Annie (Widescreen Edition)

Starring:Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Ann Reinking, Tim Curry, Bernadette Peters, Aileen Quinn, Geoffrey Holder, Roger Minami, Toni Ann Gisondi, Rosanne Sorrentino, Lara Berk, April Lerman, Robin Ignico, Lucie Stewart, Edward Herrmann, Lois De Banzie, Peter Marshall, Loni Ackerman, Murphy Cross, Nancy Sinclair
Director: John Huston
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com Essential DVD

There is greatness in film that can be discussed, dissected, and talked about late into the night. Then there is genius that is right in front of our faces--we smile at the spell it puts us into and are refreshed, and nary a word needs to be spoken. This kind of entertainment is what they used to call "movie magic," and there is loads of it in this irresistible computer animation feature. Just a picture of these bright toys reawaken the kid in us. Filmmaker John Lasseter thinks of himself as a storyteller first and an animator second, much like another film innovator, Walt Disney.

The 10th anniversary edition of the landmark film repackages most of the extras found in the original Ultimate Toy Box set plus a few more. Two keen retrospectives are new, one with an assortment of talents including Roy Disney and Peter Jackson chiming in on the film's impact. The other is a roundtable with Lasseter and three of the creators simply talking about the experiences without--thankfully--any cutaways to noisy film clips. There's a load of other extras since the Ultimate Toy Box was one of the first and best DVD sets. Missing (besides the second film, which will be released separately) is the effects- and music-only tracks. Added is a whopping DTS soundtrack along with a remixed Dolby 5.1 track. The DVD has a higher transfer bit rate for a better picture, but only high-end enthusiasts will notice it. Since the film is a digital-to-digital transfer, both versions are eye-popping. A must-have set unless you have the Ultimate Toy Box.

Lasseter's story is universal and magical: what do toys do when they're not played with? Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Andy's favorite bedroom toy, tries to calm the other toys (some original, some classic) during a wrenching time of year--the birthday party, when newer toys may replace them. Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is the new toy that takes over the throne. Buzz has a crucial flaw, though--he believes he's the real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy. Lasseter further scores with perfect voice casting, including Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Wallace Shawn as a meek dinosaur. The director-animator won a special Oscar for "the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." In other words, the movie is great. --Doug Thomas

The Pixar Feature Films

Toy Story, 1995
A Bug's Life, 1998
Toy Story 2, 1999

Monsters, Inc., 2001
Finding Nemo, 2003
The Incredibles, 2004

Description

Experience a hilarious fantasy about the lives toys lead when they're left alone. Woody (Tom Hanks), an old-fashioned cowboy doll, is Andy's favorite. But when Andy gets Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) for his birthday, the flashy new space hero takes Andy's room by storm! Their rivalry leaves them lost with a toy's worst nightmare -- Sid, the toy-torturing boy next door. Woody and Buzz must work together to escape, realizing along the way that they've got a friend ... in each other! Now, in a magnificent special edition, TOY STORY shines even brighter. With an all-new enhanced picture and a spectacular home theater mix as well as exclusive bonus features, including deleted scenes and a retrospective special with director John Lasseter, this modern classic is one you'll enjoy to infinity and beyond.

Customer Reviews:

Pixar's First and Best To Date!.......2007-06-26

TOY STORY is one of those classic movies that should be around for generations. Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear and Cowboy Woody are two of the most lovable and fully developed animated characters ever created. The movie is hilarious throughout though there are also many poignant moments (like Buzz's "I Will Go Sailing No More" song). Many talented actors contributed their voices most notably Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Jim Varney, John Ratzenberger and Don Rickles and the movie includes three memorable songs - "You Got a Friend", "Sailing No More" and Strange Things. And like all good stories it has some important themes including the meaning and value of friendship. Nothing scary for the little ones except perhaps some brief scenes of mutated toys and Syd's threatened violence toward Woody. This is a clever movie with heart that everyone should see.

Toy Story.......2007-06-12

A boy named Andy had a cowboy doll named Woody . Andy loved and had a good time with Woody ,until Andy's birthday . Andy's mom decided they were going to move . Andy got many toys even a Buzz Lightyear action figure for his birthday and everything changed . Andy stopped playing with Woody, and all of the posters , wallpaper, and many other things changed too. Everything changed into Buzz Lightyear.
Woody got angry , so he pulled a trick on Buzz . Buzz had to dodge a globe and flying thumbtacks and he had to jump out of the window. All of Andy's other toys blamed Woody. They said he pushed Buzz out of the window.
Andy's mother took Andy, his little sister, and Woody to Pizza Planet. Woody found Buzz in the car. Buzz was very mad, too. They stopped at the gas station. Wood and Buzz tustled out of the car and began to fight. Andy's car drove away and left them there, luckily they hopped into the Pizza Planet truck. They were driven to Pizza Planet where they find Andy, but Buzz has a different idea. Buzz and Woody hop into a crane game. Six, the crazy neighbor wins an alien, Woody, and Buzz in the crane machine and takes them home.
Six gets a big firework in the mail and attaches the rocket to Buzz. Woody and Sid's broken toys help Buzz out. They miss Andy's car but they get into the moving truck. Sid's dog, Scud, takes Buzz away but Woody takes Andy's remote control car and finds Buzz.. They race for the moving truck but the race car runs out of battery, so Buzz lights the firework and Woody and Buzz go flying in the air and land right into Andy's car. Andy finds them and they all live in a new home together as friends.
I love this movie. This has been my favorite movie since I was little. I think it is a very good movie for all ages to enjoy. I love all the adventures of Woody and Buzz.
I recommend this movie for people of all ages and people who love thrilling adventures.

One of my favorite movies.......2007-06-04

and I got it half price on here. What a deal! I actually bought it to watch with my kids, and they love it as much as I do. If you don't have a copy, you're missing out.

All Time Favorite!.......2007-05-16

I first saw this movie at the theatre while I was in college. I never DREAMED I would be watching it with my kids, and it would still be a favorite 12+ years later! This movie is destined to be on the all time classic list. The lessons learned in this movie are great for kids of all ages, while still being enjoyable for adults to watch. My kids can quote whole blocks of dialogue from the movie, love to re-enact scenes, and still ask for toys from this movie. We first had it on VHS, and had to replace it because we literally wore out the tape. Now you would think that we must watch a lot of TV in our house, but we don't!! We have a movie night once a week as a family, and this is one they would watch almost every time if I let them. It's a great movie for the whole family.

One of the best Disney's movies ever!.......2007-03-14

The 3D animation is awesome, in fact it was the first movie using this technology so it made history because of that. The story is very funny but also teaches a lot of good values to kids and adults, like loyalty work team and friendship. the bonus and dvd box is great too.

Average customer rating:

Maybe a good story
Great, uplifting movie
Great movie
Not a motorcycle movie
Worlds Fastest Indian

The World's Fastest Indian
Starring: Anthony Hopkins , Iain Rea , Tessa Mitchell , Aaron Murphy (II) , and Tim Shadbolt
Director: Roger Donaldson
Manufacturer: Magnolia
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000F8DBDK
Release Date: 2006-06-13

Amazon.com

A movie that exudes affection and goodwill, The World's Fastest Indian is an unabashed mash note to a lovely character from New Zealand's recent past. Burt Munro, played by Anthony Hopkins, is a cantankerous Kiwi with an obsession: he's been tinkering with his 1920s-era Indian brand motorcycle for years, pushing it to ever-faster speeds. It's the 1960s, and Burt has the utterly mad idea of taking the bike to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, site of world records for speed racing. The movie takes a while to get to the journey--and then the journey takes a while--but the genial atmosphere prevails. (People of a certain age, for whom the word "Bonneville" evokes pleasant associations with hotrods and world-speed records, will not be disappointed in the film's location shooting, or its sense of awe.) Hopkins is not quite on-the-money casting for the jovial, happy-go-lucky Munro, and his accent wavers, but he nails the emotional scenes and the fascination with speed. Smaller bits are well-filled by Diane Ladd and Christopher Lawford (son of Peter), who looks uncannily of the era. New Zealand director Roger Donaldson doesn't take any chances here, but the story clearly means something to him, and that sense of commitment carries the film through its sleepier moments. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Maybe a good story.......2007-06-28

But, I'll never know. I quit watching it after all the immoral inuendos. I can't see what is redeeming in this movie except trying to make what is probably a good story and fill it with such questionable and flippant behavior. Way to ruin what is probably a good story.

Great, uplifting movie.......2007-06-12

This is a thoroughly enjoyable movie. Anthony Hopkins is terrific. I highly recommend this film.

Great movie.......2007-06-12

Totally reminded me of my father-in-law. Great gift for all eccentric inventors or speed enthusiasts! Anthony Hopkins is extremely colorful and entertaining in this film.

Not a motorcycle movie.......2007-06-11

I'm an avid rider, but when I saw that Anthony Hopkins had the part of Burt Munro, it was clear this would not be just another motorcycle movie. It's an inspiring journey of faith, hope, courage, talent and perseverance. The motorcycle is only part of the story, albeit a prominent part. This wonderful epic of a wonderful man is filled with inspiration, joy and humor, and will find a place on my list of all-time favorites.

Worlds Fastest Indian.......2007-06-11

Great movie! This was another fantastic job by Anthony Hopkins. Great Family movie!

Average customer rating:

My son LOVES these movies!
Toy Story 2
Wonderful--- entertaining
My Little Boy loves this movie
Playtime Fun

Toy Story 2 (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Tim Allen , Jodi Benson , Joan Cusack , R. Lee Ermey , and Kelsey Grammer
Director: John Lasseter , and Ash Brannon
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000B8QG0O
Release Date: 2005-12-26

Description

A Golden Globe Award winner for Best Picture, TOY STORY 2 has become a favorite all across the world, garnering praise from fans and critics everywhere. It's "an instant classic," raves New York Magazine. Now, in a 2-disc collector's edition with a sparkling theater mix, this groundbreaking animated adventure is even better! While Andy is away at summer camp, Woody is toynapped by Al, a greedy collector who needs Andy's favorite toy to complete his Roundup Gang collection. Together with Jessie, Bullseye, and the Prospector, Woody is on his way to a museum where he'll spend the rest of his life behind glass. It's up to Buzz, Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Rex, and Slinky Dog to rescue their friend and remind him what being a toy is all about. Bursting with exclusive bonus features, including deleted scenes, outtakes, a new game, and much more, this hilarious comedy classic raises the bar on family entertainment to infinity and beyond. TOY STORY 2 © Disney/Pixar Original Toy Story Elements © Disney

Customer Reviews:

My son LOVES these movies!.......2007-05-18

My three year old son loves the toy story movies! I was nervous about purchasing Toy Story 2 because he was so obsessed with the first, but he loves the second just as much! Definitely worth buying!!

Toy Story 2.......2007-05-15

Great DVD! My 7-year-old grandsons and I loved it! A "must-have" for anyone who owns Toy Story 1.

Wonderful--- entertaining .......2007-03-18

I bought this movie for my 2 1/2 year old grandson. He loves it. He gets so excited when I put this on he makes believe he's Buzz Lightyear flying through the air. It's so funny I had to tape him watching the movie. I highly recommend Toy Story. It's a very enjoyable movie for adults too.

My Little Boy loves this movie.......2007-03-15

"Cowboy" movie is what we watch often at our house.
one of the best sequels ever made!

Playtime Fun.......2007-03-11

`Toy Story 2' is a more fluid and intricate sequel than the original. Containing more sight gags and a myriad of peril, the toys come back to life for a new adventure. This time Woody (Tom Hanks) is unraveling, literally at the shoulder socket and not just highstrung. In danger of being sold or taken for granted by his boy owner, Andy, Woody, nevertheless, has the selflessness to pull a toy penguin out of the yard sale bin. In the meantime, a greedy toy collector steals him after the mother refuses to make a deal. As you might expect, the other toys sojourn out to rescue him. What makes it all fun is an attempt to find him at a local toy store, and a journey to the toy collector's high rise. Finding new toys like "Stinky Pete, the Prospector" (Kelsey Grammar) and a Cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack) add to the colorful fun. Witty and freewheeling, 'Toy Story 2' springs to life. Fun from start to finish, 'Toy Story' only begs one question: Toys coming to life. Why didn't somebody think of it before?

The Third Man - Criterion Collection (2-Disc Edition)

Average customer rating:

The second coming of The Third Man
The Third Man
The Third Man
The Third Man
WOW! talk about Must-have!!

The Third Man - Criterion Collection (2-Disc Edition)
Starring: Nelly Arno , Leo Bieber , Hedwig Bleibtreu , Martin Boddey , and Siegfried Breuer
Director: Carol Reed
Manufacturer: Criterion Collection
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000NOK0GM
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Amazon.com essential video

There have been few better movies in the history of the planet than The Third Man, and fewer still as brilliantly directed from second to second. Orson Welles played the title role, and his legend has tended to engulf the film. But it was directed by Carol Reed and written--except for a Wellesian riff on the Borgias--by Graham Greene, and the credit for this masterpiece is properly theirs. Theirs and Joseph Cotten's; for awesome as Welles is, his Citizen Kane second banana is onscreen about six times as much, and Cotten uses every minute to create one of the most distinctive--if also forlorn--of modern heroes.

You know the story. Holly Martins (Cotten), a writer of pulp Westerns and one of life's congenital third-raters, arrives in post-WWII Vienna only to learn that his old pal Harry Lime, the guy who sent him his plane ticket, is being buried. Everybody, from a cynical British cop named Calloway (Trevor Howard) to Harry's Continental knockout of a girlfriend (Alida Valli) and his sundry absurd/Euro-sinister business associates, feels that Holly should get on another plane and go home. He doesn't. Things come to light. Other deaths follow. The world lies in utter ruin.

The Third Man completed a sublime hat trick--an international critical and popular smash following upon the success of Reed's Odd Man Out ('47) and The Fallen Idol ('48). Although other filmmakers had begun to use war-ravaged Europe as a great movie set, The Third Man is so vivid in its canny mix of gray semidocumentary and insanely angular, Expressionist/Surrealist chiaroscuro that it seems to have imagined not only the postwar thriller but also postwar Europe itself singlehandedly.

What great movie moments: The throwaway details like a mourner who forgets to drop his wreath on a newly dug grave. The sly editing whereby thick-headed Sergeant Paine (Bernard Lee, once and future "M" to 007) goes on leafing through a magazine, knowing just the moment he must rise and subdue the nervy Yank who would take a punch at his boss. The way Anton Karas's legendary zither score seems to jangle in the very guy-lines of a bridge where, far below Robert Krasker's Oscar-winning camera, the Third Man calls a war council. The shadow of a dead man towering, big as Europe, over the nighttime streets of Vienna. --Richard T. Jameson

Studio description

Cynical pulp novelist Holly Martins arrives in shadowy Vienna to investigate the mysterious death of his old friend, black-market opportunist Harry Lime, and thus begins an ever-thickening web of love, deception, and murder that adds up to one of cinema's most immortal treats, as well as one of its trickiest. Thanks to brilliant performances by Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, and Orson Welles; Anton Karas's timeless, evocative zither score; Graham Greene's razor-sharp dialogue; and Robert Krasker's haunting deep focus shots, off-kilter angles, and dramatic use of light and shadow, The Third Man, directed by the inimitable Carol Reed, only grows in stature as the years pass.

Customer Reviews:

The second coming of The Third Man.......2007-06-30

The folks at Criterion never give up short of perfection. They've been reissuing some of their own material lately in newer, better versions, and while I *won't* get another Brazil just because they neglected anamorphic the first time (and I have an up-converting player/TV combo that helps somewhat anyway) I will gladly shell out more cash for improved prints of Seven Samurai, M and now this, The Third Man.

But this is more than just a new transfer. Here you get a second disc of wonderful features. Well, one of the features could have been wonderful: it's a 90-minute documentary made a couple years ago that played at Cannes in 2006. While the information is fascinating, and will shed much light on this noir, the filmmaker's style is pretentious, and distracts from the content.

Other extras are the original U.S. trailer (grossly inappropriate for this movie, but probably closer to the type of film Selznick wanted to make), vintage footage of Vienna and Zitherist Anton Karas, and a photo album of the production--all also included in the prior Criterion release. There's also a mini-doc on the film--much more straightforward and to me more interesting--with all still photos. Even though it's all stills I found this short 10 minute presentation very riveting. Then there's a featurette that shows many of the scenes of German-speaking players with their lines translated (they were deliberately left untranslated in the film so that the audience would feel as confused as Holly), a UK vs. US comparison of the openings, several of the radio shows that used the Harry Lime character, and a profile of writer Graham Greene from a 1968 British television program. Oh, and did I mention there are two commentaries, one from filmmaker Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Tony Gilroy and one from film distorian Dana Polan. Oh, and there's a very stylish 26-page booklet insert. And you know what? There's probably other stuff I've forgotten. These discs are cram-packed.

In short, this is a whole college-level course on The Third Man in a little box. It'll keep you watching for weeks.

In case Amazon ever deletes the first Criterion edition of this DVD from their site, here's a cut-and-paste of my original review of the film itself:

###
Reportedly Orson Welles replied to people who asked if he'd "really" directed The Third Man that Carol Reed didn't need his suggestions. Yet this feels very much like Welles in many ways. First of all there's the subject matter--like Citizen Kane, this film deals with money and power, shattered idealism, and an elusive figure everyone knows *of* yet few people know. Like Kane, the cinematography is striking (though in a different way) and an integral part of the plot. Like Kane, the music is memorable and tells much of the story, yet again in a different way. Like Kane, the film was greeted coldly by many critics on its initial release and had to be shelved for many years before people realized it was a masterpiece. And last but not least, like Kane, it stars the great Joseph Cotten.

The Third Man benefits enormously from being shot in post-war Vienna (in record time by using three crews simultaneously). You can taste the atmosphere. The locations are a "star" as much as any of the human players. Selznick wanted Reed to film on Hollywood back lots, and he wanted Jimmy Stewart to star. He objected to the zither music. He objected to the canted shots. (William Wyler reportedly gave Reed a level to put on his camera after seeing The Third Man!) Most of all, Selznick wanted a happy ending, where Holly gets the girl. But without Reed's vision, the film would have been a typical glossy Hollywood film now seen at 2 am on local UHF channels if at all.

Reed gave Welles one of the great entrances in screen history. Welles gave Reed a hard time by refusing to work in a sewer and returning to England, forcing Reed to build a sewer set there just for Welles' part. Welles says he only wrote the "Cuckcoo clock speech," but leave it to Orson to give us the most memorable dialogue in a movie filled with memorable dialogue.

Then there is the issue of The Woman. Often she will make or break a film like this, and here Alida Valli (or "Valli" as she preferred to be billed in the film...maybe it's an Italian thing that started long before Madonna) is the perfect choice, brooding and un-glamorous and yet all the more alluring because she's un-glamorous. It's easy to see how impressionable Holly would fall for her. It's harder to see why she would still defend Harry, but love is not always logical. Or is this just selfishness? There doesn't seem to be room for love in Reed and Greene's postwar Vienna...

Criterion has done a loving restoration of The Third Man. While not up to the standard of the Citizen Kane DVD (which is not done by Criterion, incidentally) it is superb considering how poorly prints of this film have been handled over the years. Criterion performed many computer-repairs of tears and splices that make once-damaged scenes play perfectly. The gray scale is finally restored! (So many prints of this film are stark and grainy black and white and nearly unwatchable.) There are some extras, such as footage of Anton Karas performing on his unique instrument, documentary footage of the real Vienna sewers, the original trailer, the re-release trailer*, the alternate American opening, and fascinating production photos and commentary. Once again Criterion hits a home run.
###

Make that a grand slam.

*Not included in this version.

The Third Man.......2007-06-29

Fantastic movie, every time I watch it I see something new. Great cinematography, acting is superlative and story is gripping

The Third Man.......2007-06-27

The DVD case was smashed-in like it had been stacked under some weight. Contacted Amazon and they sent me a replacement.

The Third Man.......2007-06-25

One of the all-time great mysteries, the excellence of this production is reflected in the talents of its key contributors: old Mercury Theatre colleagues Welles and Cotten, screenwriter Graham Greene, producers Alexander Korda and David O. Selznick, and director Carol Reed. Together, they create a haunting, intricate thriller, with corrupted souls inhabiting decimated Vienna like so many vultures. "Man" also features one of the best music scores in all film, with Anton Karas's original zither score adding to the ominous proceedings. Stunningly shot on location, this is a must-see.

WOW! talk about Must-have!!.......2007-06-18

I was reading Criminal,the Marvel comic series
by Ed Brubaker, who also wrote the Sleeper for DC/Wildstorm
(my all time favorite)...

and in the back of the issue, he talked about this movie.
being a big fan I had to see what it was about...

AND I'M SO GLAD I DID!!

its PERFECTION

Average customer rating:

A horribly boring movie
Is it a history lesson? Perhaps not. An enjoyable film...definitely!
An Action Packed Adventure
National Treasure
An Amusement Park Ride

National Treasure (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Nicolas Cage , Diane Kruger , Justin Bartha , Sean Bean , and Jon Voight
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Mr. & Mrs. Smith - Unrated (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B00005JN5E
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Amazon.com

Like a Hardy Boys mystery on steroids, National Treasure offers popcorn thrills and enough boyish charm to overcome its rampant silliness. Although it was roundly criticized as a poor man's rip-off of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Da Vinci Code, it's entertaining on its own ludicrous terms, and Nicolas Cage proves once again that one actor's infectious enthusiasm can compensate for a multitude of movie sins. The contrived plot involves Cage's present-day quest for the ancient treasure of the Knights Templar, kept secret through the ages by Freemasons past and present. Finding the treasure requires the theft of the Declaration of Independence (there are crucial treasure clues on the back, of course!), so you can add "caper comedy" to this Jerry Bruckheimer production's multi-genre appeal. Nobody will ever accuse director Jon Turtletaub of artistic ambition, but you've got to admit he serves up an enjoyable dose of PG-rated entertainment, full of musty clues, skeletons, deep tunnels, and harmless adventure in the old-school tradition. It's a load of hokum, but it's fun hokum, and that makes all the difference. --Jeff Shannon

Description

From Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, and Jon Turteltaub, director of PHENOMENON, comes NATIONAL TREASURE. It's the thrilling, edge-of-your-seat adventure starring Academy Award® winner Nicolas Cage (1995 Best Actor, LEAVING LAS VEGAS) as Benjamin Franklin Gates. Ever since he was a boy, Gates has been obsessed with finding the legendary Knights Templar Treasure, the greatest fortune known to man. As Gates tries to find and decipher ancient riddles that will lead him to it, he's dogged by a ruthless enemy (Sean Bean, THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy) who wants the riches for himself. Now in a race against time, Gates must steal one of America's most sacred and guarded documents -- the Declaration of Independence -- or let it, and a key clue to the mystery, fall into dangerous hands. Heart-pounding chases, close calls, and the FBI turn Gates's quest into a high-stakes crime caper and the most exciting treasure hunt you've ever experienced.

Customer Reviews:

A horribly boring movie.......2007-06-30

"National Treasure" is a horrible movie. I knew within the first 60 seconds of watching that it was hokey and cliche, but I was willing to sit through it if it was at least entertaining. It wasn't. The one redeeming quality the movie could have had was the clues to the treasure. Give the audience something to guess at. But the clues turned out to be so obscure and hidden in meaning that they might as well been written in a foreign language.

There are alot of good reviews for this movie for some reason. But when you watch "National Treasure", as I know you will, remember my words. You will at first feel disgusted by the awful acting, then betrayed by the cliche action scenes that you have seen a hundred times before. A strange sensation will creep through your body, like you are slowly dying. But don't worry, this is only extreme boredom. You'll hope that the movie will redeem itself and begin to be entertaining, but it won't. After what seems like an enternity, 2 hours and 11 minutes will roll by, and then you can think "Boy, that one reviewer sure was right. This move was awful!".

Don't say you weren't warned.

Is it a history lesson? Perhaps not. An enjoyable film...definitely!.......2007-06-17

I just wrote a review for the horrendous "Ghost Rider," in which I mentioned "National Treasure" as an example of a recent Cage film that didn't deserve the negative criticism it received (in contrast to the deservedly-dogged "Ghost Rider"), and was thus inspired to write a review in defense of "National Treasure." As I have read from other reviews here, most people agree that while the film isn't a history lesson, it's a darn good time at the movies, and it should have been rated by critics by such. It's a popcorn flick, pure and simple, and in that context, it works flawlessly. It's tremendously entertaining, and it accomplishes that goal while being family-friendly (PG). The thing that always makes me laugh regarding most "critics" of film is that their reviews are essentially little more than a paragraph attempting to display the wit, knowledge, and general intelligence they believe they possess; they're in such constant defense of these self-inflated traits that they destroy any picture with a smidgeon of disregard for historical accuracy, while forgetting that movies are created, above all else, to entertain (unless they're labeled "documentaries"). Do we care whether or not the founding fathers and the freemasons could have feasibly put an invisible map on the back of the Declaration of Independence? Should we be more concerned with whether or not the idea is even logistically fathomable or if the picture is entertaining? For my money, I want to see the entertaining picture (and so does 99% of the population)...and this is what the majority of critics fail to admit, in my opinion, in vigorously defending their "intelligence" in their "reviews." If I wanted to get out of work on a Friday to go and watch a depressing, miserable film with zero entertainment value simply because it happens to be historically accurate (hence, lacking sex appeal), I'd be on the watch for the sequel to "The Fog of War." However, I pay to see movies to be taken out of reality, and to have fun...just like everybody else, ultimately. I'm not ashamed to admit that I love this film, nor should the critics that publicly slandered it while probably watching it on a weekly basis in the privacy of their homes. Thus, I highly recommend it to any fan of, well, enjoying themselves via the watching of film, and I'd state that proof of the points I've made in this review will be made evident via the box office receipts of the upcoming sequel. I'll be first in line, and so will the critics!

An Action Packed Adventure.......2007-05-21

National Treasure is one of the premier movies ever. Beautifully produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Junction Entertainment, and Saturn Films this movie, which was released on November 19, 2004, brought in 338 million dollars in the worldwide box office. The movie was rated PG because of action violence and some scary images. Filming for the movie was spectacularly completed on location at many of the historical sites where the story took place, the acting was superb, and the running time of 131 minutes provides plenty of entertainment. Why not watch it today?

When Benjamin Franklin Gates was young his grandfather told him a story that would change his life. Intently Ben listened as his Grandfather told him of a massive, ancient mysterious treasure, which had been fought over for centuries. The treasure had vanished. Feeling that because the treasure was too valuable, it was too great for one man to have, a group called the Freemasons hid the treasure leaving behind a series of clues to its location. In 1832 the last remaining signer of the Declaration of Independence was about to die, and with him the last clue would die, but just before he died he told the clue to his stable boy Tom Gates. The clue that said, "The secret lies with Charlotte," was passed down from generation to generation in the Gates family and each had spent years of their lives searching for the treasure without success until, finally Ben began searching. The treasure was like a needle in a haystack but Ben devoted his life to finding it.

Quickly Ben found a ship, which was named Charlotte, trapped north of the Arctic Circle. Although the treasure was not aboard the ship Ben easily discovered the next clue. After he understood the clue Ben realized that his treasure hunting was over because the map he would need was hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence in invisible ink. Knowing that it was not possible to get his hands on the Declaration, Ben was ready to give up. His colleague did not agree. Ian Howe who had come along to help Ben decided that he would steal the Declaration, but when Ben would not go through with it he trapped Ben and his friend Riley Poole in the ship which was full of burning gunpowder. After Ben and Riley survived the exploding ship they went to the government to warn them that the Declaration was going to be stolen, but they were assured that the priceless document was safe.

When Ben was unable to convince the government that the Declaration was in danger he realized that the only way to keep the document safe was to steal it himself. He knew it was wrong. He knew it was impossible. He knew it was insane. Stealing the Declaration was not going to be easy so Ben and Riley carefully planned out each step as they prepared for their impossible mission. Unlike Ben, who was planning a stealth mission to steal the document, Ian and his disreputable friends were planning to use force to reach the Declaration. Quickly Ben made his way to the Declaration of Independence but because of Ian's seemingly endless resources he was right behind him. Who would claim the treasure and who would be left behind? One thing is sure, reaching the Declaration was only the beginning of Ben's dangerous journey to the treasure.

Acting in National Treasure is brilliantly done by many great actors including Nicholas Cage who played the part of Ben. The director of the extraordinary film was Jon Turtletaub. National Treasure is a must see movie that will be enjoyed again and again.

National Treasure.......2007-05-07

National Treasure (Full Screen Edition)An Awesome movie for those who enjoy treasure hunting movies as well action/ suspense movies. Nicolas Cage does an excellent job as Benjamin Franklin Gates, a descendant of a family obssessed with finding a lost treasure connected with history. Sean Bean does an excellent job of playing the man obssessed with finding and keeping the treasure, while Nicolas Cage , predictably, plays the one who lives up to the mandate and turns the treasure over the entire world.

Well worth watching with all of the twists and suspense involved in the plot.

An Amusement Park Ride.......2007-05-07

"National Treasure" isn't a bad movie. It's just one of those productions calculated to hit every predictable result in its target audience, as polished and hermetically sealed as the fabled treasure its characters seek. Nicholas Cage, who long ago entertained me somehow in "Valley Girl" and "Raising Arizona," turns in his requisite blank performance as Benjamin Franklin Gates, the last, we're told, of a family of well-to-do, toupeed kooks obsessed with finding the treasure of colonial Free Masons. Perhaps disturbingly, the women of the family are long gone, leaving first Christopher Plummer and then Jon Voight to impart wisdom in their off-kilter ways, though the love interest played by the Keira Knightly-ish (herself rather Winona Ryder-ish) Diana Kruger does her chilly best to keep the boys honest. When Gates is double-crossed by Bond wannabe Sean Bean, things get tense, first as the ex-partners each devise a robbery of the Declaration of Independence and later, when the film gets inspiration from the Indiana Jones series in what looks like the next attraction at Disney World. Director Jon Turteltaub keeps things moving at a brisk pace, helped by a percussive, familiar electronic score, which is good considering the story mostly consists of standard chases and a rundown of clues that seems right out of "Scooby Doo." The mystery itself is as convoluted as they come - you'll give up trying to keep track of things -- though the location shooting, especially in Philadelphia, manages to capture the majesty of America's wonderful historical locations. Supporting efforts from Harvey Keitel, as a tired FBI agent, are largely wasted, though a lot less of Justin Bartha, as the annoying computer nerd, would have been welcome. It really deserves three and a half stars, but four just wouldn't be accurate.

Average customer rating:

Annie
Better on Broadway
Loved it!
Annie!
a very entertaining dvd

Annie (Special Anniversary Edition)
Starring: Albert Finney , Carol Burnett , Ann Reinking , Tim Curry , and Bernadette Peters
Director: John Huston
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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Similar Items:

Annie (Original 1982 Motion Picture Soundtrack)
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ASIN: B0000VCZKM
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Amazon.com

Charmless and dull, this adaptation of the Broadway hit stars Aileen Quinn as the depression-era moppet, Albert Finney as Daddy Warbucks, Carol Burnett as the cruel headmistress at an orphanage, and Tim Curry as a villain. The film never gets its legs, and there is no sense of setting; it's almost as if the whole thing is happening in a void. John Huston nominally directed--no doubt to make money between his smaller, cheaper masterpieces--but one would have thought he would invest something of himself in here. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Annie.......2007-06-13

This version of Annie is wonderful. Carol Burnett creates such a wonderful character, and the orphans are extremely talented. This film is a step above the rest of the "Annie" movies.

Better on Broadway.......2007-06-13

Having been lucky enough to see the original on Broadway I was looking forward to the transition to the silver screen. Unfortunately most of the magic of the musical was left in New York and never made it to Hollywood. The songs are, of course, very good, though they did drop one of my favorites, "NYC", from the score and added the, in my opinion inferior, "Let's Go To The Movies". Aileen Quinn does a very credible job in the title role. Albert Finney, as Daddy Warbucks, and Carol Burnett, as Miss Hannigan, also do a good job. Ann Reinking, as Daddy Warbucks' secretary, proves to be one of the best dancers around. Many of the things that are done in the movie, such as the rescue of Annie on the railroad bridge, could not have done on the stage. For all its shortcomings, "Annie" is still well worth the watch.

Loved it!.......2007-05-22

Honestly, who doesn't know the movie Annie? But this special anniversary dvd has some nice bonus features. You can sing karaoke with or without voice with some of the more popular songs, you can "act" with Annie in some of the scenes, you can take a quiz about Annie and the 1930's and there is a very nice bonus feature with the lovely woman whom played Annie when she was a child. I do wish there were a few more features, maybe some other cast interviews; but all in all, this is a real treat!

Annie!.......2007-05-18

I love this musical! So happy to have it on DVD! Rich in color and clarity.

a very entertaining dvd.......2007-05-16

a fun movie to watch for the whole family especially for little girls!

Curious George - Zoo Night & Other Animal Stories

Average customer rating:

TV show trumps movie -- again
Happy 3-year-old, happy parents!
So Cute!
Daughters Love It
Great for on the road!

Curious George - Zoo Night & Other Animal Stories
Starring: Jeff Bennett , Frank Welker , William H. Macy , Annie Mumolo , and Grey DeLisle
Director: Frank Marino (II) , and Steve Socki
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000LPS2VI
Release Date: 2007-02-20

Amazon.com

In these eight PBS Kids Television episodes, Curious George's curiosity focuses on the animal world and takes him and the man with the yellow hat from the balcony of their city apartment to a house in the countryside. As George observes and interacts with everything from dogs, bunnies, bears, and bees to tadpoles, cats, squirrels, penguins, and pigeons, he learns about different animals and their distinct characteristics, preferred habitats, and growth and maturation while developing important skills like map reading, tracking, measuring, and sorting. Preschoolers love seeing their favorite H.A. and Margret Rey little monkey spring to life with the help of animation and are sure to be thoroughly entertained by George's cute antics and boundless curiosity. Best of all, they'll absorb some math, science, and engineering concepts while they watch. (Ages 2 to 7) --Tami Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

TV show trumps movie -- again.......2007-07-02

Don't confuse tbis DVD with the movie "Curious George," which comes in a similar DVD case. These are episodes from the far superior TV show. Not that the movie isn't worth your time and money. This is just so much more so.

The product lives up to the credits: Dr. John on the swinging theme song; Ron Howard and Brian Glazer executive producing; and William H. Macy, who makes the most of any role he assumes, as narrator.

There's an urban, downtown quality to these episodes, from being drawn in the manner of classic New Yorker cartoons to the jazzy soundtrack, extending even to the live action suffixes in which a group of young kids further delving into some element in the episode. Even when they're in a rural setting, you get the feeling these kids aren't suburban spawn.

George comes off as a monkey-fied human preschooler, one of the many elements with which the writers have fun (one character calls George "a city kid"). The Man in The Yellow Hat, though often in the stereotypical Long-Suffering Parent supporting role, manages to be more than a two-dimensional character. Watch these episodes and the ones that still air on PBS and you'll learn of a full cast of characters, only a couple of which could be called "cardboard."

It's always a good morning when my daughter wants to watch, "Monkey George."

Happy 3-year-old, happy parents!.......2007-06-08

I bought this for a long car trip with my 3-year-old son, and it did not disappoint. The stories are appropriate for younger children, and I was pleasantly surprised that my son even enjoys the segments with real children after each episode. (I have tried to forward past them, and he stops me!) As a parent, I like the gentle, loving approach that the adult characters take in dealing with George's mischievous behavior, as well as the emphasis given to George's creativity in solving problems. If your child loves George and his antics, s/he will likely enjoy this video.

So Cute!.......2007-05-15

This is a great DVD! However, it is the same cartoon that you can watch daily on PBS Kids. It is great for the car though because it is VERY long - 8 total episodes with the classroom shorts inbetween. Highly recommended!

Daughters Love It.......2007-05-15

As soon as they hear the theme music, my daughters (6, 5, & 2) come running...I know I'm guaranteed two hours of uninterrupted work time since they are glued to the tv watching this DVD...THANK YOU!!

Great for on the road!.......2007-05-12

My 2 1/2 year old son LOVES Curious George and doesn't mind watching the same episodes over and over, and over again. While traveling, he's alwys asking to watch George in the car. While he likes the full length movie, this DVD collection is great to have on hand. The episodes are quick and he can choose his favorites to watch. We're looking forward to more collections of George's episodes like this in the future!

Average customer rating:

Annie Hall
a classic!
Separating the "Horrible and the Miserable"
One of Woody's Best
A romantic comedy that's actually funny, moving, and original

Annie Hall
Starring: Hy Anzell , Colleen Dewhurst , Shelley Duvall , Russell Horton , and Carol Kane
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 6304907729
Release Date: 2000-05-30

Amazon.com essential video

Annie Hall is one of the truest, most bittersweet romances on film. In it, Allen plays a thinly disguised version of himself: Alvy Singer, a successful--if neurotic--television comedian living in Manhattan. Annie (the wholesomely luminous Dianne Keaton) is a Midwestern transplant who dabbles in photography and sings in small clubs. When the two meet, the sparks are immediate--if repressed. Alone in her apartment for the first time, Alvy and Annie navigate a minefield of self-conscious "is-this-person-someone-I'd-want-to-get-involved-with?" conversation. As they speak, subtitles flash their unspoken thoughts: the likes of "I'm not smart enough for him" and "I sound like a jerk." Despite all their caution, they connect, and we're swept up in the flush of their new romance. Allen's antic sensibility shines here in a series of flashbacks to Alvy's childhood, growing up, quite literally, under a rumbling roller coaster. His boisterous Jewish family's dinner table shares a split screen with the WASP-y Hall's tight-lipped holiday table, one Alvy has joined for the first time. His position as outsider is uncontestable he looks down the table and sizes up Annie's "Grammy Hall" as "a classic Jew-hater."

The relationship arcs, as does Annie's growing desire for independence. It quickly becomes clear that the two are on separate tracks, as what was once endearing becomes annoying. Annie Hall embraces Allen's central themes--his love affair with New York (and hatred of Los Angeles), how impossible relationships are, and his fear of death. But their balance is just right, the chemistry between Allen's worry-wart Alvy and Keaton's gangly, loopy Annie is one of the screen's best pairings. It couldn't be more engaging. --Susan Benson

Description

Considered to be "Woody Allen's breakthrough movie" (Time), Annie Hall won* four OscarsÂ(r), including Best Picture, and established Allen as the premier auteur filmmaker. Thought by many critics to be Allen's magnum opus, Annie Hall confirmed that he had, "completed the journey from comic to humorist, from comedy writer to wit [and] from inventive moviemaker to creative artist" (Saturday Review). Alvy Singer (Allen) is one of Manhattan's most brilliant comedians, but when it comes to romance, his delivery needs a little work. Introduced byhis best friend, Rob (Tony Roberts), Alvy falls in love with the ditzy but delightful nightclub singer, Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). When his own insecurities sabotage the affair, Annie is forced to leave Alvy for a new lifeand lover (Paul Simon)in Los Angeles. Knowing he may have lost Annie forever, Alvy's willing to go to any lengthseven driving L.A.'s freewaysto recapture the only thing that ever mattered'true love. *1977: Picture; Actress (Keaton); Director; Original Screenplay

Customer Reviews:

Annie Hall.......2007-07-03

One of the great modern love stories, the charming "Annie Hall" has Allen essentially playing himself, with Keaton's sweet, spacy Annie providing an inspired foil. Aside from its examination of contemporary relationships, the movie hilariously contrasts the flavor and essence of New York with sunny, hip Los Angeles, that sprawl on the West Coast which, to Allen's mind, is definitely alien territory. Touching, true, and extremely funny, this is Woody's peak.

a classic!.......2007-06-29

This film marks the pinnacle of Woody's career, introducing the main themes later rehearsed to death in subsequent projects. A self-conscious neurotic quippy self-flagellating Jewish comedian meets a juicy self-conscious WASP, wooing her, rejecting her and after being rejected himself longing for a life that could have been. There is always an aura of sadness about Allen's films - a sadness of masculinity longed for and never realized, of self-contempt burning in someone who knows he can't ever escape the intellectual mindtrap that epitomizes the 'New Yorker' crowd. While Allen appears to despise the greed, snobbery and pretentiousness of this crowd, he always seems paralyzed and unable to find his way out of the mousetrap.

Annie Hall is a genuinely funny and profound film. Alvyn knows the New Yorker crowd lacks something that would fulfill his longing. He knows that 'Annie' represents his one chance to escape the straightjacket of empty intellectual poseurism. The self-revelatory autobiographical element are bittersweet as the viewer becomes all too aware that Alvyn fails the challenge of his life. the very character trait that makes him funny makes him incapable of being able to hold, endure and accept Annie for who she is . The film is, for me, a lesson showing how not to be a man. A demonstration of the consequences of not being able to love fully, of being unable to disappear into surrender.

Both Keaton and Allen do a fantastic acting job basically playing themselves. While Allen never surpasses the quirkines, the bittersweet lightness of the Annie Hall's Alvyn character, Keaton's best moments come in "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" made in the same year.

Separating the "Horrible and the Miserable".......2007-06-17

Before 'Borat' Borat - Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (Widescreen Edition) confronted anti-Semitism, and Seinfeld Seinfeld - Season 7 did brilliant comedy about "nothing," 'Annie Hall' said a great deal about a lot of things of varying magnitude in this funny Woody Allen movie masterpiece. Taking place, of course, in New York City, Allen's nearly autobiographical alter ego, Alvy Singer, has an on-again, off-again romance with the titled character (Diane Keaton) who is his soul mate and counterpart to his own labored existence. Episodic to be sure, Allen's directing and co-writing take everything bothersome and makes it into an honest labor of love. (Alvy, too, is a stand-up comic who spars about anything from strained love relationships to Republican politics. Not to mention both have that eloquent obssession with "sex and death".) While Alvy always seems maladjusted, he is unable to cope without Annie who, while from Chippewa Falls, WI, can relate to him and help him through the shipwreck of his nuerotic life.

'Annie Hall' is exceptionally funny. In one scene Annie is relating a dream to Alvy where "Frank Sinatra is suffocating" her. Alvy, quick to psychoanalysis, immediately says that she is suffocating her career as a singer. She counters that her therapist says that it is he who is suffocating her because his last name in Singer. (And by all means psychology gets a comedic thrashing many times.) While thinking aloud on the street, Alvy stops a couple to ask them roughly why they seemed so happy. "Basically, I'm shallow," she confides. "I'm basically shallow, too," he adds. In another scene he talks to his friend (Tony Roberts), where he relates talking to a dinner guest. He talks about the meal and tells of a companion who said, "I had salad. Didjyou?" To which they both debate anti-semitism. There's also a split-screen scene where Alvie and Annie are each talking to their pyschiatrists and the differences are acutely funny. (One should also add that Allen did more in these few minutes than 'Conversations with Other Women' did in a whole movie.) Pet peeves are also confronted to provide creator and audience with plenty of therapeutic laughs.

'Annie Hall' is just delightful fun. Chockful of wit and candor, it is a sustaining comedic classic. (Also with cameo appearances by Shelly Duvall as a 'Rolling Stone' reporter and Paul Simon.)

One of Woody's Best.......2007-06-11

Annie Hall is one of the best Woody Allen movies out there. It features Dianne Keaton in one of her best performances, and is a thoroughly enjoyable movie with great wit and humor. If you are ever tempted to rent or buy one of the new below average movies put out so often by Hollywood nowadays, rethink the decision and watch this instead. Some great fun and the New York v. Los Angeles debate that is often a basis of Woody' humor, is in great form here. 5 Stars.

A romantic comedy that's actually funny, moving, and original.......2007-06-05

Full of neuroses and classic comedy bits, Woody Allen's Annie Hall is that rare breed of movie: a romantic comedy that's actually funny, moving, and original.

Allen's character, a neurotic standup comic named Alvy Singer, meets free-spirited Annie Hall (played with superb wit and energy by a young Diane Keaton). Their on-again-off-again romance flows throughout the movie leading both of them on a roller coaster of emotions that they both want to stay on and get off of at the same time.

Annie Hall features cameos from several of today's stars, although when Annie Hall was filmed these actors were just dayplayers. It's a veritable who's-who of small parts. Jeff Goldblum as a party guest, Sigourney Weaver as one of Alvy's dates, Beverly D'Angelo as a character in a TV show, Truman Capote as a Truman Capote lookalike, and Christopher Walken as Annie's slightly off-kilter brother. Paul Simon also makes an extended appearance as musician Tony Lacey.

Annie Hall is the first Woody Allen movie I've seen, and now I can't believe I waited this long. If you're going to see one Woody Allen movie, or just one movie, make it Annie Hall. You won't be disappointed.

Jane Austen Collection (Sense & Sensibility / Emma / Persuasion / Mansfield Park / Pride & Prejudice / Northanger Abbey)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful stories
BBC Jane Austen set
very good productions
great gift for women
A worthwhile collection for any Austen fan!

Jane Austen Collection (Sense & Sensibility / Emma / Persuasion / Mansfield Park / Pride & Prejudice / Northanger Abbey)
Starring: Irene Richard , Tracey Childs , Diana Fairfax , Peter Woodward , and Bosco Hogan
Director: Rodney Bennett , John Glenister , and Howard Baker
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996)
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ASIN: B000244FFU
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Amazon.com

The socially restricted lives of 18th-century women hardly seems like a subject that would inspire dozens of 20th (and 21st) century adaptations--but the brilliant novels of Jane Austen are flush with sparkling dialogue, razor-sharp wit, marvelously realized characters that range from adorably sympathetic to grotesquely comic, and--above all--ingeniously intricate plots, which arrive at a seemingly inevitable happy conclusion yet keep you seized with suspense every inch of the way. The Jane Austen Collection pulls together six BBC miniseries from 1971 through 1987, one for each of Austen's much-beloved books.

Unsurprisingly, the gems of the lot are also the best of the novels: Pride and Prejudice and Emma. Pride and Prejudice, expertly translated to the screen by novelist Fay Weldon, skillfully chronicles the ups and downs of the sensible but quick to judge Elizabeth Bennet (the adorable Elizabeth Garvie) and the snooty Mr. Darcy (played with an imperious scowl by David Rintoul). Any adaptation of Emma rests firmly on its central character, and Doran Godwin wonderfully captures Emma Woodhouse's resilience, determination, and exasperating self-satisfaction. Definitely the funniest of Austen's novels, Emma's satirical humor is perfectly balanced with romantic yearning, and this 1972 version succeeds delightfully.

Persuasion, though more melancholy in tone, has a wonderfully sympathetic heroine in Anne Elliot (played by the graceful Ann Fairbanks), who once turned away the man she loved but is given the chance, seven years later, to set things right. Sense and Sensibility suffers from comparison to the star firepower and cinematic sweep of the 1995 movie with Emma Thompson (a must-see for any Austen fan), but the dueling characters of gracious Elinore and headstrong Marianne, two sisters struggling with fallen fortunes, make for enjoyable viewing in this 1981 adaptation. Mansfield Park has perhaps the dullest hero and heroine of any Austen novel, yet the story zips along, powered by some of Austen's most outrageous supporting characters, here brought to deliciously comic life by Anna Massey and Angela Pleasence. Northanger Abbey satirizes gothic romances and the overheated imaginations that loved them; but though the tone is more broad and melodramatic than most of Austen, this 1987 adaptation suits the novel and rounds out this very satisfying boxed set. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful stories.......2007-06-13

I received this collection from my children who know that I am a Jane Austen fan. The DVD's are outstanding. There are several episodes of each story, so you can break them up if you want to - for instance, Pride and Prejudice is comprised of 5 separate episodes and requires both sides of the DVD. The adaptations are excellent - the characters are well fleshed out and believable in the ir roles. If you are a Jane Austen fan, you will love the adaptations, since they follow Ms. Austen's original story lines much more closely than some of the popular movies do. You can recognize lines from the books. Get them - you won't regret it!

BBC Jane Austen set.......2007-05-26

The BBC productions are good, but dated. It doesn't matter, however, if you are a Jane Austen fan.

very good productions.......2007-05-07

I have enjoyed these movies very much. It is interesting to see the older versions.

great gift for women.......2007-04-10

I have given this set to:
Sisters in law
nieces
grand daughters

Jane Austen was one of the greatest love story novelists and women LOVE her. I like her use of English words we don't use anymore scruple and repine for example

A worthwhile collection for any Austen fan!.......2007-04-05

This BBC boxed set has all of Jane Austen's works in one collection. As always the BBC adaptations are one of the most faithful to the novels upon which they are based. The version of Pride & Prejudice was my favorite of the collection. The actress who portrays Ms Eliza Bennett plays her role with wit, charm, and a vulnerability that is juxtaposed against the actor who plays the proud, arrogant Mr Darcy. Persuasion is also well-made, and the story of love lost and found is told poignantly with good performances by the two leads. The version of Emma here is the most faithful I have comes across of other adaptations, but I did not like the lead actress' portrayal of Emma, she seemed too stuffy, and even cold [compared to Kate Beckinsale's and Gwyneth Paltrow's performances in other versions]. This version of Sense and Sensibility was also very true to the novel, but both the main leads appeared plain and washed out [I much preferred Emma Thompson's and Kate Winslet's performances in a different version]. Finally, the version of Northanger Abbey here was truly a departure from the other DVDs in this collection, and that is quite understandable given that Jane Austen did write it in the style of a Gothic romance [whilst still poking fun at the English upper class].

All in all, its a worthwhile collection for any Austen fan, and its good to watch them and compare the scenes to the ones in the books.

Curious George - Rocket Ride and Other Adventures

Average customer rating:

Eight animated episodes of the classic, lovable monkey's adventures
My son Loves George.
Curious George, what's not to like

Curious George - Rocket Ride and Other Adventures
Starring: Jeff Bennett , Frank Welker , William H. Macy , Annie Mumolo , and Grey DeLisle
Director: Frank Marino (II) , and Steve Socki
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

3-6 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Feature Films | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Curious George - Zoo Night & Other Animal Stories
Curious George (Collector's Edition)
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Curious George Rides a Bike... and More Tales of Mischief (Scholastic Video Collection)
Curious George Goes to the Hospital

ASIN: B000NOIVVS
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Description

The Daytime Emmy®-nominated * PBS KIDS® TV series, Curious George returns with another set of non-stop adventures. This time, George's curiosity is taking him down hills, up rivers and into outer space! And The Man with the Yellow Hat is always there to lend a hand, along with Hundley, Gnocchi and the rest of George's friends. Narrated by Primetime Emmy® Award winner** William H. Macy (Seabiscuit, Pleasantville), the fun is out of this world in Curious George: Rocket Ride and Other Adventures. * 2006 Daytime Emmy® Awards, Outstanding Children's Animated Program ** 2003 Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Writing, Door to Door

Customer Reviews:

Eight animated episodes of the classic, lovable monkey's adventures.......2007-06-11

The second DVD release of the "Curious George" television series, Curious George Rocket Ride and Other Adventures is a collection of eight animated episodes of the classic, lovable monkey's adventures, ideal for preschool viewers. Narrated by Emmy Award-winning actor William H. Macy (known for his starring role on E.R., among others), Curious George Rocket Ride and Other Adventures includes the episodes "Rocket Ride", "The Dam Builders", "Flies a Kite", "Finds His Way", "Station Master", "Goes Up the River", "In the Dark", and "Roller Monkey." Bonus features include two simple DVD games and printable coloring pages, in this highly recommended, family-friendly compilation of wholesome animated entertainment. 1 hour 48 minutes, color.

My son Loves George........2007-05-20

It's nice to have new episodes to watch. Two, of them, though are repeats from what's available on public television.

Curious George, what's not to like.......2007-05-07

This is one of those children's series that I can actually watch with the kids and laugh right along with them. I like this version much better than the older claymation which we also own, but more importantly, the kids like it and will watch it over, and over and.......

DVD:

DVD

Cocoon [1985] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: Curdled

Reisewege: Ostseebäder