The Tale of the Voodoo Prostitute

Really quite a good story to hook you with...
from Brain Damage films.

This Urban Thriller has some cool moments with women hit-men,voodoo prostitutes( see title) and many,many female deaths shown .

Reminds this reviewer of all those exploitation films from the south in the '80s-Drugs,Pimps, pimped-out cars and those accents...Cajun and French and News Yauks.

The main villian, And let us add the pimps are victims too ( `Bout time on that one...Quentin Tarantino missed that boat),Is truly MEAN ,Capital `M'.

The only law enforcement to be seen is corrupt and has an ANDREW DICE CLAY persona.





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Casper & Wendy: Scare Up Some Fun

Finally, some nice prints of rarely-seen Casper cartoons
There are so many El Cheapo public domain cartoon compilations out there, I'm always delighted when an old favorite gets some respect from a reputable company. And Classic Media does not disappoint with this rather random but still very attractive set of 1960's Casper shorts.

Here's the list of cartoons:

ENCHANTED HORSE
GROWING UP
MOTHER GOOSE LAND
TWIN TROUBLE
WENDY'S WISH
WHICH IS WITCH
ICE SCREAM
CASPER GENIE
TRUE BOO
BOOS AND SADDLES
BOOS AND ARROWS
LITTLE LOST GHOST

I rate these very high because, for one thing, Casper was almost never shown where I lived growing up. So it's really like watching all new cartoons for me. I'm sure the nostalgia factor will be high for those who DID watch these on t.v. years ago. In any event, the picture and sound quality are quite good, if not quite as polished as the major-studio releases for the Looney Tunes or Tom & Jerry collections.

If...

casper
great old fashion cartoon excellent for kids stop violent cartoons would you please get the type we watched as kids again do this ok.

Keep these DVDs coming!
CLASSIC MEDIA always makes cheap DVDs of nicely remastered cartoons! They are sitting on alot of animated treasures that need to come out as well!

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VeggieTales - The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown

And what is YOUR favorite Veggie Tales' Silly Song??
This video is a must-have for Silly Song Fans everywhere.

Hosted by "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything", this is a countdown show from the #10 Silly Song to the #1 favorite Silly Song of all time. The votes (taken on the Veggie Tales website) have been tabulated by the "Astonishing Contraption of Silliness." Occasionally, there is a glitch in the machine, which causes a very mixed-up title, but the Silly Songs on this video will no doubt be YOUR favorites from the Veggie Tales series.

You will get to see 10 full-length Silly Songs. This video is 43 minutes long, about 13 minutes longer than most Veggie Tales videos. If you have children who will want to watch the same songs over and over, obviously the DVD would be a better choice for you!

The only reason I gave this 4 stars and not 5 is that there isn't any really new material. They do have an entertaining format in how they announce the next song, but the songs are all ones that Veggie Tales fans...

Ultimate silliness. . .
. . .provided by "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything"!

This video is a "must-have" for all fans of Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and all the rest of your salad-drawer favorites! What the producers of "Veggie-Tales" have done in this video is to take the funniest of the "Silly Songs" from the last umpteen videos and present them in a "Top 10 Countdown" format, familiar to anyone who has ever listened to the radio or watched music television.

In between the various songs, the viewer is treated to hysterical commentary by "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" as the tabulation machine routinely malfunctions. Not to be missed is Larry the Cucumber and Mr. Lunt as they rap to a Chinese restaurant menu. Finally, demonstrating once again that cartoons are presented on many levels, the countdown concludes with a "voting controversy" when Pa Grape "discovers" a hitherto unknown bag of "uncounted...

WARNING: This tape contains high doeses of extreme sillines!
Ever wondered which silly song from the Veggie Tales videos is the silliest? Well, you are just about to find out! Hosted by the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (aka Larry the cucumber, Pa Grape, and Mr. Lunt), "The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown" is, well... just what is says. The countdown to which song is the silliest of all! After collecting votes from Veggie Tales fans, you'll be able to know the results. Is it "The Cheeseburger Song"? "I Love My Lips"? "The Hairbrush Song"? Find out as you watch this hilariously fun 43 minutes program!

For a while I've been thinking that the Veggie Tales are only for younger kids and especially not for teenagers. But after getting a few tapes from my friends and watching them, I realized I was totally wrong! I just really LOVE the videos and I've been enjoying watching them with my parents! And probably my most favorite Veggie Tale is "The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown". The songs are just so silly that my parents and I were just laughing,...

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The Little Drummer Boy 2011

Restoration it is not, those animals were not mute!
The original Christmas special, as shown on television in the late sixties and seventies, and as produced on VHS in the eighties, was a tasteful gem, with a rare, austere beauty, evocative music and a raw, deep emotional core. Sadly, this DVD does not come close to the original viewing experience because so many critical audio bits were not transferred in the conversion process. Most of Aaron's animal friends' bleats and grunts are gone, even at the moment when the lamb is injured he's mute, the yelp has disappeared. And one of the most poignant lines in the special - "and when Aaron looked at the babe, he thought it was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen," has been altered, the original line, as delivered beautifully by narrator Greer Garson, is replaced, inexplicably, by actor Paul Frees. In the final moments of the production, the baby Jesus makes an adorably natural murmuring sound from manger but this CRITICAL sound too is GONE. Obviously, what's been sold a resoration...

Puts the true meaning of Christmas back into the holiday.
This video is not a sugary "warm-fuzzy". Instead, it deals with the reality of life, which is sometimes harsh. Life is not perfect, yet there is strength to be found in the perfect love of Jesus. I recommend it to parents who want their children to appreciate the true reason for CHRISTmas.

One of the BEST Family Oriented Films EVER MADE!
This is a FINE example of what Christmas is ALL ABOUT and not being too preachy. This is the story about Aaron, the Little Drummer Boy, who hates all people because his family was murdered by a group of Desert Thieves. Aaron is kidnapped by Ben Harmed, the greedy and crooked, self proclaimed "Kin of the Desert Showmen". (played superbly by Hosse' Ferrer) and his bubling assistant, Ollie. The story is told by Greer Garason, with a great air of dignanty. I cry every time I watch this story and there is good reason why (not tears of sadness, but tears of joy over the words of the African King about the Christ Child, because he is SO right!) This story was created by the GREAT Romeo Muller, who is the FINEST children's writer who EVER lived! You can't go wrong with a story writen by Romeo Muller. This one, in fact was his most favorite story that he ever wrote for Rankin/Bass Productions (his most favorite he EVER wrote was NOEL, which is also on video.) But I would...

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ST. NICHOLAS: A STORY OF JOYFUL GIVING

Let confusion reign...
First, let me say we are big Veggie Tales fans, or perhaps I should say Classic Veggie Tales fans, as more and more of their more recent offerings have fallen flat for us.

We were hopeful for this latest Veggie Tale, especially since it started off with the premise that Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber would explain who Saint Nicholas really was. In the beginning, the story does just that, showing Nicholas' life as a young boy in ancient Greece, and is in fact fairly accurate through Nicholas becoming an orphan.

It is Nicholas' (young) adult life that the Veggie Tales team takes creative license with. Had this not been a story about an actual historical figure AND one that was claiming to set history straight, I would have had no problem with the ensuing silliness. But instead of sharing the story of how Nicholas helped 3 daughters with no dowry money by throwing sacks of coins through their window late at night, the V.T. team puts Nicholas in ridiculous...

Sad representation of a wonderful saint
I was very sad and angry to see how the VT crew butchered the life of a powerful saint. Saint Nicholas was a good and holy man, not a misguided preacher's kid. I can even get over the silliness about him being a masked hero running through the streets, but I cannot stand the slander of his early life. If you aren't going to speak the truth about holy men, avoid their stories completely. BTW he was not Greek, he was from Turkey. Getting kinda sick of the Orthodox=ethnic associations that seem to be acceptable. There was plenty to produce a powerful story of learning and loving God as you grow up into the faith, not turning it into the false "He got saved" moment that is the typical adult Evangelical conversion story.

Jolly Young St. Nick
Watching Saint Nicholas, one can only note how much better it is than most of the recent holiday specials, which try to have a moral to the story, but end up flat and heavy-handed. VeggieTales, on the other hand, go far beyond morals to express big ideas. The recent VeggieTales movie, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A Veggie Tales Movie (Widescreen), was the sort of superior entertainment that, while it enthralls kids, also engages adults. It's hard to believe this featurette is only 45 minutes, because it runs the gamut from light laughs to moving pathos to profound finale, the same arc as a feature film. Adults who happen to walk by while it's on TV will probably find themselves drawn in. Kids will see something new every time.

Bob the tomato tells the true story of St. Nicholas, while Larry the cuke constantly interrupts with more conventional ideas of Santa Claus...

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LORD OF THE BEANS

The Veggie Silliness Invades Center Earth
Phil Vischer is back to writing and the target is Lord of the Rings. Can hilarity be far behind?

On the occasion of his 122 birthday, Billboy Baggypants (Archibald Asparagus) prepares to leave his flobbit house in search of happiness. He leaves all his possessions, including a bean, to his nephew Toto (Jr. Asparagus). The bean has incredible power to grant wishes, but Toto wants to know why he was given the gift. Resolved not to use it for himself, he sets out on an epic quest to find the answer.

Aiding him in the quest is the fellowship of the bean. It's lead by Randolf (Mr. Nezzer in a surprisingly noble role) and includes Ear-O-Corn (Larry), Leg-O-Lamb (Jimmy Gourd) and his brother elf, and Grumpy (Pa Grape). Together, this group sets off to cross the mountains of Much-Snowia and reach the Razzberry Forest to find the answers. Meanwhile, the evil Lord Scaryman (the leek who's been around since episode one but still doesn't have a name) and his army of...

Better than some of their recent efforts
You really need to be familiar with the 'Lord of the Rings' movies to see the parodies for what they are. The Billboy (Bilbo) speech at his birthday party cracked us up, but it wouldn't have if he wadn't seen the movie. There are a few laugh-out-loud moments. Overall, these just aren't quite the same, it seems they're trying to fit the message to the story when it used to be the other way around. Still, its better than most of the entertainment that's available, and this is worth watching. I'd rate it in my top 10:

1.Lyle the Kindly Viking
2.Little Joe
3.King George
4.Dave and the Giant Pickle
5.Madame Blueberry
6.Josh and the Big Wall
7.Lord of the Beans
8.Are You My Neighbor?
9.Rack, Shack and Benny
10.A Snoodle's Tale

WOW!
So I am not a huge fan of the Veggie Tales series but tonight our church pre-released the movie at our Halloween Party and the kids loved it! This is a must buy movie if you love watching a bunch of vegetables being crazy... They even have a funny Smeegal impression talking about his Precious Bean! FUNNY!

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ARE YOU MY NEIGHBOR?

Are you myneighbor?
Veggie Tales Rock!!! The older ones (before the law suit) are better, with more moral lessons than the newer ones. We bought Veggies for my daughter when she was younger. She is now 17 and still loves them. In fact we are in the process of replacing our VHS tapes with DVDs. It seems every little kid loves these and even some big kids too. It's so nice to have something to let your kids watch and not have to worry about the content. Again, Veggies Rock!!

Kids Love It!!
Teaches the basics of loving one another in a funny and comical way. I love the fact that I don't have to worry when my kids are watching Veggie Tales and teaches some great morals to children too!!

Great morals and stories!
The two stories in this dvd involve the verse: "Love your neighbor as yourself". They are both entertaining and teach great values to kids. My 2 year old loves this video as well as The first Sing-along dvd. We have 2 others, but those are the favorites. As with all VeggieTales, some of the details are able to be understood by adults only-just because of personal experiences (like classical composers and such). To me, this makes it more fun to watch as I figure out how to help my child (as she grows) understand the nuances, as well. Highly recommend this to anyone wanting to teach the love your neighborlesson above to their kids.

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LET 'EM HAVE IT

"How do you want this, in the belly or the back?"
From Sony's Gangsters, Guns & Floozies Crime Collection comes the film Let `Em Have It (1935), directed by Sam Wood (A Night at the Opera, Goodbye, Mr. Chips), one of the two unaccredited directors to work on the 1939 film Gone with the Wind (the other was George Cukor). Appearing in this film is Richard Arlen (The Virginian, Helldorado), Virginia Bruce (Jane Eyre, The Invisible Woman), one of the 20 original 'Goldwyn Girls', and Bruce Cabot (King Kong, The Last of the Mohicans). Also appearing is Alice Brady (Mr. Dodd Takes the Air), Harvey Stephens (All American Chump), Eric Linden (The Robin Hood of El Dorado), and Gordon Jones ("The Abbott and Costello Show"), who played the Green Hornet in the 1940 serial of the same name. Also, keep an eye out for Jonathan Hale, in the role of Bill, the microscope expert, in a bit part. He seemed familiar (especially his distinctive voice), but I couldn't place his face until I remembered he played Dagwood Bumstead's boss J.C. Dithers in the...

Thank You Classic Media!!
To have this film on DVD is AMAZING! I owned a 16mm print of this title years ago, and it was well used. This is a hard title to find. In fact, it hasn't been available in a TV package since the 1960's. Classic Media should be thanked by serious film collectors for bringing this classic out of the vault. The elements used seem to be from 35mm pre print, and are un-restored. However, the fact that any original print material exists on this title is a blessing.



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BEST OF ROCKY & BULLWINKLE: VOLUME 1

literally the best of ROCKY and BULLWINKLE
kinda upsetting when i watched this. i thought i would be getting the best episodes that originally aired on TV, with the fractured fairy tales and mr peabody and all. unfortunately, when they say "the best of rocky and bullwinkle" they MEAN Rocky and Bullwinkle, which i mistook for Rocky and Bulllwinkle and Friends. mr peabody and all are not featured on this dvd. still funny, still entertaining, but somewhat of a let down.

3 stars because of the reruns from previous releases.
**UPDATED 6/7/10**

If you have the seasonal sets 1, 2, 3 & 4, there is no reason to buy this. This only gets 3 stars because the segmewnts are fun to watch,

For the record this DVD contains:

THE LAST ANGRY MOOSE - 4 chapters from season 2, already on DVD.
Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends - The Complete Second Season

THE THREE MOOSKETEERS - 8 chapters from season 3, already on DVD.
Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends - The Complete Third Season

THE GUNS OF ABALONE - 4 chapters from season 4. already on DVD.
Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends: Season 4 (2pc)

Reruns!
The Plot Summary above says this DVD includes "Fractured Fairy Tales", "Peabody's Improbable History", the "Adventures of Dudley Doright", and "Aesop and Son". It doesn't. It does contain 16 Rocky and Bullwinkle chapters, which would be well worth the price, except that 12 of the 16 chapters are already available on the Complete Season DVDs. So, the only new material you get is the four chapters of "The Guns of Abalone". For die hard fans only.

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VeggieTales - The Ballad of Little Joe

Veggie Return With Another Winner
Little Joe (Larry the Cucumber), is his father's favorite son. When his brothers (the French peas) sell him into slavery in Dodge Ball City, he goes to work for McPotiphar. But just when he's made employee of the month, Miss Kitty (Madame Blueberry) frames him for stealing. Is God really still with him? What could God's plan possibly be?

Of course, anyone familiar with the Bible will recognize this as the story of Joseph from the Old Testament. Told in a completely fresh way, the theme of God working all things for good for those who follow Him comes through as loud and clear as it does in the original. Of course, the guys at Big Idea have had their own fun with it along the way, and the result is another episode filled with humor for the entire family. We even go back to the kitchen sink and get to see Cordy the Computer again.

A special mention must be made of the new silly song. "Belly Button," as sung by boy band "Boyz in the Sink" is one of the best they've come up...

The Magic Continues.
THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JOE is the Veggie Tale version of the Biblical story of Joseph. Bob and Larry try to explain why so many bad things happen to good people. Bob wants a straight Bible story and Larry wants a western. They compromise and THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JOE is the result. The film contains all the great humor and heart that have made Veggie Tales so special and popular. This episode includes the Silly Song of "Belly Button" sung by the In the Sink Boys. The song is hilarious and reminds one of the famous "Hamburger" song from a few years ago. Perhaps Mr. Lunt should sing more love longs. This is a great Veggie Tale episode and the DVD is a welcome addition for any collection. Kids love the Veggie Tales and so do adults. The episodes are made for kids, but adults will perhaps enjoy them even more. The DVD includes a commetary, several previews, a few games, and a few other bonus items.

Big Idea has another hit with Little Joe!
What an awesome retelling of the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors! The story stays true to the bible and will amuse both children and adults with sight gags and fantastic music and a great story of why, even when bad things happen, God can make something good come out of it. The Silly Song is the silliest yet with Mr. Lunt as the lead singer of a "Boyz" band! Thanks Big Idea. You make it a little easier to find nourishing things for my children to watch.

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VeggieTales Classics - Larry-Boy and the Fib from Outer Space

Great for kids, fabulous for adults
This one, of the whole Veggie Tales series, is my personal favorite. There's a lot here to love. First, it teaches youngsters a valuable lesson about telling the truth both in its wholesome story and in the larger metaphor that first you control the lie but in time the lie controls you. Second, it's amazingly clever in its dialogue and concept and design, from the Larrymobile with its suction cup wheels to the way Larry-Boy, always the consummate nerd, screams "I--AM--THAT--HERO! " But best of all, adults can watch this video and be entertained as well as the kids, as the creators gleefully spoof Batman and superheros in general, bad sci-fi monster flicks, the Franklin Mint, pop culture and, in the final segment, music videos. All the Veggie Tales series are very funny, but this one makes you laugh so hard you'll have to rewind it in spots to re-watch the stuff you missed while recovering from cracking up. This deserves to be a classic. If the gang from Big...

Another VeggieTale movie to add to your collection!
Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato are again hosting another VeggieTales video, this time giving a lesson in telling the truth (John 8:32b "The truth will set you free"). The story begins in the small town of Brumblyburgwhere Jerry and Jimmy are 'supposed' to be monitoring the area for aliens. And when an 'unidentified object' lands, it's up to Larry-Boy (aka Larry the Cucumber) to find out what it is. But Junior Asparagus is the first one to find it; it's an alien called Fib. And when Junior gets into some trouble, Fib gives him the perfect solution; to tell a little lie which of course wouldn't hurt anybody! Junior soon finds out that his little friend can become a HUGE problem! It's up to Larry-Boy and his Larry-Boy Mobile to save the day... if everything goes well...

Totally hilarious, I find this Veggie Tale to be thoroughly enjoying. With great Christian values, they're perfect for kids, teenagers, and even have adults interested with the wry humor, catchy and fun songs,...

Mom and Dad Love This One As Much As The Kid Does!
Larry Boy Rules! My husband and I love watching this video as much as our toddler does. Larry Boy is a SuperHero after our own hearts - so comically inept and so very well intentioned! The music is great in this video and the story is superb. Junior Asparagus learns the hard way that a little fib can turn into a big problem - my daughter adores this show! So many children's videos start to drive me nuts after a couple of viewings, but the VeggieTales videos are so clever and funny that I never tire of them - and I catch something new every time I see them too. Larry Boy would be a wonderful addition to any home video library!

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I CAN BE YOUR FRIEND

Great Gift!
This video was purchased as a gift for our four year old granddaughter and (almost) two year old grandson. They both love the Veggie-Tale videos and their learning all kinds of great things as they grow up. Definitely a winner.

Veggie Tales loved by 6 month old girl.
Our grand daughter is 6 months old and has fallen in love with this DVD. She had been loving a Baby Genius dvd and her mother had heard it so many times, so I decided to try her on Veggie Tales. The story ones didn't hold her interest as much, but when this one went in she started laughing and bouncing up and down. Our daughter says that Aubree Ann will set and watch it and laugh for the longest time. Glad to see her loving something Spiritual at that age.

Friendship
Friendship must be taught and why not from a Biblical perspective using common childhood themes (of course with permission) to encourage respect, self-appreciation and interpretation skills.

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Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudy what have they done!
The DVD transfer is pretty good but the scene with Yukon discovering peppermint has been cut.

It seems pretty odd to sell a DVD as a restored classic only to leave out the main thing that was to be restored!

Why? Sony. Why?
For 2 years in a row Sony once again puts that stupid Destiny's Child crap on this Dvd. Why does Sony keep ruining Christmas classics like this and now Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town with a stupid Mariah Carey video. When is this dumb so-called trend going to stop. Leave the Christmas classics(Rudolf,Frosty,Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town)as is.Please, NO MORE EXTRA SONGS & VIDEOS...these are not good extras they are just pure crap!!!

Shame on you!
I have the original release in VHS and it is way-worn, so I desperately want to buy it in DVD format. I tell you this so that you can understand how hard it is for me NOT to buy this release. I will wait for one that is not polluted with new age garbage. As soon as this excellent Christmas Classic shows up in DVD format WITHOUT the modern commercial corruption, I will buy it, and maybe a few more to give to my loved ones as gifts.

Release without music videos, and I will purchase!

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GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN

Rarely seen in the US, the 1st Godzilla sequel "raids again!",
FILM HISTORY

This film made in 1955 is the very first sequel made to the original "Gojira" aka "Godzilla, King of the Monsters" in its US release. The film was rushed into production in order to capitalize on the popularity of the first film. In the US it was apparently released by a different film company than the first film, so the title was changed such that the word "Godzilla" didn't even appear in it! The US theatrical release title was "Gigantis the Fire Monster." The film has been released in the US under other titles over the years, such as "The Return of Godzilla" and as "Godzilla Raids Again" when it was on VHS tape. The original Japanese title was apparently, "Gojira no gyakush

BEST OF BORIS & NATASHA

Season 5 episodes!
If you have been collecting the seasonal sets 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 like me, then you will want to pass on this.

First a quick word about these later seasons:
SEASON 4 - only 19 new half hour shows were produced. The rest of the season was filled out with re-runs.
SEASON 5 - NO new half hour shows were produced. BUT 66 new 3.5 minute Rocky & Bullwinkle segments were produced to be inserted into older shows, replacing the older Rocky & Bullwinkle segments. Thus 33 half hour shows were created for the 5th season re-using the secondary cartoons from previous seasons.

Each of the three stories starts out with one opening title section from season 2, a brief Rocky & Bullwinkle intro. And then the story chapters, uncut but with out the individual intros. Midway through we break for a Bullwinkle Fan Club or Bullwinkle's Corner segment, then back to the story. At the end of each completed story is a set of end credits based on the second season credits, but...

Three more stories
In all, there were 28 Rocky and Bullwinkle serials, from the 40 episode Jet Fuel Formula to the 4 episode Moosylvania Saved, 326 episodes in all. The three complete seasons available on DVD served up the first 13 serials, a total of 222 episodes. You can pick up one new 4 episode story on The Best of Rocky and Bullwinkle. This DVD contains three serials in 14 chapters, "Pottsylvania Creeper", "Moosylvania", and "Moosylvania Saved". Just 11 more serials (86 episodes) to go.

Classic & sophisticated used-to-be's.
Ah ... Boris & Natasha ...

How clever, how witty are these ' cartoons '! Visuals great for kids with writing & resident witty lines - complete with terrific voices/accents - that tickle the intellect of adults.
As good as cartoons get. Right up there with Mel Blanc/Chuck Jones among the stars of simple, wonderful & pleasant entertainment for anyone !
Too bad these things aren't among us today as commonly as they were back when ... !

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Best Laid Plans

OF MICE AND MEN
This is an odd combination of heartwarming friendship and crime. Danny (Stephen Graham) owes a crime boss big money. Joseph (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) is his mentally handicapped friend who is strong as an ox. Danny persuades Joseph to fight in underground cage matches to pay off his debt. This is something Joseph does not like to do.

They both meet girls to add some spice to the plot. The acting was superb. The movie was well written, although I felt I had seen it before while watching it for the first time. For me the film wasn't overly entertaining.

F-bomb, sex, nudity (Emma Stansfield)

Brit Gangland Crime Drama that packs a Real Punch
This film has been `loosely inspired' by John Steinbeck's novel `Of Mice and Men' - hence the title. It is set in Nottingham and starts with Danny (Stephen Graham) getting Joseph (Adewale Akkinuoye-Agbaje) to steal a washing machine, they are stopped by local heavy Curtis (David O'Hara). Danny has had a drug deal go bad leaving him indebted to Curtis, therefore he has to pay some other way.

As he is about to get a kicking, Joseph turns up and steps in to Danny's rescue. His pugilistic skills are thus revealed to Curtis and he can see an alternative way to get Danny's debt discharged. Yes that is in illegal cage fights with Joseph being the secret weapon. Only problem is that Danny has `special needs' and is one of those gentle giant types, and this runs completely contra to his values.

Danny meanwhile seeks solace in alcohol, drugs and prostitutes with a considerable degree of success. He falls for one and endeavours to start a relationship with her. Joseph...

"Of Mice And Men" meets "Snatch". A good but slow moving movie with good acting. Worth a watch though. Very OK. I say B.
After waiting for Danny (Graham) to pay off his debt the local mob boss (O'Hara) is ready to settle up right now. After Danny's large and strong but feeble minded friend Joseph (Akinnuoye-Agbaje) steps in and saves him. The mob boss offers Danny a way out. All he has to do is let Joseph fight in underground cage fights until Danny's debt is paid. This is a dark and depressing updated version of "Of Mice And Men" mixed with a more serious version of "Snatch". The acting is good and the movie itself is very good and very watchable. Like most British movies I have seen there are scenes of intense action that keeps you glued mixed in with scenes that tend to drag on a little bit longer then needed and you start to lose interest in parts. I am in no way saying that this is a bad movie at all because I did like it, but the flow wasn't smooth to me. Danny reminded my a lot of Tony Montana in this movie in the way that you want to root against him, but find yourself rooting for him and want...

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Bending the Rules

An EDGE-y Cop With A Straight Laced Lawyer Looking For A "Hawk"
Nick Blades (Adam "Edge" Copeland) is a New Orleans Detective currently being trial for corruption against Assistant District Attorney Theo Gold (Jamie Kennedy). On the way to court, he arrest a man named Gil (Kevin Weisman) who was holding on strongly to a newspaper before taking it from him & putting him in the custody of Officer Garcia (Jennifer Esposito) & bumps into his favorite actress Lena Gold (Jessica Walter) in the hallway not knowing that her son is the lawyer trying to put him in jail. Theo isn't have the best of luck either as his wife Kelly (Elena Lyons) has threatened to leave him & take the kids with her, has his father's (Philip Baker Hall) car stolen from his house, and gets no assistance & harassment from the police due to him having a fellow officer on trial. Due to a string of incidents happening to both men that connected them together, they become unlikely partners in order for both men to get what they want but they must deal with masked kidnappers, a Police...

YOU NEED A HUG
First the disclaimers: I am not a fan of the WWE nor do I normally watch any of their productions outside of Steve Austin films and a few with that Piper guy. The only reason I got this film was that it was at the local flee market and I needed a fourth film to complete my 4 for $10 and had a choice between this or another copy of "Hunger Games" with Russian subtitles. It is with extreme reluctance and prejudice that I popped this film into my DVD, hoping it would not play and I could return it next week for something better.

Adam "Edge" Copeland stars as Nick Blades, an unorthodox plains clothes New Orleans detective with a gag name. He is on trial for corruption and is up against Theo Gold (Jamie Kennedy) the assistant DA. Theo is dedicated, uncharismatic, and disliked by nearly everyone including his family. There are a number of odd things going on and about midway through the film the plot is explained to us by under an utilized Pruitt Taylor Vince in a doughnut...

A surprising movie starring a wrestler that isn't actually that bad. Not good, but not bad. Made me laugh. I say B
"In one week Willy Bieber gets his just punishment because I refused to compromise." Detective Nick Blades (Edge) is on trial for corruption and Assistant DA Gold (Kennedy) is the one prosecuting him. After a mistrial occurs and Gold's car is stolen it is up to the two adversaries to work together to solve the crime that gets increasingly more sinister. Yet another movie starring a wrestler. I will have to admit that this is one of the better ones and at least they realize that it is hard to make a serious movie with one. While this boils down to just another buddy movie it is actually not that bad and kind of entertaining. There is enough comedy in this to keep you watching and even though this is fairly predictable it is still very much worth a watch. Fans of wrestler movies will love this, everyone else will enjoy this. At least I did. Overall, much better then the recent wrestler movies. I kinda liked it. I give it a B.

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Time of the Wolf

Our Wild Friendship ...
Touchable story itself plus amazing/gorgeous/outstanding landscape along with beautiful photography . Strongly recommended for "those loves" to have Wolves as companion ...

Good Family Movie I bought from Amazon
I think this is a good movie for anyone over eight years of age. It has pretty scenery, and proves how a person and animal can form strong bonds and give support to each other. The boy in the movie learns a lot of lessons about life (both good and bad). The boy has determination which helps him in many situations. Overall, a good older movie and well worth the reasonable price I paid for it through Amazon. I wish they made more good wholesome movies like this movie.

A FAN OF BURT REYNOLDS.
I didn't know about this movie starring Burt Reynolds and ordered it from Amazon. When I watched it was a excellent movie and was glad I bought it.

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Veggie Tales: Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler

Clues to Friendship
With 27 videos released over the last 13 years, VeggieTales has become something of an institution. These computer animated vegetables have not only won over their target age group of kids but also teens and adults of every age. The blend of silliness with seriousness works well to impart Biblical lessons to all.

The latest in the series takes on the issue of friendship. What exactly does it take to be a good friend? Naturally, Bob the Tomato is ready with two stories that help answer the question.

First up, we get "The Asparagus of La Mancha." Don Quixote (Archibald Asparagus) runs a popular restaurant. When he starts having a series of bad dreams, he tries to figure out what they mean. Could the grand opening of the latest Food Factory restaurant right across the street be what the dreams were foretelling?

Naturally, Don's business drops off immediately, and he becomes concerned about loosing his business and best friends/waiter Poncho (Mr...

Sheerluck is sheergreat!
This would have to be one of the greatest veggietales movies of all times. Of course all of them are good (I should know - we have every single one). Sheerluck learns about treating others as you would want to be treated. The CG work is seamless and the story is complete. I highly recommend this for all ages.

AD

Nashville, Tennessee

Over thier head!
While I am usually a huge fan of Bid Idea and VeggieTales, this one went way over my kids' heads. Don Quiote? Come on! And while Sheerluck was funny in a slap-stick sort of way, there was too much going on visually to get the whole plot. Okay for kids 8 and up, but not for the little guys. Try instead the older VT movies like Dave and the Giant Pickle or The Toy the Saved Christmas.

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MINNESOTA CUKE & THE SEARCH FOR NOAH'S UMBRELLA

"You Can't Believe Anything You See in Cartoons. Well, Some Cartoons Can Be Quite Educational."
Larry the Cucumber is embarrassed. He just got laughed at for giving thanks for his food at lunch. And so Bob the Tomato sets aside the letter of the day and offers us this story instead.

Minnesota Cuke (Larry again) has had it with being laughed at. He doesn't even want to take a new archeological job as a result. But he gets talked into searching for Noah's Ark when he learns that his friend Rattan (Mr. Lunt) has disappeared after starting the search. Fearing his friend might be in trouble, he sets out for Mexico where he is reunited with Julia (Sweet Petunia). But the clues Minnesota has to follow are silly. Will he be able to follow them or will he be too embarrassed to save his friend?

Along the way, we do get a new silly song. "Sippy Cup" actually fits into the theme as it finds Larry at a restaurant asking for a real glass instead of a sippy cup even though he has a reputation for spilling. It found it amusing, but I think the target audience...

Classic Veggie
Minnesota Cuke - the loveable children's museum curator - is back for another Veggie Tales adventure! Following up on his eagerly received premiere appearance in Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush, Larry takes to the screen again in his role as Minnesota, with both halves of the disc dedicated to his search for Noah's umbrella.

Written by the same team that brought us the original episode, Tim Hodge and Robert G. Lee spin a tale of intrigue and adventure that shows a distraught Larry that trusting in, and obeying God is all that matters. When some fellow fast food eaters ridicule Larry after singing a song of thanks over his chicken nuggets, Bob realizes that Larry is in need of his own story.

Minnesota Cuke hates being laughed at. Though he's tried to do right since he was a wee cucumber, he's just about had it with people making fun of him. The eccentric Mr Muffett (who made his fortune in a best-selling poem about his daughter - "Little Miss...

They are back on track!
Veggie Tales have always been great. When Phil Vicher lost control of the company a few years ago (I highly recommend his book Me, Myself & Bob that tells about that), others have taken a turn writing the epsiodes....not always a good thing. While good they just have not been up to Veggie Tales standards.

This one really hits the mark. While watching I was sure that Phil must have written this one. Imagine my surprise at the credits to find out it was not him!

Anyway, this is a defite must have for Veggie fans. If you have never seen a Veggie Tales before, this is a good place to be introduced to them!

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ARCHIES, THE

Will this release be at the right speed and pitch???
Well, it's nice to see that "The Archie Show" is being re-released after it's original release in 2007. However, this release will only be a partial release as compared to the entire series being released in 2007. But the MAIN QUESTION IS...

Did they remaster the episodes at the right speed and pitch this time? The boxset released in 2007 was 4% too fast due to the PAL to NTSC conversion as the original film elements were digitized in PAL format in the UK, and then converted to NTSC for release in the USA. Those that were very familiar with the series, including myself, immediately noticed that the voices were too high... especially noticeable in the song segments. So here is hoping that this has been fixed for this re-release. Guess we'll find out on May 10th.

Archies are still very cool.
Brings back alot of memories from Saturday morning cartoons, to the comics I used to own & read of the Archies. Very cool.

Always
I will always love the Archies. It will never die to me. Its a very good book to me also.

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Larry Learns To Listen

Disappointed
I was disappointed in this product. I purchased this DVD as a surprise for our kids for an upcoming roadtrip. The "new" story, "Larry Learns to Listen", was just a new song. I wasted my money, because we already had the other 2 stories. I felt it was misleading.

Don't think it's new! Title is just a Song.
I also was disappointed in this product, but not as much as my son was. I purchased this DVD for him, a life long veggie tales fan. The "new" story, "Larry Learns to Listen", was just a new song. I wasted my money, because we already had the other 2 stories. It is misleading.

Another great Veggie Tales movie!
Another great movie put out by Big Idea! My VBS kids, adults and high school helpers loved this movie. The movie cover, Larry Learns to Listen, is actually a short in the movie and not the main feature. However, there are other lengthier stories on the DVD that go very well with that theme. Very easy to make faith-life connections with the kids. DVD also arrived very timely and in excellent condition.

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VeggieTales - Lyle the Kindly Viking

Just FABULOUS! This one is more like the earlier Veggies!
Our family just watched this video and it was one of the best, I think! Esther was good, but I missed the Silly Song, and the wonderful humor that has become so characteristic of Veggie Tales.

Remember when Jimmy and Jerry Gourd decided to take over the show? Well, in this episode Archibald Asparagus tries to put some class into the story - the story is "Omelet" bearing strong resemblance to "Hamlet". Adults, listen carefully - there are MANY hilarious allusions to Shakespeare in this segment!

The "Silly Song with Larry" was "Classic Song with Larry" - just as hilarious, though!

The theme of the whole video is sharing and the main story, about Lyle, a Viking who does not enjoy the pillaging and plundering that seems to be part of being a Viking. Instead, Lyle (played by Junior Asparagus) goes out and gives the small bag of loot that the others give him back to the people, along with his handmade potholders! It is very touching and...

Shakespeare, Gilbert & Sullivan, and a high silk hat
When Archibald Asparagus takes the lead in the new VeggieTales production (focused on sharing), it is with the aim of making the show more serious and high minded. Fortunuately for us, the viewers, it makes it sillier than ever. Hoorah!

We start with a rendition of Shakespeare's not-so-famous play, "Omelet." We enjoy some amusing variations on well known lines, including "2B?" "Not 2B"--in the context of Battleship. The french peas are particularly endearing.

The standard Silly Song With Larry has been replaced by a Classy Song With Larry at Archibald's request, having a couple strong resemblances to Forrest Gump.

The title story, "Lyle the Kindly Viking", features an adorable Junior Asparagus as Lyle, the potholder-making, warbley-singing little viking boy. Larry the Cucumber is also amusing as Sven, who has a difficult time grasping the fact that, though this is a musical (this is where Gilbert & Sullivan come in), he doesn't...

Lyle Brings Veggies Back From The Brink
Okay, I have to admit that when I watched Esther and only laughed like 3 times I was sacred that Big Idea had lost the big idea. But not so. LYLE THE KINDLY VIKING takes us back to the good old veggie days. THe songs are silly, the jokes are funny and the plot hillarious. AS Archibald takes over to add a highbrow attitude to the show we find the play Omlet featuring my favorites: THE GOURDS! It is way funny! Then the lost Goilbert and Sullivan operetta LYLE THE KINDLY VIKING is discovered. Another halarious romp. This is the first Veggie DVD and it is a nice attempt. I am sure there will be more special features to come. The storyboard speecial feature was a little lame but the interviews are nice. THe widescreen silly song was an interesting choice....END

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Midnight Son

NIce indy find.
I really enjoyed this movie, it is surprisingly well shot and paced, especially for an Indy. It has lots of atmosphere, and the director successfully creates an ever increasing sense of dread as the film unfolds. Also, the San Francisco area locations are well represented and add a nice sense of scale and intimacy to the proceedings. Some may find it less then action packed, but there is a lot of promise on display here that well cancels out whatever growing pains might be evident. Nice job.

On my top 10 list
This movie offers a fresh take on the genre. I found myself easily identifying with the main character, and the melancholic mood reminded me of Let The Right One In, another of my favorite vampire movies. The choice of the scriptwriters to focus on realism was a welcome change from the overly supernatural offerings that are so common. If you like vampire flicks that are thought provoking instead of kill-a-minute (although it has its share) get this movie.

Nicely done and better than expected
This is a very nicely done story of a man who discovers that he is turning into a vampire, while at the same time falling in love with a young woman who becomes increasingly worried about him. It was far better than expected, well acted and photographed.

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CASPER'S HAUNTED CHRISTMAS

HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!
I started watching this for about 5 minutes and it has weird animation and is not good at all! DO NOT WATCH THIS!!! (It is a waste of your life.)

Fun
My grandson loves to hear stories from when I was young, and I recently told him about Casper the friendly ghost cartoon I use to watch. He found this and loves it.

It was a good movie
I am eight years old and enjoyed this movie very much. It was fun to watch. Very entertaining and a little funny in parts.

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The Legend of Frosty the Snowman

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
When I was little my favorite thing about the holidays was the TV specials -- Rudolph, Charlie Brown and Frosty the Snowman.

This new movie is a sweet and funny follow-up to the original Frosty.

"Legend of Frosty" is great because it's a tribute to the classic holiday stories, but it also has fun with the genre.

Just like the old specials, it's hosted by a celebrity narrator. But instead of Jimmy Durante or Burle Ives, we get Burt Reynolds -- ha! Perfect choice.

The town of Evergreen is a picture-perfect place. Fans of "The Iron Giant" will love the story of a 1950s town that needs to be shaken up by a larger-than-life character. (Adding to that retro-look, the villain is a dead-ringer for Adelai Stevenson and Sgt. Bilko!) Frosty challenges the rules and conformity of the adults simply by teaching kids to play. That might sound corny or over-simple, but it's true.

The plot/characters relate back to the original Frosty. I...

The Legend of Frosty
My family and I enjoyed this movie, especially our 8 year old son. It portrays Frosty and his magic in the background of a surburban fiefdom. The voice of Burt Reynolds navigates us into the lives of several children yearning for some magic and fun amoungst the rigidness of societal norms. By the end we remember the fun of snowball fights, sledding, ice skating and appropriately breaking the rules. I recommend this movie to young families.

An instant classic!
Legend of Frosty is a warm, endearing movie that is true to the original while being original in its own right. The story, characters, and animation were on par with my favorite holiday specials, and Burt Reynolds was perfect as the narrator. More importantly, the toughest critics of all, my kids, loved it more than I did. It's a great movie to watch with the whole family.

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Casper and Wendy's Ghostly Adventures

Shorts Found On Casper and Wendy's Ghostly Adventures
On this nicely mastered DVD, you will find the following shorts:

To Boo or Not to Boo (1951)
Boo Moon (1954)
Which Is Witch (1958)
Boo Bop (1957)
The Deep Boo Sea (1952)
Spooking About Africa (1957)
Ghost of the Town (1952)
Not Ghoulty (1959)
Frightday the 13th (1953)
Fright from Wrong (1956)
Wendy's Wish (1962)
Hooky Spooky (1957)
Hide and Shriek (1955)
Boo Ribbon Winner (1954)

These are all original theatrical shorts with one exception, that being "Wendy's Wish," an enchanting episode from the 1963 TV series "The New Casper Cartoon Show." As far as I know, this short is found only on this DVD. Other shorts from "The New Casper Cartoon Show" are found on Casper's Spookiest Tales.

The 13 theatrical shorts on this DVD are also found in the 8-sided ...

Great Overview
Picked this one up to share with my young kids and was surprised to find that the cartoons included in this collection were among my favourites when I was their age. The quality of the picture and sound is great, and don't let the title fool you- Wendy only makes an appearance in a couple of the shorts. Has no bonus features at all and is rather short (which is typical of these collections), but the price was right. Minor note: the producers seem to have cut the theme song from the beginning of each short (although the credits and titles remain), instead, including it at the beginning of the playlist of 14 episodes- purists may object, but it didn't bother me- I thought it helped with the continuity of the disc. Anyway, I believe that to date this is the only pure collection out there of the classic cartoons and I'm not going to be picky- I recommend this to parents with young kids and parents with young hearts!

Where's Wendy?
This is a very good collection compared to others I have, these look great. My Grandchildren 3 & 4 love them. But I was dissapointed that it didn't have more of Wendy. Only two episodes of Wendy. The title does say Casper and Wendy's Ghostly Adventures? Casper and Wendy episodes were my favorite and I bought this thinking I would see lots of Casper with Wendy. That's the only reason I gave it 4 stars. Otherwise I highly recommend it.

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Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

The best of the Christmas movies
First, let's clear up one fact, this is NOT Claymation.It is STOP MOTION animation. Claymation has figures made of clay that are filmed one frame at a time. Stop motion has 3 dimentional puppets that are animated one frame at a time like the Ray Harryhousen figures in King Kong, Jason and the Argonaughts etc. There is a vast differance in the techniques.

This fact aside, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" is the very best of the wonderful Rankin/Bass specials. The designer for the series of holiday specials, Paul Coker, has done an exceptional job with these delightful wooden and plastic creations. We see Kris Kringle develope from a foundling baby to the Santa figure so well known today. Each stage of his development is wonderful. But then, each of the characters is designed and executed perfectly. Watch the delightful changes of the Winter Worlock from mean and evil to mellow and fun.

All the animation is smooth and precise giving the excellent illusion that these...

A CLASSIC!
"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" (Rankin/Bass Productions, 1970) is a true Christmas classic. A quintessential "animagic" or "clay-mation" production, it features the talents of Fred Astaire (who narrates the story as postman Special Delivery Kluger), Mickey Rooney (Kris Kringle), Keenan Wynn (Winter Warlock), and Paul Frees (Burgermeister Meisterburger). Frees is absolutely brilliant as the voice of the Burgermeister of the village of Sombertown, which presumably is in Scandinavia. In brief, the film explains the origins of various aspects of the legend of Santa Claus through an original story. People of all ages will enjoy "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town." Children will love the animation and the story. The rest of us appreciate that as well as the hilarious moments when Kris Kringle expresses surprise (watch his eyes swell to giant coal-black circles!). For anyone who grew up in the 1970s or 1980s, this is a gem of the pop...

Santa Claus comes to Blu-ray
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town came to ABC first in 1970, when Rankin/Bass was firing on all cylinders. The visual difference between this production and that of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is considerable, especially with regard to the immense, detailed sets and more intricate characters, designed by Paul Coker, Jr. Yes, there is the same animation "on two's and three's" as well as a few modest effects, but everything clicks within the brisk 51 minutes, none of which seem padded.

When I asked him to name a favorite special (in The Cartoon Music Book) Musical director/composer Maury Laws called this his favorite, because he thought every element was perfect, from the cast to the script to the overall feel. Fred Astaire proved added another dimension to his legendary career as one of the best narrators in any special. Mickey Rooney's bravado was ideal for the young Kris Kringle. Keenan Wynn's Winter Warlock was memorable (especially when he gets the choo-choo). And our...

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EASTER CAROL, AN

Very cute!
There's a lot to love about this DVD - it's got beautiful animation and beautiful music. The angel, voiced by Rebecca St. James, is especially lovely, and her voice is gorgeous. The mechanical chickens and the chicken rap are absolutely hysterical, and the story about Mrs. Nezzer, the Christian grandma, is extremely touching for both young and old.

However, in adapting it from Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," there are times when I thought the story dragged on a bit just for the sake of having "parallels" to the other story. Easter Future was especially convoluted. My 6yo couldn't understand why there could be no Easter just because there wasn't a pretty church nearby ("You don't need a church to believe in Jesus, right, Mommy?") It could have used some serious editing.

This is the most explicitly Christian of all the Veggie Tales videos thus far. The other ones (Jonah, Josh and the Big Wall, The Ballad of Little Joe, Madame Blueberry) all could be said to...

Best Piece of Work yet
Yes, there's no silly song :(
Yes, Bob and Larry take a back seat to Nezzar :(

But I must say this is such a solid piece of work for Big Idea, that I really can't complain. The music is excellent. The humor is very witty. The characters are very lovable. The only problem is my son just wants to see it over and over and over.

The best part of this video is that for the first time VeggieTales gives the whole Gospel message for kids. It's all here: Jesus birth, life, death, and resurrection! Unlike other VeggieTales which use Old Testament stories as a means to promote great virtues and morals, this video uses a fun story to promote the story of Jesus and the hope we receive from his victory over death. This video isn't branded "Christian" at the end with a single verse from Qwerty, rather it is thoroughly Christian through and through. The closest Big Idea got to this previously was with its Christmas videos--which rightly only focused on Jesus' birth.

This video truly rounds...

Super and Fun
Until The Passion of the Christ, the VeggieTales Movie was the highest grossing Christian movie. The Veggie tales are fun for kids and do not have that awful, cheap, washed-out look that so many Christian cartoons have. These are fresh fun and this Easter Carol would be a great addition to any home's library. the material is safe, the Easter message (and NOT the Easter BUNNY junk) is clear. Next Easter, play your The Passion DVD and this DVD for the kids and you to lighten things up once again.

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Kung Fu Magoo

Just good Mr. Magoo fun
My 8 year old loves this movie! He watches it through amazon prime. It's funny and totally Mr. Magoo antics! He has watched it many times - and laughs each time. It's a cute kid flick.

Sadly Not the Magoo I Knew
This is a sad attempt at story telling and I think destroys the Magoo character. I'm okay with revamping things from time to time for series but there's no original hear here.



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'Twas the Night Before Easter

All Flash, Little Substance
Marlee Meade (played by Petunia Rhubarb) is a young reporter in Crisper County who is tired of the veggie interest fluff pieces she normally does. She quits her job to revitalize the local theater. Teaming up with her cameraman/writer (played by Larry the Cucumber), she decided to put on a new musical "Up with Bunnies." It will premier right before Easter and use musical theater to spread hope to others.

Then she learns that local girl made good Cassie Cassava (voiced by American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle), winner of the TV talent show is going to be in town to sing at her home church on Easter Sunday. Marlee knows that if she can get Cassie to perform during opening night, she'll reach a wider audience. Can she do it? Will that really help the community?

Now please don't misunderstand what I am about to say. I found this video to be quite fun, possibly one of the funnier videos that they've put out recently. I laughed a few times at some of the pop...

Surpisingly disappointed
I have never written a review on this website before, but I was so thoroughly disappointed in this Veggie Tales movie that I had to share with other potential buyers that there is a much better Easter story for kids on the market...Easter Carol, also from Veggie Tales.

I confess to being a huge Veggie fan, and even though my kids are older now, we continue to buy the new releases and enjoy them as a family. I was surprisingly disappointed in Twas the Night Before Easter, which I found lacking in any real explanation of what Easter was, as well as so redundant of past Veggie movies (this time it isn't Larry and Bob as Cavis and Millword trying to save an old theater by stealing a star, but Petunia Rhubarb as Marlee who was committing the theft...and this time the star was a celebrity "star," not a physical light-up star...but the motives were the same in each.)

I think Big Idea is trying to hard to crank out two movies a year these days and rushing through the...

Star Of Christmas redo
We saw the promo for this on Meaningful Life ( great one, btw) and when we saw it was out, we snagged it.
except the promo is NOT what this movie is.
It's Star of Christmas redone...and not even redone well.
they even admit in the commentary that they changed it after the promo- dont elaborate on why- and that its basically the same as Star of Christmas.
They dont even touch on the True meaning of Easter- which is what i wanted and am trying to teach my children.
they LOVE the robot bunny... but thats REALLY not what i had in mind.

there have a few good veggie tales lately- this is not. avoid this one!

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Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope

Morgan Spurlock's most fulfilling film, whether you're a geek or not
The great thing about Morgan Spurlock's latest documentary, Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope, is that you don't have to be some comic book fanboy with stacks of funnybooks up to your eyeballs(like yours truly) to get it. Spurlock, the innovative and fun loving documentary film maker behind investigative pieces like Super Size Me and The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, isn't trying to expose much of anything here. He just seems content to revel in the geeky pop culture goodness, and that's why this is undoubtedly his most fulfilling film to date.

That's not to say this is Spurlock's most insightful work, because clearly it isn't. At it's core, this is a celebration of all that the San Diego Comic-Con stands as now, and that is the holy Mecca for lovers of...well, anything pop culture related. Comic books, anime, role playing, you name it and it's there. But the event has also come to be a place of opportunity for many others, and besides highlighting the adults who walk around...

A love letter
Comic-Con Episode IV is the most beautiful movie about fanboy culture I've ever come across. Morgan Spurlock has crafted this look into San Diego Comic-Con without the cynicism or sneering most movies about comic book fans/cosplayers/D&D fans/etcetera tend to come with.

The movie follows a few people and a few groups, detailing what makes Comic-Con special to them. Some people are there for their careers, some people are there to get rich, some people are there to get rare items for their collection, while some are there just for the love of the art. All valid reasons, and all beautifully touched upon. Expect some celebrity cameos, too, explaining why they too love Comic-Con.

One part of the movie they briefly touched on, but would have liked to have seen expanded, is how Comic-Con is less about Comics and more about fanboy culture in general now. That expansion has brought many more people in to the show, while leaving others alienated.

I wish I could...

Just a fun movie
This was a fun documentary to watch. It is obviously edited to make things dramatic but if you want to get a taste as to what comic-con is and a have a tear and a laugh along the way. you will enjoy this movie.

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25-Hours of America's Funnymen V.1

AMERICA'S FUNNYMEN
Mostly black and white. Some were poor with lines in them. There are better compilations out there. You should order those.





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Freak Dance

Matt Besser. CBB. Make it work.
It is no "The Dark Knight Rises," but it is a movie by the delightful Matt Besser. Show some love for the CBB - UCB - ODB homeboy and boy/rent/view his movie. It is better to live in a world where Matt Besser works hard than a world where he does the opposite.

This movie changed my life!
Not for the weak-stomached, this movie is for connoisseurs of the 1980s dance movie genre. If you weren't a wide-eyed youth when you watched "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" for the first time, "Freak Dance" may not hold the same special something. Although there is a healthy dose of shout outs to "Step Up," "You Got Served" and the like, it is "Flashdance" and "Beat Street" that this movie's roots are in. Basically, this movie is HILARIOUS!

Great Goofy Musical
This is a pretty enjoyable goofy musical, with lots of good dancing. Kind of a spoof of footloose. Full of hilarious comedians. I would have liked to see the weed fiend played by Paul Rust a little more; that character was hilarious. Unsurprisingly, the 4 funniest characters were the ones played by the seasoned UCB founders. This movie is very fun, but probably not for anyone who dislikes musicals.

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You're Nobody Till Somebody Kills You

Surprisingly Refreshing
This film by first-time feature director Michael A. Pinckney has notably refreshing elements and is definitely worth a watch.

The acting is good - especially the performances of the two police officers investigating the case, who become noticeably more natural with one another as they continue to pursue the killer. The chemistry in the budding romantic relationship between the younger officer and the young woman who works at a hip-hop magazine is also believable and fun to watch.

The play with racial roles is also refreshing, and helps to evade cliched stereotypes - both black and white characters can relate to hip-hop based on who they are as individual characters, rather than based on their race. It is also refreshing to see rap and rappers treated with an appreciation for all of their manifestations and effects, rather than simply being glorified or demonized. The film treats these subjects with humor and self-awareness.

I look forward to seeing...

THE RAP INDUSTRY IS MODERN SLAVERY
There is a slasher killing rappers and amazingly enough the cops are out looking for the guy. Two policemen take on the case. Good cop, Det. Johnson (James McDaniel) a black man who knows very little about rap and the white Det. Francelli ( Michael Mosley) who is curiously a walking rap encyclopedia and also plays the "bad cop."

The slashing is mostly at the beginning of the film. At this point it turns into a lengthy who-dun-it with street interviews for filler material and a Spike Lee message. The production attempts to roll but then sputters on dialouge. The film needed to properly space out the killings and a more thrilling way to connect the dots. Like so many 21st century African-American productions, this film was long on dialouge and short on action. Some acting would have helped.

Parental Guide: F-bombs, N-word, no sex, no nudity, some implied sex.

Okay.
This is an okay movie. I personally would watch it once, maybe in a few years again. Use your own judgment.

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The Forger

Caramel by the Sea
JHutch is an artistically-talented 15-year-old boy who's mother left him. He ends up entering-but-not-breaking into the home of an artist who eventually becomes his temporary guardian and who commissions a forged painting from him.

Basically, Everly (the artist/art dealer) takes advantage of Joshua's talent and the fact that he is a kid with no place left to go. In steps Anne Marie, who DOES in fact give a care about him. Turns out that Anne Marie and Everly have a little something in common.

Then there's Amber, who Joshua decides right away he has a thing for. He befriends her and her older brother and becomes a bit possessive of her. Amber (Hayden Panieterre) doesn't have a crucial role in this film. I think they just threw her in for a romantic element.

Still confused about the little Irish guy. I'm not sure if he's supposed to be Everly's partner or his partner, partner if you catch my drift. Either way, he's a bit annoying.

Storyline...

Great cast! Great location! Great score! Great movie!
The beautiful scenery of Carmel, in combination with a great cast and score, make this movie a great one. I really look forward to more from this director...

Stellar cast, gentle film, I wanted and expected more
THE FORGER (a/k/a CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Prod. Josh Hutcherson/Carlos De Los Rios, Writ. Carlos De Los Rios/Lawrence Roeck, Dir. Lawrence Roeck, 2012, 110 minutes) was sort of fun, humorous 'after-school-special' type drama that kept me watching.

Josh Hutcherson plays Joshua Mason, a Carmel, California kid of immense misfortune. His horrifying monster of a mother, drug addict and child abuser, abandons him in a motel room where he is later found. Though he is supposed to be 15, Joshua somehow eludes school and even foster care. He is taken under the wing of a suave art forger (Alfred Molina) who needs Joshua's immense artistic talents.

One thing simultaneously refreshing and frightening is the art forgery lesson this film teaches. Never have I seen a film specifically oriented this way, but it felt quite real to me. More real than the drama it enfolded.

Along the way he meets the wonderful, immortal Lauren Bacall as Anne-Marie, the local eccentric...

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Mac & Devin Go to High School

A Dull Stoner Comedy That's Not Even Smart Enough To Be Dumb Fun
Every generation needs its great stoner comedies! Who better than vocal supporters of the smoke, Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, to usher in a cool and contemporary new vision of high times at high school? Seemed like a great idea and I was actually rooting for "Mac and Devin Go To High School" to be a mind altering good time. Aside from a few amusing ideas, though, this Snoop Dogg production harshed my mellow. Painfully unfunny and utterly plotless, this barely even qualifies as a movie. Form start to finish, it runs just over an hour which includes two full musical numbers and a series of unrelated man-on-the-street interviews to serve as filler. Without these elements, it would be more like forty minutes. Even that might be acceptable if the movie offered any entertainment value. Not even half-baked does this qualify as fun. Its humor is almost non-existent, its performances are lifeless, and its graphics are amateurish (seriously, the special effects are done on someone's home...

Puff, puff PASS
One of the worst stoner flicks Ive ever seen. If you're looking for some Cheech and Chong, Half Baked, Jay and Silent Bob etc etc THIS AINT IT! The 2 stars is for Snoop, and the cameos. Least it was cheap through Amazon, even being that its a Blu Ray. Still a total waste of cash.

Im not a pot smoker
Im not a pot smoker, but thought it be fun, it was really bad but if I was high who knows maybe I'd love it. Unless your a pot smoker and even if you are I'd say pass. It's not as fun as you think it would be.

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VeggieTales: A Snoodle's Tale

sweet and profound
Because "A Snoodle's Tale" is different in character and appearance to other VeggieTales productions, I was a little reluctant to try it. But it has actually turned out to be a favorite of both my daughter's and mine. Softer colors and a rhyming dialogue makes this gentle and appealing to younger Veggie fans (think Dr. Seuss) without excluding the older ones, and the message, far from being a modern cliché of "just like yourself," is both sweet and profound. The little snoodle who is the hero of the tale is weighed down heavily by the demeaning pictures other snoodles have paint of him, so much so, in fact, that he is unable to fly. But eventually he learns that letting go of other's opinions and carrying only his creator's portrait of him makes him so light he can not only fly, but soar. He, in turn, gives his creator a picture he has painted, and the creator is so pleased, he puts it on his fridge. I actually got a little teary at one point.

My daughter and...

Just What Are You Worth?
The newest VeggieTale features two fun stories with a silly song sandwiched in between.

Up first is "The Strange Case of Dr. Jiggle and Mr. Sly," a hilarious spoof of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I love the original, and this adaptation is great for kids. There's nothing scary here as we learn the truth about the mysterious new Mr. Sly, wonderful disco dancer in a lesson about being true to ourselves. I especially loved the running joke about the hands and feet.

Up next is "Sport Utility Vehicle," the newest Silly Song. Here we get a lovely duet about how wonderful SUV's are. I'm warming up to it, although I must admit most of what it says is, unfortunately right on. Maybe it was just too close to home to be funny the first time around?

Finally we come to the title story. In classic Dr. Seuss fashion, we get a wonderful parable about the newest Snoodle who is trying to figure out where he fits in. When others make fun of his efforts to try things, he begins to get...

Great for all ages!!!
I own I think, all of the Veggie Tale movies, and by review from my children and I, we give this movie 5 stars! I love how they mixed in Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde in with the movie without being too scary, which made it more interesting for adults. The Snoodle's Tale was told in a Dr. Suess way which was cute for the kids, but the major highlight of this movie was the Silly Song! My kids are 2,3,7,8,8,10 and 11 and they have me put on the SUV song and repeat it over and over again. It is the best so far.

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Swinging With the Finkels

Swinging With the Finkels
Fun show. We enjoyed it. Subject matter was on target while being sweet and stright to the point. Great out come.

Very watchable adult comedy
I'm enjoying it. It's very adult orientated without being obscene and it moves along at a good pace to keep you interested. However, it's Martin Freeman who makes the movie for me and is the reason I bought my own copy after seeing it on cable. Although there's a lot of angst throughout, it ends up being a feel good movie.



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Black Limousine

Beautiful and disturbing. A little like "Drive" directed by Aronofsky. Not for everyone but I recommend it. I say B+
"It was an accident, noone is to blame, except him...that man." Jack (Arquette) is a struggling composer who takes a job driving a limousine to make ends meet. His life is a mix of AA meetings, hanging out with his young daughter and trying to get back in the business. After he gets a job driving a famous movie star he strikes up a friendship and thinks he found his way in. Little by little he tries to get his life back to how he wants, but there is always something in his way. There are some trailers for movies that give away the whole movie in the 2 minute clip and nothing is a surprise. There are trailers who give absolutly nothing away and you are left wondering what it is about. Then there is this movie. This movie is so undescribable that even the trailer doesn't do it justice. This movie is both beautiful and disturbing. This is the type of movie that makes you question everything you are seeing and wondering if it's real or a dream. I am the first person to say I don't think...

THE HIGHS ARE MORE HIGH AND THE LOWS MORE FREQUENT
The film originally had the hideous title, "The Land of the Astronauts." There is a feeling of impending doom throughout the film. The music, lighting and unshaven look of our star Jack Mackenzie (David Arquette) all work in unison to give us a noir feel. Jack is a Hollywood composer who has fallen from grace. He desires to get back with his divorced wife (Carla Ortiz) and child Kate (Jacqueline Mackenzie). He attends AA meetings, was involved in an accident were someone died and now works as a limo driver.

The limo he is driving was the scene of a brutal murder where a limo driver cut the throat of his wife. Hitch (David Jean Thomas) who reminds us of a creepy Morgan Freeman, shows Jack the photos. He also collects items left behind in limos. Jack is also attempting a comeback. He has issues with his landlady (Lin Shaye) who wants a part in a film. While at an AA meeting, Jack meets the noir femme fatale Erica Long (Bijou Phillips). She is a model, singer, and actress...

Subtle, Yet Enthralling
While this is technically a movie, it is much more. The one hour and 40 minutes of cinema are sprinkled with segments of panoramas of amazing visual effects combined with haunting background, and sometimes foreground, music, and gently pulled along by powerful acting from start to finish. It is, thus, more of an experience than a movie.
Indeed, it is not for everyone. It is meant for those who really enjoy off-beat cinema. However, it is unfortunate that more people don't enjoy an experience like this. It is even more unfortunate that, as so often happens with movies that have amazing soundtracks, the music is created by relative unknowns who have no CDs on the market, and there is not even a CD soundtrack to the movie available. In sum, if you want to hear any of this amazing music again, you have to watch the movie again. But that's not such a bad thing, because the visuals come to life again.

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The American Dream

"The American Dream" review
"The American Dream" plays much better than those jerky hand held camcorders and there's even a homage to that inserted in the movie. It still manage to retain an edge of professionally done, as I haven't experienced the nauseous seesaw feeling that one get from watching handheld movies. What movie does managed to succeed brilliantly is to haunt me. I kept thinking about long after the movie ended.
First, I want to mention that I am deaf. Though I have a cochlear ear implant, movies are not always understandable to me, no matter how loud it is. The product information does not mention closed captioning (CC) and/or English subtitles. I knew Mr. Walker-Smith was on Twitter and have tweeted him about the possibility of being sent a link to the movie's transcripts, as I've ordered the movie. I and a bunch of other loyal fans continue to follow the careers of the actors from Stargate Universe. Most of the time when I ask about these things, I'd get the standard response of "I'll look...

solid first time directorial effort
Jamil Walker Smit has put together a smart low-budget film that shows the reality of those who go off to fight for our country, the choices they make (have to make?) in order to do so and what happens when they are finally abroad. All without sacrificing heart and humor.

The American Dream
In their last 36 hours before embarking upon a different type of battleground, i.e., the war in Afghanistan, two best friends, Luis and Ronald, will capture on video their countdown moments leading up to their enlistment as Marine Corp. Luis (Jamil Walker Smith, Stargate Universe) and Ronald (Malcolm Goodwin, American Gangster) are polar opposites in terms of personalities; however, both share memories of growing up in Los Angeles and will leave behind families that express mixed emotions about their decision to fight in the war.

Luis is the lighthearted prankster and Ronald is the philosophical soon-to-be father. Luis was abandoned by his father at a very young age and then later in life by a girlfriend that moved to Brooklyn, NY. Although Luis dreams of being a filmmaker someday, his low grades didn't secure a scholarship to the University. Ronald, on the other hand, is shown reading a thought-provoking book while on a beach excursion and in another scene, talking to and...

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Veggie Tales: Gideon Tuba Warrior

Time to Trust God
The newest entry in the Veggie Tales series teaches us to trust God with two stories about His faithfulness.

First up is the story of George Mueller (Archibald Asparagus). This real man trusted God to provide everything for the orphanages he ran. This is the short segment of the DVD, and the focus is on the famous story of the morning the orphanage ran out of food. Mr. Mueller still had the kids sit down for breakfast, thanked God for the food, and then there was a knock at the door....

The main segment is the Biblical story of Gideon (Larry the Cucumber). He's more comfortable marching in a band then leading anything. Still, God calls him to defeat the invading army of pickles with no weapons and the smallest army you ever saw. Is Gideon crazy? Or will God do what He says He will do?

I don't know how the guys at Big Idea do it, but this is yet another DVD that kids and parents alike will love. The message is clear and the stories are...

The Pirates Start Pirating.
In this episode of VeggieTales, Bob finds that Larry has assisted The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything in taking over the show. They've discovered that doing nothing gets really boring and are ready to actually start doing something. After much pleading, Bob finally acquiesces, and the Pirates tell a short story about George Muller, a man who trusted in God for everything and started several orphanages. The Pirates believe the show to be finished, but Larry reminds them that normally they have a Silly Song followed by another story. At first no one has a song, but then the French Peas appear with a tune they've been working on for some time. They take over the "2nd Set" and recruit Bob into singing a song with some dancing "turtles" in a segment called "Karaoke Ukulele With Bob". After this impromptu gig, the feature story begins: the tale of Gideon. In the VeggieTale version, Gideon is a tuba-playing marching band member who plays marching and pep music for his younger brothers'...

A Story with an amazing great Lesson!
Now here is a great story that can really help to learn to trust God. The story of George Mueller talks about a true story about this great man who trusted God for everything.He never gave up and he never lost faith. Gideon is an awesome story as well. One good and great part of the story is that we learn that God never lets us down and we can trust him with the outcome. The karaoke with bob was also a wonderful treat. This is a Veggietales story that will delight the hearts of children and their families for a long time.

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