Treasures III: Social Issues in American Film, 1900-1934 (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)The films included are listed in the product description but not described. I do that here with information taken from the brochure about the DVD set:
Disc 1 - THE CITY REFORMED
The Black Hand (1906, 11 minutes) - Earliest surviving gangster film. Two members of a gang write a threatening letter to a butcher, demanding money, or else they will harm his family and his shop.
How They Rob Men in Chicago (1900, 25 seconds) - An elderly man is robbed in Chicago, but some money is left behind on his unconscious person. A policeman happens by, takes the money, and leaves the victim unattended.
The Voice of the Violin (1909, 16 minutes) - A terrorist plot foiled by the power of music.
The Usurer's Grip (1912, 15 minutes) - Melodrama arguing for consumer credit co-operatives.
From the Submerged (1912, 11 minutes) - Drama about homelessness and slumming parties.
Hope - A Red Cross Seal Story (1912, 14 minutes) - A town mobilizes to fight TB.
The Cost of Carelessness (1913, 13 minutes) - Traffic safety film for Brooklyn children.
Lights and Shadows in a City of a Million (1920, 7 minutes) - Charitable plea for the Detroit community fund.
Six Million Children are Not in School (1922, 7 minutes) - Newsreel inspired by census data.
The Soul of Youth (1920, 80 minutes) - William Desmond Taylor's feature about an orphan reclaimed for society through the court of Judge Ben Lindsey.
A Call for Help from Sing Sing (1934, 3 minutes) - Warden Lawes speaks out for wayward teens.
Disc 2 - NEW WOMEN
Kansas Saloon Smashers (1901, 1 minute) - Carrie Nation swings her axe.
Why Mr. Nation Wants a Divorce (1902, 2 minutes) - Role reversal temperance spoof.
Trial Marriages (1907, 12 minutes) - Male fantasy inspired by a reformer's proposal. A man tries marriage to several women and finally gives up on matrimony entirely.
Manhattan Trade School for Girls (1911, 16 minutes) - Training impoverished girls for better jobs.
The Strong Arm Squad of the Future (1912, 1 minute) - Suffragette cartoon.
A Lively Affair (1912, 7 minutes) - Comedy with women playing poker and child-caring men. The moral is that this is what to expect if women get the vote.
A Suffragette in Spite of Himself (1912, 8 minutes) - Boys' prank results in an unwitting crusader.
On To Washington (1913, 80 sec.) - News coverage of the historic suffragette march.
The Hazards of Helen, Episode 13 (1915, 13 minutes) - Helen thwarts some robbers and overcomes workplace problems.
Where are my Children (1916, 65 minutes) - This is Lois Weber's film against abortion that brings in the issue of birth control as well, which will be confusing to modern audiences. Tyrone Power's father stars in this one.
The Courage of the Commonplace (1913, 13 minutes) - A young farm woman dreams of a better life.
Poor Mrs Jones (1926, 45 minutes) - Why women should stay on the farm.
Offers Herself as a Bride (1931, 2 minutes) - A woman comes up with a way to survive the depression.
Disc 3 - TOIL AND TYRANNY
Uncle Sam and the Bolshevik (1919, 40 sec.) - Anti-union cartoon from Ford Motor Company.
The Crime of Carelessness (1912, 14 minutes) - Business version of the Triangle Factory fire.
Who Pays Episode 12 (1915, 35 minutes) - Lumberyard strike brings deadly consequences.
Labor's Reward (1925, 13 minutes) - Surviving reel showing the American Federation of Labor's argument for buying union.
Listen to Some Words of Wisdom (1930, 2 minutes) - Why personal thrift feeds the Depression.
The Godless Girl (1928, 128 minutes) - De Mille's sensational film about girls' reformatories and his last silent picture.
Disc 4 - AMERICANS IN THE MAKING
Emigrants Landing on Ellis Island (1903, 2 minutes) - Actual footage of the event.
An American in the Making (1913, 15 minutes) - U.S. Steel film promoting immigration and industrial safety.
Ramona (1910, 16 minutes) - Helen Hunt Jackson's classic about racial conflict in California as told by D.W. Griffith. Stars Mary Pickford.
Redskin (1929, 82 minutes) - Racial tolerance epic shot in two-strip Technicolor. Richard Dix plays Wing Foot, son of a Navajo chief who suffers heartache and prejudice before the film's happy ending with Wing Foot bringing peace between the Navajo and Pueblo peoples.
United Snakes of America (1917, 80 sec) - World War I cartoon assails homefront dissenters.
Uncle Sam donates for Liberty Loans (1919, 75 sec.) - Very odd patriotic cartoon.
100% American (1918, 14 minutes) - Mary Pickford buys war bonds and supports the troops.
Bud's Recruit (1918, 26 minutes) - Brothers serve their country in King Vidor's earliest surviving film.
The Reawakening (1919, 10 minutes) - Documentary about helping disabled veterans build new lives after the war.
Eight Prohibition Newsreels (1922-23, 13 minutes) - footage on raids along with various opinions about the effectiveness of Prohibition.

This set has quite a bit of a history lesson on film with several feature length films and shorts that are entertaining as well as informative on important social issues early in the twentieth century.

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See the movies that changed America! Prohibition, abortion, unions, atheism, the vote for women, organized crime, loan sharking, juvenile justice, homelessness, police corruption, immigration -- in their first decades, movies brought an astonishing range of issues to the screen. Whether exposing abuse or lampooning reform, films put a human face on social problems and connected with audiences in a new way. Movies were entertainment with the power to persuade. This third groundbreaking set in the Treasures from American Archives series presents over 48 films never before seen on video.Over 12 hours of rare cartoons, newsreel stories, serial episodes, advocacy films, and features. Preserved by the George Eastman House, the Library of Congress, the Museum of Modern Art, the National Archives, and the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Commentary by 20 experts, Digitally mastered from the finest archival sources, Newly recorded music in two-track stereo More than 600 interactive screens about the films and music, 200-page illustrated book with film notes and credits, Postcards from the films Films include: The Black Hand, How They Rob Men in Chicago, The Voice of the Violin, The Usurer's Grip, From the Submerged, Hope-A Red Cross Seal Story, The Cost of Carelessness, LIghts and Shadows in a City of a Million, The Soul of Youth, A Call for Help from Sing Sing!, 6 Million American Children Are Not in School, Kansas Saloon Smashers, Why Mr. Nation Wants a Divorce, Trial Marriages, Manhattan Trade School for Girls, The Strong Arm Squad of the Future, A Lively Affair, A Suffragette in Spite of Himself, On to Washington, The Hazards of Helen, Where Are My Children?, The Courage of the Commonplace, Poor Mrs. Jones!, The Crime of Carelessness, Listen to Some Words of Wisdom, Cecil B. DeMille's The Godless Girl, Emigrants Landing at Ellis Island, An American in the Making, Ramonda, Redskin, The United Snakes of America, 100% American, Bud's Recruit, The Reawakening and more! The acclaimed Treasures series has earned raves and awards for the past seven years including the National Society of Film Critics' Film Heritage Award and the VSDA's Best in Show Non-Theatrical Award.

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Smallville: The Complete Fifth Season (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been a fan of "Smallville" from the beginning, and was very happy both as a viewer and a fan at how this season turned out. In direct opposition to season four's disastrous story arch involving Isobel and the Teague family attempting to manipulate Lana, this one takes a much more serious (and yet enjoyable) path through Clark's choices and their ultimate consequences. It also shifts the love interest from Clark and Lana to Lex and Lana, something they have been hinting at four seasons and only now have the courage to bring out.
Lex Luthor and Jonathan Kent do battle to become state senator, Lionel Luthor switches sides (again), Clark consummates his love for Lana and then is forced to give her up, Chloe starts working for the Daily Planet, one of the leading cast members is killed off, and it winds up in the most explosive, dramatic, and powerful season finale of the series.
It's rare that I have enjoyed almost every episode in a season, but there is some solid stuff here -- "Lexmas" is a heart-ripping "what if" featuring Lex's alternate life if he is to choose the path of good, with a sadistic twist in the second half to make Stephen King take a step back; "Tomb" is a fantastically fun ghost story in which Allison Mack plays an alternate Chloe; "Reckoning" brings two consecutive deaths and a painful funereal; "Mercy" revolves around the charisma between Martha and Lionel when a manic madman forces them to make their way through his house of horrors; and five or so episodes revolve around the steadily building seduction of Lana Lang. Tom Welling also makes his directorial debut (and a marvelous one at that) in "Fragile," an ironic twist of fate since it contains a super-hot first kiss between Lana and Lex at the end.
I am a little disappointed that there aren't more features (one would have thought at least "Reckoning" and "Fragile" would get a commentary, and no blooper reel is unfortunate, since many of the actors have mentioned the various pranks and oops! on set) but will be delighted to own this season. I look forward with great anticipation the possibilities the next will bring.

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An astonishing season of destiny! Clark Kent now carries a full load of classes at Central Kansas U., but that's not all he carries. He carries the full weight of his - perhaps the world's - destiny. "We call this season Superman in Training," series co-creator Alfred Gough says. "Clark is going to accept his destiny." During this exciting pivotal season: The Fortress of Solitude rises. A spaceship mystery unfolds. A dark tragedy - one even Clark's powers can't prevent - strikes. These and more key elements of Superman lore fall into place.

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Yu-Gi-Oh - The Complete First Season (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)As you might have gleaned from other reviews on this page, there are in fact two completely different products that present the first season of Yu-Gi-Oh:
1) Yu-Gi-Oh: The Complete First Season (henceforth called TCFS)
2) Yu-Gi-Oh: The Perfect Collection (henceforth called TPC)
What's the difference? Well, several things.
1) TCFS is listed on Amazon, TPC is not.
2) TPC is the original, uncut episodes, dubbed by a foreign distributor. TCFS is an edited set, put out by 4Kids Entertainment in the US, with some violence and language removed, and also has different voices than TPC's dub. You can see several reviews here complaining about the scenes cut out in TCFS. The reason why this was done is that TCFS is a Kid's version, TPC is the original adult version.
3) Most importantly, TCFS, for one reason or another, retails for about $40 more than TPC.
Now, most people would normally love to have uncut episodes of a show over cut ones. And if the uncut episodes are less expensive, it should be a no-brainer. UNLESS you're buying it for a Kid. If you're buying for a kid, you may want, and be willing to pay more for an edited version. And in any case, the kid is going to want the version that has the voices that he's heard on TV. He's not going to get why everybody sounds different.
Whichever version you want, these are the facts. There *are* two different versions, they are not quite the same, and their prices are very different. And this is where the potential for abuse comes in.
(...)
If you should see an ad like that, and be thinking about buying, check the fine print first, and look to see if it contains the words "International Version". If it has those words, then the seller is going to substitute TPC for TCFS, (despite the fact that TCFS is the product being listed), and try to claim that they're really the same thing (despite having different titles).What is a fantastic price for TCFS is not all that great a price for TPC. You could do better elsewhere. But be that as it may, just be aware, that if you place such an order for TCFS, TPC is what you're going to get. If that's what you wanted, fine. But if you deliberately ordered the Kid's version because you WANTED the kid's version, be aware that you're not going to get it, despite what it says on your receipt.


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Yugi and his friends Joey Tristan and Tea can\'t get enough of Duel Monsters a new card game craze. Employing a variety of strange and fascinating creatures the game draws players into battles beyond the wildest imagination. When Yugi\'s grandfather gives him an ancient Egyptian puzzle he uncovers the secret that will forever change his life and his status in the game!System Requirements: Running Time 1100 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre:CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating:NR UPC:704400055256 Manufacturer No:FN-05525

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Astro Boy Collection Box Set (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)Way to go!!100,000 horse power!!!Here comes the amazing ASTRO BOY!!The orginal ASTRO BOY!! The BEST ASTRO BOY!!
After being terribly disapointed for the previous 2003 released of the new Astro boy, I was surprised to find out this new released of the orginal 1980 series to become a must-have for all those astro fans. This is the real Astro boy, Tetsuwan Atom!!
Above all the best treat from this set was: IT CONTAINS THE ORGINAL SOUNDTRACK!! not only in English, but in JAPANESE also!!!! Not only dose it contain it, and also the sound quality was amazingly well-preserved!! Even though on the cover it says 51 half hour episodes in English. I fell deeply soul-stirring while listening to the orginal theme song, of which was the one song that was never left out from my childhood memory!! The picture quality was excellent too. Followed by the artworks, performances, and the outstanding script all created by Osamu Tezuka himself, have all made this collection to be priceless!! This boxset also contains an exquisite booklet, and with all other special features I have not yet seen, including the delected scenes from the orginal show, story board sequence, Character profiles and the gallery of the orginal manga cover.
When the enthusiastic scientist Doctor Tenma lost his only son Toby in a car crash, the ingenious robot engineer was determined to construct a boy robot in a hope to make up the lost of his only son, only to find out that the robot he created could never replace what he lost. Overcame by despair Astro left Tenma on a cruised, and was later on kidnaped by a evil manager of a robot circus, thus begins our excting adventures of Astro Boy!! In these adventures we discovered the everlasting strugles about human natures, industrial evolutions, environmental crisis and many other things.
Osamu Tezuka is the god of manga. In his life he created over 400 comic books, 60 different titles of animation. Astro was 1 of the earilest charcter he created. His masterpieces also include Jungle Emperor( the orginal Lion King ), Black Jack, Fire-bird the phoenix, Princess knight, Buddha, History of birdman, Ahundred tales, Metropilos and many other amazing creations. He said that the idear through his works is just a simple message, love all creatures, love everything that has life.
If only Osamu Tezuka was still alive today, he will be happy to witness his Astro Boy has been passed on to the younger generations. This DVD collection is a must-have for all people. Highly recomended for all ages, you will be surprised how much you are gonna enjoy this masterpiece!!


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ASTRO BOY:COLLECTION BOX SET - DVD Movie

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Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series (with Collectible Cylon) (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought all of the seasons separately as they first came out, and I highly recommend watching the entire television series through to the end. The five stars are for the series, NOT for the atrocious marketing.
While looking for the last piece of the series (see the end of the review), I came across some great deals (in terms of price), but was dismayed to see just how confusing things have become on Amazon. This review below is meant to help you wade through the mess in the marketplace, purchase the series, and enjoy it. I originally posted it for the combined Seasons 4.0 and 4.5 set, but someone kindly suggested I post it elsewhere as well. I hope you find it helpful.
DVD CONFUSION
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The show is incredible. However, the whole DVD thing has been a disaster. They released it in the worst way possible (see below), Amazon compounded the problem by lumping together reviews for DIFFERENT PRODUCTS, and the DVD manufacturers seem to be changing the contents of some products. I cannot imagine how someone who is not deeply familiar with it is supposed to purchase this wonderful show. Certainly, they would hesitate to give it as a gift! Let's hope this solves your problem.
In one sentence, I can say that here is what you want to get: Seasons 1, 2.0, 2.5, 3, 4.0, 4.5, and The Plan. I have links to them below. If you get these, then you will be sure to have it all.
========================================
-Season One was released as (Battlestar Galactica - Season One) altogether with the pilot in one box.
-Season Two was released as Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0 (Episodes 1-10) and Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (Episodes 11-20) in two boxes. You can now purchase them together as Battlestar Galactica (2004): Seasons 2.0 & 2.5
-Season Three was released together in one box as Battlestar Galactica - Season Three.
-Season Four was released as Battlestar Galactica - Season 4.0 and Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.5 with the Razor episode. Those are now available together as Battlestar Galactica (2004): Season 4.0 & 4.5. Occasionally I come across things like "Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.5 - Limited Edition Gift Set (2009)." It seems like a lot of money for one part of the full season, but you get some dog tags with it, so if you are into collecting memorabilia, you might want to consider it.
-The Plan was released on its own as Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
========================================OPTIONS FOR PURCHASING THEM ALL TOGETHER: BAD TO GOOD
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-Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series (with COLLECTIBLE CYLON). Not recommended. I do not own this, but according to the reviews, it is packaged poorly WITHOUT AN EPISODE LIST. That seems like a horrible idea for four seasons of a tv show. Apparently, it contains the same DVDs as the ones sold separately (explained above).
-Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series (the one in the GRAY BOX). Recommended. I do not own this. Good reviews of it so far. Packaging problems were fixed.
-Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series (with COLLECTIBLE CYLON) [BLU-RAY] or the gray box [BLU-RAY] set. Recommended. I do not own this. Seems to include some extras, but not significant. It also has an episode list, according to the reviews. It might be worth buying if you wanted to get everything together.
BOTTOM LINE:
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As far as I can tell from the reviews, I think there are two choices:
(1) Buy either Blu-Ray set or the DVD set in the gray box.
(2) Purchase everything separately (make sure to get all of the stuff mentioned above).
NOTE:
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-The "Face of the Enemy" webisodes (episodes shown only online) have not been made available for purchase in any of the sets as far as I can tell. What a shame!
-Also, if anyone sees any mistakes in this review, please tell me and I will edit it. Frustratingly, the manufacturers seem to be changing the contents of some sets, so it is possible that my information has become outdated.

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Now you can relive every action-packed moment of the epic story that Entertainment Weekly proclaims "Riveting"! Rejoin the fight to save the human race as a small but determined fleet quests for the fabled planet Earth while being hunted by their nemesis, the robot cylons. Presented uninterrupted, experience the phenomenon from beginning to end!

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NFL America's Game Super Bowl I-XL (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)I love a good work of fiction but sometimes reality can be very entertaining. This series is well-made and so intense and passionate that it brought me to tears more than one time. Every episode is a unique road to the superbowl by the team who won it and told by 3 important actors of the team. The 1985 conquest of the Bears for example is told by Mike Ditka, Mike Singletary and Jim McMahon. The stories that leads to the big game are fascinating, touching and often surprising. I love the series so much that I was comtemplating buying the first DVDs on the market which focus on one particular team and all the superbowls they won. But now, I was happy to see that they compile everything in one package. The packaging is very well made, the 40 DVDs being separated in 4 eras (66-75)(76-85)(86-95)and (96-05), 10 discs by DVD. Also, an interesting 88 page book with every conquest by every team. On the DVDs you have also a bunch of interviews that we couldn't see on the NFL network. If you love the NFL this is a great work by NFL films and Steve Sabol and a great piece of history to possess. The only thing missing is the Colts Superbowl last year but the documentary is about the first 40 Superbowl so we can't have everything unfortunately.

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There is no bigger or more anticipated game in all of sports than the Super Bowl. Now Warner Home Video (WHV), the National Football League (NFL) and NFL Films are teaming up to give football fans everywhere an extensively researched and crafted 40-disc set that delves into each team that has won the NFL s biggest game.From dynasties to one-shot wonders, from the undefeated to the unexpected, America s Game tells the stories behind the story of all 40 Super Bowl champions. Each episode is a 60-minute documentary featuring key members of the winning team telling behind-the-scenes accounts from their championship season. With classic NFL Films action combined with news clips and photos, highlights from team radio broadcasts, footage from inside team meeting rooms, sideline audio and other exclusive features, America s Game provides an epic and intimate portrait of 40 distinct championship teams, in one groundbreaking series.This was the first NFL Films feature to be screened at the Tribeca Film Festival. The DVD also includes a special edition booklet that offers collectors a valuable insight into the four decades of Super Bowl history, including action photos, history, stats and shots of the famous Super Bowl rings.Narrated by A-list celebrities including Alec Baldwin, Gene Hackman, Laurence Fishburne, Ed Harris, Martin Sheen and Bruce Willis this DVD is sure to impress any football fan. Features: Collectible Booklet covering each team in each season Interviews with: Jerome Bettis, Tom Brady, Joe Namath, John Elway, Brett Favre, Lawrence Taylor, John Madden, Bill Belichick, Bill Walsh, Franco Harris, Dick Vermeil, Joe Gibbs, Mike Ditka, Bill Parcells, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Bill Cowher, Jerry Rice, Warren Sapp, Roger Staubach, Don Shula, Bart Starr, Ronnie Lott, Joe Theismann, Howie Long, Marcus Allen, Jim McMahon, Phil Simms, Michael Irvin, Jimmy Johnson, Steve Young, Mike Holmgren, Shannon Sharpe, Kurt Warner, Bubba Smith, Larry Csonka, Mean Joe Greene, Lynn Swann, Tony Dorsett, Mike Singletary, Desmond Howard, Charlie Weis and over 75 other superstars.

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Child Star - The Shirley Temple Story (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)When this movie was first played on TV, I was so excited because I have been a major Shirley fan since I was 9(I'm now 21) but when I was watched I was highly dissapointed. The story is supposed to be based on Shirley Temple Black's autobiography "Child Star" and I only saw a handful of items that were actually taken from the book, the rest of it was just fluff. Plus they didn't go past Shirley's early teens when the book covers up until after she marries her second husband. They seemed to only want to focus on the happy aspects of Shirley's life but she and her family were not always so happy go lucky. Ashley Orr is horrific at playing Shirley-first of all she's too old to play 5,6,7 and even 8 year old Shirley and she was too sticky sweet, I know Shirley was too but not that sweet. I would have actually given this movie 0 stars if I had the option, it was horrible. So if you want to know the real story find her book "Child Star" and if you want to see the real Shirley work her magic on the screen go find any of her movies and stay away from this one.
"Bright eyes" , "Heidi" , and "Poor Little Rich Girl" are good movies to start off with.

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The Thirsty Traveler: Season 1 (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Food Network's Kevin Brauch has every guy's dream job - travel to foreign countries just to try their beer. In the first installment of the series, Brauch wings it to Scotland to track down some whisky, travels to Ireland in search of stout, tries a bunch of beer in Belgium, and visits France to try their Champagne. Each visit includes a lesson on the local culture, the traditions associated with the native alcoholic beverage and, best of all, a wine or beer or whisky and food pairing with local cuisine. Highly recommended, the perfect video to enjoy over drinks on a quiet Friday night.

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Smallville: The Complete Sixth Season (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)*Possible spoilers within.*
"Smallville" fans continue to perplex me. It seems that the majority of "Smallville" fans consider what I and those with whom I watch the series have deemed the weakest seasons of the show to be the show's best years. Similarly, while I found the show's sixth season to be its best since Season One, most fans have ranked it among the series' worst. I'm not putting down those who think differently from me, but I have thoroughly evaluated each season and I cannot imagine what these viewers are seeing that I am not. There are those who are now dreading the next season and the season which may follow (creators Al Gough and Miles Millar have said that the show will run no longer than eight seasons). After Season Six, however, I am eagerly awaiting more of a show that has, after years of stumbling through piles and piles of mediocrity, finally reached its potential.
In Season Five, Clark Kent found himself without his most beloved "guiding light" when his father died. The feelings of loneliness grew as his relationship with Lex Luthor crumbled, rebuilt as a bitter rivalry, and Clark was forced to push the love of his life, Lana Lang, away. To make matters worse, Lana took refuge in Lex's open arms. By the end of the season, Clark had learned to deal with his grief and had a better sense of who he was, but he still had a long way to go before becoming the Man of Steel. In Season Six, Clark's destiny grows a lot nearer. Season Six revolves around Clark's discovery of who he is through two major storylines: 1) the tormented relationship between he and Lana Lang (which should have ended seasons ago and has now reached the point of absurdity), as well as Lana's potentially strong affections for Lex, and 2) Lex Luthor's rapid loss of morality and Clark's realization that he alone can stop him. There is a third major storyline as well, dealing with a number of alien ghosts which escape from the Phantom Zone in the season premiere; Clark must round them up before they wreak too much havoc.
There are a number of subplots too. The largest and most popular involves Oliver Queen, played by Justin Hartley, who was cast in the title role of "Smallville"'s failed spinoff "Aquaman." Queen is a young, attractive businessman who arrives in Metropolis with a dark secret: he is the Green Arrow (one of DC's most popular heroes), a hooded rogue who protects those who need protection. He is also a sort of Robin Hood - which is bad news for Clark, whose mother is now a full-fledged, popular politician. Queen also has a checkered past with Lex Luthor, which makes for one of the season's more interesting subplots. Others include Chloe's relationship with spunky young photographer Jimmy Olsen (played by Aaron Ashmore, whom I personally find extremely irking) and Lois Lane's beginnings in journalism.
I had a number of complaints about Season Five, and even a few seasons before that. The writing was foolish and predictable and the dialog was just trash. The acting was lackluster. The directing was virtually non-existent. The music was frankly turgid. The sixth season, however, corrects all of that. The writing is, for the most part, excellent. The season's story arcs were intricate and interesting, and more importantly, each individual episode was a blast, well-written and suspenseful. Thankfully, the writers finally focused a lot less on meteor freaks (in fact, they hardly crop up at all!) and a lot more on other foes, in this case the "Zoners" (those who have escaped from the Phantom Zone). The dialog picked up a lot as well, and felt a whole more natural and realistic than it did in previous seasons.
The acting improved as well. Tom Welling's Clark seemed rather oafish in the previous season, but in this season, he is Clark Kent once more: strong, brave, and noble. John Glover is as delectable as ever, and Michael Rosenbaum gets a much-deserved dose of unflinching evil. Erica Durance begins to show promise as Clark's future love - for example, "Crimson," a fan favorite episode in which Clark is exposed to red kryptonite after a kiss from Lois, who herself has been drugged with a love potion. Allison Mack is especially fun, and the writers have mercifully saved us from most of her godawful one-liners. Even Kristen Kreuk, whose character I couldn't stand in previous seasons, improves slightly.
The show picks up some wonderful style from its directors, something it was completely devoid of in Seasons Four and Five. A great example of this is "Wither," which features some stunning visuals. I don't know what happened to Mark Snow, but his music went from cringeworthy and stale to downright fantastic. His score is hip, creative, cool, and grandiose, exactly what it should be. I really enjoyed hearing the music in each episode - even when Snow's theme for the Green Arrow is a painfully obvious rehash of Danny Elfman's theme for Tim Burton's "Batman" movies.
As far as the episodes go, this season holds a variety of standouts. The season premiere, "Zod," is great. It's not as epic as the fifth season premiere, but it's very cool anyway. Though I still find the producers' failure to cast an actor as Zod downright despicable, Rosenbaum plays his possession of Lex very well. Hearing Rosenbaum deliver "Superman II"'s classic "Kneel before Zod!" is really a delight, and the splitting resemblance between the disembodied Zod and Terence Stamp in "Superman II" is sure to please fans of the films. "Sneeze" introduces a new power for Clark: super breath. "Justice" is a very fun episode and has been called the best episode of the series by many. I don't agree in that aspect, but it is very neat to see all the show's past superheroes gathered together. The inevitable "It's All In Your Head" episode comes in the form of "Labyrinth," surprisingly a very enjoyable episode (in a twisted sort of way). "Freak" puts forth the revelation that Chloe herself has some sort of meteor power and has become a meteor freak after being exposed to so much kryptonite. That's an interesting and tense episode. "Promise" is a painful, dramatic episode, but its successor, the super-violent "Fight Club"-inspired "Combat," is a real blast. It's probably one of the show's weaker episodes, but it's also one of its most fun. Personally, I loved it: seeing Clark dress up in leather and kick the s--- out a jacked-up wrestler, seeing Lois in tight red leather - grand fun to be sure.
"Nemesis" is one of the series' strongest episodes, in which Clark and Lex are trapped in an underground tunnel and forced to deal with their issues which each other. Kudos to the writers for thinking this one up. The dramatic confrontation between Welling and Rosenbaum, Clark and Lex, good and evil, is just superb. "Noir," unfortunately, is not. What seemed like a brilliant idea - play the show as though it were a film noir in the 1940s - is interesting, but little more than that, and the final product falls flat on its face. As always, the season goes out with a bang, a lot of them, with "Phantom," which leaves one character on his way to jail, three characters possibly dead, one superpower revealed, and introduces a character I have long awaited but thought I would never seen on "Smallville." It also featured a much-advertised "death" of a major character. I would like little more than to see that character actually be killed, but the fact that she's not is ridiculously clear.
At its finish, the sixth season of "Smallville" is a wonderful surprise. It's quite possibly the best season since the show's outstanding first, and it's the first season to truly reach its potential since the series' early years. I have no idea what happened between the end of Season Five and the premiere of Season Six, but everything that was so wrong with the show was drastically improved. Season Six is quality, comic-bookish, fun television, and although the second half of the season is rather lopsided ("Progeny," which features a guest appearance by Lynda Carter, is arguably the most dull episode of the entire show), it's a spectacular season. Clark has yet to fly, and the show hadn't really flown since the beginning of Season Three, but with Season Six "Smallville" soars as it, like its young hero, seemed destined to from the start.

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Two and a Half Men: The Complete 1st and 2nd Seasons (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is undoubtedly one of the best sit coms of all time. Sheen's comedic timing is amazing. Cryer hits the mark all the time and Jones is the funniest child ever!
Get this series. You won't be sorry!

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McLeod's Daughters - Season 4 (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have to say I was a bit dissapointed with season 4. This doesn't mean I didn't watch or enjoy it, but the show really is not the same without you know who.
Like a good book you can hardly put down, I couldn't wait to find 39 minutes to fit in an episode of McLeod's Daughters from Seasons 1-3. (My mother loaned me all three seasons at once, talking about starting an addiction and feeding it at the same time!!!) Anyway, I got through the first three seasons at a ridiculous pace.
Then came season 4. It started off kind of wierd (after the ending of season 3, you know...). But...I did enjoy it. However, with season four I was not obsessing over when I'd be able to fit in the next episode in, or having an eight episode marathon Saturday. It just wasn't that captivating.
One thing that is odd, Drover's run just doesn't seem to be on the financial brink at all times in season 4. There used to be talk of bills, or payments, or sales, or contracts on practically every episode of seasons 1-3, all of a sudden in Season 4 financial problems are mentioned only once in a blue moon.
I have pre ordered season 5, and will probably order every season and watch till season 8. However, there was no way i could give this 5 stars, after giving seasons 1-3 5 stars. It is still a great show, and we've got nothing like it on American tv, but it's not as good as before.


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The Australian outback adventure continues with 32 memorable episodes that see the women of Drovers Run band together following Claire’s unexpected death. Passions flare as Dave returns and tries to win back Tess from Nick. Meanwhile, Meg’s sister Kate arrives, allowing them a second chance to repair their damaged relationship. Season Four culminates with a shocking revelation that will change their lives forever.

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The O.C.: The Complete Seasons 1-2 (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)Being a fan of the show I have a bias toward everything about it, but still watching each episode with the option of commentary for some episodes, it was great to hear what the creator of the show had to say about the episode as it went through. Hearing about the background that they used for a scene, or why they did this and that; it was a different view of some of the best episodes from both season 1 & 2. Even wo/ the commentary, each episode was great in it's own individual way. Quality wise, it was awesome. I watched every one on my computer, because my TV in college does not have DVD, and still the quality was just unbelieveble. Even the boxes, and the packaging of the DVD's blew me away. It's not too late to jump on "The OC" yet, and if you're a true fan of the show like me you should not even think twice about getting the first 2 seasons if ya haven't already!

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Ghost Hunters: Season 3, Part 1 (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)Unlike the other "Paranormal" shows out there, I still find TAPS to be the most credible of them all. The investigation at The Birdcage in Tombstone was awesome, and the USS Lexington episode was fantastic. But, to me, the investigation that involved the Manson Murders, and the tortured sounds of those EVPs really shook me, I have to admit.
That one stuck with me, and I would have to say that was the most gut and heart-wrenching of any episode of Ghost Hunters I've seen.
I write horror, and I don't shake easily, but remembering how beautiful Sharon Tate was and hearing those EVPs really got to me.
That has to be one of their best investigations yet.
EDIT:
When this review was written, the product information was not yet up. As the Manson episode was the last episode of Part One of Season Three, I assumed it would be on Part One of Season Three's DVD set. Apparently it is not.
But, Tombstone, The Stanley, and Nightmare Noises are, and they are definitely worth checking out.
GH has come to my town for Eastern State Penitentiary, I wish they would come back and do Fort Mifflin (a supposedly VERY active fort that was used in the Revolutionary War where hundreds died battling the British Navy as they pushed their way up the Delaware giving Washington time to regroup at Valley Forge, and later became a prison during the Civil War).

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Jason, Grant, and the TAPS crew are back for a third season of chills and suspense as they look to uncover the reality behind seemingly haunted locations around the world!After their thorough investigations, even skeptics will have to think twice!Now, you can join the real life "ghostbusters" as they search for the truth and uncover the truly bizarre. Season 3 – Part 1 includes the first 10 episodes of the most watched season of the Ghost Hunters series like they have never been seen before with extended scenes and bonus footage that did not air on TV!
Join TAPS as they investigate legendary Western locations such as the OK Corral, The Copper Queen Hotel, and the famous ghost town of Tombstone, Arizona.Follow the team as they look to uncover what’s behind spine-tingling occurrences at the West Virginia Penitentiary.Is there really the spirit of a little girl trapped inside the Johnson family house in Vermont? Plus, for the first time ever, TAPS heads to Ireland to investigate four of the country’s most supernatural locations, Leap and Lisheen Castles, the Viaduct Tavern, and the Hellfire Caves.Plus many more investigations and a look back at some of the best moments from previous investigations of The Stanley Hotel made famous by Stephen King’s "The Shining."

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ER: The Complete Eighth Season (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm quite surprised by some of the other reviews I have read for this 8th season of ER. I found it to be refreshing and surprising. We received a very well-rounded view of many characters we had come to know, both inside and outside of the hospital. I very much enjoyed the story lines that took place on both levels. Between Dr. Benton and his family situation, Abby and her neighbor troubles, and the deteriorating home life on Doctors Greene and Corday, the hospital wasn't the only place with action. One character that really stands out in this season is Dr. Weaver. She begins the season angry and vengeful, but suddenly heroic on a dark and stormy night inside a crashed ambulance. And it's on that night where we see her take a true turn, finally towards love, and we find her emerging onto a more personable level. And while every season has been like that to a point with its characters, I thought season 8 really shined with this balance. Not only that, but we also got to see sides of doctors that we had never really been aware of before. Season 8 showed us that Dr. Chen actually knew how to stand up for herself. It showed us that Dr. Carter had successfully overcome his demons and was ready to step up as a true leader, admist family problems of his own. And perhaps most surprising of all was the softer side of the loud and proud Dr. Romano, who not only quietly counseled Dr. Corday as she dealt with the news that Dr. Greene's tumor had returned, but he also showed an emotional moment during surgery as he referred to Greene's death.
I'd go as far as to say the majority of the episodes during season 8 were remarkable, and I'm thrilled they are now available to us on DVD.

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Excitement. Suspense. Joy. Grief. All in a heartbeat. Twenty-two of the best, most compelling hours on television unfold in this powerful, series-changing Season 8 of ER. New hopefuls ? Army Reservist Michael Gallant and brash Gregory Pratt ? arrive to face the challenges of Trauma One life. A familiar face ? Dr. Susan Lewis ? returns. Benton weighs career and family. Malucci crosses the line once too often. Chen defies demotion. And Greene fights what could be his last battle, leaving a void at the group?s heart. His leadership may never be replaced. But someone must step into the breach. That someone is the doctor who?s now been in the ER the longest ? the former student who seemed to have the most to learn: Dr. John Carter.

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Battlestar Galactica: Season Two (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)I had no idea that this season of televisions most epicly grand series was on bluray. I gaped at how cheap it was and didn't hesitate from buying it at once. Day by day, I waited until my dreams had arrived on my doorstep, waiting to be unwraped. My longing claws dashed at it,hungrily uncovering what it was searching for....and there it was: Season 2 of battlestar Galactica on Blu-Ray!!!First off, the packaging. It comes in a box with an opening case inside, just like any other tv boxcase, with 5 dvds inside. What i like about it is that each disc doesnt have its own tab that you can flip through. Some tv boxcases have this and it just makes the case much more bulkier, hence taking up more room. How this boxcase is set up is each dvd is piled on top of the other but in a different position so as to allow the view of all 5 dvds. It opens up into three tabs, with an episode and disc guide behind the last two tabs.It is embelished with the faces of the main characters as the back ground for each tab, 2 per tab to be exact. As for the series itself, lets begin with how awesome this show is. It is, too date, , my favorite sci-fi series. It combines that very nature with harcore drama, something that is hard to pull off without sounding corny. The effects are phenominal, especially in episodes like "Resurrection Ship Part 2" where two balltestars have an all out brawl with the cylons in a beautifully choreographed action sequence, or " valley of Darkness" where...well i'd have to go into full spoilers but just know that even God himself would have gaped at the angelic creations that this episode evinces. As for the episodes themselves, words cannot express how masterfull they are, except for " Black Market" which was just horrible, totally unneccessary and not in tone with the series as a whole, but its just a small price one has to pay for 19 other awesome episodes. Season one did a great job establishing the tone for this dark epic series, and season 2 just builds onto that with some great performaces by the whole cast. It also delves into contraversial topics such as abortion which is dealt quiet well.Some standout episodes are "Pegasus" (The last 3 minutes will have you onm the edge of your seat!) and the season finale " Lay Down Your Burdens Part 2" which ends on a cliffhanger that will give everyone nerdgasms! Michele Forbs does a guest appearance on a couple of episodes and she is fantastic. She commands the screen with such authority and vigor that its as if she has been on the show for years.

Now, every review must have its criticism. First off, why wasn't the television special "Battlestar Galactica Razor" not including? It would make sense to have it in there because it is set in that time frame. I, being a huge geek, already have that dvd but for those new to the series will miss out on it. Moreover, the special features have much to be desired.Each disk has deleted scenes with commentaries. the last disc has some video blogs, more podcasts which are the commentaries, a quiz that tells you which character fits you best, and some other small insignificant stuff. Also, regular version of this boxset has the exact same features. Why couldn't there be a detailed behind the scenes at least, or some gag reel for that matter? The podcasts are insightful and all but you could download those of the website. The special features is definately the weakest part of the whole package, but that should not deter anyone from perchasing this immaculate series because its the content of the episodes that should instigate someone to buy this in the first place.All in all, besides that one horrid episode and weak special features, there isn't much I could ask for excpet the Blu-Ray version of season 3! Tangent aside, this remarkable series transcends all others with its visual style, performances, and intriguing characters. I highly recommend this remarkable work of art, so buy it now!

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As the epic second season begins, the fight to save humanity rages on.Relive all the intensity and excitement aboard the Galactica as the ongoing battle of President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) and Commander William Adama (Edward James Olmos) continues in their heart-pounding crusade to save humanity from the deadly robot Cylons – even as civil war looms within the fleet between their followers.Featuring an extended version of the cliffhanger episode \'Pegasus," and packed with special features, including deleted scenes, podcasts and Producer David Eick\'s video blog.It\'s an explosive thrill-ride you can\'t afford to miss!

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Mythbusters: Collection 2 (3pc) (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Mythbusters is a great show for everyone! The hosts, along with their team, crack myths and urban legends using science. This DVD Set is a great value for the money. 4 Discs for $20. I also found it was much cheaper than the Boxed versions sold on the discovery channel site which retailed for $50 each. The show is funny and you will learn from it whether you realize at the time or not. Great for kids, teenagers, and adults. I feel like it is a parallel to the fun science shows of my youth like "Bill Nye the Science Guy".

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Ever wonder if human teeth could stop a speeding bullet? You're about to find out! Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage are back to test a host of the most insane and dangerous myths ever dreamed of. No theory is safe from the scrutiny of the MythBusters, who take on the Hindenburg disaster, Tesla's Earthquake Machine, the Mentos mint-Diet Coke Internet myth and much, much more! From the wacky (can a hurricane blow the feathers off a chicken?) to the death-defying, Hyneman and Savage go where no reasonable people have gone before in separating the reality from the ridiculous! EPISODES: Helium Football: Field test helium-filled footballs to find out if they stay aloft higher and longer than regulation air-filled balls. Then face a firing line to discover the bullet-halting capability of human teeth. Bullets Fired Up: See if celebratory bullets shot into the air can kill when they return to Earth, and find out whether low-grade vodka can be transformed into a top-shelf spirit with an ordinary household water filter. Killer Whirlpool: Literature is filled with nautical tales of ships being sucked to deathly ocean depths by killer whirlpools, but could such a thing really happen? Then discover whether snowplows can blow a car off the road or if that?s just a snow job. Crimes and Myth-demeanors 2: Test the most high-tech home alarm systems on the market, including stripping down to birthday suits, getting sprayed with dry-ice and donning a Big Bird-like yellow rug to evade burglary detection. Deadly Straw: Test burning barnyard myths like whether a hurricane can blow the feathers of a chicken.Earthquake Machine: Take on Nikolai Tesla, one of the greatest scientists and inventor of all time. Unbelievably coming up with a working prototype of Tesla's Earthquake Machine, the pair put a California bridge to the test.Diet Coke and Mentos: Inspired by an Internet myth, the MythBusters pair various sodas and candies together until they create the most explosive cocktail possible. Then: Can putting a postage stamp on a helicopter's rotor blades send it into a tailspin? Anti-Gravity Device: Celebrate the magic of the holiday season by loading strings of hot lights on a Christmas tree to see how long it takes for the tree to burst into flames.Firearms Folklore: Test the likelihood that a criminal's bullet could hit and then jam the chamber of a policeman's revolver and whether a sniper could kill another by shooting straight down the enemy gun scope.Holiday Special: Yodel to an avalanche in this special episode, then exhaustively test for the best Christmas tree-water cocktail to keep the needles from falling off.Pirate Special: Test period swords, cannons, guns and the laundry-cleaning capabilities of grog.Hindenburg Mystery: It's generally accepted that the hydrogen keeping the Hindenburg afloat sparked the infamous inferno, but could other chemical reactions actually have caused the blaze?Underwater Car: The team willingly recreates many people's worst nightmare: being trapped in a car submerged in water after a crash.

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Discovery Essential Dinosaur Pack (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)
Finally, after waiting years for several shows to come out on DVD from Discovery Channel. Yes, we get these shows all on two DVDs! Including the very popular Dinosaur Planet. Here is a list is a shows that are one the two DVDs.
- Valley of the T-Rex
- When Dinosaurs Roamed America
- Utah's Dino Graveyard
- Dinosaur Planet (includes all 4 episodes!!!)
- The Mystery Dinosaur
- Dinosaurs: Return To Life
- T-Rex: New Science, New Beast
Trust me, this is a must have for anyone who loves dinosaurs and loves to learn about them and be entertained. Buy this set! It's worth the cost, which is pretty good. It's eight hours of pure entertainment!


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Now for the first time, all of Discovery's very best dinosaur programs in one two-disc set! From the complete Emmy Awardr-winning Dinosaur Planet to the groundbreaking discoveries of Valley of the T. Rex to the intriguing possibilities of Dinosaurs: Return to Life? and much, much more, the whole family will enjoy this thrilling collection!

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