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Product Type: DVD

The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Sound of Music
the magic is alive...
Pure Magic
The Sound of Music
saw it as a child and now at my 40s.. it still holds the magic

The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition)
Starring: Julie Andrews , Christopher Plummer , Richard Haydn , Peggy Wood , and Anna Lee
Director: Robert Wise
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Mary Poppins (40th Anniversary Edition)
The Wizard of Oz (Two-Disc Special Edition)
My Fair Lady
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Full Screen Edition)
Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)

ASIN: B000AP04OM
Release Date: 2005-11-15

Product Description

Shot in Salzburg against the majestic Bavarian Alps, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is considered one of the greatest screen musicals ever made. Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director (Robert Wise), the film, based on a real family and their true events, tells the story of a young postulate, Maria (Julie Andrews), who, after proving too high-spirited for the Mother Abess and other nuns, is sent off to work as a governess to seven unruly children. The Von Trapp family is run, in military style, by the seemingly cold-hearted Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), a lonely widowed naval officer. Seeing how badly he and his children need companionship, he proposes to the Baroness Schraeder (Eleanor Parker), a calculating, mutual friend of beloved family friend Max Detweiler (Richard Haydn). It is the baroness who soon realizes that it's Maria--with her warmth and love for the children--the captain really loves. It is nearly bliss for the newly formed family who loves to sing together--except for the cloud looming over their beloved Austrian horizon: Hitler is ascending to power, forcing Von Trapp to decide whether to join the Nazi party--which he loathes--or force his family to leave their home forever. One of the most memorable scores ever written (by Rodgers and Hammerstein) and breathtaking performances by Andrews, Plummer, and the seven children mark this classic as one of the world's most favorite films.

System Requirements:

Running Time 174 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

When Julie Andrews sang "The hills are alive with the sound of music" from an Austrian mountaintop in 1965, the most beloved movie musical was born. To be sure, the adaptation of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's Broadway hit has never been as universally acclaimed as, say, Singin' in the Rain. Critics argue that the songs are saccharine (even the songwriters regretted the line "To sing through the night like a lark who is learning to pray") and that the characters and plot lack the complexity that could make them more interesting. It's not hard to know whom to root for when your choice is between cute kids and Nazis.

Read our interview with
Charmian Carr, who played
Liesl von Trapp in The
Sound of Music.

It doesn't matter. Audiences fell in love with the struggling novice Maria (Andrews), the dashing Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), and, yes, the cute kids, all based on a real-life World War II Austrian family. Such songs as "My Favorite Things," "Do Re Mi," "Climb Every Mountain," and the title tune became part of the 20th century Zeitgeist. In addition, The Sound of Music officially became a cult hit when audiences in London began giving it the Rocky Horror Picture Show treatment, attending showings dressed as their favorite characters and delivering choreographed comments and gestures along with the movie. So why resist, especially when the 40th Anniversary Edition is the best DVD yet.

The DVDs
As if the direct involvement of Julie Andrews weren't enough, the 40th Anniversary Edition of The Sound of Music is a must-have for fans because of the fond sense of nostalgia that will touch all but the worst cynic's heart. Andrews introduces both discs and contributes a commentary track on the film. It's a joy to hear her speak about the film (for example, she explains how she solved her dislike for the lyrics of "I Have Confidence"), and also heard are remarks by Christopher Plummer (who at one point refers to his being 48, which if true would mean his comments were made in about 1975), Charmian Carr (Liesl), choreographer Dee Dee Wood, and Johannes Von Trapp (the real-life Maria Von Trapp's youngest son, who admits that his father did have a whistle but claims that he was not as stern as portrayed in the film). Even with all those people involved, there are still significant gaps of silence, however. Retained from the previous two-disc editions is the commentary track by director Robert Wise, which during the musical numbers becomes an isolated score with no vocals. Also new are sing-along subtitles in English, Spanish, and French, which allow you to have your own sing-along at home. In addition, the film's remastering shows off a truer and much warmer sense of color.

On the second disc, Andrews participates in a new 63-minute documentary "My Favorite Things: Julie Andrews Remembers." But it's really a general making-of documentary with contributions from a number of principals, including director Robert Wise, who died in mid-2005 (not surprisingly, some stories are repeated from the commentary track and from the 87-minute documentary on the previous DVD). Andrews also shares a warm 19-minute sit-down with Christopher Plummer. Carr, who over the years has become the film's biggest advocate, narrates a new 22-minute documentary, "On Location with The Sound of Music," in which she revisits the places in Salzburg where the movie was filmed, and even joins one of the "Sound of Music tours" that have become a booming industry. And acknowledging another big industry, there's a 12-minute featurette on the sing-along phenomenon, focusing specifically on the audience, costumed and otherwise, that attended a sold-out Hollywood Bowl sing-along in 2005. Making special appearances at the event are four von Trapp great-grandchildren and all seven of the actors who played the children. Thankfully, those actors also appear in a 33-minute documentary "From Liesl to Gretl: A 40th Anniversary Reunion," in which they explain what they do now (many are still in show business) and share stories about the film, who was afraid of Christopher Plummer, and what they feel is their responsibility to the film's passionate fans. What's touching is how the group still considers themselves a family so many years later. Other material includes an A&E documentary on the von Trapps, Mia Farrow's screen test for the Liesl role, and a restoration comparison.

What's Missing?
If you already own the previous two-disc editions, you'll want this 40th Anniversary Edition as well, but you might not want to toss those versions. Probably the most significant omission from this edition is the original 14-minute documentary Charmian Carr made in 1967, "Salzburg Sight and Sound." Carr's new documentary includes only a couple clips from the vintage piece. It's not a great work of art, but it's a notable loss and would have made a good contrast with the new documentary. In addition, the new making-of documentary is about 24 minutes shorter than the old one. Also missing are the audio-only features--the interviews, the radio programs, the Ernest Lehman spotlight--and the historical still gallery examining the history of Salzburg and the film. Granted, this material probably got the least play of any of the old features, but completists might want to hold onto their old discs for it. It would have also been nice to have screen tests other than Farrow's. Tests for all the children and for Christopher Plummer (including singing in his own voice before he was dubbed for the film) were included on Hollywood Screen Tests and Rodgers and Hammerstein: The Sound of Movies. Again, they're not critical but it would have been nice to have them all in one place. So maybe the 40th Anniversary Edition isn't the complete package on The Sound of Music, but it's the most satisfying edition yet, with enough new material to please even the veteran SoM DVD watcher. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

The Sound of Music.......2007-07-02

Shot in pristine color on location near Salzburg--and featuring that dizzying opening shot of Maria belting out the title tune from a verdant hilltop--"Music" fully deserves its reputation as one of the most popular films of all time. The daisy-fresh Andrews is simply terrific, whether she's acting or singing, and the songs--"Do Re Mi," "Climb Every Mountain," and "My Favorite Things"--have become part of our cultural heritage. Adapted from the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway play, the film might be a bit schmaltzy at moments, but in all, it remains utterly irresistible. The hills are still alive--and your singing pipes will be too--with the wondrous "Sound of Music."

the magic is alive..........2007-06-26

I was only six but I still remember when my mother took us kids to the movies to see 'The Sound of Music'. A memory permantly ingrained as is this film. From the most amazing opening shot ever filmed this classic film never lets go of yor senses. It's fun, thrilling and holds up extremely well. Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer are exquisite. Sure some of the lyrics are corny and simple but it all works and I'm not even a fan of musicals.

Pure Magic.......2007-06-25

Who doesn't know the general plot of this movie? Well just in case: Maria is thinking of becoming a nun, yet Sister Superior isn't so sure about that and sends her off to become the governess to seven Von Trapp children. There she meets the very strict father and the not so angelic children. She quickly wins over the children and their father. While all this is going on the Nazis are slowly but surely taking over the country. By the second half of the movie they become a true family and decide to make a dareing escape from the Nazis.

Now that pretty much wraps it up plot wise, yet there is so much more. The songs are very sugar coated but so what? They are there for a purpose: teaching children to not be afraid, coaching them on how to sing,etc. In most parts they are there for the pleasure of the young and the young at heart.

I'll close with an example. I was driving with my wife and our girls in the car, and we were looking at about an hour trip to my mother's house so we popped The Sound of Music in the DVD and we were on our way. As I heard (I coudn't see the movie of course) the movie and we sang the songs on our journey, I looked back and every face was smiling. Now if you are looking for a movie like that you've come to the right place.

The Sound of Music .......2007-06-11

A Family Night is made of... Sound of Music. Worth watching over and over.

saw it as a child and now at my 40s.. it still holds the magic.......2007-06-05

This review is about the movie and not the DVD Product-

I saw it yesterday, Im 43, last time I saw ir I was 28 and prior to that I was 12 the first time I saw it. It still holds the magic, and now I can say its a classic for all the family.

Yes, now I see details I previously did no see. The plot is so idillic that you don't feel the nazi presence inspiring fear, the love scenes are a perfect example of puritanism and political correctness. Yet there is love and there Julie Andrews gives a performance larger than life to captivate all public.

I do not know why in the review preface there is some critisims of the lyrics of the song "Sound of music"- those were elaborated lyrics and none of that senseless rap or overly simplistic lyrics. Sugarcoated? You bet, but just like the pinl lemonade they were sipping on the terrace, "its not too sweet, not too acid, its just too pink "

The movie has an ending that is rather sudden, just as it starts with that glorious song it should have ended with one as well, a triumph song. I still have the same feeling I did when I was 12, what happened to them?

Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)

Average customer rating:

DISNEY ES DISNEY
Cinderella
Magic Kingdom
My little girl's favorite
Brings back great memories

Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)
Starring: Ilene Woods , Eleanor Audley , Verna Felton , Claire Du Brey , and Rhoda Williams
Director: Wilfred Jackson , Clyde Geronimi , and Hamilton Luske
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Aladdin (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

ASIN: B0007Z9R7A
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Amazon.com

Worry not, Disney fans--this special edition DVD of the beloved Cinderella won't turn into a pumpkin at the strike of midnight. One of the most enduring animated films of all time, the Disney-fied adaptation of the gory Brothers Grimm fairy tale became a classic in its own right, thanks to some memorable tunes (including "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," and the title song) and some endearingly cute comic relief.

The famous slipper (click for larger image)

We all know the story--the wicked stepmother and stepsisters simply won't have it, this uppity Cinderella thinking she's going to a ball designed to find the handsome prince an appropriate sweetheart, but perseverance, animal buddies, and a well-timed entrance by a fairy godmother make sure things turn out all right. There are a few striking sequences of pure animation--for example, Cinderella is reflected in bubbles drifting through the air--and the design is rich and evocative throughout. It's a simple story padded here agreeably with comic business, particularly Cinderella's rodent pals (dressed up conspicuously like the dwarf sidekicks of another famous Disney heroine) and their misadventures with a wretched cat named Lucifer. There's also much harrumphing and exposition spouting by the King and the Grand Duke. It's a much simpler and more graceful work than the more frenetically paced animated films of today, which makes it simultaneously quaint and highly gratifying. --David Kronke

DVD Features

For another of its classic films, Disney delivers another dazzling DVD with a gorgeous, razor-sharp picture and 5.1 sound. (Note: the 1949 film is properly presented in full-screen format, 1.33 aspect ratio, because widescreen films weren't made until the '50s.) The best part of the supplemental features is the archival material, the absolute highlight of which is two unused songs, "Cinderella's Work Song" (in which Cinderella imagines multiplying herself à la the Sorcerer's Apprentice) and "Dancing on a Cloud."

Bippity-boppity-boo! (click for larger image)

Because these numbers were never animated, they're accompanied by stylish illustrations from the Disney artists, and they're simply marvelous to look at. The artist of much of that material, Mary Blair, gets her due in a 15-minute featurette, while the better known "Nine Old Men" are the subject of a round-table discussion among some of today's top animators. In addition, a 38-minute documentary covers their contributions to specific characters of Cinderella as well as the film in general and the vocal cast. Also on the historical side is "The Cinderella That Almost Was," tracking the development of the project through decades of original Disney concepts, characters, and songs, including the 1922 silent "Laugh-o-Gram," which is also included in its entirety.

The pumpkin transformed (click for larger image)

Additional musical material includes three radio programs and a short promo of the movie by Perry Como, in which he summarizes the plot amid some songs by the Fontaine Sisters, star Ilene Woods, and the host himself. Seven other unused songs (17 minutes total) are available in audio-only. The material for kids is on the sparse side, consisting of two music videos, Disney Channel personality Sally (from "Mike's Super Short Show") learning how to become a princess with the help of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew and others, a minor dancing-princess feature, and a DVD-ROM design studio. Oddest extra: ESPN's "top Cinderella stories," including the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team and Joe Namath's New York Jets, although stories on Mia Hamm and tennis's Williams sisters should appeal to the film's primary target audience of young girls. --David Horiuchi

Cinderella Throughout the Years

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957 Television Production)
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1965)
The Slipper and the Rose (1976)

Faerie Tale Theatre - Cinderella (1982)
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997)
Ever After - A Cinderella Story(1998)

Description

The most celebrated of all the Disney classics, CINDERELLA, is also known as one of Walt Disney's all-time favorite films. CINDERELLA has enchanted generations with its spellbinding story, charming music, and endearing characters that live in your heart forever. The beloved fairy tale becomes pure Disney magic as beautiful Cinderella shares her dreams of romance and a better life with the lovable mice Gus and Jaq. When Cinderella's cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, the delightful Fairy Godmother appears! With a wave of her wondrous wand and a bouncy "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," the Fairy Godmother transforms a simple pumpkin into a magical coach -- and Cinderella's rags into a gorgeous gown. At the ball, Cinderella falls in love with Prince Charming, but must flee before the stroke of midnight breaks the spell! Now with an all-new digital restoration, Disney's Enhanced Home Theater Mix, and all-new games and music videos, this 2-Disc Special Edition of Cinderella is the perfect fit for everyone who believes dreams really do come true. Also available on Video.

Customer Reviews:

DISNEY ES DISNEY.......2007-06-27

Este Box es simplemente sensacional un artículo de colección que te queda para toda la vida, no solo por la película remasterizada sino por el material adicional y el libro y los cards y la presentación en general hacen que una obra producida por Disney (lo cual asegura un exito)deba ser adquirida por todos nosotros. Ahora bien el porque de solamante ponerle 4 estrellas es porque la falla de la productoira es que el material adicional no tenga siquiera subtitulos en español para nosotros los latinos, por todo lo demas vale la pena.

Cinderella.......2007-06-25

Even after 55 years, "Cinderella" remains a tirelessly enchanting milestone of Disney storytelling, with splendid animation, vibrant color, and marvelous songs to complement the rags-to-riches, Charles Perrault-inspired storyline. Woods voices Cinderella with delicate charm, Phipps gives his Prince plenty of suave charisma, and Audley, as the wicked Stepmother, is an appropriately nasty piece of work. With a horde of ebullient animal characters like Jacques and Gus-Gus, "Cinderella" is the perfect dinner date for kids and wistful adults. Song highlight: "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo."

Magic Kingdom.......2007-06-10

One of the best fantasy Disney films . Fun and magic and imaginative; entertaining for adults and kids.However, talk about the message of -Cinderella being rescued by her Prince Charming- with your older children. (Such as "Girls you don't have to wait for Prince Charming to come along to solve your problems. Cinderella could have and should have been able to overcome her problems, herself. She actually was a strong individual and happy, despite her circumstances and she was creative by eliciting the aid and frienship of the mice and she had the belief that her faith would make her own dreams come true, etc.)."

My little girl's favorite.......2007-05-14

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Cinderella is the classic princess movie - and it actually has an OK message - if you keep on believing and being a good person, eventually something good will happen to you. And if you are vain, mean, nasty and vindictive, you'll never win the prince.

There are some other messages that are not as good, but overall, we love this movie. We dress up like Cinderella and sing cinderelly cinderelly every night now.

I'm glad my little girl enjoys the classic Disney movies that I did when I was young.

Brings back great memories.......2007-05-14

My boyfriend gave me this movie as a gift, I loved it so much I had to get one for my daughter. I just had to have one for myself. It brings back great memories.The color and sound are wonderful.

Average customer rating:

Having Fun and Exercising at the same time.
Unless you're a dancer, don't waste $$$$.
I love it
Maxim is the greatest
Simply an Rithym Work out

Dancing With the Stars - Cardio Dance

Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Biggest Loser Workout, Vol. 2
Denise Austin: Fat Burning Dance Mix
Dance with Len Goodman
10 Minute Solution: Fat Blasting Dance Mix
Denise Austin: Boot Camp - Total Body Blast

ASIN: B000MMMTC8
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Amazon.com

Each era has its own defining exercise video--or in this age, DVD. Dancing With the Stars: Cardio Dance isn't going to go down as the 21st century's answer to Jane Fonda's exercise tapes, but it's not a bad way to learn a few basic steps, thanks to instructions from some of the professional dancers from the ABC hit series Dancing With the Stars. Ashly Costa (the brunette who danced up a storm with Harry Hamlin), Kym Johnson (the blonde who almost made a DWTS winner out of Joey Fatone), and Maksim Chmerkovsy (the dude who sparred with Laila Ali on and off the dance floor) make for nice eye candy as they teach viewers how to do the cha-cha, the jive, and the paso doble. Cardio Dance does a good job of showing viewers how to warm their bodies up before getting into the more aerobic dance exercises. Women will probably benefit most from Kym's instructional portion, which focuses on toning the hips and waistline. The patient Australian (who once taught Jerry Springer how to waltz) is relatively easy to follow as she teaches the Brazilian samba. This DVD isn't for the serious dancer. Its target audience is comprised of fans of the show who'd like to get in shape with Ashly, Kym, and Maks. If you already know the basics of dance, you won't have problems keeping up with their instructions. But if you have two left feet, some of the dance terms they toss around (but don't explain) will leave you scratching your head rather than hoofing it up. And while we're not expecting anyone like season-four winner Apolo Anton Ohno to make an appearance here, it would've been nice to include a segment or two with DWTS judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman. --Jae-Ha Kim

Description

On ABC's hit show DANCING WITH THE STARS, countless pounds are shed and bodies transform before our very eyes. Now it's your turn to dance your way to fitness with three of the show's favorite pro dancers Ashly, Kym and Maks. With this fat-blasting program you will learn four choreographed dance routines featuring some of the best moves from the show. Then shake things up with a bonus freestyle routine to test your new dance skills. Have fun and gain confidence on the dance floor while building a stronger, sexier, super-star body!(Not final packaging synopsis.)

Customer Reviews:

Having Fun and Exercising at the same time........2007-07-05

Really enjoy the show and was hoping this Cardio Dvd would be good. It was better than I expected, and had alot of fun excercising with it, and learning some new dance steps too. Maks, Kym and Ashley, make it fun to learn and are funny together. You get a Cardio workout doing dance moves with the music, have fun with their senses of humor and learn at the same time. What a great way to exercise and feel like you're not. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys or is interested in dancing.

Unless you're a dancer, don't waste $$$$........2007-07-05

Short, simple, and too the point. If you're not a dancer, don't buy this "exercise" tape. The moves are extremely complex, the dancers don't que between moves and the camera is constantly changing angles which makes it impossible to try and memorize what the dancers are doing. Want to get ripped and toned? Try Jari Love's Ripped to the Core.

I love it.......2007-07-05

I acknowledge everything bad people have said about this DVD. Sometimes they arent really clear about what is coming up, some moves have no explanation, etc.

As a former dancer I was familiar with some of the basics, but I never tried ballroom dance. This was a challenge for me and exactly what I needed. I get bored when I can master a DVD the first time through. I like the fact that I did not get every move correct right away. I have done it 4-5 times now and I have all of it except the challenge section down. I love the challenge and I love dancing, so it was a great purchase.

Do not get this DVD if you feel that you need to get everything the first time through, because you wont. If you like a challenge and you are willing to stick it out the first few times, its a fun DVD and a good workout.

Maxim is the greatest.......2007-06-27

This video is just great and anybody can do it. Maxim is the most gorgeous and sexy dancer. I hope to see more of him with his wonderful dancing

Simply an Rithym Work out .......2007-06-27

I personally was dissapointed with the purchased, though would have some good latin dacing moves and tricks. The blond chick on the DVD can't dance, they can't intepret the proper SAMBA from brazil. So was simply a latin dance aerobic work out, which is still an innovation, but not what i was looking for.

Average customer rating:

Energetic high school musical set in the 1950s
Grease (Rockin" Rydell Edition
Great Movies
Grease
A classic, must have for every collection

Grease (Rockin' Rydell Edition)
Starring: John Travolta , Olivia Newton-John , Stockard Channing , Jeff Conaway , and Barry Pearl
Director: Randal Kleiser
Manufacturer: Paramount
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Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000GBEWHA
Release Date: 2006-09-19

Amazon.com essential video

Riding the strange '50s nostalgia wave that swept through America during the late 1970s (caused by TV shows like Happy Days and films like American Graffiti), Grease became not only the word in 1978, but also a box-office smash and a cultural phenomenon. Twenty years later, this entertaining film adaptation of the Broadway musical received another successful theatrical release, which included visual remastering and a shiny new Dolby soundtrack. In this 2002 DVD release, Grease lovers can also now see it in the correct 2:35 to 1 Panavision aspect ratio, and see retrospective interviews with cast members and director Randal Kleiser. All these stylistic touches are essential to the film's success. Without the vibrant colors, unforgettably campy and catchy tunes (like "Greased Lightning," "Summer Nights," and "You're the One That I Want"), and fabulously choreographed, widescreen musical numbers, the film would have to rely on a silly, cliché-filled plot that we've seen hundreds of times. As it is, the episodic story about the romantic dilemmas experienced by a group of graduating high school seniors remains fresh, fun, and incredibly imaginative.

The young, animated cast also deserves a lot of credit, bringing chemistry and energy to otherwise bland material. John Travolta, straight from his success in Saturday Night Fever, knows his sexual star power and struts, swaggers, sings, and dances appropriately, while Olivia Newton-John's portrayal of virgin innocence is the only decent acting she's ever done. And then there's Stockard Channing, spouting sexual double-entendres as Rizzo, the bitchy, raunchy leader of the Pink Ladies, who steals the film from both of its stars. Ignore the sequel at all costs. --Dave McCoy

Description

John Travolta solidified his position as the most versatile and magnetic screen presence of the decade in this film version of the smash hit play Grease. Recording star Olivia Newton-John made her American film debut as Sandy, Travolta's naive love interest. The impressive supporting cast reads like a "who's who" in this quintessential musical about the fabulous '50s. Grease is not just a nostalgic look at a simpler decade--it's an energetic and exciting musical homage to the age of rock 'n' roll!

Customer Reviews:

Energetic high school musical set in the 1950s.......2007-07-06

Remember those school productions of "Grease" - well this is the film that everyone remembers, based on the long-running Broadway show.

The songs are deliberately cheesy, the acting over the top, the teenagers look about 30, but it's all pretty good fun.

Comparing this to "High School Musical", which has real teenagers one realises that "Grease" is not about teenagers at all but a 1950s that probably never existed. Indeed "Grease" was part of the 1950s nostalgia phenomenon of the 1970s along with "Happy Days" and "American Graffiti" that continued with films such as "Back to the Future" and "Stand By Me" in the 1980s. America was harking back to a kinder, simpler, innocent era post-Vietnam, Civil Rights, and Watergate.

"Grease" still holds up as decent entertainment today.

Grease (Rockin" Rydell Edition.......2007-06-27

Bought it for my 17 year old grand daughter, who loves Grease, she loves it.

Great Movies.......2007-06-08

This moie came out when I was out of HighSchool....I LOVED it then and it's been one of my favorites...The music is terrific and John Travolta and Olivia Newton John did an incredible job as the two main characters in the movie.......

Grease.......2007-06-01

My DVD arrived very quickly, as usual. A welcomed addition to our collection of classics.

A classic, must have for every collection.......2007-05-23

This movie is just a classic and always a good time to watch. It's pretty harmless and just puts you in a good mood. I saw this movie about 25 times when I was growing up and it came out, so I was pleased to see it on a DVD so I can watch it and not wear out the tape!

Average customer rating:

Political Garbage!
Congratulations George Miller and Warren Coleman!
Another attempt to outdo Disney
_Cars_ should have gotten the Oscar.
Worth viewing once.

Happy Feet (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Carlos Alazraqui , Lombardo Boyar , Johnny A. Sanchez , Robin Williams , and Elijah Wood
Director: George Miller (II)
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: B00005JPCF
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Amazon.com

For anyone who thought the Oscar-winning documentary March of the Penguins was the most marvelous cinematic moment for these nomads of the south, you haven't seen nothing yet. Happy Feet is an animated wonder about a penguin named Mumble who can't sing, but can dance up a storm. George Miller, the driving force behind the Babe (and Mad Max) movies, takes another creative step in family entertainment with this big, beautiful, music-fueled film that will have kids and their parents dancing in the streets. From his first moment alive, Mumble (voiced Elijah Woods) feels the beat and can't stop dancing. Unfortunately, emperor penguins are all about finding their own heart song, and the dancing youngster--as cute as he is--is a misfit. Luckily, he bumps into little blue penguins and a Spanish-infused group (led by Robin Williams) and begins a series of adventures. Miller has an exceptional variety of entertainment: Busby Berkley musical numbers, amusement-park thrills, exciting chase sequences (seals and orca lovers might like think otherwise), and even an environmental message that doesn't weigh you down. Best of all, you don't know where the movie is going in the last act, a rare occurrence these days in family entertainment. A fusion of rock songs, mashed-up and otherwise, are featured; this movie is as much a musical as a comedy. Mumble's solo dance to a new version of Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" by Fantasia, Patti, and Yolanda may be the most joyful moment on camera in 2006. --Doug Thomas

On the DVD
There are two new animated sequences, which aren't incorporated into the film. One's a half-minute hackysack-themed bit, but the other is a good-looking, two-minute scene featuring the late Steve Irwin as an albatross, who, with Mumble, encounters a blue whale. "Dance Like a Penguin: Stomp to the Beat" is hosted by Savion Glover, whose dancing was motion-captured for the film, but other than a couple basic tips, it's pretty much a demonstration rather than a lesson. In addition to the two music videos (Gia's "Hit Me Up" and Prince's "The Song of the Heart"), "I Love to Singa" is an appropriately matched 1936 Merrie Melodies cartoon in which a young owl ruffles feathers by wanting to sing jazz for his classical-music-loving family. --David Horiuchi

More Happy Feet

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Description

In the great nation of Emperor Penguins, deep in Antarctica, you're nobody unless you can sing - which is unfortunate for Mumble (ELIJAH WOOD), who is the worst singer in the world. He is born dancing to his own tune...tap dancing. As fate would have it, his one friend, Gloria (BRITTANY MURPHY), happens to be the best singer around. Mumble and Gloria have a connection from the moment they hatch, but she struggles with his strange "hippity- hoppity" ways. Away from home for the first time, Mumble meets a posse of decidedly un-Emperor-like penguins - the Adelie Amigos. Led by Ramon (ROBIN WILLIAMS), the Adelies instantly embrace Mumble's cool dance moves and invite him to party with them. In Adelie Land, Mumble seeks the counsel of Lovelace the Guru (also voiced by ROBIN WILLIAMS), a crazy-feathered Rockhopper penguin who will answer any of life's questions for the price of a pebble. Together with Lovelace and the Amigos, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.

Customer Reviews:

Political Garbage!.......2007-07-09

I was really looking forward to this movie. Boy was I disappointed. If you saw any of the trailers for this film, then you saw all of the funny and happy parts of this film. It was so "good" that I fell asleep watching it. The whole film was too political for me. Leave politics out of animated films.

Congratulations George Miller and Warren Coleman!.......2007-07-08

This film not only was a tremendous success for environmentalists; you hit about 11 various issues that were long overdue to be addressed in a film for young audiences.

Naturally, you are going to be met with opposition when you do that in any movie.

First, let me say that I have researched the time that it takes to make a film like this...the ludicrous comments that "you stole the storyline from "March of the Penguins" should be stopped right here and now. From the information I have researched, this movie was in the making before the Iraqi war.

I believe the first time this Penguin issue was brought before the public eye through film making was in 1922. And it's a very poor tactic to accuse a film maker of stealing a storyline that is based on a non-fiction documentary dating all the way back to 1922; especially since any nature documentary is good material for animated movies for children. I don't know of any other animated Penguin movies for children except the one coming out next year.

Somewhere in the theatre audiences, there are many Mumbles and Glorias who will come forth in the future and step outside the box because this film impressed them on one or more of those 11 issues that were address in the film. You have succeeded and I congratulate you on this effort!

The color was fantastic and the penguins' facial expressions said more than the lines that they spoke. My hat is off to the artists and choreographers! Robin Williams made a perfect "Lovelace" and Hugh Jackman played "Memphis" in a very special way.

This was entertainment for children at its best with the history, art,music and educational subject matter and there was never a five minute stretch that was not moving the plot along.

The premise was a young penguin who could not sing but could dance. Since their breed of penguins sang to attract a mate, this put Mumble at a disadvantage.

The hardship that the penguins had to overcome as a group was starvation. Penguins are basically starving in real life. (This part is not fictional.)

Mumble meets another race of penguins who actually have rhythm in their movements and he blends in with them, but he can't find a true mate among them as the breed is different, and he would like to have Gloria.( a penguin who was born in his tribe of penguins the same winter he was)

Mumble decides that his social issues are not as important as the shortage of food for the penguins to eat and he seeks out to find some answers on why they don't have enough fish for food. He spots a penguin called "Lovelace" who has a plastic six pack holder hanging about his neck. This shows the audience another issue of repercussions of tossing wastes into the Antarctic have adverse effects on the nature there. Lovelace swam through the water and it looped around his neck while he was small but as he grew older the plastic began to slowly strangle him. (another issue)

Mumble helps Lovelace solve the plastic choker problem, then resumes his quest to solve the food shortage, sacrificing Gloria in the process. He persuades her that he is no longer interested in her and wants to go out in the world on his own because he is afraid she will get hurt if she stays with him. (leadership values are played out by this little penguin star throughout the show)

In this attempt, to make contact with the humans (he refers to as aliens) he is captured and during his capture, he starts to dance for a little girl while he is in the zoo. This brings some attention to him from a lot of people. It is only then that the people decide to find out where he originated from, so they can study the other penguins.

Mumble is tagged with a monitor and released so that wildlife specialists can follow him back to his tribe of penguins. The others see Mumble and Mumble warns them that he has been a captive of aliens who were eating all of their fish. He convinces the others to dance for the aliens when they arrive. The behavior of the penguins appears strange to the world leaders and and they figure out that the penguins are trying to tell them they they are not worthless and they need to be able to stay alive like other creatures.

The story is not subtle about what man is doing to the Antarctic and finally at the end it comes right out and says "Stop fishing there."

At one point the scene jumps from Earth to a focal point far from the Earth to show how insignificant we may appear to aliens ourselves, and how would or should we react when they ignore us as we have the penguins.(another thought provoking issue here)

Many people took offense at this point of view, because some of the religious leaders first wanted to say the great Penguin in the sky would supply the food and not do anything to try to locate the food; but they did turn back toward a true fact and worked things out with everyone else. We all know that there are some people who misunderstand religion that way; but others do not. Mature people understand what is implied here and should not take offense as some reviewers wanted to harp on that.

My point of view is this: The producers had only one shot at it to make their point and this movie NAILED IT. Perhaps this review will help me feel like I have taken a least one small step in the right direction to promote a better cause for humanity by first opening a discussion about the creatures that live among us.

I appreciate all the actors who made this movie a success, and commend the producers for going through with something that they knew was going to cause great controversy and took a chance on being misunderstood. (many people took advantage of that).

Another attempt to outdo Disney.......2007-07-06

This movie wasnt bad but not great. Visually splendid but short on story. Very cute for the kids but will leave adults shaking there heads some. Penguins are the in thing for sure as Madagascar started this phenomenon. What these movies miss is the Disney touch. Yes some are good but dont have the heart that Disney or Pixar have. Worth more of a rent then a buy.

_Cars_ should have gotten the Oscar........2007-07-05

I finally rented this after a family friend said she loved it so much she went to see it three times in the theater. Now I know better than to trust her taste!

On the up side, the animation was beautiful and I thought that the take on human researchers as alien abductors was pretty clever.

On the down side, another friend warned me that she thought it was sexist, and I had to agree with that. I was also really surprised at the obvious sexual double-entendres in a movie that clearly meant to cash in on the cuteness of penguin chicks and seemed to be aimed at children. It IS possible to make a funny movie without resorting to toilet humor and crass jokes if you're genuinely creative.

Additionally, the musical-ness of it was BORING. The whole movie felt like about two minutes of plot scattered around in ten-second bits between overblown hip-hop and pop covers. Again, too; I'm not sure I thought all the music was appropriate for kids. And where do penguins who doubt the existence of humans learn Beach Boys songs, anyway?

It was repetitive. Mumble keeps getting dissed over and over and over again. Okay, already; we get the point. The story line was 100% predictable. The characterizations were weak, at best. I thought maybe it was because it was a cartoon, except that I cared about the cars in _Cars_ way more than I cared about the penguins in _Happy Feet_, and the cars were not only cartoons but weren't even animals. The voices were obnoxious (Okay, Nicole Kidman, enough with the breathy bimbo thing already); Robin Williams needs to be put out to pasture before he gets any weirder and more egomaniacal.

I cannot believe the Oscar people thought this was better than _Cars_. What were they thinking??

Worth viewing once........2007-07-05

I have to say, after reading previous reviews, the quality, or lack thereof, of this movie, I was not really surprised when I finally watched this movie. It was a less than subtle attempt to present an environmental message, disguised as a children's movie. While some of the music was enjoyable, the actual plot was not well developed, and seemed to utilize excessive and blatant stereotyping of religious conservatives. The characters did not prove all that endearing, and the environmental message grew to an extreme at the end, rather than presenting a more realistic solution to the problem at hand, which was also overdone in its presentation. This is supposed to be entertainment directed at children, I believe, and in that, it only partially succeeds. It was a good idea, in a general sense, but the specifics were poorly handled, and came across as an alternatively weak and heavy-handed attempt to present a political message in what should have been a cute children's movie.

That said, I would definitely recommend this movie be viewed once, as it works better when watched for what it comes off as, rather than for what it is. It works much better if viewed as a comedy, somewhat in the vein of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail;" specifically a comedy that mixes the painfully inept with the corny to create a movie so pathetic it is funny. With that in mind, and a readiness to ignore the heavy-handed message, this movie can be quite enjoyable, once.

Average customer rating:

Way Over-Rated, and Often VERY Unpleasant!
Is the Creator Responsible for His Creation?
My Fair Lady
Does not work!
Rating of My Fair Lady

My Fair Lady
Starring: Audrey Hepburn , Rex Harrison , Stanley Holloway , Wilfrid Hyde-White , and Gladys Cooper
Director: George Cukor
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition)
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ASIN: 630522577X
Release Date: 1998-12-08

Amazon.com essential video

Hollywood's legendary "woman's director," George Cukor (The Women, The Philadelphia Story), transformed Audrey Hepburn into street-urchin-turned-proper-lady Eliza Doolittle in this film version of the Lerner and Loewe musical. Based on George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion, My Fair Lady stars Rex Harrison as linguist Henry Higgins (Harrison also played the role, opposite Julie Andrews, on stage), who draws Eliza into a social experiment that works almost too well. The letterbox edition of this film on video certainly pays tribute to the pageantry of Cukor's set, but it also underscores a certain visual stiffness that can slow viewer enthusiasm just a tad. But it's really star wattage that keeps this film exciting, that and such great songs as "On the Street Where You Live" and "I Could Have Danced All Night." Actor Jeremy Brett, who gained a huge following later in life portraying Sherlock Holmes, is quite electric as Eliza's determined suitor. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Way Over-Rated, and Often VERY Unpleasant!.......2007-06-29

Yes, it is a nice Cinderella story, and Audrey plays a fine role.There is an excellent message about the ingrained Brit Class System circa 1910..And there are some nice costumes, mainly women's hats, at the Horse race..Add to this a few memorable songs..So what is the problem with this ? Mainly, the near- nauseating character of Higgins, an old fashioned snob and misogynist of the ugliest type, who we have to watch sneer and scold for the better part of two hours! Not pretty! True, Pickering is a nice counterpoint, and really a decent old chap, but Higgins is the main character, and to watch and listen to this old goat goes well beyond a pleasant way to spend time! The song and dance numbers are hardly even third rate. Any comparison with a 1940's-50's MGM musical puts this one to shame! No dancing to speak of, and very low production quality..Then again, this was Warner, not known for musicals!..And there is a claustrophic sense here that says , "How can I get away from this miserable phonetics teacher?" It's near impossible..I can think of at least 30 musicals far and away above this, not just MGM, but Fred and Ginger, and so forth..In fact, 3-stars may be too kind for this one, since it is way below the hype!..Also, check out the 1930's PYGMALION with Wendy Hiller and Leslie Howard, and you can easily see how almost the entire movie (MY FAIR LADY) was completely taken from PYGMALION, including the sets and dialogue..About the only thing new is the songs, which are fun and amusing, but not really in the top tier of great musical tunes.

Is the Creator Responsible for His Creation?.......2007-06-12

I had not watched this marvelous movie for many years when I took the opportunity to watch it again. The movie is a little stiff in places, but that stiffness seemed, to me, to enhance the formality of English high society. Audrey Hepburn belies that stiffness with her free-spirited characterization of Eliza Doolittle. Eliza contrasts nicely with Henry Higgin's mother, played by veteran actor Gladys Cooper ("The Happiest Millionaire," "The Song of Bernadette," and "The List of Adrian Messenger"). Mrs. Higgins is quite proper and perfect in every situation. Henry, played by the incomparable Sir Rex Harrison, is disdainful and aloof. Henry believes he is the remote scientific observer who can categorize and stereotype everyone, and is not affected by his surroundings.

A problem arises when Henry Higgins bets Colonel Pickering (Wilfrid Hyde-White, "Ten Little Indians" (1965) and "In Search of the Castaways") that he could take anyone, such as Eliza Doolittle, and turn them into something like a lady's maid or a shop girl. Colonel Pickering takes Henry up on his bet, volunteering to finance the experiment.

Looking at the next part of this movie with five decades of life, I quickly saw the problem that Henry was getting into. Henry was taking a human life adjusted to a certain set of surroundings, modifying that life so that it no longer fit in, and was then prepared to cast that life adrift once he proved his point. Henry failed to see that he did anything wrong, and therein lies the irony and pathos of this movie. The question a first-time watcher asks is whether Henry will be able to grow up at last and realize that people require compassion and empathy and are more than science experiments.

In addition to a marvelous story, this movie boasts wonderful music and excellent sets. Though some of Audrey Hepburn's singing survived, Marni Nixon sang most of the music attributed to Hepburn. Nixon's singing was phenomenal and her singing voice is close enough to Hepburn's that it sounds as though Hepburn could be singing.

Other singing numbers contained extensive choreography on expansive sets. Two complexly choreographed songs that come to mind are "Get Me to the Church on Time" and the "Ascot Gavotte."

This movie featured an array of sets depicting street scenes and interior scenes. Though the street scenes were excellent, my favorite set in the movie has always been Henry Higgin's incredible library. I would love to have his library in my house, though duplicating that library would be incredibly expensive.

This movie won 20 awards, which includes eight Oscars. Rex Harrison won the Best Actor Oscar and the movie won the Best Picture Oscar, both highly coveted awards. Harrison won many other awards for this film, and "My Fair Lady" became the most awarded movie of 1965.

Of course, awards do not necessarily mean a film is either good or great. However, Rex Harrison, Audrey Hepburn and Wilfrid Hyde-White have such incredible acting skills and such screen presence that they make this film a joy to watch. I was spell-bound as I watched Audrey Hepburn become Eliza Doolittle and capture the hearts of everyone in the movie. Rex Harrison was incredible as Henry Higgins. This movie was either Harrison's best, or one of his best.

The story is also captivating. Henry Higgins experiments with the life of a human being. What Henry Higgins failed to realize is that once he became involved with his subject, he lost his objectivity and learned compassion. Love can come from compassion. The only thing that surprised me in this viewing of the movie is that I previously had not realized how early in the movie that Eliza Doolittle had come to love Henry Higgins.

"My Fair Lady" is one of the best musicals of all time. The combination of story, acting, singing and sets is amazing. Fans of musicals and love stories will enjoy this movie, even on multiple viewings.

Enjoy!

My Fair Lady.......2007-05-12

I personally like classic movies compared to some of the movies out there now.

Does not work!.......2007-04-11

The DVD does not work in Ireland so it is absolutely useless!! I should have been made aware of this when I was purchasing the product. I would like to be refunded in full for the three DVDs I have purchased: My Fair Lady, Paris when it Sizzles and Breakfast at Tiffanys (purchased at the same time)
Also the packaging costs were not displayed until i had entered my credit card number and were much too expensive.
Overall i am extremely disappointed with my experience and I expect to be compensated for this.

Rating of My Fair Lady.......2007-04-10

This is one of the best musicals ever done. The DVD was excellent quality.

Average customer rating:

Predictable Movie
Get it for the music...
Love the stomp
unimpressive dance film
Stomp the Yard

Stomp the Yard (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Columbus Short , Meagan Good , Ne-Yo , Darrin Dewitt Henson , and Brian J. White
Director: Sylvain White
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005JPK8
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Amazon.com

At its core, Stomp the Yard is a romantic drama disguised as a dance film. Or is it the other way around? DJ (Columbus Short) is a troubled teen from Los Angeles who gets a chance for a better life when he is admitted into Atlanta's privileged Truth University. Just when he thought he had escaped a life of gangs, DJ finds himself in the middle of a "war" between two upper-crust fraternities where stepping (a popular dance form) is their weapon of choice. When DJ realizes the coed he falls for is the girlfriend of the school's champion stepper, he joins the rival fraternity to try to show her--and himself--that he's as good as anyone else there. Stomp the Yard is not an original film. Add some drums and you've got Drumline. Change some of the characters around and you've got Save the Last Dance. What sets the movie apart is the stepping. The precision involved at this level is impressively complicated and Short--a dancer and choreographer--is beautifully expressive both as an actor and a dancer. Sure the plot is predictable and hokey at times. But Short and Meagan Good (as his crush April) have wonderful chemistry together, and the supporting cast--including Harry J. Lennix as DJ's no-nonsense uncle--are delightful to watch. --Jae-Ha Kim

Stills from Stomp the Yard (click for larger image)

Beyond Stomp the Yard on Amazon.com

Stomp the Yard on Blu-ray
CD Soundtrack
Dance DVDs

Product Description

DJ (Columbus Short), an amazing underground street dancer, hasn't been in college for a day before he's entranced by the lovely April (Meagan Good).Working as a gardener to pay the bills, DJ doesn't fit in with the wealthier students around campus, but one thing does catch his attention the rival fraternity competitions known as stepping. With April's help, DJ learns about the legacy and heritage behind the fraternities and decides to join up. Now part of an official step group, DJ must balance rehearsals, work, and school, while at the same time winning the heart of the girl of his dreams. With the National Step Championship drawing closer, DJ must learn to stop dancing as an individual, and start stepping as a team.

Customer Reviews:

Predictable Movie.......2007-07-07

Bought it for my son and he loved it. The plot was not bad, and watching the movie on my hdtv was great. However it was predictable.

Get it for the music..........2007-07-06

I saw the previews for this movie and was enticed by the soundtrack of the movie. I figured that if there was anything else good about it then that would only be a bonus.

Well, I found little else to get excited about.

First of all, the music was not disappointing. When I cranked up my home theater I not only heard the music but felt it. I really enjoyed the beat, rhythm, and tempo. But I think I would have been better off if I had just fast forwarded through the rest of the movie.

There is a love story, but it is unrealistic and, at best, silly. There was the whole emotional thing about the main character's brother, but the main character really didn't seem to have much trouble putting that stuff behind him except for one scene that was completely comical ("Do it for your brother!?!?!?") and obviously written where the director was expecting an Oscar or something. There was the Fraternity thing about brotherhood and togetherness, but it was touched on so lightly that it just became background noise. Good grades and education? Hardly mentioned. Hard work? Same. And if there are any rules to "stepping" or "stomping" or "battling" or whatever they want to call it, I had trouble following it. The only rule that made sense was that the winner was the one/group who made the audience most excited. But I was struck how little, stupid, mindless silly things would get them excited. So..... *shrug*

It got so bad that my wife couldn't take it anymore after about 2/3rds of the movie and pretty much fell into a Mystery Science Theater 3000 movie mockery which is entirely not like her. But I couldn't blame her, it was the only way to make the movie interesting.

So, if you love a killer soundtrack with a great beat then pick it up for that. If you are looking for a touching, life altering story that will stir the emotions and inspire your spirits... this isn't it. There are better ways to spend two hours.

Love the stomp.......2007-07-04

Say what you want about the storyline, the acting, whatever... you know you cheered for the under dog. To manage making a black movie with no sex, moderate violence, promoting higher education, unity and brotherhood, come on, you got to love it, especially in these days and times.

unimpressive dance film.......2007-06-21

"Stomp the Yard" is a film that exists solely for its dancing. All else is mere filler. That includes the plot, which revolves around a young L.A. street dancer named D.J. (Columbus Short) who enrolls in Atlanta's Truth University and immediately finds himself caught up in the rivalry between two fraternities specializing in what is called competitive "stomp" dancing. The film also chronicles the lovelorn lad's near-stalker-like efforts to woo April (Meagan Good), the provost's beautiful daughter, despite the fact that she is already going out with a self-centered, super creep of a boyfriend (Darrin Dewitt Henson), who also happens to be one of the leaders of a rival fraternity.

Although the plot complications are relatively straightforward and easy to follow, you just might want to keep a "street slang-to-English" dictionary handy to help you through some of the dialogue. Unfortunately, the predictability of the storyline and the triteness of the romantic entanglements pretty much vitiate the attractive novelty of the context and setting.

That pretty much leaves just the dancing, which isn't all that terrific, actually, thanks to the frenetic, hurdy-gurdy quality of the editing, which breaks up the movements and prevents the dancers from establishing a smooth-flowing rhythm and style. We see their dance routines only in fragmented bits and pieces, a technique that does little justice to the vision and hard work of the performers, who clearly possess an impressive store of untapped energy and talent. At least that's more than can be said for the acting, which ranges in quality from the merely passable to the distressingly amateurish.

There are moments of inspirational racial pride sprinkled in among the melodrama and dance sequences, but they are quickly swept away by the contrivances and cliches that ultimately inundate the film.

Stomp on over to the refund counter.

Stomp the Yard.......2007-06-15

This turned out to be a pretty good movie.

Average customer rating:

Very bland
Why all the negative reviews?
Kind of Gray
Gray Matters is Great!
Pretty weak

Gray Matters
Starring: Heather Graham , Thomas Cavanagh , Bridget Moynahan , Molly Shannon , and Alan Cumming
Director: Sue Kramer
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Puccini for Beginners
Loving Annabelle
Catch & Release
Because I Said So (Widescreen Edition)
Music and Lyrics (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000O76ZO4
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Amazon.com

Gray Matters has one of the most adorable casts of any movie in recent years--the combined sweetness of Heather Graham (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me), Bridget Moynahan (Lord of War), Molly Shannon (Year of the Dog), Thomas Cavanagh (Ed), Alan Cumming (X-Men 2), and Sissy Spacek (Carrie, In the Bedroom) narrowly avoids being diabetes-inducing. Gray (Graham) and her brother Sam (Cavanagh) have been best friends forever--so close that they find it hard to date. Gray pushes Sam into asking out Charlie (Moynahan), but when Sam and Charlie hit it off so well they spontaneously decide to get married, Gray finds herself unexpectedly dismayed... but not as dismayed as she is when, on a girls' night out before the ceremony, she and Charlie share a drunken kiss that sets Gray's body tingling. Gray Matters juggles a lot of emotional issues; the sibling interconnectedness problem doesn't flow smoothly into the coming-out story of the movie's second half. But sprinkled throughout are charming scenes and wonderfully deft moments that make the story's clumsy missteps all the more baffling. There's no question that Graham is a star who just can't seem to find the right vehicle; Gray Matters won't be her breakthrough, but it's further evidence of her significant appeal. --Bret Fetzer

Description

In this hilarious romantic comedy, Gray (Heather Graham) helps her brother (Tom Cavanaugh) find the love of his life. But the night before her brother's wedding, Gray's world is turned upside-down when she discovers that she has feelings for his fiancé (Bridget Moynahan)! With the help of a sarcastic co-worker (Molly Shannon), a sympathetic cab driver (Alan Cumming), and her therapist (Oscar-winner Sissy Spacek), Gray is forced to figure out who she really is.

Customer Reviews:

Very bland.......2007-07-08

The dialogue in this movie sucks. It is either not funny or extremely cliche. It could have turned out so much better with the general plot of the movie but it was a huge turndown for me.

Why all the negative reviews?.......2007-07-02

I had heard a lot of bad things about this movie when it first came out but decided to watch it anyway because of the cast as well as the cute storyline. I wasn't expecting much but I was surprised that I actually ended up really liking it!

So what's to like about this movie? First, the cast contains a lot of eye candy. Some actors/actresses you may recognize are Alan Cummings, Molly Shannon, Bridget Moynahan, Heather Graham, and the wonderful Rachel Shelley. Second, the storyline is really cute. Basically, a woman (Gray) and her brother (Sam) agree to find the perfect partner for each other. Gray finds a woman named Charlie for her brother and Charlie and Sam hit it off right away. Within a few days, the couple is in Las Vegas to get married. When Charlie and Gray kiss the night before the couple's wedding, sparks fly and Gray realizes that she might be gay. I was actually really happy with the way it ended. I personally think that it shed some light on gay relationships and it shows that you truly can't prevent who you fall in love with.

And what's not to like? This movie certainly isn't Oscar-worthy. It's a typical romantic comedy. Don't expect this movie to be earth-shattering. Also, without giving too much away, I'll say that some parts progressed rather quickly and I felt a couple of scenes should have gone into more depth. But as I said above, it's not Oscar-worthy (and I'm sure the writers didn't intend for it to be) so I was ok with this one flaw as the movie was still entertaining.

Forget what you've heard about this movie. Check it out for yourself. Like me, you may be surprised and really enjoy it.

Kind of Gray.......2007-06-29

"Gray Matters"

Kind of Gray

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

I had heard so much hype about "Gray Matters" that I could not wait to see it and it seems now that the hype was totally unjustified. The cast is good and Heather Graham as Gray creates a character that I felt for and really liked. Tom Cavanagh, as Gray's brother, Sam, has charm and is quite funny. Charlie, played by Bridget Moyahan, the object of both Gray's and Sam's affection is good and Alan Cummings is great as Gray's cab driver friend. The other cast member, Sissy Spacek and Molly Shannon are also good but the film is lacking something. I liked the film and I am having a difficult time pinpointing where it went wrong. I think it is probably the idea that there are some gay people who do not realize that they are gay until later on. I mean, I know that some embrace homosexuality late but it doesn't seem to work here.
It is hard to accept that when Gray kissed Charlie that she suddenly realized that she was gay. It seems to be grasping at straws to build a plot. Does someone suddenly realize he is gay or is it a process? What was it that lets Gray know she was suddenly gay? Now the kiss was great and hot but it was not enough.
The film does grab the audience and fills it with hope. The script also deals with social issues such as media, image and sexuality as well as identity--issues that are not dealt with completely in mainstream movies. It does not preach and has an important message (but it is somewhat boring as it meanders from situation to situation). As good of an actress that Heather Graham is, she is not convincing as a lesbian.
What really hurts the movie from reaching a level of greatness is that most of the events are unbelievable. Unless you are Britney Spears you do not rush to Las Vegas to get married after knowing someone for only six days. But there are moments that are genuinely funny and there are moments that are thought provoking.

Gray Matters is Great!.......2007-06-28

Great is all I can say. I have been so bored with every romantic comedy that has come out in the past five years. Finally a movie with heart, soul and originality. The cast is superb, the writing is fantastic and it's a great postcard of New York City. I laughed and I even shed a tear or two! This should have been the comedy of the year. I highly reccomend it. Molly Shannon is also hilarious--some of her funniest acting yet.

Pretty weak.......2007-06-24

Unimaginative plotting yields protracted bridges of tedium riveted together with predictability. Sissy Spacek's therapist, Alan Cumming's sympathetic cab driver, and some truly beautiful New York ambient backdrops were just barely enough to get me through to the end.

This would have been way more cogent in a pre Ellen Degeneres era - but come on that was so last Century!

Average customer rating:

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The Best of Elmo - Is It Really?

Sesame Street - The Best of Elmo
Starring: Kevin Clash
Director: Emily Squires
Manufacturer: Sesame Street
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Elmo's World - Babies, Dogs & More
Sesame Street - Kids' Favorite Songs
Elmo's World - Wake up with Elmo!
Sesame Street - 123 Count With Me
Sesame Street - Do the Alphabet

ASIN: B00005QFDX
Release Date: 2001-10-30

Product Description

This is a Sesame Street Best of Elmo DVD. This Sesame Street Best of Elmo DVD is another exciting episode of Sesame Street with Elmo the star of the show! Also a visit from Whoopi Goldberg.

Amazon.com

The Sesame Street character has fun singing some catchy new songs (you and your toddler just might, too), explaining the difference between light and heavy, having a laugh over pictures and numbers, and sharing the screen with a good-natured Whoopi Goldberg and Julia Roberts. Of the various Elmo videos, this one really does have the choicest material and stands up to repeat viewings--a big plus with little ones. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Not a favorite...........2007-06-27

At my house- this one isn't a favorite. I think the story line is too long for a toddler. They like action and this one doesn't give it. My DD loves the babies, dogs and farms one. We watch that over and over again, but this one just sits. Sorry Elmo!

Two thumbs up from an Elmo lover!.......2007-06-08

My 10 month old daughter LOVES this DVD. It's only 30 minutes long--perfect length for distracting her during a

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