The Shelter of God's Promises DVD-Based Bible Study

Excellent series on God's promises
We are finishing up the 10-week series and I would highly recommend it to any women's group wanting to go deeper in their understanding of God's promises. This study started in response to going through difficult times and has been of great encouragement and a blessing as our group has walked through this together. The DVD had us laughing and crying; and smiling again as we learned how God has the answer, again and again, and this was so encouraging.

The participants guide has additional material that can be done through the week, to go deeper in your study. The questions for discussion were so popular it was a hard to end each lesson and end for the night. And I was blessed by how much this helped old and recent hurts and the healing that happened. Already I'm being asked when Sheila's next series is. The response to this study has been wonderful.

God's promises are not broken
One of the things that really struck me about this book was how Sheila was able to present each of the promises in such a way that I could see how they fit in perfectly with my life. This helped to reminded me that no matter what, God has made certain promises that are shared with us through the Bible. And unlike humans, God does not break his promises.

Sheila Walsh shares these promises through stories and Bible references in a way that will change the way you look at life.

This is a must watch for everyone one.

There is also a book that can be purchased separately. I love the fact that she includes a Bible study with the book. That way you can learn through using your own personal Bible how these promises can be linked to your life.

In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with...

Good Bible Study Material
I received " The Shelter of God's Promises: DVD Based Bible Study " by Sheila Walsh in e-galley format from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley for review purposes. (Note: I did not receive the DVD for review, just the participant's guide.)

This bible study package includes a participant's guide, leader's guide and other materials, making this a wonderful way to host a home bible study at a reasonable price. Walsh discusses God's Promises to us. God promised us: Jesus, Provision, Peace, Confidence, Love, Grace, Hope, Strength, More and Home. Sheila Walsh presents God's Promises to you in a way that leaves you with peace. Through a home group setting participants are able to bring their own experiences to share with other group members and together all can share in the realization that God's promises are faithful. I enjoyed this study. I recommend this bible study to any church or home bible study group.

I received a copy of this title for review...

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Ultimate Jordan (Four-Disc Deluxe Limited Edition) [Blu-ray]

This BluRay is in Low Definition Picture Quality
When you buy a BluRay, you expect HD Quality, and not VHS Quality.
Unfortunately, the source material used in this BluRay was probably from VHS and so the quality suffers.
The resolution looks worse than DVD quality (appears more blurry than 720x480) even though the technical
specs on the packaging says 1080p (1920x1080). This makes sense as the source data is low resolution.
You can re-master VHS a million times and the resolution won't get any higher. As far as content is
concerned, another reviewer correctly stated that this BluRay has less material than the 3-Disc Anniversary
Edition DVD. The only reason to buy this is if you can no longer find the DVD version.

VHS Quality
There was a time in my life where I would watch Come Fly With Me almost daily.
I remember all the moves, the dialog, etc. I tried doing all the moves in the playground right after watching the movie.

Needless to say i was so psyched to hear about this collection coming to Bluray.

I preordered it as soon as I could.

I was a bit disappointed that they would release something like this. There was no improvement from the DVD version. There were even times where you'd see some pixelation on the movies. Very disappointing. It's like watching youtube sometimes. Was the source material really that bad that they couldn't improve on it any more?

Michael Jordan (Deluxe Limited Edition) Blu-ray Review
Well, let me begin by stating all the good about this compilation. The good is that if you are a Jordan fan, like obviously I am, then you are considering purchasing the most comprehensive collection of Jordan moments EVER, and at a very fair to affordable price. I have been a Jordan fan for pretty much all of my life. Now in my latter 20's these moments still bring a childlike exuberance for my childhood hero, this legendary athlete. Furthermore, to those fans of "the game" of basketball who will be witnessing MJ for the first time you are especially in for a real treat! Not only is "Air Jordan's" most spectacular moments brought back to life in this collection, the moments have been restored in high definition blu-ray quality. Really! We all know about the hype of movies and sports on blu-ray discs, but these moments actually look better SO MUCH BETTER than when they actually took place. Also, all of you long time fans can finally stop worrying so much about trying to preserve your...

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Doctor Who: The Mutants (Story 63)

Very underrated 6-parter, on the evils of empires
Upon seeing the old bearded man running towards the screen through the mist and bushes at the onset of the story, no, it isn't the "It's..." man from Monty Python's first season. Rather, it's a mutant native of Solos, derogatorily called "Mutts" by the Marshal of Solos.

The appearance of a small sphere resembling a cross between a basketball and a coconut is a three-line whip from the Time Lords to the Doctor, a task that's an emergency. The TARDIS takes the Doctor and Jo to a Skybase hovering over Solos in the 30th century Earth Empire. "Once [Earth] sacked the solar system, they moved on to pastures new. Solos is one of them, one of the last [to gain independence]. Did you ever read Gibbons' Decline and Fall?... Empires rise and empires fall."

They instantly fall in trouble. The Marshal, the blustering, stout colonial ruler of Solos with piggish eyes and expression, is stunned to hear that Earth is finally giving Solos its independence...

"MUUUTT!!!!!!!"
This is one of the Third Doctor's best episodes!

It is an action-packed 6-parter from Pertwee's golden period.

An empire is in decay and a world is left ravaged by the evils of colonialism. The Doctor goes against the ruthless Marshal of the planet Solos and works to uncover the mystery behind the monstrous mutation of the Solonian people. The Marshall rules Solos from his orbiting Skybase and will stop at nothing to prevent the weary Earth Empire from retracting and granting Solos its independence.

Those who liked Colony in Space and Frontier in Space will enjoy this epic Doctor Who socio-political thriller.

Un-people Doing Un-things Un-together
This is an enjoyable story from the middle of the Pertwee era. While it is not highly regarded by many fans, I have always liked this story. The story basics are the Doctor receives an odd object, and tells Jo that it is an important message that must be delivered. Jo follows the Doctor into the TARDIS and they end up on an Earth Sky Base orbiting the planet Solos quite far in the future. The Earth Empire is declining - they can no longer afford to keep far-flung colonies such as Solos going, so control of Solos is being returned to native populations. Mucking things up are warring factions among the native populations, apparent mutations among the native population, the murder of an Earth government official, members of the Earth force that don't want to give up control of Solos, and atmospheric experiments to make the atmosphere breathable by humans.

This was done in the middle of Pertwee's 5-year stay in the role, and it shows. John Pertwee is very comfortable and...

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Gretry: L'Amant Jaloux

Nice music, modest staging
Gretry's comic operas were very popular in France before the revolution. This particular one is quite nice, although not a masterpiece. The music flows easily and there are some very nice arias. The production is modest, even intimate. Quite effective for this opera. The orchestra and the singers look young and they perform beautiful. As long as you don't expect a masterpiece sung and played by the best in the world, this DVD is very enjoyable. Mozart was staying in Paris when this opera was composed. You can hear some Mozart hints here and there. This is the only recording known to me on DVD, which I recommend for those that want to hear and listen to more than the most famous operas. Musically, Gretry reflects the character and the situation with his melodies without exaggerating much. Simple and delicate arias. Worth watching and listening to.





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Group Marriage

Code Red has done a fabulous job on this Stephanie Rothman drive-in classic
Always been a fan of the drive-in exploitation flicks of the early '70s. Stephanie Rothman was a female director ahead of her time, and besides being in a world where directors were men (this was way before Kathryn Bigelow). This to me is one of my favorites by her. Some may be disturbed that there isn't more t&a with a title like Group Marriage. We do get the drive-in queen Claudia Jennings. Glad to see Code Red releasing Rothman's classics (along with Terminal Island and Working Girls). These are great looking transfers from Rothman's own private collection. Colors aren't washed out like you would think for the film stock from 1973. The only disappointment about these features are the lack of a Stephanie Rothman commentary. Don't know why, I would love to hear about the struggles of being a female director in an all male Hollywood. With this minor quibble, this title (and the other two Code Red releases) are worth the buy. Oh, did I already tell ya, this ones got Claudia Jennings...

70s california cult film about alternative, er, sex arrangements
This is a comedy that is supposed to make a controversial statement about marriage. At its base is sex: a group gets together and agrees that exchanging partners is fine, so long as the others are willing. They move into a house owned by a bumper-sticker entrepreneur who translates his hostility into money via nasty sayings. For what it's worth, there are a lot of laughs, titillation that never adds up to soft porn, and some pretty good characters. Unfortunately, the acting is ridiculously mediocre, though it is fun to see the old playboy bunny, Claudia Jennings in one of her better roles.

It is fun to view this as a 70s retro thing, where the free-love creed of the 60s is transmogrified into pure libertinism coupled with commercialism. Recommended for nostalgia's sake.

So Bad It's Good
The acting is overdone in some places, underdone in others, the plot is there but predictable...and I love it! I laughed so hard it stopped mattering whether or not I laughed because it is a comedy or just that bad.

The main girl decides to sleep with another man since her boyfriend is distracted with work. (While he is sleeping in the next room!) They talk about it and to even the score, her boyfriend plans to sleep with the other guy's girlfriend. All good? Well, no. First, we have to deal with jealousy in a very funny, obvious way. But it is resolved and moves pass "just sex" to the four of them moving in together and falling in love as a family. Through a few funny twists and turns, yet another couple joins them.

The writer mixes in real issues for those who choose to live this alternative life style (public opinin, "all that glitters isn't gold", working together as "one big family", a person wanting to "divorce" the group, legal issues, etc) but again, it's...

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The Guardian: Complete Series

One of the best series on TV
The Guardian was cancelled too soon. Thought provoking series - when did we last have one of those? A very intriguing DRAMA that explores the progression of a smart young corporate lawyer, Nick (Simon Baker), from heartless, cold corporate lawyer to that of a caring human being with a conscience. Nick loves money and replaces his emotional void with drugs until he is caught and sentenced to community service whose clientele are children. Excellent acting by the entire cast; the child actors are amazing. This series is not a feel good drama - the story lines are very realistic and common sense is second fiddle to the savagery of current laws. All of the characters are flawed and one watches how each struggles to live within their skins; some flounder - some rise to the top. What is right versus what is legal is explored throughout the series. I bring these DVDs to evening "dinner and a movie" gatherings of friends; I usually end up leaving them as friends want to watch more of...

Character, plot, and issue driven. Excellent series.
Other reviews already sum up the features of the show. I loved how the characters deal with issues in their own personal lives. Also, this is not your usual legal drama where the legal issues are either about corporate or individual crime.

More of the legal situations are about legal-aid, family issues. I personally believe there was a lot of realism in these situations rather than corporate or individual crime.

However, a huge part of the drama is about inner character issues with the characters. I believe that the issues are presented very realistically when there are personal or ethical questions that arise. But the issues are always an integral part of interesting plot developments.

Some dramas like to laugh issues off or start focusing too much on a particular romance. I have nothing against romance in dramas with many facets, and this series has been able to balance elements of plot.

The Guardian Complete Series
This was a fabulous series starring Simon Baker and Daphne Coleman. It took a long time for it to be on DVD, but it is now and anyone enjoying Baker in The Mentalist, should snatch this up. You'll enjoy hours of fabulous viewing at a great price!

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Ultimate Jordan (Deluxe Limited Edition)

Excellent Michael Jordan Material
This 7 disc set currently sells for $37 on Amazon. It is really excellent. While it has five good films that focus on Jordan's career, his acceptance speech during his Hall of Fame induction, and some of his greatest moves, I was especially interested in the five games that are shown in their entirety. The only other reviewer of this set, as of the time of my writing this, was disappointed that the producers didn't present the games' highlights instead, but I really liked seeing the whole games. Here are the games that are featured:

Disc 3: 1986 Eastern Conference Playoffs, Chicago vs Boston. Boston has the best record in the conference with 67 wins and 15 loses, while Chicago has the worst record in the conference with 52 loses. Jordan missed

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's Masquerade with Mickey Mote

More Disney fun for kids!
Disney has done it again- another wholesome, fun and entertaining set of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes! My girls, ages 4 and 5, are consistently captivated by these shows, and this DVD is no exception. The shows encourage kids to think and to problem-solve. These episodes reinforce basic skills like counting, sorting, completing patterns, days of the week, and identifying shapes. The shows are full of interactive fun, music, and dancing with Mickey and company. Each of the five episodes runs about 24 minutes, making them the perfect length for small kids. This DVD contains the following episodes:

"Minnie's Masquerade"- Minnie and the rest of the gang plan a masquerade ball
"Minnie's Mouske-Calendar"- Minnie loses the pages of her calendar, and must find them and put them back together
"A Surprise for Minnie"- Mickey wants to come up with something special for Minnie for Valentine's Day
"Secret Spy Daisy"- Daisy leads the group on a mission to protect...

Warning: Your daughter will watch this over, and over, and over...
My daughter (who will be 3 next month), has been eagerly waiting for, what she has been calling, "The Minnie Mouse Princess Movie," to be released. She had seen the preview for it on tv, and every time we walked by the DVD's in any store, she would start looking for and asking for it. Knowing how bad she wanted this movie, I went ahead and pre-ordered it from Amazon. It arrived yesterday while she was napping. So when she woke up from her nap, I presented her with her surprise. She gasped, put her hands on her cheeks and squealed, "The Minnie Mouse Princess Movie!!!!" She was so excited when I put it on for her! Our copy came with a cardboard/paper mask that she proudly wore throughout the entire episode.
She was not disappointed in this movie. Since yesterday afternoon, she has watched it probably 6-8 times! Definitely a new favorite! And definitely a must have for all the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse fans in your household! Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes are educational...

Kids Cannot Get Enough
My 4 year old son and 2 year old daughter love it. Both are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse fans, but they really love the dress-up story and have enjoyed watching the video several times.

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Sylphide

I'm in love with Aurelie Dupont's Sylphide.
I'm in love with Aurelie Dupont's Sylphide. She is so exquisitely lovely and so elusive. She enchants, she's now coy, now a vamp, when you reach out to grasp her, she disappears. She is that ideal of love never obtained, of art never fulfilled. Ms. Dupont captures all of this in every gesture of her body, every expression on her face, every nod of her head, every finger. She is the sublime practitioner of superb dancer and supreme mime.
Sylphide, the ballet has had a curious history. It was pieced together by the great dance-master Filippo Taglioni out of tales of that exotic (then) land, Scotland and a bucolic wedding of a local farmer who has romantic dreams of other worldly sprites. The combination was put together with a wistful musical score by Jean-Madelene Schneitzhoeffer, a contract composer. But the secret ingredient was the ballet-masters daughter, Maria Taglioni. She transfored the world of ballet in many ways. She danced en pointe to effect a sylph-like flight. (She...

DuPont is special
While. DuPont stars in many lead roles, La Sylphede seems to have been especially written for her. She has the right mix of the ethereal and the coquette. While ably supported by an excellent group of dancers, she stands above them in this truly memorable performance.

Excellent ballet very well danced
Pickings are slim for good classical full-length ballets on DVD. Rarely will you find excellent quality. This is about as good as it gets for anything more than just a couple years old. Matthieu Ganio is not my favorite James, but he is very good. The costumes and set are lovely, adding to the ballet without distracting. Aurelie Dupont is a stunningly beautiful Sylphide whose lingering arabesques will make you hold your breath, and whose leaps are so graceful they appear to be playing in slow motion. Her death is heart-wrenchingly sad and beautiful as she practically melts into the ground before her sisters bear her away. If you appreciate graceful French arms, you'll love these sylphides. They are quite lovely! And the witch is a treat! From hair and makeup and costume that will delight, to excellent acting and wonderful pantomime skills that dance along that narrow path that is neither so subtle as to be difficult to follow, nor so over-done as to border on melodrama.

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Sons of Hollywood

Great performances
Great job, gentlemen. I was absolutely convinced that these three were clueless, spoiled and delusional children of famous people. Playing stupid is not easy, but these three nail it with such grace and aplomb that I gave them a standing ovation ... although I was sitting at the time and not clapping.

Also, Sean Stewart? Oh man, he nailed it as the world's most unlikable person. I hope the Oscar voters keep him in mind when it comes time. A riveting performance of a heartbreaking and sad life. Bravo!

What I respected most was the way these three actually were so convincingly delusional in that were going somewhere with their careers! Hysterically played, lads! Only sychophants of their rich fathers would ever give them the time of day!

A hilarious show!
I watched this show religiously when it aired originally on A&E. I also taped it on VHS, old school! Having it on DVD makes it all the more better! These guys are hilarious. Sean Stewart is one of my favorite people and never fails to entertain! Watch the ups and downs and the many parties, you can't get enough. If you like to laugh and be entertained, buy this DVD series!



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Minkus: La Bayadere [Blu-ray]

Nunez is lovely, but no one else is
La Bayadere - Royal Ballet

The Royal Ballet comes from long line of amazing, gorgeous dancers: Fonteyn, Shearer, Nureyev and Sibley are names that evoke some of the best in ballet. However, it seems that England's own has gotten a little lost.

The staging of this Bayadere--set by Natalia Makarova--is lovely, taken after the former Kirov (now Mariinsky). It is in all senses of the word, a classical ballet. While not Petipa's strongest work, the choreography is nothing less than what you would expect from him. Minkus's score is pleasant and suited to the ballet, and one can see why it is a standard, long lasting composition. I have no issue with any aspects of the staging or spectacle of this ballet. On top of it, the Blu Ray recording is absolutely stunning in quality, and well filmed. There are no missing dancers, chopped off feet, or misplaced shots. Additionally, the costumes are so stunning that Blu Ray makes them dazzle. One can see every detail, down to the...

A Feat for the Royal Ballet
La Bayadere, with music by Ludwig Minkus, shines in a new light in the Royal Ballet's production by Natalia Makarova.
Altynai Asylmuratova and Darcey Bussell provide a spectacular performance, in both their technique and artistry. Asylmuratova transforms into a delicate creature, with near-perfect port de bras, and beautiful hyperextended arms. Bussell dances a virtuous Gamzatti, extremely dramatic in acting scenes, while very joyful in some dances. Irek Mukhamedov does a solid job of Solor, proving to be a brilliant partner for both Asylmuratova and Bussell, while showing true mastery of all of the technicalities and variations that are demanded in the ballet. Testuya Kumakawa dances a brilliant Bronze Idol; at times transfixing the viewer in awe of a human statue. In this production, the High Brahmin was selected immaculately, showing Dowell's dramatic and frightening acting ability. However, the corps de ballet does not represent the cleanness and perfection of the Russian...

The Perfect Cast
It is truly a joy to watch Darcey Bussell dance. Her graceful limbs are of perfect shape, her long tapering arms are always held just right, fingers dangle stylishly. She looks like an exquisite statue come to life immaculate, cold. No matter what steps she takes they're just right. She is partnered in this cast with the perfect Solor in the person of Irek Mukhamedov. He is tall enough to tower over Ms. Bussell, who is tall for a ballerina, and he is himself statuesque. He is a powerful presence of the most manly physique (and beautiful butt) and knows it. His dancing is also just right; exact steps, body placed accurately, masculine, emotionless. The perfect foil for Ms Bussell. Then there is the feather-light Nikiya of Altynai Asylmuratova with her perfect Port de Bras. She is a delicate warm vapor in pure white, who is all emotion and love, she is the living human fragile being caught in between the games of the other two. She is the innocent one for whom Solor'a affection runs hot...

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On Any Sunday Boxset

On any day of the week!
I don't like motorcycles but I do like this movie! Bruce Brown's ability to wrap a viewer up in a blanket of entertainment is uncanny. He approaches this documentary about motorcycle racing and recreation with a zeal and thoroughness that leaves you wanting more by the film's end. Featuring Steve McQueen, Malcolm Smith and Mert Lawwill - coupled with a snappy and involving music score by Dominic Frontiere (The Outer Limits series), On Any Sunday is sure to please.

On Any Sunday - A movie that can be enjoyed by anyone!
On Any Sunday is an outstanding effort by Burce Brown. It combines motorcycle action, humor and an indepth look at the exciting and sometimes dangerous world of professional motorcycle racing. Having recently seen it again for the first time in almost 30 years, I was inspired to write a letter to Mert Lawwill thanking him for some wonderful memories of my own dirt bike riding days and the Harley I owned. In turn, he wrote me back and included an autographed copy of him hanging it out sideways on a flat track in his hay day. What a great deal. My wife even enjoyed it enough to watch it with my twice in the two days we rented it. Rent it, buy it, watch it. You'll enjoy it!

A Movie For Absolutely Anyone
Please, please, please buy this movie as a gift to yourself. Once you've seen it you'll probably buy it for many others. It makes an extremely inexpensive and extremely enjoyable gift for anyone.

My wife is the person least interested in motorcycles in the world. She absolutely loves this movie, along with my 17-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. My 5-year-old twin daughters love it most of all. They call it the "voom-voom-movie" because that's the first sound you hear.

Everyone from grandma to motorcyle freaks to babies will love this film.

It is so much more than just a motorcycle movie. It's about the love of leisurely and competitive motorcycling all around the world. It's about the only superstar actor ever who was a bona-fide competitive motorcycle racer, Steve McQueen. It's about $2.00 parts costing tens of thousands of dollars in prizes. It's about paying for the love of a sport with your life. It's about the poetry of a group of...

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ZBrush Hard Surface Techniques

Very good. Very thorough
This tutorial could be somewhat intimidating to new users because of the speed at which Mike Jensen goes (not a complaint). So it would help if you familiarize yourself with the ZBrush UI first. That said, Mike Jensen does go over customizing the UI for this tutorial, which I think is great. Now, he is very very good! He knows ZBrush and knows how to make best use of the brushes and other utilities. His explanations are thorough and easily followed (don't forget, you can pause). I am completely knew to ZBrush and I am NOT having a difficult time following the explanations. As quickly as Mike Jensen goes, he explains each step very well. I plan on viewing the course first (no ZBrush) so I know what to expect when I actually open ZBrush up and follow along. Although, it is a lengthy at course 7.5 hours, I can understand why, as it is a very detailed sculpt, and completely appreciate the time Mike has put into this tutorial. I highly recommend this to anyone, new or advanced...





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Abbado Conducts Mahler: Symphony 5 [Blu-ray]

Superb in every way
It's a great pleasure to see this appear in blu-ray. This DVD is superb in every way. The performance is incandescent, and the visual quality is greatly enhanced from the original (non blu-ray) issue. These concerts by Claudio Abbado and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra are the finest Mahler performances we have ever had. Now let's hope their performance of the Seventh, which appeared in 2006, will be issued soon on blu-ray.

Experience this Mahler 5
It almost goes without saying that Abbado and the Lucerne Orchestra give a superb performance. You won't be disappointed. The surround sound too is exceptionally vivid, with the force of the fortissimo near the start of the first movement almost hitting you like a shock wave. Soloists are perhaps slightly less "highlighted" than in previous issues but the overall sound is very natural and impressive. Recommended - without reservation.

PERFECTION
I received my copy two weeks ago and already have watched it four times. Frankly, it is quite boring to review Abbado's Mahler symphonies, nothing to complain about. The picture and sound are perfect and the performance of-course. I would say that the picture quality is similar to the third symphony and the performance and sound quality are better than his CD from many years ago. You will not regret it.

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The Darling Buds of May

British Sitcoms
I am a devout fan of British comedy and own many of them on DVD and VHS. I am gradually replacing the ones on VHS with the DVD format as they become available and was very happy to be able to purchase "The Darling Buds of May" on DVD. I am a great fan of David Jason. (Loved him in "Open All Hours", which I also have). The beautiful Catherine Zeta Jones is also a pleasure to watch and Pam Ferris was marvelous as the mother of that large brood. The great thing about having my favorite shows on DVD is that I can watch them again and again whenever if need a good laugh. Thanks for providing the British shows and keep them coming. There are many good ones that I would like to own on DVD.
Florence E. Dryer

"Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May"
"And summer's lease hath all too short a date." from Shakespeare's sonnet XVIII

The "Darling Buds of May" is a 1991 TV series about a quite unconventional and flamboyant family in rural England in the 1950s.

While each episode is unique and fun to watch and actually picked up the series to see the early works of Catherine Zeta-Jones playing the part of Mariette the voluptuous daughter in the family. Little did I know that I would fall in love with all the characters.

I came to this series originally after watching "The Mating Game" starring Debbie Reynolds, Tony Randall, Paul Douglas, and Fred Clark, which is more of a PG comedy based on the same characters based on first book of "The Darling buds of May" written by H.E. BATES; which was written and set in 1958.

Series 1
1. "The Darling Buds of May" (7 & 14 April 1991)
2. "When the Green Woods Laugh" (21 & 28 April 1991)
3." A Breath of French Air" (5 & 12 May 1991)...

Fun
This is a favorite of mine, I love storys set in ye olde England like Lazonby Trips the Light Fantastic. The food is great fun, the family life is great fun, the people are great fun, generally great fun all round. Not for the pretensious but lots of fun.

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Nude Photo Shoot

These girls love to be nude
It is very obvious that these girls love to be nude. They teach basic photography with such grace and excitement, and certainly are very comfortable in their own skin. How do you make nude photography seem so fun? Watch these girls and you will find out. I was pleased to see that this film is probably `R' rated for simple nudity. The girls would probably have performed the very same if they were clothed, but they were nude throughout. I would buy this film again for the fun of it. I hope there is a sequel.





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The Boaters Guide to Twin Screw Boat Handling

Boaters Guide to Twin Screw Boat Handling
The beginning was great, good concepts in part 1.
The 270- 360 degree turns were good - very informative.
The two views of the boat movement and controls helps a lot.
Part 3 on parallel docking was good, but limited to no wind or just wind on. Would have helped to have seen parallel docking with wind blowing off the dock. As well as un-docking with wind on to dock using bow or stern spring lines.
The part on bow into the dock and walking the boat to the center of the slip was very good. But again that was with calm conditions.
The guide lacked docking the boat stern into the slip all together, and just a mention of wind and current as a factor.

Excellent teaching video!
Thank you so much for the instructional video on twin screw handling. The audio explanations together with the video illustrations were completely illuminating for me. I loved the idea of watching the shifters and the throttles while they were operated below and having the sea view at the same time. I have watched this video about 6 times now as I suddenly had to learn to Captain my 45 foot houseboat and I had no boating experience at all. It has been such a great help. Thanks again and happy boating!



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The Stieg Larsson Trilogy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo / The Girl Who Played with Fire / The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest) [Blu-ray]

Was hoping for the COMPLETE versions of each film...
If you are a real fan of these films then you are probably aware that they were made originally for Swedish television and the versions released to theaters have been shortened to make their running times more palatable for audiences who are forced to keep their butts in their seats viewing these films during their theatrical release. The films as shown on TV have a run-time closer to 3 hours, whereas the theatrical prints clock-in around the 2 1/2 hour mark. It would have been nice if they had saw fit to release the unexpurgated versions in this complete box set, rather than the slimmer versions.

This collection is still a good deal...if you want to get all the films of the trilogy in one fell swoop and, though i haven't compared them to the single film editons to see if anything is new, it does appear that the 4th bonus disc has some good extras. Myself, I'd rather wait until the longer versions get their inevitable release (this story has become too phenomenal for it...

These Are NOT The Complete, Original Versions!...
THE STEIG LARSON TRILOGY is NOT the complete, uncut version of the Swedish TV presentation. I E-mailed B. Brown at MUSIC BOX FILMS, and he said that the uncut versions will be released later this year. As for the movies themselves, they are three of the best suspense / mystery / thrillers I've ever seen. Noomi Rapace (as Lisbeth Salander) dominates every scene she's in, from the opening, disappearance mystery of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO through the human-trafficking tale of THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, and right through to the government conspiracy finale of THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST, Repace is incredible! Her psychological complexity and toughness are fascinating! I can only hope that the US remake stays true to these stories...

The girl in a bleak world
The late Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy was all about cruelty towards women -- and the movie adaptations don't hold back either. These are bleak, dark thrillers filled with razor-sharp social commentary, bloody action and conspiracies -- and brilliant performances by Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace.

In "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," take-no-prisoners journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) has just lost his reputation, his savings and his freedom (hello, jail sentence!) after a nasty libel suit from an executive named Wennerström.

Then he's unexpectedly contacted by aged industrialist Henrik Vanger, to discover what happened to the guy's grandniece. He's offering evidence on Wennerström, so Mikael has no choice but to accept -- and as he investigates the sinister Vanger family, he joins forces with Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace), an eccentric, abused computer hacker. And as Mikael unearths the clues to Harriet's disappearance, he also...

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Donizetti: Maria Stuarda [Blu-ray]

Elizabeth (Ganassi) wins again!
The previous reviwer has already noted that this is a "psycho" drama between two "ladies" and a dull-witted tenor in a Schiller play that has no connection to historical veracity. That said we can turn to the battle of the sopranos. Sonia Ganassi belted out an Elizabeth in a DVD made at Bergamo in 2001. Her rival that time was Carmela Remigio as Maria Stuarta. Remigio simply does not have the voice or the technique to carry off the blazing confrontation scene or the quiet, noble, final prayer. Ganassi in a quieter portrayal than the present one easily came off the winner. It should be noted that the tenor in that production was Joseph Calleja who looked the part and sang the part exceptionally well. In the present recording Ganassi is again in top form and is even more on spot while singing the blazes off everyone else on stage. The Maria is Fiorenza Cedolins. She comes with a reputation in standard Italian repertoire of which I've heard a few selections. Thus I was looking forward to...

The battle of the ladies
Donizetti's opera Maria Stuart is based on Schillers version, where Elizabeth and Mary are seen to be in love with the Earl of Leicester and have an angry encounter(never happened). Commissioned for the Teatro San Carlo in Naples.It is suspected that following a dress rehearsal the singers playing Elizabeth and Mary came to blows so absorbed were they in their parts. The royal patrons stepped in to stop the opera being performed.A year later it resurfaced at La Scala, Milan.A revival of this opera 20 years after Donizetti's death formed the basis of the opera when rediscovered in 1958. A newer version is the one chosen for this production which opened in April 2009 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. It had burned down in 1996 and was restored.

For Denis Krief stage director etc,the work is a psychodrama,a love triangle and he uses colour to signify ideas,the yellow of jealousy,deep blue of purity. The final scene is bathed in red. The staging is a maze which changes colour...

Krief brings Grief
Who is Krief? He is the guy who is overall in charge of what happens on stage with the thankful exception of the music. Thank heavens for such mercies.

If one wants to 'see' what Anachronism means, they only have to see the Stage Direction, Sets and Lighting Design of this otherwise great production of Maria Stuarda.

Whatever I want to comment on the singing, conducting and sound and video etc has already been elucidated beautifully by the two persons who wrote the comments ahead of me, Keris Nine and Dr.Rippon. They are on the dot.

I want to really comment on the Staging.
There is nothing imaginative here. The whole thing looks like a maze or labyrinth through which the actors scamper about like rats. It represents nothing... not even the so called 'trap' that both the ladies are supposed to be in. Ultimately it slides and exposes what looks like an exoskeleton of some monster or just plain scaffolding prior to concreting a slab of a construction...

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The French Art of Seduction

A Compilation That Brings Quiet Drama, But Lacks The Ooh La La Factor It Promises
Stop right there! "The French Art of Seduction" certainly sounds like a saucy and sexy package of adult entertainment choices, doesn't it? Keep reading. I love the idea of DVD compilations, but I almost never purchase them. Most contain mainstream film and (1) if there are films I like, they are generally coupled with awful choices or (2) they have films I've already bought, but in better format presentations. But I think the idea of bringing international fare together, such as in this collection, at a reasonable price is a great way for viewers to sample various movies. This quintessentially French collection is absolutely designed for people who are familiar with the more arty French film aesthetic. All four films are introspective, contemplative, and leisurely paced character studies. Each has merits to recommend it--but if you're looking for Ooh La La and seduction, these films fall fairly short of that promise. That said, you can make up your own mind whether this sets...





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