Air America (1990)

This is a movie about air delivery: airdrop by parachutes, and amazing short field landings by STOL aircraft like the amazing Pilatus TurboPorter and the larger C-123. If you like Airborne things, this movie is for you, its funny and upbeat compared to your typical Vietnam movie and in a way does greater honor to the courage of the pilots who lived on the edge while flying these hairy missions. The TurboPorter landing on the side of the mountain makes the whole movie worthwhile...add to it '60s music and sexy Nancy Travis, what more do you want?

I find this movie far more interesting than the Lethal Weapon series, so it soars in my book as one of Mel Gibson's best movies.

Air America was the United States "airforce" stationed in Laos

during the Vietnam war aiding our allies (amongst other things)

Mel Gibson plays veteran air american Gene Ryback and Robert Downey plays Billy Covington the FNG to the outfit.(He ends up being recruited in the states by a fast talking agent of the CIA after he (Downey) is grounded for being an...in the air.

The Film explores the adventures and antics..or hi-jinks as the pencil necked air america geek notes of t he pilots. Which includes drunken whorehouse parties, target practice with silencers on a miniature golf course and my favorite, gun running and landing an aircraft on a mountain.

A serio-comic movie it delivers the goods and was is enjoyable to watch

Thumbs up^

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I saw this film in the theater when it was released and feel the same way about it now as I did then. The characters are all unique and it's a different look at the Vietnam war. Some of the music from the soundtrack may sound a little off. I don't know if it was a licensing problem but some of the tunes are not the originals. Not a big deal though for what is a good flick

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Another Great Movie by Mario Kassar & Andrew Vajna , I saw Air America when first released on Video & again on DVD with a good picture & sound and now even better on Blu Ray with a clearer picture & sound a well recorded Blu Ray with good acting especially by Mel Gibson & Robert Downey jr with action adventure and sence of humor .... Recommended .

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This movie was pretty good. Seemed short and like the story line movied fast, but deff worth watching!

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There Be Dragons (2011)

Because cinemas in this area dismissed this one as "very limited release," it's been a long wait. It was worth waiting.

This is the story of two childhood friends who take different life paths that cross during the Spanish Civil War. When one is proposed for sainthood in the 1970's, the son of the other begins research to write a book about him. An old picture links his father to the dead priest for the first time, and the writer begins digging into the story, finding that "there be dragons" in the past.

The movie is a mix of pshychological/spiritual with the action of a bloody war, and the ending is one very few would guess.

There Be Dragons is a wonderful and inspiring film! However, if you think that particular comments about films constitute "spoilers," please read no further....

Told in "flashback," There Be Dragons is a journalist's investigation of the life of Saint Josemaria Escriva and the surprising discovery of how his own dad's life had been intertwined with that of the saint. Much takes place at the time of the Spanish Civil War. Late 20th Century and Early 21st Century America lacks an understanding of that incredibly brutal, bloody place and time.

* In his bizarre, apocalyptic ballad, Miami 2017, Billy Joel casually alluded to the burning of churches "Like in that Spanish civil war."

* In Entertaining Angels' fictional conversation between Dorothy Day and her archbishop, Dorothy's character even seemed to minimize the slaughter of priests and religious Dorothy would be aghast!(See David Scott's 1997 review, "On the Wrong Day" for more on the shortcomings of that film.)

There Be Dragons instead reminds us that for many of that time & place, concern for social justice lost touch with its moral compass and led to absolute injustice and depravity. Ultimately, this movie is an incredible story about redemption.

Within the past year, we have seen several major films with ostensibly Catholic themes: There Be Dragons and Of Gods and Men were head and shoulders over The Tree Of Life and The Way.

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I've seen this movie twice, once at a prescreen, and once at the theater. I have been waiting for it to come out, so that I can have a movie party for friends to come watch!

It is full of truly unpredictable twists and turns, and lots of hidden meaning and purpose.

I have heard criticism that St. Josemaria Escriva was not featured enough, and the focus was too much on the alternate character, Manolo. I disagree. As prominent as he was, St. Josemaria was, from what I ascertain, an understated though deeply interesting person, and the movie portrays this well.

I am preordering this. Now I am really looking forward to 2012!

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When the movie ended, I sat frozen in my chair, too moved to do anything else. I have never seen such a movie and will own it on DVD when it becomes available. I will buy many copies and give them away. It didn't get much attention in the theaters, but as the word spreads the DVDs should reach many people. No one seeing it will walk away unchanged. This is a movie to own and to ponder.

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Wonderful movie, can't wait for it to come out in DVD. Limited viewing the the cinema so a lot of people don't know what they missed. Show your support and buy the DVD when it becomes available.

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Another Earth (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011)

I'm a cantankerous old goat, rarely moved to hyperbole, but I was simply enthralled by this film: totally absorbed throughout, except when I found myself chuckling giddily at the realisation I was watching a profoundly brilliant piece of cinema. The last time I had that sensation was in 1991 when I saw Silence of the Lambs. Another Earth is an utterly different film, but in its own way it offers, just as completely, everything that this medium of film promises and so rarely delivers.

In Another Earth, a new planet appears, close by, in the sky. In fact, it is another Earth, identical to our own. Thereafter, Earth II precipitates, frames and propels a delicate and desolate gravitational attraction between two irreparably damaged people. Irreparably damaged because the only thing which will heal them is the only thing that cannot: each other. Another Earth explores that relationship and, with the aid of the planet-sized metaphor, the ever-present path-dependency of our short, brutish existences.

This is an independent film: budgets are tight and much is shot, Blair Witch style, on a hand-held camcorder. The blown-out exposures, over-sharpened lines and noisy, boxy sound give the picture the feel of a student project. But science fiction with production values at zero is like silent film: if forces you to watch, and undistracted by dazzling computer generated images and 7.1 digital surround sound, you are drawn fully into the ingenious screenplay and the human resonances it explores.

Rhoda Williams is about to go to college. She's smart: she'll be an MIT astrophysics undergraduate, and she's handsome: not a million miles from a young Laura Dern. You might call her pretty, but she's by no means saccharine sweet. She is, however, tipsy: intoxicated not just with the promise of the path on which her young life is taking her, but with a little too much champagne. She gets in her car to go home. Rhoda takes her eyes off the road and gazes at this new Earth.

There is, of course, a ghastly accident. It brings Rhoda together with John Burroughs, a composer and a devoted husband and father who is the only survivor when Rhoda's car ploughs into his at a pedestrian crossing. Thus are their characters brought together and simultaneously flung apart by the centripetal force of their own damaged psychologies to the most isolated, remotest reaches of human space.

When John Burroughs emerges from his coma his reaction to his family's death is, well, to burrow: he retreats to the huge, draughty and decaying New Haven house, to drink, wither and die. He compounds his downward spiral with clutter: rubbish, bottles and piles of trash: the detritus of his life are the physical manifestations of his disintegrating psyche.

Rhoda emerges, after a similar period, from prison. Her spiral seems as destructive and hopeless as John's; she withdraws into herself and hatches various plans to escape the here-and-now altogether. Her more benign attempt is to enter an essay competition to win a seat on a probe to Earth II being organised by an Australian entrepreneur (yes, I found this odd too: perhaps this is a parallel universe where the men from down under won the space race). Rhoda also tries more damaging means of putting an end to her suffering, too.

While morosely visiting the scene of the accident Rhoda observes John Burroughs doing the same. He knows little of the details of the accident and nothing of Rhoda. She resolves at least to apologise to him, gets as far as his front door and, human frailty being what it is, fluffs her lines. Instead, she makes an excuse by dint of which she winds up in a distant, but ongoing interaction with Burroughs anyway.

Thence commences the tragic, and delicate, convergence of these lonely orbits. All the while that missing admission, like Earth II in the sky, looms ever larger.

Their burgeoning relationship, we know, is as flawed by human weakness as was the accident, and yet here are two people, with no alternative means of recovery and who offer each other great redemption, but only so long as there is this awful lie between them.

The film unfolds carefully, slowly and wondrously, without a false step throughout its length.

When I emerged from the cinema a giant gibbous moon hung low over the Soho skyline like another world, as if even the universe itself was pitching in to Cahill's metaphorical scheme. It followed me home, slinking behind the trees and between buildings, always there, watching my every step. It's still there now.

Beautiful, and profound.

Olly Buxton

This movie is very well done. No 3-D aliens and nothing exploded. Very thoughtful dialog and great use of the Science Fiction genre to tell a very human story. William Mapother (probably best known as "Ethan" in the seies "Lost") and Brit Marling (who has an economics degree from Georgetown an looks very comfortable playing the "smart girl" role)are very good. Kids will find this boring as will people that need helicopters in every other scene to keep their attention. But if you want to view deep characters in an interesting story, this is a jackpot. I gave this 4 stars but I'd call it a 4+.

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Why didn't this film do better at the box office? Was it the marketing or, was it was just too cerebral for most of the movie going public. Perhaps the trailer gave the impression of unremitting and unrewarded suffering. In the last case, be assured that there is true and well deserved redemption that comes with a twist at the end. Whatever the problem was, the fault was not the film. But, it prevented this movie from drawing an audience in numbers it should have. And that is a shame. Its failure at the box office will further dampen the spirits and limit the opportunities of truly original film makers. Don't let this happen. Buy this movie and reward intelligent, creative and thought provoking films that will provide a welcome relief to the normal mindless Hollywood fare.

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brit marling is like a dream, and the movie is more like her beautiful but disturbed interruption upon wake: we, the viewers are watching her story unfold. this isn't like an ordinary 'movie', set so differently from real life, or that the actors are separated from their trailers and coffee breaks, to the players and costumes they portray. this is like watching a woman, behind a raspberry bush, following her as she walks through life, brilliant, suffocated, ashamed, gracious. she's the most beautiful, kind-hearted, warm-intentioned 'criminal' i've ever watched upon the screen and thus the most realistic. i've rarely been able to hold a piece of the actor's heart, and intentions, into my own personal life i've, sure, been able to escape into brad pitt's biceps in 'fight club', been thrown off guard by keira's rosy cheeks and beauty in 'atonement', wished my life could be as dangerous and wonderful as the scoundrels in gregg araki's films, but i've rarely felt as approachable to those characters. if i saw them in real life, i would most likely feel fat, ugly, unhip, unmodelesque, un-actory. brit is someone i Want to meet, be friends with, look at, despite her looks or actions. she isn't even acting, in a sense. she's connecting with another persona, but using her words, glimpses, thoughts, like she would as if making a present for her mum, presenting a graduation speech, listening to a friend as she reaches out in tears... she's all about connecting, and honesty. she's just like you and i if we could care less about weight, or impressing our parents deciding to be in a film and use a new kind of media for discovering about the poetry of life, science, space, people, pain... It's one of those films that will be overlooked, turned down, judged voraciously, but only because it isn't immediate, but it is also the most captivating piece i have watched in a long time. it wasn't uncomfortable, cliche, frustrating, nor depressing for me. it was inspiring to see her struggle, heart breaking to know i could be in that same situation and learn the same road lose my friends, want to die, feel honestly dis-tached from family, and take haven in others stories rather than my own. it was breath taking to see so many metaphors and music put together the cello playing every time brit entered the scene, tumbling on rocks, or the piano and cello chaotically together when she made love with the other. or the way the first human she saw after being set free... was a man in an alien costume. the irony. or how the astrophysicist chose to speak to the alternate Her from planet 2, asking about Astro Strawberries and when she was 7, instead of the terrified or panicked beacons that governmental employees are known to embark, when speaking to extraterrestrial forms. it's also infuriating how this got a 64 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and that the general public found it dull, repetitive, and over-dramaticized, where i found it fresh, completely realistic, and clenching.

the kind of movie where blowing your nose or taking off your shoe a three second act that removes you from the screen was enough to make me rewind, and capture those seconds lost. the kind where after watching, i told everyone i knew in proximity all of my roommates and my friend that day later, to 'watch this movie, no matter what'. the kind that isn't even a movie, really, but a piece that i was fortunate enough to see, that didn't use gimmicks or flash to attract me, and is what movies should Aspire to be.

it's also one that will be a classic, cult or general, in years to come. the kind that isn't favored by the public or critics initially, but is well-traveled down the road, for being something new, broad, sweeping, and challenging. the kind where you Want to be in the main character's shoes, be gawked at by the same brother, make love to the same man, throw up elegantly on the same train toilet, stare at the same flock of birds, and tuck the same lock of hair behind the ear, but don't want to, because only she can be as beautiful and honest, as herself.

please give this another thought. at least appreciate it for it's power to invoke a primal emotion, rather than immediate excitement and then forgetfulness.

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This is a beautiful movie. I simply cannot get inside the heads of those who give this movie negative reviews. It is a beautiful concept, executed with sere, tender restraint. The primary character, Rhoda, is drawn and acted with authenticity. Brit Marling is phenomenal. If you like good movies, you will like this film.

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Hoffa (Filmmaker Signature Series) (2012)

Here is the closest thing there is in cimena to a real life story of a blood and guts union leader. Jimmy Hoffa was boss of the Teamsters (truckers) union for many years until he met his demise in 1975 at the hands of the same thugs that helped him secure his place as the union boss.

All the memorable moments of Hoffa's life are in this movie including his duels with then Attorney General Robert Kennedy, his accommodation to gangland members for union gain, and the circumstances that led to his final undoing.

I sure like this movie and watch it every chance I get. There are two fine films about the life of the late Jimmy Hoffa (who may or may not be buried in the Meadowlands) -this one and Sylvester Stallone's 1978 effort "FIST", which covered much of the same ground as this one.

Any movie with Jack Nicholson in the lead must be taken seriously, and he does fine work in this film. I enjoyed every scene but have to take issue with some of the historical accuracy, particularly that final scene at the "Road House".

Jimmy Hoffa was, in fact, last seen as a swanky restaurant in a swanky suburub of Detroit right down the street from one of the Detroit's biggest PR firms, not at some nickle and dime diner out in the middle of nowhere.

No matter, I suppose, since I enjoy the flick so much. You will too if you rent, purchase, borrow or steal a copy of this DVD.

A woefully underrated biography of the controversial Teamsters union president that deserved better than it got in 1992. Director Danny Devito and writer David Mamet clearly admire their subject, depicting Hoffa as a hero, a leader who has earned the loyalty of the working men he represents, rather than a self-centered puppet whose strings were pulled by organized crime. Whether or not Hoffa was deserving of such admiration is debatable, but the film offers a convincing argument that he was. As an actor, Devito has little to do but push people around and gape at Hoffa in awe, but behind the camera he performs admirably even if he seems a little too pretentious at times. As for Nicholson, this is one of his most challenging roles, one requiring more than an arch of those famous eyebrows and a flash of that killer smile. With the aid of a hairpiece and a few other modifications to his appearance, he gives one of his best performances in years. This is a fine, memorable film that seemed to have disappeared upon its release as thoroughly as Hoffa himself did in 1975. I don't know the whereabouts of Hoffa the man (and believe it's in my best interests not to know), but the film is on the video shelf. Check it out or buy it, but see it.

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Hoffa is a surprising film which from time to time arises to keep alive the memory of the late Teamster president. Told in flash back form, the film ably describes the dramatic rise and fall of the popular labor leader. Indeed, with Nickleson's portrayal the viewer is convinced of the confrontational life of the man who became synonymous with the International union. Re-enacting the turbulent rise of Hoffa, viewers are treated to the fabulous talents of some of the giants of the silver screen. Few could argue that Jack Nicholson as James R. 'Jimmy' Hoffa is nothing short of magical. In addition there is Danny DeVito who as Bobby Ciaro, in my opinion steals the show. Further enriching the cast is Armand Assante as Carol D'Allesandro, the mob boss who assured Jimmy's rise to power and then later is suspect in the teamster's mysterious disappearance. J.T. Walsh is excellent as Frank Fitzsimmons. The dramatic film superbly encapsulates the early violent trials, successful triumphs and eventual tragedy of the great, but troubled teamster president. ****

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Jack Nicholson's Hoffa is a Nicholson/Hoffa hybrid that plays very well on screen, though I don't know how much like the real man he really is. I've only seen brief news clips (including the extras in the special features section of the DVD). But Nicholson gives a moving and memorable performance as Jimmy Hoffa. The rest of the cast (a young John C. Reilly included) also give great performances.

I knew nothing about Jimmy Hoffa before this movie, so the nature of the film played well to me, giving an arc of events portraying Jimmy Hoffa's rise to President of the Teamsters from a young man concerned with union rights. It also dramatically covers his involvement with gangsters, the law, and Robert Kennedy.

Although Hoffa plays out like a sweeping epic (it IS 2 hours and 20 minutes long after all), there's something missing in its grandeur, and I really think it's as simple as an experienced director. Not that Danny DeVito does a bad job with the film and the actors, it's just every now and then something seems to miss the mark. A lot of the scenes look like they take place in obvious studios, which draws the audience away, and some of the scenes with bigger crowds lack that extra touch of humanity that needs to be given to remind the viewer of the individuals involved in the crowd.

Overall, though, the acting carries the movie through to the end, though, from what I've read, the ending is entirely fictionalized, which is a bit strange considering that it's somewhat of a biopic and not just a fictionalized account of a real man's life.

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Amazon's requirement of 20 words minimum for a review is BS. All I want to do is give a "star" rating. I don't have time to write something about everything I buy, plus my "headline" sums it up just fine. Anyone who likes the movie likely already owns it and they're just trying to decide whether or not to get it on Blu-ray.

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Samurai Girls: Complete Collection (2011)

While overall the story of the series has been done over many times at the end the characters do endear themselves to you enough that the series in whole is worth looking at. The basic premise of the series is you have one young man a skilled fighter who inherits a somewhat deteriorated dojo where he begins to meet well endowed women after women(Eight total I figure) all extremely attractive and with the exception of one of them all extremely endowed(Again with a lot of harem animes we have to have one who while technically a young adult appears childlike pushing the Lolita factor a little). Though after one of them Jubei Yagyu appears in the sky and shares a kiss with the young man Munekira Yagyu she becomes a powerful warrior causing all the other females to want to share a kiss with the young man since it seems that by doing so empowers them with incredible fighting prowess. The series is supposed to be a mix of edo and present time since the Tokugawa Shogunate remains in power keeping alive the samurai way of life for the most part, that isn't to say there isn't any technological development you'll see a mix of shogunate lifestyle with modern conveniences intermixed into the series. The series animation is something you have to get used to as I haven't seen this kind anywhere really, the character animation is pretty standard a little mix of Naruto and Ikki Toussen the background animation though feels like one of those 3D games you see like with Street Fighter or BlazeBlue not the exact same thing but a little close to it check out a couple of images or trailers to really get an idea of the series animation. The voice cast for the Japanese did superbly in their character roles and surprisingly so did the English cast, at first I wasn't so sure about them as I checked online for their past credentials and couldn't find anything but if you've already bought a few ADV or Funimation released sets then many of these dubbed voice actors will sound familiar to you. The set comes in three disc, the first two hold the entire series the third is the bonus disc which has some very entertaining extras on it. So if you like series like Sekirei, Naruto, Inu Yasha, or Ikki Touseen with a touch of humor and a ton of fan service here's a entertaining series to check out...

I'll be honest, I didn't really read much about this show ahead-of-time. I read the general synopsis and went ahead and bought it because it sounded interesting. Most animes are suggestive and have sexy anime characters, but they're usually clothed. Lots of full-on nudity in this show, so don't buy this for kids.

The plot is pretty good, kind of predictable and silly, but I really enjoyed it. The drawing was decent although the blotching at the beginning was disconcerting, and the characters as a whole have enough personality to make the show enjoyable. The guy who does the voice for the main character is probably my least favorite because he comes off as entirely too dramatic, but the other characters' voices make up for it. If you like a light-hearted, fun anime where one wave of a sword blows people's clothes off this one is worth watching.

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There seems to be a dojo master called Muneakira who turns females in samurai masters with powerful elemental powers by kissing them. There is a lot of nudity with large breasts, but no observed sex acts. There are several females characters with their own unique personalities.

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I watched the first episode on hulu and decided to buy the series to watch the rest. It seemed interesting at the time and the reviews here weren't half bad, but...in the end I wasn't too much impressed. I liked the animation style which was truly unique and very nice to watch on blu-ray. I even liked all the "eye candy" with the girls, yeah I said it. Parents be ware that these woman WILL be exposed above the waiste quite often, all while implying suggestive acts. Other than those two things I didn't like much. Story was not fully threshed out and rushed in the final couple episodes leaving a lot of unknowns. Really could have used more episodes or used the time in the series more wisely, maybe less boobs and more story? Anyways, if your looking for nice style, animated bossoms, and suggestive poses pic this up, if not...turn away and don't look back.

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Great animation and good characters are the bread and butter of Samurai Girls. The art stands alone as innovative and the characters are pretty cool. There's not much else about this one that keeps ya watching. The story is really thin. They resort to constant nudity to keep it afloat. I enjoy watching chicks get their outfits shredded but that's no substitute for a memorable story. The pros and cons balance each other out and this anime is left being just ok. I don't think I'll sell it, but I probably won't watch it over and over either.

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Alpha & Omega (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2010)

Despite all the poor reviews online, my 6-yr old daughter loves this movie. Although I have not had the opportunity to sit down with her to watch the entire film, I will admit there is a lot of adult humor (like most children's movies nowadays... Look at Toy Story 3 and SpongeBob.) No matter... picture quality good, and my daughter really wanted to add this movie to her collection. At Target's unbeatable sale price of $9.00, it was a good buy too.

I am a 23 year old male and im usually into action and comedy but one day i was on Facebook when i saw the page for Alpha and Omega i watched the trailer to it and it looked pretty good then it was on ondemand so i decided to watch it and it turns out i really loved this movie it has some corny kids scenes but all in all a great movie for everyone to enjoy its one of the few movies i would watch over and over again

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Alpha and Omega has all the features of a good film. It has endearing characters, a classic plot, and lots of humor mixed in too. I'm 16, and I really enjoyed the film. You'll find yourself laughing one minute and "aww-ing" the next. I actually felt that the animation was fairly good, and the plot, while certainly not original, was a classic winner. As long as you still haven't lost connection with your inner child, I guarantee you that this movie will be a good buy.

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Certainly not the coolest animation movie I've seen, ... but certainly not the worst either. Actually it was reasonable good I suppose. Watched it with our 6 year old son, ... and he did like it. One of the scenes he liked most was those poor birds dropping from the sky, when ... (well I won't spoil it). Me... I liked the Canadian turkey with his caddy.

The story on its own was I suppose ok, ... a bit too cute, too sweet perhaps,....puppy love. But,... I don't know, somehow they pull it together after all. I mean,... I enjoyed it, laughed,.. most of all, I loved my sons reaction to it. He was entertained and laughed a lot.

I think I appreciate the makers effort in trying to use a different type of animal then usual in the leading role. Wolves! And usually wolves would be in the `bad/evil' role. I remember wondering at the beginning of the movie how they were going to pull this off I mean, weather they would succeed in portraying the wolves as "good". Because next to being in the "good" role, they also had to show the "strong" and "meaner" character of the wolves. I think they succeeded pretty well.

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this is a well made animated movie. this movie was entertaining and it was funny. this movie is for kids and kids at heart. great famliy film

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Tai Chi Zero (2012)

The Actors were great, the story was EPIC and exciting!!! There were a good amount of funny moments, but the fight scenes were AMAZING!!! I LOVE how the women in this film were portrayed as strong, skilled, and self sufficient, yet able to still have love (a little insight into their vulnerability) and the costumes were really stylish they added to the authenticity of the film!! This film had quite a bit of eye candy as well so... I look forward to seeing more work from this director, and I can't wait until the next installment of this story comes to theateres!!!

Those who've followed my reviews over the years (and, yes, there are a good many of you) know just how fond I am of foreign films. Not so much the European releases. While they've had some nice flicks, I get much for bang for my buck from the Japanese, Korean and Chinese releases. I tend to find them more relatable in many ways, far more interesting with respect to depiction of their cultural norms and attitudes, and modestly reverential of their national history. Plus as I've said many times they're rawer than many similarly-themed American releases because they aren't bogged down by the politics and shenanigans of the U.S. studio system.

However, some of that's clearly started to change. In the last few years, I've noticed more and more of the pictures coming out of China, in particular, starting to have that `big budget' feel. What tends to happen in films of this sort is that there's clearly less emphasis on storytelling and increased focus on stories that require bigger and bolder set pieces, finer and more intricate special effects. Sometimes, this increased focus works to the detriment of the picture as a whole, as I think it did with films like DETECTIVE DEE or CONFUCIUS. But when it's managed properly, the end result is a piece of entertainment the likes of which TAI CHI ZERO represents.

(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers solely necessary for the discussion of plot and characters. If you're the kind of reader who prefers to read a review entirely spoiler-free, then I'd encourage you to skip down to the last two paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you're accepting to hints of `things to come,' then read on ...)

Since birth, Yang Lu Chan (played by Yuan Xiaochao) has been plagued by a wart-like growth from the right side of his forehead. What looks like a birth defect is actually a secret weapon that allows him when it's tapped to tap into some deep-seated talent to mimic any martial arts display he's witnessed. This gift from nature does not come without consequence for, unless he can master the arts of the force inside him, he will die young from the advanced strain on his body. A shaman suggests he travel to the distant Chen Village where, if he can learn the art of Tai Chi, he might just find balance. The problem with that solution is that their villagers refuse to teach any outsiders ... but before all is over, Lu Chan will have gained the trust and confidence of Chen Yunia (played by pop star Angelbaby), and he learns there just might be no cure for the troubles which ail him.

Stephen Fung has an impressive resume as a director, actor, and writer, and what he's well on the way to accomplishing with TAI CHI ZERO (warning: this is only the first part in a planned trilogy, and, yes, it does end on a cliffhanger) is nothing short of amazing. Stylistically, ZERO's all over the map is it a comedy? Is it a drama? If it's a little of both, what are we to take seriously? but, for the most part, it succeeds despite a heavy emphasis on some questionable use of split-screen storytelling and slow-motion wire-fu sequences that probably add twenty minutes to the film (no kidding). Mostly, that's because everybody roots for the underdog, and ZERO's story is full of `em. When the story is about a whole town of underdogs, there's a good foundation to make it all come together.

This is not to say ZERO doesn't have some narrative `hiccups,' because it does. For example, the first thirty minutes (or so) are punctuated by clever bits of stylish posturing the audience is treated to a frozen screen highlighting a particular actor or actress, and then there's a quick, humorous throwaway observation about the actor's career (and not the character in the film). This is something I've seen happen previously in Japanese animes, and, when I've seen it, I've mostly hated it (even when it was divulging something relevant to the story). Why? First, it pulls me out of the motion picture experience by reminding me that I'm watching an actor, not a character, and that's a distraction to me personally. Second, it grinds the narrative to a halt in order to deliver some `technical moment' that, quite frankly, has little or nothing to do with the film. I've had it explained to me that this is nothing more than a bit of Eastern-style humor; while that may be true, that doesn't negate the fact that I find it a distraction. Thankfully, this `technique' disappears after setting up most if not all of the main characters, so I'll let it be.

Still, as the story wears on, it becomes increasingly obvious that Fung and his players are working extremely hard to please its audience. I'd suspect he and they know precisely what they're doing, and they've probably all got a solid grounding in where they're heading with the trilogy. Whereas this might burden other projects, I thought it became somewhat infectious. They've gone to great lengths to pull on an awful lot of influences here traditional comedy, the triumph of the underdog, weird variations on the basic martial arts film ... and that doesn't even take into account the obvious influence of steampunk heavily at play in one of the most curious contraptions brought to Chinese film! What easily could've been a series of clever but inane stumbles are made to work to the picture's benefit.

So, while it ain't perfect, I enjoyed TAI CHI ZERO quite a bit, and I'll definitely stay tuned for its second chapter.

TAI CHI ZERO is produced by Diversion Pictures and Huayi Brothers & Taihe Film Investment. DVD distribution (stateside) is being handled by Well Go USA Entertainment. As for the technical specs, the film is very accomplished; it looks and sounds fantastic, though (as indicated above) there are a few sequences which heavily remind the audience that its watching a film instead of striving to immerse them in this colorful world. The film has both the original Mandarin language track as well as an English-dubbed track, but I'd encourage viewers who choose the English-dubbed to keep the English-subtitles on as they're needed especially in the early part of the film. As for special features, there's a brief obligatory behind-the-scenes featurette (nothing special), a music video, and theatrical trailers.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. From a story standpoint, I have to reserve judgment until I see where TAI CHI HERO (its forthcoming sequel, the second part of a planned trilogy) takes the story, but so far TAI CHI ZERO is a winning combination of character, action, and humor. It's a delicate balance one maintained to great accomplishment of all the players, cast and crew and I'd imagine most folks would be hard pressed to find this nifty little gem nothing short of interesting ... so long as they can get through the opening anime-inspired lunacy. Once those somewhat intrusive introductions are out of the way, ZERO is certainly no zero.

In the interests of fairness, I'm pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Well Go USA Entertainment provided me with an advance DVD screener of TAI CHI ZERO for the expressed purposes of completing this review.

Buy Tai Chi Zero (2012) Now

This genre-melder opens an Asian kung fu adventure trilogy with strong elements of humor, Hong Kong theater stunts and a videogame feel. Anyone tired of "the same old…" whatever should give this a shot!

During a playful flashback, we learn that Lu Chan was born with a small horn-like growth on his head recognized by a kung fu master as the crown of three blossoms, prophesying that he will one day become a great kung fu master. This master adopts Lu Chan after the death of his mother (Shu Qi).

Years later we find the young Yang Lu Chan (action newcomer Yuan Xiaochao) on the battlefield. He seems to have a gentle soul. However, "the freak" (as he is called) is capable of becoming a demon-eyed, super-charged menace. Master Dong (Siu-Lung Leung; Kung Fu Hustle) warns Lu Chan that if he does not learn internal kung fu from Master Chen (Tony Leung Ka Fai; Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame), that he will soon deplete his inner energy and die. Not a fan of this prognosis, Lu Chan seeks Master Chen.

However, Master Chen refuses to teach his Chen style kung fu to an outsider--it's actually a village law. As Lu Chan persists, he is thwarted by the Chen style-savvy locals often in funny fight scenes. In fact, humor is a major, frequent component in this kung fu adventure. Lu Chan's dedication earns him the admiration of many villagers, but it is when he helps save the village from a giant, steampunk, iron menace and teaming British soldiers that he earns acceptance by the villagers, and the love of one in particular.

There are strong, oddly-toned humorous elements in this stylistic genre-melder. Very dramatically scored, this movie is filmed beautifully and utilizes many unique, artistic effects, including a comicbook-style animated short mixed with live footage during the opening credits. The inclusion of stempunk elements and written captions identifying objects, landmarks, characters and techniques creates a strong fantasy videogame feel as well.

The fighting includes some well-timed slow-motion in the style of 300 as well as some classic overuse of wire stunts. Strong female characters capable of humor and handling themselves physically--but not at the expense of their emotional vulnerability or loving nature--contribute to a more positive tone as well, providing more of an adventure movie experience than a martial arts action movie.

This entire movie is about Lu Chan trying to learn Chen style kung fu and when the movie is over, he still hasn't. During the credits we see a "preview" of sorts to Tai Chi Hero, the second movie of the Tai Chi trilogy, in which the British invasion on Master Chen's village escalates.

So stay tuned for the next installment.

Read Best Reviews of Tai Chi Zero (2012) Here

Great movie! Very entertainment and funny... My son love it. We cannot wait to see the Tai Chi Hero (the part two of the series).

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Very slow to action i felt long and drawn out ..Story line had me confused i was not sure how things took place.

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Country Strong (2010)

Kelly Canter (portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow) is one of the biggest country music stars on the planet, and she's also struggling with many demons. A year after a tragic (and very public) accident in Dallas derailed her career, Kelly has emerged from rehab, and is quickly sent back on the road by her husband-manager James (Tim McGraw). James, who is now more Kelly's manager than husband, recruits a singing beauty queen named Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester) to join Kelly's "Encore" tour. Kelly, enamored during her rehab stint with a musically talented intern named Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund), insists that he supports Kelly on the tour, as well. James agrees, but only on the condition that Beau's role is sponsor first, musician second. The complex layers of relationships among the main characters is the essence of 'Country Strong'.

All of the actors turn in very convincing performances, Hedlund's not the least among them. Hedlund's turn as a gifted musician more in love with music than with the idea of fame is second only to Paltrow's authentic depiction of the troubled superstar. McGraw gets better with every role that he receives, although his character range might be limited. Meester's interpretation of the "Country Barbie" has legs, and healthy ones at that. Her character was the most well developed in the film, start to finish.

As the writing goes, I found it to be a little sloppy. The emotional pendulum swings so quickly and frantically among the characters, that it becomes difficult to get invested in even one of them, let alone all of them. The story is not difficult to follow, but some instances of interaction are questionable, if not unbelievable. There are also elements surrounding the film that even make it feel a little dated. That said, I did find the pacing of the film to be solid and steady. I also found the victories and defeats that the characters experience I found to be a plus for the movie.

The true strength of 'Country Strong' is the music that is woven throughout the fabric of the story. The variety of country music sub-genres (from classic country to the current, dominant pop-style of country) are all great, and I consider myself a casual country music fan, at best. The real tragedy is that not all of the songs in the film are on the official soundtrack. Paltrow has at least three top-quality songs in the film, all of which she performs herself. She sounds like someone who has been performing country her entire life. Meester's "Words I Couldn't Say", which she also performs on her own, is potentially a #1 single for her. It's really that good. Overall, this might actually be an instance where the soundtrack will outlast the popularity of the movie it originates from.

'Country Strong' amounted to something of a predictable ending, but knowing the destination didn't make the journey any less worth taking for me. As I type this, Rotten Tomatoes critics have this film at 17%. I find this rating to be very unfair, and very harsh. This is an entertaining film that will satisfy the majority of those who spend their money to see it.

I seem to be in a minority, but I thought this was a superb movie, a great start to 2011 (countering what Rebecca Murray said about the movie). Was it the greatest movie of all time? Not by a long shot, no. But it accomplished what it set out to do: it told a great story, showcased great performances both dramatically and musically.

While Paltrow may take first-billing, and while her musical numbers are phenomenal, to me it is Beau and Chiles (Hedlund and Meester) who this movie is really about.

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I really loved this movie. I went back and watched it again with my daughter and she liked it to. The music is great but so was the movie. It was about all 4 main people and how their lives were changed because of each other. It's a movie I plan to buy. I bought the cd after watching the movie. The music is really great.

Read Best Reviews of Country Strong (2010) Here

I love music, and country music. I also love a lot of the actors and actresses in the movie so I went expecting a "Pure Country" or even a "Coal Miner's Daughter" kind of movie.

Instead I got a movie with some exceptional acting, great music, and an amazing story.

I will first make a comparrison:

Love and Other Drugs was similiar in that it deals with a lot of human element and complexities. However, that movie was so OVERLY sexual that it watered down the emotion. And while I love Anne Hathaway and thought she did some great acting I didn't like her character. In the end I didn't think he character developed and still felt like her character was very selfish and that they both were. It was a very co-dependent relationship.

Country Strong was so much more. It was what I wanted Love and Other drugs to be. (Spoiler Alert) You wont' find a happy ending here but the complex story of Kelly Canter won't leave my mind. Paltrow was a perfect pic for this character as she almost has a sadness in her eyes, a certain quality.

Kelly Canter is a famous celebrity who's lost her way in life. After losing a baby when she fell of stage during a concert (she tripped over a mic cord, but she was intoxicated) she goes to rehab where she stays for about a year. James Canter, her husband checks her out early from rehab to help her get her career back. Kelly'd not ready to leave rehab and a friend who works at the rehab and sings at local bars and dance halls comes on tour with herBeau.

Kelly Canter is now KELLY CANTER. Her entire being is her "celebrity" and she's no longer herself anymore. All she really wants is for James to love her. She longs to escape the life she's living but when she tries to talk to James about this he refuses to see the real Kelly anymore.

There's so much pain between them, and you watch Kelly's life jump off the tracks and spiral out of control. It's very painful at times. James and Kelly have a complex relationship that's become more about business and more about KELLY CANTER the headliner than Kelly Canter the woman. Kelly continues to make bad choices and it's clear she's had a mental breakdown. Only Beau can see this and while he's in love with her all of her demons push him away.

Meanwhile Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester who does a great job) is the pageant queen girl trying to break in to stardom. She turns out to be more complex than she seems on the surface and in the end Beau falls for her. She wants the limelight though and wants to be the next Kelly Canter. Beau gets a taste of it and decides it's not for him. He can see what fame has done to Kelly. How it steals every piece of you. He just loves music and wants to go back to singing in dance halls.

James Canter will push Kelly at any cost. His love for Kelly has become so entagled in his desire for her to suceed and be KELLY CANTER that he can't see how broken she is. "She use to be strong. I don't know when she became so fragile." he says to Beau.

There is such a struggle in this movie between two people who love each other and hurt each other in so many ways. It shows how complex a marriage can be. How complex the "celebrity" personality can be and how even those close to you can blur the lines between real and pretend.

You'll find hope at the end of the movie when two characters decide to leave that life behind. Unfortunately you'll also find pain and sadness, when sometimes it's just too late.

There is not a character in this movie that is not deeply complex. You're heart will break and bleed for them even as you watch them hurt each other and make avoidable mistakes. These characters too do selfish things to one another but what will stay with you is the pain that love can cause when it won't let go.

You'll see the intensity that is so hard to show between two people as you peel back the layers on James and Kelly's marriage.

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I watched this movie twice...it made me laugh...it made me think...it made me mad... and it made me cry. Who ever saw this and didn't cry when Kelly (Gwenyth) sang to TravisI am in awe of you. This had great music and a good story line. It could have used a little more meat to the script as to all that happened to lead to the end, but it did what it set out to do it entertained, it brought out a lot of different emotions and it made you hug your family a little closer. I do agree with everyone else, there was nothing wrong with the vocals, so the soundtrack being sung by other stars is both dissapointing and ridiculous.

This movie runs with the same feel as "The Thing Called Love" with River Phoenix and "Walk the line" with Joaquin Phoenix. If you liked them you will like this. Grab a blanket and your tissues and roll film

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Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010)

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty galore was an action pack sequel. The reason I rated it so high is because I took my 3 yr old & 7 yr old to see this movie. It was perfect for their age ranges. My 3 yr old loved the animal factor and the action (the kitty litter scene had him laughing for quite awhile). My 7 yr old enjoyed the secret agent factor the most. Plus, with all of the celebrity voices that gave life to the characters was wonderful! Overall this was an enjoyable family movie. I'm not going to rate this as an adult. It wasn't painful to sit through. The CGI was fantastic. It would be a great idea for the younger kids for Christmas this year.

Mom of three boys.

I bought this movie to share a moment with my daughter. She loves pets and this was selected as the first movie in 3D that I was able to see with her. However, if it was not for that fact, I might not have been so enticed to purchase this DVD. The 3D effects are fairly good. The plot is ok. Did make me laugh at times. If you have a family and would like to spend time watching a movie together. Then, this is for you.

Buy Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010) Now

Awww I love cats & dogs 2 even more than the first movie!!!!! I'm so extremely happy they will do another movies. I specially loved this two new agents: dog and agent kitty being fighting side by side. It was so cool and they are such a cute characters, especially when they are together. And the Kitty Galore with her mouse is so cool! Everything about this movie is totally amazing!!! I can't wait for more movies to come!!!

What I don't understand is: why some people gave it bad reviews? Some rated it as bad, because of bad shipping or damaged product. Do not post reviews if it's not about the movie! Post it to the sellers who you bought it from. It would have gotten better ratings. It's such a shame that some people leave bad feedbacks to spoil ratings for a good movies. I've seen bad movies and boring movies. ''Cats and Dogs'' do not deserve bad ratings. What can I say more? That it is my top-favorite movie from now on. And it will be a pleasure for me to watch it again and again.

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Hey this wasnt as good as the first one but it was darn close, plus the 3D in this was great.. MUST SEE

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This movie was great ! I especially appreciated the time put in to the 3D aspect of the movie !! Must SEE !!!

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Clannad: After Story Complete Collection (2006)

First I am just a medical student, though I have taken film and media study classes I want people to know that I don't feel that I am in a position to make any grand claims and such. All the following of my review is just my opinion.

It would be impossible even given a book sized amount of text to describe the artistic and storytelling merit of this work. While I could praise this work for hours I will try to give people who are interested a quick overview. Truth be told, I am not an anime fan, in fact you can say I greatly dislike anime. I am also not a fan of love stories, romance, tragic stories, school life stories, or of Japanese works in which I had to read the English subtitles, but Clannad was all of this and it blew my mind. I have been searching my whole life for a work I could call a masterpiece and this was it. I was forced to watch this by a younger sibling and though I struggled within the first episode this work won me over. I have never seen a work so well crafted together in a combination of good storytelling; strong character development, artistic value, impressive visuals, and soul haunting music all weave together for form this beautiful masterpiece. It was because of Clannad that I was interested in what define "masterpiece", before Clannad I have seen the pinnacles of each medium (Citizen Kane, Watchmen, Ulysses, Hamlet, etc.) and I must say that Clannad part of that list.

Clannad was based off a Japanese visual novel (a medium we do not have here in America) and since it's visual novel release have been ranked as one of the greatest visual novels of all time, influencing many others, and has been called the Citizen Kane and Watchmen of visual novels for how it changed that medium from dating sims to psychological, mind bending, emotional stories. In the visual novel medium, there is an advantage to storytelling that other mediums don't have, the main one would be the amount of time and text length needed to tell the story. This allows the reader to interact and growth with the characters all them to become more emotionally attached when something happens to one of these characters. In fact the word count for the Clannad visual novel surpasses War and Peace, Atlas Shrugged, and Les Miserables combined. This translate well into an animated series (Clannad and Clannad: After Story) that in its own right may be the Citizen Kane of the whole animation medium. Thing done in the anime has exceeded what was expected of this medium, and for me personally this was the first time I ever saw what I could consider "true" emotions seen on film. When ever I watch a live action movie, no matter how much I feel for the characters in the end I still seem like actors acting. I never thought I would see animated characters portray emotions better than live actors until I show EP18 of Clannad: After Story, the combination of visuals and music as well as dialogue created such a heart moving scene; this surpassed anything I have ever seen in any story in any medium, even the original visual novel.

And while that this point you may think I am crazy or a die hard fan, I still don't like anime and don't consider myself a fan of Clannad, but regardless this does not mean I can't express my opinion on the artistic merit Clannad achieves. And I have not even gotten the music, all the music from the original soundtrack of the visual novel, was composed by the writer of the story and is one of the most beautiful soundtracks ever composed that touches hearts and emotions at the right moment. Every song is cued at the right time and recurring songs (like the Dango song that is Nagisa's theme song) create a feeling of happiness and nostalgia in the viewer. (Once tried to write a paper on the music of Clannad for a media class describing the beauty of the music and how it signals certain emotions at certain scenes. I got to 50 pages before I gave up knowing it would be impossible.)

While I do like Clannad it is far from perfect. There are many side stories and little things that may throw off viewers, but this still does not take away from this masterpiece. If the Mona Lisa had one tree in the background that was off it still does not change its artistic value. Same as Clannad. My only worries are that most people will be turned off by Clannad since it is an anime and such. But trust me and take the same challenge I give to my friends, if you watch from Clannad (Season 1) to Clannad: After Story (Season 2) Episode 18 and you can admit that you don't feel a thing, then that's fine, but most who do this admitted they cried and these are my military school friends in the Army and Marines who never admit they cried. This is a beautiful work and while I have seen shows and film that were tearjerkers for me these films always seemed to force the viewer in to a position where they had to cry, for Clannad this is real and you really feel it, emotions are not forced.

While in most tragic/tearjerker stories they bring you emotionally to a point so low that at most you will get a bittersweet ending with a hole in your heart. Clannad broke this trend and is the only fictional work I know that can take you to the lowest points of your soul to a happy ending. What amazes me the most for this "love story" is during the whole two seasons the main lovers do not even kiss once (not much less a sex scene which most love stories now a day think is needed). But even without a single kiss the hug they give each other at the very end was so touching and powerful it takes you from the depressing scene prior that made you cry your heart out and makes you want to stand and cheer for the beauty of this story and the happy ending they rightfully deserve. That one hug makes Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, and Titanic look like nothing.

This is truly an unrecognized masterpiece and I think as important to the storytelling media as much as Ulysses, Citizen Kane, and Watchmen were. This is highly recommended. And please don't go into watching this with high expectations just because of what I said, watch it normally and see for yourself. I understand that this may not be for some people and some will not like it though from talking to others it appeared that those who did not like Clannad never went through a tragic experience. It was only good for me because one of my close family members passed away a few years before I saw Clannad and I may have had a different impression if I did not go through that event. Though I think everyone could find something in this story for them to relate to. This is not just a romance, psychological, or tearjerking story, it also has comedy, and probably the only work I seen that have combine and done things that would otherwise never work into a masterpiece that does.

One blogger once posted a quick review of Clannad saying that "Clannad is the greatest story ever across all genres and media" and I have to agree.

Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I love this show. The characters are great, the stories are fantastic and it's just a wonderful show.

Having said that, the box sucks. This is the first anime DVD I've bought, so I don't know if this is common place, but the set comes with four discs that are just stacked on top of each other like I bought a hundred blank dvds. Usually when I get a DVD box set, the individual disks are in a sort of book where you can flip through and pick out an individual disk. I guess doing this saves space, but that's something else about the box that doesn't make sense. The disks take up a little more than half of the total interior of the box and the rest is filled with a white foam sheet. I want to take it out because it looks incredibly ghetto, but I'm afraid that if I do, the disks will fall out and get scratched in the box.

The actual disks are nice. This version includes the Japanese and English dubs as well as English subtitles. And the best part is, the signs are actually subtitled! I watched the original Clannad on Netflix, and I loved the show, but none of the Japanese text was translated. Usually it wasn't too hard to figure out what was going on, but occasionally an episode would end with a shot of a bulletin or some words on a chalkboard and anyone who doesn't speak Japanese is completely lost(and a few who might speak Japanese as well. I've taken Japanese for two years, and I was still struggling to read all of the signs).

Buy Clannad: After Story Complete Collection (2006) Now

Clannad and Clannad: After Story are two of my favorite anime's. Clannad: After Story picks up where Clannad left off, with Tomoya and Nagisa in a relationship. The story follows the ups and downs of their relationship, from bouts of Nagisa's sickness to Tomoya's struggles with his father and not wanting to be like him and wanting to take care of Nagisa. The pacing of the show is excellent and it never gets boring, it can go from hilarious hijinks (Nagisa's parents) to really tragic moments that make you feel for the characters and what they are going through. I cant remember a recent anime that actually made me care for the characters, it can be a real tear-jerker sometimes. Moving on from the story this anime also has some of the best animation you will find, its very crisp and clean. As for the audio department, the English dubs aren't bad but you lose some of the innuendo's and subtlety's of the Japanese audio track, as with most dubs in my opinion. I recommend using the Japanese audio with English subs. All in all if you like funny anime with a dose of drama and romance do yourself a favor and pick this up, you wont be disapointed!

Read Best Reviews of Clannad: After Story Complete Collection (2006) Here

Clannad: After Story follows Clannad and is as good as its predecessor.

It is the continuation of one of the best romance anime series out there and explores relationships more deeply than the first series. It can certainly be a tear jerker so keep some tissues handy but it is a wonderful story with many uplifting and entertaining moments as well. It was moving and powerful. It is not as fast-paced as Clannad but instead focuses more on the relationships between the central characters and their lives together after the first series. It is different than Clannad but it is just as good and if you liked Clannad you will enjoy this series as well.

For me personally listening with Japanese audio and English subtitles feels "right" (versus English dubbed) but to each his/her own. Once again I applaud the team who created this series. An excellent piece of work.

Want Clannad: After Story Complete Collection (2006) Discount?

Clannad After Story starts off where Sentai Filmworks Clannad ends. Clannad is Sentai Filmworks best ever anime in my opinion, Made by Kyoto Animation just like Kanon and Air TV. I love most animes made by Kyoto Animation, if you like drama animes you would to.

25 episodes on four disks, Widescreen 16:9, Rated 13+ so just about anyone can enjoy this anime.

Special Features: Clean Opening Animation, Clean Closing Animation, Commentary with David Matranga (Tomoya) and Luci Christian (Nagisa).

Spoken Languages: English, Japanese, English subtitles.

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Stand by Me (25th Anniversary Edition) (1986)

"Stand By Me" is a classic coming of age movie about growing up and friendship and the pain of disillusionment when the adults you depend upon let you down. Highly recommended.

In this review I'll focus mostly on the relationship between the movie and the Stephen King novella it is based on, and the DVD extra material that closes the ring.

The movie "Stand By Me" was made in 1986. It is based on a novella published in 1982 and the story takes place in 1959 (movie) or 1960 (novella). But the story is timeless the conflicts and the difficult transition from child to adult apply to every generation.

There is a lot of trivia (pop songs, slang expressions, TV shows, etc.) from 1959/1960 in the movie and the novella, but this doesn't really anchor the story to that era. Every generation has it's own trivia that is very important to that generation. But today's generation can smile at the trivia of 47 years ago and still see the parallels between that trivia and their (to them) much more wonderful trivia.

The movie is based on a novella by Stephen King called "The Body". This is one of Stephen King's best stories, and is well worth reading or, if you like audio books, listening to. The audio version lasts almost six hours and is read by Frank Muller. Highly recommended. If you'd prefer to read the story yourself then you should buy the book "Different Seasons", a collection of four Stephen King novellas including "The Body".

The movie and the novella are very similar. There are, of course, many small differences, for example the town of Castle Rock has been moved from Maine to Oregon, there is more coverage of the older juvenile delinquents and less coverage of Gordie's stories and of Gordie as an adult, the place where the bloodsuckers are encountered is different, etc., etc. The biggest difference is that in the novella Chris is the main protagonist, or hero if you like, while in the movie it is Gordie. Still, this movie is truer to the written source than most movies based on books are.

So why did Rob Reiner make these changes, and what on earth did Stephen King think of them?

Here's where the magic of DVD extra material comes in. The "Special Edition" (2000) and "Deluxe Edition" (2005) DVDs both include a 35-minute documentary "featurette" called "Walking the Tracks: The Summer of Stand By Me", which was made in 2000. Stephen King, Rob Reiner and all of the major actors in the movie (except River Phoenix, who died in 1993) participate.

In this documentary film Rob Reiner tells that he identified personally more with Gordie than Chris, and therefore decided to make the movie Gordie's story. And Stephen King says that he respected Rob Reiner's decision and thinks that "Stand By Me" was the first movie adaptation of his work that really fulfilled the spirit of the story.

Stephen King also says that many of the things that happen in "The Body" and in "Stand By Me" are things he experienced himself in his childhood. This makes the story somewhat autobiographical, with Gordie being in some ways the young Stephen King. In the novella "The Body" this is quite pronounced in that an adult Gordie is telling the story in the first person, and also tells how he's now become a successful writer of horror books.

So the bottom line is, if you like the movie then read or listen to the novella. And after you've read the novella and seen the movie, check out the DVD featurette that ties them together.

Rennie Petersen

I purchased the Special Edition of this movie recently and couldn't believe that the audio was monophonic. I was thus pleasantly surprised to see that in this edition of the DVD they restored the original multi-channel soundtrack. Even the casual listener will notice the difference immediately.

To my knowledge the movie itself is the same as on the Special Edition (no added or cut scenes) so I won't waste your time commenting on that. I just wanted to bring attention to the fact that the Deluxe Edition of this movie is the ONLY one any serious movie collector should consider.

Buy Stand by Me (25th Anniversary Edition) (1986) Now

Stand By Me has always been one of my all-time favorite movies. The chemistry between the four boys out to find the body of a kid their age has always been an inspiration for me growing up.

Rob Reiner's direction is tops. How he managed to get those four boys to act their hearts out is still a mystery today. The best comes out of River Phoenix as the troubled leader of the pack Chris Chambers, and Jerry O' Connell's part as the way-too-innocent scaredy cat Vern Tessio, Corey Feldman's turn as the crazy Teddy Duchamp, and Will Wheaton as the narrator of the story, the more focused than the others Gordon Lachance. Cameos by Richard Dreyfuss as the older Gordon, and John Cusack as Gordon's deceased brother Denny add an overwhelming feeling of delight to the entirety of this magnificent movie.

Special features include a behind the scenes of the film plus interviews with nearly the entire cast, a tribute to River Phoenix, Ben E King's music video of the theme song Stand By Me and commentary by director Rob Reiner.

This is one of those movies that no matter how many times you've seen it, you don't get bored of watching again.

Highly Recommended

Read Best Reviews of Stand by Me (25th Anniversary Edition) (1986) Here

Okay, I admit it. Like Rick Blaine in Casablanca, I am a "rank sentimentalist." As such, there are many movies that can bring me to tears: E.T., Summer of `42, Casablanca...no matter what era they were released or who directed them, there will always be movies that will jerk some heart-felt tears out of this mostly action-adventure film watcher.

Stand By Me, Rob Reiner's 1986 bittersweet coming of age story based on Stephen King's novella The Body, is definitely one of those movies that move me.

Starring Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation), River Phoenix (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), Corey Feldman (The Lost Boys), Jerry O'Connell (Sliders, Joe's Apartment) and Kiefer Sutherland (24), Stand By Me tells how a group of four boys goes into the woods in search of the body of train-struck Ray Brower, hoping to recover it before a gang led by Ace (Sutherland at his meanest, menacing best) does.

Reiner, working from a well-written screenplay by Raymond Gideon and Bruce A. Evans, excellently captures King's nostalgia-tinged story's mix of drama, comedy and even a bit of horror. He coaxes very natural acting from his four main actors, particularly from Wheaton, Phoenix, and O'Connell. Even Feldman, a child actor I really did not like in other films before his career flopped, is heartbreakingly poignant as Teddy Duchamp, the son of a mentally-ill World War II veteran. Despite being scarred by his father's harsh punishments, Teddy is proud of his father's wartime service. One of the best scenes is his confrontation with the mean junkyard operator of Castle Rock, where Teddy's conflicting emotions of anger and love for his dad are summed up by his tearful yell of "My father stormed the beach at Normandy!"

The heart and soul of this movie comes from the friendship between Gordie Lachance (Wheaton), the sensitive would-be writer, and Chris Chambers (Phoenix), a bright kid who seems destined for disgrace because he comes from the wrong part of Castle Rock. Chris projects a tough shell to hide his inner turmoil, while Gordie is having trouble coping with a family tragedy.

Reiner shines as a director capable of mixing moments of comedy (watch for a hilarious exchange revolving around the mystery surrounding Goofy's identity -"Mickey's a mouse, Pluto is a dog...so what's Goofy?"), drama (an encounter with an approaching train), and a wickedly gross revenge story told by Gordie involving a very large boy and a pie-eating contest.

A particularly effective narration by Richard Dreyfuss (who plays the adult Gordon Lachance) adds just the right mix of wry humor and bittersweet nostalgia, and Jack Nitzsche's gentle and subtle score, with its interpolation of the classic rock 'n' roll song "Stand By Me" just heightens the poignancy of this affecting tale of boyhood friendship.

Want Stand by Me (25th Anniversary Edition) (1986) Discount?

"Stand by Me" is a coming-of-age story about four boys on the verge of adolescence and junior high school, who go on a journey to see a dead body. The movie was based on the Stephen King novella "The Body" and directed by Rob Reiner, who also did King's "Misery" for the screen. This is a very faithful adaptation of a King story, and much of the dialogue came straight from the book.

What makes this film really great is the interaction, chemistry and performances of the four young actors. Gordy LaChance is the college-bound writer/dreamer, played by Wil Wheaton (who went on to become Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: TNG) with some great facial expressions and moments of vulnerable emotion and inner strength. Chris Chambers is the rebellious bad boy, but smart and athletic, played by a very young River Phoenix (whose promising career was tragically cut short) with strength and wisdom beyond his years. Gordy and Chris are the characters who grow the most during the adventure. Gordy's older brother Dennis (played in cameo scenes by John Cusack) died earlier in the year, so he in going to view the body, he is unknowingly looking for some closure to that event. Chris is at a crossroads where he can either "take shop and make birdhouses with the other retards" or take the harder classes with Gordy.

Teddy DuChamp is the psycho and dramatic kid, played by Corey Feldman, who had a productive child actor career. Teddy's relationship with the father who burned his ear on a hot stove is the key to his experience during a confrontation at the junkyard.

Rounding out the group is Vern, the dim fat kid played by Jerry O'Connell, who of the four has changed considerably as an adult and continues to build a decent acting career.

The film is very nostalgic, with its portrayal of small town life in the 1950s, treehouses, corner drug stores, and woods for exploring. Along the journey, there are a number of adventures, such as train dodges, a run-in with mean old Milo Pressman and his dog Chopper at the junkyard, a swamp full of leeches, and a night spent in the woods with howling coyotes. Interspersed with these sequences are moments of reflection and kids being kids, with weighty topics discussed like "superman vs. mighty mouse" and the importance of cherry flavored pez.

The main outer conflict is with a group of high school age boys, led by a villain named Ace and played menacingly by Kiefer Sutherland. There are two key sequences involving Gordy and Chris and Ace, and to a lesser extent, Chris' older brother "Eyeball" Chambers.

Funny and poignant, this is a great film about the brotherhood of boys, and was even referenced by Michael Gurian in his book "The Wonder of Boys" as a recommended film to watch with your young son to view positive examples of young male relationships. My caveat to parents would be that there is a lot of profanity and vulgar boy talk.

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Pokemon Heroes / Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys (Double Feature)

This is the first pokemon movie in bluray there is to ever exist.

here is the basic flaw of the bluray.

Out of 10. where 10 is the highest and 1 is the lowest.

Quality: 7/10

The quality of both movies is super but not in its best format. I feel it is more like up-scaling from the dvd source but actually it is not. Yes, i believe Echo bridge is not using the best technology out there to do the transport/encode the movies. This is only a 25gb bluray. Anyway, the positive objective is that the quality is way better then the quality from the dvd and yes, both films are in 16:9 widescreen.

Sound: 4/10

Sound are only in 2.0 stereo. very basic...HELLO Echo bridge, this is a bluray and you are still in the 90s??

extra/feature: 1/10

Nothing!!!!!!!! 1 point for having a chapter menu.

overall i will rate this 5/10.

The dvd has extra features(such as pikachu's short films, subtitle, multi languages, and 5.1 audio but not widescreen 16:9)

The bluray nothing! just the film and chapter menu.

Buy this if you are looking for a higher quality(not the best) other then the dvd.

Pros -As many of you all know, Pokemon has never had a native HD transfer for any of its movies before now. Saying that, the picture for both movies is phenomenal. You may notice that since Pokemon Heroes is two movies older and uses mostly cell animation, the picture will not be as sharp looking as Destiny Deoxys being a digital animation. Literally, you can see the grain of the film and even distinguish distance shots of Pokemon and People with ease.

Now for the heavy...

Cons: Both Movies, do not have subtitles, original Japanese voice track, or any extras to speak of. If you were hoping for an HD transfer of the Pikachu short movies they will not come included. Additionally, unlike their dvd release, neither movie has 5.1 surround sound as an option, and just has very high quality stereo sound.

In conclusion, Seeing these two in HD was like watching them in a theater. I wish there were more Pokemon movies coming out in HD. Saying that, its unfortunate that they did not get the same content treatment as the DVD and I also wish they came as separate Bluray releases. If you just want the best possible visual and in my opinion, better sounding experience, this set is for you. If the lack of additional content is unbearable, you can try waiting until an inevitable re-release or just get the DVD version with full screen, 5.1, and all extras.

5 stars for the movies

1 star for everything else (has a nice animated menu) ^.^

Buy Pokemon Heroes / Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys (Double Feature) Now

Being the big Pokemon fan that I have been for over 12 years, I've seen these 2 movies to death over the years. Heck, I watch all of the Pokemon movies in November to celebrate my birthday every year. So as I was drawing closer to Blu Ray, it was great news there were releasing the films onto Blu Ray.

Was it worth the wait and upgrade? Let's take a look.

I won't go into story details since most of us have probably seen the movies, but if you haven't this will make your mind up over which format to go for anyway.

As Heroes goes, I was never really a bit fan of the English Dub. It just really falls short of the much superior Japanese version not just in voices, but in picture too. For some reason or another, they added a blue taint over the picture for the English dub and it really comes off as too blue or too dark in places, and sadly the Blu Ray keeps that. The Japanese version really looks more brighter and beautiful, and you could really tell the artists went to good effort in designing the buildings and city as they did actually go to Venice for that reason alone (I'd recommend finding a copy of the Japanese version to see what I mean). Other then that taint, the picture looks okay with maybe a little grain, the sound could be much better. You may need to turn up the volume if characters are speaking while music is playing.

Destiny Deoxys meanwhile really looks the part. Not only does the picture look very good, but like Heroes, the movie is finally in Widescreen and not Fullscreen like the DVD, which means you can finally see the whole picture. Sound is in 2.0 like Heroes, but sounds a tad bit better then Heroes.

No Extras sadly. The DVDs had plenty of Extras, but they are sadly missing here.

So is it worth your money? If you are a diehard Pokemon fan like myself, you'll probably buy it anyway, but if you are not too fussed about the picture or sound and like the English dubs, then its worth it to have these movies in widescreen at last, although there is another realease that has movies 4-7 on one disc, so you might want to pick that up instead. If picture and sound is important, then my best advise is to pick up the Japanese Blu Ray Boxset that has movies 1-13. Sure, its in Japanese, but you won't get better picture or sound till the next format comes along.

Another thing to note is this disc is region free, so it will work on UK Blu Ray Players as well as other countries. The other release, "Pokemon Collection", which has movies 4-7 is REGION LOCKED so you'll need a Region Free Blu Ray player if you want that one.

If this is for your kids, then I'm sure they won't notice the issues and enjoy both movies. Should be more then enough entertainment. ;)

Read Best Reviews of Pokemon Heroes / Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys (Double Feature) Here

This movie is great for young kids who love Pokemon. I am not sure it would work for teenagers. My grandkids who are 10 and 5 love it!

Want Pokemon Heroes / Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys (Double Feature) Discount?

An odd choice, movies 5 and 7 in a double-pack. What happened to Jirachi Wishmaker? If I were swapping my DVD collection to blu-ray, I'd rather have them paired in order, or compiled in a complete box set. The movies weren't the best in the Pokémon lineage but nonetheless seeing them in high definition would be a treat especially if these releases include a dual-audio track with a Japanese option.

Paprika (2007)

It's no secret amongst fans of intelligent, adult sci-fi that some of the best genre films these days aren't originating from Hollywood, but rather from the masters of Japanese anime. Films like "Akira " and "Ghost in the Shell" display a quality of writing and visual imagination that few "live action" productions (post "Blade Runner") can touch.

One of the most adventurous anime directors is Satoshi Kon. In previous work like his incredibly dense and ambitious TV miniseries "Paranoia Agent", and in several feature films, Kon has displayed a flair for coupling complex characterization with a neo-realistic visual style that tends to make me forget that I'm watching an "anime". Most of Kon's work up until this point has drawn on genres that one does not typically associate with anime: adult drama ("Tokyo Godfathers"), film noir ("Perfect Blue"), psychological thriller ("Paranoia Agent") and character study ("Millennium Actress").

Kon's latest film, "Paprika" is actually the first of his animes that I would categorize as "sci-fi"... and it's a doozy.

A team of scientists develops an interface device called the "DC mini" that facilitates the transference of dreams from one person to another. This "dream machine" is designed primarily for use by psychotherapists; it allows them to literally experience a patient's dreams and take a closer look "under the hood", if you will. In the wrong hands, however, this could potentially become a very dangerous tool.

As you have likely already guessed, "someone" has hacked into a "DC mini" and started to wreak havoc with people's minds. One by one, members of the research team are driven to suicidal behavior after the dreams of patients are fed into their subconscious without their knowledge (much akin to someone slipping acid into the punch). Things get more complicated when these waking dreams begin taking sentient form and start spreading like a virus, forming a pervasive matrix that threatens to supplant "reality" (whew!). A homicide detective joins forces with one of the researchers, whose alter-ego, Paprika, is literally a "dream girl", a sort of super-heroine of the subconscious.

"Mind blowing" doesn't even begin to describe this Disney-on-acid/murder mystery/psychological sci fi-horror story. It is Kon's most visually ambitious work to date, with stunning use of color and imagery (mark my words-this one has "future cult midnight movie" written all over it).

Kon raises some engaging philosophical points (aside from the hoary "what is reality?" debate). At one point, Paprika ponders: "Don't you think dreams and the internet are similar? They are both areas where the repressed conscious vents." I think Kon is positing that the dream state is the last "sacred place" left for humans; if technology encroaches we will lose our last true refuge. A must-see for anime and sci-fi fans.

(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)Paprika

Paprika is simply the most compelling work of anime and science fiction I have seen in a long time. It may not be easily understood. But it's so amazingly animated and imaginative it has become my personal favorite.

The story is based upon a new invention, the DC Mini, that allows people to enter and experience each other's dreams. The idea is for therapists to enter a patient's dreams to aid with analysis and treatment. But the invention falls into the wrong hands and causes an epidemic. Psychotherapist Atsuko Chiba uses her alter-identity, Paprika, to investigate the nightmare and track down the abusers of the DC Mini.

Most of the story takes place within people's dreams, which allows for some amazing "Alice in Wonderland" type dream imagery. It all ties in with the story. Anybody who has ever read a book on dreams or tried to figure out their own will get a kick out of this.

One thing that I really liked about the story is that it's both playful and grown up at the same time. They resist the need for unnecessary emphasis on sex that is often used in many anime films. Several of the main characters are women, but they wear real clothes. There is almost no nudity to speak of, the only exception being a dream sequence that ties in with the story.

Music is used minimally. There is some cool Japanese electro-pop that plays at a few select points in the background. Still, there could have been a lot more music in the movie. The moderate use of music seems to have been done to make you focus on the images, and the effect is a good one.

Sony Pictures Classics has done an amazing job with the DVD transfer. The images are beautiful and crisp. The US market for Japanese style anime is always growing. So I'm sure there are many who will want to check this out.

As far as special features go, there are still too few of them here. This is a trend that has continued for too long. You get the audio commentary option if you want to watch the movie again with the creators talking in your head. Then there's a short interview type segment that explores the thoughts and approaches of the various members of the creative team. Other than a few extras, that's pretty much it. I wish they could have added much more.

Fans of Sotoshi Kon will remember his popular works, Millennium Actress Millennium Actress and Paranoia Agent Paranoia Agent Complete Collection. Still this movie is so amazing it will appeal to a wide audience and win Mr. Kon new fans.

Conclusion

If you like science fiction, anime and imaginative cinema, you will most likely love this movie.

Enjoy!!!

Buy Paprika (2007) Now

So the psychologists have invented a "DC-Mini" machine that lets the therapist enter another person's dreams. The only teensiest problem is that it also lets the dreams OUT of the dreamer's mind. And once outside, the dreams coalesce in vivid colors and shapes and then run around loose on the streets of Tokyo. Fortunately for civic order and sanity, Paprika, the flirty and delightful goddess of the Dreamtime, comes along too...

It's a good thing she does, because the Bad Guys have stolen three DC-Mini machines, which bad planning, this don't have access controls. So Dr. Chiba, the woman psychologist, and her co-worker, Dr. Tokita, who invented the contraption to begin with, have to chase down the thieves. But they have help from Detective Konokawa, provided he's not dreaming that he's Tarzan swinging through the vines carrying Dr. Chiba, and the two bartenders of a bar located somewhere in the Dreamtime, done with cameo voice acting performances by Satoshi Kon, the director, and Yasutaka Tsutsui, the author of the original novel. Meanwhile, outside well, it's not really clear what "outside" means anymore the dreams are bringing dolls, refrigerators, umbrellas, mailboxes, vending machines all to life in a vast and enthusiastically noisy procession through Tokyo. And, as the Bad Guys start gaining control, people commit suicide too, because sometimes dreams are nightmares.

Paprika herself simply runs away with the film. She and Dr. Chiba are alter-egos which is *not* the same as saying that Paprika is merely Dr. Chiba looking a bit dreamier. Paprika really is a goddess "kami" in Japanese of the Dreamtime, and the ending alone is worth the price of the film.

But don't expect psychobabble from "Paprika." The film offers no fake explanations or pseudo-philosophy about The Nature of Reality. Yes, if you want to go there, "Paprika" is a serious analysis of art, reality, and dreaming, as one would expect from Kon. But, in the meantime, that procession is crashing in through the ceiling, so maybe it's time to move on out of here, say by swinging off on some vines?

"Paprika" is delicious. Very highly recommended.

Read Best Reviews of Paprika (2007) Here

I first saw Paprika last summer when a good friend of mine strongly recommended the works of Satoshi Kon to me and after gazing at the anime titles he made, Paprika grabbed my eyes the quickest given its trippy imagery and description, so I bought it on Amazon and am extremely glad to have seen it because it's one of the most enriching and creative titles I've ever seen in the medium.

STORY

In the near future, a huge advance in psychotherapy is created in the form of a device called the DC Mini, which is capable of recording people's dreams. However, the DC Mini is stolen and Dr. Chiba's science team and detective Konakawa join forces to get it back before it falls into the wrong hands. In their pursuit, follows one of the craziest mind trips ever put on celluloid.

CHARACTERS

What's a movie without good characters? Thankfully, Satoshi Kon kept this in mind and fleshed out very believable and interesting characters when creating this animated feast for the eyes and brain. What I also like is that while there's protagonists and antagonists in Paprika, they don't really fit any stereotypes and aren't one-sided morally speaking. Atsuko Chiba (At-Chan, as Kosaku Tokita calls her) has the alter ego in the form of a red-headed and energetic lady named Paprika but unlike most alter egos, Paprika exists entirely in the dream universe. Chiba tends to be serious and butts heads with Tokita. Detective Konakawa is one of the most interesting to me since he has repressed terrors and lives them out through dreams that play out like movies. Tokita is a more unique case since he's a kid trapped in a genius adult's body and given that personality, he acts just like that since all he cares about doing is "doing what he wants" instead of doing what he HAS to do. Even the more minor characters are better than mere plot devices because just like the leads, they feel very believable.

PLOTTING AND APPEARANCE

Normally in my reviews, I separate the plotting and appearance, but in Paprika's case, I have to combine the two since they're dependent of each other and would be awkward reviewing the two individually. This is where most of the fun in Paprika lies in. Kon, being the excellent storyteller that he is, perfectly meshes the dream world with reality and unlike Christopher Nolan's vision of the dream world for Inception, Kon takes full advantage of the opportunities he has and creates a dream world where anything, and I mean ANYTHING, can happen (visually and plot-wise). The plotting is brilliant as to where it's complex but not overly so, in the sense that the plotting isn't a gimmicky puzzle movie where it's a convoluted mess that you're trying to put together (though it's best to pay attention), but rather blending both fantasy and reality within a character's dilemma and ultimately fits what they're going through as a consequence of the DC Mini's severe abuse. An example of this is when Konakawa is pursuing one of the main antagonists, he gets caught in his recurring nightmare and acts out according to the nightmare, and the consequences from his actions affect the antagonists in the real world. There's so much more to this, but I think you get the picture (and that I don't want to spoil the whole movie).

Then there's the appearance of the movie. This is integral to the film since it's the imagery that breathes so much life into the dreamworld in Paprika. Kon took full advantage of this opportunity in the visual department and made a dreamworld like no other. In this dreamworld, toys, household appliances, and other devices coming to life and say complete gibberish. There's a scene where Paprika jumps into Dr. Shima's dream, she sinks into Shima's body and causes him to inflate like a giant balloon and explodes, causing him to wake up. When people dive into peoples' dreams, they can take the form of any object they merge with. The best example of this would be with Paprika since she takes a myriad of forms ranging from fairies to griffins in the film. Things get really interesting towards the end when reality and the dreamworld merge since you see businessmen gleefully jumping off a building in formation and Tokita running around as a toy robot firing missiles at a giant Japanese porcelain doll and rambling about fat content in coconut milk. In my first viewing of Paprika, I was left lying in a fetal position wondering what just happened mostly because of the dazzling imagery used to flesh out peoples' dreams.

The animation and artwork is fantastic. The frame rate is rather smooth and the imagery is very colorful and detailed. Like Shigurui: Death Frenzy, Paprika is another anime that uses both 2D animation and 3D animation and much like said anime series, Paprika mixes the two in a very tasteful manner since the 3D imagery exists only to supplement the primary 2D animation instead of overpowering it. The characters have very distinctive looks and me being a male in his early 20's, especially enjoyed the way Dr. Chiba was drawn since she looks beautiful but at the same time, her looks actually match her personality since she looks mature (and acts as such). In the case of female characters, Kon has a very distinctive way of drawing them and I personally love how he draws them since they look like anime characters but don't really fit the cookie-cutter styles abused in the genre. Once again, Satoshi Kon and Madhouse Studio crank out a high-quality anime.

THEMES

To supplement the well-done characters, surreal imagery, creative story, and excellent plotting, Kon threw in some themes to make an already brilliant anime even better. While subtle, there's themes about the sacredness of one's dreams and the intrusion of technology in said area elaborated by the Chairman (the main antagonist). I felt this was pretty insightful since according to the Chairman, a person's dreams in the movie's current setting are all that's left that's "personal" to someone, and the DC Mini will violate that sense of uniqueness since it'll record the subconscious and have it shared with the whole world. There's also a theme of someone dealing with hard guilt since Konakawa has a film-like recurring nightmare because of personal losses he had in the past relating to film. These themes add more life to an already vibrant animated picture.

FINAL WORD

If you love anime that's intelligent, creative, has great characters, and chocked full of mind-blowing imagery, then Paprika needs to be in your collection RIGHT NOW if it's not. If you have the technology, I suggest you get the blu-ray version since the sharper picture and sound really enhances this great movie.

RIP Satoshi Kon. Your body of animated work may be small, but it'll be remembered and lauded for eternity.

Want Paprika (2007) Discount?

I've been looking for a good anime for a very long time and just could not find one, until I found Paprika. Satoshi Kon is one of the best anime directors out there and has an amazing ability to suck you right into the story line. The immagry is beautiful, while the plot is given equally good detail and attention. I'd recommend it to anyone.

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