The Adventure of English (2002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a concise yet thorough presentation of the beginning and changes to the English language. It is concise because no word spoken on the DVD set's 405 minutes is wasted. Every statement is packed with valuable and interesting information regarding changes, alterations, mutations, and eliminations to English vocabulary and phrases. It is thorough because it begins with language prior to English, searches data from all over the world, and ends back in England with the knowledge that spoken & written English will likely be around for a long time, but ever changing.
This is an educational product, but the presentation is filled with on-location footage from around the world, making it a richly beautiful, historical, and travelogue-like documentary experience. It is captivating as it continues, minute by minute, presenting common and seldom-used vocabulary, their meanings, and origins. Many surprises, more than countable, will enlighten any viewer.
Who'd-a-thought that "bulldozer" originally referred to the full-measure of a whipping which a bull could take, but was administered to American slaves, often causing death? A far cry from a piece of heavy equipment. "Dr. Johnson" at one point was a name given to a body part only identifiable as male. And, "nip" is a word yet to be included into a dictionary, or completely defined the way youth in the UK are using it.
2000 of today's common words were first used by Shakespeare and the Oxford Dictionary now holds approximately 3/4 of a million words. Shakespeare's longest word was "honorificabilitudinitatibus" meaning with honor. William Tyndale's 1526 Bible translation from the original Hebrew and Greek provided readership for English reading common worshipers. The American Revolution and aftermath included America taking charge of preserving English perfection and then elaborating and "vocabularizing" it into the vernacular.
Other countries added their own local colour of pronunciation and spelling to their English. Wars added more changes. Industry and trade influence yet additional. Even art and culture plays a part in the continuing change to the growing world use of the English language.
This DVD set's 8 fifty-minute episodes provide a delightful romp through peoples, places, history, time, books, rulers, and every and all aspect that can make an alteration to a word or phrase. What a FUN learning experience. Quite usable in classrooms, on research shelves of libraries, or home for the pleasure of expanding one's own mind.
My wife and I both rate this DVD set 5-stars. So that equals a Perfect-10. After viewing "The Adventure of English", boldness allows me to coin a pair of new descriptive words: tenstremendous bo-derek-ous. Many people around the world, common and genius, have initiated new English words since this language's beginning.
One phrase pulled from among hundreds, thanks to the provided closed captioning, was: "vicious abundance of phrase and volubility of tongue" which summarizes this 8-part production.
Entertaining beyond expectation.
Educational beyond comparison.
"So our English, I think you will agree,
Is the trickiest language you ever did see." Anon

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Adventure of English (2002)

ADVENTURE OF ENGLISH - DVD Movie

Get 52% OFF

Click here for more information about The Adventure of English (2002)

National Geographic - The Madness of Henry the VIII (2006) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a brilliant piece of documented work. The costumes and backgrounds were stunning. I've seen different movies depicting Henry, and (WHAT I've read) they never depict the real King that he was. Most movie versions of his life depict him as a a type of lovavle bulldog. As if he was nothing more then a grumpy uncle. That depiction resembles a half truth about Henry the 8th. In real life he was ruthless, a bully, and by the end of his life insane with power. This is a wonderful dvd. I don't know why it matters who was interviewed, like other reviewers have rambled on about. Whether from England or USA, both sides have had to pick a book up to learn their, and other nation's history. Who cares!
Personally, I've watched this dvd several times. This tops my favs. along with the History Channel's "The French Revolution" (both French and American historians were interviewed...hope no one finds out ;) )

Click Here to see more reviews about: National Geographic - The Madness of Henry the VIII (2006)

MADNESS OF HENRY THE VIII - DVD Movie

Get 12% OFF

Click here for more information about National Geographic - The Madness of Henry the VIII (2006)

Edward II (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Mostly well-staged and well-acted version of Marlowe's Edward II sometimes hampered by technical limitations of 1969 studio recordings: color variations and ghosting not too bad, but unfortunately the sound boom operator often misses covering the actors--the variable sound quality isn't "drop out"--just the guy holding the pole not moving fast enough.
For some reason the "Three poor men" sequence with Gaveston is trimmed in the beginning (you'll note the bad cut a few minutes in)--yet the actors names appear in the credits.
A strange "Marlowe Coroner's Inquest" narrated by Patrick Stewart is an extra.
Performances mostly 5 & Technical aspects mostly 3 = 4 overall

Click Here to see more reviews about: Edward II (2009)

In Christopher Marlowe's historical play, King Edward summons back his l

Get 43% OFF

Click here for more information about Edward II (2009)

Horatio Hornblower - The Adventure Continues (2001) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The adventure continues with two movies -- "Mutiny" and "Retribution." In "Mutiny", 3rd Lt. Hornblower is in jail and being visited by Commodore Pellew (his former captain). Hornblower is accused of mutiny! The remainder of the movie takes place in the past with Horatio, 4th Lt. Kennedy, Styles, and Matthews now on board the HMS Renown (a 78-gun warship, much larger than his previous ship). Through the course of the episode, it becomes apparent that the ship's captain is losing his mental abilities causing the senior officers much concern. By the end of the episode, a very reluctant ship's doctor is forced to declare the captain unfit for command while the Renown comes under heavy fire from a Spanish fort.
"Retribution" starts with Commodore Pellew revealed to be one of three officers hearing the court martial proceedings. The episode is a series of flashbacks as various characters are question by the board. All of these flashbacks take place immediately after the incidents in "Mutiny." The senior officers of the Renown decided that if they are going to face a court martial anyway when the get back to port, they might as well do some good by taking the Spanish fort. This they do thanks to Hornblower's cleverness. But soon the English are forced to abandon the fort when they discover the Spanish have been under siege for months by an army of revolting slaves. The episode gets deeper with 1st Lt. Buckland, now in command of Renown, showing that he's not a very good commander. Hornblower has the respect of most of the men and Buckland becomes slightly jealous of this fact. By the time the Renown gets back to port, Hornblower has even managed to win the respect of a low-level officer (midshipman?) named Hobbs who'd been fiercely loyal to Captain Sawyer and who'd hated Hornblower for his part in removing the captain from command.
Ultimately both of these movies are about loyalty -- loyalty to one's captain, loyalty to one's shipmates, loyalty to one's country, and finally the loyalty that the crew have/come to have for 3rd Lt. Hornblower. Be warned, this is a tear-jerker!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Horatio Hornblower - The Adventure Continues (2001)

HORATIO HORNBLOWER:ADVENTURE CONTINUE - DVD Movie

Get 75% OFF

Click here for more information about Horatio Hornblower - The Adventure Continues (2001)