The Velveteen Rabbit

Strays from the original, but it's still heartwarming and entertaining
"The Velveteen Rabbit", Margery William's 1922 story, is a classic in the annals of children's literature. I loved it as a child, and continue to adore it as a grown woman, and have since shared it with my own preschooler. Thus, when I saw this new release, I could not wait to watch it with my daughter.

Young Toby [Matthew Harbour] is sent to stay with his strict grandmother Ellen [Una Kay] when his serious father, John goes off on business to New York. Feeling abandoned and lonely, Toby explores the house and comes across the "Magic Room", which is filled with his father's old toys, including a rabbit stuffed toy. As Toby's imagination is given free rein, Rabbit comes 'alive' in a lively world of animation, and Toby together with rabbit and the other toys in the magic room run free and play in a lively dream world. The animals, i.e. Horse [Tom Skerritt], Swan [Ellen Burstyn], and Rabbit [Chandler Wakefiled] all dream of becoming real animals, and as we all know from "The...

A truly fantastic movie for all to see
This movie is absolutely wonderful, just like the book. It is a powerful story which is timeless and very true to life. The first time I read this story as an adult, I was moved to tears; the same is true with this movie. (I guess it was put out on the shelf early, judging from the release date, because I found this movie at Target the other day for $9.99.) The movie is well done in every way, from the acting to the music to the scenery. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. It is worth the price. Buy it; watch it; share it! And my thanks to Nick, Philip, Michael, Chris and Hunter - who made me Real! :)

Great movie - INSPIRED by the book
This movie has the same basic message as the book: Love makes you real. But it is not meant to be a perfectly faithful adaptation; rather, the book is a springboard for the fanciful journey the movie takes. The movie's credits state that it is "inspired by" Margery Williams' story.

Michael Landon did a great job of retaining the heart of the book while telling a very enjoyable story that stands on its own right. It is wonderful to see how love opens up the characters over the course of the movie and changes them for the better. Definitely a tearjerker (for adults anyway). The story borrows themes from several classic children's tales, such as The Secret Garden and Pollyanna, and weaves them together with the moral of the Velveteen Rabbit to create an inspiring, heartwarming tale.

I still would love to see a faithful live action or animated adaptation of the Velveteen Rabbit. I found the Meryl Streep narrated version to be slow and boring -- why sit there and...

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Punk Love

Romantic and tragic modern day Romeo and Juliet
The way this film is shot - deep blues and beautiful imagery - is definitely a treat on the eyes. Sarah and Spike are a young punk couple trying to make their way in a world that is more hostile than we'd like to think, taking solace only in each other - and in the lush drug world of heroin.

The story is nothing we haven't heard before, and Sarah's abusive home life can seem over the top at times. However, the two young actors give life and realism to the fights and reconnections that exist in a dramatic teenage relationship. The small glimpse we have of Spike's family life is brief, but I found it fairly touching, and the ending breaks our hearts and makes us think of what could have been, "if only..."

There are some interesting directing choices in various scenes, and there's not a lot of focus on the "punk" side of the couple - aside from a scene featuring Spike's audition for the band and the general squalor of the teens' lives in general - but the desperate...

Honest Portrayal of a Junkie's Life
Punk Love is one of those kinds of movies that leave you feeling you need a shower because it deals with drug junkies living it utter squalor. I think this movie would be best watched by traditional values teens with two things in mind. First, this is the type of life taking drugs inevitably leads to, so avoiding drugs would do one well. But, the second issue that families might discuss is the unfairness of life. Sarah was once just as innocent and precious a baby as any born into any family. But, Sarah didn't find love in her family; she found parents who were too overwhelmed by their own problems to give Sarah the attention she needed. Then, the stepdad forced himself sexually on her, obviously for some time. The question to discuss is what we, as loving people, can do to help kids such as Sarah. In the end, all she really wanted and needed was love, not drugs to numb the pain.

As in any honest film dealing with drug addiction, there is a lot of bad language...

very dark and gritty
i think the acting was very good especially from the two leads. great movie that you wont regret watching. watch this

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Battle in Seattle

Important, insightful and extraordinarily well made
Promising new director STUART TOWNSEND -- perhaps better known for his starring roles in films such as "A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" or "Queen of the Damned" -- proves to be an effective storyteller with his skillful and dramatic recreation of events surrounding the historic World Trade Organiation riots in Seattle. Featuring an impressive, but not distracting, all-star cast, "Battle In Seattle" presents an effective and engaging look at the motivations behind those forces who want to control the world's marketplace, with those who will fight for freedom, opportunity and balance in commerce. Regardless of one's political or economic leanings, the film holds the audience by presenting the human-drama endured by participants on both sides of the police lines. Townsend handles his cast with skill and grace, perhaps borne from years of his own experience in front of the camera. Given a more traditionally structured screenplay (and a less controversial topic), you can expect to...

Neglected film about an important event in American history
This was one of the best films I saw in 2008 (yes, I was lucky to be at one of 2 screenings in Los Angeles). Frankly, it was better than any of the Oscar nominated Best Films. It's well-shot, well-acted, well-researched (as I understand it, the factual basis is completely accurate) and well-written. What's amazing is that though the writer-director is a well-established Irish actor, this is the first film he has made. The film is very much an ensemble work, weaving a tapestry of all the players in the Seattle riots (politicians, cops, activists, by-standers). What I particularly liked about this film was just how fair it was to everybody. Nobody is a villain even when they do very bad things (the cops, the mayor). There are very real motivations... people had the best of intentions. It's a complex portrait - nothing like the media coverage given to us. It's a completely entertaining movie, but it's an important film as well. I think this is a movie every patriotic American should...

one of the best movies ive seen in recent years
the cast was fantastic and the story was told genuinely. this movie demonstrates what a protest is through the eyes of a protester, civilian trying to get from point A to point B, and the police man who is just doing his job. have you ever wanted to know the reality of what people in the middle of a protest go through? this is the movie that tells you the truth, the tragic truth. the protesters fight for what they believe in while the law enforcement are told to hold them back or end their march. their is also the reporter covering what the media wants you to see, and unfortunately there are always those unfortunate civilians trapped in a protest, and become victims.(SPOILERS) a mother loses her unborn child because of the unnecessary strategy and methods police men use and a police man loses his son or daughter because of what a police man did. there are also protesters who feel like every profitable business is the perfect target to get back at the WTO. And unfortunately those...

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Vampire Secrets (History Channel)

Great!
What an awesome documentary! It's packed full of stories and really separates the myths from the facts. The interviews are very intriguing and the actors in the reenactments should get awards for their amazing portrayals! I would give the documentary 5 stars if only it had even more content. Yes, yes, it was a good hour and a half long, but I still was wanting more once it ended.

Oh, and one question: anyone know who the sexy mysterious silent vampire man was played by? Because I want to tell him that he can bite my neck anytime, hee hee.

Great for Halloween!
How much fun can you have on Halloween? A LOT when you watch this documentary on the history of vampires, peoples beliefs in them, etc. As with all History Channel documentaries I always learn a lot, and would recommend this for anyone who is "not of the faint at heart".

Love this
I love these kind of programs, so I could be a little biased, but I enjoy the legends, the stories behind it and the research. The History channel presents things in and interesting and engaging way and this DVD is no exception. I ordered this for my library because I enjoyed the program and want a personal copy for a time when it is no longer aired. As a writer I often find things like this inspiring and there are times when I just want to sit down and watch something creepy that crawled up out of the real world to become surreal.

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Arc

A MUST see film!
I had the privilege of viewing ARC, and the first thing that came to mind was that the trailer did not do this movie justice. When I originally saw the small clip, I knew it looked like a gripping film that I wanted to see. However, I was only a few minutes in to the feature when I suddenly realized that I was in for a real treat! Written and directed by the ingenious Robert Ethan Gunnerson, ARC takes place in the town of Los Angeles, and focuses in on it's more sordid side as a former police officer turned drug addict searches for a missing boy in hopes to redeem his character before his 30th birthday. Using a variety of color schemes throughout the film, Robert not only lures you in visually, but he uses the effects to add a depth to the film that I don't think could have been achieved otherwise.

Now while the cinematography is what originally lured me in to the film, it was the character driven story lines and superb acting that kept me on the edge of my seat. I found it...

Excellent performance, interesting filmmaking
I remember seeing this guy in Fastlane and thinking he would end up doing something else (better and less mainstream) to prove he has a great talent. Sadly, his minimal performance in Twilight yielded that interest; an onslaught of requests from customers wanting to see something of this guy. Not another teen movie here by any means, but his best performance to date.

Two things make this film stand out. First is Facinelli's totally believable take on a drug addicted, dealing ex-cop who still wants to solve a big case to make things right in his mind. And secondly the filming style mix of black & white, slight color add-ins, and tunnel camera montages. The hand-held camera thing does irritate a great deal of people, but they did it in such a way here that it does not detract from the themes. There is a point in most of the film being devoid of color, especially when the last scene plays out it wraps the reasoning up for most.

The story follows our lead character...

Weird in a good way
Strange movie, but with a captivating story... Very good performance from Oeter facinelli as the tormented Paris.
The dvd version is pretty simple...

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Supercross Kings

Simply the Best
I grew up watching the greats of US motocross. Hannah, O'Mara, Bailey, Jeff Ward, and Ricky Johnson. Jeremy showed up in the 250 class in 1993. Showtime showed everyone else his backside for the next decade in stadiums across the country. RC may be "The GOAT", and the records showed that he was the best MOTOCROSS racer ever, but the King of Supercross will always be Jeremy. He did more for the sport than anyone can imagine, and helped propel SX from a once a week highlight on "Motoworld", to same day and sometimes live event on Speed. This video is Prime Time Showtime!

Waste of Time and Money
This video is an absolute junk. When they say "You'll see Supercross legends like Jeremy McGrath, Jeff Emig, Mike LaRocco, etc.", it should say, "You will see a brief grainy shot of someone crashing, and it may be a legend of the sport". It says "Supercross Kings", but it is just a jumbled mess of old crash footage and some race coverage to a "punk" rock soundtrack. Much of the coverage is not even supercross or even motocross. There is no commentary or structure to this video. Don't waste your money. Not even worth a rental fee. Watch supercross on Speed Channel or on the internet and save some dough. Or purchase the "Moto" series of videos or watch it streaming on Netflix or Amazon. Don't get suckered like I did. This video is amateur at best. This is just boring drivel thrown together by hacks.

GREAT MEMORIES
I ENJOY THE OLDER FOOTAGE, BRINGS BACK GREAT MEMORIES. JEREMY MCGRATH WAS,IS, AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE KING OF SUPERCROSS!!

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America's Hangar

Excellent DVD!
I have been to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C. several times, but this DVD is a great souvenir of both that museum and the new, larger Air & Space Museum II at Dulles Airport. I may not get to the new museum at Dulles, so this video tour is the next best thing.

Good but Out-dated
America's Hanger is about the National Air and Space Museum. I am a volunteer tour guide (docent) at the museum. Overall I would rate the DVD as "Good". It is becoming out-dated but for the price it is okay. Aspects of the museum shown in the DVD such as the retoration facility and the space shuttle Enterprise are no longer current -- the restoration portion has been moved to the Udvar Hazy Center of the museum and artifacts under restoration change. The Enterprise has moved to New York and has been replaced by the space shuttle Discovery. In other words, the NASM may be a museum but the museum doen't remain static, it has changed and will continue to do so. If you can accept these limitations, the DVD is worth the bargain price.



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Bedtime Stories (Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy)

Good family Movie
I gave this movie 5 stars because it deserves it,how did disney do it make an adam sandler movie that is actually understandably funny for both kids and adults alike I am 17 and I saw it I do not usually see PG rated movies but I went with my family on the 26th.
I laughed through most all of it.
you probaly would not want to read the other reviews as they have minor spoilers. Unless you want it to br ruined for you.
Really not crude not bad language but still funny. Anyone taking thier children for a show should check this out.
I will definitely buy it on DVD

Once Upon a Time or When Movies Were Simpler.
Let's just clarify at the beginning. If you are looking to just own the movie, buy the less expensive regular BEDTIME STORIES DVD. However, if you or your family enjoys the special features that usually are included with movies, you'll want to purchase this, the DELUXE DVD EDITION of BEDTIME STORIES.

In 2008 Sandler starred in two movies. One (YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN) was a complete bust on all accounts. The other was BEDTIME STORIES, a film the critic meeting with mediocrity, but that was made major box office during the Christmas season. The film has a pretty decent story line with enough laughs for kids and adults and is actually quite family friendly (the movie was the first Happy Gilmore Production to receive a PG rating).

Sandler portrays Skeeter Bronson the son of a father (Jonathan Pryce) who attempted to fulfill his life dream of owning and operating a small hotel. However, Skeeter's dad just isn't a very good businessmen and ends up having to...

Yes, parents, it is SAFE
Yes, it is safe to take the kids to this one! The whole family enjoyed it. We had left the 14 year old at home, but will rent it as soon as it comes out so she can see it too. The message is positive, the innuendos few, and the theme is just plain fun. Even the "Paris" character keeps things mostly covered. Nice change for a 21st Century film.

The lead, though he starts out trying to manipulate life to go his materialistic ways, learns how to manipulate life to benefit all of those around him. He is just that kind of guy who never could have been the selfish fool. So, it really can be a great discussion starter for the family about morality, unselfishness, and proper behavior in community.

On top of all that deep stuff, it is just hilariously funny! There were even some applause at the end when we watched it in the theater. It has been a long time since I've been in a movie where the audience was moved to applause.

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Murder Is Like Sex

Murder Is Like Sex
Murder Is Like Sex If you can get through the first 10 to 15 minutes of the movie without blushing, it is very good. There is actually an excellent story line to the movie. Keith Boron did a thorough job researching the taboo subject matter. Both myself and my sons enjoyed this feature.

STRANGLING THE POULTRY
Kevin and Kenny work at a music store. Kevin is very self indulgent, purchasing vast amount of tissues and motion lotion. The girls think of him as a geek. When people around him start getting murdered, the police suspect him.

The story has a unique theme. There are no real special effects. The acting starts out mediocre and digresses for some reason as does the film. TV soap actress Robyn Griggs, whose name is plastered across the top of the DVD as the star of this film appeared to have lost her acting ability with this role as things progressed to their lowest level.

No blood. No Gore. No nudity. Under the covers sex. If seeing Robyn Griggs in a bra is you life's goal, this is your film.



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Special Forces

More Action From Isaac Florentine
The director that brought us 'U.S. Seals 2' is back with another low-budget, high-octane action thriller. In what may be a nod to those who objected to the over-the-top unrealistic tone of "U.S.Seals 2', this one is a bit more realistic. The plot is less outrageous, the villains more like people you read about in the papers, and the combat action looks a little less Hong Kong extreme and a little more like real military take-downs.
But 'Special Forces' is still a Heroic Bloodshed flick through and through. The action is almost non-stop and choreographed with flair and skill. For a low budget movie there's a remarkable amount of stop-the-DVD-and -watch-it-again moments. And the climactic battle has one of the best martial arts showdowns I've seen in years. If you like wild action, you'll get a kick out of this.
The more realistic tone will probably please some, but I'd just as soon see the director cut loose. I bet he would make a drop-dead cool sword &...

Solid Florentine Action With Some Patriotism Thrown In
Not unlike US Seals 2 from two years before, "Special Forces" is an awful representation of the military faction from which it derives its title but is nevertheless a sturdy DTV action movie. Goodness knows why director Isaac Florentine was saddled with these Americana-themed projects, and bless those uninformed viewers who bought them under the assumption that they were to watch something realistic. Make no mistake, Florentine fanboys: even though the cover art of this movie is about as generic as they come, this is a full-out kick & gun show made very much in the mold of our favorite Israeli kung fu freak...so unless you're leery of ultra- pro-American overtones, indulge.

The story: when a beautiful reporter (Daniella Deutscher, "Hang Time") is captured by militant forces taking control of the ex-Soviet republic Muldania, a decorated Special Forces team - including Marshall Teague...

Scott Adkins' performance boosts the rating up by at least 2 stars
After an American reporter is captured by a Bosnian warlord, the US Special Forces are given the mission to save her. Scott Adkins is looking for the warlord himself, but for a different reason. And man are they lucky Adkins shows up. He is a one man army and gets the US soldiers out of some tight situations.

The movie moves along at a good pace, but it all comes down to the final battle between Scott Adkins and the warlord's top man. It starts out like a bad wire fu scene but quickly turns into one of the very best action scenes of the 90's. The rest of the action features explosions and thousands of bullets being fired. It gets pretty unrealistic when you have a group of about 8 taking on 500. They are lucky someone didn't just throw a grenade at them. But, all of this can be excused because the final fight is so outstanding. Scott Adkins is without a doubt one of the most physically gifted actors in the world and I can't wait to see what kind of a role he is...

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The Vampire

A lost classic! And a lost....well, decent b-movie
Classic horror fans rejoice! Return of Dracula, though previously available on VHS, has been out-of-print for years. If you've never seen it, it's a suprisingly well-done black & white horror film from 1958.

In a plot that, oddly enough, echoes Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt, Count Dracula (a sublime Francis Lederer) relocates to California to live with supposed relatives. And although it's unrelated to the Hammer Films' Dracula films of the same period, it certainly holds its own against those more-polished efforts. The vampire's demise is somewhat graphic for the time.

The Vampire, while arguably the lesser film here, is by no means a waste of time. John Beal generates sympathy as a small-down doctor afflicted with the "disease" of vampirism. Fifties genre favorite Kenneth Tobey is on hand as the local sheriff. While both of these films are basically drive-in stuff, The Vampire's...

Classic Double Bill Now On DVD.
I have waited for years to see these titles on DVD and at last they are finally here. Anyone who grew up watching late night horror shows on local TV probably saw these films at one time or another especially THE RETURN OF DRACULA. Both were made by Gramercy Productions a division of Levy-Gardner-Laven, an outfit that produced shows for television in the 50's and 60's (most notably THE RIFLEMAN and THE BIG VALLEY).

What sets these 2 films apart from other B-movie horrors of the era are the use of once major stars (Francis Lederer, John Beal) who were really good actors, maximum use of their minimum budgets (like Val Lewton in the 40's), and the fact that both screenplays were written by a woman (Pat Fielder who did Hitchcock's SHADOW OF A DOUBT) which gives a slightly different perspective to the proceedings where you wind up caring more about the characters most notably John Beal in THE VAMPIRE. Unlike Val Lewton's pictures these are 1950's films and both contain some...

LITTLE GEM CALLED THE RETURN OF DRACULA COMES TO DVD AS A DOUBLE FEATURE!
This little known gem 'The Return Of Dracula is making it's debut on DVD! It's about time and as a bonus it's on this double feature disc with 'The Vampire'! The Return Of Dracula is a very solid Vampire movie with good pacing and decent atmosphere. The acting is above average for this sort of movie and it has one of the most memorable endings in vampire movie history. Francis Lederer is menacing as the count with his black eyes and his deep facial lines. I did notice in one instance that when one of Dracula's wives got staked the picture turned to color to show the blood......Something I missed as a kid growing up with B&W TV and watching these on Creature Feature. I didn't remember that much about either of these films until I watched them on an HD Channel and then checked the quality on the DVD. Both prints seem to be in very good condition, but unfortunately the disc has no extras. 'The Return Of Dracula' is a much better film than other, but 'The Vampire' is hard to hate and it's...

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All Star Sports Day

An upbeat and great educational mix
My preschooler absolutely loves this video. It's a mix of programs so it's not boring, and of course all the shows include learning, which is awesome for a stay-at-home preschooler.

fun and entertaining
great couple of episodes for a few dollars. I watched them all with my daughter and they kept her attention for a while.

All Star Sports Day is Wonderful
Our grandson loves this video but somehow it got lost at our home. He wanted to watch it over and over and over. We were thrilled to find it available at Amazon AND SO WAS HE!!! Now that he has a baby sister, it will get twice the use.

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North Star

North Star Shines Bright
I thoroughly enjoyed this film. At first, I thought it would be another cheapie with an artic theme or one of those Disney concoctions suitable for a teen crowd. Not so,. Production values are first rate. Burt Young never looked so good. James Caan plays the psycho greedy bad man sans black hat, and even Christopher Lambert comes off well as a half indian-half white trying to prevent Caan and company from stealing claims to the gold diggings. (Someone mentioned the voice-overs didn't match the lip syncs; I never noticed there was any lip syncing and I don't think there was.) This film is pure adventure from start to finish and one that's a bargain at the very cheap price it's listed for at Amazon.

A good Norwegian Western
Now here is a film with an interesting pedigree. Based on a novel by American author Will Henry, set in Alaska, but filmed in Norway by a British-French-Norwegian-Italian production. Whew! And with a cast that includes James Caan, Christopher Lambert, Catherine McCormack, and Burt Young, this film is about as multinational as it gets. Not that this is in the least bit unusual. Nils Gaup, best known to most people as the director of THE PATHFINDER, serves up another outdoor adventure set in the Arctic. Though hardly on par with his earlier effort, NORTH STAR is still a decent film on its own. At less than 90 minutes it is a briskly paced and beautifully photgraphed western. Christopher Lambert is either as good or as bad as he ever was, depending on how you feel about him. The idea of him playing a half-white, half-Indian named Hudson Santeek may strike some as ridiculous, but I think he's perfectly acceptable. Opposite Lambert is James Caan as xenophobic town...

B Western in Alaska
"The North Star" is a 1996 film about the struggles between natives, Americans, and foreigners to control the gold fields in Alaska at the end of the 19th Century. It stars Christopher Lambert, James Caan, and Catherine McCormack and was directed by Norwegian Nils Gaup and produced by a joint French, British, Italian, and Norwegian group.

Christopher Lambert (1957) is best known for his "Highlander" films but personally I thought his best performance was as Tarzan in "Greystoke" (1984). To younger viewers he is best known for his work in "Mortal Combat" (1995). He won the French Oscar in 1986 for "Subway". He says "the main purpose for doing what I'm doing is the passion in the work." Lambert plays a half breed who is trying to protect the land for his clan.

James Caan (1940) is best known as Sonny Corleone, the role for which he received an Oscar nomination in 1973. Over more than 100 roles he's been nominated for a Golden Globe 4 times and for an Emmy once...

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Lisa Rinna: Dance Body Beautiful - Ballroom Body Blast

Not my favorite
This workout was okay, but not that impressive. It was a little sloppy as far as how the workouts are put together compared to other videos. Lisa Rinna makes a few errors that could have easily been edited and redone in the making.
The setup is that you learn a few steps at a slow pace for a set period of time, then a medium pace, then fast pace. Then you do the routine through at the fast pace for a set time, but don't necessarily complete the last part of the routine. In other words, once the timer goes off, she stops you wherever you are and that's it for that segment. That bothers me. I prefer to learn and complete the dance steps for the joy of dancing and having fun, not to get a workout over with which seems to be the mindset here. If you are looking for good ballroom workouts that are well put together I highly recommend, Dance with Julianne Cardio Ballroom, and Dance it Off Ballroom with Kristina Milova. These are challenging and a total blast!

What a BODY!!
OK so I looked at Playboy to see Lisa and I was struck with amazement at her body. For her age it's amazing. I know she is a big dance person so I bought this DVD to see if it's a good workout. It is! A little complicated but a very engaging - going through the full DVD is almost impossible with out breaks but doing each dance is a great start to my home fitness routine!

Ehh..
The Ballroom Body Blast starts out alright...I tried to have a positive attitude. The DVD includes; warm-up, 4 dances (jive, salsa, samba, disco)and cooldown. Lisa first gives you the break down of the steps for each dance. After the quick overview of steps by Lisa, the dance is done with the group - SLOW, MEDIUM, and FAST. The problem is the lack of cueing in reverse. This was frustrating at first, but manageable. When it was time for the samba, manageable went out the window.

She does give you the beat prior to showing the steps, which was helpful. Several times, the camera angle wasn't on her feet during the dance - it needed to be! This will get your heart rate up, and you can at least learn the breakdown of each dance. I was disappointed in this as far as cardio fitness. I recommend this for more recreational uses =)

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Kim Kardashian: Fit In Your Jeans by Friday: Ultimate Butt Body Sculpt

Pretty intense!
Okay, I am not really a fan of Kim, that aside, I have to say that she ha an awesome body.
I felt really good about this DVD and Kim behind it since its her job to stay looking fit.
About the workout: I was going in to it thinking it would be a breeze and nothing more kind of expecting to be dissapointed, but WHOA it was pretty tough stuff. I may have to do it a couple more times to get it well. I do say, I felt the burn. Kim is really cute in this video and I was surprised that I found her so charming. So if you really want a good workout that helps you define curves, I would recommend this. All your feelings about Kim set aside, and get ready for some working out.

Surprisingly challenging and enjoyable workout
To start off, I have lifted weights, run and worked out regularly at the gym for several years. I bought this DVD during a very busy semester so I would have something on hand when I wasn't able to make it to the gym on time or was stuck inside due to weather. I also wanted to learn some toning exercises specifically for the lower body. I have been using it on and off for 6 months and am very happy with the results.

The first section (no step) is my favorite part. It consists of 15 minutes of squats and lunges variations. Because it works the lower body continually with no rest, it is surprisingly challenging and gets your heart rate up. The first few times I completed it, I was surprised how sore I was the next day--I couldn't even sit down properly the first time! I have used the DVD less over the past few months, but when I do, I still feel noticeably 'worked out,' especially my glutes, although I have gotten much stronger. This is one of the few exercises where I...

Great Workout. Great Entertainment!!!
I got this for my wife and she loves it. As a trainer of 15 years I can tell you that Kims workouts (designed by her trainer in the video) are fun and effective. Its also very entertaining. The real test is that my wife loves the program and thinks that it's the perfect fit for the real woman trying to get in shape.

- Andrew

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"Zombie SpooF" Movie Showcase from Christian Ackerman's Old School Movie Vault

What is up with this movie!!!???
I love it, because this movie is probably the worst movie of all time!! It's always great to be the first thing!! and also I bought this for 1$!!! Which means this movie is almost free.

BTW, can anyone give me the IMDB link for this movie??

Crappy film
A few reviewers on this site says this zombie film was great. To me it was one of the worst zombie films I have ever seen. Do not rent or buy this film because you will be disappointed, that is unless your standards are low. Excuse me very very low. SKIP IT



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The Teacher

Awful! Awesome! Awful and Awesome!
*PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE SERIOUS SPOILERS AT THE END OF THIS REVIEW*

This teacher-student seduction/psycho stalker tale starts out well enough that I actually thought it was going to be a genuinely good movie (as opposed to good sleaze) but is fairly quickly derailed by almost uniformly horrendous acting and some fairly idiotic plot developments. Still, the opening is memorable: a quick pan from a boat in a harbor with the name "Diane" to a dilapidated 3 or 4 story industrial building facing the docks, and a close-up on the crazy face of Ralph (Anthony James), closing up a red coffin that he keeps in a half-open room on the top floor. Ralph races downstairs to his white, circa 1960 hearse (the coffin/hearse thing are never explained) and off to stop outside of a school. There he witnesses Diane (Angel Tompkins) say goodbye to 2 boys, but Ralph only has eyes for the beautiful young teacher, as the title comes up and the terribly cheesy theme song "The Teacher", sung by Jackie...

A drive-in classic and one of my favorite films
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DVD-R as another "reviewer" has said!! I first saw "The Teacher" at a drive-in theatre in Georgia in the summer of 1981. It is a drive-in classic and one of my favorite films. I longed for a video release, which finally happened several years later. Then, upon moving to England in 1999, I unfortunately had to leave my treasured video copy behind. Just recently, I was thrilled to discover it is available on DVD. I have recently purchased a multiregion player, so I ordered the film on DVD and had it shipped to me in England. I can truthfully say that I didn't think I would ever see this wonderful film again. The DVD contains a sparkling copy of the film, but unfortunately, offers few extras, not even the original trailer. But, I'm just happy to be able to watch the film again!! Lovely Angel Tompkins shines brightly as the teacher and really carries the film and the casting of child star Jay North of the 1950's t.v. classic "Dennis The Menace" fame, as her...

Fortunately Angel Tompkins Takes Off Her Top Early and Often In the Movie
One of those movies that gives 1970s film-making a bad name. It also
gives us a topless Angel Tompkins, the return of Anthony James (the
"Fowl Owl" on-the-prowl diner counterman from "In the Heat of the
Night"), and the strangulation murder of Jay North (the fulfillment of
every long-suffering "Dennis the Menace" viewer's fantasy).

From a budget and production value perspective this thing is about as
rough as they get; even "Billy Jack" looks stylish and slick in
comparison.. It looks like they shot it over a long three-day weekend.
The score is so bad that it is actually amusing. When you figure 1974
was the heyday of groups like Deep Purple" and "The Allman Brothers"
you wonder where they found someone still composing lounge music.

Given the recent activities of several young female teachers the main
story is fairly credible although it was probably inconceivable and
exploitative back in 1974. And teacher...

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Chain Link

Ever wonder what 12 drunk people sound like on a commentary?
Look no further. Aside from that, this was actually a good freshman film for this crew. Gritty, depressing, and hopeless, yet some believable performances.

The story follows a loser dad, played well by an unknown (as is the rest of the cast actually) who is losing all that has meaning since his recent stint in jail. Through the coarse of a single day, we see him try to bond with his estranged son, hold a job and stay out of trouble. Eventually, we come to see that this guy really has no hope of succeeding at anything, and will resort to the criminal ways in order to facilitate existing. The scenes are long, the acting believable, and the general feel of hopelessness is conveyed adequately.

Trivia wise, I think this has to be the only film where three of the actors that all got there starts in the 70s, disappeared for 30 years then came together for their first recognizable film in the 2000s. Their roles were my favorite parts of the movie - Jody Jaress who plays...

You want to watch it again and again...
I've seen this film at the theater several times now and I'm still wanting to own a copy. It's not that it's an amazingly new type of film, but the characters are so full and interesting, that you want to keep watching them... but, of course the movie ends!

"Chain Link" isn't a new story... ex-con comes home to reunite with loved ones and still messes up... but the 'way' new filmmaker Dylan Reynolds wrote the dialog and his use of cinema verte' style camera work makes this film special somehow. It definately stands out from the majority of Independent films on the market right now. Dylan's scenes are mostly long, which gives you time to study these characters and become attached. And the actors portray them so skillfully it sounds like they ad libbed the whole thing... but they didn't! I was at a screening and asked that very question. I especially liked a couple of scenes between the ex-con, Anthony (Mark Irvingsen) and his mom (Jody Jaress) in the opening, and then a...



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Ba'al: The Storm God (Unrated)

Ba'al the storm god
I was stunned by the obvious amount of Sumerian research incorporated into the very literate script of this excellent movie. Though Ba'al's father's identity remains controversial, the movie father, El, is definitely one of the "candidates." The quality of the various actor's performance is generally quite high and, incorporating as it does, a "mystery" as to the identity of one of the main characters, the entertainment value was engrossing throughout. I tend to sell three-fourths of the movies ordered from Amazon. This one is a "keeper!"

BAD ARCHAEOLOGY
Now I don't mind movies taking liberties with archaeology and historical facts, as long as they are not stupid with it. This one was stupid. It somehow confounded the Dead Sea Scrolls (Hebrew about 2,000 year ago) with Sumerian (4,000 years ago) or 12,000 years ago according to some stones in the movie. The two do not mix. They could have used some actual Sumerian/Akkadian tablets, but no one would have heard of them, hence the Dead Sea Scrolls. An old archaeologist is attempting to find and dig up 4 hidden Sumerian amulets buried around the world. These amulets were supposed to be well hidden so no one would find them and dig them up, except for maybe the one that had four markers by it! One was placed in a nuclear test site because as a test site it has a lack of air. I didn't quite grasp that one, nor did I even try to figure out how the ancient Sumerians would know this would be a nuclear test site. Now after these amulets are dug up, a beam of light (1980's special effects)...

Interesting
Pretty good little movie here with some not too bad special effects. The story
is interesting, the acting passes and the story flows without too many dull moments. But as the movies is ending...one can feel that they are running out of
money as the movie ends pretty quick..but at least has a ending and does not
pretend to be ready for a millions sequels...
Worth watching ..

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My Friends Tigger, Pooh and a Musical Too

Mr. Rabbit, tear down this wall !
Our two year old is fascinated with all things Tigger & Pooh, so this was on our must buy list. While she doesn't yet understand all the things being said in the cartoon series, she does enjoy the music and watching the activity on the screen. This DVD didn't disappoint in that respect. She was quite pleased and spent a lot of time dancing around during the musical interludes. What was surprising to me is that my wife and I also enjoyed the plot !

To reiterate, and I'm going to have fun with this, Rabbit is honorarily appointed Mayor of the Hundred Acre Wood as a goodwill gesture for his organizational skills. Rabbit being Rabbit, he immediately lets this go to his head and, apparently taking a cue from history, turns himself into a supreme leader in the style of Kim Jong Ill and other great dictators in history. Indeed, during one song, he makes reference to making the trains run on time ( if the Wood had any ); a veiled nod to Benito Mussolini. Poor Eeyor is the only...

Enjoyable with its catchy music but also a DVD that is fun and educational!
An entertaining family film featuring Pooh, Tigger, Darby and gang! A film with fun music but also a DVD that is enjoyable and educational! Definitely recommended!

"Tigger & Pooh and a Musical Too" is the second film based on the popular Walt Disney 3D animated television series "My Friends Tigger & Pooh" shown during the Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney block.

Welcome to the Hundred Acre Wood picnic. Everyone from Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet and the gang and also Darby and her dog Buster are having a great time at the picnic.

The group is so happy with Rabbit accomplishing much with the organization and planning of the picnic that he unanimously is appointed the Mayor.

But things quickly change in Hundred Acre Wood as Rabbit takes the job of Mayor to the point where each animal has a schedule they must follow including dozens upon dozens of rules that they are not to break.

For example, Tigger who loves to bounce,...

Another GREAT Pooh movie
This is another GREAT Pooh movie for the story, singing, and especially the animation and graphics! You will love this for your toddler!. My almost 2 yr old grandaughter LOVES this one !! In these movies with Darby and the sleuth hunting..she has to Slap her Cap ( which she puts her Dad's blue baseball cap on)..and she copies them with a finger to the side of her head when they say " Think! Think! Think! " ..She repeats the sleuth code with them..and she is only 22 months old. You CANNOT go wrong buying this Pooh series of movies for your little ones.. They are GREAT!

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Yes Man (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Invite Yourself to Yes and RSVP...Yes
Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) is a lonely guy. Carl is a loan officer who is real low on life and down in the dumps because of a break up. One day Carl heeds the advice of an old friend and goes to a self-help seminar. The motto "Yes is the new no!" If the movie's title is any indicator, you know what happens for the rest of the film. He says yes to anything and everything, even an extremely generous granny.

Not very often a comedy comes out with a message worth listening to. "Yes Man" provides just that and exposes the audience to the powers of positive thinking. The movie itself is a montage of Carl saying yes to everything; Carl says yes to learning to speak Korean, Carl says yes to costume party invites from his boss, Carl says yes to flying lessons, and yes to a bar fight, which was one of the funniest scenes of Carl's acceptance journey. Eventually, Carl's yes-ery leads to a new love interest named Allison (Zooey Deschanel) and a promotion at work. And despite all...

Amazon Needs to Update the Product Title & Images
This review is simply about the product purchased directly from Amazon and not about the movie itself.

The product title that I am reviewing is: "Yes Man (Two-Disc Special Edition)" and the current image of the DVD cover states that this is a "Two-Disc Digital Copy Special Edition". This however, is incorrect. This product only contains one disc and no longer features the second disc, containing a digital copy. According to the back cover image, the second disc was only available through "April 06, 2010". Personally, I don't really care about having the digital copy, but I thought future Amazon customers should be aware.

Jim Carrey gets you through the door but Zooey Deschanel makes the movie!
So you've read the other reviews - know about the plot - yes? No pun intended! To give you my take - I felt this movie was brilliant and totally unexpected - no overacting on Jim Carrey's part - no crazy antics (well other than the Ducati scene!) - just a good hearted movie with great music. Zooey Deschanel - how can you not fall in love with this girl? Get the soundtrack with her singing - Yes Man - the title track to the movie - very cool. Zooey is going to be a major Hollywood star and what's cool about that is she is so grounded - can't wait to see her next film!

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Dual: The Lone Drifter

Wonderful
I found this title to be a great watch and enjoyed it thoroughly. I do like the work of Michael Worth and Tim Thomerson and this was a good example of both actors.

Reto feel.
hi

At first i thought my dvd was going crazy, because of the redness of the film, but came to see it was how it was shot, strange setting, but nice backgrounds. I only bought it because i love watching the lead actor acts. And Micheal Worth is a cool writing, can't wait to see more of his stuff, he a amazing action actor.

movie was cool how ever the company i got it from sucks!!!!!
Please all who will buy anything please read company rateing it sucks and they do i;m not the only one who had a problem with them so if your smart stay away from this company the name is 2dollarmusic dont take my word for it read what others have said .sad thing this company doesnt even care about its customers so look them up before you buy from them !!!!!.hope i save someone from a bad dealing with company (BEWARE) BILL

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The Wrestler

The resurrection of Mickey Rourke
I've been a wrestling fan since the '70s and it's one of those things that I have to hide from most people because they think it's a joke or they just don't understand what it's appeal is. Then came along "The Wrestler" and now my friends are asking me questions and taking interest in "the business". I saw the movie with some friends and family and we had some very spirited discussions afterward. They couldn't believe that these guys would, for example, mutilate themselves to have blood in matches (a practice called "blading" that's performed with a small piece of a razor blade), or that years spent in the ring will leave most wrestlers battered and even disabled thanks to the legit wear and tear that wrestling has on the body. Most people assume a wrestling ring is a trampoline, but it's actually like landing on concrete and over time there's a price to pay for taking bumps on such a hard surface for so many years. "The Wrestler" reveals all of these issues wrapped up in an...

The fighter still remains
Impressed by Mickey Rourke's Golden Globe winning speech, I decided to go see this movie.

Randy 'The Ram' Robinson fought the Ayatollah in Madison Square Garden back in the 80s, and still battles today. Ill met by fate, bruised and battered, his sinewy muscles scarred, his bones creaking in protest he still has the fight, and like a One Trick Pony he sticks to what he knows. It's a desperate life.

As you may recall in Raging Bull, Robert De Niro put on about 40 pounds to play fighter Jake La Motta as he got older, and he won an Oscar for his dedication to the role.

Mickey Rourke does something no less astounding here, putting on huge bulk to assume the persona and convincing physique of a professional wrestler. It's the most amazing acting performance of the year. The lines between actor and character blur and disappear. The kind of pain you see on Randy's face cannot be pretended. It can only be relived from the actor's parallel experience, which...

A broken man searches for acceptance, dignity, and redemption, but finds himself instead
Growing up in the 80s, Mickey Rourke was James Dean to me. His part was too small for me to notice him in BODY HEAT. The critics had caught a glimpse of him and his potential in that film. I knew that I was on to something watching him as the fast talking womanizing Baltimore con-artist Boogie, in Levinson's DINER. His honesty as an actor pierced my emotions, even though he was playing a character that was lying throughout the entire film. When I witnessed his serene and suicidally introspective portrayal of The Motorcycle Boy in Coppola's urban dreamscape of S.E. Hinton's teenage angst novel RUMBLE FISH, I knew that I had just witnessed The Rebirth of James Dean. When I saw his cool slowburning streetwise Italian dreamer, Charlie in THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLIAGE, I knew I had found a film actor I could idolize. I wore my hair like him. I tried to dress like him. I wanted to be him. Man, this was the COOLEST actor taking the coolest parts in Hollywood! Mickey was IT!

But,...

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The Tale of Despereaux

Was a fun film
*Spoiler Alert. A request was made to add this for people who don't like to see storyline*

My daughter wanted to see this film. Probably because the ads showed a cute mouse. We had never heard of this book so I can't judge the story.

The qualities of the stories are simple. Mistakes, redemption, pure of heart, honor, etc.

The movie opens with a ship heading to a city. On it is Roscuro the rat. Wearing cloths and an ear ring he looks forward for the famous Soup of the day of the kingdom of Dor. Wandering through the city he accidentally finds himself in the royal hall as the royal family are first to try the soup. Too entranced with the smell; Roscuro falls into the Queens soup and she is shocked to see a Rat, suffers a heart attack and dies. The guards chase him and he eventally falls into a drainage where he lands in Ratworld. There he is discovered by Botticelli who befriends him and decides to teach him the proper ways of being a Rat...

Not Bad, Not Great
How do I describe THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX? On the one hand, it's got top-notch animation, wonderful voice acting, and interesting characters. On the other hand, it has a few too many characters, grown-up themes, and requires the viewer's rapt attention. On the gripping hand, it's just not for little ones. To be clear, it's fine for young ones to watch, it just seems that they are not the film's intended audience. This is odd since it LOOKS like it's a kid's show. It was advertised as a kid's show. But my 4-year-old only watched when Despereaux himself was on the screen, and my 11-year-old spent most of the movie telling me how different it was from the book. My husband and I liked it, but we all agreed it was simply "OK."

THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX is actually a couple of tales, starting with the story of a sea-faring rat named Roscuro who loves soup. Through a horrible twist of fate, Roscuro's presence results in the queen's death (death by soup, believe it or not) and the...

Book: GOOD, Movie: BAAAD
I read the book, and urged my mom to read it. We both loved the book, so when I saw the previews for the movie, I thought it would be good, right?
WRONG. I took a friend and my mom to the movie. By the end, my friend, who had also read the book, and I were comparing differences!!
If you still want entertainment from something like this, read the book.

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Rick Steves' Austria and the Alps, 2000-2007

"Hi, I'm Rick Steves'" ~ Traveling the World From The Comfort Of Home
Has there ever been another travel guide more amiable, more informative, more eclectic and just plain likeable than Rick Steves? This somewhat nerdish but pleasant looking fellow will immediately win the viewer over with his charm, humor and smoothing, layback manner. However what will keep you watching program after program is his consummate knowledge of the sites and people he visits.

While each journey is only 30 minutes in length Rick has a unique talent of synthesizing the many facets that make up a people and place. He leaves no stone unturned in his analysis; historical background, spiritual heritage, cultural underpinnings and political legacy are all equally touched upon to give the audience a fuller understanding of the rural and urban landscape.

However not not an individual to dwell too much on the past, he provides a delightful tour of the markets, music, restaurants and nightlife. The kind of information would really want to know if you're out for...

Rick Steves is great!
I thoroughly enjoyed the dvd, Rick Steves is very knowledgeable, this was not only entertaining, but very educational.

Austria and the Alps - makes us want to go back.
Nicely done. Brought back memories of when we were in Europe in 2010. It is absolutely beautiful there and if possible would like to live there.

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17 & Under

An outstanding piece of independent filmmaking!
Found this gem at Hollywood Video a while back. Don't know what made me grab it up, as I usually don't gravitate to movies of that sort. I'm very glad I did.

This was an engaging story told from an often-neglected point of view. In this day and age of school violence, and kids being better armed than cops, its message really hit home.

Thanks, Greg and Jeanne. Well done!

A hauntingly real piece of filmmaking.
We rented this film not knowing what to expect (I often do this in video stores). What we got was a story which was pianfully real. This film honestly explores the results of violence from both sides at the same time. Interestingly enough, my wife came home the next day from work and said to me that she still could not get it out of her mind.

My advice to you...GET IT.

A great first work from a new filmmaker.
I was walking through the video store one day and this film caught my eye. The idea sounded like something done a million times before, but this first-time filmmaker turned that contrived plot into an original and involving story with engrossing characters. You have to look hard to find this touching gem. You did a great job, Greg.

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Swamp Devil: Maneater Series

Very well-made
This is a very interesting movie. The effects were very cool and the plot was entertaining. I think the whole family could enjoy this because there is little language, not a ton of gore, and no sex. It has some action and is thoroughly entertaining. I highly recommend it for sci-fi fans.

Nice Swamp monster
for a Sci Fi type of movie, it was actually pretty good! usually when i think of Sci Fi type movies, i automatically skip it, but i decided to give this one a shot and i actually liked it.
Even though there were some small plot holes as to why the monster couldn't cross county lines
or how it became to be an actual monster?
but i dont sit there and talk negitively about every horror movie and how it sucked b.c it didnt do this or that, blah blah blah.
dont want to hear the BS.
it was a good movie for a low budget film.
i enjoyed it a lot and i might just add it to my horror collection. :)
good job you guys

Not too bad...
This movie wasn't too bad. The chacaters were very likable. The Swamp Devil wasn't that scarey, but maybe it would have been if I lived in the woods or near a swamp! If you're looking for a good, creepy movie that the whole family can watch, this is a good choice. There's no sex and only one scene was the least bit gorey. I don't recall any bad language. I think I'll probably dust it off one day and watch it again.

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Street Warrior

Great Action... Great Fights... Beautiful Women...
The "Street Warrior" is Jack Campbell, played by Max Martini, an
ex-army ranger, who comes back home to discover his brother beaten near
death because of an underground no holds barred fight club. He enters
the gauntlet to avenge his brother and bring order to the town that has
been corrupted by the ring leader, played by Nick Chinlund.

"Street Warrior" supplies us with tons of great action fight scenes
that are at times vicious. Various styles of fight techniques are
used... martial arts, boxing, wrestling, street brawling, luchador, and
lots of cheat moves. What more can you ask from a fight movie? Well,
how about some beautiful women? Street Warrior has lots of great eye
candy as well to keep your interest piqued between the fists and blood.

The acting is very good and believable by the entire cast. Props to Max
Martini and Nick Chinlund on their performance, but also to the
characters of Baldus, played by...

street warrior
this movie was a good movie its about a man that gets out of the military to defend his brothers honor and gets mixed up in illegal underground fighting. was not a bad movie I liked it in my opion considering its an older film.

good action movie
this had a lot of action some the story drags along at times but then pick up but it is not bad

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Dog Days of Summer

Dog Days of Summer - a Diamond in the Rough
The movie Dog Days of Summer is a diamond in the rough.

I bought this movie because I'm a fan of Will Patton's work. While he's been in some really bad movies, he's rarely given a bad performance. So, after reading several good reviews, I decided to buy this DVD. It's a good movie that could have been better.

The main problem is the script. The writing is very uneven, the plot confusing and the character development weak. Which is a shame, because the acting by Devon Gearhart and Colin Ford, as the two young friends Phil and Jackson, is very good.

The script is confusing because I don't think the writers knew what they wanted the story to be. Another reviewer mentioned how similar this movie is to an episode of the Twilight Zone called A Stop at Willoughby. In it, a business man laments his life in the modern world and longs for something simpler.

Is the movie trying to be a coming of age story ? Is it supposed to be a Christian allegory...

good but uneven first directorial effort
I became aware of this little known film as a result of seeing
and purchasing "Canvas", a 2006 film starring Joe Pantoliano and
Marcia Gay Harden, and a then 11 year old boy, Devon Gearhart. The
film dealt with a family coming to terms with the mother's mental
illness, as seen through the eyes of the son. I was so impressed
with Devon's performance, I went on IMDB and discovered his next
movie was "Dog Days of Summmer". It wasn't available until 2009
but I purchased it then, and while it isn't as good as "Canvas",
it is worth seeing. It ultimately has a religious theme,
but that is not the essence of the movie. It is about a strange
man (Wil Patton) who comes to town one summer (Filmed in Edenton
North Carolina), and changes the lives of the people and the
town. It is told in flashback style, with narration by the
adult who in the flashbacks is played by Devon Gearhart. The
film is done in a whimsical style,...

a weird, cryptic tale
The video was delivered quickly and in very nice condition. The movie itself had some weird elements to it. The title misleads you into thinking it's a pleasant summer movie, but there is more to it than that.

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Shape: Ultimate Bikini Body Workout

Amazing for Busy Career Individuals!
I have never written a review for any workout DVD, but strongly felt that this one is worth taking the time and writing about. I am a lawyer and a wife and barely have time to do anything, let alone workout. I have tried over a dozen of workout DVD's that swear that in a short amount of time, you will get an amazing workout. None of them have backed up the talk that they so promised. This DVD has allowed me to find 30 minutes out of my schedule to get in a workout that ACTUALLY DELIVERS ON ITS PROMISES! After I'm done with the 30 minute workout, I feel so great, that I actually do the additional 10 minute abs section. This DVD allows you to do a workout that is quick and VERY effective. After doing the workout, I have not felt so sore in a very long time. All the additions and mini workouts that come after the main program are great as well. When I'm really strapped for time, I take one or two of the 10 minute workouts and feel amazing. If you are a busy person, but is really...

Solid workout
The Ultimate Bikini Body Workout DVD has 3 sections:

+ 30 minute total body workout (ended up being about 38 minutes)
+ 10-minute conditioning & strengthening segments (abs/core and butt/legs)
+ 10-minute cario blast

Dominique Hall is the lead in these workouts. The 30 minute workout alternates intense sculpting moves with cardio conditioning. She does a great job keeping the heart rate up and the muscles burning! There's a pushup move she does while holding a weight...quite impressive. I enjoyed some new twists on standard exercises. There are a good bit of squat moves and lounges....I don't recommend this if you have bad knees.

There were a few times her attempts at motivating to "hang in there" just weren't necessary, instead, I think a countdown or mentioning # of reps left would be more effective. Other than that, I think this is a good, solid workout.

The 10 minute cardio blast I loved...Dominique had a great variation of...

...."That's it!"...
I felt sore and exhausted after I did this. It's not as intense as Jillian Michaels. Instructor Dominique Hall is not annoying and a great motivator. Her 6 pack abs are exactly how I'd like mine to be! This workout is perfect for beginners. Even though I'm not a beginner, I saw results after using this just a few days. The instructor gets right to the point and not a lot of chit-chat, except to explain the workout.

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Shape: 20 Minute Makeover

This is a MUST HAVE!
Elise Gulan does an AMAZING job with choreographing this DVD! There is minimal equipment required, just a set of 3 lb weights. Elise is an excellent instructor. She has an upbeat (not annoying) personality, her cueing is right on, and she reminds you to breathe- something I tend to forget =) There are modifications for beginner and advanced with Elise demonstrating intermediate/advanced.

SHAPE:20 Minute Makeover DVD has two main sections:

+ 20-minute interval training
+ Target toning segments; arms,abs,lower-body,&cardio

The 20 minute interval training, alternates low intensity moves with high energy cardio. Elise does a great job getting the heart rate up utilizing the high/low technique -using lunge lifts, squat throws, jumping jacks, and plie jumps. The low intensity moves involve holding positions while pulsing then switching to flowing movements. She also incorporates balance, so grab a chair just in case, there are some wobbly moments...

Amazing workout in 20 minutes!!
I just got this DVD and have been using it almost daily (in addition to Elise's Yoga workout). I'm a total gym rat, and my job takes me away from home for 2 weeks out of the month. The gym in this small town is horrible, so I am stuck using the fitness center in the hotel. (Does a stationary bike count as a "center"?) I have been using this DVD for over a week and am realizing that I don't have to spend an hour on the treadmill and an hour on the spin bike for a great workout. This 20 minutes really kicks my butt! I'm loving it! I'm so happy that I found this workout! I don't need much room, and I pack my 3lb weights in my carry-on when I travel. Elise is an amazing, inspiring instructor! She will whip your butt into shape and have you smiling along the way. Thanks, Elise!!

Can't believe what can be done in 20 minutes!!!
I have had a chance to do a bunch of different combinations of the 10 and 20-minute workouts on this DVD and every one of them has been awesome. If you're like me and don't always have a ton of time to work out, this is the solution - every segment is incredibly efficient and really gives you a full body workout. It's awesome!!

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REVOLUTION SUMMER

Punk King Goes Preacherman
If you have more than a passing acquaintence with the city of San Francisco, you'll appreciate the ambiance of this film. The "terrorist plot" is a bit far-fetched, but the ennui of the talented young in The City is not. The biggest plus is that American punk godfather, Austin, Texas's own Gary Floyd (The Dicks, Sister Double Happiness, The Gary Floyd Band, Black Kali Ma, Buddha Brothers, Bad Ride)--himself a Bay area musical legend--does an amazing turn as a street preacher. Well worth the price of admission.





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Caprica

The sci-fi greatness continues...
I was extremely skeptical when I heard about the proposed prequel to the greatest television science fiction saga of this generation. Attempting to cash in on the success of Battlestar Galactica so soon after the series ended seemed like a losing proposition doomed to mar an amazing franchise. Well, consider those fears alleviated. The first taste of "Caprica" is absolutely amazing. With no space battles and the themes of humanity's destruction and survival at the hands of their own creation already done to death, I feared for a lack of compelling material to further immerse me in the pre-genocide human society of the twelve worlds. All politics and no spaceships makes science fiction a dull genre. But what BSG did for the space opera, "Caprica" is set to do for cyberpunk. If BSG was Star Trek and...

Don't buy this if you buy Caprica Season 1.0
I loved watching Battlestar Galactica on DVD having missed it when it was on the air. I wanted to keep a good thing going and knew I wanted to buy all of the Caprica prequels to watch. So I ordered this pilot disk, Caprica Season 1.0 and Caprica Season 1.5. When I got them here, I found that this pilot episode is also included in the Season 1.0 disk set. I didn't want others to get suckered into the "frequently bought together" Amazon shtick and order more than they needed.

Interesting and Thoughtful
When I first heard the Sci Fi Channel (or as it's soon to be called: Syfy) was going to make a prequel series to Battlestar Galactica I was somewhat hesitant. Not because I was one of those science fiction snobs who thinks the genre can only be about space battles, aliens, and a certain startship that shall remain nameless. No, I was hesitant because I knew the network's history of meddling. The disaster that was season three of BSG can be squarely placed on the shoulders of the network suits. The idea of bringing the history of the colonies to life has the potential to be interesting and thought provoking television. After viewing the finished product recently released on DVD I have to say they've succeeded in many ways.

The story of Caprica takes place "58 years before the fall" of the colonies. At the heart of the story are two families: the Graystones, a wealthy family whose patriarch founded a technology company (a company that inadvertently leads to the downfall...

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Shape: Sculpt Your Abs

Fun and Effective! - BEWARE this is the previous Shape Your Abs DVD!
First of all, please note that this is not a new workout. This workout was previously released as Shape Your Abs (2004) with Tracy York as the instructor. The DVD has a 35 minute cardio and weights circuit training workout. The cardio section alternates 5 minutes of cardio with 2 minutes of body sculpting. The abs section is comprised of four 5-minute ab workouts: basic crunches, pilates-inspired, core conditioning and dynamic. There is a 12-minute bonus workout that uses weights and compound exercises. I personally enjoyed this DVD because it was fun and effective. I would recommend it to solid intermediate exercisers.

Good moves
I do ab exercises all the time, and this is one of the better routines. I can feel the burn in the abs without hurting my back, and without having to do a million reps. Very concise, clear exercises. I definitely recommend this DVD.

Loved it!
I really liked this DVD, and I especially enjoyed how the exercises are different than anything I've ever done. I'd recommend it for anyone looking to switch up their ab routine. I wish she would say that you're only supposed to work abs on nonconsecutive days, though. Also, the "Total body/cardio bonus section" is kind of lame and boring, but the ab workout is really a good one.

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Kicking the Dog

Background movie at a party - maybe...
Aside from the cover art having nothing to do with the movie (none of the people pictured are in it - including the dog or the house), the title being irrelevant to the story, the plot description repeating the "12 friends" line when there was 9, this could be decent.

You get 90 minutes of guys and girls talking about their sexcapades, drinking and trying to sleep with each other. There is a subplot involving one of the guys working in a porn shop, which is what gives this the R rating, otherwise the remainder takes place at one house over the course of a weekend.

A few laugh out loud moments, a lot of stupid idiots drinking, etc. One of those movies you might play as background at a party that no one is really watching, but would grab a view when the token fake boobs (really bad augmentation too) pop out a couple times. No special features, and film quality was poor to average. 5 star reviews? Please.

Funny Movie, Boobs not Fake
I think the movie is hilarious!

The boobs are NOT fake, the right nipple is just a little crooked. If it was a boobjob, they would have straightened it during surgery. People will complain about everything - even awesome, real, large breasts.

I love the soundtrack too.

Great movie, full of laughs!
I have watched "Kicking The Dog" a couple times and it just gets better. I repeat most lines from the movie on a daily basis. The soundtrack is unbeatable, I just love The Pawnshop Roses.
I was thrilled to find t-shirts at kickingthedog.com
If your looking for a great laugh, this is the movie to buy!

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The Poker Club

A nice, tight indie thriller.
Not really a poker movie, but a character driven thriller. Tim McCann is an excellent, underrated director who always brings a gritty edge to his movies. Nice performances and snappy direction elevate this nifty crime drama.

nice plot-twist
I had to watch this movie a few times, just to catch all the little clues that lead to the plot twist at the end. This movie has a good plot, but the real focus of the movie is on the acting. The behaviour, the eye-contact, the facial expressions. And it's all good.

Conflicted characters in a great twist and turn thriller!
Effortless... Based on reading one preview article and Judy Reyes' involvement, I saw The Poker Club. I wasn't let down, for once. This story is of an accidental murder after an innocuous poker game (Hosted by Johnathon Schaech) among friends. Soon enough, it becomes clear that almost everyone who appears to be an innocent bystander to the homicide in the beginning, actually has MUCH deeper problems. I love how this story is told... every time a guilty party is approached by a cop (In most cases, Reyes, the lead detective), your stomach sinks. You really don't want anyone to be caught, even though you know what happened was horrible. In the end, everything is wrapped up nicely, and though no moment in the movie is happy, I'm glad I saw it. It portrays the guilt of all those involved better than most movies.

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Into the Blue 2: The Reef

Not a Blockbuster, but worth the time
First of all, it's been a while since I've seen the first, so I'm
judging this based on this movie alone. Over all, this is a decent
movie. The acting is decent by most of the cast and it seems to be well
cast. The storyline is surprisingly good. It's easy to follow and after
the first 30 minutes it will keep you watching. But you have to give it
those 30 minutes to get into it.

No, contrary to popular belief Audrina does not have a big part in the
movie. She's on screen all of 5 minutes (and that's generous). I have
no idea how that rumor came about.

If you want a movie just to watch to kill time, this is that movie. It
won't wow you but it will keep you entertained as the story really is a
good one. I was surprised that it was as good as it is.

into the blue 2
The story is about two divers played by Chris Carmack and Laura Vandervoort who love to explore hidden treasures at a bottom of a local reef. One day after a day of exploring they are approached by a couple played by David Anders and Marsha Thomason. They tell the young divers that they want to hire them to explore the reef and find a rare artifact about Columbus' hidden treasure that is reported at the bottom of the reef.

Next day the four dive to the bottom of the reef and of coarse after a whole day of diving they find nothing. A few more days past and the two hired divers found out that they a part of a major deadly plot in which they can't escape otherwise they will be killed. They were hired to find two big containers. One contains a nuclear reactor and the other contains a core.

The movie also has a back story about another person (brother of the lead character) trying to patch things up with his girlfriend, I reckon this part of the story was a waste of...

Fun & Enjoyable
Believe it or not, I liked this one better than the original. Ive seen the first one about maybe 3 times...and I still dont know what in the world it was about. At the very least, I could follow the story (and I enjoyed it)! I knew almost all the actors in the movie (theyre all tv actors) and they even shocked me when they killed off one of the characters I didnt expect to die.
It wont win any awards or anything but it was, for the most part, very enjoyable for me.

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Bringing Up Bobby

A great family movie
This is a great movie to watch with the whole family. It is fun, has a great message and especially is geared to connect with the younger generation, 9- 20 year olds. I would definitely recommend this.

Fun for everyone!
"Bringing Up Bobby" is one of the funniest movies with a Christian theme that I've seen. My three youngest children, ages 19, 17 and 16 LOVED it and watched it over and over. You know how hard it is to get and keep a teenagers attention for very long, but this movie did that.
The reason I like this movie besides the hilarious parts which are all through the movie is the Christianity that is a major theme. Some movies just stick about God or being a Christian in one part, but "Bringing Up Bobby" has Christianity from start to finish. This movie shows us you can have a riot in life, but still have Jesus at the center.
"Bringing Up Bobby" also is about reading wills, money, greed, child neglect, alcoholism and thinking you deserve everything. It also teaches even when things don't go your way you can still praise the Lord and keep on with a positive attitude.
Bobby just turning 16 doesn't know what he believes so his older brother/caregiver challenges him to read the...

Amazingly Good Family Film
I personally know the lead character in this film and absolutely love it!! It has the perfect balance between comedy and drama, unique cast bonding, and above all a clean family-friendly Christian message. Unlike some other christian films, the message is subtle yet strong and very thought worthy. Very enjoyable film!!

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Unconscious

Brilliant, finely crafted film
Wonderful plot will keep you guessing. Snappy dialogue, excellent acting. The last jaw-dropping scene actually occurs after the closing credits and will leave you stunned. It's been a long time since such a clever motion picture hit the scene. Obviously not another studio pablum product, it's daring and rewarding - shows what truly independent filmmaking can aspire to.





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HIT Favorites: Playtime Pals

My kids love it.
My son especially loves Fireman Sam so we have a few of the HIT favorites and he always wants to play Fireman Sam over and over. The episodes on this dvd are:

Thomas & Friends: Thomas & The Lighthouse
Barney: Summer
Fifi and the Flowertots: Life's a Beach
Bob the Builder: Splasher's Two Stops
Fireman Sam: King of the Jungle
Kipper: The Swimming Pool
Plus a Bonus Episode featuring Roary the Racing Car: Roary Cleans Up His Act

Overall a good dvd that my kids love to watch.

thomas fan
my three year old loves thomas and this product arrived just in time for his holidays dispite the extra parcels that were prob causing delays. i am happy with this purchas!



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Frost/Nixon

"I shall be your fiercest adversary/I shall come at you with everything I've got....the limelight can only shine on one of us"
"Frost/Nixon is a riveting historical drama, based on the play by Peter Morgan. Morgan wrote the movie's screenplay, as well as screenplays for "The Queen," and "The Last King of Scotland." The controversial 1977 Frost/Nixon interviews are dramatized here, and Frank Langella's superb performance as the disgraced former president, Richard M. Nixon, is worth the price of a movie rental alone.

Richard Nixon resigned from the office of the presidency on August 9, 1974, rather than face impeachment by Congress for his role in the Watergate scandal, and subsequent events. He was the only US president ever to do so. The film shows real footage of the Nixon family, leaving the White House and boarding a helicopter - the first step in a journey which will take Mr. Nixon into exile.

David Frost, (Michael Sheen), a British celebrity talk show host, watches this event on television and decides that an interview with Nixon would be just the thing to relaunch his waning...

Near Perfect Filmmaking
After the Watergate scandal and his subsequent resignation, Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) is living in relative seclusion back in California. But, following a lucrative interview offer from British talk show host David Frost (Michael Sheen), Nixon sees an opportunity not only to make some easy money but to return himself to the public spotlight. Meanwhile Frost, best known for chatting with celebrity lightweights, views this as a chance to gain fame and respectability as a journalist in America.

Frost is encouraged by his research aides to go hard after Nixon. But instead Frost throws softballs for the first three interview segments and is easily overwhelmed by his more experienced adversary. Then, on the night before the final interview, Frost receives a strange phone call from Nixon, who basically goes off on a drunken rant. Frost, smelling blood, decides to take a more aggressive approach and on the final day Nixon ends up making humiliating admissions about his role...

Incisive Look Into Frost/Nixon Interviews
Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon focuses on the period after Richard Nixon resigned from the Presidency, and leading up to the Frost Nixon interview. The movie starts off with the world's and Frost's fascination with Nixon's resignation and the lengths he went to secure Nixon as an interview subject. Frost bet not only his career on the interviews but his life as well. He put all his assets on the line, and borrowed from all his friends to pay the $600,000 Nixon (and his agents) asked for.

Part of Frosts preparation for the interviews was to hire researchers for background on Nixon and to formulate the questions asked during the interviews. The researchers, played by Oliver Platt and Sam Rockwell add not only some comic relief, but provide a behind the scenes look at the pressure they were under and exerted on Frost to, not just interview Nixon but to push him and ask the hard questions, to at least try for some accountability from Nixon, which of course resulted in Nixon blurting...

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