Kakaku：300 saved$3.00
McArthur
Usually ships in 24 hours 『This Officially Licensed MLB Beach Towel is Skillfully Crafted by McArthur Towel and Sports. Background is Blue with Centered Team Logo. Excellent for beach, shower or spa!』
IPhone 3G used's review (Wondering about photo/clock frame) 『I'm reading the reviews of the Coby photo frames, looking to purchase the Coby 5.6 inch frame with the clock for my husband (for his office) for Christmas. We already have a Phillips 7" photo frame for our home. I just wanted to agree with Robert C. of NY, NY about the internal memory, which our Phillips frame has. It only holds about 50 photos, (altho' the internal memory is one of the larger ones out there on the market). But these photo frames, like Robert says, are not MEANT to be run off the internal memory. They're MEANT to run off the SD cards, etc. Obviously the SD cards, the USB flash drives, etc., hold a lot more photos than our internal memory does. Overall, it really is easier just to keep photos on an SD card or USB flash drive and then just exchange it with another one when you get bored. Then, some time later, you might want to insert it again. (It's like going back to look at a photo album). But if you had put those photos on a photo frame's internal memory, you'd have to permanently delete them to upload new ones, and then upload them AGAIN the next time you wanted to see them. What a nuisance. This way, you just change the SD card. The downside is, you have to keep getting new SD cards (while you're keeping your old, downloaded files on the other ones). A little pricey, but I think it's worth the time you save with re-downloading photos.
Anyway, those are just my thoughts.
So now I'm wondering what anyone's experience is, specifically, with the DP8855 wood 5.6 inch photo frame with the clock.』
(was a great present) 『I bought this as a gift for a coworker who resigned from the job. A group of us decided to get pictures together, we thought the musical aspect would be fun as well. The set up was rather easy, no problems there. The play back worked well also. However at one point when wanting to pause it and then trying to continue, I could not find out how to continue from the spot that we paused it at, although you could quickly go through the pictures until you got to where you were, without the music however. I believe that this was a great gift, and that it will be enjoyed. I can not comment on the durability of the product however. Overall I recommend getting this along iwth a memory card, so you can simply add everything to that and stick it in the frame.』
(Great little frame) 『Works great - the two frame choices look nice. Viewing area is small, but 5.6" isn't very big. Love the fact that the space is limited only by your media card size. Easy to set up and use.』
(Dead after one hour) 『Worked great for the first hour then went completely dead. A nice product but overall people are having too many failures.』
(Good for photos, not for video) 『While the photo display portion of the frame works fine, the video functionality is sorely lacking. Videos do not always display correctly, frequently freeze the frame requiring a reboot, and the repeat function never ever works.』
『20 cones of essential polyester embroidery threads. There are a total of four different sets of 20 cones polyester to choose from. 1000 meters per spool. 40 wt. We also sell this thread by the spool.』
Kakaku：249 saved$2.49
Nickelodeon Network
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Great for toddlers&Pre-K) 『My 3&5 year olds love this Blue's Clues. They enjoy the "Blues Room" as a change to the old animated blues clues. This DVD helps them practice their alphabet in fun and creative ways. A good buy.』
(My son loves this Blues Clues dvd) 『My son love this video, it have 4 chapters the alphabet power, the Alphabet Train, Lets Write and Magenta's messages, he have lots of fun.』
(Great movie) 『This is our second one, because my son scratched the first one when he was younger. He is 5 years old now and still loves to watch it.』
(My son loves it!) 『This is one of my son's favorite videos. Plus, he learns alittle something, too! Blue doesn't annoy me as much as some of the other characters that are out to tantalize toddlers, so I can handle it, too!』
(My absolute favorite Blues Video) 『We have several Blues Clues videos and this is my favorite. My daughter started watching it at 18 months and by 2 she knew all her letters and sample words that started with each. At 3-1/2 now she writes and verbally spells words and it all started with this video! The other favorite of mine is "Blue's Big Musical Movie", especially the episode with Ray Charles and the parts needed to make a song.』 『Everyones gathered in blues room for a special alphabet play date. 26 puppet letters have come to play and with assistance from blue&friends help viewers discove the power of letters&words. Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 05/06/2008 Run time: 98 minutes Rating: Nr』
Kakaku：350 saved$3.50
The Safe Side
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Girl Scouts) 『I got this video to show our Girl Scouts and it was jut what we wanted.』
(Kid friendly!!) 『This is a great tool to teach kids about their own safety while being fun&easy for them to understand. The kids love it! Thank you!』
(Good even for a 3 year old) 『After my husband lost our daughter at the pumpkin patch we decided she needed stranger safety training. This DVD did not scare her and she loves it. Asks for it over and over again. Safe Side Superchick is fun and appeals to a preschoolers need for empowerment and their right to assert themselves and scream NO THATS NOT MY DADDY! My daughter really got the message and I'm so very grateful! Pre-teen kids may find it cheesy but hopefully they already know all this stuff about strangers. Am ordering this as a party favor for my deaughters next birthday. I want ALL our kids to stay on the SAFE SIDE!』
(Excellent video for my first grader!) 『This DVD was a fun way to teach about stranger safety without scaring my daughter in the process. The points made in the video were clear and to the point and the production was funny and colorful!』
(Stranger Safety...A MUST!) 『This was intended for my 4 year-old. He is very into it. And my 2 year-old daughter loves to watch next to him. I have to wait and see if he practices the theory. But as a Mom I LOVE IT. It is done smartly and carefully not to scare them but it does create an impression. So important now a days. Don't think it any more, just get it! Another plus, is having the OK of Julie Clark from all the Baby Einstein's videos.』 『Kid safety is an important, yet often difficult topic of discussion between parents and children.The Safe Side's"Safe Side Super-Chick" is a decidedly zany host who successfully combines slapstick humor with serious, practical safety tips for kids. "Safe Side Super-Chick" breaks the population down into three quickly discernable categories: "Safe Side Adults" that kids know well and can always trust to keep them safe, "Don't Knows" like the mail carrier or the lady at the park and "Sorta Knows" like a coach or a schoolmate's parent. As "Safe Side Super-Chick" interacts with "Don't Knows" and "Sorta Knows", she offers seven specific safety tips to keep kids safe and, with the help of real kids, details simple, concrete actions and phrases that empower kids in a variety of potentially dangerous situations. Best of all, the presentation is never scary, but always extremely funny--that means that kids ages 2 to 10 will actually enjoy learning about safety. Kudos to Julie Clark (creator ofBaby Einstein) and John Walsh (host ofAmerica's Most Wanted) for creating a safety video that's highly entertaining, informative, and practical.--Tami Horiuchi』 『A message from John Walsh: I'm the host of a television show that I wish wasn't needed. But it is. Thankfully, 38 missing children have been recovered by our work at "America's Most Wanted." In 1981, the lives of my wife Reve and I were changed forever. Our beautiful son Adam was abducted from a mall in a nice area of South Florida. Sadly, two weeks into the biggest search for a child ever in Florida, our son was found murdered. In my quest to find justice and fight back for victims, I lobbied Congress to change the laws and to change how police search for missing children. I'm proud to say that the movement I started is still going strong. There's a national organization dedicated to helping children (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) and now this country and its media are beginning to understand that our children need to be informed about how to stay safe. In 1981 not much was known about child abduction and exploitation. Parents knew very little and, tragically, children knew even less. Today we're proud of the awareness that children have about the dangers that face them. Children see images everywhere of kidnappings and exploitation. We only need to think about what we've seen in the past year--pedophiles in the clergy, Internet predators, and others who are in positions to take advantage of children's trust in them--to know that kids are still being victimized at an alarming rate. I hope that's about to change. As a crime fighter and host of a popular TV program that has saved lives, I'm proud to be teaming up with a woman who knows how to teach children. Kids want to know what to do, and parents need to be prepared. Like me, Julie Clark is a parent who cares. She has a proven track record of teaching kids. Her passion and experience make this series of safety videos for children something that parents and kids will want to watch. Now parents and kids will do what I've been doing for more than 23 years--they'll fight back.』
Kakaku：500 saved$5.00
Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Disney
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Too boring) 『As a baby and a toddler, my daughter found this to be one of the more boring Baby Einstein videos. There are not enough animals and music in it and it is too slow moving.』
(Mom of twins that love Baby Einstein DVD's) 『I have 5 month old twin girls that love all the Baby Einstein DVD's. This one in paticular is so great because it has sign language that goes along with it. My girls love the puppets and watch it in the morning when they are first wakeing up. It rally makes them giggle.』
(Baby Signing Time Is Far Better) 『My daughter loves all the other Baby Einstein movies; however this one is about like watching paint dry. After the first 5 minutes my daughter doesn't have any interest, and me personally I find it a totally boring. There are some things in the movie that are cute and make my daughter laugh, but those are very few and far between.
If you are interested in baby sign language, I would strongly recommend Baby Signing Time. My daughter loves the baby signing time movies and when I put it on she comes running to watch them.
Don't waste your money on Baby Wordsmith, I would recommend any other Baby Einstein movie. 』
(Great Educational DVD, but poorly made) 『I love the DVD but I have only had it for a few weeks and it cracked down the middle. I didn't handle it too hard just the normal use. I don't think it was made well.』
(Excellent!) 『This is a great product! I bought it for my nephew and he was already signing a few words after the first time we watched it. The music and children in the video kept his attention.』 『A playful introduction to words and sign language! -- Introduces little ones to words and sign language -- Taps in to little ones' natural curiosity
As their communication skills continue to develop, little ones begin to recognize common words and may point to objects or pictures when these items are named. Baby Wordsworth playfully taps into your little one's natural curiosity and introduces 30 words from around the home -- both spoken and in sign language. This engaging program presents little ones with familiar objects in the kitchen, playroom, yard and more -- from the living room window to their favorite teddy bear.
Join special guest Marlee Matlin as she demonstrates the concept of nonverbal communication. Also featuring a delightful blend of real-world images, adorable puppet shows and beautiful classical music, Baby Wordsworth is an interactive guide to an exciting world of fun and discovery that you and your child can share -- right under your very own roof!
DVD Features -- Repeat play -- Language tracks (Spanish, French and English) -- Discovery cards -- Signing with baby -- The alphabet (in sign language) -- Story time with Violet's House -- Toy chest -- What will we find? -- Puppet shows』
IPhone 3G used's review (Even for 1953, this has some problems) 『After seeing a revival of Carnival at the Kennedy Center about two years ago, I wanted to see this. When I found a used copy recently, I was disturbed. The story focuses on a woman who borders on social retardation and a man who loves her who is emotional abusive unless he's using his puppets to communicate emotion. Hmmm. Worth watching, but what it says about gender roles in mid-century America is just downright disturbing.』
(Charm and warmth to spare) 『Thr title role in this Gallic charmer is played by Leslie Caron .Lili Dauner is a 16 year old girl ,an orphan following her father's recent demise .She has walked to a small provincial town where she has been promised employment in a bakers's shop only to find the job fails to materialise and that the owner of the shop has wandering hands .Escaping with honour barely intact she takes up with a small time travelling carnival being employed initially as a waitress.She is smitten with the carnival magician ,Marco the Magnificent (Jean-Pierre Aumont),a flambouyant and self absorbed man who lives with the attractive Rosalie (Zsa Zsa Gabor).She is oblivious to the love felt for her by the carnival puppeteer ,an embittered former classical dancer Bertholet (Mel Ferrer)a man only able to demonstrate his feelings for her through the medium of his puppets .She becomes part of the act as the other puppets manipulated by Bertholet and his friend Jacquot(Kurt Kaznar)dispense advice and seek to ease her pain .She sees him only as a drunk mourning his past carrer ,snatched from him by accident ,when the chance arises to move the act upmarket her sorrow at her unrequited love for Marco and anger towards Bertholet as major barriers that need to be overcome .
Caron is sweet and charming as Lili bringing the right gamine quality to the role and Mel Ferrer is exceptional as Bertholet while gabor's performance represents a career high.She shows herself to be a capable actress and the always reliable Kaznar is solid and dependable as ever.Aumont did not cut it for me but otherwise this is well acted even when you consider the human actors are hard pressed to match the charm of the puppets .It also benefits from deft direction by Charles Walters ,fine cinematography from Robert Planek and an Oscar winning score by Bronislau Kapek which includes that feather light beauty of a song "Hi-Lili Hi Lo".
The two ballet sequences were not to my taste being a tad long drawn out but overall this has charm and style .It reaally should be on DVD but whatever the format its worth your time and money』
(An almost perfect film, so why no DVD yet?) 『I agree with all the other reviewers who applaud this post-war tales' aura of innocence amid the wreckage of real-lives gone astray. With the enthralling Performances and Music that actually moves the story the only problem is that there's no DVD yet. What's the hold-up?』
(A 5-star work of movie magic, poor VHS transfer) 『Thanks to Amazon for making this neglected classic available on VHS, even if it is at robber baron prices. I actually purchased two used VHS issues; the first displayed so much color damage, I ordered a second. Unfortunately, both VHS copies looked exactly alike. It's a sharp image with very clear audio, but engineers who mastered this tape did a thorough job of wrecking what once was some of the most beautiful Technicolor work in the business. Some scenes are far too green, too blue, too red, or washed-out. But it's a solid image with plenty of detail, so with some skill, a PC, some good software, and a huge load of patience, the VHS can make a decent transfer to DVD (my project took 2 months, and I hope I never have to go thru anything like that again). With all the junk out there in digital format, it's a shame that better films like "Lili" have to languish in flawed VHS. That said, it's a great romantic fantasy with lovely music. The performances are memorable (Aumont is terrific), the only weak spot being Mr. Ferrer, who does a competent job but seems miscast. If the powers-that-be hadn't messed with the color, this would be a 5-star VHS despite the usual limitations of the medium. Meanwhile, get this little gem while you can and hope for a good DVD release.』
(Worth the Oscar) 『In 1953, one of the lush, colorful musicals came out starring Leslie Caron as a French waif. Since she was truly French, could truly dance, and truly could break your heart without a word, the casting was superb. Her foil, romantically, was Mel Ferrer. With his sculpted face and cynical manner, he was perfect as Paul, the reclusive puppeteer who lives vicariously through his puppets. The music won an oscar. Well deserved, and the dancing is still exquisite. Recommended.』 『The wonderful Leslie Caron stars in this Oscar-winning musical fable with a touch of the bizarre. Caron plays Lili, a recently orphaned waif hopelessly in love with a carnival magician. Mel Ferrer plays Paul, a gruff puppeteer who can express his softer side only through his puppets. Sound weird? It is. Caron's performance is lovely. She is, as always, a graceful dancer, but she is also able to pull off the much more difficult task of making Lili pure and innocent without being icky--she talks to Paul's puppets with complete conviction. (The puppets, by the way, are incredibly creepy.) Younger viewers will takeLiliat face value, but adults may well get sucked into its unintentional dark side: homelessness, suicide, emotional repression, and giant dancing puppets all come into play. Also enjoyable is Zsa Zsa Gabor, who does a great job standing around looking pretty as the magician's assistant.--Ali Davis』
IPhone 3G used's review (Absolutely Exquisite) 『I am a dancer and ballet is my favorite type of dance. I have seen dozens of different Nutcrackers over the years, from the traditional to the avand garde. Nothing can compare with this version. Baryshnikov shines. And Kirkland is a most sensuous Clara/Marie. Their duet at the end replaced the traditional "sugarplum fairy" dance. But, what a duet! I never get tired of watching it. A true Christmas treasure.』
(Mikhail and Nutcracker how bad can it be?!) 『Perhaps the best interpretation of "The Nutcracker" ever made. Baryshnikov's finest hour. And as even the most ballet-ignorant know, that bar's set pretty high.
I have seen Mikhail Baryshnikov dance in the much-praised chick-flick "The Turning Point." And I have seen him dance his own interpretation of "Don Quixote." Good. Great, even. But not as much as fellow Russkie ballerino Nureyev's stab at "Quixote." And I have seen much more of him dancing. The man defies gravity, as well as many other laws. A ballet dancer, in the country of America, has been treated like a movie star. But this may very well be his best work, artistic-wise.
Mikhail Baryshnikov is man who hardly needs an introduction, as he is a man who is synonymous with ballet. The man is a household name, Baryshnikov is at his best here, which is more than difficult, even for him. Celebrated USA ballerina Gelsey Kirkland (who was a regular partner and even girlfriend of dear Misha at the time) actually proves to be a credible match. And even takes it to a higher level than he does in HER solo scenes.
This was the first "Nutcracker" I've ever seen. I have seen several interpretations of "The Nutcracker" since then, and this one still stands as the best of the lot. There are no real children in this cast. The children's roles are played by adults in adolescent-looking wigs.
The idea to make this a movie rather than a live stage piece kind of works. It allows for more visual effects than a straight live piece would have.
There is a moment where Ms. Kirkland dances a solo all by herself, that sequence actually left be breathless. When she shakes her pointed feet like bells, the music jingles in pitch-perfect sync. She doesn't seem to be following the music at all. The music seems to be following her.
It's so beautifully and perfectly done, that as someone who takes ballet and has danced on the stage, that it actually hurt to watch.
The day that I can move as gracefully and exquisitely (on her worst day, I mean) may never come. Kirkland actually, in that one scene, manages to steal the movie away from Baryshnikov. Baryshnikov's leaps, turns, jumps and pirouettes are as breathtaking as always, and somehow never seem to get old. Misha's striking presence and Peter Pan-like mobility just.. well, makes you want to get up and dance. Or just jump around. He doesn't so much leap as much as soars.
Baryshnikov puts some little touches of humor here and there. There's a lovable old man at the Christmas Party who attempts to dance and hurts himself, as well as a toy soldier who stubs his toe. Baryshnikov has always seemingly had the soul of a child and the heart of a clown.
The Arabian Coffee Dance has been deleted for running time, I'm sorry to say. As has Mother Gigogne. Not to mention The famed "Waltz Of The Snowflakes" is a powerhouse, the ballet corps sway to the music so beautifully, for the briefest moment, we actually forget about Baryshnikov and Kirkland.
Is Baryshnikov trying to give himself more screen time, Clara or the ballet itself? Alexander Minz proves to be invaluable as a supporting player in the role of Drosselmyer. I was reminded of Fred Astaire. He moves around with his long, willowy limbs in a way that seemed almost inhuman. I seriously doubt ever got half the credit he deserved throughout his life.
He had an effective, amusing cameo in "The Turning Point." Baryshnikov continues to prove time and time again what we already know--the greatest ballet dancer of any generation will always be a Russian.
The choreography is riveting, some of the best I've ever seen. Although, the honor for "World's Greatest" go to "Singin' In The Rain." Maybe the Russian could put dances together now. He's reportedly a great teacher of dance as well.
While many of the special-effects look a bit outdated, it remains a riveting experience. After all, most ballet movies are just filmed dancing and this one takes the effort to actually be something of a movie.
The acting is not much, nor is there as much plot as is traditional, a as this "Nutcracker" focuses more on the dancing and music. The pyrotechnics (the dancer's rapidly-moving muscular limbs and the way they and the music truly gel).
Despite Mr. Baryshnikov in the title role and given prominent first billing, the star of "The Nutcracker" is Gelsey Kirkland as Clara, as this is all Clara's story.
Mnay movies have attempted to translate this legendary dance story to the screen, usually with disastrous results. For example, the mistake the 20th Century Fox movie "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker" made was if they were going to made the ballet into a movie, they should have done something for the movie that they couldn't do for a live production. Alas, they did not. It moved so slowly and the whole movie was so badly-lit, it looked like somebody boot-legged the whole thing with a camcorder.
The solo duets are just as enjoyable. The dancers, are in fact, so good that they almost threaten to outdo the leads.
It's a beautiful story, more with flair and style in it's depth. It's a revised fairy tale.
When Misha and Gels prance together, their body movements almost in perfect parallel... it's beautiful and breath-taking. They seem to be connected internally somehow. These are two people brought-en together by dance. It's every little girl's dream... and that's exactly what the "Nutcracker" should be. 』
(the Nutcracker/Baryshnikov&Kirkland) 『This production is fabulous! Baryshnikov is at the height of his talent, and Kirkland is breathtaking. The best Nutcracker I have seen.』
(A beatiful Nutcracker) 『This version may not be the most sumptuous one, but never a Nutcraker presented the most perfect ballet couple to dance and act this famous ballet. It is worth the price because you will see it seberal times and your grandchildren will enjoy too.』
(Of all the) 『by dane youssef
Perhaps the best interpretation of "The Nutcracker" ever made. Baryshnikov's finest hour. And as even the most ballet-ignorant know, that barre' is set pretty high.
I have seen Mikhail Baryshnikov dance in the much-praised chick-flick "The Turning Point." And I have seen him dance his own interpretation of "Don Quixote." Good. Great, even. But not as much as fellow Russkie ballerino Nureyev's stab at "Quixote." And I have seen much more of him dancing. The man defies gravity, as well as many other laws. A ballet dancer, in the country of America, has been treated like a movie star. But this may very well be his best work, artistic-wise.
Mikhail Baryshnikov is man who hardly needs an introduction, as he is a man who is synonymous with ballet. The man is a household name, Baryshnikov is at his best here, which is more than difficult, even for him. Celebrated USA ballerina Gelsey Kirkland (who was a regular partner and even girlfriend of dear Misha at the time) actually proves to be a credible match. And even takes it to a higher level than he does in HER solo scenes.
This was the first "Nutcracker" I've ever seen. I have seen several interpretations of "The Nutcracker" since then, and this one still stands as the best of the lot. There are no real children in this cast. The children's roles are played by adults in adolescent-looking wigs.
The idea to make this a movie rather than a live stage piece kind of works. It allows for more visual effects than a straight live piece would have.
There is a moment where Ms. Kirkland dances a solo all by herself, that sequence actually left be breathless. When she shakes her pointed feet like bells, the music jingles in pitch-perfect sync. She doesn't seem to be following the music at all. The music seems to be following her.
It's so beautifully and perfectly done, that as someone who takes ballet and has danced on the stage, that it actually hurt to watch.
The day that I can move as gracefully and exquisitely (on her worst day, I mean) may never come. Kirkland actually, in that one scene, manages to steal the movie away from Baryshnikov. Baryshnikov's leaps, turns, jumps and pirouettes are as breathtaking as always, and somehow never seem to get old. Misha's striking presence and Peter Pan-like mobility just.. well, makes you want to get up and dance. Or just jump around. He doesn't so much leap as much as soars.
Baryshnikov puts some little touches of humor here and there. There's a lovable old man at the Christmas Party who attempts to dance and hurts himself, as well as a toy soldier who stubs his toe. Baryshnikov has always seemingly had the soul of a child and the heart of a clown.
The Arabian Coffee Dance has been deleted for running time, I'm sorry to say. As has Mother Gigogne. Not to mention The famed "Waltz Of The Snowflakes" is a powerhouse, the ballet corps sway to the music so beautifully, for the briefest moment, we actually forget about Baryshnikov and Kirkland.
Is Baryshnikov trying to give himself more screen time, Clara or the ballet itself? Alexander Minz proves to be invaluable as a supporting player in the role of Drosselmyer. I was reminded of Fred Astaire. He moves around with his long, willowy limbs in a way that seemed almost inhuman. I seriously doubt ever got half the credit he deserved throughout his life.
He had an effective, amusing cameo in "The Turning Point." Baryshnikov continues to prove time and time again what we already know--the greatest ballet dancer of any generation will always be a Russian.
The choreography is riveting, some of the best I've ever seen. Although, the honor for "World's Greatest" go to "Singin' In The Rain." Maybe the Russian could put dances together now. He's reportedly a great teacher of dance as well.
While many of the special-effects look a bit outdated, it remains a riveting experience. After all, most ballet movies are just filmed dancing and this one takes the effort to actually be something of a movie.
The acting is not much, nor is there as much plot as is traditional, a as this "Nutcracker" focuses more on the dancing and music. The pyrotechnics (the dancer's rapidly-moving muscular limbs and the way they and the music truly gel).
Despite Mr. Baryshnikov in the title role and given prominent first billing, the star of "The Nutcracker" is Gelsey Kirkland as Clara, as this is all Clara's story.
Mnay movies have attempted to translate this legendary dance story to the screen, usually with disastrous results. For example, the mistake the 20th Century Fox movie "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker" made was if they were going to made the ballet into a movie, they should have done something for the movie that they couldn't do for a live production. Alas, they did not. It moved so slowly and the whole movie was so badly-lit, it looked like somebody boot-legged the whole thing with a camcorder.
The solo duets are just as enjoyable. The dancers, are in fact, so good that they almost threaten to outdo the leads.
It's a beautiful story, more with flair and style in it's depth. It's a revised fairy tale.
When Misha and Gels prance together, their body movements almost in perfect parallel... it's beautiful and breath-taking. They seem to be connected internally somehow. These are two people... brought together by dance. It's every little girl's dream... and that's exactly what the "Nutcracker" should be.
[...]』 『The American Ballet Theater version of the Tchaikovsky classic, a 1977 studio rendition directed by Tony Charmoli, has become a holiday perennial on PBS stations and home video. It's a favorite of parents who want to give their kids the gift of culture--and with good reason. There's a loose fairy tale plot to keep dance neophytes interested, and Boris Aronson's eye-candy production design is a series of lavish dioramas. From an imperial-era Russian Christmas party out of Tolstoy, a young girl named Clara (Gelsey Kirkland) is whisked in dreams to an imaginary world populated by the animated creations of the wizard toy maker Drosselmeier (Alexander Minz), who prances on his stick-thin limbs like a Dickens illustration come to life. The main attraction is, of course, Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the greatest classical dancers of the century, at his absolute peak of athleticism and precision. An opening slow-motion montage diagrams his fabled smoothness of execution, elegant airborne trajectories that have a feather-light perfection. Music lovers who know only "The Nutcracker Suite" will relish the chance to hear this great score all the way through, conducted with lilt and vigor by Kenneth Schermerhorn.--David Chute』
IPhone 3G used's review (great movie) 『I love the old disney movies that have been cleaned up. they are so much crisper and full of color. One of my favorites!!』
(Robin Hood, As I Remembered) 『As with many stories, this one comes from several versions, even within the Disney group. This is basically the version I remembered of the animated presentations of Robin Hood. Look for some of the Robin Hood cliches, like the arrow splitting the arrow already in the bulls eye (Can this really be done? Check with the Myth Busters!)
Sherwood Forest may be close to home. During one of the fight scenes, I distinctly heard the "fight song" "On Wisconsin." How did this end up in the movie? Was this some kind of product placement?
Buy it. Enjoy it. Give a copy to a kid you know. Keep a copy for the kid you are.』
(Listen to Peter Ustinov!) 『My kids and I find the movie very entertaining and charming -- 3-year-old Martin wants this movie and only this movie no matter the myriad alternatives we offer.
I remember growing up with the soundtrack playing all the time on LP, so I have a fond place in my heart for it.
But, having seen it more time than I care to count, I still cannot get enough of Peter Ustinov's voice characterizations of Prince John. His phrasings are a comic tour de force. A real masterstroke. And he's clearly having the time of his life sounding everything from dictatorial commands to loud thumb-sucking and crying for his mommy.
As a side benefit, those who loved Baloo the Bear in The Jungle Book get a second chance to watch him, as Phil Harris voices the character of Little John who is drawn as -- Baloo the Bear! Unfortunately, the songs don't quite rise to the level of "Bear Necessities," but they're cute and catchy nonetheless.
Not known as one of Disney's better animated features, but still quite watchable. The repetitive animation reminds me of 1970s cartoon "shortcuts" that were common - look at the animal parade in the opening credits.
After a side-by-side comparison, I think the movie is better framed by the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Still, it's hard not to like a Disney animated feature with Phil Harris' voice.』
(Disney's Robin Hood) 『This is the best animated version. Our kids loved it when they were young and now our grandkids love it. They watched three times the first day.』 『A minor classic from Disney, this 1973 all-animal, all-animated musical version of the familiar story is more charming than one might expect. Perhaps it's the warm, chummy take on key relationships within the legend--the way Robin Hood (Brian Bedford) gets twitterpated whenever the subject of Maid Marian (Monica Evans) comes up or the way best pal Little John (Phil Harris voicing a variation on his own Baloo fromThe Jungle Book) admonishes the Sherwood Forest hero, "Aw, Rob, why dontcha just marry the girl?" (Then, of course, there's the canny "casting" of the romantic leads as foxes: Robin the sly one and Marian the, well, foxy one.) The rest of the vocal cast is lively and eclectic: Peter Ustinov, Andy Devine, Terry-Thomas, George Lindsey. Roger Miller provides the songs and voice for the minstrel character Allan-A-Dale. The film is ably directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, whose decades of work in Disney's animation division helped create the studio's rich legacy.--Tom Keogh』
