The East [HD]

4 1/2 stars for another fine film with rising star Brit Marling
I first caught actress and screenwriter Brit Marling in a movie called "Another Earth" from a couple years ago. Shortly thereafter she shows up in "Sound of My Voice." In both cases she plays quiet, thoughtful young women with complicated personalities. "The East" is her best role and her best film. She plays an FBI-trained agent who is working for a private security firm headed by Sharon (Patricia Clarkson), a no BS CEO.

Sarah/Jane is given the task of infiltrating an eco-terrorist group known as The East. This is a big step up in Sarah's career and she relishes the assignment. She's very good at her job and manages to get inside the secret group, which is headed by Benji (Alexander Skarsgard) an heir to a fortune, but ultimately disillusioned by corporate greed. Ellen Page plays Izzy and like Benji, she seeks payback for corporate atrocities is necessary even if lives are at stake.

While this sounds pretty cut and dry, Sarah using the alias Jane, begins...

Please Listen.
I'm not a movie critic, so I don't know the technical operations of filming and I can guess that most people watching movies don't either. Therefore, this is simply based on my experience of seeing The East. I love a movie that can open a hole into my mind and inflict the question of how I am living my life- leaving me with a sting of the truth and the mixed feelings of someone who is on the brink of acting to correct those choices and someone who is unsure about leaving behind the comfort of what is familiar. Though the consistent opinions of this film not having a lot of action is true; it in no way lacks the reality that life does not happen in a constant motion, but draws in inconsistent flourishes- enhancing, for me, the ability to grow with the plot, as well as allowing me time to think about the overall picture. I got attached to the characters, felt their emotions, and could sympathize with their motives. Sure, it sucks when you have to buy a movie you aren't sure about, but I...

Well worth watching
This was a nice surprise because we never saw previews. It had romance, feeling, suspense and action. the actors were phenomenal! I highly recommend it.

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Scared Shrekless

Halloween Horror Parodies Served Up Ogre Style--A Brief Cartoon Delight, Not A Full Feature
I guess when it comes to holiday programming, you could say that I'm fairly old fashioned. The classics that I grew up with when there weren't as many television options became yearly traditions--by familiarity, if not always quality. Today, with hundreds of stations to select from, kids can be more choosy. And yet, I'm still rarely blown away by the options presented. When Dreamworks, therefore, adopted two of its film franchises into new Halloween spectaculars--I was a bit skeptical. The original "Shrek" was one of my all time beloved movies although the series was beginning to show wear, while "Monsters vs Aliens" may have had its moments but it wasn't a particular favorite of mine. I was, therefore, pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed these two brief specials. "Scared Shrekless" and "Monsters vs Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space" can be purchased individually, but certainly qualify as a better deal in a combination pack if you want both. Note: These aired as 30...

Perfect Halloween Special!
I read previous reviews and was concerned about Eddie Murphy not being the voice of Donkey. I got the DVD anyway and prepared myself for the worst. But I couldn't even tell the difference! The casting director was smart and hired a guy who does spot-on impressions. That said, I think Eddie Murphy is a much better singer, but this guy still sounded like Donkey.

Also, I can see how the movie would be scary for some little kids, especially the last story, but my 4yr old handled it fine.

I absolutely loved the Thriller number.

Good but scary.
My boys are long-time Shrek fans. They own and love every movie. So when we saw this one on a Target shelf, we had to get! They watched it in the car on the way home, and complained that it was kind of scary. I watched it with them a couple of days later, and I can see why they thought it was scary. It is well made and entertaining enough, but beware, it is a bit scary for young kids.

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The League: Season Four

Crossing Lines
After two episodes I'm sold on this 4th season. Same huge jerks being punished for their awfulness. Same sensibility. All new lines that I did not expect to see crossed.

If you're new, this is a meaner Seinfeld. If you've seen the show before... it's more of the same. I consider that a plus.

The League is awesome!
I don't even watch football or enjoy fantasy football but the show is perfection...Jenny, Kevin, Ralphi, Ruxin (just about my favorite character), Andre, Taco (Jon LaJoie- love your music!), and Pete make this show worth paying for!

great as always
i was a reluctant to like this show but it's funny even if your not that into sports. Sometimes gross but funny!

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Revolution: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]

Best New Show of the 2012-13 Season
My wife and I totally enjoyed this show. I'm just waiting until the electrical grids in the whole world are shut down. I hope what happens after that occurs in NOT like what happens on this show. But it wouldn't surprise me if it did happen just like this to something close to it.
I think the writers have done a fantastic job of keeping the continuing story lines interesting and the action is very exciting and well done. The characters are intriguing and the acting is sufficient and some better than others, but all in all I think it all works well together. I hope it has enough fan base to keep going for a few more seasons.

Amazing storyline! Excellent cast! Blu-ray set has perfect video and audio! A+++
This show is so much better than you can anticipate it being. It has everything you want and need in a hit tv show. The cast gel perfectly together and the scenery is absolutely stunning. The blu-ray set looks and sounds amazing on tv. For the price and entertainment, it's a must own set!

Ignore the naysayers!
This show is amazing! It has good continuing storylines, cool characters, and awesome fight scenes that make the show a lot better than a lot of what is playing on tv these days. If you are interested in what the world would be like if there was no power check out this show!

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Stranger Within [HD]

A little generic but still worth checking out. Has some creepy elements but still feels made-for-TV. I say B-
"I'm just glad that your here and you're willing to help me." After living through a nightmare, Hollywood star Emily Moore (Warren) and her husband Robert (Baldwin) decide to take a trip to clear her mind and recharge. On their first night a woman in hysterics shows up talking about a terrible accident and the two decide to help her. Little by little she begins to wonder what the girl really wants from them. My expectations for this were not that high mainly because of the cast. I will admit that the movie isn't bad but it is basically a made-for-TV movie with nudity. This is a perfect example of why I try not to watch trailers for movies before I watch the movie. If I went off the trailer I would expect an exciting tense thriller. While this was tense in some parts it was a little slow. The "twist" is something that you can see coming but it was still a good idea for the movie. A lot of times the ending can make or break a movie. This is the rare time where the ending left me...

Waste
This movie is the worst ever made bad acting bad script bad
Bad everything.....AVOID at all cost bad bad bad...

I KNOW ABOUT SOPHIE
Emily (Estella Warren) is an actress who is married to Robert (William Baldwin), a psychologist. Emily has issues, especially having to deal with the fact her friend Sophie (Katia Winter) killed herself. Emily is later kidnapped and tortured by an unknown assailant. Her husband takes her away to an island as a get away, only to have Sarah (Sarah Butler) show up, a woman who just lost her boyfriend at a nearby cliff accident.

This is a film where you suspect the twist is coming. The actors were less than convincing in their roles in an improbable plot that felt phoney. The film is fairly boring, even during the 'exciting" parts.

Parental Guide: F-bomb, sex, rape, nudity (Sarah Butler)

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Sinbad: Season One

An Adventure Series With Plenty Of Potential: A Sometimes Uneven Tone Is Offset By An Impressive Array Of Guest Stars
I approached this new British interpretation of the Sinbad legend with a fair amount of trepidation. I had heard the show described to both extremes, both as brilliant and as horrendous. So in truth, I probably didn't expect very much from the viewing. I thought I'd try an episode, but then bow out if it was too cheesy or silly. Instead, however, I've been pleasantly surprised. As is the way with most TV programs (even the best shows have their haters and the worst shows have their supporters), "Sinbad" is neither absolutely terrific or totally abysmal. Although far from perfect, it is a program with a great deal of potential. Somewhat uneven in tone from episode to episode, the narrative has a solid premise and the effects are better than you might anticipate. Perhaps closest in feel to this "Sinbad" is the recent anachronistic updating of "Robin Hood" from the BBC. Part comedy, part adventure, the individual episodes can range from gripping to amusing to slightly painful. But...

Worth the wait
I came across this series while visiting Montreal last year on Canada's version of the Syfy channel (goes by another name but similar content).
It is an exciting, beautifully filmed production with a talented multi-ethnic cast of both older and newer faces. If you watch British TV productions you'll recognize the more established actors like the ever charismatic Orla Brady from "Mistresses", and be delighted by handsome Elliot Knight in the title role and gorgeous Estellla Daniels as Nala.
It's a very contemporary re-visioning with the same charms of the classic Sinbad movies- exotic locales, mystery, magic and monsters. The costumes are quite beautiful as well. It's all around a visual and entertaining treat!

An Adventure Series With Plenty Of Potential: A Sometimes Uneven Tone Is Offset By An Impressive Array Of Guest Stars
I approached this new British interpretation of the Sinbad legend with a fair amount of trepidation. I had heard the show described to both extremes, both as brilliant and as horrendous. So in truth, I probably didn't expect very much from the viewing. I thought I'd try an episode, but then bow out if it was too cheesy or silly. Instead, however, I've been pleasantly surprised. As is the way with most TV programs (even the best shows have their haters and the worst shows have their supporters), "Sinbad" is neither absolutely terrific or totally abysmal. Although far from perfect, it is a program with a great deal of potential. Somewhat uneven in tone from episode to episode, the narrative has a solid premise and the effects are better than you might anticipate. Perhaps closest in feel to this "Sinbad" is the recent anachronistic updating of "Robin Hood" from the BBC. Part comedy, part adventure, the individual episodes can range from gripping to amusing to slightly painful...

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Regular Show - Fright Pack 4

Good dvd as usual
I'm a fan of the regular show series and I have to say this was one of the best dvds they've released.

Scared Regular
The fourth volume of "Regular Show" has lurked its way onto a new DVD volume. Yeah, it's a single-disc random assortment, but this one is special. This volume has the two half-hour "Terror Tales from the Park" Halloween specials as seen on the Cartoon Network plus the following other episodes that each have a terrifying theme:

"Grave Sights" - Rigby and Mordecai organize a fundraiser involving a 3-D horror flick. However, the plucky pair has also let loose a horde of zombies !
"Ello Gov'nor" - Rigby is becomes absolutely paranoid after watching an old horror movie involving a scary taxi driver.
"Skunked" - The two find a skunk they think is dead, but springs to life right in front of them ! And it sprays Rigby turning the little raccoon into a hideous were-skunk !
"Meat Your Maker" - Our duo is left in charge of the park's annual barbecue, but they accidentally ruin the hot dogs. Now they must look for more in the meat locker they accidentally get locked...

Frightfully Funny!
This was my family's first time watching the cartoon series Regular Show. Rigby the Hyperactive raccoon and Mordecai a six-foot tall blue jay, are grounds keepers at a park and find their jobs incredibly dull. They'll often make up games like roadkill bingo to make it fun or avoid their work altogether. Since this is a Halloween themed collection, there are many scary stories shared like the one about a possessed ventriloquist doll that desires to draw on it's owner's face. My kids were more entertained than scared so I didn't have to worry about them getting nightmares or anything. My kids now walk around jinxing themselves, fortunately without actually punching each other when they speak. Like many cartoons there is violence and since this is a fright pack, references to zombies and the undead are plentiful. When it comes to language there is one instance of "friggin" and one of the characters says "What the H!" without completing the word. Overall my family enjoyed this 176...

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MAX

Hitler - The Early Years
****1/2 Countless films have dealt with Adolph Hitler the monster, the madman, the unprecedented mass murderer. But very few have attempted to go beyond this image, to conceive of Hitler in less than larger-than-life terms and to try to figure out what it was exactly that made this most infamous of modern dictators "tick."

This is certainly understandable, for how is one to "explain" an Adolph Hitler? How is one to reconcile the man who was responsible for the deaths of millions with a flesh-and-blood person who lived and breathed like the rest of us? The answers to these questions have eluded sociologists, psychologists and artists for decades now and it is the rare person who even attempts to provide us with some possible explanations. It is for this reason that writer/director Menno Meyjes deserves extraordinary praise for bringing "Max" to the screen. Is it possible for a single film - especially one that runs a mere 108 minutes - to successfully address this bewilderingly...

The frustrated artist Hitler looks for his "authentic voice"
A standard question concerning ethics asks if you could go back in a time machine and have the chance to kill Adolf Hitler as a baby, would you do it? Another "what if?" concerning Hitler has to do with his attempts to be an artist. Hitler's artwork is rather cold and uninspiring, but it seems reasonable to speculate that if he had been a better artist he would not have turned to politics and the 20th century would have been completely different.

Writer-director Menno Meyjes explores this idea in the 2002 film "Max," in which Adolf Hitler (Noah Taylor) is still living in military barracks in Munich as Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles and is trying to make a name as an artist. He shows his work to Max Rothman (John Cusack), a Jewish art dealer who lost an arm in the World War and who is consumed by the idea of the subversiveness of modern art. Hitler disparages such ideas, considering them "blood poisoning." Rothman and Hitler argue about...

Limitless unrealized potential, but still decent.
Max (Menno Meyjes, 2002)

Menno Meyjes (Empire of the Sun, Ricochet) steps behind the camera for the first time to direct his own controversial script. Like most controversial scripts, this one got built up a lot more than it should have by people who probably haven't even seen the blasted thing.

The story centers on Max Rothman (John Cusack), a wealthy Jewish art dealer not long after the end of World War I, before the massive German depression kicks in. He is a staunch modernist, but modern art isn't selling too well in a Germany that just got its head handed to it on a platter, and Rothman is looking for a new angle. He meets a young, promising artist by the name of Adolf Hitler (Noah Taylor, from Almost Famous). Rothman and Hitler develop a testy friendship of opposites, with Rothman's libertinism and Hitler's asceticism grating against one another mercilessly, but the two men have a grudging respect for one another, and Rothmann has a genuine desire to help Hitler's career...

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Protektor

Great movie if you understand the situation in Czechoslovakia in the late 1930's.
To truly understand this movie it is nearly essential that you know something about Czechoslovakia in the years 1938 through the Second World War. In 1938, Czechoslovakia was an independent country and facing down the growing might of Nazi Germany. With strong border fortifications and a promise of assistance from the Soviet Union, it seemed likely that the Czechs would be able to hold off the Germans. Furthermore, if France were to attack in the west with any resolve, Germany may have been defeated.
However, the Munich accords that were reached in late September of 1938 changed everything in Czechoslovakia. Britain and France sacrificed Czech integrity by forcing the country to give up the Sudentenland to Germany. Britain and France also extracted a promise from Hitler that he would leave the remainder of the country alone. In order to collect some of the spoils, Poland and Hungary grabbed sections of Czech territory; their turn to be the spoils would come later. Once there...

Stylish WWII noir drama
Stylish film about a Jewish actress who must go into hiding in Nazi occupied Prague in the 30s and her husband, a radio journalist, who gains prominence as a spokesman for the occupiers. Their fortunes, prominence and notoriety reverse; she bridles at her confinement and obscurity, he thrives in the limelight. And then ...

A tense noir drama.

Stupid people doing stupid things under Nazi Occupation
Marek Najbrt's Protektor is one of the stupidest movies I have seen in a long time.

It is the story of Hana Vrbata, a self-centered Jewish movie starlet, and her husband, Emil Vrbata, a journalist who works as a radio announcer in Prague.

The Nazis occupy Czechslovakia just as shooting is wrapping up on a film Hana is starring in. On older actor who is Jewish understands how dire the situation is and leaves before the Nazis take over.

He warns Hana and gives her documents for her and her husband to escape to Switzerland.

In the first act of monumental stupidity she burns them up. The second act of monumental stupidity occurs when someone, presemubly the older Jewish actor, sends documents to allow Hana and Emil to flee the country, and Emil burns them up.

It all goes downhill from there moving from stupidity to stupidity.

The film has won awards and has been praised for its stylishness etc.

What bunk. If you...

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Bomb Girls

Fantastic Show
It truly is a shame that after two seasons Global television decided to scrap this one and leave the fans with a television movie (airing 2014). For the first time we have a female cast that addresses gender issues, homosexuality, PTSD, pregnancy and abortion, and a plethora of things one experiences in a lifetime without being censored. No, this show is not afraid to go there and they tread not carefully, nor in a way that will leave you disappointed. Bomb Girls is a gem and does not exploit women. It gives us an insight into what it was like for women of various sexualities, races, and class differences, from many different job perspectives. Please watch this show! You will not be disappointed.

Bomb Girls Rocks!
I love the 40s so I was really excited to watch the series. It was a lot more believable than I'd thought it would be. The girls are fun and I love their different personalities. It was interesting to learn what life was like for women during the war.My only complaint is that the series was cancelled. :(

Mixing Duty With Drama: The Ladies Do It All In This Soapy Period Piece From Canada
The period piece "Bomb Girls" basically presents itself as an upscale soap opera that revolves around a munitions plant in Canada. Making bombs for the front lines of WWII, the factory is staffed primarily by women. As most young men are overseas, the show is presented largely (if not entirely) from the female perspective. The drama assembles a handful of leading characters to highlight how women from all walks of life pulled together to be a vital part of the war effort. As you might expect, messages of patriotism, duty, sisterhood and empowerment abound in this well executed series. But make no mistake, this isn't particularly high brow stuff. It succeeds with soapy excess which includes illicit affairs, cunning rivalries, and plenty of personal scandal. While well-meaning, the program plots are laden with every possible cliche that you would expect from a romantic period drama. But in this case, I'm not sure that it matters. Due to the historical component, the show feels different...

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Abduction

Below Sub Par
Horribly written and/or horrible execution...take your pick. The scenes were to cut up and fragmented and the whole movie seemed rushed. The acting was emotionless and forced from every actor in this film. I believe a robot could have shown better emotions. The only part that was convincing was the drunk party at the neighbors house.

Then they tried to make it look like Nathan (Taylor Lautner) was crying. A high school production team could have done better on his fake tear effects (and probably the whole film for that matter.) Heck you could have easily edited in the effects with any entry level video editing program and it would have looked better.

According to Wikipedia the budget was $35million. I honestly don't know what they spent the money on because you could have rented all the cars in this movie, bought some cheap pyrotechnics, editing software, tickets to the game and train ticket, hell even bought the cameras and other tech... still not even get close...

Enjoyably entertaining
I chose this to be entertained on a night when there wasn't anything good on TV. This fit the bill. I don't care what others say, I enjoyed it!

Painfully bad...
I'm not sure why, but up until I saw this movie I had the idea that Taylor Lautner was a fairly good actor. Umm, not so much. His skill set consists mainly of looking good and sulking/pouting. Sadly enough, his was one of the better performances here -- and it stunk. Lily Collins, the female lead, was even worse.

Speaking of Ms. Collins, she and Lautner had absolutely zilch for chemistry. The kissing/panting/hugging scenes were cringe-worthy, they were so bad. The relationships between the other actors and actresses were only slightly more believable. And I do mean slightly. The story was excessively slow and boring. Oh, and, did I mention that the one black kid in the picture is also a criminal who forges ID cards?

So, what, exactly happens in this yawn fest? (spoilers ahead -- do yourself a favor, and read this and skip the film) A kid is raised by "foster" parent/agents, after his mother is murdered and while his CIA father continues his work as a CIA agent...

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The Theatre Bizarre [Blu-ray]

The best horror anthology since Trick 'r Treat
What the hell happened to American horror? Remember when mainstream horror films actually offered either originality or creativity in the way victims died? Now we're practically spoon fed the same formula over and over and it doesn't help that more than half of the horror films getting the green light or being released in theaters are a remake of a film you love. The 70s, 80s, 90s, and even early 00s in some cases were a fantastic time for horror that seem to have gone the way of the dodo bird. The horror genre is no stranger to the anthology formula, but there's something about The Theatre Bizarre that manages to capture the atmosphere of certain horror films you know and love.

Tales From the Crypt, Dead of Night, Creepshow, Trick 'r Treat, and Tales From the Darkside: The Movie are a few films The Theatre Bizarre will either remind you of and/or it pays homage to. To bridge the story together, a woman is drawn to the worn down looking theater next door. Once inside, she's...

Five Stars Worth Of Weirdness...
THE THEATRE BIZARRE is a refreshingly blunt gutting, dismembering, and reassembling of the horror anthology film. No pussy-footing around here! From the Lovecraft-inspired doom-magik of MOTHER OF TOADS, to the gluttonous, cannibalistic overload of SWEETS, this movie is filled to the puking-point w/ a scheming witch (TOADS), a truly obsessive / psychotic relationship ("I LOVE YOU'), a series of emasculation nightmares (WET DREAMS), a meditation on the nature of death (THE ACCIDENT), a unique, life-stealing, vampire / addict (VISION STAINS), and the ultimate break-up story / ode to BLOOD FEAST (SWEETS). The wrap-around story (THEATRE GUIGNOL) holds these gooshy tales together like a slippery demon on her clutch of rancid eggs. Highly recommended for the non-squeamish and open-minded...

Looking for a film with witches, murder, Lovecraftian vaginas, eyeball injections, the Necromonicon, and naked toad monsters?
Looking for a film that witches, murder, Lovecraftian vaginas, eyeball injections, the Necromonicon, and naked toad monsters? Well, depending my interpretation of what I saw in the melee of short films here you may be in for all that and more...all be it in small doses. These short films vary substantially in film, acting, gore, direction and writing quality. We get to taste a lot of stories and ideas and, if we don't like one of the shorts after ten minutes, just wait ten more minutes for the next one to start. If you like anthologies then don't miss this.

A macabre-marionetted Udo Kier (Mother of Tears, Iron Sky) introduces the six unrelated stories of this anthology. I have provided an brief overview of each short film along with some opinions.

The Mother of Toads--directed by Richard Stanley (Hardware, The Profane Exhibit)
Vacationing in France, an American couple encounter an old lady (Catriona MacCall; The Beyond, City of the Living Dead) selling...

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Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys

only a reprint
A little while ago I paid $20 dollars for a used copy of this DVD. It's an awful movie but you have to have it if you're crazy enough to watch all the Puppet Master movies. The DVD I got looked identical to this, and this new release doesn't seem to have any more features than mine. This movie is not good, I think that there should at least be some new features, anything. Just reprinting a bad movie on a DVD with no extras seems pointless. Nevertheless I give this 3 stars because I know there are people like me who will want this to complete their collection and the version I purchased is becoming increasingly expensive.





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Idle Hands [Blu-ray]

Great For Halloween Laughs
First of all, this movie is not to be taken seriously. I saw some bad reviews and it is like some people tried too hard to get it. There is really nothing to get. It is just a good horror/comedy perfect for watching with some friends on Halloween. It is funny, gory, sexy and at many points in the film it is down right stupid but that is exactly what it is meant to be. The movie is meant to be just a Halloween laugh and I guarantee you will enjoy it if you just don't expect much to begin with. Try it....the price is right.

Dumber and Dumbest, but funny.
I fully agree with the Amazon reviewer's opinion that the movie is just an excuse to string together silly gags and gross-out gore. I'm not sure that makes it a horrible film. Hey, Dead Alive and Evil Dead, classics of the genre, are built from the same formula. They do it smarter and funnier, but Idle Hands is not without its charms.

You've got the Seth Green factor (I'd watch Spiceworld II: The wrath of Ginger if he was in it), the Dexter from Offspring getting slaughtered factor, the giant-fan-as-teen-blender factor, the Vivica Fox as martial arts demon hunting babe factor, the scantily clad Jessica Alba factor.

In other words, you've got your funny, you've got your bloody, and you've got your sexy, all in one cheesy package. If the ending wasn't so horrifically bad, I'd give this one five stars (Some DVDs have the original ending, which I haven't seen). It ain't Citizen Kane, but you know that already. If you're a fan of the genre -- B comedy-horror flicks --...

Totally out of character for me
For a straightedge, hardworking high school student, this is an odd movie to be considered my favorite. But I absolutely love it. I bring it to people's houses and parties all the time b/c it's a great movie that a whole bunch of people can watch and automatically like. Bringing a scary movie to a party is always bad b/c you get the people that are scared to death when someone so much as says, "Boo," and you get the people that always fold their arms, roll their eyes, and say, "That was supposed to be scary? This movie's so dumb." Comedies aren't always a hit at parties either, b/c you get people who don't understand the jokes and people who think it cramps their style to laugh at something that really is funny. Idle Hands is gory, violent, and hilarious. It's creepy w/o trying to scare the daylights out of you and falling short. It's so incredibly "out there" and weird that you can't help but laugh. Basically it's one of those movies that you...

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The Office: Season Nine [Blu-ray]

Office devotee
I love the show. I can't be respected as an objective reviewer. I have watched every episode. It has been a great escape the day to hubub....I will say this: One of the greatest aspects of this show has been that it has remained as politics-free as can be. In a world where even the cartoons are shoving politics into any open orofice; this show has been such a gift

The Heart and Soul of the Series
The final season of the Office stands as an example of a show that reached beyond a form of entertainment and became a lasting legacy that transformed American television, for the better, and in the most heartfelt way.

The entire series began well, became amazing, and then somewhere began to stumble, only to catch itself to keep from hitting the ground, ending upright, tall, and with much to be proud of. Few shows will ever hook us the way the Office characters did thanks to the outstanding performances of the best and most devoted ensemble of actors a television show could ever hope for.

The final show speaks for the entire series, and it leaves us with warmth, dignity, and a great deal of heart. Much thanks is due the cast and crew at `The Office' for redeeming the show's original integrity and soul, and for presenting its viewers with a remarkable and unforgettable journey.

Throughout the final season we are saying `goodby' to a show that...

Setting An End Date Pulled Show Up From Rock Bottom
Despite being a loyal fan of "The Office" for many years, the show hit such a rock bottom after the horrific eighth season that I actually considered dropping out entirely. Luckily, the show producers (and NBC) must have realized the same thing, as the decision to label this the "Final Season" did wonders in terms of all-around quality.

There are three main reasons why this final season made "The Office" watchable again (minor spoilers)...

1. The departure of Andy Bernard for the first portion of the season. The show had pretty much completely wrecked that character during that eighth season, so (despite all that the "Nard Dog" had brought to the show in previous seasons) his absence was needed just to get away from his terrible character for awhile.

2. With Andy out of the picture, the focus shifted again to where it should have been all along...the incredible ensemble cast. Whereas the eighth season focused WAAAAYYY too much on guest stars and...

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The Eagle (Unrated)

Senatus populesque Romanus!
Back in the early second century, the Ninth Legion disappeared from history. The current going theory is that they were wiped out in combat in the Eastern Provinces, but there's also a theory that they were destroyed fighting the Picts in what is now called Scotland. That's the jumping-off point for The Eagle, a rather lightweight sword and sandals film staring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell.

Tatum plays Marcus Flavius Aquila, son of the commander of the Ninth Legion. He's gone into the army himself and worked hard to get sent to Britannia, where he hopes to not only recover his father's honor, but also that of the Legion and to recover it's beloved standard; a gold eagle. The Roman legions fetishized their eagles (or "aquila", a word suspiciously similiar to the last name of our hero), to an impressive degree. Better in many ways to lose every man in your legion than to lose your standard.

Anyhow, young Marcus gets to Britannia, takes command of a legion,...

For honor and the eagle
Around the year 100, the Roman Legio IX Hispana supposedly went missing somewhere in Britain. Nobody really knows what happened to them.

But that hasn't stopped writers and moviemakers from speculating about what did happen. "The Eagle" is a solid adaptation of Rosemary Sutcliff's novel "The Eagle of the Ninth" -- a gritty, mud-slicked quest movie set in a time when Rome still ruled the world. Channing Tatum is a little wooden, but he's more than made up for by Jamie Bell's subtle performance.

Centurion Marcus Flavius Aquila (Tatum) is the son of the Ninth Legion's commander, and is determined to regain his family honor. But after he's horribly wounded in battle, he finds himself honorably discharged and facing a life of boredom... until he hears rumors that the Ninth Legion's golden eagle has been seen north of Hadrian's Wall. If he can get the eagle, his family's honor will be restored.

The problem is, no Roman has gone past the wall and lived to...

The Eagle- For the Fangirls
Loosely based on Rosemary Sutcliff's novel The Eagle of the Ninth (The Roman Britain Trilogy), with its sweeping cinematography and the hauntingly atmospheric score by Atli Orvarsson, this movie set in Britain 140 AD starts as a slice-of-life military drama and quickly twists off into epic adventure. Though billed as some sort of soldier/daddy-worship epic, with nary a woman in sight, this movie unravels into an amazing bromance that seems more like a love story between two young men from different walks of life than anything else.

Marcus(Channing Tatum) is forced out of his career as a soldier by battle wounds received while defending his first command post in distant Britain. The son of an infamous Roman commander who marched 5000 men into northern Britain and subsequently vanished, Marcus's dream of winning back his family's honor through soldierly deeds is summarily crushed by his discharge from...

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Spartacus: War of the Damned - The Complete Third Season

The final season, and possibly the best
(Updated 4/12/13, 9/4/13)

The Spartacus saga on Starz has given us some of the most powerful and dramatic television of the past decade, and this final season may just be the best of the lot. Spartacus: War of the Damned picks up maybe a year after the stunning finale of Spartacus: Vengeance. Having taken his revenge against the Roman patricians that enslaved him and killed his wife and friends, Spartacus leads what is now an army of liberated slaves in all-out war against the Republic. He struggles with both the cunning Imperator leading the Romans against him and the growing tensions within his own army, mowing down legions and cities while gathering strength for what may become an epic battle for Rome itself.

With this conclusion of the Spartacus series, Stephen DeKnight and company have achieved something quite rare in television, or anywhere else for that matter: an epic story simultaneously offering compelling plot, characters, action and drama, while...

Wonderful Tribute to Spartacus and human freedom
Along with the Walking Dead, this was my favorite series. As much as I loved Andy Whitfield (God bless him and his family), I must say Liam McIntyre was equally outstanding and perhaps even more. It is a bit like comparing your favorite James Bond -- Sean Connery or Roger Moore. All are outstanding and render their own interpretations. I am a PhD in European Military History and approve of this series in the way that they rendered history. We all could have small quibbles about this and that, that the Romans always threw pila (special spears) before closing, that Onamaeus was really a Gaul, not a black man...but what a character he was anyway. The cause of liberty should embrace all human kind and the scriptwriters were courageous and inclusive in making this point. Crixus and Gannicus did exist, the former as a Gaul and the latter as a Celt. Since nothing more is known about them, the scriptwriters were open to their interpretations. Of the three primary accounts about Spartacus, two...

I Am SPARTACUS!
First, for those that may not have ever seen Spartacus on Starz and are looking to get into the series via DVD or Instant Video based on its popularity, Spartacus: War of the Damned is season 3 of the show but technically the fourth season. After the excellent 2010 5-star season premier under the title Spartacus: Blood and Sand, Andy Whitfield who played the lead role of Spartacus tragically died of cancer. Whitfield embodied Spartacus; he was a believable, imposing, rough, tough character that made viewers feel like they were watching the real guy from circa 70 BC. His untimely illness left the studio scrambling to decide how to or if the series would continue. Ultimately the studio decided to produce a prequel that ideally would give Whitfield time to recover after treatment, but sadly Whitfield relapsed and passed shortly after production of the prequel.

The prequel was called Gods of the Arena and it was excellent. But there was something missing from Gods that made...

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Empire State (2013) [HD]

WHERE'S THE MONEY?
Chris Potamitis (Liam Hemsworth) is a young man living in NYC in the late 70's. He manages to get a job as a security guard which involves large amounts of money, little security, and over whelming temptation. He lives in a neighborhood of Greeks, along with his loud mouth, foul mouth friend Eddie (Michael Angarano). He is the classic idiot side kick who messes everything up.

Eddie has big dreams for the money that Chris guards and desires to be a big shot, even though no one can stand him. Dwayne Johnson plays the investigating officer and comes in about half way through. His name as well as Emma Roberts are over billed for their roles. The film is based on an actual robbery, and like real crime, it is more akin to "dumb crook news" than a master criminal.

The film makes for an entertaining action drama.

Parental Guidance: Plenty of F-bombs. No sex or nudity.

It was ok
It was ok I just love Dwayne Johnson but it was a good movie just didn't like how it all ended

What can you do with so little to go?
Saw this movie and in my opinion just wait untill it come out on cable. Not terrible, is like watching an old movie on TBS or AMC, I think the acting was good, no big action sequences because none really happen and is base on real events of a big rovery heist.

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Slave Sisters

hentai with a point
This hentai is actually very gripping. I was surprised when I watched it that it has a sad, but compelling story. Two sisters are sold into slavery and forced to become sex slaves. The older sister tries to keep the younger one from experiencing it, and in doing so, goes insane. The movie is about how the older and younger sisters deal with their situation. I would recommend this movie to anyone into riskee movies.

Every Story Has a Point
Slave sisters is more than your average Henati if story is your main concern. The whole movie is centered around the tragic story of two sisters whos lives have changed in a way that they would have never imagined. Their parents pass away in an accident and they are left to pay for their parents mistakes. They are told that they must become sex slaves or they will be killed. Faced with little choice they are thrown into sex slave training which is aimed to make them desirable to whom ever thay are sold to. However, in the midst of the training the girls discover that their bodies are not the only things that are effected. Their minds are also at risk. It is a sad story that makes you realize that your mind can be easily destroyed under the right conditions. I definatly think this is a must see!

Its ok
This was a weird show, i hope it would be a lot better than the actual thing i just watched. animation was prehistoric but overall ok.

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Best of Hullabaloo: 2

Best Of Hullabaloo: 2
For fans of the 1965-1966 Hullabaloo show, MPI is bringing more great performances to dvd in a Best Of Hullabaloo series consisting of 4 separate dvd's available September 10th, 2013. In 2000 to 2002, MPI produced Hullabaloo Vols. 1-4, Hullabaloo Vols. 5-8 and Hullabaloo Vols. 9-12. In these older Volume sets, MPI included some of the Hullabaloo shows on dvd, all in their entirety. The film quality was not the greatest, but seeing the entire shows were fabulous! These Volume Sets from 2000-2002 are now priced out of most people's price range, so being able to purchase these new Best Of Hullabaloo 4 different sets may be a nice alternative.

I truly wish MPI would have made more of the Volume Sets, which include the Hullabaloo Shows in their entirety, instead of these 4 Best Of sets, but I'm happy with any of the old Hullabaloo performances, so I'll take what I can get. I heard the film quality is just like the older Volume Sets- not the greatest, but MPI is including 16-17...

Hullabaloo Fans Will Enjoy!
Collection 2 of The Best of Hullabaloo is composed almost totally from the George Hamilton hosted April 27th '65 show, with 4 four clips from the April 13th and March 30th episodes added at the end. Included in this episode is the always fun, and sometimes bizarre Top Pop Medley, an enjoyable feature in many Hullabaloo episodes, where the guests would sing the popular hits of the day. Also included, which is a real bonus, is a nowadays interview with former Hullabaloo star dancer Donna McKechnie, with some fabulous memories and insights into the show. Well worth watching.

There might be some dissappointment from buyers who presume Hullabaloo was a rock Top 40 show. It never was. It was an attempt to showcase many artists of diverse styles, from rock and roll to pop, from marching bands to easy listening crooners. It was an interesting, original series, but perhaps this led to its cancellation. By trying to please everyone, perhaps it pleased few.

This DVD is...

"Will These Companies Ever Wise Up......?"
Yes, I know, royalties, rights, blah, blah, blah. If a product contains what people want, they will pay the price. Here's a short list of what they could've added (I know a few of these are on these new volumes and the older releases, but the musicians performed multiple songs and some were on multiple episodes, so there's a wealth of unreleased material out there)......

The Cyrkle
The Yardbirds
Gerry & The Pacemakers
The Hollies
The Bobby Fuller Four
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
The Vogues
The Byrds
Paul Revere & The Raiders
Gary Lewis & The Playboys
The Mamas & The Papas
The Moody Blues
The Marvelettes
The Turtles
The Lovin' Spoonful
Sonny & Cher
The Strangeloves
The Searchers
Marvin Gaye
The Young Rascals
Sir Douglas Quintet
Chuck Berry
The Four Seasons
Freddie & The Dreamers
The Kinks
The Band Of Angels
The Shangri-Las
The...

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The Fly [Blu-ray]

Two great sci-fi films and terrible sequals? heck yeah!
I simpley love both these movies, and this "double take" is the way to own them. this is because every other copy of the original i can find is bundled with the it's awful sequal, "Return of the Fly". the fact that this set lets me own not only the sequal free original, but the exelent remake as well make this easily the best purchase that anyone who does not already own these sci-fi masterpeices can get.

'help me...help me'
The best laid plans of mice and men, not to mention flies.

This is first rate science fiction, but of a heart-wrenching variety.

This story is a bit in the spirit of Jack London tales, where some spirited individual gets crushed (in this case, literally), by going out too far on his own.

In this case the spirited individual is a family man who happens to be a scientific genius, developing in his basement the first matter teleportation device. It works, but he fails to realize that the wilderness he confronts in it is not as user friendly as his wife and kid. It confuses him with a fly (which was in the disintegrator with him but escaping his notice). In other words he escapes nature's notice, which didn't bother to distinguish him from the fly, treating him with even more indifference than he treated the fly...

Interestingly, the 1986 remake was not a remake at all, but a spinoff. This spinoff being the opposite story, really: There,...

Science Gone Awry Creates Horror on VHS
This film is a good example of the classic science fiction theme of the 1950s. Man through his science takes experimentation of his environment one step too far. Nature is harmony. Man's attempts to disrupt that harmony leads to destruction and horror to himself and his loved ones. This is a well intentioned, poignantly directed and produced film. The horror resulting from Al (David) Hedison's experiments gone awry are devastating and disturbingly represented in the film's images. Once seen, the viewer can never forget them. This is a powerful film even to this day. This VHS copy in pan & scan is very good. The colors are rich and the Stereo Sound is excellent. Highly recommended!

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Wish You Were Here

A Slow Build Character Drama From Australia, Not A Pulse Pounding Thriller As Billed
Note: Despite the enormous face of Theresa Palmer (a rising star after Warm Bodies) on the DVD cover, she plays a supporting role. The real female lead is Felicity Price and she's terrific. I guess she won't sell as many DVDs!

The sparse Australian film "Wish You Were Here" is a small movie that might easily be oversold. If you look at the accolades that it received in its native land, you'd think you were witnessing a truly monumental experience. At the Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, this picked up Best Actor (Joel Edgerton), Best Supporting Actor (Anthony Starr), Best Film and Best Screenplay along with a slew of other nominations including both leading ladies Felicity Price (who co-wrote the screenplay with her husband and the film's director Keiran Darcy-Smith) and Theresa Palmer. The Australian Film Institute chimed in with wins for Screenplay and Supporting Actor. I don't mention these awards to encourage you to watch the film because it's the "best thing...

a major winner at sundance and deservedly so
this is an australian film that was a big hit at the sundance film festival and deservedly so. a husband and wife, her sister and the sister's boyfriend take a trip together to cambodia. they are in their thirties. the couple have two children back home and a third on the way. the pregnant wife can't hold up for long and goes to bed early. this is the kickoff for the other three to get into trouble. one of them goes missing.

for the rest of the film we see the three remaining characters trying to sort out their lives in Sydney. intercut with that action are flashbacks to cambodia so we can discover what happened,

one thing i think this captures extremely well is the supposed safety bubble tourists travel in where they believe because they are tourists in that country, they are somewhat protected. thus, they walk freely about, drinking, mingling And not really watching what is going on. this is a really bad idea. and the consequences if it may haunt one...

wish I was elsewhere
I first must explain that I am a Sydney resident and know the locations of this film well. As far as the acting and photography goes the film does quite well. As far as the plot and storyline goes it's all downhill. We are meant to believe that first of all this couple; she an AMES teacher and he, a boat builder can afford to live in a million dollar house overlooking star studded Tamarama beach (yes ... I know ... it is only semi-renovated). One presumes they are in their early to mid thirties and have two children whom they leave behind to go on a backpacking holiday through Cambodia. Whilst at a full, half whatever moon party on the beach (normally the realm of 20 somethings straight from College) they take ecstacy with dramatic consequences. She, by the way is around 4 to 5 months pregnant.
The film could have been (like most Australian films) edited down to about 50 minutes. If you leave out the domestic histrionics, around 40 minutes. The fast forward button can be used...

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Mama's Family: The Complete Second Season

For Those Who Can't Afford The Complete Series
It has taken over seven years but FINALLY we fans are getting what we've been pining for since 2006 when Warner Bros. released the first 13-episode season of MAMA on DVD. Unfortunately, many fans (rightfully) cried foul when it was revealed that syndicated cuts of those shows were all we'd be getting. And so, without the complete episodes on-hand for release (rumour has it there were legal entanglement issues about ownership with the Joe Hamilton estate regarding those full-length episodes), the series was abandoned.

SUMMER 2013: Star-Vista Entertainment (formerly Time-Life) has acquired all six seasons of MAMA on the heels of their successful CAROL BURNETT SHOW releases and have already been taking pre-orders for several months now for MAMA'S FAMILY: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION. Die-hard fans of this hilarious old-fashioned '80s comedy classic couldn't click that pre-order button fast enough--even with the extravagant $200 price tag. But for those on a budget, here it is, the...

Mama's Back With A 22 Episode Second Season: Burnett's Swan Song And The "Eunice" TV Movie Bonus
Beginning in 1983, NBC brought the popular "The Family" sketches from The Carol Burnett Show to life with this raucous sitcom based on those unforgettable characters. In most cases, the sketch format never quite succeeds when extended beyond a few minutes (witness the slate of failed SNL movies), but there was something inherently relatable about the tacky and confrontational Harper clan that struck a chord with America. We could laugh at the over-the-top spectacle while still seeing the heart and truth underneath their wild shenanigans. The show lasted an impressive six seasons, and has lived on in perpetuity in syndication. Earlier efforts to bring Mama to the DVD market were met with enormous hostility by stalwart fans. The shows were in tatters thanks to the endless cycle of syndication which chopped both the witty introductions and major portions of the program from existence. Star Vista (in conjunction with Time Life) has sought to remedy this injustice with a recent Complete...

Gets better with each season!
Season 2 special features:
-The original TV movie Eunice.
-Featurette: Mama's Family Tree: The Roots (all about Mama and Fran)
-Interviews: Vicki Lawrence interviews Mama; Vicki Lawrence and Carol Burnett; Bette White.

Mama's Family is one of those shows that never gets stale. You can watch the episodes over and over and it always manages to entertain. It's a timeless show that has a cartoonish appeal by way of the costumes and production design. The characters are animated and at times exaggerated yet still grounded in truth and the dysfunction is there that people will relate to. Although Raytown is a fantasyland with names like, Ray Mart, McRay's, Ray Lanes, etc. it is reminiscent of middle America. Here we have a group of seasoned professionals, Vicki Lawrence, Betty White, Ken Berry, Dorothy Lyman, Rue McClanahan and Carol Burnett. All these people have a natural gift for being funny. You don't see much of that anymore. This show is just as funny as it...

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Star Trek I: The Motion Picture

22 years in the making, and worth the wait!!!
Star Trek: The Motion Picture was, until now, a classic example of a film which suffered from a rushed post-production. It is well known in ST fandom how the film that was originally hired to do the effects for this movie bascially fell flat on their collective face, leaving Robert Wise and Co. with only a few months to start from scratch on their effects, and a release date that was carved in stone. They went to superhuman effort in order to get everything done by the deadline, and they barely made it. The final effects sequences actually had to be physically spliced into hundreds of copies of the film, right before their delivery to theaters! The fact that the effects were as good as they were is truly miraculous. This is the most cinematic of all the ST movies to date, although The Wrath of Khan comes pretty close. The soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith is one of the GREATEST film scores ever.

Of course, the main feature of this DVD is the fact that Robert Wise got to go back...

Star Trek: The New Motion Picture (advanced screening)
I got the DVD about 4 hours ago. The second that I peeled all those security stickers off my DVD box, I popped it open, place the disc in my player, turned up the Dolby Digital, my super sub-woofer... my high density screen, shut down all light sources, put my PowerMac G4 to sleep, turned off my phones, and laid back for what I hoped would be a nice treat.

Paramount should be ashamed of themselves. This edit should be in theaters. This isn't a minor achievement in quality increase. This is now a great film. I am literally stunned right now.

It isn't a matter of effects, so much as it is about dynamics of motion... The tightening of scenes.... Little tweaks here and there.... An added scene here, a missing one here... Revealing more about the characters, keeping a character from being less than he should be.

First off, the Visual Effects shots are absolutely superior, while remaining exactly of the same palette as the original film. These new shots add a consistent sense of...

The Human Adventure is Just Beginning
In December of 1979, when Star Trek The Motion Picture was released, it was apparent to audiences that this was no ordinary "shoot 'em up" science fiction movie--this was a serious film with complex plotting and "big" ideas. Yet, somehow the whole film seemed "off," and lacking the TV show's charm. What was not generally known at the time was that, with the premiere date looming and numerous visual effects sequences not completed--and never having had a test screening--Director Robert Wise basically assembled what he could and physically carried the print to the film's debut. (The final visual effects sequence was literally cut into individual prints of the film before they were express shipped to theaters.)

It says something for Wise's ability to work under pressure (he edited Citizen Kane, after all) that, despite mixed reviews, no major critics were able to deduce that they were viewing an unfinished film. It's also a testament to everyone involved in the project...

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Roger Corman Monsters

contents
Ignore my rating. I just wanted to post what another site says are the movies on here (I am not promising this is accurate): 6 Roger Corman Monster Flicks on 2 Discs - "The Little Shop Of Horrors", "Attack Of The Giant Leeches", "The Wasp Woman", "Creature From The Haunted Sea", "She Gods Of Shark Reef", and "Beast From Haunted Cave". I will wait until someone has actually seen it and comments on quality to decide if I will get it but at this price there is not much risk.

For What It's Worth
Apparently, the films in this collection are "The Little Shop Of Horrors", "Attack Of The Giant Leeches", "The Wasp Woman", "Creature From The Haunted Sea", "She Gods Of Shark Reef", and "Beast From Haunted Cave." All are public domain films, and based on the price, none are anything other than the usual good to horrible quality copies that are already available for a few dollars from several different companies. No extras and nothing special, unless the "collectors tin" excites you. By the way, "She Gods Of Shark Reef" is not a monster movie. Hardly even any sharks either.

PRODUCER BEFORE HIS TIME
ROGER CORMAN IS A PRODUCER BEFORE HIS TIME.THESE MONSTER MOVIES
ARE GREAT,THERE IS A LOT OF HUMOR. I ALSO LIKE THE DRIVE IN EFFECT
IN BETWEEN MOVIES,THEY COME IN A NICE COLLECTOR TIN PLUS 6
GOOD B MOVIES.

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Parsifal

Fascinating account of Parsifal, but doesn't entirely work
The Salzburg Easter Festival production of Wagner's most enigmatic work is not the most attractive you've ever seen, nor is Michael Schulz's strange take on the work particularly obvious in its intentions. Even with the use of actors playing doubles of the main characters, their personalities and motivations remain for the most part remote, flat, mysterious and largely lifeless but the production does nonetheless hold close to the themes and the meaning of Parsifal. The real insights, innovations and illuminations on the work here however are almost entirely on the musical side. This is very much Christian Thielemann's show, which means that it may not meet the expectations we have of Parsifal, but it is never less than a thoughtful, fascinating and revealing exploration of this remarkable work.

It's a fairly lifeless production though, with little sense of narrative direction, and - critically for this particular work - little in the way of mood or atmosphere. While...





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Electric Man

A Must Purchase
An absolutely outstanding film about a comic shop and its need to find cash quick to pay off debts-enter Electric Man, a valuable and rare comic to save the day!, low budget but exceptionally entertaining, lots of twists and turns, a must purchase.
And it's got Fish in as well!

A breath of fresh air
What can I say about Electric Man or where do I start?
I honestly can say that this film is a breath of fresh air to low budget made end of the market.
It has everything humour,good story,well written and produced
I saw this at a premier at a local cinema and also pre ordered the DVD as soon as I could.
There has been a few comedy/black comedy's to come from Scotland over the last few decades like Gregory's girl,restless natives and I would say electric man will also stand the time along side these gems,
Well done to the guys for coming up with the story(just because it sounds like another superhero film it's not,it's above that)
I look forward to looking out for more films in the future from david barras & Scott McKay

Fishing all the way
Just great the tonic I needed will be recommending to everyone. Laughed so much I couldn't see or hear so had to keep rewinding and listen again.

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Chicago Fire: Season One

Good new show
Quite Entertaining. Good character development for a television show. Plots are well thought out. A mixture of serious and lighter themes.

Chicago Fire
I love this show, I work on the night it is on so I make sure the dvr is on to record it.

Great show!
Loving this show and looking forward to another season. I didn't start watching it on TV until the 5th or 6th episode, but once I did, I immediately went to Amazon and bought the earlier episodes. I hope this one sticks around for a while.

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Tyler Perry Presents Peeples [Blu-ray]

PEANUTS, PEANUTS, PEANUTS!
Wade Walker (Craig Robinson) lives with Grace Peeples (Kerry Washington). He relates to children through music and wants to be a counselor. She is a lawyer at the UN and her family is referred to as the "chocolate Kennedys." Wade's plans to propose to Grace are interrupted by her desire to spend the weekend with her family, who he has never met. Urged by a friend (Malcolm Barrett), Wade crashes the family get together with formulaic results.

As it turns out the family has all sorts of issues and secrets which they hide from their father, Judge Virgil Peeples (David Alan Grier). Wade spends his time having an uncomfortable weekend filled with faux paus as he tries to help. The film includes Peeple/people and cheap Moby Dick humor.

For those who like Tyler Perry type comedies, this one fits the bill, but comes off a little stale. It does have some good scenes which made me smile. The film needed to have one more episode to develop Wade's character before he meets...

Not written by Tyler Perry
Just for clarification---this movie was not written by Tyler Perry; he just presented the person who wrote it to allow the movie to get attention.

Funny movie.
A guy visits his girlfriend's family, for the purpose of proposing marriage. He finds that he has trouble fitting in, and has a particular problem receiving the blessing of the father. The situations he finds himself in are at times funny, with the family members, who all have their idiosyncrasies, proving to be fodder for laughs. This is not the cleverest movie of the year, but it does have its moments. It is certainly not Bridesmaids, but Peeples does have some good comedy in it, maybe just enough to get a slight recommendation.

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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

underrated meditation on the nature of friendship
Don't be fooled by some of the negative reviews here. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is a thoughtful meditation on the nature of friendship. I admire its careful attention to developing a classical story arc in which Kirk is driven by concern for his friends (Spock and McCoy) and by outer events (a feckless Federation bureaucracy) to steal the Enterprise and outwit and outrun enemies on all sides. Indeed, the film's first act is a gem: a model of balanced writing in its build-up to Kirk's inexorable conclusion that he must steal the Enterprise to save his friends. Among the priceless scenes in that first half-hour: A visit by Spock's father to Kirk's San Francisco pad in which, during a "mind meld" between them, successive shots end with a quiet, touching close-up of Kirk's eye as he relives Spock's "death" in the previous film; Scottie's hilarious asides toward a pompous captain played deftly by character actor James Sikking; and Kirk being told by...

A difficult film to make, and Nimoy and Shatner did it.
Star trek III is widely considered to be an infinitely inferior sequel to The Wrath of Khan, yet is in fact a more complex film and has a much more difficult task set in front of it. Although not perfect, it is an engaging story filled with a number of excellent reversals and has some of Shatner's best acting.

Montalban is the absolute driving force in Star Trek II and much of that film relies on this fact. Christopher Lloyd does a fine job as a merciless Klingon, yet it is up to Shatner to carry this film. And he does an great job. His stealing of the Enterprise gives Kirk back the initiative in the entire series, and is one of the all-time great moments for the original cast. Why this sequence, and so many others, is not given more credit is beyond me. One gripe: As usual, Kirk gets a LOT of screen time, cut-aways shots etc. at the expense of the other cast members.

Mired in some necessary exposition, The Search for Spock effectively navigates its way through...

A great continuation
Star Trek III The Search for Spock is a wonderful, middle movie to the more or less trilogy of II, III and IV. I was a little disappointed that Kirstie Allie couldn't pick up where she left off in the role of Saavik. Robin Curtis does do a very good job though. Christopher Lloyds Klingon Commander is absolutely Klingon through and through. All of the original cast members are true to their characters. Overall, Star Trek III is not the best of the original six, but it's most certainly not the worst either. A wonderful story that, like all the rest, I've watched more times than I can remember.

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The Crippled Lamb

We all need to be reminded: God has a special place for us.
The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful! They capture my children's attention and even I can't turn the page without looking at the artwork.

They story is equally as beautiful. It is about a small lamb who doesn't feel he belongs because he is not as "perfect" as the other lambs. He has a tremendous friend, named Abigail, who always reminds him that "God has a special place for those who don't belong."

I cannot count the times this book as been read to teach my children how to be a friend to someone "different" or how to stand the trials of being the one who is not like everyone else.

It is a touching story that no matter how many times you read, will choke you up and bring tears to your eyes.

Abigale and Joshua will remind you of how special God creates each of us and how important we each are in "life".

This is a must read book

An awe-inspiring, humbling message for all ages
I am an author and I collect children's books, thus I feel my taste in children's books is very discerning. This is one of the most beautiful books - in pictures, content, and spirit - that I have ever seen. This is one 'Christmas' book that does not get packed away for 11 months of the year - it stays on my bookshelf the year through. My husband and I have read it each Christmas Eve, and I now read it to my 4-month old daughter a few times a month. This book would be a wonderful gift to children in families who may not have a personal relationship with Jesus. I gain blessings and appreciation anew each time I read this story.

A "must-read" for children of all ages!

Max Lucado is a "master illustrator." He artistically paints pictures with words and "The Crippled Lamb" is no disappointment!

Little Joshua, a lamb, feels so different from others. He bears spots while others don't. He doesn't have a mom or dad. He can't run, jump and play like the others, for he has a bad leg. Often feeling down on himself, he finds encouragement in a friend named Abigail, an aging cow.

Then one unexpected night, Joshua finds that there is a specialness about his differences. There is a unique role only he can fill.

Get the tissues ready! This is a book sure to move even the hardest heart. How vividly it portrays the love of a Father Who loves us inspite of our blemishes and sees each one of His children as special, with purpose!

Beautifully illustrated by Liz Bonham, this is a work you should not miss. This one is a "keeper" you'll wish to pass on from generation to generation.

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Talented Mr Ripley [Blu-ray]

HAVING IT ALL
When picking out films to see, I usually gravitate toward the "small" independent type of film usually avoiding the larger "major" productions. Thus, I avoided "the Talented Mr. Ripley" up until recently. My mistake! "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is outstanding and has, to me, everything a movie should have to make it the "complete film experience"-great script and direction, great acting, wonderful sound tract and beautiful cinematography. This film has it all!
The acting, by all of the actors, is superb. Matt Damon, as Tom Ripley is outstanding. He portrays a very complicated character believably. At no time are you aware that he is acting. This character does things that are, indeed, despicable; however, due to the acting skills of Damon, I actually liked the guy and felt deep sympathy and empathy for him and for his desire to be someone else
(I think we all have been there-at least I have-fortunately all of us don't do what Tom Ripley does, in the film, to achieve...

SLEEK SUSPENSE
Minghella's sleek, gorgeous movie version of Patricia Highsmith's classic novel of suspense is near-perfect. The story, set in and around stunning Italian coastal hot spots, circa the 50s, remains fresh and infinitely compelling; the main character, Tom Ripley, is that fascinating mix of vulnerability and psychotic killer, much like Norman Bates in Psycho. Matt Damon does his best with this role; casting him I think was the film's one half misstep -- Damon exudes such a glamour and self-possession that it is difficult to wholly buy his insecurity, though adding more than a hint of homosexuality does much to make him more believable. The other performances, however, are riveting. Philip Seymour Hoffman is perfection as a smart, slick, obnoxious friend of Dickie's; Cate Blanchett, an added character, is engrossing, funny and heartbreaking, too; Gwenyth Paltrow, often overlooked in the reviews for this film, is spectacular in each and every scene, conveying the privilege of...

A Sociopath's Career Begins...
Patricia Highsmith's first novel of the Tom Ripley series, (five novels in all) The Talented Mr. Ripley, created an anti-hero that no one had ever seen before. The novel and film presents the story through Ripley's eyes, and even though the man is capable of terrible acts, and commits these terrible crimes relentlessly to attain his own aims, we continue to maintain sympathy for the character; we want him to get away with it, and he usually does. Anyone who has read the novel will agree that Anthony Minghella's screenplay remained faithful to the original, veering off on only a few points, however managed to achieve the same tension, disturbance and suspense, also leaving the audience wondering, after Ripley's final hideous crime, what will this sociopath do next.

The film and novel introduces the beginnings of a sociopath's career. For all we know, killing Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) brutally in the boat was Ripley's first crime. In the film it is almost depicted as an...

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The Black Waters of Echo's Pond [Blu-ray]

Lame
Why are early reviews for movies like this 5 stars every single time? First of all don't be fooled by the cover--this isn't a monster movie. It has a premise similar to the 2009 dud Open Graves where a bunch of friends play a sinister antique board game with deadly consequences. A character in the prologue states that the game alters reality, but either because of lack of imagination or low budget all the game seems to do in the movie is turn the characters against each other so they erupt in a murderous rage. The game itself is cool looking and the set-up appears poised to create the Jumanji of horror films but The Black Waters of Echo's Pond turns out to be little more than a tiresome slasher film with all of the characters turning on each other and eventually becoming murderer or victim--or both. The acting is uneven at best--four of the eight main characters are inexplicably played by actors with very thick accents, which completely negates whatever attempts they may be...

Great Thrill Ride
I had the very good luck to catch this when it had it's almost no theater release over a year ago. The story is about a group of friends that get together after a long separation. They decide to play a board game in the hope of relieving the tension in the group with horrible consequences. Dark things lurk in the night and the game has released them. Great performances from James Duval, Electra and Elise Avellan, Danielle Harris, and a great cameo from the T2 Terminator himself Robert Patrick. This film for some inexplicable reason has taken almost 3 to 4 years to get this release and it is very much overdue.

Solid horror starring the beautiful and talented Danielle Harries
I wasn't really sure what to expect going into THE BLACK WATERS OF ECHO'S POND. The cover artwork looks awesome, with the rippling demonic face, and the plot is definitely intriguing. Add in the fact that I love Danielle Harris, and of course this was a must-see. I'm happy to report the film is just as good as I was hoping it would be, and it's a welcome addition to the horror genre.

I'm a HUGE sucker for just about anything involving archaeology, so when that and horror combine, the results can be nirvana. I say `can be' because there are some real stinkers out there...but this one definitely does not fit into that category.

THE BLACK WATERS OF ECHO'S POND is shot well and the production value looks high. The sets are tight and the whole film has a nice foreboding feel to it, almost as if the tension is a physical thing that clings to your skin. The acting is great as well, with the lovely and talented Danielle Harris stealing the show. Yes, I'm biased...

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Next Friday [Blu-ray]

Better than FRIDAY
I thought Next Friday was way better than the original....... The first movie was really slow in the beginning.......so slow that I fell asleep. As soon as you pop this movie in, you'll be laughing from beginning to end........ Mike Epps is hilarious as Day-Day, Craigs cousin, and Craigs father has some pretty funny lines in this one........ Rent it, you won't be sorry.......

Not Friday
The events of this movie take place after Craig�s fight with Debo. Ice Cube explains what most of the characters from the last movie are doing now (like Smokey being in rehab). The premise for this story is that Debo has escaped from jail and now wants revenge. To protect his son, Craig�s father takes him to the suburbs to live with his oversexed brother and his son until things calm down.

There is plenty of drug use and another theft in this one. This doesn�t make it a bad movie, but following the formula of the last movie does not work for this one. Too many of the same gags are recycled for this movie, which means you already have an idea of what is going to happen throughout the movie. Craig�s dad is funny, but there is only so much fart humor you can take.

I would recommend giving this movie a skip and watching Friday over and over again.

Not as good as the first
...but a decent sequel. (But hey? It's not often that the sequel is better than the prequel.) I was mad because alot of questions were not answered and the plot was not all that good. I wanted Craig (Ice Cube) to hook up with that girl next door. All she does is have a short convo with her and at the end she blows a kiss and thats the end. I believe thats pointless for Craig's Pops (Jon Witherspoon)drops him off in Rancho Cucamonga (I don't think I spelled it right) then turns around and picks him up. Its a funny movie, but not as good as the first though.

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Bad Kitties

Gritty, Disturbing, Daring.
The content and realistic nature of this movie will intrigue and disturb viewers. Imagine if "Thirteen" was shot found-footage style, but with the girls facing more serious consequences; that's "Bad Kitties". Must see!

umm...is this supposed to be a joke?
I don't get it, is this like a movie? It looks like weird poorly filmed images. I don't even get a sense of a plot. I don't understand why this movie exists. OR why their charging 17.99 for it.

I'm really really confused. I don't understand this movie at all. It's making me slightly upset.

I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone.

Very, very, bad kitties
A sheriffs department gets hold of footage these girls have shot of themselves. They are way out of control. Very wild, troubled, crazy teen girls. Was at the Beverly Hills film festival. Very intense and moving. Alexis blew me away. Fast moving, NOT for children or young teens. You will be shocked and not be able to look away.

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The Bird With the Crystal Plumage

Fast-paced and clever
There are two types of Dario Argento films: those after "Four Flies on Grey Velvet" (excluding "The Five Days of Milan," which was never released in the U.S.) and those before it. "The Bird With the Crystal Plumage," Argento's first film, belongs to the category of the before and includes the noticeable differences between the two. While the entire body of Argento's work is something to admire, his first three films are surprisingly well-plotted, given Argento's notorious lack of interest in matters of narrative structure. "Bird" begins with Sam Dalmas, an American writer living in Rome, witnessing an attempted murder in an art gallery. Though he is unable to do anything, his fortuitous arrival saves the victim from almost certain death. His passport confiscated and at first held as a suspect, Sam is told by the police that this is the fourth attack in one month. The only difference is, the victim, a beautiful woman named Monica...

Broad appeal for Argento's debut feature
THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE
[L'Uccello dalle Piume di Cristallo]

(Italy/W.Germany - 1969)

Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (Cromoscope)
Theatrical soundtrack: Mono

Even those who don't care for writer-director Dario Argento's later baroque extravaganzas may warm to his debut feature, a well-received thriller in which an American writer living in Rome (Tony Musante) witnesses an assault on a woman in an art gallery and is subsequently targeted by the would-be assassin, a crazed psychopath who's been terrorizing the city with a series of brutal murders. Typical of an Argento thriller, the hapless hero's investigation unleashes a cycle of violence which culminates in a climactic unmasking that will take some viewers completely by surprise.

Loosely inspired by Fredric Brown's novel 'The Screaming Mimi' (filmed under that title in 1958), Argento's first film is a fairly straightforward thriller with horror asides, anchored by a strong...

His first and arguably one of his best
I really couldn't tell you why I have yet to watch every film in Dario Argento's filmography. A few years ago it was easy to claim ignorance of many of this Italian director's important works because it was often so difficult to find any of them in an uncut form. Fortunately, DVD arrived on the scene and salivating film fans with dollars to spend prodded numerous companies to start churning out any movie they could get their hands on to satiate the masses. It wasn't too long before practically every Argento film arrived on store shelves, with many of these releases being the uncut, unrated editions. Even Troma, the flagship of flaccid filmmaking, released a so-so version of Argento's "The Stendhal Syndrome." People outside of the world of Italian horror cinema have most likely never heard of Dario Argento, unfortunately. These days, more people are familiar with the director's beautiful daughter Asia than with the horror maestro himself. What a shame. Argento's films, at...

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Blue Bloods: The Third Season

Love this TV show.
Great characters, fantastic story telling, moving. All that TV should be but is often not. Not to be missed. I am just starting season 3 which is running now.

Family values...
The CBS crime drama "Blue Bloods", about a family of New York City policemen, returns for a superb third season in 2012-2013. A strong cast is headed by Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan, New York City Police Commissioner and head of the Reagan family, which includes his father (Len Cariou), a retired police commissioner; his daughter Erin (Bridget Moynihan), a hard-charging deputy district attorney; son Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), a highly effective but rules-bending detective; and youngest son Jamie (Will Estes), a new beat cop finding his way on the force.

A great strength of the show is its nice balance of crime-of-the-week police procedural and extended family drama. Issues at work seem to find their way home to the Reagan Sunday family dinner table, where Frank is often called upon to referee family disputes, whether on the outing privileges of a teenage granddaughter or breaking up competition between Erin and Danny over the handling of a case. A second great strength of...

Love this show
This show keeps getting better and better. I love the dinner table scenes. It makes the show a little less dark (which happens more frequently on procedurals lately).

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The Corrupted (Purge Mankind) (2013)

Horror gem from Canada.
Interesting little horror film that has bits from several recognizable features including Wrong Turn, Evil Dead, and The Hills Have Eyes. Set in the Canadian wilderness it follows a group of wayward teens on the road to have a good time at a lakeside cabin. It once again proves its always safer to stay in the city and party then hit the road and avoid the crazed locals.

Disappointed in the amount of tentacles.
A soso low budget horror that promised more tentacles than it delivered. Also, too much 20 something existentialist angst, not enough horror. Seen movies that are much worse, but it could have been quite a bit better.

My herpes is gone!!!
So i used to suffer from herpes bad! i'm talking all types, cold sores, chicken pox, hell even genital! (shhhh, dont tell my wife) anyways! upon viewing this movie i'm proud to say all my herpes went away, and not just a remission thing, i'm talking gone, i do however have full blown aids now, but that's besides the point! watch this movie, it cures most things, also the director Knighten Richman will sleep with you if you do, balls in your court...

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