Origins of Film

Starring:Origins of Film
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The Origins of Film doesn't encompass as much as the title might suggest. The 10-hour program showcases some of the first works by African American and women directors as well as early ventures into the genres of animation, fantasy, and gangster cinema from the silent era. It's not so much a definitive look at the origins of film as it is a survey of pioneering works by often overlooked artists and genres, and on those terms it's an invaluable, astounding set.

Divided into six programs on three discs, the set features a handful of landmark features along with collections of shorts. Oscar Michaux's groundbreaking 1919 mixed-race drama Within Our Walls is a powerful portrait of the racism and injustice faced by disenfranchised African America citizens of the time, at times a tangled story but never less than startling and sobering. Maurice Tourneur's assured Alias Jimmy Valentine is a striking 1915 gangster feature with a melodramatic plot (reused in the Disney comedy No Deposit, No Return!), handsome sets, and a graceful, gripping style. Alice Guy-Blache's hilarious and energetic 1913 shorts Matrimony's Speed Limits and A House Divided and Lois Weber's droll 1921 social satire Too Wise Wives are accomplished, sophisticated satires that wryly comment on the relations between men and women. Frank L. Baum himself wrote and produced the whimsical 1914 feature The Patchwork Girl of Oz, an inventive, deftly directed fantasy with delightful costumes and storybook images. Among the other highlights: a brief survey of American animation from primitive proto-cartoons of 1900, some unusually graceful examples of Windsor McCay's work from 1921, D.W. Griffith's 1912 gangster drama The Narrow Road with Mary Pickford, and a 1923 sound short featuring singer Noble Sissle and jazz legend Eubie Blake.

The boxed set comes with a modest but informative 12-page booklet with historical background and preservation notes. All films are accompanied by simple but appropriate piano scores. A welcome complement to the ambitious Treasures from American Film Archives, this more modest set sheds light on cinematic invention and silent film creativity often ignored in the official record. --Sean Axmaker
Description
These remarkable silent films are among the first examples of the unique and enduring contribution that Americans have made in the genres of gangster films, fantasy films, and animation art, as well as highlighting the works of early African American and women filmmakers. These timeless classics have been meticulously restored, given new scores and are being offered to the public for the first time on DVD. "The African American Cinema I" - Oscar Micheaux's "Within Our Gates" is the earliest surviving feature directed by an African American. However, the startling film, unseen for 75 years, is far more than a historic curiosity, it is a passionate social history that confronts racism head on. "The African American Cinema II" - "The Scar of Shame" is a rare surviving silent example of what the film industry once labeled "race movies": films with African American casts intended for African American audiences. Also included is an early experimental musical short documenting the team of Nobel Sissle (on vocals) and Eubie Blake (on piano). "Origins of American Animation" - This collection of twenty-one complete films showcases the best of the Library of Congress' animated cartoons from the first decades of the Twentieth century, an era full of surprises and experimentation. "Origins of the Fantasy Feature" - Two rare features from 1914 bring to the screen an imaginative freedom and comic verve rarely duplicated since. Novelist L. Frank Baum himself produced "The Patchwork Girl of Oz," and "A Florida Enchantment" is a wonderful gender-bending comedy of manners. "American's First Women Filmmakers" - Before the consolidation of Hollywood's studio system, women were among the most prominent film directors in America. This program collects four complete works from the silent era's two most accomplished and successful women directors, Lois Weber and Alice Guy-Blache. "Origins of the Gangster" - Long before the James Cagney/ Edward G. Robinson era, American directors and audiences were finding suspense and thrills in the gangster film. Includes "Alias Jimmy Valentine" from 1915 and D.W. Griffith's "The Narrow Road" starring Mary Pickford.

The Jungle Book (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Platinum Edition)
Average customer rating:

A Gem Repolished!!!!

The Jungle Book (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Platinum Edition)
Starring: Phil Harris , Sebastian Cabot , Louis Prima , George Sanders , and Sterling Holloway
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Meet the Robinsons

ASIN: B000OLGCI4
Release Date: 2007-10-02

Description

One of the most popular Disney films ever, THE JUNGLE BOOK is a song-filled celebration of friendship, fun, and adventure set in a lush and colorful world. Inspired by Rudyard Kipling's "Mowgli" stories, Disney's 19th animated masterpiece was the last animated feature that had Walt Disney's personal touch. The jubilant adventure begins when Mowgli, a little boy raised by wolves, is urged by his friend Bagheera, a wise old panther, to seek safety in the man village. Feeling very much at home in the jungle, Mowgli resists and runs off. Much to Bagheera's dismay, Mowgli meets a new friend with a happy-go-lucky philosophy of life -- Baloo the Bear, a lovable "jungle bum." Together, the three buddies find the journey back to civilization anything but civilized! They encounter a crazy orangutan, the hypnotic and sly snake Kaa, and the menacing Shere Khan! Fully restored for this 30th anniversary edition, this enduring classic swings with jazzy toe-tapping music, including the Academy Award(R)-nominated "The Bare Necessities," and the freewheeling "I Wan'na Be Like You"! A thrilling story for all ages, THE JUNGLE BOOK is an absolute necessity for your video collection.

Customer Reviews:

A Gem Repolished!!!!.......2007-03-27

It cant get any better than this. Disney beloved animated classic "The Jungle Book" finally gets the long overdue Platinum treatment. This new 40th Anniversary release will include an all-new digital restoration of the film and for the very first time ever, this release will feature the movie in 1.75:1 widescreen aspect ratio (Please be aware that "Jungle Book" was filmed in 1.37:1 aspect ratio and was cropped for its theatrical screenings. The movie loses a little from top and bottom here in this restored version so think twice before selling off your old copies which featured the movie in its original fullscreen ratio). Along with a 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix soundtrack, this edition includes a restored original theatrical soundtrack too. French and Spanish language tracks will also appear on the disc. According to dvdtimes, extras on this platinum edition will include:

Audio Commentary - Combines comments from current animators with audio from the original creative team who made the film

The Lost Character: Rocky The Rhino - For the first time ever, the near-sighted, short-tempered rhinoceros named Rocky is brought to the screen using original storyboards and original voice recordings by Frank Fontaine.

The Bare Necessities: The Making of The Jungle Book - A comprehensive look at the last animated film that Walt Disney produced using existing archival footage in addition to new interviews with Richard Sherman, Brad Bird, Glen Keane, Eric Goldberg, James Baxter, Will Fi'nn, Andreas Deja, Burny Mattinson Ted Thomas, Bruce Reitherman, John Culhane, John Canemaker and Neal Gabler--plus a never-before-seen collection of artwork and treatments from the film

Disney's Kipling: Walt's Magic Touch on A Literary Classic - A discarded film treatment from 1963 includes scenes from Kipling's "Mowgli Stories" and more are used to illustrate Walt's interpretation of the literary masterpiece

The Lure of The Jungle Book - Many of today's biggest names in animation were inspired to pursue their careers after seeing The Jungle Book; this feature examines this phenomenon and features new interviews with Brad Bird, Andreas Deja, Sergio Pablo, Will Finn and Eric Goldberg.

Mowgli's Return to the Jungle - Learn about nature filmmaking and the experience of making The Jungle Book firsthand from Bruce Reitherman, the voice of Mowgli.

Baloo's Virtual Swingin' Jungle Cruise - Join everyone's favourite bear in this set-top and DVD-ROM game on an adventure through the jungle: enjoy fun activities and musical challenges, but keep an eye out because there's no telling what's on the other side of the river bend!

English Learning Feature
Still Frame Art Gallery

Like all other Platinum editions, even this one will be available for a limited time only. So bring home Mowgli, Baghira, Baloo and Shere khan and all the lovable characters we've all grown up with, before they go back to Disney vault again!

Average customer rating:

all time classic
Jungle Book
Cute Characters, Great Songs and Sweet Story Make this a Disney Classic
Still love this movie...
DVD Review

The Jungle Book (Limited Issue)
Starring: Phil Harris , Sebastian Cabot , Louis Prima , George Sanders , and Sterling Holloway
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Accessories:

Disney's Jungle Boogie: 14 Favorite Songs From Jungle Book, The Lion King, Jungle Cubs, Timon & Pumbaa (Soundtrack Anthology)

ASIN: B00001QEE8
Release Date: 1999-12-07

Amazon.com essential video

Disney's 1967 animated feature seems even more entertaining now than it did upon first release, with a hall-of-fame vocal performance by Phil Harris as Baloo, the genial bear friend of feral child Mowgli. Based on fiction by Rudyard Kipling, the film goes its own way as Disney animation will, but the strong characters and smart casting (George Sanders as the villainous tiger, Shere Khan) make it one of the studio's stronger feature-length cartoons. Songs include "The Bare Necessities" and "Trust in Me." --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

all time classic.......2007-05-13

The shipping was great and what can you say about the movie other than perfect thank you

Jungle Book.......2007-05-09

A Disney classic on DVD, what more could you want. Beautiful colors, wonderful music and an enchanting tale of boy cub raised in the jungle.

Cute Characters, Great Songs and Sweet Story Make this a Disney Classic .......2007-02-04

Though it diverges wildly from the the original story by Rudyard Kipling Disney's THE JUNGLE BOOK is one of the mouse's best classic animated musical movies. The voice actors are excellent and the songs are clever, memorable and move the story forward. There is enough action and humor for adults to enjoy the movie and though there are villains they are not too scary for the little ones. All ends happily though bittersweetly.

Still love this movie..........2007-01-12

My Daddy took me to see this movie when I was a small child. This movie has been a lasting and happy memory of my childhood, so I was thrilled when my grandson fell in love with it also. I had a VHS version of the movie and when it was destroyed I panicked because Disney had already stopped production of it. After checking EVERYWHERE I finally located the movie with Amazon.com as my middleman. I ordered the CD version, which was not cheap, but I got it at the best price through Amazon.
My grandson is singing with the movie again and happy. This movie is timeless and well worth the price paid.

DVD Review.......2007-01-10

I am very satisfied with this product. The delivery was prompt and the quality of the product is excellent. Thank you.

Average customer rating:

Native Amercian Indian
A wonderful contrast of two cultures...

Sioux City
Starring: Bill Allen , Apesanahkwat , Earl Boen , Tantoo Cardinal , and Lise Cutter
Director: Lou Diamond Phillips , and Jim Goldthwait
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000AGTPVY
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Customer Reviews:

Native Amercian Indian.......2007-05-05

Jesse was given away by his mother, he becomes a doctor in the big city,
he learns that his birth mother died and he goes back to Sioux City.

A wonderful contrast of two cultures..........2005-10-14

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Lou Diamond Phillips move from his hectic job as a doctor in a big city hospital to searching for his birth Native American mother. Fast-paced action, excellent performance by Phillips and his supporting cast, honest and poignant emotions, and sly, intelligent dialogue all contributed to my enjoyment of this film.

Average customer rating:

Stiff acting, no chemistry, not an interesting story for me C-/D+
Make sure this is the "Broken Lullaby" you really want!
NOW THIS IS A ROMANCE

Broken Lullaby
Starring: Mel Harris , Rob Stewart , Oliver Tobias , Jennifer Dale , and Frances Hyland (II)
Director: Michael Kennedy
Manufacturer: Imavision
ProductGroup: DVD
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At the Midnight Hour
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This Matter of Marriage

ASIN: B00011V8GI
Release Date: 2003-12-16

Customer Reviews:

Stiff acting, no chemistry, not an interesting story for me C-/D+.......2006-03-23

This is the 2nd Harlequin romance turned tv movie I watched. (The first being A Matter of Marriage which I also reviewed) I originally had no interest in the plot when I read it. I only watched Broken Lullaby because the dvd was available in my library and I wanted to see what Harlequin TV movie was like since I bought Diamond Girl and So Hard to Forget (which I am still waiting for and will review as soon as I watch it.) POSSIBLE SPOILERS First off I thought the heroine was a little too hard looking for me. She had a tough girl/strong woman. The hero was definitely good loooking and charming however I didn't feel any romantic chemistry between the two. It just seemed a little forced. I guess the characters in A Matter of Marriage had more of a chemistry (even though I didn't think so at first) than Broken Lullaby. The pacing once again was fast/not boring which was great. I had no problems there. Otherwise, I am STILL glad I watched this movie because I love/used to love Harlequin romance novels when I was a kid. So when my other two dvds arrive, I'll definitely (Id better!) be blown away. As usual, will review Diamond Girl and So Hard to Forget as soon as it comes.

Make sure this is the "Broken Lullaby" you really want!.......2005-01-11

The original "Broken Lullaby" was produced in 1932 and is a story of redemption and forgiveness through love (in my opinion). It is one of the most powerful anti-war movie you will ever experience and is a must-see for all serious movie-goers.

NOW THIS IS A ROMANCE .......2004-12-04

An elderly lady is seeking her roots. She remembers an orphanage and has a picture with a Fabrege egg mounted on a music box.

Ah, the tracking down of picture has stirred up some very interested parties.
One is the grandson of a deposed Arch Duchess -- A Count who wants to retain his title - and the villian of the whole plot.

The niece of the American lady is being pursued by a shadowy figure who is leaving a string of bodies behind.

We are lead to the inevitable bed scene which did not add to the story - how can people who do not really know each other hop into bed? And this leads to love??? Yeah! right!

Their trail lead to some interesting discoveries which told the tale [grin] - nicely paced - decent interest without being gory.

will recommend --M

Challenge of the Super Friends to Justice League (DVD 3-Pack) (Attack of the Legion of Doom/United They Stand/Secret Origins)

Average customer rating:

Great stuff!

Challenge of the Super Friends to Justice League (DVD 3-Pack) (Attack of the Legion of Doom/United They Stand/Secret Origins)
Starring: Super Friends to Justice League 3 Pac
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Justice League Collection (DVD 3-Pack) (Secret Origins/Justice on Trial/Paradise Lost)
Challenge of the Super Friends, Volumes 1-2 (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Super Friends, Volume Two (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Challenge of the Super Friends - The First Season (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Justice League Unlimited - Saving the World (DC Comics Kids Collection)

ASIN: B0001O3YTE
Release Date: 2004-04-13

Customer Reviews:

Great stuff!.......2004-06-29

3-dis set which contains "Challenge of the Superfriends: United They Stand", "Challenge of the Superfriends: Attack of the Legion of Doom", and "Justice League" (pilot).

Description

This hilarious, free-wheeling (The New York Times) urban comedy about the price of success'skewers well-earned targets with unpretentious charm and vigor (The Hollywood Reporter)! Make no mistake about it: Livin Large will leave you laughin large! His entire life, Atlanta native Dexter Jackson (Terence 't.C. Carson) has dreamt of one thing: breaking into the world of TV news. So when, by freak coincidence, he lands a job as Channel 4's Man About Town, he finally thinks he's made it. But in order to compete on the ladder of success, Dexter soon begins to change his image and sell out his friends on TV! Before long, he finds himself shunned and alone, and faced with a not so black-and-white choice: save his career or his soul!

Customer Reviews:

Not sure what the point of this movie was...........2005-12-30

Obviously, this movie was made in the early 90s and so I guess you have to allow for a little more understanding regarding the overly racial characatures. This would have been a decent comedy, but there is a definite effort to insert a 'message'. However, this movie's message was nothing more than a blurry ambiquity that made no real sense.

This movie tells the story of a black guy from the hood, Dexter Jackson, who gets into the news business and is manipulated by white people. The farther he gets into the business, the 'whiter' he becomes. (there is even a recurring nightmare of an extremely creepy white Dexter Jackson) Basically, white people in the movie were super articulate and completely ignorant to black culture in general (dude), while black people were all from the hood with an urban dialect and no clue (homeboy).

Becoming 'white' is portrayed as an absolute state of being that is bred by success and is ultimately bad in contrast to the black person Dexter was. In the end, this movie had good intentions (i think), but did nothing in the way of removing any racial barriers or helping lack of understanding. The plot is absurd and the characters are absolutely ridiculous because of their rapidly morphing personalities and two dimensional nature.

I admit, the beginning of the movie was entertaining and funny (then again, it was 3am and I was kinda bored). But by the end, I was laughing at the absolute crap it had turned into.

horrid.......2003-12-30

this movie is horrid--i wonder if the acting was supposed to be this bad on purpose. and the message--that "success" somehow makes you white--the charicatures may have been there to make a point, and yeah it's playing like a period piece (early 90's) -- but why did baby bam (jungle brothers) have to be in this? as the narrator, "sidekick", he was the best thing about the flick.

Decent..........2001-12-30

I thought this was a pretty cool movie for the time period it came out in. It even had a message in it, which is : never forget who you are, where you have come from and gone through when you reach the success you set out to reach in life.

it's garbage.......2000-02-01

This movie is apparently a comedy that turns out not to be funny when it tries to be and when it doesn't. I'm trying to think of one redeeming quality this movie contains, but there is none. Don't buy it.

Oh, but no . . ........1999-03-21

Don't waste your time with this one. It could have been a good movie, but the script got in the way. The only good thing about this flick is future "Living Single" star T.C. Carson (whom, you'll notice, NEVER mentions this movie).

Average customer rating:

Dark Waters of great horror.
EXCELLENT HORROR
Brooding, "Lovecraftian" Nightmare
what are your choices?
Italian Euro-Horror film ripe for discovery

Dark Waters

Manufacturer: Noshame
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Dust Devil - The Final Cut
The Emilio Miraglia Killer Queen Box Set
Masters of Horror - Imprint
Let's Scare Jessica to Death
Feast (Unrated) [HD DVD]

ASIN: B000HOJTVK
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Amazon.com

Young Italian director Mariano Baino may hope to be the new Dario Argento, but he isn't there yet. In this cool box set that includes the cement medallion from Dark Waters, the feature, Dark Waters, is actually a weak link. Broaching the Italian Catholic subject of mysterious, demented nuns, Dark Waters tells the story of Elizabeth (Louise Salter), a sexy Londoner whose father has died and requested that she donate a portion of her inheritance to an isolated monastery in the Black Sea where her mother used to live, and where she was born. When Elizabeth visits, she becomes stranded, discovering that the nuns make blood sacrifices to appease a water demon, and her only confidant on the island, friend-turned-nun Sarah (Venera Simmons), turns out to be equally psycho. Candlelit sanctums, chanting, blind nuns, and bloody crosses liken this nunnery to a torture chamber, but the clichés ruin scary moments. Slow pacing in Dark Waters also lowers the scare factor. That said, the second disc featuring Baino's early shorts, is full of brief, eerie spectacles. "Never Ever After" is about a girl whose wish to rid herself of her body results in her beheading. "Caruncula" stars a grizzly serial killer, who is transformed into TV dinner upon encountering his match, a seemingly harmless young lady. In "Dream Car", a young man's demise is attributed to an evil red sports car. In these shorts, plots move along and gore happens faster, their ideas concise, original, and nightmarish, making the Dark Waters box set satisfying on the whole. --Trinie Dalton

Description

A remote, storm-swept islandÂ… a population of evolutionary throwbacksÂ… a forbidding Medieval monasteryÂ… a strange religious orderÂ… ancient, undying evil. After the death of her father, a beautiful Londoner travels to a desolate island to investigate the dead man's bequest of a large sum of money to be paid annually to the reclusive nuns of a local convent. Given little information from the secretive sisterhood or their blind Mother Superior, Elizabeth strikes out on her own with the aid of a helpful noviceÂ… and discovers the convent serves as a prison for an ancient aquatic demonÂ… whose awful wrath is held at bay only so long as the fragments of a stone amulet bearing the monsterÂ's horrific likeness are kept separated. The first feature film by Mariano Baino is an unabashed love letter to the strange stories of H.P. Lovecraft and the color (and blood) drenched films of Mario Bava and Dario Argento. Filmed on location in Ukraine and making atmospheric use of the famed Odessa catacombs, DARK WATERS is an undeniably audacious debut Â… a sumptuously unsettling smorgasbord of disconcerting visuals and unnerving sounds that must be seen to be believed. DARK WATERS stars British actress Louise Salter (INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE) and Soviet performer Mariya Kapnist (Naina the Witch from Aleksandr PtushkoÂ's RUSLAN AND LYUDMILLA) in her last film role.

Customer Reviews:

Dark Waters of great horror........2007-05-05

I love finding these off-beat low budget horror films. The acting, script and direction for this film is supereb, considering the limited budget of the film. It is done in the old style od Argento and fulchi, with creepy, craggy, rainsoaked locations, evil nuns, and a very well written diolouge between the two main female charachters throughout the film. It is tense at times and really takes you into a sinister world of lies and satanic treachery.
True the ending is somewhat weak, but if you allow the director some room considering he had no money, it all works pretty good.
A four stars for this one. I'm going to order a copy now.

EXCELLENT HORROR .......2007-03-30

It's funny but two films came out in the same time period - "Dust Devil" and "Dark Waters". Most seem to consider Dust Devil the perfect horror film of that time and while I really enjoy that film also I find Dark Waters a much better film.

To give you an idea of the story and feel mix the amazing film "The Sentinel(1977)" With Stuart Gordon's masterpiece "Dagon" as if it was directed by Argento or Fulci and you get a sense of "Dark Waters".
It has a very strong Giallo feel and look to it, VERY italian horror with the music, atmosphere and shots. The film is shot very well and has that true sense of foreboding. It is a definite ode to H.P Lovecraft and the italian horror shockers of the 70s/80s. If you like any of this stuff then Dark Waters is for you!

There are three editions to choose from. (the single disc, double disc and special edition with the amulet replica). If you are a fan of italian horror and H.P Lovecraft then this is a must buy!

Brooding, "Lovecraftian" Nightmare.......2007-01-26

From the previous reviews, it seems that one either really likes this film or really detests it. After a bit of reflection, I'll have to count myself in the first camp.

"Dark Waters" is definitely not a usual off-the-shelf, paint-by-numbers horror film. Its appeal (from my viewpoint) is more subtle and mature by far than the hack-'til-you-drop gore-fare that some use to define "horror" today. For me, the dread and horror in "Dark Waters" developed gradually as the film slowly brought the viewer to the point of realizing that he (or she) is inexorably entangled in the tentacles of an inescapable living nightmare. I found myself thinking that if H.P. Lovecraft had nightmares, and if a film crew could enter into them and capture their essence visually and psychologically, the result would not be unlike "Dark Waters."

The film certainly isn't for every taste. If you like lots of violent action, tons of gore and quick gratification, "Dark Waters" will be unsatisfying. But if you enjoy being slowly drawn into a vortex of nightmarish hopelessness in a setting very reminiscent to haunted Innsmouth (with truly crazed nuns perhaps standing in for the depraved Cult of Dagon), then I think you might give "Dark Waters" a viewing.

what are your choices?.......2007-01-22

Keeping in mind that this obscurity was made on the cheap in Russia in the early 90s, there are a lot of positives here. The director tried to make a straightforward atmospheric ode to Lovecraft in a style influenced by the Italian greats, no ironic postmodern jokey humor here to dilute things. There are too few horror films of recent vintage with that kind of lofty ambition and so I give the movie an extra star for that. Some of the other reviewers have complained that the movie is way too derivative: there's really no question that Suspiria, Inferno, and Phenomena in particular influenced the makers of this movie and there are a few obvious/deliberate visual swipes/hommages here and there, but I don't see that as a problem myself. I'd rather see work by a filmmaker perhaps overly influenced by great work than one by someone who's imitating a bunch of crap.

Several of the sequences have nicely done and memorable imagery, are well lit and shot, and overall the movie looks pretty darn good for the low budget. The look of it (lots of rain in an old remote seacoastal town populated by sinister natives) sort of made me think of Stuart Gordon's later Dagon, though the two have a very different approach in tone. The acting is surprisingly not bad: the lead, Louise Salter is pretty and talented and it's a shame that this seems to be really her only movie (and the director's as well). The problems? Well, there are many awkward transitions and moments of poor plot/factual exposition which gives the film a somewhat random cobbled together feel (although the same charge can be said of Argento or Bava or other Italian greats to be fair); some scenes particularly in the middle drag quite a bit; the whole thing should probably have been quite a bit bloodier honestly; the low budget is a problem in a few key places; and unfortunately, the director cannot resist the temptation to include some creature effects toward the end that wind up bringing the whole thing down rather than doing anything positive (Didn't anyone learn from Curse of the Demon? Many other films of course make this same mistake: see Carpenter's Mouth of Madness for another Lovecraftian style narrative from this time period that also blows it badly by showing more than it should).

Bottom line, if you are a fan of serious 70s/80s euro-horror (particularly of a supernatural bent), you should probably give this a shot and watch it (perhaps rent first then decide on a purchase). After all, despite the shortcomings, there haven't been that many films made for those with these tastes in recent years, so it's not like there's a ton of other choices waiting.

Italian Euro-Horror film ripe for discovery.......2006-11-02

Superior 2 disc limited edition set (complete with resin amulet & 48 page booklet) from NoShame films - they have done this little seen, little known gem up right. Disregard that 1 star rating and review, and I couldn't disagree more with that statement that "Dark Waters" was trying to be the new "Suspiria"? I will say it is much more in the tradition of Bava-Fulci-Argento horror and Italian horror of the 60's & 70's then horror stylings of today.

An atmospheric, dreamlike, disjointed film (in the best tradition of Italian horror) with excellent photography, settings and sound that demands multiple viewings to fully appreciate it - one must remember this was filmed in the Ukraine just after the fall of the USSR on little to no budget so the results under such conditions were/are outstanding - the director is Italian, but based out of England so the dialogue was filmed/spoken in English - this is not a dubbed or subtitled movie. Highly recommended, esp. for those horror, euro-horror fans who have grown tired of the onslaught of joke horror, slasher horror, torture/gross-out horror and Japanese remakes of recent. Buy this set while you can - limited to just 3000 produced.

Lyricist Lounge: Dirty States of America

Average customer rating:

Hotness for real
Right On... On point
Finally...our story

Lyricist Lounge: Dirty States of America
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Hip Hop Story, Vol. 2: Dirty South
Straight from the Projects - Rappers that Live the Lyrics: Calliope, New Orleans
Letter to the President
Beef
Beef II

ASIN: B00022PZ4W
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Description

The untold story of Southern Hip-Hop! In a commercial music industry which has lost its way artistically and creatively, Southern Hip-Hop is steeped in spirituality and struggle and is deeply rooted in slavery, the civil rights movement, poverty and oppre

Customer Reviews:

Hotness for real.......2006-02-23

i began listening to music from the south in the mid nintees and this music has eveolved into what we hear today this was a great dvd what was missing though to me was outkast they have been missing from most music dvd's ryhme and reason, the show etc and this is a damn shame that is the only draw back to this set other than that it is a great overview of the musical movement going on in the south at the present time.

Right On... On point.......2005-12-27

I originally saw the second half of this documentary on MTV2 (shocking, I know) in June/July 2004. But I'd been talking about buying this to watch it in its entirety for about a year and a half.

It's a must have for both old school and nu skool hip hop heads.

I'm from the North, but have lived recently in the South and the fact of the matter is there are cultural differences between the two regions that play out in music.

This documentary gives a face with historical and cultural backdrops to the roots of Southern hip hop including a thriving and profitable underground culture misunderstood if not altogether ignored by outsiders.

Rap, DJ, hip hop sound and stylistic differences are documented showing the diversity and contributions of everyone from MIA to ATL to Memphis to H-Town (and PAT) and of course The Big Easy are discussed in depth.

You'll see your favorite underground cats like UGK, DJ Screw, Hitman Sammy Sam and the incomparable ESG right alongside your David Banners, Juveniles, T.I.s, Lukes, Paul Walls, Chamillionaires and Geto Boys providing commentary on why they've been so successful, what they've added to hip hop culture and also why Southern hip hop doesn't get the respect it deserves outside the region.

I think most hip hop fans just need to take the time to understand the culture first of all. Secondly, they need to realize that Southern hip hop cats are appropriating the culture (adding on to it creatively). And finally, they should accept and appreciate the fact that Southern hip hop culture is different and that's cool.

I'm from country ass, but citified Indianapolis. I been listening to hip hop, born and raised on the Kool G. Raps, Rakims, LL Cool Js, Jay-Zs, Nas, WuTangs, Fugees, Biggies, TuPacs and Public Enemys of the World.

But you know what? After living in Houston and actually taking the time to learn about Southern hip hop, I can ride to my Nas and AZ just as much as Lil Scrappy, OutKast, Slim Thug, 50/50 Twin and Paul Wall.

The South has a spirit and strength all its own as this documentary reveals. The sooner folks recognize and respect it, the better.

One

Finally...our story.......2004-09-24

This documentary by the people at Lyricist Lounge is what we have been waiting for on the third coast for the last two decades...for our story to finally be told. Our heroes mentioned and acknowledged for the legends they are.

I'm from Austin, Texas. When I heard about this project, I expected so much less. I was expecting to put it on, and listen to people who aren't from the south, talk about mainstream southern rap like the Ying Yang Twins, and Trick Daddy, while leaving out the people who we really listen to down here.

They more than met my expectations by not just naming the most influential southern rappers, but by actually exposing the complex and unique mix of whole genres inside genres that have been created by the people of the south.

Through interviews of a large number of southern rap legends, producers, and CEO's of record labels, the makers of this doc shine the light on Florida's bass sound, Georgia's crunk music, Louisiana's bounce style, and of course, Texas's legendary Screw music sub-culture.

Because of this breakdown, though, I would say that "Dirty States" skims over genres and culture points very quickly, which might make it hard for someone from the east or west coast to really grasp the amount of participation there is in these very different underground sub-cultures. Each one sub-genre discussed on this DVD, runs deep enough in the streets of that region to devote individual documentary films on each one.

But the makers of this movie redeem themselves by giving due respect to our heroes, not theirs. People like Scarface, J prince, 8 ball & Mjg, UGK, ESG, and the godfather, DJ Screw. There is even a number of appearances by our two greatest musical geniuses, Devin the Dude and Cee-lo. All in all, this collection of in-depth interviews with the real top dogs of southern hip-hop, makes it the perfect introduction to our world. Hopefully, this will show the rest of the country how deeply inter-connected we are in the south, and how influential we can be. Thumbs up from this southern child.

One last note for the real down south- I was dissapointed to not see mention of Fat Pat, Lil' Keke, or Z-ro and the Guerrilla Maab...but I was falling out of my chair laughin' when I saw J-dawg was included and given a lot of airtime.

Classic Square Dancing Film DVD: Square Dance History Film With Country Square Dancing Music, Clothes, & Pictures

Average customer rating:

Classic Square Dancing Film DVD: Square Dance History Film With Country Square Dancing Music, Clothes, & Pictures

Manufacturer: Quality Information Publishers Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Christy Lane's Square Dancing Today

Product Features:

Table Of Contents:
(1) Square Dancing (1950s) 13 Minutes

ASIN: B000JR8HOU

Product Description

Historic square dancing film presented by the magazine Sets In Order, to promote square dancing as an activity. Includes great historical footage of square dancing culture, clothes, music, and dance steps. Table Of Contents: (1) Square Dancing (1950s) Sets In Order Presents Square Dancing. This film was created by a square dance magazine to promote square dancing. Great footage of square dancing moves, music, and clothes - 13 Minutes

Average customer rating:

Brief Overview of Slapstick

Slapstick, Too
Starring: Charles Chaplin , W.C. Fields , Oliver Hardy , Marx Brothers , and Eli Wallach
Manufacturer: SHANACHIE
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000228SIW
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Description

Slapstick, Too is an illuminating, fun-filled look back at the early film comedy and the great masters of the art, featuring the hilarious antics of Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Fatty Arbuckle, the Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, and many more. These comic legends drew their characters and style from the raucous humor of the vaudeville stage where the wild anarchy of slapstick was king, and Slapstick, Too is loaded with non-stop, side-splitting scenes from classic movies that show them at the peak of their powers.

Customer Reviews:

Brief Overview of Slapstick.......2006-11-04

"Slapstick Too" is a brief (no special features) hour and a half overview of clips from various slapstick films highlighting these main actors. Sadly, there are no film titles. Although the film does compare the slapstick of the early century to clips from films of the late 30's, I was hoping for more car, plane, and train chases and even the Keystone Cops. The final five minutes is worth watching because of the funny quick montage set to "can can" music. Being a Laurel and Hardy fan, I was glad to see their moments, but this 1998 version lacks some of the funny sight gags set to turn-of-the century LA.

I know that I've seen another VHS from before the 90's that did highlight the Keystone Cops and that they are probably fading on VHS, too expensive to buy on DVD, or in a vault somewhere. A great for young ones and the family to rent, but probably worth less to buy than the retail price.

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Trainspotting - Director's Cut (Collector's Edition)

Juwanna Mann

Early Bird, The / Press For Time [1965]

DVD: Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert (Superbit Co

Chip und Charly - Die Gespensterparty