The Impossible

A Family Divided: This True Life Disaster Drama Serves Up An Emotional Gut Punch
Going into a movie like "The Impossible," I knew exactly what to expect. Based on the real life experiences of Maria Belon (who takes a story credit) and her family, the film focuses on the harrowing tsunami that devastated Thailand in 2004. "The Impossible" never attempts to be anything more than it is and that is much to its credit. In a waking nightmare, the simple story highlights one family affected by the trauma. Separated, injured, and scared beyond belief, it recounts the struggle to stay alive and the quest to reconnect. This is NOT a film about plot, however, for the outcome is predetermined (and pretty much given away in the marketing even if you haven't heard any peripheral information). This is solely about the journey. And with a handful of remarkable performances and with sweeping effects, the movie works on an entirely visceral level that is likely to leave you emotionally drained. While perhaps not perfect, it is a gut wrenching experience that is hard to shake...

A 12-year-old Boy Became a Man
I just watched a 12-year-old boy become a man. After 114 grueling minutes of calamity piled upon disaster followed by tragedy, I got a lump in my throat along with the rest of the audience as we saw a dauntless family do its best to cope with a vacation gone very, very wrong. "Lo imposible" is based on a book by María Belón which in turn was inspired by true events that occurred during the catastrophic tsunami that devastated southeast Asia in 2004.

We follow:
* Naomi Watts ("J. Edgar") is María, a physician who has suspended her career to raise a family.
* Ewan McGregor ("Salmon Fishing in the Yemen") is Henry, her husband, who has concerns about his job but most particularly whether or not he re-set the house alarm when they left for their vacation.
* Tom Holland (voice:"The Secret World of Arrietty") is Lucas, a mildly rebellious tween but a good kid. Once he and his badly injured mother are stranded in the bewildering detritus...

Not since 12-yr old Christian Bale's Performance in Empire of the Sun has a young man given such a tremendous performance
The young Tom Holland brings heart, soul, and courage to his performance. Much of the emotion in the film is expressed through his reactions.

Naomi Watts was also stellar.

This was not a sugar-coated account of the tsunami, but rather real, raw, and powerful. Of course, I had to google the real family. What an amazing story.

Makes you want to go and hug all of your loved ones.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project (Touki Bouki / Redes / A River Called Titas / Dry Summer / Trances / The Housemaid) (Criterion Collection) BLU-RAY/DVD DUAL FORMAT EDITION

awesome release !
come on people. i dont get what problems you have with the price of this boxset. you get 6 master pieces of cinema history from CRITERION on bluray and DVD here. retail price = 120$ / 6 movies = 20 bucks each. thats what you pay @ B&N in a criterion sale for a single movie. and now you get these 6 movies for 65$ ... something is really wrong with people if you keep complaining about a price like this.

and if you hate the DVDs so much, sell them, give it to a friend that has no bluray player... doh.

Dual Format
It appears the price reflects the number of discs enclosed i.e.. Blu-ray and DVD format which is forcing us to buy both versions and makes the collection bulky to fit in my collection which is running out of space. I prefer the slim boxes and choice or either format rather than both. Criterion should reconsider their market when they package these new releases.

$125 MSRP, REALLY?
Is not the MSRP a bit high on Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project @3 BDs for $125? And this is for a set which does not appear to be extra-feature rich == no commentaries, no alternate/earlier films == perhaps (but hopefully not) less context than may be needed to better appreciate the films it contains.

The MSRP of $125 would really seem to want to be no more than $80 to be consistent with every other Criterion BD set, DVD set and the other recently announced combined BD/DVD releases. Here's just some examples...

1) 3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman
4 BDs OR
5 DVDs
MSRP $100 ==
$25 / BD OR
$20 / DVD

2) Zat

Combat!: The Complete Series

Repackaged and ready to hit the beach!!!!
an absolute baby boomer favorite (I should know I was in LOVE with this show as a kid).... I saw it for 99 bucks today at Costco and THAT is why I am writing to let folks know that as of 11/7 it is already on the shelf and barely under a hundred bucks. I have the previous edition and from what I understand nothing (other than packaging) has changed....

This show followed a small group of men throughout WW2 and while the Lt Hadley (Rick Jason) was picked to be the star , in short order Sargent Saunders , played by Vic Morrow , stole the show out from under his pretty nose and became a hero to all us kids in the 60's. Shot on the back lot in Los Angeles and featuring directors like Richard Donner and the late great Robert Altman and guest stars galore from James Coburn to Lee Marvin... this collection is essential to my DVD collection. The first seasons were all black and white with the final in Color. In my opinion the series didn't yet run out of gas but was pulled for...

this rerelease of Combat contains the same material, but at a lower price...
The ABC series Combat (1962-67) followed the adventures of a small group of American GI's who land in France on D-Day, and engage the enemy in battle for five seasons. Producing a prodigious 152 one hour episodes, Combat remains the longest running World War II drama in television history.

Vic Morrow, who would tragically perish in 1982, during the filming of Twilight Zone: The Movie, played Sergeant "Chip" Saunders, who's weapon of choice was usually a Thompson submachine gun. Previously known for playing mostly heavies, Morrow became a TV icon, as the heroic Saunders.

Morrow and Rick Jason, who played Lieutenant Gil Hanley, were the only actors to appear in every episode. Other key members in the squad were PFC Paul "Caje" LeMay (Pierre Jalbert), PFC William Kirby (Jack Hogan), BAR toting PFC "Little John" (Dick Peabody), and "Doc" (Conlan Carter).

Focused on the experiences...

COMBAT - ALL 5 SEASONS
First 4 seasons in Black & White and 5th season in COLOR.
Vic Morrow is superb and carries the whole show. WWII Combat at it's best.
High quality Black & White productions with detailed fighting & combat scenes.
The best all around Combat series in the history of Television.
It is also a FAMILY WATCHABLE Production.
I Highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed 60s television...
Watch and wait for the best price....152 Total episodes at about 46 minutes each.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Mommie Dearest [HD]

Dunaway Is As Good As Brando Ever Was
I don't know if this review will reach anyone. Hopefully someone. This dvd is a must for anyone who has seen this film and loved it or anyone who wants to see it. Also an excellent way to learn more about Joan Crawfod and more importantly, Faye Dunaway.

Dunaway disowns this part and I think I get why. The part took its toll on her emotionally and is, in my opinion, one of the greatest screen performances ever on film. And what did this gifted actress get in return? Bad reviews, jokes and a "cult" film on her behalf. Come on, I wouldn't really want to talk about it either.

Dunaway did take the time to express some feelings in her book Looking For Gatsby. So I would appreciate it if all you reviewers on amazon who trashed this film or (God help us) Dunaway herself, to read about the time and effort she put into this performance and how she did it. I'm sorry but i'm tired of people laughing at this movie and not taking it seriously. You can't throw descriptions...

Mommie Dearest - an underrated film
I've always believed that this film has been misunderstood. Admittedly I can understand why people would laugh at scenes like the one where Faye Dunaway shouts to her daughter, "Tina bring me the ax!" But is child abuse really funny? I don't think so. I must admit that the scenes of child abuse, perhaps exploitative, are chilling and realistic. Thanks to the vivid performances by Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid and the actress who played young Christina, you really feel like you are in that house with these characters. You just want Joan to stop.

Faye Dunaway's career has never been the same since this film since it is now regarded as a camp classic, yet I think this is one of her best performances. She makes Joan a complicated woman: cruel, irrational, beautiful, pathetic, perhaps mentally ill and yet also sympathetic.

I don't know how accurate the film is and unfortunately Joan Crawford was never able to defend herself, but the film is based on the book, and it is...

"Say it like you mean it!"
Faye Dunaway portrays Joan Crawford realistically and vividly in this emotionally-charged "true" story. She is excellent because she captures the desperation and vulnerability of the Movie Queen as well as her neuroses and ruthlessness. At stages, her mannerisms, voice and look are uncannily like Crawfords. I remember a review of a Joan Collins film called "The Bitch" in which a reviewer said "Only for campaholics who delight in the misfortunes of aging actresses." Doubtlessly, this film will attract this element, but lets hope viewers also see Crawfords pain as well as her toughness. She fought her way from scrubber to star. Is it any wonder that in her lower ebbs, she scrubbed floors to metaphorically keep everything perfect? One can empathise with Christina's bewilderment at her mothers outbursts, but we also see Crawfords difficulties. Some scenes are campy and superficial, but interest never wanes. Some scenes (especially near the end) are...

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Arrangement

Entertained to the maximum!!
This show is absolutely fantastic. I love the nerdy movie references, and the jokes and the situations that they create.
Their case plots are really good. They have built up the characters really well and I cant wait to see what happens in the
3rd season. I zipped past the first 2 seasons in 3 days.. (yes I know, I should get a life) and I can't get enough of it.
Miss this at your own peril!!

Suits Season 3
Can you believe a series on lawyers, and the writers are mature enough they don't have to use the "fxxx" word, how novel is that at last, THANK YOU so much!!! Real scripts, beautiful drop dead gorgeous women and clothes you would die for: Jessica, Donna, Rachel no better and Harvey, Mike, Luis just fantastic--I've bought both Seasons 1-2 and can hardly wait for Season 3, real life drama issues in and out of the office, watch and buy it you won't be disappointed! (I'd rate it 10 stars it's "Outstanding"!!!

Awesome
We love suits and this was no exception. Too bad it's not prime eligible yet. That'll teach me to set the DvR

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Weight Loss Yoga

Great interactivity and instruction on poses--plus it's fun!
Great Yoga DVD, especially for those new to yoga. I've had a good handful of yoga classes and my husband's had a few. We both really benefit from Bob's instruction, particularly on form. It's one thing to say, "keep your back straight," or "make sure you watch your form," but Bob instructs as if you've never had a yoga class in your life, which is good--both for newbies and those of us who aren't experts yet. He actually shows you what good knee alignment looks like. Or tells you how it should feel. I agree with one of the reviewers that it's a little awkward (okay, a lot awkward) to be in a yoga pose and have to look up at the TV, but that's really the same as being in class--I would have to look at an instructor to see what's going on sometimes--but after a week or two of doing this, you get the hang of it and know what to do.

The BEST part of the Biggest Loser videos are the interactive menus so you can select what kind of workout you want to do. What an AWESOME...

Love It !!!!
I hesitated buying this DVD because as a yoga teacher, good routines are hard to find. This is the way I was trained back in the 1960's; holding the poses to build strength and stamina.
I am pleasantly surprised and have put it in my workout rotation. You learn yoga better when you hold the poses; if you learn from a moving flow you tend not to watch your form as
well. If your thinking of trying yoga, this would be a good place to start.

AMAZING!
I ordered this product during the pre-sale so I got it the tuesday that it was released. I'm new to yoga but I must say that this was one of the best workouts I've ever done. I read about how yoga has changed so many peoples lives and to be honest, I wasn't buying it. But, now, I'm starting to believe that maybe there is something to it. Bob is so motivating (not to mention easy on the eyes)! The moves are simple and easy to follow, but you can feel your heart racing and your muscles working with every move and stretch. Of course, I'm presently on Level I, but I'm looking forward to moving up in the next few weeks. Buy it! Now! :)

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Seventh Season

Still keeps me laughing
I can tell this series is well made, because I've grown to care about the characters, and I'm interested to see what is going to happen to them next. This show still hits on all cylinders, and one of the few comedies that actually can make me laugh out loud, not once, but several times during each episode. It's nice to see a comedy doing so well that appeals to the higher side of human nature, rather than most of the garbage that is on the tube these days.

Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur....

knock knock knock Penny knock knock knock Penny knock knock knock Penny
Hey you guys!! We've only seen the first 3 episodes of Season 7 and you're already reviewing the whole season?? You should be ashamed of yourselves...I'm going to sic Sheldon on you for corporal punishment. No...wait...you'd like that. Well, no "Soft Kitty" for you then. Now go play rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock or D&D and wait for the season cliffhanger.

Seriously, I caught the very first episode despite the stupid ad campaign about the nerds finally "getting the pretty chick," the stereotypical dumb blonde at that. I fell in love instantly. There's a reason Jim Parsons won his 3rd Emmy of just 6 seasons: he's hilarious. Sheldon could SO easily have gone the other way, being too mean-spirited and arrogant to like while the other characters just rotate around him, frustrated and sad. But he gets put in his place...no, not his spot...enough to keep a lid on. His comedic timing is unparalleled. Howard used to be my least favorite character but he's really grown...

Awesome Show
I love this show. I could watch it every day if possible, it never gets old. For me it's timeless.

Click to Editorial Reviews