Kakaku：196 saved$1.96
UFO Tv
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (What a collection!) 『I don't think such a collection of the all stars of modern science and soulful physics has ever been presented. I bought the whole series, all three DVDs and it is fascinating. Anyone who wants to understand the revolution of science and spiritual understanding must get these DVDs!』 『How Do You Define Consciousness? What are psychic powers? What is the soul? Are we connected at the quantum level? For thousands of years we have asked these existential questions and religions have attempted to explain our divine nature. With the advent of quantum mechanics, string and membrane theory, science has reached a new level of understanding. In The Psychic Matrix, you will meet the top scientists studying these important questions. These brilliant minds explain how it is possible to have precognition, telepathy, clairvoyance; and how science has learned about potential human abilities that defy space and time. The Psychic Matrix explains the true nature of this wonderful 'multiverse' and provides cutting-edge understanding of our undeniable connection to the cosmos, spirit and each other.』
IPhone 3G used's review (9-Ball, Corner Pocket) 『Just as a note--my review comes shortly after the death of Paul Newman, and in a sense this is my way to pay tribute to one of the greatest actors of all time. He will be sorely missed.
Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) was once a great pool shark, but that was 25 years ago. Now he's selling liquor, ironically in pool halls, until he stumbles onto Vince (Tom Cruise), an arrogant, young pool hustler. Felson tries to be his mentor, show him the ropes and teach him a thing or two about what it means to be the best. The desire to play was too much for Felson so he pulls a quick one on Vince, and in a turn of events, competes against him in the nine ball championships.
"The Color of Money" is a truly enticing picture. It has a lot going for it...great direction from Scorsese, a magnificent script and brilliant acting. The legendary Paul Newman was so convincingly smooth and charming with his liquor sales pitches that you'd be convinced to buy his booze. In fact, his entire performance seemed to have that quality.
Being that this is a Scorsese picture, you know what to expect in that sense. The cinematography was intriguing and flawless and the entire cast was truly captivating. It's a must have for your DVD collection.』
(Damn good! (But doesn't entirely fulfill its promise)) 『There's an admirable economy in the set-up. We see right away that Fast Eddie (Newman, in a reprise of his role from 1961's The Hustler) is still hustling, now off-brand liquor instead of pool, from which he retired long ago. At the same time we meet his love interest, conveniently doubling as the object of his liquor hustling, trying to break through the sales pitch to reach Eddie. We soon see cheap liquor has brought him good money, but it isn't made to appear all that glamorous or enriching in other ways. At the same time we're introduced to Vincent (Cruise) and his girlfriend/manager Carmen (Mastrantonio). The sound of Vincent's "sledgehammer break" (the break being the first shot of the cue ball into the group of nine balls) distracts Eddie from his pitch, and after observing Vincent, Eddie moves in to make a pitch of an entirely different kind. For a few minutes we're being hustled along with Vincent and Carmen. Carmen isn't really so dumb, though, and soon we wonder who will end up hustling whom.
With Eddie as manager/teacher, the trio go on the road where Vincent is to learn to hustle as they work their way to a big score at the national pool championships. Along the way Eddie's own passions, and pride, are rekindled, and he starts to believe he should be pushing the cue stick himself. The trio splits up, to meet again at the nationals.
Among the virtues of the first part of the film, in addition to the very tight script and editing, is that the three main characters are well balanced, each with an interesting and important kind of power and weakness. The emphasis is on psychology and character. As the film enters the final third, there is a shift to the kind of build-up to a show-down that we might have expected from the start. Mastrantonio's character becomes less important, and what replaces the earlier psychological tensions doesn't pay off as well either in terms of depth or excitement. To be sure, there is character development at the end, but some of it's pretty barely sketched. And there's plenty of excitement leading up to the climax, with some impressively edited pool sequences, but the very end is more of a whimper (almost literally, as there's some near-begging) than a bang.
Bottom line: this is an excellent film in most respects, with fine acting from all involved, interesting ideas, intelligent dialogue, exciting sports, and a mixed pay-off. Well worth seeing and owning. The currently available DVD is nonanamorphic widescreen, meaning it has its complete original image but will have black bars on the sides on a wide-screened monitor. The image quality is good; the stereo sound was a bit jarring at first (to me) but quickly became enjoyable in its brightness and fulness. Good music from Robbie Robertson and others.
Some notes. A number of reviewers complain of Cruise's acting, and he often divides audiences in that regard. I think he was a natural for the role, and filled it very well. (I also thought he had the more difficult role in Rain Man, and was every bit as good as Hoffman, maybe better.)
The film avoids almost completely the truly dark side of gambling/hustling, to the point that Eddie openly hands Vincent an envelope clearly stuffed with money at a key point in a way that would have led to investigations, broken kneecaps or worse in real life. Vincent's hustle that led up to this didn't make much sense to me, given the other options available, and not letting Eddie in on it made more sense as a way to heighten the drama than as a rational decision.
The film doesn't draw attention to the different moral/sporting issues involved in different kinds of hustles. Some hustles are used only to build up the bets, but sporting skill is still relied on to get the pay-off. There seems a big difference between that and actually winning money by throwing a game, especially in a major tournament where others rely on everyone bringing their best.
That Eddie had to repeatedly ask a certain character if he was a hustler rang false to me, as the excellent actor who played the character was making it clear to us he was hustling. More subtle direction would have helped make the scene more believable.
About the ending, lack of resolution or open-endedness isn't a problem for me, but it just didn't fit the build-up. Another reel fleshing out the end with material as good as the first part of the film would have made this film great.
I'm among those who would love to see a sequel in Cruise's later years where he passes on the legacy to another hot newcomer.』
(Great movie, Poor DVD) 『The movie itself is great. However, the DVD is of poor quality. It does not have any "extras" either.』
(Great Product) 『The movie I bought was in fantasic shape I would buy from this shipper again.』
(A great sequel) 『A sequel of sorts of Newman's 1960 THE HUSTLER, and a great one. Newman, long out of the pool game now, but still unable to forget it, finds Tom Cruise shooting the daylights out of the game one night and talks the brash young kid into going on the road and becoming a hustler, with Newman as his mentor. Then halfway through the picture Newman gets the bug to play again. He and Cruise meet up in Atlantic City in a match and Newman wins, only he learns that Cruise lost on purpose to collect a bigger debt. Although it's just an example of his pupil learning his lessons too well, Newman is crestfallen; but he refuses to share in the money - thus he's purified under fire and comes away clean. It's a bit of a shock to see the movie shift from Cruise to Newman halfway through, but the ending redeems it. Both Cruise and Newman are simply mesmorizing to watch. Everything in the movie seems to work perfectly: the gritty pool-hall settings, the minor characters (especially Forest Whitaker as a hustler) - everything. Definitely worth a watch.』 『Martin Scorsese handles directing duties in this 1986 sequel to the classic 1961 filmThe Hustler, which marks the return of Paul Newman to the role of pool shark Fast Eddie Felson. Anxious to break into the big time again, Eddie finds a talented protégé (Tom Cruise) to groom; but with the addition of the latter's manipulative girlfriend (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and the wild streak in Cruise's character, the trio make for a fascinating portrait in group psychology. The cast is brilliant, the script by Richard Price (Clockers) is a paragon of tightly controlled character study and drama (at least in the film's first half), and Scorsese and cinematographer Michael Ballhaus make an ornate show of the collision and flight of pool balls through space--something of a metaphor for the dynamics among the three principals. The film is generally regarded as weaker in its second half, and rightly so, as everything that was interesting in the first place disappears. Still, Newman won a deserved Oscar for his performance.--Tom Keogh』
Kakaku：1496 saved$14.96
Criterion Collection
Not yet released IPhone 3G used's review ("Director's Cut" versus "Theatrical Cut") 『This review is not so much a review of the movie or this release in particular. It would seem that there will be no shortage of glorious reviews of this movie and I would just be adding my voice to the gale winds of appraise. I write this to clear up the common mis-perception that the longer cut of this movie is a director's cut.
The previously released longer cut of The Last Emperor which was released on DVD and subsequently labeled as a "Director's Cut" is in fact a longer, made for television mini-series version that was made to satisfy a particular distribution/production deal. Bertolucci himself has gone on record to say that the actual version of the film that he envisioned is the one that went out to theaters, thereby making the shorter "Theatrical Cut" the actual director's cut.
Being the huge fan of this movie that I am, I can't help but want more of this movie, but I'd be lying if I said that the shorter version isn't great just as it is. The movie does not lose any of its magic without the added content. I've given this review a 4 star rating because of the completist in me. If there are two versions of a movie out there. I would enjoy the option of playing the version that I want. Criterion did so with their DVD release, but failed to do it with their Blu-ray release. Welcome to double-dip country. As of this writing, I still have not determined if I shall fall prey to their marketing ploy since I have been waiting so long for a good transfer of this film.』
(Previous reviews incorrect.) 『The shorter version of the film is the director's preferred version of the film. The longer version was a version he had cut for television distribution, and while its a shame that the extended version will not be included, rest assured that the shorter version is the director's cut of the film.』
(Not Director's Cut on Blu-Ray DVD) 『I agree with the last reviewer. There's gonna be much controversy with this Blu-Ray release because the last release on standard DVD was so spectacular. The Blu-Ray release seems to only contain the 165 min. version as opposed to the 219 min. Director's Cut. It would make sense for Criterion to release both versions with all the extras since they normally contain all the bells and whistles.』
(Not everything that shines is gold) 『I was swept out of my feet when I saw the movie more that 20 years ago. I bought it on VHS format. When it was released on DVD I dumped the VHS and bought the DVD format, then there was a second version of the movie and here comes the sad part. It was the original director's cut of 218 minutes (read 3 hours and 38 minutes). Dump the short version and buy the complete movie. Never regretted it. And what do I see now? The Last Emperor on Blu-ray? Far out! But there's a catch. Despite the bunch of documentaries, bonus material and interviews and so on, and so on, The Criterion Collection's edition on Blu-ray offers us a 164 minutes version of the movie. That's almost an hour less than the Artisan DVD edition I own. I don't get it. If Blu-ray offers us high definition quality and 8 hours of time, why not have the whole movie on Blu-ray DVD? There's plenty of room for whatever else they want to put in. I don't know if director Bertolucci agreed or not on that, but whoever decided to mutilate and desecrate the movie in this edition is a shame and tasteless ignorant (unless it is a mistake in printing the running time information). That's why I rate it only 3 stars. If you ask me for the movie itself, it is a 5 star 2 thumbs up movie not only for the director's superb work, but also for the cast, costumes, photography, locations, script, everything. You want to know what's the movie about? There's more than enough information about it everywhere. Read some of the reviews in Amazon for instance and for the time been buy the 218 minutes DVD edition of the director's cut.』
(A Visual Gem) 『I saw "The Last Emperor" a few years back and the movie has staid with me in many a positive way. I was truly amazed at the quality of the sets, the costumes and and the color throughout the movie. I had the feeling that we were seeing scenes shot in the Forbidden City itself. The tale is one that deserved telling because it gives us the story of China in the 20th Century.
The prime focus of the story, obviously, is the last emporer of China, Pu Yi. We are given ample time to see the Old China through the many facets of his seclusive life in a setting of grandeur. Every aspect of every scene shown reinforces the imagery of a world of imperial power totally seperated from the hundreds of millions subjected to his rule. When rebellion reached the gates, it was time to take the best offer and leave. However, a grandiose lifestyle dating back to one's earliest memory is not replaced by a modest town house. We watched the dethroned emporer drift into an aimless life of spoiled affluence. During the Japanese invasion, the conquering army installs Pu Yi as a sort of puppet emporer to give a semblance of authority to their control. Ultimately, Pu Yi falls victim to the Communist regiem that fells no need to treat the fallen emporer any different form any othe Chinese individual in need of re-education. In a sense, Pu Yi comes to represent everything wrong with the Old China and everything wrong with the New China. All of this takes place with occassional shifts in time between past and present.
The question arises as to what category this movie fits into; an historical drama or a morality play on how the mighty have fallen. In a way it is a combination of both. The visual experience of history in "The Last Emporer" is often breath-taking and the contemplation of the life of Pu Yi impacts us in a similar manner. Yet we may come away asking ourselves just what is the message of this nearly three-hour movie. I, for one, was not able to immediately answer that question. However, it seems that everything I have read or viewed about 20th Century China since has brought me back to "The Last Emporer". As I looked up this movie to write this review, I discovered that Bertolucci has released a "director's cut" edition of "The Last Emporer" that has added an other hour to the movie. This movie impressed me so much that i will just have to get that edition to see what I missed. What I got the first time around was simply outstanding.』 『Bernardo Bertolucci s The Last Emperor won nine Academy Awards, unexpectedly sweeping every category in which it was nominated quite a feat for a challenging, multilayered epic directed by an Italian and starring an international cast. Yet the power and scope of the film was, and remains, undeniable the life of Emperor Pu Yi, who took the throne at age three, in 1908, before witnessing decades of cultural and political upheaval, within and without the walls of the Forbidden City. Recreating Ching-dynasty China with astonishing detail and unparalleled craftsmanship by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro and production designer Ferdinando Scarfiotti, The Last Emperor is also an intimate character study of one man reconciling personal responsibility and political legacy.
DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY EDITION FEATURES: Restored, high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro DTS-HD Master Audio stereo surround soundtrack Audio commentary by director Bernardo Bertolucci, producer Jeremy Thomas, screenwriter Mark Peploe, and composer-actor Ryuichi Sakamoto The Italian Traveler: Bernardo Bertolucci, a 53-minute film by Fernand Mozskowicz, tracing the director s geographic influences, from Parma to China Video images taken by Bertolucci in China The Chinese Adventure of Bernardo Bertolucci, a 52-minute documentary that revisits the film s creation A 47-minute documentary featuring Storaro, editor Gabriella Cristiana, costume designer James Acheson, and art director Gianni Silvestri A 66-minute documentary exploring Bertolucci s creative process and the making of The Last Emperor A 30-minute interview with Bertolucci from 1989 Interview with composer David Byrne Interview with Ian Buruma examining the historical period of the film Theatrical trailer PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic David Thomson』 『Bernardo Bertolucci does the nearly impossible with this sweeping, grand epic that tells a very personal tale. The story is a dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the emperors of China. It follows his life from its elite beginnings in the Forbidden City, where he was crowned at age three and worshipped by half a billion people. He was later forced to abdicate and, unable to fend for himself in the outside world, became a dissolute and exploited shell of a man. He died in obscurity, living as a peasant in the People's Republic. We never really warm up to John Lone in the title role, but this movie focuses more on visuals than characterization anyway. Filmed in the Forbidden City, it is spectacularly beautiful, filling the screen with saturated colors and exquisite detail. It won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.--Rochelle O'Gorman』
Kakaku：1504 saved$15.04
Questar
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (tennesseecurt) 『Quality could have been much better. There is a lot more to see and experience than what is seen here.』
(Grand Canyon Video) 『I have been to the canyon several times. It is not possible to catch the beauty of it on any media, but this video comes as close as I have seen. Everyone should really make the effort to see it in person. The impression will last a life time.』 『Experience the supreme spectacle of one of the world's natural wonders, the Grand Canyon. Journey rim-to-rim through extreme backcountry and hidden side canyons, along wild rivers and into ancient pools. This double-program Blu-ray disc also containsNational Parks of the Great Southwest, where you'll climb the face of a monolith millions of years in the making, take a sunrise horseback ride through cactus country, and uncover the mysteries of the scorching desert. Along the way, you'll meet some of the Southwest's hardiest inhabitants, from geckos to Gila monsters.』
Kakaku：750 saved$7.50
Image Entertainment
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Very funny and talented man) 『I would recommend this to anyone, He is very very funny. I especially like Achmed the suicide bomber. He says "Silence, I'll keel you." Very funny. You get to thinking the "puppets" are real cause he is so good and the puppets are so "lifelike" You'll will not regret it and will share with family.
』
(JEFF DUNHAMS SPARK OF INSANITY DVD) 『JEFF DUNHAM IS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST AND MOST TALENTED VENTRILOQUISTS I HAVE EVER SEEN. WITH ACHMED, WALTER, PEANUT AND MANY MORE I NEVER GET TIRED OF WATCHING HIM. DEFINITELY WORTH THE MONEY AND WORTH IT TO WATCH.』
(Buy it now !) 『Buy it now, or send as a gift to someone who has not seen it, why are you still reading reviews, go click add to cart now!』
(His Best!) 『This is the third purchase of this item. I believe this show is his best to date. Buy lots of them for Christmas gifts this year. The show will provide entertainment for years to come.』
(Will make you laugh so hard you'll cry) 『I laughed so hard I cried and so did all my friends and family who watched this with me. He is just too funny!』 『
Jeff Dunham and his socially reckless "suitcase posse" are back in this highly anticipated follow-up to Arguing with Myself, his breakthrough television special and multi-platinum selling DVD release! What's next?
An ALL NEW show that is Bigger... Better... and Funnier than ever!
This time, Dunham welcomes two never-before-seen partners "Achmed the Dead Terrorist," and "Melvin the Superhero." Long-time favorites "Peanut," "Walter" and Jose Jalapeno...On a STEEK! are back in an entirely original show for everyone!』
『Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's second live-performance DVD,Spark of Insanity, is much funnier than his first,Arguing With Myself, perhaps because his new puppets allow him to cover more controversial territory beyond skits about family beefs and office humor. Though some puppets reappear, like the beloved Peanut, a purple monkey who loves wordplay, new characters emerge as the stars of this hour-long stand-up show. A tense laughter ripples through the audience, for example, when Dunham announces his wish to talk with a terrorist as he brings out Achmed the Dead Terrorist, a turban-sporting skeleton who's refrain is "I will kill you!" Previous show star, Jose Jalapeño, a Mexican chili pepper on a stick, returns for a discussion about whether the puppet has a green card. If his racial jokes rode a line slightly too Caucasian to clarify his point of view before, Dunham has achieved real satire inSpark of Insanity, showing his audience how ridiculous it is to create stereotypes of any sort. Additionally, Dunham mocks his own culture with Walter, a grumpy old white man whose parental chiding rings true for many. Moreover, Dunham impresses with his ventriloquism skills, and shows off some new vocalization techniques that will stun anyone interested in this fascinating art. --Trinie Dalton』
Kakaku：4299 saved$42.99
Fox Network
Usually ships in 10 to 14 days IPhone 3G used's review (Favorite show!!) 『It's refreshing to watch a television program that isn't written for the "stoopitt" people out there in the world. So many shows lately have to dumby down with their writing so everyone understands what's happening. It's insulting and gets really boring for those of us out here who actually already get it all along...HOUSE is one of those amazingly written shows that appeals to the smarter folks out here. It has excellent humor and drama and mystery, and is worth spending an hour of your time watching because you're going to get everything you tune in for every episode.
There's a formula to each episodes, much like with LAW AND ORDER, but even though you understand how the process works, the endings are most often still quite the surprising twist that you'd never see coming.
The special features are great, but of-course, I always wish for more. Highly recommended!!』
(One of my favorite seasons!) 『The many cases throughout this season further look into the mentality of House and his colleagues. Season Three finishes off with a very dramatic and suspensful 2-part finale.』
(The "House Party" continues!) 『As dramatic, charismatic, and unpredictable as always, House is back for its third season. More bizarre but completely logical diagnoses, more deep insight into the presence that is House, more semi-legal procedures, sharp wit, and cane-antics! If you watched season 1 and 2, there is no more reason need be said to continue your collection. If you've not, go back to the first season and purchase it before returning here. Nothing more need be said.』
(Getting a little boring) 『I love House the charecter, but the story lines are getting old. Seems like the same show over and over again. It is also time for a change as Cameron, Chase and Foreman are getting annoying.』
(Sharp dialogue) 『I love the sharp wit of, not just house, but all the characters. Only series I've bought myself and will buy all the seasons when I can get for a decent price.』 『Two-time Golden Globe Winner and Primetime Emmy Award nominee Hugh Laurie is back making "House" calls in all 24 engaging episodes of this hit medical series! Dr. Gregory House (Laurie) still has the most unapologetically prickly bedside manner ever but his genius for solving medical mysteries other practitioners can't has earned him the respect of his team. In this provocative and compelling season House's unpredictable cases - from killer germs to killer secrets - strain his already tenuous relationship with his co-workers and put his own health at risk. Take the doctor's orders: make House: Season Three a habit!System Requirements:Running Time: 219 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES&SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 025195008136 Manufacturer No: 61100973』 『The cantankerous and brilliant Dr. House (Golden Globe winner Hugh Laurie) is back for a third season of the hit dramaHouse, which picks up with his being shot at the end of season two and ends with his staff dramatically refusing to put up with his oddball (and borderline abusive) demands. Each of the 24 episodes, which aired on FOX from 2006 to 2007, is included in this 5-disc set. Fans of the drama will be happy to hear that the formula remains the same: Each show begins with a medical dilemma that's so severe and life-threatening that only Dr. House can diagnose and fix the problem, even if it goes against conventional medical rules. His put-upon boss Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) is back, as are his young charges Foreman (Omar Epps), Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), and Chase (Jesse Spencer). Oncologist Wilson (Tony winner Robert Sean Leonard), who is House's best friend by default, also returns to support (and infuriate) the cranky doctor. Speaking of cranky, House's difficult nature proves to bite him in the rear. In a six-episode arc, the Vicodin-popping House meets his match after he antagonizes the wrong patient, police officer Michael Twitter (David Morse, who played a compassionate physician onSt. Elsewhere). Hell hath no fury like a patient poked and prodded like a guinea pig, and Twitter makes it his business to make House's life miserable. But since the show is calledHouse, viewers are safe in assuming that House will not be rotting his life away in a jail cell. After all, the excitement of the show is driven by his unorthodox treatment of patients. As Cuddy succinctly points out, "You just keep on going until you come up with something so insane it's usually right." Look for a slew of excellent guest stars (rocker Dave Matthews, Charles S. Dutton, Piper Perabo, John Larroquette) to help stir things up. The episodes are as compelling as ever, focusing on a morbidly obese patient in denial, an autistic child, and a comatose man that House insists on "waking" up. The bonus materials include Morrison and Edelstein doing scenes in Valley Girl-speak and a featurette on Laurie's all-star charity group called Band from TV (Laurie plays piano).--Jae-Ha Kim』
Kakaku：3600 saved$36.00
HBO
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Need-to-know history) 『Most Americans should watch this series in order to understand some of the truths behind the founding of our country. In addition to this, John Adams had such a full and interesting life, how could one not be intrigued by this story. It is almost unbelievable that one man could do so many things in one life-time. Also, the acting, cinematography, and direction is fantastic.』
(John Adams) 『Amazing attention to detail in this movie. I highly recommend watching it with the "pop-ups" it adds historical context that puts things going on into an understandable format.』
(Historically Interesting and Accurate) 『Well-acted drama. Enjoyed historical settings and interiors. Interesting cast of characters and superb development. At times outrageous, but nevertheless appealing, even spell-binding.
Inasmuch as I enjoy period/era dramas, I would certainly recommend this one very highly and would buy others of similar quality and interest.』
(Excellent Movie) 『Very well done. Excellent. The thing that caught my eye was how they didn't pretty up the sets&people. It looked hard&dirty. You could even hear flies and bugs buzzing.』
(great history!) 『Our whole family (ages 21-53) could not wait for the next episode when this aired on HBO. Just a very well thought out and presented life of a presidential family we never paid all that much attention to. BRAVO.』 『John Adams is a sprawling HBO miniseries event that depicts the extraordinary life and times of one of Americas least understood, and most underestimated, founding fathers: the second President of the United States, John Adams. Starring Paul Giamatti (Sideways, Cinderella Man, HBOs American Spendor) in the title role and Laura Linney (You Can Count on Me, Kinsey) as Adams devoted wife Abigail, John Adams chronicles the extraordinary life journey of one of the primary shapers of our independence and government, whose legacy has often been eclipsed by more flamboyant contemporaries like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin. Set against the backdrop of a nations stormy birth, this sweeping miniseries is a moving love story, a gripping narrative, and a fascinating study of human nature. Above all, at a time when the nation is increasingly polarized politically, this story celebrates the shared values of liberty and freedom upon which this country was built.
DVD Features: Documentary Featurette Production Notes
』 『Based on David McCullough's bestselling biography, the HBO miniseriesJohn Adamsis the furthest thing from a starry-eyed look at America's founding fathers and the brutal path to independence. Adams (Paul Giamatti), second president of the United States, is portrayed as a skilled orator and principled attorney whose preference for justice over anti-English passions earns enemies. But he also gains the esteem of the first national government of the United States, i.e., the Continental Congress, which seeks non-firebrands capable of making a reasoned if powerful case for America's break from England's monarchy. The first thing one notices aboutJohn Adams' dramatizations of congress' proceedings, and the fervent pro-independence violence in the streets of Boston and elsewhere, is that America's roots don't look pretty or idealized here. Some horrendous things happen in the name of protest, driving Adams to push the cause of independence in a legitimate effort to get on with a revolutionary war under the command of George Washington. But the process isn't easy: not every one of the 13 colonies-turned-states is ready to incur the wrath of England, and behind-the-scenes negotiations prove as much a part of 18th century congressional sessions as they do today.
Besides this peek into a less-romanticized version of the past,John Adamsis also a story of the man himself. Adams' frustration at being forgotten or overlooked at critical junctures of America's early development--sent abroad for years instead of helping to draft the U.S. constitution--is detailed. So is his dismay that the truth of what actually transpired leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence has been slowly forgotten and replaced by a rosier myth. But above all,John Adamsis the story of two key ties: Adams' 54-year marriage to Abigail Adams (Laura Linney), every bit her husband's intellectual equal and anchor, and his difficult, almost symbiotic relationship with Thomas Jefferson (Stephen Dillane) over decades. Giamatti, of course, has to carry much of the drama, and if he doesn't always seem quite believable in the series' first half, he becomes increasingly excellent at the point where an aging Adams becomes bitter over his place in history. Linney is marvelous, as is Dillane, Sarah Polley as daughter Nabby, Danny Huston as cousin Samuel Adams, and above all Tom Wilkinson as a complex but indispensable Ben Franklin.--Tom Keogh』
Kakaku：2299 saved$22.99
Hbo Home Video
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Not sure why they broke season 3 into 2 parts...) 『It is still not clear to me why they broke season 3 into 2 parts...but I can tell you that the first part was AMAZING, and the second part was not up to par. I was thoroughly disappointed in the fact that there were only 8 episodes in this part, and it did not even come close to matching up with the previous seasons.
Obviously, Entourage fans should buy and watch this episode, but you should buy it with the season 3 part 1, or the season 4 so that you do not end up feeling empty at the end of this short season.』
(As good as season 2) 『Season 3 part 2 is awesome. I had season 1 and 2, so decided to buy the missing ones. Season 3 part 1 kind of let me down as it was not nearly as witty as season 2, which left me on a high note. Luckily Season 3 part 2 (effectively season 4) is as good as season 2. Ari Gold, who is really the center piece of this series has some great lines, the rest of the characters grow in their own areas and start having personalities of their own which makes the series that more enjoyable. This is a great buy and will leave you craving for season 4.』
(good but disappointing) 『just another attempt to leave you hanging. I am the only one that thinks it shouldn't take three years to put the DVD out?』
(love it!!!!) 『Entourage is great! I love it, never a dull moment and Salone....ah Salone...don't be a cheap skate, BUY IT!』
(Amazing show, immensely entertaining!) 『I stumbled on an episode of this show and have been hooked ever since. The characters are down to earth and loyal to each other, which is not something you see in the drama-filled reality series that television is so fond of lately. I have bought all three seasons and am patiently waiting for season 4 to come out on DVD and season 5 to start! It's an addiction, but a healthy one:).』 『Sure it would be great to have it all, but at what price? For Vince, Eric, Drama and Turtle, life in Hollywood's fast lane isn't without its road bumps, as we learned when a botched deal cost Ari, Vince's longtime agent, his job. Will change at the top make the difference in getting Vince his dream picture - or will the boys regret giving Ari the ax?』 『HBO's decision to releaseEntourage'sthird season in two parts makes watching the already brief season on DVD feel even more abrupt; compared to part one's 12 episodes, part two is just eight--and just as the plot feels like it's finally moving, it's over. Also over, at least as part two opens, is the working relationship between movie star Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier) and agent Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven). Playing much like a real breakup, the two circle each other in various spots in Hollywood--avoiding, making small talk, attempting the just-friends hangout. But deep down, the two know they're meant for each other, and when Ari dangles the rights to Vincent's dream project--the Pablo Escobar biopicMedellín--Vincent is only too happy to meet, against the wishes of his new agent (Carla Gugino). The pursuit of theMedellínproject is the focus of part two, from trying to close the deal on Yom Kippur (not the easiest when the studio execs are observing the holy day), to mulling an indecent proposal from a prince and his wife in exchange for financing the flick. Meanwhile, Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon, who finally scored an Emmy nomination for this season) enjoys success on an Edward Burns-produced network drama calledFive Towns. Turtle and Eric don't get as much storyline in this installment, and while there's plenty of Piven scenery to chew there's not enough of his scene-stealing assistant, Lloyd (Rex Lee). Bonus features remain minimal: commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette. Perhaps that's the running theme of part two: There's just not enough. --Ellen A. Kim』
