Reviews (596)

A marvelous adaptation of one of the great novels.
This A&E/BBC miniseries is a true masterpiece, bringing Jane Austen's most popular novel to life in a near perfect production. It has everything: authentic Regency Period atmosphere, costumes, settings, a beautiful musical score, excellent performances by a well-chosen cast. Andrew Davis's script does full justice to Austen's original. Colin Firth is excellent as Mr. Darcy, but Jennifer Ehle just takes my breath away with her magnificent performance, which catches every nuance of Elizabeth Bennet's character exactly right in every scene. It is a pleasure to watch all 4 1/2 hours straight through again and again. As a longtime devoted admirer of Jane Austen's works, I am very critical of any movies based upon her novels, but this has to be one of the very best adaptations of any major literary work.

WORTH OWNING AND REPEAT VIEWING
I'm usually very hesitant about adaptations from book to film (especially classics), but this movie does justice to Jane Austin's timeless masterpiece. I rented this movie on a whim, thinking that it would at least be somewhat entertaining, but to my surprize and great pleasure, it not only captivated the true essence of the novel but the characters really came alive and stayed true to the story the whole way through. I eventually bought the DVD and I have NOT had "buyer's remorse" ever since. I get caught up in every moment of every scene of every viewing.

There are no annoying "Hollywood stars" in it like in Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility, yet the acting is incredible. Although I enjoyed Sense and Sensibility (on the second viewing because the first time I watched it I fell asleep), it doesn't hold a candle to Pride and Prejudice. This adaption lets your imagination steep in the imagery, language, and essence of the film so you never get "pulled out" of a scence. If you're unsure as whether or not to buy this gem, just do what I did and rent it for the weekend. You'll soon discover that your movie collection will be lacking without this rendition of Pride and Prejudice.

Superb, true to Jane Austen adaption
This version of Pride & Predjudice is my absolute favorite. I have owned the tapes and the original DVD. As far as the movie itself goes, the characters are all perfectly cast. From the embarassingly annoying Mrs. Bennet, the sweet oldest sister Jane, the condescending and IQ challenged Mr. Collins, to the feisty Elizabeth and the Proud Mr. Darcy, you will find yourself engrossed in every character's story. The script was written to stay true to the original novel. The scenery in breathtaking, and you will find yourself paying as much attention to the beautiful countryside as you will the drama.
As for technical details, the biographies that are included on this special version are simply printed words on the screen. Interesting information, but each bio is only one or two paragraphs long with a complete list of credits for only a few of the characters. The mini featurette is okay.
My bottom line: if you love romance, drama, and history then this is the movie for you. If you already own it on tape or have the original dvd, save your money and enjoy the version you have.

Period Movie - Lovely to watch
As an avid lover of period movies, I received this particular one last Christmas. I've been able to watch it multiple times. I love Colin Firth's portrayal of a proud and prejudice man who finally learns there are more important things. It's funny and romantic and the dialogue, as with any period piece, will keep you on your toes . . . maybe that's why I can re-watch so many times. It is a timeless movie!

Colin Firth...need I say more? Great Movie Colin Firth aside
This movie is so amazing I've watched it so many times and I never get tired of it. I thought this was by far the best film adaptation of the novel. Colin Firth portrayed Mr. Darcy exactly as I pictured him in my mind. I loved all the characters and felt like the actors/actresses lived up the their characters in the novel. While the picture quality may not be that great (read several comments about it) it didnt bother me one bit. The locations they filmed were simply beautiful, the story and characters entralling, and the costumes and scenes eye catching....I didnt even notice the quality. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and the second season of The Golden Girls picks up where the first ended. The same classic quartet--Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia--is back, along with their snappy retorts, shoulder pads, and cheesecake. Well, there was one change. In the season premiere, "End of the Curse," Blanche (Rue McClanahan) goes through menopause.

Highlights of the 26 episodes include "Ladies of the Evening," featuring a cameo from Burt Reynolds, just a few years prior to his own network sitcom, Evening Shade. As Blanche exclaims, "Mr. Burt Reynolds is one of our finest living actors...I mean, you put Sir Laurence Olivier in Cannonball Run--see what he can do." Then there's "Isn't It Romantic?" with Lois Nettleton (In the Heat of the Night) as Dorothy's lesbian friend, Jean, who falls for an unsuspecting Rose (Betty White). As was often the case, a sensitive subject is handled with taste and humor and resulted in an Emmy nomination for Nettleton's performance.

Further highlights include a white-wigged Nancy Walker (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda) as Sophia's long-lost sister, Angela, in "The Sisters" and "Long Day's Journey Into Marinara," and a pompadoured George Clooney (ER) in "To Catch a Neighbor." The final episode of The Golden Girls second season, "Empty Nest," features David Leisure and Oscar winner-Rita Moreno (West Side Story) and sets the scene for creator Susan Harris's 1988 spin-off, Empty Nest (although only Leisure would segue to the new show, while Soap's Richard Mulligan would take over for Moreno). --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (29)

It just keeps getting better!!!
Just when you think it can't get funnier;The Golden Girls season two is terrific and will keep you tuned in for hours on end.From "The Vacation" to "A Piece of Cake", the show has amazing writing that brings out the acting ability of its actresses and actors (STAN).

Love it, but leaves me wondering why...
they took out the skipping ability in this set. In season one the viewer was able to "skip" past each opening song and "skip" to different scenes within the episode. This is gone from the Season 2 set. I really miss it and am really disappointed that they took it out. Can't think of the reasoning behind it. That is the only reason I can't give it 5 stars. This is my all time favorite show.

GG Season 2
I pre-ordered this DVD (having the first one already of course) and I must say that every episode was great.There is no doubt in my mind that the second season is better than the first with the characters much more developed and the lines funnier than ever before.The stories were more solid and watchable with more quality episodes than the first season.Because this is one of my favorite shows, I hate to not give it 5 stars, but there is a compelling reason for not doing so.This time, I believe that Buena Vista took a step backward.You cannot skip scenes or go back to a scene, or skip the intro to each episode.If you try, it will take you to the next one, or the very beginning of the episode.I enjoyed being able to do that in the previous season and am baffled as to why they chose toleave that option out this time.Also, the trivia challenge does not always work right and would have been best left out.Behind-the-scene footage would have been better I think, or an interview or two from the cast members.I expected alot more from a DVD than what I got this time around.The episodes, however, are great and I would highly recommend it to anyone on that note alone if you can overcome the technical issue.

A Great Season; beautiful dvd transfer
Let's face it, the Golden Girls are a classic.Like Lucy, you still laugh after hundreds of viewings.

Season 2 (another emmy winner) is one of the best with some of the most classic episodes.Throw the whole thing on for a lost weekend or a sick day - you'll feel much better.

DVD transfer looks great - so clean after the old edited Lifetime copies.Only issue - bonus quiz is awkward to navigate.Can't wait for season 3.

Take Note Buena Vista (Disney)
There's adequate description of the show already, but as has alsobeen stated, what about some decent extras?Maybe interviews with Bea Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan.Even an interview with creator Susan Harris would surely prove enlightening and entertaing.Come on Disney- the show and we deserve a bit better! ... Read more

Amazon.com

After you've seen all 14 episodes of Firefly contained in this smartly packaged DVD set, you'll be begging for more. The sad irony is, series creator Joss Whedon's ambitious science-fiction Western (Whedon's third series after Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) was canceled after only eleven of these 14 produced episodes had aired on FOX, and its demise was woefully premature. Whedon's generic hybrid suffered an inaugural setback when network executives preferred an action-packed one-hour premiere ("The Train Job") over the intended two-hour pilot "Serenity" (oddly enough, the final episode aired), which provides a better introduction to the show's concept and splendid ensemble cast. Obsessive fans may debate the quirky, semi-fallible logic of combining spaceships with direct parallels to frontier America (it's 500 years in the future, and embattled humankind has expanded into the galaxy, where undeveloped "outer rim" planets struggle with the equivalent of Old West accommodations), but Whedon and his gifted co-writers and directors make it work, at least well enough to fashion a credible context from the incongruous culture-clashing of past, present, and future technologies, along with a polyglot language (the result of two dominant superpowers) that combines English with an abundance of Chinese slang.

What makes it work is Whedon's delightfully well-chosen cast and their nine subtly-developed characters (a typically Whedon-esque extended family), each providing a unique perspective on their adventures aboard Serenity, the junky but beloved "Firefly-class" starship they call home. As a veteran of the disadvantaged Independent faction's war against the all-powerful planetary Alliance (think of it as Underdogs vs. Overlords), Serenity captain Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) leads his compact crew on a quest for survival. They're renegades with an amoral agenda, taking any job that pays well, but Firefly's complex tapestry of right and wrong (and peace vs. violence) is richer and deeper than it first appears. By the time we've gathered tantalizing clues about Blue Sun (an insidious mega-corporation with an as-yet mysterious agenda), its ties to the Alliance, and the traumatizing use of Serenity's resident stowaway as a guinea pig in the development of advanced warfare, it's painfully clear that Firefly was heading for exciting revelations that never came to pass. Fortunately, Whedon was developing a Firefly movie as this DVD set was being released in January 2004, so the ultimate fate of Serenity's crew remains to be seen. In the meantime, these 14 episodes (and enjoyable bonus features) offer everything you'd expect from the creator of Buffy: action, drama, humor, hints of romance, suspense, fine acting, film-quality direction, dazzling special effects, and ample proof that Fox made a glaring mistake in canceling the series. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (1033)

Joss Whedon's Third Home Run
If you're a serious Buffy and Angel fan, you're probably curious about Joss Whedon's third television series, the short-lived Firefly, and if it's worth your time to check out, even after cancellation. I won't keep you in suspense - of COURSE it is. Let me give you some idea of what you're getting into if you buy this 4-DVD set:

Five hundred years in the future, humanity has spread into space, and the Alliance completes the Unification, i.e. forcible pacification of all planetary colonies resisting absorption under their rule, the so-called Independents. Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) was an Independent Sergeant who, even in the final battle on his world against the Alliance, never gave up hope, still believed (wrongly) victory was possible, when his government and military pulled the plug on him, admitted defeat. Unwilling to live under Alliance rule, he and fellow soldier Zoe (Gina Torres) head for deep space as their last possible source of freedom. Thus the lines from the show's great intro tune, "Take my love, take my land/Take me where I cannot stand/I don't care, I'm still free/You can't take the sky from me." Now Mal is captain of the Firefly-class transport ship Serenity, Zoe his second officer, existing outside the law, smugglers, thieves and scavengers trying to balance their need to make a living with a code of personal integrity that's an expensive trait in the life they lead.

This is not a blindingly original premise, the basic idea is old hat science fiction. But it doesn't really need to be original, anything can be done well or poorly, right? Fortunately, Whedon & Co. go straight for "well," not even stopping at "poorly."

Firefly's greatest strength is its cast of well-drawn characters. In addition to Mal and Zoe, crew and passengers on Serenity include:

"Wash" Warren (Alan Tudyk) is ship's pilot and Zoe's husband. He goes where his love goes, his personality alternating between a wacky sense of humor when at ease and extreme competence under pressure.

Inara Senna (Morena Baccarin) is a registered Companion, i.e. psychologist/counsellor/prostitute. Revered in some quarters as the highly trained, upper class professionals they are, condemned in others as common [prostitutes], she rents one of Serenity's shuttles as her "office."

It's hard to see Adam Baldwin in a t-shirt and fatique pants and not think "Animal Mother," his role in Full Metal Jacket. Jayne Cobb is kind of like Animal Mother with the intensity control turned down from 10 to about 7, from absolute psychosis to extreme self-interest.

Kaylee aka Katwinnit Lee Frye (Jewel Staite) is ship's engineer, a charming gamine with a smudge of oil on her nose and a million mega-watt smile who's obviously, completely unaware she's beautiful and sexy.

Shortly into the first episode, Serenity takes on three passengers (extra cash and a cloak of respectability) who stay on as de facto crew themselves:

Two days out of an abbey, Shepherd Book (Ron Glass), a missionary, gets sucked into the world of Serenity. Problem: everyone else on board is either already religious or completely uninterested in what he's selling. The one exception, though he knows it not, is the most overtly anti-religious person on board, Mal Reynolds. Once extremely devout, Mal was a charismatic, inspired warrior who believed God was on his side in the fight against the Alliance. Since God betrayed him, he now hates God. Like the saying goes, "A cynic is a romantic who's been hurt."

Simon Tam (Sean Maher), a doctor, becomes ship's medic. Born to aristocratic wealth and privilege, he threw away both to rescue his sister from an Alliance "academy," an act that's left them both highly sought fugitives.

Finally there's River Tam (Summer Glau). Owning an IQ that looks like a zip code, Alliance experiments on her brain have (a) driven her insane, (b) unlocked psychic abilities.

Much has been written about the series pilot "Serenity" being the last episode aired due to network interference; how in Firefly Whedon takes conventions of the Western, transplanting them into outer space (the parallel between the Alliance Unification and the United States' Civil War is obvious); how this DVD set includes every Firefly episode ever completed, even three not actually aired; of Whedon's refusal to abandon the project and his work on a Firefly movie. So I won't discuss all that (I'm coming to end of my allotted 1,000 words); you can read about it elsewhere. I'll just say this is one of the best television shows ever, the DVD set is priced to own with hoards of cool "extras," and if you buy it, you will love it. 'Nuff said.

Wonderful show, good DVD
I was so disappointed when Firefly was cancelled and absolutely overjoyed when I learned they were releasing the entire series on DVD, including 3 episodes I had never seen. I bought the box set just a few days ago and have already watched all 14 episodes. This series has everything- an interesting plot, fascinating three dimensional characters and a fantastic setting. Fox made a big mistake when they cancelled it. I don't know why they didn't give it a better chance to succeed. It was mishandled from the very beginning- I won't go into the details, but Fox basically shot themselves in the foot here.
Anyway, I would recommend this set to anyone who enjoys character development, humor, drama, romance, action, adventure, etc.
There's only one downside-after watching all the episodes offered, you're left wanting more. Each character has a mystery in their past and none are solved in this box set-which is maddening, I admit. But what's there is so good, it's worth the aggravation of being left hanging. AND I've heard distant rumors that a Firefly movie may be in the works!

Thank goodness for this DVD
I tried to watch this series when it was airing, but could not keep up on all of the scheduling changes.

Fortunately, the DVD not only has the episodes which I missed, but it also presents the series in a rational order.

This is great sci-fi.

Too Good to Be Gone!
The tragedy of Firefly's pilot being cut from an exciting two-hour premiere to a different one-hour episode has already been widely lamented. Yet, even with the early abridgement, I cannot fathom how this show could not have performed better. It is full of not only quirkly, fun ideas, but extremely well written with an interesting premise.

I'm sure most of us fans who have sniffed out this boxed set can agree Fox dumped this one far too soon. Our collective solace? With a Firefly movie in the works, and such series as Family Guy resuscitated due to strong DVD sales, can a Firefly revival be far behind?

Gone far too soon
Like many fans, I completely missed this series when it aired. I'm certain that word of mouth will boost sales of the DVD set far beyond expectations. The characters are three dimensional, quirky and likeable. Current sci-fi shows like Enterprise or Andromeda constantly leave you wondering why you should care about the characters. Firefly's pilot episode, "Serenity", ensnared me with wounded Kaylee, disturbed River and what's with Captain Malcolm and the companion Inara? It's worth watching. I only wish there were 6 or 7 seasons worth. ... Read more

Description

"You're one of us now," Nikita is told. But has she truly abandoned her compassionate nature and become an unquestioning member of the soulless covert organization called Section One? Or has she mastered the group's knack for deceit and cover-up so efficiently that she can beat Section at its own game? The sleek, chic and powerful adventures of the agent codenamed Josephine continue in Season Three of the intrigue-filled five-year series that stars Peta Wilson in the title role. Season three is marked by the unveiling of Michael's secret life, Nikita and Michael?s romantic relationship and the further suspicion about the true nature of Section One. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Compared to other shows...
I really wish people would stop comparing LFN to other tv shows, especially Alias.I love Alias, am a huge fan of the show, but while I have only seen the first 2 seasons of LFN so far (since I just bought them on DVD in March when the 2nd season was released) I would have to say that the 2 shows just aren't comparable...They are both spy shows but that is basically where the similarities end.Alias is a great show (a little slow and boring through this past season since it was acting as filler until they could get around to the good stuff) but I would HATE it if they tried to make it more like LFN, and in turn, I would hate LFN if they had gone on and turned it into something like Alias (or 24 or MI-5 etc).

LFN takes you through the life of someone that had nothing to do with that lifestyle, and basically throws that person into it without a choice, oh well, she did have a choice, Live and do it with their rules, or Die... Not much of a choice which is what was great about it (and the original movie as well). The great part of the tv show was that they took the main basis of the movie and then were able to not only expand on it some, but have a whole 5 seasons to do whatever they wanted with it. They focus on Nikita with "jobs" being just that... They never really seem to have a whole lot to do with the main plot or at least not for long.They whole point is about HER and how she evolves as she needs to, to stay alive ...Alias focuses more on Rambaldi and the Prophecy and evil/good power with all characters and they like to throw in eye candy clothes with cool moves, and great music to help draw people in (no problem in that as long as you don't take it for more than that).

But this is about LFN, so let's cut back to that.I first jumped into the LFN fan pool, drooling over the 2 seasons and knowing (or at least hoping for) the 3rd to be released this summer... I had no idea in the beginning just How Many seasons there were and then found out there were 5 (you lucky b@st*rds that got to see all 5 on tv).I am going crazy waiting for the next month to go by, and I know I will totally drive myself insane waiting for the next 2 seasons over the next 2 years...

I never got to see the series when it originally aired on tv since I was homeless at the time (and I am a punk rocker).Seeing the French movie version(on cable in February) then the series (in March) has made me feel a little odd and wonder if that could actually happen and possibly happen to some of the people I know... Hmmm, the conspiracy theories that could evolve.

One of the few tv shows for insiders
This show is definitely a unique one. That's probably why the show didn't have a lot of success throughout Europe, and probably why it did not attract the huge audience like the incredibly stupid show Buffy or Charmed, and why it took so long for it to be released on DVD.

Not a superficial show like others (Smallville, Alias or what you call it, O.C.). A very convincing storyline with very credible actors who really fit the role in the show. How can somebody even try to compare Jennifer Garner to Peta Wilson?? Though Wilson obviously has not appeared on the big screen so far (whatever the reasons are), she did a fantastic job in here role as Nikita. Needless to mention the amazing performance of Roy Dupuis as Michael.

And more importantly, what's rare on TV these days, the show is about a serious relationship between adults, not teenagers. Though the story is very creative and exciting, the love between Nikita and Michael overshadows all other elements of the show.

Overwhelming score music by Sean Callery.

LFN, a show that has already become a classic.

LFN forever

THE BEST SERIES EVER
La Femme Nikita was the FIRST television show to ever have a strong, intelligent female as the lead.The actors are all of the highest caliber and the plots/story lines are so engaging, you'll be hooked after just one episode.If this series had been on a major network at the time it originally aired, it would have been on MUCH longer.Alias doesn't hold a candle to this show (as a matter of fact, they steal a lot of their stories from LFN).Jennifer Garner only wishes she was as believable as Peta Wilson is in this type of role.Roy Dupuis (Michael) is also an amazing actor and is HUGE in Canada.This was a show that believed it's audience to be intelligent, but can be enjoyed by everyone.It has the right mix of romance, action, intrigue, and technical gadgets so there is something for everyone.

Best Season of La Femme Nikita
In my opinion, this is the best of all 5 seasons. All the characters have been fully developed. In Season 1 and part of Season 2, it seemed a bit like they weren't in these characters as well as later. Plus, it starts off with an incredibly emotional start. Major insight into the character of Michael, finally some of the intense emotion we all knew he had under the layers he hides under. What more can I say?

One of the Best Series EVER
I faitfully watch Nikita when I was in high school and when I went to college, I schedule my studies around Nikita. I made sure regardless what I was doing, I made it home to watch it. Peta and her supporting cast are awesome and I don't know why the series got cancel but I do know that I can't wait for this season to come and the rest of the seasons. I caught a case of the a$$ last year when WB change the release date on season 2, hope it doesn't happen with this one. But for those that like Alais, you'll love Nikita. I have a friend hook on it because she loves Alais and didn't think she would like it but changed her mind after the 1st season. So give it a try ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the first gems of the cable TV age, Faerie Tale Theatre brings 26 classic tales to life. Produced over a five-year span (1982-87) for Showtime, FTT brought together creative dramatics and whimsical writing with some of the top talents of the day. Executive producer/host Shelley Duvall (who was coming off her breakout role in The Shining) shepherds this mix of theatrical simplicity and grand storytelling for these oft-told tales ("Goldilocks and the Three Bears," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Hansel and Gretel," "Sleeping Beauty," and the like) for kids and their parents. Since they are not elaborately produced, FTT may be a hard sell for some smaller members of the family at first, but most should be hooked, even older kids who may pooh-pooh fairy tales. There's always a slight twist that makes these productions fresh.

The cast is amazing, especially when you think how lightly cable television was thought of in the '80s: Jeff Bridges, Bud Cort, Liza Minnelli, James Coburn, Susan Sarandon, Christopher Reeve, Klaus Kinski, Billy Crystal, Matthew Broderick, Gregory Hines, Eric Idle, Robin Williams, and Mick Jagger are some of the talented--and varied--actors appearing. Crystal's take on the smart "Little Pig" (with Jeff Goldblum as the wolf) and Williams's "Frog Prince" are two comic gems. Malcolm McDowell, right in the middle of his career high-point of playing baddies, brings flair to the Big Bad Wolf, while his then-real-life wife Mary Steenburgen beautifully counterpoints as Red Riding Hood. The casting of Vincent Price and Vanessa Redgrave in "Snow White" is inspired. Also impressive are the directors Duvall pooled: Tim Burton ("Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp"), Francis Ford Coppola ("Rip Van Winkle") Peter Medak (three episodes), Nicholas Meyer ("Pied Piper"), and Roger Vadim ("Beauty and the Beast"). You can go on for days about these wonderful tales, most totaling around the 45-minute mark, but it's better just to get the set and start wherever you'd like; you will get to the end sooner than you think. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (21)

The Sweet Invention of a Child's Dream
I have been watching Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre since I was very young, and now am delighted that all her wonderful plays (although I have to admit the Three Little Pigs is definetely her best) is finally on DVD in a full collection.These classic stories are pleasant to watch for any age, and my mom has never hesitated to show them to her second graders, but she also took pleasure in them herself.I recommend this set for any lover of fairy tales, or dreamer of dreams, I promise you won't be dissapointed.

It's funny how I can still get excited over these!
My friends never know what I'm talking about when I tell them about these movies.I bought them on VHS, but as we all know VHS goes bad eventually.When a friend of mine told me they were selling them on DVD, it literally made my day; so much so that I ordered them just a bit ago.I used to watch these so much when I was little (I'm 26 now) that the tapes we recorded off of Showtime went bad.I'll love having them on DVD and can have my kids watch them as well -- well, when I have kids, anyway.:)

The most spectacular set in the world
In all the years of my life i have never experianced such enchantment this set is a remarkable piece of history

This is so exciting!!!
I am so excited that this is finally on dvd because I keep telling my boyfriend about these stories and he has never heard of them.When I was a little girl (now 21), every saturday my mom would take me to the video store and the clerk would only let me take out 5 at a time and I would just keep renting them over and over again.I was gonna buy them on tape a couple months ago but they were overpriced and I was waiting for them to come out in a special dvd series!!!It's so exciting to finally have them and when I told my boyfriend he was happy to finally be able to understand what I was talking about.

I've waited years for this!
My boyfriend (who works in Telivision) had never heard of this series.I was telling him about it the other nite and expressed how much I would love to find the set on DVD!!!I finally have and now he can expierence these clasic tales with a twist we all love!!! ... Read more

Reviews (37)

The Brick in Roslyn WA looks like a NE casting call!
Recently, I was at The Brick in Roslyn WA. Yes, the real Brick bar, not the set. It was down the street from the Roslyn's Cafe wall mural with the camel shown on the show. If you miss this show visit The Brick on a Friday night. It's only 80 miles east of Seattle just a few miles off Rt. 90. The bar has a running water spitoon trough at your feet, the food is good, the music provided by the legendary Jim Basnight that night was great, and the faces in the bar looked like a Northern Exposure casting call. It was great!!

No original music - say it ain't so?!
I loved Northern Exposure for many reasons - the eclectic and evocative musical choices were definitely in the mix.The final wordless scene of the series, with the voyeur camera peeking through the windows for a final look at this family of characters, was completely held together by Iris DeMent's "Our Town".If these songs are not included in the DVD versions, a critical facet of the art is lost.I won't buy partial art.

Season Three is GRRRRRRREAT!
(...)
Per the muasic of season 2 DVD: I heard everyone belly-ache about important music being cut out. I agonized about this (thinking it was important stuff like At Last, Blue Moon, DW Suite, etc..) but when I watched the episodes its just the BACKGROUND MUSIC (ie whatever is playing on the juke box at the brick) which has been replaced not the FOREGROUND MUSIC (the stuff the series was acclaimed for in the first place). I too liked to hear old Hoagy Carmichael stuff or old-time cowboy music whenever they walked into the bar, but I don't believe it detracted very much from any episode. Grrrrrrreatstuff. I miss the early 90's!

Don't let the music hoopla keep you from NX on DVD
As somebody said, a scratch does not into junk turn a car. It is true, there were some changes made, and very distasteful changes at that, to the music in SOME passages of season 2, but it most certainly was NOT done in many. I haven't counted the number of changes, but I'll bet it's not more than a handful. The loss is great, but ... not so much as to ruin one of the greatest TV series ever. Also, I would love to have some printed material to accompany the DVDs, but it's just an extra, the series is there regardless. I agree with other reviewers, I thank Universal for making NX available.

Beyond Belief
I loved the complete 3rd edition of NE - unfortunately that was many years ago when I watched it on a commercial network.Oh, to live in Canada or the United States where it is available on DVD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The unlikeliest cult hit of 2004 was What the (Bleep) Do We Know?, a lecture on mysticism and science mixed into a sort-of narrative. Marlee Matlin stars in the dramatic thread, about a sourpuss photographer who begins to question her perceptions. Interviews with quantum physics experts and New Age authors are cut into this story, offering a vaguely convincing (and certainly mind-provoking) theory about... well, actually, it sounds a lot like the Power of Positive Thinking, when you get down to it. Talking heads (not identified until film's end) includeJZ Knight, who appears in the movie channeling Ramtha, the ancient sage she claims communicates through her (other speakers are also associated with Knight's organization). What she says actually makes pretty good common sense--Ramtha's wiggier notions are not included--and would be easy to accept were it not being credited to a 35,000-year-old mystic from Atlantis. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (314)

Open your mind to the possibility...
...that you may not know everything about life and the world around us...

...that there may be a different way of looking at things, a different perspective, which will transform your life into something much easier, different, and better...

... That there may be a bit of information which you do not possess -- one so simple that it can be conveyed to you by a silly little movie starring marlie matlin -- which you can watch on your very own dvd player in the privacy of your bedroom...

This is that movie, that moment, and that possibility. This movie can open your eyes to a new way of living. And it will, if you open your mind to that possibility. It will do to your metaphysical existence what the dvd "NEW SEX NOW" will do to your sexuality -- deliver you to a realm of existence which you never knew existed, but which is beyond your wildest dreams.

It is shocking to me that life can become so different because of my interaction with the internet; ordering a couple of DVDs from Amazon has changed me so completely, I am amazed.

Revolutionaryand Inspirational!
What the Bleep is an extraordinary film that takes you to the outer reaches of consciousness.It is mind-blowing in its clear presentation of the true nature of reality from both the point of view of physics and the mind: believing is seeing. The movie teaches while it entertains--the bottom line is that the observer and the observed are inextricably entertwined.This holds true in all relationships, including the thorniest relationship of all: love.

The movie, along with Dr. Emoto's startling work with water (which is in the movie) were so powerful for me that I featured them both in Opening Love's Door, my novel that deals with the nature of self-created romantic and spiritual love.

Definitely buy this movie.You will come away with new energy to design and create your own life.

What the Bleep Do THEY Know?
This film, What The Bleep Do We Know, had some interesting concepts and a good premise. It could have been done so eloquently, and yet could have is the opperative word here. Being somewhat versed in quantum theory, I understood some of what was being discussed. However, much of the discussion pertained to elementary concepts and not all of these concepts were presented accurately. It was somewhat "dumbed down" and lacked scientific truth. The "scientists" appeared to be reading off of a contrived script and were not very intelligently arguing the points. This movie raised some interesting and intriguing questions but the theological questioning of god and religion was very biased and had no scientific evidence. Much of the movie misused scientific thought and tried to make it malliable to the presenters view points. Apparently the rabbit hole only skimmed the surface and was ill-constructed...The movie could have been great...But I was fairly disappointed...What the bleep do they know?

Mediocre at its best
If you were hoping form some form of a thought provoking idea here and there about life, preception and the brain function this movie might give a glips of that.However it is not even half as good as I expected it to be and certainly poses no real intelectual, spritual or factual revelations worth making this a worthwhile documentary. The production is mediocre, the theme is noble, but the logical flow and conclusive reasoning behind it is loaded with philosophical and religous falicies and rediculous claims. What is worse is that the interviews with some of the scientists even though start out as interesting (as they introduce certain facts about the brain and perception as it relates to the physical realty around us) but as it turns out all this leads to the puffing up of intelectual egotism of the scientists in bringing forth their foolish beleives and conclusions about life, theology and the meaning behind their existence. It is the formulation of propostrous conclusions about life, religion, existence and reality that go WAY beyond the scope of the facts at hand that really got to me. The heart of this movie is an empty shell of questions that are healthy to ask but certainly not healhty to try to answer to an already confused world. I say skip it and read about quantum physics and the neurology of the brain in NON lamens terms and form your own conclusions.

Couldn't get past the first 10 minutes!
i rented this movie because i thought it was going to be a thought-provoking flick. Something different, you know? They call it 'A Sleeper Hit'. Well, i was almost a sleeper after the first 10 minutes of the repetative phrase "Quantum Physics". if i wanted that kind of thought-provoking material, i would go back to school. i don't see what everyone is raving about. Worst waste of my money. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It now seems clear that season 5 of Stargate SG-1 will be remembered as the one in which something went awry with Daniel Jackson. Lots of behind-the-scenes rumors fueled the idea of cast tension, but whatever the problem, his sudden departure from the show was obviously through a quickly contrived scenario. In retrospect, there must have been a problem for some while before the weird penultimate episode ("Meridian"). Michael Shanks looks frequently bored in his rare moments of individual screen time as he infiltrates a Goa'uld meeting and even when making friends with a creature everyone else wants dead. In fact, there's only one point when everyone really seems to be having fun, and that's in the spoof 100th episode "Wormhole X-treme!"

Most shows go through a run-around, skin-of-their-teeth period awaiting renewal, and it certainly seems to have affected storylines this year. For example, a next generation of younger SG teams is introduced. Replacements? The most unfortunate aspect of things, however, was that not a single episode managed to stand alone on its own merits. Every single story was dependent on a part of the greater interwoven warring-species threads. Some of the one-off tales were terrific in and of themselves, but it was as if the writers fell into the trap of having to refer to as much backstory as possible, perhaps to ensure loose ends could be easily wrapped up? Ultimately none of this mattered since the show went on for quite a while. --Paul Tonks ... Read more

Reviews (23)

One of my personal favorite seasons
I know this isn't everyone's opinion, but for me, each season gets better and better. Writers and actors get to know the characters and a story more when they've made over 100 episodes with them. (Episode 100 is included in this set, an episode where the writers just decide to mess around and have a good time)

Season 5 introduces some very key characters and situations:
--Colonol Frank Simmons
--Explanation of the ascended being ("Ascention" and "Meridian")
--The jaffa rebellion ("The Warrior")
--Further Russian entanglements including the fate of the Earth DHD ("48 Hours")
--The introduction of Anubis ("Last Stand," "Revelations")
--The fate of the Tollan ("Between Two Fires")
--The temperary departure of Michael Shanks ("Meridian")
--The method of Asguard reproduction ("Revelations")
--Jonas Quinn ("Meridian")

All of these situations play key in the epic saga of the Stargate universe, providing for plot variations and new ideas in later seasons. The new ideas are still there. The humor is still there. Over 100 episodes in, Stargate is still going strong in this collection.

I am looking forward to adding this 5th boxed set to my other four boxed sets.

I enjoyed Season 6 even better. Season 7 is still blowing my mind. Let's have those as boxed sets soon as well.

Good sci-fi, moderate Stargate SG-1
While there were several gems, I find most of this season lacking the flair and style seen in previous seasons. The cast seems rather tired in this season, almost defeated. They go through the paces, but seem to be grudgingly doing so. Episodes such as "48 Hours" and "Failsafe" only served to humiliate the cast and writers who, up to this season, seemed to pride themselves on original storylines.

Daniel's departure is handled adequately for his character in terms of how he is retired, but the story feels quite too sudden and contrived. His storyline is almost entirely forgotten by the next episode, especially in terms of the civilization he saved.

The remaining story lines depend too heavily on previous stories from as far back as season one. It was rumored that this would be the last season of the show, and the writers wanted to tie up the loose ends of the series. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the show wasn't canceled, leaving the cast with few allies or enemies. Because of this, the season finale feels weak and ultimately ends up being the worst yet.

Collectors should purchase this item to complete their set. Newcomers to the show may feel best skipping this season.

Rewatch the first 3 seasons instead
I've watched all seven seasons of stargate, and season 5 was abysmal. Michael Shanks(Daniel) and Christopher Judge(Teal'c) were completely underused, which is tragic because these two men are such good actors. Forcing Carter and Jack into a relationship just feels awkward - both from the 'it's against regulations' aspect, and the 'no chemistry' aspect. Yes, there were a few good episodes - menace, threshold, 2001, between two fires. but you had to wade through some boring shows to get there. The fact that so many old characters keep getting killed off is annoying. (spoiler) killing daniel off in the end felt rushed, ruined season 6, and didn't allow everyone to mourn him as fully as they should have (jack was just too stoic. his previous reactions to Daniel's 'death' in Fire and Water or Serpent's Lair show how he should have reacted.)
Your best bet is to buy one of the first 3 seasons(two's my favorite) and watch it again. At least the storylines are good, everyone's in character, and daniel and teal'c have more than 1 line per episode.

Relapse
Sadly, the fifth season of Stargate: SG-1 broke the streak of progressively better seasons that had been going on ever since the first season. The year began with a cool premiere, "Enemies", but the next couple episodes sucked. For example, the episode "Beast of Burden", which deals with Daniel Jackson's (Michael Shanks) Unas friend, Chaka, was terrible. Personally, I also hated the episode "The First Ones" from last year which began the Chaka thread. I mean, I haven't seen episodes this bad since Season 1 (many of the Season 1 episodes, while good, are far inferior to the episodes of Seasons 2-4). Once you reach the third disc, beginning with the episode "Between Two Fires", the episodes become good again. However, the bad episodes weren't the only problems that this season faced. Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) seemed to regress a little bit because he seemed a lot less tolerent of Daniel than he had been in the last two years (he does, however, reveal his true feelings about Jackson in the episode "Meridian"). Teal'c (Christopher Judge) and Dr. Janet Frasier (Teryl Rothery) were underused, as were the Asgard, who seem to have put politics ahead of real problems.
However, when this season was good, it was REALLY good. There were some amazing story developments this year, beginning with the final demise of Apophis (Peter Williams), the Goa'uld System Lord who has been making life difficult for the SGC ever since the first season. Next, the Tollan, an extremely advanced race of humans who are allied with Earth, begin acting suspiciously, the SGC begins recruiting new officers, the motives of the Aschen from last season are revealed, the Tok'Ra are nearly destroyed, and the Jaffa rebellion begins to truly become a problem for the System Lords. And then, Daniel is brought to a System Lord summit where he has the chance to wipe out the Goa'uld threat forever, that is until he learns of the return of Anubis, an ancient System Lord who was banished for his horrific crimes. Also, we finally learn the origins of the Replicators. Finally, SG-1 must endure a change that they never thought would happen in the episode "Meridian", and then, Anubis and Osirus (Anna-Louise Plowman) reveal plans to attack the Asgard. But the most pivotal plot twist involves the new series-within-a-series, WORMHOLE X-TREME!!! Just kidding.
This is a very important season, so despite its poor opening, I still reccomend it. Just be ready to be underwhelmed by the first few episodes. But after you get past those, enjoy! Some good episodes include: "Enemies", "Threshold", "Between Two Fires", "2001", "Wormhole X-Treme", "Proving Ground", "Summit", "Last Stand", "The Warrior", "Menace", "Meridian", and "Revelations".

Makes me PROUD to be an Air Force vet!!!!
Y'know, this show is probably the most positive view of the Air Force that you will ever see in entertainment. Military personnel are treated as what they are in real life: real people with faults and weaknesses, but with a lot of professionalism, skill and determination to do the best job they can and do the right thing at the same time.

Ironic to find this in a sci-fi show of all places, but I have to thank the producers for the care they put into the characters! Not that there's really a Stargate, a Prometheus or even a Samantha Carter, who can solve any threat with five minutes to do calculations in her head, but at least these Air Force men and women aren't cynical hardcases out to rape and pillage the worlds across the stargate for the "military industrial machine". That's what you would get from MOST of Hollywood if they were doing this show. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Based on Brian Greene's book, this three-part Nova program should do for physics what Cosmos did for astronomy. Greene hosts the program on the relative new concept of String Theory, a potential (and explosive) answer to the Holy Grail of science: a single, ultimate theory for everything. Part of Greene's (along with filmmakers Julia Cort and Joseph McMaster) genius is the ability to explain complex issues with ease thanks to a generous helping of graphics and humor. It starts with a perplexing anecdote: Einstein died trying to figure out if there could be an ultimate theory. His General Theory of Relativity brought order to the laws of large objects, but could not explain the chancier world of Quantum Mechanics (which deals with atomic particles). String Theory tries to marry the two. Greene and many colleagues give us a history of the quest and how String Theory was "discovered" in the 1980s. The formula has a lot of quirks, the most dazzling being the insistence there's 11 dimensions in the universe. Greene is not as natural as Cosmos creator/host Carl Sagan, but he is certainly friendly and encouraging (albeit it's quite odd for the host to be interviewed at various times in the program). Because it's a three-part show, there is some overlap at the start of hours 2 and 3. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Good, but not Great
I was excited to see these programs put out by NOVA, and I have always thought highly of the television program. However, I did not actually learn a whole lot from these specific episodes. While being a show on String Theory, the program beat around the bush about explaining how String Theory works. While covering Newton, Einstein, and Bohr, the NOVA never made a real attempt to explain their theories, but rather gave extremely vague understandings of everything.

No I do not believe that "The Elegant Universe" should delve on hairy mathematics, but it should answer "whys" and "hows" rather than just simply tell us that there are strings in subatomic atoms. Instead, it wasted so much time repeating things over and over like "people who believed in more dimensions a long time ago would have been labeled 'crackpots' but now String Theory demands it" or "if you can't test something then it's runs the risk of being philosophy." While those are interesting points, they are repeated in these documentarys over and over by the same people with computer graphics running all over the screen, never really doing a great job explaining any these claims.

I think this would actually be pretty good for anyone who has little knowledge on physics, but definitely not for anyone who is at least familiar with what String Theory is.

High Quality CG Animation realizes String Theory to Everyone
I was struggling whether I should spend $35Cdn (I bought this from amazon.ca) on this 'String Theory' that I have no clue of what it is but only aware of the interesting sound of 'Theory of Everything'. I was also worrying my limited education background and brain capacity for such complex concept. I took the risk and completed my order. Two days later, I got my dvd delivered to my door, couldn't stand finishing my dinner, I opened it and watched it right away.

The first 3 minutes was the trailer/intro of this 3 hours DVD. It really drew my attention with interesting topics and high quality special effects & CG animation. I knew my $35Cdn was very well spent. The first hour talked about the ground concepts of basic forces: Gravity & Quantum Mechanics. Don't worry, you don't need a science or physic degree to understand these concepts. The beauty of this DVD is that it uses various scenarios, via pictures, animiation, & special effects to depict the complex concepts to you in a very simple & understandable way. Trust me, even your grade 6 children are able to comprehend the elegant universe theory from this DVD. The first hour was focusing on these basic forces, what Albert Einstein wanted to do with unification, and what the problems were. The second hour talked about how the String theory evolve and help to solve the puzzle of Einstein's unification problem. And the last hour will take the String theory to realize the possiblilities of 11th dimensions, the impacts to our world, and the future of this 'Theory of everything'. If you still find difficulties to understand those concepts, don't worry, you will find lots of interactive education materials from the second DVD. There's an initeresting demo let you to build from 1 dimensional line to a 4-dimensional hypercube visually. I absolutely found those extra goodies were very helpful.

The only picky thing I disliked was there're quite lengthy advertisings at the beginning of each episode. However, you can always skip it using fast forward. Honestly, this is a true FIVE STARS DVD. It's entertaining, it's simple, visual, excellent three hours programme. You and your kids will sure benefit from this amazing 'Theory of Elegant Universe' --- String.

Elegance Succumbs to Giant Sucking Sound
Reading the commentary on here is almost more entertaining.

Well, here are the few points I wanted to make that are not in the work itself and don't seem to be in here:

1. One of the most interesting parts of this thing is how the community responds to the idea of postulating about problems that cannot be observed. It almost plays like a Lutherian drama at that point (faith/works threatening to split a rift that will lead to civil war). But let's face it: a. the main discovery of the 20th C was uncertainty, which means that even if you can see the electron trail, you have not really succeeded in observing it (at least cleanly), and b. this is an edge that we are bound to have come upon and furthermore, consider the question of what we would do even if we could see down into a realm that bears no resemblance to where we exist, what would we be able to deduce (c.f. Ambrose Bierce's "The Damned Thing": 'nothing')? Anyway, I found this part and the echoes of it here most amusing.

2. Doesn't 1 kind of point in the direction of Wolfram's unoriginal revolution? Aren't we bound for a world of new information derived solely from simulation? Or are we already there? Why aren't scientists screaming when the proteomics people talk about simulating protein formation?

3. Scientists are sometimes great story tellers, and sometimes not. This is definitely a case of not. The Newtonian/Einsteinian vectors being returned to ad nauseum are clear signs of a threadbare, almost infantile notion of story construction (with the apple falling standing in, for instance, for the fallen cherry tree of yore). Gleick's book about Feynman shows that that great man view of all things is certainly gone (if it ever did make any sense). Great to herald the accomplishments of others, but should be in a context that provides more depth than the rodeo scene from "Annie Get Your Gun."

4. Most of the hard questions here were really ultimately ducked or served cold. The buildup to the genius coming in and solving the five models problem was so drawn out I started to think TiVo was tormenting me by replaying sections (I couldn't imagine a conscious editor called for that many repeats). And then the genius' conclusion is that the five models are all reflections of one reality. Ah, I see.... Hello? Are we that dumb? If so, why are we watching? A little more detail please.

I hope this cat doesn't decide to do a film about Fermat's Last Theorem... I'd like see something that takes a bit more bother with the seminal moment and less with the titillation.

A DISSERVICE TO SCIENCE
{APOLOGIA: A review as damning as what follows will inevitably seem hyperbolic and unkind. Yet "The Elegant Universe" is such a singular case, and egregious misexample to both the science-documentary profession and public, that I have only said here what was accurate, condign, and the duty of any conscientious, technically knowledgeable commentator.}

What a vapid production! Terribly, almost moronically, edited, taking forever to say anything, endlessly repetitious. Narcissistic. Precision and key details missing everywhere. No profound development of ideas. Images and props constantly get in the way of meaning and exposition, and most of what IS said will surely already be known to the majority of the literate public.

Ironically, "The Elegant Universe" is the least elegant of science productions. It could be skillfully cut to a third or a fourth of its present length without substantive, persuasive, or artistic loss, but much dramatic gain.

Absurd platitudes fairly trip over one another's feet. Why is Isaac Newton supposed to be the "greatest scientist of all time"? In point of fact, he is a most unlikely choice.

This is the worst science film I have ever seen as a scientist, at least for its length and melodramatic ambition. Although kindergartners might like it. Certainly the ingenious visual and musical simulation of the jittering Dirac vacuum is magnificent!

With respect to superstring theory itself, this supposed documentary is more like an advertisement than an honest examination of what to date remains a charming but sterile scientific theory, a theory that could easily be joined by a thousand other ideas, neither less nor more plausible, on the same shallow pond of data, where they could all figure skate together. A scientific theory never "proclaims" anything about the universe; only its exponents - physicist Greene, in this instance - can be guilty of THAT.

Although I found much to enjoy, and more than a little enlightenment, in Brian Greene's superb book of the same title years ago, and strongly recommended its purchase to sophisticated lay friends, in this extraordinarily bathetic television tutorial there is little or no trace of his expository genius and style. I am afraid that in the making of this program the youthful Prof. Greene allowed himself to be badly misused by his handlers.

The universe is not a cartoon, and science - as publicly understood and professionally pursued - can only be degraded and perverted by such undignified, unintellectual drivel.

Final impression: Revolting! Literally an embarrassment to watch.

A masterpiece !
This is an easy one to rate, for me anyway. The depth and continuity of this 3 part series on a heretofore uncovered topic is excellent. Only Timothy Ferris has produced science documentaries at this level in the last decade or so ("Beyond Earth", "The Creation Of The Universe")

A superb presentation that explores the boundary between physics theory that can be experimented against (quarks, etc), and that which currently cannot (strings). ... Read more

Description

THE COMMUNICATOR AWARDS, a prestigious international awards competition that recognizes outstanding work in the communications field, has conferred the 2003 AWARD OF DISTINCTION to four instructional DVDs produced by Classical Pilates Inc.: (1) Classical Pilates Technique: The Complete Mat Workout Series; (2) Classical Pilates Technique: The Complete Magic Circle Mat Series & Reformer Mat Workout; (3) Classical Pilates Technique: The 3rd Edition Complete Universal Reformer Series; (4) Classical Pilates Technique: The Studio Equipment Series. As a winner of these four Communicator Awards, Classical Pilates Inc. joins an exclusive list of video professionals who are recognized as the best within the industry. Entries are judged by industry professionals who assess the highest standards of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. ... Read more

Reviews (128)

Documenting The Real Thing
This DVD is an unapologetic documentary of Joseph Pilates' original mat workout series with superb demonstration of exercises, and expert verbal instruction by Bob Liekens. The workouts move quickly without stopping so that your heart gets pumping and your muscles start working. This is precisely the point: The Pilates method is supposed to be vigorous as you gain familiarity with the exercises. Learning Pilates is sort of like learning a language. You start slowly at first then you pick up the pace then interact with your new 'movement vocabulary.'

If you want a slower workout, the "modified basic" routine on this DVD gives you the basics. I recommend this video without reservation, yet you should always try to take Pilates lessons from a certified instructor, so you can glean the full benefits from the method, from this DVD, or from any other DVD.

Classical Pilates has the best example of Pilates done well. This DVD shows the full range of exercise levels.

A 10 Star Video!
I have been working out in the Pilates method for several years and take private lessons only once in a while. I live far from certified instructors who have extensive training, so I have to rely on mat classes and video instruction. When I heard about this Classical Pilates video, the recommendation seemed too good to be true, but I bought it anyway. This video is so pleasurable to watch because the demonstrators are precise, focused, dynamic, and fluid. This video is also thorough enough to be considered as a 'visual encyclopedia.' I have never seen another video that exhibits every level! Other Pilates videos charge about the same price, however, they only supply a single workout. The point is that I can grow with this video, and learn from Bob Liekens' insightful instruction, as if I were taking lessons in a New York City studio. Another thing I'm very satisfied with is that I actually get a workout! Many other videos show so many flashy camera angles, and explain the movements in so much detail, that I don't sweat. Classical Pilates claims to preserve the original Pilates method in their video. Since I do not know very much about the Pilates method, I can't adequately comment on this. But I have heard that Joseph Pilates was a tough guy and all around athlete who put his clients "through their paces," and he would encourage people to workout intelligently with robust energy. From watching other students and instructors practice the Pilates method, I can see that Classical Pilates technique is flawless, so I am inclined to believe that Classical Pilates keeps the true flame of Joseph Pilates' tradition burning brightly for the rest of us. I am very impressed

Hurts so Good
This DVD is a little dry, nothing fancy here, but it is a great - no, excellent - Pilates workout.

The buildup from Beginner to Advanced is appropriate (I did the Ana Caban (Giaim) beginning and intermediate Pilates DVDs to compare) -- but,WARNING you should probably have taken a beginners Pilates class or done at least one other Beginner Pilates DVD several times before diving into this one. The other reviews are correct, this is a technical DVD with little review of the basics of Pilates, so to start with this one would have been confusing and probably very frustrating.

The "Super Advanced" section provides a worthwhile goal, when I am feeling uninspired I look at/attempt those excercises.

If you can do the Advanced workout all the way through with correct pace, breathing, and form I would say you would be in very (very) admirable shape.

Conditioning & Healing
In addition to physical therapy, Pilates lessons and this video helped me recover from a back injury that stopped me in my tracks. Sometimes I lift heavy boxes as part of my job. One day I wasn't paying close attention. All of a sudden I felt a snap in my lower back. I could hardly stand upright; it hurt to stand up, sit down, even roll over in bed when I was sleeping. I couldn't exercise for several weeks.

Anyway, my PT said I should take Pilates. I was willing to try anything to help my aching back. This video starts off slowly, which was really important. After practicing the pre-basic workout for several weeks, I went on to the full basic workout. This was invigorating and it moves quickly. Now I'm practicing intermediate.

All in all, this video has helped me fully recover. I recommend this product to my friends and work associates. Thank you for making this video!

I Like The Style
The guiding ideas of this program seem to be: It's a workout. Do it well. Look good!

I play tennis, ski, and surf. I just enjoy being physically active, and I like to practice sports that involve discipline and skill. The same applies to body conditioning. Pilates is not easy. It demands concentration, strength, and creativity to do it well. I appreciate this DVD isn't a watered-down version of Pilates that underestimates my ability. So I'm learning, having fun, and staying in good shape. ... Read more

Description

The complete first season of Rod Serling's classic, groundbreaking series exploring the fantastic and the frightening. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Gundam Wing (1995-96), a 49-part series in the AlternateUniverse continuity, scored a hit in the U.S. when it aired on the Cartoon Network.In the year 195 A.C. (After Colony), much of humanity has emigrated to orbitingSpace Colonies; those who remained on Earth are governed by the oppressiveUnited Earth Sphere Alliance. But the real power is wielded by the sinisterRomefeller Foundation, whose directors plot to control Earth and the Coloniesthrough their puppet military entity OZ, led by Zechs Marquise and TreizeKhushrenada. Five teenage pilots in Gundam mecha suits strike atEarth, hoping to aid the rebel Colonists: sullen Heero Yuy, happy-go-luckyDuo Maxwell, former circus acrobat Trowa Barton, sensitive Quatre Raberba, andicy WuFei Chang. The convoluted story line pits the Romefeller Foundation, therebellious "Treize Faction" of OZ, the Gundam Pilots, and royal pacifistRelena Peacecraft against each other. But it's primarily a battle between theadherents of a samurai-style code of honor and the soulless adherents ofrealpolitik. When the Romefeller Foundation begins manufacturing Mobile Dolls(pilotless battle robots), the Gundam pilots, Zechs, and Treize object, notbecause they can make the Foundation all-powerful, but because they willdeprive human warriors of the singular emotions experienced through heroismin battle.

The uninitiated may have trouble following the plot: strangerevelations abound (e.g., Relena discovers Zechs is her long-lost brother) andcharacters disappear for a dozen or more episodes, only to return when adeus ex machina is needed. But Gundam fans aren't interested intightly woven story lines or credible character arcs, and Gundam Wingdelivers plenty of battles between the splendidly designed robots. It's aclassic confrontation between good guys with invincible weapons and soullessbad guys who can't hit the broad side of a robot. (Rated 13 and older: occasionalprofanity, robot vs. robot violence) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (59)

Awesome
First off let me say I gave this four stars ONLY becuase it is not my favorite Anime. (In my mind nothing can beat Rurouni Kenshin) Like many others in America I was first introduced to Gundam Wing late one night while watching Cartoon network. I saw an episode about half way through the series and thought it was great. When I saw this series come out in a box set I wanted to buy it, but had second thoughts. You see I have seen some of Mobile Suit Gundam 083 and some of the other ones, and I didn't like them at all. For some reason I could not stand that little twerp Amuro. Let me say this though, this series is nothing like the others. Awesome story line, excellent characters, and lots of action make this series a must in your collection.

Gundam Wing is the most captivating Gundam Series out there!
I have to say I have seen a little bit of every Gundam Show in existence. And Gundam Wing by far, in my opinion, surpasses them all. While the animation is obviously better than it's predecessors the plot and characters are also deeper. It's a darker world in GW and a lot of things are different in this series than in any of the others. The colonies in this series are NOT the enemies, but a confused bunch of people who have been abused time and time again. They make for very good under dogs. The main characters are very well developed - and actually have emotional breaking points! Also, the main character isn't happy go lucky - but a soldier. It's kinda disturbing that they are only 15, but it just makes them deeper characters. I recommend this show to ANYBODY.
Personally I liked the English version but if you want a treat the Japanese version is hilarious. The voice actors are better and the lines make so much sense. O and read Episode Zero before you watch this series -- SO many more things make sense it's amazing!

Wing is a great series, but bootlegs should not be here
I highly recommened Gundam Wing to anyone because it is an awesome series. There is something for everyone here, romance, mech action, comedy, etc. How often is it a series' character gets his own personal stalker? How many series actually have a man change personalities like flipping a slice of bread? Great stuff.

Beware though, I was just looking at the used copies for $30, and they are all bootlegs. Yes, you heard me, those discs are bootlegs from China. The OFFICIAL set is 10 discs, no less. If you want to get this series, support Bandai with their legal set, not those loser sellers and their bootlegs.

One of my favorite anime
This has to be one of the best anime of all time. In my opion it is my second favorite of all time. It is just under ronin warriors. Gundam wing is the best gundam anime out there. The reason that it is so good is because of the 5 main piolts. by the end of the serios u feel like u know the them. No other gundam show made me feel like that. I have not bought the dvds but i have seen every episiode. If u like anime and giant robots and deep story u will like gundam wing.

Gundam Wing is the best
I recently bought this item and I have never bought a anime box set and wathched it mor the second i rurouni kenshin or hellsing which pale in comparison to this show this isnt your average gundam show it is one of the best gundam shows ever made my hat is off to Hajime Yatatae and Yoshiyuki tomino creators of Gundam Wing if they ever make a gundam series like this again i will buy it. the story of heero yuy and and the othe gundam pilots sent to earth by operation meteor is the best it shows that even the strongest of forces can be defeated meaning oz and the aliance military being defeated by just five mobile suits which dawn excelent mobile suit designs by Kunio Okawara by the way Zechs's voice is the coolest and Duo brings life and comedy to the series the mobile dolls look great as well at least for the gundams to destroy. if you are a gundam fan eva fan or raxphon fan the this will top them in my opinion evas ending wasnt the best. the animation is great especialy twords the artimis revolution and space war at the end of the series i have this box set and i did cost me 200.00 dollars but it was worth every penny. this gundam sseries is the best of them all even over 08th ms team which is a awesome show but it dosnt compare to Gundam wing with an ending note if you want a gundam show with non stop action and will make you want to play a gundam game buy this box set if you have 200.00 dollars for anime. they should also make a gundam wing video game and not fighting but more like encounters in space or journey to jaburo buy this. this is an overall perfect product it brings together every thing you love about gundam. there has never been such an awesome gundam series. ... Read more

Amazon.com

No one uses color like Chinese director Zhang Yimou--movies like Raise the Red Lantern or Hero, though different in tone and subject matter, are drenched in rich, luscious shades of red, blue, yellow, and green. House of Flying Daggers is no exception; if they weren't choreographed with such vigorous imagination, the spectacular action sequences would seem little more than an excuse for vivid hues rippling across the screen. Government officers Leo and Jin (Asian superstars Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro) set out to destroy an underground rebellion called the House of Flying Daggers (named for their weapon of choice, a curved blade that swoops through the air like a boomerang). Their only chance to find the rebels is a blind women named Mei (Ziyi Zhang, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) who has some lethal kung fu moves of her own. In the guise of an aspiring rebel, Jin escorts Mei through gorgeous forests and fields that become bloody battlegrounds as soldiers try to kill them both. While arrows and spears of bamboo fly through the air, Mei, Jin, and Leo turn against each other in surprising ways, driven by passion and honor. Zhang's previous action/art film, Hero, sometimes sacrificed momentum for sheer visual beauty; House of Flying Daggers finds a more muscular balance of aesthetic splendor and dazzling swordplay. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (153)

DO NOT buy this crap!
OK! Who the hell gave this movie 4 stars??!! Poor story, poor dialog, poor EVERYTHING!!! This movie sucked. Get stabbed by a dagger and the girl stays alive until the unnecessary long fight between two bad actors is over??!! Come on! This movie is worse than the Hindi crap that comes out of Bollywood. Wish I could give it zero stars, but I can't. Amazon, will you please see that movies of this low quality get zero stars?

Technically breathtaking, but left this viewer a little cold
Zhang Yimou's HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS continues where the director's HERO left off: it is a film of immense visual beauty and amazing choreography, supporting a plot with melodramatic elements to it. But whereas HERO could conceivably, amidst the dazzling imagistic pageantry and big emotions, be interpreted as a political statement (the film ends with a ruler having to sacrifice a hero for what he considers the greater cause of unifying feudal China), HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS is content to be romantic melodrama, plain and simple.

Personally, I kinda prefer the extra intellectual and thematic stimulation offered by HERO. At the end of that film, you really had something to think about; at the end of HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS...well, the story is over (and a song sung in English by soprano Kathleen Battle plays over the closing credits). Nothing of great consequence, I felt, had really happened in this film; it is basically one ravishing image and one amazing fight sequence following another, interspersed with (admittedly well-acted) moments of intimacy or high drama. If Zhang Yimou was aiming for thematic subtlety in HERO, here he goes for operatic emotions and visual spectacle. And for all its technical brilliance, the whole thing ultimately left me a little cold---maybe a bit too melodramatic and soapy for my taste.

That is a very personal reaction, of course. The technical brilliance Zhang Yimou brings to HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS is not to be denied; these are some of the most breathtaking (and breathtakingly filmed) fight sequences seen since the last notable "wuxia" film, Ang Lee's CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. And the actors bring as much conviction as possible to their basically two-dimensional characters: certainly, as House of Flying Daggers member Mei, Ziyi Zhang brings convincing passion to her role, as do Takeshi Kaneshiro and Andy Lau as, respectively Jin and Leo, two police deputies who rescue Mei from prison and try to trick her into bringing them to the House of Flying Daggers to stop their rebelliousness once and for all.

Perhaps the best way to appreciate H