Moulin Rouge / Romeo & Juliet (2012)

Great movies that are even better on blu-ray especially given the director's visually stunning work. Even though I already own both these films I had to invest in the blu-ray editions.

If you love romantic movies you will love these movies. Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet were movies that I had to have in my movie collection. I never get tired of watching them.

Buy Moulin Rouge / Romeo & Juliet (2012) Now

Blu ray copes of Moulin Rouge / Romeo & Juliet , the description is wrong title though I was worried when ordered the disc set but it arrived just like the picture. Good HD quality

Read Best Reviews of Moulin Rouge / Romeo & Juliet (2012) Here

The Hole (2012)

First off I must say that I loved this movie. I am a big fan of Joe Dante's work and it was great seeing him back behind the camera where he belongs. This is a great film for the family who likes to watch scary movies together. All of the young actors did a great job in their roles. I was so happy to see Dick Miller's cameo. It's not a Joe Dante movie with out Mr. Miller! My only problem with this blu ray is that they have decided not to release it in it's original 3D version. I have the blu ray from England and I have to say that the 3D is really used well in this film. Joe Dante has a great eye for visuals and seeing it in 3D the way he intended makes them all the better. Still, even in 2D this is a great movie and I recommend picking it up. If you can get a hold of the 3D version and have the equipment to view it it's worth looking for.

This was a wonderful film. I first saw it on Netflix on New Year's Day. I liked it enough to get the Blu-ray of it. It's basically a teenager type movie. I was expecting the older boy to act more maturely in trying to get his girl, but he didn't seem to care. So that was unexpected. A good treatise on overcoming our fears, however. It is almost packaged as a horror flick, but SPOILER ALERT: when my wife saw the clown attacking the younger boy, instead of being frightened, as she usually is with horror, she burst out laughing and could not stop. The demise of the clown was especially funny. Anyway, a very good job to the actors and a very good film. Happy watching!

Buy The Hole (2012) Now

I had little expectation for this movie but found excellent acting, appealing characters and tight directing.

Also, good sets and film quality shame some larger budget fare.

Real chemistry between the brothers and the girl next door and all three characters provide surprising dimension

in a 92 minute movie.

Read Best Reviews of The Hole (2012) Here

This movie is awesome!! I thought the acting from all the stars was top of the line. Especially the young co-star Nathan Gamble. He has all the makings of a future household name. His acting in every feature film, every guest tv spot, every short film, every skit...it's so professional, crisp, and dead on. This movie is no exception. I honestly think Nathan's acting outshone the other actors by a bit. Chris Masoglia was very cool as the brooding teenage brother. He did his part to the letter as well. And Haley Bennett gave a convincing and effective performance as well.

I'm so glad to see this movie getting a domestic release and home copy release. It's about time.

10 out of 10 all around!

Want The Hole (2012) Discount?

Joe Dante ("Gremlins," "Matinee," "Howling," "The Burbs," "Piranha," "Small Soldiers," "Twilight Zone The Movie") demonstrates why he was handpicked by Steven Spielberg to direct "It's a Good Life," one of the segments in "Twilight Zone the Movie" with this little known gem. The premise isn't too complicated: Two brothers and their single mother move into a house with a mysterious hole located in the basement. As the two brothers befriend the girl next door, the trio soon begin to find themselves confronted by supernatural events related to the presence of the hole.

What transpires is a simple tale with large mythical overtones that help make it accessible to a diverse audience. The horror "scenarios" aren't incredibly novel or original per se; but Dante still manages to make them chilling and unique in a way many contemporary horror films haven't. In fact, there is a very compelling reason WHY they seem to have been derived from other horror movies -but to explain that reason would be to divulge a major reveal of the story. Let's just say that Dante is one who, in his philosophy of storytelling in general, and horror movies in particular, has espoused the belief that stories are receptacles of universal emotions; and that horror films in particular are most successful when they capitalize on universal fears. The fact that he can incorporate iconic, recognizable elements from other films and still make them fresh and compelling is a testament to how deft he is at handling this material.

The third act is a visual treat that harkens back to his work on "It's a Good Life." I recommend seeing this movie for the last act alone!

While not his best movie, "The Hole" is an unexpected gift from a sorely missed talent. Hopefully this movie is meant to signify Joe Dante's return.

Save 5% Off

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2010)

I truly enjoyed this movie and wouldn't hesitate to allow some of my young children to see it! There is no foul language, and dating and first crush situations were handled very tastefully and even with a flair of innocence about them! I happen to be the oldest of 7, my husband is one of 8, and together we have 5 children so we are very much pro big families. It is very refreshing to see a positive story involving not one, but TWO large families! In this day and age where society pushes the idea that 1 or 2 children makes the perfect family, this movie gives the viewer a fairly accurate glimpse of what life can be like with many more siblings. Of course there will be times of difficulty and disagreements, but there is also plenty of love to go around, and this is the ultimate conclusion of this movie in BOTH families! There are many lessons to be learned in this film not the least of which is the need to have a clear vision of what is more important in life. Both fathers in this story are struggling with competitiveness that has become an obsession, but I found it truly moving when Steve Martin's character chooses to forfeit the final tie-breaking event because of the potential risk to his 9-months-pregnant daughter. His was the choice of a true champion, and in the end, both fathers come to recognize that their families are so much more important than winning another trophy! What a truly refreshing message to families and young people who are being bombarded with messages of "me first" and "look out for number one!"

I most certainly do not regret the time and money spent to see this film! If you are tired of all the sex, violence and gore present in so much of today's movie choices, I suggest you give this film a try. It is rare to walk out of a movie theater feeling uplifted, but that is exactly what this film did for me!

I was basically shocked as all heck when I saw a trailer for this movie on TV over the holidays. Given the modest success of the first film, I was surprised they were going for a sequel. I was even more shocked that the bigger stars like Hilary Duff and Tom Welling returned for this, but somehow the timing was good enough for all fourteen original characters to reprise their roles.

After seeing "Cheaper by the Dozen 2" quite a few times in the theater this Christmas, I have to say that it was very nicely done and certainly outdid the 2003 film.

It's not anything that's going to win an Oscar or be discussed in passing years from now, but then again it wasn't trying to be either of those things. It was released as a clean, lighthearted movie, ideal for a day at the movies with the kids over the holiday break from school, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

Don't get me wrong, I watched the first "Cheaper by the Dozen" in 2003 and liked it well enough. But right off the bat, the one element of this sequel that sets it gloriously apart from the original, and that's the general attitude of the Baker children. Remember how bratty they were three years ago, treating their parents like dirt, treating one another like dirt, and pulling juvenile pranks left and right? Well, now they're a little older, they get along with each other, and they're actually nice to their parents. It makes for a much more relaxing and enjoyable viewing experience with less children screaming and acting up.

The premise for this sequel finds Tom and Kate (played perfectly, once again, by Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt) finding that with their three oldest children stepping out of the nest and the remaining nine becoming more involved in their own activities, it would be a good idea to get the whole family together for one last summer at the lake house. Sounds good....that is, until we meet Jimmy Murtaugh (played quite nicely by Eugene Levy), who has a large family of his own and is determined to strike up another heated competition with his longtime rival Tom Baker.

As I said before, the Baker kids are much more likable this time around, and each are presented differently in the film. First off we have:

Nora, who is now married (not to Ashton Kutcher, haha) and pregnant with her first child. Perabo does a nice job here; she and her husband are funny and sweet to watch together, and Perabo contributes to a very heartwarming final scene at the end of the movie.

Charlie, a college student working to pay off loans and trying hard to please his parents, all while attempting to figure out his "next move" in life. "Smallville" star Tom Welling puts forth a good and modest performance, just as he did in the first film.

Lorraine, whose graduation opens the film and introduces her plan to pursue an internship in New York in the fall. The return of the infamous Hilary Duff is probably the most surprising part of the movie, but it was nice that she came back for this and helped get the sequel made. Her number of scenes are small and spread out, and she seems a bit bored most of the time, but Lorraine has a few nice interactions with younger sister Sarah that help demonstrate Duff's ability to get into character, an especially notable feat with such a large cast.

Henry, Jake, Mark and Mike, the four middle sons, who aren't given much to do in this movie except a few lines here and there.

Sarah, the third-oldest preteen daughter seeking her own independence and developing her first crush on none other than one of Jimmy Murtaugh's sons. Roger Ebert said it, a myriad of other big-time movie reviewers have said it, and I'm not going to deny it: Young actress Alyson Stoner delivers what is arguably the movie's most heartfelt and well-done performance in this role. The scene where she goes out on her first date literally brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it, and even though the storyline about a tomboy plunging head-first into adolescence and finding her very first crush is nothing new, it is still something that practically every woman can relate to. It's a somewhat cliched character analysis, yes, but Stoner plays it so sweetly and with such youthful innocence, she absolutely makes the entire movie. This actress really comes into her own with this role, and I genuinely hope to see more from her in the future.

Twin daughters Jessica and Kim, too, don't have much of a personal storyline to play off of, but actresses Liliana Mumy and Morgan York do well enough with what they are given. The only thing I'd have to say about them is that the writers clearly tried way too hard to give them witty lines and funny things to say in unison (e.g. "Lay off, Dad!" and "We agree to participate!") and in the end it didn't quite work. The little girls playing the parts are cute, though, especially the red-headed Liliana Mumy. She's another one with a distinctively expressive personality and cute face that could land her roles in other movies.

The two youngest Baker kids, identical twins Kyle and Nigel, probably stand right behind Alyson Stoner as the next best thing about the movie. Those are the same adorable faces you see on the television series "Desperate Housewives," and even though they don't have much to do in this film either, they melt your heart whenever they come onto the screen.

Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt do a terrific job in their scenes, as well; both of them seem custom-made for the roles as nurturing parents, and they work very well together as on-screen husband and wife. With all the chaotic events going on with the kids, the two of them portray a very special lesson for viewers with the amazing love that they still have for one another. Eugene Levy and Carmen Electra round out the main cast, both playing their roles with humor and ease, and all in all this is a nice movie that handles its overwhelming cast much better this time around. The 12 kids were basically a train wreck in the first movie, running around and getting into all sorts of trouble, but now they are more fleshed out and established in the plot. It is funny, appealing, and yes, even touching, all while outdoing the original 2003 film and remaining more than ideal for parents to enjoy with their children.

Buy Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2010) Now

Depending where you at when you watch this flick, but if you're on your ski vacation, then watching this film you'll forget that your snowboard is outside and that it's cold, because the film concerns a family vacation at a lake around labor day.

Steve Martin is funny as always and there are a few new lines and ideas. And sure there are a couple of stupid scenes that should have been left out, but not too bad so that your 8-year old can probably still watch it without asking too many questions. Eugene Levy (probably not as well known by his name to too many folks) is excellent and I like him goofing off even more than Martin for the most part.

The storyline is about two extended families that apparently had a type of rivalry going on for many years, and now they meet at that particular lake again and on labor day they have a family competition there and so on. While Martin plays the loving Baker dad who's not too well off financially, Levy plays the now wealthy Murtaugh dad who's on his third marriage (with Carmen Elektra as number 3) and who owns most of the land around the lake.

The only problem I can see is that much of the fun is predictable, but there are still a number of hearty laughs. It's a relaxing family movie and you just wish that it was summer out there and you too could go for a swim and/or so some water skiing in a lake instead of the apres ski. Well, this movie is an opportunity to take your popcorn and relax during this busy holiday season, and to have some clean fun for the most part.

Read Best Reviews of Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2010) Here

This movie was funny and family friendly. Anybody of any age would enjoy it. It's clean, and you don't have to worry about your young kids seeing/hearing stuff that you don't want them to hear. It is rated PG for very mild language. The "p" word is said once. However, I still think it would be ok to let small kids see it.

I know that there are probably some actors or actresses in this movie that people don't like, but I think that fact can be overlooked. It's a good movie worthy of at least renting. I saw it in theaters and I didn't regret it.

Want Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2010) Discount?

This movie is one of my favorite movies of all time. Now I loved the first one, it is still one of my favorites. But this one is so good. I really like the storyline on this one. It has a good story and it goes into detail with some of the kids who you didn't really get to know in the first one. Like Sara Baker. It goes into detail about her. This movie is very funny and when it comes out, I'm going to buy it. I recommend this movie to anyone.

Save 54% Off

Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black (2011)

This movie starts with everyone in the Soul Society suddenly forgetting Rukia. Rukia was the Soul Reaper that gave Ichigo (the main character) his powers. No one would know Ichigo if not for Rukia, so everyone forgets Ichigo. The fights between Ichigo and the Captains are amazing. The Mystery of why everyone has forgotten Rukia and Ichigo is very well thought out. I watched this movie when it first came out with English subtitles so I can tell you. This buy is totally worth it even if it is a random buy. Bleach is an amazing series. I would highly recommend that you buy the boxsets for the series as well. With Cool epic fights, a very well thought out story, and very interesting characters developments and types you love this series and all four of its movies that are out. I hope this helped your decision.

I love Bleach and I happen to be a very, very fussy person if the story doesn't hook me in the first few minutes, it loses me. I've seen every Bleach episode, plus the OMAs, fillers, and read the Manga, so that should tell you how good the story is. Since I haven't seen the latest movie yet in order to rate them I can only stand this one up against the first two, and of the three, this is the best of them. So to make it brief IT'S ABOUT ***** TIME!!!! I'll be getting this one the second it's released!

Buy Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black (2011) Now

Fade to Black is the third of the Bleach full length movies and an improvement over Diamond Dust Rebellion. While I still think Memories of Nobody was the best of the movies, this one offers a few reasons to watch and enjoy. As with the other movies, Fade to Black brings in your favorite characters, an interesting enough plot, and a step-up from the series in terms of art and fluidity of the animation. Fans of the series will find this to be a welcome addition to the Bleach universe, particularly as Rukia plays a central role in the film. Aside from her added screen time (which I loved, as she was one of the reasons I started watching the series to begin with) there are bits and pieces of her background that are filled in throughout the story. All this and her "transformation" make this a film well crafted for its faithful audience.

That being said, I do have a few gripes that don't necessarily take away too much (and are rather characteristic of the series in general) but that bug me nonetheless. First, as in Diamond Dust Rebellion (and to a lesser extent in Memories of Nobody), there is a bit too much overly-emotional sermonizing. While the core canon of the Bleach series (those episodes based off the manga) contain little of this, the side stories and movies seem to add it for filler. Again, this is nothing new, but it steals a little from the drama. Second, this film sets up interesting questions about the limits of "humanness" (or, personhood might be a better term) on par with those that Kube brings out through Memories of Nobody and through the Arrancar and their seeming humanity, but just as in that narrative arc there is little down to delve into the question. It is presented (imaginatively so) to the viewer, but is left to hang their unexplored and unresolved. Again, this doesn't hurt the quality too much, but once I would like to see Tite Kubo raise the dramatic tension a bit more.

Oh, and the fights are awesome. But you knew that already.

Read Best Reviews of Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black (2011) Here

An explosion destroys the center of the Seireitei. Afterwards Rukia disappears and looses her memory. Kisuke sends Ichigo to find out what's wrong. Nobody in the Seireitei knows Ichigo or remembers Rukia either. Even close friends like Renji and Captain Kuchiki are baffled by Ichigo's claim to be their friend and his insistence that Rukia has disappeared.

This is a great movie. It's as good as the 1st Bleach movie. It is a very tragic story of Rukia's past. The action and drama are very good in this movie. The Seireitei send all the Captains and Lieutenants after Ichigo, and Rukia confronts her heartbreaking past. Bleach the Movie 3 is awesome!!!

Want Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black (2011) Discount?

you either love Bleach or you hate Bleach. thankfully im one of the people that LOVE Bleach.

the story (from the beginning) is amazing, and the movies are always well done. this one is the better of the 3 ive seen so far, although theyre all good.

if you love Bleach youve already seen this movie or are about to buy it.

if you dont love Bleach...why are you standing close to me? ^^

Save 32% Off

Men in Black (1997)

Wow! This limited edition isn't limited in features. Disc one has the wide and full screen versions, visual commentry with Barry Sonnenfeld and Tommy Lee Jones and a technical audio commentry with Sonnenfeld, Rick Baker & the ILM team; this feature is exclusive to the limited edition version. Throw in the standards like the sound setups: English 5.1, english 2-channel (Dolby Surround) and french (Dolby Surround) and subtitles that include english, french, spanish, cantonese and mandarin, and that wraps up disc one! Disc Two is loaded! I can't list them all or I will use up all my space, so I will list the major ones. There is a 3 scene editing workshop which allows you to become the filmmaker, so to speak. You get to edit 3 chosen scenes that were filmed in a lot of different angles and then watch the final cut. Sonnenfeld will also descibe his own editing process. Next, there is a Edgar bug fight scene deconstruction using different angles. Then you have "concept to creation" creatures feature and art and production photo gallery. There are extended & deleted scenes, storyboard comparisons, a documentary, a music video, DVD & web links, trailers, talent files and more! Whew! I said there was a lot, and as you can see, I wasn't exaggerating. Throw in a booklet and letter from Sonnenfeld and small poster which may be signed by the artists and you have a DVD with enough features to keep you entertained and busy. Quickly, the transfer was beautiful and, of course, the movie is great. This movie was one of my favorite Will Smith roles. Aside from the comedy woven into the script, the special effects were great! This is a must have for any fan of the movie or comic book! Enjoy!

Men in Black was one of my favourite Hollywood blockbusters of the '90s. One of only a handful successful comic-book translations in history, the film retained the irreverence and zany creativity of the best comics while adding the visual grandeur, attention to detail, and narrative focus of the best features.

Rewatching this movie now, it's lost none of its charm. The meticulous Bo Welch production design is superb, director Barry Sonnenfeld's sense of pacing and comic timing impeccable, the Danny Elfman score absolutely perfect for its subject, and the cast is uniformly excellent. Nobody else could have played the role of Agent Jay with such pizazz as Will Smith; Tommy Lee Jones delivers hands-down his best comic performance ever, Linda Fiorentino is delightfully weird as coroner Dr. Laurel Weaver, Rip Torn nearly steals the show as perennially grumpy, inscrutable agency head Zed, and Vincent D'Onofrio is fun to watch as Farmer Edgar/Edgar Bug.

The bonus materials are also great. The "editing workshop", which allows you to play with alternate footage and put together a new version of one of two scenes, is my personal favourite (although I actually agree with Sonnenfeld's poker-faced quip that, "[The audience] will find out that everything I did was perfect). "The evolution of MiB" gives a hint of the major changes that happen on (to) a big movie as it's being made, and the MIIB (Men in Black 2) teasers definitely suggest that MIIB is a must-see for summer 2002.

Buy Men in Black (1997) Now

Based on the comic book of the same name, these guys keep the aliens living among us under wraps. A lot of tongue-in-cheek humor and a new way of looking at a multitude of aliens , good and evil, small and large.

Will Smith makes the movie entertaining and the special effects quality and originality will keep you from blinking. Fun gadgets will also intrigue the sci-fi afficianado. This full-featured DVD is well-worth the money, especially with the multi-angle shots. I've already seen this on tape a number of times and I'm anxious to get this limited edtion DVD edtion.

There is some language, but not much beyond what you'd see on prime-time TV nowadays. Very enjoyable and entertaining.

Read Best Reviews of Men in Black (1997) Here

It's a fun movie, even if it isn't a cinematic masterpiece. Just a joy to watch, it's well paced, funny and slick. It has undercover agencies, aliens, and Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones,a nd lots (I mean lots) of jokes and a touch of action and mayhem. Gotta love this classic summer fun flick!

The Blu Ray edition is stunning; while some of the special effects didn't age as well as I'd have liked, picture quality and sound quality were both phenomenal, noticeably better than DVD. Colors were crisp, there was minimal grain and noise. Watching this on my 50" plasma was a total blast. This was hi def done right and a great showcase for the capability of blu ray. I haven't really explored the extras much, but they seem pretty normal--commentaries and the like. Fox should take lessons from this and fix some of their abysmal transfers (Predator, I'm looking at you!).

Want Men in Black (1997) Discount?

This is a excellent DVD loaded with extras including the music video by Will Smith, storyboards, extra footage, and a sneek peek at Men in Black II! Grat movie, Great DVD.

Save 47% Off

Triage (2009)

TRIAGE is a well chosen title for this film about who survives an who dies in war: at times those triage decisions are made by serendipity (read 'bad luck'), at times they are made by physicians or medics tending the wounded on the battlefield, and at times they are submerged in the apparent 'survivors' only to later crush the life from those who make it home. Writer/Director Danis Tanovic has adapted Scott Anderson's novel is a manner that carries the seemingly simple act of 'triage' throughout the film, showing how that action can affect the lives of friends, family, and psychological wholeness of the victim.

Mark Walsh (Colin Farrell, in yet another powerful role) and his buddy David (Jamie Sives) are war photographers for a newspaper edited by Amy (Juliet Stevenson). Their current assignment is Kurdistan and the terrifying realities they not only experience but also commit to film are of such a horrid nature that they both are in shock: they not only witness killings and landmine explosion deaths, but they also watch one Dr. Talani (Branko Djuric) triage the wounded, deciding who can survive care and who is so near death that they are put aside to be later 'executed' by Dr. Talani in a compassionate gesture to end their futile suffering. The tension is so great that David decides to return home, leaving Mark to carry on the assignment. An explosion occurs and Mark is seriously injured but survives and after being tended by Dr. Talani he is encouraged to return home. There is no news as to where David is.

Mark returns home to his adoring Elena (Paz Vega), presents his photographs to Amy, and begins to heal: David's wife Diane (Kelly Reilly) is due to deliver their first child in two weeks and has had no word from David. We watch as Mark, eroded by his experiences in Kurdistan, retreat into a state of decline. Elena grows fearful as Mark, despite hospitalizations and medical care, continues to deteriorate and out of desperation she calls her grandfather Joaquin, a psychiatrist who treated the victims of the Spanish Civil War (Elena is still angry that her own grandfather treated the perpetrators of the destruction that war caused). Joaquin slowly brings Mark into the acceptance of how his mind has triaged the events in Kurdistan and leads Mark to discover the truths about incidents in what war for which he has blamed himself. We finally understand David's disappearance at the moment when his and Diane's child is born.

This is a tough story to watch: subtitles would help the audience understand the many dialects used in the film. But the message is clear and the acting is superb by every member of the cast, even very small but cogent cameos by Reece Ritchie as a boy in Beirut and Dada Ashi as a Ugandan woman two of the early incidents Mark must remember and face in his work with Joaquin. The cinematography is dazzling, especially the use of flashbacks of a raging river so important in Mark's memory recall, and the constant focus on the blue and yellow tags that mark the triage decisions. This is another powerful anti-war film, this time as seen through the eyes of a non-combatant observer. It is important to see. Grady Harp, July 10

"Triage" was a real gem. I enjoyed it much more than "The Hurt Locker", although I was expecting the latter to be great and sadly it wasn't, and I was expecting the former to be mediocre and it was great. Maybe that has clouded my judgement ... but not by much. The story is in two parts. The first is dominated by Colin Farrell and takes place mostly in Kurdistan. Farrell plays a photo journalist (Mark) who goes from war to war filming and documenting the events with his friend (David) who is also a photojournalist. Only Farrell returns home and he is wounded. What has happened to his friend and why does Farrell keep having terrible nightmares? During this part we see why the movie is called "Triage".

The second part mostly in Dublin and is dominated by the legendary veteran actor, Christopher Lee. Lee plays a Spanish psychologist who has a 'shady' past and is (Elena) Farrell's wife's grandfather. They are not on good terms but Elena is desperate to save Farrell who is becoming more and more erratic and losing his mind.

Through Lee's help we see flashbacks as to what happened to David.

I found the story very moving. I am baffled as to why the movie was not given a general release. The acting is superb, especially by the two stars. Strangely, Lee's name is missing from the star credits listed by Amazon????

Highly recommended

C. G Wilson

Buy Triage (2009) Now

this story baised in Kurdistan while Colin and his friend there for doing photographing, i can say its the best of Colin farrel he did excellent job and i was happy about this movie that showed something about my people (kurdish) how they suffered for freedom and fighting Saddam dictator, ofcurse it was nice to see farrel in Kurdish clothing

Read Best Reviews of Triage (2009) Here

I would have given this film 5 stars if there were a bit more buoyancy in the script. Colin Farrell is brilliant as the lead character, Paz Vega is luminous as his wife, and the supporting cast does a great job. But the sparkling chemistry is between Farrell and the oh-so-accomplished Christopher Lee, who appears well into the film but is worth the wait. This is a graphic film and not easy to watch. Even so, although war is hell, it also is not exactly clinical depression. There seems to be a subtle lack of lift in the screenplay and direction. There are too few places where a smile and a sense of beauty break through. Even so, this is a dense drama that is well played, nicely filmed and worth watching more than once.

Want Triage (2009) Discount?

This is an excellent film abour war zone photo-journalism, and is Colin Farrell's best role to date. He is maturing as an actor; going deeper and deeper into character. The appearance of legendary actor, Christopher Lee, is also a plus. Highly recommend this for serious film buffs.

Save 43% Off

The Dark Crystal (1982)

This movie is Jim Henson's magnum opus. There isn't a fantasy movie out there that brings you to a whole different reality like The Dark Crystal does. The only movie that comes close is James Cameron's Avatar. Yes the movie is all performed entirely by puppets and yes there isn't a human being in site. That's the beauty of it. With a combination of an excellent story, innovative (for its time) animatronics, beautiful sets and cinematography you get a truly dazzling experience that any fantasy fan would be a fool not to miss.

The biggest aspect of Dark Crystal is the setting. They created a whole different world with its own animals, plants and terrain. The level of detail put into creating this new world is staggering and you get some good scenes to soak yourself up in it. From the rock caves of the Mystics to the jagged spires of the Skesis castle to Aughra's planetarium to every landscape in between. You will get drawn into this alien world. The beauty of the sets and location shots is only enhanced with some fantastic cinematography and conventional effects.

Since we are essentially talking about a puppet show brought to you as a feature film let's talk about the puppets. Granted they might seem a bit archaic by today's standards, they were nothing short of incredible back in 1982. To have puppets act and react in such an organic and lifelike fashion was never done on film before. This is the first movie where you get that sort of eye and mouth movements we have come so used to with current animatronics. Famed artist Brian Froud created all of the creatures and characters for Dark Crystal and if you're a fan of his work you will definitely see it. When you look at the majesty of the Mystics you forget they are just people covered in foam latex.

Of course having a truly creative setting and truly creative characters would not be enough to make a great movie. Lord knows fantasy fans have seen plenty of examples that prove that point. However this movie has a story that is as classic as any fable you have read before. By the time you finish this movie if will feel like you just read a grand fairy tale... only about wondrous and fantastic creatures never seen before. It's not deep storytelling. Then again it shouldn't be considering the mythical theme.

The soundtrack for this film is a perfect fit for the movie. The main themes are grand, dynamic and best of all memorable with a full orchestra giving the music vibrant life. Other pieces of the film work with what I can best describe as old western European instrumentation and themes, and again they work wonderfully. I can think of about a half dozen songs from the movie right now that would stick in my head in a good way if I let it. The music is that memorable. Okay... I do remember one song in the least useful scene (Skeksis banquet) in the movie that didn't impress me. But to be honest the music was fitting the scene, and the scene didn't impress me either.

The original release of this DVD had a host of wonderful extras that made it feel like the only DVD you would ever need. Then came the 25th Anniversary Edition, which gave an impressive upgrade to the visuals (I mean night and day difference) via a digital remaster, Dolby Digital Surround sound, a new commentary and some additional features. On a small note they took out the Spanish stereo track the original DVD had and included a surround track in Japanese.

Now we have the Blu-Ray. Even if you bought any of the previous releases (and all of them were worthy purchases at the time) you definitely want to make that double/triple dip. And I thought the Anniversary Edition was an amazing improvement. The details really, really stand out on the Blu-Ray. I see little details as plain as day that I never noticed before. It even gives new life to the aging puppets by bringing out even the subtlest of details. The sound is very much improved with Dolby TruHD in English, French and Portugese. A Dolby Digital surround Spanish track is finally included. Looks like they corrected the absence of the Spanish track on the Anniversary Edition, and then some. But then they take out the Japanese audio track. What's going on here? There are a few new extras on the Blu-Ray, but nothing that compares to the previous features. Here is a run down:

COMMENTARY BY BRIAN FROUD Brian is the conceptual designer for the movie and essentially created the world for Jim Henson. He goes on about design techniques and how he came about the characters and inspirations for his work in The Dark Crystal.

WORLD OF THE DARK CRYSTAL The most amazing "making of" documentary one can ever ask for. It details over an hour of footage regarding conceptual design, character creation, production, cinematography, the philosophy behind the creation of this movie and the world it is based on, and more. This documentary was made while the Dark Crystal was released so you get interviews with the man himself, Jim Henson, at the time of the movie along with scores of others involved in the movie. Most "making of" documentaries that come out with movies these days are little more than lip service to help promote the movie. I wish they would follow the model done on THIS documentary.

REFLECTIONS OF THE DARK CRYSTAL Two-part featurette (Shard of Illusion [16 minutes] and Light on the Path of Creation [20 minutes]) with more recent interviews from writers, directors, and performers including co-writer David O'Dell, conceptual designer Brian Froud, and Jim Henson's son Brian. These featurettes also include newly discovered test footage from Jim Henson's home in England.

PICTURE-IN-PICTURE STORYBOARD TRACK This is probably the best Blu-Ray exclusive feature in the set. As the titles describes you get a sizable window showing pre-production storyboards and conceptual drawings, each with descriptions of what you are seeing.

THE BOOK OF THRA: THE DARK CRYSTAL COLLECTOR Hmm... is it a game? You click a button on the remote every time you see an icon appear. Not much of a game. Is it an in-movie encyclopedia? When you collect the entries in this Blu-Ray exclusive you get notes on various characters, places, and creatures in the film. Mostly the names and duties of the Skeksis and Urru (mystics). It's neat, but it would have been less cumbersome if they just made a data file type page instead of something you have to watch the movie to see. The details are sparse, and if you want to really get into this universe you're better off getting The World of the Dark Crystal. Or better yet Wikipedia.

ORIGINAL SKEKSIS LANGUAGE: Test Scenes The original concept of The Dark Crystal was to have many of the creatures speak their own language, which we would get subtitles for, in order to further put in that different world. I think that would have been a cool way to see the movie and with this footage you get an idea of Jim Henson's original concept. Keep in mind this is not fully produced footage and it's not the same as seeing the end product. Namely the character Augra is being dubbed with Frank Oz's Miss Piggy-esque voice over and of course there is no music or post-production. Still it's interesting to get a taste of what the movie could have been like.

DELETED FUNERAL SCENES Just a deleted scene of the Skeksis funeral. You're really not missing much taking it out if you ask me. The funeral itself is boring. The scene has some footwate with Jen talking to one of the Mystics about his quest, which was nice. No remastering on the scene of course. It's pretty grainy.

SKEKTEK'S CRYSTAL CHALLENGE Also a Blu-Ray Exclusive. It's a trivia game played throughout the movie. A question pops up and you have to answer or get some of your essence drained. Not as annoying as the Book of Thra feature, but I still don't see why they don't just put this separate from the film.

Every time I have reviewed a Dark Crystal disk I have been impressed. It seems they just keep getting better and better. The first one had the movie with a good array of language tracks and extra features that still top all that has been offered since. The second one ups the ante with an amazing digital remastering. Now the Blu-Ray gives and absolutely jaw dropping visual and audio presentation that even dwarfs the visual clarity of the second release; especially for a movie that was made back in 1982. If you have a Blu-Ray player and like The Dark Crystal you owe it to yourself to get this.

I will admit that some people might be put off of this movie due to the lack of human actors in front of you and the fact the puppet animatronics might feel dated (although I feel less so with the Blu-Ray presentation). It's a shame people would feel that way because The Dark Crystal is fantasy storytelling at its finest. If you are a fan of the genre this movie is an absolute must. If you're a Muppet fan... well these aren't Muppets so don't expect Fraggle Rock when you see it. Any fan of grand storytelling who wants to be whisked away to a strange faraway land will find what they are looking for in The Dark Crystal. Do yourself a favor and check this movie out.

I'm a huge fan of The Dark Crystal (it and Labyrinth are my favourite movies of all time ever) so I was of course thrilled when a special collector's edition was released. However, I'm disappointed in the "features".

Pretty much everything on the disc is the same as what's on the non-collector's edition. The few new things to me aren't worth it. Character Illustrations and storyboards are nice and all. I was excited about "The Mithra Treatment", which I thought was the original print of the movie...where the characters speak their own language and not English (you see some of this in the deleted scenes on the disc). It is not. It is simply screens and screens of Henson's original notes. Interesting yes... but I'd rather have that in a booklet, not in screens on my TV. Then again, the fact that it was only 1 disc should have tipped me off.

The packaging is nice, the replica of Henson's notepad detailing the original ideas which would become the movie is very interesting... but in my opinion, not worth the $35 or whatever I just shelled out for this.

I'm very disappointed in the amount of "exclusives" on this DVD. The original print of the film would have been *amazing* to see, to see how Henson and Co. originally viewed the film. Maybe some new interviews with some of the other players (Oz and Froud for sure) as they look back on the movie, its box office disappointment but almost cult success. Or even a nifty booklet with a lot of these extras in it. I hate sitting in front of my TV trying to read screens of information or look at drawings which I'd rather have on paper so I can see the detail better.

So to make a long story short... if you like the movie, get the regular edition and not collector's. If you're a fanatic like me, bought the re-issued World of the Dark Crystal book and even considered shelling out a few hundred for the original pressing... and somehow MISSED buying the first DVD release of this movie, well then this is probably for you. But if you already own the DVD that came out a few years ago... I'd think very heavily on it, unless you are a fanatic. Even as a fanatic, you probably won't find any new material here (especially if you own the aforementioned book), and I'd save the $35. Or try to recoup some of your "loss" and sell your other DVD somewhere (like I'm going to try and do). I hope that if Henson and Co. decide to do a Collector's Edition of Labyrinth they put a little more work into it. I have to say, I'm disappointed with how the kids have carried on Jim's legend.

Buy The Dark Crystal (1982) Now

I didn't buy this dvd to criticize it or take it apart. I bought it to own it and enjoy it---like most people. This is my absolute favorite movie. I looked forward to seeing all of the new features being released about this movie. The special features were incredible---the work prints, the clips, the trailers, character profiles,the deleted scenes----all of that was pretty magical to me. The problem that I had was with the overall quality of the movie itself. The sound was not top notch, and the movie was entirely too dark----NOT the content(I love this movie!)I'm talking about the color of the characters, backgrounds, etc...it seemed to have been re-issued in a darker finish. The biggest disappointment, was that the original soundtrack was not on the dvd as stated---there was an option to choose it, called "isolated music score", but when you choose it, you just get sent back to the beginning of the dvd menu. The other problem that really messed-up the whole movie----certain colors were changed. For instance: the color of the crystal became purple instead of that murky wine color. Next, when the crystal was healed, after the rock and crust fall from the walls, the brilliant white crystalline walls of the castle are no longer white---the dvd shows these walls in brown---they seemed faded; not how they were portrayed in the original. Next, when the Urskeks ascend to their higher realm, they meld together and are swept into this beautiful funnel of white energy and carried through the triangular portal over the crystal.In the dvd, however, someone changed the white color of the energy into GREEN; a serious contrast---it was so obvious. That was terrible. Lastly, the sound dips and waves in two places----immediately after Kira is brought back to life by the Urskek...right after her head moves. And the sound also fluctuates at the exact point where the Urskeks disappear through the triangle portal...right when the end music hits its climax. The reason why I know so many of the flaws is because I have the laserdisk that was put out a couple of years ago, and I played them both at the same time---mirrored---I flipped back and forth just to see if my assumptions were right.. There were major differences. The quality was just not there for it being a re-issue. By all means---if you like this movie, then buy the dvd---it's great to have and watch. Just understand that the money that you are paying for this is strictly for the special features and not for the movie itself. I never criticize things just to criticize. I don't believe in nit-picking every little detail. This is simply not the Dark Crystal that I have grown to know and enjoy. I firmly believe that if you're going to take the time to bring back something so popular and special to so many people, why do it halfway? Do it right, and make it big.

Read Best Reviews of The Dark Crystal (1982) Here

Long have I loved The Dark Crystal, and when I got the DVD as a gift (my first DVD!), frankly, I was apprehensive. I hadn't seen the movie in years, until this past summer, when I rented the videotape and was appalled by the quality: the murky picture, the incomprehensible composition of many scenes, and the slow pacing. Would the DVD simply present digitally-clear proof of all these complaints?

Nope! This is a feast for the eyes, a creative masterpiece.

Okay, first off, I'll say that the pacing *is* slow, and that's the biggest flaw in this film. My only other issue, brought to light by the sharp DVD picture, is that the hero puppets, the Gelflings, are relatively unexpressive -their facial features change very little. Perhaps that was the limited state of the art for a humanlike puppet in the early 1980s. It's ironic, because every other creature in this fantasy world (excepting the beasts of burden: Landstriders, Garthim) is delightfully expressive, from the simple Pod People to the wonderful conniving Skeksis Chamberlain. But then, I've read the same about Star Wars, even: Heroes tend to be plain and undetailed because we are meant to project our own traits upon them. Still, I'd have appreciated even a basic facial expression, a simple smile or frown, but the Gelflings don't have it.

But don't get me wrong: Those are minor complaints. I love this movie. I almost gave up on it after the atrocious VHS rental experience, but the DVD restored my faith and then some. If the pacing is slow, it is a boon in disguise, because it allows you more time to absorb the visual detail. And The Dark Crystal is loaded with detail; this is a complete fantasy world, inspired by Brian Froud (of the book "Fairies") and constructed by Jim Henson's shop. The widescreen frame is necessary (it's the only aspect ratio included) -after seeing this DVD, I can't imagine watching the movie in TV pan 'n' scan format. Every shot is a dreamlike panorama. And the color is truly vibrant.

The sound, as well, is excellent, and the isolated music soundtrack option provides for an even more mysterious and compelling experience. The bonus material is sometimes weak (e.g., overdesigned character-photo screens with terse descriptions), but the saving grace is the documentary piece. It's an extensive look at the conception and making of the movie, and it features the most footage of Jim Henson I've ever seen in one place. The Dark Crystal was in many ways the crown jewel of Henson's achievements, and it's fitting that he gets the chance to talk so much about it. Plenty of interviews with other production people, too, including Frank Oz. (At one point, Henson and Oz are seen discussing a storyboard, and if you close your eyes, it's eerie -you could swear it's Ernie and Bert.) Truly a treat for Henson fans. For the many who waited decades for a definitive collector's release of The Dark Crystal, it's a dream come true.

Note: I wouldn't recommend this film for young children. I'd say it's best for later grade-schoolers, especially fantasy-oriented ones (I can imagine a revival among the Harry Potter crowd). But don't assume that because it's from Henson it's another Sesame Street preschooler romp: The Dark Crystal has some frightening scenes, elements of macabre horror, and even murder. I'm saving this one until my kids are older -and then, boy, am I going to love watching it with them.

Want The Dark Crystal (1982) Discount?

Those who haven't seen The Dark Crystal have been missing out on what may be the greatest live-action fantasy film of all time (or at least the '80s). A completely alien world is presented as vivid, believable reality via the deceptively "simple" technique of puppeteering. The result is very unlike a Muppet film as some might expect, much more like something truly out of this world; it is a storybook brought to life. The tale is simple and enjoyable enough for children, but deep and layered enough for adults as well.

Fans of the movie should own this DVD not just for the exceptional crispness of the picture and the virtues of the ultra-widescreen format (2.35:1) but for the bonus materials. In particular the documentary explaining the production process gave me a whole new appreciation for the difficulty of making this film, and the incredible artistry and talent that was poured into it. The complexity of getting everything to work just right seems to have given the piece a strong sense of unity; the creature effects don't fight the plot nor do the characters fail to convey emotion in ways ordinary actors might. Because the technical challenges of working entirely with puppets have been somewhat scrapped in favor of CGI over the last decade, I think we're unlikely ever to see another movie like it--more's the pity.

If you liked the movie on VHS, buy the DVD. If you just like fantasy and would like to see a worthy film in the genre, buy the DVD. If you're a fan of the late Jim Henson's work and want to see something different from his other stuff, buy this DVD. This one is worth every penny.

Save 45% Off

The Ugly Truth (2009)

"The Ugly Truth" represents something I never thought I'd see: A romantic comedy that both women and men will appreciate. Granted, it probably won't be for the same reasons. Women will like it because underneath it all, it's a fairly typical romantic comedy, the story of Girl Hates Boy, Boy Hates Girl, Boy and Girl Fall in Love Anyway. Men will like it because one of the main characters expresses much of what they think and feel on a daily basis. Everyone will like it because the story is engaging and the characters are not mere cardboard caricatures. You can actually invest in them, and you're able to care about what's going on. What could easily have been a routine date night movie is instead a surprisingly good movie that need not wait until date night. It's also genuinely funny--a bit raunchy, yes, but funny just the same.

Much of the film's success is due to the wonderful onscreen chemistry between Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler. They continuously make us laugh, yet the comedy is not so broad that you can't believe them in their roles. They make a point of interacting with one another, not as comic relief but as real people. Heigl plays Abby Richter, the romantically challenged, neurotic, controlling producer of a failing Sacramento morning talk show. Butler plays Mike Chadaway, the chauvinistic host of a public access relationship program called "The Ugly Truth." He's unapologetically tell-it-like-it-is in matters of men and women. There's no such thing, he claims, as a sensitive, nurturing man who wants to connect at an emotional level. Men just want sex, plain and simple. And they only want it with attractive women.

Abby, who thinks Mike's rhetoric is appalling, is horrified when she learns that he has been hired to her station in an effort to boost ratings. They clash at every turn ... until he learns that she's interested in dating her next door neighbor--an orthopedic surgeon named Colin (Eric Winter) who just happens to be incredibly handsome. Sensing she's doing everything wrong to initiate a relationship, Mike offers to help Abby by having her test his relationships theories on Colin. She reluctantly agrees, and sure enough, Mike's methods work wonders. She dresses more provocatively. She learns to stop being critical and avoid discussing her personal problems. She learns to be the embodiment of both the saint and the sinner, or as Mike puts it, "The librarian and the stripper."

And that's when things start to get more complex. Abby is succeeding with Colin, but only at the expense of not being herself. On the other hand, could anyone love her as herself? She is, after all, known for bringing background checks and printed topics of conversation to blind dates. As for Mike, he has very definite reasons for believing that loving relationships are a sham. They're gradually revealed not only through carefully structured scenes, but also through Butler, who shows he can find the right balance between smug and sensitive. We see that Mike is the closest thing his young nephew has for a father, and even though he playfully gives the boy relationship advice, he's also quick to remind him that kids should never, ever watch his show.

Heigl also manages a balancing act with her performance, specifically between strength and vulnerability. Abby overachieves at work to compensate for a lack of a love life, which initially seems funny but steadily grows desperate. For reasons she doesn't care to admit to, she's falling in love with Mike, and he too is falling in love with her. But what about Colin? Is he with Abby only because of the façade Mike told her to put up? There's a scene between her and Colin late in the film that directly addresses this issue, and to my delight, it's handled in a way that avoids just about everything that would happen in the average romantic comedy. There are no shouting matches. There are no flying fists. There are no confrontations. There's only a quiet moment of realization that the truth is indeed ugly.

Scenes like these are wonderfully juxtaposed with moments of well written comedy. There are some very amusing moments between Cheryl Hines and John Michael Higgins as unhappily married news anchors who share the same desk and time slot. The film's single funniest scene takes place in a restaurant and involves Abby, an extremely stimulating pair of underwear, and a control device that ends up in the wrong hands.

I can say with complete honesty (and some embarrassment) that I wasn't expecting such a strong film. I certainly wasn't expecting a strong film belonging to this particular genre. What floors me is that two of the three writers of this film are Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith. There are the same two that brought us "The House Bunny," one of the worst films of 2008. They certainly got it right this time around. "The Ugly Truth" is one of the best romantic comedies I've seen in a long time, a delightful and absorbing tale about the fronts people display. It's funny without lowering itself to the level of cheap gags, and this is in spite of the film's well-deserved R rating. Heigl and Butler convincingly pull off a romance, no small feat given the contrived nature of these kinds of films. At last, a date movie both the man and the woman can enjoy.

this is a very raunchy right to the point film which is extremely hilarious as long as you have a very open mind and are not at all prudish. gerry and katherine play off each other with great ease and are very comfortable in this very funny sex comedy about how men really think about sex and relationships according to mike,gerrys character, against kathys character, who is a very uptight conventional chick. the film is all about their inevitable clashes against their varied opinions on this topic and how they survive working together on a early morning chat show. i thoroughly recommend this film for an extremely comedic time for both men and women. it is not your usual chick flick and most people will be able to connect with this film and its morales, even though they might not want to admit it.

Buy The Ugly Truth (2009) Now

I really enjoyed this film. Saw it first as a rental and enjoyed it so much I had to buy it. Critics are being very unkind to it and it is ending up on many lists of the worst movies of the year. This really dumfounds me. Out of all the movies out there and all the trash that exists this movie is being picked out as a target. Don't listen to any of them. This sweet, fun comedy is a twist on your standard romantic comedy and is a laugh riot. When I started watching it I thought it was a little crass but I quickly got over that. I was thrilled. A comedy that didn't follow the traditional formula. I found the plot inventive and pretty realistic. Yes, our main character played by Katherine Heigl is beautiful, single and looking for love. But she is looking for Mr. Right and not seeing men for who they really are. She is obsessive, compulsive and definitely speaks her mind. Then we have Gerard Butler who plays a crude man's man with a local cable show who gets a spot on the morning show she produces. He thinks women are looking for fantasies, phony and don't get men at all. And guess what, he speaks his mind as well. The chemistry between Heigl and Butler is hot and steamy from the beginning. Even their true dislike of each other burns up the screen. The way their friendship develops is very believable as he helps her get a man and this film is definitely a twist as he teaches her how to change her ways and why. The sexes are reversed here and I found myself agreeing with a lot of it and laughing hysterically at most of it. The ending was a great pay off and as I said whatever flaws this film has, the chemistry with Heigl and Butler makes up for any of them.

Is this film an intellectual look at relationships that is going to change life as we know it? Is it a film that will change how films and comedies are done for the rest of time? Of course not. This is a highly enjoyable romantic comedy that is inventive over the generic norm and definitely worth your time. And the blu ray version is exsquisite. Colors are vibrant and the clarity is amazing. I love it when the enhancement of blu ray makes even a comedy film levels above its dvd counterpart. So I say look beyond the negative vibe this film is getting. It is very undeserved. Give yourself a treat, especially couples, and get this film.

Read Best Reviews of The Ugly Truth (2009) Here

Great comedy movie. Intended for mature audiences with the sexual nature of its humor. Katherine Heigl plays her dual role as a snobby career driven woman to the temptress.

Want The Ugly Truth (2009) Discount?

It's funny and pleasant to see with family or compagnon... Good actors... For all time...

Save 60% Off

Latter Days (2011)

This is a must see movie. A perfect mix of drama, romance, and comedy. The acting is brilliant and the chemistry between all the characters very believeable. Strong performances from the cast makes up for the brief moments that the plot falters. But over-all the script is excellent and boldly takes on the self-hatred and homophobia that religious teachings have been brainwashing people with for centuries.

Wes Ramsey (The Guiding Light) gives a wonderful performace as shallow party boy Christian who accepts a bet with his friends that he can seduce his new neighbor, closeted Mormon missionary Aaron Davis, wonderfully protrayed by Steve Sandvoss. Sparks soon fly and romance ensues between the sincere, naive Aaron and the carefree Christian. Aaron is both drawn to and disgusted by Christian, who he sees as shallow and vain. But the audience and Aaron soon learn that there is more to Christian than his party boy ways and one-night stands. Of course it all hits the fan when the budding romance of Aaron and Christian is discovered by Aaron's fellow Mormon missionaries. Aaron is sent home in shame to face his family and church while a serious misunderstanding leaves Chris devastated, his life forever changed by the encounter with Aaron.

Ramsey and Sandvoss have great chemistry and both do a wonderful job of bringing their roles to life on-screen, making Christian and Aaron complex and rich characters. Completing the cast is Jacqueline Bisset as Christian's motherly and compassionate boss Lila. Rebekah Jordan as Chris' roommate and best friend Julie, a would-be singer. Amber Benson (Buffy: The Vampire Slayer) as Chris' friend and co-worker Traci, a struggling actress. Scene-stealer Khary Payton gives a funny performance as the HIV+ Andrew, another pal of Christian's. Erik Palladino ("ER") appears as a man dying of AIDS who Chris befriends. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Ryder, one of Aaron's fellow missionaries. And Mary Kay Place gives a strong performance as Aaron's unforgiving religious mother.

I highly recommend this film and applaud the cast and writer, C. Jay Cox, for bringing this controversial movie to life.

LATTER DAYS is a classy little film that holds its own among the light love stories out today. And yet it is more: some unique phobias and prejudices are examined very genuinely and the result is a movie that gives us not only characters about whom we care but enlightens us as to both sides of an ongoing issue: homophobia.

Bright, crisp writing and directing by C. Jay Cox, LATTER DAYS presents a tale of a West Hollywood effervescent young man who plays the bar scene and one night stands joie de vivre to the hilt. Christian (Wes Ramsey) lives in a bungalow apartment setting with his roommate Traci (Amber Benson) who is a singer (and a fine one!). Into their rather wild life atmosphere enters a group of Mormon missionaries, out from Utah to spend their requisite two years converting the world to the Church of the Latter Day Saints. All but one are homophobic, redneck types, but one of them, Aaron (Steve Sandvoss), is a closet case gay man. Julie and Christian establish a bet about Christian's able to seduce Aaron and the games begin. The courtship is actually mutual and once the two have been together it is Aaron who feels the anguish and Christian who re-examines his motives and feelings. The rest of the story is tender, deals with many interpersonal issues not at all restricted to the gay world, and revealing the ending would be unfair to the complete enjoyment that this movie offers. Suffice it to say that the cast is excellent and includes wonderful roles as Jacqueline Bissett as owner of the bar/restaurant were Christian works, and Mary Kay Place as Aaron's died-in-the-wool Mormon mother. The pacing is brisk, the acting is top notch, the cinematography is first rate, and the music score is well integrated. But the overall reason to see this film (and see it again) is the sophisticated manner in which C. Jay Cox explores one set of religious issues in the complex pattern of same sex relationships. This is an intelligent, funny, tender, and inspiring movie. Recommended.

Buy Latter Days (2011) Now

The 2003 film "Latter Days" was written and directed by C. Jay Cox, who is better known for having written the screenplay for the 2002 film "Sweet Home Alabama". The fictional "Latter Days" is set in West Hollywood, California where a gay man named Christian Markelli (Wes Ramsey) lives in a small apartment complex with his female roommate, friend, coworker and aspiring singer Julie Taylor (Rebekah Johnson). Together they work at a posh restaurant on Sunset Blvd. named Lila's, which is owned by Lila Montagne (Jacqueline Bisset). One morning at their apartment, Christian and Julie discover that they have new neighbors in a nearby apartment in the same complex. To their surprise, their new neighbors are a group of four Mormon missionaries and Christian is very attracted to one of them. Due to strict Mormon missionary rules, the "elders" as they prefer to call themselves refrain from using their names; but after accidentally injuring himself outside, Christian learns the name of the one that he is attracted to after he comes to his aid: Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss). Telling their coworkers at Lila's about the new Mormon neighbors, the coworkers make a bet with Christian (who enjoys sleeping with many different guys) as to whether or not he can seduce one of the missionaries. However, the attraction that Christian feels towards Aaron grows into much deeper feelings. One afternoon while Christian and Aaron are alone in the missionaries' apartment, Christian and Aaron kiss. This blatant display of gay behavior is unfortunately discovered by the other three missionaries, which include Elder Paul Ryder (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who also played Tommy Solomon on the 1996-2001 TV series "3rd Rock from the Sun"). When Aaron is forced to return home prematurely to face excommunication from the Mormon Church, Christian runs after Aaron and has the opportunity meet him in Salt Lake City before changing planes to return to his home in Idaho; but Aaron's self-discovery has brought great shame upon his parents, Farron Davis (Jim Ortlieb) and Gladys Davis (Mary Kay Place). Christian dealing with Aaron's departure and Julie's subsequent success, as well as Aaron's traumatic experiences upon returning to Idaho is what makes "Latter Days" stand out as a truly wonderful film experience.

At only 97 minutes, "Latter Days" is a truly wonderful film that draws the audience into its very heart-warming and emotional story. Though some may regard the film as an attack upon the Mormon Church, the film demonstrates how difficult a journey it is for many as they travel down the path of self-discovery, often against personal beliefs, great personal anxiety, family disapprovals and popular societal expectations. Memorable scenes include Christian's accident, Aaron talking with Lila, Aaron & Christian being discovered, Christian & Aaron in Salt Lake City, Aaron at home, Aaron's treatments, Julie's song and the closing scenes. Overall, I rate the 2003 "Latter Days" with 4.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars. One interesting aspect on the DVD are the deleted scenes: on no other DVD have I seen the reasons given why particular scenes were not included as part of the theatrically released film.

Read Best Reviews of Latter Days (2011) Here

In my opinion, this is the best gay themed movie to date. As a former Mormon missionary myself, and a gay man, the movie in many ways described my own life. I too am from Idaho, and was excommunicated from the church.

I went through the Mormon church's program that claims to change gay men, called Crossroads (an extension of Evergreen). It took me to the age of 30 to be able to accept myself the way Aaron did in the movie. I doubt he would have been able to do it in a matter of months, as portrayed, but when a gay Mormon (or a gay person of any fundamentalist right wing religion) is able to throw off the shackles that the religion places him in, and then learns to accept what he is as a good thing, that is really a beautiful thing. The movie portrayed that wonderfully.

Some have criticized the movie because it didn't provide us the fate of the man with AIDS. He was not a central figure, and it has been left up to the audience to assume that Christian continued to visit him, as he would have since they became friends, or that he died. Either way, what happened to him is not important to the message of the movie.

The sex scenes were done tastefully, and beautifully. It made the movie real and legitimate in a way Philadelphia wasn't. Both the lead actors played their characters flawlessly. I hope this movie boosts both their careers.

I adored the Lila character too. Jacqueline Bisset played her with such class. I think every gay man would love to know a Lila...

At times I felt the way Aaron's missionary companion talked was not a fair impression of what the church leadership would approve of. They would not, for example, condone him using words like "fag," or "homo." At least not openly. But, I know from personal experience that there are many young LDS men who would use those terms themselves, and thus it wasn't a stretch for me to imagine a Mormon missionary, on his own, using that language.

I really appreciated how real the portrayal of the Elders (missionaries) was. And then I learned that the writer/director of the movie was a former Mormon missionary, and can see how that came to be. I do not believe, as some have suggested, that the movie was made with the desire to bash Mormonism. I think it was made to portray the story of those of us who have had the unfortunate experience of being born gay to the Mormon subculture. That it was made to hopefully reach any young gay Mormon today to give him or her hope. The attempted suicide rate of young gay Mormons is twice that of the national figure.

Mormonism teaches homosexuality is the 2nd most serious sin after Murder (a totally illogical position), and funds anti-gay initiatives all over the country. Portraying the conflict of a young gay Mormon man, and his eventual acceptance of himself, is not some underhanded or unfair way of portraying the Mormon church in regards to this issue. It was right on the money, and very fair. It is just the way it is. It is my experience with friends and relatives that anything short of glorifying Mormonism as the "one and only true church," is considered bashing it. Suggesting the prophet can be wrong in his teachings of homosexuality, or any other subject, is considered persecution.

To those who made the movie, and who did such a great job in the acting positions, my thanks for this story, which so closely mirrors my own.

Want Latter Days (2011) Discount?

I saw this movie on a Sunday; couldn't stop thinking about it Monday and Tuesday and finally HAD to go see it again on Wednesday. No, Latter Days will not be remembered as a classic film. But for many of us, this movie has provoked a bit of soul searching about gay identity and the prejudices and vile judgments gay people are still subjected to. More importantly, Latter Days affirms the profound joy and genuine love gay people can and do find with one another.

The storyline in short, a closeted LDS Missionary from Idaho, Aaron Davis, moves to LA where he ends up living next door to a hot swinging gay boy, Christian, who has all the depth of reality TV. Christian's interest is initially motivated by a bet he makes with his friends that he can bag this "missionary boy." Aaron and Christian are quickly attracted to one another and begin to struggle with their emotions, sexual needs and the painful limitations of their respective lifestyles.

Wes Ramsey, does a great job as the shallow but beautiful Christian. But it is Steve Vandross, as the LDS Mormon missionary with everything to lose and for that matter, a life to gain, who really makes this movie something special and memorable. I doubt that there is a gay or bi-man alive who can see this movie and not fall in love with Vandross' character, Aaron Davis. This is incredible acting for a first time screen appearance! Vandross is totally believable as a loving, spiritual person whose humanity is more life affirming than his religious mentors or the most sophisticated free-thinking idealists can appreciate.

The plot and its various twists sometimes come off as a bit far fetched and some of the direction and dialogue is weak. The bottom line though: if you are the kind of person who believes in romance and can allow yourself to get caught up in this film, it will leave you with a lump in your throat if not a tear on your cheek. If you are struggling with the challenges of being gay, it will remind you that you're OK and are as entitled to love and happiness as anyone in this world. And oh yes.... it will leave wanting to see more of Steve Vandross. Maybe it's time for me to see it a third time.

Save 31% Off

Trials of Life

A must see for any nature lover, great for kids to watch... I have watched it several times and the photography amazes me every time!

I was mesmerized when i saw this British documentary series on US television c. 1993, and viewing it 14 years later i was still awed.

Quite simply, this is the best nature series i've ever seen, and i've seen hundreds of them, since i fell in love with "wild kingdom" as a kid back in the early 1970s.

Better than the classic 1960s Disney nature films? Yes.

Better than the classic Jacques Cousteau specials? Yes.

Better than the classic National Geographic specials? Yes.

Better than the other Attenborough nature series, Life on Earth and Life in the Freezer? Yes.

Better than the 2006 Planet Earth series? Yes.

Better than anything ever done by the PBS Nature series or by Discovery Channel or Animal Planet? Yes.

Trials of Life is the best 600 minutes of Nature footage ever released to the public. All 12 episodes are great, not a clunker in the bunch.

If you like nature shows and have never seen this, buy the DVD immediately. You can actually get it cheaper from Amazon-UK.

The only way this could be improved is if they released it on Blu-Ray, but for now, DVD is the best option available.

Buy Trials of Life Now

This is the 3rd entry in the David Attenborough Life series following The Living Planet. The groundbreaking first series Life on Earth was based on evolution and started with bacteria making its way up to modern humans over the course of 13 episodes. The Living Planet was 12 episodes long and dealt mainly with adaptation over a wide range of environments that also incorporated more Earth science along with the life science in terms of geology and environments. The Trials of Life is all about animal behaviour.

While the first two in the life series are very similar The Trials of Life is a little different in that Attenborough has less screen time because animal behaviour needs to be captured discreetly. So most of it is one large narration however there are classic moments where Attenborough does appear. So be prepared for a little cutback in how often you see him engage wildlife.

This is also the harshest of the three and nature red in tooth and claw does emerge more often. For example this is the series with the classic footage of killer whales crashing onto beaches to capture seals and then taking them out to sea only to toss them into the air using their tails before eating them. We also have Chimpanzees hunting and killing monkeys with their bare hands. Sea lions take out their aggression on pups. So be prepared for it.

The 12 episodes are mainly about births, growth, finding food, hunting and evading, navigation, housing, communities, fighting, interactions, communication, courting and mating. It is a wonderful series and worth hunting down if you can find it even if it does sometimes redo some of what was in the first two series and not so much Attenborough, however The Trials of Life is worth it for the Killer Whale scenes alone.

As a note some of the animal behaviour covered in Richard Dawkins' books that where written before The Trials of Life are filmed in this series.

Read Best Reviews of Trials of Life Here

Attenborough is one of the great videographers of all time, and I have never seen anything by him that I didn't like. What sets this series apart is its central focus on animal behavior. Even after all this time, the illustration of key concepts in the study of animal behavior is generally spot on. Some of the videos such as the killer whales attacking seals on an Argentine beach or the birds of paradise courting are among the first of their kind, and thus have a place in history in terms of documenting behavior that had not been filmed previously, or not been filmed well. I wish it was available in the US format; however, these DVDs can be read by certain players (I use VLC media player) on your PC without monkeying with your DVD player's region settings. And, if you have a Roku or equivalent, they can be streamed from your PC to your TV. Be aware that the resolution of video is NOT high-def.

Want Trials of Life Discount?

I had this a long time ago and loved it so it was a replacement. David Attenborough is one of our families heroes. My daughter and I always loved this and she is now going to college to be a zoologist. I am sure James Herriot, Jack Hanna, the Krat Bro.s and Steve Irwin (God rest)and her Moms obsession had something to do with this as well but David, well he is a charmer!

This series has stuff that may now be old news but when it came out it was like WOW I can't believe animals are that smart. I can't wait to build on my collection.

Save 16% Off

Dolphin Tale (Movie-Only Edition + UltraViolet Digital Copy) (2011)

Just wanted to take a moment out to say a few words about this film. I do not go to movie theaters much due to their costs ever rising. I usually wait for dvd anymore. This one we actually did go see on the big screen. My 5 yr old wanted to see it. I took her and my mother to go see it and we ALL loved it. It will make you laugh, and cheer and even get teary eyed. It is not super depressing like some animal films. Instead it shows hope, courage, faith and perseverance and how people can come together and make things happen through trials. Great cast, cute movie. Best part is it is based on a true story. so cool. We will be buying this one when it comes out for sure!! I highly recommend this movie to anyone, kids or no kids..

My husband and I took our first-grader to watch this beautiful, uplifting movie this past weekend and had the most wonderful time. When the movie ended, the audience broke out in spontaneous applause, that's how much this movie affected all of us. Dolphin Tale is the story of overcoming the odds, of love between family and love among friends, and of courage and resilience.

Set in Clearwater, Florida and inspired by a true story (yes, there is a real Winter the Dolphin!), the story centers on a young boy Sawyer (Nathan Gamble in a finely nuanced performance) who is portrayed as being despondent at the beginning of the movie he is sad that his cousin,Kyle (Austin Stowell) a champion swimmer is going away to serve the country as a soldier. Kyle is Sawyer's role model and mentor, and the closest thing he has to a 'dad' figure given his own father left the family when he was very young. Sawyer's mom, Lorraine (Ashely Judd) tries her best to cope and provide for Sawyer, but she can't seem to bring Sawyer out of his doldrums. Sawyer is also very unhappy that he has to attend summer school, but something happens to change the way Sawyer views life.

One day, Sawyer comes across a stranded, injured dolphin and the amazing journey begins...soon enough, Sawyer is volunteering at the Clearwater Marine Rescue facility, headed by Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick, Jr.), and the young boy finally sees a reason to be enthusiastic about life. He befriends Clay's young daughter, Hazel (Cozi Zuehlsdorff) and forms a close bond with Winter the dolphin. Unfortunately, the marine facility is in financial trouble and faces the threat of being bought out by a developer. Added to this is the sad fact that Winter, having lost her tail, may eventually face paralysis. Morgan Freeman plays a doctor who designs prosthetics for injured war vets, and whose unwavering perseverance plays a prominent role in the movie.

There's something in this movie that captures the imagination and interest of both children and adults. The antics of the dolphin, and the children's interactions between themselves and the dolphin will keep young children entertained and older children engaged. The riveting storyline, and the tension and drama keep the adults engaged as well. This truly falls into the category of "family entertainment". We did not watch it in 3D, but loved the movie all the same. Another friend who did watch it in 3D enjoyed the extra effects, so we might go back and watch it again. I will certainly be purchasing the DVD when it is released and adding it to our home DVD library.

The messages in this movie are timely and evergreen of resilience, hope, love, overcoming the odds, and of course, conservation. You can learn more about the real Winter at seewinterdotcom.Enjoy!

Buy Dolphin Tale (Movie-Only Edition + UltraViolet Digital Copy) (2011) Now

Dolphin Tale is, first and foremost, a great family movie. What I mean by that is that everyone kids and adults alike can enjoy it and never feel either bored or like they're being talked down to. A lot of craftsmanship went into the making of this movie and it shows, mainly in how seamlessly it flows and how well everything fits together.

The movie centers around the true story of Winter, a young bottlenose dolphin found on a beach in coastal Florida whose tail was injured and ended up having to be amputated. The humans taking care of Winter ultimately had to create a prosthetic tail in order for her to survive, and in the process she became an inspiration to many, from children who were born missing a limb to veterans who had lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Dolphin Tale, the plot begins with Sawyer (Nathan Gamble), a young boy who's been withdrawn ever since his father left the family five years earlier and who's having to deal with his older cousin Kyle (Austin Stowell), who's been like a brother to him, leaving to do a tour in Afghanistan. Which leaves Sawyer even more lonely and withdrawn, until one day he happens to come across a dolphin stranded on the beach. The dolphin is injured, its tail caught in a crab trap which has washed up along with it. Sawyer cuts the dolphin free of the trap, animal rescue is called and the local aquarium comes and takes the dolphin away for treatment.

Curious, Sawyer later goes to the aquarium to check on the dolphin, sneaking into the Employees Only area where he runs into Hazel (Cozi Zuehlsdorff), the young daughter of the aquarium's resident vet, Dr. Haskett (Harry Connick, Jr). Hazel, who is as extroverted and chatty as Sawyer is withdrawn and shy, takes him out to the tank where the dolphin now named Winter is being treated. Winter, who had been lethargic and unresponsive, seems to perk up at the sound of Sawyer's voice, apparently recognizing him as the one who cut her free, and gradually Sawyer becomes part of the team of humans trying to save her. Which he does by playing hookey from summer school and spending his days at the aquarium, without telling his mother (Ashley Judd) who is furious when she gets a call from the school asking where Sawyer has been. But when she sees how much the experience is drawing her son out of himself for the first time and he's actually emotionally connecting with people once again, she decides to let him continue.

The damage to Winter's tail, however, is too severe and Dr. Haskett ends up having to amputate it, which makes them all wonder if Winter will be able to survive. In the meantime, Kyle has returned from Afghanistan after having been badly injured and is having to undergo physical therapy and learning to walk with a leg brace. While visiting Kyle at the VA hospital, Sawyer meets Dr. McCarthy (Morgan Freeman), who works with the veterans who need prosthetic limbs. Sawyer then draws Dr. McCarthy into the project of designing and building a prosthetic tail for Winter. And in the background, the aquarium is facing threats from budget problems which only worsen when a tropical storm wreaks havoc on the place.

There are admittedly in Dolphin Tale a number of Hollywood embellishments to Winter's story that frequently border on the formulaic, and at times the relentless optimism that permeates the film seems a bit much, but it is a mark of how well the film was written and directed that I never felt bothered by them. As director, Smith shows a deft hand at pacing and at balancing drama and humor so that you're always engaged in the film. He also seems to know exactly how to work with animals in this case the dolphin Winter (who played herself) and a comically territorial pelican named Rufus. Smith also has a fine eye for knowing just how to photograph animals to bring out their personalities, which may have come from his own experience working with wolves in the 1983 film Never Cry Wolf. The scenes between Sawyer and Winter, particularly the underwater ones, are beautifully crafted, and one genuinely experiences what it is to be in that special world where dolphin and human connect with each other.

Credit should also be given to the particularly fine performances by Nathan Gamble as Sawyer, Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Hazel, and Ashley Judd as Sawyer's mom, all of whom make their characters fresh and believable, which carry the emotional core of the movie without a hitch or a stumble. At 12, Gamble is already a veteran actor with appearances in films like Babel, The Mist, and The Dark Knight and numerous TV shows). The supporting cast is also excellent. Harry Connick, Jr is convincing as Dr. Haskett, the aquarium vet and Hazel's father, and you can see him noticing how Winter responds to Sawyer and recognizing that Sawyer seems to have a natural gift for working with animals... and then weighing whether he should involve a boy that young in something this serious. Kris Kristofferson does a nice low-key job as Haskett's father and Hazel's grandfather, offering calm advice and reassurance when it's needed. Austin Stowell is good as Kyle, Sawyer's cousin and a former champion swimmer who now has to deal with that part of his life effectively being over. And a number of familiar veteran character actors fill in various roles Frances Sternhagen as Gloria, the administrator having to deal with the aquarium's financial problems, Richard Libertini as the fisherman who finds Winter along with Sawyer, and Ray McKinnon as Sawyer's harried summer school teacher.

On a side note, I saw the 3D version of the movie, and I can actually say that, unlike most 3D films, Dolphin Tale actually made some nicely effective use of the 3D technology, particularly when the shots that take place underwater and in the part of the film where they're working on the design of Winter's prosthetic tail and the blueprints take shape, showing how they're supposed to fit and function. And again in a throwaway but nonetheless fun scene involving Sawyer's remote-controlled model helicopter buzzing out of control around and through the aquarium.

Highly recommended as a good, solid all-round enjoyable family film.

Read Best Reviews of Dolphin Tale (Movie-Only Edition + UltraViolet Digital Copy) (2011) Here

First... let me say I thought the movie was a 4 1/2 star movie. My complaints are with this Combo set. This was my first combo DVD/Blu Ray/Digital where it is an ultraviolet digital copy. I must admit that I didn't fully understand the whole "ULTRAVIOLET" thing when I purchased it, so I must admit I made some poor assumptions. All of the past purchases (with the exception of one Sony which would only play if I had a PlayStation) have come with a digital copy I could download to my computer and place on my kid's iPods. But this one... BUYER BEWARE... it only allows you to stream the video through Flixter. This doesn't help when you're in the car and don't have an internet connection. I need a digital copy my kids can watch on their iPods while we are traveling in the car. So, this combo pack is a complete waste of time. I would have done better to purchase the DVD and burn my own digital copy to the iPods. I will know better next time. Also, you have to sign up for a Flixter account and select several required boxes which I did not agree with. So, this whole marketing scheme they have going is awful! I will never buy another combo that comes with the ultraviolet digital copy.

Want Dolphin Tale (Movie-Only Edition + UltraViolet Digital Copy) (2011) Discount?

Would you like the children you care about to see an entertaining, warm-hearted movie where decent, everyday people solve real problems using compassion, hard work, patience, thoughtful observation and ingenuity? If so, "Dolphin Tale" is for you.

In this "inspired by a true story" film, a baby dolphin is injured when she is entangled in crab pot lines. She washes up on a beach in Florida where Sawyer, the lonely son of a single mother, sees her. The Clearwater Marine Hospital picks her up. Hazel, the daughter of the hospital chief of staff, names the dolphin "Winter." Winter recovers but her tail must be amputated. She learns to swim by wiggling side-to-side, but if she continues to do that indefinitely, it will damage her spine and kill her. The movie concerns efforts to design a prosthetic tail that Winter will wear by Sawyer, Hazel, the marine hospital staff and a prosthetic specialist doctor Sawyer meets at the VA hospital when visiting his war-wounded cousin. The Marine Hospital is also struggling financially and trying to raise enough money so it can avoid being bought by a wealthy developer who intends to tear it down and build a resort. The lonely Sawyer finds a friend in Hazel and something to be passionate about in the effort to save Winter.

Here's what "Dolphin Tale" is missing:

1. Dazzling special effects

2. Bodily function jokes

3. Swearing

4. Anything remotely sexually suggestive (I expected the filmmakers to turn up the heat between Hazel's widowed father and Sawyer's abandoned mother, but they don't)

5. Magic

6. Super powers

7. Car, spacecraft or other vehicle chases

8. Battles

9. Explosions

10. Violence

11. Diva acting

Here's what "Dolphin Tale" has:

1. A story that engages even kids who usually demand slam-bang action, slapstick, magic and/or super heroes (like mine);

2. An appealing cast;

3. Situations that feel like something resembling reality: single parents doing their best to bring up their kids; young adults joining the military to get money for education and coming back from the Middle East with bodies and dreams maimed; nonprofits struggling to stay open in a bad economy

4. Positive images of people from a variety of backgrounds and abilities and disabilities

5. Positive values: family, community, perseverance, creativity, generosity, ethical behavior

6. An adorable dolphin you can't help but love; and

7. Considering the subject matter, a remarkably favorable balance of charm to treacle.

Adults will see through some of the more heavy-handed plot devices, but that's OK. There's so much in this movie that kids don't see enough of, it's worth it. Well done.