7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
One of the best in a long time, April 11, 2006 By Thomas E. Tweedel (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
Avatar is without a doubt one of the best all around shows to come down the pipe in a very long time.
I don't have cable so I haven't seen much of it on TV. I first found out about it when I was at a friends doing some work and it was on as background noise for the kids. It was somewhere in the middle of the season so I didn't know the story but I was really impressed. I though, wow, the Japanese have done it again. But having watched a lot of anime in my younger days some stuff didn't add up. The style was different, the sight gags and most importantly the body language of the characters was different.
I was really surprised when I found it was an American production! I wanted to see more. I was wondering if it was worth buying, my kid only being 2 ? so I figured what the heck, its not that expensive for one disk.
I ordered it and it was an instant hit at the house. My son loved it goes running around with a stick saying he's going to save the world. My wife loved it and I loved it. The show is written to a good middle ground between kids and adults. The kids will follow the story without issue and the adults will see deeper into the world. Its not too deep mind you but deep enough to feel there is more going on than whats immediately on screen.
I was really impressed by the creativity of the series and just how well done it was. The producers pulled together a lot of elements from Asian culture and tradition and blended them together into a credible setting in a way I've not really seen done very well outside of Asian works.
They've got a lot of gags and elements that are not exactly original. Strong liberated female figure in male dominated culture, chauvinist/clueless/useless guy, obligatory cute pet/sidekick, reluctant hero, ruthless villain etc. But they are well done and not overdone.
Many of the sight gags revolve around bad things that happen to the hapless/clueless guy. But they were well done enough to be funny without being tired. I was particularly glad they didn't give too much screen time to the cute pet/sidekick which some kids shows seem to devote about 1/3 of each episode to the antics of that creature. He (A flying lemur like creature) pops in and pops out for some good comic relief but never eclipses those involved in the story.
We also begin to see some depth in Character development and hints that some may not be exactly as they seem. Particularly with the apparent villains of the series. They actually have motivation and character beyond just wanting to give the hero's a bad day or ruling the world.
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Dec 13, 2007
Avatar The Last Airbender - Book 1 Water, Vol. 1 (2005)
The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection
49 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
THIS IS WHAT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!, April 18, 2007
A Kid's Review
Finally, The Walter Lantz classics are fianlly being released. This collection includes the first 45 Woody Woodpecker cartoons from "Knock Knock"(1940)to The Great Who Dood-It(1952). These are the cartoons where Woody Woodpecker is really insane with his famous laugh. Besides Woody Woodpecker, this collection also includes the first 5 cartoons of that loveable penguin- Chilly Willy. This collection also includes amny of the "Swing Symphonies" and "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" Cartoons and 5 choice Andy Panda cartoons. These shorts are all uncut and restored and remastered from the original Universal Pictures Master Negatives. You won't want to miss this set. If this set sells well, there might be a volume 2.
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The Simpsons - The Complete Ninth Season (1997)
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Some of the last great episodes packed into season 9., January 18, 2007 By Valnastar "Still 1789" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
The density of great episodes per season already shows a slight decline in season 9, but it's still full of enough great ones to be well worth the time and money to own it on DVD. Many of these episodes are still extremely funny on repeated viewings. The parody of Lord of the Flies, titled "Das Bus" is worth it alone ("go banana!"). Some other particularly good episodes in this season are: Realty Bites, This Little Wiggy, Lisa's Sax, The Trouble with Trillions and The Cartridge Family. If you're a serious Simpsons fan, you're likely to really want this season 9 set even if some of the seasons that follow are not so much to your liking. Recommended.
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Dec 12, 2007
Top Gun [HD DVD] (1986)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A 21 year old flick that looks great today!, October 5, 2007
By KAL-EL (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
This picture looks absolutely stunning on HD DVD. Close-ups are extremely sharp. Colors looks much more bold then on the standard definition dvd release. I only have a 720P capable set, so I can only imagine how it would look on a 1080P set. Trust me when I tell you that the DTS soundtrack sounds better then the Dolby TrueHD soundtrack. if your receiver can decode DTS, its a must to fully enjoy the sounds of this flick. The only reason im not giving this release a full five stars is that there are no special features whatsoever. I have to say that was a little disapointing. Definitely worth the $20 though!
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Children of Men (HD DVD - 2007)
26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A bold departure for P.D. James (author) results in a stunning film, March 20, 2007
By K. Corn "reviewer" (Indianapolis,, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Children of Men (Widescreen Edition) (DVD)
While I loved the movie, I strongly suggest you read the book as well. There are differences between the two and, of course, verbal descriptions of characters' thoughts are often hard to reproduce on screen. Almost always, sacrifices must be made in the script - and this film is no exception. However, I DO feel the movie stays true to the INTENT and MESSAGE of the book and it is quite a wonderful film.
It is futuristic and if you know anything about the author of the book on which this film is based (P.D. James) you'll know this isn't her usual mystery story. But it is one of my favorite works that she has written, telling of a time when people are infertile and of the hope that resides when there is a chance that someone can produce children again.
The government gets involved and there are political messages and subplots, all set against a certain, dark atmosphere. This film will make you think and I actually find the possibility of a future where infertility is almost the norm not outside the realm of possibility. Even if you don't, the "What ifs?" will keep you interested in this masterful film and Clive Owen proves that he is becoming more interesting an actor as time goes on.
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Blood Diamond
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars T.I.A., May 21, 2007
By D. Roberts "Hadrian12" (Battle Creek, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Blood Diamond (Widescreen Edition) (DVD)
There are some persons who may be naive enough to think that Africa really isn't like how it is depicted in this movie. It is. All these African countries are in constant states of war, civil war, military coups & general unrest. Darfur gets a lot of publicity, but it is hardly the only place in Africa that is in crisis. Genocide is pretty much the norm for most countries, and a perpetual state of chaos is commonplace. Only place in Africa I'd like to visit someday would be Egypt to see the Pyramids. However, that won't be anytime soon w/all this terrorist nonsense.
The cast of BD was excellent. I've always had a crush on Jennifer Connelly. She has gone from being a young pretty face to being a very accomplished actress (and she's still a pretty face!). Djimon Hounsou has a very powerful screen presence (and not just because he is buffed up!). As was the case in GLADIATOR and AMISTAD, he is able to convey a lot of emotion through very few words.
Thankfully, for myself, I've never been into diamonds. Never have bought one, and very much doubt I ever will. For people who have indulged in diamonds, this film might be a shocking (and not so pleasant) eye-opener of where your diamonds actually come from. In any case, it is truly a poignant film.
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The Bourne Ultimatum
106 of 119 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Where in the World is Jason Bourne?, August 22, 2007
By JP's Picks (Boise, ID) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
(4 1/2 *'s) `The Bourne Ultimatum' is a non-stop thriller ride that easily propels itself to the top of the three-peat super summer. The third in the series, Jason Bourne (played superbly by a tough and tormented Matt Damon) still suffers his same identity crisis, this time criss-crossing his way across the globe with breakneck speed. Suspenseful for more than the thrill of the chase, we are given a gripping sense of drama as CIA director, Noah Vosen (played with tough officiousness by David Strathairn in another great performance) and his sparring co-leader, Pamela Landy (Joan Allen in an admirably complex role) come to grips with Bourne and his alleged treason against their assassination operation. Hooking up with a fellow operative Nicky Parsons (a sleight-of-hand Julia Stiles), Bourne and associates provide enough development to keep us guessing throughout.
Besides all of the identity intrigue, the action is relentless without being predictable. All the scenes of chase and violence are fresh and invigorating. Flashbacks from Jason's fragmented memory add substance to the fray, and the board room tension at control central, both at the CIA and the UK are formidable. Creeping into his memory at various times, senior CIA figure, Dr. Albert Hirsch (in a welcome sunset role by Albert Finney), gives the mystery proper credence. While I found Greengrass's direction a mastery of timing, drama, and movement, I do have a quibble with the editing. Although an acquired taste, too many scenes are presented as an enhanced blur, both in the thick of the chase and with the flashback sequences. Just as an observation, the revelations presented are satisfying with the resolution of his identity being one of the least compelling.
`The Bourne Ultimatum' deserves approximately the same accolades as 'Casino Royale' with its stunning development, pace, and execution. For those who love action pictures, this film is a list-topping must-see movie for the end of summer.
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