The West

Starring:Peter Coyote, Gary Sinise, Matthew Broderick, Martin Moran, Ken Little Hawk, Terrence Currier, Blythe Danner, August Schellenberg, Adam Arkin, Pamela Reed, Tony Plana, Julie Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Potts, Robert Prosky, Tantoo Cardinal, Andrew Weems, Ossie Davis, Jimmy Smits, Amy Madigan
Director: Stephen Ives
Studio: Pbs Paramount
Product Type: DVD

300 (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

A "brilliantly empty" film
Recommended
"This is NOT Sparta!"
Surprisingly good
ill keep it short

300 (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Gerard Butler , Lena Headey , David Wenham , Dominic West , and Vincent Regan
Director: Zack Snyder
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Hot Fuzz (Widescreen Edition)
Zodiac (Widescreen Edition)
Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (Widescreen Edition)
Ghost Rider (Two-Disc Extended Cut)
The History Channel Presents Last Stand of the 300 - The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae

ASIN: B00005JPLW
Release Date: 2007-07-31

Amazon.com

Like Sin City before it, 300 brings Frank Miller and Lynn Varley's graphic novel vividly to life. Gerard Butler (Beowulf and Grendel, The Phantom of the Opera) radiates pure power and charisma as Leonidas, the Grecian king who leads 300 of his fellow Spartans (including David Wenham of The Lord of the Rings, Michael Fassbender, and Andrew Pleavin) into a battle against the overwhelming force of Persian invaders. Their only hope is to neutralize the numerical advantage by confronting the Persians, led by King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), at the narrow strait of Thermopylae.

More engaging than Troy, the tepid and somewhat similar epic of ancient Greece, 300 is also comparable to Sin City in that the actors were shot on green screen, then added to digitally created backgrounds. The effort pays off in a strikingly stylized look and huge, sweeping battle scenes. However, it's not as to-the-letter faithful to Miller's source material as Sin City was. The plot is the same, and many of the book's images are represented just about perfectly. But some extra material has been added, including new villains (who would be considered "bosses" if this were a video game, and it often feels like one) and a political subplot involving new characters and a significantly expanded role for the Queen of Sparta (Lena Headey). While this subplot by director Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead) and his fellow co-writers does break up the violence, most fans would probably dismiss it as filler if it didn't involve the sexy Headey. Other viewers, of course, will be turned off by the waves of spurting blood, flying body parts, and surging testosterone. (The six-pack abs are also relentless, and the movie has more and less nudity--more female, less male--than the graphic novel.) Still, as a representation of Miller's work and as an ancient-themed action flick with a modern edge, 300 delivers. --David Horiuchi

Description

The epic graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City) assaults the screen with the blood, thunder and awe of its ferocious visual style faithfully recreated in an intense blend of live-action and CGI animation. Retelling the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, it depicts the titanic clash in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his massive Persian army. Experience history at swordpoint. And moviemaking with a cutting edge.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Director Zack Snyder, Writer Kurt Johnstad and Director of Photography Larry Fong
Deleted Scenes:with Introduction by Zack Snyder
Featurette:The 300- Fact or Fiction? (RT: 24:31 Historians, authorsÂ and filmmakers reveal how much of the film was based on fact.); Who Were The Spartans: The Warriors of 300 (RT: 4:24 Touches on the customs and ways of life of the Spartan that werent explicitly shown in 300 but were used by the actors and filmmakers Ã,Â to help build their characters.); Frank Miller Tapes (RT: 13:00 Ã,Â We'll show how the outspoken Miller continued to push his limits to realize his epic graphic novel in the world of film
Other:Webisodes: Behind the scenes peeks on the set of 300 (RT 20:00)
Photo gallery:RT 3:39 Rapid fire stills from the first day of production to the last.

Customer Reviews:

A "brilliantly empty" film.......2007-07-09

In short, this is a comic book turned into a movie with video game aesthetics, telling the tale of the 300 Spartans who died fighting back parts of the Persian army at Thermopylae in 480 BCE. The very
fact that the introduction rather cheerfully depicts the eugenic conditions of Spartan adolescence, and that the almost two hours of film are filled to the brim with (some, historically accurate) lines mirroring Spartan warrior ethics, could make this movie into a nice sliproad from a seemingly endless stream of movies focusing on the quite tiresome theme of modern individualism.

But that's only on the surface. In one scene, the Spartan king Leonidas (Gerard Butler) lectures on the importance of the army keeping together, using their shields to protect each other, and consequently creating a strong unity. In combat, this unity is initially kept, but then each Spartan runs along towards his own one-on-one battle, showing off a few hokum stunts. Interestingly, this is quite a precise parable for what makes this movie collapse: there is nothing keeping it together. This makes the movie, at its heart, into the very opposite of what it is set out to be. The exterior of an over-blown praise of an interpretation of Spartan life, accompanied by mediocre acting, blue screen animations, Hollywood sound effects, NuMetal riffs, billions of slow-motions, and the constant use of the increasingly obscure concept of "freedom," will most probably entertain some people. But beneath all this, there is nothing.

Those who seek art that beautifully portrays heroism, will not find it here.

Not even the debate on whether the movie draws its motivations from current politics or not is very interesting. Instead, what makes this work sort of fascinating as a phenomenon, and meaningful to review at all, is that it's an excellent example of the extreme contrast between modern and traditional thinking, and of surface versus content. These filmmakers take some ingredients from the past, but don't know how to deal with them other than by throwing them into a stew of modern decorations and purposes. While awful as a movie, and hardly worthy of ancient Sparta, at least "300" stands as an unintentionally comical monument of contemporary misunderstandings.

Recommended.......2007-07-09

I can't wait to get the DVD. I loved the art direction and style of Sin City so this was a no brainer. Even after watching the latest summer blockbusters of 2007 (ie. Transformers, Spiderman 3, Die Hard), I consider 300 to be the #1 action movie in the past year. I see many negative reviews from customers here but the general consensus seems to agree with my opinion. Most people enjoyed this movie and recommend it. If you're not sure whether to pay ~$20, rent it. Simple as that.

"This is NOT Sparta!".......2007-07-07

And I thought Classics Illustrated were a bad idea! I guess any two hacks can come along and make over one of the classic HISTORY stories of all time, mangling it horribly, in order to make it some kind of gay-spectacle-for-profit. (Yes, if you found yourself staring at all that artificially sweating "manliness," well, you know.) There wasn't one single good thing about this movie: all it was was fantasy-killing a la video games. Why not just make something completely up then? Or, if you really want to know the truth, why not make the movie reflect it? My one great gripe with the movie was the ending, which implied that the Spartans, who were always face-forward, would resort to any kind of stealth at the last minute. Just wouldn't happen. That tarnished quite unnecessarily the really impressive gesture the historical Spartans actually made and what fascinates us even today. In short, author and film-maker both blew it. Or more likely they just didn't get it.

Surprisingly good.......2007-07-07

The advertisements for this film did not entice me to see it. It was word of mouth that brought me to the theater to see it on the big screen. And I wasn't disappointed. It was probably just as well that I didn't know going in that it was from a graphic novel. That might have quelled my interest. Especially upon seeing the special effects in those ads.

Although the filmmakers -- and the writers of the novel -- took liberties with the story, there was enough of the original history of Thermopylae to maintain interest. The actors were well chosen. The artwork and special effects were unique and worked as part of the story rather than as just stuck in there because it could be done.

The biggest disappointment would have been predictable had I known of the origins of the story. Xerxes, the Persian ruler, was so monstrous that when he first appeared on screen, he drew the viewer out of the story. Unfortunately, he was laughable, and the story became too cartoonish. I was glad I went to see it. I just wish the quality of story and characterization had been maintained throughout.

ill keep it short.......2007-07-07

as i agree with everything the other one star rated reviewers say, no need for me to repeat them, only to acknowledge that i agree and if you have any idea of what a good movie is, or have a I.Q. of 100 or more with the ability to see through hype, then this movie isn't for you.

Average customer rating:

Hooey, Father of Climatology throws up at thought of Al Gores Incoveinent Lie
To the point education on climate change! Excellent!
I came in as a skeptic and left the same way
An Inconvenient, but nevertheless important, truth
Don't miss it...

An Inconvenient Truth
Starring: Al Gore , and Billy West (II)
Director: Davis Guggenheim
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Nature & Wildlife | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Who Killed the Electric Car?
Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
The Secret (Extended Edition)
The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
The Devil Wears Prada (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000ICL3KG
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Amazon.com

With the fate of our planet arguably hanging in the balance, An Inconvenient Truth may prove to be one of the most important and prescient documentaries of all time. As he jokingly refers to himself, "former President-elect" Al Gore felt an urgent personal calling to draw attention--as he had been doing throughout his political career--to the increasingly desperate crisis of global warming, and this riveting documentary is basically a filmed version (by respected TV director Davis Guggenheim) of the PowerPoint lecture that Gore has presented (by his own estimate, well over 1,000 times) to attentive audiences all over the world. Considering Gore's amiable, low-key approach to charts, graphs, statistics, and photographs that leave no room for doubt regarding the reality (not "theory") of global warming as Earth's ultimate environmental crisis, many viewers will be surprised by just how fascinating and convincing this no-frills film really is.

As we learn about the milestone events that shaped his character (including his sister's death and young son's near-fatal injuries after being struck by a car), Gore sheds the stiff demeanor of his 2000 presidential campaign and impresses us as a man with a mission, transcending partisan politics with an impassioned plea for common sense, ethical forthrightness, and passionate purpose in reversing the harmful effects of global warming through personal and political responsibility. Some may accuse Gore of exploiting global warming as a Democratic platform, but his honest conviction regarding this "inconvenient truth" (i.e. overwhelming evidence of global warming that's troublesome to those whose interests are threatened by Gore's irrefutable message) is likely to silence all but the most obtusely stubborn detractors. By taking the high road and discreetly avoiding a full-on assault against the George W. Bush administration (which has steadfastly avoided "the inconvenient truth" with obfuscating spin control and policies favoring the oil industry), Gore effectively rises above political differences with a stern but hopeful eye toward a better future for our children.--Jeff Shannon

Description

Director Davis Guggenheim eloquently weaves the science of global warming with Al Gore's personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change in the most talked-about documentary of the year. An audience and critical favorite, An Inconvenient Truth makes the compelling case that global warming is real, man-made, and its effects will be cataclysmic if we don't act now. Gore presents a wide array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way: often humorous, frequently emotional, always fascinating. In the end, An Inconvenient Truth accomplishes what all great films should: it leaves the viewer shaken, involved and inspired.

Customer Reviews:

Hooey, Father of Climatology throws up at thought of Al Gores Incoveinent Lie.......2007-07-08

Father of Climatology Throws Up at the Thought of Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth'
Posted by Noel Sheppard on June 18, 2007 - 11:46.
Reid Bryson, the 87-year-old considered to be the father of scientific climatology, has once again spoken out strongly against anthropogenic global warming theories being regularly disseminated by alarmists in the media and the scientific community.

In an interview published by Wisconsin's Capital Times Monday, Bryson spoke about the money involved in this "religion," and when asked about soon-to-be-Dr. Al Gore's schlockumentary "An Inconvenient Truth" marvelously responded (emphasis added throughout):

"Don't make me throw up...It is not science. It is not true."

But Bryson had loads more to say on this issue (better fasten your seatbelts!):

There is no question the earth has been warming. It is coming out of the "Little Ice Age," he said in an interview this week.

"However, there is no credible evidence that it is due to mankind and carbon dioxide. We've been coming out of a Little Ice Age for 300 years. We have not been making very much carbon dioxide for 300 years. It's been warming up for a long time," Bryson said.

Think Bryson will be interviewed any time soon by Katie, Charlie, or Brian? Regardless, the article continued:

The Little Ice Age was driven by volcanic activity. That settled down so it is getting warmer, he said.

Humans are polluting the air and adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, but the effect is tiny, Bryson said.

"It's like there is an elephant charging in [sic, the room] and you worry about the fact that there is a fly sitting on its head. It's just a total misplacement of emphasis," he said. "It really isn't science because there's no really good scientific evidence."

Just because almost all of the scientific community believes in man-made global warming proves absolutely nothing, Bryson said. "Consensus doesn't prove anything, in science or anywhere else, except in democracy, maybe."

For the alarmists who love to depict every skeptic as being on the take of oil companies:

Bryson, 87, was the founding chairman of the department of meteorology at UW-Madison and of the Institute for Environmental Studies, now known as the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. He retired in 1985, but has gone into the office almost every day since. He does it without pay.

"I have now worked for zero dollars since I retired, long enough that I have paid back the people of Wisconsin every cent they paid me to give me a wonderful, wonderful career. So we are even now. And I feel good about that," said Bryson.

How refreshing. Can the alarmists in the scientific community - and folks like soon-to-be-Dr. Al Gore - claim that they are doing their "work" for nothing? Read on:

So, if global warming isn't such a burning issue, why are thousands of scientists so concerned about it?

"Why are so many thousands not concerned about it?" Bryson shot back.

"There is a lot of money to be made in this," he added. "If you want to be an eminent scientist you have to have a lot of grad students and a lot of grants. You can't get grants unless you say, 'Oh global warming, yes, yes, carbon dioxide.'"

Bryson then pointed out how the media work:

Reporters will often call the meteorology building seeking the opinion of a scientist and some beginning graduate student will pick up the phone and say he or she is a meteorologist, Bryson said. "And that goes in the paper as 'scientists say.'"

The word of this young graduate student then trumps the views of someone like Bryson, who has been working in the field for more than 50 years, he said. "It is sort of a smear."

Of course, then some ignoramus will copy the opinions of this graduate student and dissiminate them throughout the blogosphere as yet another example of the consensus. NewsBusters members should be very familiar with this:

Bryson said he recently wrote something on the subject and two graduate students told him he was wrong, citing research done by one of their professors. That professor, Bryson noted, is probably the student of one of his students.

"Well, that professor happened to be wrong," he said.

Sound familiar? And this is why many view all of this nonsense as "junk science":

"There is very little truth to what is being said and an awful lot of religion. It's almost a religion. Where you have to believe in anthropogenic (or man-made) global warming or else you are nuts."

Yep. I've witnessed that as well. Of course, what is the real science involved:

While Bryson doesn't think that global warming is man-made, he said there is some evidence of an effect from mankind, but not an effect of carbon dioxide.

For example, in Wisconsin in the last 100 years the biggest heating has been around Madison, Milwaukee and in the Southeast, where the cities are. There was a slight change in the Green Bay area, he said. The rest of the state shows no warming at all.

"The growth of cities makes it hotter, but that was true back in the 1930s, too," Bryson said. "Big cities were hotter than the surrounding countryside because you concentrate the traffic and you concentrate the home heating. And you modify the surface, you pave a lot of it."

Yet, the most wonderful part of this interview was:

Bryson didn't see Al Gore's movie about global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth."

"Don't make me throw up," he said. "It is not science. It is not true."

Bravo, Mr. Bryson. And thanks.

To the point education on climate change! Excellent!.......2007-07-08

This DVD does a great job of summarizing the climate change issues, what the problems are, what can be done and why the current administration has not addressed it and in fact has ignored, blocked honest information and lied about climate issues as a problem. It also addresses why the press has not kept the faith and reported this in a forth right manner.

It amazes me how clear and obvious it is when you are presented the facts. Its also amazing how so many respected scientist and experts were ignored adn punished because the facts they were presenting were inconvenient to the oil companies and politicians. If acknowledged those facts would force politicians to take this seriously and DO something.

Its rather embarrassing to the United States (and should be to us as voters)that we are politically ignoring this while much of the rest of the worlds governments have been doing something about pollution and climate change for years.

For example, did you know that one of the most signficant reasons US made cars have trouble selling in the rest of the world is not because of competitiveness or pricing? Its because the US emission standards for US made cars are below the rest of the world, and therefore US cars do not meet those standards and cannot be sold in those countries.

There would be many more jobs in the US, an auto industry that was doing well and the auto unions would have more of what they want if we could sell more cars overseas. But the current administration does not want the emission standards to rise because this would result in better fuel economy and less gas sales, hurting the administrations friends in the oil industry. What ever happened to politicians doing what is best for the electorate and all of the US? Best for the world and future children? Embarrassing.

Mr Gore does a great job of making this easy to follow and its very understandable. He backs up his observations, insights and comments with facts.

Read the book as well. Its fills in a lot more detail that is not possible to do in a DVD version.

Thank you Mr Gore for taking the risk of this unpolpular issue and making this your cause for over 20 years.

I came in as a skeptic and left the same way.......2007-07-08

How one feels about this film is likely going to depend on your views on Global Warming Theory. It's a film that's designed to preach to the choir on the dangers of Global Warming, but it doesn't do so in the best way.

The movie is entertaining. Al Gore, who I would've voted for in 2000 had I been allowed to do so, is a very engaging speaker, and I loved the clip from "Futurama" that was used in the movie.

But there were some problems I had. The most notable was a shot of Gore standing front of a graph that, I think, was supposed to illustrate the increase in global tempratures. The thing is, there were no lables on the graph, and it was therefore meaningless.

The movie also failed to answer some basic questions I have had about Global Warming Theory. Things like why temps seemed higher in the late 1930's and early 1940's, how many of our temprature records are skewed by Urban Heat Islands and the end of the Little Ice Age, whether or not an increase in global tempratures might actually have a net positive benefit to humanity as a whole (longer growing seasons in Siberia and Canada, for example), why we think the climate is PERFECT and should stay this way NO MATTER WHAT, and, most importantly, how can we possibly make accurate predictions on what the climate might be like 10, 20, 50, 100 years hence, when we couldn't even accurately guess what the 2006 Atlantic Hurricane Season was going to be like?

No, this film didn't answer, or even really ask, any of these questions, and that's a problem for me. On the other hand, it was a fairy entertaining movie, and I've certainly seen propaganda films that were less entertaining (and have no doubts, this IS a propaganda film. It's designed to push a certain point of view. There's not anything neccessarily WRONG with that, but you need to keep it in mind when seeing it).

As a final word, let me say that while I do remain very skeptical of Global Warming Theory, I also think it doesn't matter. Not even slightly. I think stomping out pollution is a worthwhile goal in of itself. I think the point of cleaning up our air and water should be to have clean air and water. Ultimately if we can accomplish that, then what else matters?

An Inconvenient, but nevertheless important, truth.......2007-07-07

This is a video that every person in the country, maybe world, should see. I have bought copies for all my children. This is such an important topic. It affects the world that our children and grandchildren will inherit. Buy this film.

Don't miss it..........2007-07-04

Essential viewing for anyone who DOESN'T want to commit suicide, individually or collectively! Clarity, humour, and candid dialogue on how to avoid global warming. I have bought 3 and have given them as presents. I can't underline how important I think this dvd is.

The Pursuit of Happyness (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

I really wanted to like this film...
Story from the heart
OK Story Movie though???
THIS IS GREAT
INCREDIBLY WELL DONE!!

The Pursuit of Happyness (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Will Smith , Jaden Smith , Thandie Newton , Brian Howe , and James Karen
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | African American Cinema | Genres | DVD | Video

General | African American Cinema | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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

Blood Diamond [HD DVD]
Happy Feet (Full Screen Edition)
The Good Shepherd (Widescreen Edition)
The Last King of Scotland (Widescreen Edition)
Casino Royale (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000N6U0E2
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Amazon.com

A heartwarming film that demonstrates how good, hard-working people can become homeless almost overnight, Pursuit of Happyness is a tour-de-force showcase for Will Smith, who convincingly portrays a down-and-out dad trying to better his family's life. Smith, who usually is cast in effortlessly boyish roles (Men in Black, Independence Day), is wonderful in the film--even in the scenes that shamelessly tug at viewers' heartstrings. Based on the true-life story of Chris Gardner, a San Francisco salesman forced at times to shelter his young son (played by Smith's adorable look-alike offspring Jaden Smith) in a men's room, there is little suspense to the film in terms of Chris' outcome. (His story and eventual success a successful and wealthy Chicago businessman was well-publicized on the newsmagazine show 20/20.) And let's face it, Hollywood's not too keen on making feel-good movies with unhappy endings. The beauty (and suspense, to a certain extent) of this film is in the way the story is told. Though he is constantly rushing around to get to appointments and pick up his child, things do not happen quickly for Chris. When he accepts an internship with a prestigious stock brokerage firm, there's a catch: The position is unpaid, suitable more for trust-fund children than single parents with no other source of income. In many scenes, the viewer panics along with Chris, wondering how he's going to feed his child. While Smith and his son, Jaden, share many tender moments together, Thandie Newton has the thankless role of playing Chris' shrill wife, who deserts her family early in the film. It's not a particularly challenging part for the talented actress, and her departure doesn't impact the storyline much at all. As for the movie's misspelled title, it's inspired from a scene in the film. (Seeing a mural drawn by the children at a daycare center, Chris points out to the proprietor that "happiness" is spelled incorrectly. She notes that it doesn't matter how the word is written--just that the kids have it.) With Pursuit of Happyness, Smith has come out of his safety zone and, in turn, ends up playing his most heroic role to date. --Jae-Ha Kim

Extras from The Pursuit of Happyness

Behind the scenes footage of

The Pursuit of Happyness
high bandwidth

Chris Gardner:

"On Being Studied By Will Smith"

high bandwidth

Will Smith And Jaden Smith:
"On Will Always Being In Character"
high bandwidth

Beyond The Pursuit of Happyness on Amazon.com

More Films Starring Will Smith
More Films About Fathers & Sons
The Book

Stills from The Pursuit of Happyness (click for larger image)

Amazon.com

Will Smith stars in the inspirational true story of Chris Gardner, a San Francisco salesman who's struggling to make ends meet. When his girlfriend Linda (Thandie Newton) walks out, Chris is left to raise their 5-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Smith) on his own. Chris' determination finally pays off when he lands an unpaid internship in a brutally competitive stockbroker-training program, where only one in twenty interns will make the cut. But without a salary, Chris and his son are evicted from their apartment and are forced to sleep on the street, in homeless shelters and even behind the locked doors of a metro station bathroom. With self- confidence and the love and trust of his son, Chris Gardner rises above his obstacles to become a Wall Street legend.

Customer Reviews:

I really wanted to like this film..........2007-07-08

Will Smith is one of my favorite actors, but the script is not up to the challenge. My expectation was to see an uplifting film about a man beating the odds. Mostly what I got was the undeniable awful side of society. I realize it is based on a real person's life, but half way through the film, I got the feeling the person did not know that there is a safety net call welfare, and that my uplifting movie turned out to be for the most part, a long squeamish downer.
I bought the DVD - This one is not a keeper.

Story from the heart.......2007-07-07

This story from the heart shows the triumph of the human spirit. It also added to my distaste for the I.R.S. This story brings inspiration to anyone who has struggled, or is struggling now, to make a living in a dog eat dog world. A father tries to follow his dream while also caring for his five year old son. They endure events that would make many people give up. I was so happy this story ended on a positive note, for there are so many true stories like this one that do not end happily.

Chrissy K. McVay - Author

OK Story Movie though???.......2007-07-06

Like this guy is the only one that has had hard times. It is all about him getting in the 'door' not about how he struggled. I, along with others, have worked hard and gotten no where, because we don't get invited to the game, we are smarter than our managers but since we don't go out drinking with them we get pushed aside doing clerical work.
Therefore I am not impressed with this story any more than "wow someone made it".

THIS IS GREAT.......2007-06-29

My husband and I watched this and loved it so we had to buy it. It shows what life is really about

INCREDIBLY WELL DONE!!.......2007-06-27

While this movie was only a slice out of Chris Gardner's book it was still incredibly well done. It placed the focus on what was important about this man's journey and I applaud Will Smith and his team for being able to do that. This movie inspired many and Will deserved those nominations for the role he played.

Average customer rating:

Ripe, Fulfilling Romantic Classic
One of my top ten most romantic movies ever made!
Not Persuaded by the film
Didn't like at first .. but then I did.
Excellent film!

Persuasion (1995)
Starring: Amanda Root , Ciarán Hinds , Susan Fleetwood , Corin Redgrave , and Fiona Shaw
Director: Roger Michell
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

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

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

Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)
Mansfield Park (1999)
Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996)
Emma (A&E, 1997)
Emma (1996)

ASIN: B00003JRCQ
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Amazon.com

Movie adaptations of Jane Austen's classic novels were all the rage (relatively speaking) in the mid-1990s. Clueless updated Austen's Emma, which was more conventionally adapted in another version (Emma) starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Emma was produced yet again, this time for British television, as were a celebrated miniseries of Pride and Prejudice and this splendid film of Austen's Persuasion. Persuasion is the story of a love that survives eight years of dormancy and the frustrating obstacles of class prejudice in 19th century England. Anne (Amanda Root) is captivated when she meets the dignified naval officer Capt. Wentworth (Ciarán Hinds), but she is advised to discourage his romantic overtures because he has no fortune. They meet again eight years later, but now Capt. Wentworth has become wealthy while Anne's father is in reduced circumstances in the wake of reckless extravagance. A series of circumstances ensue which prevent Anne and Wentworth from expressing their mutual and inevitable love. The film's success depends entirely on the subtle, superb performances of Root and Hinds. The film builds slowly, occasionally leaving you wondering if anything at all is going to happen. When it does, you realize how carefully crafted a film this is, and the final result is grandly rewarding. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Ripe, Fulfilling Romantic Classic.......2007-07-05

Ripe, Fulfilling Romantic Classic

Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth's romance came to a sudden halt in 1806. Anne, the daughter of a conceited and spendthrift baronet, loved Wentworth but was advised by her family's confidant, Lady Russell, that the match was inappropriate, as Wentworth had no connections or money. Now 8 years later, because of her father's excessive financial debts, Anne's family is forced to retrench, and sublet their estate. The family retreats to Bath, where, to the delight of Anne's father, they can maintain their privileged lifestyle on a much smaller budget. The family's home, Kellynch Hall, is to be let by an Admiral and his wife, who, coincidentally, are related to Wentworth. This liaison throws Anne back into the society of Wentworth, now a dashing Captain in the Royal Navy who has amassed quite a fortune in privateering. The Captain has caught the attention of Louisa Musgrove, whose brother married Anne's sister, Mary. Meanwhile Anne, now in her late 20's and showing signs of physical and emotional stress, is surprisingly courted by Mr. Elliot, heir to her father's estate, Kellynch Hall. The question remains as to whether Mr. Elliot's romantic intentions towards Anne are sincere, and whether she can bare the thought of her lost love, Captain Wentworth, marrying Miss Louisa.

There is truly nothing that can compare to a Jane Austen romance. Her style is timeless; her plotting masterful. The characters in her books are so well-developed that they have become somewhat immortal. Fans of period pieces will NOT be disappointed. This one is not to be missed.

Cris Cunningham for Amazon.com

One of my top ten most romantic movies ever made!.......2007-06-22

This less-than-2-hour movie aired on PBS with a great intro by host Russell Baker. I still enjoy that VHS tape I made at the time, but its colors are dark and sometimes the dialog is hard to understand. Not having it on dvd is NOT an option for me. Luckily, it had been over a year since I last viewed this one, and it was better than ever, even better than the 1st time I saw it. Sometimes I see Captain Wentworth as mildly retarded, that he cannot see that Anne obviously has feelings for him. Then I remember he was thoroughly snubbed by her family as well as refused by her, so his hesitancy is understandable. In the 8 years that have elapsed since refusing him, Anne has found herself & her own voice, & is finally able to tell her well-meaning but patronizing friend, "That is not a thing that I want!" I am always so proud of her for going after what she does want, finally. The last few minutes of the film are some of the most romantic ever made.

My top ten: Pride & Prejudice (mini series with Colin Firth), 2)Persuasion, 3)Room With a View, 4)Casablanca, 5)Emma (Kate Beckinsale version), 6)My Foolish Heart, 7)The Terminator, 8)Doctor Zhivago ('65 version), 9)Best Years of Our Lives, 10)Will Penny. Ok, those last 5 shift around a bit sometimes, depending on which old movies I come across. Some of the traditionally favorite ones like GWTW, or Love Story -- there's more anguish than romance there, to me. What are your favorites? Always on the lookout for romantic moments on film. Hey, that could be another top ten, of your Top Ten Romantic Moments on film, which could be altogether a different list!

Not Persuaded by the film.......2007-05-30

Glad I read the book before watching the film. There were scenes from the book that could have been included to make the film story line flow better. The actors/actresses were not as believable and didn't seem to fit the descriptions in the book as well. This adaptation of "Persuasion" was not as good as Ang Lee's "Sense and Sensibility" (with Emma Thompson) nor Andrew Davies' "Pride and Prejudice" (with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle).
If you're not keen on owning this DVD, I'd borrow it from the local library, a friend, or NetFlix before spending money to buy it.

Didn't like at first .. but then I did........2007-05-04

I am a big Austin fan and have seen just about all of her movie adaptatons. At first I found this movie slow and pointless but about 1/2 way through I got excited to see how it would end. The ending makes good sense but could have been more detailed. The movie builds up antisipation and then ends ubruptly and leaves you saying what just happened. All and all this movie is worth seeing if you enjoy other Austin movies.

Excellent film!.......2007-04-26

This is one of my favorite movies. I saw it at the theater when it first came out and then I bought the book. The characters seem like real people that a person could meet.

The West Wing - The Complete Seventh Season

Average customer rating:

A fitting finale to a brilliant series!
a wounderfull ending to a great series
Not Since CBS' "Playhouse 90". . . .
Wonderful Finale, With Even More Challenging Political Scenarios
The Way to End It

The West Wing - The Complete Seventh Season
Starring: Martin Sheen , and Bradley Whitford
Director: Tommy Schlamme , and Chris Misiano
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

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

The West Wing - The Complete Sixth Season
The West Wing - The Complete Fifth Season
The West Wing - The Complete Fourth Season
The West Wing - The Complete Third Season
24 - Season Five

ASIN: B000HC2LHQ
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Amazon.com

Get out your hankies for the moving final season of The West Wing. It's not just because it's the last season, and the last time we know we'll hear that thrilling theme music. It's not just because it's the end of the line for the administration of President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet (Martin Sheen), an inspiring, beloved fictional leader of the free world in a time of great cynicism about real-life politicians. It's also because of the sudden, untimely death of costar John Spencer, who played chief of staff Leo McGarry, who, like his character, was a recovering alcoholic and died of a heart attack in December 2005. Spencer's death was worked into the season's story line, and it's both exhilarating to see some of Spencer's finest work in the early episodes here, and heartbreaking to see the impact of his death on the cast. At one point, Martin Sheen delivers a moving on-air tribute: "Johnny, it seems we hardly knew you." Other highlights of the season include the fleshing out of presidential candidates Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits, both respectable, admirable and worthy opponents. And in abundance are the things viewers had come to love about the show: the witty dialogue and spot-on delivery, especially by actors Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff, and the crack Allison Janney and the long tracking and circular shots of characters in their element (subsequently found on creator Aaron Sorkin's follow-up series, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip). If the story lines aren't as topnotch as some in earlier years, it hardly matters, as this is the season that wraps up the entire story arc. The gimmicks, like the live debate between Smits and Alda's characters, don't hold a candle to the true soul-searching and idealism found in every single episode. The set includes all 22 episodes, a glossy guide to each episode, and "Live from the Director's Chair," a mini-doc about filming the live debate episode. Hail to the chief! --A.T. Hurley

Description

The seventh season of the West Wing chronicles the transition between the administration of President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet and the race for the new presidency between Congressman Mathew Vincente Santos of Houston, Texas and Senator Arnold Vinick of California. The season includes the live episode of "The Debate" and ends with a new administration in the West Wing.

Customer Reviews:

A fitting finale to a brilliant series!.......2007-07-05

As the title says - this season nicely rounds out such a brilliant series.
With local (Australian) TV treating this series with disdain for many years - production of this series on DVD kept the hardcore fans going.
(A great little doco on the production of the live-to-air debate episode!)

a wounderfull ending to a great series.......2007-07-03

the last season of West Wing (season 7) is a wounderfull journey through the lives of the charictors we have grown to love. the producers knew this season was the end of the show and did a superb job of closing all the story lines. some shows just have a final episode but the writers were able to close all the storys over the last few episodes. this gave me a real feeling for the charictors and wanting them to goto great jobs after 8+ years in the white house. after i saw the 7 season i watched season one and WOW the charictors realy evolved and grew through out the run of the show. one of the things i relised is the charictors realy aged in 7 years it was neat to see the beginning after the end of the show.
thank you for reading this i think you will enjoy season 7 of the West Wing.

Not Since CBS' "Playhouse 90". . . ........2007-06-10

. . . .has there been such excellence in writing, acting and directing. Perhaps the best remembered of the "Playhouse 90" series was "Twelve Angry Men" starring Henry Fonda.
In the case of "The West Wing - The Complete Seventh Season," we are treated to some of the best writing, acting and story lines in the entire series. Don't short change yourself. Buy the "TWW Seventh Season" and recall some of the best episodic writing to ever be seen in this series.

Wonderful Finale, With Even More Challenging Political Scenarios.......2007-05-25

I've gotta say that Season 2 is still my favorite, and O'Donnell is still building up to Sorkin's level and consistency, but Season 7 fits beautifully into the total West Wing set of the best television ever, alongside masterpiece BBC. Production, above par; story lines, more challenging; dialogue, how we all miss Sorkin's wit and style and grace, and the Sam character. Regarding the episode involving the Alda-Smits presidiential debate, O'Donnell's script is outstanding in all respects and simply can't be forgotten.

The Way to End It.......2007-05-14

I have seen many season finales for shows that I loved. Without a doubt the last season of West Wing ranks on the top of that list. The show ends with class and style and leaves you hoping for a spin off from the next term. If you enjoyed the first three seasons of West Wing you will enjoy the last. Of course they still have that one pesky habit of dropping major story lines without addressing them but if you are a fan you are used to this.

Average customer rating:

Apocalypse...Valley Girl Style
Fun, Funny, Cult-Classic
Hollywood, Please Remake This One! Thanks.
Good 80s campy fun
Movie I've waited for and finally found.

Night of the Comet
Starring: Robert Beltran , Catherine Mary Stewart , Kelli Maroney , Sharon Farrell , and Mary Woronov
Director: Thom Eberhardt
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Action | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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

Looker
Private School
Phantasm
Solarbabies
Manitou

ASIN: B000MDFTHE
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Amazon.com

A sleeper at the time of its release in 1984, Thom Eberhardt's Night of the Comet has built a small cadre of fans thanks to its breezy performances and blend of comedy and tongue-in-cheek science fiction. Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney are thoroughly likable as a pair of San Fernando Valley sisters who find themselves completely alone after the arrival of Halley's Comet reduces their affluent community--and most of Los Angeles--to dust. Their subsequent nonstop shopping spree is soon interrupted by predatory zombies, as well as a sinister scientific cabal (led by cult favorites Mary Woronov and Geoffrey Lewis) with designs on the girls. Stewart and Maroney are terrifically game as the heroines (especially Maroney, whose flair for bubbly comedy was never given another chance on screen), and Robert (Star Trek: Voyager) Beltran is also on hand as a fellow survivor and romantic lead. Fun for '80s enthusiasts and sci-fi fiends who don't mind a little fizz in their end-of-the-world scenarios. -- Paul Gaita

Customer Reviews:

Apocalypse...Valley Girl Style.......2007-07-04

A signifcant cult hit when released in late 1984, NIGHT OF THE COMET is an admittedly cheesy film even by the standards of low-bduget offerings, and dated as well; given the time in which it was made, it screams "Eighties!" But it still somehow comes off as a completely fascinating oddity, combining tongue-in-cheek 80s comedy with science fiction and horror.

The premise is a fairly simple one: A large comet (contrary to what some reviews have said, this comet does not have a name attached to it) makes an uncomfortably close encounter with our planet while millions have come out this night to watch its arrival. But the following morning, two Valley Girls (Catherine Mary Stewart; Kelli Maroney) come out, and realize, albeit slowly, that everyone and everything around them has literally turned to dust; and if they haven't turned to dust, they've either gone psychotic or turned into zombies. The City of Angels is now a veritable ghost town. And along with an Hispanic trucker (Robert Beltran), they soon find themselves at the mercy of mad scientists searching for a vaccine from the comet dust that killed or zombified everyone else.

Provocative title aside, nobody is going to mistake NIGHT OF THE COMET for such similar films as DEEP IMPACT, METEOR, or the hyped-up ARMAGEDDON by any means; the dialogue has so much in the way of Valley Girl lingo that there's no mistaking its era. These flaws aside, however, writer/director Thom Eberhardt manages to make the most of a parlous budget. Apart from the slightly lame dialogue and comedy, NIGHT OF THE COMET has a lot in common with the 1971 sci-fi thriller THE OMEGA MAN (scenes of a deserted Los Angeles), and its source material, Richard Matheson's classic 1954 book "I Am Legend"; and Eberhardt's decision to use orange filters to create an L.A. skyline shrouded by comet dust has echoes of an early Steven Spielberg TV project, 1971's L.A. 2017.

Quite campy by today's standards and a product of its time, NIGHT OF THE COMET nevertheless remains very watchable in ways that many other films like it with budgets one hundred times bigger aren't. It is a midnight cult item that should be seen to be believed.

Fun, Funny, Cult-Classic.......2007-06-28

Make some popcorn and settle into your favorite chair for this one. As the opening narative states, the world has not seen a comet like this since the dinosaurs disappeared. A good foreshadow as one comet-watcher assures everyone that nothing happened when people were so worried about Halley's Comet coming around so there's no need to worry now. Well they should've worried, as we soon find out in this OmegaMan-knockoff. Yes this is a B-movie and yes there are some inconsistancies, but for the most part the plot has good execution and follow-thru. If you're a scifi fan who enjoys recognizing stolen moments from other movies, or you like a movie that can poke fun at its own genre, or you just want some good clean fun to make you laugh, this movie is for you.

Hollywood, Please Remake This One! Thanks........2007-06-18

This is a "nice" little C-grade movie. This movie is NOT 4.5 stars in the 21st century. "Night of the Living Dead" (1968)-now that's 4.5-5 stars still in today's age. I believe the people that rated this movie past 2 stars are promotional stand-ins for Hollywood. Either that or they've been watching some pretty whacked out flicks. Speaking of Hollywood-Hollywood this would be a lovely little movie to re-make. I would hope that you don't do much worse than the original like the Hollywood remake for "Black Christmas"-an atrocity. But to prevent another remake catastrophe, Hollywood, please grab either Sam Raimi, Quentin Tarantino, John Carpenter or even Steven Spielberg before attempting a remake of this film. This why I am so NOT liking this film: I asked myself: why the "Star Wars" intro? Boring. Why the banter between snobby mom and snobby child? Boring. Why the movie theater and radio station scene? Nothing really happens. Boring. Then it hit me these scenes are just space fillers. The only thing worth watching is the 3 or 4 zombies that debut in the film and the no-nonsense, woman scientist, Audrey. She's lethal like her shot. This movie is absolutely afraid to be horror. Horror to the point where Ms. Cheerhead gets "done-in" for real by Audrey. Horror like poppin' the zombie kid in the noggin-just for kicks. Or horror, like the zombie kid eats Mr. Knight in Shinning Armor. Horror like RUN Ms. Cheerhead over at the end-I mean get real she asked for it by running out in the streets challenging Fate at its best! These are just some improvement horror suggestions. I mean come on in a real-life event one of them would die if not all, in their case, but no everyone stays alive. And with no surprise, the ending is too "happily ever after." Horror should never be happily ever after unless there is a grotesquely sarcastic twist i.e, the ending of John Carpenter's "Village of the Damned" and "The Thing." Or the ending of Robert Rodriguez's "Death Proof" (Note: SHAME on you movie watchers who did not understand "Grindhouse"). Now those are some endings that leave you thinking. This movie is probably best served to newly found horror fans or some Halloweeners on October 31st. Sorry folks, I have to be honest. This movie really ain't worth a nickel, until the remake. That is if there is one and if Hollywood doesn't F&$K that up. I'm selling my copy of "Night of the Comet." Anyone want to buy? Sorry no "nickel discounts".

Good 80s campy fun.......2007-06-16

Do you like zombie movies but feel that Romero is too preachy? Well this may be the movie for you. It has the scared female protaganist of Night of the Living Dead, the blantant capitalistic joys of malls like Dawn of the Dead, and the confined underground scientists of Day of the Dead. It has zombies at different levels of intelligence in it like Land of the Dead which came two decades later, making it ahead of its time when it comes to the zombie genre.
Now in all seriousness Night of the Comet is cheesy as it gets and if you are one that enjoys movies so bad that they are good than give this movie a shot. It doesn't offer any special features and although I wish it did provide a commentary of sorts, the cheapness of the product lets this omission slide. So get a few friends, a few drinks, pop in this DVD, and let the campy fun begin.

Movie I've waited for and finally found........2007-06-11

This movie is so great to watch many times over because I never get tired of it. It arrived here so quickly which made me very pleased.

The West Wing - The Complete Series Collection

Average customer rating:

Nice Marketting
Title
A Television classic
Very Confusing
Two weeks without sleep

The West Wing - The Complete Series Collection
Starring: Martin Sheen , Allison Janney , and John Spencer
Director: Jason Ensler
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

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

Alias - The Complete Collection (Seasons 1-5 + Rambaldi artifact box)
M*A*S*H - Martinis and Medicine Complete Collection
Six Feet Under - The Complete Series Gift Set
Boston Legal - Season 2
Homicide Life on the Street - Complete Series Megaset (35pc)

ASIN: B000HC2LI0
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Description

The West Wing ventured where no other TV series had gone before: an extraordinarily intimate look at an American President and the inner workings of the White House. Experience all the crises, triumphs, lofty idealism and hard realities of the acclaimed series in this complete seven-season DVD set. Here, on 45 discs, are all 154 episodes of the series that won 26 Emmys, including 4 for Outstanding Drama Series. Hail to chief - and to the creators and stars of this ground-breaking series. Also Included: Pilot Script with Foreword from Series Creator Aaron Sorkin. Hours of Special Feature: Over 20 Commentaries Over 20 Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes Unaired Scenes, Gag Reels and More

Customer Reviews:

Nice Marketting.......2007-07-05

This collection was a Father's Day gift for my husband, yet I was thoroughly impressed by the packaging and presentation of it all as well. Very nice job!
Of course he loved it, he is/was a devoted West Wing fan!!

Title.......2007-07-04

I have really been enjoying this dvd set. They really went all out on the packaging... they didn't "phone it in" at all. I'm on to season 4 now so you know it's gettin' good... :)

A Television classic.......2007-06-29

This very impressive Complete Collection has given me the chance to revisit a show I love and adore. I think this series is a television classic that ranks alongside Hill Street Blues. This series has one of America's finest writers - Aaron Sorkin. It also has one of the finest ensemble casts that I have ever seen in any broadcast medium. And a sense of humor, optimism, hope and whimsy that I find deeply moving.

One of the morals is that doing the right thing and having the courage of your convictions is far harder than taking the easier politically convenient route. A lesson that we should all learn. What's also amazing is how the show preempts so many of the issues we're grappling now - Privacy and Terrorism being two examples.

Seasons 1-4 are absolutely fantastic. Seasons 5-7 is a definite drop-in quality, mostly due to Aaron Sorkin's absence. Many characters actions aren't consistent with how they'd been previously established. Will Bailey was a great speechwriter, not a political operative. Toby betraying the President? CJ as Chief of Staff? And why wasn't Leo promoted to VP? Nevertheless these seasons are still watchable - providing you accept it's John Wells "ER-in-the-West-Wing".

Seasons 1-4 at least, are classic television. and if you love intelligent, literate television which respects the intelligence of the viewer - then please buy this Collection. You won't regret it.

Very Confusing.......2007-06-27

I received two complete sets (one replacing the other) because the first disk, first show, first series etc., started in the middle of the third season...both original sets sent to me. You could not watch show number 1, season number 1 because the disks were not in any order and to give them to my 84 year mother who loves the show and tell her that they aren't in order but go ahead and enjoy them, was not going to work...so I'm hoping I receive my money back because I have sent both complete sets back.

Two weeks without sleep.......2007-06-15

Never having seen the show on TV (I've lived in Jordan since before it came out) I was immediately hooked. Forget dinners, committments, and sleep.....you'll want to get right through the whole set. I found myself rushing home from work just to catch the next episodes, and suddenly realizing it was again 4 in the morning..... It also makes you wish our political parties--both of them--could check around and come up with candidates as good as these for the next elections! Not much chance, but this series at least lets us dream the dream.

Average customer rating:

Soothing
Great, but not for beginners
Great workout
Boring and unbalanced - DON'T BUY THE HYPE!
Great workout for anyone

The Perfect Pregnancy Workout
Starring: Karyne Steben
Director: Elisa Llamido; Jack West
Manufacturer: Far Star Productions, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

Fitness | Fitness & Yoga | Genres | DVD | Video

Pregnancy Workouts | Fitness & Yoga | Genres | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Interests | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Pilates During Pregnancy
Prenatal Yoga With Shiva Rea
Leisa Hart's FitMama - Prenatal Workout
Denise Austin: Fit & Firm Pregnancy
Dr. Christine Anderson's Dynamic Prenatal Yoga

ASIN: B000BLKJ5E
Release Date: 2002-12-01

Description

You've got nine months to prepare for the challenge of your life. Use every minute! The Perfect Pregnancy Workout will: -improve your mood -reduce lower back pain -develop mental discipline to control labor pain -tone your lower body to handle the demands of labor and birth -make it easier to lose weight after your baby is born -strengthen your upper body to lift and hold your baby -help eliminate or avoid incontinence and hemorroids

Karyne Steben, a world-class acrobat formerly with Cirque du Soleil, leads us through the sculpting workout, combining strength moves with graceful flexibility.

First time exercisers can feel at ease; Karyne illustrates exercise techniques and explains the dos and don'ts of exercise during pregnancy in a clear, easy-to-understand twelve-minute instructional section.

With options to make it fun for beginners and challenging for advanced exercisers, anyone can do The Perfect Pregnancy Workout!

The Perfect Pregnancy Workout video is a 43 minute pregnancy exercise video: 5 minute warm-up, 33 minute workout, 5 minute cool down. There is also a 12 minute instructional section explaining proper technique for pregnancy exercise.

*The Perfect Pregnancy Workout includes exercise variations for women with diastasis recti.*

Customer Reviews:

Soothing.......2007-07-05

This video is a soothing way to stay fit while pregnant. It can be as easy or strenuous as you want it to be.

Great, but not for beginners.......2007-07-03

I took this DVD to my Dr. and was told that I should stick with the other DVD, a lower impact DVD. I am going to try to sell it and if that doesn't work, I'm going to try to use it after the pregnancy.

Great workout.......2007-06-27

I've done sports all my life and this DVD really has fit the bill during my third pregnancy. I really like having some ab work incorporated in the workout as any pregnancy stretches those muscles and I hope to minimize the effects of this after the baby is out. The pacing of the workout is really good -- enough so that I generate a light sweat. There aren't ANY strange contortist moves and you can always modify the move (according to the instructor's guidance) so that you can still keeping working out. It's a great workout.

Boring and unbalanced - DON'T BUY THE HYPE!.......2007-06-25

After reading other reviews and ordering this video, I had much higher expectations than what it delivered. The video was boring, short, and heavy on the arm excercises. I did not think the price was anywhere close to being a value for what they spent on production of this (which had to be almost nothing). I have Pilates videos that are similar moves but much more entertaining and a better, more balanced workout. I have taught aerobics before and would never have had such dull music and surroundings for a class. I could only get through it once, and decided if I want a low impact workout at home I'll just use my regular Pilates videos. What a waste of $30!

Great workout for anyone.......2007-06-24

Although I am overweight & 3 months pregnant, I love to do workout videos and thought this one was great. It is not too strenuous yet it gives you a great strengthening workout leaving you feeling stonger and more energized. I do rotate this video with Yoga for Pregnancy, Labor & Birth and feel that I am getting a great workout that will better prepare me for the next 6 months to come.

The New Adventures of Batman - (DC Comics Classic Collection)

Average customer rating:

Much Respect, But I Can't Bear This...
Awesome
keep releasing these classic Filmation cartoons!!!
This is a great way for little kids to get into Batman!
I don't like bat-mite

The New Adventures of Batman - (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Starring: Lou Scheimer , Burt Ward , Adam West , Lennie Weinrib , and Melendy Britt
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

The New Adventures of Superman - (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Super Friends - The Legendary Super Powers Show - The Complete Series
Space Ghost and Dino Boy: The Complete Series
Justice League Unlimited - Season Two (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Birdman and the Galaxy Trio: The Complete Series

ASIN: B000OPODNG
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Description

The New Adventures of Batman is an animated series produced by Filmation in 1977 featuring the adventures of the DC Comics superheroes, Batman, Robin and often Batgirl. In this series, Batman, Robin and Batgirl battle various villians in Gotham City. Complicating things however is the presence of Batmite, a other-dimensional imp who considers himself the biggest fan of Batman and insists on helping him, regardless of whether Batman wants it or not.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:"Bat-Commentary" - An audio commentary from Filmation historian Michael Swanigan and Filmation founder Lou Schiemer on two of the episodes from the series.
Documentary:Dark Versus Light Filmation and the Batman - (1977 marked Batman's return to television in Filmations New Adventures of Batman. Â With interviews ranging from the President of DC Comics to the President of Warner Bros. Animation, the legacy of Filmation will be examined from animation style, to how this core DC character was depicted in this series.

Customer Reviews:

Much Respect, But I Can't Bear This..........2007-07-06

A whole lot of 60's Batman fans are gonna hate me for this one, but I'm sorry...while I couldn't get enough of the hokey Batman & Robin fashion of the 60's as a little kid, I grew to love the original Dark Knight persona of Batman from the 80's to the present, no exceptions. This collection is good for historical value but not for nutritional. Felt like I was watching Suiperfriends with only Batman & Robin. BOOOOOOO!

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

The new adventures of batman is pretty good and i was surprised to see that Adam West & Burt ward did the voices and was happy about it to. in this tv show batman is more for little kids hardly any violince in it and thats pretty cool that they did that. it put a new turn on batman. and is very enjoyable for eveyone. i can't wait until they put Batman the one with adam west in it on dvd.

keep releasing these classic Filmation cartoons!!! .......2007-07-02

I can't believe it's taken so long for these classic Filmation cartoons to be released. The He-Man Filmation series has been released over these past few years & the Star Trek Filmation series finally got released on DVD last year. Why has it taken so long for the New Adventures of Batman to see the light of day? Who knows, but let's be grateful especially since the 60's live action series has not yet been released.

As other reviewers have noted, if you are not familiar with Bat-mite. He is to Batman as the Great Gazoo was to the Flintstones, Orko was to He-Man, & Jar Jar Binks was to Star Wars. So the intention of this character is to add a comic relief & thus appeal to young children. If you are OK with that, you will enjoy the New Adventures of Batman. The only slight disappointment is that unfortunately the Riddler does NOT make an appearance; no episodes were made with him as the villain.

Hopefully, this release will get the ball rolling with some of the other classic Filmation animated series. What about Tarzan? After all, for a period of time, CBS presented them both as a double bill: "the Batman/Tarzan Adventure Hour". Hopefully, Tarzan will be released next along with other Filmation series the Lone Ranger & Zorro not too far behind.

This is a great way for little kids to get into Batman!.......2007-06-29

This cartoon is what got me into Batman in the first place. I loved watching these cartoons with Adam West and Burt Ward from the TV series back when I was 5 or 6 in 1977/1978 along with the other Batman cartoon with Olan Soule and Casey Kasem doing the voices. I thought Batmite was cute but he's kind of a JarJar Binks type character who is clumsy a lot of the time. This cartoon isn't as dark as the recent Batman animated series and I think that's a good thing because little kids can't handle dark and intense stuff. The stories may appear campy and zany to a lot of people but I think these cartoons are for all ages and I think this is something the whole family can enjoy as they are simple fun adventure stories and that's the way I always saw them even when I was little. I'more into the dark Batman ie.comics,animated series.movies etc but I have always loved The New Adventures of Batman with Batman,Robin and Batmite battling the Joker,Penguin and Mr.Freeze. I always thought Batman was more fun with Robin because I have always liked their colorful costumes. I hope WB releases the original 1969 Batman cartoon with Olan Soule and Casey Kasem as the voices of Batman and Robin sometime in the near future hopelly this year.

My personal favorite episode was He Who Laughs Last where the Joker steals a steam train with Robin getting out a boxcar with a laser torch from his utility belt.

I don't like bat-mite.......2007-06-28

If you haven't seen this show, brace yourself for bat-mite. It's kind of like a clumsier, more annoying version of the Great Gazoo from the Flintstones. I don't know what's he is doing there, but I don't like it. Other than that the show is pretty good. The animation isn't the greatest, but that's what all TV animation was like at that time. It's cool that Adam West does the voice of Batman.

Average customer rating:

Best show ever
Shakespheare in Baltimore....The Finest Season of the Greatest Show on Television
The Wire season #3
Great series. Period.
The Wire is the best

The Wire - The Complete Third Season
Starring: Dominic West , John Doman , Idris Elba , Frankie Faison , and Aidan Gillen
Director: Tim Van Patten , Ernest Dickerson , and Agnieszka Holland
Manufacturer: HBO Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

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

The Wire - The Complete Second Season
The Wire - The Complete First Season
The Wire - The Complete First and Second Seasons
The Shield - The Complete Fifth Season
Deadwood - The Complete Second Season

ASIN: B000FTCLSU
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Amazon.com

With volatile issues of Baltimore city political reform as its narrative focus, the third season of The Wire superbly maintains the series' astonishingly consistent status as the greatest "novel for television" ever created. While the Baltimore police department's wire-tapping investigations continue to monitor the intricate and now legitimately fronted drug ring of Russell "Stringer" Bell (Idris Elba, smooth as ever), detective Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) continues his loutish ways, navigating through a series of shallow sexual conquests while doing some of the best cop-work of his career. Stringer's ex-convict partner Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris) is back in the picture and bent on eliminating a drug-dealing competitor named Marlo (Jamie Hector), and Baltimore P.D. Major Howard "Bunny" Colvin (Robert Wisdom) tries his own defiantly independent brand of street justice by essentially legalizing drugs in "Hamsterdam," where isolated sections of the city are established as open drug-dealing zones, utterly without the knowledge or approval of Colvin's superiors. As city councilman Tommy Carcetti (Aiden Gillen) plots his own ruthlessly ambitious strategy for the mayor's seat, Baltimore officials, McNulty's wire unit, and the entire Baltimore P.D. stand poised for the inevitable fallout from street-level and executive-level manipulations of power.

Of course, this is just the tip of a very large iceberg, as The Wire continues its labyrinthine yet tightly controlled chronicle of over 50 characters, major and minor, who are all flawlessly woven into the fabric of these 12 remarkable episodes. For season 3, series creator David Simon continued to recruit a top-drawer lineup of reputable writers (including novelists Richard Price, Dennis Lehane, and George Pelecanos) and directors (including Ernest Dickerson, Tim Van Patten, and Agnieszka Holland), and by the time a major character is killed in the season's penultimate episode (arguably the series' finest yet), it's clear that The Wire has earned its crown as the most ambitious and intelligent crime drama in the history of American television. DVD extras are excellent, as usual, including five illuminating episode commentaries (an absolute must for devoted fans of the series), a Q&A session with cast & crew moderated by renowned TV critic and author Ken Tucker, and a classroom conversation with Simon that delves deeper into the creative process of the series. Having deservedly earned its renewal for a fourth season (out of a projected five, according to Simon), The Wire delivers surprises aplenty (keep a close watch for startling revelations) while proving, yet again, that cable-TV is the place to be for anyone seeking respite from the relative mediocrity of mainstream network programming. --Jeff Shannon

Description

The heat is on in Baltimore. The drug war is being lost, bodies are piling up, and a desperate mayor wants the tide turned before the election. But the police department hasn't got any answers. With the demolition of the Franklin Terrace towers, Stringer Bell and the Barksdale crew have been forced to improvise. But no matter how hard McNulty and the detail try, the dealers always seem to be one step ahead of the game.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Episodic Previews
Episodic Recaps
Other
Audio Commentary:Five audio commentaries with creatorDavid Simon, director Joe Chappelle, writers Richard Price and George Pelecanos, and producers Karen L. Thorson and Nina K. Noble
Interviews:Q&A with David Simon and Creative Team, Courtesy of the Museum of Television & Radio Conversation with David Simon at Eugene Lang Collete, The New School for Liberal Arts

Customer Reviews:

Best show ever.......2007-06-15

I dont have much to say beyond what the many other reviewers have said about this terrific show. I truly think it is in a class by itself, though I have been consistently impresseed with HBO's programming. It's not a show that is fun to watch with other people while drinking/ having side conversations. Not that shows like that are bad, but The Wire is best watched alone, starting with season one episode one.

I like all the seasones of this show but season three ratchets up the intensity another notch. The conflicted relationship between Stringer Bell (my favorite character ever) and Avon is just brilliant. The ending montage gets me everytime. When Avon looks back at the courtroom looking for Stringer his facial expressions say everything. If you've seen the end of Season Three watch episode one of season one and the last episode of season one. D'Angelo (in episode 1) and Avon (In the finale) look behind them at the courtroom audience and Stringer is there in the back both times.

The lyrics also fit Avon's situation perfectly.

This show is genius. It is highly critical of most every institution it analyzes yet doesnt jam anything down your throat. Its also pretty tragic overall so if you're looking for happy endings, you should still watch this show but be prepared.

Shakespheare in Baltimore....The Finest Season of the Greatest Show on Television.......2007-06-07

In Season 3 of David Simon's groundbreaking series, Lt. Daniels' Major Crimes Unit has turned its attention back on Westside drug dealers. Ultimately, as in Season 1, the targets are the drug kingpins Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell.

But while in Season 1 and 2 the police were the clear heroes of the show (if notoriously flawed and human), in Season 3 The Wire's subtle critique of the drug war becomes a more significant theme. The police-work conducted by McNulty, Greggs, Daniels, and Freeman remains exciting and heroic, but their efforts are now on the margins of the true movement and import of the story. When Barksdale is finally busted, it is not so much the result of their police-work as the anonynmous tip of Stringer Bell. Bell (an charismatic and compelling character in his own right, who continues to grow in Season 3) has become increasingly disenchanted with "the game", and reaches out to "Bunny" Colvin of the Western with information on Avon. In the end it is questionable whether Major Crimes has accomplished anything, or whether it was the relationships with actual people forged by Colvin's humanity that actually made a positive difference.

Major "Bunny" Colvin of the Western District has become sick of the drug war--convinced that the tactics employed do not constitute real police work. So he starts pushing all drug trafficing in his district into 3 zones where drug dealing is more or less legalized. In the meantime, he hides this strategy from his bosses, while his friend "The Deacon" begins organizing outreach and condom/needle distribution among the addicts who begin gathering in these districts and no longer have to hide. "The Game" gradually becomes gutted from the inside out, as the violence associated with drug dealing is no longer necessary. When murders or thefts among the dealers occur, the dealers themselves begin turning to the police for protection--building relationships and passing information. Utimately even the ruthless Stringer Bell begins to trust Colvin and prefers Colvin's experiment to the destructive reality of grinding on the street. In the end, Colvin's story asks vital questions as to what police work is all about, and how the police can best protect and serve.

But what lifts Season 3 of The Wire above all television that has come before it is the story of Dennis "Cutty" Wise, which features in every single episode. Cutty is a convicted felon who is released from prison after 14 years...estranged from his family and all meaningful ties to the community.....as well as to himself. Indeed the only people who are initially prepared to reach out to him are Avon and his crew, who respect Cutty's legendary reputation in "the game". Cutty's journey takes him to the street, back into the game, back out, and ultimately upon a path to redemption, upon which he must "travel from A to B all by myself". I don't want to ruin the story for you--I'll only say that his struggle to find meaning and purpose in the midst of the urban nightmare is nothing less than sublime. His conversations with such awesome characters as Bodie, Slim Charles, Avon, The Deacon, and other denizons of the urban landscape are conducted in a Baltimore street slang that Simon renders into Shakesphearean poetry, whose final object is not merely extraordinary realism but striving towards a vision of redemption. It is the sort of timeless art that just gets better with repeat viewings.

If you are new to The Wire, start with Season 1, episode 1-3. Give yourself a chance to get used to the language, the realism, the all-to-human characters. And be prepared for the story to keep getting better and better.

The Wire season #3.......2007-06-01

Season #3 is just as good as seasons one and two. I can't wate for season four. The actors are spot on with their roles. It is easy to belive that what you are seeing is real. The wrighting and story are great. You will want to watch all three seasons in correct order to keep the story line stright. And as wi