Fantasia (60th Anniversary Special Edition)

Amazon.com essential video

Groundbreaking on several counts, not the least of which was an innovative use of animation and stereophonic sound, this ambitious Disney feature has lost nothing to time since its release in 1940. Classical music was interpreted by Disney animators, resulting in surreal fantasy and playful escapism. Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra provided the music for eight segments by the composers Tchaikovsky, Moussorgsky, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Ponchielli, Bach, Dukas, and Schubert. Not all the sequences were created equally, but a few are simply glorious, such as "Night on Bald Mountain," "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," and "The Nutcracker Suite." The animation ranges from subtly delicate to fiercely bold. The screen bursts with color and action as creatures transmute and convention is thrust aside. The painstaking detail and saturated hues are unique to this film, unmatched even by more advanced technology. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews:

Best Disney Movie Ever!.......2007-07-19

I loved this movie as a child and it still holds my interest today. Its a wonderful masterpiece of music and animation. I am disappointed its not the actual "uncut" movie (see other reviewers reviews), but its still a great movie.

fantasia.......2007-07-17

The Fantasia vhs movie played as good as new. It has been and will continue to be a family favorite.

Fantasia is fantastic...........2007-07-15

I had the pleasure of seeing FANTASIA on the big screen, when I was a little girl. I was enchanted by the imagery and the beautiful classical music soundtrack, from the opening credits, all the way to the last sequence. This was Walt Disney's way of bringing classical music to the younger generations, the children who went to the movie theaters to see his cartoons. This presentation of cartoons with classical repertoire succeeds brilliantly on many levels. For starters, the imagery compliments the mood of the musical pieces.

Some of my favorite sequences include: Nutcracker Suite by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with a look at the changing seasons, featuring animated fairies, fish, flowers, mushrooms, and leaves, Symphony No. 6 by Ludwig van Beethoven with a mythical ancient Grecian world of centaurs, centaurettes (a Disney studio creation), a pegasus and his family, the gods of Mount Olympus, fauns, cherubs and other creatures and characters of classical mythology, and the Ave Maria by Franz Schubert, with subtle sunlight and naturalistic color. I should mention that the sequence with Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky is a vision of hell. It features a wicked demon, whose likeness was based on the features of Bela Lugosi (yes, the original Dracula in the 1930s films). I was pretty scared, as an eight year old, when watching it. Keep that in mind when watching it with really small children.

My verdict? This film is a beautiful introduction to classical music, for young viewers, and compelling enough for more mature ones. This is a throwback to another time, before the age of computer-generated graphics, and you will appreciate the great lengths the animators took to hand-draw every cell in this beautiful film.

Beautiful.......2007-04-04

While it is not plot based or known for a memorable and charming story, it is a wonder to watch. Music creates images in most of us, whether they be memories of something prior, or something conjured up from the sound. Fantasia is based on that idea. Listening to this classic music, set to such elegant and wonderful images is a treat. One of the best of it's kind. Enjoy.

A child's memories.......2007-03-09

This is the first movie I remember seeing as a child. I was probably about 7 years old at the time. I've never forgotten it, and now, after 59 years, I'm viewing it again. It's just as wonderful as it was when I saw it the first time, although there are a couple of "bits" that I don't remember from my first viewing. It keeps me company during my treadmill walks. It does a wonderful job of helping me to pass the time. It's a beautiful combination of art and classical music.

Average customer rating:

Much more enjoyable than the dated original
The Art Form Of The Future
Walt Disney originally meant Fantasia to evolve
The movie that came out in 1940 is better!
"Fantasia 2000" was a whoopee-cushion.

Fantasia 2000
Starring: Kathleen Battle , Paul Brizzi , Hendel Butoy , Eric Goldberg , and Ralph Grierson
Director: Paul Brizzi , Hendel Butoy , Eric Goldberg , James Algar , and Francis Glebas
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00003CWPX
Release Date: 2000-11-14

Amazon.com essential video

More ambitious in scope than any of its other animated films (before or to come), Disney's 1940 Fantasia was a dizzying, magical, and highly enjoyable marriage of classical music and animated images. Fantasia 2000 features some breathtaking animation and storytelling, and in a few spots soars to wonderful high points, but it still more often than not has the feel of walking in its predecessor's footsteps as opposed to creating its own path. A family of whales swimming and soaring to Respighi's The Pines of Rome is magical to watch, but ends all too soon; a forest sprite's dance of life, death, and rebirth to Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring too clearly echoes the original Fantasia's Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria sequence. But when it's on target, Fantasia 2000 is glorious enough to make you giddy. Hans Christian Andersen's "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" is a perfect narrative set to Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2, and Donald Duck's guest appearance as the assistant to Noah (of ark fame) set to Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance marches is a welcome companion piece (though not an equal) to The Sorcerer's Apprentice, the one original Fantasia piece included here. The high point of Fantasia 2000, though, is a fantastic day-in-the-life sequence of 1930s New York City set to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and animated in the style of cartoonist Al Hirschfeld; it's a perfect melding of music, story, and animation. Let's hope future Fantasias (reportedly in the works) take a cue from the best of this compilation. The music is provided by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Levine, interspersed with negligible intros by Steve Martin, Bette Midler, Itzhak Perlman, James Earl Jones, and others. --Mark Englehart

Customer Reviews:

Much more enjoyable than the dated original.......2007-07-23

As much as I enjoyed the original Fantasia, this new installment tops it. Fantasia 2000 is much more bright, entertaining, and re-watchable. 2000 prefers upbeat and even humorous animation to the slow and often gloomy sequences that saturated the original. The vibrant colors and dramatic song intros are welcome and significant improvements over the dark animation and dry, dull silhouettes of the first. The animation matches the music to a much greater level of detail, offers drama and humor, and does not demand nearly as much patience. The Sorcerer's Apprentice is really the only piece that could stand up to Fantasia 2000's selection, and even this classic reveals the weaknesses of the original Fantasia.

The Art Form Of The Future.......2007-04-27

It's interesting to note that while the entertainment industry is bellyaching about piracy and the copying of DVDs, Disney being among the loudest bawlers, you can't buy a new copy of this marvelous DVD for love or money, either here or at Disney's own store, and the price for a used copy is higher than that of most new movies. Apparently the demand is there, but Disney doesn't care about supply. Disney is said to put their movies in "a vault," bringing them out only every ten years, but other animated features such as "Kronk's new Groove" (2005) and "Mickey's House of Villains" (2002) are readily available. Meanwhile, free segments of "Fantasia 2000" are being given away on YouTube. Smart.

I may've paid top dollar for my copy of "Fantasia 2000" but I have no buyer's remorse, as it's a great show. Those who remember the original (1940) "Fantasia" as something suitable only for children and the anile would be well advised to take a look at this production. The quality of the animation is at Disney's highest standards, but the concepts and the images depicted are far more sophisticated than almost any other animated feature I've seen, the sole exception being Tomek Baginski's "The Cathedral."

This sets the standard of what can be done in presenting visuals to serious music. When classical music is shown on television, there is absolutely nothing original or creative about the camera work, as they use the same shots they've used since the 1940s. There is the master shot of the orchestra, and each time an individual instrument or section makes an entrance, there is a close-up, as if to assure you that, Yah, dot iz ah trumpet. There is always the mandatory close-up of the mallets whenever the timpani has a roll, and you get to see the conductor waving his arms and making faces at the orchestra - none of which augments my enjoyment of Beethoven at all. The Naxos company is selling videos of rustic European towns and landscapes providing the visuals for the classics, but such a slide show is as dull as . . . as a slide show.

But this is different. The combination of images in motion, coordinated to the music, and intelligent story lines really do compliment the great music, and the most popular chapter, Respighi's "The Pines of Rome," is especially inspired. If your idea of "aht" is Jackson Pollock or Karen Finley, you may not feel exhilarated by it, but for the rest of us, it is American art at its finest.

Of interest to audiophiles is the astonishing sound of this DVD. As CDs were an obvious improvement over the sound of LPs (disputed only by the senile), the sound of the best DVDs is as much an improvement over CDs, and the sound here is spectacular. There is, I would judge, no compression and no limit to the frequency response. My 18-inch Velodyne HGS subwoofer has trouble reproducing the ultra-low frequencies at the beginning of "The Pines of the Appian Way," so those playing it on toy computer speakers should take caution.

This is a genuine work of art fit for grownups - now if only Disney would market it.

Walt Disney originally meant Fantasia to evolve.......2007-04-12

I don't see anything wrong with the Disney Studio's attempts on relishing the Disney legacy. Walt Disney meant to have his Fantasia concept expand, explore, and evolve. . from time to time. And it was done, and it was good!
I grew up with the original Fantasia in full spectrum. First seeing the dinosaur excerpt in school and narrated as primeval documentary. Later I discovered it was from Walt Disney's Fantasia, and bought the special (back then) 3 vinyl album released by Buena Vista. I still have it in storage, because I loved it. It contained illustrated insert program introducing all the sequences, and had incredible photos of Mr. Walt Disney and the conductor, Leopold Stokowski. I never drew on the program, although I was no more than 13. I saw the special re-releases of Fantasia on the movie big screen, and have been to Disneyland countless times to view the Main Street techniques of ancient art. During all this course, I pretty much saw nearly all of Walt Disney movies, and was a devoted watcher of his "Wonderful World Of Color", plus the infamous Mickey Mouse Club five days a week in the afternoons. I have also met Mr. Walt Disney briefly on rare occasion back in the very early 60's. I would sit and listen to Julie Andrew's original "Mary Poppins" soundtrack so much, I wore it out. Finally I bought a digitally remastered two volume cassette of the original Fantasia at the Tomorrowland souvenir shop back in 1990, and when I visit Disneyland the 20th Century Music Shop on Main Street (by the cinema) is a must stop for me.
The original Fantasia was classic, revolutionary art form, and a milestone for Walt Disney, and incredibly "gutsy." I have absolutely no ill feelings, or misgivings for this particular sequel, because at least it's earnst. The only critical thing I had was the unusual focus on the piano play, but other than that (I first saw this in Imax), I now own it on video (VHS original copy issue) and place it with all my other Disney showcases. I like it, simply put, and I don't even mind the star pre-commentary because at least they get on with it. The music is fabulous, and it can grow on you on special days of the year. My favorite piece is the Magic Bird Of Fire. I almost cry on this one, those sultry violins hit me real hard having lived the Disney life. Plan to go again, this summer (Disney Resort, Ca.). Anyone ready for Fantasia 2050?

The movie that came out in 1940 is better!.......2007-03-11

Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" is one of my favorite musical pieces ever and I
loved the jazz era New York City setting that goes with this segment. And of course "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is a much loved classic episode even more beloved by Micky's appearance as the sorcerer in the current night time extravaganza at some Disney parks. But why not watch this story on the original FANTASIA? Though Fantasia 2000 does have its worthy moments it can not compare to the groundbreaking original and is really quite unnecessary.

"Fantasia 2000" was a whoopee-cushion........2007-01-29

F2K represents what's wrong with Disney. Yes, Walt did intend for "Fantasia" to be a perpetually-updated film, and yes, the production values are above the industry standard. However, this is where all the goodness ends.

First of all, the idea itself is another manifestation of Disney's grave-robbing. Not just recycling "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" (yes, I know that the original concept called for some of the segments to come, go, and return), but the whole concept. We seem to be getting these direct-to-video part II and part III of their classic cannon. Come on! This is obvious exploiting of their thirty- and forty-year old cash cows . Fortunately, Disney has surrendered everything to Pixar, so hopefully the new blood will help.

Then there was the tedious drip of self-congratulating cameos. A host, be it Rod Serling in "Twilight Zone," Cecil B. DeMille in "The Ten Commandments," or Deems Taylor from the original "Fantasia," unifies the disparate stories, thereby allowing the movie to flow from segment to segment. What we got was a jangly kaleidoscope of talking heads and forced humor that would only appeal to missing links.

Lastly, you had a celebration of the ugly-absurd: flamingoes with yo-yos, flying whales (very Politically Correct), flying fat men (it was funny in "Dune" but not here), and the odd environmental piece at the end. OK--volcanoes are part of nature, "red in tooth and claw" just as much as the green flatfish-sprite. Destruction is part of nature, just as it is part of life. To preserve the forest (more Political Correctness again), therefore, is unnatural.

This is Disney's overall problem: it used to be good, then Walt died; it slumped, then it used to be good when Eisner was hired in the 1980's; it has now slumped again, and hopefully Pixar can get them out. However, in the mean time we are stuck with a likeable brad name--and nothing else.

(In fact, every time I see a Pixar movie, I always think "Disney used to make films like this. USED to.")

I do congratulate them on the wonderful way they brought to life Al Hirschfeld's distinct style. It was a wonderful marriage of period music to period art, and in a way, it almost saves the project. However, the storytelling left much to be desires. The Flying Fat Man seemed out of place--even for a cartoon. And the characters seemed clichéd and flat. They managed the threads well, and story worked on a Movie-of-the Week level, but more was desired.

The "Pomp and Circumstance" segment comes close to the feel of the original. We had a familiar piece of music, that we associate with processionals. The processional, in turn, became the procession of animals to Noah's Ark. The subplot of the missing Donald was genuinely tender, considering the danger--and if we willfully suspend disbelief about a duck being able to fly and swim. And the scene with the dragons and unicorns was hilarious, a joke my mother had been telling me since I was a lad.

The film was a technical masterpiece, and it had its moments. But the annoying interlude gags had a "gala celebration" feel to it. But what was missing was a sense of "we are approaching beauty" which the first film emanated. "Fantasia" was about visually interpreting classical music--a high concept film combining art, music, and culture. "Fantasia 2000" was a whoopee-cushion.

Or a flamingo with a yo-yo.

Average customer rating:

Your Choice
Review opinions should be based on fact, not idiotic conjecture!
David J Heward is an idiot!

Fantasia Live in Tokyo (Ws)
Starring: Asia
Manufacturer: Eagle Vision USA
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ASIN: B000V9KF8C
Release Date: 2007-10-02

Description

Asia, featuring members of Yes, ELP and King Crimson, was the first supergroup of the eighties. Their eponymous debut album, released in 1982, was a huge success racking up global sales in excess of 15 million copies. In 2006 the original four members reunited for the first time in over 20 years for a series of concerts in the US and the UK. The success of this tour led to a full-blown world tour running throughout 2007 in celebration of their 25th anniversary. This DVD was recorded in Tokyo in March 2007 on the Japanese leg of the tour.

Tracklisting: 1) Time Again 2) Wildest Dreams 3) One Step Closer 4) Roundabout 5) Without You 6) Cutting It Fine 7) Steve Howe Guitar Solo 8) Fanfare For The Common Man 9) The Smile Has Left Your Eyes 10) Don't Cry 11) Court Of The Crimson King 12) Here Comes The Feeling 13) Video Killed The Radio Star 14) The Heat Goes On / Carl Palmer Drum Solo 15) Only Time Will Tell 16) Sole Survivor 17) Ride Easy 18) Heat Of The Moment

BONUS FEATURES: 40 Minute Interview with all 4 band members.

Customer Reviews:

Your Choice.......2007-09-17

What you hear on the CD is what you will see on the DVD. So, if you like the CD, then buy the DVD...if you don't, then don't buy it. Plain & simple.

Review opinions should be based on fact, not idiotic conjecture!.......2007-09-01

I am greatly looking forward to this DVD. Having already purchased the CD and listening to it many times, I expect nothing less than 5 stars. Amazon should screen out bad reviews when they are submitted by someone who's only purpose is to trash something that they haven't seen and know nothing about. The fact that a previous reviewer complains about songs not appearing on this DVD that are clearly listed as being in the set list clearly shows that he suffers from a case of Acute Cranial-Rectal Insertion!

David J Heward is an idiot!.......2007-08-31

Any person who reviews a DVD before it is released is a complete fool. Any future reviews from this derelict should be ignored. The 5 star review is given for the purpose of canceling the previous unfair review.

Average customer rating:

Nothing in this film to like
Save your money
Honeymoon from hell
A very funny movie
Cute Movie!

Just Married
Starring: Ashton Kutcher , Brittany Murphy , Christian Kane , David Moscow , and Monet Mazur
Director: Shawn Levy
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B00008WJD6
Release Date: 2003-06-17

Amazon.com

Pretty Brittany Murphy and prettier Ashton Kutcher make a surprisingly enjoyable comic team in Just Married, a romantic comedy about a horrible honeymoon. After a whirlwind romance, radio traffic announcer Kutcher and rich girl Murphy get married over the objections of her upper-crust family. Their love can overcome snobbery--but as the cuddly pair start to drive each other nuts over mishaps traveling through Europe, it starts to look like their love can't overcome intimacy. Just Married has a sprightly script that keeps one foot on the ground (unlike some recent romantic comedies that seem to have no connection to reality) and one eye on the small ways in which lovers can get on each other's nerves. Kutcher (Dude, Where's My Car?) and Murphy (Clueless, 8 Mile) have a sweet yet volatile chemistry that keeps the antics lively. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Ashton Kutcher (Dude, Where's My Car?, TV's That '70's Show) and Britney Murphy (8 Mile, Don't Say A Word) take the cake in this outrageous hit comedy that proves love and laughter are the perfect match. Sarah (Murphy) is a happy-go-lucky rich girl whose

Customer Reviews:

Nothing in this film to like.......2007-09-09

The supporting cast of the movie largely consists of one-dimensional stereotypes (WASPs have silly pet names! Chinese poeple talk funny!) -- but, sadly, they're more amusing than the lead parts. Ashton Kutcher's Tom is an uncultured dimbulb -- but he makes up for that by being petulant, whiny, selfish, and short-tempered. His wife says that she loves him, but it's hard to understand why -- apart from a nice smile, he has nothing to recommend him. Most of the gags in the movie are third-rate retreads of other Americans-in-Europe movies (They have tiny cars! French people are snooty!). Amazingly, this is actually a worse entry to the genre than "National Lampoon's European Vacation". The best metaphor for the movie is the tiny car the couple drive when they arrive in Europe. It's slow-moving, underpowered, and you'll wish you hadn't rented it. (Oh, and it's not a place you'd like to be trapped with Ashton Kutcher).

Save your money.......2007-04-19

This is probably the worst film I have seen this year. There is no romance and very little comedy it's pretty pointless. A rich bimbo falls in lust with an idiot.

Honeymoon from hell.......2007-01-16

I think Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy are two of the brightest actors around today. And together on screen they share a wonderful chemistry for all to see which makes for a very funny, well written comedy directed by Shawn Levy (Cheaper By The Dozen, Night At The Museum) who does a fantastic job directing these two around picturesque Europe.

Kutcher and Murphy play newlyweds Tom and Sarah who come from entirely different backgrounds and share apparently nothing in common, and are about to learn some hard and hillarious lessons in love and loyalty whilst honeymooning in Europe. Throw in an ex-boyfriend who appears to be stalking the couple everywhere they go, and you get some very funny moments as we find out if opposites really do attarct.

One of the best comedies I have ever seen.

A very funny movie.......2006-01-23

When i saw this movie 2 years ago in theaters it was hilarious i love this movie and "ASHTON KUTCHER" is a hoot i like the part when he was taking her in the doorway he bumped her head it was funny my dad laughed alot and my stepmom laughed so hard it was very very funny you should get it it is very funny.

Cute Movie!.......2005-12-27

This is a cute movie. It is about a rich girl and a poor boy and how their families object to them getting married. The marriage doesn't work out. This movie is about the rich girl and the poor boy on their honey moon and the hilarious situations they get themselves into.

RECOMMENDED!

The NeverEnding Story III - Escape From Fantasia

Average customer rating:

do not buy this movie
I Want The Orin
Because I can't give it no stars
How to End a NeverEnding Story?
One of the worst fantasy movies of all time!

The NeverEnding Story III - Escape From Fantasia
Starring: Jason James Richter , Melody Kay , Jack Black , Carole Finn , and Ryan Bollman
Director: Peter MacDonald
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00006472Z
Release Date: 2002-06-04

Description

Here's the latest chapter in the popular film trilogy, starring Jason James Richter (FREE WILLY) as Bastian, a teenager whose life is turned upside down when his father remarries. On his first day at a new school, Bastian is chased by a vicious gang called the Nasties. He hides in the school library where he finds a magic book that writes itself according to the imagination of the reader. To escape the Nasties (and his troubles at home), Bastian wishes himself into Fantasia, the storybook's phantasmic world of incredible creatures. It's here, away from the pressures of the real world, that Bastian thinks he's safe. But when the Nasties take control of the book, his Fantasian friends get stuck on earth, and it's up to Bastian to save them. And in order to do that, he must defeat the Nasties! With great music by some of your favorite rockers, this awesome fantasy-adventure celebrates the joy of reading and the magic books create within our own imagination!

Customer Reviews:

do not buy this movie .......2007-06-23

it is the worst thing that i have seen in all of my life. i got this movie knowing that it was going to be bad but i wanted to see becouse i had the other two. the frist movie was great i loved it as a child. i have even got it for my own, when i seen the 2nd one i disliked it not any bit as good as the first 1. but this movie is just a wast of time and money. it is a shame. i sat down to watch this whit my 6 year old. she did even want to see. so dont buy this i know jack black is in it but still dont buy this i could be the worst movie of all time

I Want The Orin.......2007-03-23

I let my children watch this because it's still got that adventure. It also has many fun characters and a morale to the story.

It was great to see Jack Black early in his career as an actor. He's as awesome an actor as he was back then, only healthier. I recommend it for the kiddies.

Because I can't give it no stars.......2007-02-27

The original book was amazing.

The first movie is quite faithful to the book, and quite good as well.

The second movie isn't as faithful, but it includes a good deal of elements from the book and is entertaining as well.

This is the biggest pile of crap ever. They attempt to use a few things from the book at the beginning, but it just descends into an ever downward-spiraling wreck that makes you wish you could get back the last hour or two of your life. Rockbiter has a whole family and rides his bicycle thing and sings a song.

Under no circumstances should you every pay to see this movie. If it's on TV, maybe watch it, but I warn you it will make you think that Artax slipping beneath the swamps of sadness was a good way to go.

How to End a NeverEnding Story?.......2006-10-27

I remember watching "The NeverEnding Story III" in the cinema as a kid. It was probably the first time I ever felt disappointed in a piece of entertainment. The sets and effects were all of the same standard as the first two, yeah, but everything else was a bit of a mess. I hoped it would be a little better, watching it on DVD. It ended up being just as messy, actually.

Bastian (Jason James Richter in this film) has moved to a new school, and he's finding it hard to fit in, having trouble with a group of bullies called the Nasties (their leader played by a younger Jack Black). Bastian's also finding it hard to fit into his new family. His father has remarried, and Bastian now has a cynical step sister and a nervous new stepmother. Still, there's a familiar face at the school library, the antique bookseller from the first two films: Mr Koreander. He has brought the books from his store too, placing them on the library shelves. Among these is the NeverEnding Story, which Bastian takes once more, wishing himself into the pages. Now abandoned, the bullies take hold of the book, and by their reading of it, begin to reshape not only the world of Fantasia, but the real world too (as it's part of Bastian's story). Will Bastian be able to save both worlds from this nastiness?

It starts off promising enough, sweeping fantasy landscapes during the title sequence, but that all quickly gives way to a lot of cheesiness. Rockbiter has a wife in hair curlers, watches a TV in Fantasia, and gets to sing "Born to Be Wild". His son Junior now has a ridiculous voice, as does Falcor the Luck Dragon, who has gone from being a noble, encouraging creature to being accident prone and reluctant to face danger. The Childlike Empress, usually such a pure character, wishes that she should go clothes shopping, while the two Gnomes spend most of the movie looking for a toilet. The dialogue is a bit cheesy at times too. Regarding Bastian, Engywook (a Fantasia Gnome) says "He's no Arnold Schwartznegger in the muscle department". If he's a fantasy character, how does he know about action movies? Barky, the tree man, also spouts a lot of cheesy cultural references, probably more than anyone else. These is a lot of very 1990s pop music in the background, which by itself wouldn't be so bad, but in the midst of all the mess seems to heighten the cheesiness.

I was disappointed as a kid with this film, yeah, but now I kind of watch it in a "so bad it's good" kind of way. I was laughing so hard watching the scenes with Junior Rockbiter and Falcor, just at their voices, the dialogue, and the silliness of the scene they were in. It would be hard to purposely make a film this so far from the first two films and the original book. Even though it is ridiculous, it's still pretty engaging too. I certainly wasn't bored watching the film. I was a lot of other things, but I definitely wasn't bored.

Though I prefer the first two films (the first most of all), this one is worth a look, just to see how unusual it turned out. It definitely makes for something to talk about.

One of the worst fantasy movies of all time!.......2006-09-10

Jack Black is the only redeeming aspect of this movie,playing the ringleader of the Nasties.He's the only actor in the whole movie who seems to be having fun.

The story has a cheesy premise (Bastian runs away to Fantasia,the Nasties read the book&wreak havoc)The Rock Biters act "cool"&have a terrible version of "Born to be wild." Bastian has a creepy crush on his stepsister--and in the end she has to save the day by comparing him to Arnold Schwarzenegger,Hercules&Bruce Lee(!)

This movie is a mishmash.The attempt to meld Fantasia with the "real world" wreaks havoc with the script;potentially interesting idea,but it gets wrecked.Avoid this movie,unless you like cheesy fantasy movies.

Lion of the Desert - 25th Anniversary Edition

Average customer rating:

Lion of the Desert
Wow! Three of the Greatest Actors Ever in the Same Movie!
Great movie about Italy's colony
War Film
a historical epic george w. bush should have watched

Lion of the Desert - 25th Anniversary Edition
Starring: Anthony Quinn , Oliver Reed , Rod Steiger , Irene Papas , and John Gielgud
Director: Moustapha Akkad
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
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ASIN: B000AQ6A0I
Release Date: 2005-11-01

Product Description

Between two worlds wars, a struggle for freedom took place in the African desert. This movie is the historicaly accurate story about the Libyan resistance leader, Omar Mukhtar, who led the Libyan resistance against the Italian opressors from 1911-1931. The movie takes place during the reign of Mussolini.

System Requirements:

Running Time 186 Mins.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Destined to remain a dubious footnote in books of movie trivia, this occasionally impressive epic from 1981 was financed with a budget of $35 million by Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi, who previously attempted the role of movie producer with the critically roasted Mohammad: Messenger of God. This effort didn't fare much better (it grossed approximately $1 million worldwide), and although some of its wartime action sequences are intelligently filmed, it's not likely to gain much more of a reputation on home video. Under a shaggy Muslim beard, Anthony Quinn stars as Omar Mukhtar, the Arab hero and guerilla fighter who defended Libya against Benito Mussolini and Italy's attempted conquests during World War II. As straightforward biography, the movie's got an admirable epic sweep, but a cliché-ridden script and uniformly bad performances (from a cast that includes John Gielgud, Oliver Reed, and Rod Steiger) make this little more than a curiosity for those wanting to learn more about Libyan history. The DVD "special edition" presents the film in its complete 162-minute version. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Lion of the Desert.......2007-05-06

Italy was among the first to use armored vehicles in the desert which is depicted excitingly in this telling of Omar Mukhtar's Arab revolt against them in Libya. Set in the latter stages of the revolt that lasted form Italy's invasion in 1911 to oust the Turks until Mukhtar's defeat in 1931.
Great action scenes with some well done performances by the late Oliver Reed.

Wow! Three of the Greatest Actors Ever in the Same Movie!.......2007-04-12

As far as war movies go, this is one of the best. The action shots and battle scenes were for the most part excellent and not short on theatrical blood and gore...but there again, many of these scenes seem silly and exploitive somehow with the realization that the truth is infinitely more horrible. In the long run, this what I think the director was trying to convey to the viewer.

I read a review of this film shortly after it came out twenty five or so years ago. The reviewer said he saw this film with his son and he said that his son asked him towards the beginning during one of the battle scenes if the whole movie was like this? The reviewer agreed that it was...WRONG. The story was so much more than what on the surface appears to be a gratuitous shoot 'em up. There was a great amount of dialog that presented the background of the Italian-Libyan situation of the 1920s without ever becoming boring, and in fact left myself wanting to know even more about this corner of history.

The acting by one and all was excellent...really top notch. I never tire of Oliver Reed and wish he had made many, many more films. His portrayal of General Graziani was crisp. Reed's character had a commanding presence of that of a professional soldier that had served Italy from the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, to World War I and then as supreme Italian commander in North Africa during World War II. His character was certainly one of ambition and military professionalism. Without getting into the actual historical/political aspects, I will point out that Graziani was responsible for many military innovations in not only desert but also guerrilla warfare. Graziani, did, after get his Ho Chi Minh or Osama Bin Laden, and this has been largely ignored by history because of the Italian affiliation with Fascism, Hitler, and becoming in time an enemy commander to the United States, Britain and the other allies.

Anthony Quinn's portrayal of Omar Mukhtar was astounding. He even looked like him and kudos to the director for including actual photographs of the major personages in this sad true life play. Gentle, intelligent, devoted to his God, merciful as his God claims to be...Quinn brought all of that out in his character and one can only hope that Mukhtar was exactly such a man.

Rod Steiger-another actor, who like Oliver Reed, is unfortunately not well known by the general public. His portrayal of Mussolini was excellent in spite of the ever pervasive myopia film makers have concerning Hitler and Mussolini-cardboard men painted with theirs and our propaganda. Still, the film injected some humanity in the portrayal of 'Il Duce' by having Steiger point out that he, like Mukhtar, was a teacher. Other than that, you could imagine Mussolini's character stiffly posturing on a balcony and spouting off about the glories of a New Roman Empire. But, that wasn't Steiger's fault and he just naturally acted in a manner of supreme authority while at the same time coming across as being pragmatic, thoughtful, and having a connection to Roman history while at the same time making history.

The Italians in general were rather plastic and stiffly portrayed, but acting as professional military officers and representatives of the Fascist state, these portrayals were probably not too far off the mark. The film was careful to not show the Italians as mechanistic monsters and through at least four supporting actors showed that they were human beings capable of compassion. The portrayal of the Bedouin fighters and people was much more human and realistic, and the sympathy of the film definitely tilted in their favor. All in all, the film did try to show both sides of the story.

Perhaps the most heart wrenching parts dealt with the sacrifices of men's lives in trying to defend their families and the hardships and deaths brought upon the civilian populace. Particularly sad was the plight of the Bedouin in the concentration camps, and especially the sexual exploitation of women prisoners at the hands of the Italian soldiers.

I found one of the most stirring parts of the film to be the trial of Omar Mukhtar. The Italian defense lawyer (an Italian Army officer) did his best to point out that an acquittal was the most just thing to do as Mukhtar should have been considered to be a POW since he was taken under arms. This portion was strangely reminiscent of the Breaker Morant trial.

What I found particularly interesting was the array of authentic uniforms of the Italian Army and even the inclusion of Black Italian Colonial soldiers (probably Ethiopians?). Even better was the fact that the film makers recreated armored vehicles of the time rather than merely using surplus military hardware and trying to pass them off as the real deal as they disappointingly did in otherwise great war films such as Patton and The Battle of the Bulge.

The battle scenes were indeed good 'shootemups', though dummies dressed as Italian soldiers were painfully obvious in some shots. Also, I think one armored vehicle taking to the air and crashing in a heap during a battle scene was more than enough.

All in all a great film that at least informs us of something of history that most of us in the West would not otherwise be aware of. It is refreshing to see a film maker doing his very best to show the human aspects of an enemy that he certainly is not sympathetic to on cultural and religious grounds and is a testament to his own sense of humanity.

Great movie about Italy's colony.......2007-03-16

This movie may have had reviews but I liked it fine. I thought the camera handling was good, the costumes and vehicles excellently portrayed and the action fine. The story? Pretty good. I bit long but it keeps your interest. Certainly there is no depth to some of the characters but is it really necessary to get into Mussolini's head?

I also loved the use of archival movie footage in this film. Some directors overdo this technique but I thought it was very well done in this movie.

I was glad to get my hands on this gem. I'm sure I'll be watching it several times.

War Film.......2007-02-13

This picture is fairly detailed has plenty of resemblance to what the U.S. is going through in Irag. Anthony Quinn is excellent in his leading role. The movie rolls along quite well.

a historical epic george w. bush should have watched.......2007-01-08

As I write this review in january 2007, America is mired in a civil war in Iraq. The recently executed dictator Saddam Hussein is considered a hero in the Arab world on the level of Omar Muhktar. Had Mr. Bush watched this movie and learned from it, he would have seen the folly of invading Iraq with very few troops and the true nature of Jihad.

The acting in this movie is superb. Anthony Quinn does a execellent of portraying this anti-fascist freedom fighter. Oliver Reed does a equally good job of portraying Gen. Graziani, who used genocidal tactics that were later used in Ethiopia when he was the governor( Italy invaded that country in 1935) and by Nazi Germany. Rod Steiger's performance captures the essence of the brute and hard dren style of Benito Mussolini.

Omar Muhktar's prediction that he will live longer than his hangmen has turned out to be prophetic. Today he is Libya's national hero while the hangmen are virtually written out of history. His captor Gen. Graziani died as a war criminal who very few people in Italy remember or mention.

American Idol - The Best & Worst of American Idol ( Limited Edition )

Average customer rating:

Not the best of American Idol!
I love this show. Simon really makes me laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa
The Perfecte DVD for an Idol fan
American Idol - The Best & Worst of American Idol ( Limited Edition )

American Idol - The Best & Worst of American Idol ( Limited Edition )
Starring: Trenyce , Carmen Rasmusen , Corey Clark , Julia DeMato , and Charles Grigsby
Director: Nigel Lythgoe , Ken Warwick , and Bruce Gowers
Manufacturer: Capital Entertainment
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ASIN: B000B58D0S
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Amazon.com

Many millions adore it, many others probably wish it was illegal, but there's no denying the magnetic pull of American Idol on television viewers. Maybe it's that we can't avert our eyes from the train wreck that comprises about 90% of the contestants, or that we appreciate the heart and soul of the ones who are genuinely talented; or maybe we just love to hate house villain Simon Cowell and his caustic put-downs. Good, bad, or whatever, American Idol really is the phenomenon it claims to be. And with some ten hours of material spread out over three discs--there's so much stuff here that even the bonus features have bonus features--this overview of the first four seasons will surely satisfy even the most ardent fans.

Disc One, The Best Of, takes us from the first step in the process (the cattle-call try-outs so popular they need stadiums to accommodate all the hopefuls) through the initial auditions and interviews with judges Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul to the performances seen on the telecasts themselves--including those by eventual winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, and Carrie Underwood, as well as runners-up Bo Bice and Clay Aiken, among others. In other words, nothing unexpected. Indeed, for many viewers, Disc Two (The Worst Of) will likely be the favorite. For it is here that the set focuses on our fascination with the profoundly clueless, those utterly untalented folks who make us squirm with their outlandish self-delusion and willingness, nay eagerness, to humiliate themselves on TV (epitomized by William "She Bangs" Hung, the so-bad-he's-good sideshow that's depressing on so many levels), only to then find themselves genuinely astonished and angry when they fail to make the cut. Finally, Disc Three includes an interview with Abdul, "homecoming" footage featuring Underwood and Bice, and additional interviews from the fourth season.

If American Idol has a dirty little secret (aside from Abdul's personal life), it's that the show hasn't produced a single artist with not just a good voice but an original one--a Norah Jones, an Alicia Keys, a John Mayer, someone can play and write as well as sing. But then, that's not what the show is about; we're frequently reminded that this is "a singing competition," pure and simple. Which brings us to what may well be this exhaustive (and perhaps exhausting, too) set's defining moment: When a particularly awful "singer" begs to do another tune, Cowell says, "There's only so much punishment a human being can take." Replies the contestant: "No, I can take a lot more." --Sam Graham

Description

Features the best and worst performances from the 1st four seasons of the pop cultural phenomena American Idol. Worst: Includes outrageous performances from William Hung and a collection of some of the most unreal performers. Best: Features the hottest talent to come out of the show: Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Fantasia (single "I Believe" hit #1 on the charts), Diana Degarmo (single "Dreams" hit #2 on the Billboard charts), Constantine, Clay Aiken (first single was #1 with 400,000 sold first week), Ruben Studdard (platinum artist whose album was in the Top 10 for 6 weeks), and Kelly Clarkson (double platinum).

Customer Reviews:

Not the best of American Idol!.......2007-02-18

Well, I've been a HUGE fan of American Idol ever since the beggining. When I heard that they were releasing a 3 disc DVD, I was ecstatic. I thought that I would finally be able to get all those classic performances on DVD, but when I got this, I have to say that I was very dissapointed. Now, this does have SOME of those really great performances. like "Respect" by Kelly Clarkson, "Summertime" by Fantasia, and "Alone" by Carrie Underwood, among a few others, but there are definitley quite a few missing. For example, where is Jasmine Trias' performance of "Inseperable"? and they put Diana DeGarmo's performance of "Enough is Enough" but did not put her signature song "Don't Cry Out Loud", what gives? they also miss a bunch of other great performances, like "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Kimberley Locke, "Circle of Life" by Jennifer Hudson" and "This is the Night" by Clay Aiken. While I'll admit that this is a must have for an American Idol fan, I just hope that if they come out with another box set, they will re-think it and REALLY put the best of American Idol.

I love this show. Simon really makes me laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-08-06

If you like the show, this dvd is a MUST HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lots of things never seen before are going to really make your day funny!!! enjoy

Lisa.......2006-07-16

This DVD set is GREAT!!! The WORST disc is as good as the BEST disc. I really liked the American Idol 4 tour interviews, and the back home footage of Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood. Very good DVD set for American Idol Fans!!!!

The Perfecte DVD for an Idol fan.......2006-04-24

If you are a true fan of American Idol, this is an excellent DVD collection to have . It has auditions from the winners of seasons 1-4, the resluts to the finale- which I've been looking for and performances. Also the worst , which is really fun to watch, and a bonus disc with interviews from Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood. I really enjoyed watching this DVD .

American Idol - The Best & Worst of American Idol ( Limited Edition ).......2006-04-07

A great way to refresh your memory of the good and bad. You get to the see the process behind the scenes. Very informative with interviews and more. And most of all... fun!

Average customer rating:

Great Biblical Story
Biblically Accurate and Wonderfully Inspirational - Highly Recommended
Beautiful story and great bible study
Patrick Dempsey as JEREMIAH Gives the Best Performance of All Nine Movies in this Series!
Finally - a movie about one of the prophets!

The Bible - Jeremiah
Starring: Hamid Zoughi , Giovanni Micoli , Mohamed Bensouda , Anita Zagaria , and Leonor Varela
Director: Harry Winer
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004VVOW
Release Date: 2000-09-26

Amazon.com

The overwhelming conclusion of this 94-minute movie is that being a prophet is tough. Jeremiah (Patrick Dempsey) is repeatedly imprisoned and beaten, dropped into a muddy well face first, and forced to witness the stabbing death of his fiancée. And all for repeating messages from God, most of them urging the Judeans to submit to Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar (Klaus Maria Brandauer). Dempsey gives an earnest performance, ably assisted by a strong supporting cast. Writer-director Harry Winer spends the first part of the film on Jeremiah's formative years of visions, moving on to his contentious relationship with King Zedekiah, who ultimately--and tragically--listened to his general (Oliver Reed) rather than the prophet. This bleak film ends with the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians and Jeremiah's self-comforting thought that the city will rise again. Parents should be aware of some disturbing violence: in addition to Jeremiah's fiancée's murder, Zedekiah sees his sons fatally stabbed before he is killed. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews:

Great Biblical Story.......2006-11-10

Jeremiah is my favorite prophet. Great story, closely aligned with the Book of Jeremiah in the Bible.

Biblically Accurate and Wonderfully Inspirational - Highly Recommended.......2006-10-09

This made for TV movie does a wonderful job of translating the Old Testament book of Jeremiah to the screen. This is the last in a series of TV movies on various Old Testament books, and is probably the best of a great series. There are several things that struck me about this movie that I would like to share with potential buyers. First, and very importantly, this story sticks very close to the biblical text. It is a `minimalist' retelling of Jeremiah, there is little or no denominational `spin' on this story. It will be of interest to a wide range of Christian (and Jewish) believers. Second, this movie is just filled with wonderfully inspirational Biblical messages. The most fundamental is, of course, have faith in God, but this film examines issues of faith, submitting to God's will, and a host of others. Truly thought provoking for any Christian. Third, the acting, at least by the main characters, is quite well done. Fourth, the sets are fantastic. This was filmed I believe in Morocco, not in Jerusalem or anywhere else in Palestine, but the whole movie has a `Biblical' feel to it. If I had any negative complaint about the film, it would be that the performances of many (most?) of the supporting actors and actress was poor. They seemed stiff and not really interested in participating in the action. A (very) minor quibble though. A well written, well acted inspirational film that I highly recommend.

Beautiful story and great bible study.......2006-09-24

What an awesome way to learn about the stories from the bible! This movie is beautifully done.Good way to complement your bible study on the book of Jeremiah.

Patrick Dempsey as JEREMIAH Gives the Best Performance of All Nine Movies in this Series!.......2005-12-17

Patrick Dempsey turns in a perfect performance as the title character in JEREMIAH. He plays a humble prophet of God among the rebellious Israelites, as they are being taken over by Babylon, as punishment for turning away from God and living as they each saw fit, NOT as God had commanded them to live!

Jeremiah is chosen as a child to be the Lord's Prophet. He is disowned by his family and his countrymen for proclaiming what God tells him to say to the Israelites, but they can't silence Jeremiah because everything God tells him to say comes true!

The scribe named Baruch is his only friend during his persecuted mission. (BTW: in the Apocraphy Books of the Bible, Baruch has HIS own book named after Baruch).

Jeremiah's message is basi