Secrets & Lies [IMPORT]

Starring:Timothy Spall, Phyllis Logan, Brenda Blethyn, Claire Rushbrook, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Elizabeth Berrington, Michele Austin, Lee Ross, Lesley Manville, Ron Cook, Emma Amos, Brian Bovell, Trevor Laird, Claire Perkins, Elias Perkins McCook, Jane Mitchell, Janice Acquah, Keeley Flanders, Hannah Davis, Terence Harvey
Director: Mike Leigh
Studio: Pid
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
If a film fan had never heard of director Mike Leigh, one might explain him as a British Woody Allen. Not that Leigh's films are whimsical or neurotic; they are tough-love examinations of British life--funny, outlandish, and biting. His films share a real immediacy with Allen's work: they feel as if they are happening now. Leigh works with actors--real actors--on ideas and language. There is no script at the start (and sometimes not at the end). Secrets and Lies involves Hortense (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), an elegant black woman wanting to learn her birth mother's identity. She will find it's Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn), who is one of the saddest creatures we've seen in film. She's also one of the most real and, ultimately, one of the most lovable. Timothy Spall is Cynthia's brother, a giant man full of love who is being slowly defeated by his fastidious wife (Phyllis Logan).

Customer Reviews:

Exciting and entertaining.......2007-07-04

We rented this movie just to have something to watch over the weekend. It was fantastic. We loved it so much that we watched it again the next day and then went out and bought a copy. Chris Cooper is phenomenal. I highly recommend it.

Intelligent Dialog.......2007-07-03

This movie is an excellent charecter study of two men: the spy and the clerk who help bring him down. The dialogs are intelligent. The whole sting operation to catch Hanssen is good. All the performances are top notch. Cooper potrayed Hanssen very well. Not much real action happens during the movie. The suspense is whether spy Hanssen will figure out the sting before they can catch him in the act.

The movie does not give easy answers to the motivation of Hanssen, which is very good. The man has complexes on top of his complexes. O'Neill's motivations are complex as well. He wants to protect his wife, serve his country, but he has some respect for Hanssen as well. Hanssen has many dark sides, but his wife and his grand kids love him. Hanssen is honestly concerned about O'Neill career and marriage.

I have one small problem. They keep talking about all the technology they are using to catch Hanssen and really, they did not use it to catch him. However, they don't show any whiz bang stuff in the movie. I mean one episode of CSI has more technology exhibited. This is a very small point. Somebody mentions Hanssen mumbles a lot, which thwarts their use of all their monitoring equipment set up in the office.

The movie is thoughtful look into the world of spies. It is very reminscent of the "The Falcon and the Snowman." and is on that level.

Very Well Made.......2007-07-03

While this may not have the glamour of a Bond-esque spy adventure, this will certainly be regarded as an important and possibly classic spy movie. While I wont go into detail about the story line, which is easily found on the back of the cover, I will say it was paced perfectly and didnt drag on with filler and useless B.S. It is true that you kind of know what happens even before you put in the DVD, however the fun with this movie is watching to see how we get there. I gave this only 4 stars simply because I dont regard it as a "perfect" movie, and for the $20 price tag. I rented this for a buck at redbox and although I liked it, it wasnt enough to compell me to "have" to own it.

I appreacited the way the movie doesn't provide a pat answer about Hanssen's motivations.......2007-07-02

While all movies based on historical subjects must fictionalize events and compress timelines, it is how they do so that matters. Do they still tell the underlying truth of the story? Do they distort the substance of the story? Do they dumb it down so much that it transforms the story into something else? If it does any of these things, I tend to dislike it to the extent it does so. While this movie does make up scenes that never happened and puts actions into the hands of people that didn't do them, it still tells the truth of the story quite well for a Hollywood movie. You can read about the reality and the movie at chasingthefrog under their reelfaces link for this movie. It is quite interesting.

The movie is told through the eyes of the FBI operative who was put close to Hanssen and who was very important during the last two months of the investigation that finally caught him. This person is quite real and his name is Eric O'Neill and is played very well by Ryan Phillippe. The focus of the movie is the spy and traitor Robert Hanssen. The performance given here by Chris Cooper is superb and I hope it is recognized when awards are handed out. Chris Cooper is a fantastic actor whose range of characterizations in his many performances is breathtaking. Not only in the type of character, but their ages, in how they look, their intelligence, their moral make-up. He has it all and I enjoy everything I have seen him do.

Hannsen's wife, Bonnie is played very well by Kathleen Quinlan, and it is her devout faith that adds such a contradiction to Hannsen's character and motivation. It would be easy to paint Hannsen as using his religion cynically. However, while he certainly violated the tenets of his faith, it is clear that he holds his faith close, even while engaging in many seriously bad and compromised behaviors (beyond the spying). O'Neill's immediate superior and FBI handler Kate Burroughs and played very well by Laura Linney. She is tough enough to use O'Neill unsympathetically and yet has enough sense to know when she is pushing too hard and when to take a different tact with her inside guy.

I enjoyed this movie very much. It is smart and doesn't cheat by giving us a simple answer to the puzzle. Just as in real life, we do not know Hanssen's true motivations. Even Hanssen may not understand them. We do know he cost real people their lives and compromised the United States in profound ways. He is justly spending 23 hours per day in solitary confinement.

To Catch a Spy.......2007-07-01

Powerful performances by Cooper and Phillippe bring this rather intense film to life. Based on a true story, it offers a glimpse at the behind-the-scenes operation to catch one of the most dangerous spies in recent history.

When Eric O'Neill (Phillippe) is assigned the job of spying on his new boss Robert Hanssen (Cooper), he at first believes that he is digging up the dirt on the man's deviant tendencies, but eventually learns that Hanssen is in fact a spy for the Soviet Union, and later Russia for the last fifteen years.

Cooper is extremely believable as the devout Catholic FBI double agent who is transferred to headquarters on the pretext that he is heading a department to ensure the confidentiality of classified information. O'Neill and Hanssen eventually develop a mutual respect, but when the latter gets up close and personal with O'Neill's personal life, O'Neill finds himself taking the heat both at home and at the office.

Recommended for fans of espionage movies and thrillers, but may be a little slow for action/adventure buffs.

Here's a summary to the tune of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" by The Beatles

Picture O'Neill as a mole on a mission
With off the rack suits and nondescript ties
FBI calls him, he answers quite slowly
His role's to go ferret out spies

Surveillance cameras always on the scene
Panning right over his head
Look to the boss for the secrets he hides
But there's none

Hanssen is a spy for Russia
Hanssen is a spy for Russia
Hanssen is a spy for Russia

Follow him down to a church with a steeple
Where Hanssen communes with deities high
Everyone smiles as he meets with the family
There's no way this guy is a spy

Agent Kate Burroughs appears at the door
Takes him and shows him the way
Goes in the room with his head full of clouds
Now they're gone

Hanssen is a spy for Russia
Hanssen is a spy for Russia
Hanssen is a spy for Russia

Picture O'Neill with his role in the mission
With downloaded folders from palm pilot files
Suddenly Hanssen suspects that it's over
Gets ready to say his goodbyes

Hanssen is a spy for Russia
Hanssen is a spy for Russia
Hanssen is a spy for Russia

Amanda Richards, July 1, 2007

Average customer rating:

The Prestige
Awesome Movie
Too much "Gotcha"
Are You Watching Closely?
My favorite Magic-themed movie

The Prestige
Starring: Hugh Jackman , Christian Bale , Michael Caine , Piper Perabo , and Rebecca Hall
Director: Christopher Nolan
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000LC55F2
Release Date: 2007-02-20

Amazon.com

The Prestige attempts a hat trick by combining a ridiculously good-looking cast, a highly regarded new director, and more than one sleight of hand. Does it pull it off? Sort of. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman play rival magicians who were once friends before an on-stage tragedy drove a wedge between them. While Bale's Alfred Borden is a more skilled illusionist, Jackman's Rufus Angier is the better showman; much of the film's interesting first half is their attempts to sabotage--and simultaneously, top--each other's tricks. Even with the help of a prop inventor (Michael Caine) and a comely assistant (Scarlett Johansson), Angier can't match Borden's ultimate illusion: The Transporting Man. Angier's obsession with learning Borden's trick leads him to an encounter with an eccentric inventor (David Bowie) in a second half that gets bogged down in plot loops and theatrics. Director Christopher Nolan, reuniting with his Batman Begins star Bale, demonstrates the same dark touch that hued that film, but some plot elements--without giving anything away--seem out of place with the rest of the movie. It's better to sit back and let the sometimes-clunky turns steer themselves than try to draw back the black curtain. That said, The Prestige still manages to entertain long after the magician has left the stage--a feat in itself. --Ellen A. Kim

Description

Award-winning actors Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson star in THE PRESTIGE, the twisting, turning story that, like all great magic tricks, stays with you. Two young, passionate magicians, Robert Angier (Jackman), a charismatic showman, and Alfred Borden (Bale), a gifted illusionist, are friends and partners until one fateful night when their biggest trick goes terribly wrong. Now the bitterest of enemies, they will stop at nothing to learn each other's secrets. As their rivalry escalates into a total obsession full of deceit and sabotage, they risk everything to become the greatest magician of all time. But nothing is as it seems, so watch closely. And be prepared to watch it again and again.

Customer Reviews:

The Prestige.......2007-07-06

I didn't think this movie was awesome, but it was okay. Don't do anything else (like sewing) when you are watching it, your eyes have to be on the screen at all times or you will be completely lost.

Awesome Movie.......2007-07-03

I thoroughly love watching The Prestige. Once in a while a great movie will come along that I can watch over and over and be entertained continuously. This is one of those films. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale are great as the main characters and the plot is just wonderful. I imagine the book is just as great and I think that the film makers did a really nice job with the material. It's innovative, deceiving, thought provoking and overall excellently put together. Enjoy.

Too much "Gotcha".......2007-06-30

This is a movie about revenge. Robert Angier and Alfred Borden are two magicians who work together. When one of them loses a loved one during a performance, the other pursues a lifetime of vengeance. Back and forth it goes, with the only suspense being who is going to get the last word (or revenge) and destroy the other. This unrelenting process takes up most of the movie and is really overdone in my estimation. The movie is dark, (both the theme and the cinematography) and is pretty despresssing. My husband and I both enjoyed "The Illusionsist" much more that this movie.

Are You Watching Closely?.......2007-06-29

Wow! A review of this movie! That's not an easy thing. And the confused beginning and drawn out silences make it difficult to separate past from present from future and determine where you are in the story. But, after Christian Bale is responsible for the death of Hugh Jackman's wife, Piper Perado, the hatred between Jackman and Bale ratchets upward to obsession, with each magician exposing the tricks of the other. Both have found the ultimate trick, the transported man, involving exact doubles. It isn't clear how Bale found his duplicate, nor is it obvious until afterwards that his own personal tragedy, the suicide of his wife, Rebecca Hall, is the result of his double. But the extent of Jackman's obsession is shown by his rejection of his beautiful assistant, Scarlett Johansson, and his funding the research of Nicoli Tesla, a very real and very eccentric scientist of the period played by a stoic David Bowie. And when Jackman uses a duplicate to lure Bale into being accused of murder, and obtains custody of Bale's daughter...well, I've already said too much and the final plot twist should be left as a surprise.

My favorite Magic-themed movie.......2007-06-27

I saw this in the theatre, and found myself discussing it with my fellow movie goers all the way home (30 minutes). The next day I still was figuring out, in my own head, how the pieces all fit together in this movie. Christopher Nolan has directed my two favorite movies, Memento and The Prestige.

Sadly, when I received this on DVD, I was eager to watch it again. But this time through, I found myself asking why I didn't catch all the clues pointing to the end when I watched it the first time. The reason? Mr. Nolan knows how to give you all of the info without giving you the key to figuring it out.

If you like magic, "thinking movies", movies with a twist, and paradoxes, you will love this movie.

Even David Bowie was great as the part of Nicole Tesla.

Harry Potter Years 1-4 (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone / Chamber of Secrets / Prisoner of Azkaban / Goblet of Fire) (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

Harry Potter Movies
Good
Disappointed customer
First Four Harry Potter Films on DVD: A Great Gift Idea!
Harry Potter DVD Boxed Set

Harry Potter Years 1-4 (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone / Chamber of Secrets / Prisoner of Azkaban / Goblet of Fire) (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Richard Harris , Maggie Smith , Robbie Coltrane , Saunders Triplets , and Daniel Radcliffe
Director: Chris Columbus , and Alfonso Cuarón
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adapted from Books | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000E6UZZK
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Description

The Harry Potter Years 1-4 includes each of the four 2-disc sets of Harry Potter 1, Harry Potter 2, Harry Potter 3 and Harry Potter 4 (all widescreen versions).

Customer Reviews:

Harry Potter Movies.......2007-07-04

The movies are very entertaining and a must see for all who have read the books. I recieved my movies on time and am so happy with the service.

Good.......2007-07-01

I love the books, so the movies are never as good as the books, but they are good. They are fun and interesting and go quickly but keep true to the story. Good films that are fun. This is the order of the BEST FILMS (1 being best...4 being worst)
1. Prisoner of Azkaban
2. Sorcers Stone
3. Chamber of Secrets
4. Goblet of Fire

Disappointed customer.......2007-06-24

Very disappinted with my first buy from this seller.
Movies arrived on time, but it wasn't what I ordered or expected.
I bought a Box Set of Harry Potter, years 1-4, but 4 separated movies arrived, not a Box Set. Besides, the seller claims that he has the only Full Screen versions available on the market, one of the movies, Goblet of Fire, is NOT a full screen version, the box is a full screen version, but the DVD inside is marked and it is a Wide Screen version.
I would really like my money back !!!!!!!!!!!
Very, very disappointed indeed.

First Four Harry Potter Films on DVD: A Great Gift Idea!.......2007-06-21

In 1997, a children's book written by a then little-known author, J. K. Rowling, began to gain popularity in Britain. Entitled "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", the book's title was changed when it was released in the U.S. to "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". A year later, children who had been mesmerized by the first book got to read its sequel, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". Though a seemingly darker book than the first, more and more children (as well as adults) began to take interest in the amazing stories a boy name Harry Potter, who is also a wizard. As J. K. Rowling wrote each additional book, interest continued to rise as bookstores began to open at midnight upon each book's release date to the throngs of children and their parents anxious to read the next installment of Harry Potter's adventures at the magical Hogwart's School of Wizardry Witchcraft with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as they battle the evil Lord Voldemort. To date, five books have been written. The third, fourth and fifth books are respectively entitled "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". And, the soon to be released seventh & final book is called "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows".

With so much popularity, it was only natural that film producers would approach J. K. Rowling about transforming her wonderful books into big-screen films. The year (2001) following the release of her fourth book, the first film adaptation of her first book, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was released in theaters. This was followed by the subsequent releases of the film versions of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002), "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004) and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (2005).

Starring Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, each of these four films is quite good. Also starring in all four films are Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy, Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom, Richard Griffiths as Uncle Vernon Dursley, Fiona Shaw as Aunt Petunia Dursley, Harry Melling as cousin Dudley Dursley, Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid, legendary actress Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall and the wonderful actor Alan Rickman as the shadowy potions professor Severus Snape. Sadly, the brilliant actor Richard Harris (1930-2002), who played Professor Albus Dumbledore, died shortly before the second film opened in theaters. Stepping into the character in the third & fourth films was veteran actor Michael Gambon, whose seamless & identical portrayal of Professor Dumbledore was a true credit to his excellent acting abilities; though some were not as pleased with Gambon's performance as with Richard Harris.

A brief summary of each film follows:

1. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"

At 11 years of age, Harry Potter has been taken care of from the time that he was only one year old by his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, who have a child of their own named Dudley. They have taken care of Harry because his own parents, James and Lily Potter (Lily was Petunia's sister) were killed by the evil wizard Lord Voldemort. The Dursleys want nothing to do with magic, and since Harry may be a wizard, they have not treated him very well. However, just before Harry's 11th birthday, he received a letter from the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft; but the Dursleys won't let him read the letter. More & more letters from Hogwarts arrive until out of desperation, the Dursleys attempt to run away with Harry; but they are easily found and on Harry's birthday, a huge man by the name of Hagrid arrives to personally deliver Harry's invitation from Hogwarts to study magic. It is only then that Harry finds out that he's a wizard and that the Dursleys had lied to him about how his parents died. Harry leaves with Hagrid and begins his first year at Hogwarts, where he makes his first true friends: Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. It's an exciting story as Harry learns to play quidditch, learns potions with the unpleasant Professor Snape and becomes entangled in some secret affairs at the school. He may even have an encounter with "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named".

2. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

At age 12, Harry has been treated slightly better by the Dursleys over his summer holiday, but things begin to turn sour when an elf named Dobby suddenly appears in Harry's bedroom to give him a message: that he should not return to Hogwarts this year. Not accepting the warning, Dobby makes mischief while the Dursleys are entertaining. Uncle Vernon puts bars on Harry's bedroom window and refuses to let him return to Hogwarts, but a flying car carrying Ron Weasley and his brothers Fred and George arrive and rescue Harry. Harry's does finally get to Hogwarts, but students begin to be attacked by an unknown force and Harry starts to hear strange voices. That's when they learn about a legendary part of the castle known only as "the chamber of secrets", in which a horrible monster is said to dwell. Will Hogwarts get shut down, or can Harry and his friends figure out where the chamber is? Look out for Professor Gilderoy Lockhart (the brilliant Kenneth Branagh) and Moaning Myrtle (Shirley Henderson).

3. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"

At age 13, after Harry accidentally causes one of his other unpleasant muggle aunts, Aunt Marge (Pam Ferris), to inflate like a balloon, he runs away from the Dursleys and encounters a large black dog before a magical bus appears. Harry has a wild bus ride to "The Leaky Cauldron" where he meets the Minister of Magic himself, Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy), but he doesn't' get in trouble for inflating his aunt. Instead, there is something far more ominous: Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), a very dangerous prisoner and convicted murderer, has escaped from Azkaban prison. Everyone at Hogwarts must be on guard, especially with the dreaded dementors on the prowl looking for Sirius. While Ron & Harry can't understand how Hermione is getting to all of her classes (some classes at the same time), Sirius Black is looking for Harry. When Harry finds out who Sirius Black is, he goes ballistic; but things may not be as they appear.

4. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"

This is an unusual year at Hogwarts: instead of the usual quidditch matches between the four houses, an international Tri-Wizarding Tournament is to be held. Limited to only upper-class students that are at least 17 years old, everyone is shocked when Harry (14 years old) is named to be one of its contestants. The Tri-Wizarding Tournament is somewhat dangerous to its participants, but Hermione finds herself in an affair with a world-renowned quidditch player, Viktor Krum (Stanislav Ianevski), who is representing his school in the Tournament. In the meantime, Harry is attracted to a girl named Cho Chang (Katie Leung), but his life is complicated when he begins to experience strange visions of snakes and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". What is "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" doing? Harry will no doubt be caught in the thick of it and it may interfere with the Tournament! Keep a close eye on Mad-Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson), who is at Hogwarts by invitation of Dumbledore himself!

Overall, I rate all four films together with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend them. In case you have a friend or family member that wants to watch/own all four Harry Potter films, but doesn't yet have any of them, the "Harry Potter - Years 1-4" DVD collection would make an excellent gift.

Harry Potter DVD Boxed Set.......2007-05-31

First four Harry Potter movies special wide screen edition. Each movie comes with a second disc with special features. Movie one and two come with "special edition" case.

If you like the books then you'll enjoy the movies, although they are sometimes very different from the original writings.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 2)

Average customer rating:

My favorite movie!
If You Liked The Book, See The Film!
Despite Warnings, Harry Returns to Hogwarts
Pretty Cool!
Liked The First One Better

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 2)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson (II) , Richard Griffiths , and Fiona Shaw
Director: Chris Columbus
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adapted from Books | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Fantasy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00008DDXC
Release Date: 2003-04-11

Product Description

The next installment in the Harry Potter series finds young wizard Harry Potter (DANIEL RADCLIFFE) and his friends Ron Weasley (RUPERT GRINT) and Hermione Granger (EMMA WATSON) facing new challenges during their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as they try to uncover a dark force that is terrorizing the school.
Running Time: 161 min.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

First sequels are the true test of an enduring movie franchise, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets passes with flying colors. Expanding upon the lavish sets, special effects, and grand adventure of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry involves a darker, more malevolent tale (parents with younger children beware), beginning with the petrified bodies of several Hogwarts students and magical clues leading Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) to a 50-year-old mystery in the monster-laden Chamber of Secrets. House elves, squealing mandrakes, giant spiders, and venomous serpents populate this loyal adaptation (by Sorcerer's Stone director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Steve Kloves), and Kenneth Branagh delightfully tops the supreme supporting cast as the vainglorious charlatan Gilderoy Lockhart (be sure to view past the credits for a visual punchline at Lockhart's expense). At 161 minutes, the film suffers from lack of depth and uneven pacing, and John Williams' score mostly reprises established themes. The young, fast-growing cast offers ample compensation, however, as does the late Richard Harris in his final screen appearance as Professor Albus Dumbledore. Brimming with cleverness, wonderment, and big-budget splendor, Chamber honors the legacy of J.K. Rowling's novels. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

My favorite movie!.......2007-06-30

This is my favorite movie and whenever I get to pick the movie for movie night, I pick this one. This is the best movie I have ever seen and the acting is truly amazing. You don't have to wait forever for it to get to the plot (like most movies), and the the director definatley didn't have a budget when it came to special effects. I recommend this to any Harry Potter fan!

If You Liked The Book, See The Film!.......2007-06-27

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2) is probably MY favorite book in the series (besides Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) because, in my opinion, they are both equally fantastic). However, I have to admit that this movie is an amazing interpretation of the book. Usually, I dislike the idea of books being brought on to the big screen because most of the time, the book gets ruined with a horrible interpretation. Well, it's not so with this book/movie! Every single deatail from the Dursleys to Dobby to Gilderoy Lockhart to The Flying Car to Moaning Myrtle to Tom Riddle's Diary to Aragog to The Basilik are completly amazing and just how I pictured them when I read the book. I have to say that watching this film will get you the same as reading the book because every page from J.K. Rowling's great work is portrayed incredibly without a single detailed spared (almost)! Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2) is one of the best books I ever read, and this movie is one of the best that I've ever seen! It gets you hooked instatly. I highly recommend buying this, whether or not you've read the book. This is GREAT for mystery lovers. ***Oh, yeah! The plot: Harry Potter is a young wizard who goes to a school called Hogwarts that helps him develop his magical abilities. During his second year there, someone has opened The Chamber Of Secrets, and has released a great evil that is turning the students to stone!

Despite Warnings, Harry Returns to Hogwarts.......2007-06-26

All that is keeping Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) going through the summer is the thought of returning to school. Once again, his relatives are treating him poorly. And now that he knows he's a wizard, Hogwarts is the only place he feels at home.

But he almost doesn't make it back. First an elf appears and warns him to stay away. Then the entrance to the train platform is sealed to him.

Things quickly turn serious once he does show up at Hogwarts. Harry keeps hearing voices in the walls that no one else can hear. And then there is the warning written on the wall in blood. What is the chamber of secrets? Why can only Harry hear the voices? Are the students safe?

As with the first movie, this one brings Harry's world to life beautifully. And once again, the movie sticks very closely to the book. Since I liked this book better then the first one, I like this movie better, too. The cast from the first movie returns and hits all the right notes with their characters. Joining the cast this time is Kenneth Branagh as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and he's a riot in the comic relief role. Unfortunately, this is Richard Harris' last performance as Dumbledore. I loved his grandfatherly take on the character.

Over the course of this movie, Harry faces a family of giant spiders and a giant serpent. These scenes are a little scary and could frighten small children. If your kids scare easily, you might want to view the film first.

Fans of the books will be delighted with this film. It perfectly captures the book on which it is based.

Pretty Cool!.......2007-06-13

I liked this movie a lot. I watched it in class. It was good, other than the violence. Dobi was pretty funny. He was the alien creature that appeared in Harry's room. I watched this in class, too. It was funny when there was a shadowy girl floating in the bathroom! It was a fun movie.

NOTE: Rated PG. Parental Guidance Suggested--Some Material may not be suitable for Children.

Rated PG for scary images, mild creature violence and some brief mild language. May not be appropriate for young children under age 8.

Liked The First One Better.......2007-05-25

I liked the first one better, probably because everything was new. But this one is really good too. You need to read the book though, that's why I'm really posting this, to tell people to read the book. It has so much more.

Average customer rating:

Brilliant low-key film
Get On the Boat, Do Your Job, Get Back Home
A little disappointing
Taut suspense!
Treacherous Treat

Breach (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Chris Cooper , Ryan Phillippe , Laura Linney , Caroline Dhavernas , and Gary Cole
Director: Billy Ray
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000OYAT44
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant low-key film.......2007-06-26

Breach is amazingly excellent, and is a much more complicated film than the trailers for it made it appear. The trailers advertised it as a cat-and-mouse game between an up-and-coming newbie and a diabolically clever and seasoned veteran. Not so. Hanssen in the movie is not vilified as a devious traitor so much as presented as a seriously disturbed individual suffering from a crippling need for attention and recognition. In short, he's a sad, mentally ill individual. Rather than eagerly anticipating the moment of his capture, I found myself actually feeling sorry for him. This humanness made the film much more poignant and effective than it would have been had they played it as a Ludlumesque spy thriller. Cooper, by the way, deserves an Oscar. Phillippe simply should not have been used. One peculiarity that bugged me throughout the film though was that both lead actors sported such copious amounts of makeup that it was easily visible in all of the scenes. Every close up of Phillippe painfully revealed not only that he wore eyeliner, but mascara and lipstick as well. Oh well. One other minor thing that irked me throughout the film was all the stupid stuff thrown in it about lie detection. This was obviously thrown in to up the "intrigue factor," and only ended up resulting in a glaring inconsistency in the film: If Cooper's character can tell when Phillippe's character is lying every single time they play the "lie detection game," then why can't he ever tell when he's lying throughout the rest of the film? Annoying. The obvious answer is that you really can't tell when someone is lying, unless they contradict themselves. Research on polygraphs show that they can't outperform chance, and that neither can trained agents.

Get On the Boat, Do Your Job, Get Back Home .......2007-06-22

"The Robert Hanssen spying case, which broke in early 2001, was -- it is so clear now -- the harbinger of 9/11, a big honking symptom of the entrenched, institutional problems at the FBI that let big clues slip by, clues that might have prevented the horrors of that day. In the annals of disgruntled employees, Robert Hanssen, career FBI agent, is close to the top of the list. He was intel, and, as Hanssen (Chris Cooper) explains to the agent wannabe assigned to work as his assistant, Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe), the intel side of the FBI gets no respect. Hanssen is a computer expert, and he's been railing at the Bureau to upgrade its antiquated systems for years -- no one listens, because it's only the guys with guns who are paid any heed, only the guys with guns who get the big promotions. It is the "organizational arrogance" of the FBI, Hanssen assures O'Neill, that has prevented Hanssen from advancing as he deserves to... and, the unspoken undertone is, that prevented the many warnings of 9/11 we've heard about -- field reports from intel agents, for instance --from being given the weight of urgency they deserved. And, oy, don't get Hanssen started on the lack of interagency cooperation between the FBI and the CIA. (We see that lack almost sink the FBI's investigation into Hanssen, too.) " Peter Travers

At one point Eric O'Neill, played so ably by Ryan Philippe becomes so discouraged with his FBI career he goes to his father to discuss whether he should quit. His father tells him the philosophy of his seafaring father, which is an analogy for life. "Get on the boat, do your job, and get back home'. Eric O'Neill is a surveillance-op for the FBI and his goal is to be promoted to a full Agent status. On one day he is called into a meeting with Agent Burroughs, played by Laura Linney. She tells him he is being assigned to the desk of Robert Hanssen, and that Hanssen is suspected of posting explicit sexual content on the Internet. His job will be to watch Hanssen's every move and to report back to Burroughs. Within a short while O'Neill doubts his job, as he has come to respect Hanssen.

O'Neill confronts Burroughs and the real story is told. Hanssen has been feeding top secret information to our enemies for twenty years, and the damage is in the millions of dollars and dozens of lives. Now O'Neill finds himself pitted against one of the finest minds in the FBI. A real cat and mouse game begins.

The drama and suspense in this movie is overwhelming, but so finely tuned that as the story unravels, you begin to feel you are part of the action. This story is partially known as the story begins. However, the story progresses and the finely detailed life of Robert Hanssen is laid bare. The power of the finale is not diminished at all. The ending is ambiguous and we are left to wonder about the man Hanssen. This is a delicious story of the real world of politics and espionage. The real story is that of the relationship that develops between O'Neill and Hanssen. The mind games that are played and built leave us bewitched and bothered. Chris Cooper is phenomenal as Hanssen. One of the better acting roles I have seen this year. Ryan Philippe playing O'Neill is the perfect foil.

Heartily, highly recommended. prisrob 6-22-07

A little disappointing.......2007-06-18

The Robert Hanssen story--that of an Opus Dei (extremely conservative) Catholic making kinky movies of him and his wife and their sexual experiences is by nature titillating. The contradiction between the rabid anti-Communist and his selling secrets to the Soviet Union is intriguing. So my interest in this case had led me to read a lot about it, and to anticipate this film eagerly.

I regret to say I found the film less in line with the depth of the story than I would have liked.

To be perfectly honest, despite how much I admire Chris Cooper's acting, I wondered how he could play Hanssen who he doesn't resemble. Cooper didn't let me down (though, frankly, I don't recall from what I read that Hanssen was as arrogant as the character in the film seemed. But perhaps I don't remember that, or that character was made that way "for dramatic effect.)

There was a little discussion in the script of Hanssen's sexual deviance. There was one line referring to his taste for "a stripper." That's where I felt the film was less accurate than I'd have liked. And I therefore think the film's theme, of Hanssen's overwhelming, conniving brilliance, was inaccurate. Allow me to explain.

The script indicated that Hanssen was so smart that the bureau didn't see through his clever, shrewd planning. In real life, the "stripper" issue was a major issue, not just a script one-liner. Hanssen had a relationship with a dancer at a club I'm familiar with in Washington. More important, my reading indicated that he took her to some FBI event in I think Tokyo, or somewhere in Asia, and the FBI didn't notice. Here's an Opus Dei Catholic travelling with a young woman he's not married to and the bureau didn't notice? So one can infer the bureau's ineptitude rather than Hanssen's brilliance.

Indeed, authors don't know that Hanssen had more than a platonic relationship with the stripper. And I don't recall from what I read that Hanssen was taking movies of him and his wife and their sexual activities. I think he described them in lurid detail on what was ostensibly his web page. And at least one author indicated that he wasn't absolutely sure it was Hanssen's web page. (All right, there was solid evidence that it was--or couldn't have been someone else's--but it wasn't cut and dry). But movie or not, sexual or not, something pretty blatant, something a school kid would have noticed the bureau didn't see. I'm afraid in that sense, the film left the FBI off with much less guilt than I would have.

My spouse was concerned that there wasn't enough discussion of Opus Dei and Hanssen's affliation therewith. Indeed, in one of the deleted scenes, there was a little more said about Hanssen's daughter sleeping on a board, for example. But to me that wasn't something the script needed to dwell on more than it did.

Overall it was a pretty good thriller, the type that keeps you on the edge of your seat despite your knowing what's going to happen. And the bonus material asks some of Hanssen's colleagues why they think Hanssen did what he did. While I won't give away their answers, they seem pretty reasonable. But if you want a more accurate view of what happened, I suggest you read many of the fine books available on the subject.

Taut suspense!.......2007-06-18

Even though viewers know how this film will end, the writing is so good that the suspense builds pretty much constantly throughout the entire film. Acting and production values are excellent as well. The scenes between O'Neill and his wife were, for me, the weakest element; it just didn't ring true to me that he could keep her at such a distance throughout his difficult assignment. The final scene also struck me as a bit too melodramatic. But the rest of the film had me going for sure -- I'd give it four and a half stars for its genre.

Treacherous Treat.......2007-06-13

Based on a true story, 'Breach' gives us a nerve-wrenching tip-toe spy story taking place within the FBI. Young agent aspirant, Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe) proves to be the kind of wunderkind his agency needs to do some in-house spying. At first he finds his mission nearly impossible, but his target is near-retiree curmudgeon Robert Hanssen (played with finesse by stock jerk-villain actor Chris Cooper, who here shows greater spectrum). He is prompted by his stridently clinical supervisor (Laura Linney in a starchly cool performance) who tells a story that seems to belie the facts. Relying on poker-face strategies, all players sort out mutual duplicity until the facts are revealed. In the meantime, like many spy dramas of late, the protagonist must balance his ambition with the love of his life.

Fascinating, this nail-biting drama is all the more tangible for being real. The hypnotic score gives a proper old-fashioned element that works so well in this thriller. With a solid story-line that seldom gets convoluted, 'Breach' is a treat for such a treacherous tale.

Average customer rating:

A new look on werwolf movies
Bucharest and Special Effects Soften this Werewolf Film
Excellent Film. Better Than Chocolate.
Blood and Chocolate
Book and Movie Don't Mesh

Blood & Chocolate
Starring: Agnes Bruckner , Hugh Dancy , Olivier Martinez , Katja Riemann , and Bryan Dick
Director: Katja von Garnier
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000OCY7TY
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Amazon.com

When graphic novelist Aiden (Hugh Dancy) travels to Bucharest to research the loup garou legend, he nearly gets devoured in the latest female werewolf film, Blood and Chocolate. In the tradition of Werewolf Woman and Ginger Snaps, Blood and Chocolate stars Vivian Gandillon (Agnes Bruckner), a girl who's forced to face her lupine tendencies in order to discover how capable of loving Aiden she really is. Based on a book by Annette Curtis Clause, the film chronicles the lives of the remaining loup garou who are an extended Romanian family waiting for their pack leader, Gabriel, to select his new mate. His desire for Vivian means trouble when her wish to be with Aiden results in her revealing too much about the clan's secretive lifestyle. In this film, werewolves look fully human until their eyes glow with colored contact lenses while they fly through the air to then land as full-fledged wolves. Gone are the days, apparently, of films showing the transformation in all its hairy, explosive detail. A lack of scenes describing the werewolf metamorphosis make this film more a love story than a monster tale, though two forest gatherings in which the loup garou hunt human sacrifices offer some grizzly satisfaction. Unlike the aforementioned femme werewolf films, Blood and Chocolate features a girl fighting her urge to kill in a bid to unite humans with her brethren, making this movie the most peaceful in its genre. With a tame wolf as protagonist, the potential nightmare is really just a pleasant dream to unite the two disparate worlds. The question is: Do we want that to happen? --Trinie Dalton

Product Description

As a young girl living in the remote mountains of Colorado, Vivian (Bruckner) watched helplessly as her family was murdered by a pack of angry men for the secret they carried in their blood. Vivian survived the attack by running into the woods and changing into a wolf. Ten years later, Vivian is living a relatively safe and normal life in Bucharest, Romania. Vivian spends her days working in a chocolate shop and nights trawling the city's underground clubs, fending off the reckless antics of her cousin Rafe, and his gang of delinquents he refers to as "The Five."

Vivian's life begins to unravel when she has a chance encounter with Aiden (Dancy), an artist researching Bucharest' ancient art and relics for his next graphic novel. Aiden pursues Vivian until she relents and begins to see him, but she can't bring herself to tell him the truth - and lives in fear of showing him who she really is. Even though Vivian has sworn never to kill, she is as much an animal as she is human, and her love for Aiden threatens to cast him to the very wolves who saved her life and who are waiting for their chance to hunt him as prey.

Stills from Blood & Chocolate (click for larger image)

Beyond Blood & Chocolate at Amazon.com

Gothic Horror on DVDs
More from Olivier Martinez
DVDs of "Things That Go Bump"

Customer Reviews:

A new look on werwolf movies.......2007-07-03

Blood & Chocolate is a very good movie it takes a new look on werewolf movies and this movie is awesome.

Bucharest and Special Effects Soften this Werewolf Film.......2007-07-01

BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE (a misnomer at best!) is another in the seemingly endless appetite-for-horror-flicks appeasers. Freely adapted from the Annette Curtis Klause's novel by screenwriters Ehren Kruger and Christopher Landon and directed by Katja von Garnier, this version of the loup-garou legend takes place in Bucharest, Romania and while the corps group of 'night creatures' carrying the mantle of the clan appears small, the group seems more updated in its views of survival in the world of 'normal man' than most: the werewolves are a normal appearing bunch who change into rather elegant wolves through computer generated magic in a manner that removes much of the gruesome element form the film. It helps.

Loup-garou child Vivian (Agnes Bruckner) witnessed the death of her parents at the hands of men in Colorado and escaped to Bucharest where 10 years later she is the next in line to be the 'bride' of pack leader Gabriel (a gaunt appearing Olivier Martinez). Her aunt Astrid (Katja Riemann) with whom she lives had been the first love of Gabriel and a tension is set early in the film about the plight of the pack versus the desire to be a normal human, a tension that will help the resolution of the film's love story. The mysterious, questioning Vivian meets young artist Aiden (Hugh Dancy) who himself has escaped America and his own demons. An obvious infatuation cum attraction occurs and though Vivian admits to warm feelings for Aiden, she knows her affair is doomed: her cousin Rafe (Bryan Dick) and his pack of five discover her tragic near crossover the line of human desire, and the crisis of the story proceeds along the lines of victim and pursuer.

The unfortunate title for the film is clumsily drawn from the negligently important job Vivian has working in a chocolate factory, hardly a comparison for the importance blood plays in the hunt and kill formula that the title supposedly represents. But then it does set up the dichotomy of choice Vivian must make, whether to obey her loup-garou destiny or enter the realm of normal human motivations and desires. Yes, it all gets pretty corny, but in many ways this 'netherworld of monster types' film rises above others in its management of the transformation scenes (actually quite beautiful) and in the acting of Hugh Dancy. In the end it is the chance to see how truly Bucharest as a city really is that makes the movie worth watching. The cast does the best it can with the weak material. Grady Harp, July 07

Excellent Film. Better Than Chocolate........2007-06-28

I watched this film with a modicum of hesitation because it is not really my genre. I was more than pleasantly surprised to enjoy what I consider the best cinematic offering for the year to date. It is a beautiful combination of a "Werewolf in London", the "Bourne Identity" and "Before Sunrise", with Romania providing an exquisite location for what essentially is a very poignant love story, and very tastefully executed, with finesse and class and Romance. The soundtrack is simply first rate, the acting is very capable, with the two very memorable and commanding leads, and the violence is the antithesis to gratuitous. An Avid and very astute reader stated that the film followed the book very well. However, you need not have read the book in order to find this film a truly well done film, with virtually nothing lacking, with the exception of more special features. As of late June, this is the best film of the year, in any genre. After seeing this film, Lace, Chocolate, Romania, the Colorado Rockies, not so much blood, will be all that more appreciated.

Blood and Chocolate.......2007-06-24

Blood & Chocolate [Region 99]

This movie sucked. If you read the book, please save yourself the trauma of watching this!!! The only thing that it did have from the book was the title and the names of characters. It truly traumatized me. My friend said that I sat for 2 1/2 hours saying "what the hell happened? They had the book...what the hell happened?" Needless to say I liked the book and wish I had saved the $9 it cost to watch it in theatre. I should have asked for my money back, but I was too traumatized to think straight.

Book and Movie Don't Mesh.......2007-06-23

Have you ever read a book that you LOVE and then they turn it into a movie that just doesn't seem to match? That's what they did with Blood and Chocolate.
The movie ruined the book, and that's all there is to it.
I LOVED the book, and I had read it more than one time before I had heard that it was being turned into a movie. I was really excited, but then tonight I actually saw the movie.
At the end, for the last 5 minutes, my eyes were open REALLY wide and my mouth was wide open because I couldn't believe what was happening. The ending was almost the complete opposite of the ending in the book...which I happened to like.
If you like the book, don't see the movie.
If you've seen the movie, read the book and then yell at the movie for being so different.

Average customer rating:

An Uplifting Film
Fabulous!
A good adaptation of the book
The Last Sin Eater
Dark and disjointed

The Last Sin Eater
Starring: Louise Fletcher , Henry Thomas , Liana Liberato , Soren Fulton , and A.J. Buckley
Director: Michael Landon Jr.
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000NVI0DU
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Amazon.com

Part of the new wave of Christian filmmaking, The Last Sin Eater appeals to a broader family audience as well--and perhaps film lovers seeking, simply, more soul in their cinema. The film, directed by Michael Landon Jr., has more than a bit of homage to Little House on the Prairie as its story unfolds through the eyes of its young heroine, Cadi, a Welsh immigrant whose family has settled deep in Appalachia, bringing superstitions and rites from the Old World and melding them with those from the new. Cadi is played by Liana Liberato with gravitas and knowingness that evokes the young Anna Paquin. Cadi's turmoil begins at the deeply disturbing nighttime funeral for her beloved Granny, when a shadowy figure creeps in and chants, "For your earthly sins, woman, I pawn my own soul!" Cadi, warned her own soul would be in peril if she looked upon the sin eater, can't help turn around and lock eyes with the wretched man. And so begins Cadi's own journey of the soul. As tragedy and evil plague the plucky settlement, Cadi is driven to understand her own life and religious choices. "Would I have to live to be Granny's age to be forgiven for my sins?" a bleakly discouraged Cadi wonders in a voiceover. The costumes are sumptuous (perhaps a bit too much so for such a hardscrabble existence in the 1850s), as is the lovely but unforgiving landscape. Cadi's journey is rewarding, yet not at all predictably so. Terrific supporting appearances by Henry Thomas and Louise Fletcher flesh out a very moving tale. Extras include some deleted scenes, and some cool behind-the-scenes footage. --A.T. Hurley

Description

10-year-old Cadi feels responsible for her little sister's death, so she searches out the one man she feels can take away her sin: The Sin Eater. But in her quest for redemption, Cadi uncovers a secret that threatens to divide her family and community in this heartwarming, inspirational tale for the entire family. Based on the novel by best-selling author Francine Rivers.

Customer Reviews:

An Uplifting Film.......2007-07-03

this is a very spiritual and uplifting movie it's a good story about forgivness and faith this movie was excellent.

Fabulous!.......2007-06-29

The only negative reviews I saw were the soul of the book (the darkness of life without a Real sineater) and at times the Welsh dialogue did make it hard to understand. It is an awesome tribute to Ms Rivers book,, very well cast and written. If that didn't make you cry for a world without Christ I wonder if anything would!!OUTSTANDING!

A good adaptation of the book.......2007-06-27

I am a huge fan of Francine Rivers books so when I heard that one of my favorite books was being made into a movie, I was both excited and skeptical. So many times, a story doesn't live up to what the book before it did. But this was an exception. Michael Landon, Jr. did it justice. The feel of the book, kind of a dark, mystical existance for these people came through on screen to perfection. There was some disappointment in the building of certain characters, like Cali's mother but only so much can be done in a 2 hour movie when the book was so meaty. For those who haven't read the book, it may take a couple of viewings to pick up on all the details of the story but this is a very good film and watching it over and over, shouldn't be a problem.

The Last Sin Eater.......2007-06-27

We enjoyed The Last Sin Eater. The sound was rather difficult to hear at times, especially during whispered conversations. This is a moving story of a young girl's search and discovery of faith in Christ.

Dark and disjointed.......2007-06-25

This movie is like a horror version of Little House on the Prairie.

Warning: Do not show this film to young or sensitive children, especially those who struggle with guilt, depression and suicidal thoughts. There are many scenes of death in this movie, and at least two where Cadi balances on a slippery log over a high chasm and contemplates suicide as the just consequence of her perceived guilt. For those who are prone to excessive guilt or depression, the movie will be very unpleasant at best and perhaps life-threatening at worst.

A great drama may include some very disturbing elements but will weave the seeds of a satisfying ending all through so that the ending, when it comes, feels natural and logical. By contrast, several plot twists in The Last Sin Eater, especially its ending seem pasted in, unnatural, and abrupt. Would all the adults of a village really abandon their pagan beliefs, shed their guilt, and turn from cruelty to kindness just because a girl informed them that they had it wrong? I believe in the saving power of Jesus, but even as a sympathetic viewer, I couldn't suspend my disbelief when a character changed abruptly for no apparent reason.

Therefore, the ending adds to the dark, sinister feeling of the movie instead of being redemptive as it is supposed to be. It's almost like the villagers turn into zombies or are controlled by some dark force pretending to be light.

I wonder if the plot disconnects were due to the director or the editor?

I want more films which reflect Christian values. But being a Christian doesn't make me into a movie-going Mikey (give it to Mikey, he'll eat anything!). I've been disappointed by several "Christian" movies in the past year. Give me movies which tell a great story and are well written, acted, directed, and produced.

I do give this movie two stars, not one. I liked the acting by the children, particularly Liana Liberato as Cadi Forbes and Soren Fulton as Fagan Kai. Thea Rose as Lilybet was appropriately angelic, but would have been much more interesting if her character had been developed some more. As it was, she was a cute messenger girl for God, little else. That's not her fault, of course.

I also liked the cinematography, which richly conveyed the beautiful location and simple lifestyle of the residents.

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

Average customer rating:

Brilliant low-key film

Breach (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]
Starring: Gary Cole , Chris Cooper , Bruce Davison , Mary Jo Deschanel , and Dennis Haysbert
Director: Billy Ray
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000OYAT4E
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant low-key film.......2007-06-26

Danielle Steel 2 DVD Collection (Palomino / Secrets / Star / The Promise)

Average customer rating:

Review of The Palomino
WoW! What a great collection of Danielle's stories on DVD!
The Promise
NICE COLLECTION
In good condition

Danielle Steel 2 DVD Collection (Palomino / Secrets / Star / The Promise)
Starring: Danielle Steele Collection
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Danielle Steel's Now & Forever
Danielle Steel's: Family Album Parts 1 & 2
Danielle Steel, Vol. 3: Remembrance/Once in a Lifetime/A Perfect Stranger/The Ring
Danielle Steel's Changes
Danielle Steel's A Perfect Stranger

ASIN: B000KGGZZ8
Release Date: 2007-01-09

Amazon.com

Girls, this is just what the doctor ordered: A cozy, romantic boxed set of some of Danielle Steel's best escapist films--like the best of Lifetime Movie Network condensed into two fabulous discs. The set contains four films, including the little-seen but deeply involving The Promise, starring a lovely young Kathleen Quinlan and Stephen Collins, pre-7th Heaven--even pre-Sisters. The two play college sweethearts whom fate brings together in a jarring, violent way--forcing them to make a chain of decisions that will affect their lives forever. Quinlan and Collins have believable chemistry and their longing is palpable. Bonus: the production values are extremely high, including a score by David Shire, and direction by Gil Cates (perhaps most famous as the director of the Academy Awards broadcasts). The other films include:

Palomino, a tale of worldly city gal finding her inner ranch hand--and true love in the arms of a wrangler--in rugged California horse country. Lindsay Frost and Peter Bergman have palpable sexual tension, and the always-welcome Eva Marie Saint makes a memorable cameo.
Secrets, starring Josie Bissett (an actress talented enough to lead her own TV series) as a soap star who finds the juice and intrigue off camera every bit as knotty as her show's plotlines.
Star, with Jennie Garth and Craig Bierko as lovers for whom time, distance, and enormous difference of circumstance matter not when they unexpectedly reunite years later.

So heat up the tea and popcorn; this disc is a perfect girls' weekend, whether you have several girlfriends joining you or just your own sweet comfy self. --A.T. Hurley

Customer Reviews:

Review of The Palomino.......2007-06-13

The "palomino" is actually the flax-tressed Lindsay Frost as a recently divorced photojournalist who sets her sights on a hunky horseman played by Lee Horsley. More flannel-tearing than bodice-ripping, the bosoms still heave as shutterbug and cowboy begin a hot-n-heavy affair among the Quarterhorses and haybales. Tragedy strikes and the suds lather, but Palomino is a well-done weepie for romantics who also like horses. There's a nice subplot involving therapeutic riding for disabled children. Based on a novel by Danielle Steele.

Staci Layne Wilson

WoW! What a great collection of Danielle's stories on DVD!.......2007-05-26

This is a great price for these wonderful movies, especially "Palomino", you just cannot beat Lee Horsley as the wrangler in love with the leading lady. Such a believable story, and the actors all knew how to ride a horse, which is refreshing. I have purchased several copies of this movie for my horse loving friends.
"The Promise" is another favorite of mine. Such a love story! Of course, the ending will be predictable, but a great story from Danielle Steele, actually was one of her first bestsellers, so you know her storylines here were fresh. The quality was just fine, too, not widescreen, but worth the price from Amazon, certainly.

The Promise.......2007-05-07

I got it for the promise. It was the only way to get that movie. It's what I expected.

NICE COLLECTION.......2007-03-30

I have been looking for The Promise on dvd. It was nice to find it in a collection of other Danielle Steel favorites.

In good condition.......2007-03-27

Happy that there are now Danielle Steel colections in one DVD box. She is a great author.

The Secrets of Isis - The Complete Series

Average customer rating:

I can't believe she's back
OH MIGHTY ISIS!

The Secrets of Isis - The Complete Series
Starring: JoAnna Cameron
Manufacturer: Brentwood Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Super Friends - The Legendary Super Powers Show - The Complete Series
The New Adventures of Batman - (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Voyagers! - The Complete Series
The New Adventures of Superman - (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Jason of Star Command - The Complete Series

ASIN: B000QQDEZG
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Description

Oh Mighty Isis! She was Saturday morning's first live-action super-heroine, saving lives and stopping crime in a mini-skirt and go-go boots on The Secrets of Isis! When science teacher Andrea Thomas unearthed a lost treasure on an archeological dig, she found that the mystical amulet endowed her with the powers given to the ancient Egyptian Queen, Isis! Now granted the powers of animals and the elements, Isis soars as the falcon soared, runs with the speed of gazelles, and commands the elements of the sky and the earth. Although her secret identity is unknown to even her closest friends, fellow teacher Rick Mason, or students Cindy Lee and Renee Carrol, Andrea uses her powers as Isis to stop criminals, save lives, right wrongs, and teach valuable lessons... sometimes with the aid of fellow hero Captain Marvel (Shazam!). Now available on DVD for the first time, the entire two seasons of The Secrets of Isis contain a treasure-trove of special features, and all the super-powered goodness that the heroine represented. Now, you too can be the heir to...The Secrets of Isis!

Customer Reviews:

I can't believe she's back.......2007-06-27

Never mind finding the opposite sex hot, some of us boys wanted to BE her, which of course predicted the later lifestyle of many of us gay men. She was hot and she kicked butt. I will definintely order this egyptian goddess abnd bring back the times of what was the best saturday monring television in the 20th centruy...the 70s.

OH MIGHTY ISIS!.......2007-05-24

There are specific wonderful, magical moments in most young boys' lives when they realize that they have an affinity for the opposite sex. Such was the case when hottie JoAnna Cameron donned her ancient Egyptian amulet and chanted toward the sky "Oh zephyr winds which blow high, lift me now so I can fly," and I was awakened to such childhood wonders! Isis was a generational inspiration in the pantheon of heroic 70's television babes that included Linda Carter's Wonder Woman, Lindsay Wagner as the Bionic Woman, Charlie's Angels and Erin Gray's Wilma from Buck Rogers.

As science teacher Andrea Thomas, she had found the ancient amulet of Hatshepsut during an archeological dig which endowed upon her the powers of the ancient Egyptian goddess with the gifts of flight, speed, strength and telekinesis which were summoned when she intoned the sacred chants and using her powers selflessly to help those in need. Her secret identity was concealed even from her closest friends Rick Mason, Renee Carol and Cindy Lee, but known only to her faithful feathered companion, a black crow named Tut.

The Secrets of Isis began as part of the Shazam!/Isis hour on CBS in 1975 consisting of 15 episodes and spun-off into her own series the following year but lasted only 7 episodes. Isis would also crossover and appear in 3 episodes of Shazam! and later she appeared in animation form as a character of the Freedom Force on Tarzan and the Super 7.

Season 1

1. The Lights of Mystery Mountain (9/6/1975)
2. Fool's Dare (9/13/1975)
3. Spots of the Leopard (9/20/1975)
4. The Sound of Silence (9/27/1975)
5. Rockhound's Roost (10/4/1975)
6. Lucky (10/11/1975)
7. Bigfoot (10/18/1975)
8. How to Find a Friend (10/25/1975)
9. The Showoff (11/1/1975)
10. The Outsider (11/8/1975)
11. No Drums, No Trumpets (11/15/1975)
12. Funny Girl (11/22/1975)
13. Girl Driver (11/29/1975)
14. Scuba Duba Doo (12/6/1975)
15. Dreams of Flight (12/13/75)

Season 2

16. Seeing Eye Horse (9/11/1976)
17. The Hitchhiker (9/18/1976)
18. The Class Clown (9/25/1976)
19. The Cheerleader (10/2/1976)
20. Year of the Dragon (10/9/1976)
21. Now You See It... (10/16/1976)
22. ...And Now You Don't 10/23/1976

The Secrets of Isis - The Complete Series" soars onto DVD on July 24th and will enchant you with the following special features:

* Spotlight Interviews (two hours) with cast members and crew from "The Secrets of Isis": Producers Lou Scheimer and Richard M. Rosenbloom, stars Brian Cutler, Joanna Pang and Ronalda Douglas, writers David Dworski, Michael Reaves and David Wise, designer Bob Kline and Assistant Director Henry J. Lange Jr.
* Audio Commentary Track for "Dreams of Flight" with Richard M. Rosenbloom, David Dworski and Henry J. Lange, Jr. Hosted by Andy Mangels
* Rare Footage: Morals, Commercial Bumpers and Alternate Credits
* Isolated Music And Effects Track for some episodes
* Three Extensive Photo Galleries from "The Secrets of Isis": Promotional Photos, Behind the Scenes Photos, Memorabilia Photos
* Bluewater Production's 22 page New "Legend of Isis" Comic Book
* Bonus episode of Freedom Force starring Isis: "The Plant Soldiers"
* DVD ROM - 22 Scripts and more (PC/MAC compatible)
* Booklet with Episode Guide and Trivia
* English and Spanish Language Audio Tacks
* Ink & Paint Trailers

"Oh my queen!" said the royal sorcerer to Hatshepsit, with this amulet you and your decendants are endowed by the goddess Isis, with the powers of the animals and elements. You will soar as the falcon soars, run with the speed of the gazelles and command the elements of sky and earth!"

3000 years later, a young science teacher dug up this lost treasure and found she was heir to... the secrets of Isis!

And so, unknown to even her closest friends, Rick Mason and Cindy Lee, she became a dual person - Andrea Thomas, teacher...

"Oh Mighty Isis!"

...and Isis! Dedicated foe of evil. Defender of the weak. Champion of truth and justice.

DVD: