On the Waterways Review

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(More customer reviews)"On the Waterways" is a beautifully photographed series. It is also a journey into the realm of small, human stories. The filmmakers were young and took the time to talk to the people who lived along the shores of the places they visited. The stories they tell and the way they are told are not flashy. All of the episodes move along at a brisk pace, but at the same time it feels as though time has slowed down long enough for the viewer to enjoy the ride. This series is almost twenty years old, so there are probably a lot of things that have changed. However, this does not change the charm and the beauty of the scenes. It's a bit like looking at old photographs of a favorite vacation.

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Narrated by Academy Award © winning actor JASON ROBARDS For three years, the Driftwood, a 60-foot motor yacht, and its modern-day band of explorers traveled along 25,000 miles of North American waterways rediscovering the sites and sounds of a continent that has fascinated and challenged adventurers for hundreds of years.Join the crew of sailors and young filmmakers in this 13-part series as they sample the substance, the spirit and the extraordinary stories of people who live along rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Includes the entire 13-part series: The North Atlantic The Western Gulf Coast Florida The Upper Mississippi The South Atlantic Lake Superior The Hudson River & The Erie Canal The Ohio Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Lake Michigan & The Illinois River The Lower Mississippi The Eastern Great Lakes The Mid-Atlantic

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American Teen Review

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(More customer reviews)American Teen begins with the echoing, bouncy guitar riffs from the Black Kids' I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You leading most of the public to think that this is yet another vapid movie about teenagers and the predictable storylines that usually accompany them. However, despite its Breakfast Club mock-up poster, there's something different about American Teen. Even though it's a documentary, the movie's advertising and beginning make it appear more as fiction rather than non-fiction. This documentary, brought to us by Nanette Burstein - who directed The Kid Stays in the Picture, a documentary bio about producer/actor Robert Evans - is shot in an attractive, contemporary style that brings a usually-dreaded genre (documentaries) to an audience (teenagers) that label them as such. With animated sequences and a stellar soundtrack, Burstein delivers a fun, truthful look into the lives of four high school seniors during their final school year.
Taking a cue from the classic generation-defining 1985 John Hughes teen movie The Breakfast Club, the teaser poster already sets up the tone for the "characters," featuring the students in the same poses and clothes as the characters from Hughes' cult classic. There's Hannah, in the place of Ally Sheedy's self-proclaimed "freak/loner" Allison Reynolds; Colin, in the place of Emilio Estevez's jock Andy Clark; Megan, in the place of Molly Ringwald's "princess" Claire Standish; Jake, in the place of Anthony Michael Hall's geek Brian Johnson; and, although advertised as a major character is actually just a reoccuring face, Mitch, in the place of Judd Nelson's rebel John Bender (which is not justified because Mitch is really the "popular pretty-boy." The main four characters are easily-lovable Hannah, teen "queen bee" Megan, likeable jock Colin, and quiet unpopular nice-guy Jake. Most politically correct people would say that there are no easy stereotypes in high school. Well, I hate to break it to these people, but ... there are. Although there are mixes of these archetypes (i.e. the rebel and the geek), unfortunately, high school life -- no matter where you grow up -- is this categorized.Watching the documentary, the audience can tell that director Burstein obviously identifies with Hannah, the all-things-art student who, like a majority of high school seniors, longs to escape the humdrum existence within mid-West territory Warsaw, Indiana. Like most characters in fictional films, all of the "characters" in this documentary are easy to relate to, but, unlike most fictional films -- particularly teenage films -- this film is the real world. Budding romances don't pan out, friendships don't always last, and the ending doesn't end on a "and-they-lived-happily-ever-after" vibe. And that's the brilliance of this documentary. What makes American Teen so real is that, despite its modern alternative band soundtrack and contemporary, MTV-style clothing, it shows the audience the excruciating pain and overwhelming joy that both come with our memories and experiences of high school existence.
Some critics have noted that there are no African-American or gay/lesbian representation in this film, but I seem to laugh at those labels since both groups have supposedly never wanted to be singled out and therefore wanted to be treated nothing but equal. So, why do we need a "gay character" or "African-American character"? What makes American Teen so endearing is that it focuses more on those traits that every kid (regardless of race, religion, or sex) falls into during their high school years: a jock, a princess, a loner/rebel, a pretty-boy, a geek/nerd.
Most PC folk would say that it's completely close-minded of me to say that the high school hierarchy consists just of these stereotypes. I hate to break the news to these people, but it's true. When you're that age and in high school, that's all there really is to focus on. Your world is broken down into superlatives and trivial gossip and rumors. Still, even teenagers go through their serious life-altering events and that's what's at the heart of American Teen.
Rebel/outcast Hannah -- who I can tell Burstein identified with just by the way she filmed her -- longs to get out of her sleepy town and head to California. But what's hindering her is her fear that she might inherit the manic depression that's seized her mother. Besides her love-life, we get to witness her passions and her quirkiness that endears her to much of the audience. Then there's Hannah's social extreme opposite, Megan, a bitchy princess who deals with more than most her age. Not only is she pressured by her family to get into Notre Dame, but she's also dealing with the emotional repurcussions of her older sister's suicide. Colin, the star jock, has only one shot at his future: receive a basketball scholarship or join the Army to get tuition since his family doesn't have enough money. Lastly, there's Jake, who's teenage awkwardness and video game lifestyle alienates him from most ... especially girls. All he wants is to go someplace where he can start over and not be known as a nobody. All of these kids reflect something that anyone in the audience probably could relate to or reminisce and think, "That was me!"
Overall, I really enjoyed this documentary, but like most documentaries, I want to know what happened to the "characters" long after the filming ceased. One can only hope that maybe the DVD (by the time it's released) might have some "where are they now" special feature. I don't know if American Teen would be worth buying the DVD, but it's definitely worth a watch ... especially for parents. Watching the movie, I think, and am reminded, how intense growing up can be during that transition from kid to young adult. I think of how my children will feel and think when they're making that transition, and I only hope that I can be an important base of support for them. In the modern age of MTV's The Hills - The Complete First Season, with all its decadence and style, American Teen brings us to a normal teenage world that shows kids in a more realistic light -- one which we can all relate. And that's the movie's (and Burstein's) success.

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Never Back Down (Single-Disc Edition) (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)I just got back from seeing Never Back Down and I have to say this movie was awesome! I really was not expecting much and figured this would be a Fight Club rip off. After watching it it was nothing like I expected and I ended up being really entertained and got in to the whole story. Sean Faris plays Jake Tyler a high school football player, who is dealing with the guilt of his fathers death. When his mom moves the family to Orlando Jakes fighting and angry past follow him. He meets a girl named Baja who is being used by her boyfriend Ryan to get Jake to fight him. Baja lures Jake to a party only to have Ryan beat him up pretty badly. After being humiliated Jake takes his friend Max's advice to learn a mixed-martial from a man named Jean Roqua. He will not only learn valuable lessons and discipline to deal with his angry past, but also to settle a score and define himself. In the tradition of Fight Club, The Peaceful Warrior and a bit of inspiration from The Fast and The Furious movies Never Back Down is one action packed rush!

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Genre: Feature Film-Action/AdventureRating: UNRelease Date: 29-JUL-2008Media Type: DVD

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Hetalia: Axis Powers - The Complete First Season Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been following the manga and anime since the series debuted in Japan. My biggest fear for the dubbing of "Hetalia" was that it would be stripped of everything not PC (which is literally the entire show). However, in the English version, the jokes are more offensive and the innuendo more rampant. The Japanese version skirted around any Nazi references, but the English version throws one in no more than a 2 minutes into the first episode. Couple that with America referring to Russia as "cannon fodder" and you've got yourself a winner of a show. If you're easily offended then this is obviously not the series for you, though I appreciate the culture clash and parodying of stereotypes. Of course, I also laugh at dead baby jokes.
Fans of the series might complain about the dialogue changes, which, from what I've seen, capture the spirit of the situation but contain altered jokes. Some of the voices are taking me a while to get used to, but overall I think the dubbing was well done. If I hadn't watched the Japanese version, I probably wouldn't think twice about judging the English voices. It's simply hard not to compare when you're used to something else.
I am impressed by the script changes and actually like the English dialogue more than the original. I'm basing my opinion on the few short clips FUNimation has put on YouTube, but I have high hopes for the rest of the series.

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Forget everything you learned in history class, and imagine all the nationsof the world as cute guys hanging out on a wildly inappropriate reality show. Now, toss in every stereotype ever and prepare to pledge allegiance to your favorite superpower in Hetalia Axis Powers!
Maybe you\'ll surrender to Italy\'s charms. He\'s a sweetie who\'s always got a noodle in his mouth and he\'s bff with blue-eyed Germany and shy Japan. Sounds nice, right? Of course, their friendship sort of causes world war II, but is that really such a big deal? Not if it means those adorable allies France, America, and England will be stormin\' the beach! No matter who comes out on top, victory is yours! Now ditch your textbooks and try to keep up, because history happens fast in Hetalia Axis Powers!

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Squidbillies, Vol. 2 (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Hands down the best show featuring land dwelling cephalopods ever made. One thing the show has going for it is a total disregard for continuity. It's fun seeing characters mutilated or killed repeatedly. Also, it is a show about hillbilly squids. They live in Northern Georgia and are protected by the Endangered Species Act so they're free to raise hell. In addition to the squids other regular characters include a Sheriff and an evil capitalist named Dan Halen that looks like a....I don't know. He has no knees and looks like half a ball sac. He talks like Orson Welles and is immortal and then there is Krystal. And well, come to think of it, you got a bunch of great characters including the Reverend (another bizarre creation) and the Devil and Jesus too --both as you've never seen them before. Anyway, I've seen hillbilly shows and hillbillies in person and the same with squids and putting the two together to make one creature makes perfect sense. The animation is superb. Crude and decadent as it should be. One aspect of the show that I love is the narration featured on some episodes. Cracks me up like an Easter egg. Just the tone of it. The second volume is even better than the first one. Do it to it.
6 Stars.

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Item Name: Squidbillies, Vol. 2; Studio:Turner Home Ent

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The Shield: Season Two Review

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(More customer reviews)Critics are a lot like infants. They want new toys, and they want them now, because none of the old ones is good enough. The sophomore backlash against The Shield began on schedule with the first published reviews of Season 2: One-dimensional performances, excessive violence, blah blah blah.
If only they had watched more than two episodes. The first two episodes of S2 were distinguished by brilliant writing and acting, but episode 3, Partners, was the best of the season. Partners is proof positive that Chiklis deserves his Emmy nomination (and that co-star Benito Martinez and guest star Carl Weathers should have been nominated as well).
The critics were outraged over Chiklis' repeat Emmy nomination, but, as rogue detective, Vic Mackey, Chiklis is even better this time around, trying to set limits on a life gone out of control. His scenes with guest stars Weathers and Mark Rolston, Cathy Cahlin Ryan (as estranged wife, Corinne), and Walton Goggins (both appealing and scary as Vic's partner, Shane), were masterful.
Even better is Benito Martinez, subtle, volcanic, and fiercely intelligent as the reviled, ambitious City Council candidate Capt. David Aceveda. Martinez is heartbreakingly adept at letting silence speak for him. The look in his eyes, whether he is defying his campaign manager or having a showdown with his new boss, conveys all the moral struggle, passion for justice, and yearning for something better that are The Shield's major themes. Michael Jace also brings a quiet strength and deep, abiding kindness to his role as closeted beat cop, Julien Lowe. These two were the best actors on the show this season, and my only complaint about Season 2 is that they didn't get more screen time. Both bring awsome natural talent and presence to their roles.
Kenneth Johnson's Lem is likeable, as is new Strike Teamer, Brian White (Tavon Garris), and I look forward to seeing more of these watchable actors next season. Jay Karnes is always on the money as Dutch, the squad room scapegoat with daddy issues.
The Shield has always featured outstanding guest performances and S2 is no exception. The astounding Jamie Brown as hooker/informant, Connie; Danny Pino as the relentless drug lord, Armadillo; Weathers as Vic's down-and-out ex-partner, Joe Clark; the terrific Camilla Sanes as Capt. Aceveda's pragmatic, politically savvy wife, Aurora; and Rolston as a P.I. who turns emotional baggage into a contagious disease, are all superb.
The Shield's music supervisor, Evyen Klean, is in top form, too. The S2 soundtrack features brilliant scene-to-song matches, and other, larger networks are taking notice. The transcendent 'Aleluia Melisma', from unsigned artist, Steve Edwards, isn't available commercially. Yet, a few months after it was featured in S2's soundtrack, it showed up on one of the hottest new shows from one of the Big Three networks. S2's final montage -- set to Live's "Overcome" -- is every bit as good as last season's capper, and recalls Miami Vice in its brilliant fusion of music and images.
As usual, The Shield was there first. Ignore the critics and check it out.

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SHIELD:COMPLETE SECOND SEASON - DVD Movie

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Bosom Buddies: The First Season (1980) Review

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(More customer reviews)I like Bosom Buddies when it was an 1980's show. You heard Billy Joel's My LIfe as tne theme song. A young Tom Hanks, a pre-Newhart Peter Scolari. Telma Hopkins, (The late great) Wendy Jo Sperber, Holland Taylor and Donna Dixon. It was "Some Like It Hot" in a boarding house. Hanks and Scolari sold us Kip (buffy) and Henry (hildy) to save money. It was two guys trying to woman for less rent. it was a cute, fun little show that was good for a few laughs
Now the DVD incarnation is not great. Some of the shows seemed over edited, as these were the syndicated shows and NOT the original masters. It is missing Billy Joel's My Life for some lame theme which does not work against the opening credits. There are NO extras to speak of and the stuff thats here is not up to quality
Paramount/CBS video should have known better. They should have spend a few extra dollars and gone for the best (like Billy Joel's My Life), not like the Mama's Family (see the reviewe) [...] that Warner Brothers heaped upon us last year. Yes, It seems cut
It is worth it to see a young Tom Hanks, but PLEASE PARAMOUNT/CBS get us the real thing and not wash out, syndicated shows that seem cut to ribbons and my opinion destroyed, that why only 3 stars
Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

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Kip and Henry work at an advertising agency as an artist and writer respectively. When the apartment that they were living in was condemned, they had no place to live. So Amy their co-worker, who has a crush on Henry, suggests that they stay with her but the only the problem is that it's for girls only. So they get into drag and assume the personas of Buffy and Hildegarde. When Kip meets Sonny, Amy's attractive roommate, he is smitten and when they learn that there's a vacancy in the building, Kip convinces Henry to take it so he can be close to Sonny, and so that this experience might be good material for a book that Henry can write.

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The Wayans Bros - The Complete First Season (1995) Review

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(More customer reviews)I love the Wayans Bros. DVD. The whole family is hilarious. I don't care what anyone says this show is funny. Marlon is a complete nut "Help me..help me please!" I hope they release season 2 as well! Pops is a trip,too.In addition to this DVD I recommend "In living Color Season 2" and "White Chicks" !!

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Comedians Shawn and Marlon Wayans ("In Living Color") star as two brothers with little more in common than their family name, the one-bedroom brownstone they share in New York City and an innate ability to disagree, disrupt and dis', in this outrageous half-hour comedy.

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Magnum P.I.: The Complete Seventh Season (1980) Review

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(More customer reviews)Magnum P.I. is my favorite TV show of all time. It ran for 8 seasons. Season 7 contains some of the very best episodes of the series. Here are the episodes:
L.A. - While in Los Angeles to do some work for Robin Masters, Magnum meets Dana Delany. While some fans of the series love this episode, it's never been high on my list. I don't hate it either, but I don't see much special about it. This episode is two hours long.
One Picture is Worth - Magnum protects a woman who was a witness to a bank robbery/murder. There's a cliché scene where Magnum and the woman are hiding in a remote shack, and the bad guys are outside shooting at them, and the shack gets set on fire.
Straight and Narrow - A woman whom Magnum had met in the season 6 episode "The Hotel Dick" now hires Magnum to find her missing sister.
A.A.P.I. - Magnum tries to solve the murder of a famous French detective, who was poisoned at a convention of private investigators. There are also some dream sequences along the lines of 1940s film noir.
Death and Taxes - Magnum keeps getting phone calls which are either from a prankster, or from a crazy serial killer. This is one of the better episodes of this season.
Little Girl Who - This episode is one of the reasons why season 7 is a must own for fans of the series. This is a continuation of the wonderful "Memories Are Forever" from season 2. Just like that episode, this one is emotional, powerful, well written, well acted, and a real tear jerker.
Paper War - This is another one of the gems from this season. In one of the funniest episodes of the series, Magnum and Higgins repeatedly up the ante in an ever escalating series of practical jokes against each other. Magnum's mentioning of having an uncle named Otis who worked as an elevator operator is a joke that not everyone will get, but the point of the joke is that there is a real life elevator company named Otis. This is one of the best episodes of the series.
Novel Connection - This is the first episode of a two part crossover with "Murder She Wrote." I really enjoy the scenes with Angela Lansbury, whose acting performances are always a joy to watch. But the other guest actors are nowhere nearly as interesting.
Kapu - After being shot, Magnum wakes up on a small island and is taken care of by the natives.
Missing Melody - After 7 seasons, the writers of the show decided that T.C. was divorced and has two children. T.C.'s daughter gets kidnapped. I think the writers must have been pretty desperate for ideas when they wrote this one.
Death of the Flowers - Magnum tries to help his friend Carol to find out if a judge is taking bribes.
Autumn Warrior - Higgins takes a bunch of teenage juvenile delinquent brats on a survivalist trip into the wilderness.
Murder by Night - This is a nice homage to 1940s film noir.
On the Fly - This time it's T.C.'s turn to get shot.
Solo Flight - While mountain climbing alone, Magnum gets bitten by a centipede, and ends up trapped under the wreckage of an old World War II fighter plane. Magnum has lots of flashbacks, and we see many clips from previous episodes. The guy who played Mr. Roper on "Three's Company" also appears.
Forty - Magnum celebrates his 40th birthday, and falls in love with a reporter.
Laura - Frank Sinatra gives an absolutely wonderful performance - not as a singer, but as a retired police officer. I won't spoil the plot for you. This is a very good episode
Out of Sync - Dana Delaney comes to Hawaii to play the same character that she had played earlier this season.
The Aunt Who Came to Dinner - Magnum's aunt comes to visit. Apparently she has Alzheimer's disease. This is about as interesting as those ABC Afterschool Specials.
The People vs. Orville Wright - Rick confesses to having committed murder. This is a pretty good episode. But the most important thing is that the ending sets up the beginning of the next episode.
Limbo - When it originally aired, this was to be the last episode of the series. This is an extremely moving, emotional episode. I won't spoil the plot for you. I will say that this episode is absolutely essential viewing for fans of the series - if you only watch one episode form season 7, I recommend that it be this one. The song playing throughout much of the episode is "Looking For Space" by John Denver from his 1975 album "Windsong." After this episode aired, they decided to do one more season.

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Magnum is back and better than ever in all 21 action-packed episodes of Magnum P.I.: The Complete Seventh Season! Tom Selleck returns as TV's most charming Primetime Emmy® Award-winning detective, heating up the exotic streets of Hawaii with his hot red Ferrari and top-notch investigative skills. Along for the ride are everyone's favorite characters - Higgins, TC and Rick - as well as Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote in a special crossover episode. From exploring a secret island to chasing kidnappers and surviving his fortieth birthday, you won't want to miss a minute of the excitement in this fantastic 5-disc set!

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