Blue Crush (2002)

I walked into the theatre expecting a fun summer flick to bring me out of a very depressing, stress filled, health concerning summer. What I got was far beyond that! Having lived 22 of my 38 years in sunny beach towns, I was brought back to Life!!!

Yesit was a little mindless storyline, but hey how many surfers could handle something deeper?!? Isn't that who this was made for? I fell deep into the movie. Every scene had something I could relate to. I could smell the ocean, taste and feel the salty water dried on my skin. Feel the rush of a wipe out that is so intense you don't know up from down when you're being thrown spinning in the water; and coming up for air only to take another hit and get that water blown up your nose again! Then, when you finally get out, find major road rash on your face that is burning from the salt water. Surfers are you relating to this? Anyone who has been there should. Surf Divas your sex doesn't matter! Surfing is surfing! I have seen this movie four times and am now anxiously awaiting the release of the DVD. I am planning a huge Luau on it's release date. The acting was good (not great) and the storyline was cute but not what 'The Academy' looks for. But, don't tell me you didn't laugh at the "Pro Bowl" athletes more than once! Overall, everyone fell into their characters very well. However, if this movie doesn't at least get mentioned for cinematography ... there all crazy!! This is a definate 'feel good' movie. You can't help but sing along (great soundtrack) and yell "oh, wo, holy..." when it comes right down to it. Bottom Line A Must See! Only you can decide for yourself.

I had planned to see this film simply because I have a deep interest in surfing. I think that it is a cool sport riding those fierce waves on nothing but a board. Must take tremendous athletic prowess, bravery and skill.

However I did not expect to like the movie itself. Given Hollywoods lousy track record lately (especially with stuff like this) I expected it to be another rubbishy teenage film.

Boy was I wrong!

Apart from the visuals (surfing and cinamatography). I was tremendously impressed that they decided to go so deep into the characters themselves. I especially like Anne Marie the main character. I thought that she was fine young woman. She was strong yet still flawed and vulnerable. I got the impression that she was a former wild child who was trying to do good. Trying to fill in the mother duties and see that her little sister went to college. Wanting to win the contest so that she could "pay her bills" on time every month. I found it really touching.

I also liked the female bonding between Anne Marie, Lena and Eden. They were like a family and looked out for each other. I found it far more real and noble than the promiscuous antics of the girls in "Sex and the City". They really loved and cared for one another. There was no cattiness or jealousy. Sure they fought but it was the kind of fighting you see among siblings who have disagreements. As opposed to see who would be #1 princess.

I found it really neat the way that at the end of the film all those young girls were gathering around Anne Marie in order to get her autograph. I think that she was a great role model. Sure she had problems, but the difference is between her and heroins in other in such movies is that she works through her problems and doesn't fluff them off. How refreshing!

The audience I saw it with were absolutely captivated. It was not one of those films where you can sense the restlessness of the audience, everyone was absolutely riveted.

Blue Crush is one of the best films I have seen in a long time. It will inspire you.

Buy Blue Crush (2002) Now

The first time I watched this movie, I was like, "Eh, it was ok." Then I watched it again. I began to notice little things that I had not paid attention to the first time. I really liked the feeling I got from the film. I felt like I could be apart of their world. It was just three young girls (4 counting the little sister) that were trying to live their lives. I thought the shots of the ocean were beautiful. This movie really makes me want to go there to see the beauty myself.

The film is about Anne Marie (Bosworth) and her struggle to succeed in the world as a surfer and a parental figure to her little sister Penny. She is training for the Pipemasters, a huge surfing contest. Her two best friends Lena (Lake) and Eden (Rodrigues) are her roomates and surfing buddies. Lena is a free spirited, "lets go surfing" girl. Eden is a tough, encouraging friend. They all work at a crappy job at a very nice hotel and resort. Penny is a young girl trying to grow up without a mom or dad... just an older sister and her two friends. While working in the hotel, Anne Marie notices Matt, an NFL quarterback, who she begins to date while trying to train for the competition.

All in all, this movie is one of my all time favorites because of its beauty and it's realistic story line. I loved it!

Read Best Reviews of Blue Crush (2002) Here

Just think: yesterday my "list" (of the people my wife will theoretically allow me to go out with...) only had one name on it. (Liv Tyler, of course. Duh. ) But today I had to add another candidate, uber-hottie, surfer-model Sanoe Lake, who has one of the supporting roles in this sporty-teen surf flick. Sure, Sanoe doesn't actually do that much wave riding in this film, but as a cool-looking beach bum who stands around smiling that twinkly smile and being supportive of her pal the uber-surfer (played by Kate Bosworth) she definitely rocks my world. Seriously, though, this was a pretty fun film -a sports saga that takes place on Oahu's treacherous North Shore (apparently the world's gnarliest surf beach). The plot involves a local gal who wants to help put female surfing on the map, despite the taunts of her macho male colleagues, and yet finds herself distracted from her destinly by a cute, sensitive, equally athletic studmuffin. Michelle Rodriguez -who had a similar role in the less-fluffy boxing movie, "Girl Fight" -is also on hand to cheer Bosworth on, as is the clean-cut himbo who plays her newfound, earnest young beau. I gotta say, the plots and directing on these new teen-triumph movies -"Bring It On," "Save The Last Dance," etc. -have gotten so much better in recent years... they're actually worth watching! And this film is a fine example of that trend. It's a thoroughly entertaining look at the booming surf subculture, with some awesome marine cinematography and a decent, well-paced story. Plus, all them gals are hella cute, in a pleasantly non-bimboed-out kinda way. A lot better than I expected it to be, and certainly worth checking out, especially if you're in the mood for something light.

Want Blue Crush (2002) Discount?

Okay, the other reviews in this section make me extremely angry. It appears that no one has actually seen this film but me. I mean this literally. All the reviews here are for the 2002 Hollywood movie "Blue Crush", which was a FICTIONAL movie staring Kate Bosworth. The actual movie that is for sale here is the ORIGINAL Blue Crush, with pro surfers Megan Abubo and Rochelle Ballard. Kate Bosworth is NOT in this movie, contrary to the product description. THIS MOVIE, is a documentary about a group of professional female surfers, and takes place in the South Pacific (NOT HAWAII). It was a fantastic surf documentary, and a glimpse into the lives of these REAL professional surfers. So please, for the sake of surfers everywhere, DO NOT CONFUSE THIS MOVIE WITH THE HOLLYWOOD COPY OF THE SAME NAME!!!!!

Save 26% Off

Up (Five-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/ Blu-ray/ DVD + Digital Copy) (2009)

Someday, Pixar is going to do it -they're going to create an emotionally uninspiring, lackluster animated movie. But in the meantime, they're still putting out delightful animated movies like "Up," which defies the usual kid-movie conventions by starring a crotchety old man. It's a charming, fun little adventure story with flying dogs and balloon-powered houses, but underlying it is a bittersweet little story about loss and love.

As a child, the shy Carl Fredricksen bonded with the oddball Ellie over their shared love of adventure, the explorer Charles Muntz, and Paradise Falls. They later married, move into their "clubhouse" together, and lived a long, sadly childless life together. When Ellie died, she had never fulfilled her dream of going to Paradise Falls.

Now crotchety, alone and harassed by a real estate developer, Carl (Ed Asner) is finally ordered to a retirement home. But he isn't going quietly -instead he attaches thousands of balloons to his house and floats it away toward South America. But he accidentally takes an enthusiastic, naive Wilderness Explorer (a thinly-veiled Boy Scout) named Russell (Jordan Nagai) along for the ride. Poor kid was just trying to earn an "assisting the elderly" badge.

And the jungle trek to Paradise Falls turns out to have some surprising obstacles: a big emulike bird that Russell names Kevin, a talking dog named Dug ("I am jumping on you, bird!"), and a mysterious old man who lives deep in the heart of the jungle. Turns out the old guy is very familiar to Carl -and to capture Kevin, he's willing to sacrifice Carl and Russell.

Industry experts were babbling about how "Up" wouldn't be as popular as the previous Pixar movies, because the protagonist is basically a crusty old coot. Well, shows what they know. It ended up becoming one of those classic movies that somehow appeals to all ages -while the humor and action appeal to children, adults can appreciate Carl's love for his lost wife, and his slow realization that he's clinging to the past.

In fact, the first ten minutes are some of the most heart-tugging, quietly bittersweet scenes I've seen in a long time. Without a word, they show all the ups and downs of a realistic marriage -joys, sorrows (Ellie's inability to have children), growing old together, and finally loss.

But it's not a depressing movie by any stretch -in fact, it's like a childhood fantasy come to life, complete with a floating house suspended on hundreds of balloons, and biplanes piloted by a talking dog army.. Plenty of great dialogue ("Do you want to play a game? It's called See Who Can Go the Longest Without Saying Anything." "Cool! My mom loves that game!") and an action-packed climax in an aged airship.

Ed Asner is absolutely perfect as ubergrouch Carl -crotchety, grumpy, and determined to fulfill his wife's lifelong dream, but gradually realizing he's clinging to the past. Nagai is equally perfect as Carl's polar opposite: a naive, chattery Scout who is determined to reunite Kevin with her baby chicks. And the utterly adorable Dug and the other dogs deserve special notice. These creatures are utterly hilarious -they talk ("I hid under your porch because I love you") and act the way dogs would if they talked. Three words: cone of shame.

The two-disc edition is going to have some very nice extras, but once again people with regular-def DVDs are going to get shafted because the Blu-ray edition will have a bunch of exclusive stuff. Grr. As for this one, there's a digital copy, the director's audio commentary, kinda-alternate-ending "The Many Endings of Muntz," and the documentary "Adventure Is Out There" about the research for this movie.

There are also a pair of adorable animated shorts. "Partly Cloudy" has a much-abused stork having to deliver potentially harmful baby creatures from a kind but clueless cloud. And "Dug's Special Mission" is a sort of backstory for the adorable Dug, explaining what the heck he was doing before he met up with Carl and Russell.

"Up" continues Pixar's running tally of gloriously animated, emotionally layered movies that the entire family can enjoy. With that, I have only one more thing to say... SQUIRREL!

I had no expectations of being disappointed with a Disney/Pixar BD, and being that it took me a whole dedicated day to get through everything, I now feel it was worth every penny. The film was enjoyable, funny, sad, and scary filled with some nice messages about life and loss. I can understand why the majority of my customers loved it.

The Blu clarity is outstanding, and the amount of reference points are extensive, but one that stands out the most for contrast lines would have to be when the house is entering the lair (balloons against the dark cavern). The sound is selectable between 5.1 DTS, 2.0 DTS and Descriptive English. The 5.1 was beautiful with tons of reference points, sometimes excruciating (that bird screeching) but thorough nonetheless. Now for the supplements (all times in minutes):

DISC 1: (BD)

* 5:46 Partly Cloudy short film. Was hilarious. A great depth test for your display with the clouds. Nice little message of tolerance no matter how difficult someone might be.

* 4:40 Dug's Mission. An almost lo-def looking short take on our main dog dealing with the main three baddies on a chase.

* 22:17 Adventure Out There. A must see documentary about the crew taking the actual trip to the Tepui location in South America. A beautiful travel infomercial in itself. Loved how their guide only wore sandles for the ascent and hikes.

* 4:56 Alternate Scenes Ending of Muntz. Sketches and interviews regarding different endings for that bad guy that they had come up with.

* 1:00 How-to on using the Digital Copy.

* Cine Explore option while watching the film. The two directors give their commentary with multiple pop-up screens showing art, ideas, etc.

* Screen Saver. Allows you to set a time period for your screen saver to activate.

* Maximize Your Home Theater. The standard Pixar multi-step process for setting all of your theater capabilities.

DISC 2: (BD)

Documentaries

* 6:24 Geriatric Hero. History behind the creation of our old guy. All of these documentaries are interview oriented with sketches and film clips to supplement.

* 8:26 Canine Companions. In depth analysis on the breed choices, training and dog behavior studied to get the dogs in the film to be more dog like.

* 9:00 Russel Wild Explorer. Covers the reasons for his character to have the loss and why he was "egg" shaped as opposed to other sketch ideas.

* 5:04 Kevin (bird). Nice reference to the Swiss Family Robinson ostrich; covered the hardest part of any of these animation films the feathers.

* 4:38 Homemakers Pixar. Enjoyed the work that went into them studying sub-floors and lighting options in making this look so real in the house.

* 6:25 Balloons and Flight. Tells the now famous number of balloons used; some interesting dirigible history; shows the Pixar group using that local Bay Area air service I keep seeing fly around here (research stuff).

* 7:37 Composing for Characters. Have to be into the musical/scoring stuff for this one.

Extras

* Global Guardian Badge Game. After the initial setup of name, difficulty levels and tutorial material, the game has an extensive amount of country/geography material. Customers grouped around and we did fine for the United States section, but we randomly tried Africa and we bombed (some of the countries they were asking for I hadn't heard of in years) good learning tool though.

* 9:15 Alternate Scene Married Life. Another sketch/interview piece about more material being removed/added into that section of the film. The scene itself would have been only a minute longer.

* 6:00 montage. A mix of characters doing funny things will make the kids laugh.

* Screen Saver option.

DISC 3 (DVD)

* Film, plus special features from disc 1. WITH THE EXCEPTION of no Spanish subtitles/language; English only.

DISC 4 (Digital Copy).

* Code both unlocks the copy and gets you the usual points at the Disney site.

Overall, an excellent product no matter how you look at it. The case has that new single hinge, multi-page off center chassis that has proven to be less than durable, but it should suffice for low usage storage. Enjoy.

Buy Up (Five-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/ Blu-ray/ DVD + Digital Copy) (2009) Now

Another commendable, 4-star outing from Pixar.

The DVD packaging is another matter. There have been many complaints about the computer-incompatibility, but my gripe is about the "pecking order" for those that want the single-disc DVD vs. the 4-disc Blu-ray and everything in-between.

Time was when you bought a 2-disc set of a Pixar film, you got hours worth of neat, entertaining and enlightening extras (example: the exhaustive Super Heroes guide with "The Incredibles"). By the time "Cars" came out, you could only get a single-disc version with very few extras. "Ratatouille": same story. "Wall-E" somewhat rectified the situation with the available 3-disc version, which did have generous bonuses if you shelled out the bucks, that is. "Up" has the most deceptive packaging of all: a bare-bones single-disc version (you just want the movie and a lot of promos? You got it!), the "deluxe" DVD version (which Amazon/Disney advertise as a "Two-Disc Deluxe Edition + Digital Copy", which can imply there are three discs [there are not], and there are certainly NOT "hours of new bonus! [sic]", as the slip-sleeve boasts), and a 4-disc Blu-ray version for those fortunate enough to own that format. Disney is obviously hard-balling the recession-weary public into buying Blu-ray players and their inflated-priced discs and punishing those who are scraping by with an archaic DVD.

What would have been nice is an extras-packed double-DVD w/o the digital copy (I don't know anybody who really uses this), a better-valued single-DVD version and maybe even a single-Blu-ray.

The release date for a Pixar movie used to be an event. Now it's a downer, waiting to see how Disney rips its faithful public off again.

Read Best Reviews of Up (Five-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/ Blu-ray/ DVD + Digital Copy) (2009) Here

It is a good movie, but my wife is Deaf and can not enjoy this movie yet again (since we saw it at the theater) Also our Deaf friends and their children are excluded. This is a real waste of money for us. The movie companies are getting greedier and greedier.. shame on you Disney.

**Today and email was in my box via the Disney store says "The box states that it has captions for the hearing impaired, spanish (etc) and closed caption."

Well, the box SAYS IT it must be true!??

(Tested on several systems)

WELL THEY STILL AIN'T WORKING!!

Want Up (Five-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/ Blu-ray/ DVD + Digital Copy) (2009) Discount?

Grab your husband or significant other (after packing off the kids for a sleep over, if applicable), pour some F.A.B.s (frosty adult beverage) and snuggle up on the couch to watch UP! A wonderful, touching movie about a widower who takes pleasure in circumventing those who would have him move to Shady Acres nursing home and give up the home he and his wife, Ellie, made. Walter, our protagonist, is known as a crotchety old man. What most people don't know is that Walter is a lonely man since his wife and life-long love died. They never made their dream trip to Paradise Falls. Like most of us of a certain age, we plan and dream, hoping to fulfill that dream one day. One day never came for Ellie and Walter; but now that the powers that be think he should be in a retirement home, Walter has a Plan. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, a young scout (Russell), trying to achieve a badge for Elderly Assistance, is caught up in Walter's plan to foil the well-meaning social worker.

This is a Disney/Pixar Studios film, so the images are just spectacular. I have seen the behind the scenes video (included on the discs) where the team of artists travels to Tepui in South America, the area Walter (& Russell) have their adventure. It's amazing how realistic the animation depicts the natural beauty of this area! I don't normally watch the "Extras" that come with a dvd, but in this case, made an exception and throughly enjoyed them. From the 3 shorts (including alternate endings) to the aforementioned trip by the artistic team to South America. Another disc is devoted to in depth behind the scenes and documentaries showing their studies of geriatrics to dog breeds. Everything very informative and not boring. The set also includes a digital copy of the movie Up (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live) [Blu-ray]. There is also a game (Global Guardian Badge game--a geography skills game that can be set for different skill levels), a 'deleted scene' piece on married life and a montage of stills (kinda a blooper reel feel) of various characters doing funny things/situations. Very funny stuff, especially for children.

All in all, this is a lush, amazing movie--both the story line as well as the animation. Characters are well developed and mostly (with one notable exception) likeable...especially the dog! Lots of life lessons included, par for Disney. A great way to spend a day or night (or both for all the discs!). Amazon has a GREAT PRICE on this set, better by far than any local stores. Combined with the awesome shipping and customer service, you cannot go wrong purchasing this Up set! Buy it today, schedule that one-on-one time with the love of YOUR life and another viewing with the family. Even my 76 year-old mother loved this movie. Make sure you buy Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong Facial Tissues, Family Boxes, 744-Count to have on hand for viewing, it is a quite touching, moving story of love and life! Highly recommended.

Save 41% Off

The Battle of The Black Sea - The Untold Story of Black Hawk Down (2013)

This is bar none the best source of information regarding the events that led up to, during and after the battle that took place in Somalia in October of 1993. Paul's words are riveting and to the point. Having read every other book related to the battle on October 3/4, this goes above and beyond any other source of information that has been available to the public. There are many pictures and hard to find footage from Somalia 1993 included with Paul's commentary. Anyone interested in this subject will not be disappointed.

Thank you Paul and Panteao for producing such an excellent source of information.

Paul's account of what happened leading up to and during the operation that spiraled out of control and laid the ground work for the movie "Black Hawk Down" is very, very informative as well as entertaining. Chocked full of interesting tid-bits of information, names of participants and a minds eye view of the battlefield from a top Delta operator. He lays out the escalating battle with a no holds barred honesty and attention to detail of actions, inactions, and of the surroundings. His narrative brings to attention the problems he witnessed in command breakdown, lack of cooperation between command groups which compounded the problems in those desperate days, and increased the casualties .

Buy The Battle of The Black Sea - The Untold Story of Black Hawk Down (2013) Now

I was expecting a movie but it turned out to be a one person narrative. I much preferred Blackkhawk Down.

Read Best Reviews of The Battle of The Black Sea - The Untold Story of Black Hawk Down (2013) Here

Breakfast at Tiffany's (50th Anniversary Edition) (1961)

Excellent!

A word that can describe the Centennial Collection release of the 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's", the classic romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard.

Having reviewed previous versions of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" before on DVD, I'm sure many Audrey Hepburn fans are probably wondering how else can Paramount improve from the 2006 45th Anniversary Edition on DVD? Well, I can tell you right now... plenty! Please read on.

A film that stars quite a bit of talent, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" remains not just one of the most memorable romantic films of all time but a film that exemplifies the beauty of Audrey Hepburn, the chic style of the times and more (which I will discuss more in the special features portion of my review).

VIDEO & AUDIO:

The film is presented in widescreen format, enhanced for 16:9 TV's. A lot of the Centennial Collection releases have been remastered for high definition and having the previous DVD's, I can tell you that the DVD looks great. But I can only imagine how this film would look in 1080P if released in Blu-ray.

Audio is featured in Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround/English, Restored Mono, French Mono and Spanish Mono. The film of course is dialogue-driven but sure enough, the music of Harry Mancini is alive and well when blaring through your speakers.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

As mentioned before, there have been several releases of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" prior to this Centennial Collection, the older DVD's really hardly came with anything but the trailer until the 2006 "Special 45th Anniversary Collector's Edition" which came with a good number of special features and a commentary by producer Richard Shepherd.

Well, what I can tell you is that the Centennial Collection contains all of the special features from the Anniversary DVD release but also adds quite a few new lengthy featurettes as well. On the first disc, the first disc contains the movie and the same commentary from the Anniversary disc by Producer Richard Shepherd. You can tell that Shepherd gets drawn in to the film and doesn't speak in the commentary until he feels necessary.

So, for those wanting a verbose commentary, Shepherd doesn't do that. But it's actually quite fine because when he does speak, you learn a lot of things from him about the filming. For example, the opening shot featuring Audrey Hepburn in front of Tiffany's in Fifth Avenue. Where the place is typically packed with cars and people, for that time... there was hardly any traffic and no people. So, a very lucky time in filmmaking for the crew.

Also, Shepherd is quite apologetic about casting Rooney as Mr. Funiyoshi and he does that quite a bit in the commentary. You realized he didn't want the yellow face routine (Caucasian actor looking like an Asian stereotypical character) but it was kept in. Also, commenting of how certain scenes worked then but would never fly now. But most of all, his continued feeling of Audrey Hepburn as a class act. Overall, a very good commentary that you learn a lot from.

The special features on disc 2 are as follows:

* A Golightly Gathering A 20-minute featurette that reunites the talents who were in the cocktail party scene from "Breakfast at Tiffany's". One of the coolest parties ever on film, it's great to see the talent from the film reunite and discuss their experiences of filming that part scene 40-years later. I had no idea the party-scene took 8-days to film but it was great to hear everyone talk about their scene, working with Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard and Blake Edwards. But what a great featurette and so happy of it's inclusion.

* Henry Mancini: More Than Music This nearly 21-minute featurette is a wonderful featurette that features interviews with Henry Mancini's wife, daughter and son. Seeing private photos and even videos of Henry and having their family talk about him and what they remember about him, winning the two Academy Awards for "Moon River" and working on other films is just wonderful.

* Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective A 17-minute featurette. Despite the popularity of the film, the black cloud that has lingered on this film was the casting of Mickey Rooney as "Mr. Yunioshi". A talented actor, the "yellow face" role was just wrong and acknowledge by the director, producer and a cast member was just terribly wrong in casting Rooney for that role. This feature has interviews with representatives of the Media Action Network of Asian Americans. I'm glad that Paramount did include this featurette on this collection.

* The Making of a Classic Originally from the Anniversary release, this segment features interviews with Producer Richard Shepherd and Director Blake Edwards. A 16-minute featurette and you definitely learn a lot about the film, especially from Blake Edwards. One could image how his director's commentary would have been if included, especially with what he had to say on this featurette.

* It's So Audrey: A Style Icon An eight minute featurette with interviews with designers, Hepburn's son and companion. How Audrey Hepburn made simple things quite sexy. How Audrey never thought of her body proportions that sexy but she did have a good eye for style and how she became a fashion and style icon.

* Behind the Gates: The Tour This 4 minute featurette gives people a look behind the gates of the Paramount lot. A good promotional for those who would like to tour the Paramount lot.

* Brilliance in a Blue Box A six minute featurette about the history of Tiffany's. Originally featured on the Anniversary DVD.

* Audrey's Letter to Tiffany A two minute featurette about the letter Audrey wrote for the preface of the 150th Anniversary book for Tiffany's.

* Original Theatrical Trailer The original two minute trailer with its dust, scratches and all.

* Galleries Featuring production stills, movie stills and publicity shots for the film.

The Centennial Collection also comes with a booklet that features information of facts of the film, from how Capote wanted Marilyn Monroe for this film, information on Orangey the cat and how the "New York Site" that was filmed at the Paramount lot is now forever lost due to the big Paramount fire back in 1983 that destroyed historical sets.

And the DVD is just classy with it's black and gold packaging (which most of the Centennial Collection are packaged) and ditching the pink and white packaging.

I absolutely love this film. From the memorable dialogue, that first scene with Holly standing in front of Tiffany's, the cocktail party, Holly Golightly singing "Moon River" on her guitar, the cat and of course the final scene between Holly and Paul.

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" is a classic Audrey Hepburn film that is a must-own. I know that the film has been re-released many times on DVD and the 45th Anniversary was just a pleasure when it first came out and at the time, it was a definitive release. But now, with this "Centennial Collection" featuring a remastered version of the film and the new (and quite lengthy) featurettes that is included on this collection, this is the definitive version on DVD.

Personally, I can only imagine how this would look once it becomes available on Blu-ray but for now, these Centennial Collections from Paramount are just wonderful. Especially "Breakfast at Tiffany's", I'm really amazed how far Paramount went in order to make this release much more special.

The addition of "A Golightly Gathering" featuring the actors who took part in that cocktail party was awesome, the Henry Mancini featurette for those who just love his musical work will love this featurette and of course, for those who have felt the pain of the "yellow face" segment in the film, Paramount going the extra step by including a featurette dedicate to that on this DVD.

But in the end, this DVD is indeed a special tribute to Audrey Hepburn. Hepburn is just an icon of style and elegance and this DVD does a great job of giving special attention to such an incredible film. And after seeing this film so many time times, I still have not grown tired of it. It's one special film that I highly recommend

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" is flawless blend of a crowd-pleasing star-vehicle for the effortlessly charming Audrey Hepburn and a bittersweet, painfully beautiful look at love, life, and happiness. Director Blake Edwards, the man behind "The Pink Panther" series, "The Party", "Operation Petticoat", "Victor/Victoria", etc., has crafted a truly timeless film based on the novella by Truman Capote. Though numerous elements of Capote's story were altered, the film still has a strong core and message that urges audiences to examine their own lives, loves, and happiness.

Everything about this film is classic. You have the timeless Hepburn and her defining performance as Holly Golightly, a sophisticated, sassy call-girl with a secret past who is ultimately one of the most vulnerable characters Hepburn ever played. Then there's George Peppard, a vastly under-appreciated actor who manages to hold his own next to Hepburn while playing a struggling writer living off an older married woman. Peppard's boyish good looks and surprising depth make him the ideal match for Hepburn's Golightly.

Then of course there's Henry Mancini's wistfully romantic score and the tremendously popular theme-song, "Moon River", a true gem of a song that capture's the film's essence perfectly. In addition, you have Hepburn's fabulous, style-setting wardrobe courtesy of her lifelong friend Hubert de Givenchy. In this one film alone, Hepburn and Givenchy practically invented the "little black dress", popularized ballet flats, and introduced capris as a stylish alternative to regular pants.

My favorite quote:

Holly Golightly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?

Paul Varjak: The mean reds, you mean like the blues?

Holly Golightly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?

Paul Varjak: Sure.

Holly Golightly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away.

Buy Breakfast at Tiffany's (50th Anniversary Edition) (1961) Now

I love this film despite two major flaws. 1.) they toned down the fact that Holly Golightly is a call girl (probably to maintain Audrey Hepburn's sweet image) and 2.) the awful inclusion of Mickey Rooney as an Asian. Both blunders make me mad. However, they didn't hide the fact that George Peppard's character was a kept man by the icy Patricia Neal. Nonetheless, the film succeeds as one of the most romantic stories ever filmed. Hepburn is utterly charming and her performance would have had a more interesting shade had Holly's true means of support not been practically erased. But when we learn she's run away from a very sad family situation---we see a glimpse of the true Holly. It's also an interesting note that two people living off of others for different reasons should find each other and fall ROMANTICALLY in love. The theme "Moon River" pulls every drop of poignancy from the tear ducts as does the scene with the kitten in the rain. I'm as jaded as they come and that scene gets me every time. I always choke up. This is a great film but could have been greater if the more adult aspects of the story had just been played out. Still I recommend this for lovers of shamelessly romantic movies. You really can't go wrong with this charmer.

Read Best Reviews of Breakfast at Tiffany's (50th Anniversary Edition) (1961) Here

"Breakfast At Tiffanys" is the vintage romance classic based on the novel by Truman Capote that pits the elegant Audrey Hepburn (Holly Golightly) against stoic George Peppard (Paul Varjack). He's a would be writer, being kept by a rich, married lady. She's the lost soul runaway who's abandoned her husband and family after her beloved brother dies while serving his country in the military. This is vintage Capote. Even with the glaring omissions to the text and Mickey Rooney's garish, over-the-top performance as a Japanese landlord, this is still one of the all time great date flicks.

Unfortunately, Paramount Home Video hasn't done a very vintage job on this DVD. They've presented the film in its original VistaVision widescreen process (anamorphically enhanced) and remixed the sound to 5.1. That's a start. But the visual characteristic of the transfer on this DVD is digitally harsh, suffering from edge enhancement, aliasing, shimmering fine details, pixelization and digital grain.

Colors are generally well balanced but there are several instances where flesh tones appear a little bit on the yellowish side. Contrast levels are weak with black levels usually registering a dark gray instead of black. There's an excessive amount of chips and scratches in the opening title sequence as well as some general color fading associated with film stock of this period. As for the 5.1 surround, it's strident and not very natural. Dialogue is forward sounding. The Henry Mancini score is nicely presented, particularly Moon River, but over all this is a mono soundtrack with very few scenes that engage any of your other speakers.

NO EXTRAS! What a shame!

BOTTOM LINE: This is vintage Hollywood presented at bargain basement quality. Decide for yourself. I'd wait in the hopes of a complete digital restoration.

Want Breakfast at Tiffany's (50th Anniversary Edition) (1961) Discount?

Because of the fact that I'm only 17 years old, I just got around to watching this movie. I'd always heard about it but I never knew what it was about. And, to be quite honest, I didn't even think about watching it because I thought it was in black and white! (Eh, I didn't know when it was made!)

My dad made me watch it this past weekend and I fell in love with it! Unlike most romantic comedies made today, both main characters are broke. It doesn't follow the mold of: poor/average girl falls for rich guy blah blah blah or the other way around. It was funny (Mickey Rooney's character was HILARIOUS!) and sad (when Holly finds out about Fred) and sappy (the last 20 minutes) all at the same time.

This movie is great for anyone, whether you saw it the first time around or you're a "late viewer" like me.

Save 35% Off

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

The very end of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" was more like the end of a play's first act, after which the audience had to endure a nine month intermission. The second act--"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"--begins practically where the last film left off, in which Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) made an unexpected return after Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) was swallowed by the kraken. Not surprisingly, such a surprise ending got me all revved up for yet another round of swashbuckling fun, and I spent the year on pins and needles. If only this new film lived up to my expectations: while it is very entertaining, and while it is still worth recommending for sheer escapism, I'd be lying if I said that it matches the quality of the first two films.

Part of the problem is that everything about this film is simply too big. The number of new characters alone is quite distracting, especially since they all make important contributions to the story. The subplots are piled on top of each other, resulting in a film that's needlessly complicated and overly energized. I'd be hard pressed to give a decent synopsis, because in all honestly, I'm not sure I caught on to everything. From what I can gather, it seems that the instigator of this new story is Tia Dalma (Naomi Harris), the mysterious voodoo woman responsible for Barbossa's resurrection (which, in my opinion, was explained far too casually). Apparently, he's one of the nine pirate lords, and the time has come for them to join forces against the elusive (but undeniably evil) East India Trading Company, now under the control of the dastardly Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander).

But one of the lords--our beloved Captain Sparrow--remains lost, body and soul, in Davy Jones' Locker, meaning that Barbossa and regulars Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightly) and Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) have to sail to the ends of the earth to find him. I mean this literally; they eventually spill over a waterfall that would put Niagara Falls to shame. But it seems this is the only way to reach the Locker, which is like a pirate's version of purgatory. We actually get to see this otherworldly realm during one of the film's most baffling scenes; Sparrow is in a surrealistic desert landscape, commanding the Black Pearl crewed by hallucinogenic clones of himself. This scene was constructed with an unwelcome mixture of comedy and pure weirdness, and I simply didn't understand the purpose of it. Was there really no other way to represent purgatory?

By the time Barbossa and the others come to the rescue, Witty Jack has become Funny Jack, which completely works against his character as established in the first film. He was introduced as a flamboyant conniver, undeniably charming and full of biting wit. However, despite a well-developed sense of humor, he was never reduced to pure comedy relief. I can't say the same in terms of "At World's End"; Jack Sparrow has become the main source of the film's humor, ready with slews of one-liners, a seemingly incurable urge to argue, and snappy retorts. I distinctly remember an unnecessary moment with his Good/Bad conscience, classically represented by miniature clones atop his shoulders. Why I remember this, I don't know; it added absolutely nothing to the story, save for a couple of humorous lines.

And then there are the hordes of subplots, all of which prove that every character has at least three hidden agendas. For one thing, the relationship between Will and Elizabeth is suffering: Elizabeth is forced to come clean about her role in Jack's demise; Will is still obsessed with rescuing his father (Stellan Skarsgard) from an eternity of servitude on the Flying Dutchman. Jack and Will fight for the severed, still-beating heart of Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) because, in one way or another, they'll both benefit from it being stabbed. Davy Jones, now under the control of Beckett, is both frightened and excited at the prospect of reuniting with Calypso, the sea goddess who broke his heart (literally) before taking on human form (whose form, I dare not say). Captain Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat)--one of the nine pirate lords--takes special interest in both Jack and Elizabeth. Tia Dalma's significance increases dramatically, albeit not in a way that's easily understood; by the time her true nature is revealed, one can't help but wonder what the point was.

Ultimately, it becomes an exhausting process of trying to figure out who's doing what to whom and why. Jack alone changes allegiances more times than I can remember, and each time, he proposes yet another intricate plan that everyone knows is only for his benefit. But that's too limiting; overall, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" is an overstuffed film, sure to disappoint--but not entirely let down--both new audiences and diehard fans of the first two films. Still, I'm giving it four stars because it delivers in some very key areas: the special effects are incredible; the basic story between Jack, Will, and Elizabeth is engaging; the action scenes are plentiful and frenetic; Hans Zimmer's score is robust and energetic. And yes, we even get what we've been promised from the very beginning: a special appearance by Keith Richards.

The Pirates of the Caribbean series has been enjoyable from the very beginning. With the incredible non-stop action and good acting. The third in the series is an epic of a movie running over two and a half hours long. If you have not watched the previous two in the series don't bother watching this movie until you have seen those.

The movie starts off with a rather grim intro. Just when you think a hero will get involved they don't. It seems as though the world is doing everything to get rid of pirates. As the journey begins we are then reintroduced to all the wonderful actors that have been involved in this series.

For the pirates to continue on they need their ultimate hero, Captain Jack Sparrow. Although this movie is filled with an all star cast that can't just rely on the heroic antics of Sparrow. I would have to say this movie is filled with action and a lot of violence although not a lot of gore. The movie probably would not be good for small children. So saying this movie is for families is probably a misnomer.

What sets this version apart from the DVD version is the beautiful picture quality and wonderful sound. I was totally impressed with the breath taking picture in this film. Watching it on a big screen t.v. makes it very worthwhile. The movie also comes with uncompressed sound which helps create a lifelike environment that you can only find in the theatres.

In the end I would have to say this movie is not for everyone. The action is non-stop and the violence is continuous. If you haven't watched the other two movies you probably shouldn't view this first since there are a lot of details in the story you wouldn't know otherwise. This is a great film that should be viewed by everyone who has enjoyed the series.

Buy Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) Now

Unless you are a die-hard PotC fan, don't waste extra money on the 2-disc Special Edition thinking it will have hours of extras, behind the scenes, and other extraneous material. It doesn't. With all the features combined, it doesn't even amount to an hour's worth of material. Just buy the standard Pirates 3 DVD, and save $15.00

Unlike the Pirates 2 DVD, there is NO Making-Of Documentary, which was a major letdown. The featurettes on the Pirates 3 DVD are short, and moderately interesting. "The Making of Sao Feng's Map" ?? Yeaah.. greaaat.

How about some background on the many visual effects (Davy Jones, the Black Pearl flipping underwater, Callypso's transformation, the meeting of the two fleets in battle, etc). Instead we get featurettes that are lacking, somewhat boring, and utterly short.

I don't know if it was a budget thing, or what, but most movies with the production scale of Pirates 3 put a camera crew behind the scenes for a mind-blowing making-of.

As for the film itself, it is not as good as Pirates 1&2. They tried to do WAY too much in terms of story. There are far too many characters, storylines, and plot twists. Captain Jack hops through the plot like a game of hopscotch, befriending and betraying just about every character with a speaking role. By the end of the movie, it is tiring, and ultimately detaches the viewer from the overall plot.

Elizabeth's journey in Pirates 3 is unrealistic, even for a fictional movie. You get the feeling that the writers really had no ideas for her character within the framework set by the first movie, so came up with some radical ideas on the fly to try and keep Keira's presence in the film strong.

Will's individual journey to redeem his father and get revenge on Davy Jones is yet another plot thread which detracts from the overall story.

And just when you think the movie can't get anymore intricate, the writers decide to throw the Callypso plot thread in. This doesn't even make sense for the overall story, aside to create the Maelstrom in which there is a 20-minute sequence in. Why couldn't the Maelstrom be created naturally?

I am a huge pirate fan, and fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but ultimately, I was letdown by the conclusion of this trilogy. I did not leave the theater going, "Wow. That was amazing." I actually couldn't wait for the film to end. There was too much thrown in, between the many plotlines, constantly shifting alliances between the characters, Callypso, the Brethren Court, Davy Jones, World's End, etc etc etc. My feelings are that the Writers were flying blind (this is evident in the 2nd Pirates Movie, when Gore Verbinski was days from shooting and the Writers had NO SCRIPT.) I can picture them panicking and throwing together this mish-mash of a plot which in some cases contradicts the framework laid out in the 1st movie.

People say that there is a chance for a Pirates 4. In this age of sequels, I wouldn't doubt it. I just hope they return to the basics and don't try to do insanely huge epics with so many plot turns that the audience actually begins to wish the film would just end. Pirates 1 was the perfect film. They should have stuck to that format.

3 stars.

Read Best Reviews of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) Here

There once was a pirate named Jack

Who was constantly under attack

The last movie's shocker

Sent him to the Locker

The trick now is getting him back

Though hardly a tried and true friend

Barbossa leads them to World's End

It wasn't a squall

But a huge waterfall

That sent the group clean round the bend

Jack's having some deep consultations

With all of his hallucinations

The stones that he grabs

Turn out to be crabs

That live there in vast populations

The Pearl now has too many bosses

As over the waves the ship tosses

At the time of the flash

They upturn with a splash

Leaving Davy Jones counting his losses

The viewer will not be dismayed

To learn that they've all been betrayed

Cross AND double cross

Is how it comes across

As each player has their own crusade

Lord Beckett commands Davy Jones

Who is bound by the heart that he owns

They get into port

For the Brethren Court

Driving fear into the pirates' bones

In an effort to keep things afloat

The pirate lords call for a vote

Jack fiddles the thing

And soon there's a king

Though the king feels more like a scapegoat

Calypso has longed to be free

Once trapped by the pirates' decree

She summons a storm

The ocean to transform

While howling just like a banshee

There's lots more to this soggy tale

With its battle scenes of massive scale

Tales of father and son

And of loves lost and won

But I won't bore you now with detail

New characters give it a boost

Though Keith Richards' role seems quite reduced

Added to that

There's now Chow Yun-Fat

But it's dreadfully over-produced

For almost three hours or more

This movie you'll have to endure

Though perfect in places

It's full of dull spaces

Though I wouldn't say that it's a bore

Rated: 3.5 stars

Amanda Richards, June 3, 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Want Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) Discount?

Sure the story is a bit confusing at times, but that just makes me want to see it again. Johnny Depp lacked a little something in Dead Man's Chest, but he is back in true form here. Orlando Bloom has gotten better in the acting department and it was great to see Geoffrey Rush back as Barbossa. I really thought Keira Knightley pulled off the tough chick thing here and that surprised me. The CGI is incredible and the music will have you moving in your seat. Don't listen to the critics and just have a good time with characters we all love.

Save 50% Off

The Basketball Diaries (2010)

Director Scott Kalvert creates a moving and realistic recount of the true story of Jim Carroll, played superbly by Leonardo DiCaprio, a New York City teen who at the height of his high school basketball career, falls victim to drugs and violence in the rough streets.

Look for the real-life Jim Carroll who makes a cameo appearance as a crack addict in the scene where young Jim sitting in a back alley listening to the addict preach about his "high" while boiling his fix.

Fine supporting performances by the entire cast and a musical score including original songs performed by Jim Carroll's band. Especially memorable is the acid-rock message song: "These Are All the People Who've Died" which is a tribute to Jim's fallen friends throughout his life.

The serious messages in this film SCREAM out at teens, but also are sombering to adults who realize the sometimes hopeless devastation that wracks a family during a drug crisis. Your heart breaks for Jim's mom and his mentor, an African American ex-druggie who cleaned up and wants nothing more than to help Jim out of his living hell before it consumes him.

This movie was gripping from the start to finish. I loved how it openeda bunch of kids who obviously have minds of their owngetting high off of some household cleaner or something, skipping school, ripping off hot dog carts.. and you think this all seems crazy but then ultimately all the hard core drug usage starts and while at first it may seem like nothing but a small enjoyable thing to doit soon is a huge habit for Jim.

Watching all the struggles Jim has to go throughloosing friends, trying to be clean & then failing, prostitution, begging for money, getting into physical fights.. it is hard to watch and you physically can't believe that someone can go through so much and come out victorious in the end.

Leonardo plays this role FANTASTICALLY. Especially the part when he is crying at the door begging for some money from his mother. The amount of passion he pours into this character is huge... for that reason alonego see this movie.

Buy The Basketball Diaries (2010) Now

Before Trainspotting their was The Basketball Diaries and a brilliant film it is too. This is a great production from Scott Kalvert.It is the harrowing story of how a young basketball hopeful named Jim Carrol, whos life is descending into a life of drugs and violence.In which the only thing that keeps him going is his diary which is later named The Basketball Diaries.The acting in this film is brilliant.An absoloutely brilliant film it has no flaws.Every aspect of this film is great.A true masterpeice.

Read Best Reviews of The Basketball Diaries (2010) Here

This movie is amazing, the talented Mr. Dicaprio really gave an outstanding performance

Want The Basketball Diaries (2010) Discount?

I must admit this movie really had a huge effect on me. After watching this, I thought to myself, "How could anyone do drugs like this?" The look of this film matches the tone of it, which is a dark, gritty feel of the streets of Brooklyn during the 1960's.

This movie basically takes a real life teenager and throws him down the wrong paths in life. You can really see Leonardo DiCaprio's character grow more and more addicted to all these drugs. Physically, you can see his body become worse and worse as he becomes more plugged into the drug culture as nights go by.

I have a whole new appreciation for Leo DiCaprio. He was only 20 years old when this was made and you can tell, this young kid can act like a pro.

This film as a very indy-film look to it which seems to add to its realism unlike if it were a major Hollywood motion picture. So, if you want to see an emotional, tearjerking view of innocence crumbling into nothing, this one will suck you in.

Save 25% Off

Innocent Bystanders (1972)

DOES NOT APEAR TO BE STATED ON THE PRODUCT ITSELF, BUT AMAZON IS CORRECT FOR THIS BLU-RAY'S REGION CODING. SADLY, IT WILL NOT PLAY ON REGION B PLAYERS, AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION WHEN THERE HAS BEEN NO SEPARATE RELEASE FOR REGION B.

I was pleased to discover that Amazon carried the DVD of this 1972 British spy film.

I had only seen (in part) one other version and that was a version shown on network television years ago. For some reason, the TV version in the USA included additional scenes, apparently filmed in New York. I know that it has been a trend lately to release DVD versions (and even theatrical versions) of films called the extended cut, the director's cut, or a version with an alternate ending.

The early version of INNOCENT BYSTANDERS was, I believe, one of those theatrical films with new scenes added to the televised version to pad it out to fit into a network time slot that could include commercials. The most shameless example of this is the Hammer film KISS OF EVIL or KISS OF THE VAMPIRE which has newly (and insipid) scenes filmed for the televised showing. In some cases, scenes in the original theatrical films are often expurgated because they include footage (usually violent) that is considered by heavy-handed censors to be inappropriate for the sensibilities of mainstream America who are not yet accustomed to cable programs. The version of INNOCENT BYSTANDERS that I saw on network TV includes a scene where John Craig (Stanley Baker) breaks the arm of a watchman and causes him to faint. Also included is a scene where a young girl touches his arm in affection and Craig responds: "What are you doing?" He tells his companion that feelings were cut out of him when he was tortured in the past.

These two scenes were not included in the DVD released by Amazon, which is, apparently, the theatrical version. A reader may point out that I, perhaps, confused two separate films that both starred Stanley Baker. This is not the case because I clearly remember Baker (as agent Craig) telling his companion -an Israeli agent portrayed by Geraldine Chaplin -about his physical and mental problems. It seems a bit questionable that such an innocent bystander as Ms.Chaplin would want to seduce an impotent "old" agent as Craig, but this is, in fact, what happens.

At breakfast the next morning -after his apparent renaissance -she tells Craig that he should be grateful for her restoring his ability. He thanks her, but a bit cynically. She adds that perhaps she wasn't "that good," and he responds to her compliment-fishing by confirming that she was. Later, when she is tortured by a sadistic British agent sent along to undercut Craig's efforts (Derrin Nesbitt from THE NAKED RUNNER and WHERE EAGLES DARE), Craig is quite sympathetic and reveals important information to spare her further pain and humiliation (what Nesbitt does to Ms. Chaplin is not clear because his torturing takes place off-screen).

Nesbitt is effective as one of the agents sent on the same mission as Craig (supposedly without the latter's knowledge). The other agent is an image of compassion and gentility when compared to Nesbitt; she is played by Sue Lloyd (the female love interest in THE IPCRESS FILE -one of the greatest spy films ever), who is as accurate with a gun as Craig but a bit quicker. Stanley Baker, however, is superb as the no-nonsense, non-romantic aging agent who is betrayed by his non-trusting and not-trustworthy superior Loomis, stiff-upper-lipped Donald Pleasence. Also on hand is the CIA in the person of Dana Andrews. As a hero from 1940s and 1950s films, Andrews seems out of place here -but perhaps it is only his non-matching fright wig that he perhaps sports to take our attention away from Stanley Baker's own hairstyle that seems that it does not belong.

I have been a fan of Stanley Baker since he portrayed Achilles in the 1955 international epic HELEN OF TROY. Despite his dark hair (Homer's Achilles was supposed to be blond as he is played by Gordon Mitchell and Brad Pitt), Baker is the best on-screen Achilles ever -capturing the fury of that semi-god from Greece mythology. I also like Baker in HELL DRIVERS (which features a minor role by Sean Connery), ZULU, IN THE FRENCH STYLE, and SANDS OF THE KALAHARI, which I will soon order from Amazon. I have nothing against long hair (I often wear my own blond hair long), but somehow the style as worn in INNOCENT BYSTANDERS doesn't somehow seem suited to Mr. Baker as an "older", black-haired agent. Perhaps he sports this style to make clear that he is an anti-Bond. He (like Michael Caine in the five Harry Palmer films) doesn't use ridiculous gadgets supplied by Q branch but relies instead on his wits and marksmanship. The sequence where he shoots fellow agent Nesbitt in the foot is not to be missed (Kudos to Nesbitt or his stunt double for his flipping forward after being hit by Craig's bullet).

The ending seems to come rather quickly, but we, at least, know that he outsmarts his double-crossing superior Pleasence (an incredibly unlikeable superior in the mode of Stewart Granger who double crosses RIchard Burton and the other mercenaries in THE WILD GEESE) by flying to Beirut where he may (the romantics among us hope) meet up again with Ms. Chaplin. Don't be fooled by the glitzy, flashy, pop-culture artwork on the cover of the DVD of INNOCENT BYSTANDERS. This is not a Dean Martin humor-fest (like we see in the Matt Helm romps) but a fairly gritty spy tale not unlike the Harry Palmer films. It has plenty of action, but the action is believable and plot-enhancing.

Check it out. In the meantime, let us hope that the fad of releasing many versions of a film in order to milk dry every possible penny from DVD sales will eventually end. Let's make one version of a film and stick with it. After all, how many versions of the "Mona Lisa" do we find?

Buy Innocent Bystanders (1972) Now

John Craig, a British operative regarded as expendable, is sent on what is intended to be his last assignment, in Innocent Bystanders, a tough, gritty, and at times brutal espionage thriller, that is enjoyable for its realism, and very cynical British sensibilities. Capably directed by Peter Collinson (The Italian Job, The Long Day's Dying), the film features an outstanding cast, headed by Stanley Baker (Zulu, The Guns of Navarone).

John Craig is a spy who has sacrificed much for Queen and Country. After being tortured by electrical shock, he suffers from post traumatic stress, and has also become impotent. Loomis (Donald Pleasance), Craig's boss at Department K, believes that while still competent at killing, Craig is damaged goods, and decides to use him as a decoy, on a mission to recover a missing agronomist named Aaron Kaplan (Vladek Shebal), who supposedly can make the desert bloom. Having escaped from a Russian prison camp, the highly valued Kaplan is also being sought by the Russians, and the Americans.

Loomis' "first team" are Joanna Benson (Sue Lloyd), and Andrew Royce (Derren Nesbitt), two younger agents who are assigned to backup Craig, and move in when he fails. Royce openly disrespects Craig, calling him an "old man", while Benson is more circumspect than her impetuous partner, as Craig is dispatched to New York to question Kaplan's brother.

While Loomis appears to be cooperating with an American agent named Blake (Dana Andrews), both the British and Americans are determined to get Kaplan for themselves. Once a finely honed instrument, Craig is now regarded as broken down, and no longer capable of excellence. He surprises his detractors however, jumping ahead in the game, kidnapping Miriam Loman (Geraldine Chaplin), a woman who may have some clue to where Kaplan is hiding. The trail eventually leads to the Middle East, and then Cyprus, where the intrigue, danger, and violence increases, as the various parties scramble to recover Kaplan. The body count begins to rise, on what will surely be Craig's final assignment.

For what this movie was intended to be, the acting performances are spot on. The lanky Baker isn't debonair, but he fits the bill as an intelligent and brutally efficient survivor. Craig starts out as a broken man who screams from imaginary pain, but he regains his manhood, and proves that he isn't quite "past it" yet. Derren Nesbit (Where Eagles Dare) is terrific as the arrogant pretty boy, who in the end does what he was trained to do. And Sue Lloyd (The Baron), does a nice job as his inscrutable partner.

Although he would later become an icon in the Halloween films, coincidentally playing a character named "Loomis", Donald Pleasance is also excellent here, as a cold, calculating, and confident bureaucrat, accustomed to playing God. As Miriam Loman, Geraldine Chaplan (Dr. Zhivago, Nashville) provides most of what little humanity there is, although as the "innocent bystander", Loman is deeper than she appears. Quirky Warren Mitchell, is entertaining as Omar, an enterprising guide, and Vladek Shebal (From Russia With Love), is solid in an understated role.

John Craig first appeared in four novels published between 1964 and 1969. James Mitchell wrote the books, under the penname "James Munro", and The Innocent Bystanders, published in 1969, was the last in the series. Mitchell also wrote the screenplay, and nicely captures the novel's serious tone, with characters that are mostly hardened professionals. With some cinematic action elements, and touches of dark humor, Innocent Bystanders is an interesting and enjoyable watch, for the discriminating espionage aficionado.

Ending on an abruptly defiant note, this stark and cynical adventure, has virtually nothing in common with the glamour and affluence of the Roger Moore era Bond films. If that's your type of espionage, give this movie a chance. Unfortunately, Stanley Baker would never reprise the role of Craig, as he passed away in 1976 at only 48 years of age.

Read Best Reviews of Innocent Bystanders (1972) Here

David Lean Directs Noel Coward (In Which We Serve, This Happy Breed, Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter

Criterion, who probably makes more film fans happier than any other company, has just released David Lean Directs Noel Coward. An odd pairing, at first glance---the man who directed such epics as Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and The Bridge on the River Kwai---with the premier light comedy actor/author/composer of the twentieth century. Even odder is the choice of material: A world class war story about the sinking of a ship; a world class romance about lost love; a world class picture of the British lower-middle class; and the world class comedy fantasy of the last century, respectively In Which We Serve, Brief Encounter, This Happy Breed and Blithe Spirit. Perhaps even more surprising is that all four were made during a period of about three years, from 1942 to 1945.

Briefly, all four films are extraordinary examples of propaganda at its best. Lean and Coward were both fervently patriotic, and England was the underdog at the time in a war. Lean was just beginning his astonishing career; Coward had just finished a dozen or so years of incredible success on the stage, but considerably less success, or even attempts, at a film career. In 1941, Germany bombed London for 57 consecutive evenings.

Coward wrote and Lean directed these films, with Coward playing the lead for In Which We Serve. Coward also produced, wrote the screenplay, composed the score, and officially codirected, though he handed the reigns to Lean in his directorial debut.

Coward was entertaining the troops during the shooting of the other three films, yet his mark is clearly visible in each films. The cameraman for the quartet was Ronald Neame, perhaps less a household name, yet later the director such gems as The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, I Could Go on Singing and The Horse's Mouth.

In Which We Serve is the story of a ship, sunk off the coast of Crete during the war. Based on incidences in the life of Coward's great friend Lord Louis Mountbatten, flashbacks tell the story of the few remaining survivors, clinging to a lifeboat, waiting for rescue. In lesser hands, this narrative technique would be worse than banal, but the creators, relying so very strongly on flashbacks, allow the audience to see war through the eyes of the women left at home, waiting, not knowing when or if their sons, husbands or boyfriends will return.

Brief Encounter is based on a slight one-act play Coward wrote for Tonight at 8:30 entitled Still Life. A man and a woman, both more or less happily married to other people, meet quite by accident in a train station. To the overused strains of Rachmaninoff, they fall hopelessly, helplessly and enormously in lover. Again, in lesser hands, this stiff-upper-lip-do-the-right-thing sort of drama could be cloying and irritating, but the moral quandary this couple feels somehow slips into the audience's brain, and the horrible realization that although love is usually just nifty, it can cause extraordinary heartache and pain. Parenthetically, Andre Previn has just turned this text into an opera.

This Happy Breed, an ordinary story about an ordinary family living an ordinary life just before the war, grabs the audience with its specificity and universality, until the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the small pains and pleasures of everyday life insinuates into the audience's psyche. Based on an early play of Coward and drawing on his own lower-middle class background, the triumph here is really Robert Newton and Celia Johnson as the father and mother experiencing the trials and triumphs of everyday life.

The final film, Blithe Spirit, is perhaps the most well known. Rex Harrison stars as an author, re-married after the death of his first wife, hiring psychic Margaret Rutherford to perform a séance so he can learn the lingo of the telepathic trade for his new book. Alas, Madame Arcarti, Rutherford's character, somewhat ineptly brings back the ghost of his first wife, with hilarity and confusion ensuing.

Criterion's restruck prints are wonderful, the extras are pretty astounding, with the complete South Bank show on Coward and some lovely interviews with author and critic Barry Day who has made Coward very much something of his own cottage industry. Day resembles someone who might be in an unexpurgated Alice in Wonderland, but has that fuzzy British charm which can be so endearing. All in all, we owe a deep debt of gratitude to Criterion.

Now, if we could get them to clean up and release the nearly unavailable films Coward acted in, such as The Scoundrel, The Astonished Heart, and perhaps even the television version of Blithe Spirit?

The Criterion Collection has released DAVID LEAN DIRECTS NOEL COWARD, a four-disc boxed set containing the quartet of films that the two artists made together during the first half of 1940s. The collection is being released in both Blu-Ray and DVD editions. This reviewer's remarks are based on the DVD set.

All four films, two of which are in Technicolor, have been magnificently remastered. The colors are brilliant and balanced; the black-and-white images sharp and solid.

I'm not going to use much space talking about the individual movies, since anybody who decides to purchase this collection will, undoubtedly, be well familiar with them.

IN WHICH WE SERVE (1942) was co-directed by Coward and Lean and deals with a ship of the Royal Navy, sunk in the Mediterranean during the early days of World War II. This event occurs at the start of the picture, thus most of the narrative is told via flashback as the survivors cling to a life raft, being strafed by German planes while they await rescue.

Coward plays the ship's captain, and we follow his story, as well as the histories of several crew members. Among the cast in this stirring film, nominated for a Best Picture Oscar,are John Mills, Bernard Miles, Celia Johnson, Kay Walsh, Michael Wilding and Richard Attenborough.

THIS HAPPY BREED (1944) is the story of an average middle class British family seen over a period of twenty years, from the end of The Great War to just before the beginning of World War II. It is a tale of the vicissitudes of life.

The Technicolor film stars Robert Newton, Celia Johnson, John Mills, Kay Walsh and Stanley Holloway.

BLITHE SPIRIT (1945), also in color, is a sparkling comedy about a man (Rex Harrison) who must explain to his present wife (Kay Hammond) why his late wife (Constance Cummings) has decided to haunt them. Margaret Rutherford plays the wacky medium who has brought the poor fellow's problems about. The players are all in top form. A delightful fantasy, adapted from Coward's popular stage play.

BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1945) is one of the finest romantic films ever produced, an absorbing love story, adapted from Coward's play, STILL LIFE.

The plot is very simple. Married doctor Trevor Howard and suburban housewife Celia Johnson happen to meet on a train platform and enter into a quietly passionate, ultimately, doomed, love affair.

This collection includes a fabulous cornucopia of extras. Among them are new interviews on all the films with Noel Coward scholar Barry Day, a 2010 interview with cinematographer/screenwriter/producer Ronald Neame, documentaries on the making of IN WHICH WE SERVE and BRIEF ENCOUNTER, a 1971 television documentary on David Lean, a 1969 audio conversation between Coward and Richard Attenborough, a 1992 British television show about the life and career of Coward and much more, including a 46 page booklet filled with essays about the various movies and the talented men who made them.

© Michael B. Druxman

Buy David Lean Directs Noel Coward (In Which We Serve, This Happy Breed, Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter Now

Am still thrilled with my 9 film Korean release David Lean DVD Collection Box Set [9 Discs, Import, All Regions] (Oliver Twist /Great Expectations / Blithe Spirit / This Happy Breed /Brief Encounter /Madeleine /The Sound Barrier /Hobson's Choice) (+ "Passionate Friends", unlisted), so was a bit hesitant to buy the Criterion set (after all, 9-set was only missing "In Which We Serve", which was only previously available as public domain release). Bit the bullet, spent $55 for THIS set (after spending $47 for 1st set). Summary: a most worthy addition to library. Criterion set has the 4 listed films, including a wonderfully restored "Serve", numerous extra features (as listed in product description), a 45 page booklet, and just flat-out classy packaging (each film has own case -hardboard w/film photos, and plastic tray-), including shiny black accents for all film titles, all housed in similarly designed box. Substantial extra features, and now having clean copy of "In Which We Serve" (with subtitles!), made this a worthy purchase! (BUT: if your budget only allows for one set, still consider the Korean one. Has only a few extra features, but ALL films are very crisp/clean in video and audio. Don't be 'put-off' by foreign packaging -it is still a lovely box setand audio/subs ARE in English!) To close, please don't disparage (too harshly!) this review. Yes, the Criterion is a magnificent set, but a lover of film might just want to enjoy even more terrific DL titles for same amount!

Read Best Reviews of David Lean Directs Noel Coward (In Which We Serve, This Happy Breed, Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter Here

I already own the Korean nine film DVD set of David Lean films (minus In Which We Serve)David Lean DVD Collection Box Set [9 Discs, Import, All Regions] (Oliver Twist /Great Expectations / Blithe Spirit / This Happy Breed /Brief Encounter /Madeleine /The Sound Barrier /Hobson's Choice), so I was hesitant on upgrading to blu ray. The Korean DVDs look really good, but these Criterion prints look amazing!! I fell in love with these movies (especially Brief Encounter) all over again. Too bad there are only four films. This set makes me crave for more of David Lean's older films on blu ray. Criterion has always done a great job with restoring these classics and so glad to see these get upgraded to blu ray! Can't say which one looks the best, all of these films look brilliant. Blithe Spirit really looks good with its rich colors that really stand out. While the detail in the black and white fims like Brief Encounter really looks amazing! And every film comes with its own special features.

This is hands down Criterion's best blu ray set and worthy to be in every film lover's collection.

Set like this makes me a big fan of the blu ray format. Thanks again to Criterion for giving us film lover's a great collection. Another great blu ray set from you guys!

Want David Lean Directs Noel Coward (In Which We Serve, This Happy Breed, Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter Discount?

he Criterion Collection's release of "David Lean Directs Noel Coward" is possibly one of the most exciting box sets that I have been wanting to see in America for quite some time.

A legendary playwright, writer, filmmaker, actor, you name it...Noel Coward has probably done it. And it's one thing that has made fans of his work so appreciative of this individual is because he brings so much life into his work.

As for David Lean, he's already considered a legendary filmmaker. From directing "Lawrence of Arabia", "The Bridge on the River Kwai", "A Passage to India", "Doctor Zhivago" to name a few... Both Noel Coward and David Lean are legendary for their highly acclaimed work in their oeuvre.

But you go further back to when David Lean first became a filmmaker, it's because of Noel Coward, he was given the opportunity.

For both men, it would begin during World War II. Noel Coward who wanted to do something for the British public during the war and the fact that he was raised with a grandfather who was a Captain of the Royal Navy, Coward so much wanted to do something during wartime. Having worked with British Intelligence, there was no doubt that Coward wanted to do more.

And that opportunity would come in 1942 with the release of his British patriotic (and propaganda) film "In Which We Serve". The film would feature Noel Coward as a lead actor but since he is a man that was only focused on directing certain parts of the film and action wasn't his forte, what best than to bring highly regarded editor David Lean. David Lean got his first opportunity to co-direct the film with Noel Coward and both managed to create a film that was well-liked, praised very well not just in Britain but also in the United States and it earned Coward an Academy Award for "Outstanding Production Achievement).

And this would be the beginning of the working relationship between Noel Coward and David Lean (there is also a third man included in this and that is cinematographer Ronald Neame).

The two would once again reunite for "This Happy Breed". A film adaptation based on Noel Coward's 1939 play and for those who were enamored with Noel Coward's 1933 film "Cavalcade" (directed by Frank Lloyd) about an upperclass British family from 1899 through 1933 (which covered the family through the Second Boer War, the death of Queen Victoria, the sinking of the Titanic and World War I), "This Happy Breed" would feature on a working class British family during 1919 through 1939.

As Coward was busy with his plays at the time, it gave David Lean the opportunity to direct his first solo film. "This Happy Breed" would also give Lean the chance to work (and experiment) with three-strip Technicolor and once again, the reception was favorable for this second collaboration.

The third collaboration between David Lean and Noel Coward was not as smooth as the first two films. Noel Coward wanted his comedy "Blithe Spirit" to become a film and David Lean, known as a serious person was reluctant in directing a comedy. While the film at the time was criticized for a film about "death" (or deceased love ones reappearing as ghosts), not many were wanting to see a film about that subject matter while many were dying during World War II.

Needless to say, both men have differing opinions on both films but both agreed that they should work again for another, more realistic film and that would "Brief Encounter".

The film would captivate audiences as it would win the Grand Prize, the "Palme d'Or" at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival. The film would also earn Celia Johnson an Academy Award nomination for "Best Actress". Recognized as one of the top 100 British Films of All Time (#2 in the British Film Institute Poll), "Brief Encounter" would solidify David Lean's filmmaking career (Noel Coward was already well-known worldwide).

And this popularity would lead David Lean to work on Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations" and "Oliver Twist" and many other well-known films for the next three decades. But the popularity gained from "Brief Encounter" would lead both David Lean and Noel Coward to bigger things and the film would be their Magnum opus and their final collaboration together.

These four beloved films would receive new restoration in 2008 courtesy of BFI National Archives and in 2012, receive a special high definition remastering for Blu-ray release.

The Criterion Collection will be releasing these four films as part of the "David Lean Directs Noel Coward" Blu-ray and DVD Box Sets featuring many special features paying tribute to Noel Coward and also David Lean but most of all, paying tribute to their collaboration for these four films.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

"In Which We Serve" is presented in a brand new high-definition digital transfer courtesy of the BFI (British Film Institute) National Archive's 2008 restoration. With that being said, because this film has been restored, if you want the best version of this film to date, you definitely want to pick up the Blu-ray release of the "David Lean Directs Noel Coward" box set.

As for the DVD, "In Which We Serve" is featured in black and white (1:37:1 aspect ratio) and for a film that was created back in 1942, this 70-year-old film looks absolutely fantastic on DVD. Grain is noticeable, contrast is wonderful. Black levels are nice and deep, whites/grays are vibrant and clear but I can only imagine how much sharper and pronounced the quality is in HD via Blu-ray.

As for the picture quality, according to Criterion, the picture has been slightly windowboxed (for the DVD version) to ensure the maximum image is visible on all monitors. The new restoration was created in 4K resolution on an Oxberry 6400 liquidgate scanner at Cineric, New York, from the original nitrate negative and sections of the nitrate fine-gran master.

"This Happy Breed" is presented in a brand new high-definition digital transfer courtesy of the BFI (British Film Institute) National Archive's 2008 restoration. With that being said, because this film has been restored, if you want the best version of this film to date, you definitely want to pick up the Blu-ray release of the "David Lean Directs Noel Coward" box set.

As for the DVD, "This Happy Breed" is presented in technicolor (1:37:1 aspect ratio). It's important to note that while this film was shot in three-strip Technicolor, director David Lean did not want this film too look like a standard Technicolor film.

"Blithe Spirit" is presented in a brand new high-definition digital transfer of the BFI National Archive's 2008 restoration. With that being said, because this film has been restored, if you want the best version of this film to date, you definitely want to pick up the Blu-ray release of the "David Lean Directs Noel Coward" box set.

As for the DVD, "Blithe Spirit" is presented in technicolor (1:37:1 aspect ratio). It's important to note that the film was shot in Technicolor. Picture quality for an early Technicolor film is very good. There are some specks that do show up a few times but for the most part, for something this old, it looks rather good on DVD and no film warping or any major blemishes.

As for the audio, the audio is presented in Monaural.

According to the Criterion Collection, the monaural soundtrack was restored from a sound print made from the original nitrate track negative. Click, thumps, hiss and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD. Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube's integrated workstation.

English subtitles are presented in English SDH.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"In Which We Serve" comes with the following special features:

Barry Day (16:08) Featuring an October 2011 interview with Barry Day, author of "Coward on Film: The Cinema of Noel Coward" discussing "In Which We Serve".

A Profile of "In Which We Serve" (24:27) A short documentary produced in London in 200 for Carlton International Media featuring interviews with cinematographer Ronald Neame, actor John Mills and associate producer Anthony Havelock-Allan, among others.

Coward and Attenborough at the NFT (1:04:57) An audio recording from Dec. 1969 featuring actor and director Richard Attenborough and playwright Noel Coward onstage at London's National Film Theatre to discuss Coward's career and his work on "In Which We Serve".

Theatrical Trailer (1:18) The original theatrical trailer for "In Which We Serve".

"This Happy Breed" comes with the following special features:

Barry Day (14:55) Featuring an October 2011 interview with Barry Day, author of "Coward on Film: The Cinema of Noel Coward" discussing "This Happy Breed".

The Golden Age (44:03) A 2010 interview with cinematographer/producer/screenwriter Ronald Neame who talks about the making of the four Noel Coward/David Lean films and things that took place behind-the-scenes and his feelings towards those films.

Trailer (2:36) The original theatrical trailer for "This Happy Breed".

Re-Release Trailer (2:20) The re-release trailer for "This Happy Breed".

"Blithe Spirit" comes with the following special features:

Barry Day (11:09) Featuring an October 2011 interview with Barry Day, author of "Coward on Film: The Cinema of Noel Coward" discussing "Blithe Spirit".

The Southbank Show: Noel Coward (50:39) A 1992 episode of "The Southbank Show" hosted by Melvin Bragg and covers the life of Noel Coward and his career in theater, film and music. Featuring archival footage and interviews with actors John Gielgud, Daniel Massey and John Mills.

Trailer (2:27) The original theatrical trailer for "Blithe Spirit".

"Brief Encounter" comes with the following special features:

Audio Commentary Featuring the original 2000 Criterion Collection audio commentary by film historian Bruce Elder who discusses the film and also the career of David Lean, Joyce Carey, Celia Johnson and Stanley Holloway. Also, the adaptation of "Still Life" to cinema. There is one section and this relates to Elder talking about a scene with Dr. Alec Harvey and his colleague which I totally agree with him and how that scene was a bit abrupt to the film. Interesting enough, how this abruptness was an inspiration for director Billy Wilder for his film "The Apartment". But for the most part, an informative commentary track.

Barry Day (16:14) Featuring an October 2011 interview with Barry Day, author of "Coward on Film: The Cinema of Noel Coward" discussing "Brief Encounter".

A Profile of "Brief Encounter" (24:14) A short documentary produced in London in 200 for Carlton International Media featuring interviews with screenwriter/producer Ronald Neame, actress Margaret Barlon and actress Celia Johnson's daughter Kate Fleming and more.

"David Lean: A Self Portrait" (57:56) Featuring the 1971 documentary "David Lean: A Self Portrait" by Thomas Craven featuring an extensive interview with Lean about his work and approach to filmmaking.

Theatrical Trailer (3:01) The original theatrical trailer.

EXTRAS:

46-Page booklet "David Lean Directs Noel Coward" comes with a 46-page booklet with essays for each film. For the "Brief Encounter" portion, the essays are all brand new. For "In Which We Serve", the essay "Battle Stations" by Terrence Rafferty (author of "The Thing Happens: Ten Years of Writing About the Movies") is included.

JUDGMENT CALL:

There is no doubt that fans of Noel Coward and David Lean have been highly anticipating the "David Lean Directs Noel Coward" box set release.

These four films look absolutely incredible thanks to the restoration effort by BFI National Archive and watching these films today, no matter if they are over 70-years old they look fantastic. And if it's one thing to look so great on DVD, I believe that the Blu-ray release of the "David Lean Directs Noel Coward" box set is fantastic.

But video and audio quality aside, the reason why I enjoyed this box set is because not only do you get four magnificent films but with each disc down to the booklet, the entire set pays its respect to both Noel Coward and David Lean.

From Barry Day's insightful knowledge to the collaboration of both men, to documentaries featuring both men, interviews with cinematographer Ronald Neame who worked on all four films and many other special features included, the "David Lean Directs Noel Coward" is the definitive collection for any cineaste who enjoyed these four films.

Overall, for any movie fan who have been captivated by the work of Noel Coward and David Lean, the "David Lean Directs Noel Coward" is one of those must-own Blu-ray or DVD sets that a cineaste or fans of British cinema would want in their collection. You get the best versions of these films to date and fantastic special features included as well.

The Criterion Collection's"David Lean Directs Noel Coward" is highly recommended!

Save 39% Off

Deeper BD (2010)

I hope that Deeper starts a new trend in shred videos. What makes Deeper unique is that it offers the viewer a chance to see some amazing big mountain riding without having to sit through the usual embarrassing, self-indulgent, 10 minute long slow-mo montages of helicopters filming snowmobiles, helicopters filming other helicopters, etc. that you usually see in the big mountain videos. None of that stuff here. The riders in Deeper earn their turns, hiking and camping deep into the wilderness to get some of the most amazing lines ever captured on video. This video will really appeal to people that have a love for the mountains and enjoy things like mountaineering and backpacking in addition to snowboarding. But it also opens up a whole new world to all snowboarders, and sends an awesome new message to your average shred: you can find and crush epic lines, even right here in the lower 48, without the international flights, chartered helis and sleds that only pro-bros can swing...if you're willing to take on the hard work and research that it takes to get out there.

I don't want to dis anyone that loves to get out on the snow in any fashion. But there are a lot of different kinds of riders out there, and it is nice to see some much needed variety in shred videos to reflect that. It is great to see a big mountain snowboard video that isn't just a Warren Miller rip off, or (worse) a self indulgent fantasy of technology ogling and European alpine luxury to live vicariously through. Those videos are satisfying in their own way, but snowboarding is a diverse culture and we all benefit from there being more options out there. I hope Jeremy Jones is making Deeper 2 as I type, and I hope others will make more "earn your turns in uncharted territory" videos...and many other new styles too.

Classic Jeremy Jones, always bigger and better. This is well worth the money. If you like back country, powder, and EXTREME you will like this.

Buy Deeper BD (2010) Now

If your a fan of skiing, or snowboarding alike, you'll love this movie. Jeremy Jones takes snowboarding to a whole new level in this film. With segments in Utah, Chamonix, and Alaska, this 2 year TGR project is exciting and awe inspiring. The movie has spectacular mountain views and places that have never been seen in a ski film before. You'll be on the edge of your seat from the very beginning. This is not your typical ski movie with Terrain park jumps and Helicopters. Jeremy Jones, Travis Rice, et al. hike every single one of lines, many times with technical mixed climbing gear like ice axes, crampons, and rope. So if your looking for crazy ski lines with un-tracked powder and good music. Definitely buy this DVD/Blue-ray.

Read Best Reviews of Deeper BD (2010) Here

This movie is done in the documentary style of "First Decent ", but does a much better job of holding your attention and respect for the players. The cinematography is quite good as well; though there isn't much difference between BD and standard DVD on this one. Overall, this is definitely worth watching and gives you an appreciation for what Jeremy Jones is trying to accomplish.

Want Deeper BD (2010) Discount?

I got this for my boyfriend who is a HUGE snowboarding fanatic. Says this is " the best video ever"! great soundtrack as well

Save $0.04 Off