Snow Buddies (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2008)

This direct-to-video movie is a sequel to last year's Air Buddies. In this one, the five pups find themselves in Alaska, where they are soon befriended by Shasta, a Husky pup, and his owner, a young boy named Adam. The boy has big dreams of becoming a sled dog racer, and if the Buddies can get him to the finish line they will be on their way back home. They turn to a wise old Husky for mentorship, but on the day of the race, the Buds unexpectedly find themselves on their own. From what I've been able to see of the film I think many younger kids will love it (the puppies are cute), but adults will be bored.

Here are the bonus features:

* Audio commentary (from the dogs!).

* A blooper reel.

* A hip-hop-style music video of "Lean on Me" by "Hannah Montana" star Mitchel Musso.

* Behind the Scenes "dog-u-mentary," which gives you a tour of the set from the perspective of the video's canine stars B-Dawg, Rosebud and Mudbud.

* A featurette on the film's visual effects.

The movies are based in part on the 1997 feature film Air Bud.

I think people need to be aware that the American Humane Society WAS present during the filming of this movie and none of the animals were treated inhumanely. The same person who wrote one of the Amazon reviews also wrote the same review at several other sites and is spouting misinformation.

That being said, the movie is adorable, my child loved it. He's a fan of dogs and of dog sledding and he enjoyed every bit of it!

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My kids loved AIR BUDDIES--they watched it non-stop and are really excited for Snow Buddies. I've already purchased this one for them as a surprise--I'm sure they'll wear it out too!

Read Best Reviews of Snow Buddies (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2008) Here

I am planning to rent the movie Snow Buddies to watch with my children. I was concerned about the several one star reviews that sited animal cruelty in the production of the film. I believe, based on reading the American Humane Society's press release, that the criticism is unfair and felt compelled to rebut those reviews. Here is a direct quote from the Humane Society's release:

"American Humane is conducting a full investigation on the trainer and breeders and following the progress of the puppies that have been retired from the production, many of whom have been placed in new adoptive homes. The company producing Snow Buddies has complied with each request from American Humane and has made changes so that working puppies will not be put in any position where they may fall ill. The film production company has been very cooperative and has suspended filming until further notice. All of the dogs in the production now have been checked and are being cared for by a veterinarian. We will continue to monitor the production and release our findings once the investigation is complete."

It may bother some folks that dogs were harmed for any reason and by any person in the making of a film. However, by the Human Society's own account, the film production company appears to have done their best to look out for the welfare of the animals. The problems seem to have been with the trainers and breeders. It seems unfair to punish the producers of the film by condemning their product when they appear to have been unaware of the possible improper conduct of the trainers and breeders.

Want Snow Buddies (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2008) Discount?

My family loved this movie. Disney, of course, did take care of these puppies during the filming. I love the family experience that is so lacking in movies today, this one had it. It also helps to reinforce the friendship that children have with dogs and that all dogs with the proper love and care are good dogs and can be trained well. I wish there were more movies out there like this one. Thank you so much Disney.

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Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007)

The movie:

Some chuckle moments, but not Bean at his finest. Picture quality is a lot better than the DVD counterpart, but sadly one of the funniest parts has been omitted from this UK release. For some reason the laptop scene at the beginning is cut, which is a shame because this is a classic Bean moment and I can think of several scenes I would have rather chopped before this. I suspect the over officious BBFC has a part to play here.

The Disc:

Presentation is as bare bones as it gets with the same extras as the DVD. The laptop scene can be once again be viewed in wonderful standard definition as part of the deleted scenes segment albeit minus the fight on the platform.

This is a region free disc and so I recommend looking at the Amazon.UK website as it's considerably cheaper.

This movie is far better than the first Mr. Bean movie. The plot is funnier and the characters, even Mr. Bean, are more sympathetic. And Willem Dafoe's appearance as an egotistical movie star is priceless.

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The Forgiveness of Blood (The Criterion Collection) (2011)

From the first lingering shot of the idyllic Albanian landscape, with majestic mountains in the background and windswept fields in the foreground, director Joshua Marston immerses the viewer in a powerful fictional tale about a very real issue -the impact on the families who end up inheriting the "sins of the fathers" from violent blood feuds in one of the poorest European countries.

The beginning of the story quickly sets up the jarring contradictions faced by contemporary Albanians -horse-drawn carriages alongside motorized vehicles, livestock on the soccer fields, adults and elders clinging to ancient oral traditions while the younger generation is wrapped up in videogames, television, Internet-enabled computers, and handheld mobile devices.

The greatest service Marston does is to shed light on this paradox as the Old clashes with the New, placing the seemingly unfathomable tradition of regulated blood feuds in human context. We see it played out to dramatic effect as a rivalry over land and access to a previously open road turns deadly. The key moment takes place off-camera, leaving it to our imaginations to determine whether it was truly an act of criminal murder or one of justifiable self defense. Emotions run high on both sides, so who is to blame and who is to be believed? The story is told through the eyes of young Nik, who must endure prolonged house arrest for what his father and uncle are accused of doing, and younger Rudina, who must become a primary income provider for her family, all of whom suddenly are tormented by an incident they neither participated in nor witnessed.

The performances of the entire cast are amazing, especially Refet Abazi as Mark, the father, whose every moment of screen time is like lightning trapped in a bottle, waiting to explode. He is at once sympathetic, noble, full of righteous fury, and boiling danger right beneath the surface.

The most amazing performances are by Tristan Halilaj as Nik and Sindi Lacej as Rudina, because this is the first acting job for both young stars, yet they manage to bring a genuine believability to their characters. Nik is transformed from a flirtatious youth dreaming of starting a cyber-cafe to a stir-crazy man yearning for freedom, trapped within the walls of his house and the prison of his own adolescent body. Rudina's journey is even more endearing and heartbreaking as she starts out as a bubbly girl happily sharing what she learned in school with her father and quickly has to grow up and become street-smart to save her family. Watching Rudina's brave actions in the face of crisis and all of her endearing moments of growth were, for me, some of the best moments of the film. Marston does a spectacular job of directing them and building on their natural instincts -he even manages to give the family's beloved horse, Klinsmann, a personality.

It is not hard to imagine how an archaic legal code (the "Kanun" as Albanians call it) by Leke Dukagjini in the fifteenth century is still adhered to today by some. We have seen it in the frontier towns of America's mythologized Wild West, and in the true life American blood feud sensationalized by the Hatfields and the McCoys. What might seem a repulsive, amoral practice of "eye for an eye" vigilantism is actually a much more complex, regulated system in search of justice, which is often elusive in the power vacuum of post-Communist Albania, still facing economic hardships, low employment, and poor infrastructure. As people in authority and on the fringes take advantage of the systems for their own gain, the victims who seem to suffer most are the innocent masses -the hardworking families struggling to make ends meet while holding on to their pride and ethics, and most tragically the children facing an unsure future.

The Forgiveness of Blood is an important portait of an Albanian culture in transition told as an engaging drama that will keep filmgoers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. It is a movie that deserves to be seen and discussed.

I ordered this film to try to understand more about the cultural background of a story from my own family lore. My grandmother told the story of "Zio Francesco" who was a shepherd in Calabria in the previous century. The local bandits (now they would be called organized crime) would come periodically to take one or two of his flock, but he was a poor man and the result was real hardship. Finally he informed the carabinieri (local police) where they could find the bandits. They escaped, and the man knew that he could no longer leave the house without being killed. So, each day, he would send his small son out with the sheep. One day there was a thick fog, and the boy was afraid, so the man went out hoping to be veiled by the fog. But the bandits caught him and burned him alive.

Albania is the only country that codified in writing the ancient vendetta law, called the Kanon, but it held the force of custom through wide swaths of the Mediterranean. Before Albania was Communist, before it was Muslim, before it was Christian, the vendetta law ruled. When Albania fell to the Turks, many Albanians fled to Italy and settled in their own villages in Calabria. (My grandmother callled them the "Grecchi.") It was about that time or a little later that the Kanon was written down, back in Albania. I don't know whether the Italo-Albanians ever adopted the written Kanon, or if their customs have changed over the years. Under Communism, the Kanon was suppressed, but since the fall of Communism it has been brought back, though many question whether a custom that was suppressed that long can ever return exactly as it was. The movie belongs to this period, and that helps to explain why there are so many opinions expressed in the film about how the Kanon should be enforced.

The story is told from the point of view of the boy who has to stay inside, because he is just old enough to be under the ban. The end of the film is magnificent, a perfect resolution to what could easily have been a downer movie. One sees that the Kanon contains within itself some mechanisms for reconciliation. After watching the film, I feel like I have spent a couple of hours in today's Albania, and maybe in Calabria of two hundred years ago as well. This one is a keeper.

Buy The Forgiveness of Blood (The Criterion Collection) (2011) Now

I learned more from this film than I did with Maria Full of Grace, Marston's first film, because I have traveled and worked in Columbia and other Latin American countries.

To me, Albania was an unknown world unlike any place I had seen. The one horsepower vehicle saved the family money by feeding it hay instead of gasoline. The family members looked like they could be living in any European country, but their culture and attitudes were unique. I would be unwilling to negotiate with any of the family members, especially the two teen-agers.

It is unlikely that I would be able to visit Albania, which makes this film especially valuable.

Don't forget to watch the special features, which explain why there is such a huge gap between the generations. The older family members lived in a country that was entirely isolated from the rest of the world and was just beginning to open up. Think North Korea as an example of what Albania was like for the older generation.

Read Best Reviews of The Forgiveness of Blood (The Criterion Collection) (2011) Here

Director Joshua Marsten may be known for directing many American drama series, but his 2004 Oscar-nominated film "Maria Full of Grace", caught the attention of many film critics for its natural, deep and surprising storyline of a young pregnant woman in Colombia working as a drug mule in order to raise money for her family.

This time around, Marsten takes his film to Albania where he focuses on Gjakmarrja (Albania feud). In Albania, a person can kill another person to save one's honor questioned by an earlier murder or moral obligation.

VIDEO:

"The Forgiveness of Blood The Criterion Collection #628″ is a film presented in 1080p High Definition (1:85:1 aspect ratio). "The Forgiveness of Blood" is a film that looks very good on Blu-ray, while low-light, night scenes do showcase a bit of noise, the picture quality of the film looks natural with a good amount of grain throughout the film.

I didn't see any major use of DNR throughout the film, nor did I notice any artifacts or any problematic situations while watching the film. If anything, picture quality for this film is very good.

According to the Criterion Collection, the transfer was approved by director of photography Rob Hardy and the new high-definition digital transfer was created on an ARRISCAN film scanner from the Super 16 mm negative.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

"The Forgiveness of Blood The Criterion Collection #628″ is presented in Albanian 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Dialogue is crystal clear, as this is a film that primarily is dialogue-driven but while the families do live out in the country, there is good use in showcasing the ambiance of living in the country and hearing the sounds of dogs barking or insects as part of that ambiance.

According to the Criterion Collection, the soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the original digital audio master files using Pro Tools HD.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"The Forgiveness of Blood The Criterion Collection #628" comes with the following special features:

Audio Commentary Featuring audio commentary by director and co-writer Joshua Marston recorded in 2012.

Truth on the Ground (17:39) Producer Paul Mezey talks about the challenges and beauty of filming "The Forgiveness of Blood" in Albania. Featuring interviews with a few of the cast members.

Acting Close to Home (23:28) Refet Abazi, Tristan Halilaj and Sindi LAcej discuss blood feauds in Albania and connecting with thier characters.

Auditions and Rehearsals Tristan Halilay and Sindi Lacej's auditions (9:25) and primary cast rehearsal of one scene with director Joshua Marston (10:07). Spoken in Albanian and English.

Trailer (2:24) The original theatrical trailer for "The Forgiveness of Blood".

EXTRAS:

"The Forgiveness of Blood The Criterion Collection #628" comes with a 20-page booklet with the following essay "How Things Work" by Oscar Moralde.

JUDGMENT CALL:

"The Forgiveness of Blood" will probably be a film that will help people understand Albanian culture and eventually learning about how blood feuds take place and how it can affect an entire family.

Featuring a believable performance by young actors Tristan Halilaj (who plays Nik) and Sindi Lacej (who plays Rudina), "The Forgiveness of Blood" is a film that features honest portrayals of a family that must adhere to Albania law but also giving people a chance to see life and laws that people many not really understand.

The whole blood feud, I have heard before. But the concept of kanun or besa, I was not familiar with.

We know the boredom and the difficulty that Nik faces as a teenager who is supposed to live his youth with freedom and have fun with his friends. But because his family caused the murder to another family, in order to stop a war between the families, Albanian law dictates that the men of the family must stay home in their house. Call it home incarceration, but as a teenager and having only contact with your family and no freedom to leave is too difficult for Nik as he is a young man that should grow up to find love, to have friends and enjoy that part of his life.

For Rudina, her life is severely altered as well. A straight A student with a life ahead of her, because her father is now stuck at home and is not allowed to leave his property, she and her mother must now be the breadwinners. She must bare the burden of having to work long hours, trying to make money for the family and feed them. And for a young teenage girl, similar to Nik, she is being deprived of her family, her friends and as a person who enjoyed her education and excelled at it, her life will be altered forever.

But how long can these children be forced to live this way of life? How long can a family live a life of being confined to their home.

Suffice to say, director Joshua Marston gives people a chance to see how the "gjakmarrja" affects families and also a rarity to see in today's modern cinema.

And once again, another film for Joshua Marston of taking on challenging storylines and showcasing a side of society or culture that people are not familiar with and covering it with efficacy. At first, the Albanian actors were unsure what an American director was planning on doing, but Marston who did thorough research before working on the film, was able to convince the talent that he was creating a film not about the history of Albanian blood wars but showing how blood feud's can still affect today's generation. A generation, no matter how much technology is used by today's young generation, laws are laws and they must followed. And everyone is affected by a blood feud.

As for the Blu-ray release, the film looks very good. Shot in Albania, the use of scenery and Albanian talent help create the believability of this film. Because the viewer is restricted to a certain location, you can understand and easily sympathize with Nik and Rudina. Picture quality is very good, featuring a good amount of grain, the lossless soundtrack also showcases the ambiance heard out in the country from dogs to insects, once again, adds to the believability of the film.

And the film also has an insightful audio commentary, interviews and a thorough essay included as well!

Overall, "The Forgiveness of Blood" is another outstanding film from Joshua Marston. A gripping storyline which immerses the viewer of Albanian culture and its blood feuds that remain relevant in modern society. "The Forgiveness of Blood" is recommended!

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The film plays like a documentary-drama. The screenplay is devoid of dramatic devices or drama wherein mundane life is condensed to some degree to make a point or tell a better story. The director is the same who made Maria Full Of Grace which I liked a lot. That was realism too and yet without the docu-drama of this film. I wouldn't praise the actors for acting because I honest to god believe they are playing themselves. The director told them to behave how they would in a given situation and so they did.As such it is of interest to be able to observe Albanian life in the country

It is not a dull film; it has a good pace and a plot. What it lacks is the addition of dramatic salt to give it some taste.

That said I cannot empathise with anyone in the film except the young innocent girl doing the bread-round..The Kanun or practise of the vendetta or the blood feud belongs to medaevil times or the eye-for-an-eye of Biblical times. In the West people strived and came up with The Age of Enlightenment. In Islam the Koran is full of rules for conduct in life; in fact the Koran is quite specific. People honour them or punished according to a sense of civil law.( that doesn't mean sharia law in practise ) However these grudges muddled through and perpetuated by simple people is a lack of culture. And this by a people who adopted Islam/ the Koran that is too black and white for the grey quagmires of grudgeland in people's inner landscapes. The kanun reminds me of the old Scotsmen, the Ethiopian or the Chechen tribes who are ruthlessly selfish to anyone not related as far as a second cousin. The disputes may be legitimate but they are caused by a petty mind-set in the first place in conjunction with an us-and-them out-look.

I see some hope in the film because the youth are becoming Internet saavy. Good for themthey can educate their elders to have a wider view of the world.; clean up this backwater of Europe by connecting to the modern world. As I hope happens elsewhere in the 3rd world dealing with worse old world things like female circumcision and genocide. Meanwhile I don't have patience for the content of this film and no sympathy for lack of culture clinging to barbaric customs. Not to stigmatise Albanians but the kanun may have been the spring-board for gangsters that send a shiver up the spine in other European countries where they operate. Their bad boys are famous for being a breed apart.

The film has value in that it sheds light on out-dated customs. The modern world is no shining example of culture but at least tries to uphold the 10 commandments in theory anyway than squabble over them

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Canaan: Complete Collection

Canaan is a fast-paced-thrill-ride animated by P.A. Works ( True Tears and Angel Beats ) that will take you and won't let you go until you get to its ending credits, there are many cases where action anime have a very convoluted plot that causes its viewers to lose interest in finishing it, but not in this one, instead you'll be asking for more.

The main character is Canaan a mercenary currently operating in Shanghai who has a strong relationship with Maria Osawa a survivor of the new virus circulating the black market. The characters are superbly well written, even the villains have a special charm that makes them likable, the anime has a little for everyone, from mobsters to sexy hitwomen along with fan service, black humor and very clever innuendo scenes.

Overall is really hard to see a good anime now these days, because now everything seems to be MOE-MOE, I'm not saying that MOE is bad BUT WE need a break from it and CANAAN is a perfect option, also is great to hear Hilary Haag, Andy McAvin, Jessica Boone, Shelley Calene-Black and Rob Mungle are back in the industry and hope to hear more from them.

CONS

1Plot holes.

PROS

1Fast paced action/adventure thriller.

2Well written characters.

3Character design.

4Vivid colors with fluent animation and movie type quality.

5English and Japanese versions are topnotch.

6Fan service.

7A bittersweet ending to all the characters ( my personal favorite was Cummings )

Sentai Filmworks acquired a perfect action anime gem that if you like Gungrave, Ergo Proxy or Gunslinger Girl then by all means buy it.

The other reviews have covered what the story is about...this review is of the actual Blu-Ray release.

Unlike what is printed on the back of the case it is not 1080P, it is 1080i. Even so the visuals are excellent if not really sharp. Vibrant colors with no color banding I could detect. Nice fluid motion as well with lines well defined. The DTS-HD Master Audio track is Excellent as well (I watched in Japanese w/ English subtitles). Tried the English track and it's an excellent track as well, just couldn't take Yun Yun's dub voice. Either one has great use of surround sound and the audio is clear enough to hear the "t"s stressed in the opening.

There are 4 extras on disc 2: Minorikawa's Report, Clean Opening, Clean Closing, and Credits. Minorikawa's Report basicially just uses video clips from the show to explain what you already know if you have seen the show...AMV's on YouTube are better done than this. The Clean Opening and Closing are nice visually, but the audio is not in HD and has over a 10dB level drop over the DTS-HD Master Audio track along with less definition. The credited episode DTS-HD Master Audio opening is MUCH better in the audio department.

So to sum it up the visuals and audio is excellent in the Episodes. The Extras are good visually, but not so good on the audio end. Definitely would recommend getting the Blu-Ray over the DVD, not only because of the quality, but the Blu-Ray version costs less as well. The price I see now is a little high compared to my pre-ordered price though...$10 higher to be exact.

If you are a fan of this type of anime (action/drama/suspension) and don't mind that it's really a Mature title ( I don't see how Canaan retains a TV14 rating...), Canaan is an excellent Blu-Ray release to get.

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Bought this anime simply cause I wanted something to watch and didn't want to rent from Netflix. Read a review from Otaku USA and although the review wasn't all that great I simply liked the character design too much to care and because of the action. Turned out to be a pretty good buy as far as I'm concerned. Storyline is better than I thought and the action is where it's at. Overall, pretty interesting story and very good animation. If you like action and animation and not so much with the story this will probably do it for you.

Read Best Reviews of Canaan: Complete Collection Here

Maria was infected by the UA virus. Her father was able to create a vaccine and save her. Most are not so lucky. Those infected either die or develop synethesia; a condition that gives a person superhuman abilities. Canaan is one such girl. When Maria and her partner are researching a story in Shanghai for the paper they work for, they encounter Canaan. The 3 are drawn together into a plot that could cost many lives. Along with their cheerful and goofy friend Yun Yun, the team tries to stop the sinister "Snake" organization from spreading the UA virus. The past comes back to haunt them, and the future doesn't look bright; but Canaan shines brightly.

This anime has a killer opening and a killer ending. The middle part is up and down. Sometimes it drags, but then it will ick back up again. The plot is very well written. There are also lots of great characters on both sides. Cannan is kind of like a mix between Noir, Burst Angel, and The Third; if you can sort of picture that. It's really good. Tons of action, drama, and comedy. It's not for the young ones though. There is harsh language and almost a bit of nudity. To be honest with you, this was a 3 or 4 star series for me until the last episode or 2. It has a killer ending. I think that most mature anime fans will find this series pretty entertaining.

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This series is actually a sequel (spinoff really) to the "428: F'sa Sareta Shibuya de" visual novel for Wii. The viewer follows friends Canaan and Maria for most of the series. The series is reminiscent of a Resident Evil style plot where some entity has purposefully infected people with a rare virus. The virus is almost always lethal, but there are those rare people who actually survive the virus but have their bodies affected in strange ways. Canaan is one of the people. Maria is her photographer friend. Though it is unnecessary to know what happens in the previous visual novel, it does help to explain some of the early plot holes and explain how Maria and Canaan know each other. Some of this is revealed in flashbacks through the anime series.

The series is short, only 13 episodes, but most of the episodes have a lot going on. The animation is very high quality and the backgrounds are lusciously beautiful. The Japanese voice acting is stellar. I watched both versions, and I have to say that Yum Yum and Maria in particular are nearly perfectly matched with their Japanese voice actors.

My negative points are few, but they are important. First, due to the short length of the series, there are quite a few plot holes and plot threads left unfinished. But probably the most annoying is a little 'glitch' in episode 8. The subtitles actually hit one off. Basically when someone is speaking, the subtitle for the next persons' audio is shown. So you see Canaan ask one of the girls if she is okay "Daijoubu ka?" but the subtitle says "Honored Alphard". Then we see the next scene Cumming's says "Alphard sama" with the subtitle for the next dialogue... awkward! But this is only in episode 8. Kind of makes you wonder if Sentai actually watched the finished Japanese audio and English subtitle version for error proofing.

The only other negative point is the finale kind of seems rushed and then we see one particular character having a very drawn out and melodramatic breakdown. I understand it is in keeping with her character, but I might not be the only person who was thinking "Hurry up and die already! I'm sick of hearing you! Jeez!" But I can totally forgive these small annoyances.

I actually checked this out from my local library, so I am quite pleased with it overall; but had I paid $42 I would probably be a bit miffed. Though it is a good series, it is short, and it's not too necessary to own. If you can stream this online or rent from Netflix or your local library (if you're lucky enough to have an anime friendly library nearby), then I would recommend that course of action before spending $42 to buy it.

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Cars Director's Edition (Cars / Cars 2 / Mater's Tall Tales) (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2

I picked up this set yesterday. I felt I paid a decent price for it when I compared it to buying the movies separately. I haven't actually watched any of the discs yet but I'm sure they'll be fine. I liked the first Cars and love Michael Caine so I'm looking forward to the sequel. Mater's Tall Tales should be cute as well, it was really just a bonus anyway, it was the other two that I wanted. What I was not happy with was the packaging. It looked nice enough in the store but upon getting home with it and opening it, its a super cheap way to package this 11 disc set. I assumed the cardboard would house some sort of container inside that would hold the discs. Nope. Once you open the box, there's a flimsy piece of packaging plastic that sits on top, it is in no way anchored or attached, of a piece of foam that has slits in it to hold the discs so that they don't rub against each other. That's it. No blu-ray cases or anything else. Wow, Disney, you would think with an $100 list price (I got it for $75, Best Buy had it for $80 plus I had a $5 off coupon) they could come up with something a little sturdier. Plus if you have kids and they want the car that's included, your going to have to tear open what packaging you do have to get it out and then how will your discs be kept? Really pretty disappointed here. I would have taken it back and bought the individual discs if not for the digital copies, I wanted them and you only get them for all three in this set. Bad form, Disney. Bad Form!

We're Disney fans, and already had Cars (1), but not the other two, so we opted for this set. It's a bit of overkill, but we have extras for all the different devices. Plus a couple of "oops, the kids scratched the heck out of this disc somehow" copies.

The kids enjoyed the movies. Since they're the intended audience, I'm not going to review the scripts/movies. I'm going to specifically talk about the packaging.

I'm all about reducing my plastic consumption. But I do NOT like the storage box these are in. I wish they had sleeves or something. The foam block inside the box holds all the discs (the silver box with the checkerboard "top" to it. The checkerboard thing is actuall a flap of fabric). Anyway, this foam cheapens it. And this was not a cheap set. The foam has slits cut in in to store the disc. I suppose they're supposed to be kept pristinely apart from each other, but when I opened the box, they were all rubbing against each other. Also, the notches are all deformed, so it's not as if I can somehow "fix" it. I can get every disc but one in the box without touching its neighboring discs.

Buy Cars Director's Edition (Cars / Cars 2 / Mater's Tall Tales) (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2 Now

I really enjoy the Cars movies and loved the idea of having them on blu-ray, DVD and a digital copy. You get a lot for your money in the end but if I were to do it over I would have bought them separately just to have them in better cases. Once you get into the box you find out that they are stored in a little box with soft foam that is shaped to slide the discs in and out of. It is not very user friendly, especially if you have little ones. The so called lid doesn't stay secure or really even fit for that matter. It is bulky and really a pain to try and fit it in with the other movies on the shelf. I say buy them separately and avoid the hassle of having to buy cases later.

Read Best Reviews of Cars Director's Edition (Cars / Cars 2 / Mater's Tall Tales) (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2 Here

Bought this as a gift for my grandson, and he loves having the whole set. The little car is fun for him to play with, and is packaged so that I can put it back in place when he's finished, thus saving the 'collector' aspect.

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My son got this as a gift for his birthday and he loves that it's every Cars movie especially the Cars Toons! However, just as stated with most other reviews, the packaging is really lousy. I can't even put the dvd's in correctly in that little soft foam holder.

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Marnie (1964)

"Marnie" is probably one of the best examples of Hitchcock's work that epitomizes this great director's style. Even if you didn't know this was a Hitch film, if you know his style, by 5 minutes in you would recognize this as definitive Hitch. The attention that is paid to every tell-tale detail, the camera angles, the way he has of drawing you into every word of dialouge of a captivating story and always intriguing characters,... and the way only Hitch can make a kiss more provocative than any R rated film of today, will cast the Hitch spell on you once more.

"Marnie" is a psychological drama focusing on a deeply disturbed woman's compulsive behavior. She's a thief and a liar, and is getting away with it until she hit a road block in one Mark Rutland. Hired by Mark's compay as a payroll clerk, we already see the wheels turning in Marnie's unstable mind. Her plans to rob the Rutland vault go as planned, except for one hitch(excuse the pun), Mark is on to her and stops her dead in her tracks. He could easily turn her in, but Mark is attracted to this troubled woman, plans to delve into her psyche, and so what else could he do but marry her to keep her out of trouble.

Mark finds that Marnie's troubles go very deep. Not only is she a thief, but has a horrible fear of being touched by a man, and he forms an obsession of his own. That of trying to cure his lovely but psychologically ill wife. As Marnie herself puts it to him..."You've got a pathological fix on a woman who is not only an admitted criminal, but who screams if you come near her!"...Yup, lots of work to be done here to unlock the sins of the past. And it's done in only a way that Hitch can do it.

Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery are Marnie and Mark, and under the superb direction of the master, turn in impeccable performances. Diane Baker adds her talents as the meddling and suspicious sister-in-law, be sure to watch for Bruce Dern, and Bernard Herrmann's score as always adds the perfect haunting touch to this twisted tale.

Looking for Hitch...early on(about 5 min in), looking mighty suspicious himself while exiting a hotel room.

Highly recommended for the Hitch fan.

Thanks and enjoy.......Laurie

more Hitch stuff:

Hitchcock's Notebooks: An Authorized and Illustrated Look Inside the C

Alfred Hitchcock Double Feature Volume One Sabotage / The Man Who Knew Too Much [VHS]

Alfred Hitchcock Presents (Poison, The Perfect Crime, Dip in the Pool, One More Mile to Go)

This is one of Hitchcock's masterpieces. It has been highly underrated and misunderstood by viewers and many critics alike. It is not a straightforward narrative as it deals with the compulsive and obsessive nature of its two main characters (Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery). The viewer has to become absorbed and drawn into the film's sights and sounds. The viewer has to elicit from what is seen and heard to fathom the motivations of the film's two main characters. Some of its images are just unforgettable and disturbingly haunting. Sound too plays an important part in the viewer's experience. In accompaniment is Bernard Herrmann's low key score. I watched this film again several times over. Herrmann's score is always present, yet never intrusive. I used to think this score was somewhat repetitive, but it is quite diverse. It complements the images in such a way that it almost evokes some hidden and suppressed experience from the viewer that creates an emotional bond with the main title character of the film. I found the DVD print to be of exceptional quality and most pleasing in the wide-screen presentation (a prerequisite in this format). The supplemental material on the disc was interesting and worthwhile, especially the discussion on the evolution of the film from print to image. I highly recommend this DVD and was surprised to see it released in this format prior to other Hitchcock films.

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One of the great disappointments of Alfred Hitchcock's career was the failure of Marnie to be the commercial and critical success he had hoped it would be. But some things seem to improve with age, and such is the case with Marnie. It's hard to figure out why this film wasn't immediately well received, especially when it has so many great Hitchcock elements that were winners in the past. Marnie (`Tippi' Hedren), is the portrait of a disturbed young woman who because of some, perhaps, childhood trauma cannot establish healthy relationships with men. Another part of her "psychosis" involves her being a thief as well. After Marnie establishes herself in one job, she robs her employer, changes her look and identity and then moves on to the next. When Marnie takes a job at Mark Rutland's (Sean Connery) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania publishing house (not his insurance company, as per the Amazon.com reviewer), the pattern begins again. Only this time, Connery finds himself drawn to Hedren, wanting to help, but at the same time, finding himself falling in love with her. Connery a student of zoology and human behavior, is intrigued by Hedren's problems and is determined to get to the bottom of her troubles. (This scenario is almost the reverse of Spellbound, where Ingrid Bergman is determined to find out what is causing Gregory Peck to act the way he does.) Connery convinces Hedren to marry him as a way of keeping her out of jail for her crimes (and to determine the psychological reason for her present behavior). That's when the real fun begins. Marnie is much more disturbed than Connery had originally suspected, but he is even more determined than ever to get her the help she needs. Marnie has many scenes that are reminiscent of other Hitchcock classics like Vertigo and the aforementioned Spellbound. When you see Hedren and Connery in the stables at his Philadelphia estate, you can't help but be reminded of Kim Novak and James Stewart in the carriage house scene in Vertigo. Visually, Marnie is a beautiful film. With it's wonderful matte backgrounds, the impeccable wardrobe and grooming of all the players, especially Hedren, who is absolutely stunning; Marnie has that definite Hitchcock polish. The supporting cast is first rate and includes great turns by Diane Baker as Connery's cynical sister-in-law, Louise Latham as Marnie's mother, Martin Gabel as one of Hedren's robbery victims, and Mariette Hartley as Marnie's coworker at Rutland's. The role of the complicated heroine would have been challenging for any actress (it was rumored to have been Grace Kelly's comeback picture), so it is quite remarkable that Hedren in only her second film is able to pull it off with great success. This was not the original reaction when the film was first released, but with time, most critics consider Hedren's performance a winner. Other Hitchcock touches are the great cinematography, set decoration, and that great Bernard Herrmann score. And let's not forget Connery's performance, his first "serious" role after his James Bond success. He's every bit the aristocratic Philadelphia Mainliner, yet there's a tenderness and strength that is very appealing. Marnie, although not the best of Hitchcock, is still a very enjoyable film with much to offer.

Read Best Reviews of Marnie (1964) Here

A perfect companion piece for those who enjoyed Vertigo, and if you consider Vertigo among Hitchcock's best, you will probably enjoy this very similar "case study" of a film.

As in the earlier film, Marnie features a plot-heavy set-up (which is involving but not quite as magical as Vertigo's) which gives way to the second part of the film, the "conversion". Instead of James Stewart trying to makeover Kim Novak, we have Sean Connery trying to solve Tippi Hedren's psychological problems.

What makes this variation so noteworthy is that both the "doctor" and his "patient" have problems. Consider the motivations (and methods) of Connery's character, and you'll find someone about as messed up as Scottie from Vertigo.

As for the filmmaking itself, the color fades used so successfully in Vertigo are employed again to great effect. There are some amazing compositional motifs in this film; see how Hitchcock makes a claustrophobic location like a cruise ship seem wide-open & empty. Do you ever see any other passengers?

This well-acted film is at times romantic, funny, suspenseful, and sad. The themes touched on here are pretty ahead of their time (and like Vertigo pretty twisted for its time), and the psychobabble isn't as cringe-inducing as in Psycho or Spellbound. More than meets the eye, and Hitchcock's most underrated gem.

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Marnie is deliciously chilly, and like the children sing at the beginning, Margaret Edgar is ill. But Marnie is more than that. She's defiant, independent, resourceful. She's a survivor and we cannot help but love her for that. Granted, her psyche is like jambalaya on a bad day (and I won't spoil the ending for you), but she does experience moments of pure happiness when she rides her horse, Forio. Not ten minutes into the film, her bad self washed down the drain, there she is with her hair loose, a youthful expression of relief on her face, riding Forio off into the distance. Yes, this is her fantasy world, but she's truly happy there. Unfortunately, and all too soon, Forio turns into a yellow cab which deposits her back where it all began.

Marnie comes from the lower class, born of a single mother, growing up during the war in a poor neighborhood on the waterfront in Baltimore. What were her alternatives? Through the film we see them. She could be a prostitute like her broken mother. She could be a secretary like the chatty, loyal gals in the washroom after work at Rutland's. In some wild scenario she could marry into money. Or...she could just take what she thinks she deserves. Certainly one or two of those wealthy folks at the fox hunt must have gotten their money in less than legal ways, considering how Hitchcock makes them look as they laugh at an animal being torn to bits by the hounds. Does Mark Rutland even know that an old, shabbily dressed and tired washer woman scrubs his floors every night? When Marnie robs the Rutland safe, we see, in a split screen, a well dressed Marnie on the right and the poor washer woman on the left. Marnie risks her precious freedom to avoid what she fears would be a dull and oppressive life. This scene embodies that split in her, drudgery or crime, and not much in between.

Along with Hitchcock's social commentary is extensive play on the prey vs. predator/territorialism/survival of the fittest theme. Color symbolism (reds and yellows), water imagery, and the endless wordplay and double-entendres of Jay Allen's (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Cabaret) terrific screenplay make Marnie a joy to watch again and again. Both Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery are equals in their command of the screen. Louise Latham as Marnie's mother heads an excellent supporting cast. One of Hitchcock's most complex films.

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Triple Dog (2009)

Cheesy and corny, I like! This movie is supposedly a horror movie, but its more like a Comedy-Thriller-Drama. I absolutely love Scout Taylor-Compton and she usually makes some good indie movies and I really liked this one. It's a very cheesy movie but I really enjoyed it. I recommend this one for tweens who aren't really into the Horror genre, this one is good fun!

Hilarious is a great word for this film. So many bad lines and confusing ones: one my favorites: "Yo would you guys Superman that Hoe for 20 bucks?" Midway through the film as one of the girls is doing the dare of urinating on the principal's porchmat the bad girl Chapin spouts out "Shes totally splitting the whisker!" What the hell does that mean? Lines like that make me think, do modern teenage girls actually say things like that? Probably not, but its very funny indeed. So heres my final thoughts about this: Its a stupid/very cheesy movie with lots of hilariously bad dialogue. Watch it with friends and beers and enjoy.

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High school? Premise suburban high school age girls, bored. Let's play dare. One dominant girl, the rest subordinate, like sheep. No drinking nor drugs to induce this stupidity, but completely willing to make poor decisions anyway. I kept waiting for the movie to get better or remotely realistic. It didn't.

Read Best Reviews of Triple Dog (2009) Here

I hope this review doesn't damage my review credibility, I'm avid Movie Collector and collect all styles of movies, I some how came across the lone 5 star review on Amazon, went to Youtube checked out the trailer and was sold, there aren't many reviews online for (triple-dog) so I wanted to give this little gem Its due, I own a few cheesy quality Movies that flew under the radar that some men wouldn't want to be caught watching, (16 WISHES, WISH APON A STAR, READ IT AND WEEP) all made for Disney Channel Movies, but (triple-dog) has enough edge and fresh ideas that I can see grown men hiding this under there collection of Action Movies, I don't think it fair to judge this movie with Oscar level movies, like American Beauty, Slum Dog Millionaire, Titanic, its just too different, but if compared to modern teen or tween Movies I'll stand by the 5 star review.

This is a surprising rated R movie, I say 13+ is o.k, teens would see more Sexuality and Vulgarity in a episode of (Jersey Shore) than (triple-dog), the prevailing question is what really happened to the girl that jumped from the bridge ? and what does Chapin (skater girl with edge) have to do with it ?, who will get there head shaved ?, who will win the game of triple-dog ?, If you buy this movie for your teens,"Mom and Dad can be Cool for at least one night". A really good job by Brittany Roberts as the lead Chapin, a quality supporting casts, some amusing dares and it all will pay off in the end. really good Teen Drama for adults too.

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This was a great thriller! I love the acting and production of this film. I watched with my friends and it was a perfect way to end the night!

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Magpul Dynamics™ The Art of the Dynamic Handgun, Blu-Ray Disc Set (HD)

Lots of material but a little less than expected (I had high expectations). Tons of information. Taught in a simple way for all skill levels and nearly all hand guns types were covered. This is a great product for anyone who wants to learn how to shoot all the way up to those whom merely need a little honing. This product covers defensive and tactical shooting they don't cover any competition style shooting which they never aimed to do.

Is It Just Me (2010)

So many of the gay films that get labeled "romantic comedy" should, more accurately, be called "sex farce." They're all about giving viewers a glimpse of skin and hot sex scenes, but they're not so great at showing the truly warm, romantic side of gay relationships.

Is It Just Me bucks that trend. This is an extraordinary film in that the characters are not broadly painted stereotypes, but nuanced and interesting individuals. You may think you know what to expect from each character, but, happily, you'd likely be wrong. Not one of these characters is simple or stereotyped, and all are likable. Gay viewers will see themselves in these characters, but unlike many modern gay movies, they'll see the best parts of themselves reflected on the screen.

Surprisingly for a film of this genre, one of my favorite characters was Ernie, Xander's older roommate (played by Bruce Gray), who is both witty and truly kind. Ernie feels very real and very sweet, and you'll wish you had a gay roommate just like him.

Adam Huss also turns in a solid performance as Cameron, our protagonist's, ahem, very popular and very hunky roommate. The screenwriter could easily have painted Cameron as a cad, and the fact that he did not do so is testament to the interesting artistic choices this movie makes.

The writing and direction in this film are both spot on. This movie avoids the campy/bitchy/cynical humor that's so common in gay films these days in favor or a warm humor that makes me feel happy to be gay.

If you're looking for a warm, wise, heartwarming romantic comedy (that just happens to be gay), this is it. It's the kind of gay film you can show to your mother and not be embarrassed. I can't recommend this film highly enough.

Blaine on dating in West Hollywood: "Being just average in a world of physical perfection is the worst kind of gay purgatory."

Blaine (Nicholas Downs) is an old-fashioned guy in Los Angeles, a sweet and cute gay twenty-something who is sensitive, honest, hardworking and looking for a guy with whom he can share his life. Not into bars, casual sex and game playing, he channels his loneliness and angst into his column for a newspaper. His roommate, Cameron (Adam Huss), is a shallow, sex-obsessed gym-bunny who acts in bad movies and works as a go-go boy at a WeHo gay bar, exactly the type of guy Blaine tries to avoid. But when Blaine meets Xander (David Loren) online, a guy who seems to be perfect for him, he accidentally sends him Cameron's photo by mistake, and is convinced that Xander only wants to meet him because he looks like that. Cameron agrees to pose as Blaine at their initial meeting, to which Blaine (posing as roommate Cameron) also attends, and things go horribly wrong from here.

The "used someone else's image online" bit has been used before (most recently in a gay comedy that was very forgettable), but strikes the perfect balance here in testing Blaine to be more self-assured and confident in seeking a relationship. Also loved the inclusion of an older gay "mentor" (played by character actor Bruce Gray) for Xander. Overall, a charmingly positive and realistic story, produced and acted very well by talented professionals. A definite "keeper" for my DVD collection; plentiful extras include commentary, deleted scenes, auditions and "dating advice." Don't miss this one! Five big stars out of five!

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I wish this film had had the budget to raise the production values above that of a low budget gay film for this is a light-hearted gay romantic comedy where everything works. The characters are not caricatures and after my first viewing of this film last night it is lingering in my thoughts and I can't wait to watch it again. It is very true that self doubting Blaine (Nicholas Downs) is indeed a cutie but in the mainstream gay culture, especially the clubs, if that handsome face doesn't come with a gym well muscled bod often the nicest guys can get overlooked. It makes perfect sense when Blaine meets a Texan hottie Xander (David Loren) on line and they bond on all things that matter, not the superficial, that he gets insecure when he sees that Xander thinks he is indeed his roommate Cameron who is a muscle stud stripper for his pic was accidentally on his facebook page.

If the story line sounds silly believe me as it unfolds it makes perfect sense. Blaine is portrayed perfectly but for me the heart and soul of the film rests in Xander. David Loren takes this Texan stud and gives him the purest romantic heart and soul that any person would seek in their mate. Through Xander we see someone seeking romance, trust and sincerity. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it is a necessary reminder that there are still people like this around. Cameron, Blaine's roommate, played by Adam Huss also perfectly shows how a guy can truly be happy seeking sexual encounters, nothing serious and still have the capacity to be a good and sincere person.

All the characters here are well thought out and for the first time even the insightful older gay (played by Bruce Gray) is not over the top and very believable as a person a little jaded with age but filled with wisdom. This movie shows that romance is still a possibility, though sometimes you need to fight hard. Please ignore the low budget film work and judge it by its heart and talent involved. The blu ray is fine. The picture doesn't pop like a mainstream film. The video is in 720P and not the norm 1080p. Audio is great with a DTS HD Master audio 5.1 track. Dialogue is strong and music blends in perfectly. There are tons of extras as well. The blu ray ends up presenting itself just fine. I highly recommend this film for the romantic in you. It will touch you with these characters you can relate to. A very touching and romantic film.

Read Best Reviews of Is It Just Me (2010) Here

Is It Just Me? is a gay romantic comedy, that is light on the comedy but heavy on romance. The romantic leads, Blaine and Xander, are so cute and I'd take both of them over that beefcake Cameron any day. And this film really shows that honesty is the best policy. Blaine lied and almost missed out on love. If he would have told the truth in the beginning, he could have Xander much sooner. But then we wouldn't have had a movie.

As most romantic comedies are, Is It Just Me? is pretty predictable. There are two people who we think will never get together, but in the end...well, if you've seen just one romantic comedy you know what I'm talking about. There's really only one thing that I didn't like about Is It Just Me?, which isn't the fault of the filmmakers because it is realistic. And that is many gay men are shallow and would rather date a hunk with muscles than a guy who is sweet and "average" in appearance. I'm not one of those men, as I've already stated that I would take Blaine over Cameron any day. Of course, I'm "average" too.

Any way, Is It Just Me? comes recommended to anyone who is looking for a gay romance. And that ending is so sweet it took my breath away!

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Shy boy, Blaine, meets hot nice guy, Zander, online. A couple of guys who who actually want romance instead of just sex. They seem perfect for each other. Then comes the mix-up. His roommate, Cameron, by accident, put his own picture on Blaine's profile. Ergo Zander (horrible fake-southern accent btw) thinks this wonderful guy, Blaine is stereo-typically hot. (Blaine isn't exactly ugly, kinda cute actually, just not gay-porn-star hot) Then, as anyone would expect, they are going to meet in person. Blah, blah, blah...

But seriously, Zander couldn't tell right away by Cameron's voice, diction, and overall shallow attitude that he wasn't the same guy on the phone? Plus, Zander actually meets Blaine at the same time and talks to him...

Is Zander stupid, hard of hearing, or just really oblivious? We all sound a bit different on the phone, but come on writers, few people are that stupid. It seriously bugged me throughout the movie and I am one to forgive some things where gay cinema is concerned. (Really good "gay" cinema is almost non-existent frankly.)

Also, Blaine's best female buddy sucked. I wasn't even sure why they were friends, she was about as supportive as a stranger. Hell, even his shallow roommate had more compassion and sense than her (don't remember her name...no wonder). If your're bored and want something to pass the time, rent this, stream it, whatever, just don't expect much. With a bit more filming money, a few script and direction tweaks it would have been much better.

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Phantasm II (Collector's Edition) (1988)

The long and outrageous wait is over and we FINALLY have PHANTASM II on DVD in region one. Universal knew that fans were in a frenzy to get this one and they also knew they didn't have to bother doing anything more than a bare bones release. Fans would buy whatever version they decided to throw our way and they did the LEAST amount of work on this they could get by with. What we got was a good looking anamorphic print of the film and an unimpressive STEREO soundtrack. Thats right, only 2 channel sound (even though the other films in this series all got new Dolby 5.1 remixes Universal knew they didn't have to bother). There are NO EXTRAS on this disc (other than one faded and dirty copy of the trailer). No cool animated menus, no commentary track, deleted scenes, making of features, retrospective documentary, cast interviews, NOTHING. All of this material is available and is on the worldwide releases of this film but the North American market gets ripped off by Universal. It would be so nice if they would allow Anchor Bay to do a decent release of this remarkable film but sadly it looks like that will never be a reality for the region 1 poplulation. Still...we do at least now have the film on DVD and the anamorphic transfer looks far better than my old pan and scan VHS copy. Even my laserdisc copy was pan and scan so this is a nice improvment. I sort of like the new cover art for this release as well although Unviersal even went super cheap on the flimsy, light weight keepcase this came in. They really should be ashamed of themselves for holding the film hostage all these years and then giving us such a no frills version when they finally decided to release it. Its a great film and an impressive follow up to the original film and it deserved so much better than this.

This second Phantasm begins where the first film, PHANTASM (1979), left off and takes you seven years later. In real time it was nine years before they finally made this sequel. That is why everyone looks more mature. James Le Gros takes over as "Michael" for this film only. But A. Michael Baldwin can be seen in flashbacks. Reggie Bannister and the Tall Man Angus Scrimm are back and so are those deadly silver spheres. I'll keep the plot a surprise for you, but this sequel is more big-budget. They go all out for this one and is very enjoyable if you like suspense, horror and more gore.

Funny sex scene.

If James Le Gros looks familar, twelve years later after this film, he had a regular role in the tv series "Ally McBeal" in 2000-2001.

Followed by:

Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead(1994).

Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998).

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When I was younger I saw Phantasm one night on T.V. when I was flipping channels. You know, one of those nights when it's late, it's the weekend, you feel good, and you're all alone and all you want is to see a movie that makes an impact on your life somehow. Phantasm IS one of those movies. It is, to me, the impidimy of what a horror movie should be. Graveyards, darkness, fog, monsters, evil powers, zombies that are actually scary, and a sweet 1971 Hemi-Cuda. The "ball" is the most revolutionary idea to come to horror movies. I was so excited after seeieng it I went to the video store and to my sheer pleasure, there was part 1,2, and 3. Each one takes up from where the last one ended. I absolutely LOVE the Phantasm series more than any other series.

I feel as if the series was taylor made for me. It touches a primal fear in me that is both scary and exhilerating. The Tall Man is so cool !! The flying ball(s) and the sound they make is Phantastic !!

I couldn't care less who owns the copywrite to the series. Yes, I adore Mike and would've loved to see him in part 2, but, dammit, I want the BOX SET !!!!!!!! I know I speak for other fans.

Quite simply, the Phantasm series holds a very special place in my heart. It is what movie making should be.

Don, if you are reading this, thank you so much for bringing joy into my life. I'm sure you aware by now that you have quite a cult following !!

Read Best Reviews of Phantasm II (Collector's Edition) (1988) Here

Don Coscarelli demonstrated his talent in first "Phantasm" and now he was granted a bigger budget by Universal Pictures. And extra money appeared to be quite useful. We got the same grim and atmosperic movie but with better special effects and more advanced technically. Money allowed to build beautiful and extended interiors, make the picture spellbinding, increase the number of killing spheres and expand the cast therefore we got to see wonderful actors here like James LeGros as Mike and Kenneth Tigar as a charismatic priest.

And although "Phantasm II" has a bigger calibre than the previous one it is still very atmospheric and claustrophobic. If the first was more of a little mystic film, the second grew up to be an action horror road-movie. And it served him good. As Don Coscarelli mentioned in his commentary track, you may like this film or not, but you will not deny the fact it's a film of great imagery. It is picturesque indeed. There are plenty scenes you can get pleasure watching, even if you had watched them separately, not in chronological order, not knowing the plot. "Phantasm II" is just beautiful. And it's not that slowly-paced as other "Phantasm" series, it's much more active and intense.

This film of great imagination is one of my all-time favourites. I just bought the British 5-disc sphere edition. Guess soon it'll be released in America too.

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Many people were first introduced to the tall man by this film. This ran pretty regularly on television back in the late 80's into the early 90's. This may not be your favorite of the Phantasm's. I prefer the original...but that being said this has so many extras in it that it is hard to not prefer it until they do the original on blu ray. The first film was more mystery sci fi and this is a much more direct action horror film. The extras include 47 minutes of Don, Angus, Reggie and most folks in the film. It also has commentary from those first three on this. It also has a 17 minute special called gory days just dealing with the gore effects. To top it all off the tall man included a film from his collection where he plays Abraham Lincoln. The only person missing from the extras seems to be Michael's replacement James LeGros. Whether he refused or was not asked to do anything with the extras I don't know. Michael Baldwin of course is in all the other films and James got this role mainly because he was a bigger name and Michael didn't act really after the first film so the studio said they had to have a working actor.

The film itself is of good quality. I don't think they could really get the print to look much better. It does have some artifacts and things with the black levels but that is minor nit picking at what so far is the best looking of all four films due to the blu ray release.

The sound is in 5.1 but you won't notice too much use of the back speakers. The spheres do fly left to right or vice versa in the speakers but weren't as pronounced as I expected. Still the sound was very adequate and I had no issues with it.

Overall this is a great addition to a horror collection. Shout Factory puts every bit of effort doing these films. They take these things seriously and you can spend days going over the extras and listening to them all.

If you like any of the films then you will appreciate the upgrade of this one and pray that shout factory gets the others to upgrade them.

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Tristana (1970)

I read the warning here from another potential buyer complaining about the excision of certain frames from the movie's end-montage, so sent an email to the Cohen Group asking about it.

Here's their reply, which sounds very positive indeed, so I'll be ordering this new Blu ray

"Thank you for your e-mail. The version of the feature TRISTANA that we are releasing is exactly the same version that Criterion released on VHS and Laserdisc in the mid 1990's though the quality is far superior. Our scan is from an original negative, as confirmed by one of Criterion's lead producers (This restoration began with Criterion, but not completed before their license expired). We've checked the negative and there are no physical cuts to the ending montage sequence introducing new material. However, we were made aware that a few shots in the end montage differ from the version available in Europe. We accessed this ending and include it as an alternate ending.

Among other extras, we have included

a feature length audio commentary between Catherine Deneuve and critic Kent Jones,

a 30 minute visual essay about the film featuring Buñuel scholar Peter William Evans,

excerpts from Deneuve's diary entries written during production,

a new essay by Cineaste editor Richard Porton

a chapter on the film from scholar Raymond Durgnat's now out of print book on Buñuel, and

Spanish and English language dialogue tracks.

We feel that you will agree that this is the best looking version available anywhere."

Sounds pretty good ... and they only took one day to answer my query!

Note: Apparently, there is some discussion about whether the film ending provided here is the original as conceived by Buñuel. I can't answer that definitively as I was not at the film's premiere in Spain over 40 years ago. In any version I've seen, I personally find the ending a tad abrupt. However, this is the same ending that was on the Criterion LaserDisc release and those involved in both that release and this one maintain that this is the director's vision. The alternate ending provided in the extras was found on some circulating European prints and so it was provided as a Bonus.

Released in 1970, this late period Buñuel classic serves up exactly what you might expect of the master. With requisite jabs at government, religion, and class distinction, I've always felt like "Tristana" was one of Buñuel's most straightforward efforts. There is sly humor, to be sure, and surrealistic undertones that distinguish his style. But those touches aren't as overt as you might anticipate and we're left with a uncomfortable tale of obsession and shifting sexual mores. Nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar, this is also reputed to be one of leading lady Catherine Deneuve's favorite roles. Deneuve had worked with Buñuel previously on the iconic "Belle de Jour" (still the most classic Deneuve role, to my mind), but here she had the opportunity to really get into a complex and developing heroine. She starts as an inquisitive innocent, fosters resentment, gains independence, and shoots into vengeful villainy. This is really, at heart, a tale of one dysfunctional relationship that is a long standing battle for dominance. But when both parties try to get the upper hand, can there ever be a satisfying conclusion or victory?

The great Fernando Rey (also a Buñuel veteran, most notably he went on to do 1972's The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie and 1977's That Obscure Object Of Desire) plays a nobleman who has position, if not exactly much money. When Deneuve's mother dies, Rey takes in young Tristana and becomes a doting paternal figure. However, he seems to have other designs as he molds the young girl to his specifications. Taking her as a lover, the two spend many years together. But as Tristana gets older, she wants to experience more of life and her feelings start to turn to resentment, than to indifference, and finally to vengeance. When another man (Franco Nero) comes into the picture, it might just be the final undoing of our central pair. But an unexpected third act provides a final showdown that perfectly captures the evolution of their relationship.

While "Tristana" isn't necessarily my favorite Buñuel, it is certainly an essential if you consider yourself a fan. Rey and Deneuve are both terrific, and the twists in the story are gleefully unpleasant. Ultimately, in one way or another, each of the central characters is obsessed with the other which makes the dynamic so interesting. Of special value are the bountiful special features. Deneuve and critic Kent Jones provide a commentary track. I was thrown off by what I thought were sync issues while watching the feature (which is in Spanish with English subtitles), but Deneuve explains it by saying her performance was actually shot in French. And with the complaints of prior releases being re-edited, the film has been restored to its original vision with the alternate ending as one of the extra options. Furthermore, the presentation looks terrific. A must for Buñuel enthusiasts. About 4 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 3/12.

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Hello. I'm posting this review to let everyone know that the new Blu ray of Luis Bunuel's TRISTANA is excellent both in quality as well as being complete. There is an extra feature of an alternate ending in which a few shots are different, but contrary to an earlier post, the ending on the main feature is exactly the same as when I saw this film at the NYFF & also in theatres. The image quality of this Blu ray is very film like and quite beautiful. In fact, I would say that watching this Blu ray is for me a revelation, bringing out facets of the film I had never noticed before. The image is a touch darker in a few interior scenes than when this film was released, but I don't find this to be a problem. In fact, the difference is so slight as to be a non-issue.

In terms of the quality of Bunuel's film, rather than give my own opinion, I'll simply quote Alfred Hitchcock, who felt after seeing TRISTANA that Bunuel was "the world's greatest living director" and that he had never before seen "such brilliant direction of actors" in a film.

I also must say that the extras on this disc are themselves worth the price of admission, in particular, a film long conversation between Catherine Deneuve and Kent Jones, about her career, her methods of expressing the characters she has played, and her memories of the directors she has worked with. In addition, there is a half hour conversation with Bunuelian scholar Peter William Evans on the struggle of Bunuel to make TRISTANA for over a decade in Spain, and a booklet that includes an essay by Richard Porton, fragments of Ms. Deneuve's diary written during the production of TRISTANA & an excerpt from Raymond Durgnat's book on Bunuel.

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Note: Apparently, there is some discussion about whether the film ending provided here is the original as conceived by Buñuel. I can't answer that definitively as I was not at the film's premiere in Spain over 40 years ago. In any version I've seen, I personally find the ending a tad abrupt. However, this is the same ending that was on the Criterion LaserDisc release and those involved in both that release and this one maintain that this is the director's vision. The alternate ending provided in the extras was found on some circulating European prints and so it was provided as a Bonus.

Released in 1970, this late period Buñuel classic serves up exactly what you might expect of the master. With requisite jabs at government, religion, and class distinction, I've always felt like "Tristana" was one of Buñuel's most straightforward efforts. There is sly humor, to be sure, and surrealistic undertones that distinguish his style. But those touches aren't as overt as you might anticipate and we're left with a uncomfortable tale of obsession and shifting sexual mores. Nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar, this is also reputed to be one of leading lady Catherine Deneuve's favorite roles. Deneuve had worked with Buñuel previously on the iconic "Belle de Jour" (still the most classic Deneuve role, to my mind), but here she had the opportunity to really get into a complex and developing heroine. She starts as an inquisitive innocent, fosters resentment, gains independence, and shoots into vengeful villainy. This is really, at heart, a tale of one dysfunctional relationship that is a long standing battle for dominance. But when both parties try to get the upper hand, can there ever be a satisfying conclusion or victory?

The great Fernando Rey (also a Buñuel veteran, most notably he went on to do 1972's The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie and 1977's That Obscure Object Of Desire) plays a nobleman who has position, if not exactly much money. When Deneuve's mother dies, Rey takes in young Tristana and becomes a doting paternal figure. However, he seems to have other designs as he molds the young girl to his specifications. Taking her as a lover, the two spend many years together. But as Tristana gets older, she wants to experience more of life and her feelings start to turn to resentment, than to indifference, and finally to vengeance. When another man (Franco Nero) comes into the picture, it might just be the final undoing of our central pair. But an unexpected third act provides a final showdown that perfectly captures the evolution of their relationship.

While "Tristana" isn't necessarily my favorite Buñuel, it is certainly an essential if you consider yourself a fan. Rey and Deneuve are both terrific, and the twists in the story are gleefully unpleasant. Ultimately, in one way or another, each of the central characters is obsessed with the other which makes the dynamic so interesting. Of special value are the bountiful special features. Deneuve and critic Kent Jones provide a commentary track. I was thrown off by what I thought were sync issues while watching the feature (which is in Spanish with English subtitles), but Deneuve explains it by saying her performance was actually shot in French. And with the complaints of prior releases being re-edited, the film has been restored to its original vision with the alternate ending as one of the extra options. Furthermore, the presentation looks terrific. A must for Buñuel enthusiasts. About 4 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 3/12.

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The quality of the blu-ray is impeccable; it really looks stunning and is amongst the most visually elegant and beautiful of Bunuel's films. Catherine Deneuve is transcendantly gorgeous, and Fernando Rey is enjoyably unctuous and loathsome. Familiar Bunuelian themes of cruelty, sexual degradation, transgression.

I hadn't seen the film in close to 20 years, though, and remembered the resolution as being more satisfying. It's not uncommon for Bunuel's films to end abruptly; this belongs to that genus. So, thoroughly enjoyable and sumptuous to look at but a bit of a curious ending. Still turning it over in my head a bit.

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Dark Skies (2013)

"Dark Skies" (2013 relase; 97 min.) brings the story of the Barrett family. Mom (played by Keri "Felicity" Russell) and dad (played by Josh Hamilton) are stressing because of their precarious financial situation (Dad is in between jobs, mom is barely hanging on to her real easate brokerage). They have two sons, 13 yr. old Jesse and 5 or 6 yr. old Sammy. Then slowly but surely strange things are starting to happen in and around the house, including a strange "remodeling" of the kitchen, then disappearance of pictures, and then hundreds of birds flying head-on into the house for no apparent reason. What is going on here exactly? At this point we're not even half-way into the movie, and things are to get a lot more tense than that still. But to tell you more of a plot-heavy movie like this would ruin your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Several comments: first, I had seen the trailer for this movie a few times in recent weeks, and thought it looked kinda interesting. I took a chance on this, and am glad I did. It is not a horror movie as such, nor is it really a sci-fi movie. "Dark Skies" actually falls somewhere in between, and on more than one occasion during the movie I saw elements from the "Paranormal Activity" franchise and also from the "Poltergeist" franchise just to name those. Second, what a delight to see Keri Russell again,as I sort of lost track of her. It is incredible that 2013 marks the 15th anniversary of when "Felicity" first hit the small screen. Russell is ageing quite nicely (if you can call someone in their mid/late-30s "ageing"), and she carries this movie, period. Kudos also to young Kadan Rockett as little Sammy, and J.K. Simmons who plays a small role late into the movie. Third, I must give a shout-out to the excellent placement of the Drums song "Days" midway into the movie, bringing a few moments of tension relief (for reasons I don't want to reveal) at that point in the movie.

The screening I saw "Dark Skies" at tonight here in Cincinnati was quite well attended. Smartly the director and producers of the movie made this into a PG-13 movie, rather than an R rated movie, and the audience tonight was heavily tilted towards the younger HS kids. They were loving this movie, laughing and screaming (sometimes at the same time) at all the right moments, and when the credits started to roll, the audience even gave an applause. Bottom line: "Dark Skies" is surprisingly entertaining, and better than I had expected.

I just took my daughter to see this on the big screen because I liked the bird collision with the window when I saw the trailer. The film started with the slow to moderate pacing of witnessing a family in the throes of tension created by the economy---bunker mentalities abound.Then something happened in Sammie's bedroom that made me jump the same way I did with "signs". Then pow. I was in. I immediately thought of the first script version of Close Encounters written by Paul Schrader "Taxi Driver". Spielberg turned it down saying it was mean spirited and didnt want a hostile invasion story. This movie was that draft. This independent piece was a homage to Close Encounters of the third kind, ET, The Birds, Poltergeist, Signs, and Paranormal Activity. Harvey Weinstein greenlit a film which was carried surprizingly well by the acting chops of Keri Russell and Josh Hamilton. I actually cared what happened to these people and thats rare for a scary film to be character and plot driven. The director kept his camera tight on the faces so the actors could not milk their expressions. The blank face fear always works. The soundtrack is very effective in its use against silence. The tension spilling on the children made me believe this couple has been toxic toward each other for a long time---long before the movie's circumstances introduced the audience to them. And maybe that tension drew the attacks to their home in the first place.

Why not being that original, the film compensated with the right mix of old recipes without diluting its ability to reveal enough of the story on a need to know basis to the audience just as it did to the characters. I didnt feel the need to be smarter than the movie. Expect a sequel.

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If you ever watched Paranormal Activity and wonder what the producers would do with an actual budget, you may have gotten Dark Skies. So gone is the found footage gimmick filmed by the characters and instead of a couple there is a family of four. We also get to know the characters better and are suppose to have empathy for them from the start: the father (Josh Hamilton, The 80's miniseries) just got laid off and the mother (Keri Russell, The Americans) who is now the bread winner is not very good at her job.

Much like Paranormal Activity, the scares are light in the beginning, something breaks into their kitchen and raid the refrigerator, before they get weirder, scarier, and more frequent. Just like the characters of Paranormal Activities, these characters are not the smartest people in the world. Sure they do not do anything stupid like taunt a demon, but it takes them way too long to actually do anything to figure out what and why things are happening to them, which in this case involves contacting J.K. Simmons (Spider-Man) which is about where the movie starts getting interesting.

But much like Paranormal Activities, you could probably just fast forward past the first hour and just go straight to the climax of Dark Skies and not miss much. This DVD also comes with an audio commentary with writer/director Scott Stewart, producer Jason Blum, executive producer Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, and editor Peter Gvozdas. It also has about fifteen minutes of alternative and deleted scenes.

Read Best Reviews of Dark Skies (2013) Here

The story opens showing us a stereotypical suburban neighborhood. The focus shifts to one family. Daniel (Josh Hamilton) is out of work. He can't pay the mortgage but has money for all kinds of video equipment. His wife Lacy (Keri Russell) is a real estate salesperson, and perhaps too honest for her own good. They have two sons, Jesse (Dakota Goyo) who is discovering girls and pot and young Sammy (Kadan Rockett).

The story builds slow, creating character as it goes along, with each incident becoming more puzzling and troubling. Sammy reports of seeing the Sandman, claiming he is responsible for the odd occurrences. About an hour into the film, the events are explained in case you didn't figure it out by the opening Arthur C. Clarke quote.

This film is well done. I enjoyed it, even though I still say the whole thing business is hypnagogic hallucinations. This is must see for those who believe in the Grays. I would rate it somewhere in between rent to own depending on your hypnagogia. (Guess what word I learned this week from my doctor?)

Parental Guide: No f-bombs, sex, or nudity. Teen/tween drug use. Minor groping. Some sex talk, i.e. "going downtown"

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I'm not one for rave reviews. I find most films trite, redundant, regurgitated, shallow and self righteous. I can hardly sit through most horrors, because it all seems rushed, boring, and pedestrian, so why wouldn't this. I gave it a go. Standards of other films set in immediately and fast, and though it touches on elements so many other films have in so many ways: of Spielberg genius as Poltergeist and Close Encounters come to mind, (which no doubt people will claim metaphors to endlessly), but the film holds its own in a very simple, straight forward non CGI nonsense way, and its kind of brilliant because truly the ensemble cast does so well together, its believable how terrified they are. I believe the reason why Poltergeist was such a novelty, was not only the absolute terror of a film that stands the test of time, but there was real substance to it (the conversations that Beatrice Straight had with Jobeth Williams' character, how touching and special it was, and with the mothers son, how soothing she was, in a time of absolute pinnacle terror) That is achieved here. Yeah it's no Poltergeist, but in a market saturated with hundreds of turds released a year, this one comes out truly shining. It was very well done.

I am not good with what I want to say when detailing, but the colors are great, the story holds its own on minimal special effects, and considering its from the same people that bring us the ridiculous Paranormal Activity franchise, (loathed Insidious) I absolutely loved this.

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About Last Night... (1986)

Based on David Mamet's play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" this movie, starring Rob Lowe and a young Demi Moore, is a particular favorite of mine. It's an involving and at times searing portrayal of the relationship between two people in 1980s Chicago and the interactions and problems that relationship causes them in their existing friendships.

First we have Rob Lowe as Danny, a salesman with dreams of one day owning his own restaurant and his best friend Bernie (played for almost comic relief by James Belushi). One night he meets in a bar the beautiful Debbie (played by Moore who has never looked more attractive) and her best friend and roommate Joan (played by Elizabeth Perkins).

After a rather shaky beginning Danny and Debbie are soon off on a whirlwind romance that eventually leads to Debbie moving into Danny's apartment and the two inadvertently ignoring their friends (much to the chagrin of both Bernie and Joan).

Of course trouble is soon brewing as Danny has to forsake his rather player lifestyle and Debbie wants more commitment than he is willing, or able to offer. The movie follows the ups and downs in the relationship and leaves the viewer really rooting for the two of them to work out their differences. It's hard to exactly figure out what it is that this movie does right. t seems to have a perfect blend of comedy, drama, passion and sorrow that makes for some compelling viewing. This movie would almost be required viewing for young adults as a precautionary tale if it were not for the gratuitous nudity (has Demi Moore ever had more topless scenes in any one picture?) and scenes of a drunk Danny spiraling down into despair.

This is a true gem of a movie and probably one of the best date movies ever. The DVD is a little thin on special features but at under $10 this is a must-own.

Arguably, ABOUT LAST NIGHT was not only one of the best date movies to come out of the 1980's but also it's simple story of boy-meets-girl in the modern age is one terrific romance. Rob Lowe (at the peak of his preeniness) and Demi Moore (at the birth of her true beauty) fall in and out and back in love, with Elizabeth Perkins and Jim Belushi along for the ride ... and they almost steal the film. One great shooting script of the play SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO and terrific locations, ABOUT LAST NIGHT is a film that I'll always cherish.

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I was in law school when I saw this flick with my girlfriend at the time, Joanne. Jo and I had been going steady two years, and were getting pretty serious. We were even talking about getting married.

I thought that the film was a real hoot, great lines. I came out of the film in a bouyant mood. But on the way home Jo was quiet, brooding. She asked me to pull over because she had to tell me something.

She said that she always wanted a guy like Danny Martin (Rob Lowe ) but instead she got me, a guy who was way too much like Bernie Litko(Jim Belushi). She said she wasn't willing to settle for a Bernie Litko, and she told me it was over.

She wanted Rob Lowe, and that was that.

I admit that other of my friends told me that I reminded them of Bernie, and I have to say that I look vaguely like Jim Belushi, but still it hurt.

I married an Armenian who looks like a duskier version Demi Moore. Jo married a busdriver who looks like a somewhat mangled version of Rob Lowe.

It was a fateful evening.

Good flick, though.

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If you invite a date over for a movie, About Last Night is a great choice. Rob Lowe & Demi Moore just gave their dedication in this movie about love and understanding, relationships and commitments. Great body chemistry of the couple. Whewww! Some hot dish that Rob & Demi. The movie stirs so many emotions which makes it entertaining, not boring. When Rob & Demi are not making love, James Belushi and Elizabeth Perkins, both good friends of the couple, fills in the gap with their sarcastic humor. Nonetheless, the movie is great for young couples to draw close with their partners. The DVD is great.

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For me this is best and most truthful date film of the 80's. Being from Chicago everything just rings true. I always thought the film makers did a great job of adapting a David Mamet play into an 80's comerical date movie, while leaving in some of Mamet's complex wording in the dialogue.

Everytime I see this film it makes me miss my wild days in Chicago during the 80's. Ahhhh the memories....

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