Mega Movers - Massive Bridges (History Channel) (2007) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)"Massive Bridges" tells the story of two large bridges given new lives after being moved to new locations. The first was in Iowa - a 130-year-old road bridge no longer able to carry the weight of today's vehicles. It was moved 56 miles to provide a new foot bridge in an Iowa park.
Army Chinook helicopters from the Iowa National Guard were used to accomplish this, with crews gaining the experience as part of another training mission. Ground crews had to hook up bridge sections to the hovering Chinooks while underneath in its "hurricane-wind" downdraft (about 140 mph). The Chinook's twin 4,900 h.p. motors strained to maximum power to move the largest single section of the three.
In Kansas City, an 1890 abandoned and rusty railroad bridge was to be moved to a new location, also to serve pedestrians. The 237' 1840-design bridge weighed 290,000 lbs. and had to be split in half, then transported on 48-wheel trailers. The railroad traffic was halted for six hours to allow the bridge to be placed onto the trailers and moved away. Moving through parts of the old downtown then required 100 electricians to take down and replace light fixtures and overhead wiring.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mega Movers - Massive Bridges (History Channel) (2007)

Bridges move people and cargo daily, but what happens when the bridge itself needs to be moved? In this episode, we see how two very different bridges are moved--using two very different methods. In Missouri, local bridge preservationists attempt to transport a 137-ton railroad bridge right through the heart of downtown Kansas City. And in Iowa, the National Guard rallies to save a 129-year-old bridge using one of the most modern mega-moving tools available: a Chinook Helicopter. Will our Mega Movers succeed in preserving these beloved bridges for future pedestrians to use?

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about Mega Movers - Massive Bridges (History Channel) (2007)

Foyle's War: Series 1 (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Perhaps it's my affection for England - a love that makes my wife roll her eyes - that causes me to have a higher regard for BBC and ITV small screen productions than those of America, which seem so crass in comparison. So many of the former seem uncommonly funny, intelligent, or both. FOYLE'S WAR is an uncommonly intelligent detective drama, a period piece set on England's south coast in 1940. And, to keep the record straight, my wife's dedication to this series is at least as pronounced as mine, if not more so.

Michael Kitchen is Detective Inspector Christopher Foyle, who's ordered to remain at his post as homicide investigator for Hastings and its environs; he'd much rather be doing his bit for King and Empire fighting the Nazis across the Channel. Indeed, his son is a flying officer with the RAF. The two other series regulars are Samantha "Sam" Stewart (Honeysuckle Weeks), the Women's Royal Army Corps enlistee assigned as his driver, and Paul Milner (Anthony Howell), Foyle's assistant inspector recently returned to home front duty after being wounded with the Army during the disastrous British invasion of Norway.

In Series One,the murders occur in contexts that include sexual harassment, anti-semitism, police brutality, local jingoism, sabotage, and conscientious objection - all set against a backdrop of Luftwaffe bombing raids and the fear of imminent amphibious invasion by the German Wehrmacht.

The character of Foyle - intelligent, perceptive, reserved, compassionate, wounded by his wife's recent death, worried for his son's safety - epitomizes the phrase "still waters run deep." The viewer embarks into each episode wondering what new layer of Foyle's persona will be revealed. (Not to give too much away, but I've just seen the first episode of Series Two, which gives evidence of an old and tragic love affair involving Foyle and a now-married gentlewoman.) And the evolution of the relationship between Foyle and the occasionally cheeky Sam is one of the major delights of the miniseries as the latter proves she's smart, intuitive, and potentially more useful than just a lowly chauffeur.

The various murders investigated by the trio are never straightforward, but involve clever plot twists and hidden motives, the solutions to which silently gestate in the Inspector's mind before being revealed at the end of the story, much like the Sherlock Holmes mysteries of old.

There are, of course, uneven moments to Series One which allow for only four stars. I trust, as the show matures, that it will only get better. The areas that need no improvement are the period costuming, props and sets, all of which are superbly done and a delight to an Anglophile.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Foyle's War: Series 1 (2003)

Click here for more information about Foyle's War: Series 1 (2003)

The Life of Mammals (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This four disc, ten-episode series is probably the best nature documentary ever produced in DVD format. In fact, Life of Mammals is reason alone to buy a DVD player if you don't have one.
Here are a few reasons why I think people should shell out the money for this set:
- David Attenborough's enthusiasm for his work. Watching him respectfully approach a poor-sighted anteater from downwind or barely able to contain his delight when floating a few meters away from a blue whale, Attenborough's love for the animal world is totally infectious.
- The images are of IMAX quality. This is one of the most visually stunning films I've ever seen.
- The soundtrack is top notch.
- The Buffalo versus the Lions. This brief segment is mentioned in the Amazon reviewer's description - it has all the emotion and energy of the Cavalry Charge in 'The Return of the King.' It literally brought tears to my eyes.
- Swimming Elephants. 'nuff said.
- Kids love it. These films will keep kids (even as young as 2) quiet and totally absorbed in ways that no Blue or Builder Bob video can approach.
- David keeps it light and entertaining. Each segment is short enough (40 minutes) and has plenty of amazing footage and humorous anecdotes so that it is nearly impossible to get bored of it all. Just don't watch more than one per day or you will spoil yourself.
I give this series the highest recommendation. Even if you are not a nature buff (and chances are you will be after seeing this), it is certainly worth bringing into your home.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Life of Mammals (2003)

In ten parts, the award-winning David Attenborough (2002 Emmy winner for The Blue Planet: Seas of Life; The Life of Birds) introduces us to the most diverse group of animals ever to live on Earth, from the smallest - the two-inch pygmy shrew, to the largest - the blue whale; from the slowest - the sloth, to the swiftest - the cheetah; from the least attractive - the naked mole rat, to the most irresistible - a human baby. The Life of Mammals is the story of 4,000 species that have outlived the dinosaurs and conquered the farthest places on earth. With bodies kept warm by thick coats of fur and their developing young protected and nourished within their bodies, they have managed to colonize every part of the globe, dry or wet, hot or cold. Their adaptations for finding food have also had a profound effect on the way they move, socialize, mate and breed.

Click here for more information about The Life of Mammals (2003)

The Human Face (2001) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Human Face is a fascinating but scattershot approach to the topic. John Cleese's approach is sure to delight his fans and annoy his detractors. He manages in his own unique way (while ripping Elizabeth Hurley's face off and shooting fellow Monty Python alum Michael Palin not once, but twice! Pythons always were excessive!) to convey many interesting and pertinent facts concerning the human face and our reactions to it.
Several sections were absolutely fascinating. The discussion on the evolution of the face claims that humankind's move toward an upright posture created an emphasis toward the eyes and visual stimuli and away from the nose and the sense of smell. Our profound reactions to facial expressivity are demonstrated in MRI brain scans that reveal activity deep in the amygdala as a reaction to faces showing fear although no conscious reaction was felt. Several curiosities reminiscent of "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" are explored, including a man who, following an automobile accident, wholeheartedly believed that his parents had been replaced by other people who looked exactly like them--he was able to recognize their physical appearance but had lost the emotional attachment that allowed him to recognize their relationship. Most heartening was a young woman with an exceptionally large jaw who had not only come to accept her looks but further to find her unique appearance a source of pride.
The series closes with an examination of fame, and here it seems to go astray--so much so that Cleese resorts to acts of gratuitous violence against Palin. The focus shifted rather unsettlingly away from the face to the idea of fame. The linking premise, of course, is that in the modern day it is our faces which make us famous (or not), while in the past it was our actions, and before the days of photography and portraiture particular faces were unknown. This departure is not enough to spoil an otherwise excellent and wildly quirky series, though.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Human Face (2001)

A four-part BBC series examining the science behind facial beauty expression and fame in lighthearted fashion.Running Time: 200 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre:DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC:794051157225

Click here for more information about The Human Face (2001)

Dusty Springfield: Live at the BBC (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Wow... how to put this into words...
When this arrived I threw it on just to quickly check the image quality, intending to watch it when I had some free time. Almost two hours later, unable to turn it off at any point, I'm compelled to sit at the keys for a quick review...
I've never bought into the label of Greatest British Female Vocalist as applied to Dusty. To me, quite clearly and beyond argument, she was and remains the Greatest Female Vocalist of All Time, period, and this superbly crafted DVD I think frames that conclusion in gold and hangs it so high on the wall that it can't be reached.
This is Dusty naked - no interviews interrupting old clips, no guest stars, no bogus sets, and every note is sung and played live. Just Dusty, three backup singers and a great orchestra offstage, and crazy, very receptive audiences.
Dusty is in great spirits, she's funny, clever, very playful, chatty and Dear God could this woman sing. From that breathy intimate voice that sounds like it's coming from the pillow next to you... to that rockin', belting, jazz drenched powerhouse voice that knocks every ball out of the park be it Motown or supper club standards... this girl could seemingly do anything.
Only the extras are in color - the central body of the disc is in glorious, crystal clear and razor sharp black and white, and she's never looked better. That hair, those eyes, that smile... she's simply stunning. Still photos never did her justice - Dusty was a beautiful woman.
Great camerawork thoughout, with tons of lingering closeups and a genuine understanding of what the slower songs are all about.
This leaves all the other Dusty DVD's far behind. It's the one you've been waiting for, it really is. If you're a serious Dusty fan, imagine what you'd want in a live disc... well, this is better. You'll laugh, a few songs may put a tear in your eye, but you'll mostly be reminded of what a gigantic talent this woman was. Sit in the dark and watch her sing "If You Go Away"... and you may find the earth stops turning for a couple of minutes.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dusty Springfield: Live at the BBC (2008)

LIVE AT THE BBC - DVD Movie

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about Dusty Springfield: Live at the BBC (2008)

Equator: Reefs of Riches (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Since I'm not going to be swimming near Indonesia any time soon, it was excellent to get a chance to see all the life in its coral reefs. You'll love all the colors. It's amazing how life comes in so many forms.
There are larger fish eating smaller ones here. There is one example of parasitism. However, most of it speaks about symbiotic relationships between species. Usually, hybrids are seen as infertile and bad. Here, they are spoken about as having potential. Unlike depressing environmental docs that focus on places like this disappearing, this work does not end on a sad note.
Sometimes the subtitles have typos. This is much like what you would see at a museum, just longer. Still, I enjoyed it and I imagine that bio classes and small children would like it too.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Equator: Reefs of Riches (2009)

The Indonesian archipelago in the Indo-Pacific Ocean comprises thousands of islands, atolls and the largest concentration of coral reefs in the world. This rich and varied environment is a product of a unique set of natural circumstances.
The equatorial sun powers ocean currents among the tiny dots of land. Where the archipelago meets the western tip of New Guinea an intersection of ocean currents creates perhaps the world s richest reefs in the region of the Rajah Ampat Islands.
A coral reef houses a myriad of colours, shapes and patterns: from the bulb tentacle anemone which protects, and in turn is protected by, the brightly coloured clownfish; to the multi-branched gorgonian, home of the tiny pygmy seahorses.
Coral animals have tiny symbiotic plants living within their tissues. Brought together by sunlight, it is one of the most powerful biological partnerships on earth. Young coral ingest free-swimming algae, but because of some ancient genetic signal, the algae are not eaten. Instead the coral wraps the tiny plants in membrane and moves them to tissues exposed to light. The algae are nourished and in response produce sugars that both they, and the coral, consume increasing the corals growth rate.
Coral is far from a passive inhabitant of the ocean and once a year many species combine for an event that is both spectacular and of scientific intrigue. A mass spawning, which usually occurs during a full moon, provides not only a breeding opportunity, but also inter-breeding between coral species. It is this ease and adaptability of hybridization that is leading scientists to re-examine the most basic elements of what comprises a species.

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about Equator: Reefs of Riches (2009)

The Amazon: River of the Sun (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I thought that the cover of this Equator dvd looked a litte childish, like made for kids, but since their is little film on the Amazon I bought it. Man am I glad I did. This program was exactly what I had been looking for. Very good picture quality, very good underwater footage. They focused on a wide variety of animals even some of the small but beautiful and interesting fish. Since then i've purchased the REEF OF RICHES dvd from the Equator series and also just as impressive.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Amazon: River of the Sun (2009)

Equator is an epic production - capturing every detail in High Definition - that takes viewers on a 40,000-kilometre odyssey chasing the sun to some of the most extreme and diverse locations on the planet. The equator is not only the line that divides the Earth in two - it's also a line of life and a powerful force of nature, where the pace of evolution quickens. The equator covers only five per cent of the Earth's surface, but is home to 50 per cent of its animal and plant species.The equator is a species factory. Equatorial animals live constantly in warm, humid surroundings. Life is good; they can breed all year round. But the downside of such abundance is that these creatures must compete and fight for survival with half of all the species on Earth. Equator explores exactly how and why animals and plants grow faster, bigger - and stranger - here than anywhere else.Just as humanity evolved under the glare of the equatorial sun on the East African savannah, it's no accident that many "hot spots" of biological significance occur along the equator. The equatorial sun is the most powerful source of energy on Earth - a force that reaches well beyond the equatorial band itself. As it beats down on the oceans, moist air rises on such a large scale that it generates the trade winds and great ocean currents that energize life on distant parts of the globe.Equator: "Rivers of the Sun"The mighty Amazon River is the lifeblood of the jungle. For half a year, freshwater fish flourish in floodwaters that rise among the trees and then, as the waters retreat, these fish face a six-month drought. The enduring Amazon is both a time capsule for ancient animals and a hothouse for the evolution of new species.

Get 32% OFF

Click here for more information about The Amazon: River of the Sun (2009)

Hyperspace (2002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This program shows that these two words can, and in fact must be related. Over 3 hours of space related knowledge divided into 6 shows focus on various space themes from the "SETI search program" to "What does a Black Hole look like" to "Will we ever colonize Mars?". Produced with state of the art computer images that enhance the presentation and make it fun, Hyperspace is deeply rooted in scientific knowledge, but doesn't leave out the always present "what if..." - as opposed to many other similar documentaries. Interviews with experts from all around the globe in the different fields covered in the programs make them reliable and informative. Sam Neill hosting takes the viewer by the hand and kindly places him/her inside the video. With his soft, convincing tone he could turn the yellow pages into poetry ;) This has to be the greatest documentary of this kind that I have ever seen. Once you sit down to watch it you will not want to stop. Hope they make another run of six! If you're into space exploration and knowing our universe, you can't let this one pass.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hyperspace (2002)

Studio: Warner Home VideoRelease Date: 05/24/2005Run time: 180 minutesRating: Nr

Get 47% OFF

Click here for more information about Hyperspace (2002)

Creature Comforts - The Complete First Season (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The premise of the original short, Creature Comforts, was to take interviews with ordinary people & transform them into comedic animal representations via the medium of claymation. Nick Park & his team developed this brilliantly funny concept through an entire 13 episode series.
This dvd is amazingly funny - even what may be perceived as the weaker episodes have their sparkling moments. If you're a fan of Wallace & Gromit or just a fan of funny animation, this dvd is for you. The format has no definite story line, but rather is a topical discussion - kind of like Dr. Doolittle meets Oprah. Addressing such questions as "Where do we come from?", "Are there aliens?" and "Cats vs. Dogs" - these installments will leave you in stitches. The animation is flawless, the interview editing superb. Just an overall delight.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Creature Comforts - The Complete First Season (2003)

CREATURE COMFORTS is a brilliant and hilarious clay animation series about the lives of animals as told by the animals themselves. Interviews with these lovable claymation creatures leave no stone unturned, no tree unclimbed, no sea uncrossed in the quest to discover what our fine-finned, furred and feathered friends really think about the issues that are closest to their hearts. It’s a "mockumentary" like none you’ve ever seen, and it could only come from Nick Park and the untamed minds at Aardman Animation.

Get 47% OFF

Click here for more information about Creature Comforts - The Complete First Season (2003)

Walking With Dinosaurs (2000) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I work for the Dinosaur Natural History Association in Brooks, Alberta. We support Dinosaur Provincial Park. Because of this I started receiving phone calls from the UK, from friends and family asking me if I had seen "Walking with Dinosaurs". Everyone was raving about it, however, I had at this time no idea what they were talking about. Luckily I was sent a copy for Christmas and what can I say. This is one of the most fascinating and incredible set of programs I have ever seen. My mouth was open in amazement most of the time! The animation was beyond belief. Basically "Walking with Dinosaurs" is 6 part series made in documentary fashion. The producers worked with palaeontologists and animators to take what we know about dinosaurs, with what we think we know to come up with six incredible programs of a documentary style that would make you believe you were actually walking with dinosaurs. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh in a way that you would expect to see on the Discovery Channel while watching a documentary on a pride of lions. My nine year old daughter watched this too and was totally caught up in it. Never have I watched such an amazing creation. The animation matches that of the dinosaurs in "Jurassic Park". The story lines are believable to the point that you get emotionally involved with the Iguanodon herd risking attack, or the Apatasaurus caught up in a forest fire trying to escape. You want the T-Rex to 'get it' after the way she treats her man! To top it off at the end of the series there is a 50 minute "Making of Walking with Dinosaurs" (at least there was on my copy, I hope you all get it on the DVD) Which leaves you with feelings of nothing but admiration for Tim Haines's team, who worked hard at their research and quest for fact, the conditions they had to create in their heads to film landscape with no dinosaurs, from the footprints they had to make in sand to trees swaying and splashing water... WATCH THIS! It is hysterically funny in parts and you will be amazed. If you watch no other movie or series in your life .... watch this one because you will feel totally fulfilled, amazed and be on the phone to your friends telling them about it. It is truly brilliant and you will want to watch it all over again immediately afterwards... I know I did!
Please feel free to email me

Click Here to see more reviews about: Walking With Dinosaurs (2000)

New Blood, Time of the Titans, Cruel Sea, Giant of the Skies, Spirits of the Ice Forest, Death of a Dynasty.Ride the ultimate time machine from the beginning of dinosaurs to their spectacular end! Using the latest in computer animation, this series puts you in the middle of Jurassic stampedes and T Rex battles, through 155 million years of pre-history.

Click here for more information about Walking With Dinosaurs (2000)

Little Britain USA (HBO series) (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After three UK series of this character comedy sketch show, plus a two part "overseas" special, this is the first series of the show set in the USA.
It is a mix of established characters, Americanised versions of UK characters, and entirely new characters. It continues to be very funny and very rude!
New hits are an ex astronaut living on his faded reputation, a foul mouthed schoolgirl and two over macho bodybuilders.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Little Britain USA (HBO series) (2008)

One of the most successful British comedies of all time is coming to America! Meet Matt Lucas and David Walliams, who are bringing their smash hit Little Britain stateside with the all-new HBO series Little Britain USA. The series will feature familiar Lucas/Walliams personas from their original show, as well as new characters created expressly for this series. In addition, Little Britain USA will feature guest appearances including Paul Rudd, Rosie O\'Donnell, Hayden Pantierre, and Sting.
DVD Features:Audio CommentaryDeleted ScenesDocumentaryGag ReelOther

Get 17% OFF

Click here for more information about Little Britain USA (HBO series) (2008)

Lorna Doone (2001) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Fortunately I was able to catch this originally when it ran on A&E and was so captivated I pre-ordered both the video and DVD. The video version differs only slightly from the DVD; the color is not as good. That's it. Overall it's a very good purchase at a reasonable price for such an excellent film.
Fans of A&E's lush romances like Pride & Prejudice, Victoria & Albert, and Emma will enjoy Lorna Doone. It's a blend of romance, adventure, mystery, and something of the sinister, with a Romeo & Julietish twist. The acting is stellar, particularly in the casting of Aidan Gillen as Carver Doone. He completely overpowers the screne whenever present and makes a loathable and yet empathetic villain. Richard Coyle is doubly good as the heroic John Ridd, and Amelia Warner proves she can play leads effortly as the spirited but puzzling Lorna.
It's a film my entire family enjoyed... there was enough romance for the girls, some action scenes for the guys, and enough lush English countryside and magnificent costuming for one and all. Rent it, buy it, borrow it -- see it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lorna Doone (2001)

A rollicking romantic adventure set in 17th century England.Thecountry is torn by civil war, and the countryside is ruled by the bloodthirsty Doonefamily.As a young boy, John Ridd sees his own father murdered by the Doones.Yearslater, he falls in love with a beautiful country girl, never suspecting that she is theannointed Queen of the Doones.Based on the novel by Richard Blackmore, LORNA DOONE is a classic tale of romanceand bravery, vengeance and villainy

Get 60% OFF

Click here for more information about Lorna Doone (2001)

Robin Hood: Season Two (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Robin and the gang are back, giving us a second season packed with action, intrigue, humor, and even more of those wonderful little character moments that made the first season such a joy. It is evident even from the first episode that the overall tone of the show is much darker this time around, as each our heroes must contend not only with the Sheriff's evildoings, but also with their own personal tragedies. This darker tone goes hand-in-hand with a bit more violence, though it is no more graphic than what was presented in the first season. This gives the show an intensity that had been missing before, and the opportunity to present some jaw-dropping action sequences (Robin vs the Black Knights is not to be missed!).
It was always the characters that made the show appealing to me, and on that score S2 delivers in spades. There are many lovely Robin/Marian moments, and some surprising new alliances (of friends and enemies) are formed as well. One of my favorite scenes of the entire series is a beautifully-written character exposition sequence in the episode "A Good Day To Die" where, in the classic death-at-sunrise scenario, each member of the gang spends their potentially last-night-on-earth revealing their inner secrets. It's an extremely emotional scene, and a powerful one, that brings up insecurities and issues that have been building since the very beginning of the series.
Of course, the series wouldn't be Robin Hood if there wasn't also plenty of fun to be had along the way. The Sheriff is still as hilarious as he is evil, and it's a blast watching Robin and Co. get the best of him time and again. Keith Allen does an especially great job with the Sherrif's gloating/crying in "Get Carter", an episode which also introduces one of the most enjoyable recurring characters to come to Nottingham in quite awhile.
Season 2 has more of a cohesive story arc than season one, and as such, there are plot twists galore (most notably the 2-part finale) that impact future episodes and draw on events of those past. I'd recommend staying spoiler-free until you've seen them. That being said, get a box of tissues handy and be prepared to pick your jaw up off the floor by the time you finish the last episode. It's a doozy.
Rumor has it, there will be a S3, although the BBC is a being a bit cagey as to the details. In the meantime, settle down with season two and enjoy the ride!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Robin Hood: Season Two (2008)

The contemporary retelling of the popular legend is back for a second series with more breathtaking archery, incredible swordplay, lots of humour, fun and energy, a smattering of brute force, and the raw determination to right wrongs. The Sheriff is in the final stages of a plot to kill King Richard upon his return from the Holy Land. The Sheriff also wants Robin Hood dead and with his devastating sister Davina, sets about catching him once and for all. It seems only a matter of time until Marian escapes to the forest and she and Robin can be together. Until that is, Gisborne turns up at Knighton Hall and razes it to the ground, seizing Marian and Edward and placing them under house arrest in the castle. Marian and Robin now separate for the good of England, Marian as the castle spy, and Robin leading his gang in the forest and villages of Nottingham...DVD Features:Audio CommentaryFeaturette

Get 61% OFF

Click here for more information about Robin Hood: Season Two (2008)

BBC History of World War II: Hiroshima (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am from Hiroshima. My father was 15 years old and was deployed as a student worker at a ship yard at the time. He does not talk much about his experience, but told me bits and pieces about what he saw. When I was an elementary school student, we had to watch the video footage of the victims that was extremely graphic. So nothing in this program was new to me, although it was very interesting to see how nuclear fusions started inside the bomb.
Having said that, I think this program is a good overview for people who are not familiar with the event. It talks about how the bomb was developed, the political circumstances, the US military mission, GIs who engaged in the mission, and of course, the effect on the people in Hiroshima. There is little criticism or political overtones in the way the program was made, although it is clear that there were terrible misunderstandings between Japanese and US leaders, and that a handful of Japanese extremists led the country into ruins.
I wish the program talked more about the way the atomic bomb affected people long after the event. There is one section that describes the "mistery illness" that plagued the survivers, but it did not talk about the deformed babies born to the mothers who were pregrant at the time, or the cancers that many of the survivers suffered later in their lives. The program also did not mention anything about the American POWs who were detained in Hiroshima at the time. They all perished along with thousands of people of Hiroshima. I am not sure how many Americans know this.
My father is fine. His family lived in the suburbs so none died because of the event although some of the family heirlooms had burn marks that were visible even decades later. My mother's grandparents, however, lived right by the T-shaped bridge that was used as a target so no remains were found. I remember my grandmother used to go to the annual memorial service every year. Although it was somewhat difficult for me to see the suffering of people reenacted in the program, the stupidity of the leaders, and the happiness and the joy that Americans were feeling after the bomb was dropped (not because I am bitter or critical of their actions, but because they really did not realize what was going on in Hiroshima and that they opened the door to a new era of nuclear threats), we need programs like this so we can learn from the history and remember that the war is savage, no matter what side you are on, and that the war should really be the last resort to resolve a conflict.

Click Here to see more reviews about: BBC History of World War II: Hiroshima (2005)

It was the defining moment of the 20th Century - the scientific, technological, military, and political gamble of the first atomic attack. This drama-documentary attempts to do what no other film has done before - to show what it is like to live through a nuclear explosion. Set in the three weeks from the test explosion in New Mexico to the dropping of the bomb, the action takes viewers into the room where the crucial political decisions are made; on board the Enola Gay; inside the bomb as it explodes; and on the streets of Hiroshima.

Get 43% OFF

Click here for more information about BBC History of World War II: Hiroshima (2005)

The Lost World (2002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you didn't see this wonderful Lost World minseries A&E did, buy the DVD or video. Or do like I did-buy it after having seen it on A&E. It was spectacular, by far the best film adaptation I have seen of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel. No, it doesn't stay true to the novel (face it, few films ever stay true to the novels they are based on), but the differences actually make the story enjoyable and interesting in its own right separate from the novel.
The changes from the novel include the following:
1) Professor Challenger-in the book, he is not at all a likeable character, and is not meant to be, but in the film, they made him more amenable, yet still kept much of his stubborness and self-righteousness. It was a good compromise for the purpose of viewer accetability of a main character.
2) Agnes Clooney-the female member of the team in the film was not in the novel, but is still a welcomed addition. She is a more liberated woman in some ways, but it isn't done over the top so she is beating up savages and shooting up things (she isn't Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, and that type of character wouldn't have fit in this story). Rather, Agnes as a character does fit a woman living in her circumstances in that time.
4) The Demented Reverend-He wasn't in the book either, but I actually think he wasn't a very good addition. I'm kind of sick and tired of this cliched evil missionary character who kills in the name of the lord. Its been done to death. Thought, admittedly, Peter Faulk played this character very well, and did instill in him more soul and complexity than most of these evil missionary stereotypical characters get in most films.
One thing I really liked about this film was how it was an action/adventure story, but it also made you think about what was going on in the story. It had some really good things to say about man's interaction with nature, and preservation of the environment against exploitation. Challenger, towards the end of the film, makes a comment about science often not being accessible to the public at large without it being dressed up a bit as entertainment. This is exactly what this film does in some ways. It presents and entertaining, engrossing adventure, but also presents interesting scientific thoughts about ecology. Just what can happen when man starts mucking about and disturbing the balance of nature?
And the answer to that question wasn't entirely clear in one circumstance. The dispute between Challenger's point of view versus Lord Roxton's view on what to do with the Ape Men in the film. They were both right and both wrong from my view. This really points to the difficult balance between how much we should interfere in nature and how much we should just leave things alone.
I recommend this film very highly to anyone who loves the original novel, or action/adventure stories in general. This film continues A&E's record of excellence in creating film adaptations of classic stories.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Lost World (2002)

Before Jurassic Park, there was THE LOST WORLD.At the turn of the century, an expedition led by the brilliant and combative ProfessorGeorge Challenger sets out from London.It is bound for the Amazon, where dinosaursare rumored to survive on a forgotten plateau deep in the jungle.The adventurers findthat the stories are true, but the thrill of discovery is quickly overshadowed by a desperatestruggle for survival.With special effects from the award-winning production team behind the acclaimedWalking with Dinosaurs, THE LOST WORLD brings Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic taleto life like never before.Bob Hoskins (Nixon, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?) stars asProfessor Challenger, and the exceptional supporting cast includes Peter Falk (Columbo)and Tom Ward (Quills).

Get 85% OFF

Click here for more information about The Lost World (2002)

Victoria & Albert (2001) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This new A&E production on the lives of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was simply told and well-acted.It does not oversentimentalize the relationship of the couple, and the major events of their lives are reenacted without much sensationalism.
Victoria Hamilton, who may well be one of the Queen's many namesakes, captures the petite size of Britain's longest reigning monarch, making her an endearing character in the eyes of the viewer, even though many of my own forebears suffered under her regime. Jonathan Firth's Albert is potrayed as a gentle, decent, thoughtful man, made to leave his homeland and struggle to find acceptance in an entirely different country. But in the scene where this devoted father of nine comforts hs wife during labor while nearby, his critics suggest that he should be at a men's club instead, we see that, by following the German tradition on dealing with childbirth, he is a man ahead of his time. One of the more delightful moments ofthe film is when, during their courtship, he and Victoria play a duet together on the piano. One of the saddest, is when the Christmas tree, a custom Albert introduced to England, arrives a few days before his death on December 14,1861. It was nice to see a grown-up
Kate Mayberly in films again. She plays the couple's second daughter, Alice, who followed her older sister into marriage in the German Nobility, became the mother of Russia's last Czarina, and died of diptheria at the age of 35.The relationships of the Queen and her cabinet members is touched upon, as is the relationship with her overbearing mother. Peter Ustinov has a certain strained charisma as the Queen's predecessor, who is still aware of his sister-in-law's antics despite ill health. Diana Rigg is understated and dignified as the young Queen's devoted Lady-in-Waiting. The whole cast did a fine job. This elegant miniseries brings the chief players of the Victorian Era down from the oil-painted canvases and resurrects them quite nicely.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Victoria & Albert (2001)

"Albert really is quite charming, and so extremely handsome… myheart is quite going!" --Queen VictoriaThe world remembers Queen Victoria as a staidand stately dowager in black. But when the teenaged "Drina" ascended to the throne, shewas a vibrant young woman of powerful emotions, which found their greatest outlet inher consuming love for her German-born husband, Prince Albert.VICTORIA ANDALBERT tells the true story of their remarkable union, a bond of passion, politics andpower that that helped restore dignity and respect to a monarchy long held in contempt.Victoria Hamilton (Mansfield Park, King Lear) and Jonathan Firth (Middlemarch, AnIdeal Husband) play the royal couple to perfection, and the exceptional supporting castincludes Diana Rigg, Jonathan Pryce, Nigel Hawthorne and Sir Peter Ustinov.A&E andthe BBC proudly present the compelling tale of the original Victorian romance-a loveaffair that changed the world.

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Victoria & Albert (2001)

Being Human: Series 1 (2pc) (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews). . . and best werewolf and best ghost show on TV. Mind you, I like TRUE BLOOD and have even come to see the upside to THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, but both of those are enjoyable diversions with no real subtext (TRUE BLOOD gestures at subtext with its parallels with prejudice against all kinds of difference, but in 2010 that is a pretty worked over subtext and lacks power at this point). But if you want more depth of subtext and a more subtle narrative and richer character development and, well, less garishness, than this is a show you should check out. Not yet available in the U.S. on DVD and Blu-ray (every time I have checked on Amazon I've only seen an outrageously overpriced $70 Blu-ray that never seems to be available -- though if you have an all regions DVD player, you can order an infinitely more affordable edition from Great Britain, which I strongly recommend, I repeat, only if you have an All-Regions player). There are only six episodes in Season One and eight in Seasons Two, so the idea of paying over $10 per episode is rather offensive. But you can either catch the show on BBC America or on Region 2 DVDs.
The series starts when two orderlies at a hospital at Bristol decide to room together. What makes this desirable for them is that they are supernatural creatures. Mitchell is a vampire. Not a terribly old one by vampire narrative standards (less than a century old). George is a werewolf and on three nights a week has a rather violent transformation into a truly nasty beastie (and thanks to CGI his transformations are truly horrendous). Both of them are trying to pass as normal humans, and for economic reasons and simply because they don't want to live alone, they decide to find an apartment together. By happy circumstance, the apartment they find and move into is inhabited by an outrageously sunny and upbeat ghost named Annie. Together, the three of them try to lives that are as normal as possible.
The trouble is, the rest of the world doesn't want them to live normal lives. The vampire community (why does there always seem to be a vampire community?) wants Mitchell to return to the fold. They especially don't want him living with a werewolf. And meanwhile, the afterlife wants Annie to move on, into the light, and away from her human life. So their struggles are unusually rich and complex.
What made BUFFY and ANGEL so vastly superior to TRUE BLOOD and MOONLIGHT and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and the TWILIGHT series (both novels and movies) was what they were able to do with the premises, with the metaphorical richness of the stories. TRUE BLOOD ends up being a glorious one-dimensional guilty pleasure show, all glorious surface with nothing beneath. BEING HUMAN is much more like BUFFY, with richly developed, deliciously articulated stories with timely cultural references. Mitchell's vampirism, for instance, is used less as a metaphor for homosexuality, as it is in TRUE BLOOD, but addiction and the difficulty of human self-control.
The show is driven by its appealing leads. Russell Tovey (George) will be perhaps best known from his appearance on DR. WHO and the movie THE HISTORY BOYS, but Lenora Crichlow (Annie) and Aidan Turner (Mitchell) are appealing newcomers. There are endless polls about who the hottest vampires are and if Mitchell were better known in the U.S. he'd almost certainly win them all. He is a spectacular incarnation of the really bad boy who wants to be good but for whom it is a constant struggle. George, meanwhile, is like the big silly family dog. There is meanwhile absolutely noting ghostly about Annie except that she can't be seen. She is dark complexioned, but if you had to assign a color to her personality, it would be yellow. Bright yellow. She is sunny and irrepressibly happy and upbeat. Any room she is in has no dark corners. In other words, the polar opposite of all of the stereotypes of ghosts.
SyFy has announced that they are developing an American version of BEING HUMAN. Hopefully they won't blow it. The BBC series is a great one. I am not opposed to an American version, as long as it is more like the American adaptations of THE OFFICE than other efforts. But even if it fails, it should be seen as a gesture towards the excellence of the original. But even if the American version turns out well, if you love extremely high quality shows dealing with the supernatural, you should definitely know the original. The only thing I hate about this show is that there have been only fourteen episodes to date.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Being Human: Series 1 (2pc) (2009)

BEING HUMAN is a bizarre, supernatural sitcom from the BBC that revolves around the concept of two young men-Mitchell and George--sharing a flat. While this seems like a tried and tested formula for television the twist is that Mitchell (Aidan Turner - THE TUDORS) is a vampire and George (Russell Tovey - LITTLE DORRIT, THE HISTORY BOYS) is a werewolf. Complicating matters further is pair's newfound home is haunted by the ghost of Annie (Lenora Crichlow - SUGAR RUSH).

Click here for more information about Being Human: Series 1 (2pc) (2009)