Ancient Civilizations

Starring:Various
Studio: Questar
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Solid entertainment from a new group of Disney animators. The story source is a Chinese fable about a young girl who disguises herself as a man to help her family and her country. When the Huns attack China, a call to arms goes out to every village, and Mulan's father, being the only man in the family, accepts the call. Mulan (voiced by Ming-Na Wen, sung by Lea Salonga) has just made a disastrous appearance at the Matchmaker and decides to challenge society's expectations (being a bride). She steals her father's conscription notice, cuts her hair, and impersonates a man to join the army. She goes to boot camp, learning to fit in with the other soldiers with some help from her sidekick, Mushu, a wise-cracking dragon (voiced by Eddie Murphy). She trains, and soon faces the Huns eye-to-eye to protect her Emperor.

The film is gorgeous to look at, with a superior blend of classic and computer-generated animation. Directors Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook make the best of it: a battle in the snowy mountains is as thrilling as the best Hollywood action films. The menacing Huns are not cute but simple and bad. The wickedness is subtle, not disturbing. The film is not a full-fledged musical, as it has only five songs (the best, "Be a Man," is sung during boot camp). Eddie Murphy is an inspired choice for the comic-relief dragon, but his lines are not as clever as Robin Williams's in Aladdin. These are minor quibbles, though. The story is strong, and Mulan goes right to the top of Disney animated heroines; she has the right stuff. --Doug Thomas

Description

1. "An impressive achievement ranking with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and THE LION KING!" -- Roger Ebert 2. Deleted Scenes -- Never-Before-Heard Song; Alternate Openings 3. Songs of MULAN 4. Music Videos Featuring Jackie Chan, Raven, And Christina Aguilera 5. "Discovering MULAN" -- Embark On A Behind-The-Scenes Adventure With The Filmmakers 6. Early Presentation Reels 7. Progression Reels 8. DisneyPedia: "Mulan's World" -- Explore The Fascinating World Of Ancient China With Your Host, Mushu 9. MULAN Fun Facts 10. Audio Commentary 11. Storyboard-To-Film Comparisons

Customer Reviews:

WOW.......2007-06-27

This is probabily the second best film in the world-next to Pocahontas that is. The songs are all really catchy and the animation is spectacular.

So funny! .......2007-05-23

This is probably one of my favorite Disney movies. (This and Emperor's New Groove). I love when Disney has a sense of humor and you can clearly see it in this one.

Always a great movie!.......2007-05-13

I loved this movie when I was a kid. Even now, when I watch it again, it still is just as great. Perfect for the entire family!

Good, could have been great.......2007-03-19

Being Chinese, I really wanted to love this movie, but it lacks a few key story elements that set "Masterpiece" animated features such as 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin' apart from the rest. The animation and sound are fine as they should be and the mountain pass scenes are really cool, especially the part where the huge Mongol hoard comes charging down towards the protagonists in an endless wave of cavalry. The main musical theme "Reflections" is also well written and expresses Mulan's feelings and desires with emotion.

My issues with the movie:

1) The bad guy is certainly bad. He looks bad and he acts bad. However, there isn't really any clear logic or motivation to why he is doing what he's doing. In Beauty and the Beast, Gaston is driven by his egomaniacal desire to have Belle, the one woman in the village who shows no interest in him at all. In Mulan, the bad guy rapes and pillages China because... well... just because. There doesn't appear to be any goal or motivation for him. He destroys simply because he can, which is certainly possible, but makes for a rather flat character. Gaston, Jafar, and Ursula are much more interesting villains.

2) Mulan's romantic partner is kind of a "himbo". He's a pretty boy who doesn't really do much and isn't all that bright. It's not clear to me why Mulan would really want to get together with him other than the fact that he's a good looking dude. Besides that, he doesn't add much to the story. Which leads to my next issue:

3) In the other great Disney features, the lead and their romantic interest share in the resolution of their conflicts and defeat the villian as part of the resolution of the conflict in their romance. In Aladdin, Jasmine and Aladdin battle Jafar together as part of the resolution of the problem where Aladdin lied about being a poor street kid because Jasmine is the Sultan's daughter. Ariel and Eric battle Ursula as part of the romantic conflict brought on by the fact that he is human and she is a mermaid. Eric sees that Ariel is a mermaid in the end and doesn't care. He still risks his life fighting Ursula together with Ariel. In Mulan, it's pretty much just her and the romantic part of the story is an afterthought and they never really get into the issue of resolving that she is "doing a man's job" and shouldn't be in the Chinese army as part of their romantic conflict. It just gets OK'd in the end because she saves the emperor. They don't resolve it between themselves as individuals. Actually, up until the end he still does not accept her until the emperor accepts her. Not very romantic.

4) Finally, the supporting characters don't add much to the story either. The dragon and cricket add a little comedy here and there, but not much else. Some of the soldiers in Mulan's unit had potential, but don't really fully get there.

So, overall I liked the movie, but I didn't love it. This could have been one of their classics if they spent a bit more time developing the story and characters. It looks great, but needed some more under the hood of the story.

An underrated Disney film.......2007-02-21

Released after Pocahontas, when the Disney animated renaissance was coming to a close, this movie did not get much attention; this is unfortunate. While some of the comic relief is pained, Mulan herself is so lovingly rendered that she compensates for the groans.

Mulan, the character, is animated by Mark Henn, one of the main animators behind the beautiful and timeless Disney heroines of the 90s. Like Jasmine, Mulan's movements are feminine, lively, and nuanced, and show how much love he put into his work. Her facial expressions are subtle but clear, showing both her intelligence and her girlish immaturity. It is obvious why he was assigned to the animation of women over and over again; he is a master and considering how popular his Princesses are, I don't understand why he gets less love than Glen Keane.

Equal to Henn's animation is Ming-Na's voice acting. Her voice acting in Final Fantasy is too good; it only shows off the mediocrity of that animation. Here, though, she brings sympathy and depth to the character. Mulan to me is the perfect heroine. Her goal was not true love, she would take it, yes, but her heart seeks respect and honor first.

The plot is almost cloying but stops short at tender. Songs like A Girl Worth Fighting For are forgettable at best, but both Reflection and I'll Make a Man Out of You, the song where Mulan climbs the pole and proves herself, are classics. While sometimes irritating, Eddie Murphy's Mushu gets a few belly laughs. Still, it is the character of Mulan that makes this movie a favorite.

Average customer rating:

Director's Cut coming!!!
A good addition to the epic film category
One of the better war movies
An (almost) great movie
HOW DO YOU DISCRIBE EXALINTS

Troy (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Julian Glover , Brian Cox , Nathan Jones , Adoni Maropis , and Jacob Smith
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Last Samurai (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B0002Z0EYK
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Amazon.com

There are many reasons to recommend Troy as a good ol' fashioned Hollywood epic, especially if you've never read Homer's The Iliad. Dispensing with Greek gods altogether, this earnestly massive production (budgeted at upwards of $200 million) will surely offend historians and devoted students of the classics (for them, there's the History Channel's Troy). But there's politics aplenty in the grand-scale war that erupts when Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) makes off with Helen (blandly beautiful German model Diane Kruger), wife of Spartan ruler Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), whose brother, the Greek king Agamemnon (Brian Cox) prods him into enraged retaliation. Greek warrior Achilles (Brad Pitt) brings lethal force to his battles (and there are many of them, mostly impressive), and his Trojan counterpart, Paris's brother Hector (Eric Bana), adds even more buffed-up beefcake to a film so chock-full o' hunks that there's barely room for Peter O'Toole (doing fine work as Trojan king Priam) and even less for Julie Christie, appearing ever-so-briefly as Achilles's melancholy mother. The drama is nearly as arid as the sun-baked locations (Mexico and Malta) that stand in for the Aegean coast, and many critics suggested that Pitt (who valiantly tries to give Achilles some tormented dimension) was simply miscast. But when you consider that Wolfgang Petersen also made The Perfect Storm, there's nothing wrong with enjoying Troy as a semi-guilty pleasure with a touch of ancient class. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Brad Pitt picks up a sword and brings a muscular, brooding presence to the role of Greek warrior Achilles in this spectacular retelling of The Iliad. Orlando Bloom and Diane Kruger play the legendary lovers who plunge the world into war, Eric Bana portrays the prince who dares to confront Achilles, and Peter O'Toole rules Troy as King Priam. Director Wolfgang Petersen recreates a long-ago world of bireme warships, clashing armies, the massive fortress city and the towering Trojan Horse.

DVD Features:
Easter Eggs
Featurette:3 Featurettes: 1.In The Thick of the Battle: Discover how Troy's epic battle sequences were created--from thousands of warrior-extras training in the scorching heat of Mexico to fierce, one on one duels to the death. 2.From Ruins to Reality: Explore how the ruins of ancient Troy were unearthed, and how Troy's production design magicians created their own version of this breathtaking, legendary city. 3.Troy: An Effects Odyssey: The secrets of Troy's stunning visual effects are revealed--fro
Photo gallery:Gallery of the Gods: Take a computer generated, 3-D tour of Mount Olympus and meet the fabled Gods of Ancient Greece
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

Director's Cut coming!!!.......2007-05-03

This news is about a month old as of this writing, but DavisDVD reported on April 3rd that director Wolfgang Peterson is getting $1M and his chance to go back and put out his definitive version of this historical epic film, much like Ridley Scott did with Kingdom of Heaven and Oliver Stone with Alexander.

Apparently, this new cut will be about a half-hour longer and be much more violent along with more sex. (Rubs hands together...)

It'll probably be released on home video in Sept. 2007.

A good addition to the epic film category.......2007-04-17

I know I learned all about Greek history and mythology in high school, but that was too many years ago so I didn't know what in this movie was true to history and what was altered. Maybe my ignorance helped me enjoy the movie more than some. I thought the battle sequences were well done and the costuming excellent. Some of the characters didn't have much to do, while others we were given a good amount of depth to understand their motivations. Peter O'Toole owned the screen in his scene with Achilles asking for his son's body to be returned. Brad Pitt did a nice job with Achilles. The only complaint I have is the nihilistic way the character was written became a little irritating to deal with as the movie went on. Brian Cox is his usual nasty self as Agamemnon and it would have been nice to see Brendon Gleason have a bigger role as Menelaus.

My biggest trouble with Troy is the almost 3 hour length. It didn't need to be that long. A few scenes cut out or shortened would have made a tighter movie. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Troy and would recommend it.

One of the better war movies.......2007-03-18

If you are looking for a great rendition of Homers tale the Iliad then dont bother with this movie. If you are looking for an entertaining movie about warfare during the time of the Greek city states then this is right for you. Not like many other Hollywood war movies where all the good guys live at the end and are able to defeat armies many time their size with little problem...cough...cough...Lord of the Rings. This movie is somewhat realistic where you have the good guys as your fighting soldiers and the higher ups numb or fighting for corrupt or concealed motives (if they are actually fighting at all). The losses of warfare are apparent as some of the more noble and likable characters in the movie lose their lives. It leaves the viewer of the movie wondering if the cost of that war was worth the sacrfices.

An (almost) great movie.......2007-03-09

If I could give it 4.5 stars, I would. For the most part, I thought Brad Pitt was an excellent Achilles, although there were a couple scenes where he spontaneously forgot how to act. The battle-scenes are impressive and the personal dual between Hector and Achilles was very well-done: I'd never seen such a well-choreographed fight with spears.

O.k., so they had to condense ten years of war into two weeks (or whatever), but what can you expect for a 2 hour movie? The Trojan Horse is somewhat underwhelming (but I guess that's to be expected since you know how the story ends).

As long as you're not a Homer purist, then "Troy" will not disappoint.

HOW DO YOU DISCRIBE EXALINTS.......2007-03-09

THIS IS THE BEST OR 1 OF THE BEST THAT WAS EVER SENT

Average customer rating:

Movie Great DVD Lousy
Great Movie!
A Most Worthwhile Story!
Awesome animation with an inspirational storyline!
The prince is king

The Prince of Egypt
Starring: Val Kilmer , Ralph Fiennes , Michelle Pfeiffer , Sandra Bullock , and Jeff Goldblum
Director: Brenda Chapman , Steve Hickner , and Simon Wells
Manufacturer: DreamWorks
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000JGOQ
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Amazon.com

Nearly every biblical film is ambitious, creating pictures to go with some of the most famous and sacred stories in the Western world. DreamWorks' first animated film was the vision of executive producer Jeffrey Katzenberg after his ugly split from Disney, where he had been acknowledged as a key architect in that studio's rebirth (The Little Mermaid, etc.). His first film for the company he helped create was a huge, challenging project without a single toy or merchandising tie-in, the backbone du jour of family entertainment in the 1990s.

Three directors and 16 writers succeed in carrying out much of Katzenberg's vision. The linear story of Moses is crisply told, and the look of the film is stunning; indeed, no animated film has looked so ready to be placed in the Louvre since Fantasia. Here is an Egypt alive with energetic bustle and pristine buildings. Born a slave and set adrift in the river, Moses (voiced by Val Kilmer) is raised as the son of Pharaoh Seti (Patrick Stewart) and is a fitting rival for his stepbrother Rameses (Ralph Fiennes). When he learns of his roots--in a knockout sequence in which hieroglyphics come alive--he flees to the desert, where he finds his roots and heeds God's calling to free the slaves from Egypt.

Katzenberg and his artists are careful to tread lightly on religious boundaries. The film stops at the parting of the Red Sea, only showing the Ten Commandments--without commentary--as the film's coda. Music is a big part (there were three CDs released) and Hans Zimmer's score and Stephen Schwartz's songs work well--in fact the pop-ready, Oscar-winning "When You Believe" is one of the weakest songs. Kids ages 5 and up should be able to handle the referenced violence; the film doesn't shy away from what Egyptians did to their slaves. Perhaps Katzenberg could have aimed lower and made a more successful animated film, but then again, what's a heaven for? --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews:

Movie Great DVD Lousy.......2007-07-05

We like to have language options on our films. There are no language options other than English on the DVD. Even the subtitles only come in English.

Great Movie!.......2007-06-21

I've always liked this movie. We had it on VHS, but my daughter wore it out. So, we got the DVD. I'm so happy we did - the quality is great, and we can watch widescreen, which is quite important to me. We're very happy!

A Most Worthwhile Story!.......2007-05-26

Although it is an animated-feature movie, the script is good and the story is very moving. So much of the historical accuracy has been maintained in this story. My family and I feel that it is time and money well-spent! I heartily recommend it to viewers of any age...

Awesome animation with an inspirational storyline!.......2007-05-18

I absolutely love this movie. It has the same effect on me as it did 8 years ago when I first watched it. The songs are great, animation is beautiful, and the storyline is heartwarming and true to it's essence. I recommend this for any age! It will send tingles down your spine

The prince is king.......2007-05-13

This is a great movie well worth the viewing time beuatifully animated and reasonably true to the story as told through contemporary eyes.

Average customer rating:

Director's Cut coming!!!
A good addition to the epic film category
One of the better war movies
An (almost) great movie
HOW DO YOU DISCRIBE EXALINTS

Troy [HD DVD]
Starring: Sean Bean , Ken Bones , Julie Christie , Trevor Eve , and Brendan Gleeson
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000E5KJI4
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

Director's Cut coming!!!.......2007-05-03

A good addition to the epic film category.......2007-04-17

One of the better war movies.......2007-03-18

An (almost) great movie.......2007-03-09

HOW DO YOU DISCRIBE EXALINTS.......2007-03-09

THIS IS THE BEST OR 1 OF THE BEST THAT WAS EVER SENT

Average customer rating:

Director's Cut coming!!!
A good addition to the epic film category
One of the better war movies
An (almost) great movie
HOW DO YOU DISCRIBE EXALINTS

Troy (Two-Disc Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Julian Glover , Brian Cox , Nathan Jones , Adoni Maropis , and Jacob Smith
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Alexander Revisited - The Final Cut (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
King Arthur - The Director's Cut (Widescreen Edition)
Gladiator - Extended Cut (Three-Disc Special Edition)
Kingdom of Heaven - The Director's Cut (Four-Disc Special Edition)
The Last Samurai (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B0002Z0EYA
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

Director's Cut coming!!!.......2007-05-03

A good addition to the epic film category.......2007-04-17

One of the better war movies.......2007-03-18

An (almost) great movie.......2007-03-09

HOW DO YOU DISCRIBE EXALINTS.......2007-03-09

THIS IS THE BEST OR 1 OF THE BEST THAT WAS EVER SENT

The Scorpion King (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

So bad it's actually lots of fun
Bad Acting By Cast Members!
Scorpion King- movie
A Fun Film
Slightly surpasses mediocre, I guess.

The Scorpion King (Widescreen Collector's Edition)
Starring: Grant Heslov , Bernard Hill , Sherri Howard , Kelly Hu , and Ralph Moeller
Director: Chuck Russell
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Mummy Returns (Widescreen Collector's Edition)
The Mummy [HD DVD]
The Rundown (Widescreen Edition)
Walking Tall
The Mummy Collection - The Mummy / The Mummy Returns (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00005JKYX
Release Date: 2002-10-01

Product Description

Adventure rules! As the spectacular Mummy series explodes into a new realm of breathtaking, non-stop action in The Scorpion King! Unleashing WWE superstar The Rock as the most feared warrior of the ancient world, The Scorpion King plunges you into a sweeping tale filled with stunning fight sequences, awe-inspiring battles and pulse-pounding hand-to-hand thrills. It's the ultimate special effects-powered epic and the must-see-and-see again adventure of the year!

Bonus Material:

Alternate Version in Enhance Viewing Mode

Feature Commentary with The Rock: See The Rock as he record the commentary live

Feature Commentary with Director Chuck Russell

Outtakes

Godsmack Music Video "I Stand Alone"

Preparing the Fight: A look at the process of shooting a fight sequence

The Making of The Scorpion King

The Special Effects

The Rock and Michael Clarke Duncan

Ancient World Production Design

Working with Animals

Scorpion King: Man Or Myth?

DVD-ROM Features Including Total Axess

System Requirements:
Starring: Dwayne Johnson (AKA The Rock), Michael Clarke Duncan, Peter Facinelli, Grant Heslov, Bernard Hill, and Kelly Hu.
Directed By: Chuck Russell.
Running Time: 92 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widscreen" format.
Copyright 2002 Universal Home Video.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

There's nothing original in The Scorpion King, but this derivative action franchise gets off to a rousing start by cleverly stealing from a lot of better movies. Capitalizing on his brief cameo in The Mummy Returns, Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. World Wrestling Federation star the Rock) stars as Mathayus, an Akkadian assassin in the age preceding Egyptian pharaohs, who vows to avenge his brother's murder by an undefeated warlord (Steven Brand) prophesied to become the desert-ruling Scorpion King. Their battle for supremacy comprises most of the film's brisk 95-minute running time, punctuated by comic relief from Mathayus's obligatory sidekick (Grant Heslov), romance with a beautiful sorceress (Kelly Hu), and alliance with a massive Nubian (Michael Clarke Duncan) on the eve of their climactic showdown. There's no rhyme or reason to the film's depiction of ancient civilization (the costuming is particularly ludicrous), but the Rock demonstrates adequate action-star potential, and director Chuck Russell (The Mask) wraps it all in a slick, professional package. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

So bad it's actually lots of fun.......2007-06-18

This isn't the type of movie you watch to gain a greater understanding of human nature, it's the type of movie you watch when you want to zone out for 90 minutes & just have fun. While there may really have been an ancient King named Scorpion, this movie is among the most historically inaccurate flicks I've ever seen. The fighting styles are wrong, the peoples are wrong, the times are, the weapons are wrong, heck the costumes are wrong & so are the horses (stirrups didn't arrive until the mid first millenia AD). The dialogue at some points is just awful, but through it all the actors never take themselves too seriously and The Rock is able to pull it off. I enjoyed this movie not because it makes an attempt at authenticity, but because it simply doesn't care and goes out to enjoy itself. Thats what makes this movie fun.

Bad Acting By Cast Members!.......2007-04-06

"The Rock" can't act! Some of the other characters weren't that great either in terms of their acting abilities, but "The Rock" was the worst offender. Basically, this is my only gripe with this film--- Poor acting performances by the cast!

Otherwise, the action, stunts, costuming, make-up, special effects/computer graphics and storyline were all fine.

Scorpion King- movie.......2007-03-21

I ordered this movie for a friend but I watched it before I gave it to him. It is not my kind of movie but I did enjoy it. The production was quite good. Some of the acting could have been a little better.

A Fun Film.......2007-03-12

I like these films, and this oe is just as good. Fun, a bit campy and good action.

Slightly surpasses mediocre, I guess........2007-01-25

The plot is utterly formulaic, and "The Rock" has all the acting ability of a cinder block, but this movie isn't totally boring.

Average customer rating:

Excellent Spin-Off
Fun film, great HD-DVD
The Scorpion King Is Good With Popcorn
Good movie, great product!

The Scorpion King [HD DVD]
Starring: Grant Heslov , Bernard Hill , Sherri Howard , Kelly Hu , and Ralph Moeller
Director: Chuck Russell
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000JJSJRS
Release Date: 2006-12-19

Description

Adventure rules! The spectacular Mummy series explodes into a new realm of breathtaking, non-stop action in The Scorpion King! Unleashing WWE superstar The Rock as the most fearsome warrior of the ancient world, The Scorpion King plunges you into a sweeping tale filled with stunning fight sequences, awe-inspiring battles and pulse-pounding thrills. It's the ultimate special effects-powered epic and the must-see-and-see-again adventure of the year!

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Spin-Off.......2007-06-22

This movie is a spin off from the Mummy. They've done a good job with the concept. There is a good story line that keeps you wondering how is this going to work out. The characters are believable and likeable. It is a fun entertaining picture, something you can watch several times over.

Fun film, great HD-DVD.......2007-05-14

Arnold had Conan, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has the Scorpion King. His first film as leading man and the Rock nails it, he's backed by an amazing list of co-stars (Bernard Hill "LOTR" and Michael Clarke Duncan "Sin City").
This movie calls back to the glory days of adventure films tongue-in-cheek and sword in sheath, pure popcorn entertainment. The HD-DVD transfer looks amazing, a must have for action/adventure fans.

The Scorpion King Is Good With Popcorn.......2007-02-20

Okay, the movie storyline isn't the greatest, a good amount of the acting is cheeseball and the same can be said about the dialogue. The movie has been around for a while so most people reading this are already aware of these facts. But that doesn't detract from another fact, and that is The Scorpion King is just a fun popcorn movie. It doesn't take a whole lot of gray matter to appreciate the movie when just watching it should suffice for an enjoyable passing of time. Other than that, the movie's one really redeeming quality is the superb picture tranfer to the HD format. It's actually amazing the amount of attention(alliteration not intended) to detail it's been given...can't figure that one out at all.

If you would like a more in-depth review of The Scorpion King or other movies on HD DVD and Blu-ray, try highdefdigest (There is a dot com after the name, but Amazon won't allow it. I guess because maybe it would default to a web link). Their reviews are insightful and unbiased in the format war.

Good movie, great product!.......2007-01-05

I liked this movie for its action and ancient civilization plot. I could care less if anything is historically accurate. I like the tough characters, the plot of betrayal, the oppression of the weak. My only criticism of this movie is that many people, especially The Rock, act too modern. Many commanding people have to appear strong, tough, and superior. The actor who plays Memnon, the bad guy, does a good job at this.

As for the DVD, the HD DVD industry strikes again! I love the fact that it is making hybrid discs, with HD on one side, standard on the other, so you can build an HD DVD collection even before you get an HD player. And, unlike the Blu-ray, you get ALL the special features that the standard DVD has, even if it's not a hybrid disc. Blu-ray movies have erased many of the special features that the standard DVDs have. GO HD DVD. Fight Blu-ray!

In Search of History - The Aztec Empire (History Channel)

Average customer rating:

The Aztec empire
a cursory but useful documentary

In Search of History - The Aztec Empire (History Channel)
Starring: In Search of History
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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In Search of History - Lost City of the Incas (History Channel)
Conquest of America (History Channel)
Lost Treasures of the Ancient World: Mayans and Aztecs Ancient Lands of the Americas
The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross
History's Mysteries - The Inquisition (History Channel)

ASIN: B000BKVL70
Release Date: 2005-12-27

Product Description

When the explorer Cortes arrived in the New World in 1519, he found the present-day nation of Mexico dominated by the Aztecs. Skilled farmers, builders and merchants, the Aztecs were also savage warriors who practiced human sacrifice on a massive scale fueled by the belief that blood nourished their gods and sustained the world.

This is the definitive profile of one of the most fascinating civilizations of the Ancient World where beauty was balanced by savagery, and mysticism was soaked in blood. Leading scholars trace the rise of the Aztecs from their island in present-day Mexico City to the pre-eminent culture of ancient America, and reveal how the Spanish were able to bring this mighty society to its knees in mere months! Tour the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan in Mexico City, where ongoing excavations are unraveling some of the enduring enigmas of the Aztecs. Director Eduardo Matos Moctezuma provides a behind-the-scenes look at the seat of the ancient empire and reveals astonishing new discoveries. And see how the long-vanished civilization's influence is still felt in Mexico today.

System Requirements:

Running Time 50 Mins.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

The Aztec empire.......2007-01-12

Very solid historical perspective of the Aztecs. The DVD gives a very broad understanding of a very complex and detailed civilization that is hard to cover in just an hour. Interesting perspectives from a number of different scholars the DVD gives a beginning to end broad sweep of the Aztec empire. Excellent for people/students that are just starting out, and studying the Aztec Empire.

a cursory but useful documentary.......2006-09-22

I usually hate cheesy historical reenactments. However, I loved seeing the gorgeous feathered headdresses, colorful chest pieces, and full loincloths of the Aztecs. To be honest, I saw few women being reenacted and that may be a bit problematic. Still, the reenactments helped add a dimension to the ornate and simplistic paintings done of the past empire.

This documentary has interviews from both American and Mexican scholars, it's not one-sided. The work ends by saying Aztec treasures are still being found. I love having that hope that more may be to come.

The documentary was top-focused, meaning the Aztec gods and kings took precedence. I once saw a painting of an Aztec scene which implied that they had clowns. What about those people? Did the Aztecs put boards on their children's head to make them pointy like the Mayas did? What happened in Aztec marketplaces? The film covers Moctezuma and his death. However, according to Stephen Murray's book "Latin American Homosexualities," Moctezuma may have been captured by the Spanish by being seduced by a blond, Spanish male youth. That doesn't come up in this work. Malinche, the Native woman that may have helped the Spanish, is brought up here. However, the contempt that some modern Mexicans and Mexican Americans hold for her is not brought up.

In a different documentary by the History Channel on the Incas, it said the Incas predicted their downfall in 1519 by a foreign force. Here too they bring up that prediction with the Aztec. This seems like too much of a coincidence. I wonder if this is something that imperialist cultures have made up or hype in order to excuses the ravages of imperialism or colonialism.

This work probably just skimmed the surface of the Aztecs. However, for a persont that knows little of that culture, this was an informative work.

Average customer rating:

WOW
So funny!
Always a great movie!
Good, could have been great
An underrated Disney film

Mulan (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Starring: Miguel Ferrer , Harvey Fierstein , Freda Foh Shen , June Foray , and James Hong
Director: Barry Cook , and Tony Bancroft
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Aladdin (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Pocahontas (10th Anniversary Edition)
The Little Mermaid (2-Disc Platinum Edition)
Hercules (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Mulan II

Accessories:

Mulan Animated Storybook

ASIN: B00001QEBQ
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

WOW.......2007-06-27

This is probabily the second best film in the world-next to Pocahontas that is. The songs are all really catchy and the animation is spectacular.

So funny! .......2007-05-23

This is probably one of my favorite Disney movies. (This and Emperor's New Groove). I love when Disney has a sense of humor and you can clearly see it in this one.

Always a great movie!.......2007-05-13

I loved this movie when I was a kid. Even now, when I watch it again, it still is just as great. Perfect for the entire family!

Good, could have been great.......2007-03-19

An underrated Disney film.......2007-02-21

Lost Treasures of the Ancient World Series 3 - Ancient India

Average customer rating:

History Teacher
What a great learning!
Good overview of Indian history
Good Review for AP World History
a good reference

Lost Treasures of the Ancient World Series 3 - Ancient India
Starring: Lost Treasures
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Lost Treasures of the Ancient World Series 3 - Ancient China
The Soul Of India
Origins of India¿s Hindu Civilization DVD
First Emperor of China
Life of Buddha

ASIN: B000CQQIYY
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Description

The story of India is one of fabulous dynasties and kings, timeless belief systems and golden ages of culture. This fascinating program journeys through the centuries to demonstrate how glories such as the Taj Mahal reflect the character of a unique people. Authoritative and entertaining, this program features a stunning graphic re-creation of an Indus Valley City of the Second Millennium BC. Features superb 3D graphics, State-of-the-art computer generated animation, all new location footage, and expert commentary and analyses.

Customer Reviews:

History Teacher .......2007-05-23

This video was a wonderful addition to my curriculum. It provide solid factual information with rich, detailed photography, computer-generated imagery and stunning graphical displays. It provided my students a much richer insight into "Old India" so that they could appreciate the culture in a more modern world.

What a great learning!.......2007-02-18

This DVD tells you many things about Indias history. Without revieling the contents I would say it is worth the money. I give it 4 out of 5 because i wish it had longer chapters as I found my self wanting more. Probably the best documentary about Indian history that I have seen and great 3D re-creations.

Good overview of Indian history.......2006-12-04

This 50-minute documentary is a good overview of the history of India through the 17th century, with special attention to archaeology and architecture. Topics include the Indus Valley civilization, the Aryans, the Vedic period, karma and reincarnation, the caste system, the Mauryan Empire, Ashoka and the rise of Buddhism, the Gupta Dynasty and the resurgence of Hinduism, the Rajput Empire, the rise of Islam, the Mughal Empire, and the Taj Mahal.

If you're considering using this video in the classroom or watching it with children, note that one of the architectural treasures from the Rajput Empire is a temple covered with explicitly sexual sculptures.

Also recommended: "The Soul of India," a 90-minute guided tour of India.

Good Review for AP World History.......2006-11-05

The film covers Indian history from the Indus Valley civilization (Harappa) through the Mughals. It hits all the major points needed for a good review of Indian history prior to the AP World History exam. It is also good for discussions on change-over-time in India. The film can also be shown in segments to reinforce instruction as you go along.

a good reference.......2006-06-26

Quite informative for a 50 minute program, but it helps to have a little background knowledge on the subject matter. As with other DVD's from this series, the subject is too broad to be adequately covered in that amount of time. So topics such as the Sikh and Jain religions are not really discussed. I found this DVD is a good reference to be used in conjunction with other sources of information.

commentary by:
Rakesh Dayaz (historian)
Derek Kennet (research fellow, Archaeology, Durham University)
Sunil Kumar (cultural historian)
Dr Vivek Nanda (Institute of Archaeology, University College, London)
Dr David Hardiman (history lecturer, Warwick University)

Chapters:
1. Opening
2. Origins of Indian Civilization
3. Cities of the Indus Valley
4. Indus Valley Beliefs
5. The Vedic Period
6. The Caste System
7. The Mauryan Empire
8. Rise of Buddhism
9. The Ajanta Caves
10. The Gupta Dynasty
11. The Rajput Empire
12. Rise of Islam
13. Islamic Architecture
14. The Mogul Empire
15. The Taj Mahal

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