Prehistoric Planet/Allosaurus - A Walking With Dinosaurs Special (1992) Review

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(More customer reviews)When I was a little kid, I used to dream of a world teeming with dinosaurs. I used to imagine what it would have been like when those skeletons I saw on exhibit lived, and how someone needed to play tour guide to that realm and how I should twist the handle. Sadly, no matter how I tried that doorway, it always remained closed, my time machine not quite working the way I would have intended, and dinosaurs were left either in bone formation or in the movies as monsters.
There was never an in-between.
With the creation of the Walking With Dinosaurs series, however, everything began to change and I, still that boy with an interest in that hobby, found myself addicted. The key that separated this series and made it "unique" - a word I try to use sparingly - is in the way the dinosaurs, our main actors and actresses, are portrayed. Instead of turning then into a depiction of a colossal, toothy menace or dryly discussing their lifespan in the way one discusses ancient relics, the series showcases dinosaurs by allowing one to walk with them through their terrain. From the flora and the fauna, the insect life and dinosaurs themselves, a depiction of CGI effects, prosthetics, and of "dinosaur knowing" comes to life. Here, you see the landscape the way it would have been, the animals roaming free and observed naturalistically, and the experience is incredible because it looks so vibrantly realistic.
In Allosaurus: A Walking With Dinosaurs Special, the Allosaurus "Big Al" is showcased as he struggles from the cradle while trying to grow into something fearsome. In sixty minutes, the fifteen years from the egg to the eventual demise it faces are depicted, showing a person that going to the head of the class wasn't easy in that age. Here, other dinosaurs walk as well, and the efforts of one of the top predators of its age seem a tad on the hard side - making me rethink the allure of being the biggest kid on the block. Survival while growing, it is dramatic and enlightening experience, and its pretty interesting how harrowing an introduction can be and how brutal it can be.
For anyone that has yet to watch this series, I'd recommend tuning in as soon as possible and catching up on all those moments you missed out on. I would recommend starting with Walking With Dinosaurs, however, and moving on from there. Still, that is far from being a bad thing. Besides this video that focuses on Big Al and a few of species, other DVDs house other forms of life that are entrancing. Wonderfully fast predators, Megladons swimming the high tides and eating enough to be interesting, and other strange species await you. And they, all the DVDs released thusfar in this series, simply look fantastic.

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PREHISTORIC PLANET/ALLOSARUS - DVD Movie

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Civilisation: The Complete Series (1969) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you have never seen this series before and are interested in art history, you just landed in a honey jar. Clark takes us on a 1,500 year journey through Western Civilization starting roughly at the end of the Roman Empire and ending in mid 20th century. He tells us straight out that his aim was to follow the history of Western European civilization as seen through the eyes of its artists. Why the limitation to only Western European civilization? Apparently, Lord Clark wanted to keep the series to a manageable length. The series is over 13 hours long as it is, and one can only wonder what it would have gone on to become had he included the Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Asian, African and Pre-Columbian cultures. The mind boggles. With Civilisation, Clark has done an incredible job of showing us the amazing cultural legacy left by our European forebears. And at the end he reminds us that this is only a fraction of what was actually achieved. You will recognize many of these works. Others will not be so familiar. But they carry the weight of historical significance, and everyone with at least a four year college education should be aware of the general drift of Clark's presentation. He finished this program for the BBC in 1969. It was an immediate success and you can also find the book of the same name which was a popular spinoff of the series. I recommend it also. The series came along in the midst of some of the most tumultuous scenes of civic strife of the last 50 years. Against this background, Clark laid out his thesis that Western civilization has consisted of a series of catastrophes and rebirths. He indicates that our depression over the events of the twentieth century should not lead us into abandoning the cultural legacy which has been bequeathed to us. For example, if the Black Plague of the 14th century were to strike us with the same force it did before, over a hundred million Americans would die. The Thirty Years war devastated parts of Europe even worse than World War 2. And yet, the will to survive and rebuild society was always there. It is a prescient reminder for the current generation of thoughtful people.

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The eminent art historian Sir Kenneth Clark was commissioned to write and present an epic examination of Western European culture, defining what he considered to be the crucial phases of its development. Civilisation: A Personal View by Lord Clark would be more than two years in the making, with filming in over 100 locations across 13 countries. The lavish series was hailed as a masterpiece when it was first transmitted in 1969.

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Hyperspace (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)This program shows that these two words can, and in fact must be related. Over 3 hours of space related knowledge divided into 6 shows focus on various space themes from the "SETI search program" to "What does a Black Hole look like" to "Will we ever colonize Mars?". Produced with state of the art computer images that enhance the presentation and make it fun, Hyperspace is deeply rooted in scientific knowledge, but doesn't leave out the always present "what if..." - as opposed to many other similar documentaries. Interviews with experts from all around the globe in the different fields covered in the programs make them reliable and informative. Sam Neill hosting takes the viewer by the hand and kindly places him/her inside the video. With his soft, convincing tone he could turn the yellow pages into poetry ;) This has to be the greatest documentary of this kind that I have ever seen. Once you sit down to watch it you will not want to stop. Hope they make another run of six! If you're into space exploration and knowing our universe, you can't let this one pass.

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Wire in the Blood - Complete First Season Review

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(More customer reviews)Based on the novels by Val McDermid, Wire in the Blood is a gritty, rivetting, suspenseful psychological crime drama; it is also, without a doubt, one of the best series of that genre around. Robson Green (Touching Evil, Reckless, Me & Mrs. Jones, The Student Prince, The Gambling Man, Grafters, Soldier Soldier) stars as Dr. Tony Hill, a clinical psychologist who moonlights as a criminal profiler for the police. Tony is brilliant in his ability to gain insights into the criminal mind, but his brilliance comes at a cost, compensated as it is by an equal degree of social ineptitude. Like an absent-minded professor, Tony has a mind so focused that he easily becomes oblivious to his surroundings and to those around him. It doesn't help matters that he talks to himself or that he finds it helpful to physically act out various aspects of the crime in question--things that are best NOT done in a public place! Though the storylines are very serious--even chilling--the very nature of Tony's character provides the occasional welcome moment of lightness and humour. Those familiar with Robson Green will know that this is the type of character at which he excels--characters which are, at the very least, just a little bit odd.
Tony's connection with the police is via Detective Chief Inspector Carol Jordan (Hermione Norris--Cold Feet's Karen Marsden), a shrewd, hard-working cop, who is well aware of Tony's brilliant mind and of his value to the police. There exists almost from the start--and always beneath the surface--a mutual attraction between Tony and Carol, and it is here that Tony most poignantly feels his lack of social skills.
There are, at the time of writing, two sets on dvd (with set three due for release in February 2006). Set one contains three episodes (each presented as two back-to-back 50 minute episodes); set two contains four 100-minute episodes. DVD extras on set one are limited to brief text-based bios, but set two consists of interesting and informative interviews with Robson Green, Hermion Norris, author Val McDermid, and the production team.
Though this is a series, each episode is movie length, and I would challenge anyone to find a Hollywood crime drama as good as any one of the episodes in this outstanding series. If you enjoy top quality, impeccably-acted, gritty, dark, intelligent psychological crime drama which draws the viewer right in--shows like BBC's Waking the Dead, for example--you will definitely enjoy this series, and I recommend both sets without hesitation. I enjoyed the series so much that I bought McDermid's latest Tony Hill novel, The Torment of Others (2004), which I also thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. Personally, I can't wait for the release of set three, and I hope Koch Vision continues to release future sets as they become available!
Very highly recommended!


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Wire in the Blood: The Complete First Season Brilliant, passionate and eccentric, clinical psychologist Dr. Tony Hill (Robson Green) has an extraordinary understanding of the criminal mind. It enables him to empathize with both victim and murderer – and even to visualize the crimes. Working alongside the ambitious and driven Detective Inspector Carol Jordon (Hermione Norris), Dr. Hill helps the police profile and track down vicious killers in northern England. DISC 1 - THE MERMAIDS SINGING Three men have been tortured and mutilated. As fear grips the city, DI Jordan and Dr. Hill join together for the first time to find a killer. DISC 2 - SHADOWS RISING The bodies of two girls are found in a remote lake. New leads suggest a bizarre connection to death threats made against a TV celebrity. DISC 3 - JUSTICE PAINTED BLIND A brutal strangulation bears shocking resemblance to a controversial unsolved case. Dr. Hill, however, believes a different killer is at work.

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New Street Law - The Complete Second Season Review

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(More customer reviews)As a trial attorney in the U.S. I have seen/watched every legal drama series on TV, both US and Britain. Without question, New Street Law is the best that has yet to come along!It's hard to select which feature stands out the most..............the acting is superb; the plots and the actual trial cases are not only realistic,they are clever,fantastic,and keep your attention at all times. The interaction between the characters is outstanding, and each character is very well developed. The plots are very well written, and combine interesting facts as well as significant ethical issues which are handled extremely well. Along with the marvelous drama, there was appropriate humor. Americans have the added interesting aspect of seeing the Solicitor/Barrister system up close. How can they possibly intend to stop after only the two series?? This is the quality of television that comes along rarely,and should be encouraged and expanded, not abruptly ended. SURELY THERE WILL BE A SEASON THREE??!!??


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The Hit BBC ONE Legal Series Returns! Accused of fabricating a defense, Jack Roper (John Hannah) throws his life and the lives of his colleagues into turmoil after his single-minded pursuit of the truth puts his career in jeapordy. Tensions run high between Jack’s chambers and those of the prosecution, headed by his one-time mentor, Laurence Scammel (Paul Freeman), much to the annoyance of Laurence’s daughter, Laura (Lisa Faulkner). Relations become more complex between Charlie Darling (John Thomson) and his wife, Tessa (Susie Amy), as well as between Jack and Laura, who can no longer resist their mutual attraction.DVD EXTRA: Outtakes and Bloopers

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Creature Comforts - The Complete First Season (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)The premise of the original short, Creature Comforts, was to take interviews with ordinary people & transform them into comedic animal representations via the medium of claymation. Nick Park & his team developed this brilliantly funny concept through an entire 13 episode series.
This dvd is amazingly funny - even what may be perceived as the weaker episodes have their sparkling moments. If you're a fan of Wallace & Gromit or just a fan of funny animation, this dvd is for you. The format has no definite story line, but rather is a topical discussion - kind of like Dr. Doolittle meets Oprah. Addressing such questions as "Where do we come from?", "Are there aliens?" and "Cats vs. Dogs" - these installments will leave you in stitches. The animation is flawless, the interview editing superb. Just an overall delight.

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CREATURE COMFORTS is a brilliant and hilarious clay animation series about the lives of animals as told by the animals themselves. Interviews with these lovable claymation creatures leave no stone unturned, no tree unclimbed, no sea uncrossed in the quest to discover what our fine-finned, furred and feathered friends really think about the issues that are closest to their hearts. It’s a "mockumentary" like none you’ve ever seen, and it could only come from Nick Park and the untamed minds at Aardman Animation.

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All Creatures Great and Small: The Complete Collection Review

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(More customer reviews)Having the entire All Creatures Great and Small collection is really terrific in that you can view all episodes in order including the specials. This series is not just a vetinary saga but the life of a North country community and how this changes over time. Sensitively filmed, it is a timeless portrayal - history in a fun way if you like.

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Experience the phenomenally successful series, All Creatures Great and Small, based on the best-selling books by James Herriot. Set in the fictional Yorkshire Dales town of Darrowby, the series offers comforting reflections of a much gentler time when life moved at a somewhat slower pace. This collection features every episode, tracing the endearing career of this country veterinarian, from the 1930's through World War II and the hopeful 1950s. It's a joyful journey that will warm the hearts of fans everywhere.

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Robin Hood: Season Two (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)Robin and the gang are back, giving us a second season packed with action, intrigue, humor, and even more of those wonderful little character moments that made the first season such a joy. It is evident even from the first episode that the overall tone of the show is much darker this time around, as each our heroes must contend not only with the Sheriff's evildoings, but also with their own personal tragedies. This darker tone goes hand-in-hand with a bit more violence, though it is no more graphic than what was presented in the first season. This gives the show an intensity that had been missing before, and the opportunity to present some jaw-dropping action sequences (Robin vs the Black Knights is not to be missed!).
It was always the characters that made the show appealing to me, and on that score S2 delivers in spades. There are many lovely Robin/Marian moments, and some surprising new alliances (of friends and enemies) are formed as well. One of my favorite scenes of the entire series is a beautifully-written character exposition sequence in the episode "A Good Day To Die" where, in the classic death-at-sunrise scenario, each member of the gang spends their potentially last-night-on-earth revealing their inner secrets. It's an extremely emotional scene, and a powerful one, that brings up insecurities and issues that have been building since the very beginning of the series.
Of course, the series wouldn't be Robin Hood if there wasn't also plenty of fun to be had along the way. The Sheriff is still as hilarious as he is evil, and it's a blast watching Robin and Co. get the best of him time and again. Keith Allen does an especially great job with the Sherrif's gloating/crying in "Get Carter", an episode which also introduces one of the most enjoyable recurring characters to come to Nottingham in quite awhile.
Season 2 has more of a cohesive story arc than season one, and as such, there are plot twists galore (most notably the 2-part finale) that impact future episodes and draw on events of those past. I'd recommend staying spoiler-free until you've seen them. That being said, get a box of tissues handy and be prepared to pick your jaw up off the floor by the time you finish the last episode. It's a doozy.
Rumor has it, there will be a S3, although the BBC is a being a bit cagey as to the details. In the meantime, settle down with season two and enjoy the ride!

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The contemporary retelling of the popular legend is back for a second series with more breathtaking archery, incredible swordplay, lots of humour, fun and energy, a smattering of brute force, and the raw determination to right wrongs. The Sheriff is in the final stages of a plot to kill King Richard upon his return from the Holy Land. The Sheriff also wants Robin Hood dead and with his devastating sister Davina, sets about catching him once and for all. It seems only a matter of time until Marian escapes to the forest and she and Robin can be together. Until that is, Gisborne turns up at Knighton Hall and razes it to the ground, seizing Marian and Edward and placing them under house arrest in the castle. Marian and Robin now separate for the good of England, Marian as the castle spy, and Robin leading his gang in the forest and villages of Nottingham...DVD Features:Audio CommentaryFeaturette

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Earth: The Biography (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)Is it as good as Planet Earth? No. This documentary series doesn't a never-ending overabundance of brilliant imagery. But don't let that dissuade you. If it wasn't for "Planet Earth" everyone would be raving about this set. Because though its visuals aren't always as stunning as that excellent series -- sometimes the screen shows just a guy or two talking in front of a washed out sky -- overall "Earth: The Biography" is just as interesting and at times even more informative. The special effects are good, too.
Generally, I'd say this set is great for anyone with even a passing interest in geology, at least if they're over, say, 8.
These are the same shows that recently aired on the National Geographic Channel. There are no bonus features.
Disc 1 has three shows, "Volcanoes," "Atmosphere" and "Ice." Disc 2 adds "Oceans" and "Rare Earth." Each of the first four explains how that particular system works, as well as what happens when it's messed with.
The last show examines a theory that says simple life may actually be common on other planets, but complex life -- i.e., animal life -- requires such a complex sequence of events that we'll never find another human-like population. It goes on to examine how humans are damaging the planet. Did you know each year people cut down enough forest to cover the state of South Carolina?
Everything is presented with plenty of objective, scientific information.
My favorite show is the first one, since it includes the formation of Earth. Did you know scientists think our planet once had a twin? Or that the moon is drifting away from us?
Though the narrator, Dr. Iain Stewart, speaks in a Scottish brogue, I didn't have any trouble understanding him. He's calm and articulate.
By the way, you can't help but be reminded of "Planet Earth" as you watch this. A commercial for it is actually the first thing that comes up when you pop in Disc 1.
Besides "Planet Earth," I'd recommend pairing this up with An Inconvenient Truth. Or a trip to go see Wall-E.

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This landmark series uses specialist imaging and compelling narrative to tell the life story of our planet, how it works, and what makes it so special. Examining the great forces that shape the Earth - volcanoes, the ocean, the atmosphere and ice - the programme explores their central roles in our planet's story. How do these forces affect the Earth's landscape, its climate, and its history? CGI gives the audience a ringside seat at these great events, while the final episode brings together all the themes of the series and argues that Earth is an exceptionally rare kind of planet - giving us a special responsibility to look after our unique world. This is a series that shows the Earth in new and surprising ways. Extensive use of satellite imagery reveals new views of our planet, while timelapse filmed over many months brings the planet to life. Offering a balance between dramatic visuals and illuminating facts, this ground-breaking series makes global science truly compelling.

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BBC History of World War II: Hiroshima (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am from Hiroshima. My father was 15 years old and was deployed as a student worker at a ship yard at the time. He does not talk much about his experience, but told me bits and pieces about what he saw. When I was an elementary school student, we had to watch the video footage of the victims that was extremely graphic. So nothing in this program was new to me, although it was very interesting to see how nuclear fusions started inside the bomb.
Having said that, I think this program is a good overview for people who are not familiar with the event. It talks about how the bomb was developed, the political circumstances, the US military mission, GIs who engaged in the mission, and of course, the effect on the people in Hiroshima. There is little criticism or political overtones in the way the program was made, although it is clear that there were terrible misunderstandings between Japanese and US leaders, and that a handful of Japanese extremists led the country into ruins.
I wish the program talked more about the way the atomic bomb affected people long after the event. There is one section that describes the "mistery illness" that plagued the survivers, but it did not talk about the deformed babies born to the mothers who were pregrant at the time, or the cancers that many of the survivers suffered later in their lives. The program also did not mention anything about the American POWs who were detained in Hiroshima at the time. They all perished along with thousands of people of Hiroshima. I am not sure how many Americans know this.
My father is fine. His family lived in the suburbs so none died because of the event although some of the family heirlooms had burn marks that were visible even decades later. My mother's grandparents, however, lived right by the T-shaped bridge that was used as a target so no remains were found. I remember my grandmother used to go to the annual memorial service every year. Although it was somewhat difficult for me to see the suffering of people reenacted in the program, the stupidity of the leaders, and the happiness and the joy that Americans were feeling after the bomb was dropped (not because I am bitter or critical of their actions, but because they really did not realize what was going on in Hiroshima and that they opened the door to a new era of nuclear threats), we need programs like this so we can learn from the history and remember that the war is savage, no matter what side you are on, and that the war should really be the last resort to resolve a conflict.

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It was the defining moment of the 20th Century - the scientific, technological, military, and political gamble of the first atomic attack. This drama-documentary attempts to do what no other film has done before - to show what it is like to live through a nuclear explosion. Set in the three weeks from the test explosion in New Mexico to the dropping of the bomb, the action takes viewers into the room where the crucial political decisions are made; on board the Enola Gay; inside the bomb as it explodes; and on the streets of Hiroshima.

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The Michael Palin Collection (New Europe / Around the World in 80 Days / Sahara / Hemingway Adventure / Great Railway Journeys / Himalaya / Pole to Pole / Full Circle) (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)"The Michael Palin Collection" compiles together all of the travel series Palin has made over the past 20+ years. Previously best known as part of the Monty Python comedy troupe, Palin brings an easy wit and disarming everyman style to the programs, as he journeys through some of the most remarkable places on earth. What's particularly notable is how decidedly apolitical Palin's approach is; he simply meets ordinary people, most of whom do not seem to see him as any sort of celebrity, and has as many experiences as he can.
The series sets are identical to the versions available separately, and can be somewhat divided into two types, with the earlier series being more focused on the process of getting from one place to another, and later series being somewhat more traditional travel documentaries as Palin explores a particular region. There are eight series in all:
"Around the World in Eighty Days" 7 episodes on 3 discs
This is the series that started it all (though not the earliest program in the collection), and the standard by which all subsequent series are measured. Palin sets out to approximate the famous journey in Jules Verne's novel, keeping strictly to surface transportation. Unfortunately, the timetable overwhelms the locations, and thus he rarely has time to even see where he is before making the next urgent connection. This is particularly notable near the end; the United States seems given a particularly perfunctory examination, crammed into the last episode with two ocean voyages and the last miles traveled to London. A highlight of the series is a slow journey across the Bay of Bengal on an ancient vessel called a dhow; many people consider it the best sequence in any of the series.
WARNING: At one point Palin visits a restaurant that specializes in snake meat, and during the sequence, a snake is skinned alive on camera. Even non-animal-lovers will likely find the scene disturbing.
The only bonus feature is a years-later interview with Palin, who offers anecdotes and insights about the journey and the production of the series.
"Pole to Pole" 8 episodes on 3 discs
While not necessarily the most ambitious journey ("Full Circle" beats it for sheer scale), this is almost certainly the most arduous, as Palin journeys from the North Pole to the South Pole along the 30th parallel (with a couple of unavoidable divergences). In addition to reaching the two lethally inhospitable Poles, Palin travels through western Russia literally days before the collapse of the Soviet Union, and down eastern Africa through countries where just getting anywhere seems almost impossible. Despite - or perhaps because of - these obstacles, "Pole to Pole" is arguably the best of all the series, balancing a chronicle of the journey with an experience of the locations often lacking in "Around the World." Highlights are many, but one standout is the journey through Sudan aboard the Nile Valley Express, during which Palin even rides on the roof of the train as it lumbers through the desert.
As with "Around the World in Eighty Days," the only bonus feature is an interview with Palin.
"Full Circle" 10 episodes on 3 discs
On his most epic journey, Palin travels around the circumference of the Pacific Rim, a trip that takes him a full year. The series indicates the beginning of a shift away from focusing on the journey, as was required in "Around the World" and (somewhat) artificially recreated in "Pole to Pole," and more toward appreciating the diverse places visited. While more of a focus on the destination is welcome, the reduction of footage of the various rail, ship and other surface transportation modes results in a series that feels somewhat disjointed, and some regions are bypassed entirely. This includes, unfortunately, much of the western United States, which is shortchanged again; it may be that the US was considered too familiar to the audience to merit more than cursory attention. In any case, many sequences are striking. A highlight is the time spent in Eastern Russia, where Palin pays a haunting visit to the ruins of a Soviet gulag accompanied by one of the former prisoners, as well as a visit to the spectacular geothermal basin in the Kronotsky Reserve, a place that has never been visited by more than a handful of people.
Bonus features include an interview similar to those on the previous sets, and a series of deleted scenes, few of which could be considered a great loss from the broadcast episodes.
"Hemingway Adventure" / "Great Railway Journeys" 6 episodes/programs on 2 discs
This set consists of two completely different series, both quite different from all the others.
"Hemingway Adventure," the next series created after Full Circle, and the first filmed in high definition, or at least widescreen, does not chronicle Palin's journeys from one location to another. Rather, he visits many of the locations around the world that were significant in the life of the author Ernest Hemingway. Beyond this thematic element, no attempt is made to give coherence to the different locations, not even biographical - for instance, Palin doesn't visit Hemingway's boyhood home until the second episode. The result, while presenting a number of very interesting places, including Cuba and Uganda, seems almost random, and is probably the weakest of all the series, though it probably has more value to serious Hemingway fans. There are no bonus features.
The two programs on disc 2 are episodes of the series "Great Railway Journeys" featuring Palin. The first "Confessions of a Trainspotter," dates back to 1980, a full decade prior to "Around the World," and follows Palin as he journeys from the south of England to the far north of Scotland via a series of different rail lines. While lacking the style and narrative flow of his later series, the episode is still interesting, appealing particularly to the train buffs who would make up a large part of the series audience. The other episode, "Kerry to Derry," filmed between "Pole to Pole" and "Full Circle," follows Palin around Ireland as he attempts to track his great grandmother's emigration to the United States. This seems a thin thread to hang the episode on, and doesn't ever amount to much, but still the program has its rewards, including quite of bit of time spent in Northern Ireland examining the conditions of the Troubles. Again, there are no bonus features, making this disc's content particularly light.
"Sahara" 4 episodes on 2 discs
This series is a return to the single-journey format of the first three series, but from now on the emphasis is much less on the journey than on the destination. Palin travels around the Sahara Desert, which he points out is quite close to Europe yet almost entirely unknown to most Europeans. He pays particular attention to meeting people, and the region emerges as far more colorful than one might expect. The unstable political conditions in areas such as Western Sahara are not ignored, but, as always, Palin simply observes rather than making any sort of explicit statement. Highlights include a magnificent mud-built mosque in Djenne, and a journey across a particularly unforgiving stretch of desert with a camel caravan; this sequence is the closest any series has come to recreating the feel of the dhow sequence in "Around the World," though a couple of incongruous interruptions diminish the effect. Unfortunately, the series as a whole lacks the sense of cohesion of that earlier series, as Palin's path around the Sahara seems almost random at times.
Bonus features include the usual informative post-series interview, a number of interesting deleted sequences, and a series of brief clips called "video diaries," that offer Palin's on the spot comments about some of the experiences he's having.
"Himalaya" 6 episodes on 3 discs
It's fair to say this is the most visually spectacular series, as Palin visits a range of locales throughout the vast mountainous region; the cinematography, which is exceptional in all the series, is nothing short of breathtaking as shot after shot of impossibly beautiful natural features merge with footage of truly glorious architectural wonders. Similarly, much has been said about the musical soundtrack, a remarkable blending of traditional motifs and contemporary Western arrangements that somehow always works. In many ways this feels to be the most perilous journey, as Palin deals with hostile climate, where altitude sickness can be fatal, and equally hostile political conditions, such as the contentious relations between Pakistan and India, insurgent groups in Nepal, and the simmering Chinese occupation of Tibet. On that subject, Palin has an intriguing interview with the exiled Dalai Lama, but also seems willing to accept the ever-present Chinese control while in Tibet. No doubt some will object to his lack of political agenda, being satisfied with nothing less than seeing him wear a "Free Tibet!" t-shirt, but that's not how these programs work.
A highlight is a lengthy walking journey to the high altitude Anapurna region, where Palin carries on valiantly despite being quite ill. On the other hand, an extended sequence with a yak farmer (really!) and his family seems intended to evoke the dhow sequence again, but far too much time is spent seeing Palin stirring some sort of gruel in a large pot, churning butter, and making small talk to a group of people none of whom understand a word he is saying. Too much time is also spent chronicling a polo match in Pakistan and a horse show in Tibet.
Bonus features include the expected post-program interview, and a wealth of deleted scenes, some of which are as fascinating as anything in the series, and would have been welcomed instead of the above-mentioned time-killers...Read more›

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Item Name: The Michael Palin Collection; Studio:BBC Warner

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Little Britain USA (HBO series) (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)After three UK series of this character comedy sketch show, plus a two part "overseas" special, this is the first series of the show set in the USA.
It is a mix of established characters, Americanised versions of UK characters, and entirely new characters. It continues to be very funny and very rude!
New hits are an ex astronaut living on his faded reputation, a foul mouthed schoolgirl and two over macho bodybuilders.

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One of the most successful British comedies of all time is coming to America! Meet Matt Lucas and David Walliams, who are bringing their smash hit Little Britain stateside with the all-new HBO series Little Britain USA. The series will feature familiar Lucas/Walliams personas from their original show, as well as new characters created expressly for this series. In addition, Little Britain USA will feature guest appearances including Paul Rudd, Rosie O\'Donnell, Hayden Pantierre, and Sting.
DVD Features:Audio CommentaryDeleted ScenesDocumentaryGag ReelOther

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Ballet Shoes Review

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(More customer reviews)BALLET SHOES (starring Emma Watson... celebrated for her lead roles in the Harry Potter films...along with an all-star acclaimed ensemble cast) is absolutely wonderful. I personally am in love it. Targeting a very large and underserved audience which is best defined as "moms and their daughters", Ballet Shoes is a film about realizing ambitions; a film where its tag line `dreams do come true' is really the `spot on' underlying message of the film... and the storyline. I believe it is destined to be a huge success for it is a tale of inspiration indeed.
A big-budget Granada film production, originally for the BBC, Ballet Shoes is based on the literary classic penned by Noel Streatfeild that women especially are very familiar with as key reading material from their childhood. A costume drama with absolutely stunning cinematography, the film portrays 1930's London with a sense of dreamy realism. For those who recall the box office smash "You've Got Mail", the book is the one being sought after that Meg Ryan launches into a verbal expose about. Ms. Ryan was right on the money, as is this adaptation of the tale.
Ballet Shoes is the story of three orphan girls; Petrova, Posie and Pauline (Emma Watson) who are raised as sisters after being brought together by a rich, world traveler as babies. As they grow up, each girl develops a dream of their own. Pauline wants to be an actress; Petrova longs to be an aviator; Posie wishes to dance. Circumstances bring them together, and together they vow to go down in the history books. "We three Fossils vow...". This vow launches the three Fossil sisters on their voyage, a journey that they travel individually as well as together, one that can only serve to inspire any young girl who watches the film.
On a personal note, I watched this film with my 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son. While my son fought to pay attention (not surprising), my daughter was riveted throughout the film. The appearance of `Hermoine' as a teen brought her into focus early on, and then the tale itself kept her eyes and ears wide open. She's asked repeatedly to watch Ballet Shoes again, which of course she has. My son, of course, is back to watching `his thing', Spiderman, Superman and The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers...
Ballet Shoes, in a certain sense, is a long form faerie tale, and I recommend it with no reservations whatsoever as superb family viewing.


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Dreams do come true… Emma Watson (Hermione from Harry Potter) stars in Ballet Shoes, a heartwarming and uplifting film based on the beloved, best-selling novel by Noel Streatfeild and featuring an award-winning cast that includes Emilia Fox, Victoria Wood, Richard Griffiths and Eileen Atkins. "We three Fossils vow to put our name in the history book, because it is ours, and ours alone…" With these words, three orphans, raised as sisters, leave their sheltered lives and embark on an exhilarating journey that takes them to the heights of the stage, screen and sky! DVD EXTRAS: Exclusive 20-Minute Interview with Emma Watson Deleted Scenes, Ballet Shoes Audiobook Excerpt

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Walking with Dinosaurs (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)This series is brilliant. The special effects are truly impressive, the style (made like a fake nature documentary, as if the filmmakers are just observing the dinosaurs in the wilds) is clever, and it's all just fascinating. Some of it is quite graphic with dinosaurs battling each other, eating each other and dying off in lots of different ways, so I was worried that my almost-four-year-old wasn't ready for it. But he's started to ask questions about dying and animals eating each other and this has actually been a nice segueway into those discussions. We've especially enjoyed the "making of" featurette - lots of information there well beyond how they acheived the special effects.

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New Blood, Time of the Titans, Cruel Sea, Giant of the Skies, Spirits of the Ice Forest, Death of a Dynasty. Ride the ultimate time machine from the beginning of dinosaurs to their spectacular end! Using the latest in computer animation, this series puts you in the middle of Jurassic stampedes and T Rex battles, through 155 million years of pre-history.

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Torchwood: The Complete First Season (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Torchwood is the most-times dark, sometimes gory, adult tie-in to the new Doctor Who series, but that hardly matters as it is the most unique TV you'll ever see. ..Dr. Who producer & two-time Hugo-nominated writer Russell T. Davies created the series as an opportunity to do more than just family fare, part CSI, part X-files and the remaining part is out there on its own. In Dr. Who there have been hidden references to the "secret" organization TORCHWOOD (the name which is an anagram of DOCTOR WHO) since season one (an answer given by the ANNE DROID in BAD WOLF episode 12 ), then appearing more physically throughout season two, even featuring the origin of the organization created by Queen Victorian herself to defend the Earth from alien threats, including The Doctor. The series takes place over a hundred years later as Jack says on the promos, "In the 21st century, everything changes." Captain Jack Harkness (played BRILLIANTLY by the dashing John Barrowman, best known to Americans as the singing Nazi lead in the "Springtime for Hitler" number in the Producers musical) is a character introduced during season one of Dr. Who, an ex-time agent, con-man, the Doctor & Rose meet in the 1940's and turn towards the path of good and righteousness, well almost.
Jack is originally from the 51st century, which is intended to explain his oversexed ways (i.e. he is very liberal in who he "SNOGS"& "SHAGS" ) His background is really complex, even before he meets the Doctor, but he is missing some of his memories from his time as a time-agent, during the "Parting of the Ways" the first season finale of Dr. Who his character becomes even more interesting, but I won't say more without spoiler warnings.
I know I've referenced Dr. Who, a lot, but WATCHING DR. WHO IS NOT A PREREQUISITE FOR ENJOYING TORCHWOOD, MERELY A BONUS. There is a level to Torchwood that is directed at DW fans, but it isn't obtrusive. The initial season of Torchwood begins introducing the viewer to its world through the eyes of Gwen, a low-rung Cardiff lady cop, eventually becomes part of a jaded almost amoral group that uses scavenged alien-tech to protect the world from future threats. The neophyte member eventually serves as catalysis to re-humanize the team. But the dynamic of the characters is one of abrasiveness, deceit, love and lust. The major players are far from perfect, by the end of the season, most of the team have done things both unexpected and at times alarming.
Most of the performances are great to watch, much Americanized, gritty acting. Gwen, played by Eve Myles, who oddly enough played a Victorian servant girl named Gwyneth who opens the closes the very rift Torchwood is build on in Dr. Who season 1. Gwen is an earthy attractive but not unrealistically so, as are most of the players, except Jack, of course, who is over-the-top silver-screen good looking, which is perfect for his over-the-top fearless-leader-with-a-mysterious-past archetype.
Torchwood is very stylish, lots of aerial shots of building in Cardiff, the Welsh city where the series is filmed and most of the action takes place. Its waterside features remind me of New Orleans. Another anchor location of the show in Cardiff is soooo appropriately the Roald Dahl Plaza (Carciff-born creator of Willy Wonka) it would naturally hold a time-space rift and the headquarters of a secret organization under the fountain where it can monitor extra-terrestrial traffic through the rift. Kind of a sexed up Men in Black, except no one wears black, well ok Iantos does, but he's more of a case manager type. The series music co-composed by Dr. Who's Murray Gold is both edgy and original. As is the special effects and make-up. In the pilot episode, the make-up on the Weevil, a reoccurring species, is so good that a long scene is shot in full-light with Gwen and another character studying the creature. That is how confident and bold the makers of Torchwood are! The series won a BEST DRAMA SERIES BAFTA (the British Academy of Film and Television Arts), besting Doctor Who season 2 in the category and first episodes gave BBC 3 its highest ratings ever. One series flaw is that Torchwood is meant to be very covert, but they also seem to be high profile "special ops," other than that amusing conflict, I love the series and think that many Americans who may have never watched any British TV before, will be hooked!
The episode guide that follows may have some MINOR SPOILERS, okay?
#1 "Everything Changes"
This is a good one, I give it 9 out of 10, it is one of the best series pilots I've seen. Unlike some series openers, it seems familiar with characters and where they are going, there's no early season one awkwardness here, INFACT, Eve Myles WON a "BEST-ACTRESS" BAFTA (Wales) for this one, John Barrowman got a nom...
Episode Synopsis:
South Wales coffee makin' cop Gwen Cooper is at the scene of a murder when Torchwood shows, Gwen snoops on the group and sees in a disturbing scene in which the victim is temporally resurrected, then questioned. She starts her own investigation to learn more, and ends up meeting an alien and literally going underground unsuccessfully disguised as a pizza-girl, joins up and then things get weird....
#2 Day One
This one is less good, but is all about the fact that Torchwood is an adult series and begins to set some boundaries. Even so, this one has a great pre-titles scene with Gwen & her boyfriend, and a great opening line...7 out of 10 for this one...
Episode Synopsis:
The title says it all...it is Gwen's first day on the job, and because of her obligatory noob screw up she unwittingly unleashes a hot-sex-addicted-alien....no REALLY...this one is about AN ALIEN WHO SHAGS HER WAY THROUGH THE EPISODE...it seems like a Captain Jack natural. There are some great moments and some great lude dialogue, like following the discovery of the alien's nature and the disintegrated remains of its first partner, Harkness remarks that the guy "came and went, at the same time." More lines like that and hot-girl-on-alien action...
#3 Ghost Machine
This one is spooky and provides some insights into the gruff team member Owen's character. Usually, so far, Owen, played by Burn Gorman, isn't the sort to get involved or outwardly show his real feelings, in the series thus far, he has deflected them and given Gwen and the others attitude to cover. This time, due to his unique interaction with the machine, he is very open and driven.... 8 out of 10 for this one...
Episode Synopsis:
The team retrieve an alien artifact that shows ghost images of the past, thus allowing Owen to witnesses a girl's murder some forty years before. He becomes obsessed with bring the murderer to justice, while Gwen tries to stop future projections from occurring as well.
#4 Cyberwoman
This one may be too much for the Dr. Who fans, but you need not know the back-story to appreciate the story, but it helps to forgive the nature of the story that seems awkward when compared to the rest of the season. The Cybermen, humans converted from a parallel Earth, were all meant to be destroyed at another Torchwood base on this Earth, this is the exception. This time a half converted erotic-cyborg with more gruesome conversion effects and other creepiness, oh and Cyberwoman vs. the pterodactyl...did I mention they have a pterodactyl in the Torchwood HQ...7.5 out of 10 for this one...
Episode Synopsis:
Ianto, played by Gareth David-Lloyd who is sort of the teams Alfred the Butler, managing the Batcave, has hidden what's left of his girlfriend at Torchwood. His plans to get outside help end with the entire team at risk of finding themselves converted or worse!
#5 Small Worlds
This one is creepy, if a little predictable, take something inherently cute and friendly, like say fairies, and make them dangerous, powerful and a little homicidal, throw in a spooky little girl, an old girl friend of Jack's er... Dad...and you have a winning mix, 8.5 out of 10 for this one....
Episode Synopsis:
Jack's senior friend has discovered fairies in a nearby wood, while Torchwood uncovers a mysterious jail death and weird weather bursts. Jack sees a pattern connected to his mysterious past....
#6 Countrycide
This one is grisly, edgy and very frightening, playing-out like a mainstream horror movie, a good one! This one isn't for the squeamish. ...9 out of 10 for Countrycide...
Episode Synopsis:
Deaths in the middle of nowhere split up the team, Gwen and Owen find themselves in another tight situation, a survivor hides from the killer, Tech-chick Tosh and Ianto race against the clock, and the team fight to stay off the menu.
#7 Greeks Bearing Gifts
This one isn't the best of the season, but it does give more development to Tosh's character...6.5 out of 10...
Episode Synopsis:
Tosh gets a strange pendant from a strange woman and she gains the strange ability to read minds. In the process learning way more than just casual thoughts, in order to make things right Tosh must get this woman into Torchwood H.Q.
#8 They keep killing Suzie
This is a great one...disturbing and well written, a fallen Torchwood member returns providing a unique opportunity to deal with the consequences of events in the pilot episode. A great exploration of Gwen and her place in Torchwood... I give it 9.5 out of 10...
Episode Synopsis:The "Resurrection-Gauntlet" was classified as too dangerous to continue experimenting with, but a link to pre-pilot events, force the team to use the gauntlet on a deceased...Read more›

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Separate from the government, outside the police, beyond the United Nations, Torchwood sets its own rules. Led by the enigmatic, ever watchful Captain Jack Harkness, the Torchwood team delves into the unknown and fights the impossible. Everyone who works for Torchwood is young. Some say that’s because it’s a new science. Others say it’s because they die young.

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Life/Planet Earth Collection Review

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(More customer reviews)Sadly, Oprah's narration of "Life" is horrible. Read some of the reviews for the single title "Life" by Oprah. Her narration is both childish and dreadful. If you want the best of these two beautiful and astonishing programs get "Planet Earth" and "Life" both narrated by David Attenborough. They are both available on Blu Ray and you will pay the about same amount as for the Attenborough-Oprah package. Both Life and Planet Earth are spectacular and feature some of the greatest nature photography you will ever see. I'm sorry to give this just one star. If both titles were by David Attenborough it would be five stars.

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This remarkable collection brings together the two most riveting, highly praised natural history series ever produced, Planet Earth and its stunning follow-up, Life! Planet Earth takes viewers on a breathtaking tour of the entire planet. Revolutionary new high definition filming techniques capture rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet's best-loved and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, the beauty and majesty of our amazing planet is brought vividly to life like never before in Planet Earth. Life takes you closer still. Breathtaking advances in micro and macro photography enable Life to present 130 stories from the frontiers of the natural world, 54 of which have never been filmed before. Packed with excitement, revelation and entertainment, this remarkable 11-part blockbuster, narrated by Oprah Winfrey, captures unprecedented, astonishingly beautiful sequences and demonstrates the spectacular and extraordinary tactics animals and plants have developed to stay alive.

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The Life of Birds Review

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(More customer reviews)My wife and I bought The Life of Birds from Amazon without seeing a minute of it. We had seen The Life of Mammals and Blue Planet enough times that we both felt confident that we knew what we were getting. We were right. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that I can't quite say it was as good as Blue Planet, which blew me away.
Based on our previous experience with The Life of Mammals and Blue Planet, what were we expecting, you might ask? Well, first of all, we knew we'd be getting an outstanding nature documentary series featuring a dizzying variety of animals. We were also expecting informative, yet not overly intrusive narration from David Attenborough. Last, we were expecting a series that our 2-year-old would be riveted to and want to watch over and over again, which is what happened with the first two series. As I said earlier, that's what we expected and that's what we got.
Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed Winged Migration. But as far as documentaries go, it really is a different bird (if you will). The Life of Birds is engaging in a way that Winged Migration is not - it strives to teach, not to create art. The footage may not inspire quite so many "How did they get that shot?" moments as Winged Migration, but there are plenty of scenes that make you wonder. Add to that the fact that there are so many bird species from all manner of habitat in this series that you'll lose count after the first installment.
The 3-disc set consists of 10 episodes:
TO FLY OR NOT TO FLY: Features computer animated sequences on the origins of flight and how birds evolved from pterasaurs - very similar to that in Walking With Dinosaurs. Also great footage of birds hunting insects, including a bee eaters, kiwis, and a hornbill.
THE MASTERY OF FLIGHT: An in-depth look at the anatomy of flight featuring albatrosses, pelicans, hummingbirds, snow geese and various birds of prey. There's a great scene where an osprey nabs a trout, picks it up and turns it head first in mid-flight to reduce drag.
THE INSATIABLE APPETITE: Deals with the constant search for food, largely as a result of flying being so energy-intensive. Features woodpeckers, sap suckers, geese, lorikeets, hornbills, crows, robins and macaws.
MEAT EATERS: Deals almost exclusively with birds of prey, such as owls, eagles, kestrels, shrikes, and hawks, as well as a few that you wouldn't expect (vultures and flamingos). Amazing flight footage in this episode, and very much feels the same as those documentaries of lions eating zebras in Africa.
FISHING FOR A LIVING: Pretty self-explanatory title, featuring dippers, ducks, skimmers, kingfishers, gulls, cormorants, herons, cranes, albatrosses and assorted shore birds.
SIGNALS AND SONGS: A detailed analysis of the reasons and ways that birds communicate. Features robins, blackbirds, finches, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, bell birds, toucans and a whole bunch of birds whose names I'd be sure to misspell if I tried.
FINDING PARTNERS: You can't talk about mating birds without talking about peacocks, right? Well, they did. However, there are grebes, Jamaican streamer-tailed hummingbirds, red-headed weavers, an odd-looking pheasant, a Scottish grouse, the calf bird (which moos to attract a mate) and hedge sparrows.
THE DEMANDS OF THE EGG: Looks at the hassles birds go through to protect their eggs, including a close look at nesting. Features terns, dippers, frigate birds, warblers, weaver birds, red-breasted toucan, cuckoos, and imperial pigeons.
THE PROBLEMS OF PARENTHOOD: Deals with the non-stop effort of feeding some demanding kids that bird parents seem to go through. The young bird footage is great. Features Australian Rosella parrots, coots, cuckoos, Andean torrent ducks, red geese, Arabian babblers, and open billed storks.
THE LIMITS OF ENDURANCE: Examines birds living in hostile environments, and co-existing with people. Also handles conservation efforts, as well as a brief recap of birds that have gone extinct in the last hundred years or so. Features penguins, sand grouse, crab plovers, Arctic gulls, vultures, crows in Japan (some amazing urban footage here), purple martens, and a host of endangered birds.

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LIFE OF BIRDS - DVD Movie

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