American Roots Music (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)As an overview of roots music, it's hard to quibble with this fascinating package. But for real fans, there's one serious, serious problem:
There is some amazing footage that I have never seen, that they have unearthed. Live performances by Leadbelly, by Woody Guthrie, by Howlin' Wolf, by Hank Williams. And unlike Ken Burns' astonishing "Jazz," not only are these rare, rare performances cut horribly short...but the narrators talk over them, so you can't hear the artists' performances.
There are some full-length performances on the DVD that were not on the series when it played on TV..but they were of "lesser" artists, for the most part. Here were legends of the '40s actually captured live--including Leadbelly in prison garb--and they have mutilated the performances. Shame.

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American Roots Music is a four-part documentary. This landmark television program explores the development of uniquely American music genres during the 20th century. Each 1-hour episode features seminal historic footage and musical performances by the pioneers of American music and traces the cultural evolution that shaped and influenced our rich tapestry of music. Masters in the fields of Folk, Country, Blues, Gospel, Western Swing, Bluegrass, Cajun, Zydeco, Tejano and Native American music are celebrated. You will see rare footage and hear music from artists ranging from the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Son House, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Clifton Chenier, Flaco Jimenez, R. Carlos Nakai, Bob Dylan and many more. The astonishing performance footage is placed in context by colorful interviews with some of the artists themselves, their peers, family and friends.

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ABC News Presents The Kennedy Assassination - Beyond Conspiracy (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)I watched and taped this program when it was first broadcast in 2004 and was so impressed by it, I've kept the tape. I am glad it is still available on DVD because "Beyond Conspiracy" is a well-done and convincing documentary on the Kennedy assassination that defends the Warren Commission's findings that Lee Harvey Oswald was the only shooter and acted alone. Ironically, he simplest answer is hard to believe sometimes and many who support one conspiracy theory or another will probably not be swayed by this DVD, but the evidence shown in this report is strong and would need to be dealt with to defend any theories involving magic bullets, second gunman, Oswald's connections with the CIA or KGB, Jack Ruby's ties with the Mafia, etc.
The most eye-opening part of this program are the findings of computer animator Dale Myers. He designed a computerized 3D replica of Dealey Plaza which utilized the movements of JFK and Governor Connally in the Zapruder film to recreate the shooting. The computer imagery shows the precise positions in the limousine and how a single bullet passed straight through both men causing their simultaneous reactions. The bullet is then traced to its exact source--the sixth floor window of the Texas school book depository. I was very impressed by this footage and think anyone interested in the assassination should see it.
The program also gives a biography of Lee Harvey Oswald with interview clips of his older brother, Robert, a journalist who knew Oswald when he defected to the Soviet Union, and a woman who knew Oswald and his wife in Dallas. It covers Oswald's troubled childhood, his attraction to Marxist philosophy, in large part, (according to his brother) to stand out from the crowd. He had a flair for the dramatics (slitting his wrist in Russia so the Soviet authorities would allow him to stay in the country) and an obsessive need to be something more than he was. When the motorcade route for JFK's visit was published in the paper and was revealed to pass right by the book depository where Oswald was a clerk, he seized the opportunity. Even more important as evidence of Oswald's sole guilt is information on his plot to assassinate retired general and anti-Communist Edwin Walker. Also, there is compelling evidence in this program revealing that Oswald was a superb marksman who was more than capable of shooting off the shots in the time allotted.
The program does not ignore the conspiracy theories. It covers the Warren Commission's failure to address the issue of Cuba and Castro's possible involvement (this area is probably not covered enough to refute conspiracy theorists). The Mafia ties are examined as well and Jack Ruby is painted as a braggart and loose cannon who would make a poor candidate for a co-conspirator. The fourth shot on the grassy knoll that scientists, in a 1976 re-examination of the Warren Report, claim can be heard from an open-microphone recording on a police motorcycle is refuted by Myers' computerized time-line of the motorcade that reveals officer McLain (who had always said he was not in position to pick up such a shot) was not in position the scientists claimed (Vince Bugliosi further dispels the fourth shot theory in his book "Reclaiming History").
Finally, the program pokes many holes in Oliver Stone's motion picture "JFK." It is very unfortunate that many people get their history from Hollywood. THIS DVD is one that needs to be watched on the Kennedy assassination, not a movie with actors and a script that takes artistic license. One area that is not covered is the simulated trial of Lee Harvey Oswald in London, but, again, Bugliosi (the prosecutor in that trial) will cover this topic in his book. Again, this program won't turn around everyone's opinion, but any discussion on the subject that does not at least address the compelling evidence revealed in "Beyond Conspiracy" is insufficient.


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Rosario Tijeras (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I enjoyed *Rosario Tijeras*. It wasn't a great film but it is worth watching.
The movie opens with Antonio bringing Rosario into an emergency room. Both are covered in blood. While Rosario is taken into surgery, Antonio takes a stroll down memory lane to where he first meets Rosario.
Antonio and his friend, Emilio, meets Rosario at a trendy bar. Emilio and Rosario immediately hooks up. Rosario is a sexy, fascinating and mysterious woman.
Throughout the movie, you're not sure if Rosario is doing assignments for someone else or if she's the head honcho. Antonio later tells her about these rumors he's heard about her. Even Antonio isn't sure. Rosario just laughs it off.
What's interesting about this movie is that the first half, she's in control. However, once her friend/"brother"/mentor/caretaker, JonHefe was killed, she seems to lose control of everything.
Meanwhile, Antonio is in love with Rosario. However, he doesnt' want to come between her and his childhood friend, Emilio. Plus, he feels obligated to look after her after her brother made him promise to do so.
I enjoyed the cinematic scenes throughout the film. However, what I wasn't too crazy about was the stereotypical portrayal of Latinos as gun-toting and revengeful. Ah well, I guess there are small rings of truth in stereotypes.
Overall, good movie. In fact, probably one of the best Latin action films that I've seen in recent years.

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The story of two friends that meet and are seduced by a sensuous hit woman named, Rosario Tijeras (Flora Martinez). Based on the novel by renowned writer Jorge Franco, Rosario is moved by hatred toward anyone who has ever hurt or abused her, making violence her way of life.The three friends will soon loose themselves in a passionate love triangle where the pain of love will be confused with that of death.
Basada en la novela del aclamado escritor Colombiano Jorge Franco, se trae a la pantalla grande la historia de Rosario Tijeras. Antonio y Emilio son dos amigos que un día conocen a una bella y sensual sicaria del narcotráfico en Medellín, llamada Rosario Tijeras (Flora Martinez). Movida por el odio contra todos los que la han maltratando, Rosario hace de la violencia su estilo de vida. Los tres amigos pronto se perderán en un triángulo pasional donde confundirán el dolor del amor con el de la muerte.

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Teddy Roosevelt - An American Lion (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)TR is like America's favorite uncle - sure he was President but wow was he cool. I saw this new, sweeping biography on cable and immediately pre-ordered it. Technically innovative and thoroughly accurate, it presents a moving portrait of a man you can't help but like. Stunning in the use of camera angles, dissolves, pans, edits and re-creations, the action is riveting. Rare film clips abound, perfectly edited. We see, for example, TR chopping down a tree, galloping on horseback, flashing his famous grin; troops landing and horses swimming onto the Cuban shore for the Spanish-American War; TR in "his" Panama clambering, clad in white suit, onto a giant bulldozer. And much more indeed.
The stills are also revealing: his father's honest face ("the best man I ever knew"); Alice, his lovely first wife (dead on the same "cursed" day as his mother: "the light has gone out of my life"); his comely childhood sweetheart and wife, Edith; TR in a dandy's cowboy outfit complete with Tiffany knife; his favorite son Quentin, later to die in the Great War, with head cocked lovingly on TR's shoulder. Richard Dreyfuss as TR proves the value of a good actor's voice and Edward Hermann's narration is richly textured. Presidents Bush II and Clinton, numerous TR descendants, and scholars galore are nicely picked and interwoven into the narrative. Though TR was the first American to win the Nobel Prize (settling the Russo-Japanese War) and the only president to earn the Medal of Honor (charging up San Juan into a hail of bullets), these awards seem almost incidental to his simple humanity. We are left wondering if there are men like him today, warts and all. But we are grateful for what one writer calls "this largest of American characters". (Also recommended: McCullough's classic "Mornings on Horseback"; Morris' Pulitzer-winning "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" and his meticulous second volume, "Theodore Rex").

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Rocky Mountain Christmas (Christmas Classics-The Yule Edition) (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)What a disappointment! The sad thing is, John Denver's Christmas special named "A Rocky Mountain Christmas" was outstanding. Breaking standard practice, the whole special (except for Olivia Newton John's hit song) wasn't videotaped, but filmed. Kodak was a major sponosor. The nature scenes, from the mule deer running along the edge of a forest, to the egg laying, fertilization and birth of trout in a lake near Maroon Bells, the opportunity to see Annie holding their newly adopted son Zachary within the geodesic dome, the butterflies in the dome, Steve Martin and his banjo-plying, arrow through the head singing, Olivia and John doing "Fly Away," and all the rest remain my absolute favorite Christmas special. This special won Emmys for its video quality!
But no, we get a Yule Log. Don't be screwed by this fake-out. The CD all by itself is better, and you don't have to put up with a boring picture of a fire. The music will keep you warm all by itself. You don't need a fake log to feel good about the music.
But you should feel sad that most of the television shows John did have never been offered to the public.

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Featuring the world's greatest Christmas music set to your choice of three heart-warming holiday scenes. This CHRISTMAS CLASSICS - THE YULE LOG EDITION DVD lights up the holiday season. Perfect for entertaining,these songs and scenes instantly bring the good cheer and magic of Christmas to any holiday home. Features three different Christmas scenes set to the music of a full holiday albums! Viewers can watch a burning yule log,a snowy mountain cabin or a Christmas tree.

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Blind Dating (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)The title and cover of this DVD suggest a film that is more fluff than substance. But don't be fooled by these clues. BLIND DATING is a well-written (Christopher Theo), well-directed (James Keach - brother of Stacy Keach and husband of Jane Seymour) story about the coping of the visually impaired, the quirks of Italian and Indian families, brotherhood, and the gamut of finding the right partner in a world of essential blind dating! One of the reasons the movie works so well is the ability of actor Chris Pine to make us believe he is blind and convey the positive manner in which people with impairments may 'view' those around them.
Danny (Chris Pine) was born prematurely and as a result is blind, and as he grows toward age 21 he feels he is unattractive to women. His family is warm, loving and Italian and supportive - especially his brother Larry (Eddie Kaye Thomas) who runs a Limo service and is constantly trying to find Danny his first physical encounter, be that with hookers, girls from the office or neighborhood, or just referrals - each of whom is a disaster when it comes to dealing with a date who is blind! Danny discovers an operation that implants a camera-like contraption in his brain that will allow him the possibility to see again, even if the images are simply black and white and indistinct. In the office of ophthalmologist Dr. Perkins (Stephen Tobolowsky) is a young girl Leeza (Anjali Ray) who is Indian and whose parents have arranged a wedding with a man she does not love. And yes, in time Danny and Leeza are attracted to each other in what appears to be a doomed relationship - for family reasons. Danny has his operation and is able to see some images, but the implant fails and Danny once again is without sight - but far from being without hope, as both his and Leeza's families undergo changes of heart.
There is a sense of love that emanates from the screen, due in part to the script, the direction, and to the acting. Chris Pine is exceptionally fine in a challenging role, finding the balance between courage, comedy, and tenderness that makes his character believable and lovable, and never once making a move that breaks his image as a sightless person. The entire cast is fine, including a hilarious Jane Seymour as Dr. Evans, Chris' therapist with a penchant for disrobing in front of her sightless patient! But the aspect of the film that sets it apart from many is the presentation of everyday type prejudices that can be every bit as hampering as a physical impairment! This is a warmhearted, very human comedy with many messages. Grady Harp, April 08

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Danny (Chris Pine) is smart, handsome, popular, and blind... and not just physically: He also can't see how wild women are for him. Even his sexy therapist (Jane Seymour) can't keep her clothes on around Danny. After a series of painful "blind dates" set up by his brother (Kaye Thomas), Danny falls for a young Indian woman named Leeza (Anjali Jay), and finally everything seems picture perfect. But when cultures clash, and Leeza reveals that she's been promised to someone else, Danny must prove to her that there's more to love than meets the eye!

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Showdown at Area 51 (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)I didnt buy this movie, rather i rented it from the local movie gallery, and im glad i didnt purchase it. Its not that its a bad movie, it just has some special effect issues that bothered me. Now i know that they didnt have a huge budget to work with so im understanding with that. It just didnt captivate me, the story isnt that great, it is lacking in originality, but what can you do with this genre that hasnt already been done? So i think a score of 3 is just right. Not a buy, a rent.

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Earth is on the brink of obliteration.Two alien races have crashed on the planet and are in search of the Omega seed.The large obelisk that monitors earth must be deactivated or it will erase all traces of mankind. Jude, an Omegan, knows he can save earth’s inhabitants by using several ether-rods lost by the Omega race over 60 years ago. However, Cronin, an Omega-cinterion is hell-bent on destroying it, all humans and the planet in the process.Which alien race will win?

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