IPhone 3G used's review (DA! I Loved This Russian Production Of Queen Margot) 『This review refers to the DVD PRODUCTION 4 disc set of "Koroleva Margo"(Queen Margot)...
I simply adored and was mesmerized by this exquisite Russian adaption of Dumas' "La Reine Margot" Produced for Russian television, it runs close to ten hours(10 chapters) and stays faithful to the tale of the scheming and murderous 16th century French Royals. Set during a time of religious conflict, it pits Huguenots against Catholics, brother against brother,mother against daughter and friend against friend as the battle for power is all consuming. It also unites enemies in a strong friendships and lovers in powerful bonds.
The production will sweep you away to another time and place with it's gorgeous settings and costumes. The actors are marvelous(and by the way also all gorgeous) portraying these very evil or very heroic and sometimes humorous characters. And the music is simply charming. This adaptation is probably more suited to for a family view than other films on the subject. Although there are a few scenes of romance, there is nothing graphic or revealing and the violence is pretty toned down as well.
The DVDs are excellent as far as picture(full screen), colors and sound.It's Russian language with optional English subtitles, which are nicely placed and easy to read, but I have to tell you that somewhere between Dumas' novel, the Russian language and the English translation, something was definitely lost. And although charming(you could almost hear the Russian accent in the subtitles)you will know right off that who ever did the subtitles was not exactly fluent in English. But...no matter..it did not interfere one bit with the enjoyment of this series, and was even kind of fun.The menu is in Russian and English as well.
There are even a few extras: some still photos, a "making of" featurette(alas, no subtitles for this) and a wonderful Russian music video(that was similar to Bryan Adams' from the Robin Hood film). You can get to this on Disc 4.Everything on the DVD case in in Russian, and I will not even presume to try to list any of the credits, only say that everyone involved did wonderful work on this program.
Get the croissants and maybe some borscht and enjoy.....Laurie』 『History of the sunset of the administration of the French dynasty Of Valua sweeping saga of religious contradictions and amorous intrigues. Probably the closest adaptation of Dumas' classic tale that aired on Russian TV and won the New York (1997) prize for the acknowledgement of the salient achievements the festival of television films in Monte Carlo (1997). Collector's Edition Box set (4 DVDS) NTSC (viewable on any DVD player in North America), ENGLISH subtitles, additional materials and great soundtrack by Vladimir Kuzmin.』
Kakaku：1999 saved$19.99
RJD Productions
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (A plus!) 『When I moved to Vermont a few years ago I didn't think anything would remind me of home. Until I watched this movie. Not only was the film very well done and extremely entertaining but the lovely men who play these woman are awesome as well. It was really nice to get a back story of their individual lives. Whenever there is a charity event or party I know they will be there. This is a great way to show another side of Vermont other than the skiing and leaf peeping. This video should be a staple in every home. Its a great way to show family and friends what's REALLY going on up here in VT!!』
(Well done portrait of a unique performing group.) 『I thoroughly enjoyed this well done documentary about a unique troup of actors who perform regularly at various events throughout Vermont and beyond. The story is told from the point of view of an outisder who moves to a small Vermont city looking to further his education in a traditional sense, and instead he gets a totally different type of education than he expected - one in tolerance and understanding of lifestyles different than those of his small town Maine conservative upbrining. I recommend this movie to anyone that either knows the troup or has interest in acting, cross-dressing, Vermont culture, great music, or just wants to see a well done documentary on an interesting, unusual topic. Highly recommended.』
(Brava!) 『I always look forward to seeing the LeMays in Provincetown every year. They are such a fun group at the Carnival Week events, and this film is the icing on the cake! It is wonderful to learn of their history and their impact on life in Vermont. I never knew how much one group could change a community, and this heartwarming, funny, and joyous tale takes the LeMays from a fringe group to an anchor of the community! Brava! Now I want to visit Vermont and see one of their shows up there.』 『Meet the girls of Beaver Pond and the boys who play them!
"I have just seen the feel-good documentary of the decade! Slingbacks and Syrup,"..."recently a huge hit at the Vermont International Film Festival - and I can see why. It is funny, touching, and extremely entertaining." - David Dust
Slingbacks and Syrup recently drew a larger audience than any other film in the Vermont International Film Festival! This endearing new movie about The House of LeMay and our ability to change the world around us is now available on DVD. Don't miss it. Order your copy today!
"...very very entertaining and so well done. The laughs were in all the right places and the music was just perfect for the film. We all loved it. It had an empowering feel to it. BRAVO TO THE LEMAYS." - Robert Taylor, Burlington, Vermont.
Deep in Vermont lies the mythical town of Beaver Pond. Slingbacks and Syrup uses the documentary form to tell a true tale of a young man who meets The House of LeMay, a family of outrageous drag queens who forever change his life. Through laughter and leadership the young man learns how the LeMays have stood tall in their heels and changed the world around them, and eventually the young man discovers that his world has been dramatically changed too.
"...a well done documentary on an interesting, unusual topic. Highly recommended." - C. Gorman, Westfield, MA
Order your copy today!
This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.』
Kakaku：1495 saved$14.95
CustomFlix
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Betsy Palmer - A TRUE LEGEND) 『This video is a in depth look at her movie career&life. Here's food for thought she started out on the "TODAY" show. This also shows there's more to her than "FRIDAY THE 13TH". She acted with some of the best Like "JACK LEMMON"&"JACKY GELISON". This interview will change your view of MS.PALMER as a actress. I rate this movie a 8 from 1to10!!』
(What a classy woman) 『Very interesting interview. Is very down to earth, worth purchasing!!!!』 『For the first time, Betsy Palmer does a one-on-one sit down interview - just her and the camera. During this hour long conversation, she talks about her roles on Broadway and on television, starring in motion pictures like Mr. Roberts with Henry Fonda and Jack Lemmon, Queen Bee with Joan Crawford, Friday the 13th and her latest motion picture Bell Witch: The Movie. She also candidly discusses life and her past during this once in a lifetime interview. A note from the director: After becoming friends with Betsy Palmer I've had the privilege of hearing many of her fascinating stories about Hollywood, her career and life. I thought that many people might never have the opportunity to spend time with her in conversation. So I invited Betsy to do a simple interview that is as close to an actual conversation as I could possibly make it. I used no music, very little camera movements and as few edits as possible in hopes that everyone could experience Betsy Palmer as though chatting with her over a cup of coffee. -S. Shane Marr, Director』
Kakaku：146 saved$1.46
Tai Seng
Usually ships in 24 hours 『Amy Yip of Sex And Zen fame stars in this absorbing biopic as Sister Har, a legend among the Hong Kong underworld in the 1960's and 70's. Beautiful yet brashy, Sister Har climbs from the lowest depths of society to become the celebrated queen of the night life.』
Kakaku：246 saved$2.46
E Home Video
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Inaccurate Junk and Disgraceful to the Original Animators) 『I found this dvd terribly overpriced, yet I finally bit the bullet and shelled out.
What a mistake - the narration is inane and misleading in terms of Betty's history (it is made to sound like "Snow White" was an effort by the studio to get Betty back on track and woo the movie-going public - it is in fact one of the earlier Jazz efforts when her skirt was still short) and very little of the narration or interviews provides insight into what made Betty popular in the first place: namely the risque, jazz, "acid" and spooky elements that make up the first few years of her series and appearances in 'Talkartoons'.
The man who should have been interviewed for this special (indeed, should have narrated it)was Leslie Cabarga, who wrote a wonderful book titled "The Fleischer Story" in the early 1970's - a remarkably well researched book, full of enthusiasm, love and respect for the material.
I suspect Richard Fleischer's (son of Max) inclusion in this special was incumbent on Mr.Cabarga's absence, as bickering factions of the Fleischer clan had previously chosen sides over whether to cooperate with Cabarga's research or not.
But the real slap in the face, which affects all viewers and not just those scholarly types, is that more than two thirds of the animation portrayed during this special are re-"black and whited" versions of colorised copies made in the 1980's of the original black and white cartoons.
Worse still, characters in motion are virtually re-drawn and animated at a lower frame rate, making the originally beautiful smooth animation now jerky and awkward - a disgrace to the work of the animators who put so much love and soul into these amazing cartoons, since the work here portrayed is supposed to be of a "historical" and "scholarly" bent.
I've never met a Fleischer fan who claimed that the later, "tame", long skirted, unfunny domestic Betty was an improvement, yet here we are presented with veteran animator Myron Waldman (may he rest in Peace) informing us that he always hated those peripheral elements in Betty's cartoons like the character Bimbo - who I think, along with Ko Ko, only aided Betty's appearances.
Pudgy vs Bimbo? No contest. Perhaps they might have found a Fleischer Studios animator whose opinion of the elements that made Betty's cartoons so popular in the first place was a little higher and not at odds with the lessons of history: namely, that turning Betty into Mrs.Cleaver is what spelled the series' demise, and not, as this special suggests, because her former Flapper looks was somehow out of style with late Thirties America.
Betty and the Fleischer studios animators who created her deserved better.』
(BETTY BOOP BIOGRAPHY) 『I REALLY ENJOYED WATCHING BETTY'S BIO. I HAD SEEN IT ON TV, BUT I MISSED SOME OF IT. IT WAS VERY INTERESTING SEEING HOW SHE STARTED AND HOW POPULAR SHE STILL IS AFTER 60+ YEARS. IF YOU ARE A TURE BETTY FAN THIS BIOGRAPHY IS A MUST. S.ALLEN』
(Betty Boop: Technique-Focused) 『The usual Biography installment has approximately 5 interviewees and you can see the narrator at the beginning and end of the work. This work on Betty Boop had two interviewees and the narrator is never seen. I really think this work was intended to focus on the technical aspects of this cartoon, rather than anything else.
You learn stuff here. Betty Boop was originally a dog-like cartoon. Cartoons were meant for all ages, not just children, and thus they had many double entendres. Cartoons were made by young, American men. In the autobiography of Bart's voice, she said the Simpsons are drawn and painted in Korea. So much has changed in animation.
This film had modern people raving about Betty Boop. However, her popularity could have been proven by showing some famous person from the 1930 raving about her. The narrator says, "Betty Boop offered a female lead character at a time when feminism was unheard-of." WRONG! First-wave feminists organized to get women the right to vote 10 years before Betty's creation. Further, Betty's depiction takes from the 1920s New Woman and a bit from flappers. This work really could have benefited from an interviewee with a academic knowledgeable about feminism and media studies. They say she launched Popeye's career, but I wonder if Olive Oyl were drawn in response/opposite to her.
This work says Betty is still popular. However, it says nothing of her guest appearance in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" It says nothing about the 1990s dance song "Betty Boo just doin' the doo." It seem truncated and incomplete at times.』 『She first appeared on screen with the body of a woman and the head of a dog! Re-invented as 100% woman, the racy cartoon star became an American icon.』
Kakaku：1400 saved$14.00
Warner Home Video
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (A Great Start for Youngsters, A Large Sandbox for Fans) 『If you go into this new addition to the Star Wars universe with an open mind and a decent sense of the target demographic this movie was created for, you will undoubtedly have a great experience. I purchased this mainly for my 3 1/2 year old who absolutely loves all things Star Wars (much like his father!) and my expectations were that it was going to be a fun movie that doesn't take itself seriously. I was not disappointed and ended up loving the movie and the entirely new chapter of the Star Wars saga that is virtually limitless. While the characters don't engage in strong philosophical or intellectual debate, they do show some depth and do a good job of fitting into what we have come to expect from Star Wars dialogue - in fact, in some ways, it's even better than the prequels. The story is good for all audiences and the action is very fast-paced and engaging. Plus, the visuals on Blu Ray just make it that much more of a treat.
Yes, our beloved Star Wars is getting older with the years, but that doesn't mean we can't accept change that is meant to catapult our obsession to a new generation of viewers. The time frame in the Star Wars universe is one that is ripe for some intriguing stories and action-packed adventures, exploring characters and places that we have long wondered about. The animated series on Cartoon Network has been a real treat as well and I, for one, am very excited about the potential of this series.』
(Star Wars: The Clone War) 『I gave this as a Xmas gift. The person who received it was thrilled.』
(Never received the order, no e-mail response from seller!) 『I never received this order. i emailed the seller twice, with no response either time. Amazon issued a refund.』
(Two short expected more movie footage.) 『This is over priced for the short movie and special disc. The overall stories is excellent but I would have liked it to have a longer story. I would say weight until they release all of The Clone Wars series to DVD and then it would be worth the price. My son and daughter get this from Santa and just put it aside. I ask way and they said they seen it a couple of times on cartoon network and it only have the first part.』
(THE KIDS JUST LOVE IT!) 『MY NEPHEW JOE-JOE WAS JUST THRILLED TO GET THIS FOR CHRISTMAS. HIS LITTLE BROTHER WAS ALSO THRILLED...WHAT KID WOULDN'T BE. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BIG INTO STAR WARS&THIS NEW ANIMATED SERIES IS RIGHT UP THEIR ALLEY. 』 『Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 11/11/2008 Rating: Pg』 『Stills fromStar Wars: The Clone Wars(click for larger image)
大満足！北国のホタテ・いくら・ボタンエビがぎっしり！
