Classics : The Wizard of Oz (70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition with Digital Copy and Amazon Exclusive Set of 4 Collectible 8x10 Character

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I was just critized for foisting off the following review of the 3-disk DVD set as a review of the new Blu-ray. I didn't; Amazon did. As anyone who's been here for a while will notice, Amazon throws all DVD reviews into the same bucket, regardless of the edition. So don't blame me.

I just got the Blu-ray, and will have some comments on it at the end.

There's no need to discuss "The Wizard of Oz" itself, a classic among classics (though I'll have something to say about its "philosophy" later on). You probably want to know whether the UltraResolution transfer justifies the purchase.

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Classics : Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

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One of the brightest nuggets from Disney's golden age, this 1937 film is almost dizzying in its meticulous construction of an enchanted world, with scores of major and minor characters (including fauna and fowl), each with a distinct identity. When you watch Snow White's intricate, graceful movements of fingers, arms, and head all in one shot, it is not the technical brilliance of Disney's artists that leaps out at you, but the very spirit of her engaging, girl-woman character. When the wicked queen's poisoned apple turns from killer green to rose red, the effect of knowing something so beautiful can be so terrible is absolutely elemental, so pure it forces one to surrender to the horror of it. Based on the Grimm fairy tale, Snow White is probably the best family film ever to deal, in mythic terms, with the psychological foundation for growing up. It's a crowning achievement and should not be missed. --Tom Keogh

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Classics : The Wizard of Oz (70th Anniversary Two-Disc Special Edition)

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When it was released during Hollywood's golden year of 1939, The Wizard of Oz didn't start out as the perennial classic it has since become. The film did respectable business, but it wasn't until its debut on television that this family favorite saw its popularity soar. And while Oz's TV broadcasts are now controlled by media mogul Ted Turner (who owns the rights), the advent of home video has made this lively musical a mainstay in the staple diet of great American films. Young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), her dog, Toto, and her three companions on the yellow brick road to Oz--the Tin Man (Jack Haley), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), and the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger)--have become pop-culture icons and central figures in the legacy of fantasy for children. As the Wicked Witch who covets Dorothy's enchanted ruby slippers, Margaret Hamilton has had the singular honor of scaring the wits out of children for more than six decades. The film's still as fresh, frightening, and funny as it was when first released. It may take some liberal detours from the original story by L. Frank Baum, but it's loyal to the Baum legacy while charting its own course as a spectacular film. Shot in glorious Technicolor, befitting its dynamic production design (Munchkinland alone is a psychedelic explosion of color and decor), The Wizard of Oz may not appeal to every taste as the years go by, but it's required viewing for kids of all ages. --Jeff Shannon

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Boxed Sets : True Blood: The Complete First Season (HBO Series) (2009)

True Blood, or possibly the original series of books from which it arose, is an arresting set of stories: Faulkner says that the only thing really worth writing about (or thinking about, by extension) is the human heart in conflict with itself. The Southern United States depicted in True Blood is conflict embodied--you are a supposed to be a good Christian, and follow the rules of an established society, but you live in the middle of a swamp so dense and wild that it believably could be home to minions of Satan, like vampires.

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Boxed Sets : Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea

I live in Gardiner, Montana (location of the Roosevelt Arch) and work in Yellowstone, and I experienced firsthand the genuine passion and forthright efforts of Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan and their staff as they took their vision and turned it into a poetic masterpiece. Their years of hard work not only in Yellowstone but throughout the entire national park system have paid off, and we are the lucky beneficiaries of their skillful and spirited tenacity.

This film speaks gently and lovingly of the National Parks idea. The majestic vistas, the enlightening interviews, the background music -- woven together they demonstrate the power of "place", and fill us with a desire to further protect and honor these sacred sites.

We cannot live without the land, and we cannot live well without understanding our past. "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" is an authentic rendering of those very truths, and like all things good and beautiful, will be experienced and revered for ages to come, just as will the national parks themselves.

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Boxed Sets : Bones: Season Four

This is a great alternative to many of the main stream talked about crime TV series out there. This packs in realism, comedy, action, adventure, mystery, and psuedo-science all into one show with a cast that couldn't be more beautiful or enjoyable to watch week after week.

If you haven't seen any of these just buy season 1,2, & 3 you certainly won't be disappointed and it'll give you something to do while you wait for the DVD release of season 4. Also of note is that if you haven't seen season 1,2 or 3 you may be a little lost watching season 4 alone. The writers have done an excellent job maintaing continuity of the story line accross all the seasons so there will be many jokes, comments, and sub-plots that you simply won't understand without the past seasons.

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Blu-ray : Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Two-Disc Special

This is a tough movie to review, mostly because there is NO right answer. Some say it's a bad movie, (my sister) others say it's the best movie they every saw (My friend) And others say it's a O.k. film (me) I was mostly fascinated on the vast amount of detail the animators used on these Autobots and Decepticons. I really like the art and the beautiful colors added to the CGI and special effects. Transformers 2 is one of the most visually entertaining movies of this year. Even though the plot wasn't as good. in another note, it sometimes felt like there were alot of running around back and forth throughout the whole film. In the end, I can't say it's the best movie ever but I won't say it's the worst movie ever but If your still curious about watching it for the first time, I say rent it first before you buy.

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Blu-ray : Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo +

I was extremely excited to receive this DVD.... Upon opening it, one gets the feeling that it is truly a special edition. The packaging is very nice: the DVD box is sturdy with two openings for each disk. The pamphlet inside the DVD is gorgeously produced and very helpful.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live w/ Blu-ray packaging) [Blu-ray]
My first impression is that Disney has spent much time making this DVD user-friendly. There is an abundance of directions and drawings showing you what is on the disk and how to get there. Since there are two disks and a KINGDOM of information to pour through, these directions are very welcome (even to this seasoned DVD-viewer!)

Disney pulls out some familiar faces to make the experience as warm as possible: Disney himself appears in various footage; Angela Lansbury narrates the documentary and provides a "tour" of the disks; Michael Eisner shows up; and Barbra Streisand sings a specially recorded version of "Some Day My Prince Will Come".

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Blu-ray : Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy & BD-Live) [Blu-ray] (2009)

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is BY FAR the best movie yet!!!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy & BD-Live) [Blu-ray]

As with all the Potter movies, there's always the concern about how much damage they'll do to the story line, but they did a fantastic job! There was a perfect balance of funny with serious, which kept the movie from being too ridiculous or depressing. The audience spent a lot of the movie laughing at the antics of Harry and Ron (Ron on love potion and Harry on Felix Felicis were hilarious!). Dumbledore even has his funny moments in this film! The serious and scary parts were also remarkably well done. At one point, you could visibly see the entire theatre jump when something scary happened.

I've heard some people say the end was a tad abrupt, but in my opinion, so was the book. They left out some things, but as with all the movies, they were rather unimportant to the overall plot of the series. I liked the opening, and how it helped to bring in the events of the previous film.

All of the actors did a brilliant job, and I'm really looking forward to the quality of the final film. Half Blood Prince can definitely go down as my favorite of all the movies so

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Art House and International : The Haunted Airman (2006)

The Haunted Airman

A tour de force for Pattinson as he takes center-stage in a film that has him playing a very different role that he did in Twilight for sure. A seriously wounded airman, Jugg (Pattinson) is sent to recuperate at a secluded mansion and instead finds himself a victim... a victim of nightmares and visions. The complex conspiracy that comes to light is fueled by those around him, those he ought to trust.

Pattinson fans will thoroughly enjoy this film. Based on the novel 'The Haunting of Toby Jugg", the BBC production is well crafted and, like classic horror films, shows a slow descent into madness for the lead character. If you're a fan of Pattinson, this is a must see as he IS this film from start to finish!

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Art House and International : Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf or Death (2008)

Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf or Death

I admit to not having done my homework on this, but still... You have to be able to make an impulse purchase every once in a while without getting ripped off.

I was out shopping for a pack of batteries when I saw a new Wallace and Gromit DVD on the shelf. Didn't know Nick Park had done anything since The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, so I quickly investigated. The front of the package said "All New Animated Feature" and the running time said 87 minutes. Now "feature" to me means a full-length presentation (as in "our feature presentation")... a short might be called a featurette. So I assumed this was more than just a 30-minute short (which is what it actually is). They must have totalled all of the supplemental clips on the disc to get that "87 minute" total time. Nice.

Also, since I couldn't find a widescreen copy anywhere in the stacks, I guessed that this had been animated full screen. Wrong. Lion's Gate apparently decided to release only a butchered pan-and-scan version of the short. I didn't know anyone still did that these days. How ignorant.

While I'm sure this short is fun, it went back to the store unopened. I'll wait for a better version to show up someday.

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Art House and International : The Secret (Extended Edition) (2006)

The Secret (Extended Edition)

The Secret is one of the best produced and edited DVDs of its kind that I have ever seen. And the line-up of teachers and presenters is top-notch. There is only one reason I give this DVD four stars instead of five. The Secret is about the Law of Attraction, and how we can use that Law to "attract" into our lives anything we want. But it spends 95% of the time talking only about being focused on what you want (rather than what you don't want), and generating positive feelings about that. It only spends 5% of the time making it clear that what we really attract into our lives is the people, circumstances, and opportunities that lead us to what we want. In other words, when we utilize the principles mentioned in The Secret, doors open. But we have to recognize those doors for what they are and go through them. And that involves action. Many people who watch The Secret walk away with the impression that visualization and positive feelings is all it takes. It isn't. You still have to do something. As long as you keep that in mind, The Secret contains information that can be life altering. Enjoy!

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Anime and Manga : Princess Mononoke (1997)

Princess Mononoke

This Miyazaki movie is for keeps! This is one of the few anime films from the many I have seen, that I will give a full 5 stars. You must give yourself a chance to see this movie at least once. I will definitely buy this DVD when it comes out. Plot is set in ancient mythological Japan where humans clash with humans and damages the environment. Great story, beautiful animation, very strong character development. Lots of action. You will see that a lot of work went into this film. Too bad, I can't recommend this for kids for all ages, maybe around 15 yrs up, but you parents will be the final judge. No nudity, but there are quite a few blood and violent scenes (such as beheading). Don't get me wrong, the story does not really focus on the violence. Watch it and you will know what I mean.

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Anime and Manga : Spirited Away (2001)

Spirited Away

I've seen this movie twice and I don't usually do that kind of thing (the last time I did that was for "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" and in fact, there are some interesting similarities between the two movies). So here's the capsule: A truly excellent piece of art. Funny, moving, beautifully-rendered and thus PERHAPS a little more than slightly scary for younger kids. I think you have to use your judgment for this one, but if your kids can watch Buffy or the death of Bambi's mother, they'll be able to handle this for sure.

Miyazaki has been described as the greatest (or one of the greatest) anime directors ever and this stunningly well-textured movie is definitely his best visual work yet. In fact the only thing about this movie that was at all disappointing was the sickly music at the end over the credits but even this is part of the cultural experience of modern Asian pop culture so it has relevance even if it makes you leap for the exit as if you were pursued by a vomiting monster.

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Anime and Manga : Monsters vs. Aliens/B.O.B.'s Big Break in Monster 3D: Ginormous Double Pack

Monsters vs. Aliens/B.O.B.'s Big Break in Monster 3D: Ginormous Double Pack

I must warn you though, the actual 1hr 1/2 film is NOT in 3D.
But the 13 min short film IS, which is amazing.it doesn't work on old 2 ft wide tvs though. had to watch it on my flat screen computer in order to get the 3D effects,Which were AMAZING.

Saw this with my 11 year old son, five year old daughter, and my husband, who, like me, is 40. We all enjoyed it a lot. My son, who has a great sense of humor, thought it was one of the funniest movies he has seen, and the story was good. There aren't many kids' movies that I look forward to seeing again (besides most all of the Pixar films among a few others) but I'm planning to buy this asap.

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