Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest [Blu-ray]

Average customer rating:

No HD DVD version

Disney delivers magic on Blu-ray

Solid movie with brilliant picture and crisp sound make this a must-buy for Blu-Ray owners!

Wow, amazing picture!!

Great Quality

Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest [Blu-ray]
Starring: Christopher Adamson , Lee Arenberg , Josie Dapar , Johnny Depp , and Spider Madison
Director: Gore Verbinski
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

Action & Adventure | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video
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Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]

300 [Blu-ray]

Casino Royale [Blu-ray]

Mel Gibson's Apocalypto [Blu-ray]

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray]

ASIN: B000N6UERU
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Product description

Charming rogue pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is back to wreak hilarious havoc on the high seas on Blu-ray Disc®! Also starring Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly, this swashbuckling joyride will amaze you as never before in this spectacular, "see-worthy" format! Jack's got a blood debt to pay: he owes his soul to Davy Jones, ghostly Ruler of the Deep. Get caught up in the whirlpool of Jack's misadventures as he schemes to avoid eternal damnation by seizing the fabled Dead Man's Chest. Thrill to the nonstop action, devilish humor, monstrous sea creatures and breathtaking black magic presented in astonishing 1080p and thunderous 5.1 48 kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio. Experience oceans of fun with Blu-ray™ High Definition.

Customer Reviews:

No HD DVD version.......2007-08-23

If I were the same as all the Blu-Ray fanboys, I'd rate this movie 1 star and complain that it's not on HD DVD and say how Sony has Disney in their pocket etc and swear I'll never buy any version of this movie until it comes out on HD DVD and secretly go buy the standard def version and have it packaged in discreet brown packaging.

That being said, Dead Man's Chest was not as good as the Curse of the Black Pearl, and only slightly better than the 3rd movie.

Disney delivers magic on Blu-ray.......2007-08-06

This movie was simply amazing in picture quality and sound. I had already owned Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest on standard DVD. When I compared the standard DVD with the Blu-ray version the Blu-ray outperforms on all levels. The scenes in the movie where you see the islands and ships sailing the ocean were very beautiful. Dead Man's Chest on Blu-ray delivers such sharp crisp picture quality. The people, plants, grass, and trees looked so real it was like you could reach out and touch them. Simply put everything looks life like in this Blu-ray movie. Also when watching Blu-ray scenes Davy Jones and his crew look very real. Unlike the standard version DVD you can actually tell Davy Jones crew have facial features. The sound quality of this Blu-ray movie was also very great as well. For all you Blu-ray naysayers when I compared watching the standard DVD versus Blu-ray the standard dvd looked like a bootleg movie. Yeah I couldn't believe myself but there it was. I could not believe how much I was missing out from the Blu-ray movie. Oh did I mention that I received an amazing Blu-ray experience with a outdated setup. I used my 1080i HDTV ,component cables, and Playstaion 3. Imagine how much better this Dead Man's Chest Blu-ray movie would look on a 1080p hdmi setup with surround sound! Overall this Dead Man's Chest Blu-ray was amazing and is the best Blu-ray movie out right now. I finally want to say that Disney you truly delivered a magical masterpiece on Blu-ray. Great job Disney keep delivering the Blu-ray magic : ) :) :)

Solid movie with brilliant picture and crisp sound make this a must-buy for Blu-Ray owners!.......2007-08-04

If you own a Blu-Ray player, this is a must-buy movie! If you're just a fan of great movies overall, this is a must-buy movie! Johnny Depp delivers in this non-stop action/adventure film, with loads of laughs as well. You all should know what this flick is about, so I will not go into details on that. If you are thinking of getting this movie on Blu-Ray but you already own it on SD-DVD, then that choice is up to you. The picture is pristine on BD-DVD, and the audio quality is very clean and crisp.

I own a very cheap HDTV and sound system that I purchaed for my 15-month tour here in Iraq and am blown away by the quality and differance compared to the standard-def version of this movie. Simply put, if you own this movie already, it is entirely up to you if you wish to purchase and view it in high-def. But for those of you who do not own any version of this flick then the decision should be a no-brainer-buy this now!

Disney did a flawless job with this one, loaded with extras and bonus material galore. I'm not really big on the extras and junk, but all Blu-Ray releases should be as jam packed as this one. Way to go Disney and I look forward to future releases from you guys in the future!

Wow, amazing picture!!.......2007-08-04

I did a comparison with my 720p HDTV with this in my PS3 and my original DVD in my DVD player, and the picture quality is amazing in this Blu-Ray release. I would find a screen with a lot of detail and pause it and flip back and forth, and I can see details on Blu-Ray of things that I just couldn't make out on the DVD release. Add that to the fact that the Pirates series is, to date, one of the biggest and best trilogies since 2000, makes this Blu-Ray release a must have for any owner of a Blu-Ray player. I am really glad that I repurchased this in HD format. Thanks for picking my format side Disney!

Great Quality.......2007-07-25

Much in the same way movies like Top Gun were "show off" movies for the DVD format this movie really shows the quality in Blu-Ray.

The difference is very apparant in darker scenes where on a DVD the picture might not show everything as well as it does on the BD.

Plus the extra disc includes very interesting stuff. The little thing that shows Captain Jack and explains every detail that went into making the costume really shows off what some of the people in the credits go through to make Jack look the way he does. And shows how much of a primadonna Johnny Depp is!

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

GREAT
Swashbuckling is back.
A nice popcorn film
sounded like a bad idea
Depp's big payday

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Johnny Depp , Geoffrey Rush , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley , and Jack Davenport
Director: Gore Verbinski , and Hamilton Luske
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JM5E
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Product Description

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer (PEARL HARBOR) comes PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, the thrilling high-seas adventure with a mysterious twist. The roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow's (Academy Award(R) Nominee Johnny Depp) idyllic pirate life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and later attacks the town of Port Royal, kidnapping the governor's beautiful daughter Elizabeth (Keira Knightley). In a gallant attempt to rescue her and recapture the Black Pearl, Elizabeth's childhood friend Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) joins forces with Jack. What Will doesn't know is that a cursed treasure has doomed Barbossa and his crew to live forever as the undead. Rich in suspense-filled adventure, sword-clashing action, mystery, humor, unforgettable characters, and never-before-seen special effects, PIRATES is a must-have epic on the grandest scale ever.

Amazon.com

You won't need a bottle of rum to enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, especially if you've experienced the Disneyland theme-park ride that inspired it. There's a galleon's worth of fun in watching Johnny Depp's androgynous performance as Captain Jack Sparrow, a roguish pirate who could pass for the illegitimate spawn of rockers Keith Richards and Chrissie Hynde. Depp gets all the good lines and steals the show, recruiting Orlando Bloom (a blacksmith and expert swordsman) and Keira Knightley (a lovely governor's daughter) on an adventurous quest to recapture the notorious Black Pearl, a ghost ship commandeered by Jack's nemesis Capt. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), a mutineer desperate to reverse the curse that left him and his (literally) skeleton crew in a state of eternal, undead damnation. Director Gore Verbinski (The Ring) repeats the redundant mayhem that marred his debut film Mouse Hunt, but with the writers of Shrek he's made Pirates into a special-effects thrill-ride that plays like a Halloween party on the open seas. Aye, matey, we've come a long way since Jason and the Argonauts! --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

GREAT.......2007-09-16

This is the #1 movie of the centry. Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth, and every one else are very beleivable characters that you can hitch your emotional wagons to. YO HO A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME!!!!!

Swashbuckling is back........2007-09-15

I didn't expect much from a movie that was made after an amusement park ride, but I must say I was more than pleasantly surprised. This is one of my favorite movies. It has everything. A great cast, a great story, great action, and wonderful visuals. You'll believe you are back in time and living with cutthroats. But wait there's more, you also have a supernatural element that makes this like Lord of the Rings meets Black Beard the pirate.
The whole idea seems rediculous, but with Johnny Depp as CAPTIAN Jack Sparrow, he makes it all work. Too be fare Orlando Bloom as Will Turner is the actual hero of the story, but without a doubt Depp is the star. The movie would not work without him at such a great level.
Then there is Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann, who is as lovely as she is adventrous. Knightley really is a great actress and her character is essential to the story so she isn't just another pretty girl in an action movie, though undoubtedly she is absolutely beautiful.
I won't go into the story since others here have already, but I will say that if you love pirate movies or action movies or comedies or romance or horror movies, this movie has it all and it's all top notch. This is a must see and one of the best in the decade it was made.

A nice popcorn film.......2007-09-08

The first of the three Pirates movie was a nice summer popcorn film, which recalled not only the Pirates movies of classic Hollywood but also those great George Pal and Ray Harryhausen stop-motion monster epics of a later time. It wasn't until the second movie, when suddenly the filmmakers decided audiences had been taking Pirates seriously, did the story begin to get bogged down in complicated mythologies and convoluted sci-fi goofiness.

sounded like a bad idea.......2007-09-04

This movie was a nice surprise; any movie based on a Disney World ride is automatically suspect, but this one transcends its bizarre inspiration and ends up being a fun action movie, largely due to the strength of the performances of Depp and Rush. Unfortunately, the other actors in the movie are rather bland compared to those two and the movie feels kind of flat when they are not onscreen.

Ivan Rorick

Depp's big payday.......2007-09-04

I really enjoyed Johnny Depp's mid-1990s work, particularly "Ed Wood," "Dead Man" and "Donnie Brasco." Much has been made of his "Keith Richards meets Pepe Le Peu"-inspired riff in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, but the truth is that Depp is clearly slumming here (perhaps deservedly so after two decades of assiduously avoiding the big payday-style blockbuster).

A lot of other good talent is going to waste at the service of these amusement-park ride driven plots, particularly Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley (who, if she loses more weight, runs the risk of being mistaken for one of the skeletons on Rush's ghost ship).

Intermittently entertaining but ultimately unsatisfying.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (Disney Gold Classic Collection)

Average customer rating:

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
This is Halloween!!
Excellent Disney movie!
Well Done Disney
i wonder if bing & basil woulda been a good team?

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Starring: Bing Crosby , Basil Rathbone , Eric Blore , J. Pat O'Malley , and John McLeish
Director: James Algar , Jack Kinney , and Clyde Geronimi
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004R99Y
Release Date: 2000-10-03

Amazon.com

This 1949 Disney feature has never been available on video in its original form until now. The 68-minute film contains two shorts: The Wind in the Willows and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The former is a lively version of Kenneth Grahame's book of animal adventures, including Mr. Toad, a rambunctious sort with a passion for motorcars. Basil Rathbone narrates the story. Sleepy Hollow is the Washington Irving story of a stuffy schoolmaster and his ability to win the love of the fair Katrina from the brutish Brom Van Brunt. Many fans will see a resemblance to Disney's masterpiece created some 40 years later, Beauty and the Beast, in style and story. The end is still scary enough to send youngsters under the table. Bing Crosby supplies the narration, character voices, and songs. The opening number in a library including two stories has been included in this good-looking restoration. The shorts were made in Disney's prime, a year before Cinderella, and the look is wondrous. The exaggeration of Ichabod's skinny frame and his slumping horse is a glorious example. --Doug Thomas

Description

In the great tradition of SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS and CINDERELLA, Disney's 11th animated masterpiece, THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD, introduced two literary classics to the screen. Through award-winning Disney-animated wizardry, these unforgettable children's stories come together as one fabulous adventure. THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS follows the wild ride of J. Thaddeus Toad, squire of Toad Hall. Smitten with motorcars, the wealthy and reckless sportsman soon drives his close friends Mole, Rat, and Angus MacBadger into a worried frenzy! Then meet Ichabod Crane, the spindly schoolteacher who dreams of sweeping the lovely Katrina off her feet -- until Brom Bones, the town bully, gets involved. Their comic rivalry introduces Ichabod to THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW, the fabled Headless Horseman, and a hair-raising, heart-thumping climax. Narrated by legendary stars Basil Rathbone and Bing Crosby, THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD is brimming with high-spirited adventure, brilliant animation, and captivating music -- now available for the first time in keeping with Walt's original theatrical vision.

Customer Reviews:

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.......2007-08-31

I enjoyed watching this movie just as much as I did when I was a kid well over a half century ago. For those who have never seen this movie are missing one of Disney's great movies.
"Questar" a satisfied viewer.

This is Halloween!!.......2007-08-21

This is a wonderful DVD to show at Halloween time.
Light a fire, order a pizza, make a bowl of popcorn and cuddle with your kids on the couch and enjoy this Disney Masterpiece. This would make a great double feature with "Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein". It is great "Harmless Halloween Fun". Enjoy!!

Excellent Disney movie!.......2007-05-24

This DVD has two of my most favorite Disney classics! My Disney collection is complete!

Well Done Disney.......2007-05-13

It's great that Disney are re-releasing their product for todays generation of young children.
I hope they get as much pleasure watching these timeless animated features as I did when I was their age.

i wonder if bing & basil woulda been a good team?.......2007-03-30

financial stress (not to mention ww2) caused the disney studio to give up feature-length animation for most of the 1940s; instead, we frequently got programmers like this double bill based on tales by washington irving ("the legend of sleepy hollow") and kenneth grahame ("wind in the willows"): masterpieces of fiction but only adequate transfers to screen. voiced with some charm by bing crosby and basil rathbone respectively, they are entertaining and inoffensive, tho hardly major works of the disney canon.

Average customer rating:

Drew at her best
Buy it if you have not
One of my favorite movies of all time!!!
I will love Ever After forever after
First there was "Pride and Prejudice" then "Ever After"

Ever After - A Cinderella Story
Starring: Drew Barrymore , Anjelica Huston , Dougray Scott , Patrick Godfrey , and Megan Dodds
Director: Andy Tennant
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B00006ZXSK
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Amazon.com

Take away the Fairy Godmother, and what have you got left from the Cinderella fable? The story of a girl for whom a bad stroke of luck is no match for her internal strength and purity of heart. Drew Barrymore plays Cinderella's alleged inspiration, Danielle, in this romantic drama that purports to tell the "facts" behind the Grimm brothers' story. One of three daughters of a man (Jeroen Krabbé) who dies and leaves her fate in the hands of a conniving stepmother (Anjelica Huston), Danielle is cast into the lowly role of a servant. Meanwhile, her sisters are evaluated as possible mates for a French prince (Dougray Scott), but he's far more intrigued with Danielle's intelligence and beauty--not to mention her way with a sword and fist. Directed by Andy Tennant (who directed Barrymore in TV's The Amy Fisher Story), Ever After has that rare ability to win the heart and mind of a viewer simply by being committed to its own innocence, particularly where Barrymore's luminous performance is concerned. A contemporary take on an old, virtually forgotten Hollywood convention--the costume adventure with middling artistic ambition but real audience appeal--Ever After is a surprisingly delightful film. --Tom Keogh

Description

A "modern" young woman of the 16th century, Danielle (Barrymore) is as independent and wise as she is beautiful and kind. Against remarkable odds, she stands up to her scheming stepmother (Huston) and works miracles on the lives of everyone around her, including the crown prince of France (Dougray Scott)!Now you can relive this captivating, contemporary retelling of the classic fairytale.

Customer Reviews:

Drew at her best .......2007-09-01

If this one doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you're probably dead. I love this fairy tale. Very good casting.

Buy it if you have not .......2007-08-24

I love this movie I had it in VHS and Now I have it in DVD. Love this movie

One of my favorite movies of all time!!!.......2007-07-20

This movie truly represents an awesome version of the cinderella story...it's such a great chick flick for all the girls to have on a girls night with popcorn and goodies. I loved all of the choice of actors/actresses, they truly fit the charachters well. Good choice in costuming as well, very beautiful costumes and the countryside was absolutely awesome. Go buy it, and have a girls night in your pajamas with lots of goodies. You will be truly happy with this purchase.

I will love Ever After forever after.......2007-06-29

This is the kind of movie you will watch over and over again with your daughter or your grandchildren (or by yourself on a day you need some cheering up). A time-honored story, beautifully done, and updated just enough--but not contemporized (thank goodness).

First there was "Pride and Prejudice" then "Ever After".......2007-06-29

"Pride and Prejudice" was the original formula: 1. a smart whitty character with a sharp tongue offsetting a royal admirer 2. A champion, who extends mercy and deliverance 3. A fairtale marriage to Prince Charming 4. They live happily ever after

The Cinderella story is more intriquing because the central character brings moral issues too the big screen: 1. Recognition of the middle and lower class rights - power resides with the people, not the rulers 2. the vices of involuntary servitude - bondage is abominable 3. the attractiveness of free thought and opinion - the mind is beautiful 4. Intellectual class fits with the wealth class (wealth, values, and religion) difference must be dealt with 5. Beauty overshadows poverty (commitment, passion, and intimacy) 6. Liberty is more compelling than power. (inalienable rights of man - philosophy of law) 7. Love transcends tradition. (Faith, Hope, Mercy, Love, Glory, and Beauty)

Average customer rating:

soft core
real bad
The Story of O
No Star if it were possible
A bit clumsy

The Story of O
Starring: Corinne Clery , Udo Kier , Anthony Steel , Jean Gaven , and Christiane Minazzoli
Director: Just Jaeckin
Manufacturer: Somerville House
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000065RSW
Release Date: 2006-09-20

Amazon.com

A milestone of cinematic eroticism, The Story of O was an art house sensation in 1975, and it's still worthy of intelligent discussion. As with the controversial French novella by Pauline Réage, reactions to Just Jaeckin's sumptuous adaptation range from moral outrage to masturbatory indulgence, yet this remains one of the few sex films that stand the test of time (and a lot of academic study). Championed by practitioners of bondage and discipline and vilified by feminists, this metaphorical "love dream" (as Jaeckin has called it) follows the beautiful fashion photographer "O" (Corrine Clery) as she, like many gorgeously naked women before her, is "trained" for a seemingly satisfying life of love and discipline, her freedom sacrificed to the man (Anthony Steel) whom she willingly obeys. The debate whether Jaeckin's feminine-empowerment ending, which differs from that of the novella, justifies a story of humiliating submission is just one more reason why The Story of O endures. (Note: This DVD presents the 97-minute version of the film, edited by the director to improve pacing and not for purposes of censorship.) --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

soft core.......2007-09-11

Story of O, the movie, is a softish core redo of the Pauline Reage classic novel: Story of O. While it's fairly true to the book, it does make allowances in order to stay out of the XXX rating area. All in all, however, I'd call it a "must have" for serious collectors.

real bad.......2007-08-13

bad acting and a weak plot. they should have thoght twice about turning a great book in to a bad film.

The Story of O.......2007-07-09

Hot in a dominant sort of way. If this is what you want, then this movie is a 10.

No Star if it were possible.......2007-06-08

I was so disappointed by this purchase and this film. Being a fan of the book I was very excited to see how they translated it on to film. What I found out is that they didn't translate it at all. They LOOSELY followed the story line and took the liberty to add and change which in my opinion, changed the story all together. I threw this movie away and would not reccomend it to any true Story of O fan.

A bit clumsy.......2007-05-15

Somehow, I was expecting better acting, knowing this would be a major undertaking based on a controversial book. Sadly, the film just doesn't work. There's no arguing Corrine Clery's beauty but Udo Kier is completely miscast.

Average customer rating:

Very formulaic and sexist
MARVELOUS FILM
ok
A Modern "My Fair Lady" with an Outstanding Cast
Excellent movie for those who believe in fairy tales

The Princess Diaries (Special Edition)
Starring: Julie Andrews , Anne Hathaway , Hector Elizondo , Heather Matarazzo , and Mandy Moore (II)
Director: Garry Marshall
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000209KMW
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Amazon.com

A thoroughly engaging fairy tale that's family friendly without being condescending, The Princess Diaries is your basic Cinderella makeover story given a fresh, affectionate twist courtesy of a game, energetic cast and a screenplay that skirts schmaltz in favor of gentle, effective comedy. Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a frizzy-haired, glasses-wearing 15-year-old girl whose two highest ambitions are to become invisible and to get a few smooches from the slickly attractive school heartthrob. As a girl who can't stand being the center of attention so much that she throws up during debate class, she's stunned and horrified when her coolly continental grandmother (Julie Andrews) shows up and informs her that she's the crown princess of the European principality Genovia. Soon enough, Mia has to undertake "princess lessons" (and a makeover) from her queenly grandmother, and eventually she blossoms into a confident, radiant girl--despite the worries and pressure that her newfound status brings. What makes The Princess Diaries work is director Garry Marshall's guileless, irony-free approach to the material (based on Meg Cabot's novel). In comparison to most snarky, ultra-hip teen comedies, The Princess Diaries is refreshingly and enjoyably square, content to win you over on charm alone and not a slick bag of tricks. Hathaway is a charismatic, appealing role model with a sharp sense of comic timing, and Andrews--who came to stardom as the object of a makeover supreme in My Fair Lady on Broadway--is at her regal best whether teaching Mia the proper royal wave or learning how to eat a corndog. Both leading ladies are complemented by a finely tuned cast, including Hector Elizondo as Genovia's head of security (and romantic counterpart to Andrews), Heather Matarazzo as Mia's best pal, and Robert Schwartzman as the good guy who ultimately wins Mia's heart. All in all, a royal pleasure. --Mark Englehart

Description

Disney's hilarious smash hit gets the royal treatment in this extraordinary 2-Disc Special Edition -- only on DVD. Starring Academy Award(R) winner Julie Andrews (1964 Best Actress, MARY POPPINS), the enchanting Anne Hathaway, and Hector Elizondo (PRETTY WOMAN), THE PRINCESS DIARIES is a cool, comical Cinderella story that will touch your heart. For teenager Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway), just surviving each school day is an adventure. Then the shocking news arrives that she's a real-life princess! So begins a comical transformation towards poise and princess-ness, including a media storm, jealous schoolmates, and a plot to take over her country.

Customer Reviews:

Very formulaic and sexist.......2007-09-09

This movie does NO justice to the books. Not only does it make Mia seem like a total geek at the beginning, you notice Michael only "falls for her" after she undergoes her makeover. A great image to put out to young girls, "You have to be pretty to get the guy you want, because who loves a girl who is actually comfortable in her own skin?". Not.

Although, on a lets-not-think-about-the-disintegrating-self-image-idea-here basis, this is a rather cute movie. The books are just way better. So go get off your lazy bum and exercise your brain by reading them! They are by Meg Cabot. And rent this, dont bother buying it. [See my review for Ella Enchanted...ew!]

MARVELOUS FILM.......2007-08-23

This film exceeded my expectations. I thought it would be kind of cute, but it was much more than that. Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews are absolutely perfect, and the blend of comedy and touching drama is most engaging. Special DVD features are not sensational, but are worth a look.

ok.......2007-08-17

Cheesy, corny jokes - but it's for young girls, right? The problem with that is the role model for young girls isn't the best. Hathaway is a cutie, but she's disrespectful to her less-than-attentive mother. Her mother does not seem to mind at all when she talks about hoping to get her first kiss at a party one night - no limitations stated, warnings, advice, comments, nothing. Just, "Go have a good time." There are some good lessons in the movie, especially the concept of sacrificing one's privacy as an ordinary citizen for the good of others that can be accomplished leading a nation.

A Modern "My Fair Lady" with an Outstanding Cast.......2007-04-14

I suppose at one time or another, we all fantasize about discovering we are actually royalty. But what would it really look like? The Princess Diaries is the story of a plain, nerdy fifteen-year-old girl from San Francisco who suddenly discovers she is a princess and heir to the throne of a small European country. Mia, played by the absolutely charming Anne Hathaway, is an awkward, insecure girl whose self described expectation in life is, "to be invisible - and I'm good at it." However, with the help of her Grandmother, Queen Clarisse, superbly played by Julie Andrews (An inspired bit of casting, that. It is nice to see her back with Disney after her Academy Award winning performance in Mary Poppins.), Mia is transformed with the help of a remarkable makeover and "princess lessons." Mia learns not just how to be a princess but to have confidence in who she is. Not to say there are not some bumps along the way with mean girls, boy problems, and other problems all teenagers face - but in Mia's case, through the camera lens of the paparazzi. In the end, it all works out and she gets the right boy who "saw her when she was invisible" and sees her for the person she truly is.

The movie is family friendly and I would say the story is good for Jr. High and above. Garry Marshall does an excellent job directing. I must say it is good to see Julie Andrews moving gracefully into older rolls where her acting talents continue to shine. As I mentioned, Anne Hathaway does a great job as Mia. The show stealer in my opinion is Hector Elizondo who plays Joe, the Chief of Security, with a dry whit. Also appearing are Heather Matarazzo as Mia's best friend, Mandy Moore as the lead mean girl, and Robert Schwartzman as Mia's true love.

Excellent movie for those who believe in fairy tales.......2007-03-19

This movie was a great modern fairy tale~the geeky girl goes from invisible to fabulous and goes from a nobody to a Princess. Julie Andrews is of course an elegant, sophistocated Queen that loosens up with the help of her new granddaughter and the romance of her head of security and Anne Hathaway is wonderful: a cross between Lucille Ball and Audrey Hepburn. Enjoyable for all ages but definitely a chick flick.

Average customer rating:

Captured Perfectly
Love Story
Love Story....I loved it !
Beautiful
"Love knows not its own depth, until the hour of separation."

Love Story
Starring: Ali MacGraw , Ryan O'Neal , John Marley , Ray Milland , and Russell Nype
Director: Arthur Hiller
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000059TEQ
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Amazon.com

Strife-torn America wanted a meat-and-potatoes romance in the late '60s, and the country embraced Erich Segal's slim, generic-sounding novel in a big way. It did so again for the film adaptation in 1970, starring Ryan O'Neal as a law student who defies his rich and powerful father (Ray Milland) on every issue, including the former's love for a music student (Ali MacGraw). The two marry, start life together...and then the Grim Reaper turns up at the door. Directed by Arthur Hiller (The In-Laws), the film ends up lacking the kind of stylistic boost that might have made it a must-see for the ages. But its faithfulness to the book's uncomplicated and, yes, moving intentions is pretty solid. O'Neal is convincing as a nice guy who's as bullheaded in his own way as his steely father (a nice job by Milland), and MacGraw has a way of getting under one's skin. A viewer just has to try not laughing at the refrain, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Captured Perfectly.......2007-05-28

I imagine that the movie must make Erich Segal proud as it's very true to the novel and captures the characters perfectly. As I read, and re-read love story the faces of McGraw and O'Neal are in my minds. The movie is tragic, and beautiful all at once, just like the book, and is in the same tone and timing as the book. If you loved the novel, the movie will not disappoint you.

Love Story.......2007-04-11

I saw this as a teenager and have always loved it. What a beautiful story of love and loss. It helps you remember how short life is and how important the little things are.

Love Story....I loved it !.......2007-03-09

Great Movie...the quality of the disc was great ! It was very quick getting to me. I bought two copies of it..one for My Parents since I was named after the movies main character. Thank You I will buy again from the seller.

Beautiful.......2007-02-24

I love this rather corny, cheesy love story which has a very 70's movie feel. If you like 70's films you will love this. I am not sure this film would have been well received if it had been made today but with 70's movies you kind of expect a film like this. All in all it is solid on all counts - acting, writing and directing. It has being accused of being morbid and manipulative but I think the subject matter was handled with maturity and in a way was uplifting in the end. Even though you know what is going to happen you can watch this over and over again and each time its a trip back in nostalgia - back to a time when Hollywood still made movies like this.

"Love knows not its own depth, until the hour of separation.".......2007-01-07

The sentimentality of "Love Story" ("What can you say about a 25-year-old girl who died?") is a hearty welcome retreat to the past... There is nothing to spoil love, trust, confidence or even the events... Jenny seems to die... She just escapes in loveliness...

Jenny (Ali MacGraw) is half of a pretty young married students from a working class background... And Oliver (Ryan O'Neal) is from a very wealthy family... Both have the predictable problems with disapproving parents... Both struggle along through hard times, until Oliver obtains a fine job with his own merit... When Jenny tries to get pregnant, the doctor finds out that she has an incurable disease, and has a very short time to live...

Ryan O'Neal plays well the intense sensitive rebel, giving a heart-breaking performance as the ultra-rich man's son who works to pay his way through law school when his father won't...

Ali MacGraw is good and touching in her portrait of Jenny, the dying heroine, the poor baker's daughter studying classical music at Radcliffe, the smart young girl who gives up her plans to study in Europe in order to marry Oliver... She never missed a 'shred of her beauty' in her role...

Ray Milland is the 60-year-old Oliver Barrett III... He is a strong, articulate, civilized millionaire from Boston who refuses to support his son in marrying a girl of such low social stature... He commands him instead to finish law school...

John Harley is Phil, the father of Jenny... For him, "Father's love is something to cherish and respect."

There is three sequences that I liked the most in the film:

- Jenny and Oliver wonderful kissing scene... From this point on, both were entirely engrossed with each other, ready to risk anything for love...

- Oliver's long day search looking for Jenny, until he sees her sitting, outside, on a stair... She forgot her keys... Jenny is comforted by Oliver who tries to apologize for his continual disputes... Jenny, all shaken, and with tears in her eyes and with an emotional voice stops him with words of deep affection: "Love means never having to say you're sorry."

- Oliver, sitting alone and lost to the world, uncertain and perplexed, unable to understand Jenny's tragic fate... If Jenny could spend an hour in his mind, a minute in his heart, a second in his soul to discover what he really feels loving her... Why Jenny has to die so young? Why destiny is against us sometimes, smashing all our hopes and happiness? Why we feel so impotent in front of the will of God? Why can't we understand that we are 'blessed with Life,' and this is our great gift, our true treasure! Barrett's millions could never save Jenny!

The Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran said once: "Love knows not its own depth, until the hour of separation." And let me say that 'nothing is more beautiful than the love that has weathered the storms of Life.' They say: Time mends a broken heart and true love never ends... But if true love never ended then time wouldn't have to mend... So "Love Story" was followed by "Oliver's Story".

Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw are splendid and beautifully matched... Arthur Hill's sincere direction commend the picture to a wide audience eager to a flood of tears...

"Love Story" won 7 Academy Award nominations and Frances Lai - touching music - mixed by Bach, Mozart and Handel, won an Oscar, enriching the beauty of the film...

An intense, tough-looking leading actor is seen: Tommy Lee Jones in his film debut...

Nightmares & Dreamscapes - From the Stories of Stephen King

Average customer rating:

excellent
Nightmares
Decent Collection of Stories
Dissapointing
More good stories by the master.

Nightmares & Dreamscapes - From the Stories of Stephen King
Starring: William Hurt , William H. Macy , Eion Bailey , Ron Livingston , and Jeremy Sisto
Director: Brian Henson , Mikael Salomon , and Rob Bowman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000GYI340
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Amazon.com

Filter a Twilight Zone vibe through Stephen King's brain and you get Nightmares & Dreamscapes, an uneven but generally entertaining collection of eight tales that originally (2006) aired on TNT. There is no unifying theme here; although King's short stories provided the source material, there are six directors and seven screenwriters represented, so the episodes offer a variety of looks and styles, with content ranging from monsters to mind games, from pure fantasy to pulp fiction, from genuinely scary to merely unsettling. Still, a certain ineffably "King-ian" sensibility, combining elements of horror, terror, suspense, and whimsy, is always in evidence, as are the popular writer's own preoccupations (with authors who may or not be stand-ins for King himself, rock 'n' roll, and guys who won't ask for directions while their wives complain, inevitably leading them into very nasty situations).

Among the highlights: In "Battleground," a merciless hit man (William Hurt) offs a toy manufacturer and then finds himself attacked in his own apartment by a battalion of indefatigable toy soldiers; directed by Brian Henson, the episode has no dialogue and some terrific effects work. In "Umney's Last Case," William H. Macy is amusing as a crime writer who cruelly toys with his literary alter ego, an arch, fedora-wearing gumshoe (also Macy); it's an acting tour de force and a story that takes some deft and intriguing turns. "The Road Virus Heads North," with Tom Berenger as a horror novelist who finds himself pursued by… well, by a painting (guess you had to be there), is perhaps the scariest of the lot; it's also the best shot, with a cool jazz soundtrack and a nifty ending. Less successful is "Crouch End," set in a sinister part of London where "thin spots" in the earth lead to creepy new dimensions (nice premise, but it's overwritten and fails to sustain its Twilight Zone weirdness), while "You Know They Got a Hell of Band" is only fitfully effective in its depiction of Rock & Roll Heaven, Oregon, a town where Elvis is mayor and the rest of the living dead range from Hendrix and Joplin to Duane Allman and Buddy Holly. The three-disc set's decent if unexceptional special features include "inside looks" at the making of several episodes, actor interviews, and more. --Sam Graham

Description

This hair-raising miniseries is comprised of 8 mind-bending stories each featuring an all-star cast and cutting-edge special effects. Each episode is adapted from on of King's short stories and will feature such notable performers as Oscar nominees William H. Macy, William Hurt, Tom Berenger and other favorites as Kim Delaney, Steven Weber, Henry Thomas, Samantha Manthis, Claire Forlani and others. The series will premiere this summer in a 4-week television event on TNT starting July 12, 2006.

DVD Features:
Additional Scenes
Featurette
Interviews
Production Sketches

Customer Reviews:

excellent.......2007-08-28

they protrayed the stories well and each story was exciting! i enjoyed it very much

Nightmares .......2007-08-08

My wife and I have been waiting quite awhile for the release of this box set, having read the book I found the dvd to be a pleasure to watch, all the stories came flooding back to us as we watched each film, the standout to be Battleground, the effects were fantastic, going beyond what we thought they would be for a mini series, the least popular being Crouch End, did not quite follow the story line, well seven out of eight is not bad, we laughed at the Autopsy Room Four, freaked at the The Road Virus Heads North and loved Umney's Last Case.
This mini series was filmed in Melbourne Australia, of which we are residents, many fine US and Australian actors were used and many great locations, showcasing this wonderful city we live in, so do yourself a favour, sit down with a bowl of popcorn and watch this mini series, you wont be disappointed, the extras on the dvd are also a welcome addition, very informative and so lacking from many dvd's sold today, the packaging is also first rate, glossy and up market.

Decent Collection of Stories.......2007-07-30

Disc One:
1.Battleground- A killer for hire recieves an unexpected delivery of toy soldiers. Tiny terrors on a mission of vengeance... This one was one of the best in the set. It actually reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode i once saw.
2.Crouch End- london cabbie warns 2 american honeymooners not to go to ''Crouch End''. This one was bad. Really cheesy effects too.
3.Umney's Last Case- a writer swaps places with a 1930s private eye he created. The plot thickens.. This one wasnt bad, starred William H Macy.

Disc Two:
1.The end of the whole mess- about a filmmaker whos genius brother conducts a worldwide experiment that goes horribly wrong. Nice premise, poor execution. Decent story overall.
2.The Road Virus Heads North- a mysterious painting and a writer. This one started off good then ended lackluster.
3.The Fifth Quarter- ex con and his wife grab their one get rich quick chance to escape a miserable life. It was ok.

Disc Three:
1.Autopsy Room Four- man on the slab is still alive and can hear and feel everything thats going on, Docs think hes dead. This one was probably the best out of them all.
2.You know they got a hell of a band- married couple enters unmapped burg called rock and roll heaven but the price of admission is high. This one was ok.

Maybe some of these would have been better left in the book. With Stephen King's movies and mini-series theres hits and misses. Some of his movies are great and then there are some things like this that would maybe have been better as whole movies per story or not done at all and left in the book. If youre expecting stories as good as the Twilight Zone, dont bother. If you want something decent to entertain you with hits and misses or you are a big Stephen King fan then get it. Overall it was ok but i dont think i'll watch them again. Maybe ill read the book instead.

Dissapointing.......2007-07-08

I watched a couple of these on TV and could not get into any of them.I like kings novels but not these shows.

More good stories by the master........2007-07-08

This DVD was very good and did not leave me disappointed. The stories seemed to follow along really well. I would recommend this to anyone who loves Stephen King.

Average customer rating:

Heart and souls
Heart and Soul has heart.
Heart and Souls
A chic flick my husband watched and enjoyed
Heart and Souls DVD

Heart and Souls
Starring: Robert Downey Jr. , Charles Grodin , Alfre Woodard , Kyra Sedgwick , and Tom Sizemore
Director: Ron Underwood
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 0783230079
Release Date: 1998-11-17

Amazon.com

Robert Downey Jr. has never been more charming than in this comedy about a yuppie who is revisited in adulthood by the spirits of four people who had been his friends as a child. The ghosts (Kyra Sedgwick, Charles Grodin, Alfre Woodard, Tom Sizemore) all have unfinished business in this world before they can move on to the next, and Downey's character agrees to let them inhabit his body while they sort it all out. The appealing cast alone strongly recommends this movie, but Downey's remarkable facility for physical comedy--manifesting the personalities of his supernatural pals as they possess him--is a riot. Elisabeth Shue makes the best of her part as the hero's girlfriend; Leaving Las Vegas was still ahead of her, but one can see her talent straining to get out here. The DVD release has a widescreen presentation, production notes, theatrical trailer, biographies of the cast, closed captioning, an optional French soundtrack and Spanish subtitles, and Dolby sound. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Heart and souls.......2007-09-03

A perfect romantic movie which had tears welling up in my eyes, A classic tear jerker, cry when you should be laughing, pulled my heart strings and played my tune. Execllent film.

Heart and Soul has heart........2007-05-09

This movie is a must for any Downey fan. It has a little of everything comedy, drama, and romance. The story is basically about 4 individuals all killed while on the same bus. Their souls are connected to the nearest baby being born(downey's character). The little boy grows up having "imaginary friends". Of course, once he's in school this poses a problem for him. He's seen talking to himself, etc. His school begins to think he's in need of therapy. The souls do the selfless thing and disappear(though they are still with him). The man he becomes is a bit of a jerk. Eventually the souls reveal themselves when they find out that he is their corporeal being to be used to tie up their loose ends here on earth. Along the way Downey's character learns a few lessons and becomes a better person for it.

Heart and Souls.......2007-02-21

One of my wife's favorite movies and now on DVD! Puts a smile on her face and lifts her spirit every time she watches it. It's the first DVD she lends out when someone needs a care package.

A chic flick my husband watched and enjoyed.......2007-01-13

This is an oldie but goodie. Robert Downey Jr is great! He plays a man who assist 4 dead people to find peace and move on. I was surprised when my husband sat down and watched it with me. I even caught him laughing more than once. (It was odd because he NEVER watches chic flicks!) I would recommend this movie to anyone.

Heart and Souls DVD.......2007-01-10

I purchased the DVD "Heart and Souls" from Amazon.Com. I looked for this movie everywhere and could not find it. Sure enough Amazon had it !!!! Ordering was easy and delivery was fast.
Thank you Amazon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Never Try To Fool Children. They Expect Nothing And Therefore See Everything.
Lovely family movie
Fairy Tale - A True Story
Delusion and delight
Beautiful story with appeal for all ages

Fairy Tale - A True Story
Starring: Harvey Keitel , Jason Salkey , Peter O'Toole , Lara Morgan , and Adam Franks
Director: Charles Sturridge
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000AUHQR
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Amazon.com

When her father is declared missing in action during World War I, Elsie Wrigth (Florence Hoath) goes to live in England with her cousin Frances Griffiths (Elizabeth Earl) for whom the topic of fairies is forbidden. Immediately, the girls discover the winged creatures in the garden and photograph them for Frances's startled parents. This leads to another kind of adventure for the girls. They become the toasts of London as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole) and Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel), who have seen the photographs, escort them around town. Mildly villainous reporters chase the girls and curious spectators invade their garden after the pictures are printed publicly.

Although fairies are the visible subjects, the enchanting video is really about faith. Frances's parents (Phoebe Nicholls and Paul McGann) recently lost their son, Joseph, who had originally discovered the fairies and would like to think he may be an angel. Sir Arthur also lost his son and is courted by clairvoyants who claim they can talk to the boy. Elsie waits patiently for her father to come home, although it appears hopeless that he will. Harry Houdini is an illusionist but acts against the fraudulent claims of greedy mediums and the like. They are all touched by a need to truly believe in what remains hidden. The story is very loosely based on an early 20th-century controversy involving the real Frances and Elsie who faked pictures of fairies similar to the ones in the video. The real girls never confessed, but the video suggests the manner in which the real life photos may have been produced. --Margaret Griffis

Customer Reviews:

Never Try To Fool Children. They Expect Nothing And Therefore See Everything........2007-08-22

Frances and her family are struggling to deal with the death of her brother Joseph. Joseph was the original believer of the fairies; he spoke of them drew them and passed on his love to his sister. Shortly before his death his parents felt it was time for him to grow up and forbad him to talk of the fairies. Frances still walks down to their creek in the hopes to see the fairies that seemed to have left with her brother.

When Elsie's father goes missing in France during WWI, she leaves Africa to join her cousin Frances, and her aunt Polly and uncle Arthur, in England. Elsie is the breath of fresh air this family desperately needs. Elsie shares Frances' love of fairies and refuses to believe that they left when Joseph passed away. It isn't long before both the girls discover their winged friends.

While Polly and Arthur both try to dissuade the girls from their beliefs in fairies, Polly at the same time is searching for proof of Angels. She is seeking some comfort and peace with her son's death. That's when Elsie suggests that she and Frances photograph the fairies to help her aunt believe.

When their photographs reach the public, these two little girls embark on a magnificent journey of discovery, skepticism and faith; making believers out of the biggest doubters. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini play intricate roles in the girls' lives.

I watched this movie with my 4 year old son and husband; I was concerned it was going to be a little too old for my son, and a little too young for my husband. We all loved it. The acting, by everyone, is superb and the two little girls are enchanting. This movie was beyond magical, beyond beautiful, beyond heartwarming. It is a powerful tale of faith, joy, innocence and fantasy. More importantly it shows us how believing in something, no matter how fanciful, can help to mend and bring peace to wounded hearts.

So the next time you walk in your yard or work in your gardens, be on the lookout for your fairies... You might even want to leave them a little cake.

Fairy Houses ... Everywhere! (Fairy Houses) (The Fairy Houses Series) (The Fairy Houses Series)

The Secret of Roan Inish

Lovely family movie.......2007-08-04

My girls (ages 5 and 9) loved this movie. It was a visual treat. I would have loved to see more of the fairies. They were beautiful. They made me believe.

Fairy Tale - A True Story.......2007-06-20

The imagination of children is wonderful. That's why I refuse to fully grow up. Wouldn't it be wonderfully if there really were fairies?

Delusion and delight.......2007-06-18

One of the negative reviews complained that the movie fails to reveal that the photographs were a hoax and suggests that it portrayed the fairies as real.

I never got that impression, but rather that their depiction was used as a cinematic device of seeing the world as the two young girls saw it.

For me, the real delight of the movie is the contrast between Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini. Houdini, who exposed charlatans and spiritualists, recognized that the two young girls got swept up into a sensationalistic story over an innocent prank, while Doyle, grieving over the loss of his son in WWI, lost the objectivity of his rigorously logical alter ego, Sherlock Holmes.

It was the grief and suffering caused by a horrible war that sparked the hysteria over the photographs, with people reaching out for something pure, innocent and beautiful. Houdini, as well as the filmmakers, recognized that, and artfully refrained from bulldozing over innocence with the sharp edges of fact.

One of the daughters of the late conductor Bruno Walter, said in an interview that their father never allowed them backstage at an opera until they were grown. He explained later that he didn't want to destroy the magic for them.

Houdini would have understood.

Beautiful story with appeal for all ages.......2007-05-14

An ultimate childhood fantasy work with appeal for all ages. It's a very carefully crafted story with wonderful interweaving of fantasy and reality.

DVD:

DVD

DVD