John Carter (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

John Carter Excceded My Expectations!
I went in to "John Carter" filled with trepidation. I often avoid these big, splashy CGI spectacles that never live up to their promises and I was sure that this film was going to be nothing more than lots of cinematic eye candy and short on substance. Added to that there was a lot of lackluster critical reviews. Well, all I can say is that this was a grand entertainment and I am so glad I caught it on the big screen!

I've heard some critics say the plot was a mess and overly convoluted. Really? My suggestion to them is "don't text while watching a movie, you might miss something". I found the plot fairly well done and actually made sense (if only the last Star Trek film had that going for it) and was interesting to boot.

I also read that the look of Barsoom (Mars to you and me) was dull and uninteresting. Hmmm, never been an admirerer of the stark and raw beauty of the American southwest I guess. Personally I found Barsoom to be beautiful, alien, exotic...

John Carter is an Epic Win Despite Horrible Marketing and Insane Critics
John Carter captures the spirit of the original ERB books very well. I'm not going to give a thorough review of the movie because so many other reviewers have already done that. I will, however, say that everyone involved in the production of this movie should be commended. The film takes Burroughs' "A Princess of Mars" and combines elements of the second book "Gods of Mars" (adding a few tweaks along the way) to create what can be called a mini-masterpiece. The story is well-written, the characters are fleshed out, the FX enhance the story not overshadow it, and the acting is excellent. The stunning Lynn Collins steals the show with her performance as Princess Dejah Thoris, Taylor Kitsch is admirable as Carter, and Willem Dafoe is perfect as the Thark leader Tars Tarkas. Andrew Stanton did a great job directing, the score is memorable, and the visuals are breathtaking.

If you haven't read the original books (which are absolute classics), you'll enjoy this movie...

Incredible Story
Former Confederate Civil War soldier, Captain John Carter has nothing left to fight for when he finds himself transported to a desert planet. Suddenly among a warrior tribe of four-armed aliens and a beautiful princess, Carter ends up in the middle of another war. But when faced with the chance of returning home to Earth, Carter may have found a cause worth fighting for in Princess Dejah and the people of Barsoom.

Taylor Kitsch stars as John Carter, the bitter and destitute man who cares for nothing but his found cave of gold. Kitsch has a young face and stoic countenance, perfect for the role of the ageless John Carter. He's a believable fighter and a great straight man to plenty of humor. Princess Dejah is played by Lynn Collins, who has terrific chemistry with John Carter, and is just as strong and smart as her male counterparts (if not more). Mark Strong and Dominic West are fantastic villains, especially West as a surprisingly charming and attractive (though na

Soul Surfer

Outstanding!!! Good Can Come Out of Difficulties
I just went this afternoon to the matinee, and wow what a good movie!! A main theme of the movie is that good can come out of bad. Also, it shows how we can help others through our personal tragedies and that life is not over when bad things happen to us. There is a plan for everything. I was very impressed with all the acting, special effects and the family friendly tone. There are zilcho swears. Even in the characters' darkest moments, there are no typical overused omg's or anything that would indicate they were angry at God or anyone else. They don't shy away from Christian references but present it accurately, the way the family and Bethany responded in the situation. I was impressed that the faith message that was natural, but not preachy. Also, the Bible verse quoted was from Jeremiah 29:11 and really if you were of another faith you wouldn't be offended by it I don't think. In the credits they show interviews with the real Bethany and she mentions Jesus there. However, that's...

Yes, it has an overt Christian message, but read on.
This movie was wonderful! The cinematography was beautiful. I especially loved the shots filmed through the pipeline as she surfed and the scenes shot looking up through the surface of the water. I scuba dive and love to look up through the water. It adds dimension and energy to the scenes. The special effects were just awesome. The actress really looks like her arm is missing. Just incredible. The acting was top-notch. It is everything I am looking for in a good movie. Drama, warmth, realism, up-lifting. This young girl is a real inspiration. There are those who might not want to watch because the message is overtly Christian, but I would ask the question, "Have you seen the movie, Ghandi? Or Seven Years in Tibet?" Did you avoid them because they were overtly about their religious beliefs? Watch with an open mind and be inspired by this young girl and the God who gave Bethany such courage and perseverance.

A MUST SEE..!!
This is one of the best movies I have ever seen.. Period. It is a movie you can take your whole family to and not be afraid of them being exposed to any kind of crude jokes or bad refrences. There is not one curse word in the movie and it's hard to get that these days, even in cartoons.! It is a wonderful movie of faith, family, and never giving up.! So inspirational and just a great all around movie.! They also did a good job staying true to Bethany's story.! Loved it and would see it again in a heartbeat! Can't wait until it comes out so I can buy it.! =)

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Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron

INCREDIBLE MOVIE!!!!
I took my 4 year old, and four 7 year olds to see this movie, and it made an impact on all of us. This movie is original. It is not Disney-ish and while I've appreciation for Disney, this movie did not have the "cutesy" factor of a Disney movie. Spirit captured my children's hearts and imaginations. This movie took the children through a full spectrum of emotions. They were elated at Spirit's courage, angry about his treatment, sad when he was sad and Rain was injured, and again thrilled when he was finally free! Isn't this what movies are for...to entertain our emotions? This movie beautifully depicted strength and courage. The animation was phenomenal and the music...Bryan Adams, what more can I say!!! My four year old was deeply impacted by this movie. She says it changed her life. When she went to get shots, she told me, "I will not cry, I will be brave like Spirit" and she didn't shed a tear! I highly recommend this beautiful and unique movie to anyone who wants to see or have...

Wonderful and uplifting family film...
I went to see this film in sneak preview with my 8 year old cousin.

I thought that it was incredible! It's the story of a wild stallion who's captured, first by US soldiers, and then by a young Native American... All through out though, Spirit's heart is with his herd, running the hills of the untamed west!

Since the horses didn't speak in the film, except for narration by Matt Damon as the voice of Spirit, the horses facial expressions became central, so they had some really fun to watch "conversations". This movie had one of the most touching mother/son relationships since Bambi, in my book, even without a word spoken between them!

It's a movie about being you are, and about never accepting defeat, and about soaring on wings of eagles... We can all stand to have a little of that untamed majesty beating in our hearts every now and then, so go see it, and let your self be taken away!

Marie

Unique and Breathtaking
After watching this movie, I have got to say that this is truly a unique theatrical experience. This is one of the many movies I have been wanting to see for a very long time, and I wasn't dissapointed. The presentation of Spirit is something to hold on to. The Brilliant Score of Hans Zimmer, the Exceptional Songs of Bryan Adams and the Superb Narration from Matt Damon is very Dazzaling. I can't say nothing bad about this movie because there really isn't anything to say.

For a 15 year old guy, like me, I was very Satisfied to see that Dreamworks also thought of the Adults, with the story being strong, as it is, but also giving us the normal humor that we expect from a kids film.

From the Opening Scene to the Final Jump, Spirit is a film that Everyone should go out and see, because it will bring people closer together. For sure Spirit will be getting an Award for the Excellent work that each individual did on this movie. I can't wait to get this on DVD!

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Parks and Recreation: Season One

"Parks and Recreation" Starts Poorly, Gets Much Better
When I watched the first episode of "Parks and Recreation", I was let down. It was unfunny, unoriginal, and dull. Being an Amy Poehler fan though, I decided to stick with it to see if it improved. To my surprise, not only did it improve, it became better than most sitcoms out there nowadays. If you reviewed this negatively based solely on the first episode, I would suggest watching the entire season as even I agree with your first episode assessment. If you like "30 Rock" and "The Office", this show fits in nicely to that style of comedy.

"Yes-We-Can" Spirit Meets "No We Can't" Bureaucracy
Back in 2008 there was much talk of a spinoff of The Office. Rashida Jones was attached. Would her Office character Karen Fillippelli be getting her own show? (Answer: no.)

Then, despite the involvement of Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, the line became "don't call it an Office spinoff." (Answer: too late.)

Then Amy Poehler quit SNL to headline the show.

Then Parks And Recreation debuted in April 2009 and people immediately ripped it apart for being too much like The Office (mockumentary style, workplace setting) or not like The Office enough (no Michael-Jim-Pam-Dwight... not even a Karen Fillippelli).

I have no idea how the show actually came about. But during the development process, there was also a rather inspirational Presidential campaign playing in the background of everyone's lives. A new day dawned in America. And somehow the non-Office-spin-off show that emerged was set in local government (the Pawnee, Indiana Parks &...

Often hilarious first season
"Parks and Recreation" debuted in April, 2009, with a limited 6-episode first season run. The show was created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, who helped adapt the American version of "The Office" (Schur also plays Dwight's cousin, Mose). Filmed in the same mockumentary style as "The Office," the show is bound to draw comparisons. I'm a huge fan of "The Office," so that's what drew me to this show, and I was more or less satisfied. Both shows also feature rather mundane work settings populated with less than stellar workers. With "Parks and Recreation," we get Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), who is the naive second-in-charge at the parks and recreation office in fictional Pawnee, Indiana. Leslie believes that she can make a difference, and she aspires to be like some of her favorite female politicians (her office walls are lines with photos of the likes of Hilary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi).

Leslie regularly holds town forums for parks and rec, and at one of these...

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The Smurfs 2 (Three-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy)

A smurf movie for the demanding adult.
In response to some of the bad reviews here, I consider myself a pretty demanding adult but when I go to see a movie with little blue people in it I don't expect Hamlet. I expect cute, funny, light entertainment and this movie delivered in a big way. Like the previous movie, there are some simple wholesome life messages as well; "to be or not to be" it's not, but loving family members despite their faults is pretty good too. As in the previous movie, this theme repeats for the humans and the smurfs in a nice way. I'd like to comment on the short scene about peanut allergies. I didn't see it as making fun of peanut allergies but making fun of irresponsible adults who don't pay attention to allergies!. The acting is extremely appropriate, the comedy was great. There were some pretty special effects and I loved seeing bits of Paris in 3D.

grow up
For those of you that enjoyed this movie for what it is, congratulations!, you've grown up. As for you haters, this is a kids movie, intended for kids. It should not be filled with over-complicated plots, innuendos, or gratuitous violence to appease adult intellect or lack thereof. This movie did exactly what it was intended to do. It made my thirteen year old daughter happy and that alone is enough for me. As an adult, if you go into it light hearted, not looking for 'The Terminator' or 'Gone with the Wind', you may actually enjoy bonding with your kids. It's the 'Smurfs' people. Little blue folk that live in mushrooms and spend their existence running from a wizard and his cat. Lighten up & have fun!

Better than Smurfs 1
This was so cute and was something that we could watch over and over! I really liked how this was geared for a family and not just part of it, there are no sexual or adult references which is awesome. This will be one of the movies that we buy for sure, better than Smurfs 1!

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Lawless (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy)

FLAWLESS is Hardy's Performance
I won't paraphrase the storyline as others have done here so well. I will add that the moment
I hit play on the BD Player, I was so engrosed in the film I realized I was still sitting
on the edge of my seat after the first 20 minutes before I made myself comfortable, and never once hit pause.

I was riveted by Tom Hardy's acting, his portrayal was an original. It did not rely on a particular accent, clothing, make-up, mental defect or resemblance to a historical figure. He created an intelligent backwoods bootlegger, who despite his profession and its violence, lived by a code so strong that he appeared invincible. The glimpses of his tenderness he allowed himself were profoundly felt. The film was satisfying in its cinematography, cast, and story.

Good Movie and Well Worth Your Time
I really enjoyed this movie despite the reviews at the time it came out.

Ignore any online reviews by the so called media reviewers because this
movie is well worth it.

I enjoyed it so much I bought some books here at amazon regarding this slice of history
of alcohol prohibition in America.

The acting was superb.

It shows the rampant corruption among politicians and the police forces and shows the story of one family (3 brothers)
who refused to pay the currupt politicians who had the police do their dirty work.

Rent it ..it's a 4 star movie.

A Well Made, If Aloof, Period Crime Drama That Never Really Made Me Care About Its Central Characters
"Lawless" was one of the movies that I most looked forward to this year! A period piece about the outlaw Bondurant family of Virginia, the movie has gritty action set in the time of Prohibition. What's not to love? It also features an incredible A-list cast including Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, Shia LaBeouf, Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, and Mia Wasikowska. An impressive collection! It was also written by the eternally cool Nick Cave inspired by the fantastic biography "The Wettest County in the World." On paper, this had the potential to be one of the best film's of the year. And yet, something never really connected with me about "Lawless." It's a well made film, to be sure, but the story and its characters just didn't come alive enough to separate this from other Prohibition era dramas that have preceded it. I felt like I'd seen this tale many times before, and oftentimes with more depth. "Lawless" may still be worth seeing (especially for the cast), it just never felt particularly...

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Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's Bow-Tique

Darling adventures for the pre-school set.
We bought this when my little one was only 15 months old. She absolutely adores it! Far from being scary, she laughs, claps, and dances her way through every episode. It's a lovely collection for every miniature Mickey fan.

I highly recommend it. It's very appropriate for toddlers. Sorry 1 mom's 2 year old got scared, but my 15 month old had a great time.

Misleading
I was looking for a DVD containing all of the 5-minute "Minnie's Bow-tique" cartoons that air at the ends of regular episodes. I thought this might be it, but it's actually 4 full-length episodes, and only one is actually centered on the Bow-tique. The description wasn't very clear or I just didn't understand it I guess.

Has four mickey mouse clubhouse episodes.
Minnie's pajama party
Minnie's birthday bowtique
Minnie's bee story
Minnie's picnic
Cute stories, 3 and 5 y/o love it! Good enough.

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4 Film Favorites: John Wayne (Back to Bataan, Flying Leathernecks, Operation Pacific, They Were Expendable)

John Wayne WW II in the Pacific
This is an excellent collection of John Wayne movies that are all set in World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Each film individually stands on it's own as a very good depiction of the dedication, perseverance, sacrifice, and bravery of our United States armed forces fighting incredible odds in the Pacific area of World War II. "They Were Expendable" is set against a backdrop of the early use of the PT Boat, as President John F. Kennedy served on. (JFK himself is NOT depicted). "Flying Leathernecks" is a little more title obvious is about Marine Corps fliers in WW II. "Operation Pacific" is about the submarine warfare aspect of WW II. Back To Bataan" depicts the fight in the Philippines and the way the US Armed forces worked with the Filipino freedom fighters in their effort to resist the Japanese.

They are all good films, each worth the cost of the set, and then some. So grab up the set and get a bargain. You may want to stock up on popcorn and have a weekend...

Truly pleased by John Wayne fan.
I purchased this title: John Wayne War: 4 Film Favorites for my favorite John Wayne fan. He tells me the films are clear and bright and he could not detect any "editing" out of favorite scenes. The films are full length, the sound is crisp and clear. I will be purchasing other films for him as gifts.

OPERATION PACIFIC
The movie is great!!!!! The four in one DVD stunk. The quality was poor. Everytime the movie would change to a new scene the movie would freeze. It was a pain to watch. From now on I'd rather have the single DVD.

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - The Second Year

Law & Order: SVU - Year 2 - Now it gets great!
It's about bloody time that this season came onto DVD! Why they released season 5 before the others is quite beyond me, but as long as the other seasons get released quickly, and allow me to complete my collection, I won't complain. One of the things that really gets me about this series isn't just the hard-hitting cases that this show tackles, but also the characters and the acting.

The season opened with Stabler's daughter witnessing a gory crime scene, and some great father/daughter scenes resulted from this episode, depicting Stabler as a caring family man, sometimes made too paranoid by his job. Another episode that I found touching was 'Legacy', where a case of Shaken Baby Syndrome hits really close to home for Munch, played by Richard Belzer, who was originally on the series "Homicide: Life on the Street." Personally, I wish that the series focused more on Munch than it currently does. We learned a good deal about him in "Homicide", but since then, character...

...This Excellent Television Show.
The Law & Order franchise is second only to the Simpsons to be the longest running television show. Through its success, the police drama has spawned three similar productions that crossover into different realms of the criminal world and guardians of the law. One of the descendants from the original series is Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, also known as SVU, which deals sensitive crimes of sexual nature. Each episode follows the complete circle of the crime. From the crime to the legal consequence portrayed through the eyes of the prosecutors. However, the focus of the series seems to rest on the investigators in the SVU and their investigative work, which reveals gruesome crimes such as rape and incest.

The opening of the second season brings an episode, Wrong is Right, that possess all the intrigues necessary to continue to fascinate the audience, as it did during its initial season. It simply continues where season one left off, as the repercussions of a...

Great show
I love the show, and was very pleased to finally be able to see Season 2. Unfortunately, the second disc in the set was defective (same thing for the replacement Amazon sent me). Hopefully Universal will release a set with each disc in proper working order. (No dust or scratches on disc 2 - it just wouldn't play, no matter what DVD player it was in.)

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Fireplaces, Fishtank & Lava

fire ACTUALLY makes you feel warmer! GREAT value!


I'm warmer... I am!
This is the second fireplace DVD we've purchased. The first was a disappointing thing with horrid music that you couldn't turn off, of which there was no mention on the label. We wanted to have a "crackling" fire, and that's what we got with this Vjworld DVD. We played it during our family Christmas parties, as we do not have a fireplace in our great room. People said they felt warmer when it was on - I thought it was only in my head, so this was confirmation for me that I wasn't going crazy. The fire is mesmerizing, as well as gorgeous and calming. I noticed people just staring into it as the festivities were going on, and several of them asked where we bought it. The aquarium is also beautiful and calming; I'm sure we'll get more use out of it in the warmer months. We watched for quite a while, trying to see where the loop started over, and never did see a repeat.
We enjoy the fire in the evenings while we read - so cozy - all it lacks is the wonderful smell of a wood fire...

Better than "Fun View TV v. 1" for what it does
This is a DVD containing 5 short videos, each about 30 minutes long. They are closeups of a two fireplaces (classic and modern), a campfire, a saltwater aquarium, and a lava lamp. The fire and fishtank videos are excellent, in sharp focus and with good, realistic sound quality. There are many active fish in the aquarium, plus some coral and a shrimp. While the DVD is standard def (480i), everything looks pretty good on an HDTV with a quality upconverter in the TV or DVD player. If you want a DVD with fireplaces and an aquarium, this is a good choice.

In comparison to the "Fun View TV v. 1", the fireplaces are similar, and perhaps a little better on this disc. "Fun View" only has one fireplace, equivalent to the "classic" on this disc, and the video of it is only 2 1/2 minutes long. "Fun View" has a single goldfish against a white background instead of an aquarium, and has goofy sound effects instead of the aquarium's realistic pump and filter noises. Both discs have a lava...

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Lost - The Complete Second Season

Don't believe everything you hear
As a die hard Lost fan from the Season 1 debut, I have been a bit shocked to hear so many negative things about Season 2. The mystery of the island went much deeper and the season actually answered more questions than the first, while still whetting our appetite for more. I would love to see some loose ends tied up, but that is what makes people keep watching. Those who abandoned the show because of too many questions obviously don't have the patience required for a show such as this. In our "quick fix, gotta have it" society, it is refreshing to know that there is actually a show that will not simply give us questions and answers but an acutal story with strong characters and an intriguing plot. I cannot wait for Season 3 to premiere.

Lost The Complete Second Season - The Extended Experience is coming to DVD!
LOST is one of the best TV shows (along with Desperate Housewives, Greys Anatomy, and Prison Break) to come out in a long time. In a world where silly reality TV seems to have taken over, it is refreshing to see a quality show out there like LOST. Lost is one of the few shows that hooks you in, gets you addicted, and takes you on this emotional journey with the characters. I give Disney a lot of credit for releasing such a beautiful DVD set. They really put much time and effort in to the LOST DVD sets and it really shows.

Lost The Complete Second Season - The Extended Experience will be released as a 7 disc DVD set and it includes all season 2 episodes of the this awesome show. Season 2 explores even more discoveries. The set will be presented once again in widescreen with a 5.1 Surround Sound along with Over 8 Hours of Bonus Materials including the ones below courtesy of the press release from Buena Vista/Disney.

*Lost Connections - Viewers can navigate between...

Season 2 Is Less About Characters & More About Dharma, But LOST Is Still The Best Drama On Television
Review: I have been a religious viewer of LOST ever since the pilot episode hooked me in. The show is the most intelligent and emotionally captivating show to ever grace television. No other drama has the same emotional weight as LOST. Season 1 was absolutely amazing and each episode was crafted so carefully and so beautifully.

Season 2 was less about the characters and more about the situation they are in on the island, the central plot. We learn that on the island there is a research facility of some kind called the Dharma Initiative that is run by The Hanso Foundation. We discover that the so called "Others" are the passengers of the tail-end of the plane. We also learn that there is so much more to the island than we think we know. We know there are several other stations like The Swan, and as we think that the survivors are nothing but a research experiment. We learn even further that the researchers are part of the experiment. Inside the hatch, a clock countdowns from...

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