigger theme of feelings and emotions and how mankind would be nothing without them. Bale's character misses a dose of his emotion-numbing medication one day and--bada-bing--the tide of revolt against Big Brother has turned.

And the ending didn't disappoint, although it was a bit easier for Bale to save the world than I thought it should be. There was also A LOT of dummy dialogue that was used to bring the audience up to speed on the backstory. Very clumsy and awkward. The biggest complaint, however, focuses on the irony of many of the bad guys getting angry at Bale and the freedom fighters. In a world where emotion is a criminal offense, why doesn't anyone take them in?

Now I'm not saying EQUILIBRIUM is a great movie in strictly cinematic terms. It's imperfect and flawed. But in terms of an action picture? Rarely does it get better than this. If you like your action fast, explosive, and hardcore, do yourself a favor and rent EQUILIBRIUM.

One Of Those Movies That Slipped Through The Cracks.......2007-05-18

Although this movie was made in 2002, it is a great action movie!

I HAVE THE WATCH!!!!!!.......2007-05-10

That scene where Bale inerrogates the female sense offender and his watch beeps to remind him of his next prozium dose...I have the blue faced version of it!! I got a lot of excellent comments from everyone who has seen it!! Awesome conversation piece! Oh yeah, the movie was cool, not the most original story line though. If Bale was to play in a "big brother" movie, he should have been roled as Neo in the matrix!!! That would have been 4 stars better that the "totally bogus" Reeves who has carried that stupid stoked surfer accent in all his movies.

Average customer rating:

My #1 Favorite Movie - A True Masterpiece!!!
A masterpiece!
Life is Beautiful
MASTER PIECE
AMAZING

Life Is Beautiful
Starring: Claudio Alfonsi , Lidia Alfonsi , Gil Baroni , Massimo Bianchi , and Sergio Bini Bustric
Manufacturer: Miramax
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Accessories:

Life Is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella)

ASIN: B00001U0DP
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Amazon.com

Italy's rubber-faced funnyman Roberto Benigni accomplishes the impossible in his World War II comedy Life Is Beautiful: he shapes a simultaneously hilarious and haunting comedy out of the tragedy of the Holocaust. An international sensation and the most successful foreign language film in U.S. history, the picture also earned director-cowriter-star Benigni Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor. He plays the Jewish country boy Guido, a madcap romantic in Mussolini's Italy who wins the heart of his sweetheart (Benigni's real-life sweetie, Nicoletta Braschi) and raises a darling son (the adorable Giorgio Cantarini) in the shadow of fascism. When the Nazis ship the men off to a concentration camp in the waning days of the war, Guido is determined to shelter his son from the evils around them and convinces him they're in an elaborate contest to win (of all things) a tank. Guido tirelessly maintains the ruse with comic ingenuity, even as the horrors escalate and the camp's population continues to dwindle--all the more impetus to keep his son safe, secure, and, most of all, hidden. Benigni walks a fine line mining comedy from tragedy and his efforts are pure fantasy--he accomplishes feats no man could realistically pull off--both of which have drawn fire from a few critics. Yet for all its wacky humor and inventive gags, Life Is Beautiful is a moving and poignant tale of one father's sacrifice to save not just his young son's life but his innocence in the face of one of the most evil acts ever perpetrated by the human race. --Sean Axmaker

Description

An inspired motion picture masterpiece, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL was nominated for 7 Academy Awards(R) -- winning 3 Oscars, including one for Best Actor Robert Benigni. In this extraordinary tale, Guido (Benigni) -- a charming but bumbling waiter who's gifted with a colorful imagination and an irresistible sense of humor -- has won the heart of the woman he loves and created a beautiful life for his young family. But then, that life is threatened by World War II ... and Guido must rely on those very same strengths to save his beloved wife and son from an unthinkable fate! Honored with an overwhelming level of critical acclaim, this truly exceptional, utterly unique achievement will lift your spirits and capture your heart!

Customer Reviews:

My #1 Favorite Movie - A True Masterpiece!!!.......2007-07-05

I went to the movies alone and this was the only movie playing at the time I arrived so I bought a ticket and went in. It was in english subtitles and the first 5 minutes was slow because they developed the situation. I truly started to get up and leave. Then the main character met the woman of his dreams in a very unusual manner (unusual is a word you can use throughout the movie) and everything after riveted me to my seat! This movie will pierce your heart with ALL the emotions! YOU WILL laugh out loud, smile, cry, be filled with a sense of foreboding, and at the end sadness and joy simultaneously. You will CHEER for fatherhood and want to be the best father and husband you can! If we had in our own lives what this family had in theirs, the world would truly be a great place to live!!! The acting is fabulous, the story is WOW! I've seen it about 7 or 8 times and will watch it again! I must stop because I am sure you don't want a 1000 page discertation! You will ENJOY this EVENT!

A masterpiece!.......2007-06-14

No movie i have ever seen takes you on such an emotional ride as this film. From hilarity, to a romance comedy, to the horrors of a concentration camp and tragedy and finally a glorious sweet ending.

This movie is about 3 people and their love for each other in facist Italy. A man, wife and child. Unfortunately the father and son are abducted and taken to a concentration camp because they are jewish. Their mother who is not jewish insists that they take her on that train also. That's love, that's courage. From the beginning guido tries to convince his son that it is really a game. As someone who has a son close to that age i can imaging the gut wrenching pain of knowing your son is hungry, scared and miserable. Guido's lies help soften the suffering some. Nothing in this movie makes light of what went on there. His son escapes death only because he hates taking baths and is able to sneak back to their quarters. You see the hard labor, you see their numbers declining as more "don't make it". You see the cold heart of a nazi doctor who was a friend of guido years back but makes no effort to help him.

Any reviewer who claims this makes light of the holocaust didn't see the movie.

A beautiful film. One of the best in the decade of the 90s.

Life is Beautiful.......2007-05-15

This is a beautiful story about what a man will do to protect his family in the time of crisis.

MASTER PIECE.......2007-05-08

So much taste in the story telling, only an italian could do it!

AMAZING.......2007-04-29

This is a movie that makes you devestated, but it makes you have a deep appreciation of life.

Average customer rating:

A worthy edition to the Bible series / faithful adaptation to the Bible
Another Good One
Love the Bible Collection
One of the best
very good but still I want a better price

The Bible Collection
Starring: Nathaniel Parker , Jonathan Pryce , Leonard Nimoy , Sheryl Lee , and Ben Daniels
Director: Robert Markowitz , Joseph Sargent , and Peter Hall
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000BI0WKY
Release Date: 2005-11-15

Product Description

Includes:

Abraham

David

Jacob

Joseph

Moses

Samson And Delilah

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

A worthy edition to the Bible series / faithful adaptation to the Bible.......2007-06-20

This movie is a faithful adaptation from the biblical account of David and it gives a positive portrait of him.

A. The acting

Nathaniel Parker does a commendable job of portraying David as a reverent yet flawed servant of God. There is an interesting contrast in the earlier David versus the latter David. The earlier David was very focussed on God and was very assertive and focussed. The latter David, while dependent upon God, was hesitant about his actions, prone to failures and needed constant encouragement.

Sheryl Lee was very believable (and beautiful) as Bathsheba -- as this movie portrays her, she is David's favorite wife and constant source of encouragement in his latter years. She is constantly at David's side (during the 2nd half of the movie).

Jonathan Pryce played the role of Saul as a tragic man who was rejected by God and who could not escape his doom. Saul's tragic end at the hand of the Philistines (along with his sons) was very heartbreaking to watch.

Leonard Nimoy does a great job of portraying the godly prophet Samuel. Franco Nero is very believable as the loyal prophet Nathan.

The actor who played Joab looked way too old to be David's nephew. He did a great job but he looked like David's uncle. Joab is portrayed in a much more positive light in this film than in the biblical account, which describes him as a power hungry and ruthless man.

B. The account of David

This film is the most complete account of David captured on film. This film is the only one on David that shows David's rescue of his wife Abigail from the Amalekites, Absalom's hatred toward David and his conspiracy toward David / the rise and fall of Absalom, Amnon's rape of Tamar, and God's covenant promise to David regarding his kingdom and his future descendants who will build the temple.

One word of caution for family viewers: there are some scenes in this movie that might be too intense for younger viewers: a lot of people get stabbed in the battle scenes, several people commit suicide (Saul, Ahithophel), and the witch at Endor is pretty scary looking as she conjures up the spirit "Samuel".

C. What could have been improved

a) The close relationship between Jonathan and David could have been better depicted. In this film, David's friendship with Jonathan seems more detached. In the Bible, David describes his friendship with Jonathan as surpassing that of the love of women.

b) The fight between David and Goliath could have been better portrayed. Goliath was a towering giant -- the Goliath in this movie was just a tad taller than David (and bears somewhat of a resemblance to Sylvester Stallone). Also, Goliath met David with his armor bearer -- this movie had Goliath meet David alone. This movie shows Goliath throwing a rough stone at David, which David then uses to strike Goliath with his sling. In the biblical account, David carefully chooses 5 smooth stones to bring with him to the battle.

The fight between David and Goliath was a bit cheesy in the acting. However, to its credit, this movie shows David telling Goliath that he came to Goliath not with spear and sword but in the name of the Lord of Hosts. David tells Goliath he will strike him down so the whole world will know there is a God in Israel. I enjoyed that part.

c) The Absalom character sometimes seemed more like a buffoon than a real threat to David.

Conclusion:

In spite of this, I thought this movie was a very good adaptation of the biblical description of David. It made me want to read the biblical account all over again. It is a very worthy edition to the Bible series collection, and it is one of the better movies on King David on film. It is much more accurate than the dreadful "King David" with Richard Gere.

Another Good One.......2007-05-15

The story of King David is a natural for cinematic production and there have been many attempts. This is another of the good ones which is to be expected since TNT's Bible collection has set a high standard.

This account takes a long view, from the time when David was a shepherd boy all the way through the pinnacle of power. Like the scriptural story itself, David is portrayed as a good, but not perfect man. The warts are in there as well. David does some things that are not too admirable.

A big part of this production is David's friendship with Jonathan, the son of the prior king. In his relations with Saul, Jonathan and even his faithless wife, David keeps the faith.

It is a good but not perfect story that is well done.

Love the Bible Collection.......2007-05-12

I purchase this set for my brother,He once mentioned how he would like to have the bible in movie format, so he could understand them better. He is a visual Person as well as I am so i decided to buy this set. Hoping they would be close to Biblical Scriptures. and he loved them and on weekends i see his friends coming over to watch the movies. The stories make it easier to understand the bible because now there is a picture to go along with.

One of the best.......2007-05-12

This is definitely one of the best Bible story collections ever done, with excellent acting and drama, full of life and not bland or plain, like many Bible story movies have been. Awesome job.

very good but still I want a better price.......2007-05-08

I'm very satisfied and I would recomend these set of movies to anyone who wants to know more about the bible's stories.
I thank for the quick service and fast shippped. Still I want a better price if you can.
God bless you all

Average customer rating:

A Movie That Anti-War Media Loved!
POLITICS IN JUNGLE BOOTS - A VIETNAM WAR DEPICTION THROUGH MOVIES
Greatest Vietnam movie of all time!
The Nightmare of War
ONE OF THE BEST WAR PICTURES EVER MADE!

Platoon (Special Edition)
Starring: Tom Berenger , Willem Dafoe , Keith David , Johnny Depp , and Kevin Dillon
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005AUJQ
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Amazon.com essential video

Platoon put writer-turned-director Oliver Stone on the Hollywood map; it is still his most acclaimed and effective film, probably because it is based on Stone's firsthand experience as an American soldier in Vietnam. Chris (Charlie Sheen) is an infantryman whose loyalty is tested by two superior officers: Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), a former hippie humanist who really cares about his men (this was a few years before he played Jesus in Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ), and Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), a moody, macho soldier who may have gone over to the dark side. The personalities of the two sergeants correspond to their combat drugs of choice--pot for Elias and booze for Barnes. Stone has become known for his sledgehammer visual style, but in this film it seems perfectly appropriate. His violent and disorienting images have a terrifying immediacy, a you-are-there quality that gives you a sense of how things may have felt to an infantryman in the jungles of Vietnam. Platoon won Oscars for best picture and director. --Jim Emerson

Description

Winner* of 4 Academy AwardsÂ(r), including Best Picture, and based on the first-hand experience of OscarÂ(r)-winning** director Oliver Stone, Platoon is powerful, intense and starkly brutal. "Harrowingly realistic and completely convincing" (Leonard Maltin), it is "a dark, unforgettable memorial" (The Washington Post) to every soldier whose innocence was lost in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam. Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) is a young, naive American who, upon his arrival in Vietnam, quickly discovers that he must do battle not only with the Viet Cong, but also with the gnawing fear, physical exhaustion and intense anger growing within him. While his two commanding officers (OscarÂ(r)-nominated*** Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe) draw a fine line between the war they wage against the enemy and the one they fight with each other, the conflict, chaos and hatred permeate Taylor, suffocating his realities and numbing his feelings to man's highest value life.

Customer Reviews:

A Movie That Anti-War Media Loved!.......2007-06-04

First off, this film is fiction and what happened in the movie is not totally square with the facts of this war nor does it protray Vietnam veterans as they really were. It is a liberal attempt to justify their anti-war stance and to show America and the world that all of us Vietnam veterans were out murdering people and burning villages. The plot of this movie does not fly - and yet so may people think this is one of the best war films ever made. It shows what people think of that war and what they wish to keep believing about the men who fought it.

This film helps feed the media's image of crazzy veterans. I was offended by the movie but even more so by the huge reception it has gotten as a "realistic movie" about the war. They could have filmed this at Berkeley and cast the actors from the Cal student body.

I know it is just a movie but it serves no veteran - and is not healing for this nation. It is a very popular film, there is no doubt about it - and the acting is done well. The action is realistic in the battle scenes - but it is plot and the message of the film that gets in the way of me viewing this as nothing more than another attempt to make veterans look bad. I am not against anti-war films - I am just against films that demean the images of veterans.

I served my tour of duty in Nam from October 1966- October 1967 - I was wounded and saw my fair share of combat as a crew-chief/ door-gunner on a Huey. I have been helping my fellow veterans now for 3 decades trying to adjust from that war and our poor welcome back home - this film hurts that effort and is an insult!

Do us all a favor and do not buy this film and enrich those who made this propaganda. Reach out and help those veterans coming home from this war on terrorism - they are in need of your support! Let us not do to them what this country did to us Nam veterans!

POLITICS IN JUNGLE BOOTS - A VIETNAM WAR DEPICTION THROUGH MOVIES.......2007-06-01

BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel

The world we see today, thrusted by a globalized set of integrated political and commercial trading practices, is arguably very dissimilar from the bi-polarized and ideologically lugubrious background of the 20th Century's post World War II years, also known as the "Cold War". At a time when an imaginary line divided the globe in two geopolitical blocks -the capitalist and socialist -, the United States and the former U.S.S.R where the two major players at the chessboard in charge of the strategy for the rest of the World's fate. Both sides designated what was known at the time as their "Spheres of Influence", which in practical terms meant that strategic alliances with other ideologically close countries were drawn with the sole purpose of achieving world-wide domination. Such concept was clearly materialized with the construction of the Berlin Wall (1961-1989), also known as "Iron Curtain", which literarally divided the world into zones of capitalist and communist ideologies.

America's role at the time was to secure the deployment of capitalist economical aid, political influence and military support to other areas of the world in detriment of Soviet communist regime expansion, and vice-versa. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), the wars of Korea (1950-1953), Vietnam (1959-1975) and the Soviet-Afghan (1979-1989) and the constant and widespread fear of nuclear annihilation - at the verge of a massive arms race - were all under the spotlight of world foreign affair policies promoted by both parties. The Vietnam War was perhaps one of the most intriguing outcomes of this conflicted era. It has been increasingly depicted in countless hollywood productions and television series ever since the mid 70's.

Debuting in 1978, in this sphere of cinematographic story telling, is Michael Cimino's epic "The Deer Hunter", which describes the friendship of 3 Pennsylvania steel workers of Rusyn ancestry. As strong and realistic as this tale is, perhaps no other film is as psychological and nerve-wrecking as Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now", with its intense narrative about an american special forces elite soldier having gone totally insane in the jungles of south asia and having decided to take matters by his own hands and methods. This 1979 motion picture has stirred up audiences around the globe by portraying the horrors of war and its tormenting effects on both civilians and military personnel. Embracing all of this chaotic nature is the fictional Nung River, which metaphorically stands for Colonel Kurtz's gradual but irreversible psychological navigation towards a derranging stream of consciousness which undeniably led him to cross over to the dark side of mental sanity.

While "The Deer Hunter" was a film about friendship ties dilacerated by mental breakdown caused by imprisonment in Vietnamese P.O.W camps and the unbearable hardships of coming home, and "Apocalypse Now" was a harshly psychological metaphor for military desertion and misconduction of War, Oliver Stone's 1986 auto-biographical "Platoon" is the definite account on the sheer loss of innocence every young enlisted man underwent during his tour of duty. In the movie, Stone explores the 25th Infantry Division's Bravo Company Platoon as a microcosm which emblematizes the Pentagon's controversial and misleading military policy to restrain communist expansion in southeast asia.

Political and ideological clashes erupt between the outfit's two main leaders - Staff Sergeant Barnes and Sergeant Elias - triggering a polarizing conflict within the platoon which precipitates the decay of morale. The inoperative Lieutenant Wolfe is incapable of controlling the ongoing joust within his group. His total lack of authority over the platoon is accurately portrayed throughout the movie and is somehow Stone's testimony on America's incompetence in directing the war.

Politics is a recurring theme in "Platoon" which uncompromisingly displays the military's unquenchable thirst for power. While Sergeant Barnes is the personification of the ambitious quest for unlimited power, Sergeant O'Neil represents a submissive class of `boot-licking" scoundrels who will give unconditional support to their superior officers in exchange of personal benefits. On the extreme opposite end lies Sergeant Elias, a hippie humanist who cares for his fellow men as if they were his own blood. Elias is an authentic crusader who has been in country long enough - at least three complete tours - to become completely acquainted to the devastating sub-products of war and thus form a solid contrary opinion about it - traces of pacifism can actually be inferred by his non-violent behaviour and clear pursuit of escapism. His natural leadership skills spontaneously blossom as he constantly finds himself supporting and coaching rookies who have just been freshly shipped into the combat zone. On the other hand, Sergeant Barnes gains similar respect from his men by casting terror among both foes and friendlies - which pretty much builds his reputation on being feared. Although morally distinct in character, both leaders are equally sharp on combat skills and military tactics.

In addition to the testimonial nature of the film, "Platoon" is also renowned for its scenes of graphic and verbal violence which have been warmly captured by Stone while in duty. "Platoon" is arguably one of the most authentic and visceral movies to depict the tragedies and misfortunes of an entire generation of Americans living during the cold-war era. It also realistically depicts the crude "Politics in Jungle Boots" of a nation struggling to find its role in a Post-World War II nazi-fascist free world.

***** - A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MASTERPIECE!!!

Greatest Vietnam movie of all time!.......2007-05-26

I'm a huge fan of war movies, especially vietnam era ones. Probably because I've been in war and I like to see it depicted on film. This movie does a wonderful job of showing what the vietnam war was like through one particular army platoon. Now I read several reviews that discredited this movie becuase it didn't depict the various men serving in vietnam in a good military manner and I will say that Stone does highlight the drugs and insubordination alot but that stuff did go, a good bit from what I've read and heard from vets. lets face it, people want to see action and drama, not boring robot, do what your told all the time, every time. No matter what people might say, I still think this is an awesome movie and a must see for ANYONE.

The Nightmare of War.......2007-05-24

I have watched Platoon more than any other war movie. So much so that I've had to give it a rest over the last few years.
Why is it so good?
Perhaps because it is the most realistic (certainly Vietnam) war movie ever made. Its based on Oliver Stones own experiences in Vietnam. Now I doubt whether there were actually two so clearly good and bad characters, as represented by Willem Dafoe and Tom Beringer in the film, but it is the spark between these two that creates much of the films atmosphere.
There are quite a few scenes in this film, such as when the Charlie Sheen character wakes up in the middle of the night (in the jungle), that are wonderfully done. You really get an idea of just how scary being a soldier might be.
I'm also sure that the film would not not have been as successful as it was, without its marvellous soundtrack. Most noteably Samuel Barbers 'Adagio for Strings'. This piece of music alone adds an extra dimension to the scenes it is used in. A very haunting and sad piece of music.
The ending of the film is perhaps the only weak point, but it is a minor quibble about a very powerful and moving film.

ONE OF THE BEST WAR PICTURES EVER MADE!.......2007-05-13

This film has been copied so many times,but never duplicated. I have never been to war, so I do not know if it is a realistic view of it. It is still a great film that leaves you thinking in silence as the credits role.

Average customer rating:

Triumph over unbeatable odds.
The acting is what counts here...
good
"I Really Like Him"
So much more than I imagined

Man of La Mancha
Starring: Peter O'Toole , Sophia Loren , James Coco , Harry Andrews , and John Castle (II)
Director: Arthur Hiller
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
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ASIN: B0001AW11A
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Amazon.com

It's hard to imagine a finer Don Quixote than Peter O'Toole, who's spent most of his career with a slightly mad, dreaming look in his marvelous eyes. O'Toole's suitability for the role is tested by the Broadway treatment of Man of La Mancha, the film version of the hit stage musical. Everybody knows "The Impossible Dream," that indomitable hymn to, well, quixotic questing, and it is indeed the best of the Spanish-inflected songs. Despite the location shooting in Italy, Love Story director Arthur Hiller can't elude the stagey concept (in which Cervantes, imprisoned by the Inquisition, acts out the tale of Don Quixote for his fellow prisoners). James Coco, as Sancho Panza, is overshadowed by the film's irresistible Dulcinea: Sophia Loren, at her mature peak. (Her singing, alas, is not as ripe as her beautiful self.) If you love Cervantes for his earthy ironies, this movie will seem a curious slice of inspirational shtick. --Robert Horton

Description

Academy AwardÂ(r) winners* Peter O'toole and Sophia Loren are magnificent in this lavishlyproduced (LA Herald-Examiner) and beautifully acted (The New York Times) epic masterpiece. Featuring an OscarÂ(r)-nominated** score with the classic 'the Impossible Dream, this original and daring (Films & Filming) musical is an experience not to be missed! Jailed during the Spanish Inquisition for offending the church, author Miguel de Cervantes (O'toole) is forced to act out one of his manuscripts for the entertainment of fellow inmates. Cervantes delivers a rapturous performance as the legendary Don Quixote, the chivalrous knight whose choice to see lifeas it should be, not as it is, takes him into battles with an imaginary foe and into romance with the beautiful Dulcinea (Loren). *O'toole: Honorary Award (2002); Loren: Actress, Two Women (1961), Honorary Award (1990) **1972

Customer Reviews:

Triumph over unbeatable odds........2007-06-28

Peter O'Toole does an exceptional job playing Miguel de Cervantes who in turn plays the crazy Don Quixote de Lan Mancha in the version of a Broadway play brought to the screen. The DVD still has the feel of a Broadway musical in terms of sets and the movement of the actors across the stage.

Sophia Loren is exceptionally beautiful in this film though like O'Toole, her singing abilities are limited. James Coco does a respectable job as the realist Squire, Sancho Panza.

The continued assualts upon Sophia Loren by the gangs of criminals and thieves eventually got on my nerves. Whereas it created situations for highly choreographed musical numbers where Loren fights off attempted assailants, the assault of a woman by gang rapists is a difficult theme to choreography. I wish the assults were less emphasized since the viewer realizes this peasant woman survives as an waitress at a broken down Inn and services the male guests at night to survive.

The bleak Spanish countryside is realistically portrayed in the few non-set vistas in the film. Much of the film takes place in a set that is derived from the approach used in the stage production. The scrappy costumes also were well done.

The theme and story line however are the most compelling aspect of the film as we see a parable of triumph against unbeatable odds.

The acting is what counts here..........2007-06-19

As a "Don Quixote" enthusiast, I have many recordings of the musical and, of course, had to own a DVD of the movie. I would say that the acting is what counts here. The outstanding Peter O'Toole is a very convincing and memorable Don Quixote, although it is a distraction when he lip-sincs thorough his songs (it's quite noticable). I still have to say, however, that the movie is outstanding in that the beautiful and sexy Sophie Loren is an appropriate Aldonza/Dulcinea. James Coco also brings the right essence to the role of Sancho.

I really enjoyed this movie and would like to see a remake for the new millinium that reflects the musical styles popular since the original movie (disco, rap, hip-hop). A Latin/Spanish version would also be quite appropriate as that kind of music and culture is becoming more a part of our American melting pot.

This wonderful score and it's profound message could surely withstand such variety of interpretation.

good.......2007-06-14

It is truely replay the original script. The songs were sung not as good
as the New York Broadway one. I enjoy watching it. All the actors had done their excellent job to show each character.

"I Really Like Him".......2007-05-27

To use the title of one of Sancho Panza's songs as the title to this should be indicative how I feel about this transaction! Excellent work and I apologize not sending this ion sooner, however I am a professional actor and am "out of town" playing Sancho Panza!!

So much more than I imagined.......2007-05-15

I only remembered Man of la Mancha from the hazy VHS days when I was little girl. Watching this dvd was a great experience because there is so much more in the movie than I remembered or imagined. It's a great story based on reality. It's a classic and a great pre-cursor to reading Cervantes.

Average customer rating:

TNT's Rough Riders Review
One of the best Presidents of the United States of America
We need more movies about Teddy Roosevelt
History and Patroitism in Action Movie
WARNING: This Magnificent Film is for Patriotic Americans ONLY!

Rough Riders
Starring: Tom Berenger , Sam Elliott , Gary Busey , Brad Johnson (II) , and Illeana Douglas
Director: John Milius
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
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ASIN: B000EOTUSA
Release Date: 2006-05-30

Description

In 1898 the US government, led by Theodore Roosevelt (Tom Berenger) back when he was still a young, ambitious Naval Secretary, intervenes on the side of the Cuban rebels in their struggle against Spanish rule. Always ready for action, Roosevelt leaves the confines of the sidelines and forms a volunteer cavalry regiment which later became infamously known as the "Rough Riders." Roosevelt's regiment brings together volunteers from all corners of the nation to fight against a far superior adversary in one of the most rousing victories in American history.

Customer Reviews:

TNT's Rough Riders Review.......2007-06-28

I rated the TV movie a "5" because it was entertainng although it contained a number of historical errors, but I understand how Hollywood wants to romance it up a bit. As a social studies teacher, this is an era that I teach my students when the United States became a world power. Good movie with alot of historical events that drew the U.S. into war with Spain.

One of the best Presidents of the United States of America.......2007-04-18

Rough Riders was a surprise. Did not know much about the life of President Theodore Roosevelt, and knew little if anything as to the events that lead Americans to fight for the independence of Cuba, during the Spanish-American War.

As a Cuban American, I loved watching this film, seeing the efforts of valiant men, willing to give up their lives in search for freedom for a country, just 90 miles away. At some point during the movie, there is a philosophical interchange amongst the characters, where they discuss the reasons that have compelled their actions. They say they are fighting to see fellow men free, but that some think it is all in search of the self interest of a nation that wants Cuba for its sugar. This presented the never ending argument of men sacrificing their lives for ideals, only to be ridiculed by envious people, not willing to sacrifice, and yet ready and willing to put down the efforts of others.

At any rate, it was awesome to know that Theodore Roosevelt was the inspiration behind the war that freed Cuba from the grasps of Spain, but it is with regret that we did not get the same support during the Bay of Pigs, and continue as a nation to be under the grasps of a tyrant, Fidel Castro Ruz.

The movie does a great job in highlighting the 1st US Volunteer Calvary Regiment as a group of heroic men consisting of rich and poor IVY league athletes and leather tough cow pokes, polo players and thieves coming together under the leadership of great men, one Theodore Roosevelt, to overcome and conquer the freedom and independence of Cuba against Spain.

Americans take much for granted when it comes to their heritage, but watching this film gave me the pride of knowing that when I chose to become an American Citizen, I was joining a nation of the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Thanks to this film I now know a bit more about one of the greatest presidents of the United States of America.

We need more movies about Teddy Roosevelt.......2007-03-29

I was really surprised at how good this film was. I was expecting the kinda so-so made for cable stuff that is watchable but not exceptional. This was a whole lot more.

Other people have written some great reviews here. I just want to underline one thing.

Tom Berringer's performance as Teddy Roosevelt was very good. At first I didnt even know it was him. Then when I knew it was him I still was like, I cant believe its Tom Berringer. He really nails the eccentric personality of Roosevelt, and he does it in a way that honors that great Presidents memory. I think this is one of the best performances of his career and when you think about who he was portraying and how great that man was, Berringer nailing it like that shows he was the right man for the job.

The whole cast does a great job, with standouts from Gary Busey, Sam Elliot, and even George Hamilton.

If you like historical films, you should like this one.

Teddy Roosevelt was one of the best Presidents we ever had. Its a shame so few people today have any clue about him.

History and Patroitism in Action Movie.......2007-03-12

Great action movie with many characters real historical figures. Viewers who love their country will feel a sense of pride and patroitism as they view this film. A footnote is that the firearms used in the movie are authenic to era and some to include the machine guns were probably actually used in the actual battle.

WARNING: This Magnificent Film is for Patriotic Americans ONLY! .......2007-03-03

During these most troubling times, when so much in our nation appears to be going so terribly wrong and we are infiltrated and surrounded by Fifth Column "special interest" groups, weak-minded/mealy-mouthed liberals, treason mongers, cowardly, gutless politicians, hoardes of illegal alien invaders, and engulfed by overwhelming mediocrity and the stifling, crippling effects of nation-killing political correctness, there are, every now and again, memorable venues that offer us a brief glimpse of just what this country USED to be made of. "Rough Riders" happens to be one such venue!!! Now, if you are a proud, true-blue, red-blooded, 100% American who loves this country, then this film is a MUST-OWN. If you DON'T fit into this category...well, I would say that you shouldn't waste your time and you can stop reading my review right now. You're certainly not gonna see lib-losers like Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover or Jane Fonda here...no way!

Not being much of a television watcher, I missed the original showing of "Rough Riders" (which aired on TNT way back in July of 1997), and it was only by chance that I happened upon the DVD early last summer while doing some shopping at a local store. Already being somewhat of an amatuer military historian and serious Theodore Roosevelt admirer from way back, I immediately bought the DVD, took it home and watched it that night and...WWWWWWWWOOOOOOWWWWWW!!! It had been some time since I had stood up and cheered while watching a movie, but I certainly did so that night! To say that "Rough Riders" was a hard-charging clean breath of fresh air and uplifting would be an major understatement! Amidst the endless sleeze, slime, filth, crud and garbage that oozes endlessly from out of the Hollyweird sewer these days, this glittering gem somehow managed to emerge, albeit, without much publicity (doesn't surprise me at all...given the bold, uncompromising, no-nonsense and entirely pro-conservative/pro-America message that this film broadcasts loud and clear).

Tom Berenger does an outstanding job by literally transforming himself into the one and only Theodore Roosevelt, and without a doubt, this stellar performance is probably the high-water mark of Mr. Berenger's entire career...at least for me it is! Tom brings Old Teethadore back to life in such a vibrant, energetic and larger-than-life (yet very human) performance that after just a few moments, one actually believes that it IS the real Theodore Roosevelt on that screen! Many kudos to Tom for getting this role so right. Of course, Mr. Berenger is surrounded and ably supported by a host of other highly skilled and talented actors, such as Gary Busey, Sam Elliot, the late Brian Keith and even Geoffrey Lewis shows up as well (it's been quite awhile since I'd seen him)! KFI radio talkshow host and military advisor, Capt. Dale Dye, USMC-Ret., is also featured and all put forth exemplary and commendable efforts in this made-for-TV production that really should have been a major theatrical release! A correspondingly heroic and memorable musical score by stalwart western/action-adventure composer, Elmer Bernstein, compliments the film perfectly (by sheer luck, I managed to acquire a copy of the soundtrack...now long out-of-print...from a friend of mine - thank you Mr. Ripley!).

Furthermore, I have already corresponded with Capt. Dye about his involvement in the making of "Rough Riders," thanking him for not only his excellent performance, but for his technical accuracy in getting so right the period uniforms, weaponry, etc. (yes, just as with any other movie production, there are a faux paus and technical discrepancies to be found in the historical timeline and in a few other areas, but set against the totally upbeat, powerful, forceful, feel-good-about-being-an-American projection of this total kick-butt winner, who the heck cares!), but I also wish to send my most heartfelt thanks to conservative director, John Milius, for not allowing the self-proclaimed socialist, Ted Turner, to step in and use his Left-wing influence to ruin this excellent and long untold story about these gutsy American heroes that, unfortunately, have been all but forgotten by so many today...TR and his heroic regiment of Rough Riders (or more correctly, the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry)!

THIS is film-making at its very best - the way films SHOULD be made and if he were still with us, I'm confident that the great John Wayne would have approved as well! Yep...you can forget all of that multi-culti and homosexual cowboy trash that the morally defunct libs try to push down our throats via the Academy Awards. I have watched "Rough Riders" at least eight times since buying it, and it has been a tremendous joy each and every time! Buy "Rough Riders" ASAP...trust me, you won't regret it!

Long live Col. Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders!!!

The Da Vinci Code (Full Screen Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

So disappointed
A good short summary of the book
A good film and book.
The biggest secret of all: a cure for insomnia.
Cast Away this one

The Da Vinci Code (Full Screen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Tom Hanks , Audrey Tautou , Ian McKellen , Jean Reno , and Paul Bettany
Director: Ron Howard
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000I2J2WC
Release Date: 2006-11-14

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