The Transformers - The Movie (20th Anniversary Special Edition)

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During the 1980s, one cartoon series ruled the airwaves... The Transformers. This paragon of consumerism was created with a dual purpose--to entertain and to galvanize children to buy the toys. Somewhere along the line, the show became a cult favorite, so in 1986 they fashioned an epic tale of good versus evil specifically for the big screen. The result looked vaguely like an animated remake of Star Wars. Who are the Transformers? The good guys are the Autobots: Optimus Prime, SoundWave, Jazz, Ultra Magnus, and many more. Their mortal enemies are the evil Decepticons, led by Megatron and StarScream. The Autobots must save their home planet from an evil entity known as Unicron (voiced by Orson Welles). At the same time, they must defend themselves from an all-out attack from the Decepticons. Along the way, lives are lost, battles are fought, and a new Autobot leader is born as another dies. The story and action never stop in a thrilling ride that often makes you forget that you're watching an '80s cartoon with inferior graphics. The violence will also come as a mild shock to those who haven't seen this film for a while--definitely a movie for the 8 and over audience. For those who grew up on this series, this is a movie that must be watched. Unlike cartoon serials before and after, The Transformers relied on solid stories and interesting characters, a manifesto the film itself upholds with gusto and grace while also being morally responsible. Don't underestimate this movie; there is definitely more to it than meets the eye. --Jeremy Storey

Customer Reviews:

extreme transformation.......2007-09-16

Wow. This new 20th edition of Transformers: The Movie is nothing short of awesome. You have a newly remastered movie(IN WIDESCREEN), tons of extras like commentaries, original commercials in both america and japan, and also you get to see the "lost" episode that was never aired in america. It was the last episode right before the movie(which tied the series to the movie a lot better). This is definitely the best edition of the movie to have come out so far, especially for hardcore fans. Be sure to also look for the newly released soundtrack which has four new tracks of more original score. This is the pinnical of one of the best 80's animation series ever.

original transformers movie.......2007-09-13

The movie is excellent, the visuals and audio have all been updated to todays standards. The movie brought back memories from the 1980's. Any one that used to watch the original (G1) transformers should buy this. I also believe that new audiences will also find this a pleasure. The action is great and so is the plot.

Beware if this video is for a child.......2007-09-11

I bought this DVD for my son because he absolutely loves Transformers. There are some things you should know before you buy it for your child. Optimus Prime dies. My son cried. He was crushed. I had never seen the movie so it was a bit of a shock. I spent my weekend explaining death.
As a mom, I think it is violent, but at least there is no blood. I think they blow up when killed. I did notice they said the four letter "S" word and "damn it". This is a heads up if you were buying it for a child. Over all it is a great movie, just think twice if your child is young.

Took me back to my childhood.......2007-09-08

If you are a true Transformers fan, you will appreciate the movie, commentary and extras that were included in the DVD. This is truly a prize for Transformers fans of all ages!

Still good after all of these years........2007-09-05

The DVD version of this movie was great. The color and sound was better than in the VHS version. I took my boys to see this movie when it first came out. As a story, it has stood the test of time.

Sunset Boulevard (Special Collector's Edition)

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Who's that strange lady at 10086 Sunset Blvd.??
Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my cloe-up
a gem in movie making
Highly Recommended
Gloria Swanson, the REAL Norma Desmond...

Sunset Boulevard (Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: William Holden , Gloria Swanson , Erich von Stroheim , Nancy Olson , and Fred Clark
Director: Billy Wilder
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00003CXCW
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Amazon.com essential video

Billy Wilder's noir-comic classic about death and decay in Hollywood remains as pungent as ever in its power to provoke shock, laughter, and gasps of astonishment. Joe Gillis (William Holden), a broke and cynical young screenwriter, is attempting to ditch a pair of repo men late one afternoon when he pulls off L.A.'s storied Sunset Boulevard and into the driveway of a seedy mansion belonging to Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a forgotten silent movie luminary whose brilliant acting career withered with the coming of talkies. The demented old movie queen lives in the past, assisted by her devoted (but intimidating) butler, Max (played by Erich von Stroheim, the legendary director of Greed and Swanson's own lost epic, Queen Kelly). Norma dreams of making a comeback in a remake of Salome to be directed by her old colleague Cecil B. DeMille (as himself), and Joe becomes her literary and romantic gigolo. Sunset Blvd. is one of those great movies that has become a part of popular culture (the line "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up," has entered the language)--but it's no relic. Wow, does it ever hold up. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

Who's that strange lady at 10086 Sunset Blvd.??.......2007-09-05

XXXXX

"The body of a young man was found floating in the pool of her mansion [on Sunset Blvd.]...The poor dope. He always wanted a pool."

This is how this bizarre movie begins, a movie that contains elements of drama, horror, and black comedy. The title is named after the famous boulevard that runs through Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Also, the full title of this movie is "Sunset Boulevard: A Hollywood Story."

The movie is about a down-on-his-luck screenwriter named Joe Gillis (William Holden, 1918 to 1981) who narrates the story (the above quotation is by Gillis) and his accidental encounter with a fading silent screen movie star and femme fatale named Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson, 1899 to 1983). She involves the unsuspecting Gillis in her fantasy world of making a comeback to the movie screen. Norma has a somewhat strange butler named Max (Erich Von Stroheim, 1885 to 1957) who tries to protect her from sinking to far into a depression with regard to her fading career.

There are also famous people in the past that have bit parts in this movie. I identified the director Cecil B. DeMille (who plays himself), Jack Webb (of "Dragnet" fame), and Buster Keaton (silent screen comedian who has a cameo).

The entire movie has witty, well-written dialogue. Besides the quotation above by Gillis, here are two more of my favorite quotations:

(1) Gillis: "You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big." Norma: "I am big. It's the pictures that got small."

(2) This is the last line of this movie given by Norma: "All right Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

The acting is superb! Gloria Swanson gives an unforgettable performance as Norma Desmond (that somewhat parallels Swanson's own life since she at one time was a top silent screen actress). I also enjoyed the performance of Erich Von Stroheim who plays Norma's butler.

The background music heightens the tension of each scene. I was also impressed with the photography throughout this entire movie.

This movie was nominated for 11 Academy Awards. It won 3.

Finally, the DVD itself (the special collector's edition released in 2002) is perfect in picture and sound quality. It has some interesting extras.

In conclusion, this is an unforgettable movie. See for yourself why it was rated #16 on the 2007 American Film Institute's list of the 100 best American films!!

(1950; 1 hr, 50 min; black and white; full screen; 19 scenes)

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Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my cloe-up.......2007-09-04

This is a favorite of mine. Billy Wilder made a perfect movie. One that is entertaining and has some of the best acting I've ever seen. William Holden plays his part perfectly and Gloria Swanson is just magic in her role. The entire cast is wonderful. A movie like this makes me proud, this was long before actors required millions just to do a movie and gave subpar performances.

This movie details Hollywood before Hollywood was the Hollywood we know of now. Yet the message rings true to this day. A wonderful movie to say the least. Highly recommeded. Actually, I recommend any and every Billy Wilder movie. A true genius.

Be sure you definitely check out:
Some Like It Hot (Collector's Edition)
The Apartment
The Lost Weekend

a gem in movie making.......2007-08-26

I truly enjoyed this movie especially since it is decades old and in black and white.Gloria Swainson was absolutely brillant.

Highly Recommended.......2007-08-21

The plot may sound like a cliche, but the characters and their choices are very well developed. There are perfect touches at every turn, from the scene of collection agents hounding William Holden while "Putting on The Ritz" plays in the background to the closing scene as Gloria Swanson descends the staricase down into the hell of the pack of wolves-reporters- "ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille". The old silent movie of herself that Gloria Swanson watches one evening is Queen Kelly, which the actor playing her butler had in fact directed, and which did not get released because (for among other reasons) sound had arrived in full force during its shooting. Everything about this movie just works beautifully.

Gloria Swanson, the REAL Norma Desmond..........2007-08-16

I think I've watched this movie is astonishing awe hundreds of times as Gloria Swanson pours her ALL into the role of Norma Desmond. You can just feel her every emotion throughout the movie as Norma invites you into her world of stardom and right into her mind so that you'll know exactly what she means. Gloria's portrayal of the washed up silent film icon leaves nothing to the imagination as you live every dark minute with her there in her Moorish-style Palace on Sunset Boulevard.

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Delightful romantic fantasy about an impossible romance...
Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Oh bliss!
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
DVD REVIEW

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Starring: Gene Tierney , Rex Harrison , George Sanders , Edna Best , and Vanessa Brown
Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B000083C6R
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Amazon.com essential video

Joseph Mankiewicz's moody classic is less ghost story than romantic fantasy, a handsome 1947 drama of impossible love set on the picturesque turn-of-the-century New England coast. Independent young widow Lucy Muir (the luminous Gene Tierney), desperate to escape her uptight in-laws, falls in love with a grand seaside house and moves in, only to discover the cantankerous ghost of the hot-tempered Captain Gregg (a histrionically flamboyant performance by Rex Harrison). Lucy refuses to let the bombastic captain frighten her away, earning his respect, his friendship, and later his love. They team up to turn the captain's salty memoirs into a bestseller, but as his affection grows he fades away, leaving Lucy free to undertake a more worldly suitor, notably a charismatic children's author (George Sanders at his smarmy smoothest) with his own guarded secret. Charles Lang's melancholy black-and-white photography and Bernard Herrmann's haunting score set the tone for this sublime adult drama, and Tierney delivers one of her most understated performances as the resolute Mrs. Muir. Mankiewicz turns this ghost story into a refreshingly mature and down-to-earth romance. --Sean Axmaker

Description

A romance between a young widow and a sea captain's ghost weaves a magical tale of immortal love. Determined to live her life the way she wants, newly widowed Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney) declines her straitlaced in-laws demand that she live with them and moves with her daughter (a young Natalie Wood) to the seaside into a cottage haunted by the handsome, blustering Captain Gregg (Rex Harrison). A deal is struck between the two in the wee hours of the morning allowing Lucy to stay in the house and the captain to materalize only in the master bedroom. As they gradually get to know each other better, Lucy's spunk and stubborness gains first the captain's grudging respect, then his heart. But when another man woos Lucy, both must face that her future lies with the living, not in the spirit world.

Customer Reviews:

Delightful romantic fantasy about an impossible romance..........2007-09-08

Gene Tierney is an impoverished widow who manages to find a suitable seaside cottage for herself, her maid and her daughter (Natalie Wood), only to discover that its former occupant is a strong-willed, salty sea captain (Rex Harrison) who is opposed to anyone else living at Gull Cottage. How their relationship grows and changes is the basis for the rest of the fantasy.

Tierney has her best role since 'Laura' as the lovely widow, engaging in many witty dialogs with Harrison's ghost with their relationship ultimately leading to a wistful ending. The mood of the period fantasy is enhanced by Bernard Herrmann's exquisitely sensitive score, capturing the atmosphere of the seaside cottage at the edge of a cliff. George Sanders has an amusing role as a man who almost convinces the widow that he's not a married man. Touches of humor abound in early scenes of Tierney with her relatives who are opposed to her independent decision to find her own lodgings.

Later remade as a TV series in the '60s which never captured the charm of the original story filmed with such tender care by director Joseph L. Mankiewicz from a screenplay by Philip Dunne. A delightful movie that will remain fresh and young forever.

Ghost and Mrs. Muir.......2007-08-24

A classic. Quality is very good. Glad to have some 'oldies' available on DVD.

Oh bliss!.......2007-08-14

Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison make this move a wonderful, and memorable film. With quality scripting, cinematography and soundtrack, it allows one to forget that other version of this wonderful movie. Why remake such a wonderful version, with such quality actors? The extras were great, and I never new Rex Harrison was such a complex character (and not nearly so succesful as we think now). If you love good stories, and wonderful cinema, this is a movie for you.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.......2007-08-13

This film's stars, Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison, share a wonderful onscreen chemistry, and the "ghost story" is simply enchanting.

DVD REVIEW.......2007-08-07

DvD in perfect condition. Sound was good. Very good family oriented ghost movie.

Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show - The Complete Series (DC Comics Classic Collection)

Average customer rating:

Flahsback
Super Friends Legendary Super Powers
Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice...
TYPICAL HANNA BARBERA FARE BUT IT IS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE!
"Oh no...Darkseid's Stargate!"

Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show - The Complete Series (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Starring: Buster Jones , Constance Cawlfield , William Callaway , Rene Auberjonois , and Michael Rye
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000PC8AKK
Release Date: 2007-08-07

Description

Hanna-Barbera's continues at showcasing DCï¿½Comic book characters in animated shorts. These stories contained the now-familiar superheroes Superman, Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman, along with the new Cyborg and Firestorm.ï¿½ In addition to this core group of six, episodes during this season featured cameos by old and new Superfriends Superfriends: The Legendary Super Powers Show premiered on the ABC television network on Saturday 1984- 1985.

Customer Reviews:

Flahsback.......2007-09-15

My husband and I remember this show as a child. I even have a Superfriends pillow case. Our 6 year old son loves superheroes. The shows on TV now just seem so overstimulating and we decided not to let him watch them. This is the good old basic superhero show.....nothing fancy. We loved sharing it with our son and he knows we use to watch it when we were young...good old Saturday morning cartoons. I think it is a geat investment for anyone from 4-8 years old, especially boys!!! Enjoy!!

Super Friends Legendary Super Powers .......2007-09-14

If Warners had released the Superfriends series from 1973-1974, The All-New Superfriends Hour from 1975, The Superfriends from 1979, The Superfriends from 1981-1982, and The Superfriends from 1983-1984. it wouldvè made every single Superfriend series fan happy.
This was a unique animated series that dealt with comic action, comic super heroes, supernatural power, society, the media, and the meaning of life.
Adding Super Girl, Superman`s cousin to this series was an excellent choice. I wished they added Batgirl ( I can`t believe the comic writers decided to make her as a dyke! Batgirl never was a dyke!) I also wished they had added Catgirl, and did a few more episodes of the Superfriends amd the Legion of Doom battling the supernatural Halloween forces of evil such as Dracula, Frankenstein, Werewolf, Mummy, Phantom, Zombie, Ghost, Witch, Warlock, Sorceress, Sorcerer, Demon, Ghoul, etc,.
Any ways I`ve ordered this dvd in advance because I like the Superfriends.

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice..........2007-09-09

For the 1984-85 season, Hanna-Barbera produced its latest and next-to-last Superfriends incarnation: SUPER FRIENDS: THE LEGENDARY SUPER POWERS SHOW, the "Super Powers" tag being added so as to tie in with Kenner's action figure line. I know I nagged my parents for some of them neat action figures (I think I still have Flash and his kicking legs somewhere). Superfriends was a regular Saturday morning staple which I'd much looked forward to in my childhood. But I have to admit that the more sophisticated kids of today would find these very simplistic episodes beneath them. Nowadays, the Superfriends series is appreciated and savored mostly by nostalgia buffs and by "kids" of my generation.

Heroes are only as good as their villains. This time around, the show discards well-intentioned scientists who've strayed off the righteous path (well,excepting "Island of the Dinosoids"). This particular season introduces a decided upgrading in supervillainy. The regal Darkseid, whose malevolent presence is felt in seven episodes, shows up to inflict misery on the Superfriends even as he crushes on Wonder Woman (as a side note, does anyone else think that he sounds like an evil Cookie Monster? No? Okay.). Brainiac reappears, this time oozing more palpable menace in his revamped, now metallic skeleton guise. Luthor also swings by, and in a power suit, natch. On the side of the angels, the matter-converting teen superhero Firestorm, he of the surprising secret identity, debuts and gets a lot of face time. Other heroes don't fare as well. Word to the wise: Despite Aquaman and the Flash showing up in the opening credits, neither makes an appearance in this season.

Around this time, the show had apparently received a mandate from the high muck-a-mucks to present a more ethnically diverse cast. Thus, Black Vulcan (the cool-costumed electricity emitter), Apache Chief (size shifter), El Dorado (telepath), and Samurai (wind master) are showcased more prominently, with each actually taking turns in saving the day. The writers and animators meant well, but the results of this racial integration come off more as clumsy and even condescending. But, hey, it's the thought that counts, right? And I guess this did pave the way for superheroes like John Stewart's GL, Static Shock, and even Stan Lee's dubious The Condor.

The extra features (which are decent) go more into it, but, regarding animated shows, there were very strict codes being held up back in the day. As well as other issues. Did you know, for example, that Darkseid became a major bone of contention as it was felt that the spelling of his name might aggravate the German fans? As well, heavy restrictions were placed on cartoon combat which severely limited the action sequences. In fact, I don't recall seeing anyone hit anyone else with their fists or feet in these shows. Firestorm saved a lot of hair pulling on the writers' part as, a lot of times, he resolved a lot of the conflicts by merely pointing and doing his thing. Less violent? Certainly. Boring? Infinitely.

SUPER FRIENDS: THE LEGENDARY SUPER POWERS SHOW - THE COMPLETE SERIES is comprised of 16 episodes, each about 10 to 11 minutes long. This exercise in brevity means that each episode moved briskly, as opposed to the prior hour-long episodes which sometimes just draaaagged. Of course, the downside with having these short episodes is that no time at all is spent in character or plot development. But, then again, if you're a 6-year-old kid criticizing a TV character's motivation, then you need to be put in a corner and given Sandman comic books. Anyway, yes, the animation is crude and the stories are more campy than interesting. SUPER FRIENDS: THE LEGENDARY SUPER POWERS SHOW, as well as most of the other Superfriends versions, are more quaint than anything else. Old school charm. Yeah, that's what it's got going for it. Oh, and Adam West as Batman. Three and a half stars for this one, as nostalgia wins out.

Disc One:

Episodes 1 & 2 - "The Bride of Darkseid (Parts 1 & 2)" - The Superfriends are bemused as a mysterious new superhero gallivants around the country saving the day. Meanwhile, Darkseid, in search of a bride, has his eye on Wonder Woman.

Episode 3 - "The Wrath of Brainiac" - The re-tooled Brainiac creates robotic doppelgangers of Superman and Wonder Woman, with a final assist from Darkseid. Darkseid, by the way, again proposes to Wonder Woman.

Episode 4 - "Reflections in Crime" - One by one, Mirror Master traps the Superfriends in the 6th Dimension (the dimension behind mirrors), until, finally, only Samurai is left.

Episode 5 - "No Honor Among Thieves" - Darkseid and Luthor siphon off the Superfriends' powers and then begin backstabbing each other. Darkseid proposes to Wonder Woman for the 3rd time.

Episode 6 - "Mr. Mxyzptlk and the Magic Lamp" - The mischievous other-dimensional imp passes himself off as a genie and begins harassing the superheroes.

Episode 7 - "The Case of the Shrinking Super Friends" - Left in charge of the Hall of Justice, the junior members of the Superfriends go up against Lex Luthor, who shrinks them. Featuring the Wonder Twins. Cameo by Green Lantern (Hal Jordan).

Episode 8 - "The Mask of Mystery" - The bumbling Captain Mystery fits perfectly into Luthor's scheme to destroy the Superfriends.

Episode 9 & 10 - "Darkseid's Golden Trap (Parts 1 & 2)" - An intergalactic underworld auction puts up rare gold kryptonite for bidding. Later, El Dorado challenges Kalibak on the Moon of Games.

Disc One Special Features: somewhat revealing episode commentaries by DC Comics writer and historian Mark Waid and various writers of the series on "The Wrath of Brainiac," "No Honor Among Thieves," and "The Mask of Mystery."

Disc Two:

Episode 11 - "Island of the Dinosoids" - A mad scientist transforms various animals into their dinosaur counterparts and Batman and Wonder Woman into dinosoids.

Episode 12 - "Uncle Mxyzptlk" - Superman is exposed to red kryptonite and reverts to a little boy, and a bratty one, at that. Mxyzptlk pops in to make things even more miserable to Samurai, Firestorm, and the Wonder Twins.

Episode 13 - "The Case of the Dreadful Dolls" - The Dollmaker has magic mud and, with it, he'll take over the minds of the Superfriends. This one's right up El Dorado's alley.

Episode 14 - "The Royal Ruse" - An alien princess, whose planet has been invaded by Darkseid, begs for assistance from the Superfriends.

Episode 15 - "The Village of Lost Souls" - While on a hike, Apache Chief and the Wonder Twins stumble into a mining town crawling with zombified inhabitants.

Episode 16 - "The Curator" - A beam from outer space causes the world's most famous landmarks to vanish.

Special Features: Episode commentaries (again by Mark Waid and various series writers) on "The Case of the Dreadful Dolls" and "The Royal Ruse"; the two featurettes "Evolution: New Heroes, Viler Villains and Ethnic Additions - How Super Friends Prefigured the Era of Cultural Diversity in Animation" (18 minutes, and interesting) and "The Super Powers Collection: The Effect of the Toy Industry on the Super Friends" (7 minutes).

TYPICAL HANNA BARBERA FARE BUT IT IS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE!.......2007-09-03

Long before The Justice League animated series on the Cartoon Network there was the Super Friends on Saturday Morning TV. Premiering in 1973, the Super Friends went through various incarnations over the years until the final season during 1985 - 1986. The show featured a number of DC Comics' superheroes but the mainstays were Batman & Robin, Superman, and Wonder Woman. The show was geared toward Saturday Morning TV viewers and not comic book fans. Thus the stories were more simplistic and the violence was toned down quite a bit. One thing that the Super Friends did was to introduce ethnically diverse heroes to Saturday Morning TV with an African American (Black Vulcan), a Native American (Apache Chief), an Asian (Samurai) and a Hispanic (El Dorado)

This particular series, The Legendary Super Powers, was a rather ingenious media tie-in with Kenner Toys' line of action figures called the Super Powers Collection. This is truly one of the great action figure lines of all time. First, the line featured many characters who would not be seen in action figure form until the DC Direct series. This included Red Tornado, Dr. Fate, Martian Manhunter, and Captain Marvel. In addition, many of the figures were short-packed, creating instant collectibles for figures such as Cyborg, Plastic Man, and Mr. Miracle. It was a great line of toys.

Onto the DVD...The Two Disc set includes the complete, 16 episode series to go along with some nice special features. No one will ever accuse Hanna-Barbera of producing great animation, at least not in the 70's and 80's. Animation was still on the downslide prior to being revived by Disney in the late 80's and early 90's. Hanna-Barbera did what they do very well...and that was produce animated shows quickly and cheaply and it's a far cry from today's animated TV shows.

Each episode runs about 9 - 11 minutes in length and there are a couple of two-parters on here as well. The First episode, "The Bride of Darkseid" (a two-parter) introduces Firestorm. This is the first version of the character who is made up of teenager Ronnie Raymond and Professor Stein. The mysterious new hero aids the Super Friends and is soon welcomed into their ranks to help battle Darkseid who has kidnapped Wonder Woman and intends to make her his bride. The hilarious thing about Firestorm is that the flames atop his head never move, making him look like he's wearing some kind of a goofy hat. That's just one of the many corners that Hanna-Barbera cut to keep costs down.

In, "The Wrath of Brainiac", the new and improved Brainiac is introduced in his new robotic body as he and Darkseid join forces to destroy the Super Friends. "The Royal Ruse", "Island of the Dinosoids" and "Darkseid's Golden Trap are other standout episodes. The disc comes with commentary on five of the shorts by the episode's original writer, and comic writer/historian Mark Waid. These provide some insightful and often humorous revelations about the constraints placed on the writers on how they had to present the heroes. There are two special features on the set, the first a look at the previously mentioned cultural diversity of the Super Friends; and the second a look at the Super Powers Toy line.

The Commentaries and documentaries are very good and worth the price of the set alone. Yes the animation is very outdated and the stories are rather juvenile but taken within the context of the era they were produced, the Super Friends was still a great series and its nice to see these on DVD. Total run time is 179 minutes.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

"Oh no...Darkseid's Stargate!".......2007-08-20

I title this review after a phrase that was uttered by El Dorado, the super-hero whose main power is creating hologram's. This series of SUPERFRIENDS is the next-to-last installment of the classic era. It was followed by SUPER POWERS TEAM: GALACTIC GUARDIANS in 1985. The super-hero that the writers were spotlighting the most was Firestorm, a hero with an unusual alter-ego. Firestorm was one half of Professor Stein. See, college student Ronald Raymond got tangled up in an experiment gone wrong by the Professor. As a result of the freak accident, both Ronald and the Professor if they concentrate could fuse into the super-hero, Firestorm. There are 8 episodes on this collection...each episode contained two segments that range 10-11 minutes each. Each segment is counted as an "episode" and therefore the DVD is promoted as having 16 episodes. 5 episodes {broken down into 10 short segments} appear on DVD #1 while the final 3 episodes {broken down into 6 short segments} appear on DVD #2. Lex Luthor makes several appearances...he is toned down somewhat because he plays opposite Darkseid in "NO HONOR AMONG THIEVES". The writers must have felt that the strong-willed, ruthless Luthor from CHALLENGE OF THE SUPERFRIENDS wasn't needed because of Darkseid, a demonic villain from the planet Apokolips, and so they played Luthor's character pretty much for laughs. Luthor appears in NO HONOR AMONG THIEVES, THE CASE OF THE SHRINKING SUPERFRIENDS, and THE MASK OF MYSTERY. Brainiac, as he appeared in the comic books in the mid 1980's, shows up in robotic skeletal form in these episodes THE WRATH OF BRAINIAC {where he goes one on one with Darkseid} and THE VILLAGE OF LOST SOULS {about an island of zombie slaves}. One of the highlights, among the appearance of Luthor and Brainiac, is Mirror Master and Doll Maker...in the short REFLECTIONS IN CRIME, Mirror Master traps several of the Superfriends behind mirrors {the 6th Dimension as it's explained}. In a funny scene, Superman is flying around looking into mirrors trying to get help when he looks into one mirror and a lady screams...Superman says something like: "I'm sorry, Miss..." and then flies off talking to himself: "i gotta be more careful...". The 5th dimensional joker, Mr Mxyzptlk, appears in MR MXYZPTLK AND THE MAGIC LAMP about a petty crook who believes Myxzptlk to be a genie...the story is basically a series of practical jokes against the SUPERFRIENDS...ending with the villain tricked into saying his last name backwards...sending him back to the 5th Dimension. His other appearance is in UNCLE MXYZPTLK where the Wonder Twins find red kryptonite and innocently expose it to Superman...who turns into a small kid as a result. The other Superfriends refer to the boy as "Super Brat". The story is played for laughs...Mxyzptlk trying to win over Super-Brat's attention in a series of stunts to prove he's more popular than the Superfriends. Darkseid appears in much of the cartoon shorts...one stand-out is DARKSEID's GOLDEN TRAP, which airs in 2 parts. That episode focuses on gold kryptonite...which according to the Superman history is an element that strips Superman of his powers forever. THE CURATOR closes out the collection...that episode features Samuri and Firestorm tracking down an intergalactic museum curator who's stealing landmarks from around the globe. In THE CASE OF THE DREADFUL DOLLS, the Superfriends are up against Doll Maker...sort of a voo-doo villain who makes clay dolls of the Superfriends for a strange plot. Throughout much of Darkseid's appearances, there is always this love he has for Wonder Woman. From the start of THE BRIDE OF DARKSEID and continuing on through the other episodes that feature Darkseid as the villain, it was always made clear that Darkseid has a soft-spot for Wonder Woman. The voices of the characters remained the same except for two notable changes. Batman was no longer voiced by Olan Soule...instead, Adam West was called in to voice Batman. West had portrayed Batman in the live-action TV show in the mid '60s. Olan Soule, on the otherhand, was called upon to voice Professor Stein, one half of Firestorm. In the episode ISLAND OF THE DINOSOIDS, there's a lengthy scene between Professor Stein and Batman. Lex Luthor's base of operations in this series is "L Island". Darkseid, his son, Kalibak, and henchman, Dessad, hail from Apocolips. Brainiac holds fort in his Starship. Mxyzptlk roams freely once he leaves the 5th Dimension until he's sent back to the 5th dimension "for 90 days" if tricked into saying his last name backward. BJ Ward took over the role of Wonder Woman in this series...previously the character had been voiced by Shannon Farnon for years. William Woodson was once again on hand to narrate the action. All in all this is a great installment of SUPERFRIENDS.

Average customer rating:

Offensive
Science classes will love them
Does Not Dissapoint
"This is gonna kill you!"

Mythbusters: Collection 1 (4pc)
Starring: Myth Busters
Manufacturer: Discovery Channel
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000NO23W6
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Description

WATCH AS POP CULTURE'S MOST BAFFLING URBAN MYTHS AND LEGENDS ARE DEBUNKED, DECODED AND DEMYSTIFIED BY MYTHBUSTERS JAMIE HYNEMAN AND ADAM SAVAGE, WHO BLOW THE LID OFF THAT STUFF YOU'VE ALWAYS WONDERED ABOUT, LIKE: CAN THE FILLINGS IN YOUR TEETH REALLY PICK UP RADIO SIGNALS? ARE TANNING BED PATRONS GETTING BAKED FROM INSIDE OUT, AND COULD SILICONE IMPLANTS ACTUALLY EXPLODE AT A HIGH ALTITUDE? LEARN THESE ANSWERS AND MORE IN TESTS THAT SEPARATE THE REAL FROM THE REALLY OUT THERE! THIS FASCINATING COLLECTION OF 12 EPISODES FROM SEASONS 2 AND 3, AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ONE FOUR-DVD BOX SET, INCLUDES A NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN BONUS FEATURE: "MYTHBUSTERS: REVEALED" -- A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK THAT REVEALS ALL THE GAFFES, GOOFS AND EXPERIMENTS GONE AWRY THAT MAKE UP A TYPICAL EPISODE OF MYTHBUSTERS. FIND THESE EXCITING EPISODES IN THIS SPECIAL COLLECTION: EXPLODING TOILET BARREL OF BRICKS CELL PHONE DESTROYS GAS STATION PENNY DROP BURIED ALIVE LIGHTNING STRIKES/TONGUE PIERCING KILLER BRACE POSITION COOLING A SIX-PACK IS YAWNING CONTAGIOUS? HOLLYWOOD ON TRIAL SON OF A GUN SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP

Customer Reviews:

Offensive.......2007-08-06

The format of this show is as follows: on some flimsy pretext, the hosts will "test" whether or not some phenomenon can really happen. Once the experiment is performed - usually resulting in a loud, irritating noise - the hosts will begin capering around like monkeys. For example: can water stop bullets? Lets find out! One host fires a rifle into a pool, the other host loiters purposelessly behind plexiglass, "observing". The gun goes bang, the water splashes, and the host doing nothing behind the plexiglass reveals his true purpose: to caper around like a monkey. This happens with virtually every "experiment", often featuring the younger, smarmily fresh-faced, hosts, an asian male and a red-haired female. In one episode the "test" is to see whether you can move slowly enough not to disturb a motion detector alarm. (it should be obvious the answer is "yes" - house plants grow without setting off motion-senstive alarms) The red-haired female walks very slowly through a room, not setting off the alarm. Then, because this is not resulting in loud, irritating noises, she "tests" the alarm by suddenly moving quickly. The alarm goes off and she starts capering around like a sub-human. This is the format of the show. Lots of primitve capering around, lots of needless experimentation. Very irritating and philisitine hosts, two of whom are twin brothers, one of whom styles himself by wearing a handlebar moustache and a beret as his "look." If you're a phan of philistinism, this one is for you! Bang! (picture me capering around now)

Science classes will love them.......2007-07-04

The purchase was made for middle school science classes. I haven't really watched all the episodes, just enough to know that the students will enjoy them. The series was recommended by the eighth grade science teachers in my building. I plan on separating the four disks into different packages as I know if one teacher checks out the four disk pack I may never see it again.

Does Not Dissapoint.......2007-06-27

I've waited a long time for some of these favorite episodes to come out in a collection, to make my mind up if I wanted to buy everything year by year or on iTunes. This Collection has many of my favorite episodes, but is not inclusive, so I'll buy the years as they become available. Go Mythbusters!

"This is gonna kill you!".......2007-06-17

Ahh, the Mythbusters: if you haven't stumbled upon this show on the Discovery Channel yet, what are you waiting for? Over the years, Adam and Jamie (and Tory, Grant, and Kari) have thoroughly tackled some of our greatest urban myths, legends, and simply bizarre ideas, using their vast areas of knowlege in the sciences. Watching an episode is like watching the scientific method at work, and the personalities of Adam and Jamie make the show extremely entertaining. The projects they do are great for kids to see (although sometimes their language might not be appropriate for young people, depending on how uptight you are about that sort of thing) because they show how working through a problem can lead to very interesting results. I've learned a lot by watching this show.

This DVD set is very bare-bones. Only one behind-the-scenes feature, no commentaries, just full-length episodes (I think there may be some extra footage thrown in here and there; there are a couple small experiments that I don't remember seeing from the TV version). Plus, the episodes they chose for the set seem kind of arbitrary, just random ones from seasons 2 and 3. However, the new low price is MUCH better than the $60 or so you used to have to pay at the Discovery Channel website. I recommend this set to anyone who has ever been curious about their world. You will not be disappointed.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Average customer rating:

A Travesty
Zero Mostel Classic
Not So Funny Anymore
Cornball alacarte
Not all Romans are as stuffy as Cicero

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Starring: Zero Mostel , Phil Silvers , Buster Keaton , Michael Crawford , and Jack Gilford
Director: Richard Lester
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: 0792844815
Release Date: 2000-04-18

Amazon.com

"Something familiar, something peculiar, something for everyone: a comedy tonight!" Those words from the opening song pretty much describe the menu in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, a frantic adaptation of the stage musical by Larry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove. The wild story, set in ancient Rome, follows a slave named Pseudolus (Zero Mostel, snorting and gibbering) as he tries to extricate himself from an increasingly farcical situation; Mostel and a bevy of inspired clowns, including Phil Silvers, Jack Gilford, and Buster Keaton, keep the slapstick and the patter perking. The cast also includes the young Michael Crawford as a love-struck innocent. This project landed in the lap of Richard Lester, then one of the hottest directors in the world after his success with the Beatles' films. Lester telescoped the material through his own joke-a-second sensibility, and also ripped out some of the songs from Stephen Sondheim's Broadway score. The result is a pixilated romp and very close to the vaudeville spirit suggested by the title--though anyone with a low tolerance for Zero Mostel's overbearing buffoonery may be in trouble. Oddly enough, amidst all the frenzy, Lester creates a grungy, earthy Rome that seems closer to the real thing than countless respectable historical films on the subject. --Robert Horton

Description

Something appealing. Something appalling. Something for everyone a comedy tonight! "One ofthe hottest burlesque shows that ever hit Broadway" (Time) comes to the screen showcasing the enormous talents of Tony AwardÂ(r) winner Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Jack Gilford (Cocoon), Buster Keaton and Michael Crawford (Broadway's "The Phantom of the Opera"). Featuring keenly clever tunes like "Comedy Tonight" and "Lovely," this wild Stephen Sondheim musical about a raucous gaggle of ancient Romans is a "flip, glib and sophisticated, yet rump-slapping bawdy and fast-paced look at the seamy underside of classical Rome through hipster's shades" (Variety).When a wily, witty, lying, lazy, cheating slave discovers that his master's son is in love with thegirl next doora virgin courtesanhe promises to help win her heart in exchange for his freedom. But the road to romance is blocked with stunning surprises, cunning disguisesand the wildest chariot race ever!

Customer Reviews:

A Travesty .......2007-08-03

I purchased this DVD but found it difficult to sit through it having only just seen the excellent National Theatre production with Desmond Barritt. This film is an absolute travesty. Most of the music is missing and the ludicrous 'chase' sequence completely ruined the film. Knowing that I would never watch it again, I donated it to a charity shop.
If anyone is thinking of buying this DONT.
I would think that Stephen Sondheim has nightmares about this!

Zero Mostel Classic.......2007-08-01

Zero Mostel is one of the all-time classic Broadway comedians. This musical comedy production showcases him as Pseudolus, a laughably conniving household slave who isn't worth his weight in lead, let alone gold or silver. Phil Silvers ("Sergeant Bilko" of 50s TV fame) also gives a hilarious performance, all set in ancient Rome. Freedom-from-slavery, long-lost children found, love and romance, chariot chases, a funeral (what could be funny about a funeral? -- you'll see), beautiful women, befuddled old men, Roman soldiers, and Milus Gloriosus -- the most egotistical commander of them all, all combine for uproarius laughter.

Not So Funny Anymore.......2007-07-27

I was prepared to really like this movie. I love Zero Mostel, Buster Keaton, and Jack Gilford. However, mostly it was a disappointment. The script was uneven, and much of the humor was either sexist or a bit raunchy in nature, which may be somewhat true to the Roman view of women, but it became tiresome after a while. My husband and son found it overdone, as well.

That said, there were some really funny bits in it and many of the actors did a wonderful job. Buster Keaton was brilliant, as usual. Even in his older years and with a lesser role, he managed to milk the most from it. Zero Mostel was good, but I did like him better in The Producers.

I think I was hoping for brilliant, which most of those involved in this movie are certainly capable of, but instead got uneven and definitely not something worth watching a second time.

Cornball alacarte.......2007-05-23

Fair to good comedy, but a long way from great comedy. Is it worth the buy ? maybe if your ready for some tall CORN, but definitely not a collectors edition. Buy it once, view it once but it will probably b a longtime before you would view it again, if ever ?

Not all Romans are as stuffy as Cicero.......2007-05-13

I grew interested in Roman history some years ago. A classical scholar friend introduced this movie to me. He said the movie is based on a form of Roman play called the farce. I laughed so hard that I almost failed to keep the dinner down. Jon Pertwee, who played Dr. Who, has a cameo appearance. I especially loved some of the music which just build on the mirth instead of interrupting it. If you think Roman history is all about bloody gladiators and stuffy speeches, watch this movie!

Average customer rating:

Corny but fun
Doris Day is outstanding as Calamity Jane in this musical
Musical Western
Doris Day=AMAZING!
biased for day

Calamity Jane
Starring: Doris Day , Howard Keel , Allyn Ann McLerie , Philip Carey , and Dick Wesson
Director: David Butler
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007QS2Z2
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Amazon.com essential video

This 1953 musical is very much a vehicle for Doris Day, in the title role, as a wild cowgal who can outshoot and outsing any boy on the range. When an actress arrives in Deadwood and uses her feminine charms on Jane's secret love, Wild Bill Hickock (Howard Keel), Jane tries to mend her tomboy ways. Not exactly up to the feminist code of honor, this is still energetic and Day is very perky. Of course, one could almost detect a homosexual undercurrent with the cross-dressing Jane, but this was Hollywood in the 1950s, so we best not. This won an Oscar for Best Song--"Secret Love," by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews:

Corny but fun.......2007-09-03

It has taken forever to find this movie, but worth it. I'd forgotten how corny it was, but I just love to hear Doris Day sing. Wish it wasn't so racist.

Doris Day is outstanding as Calamity Jane in this musical.......2007-08-30

This musical was softly based on the life of Wild West fame Calamity Jane and her romance with Wild Bill Hickok. Calamity Jane (Doris Day) is a heroine of Wild West, she is bold, courageous, and ease at horseback riding and sharp shooting calls Deadwood, South Dakota as her home. The local salon, Golden Garter is a popular place for local men which provide entertainment by inviting well known female entertainers from the rest of the country. Wild Bill Hickok (Howard Keel) is another well known resident of the town, who frequents the salon. A Chicago entertainer named Adelaide Adams is a very popular lady among local men, and Calamity vows to bring her from Chicago (called "Chicagy" in the movie). Katie Brown a young maid for Adelaide Adams is mistaken for Adams and is brought to Deadwood. When folks at Golden Garter find out that the new entertainer is not Adelaide Adams, the anger turn against Calamity. Soon things turn for better when Calamity Jane and Katie become good friends, and Katie moves into Calamity Jane's cabin. The movie has a lot of action; sharp shooting, stagecoach riding, and fighting Indians in the Wild West. The movie ends on a happy note when Calamity Jane weds Bill Hickok, Katie marries her beau Danny Gilmartin. When Calamity's new husband finds a gun under her wedding dress, and she quips; it's just in case any more actresses roll in from Chicago.

The story successfully uses the singing talents of Doris Day, but the viewers who are used to sweet and very feminine roles played by Day in numerous movies can't help but think that Doris Day doesn't fit into the role of Calamity Jane. The less known facts about the story are that some historians dispute that Calamity Jane and Hickok were romantically involved. The movie recorded some classic songs such as; The black hills of South Dakota, The deadwood stage, I can't do without you, Secret love, and Windy city.

Calamity Jane: The Film Musical Collection & More

Musical Western.......2007-08-23

Another good Doris Day movie. She makes a good Calamity Jane. Good music and good story line. Fun to watch.

Doris Day=AMAZING!.......2007-07-12

I initally bought this DVD because our local theater group was going to put on Calamity Jane and I got the part of Calamity! I wanted inspiration and more insight into the character, and boy I got it! Doris Day was so great in this film, I never get sick of watching it! Howard Keel was great in it as well. I especially loved the dancing, singing, and Calamity's never-ending spunkiness! I give it 5/5 all the way! All musical fans need to watch this!

biased for day.......2007-06-27

I grew up singing along with this movie, so I'm biased. I loved the romance, the love triangle [or square?], the singing and the sassy woman named Calamity. Humerous and just plain good fun.

Buster Keaton Collection - 15 Shorts, 5 Movies

Average customer rating:

Cost effective introduction to Keaton
Great mini Buster Keaton dvd collection!
The greatest of them all -- Buster Keaton
Keaton, One of the Greats!

Buster Keaton Collection - 15 Shorts, 5 Movies
Starring: Buster Keaton
Manufacturer: St Clair Vision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000LC3IR4
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Customer Reviews:

Cost effective introduction to Keaton.......2007-09-08

If you'd like to familiarize yourself with Buster Keaton's work this is a great place to start. For ten dollars you pretty much get to sample the works of his entire career. Of course you don't get the video quality you have in "The Art of Buster Keaton", but then you don't pay one hundred plus dollars either. You get fifteen of the two reelers he made from 1920 - 1923 when he was getting started as a filmmaker, plus two of the feature films he made as an independent - "The General" (1927) and "Steamboat Bill Jr." (1928). "The General" is touted by many as his finest achievement, and "Steamboat Bill Jr." is the last film he made before he was forced to go to work for MGM in 1928 due to the withdrawal of financial support he had from his benefactor and brother-in-law, Joe Schenck. From the years 1920-1928 Keaton had complete creative control of his films.

Chronologically speaking, the next feature is "Parlor, Bedroom, & Bath" (1931), Keaton's third talkie and his fifth feature film for MGM. Although Keaton had been promised some creative control of his films at MGM, it never came to be, and by the time "Parlor, Bedroom, & Bath" was made Keaton had been relegated to the role of performer. The film has some funny parts, particularly when Keaton is on screen with Charlotte Greenwood, but overall Keaton is relegated to the role of a naive man-child in a farce. Keaton hated farces, and being put in films and roles he hated with absolutely no say is part of what drove him to drink.

The other two features - "Lil' Abner" and "The Villain Still Pursued Her" from 1940 are examples of Keaton's post-MGM work. Here he is in supporting roles - he never stars in another American-made feature film for the rest of his career after 1933 due to the beating his reputation took after he was fired from MGM because of his alcoholism.

If you like what you see, particularly in the silent shorts, The General, and Steamboat Bill Jr., you might think about saving your pennies and investing in "The Art of Buster Keaton" and see the rest of the shorts and features Keaton did when he had complete control - you won't regret it. If you watch "The General" and then "Parlor, Bedroom, & Bath" and wonder "what happened in between these two films???" I also recommend TCM Archives' Buster Keaton Collection. It contains the first three films Keaton did for MGM (The Cameraman/Spite Marriage/Free & Easy) and contains commentary for the two silent films in the collection. Plus there is a documentary included that explains MGM's role in dismantling Keaton's career.

Great mini Buster Keaton dvd collection!.......2007-08-23

I was very happy when I received this "Buster Keaton Collection - 15 Shorts, 5 Movies" dvd set yesterday! I already own "The Art of Buster Keaton" Kino dvd set (Don't worry: I purchased the set used at a fairly low discount price -- about $118.00). But I leave that set at home. When I read the two reviews for this "BK Collection", and the 15 classic silent shorts on them, I wanted this to keep at my job.

I'll briefly explain: I have a portable dvd player I keep at work so I can occasionally watch something during my lunch break. I have a few fun dvds I keep in my desk drawer: Dastardly and Muttley, Beavis and Butt-Head, and three Buster Keaton classics: "The Saphead", "The Navigator" and "Battling Butler". (Take note, Buster fans, these three titles involve Keaton's rich spoiled characters!).

Now, by having this "BK Collection", I can enjoy watching Buster in many of his classic silent two-reelers during lunch (particularly, my favorite ones) -- at least, until my break is over. Some prints are a bit grainy, yet watchable. But I'm not too concerned about the film quality as I already have the Keaton Kino set.

Yesterday, I watched "Cops". The organ score is exactly that from my first BK videotape I owned, in 1985, from Blackhawk Films - "The Blacksmith"/"Cops". I was a high school senior, then!

Today I enjoyed watching "The Goat", which is truly funny! My favorite scene, of course, is the most famous: With Buster sitting on the cowcatcher of a train, staring directly at us stonefaced when the train stops before the camera.

Whenever I'm ready, I'll watch "The General", or "Steamboat Bill, Jr." -- preferably portions of them. Even "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath" if I wish to hear Buster's cute gravelly voice! I glimpsed at "The Villain Still Pursued Her". This isn't classic Keaton, of course. Yet, it seems lightly amusing. I have yet to watch it in its entirety.

Anyway, I'm very pleased with this mini Keaton dvd set! You get quite a lot of classic Keaton at such a low price! I love it, and Buster!

The greatest of them all -- Buster Keaton.......2007-08-02

Buster Keaton wrote and directed most of his two and three-reelers with Eddie Cline, who also appears in several of them (as Edward F. Cline). Keaton is considered one of the Big Three silent-era comedians, along with Harold Lloyd and Charles Chaplin.

Highlights of this marvelous three DVD set:

"The General" is a cinematic classic-- nothing less. This is a movie everyone should see. It's a great introduction to the silent film genre. Keaton's amazing acrobatic skills, his dead aim, pantomimic ability and expressive mannerisms have never been put to better use, or topped by anyone, anywhere.

"The Play House" is a most remarkable short. In the space of 20 minutes, Keaton manages to portray 20 different roles: he's the audience, actors, orchestra and a stagehand. A tour-de-force!

"Steamboat Bill Jr." contains Keaton's most dangerous stunt. A wall topples over and the stationary and upright Buster is positioned precisely so that he passes harmlessly through an open window, the wall landing on the ground around him. This was such a hazardous trick, half of the production crew walked off in protest rather than be witness to Keaton possibly getting killed by this plummeting object.

"Parlor, Bedroom & Bath" is a pre-code comedy that showcases Keaton's comedic talents in a speaking part. Also in this film is Cliff Edwards, who was once known as Ukulele Ike. Edwards' most famous role was the voice of Jiminy Cricket in PINOCCHIO. His recording of "When You Wish Upon a Star" won an Academy Award in 1941.

In "Li'l Abner," Keaton has a supporting role. In this one he's a dead ringer for Lonesome Polecat, the little Indian who brews Kickapoo Joy Juice in an enormous cast iron cauldron. The other actors here are also remarkable look-alikes who bring to life their comic strip characters. Although the script is slight, this is still a fun movie.

For more superb silent movie comedy, SMILES & SPECTACLES - The Harold Lloyd Treasury is just the thing!

.
Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings gathered at a film resource website.

SHORTS:
(6.9) The Balloonatic (silent-1923) - BK/Phyllis Haver/Babe London (uncredited)
(7.2) The Blacksmith (silent-1922) - BK/Joe Roberts/Virginia Fox
(7.4) The Boat (silent-1921) - BK-- uncredited: Edward F. Cline/Sybil Seely
(8.0) Cops (silent-1922) - BK/Joe Roberts/Virginia Fox/Edward F. Cline
(7.2) Daydreams (silent-1922) - BK/Renée Adorée uncredited: Edward F. Cline/Joe Keaton/Joe Roberts
(7.4) The Electric House (silent-1922) - BK-- uncredited: Virginia Fox/Joe Keaton/Louise Keaton/Myra Keaton/Joe Roberts
(6.6) The Frozen North (silent-1922) - BK/Joe Roberts/Sybil Seely/Bonnie Hill
(8.1) The Goat (silent-1921) - BK/Virginia Fox/Joe Roberts/Malcolm St. Clair
(7.1) The Love Nest (silent-1923) - BK/Joe Roberts/Virginia Fox
(6.7) My Wife's Relations (silent-1922) - BK-- uncredited: Wheezer Dell/Monte Collins/Kate Price/Harry Madison
(8.3) One Week (silent-1920) - BK/Sybil Seely/Joe Roberts
(7.1) The Paleface (silent-1922) - BK-- uncredited: Virginia Fox/Joe Roberts
(8.1) The Play House (silent-1921) - BK-- uncredited: Edward F. Cline/Virginia Fox/Joe Roberts
(8.2) The Scarecrow (silent-1920) - BK-- uncredited: Edward F. Cline/Al St. John

FEATURES:
(8.2) The General (silent-1927) - BK/Marion Mack/Charles Henry Smith/Frederick Vroom
(4.9) Li'l Abner (1940) - Jeff York/Martha O'Driscoll/Mona Ray/Johnnie Morris/BK
(5.5) Parlor, Bedroom & Bath (1931) - BK/Charlotte Greenwood/Reginald Denny/Cliff Edwards
(7.9) Steamboat Bill, Jr. (silent-1928) - BK/Tom McGuire/Ernest Torrence/Tom Lewis
(5.6) The Villain Still Pursued Her (1940) - Billy Gilbert/Anita Louise/Margaret Hamilton/Alan Mowbray/BK

BONUS:
Disc 1: Buster Keaton gallery (3 min)
Disc 2: Buster Keaton posters (2 min)
Disc 3: Triva quiz

Keaton, One of the Greats!.......2007-03-24

I own a few other Buster Keaton sets and I really enjoyed this collection. My favorite Keaton movie is the Cameraman, I think that even though it was made at the time he signed with MGM and his career ended shortly after, it was one of his best. That was the only thing I think this collection was missing, the Cameraman. I pre-ordered this item because where else can you find a set with serveral short films, full length films and bonus features of Keaton for about ten dollars?

Flash Gordon: Box Set (Space Soldiers/Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars/Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe) (3DVD)

Average customer rating:

for my dad...
Please read the review below
Finally!!!
Classic movie Serial
A Blast from my past.

Flash Gordon: Box Set (Space Soldiers/Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars/Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe) (3DVD)
Starring: Buster Crabbe , Carol Hughes , Charles Middleton , Anne Gwynne , and Frank Shannon
Director: Ford Beebe , and Ray Taylor
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Sci-Fi | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Sci-Fi & Fantasy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( F ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00004Y2QO
Release Date: 2000-10-03

Description

All three Flash Gordon serials in one box! "Space Soldiers" (1936, 245 min., 13 episodes) - Internationally renowned polo player and Yale graduate Flash Gordon and the lovely Dale Arden are enlisted by Dr. Hans Zarkov on his quest to save Earth from being destroyed by the runaway planet Mongo. "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars (1938, 299 min., 15 episodes) - A mysterious beam of light emanating from Mars is sucking the nitrogen from the Earth's atmosphere, and only Flash Gordon can stop it, battling Queen Azura, the Clay People of Mars, and his mortal enemy Ming the Merciless! "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" (1940, 234 min., 12 episodes) - A rocket is dropping purple dust into the Earth's atmosphere, causing instant death! Can Flash Gordon stop the madman from Mongo while retrieving the antidote to the death dust from the frozen planet of Frigia?

Space Soldiers - Flash is enlisted to save Earth from a runaway planet. "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars" - A light beam from Mars is sucking away Earth's atmosphere! "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" - A rocket is dropping deadly purple dust onto the Earth! 3-disc box set.

Robert F. Hill, Ford Beebe, Ray Taylor, Frederick Stephani

Buster Crabbe, Charles Middleton, Jean Rogers, Frank Shannon, Richard Alexander, Carol Hughes

Customer Reviews:

for my dad..........2007-09-06

My dad loved this gift. wish they had all the movies set up like this in the box set.

Please read the review below.......2007-08-01

All three films appear to be from 35mm prints.
FCGTU has the best picture and sound quality of the three. Pict quality of good+ to outstanding. Sound quality is nearly very good. The sound is recorded in Dolby Digital 1.0. On many systems, it will come out of the center speaker with bass coming out of your sub. Some receivers and surround sound pre-amps may have a special mono movie mode which can drastically improve the sound. Many Pioneer receivers have TV MONO and this mode works very well.

FGTTM has a mildly warbly sound track. The fidelity is good and is listenable. Hearst should have found a better print, even 16mm prints have better sound than this and would have made a better audio transfer with good picture quality. I have better sound on my tapes from recording off of a tv station many years ago that showed the series from a 16mm print. There is about a 4 minute segment missing from one of the chapters, so therefore this series is incomplete. The picture quality is good to very good.

FG has a listenable but warbly sound track. The same comments that I made above applies to this series.

For those who have never seen these films, at the $17 price tag it is worth the purchase because it is the only decent print game in town.

I would have given this a 5 star review if the first two series had the picture and particular the audio quality of the 1940 series. So my review is in essence for the quality of the presentation. As for the movies themselves, this is the finest example of a film presentation on a low studio budget that has ever been delivered. The special effects are nifty considering when these films were made, but they are so beautiful surreal.
The firing of ray guns in the whole series is every bit as good as what has been done over the years and set the stage for other science fiction pictures. The sound effects are first rate and memorable. All three of the series are set to a classical music theme from various symphonic masters and movie score composers at that time. I think Franz Listz would have marveled at the way his Les Preludes were used In FGCTU.

FGCTU was the inspirational movie to George Lucas. Because of this film, he made STAR WARS. He realized the importance of a classical musical score as well as nifty visual and sound effects. That makes the Flash Gordon series a extememly major contribution to the art of movie making.

Finally!!!.......2007-07-29

I've made the mistake of purchasing other DVD's of Flash Gordon that were edited from the originals. Evidently, someone, somewhere along the line decided to edit out all the cliff hangers and resell it as a whole movie. ARGH!!! Why not just edit all the scenes with Flash and Ming while you're at it.
This edition does indeed preserve all the cliff hangers, which are INTEGRAL to this form.
This is the ORIGINAL stuff! If you like another big sci-fi franchise then take a look, because this is where they did it first. Enjoy!

Classic movie Serial.......2007-07-08

Flash Gordon: Box Set (Space Soldiers/Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars/Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe) (3DVD)This classic serial
together with Buck Rogers, The Phantom Empire, and The Adventures of Captain
Marvel were my favorites among the Saturday afternoon cliffhangers.

A Blast from my past........2007-06-05

I first saw these serials in the movie theatres in the 1940's. They were part of the magical joy of a child's early life, which brought us back to that same theatre every Saturday matinee until we had seen all the episodes. In those days one could see a triple feature, the Flash Gordon serial, and cartoons for 9 cents at the Old Loma Theatre in Burbank, California.
Later, in the early 1950's they appeared on television for the first time. Even the adults were part of the audience. Crude as those early special effects were, they just delighted my whole generation.
Now, all three of the serials are available for a huge savings on DVD, about the same price for one individual movie. Step back into time and relive another era, sadly gone forever.

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