DVD Releases March 31 2009

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Slumdog MillionaireSlumdog Millionaire


From Twentieth Century Fox
Average customer review:

Danny Boyle (Sunshine) directed this wildly energetic, Dickensian drama about the desultory life and times of an Indian boy whose bleak, formative experiences lead to an appearance on his country's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Jamal (played as a young man by Dev Patel) and his brother are orphaned as children, raising themselves in various slums and crime-ridden neighorhoods and falling in, for a while, with a monstrous gang exploiting children as beggars and prostitutes. Driven by his love for Latika (Freida Pinto), Jamal, while a teen, later goes on a journey to rescue her from the gang's clutches, only to lose her again to another oppressive fate as the lover of a notorious gangster.

Running parallel with this dark yet irresistible adventure, told in flashback vignettes, is the almost inexplicable sight of Jamal winning every challenge on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?," a strong showing that leads to a vicious police interrogation. As Jamal explains how he knows the answer to every question on the show as the result of harsh events in his knockabout life, the chaos of his existence gains shape, perspective and soulfulness. The film's violence is offset by a mesmerizing exotica shot and edited with a great whoosh of vitality. Boyle successfully sells the story's most unlikely elements with nods to literary and cinematic conventions that touch an audience's heart more than its head. --Tom Keogh



Customer Reviews

A Genuine Message of Hope5
Brilliant film! Captivating, sincere and sensitive. It's a genuine message of HOPE. However, I think it should have a linearity concerning the use of the language. I've noticed that 50% of this movie alternates between English and Hindi. Why this? From a scene to another, little boy Jamal is speaking his native language, and suddenly while showing the Taj Mahal to that old couple he is speaking a flawless English. It is not clear to the viewer, but I can bet that if this movie had had been entirely filmed in Hindi, probably it would NOT have taken the attention from the U.S. public audience and it would have finished ignored by the Academy. And as well, like a few other brilliant films it would be forgotten in time. But our "slumdog" here and the rest of the cast speak English fluently and they've made "History" this year.


Slumdog Millionaire

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Marley and Me (Single-Disc Edition)Marley and Me (Single-Disc Edition)


From Twentieth Century Fox
Average customer review:

When a dog wriggles his adorable rear end into a human's life, the human will never be the same. And both Marley, the dog, and Marley & Me, the movie, manage to endear themselves deeply despite a few wee flaws. Readers of the John Grogan bestseller already know the raffish charm of the incorrigible yellow lab puppy, Marley, adopted by Grogan and his wife because she's "never seen anything more adorable in my life." But Grogan's simple tale of love, in all its forms, shines on the big screen, thanks to deft comic turns by Jennifer Aniston--in top form here--and Owen Wilson. Their chemistry is utterly natural and believable as Marley's owners, as is their interaction with the very naughty but ultimately irresistible Marley. As Marley grows up, the film follows his escapades--flunking out, spectacularly, from puppy training at the hands of a wickedly funny Kathleen Turner. And as Marley grows up, John and Jenny build their life together and weather some tough emotional blows. Like My Dog Skip, which it resembles in its affection for its subject, Marley & Me is a tear-jerker, but in the sweetest, most lovely way--because it, and its four-legged star, have wriggled into our hearts. Good boy. --A.T. Hurley

Customer Reviews

Best Dog Movie I've ever seen. And then some.5
My wife talked me into watching this movie and it gave me a run for my money. This is an extremely powerful movie. Even if it doesn't look like it. Extremely profound are carefully crafted. It touched me in a way few movies ever have. Simply Brilliant. Just a warning. Grab a bucket for your tears because you'll cry like a baby.


Marley and Me (Single-Disc Edition)

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Seven PoundsSeven Pounds


Directed by Gabriele Muccino
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The mysteriously titled Seven Pounds stars Will Smith as Ben Thomas, who flashes his badge as an IRS agent to gain entrance into the lives of seven strangers in need. To each, he offers something that will reverse their troubles, seeking to atone for a haunting past mistake. But when Ben starts falling in love with a young woman with heart trouble (Rosario Dawson), his carefully laid plans threaten to collapse. To reveal more of the story would diminish it. Smith is an engaging, charismatic presence, but the impact of Seven Pounds comes from Dawson--she has the kind of emotional transparency that shimmers off the screen. Which is crucial, because Seven Pounds requires considerable suspension of disbelief; some scenes push and pull at plausibility, and you may question a few plot turns after the movie is over. But as the story unfolds, the performances can carry you over these bumps. If you surrender to its gently circling rhythms and its luminous images (including the glowing undulations of a poisonous jellyfish), Seven Pounds will pack an emotional wallop, heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Also featuring Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan), Michael Ealy (Sleeper Cell), and Woody Harrelson. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

Let the symphony of this film unfold before you5
I grew up watching Will Smith on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, so he's a familiar face that I enjoy seeing. I truly think he's at his best in the drama category. His has such a soothing quality to him that can speak volumes in a couple words or a look. No one else could have played an IRS agent that doesn't immediately get a door slammed in their face.

For once, the plot was not spoiled before I could watch this movie on DVD. Usually you can't help but hear all about it before you see it. So I went into this knowing nothing, and while it's not completely a surprise, it works in an amazing way.

For some, they will have a very large, elephant in the room problem with a film that concerns suicide(don't worry, not spoiling for you...this is the opening scene). This is a movie that develops like a symphony, slowly unfolding before you. It will break your heart, but let you see that some people do have the best of intentions. They're willing to sacrifice more then you'd think.

Others have complained its "slow" or "boring". I believe this movie is for those who like subtlety and things to think about. They don't give you all the information to figure out the story immediately.

I watched slumdog millionaire right before this, and honestly, thought this was stunningly better and I'm really shocked it wasn't nominated for an oscar. This would have been my personal choice for best film of the year.

Also, as I will always mention - finally, some good special features!! I love behind the scenes stuff, or the writers talking about how the story came to them. There is all that and more.

Seven Pounds

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Live In LondonLive In London


Directed by Edward Sanders
Average customer review:

For over four decades, Leonard Cohen has been one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time, a figure whose body of work achieves greater depths of mystery and meaning as time goes on. His songs have set a virtually unmatched standard in their seriousness and range. Sex, spirituality, religion, power - he has relentlessly examined the largest issues in human lives, always with a full appreciation of how elusive answers can be to the vexing questions he raises. But those questions, and the journey he has traveled in seeking to address them, are the ever-shifting substance of his work, as well as the reasons why his songs never lose their overwhelming emotional force. Documentaries, awards, tribute albums and the ongoing march of artists eager to record his songs all acknowledge the peerless contribution Cohen has made to what one of his titles aptly calls "The Tower of Song."

In 2008 Leonard Cohen embarked on his first tour in 15 years. Quickly recognized as musical folklore in the making, 29 of the original dates sold out almost immediately, leaving fans and critics alike hailing the show as a once in a lifetime experience. By popular demand, the Canadian/UK tour was extended and by the end of that year it had reached 84 markets worldwide, selling more than 700,000 tickets. The Live In London release fully captures and recreates the extraordinary show from that tour that earned Cohen more than 80 five-star reviews for his performances.

Track Listing:
1. Dance Me To The End Of Love
2. The Future
3. Ain't No Cure For Love
4. Bird On The Wire
5. Everybody Knows
6. In My Secret Life
7. Who By Fire
8. Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
9. Anthem
10. Introduction
11. Tower Of Song
12. Suzanne
13. The Gypsy's Wife
14. Boogie Street
15. Hallelujah
16. Democracy
17. I'm Your Man
18. Recitation w/ N.L.
19. Take This Waltz
20. So Long, Marianne
21. First We Take Manhattan
22. Sisters Of Mercy
23. If It Be Your Will
24. Closing Time
25. I Tried To Leave You
26. Wither Thou Goest

Customer Reviews

Technically disappointing4
Cohen commands attention for the entire concert, which is amazing considering his 74 years. He is warm, humorous and humble to his audience and hardly makes an error in presenting over 40 years of his music. His band is top-notch as well.

On the down side, the technical production is disappointing. For what would have to contend as the concert event of the decade, the presentation in 4:3 format with a picture that could be described as analog quality at best is hardly acceptable, especially when it was recorded in 2008 and the British have had widescreen TV for a decade.

The camera work was frequently sloppy and the continuity editing the same.

Full marks to Cohen and his band. Not good enough to Sony.



Live In London


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Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott'sPerforming This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott's


From Eagle Rock Ent
Average customer review:

Jeff Beck is a true rock legend. From his time with the Yardbirds in the sixties, through the Jeff Beck Group and throughout his solo career his unique guitar style and constant desire to explore new musical areas and sounds has won him the admiration of his peers and the adoration of legions of fans. In 2007 Jeff Beck performed a series of concerts at the renowned Ronnie Scott's club in London. They became the must have ticket of the year with a packed audience every night of the famous and the fans. This DVD features pieces recorded across the different nights and presents the best version of each track. Jeff is also joined by guests Joss Stone, Imogen Heap and Eric Clapton for some very special performances.

TRACK LISTING
1) Beck's Bolero 2) Eternity's Breath 3) Stratus 4) Cause We've Ended As Lovers 5) Behind The Veil 6) You Never Know 7) Nadia 8) Blast From The East 9) Led Boots 10) Angel (Footsteps) 11) People Get Ready - with JOSS STONE 12) Scatterbrain 13) Goodbye Pork Pie Hat / Brush With The Blues 14) Space Boogie 15) Blanket - with IMOGEN HEAP 16) Big Block 17) A Day In The Life 18) Little Brown Bird - with ERIC CLAPTON 19) You Need Love - with ERIC CLAPTON 20) Rollin' And Tumblin' - with IMOGEN HEAP 21) Where Were You

Bonus Material:
Jeff Beck Interview: rare in depth interview talking about Ronnie Scott's, his band, the setlist and his guest performers. Interviews with the band members: Tal Wilkenfeld (bass), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), Jason Rebello (keyboards).

Customer Reviews

Patiently to find out what price...5
This DVD can only expand on the compelling performance on the CD. Having seen Jeff Beck first play in 1969 (Chicago) and more recently in 1999 (Las Vegas), he's just plain unmatched. I'm a devoted Clapton fan, but JB claims ownership to "Cause We Ended As Lovers" with such grace, it brings tears. If you are a guitar fan with a Blue Ray player, this disk can only enhance your experience and collection - sight unseen. "Here I sit so patiently, waiting to find out what price we have to pay to get out of going through all these things twice."

Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott's

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Chris Botti in Boston [Blu-ray]Chris Botti in Boston [Blu-ray]


Directed by Jim Gable
Average customer review:

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #337 in DVD
  • Released on: 2009-03-31
  • Rating: NR (Not Rated)
  • Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
  • Formats: Color, NTSC
  • Original language: English
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Running time: 160 minutes

Customer Reviews

Spectabular show!5
I caught this show on PBS-WTTW in Chicago and it is spectacular! I fell in love during this show! Chris Botti is a dream on the trumpet and the show from start to finish was fantastic! He brings together such an array for talent that I was hooked from the first minute. Even if you are not a "jazz" fan, this music is so mellow, so contemporary, so eclectic, so luscious that you can't help but enjoy it as I did. I want to hear (see) it again, and again!!!


Chris Botti in Boston [Blu-ray]


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The Matrix 10th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Book [Blu-ray]The Matrix 10th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Book [Blu-ray]


From WARNER HOME VIDEO
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By following up their debut thriller Bound with the 1999 box-office smash The Matrix, the codirecting Wachowski brothers--Andy and Larry--annihilated any suggestion of a sophomore jinx, crafting one of the most exhilarating sci-fi/action movies of the 1990s. Set in the not too distant future in an insipid, characterless city, we find a young man named Neo (Keanu Reeves). A software techie by day and a computer hacker by night, he sits alone at home by his monitor, waiting for a sign, a signal--from what or whom he doesn't know--until one night, a mysterious woman named Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) seeks him out and introduces him to that faceless character he has been waiting for: Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). A messiah of sorts, Morpheus presents Neo with the truth about his world by shedding light on the dark secrets that have troubled him for so long: "You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad." Ultimately, Morpheus illustrates to Neo what the Matrix is--a reality beyond reality that controls all of their lives, in a way that Neo can barely comprehend.

Neo thus embarks on an adventure that is both terrifying and enthralling. Pitted against an enemy that transcends human concepts of evil, Morpheus and his team must train Neo to believe that he is the chosen champion of their fight. With mind-boggling, technically innovative special effects and a thought-provoking script that owes a debt of inspiration to the legacy of cyberpunk fiction, this is much more than an out-and-out action yarn; it's a thinking man's journey into the realm of futuristic fantasy, a dreamscape full of eye candy that will satisfy sci-fi, kung fu, action, and adventure fans alike. Although the film is headlined by Reeves and Fishburne--who both turn in fine performances--much of the fun and excitement should be attributed to Moss, who flawlessly mixes vulnerability with immense strength, making other contemporary female heroines look timid by comparison. And if we were going to cast a vote for most dastardly movie villain of 1999, it would have to go to Hugo Weaving, who plays the feckless, semipsychotic Agent Smith with panache and edginess. As the film's box-office profits soared, the Wachowski brothers announced that The Matrix is merely the first chapter in a cinematically dazzling franchise--a chapter that is arguably superior to the other sci-fi smash of 1999 (you know... the one starring Jar Jar Binks). --Jeremy Storey

From The New Yorker
It has some of the pop-intellectual momentousness of the first "Terminator," but without the wrenching emotions of that movie. We are all living, it turns out, in "the matrix"-a seeming reality controlled by artificial intelligence and policed by vicious men in black. The few people who are free hole up in a space capsule somewhere above the earth, and Keanu Reeves, who is first seen strapped down, with needles and other paraphernalia stuck into him and a disgusting little creature inserted through his belly button (unfortunately for him, he's got an inny), eventually joins the free and becomes a liberator. He fights the bad guys by flying through the air and engaging them in a rhythmic version of kung fu that has the clickety-clack excitement of tap dancing. The movie is nonsense, but it does achieve a brazenly chic high style-black-on-black, airborne, spasmodic. With Laurence Fishburne, who intones his lines rather than speaking them, as the leader of the free men and women. Written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski. -David Denby
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Blu-Ray Transfer Is Fantastic!5
With over 2,000 reviews, there is no sense discussing the movie so I will just address this to readers wondering if the Blu-Ray transfer is as good as they, perhaps, have heard.

Yes, it is - it's incredble. I am not a particular fan of the film, especially the sequels, so I say these remarks with no bias. I just rented this first "Matrix" to see how it looked. Well, it Blu (pun intended) me away!! At this point, I've seen around 50 Blu-Ray DVDs and this is as good as it gets. I can't imagine how you could make it any better. It's so sharp, I just sat there mesmerized by it. The sound also is outstanding....another upgrade. I've seen this movie three times now and I swear I heard a lot of background talk and stuff I never heard before.

So....if you read that the audio and visuals are 5-star caliber - believe it; it's true.


The Matrix 10th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Book [Blu-ray]

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Live In Chicago DVDLive In Chicago DVD


Directed by Joe Thomas
Average customer review:

Stevie Nicks, rock's superstar chanteuse, performs her signature songs with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Fleetwood Mac and her acclaimed solo career. Recorded at her October 2007 'Soundstage' performance.

Customer Reviews

Stevie Nicks - OUTSTANDING, Timeless and Fantastic as Ever5
[Update] You MUST check out Stevie's LIVE performance in Chicago and you can by logging on to Stevie's site [...] and click on the Chris Isaak Hour link.
The POWER of the MUSIC in this epic live concert is absolutely OUTSTANDING. It's the best of Stevie times 1000.
You also get a really cool "preview" from Warner Bros when you pre-order the DVD.
Stevie is as phenomenal now as she always was. Everything that makes her music, songs, gorgeous inside and out - STEVIE NICKS rocks the house. Her solo career is amazing because SHE is amazing.
Yes, get this DVD and I also recommend "Crystal Visions... The Very Best of Stevie Nicks" to go along with it.
Great music that never gets old, no matter how old we get.
Amazing icon she is as she deserves to be!


Live In Chicago DVD

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Pokemon: Giratina & The Sky WarriorPokemon: Giratina & The Sky Warrior


From Universal Studios
Average customer review:

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #347 in DVD
  • Released on: 2009-03-31
  • Rating: NR (Not Rated)
  • Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
  • Formats: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
  • Original language: English
  • Subtitled in: English
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Running time: 97 minutes

Customer Reviews

Pokemon Movies Showing Their Age - Mostly in a Good Way4
My first impression of this movie is that its not entirely sure what age group its trying to appeal to. Here we have a storyline with some potentially deep (and confusing to young viewers) concepts -like in the 4th movie- that aren't really fleshed out too much. There's the obligatory Ash and co involvement alongside legendary and rare Pokemon features, though most content is overshadowed somewhat by a heavy focus on Shaymin.

Giratina takes something of a back seat to this little grass type shapeshifter, despite its name being at the head of the movie title. Regigigas feels like its been tagged on as an afterthought. On top of that, Brock gets to experience Team Rocket's place in pretty much every movie up to now - sidelined in favour of shining the spotlight on Ash and Dawn. Amusingly enough, reference to this is actually made in the movie dialogue of both the original and the dub.

I'm not entirely sure why Ash was so sad to see Shaymin leave after the hard time it gave him...

Newton and Zero are both fascinating cameos, with the former winning out on eccentricity and the latter winning out on technology - who knows where he got that massive aircraft/scientific device from, but in the end, who cares?

The main winner in this production has to be the artwork which, with every movie, has done nothing but improve in clarity, beauty and the blending of 3D and 2D. In Sky Warrior, the backgrounds and special effects are truly breathtaking. One minor letdown here is the cel-shaded Pokemon stick out a little from everything else, but its not a blatant eyesore.

Though not as stirring as previous installments, the soundtrack was a reasonable feature - taking inspiration from Rise of Darkrai to keep a continuity throughout the 10th, 11th and 12th movies.

While we need to expect the ending of Sky Warrior to have a bit of an unfinished feel to it -being part of a trilogy- the entire plot seemed to have the same feel, and that's rather a shame. Characters you're meant to foster emotions for don't end up developed enough for that reaction to occur. A similar problem happened in Rise of Darkrai, and it doesn't seem to have yet been rectified.

All in all, its a valid addition to the Pokemon movie series, and an enjoyable watch. However, it remains to be seen whether the DVD shall feature any extras that make it an appealing buy.


Pokemon: Giratina & The Sky Warrior

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Tell No OneTell No One


Directed by Guillame Canet
Average customer review:

Based on Harlan Coben s International best selling novel, Tell No One tells the story of pediatrician Alexandre Beck who still grieves the murder of his beloved wife, Margot, eight years earlier. When two bodies are uncovered near where Margot's body was found, the police reopen the case and Alex becomes a suspect again. The mystery deepens when Alex receives an anonymous e-mail with a link to a video clip that seems to suggest Margot is somehow still alive and a message to Tell No One .

One of the Best Reviewed Films of the Year! (Rotten Tomatoes - 96% among top critics)

2008 Top 10 List Selections:
-Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
-New York Times Stephen Holden
-Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turran
-USA Today - Susan Wloszczyna
-Metacritic.com #1 - Marc Boyle
-Plus over 10 others (Washington Post, Oregonian, Newark Star Ledger, Seattle Times, Austin Chronicle, etc.)

Bonus Features:
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
English Language Track
English Subtitles

Customer Reviews

A thrilling love story mystery!! 5
This film was a great surprise! It really has everything from murder, mayhem, betrayal... a suspenseful mystery to the very end. All this with an underlying theme of a true love story, but not to be confused with a chick flick! Not for the squeamish, Tell No One is well written, directed and the actors are superb. This is a great date flick because it appeals to both. You won't wanna miss it!


Tell No One

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Top 10 DVDs. Top 10 Box Office. The Best DVDs of 2008: TV

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DVD Releases March 24 2009

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Quantum of Solace [Blu-ray]Quantum of Solace [Blu-ray]


Directed by Marc Forster
Average customer review:

Daniel Craig hasn't lost a step since Casino Royale--this James Bond remains dangerous, a man who could earn that license to kill in brutal hand-to-hand combat… but still look sharp in a tailored suit. And Quantum of Solance itself carries on from the previous film like no other 007 movie, with Bond nursing his anger from the Casino Royale storyline and vowing blood revenge on those responsible. For the new plot, we have villain Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), intent on controlling the water rights in impoverished Third World nations and happy to overthrow a dictator or two to get his way. Olga Kurylenko is very much in the "Bond girl" tradition, but in the Ursula Andress way, not the Denise Richards way. And Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, and Giancarlo Giannini are welcome holdovers. If director Marc Forster and the longtime Bond production team seem a little too eager to embrace the continuity-shredding style of the Bourne pictures (especially in a nearly incomprehensible opening car chase), they nevertheless quiet down and get into a dark, concentrated groove soon enough. And the theme song, "Another Way to Die," penned by Jack White and performed by him and Alicia Keys, is actually good (at times Keys seems to be channeling Shirley Bassey--nice). Of course it all comes down to Craig. And he kills. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Like the new Batman films, Bond has continuity...legitimate continuity.4
You'll find no plot synopsis here folks. Amazon has been goodly enough to handle that for us all.

Was this film as good or as great as Casino Royale? NOW WAY. Was it a good addition to the new Bond mythology? HELL YES! This is a direct sequel to Casino Royale...literally. It starts right after the end sequence of the previous film, bypassing the usual Bond firing at the screen(though, settle down fan boys, you get it at the end--I know, I know, change make you scared...). Basically, the opening helps establish the previous films plot, or the fact that there was an even larger plot at work, one involving new Bond evil organization called Quantum, of course. New Bond virgins, ones who skipped Casino Royale, will find it fairly hard to catch up to speed on this film. They also won't feel the impact of how much Vespa's death in the previous film really effects his current mission. It's not impossible to figure it out, but not as satisfying. So see Casion Royale, and consider the opening act of this film the final moments of the first.

When I said this film starts right after the last film ends, I really, REALY meant it. The opening logos fade and we're slammed right into the tail end of a car chase(apparently, Bond is being chased by some thugs working for the man he shot at the end of Royale). The opening chase is fast and brutal. You feel all the car hits and collisions. I'm really not a fan of this ultra-choppy editing style, similar to that seen in Michael Bay's atrocious Armageddon, but in this film it really works to solicit the right tone, feel, and impact that the action sequences strive for. On the action sequences, this one is loaded with them. There's an action sequence about every five to ten minutes, whether its a car chase, foot chase, fist fight, knife fight, or plane old-fashioned gun battles---oh and a boat chase to boot. I guess they forgot to include the ski chases from previous Bond adventures. What I will say about the action sequences is that they are short and sweet. This film doesn't make the mistake of so many recent action films of letting the action sequences run on too long. They show up and leave an impression before the audience has a chance to be bored, unlike the technically brilliant but totally dull freeway car chase from the bloated Matrix Reloaded. Action in modern films seem to spend waaaaay tooooo much time in the set pieces. They feel inconsequential to the actual plot or character. They are just there to show off effects and stunts and things blowed up real good. It gets really boring. This film, by its main character's nature, every violent act holds weight while also being exciting.

Of course, we have the new Bond, who is in my opinion the best Bond of all time. Of course, his films have better writing and no one will ever forget Connery's iconographic portrayal, but as far as a dramatically engaging Bond, Craig has got them all beat. His basic struggle in this film is the transition of a brutish, but charming thug who needs to put aside his personal feelings(revenge for the death of Vespa in Casino) and just get his job done effeiciently with less ending up dead. Bond goes back and forth. He seems indifferent, at first, to the deaths he performs, but you can see in Craig's eyes that it's taking a toll on his psyche. It's not in the dialogue, it's in his face and his movements. Whoa, an actual film that shows us things rather than having lengthy speeches and convoluted expositional dialogue about it. Now I know American audiences like to have everything spoon fed to them, especially when it comes to action spectacles like this, but if more movies would take this route films could become great again. The new Batmans and Watchmen are also helping in leading this charge.

Also, a great addition to the new Bond series, started in Casino Royale, is the relationship between Bond and M. Their relationship comes off on the surface as combative, but with actors like Dench and Craig in the roles, we get hints of a deeper respect. A hint of two professionals getting to know each other grooves, constantly testing each others' merits. Awesome stuff. M and Bond never electrified together in scenes in any of the previous Bond pictures. It's smart writing and even better acting.

The film does have some weak spots that keep it from a solid 5 stars. Firstly, the villain is more slimey than imposing, but the realistic world this Bond takes place in doesn't really have room for any Blofelds, at least not in the skin previous Bonds portrayed him in. The final action set piece is slightly lackluster. Emotionally it's a power house for our new Bond girl and for Bond himself but the pyrotechnics don't overshadow the ones seen in previous action scenes. The new Bond girl doesn't leave as much as an impression as the Eva Green in the first film. She's good but her story and relationship with Bond doesn't plunge the same depths. Though, the couple share an interesting exchange before they say goodbye. The editing style, like I mentioned, is choppy and fast,so some might find it disorientating. I find it works for once, but others might still be turned off by it. The film also doesn't breath as much as I felt it should. It jumps from one place and one action sequence in fast succession. I felt a couple more quiet moments would've been welcome. But that's about it.

This is Bond by way of Jason Bourne, but Bond is and always will be a more interesting character. I'm just talking about the Bourne films, not the novels. So settle down. Like the new Batmans this film goes for realism, while still being absolutely silly and unbelievable.

The villains main plot has to do with ecological terrorism, and GASPS, the enviroment. So, those who pull their political leanings into everything will hate the film and accuse it of the further brain-washing that Hollywood pushes on us common folk. Brain-washing, that apparently, have no effect on them, and only them. Ugh! Enviormental issues are topical now, just like they were way back in the early 90's. A film trying to plant itself in the modern times would be ignorant to not use it. There are gadgets in the film, despite what fan-boys say, but they are smaller and truncated to be more believable. They're not gloated on or masturbated to, and they rarely help Bond in ultra-convenient moments. Still no Q. Get over it. He may or may not show up in this new series of films. Besides the film's plot has no room for an action/plot stopping Q sequence. The humor is dry and dark. If you like it broader check out all of Roger Moore's cannon as well as the last two Brosnan Bond films, they're loaded with broad humor and puns. It must be comforting to know that if you hate the new Bond, you have 20 other old Bonds to satisfy you.

People who don't like the new Bond go on and on about how the filmmakers don't seem to know why people like or go to Bond films. Really? Bond like many other comic book-like characters go through changes. Bond books were much different than most of the films, maybe with small exceptions on the two Dalton films. These movies not only modernize and make Bond relevant again, they hue close to the Ian Flemming books. This is a good thing. Though, I warn readers of Flemming that this film has nothing to do with the actual short story Quantum of Solace. How could it? That was a very short story that consisted of a Bond inner monalogue while he was by himself. I guess they just thought the title sounded good, and the name of the villain organization would be nifty if they called it Quantum? Dunno, don't really care.

Finally, if you can't handle brutal violence taking the PG-13 rating to the edge, then skip this. There's many cartoons and other older Bond films with inconsequential violence and silly inventions. Take your pick. If gadgets, one-liners on the cheesy and sexually charged innuendo side, silly Bond girl names, Q comedy sequences, globe trotting for the sake of new foreign location to put the tired action, lack of danger, volcanic hide-outs, and a story that you can't really get dramatically involved in outside the action sequences are the only things that you judge a Bond film on, then please move on and let the rest of us enjoy the innovation, oh, and the scary changes.

PS: The new Bond theme song isn't as good as previous films. It's better then some, but not as good as Casion Royale, but on the whole it fits the tone of the new film. The first direct Bond sequel.

LATER

Quantum of Solace [Blu-ray]

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Bolt (Single-Disc Edition)Bolt (Single-Disc Edition)


Directed by Chris Williams; Byron Howard
Average customer review:

Bolt is a funny animated film about a dog who thinks he has superpowers. It is also a movie about friendship, perseverance, and the power of believing in oneself. Everyone knows that superheroes on television are not real, but super-dog Bolt (John Travolta) is a canine star who has been carefully raised to believe that he really possesses superpowers. Bolt is completely devoted to his human co-star Penny (Miley Cyrus), so when Penny is captured by the evil Dr. Calico (Malcolm McDowell) in their latest television episode and then Bolt accidentally gets loose in the real world, Bolt sets off on a journey to save her. Bolt is confounded when his super powers are suddenly ineffective, but inspiration strikes and Bolt quickly discovers the mysterious, power-stealing effects of Styrofoam packing peanuts. An encounter with alley cat Mittens (Susie Essman) gives Bolt some eye-opening lessons about being a real dog in the real world, while star-struck, ball-enclosed hamster Rhino (Mark Walton) revels in the opportunity to serve as Bolt's sidekick in the quest to rescue Penny. The trio traverses the United States from waffle house to waffle house on a hysterical quest to find Penny and prove that the relationship between Penny and Bolt is real. In the end, Bolt, Mittens, and Rhino learn that everyone is special in their own way and they discover the true power of believing in oneself and one's friends. Select theaters showed Bolt in Real-D 3-D which features some nice effects, but the film is probably equally enjoyable in the traditional format. A fun film with a nice message and a huge dose of cute, Bolt is good entertainment for the entire family. --Tami Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Doggonit, I Feel Like I've Seen This Hound Of A Flix Before...3
From the "We're Disney, we don't need Pixar everytime we do animation!", comes a film that disproves that theory in the CGI filled 00's. Sure, at times it's looks like a Pixar film circa "A Bug Life", but that was over ten years ago. Sure, my 10 year old was entertained, but when a person that age isn't "blown away" with the first viewing you know you got a middle-of-the-road CGI flix. Bolt (an unrecognizable John Travolta) is a dog, similar to Lassie thru James Bond, that has his own TV show where he saves his young female owner (voiced by Miley Cyrus, who sounds like she needs to lay off the two-packs-a-day of Virginia Slims) from evil trying to destroy them. But Bolt doesn't know that he's just an actor and thru a typical plot point of getting sent hundreds of miles away from the one he loves to try to find a way back to her while learning the hard truths of who he really is along the way. Also lending a voice was surprisingly Susie Essman of Curb Your Enthusiasm who I kept expecting to say "What's the f&*%$*' a matter with you Dog?". Another thing I noticed is alot of gags seem to be borrowed from alot of other films and TV shows, most noticeably the New York pigeons that looked straight out of '90's Warner Bros Goodfeathers cartoon, which seemed more rip-off than homage. And of course you have the goof character Rhino The Hamster, rolling ball and all that helps with the lack of original lines & sight-gags along the way. Overall, this will pass the time with the younger generation but I doubt they'll be screaming for multiple viewings over WALL+E or even Kung Fu Panda. The one-disc version has the typical Disney "look, we still have other retread stuff" promos and a short film starring Rhino that you'll see coming a mile away, and way too short to boot (even for a short!). A decent rental, but like what the pigeons say, "I've seen this dog somewhere before, but where?" you'll be thinking the exact same thing.
(RedSabbath Rating:7.0/10)



Bolt (Single-Disc Edition)


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The Venture Bros.: Season ThreeThe Venture Bros.: Season Three


From Turner Home Ent
Average customer review:

"Dig deeper into the world of Venture with Season 3, a rich tapestry of past and present, cause and effect, unitards and bodystockings. Witness the genesis of villainous personae, the clash of sporadically opposing forces, and the birth of debilitating neuroses in this, the sturmiest, most drangful season yet. "

Customer Reviews

entertainment of the animateed sort at its finest5
even if you aren't a fan, or you've never heard of the venture bros, you will love this season. some of the most hilarious crap i've ever seen occurs in season three. just buy it.


The Venture Bros.: Season Three

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James Bond Blu-ray Collection Three-Pack, Vol. 3 (Moonraker/ The World is Not Enough / Goldfinger) [Blu-ray]James Bond Blu-ray Collection Three-Pack, Vol. 3 (Moonraker/ The World is Not Enough / Goldfinger) [Blu-ray]


From MGM (Video & DVD)
Average customer review:

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #68 in DVD
  • Released on: 2009-03-24
  • Rating: Unrated
  • Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
  • Formats: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
  • Original language: English
  • Subtitled in: French
  • Dubbed in: French, Spanish
  • Number of discs: 3
  • Running time: 359 minutes

Customer Reviews

A Showcase Blu-ray Package (Vol. 3)5
I hope that everyone who had problems playing the first 2 Bond collections had them addressed by now because Volume 3's layout and features is consistent with the previous two. All players that received firmware upgrades after October 2008 should be able to play this set.

Here is my evaluation of the current Bond Blu-ray collection (a work in progress as I'm not fully done with the viewing) - and it's not unlike my impression of the first 2.

_____________________________________________
THE GOOD:
- Incredible video quality, most likely better than what the audience saw on release date on some of the older movies.
- Lots of extras, most of them worth watching or listening to.
- Beautiful, innovative packaging.

THE NOT SO GOOD:
- The sound restoration not as good as the video on the early Bonds.
- Some of the 'extras' sections would benefit from a 'play all' option.
- The boxes could be a bit slimmer.
- May require upgrades on certain players if they haven't been upgraded since September-October 2008.
_____________________________________________

The overall impression is of quality, inside and out. The box could be a little smaller but the packaging is exquisite. There's a transparent plastic slide cover over a solid cardboard box holding a small binder on which the individual movie disks are attached to pages. Each movie comes on one disc holding the movie itself and in incredible amount of extras.

The menu interface is well organized and there's even some humor in labeling. For example, the option that plays the movie is labeled 'The Mission' while the historic promotional material is found under 'The Propaganda'. Depending on which section you may be, menu options branch into further sub-menus.

The extras are numerous and, for the most part interesting. There are features on the restoration process and we get to learn who did what, why and how. Then, we see contemporary documentaries on the making of the movie and so on. The Goldfinger disc, for example, includes actual radio interviews with Sean Connery, 2 major documentaries on 'the making of' and 'the world of' Goldfinger, about 30 minutes each, original trailers, screen tests, an interview with Honor Blackman (Pussy Galore), even a feature on Bond's Aston Martin. And, amazingly, it all fits on one disc.

The area where some of the older installments show their age is the sound. The audio options include the original sound track which, in the older releases is 'mono' but all movies come with DTS-HD Master Audio 24-bit 5.1 surround as the default. The sound wasn't upgraded and improved to the degree that the picture was but, it's understandable. Going from mono to 5.1 surround is the equivalent of upgrading from black and white to full-color 3-D in the world of images. Commentary sound tracks featuring the director and the cast and crew are also included.

When it comes to the video quality, the best that I can say is that you've got to see it to believe it. The restoration of the older movies started with the actual original negative, which is the one reference copy that's almost never touched. Once the copy was digitized as a 4000 lines resolution digital copy (Bluray is 1080) every frame was reprocessed to eliminate any possible defects from 'dirty optics', such as the proverbial hair that we sometimes see on the older movies to scratches, bad exposure, color brilliance. The restorers' goal for the end result, and this concerns the video only, not the sound quality, was to deliver what would appear to be a contemporary movie with a 60's or 70's theme rather than a 60's or 70's movies. In my view, they succeeded and, surprisingly, the 1964 Goldfinger looks as good as the 1979 Moonraker.

My overall rating is a solid five-stars. Just about everything in this release is superlative: the physical packaging, the interface design, the extras, the video quality. The sound is not so good on the older movies but, given the state of sound restoration technologies, I did not feel compelled to remove a star because the old movies sounded more or less like they did on release date or better.


James Bond Blu-ray Collection Three-Pack, Vol. 3 (Moonraker/ The World is Not Enough / Goldfinger) [Blu-ray]

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In TreatmentIn Treatment


From HBO
Average customer review:

HBO premieres the first of 43 episodes of In Treatment, a new half-hour drama series starring Gabriel Byrne, and adapted from an enormously popular Israeli series created by Hagai Levi (one of HBOs executive producers, along with Rodrigo Garcia, Steve Levinson and Mark Wahlberg). Set within the intimate confines of individual psychotherapy sessions with five sets of patients, the series centers around Paul (Byrne), a therapist who exhibits an insightful, confident demeanor when treating his patients, but displays a crippling insecurity while counseled by his own therapist, Gina (Dianne Wiest). Patients undergoing treatment with Paul include a young doctor (Melissa George) who has fallen in love with Paul, a Navy pilot (Blair Underwood) reevaluating his life after a failed mission in Iraq, a teenage gymnast (Mia Wasikowska) with suicidal tendencies, and a sexually passionate couple (Josh Charles and Embeth Davidtz) who are troubled in all other areas of their lives. In addition, Pauls wife Kate (Michelle Forbes) will be featured prominently this season.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #50 in DVD
  • Brand: Warner Brothers
  • Released on: 2009-03-24
  • Rating: Unrated
  • Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
  • Formats: Box set, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
  • Original language: English
  • Number of discs: 9
  • Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
  • Running time: 1290 minutes

Customer Reviews

Mesmerizing5
I sort of stumbled across this series quite recently when I got On Demand and HBO. This show is broad-ranged and entrancing. HBO was playing reruns, I think, of all the episodes in a row on one day. I would tape and then watch most of them in one evening.

All of the actors are superb. The writing is impeccable. The stories are captivating.

I can certainly see why this was a hit in Israel and why it continues to be one over here also.


In Treatment

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Motley Crue: Crue Fest 2008Motley Crue: Crue Fest 2008


From Eleven Seven Music
Average customer review:

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #170 in DVD
  • Released on: 2009-03-24
  • Formats: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
  • Original language: English
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Running time: 90 minutes

Customer Reviews

Content, Not Show, Review4
Every "review" I've seen so far (3/24) has been from people who were at the show but nobody has said anything about the DVD, which is what you're buying right? Unless you're paying $20 to have the bands come and play at your house I guess. So I figured I'll tell you what you're thinking about buying since there's no real description yet from Amazon (although there probably will be by the time this posts... making me look like a bigger idiot).

It's a 2 disc set. On the first disc is Motley's entire 14 song set, from Kickstart My Heart until they close after Home Sweet Home. There's also Tommy T Cam in case you're wondering. On disc 2 you get 2 songs from Trapt (Contagious, Headstrong), 2 from Sixx A.M. (Pray for Me, Life is Beautiful), 3 from Papa Roach (Time Is Running Out, Forever, Last Resort) and 3 from Buckcherry (Lit Up, Sorry, Crazy Bitch). You also get a few bonus bits with a short documentary and 6 of Motley Crue's videos (White Trash Circus, Saints, Primal Scream, Looks That Kill, Live Wire, Kickstart).

So you know the bands, you know the songs, the sound quality is decent (5.1 and stereo) and the video footage was shot with 15 camera angles so you can see it all up close. Lots of value for the money.



Motley Crue: Crue Fest 2008


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Moonraker [Blu-ray]Moonraker [Blu-ray]


From MGM (Video & DVD)
Average customer review:

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #1859 in DVD
  • Brand: Ultimate
  • Released on: 2009-03-24
  • Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
  • Formats: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
  • Original language: English
  • Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
  • Dubbed in: French, Spanish
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Running time: 121 minutes

Customer Reviews

Moonraker - Blu-ray Info4
Version: U.S.A / MGM-FOX / Region A
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
MPEG-4 AVC BD-50 / BD+ / High Profile 4.1
Running time: 2:06:28
Movie size: 27,92 GB
Disc size: 44,62 GB
Total bit rate: 29.44 Mbps
Average video bit rate: 22.01 Mbps

DTS-HD Master Audio English 4143 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4143 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio French 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / Dolby Surround
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps

Subtitles: English SDH, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, French, Spanish
Number of chapters: 32

#Audio Commentary Featuring Sir Roger Moore
#Audio Commentary Featuring Director Lewis Gilbert and Members of the Cast and Crew
#007 In Rio - Original 1979 Production Featurette
#Bond 79
#Ken Adam's Production Films
#Learning to Freefall - Sky Diving Test Footage
#Sky Diving Storyboards
#Circus Footage
#Cable Car Alternative Storyboard 1
#Cable Car Alternative Storyboard 2
#007 Mission Control - Interactive Guide Into the World of Moonraker
#Exotic Locations featurette
#Inside Moonraker - An Original Documentary
#The Men Behind the Mayhem - Special Effects


Moonraker [Blu-ray]

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Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Volume Three (Other Men's Women / The Purchase Price / Frisco Jenny / Midnight Mary / Heroes for Sale / Wild Boys of the Road)Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Volume Three (Other Men's Women / The Purchase Price / Frisco Jenny / Midnight Mary / Heroes for Sale / Wild Boys of the Road)


Directed by William Wellman
Average customer review:

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #104 in DVD
  • Released on: 2009-03-24
  • Rating: NR (Not Rated)
  • Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
  • Formats: Box set, Black & White, Color, DVD-Video, Original recording remastered, Restored, NTSC
  • Original language: English
  • Number of discs: 4
  • Running time: 573 minutes

Customer Reviews

Midnight Mary - Loretta Young4
I've seen Midnight Mary (1933) with Loretta Young at her best and absolutely "drop-dead" gorgeous. Very happy to know this film has finally been made available on DVD. She was quite the actress in pre-code films. Don't know what happened, but sometime from the late 1930s on, she became too holier than thou. With two or three exceptions, her later performances became less natural and more affected. I did, however, think she gave a touching performance in the 1986 made for TV movie Christmas Eve. I have never seen a more beautiful actress than she was in the EARLY 1930s. Thomas Kelly


Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Volume Three (Other Men's Women / The Purchase Price / Frisco Jenny / Midnight Mary / Heroes for Sale / Wild Boys of the Road)

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