The Perfect Stranger (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)The plot is simple. A lawyer named Nikki played by Pamela Brumley gets a dinner invitation on the night her husband is going to a ball game with his friends. She believes that the invitation is really from her husband who feels bad about leaving her alone on a Friday night, so she accepts. When she arrives at the resteraunt she finds instead someone she has never seen before, a man, well dressed, who claims to be Jesus Christ. At first she thinks it's a joke and wants to leave, but hey, why give up a free meal? She goes along with his story that he is Jesus Christ and proceeds to ask him questions about everything she can think of from various religions to the creation of the universe. What follows is one of the most interesting conversations put on film.
Let me state that I am not a born again Christian, but when I first saw this film I was glued to the TV, it is a film that makes you think. It is a film that is entertaining, it is a film that is as interesting to those of you who are not religious as to those of you who are.
I dispute the running time of the movie as listed here. The film times in at about 1 hour and 8 minutes in length. The closing credits include interviews with the stars of the film and the director and clock in at about 17 minutes. For a film that is a little over an hour the price is not bad. There are extra's on the DVD, behind the scenes ect.
If you are still not sure if you should see this keep in mind that it is a little over an hour long. Chances are you've wasted your time being dissapointed with films clocking in at over 2 hours before. The choice is always yours, if you don't like it- return it. Or better yet, because of the price, give it to a friend. I'm sure you know someone out there who would want to see this.


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The movie version of the bestselling novel, "Dinner With a Perfect Stranger" by David Gregory. Capturing the book's wit, intimacy and desire to enlighten almost line for line, "THE PERFECT STRANGER" is a thought-provoking tale of one woman's journey through the realms of doubt and disbelief - with the most unforgettable man she would ever meet.

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Suicide Girls - The First Tour (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)"Suicide Girls" started out as just a website to display creator Missy Suicide's "erotic photography." This is a different category than "porn," but I guess at some point it's splitting hairs. If we can place this DVD on a continuum with the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue or Maxim on one end and "Barely Legal" or "Shaved Asian" on the other, I suppose it would be closer to the former. Of Course, considering most of the Suicide Girls come from the punk subculture, complete with the tattoos and piercings to prove it, that would have to add to the kink factor somewhat. Then again, compared to the "Girls Gone Wild" franchise, SG has a far lower perv factor; i.e. you can watch this without feeling all icky afterward. You may want to put on actual porn, though, so that can be a strike against SG, even though that's hardly their fault. Heck, the girls themselves seem to have a bit more going on in their heads than the "Gone Wild" variety. Actually, in the interview segments that pepper the main attraction of the disc, they have precious little to say to prove this, but they just seem smarter. I mean, they HAVE to be smarter, don't they?
As for what you actually get for your hard earned perv budget, the main thing is a 94 minute "documentary" of the girls as they embark on a cross-country tour of burlesque shows, usually in venues normally reserved for music. Within that are profiles of the various girls on the tour: a short "interview" gives way to a short example of their stage routine (pasties and duct tape are involved) gives way to a filmed photo shoot (this time without the pasties and duct tape, thankyouverymuch). There's plenty of music to accompany the segments, not all of it punk. A complete listing in teeny-tiny print can be found underneath the disc's back cover. But wait, there's more! You can also watch the movie without the interview segments, which cuts down on the running time considerably. An interview with Missy is the closest you'll get to actual information here, as she discusses what she was trying to do with the site, which was present "real" girls of all shapes, sizes and body modifications in a "sexy" manner. Mind you, by all sizes they seem to run the gamut from thin to really thin, though at least none of them seem to have much interest in implants, which works for me.
The rest of the disc has some mildly fun outtakes and a music video by Probot featuring some Suicide Girls which is much better with the mute button. I guess if Missy is serious about expanding the franchise, we can expect calendars, books and, one would guess, "Toys." There's already a CD of some of the girl's favorite goth tunes, so I guess the sky's the limit.
So while you can expect to have fun with this, don't expect your life to be changed or anything. On the down side, this disc may cause a serious medical condition with the scientific name of "Blue Balls." Fortunately, there are all sorts of web sites where this can be cured. Or so I'm told.

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Now comes SuicideGirls: First Tour, a DVD featuring the unique mix of punk and burlesque that made the SuicideGirls first national tour such a hit with audiences. Beyond the stage performances, this DVD follows the women along for an intimate behind-the-scenes look at life in the van, along with exclusive video fantasies conceived and performed by the touring company. The millions who have already discovered SuicideGirls will have to own their first appearance on DVD, while new fans will be curious to see what all the buzz is about.

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Kyle XY - The Complete First Season - Declassified (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)(Updated: May 22, 2007)
This is probarly ABC Family's best show yet, I do know for a fact that "Kyle XY" was a big hit for the channel, since I watched & followed it since it appeared on T.V. last summer. "Kyle XY" is about a mysterious guy that questions everything around him, as if he was a animal or a new born child. Even though he's very new to the world, he's already a adult, he also haves great gifts like jumping off tall buildings without getting hurt, playing Basketball better than a professional player does and swimming like dolphins. Kyle can also hear through walls & read people's lips from far away. That's just the beginning of the story, even though these things are impressive to the people around him including his adoptive family, nobody knows about his past, not even Kyle knows. After clues such as familiar people & symbols start popping up, his memory starts coming back. I'm not going to give to much away because I don't want to ruin it for people who haven't seen the show. I will say that "Kyle XY" answers questions while making more of them for the audience watching at home. It's a very interesting show, that grabs you in and doesn't let you go for a second and just when you think you know who Kyle is, a twist comes in and changes your mind.Disc 1:
1. Pilot.
2. Sleepless In Seattle.
3. The Lies That Bind.
4. Diving In.
Disc 2:
5. This Is Not A Test.
6. Blame It On The Rain.
7. Kyle Got Game.
8. Memoery Serves.
Disc 3:
9. Overheard.
10. Endgame.& (Special features)
1. Alternate "Pilot" episode.
2. Extended Season Finale.
3. Kyle XY Declassified - "Kyle XY" secrets are revealed in a immersive feature
that's also features exclusive scenes & interviews from season 2 of "Kyle XY".
4. Audio Commentaries - with Matt Dallas & writer Julie Plec on the "Pilot" & "Dive In" episode, April Matson on "Dive In" episode and some more people from behind the scenes on the "Pilot" episode.(Specifications for all three disc)
1. Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound.
2. Widescreen (1.78:1) - Enhanced for 16x9 televisions.
3. Spanish language track and subtitles.

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When a boy emerges from the forest with no recollection of who he is, a kind social worker takes him into her family and everyone wants to know: who is Kyle XY? As the Trager family works to help Kyle discover his world, they must also address the truths in their own lives as they struggle to adjust to the newest member of their family. "XY marks the hot spot" as TV's most compelling new family drama comes to DVD on KYLE XY: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON – DECLASSIFIED. This 3-disc set features each thrilling Season One episode as well as bonus features that reveal more than ever about the remarkable boy named Kyle. Only on DVD can you get declassified show secrets and an exclusive alternate season finale.

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Deliberate Intent (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)"Deliberate Intent" is a fascinating film based on the book by First Amendment scholar and law professor Ron Smolla, detailing the 1997 Paladin Enterprises, Inc. vs. Rice case. It concerns "Hit Man: A Technical Manual for Independent Contractors," a book that gave step by step instructions on how to murder, and the killing of 3 people in 1993 by someone who followed those instructions. It is one of the most intellectually challenging films I have seen in a long time, and is brilliantly constructed and acted to present both sides of the argument.
There was an unusual agreement between the author and the publisher. The author, who usually assumes liability for their work, was not only free of liability but also had their identity protected. This stemmed from the publisher wanting "Hit Man," which was originally conceived as a novel, to be written as a "users manual". The two sides of this case, whether this went beyond the rights of free speech, or was protected by the First Amendment, and how Smolla's mind was changed from one view to another, is the central focus of the film. It also details the murder of the 3 people, and how "Hit Man" played a part in it. Some people think the case "murdered the First Amendment" along with the victims, others think it went way beyond its boundaries.
The performances are low-key and superb. Timothy Hutton gives another solid performance as Smolla. Hutton is a vastly underrated actor that excels in portraying characters that are more mental than flamboyant, and the part of Smolla fits him like a velvet glove. Ron Rifkin is marvelous as Howard Siegel, the attorney who pesters Smolla into taking the case. Clark Johnson, who was Dt. Meldrick Lewis, my favorite actor/character on "Homicide: Life on the Street," is perfect as the hit man, James Perry, as is James McDaniel, as Lawrence Horn, the man who hires Perry to kill his family. On the defense side of the case, there is Bill McDonald as Peder Lund, publisher of Paladin Enterprises, and Cliff De Young as his defense attorney.
There are no weak links in this way above average TV film, making all of its 85 minutes riveting. This is a film I wished had been longer, as I was enjoying the thought-provoking premise of it so much. Written and directed by Andy Wolk, it also has a marvelous, atmospheric score by Harald Kloser. After you watch this film, you will never see a single shoe in the road (one of the "Hit Man" instructions) without remembering "Deliberate Intent."


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Six Feet Under - The Complete Fifth Season (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)WARNING: If you haven't watched Season 5 yet, be VERY CAREFUL - some of your fellow Amazonians have peppered their reviews with spoilers, such as the (otherwise excellent) review by Lawrance M. Bernabo. I will avoid spoilers here.
The 5th and final season of 6FU lets us spend 12 more hours with our friends Nate, David, Ruth, Claire, Brenda, and Keith. Season 5 includes more of the great drama, great acting, and dark, off-beat humor that 6FU fans love so much.
Season 5 begins where Season 4 left off: Nate and Brenda have decided to get married and have a baby. As any 6FU fan could guess, neither of these events will go smoothly, nor will the decision to marry make their relationship suddenly problem-free.
Keith and David want children and are exploring adoption as well as hiring a surrogate. One way or another, they will become successful in this endeavor, but will find that a child does not solve all their problems, but rather poses new challenges to each of them and their relationship with each other (just as in real life).
Toward the end of Season 4, Claire was starting to realize but not really accept that she might never be a great artist, and we saw her go down a spiral into depression and excessive drug use. In Season 5, she starts to get a grip. Having dropped out of art school, she gets a common office job through a temp agency, where she is totally out of her element - her coworkers vote Republican, use Splenda in their Mochaccinos, and hang out at chain restaurants like Chilis and Olive Garden. This storyline results in interesting experiences and personal growth for Claire, and maybe a new relationship with someone she never would have expected to fall in love with.
Ruth's storylines mainly involve George. You'll recall from Seasons 3 & 4, these two lovebirds rushed into marriage after a very brief but intense infatuation. Then Ruth soon found out all kinds of nasty surprises about George - his many ex-wives, his lousy relationship with his children, and most of all, his extreme mental health problems which put a huge strain on his and Ruth's fledgling marriage. In Season 5, Ruth and George go through more changes and eventually resolve the question of whether they will stay together.
Something BIG happens in the 8th or 9th episode, which sets up storylines and conflicts for the last 3 episodes. If you care about these characters, it will affect you.
The final episode resolves each main character's central issue or conflict. There is a final gathering at the dinner table and a memorial of sorts, and then the episode leaves you with a very bittersweet feeling as we say goodbye to each of our friends forever.
I do not believe Season 5 is the best season of this excellent show. I'm not sure that the writing is as consistently excellent as in past seasons. A few of the characters' plot arcs from previous seasons are recycled in Season 5. For example, how many times do we have to watch Billy go off his meds and become annoying and dangerous to the people who love him? Don't worry, I'm not giving anything away here - you'll see it coming a mile away. Other multi-episode story arcs bring old demons back to haunt Nate and David, when we'd thought they had dealt with and resolved these issues in previous seasons.
But these are relatively minor quibbles. Mostly, Season 5 is very, very good, and a fine finish to an outstanding series. After the last episode, you'll feel sad that this show is over, and you'll miss these characters.
Finally, I think the price is way too high for a mere 12 episodes. HBO is very greedy for charging so much. Other networks typically charge 40-50 bucks for a season with almost twice as many episodes. At the high prices HBO charges for shows like 6FU and Sopranos, many viewers will opt to rent from Netflix rather than buy, and greedy HBO ends up being worse off in the end.


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One of TV's most acclaimed drama series, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Six Feet Under, concludes its groundbreaking, five season run. Each of the main characters will come to embrace the cycle of life - birth, death, and re-birth - in ways that are both unique and interconnected. Everything. Everyone. Everywhere. Ends. DVD Features:Audio CommentaryEpisodic PreviewsEpisodic RecapsFeaturetteAudio Commentary:Six audio commentaries with the cast, crew, and creatorFeaturette:Six Feet Under: 2001-2005, two 30-minute retrospectives Life and Loss: The Impact of Six Feet Under, a featurette

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Fight Quest (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Ever since I was a kid I've always been fascinated by the martial arts. (thanks Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!) My parents enrolled me in Karate when I was in middle school and I've studied off and on for years. So needless to say I was drawn to this show when I caught an episode while channel surfing. The show follows two fighters(jimmy Smith and Doug Anderson) as they travel around the world and practice the native fighting style for five days. At the end of the five day training period they have a traditional sparing match with a advanced student of that art. The show takes them all over the world to places like India, Japan, Mexico and Brazil where they learn both hands and weapon based styles. Both Smith and Anderson are skilled in their own rights. Anderson was a army bodyguard and Smith has fought pro MMA so when they get the snot beat out of them(and they often do) it's a true testament to the effectiveness of the arts they are studying. The styles they study and places they travel to are as follows.
PHILIPPINES: KAILI- A weapons based fighting style involving lighting fast strikes with knives and sticks.The guys get some nasty lumps and bruises. Plus we get to see Anderson get baptized in chicken blood! That's right..chicken blood.
CHINA: KUNG FU- The guys hike deep into the mountains of China to learn the ancient art of Kung Fu. They receive both a physical and spiritual education and the episode really gets into the history of the art.
JAPAN: KYOKUSHIN KARATE- A very brutal style of Karate. The training leaves Anderson almost enable to compete and both guys get knocked out several times. Very fascinating episode
SOUTH KOREA: HAPKIDO- A style thay incorporates dazzling kicks and throws. The boys endure intense training and face true masters of the art.
FRANCE: SAVATE- A variation of Kickboxing that involves blazing fast footwork and devastating head kicks. Nether of the guys are good at kicks and it shows as they fight some of the top flight "Savatetors" in France. Their trainer is pretty mean(but funny) in this episode.
INDONESIA: PENCAK SILATE- A very strange style that has unorthodox strikes, throws and weapon techniques. The guys are put though some of the most brutal training yet(sprinting though waist high water, punching trees for minutes at a time, running up hills with someone on your back) Anderson injures himself while training and doubts if can compete.
MEXICO: BOXING- through out the show both Smith and Anderson display impressive striking skills but both look like amateurs when they spare against some of the best boxers in Mexico City. Not only that, they must train in a environment 10,000 feet above sea level.
BRAZIL: JIU-JITSU: The boys go to beautiful Rio(lucky!) where they are trained by the legendary Rickson Gracie(undefeated) in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a style that uses joint locks and leverage to defeat opponents. Anderson leans a valuable lesson when he is beaten by a girl that is much smaller than him. It's skill and discipline. Not size and strength that matter.
ISRAEL: KRAV MAGA- I've always heard of Krav Maga but I've never really seen it in action. After watching this episode I'm very impressed. Krav maga is a style that the Israeli army learns to disarm and kill their enemies as effectively and quickly as possible. using pure aggression, throws and nasty strikes, Krav Maga is one of, if not the deadliest style shown on the show.
USA: KAJUKENBO- the best thing I can compare this style to is a mix of MMA and just strait up street brawling. Anything goes in this episode and the guys must train by fighting up to 5 people at a time. Fight hard, Take out your enemy and live to tell the tale.
THAILAND: MUAY THAI- A type of kick boxing that allows knee and elbow strikes(In Muay Thai a punch is considered the weakest strike you can throw) Vastly popular in Tailand, Muay Thai is considered the national sport. The boys learn that is can be as poetic as it is deadly while they endure brutal training and an in depth education to the style's spiritual side.
INDIA: KALARIPPAYATTU- A sword and shield as well as a striking style, Many people believe that the ancient art of Kalaprppayattu is the architect of many eastern fighting styles. Definitely the most exotic style shown on the show, it was fascinating to watch it in action because it is rarely practiced outside of India. A shocking accident occurs with a sword in this episode.
HONG KONG: WING CHUNG- A style of Kung Fu that emphasizes speed and street brawling. The guys learn how to use fast strikes to defend themselves against multiple foes. It's really amazing to see how fast the masters strike and in turn, how difficult it is to strike them back. Smith gets head kicked off a boat in this episode. Pretty funny.
"Fight Quest" is very entertaining and there's a lot to learn by watching it. The season is 13 episodes that each run at 43 minutes so you get an in depth look into each style. Anderson and Smith are very humble and professional through out the show and provide excellent commentary during their training. They are in no way cocky meat heads that think they can beat everyone. If you're a martial arts fan or practitioner this show is for you. I was introduced to arts I've never heard of or seen and got a better understanding of the ones that I knew. "Fight Quest" is a thinking man's fight show.

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Travel the globe with American fighters Jimmy Smith and Doug Anderson as they struggle to learn new hand-to-hand combat disciplines from top masters and embrace traditional cultures in each riveting episode of FIGHT QUEST. Jimmy and Doug are given only five days to study the brutal art of stick-fighting in the Philippines (Kali), Israeli military Krav Maga defense techniques and so much more before facing off against local expert fighters in this action-packed, graphic journey to explore the deadliest martial arts on Earth.Episodes: Philippines - Kali China - Kung Fu Japan - Kyokushin karate Korea - Hapkido France - Savate Indonesia - Pencak-Silat Mexico - Mexico Boxing Brazil - Jiu-Jitsu Israel - Krav Maga USA- Kajukenbo Thailand - Muay Thai India - Kalarippayattu Hong Kong - Wing Chung

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30 Rock: Season One (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)Bizarrely, NBC debuted two new series in 2006-2007 that were behind-the-scenes looks at fictional TV shows that bore astonishing resemblences to SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. Aaron Sorkin's STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, the more highly touted of the two, did set its fictional SNL on the West Coast, but never really caught on with critics or with many fans and was eventually cancelled. On the other hand, 30 ROCK was an immediate hit with critics and gradually built more and more of a fan base. Though the ratings were never especially strong, NBC has perhaps the best track record of any current network for sticking with quality shows and attempting to nurture a fan base (on any other network both 30 ROCK and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS would have been cancelled well before the end of the season). Hopefully more fans will discover this superb show and its long term future will be assured.
While the Sorkin series had very tenuous SNL credentials, 30 ROCK's are iron clad. It was created and produced by SNL veteran Tina Fey, who along with Gilda Radner is possibly the most gifted female performer the show has produced. Lorne Michaels serves as a producer, Tracy Morgan is one of the major stars on the show, and a long line of SNL performers appear as guest stars on the show. Rachel Dratch has appeared in so many episodes (albeit as a number of different characters, from Liz Taylor to a Cat Wrangler) that she could almost be considered a regular. It wouldn't be quite correct to call this a SNL spin off, but it comes as close as possible to being that without actually being one.
The show started off as very funny from the very beginning, but it evidenced one of the marks of a good show: it got better and better as it went along. While the writing and the jokes are sharp from the very beginning, the use of the characters got really good in the second half. One of the marks of a good show is that the second half of the debut season is better than the first half. And this one certainly did.
The ensemble cast is absolutely first rate, but three people really stand out. Tina Fey is not only the driving force behind the show, she is delightful as Liz Lemon, the head writer for THE GIRLIE SHOW, the fictional series they all work on. Alec Baldwin is shockingly good as Jack Donaghy, the NBC executive who oversees. He will be certain to get an Emmy nomination, something he will definitely deserve. But for me the funniest thing on the show is Tracy Morgan as an insane (literally) movie actor who joins the show. The overall atmosphere is one of surreal chaos.
I hope the show really takes off with fans this coming season. NBC's Thursday night line up of shows is perhaps the best group of really intelligent comic series ever. Back when they promoted "Must See TV" (which I never watched), they relied mainly on sit coms filmed in front of live audiences. But the current line up features filmed comedies that are smart, funny, and a hoot to watch. And for me they are really are, in contrast to the FRIENDS era, shows that I really feel I must watch.

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Emmy Award winner Tina Fey writes, executive produces, and stars as Liz Lemon, the head writer of a live variety program in New York City. Liz's life is turned upside down when brash new network executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin in his Golden Globe winning role) interferes with her show, bringing the wildly unpredictable Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) into the cast. Now it's up to Liz to manage the mayhem and still try and have a life. Join in the behind-the-scenes hilarity with the complete first season (21 episodes) on DVD.

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Waiting for God: Season Four (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Back to Bayview! The retirement complex for the almost dead, whose administrator (Harvey Bains, played by Daniel Hill) is constantly plagued by the antics of the two aging with attitude oldsters, Tom & Diana (Graham Crowden & Stephanie Cole). This is 'Round Four.' Score so far: Tom & Diana, 4; Harvey, 0. And so it continues. With interesting situations, snapppy dialogue, and remarkable characterizations, the battle continues. This is my all-time favourite BritCom, bar none.
This season marks the appearance - for the first time on this side of the Atlantic of which I am aware - of the second Christmas episode. According to my sources, Diana is chosen to direct a Christmas Pagent. (That is the working equivalent of putting Pontius Pilate in charge of a Hannukah Festival.)
If you have never "been to Bayview" DO NOT MAKE THIS YOUR FIRST SET OF DISCS. Start at the beginning, with Season (Series) One, episode one ("Arrival.") Jumping in here would not only confuse, but spoil the fun of getting to know Tom & Diana as those of us who have followed their adventures have. The show has a definite beginning, middle, and end. Oddly enough, I was first introduced to the unlikely pair through the episode "The Seance," and my host had to explain way too much to me, although I did about die laughing. You will too, regardless of what episode you watch; however, as a WFG veteran, I do strongly recommend viewing in order.
Bayview - there really should be one at the end of every acacia avenue! My highest recommendation goes to the entire series. I can't wait for the final episode of the final season. Too bad BBC saw fit to release the discs with agonizing (for us) slowness.
Here's to Tom & Diana - long may they plot!


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Item Name: Waiting for God: Season Four; Studio:BBC Warner

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Masters of Horror: Dance of the Dead (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)Fans of SF or horror who can wrap their heads around stories (and the films based on them) like Orwell's 1984 and Burgess' A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, who understand that such stories are meant as cautionary comments on contemporary society more than they are predictions, will appreciate Tobe Hooper's nihilistic "Dance of the Dead," the auteur's first-season entry for Showtime's MASTERS OF HORROR series. Hooper updates those classic cautionary tales to give the world a fresh glimpse into the post-apocalyptic future, this time through a computer-age lens tinted with goth and punk sensibilities.
Hooper's tight and visionary direction is supported by the outstanding cast and crew. Portraying Peggy, the audience's window into the grim future, beautiful Jessica Lowndes exudes unvitiated innocence as her character's eyes are newly opened to the reality of her world. Actor Jonathan Tucker is perfect as Jak, a brooding, introspective black-marketeer who struggles with guilt over the questionable ethics of his vocation. And horror icon Robert Englund's delightfully over-the-top performance as a grizzled, cynical nightclub MC--a sort of post-apocalyptic re-interpretation of Joel Grey's performance in CABARET (1972)--is itself worth the price of Anchor Bay's DVD. The script by Richard Christian Matheson, based on a short story by his famous father, is a literate, frighteningly nihilistic speculation on the post-nine-eleven possibilities that threaten our world. And the frenetic, multi-layered cinematography of Jon Joffin (enhanced by Andrew Cohen's the top-notch editing) perfectly complements the horrific, chaotic atmosphere and lifestyle of the potential future Hooper here depicts.
Any moviegoer who comprehends and enjoys SF-based horror will certainly come away satisfied after watching "Dance of the Dead." While not necessarily the best entry from the first season of MASTERS OF HORROR, it is a great mini-movie nonetheless, and it proves that director Tobe Hooper is, indeed, a master of the genre.
The excellent DVD from Anchor Bay is well worth the price of admission. It offers a pristine digital anamorphic transfer of the flick in its original aspect ratio of 1.77:1. In addition, there are over three hours of cool extras, including two commentary tracks (one featuring director Hooper and one with scripter Matheson), interviews with Tobe Hooper and the main actors, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and more! A fine addition to the film collection of any SF or horror fan.

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Studio: Starz/spheRelease Date: 09/25/2007Run time: 59 minutesRating: Nr

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Canterbury's Law: The Complete Series (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)A legal drama with an edge, "CANTERBURY'S LAW" was a series that had so much potential but was cut too short with only six episodes in the DVD complete collection.
The drama which aired during the Spring of 2008 featured Emmy Award Winner Julianna Margulies ("ER") as the feisty defense attorney Elizabeth Canterbury. A woman who seeks justice for the people she defends even if it means breaking the law.
Running the law firm Canterbury & Associates, she is joined by her partner Russel Krauss (Ben Shenkman) and her two attorneys Chester Grant (Keith Robinson) and Molly McConnell (Trieste Kelly Dunn). They take on cases which seem impossible and a grand slam for the District Attorney but Elizabeth Canterbury has always outbest the Deputy Attorney General Zach Willliams (Terry Kinney).
But Elizabeth's personal life is anything but good. Her marriage to her husband Matt, a law professor has gone down the drain since their son was kidnapped. Three years ago, she took her toddler Sam to the playground and answered her phone for business and next thing you know, she lost sight of him and they don't know if he is dead or alive.
Despite being successful as a defense lawyer, her life has been spiraling down hill. She has become a drunk after hours, she has been having an affair with Frank Angstrom (James McCaffrey) and because her husband has held his pain of feeling that she is responsible for their son's kidnapping, he wants to move on with their lives and declare him dead. But Elizabeth believes her son to be alive. And thus, her marriage life is in shambles.
To make things worse, because she has broken the law in order to win a case, now she is being investigated by the District Attorney and Grand Jury for jury tampering.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"CANTERBURY'S LAW" is featured in 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen. The video quality is similar to a lot of dramas that are on DVD which has a bit of grain.
As for the audio, the audio is English 5.1 (Dolby Digital) and the series is primarily a dialogue-driven drama series with the occasional rock music that is played during certain scenes. But the dialogue is clear and I had no problems hearing the audio.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
There are no special features on this DVD unless you count "previews" as one of them. Previews are for "Damages", "The Lazarus Project", "Rescue Me" and "The Shield".
JUDGMENT CALL:
"CANTERBURY'S LAW" is a legal drama that had a lot of potential and Julianna Margulies did a really good job as Elizabeth Canterbury, a defense lawyer who is strong, feisty and a woman that no one wants to mess with but to show that behind that tough demeanor, her personal life is just in shambles.
With this series coming from Denis Leary and Jim Serpico who are responsible for "Rescue Me", I expected the potential for something explosive for the first season. But it's really unfortunate that FOX canceled the series with only six episodes.
I definitely gave this series a try and I really felt that "CANTERBURY'S LAW" had so much potential and what urked me so much is that by watching these six episodes, there was an ongoing storyline about Elizabeth hoping that her kidnapped son is still alive. And to know that with no conclusion, we're left with an open ended series with no closure.
It's very unfortunate that the creator/director Dave Erickson was never given the opportunity to finalize the series. Even if there was one last episode to tie up loose ends, at least it would have been some sort of closure to the series and its characters. It's a shame to watch these characters taken to such highs but then taken to the lowest of low's and that glimmer of sunshine will never come.
I actually enjoyed Julianna Margulies performance and it was great to see her play this type of role. After watching each of the six episodes, I really got into the main characters (the partner and attorneys at Canterbury's law firm) and seeing this battle of wits between Canterbury and the Deputy Attorney General.
I enjoyed "CANTERBURY'S LAW" but with only six episodes, the series definitely had potential. Unfortunately, the network canceled it too quickly and thus, the series never had any true closure to the series storyline or its characters. And as entertaining the episodes were, you are left with wanting more but knowing that there is no more. What a shame!

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Emmy® Award winner Julianna Margulies stars in Canterbury's Law, "a lightning-paced legal drama that roars with a feisty thunder" (Matt Roush, TV Guide). Cunning, shrewd and tough as nails, defense attorney Elizabeth Canterbury (Margulies) takes on the risky cases no other lawyer could possibly win in this edgy and "highly entertaining" (John Griffiths, US Weekly) six-episode DVD collection. Whether she's battling the city's ruthless deputy attorney general, her independent-minded associates or her long-suffering husband Mat (Aidan Quinn), Elizabeth fights for justice no matter what the cost!

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Horatio Hornblower Collector's Edition (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)Given the title and subject matter- seaman- you might think that this is the latest release from Falcon (and I'm sure that they or another adult studio has certainly released their version of these classics). You'd be wrong. Horatio Hornblower is instead an epic story of honor, loyalty, and duty. Featuring bloody battles, incredible adventures, and a cast of characters as good as any ever imagined, it's no wonder that this Emmy Award-winning series got raves from critics and the general public alike.
Based on the novels by C.S. Forester, A&E's Horatio Hornblower was a made-for-TV series that ran from 1998-2003. The eight individual films that make up this Collector's Edition chronicle the unlikely rise of young Horatio from lowly midshipman to powerful commander, during the early years of the Napoleonic Wars. The stories are engaging and entertaining, the production grand and lavish, and the overall result brilliant.
Nothing was spared in making these films and they're worth watching for the visuals alone. (It's also interesting to note that no computer generated effects were used, which makes the intensity of the battles that much more exciting to watch.) That being said, the story lines are also enthralling, the characters fully developed, and the performances powerful all around. This is a series that will keep anyone engaged; from small children to grandparents.
Each film (or "episode") runs about an hour and a half, and each can stand independent of the others. Having said that, if you're going to watch them all, why not watch them in order and add that much more to the experience? The underlying theme to all episodes is strong personal ethics, against all odds, and while that may sound frighteningly preachy, I assure you that the films are not.
These films/episodes have been released previously a number of times, both individually and in sets, including a Collector's Edition that was released in 2005. If you own the 2005 set, do not buy this new set; as far as I can tell, other than extremely minor changes to the packaging, this is the same product.
Included films/episodes are :: The Duel, The Fire Ships, The Duchess and the Devil, The Wrong War, The Mutiny, Retribution, Loyalty, and Duty.
SPECIAL FEATURES
As if eight films spanning more than 13 hours weren't enough, the special features and extras are also copious. Two of the episodes (Loyalty and Duty) feature accompanying Filmmaker Commentary, which offers an incredibly thought-provoking and historically interesting look into the making of the series, the background, and the adaptation from page to screen. An Exclusive Interview with star Ioan Gruffudd is just as spellbinding (and with the latter you get the extra bonus of his incredibly good looks!).
Three Bonus Programs (England's Royal Warships, Sail 2000: Aboard the Eagle, and The Making of Horatio Hornblower) give an exclusive look at English ships from the past to the present, with fascinating descriptions and documentary footage on how these amazing machines are manned and run, as well as the incredible feats they're capable of. If this isn't enough for you, check out the Guide to Royal Warships, Nautical Terms and Definitions, and Interactive 3-D Naval Cannon, and you'll be a master seaman in no time!
For those interested in more background on the original author, a featurette entitled About C.S. Forester is especially interesting, as is the C.S. Forester Biography.
Cast and Crew Biographies are also included, as is a Photo Gallery.
The special features presented with this set are indeed incredible, although I wouldn't recommend sitting down and watching them all at once. In fact, it's best absorbed (and more interesting) if you watch one film/episode and one (or part of one) special feature, then take some time to digest and reflect upon them before moving on to another helping.
Final answer :: If you've not seen them, this is an extremely entertaining and wonderfully produced series, not to mention an incredibly good buy. If you own the previously released Collector's Edition however, skip this.

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From midshipman to commander, experience the thrilling escapades of the ultimate high-seas hero with the HORATIO HORNBLOWER COLLECTOR'S EDITION, an eight-volume treasure chest of sweeping naval adventure and lavish historical drama.Joining the British Royal Navy at the outset of the Napoleonic Wars, the enterprising Horatio Hornblower rises quickly from raw recruit to seasoned sailor, charting a course from the West Indies to the coast of Africa in the name of the Crown. Along the way he encounters roiling sea battles, mutiny, plague and love, but always proves himself equal to the task. Gorgeously filmed and richly produced, A&E's Emmy®-winning adaptations of C.S. Forester's classic novels star Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four, Black Hawk Down) and a stellar supporting cast that includes Robert Lindsay (Wimbledon), Jamie Bamber (Band of Brothers) and Paul Copley (Queer as Folk). The HORATIO HORNBLOWER COLLECTOR'S EDITION contains all eight feature-length Hornblower films (with many a bonus material below deck): The DuelThe Fire ShipsThe Duchess and the DevilThe Wrong WarThe MutinyRetributionLoyaltyDuty DVD Features: Exclusive Interview with Ioan Gruffudd; Filmmaker Commentary on "Loyalty" and "Duty"; 3 Bonus Programs: "England’s Royal Warships," "Sail 2000: Aboard the Eagle," and "The Making of Horatio Hornblower"; About C.S. Forester; Nautical Terms and Definitions; Interactive 3D Naval Cannon; Guide to Royal Warships; C.S. Forester Biography; Cast and Crew Biographies; Photo Gallery; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

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Michael Jackson: Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I actually went to a live Dangerous Concert at Roundhay Park, Leeds, England. The concert was amazing and one of the most important moments of my life. Michael was sensational, not only does he move, sing and dance like no one else but he transforms the whole arena with his incredible stage presence. You are literally seeing one of the best performers on stage ever, if not the best!
It would be difficult to capture this brilliance on DVD, not to mention the atmosphere but I would say the Bucharest Dangerous concert DVD comes very close. I have watched it numerous times and even now it brings out all kinds of emotions. The quality is excellent and you get to see the magnificence of Michael Jackson plus the astonishing reactions from the crowd so you can literally feel the atmosphere.

This concert is quite simply a point in history, a time when a musician could bring out pure emotion in a crowd through excellence in music and dance.
Buy this, you won't see a better artist in concert and I guarantee anyone who takes a chance on this will be a fan. I became one after the Dangerous Concert in Leeds and I've been to many more concerts since. He never fails to please. Highly recommended!
Full Tracking Listing:
1. "Introduction"
2. "Jam"
3. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
4. "Human Nature"
5. "Smooth Criminal"
6. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (duet with Siedah Garrett)
7. "She's out of My Life"
8. "I Want You Back"
9. "The Love You Save"
10. "I'll Be There"
11. "Thriller"
12. "Billie Jean"
13. "Black Panther" (Video Interlude)
14. "Workin' Day and Night"
15. "Beat It"
16. "Will You Be There"
17. "Black or White"
18. "Heal the World"
19. "Man in the Mirror"
20. "Finale"
21. "Credits"


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LIVE IN BUCHAREST - DVD Movie

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Pure 80's: The DVD (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)If MTV was smart, and they used to be, along with funny, relevant, and entertaining (they even played music videos all the time!) It was on all day in my house, and you could always count on the VJs passing along some wacky facts, or artists dropping by who could actually speak coherently. Anyway, MTV could make their massive video catalog available to the public. You could browse online and choose the videos you wanted, pay $2-$3 each and MTV would either create a custom DVD for you and send it out, or you could download them and make your own DVDs. I would gladly pay to have several DVDs that contained only the videos I wanted. And there are about 100 I want, just off the top of my head.
As it is, I am happy to watch my old and fading copies made back then and occasionally catch an old great on VH1 Classic, rather than have someone else pick out 10 videos, 4 of which I may want, the rest I don't. This one did nothing for me. Luckily it was a gift. I never would've bought it for myself.

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PURE 80'S THE DVD - DVD Movie

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James Patterson's Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)This movie is so amazing, it shows how a heart may be healed no matter the difficulties that happened or how past events influenced a present painful situation.
Performings are brilliant, locations are really well chosen, that really make you get into the plot. It's a very nice version of the actual book.
I just love it!

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Item Name: James Patterson's Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas; Studio:Starz / Anchor Bay

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Dinotopia - The Series (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)DINOTOPIA THE SERIES is another in the long line of television shows that were cancelled before they could fully blossom. It is not by any means a deep, revelatory, challenging show. If you are looking for accurate, Issac Asimov-style sci-fi... it ain't here. What we're talking about is just an entertaining, fun show. Some of the episodes could have been better, but overall... it was fun watching it. It was way better than I expected... with good continuity from the miniseries. You get lots of dino action (great effects), neat production design, and a good cast. The characters are interesting. Originally I thought I would have a problem with the new actors (all are totally different from the mini-series), but I quickly grew to like them. One thing... this show is not aimed at kids... its really for teenagers and up. Nothing bad in it that I wouldn't show my 5 year old niece. If you like LAND OF THE LOST, then you'll enjoy this series. And it's a bargain .... 13 episodes for a great price. The only thing is that the last episode ends with a huge cliff-hanger, and we'll never know what would have happened because ABC axed the show. But then, I guess it wouldn't hurt us to use our brains to come up with our own ending, right? Bottom line... great price, many hours of enjoyment, good characters.. and great dinosaurs. What more do you want?

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Item Name: Dinotopia - The Series; Studio:Lions Gate

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Celtic Thunder: The Show (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)As a singer myself (and one of Irish heritage on top of that) I can tell you I was in awe of the vocal chops shown by the men in this group. There is of course, Paul the operatic tenor who could have a brilliant career in classical music but also can be achingly tender on love ballads and throw a bit more timbre in his voice to put some testosterone into the folk songs. Then there is George the baritone, so rich and mellow and gentle on the family ballads he sings and with the best brogue of them all. Blond twenty-something Keith whose slightly nasal but very sweet tenor is God's gift to those Irish protest songs and pop songs. And then precocious and precious Damian, all of 14, who sounds at least 10 years older than he is and with so much depth and chest resonance-- where did he learn to do that? Finally, Ryan who seems less vocally gifted but I suspect that is only because of the company he is in, but has more than enough smolder and attitude to make up for it. And then when they blend their voices together on the songs of national pride and longing somehow they manage to sound like a string ensemble. There were literally chills down my back and tears in my eyes. These guys are good, really good.
About all I can add to what others have written is to tell you that my daughters, aged 6 and 7, absolutely love this music as much as I do. It is now replacing the Wiggles (thank God!) as our favorite music to play in the car. My 7 year old practically melted into a big puddle on the floor when she saw young Damian. She thinks he is the cutest thing since Zac Efron! So this CD has been a great experience to share with my kids and teach them about our family history.

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For Celtic Thunder, Sharon Browne has teamed up with Grammy-nominated Irish songwriting and composing veteran Phil Coulter to produce a show that includes an eclectic mix of songs ranging from the traditional "Mountains of Mourne" and "Come By the Hills" to international hits such as "Brothers in Arms" and "Desperado," as well as original compositions by Coulter, who has written hits for Elvis Presley ("My Boy") and the Bay City Rollers, and performed with Van Morrison, Tom Jones, and the Rolling Stones. The ensemble numbers in Celtic Thunder reflect the power of the vocalists, who range in age from 14 to 40, and feature songs that celebrate a common Celtic heritage.Track Listings:1. Heartland2. The Mountains Of Mourne3. Raggle Taggle Gypsy4. Ride On5. Come By The Hills (Buachaill On Eirne)6. The Old Man7. Love Thee Dearest8. Heartbreaker9. Nights In White Satin10. A Bird Without Wings11. The Voyage12. The Island13. Brothers In Arms14. Mull Of Kintyre15. Puppy Love16. Lauren & I17. Steal Away 18. Remember Me (Recuerdame)19. My Boy20. Desperado21. Ireland's Call 22. That's A Woman23. She24. Young Love25. I Wanna Know What Love Is26. Cal/Local Hero27. Caledonia28. Yesterday's Men

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Nip/Tuck: The Complete First Season (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)Wow did I love this series! I missed it during the original broadcast, but based on what people have told me, I gambled on this box set. I feel like I hit the jackpot.
It's definitely not for everyone though. No sirree.
First of all, if you're squeamish, the brilliantly reproduced surgeries can be a bit nauseating. (I'm a surgeon, and I loved 'em. My wife, an ex-nurse, had to close her eyes...)
Second, if you are at all uncomfortable with the topic of sex, stay away. This series will plant you into situations you have not even imagined. Bouncing between hilarity and discomfort, sex is definitely a theme throughout the 13 shows.
Third, if you appreciate good acting, it does not get any better than this. Seriously. This is "Sopranos" good; "NYPD Blue" good. The two lead performances are pitch-perfect, both deeply flawed and often morally reprehensible individuals who at the end of the day, you can't help but root for. The "supporting" players are a heck lot more than that, and provide tons of drama, amusement and eye candy.
There is beauty and ugliness everywhere, from an absolutely gorgeous female figure to a purely evil drug dealing psychopath. That's just in one episode.
Fourth, the screenwriting is bling-bling eye-popping, smart as all hell and consistently surprising. The thirteen episodes link nicely together, the first ones dovetailing back into the last ones. I was constantly taken aback at the twists, the lines, the situations they came up with. Let's just say that I learned in the very first episode that crocodiles prefer ham to human flesh. And that fact is actually important to the story...
I haven't even had a chance to go through what appears to be fairly extensive supplements and deleted scenes. I HAD to write in...I will recommend this to ANYONE, anyone over 18 I should say, who likes good television and may like to be pleasantly shocked from time to time.
With great restraint I have withheld many (if not all) plot points, because the exhilarating thrill of discovering them on your own is something you'll only feel once. Without spoiling too much, the show centers on the Miami plastic surgery practice of McNamara/Troy.
Sean McNamara is a questionably happily married man, with one teenage son, and one grade schooler daughter.
Julia, the wife, is plagued by doubts surrounding her love for her husband, the urge to go back to medical school and sexual attractions/distractions galore.
One of whom might be Christian Troy, Sean's best friend and partner, and one of the most gleefully decadent characters in TV history. I mean "decadent" in a good way. Sort of.
His travails include, but in no way are limited to, a continuing parade of sexual partners, a number of hysterical surgical propositions, problems involving his boat, his cars, his apartment and the plastic surgery competition across town.
Other important characters include the melting hot staff psychologist and the defiant, embittered, proudly lesbian anesthesiologist. The cast has such chemistry that they not only react to one another, they generate this bubbly heat together...it's fun to watch them prod each other to new heights.
The one thing that struck me the most about these shows is the amount of genuine heart that stands at the center of each episode. There is a large amount of provocative, politically incorrect but unassailable truth here...nothing you'd like to admit, but stuff you instantly recognize. As you get to know these characters, establshing empathy for them is easy. It's darn near irresistible. I was hooked from the first five minutes.
I could write more, but I need to go check out the extras, AND the four NEW episodes I have on tape. I have just GOT to get my Tivo hooked up...

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Beauty, the saying goes, is only skin deep. The beauty of Nip/Tuck is that it goes deeper, laying bear the complexities and fragile natures often found in patients seeking cosmetic surgery. Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon portray hotshot Miami South Beach plastic surgeons who are themselves in full-blown midlife crises as they confront career, family and romance problems. The series' cutting-edge stories range from funny to suspenseful to uncommonly powerful. The surgeries are graphically bold. The sexuality is rampant. Presented here in 13 first-season episodes on 5 discs and featuring compelling extras, the highly praised Nip/Tuck is a prescription for entertainment unlike anything you've ever seen.DVD Features:Deleted ScenesFeaturetteGag ReelMusic VideoTheatrical Trailer

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