Christmas Do-Over (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)My family LOVES this movie! It's the first one we choose at the start of the Christmas season. I really don't understand the negative reviews. It's clean, funny, and in a beautiful setting. It's made for TV (abc family), which we like because there is more of a chance we can all watch together (parents in 40's, 10-yr-old son, and grandmother). I will admit, the DVD version is slightly different from the TV version (we liked the TV one better), but it didn't stop us from buying a copy. Give it a chance!

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CHRISTMAS DO OVER - DVD Movie

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Max Raabe and Palast Orchester: Dance & Film Music of 1920s (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Max Raabe may not be everyone's glass of schnapps...still, since founding the Palast Orchester in 1986 as a 24-year-old music student who discovered he loved the popular music of the 1920s and 1930s, especially the songs written during the Weimar Republic, he has gone from success to success in his native Germany. He is a tall, reasonably handsome man with a trained baritone who can manage sustained high notes better than most tenors. This can give a rather odd, noteworthy texture to his singing...just like that of so many male singers of the period. His orchestra has 12 members, all male except for the gorgeous blond violinist. They always dress in formal attire, with Raabe changing from tux and wing collar to, after the intermission, full formal evening wear of white tie and tails. If he and his orchestra look like the classic, high society dance orchestras of the era he obviously loves and respects, it's because he chooses to. Most of the orchestra have been with him from the start.
While Raabe concentrates on the popular songs of the Twenties and Thirties, usually using the original orchestrations, he also writes songs himself and does pop covers of contemporary songs using the old orchestration styles. You can sample his stuff on YouTube. Britney Spears' "Oops, I Did It Again" is especially, ah, noteworthy. In other words, Raabe has a sense of irony and humor...and I suspect he doesn't think much of a lot of contemporary pop songs. So is he an old man of 44, living in a past he never had? Hardly.
In this concert piece, filmed at a packed outdoor amphitheater before 20,000 Berliners, Raabe and his orchestra demonstrate why they are as good as they are. Raabe believes less is more, and he does nothing to dispel the illusion that while he himself is contemporary, what he does comes with a clever blending of respect and humor from the past. He is dry and good-natured, but will use a cocked eyebrow or a glance as often as he'll use words. He is amusing (and brief) in his song introductions, and he notes the composer and lyric writer of each song he sings, as well as the year it was written. The pattern most often then is Raabe fronts the orchestra and sings, then he immediately steps back and leans casually against the grand piano while the orchestra pays the song again, then he steps forward for a reprise...then he steps back, applause, a bow...and he moves on to the next song with a slight smile. You need to watch carefully because quite often the orchestra will be up to something unobtrusive and amusing, but always in character.
For those who already like Raabe and the popular music of that period, or might just now be getting to know him, this DVD is a bargain at the price (and it's not cheap). Even with the applause pared down considerably, the disc runs nearly two hours. There are 32 numbers and Raabe sings each one. The audience loved it. When a downpour occurred for 20 or so minutes, no one left their seats. The songs are mainly from Germany of the period. There are four or five American songs. You'll hear irony, romantic opportunity, rueful experience and joy, even love and tenderness...and seldom much sentimentality.
The DVD has a fine, sharp color transfer. The case includes a 12-page booklet. There are three short extras showing Raabe and the orchestra preparing for concerts in New York, Tokyo and Rome. Unless you understand German, the optional English subtitles are essential.

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My Friends Tigger & Pooh - Super Sleuth Christmas Movie (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Tigger, Pooh, Darby and the others are on the case in the first film based on Disney's new "My Friends Tigger & Pooh" CGI-animated series. In this film, everyone is getting ready excitedly for Christmas. They all have things prepared and everyone has various Christmas wishes. Among others, Rabbit would really like to learn how Santa delivers his gifts, and Eeyore wants to fly! Roo and Lumpy (the cute little heffalump introduced in "Pooh's Heffalump Movie") are sent out to play and discover a reindeer named Holly trapped in a bush. They call for the help of the Super Sleuths, who free her, but this only the beginning of the adventure. Roo and Lumpy also find a magic bag, which turns out to be Santa's. Without it, he can't deliver his gifts and will have to cancel Christmas. So now, the Super Sleuths and our other friends from the Wood are on their way to their North Pole. Holly comes along with them, as she's a reindeer-trainee for Santa. The journey is tough, and at times, it seems almost hopeless. But with Christmas on the line, giving up isn't an option!
"Pooh's Super Sleuth Christmas Movie" is great fun for all fans of this bright, exciting new series. They are plenty of great lines and laughs, some thoughtful and heart-felt moments, and three fun and catchy new songs. All in all, it makes for another sweet new holiday film.
Technically, this DVD release is wonderful. The color is bright and vibrant and the film is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic ("Family-Friendly") widescreen. The audio is Dolby Digital 5.1, and there are captions and subtitles available, as well as French and Spanish language tracks. This DVD also includes Disney's "Fast Play" feature, which starts the movie automatically if the menu isn't chosen. Previews include the upcoming "101 Dalmatians" Platinum Edition DVD release and "Little Einsteins: Race for Space," among others.
"Super Sleuth Christmas Movie" comes with two great bonus features. The best of all is an entire bonus episode from the television series, "Symphony for a Rabbit / Tigger Goes Snowflakey." This complete episode of the show has only aired in the U.K. as of the release of this DVD. In the first story, Rabbit needs help with a concert when he breaks his orchestra machine. In the second, Tigger searches for two snowflakes that are exactly alike. The DVD also includes a game, the "100 Acre Wood Downhill Game." This game is reasonably decent. It allows you to select from one of four courses and then collect a series of presents. After this comes a second part, in which the gifts must be matched to who in the Hundred Acre Wood they go to. The gifts should be reasonably easy matches, and Darby's comments are helpful as well.
If you or your kids are already fans of "My Friends Tigger & Pooh," this movie is a sure bet. If not, give it a try! You may just discover something new, fresh and fun.

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'Tis the season for a timeless tale of Christmas cheer! So grab your hat, put on your mittens, and join Tigger, Pooh, Darby and all your favorite friends from the 100-Acre Wood for this very merry movie filled with holiday magic and wonderful surprises.Christmas comes tomorrow, and Pooh and his pals can hardly wait! But they might wind up waiting much longer than just one day when Santa s magic toy sack goes missing along with a little lost reindeer. Now it s up to the problem-solving "Super Sleuths" to work together and follow the clues to reach the North Pole in time to help Santa deliver his presents. Along the way, they ll meet new friends, make new discoveries and share in the true spirit of Christmas. Overflowing with unforgettable songs and your favorite beloved characters, My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Sleuth Christmas Movie is fun the whole family will treasure.

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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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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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Six Feet Under - The Complete First Four Seasons (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great show, and well worth owning in my opinion. The question is, why does it cost $360 to buy all four seasons together when you can buy them each separately from Amazon for a total of about $275???

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