The Others

Starring:Nicole Kidman, Fiona Flanagan, Amenabar
Studio: Dimension
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
A welcome throwback to the spooky traditions of Jack Clayton's The Innocents and Robert Wise's The Haunting, Alejandro Amenábar's The Others favors atmosphere, sound, and suggestion over flashy special effects. Set in 1945 on a fog-enshrouded island off the British coast, the film begins with a scream as Grace (Nicole Kidman) awakens from some unspoken horror, perhaps arising from her religiously overprotective concern for her young children, Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley). The children are hypersensitive to light and have lived in a musty manor with curtains and shutters perpetually drawn. With Grace's husband presumably lost at war, this ominous setting perfectly accommodates a sense of dreaded expectation, escalating when three strangers arrive in response to Grace's yet-unposted request for domestic help. Led by housekeeper Mrs. Mills (Fionnula Flanagan), this mysterious trio is as closely tied to the house's history as Grace's family is--as are the past occupants seen posthumously posed in a long-forgotten photo album.

Studio description

Find the answers you've been looking for in the explosive third season of the show USA Today calls "the most gorgeous, audacious, expansive series on network TV." As the power of the island to both heal and destroy comes into sharp focus, the lines between good and evil are blurred and loyalties are challenged when the survivors of the crash become tangled within the lives of the Others. Plan your escape, and immerse yourself in all 23 episodes of Season Three. Go deeper than ever before in this seven-disc DVD box set, complete with hours of never-before-seen bonus features, including secrets from the world of the Others, behind-the-scenes featurettes, unprecedented access to the Lost writers room, and so much more.

Beyond Lost

Lost: The Complete First Season
Lost: The Complete Second Season
The Lost Chronicles : The Official Companion Book by Mark Cotta Vaz

Lost: Music From the ABC Television Series by Michael Giacchino
Lost: Season Two Soundtrack by Michael Giacchino
Bad Twin by Gary Troup

Stills from Lost (click for larger image)

Customer Reviews:

Lost you have to watch it closely or you'll miss out........2007-07-01

This is probably the best and deepest show to ever have been on tv. You have to study this show, read other books that show up in the form of easter eggs and watch each episode at least 3 times to really get it. This show asks philosophical questions and uses elements from the bible, Alice in Wonderland, the Wizard of Oz and a thousand other influences to give us that rare show that will fuel imaginations for generations to come.

That all being said we are only a little over half way through. With 3 more seasons (16 episodes each) to go, this season gave us many of the answers about the characters. It told us how Locke lost his ability to walk, who the real Sawyer was and how Benjamin Linus got to the island to name a few. We also had a glimpse of the mysterious Jacob but most intriguing of all is the idea that the bad guys are in fact the good guys, at least in comparison to this other enemy that has been looking for the island from the beginning.

It's quite a show. I don't feel it dipped in quality at all, but things were certainly set up for some big pays off at the end of this season. There is no question that if you are a fan of this show you have to pick this DVD set up. You have to study each episode so that you get the big picture.

So now that the writers have a definite timeline there is little question that each proceeding episode will be a step towards some answers from here on out. But remember Lost is like a long novel like the Stand. If you stopped reading the Stand when you thought it was getting boring then you cheated yourself out of a great book and would not have later realized that it was all important. It's the same with Lost.

Interesting trivia for die-hard fans.......2007-06-30

There are plenty of reviews here that describe the show, so I'll avoid needless repetition and try to offer something new. Obviously I love the show, so I won't go on about that either. Like many I am greatly anticipating the conclusion. Many lost fans do not seem to be aware that Lost is (and J.J. Abrams has stated this as well) actually mostly based on The Prisoner, the cult classic TV show from the 1960s starring Patrick McGoohan. Instead of being stranded on a mysterious island, in The Prisoner, the protagonist was trapped in a mysterious prison disguised as a luxury resort called "The Village." As The Prisoner approached its final episode people were eagerly anticipating the "explanation" of everything, just as is now happening with Lost. The interesting thing is, when the final episode of The Prisoner aired in England, it proved SO controversial that the show's star, Patrick McGoohan, took his family and fled the country as he was sick and tired of people confronting him in the streets! I wonder if Lost will follow suit and have an equally metaphorical, non-literal, and philosophical ending. This certainly does seem to be the direction the show is heading. Frankly fans have already thought of every possible explanation to the mysteries on the island. Perhaps we shouldn't expect one at all, but another "statement" or "message." Any thoughts?

Ehhh..........2007-06-29

If you're LOST obsessed, then you probably liked the 3rd season. If you're just a normal television watcher who enjoyed the first season but thought the second season was too over the top and strayed away from what you loved about the show...well, the third season didn't help anything.

Also, the third season sees LOST desperately relying on suspenseful endings that I guess are suspenseful because there is loud music and the camera pans really quickly. However, not even the directorial cues can hide the fact that the show's story is anemic at this point.

There is a reason why this show took a seriously ratings hit this year, cause its just too rediculous to be believed.

Perhaps my least favorite season..........2007-06-26

I'm a huge LOST fan, but I found season three to be a bit of a drag. The first two seasons smoked, but I felt the flashbacks seemed a bit heavy-handed this season. I particularly disliked the Mr. Eko arc, and the season finale.

I will continue to watch the series, but the flashbacks, are beginning to wear on me. For a 40 minute show, there justn't seem to be enough 'island time' for me to sink my teeth into.

I NEED ANSWERS ?????.......2007-06-23

I have to to many QQ about lost and i know no body have it.Any way any one know if there is forth Season ????

The Others (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

A Brilliant Haunted House Film...but the Dialogue is Extremely Soft
Will Give You the Willies
Terrifying
the twist makes the movie
A truly unique ghost story!

The Others (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Keith Allen , Renée Ashershon , Christopher Eccleston , Michelle Fairley , and Nicole Kidman
Director: Alejandro Amenábar
Manufacturer: Dimension
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Sixth Sense (Collector's Edition Series)
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Unbreakable (Two-Disc Vista Series)

ASIN: B00003CYLJ
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Amazon.com essential video

A welcome throwback to the spooky traditions of Jack Clayton's The Innocents and Robert Wise's The Haunting, Alejandro Amenábar's The Others favors atmosphere, sound, and suggestion over flashy special effects. Set in 1945 on a fog-enshrouded island off the British coast, the film begins with a scream as Grace (Nicole Kidman) awakens from some unspoken horror, perhaps arising from her religiously overprotective concern for her young children, Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley). The children are hypersensitive to light and have lived in a musty manor with curtains and shutters perpetually drawn. With Grace's husband presumably lost at war, this ominous setting perfectly accommodates a sense of dreaded expectation, escalating when three strangers arrive in response to Grace's yet-unposted request for domestic help. Led by housekeeper Mrs. Mills (Fionnula Flanagan), this mysterious trio is as closely tied to the house's history as Grace's family is--as are the past occupants seen posthumously posed in a long-forgotten photo album.

Description

Screen sensation Nicole Kidman (MOULIN ROUGE, EYES WIDE SHUT) delivers an utterly unforgettable performance in this scary and stylish suspense thriller. While awaiting her husband's return from war, Grace (Kidman) and her two young children live an unusually isolated existence behind the locked doors and drawn curtains of a secluded island mansion. Then, after three mysterious servants arrive and it becomes chillingly clear that there is far more to his house than can be seen, Grace finds herself in a harrying fight to save her children and keep her sanity. Acclaimed by critics everywhere, the unpredictable twists and turns of this compelling hit will keep you guessing as it keeps you riveted to the edge of your seat!

Customer Reviews:

A Brilliant Haunted House Film...but the Dialogue is Extremely Soft.......2007-07-05

Luckily I saved my VHS tape which has normal, evenly recorded dialogue and music and effects. I can't watch the dvd any longer because of the awful audio. The character's lines are incredibly faint and soft.
I wonder if they do it on purpose with some dvd's, making the dialogue so quiet that you need to crank your tv volume up a great deal. Then comes a deafening sound effect (or part of the film score, or a scream, etc) and it shakes the house.

That one negative being said, this is one of my favorite old fashioned, haunted house films. It is genuinely frightening. And the scares aren't cheap tricks or gimmicks that we've become used to from Hollywood. This film is a refeshing change from the usual junk that calls itself a horror movie but never really gets under your skin or genuinely creeps you out.

The atmosphere, acting, script, cinematography, score, and direction are wonderful. If you like brilliant, creepy ghost movies like The Innocents, The Changeling, and The Haunting (1963), then this is for you. Watch it at night in total darkness. I dare you.

Will Give You the Willies.......2007-05-28

This is a welcome throwback to honest-to-goodness thrillers - no gore, just psychological spookieness. No senseless nudity, foul language or gouged eyeballs here - but fear reminiscent of the George C. Scott thriller, "The Changeling" or more recently, "The Sixth Sense."

Nicole Kidman's acting is so impressive, as is the acting of the entire cast, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat. Set in post World War II England, Kidman's character, Grace, lives in a large mansion on a posh estate. Her two children, Anne and Nicholas, suffer from a rare genetic anomoly that makes them sensitive to light beyond that of a strong lamp. Pure sunlight - even ambient light can raise blisters on their skin and ala Dracula, will kill them.

Grace pines over her missing husband who never returned from battling the Germans, yet is not a confirmed MIA or KIA casualty. She finds herself housebound, unable to mingle with anyone in polite society or travel anywhere out of fear for her children's safety.

Acustomed to being without electricity during the German bombardments throughout the war, Grace has decided to leave the luxury turned off, depending on heavy curtains to block out the light during the day and using oil lamps at night.

Grace tells her 3 house servants that her daughter, Anne, has a vivid imagination who tells of ghastly eyeless women and an invisible boy named Victor. Grace repeatedly punishes Anne for lying... but soon she realizes there really might be 'others' living in the house with them.

Whispering voices, creaky floors and other things that go bump in the night have you on your mental toes to figure out who might be dead, who might be alive and if one or more of the characters is just plain nuts and imagining the whole thing.

I must admit, this is not my favorite genre. I do not belive there are earth-bound spirits of the previously living people walking around in people's homes - so it's not like at the end when all the loose ends got tied up that I had chills going up my spine - but if you had an experience like that with "The Sixth Sense" or "The Changeling," this movie will not disappoint.

Having an intelligent storyline, superb acting and all devoid of rampant sex and toilet humor is a welcome relief compared to most movie fare coming out of today's Hollywood. While there are many scene changes in the large manor, the closed rooms and constant darkness and chiaroscuro lighting give the viewer a very claustrophobic feeling to the point you feel Grace's almost psychotic desperation and feeling of being trapped. Even the few moments when you see her outside the manor, the dense, eerie fog furthers the trapped sensation of the viewer and the characters.

The acting of Alakina Mann (Anne) and James Bentley (Nicholas) cannot be understated in making this more of an experience than a film. Much of Kidman's acting shines through in the scenes in which she is by herself, panicking in fear and desperation. This is one of those films that truly highlights the depth of her acting acumen.

Terrifying.......2007-05-26

This is a clever, terrifying movie. I hate scary movies but this one is smart. Nicole Kidman and the children (Alakina Mann and James Bentley) are wonderful.

the twist makes the movie.......2007-05-17

Fortunately, I lost interest in this movie after the first 20 minutes, so I wasnt paying attention and was able to appreciate the twist without forethought.

The movie seemed like a boring stage play. None of the characters were that fascinating. The atmospheric horror and dread never built. If I compared this film to 6th sense I'd give it 1 star.

A truly unique ghost story!.......2007-04-28

I love atmospheric ghost stories, and some of my favorites are The Changeling, The Haunting, Burnt Offerings etc. The Others is one such atmospheric horror movie with enough plot twists to keep you guessing almost right till the end. Yes, the movie tends to be a tad too long and plodding in the first half, but if you're patient, and just try to pay close attention to all the details, the rewards more than make up for the slow start. Nicole Kidman shines in her role as the overprotective & obsessive mother, and the two kids who play her children do justice to their roles as well ,coming off as creepy and innocent at the same time. I won't delve into the actual plot as it will only spoil one's viewing experience but I will definitely recommend this movie for those atmospheric horror movie buffs who love unexpected twists, and an intelligent ghost story!

Average customer rating:

A Thinking Man's Thriller of Cold War Germany
Winner for a Reason, Timeless for a Reason

The Lives of Others
Starring: The Lives of Others
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Customer Reviews:

A Thinking Man's Thriller of Cold War Germany.......2007-07-05

I often don't agree with Oscar choices, but this time they got it right.
"The Lives of Others" is one of the most interesting movies about communism that I have seen in a decade; it shows, as few others have, how communism suffocates human imagination...not just stifles political dissent.

A spy - Captain Wiesler - is given the task of eavesdropping on a well known playwright, not for political reasons, but because a communist boss is jealous of the man and wants his female lover for himself. As the spy begins listening in, he begins to question the values of his society and the integrity of his orders.. Up to that point, Wiesler dutifully obeyed without question. But as the spy continues to experience the world of the playwright, he starts to live the subject's life vicariously...so the enemy ironically becomes the friend. The experience helps Captain Wiesler grow in humanity so he ultimately makes the decision to run interference to save the playwright's life.

The film details the transformation of an organization man in a hostile society...and makes us remember the great books of totalitarian dangers such as Animal Farm, Anthem, Brave New World, and of course, 1984. (It is no accident that the key YEAR in which the events take place in this film is indeed 1984). Instead of leaving the viewer in a state of deep negativity, "The Lives of Others" gives us reason to hope, reason to believe that goodness may prevail over corruption. So by the end, I was deeply moved.

Winner for a Reason, Timeless for a Reason.......2007-07-04

While some out there are still bitter about Pan's Labyrinth losing its thought-to-be destined Academy Award to this film, I would like to argue that The Lives of Others presents a wholly more memorable and moving experience while still adhering to a very attractive style. Writer-director Donnersmarck's cinematic debut not only pulls at our heartstrings, but he also brings us to the verge of tears without becoming overly sentimental or preachy.

Every element of this film is worthy of praise. The acting is superb. Ulrich Mühe stands out as the loyal STASI official, Wiesler, who finds himself questioning whether his duty is to the people, or to the party. The writing is wrought with beautiful moments of characterization and heartfelt but realistic dialogue. Wiesler reading poetry to himself, fantastic moments of dramatic irony, or the poet's, Georg Dreyman's, comments on his friend's gift, a piano piece entitled "Sonata for Good Men." The direction and cinematography seem to work in tandem to provide a slow and careful look at each set and location, further describing the characters without having to muddle with exposition. The pacing is perfect. Scenes unfold and Donnersmarck takes us to the next one with seemingly no transition, but enough synergy to keep a flow going throughout. Even at two hours, the engrossing plot and splendid pacing keep you riveted.

So, The Lives of Others is, as a film, well done, all around. But why did it deserve its Oscar? Why is it not only very good, but amazing? The answer is in what its message is and how said message is presented. One might expect that even though the film has been lauded on countless occasions for its poetic beauty, cynical filmgoers might only expect the tired message that communism is bad. Of course, communist states are very much police states will be bad. Donnersmarck knows that people who watch his film will know this. What we see is unlikely protagonist, Captain Wiesler, not only loyal to the party, but to its ideals and enforcer of its laws. However, a disparity between loyalty to the state, to its people, and his loyalty to his fellow, affluent party members arises. This film does not argue against communism. It argues against overbearance by a government against its people. Wiesler's values are not shaken, but his viewpoint is broadened. In the end, it isn't about a rebel or an anarchist. This story is about someone who realized that his ideals were being twisted and decided to work towards what he thought was right.

Average customer rating:

Vito and the Others (Vito e gli altri)
Starring: Nando Triola; Giovanni Bruno; Pina Leone; Mario Lenti; Antonio Jaccarino; Giuseppina Fusco; Antonio Farak
Director: Antonio Capuano
Manufacturer: Award Films International
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Western Lights: In the Wake of Christopher Columbus
The Genesis Children
Robby
Chronicle of a Boy Alone
Wild Tigers I Have Known

ASIN: B000P7V5MA
Release Date: 2007-04-15

Product Description

Haunting and hypnotic, VITO AND THE OTHERS is the groundbreaking film which drew international attention to the problem of neglected youth and street crime in poverty-stricken Naples. The film's opening moments are startling and deeply disturbing. A despairing Rosario has just murdered his wife and daughter at the dinner table on New Year's Eve. Somehow, Vito quietly convinces his father to drop the gun, spare their lives and call the police. Placed in the custody of sexually abusive relatives, Vito is left free to roam the trash-strewn backstreets of Naples where he and his friends engage in drug abuse, prostitution and petty crime. Ably acted by a large cast of nonprofessional street kids, VITO AND THE OTHERS is a heartrending portrait of innocents without a future.

Davey and Goliath, Vol. 2: Learning About Caring for Others

Average customer rating:

Davey and Goliath, Vol. 2: Learning About Caring for Others
Just as good as Volumes 1, 3, and 4
audio is very very bad
Better to buy the Holiday Spectacular !!!

Davey and Goliath, Vol. 2: Learning About Caring for Others
Starring: Davey & Goliath
Manufacturer: Starlight Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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Davey and Goliath Vol. 3 - Learning About Forgiveness
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ASIN: B000AGTPWS
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Description

"Davey and Goliath ® Volume 2: Learning About Caring For Others" is a delightful DVD collection of newly restored and enhanced episodes of the classic TV series. This second volume features the classic episodes: "The Zillion Dollar Combo", "Good Neighbor", "The Wild Goat", "Big Apple", "Ready or Not", and Kum Ba Ya". It also includes bonus features such as a trivia game and the 30-minute special, "Halloween Who-Dun-It?" Approx. 120 minutes

Customer Reviews:

Davey and Goliath, Vol. 2: Learning About Caring for Others.......2007-05-21

Enlightening and educational. Back to Basics/Family oriented. What this world needs.

Just as good as Volumes 1, 3, and 4.......2007-03-01

The audio was not as poor as that. I enjoyed it and the other 3 volumes as well. It brought back fond memories. Maybe others should judge for themselves. I will go back and review Volume 2 and if I am in error, I will make the correction to it. It brought back wonderful memories.
UPDATE: The sound quality here is good, had to turn down the volume as it was loud. Will be getting the holiday specials as well. Volume 2 deserves the 5 star rating.

audio is very very bad.......2007-02-24

see reviews for other vols 1,2,3 all these dvds audio produced badly. I would recommend checking others before vols 1,2 or 3

Better to buy the Holiday Spectacular !!!.......2005-09-02

This item is set to release 10/18/2005. But also scheduled to release in October/November, 2005 are Volumes 3,4 and the Holiday Spectacular. What isn't clear so far, is that the Holiday Spectacular IS Volumes 2, 3, and 4 in one package, according to the distributor's website: Starlight Home Entertainment. So save your money and just buy the Holiday Spectacular 3-disk set. You get 18 15-minute episodes, plus three 30-minute Holiday-themed episodes (Halloween, Christmas, New Years) for a total of 6 hours of viewing.

The Armenian Genocide. The PBS Documentary. A Film by Andrew Goldberg

Average customer rating:

A great piece of work
TRUTH HURTS, BUT HANT BE HIDDEN!!!!
Biased propaganda buy
Excellent Review of WWI Genocide to Present Turkish Government Denial
one side only

The Armenian Genocide. The PBS Documentary. A Film by Andrew Goldberg
Director: Andrew Goldberg
Manufacturer: Two Cats Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Survivors: An Oral History Of The Armenian Genocide
The Burning Tigris: The Armenian Genocide and America's Response
Darfur Diaries: Message From Home
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A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility

ASIN: B000FIFHZ0

Product Description

The Armenian Genocide is the complete story of the first Genocide of the 20th century when over a million Armenians died at the hands of the Ottoman Turks during World War I. This unprecedented and powerful one-hour documentary, which aired April 17th, 2006 on PBS, was written, directed and produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Andrew Goldberg of Two Cats Productions, in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting. Featuring interviews with the leading experts in the field such as Pulitzer Prize-winning author Samantha Power and New York Times best-selling author, Peter Balakian, this film features never-before-seen historical footage of the events and key players of one of the greatest untold stories of the 20th century. The Armenian Genocide is narrated by Julianna Margulies and includes historical narrations by Ed Harris, Natalie Portman, Laura Linney and Orlando Bloom, among others. "Powerful. The film honors the victims of the Armenian Genocide" (The New York Times) "Serious, literate and ultimately heartbreaking." [made with] "...intelligence and precision." (The New Jersey Star Ledger) "Evocative" [The Weekly Standard) "Powerful and skillfully made" (The PBS Ombudsman)

Customer Reviews:

A great piece of work.......2007-04-21

There need to be more documentaries like this to show the world the truth....how so many Armenians suffered at the hands of murderers. The Armenian Genocide is not "propaganda" and people need to stop the denial! Turkey needs to step up and admit what it has done. Goldberg has done a great job and I hope he continues to spread the truth.

TRUTH HURTS, BUT HANT BE HIDDEN!!!!.......2007-04-14

Great job Goldberg, I am very impressed. I believe the individuals who contested against your movie were turks, dont take it to heart, that was very informative... I am Italian, and I admire the Armenians with a passion. They have suffered about 2 million which is what they have estimated to claim. They are very intelligent, and humanist. Turks need to put their differences aside and recognize the past to move into the future. By the way here is a fact for you... Did you know that the day the Armenian people morn for the victims of the genocide is APRIL 24. Its funny because I visited Turkey last year and the government is so corrupt there they brainwash the turkish people and they have placed APRIL 24 as a day of celebration on their callender. They BRAINWASH the turkih people into believing it didnt exist, so they will say about anything to sa it didnt happen... The last few reviews are competely false and confabulated stories, I dont understand why turkish people make fools of themselves by saying such garbage, Goldberg is not an Armenia name people, Cmon, its as if we are taking credit away from people who take time to put things together to reveal the truth....

Biased propaganda buy .......2007-04-12

The Armenian Genocide is a biased piece of propaganda, if you want a truly impartial view of the events buy and view "The Armenian Revolt" by Martin Callaghan an independent US producer it is much more professional and impartial in it's production.

What the Armenian Genocide does not tell you is that the Armenians started revolting and murdered over 500,000 thousand Turks to begin with. Further, the statistics used in the program are bogus. Even according to Armenian Sources there were not 2 million Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire during that period. Further, at the end of World War 1 the Ottoman Empire ceased to exist and the British controlled the former Ottoman Capital of Istanbul. They conducted a witch hunt, they arrested 144 Ottoman Officials of the leadership including the then eqivulant to the prime minister and conveyed them to their island colony of Malta. After two and a half years of exhuastive inquiries they could not find any evidence whatsoever to charge any of them let alone convict. All 144 Ottoman Officials were released and allowed to return home. Further the investigator Lord Curzon (well known for his hatred of Turks) asked the US Government of the day to provide any evidence they may have had in their possession. An answer came back that the US did not have any evidence with which to use against the Ottoman leadership.

What the Armenian Diaspora could not achieve via armed conflict and legal means is now trying to achieve politically and by using propaganda like this particular documentary. There is always two sides to every story and the Armenians will not allow the Turks to put theirs forward.

[...]

Excellent Review of WWI Genocide to Present Turkish Government Denial.......2007-02-10

The one-star reviews are by Turks who might as well be Nazis denying the Jewish Holocaust or Shoah during WWII. Germany was an ally of the Ottoman Empire in WWI, and thousands of German soldiers observed these massacres of disarmed labor battalians of Armenian men, or women, and children and helpless old men walked to their death, or murdered in many horrible ways. See also "Germany and the Secret Genocide" DVD, which illustrates how the truth has disappeared. The one-star reviews are highly offensive. In Germany Jewish Genocide denial is against the law. In Turkey Armenian Genocide denial is the law, and selling this DVD in Turkey would be against Turkish law, article 301. A Turkish-Armenian newspaper editor was murdered in Istanbul in January 2007 who had been prosecuted by the Turkish government for expressing this truth about history. Everyone should see this documentary to help combat evil. "All it takes for evil to win is for good people to do nothing!"

one side only.......2007-01-20

Those who buy this DVD should be aware that the documentary takes one part only. Armenians lived with the Ottoman for more than 500 years without any problems. The problems started with the rebelian Armenians and the trader Armenians. The government forced the Armenians to leave their places. There is no way you can have more than 1 million people in the eastern city of Van in Turkey. This kind of movies are strongly supported by the Armenian lobbies.

Average customer rating:

Walking on the MOON!
Some get it... some don't...
An independent review
For all mankind.

Apollo 11: Men on the Moon
Starring: Neil ArmstrongBuzz AldrinMichael CollinsThousands of others who worked to put them there.
Director: Mark Gray
Manufacturer: Spacecraft Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Documentary | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Project Gemini: A Bold Leap Forward
Apollo 13: The Real Story
The Mighty Saturns: Saturn V
Apollo 10: The Dress Rehearsal
Project Mercury: A New Frontier

ASIN: B000HOJ3IE
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Product Description

Own a piece of history! The most complete record ever available of this historic mission. This 3-disc set - over 10 hours in all - chronicles America's "one giant leap for mankind" from launch to landing with comprehensive footage from the film and videotape records of Apollo 11, the landmark event of man's achievement in the 20th Century. Features all TV transmissions, all 16mm on-board film, multi-angle views of the launch and lunar landing, and multiple audio tracks. Bonus features include the launch vehicle build, crew suit-up, recovery, and extra TV feeds including on-board audio.

Customer Reviews:

Walking on the MOON!.......2007-06-07

Can't believe in conspiracies after watching this amazing footage.
Nope. The Apollo 11 Moon Expedition was not staged in the Yuha Desert.

Educational experience!
An insight into Apollo 11 research, preparation, development, training, the launch, the flight, moon approach & landing, Armstrong's one small step & one giant leap, the work & experiments the men did up there, the placing of the American Flag, the return voyage back to mother, etc. etc.
Do it again NASA!

Be patient, perhaps watch it in steps.

You can see non-human alien off in the distance in a couple of frames, when the guys are bouncing around up there. Amazing!

Some get it... some don't..........2007-06-04

This is a note from the producer, and despite what the last reviewer asserts, anytime we post something about one of our products we do it in the clear, so you can see the source, any other reviews posted are from other independent customers.

Spacecraft Films set out with our series to provide those who have a deep interest in U.S. space exploration with access to the primary source material, in as good a quality as we could achieve. Because of this we do not filter the product in the manner of documentaries or live media. We do this on purpose, so that you have a chance to view the primary source material the way it really happened. The material is kept in many places and is in various states of preservation. We make new transfers and go through extensive editing just to bring the material all back together in one place.

Anyone's opinion is just fine with us, but I must clarify some items mentioned below.

The "audio and video taken from totally different events" was done on purpose, they aren't "errors." The reasoning behind this is that nearly all of the filmed portions that we have provided were shot silent. Rather than leave them silent or provide an obvious commentary, we elected to use that audio space to provide you with more primary audio-only material surrounding the mission. In order to do this, and because we often provide multiple camera angles of an event, for some tracks you get footage and audio that are from separate events, increasing the amount of material we're able to present.

Two of the television transmissions are presented on disc 3, because of the size limitations of the first DVD. I suppose this might be considered "out of chronological order," but the chapter booklet clearly states that the two transmissions are "on the way" to the moon. This isn't a mistake. It was done to allow the EVA to be kept all on one disc, and is noted correctly.

As for some tracks being boring... it all depends upon your level of interest and what portions of the mission your interests focus.

The Saturn V countdown was presented uncut because of the charm it holds for many of those who remember the countdowns. We've received numerous notes from folks who consider this one of the best tracks on the disc set.

Our sets aren't for those looking for a packaged, slick version of the mission. They are for those with a deep interest in being able to examine the record of the mission as it happened, without the errors introduced by the media filter and sensationalism.

An independent review.......2007-05-30

To be blunt, this set of disks was disappointing. While it has some high points (see below), it is largely a collection of NASA-created movie segments, with no narrative, no cohesive presentation, and, to a large extent,poor editing.

There are some notable highlights, however. The Apollo 11 lunar excursion is included in its entirety (likely one of the few disks that will ever show the whole thing). The producers put work into this particular segment, providing the viewer the option of viewing the slow-scan (1 frame/sec) 16 mm movie shot from the static position of Buzz Aldrin's LEM window (in color) or the black/white video image that the world saw back in July of 1969. The lead-up to the excursion, the lunar landing, is also of considerable merit.

I recall such TV coverage; America was swept up by Apollo (at least in 1968/1969). Gas stations gave out free LEM kits that kids could build and TV news reporting was good back then and gave generous treatment.

Here are the problems with this disk set:

- In several instances, the audio and video are taken from totally different events. For example, video showing the shirt-sleeved Apollo 11 crew is accompanied by pre-launch (!) audio. Similarly, footage of the crew suiting up is accompanied by unrelated audio. These errors are awful in that they deprive the viewer of context and can only confuse those less familiar with the events. The producers could have provided 2nd audio narrative or even closed captions to provide context, but they did not. They could have provided some written guidance in the form of a booklet, but did not. One is left with the impression that significant parts of the video was hurriedly thrown together. Such segments will only confuse new viewers.

- Filmed events are not presented in chronological order of the mission (for example, preparations to move into the LEM from the CSM follow the landing footage!). As noted before, there is no voice or text narative (that could have been easily provided) to help the viewer sort out this jumble).

- Some segments are very boring...and I say this as an Apollo fan and as a research scientist who is acquainted with boring things! The worst is the endless Saturn 5 count-down video. It doesn't do justice to the mission. Helpful audio could have provided context (basic historical facts). But none was provided.

Having said that, there is one thing that this DVD set does NOT engage in, for which I am very grateful: they do not sensationalize the procedings. Several higher-budget documentaries (see on the History Channel and Discovery) play loose with the Apollo program, inserting annoying graphics, inane fast-cut edits, and misleading drama. This disk set is low key. Too low in some cases, but, thankfully, it is not frenetic.

Please note that not all reviews that may appear subsequent to mine may be independent, but may have been penned by those associated with this DVD. Beware glowing reviews!

Recommendation: If you love the Apollo-era history, this may be of significant interest to you, particularly for the historic landing and EVA footage. However, do not expect this disk set to educate those not familar with Apollo or even provide a coherent narrative of events.

For all mankind........2007-05-26

It was like watching the mission all over agian. Apart form having a interest in manned space flight and that I had grown up in the 60's, now
I can show my children the wounder of June 1969. Apollo 11's achievement of landing on the moon was the start of the lunar missions. A total of six landings where conpleted between 1969 to 1972. I hope we are going back soon as Eugene Cernan stated at the end of Apollo Seventeen "As we leave the Moon and Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came, and God willing we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. As I take these last steps from the surface for some time to come, I'd just like to record that America's challenge of today has forged man's dsetiny of tomorrow, God speed to the crew of Apollo Seventeen." .

Average customer rating:

Conceptions and preconceptions, and the role they play in everyday life...
"You should live in Disneyland."
for ADULTS only!
Life Imitates Art Imitates Life
Good Taste

The Taste of Others
Starring: Anne Alvaro , Céline Arnaud , Jean-Pierre Bacri , Robert Bacri , and Marie Agnès Brigot
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005UQA2
Release Date: 2002-02-26

Amazon.com

"Funny, I never thought it would work. He's so different from me." Agnès Jaoui, scripting with her longtime writing and performing partner, Jean-Pierre Bacri, makes a deft directorial debut with this delightful romantic journey of missed opportunities and second chances. Bacri is poignant and piercing as a gauche petit-bourgeois businessman who discovers a world of art and magic missing from his empty, self-contained existence after he watches an emotionally devastating theater performance. Equal parts buffoon and born-again romantic, he fumbles through a new world and emerges as the soul of this story. Jaoui brings a light touch and a fresh perspective to familiar situations. Behind the comic characters and wry wit is a sympathy for her lonely souls and a celebration of the painful joy of their rediscovery of the possibilities of life. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Fun, sexy, and richly rewarding, THE TASTE OF OTHERS earned an Academy Award(R) nomination as Best Foreign Language Film (2000). The lives and loves of several completely opposite men and women artfully intersect in what becomes a delightfully funny web of romantic entanglements! While negotiating differences in wealth and status, style and taste, this vivid collection of characters mix and match in outrageously volatile combinations! Internationally acclaimed for its sexy comic sophistication -- expect the unexpected from this uncommonly entertaining motion picture!

Customer Reviews:

Conceptions and preconceptions, and the role they play in everyday life..........2005-12-12

"The taste of others" is basically a story about conceptions and preconceptions, and the role they play in everyday life. The taste of the characters, when confronted with the taste of others, sometimes seems merely a pretext to judge and exclude them...

The plot is relatively simple: a prosperous industrialist, Castella (Jean-Pierre Bacri), needs to learn English, something that he really doesn't want to do. A subordinate arranges him a meeting with Clara (Anne Alvaro), an English professor that doesn't strike Castella as overly good due to the fact that she doesn't have a specific method to teach English. However, things change when he is dragged to the theatre by his wife and witnesses Clara playing the main role in "Berenice", a drama by Racine. By a strange twist of fate, Castella falls in love with Clara, and decide to take up English classes as a way to be near her. But will that be enough, when Castella is married, and Clara is so different from him?

Besides Castella, his eccentric wife Angelique (Christiane Millet) and Clara, this film includes other stories that relate to the main one but have their own dynamic. Castella's chauffeur, Bruno Deschamps (Alain Chabat), has a girlfriend that is living in another country, and about whom he talks a lot with Franck Moreno (Gerard Lanvin), Castella's bodyguard. The two men are vastly different, but both end up having an affair of sorts with Manie, (played by Agnes Jaoui, who is also the director), a bartender that happens to sell hashish.

All these characters relate to each other, and share their ideas and problems with the spectator, that cannot help but reflect on the same issues discussed in the film, even without noticing he is doing exactly that. I don't know for sure, but I think that might have been the purpose of the director, and that the stories are only the tapestry on which Jaoui weaves the ideas she wants to express.

All in all, I think that this movie is many things, but never boring. In my opinion, "The taste of others" is a very good French film that could have been excellent, if only the ending had managed to wrap up the concepts discussed throughout the movie a little better. All the same, I highly recommend it, and would see it again without hesitation :)

Belen Alcat

"You should live in Disneyland.".......2005-09-23

Is it advisable--or even possible to form a relationship with someone who does not share the same tastes or interests? This question is at the heart of the subtle French comedy from director Agnes Jaoui. In "The Taste of Others" affluent French businessman Castella (Jean-Pierre Bacri--the film's co-writer and Jaoui's real-life husband) decides to take English lessons, and so teacher Clara (Anne Alvaro) turns up at his office. Castella and Clara don't exactly hit it off, and it's clear that he expects some sort of express way of learning English. Castella abruptly tells Clara he'll get back to her about the language lessons, and that, apparently, is the end of their relationship.

Castella's wife, Angelique (Christiane Millet) drags him off to the theatre. This is a place Castella obviously doesn't want to be. He sits glumly in his seat, rolls his eyes, and looks utterly fed-up, but then he notices Clara playing the lead role. Castella is captivated by Clara's performance, and this visit to the theatre becomes a transforming event in Castella's life. He begins attending the theatre, hanging out at gallery openings, and joining the theatre crowd after performances.

Castella is the ultimate philistine industrialist who doesn't know the first thing about theatre. He lives in a huge mansion furnished by his 'decorator' wife, and his life is geared towards making money--not enriching his mind. Apart from possessing appalling taste (which includes surrounding herself with endless floral patterns, frills and flounces), Angelique is an inoffensive woman--a little out of touch with reality, but devoted to her dog. Castella compares living in his frill-dominated house to living in a "candy dish", and when he buys a painting at an art gallery, Angelique objects because it "doesn't go." Is Castella's pursuit of culture really just a pursuit of Clara, or have art and culture given new meaning to his life?

While Clara becomes annoyed with Castella's attentions, the film's subplot also follows the relationship between Castella's bodyguard, Moreno (Gerard Lanvin) and barmaid, Manie (director/writer Agnes Jaoui). Moreno must accept Manie's unconventional lifestyle if he wants their relationship to last. Castella's pursuit of Clara becomes a voyage of self-discovery, but there is a great deal about Manie that Moreno finds irksome. Any new relationship can potentially push the participants into unchartered territory, but at what point do "The Taste of Others" stop being different and become unacceptable? This delightful French film is a gentle social comedy--light on the romance--and pleasantly introspective--displacedhuman

for ADULTS only!.......2005-02-04

No, this film isn't remotely pornographic, not even a single delectable bare breast the whole two hours...can you believe that it's really a FRENCH relationship drama???

Well, aside from the lack of pleasantly gratuitous nudity that normally adorns most French films...YES. Here's why:

1. It's about 90% character-driven. There is something of a plot, but it exists mainly to give the characters something to do while unfolding to us who they really are...and refreshingly, there is zero judgement on the part of the film of any of the main characters. They simply are what they are.

2. There are no simplistic "good" vs. "bad" guys. Instead this film is populated with (gasp!) very believable and human characters who are just familiar enough to elicit the smiling "aha, they remind me of so-and-so!" mental balloon from the viewer, yet free of glib stereotyping so as not to bore us or insult our intelligence. (Read: the French film industry doesn't rely on focus groups to dumb down its movies for the lowest common denominator like Hollywood does.)

3. Sex is treated just as...well, sex. No stupid puritannical or moralistic hangups, no hypocritical voyeurism, no infantile romantic fairy tales. It's just something men and women do, whether for love or simple random pleasure, and whether it's two men or a men and a woman is completely irrelevant. OH MY GOD...this film is just sooooooooooo RADICAL!!!

Aside from those three simply earth-shakingly audacious qualities, this film just has a wonderfully mature, elegantly restrained manner which is almost unheard of these days. Yes the pacing is leisurely (like most French movies) are but never drags (unlike many), because the characters prove to be so deeply human and real not formulaic, so we can't help caring about what happens to them next.

I was especially stunned to find out that the actress who plays Manie, a sexy but subtlely (and irresistibly) spunky, solidly independent young woman who tends bar and deals hashish, is also the film's (first-time) DIRECTOR. Holy Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed and Elvis, I wanna move to Paris!

Life Imitates Art Imitates Life.......2004-05-15

THE TASTE OF OTHERS may not be for the taste of everyone, but for those who delight in the oh-so-French form of character examination, then this is a film for you. From the very beginning of the movie we feel as if we just dropped in on some French people who are having varying discussions that seem extemporaneous, loose and unrelated: nouveau riche businessman Castella (Jean-Pierre Bacri) discusses mundane notions with his clueless 'decorator' wife Beatrice (Brigitte Catillon); Castella's worldly bodyguard Bruno (Alain Chabat) passes the time with his rather boring buddy Franck (Gerard Lanvin); middle aged actress and English teacher Clara (Anne Alvaro) pines away at how her life in the arts is aimless; bartender Manie (director Agnes Jaoui) ponders why men are so fickle as lovers...you get the picture. But the beauty of this film is how the story interweaves these various isolated 21st Century people's lives and in doing so makes many valid comments on the importance of the arts in our lives, the power of 'opposites attract', the need for meaningful relationships to keep us on course, and the varied ways we all view our surroundings, our lives, depending on our individual vantages. Here is a film with wonderful acting, smart ideas well played out, and a musical score that is so varied and good that it is well worth a CD! But again, The Taste of Others will find its own audience depending on others tastes. In French with English subtitles.

Good Taste.......2003-04-13

This is one of my favorite 2002 movies (that's when it arrived in my town). Here is a movie that will surprise you, slowly subvert your expectations and (is it possible?) make you feel good. Ostensibly a movie about relationships, billed as a romantic comedy, it's really a meditation on a collision between the world of art and the world of the bourgeois. Can a businessman be moved to his soul by a moment of art? Can an artist who is sensitive and open to the world also be blind? Lot's of good acting, interesting characters, and a nice slice of contemporary French life. In French with subtitles but the DVD would have an English track.

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The Lives of Others [Blu-ray]
Starring: Sebastian Koch
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

The Terminator (Special Edition)

ASIN: B000P46QTA
Release Date: 2007-08-21

Average customer rating:

A Good Documentary on Martial Arts
Great for any Martial Artist
Empty Mind?
The Empty Mind
The Empty Mind!!!

The Empty Mind
Starring: Ueshiba; Tanaka; Kanazawa; Kagawa; Okazaka; Kyudo; Monk De Yang; Zhao Ping; Zhang Shengli; and others
Director: Jon Braeley
Manufacturer: Budo Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Budo: The Art of Killing
The Zen Mind
Budo Masters - d
The Martial Arts
The Warrior Within

ASIN: B0002KZYHM
Release Date: 2004-07-08

Product Description

Two years in the making - a small dedicated film crew, all black belt martial artists themselves, travelled throughout Japan and China to film todays great masters of the martial arts. We are invited into never before seen training halsl and dojos to film unrestricted while the master teaches his students. In-depth interviews reveal the mind-set of a master who has spent over 50 years perfecting his art. This is not the mind that we know in the West - in the East it The Empty Mind or No Mind. Includes Shaolin KungFu, Beijing WuShu, Wudang TaiChi, Shotokan Karate, Aikido, Kyudo and Kendo... and more!! The Empty MInd won best documntary film at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival 2004, just before its release on DVD.

Customer Reviews:

A Good Documentary on Martial Arts.......2007-05-14

From a production and visual standpoint "The Empty Mind" is definitely a 5, but from the standpoint of a deep discussion about Mushin (No Mind) it is lacking. The film is marketed with a focus on Mushin...however the subject is only briefly touched on. Those expecting an in depth discussion of the spiritual aspects of martial arts may be dissapointed in the film.

However, if as a lay person you are interested in a well produced, visually impressive film that depicts martial arts in a realistic and beautiful fashion, "The Empty Mind" is a great film.

I give the film a 2-3 for its treament of Mushin, but a 5 for its production value and good basic knowledge of martial arts.

Great for any Martial Artist.......2007-05-12

This is a great film with insight and no insight. It's The Empty Mind.
Masters thoughts and views are priceless.

Empty Mind?.......2007-04-01

The key thing about this documentary is that it only revolves around the analysis of the "empty mind" as opposed to analysis of the martial art itself. If one should choose to buy this product, be forewarned that it provides little to no description of how to practice any of the martial arts.

Also, note that if one does not practice martial arts, it would relatively difficult to comprehend at the level that they are expecting you to. Although this review was not meant to attack non-practicioners, it is most definetely NOT a starting point for beginners.

Besides that, the DVD includes a great deal of unique footage that is worthy of watching. If you have any interest in the mindset of the martial artist, this is definetely the DVD for you. If you're looking for a DVD that teaches, this is not for you.

Quality is top notch. Scenery, footage, all filmed on the spot with no interference from the producers. No stage was set up (apparently) during the filming. Everything that you see in this DVD is exactly what you would see if you walked into a martial arts practice environment.

Overall - Highly Reccomended for anyone interested in the philosophical aspect of martial arts.

The Empty Mind.......2007-01-17

As an entry level movie for those beginning to look at Empty Mindedness, this movie is good. It captures some key points of what Empty Mindedness is about in Martial Arts, but some of the Martial Demonstrations are disappointing. The majority of the demonstrations of Shaolin were the usual scenes which one will find in most documentaries about shaolin with nothing truly standing out. The fighting was choreographed in a modern wushu style but it was to the point where one could tell that it was choreographed and the preformers were boxed in by a rigid routine. The Qi gong conditioning with the spears is always impressive but again it was nothing new. Also the Kendo conpetition was nothing more than people yelling and beating each other quickly with sticks. Not much technique could be gathered from the preformance but there was plenty of yelling and hesitant blows. What used to be tactical, and focused fights, mocking what was once a life or death match of steel swords.

The demonstrations of the Karate impressed me because of the knowledge and skill of those preforming the technique and this p art of the film is worth watching a few times. Also the Aikido was well preformed although there was not enough to show its application in an actual situation like many of the other arts. The scenes from Wu Dang mountain were impressive in some ways but not in others. The flexibility of the practitioners were impressive some of the other skills like the forms. However,the sparring again seemed to choreographed although done better than the sparring from shaolin, it was not free.

The most impressive scenes in the movie came in the form of the Qi Gong ( all of it in any section) and the masters practicing unchoreographed in the park in Bejing. These masters/practictioners truly followed the mushin or no mindedness technique of immediate reaction to any situation. The movements as displayed were choreographed in the forms but not in application. Also, it is as if they have practiced the forms to the point where they have become part of the practitioner and not a choreographed series of steps. They have gotten to the point of no form.

The Empty Mind!!!.......2005-09-27

Great Inspirational DVD! Being a mix- martial arts and yoga instructor for thirty years encourages me to keep plugging away. I especially loved the Aikido segment and the diciplines of the Shaolin monks!!!

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