Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken

A Profile of Courage and Tenacity
Based on a true story, this film is not only entertaining, but as inspirational as they come; a paean to the indomitability of the human spirit in the face of the kind of adversity that would make most of us simply roll over and quit. It's the story of the kind of challenges life can throw at anyone at random, and then follow up with yet another curve that seemingly takes it beyond the limits of human endurance. It's a film that should be required viewing for anyone who has ever cried out that the world owes them a living, because the message of "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken," directed by Steve Miner, is that "Life" isn't fair, but when the worst happens you have to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and get on with it; nobody's going to do it for you. It has something to do with a little thing called "pride," and everything to do with the courage and tenacity it takes for someone to at least try to stand up when even the very hand of Fate seems bent on keeping them down. There's a...

"Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken"
A great movie for horse-lovers of all ages. The main character, Sonora endures a number of life changing events that to the average person may seem exceptionally dramatic and difficult to overcome. Her strong will to have her dream even when it seemed impossible shows a great example to us all! Vic- tory only comes to those of us who are always willing to try one more time. Overall this video shows us good moral examples. There is no sex or violence to speak of. This is also a true story. It shows our children to have dreams and go after them. Have integrity, faith, hope, love through the bad times as well as the good. Above all, if you want something out of life be willing to work hard for it. Don't let someone else steal your dream!

Just a Great Movie
Call me sentimental. Call me a pushover for kids and animals but this is a great movie I just happened to stumble on.

Parents: Run don't walk and buy this for the family. Disney did it again. Heartwarming tale of an orphan girl makes good. She makes good in the public eye but also, and the important lesson from the story, makes good overcoming terrible odds.

I am surprised there have not been hundreds of reviews of this movie. Absorbing for adults and children. Good lessons to be learned. An hour and a half well spent.

Buy it!

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The Office: Season One

Comedy is Reborn
I love this show and I think NBC actually made one good decison this year by renewing it. Steve Carrell is genious as Michael Scott the manager with a little too much enthusiasm. The supporting cast is great and I'm glad that the bonus features are good because a 6 episode season of a half hour show is hardly worth twenty-two dollars but it's worth it. I didn't think the pilot was great but I tuned in again and I'm glad I did. I hope that if you don't watch this show that you decide to try it out because it is brillant. A lot of people say it isn't as good as the British version but it comes close. Check out Diversity Day it's the best in the set.

The Episodes

1. Pilot

2. Diversity Day

3. Healthcare

4. The Alliance

5. Basketball

6. Hot Girl

The bonus features include deleted scenes and audio commetaries. Even though it may seem pricey you'll probably get as much enjoyment out of it as you would any...

Finally, a US production worthy of its UK predecessor
I am and always have been a huge fan of British comedy. The wry sense of humor and the intelligent wit has always held far greater appeal to me than the cheap/obvious laughs that many American sitcoms tend to go for. Sadly, many copies (or attempted copies) of British comedies have been overadapted for the American audience (Coupling is a perfect example) and the result is a weak translation that loses all or most of what made the series so funny/original in the UK.

Fortunately, this version of the original UK show is absolutely hilarious, perhaps because the producers are tied closely and stay faithful to the original version. There was no dumbing down of the comedy - the irony, the facial expressions, the unbelievable audacity of the characters - for the sake of easier/louder laughs. The fact that there is no studio audience here makes it even funnier - the viewers are left to laugh on their own, without canned tracks or cues from a studio audience.

While...

Unexpectedly funny version of a classic BBC original
Like most other fans of the great BBC series THE OFFICE, I was absolutely horrified when they announced that they were doing an American version of the show. Ricky Gervais's show was so perfect, so unique that it didn't seem possible for it to be successfully translated into an American context. Also, the show was unimaginable without Ricky Gervais, who was both the creator and lead performer of the original. And to be honest, when the American show straightforwardly imitates the original, especially in the first episode, it compares rather badly. The jokes were tailored perfectly to Gervais and his cohorts, and they just didn't translate all that well to the new set of actors. However, once you get past the first episode, and the American crew produces original material, it actually becomes a very, very funny show. In fact, if you have seen the BBC version, I would recommend just skipping the first episode of the American version and going on from there. My other complaint...

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Episode 1

A stellar adaptation of Pride and Prejudice
With the exception of the movie version starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, I own all three adaptations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice - the 1980 version, Pride and Prejudice (BBC Miniseries), the 1995 BBC series, Pride and Prejudice (Restored Edition), and the 2005 film version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew McFadyen, Pride & Prejudice. Of these, my favorite is the 1995 BBC adaptation which I've watched countless times.

There's something infinitely charming about the 1995 adaptation. The casting is wonderful, especially in the casting of Colin Firth as the delectable Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. I do not think any other actor has come close to portraying the role of Mr. Darcy with such perfection and aplomb, though David Rintoul and Matthew McFadyen have both done credible turns in their roles in the 1980 and 2005 versions respectively. As for the role of dear Elizabeth Bennet, Jennifer Ehle may at first appear to be a bit too old to play the role of Ms...

Fantastic min-series
I admit that my wife convinced me to watch this with her. I was skeptical (to say the least), and watched it begrudgingly. I was soon hooked, however, and could not wait to get through the last few episodes to completion.

The acting is superb and the casting, with a couple of exceptions, is terrific. The characters play with such depth and ability that they draw you in to the narrative. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the mini-series. The version we watched was the multi-disc set I bought for my wife on Mother's Day. She has seen it 6-7 times, and I even told her I would be willing to watch it again with her - although not for a while ;)

ABSOLUTE FAVORITE VERSION OF PRIDE N PREJUDICE
It is my favorite of all the Pride and Prejudice films made - so glad it is now available online!! Thanks!!

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Mission: Impossible II [HD]

Put aside all logic and have fun!
If you can watch this purely for the visual excitment, it's awesome!

You know you're watching a John Woo movie if...

1. Most everyone is wearing a black trenchcoat.

2. Half the movie is in slow motion.

3. Heros are generally proceeded by doves or other glowing, symbolicitems of mass courage.

4. More than one helicopter explodes.

5. Everyone cool wears sunglasses and eventually removes them in a slow-motion, classy mannor.

6. Character names are unusual, but deeply representative.

7. Motorcycles are rampant.

8. The hero can shoot the badguy while jumping through fire, swinging from a rope, falling down an elevator shaft or riding on the front wheel of a motorcycle while spinning a one-hundred-eighty degree circle at sixty miles per hour.

9. The plot generally revolves around the villian's intent on mass destruction.

10. Ammunition lasts more than the clip can hold. MUCH more.

11. Always more than one gun shoots at the same time.

12. By the end of the movie...

WooHoo!
Once again, John Woo directs a masterpiece. Forget plot, forget actors, instead focus on the beauty within each camera frame. Mr Woo's style is perfect in form and pleasing to the eye. Watch the picture, see the use of symbolism, the fight between good and evil and the heroe's triumph.

The movie's plot did lag in the middle, but spectacular special effects and coreographed violence made it all worth it. Villians are a dime a dozen and only few stand out in our mind. This one does not quite do it, however. Tom cruise and his She-ra in the movie struggled through their lines. But remember that movies are not just actors and dialogue, they tell a story. This movie could have just had pictures and music and the story would been told just the same.

Surely not the best John Woo film out there, but a masterpiece as only he can deliver. Thanks Mr Woo!

High paced action in HD
I had this on DVD but could nnot resist seeing this in HD! The movie is fantastic with director John Woo placing his signature action sequences to great use. This time secret agent Ethen Hunt is on a mission to hunt down a threat called Chimera.

This is one of these movies that rewards you for having it in High-Def.

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The Outsiders

This new special edition "Stays Gold"
Coppola's original version was quite faithful to Hinton's book and this new edit is even more so. He has put back in 22 more minutes, most noticeably at the beginning and end of the movie. This new footage opens up the film more. We are introduced to the greasers much earlier on now that Coppola isn't reigned in by the dictates of test screenings. He is able to take the time to immerse the audience in this richly textured world shot in glorious widescreen by Stephen Burum who adopts a look that evokes another epic about troubled youth, Rebel Without A Cause (1955). The film is drenched in the golden hues of warm sunrises and sunsets like something right out of Gone with the Wind (1939).

Another significant change has Coppola replacing all of his father's beautiful, classical score in favour of period rock `n' roll music. In some cases, like the opening scene where Ponyboy is jumped by some Socs, it works and in others, like the whimsical surf music that plays over the scene...

What a classic!
I loved the Outsiders when it first came out - it is so campy, but it is truly a classic movie. The cast is simply amazing, with a lot of future heavy hitters. The special features on this DVD are truly amazing, and long overdue!

Now, the reason why I did not give this DVD five stars - the music! Why did Coppola get rid of the beautiful score from the original movie and replace it with that god-awful music? Perhaps that music worked in a FEW scenes, but for the most part, it really tended to minimize some of the more dramatic parts in the movie. The new music did not work for me at all.

Extended Edition
I'm so glad they decided to put out a Two-Disc Special Edition. This movie is well worth it and now we get to see the deleted scenes we've been waiting for. I hope the rest of the 80's classics get this treatment. It's awesome that Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe and Diane Lane all made a commentary segment for this DVD, the only bad thing is Tom and Emilio aren't in the commentary.

Just watched my Copy of THE OUTSIDERS---

Wow. This was so freakin' awesome you guys. There is 22 extra minutes added to the movie and 10 additional deleted scenes as special features. For the people who were disappointed in the movie because it lacked scenes from the book you have got to buy this edition. All of the scenes are added to the movie like I previously said. The special features are outstanding as well. They show a reunion at Francis Ford Coppola 's house screening the new extended movie with Diane Lane, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick...

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10th Kingdom - The Epic Miniseries Event

The Movie's Great! The Packaging is Weird... *Updated*
I've owned the original "10th Kingdom" DVD set for more than 10 years now and have watched it many times, so I mainly bought this newer 2013 edition as a back up (because at such a low cost, why not?). I've run through the discs to see if there are any differences in this new edition, and yes, there are some differences.
The main thing that I noticed right away is the presentation of the episodes: in the original DVD set, there where 3 discs, with the opening titles at the beginning of the first disc only, and the mini-series was presented as one, very long movie. In this new set, there are still three discs, but the story is presented in the way they were aired - as 5 separate parts. I personally would have liked the mini-series to be presented the same way as the older DVDs, but at least this new set allows the viewer to enjoy the opening titles with each episode (and those titles are amazing, I doubt anyone'd get sick of it).
The Special Features in the new set are fewer...

It was rare for awhile, I'm glad to see it's getting re-released! It's highly underated.
I have been looking for the 10th Kingdom on DVD for about a year that was at a reasonable price. I wanted to get it for my mom for Christmas, because it has been her favorite ever since it premiered in 2000. I held out since I didn't want to pay $30 for a DVD, but I bought her the VHS for 4 bucks. Now I've pre-ordered this at a great price, absolutely perfect! The movie is 6 hours of epic fantasy, with an amazing cast, and a creative and enticing storyline that mixes a modern family into a fairytale world that wasn't exactly happily ever after. I would recommended this to everyone of all ages!

Amazing Miniseries
I just pre-ordered- absolutely loved it when it first aired on NBC in 2000, and I've adored it ever since. I'm actually repurchasing this because my current DVDs of the series have been so well loved they're a bit scratched. If you're into Once Upon a Time, you will really enjoy this. I cannot believe there has not been a sequel!

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War and Remembrance: The Complete Epic Mini-Series

An Epic
To those who stumble upon War and Remembrance, watching this series is somewhat difficult if you haven't seen Winds of War, the first part of the story. It too is available on DVD and I highly recommend getting it. Otherwise there are just enough in-jokes and previous references that you'll get confused. So if you go on, I'll assume that you've either seen or read Winds of War and will know what I'm talking about.

War and Remembrance is essentially a history lesson that's told dramatically. The lesson, of course, is about the second part of World War II, the part that the United States was most actively involved in. That's the strength of the series, how well it deals with the history, and of showing the viewpoints of American, Russian, and German officers, and American, British, and German politicians. You saw all the sides in this, and the lesson was much the better for it. Were the points a bit obvious at times? Of course, but when you spend the kind of money...

Good Sequel, not Great
After 18 hours of "Winds of War (WW)," it's hard to be brief about the 30-hour sequel, "War and Remembrance (W & R)." Both works were written by Herman Wouk and directed by Dan Curtis. Other reviewers have been so critical of the sequel, mainly with cast changes, that you find yourself dwelling on faults. But the fact is WW was finished in 1983; W & R was produced 5 years later. So the two works couldn't really use the same cast.

To begin with, criticism of "W & R" seems out of proportion. No, "W & R" is not better than "WW." But we wonder what else people could have expected. Nazi brutality and glimpses of the holocaust may have been overdone, but that's how the author and the director wanted them. Moreover, we believe fault-finding about some performers, notably Jane Seymour and Robert Mitchum is just not fair. In our view, Jane does a marvelous job playing Natalie Jastrow Henry--probably better than Alie MacGraw had she reprised the role. (By the time of this...

Superb Mini Series
"War and Remembrance" is the sequel to the mini-series, "The Winds of War". Both mini-series were based on the novels of the same name by Herman Wouk. "War and Remembrance" follows the stories of the extended Henry family. Robert Mitchum stars as Pug Henry in both programs, but he was 71 years old when he made "War and Remembrance" and was too old to be believable as a Navy Captain. However, the producers and director wanted to keep him in the series, not only because he is a fine actor, but also because he was from that WWII generation and brought gravitas to the role and to the series. Ali Macgraw from "The Winds of War" was replaced in the role as Brian Henry's wife by Jane Seymour in "War and Remembrance". A fortuitous replacement. The role of Brian Henry is played by Hart Bochner, who replaced Jan Michel Vincent. Both Seymour and Bochner bring much finer acting skills to the screen than the two previous actors. The viewer will need to have watched "The Winds of War"...

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