Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The Runaway



An Ambitious Six Part British Crime Drama Centering On An Ill-Fated Romance
After loving the British TV adaptation of Martina Cole's "The Take" (with a riveting, star-making performance by Tom Hardy), I was more than eager to check out this six part series. While "The Runaway" is also based on a Cole novel exploring the criminal underbelly of recent London, it has a much broader scope. With a story that spans several decades, occurs across different continents, and focuses on multiple plot lines, "The Runaway" certainly doesn't lack ambition. It may, however, miss out on an intimacy as episodes jump forward through time, often just when things are at their most interesting. Although I have not read the source novel, this television production does feel like the equivalent of reading a sprawling potboiler. By the end, the central protagonists have lived through a good chunk of history and it's fascinating to see just how far they come as actual characters within this broad narrative arc.

"The Runaway," at its core, tells the story of star-crossed...

An Ambitious Six Part British Crime Drama Centering On An Ill-Fated Romance
After loving the British TV adaptation of Martina Cole's "The Take" (with a riveting, star-making performance by Tom Hardy), I was more than eager to check out this six part series. While "The Runaway" is also based on a Cole novel exploring the criminal underbelly of recent London, it has a much broader scope. With a story that spans several decades, occurs across different continents, and focuses on multiple plot lines, "The Runaway" certainly doesn't lack ambition. It may, however, miss out on an intimacy as episodes jump forward through time, often just when things are at their most interesting. Although I have not read the source novel, this television production does feel like the equivalent of reading a sprawling potboiler. By the end, the central protagonists have lived through a good chunk of history and it's fascinating to see just how far they come as actual characters within this broad narrative arc.

"The Runaway," at its core, tells the story of...

Brighton Rock Revisited
Although this series succeeds beautifully as a crime drama and a romance, there's more going on than one might at first think. I have not read the novel on which this program is based, but at the very least the adaptors of Cole's story, if not Cole herself, have put together a stylish twist on the classic literary quest for redemption. Whether or not the creators of "The Runaway" intended to reference Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock," I couldn't help seeing Eamon as a slightly more appealing counterpart of Greene's Pinky Brown, and his struggle as parallel to Pinky's conflict over alone-ness and connection. The production also shares Greene's concern for the divide between various systems of morality and gives at least a nod to Greene's exploration of the role of faith, and particularly Catholicism, in a fallen world. In other words, this is a great show that reminds me of one of my favorite books. As in "Brighton Rock," the story comes to an easily forseen conclusion, but it still...

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Time Team: Unearthing the Roman Invasion



Archeology, Roman-Brit history, and a funny, intelligent team
Scientific yet enjoyable for laymen. Expert teams kept moving, the show hopping & fun with Tony Robinson (actor, comedian, history buff) pointing the way. Digging in dirt has seldom been so much fun. Massive use of geophysics, then back hoes, on to trowel & brush digs. It opens up what 2000 yr-old Romano-British archeology began as. And fantastic artist renderings help the uneducated-but-interested visualize what the experts see in stones, shards, and coins. The bonus material offers 7 text bios of experts filmed in 12 excavations. More bonus in a viewer's guide. A documentary with the look of prime-time TV.

SUBTITLES provided for all episodes, each a 3-day dig.
____1 TOCKENHAM -in Wiltshire, a pagan-looking Roman figure in 600-yr-old Christian St. Giles Church but the area has NO roman remains to explain the oddity. What's below? An archeological lottery win. Filmed in1994
____2 BIRDOSWALD EXHUMATION -Roman/barbarian border, 18 mile stone Hadrian's Wall, &...

time team digs up good tv.
time team is a show that has been on Uk televsion since january 1994! They have made 258 episodes in 19 seasons. That is a incredible job for a show about a group of archeologists who have three days to excavate a site!. Tonny Robinson; a actor and writer most familiar from the black adder tv show is the featured host and he helps out in each episode. This dvd takes a number of shows that had excavations featuring Roman ruins and sites and puts them in a compilation form. The first episode is from the very first season. the rest are from later on. I loved time team on television ,when we were lucky enough to get the show on History 2 via satellite or cable. But it's no longer on! Which seems foolish as you have so many episodes to show by now! The team has only 3 days to accomplish their goals even. Which means they have to move fast and find what they can, the team has alot of fun and you get to discover what they do in each episode. Hopefully more time team dvd's will come out...

Great Stuff!
As a historical buff, specifically the Roman-Britain era, this was a fabulous series! I watched the entire set straight through over 5 nights!

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Ouran High School Host Club: Complete Series (Classic)



I didn't expect It would be THIS cool
I won't go into too much detail, because part of the fun of this anime series is just hanging on for the ride, not knowing alot going into it.

But basically the story is about a girl who enters a very nice, prestigious high school where rich kids are numerous and poor people are thought of as fairytale material. She meets the highschool's Host Club, which is basically a group of young men who entertain the school's young ladies. Keep in mind they're all rich, and somewhat arrogant, so they kind of just sit around and talk about rich kid stuff.

The Host Club thinks she's a guy, she accidently breaks an expensive vase and instantly earns herself a very large debt, and the only way to pay it off is to join the Host Club.

This is just the beginning. Like I said I don't want to go into too much detail because Ouran High School Host Club is the type of anime that is best enjoyed when not too much is known about it going in.

I was mainly interested...

Review on the Actual Product, Not the Series Itself
I just got this item today and have looked through some of the extras and I must say they are pretty entertaining. They have the "outtakes" section, which is basically a blooper reel from all the episodes, and while it doesn't show the actual voice actors, it does show the the scenes with the dialogue of the voice actors messing up or doing some improv. Some of the other extras include audio commentary on certain episodes and the textless songs. There's a preview for the manga provided by Viz and it shows some shots from one of the volumes that's big enough to read but don't expect it to be the complete volume. The episodes themselves are pretty good quality and you can choose from having English or Japanese audio and subtitles.
The packaging is pretty nice, too much pink for my taste, but still nice and it has some quotes and pictures throughout. There isn't a booklet but after the case is taken out of the sleeve it folds out to show an episode guide on the left side and what...

Great Anime!!
This is one of the greatest romance comedy. I mean I could watch this anime over and over. The characters are so colorful and full of life. This anime is a real enjoyment. I love this anime and I watch it over and over!!!

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Patton / Longest Day / Sand Pebbles / Tora Tora [Blu-ray]



A worthwhile package
To answer the person who questioned which version of THE SAND PEBBLES is featured in this package, it IS the 3-hour roadshow version. Of the 4 movies in the package, I would say PEBBLES is still the weakest transfer, although it is still of a higher quality than many blu-rays I've seen. I suppose that just points to the superior quality of the other 3 in the set. Both PATTON and THE LONGEST DAY are stunning. Extras are strongest with PEBBLES. It's possible that PATTON and LONGEST are single disks in multiple-disk collections. Still, given the price and the quality of the selection, this is a very strong package.

It meets my expections.
I have not watched the movies yet. I just tested it for the quality of the DVD. I am pleased with it.

Patton / Longest Day / Sand Pebbles / Tora Tora [Blu-ray]
Great value for the money. A must have especially for the World War II afficiando. Tora Tora Tora is the best movie depicting Pearl Harbor.

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Eraserhead [Blu-ray]



"But what the hell do they know, I said?"
If you're reading this, then you've seen this movie or are at least curious what all the hype is about?

The late Stanley Kubrick, the only major filmmaker Lynch has cited as a direct cinematic influence, believed that ERASERHEAD was one of the most perfect "cinematic experiences" created to date. This movie has enjoyed success on the midnight movie circuit for years, particularly in NYC where it ran almost every night for something like five years straight. I've seen it on big and little screens in three different states. Insofar as interpretations are concerned, I've long since tossed all that out the window. In terms of rational comprehension, ERASERHEAD is the fabled big fish that remains brilliantly elusive of any attempts to capture it.

This movie gets better, and more humorous, every time I watch it: in my opinion - ERASERHEAD is the cinematic experience that comes the closest to capturing "dream logic", next to the equally brilliant WAKING LIFE. If you...

A haunting dream of dark and disturbing things...
WHEN will they re-release this masterpiece on video and DVD? This film is purest Lynch. It isn't a movie, it's an experiance. David Lynch himself said that he didn't so much think of Eraserhead, than feel it. Never have I heard a more true statement. 'Eraserhead' is Atmosphere with a capital A, and contains some truly unnerving moments that come straight out of our darkest nightmares. David Lynch is a true artist. To watch Eraserhead is to be totally absorbed into another world; Henry and his bizarre hairdo; the gentle yet strangely disturbing Lady in the Radiator; and last but not least, the hideous 'Baby,' a truly grotesque little monster who is more terrifying than any other man-made creature in motion picture history. (Lynch has refused to say how he created the Baby....IF he made it, that is. CREEEEEEEEEEEEPYYYYY! ) There is an unrelenting sense of menace and fear throughout all the proceedings. Some may huff and dismiss 'Eraserhead' as an 'artsy-fartsy' flick intended...

The Most Personal Film Ever Created
David Lynch's surreal masterpiece ERASERHEAD, is in my humble opinion the most personal 90 minutes of celluloid ever created. As with many of his other films, theories abound about this "nightmare on film," and it seems people have more fun dissecting (no pun intended) the imagery and symbols than actually watching the film. It's certainly not enjoyable to watch, or entertaining by any stretch of the imagination, but it is compelling, engrossing, and disturbing. A true film "experience." There's never been anything like it from anyone else, or Lynch himself for that matter, and more likely than not we'll never see anything like it again. At it's most simplistic it's Lynch's fears and horror concerning "family" and "industrialism" taken to the nth degree. Most people describe it as post-apocolyptic, but it's truly modern/contemporary, just dark and unfamiliar to most. But again, like with many of Lynch's films--especially the recent MULHOLLAND DRIVE--you'd have to be David Lynch to...

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We Juke Up In Here: Mississippi's Juke Joint Culture At The Crossroads



Wonderful documentary on the Delta blues today
This brand new documentary from Jeff Konkel and Roger Stolle gives a true vision of the today situation of the juke joints and the blues in the Delta area. Remarkably filmed, it intersperes strong interviews with musicians, juke joint owners and patrons with great musical sets. Very well filmed and recorded. Enthralling!
And what a good idea to have subtitled the film, a thing that is very often lacking from US music documentaries and nevertheless very useful for non-Americans. This essential set combines the DVD + a CD of all the songs featured in the film.

Almost as good as being there
This is an excellent DVD/CD combo. I do wish more of the performances were complete in the DVD but they were long enough to get the feeling of being at a juke joint.

The CD has longer performances and the sound quality is pretty good.

I can't really add much to the first reviews. If you like authentic music. If you've been to the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic and Blues Festival and had a great time. And if you just want to hear music being played because they love the music you should get this set.

'Nuff said.

A great DVD
This is a film that is well worth watching multiple times. There are parts of the film that are very sad as it shows the struggles of the Blues in Mississippi, but at the same time it is inspiring watching the great Blues performers that are still there, thus the uplift (and that is in part what the Blues is all about). The quality of the cinematography/editing/sound is topnotch. My favorite performers in this film are Big A & The All-Stars and Terry Harmonica Bean. The interviews with Red are great!

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Pure Krav Maga - Self Defense Mastery



Best 'Pure Krav Maga' DVD collection in the market place
I have wanted to write a review on Boaz Aviram's DVD set on `Krav Maga Mastery' for some time now but decided to hold off to read some of the other reviews. I now feel that after reading these its time to put my point across.
I have viewed many instructional DVD sets from martial arts and other KM `systems' and their experts. There are a few points I feel should be put right owing to criticism levelled by other reviews.

1) Production may not be as good as some, but this in no way takes away from the quality of the instruction.

2) In connection with the above; Boaz shows you that to master a system you need to do a little bit more than
watching. You need to practice the basics of kicking, punching, learning how to use a knife or a club. You need to read the book, Krav Maga - Use of the Human Body as a Weapon Philosophy and Application of Hand to Hand Fighting Training System. You also need to find a training partner to actually practice the...

Buy only if you want to be a TRUE expert in Krav Maga
After purchasing Mr. Boaz's book and DVDs, I secretly hoped that no one else buys it. Why? Because it is so very good that I wished I am the only true krav maga practitioner on this planet!!

However, after speaking with him and knowing that he released the book and DVDs as a social gift to society (esp to the krav maga practitioner), I think hoarding this great system to myself is a tad selfish. Why?

1. For the very first time, Krav Maga is presented as a SYSTEM. Techniques is just PART of it. Mr. Boaz doesn't show you how devastating Krav Maga is. If you want to see that, just go to youtube.

2. You are in for a lesson! Yes, you have to be a STUDENT! (That explains why many "masters" does not like what they hear in the DVD) Mr. Boaz teaches warm ups, principles of krav maga (no...not MMA with an eye poke), pressure points, how to punch effectively...etc.

Most KM instructors shows you how to punch. Boaz Aviram shows you how to KNOCK SOMEONE...

Excellent instructional package on the Original and Authentic IDF Krav Maga system!
Review Title : "Excellent instructional package on the Original and Authentic IDF Krav Maga system!"
Review of the "Pure Krav Maga Self Defense Mastery" DVD Set produced by Mr Boaz Aviram
Reviewed by Chionh Chye Chin (Mr).
Rated 5 Stars.

Order and Shipping Process :

This DVD Set is available via Amazon.com from Createspace (an Amazon company). Purchases from overseas are shipped by International Economy Shipping, and the time of delivery from date of order can vary from between one week within the USA to three weeks in South-east Asia.

Credentials of the Producer , Mr Boaz Aviram :

Mr Boaz Aviram is very well known and well respected in the Krav Maga community. For those who are not yet acquainted with him, he is a Krav Maga top expert, recognized by the Krav Maga Founders, his peers and Israeli institutions such as the Wingate Institute and military authorities. As the former Israeli Defense Forces Fighting Fitness Academy's...

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Spike: A Montana Horseman



real cowboy!
There are very few films out there that interview real live cowboys. This one speaks briefly with a fascinating man who really is one of the last living cowboys. Fun and interesting.

Fabulous cowboy!
My kids and I love cowboys. Spike is a cowboy/horseman and a magnificent poet besides. I see why this video won so many awards. Thank you.



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Flashpoint: Seasons 1-4



Not all episodes included, but most are there!
I love this series! I ordered the four-season pack all at once, something I don't usually do for television shows. Unfortunately, the Season 4 DVD only has about 1/2 the episodes as were done in the season. It leaves off at "Shockwave". There are about 10-13 more episodes after Shockwave in the series. I hope there will be another DVD to account for the missing episodes, which were initially aired in late 2011. That might account for them not being on the DVD...

I haven't compared the other three DVDs yet against the episodes list. Once I do, I'll update here to indicate if the earlier DVDs have all the episodes. I know that people who like the show want all the episodes on the DVDs.

Other than that, the episodes are laid out in the US air order, which is slightly different than the original air date in Canada. Aside from the storyline between Ed and Sophie regarding her pregnancy it's not an issue and viewers won't get confused.

UPDATE: All episodes...

Love the show but I'm confused
I don't have cable or satellite so I don't see anything when it airs. I see everything on reruns at night when I'm at work. As you can imagine I don't see anything in order which is why I buy the DVDs when they are released. Point being until I started reading the reviews for Flashpoint I didn't realize there were episodes missing from the 4 seasons of the show I purchased. I really like the show and think the characters are wonderful and story lines are excellent. I'm hoping Amazon (in conjunction with the company that released these DVDs) are going to re-release the complete season (or at least put the missing episodes on a separate DVD) and make it available at a reasonable price (free would be good). We're counting on you, Amazon, to make this right.

Love the show, feel cheated on the DVD
Season Four is not complete! I love this show, but I am pretty disappointed that this set did not make it clear that we were only getting the first 13 episodes of season 4. In this, I feel cheated. Whether the choice of the DVD creator or Amazon, as the seller, Amazon had a responsibility to make it clear that this was NOT the full four seasons. I paid for Seasons 1-4, not seasons 1-3.5.

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Clint Eastwood: 35 Films 35 Years at Warner Bros



Some Great Movies in a Poor Quality Package
There will always be a few duds in any actor's resume but Clint Eastwood only seems to be getting better with every picture. The problem with buying this specific collection is the absolutely horrible quality of most of the discs. Several of the movies, 'Any Which Way You Can' is just one, wouldn't play or stalled mid movie on 3 different DVD players. The Dirty Harry movies were full of video grain and there was very little use of the surrounds in a home theater system. The fact that these movies, but for a couple of exceptions, are all two sided on the discs, one on one side and another on the opposite side, probably contributes to the poor quality. Additionally, the packaging of these DVDs makes it necessary for you to grab the outside of the disc, leaving fingerprints and body oils, over the disc itself. I take great care in how I handle my DVDs but getting around touching the flat side of the disc is impossible. I sat through every disc that would play except for Madison...

The good the bad and the lousy>
As an Eastwood fan i can't put down the content or the price. A lot of gems like "White Hunter Black Heart " Honky Tonk Man " shows just how good an actor Eastwood really is . Great! However the movie disks are all double sided. They re inclosed in a box set that makes it impossible not to smug the disk before playing them. When you open the box set, the carboard book is a bunch of bound together single pockets. You are required to pinch the exposed disk area and pull it out from a very tight pocket.( No paper sleeves!) This of course will smudge both surfaces.

I also question the resolution of the films. If the dvds are packaged in such a manner, is the copy resolution as high as the single disks we have been buying for years? (more on this later) I will keep the set but I will carefully back up all of them and play those.

If you are expecting a large box set for you book case where you can clearly and safely pull out the film you need well that's not going to...

I'm not sure who this is marketed for/to....I am not a happy owner.
First things first, I greatly admire Clint Eastwood as an actor and director ,and he's been the major film star of my baby boomer lifetime.

I just picked this set up so I am reviewing as an OWNER , not someone who has read the contents and wants to prattle on about Clints career at Warners. I was sad to find that the discs are the notorious Flippers (a movie on each side) instead of the far more stable single sided discs. Given that many of these movies are already available for under 10 bucks each This is still a cheap way to buy all of his movies for anyone that is that big a fan but who doesn't already own them.. I'm a bit confused as to who they are marketing to? I am a big fan and own many of these but thought it might be a great way to house films in a smaller package and looked forward to the documentary and the book etc..

Extras.... the documentary is only a 21 minute "teaser" for the real one due this summer and NOT 16x9 but letterboxed 4:3 wow..that's...

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Monday, October 21, 2013

Guerrilla Media: How To Communicate on Video



Great how to media guide.
A very provocative and useful guide by media genius Tony Schwartz on how to use cheap tools to help create audio and video ads. This helped me to speak out in an effective way. A complete guide.





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One People: One Planet - Apollo Astronaut Rusty Schweickart



Awesome
I first saw this video at the Space Museum in Jackson, Michigan. I enjoyed it so much I asked the museum staff if they sold it. They told me they did not and they only had the one VHS tape. I returned to the museum about once a year, taking friends, relatives, and international exchange students to see it. Every time I watched this video it gave me chills. After the museum closed (artifacts were moved to Kalamazoo to a new museum) I started searching the internet to find the video. Finally I located it, paid the $29 and have been happy to finally own it. I continue to show it to others every chance I get.

It is only about 15 minutes in length, but it is very powerful, very inspirational, and priceless!





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The Sputnik Moment



Enlightening
If you're a baby boomer you'll understand and you'll be amazed at what you learn that was part of your childhood.





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Without a Trace: The Complete Third Season



Ah-ha, finally!
Does anyone know what the holdup is with this show? Releasing a region-1 season every two years is unacceptable! (At the time I write this review, Amazon hasn't even posted a release date yet.)

That said, the third season, like the first two, treats us to some excellent character moments. Jack prepares to leave his team and put his family first; then his wife announces she wants a divorce. Martin and Samantha's relationship moves forward, but not without conflict. Danny's brother Rafi makes a poignant reappearance, and Vivian learns she needs heart surgery. Memorable cases include the disappearance of a nannny and the child she watches, the return of the Knowles brothers (first seen in Season Two's "Doppelganger"), a two-parter that finds Sam working undercover, and the vanishing of a sci-fi fanatic who claims alien abduction. Most riveting, though, is the cliffhanger finale, which ends in a shootout that critically wounds one of the team. Unfortunately, we may have...

Without A Trace tv series
I agree with the prvious opinion, show is great. If you don't want to wait, seasons 3 and 4 are available from amazon.com/uk. Just remember that is region 2 and you will need an all region player. Got my player on amazon.

Without a Trace Season 3
I was so very disappointed with this purchase when upson receiving it, I got an error message on all of the DVD players I attempted to play it on. Once I submitted a request to return, I was told about the different "regions" that DVDs are intended to be used in and how that would be on the DVD cover. Well, this is the first time I have ever had to check out regions before making a purchase. Why your company would send to a US resident a DVD that cannot be played in North America is very frustrating and seems to me a bit deceiving by your company. Never before, when I have bought DVD's at Best Buy, Target or on line, have I been sent a DVD that could only be played on a foreign country device. It appears to me this is a flaw in your ordering process. So now, I have to fill out paperwork and pay for the shipping and handling and this company will determine if I get a refund. This is a true inconvenience and has left me a very unsatisfied Amazon customer and this experience has...

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Forensic Files: Season 1-8 Bundle (16 Disc Collection) Amazon.com Exclusive



Bring on more volumes of this show!!!Can't Get Enough!!
I purchased all 8 volumes and want more to be released.I put this series in the same category as Unsolved Mysteries because it is that entertaining and won't hold back to purchase more if it is released in another 8 volume DVD bundle!The seller (blowitouttahere)was top notch in sending me my DVD's.I wish they would release it in season form but if not this is more than acceptable.

Buying this 16 disc collection is the best deal!
Buying all episodes currently available on DVD at this price is the best value. This 16 disc collection totals 96 episodes, and includes: Serial Killers, Historic Cases, Medical Mysteries, Crimes of Passion, Sex Crimes, Convictions Overturned, Death By Poison and Kidnapping Cases. Buying each set separately costs more, and this entire collection makes a great gift for the Forensic Files lover or for your own library.

Forensic Files: Season 1-8 Bundle (16 Disc Collection) Amazon.com Exclusive
review for:
Forensic Files: Season 1-8 Bundle (16 Disc Collection) Amazon.com Exclusive ONLY!
(This is not a review for the Forensic Files episodes)

I was ready to jump at this deal until I noticed,

"This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media"

If you are familiar with cd/dvd technology, you will know that dvd-r, dvd+r or any 'burned' discs are notoriously unreliable and over time may fail. (Burned discs use a laser to etch information into a layer of ink instead of a standard 'molded' disc)

Sorry Amazon, but your return policy will not help me 2 years down the road when these discs start to fail.

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The Simpsons: The Complete Sixth Season



It's Season Six, it's Great!
The other reviewers are upset about how Fox handled releasing this box set in this format. I don't think this is the place to strike out at Fox about that. I read these reviews to find out if I want to buy the item. This box set has the same content as the Homer head, but you don't have to buy the Homer head. Sounds like a good deal to me! I'm sorry for those who bought theirs early, but that doesn't make this a one-star item, by any stretch of the imagination. The Simpsons DVD sets are consistently high quality items, jam-packed with extras, commentaries, etc.

On the box art
I work in a music store and had the package in my hands tonight. The case is made of cheap, *cheap* plastic, hinged at the bottom in a clamshell design, and held together with nothing more than tape, which means that shoplifting of the DVDs is going to be a major concern with retailers. The head is covered in a plastic slipcase that mimics the previous seasons' design on the side. The slipcase doesn't fit very well, and doesn't improve the look of the case at all.

There is NO second box inside. However-- here's the good news. There is a card inside the box with a phone number you can call to get a regular box for the discs-- this is probably where the "Green box" pictures have come from. The clamshell won't last very long-- the plastic isn't sturdy enough-- so I suspect many, *many* people will be taking advantage of this offer sooner or later.

Worst. Packaging. Ever. But at least we can send off for a real box. Hopefully they won't repeat this nonsense.

Episodes - "A+" .... Packaging - "F"
If it weren't for the episodes I'd be giving this a 1 star rating. But I can't bring myself to do that because this was one of the best years of the show IMO. But this plastic Homer head that falls apart once you touch it was a bad idea. And calling people anal retentive just because they want something sturdy that will protect their DVDs is really out of line.

Hey you Fox marketing "geniuses"... If you had limited this silly head design to a special collector's version and released the regular boxes to the masses in the first place, you could have saved yourselves (and us consumers - who pay your salaries, by the way) a lot of time, money and aggrivation. So drop the sarcastic attitude and just admit you made a mistake.

Save the gimmicky packages for action figures and sex toys.

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Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods - 2-Disc Special Edition



Greatest pop shaman ever
If you're a fan of ANY of Morrison's many hyperdelic creative comics series (INVISIBLES, ALL STAR SUPERMAN, FINAL CRISIS and so on), then this documentary is an absolute MUST SEE. It covers Morrison's life, which in and of itself is engaging and unusual, as well as the creation and ideas behind many of his key works, his mind-buzzingly cool take on creativity, mythology, heroes and "magic." I'd even venture to guess that non-comics fans would find much to fascinate here, as Morrison is an amazingly interesting and inspirational dude!

"I think we're onto something"
"Talking with Gods" is a very captivating & insightful look into the workings of one of graphic fictions most humble & infamous architects. This documentary pulls out all the stops about his childhood through his formative years & the path that lead him to become such an innovator in the medium. There's engaging & sometimes quite bizarre sequences concerning chaos magic, liquor sampling, cross dressing, magic mushrooms, & research into what ultimately lead into some of his top rated works. There's aslo plenty of commentary from other industry professionals who offer their own experiences & impact of Grant's work. A genuinely cerebral & inspiring film.

Gahhhh! Why isn't there more?
I'm a big fan of Morrison's work. I've also gone through tons of interviews and his panel appearances since he seems to be one of life's genuinely interesting people.

The DVD went over his early years I wasn't too familiar with. His unique childhood and his dark days of adolescence, his flirting with being in a rock band, and his muddied entry into the comics scene. When he gets success from his first Batman graphic novel he really starts moving towards the man we're more familiar with today.

A lot of the material from that point on was familiar to me. His delving into Chaos Magick. His works (specifically The Invisibles) being hypersigils. What was nice was the interspersed outside opinion of his work and lifestyle from his peers and friends. It fed some of the myth but also painted him a little more human.

There was some surprise when he talked about his disillusionment with the comics scene and mixed feelings with how he has been glossed over...

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Following Amelia Earhart: Heroines of the Sky



Enjoyable and informative DVD but with a few criticisms!
I really enjoyed this video/DVD as I am an admirer of Amelia Earhart and her bravery and determination to achieve things aeronautical that at that time only men were doing and what it was considered women were incapable of. I especially enjoyed the film footage of Amelia and hearing her voice and what she had to say. I also found Linda Finch's plan to fly around the world via the Equator a worthwhile challenge and the footage showing her getting her identical Electra plane repaired and safe to fly in was of great interest. I felt that she so admired Amelia that she wanted to prove that it could be done,and did so in Amelia's memory. However,I have three criticisms of this rather short video/DVD. One is that Amelia's navigator,Fred Noonan, doesn't even get a mention,and if I didn't know of him,I would have assumed Amelia flew the plane solo,whereas in fact Fred also took the same risks as she took,and ultimately disappeared and I assume perished along with Amelia. If I was a member of...





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Industry Insider Techniques: Vol. 1



Must Have For Your Sewing Library
I am reviewing Vol I and Threads Industry Insider Techniques DVD Vol. 2 By The Each together. Louise Cutting is an awesome instructor. She's serious about her techniques and will help you get professional results. She and Judy Neukam more personable in Vol I and Judy's commentary is better too. Cutting's style in Vol II seems a bit flatter; Neukam seems a step behind. However, these are minor quibbles. You'll learn a lot from Cutting, I promise. Please note that some of the techniques are for sergers.

Here's what you'll see in Vol I:
-Serge Quick French Seams
-Fuse & Interface a Hem
-Hem Sheers with Ease
-Mold the Smoothest Darts
-Draft & Sew The Perfect Collar
-Miter An Asymmetrical Corner
-Bulk-Free Facings

Here's what's covered in Vol II:
-Ripple Free Double-Fold Bias Binding
-Carefully Clipped Curves
-Interface a Classic Lapel
-Inset...





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Sunday, October 20, 2013

Ore to Axe



Great video.
The video shows exactly what the title says. From ore gathered in the woods to an axe cutting a tree down. I only wish it was longer. The video is a little pricey but if you want to see what backyard smelting looks like this is it. I found myself thinking about where I could come by some iron ore...

A video to get fired up about....!
A great flick. Everything you'd ever want to see or know about iron working; literally from the ground up! The photography was professional. The audio was just as it should be; clear and concise. The progression from start to finish was logical, orderly, organized and to the point. I used to be a professional film-maker for a large insurance company.... (don't ask...)... and I know of what I speak.

This is NOT a scientific, chemical laced, up-tight lecture on metallurgy!! It is rather a fun, informal, easy-going video using basic iron ore and making an ax. This was a most educational and enjoyable video. I'd buy it again....even at the terrible price listed..........!.

It is great
I was trying to figure out why the properties are so different. I know what the different compounds are but did not understand in any detail as to why. This is the perfect add on for any blacksmith trying to do true reproductions of the past. Really the only resources needed to understand it for the hands on types (like me) out there.

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Intelligence With Ishah Wright in FULL HD: The Pilot With Bonus Features



the best souloution for combating terrorisum
Intelligence with Ishah Wright produced in full HD is the most logical effective way to have world peace by globally combating terrorism together. Ishah teaches how all can be a spy using HUMINT (human Intelligence) methods. This is excellent!!!!

I love it!
Learn to be Movie Actress/Recording Artist/Model/Authenticated Authority/Honorably Discharged Military Police Officer Ishah Wright's spy to better give tips independantly to the FBI! It's awesome!



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Bluegrass Roots



Americana
Unbelievable artists depicted in this film. Over the river and through the woods the old dirt road leads us deeper into the back country of 1960s
Carolinas. These people knew how to party! Dancing, singing and some mean fiddle playing. Who knew such spirit and TALENT could be found out there.

Of great historical value
This is a great film. Lots of fiddle and banjo footage that I have never seen before, all framed by the road trip that Bascom takes the filmmaker on. There are a couple great clogging scenes as well.

Awesome Down Home!
Enjoyed this immensely! I smiled and toe taped all the way thru. Those folks knew how to have fun! A awesome window into our mountain past! So glad it was preserved and available today!

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Private Tutor - Your Complete SAT Critical Reading Prep Course with Amy Lucas - DVD 1



Money well spent!
This DVD series is just great. We've used them all and they are a wonderful product for students who want a higher SAT score. Much more economical than an actual private tutor, these DVDs let you go at your own pace and review areas where you need the most help. The host is attractive and likeable. A must buy for college-bound high schoolers!





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Dealing with Angry Kids



Helping kids with anger or bullies.
This video is made for kids. It presents a fantasy that kids can really understand. The story revolves around kids who want to do better at dealing with bullies and violence. My kids got valuable life lessons in an entertaining way.





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The Fever Of '57 (Amazon Retail)



Great way for a student to gain an overview of Sputnik and the start of the Space Race
Though expensive, this DVD helped my 8th-grader get a nice overview if how America and the rest of the world reacted to the launch of Sputnik. It also covers the rest of the early part of the space race.





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Jimmy Doolittle: An American Hero



Great DVD Biography!!!
This is a great DVD Biography of a truly great American hero,Jimmy doolittle.It's highlt recommended and a must see!!

American hero in his own words.
This is a must see for history buffs. Jimmy Doolittle in his own words tells his story with the help of some very famous people. He is an amazing man. My family loved watching it start to finish. Great World War II history and aviation footage.

An American Hero
This video show General Doolittle in his last years. Truly a must have for history buffs.

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Alfred Eisenstaedt: Photographer



Wonderful photojournalist video.
This is a must-see if you love photojournalism and photography. An amazing insight from veteran Alfred Eisenstadt on how he does it. Eise is insightful, funny and provocative.

alfred eisenstaedt photographer
very good video of a all together person and photographer.
Very inspiring about his life.
Good coverage about candid type photography.

Remembering Alfred Eisenstaedt
I bought my DVD of the "Alfred Eisenstaedt Photographer" through Amazon.com. While the sound quality was good, the reproduced video image quality was horrible. The colors throughout the whole DVD were badly faded and all the images looked like you were viewing everything through a snow storm. The DVD appeared to be a poorly prepared copy from VHS tape or film original.

I've always had greatest respect for Alfred Eisenstaedt for all his Life magazine covers and photo documentaries. The man had a special gift for capturing the critical moment of an event and leaving future generations a powerful visual memory of the past.

This documentary followed an elderly Alfred Eisenstaedt taking photographs of modern Germany for a 10th book. He left a his homeland and a successful photographic career in Europe after Hitler took power in Germany during the 1930s. He described a few of his famous photographs, but only few of his many important images from his long...

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Searching For The Wrong-Eyed Jesus



Salvation on White Mountain
This is a strange move to watch. It's not a documentary, even though it resembles one. Probably the best way to think of "Searching for the Wrong-eyed Jesus" is that what you are watching is one man's visual poem of a (large) region and people. And White's version, which is that of a musician's, is highly selective, jumping from the deep South into Appalachia, with hardly a blink - though these two regions, though similar, also have many differences. White can be annoying in his own way, since many of his musings regarding the South, can sound both pithy and full-of-it at the same time. If you are from the South, it seems pretty darned manipulative, even more so when you realize this film was done for BBC. White, clearly, is pushing buttons for a foreign audience, but he does it with such a clear-eyed sincerity that he's easy to forgive. It's kind of like listening to the Rolling Stones singing "Hand of Fate." You enjoy the song -- it rocks -- but you also know it's a bit...

Worthwhile, but lacking integrity
My family has lived in the South since it was jungle, since before Mississippi was even a territory, much less a state. But I moved away from Mississippi thirty years ago, and from the South altogether over twenty years ago, and I have nothing good to say about the South. My criticisms of this movie, then, aren't due to wounded Southern chauvinism.

After I'd rented this movie, I knew I'd want to watch it repeatedly, so I bought it. I don't regret that decision, but the more I watch it, the more suspect the film, and its makers' intentions, become.

From the first, I knew that the film is profoundly inaccurate: to call this a mirror of the South, or a deep exploration of Southern culture, is about like saying the truth about New York City is found in the voodoo subculture of certain parts of Harlem.

But I thought that was probably a mistake of perspective, a matter of the filmmakers not knowing any better--and maybe getting taken for a ride by the...

How Did David Johansen Get In This Movie ?
This is a very beautiful film. Although very staged at times, it still seems slice of life. Me being a 47 year old black man from a city in eastern North Carolina, i didn't see myself here, but i saw what goes on DEEPER off-roads than the comparitively regular off-roads i usually encounter.

i repeat. How did David Johansen get in this movie ?

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Aviator Heroes: A Wing and a Race



Wonderful dvd for all !!!
Most of the all-time greatest aviators in the Golden age of airplane racing are seen or heard in this video. This was made for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. With amazing footage. Led by people like Jimmy Doolittle, caught on film doing what they loved to do.

History of Aviation
If you want to experence the history of aviation in a short enjoyable film then this is for you. It shows all the heros of aviation and the heroics behind the movement that changed the world.



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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Private Tutor - Your Complete SAT Critical Reading Prep Course with Amy Lucas - DVD 2



Money well spent!
This DVD series is just great. We've used them all and they are a wonderful product for students who want a higher SAT score. Much more economical than an actual private tutor, these DVDs let you go at your own pace and review areas where you need the most help. The host is attractive and likeable. A must buy for college-bound high schoolers!





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Oil Men: No Women No Wine & Workin' All The Time



Oil exploration.
First of all, the music in this video is great. With Earl Scruggs and Waylon Jennings. Can't beat that. And I have never understood oil exploration and oil men. Now I do.





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Arik Air Airbus A340-500 & Boeing 737-800



Inaccurate Description, Weak Video
First, the description is inaccurate. There are multiple aircraft types in this video, the A340-500, 737-700, 737-800, and Q-400. In fact, most of the flights are Q-400, though that aircraft is not listed in the description (the four correct types are printed on the package if you look at the graphic, Amazon just doesn't translate them to the title or description).

The A340 variant is unique, designed for airlines that live in high altitude environments that need long range. The technical aspects are interesting, but that's five minutes of the 3:40 video. We also learn that Africa has installed the CPDLC system, which means that the communication system used by airlines to cross the Atlantic and Pacific in the areas without radar coverage is now the method airlines use to fly continental Africa without radar coverage.

Otherwise, there is far less information about the aircraft themselves than typical for Just Planes.

There is virtually no scenery...





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Hedy & Yumi: Crossing the Bridge (with Spanish Subtitles)



Crossing the Bridge
This provides marvelous inspiration for all relationships. Hedy and Yumi make the journey to connection very real, human and accessible. Yea!

Great movie
Me and my husband just wanted to see what it was about, but we ended up watching the entire movie till the end. I think some of the points on communication were well taken and we have actually learned something valuable that we could put to use right away.



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A Greek Islands Destination Cooking Class (Widescreen Edition)



LOVE/ROMANCE/GREAT FOOD and in an EXOTIC LOCALE ...WOW!!
Through the eyes of the host (Cynthia) I traveled half way across the world and discovered the incredible Greek Isle of Santorini, some fabulous, tasty treats and how to prepare them....WOW!! What a romantic adventure
this trip was and at a fraction of the cost it would have been to fly there myself. The scenery and views were spectacular and I could almost taste the FOOD!! This was a very sensual experience for me. The cooking class-recipes were so easy to follow and the owner, chef and manager of the restaurant (where the class was held) were so loving and kind. Personally, I would book passage just to sit down at a table in this magnificent eatery...oh yes ! I think it was truly special for the host to offer the viewer an intimate glimpse of her wedding/honeymoon and share her love of Greek culture and food in such a remarkable setting; what a unique and precious gift .... so snap up this DVD....ASAP if you are in the mood for scrumptious food....love & romance and breathaking...

This has it all: Comedy, Food, and Romance!
What a little treasure this dvd is! I was looking forward to viewing this dvd, as I am of Greek descent and have visited the beautiful island of Santorini many times. I also enjoy regional Greek Cuisine and found the recipes and techniques in this dvd very intriguing and I think easily adaptable for the home chef. The bonus section at the end showcases various cheeses and herbs of Santorini, and is definitely a visual treat for the most die-hard foodie!

This dvd features a destination cooking class and takes place on the dramatic island of Santorini-- which was the also the setting for the wedding of the filmmakers. Interspersed among the cookery class and food tips are scenes of the natural beauty of the island, and glimpses of a tradional Greek Island wedding. I really liked the personal story and felt like I was experiencing the culture of Santorini, and thought the filmmakers did an excellent job incorporating those extra touches into the finished product...

Santorini Experience
Santorini Experience,
I liked this DVD because I got an overall picture in my mind of Santorini, which I would hope to visit someday soon. I liked the menu and the cooking demonstration from the restaurant. I found it easy and informative. I liked hearing about the native plants that were used for the recipes. To me, interspersing the photos of the wedding and of this incredibly beautiful island only enhanced the DVD for me. I liked the travelogue that went along with the cooking demo. All in all it was fun and informative to watch.
Karen in Ventura

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Drunk Driving Can Make You Dumb



Watch this to help see the after effects of DD.
I was terrified when my kids began to drive-so I got this DVD to show them what happens to other kids who drink and drive. Nothing graphic here. Just the results on the brains of kids who were in accidents due to drunk driving. Viewers are really affected. Good job.

Outdated
This video is terribly outdated. The film looks to be from the late 70s. It talks about head injuries but doesn't tie it to drunk driving.



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Fight for Your Life: Dr. Bernie Siegel on Surviving Cancer



A real hope-builder!
This video presents real people giving their personal cancer stories. These folks are very different in ages and backgrounds, but they all shared a dire diagnosis and have lived to present their experience, strength and hope. Interspersed with this is Bernie giving his own powerful message of hope and he does it with love, humor, and as always with Bernie, MANY stories. The second half about imagery and affirmations I found less helpful, but I've watched the first half a number of times. It always perks me up since I am in the middle of my cancer journey and sometimes the slogging is very uphill.

Review for Fight for you Life
I found this a very interesting and inspiring DVD. It is a little dated now - made in the 1980s - but everything in it is as relevant today as it was then. A must for anyone who has recently been diagnosed with any type of cancer!

Great survival techniques for people with cancer,or serious illiness.
They say that a positive mental attitude can increase your odds of beating cancer. In this video four ordinary people tell their stories and how their attitudes helped them beat their illnesses. It was very helpful in my family,not just for the family member that has the serious illness.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

Running On Empty-and How To Overcome Job Stress



How to help avoid job burn out.
This video follows people who know about high stress jobs,nurses and doctors in the ER. Their stories spoke to me and told me how they handle their stresses. I have applied some of their techniques in my job. I found it very helpful.





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India 101 hosted by Sazzy Varga



The visuals put you in India
Any good traveler is going to do research before going to India. This film puts you on the ground and in situations. We made this film with much of what the guide books told us both right and wrong... We worked to show it as it is for the traveler and in part to a response to what the guidebooks just don't get right.

If you love India, you will love the visuals... it will take you back...

Following the end credits there are nearly an hour of raw uncut extras...

Enjoy this and all our films on Amazon
Visually and respectfully Yours, The Story of The Tibetan Photo Project
Voices in Exile
Save Tibet...Why?
and this one... India 101 hosted by Sazzy Varga

thanks for looking in.





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Towanoquon Complete Collection [Blu-ray]



Special Powers, Cyborgs, and the Order, Oh My!
Basic Overview:
Centuries ago there were many people who had special abilities but as time progressed their numbers became fewer and fewer. Those people without abilities began to fear those that had abilities. Over time those with abilities became known as the demons and monsters of the mountains and valleys. As the fear grew in those who lacked abilities they began to hunt down those who were different, reducing their numbers even more.

In a futuristic Tokyo, unique human beings who have awakened distinct powers are being hunted by a secret organization named Custos. Known as "Attractors", these exceptional humans are joining forces to defend themselves. They are led by a boy named Quon, an idealist who is determined to save all the Attractors he can.

My Review:
Towanoquon is definitely a must watch anime, it is very engaging, has great character development for the series I've seen recently, and a pretty straight forward type of story telling. The...

Blu-ray: Looks and sounds amazing on Blu-ray! An action-packed animated film series!
Intense action with every film, the "Towanoquon" six-film series is an exciting X-Men-like storyline from BONES.

Directed by Umanosuke Iida ("Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team", "Hellsing"), written by Toshizo Nemoto ("Tokyo Majin", "Getbackers", "Chrome Shelled Regios") and featuring music by world renown Kenji Kawai ("Eden of the East", "Maison Ikkoku", "Ranma 1/2″, "Mobil Suit Gundam 00″) are among the talented crew behind BONES sci-fi film series.

And now the film series will be released on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Sentai Filmworks.

VIDEO:

"Towanoquon: Complete Collection" is presented in 1080p High Definition. And because these are films, not a TV series or OVA, I came into watching these films with very high expectations from BONES. And I'm glad to say, that BONES delivered!

Not only do you get the detailed backgrounds, vibrant colors but also wonderful character designs, awesome use of lighting and...

Very good show
The show was good and completed itself well, It's nothing amazing but it's definitely worth watching.

The story line it's self was was good but a bit used, that's not a problem but its not the best adaptation of the idea of mutated people with powers being hunted,Killed,discriminated against and experimented on by an origination.That's acceptable cause the action in the show was amazing in this show that kept your eyes glued to the screen.

The packaging was just a normal blu-ray case with two disc containing all 6 films
Japanese audio subtitles optional to turn on or off
And English dub, which wasn't that bad.

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Once Upon a Time in Anatolia [Blu-ray]



A beautiful, deliberate meditation on crime, relationships, and truth
[This is a review of the film, not the Blu-Ray itself, which has not yet been released.]

A beautifully shot, deliberately paced existentialist meditation on crime, relationships, and truth. Shot mostly in gorgeous long takes that take full advantage of the widescreen aspect ratio, the film requires (and rewards) patient viewing. The first half of the film, in which a late-night caravan of law enforcement officials drive two murder suspects to a series of nearly identical rural wells, looking for the location of a buried body, is brilliant. It echoes Waiting for Godot, as the seemingly endless search for the body fades into the background, and the focus turns to conversations about personal problems, petty bureaucracy, differing values, and the meaning of life. As the film continues, different members of the caravan wax and wane in importance, each offering a different perspective on life and one's place in the world. The final act of the film -- which occurs back in...

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia
Anatolia is not an easy film, and those expecting a mystery will probably be disappointed. It is a dark, atmospheric movie--the night scenes are claustrophobic and spattered with little beauties; the dialog is at times funny (especially during a heated argument about yogurt), but as the story progress it becomes oppressive (intentionally, I think). The landscape, which is often mentioned in reviews, is not necessarily beautiful, but desolate and repeating, marked by landmarks which are almost indiscernible from one another, especially in the dark (this old bridge, or that one, this fountain or that one, this plowed field or that plowed field). In the end, I found the movie difficult to sit through, almost exhausting, and I think much of the meaning is to be found the critique of language, and its place in the process of law and order in this small Turkish community. I felt like I was supposed to understand what being a man or woman means in this narrative (gender seems important, and...

Another slow-developing movie from director Ceylan
It is by complete coincidence that only 3 months ago, I watch one of director Nuri Bilge Ceylan's earlier movies, the beautiful "Climates" movie from 2007, on DVD (see my review posted here on Amazon). When I saw that his latest movie hit the theatre, I couldn't wait to see it (saw it the Landmark E Street theatre in Washington).

"Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" (2011 release from Turkey; 150 min.) bring the (apparently based on true events) story of a group of men trying to finish off a murder investigation by locating the body of the victim in the Anatolian region of Turkey. The movie starts at dusk and covers the next 24 hrs. The group (traveling in 3 cars) go from one geographic area to the next as the confessed killer tries to remember where exactly he buried the victim, but he has trouble recalling the exact setting, as he was drunk when he murdered the victim. But eventually, they come to the right spot. The body is taken to the village for a final autopsy. I am...

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Maria Holic Alive Complete Collection



Not bad first season was better
It starts out in the middle of last season but still the same characters doing the same thing but in new adventers It is worth the buy and a good laugh. But make sure you do not have somone bugging you while watching

good stuff
the dvd were good and new unopen you cant do bad with that its better that way ha ha end

Great sequel.
Even funnier than the first season this series is sure to entertain. Kanako is as yuri as ever, Mariya still a funny sadist and Matsurika still the best lol The DVDs have less extra material than in the 1st seaso which could be the only downside but overall this is a very funny series.

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Sing Sing Prison Concert



Humanizing Prisoners
This film takes us inside 1970s Sing Sing Prison on Thanksgiving Day for a rare concert! Baez's voice is amazing and BB rocks the house! The East Harlem group is exceptional.
In addition to the spectacular performances is a rare look inside one of America's prisons and we meet a few inmates which give a more humanizing view of these people. Watching them watch the concert is the icing on this cake.

For hardcore fans only
Excellent but short performances by B.B. King and Joan Baez. Most of the film is a documentary (with concert performances mixed in). Film and editing quality is mixed (mostly poor). Most of documentary is shot by inmates. Sound quality is poor. Advertised as Dolby Digital 2.0, but it sure sounds like mono to me.

A great film and a rare treat
This is a recording of a 1972 Thanksgiving Day concert in New York's Sing Sing prison. Initiated by a group of prison inmates, the show features B. B. King, Joan Baez, Mimi Farina, the Voices of East Harlem, and comedian Jimmy Walker. The performances are short but powerful. As important as the performances, though, are the insights that the movie provides into the lives of the inmates and the operation of the prison itself. It includes interviews with inmates, employees and performers, and so provides several different viewpoints of the same sad situation. More than entertainment, the movie is also an education.

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The Last Samurai



EPIC CLASSIC IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD!
Based on Amazon's recommendation, I ordered both Kenji Misumi's THE LAST SAMURAI and Hiroshi Inagaki's SAMURAI TRILOGY. I've always been a big fan of the ZATOICHI and LONE WOLF AND CUB films. So, I was pretty interested in checking out THE LAST SAMURAI. I was floored. I could not believe that I had never heard of this movie. It's Epic in every sense of the word. I was really shocked at just how good this movie was. The film follows a group of characters during the last days of the Shogunate. The film does a beautiful job of conveying the development of these friendships. That's not to say the film is light on action. There are probably at least six major fight sequences in the story. It just makes it all the more gripping when you actually care about the characters. I was also surprised at how strong a role the female characters had in the story. Though she is not top billed, Ayako Honami gives an amazing and poignant performance. This movie is FIVE STARS all the...

TRULY ONE OF THE GREATEST SAMURAI FILMS OF ALL TIME!
Years ago, I had purchased a bootleg of this film on VHS. Over the years, I had re-watched it several times and I've always enjoyed it. I definitely recognized it as a classic. However, there seemed to be some "rough" spots. Eager to upgrade and support legitimate companies, I ordered the new DVD release. Wow! What a difference the new translation makes. It was like watching the movie for the first time!

Not only does the film tell the story of "The Last Samurai," but the film also represents the end of an era of epic films. The cast is uniformly great. Ogata Ken giving a standout performance. This film has such a great cast, there's no way that this film would be produced today. It would simply be too expensive to assemble all of these stars in one movie.

The DVD comes chock full of bonus materials. Short of an audio commentary, I would be hard pressed to list any bonus features that were left out.

A true classic of the genre that is given the...

A great buy for samurai fans
If your fond of Samurai movies this is great one to see. I was very impressed with the movie it has a great story based on some of the history of Japan. The movie keeps a good pace with the action (the sword play is great) and the actors do a great job and there is even a little bit of humor throw in there. A great buy and definitely should be added to any ones collection.

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Personal Ethics: And the Future of the World



Ethics Effects
Finding a video about ethics that can be used in most classes has been very difficult. After 2 years of searching I found Personal Ethics and the Future of the World. It gets across the necessity of ethics in a broad sense while showing the real significance of a single personal choice. Don't expect to see Meg Ryan; she is just the voice making a strong argument for ethics in our world, in our time.

Great tool for helping people make better choices.
narrated by Meg Ryan, this helped my kids to understand ethics and values and why they matter. It shows real documentary examples of how choices can have long-lasting effects not only on your personal world, but on the whole world. Gets viewers thinking about making responsible choices.

Personal Ethics: It's up to you
Ok film. Out of date information for a product that was dated 5/2012. Wasn't very impressed with it. Somewhat appropriate for a teenage audience.

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Child Sexual Abuse: TRUE Stories



Very moving
This is a film that tells the true story of a woman who survived sexual abuse for years, and it helped me heal. I know that it is hard to find films that really help, but this one did.

Healing from sexual abuse.
I gave this to a friend who was sexually abused as a child. It helped her. Apparently it has helped many to overcome their suffering. I recommend it.

somewhat disappointed
somehow it left me wanting more. it really did not give me the answers i expected. it opened the door for discussion and maybe that's what it was meant to do

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Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Year Seven



S7 = Heaven
Couldn't wait for the DVDs, so got a legal download. I will order these DVDs as well to add to my 1-6 collection. S7, what can I say? Some may disagree, but I'm really into it. On a shallow note, I find Goren compellingly attractive when he's suffering from personal demons which even affect his appearance and the way he performs the job. And suffer he does.

The key 'Goren/Eames' character development episodes are Amends, Untethered, Purgatory and Frame. I have watched them umpteen times, and never find them less than mesmerizing. Seriously, has there been another actor as committed and original as him on network TV? In between those dramatic ones are some more great episodes (Smile, Kissinger, Depths, the magic tricks in 'Vanishing Act'). Even the less-than-stellar ones still have many scenes worth watching. It is heartbreaking indeed to watch the post-Purgatory tension between the partners. I love watching Erbe/Eames in S7.

As for the Logan episodes, we get a...

Criminal Intent's First USA Season
I first started watching Law & Order Criminal Intent in the spring of 2007 when USA use to have nightly mini-marathons of CI and SVU. The series first aired on NBC on September 30, 2001 until May 21, 2007, when it moved to its sister network USA in the fall of 2007 until it finally ended its run on June 26, 2011. NBCUniversal have been extremely slow about releasing Law & Order: CI's ten year run to DVD. Luckily for us fans, Shout! Factory bought the DVD rights, releasing season 7 exactly one year to the date that the series ended.

Just like the previous few seasons, every other episode is split between the detective combo of Goren/Eames and Logan/Wheeler. Actually, Megan Wheeler (played by Julianne Nicholson, who was on maternity leave) is missing for half the season as the character went to Europe to teach a course on American Police Procedure. During this time, Mike Logan (played by Chris Noth) teams up with Detective Nola Falaccia (played by Alicia Witt).

The...

Fellucci was great.....
I hated to see Logan's dry toast partner return.
I hated to see Fellucci leave. She added some pep
and some attitude to the Logan episodes.
This series could have gone more seasons if they
had kept Fellucci and if Logan had not been
replaced with Goldblum in season 8.
Actually Goldblum and Fellucci would have been
a good partnership.

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Agatha Christie's Poirot: Series 5 [Blu-ray]



If you don't already own, or want this upgraded image, Poirot is 6 star.
REMASTERED set 5 is 8 Poirots. Belgian with `little gray cell' out-sleuths `The Yard.' David Suchet made Poirot famous. Philip Jackson plays Chief Inspector Japp in last 5 episodes. Hastings (Hugh Fraser) Poirot's right-hand is available for all but one episode. Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran) in 6 episodes. Agatha Christie stories always fantastic, but Suchet makes the film adaptations soar to new heights. Humor, scenic bliss, and costume lust rival the script writing. Poirot stories began a 1920s era. Trivially noteworthy, the fictional character was granted a 1975 NYTimes front page obit.

Odd that some are yet trying to sell (one reviewer promote) the older set, not remastered, for more $, up to $1000. New Series 5 is a value to new buyers or those who want the crisper image, Blu-ray level target. My vote's with newer, better, & America (even though it is Brit TV).

SUBTITLE option available for all episodes. Aired first in 1993. 407 min. and now in the original UK...

Classic collection gets the HD- re-master from the original camera films.
Series 5 returns to the one-hour format basing the stories on the Poirot Short Stories.

These had been previously released in various Poirot Collections using the old 1993 film to video transfers in standard definition. Now ITV has gone back to the original camera films to do new Hi-Definition transfers, making the series look fresh and new.

The eight great one hour episodes here are:

34 5-01 17/January/93 "THE ADVENTURES OF THE EGYPTIAN TOMB"
35 5-02 24/January/93 "THE UNDERDOG"
36 5-03 31/January/93 "THE YELLOW IRIS"
37 5-04 07/February/93 "THE CASE OF THE MISSING WILL"
38 5-05 14/February/93 "THE ADVENTURES OF THE ITALIAN NOBLEMAN"
39 5-06 21/February/93 "THE CHOCOLATE BOX"
40 5-07 28/February/93 "DEAD MAN'S MIRROR
41 5-08 07/March/93 "JEWEL ROBBERY AT THE GRAND METROPOLITAN"

While these may have been filmed in 16mm, going back to the original camera 16mm film elements to create...

Poirot on blu ray
If you haven't seen this series on blu ray, then you haven't seen the series. These transfers are first rate and put any previous dvd and/or video release to shame.

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The Grip Fighting Workshop Volume One DVD



Basic Grip Fighting/ Georgi's Audio Is Hard to Understand
Good price for some basic grip fighting information if you're unfamiliar with grip fighting tatics. There are some things I have'nt seen before, but nothing earth shattering. I couldn't understand what Georgi was saying half the time. I don't know if it was his accent, or poor audio quality. If you know nothing about grip fighting it is a good value. If you have the extra money you might want to get Jimmy Pedro's DVD. I wouldn't go crazy and say get Rhadi's product it's way too expensive. It goes further, but it's not worth the extra dough and it didn't cover grips I prefer (around the back) much at all.

Good grip fighting instructional | Well priced
Great instruction, very good pricing (approx $25). There are very few grip fighting write-ups and some are priced outrageously. If you have a reasonable amount of grappling experience, you become very well aware that most of the benefit from instruction is attained visually. Therefore, if you can get over a bit of the difficulty of hearing the instruction from a professor/coach with a Russian accent -- you're all set. I am in the U.S. and figured this is worth addressing in case anybody has reservations about possible difficulty understanding given accents, etc.

The instruction was very good, easy to understand and practical. Will buy next editions.



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Enemy Alien



Powerful Documentary. Must watch
Emotionally evocative and morally profound, Enemy Alien depicts the at times, depressing, but always courageous plight of Farouk Abdel-Muhti on his quest for freedom. Director Konrad Aderer eloquently weaves together Farouk's history, the efforts of his son, and the post-9/11 US immigration policy narrative to provide context for Farouk's story. Aderer takes a highly ambitious and complex topic and condenses it into 80 minutes of a truly high-level documentary. Enemy Alien is a must-watch film for anyone interested in the post-9/11 challenges of Arab-Americans, the overreaching nature of the increasingly large US federal government, and a basic humanitarian cause...or if you just want to watch an excellent documentary.

enemy alien
Must see documentary for anyone interested in US history, immigration, and homeland security policies. Very informative and engaging film which shows the parallels between the Japanese interned during WWII and the Arabs, Muslims, and Southeast Asians detained after 9/11. Riveting account of plight of Palestinian activist Farouk Abdel-Muhti.

Telling it as it was and it continues
I saw this film a year ago and it was such a disappointing look of what our U.S. government can do to people it just suspects or who just speak against U.S. policy. I have actually seen FBI agents take these type of actions against dedicated U.S. employees, treating them as guilty conspirators but after 5 long years drop the case after huge expense of the employees (for lawyers) and its personal affects on the employee and their families. They can run people into the ground, and also indirectly kill them with impunity. This is an awesome documentary and should be on your "must see" list to understand how certain segments of the U.S. government operates.

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Playing the LSAT: The Fox Test Prep Guide to the Logic Games, Volume 1



You'll feel a lot more confident
Currently taking Nathan's course and I thought I check out the DVD. Simply put, the dvd is an investment. A great one at that.

Nathan goes through the games section with a realistic, blunt approach and emphasizes that to his students and viewers. Realistic in the sense that you're dealing with actual LSAT test questions (not made up stuff like some test prep companies currently have out for sale. Blunt in that to go about mastering the games you will need to rigorously practice them and that while it takes time, you will master the section if you slow down and conquer the first two games. You can't be a great runner if you don't learn to jog right?

Trust me, with the approaches Nathan goes about the games within this DVD, you'll definitely enjoy the games section like I have so far, struggle and all. The positive mindset and practice has improved my scores in not only my section of games, but Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension as well. A well appreciated...

Don't be intimidated...just watch the dvd
Nathan's no-nonsense approach is perfect if you want to improve your score on the games. He's not cocky in his approach--there are no secret tricks to unlock the games. But he's confident, and it will begin to wear off on you by the time you are done going through this mini-course. Even if you are doing relatively well on the games, this DVD is a great overview of techniques. I always thought of myself as pretty good at the games--if I got lucky I would get a perfect score. Now I know that I had a lot of room for improvement. I can't believe some of the inferences I was overlooking! This is a great buy whether you or new to the games, or looking to improve your efficiency and confidence.

AMAZING!
To be honest this is how Nathan's teaching worked for me. I tried on my own and struggled tremendously, then I watched Nathan explain it, and I couldn't understand why I was struggling in the first place. He makes everything seem like a piece of cake! I know that anyone who takes the time to study his materials, this video and the books, will better understand the LSAT as well as improve their overall score. He doesn't have a magic approach, or this video doesn't sell secrets, instead it shows you how someone else solves a game. It's that simple, and honestly it's worth every penny.

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