Showing posts with label (Two-Disc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label (Two-Disc. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Graduate (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)







Graduate (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) Overview


Nominated for seven Academy Awards® and winner for Best Director, this ground-breaking and "wildly hilarious" (The Boston Globe) social satire launched the career of two-time Oscar®-winner Dustin Hoffman and cemented the reputation of acclaimed director Mike Nichols. Pulsating with the rebellious spirit of the '60s and a haunting score sung by Simon and Garfunkel, The Graduate is truly a "landmark film" (Leonard Maltin). Shy Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) returns home from college with an uncertain future. Then the wife of his father's business partner, the sexy Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), seduces him, and the affair only deepens his confusion. That is, until he meets the girl of his dreams (Katharine Ross). But there's one problem: she's Mrs. Robinson's daughter!

Graduate (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) Specifications


Few films have defined a generation as The Graduate did. The alienation, the nonconformity, the intergenerational romance, the blissful Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack--they all served to lob a cultural grenade smack into the middle of 1967 America, ultimately making the film the third most profitable up to that time. Seen from a later perspective, its radical chicness has dimmed a bit, yet it's still a joy to see Dustin Hoffman's bemused Benjamin and Anne Bancroft's deliciously decadent, sardonic Mrs. Robinson. The script by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham is still offbeat and dryly funny, and Mike Nichols, who won an Oscar for his direction, has just the right, light touch. --Anne Hurley

Beyond The Graduate


Amazon.com's Essential 100

Simon and Garfunkel: The Concert in Central Park

More from Director Mike Nichols



Stills from The Graduate









Customer Reviews


I've seen "The Graduate", when the first time in 1967. It 'was a wonderful movie and one of the first of Mike Nichols and Dustin Hoffman. They also had the wonderful musical review of Simon and Garfunkle. Overall, first-class! Well, I thought that from time to time, when I put the S & G songs on the radio, but that was it. In any case, my wife and I were shopping at Ross and I found on the shelves of DVD business. I could not resist. My wife had never heard of, but she was willing togo with my word, would have liked. We both saw last night and enjoyed it very much. This is an exceptionally well-made film. Very funny. Emotional. A fun (and faith) Review of the early '60s. We can always be observed. This is an oldie but goodie.

Gary Peterson


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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (Two-Disc Blu-ray/ DVD Combo)







Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (Two-Disc Blu-ray/ DVD Combo) Overview


TINKER BELL & THE GREAT FAIRY RESCUE BD

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (Two-Disc Blu-ray/ DVD Combo) Specifications


What would you do if you met a fairy? Witness the historic moment when Tinker Bell first meets a human being, and it’s not who you think.

Years before meeting Wendy and the Lost Boys, Tinker Bell met Lizzy, a little girl with a steadfast belief in the power of pixie dust and the magic land of fairies. During the fairies’ summer visit to the flowering meadows of England, two very different worlds unite for the first time and Tink develops a special bond with a curious child in need of a friend. As her fellow fairies launch a daring rescue, Tinker Bell takes a huge risk, putting her own safety and the future of all fairykind in jeopardy.

Experience Disney’s astonishing all-new movie about the true power of faith and friendship. Bursting with excitement and imagination, Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue is magical entertainment for the whole family. You might even learn to fly.



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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [Blu-ray]







Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [Blu-ray] Overview


Director Bill Condon brings Tom Eyen's Tony award-winning Broadway musical to the big screen in a tale of dreams, stardom, and the high cost of success in the cutthroat recording industry. The time is the 1960s, and singers Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), and Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) are about to find out just what it's like to have their wildest dreams come true. Discovered at a local talent show by ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), the trio known as "the Dreamettes" is soon offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of opening for popular singer James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Subsequently molded into an unstoppable hit machine by Taylor and propelled into the spotlight as "the Dreams," the girls quickly find their bid for the big time taking priority over personal friendship as Taylor edges out the ultra-talented Effie so that the more beautiful Deena can become the face of the group. Now, as the crossover act continues to dominate the airwaves, the small-town girls with big-city dreams slowly begin to realize that the true cost of fame may be higher than any of them ever anticipated.

Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [Blu-ray] Specifications


The spirit of Motown runs through the long-awaited film adaption of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, which centers around a young female singing trio who burst upon the music scene in the '60s, complete with bouffant hairdos, glitzy gowns, and a soul sound new to the white-bread American music charts. Sound familiar? You aren't the first one to draw comparisons to the meteoric rise of the Supremes, and despite any protests to the contrary, this is most definitely a thinly veiled reinterpretation of that success story. The Dreamettes--statuesque Deena (Beyonce Knowles), daffy Lorell (Anika Noni Rose) and brassy Effie (Jennifer Hudson)--are a girl group making the talent-show rounds when they're discovered by car salesman and aspiring music manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx). Sensing greatness (as well as a new marketing opportunity) Curtis signs the Dreamettes as backup singers for R&B star James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). But when Early's mercurial ways and singing style don't mesh with primarily white audiences, Curtis moves the newly-renamed Dreams to center stage--with Deena as lead singer in place of Effie. And that's not the only arena in which Effie is replaced, as Curtis abandons their love affair for a relationship with star-in-the-making Deena.

Besides the Supremes comparison, one can't talk about Dreamgirls now without revisiting its notorious Oscar snub; though it received eight nominations, the most for any film from 2006, it was shut out of the Best Picture and Director races entirely. Was the oversight justified? While Dreamgirls is certainly a handsomely mounted, lovingly executed and often vibrant film adaptation, it inspires more respect than passion, only getting under your skin during the musical numbers, which become more sporadic as the film goes on. Writer-director Bill Condon is definitely focused on recreating the Motown milieu (down to uncanny photographs of Knowles in full Diana Ross mode), he often forgets to flesh out his characters, who even on the Broadway stage were underwritten and relied on powerhouse performances to sell them to audiences. (Stage fans will also note that numerous songs are either truncated or dropped entirely from the film.) Condon has assembled a game cast, as Knowles does a canny riff on the essence of Diana Ross' glamour (as opposed to an all-out impersonation) and Rose makes a peripheral character surprisingly vibrant; only Foxx, who never gets to pour on the charisma, is miscast. Still, there are two things even the most cranky viewers will warm to in Dreamgirls: the performances of veteran Eddie Murphy and newcomer Jennifer Hudson. Murphy is all sly charm and dazzling energy as the devilish Early, who's part James Brown, part Little Richard, and all showman. And Hudson, an American Idol contestant who didn't even make the top three, makes an impressive debut as the larger-than-life Effie, whose voice matches her passions and stubbornness. Though she sometimes may seem too young for the role, Hudson nails the movie's signature song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," with a breathtaking power that must be seen and heard to believe. And for those five minutes, if not more, you will be in Dreamgirls' thrall. --Mark Englehart

On the DVD
The two-disc edition of Dreamgirls includes videos, documentaries and other behind-the-scenes features. Diehard fans will love the almost two-hour "Building the Dream" documentary, which goes into loving detail about how the film got to be made. But it's the shorter segments that really capture the viewer's attention. The two auditions included in the set are a contrast in style. Pop singer Beyonce Knowles sells herself in full hair, makeup and costume; that she is a tad pitchy at times is almost beside the point. Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose's audition is a tour de force; singing strong and with conviction and passion, Rose is fully in character regardless of the fact that she isn't dressed for the role. Oddly enough, the audition tape of Jennifer Hudson, who won an Academy Award for her breakthrough role as Effie, is nowhere to be seen. Sure, we all know what a powerhouse she is today. But it would've been nice to see what the filmmakers saw in her back then, when her competition included her American Idol castmate (and that season's winner) Fantasia Barrino. Hudson's performance of "Effie, Sing My Song"--which was not seen in the theatrical release--is included in this set, as are 12 extended musical numbers. Another nice touch is the inclusion of a dance rehearsal choreographed by Fatima Robinson (who has worked with the Backstreet Boys, Mary J. Blige, and Michael Jackson). Watching the rudimentary piece (with stand-ins subbing for the stars) come together gives the viewer appreciation for the intricate work that goes into each 3-minute musical number in the 130-minute film. Also included are a sequence of enhanced storyboards, a look at how the film's editor went about editing the picture, and a look at how the costumes played a part in the film. --Jae-Ha Kim

Beyond Dreamgirls


Other Musicals on DVD

More Motown on DVD

The Soundtrack

Stills from Dreamgirls (click for larger image)












Customer Reviews


I was very happy with the state of the video impressed. It 'came in great condition as if I had bought from the store. Thanks for the prompt, where you sent the item.


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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Ponyo (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)







Ponyo (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) Overview


Welcome to a world where anything is possible! Academy Award® winning director Hayao Miyazaki (2002, Best Animated Feature, Spirited Away) and legendary filmmaker John Lasseter together with Disney bring to life a heartwarming and imaginative telling of Hans Christian Andersen s classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid. A young boy named Sosuke rescues a goldfish named Ponyo, and they embark on a fantastic journey of friendship and discovery before Ponyo s father, a powerful sorcerer, forces her to return to her home in the sea. But Ponyo s desire to be human upsets the delicate balance of nature and triggers a gigantic storm. Only Ponyo s mother, a beautiful sea goddess, can restore nature s balance and make Ponyo s dreams come true. Ponyo will delight your family with its magnificent animation and timeless story.

Ponyo (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) Specifications


Ponyo confirms Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki's reputation as one of the most imaginative filmmakers working today. Loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson's "The Little Mermaid," Ponyo is a magical celebration of innocent love and the fragile beauty of the natural world. The daughter of the sea goddess Gran Mamare (voiced by Cate Blanchett) and the alchemist Fujimoto (Liam Neeson), Ponyo (Noah Cyrus) begins life as an adventurous little goldfish. Chafing at her father's restrictions, she goes in search of adventure and meets Sosuke (Frankie Jonas), a good-natured 5-year-old who lives by the sea. Sosuke adopts Ponyo and quickly wins her heart. Fujimoto uses magic to bring her back, but Ponyo's love for Sosuke proves stronger than his elixirs. She transforms herself into a human girl and returns to him during a spectacular storm at sea, but her metamorphosis upsets the balance of nature, precipitating a crisis only Gran Mamare can resolve. Ponyo contains fantastic moments that suggest dreams-- and reassert the power of hand-drawn animation to create memorable fantasies: No effects-laden Hollywood feature can match the wonder of Ponyo running along the tops of crashing waves on her way back to Sosuke. Ponyo is closer in tone to My Neighbor Totoro than Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle, and will appeal to audiences of all ages, including small children. The #1 film in Japan in 2008, Ponyo earned more than ¥14.9 billion (over US5 million) to become the 8th highest grossing film in Japanese history. (Rated G: A few scary moments, alcohol use) --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews


It 'nice to live in a time when one of the all time legends of the fun is still actively engaged in the production of work. I can imagine that in the coming years, to draw people back with enormous affection when Hayao Miyazaki, yet it is a blessing to know are (or at least hope) that will be the Best yet to come. I had to "Howl's Moving Castle", which could put Miyazaki Ponyo to leave, but his voice heard at rest. According to Wikipedia, Miyazaki is signed directly onat least two other films, but with 69 years you never know.

Ponyo is the story of a young mermaid who is running away from home only to end in the bucket with a child who assumes she's a goldfish (although, of course, as the human face). His father, Fujimoto, a man who avoids people and now lives under the ocean trying to retrieve pony with various water-based magic available. Ponyo has other ideas in mind when he used his magic to find a real human girl.Unfortunately, all this tinkering is a crack in reality that threatens to bring a total disaster for everyone to be created.

If you have more than a couple of Miyazaki's films, you see, because he, like Walt Disney has a particular style of art that meet the animators at Studio Ghibli. The first thing that struck me is that the art of Ponyo looks a bit 'different. It 'a little' rough, or maybe simple, especially with the characters of the Illuminati, and his fatherFujimoto, what I had in previous films like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke seen. The backgrounds, however, are quite lush and beautiful and keep the dream of quality, a trademark of Miyazaki's films. Most of the film is set in the small and charming coastal town in Japan, based on current city Tomonoura. The rest is water, and is absolutely wonderful. There is absolutely teams with life, and, of course, all this hand-drawn animation. It is almost impossible these daysTo find entertainment that is 100% hand-drawn, but if I'm not mistaken there is a CGI framework, to see the film. I have to efforts of the leaders here in the drawing, if some of the most dynamic, more vivid images to applaud.

Miyazaki, as Pixar has never had a bad film, or even mediocre or less in size. I felt that Howl's Moving Castle below the average of the scale and pony Miyazaki was only slightly better. My wife was on the side that was Ponyogood as Miyazaki is much better. For me, the weakness of the story that is a mistake or two they had. In particular, it was difficult to distinguish between what should be and what should be actually prefer fantasy. I would just say that the city in the film is a dramatic event, one usually a total disaster, but this does not appear to be damaged. It 'a bit' like Wily Coyote falls off a cliff, creating a ring of dust to be fair andIn the next scene. Miyazaki is usually very consistent in his stories and in this case, it was difficult to understand the boundaries. I also heard that the animation does not save as in the previous three films of Miyazaki for the background, which are absolutely first class. I would not regret it at face value for a second to add this movie to my personal collection and all the nitpicking does not change the fact that taking this film a great one.


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