Gilbert & Sullivan - Patience / Douglas, Olsen, Warlow, Australian Opera

Starring:Christine Douglas, Dennis Olsen, Anthony Warlow, Heather Begg, John Germain, Graeme Ewer, Jennifer Bermingham, Roxane Hislop, Neil Kirkby, Toni Powell, John Miley
Director: Cameron Kirkpatrick
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
In this production, Opera Australia meets and brilliantly overcomes a special kind of challenge--what we might call historically informed comedy. Patience raises problems different from and harder to negotiate than in The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore, or Pirates of Penzance. Those works get most of their laughs from universal human foibles or ridiculous plot twists; they have a validity as deep and permanent as human stupidity.

Amazon.com

During the 1980s, one cartoon series ruled the airwaves... The Transformers. This paragon of consumerism was created with a dual purpose--to entertain and to galvanize children to buy the toys. Somewhere along the line, the show became a cult favorite, so in 1986 they fashioned an epic tale of good versus evil specifically for the big screen. The result looked vaguely like an animated remake of Star Wars. Who are the Transformers? The good guys are the Autobots: Optimus Prime, SoundWave, Jazz, Ultra Magnus, and many more. Their mortal enemies are the evil Decepticons, led by Megatron and StarScream. The Autobots must save their home planet from an evil entity known as Unicron (voiced by Orson Welles). At the same time, they must defend themselves from an all-out attack from the Decepticons. Along the way, lives are lost, battles are fought, and a new Autobot leader is born as another dies. The story and action never stop in a thrilling ride that often makes you forget that you're watching an '80s cartoon with inferior graphics. The violence will also come as a mild shock to those who haven't seen this film for a while--definitely a movie for the 8 and over audience. For those who grew up on this series, this is a movie that must be watched. Unlike cartoon serials before and after, The Transformers relied on solid stories and interesting characters, a manifesto the film itself upholds with gusto and grace while also being morally responsible. Don't underestimate this movie; there is definitely more to it than meets the eye. --Jeremy Storey

Customer Reviews:

Transformers: transitional fun in the '80s.......2007-07-07

Maybe 4-1/2 stars, but the extras make it 5. This is a slick little package of '80s style fun.

Related products...
1. Transformers: The Ultimate Guide- hardcover. A very well made book, especially for G1 fans! And...
2. Transformers: The Ultimate Guide- paperback. Slightly newer, with 8 new pages- available now.

I first saw this in '86, and it's pretty decent, but being a huge G1 fan I think you'll understand why it really tempered my interest in Transformers at that time. It's an important transition between Generations 1 & 2. My *favorite* parts include any scene with Starscream & Megatron (hilarious), any scene with the Dinobots (anytime Grimlock speaks), the Megatron/ Optimus showdown-fight, and how can anyone not like the great, cheesy but fun '80s style music? ("Dare To Be Stupid"!) Remastered colors don't bother me because I can't remember the original colors to begin with (Hot Rod being hot-pink? Fine by me!). Of course, Transformers are back in pop-culture big time with the new live-action film; this animated DVD includes just a few very short clips of it. It's nice this DVD even references the live-action film, but we've all seen more detailed live-action info by now. The "extras" here primarily cover the main '80s animated film & more. My current favorite is the included Scramble City episode with commentary, featuring many big "combiner-type" robots. And there are Easter Eggs reportedly on both discs. These extras may not be perfect, but they elevate this to a 5-star product for me. It's highly recommended!

Compare this to the latest movie (2007) and this one RULES! .......2007-07-04

To be perfectly clear here, this review is CO-WRITTEN by a person who loved Transformers when they were at the height of their popularity. If you had a kid like that, your house was probably filled with various transformers, some of which linked together to make one HUGE transformer.

I never fully appreciated the appeal of these toys but their power, their magic was indisputable. Day and night, they were a favorite toy, providing hours of imaginative play. If you were crazy about Transformers (or had a kid who was) you should relate to this review.

Anyway, according to my co-writer, who still has a serious attack of nostalgia when it comes to Transformers, the newest movie "sucks" and this old version "rules". I'll concede to his opinion. I do know that the toys became popular after the tv show became a favorite of kids and, from that point on, names like Optimus Prime and Decepticon rolled off the tongues of my kids (all males) as they started collecting them like mad.

Anyway, if you found the newest movie a disappointment, give this one a try. It certainly held the attention of a group of adult males who were suffering from some serious nostalgia (and disappointment) after seeing the newest movie. This one relieved some of that pain.

So take that for what its worth - and see what YOU think.

Also, check out these:

Transformers Movie Leader Optimus Prime

Transformers: The Ultimate Guide: The Ultimate Guide (Transformers)

Transformers Movie Leader Megatron

Still a great film........2007-07-01

This has to be one of the best animated movies from my childhood. Nothing brings back such a glorious 80's sensation like this movie does. Naturally, I am probably a little biased because I grew up watching the Transformers cartoon and playing with the toys. But if anyone else did that like I did then they know this movie is the thing to have.

I won't give away any plot but I will say that this movie definately has some high points. The battle between Prime and Megatron is great, the music totally fits with the film and in no way (at least in my opinion) dates it, and the creators actually had the guts to kill off a lot of established characters. Add some great voice acting in with those points and you have a great animated film.

This is a great purchase for any Transformers fan, or any Sci-fi person.

The pinnacle of the Transformers.......2007-06-15

My 3 stars pertains more to this new release than the movie. The movie gets a 5 without a doubt, but for me this special edition wasn't very special. My best friend was the one to buy this and I'm glad he did because to me, its a waste. Since I already own the original and I'm satisfied with that. I wont beat on a dead horse cause most of the reviewers went in very deep detail with the wide screen format and how cut and cropped this new release is. I was hoping for some deleted or newly added scenes to the movie and all of the original commercials even concerning the toyline. This was the only cartoon in the 80's that mattered to me. So I was really disappointed with the extras. However for those who has never seen this movie or have no knowledge of the original Transformers I'll try to be brief with it.

First off, If your new or looking for that nostalgic feeling you had years ago. Then I recommend buying the seasons. The seasons contain all of the character development of the Transformers before the movie. If you watch this just to rekindle some old fond memeories, its possible you may hate this and you won't give a damn about any of the characters, because they didn't get the chance to grow on you. You didn't experiance most of the heroics of several Autobots and what made them legends. Most importantly you won't feel the sorrow of watching some of the characters killed off or already on the ground destroyed. You will definitly never truly understand or appreciate the power struggle between Megatron and Starscream. So I advice those to watch seasons 1 and 2 to get a much better experiance of the movie. I'm not saying you have to watch the episodes. But I noticed some of the undeserved 1 star reviews concerning the movie itself was because people didn't know the characters.

Now for the movie itself. The Autobots and Decepticons continue their billion + years of war. This conflict was pretty brutal and saw the end of several characters that made the first 2 seasons milestones. New characters were developed and a brand new threat arised that jeopardized the existance of both waring armies. The animation is the absolute best you will see from anything Transformers. The 80's soundtrack was cool for that time. I just don't enjoy it the way I used too.

Transformers was and still is my favorite cartoon of the 80's. In fact this is the only one that I own and was able to sit down, watch, and enjoy. As far as I'm concerned I'll never get rid of it. This cartoon is timeless. And it can very easily stand up to or knock off just about everything that is out now, came out, and ready to comeout. And thats not just in my opinion either. I feel if you already own the original then this is good for a rental just to see the extras. If you want 2 copies of this movie than good for you. However, should you ever decide to purchase the complete Transformers collection. Also add Beast Wars and Beast Machines to your collection. You cannot go wrong with these.

Good Movie.......2007-06-12

My boys love the Transformers Movie. I have no complaints. It arrived timely and in good condition.

Average customer rating:

The case of the defense lawyer that skirts the law
Childhood memories
Can we get these released faster please?!
TIMELESS TV
Perry Mason --- Second Year

Perry Mason - Season 2, Vol. 1
Starring: Ray Collins , and Karl Held
Director: Francis D. Lyon , Gerald Mayer , Jerry Hopper , Jack Arnold , and John Peyser
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Perry Mason - Season 1, Vol. 2
Mission: Impossible - The Second TV Season
Perry Mason - Season 1, Vol. 1
Ironside - The Complete First Season
Columbo - Mystery Movie Collection, 1989

ASIN: B000O59A52
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Amazon.com

There's something about Perry! Perry Mason, as a canny 14-year-old remarks in the episode "The Case of the Pint-Sized Client," is "the best lawyer in town." Here's the evidence. In 15 chronological second-season episodes from the classic series by which all lawyer shows are judged, Los Angeles attorney Perry Mason successfully defends a host of clients so seemingly guilty that Nancy Grace would have had them incarcerated by the first commercial break. Created by Erle Stanley Gardner, Mason was already a popular character in books, films, and radio before coming to television in 1957, and Raymond Burr, usually typecast as a heavy in feature films, did Mason justice (Mason was ranked 28th on the Bravo network's list of television's 100 best characters). Punctuating his sentences with that dramatic intake of breath, Burr's Mason exudes gravitas and expertise. He gets capable support from Barbara Hale as his secretary, Della Street, and William Hopper as private detective Paul Drake.

In what may be television's most thankless role, William Talman costars as district attorney Hamilton Burger, who nearly every week loses what looked to be an open-and-shut case, usually as the result of some dramatic surprise witness (in one episode, a parrot!), an unorthodox legal maneuver, or a cross-examination courtroom confession ("I didn't mean to kill him, your honor"). There is no delving into Mason's private life, although one episode hints at Mason being something of a ladies man. When Della suggestively tells him a new client is in his waiting room, he replies, "Blonde or brunette?" Cleverly plotted, and infused with a palpable noir sensibility , Perry Mason holds up as more than TV Land nostalgia, although it is fun to see such familiar faces as Jesse "the Maytag Repairman" White, Edgar Buchanan (Petticoat Junction), and Joseph Kearns and Herbert Anderson from Dennis the Menace. No extras, but these entertaining episodes will definitely please the court. --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews:

The case of the defense lawyer that skirts the law.......2007-07-08

This is a series of programs based a character in the writings of Erle Stanley Gardner. The CBS TV series stretched form 1957 through 1966.

Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) is a defense lawyer who is always thought of after it is too late for him to save the defendant from being accused of murder. Supporting Perry is his trusty more than friendly but professional secretary Della Street (Barbara Hale). And their trusty and sneaky privat investigator Paul Drake (William DeWolf Hopper, Son of the actress-turned-gossip-columnist Hedda Hopper). On the other side of the courtroom is the district attorney Hamilton Burger (William Talman) assisted by the not so neutral Homicide Lt. Arthur Tragg (Ray Collins).

You wonder how they get away with manufacturing evidence and the defendant usually has foot in mouth. Then there are the signature courtroom demonstrations.

Be sure to re-watch these programs as you can then see at even in TV programs they can sprinkle in subtle clues.

The was a mad magazine mock that had a boy scout immediately confess from the back of the courtroom upon seeing Perry mason.

Many of the subsequent programs allowed many TV actors of the time to become different characters and even replace the Burger and Tragg characters. You find yourself not only trying to outguess Mason but also saying "Hey I saw that actor in..."

Even though the characters are from Erle Stanley Gardner the actual programs are written by many different TV writers of the day.

I have on occasion read some of the Erle Stanly Gardner Mason's and they are closely related. The TV version has a few less characters and has to write in some of our favorites.

The DVD's themselves usually have four episodes with a glaring lack of the extras that are so popular nowadays. The plus is that there are no advertisements.

Childhood memories.......2007-07-04

Growing up I enjoyed Perry Mason and still watch the Hallmark movie series. Even though the shows are black and white, you don't really notice as you watch how Perry solves some of the most bizarre cases on record - like the one of the perjured parrot.

Can we get these released faster please?!.......2007-07-03

I waited for years for "Perry Mason" to be released on DVD and I'm ecstatic that Paramount Home Video has finally begun to do it! These box sets are beautiful and the remastered picture and sound quality of the show is so much better than the episodes that are broadcast on my local TV station. Now, my only request is that PHV speed up the releases. If they're going to continue with the 2 volumes per season sequence and release only 1 season per year it's going to take 9 whole years to completely release this great series. I can't wait that long! Please Paramount, how about releasing two box sets at a time, meaning two seasons per year? Universal did this with Seasons 3 and 4 of Miami Vice and it was great.

TIMELESS TV.......2007-07-02

With all of the cast excepting Della now dead, it is pleasant to return to those times. I began watching Perry Mason on TV when yet in high school and after military service and college he was yet on TV!

After purchasing the first two DVD sets can still feel happy about purchasing them, and will get this one too. I not only watch the shows but read the books, just recently finishing The Case of the Caretaker's Cat. The Persian cat of that book was named 'Clinker' but none of the TV shows, however, can be called that!

Great TV from long ago, and for me growing up in the 1950's, it's fun to revisit a world of cars, clothes, and people that other than in these shows, no longer exist. Perry and the gang are than actors and in many ways seem to have become our welcome friends.

Semper Fi.

Perry Mason --- Second Year.......2007-06-27

My wife's favorite and she can't wait until the second half of year 2 comes out. Good production values and the programs have aged well. Outstanding entertainment IF you are a fan of the series.

The Little Mermaid (2-Disc Platinum Edition)

Average customer rating:

A Classic
One of the last great Disney Movies
Grandchildren Loved The Little Mermaid
Great Product!
The Little Mermaid (2-Disc Platinum Edition)

The Little Mermaid (2-Disc Platinum Edition)
Starring: Rene Auberjonois , Christopher Daniel Barnes , Jodi Benson , Pat Carroll , and Paddi Edwards
Director: Ron Clements , and John Musker
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Over the Hedge (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000F8O35U
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Amazon.com essential video

From the moment that Prince Eric's ship emerged from the fog in the opening credits it was apparent that Disney had somehow, suddenly recaptured that "magic" that had been dormant for thirty years. In the tale of a headstrong young mermaid who yearns to "spend a day, warm on the sand," Ariel trades her voice to Ursula, the Sea Witch (classically voiced by Pat Carroll), for a pair of legs. Ariel can only succeed if she receives true love's kiss in a few day's time and she needs all the help she can from a singing crab named Sebastian, a loudmouth seagull, and a flounder. The lyrics and music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken are top form: witty and relevant, and they advance the story (go on, hum a few bars of "Under the Sea"). Mermaid put animation back on the studio's "to do" list and was responsible for ushering Beauty and the Beast to theaters. A modern Disney classic. --Keith Simanton

Description

THE LITTLE MERMAID, one of the most celebrated animated films of all time -- and winner of two Academy Awards(R) (Best Music, Original Score; Best Music, Original Song, "Under The Sea," 1989) -- splashes onto an exciting 2-Disc DVD with an all-new digital restoration. Ariel, a fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, is off on the adventure of a lifetime with her best friend, the adorable Flounder, and the reggae-singing Caribbean crab Sebastian at her side. But it will take all of her courage and determination to make her dreams come true—and save her father's beloved kingdom from the sneaky sea witch Ursula! Dive into a world of music and adventure in this new 2-Disc Platinum Edition your family will enjoy again and again!

Customer Reviews:

A Classic.......2007-07-06

As always disney has done wonders for childrens films. The little mermaid is another one of their classic movies which is suitable for all ages.

One of the last great Disney Movies.......2007-05-28

Mermaid was one of Disney's last great movies.....before they started trying to spin each classic tale into a 2nd, 3rd movie....each meaningless money making machines.

The Little Mermaid is the Disney version of the Hans Christian Anderson tale. Disney brings it to life with the beautiful Ariel, and a whole cast of loveable characters- Flounder, Eric, Sebastian, Flounder, Skuttle.

Ariel, the youngest of many daughters is bored with life under water and want to explore life on land as a human. She see's a man aboard a boat and falls in love. His name is Eric. When a storm rages, Ariel saves Eric and leaves his ashore. He sees her and can't forget her face. Against her fathers wishes Ariel dreams of life on land. She bargains with the sea witch Ursula to turn her into a human. The price she pays is her voice. She has to make Eric fall in love with her- but she has no voice.
Ursula uses Ariels voice to bring her father to her knees. In the end, she is overcome, and Triton- Ariels father is saved, and let's Ariel go- to become a human.

The music is some of the most creative animated music EVER. From Kiss the girl to Under the Sea, each songs is singable, and unforgettable. Boy and girls alike will love this movie about dreams, courage, and adventure.

Grandchildren Loved The Little Mermaid.......2007-05-17

I bought this for my three grandchildren and they are very, very happy with it and have watched it many times already.

Great Product!.......2007-05-14

The dvd was brand new in the packaging. I would defintely buy from this seller again!!!

The Little Mermaid (2-Disc Platinum Edition).......2007-05-13

Bought this for my wife. She's always loved the story and had been wanting the DVD for a while. When the special edition came out, I grabbed it. The commentaries are great. The history of the story, the animation process, and the cast/crew is wonderful.

Average customer rating:

Amazingly nonsense
Great Movie, but find out for yourself...
Dark Dark dark and depressing
Overrated
I hated this movie

Children of Men (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Juan Gabriel Yacuzzi , Michelle Hussain , Rob Curling , Jon Chevalier , and Rita Davies
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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The Good Shepherd (Widescreen Edition)
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ASIN: B000N6TX1I
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Amazon.com

Presenting a bleak, harrowing, and yet ultimately hopeful vision of humankind's not-too-distant future, Children of Men is a riveting cautionary tale of potential things to come. Set in the crisis-ravaged future of 2027, and based on the atypical 1993 novel by British mystery writer P.D. James, the anxiety-inducing, action-packed story is set in a dystopian England where humanity has become infertile (the last baby was born in 2009), immigration is a crime, refugees (or "fugees") are caged like animals, and the world has been torn apart by nuclear fallout, rampant terrorism, and political rebellion. In this seemingly hopeless landscape of hardscrabble survival, a jaded bureaucrat named Theo (Clive Owen) is drawn into a desperate struggle to deliver Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey), the world's only pregnant woman, to a secret group called the Human Project that hopes to discover a cure for global infertility. As they carefully navigate between the battling forces of military police and a pro-immigration insurgency, Theo, Kee, and their secretive allies endure a death-defying ordeal of urban warfare, and director Alfonso Cuaron (with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki) capture the action with you-are-there intensity. There's just enough humor to balance the film's darker content (much of it coming from Michael Caine, as Theo's aging hippie cohort), and although Children of Men glosses over many of the specifics about its sociopolitical worst-case scenario (which includes Julianne Moore in a brief but pivotal role), it's still an immensely satisfying, pulse-pounding vision of a future that represents a frightening extrapolation of early 21st-century history. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Amazingly nonsense.......2007-07-08

The story line is very good...But does the director and script writer uderstand the meaning of word "synergy"? Perfect example of not doing that is the result-Children of Men

Great Movie, but find out for yourself..........2007-07-07

Confusing? Depressing? This movie isn't for a small child who would be confused by fast-moving plots (this one hardly moves that fast anyway) or for people who believe every human is inherently good and will remain so even in a crisis.

Does this movie overbaringly push a politcal agenda? Perhaps. Yet this film, like all movies, only has the meaning that the viewer perceives. What I took from this film was how ugly the world really is, and how people will not stay civil when it all hits the fan. Is that depressing? It certainly is, but that's the world we live in.

The movie is not without hope. The main character has succumbed to the bleakness of the world's current situation, but is given a new reason to fight on and persevere. The last scene were Theo and the girl are decending the stairs is breathtaking.

Nowadays, it's hard to escape any form of entertainment with a political agenda, either real or perceived. But take from this movie something else.

For those who thought this movie was too depressing, OPEN YOUR EYES. Watch and read the news. I'm not talking about the big things like war and famine around the world. I mean the the small events that take place in your own country. The violent crimes, the senseless fighting, the loss of life. It's everywere, and unfortunately, it's human nature.

The movie itself is amazing. The cinematography is breathtaking. It was compared to Saving Private Ryan and rightly so. The first action scene in the car and the last chase through the "fugee" camp is done with one camera and in continuous action. This really captivates the veiwer and makes him feel like he's actually in the scene. Great sound and even better in HD-DVD.

This film has it all: action, drama, comedy, everything for every taste. See it for yourself and take from it what suits you best. But don't be so narrow and watch it only with political eyes. Go deeper than this, and find what its really about.

Dark Dark dark and depressing.......2007-07-06

This was a waste of money. I don't discount the fine acting talents of the stars, but it was a depressing story, no matter who was starring in it. I thought there would be some hope, but the ending was too ambiguous and the whole movie was dark and depressing.

Overrated .......2007-07-03

Interesting film but wildly overrated by the critics. Confusing and ambiguous story line trips up a pretty good cast and produces a mediocre science fiction film. I am afraid that all this film really foreshadows is more bad movies to come. This film does not, by any stretch of the imagination, compare to Sci-Fi classics like Blade Runner. Save your money and watch it on cable.

I hated this movie.......2007-07-03

Bleak, weak story line..everyone is always running. very confusing and depressing and I thought it made NO sense even though I understood what was trying to be said. The ending was a joke. Don't waste your money or time! I didn't even want to give it one star! One of the worse movies I ever saw!

Aladdin (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

Average customer rating:

Excellent
Aladdin
Aladdin
Perfect Disney DVD for just about anyone...
A Fun Children's Story Inspired by One Thousand and One Nights

Aladdin (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Starring: Scott Weinger , Robin Williams , Linda Larkin , Jonathan Freeman , and Frank Welker
Director: Ron Clements , and John Musker
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Accessories:

Betty Boop Girl's Crystal Accented Bracelet Watch #BB-W103A
Betty Boop Girl's Crystal Accented Bracelet Watch #BB-W104A
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Betty Boop Girl's Crystal Accented Bracelet Watch #BB-W132A
Betty Boop Girl's Red Crystal Acccented Leather Watch #BB-1020RED

ASIN: B0001I561E
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Amazon.com essential video

Disney's 1992 animated feature is a triumph of wit and skill. The high-tech artwork and graphics look great, the characters are strong, the familiar story is nicely augmented with an interesting villain (Jafar, voiced by Jonathan Freeman), and there's an incredible hook atop the whole thing: Robin Williams's frantically hilarious vocal performance as Aladdin's genie. Even if one isn't particularly moved by the love story between the title character (Scott Weinger) and his girlfriend Jasmine (Linda Larkin), you can easily get lost in Williams's improvisational energy and the equally entertaining performances of Freeman and Gilbert Gottfried (as Jafar's parrot). --Tom Keogh

Description

Soar away on a magic carpet ride of nonstop thrills and fun in the most spectacular adventure of all time! Now meticulously restored and enhanced -- experience the wonders of ALADDIN like never before, from the Academy Award(R)-winning music (Best Original Song, Best Original Score, 1992) to the unforgettable moments of sidesplitting comedy and soaring adventure. In the heart of an enchanted city, a commoner named Aladdin and his mischievous monkey, Abu, battle to save the free-spirited Princess Jasmine. Aladdin's whole life changes with one rub of a magic lamp as a fun-loving, shape-shifting Genie appears and grants him three wishes, setting him on an incredible journey of discovery. Through his adventures, Aladdin proves that he is a prince where it truly matters most -- on the inside!

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-06-29

One of Disney's best movies! Very funny. Robin Williams does an outstanding job.

Aladdin.......2007-05-16

It is the best and only Arabian movie that I watched when I was younger and I still enjoy to this day. It has great action,

Aladdin.......2007-05-06

I feel lucky to count myself among those who grew up watching modern masterpieces such as "Aladdin", "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast" and the like. Nowadays they just don't make 'em like that anymore. Sad but true. (I'm not keen on the Pixar flicks, sorry). I vividly remember going to see each and one of them (starting with "Mermaid" in the spring of 1990) on the big screen. Those were scarce moments of true childhood innocence. Times that you take with you forever, and Disney has done just that to almost every kid in the world during the last 70 years. "Aladdin" came out at the peak of Disney's third golden age that started in 1989. The company released a number of films which broke new ground in animation and were huge artistic and commercial successes as well. Although it broke a few records when it came out on video in 1993, for some odd reason, this DVD release sold a meager amount of copies, catching everyone at the studio by surprise. Nevertheless, "Aladdin" remains as enjoyable as ever and much better than most of its successors.

Perfect Disney DVD for just about anyone..........2007-05-01

I got this as a gift for my niece and she adores the DVD every time she puts it on. Story is told well with great songs/music to sing along to. Production work is A+. Makes a very nice gift for kids or the kid in the adult.

A Fun Children's Story Inspired by One Thousand and One Nights.......2007-04-28

The story of Aladdin, from a collection of stories dating back more than a millennium, has been filmed dozens of times in dozens of variations. However, none was ever filmed as creatively, humorously and family friendly as Disney Studios did in 1992. The success of the movie owes much to the talents of Robin Williams, whose manic impersonations and characterizations propel this movie along at a frantic pace. Disney also kept the story of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine simple, helping the appeal of the movie.

This story is relatively simple, cutting out much of the detail from the original story. Aladdin (voiced by Scott Weinger), is a teenager trying to find enough to eat in Baghdad. Though Aladdin steals food and is a bit of a rogue, he also has a sense of fairness, honor and innocence, a "diamond in the rough" that evil Grand Vizier Jafar (voiced by Jonathan Freeman) needs to enter the Cave of Wonders to steal the magic lamp.

Aladdin enters the cave and finds the lamp, but uses the lamp to escape and become Prince Ali in an attempt to win the heart and hand of Princess Jasmine (voiced by Linda Larkin). As we learn early in the movie, Princess Jasmine wants nothing to do with phonies and princes; she is looking for someone to whom she can give her heart, someone who will understand and love her. Prince Ali is not that person.

Jafar wants the power of being the Sultan of Baghdad. His plan is simple, get the lamp, gain absolute power, marry Jasmine, and take over the world; not necessarily in that order. I would be remiss if I failed to mention Jafar's trusty adviser Iago the Parrot, voiced by the always obnoxious and, certainly in the case of this movie, funny Gilbert Gottfried. Perhaps if Jafar had not had a parrot as an advisor, things might have turned out different for him.

The animation in this edition of the movie is marvelous. The colors are bright and images are quite clear. This movie is excellent to watch on your big screen television.

Another wonderful feature of this movie is the music. The standout song is "A Whole New World," but I also liked "Prince Ali" and "One Jump Ahead." Alan Menken's score and Tim Rice's music garnered an Oscar for Menken and an Oscar for Menken and Rice. In fact, this movie won 22 significant awards and was nominated for another 15.

Aladdin is a good guy trying to survive in a tough world. Princess Jasmine is naïve and innocent. Aladdin's love for Jasmine is pure and teenage and children and teenagers everywhere will identify with Aladdin's angst. The song and dance routines of the Robin Williams' Genie keep the overall tone of this movie light, which is necessary to help balance the evil of Grand Vizier Jafar (voiced by Jonathan Freeman).

I recommend this movie for all members of the family except for the very youngest members, who may be frightened by the images of Jafar and the Genie is a couple of the scenes. Most children ages 4 and above should be able to watch this movie with little difficulty.

Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Shirley Valentine DVD
Shirley Valentine
reality
So good to see again
Shirley Valentine

Shirley Valentine
Starring: Pauline Collins , Tom Conti , Julia McKenzie , Alison Steadman , and Joanna Lumley
Director: Lewis Gilbert (II)
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

The Queen
Notes on a Scandal
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Becket

ASIN: B000MGBSIU
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Amazon.com

British actress Pauline Collins repeats her stage success as the character Shirley Valentine, a married woman who decides in her middle years that she wants more out of life. Leaving her spouse behind, she heads to Greece, where she grows close to a low-key, local bloke (Tom Conti). Collins and director Lewis Gilbert (Educating Rita) choose to let the character, as she did in the play, speak directly to the audience at times, and the gamble works in terms of creating a gentle, intimate atmosphere. Conti is a bonus, a warm presence and funny to boot. --Tom Keogh

Stills from Shirley Valentine (click for larger image)

Product Description

In the role that won her Broadway's acclaimed Tony Award, Pauline Collins is the hilariously endearing Shirley Valentine, a wisecracking, completely unpredictable English housewife who proves it's never too late to recapture your dreams. Bored with her suburban life, Shirley takes a chance on adventure when a friend invites her on a vacation to Greece. Within no time she's back to her rebellious teenage roots, saying yes to a wild fling with a handsome rogue (Tom Conti) and the life she's always wanted.

Customer Reviews:

Shirley Valentine DVD.......2007-07-09

I was thrilled to be able to get this film on DVD. I hadn't seen it in years and was certainly not disappointed when I saw it again. It's still one of my favorite movies.

Shirley Valentine.......2007-07-05

I forgot how good this movie is and the meaning of keeping your identity throughout your life. Even though you are married and have a family.

reality.......2007-07-01

I first saw this movie in 1989 - there is something for most women who have become less than themselves by taking care of everyone except themself. You can identify with the husband/wife , girlfriends and mother/child relationships. So if you need to get away - even though it is through Shirley - do it. This is a wonderful story of a 40'ish English woman who finds herself again - and has a good time on the way. I am so glad it is finally out in DVD - I have been looking for it for years.
I have to honestly say that this is my favorite movie!

So good to see again.......2007-07-01

Watch this movie any time you feel sad for a real pick me up--I laughed till I cried!!!!

Shirley Valentine.......2007-06-27

This movie is a wonderful suprise. It's about women who have lost their identity. We are someone's mother and someone's wife, but what happened to us, our hopes, our dreams. Shirley Valentine is about a woman who takes a chance by traveling to another country and discovering herself along the way.
The movie is funny with lots of British humor, the characters are people you know and it shows the Shirley she was, the Shirley she is and the Shirley she wants to be. It's a must have for any woman over 35 who feels old, dreams of running away from everyday life, work, children and what to fix for dinner again. I've bought multi copies for women in my family and friends.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - The Complete Second Season

Average customer rating:

Love this show!!!
Quitaron la música original
90210 Fan
90210 Season 2 rocks!
Bevery Hills 90210 Second Season

Beverly Hills, 90210 - The Complete Second Season
Director: Jason Priestley , Robert Weaver (III) , Richard Lang , Bethany Rooney , and Tori Spelling
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Beverly Hills, 90210 - The Complete First Season
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ASIN: B000MGBSHQ
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Amazon.com

From a pregnancy scare and a psycho girlfriend to a cameo by Color Me Badd, Beverly Hills 90210's sophomore year demonstrates why this was "the greatest TV show in history with a zip code in its title." That's what comedians John Aboud and Michael Colton (Best Week Ever) call it in a very entertaining bonus feature that affectionately roasts 90210 from its so-the-drama melodramatics to its stuck-in-the-'90s fashion sense (high-waisted jeans, buttoned-up shirts, and whatever the heck you call the outrageous wardrobe worn by Brian Austin Green's David). This is the season that catapulted 90210 from Most Likely to Succeed to BSOF (Best Show on Fox). Certainly, it was must-see viewing for teens who anxiously tuned in each week to vicariously chart the serial adventures of siblings Brenda (Shannon Doherty) and older brother Brandon (Jason Priestley), recent transplants from Minnesota to glitzy Beverly Hills. Season 2, one of the best in this series' decade-long run, is one for the time capsule, with episodes and story arcs that loom large in the 90210 phenomenon, among them: Brenda's tempestuous, on-and-off-again relationship with soulful bad boy Dylan (Luke Perry in his instantly iconic role), causing rifts between her and her increasingly disapproving parents; new girl Emily Valentine (Christine Elise) going all Fatal Attraction on Brandon (no rabbits are boiled but a homecoming float is in jeopardy); Kelly (Jennie Garthhooking up with Melrose Place-bound Jake (Grant Show), and Donna (Tori Spelling) in her mermaid Halloween costume.

Degrassi Jr. High has nothing on 90210 when it comes to issues-oriented episodes. Not four minutes into the season opener, Brenda announces she is five days "late." "I love Dylan, and I thought I knew what we were doing" she tells BFFs Kelly and Donna, "but I'm beginning to get the feeling that it wasn't worth it." Other episodes address abstinence, child abuse, the physically challenged, sexual orientation, racism, rape, and steroids. A heartbreaking story arc concerns David shunning his former best friend, Scott, who returns from an Oklahoma vacation all urban cowboy, making him even more of an outcast with the popular kids. "Cool it with the guns," David cautions, foreshadowing tragic events to come in the episode "The Next 50 Years." Throwing something of a wet blanket on precious memories of the show is the substitution of generic songs for 90210's originally killer soundtracks of alternative and classic rock and golden oldies. One would think that the Peach Pit has the lamest jukebox on Earth. --Donald Liebenson

Product Description

One of the definitive, landmark shows of the 1990s, 90210 quickly became an important fixture on the FOX and in the popular discourse of adolescents and young adults. The second season's main characters, Dylan, Kelly, Donna, Steve, David, Andrea and twins Brandon and Brenda all attended West Beverly Hills High School. Brandon and Brenda Walsh and their parents, transplants from Minneapolis were the stable nuclear family with strong values; their home was a safe haven for the whole gang and the center of much of the drama. The show dealt with a steady stream of love triangles and other romantic entanglements and occasionally touched on more serious issues as well.

Customer Reviews:

Love this show!!!.......2007-07-05

I am a huge fan of 90210 and always was I am so happy they have the season 1 & 2 out on dvd. Wish they did not have to change the music as it is a bit weird with the new songs etc. But still the same great show and I couldn't be more happy...Hope season 3 is out soon.

Quitaron la música original.......2007-06-28

Me encanta el show, lo he grabado y visto mil veces, y queria tenerlo en DVD, pero la música importante ha sido toda retirada por simples fondos musicales sin autor. Esto hace de las escenas que sean realmente diferentes. Se que costarían mas los DVDs con la música original, pero creo que nosotros los consumidores estariamos mas comodos pagando un poco mas por un producto mejor.

90210 Fan.......2007-06-11

If you are a fan of the show you need Season 2. Totally takes you back to the 90's.

90210 Season 2 rocks!.......2007-06-08

The DVDs are awesome! I'm a big fan of 90210! Can't wait for season 3 to come out!

Bevery Hills 90210 Second Season.......2007-06-08

Delivery was on time and product was in perfect condition!! Thanks!!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

Average customer rating:

Disney's best animated feature film.
Terrible doing business with you
"With A Smile And A Song" ~ The Birth Of An American Dynasty
THIS IS HOW ALL THE PLATINUM EDITIONS SHOULD BE DONE!
snow white the movie that started it all!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Starring: Roy Atwell , Stuart Buchanan , Adriana Caselotti , Marge Champion , and Eddie Collins
Director: William Cottrell , Walt Disney , David Hand , and Wilfred Jackson
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Sleeping Beauty (Special Edition)
Beauty and the Beast (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Pinocchio (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
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Peter Pan (2-Disc Platinum Edition)

ASIN: B00003CXCQ
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Amazon.com essential video

One of the brightest nuggets from Disney's golden age, this 1937 film is almost dizzying in its meticulous construction of an enchanted world, with scores of major and minor characters (including fauna and fowl), each with a distinct identity. When you watch Snow White's intricate, graceful movements of fingers, arms, and head all in one shot, it is not the technical brilliance of Disney's artists that leaps out at you, but the very spirit of her engaging, girl-woman character. When the wicked queen's poisoned apple turns from killer green to rose red, the effect of knowing something so beautiful can be so terrible is absolutely elemental, so pure it forces one to surrender to the horror of it. Based on the Grimm fairy tale, Snow White is probably the best family film ever to deal, in mythic terms, with the psychological foundation for growing up. It's a crowning achievement and should not be missed. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Disney's best animated feature film........2007-07-08

At long last I have a copy of the edition of Snow White I have been waiting for. But no thanks to the Disney people. If they had their way I would be in my grave still waiting for them to reissue the platinum edition. For those of you who are young enough to wait, the wait will be worth it. Last November
I turned 80. Disney averages ten or more years re-releasing Snow White and
The Seven Dwarfs.

Terrible doing business with you.......2007-06-18

One star is actually very generous! I waited over 3 weeks after placing my order to contact the seller. His response to my inquiry of the shipping information was "Please allow 2 weeks for delivery". He didn't even take notice of the attachment containing the original invoice that showed we were already past that delivery date. I sent another email pointing this out, and again, I asked for the information of when and how the item was shipped. We are 9 days past that email, and I haven't heard a word. BUYERS BEWARE

Also, this was supposed to be a birthday gift for my 4 year old...maybe it will make it by Christmas!!!!

"With A Smile And A Song" ~ The Birth Of An American Dynasty .......2007-04-07

To truly appreciate this film one should remember that `Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' was released in '37 making it's production an incredible achievement in animation considering the overall state of the art at the time. This film was the spring board for the many Disney classics to follow in the years ahead making it a classic by that standard alone.

However having that said, after all these years the film can still stand on its own merits. The animation is enjoyable, the soundtrack is enchanting, at times haunting and the seven dwarfs are beloved by millions around the world. It may not be technically the best of Disney's animated films but it was the benchmark of all that was to follow and still has a loyal fan base after all these years. A true classic.

THIS IS HOW ALL THE PLATINUM EDITIONS SHOULD BE DONE!.......2007-03-07

I was amazed how fantasic this film looked in the 2 disc Platinum Edition DVD! It is hard to believe this gem is 70 years old! The restoration is nothing short of incredible and there are tons of worthwhile extras too! I'm glad to see nothing was censored in this film! This is the way to treat all the Disney animated classics, completely restored and unedited with lots of extras. Come on Disney! Haven't we given you enough of our money!? Please stop editing these historical pieces and give them the treatment they deserve. If you must edit them, then release them both ways. One for the poor kiddie's parents who can't deal with some "PC" stereotypes and one for the purist who want to keep things they way they were meant to be seen!

snow white the movie that started it all!.......2007-02-09

I just recieved my copy of this dvd set and it was worth every penny and arrived quickly. It was beautifully remastered. It looks and sounds much better than my vhs copy. I now have a complete collection of the disney princess collection on dvd and I'm soooo happy about it! Thanks amazon for having available all these out of print titles. I loooooove this website!

Average customer rating:

They don't make movies like this anymore....
A wonderful adventure re-visited
Such a sweet movie
classic fantasy
very good

The NeverEnding Story
Starring: Barret Oliver , Gerald McRaney , Drum Garrett , Darryl Cooksey , and Nicholas Gilbert
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

7-9 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adapted from Books | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Fantasy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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Mixed | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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ASIN: B00005LKHZ
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Amazon.com essential video

Wolfgang Petersen (In the Line of Fire) made his first English-language film with this 1984 fantasy about a boy (Barret Oliver) visualizing the stories of a book he's reading. The imagined tale involves another boy, a warrior (Noah Hathaway), and his efforts to save the empire of Fantasia from a nemesis called the Nothing. Whether or not the scenario sticks in the memory, what does linger are the unique effects, which are not quite like anything else. Plenty of good fairy-tale characters and memorable scenes, and the film even encourages kids to read. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

They don't make movies like this anymore...........2007-07-06

Remember that moment at the end of Wizard of Oz when the Good Witch tells Dorothy she's had the power to go home all along? Remember the collective "What the (BLEEP)..." from everyone watching, regardless of their age?

I had a very similar reaction when I reached the end of this movie.

That's not to say I was disappointed. Quite the contrary. It was like a slap in the face of "why didn't I think of that?" Often times the best endings are so obvious you overlook them and this movie is a testament to that fact.

That having been said it's also one of the best fantasy rides you'll ever take in 2 hours. A turtle whose shell is an island. A talking wolf. A luck dragon. Two sets of sphinx like characters, both offering riddles. A horse whose own sadness nearly is is undoing... oh and a rock biter.

These are just a few of the fanciful elements that make this very under-celebrated movie worth high praise!

If you saw it as a child and you now have children, show it to your children. Make it something you share for generations. You'll be glad you did.

They don't make movies like this any more. The more we can teach our children to have imaginations, the more likely they are to dream big dreams... and the more likely they are to turn those dreams into reality.

A wonderful adventure re-visited.......2007-06-04

The wonderful adventure of Bastion on the never ending story was my favorite movie when it was released many years ago. I now have the opportunity to enjoy it all over again with my 5 year old. She is particularly intrigued by the Luck Dragon and wants one. Don't we all.
Enjoy this movie as a family.
Sound recording is a bit poor but I guess it was pre digital and has alot of back ground hiss.

Such a sweet movie.......2007-05-17

I bought this b/c I used to watch it all the time when I was a kid. I loved it, and would watch it over and over again. Thing is, I looked around on Amazon, and this movie comes in a set w/ Part 2 and 3. That is where the value is, so look around. You can get 2 movies for the price of one.

If you don't own this movie, ADD IT TO YOUR CART today :)

classic fantasy.......2007-05-13

always enjoyed this movie as a child so i knew it was a must have and i was right.

very good.......2007-05-12

this is a very good movie for tha family, we are enjoying it. Thankyou.

Average customer rating:

"You play the harp, mister? You keep pushin, you'll end up learnin'."
Major Letdown
Brother Protects Brother!
The Sacketts
The Sacketts DVD

Louis L'Amour's The Sacketts
Starring: Sam Elliott , Tom Selleck , Jeff Osterhage , Glenn Ford , and Ben Johnson
Director: Robert Totten
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

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ASIN: B000EOTUSK
Release Date: 2006-05-30

Amazon.com

Louis L'Amour's easy voice with its gentle rhythm sets the tone and pace of the film in a spoken introduction to this loping, rambling three-hour-plus TV-movie adaptation of his novels The Daybreakers and Sackett. Sam Elliot stars as the elder Sackett, a nomad hunting and trapping in the mountains who happens upon an ancient treasure. Tom Selleck and Jeff Osterhage are his younger siblings, forced to leave home to avoid a Hatfield and McCoy situation. As the Sackett brothers wind their way across the Midwest prairies and mountains we join them on cattle drives and gold hunts, in gunfights and fistfights, and in a climactic showdown as they find their place in the world. This 1979 film rambles and meanders like a lazy river winding through a beautiful landscape of peaks and plains and forests, punctuated by the occasional gunfight and enlivened by a story that celebrates both the open range and the taming of the towns. Elliot looks almost young but flashes his savage eyes behind a thick black beard, while Selleck's easygoing manner is backed up with a stony-faced determination. The excellent cast includes a veritable who's who of Western character actors: Glenn Ford, Ben Johnson, Gilbert Roland, Gene Evans, Jack Elam, Slim Pickens, L.Q. Jones, Mercedes McCambridge, and Pat Buttram. Followed in 1982 by The Shadow Riders, which reunited the three stars and even a few members of the supporting cast in a tale of three different brothers. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Louis L'Amour's epic Western saga of brothers who blazed a name across the untamed post-Civil War New Mexico frontier.

Customer Reviews:

"You play the harp, mister? You keep pushin, you'll end up learnin'.".......2007-07-08

Warning: SPOILERS scattered all over.

To this day, Louis L'Amour remains my favorite western wordsmith. And, amongst his many protagonists, my preference lies with the Sackett family. Which leads me to this two-part television mini-series. In 1979, Louis L'Amour's THE SACKETTS came aroaring to the small screen and brought to gritty realization some of my favorite Western characters of all time. There are 17 Sackett novels in all (19, if you count minor roles by a Sackett in BENDIGO SHAFTER and in DARK CANYON), and the mini-series chose to base itself on two early novels, SACKETT and THE DAYBREAKERS. Screenwriter Jim Byrnes had to somehow combine the two books into one cohesive screenplay and, thus, had to make some changes. But it's all good as Louis L'Amour read the screenplay and gave his blessing. In fact, L'Amour provides the opening voice-over intro for Parts 1 & 2.

So, the plot: After fatally gunning down a feuding man, young Tennessee gunfighter Tyrell Sacket (Jeff Osterhage) hightails it to the untamed west, trailed and then accompanied by his level-headed older brother Orrin (Selleck). First hiring on as cowhands in a cattle drive to Kansas, Tyrell and Orrin then make their way to New Mexico. In Santa Fe, they get caught up in a bitter feud between a hidalgo, whose people have long held the territory, and a land-grabbing Anglo encroacher named Jonathan Pritts, who aims to push the Mexicans out. With Pritts bent on achieving his goal come hell or high water, it's only a matter of time before them hillbilly boys from Tennessee find cause to slap leather.

Meanwhile, William Tell Sackett (Sam Elliott), a Civil War veteran and the oldest Sackett brother, gets drawn into a slanted poker game and has to kill a cheatin' cardsharp, an act which promises dire consequences for Tell. Weeks go by and Tell is now prospectin' for gold and finds himself fending off an unkempt but plucky girl, greedy varmints, and grim-lookin' folks bent on a reckonin'. Undermanned and outgunned, Tell looks to be in a spell of trouble. But, then again, when you fight one Sackett, well, you fight 'em all.

There've been quite a few movie renditions of L'Amour's novels, including the pretty great HOW THE WEST WAS WON, the little known but still nifty THE BURNING HILLS (with Tab Hunter), and THE SHADOW RIDERS, which reunites Elliott, Selleck, and Osterhage. But, to me, the finest L'Amour film adaptation is THE SACKETTS. At 3 hours and 20 minutes long and shifting back and forth between the two story arcs, the film captures the personalities of the three Sackett brothers and conveys a certain down and dirty realism, all the while espousing that old-fashioned Western code of honor and delivering its share of frontier justice. The sets are peopled by actors who appear genuine in their patina of dust and grime. In striving for an authentic depiction, the filmmakers had to fight just to keep the horse dung intact on the dusty streets (the movie backers were appalled). Present also is the authentic-sounding, colloquial frontier speak which, naturally, heavily sprinkles L'Amour's books.

Sam Elliott has his character down pat, a natural as the "rawboned and ugly lookin'" Tell Sackett, with his tangled beard and ferocious handlebar mustache and feral, ill-tempered eyes. So convincing is Elliott as the laconic Tell that it's almost a surprise whenever he parts his lips to speak. Tom Selleck, still one year away from his iconic, star-making turn as Thomas Magnum, had to come in 5 times before he was signed on. As Orrin Sacket, the most erudite and learned of the three brothers, Selleck brings to the screen his charm, warmth, and heartthrob smile. Orrin supposedly can "talk a squirrel out of a walnut tree" or "a pump handle into believing it was a windmill." And, as embodied by Selleck, one can fair believe it. Little known Jeff Osterhage does just fine as the shy and earnest, but oh-so-deadly Tyrell Sackett, who, along with the legendary Barnabas Sackett, is one of my all time favorite L'Amour creations.

The supporting cast is uniformly solid, with veterans Glenn Ford and Ben Johnson as standouts. Ford adds depth to the canny Tom Sunday, who starts out as Orrin and Tye's mentor but eventually metamorphoses into a bitter and hard-drinking man. The grizzled Johnson exudes experience and world-weary wisdom as Cap Rountree, whose "wrinkles are war maps." Old oater reliables Jack Elam and Slim Pickens ride up as the vengeful minded Bigelow brothers.

While there is a smattering of action throughout, which culminates in the three brothers engaging in a furious shootout at the livery stable, the movie takes its time with its thoughtful, wide ranging character development. It pays off later as I feel the saddest part of the film is actually the downspiraling turn of once friend and ally Tom Sunday and his inevitable fate. In the relatively short passage of time covered by the film, Orrin and Tye grow from raw Tennessee boys to adults who've planted roots and become men of means and responsibilities. However, from beginning to end, the grim-visaged Tell Sackett is seemingly immutable, although he seems to have gained a lady friend at the end there. While, in my opinion, Orrin and Tye's story is more engrossing, Tell's story arc is noteworthy in that it bespeaks the often solitary life preferred by a certain hardy breed of men who lived back then, when the country was spacious enough to give a man room to breathe.

There are several highlight moments which I savor. There is Tye's showdown with Carney. Tell's shaving demo with the wicked-looking Arkansas toothpick. Tye overcoming his shyness with the hidalgo's daughter. Tell facing down Kid Newton, a would be gunfighter. There is Tom Sunday's last stand. And the climactic shootout between the Sacketts and the Bigelows.

Part One of the mini-series is on the first disc. The 2nd disc has the conclusion, as well as a 12-minutes-long featurette "The Sacketts Go West" which presents fairly informative interviews with Jeff Osterhage and writer Jim Byrnes.

With TNT foremost, but also other cable networks, having championed the movie western down thru the years, here's hoping Ted Turner or whoever sees fit to adapt more of L'Amour's work, and specifically, the Sackett books, and, even more specifically, SACKETT'S LAND (with Barnabas Sackett) and THE SACKETT BRAND (with Tell Sackett and a passel of other Sacketts). Here's hoping.

Major Letdown.......2007-06-16

This was not the complete series. Editing left a major hole in the story line. I would strongly suggest getting the full length version.

Brother Protects Brother!.......2007-05-30

This movie is so great because you would think that these men are really brothers! It has a family oriented theme. Each brother goes their separate way to do what they want. But through the trials of life they end up back together each one protecting the other. It shows that family is very important!

The Sacketts.......2007-05-07

Good Western with good actors and enjoyable storyline. If you like Westerns then this is one to have in your library!