Evolution

Starring:Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
Studio: Sony
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

A Must-Have for your DVD Library
Simply Outstanding
Kubrick's Magnum Opus
Just another case of the "King's clothes"...
do not do not watch this film on a 50 inch plasma tv

2001 - A Space Odyssey
Starring: Keir Dullea , Gary Lockwood , William Sylvester , Daniel Richter , and Leonard Rossiter
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005ASUM
Release Date: 2001-06-12

Product Description

2001: A Space Odyssey is a countdown to tomorrow, a road map to human destiny, a quest for the infinite. It is a dazzling, Academy Award-winning visual achievement, a compelling drama of man vs. machine, a stunning meld of music and motion. It may be the masterwork of director Stanley Kubrick (who co-wrote the screenplay with Arthur C. Clarke)... and it will likely excite, inspire and enthrall for generations.

To begin his voyage into the future, Kubrick visits our prehistoric ape-ancestry past, then leaps millennia (via one of the most mind-blowing jump cuts ever conceived) into colonized space, and ultimately whisks astronaut Bowman (Keir Dullea) into uncharted realms of space, perhaps even into immortality. "Open the pod bay doors, HAL." Let the awe and mystery of a journey unlike any other begin.

System Requirements:
Starring: Keir Dullea, and Gary Lockwood.
Directed By: Stanley Kubrick.
Running Time: 148 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2000 Warner Home Video.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

When Stanley Kubrick recruited Arthur C. Clarke to collaborate on "the proverbial intelligent science fiction film," it's a safe bet neither the maverick auteur nor the great science fiction writer knew they would virtually redefine the parameters of the cinema experience. A daring experiment in unconventional narrative inspired by Clarke's short story "The Sentinel," 2001 is a visual tone poem (barely 40 minutes of dialogue in a 139-minute film) that charts a phenomenal history of human evolution. From the dawn-of-man discovery of crude but deadly tools in the film's opening sequence to the journey of the spaceship Discovery and metaphysical birth of the "star child" at film's end, Kubrick's vision is meticulous and precise. In keeping with the director's underlying theme of dehumanization by technology, the notorious, seemingly omniscient computer HAL 9000 has more warmth and personality than the human astronauts it supposedly is serving. (The director also leaves the meaning of the black, rectangular alien monoliths open for discussion.) This theme, in part, is what makes 2001 a film like no other, though dated now that its postmillennial space exploration has proven optimistic compared to reality. Still, the film is timelessly provocative in its pioneering exploration of inner- and outer-space consciousness. With spectacular, painstakingly authentic special effects that have stood the test of time, Kubrick's film is nothing less than a cinematic milestone--puzzling, provocative, and perfect. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

A Must-Have for your DVD Library.......2007-07-07

2001 is a melding of two great minds - director Stanley Kubrick and great sci-fi author Arthur C. Clark. Based on Clark's short story "The Sentinel", the pair were not out to make a guns-blazing, alien-slaying movie like the popular Star Trek series. Instead, they were going in a completely different direction - exploring what makes a human a human, and how what we think and do defines us as intelligent creatures.

The result is a very visual, thought provoking movie that earned itself the #22 spot on the AFI top movies of all time listing. If you're an impatient sort, you'll get bored quickly. The movie is over 2 hours long and less than half of that has people speaking, never mind other more strenuous activity. It is a movie about you - the watcher - reacting and thinking about the situations. They don't tell you what to think or how to feel. You see what is going on, and you draw your own impressions, and come up with your own conclusions.

That's a lot to ask of an audience, and how you react to the movie will have a lot to do with your personality. Some people just aren't interested in this sort of slow going thoughtful exercise. And that's fine - there are plenty of action space movies out there. For those who seek something more intricate, grab a glass of wine, a plate of cheese and fruit, and sit back. You're in for a treat.

It's best if you watch this movie once through without reading a lot about the plot or its multiple layers of meaning - that way you can see it with a fresh mind and draw your own reactions and ideas from what you've seen. Undoubtedly you'll have questions about some areas! At that point, search the web and find the MANY discussions about this movie, unravelling the symbolism. See if you agree or disagree with what's being said, then watch it again. This is the type of movie you can watch again, every year, and learn something new from it.

Highly recommended.

Simply Outstanding.......2007-06-17

If you like science fiction then there is no doubt that first, you have probably already seen this. If not, then I can guarantee you that this will captivate you beyond belief. I can find few movies from its time to compare to this masterpiece.

Some have been posting that the quality of this version is not as good as they expected, or not as good as the original. Since I have never seen the original in VHS format, all I can say is that it's totally watch-able. I cannot however note the precision of the transfer of the veteran viewers.

Stanley Kubrick is one of the most ingenious film makers of all time. The cinematography of the film is incredible in the way he uses the limited special effects that were available at the time, and especially sound. The sound is one thing that I find that Stanley Kubrick knew how to use best. The voices that he used in this movie for the monolith gave a tide of mysteriousness, curiosity, and the potential to freak someone out.

He begins the movie displaying evolution and highlights particularly how apes gained intelligence by figuring out how to use bones as weapons. The movie then leaps forward to the space age, where a crew subsequently discovers a large, black, and mysterious object, known as the monolith, on the moon. The only thing the crew knew about this object is that it was buried on the moon 4 million years ago, deliberately.

On a spaceship heading towards Jupiter, the flawless computer known as HAL 9000, makes its first mistake, and begins the worry the crew with its erratic behavior. Afterwards, the mysterious monolith returns, but this time not on the moon.

2001 - A Space Odyssey is one of the best films of all time that I could not recommend more. The captivation will glue your eyes and ears to the screen.

Kubrick's Magnum Opus.......2007-06-05

Few auteurs in film history possess the visionary talent that Kubrick had. His Space Odyssey, the first film of its kind, proves that. Invoking awe and wonder in new audiences and old, the film stands the test of time and continues to inspire.

The film is meant to be viewed on a large auditorium screen, and though Kubrick was an avid supporter for mono sound, today's modern sound technology provides for a much better experience. The hums and clicks of the spaceships, the vaccuum of space, and the brilliant soundtrack create an eerie aura, made more believable with surround sound. The best way to view this film is to do so in a theatre. Kubrick intended for his audience to view the Odyssey on the big screen. This way, the film transports its audience to space itself, and embarks on a timeless journey for the ages. There are many long shots of spacecraft and nebulae that a television set simply can't reproduce on the same scale of the theatre. It's like viewing the Mona Lisa on a mail stamp.

The story should be familiar to audiences by now. On the surface, the plot is one of Kubrick's more simple ones, but critics go very deep into its symbols, allegories, and other interpretings. Many filmgoers are turned off by its curious ending, but that is because they simply don't understand it. Just keep in mind that the ending represents man's evolution.

As for the DVD, many complain that the transfer quality is poor, but I hold no grievances whatsoever. I enjoy viewing the film in its original state, just like its first audiences saw it. It is clean enough to enjoy without distraction, and the sound was upgraded to Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. If you are a true Kubrick nut, however, then you will want to alter the sound output to mono, but that option is up to your discretion.

Just another case of the "King's clothes"..........2007-05-25

Without a doubt one of the most overrated films of all time. It lacks substance and any memorable characters, and has no clear plot nor message. For God's sakes. the most memorable character is a voice. The reason so many "intelligent" viewers say it's great is because they feel they are supposed to; otherwise other "intelligent" viewers will dismiss them and say, "You just don't get it." I would go so far as to say no one gets it. Kubrick was so full of himself that he made a film that was totally self indulgent. If you question the greatness of his work then you must be questioning his greatness; and to do so would be "unintelligent". What a load! Granted he gave us a glimpse of what everyday life may be like in the future, but that alone does make for a great film. A 20 minute short could have done the same without being so presumptuous. If anyone disagrees, then by all means share with us what makes this film great. Please enlighten us but try not to sound too full of yourself.

do not do not watch this film on a 50 inch plasma tv.......2007-05-17

I love the movie for over 20 years but man if this wasn't the worst dvd transfer Ive seen. It's watchable from about 15 feet away but if you looked up close which I did & told my friend who owns the dvd and the tv "my god it's full of pixels"

Average customer rating:

Typical of Linklater....talky, uneven, occasionally insightful, occasionally banal and tiresome...
Was a good effort
A Great Piece Of Work.
Sort of awake
Real

Waking Life
Starring: Louis Black , Julie Delpy , Adam Goldberg , Charles Gunning , and Ethan Hawke
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B00005YU1O
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Amazon.com

Waking Life is a film that never settles down. Or maybe it never wakes up. Regardless, Richard Linklater's animated meditation seems to strike a perfect balance between the plotless meanderings of Slacker and the unquenchable knowledge-seeking of Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha. Any way you look at it, this is a weird, original movie.

As he attempts to figure out what separates dreams from reality, the protagonist (Dazed and Confused's Wiley Wiggins) hears an earful from everyone he stumbles upon. Ramblings range from the scholarly (Linklater's former college professor Robert C. Solomon gives a monologue) to the banal (of which there are plenty). Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Steven Soderbergh, and Adam Goldberg all get animated cameos, basically playing themselves. The dream-centered dialogues eventually grow mind-numbing, but that's OK; the animation steals the show. Each frame of the movie, which was first shot with live actors, was painted over, and the process renders a distorted and trippy collage of sights and sounds. Linklater's film is ultimately quite poignant, but, as with any good journey, you'll need to sit through some fairly tedious moments before reaching the destination. --Jason Verlinde

Description

From the director of Slacker and Dazed and Confused comes one of the most imaginative animated features ever made. This funny, ingenious film, which Rolling Stone Magazine calls "nothing short of amazing," explores the fascinating question: "Are we sleep-walking through our waking state or wake- walking through our dreams"? Join Wiley Wiggins as he searches for answers to lifes most important questions in a world that may or may not be reality in the "most visually alive movie of the year." (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times)

Customer Reviews:

Typical of Linklater....talky, uneven, occasionally insightful, occasionally banal and tiresome..........2007-06-16

I like Richard Linklater more as a person than a filmmaker. Here is a good example of his work. The ideas put forth are interesting and necessary, but the film overall is very ponderous, talky (almost all of Linklater's films are talky), pseudo-intellectual (like his generation, Gen X), and kind of boring in spots. The conversations veer from passable to banal, and the rotoscoping, while interesting, isn't really groundbreaking. Rotoscoping has been done for quite some time, but it looks better than it used to, because of digital technology. The film is average. I like Linklater's intelligence and ambition, and he's very personable in interviews, but his work is usually disappointing. It's not terrible, but it's not as good as it can be.

Was a good effort.......2007-06-12

This movie takes the risk and gets silly at times. It is a series of monologues (Or an alternative description would be 'ramblings'). There is not, however, anything deep or eye-opening about it. Rather just observations from an 'altered' state of mind. As a whole, it comes off as pretentious. The rotoscoping technique used is different but not terribly inventive or original. I wasn't impressed but it was a good effort.

A Great Piece Of Work........2007-06-02

This movie can be a barrage for the senses and can make you doubt what you might think is reality. I was moved greatly by this movie and I have loved ith from the first time that I saw it. Some of the theories in it may seem so far out there because you have never really thought about them that way before, but once they are presented to you they kinda make sense. If you like to think outside of the box then give this movie a shot and you won't be disappointed.

Sort of awake.......2007-05-12

Unique unearthing of subjects which sort have lived in the ether of American thought for the last ten years or so. Subjects and presentations range from the 'would you please just shut up' to 'that's odd and interesting' variety.

Good to know that films like this can still be made. Every once in awhile nice to see something for people who enjoy thinking and aren't embarrassed to say so.

Real.......2007-04-03

What is REAL??? This film shows something to discuss... is this reality?? Yes!! But... are we or am I in a dream?? Does that matter???

If u like this film, read from Peter Berger n Thomas Luckmann "The Social Construction of REALITY"

Underworld - Evolution (Widescreen Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Very Enjoyable -- But!!!
Love the concept.
What was I thinking?
I enjoyed it.
There Could Have Been More Killing....

Underworld - Evolution (Widescreen Special Edition)
Starring: Kate Beckinsale , Scott Speedman , Tony Curran , Derek Jacobi , and Shane Brolly
Director: Len Wiseman
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000F6IOC0
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Amazon.com

Better action, a bit of sex, and gorier R-rated violence make Underworld: Evolution a reasonably satisfying sequel to 2003's surprise hit Underworld. Looking stunning as ever in her black leather battle gear, Kate Beckinsale is every goth guy's fantasy as Selene, the vampire "death dealer" who's now fighting to stop the release of the original "Lycan" werewolf, William (Brian Steele) from the prison that's held him for centuries. As we learn from the film's action-packed prologue, William and his brother Marcus (Tony Curran) began the bloodline of vampires and werewolves, and after witnessing centuries of warfare between them, their immortal father Corvinus (Derek Jacobi) now seeks Selene and the human vampire/lycan hybrid Michael (Scott Speedman) to put an end to the war perpetuated by Victor (Bill Nighy), the vampire warrior whose betrayal of Selene turns Underworld: Evolution into an epic tale of familial revenge. This ambitious attempt at Shakespearean horror is compromised by a script (by Danny McBride and returning director Len Wiseman, Beckinsale's real-life husband) that's more confusing than it needs to be, with too many characters and not enough storytelling detail to flesh them all out. Aspiring to greatness and falling well short of that goal, Underworld: Evolution succeeds instead as a full-throttle action/horror thriller, with enough swordplay, gunplay, and CGI monsters to justify the continuation of the Underworld franchise. If you're an established fan, this is a must-see movie; if not, well... at least it's better than Van Helsing! --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Very Enjoyable -- But!!!.......2007-07-09

I'm very confused by the sequel. Okay, if Marcus was in fact the FIRST vampire, then what was his father? How does Viktor get to be the head hancho all of a sudden? Marcus made him and he's giving all these orders in the beginning. I love Beckinsale in these movies, but come on! She's like a wonder woman in all these fight scenes.

I disagree with the one and two star reviews. I think it's a movie worth watching just for the entertainment value.

Love the concept........2007-07-03

I love the concept of this story. Great visuals. I do think it gets a little sketchy on the details toward the end though.

What was I thinking?.......2007-07-02

Oh, me. Instead of listening to the reviews on Amazon, I took a chance and bought this sequel to Underworld. In my defense, I had just seen the first Underworld, and I absolutely love it. I honestly thought that the sequel couldn't be as bad as the reviewers said it was. Silly rabbit. I am just at a loss to see how the writers and director of the first movie could have made this stinker. Everything that was so good about the first movie - the acting, good (simple) special effects, and an actual story - seemed absent from Underworld:Evolution. And what was with the yucky sex scenes? It just goes to show that the best movies are always low-budget. So, my advice is to save yourself a similar fate and just enjoy the first Underworld (which is still awesome).

I enjoyed it........2007-07-01

This movie is so great just for the fact that one of the hottest chicks in the world is in it, Kate Beckinsale. nuff said

There Could Have Been More Killing...........2007-06-27

...because in a movie like this when 15 minutes go by and a head isn't lopped off or someone isn't impaled you get antsy with bloodlust. Also any love scene where nary a booby manifests is bound to disappoint.

The entertainment, however, of face and head violence alone does enough to compensate; this dude is shot in the head from inches away; there are a score of beheadings and werewolves eating people's faces; a girl slams another girl's face into a brick wall (twice); and the orgy is not limited to gore, with an unnecessary scene with, like, a hundred broads all over each other does take place. Another positive is my girlfriend broke down in tears during the movie, but I had told her its a romantic comedy, and everyone knows 'girl tears' justify lies.

Yes, more people needed to die, but there was a great deal of blood, which is nice...

Average customer rating:

Inherit the Wind
Strangely, this film may be more relevant today than when it was made
A Real Zinger
Inherit the Wind (1960) 47+ years and still relevent!!!
Is NOT "all glitter and glamour but no substance"

Inherit the Wind
Starring: Claude Akins , Donna Anderson , Jr. Noah Beery , Jimmy Boyd , and Philip Coolidge
Director: Stanley Kramer
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
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ASIN: B00005PJ6V
Release Date: 2001-12-11

Amazon.com essential video

Two of the juiciest roles in the American theater fall at the feet of Spencer Tracy and Fredric March, and both men make a meal of it. Inherit the Wind, based on the play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, is a slightly fictionalized account of the Scopes Monkey Trial, that galvanizing legal drama of the 1920s. When a young Tennessee teacher is prosecuted for teaching the theory of evolution in a public school, he receives unwanted public attention as well as the legal advice of a giant. Tracy plays the role based on Clarence Darrow, the eloquent defense attorney, and March storms his way through a part based on Williams Jennings Bryan, the failed presidential candidate (and famed orator) who prosecuted the case. Gene Kelly plays a character based on the acid-penned H.L. Mencken, reporting on the trial and caustically commenting on the absurdity of the human animal. Stanley (Judgment at Nuremberg) Kramer's direction is not especially subtle, but the verbal fireworks unleashed during the trial sequences are still stirring. Even the different styles of the actors are intriguing: March is all mannerism and false padding around the belly, while Tracy does his patented naturalistic grumbling. It would be nice if this story were a quaint period piece, but its issues and arguments keep reemerging in the headlines with each new generation. --Robert Horton

Description

Two-time Best Actor OscarÂ(r) winners* Spencer Tracy and Fredric March go toe-to-toe in this thrilling re-creation of the most titanic courtroom battle of the century. Garnering four Academy AwardÂ(r) nominations**, including Best Actor (Tracy), and featuring Gene Kelly in a rare, critically-acclaimed dramatic role, Inherit the Wind is powerful, provocative cinema and "a heaping measure of entertainment" (The Hollywood Reporter)! The controversial subject of evolution versus creation causes two polar opposites to engage in one explosive battle of beliefs. Attorney Clarence Darrow (Tracy) faces off against fundamentalist leader William Jennings Bryan (March) in a small Tennessee town where a teacher has been brought to trial for teaching Darwinism. Let the trial begin...and watch the sparks fly!

Customer Reviews:

Inherit the Wind.......2007-06-27

Stanley Kramer's spellbinding film features a deft performance by Tracy as the rumpled, deceptively plain-spoken Drummond (modeled on Clarence Darrow), matched by March's larger than life, virtuoso turn as Matthew Brady (based on William Jennings Bryan). Just sit back, pretend you're sitting in that humid courtroom, and watch two old pros at work. You'll re-live history. Also look for Gene Kelly in one of his only serious, non-dancing roles as a cynical journalist based on H.L. Mencken.

Strangely, this film may be more relevant today than when it was made.......2007-05-21

Inherit the Wind is the broad fictional adaptation of the real-life Scopes Monkey Trial in which John Scopes, a football coach who taught evolution in a high school classroom, was put on trial and the city of Dayton, Tennessee was put on the map... and not in a particularly pleasing light.

Spencer Tracy and Frederic March turn out tremendously powerful performances as opposing lawyers in the trial, while Gene Kelly stands aloofly by as a flippant reporter for the Boston Globe.

What is especially striking about Inherit the Wind is the relevance of the movie (almost 50 years later) to the current political atmosphere). In the 20's the law said that evolution couldn't be taught, and now it's creationism that can't be taught. As Tracy's Henry Drummond says in the film, "Well, that's evolution for you."

The acting throughout the film is outstanding and it hardly feels like a two hour film, particularly in black and white. The entire film builds momentum until it all comes to a head at the very end with the showdown between Drummond (Tracy) and Brady (March). This is not a film to be missed if you're at all interested in history (although it's a loose adaptation) and the current intelligent design debate.

Included on the disc is the original trailer for the film, which features a few clips, director Stanley Kramer discussing the film, and lists awards that it had won in festivals. It's interesting to see a trailer that old and compare it to our current ones.

A Real Zinger.......2007-03-30

Stanley Kramer's "Inherit the Wind" seems a bit dated with Ernest Laszlo's Oscar-nominated black & white cinematography. Frederick March plays Matthew Harrison Brady that is loosely based on William Jennings Bryant. March won two Oscars, one for "Dr Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" (1931) and another for "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946). While he won the Silver Bear Best Acting Award for "Inherit the Wind" from the Berlin International Film Festival, this was not among his 5 Oscar nominations. His tirades are so over-the-top that he seems almost to act in a different universe from Spencer Tracy's more modern realism.

Stanley Kramer used bravado to assemble his cast. He told Tracy that he had Frederick March & Gene Kelly signed to the picture, then approached Kelly saying he had Tracy & March signed. Eventually, all did come on board, but it was major salesmanship on Kramer's part that assembled the cast. Kramer had three Oscar nominations as Best Director for "The Defiant Ones" (1958), "Judgment at Nuremberg" (1961) & "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967), but never won other than an honorary award. Pickets went up at movie theatres protesting the "anti-religious" slant of this picture. Kramer's known liberal platform rings loud & clear in this film, made in the year that John F. Kennedy was elected president.

Spencer Tracy will be remembered as one of film's best actors from its first century as a medium. He had an amazing pair of back-to-back awards for Best Actor Oscars for "Captain's Courageous" (1937) & "Boys Town" (1938). "Inherit the Wind" was among his 9 Oscar nominations, although Burt Lancaster won that year for "Elmer Gantry." Based on Clarence Darrow, Tracy plays Henry Drummond as a cantankerous geezer, but with enough reserve to make the riveting moments real zingers. March, on the other hand, gets on a high note and seems to stay there, making him seem -- as Kramer probably intended -- like a buffoon.

Dick York will be remembered as Darren Stevens on the "Bewitched" TV series. He had been in "My Sister Eileen" and had even sustained a back injury while shooting "They Came to Cordura" in 1959 that would eventually cause him to leave the "Bewitched" series. "Inherit the Wind" is probably his most memorable dramatic role. John Scopes has been changed to Bertram Cates. York's youthful looks seem the right fit for a teacher promoting Darwin's theory of evolution. York would pass away from emphysema 32 years later; but this is probably his best work on film.

Donna Anderson plays Bertram's fiancee. She'd been in Kramer's previous film "On the Beach" (1959) about survivors of a nuclear holocaust. This was the 2nd of the 5 films she would make. She seems pretty confused about the issue of evolution, but love firmly persuades her to stand by her man.

Other performances that shine are Henry Morgan that we also know from the TV shows "M.A.S.H." & "Dragnet." Florence Eldridge, who in real life was Mrs. Frederick March, plays his wife here while having very sympathetic eyes for Spencer Tracy. Claude Aikens plays the staunch Rev. Jeremiah Brown. And TV's "3's Company" regular Norman Fell has a cameo as a radio announcer. The film did not win any Oscars, although it was nominated for Best Editing & Best Adapted Screenplay.

The issues in the film are still relevant today. I didn't particularly find the film "anti-religious" as much as it seemed opposed to fanaticism & intolerance. Science plays a vital role in debunking religion of much of its superstition, but it does not negate the existence of God as Creator. Evolution could be as well interpreted as part of the Divine Technique rather than in opposition to religion. The performances in the film drew me into the picture. I found it entertaining as it nears 50 years since it was made. Enjoy!

Inherit the Wind (1960) 47+ years and still relevent!!!.......2007-03-16

This is a movie about the dispute between creationism and evolution and the legal ramifications of this moral delima (teaching evolution in a town that make evangelicals look like hippies). Look for Spencer Tracy (Drummond), Frederick March (Brady), Harry Morgan as the Judge, and Gene Kelly in a rare dramatic role as a trial reporter! Also for an interesting side note, this was the first in-flight movie EVER!!! Based on a play.

Is NOT "all glitter and glamour but no substance".......2007-03-08

This is a 1960's marvel. The screen writers, actors and actresses alike do a phenomenal job making the Tennessee vs. John Scopes trial come to life. The movie has arguably more depth and reach than perhaps the actual court case had. Issues of Evolution and Creationism (while still present) take a back seat as Spencer Tracy (Counselor Drummond) argues for man's progress and right to think while not completely rejecting spirituality.
This movie will never be in danger of becoming irrelevant as it confronts issues of fanaticism, ignorance, bigotry, and group-think. In my opinion it's the best version of the story out there, play, movie re-make or otherwise. It's one of my all time favorites.

Average customer rating:

It's a vampire movie
King of all Vampire and Werewolf Movies
Nice release, crisp and clean
Stunning transfer...blah movie
Terrific Blu-ray Title

Underworld - Evolution (Blu-ray)
Starring: Kate Beckinsale , Derek Jacobi , Steven Mackintosh , John Mann , and Bill Nighy
Director: Len Wiseman
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000F6IOBG
Release Date: 2006-06-20

Customer Reviews:

It's a vampire movie.......2007-06-12

I really liked the first Underworld, so I expected a lot from this one; I wasn't disappointed. The movie picked up right from where the first one ended, and moved at a quick pace through each scene with nary slow parts. They achieved this very well because the story was expounded and progressed easily along with the action sequences. This is a vampire movie, so everything is dark, and they've filtered the colors with a blue tint, and this created an eerily beautiful effect. The character development is very thin, of course most of that was taken care of in the first film. This one was did seem very linear and predictable, relying on spectacular effects and action to carry the weight of the film. But, like I said, this doesn't really mean a lot because the first movie covered everything important. Remember in the 80s where every movie had a bunch of small battles culminating in one scene where the protagonist faced off with the "big boss"? Evolution was like an extended big boss scene, only with more revelation and a bigger boss. The ending did leave room for a sequel, but also concludes everything so if they made a sequel they would have to write a new story unrelated except featuring Kate and Scott's characters. I really enjoyed this movie. If you liked the first one, this one is a no-brainer.

King of all Vampire and Werewolf Movies.......2007-04-11

It just doesnt get any better then this. If you like this genre of movie you cant miss this sequel. Amazing quality.

Nice release, crisp and clean.......2007-03-23

This is a very dark movie so I was very impressed how crisp and clean this blu-ray disk turned out. So clean the wolves looked even more fake than I remember at the theater. Very impressive audio as well. Not much colors as the movie had a blueish tint throughout. Now I can only hope they will give the 1st movie the same treatment as that is the MUCH BETTER of the two.

Stunning transfer...blah movie.......2007-02-12

I really liked the first Underworld and was looking forward to this movie (though I never got to see it in the theater); unfortunately this sequal was vastly inferior to the original. After watching the movie for a while I looked at the timer and saw that 36 minutes had passed and absolutely no plot advancement had occurred and through the whole rest of the movie it seemed that there was more time-filler action than actual plot. It's almost as if someone wrote a treatment for a movie and that Evolution was shot off of that rather than a script.

With all of that said Kate Beckinsale looks fantastic (as always) and there are some fantastic special effects/cool fight scenes in the movie that make it worth watching.

On the Blu-ray side the transfer is amazing; this ranks up with the very best video and audio I have seen/heard on the format. If only the storyline could have matched the absolutely amazing picture.

2 1/2 Stars for the actual movie and 5+ stars for the blu-ray.

Terrific Blu-ray Title.......2007-01-29

Shows the best of Blu-ray. Very fine detail, awesome sound. Sucks to be a HD-DVD fanboy, because you don't get this title (like so many other titles). I watched it on my Sony 1080p HDTV and was blown away by the clarity the HDMI cable offers with Blu-ray. I've never been a tech geek, but am proud to say I am turing into one thanks to this new form of entertainment. Blu-ray rocks!!

Average customer rating:

Possibly the Greatest Comic Book Movie Ever
>ALL CAPS & WHAT < I LUV U HALLE, BUT WHY DIDN'T GRACE JONES PLAY STORM?"WOULDN'T U AGREE"!!!!
Great Movie
i love the x-men series
good, but the first one is better

X2 - X-Men United (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Shawn Ashmore , Halle Berry , Brian Cox , Alan Cumming , and Bruce Davison
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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X-Men 1.5
X-Men (Widescreen Edition)
X-Men - The Last Stand (Widescreen Edition)
Spider-Man 2.1
Spider-Man (Widescreen Special Edition)

ASIN: B0000BWVCM
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Amazon.com

X2 does a fine job of picking up where X-Men left off, giving fans more of what they liked the first time around. Under the serious-minded custody of returning director Bryan Singer, the second film of this Marvel comics franchise ups the ante on Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and the superhero mutants from the first film, pitting them against a mutant-hating scientist (Brian Cox) who's determined to wipe out the mutant race by tricking Xavier into abusing his telepathic powers. More a series of spectacles than a truly satisfying thriller, X2 introduces new mutant allies while giving each of the X-Men alumni--notably the temporarily helpful Magneto (Ian McKellen)--their own time in the spotlight. Well aware of the parallels between "mutantism" and virulent intolerance in the real world, Singer lends real gravity to the proceedings, injecting dramatic urgency into a continuing franchise that, in lesser hands, might've grown patently absurd. --Jeff Shannon

Description

The evolution continues in this "exhilarating thrill ride" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) that features the extraordinary original X-Men - along with amazing new mutants possessing fantastic powers that have to be seen to be believed. In the wake of a shocking attack on the President, the X-Men face their most dangerous mission ever. They must stand united with their deadliest enemies to combat a menace that threatens every mutant on the planet. But could this new alliance backfire and annihilate the human race? Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Hale Berry, Famke Janssen and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos star in this breathtaking, action-packed spectacle that "may be the best superhero movie yet made!" (San Francisco Examiner)

Customer Reviews:

Possibly the Greatest Comic Book Movie Ever.......2007-05-25

When taking into account all the comic book movies that have hit the theater recently this may sound like a bold statement, but really it's not. This may be a large grossing sub-genre but it isn't really that many movies we're talking about. With X2 though, I'm inclined to go even further and say it's one of the best sci-fi action films of all time...seriously. In terms of strictly comic book movies, it's simply either this or Batman Begins. I say X2 wins even in that comparison, but I'm certainly willing to accept the opposite view.

The film opens with a brilliant introduction to a crucial character, the German teleporter Nightcrawler who looks like a little blue demon but possesses an intense devotion to Catholicism, and his introduction does not serve to assist in painting him as a hero. More of an anti-hero I guess. I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't actually seen it but X2 opens with one of the more memorable action sequences of recent date and the film contains three more specific sequences that are just as good. Magneto's inevitable escape from his plastic prison is one of them.

One of the other memorable scenes sets up the real storyline for X2 quite nicely and introduces us to other mutant heroes in the process. William Stryker, an inventive military man, is motivated by his personal experience with mutant-kind to actually organize an assault on Charles Xavier's school for mutants. He wishes to gain access to the mutant tracking device called Cerebro and destroy all of them. His teams' assault is truely great action-filmmaking. The X-Men and Magneto, with his loosely forming band of mutants who agree with his politics on how to respond to humanity, find a common enemy in Stryker. The relationship established between Charles and Magneto in the first film is really important here as younger mutants develop and choose sides. I have to say, if I were in their predicament I may certainly be swayed by Magneto's extremism. The character developement here for supporting roles is important to note. Mystique and Pyro are really great villains here with massive emotion behind their actions and it's never over-stated, but it enhances the meaning and consequences to action sequences so well.

The other incredible action scene is when Bobby Drake's family calls the cops on him and his new mutant friends. There are enough under-stated layers in this scene and the characters; Wolverine, Rogue, Bobby and Pyro, are still consistent. The police show up and Pyro reveals his wrath. I always get excited for that scene even though I know he's wrong in his reaction. I mentioned four action sequences but the fun doesn't end there. Lady Deathstryke, who has been brainwashed by Stryker, and Wolverine have a great fight scene. Other scenes during the climax are just as impressive and all the while we are given enough tid-bits of so many characters that we still manage to care and even get a bit surprised near the end. It's a shame this wasn't pulled off in the third film.

X2 is unique in the sense that the plot is secondary and the film's primary operative is to develop the characters for more climactic stories. I think the screenplay succeeds in this sense but overall the screenplay (written by voice actor David Hayter) is not one of the film's strengths and can require a more robust imagination to really appreciate. Overall though, within the context of a complete trilogy, X2 is nearly perfect.

>ALL CAPS & WHAT < I LUV U HALLE, BUT WHY DIDN'T GRACE JONES PLAY STORM?"WOULDN'T U AGREE"!!!!.......2007-03-10

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>IT'S ALL ABOUT MYSTIQUE 2 ME < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <<

.....LISTEN I'M AN AVID FOLLOWER OF THE WHOLE "X-MEN REVOLUTION", I'M

STILL SEARCHING FOR THE "OLD EARLY 90's X-MEN CARTOONS, W/ JUBILEE IN HER

YELLOW TRENCH"!!!! I'M NOT FASCINATED W/ THE kids wb EVOLUTION VERSION TO

SAY THE LEAST! WELL X1 GOT MY ATTENTION, LAST STAND HAD IT'S LET DOWNS

-YET STILL COOL BUT "THIS 1" X2 IS FLAWLESS! WHOEVER CREATED MYSTIQUE'S

COSTUME IS A "A COSTUME GENIUS"!! HER EYES, HAIR COLOR & METALIC NAVYBLUE

SKIN WAS FLAWLESS, HER DESIGN IS SO INTRICATE IT SEEMS THAT SHE WOULD BE

A CHARACTER FROM "MORTAL KOMBAT" (I LUV HER)!!!!
__________________________________________________________________________
.....NOW I'M CURIOUS WHY WASN'T JUBILEE A MAJOR CHARACTER? CHRISTINA RICCI

COULD'VE NAILED HER PART HUH, SHE HAS THAT PRECOCIOUS CHILD LOOK HUH?! I

COULDN'T LUV HALLE MORE BUT I FEEL THAT THEY WERE JUST PLAYING IT SAFE

BY PICKING HER...(LUV U HALLE) -BUT GRACE HAS THAT "AMAZON STATUESQUE"

PRESENCE THAT'S DRIPPING "STORM"!! GIVE HER A LONG LUSCIOUS WHITE WEAVE &

THE DEAD EYE CONTACTS & SHE'S WOULD'VE BEEN IN THE HOUSE! GRACE'S NAME IS

IN THE DEFINITON OF "STATUESQUE" -LIKE OR SUGGESTING A STATUE, AS IN

MASSIVE OR MAGESTIC DIGNITY, "GRACE" "GRACE" OR BEAUTY. MAN GRACE EVEN HAS

THE COMMANDING VOICE, LOOK HOW SHE WORKED "HELEN STRANGE'" IN BOOMERANG.
__________________________________________________________________________
***IF YOU LUV X-MEN 1/2 AS MUCH AS I DO THEN GET ALL 3 & IF YOU DON'T

OWN ALL 3 THEN THIS IS THE 1 TO HAVE... YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD

4 IT, JUST RENT THIS & BE SPELLBOUND!! *I SO APPRECIATE THIS FILM!
______________________________BOTTOM LINE________________________________

Great Movie.......2007-02-11

This movie has the best opening scene ever! It's amazing how great they made this movie considering the first one was only eh...

Highly recommended!

i love the x-men series.......2007-02-09

when i was younger i used to watch the x-men cartoon. when it came out in live action i was very excited...and not disappointed at all. x-men united features wolverine more than the first movie did and adds some other great characters that you know will be in future movies. the special effects are some of the best to date and will blow you away. you really want to watch this in high def on a large screen tv with surround sound. i recommend this DVD to add to your collection. don't forget to buy x-men and x-men the last stand to round off your collection

good, but the first one is better.......2007-02-01

This is supposed to deepen the concept of mutant alienation and potential war, raising the stakes with ever more spectacular special effects. I admit, from a hard sci-fi pt of view, I found this weaker than the first - it is more like magic, this "mind power" that can be bent to threaten, well, everyone. But the acting is absolutely excellent, even moving (if a comic book ever could be), and there are fabulous moments in the film, from the violent romp of Nightcrawler in the WHite House to Magneto's ingenious and frightening escape with three balls of steel. These things are a visual treat. Then there is the evolution of WOlverine, who is the most interesting character by far. Virtually all of the characters are spectacularly complete as believable types, though I have never liked Brian Cox's open-mouthed style (he never quite rings true to me). But it all seemed a bit too heavy to me, over-done as it is too ultimate and ambitious as a story extravaganza.

Overall, warmly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Great concept, dreadful execution
X-men Dvd
X-Men
The Best of the Three
X-Men 3 OK

X-Men (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Hugh Jackman , Patrick Stewart , Ian McKellen , Famke Janssen , and James Marsden
Director: Bryan Singer
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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X-2: X-Men United (Special Edition Steelbook)
X-Men - The Last Stand (Widescreen Edition)
Spider-Man (Widescreen Special Edition)
Spider-Man 2.1
The Matrix

ASIN: B000AYELVA
Release Date: 2006-02-07

Description

Born into a world filled with prejudice are children who possess extraordinary and dangerous powers - the result of unique genetic mutations. Cyclops unleashes bolts of energy from his eyes. Storm can manipulate the weather at will. Rogue absorbs the life force of anyone she touches. But under the tutelage of Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart), these and other outcasts learn to harness their powers for the good of mankind. Now they must protect those who fear them as the nefarious Magneto (Ian McKellen), who believes humans and mutants can never co-exist, unveils his sinsiter plan for the future!

Customer Reviews:

Great concept, dreadful execution.......2007-05-19

First I should say that I have never read the comic books and rented this movie hoping it would be a fun adventure.

The concept is a good one. I like the idea of mutants with different abilities banding together in different camps to harm or help the rest of humanity. Magneto has the possibility of being a sympathetic, realistic bad guy because of his past (shown at the beginning of the movie) experiences.

That is about all I can think of to say that's good. The movie starts slow, with lots of exposition, when you are introduced to the characters, you are not given any reason to particularly care about them, and it doesn't get any better from there. The bottom line is, the screenplay is terrible. It drags, there is never really much of a sense of suspense, and the characters are not presented in a way that one can pull for them, with the possible exception of Patrick Stewart's character, but he isn't in most of the action scenes. It's a shame, because with a great concept and some well-known actors, I would hope they would have better material to work with.

I can imagine that this movie would appeal to young people who enjoyed the comic books and already like the characters and world. If not, or if you are looking for something genuinely entertaining without plot holes all over the place, it is probably a waste of time.

X-men Dvd.......2007-03-18

Good Product. Even better movie! Bryan Singer totally did this comic book justice in bringing it to the big screen. The second movie was even better than the first, but still doesn't take away from the first one as a single film. X-men was one of my favorite cartoons when I was a kid and the movie just made the story even better. The casting was great. The character building was perfect. The special affects were just right: enough to be sweet to the eye, but not overshadow the story or characters. Too bad Bryan Singer didn't stay on for the third movie. Oh well. He did great with Superman Returns.

X-Men.......2007-03-08

We did not receive this item. We would rather not rate this item since it was never received... We consider it a zero star not even 1 star.

The Best of the Three.......2007-01-26

Yes, yes, yes, yes. This movie rocks. In fact, I can't think of a single reason not to buy it.

Let's start with the cast. The two juggernauts Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are in the centre of this epos, going head to head against each other - one militant using force to establish a new world order where mutants are at the top, the other wishing to build bridges between mutants and humans for a better understanding; justice and peace for all. Then there's Halle Berry (hot as usual) as a quite convincing Storm, Famke Janssen as the graceful Jane Grey, Anna Paquin as the fugitive Rogue and Hugh Jackman as the wild and mysterious Wolverine. There is not - in my opinion - a single cast member who does not play his/her part well, and they are all well-suited for their respective roles.

The plot is what makes this film stand out. The focus is on the difference in philosophy between the two old friends Xavier and Magneto, the appearance of a new powerful mutant named Rogue and her encounter with the loner Wolverine. The film is an introduction to the story of the X-men, and is very well suited as the beginning of a trilogy. Wolverine is an important character: basically, he's a mystery. He doesn't remember much about his past, and throughout this film (and indeed in the next) he quests to learn more about himself while at the same time opening the door to his heart in one rare instance for the vulnerable Rogue, who is placed in the middle of the battle between two old friends who have different views on the relationship between humans and mutants.

The film will leave you with a desire for more. Trust me when I say you don't really need it. This film yields a preliminary result of a continuing battle between the two great old men, and that's the way it should be. You can always continue the story yourself, in your own imagination.

X-Men 3 OK.......2007-01-14

A little disappointing but OK. Didn't do the mutants' reputation very much good overall with the general public. My least favorite of the three X-Men movies.

Average customer rating:

Much more fun than its reputation suggests
hilariously funny
Monkey's Uncle Darwin
Comedy? I don't think so
pleasent surprise

Evolution
Starring: David Duchovny , Julianne Moore , Orlando Jones , Seann William Scott , and Ted Levine
Director: Ivan Reitman
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Galaxy Quest
Mystery Men
Eight Legged Freaks (Widescreen Edition)
Lost in Space (New Line Platinum Series)
Mars Attacks!

ASIN: B00005R874
Release Date: 2001-12-26

Amazon.com

Based on the evidence in Evolution, one thing is perfectly clear: special effects have evolved, but director Ivan Reitman has reverted to primitive pandering. Equally obvious is the fact that Evolution is a de facto rip-off of Reitman's 1984 classic Ghostbusters, but this time there's no Bill Murray to deliver the best punch lines (we have to settle for fellow ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd in a broad supporting role), and the comedy has devolved into a grossfest including deep-rectal extraction of alien insects, fire-hose enemas into a giant alien sphincter, and a full-moon display of David Duchovny's naked posterior. Whereas Ghostbusters was a shrewd, irreverent mainstream comedy that combined gooey spectral ectoplasm with something resembling genuine wit, Evolution is a crude, juvenile romp in which all things slimy are elevated to comedic supremacy.

Granted, that's not always a bad thing. As latter-day ghostbuster equivalents, Duchovny, Orlando Jones, and Seann William Scott make a fine comedic trio, and Julianne Moore is equally amusing as a clumsy scientist and Duchovny's obligatory love interest. Despite the meddling of clueless military buffoons, they join forces to eradicate a wild variety of rapidly evolving alien creatures that arrived on Earth via meteor impact, and the extraterrestrial beasties (courtesy of effects wizard Phil Tippet and crew) are outrageously designed and marvelously convincing. For anyone who prefers lowbrow humor, Evolution will prove as entertaining as Ghostbusters (or at least Galaxy Quest), while others may lament Reitman's shameless embrace of crudeness. One thing's for certain: after seeing this movie, you'll gain a whole new appreciation for Head & Shoulders shampoo. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Much more fun than its reputation suggests.......2007-05-20

Evolution is a lot more fun that its busted summer would-be blockbuster status implies, although like most Ivan Reitman comedies the concept is funnier than the script. For the first half David Duchovny and Orlando Jones have more exposition than jokes to deal with and Julianne Moore is game but is no natural comedienne, especially when it comes to pratfalls, while Ted Levine's clichéd general is a villain too far. But once it hits its stride and the constantly evolving critters that are the real stars of the show start multiplying and threatening mankind with extinction, it's an enjoyable monster mash that even manages to make a joke of its product placement for Head and Shoulders. Like the aliens it's no world-beater, but it's a brisk and enjoyable romp. Nice score from John Powell too.

DreamWorks DVD has a good selection of extras, including audio commentary, deleted scenes and alternate ending.

hilariously funny.......2007-04-01

This movie was a blast thanks to the director and the cast. The comedic talents of the cast helped make this movie stand out from the more serious invasion movies that have been done before and since.

Monkey's Uncle Darwin.......2007-03-09

This movie is awesome! It may be no Oscar winner but the characters a lovable, the comedy hilarious and the movie teaches you at the same time. It's one of those movies you have to watch with your friends and family.

Comedy? I don't think so.......2007-01-16

Well I want to say just one thing. This movie was funny and damn good Science Fiction.

It seemed to fail in the box office because they labeled it a comedy. It was that but more than anything else and most importantly it was DAMN GOOD SCIFI!

If you missed this one, go back and make amends to yourself and see it NOT as a comedy but as some darn good SciFi.

pleasent surprise.......2007-01-05

never herd of this movie when it was in the theater (mabe it never was i'm not sure). i know it's Not exactly oscar worthy but it's far from a flop too. it has a very good storyline, excellant originality, great choices for cast members, exceptional imagination (creature animation), blended with decent comedy.
a few scenes were somewhat crude for young kids (but that's why it's pg13). overall i realy liked it

Average customer rating:

Origins of Man
Bringing our evolutionary past to life.
A comparative review
Terrific! (Don't let the academics spoil this one for you!)
Somewhat disappointing

Walking With Cavemen
Starring: Caroline Noh , Peter Elliott (II) , Anthony Taylor , Badria Timimi , and Ruth Dawes
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
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Walking with Monsters - Life Before Dinosaurs
Walking With Prehistoric Beasts
Chased By Dinosaurs
Allosaurus - A Walking with Dinosaurs Special
The Complete Walking with... Collection

ASIN: B00008AOWQ
Release Date: 2003-06-17

Amazon.com

Breaking the mold of previous "Walking with" offerings, the BBC's Walking with Cavemen sees Professor Robert Winston follow in the footsteps of ancient man in a series that traces the history of humanity from bipedal ape-men (Australopithecus Aphaeresis) to the awakening of the human mind's potential with Homo Erectus. Over four fascinating half-hour installments, Wilson presents an accessible and populist, but still suitably anthropological study on how apes became human and the traits that we inherited from our earliest ancestors.

Unlike Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Beasts, Cavemen combines CGI with actors to portray the characters in the story of man. Initially this seems to make it far less technically impressive than the earlier programs--memories of Stanley Kubrick's 2001 are inevitable--but fortunately the acting is superb and the viewer soon forgets that these are people in monkey suits. The series also makes use of a special effect called "deep time-lapse", which shows in a matter of dramatic seconds the thousands of years of geological changes that sped up our ancestors' evolution. Wilson himself takes part in the action as if he is a modern-day naturalist following lions across the Serengeti rather than creatures long extinct. This approach makes for a more immediate as well as poignant interpretation of history: the result is an enlightening and moving tribute to the human journey. --Kristen Bowditch

Description

How did our ancestors come to invent language, to shape the world with tools, to create art, and to imagine the future? The award-winning team behind Walking with Dinosaurs and Walking with Prehistoric Beasts brings you this missing link in the story of life on our planet. Follow your family tree all the way back -- to Australopithicus afarensis, the first of our primate ancestors to stand on two legs. See the first sparks of reason as early humans learn to adapt in an ever-changing world. Trace the evolution of such basic human traits as compassion, friendship and love. Watch as we bury our dead for the first time. Then make your way to ice-age Europe, with the Neanderthals who fight to hang on to their domination of the planet...but are forced to concede it to Homo Sapiens.

Customer Reviews:

Origins of Man.......2007-05-19

Excellent BBC documentary on the origins of man. It is unique in that it shows us very precisely where we came from and how we survived over hundreds of thousands of years ago. Beautifully made. Some Christians though, who do not accept evolution, may be offended by the film.

Bringing our evolutionary past to life........2007-02-21

I've been learning a lot about evolution lately, and this DVD was very informative in helping me understand our origins better. It's cool that in the series we not only hear about the hominids that came before us, but see their lives being reenacted. That made it not only educational, but also interesting and easy to watch. I recommend this DVD to anyone interested in evolution, and especially in human origins.

A comparative review.......2006-04-04

Before I begin this review, I must admit that I am obsessed with human evolution. However, my education on the subject is limited to the few documentary films and educational programs on the subject as well as a few short books. So my review is probably best read as a review of a leisure evolution lover.

That being said I found the documentary very fascinating and enjoyable. However, of all of the documentaries that I have seen on the subject, Walking with Cavemen would find itself a few spots below the top spot.

For anyone interested in the subject, I recommend "The making of Mankind" 7 volume documentary hosted by Richard Leaky. This documentary begins with our earliest 4 legged ancestors and works slowly and carefully through each adaptation along the way. Each volume is approx. 45 minutes and explores not only the major physical changes of each species, but also the important consequences of every stage. The series is much more in depth and pays careful attention to several aspects of human evolution.

The first 5 volumes work cronologically from australopithecus to homo sapien sapien. The 6th volume discusses the begginning of civilization and farming. Each volume is fascinating and could be watched individual of the others.

In the final volume, Leaky explores the idea that Humans are inherently violent and destined to destroy themselves. Leaky explores where this idea comes from and proposes a beautiful and humble counter argument that suggests that humans only thrived on earth because of their recognition of others.

Walking with cavemen is fun and interesting, and has the benefit of being much more recent and therefore probably more accurate, but Making of mankind is, in my feeble opinion, a much greater documentary. It could probably be found in most libraries.

Terrific! (Don't let the academics spoil this one for you!).......2006-02-08

In anthropology and archeology, "current" and "factual" are unfortunately rather nebulous terms.

The fact of the matter is that much of what is taught in universities -- as well as what is presented here -- is highly speculative.

Students, of course, are taught to parrot theories being propounded in the latest academic publications (written chiefly by professors seeking tenure, who must create new theorems to survive).

Naturally, these students cluck and shake their heads when they see any deviation to what they've been sold by their faculty staff. (The next year will bring a new batch of speculation taught as fact.)

The upshot for you, dear viewer? You will find this film VERY fun, VERY well animated, and, yes, generally informative enough to entertain and educate. The particularities of theory will continue to change as time goes on. That is unavoidable.

This is a triumph of creative production, and I give it a very hearty 5 stars.

And anyone who feels this is simply "freaking hilarious!" would probably do better cast *in* the movie, rather than simply viewing it.

Somewhat disappointing.......2006-01-19

The BBC's "Walking With..." series has been very high quality since its inception. Great visual effects combined with clarity of exposition and just enough "story-telling" to enable most viewers to remain captivated while absorbing decent chunks of information. This latest addition to the series maintains the general format of its forebears but, perhaps inevitably, is the least successful.

It's difficult for humans to have any kind of realistic vision of themselves, so any series that tries to show how we evolved over the millenia (and some of the dead-ends along the way) is going to have problems. In this case there are simply too many gaps and too many leaps across those gaps with only the merest fig leaf of speculation to cover the chasm. And there are some fairly odd assertions about what aspects of adaptation had which effects.

Perhaps the most striking gap is that these episodes miss out on some of the most interesting conclusions we've been able to draw as a result of the last 6 years of genetic analysis. So this series has an "old" feel even though it is recently made. It also misses a lot of hard knowledge we've had for a long time, perhaps because it was too uncomfortable to include. For example, the ape-men are shown being monogamous, whereas we know that in all societies at all times known to us, dominant human males have tried to form and keep harems, either explicity or illicitly. Likewise we know a great deal about the necessity of violence in societies where wealth cannot easily be abstracted, and is thus easily stolen. Aggression is the only defence - and of course greater aggression is the main tactic for theft. Neither of these facts appears anywhere in the series, no doubt because we don't like seeing the uncomfortable truth about these aspects of our species.

Other than that, the makeup and imitation of pre-human gaits etc. is superb and one or two points are interestingly non-obvious: for example, that the development of enlarged and highly visible whites in our eyes is most probably to enhance signalling, so we can detect subtle emotional states in others.

All in all, worth buying but not watching more than once.

Underworld - Evolution (Fullscreen Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Very Enjoyable -- But!!!
Love the concept.
What was I thinking?
I enjoyed it.
There Could Have Been More Killing....

Underworld - Evolution (Fullscreen Special Edition)
Starring: Kate Beckinsale , Scott Speedman , Tony Curran , Derek Jacobi , and Shane Brolly
Director: Len Wiseman
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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