Mr. Lucky: The Complete Series

Another Great 50's Series
I recently ordered this set from Barnes & Noble. As you know, some of Timeless
Media Group's series, have been less than good. This one however, makes it.
The picture quality is very good, and the audio is even better. The only reason
I didn't give it a better grade is because some of the episodes are a little
darker than others. But the picture is crisp, no jumps, no dirt. A worthwhile
purchase.

A GREAT AND UNDERRATED SERIES
It is about time this excellent series was finally released on DVD. What a gem! Now, I remember this series growing up, but when it aired, I was only 10 years old. I always enjoyed the action (always a fist fight), and some of the more subtle things might have gone over my head. But, seeing it again made me realize that this show more then stands the test of time. The characters are timeless and really do stand up. Many posthumous kudos to John Vivyan and Ross Martin as Lucky and Andamo and to creator Blake Edwards. In fact, in my opinion, much better then PETER GUNN and I think that series is still good and was also created by the talented Mr. Edwards. MR LUCKY is better overall. You gotta LOVE the cars alone !!! Another great thing is that each episode is a tight half hour episode telling the story and accenting it with action at the end. I've heard some say that the plots were a little shopworn, but I disagree. It was just the nature of the character of Mr Lucky to have friends...

PICTURE QUALITY IS DREADFUL
Was really looking forward to this, but the result is deeply disappointing. The picture quality is dark and washed out, while the sound quality is often warped and distorted. Sad.

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The Forgiveness of Blood (Criterion Collection)

Fantastic performances and great direction and cinematography
From the first lingering shot of the idyllic Albanian landscape, with majestic mountains in the background and windswept fields in the foreground, director Joshua Marston immerses the viewer in a powerful fictional tale about a very real issue -- the impact on the families who end up inheriting the "sins of the fathers" from violent blood feuds in one of the poorest European countries.

The beginning of the story quickly sets up the jarring contradictions faced by contemporary Albanians -- horse-drawn carriages alongside motorized vehicles, livestock on the soccer fields, adults and elders clinging to ancient oral traditions while the younger generation is wrapped up in videogames, television, Internet-enabled computers, and handheld mobile devices.

The greatest service Marston does is to shed light on this paradox as the Old clashes with the New, placing the seemingly unfathomable tradition of regulated blood feuds in human context. We see it played out to...

Our Story Too
I ordered this film to try to understand more about the cultural background of a story from my own family lore. My grandmother told the story of "Zio Francesco" who was a shepherd in Calabria in the previous century. The local bandits (now they would be called organized crime) would come periodically to take one or two of his flock, but he was a poor man and the result was real hardship. Finally he informed the carabinieri (local police) where they could find the bandits. They escaped, and the man knew that he could no longer leave the house without being killed. So, each day, he would send his small son out with the sheep. One day there was a thick fog, and the boy was afraid, so the man went out hoping to be veiled by the fog. But the bandits caught him and burned him alive.
Albania is the only country that codified in writing the ancient vendetta law, called the Kanon, but it held the force of custom through wide swaths of the Mediterranean. Before Albania was Communist,...

Blood Feud
The concept of blood feuds between families evolving from incidences that in most societies would be handled by an impartial legal system is instead in many parts of the world handled by informal and traditional reparations ranging from money to another life to be taken. Such is the case in Albania, long known as the North Korea of Europe, where some families still utilize a Kanun of traditional oral laws to resolve disputes and save face (honor). That repute is rapidly changing as new generations embrace a more open and communicative society - yet, resistance, as to be expected, still exists from the elders. Thus is our story.

The naturalistic acting which far exceeds what trained and experienced actors would have produced greatly enhances the believability of the story. That, coupled with fine cinematography and research, results in an engaging film experience.

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Avatar (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray/ DVD Combo Pack)

Storyline differences between Extended Collector's Edition and Theatrical Release
I'm primarily interested in the storyline differences between special sets and their theatrical counterparts, so here are the differences between the two (NOTE: SPOILERS FOLLOW).

The extended collector's edition runs 16 minutes 28 seconds longer than the theatrical cut, and listed below are the major differences.

1) The opening scene is different, and starts with Jake in a wheelchair on Earth, in a Blade Runner-esque Earth city. The scene moves to scenes of Jake in his apartment, then taking liquid shots in a bar. Jake's narration of "I told myself I can pass any test a man can pass" and "They can fix the spinal if you got the money. But not on vet benefits, not in this economy" are inserted during this new opening scene.

Jake beats up a bar patron who is mistreating a woman, and then Jake and wheelchair are unceremoniously thrown outside by bouncers into an alley. While in the alley, Jake meets the two RDA representatives who bring him news of his...

Great Transfer to Blu-Ray
I got this as soon as I found it available on the net. It will not be available commercially for some time and that, of course, means the price is WAY to high for most viewers. I was willing to be taken for a ride but if you do not just have to have it now I would recommend waiting until it is available everywhere.
The video quality is fantastic. I have a Samsung 40" 3D setup and the movie was just beautiful to watch. Not quite the same as IMAX but very close (size of screen being the only difference that I could see). The 3D is, to my eyes, exactly as good as the IMAX on-screen version. I am a huge fan of the movie but believe me I would tell you if the video quality was not great.
I would not hesitate to do the purchase again (even considering the huge rip-off in price at this time) but advise others to consider if you really have to have it right now or can wait awhile.
Great movie, almost unbelievable video transfer quality, and a price that is just not right...

Don't let the one star reviews throw you off
There are many low score reviews purely based on the fact there was a release of this movie earlier this year and now the extended version comes out feels like a marketing game. When the first release happened it was known an extended version was coming, but some people just had to have it now. I just watched it on Netflix and waited for the extended version. I agree if you bought the first release version you have little real reason to buy the extended version, unless you love this movie and want the bonus features.

Some of the other low scores talk about the 3D version coming, but that is weak reason for most people because most do not own and will not own a 3D TV set. If you do your research on 3D TVs you will find they clunky and costly. Unless you are among the few who have a 3D TV, then there is no reason to wait to buy this release of Avatar if you enjoyed the movie.

For the few who have never seen the movie, the key factors to consider is if you are a...

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Reel Legacy

Judge Whitaker's legacy
This is a part of my father's life that I really didn't know well. While he was making motion pictures at Brigham Young University I was "saving the world" in Korea. It was a highlight for us, and I purchased copies for my children. Their grandfather was a remarkable person.

A Reel Legacy - Story of the Whitaker Brothers and BYU Movies
It took a long time for someone to tell the full story of the beginning of motion picture making at BYU. As an actor, who was in one of the first full length movies made by director Wetzel (Judge) Whitaker and his scriptwriting younger brother Scottie, I had an opportunity to see up close their movie making skills and abilities. All of these are ably represented in this film which utilizes clips from many early LDS films and as described by many of the best LDS film makers of today who share their knowledge and the legacy of the Whitaker Brothers, who left Walt Disney to create at Brigham Young University a whole new film genre...LDS movies: Movies that are especially attractive to members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Between them they had the perfect set of talents to do what LDS Church President David O. McKay and BYU wanted someone to do...make movies that had strong morals, great scripts and outstanding acting. Movies that told the...

Really good history of Motion Picture Studio @ BYU
I was so happy to see a documentary on the Motion Picture Studio at BYU. I worked there for three years in the late 1970's and I loved it. It was nice to see people I used to work with. The movie was very well done and a great tribute to Judge and Scott Whitaker. Thanks -

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Legendary Amazons

A good remake of a Shaw Brothers classic
This is a very good remake of the Original made back during the dominant run Shaw Brothers had in the Martials Film making genre. This movie was produced by Jackie Chan and I must say that this is a epic big production, with no shortage of action sequences. It got to be a little long on the drama to the build up but over all a good movie. The main weapon of choice in this film is the sabre and the choreagraph is well done.

Pretty fighting ladies take names!
Very good I love fighting ladies and its much better than some reviews.It almost looks epic and does not look cheap really like the girls amour weapons and fighting!Good tranfer and story along with fast shipping!

Just awful
Don't buy this DVD. It's just awful and isn't worth your money. The acting is poor and the script is sometimes hard to follow. On the lighter side, the scenery is interesting and the costumes are pretty. The ladies seem to know martial arts, though they do have that fly-through-the-air thing going on even though they don't do it very well.

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Slender Thread [Blu-ray]

Bancroft & Poitier at their best - a Classic!
Was fortunate enough to come across The Slender Thread on a cable movie channel several years ago. This film is Anne Brancroft & Sidney Poitier are at their best - extrodinary performances! Poitier plays a Seattle college student volunteering at a crisis center. One night when he's at the clinic alone, a woman (Bancroft) calls needing to talk saying she's taken pills. While Poitier tries to get help for her, he keeps her ton the line while he learns about her life, family, and why she wants to die. With a brillant script by legendary writer Stirling Silliphant, direction by Sydney Pollack, and original music by Quincy Jones; The Slender Thread engrosses the viewer from the start. We're drawn into the building suspense, caring about the people, concerned for the outcome. This dramatic character study is enhanced all the more by being in black & white. Plus, it features a fine supporting cast including Telly Savalas, Ed Asner, and Dabney Coleman. The Slender Thread is a great example of...

EXCELLENT MOVIE
A SLENDER THREAD is a super movie to watch alone. Not a lot of action - just intense drama. Have watched it many times.911 operators would like this movie. It shows a crisis line in action.

Late b/w film that hits the bullseye....
Black and white was rare for a big budget film in 1965....sometimes done for effect (Psycho, The Hustler) or just a lack of funds (I believe color film at that time added about 25% to the budget).... This is a pretty good film either way.... Definitely talky, but it never seemed to get boring....pure drama....flashbacks fill in the blanks.... Poitier is fantastic as usual....very interesting all around....just watching them try to trace a phone call draws you in to the story....good stuff....different to be sure....

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The Puppet Master Collection

Puppet Master 9
There are five movies on one disk, four on the other. Hard to watch due to compression distortion. Not worth buying.

Ok, not great
The PPM series is of course great.
What's not so great is the transfer of PPM II, towards the end of the movie, the video starts beating
and flashing.Quite annoying. Very poor transfer.
Contacted Echo Bridge and got no response.
Will be looking to replace this with another distributors version very soon.

A little disappointing
I favor the puppet master films, though this collection I bought seems kind of faulty. My favorite is 'Toulon's Revenge', but for some reason it doesn't play good on here. You can't hear the dialogue. I was curious so I went through the other films on the first disc, and they seem fine. All but the one I wanted to see. :(
I went out and bought another copy of this collection, thinking maybe it was the disc I bought previously, but it turns out with the one I bought today has the same issue. :-/
I'm totally bummed out.

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