Batman - The Movie (1966) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The key things to know about the DVD are:
1) The colors jump off the screen, it is a great transfer
2) The featurette with Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin) is good, though they cover a lot of the same ground in the commentary
3) The Batmobile feature is very cool
4) The commentary is awesome. Adam and Burt have a great chemistry and really seem to love both the movie and the show. Their tongues are firmly in their cheeks druing the commentary (Adam West's views on Bruce Wayne alone are worth the price of admission), but you will learn about the production and such secrets as:
Why did ABC tear down the Batcave so quickly after cancellation?
What did Burt Ward really think about the BatCycle?
How and why did Lee Meriweather get to play Catwoman?
Why did Adam and Burt have to spend two hours each week getting oxygen at the Fox infirmary?
The team at Fox had a lot of love for this movie and it shows. Buy this DVD and get Fox to release some series episodes with Adam, Burt, Julie Newmar (Catwoman) and Frank Gorshin (Riddler)doing commentary!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Batman - The Movie (1966)

Click here for more information about Batman - The Movie (1966)

Read More...

The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection, Vols. 1 & 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Universal has finally seen the folly of their ways in selling this set exclusively via Best Buy and is re-releasing both volumes 1 & 2 in one set. Included are all ten films in the original sets, but once again there will be no extra features - just the films themselves and some trailers. If you love the great campy horror films of the 1950's you'll love this set. The following is from the press release on the new combined set:
Tarantula (1955, 81 min.)
An experiment to create a growth formula that could end starvation evolves into a nightmare when a contaminated spider grows gargantuan - with an appetite to match!
The Mole People (1956, 78 min.)
Deep below the surface of the earth, three scientists stumble upon a tyrannical tribe of albinos who have enslaved a mutant - and dangerous - race of mole people.
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957, 81 min.)
After encountering a mysterious radioactive mist, an ordinary businessman finds his physical size diminishing as his ordinary household becomes a terrifying trap of doom. By the way, who keeps a cat in the house with a six inch tall husband around?
The Monolith Monsters (1957, 76 min.)
In a desperate race against time and nature, a geologist and a scientist must find a way to stop effects of killer outer-space rocks that are literally petrifying people with fear!
Monster on the Campus (1958, 76 min)
Terror sweeps a college campus after the discovery of a prehistoric fish that turns animals and humans that come into contact with it into bloodthirsty monsters.
Dr. Cyclops (1940, 78 min) in COLOR!
A brilliant but deranged physicist shrinks his enemies to one-fifth of their normal size when they begin to challenge his unconventional experiments.
Cult of the Cobra (1955, 80 min)
Vengeance is sworn against six American GI's after they witness a clandestine ceremony worshiping beautiful women who can change into serpents.
The Land Unknown (1957, 79 min)
When a navy expedition crash-lands in a crater thousands of miles below sea level, they encounter a hot, tropical landscape of prehistoric terror filled with ferocious dinosaurs.
The Deadly Mantis (1957, 79 min)
A paleontologist teams up with the military to battle a huge praying mantis when it goes on the attack in metropolitan cities after being released from an Arctic iceberg.
The Leech Woman (1960, 77 min)
Determined to recapture her beauty, a woman discovers a compound that will restore youth - but only when it's combined with fluid taken from bodies of the newly dead.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection, Vols. 1 & 2

Get 28% OFF

Click here for more information about The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection, Vols. 1 & 2

Read More...

Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn / Wrath of the Dragon (Double Feature) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The final two "DRAGON BALL Z" films get their Blu-ray High Definition release and showcases two adrenaline-pumping, action-packed films that includes Goku Super Saiyan Level 3, Gojita and more enemies that will test the Z Warriors even further.
DBZ MOVIE #12: FUSION REBORN
The twelfth "DRAGON BALL Z" film was released in theaters back in March 1995 and also became the first "Dragon Ball" film released in theaters in the United States over a decade later.
The timeline of this film takes place during the Buu saga and Goku is fighting in another Other World Tournament. The finalists once again are Goku and Pikkon who are happy to be fighting each other again.
Meanwhile, King Yemma is busy at the gate assigning the souls to Heaven or Hell. While everyone is busy, a delinquent employee in Hell who rather enjoy his rock n' roll music instead of working, disregards his job and in the process, the evil purification machine overfills and breaks. This allows all dead to return back to Earth alive and suddenly Frieza, the Ginyu Force and Adolf Hitler to arrive and create havoc in the world.
Fortunately, Gohan, Vedil, Trunks and Goten are able to defend the cities against the evils but in another dimension, Goku and Pikkon must fight one of their toughest enemies, a big monster known as Jamempa who has the ability to split himself into more evil beings like himself and the ability to bend reality and therefore his attacks are unpredictable.
With Goku and Pikkon having the odds against them in battle, a familiar face arrives in time to lend some help against the evil being.
DBZ Movie #13: WRATH OF THE DRAGON
The 13th and final "DRAGON BALL Z" film was released in July 1995. The film takes place around the time of the Buu Saga and features a story about an old alien being Hoi who tries to get Gohan to open up a music box. Supposedly, the music box contains the legendary warrior named Tapion who fought off a major evil. Now the evil has returned and the only way to defeat the evil is by releasing Tapion from a music box. Gohan tries to open it but its not possible.
By visiting his father Goku, Bulma and the team, they decide to find the Dragon Balls and hope to avert disaster by releasing this Tapion.
After finding all Dragon Balls and making their wish to Shenron, Tapion is released but is shocked that the Z warriors helped Hoi in doing so. Tapion leaves to be alone and Trunks and Goten try to be friendly be giving the warrior some food.
Meanwhile, the attacks begin with a huge monster tearing up the city. We see two figures, one dressed in a disguise and the other blowing an ocarina to stop the evil monster from further destruction. Gohan and Vedil see Tapion coming from the destruction and both think that they may have released an evil being to the planet.
We eventually learn that Tapion is actually a good guy from the planet Konack and he and his young brother Minosha have been sealed two halves of an evil monster in order to prevent the black magic alien race known as the Kash-Par from obtaining the monster ever again.
The monster Hirudegarn nearly obliterated their whole race and because of how destructive this monster is, a wizard has sealed the upper half of the monster into Tapion (the other lower half to Minosha) and sealed himself in the music box in order to prevent the Hoi and the Kash-Par to extract Hirudegarn and make him whole.The weakness of the monster is the music that comes from the ocarina and the magical sword given to him by the wizard.
Meanwhile, Trunks persistence in befriending Tapion seems to work and the two become like brothers. But unknown to them, Hoi has a plan to extract the monster right out of Tapion. Now the Z Warriors must do all they can to prevent Hoi from extracting the monster from Tapion.
VIDEO & AUDIO
Both "DRAGON BALL Z" films are featured in 1080p, High Definition (16×9). FUNimation Entertainment remastered the films in High Definition and also had these two films digitally restored. The widescreen transfer is from the original Japanese film and because these two films were the latest, final two films from "DRAGON BALL Z", they are the most colorful of the DBZ films and also feature the least amount of dust and scratches. With that being said, both films look absolutely vibrant on Blu-ray as the oranges and reds look fantastic and the blacks are much deeper.
As for the audio, like the previous Blu-ray releases of the DBZ films, you can watch the film in Dolby TrueHD 5.1 in English with the Japanese or U.S. music. The Japanese audio is presented in its original format.
For the Japanese audio purists who wish FUNimation Entertainment would give a lossless Japanese track, unfortunately, I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon.
I try to watch as many anime in its original Japanese presentation but "DRAGON BALL Z" is an anime series in which I found the English dub to be very well done. I felt that the casting of each character has been spending and the fact that the audio is lossless in English, it's really hard for me to go back and watch the films again in Japanese without any improvement to the audio.
The two films feature optional English subtitles if needed.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
There are no major special features included on this Blu-ray disc but the FUNimation Entertainment trailers.
JUDGMENT CALL:
It's been nearly 15 years since I've seen these two films but I have to admit that I was very excited to watch both "FUSION REBORN" and "WRATH OF THE DRAGON" on Blu-ray in High Definition. For one, both these films feature Goku Super Saiyan Level 3, Gojita and Gotenks. Characters that I absolutely have enjoyed watching on the "DRAGON BALL Z" TV series but also two films that would feature tougher enemies and more hardcore action.
For those familiar with the "DRAGON BALL Z" films, not all films fit into the DBZ TV series timeline that smoothly but for those who always wanted more battles with enemies aside from Frieza, Cell and Buu, the films do provide that antagonist. And instead of watching dozens of episodes dedicated to that arc, these enemies are self contained to one film (with the exception of Broly who appears in three films).
Also, both of these films are interesting in the fact that they include a protagonist other than the Z Warriors taking on the enemy as "FUSION REBORN" brings back Pikkon and "WRATH OF THE DRAGON" features Tapion.
"FUSION REBORN" was quite interesting because we see both Goku and Pikkon trying to fight another enemy that is cute and nearly as brainless as Buu but is quite deadly. It was also interesting to see how the animation would utilize a larger, black stroke around the character in certain scenes and definitely gave "DRAGON BALL Z" a slightly different look than previous films. But it was the humor in the film that was quite fun to watch. To see Trunks and Goten fuse to become Gotenks and take on Hitler and the guys, to see a Frieza who meets a grown up Gohan to watch Goku and Vegita get their fusion wrong and become an overweight character instead. A much more humorous film compared to previous releases.
As for "WRATH OF THE DRAGON", fans of Trunks, especially Future Trunks may have wondered where Trunks's sword came from and finally, all is revealed in this film.What I loved about this film is that we get to see Bulma's concern for Trunks, especially without his father and how Trunks looks up to Talpion as a big brother. We rarely get to see these type of personal moments since the films are action-based but whenever the writers could fit in any type of character development scenes, I enjoy them.
If there was one thing that I wished the Blu-ray would have (and this is me being nitpicky) special features. To see the Japanese teaser or theatrical trailers for the film would have been nice and of course, a lossless Japanese audio track that would have been nice as well. But nevertheless, this release is another film collection worth having in your DBZ collection.
Although I tend to recommend all DBZ films to all hardcore fans, for those who are on a budget and really need to pick and choose, I definitely recommend "DRAGON BALL Z - FUSION REBORN/WRATH OF THE DRAGON". Both films feature a good combination of humor, action and everything you come to enjoy about "DRAGON BALL Z".
Note: As much as I would love to give it a 5-star, as a complete product, I gave it a 4-star due to the lack of special features! Original Japanese trailers for the films would have been nice.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn / Wrath of the Dragon (Double Feature)

Get 32% OFF

Click here for more information about Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn / Wrath of the Dragon (Double Feature)

Read More...

Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Last year, I began coaching my daughter's U-8 team. The girls knew nothing about the glories of the USWNT. I told them about Mia Hamm and got them to read a brief bio on her, but this HBO documentary was the best teaching tool ever.
It is a great story that uses the retirement game for Hamm, Fawcett and Foudy to lok back at the history of the WNT from the first WC in 1991 through the 2004 Olympics.
This movie can't help but increase the self esteem of any young girl just starting the sport to see how good the Americans can be at soccer. Because the Men's World Cup gets more publicity, my girls all thought that Americans just weren't very good at soccer and that it was dominated by a half dozen European and So. American countries. This video points out that historically the US WNT is the best. It really got my daughter interested in the current WNT and we even went to see a game in San Jose last month.
The release is being timed to come just after the beginning of this year's Women's World Cup in China. (The first game for the US team, who are #1 ranked again, is Sept. 11th.
HBO is also selling it directly through their website, but for $5 more.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team (2005)

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team (2005)

Read More...

Envy Girls - Workouts for the Spots That Really Count Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought "ENVYGirls" hesitantly. I had previously been dupped into purchasing Carmen Electra's "Aerobic Striptease" DVD (from the same producers) expecting a fun but somewhat effective workout, and have never forgiven myself since! Nonetheless, the reviews that I read on Amazon convinced me to take a chance on this one. And I am happy to say that I made the right decision!
This DVD is without doubt one of my favorite toning workouts. Period.
First off, as evidenced by the packaging, the production is first-rate. It is as clear and well-edited as any major Hollywood production, and the absolutely gorgeous island setting (South Pacific?? Carribean??) inspires me to work out even harder. You can practically feel the breeze coming off the ocean! :-) The music is GREAT, hip and modern; I love it! It's so refreshing to actually work out to a good soundtrack instead of the generic dance club beat that is so prevalent in exercise videos.
The entire concept of "ENVYGirls" is that of a "superteam of fitness" (their words, not mine), each one with a particularly good body part. Each girl then leads you through a 15-20 minute workout to help you get that particularly good body part. The parts are: Abs, Buns, Legs and Arms. There is an optional 4-min. warmup (it is the same on all four programs) and 5-min. express workouts for each program.
Make no mistake, this is not just an eye candy DVD a la Carmen Electra. It actually is a pretty effective strength workout. The moves are designed by celebrity trainer Michael Carson who is very knowledgable and inspiring but not drill sergeant-like (if you've ever seen "The Biggest Loser," think Bob, not Jillian!). Michael does a voiceover commentary on the warmup (as I preceeded this workout with cardio, I never really used the warmup) as well as a Trainer's Tips interview for each workout in which he guides you through correct form of some of the trickier exercises. Also, don't miss the Trainer Commentary Option on which you can have Michael give a voice over on both the Primary Workout and the 5 Min. Workout. He has a lot of important things to say, and don't worry, the music is still loud, and there is a repetition countdown on the screen, so you'll know how many reps you have left in a particular move!
ABS OF ENVY - My personal favorite! I still pull this one out from time to time, and I've owned this for over a year. When I initially viewed this program, I was skeptical because there are only a few crunches towards the end. However, when I did it, it was challenging, I broke a sweat, and when I went to stretch my abs at the end, they burned quite a bit! It utilizes a lot of standing abs moves, but if you concentrate on using your abs, your belly will become sculpted and flat and your waist will be cinched, giving you that hourglass effect. Done almost entirely standing with a few minutes of floorwork.
BUNS OF ENVY - Uses various squats (love that Helicopter Squat!), Lunges, Reverse Lunges (called dips in The Firm) and other moves to effectively shape your glutes and thighs. Done mostly standing with some floorwork about three-quarters into the workout.
LEGS OF ENVY - Uses lunges, plies, plyo jumps and even balance moves to give you shapely thighs and calves. Done entirely standing with stretching on the floor at the very end.
ARMS OF ENVY - Uses bicep curls, hammer curls and some fun, creative moves such as the Dumbbell Catch and the Gecko Pushup to work your upper body. Done mostly standing with some push-up variations and floor tricep work towards the end.
And Now For The Bad: The only real detriments that I could find: One- The packaging of the DVDs. Yes, plural. All four programs, unnecessarily, are recorded onto 4 separate DVDs. For anyone who wished to combine workouts, it can be quite annoying to have to switch DVDs and then sit through minutes of exercise advisement/legal jargon/Lionsgate material. Two-The repetiveness of the exercises. Though I found the exercises different and fun, each program actually contains about 7 minutes of moves that are repeated at least once halfway through. Depending on your attention span and the frequency with which you use this DVD, you may get bored quickly.
Three- The girls themselves. Though I found them pleasant enough, it is obvious that these girls are not fitness professionals and were simply cast due to their looks. Some viewers may find them a little Playboy-bunny-esque and not interesting. I simply was inspired to attain their physiques! If they bother you, you could always choose the voiceover option by Michael , who IS a fitness professional, and a charismatic one at that.
All in all, I highly recommend this DVD and don't think anyone who wants a great body will be dissapointed.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Envy Girls - Workouts for the Spots That Really Count

Get 67% OFF

Click here for more information about Envy Girls - Workouts for the Spots That Really Count

Read More...

Unleashed (Unrated Widescreen Edition) (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This was a very good action flick. Decent storyline, fast paced. Easily one of Jet Li's best performances, with excellent support from Morgan Freeman. There is a good bit of humor as "Danny" becomes acclimated to living as a normal human being.
However, this film is BRUTALLY VIOLENT! The fight scenes are not your typical martial arts kicking and punching. Danny breaks bones, breaks necks, rips people apart and the sound effects can be disturbing. The R-rated version was definitely not for the under-sixteen crowd, and I'm sure the unrated cut will be even more so. Cautiously recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Unleashed (Unrated Widescreen Edition) (2005)

UNLEASHED - DVD Movie

Get 52% OFF

Click here for more information about Unleashed (Unrated Widescreen Edition) (2005)

Read More...

Fairies: Meet the Fairies Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We received an advanced copy of this DVD to review and it was a HIT! My daughter is almost 6, and I have 2 boys, aged 1 and 4. Once my daughter saw what was in the mailer, she demanded we watch the show. The cover itself is just beautiful! We popped the DVD in and she was immediately excited about what she was seeing. It is a show with real actors and actresses singing songs and dancing. It is filled with magical fun and special surprises that keep kids engaged and interested. I love that it fosters my child's imagination and encourages them to "stay little" by living in a land of dreams and wonders for the brief time that they are watching the show. :)
Even though my oldest son said he liked it "just one thumb up", he could recite his favorite parts with no problem. haha My daughter loved a part about a baby fairy. She loves babies so that was right up her alley. I would definitely recommend this to any one with a daughter up to about age 6 or so. I will be playing this again when my daughter has some friends over and will probably let them dress up to be in on the fantasy land as well! This will be in regular rotation at my house! The songs are fun and the dances are cute....my daughter also loved that that fairies had Australian accents!
Overall, I'm very glad we had a chance to watch this and I know it won't be the last time! My daughter gave it a very enthusiastic 2 thumbs up. If your daughter loves fairies and has an imagination (or you want to help foster one!), don't hesitate to pick this DVD up! You will be so glad you did. At this price, it is a steal!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Fairies: Meet the Fairies

Click here for more information about Fairies: Meet the Fairies

Read More...