Amazon.com

Extraordinary footage and eloquent narration by David Attenborough highlight the BBC's remarkable wildlife series The Blue Planet: Seas of Life. "Ocean World" begins with astonishing views of a gigantic blue whale--the elusive Holy Grail of undersea photography--and the marvels continue to demonstrate the power, diversity, and profound ecological influence of Earth's oceans. "Frozen Seas" examines whales, walruses, penguins, and other creatures under the extreme conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. The next two episodes are even better. "Open Ocean" travels thousands of miles into the vast "liquid desert," where currents determine how the ocean's diverse life forms will assume their places in the food chain. More amazing, "The Deep" descends with a state-of-the-art submersible to the ocean's abyssal plain and beyond, filming such bizarre creatures as the fangtooth, bioluminescent jellies, transparent squid, the giant-mouthed gulper eel, and the never-before-seen hairy angler fish.

"Seasonal Seas" focuses on the explosion of life that accompanies every annual blooming of plankton, numbering in the countless billions and captured here with brilliant microphotography. In "Coral Seas," miles-long reefs of living coral are explored, from deep within (requiring brief computer animation) to the surrounding environs, where you'll see white-tipped sharks in a feeding frenzy while beautiful harlequin shrimp wrestle with a starfish. "Tidal Seas" explores the myriad life forms that thrive when lunar gravity pulls the oceans offshore. "Coasts" is easily the most brutal episode, but no less mesmerizing. The most unexpected, and horrifying, sequence is the orca, earning its "killer whale" nickname by capturing, killing, and tail-tossing a seal pup--a sequence so mysteriously primal that even the most seasoned marine biologist will be utterly amazed. One of the finest wildlife programs you're ever likely to see, The Blue Planet: Seas of Life provides the privilege of visiting a truly alien world teeming with the rarest wonders of nature. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Unbelievably Beautiful.
There are many reasons to own this wonderful series on DVD, but one reason stands out: The Killer Whale/Seal Pup segment of the "Coasts" DVD. The Amazon.com main reviewer mentioned this scene in his review - and with good reason. It is THE most amazing piece of wildlife footage EVER captured on film - even surpassing the National Geographic special with the Great White Sharks breaching.

If you need more reasons than that, the "Ocean World" DVD contains unbelievable footage of Sir David in a skiff right above a Blue Whale (the largest creature ever to have lived) along with a stirring segment about an orca pod pursuing a gray whale and her calf.

All of my friends - who are decidely NOT nature buffs like me -were left speechless after seeing some of the segments in this set (particularly the aforementioned ones).

The Life of Mammals DVD set by Attenborough is also terrific.

Wondrous, but I'd rather hear Sir David than the music...
This is a beautifully filmed and presented documentary series, though that goes without saying if it's done by David Attenborough and his crew. I'm not sure if it's my cheap DVD player or the discs themselves, however, that are the cause of my only complaint. The music and effects, especially in the opening episode are so loud compared to Attenborough's narration that it must be turned up to an almost uncomfortable level to understand him over it. Coming from the Life of Birds series, which is flawless IMO, this was a disappointment. The scenes caught on film certainly are not! The episode travelling down to the deepest regions of the ocean provide probably the most fascinating visuals you'll ever see. You will literally be amazed that such creatures are actually a living part of the world that are almost completely unknown to anyone.

WOW!
WOW!

I recently returned from scuba diving in Australia, Bali, and Palau as part of a larger 7 month world trip. This video set further opened my eyes to the beauty underneath and above our waters and how it all relates. I was almost entirely speechless the first few episodes - except for when I uttered frequently - (...)...or the sound of my gagging in disbelief.

The adrenaline dropped a little during the the 3rd and 4th CDs, but there are clips in those that made my jaw drop too! The "Deep Trouble" featurette / segment on the 4th CD is highly recommended too. I visited Tokyo, Japan - Tsukiji fish market - in Dec 2003 and saw the Bluefin Tuna auction first hand, among other sites - wow! If you never thought the world could be overfished, or don't act like it is - you must go to Tokyo and see the market first hand. It's free to go in!

We should take some of the next round of $50 billion used for the Iraq war and buy a copy of this and send it to every *household* in America. There would be even enough to give a free DVD player to those wihtout. Europe and Japan should do the same. There would still be money left over to send to Iraq too!

Don't miss this thrilling collector's set
This is definitely a must have for entertainment & educational purposes. You can watch these dvd's over and over again & still be amazed at the sea life being captured on camera. Although, some scenes may be a little graphically violent, these dvd's are something to be shared with people of most ages.

Excellent!
I spent a weekend completely mesmerized by this series.

This is an incredible journey through the oceans of the world. From the freezing poles to the warm water tropics, you meet numerous species and observe them and their habits in incredible detail. There are times when you can't tell if what you're looking at is full size or microscopic, were it not for the narrative. You learn about breeding, defense, hunting tactics, feeding, and migration. From majestic giants like whales, to the tiny plankton so many ocean species live on, there's a lot to learn, and many surprises.

It's an 8-part series:
"Ocean World," "Frozen Seas," "Open Ocean," "The Deep," "Seasonal Seas," "Coral Seas," "Tidal Seas," and "Coasts"
Each episode stands alone, concentrating most on details pertaining to its title. Where Frozen Seas concentrates more on severe weather conditions and the amazing species that can tolerate it, and how they do it, the Tidal Seas episode offers insight to the moons effect on our oceans, and the species that rely on tidal conditions to survive. In The Deep episode, you go to incredible depths, where no sunlight can penetrate and see footage of entire ecosystems that have somehow evolved and survived without the sun. Some of the species in The Deep could easily have been inspiration for many horror film monsters.

Clear, spectacularly vivid imagery, and an excellent narrative by David Attenborough make this series a must see.

I love the ocean, and being at the beach, and have always been curious and cautious about it's inhabitants. Some things I've learned here will not be forgotten. For instance, even the most likable species has to eat, which means it has to hunt and kill. All survival tactics are clever, and necessary, but some are rather cruel. And we certainly can't do more than speculate as to the reasons.

The more we learn about our oceans, the better able we are to respect and appreciate its riches. (and beware it's predators)! ... Read more

Description

The DVD can be viewed on the living room TV or on personal computers as a 70-minute bird-filled documentary. It also serves as an audio/visual reference guide-- one can use the easy-to-use menus to quickly find a particular bird (it contains 218 species found in Midwest and Eastern North America). The DVD is full of extraordinary photography, bird songs and with video footage.

Some features unique to the DVD include a collection of 18 quizzes and a section for comparing similar-sounding birds (for example, melodic, buzzy or unmusical). The narration for each bird does not occur immediately, allowing the viewer to guess what bird she is hearing and seeing. This quiz format keeps the viewer in a state of wonder and makes learning to identify birds more engaging and fun.

The focus of the narration is bird song and bird song mnemonics (such as "Who's awake? Me too" of the Great Horned Owl, or "Quick, three beers!" of the Olive-sided Flycatcher). Also, a bonus "Soundscape" track is included without narration to simulate a field trip to different habitats such as marsh, grassland and forest. This creates a very relaxing natural background which, along with the bird photos, can keep bird-watchers of any level, kids, babies, and pets (especially cats) enthralled for hours. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Exceptionally well done!
I love this DVD!The pictures are pristine and show both sexes, the video footage sprinkled thoughout is excellent, and the sound recordings are first rate as well.The mnemonic approach is original and "fixes" the sounds more easily in your memory.I find the female narrator's voice very pleasant and easy to understand.A treat for anyone who wants to learn just which bird it is whose song and calls fill the air, especially in the spring.Oh, and another wonderful plus:Great entertainment for my two lovebirds!It cracked me up when my male belted out the song of the Indigo bunting in near-perfect imitation.A companion CD is also available so you can listen to bird songs anywhere (or entertain your birds).

Please note:this DVD has but one aim:to familiarize the viewer/listener with birds and their songs and calls.If you want to learn more about these birds, I recommend Stokes' Field Guide to Birds, simply because it packs the most information on the same page of any guide that I own.For identification purposes and range, Sibley's Guide to Birds, in my opinion, is unsurpassed.And once your interest in birds leads you to ask more questions, by all means, treat yourself to Sir David Attenborough's marvelous The Life of Birds.I have both, the DVD set and the book, and I can only urge you to get the companion book as well since it is so wonderfully written.I found that I learned even more by reading the book after I had first watched the series on PBS.Sibley's Guide to Bird Behavior is also highly recommended.

There is a wealth of information out there on these feathered wonders, but for sheer beauty and clarity of sound, this DVD is worth every penny!

Any birder will love this DVD
Birds, Birds, Birds! isn't really a film or a documentary, per se, because it doesn't have a narrative storyline.Instead it's a fascinating, well-made guide to a wide range of common North American birds, with excellent footage and sound recordings for each.As eye- and ear-training for birders, it's great, and for just general enjoyment, it's a treat for all bird-lovers.Personally I liked it better with the spoken soundtrack turned off, because the actress who was voicing the birdcall mneumonics was trying a little too hard to put interest into her line readings, to the point that sometimes the way she enunciated the phrase didn't show any similarity to the bird call in question.But that's just me.

The photography and video footage on this DVD are excellent, the recordings are top-notch, and it's a terrific way to either work on your call recognition for a birding trip, or just to relax and enjoy the beauty and songs of the feathered ones.I give it four solid stars.

Disappointed
Unless you are an avid bird watcher and need resource material for north american bird sounds, this DVD is otherwise a waste of money.Spend the extra money and buy "the Life of Birds".

Any birder can't go wrong with a John Feith publication.
I agree...I can always look forward to putting on this DVD after a stressful day and feel comforted and happy. Not only is the DVD as a whole very complete, compelling, interesting and infomative, the photographs, videos and sounds of all the various birds are exquisite. Such a great team of artists and professionals have contributed to the DVD and watching it is such a wonderful experience. These are birds that appear all across the country from the West to the East and John Feith's CD "Who Cooks For Poor Sam Peabody" is such a great learning tool in and of itself, and now Mr. Feith has come out with this great DVD to have such great images to accompany the bird sounds from the CD...plus with many new surprises added along the way! I'm looking forward to watching again and again and again!

Great, Great, Great!
This is a fantastic DVD! When I get home from a hectic day at school, the sights and sounds on this disk calm me down and reminds me of the promise of spring birds soon to return. The "quiz" format is a fun way to review my bird ID skills. As a middle school science teacher, I plan to use this feature with my students. The audio, photographs and videos are all of excellent quality. I strongly recommend this DVD! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Like any IMAX movie, Coral Reef Adventure is so vivid, vast, and colorful that you can't help but be astonished by its visual splendor. But this undersea exploration has a deeper, more serious agenda as well, warning its viewers that the natural magnificence of the world's most impressive coral reefs is, in most cases, a mere 30 years away from extinction due to the devastating effects of global (and oceanic) warming. Whether or not that timeframe is accurate (and there's not enough solid science presented here to prove it either way), it's tragically obvious that we are in the process of losing entire ecosystems that cannot be replaced, and when you witness these awesome coral reefs in their still-thriving vitality, you experience a sense of urgent responsibility toward our stewardship of planet Earth. By showing us the commitment and potentially life-threatening work of reef explorers and world-class undersea cinematographers Howard and Michele Hall, the film provides an all-access pass to some of the most exotic, playful, and dangerous creatures in the ocean, presented with the kind of intense, almost three-dimensional clarity that can only be achieved in the IMAX format. And while the giant-screen awesomeness of IMAX is lost in translation to DVD, Coral Reef Adventure offers the best-to-date use (on disc 2 of this two-disc set) of High Definition DVD-ROM formatting. For PC users equipped with Windows XP and Windows Media Player 9 series (or later) software, the amazing images in Coral Reef Adventure achieve an almost life-like resolution. The ultimate conclusion remains: If we don't do something to protect these delicate, endangered wonders of nature, we will lose a part of ourselves. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Endangered coral reefs exposed for all to see
I may be a bit biased- as I have dived all the reefs shown in this movie, and have enjoyed diving in Fiji with Rusi Vulakoro, focus of the film (and dove with Rusi again for two weeks in November 2003, for the last time, as he has now retired.) The footage is superb- showing Australia's enormous Great Barrier Reef, French Polynesia's Rangiroa Atoll (with a huge school of about 300 grey whalers / grey reef sharks) and lots of Fiji's world-class reefs- from its spectacular soft corals to the eutrophication of a once-vital reef just offshore to one of Fiji's islands. One even sees how the huge IMAX camera is maneuvered in "Rangi's" stiff currents, as well as in 107 meters / 350 feet of depth as cinematographer Howard Hall and scientist Richard Pyle discover fish completely new to science, using CIS Lunar Mark 4-P rebreathers.

The sound track is excellent, the footage outstanding, and the explanation of why coral reefs are failing, while basic, is quite accurate: overfishing of reef inhabitants, silt from logging and development, and waters warmed by the global warming some still deny and the El Niño / Southern Oscillation phenomenon.

Unfortunately gone missing in the simplification are fishing for aquarium specimens and food fish with cyanide, dynamite fishing, coral removal for various commercial schemes, and inflow of insecticides and fertilizers, as on barrier reefs off Australia and Central America. And some explanations and scenes are, shall we say, a little bit "embellished" up for effect... but in the end, this is an awesome movie. Divers will love it, those who do not dive will begin to get an idea of why we who do actually dive and travel to such wonderful places. Those concerned about reefs' well-being will be gratified there is some information how people can help conserve reefs, with some prominent mention being given to NGO Reef Check and its activities involving sport divers.

If you enjoy underwater film, this is a "MUST SEE". A very good supporting book (Living Mirrors: A Coral Reef Adventure, by Jack Stephens, Umbrage Editions, ISBN 1-8844167-26-8) is available, and Coral Reef Adventure is also available in VHS and DVD editions; I bought the DVD, and it's nice to still be able to see Rusi diving and all Fiji's underwater denizens, even when I am at home.

Incredible DVD!
This DVD has beautiful underwater scenes of coral reefs and sea life, and occasional flyovers of mountains and reefs look amazing. The music and narration are finely balanced. If you live outside the US or Canada like me, you can still play the WMVHD DVD! As long as you own a region free DVD-ROM drive in your computer, or own a copy of DVD Region Free, you can still play the high definition version on disc 2 in any country with no DRM license hassles. You got to have a powerful pc (especially the CPU) to play it though! You should also have a HDTV connected to your pc as well to make the most of the quality.

Simply Beautiful
I bought this DVD only for the eye candy WMVHD version...and I wasn't disappointed. The video quality is simply spectacular !

Microsoft has a lot to learn about HTPCs
I bought this for the HD WMV version on disc 2, hoping to play this with my HD capable Home Theater Personal Computer (HTPC). I have had nothing but problems:
1. There were problems with software codecs. The web site pointed to on the disc explained how I might need to manually install some components, which apparently I needed to do. Troubling, but overcome.
2. DVD-ROM required on the computer. My HTPC didn't have a DVD-ROM drive. I have a separate DVD player in my stereo stack, and DVD drives in other computers. My plan was to copy the files over to the HTPC. This didn't work because of the Microsoft DRM (Digital Rights Management). Even when I mapped the DVD-ROM on the other computer so it appeared locally, no luck. Worst of all, I only figured out this was the problem by debugging the Microsoft scripts on the disc. There was no explanation given, just a cryptic error message. Overcome with purchase of a DVD-ROM drive.
3. Bad audio format. As another reviewer has noted, the multi-channel audio is in a Microsoft format and I can't pass it over the optical connection from my HTPC to my DTS and Dolby Digital capable receiver. I have no problems with AC3 files and DTS encoded files. Not overcome - stuck with standard stereo.
4. Things cut off the screen. I'm running at 1920x1080 for 1080i resolution. My HDTV has a little overscan. The menus for configuring the player were cut off. I don't know if this is because it assumes 4x3 or the overscan, but someone needs to recognize that overscan exists. Overcome by playing disc in another computer and learning where the menu entries were.
5. Can't pause, etc. The player doesn't seem to respond to keys on my "media enabled" keyboard. The keyboard works fine in other applications. Not overcome.
BTW, the video looks awesome.
-frustrated

HD-DVD Wow!
I bought this disk because it was the first-ever high definition 1080progressive scan DVD made to run on a pc that has windows media 9 and a fancy graphics card.
This is a drop-dead gorgeous movie to watch. And unlike the other existant HD-DVD, it is easy to use.
I look foward to purchasing other nature films released in this format. My only regret about this beautiful, intelligent movie is that it is an advocacy film for environmental preservation of coral reefs but it does not give its intended audience a clear push out-of-the-door to act in a meaningful way to save the oceans through legislation etc. Maybe I am being policy-wonkish here, but feel-good propaganda that does not motivate people is dishonest to its intents.
Liam Nieson narrates excellently, the underwater cinematography is pristine and the audience develops an appreciation of the coral reef milleau. music is goofy but fun.
see this movie on a 1200x1600 monitor if you can, there is nothing like it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

For earthbound humans, Winged Migration is as close as any of us will get to sharing the sky with our fine feathered friends. It's as if French director Jacques Perrin and his international crew of dedicated filmmakers had been given a full-access pass by Mother Nature herself, with the complete "cooperation" of countless species of migrating birds, all answering to eons of migratory instinct. The film is utterly simple in purpose, with minimal narration and on-screen titles to identify the wondrous varieties of flying wildlife, but its visceral effect is humbling, awesome and magnificently profound. Technically, Perrin surpasses the achievement of his earlier film Microcosmos (which did for insects what this film does for birds), and apart from a few digital skyscapes for poetic effect, this astonishing film uses no special effects whatsoever, with soaring, seemingly miraculous camera work that blesses the viewer with, quite literally, a bird's-eye view. A brief but important hunting scene may upset sensitive viewers and children, but doesn't stop Winged Migration from being essential all-ages viewing. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (160)

A gorgeous film/Sony at fault
This film is a stunningly beautiful masterpiece filled with breathtaking cinematography. The four years of work that went into making it shows during every second of the film. Jacques Perrin and the people he worked with have created a piece of work that is in essence a spectacular gift to the world. Watching birds of various kinds fly gracefully through the air seemingly without any effort is a sight to behold. You feel privileged to be able to glimpse this magical world in which the birds inhabit. Also a treat is watching what the birds do when they are not flying, whether it is Clark's grebes dancing on the surface of a lake or male sage grouse strutting their stuff by inflating their throat sacs and creating weird noises with them or gannets plunge-diving into the ocean to catch fish. The scene involving the sage grouse is quite stunning. At the beginning of the scene, you see sage grouse on a partially snow-covered grassland in Idaho. In the background, you see several flocks of migrating birds flying against a backdrop of mountains. Some of the aerial shots of birds flying are so beautiful that they appear unreal. It is as if a skilled artist had painted the landscapes. There are numerous scenes of flying birds that will take your breath away. I will mention three. The footage of Canada geese flying throught Monument Valley, Utah, is gorgeous. The rock formations provide a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop for the shots of the birds. The footage of trumpeter swans flying over a river in a Southeast Asian rainforest on their way to Vietnam is also incredibly beautiful. When they arrive in the paddy fields of northern Vietnam by flying past a landscape of green dotted with majestic rock formations, your breath is taken away by the beauty that you see onscreen. The footage of the white storks flying over the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert is so incredible that it appears fake. You really have to see it to believe it. There is also a magical shot of the Great Wall of China on a foggy day. It looks so incredible that you may actually think that a master Chinese painter had painted what you see onscreen.

I do have several gripes with the film. First of all, the selection of birds that were shown in the film had a glaring omission. I only noticed one scene showing ducks in full flight. This was the scene of a single male Mallard duck flying through the French countryside and eventually joining a flock of geese over the river Seine in Paris. Why weren't more ducks showcased in the film? Second, the scene where a mother bobwhite quail is nesting in the path of moving farm combines is an unnecessary addition to the film. Third, the scene of the Canada geese drinking water from a broken-down truck is unique, but in my opinion, out of place with the rest of the film. Also, the scene involving the same geese flying over a herd of running mustangs is so fake that its inclusion in the film is almost embarrassing. What is such a shot doing in a film that claims to have no special effects?

This DVD of the film is amazing. The picture quality is stunning. The transfer is amazingly clear. The sound quality is rich and clear. Several extras are included. They are well worth viewing. The Behind-the-Scenes featurette is a pleasure to watch. It explains very well the process that was used in filming the birds and all the effort that went into making the film. We learn that the white pelicans became sick during the airplane flight from France to Senegal. We also learn that the footage of the film showing snow geese flying through snowy weather in the Adirondacks in New York State was improvised when bad weather conditions forced the film crew to abandon a staged scene of geese hunting. Watching the cute baby birds at the beginning of the featurette, especially when they are running with ultralight planes on the ground, is an absolute delight. In one shot, you can see that baby white storks demonstrate the same weird neck-bending, beak-clapping behavior as adult white storks. The narrator of the featurette makes a few mistakes. He pronounces "Adirondacks" as "A-DIR-on-dacks" instead of "A-dir-ON-dacks". The last part of the featurette is about the filming of white storks flying over the Sahara Desert. The narrator mistakenly refers to the storks as "swans" at least twice.

I highly recommend the film and its DVD. Your view of birds will be forever changed by watching this film. Anyone who has had a chance to watch this film has been incredibly lucky. As you know, the film only received limited theatrical release in the US. Sony released the film in American theaters only in the summer of 2003. This was months after it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary. This makes absolutely no sense. Also, Sony did a huge disservice to the film by not running any ads on American TV for it. The people who run Sony should be ashamed of themselves.

Sublime cinematography
WINGED MIGRATION is filmmaker Jacques Perrin's stunning documentary study of bird migration. My wife and I left the special studio screening exclaiming, "How'd they do that!?"

The film begins along a minor waterway in Europe as a flock of geese begins its annual migration north to its summer breeding ground. It then cuts to other locales around the world as other species of large birds - usually cranes, swans, and storks, but also gannets, loons and others - begin their respective journeys. In all cases, the captioning identifies the species, their start points and destinations, and the miles between the two. Occasionally, Perrin makes the point more spectacularly by superimposing the flying flock on an image of the Earth taken from near-orbit. Voice overs are kept to a minimum.

Except for New York (with the WTC still standing), Paris, and a dismal industrial wasteland in eastern Europe, the flocks are shown flying through unpopulated landscapes both varied and magnificent: beaches, ice fields, Monument Valley, northern tundra, open oceans, snow-covered mountains, Asian farmlands, forest-enclosed lakes, deserts, and tropical rainforests. The sunset and weather (blizzards, fog, thunderstorms) provide dramatic backdrops. Then, at journey's end, the birds are shown in their summer habitats - usually steep, dramatic cliffs or rock-strewn shores with sea-ravaged margins.

But certainly the most eye-popping camera work is with the bird formations on the wing. The apparent vantage point of the lens is among the flock, with individual birds only an arm or hand-length away above, below, or to the side. I mean, you're RIGHT THERE! You'd think they'd have to be computer animated models. But a disclaimer at the film's beginning states that no special effects were used in the filming of the birds.

While Perrin emphasizes the round trip to, and the stay in, the breeding grounds, he doesn't gloss over the dangers. The viewer watches as individual birds fall victim to animal predators, human hunters and poachers, and industrial pollution. Some circumstances are heartrending, as when a disabled bird is surrounded and overcome by predatory crabs on an African beach.

Before concluding back at the same waterway and with the same flock of geese which began his documentary, the filmmaker makes a digression at first seemingly inconsistent with the title, i.e. with flightless Emperor penguins in the southern hemisphere. Of course, they use their wings to swim a couple hundred miles.

WINGED MIGRATION is a film to remind us that the real world can be just as spectacular and amazing as any one of the mega-budget, FX-laden, mindless thrillers dished out to the masses. It's wonderful.

Let's appreciate birds
Too many people have taken the time to bash this exquisite and wonderful film that celebrates the avian life on earth. I, for one, take offense to their lies and misleading "facts". First of all, there are TWO bird-hunting scenes in the film. One takes place in the Adirondack Mountains of New York and involves snow geese and the other takes place in a marsh somewhere in EUROPE and involves greylag geese.

Second, to obtain the spectacular footage for the film, the birds shown in the film HAD to be IMPRINTED. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to film them up-close on their migration routes. Which wild birds do you know of that would let filmmakers fly close to them while they are flying their migration routes? Answer that, critics of the film!!!!

Third, the birds were taken to a wildlife sanctuary in Normandy, France, after the filming was over. They are taken care of by seven workers.

This film is GORGEOUS and all bird lovers should see it. Ignore the people who feel compelled to bash it.

After having read Errol Fuller's book "Extinct Birds", I felt lucky and honored to be able to see up close and personal today's birds in wonderful flight. Fuller's book contains illustrations and descriptions of so many EXTINCT birds that it saddened me. Watching "Winged Migration" has uplifted my spirits. Man has caused the extinction of at least 75 bird species since the year 1600. Be glad that a small percentage, but wide variety, of today's bird species are captured on film for your viewing pleasure and for posterity. If passenger pigeons, which once numbered in the BILLIONS, were still alive today, I have no doubt that footage of their SPECTACULAR mass migration flights would be included in this film. Such footage would make the starling flight footage in the film look puny in comparison.

Stunning Vistas, Typically French
Fantastic landscapes, complete with the obligatory French swipe at America. The one and only scene in the film which depicts wild birds being shot out of the air by hunters takes place in, you guessed it...

According to the film's credits:

"The hunting scene was filmed in North America, on sites where it takes place every year."

As if the sport of bird hunting is somehow limited to North America, or was introduced to the world by North America.

And Duck L'Orange isn't a French dish?

At least for me, the swipe detracted greatly from this otherwise wonderful film.

Very nice!
The images of the birds flying were so lovely....I really liked this video, as I love birds, but I have to admit, in the middle of the DVD, I was a bit bored. Beautiful video, just not for someone who likes exciting films, but over all, very good. I would reccomend "Winged Migration" to everyone who likes bird watching or calm, peaceful movies. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Another great video!
Highly recommend Caribbean Beaches! I've never been to the Caribbean but feel as though I have after viewing this great DVD! Images are crisp and clear, and the water looks so inviting and realistic -- if I get just a little closer to my TV screen, perhaps I might even be able to feel the waves lapping at my toes. RX for a stressful day: pour yourself a Margarita, pop in the DVD, crank up the sound of the ocean waves, turn on your ceiling fan (for a cool simulated ocean breeze), and you're there!!!!!

The Best Caribbean Beaches
This dvd lives up to it's claim.The picture is sharper than the other ones were and the sound is crisper.This dvd features beautiful beaches and I do mean beautiful from the Caribbean,Bahamas and the Virgin Islands.The waves on all of these islands is lapping and in most of the footage you see full ocean views and waves washing on the shore and pulling way back.You also see some sunsets.Due to the sharper picture the waves look very blue and green and clear toward the shore.Also the breaks are a lot shorter and quicker than the Califoria and Hawaiia ones.Here's a more descriptive look at what I saw in these.

Day 1
Abaco
Shot 1
Full ocean view.You see the back of the ocean to the sand with lappers that wash upon the sand and then pull back.
Shot 3
Similar Views as 1

Day 2
Eleuthera
Shot 1
Very gentle waves lapping upon the sand
Shot 2
Ocean Views and Lapping waves of Eleuthera
Shot 5
Bigger lapping waves but still small

Day 3
Rose Island
Shot 1
Ocean Views Of Rose Island The Ocean is deep blue with and green to clear toward the shore with the waves washing over the shore.
Last Shot
Sunset Over Lapping Waves

Day 4
St.John
Shot 1
Ocean Views of St.John the waves are very beautiful with deep colors and there lapping over the shore.
Shot 3
There is some gulls in the distance

Day 5
Tortola
Shot 1
Oceanviews of Tortola with mountains in the background and lapping waves.
Shot 2
Even Gentlier lappers
Shot 3
Slightly Bigger lappers pull in and pull back out and they are very beautiful.

Day 6
Virgin Gorde
Shot 1
This shows some pretty big boulders in the ocean.
Shot 2
This was a beautiful shot with the ocean surrounded by boulders.
Shot 3
Shows some nicelooking sailboats

The bonus features on this dvd are as follows:
Island and Day Selection

Preview trailers which consist of video clips of the Hawaiia and California ones as well as the Caribbean,Bahamas,Virgin Islands and the Florida One.The Florida one is very beautiful and breathtaking from the quick clip it shows.

Beach Subtitles Turn this on and it tells you were your at on each island.

Loop Play

When you watch this dvd it is like you have your own private beach on the caribbean.It is very relaxing and the future ones promise to bring more views.The Bahamas one will feature lighthouses.The Virgin Islands will feature diving pelicans.I can't wait to see that.Caribbean Daydreams will have 6 9 minute scenes and is loopable.Judging from the Florida trailer the Florida one will have some nice looking waves and white sand.And I love the new look of the coverart with the blue skies in the background.Also these are just with natural sounds with no music or narration.I also recommend the following wave vacation series dvds to go with these.

Vol 1
Hawaiian Dreams
Vol 2
Hawaiian Zen
Vol 3
Californian Dreams
Vol 4
Californian Zen
Vol 5
Inspiring Moments Best Of Califoria and Hawaiia waves with quotes
Vol 5c
Soothing Scriptures California and Hawaiia with Biblical subtitles.

Now available!The Best Bahama Beaches This features a thunderstorm over the ocean.This will be the first ocean wave video were you get to see an actual storm over the sea.It also features 2 lighthouses.Amazon should have this title shortly as it is already available from the publisher.

The Best Virgin Island Beaches Now Coming in April

Caribbean Daydreams Now Coming In May

Just like being there
I really enjoyed this DVD. I just returned from a relaxing trip to the tropics and on my return was almost immediately confronted by all the stress that accompanies a normal life in the US. It was so nice to to have the new Carribean Beaches DVD from Waves.

I really like the realism of Waves the best. I travel a lot and Waves brings back all the great sights and sounds of my vacations, very relaxing. I hope they do a Thailand edition.

As Close To Being There Without Being There
I love going to be beach!! It is so relaxing, calming and soothing. Since I live a few states away from any beach, I don't there very often. This DVD is awesome!!!! I had never seen a DVD like this before. The scenery was beautiful. The sounds crisp and clear. I'm sure it would be incredible on a large screen tv-especially a HDTV. I highly recommend this DVD and can't wait to purchase the Virgin Islands DVD.

On a virtual vacation.
This must be the next set of beaches in the series. I have the California and Hawaii vidoes. I find this product to be an improved version of "Waves". The dvd has many upgrades including a sharper picture and sound. I like the quick transitions that seems to flow more and with less graphics. It is no longer ment to be watched in 10 minute segments. This new DVD flows through all of the segments quickly, easily, and effortlessly with a simple fade in and fade out between segments and without the graphics. ( six in all)
I alert others that this is not an IMAX film, rather it is a Digital Video and stereo sound. I find the product to be an intimate time on the beach like a daydream with the lapping of waves...its still beautiful and soothing like the entire series just a bit more mature.
I don't mind telling all of you, that as a relaxsation DVD, I can put all the stress of my life aside as I watch this spectacular view in all its' glorious color, refreshing sound, suspended beauty and natural surroundings. I am so impressed with the quality and serenity of these beaches. I have begun to save my dollars so I too can see this marvilous place for myself.
Thank you for putting me at rest anytime I find my life unravelling at the seems. Your series again has helped me to cope the day to day axiety of working in a big city.
Zachary Hahn Southern California Resident since 1963. ... Read more

Description

Explore the mysterious Amazon through the amazing IMAX (R) experience and celebrate the beauty, vitality and wonder of this magical rain forest, which is disappearing at an alarming rate. Filmmakers overcame many difficulties to photograph this rarely seen tropical landscape and present it with all the visual power associated with IMAX. Narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Linda Hunt, this unique collaboration between an American scientist and a tribal shaman on a mission to find rare medicinal plants will amaze and astound you. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rick Duim idiotic review
Rick Duim has no idea what he is talking about.

#1. you do not register any personal information with Microsoft or anyone else when you register to watch WM9 HD material. You do not fill in any forms or anything of the sort. When you put the disc in, it checks to make sure the disc you are attempting to play is a legitimate copy and that is it. After your 1 week viewing period is up, it just checks once again to make sure your copy is legal, and gives you another week, you could do this forever! There is no limit to how often or how long you watch the material.

#2. This is true High Definition video. It looks STUNNING! If you have a computer powerful enough to play it it is WORTH IT! There are DVD players coming out at the end of the summer that can also play WM9 HD material, so you will not need a computer. I use a HD projector on a 14 foot wide screen to view my WM9 material, and it is better than going to the movies.

Until HD DVDs come out (probably not for 2-3 years or longer) there is not really very many options to use your HD display with HD material. Regardless, the movie is great in HD or not, so get it for the movie itself, and if you want to see it in High Definition, at least you have the option.

Microsoft marketing
Avoid any high def disks that require Microsoft Media Player. My previous experience with one of these (Step into Liquid) required registration just to view it. And the registration was limited to a week! I refuse to register anything with MS, just on principle. Don't know if you have to register Amazon to view it or not, but I am against a format based on one companies proprietary format AND the obvious marketing crap that's going on. Your mileage may differ... ... Read more

Description

Plunge into the realm of wild dolphins in this great adventure film MacGillivray Freeman Films, producers of the large-format films "Beavers" and "The Living Sea." In "Dolphins," you'll experience the warm, white sand banks of the Bahamas where the inquisitive dolphins live and play. Find out how we are unraveling the mysteries of dolphin communication. Here, you'll also meet a bottlenose dolphin named JoJo who explores the colorful reefs with his human friend Dean. Brimming with details about the complex lives of these fascinating animals, this ocean adventure film takes you into the very heart of the world of Dolphins. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan, music by Sting. Ever wonder "how did they do that?" "The Making of Dolphins,'" shot on High-Definition Video, takes you behind the scenes. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Dolphins IMAX DVD
Now THIS was an outstanding movie! Great commentary and human interest as well as all of the dolphin footage you could want. Even the "making of Dolphins" was great. If you love dolphins, you will love this film.

Dolphins Was Good.
But not great. When I buy an Imax DVD my expectation are high. Dolphins was good but not 5 star. To give Dolphins the same or better rating than the The Living Sea DVD is not accurate in my opinon. The story starts off well but it seems to lag from the meddle on. The Living Sea is a DVD you can watch time and time again. I do not feel that way about Dolphins. So rent and watch a nice film.

Does it really matter if it's high resolution picture yadda?
Like virtually all IMAX movies; a bloody bore and fit for audiences who simply love to go home and throw something on their big wide screen tv that they don't have to think about, by gosh by golly!

Melodic, entertaining, and fun.
I am a huge fan of IMAX films in general and this is one of the best. The soundtrack (Sting) is awesome and Mr. Brosnan does a great job narrating. It is inspiring to see these intelligent creatures as they interact with humans and you quickly become unsure of who is the scientist and who is the subject.
Their intelligence combined with the perpetual smile make the dolphins seem more like distant cousins than a different species.
My 6 and 2 year old love this movie as well and the outreach value of science is made self evident. We may truly communicate with other creatures in the universe and won't it be amazing if we find them on our own planet?

A Masterpiece
Dolphins Is a wonderful film with a wonderful musical score provided by Sting and Steve Wood. We purchased the DVD, and the soundtrack CD - and it is regularly in our CD player. Our kids love it !!! The cinematography is awesome. This film will put you in a good mood on a cold, winter day with it's visuals and island flavored music. You'll also learn so much about these most incredible creatures. I would love to see a sequel to this great documentary. I think it was actually nominated for an Academy Award. Do yourself a favor, buy the DVD and the soundtrack CD !!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Important and entertaining
Edited by Edward Norton, this PBS series takes a look at the ways in which man has unintentionally altered his environment for the worse.Some examples include hermaphrodite frogs resulting from water pollution, out of control plant life which threatens the survival of ecosystems, and overfishing and its relation to coral reef degradation.

While this series is quite informative, it is also entertaining.Norton lends a good, serious narrative to the series, and though the series presents the audience with disasterous (or potentially disasterous) scenarios, the segments usually end with a success story or a glimmer of hope.For instance, one scientist engineers a plant to absorb, or "eat", the mercury which is polluting the waters.Another segment ends with a private farmer demonstrating environmentally-friendly farming techniques to preserve local water integrity.

Highly recommended.I doubt this series has the entertainment value to hold a young teenager's (or younger) attention for long, but anyone with even a passive interest in biology and/or the environment should be pleased with this series. ... Read more

Description

Journey into Amazing Caves is a visceral, suspenseful expedition with a new breed of scientists who boldly explore places once thought off-limits to human presence, let alone IMAX cameras. Join Dr. Hazel Barton and Nancy Aulenbach as they travel to unique and forbidding ice caves in Greenland, underwater caves in the Yucatan, terrestrial caves in the Grand Canyon and other spectacular locations. You will wriggle through tiny, twisting passages, swim through flooded underground vaults, drop into gleaming blue labyrinths of ice, and enter a world so extreme the microscopic creatures who live there are called extremophiles. For those compelled to push their limits in the world's most hostile environments, the risk of fatal danger and thrill of new discovery are the everyday factors that make cave exploration such an awe-inspiring experience. Narrated by Liam Neeson, with music by The Moody Blues. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Great imagery with typical IMAX juvenile story
This is a well-produced DVD and the imagery is very high resolution. Contrast and color are very good. Liam Neeson is an outstanding narrator. Most of the imagery of the movie is great. Very dramatic panoramas, especially the helicopter fly-throughs. You will enjoy watching the movie once.

Unfortunately, the reason I don't rate it more than 3 stars is Amazing Caves suffers the common IMAX shortcoming that it has been produced as an all ages, all audiences film ... with a juvenile story, written at the 4th grade level. Too much of this brief 40 minute movie is wasted tending to the silly plot.

One can sit through it once and enjoy it, certainly if you have kids with you, and at a real IMAX theater. Your kids might enjoy watching it more than once, especially younger daughters since the two main characters are women scientists/adventurers. But with kids being so smart and worldly these days, even 6th graders would tire of the simplistic story and narration.

Why can't there be IMAX movies with appeal at a more intelligent level? Everest is a good example of an IMAX movie which does succeed in appealing to all audiences, but isn't written at a juvenile level.

The great caving and nature imagery in Amazing Caves is very frequently interrupted so they can keep tending to their story line of two women on their caving exploration and adventure, always "getting in contact" via a hoaky-looking simulated web video multimedia laptop screen with a small class of kids somewhere. Of course it is simulated and plain silly. There is no live contact with anyone. Probably filmed months apart. Yet they keep returning to this .... story, at least 10 times during the movie. Very annoying. Maybe it will appeal to young kids ...

Since IMAX movies are so short anyway, why don't they produce an alternate-cut of IMAX movies so that when 6 months later they release it on DVD, they can include the theatrical, all-ages juvenile story film, and a more intelligent, less pandering version with more interesting and meaningful narration, and cutting out the 30% of the film wasted on hoaky story devices and replacing it with more excellent, dramatic imagery. I know this means extra work, but it would likely result in more DVD sales. Maybe they could even show both versions (Kids, Grown-Ups) at the theaters.

I have a large-screen projection system (162") with 10-channel surround. I have a large collection of IMAX movies. I am always looking for good, high-resolution nature, space and science movies. I just wish that more IMAX movies were actually worth watching multiple times, without having to suffer through juvenile stories, plot devices and elementary-school writing.

If you want to see the movie for its good imagery, just rent somewhere or it or buy it on Amazon. You can always sell it again in the Amazon Marketplace, just like I did.

Widescreen alert!
If you have a widescreen TV, you won't be disappointed by this film. Like all IMAX features, it's short but captures the most photogenic scenery imaginable. It's not much more than an introduction to the world of caving, and it focuses on the search for extremophiles -- microorganisms which thrive in the most hostile of environments. And in classic IMAX fashion, the film crew risks as much danger as any of the spelunkers but is so transparent you'll forget anyone else was there.

This film is replete with scenes of tiny humans in vast landscapes, cool blue glacial walls, breathtaking canyon vistas, and surreal, silent palatial caves. The DTS soundtrack based on the music of the Moody Blues is perfectly expansive and well-suited for the glorious images.

Get this DVD. Trust me.

Good with some shortcomings
The concept is great, but the film leaves you wanting for more. First off, getting only 35 minutes of story seems somewhat of a shortcut for the money you spend on a DVD. The subject matter is caves, and if you are interested in the strange beauty of these areas like I am, you are not satisfied with the film. They spend more time on the human element and diversions such as the kayaking mentioned in an earlier review. They needed to dedicated more time to showing the wonderful formations that could be found inside the caves.

Poor subject for IMAX format
I normally like the McGillivray-Freeman IMAX films, but I have to say that this one is the worst I have seen from that company. The subject matter was not very interesting and most of the shots are either close-up or small area shots which make poor use of the IMAX format. The best sequence in the film was flying through parts of the Grand Canyon. This film has none of the interest or drama such as the IMAX film Dolphins has, nor did it have the spectacular area shots which make the most of the IMAX format such as Everest has. All in all, a mediocre effort from a usually winning team (McGillivray-Freeman).

Journey Into Amazing Caves
First of all, I am a caver. Before watching this IMAX movie in DC in an IMAX Theater I was afraid I would be disappointed because I realized this movie was to be made for the general public, was I wrong. All thru this movie I kept thinking to myself, I can't wait until this movie is out on DVD, well it is and I highly recommend it. True, it is written to address the general public, but as a caver of over 40 yrs I throughly enjoyed it and I have also bought the CD of the Soundtrack, it is a 5 star in my mind also and I am not a Moody Blues fan.
The photography is super, I like the behind the scenes part as much as the movie, so you are getting two shows for the price of one. If something happened to my DVD of "Journey Into Amazing Caves", I would have to go out and buy another for my DVD library, I like it that much.
I have seen a few IMAX movies in my time and this is one of my favorites, if not my favorite, but I am a caver and I like caves. ... Read more

Description

The Living Sea (40 min.) takes you to the world's oceans, traveling to Palau, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Alaska, Nova Scotia and the Red Sea. Explore the mysterious depths and come face to face with life-sized humpback whales when you dive into "The Livi ... Read more

Reviews (30)

If You Love Oceans
I first saw The Living Sea at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago in an IMAX Theatre environment, which was pretty incredible given the surround sound of crashing waves. This DVD is a best buy. Unlike movies, which can get predictable after multiple viewings, The Living Sea is an educational and visual wonder you can watch over and over. The film director was a California surfer as a young boy and he grew up to make an inspiring and beautiful film.

"the cradle of life"
This is an educational film which also has hypnotically beautiful visuals and a lovely score put together by composer Steve Wood that includes a lot of music and vocals by Sting, as well as having Meryl Streep give us a stream of information in her well-spoken narration.
It documents the sea and its creatures, and also how people connect with it, either for pleasure, commerce, or survival. We get to see the Coast Guard boat traveling through 15 foot waves, some outstanding surfing footage, and how the inhabitants of the West Pacific island of Palau interact and respect the water that surrounds them.

One one level one can use this film to learn some facts about the ocean, and on another, one can sit back and enjoy the wonderful cinematography. Fascinating parts include the jellyfish in Palau, the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Research Institute showing us a Siphonophore, which is about half the size of a football field, and visible through their underwater probe, and of course, the whales !

The film is 40 minutes long, and the video contains a 27 minute "Making of" documentary, which has interviews with Producer/Director Greg MacGillivray, among others, like photographer Howard Hall describing the difficulty of filming in water.
I found this documentary particularly interesting, and think it deserves 5 stars, because it gave me knowledge I did not have before, and the filmmakers made some painstaking efforts to bring it to us, like the timelapse photography of the tides. It was nominated for a 1995 Best Documentary Short Subject Academy Award, and seeing it is definitely time well spent.

Incredibly Moving
I originally saw this IMAX movie in Hawaii, at the Polynesian Cultural Center 3 years ago...and bought the soundtrack, always hoping to get the DVD. Much to my amazement, the movie was included for my PC as one of the features for Windows XP. Anyway, the music, narration, and footage is breathtaking, I left the IMAX theatre feeling physically off-balance because of the motion of the seas and the ocean, and so moved by the magic of it all that I was teary-eyed the rest of the day. I ended up at Sunset Beach on Oahu's NOrth Shore that evening watching the sunset and had the beach to myself. It is one of those days that you will never forget in your lifetime, it is still so vivid, and watching this DVD brings every cell in me back to The Living Sea and the beaches of Hawaii. Absolutely moving and breathtaking...even when watching on the small screen vs. the IMAX screen. You will not be disappointed!

A wonderful DVD
IMAX does a beautiful job! If you scuba, you'll love watching this DVD!

Not what I expected.
The Living Sea is supposed to be one of the most important films on the vast blue realm, but it was a disappointment when I viewed it. It does not have very much sea footage. In fact, a single episode of Secrets of the Ocean Realm contains more underwater footage than this! If they wanted to stick a scene on the Coast Guard, surfers, or lore like that in the movie, the film should be called "View of the Coast Men", or "The Amazing Silver Surfers" instead of "The Living Sea."
The title very much deceives a lover of the ocean. You expect it to document some battles between a Fringehead fish, or Hammerhead sharks, or anything, but basically all that is astounding about the sea in this movie is the swarm of jellyfish, which adds in another star out of two. Still not quite worth it. If you want a cool epic video truly on the ocean buy "The Blue Planet" series or "Secrets of the Ocean Realm" volumes. You have the right to disagree, but be assured that you WILL see better films. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great Movie - not so great picture quality
This dvd was the first one I bought. It shows the vast lands of the serengeti in the most beautiful colors. You learn a lot about the animals and the nature. However, I wasn't very impressed of the picture quality. You notice that this is a DVD from the early days and it is even an old IMAX movie. But the overall impression is really positive.

Wonderful "real" animals movie
My 2.5 yr old loves dinosaurs. We own and watched all of the Land Before Time series, and Disney's Dinosaur movie. She would watch them over and over again. I purchased IMAX: Africa - The Serengeti because I wanted to expose her to some "real" animals. She loved it! She's watched it daily since we got it. We were also able to find a playset with all the animals in the Serengeti and she enjoys playing with them while watching the movie. She likes having her own wildebeast, zebra, gazelle, etc. Now I'm looking for a "real" animals software to complement the Dinosaur 3D Adventure (also 5 stars!)...

Must have DVD!
This is one of the DVDs in my collection that gets played over and over again. It is such a wonderful film. If you have a large screen television or better yet, a front projector, this is a must have. It is so beautiful. The narration, the cinematography, the music, the story, the nature are wonderful.

Wonderful
I so enjoyed this film. It was beautifully photographed and narrated.

Wonderful experence
A well done film, Beautifuly done. A bit short, (40 min) ... Read more

Description

Each minute, all over the world, a baby is born. An everyday occurrence, yet each birth is the culmination of one of nature's most complex, mysterious, and seemingly miraculous processes. A dramatic breakthrough in science and cinematography, the Peabody® award-winning The Miracle of Life takes you on an incredible voyage through the human body as a new life begins.World-renowned Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson presents a spectacular look at a microscopic world ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Not as good as stated...
I bought this DVD a short while back from Amazon with great expectations. This video was made in the early eighties and it shows it's age. This video was marketed as a great aid for expectant parents. On that premise, I decided to purchase it. The video starts off talking about cells and how life got started on earth a million years ago. I was disappointed to see that the first 30-45 minutes didn't really talk about babies at all, but more the fertilization process. There is a short segment at the end that shows a few different stages in the pregnancy, but not nearly enough. I also bought Life's Greatest Miracle by NOVA at the same time. I was a little disappointed in that one too, but it shows more of what I was expecting to see. Whatever you do, don't buy both as I did...A lot of the stuff is redundant. Hope this helps.

Truly a miracle...
The cinematography of this video is truly breathtaking. A learning process from beginning to end. Everytime I watch this video, I am constantly amazed and how the photographer was able to capture the events of conception. A masterpiece!

Now you will know that the Almighty is truly behind all this
This is no fake thing! That truly was a little capture of the works and art of the great God that we serve. He is a supreme scientist, architect and he is so great. It gets to the point where modern science cannot go further with their bogus explanations. The miracle, is there and it is beyond comments and explanations. Go and see for your self, GOD IS GREAT and we must serve him.

Disgusted
This video was shown in my 9th/10th grade Biology class. It was completely inappropriate for people my age. The view of a male's [reproductive part] inside a women's [reproductive part] was so not necessary. It was not a drawing, but a real picture through a camera. The real live birth uncensored was also inappropriate. THey don't even show that on the discovery channel uncensored. Also the heat image of a [male reproductive part] becoming erect, 14-16 yr olds don't need to see that!

slightly misleading
I bought this video because I wanted to learn more about pregnancy and childbirth after I found out I was pregnant. Based on the video's cover, I expected it to be about humans. The video is so broad and offers only a few minutes of actual footage that I was interested in. I felt like I was in science class and bored for the most part. It is an informative video, but not if you want to know about what is happening with your developing baby. ... Read more

Description

Try the BEST SELLING - AWARD WINNING - Relaxation / Nature DVD Video Series and see why WAVES won the popular Telly Award, Videography Award & ''Best of Show" Aurora Award! Discover why doctors and therapists use and recommend Waves. If you wish you had 60 minutes of Sunday Morning's nature shots or a Corona beer ad without the people and beer then WAVES is your answer.It will turn your plasma TV into ocean view window and into digital art. Auto loop play lets it play all day.

GETAWAY. RELAX. RENEW! Instantly alter your environment and mood by experiencing the awe-inspiring beauty and healing power of spectacular seascapes. Listen to all natural sounds of lapping waves and sea birds (without distracting music or narration). Natural images and sounds so vivid - you can almost feel the warm waves lapping at your toes! Virtually sitting there, the long stationary shots will wash your stress away. Experience over 30 soothing beach scenes and 6 colorful sunsets.

Enjoy pristine beaches from the all 6 Hawaiian Islands.New "Director's Cut" has crisper digital images and stereo sound plus new beach subtitles and waterfall shot.All new quick transitions without graphics, logos, and websites increase the natural flow between the island segments.Come discover the black sand beaches in Hawaii!

Share with friends and family the perfect gift. Collect the Award Winning WAVES video series. Continue your virtual vacation with our newest releases "The Best Caribbean Beaches" (Vol.7), "The best Bahamas Beaches (Vol.8), "The Best Virgin Island Beaches (Vol.9), "Caribbean Daydreams with 6 loopable scenes"(Vol.10), or "The Best Florida Beaches" (Vol 11). ATTENTION: Doctors, Counselors, & Therapists: Non-profit Public Screening are permitted in hospitals, waiting rooms, retirement homes, etc., to comfort and relax patients with no additional license costs. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Hawaiin Dreams Waves very soothing
This is one dvd I can't quit watching.I've already watched it six times since I got it.Hawaiian dreams features 6 islands 11 minutes each of ocean veiws from each island.Most of these waves are of the lapping kind though on some islands they get big toward sunset.My favorites are day 4 on Lanai and day 5 on Maui.Day 4 features heavy waves surrounding you with rocks in between and miniture waterfalls coming off the rocks as the waves crash into them.This was shot number three.Day 5 on Maui features big crashing waves.Each island ends with a beautiful sunset over the ocean.I beleive I saw it sink below the water in one of the islands.The picture on most of these islands is pristine and sharp.The details in the waves are deep blues and whites.The dvd brings out the reds in the sunset and also the deep blues in the sky before sunset.Also on certain islands you can see rocks and sand far away from the ocean suddenly get submerged by waves which pull back out again.Their is very few sea gulls in this one but you do see one every so often.The sound is in dolby diginal surround and sounds great on a tv surround sound speaker system.This dvd is so relaxing it can cause you to go to sleep while your watching it.Total running time is 74 minutes of ocean views.Dvd features include loop play,instant island access thru chapter search and previews of the other vacation waves series.(...)

Relaxation at its best
My wife and I just returned from a 14 day vacation to the islands. The first thing we commented on was how much we missed the ocean sounds and tropical feeling we had enjoyed during our stay. Hawaiian Dreams allows us to enjoy the serenity of calm ocean waves lapping up on the beach, just like we remembered. Sometimes we just leave Waves running in the living room so we can hear the ocean in the distance. My wife wants to get the new "Caribbean Beaches" and if it's anything like this one it's an easy decision.

I saw a review where the person must have been looking for an IMAX tourist guide instead of a tropical relaxation experience. While it may not be as sharp as IMAX, that doesn't mean its not pretty, and its definately twice the resolution of VHS. I guess if I were looking for a Hollywood blockbuster film on the Hawaiian Islands I would expect that sort of production. However, if you are looking for beautiful scenes with natural tropical stereo sound, not 'artificially' mixed surround sound and no cheezy overdubbed elevator music, then Waves is just the ticket. Enjoy!

Beautiful Scenery!
If you just can,t be there but you still want to escape to your favourite hawaiian beach this is the next best thing! This video will defintely leave you feeling relaxed. You visit six islands including kauai,oahu,molakai lanai,maui and finally hawaii itself. It has beautiful daytime scenery as well as colourful sunsets! I also own the Hawaiian zen video as well. It is equally as beautiful! I have just purchased the carribean dvd and i,m lookin forward to it as well. Aloha!

disappointed buyer
I should have listened to the people who gave this one or two stars. The sound of the waves sounded more like constant white noise. The subtleties of waves and ocean sounds were lost; there was very little of the ebb and flow which is evident on the real beach. After visiting many beaches on Kauai, I was disappointed by the choices given here. Even with our large-screen TV and great sound system, this was NOT a virtual relaxing vacation. The constant interruption of the ads destroyed the serenity they were aiming for.

missed the boat
I usually enjoy videos of this nature, and the scenery and audio here were of acceptable quality. Unfortunately, the entire experience for me is ruined by the incessant hokey interruptions of the video exhorting the viewer to relax, reminding us which day of "vacation" is being simulated, and advertising their website. These interruptions have much in common with pop up ads on websites, and are just as welcome. If I'm watching an ongoing commercial, I don't expect to pay for it. For a relaxing nature video, I'd recommend going with something more professional, such as Coral Sea Dreaming. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Another visual feast!
I love nature and I love my high-end audio-video system...The IMAX series discs offer like minded people to get a trully awesome visual eye-feast.The narration by C.Heston fits the somber,harsh yet beautiful imagery of this DVD.I know some people complain that for the money its to short.However,the thrill of seeing such sharp,clear,pristine views in my view,makes up for it.And,until more networks broadcast true HDTV programs,this is the best us nature lovers can get!

Visual masterpiece. Alaska gets to be explained and enjoyed.
Sometimes the impresive achievements of the Imax and dvd technologies exceed the quality of the content of a certain documentary. This is not the case. If any, this video keeps us longing for more, much more. Since the beginning of this highly entertaining video we feel commited to watch one of the untamed scenaries of our world. Virgin Landscapes (rivers and mountains that are yet to be named), wild and funny animals (such as the black bear taking a bath, the humpback whales bubblenetting, the wild polar bear cubs and the stubborn salmon) and an extreme weather that changes the sorrounding scenary on a daily basis are described and tought with either the lightness of humour, or the concern of a nature fan. If you like to watch beautiful images over and over, buy this dvd.

Alaska: Spirit of the Wild
I wasn't sure what to expect when I purchased this and now, having watched it, I'm so glad that I did. A:SotW is entertaining and enlightening... with breaktaking scenery and unexpected humor, courtesy of the Alaskan wildlife. (there's a scene with a black bear that's absolutely hilarious.) Charlton Heston's narration doesn't annoy or interfere with the scenes as some narrators do... I highly recommend this DVD become part of your collection, if only for the sheer beauty of the Alaskan landscape that is shown.

This is as true as possible
I am an aerial/landscape photographer living in Alaska and some aerial scenes in this movie remind me of my photoshoots and fights through steep valleys. In IMAX format, it's almost spellbounding! With the size of Alaska as large as 1/2 of the contiguous 48 lower states, it's hard to document everything 'wild' about Alaska in a short 40+ minute film. However I will give the film-makers credit for doing a fantastic job of showing the audiences the differences of seasons while integrating the wildlife aspect of this great state. This film will do wonders for the eco-tourism of Alaska. The aerial scenes taken from Denali National Park via K2 Aviation (the red small aircraft) are especially inspiring. Come on up and visit us in Alaska everyone and get ready to be inspired like you've never been inspired.

Breathtaking!
I was attracted to the movie by my wife who is a big polar bear memorabillia collector. Though it's only an hour in length, it's scenic beauty will blow you away. Can you imagine what it looks like on an IMAX movie screen? WOW! ... Read more