Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts

8/30/2012

Escape From Mars (1999) Review

Escape From Mars  (1999)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Escape from Mars is a film set in the year 2016, in which five astronauts journey to the red planet, on the first manned mission to another planet. The film is reasonably realistic, although the build up to, and the climax, is rather unconvincing. Although the film is science fiction, it seems more like a recount, due to the weak message which the movie portrays, which I believe to be `taking risks can reward'. The plot, however, is complex enough to compensate for these matters. I believe that if the climax was more heavily anticipated and the message was emphasised more, then the movie would be very powerful.
The technical effects are very advanced. The spacecraft in which the astronauts travelled looks extremely realistic, and it's movement seems to abide to the laws of physics. To the untrained eye you cannot imagine how they filmed the spacecraft, although after playing the movie multiple times I did see a tiny string of nylon suspending the spacecraft in mid-air.
The amount of thought that was put into this movie was, in my opinion, was not as much as it could be. The movie at some points was lacking clarity, due to the fact that some sections were not emphasised enough, thus making it hard to understand. I also believe that the movie lacked some simple research, for example, when shots of the exterior of the space craft were filmed, you could here sounds, although sound does not travel through space. The astronauts were also filmed walking normally with their feet on the ground in a zero gravity environment, although this may be intentional, to show the technology advancement. As the film is set in the future, you would expect the technology to be different. In this movie, the technology has been changed adequately enough to show that there has been a technology advance, but so much that it becomes unfeasible. An example of the technology advance can be found within the computers used in mission control, which are a different shape and use a different user interface.
I believe that this movie was worth watching, and I did enjoy, because of the sense of realism, and the outstanding technical effects. It is obvious that a lot of work went into this movie, and that it should be commended. If I were to rate this film, I would give it four stars. Escape from Mars is appropriate for viewers older than eight, as it does require the presence of some technical knowledge and understanding. I would recommend this movie.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Escape From Mars (1999)



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Escape From Mars (1999)

Read More...

7/08/2012

William Wegman's Mother Goose Review

William Wegman's Mother Goose
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
"HOW WILL MOTHER GOOSE EVER TEACH HER SON,
Simon Goose,
the art of rhyming?
Who will carry on the great Goose tradition of rhyming rhymes?
You'll have great fun,
seeing just how it's done,
with some surprising advice from Grandmother Goose!
Everyone's favorite childhood rhymes are here,
infused with Wegman's wry sense of humor and charm and played by his famous canine companions:
Betty, Crooky, Chundo and Chip!"
[from the back cover of VHS case]

Click Here to see more reviews about: William Wegman's Mother Goose



Buy Now

Click here for more information about William Wegman's Mother Goose

Read More...

4/30/2012

Beethoven (1992) Review

Beethoven  (1992)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Beethoven DVD
Beethoven is a comedy about a family with a Saint Bernard dog and all the trouble the dog gets in to. A laugh-a-minute.
Highly recommended for the entire family, especially dog lovers.
Gunner April, 2008


Click Here to see more reviews about: Beethoven (1992)



Buy NowGet 75% OFF

Click here for more information about Beethoven (1992)

Read More...

4/24/2012

Fly Away Home (1996) Review

Fly Away Home  (1996)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The multiple chords struck by Carrol Ballard's heartbreaking work "Fly Away Home" are so universal, it is difficult to imagine a person of any gender or any age not being touched in some way by this genuine family film. Make no doubt, "Fly Away Home" is a true classic, timeless in beauty yet timely in theme. So many subjects are tackled, from estranged family dynamics to environmental messages, it is difficult to fully grasp this film's important impact from just one viewing. Each time I view this movie, I come away with new ideas, and a new hope for our common man and woman.
Film director Carrol Ballard has achieved such lofty heights before with his debut film "The Black Stallion" and his stunning follow-up "Never Cry Wolf." Amazingly, he has once again climbed to the top of a very high mountain with "Fly Away Home." The story is anything but simple, but its a tale of a mother, lost in a car accident, thereby forcing the reunion of a daughter and estranged father. He's an eccentric Canadian, living in the country, working on multiple sculptures and experimenting with flying machines. She's a lost soul, seemingly homeless without the guidance of her late mother. Yes, father (Jeff Daniels) and daughter (Anna Paquin) bond, but it's due to the nature which surrounds their rural homestead. In this case, an orphaned flock of geese Paquin raises from birth after the destruction of their natural habitat by encroaching development.
Paquin's character becomes a surrogate mother for these geese, and eventually she must learn to fly to enable the lost birds to travel south for the winter. Daniels accompanies his daughter out of love, and eventually understanding that this has become a rite of passage for his budding, maturing teenage girl. And somewhere along the way, a girl becomes a woman, and a father becomes a man.
Much of the credit for "Fly Away Home" goes to the brilliant cinematographer Caleb Deschanel, who also worked with Ballard on "The Black Stallion" and "Never Cry Wolf." Certainly the musical selection of Mary Chapin Carpenter's haunting "10,000 Miles" is an inspirational if not brilliant choice. But the story is the key, and during a time of changing family dynamics amidst a society of shrinking nature, I can't imagine a film utilizing both themes with such skilled and relevant ease.
"Fly Away Home" is such an important film, not only because a female protagonist breaks away from traditional bonds to find herself (no boy and his dog here), but because a self-centered man/father overcomes his weaknesses to find not only himself, but the person/daughter/child who defines his soul. "Fly Away Home" is about us finding our spirit during a trying time of divorce and misguided independent values. By bonding with the land, and as importantly with our family, we find our true spirit.
And finally, "Fly Away Home" will bring a tear to the most hardened spirit, causing us to hug the ones we love, human or animal. Is that not the purpose of art - film, book, music or otherwise? I have applauded Carroll Ballard before. After "Fly Away Home," I not only applaud this extraordinarily gifted director, I salute him.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Fly Away Home (1996)



Buy NowGet 52% OFF

Click here for more information about Fly Away Home (1996)

Read More...

4/06/2012

Stone Fox (1987) Review

Stone Fox  (1987)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My students watched this movie recently, after having read the book as a class assignment. In many ways, the movie brought the story to life. You should be made aware of the fact that there are many storyline differences between the text and video. In the book, for example, little Willy lives on a potato farm and is trying to win the National Dogsled Race to pay the government for back taxes that are due on Grandfather's property. In the movie, he lives on a large farm and grows wheat crops. He is trying to win the race so that he and Grandfather have the money to get by during Grandfather's illness. In the book, Grandfather is described by Doc Smith as being "As healthy as an Ox." In the movie, he is bedridden because he suffered a stroke! There are also many other new character and plot differences to the story that don't fit in with author John Reynold Gardiner's original script. We watched the movie as a lesson on how movies often differ from the novel. One of my students found 85 changes (some very subtle) between the book and the movie. Still, it was fun to watch, and I believe the children got a lot out of watching the movie! I would recommend the film, but be prepared to have a discussion on the differences that can occur when a novel is made into a movie.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Stone Fox (1987)



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Stone Fox (1987)

Read More...

3/25/2012

Kitten Party Holiday Review

Kitten Party Holiday
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is the same DVD as the other Kitten Party--just a different package for the holidays. I got both and then realized it! But I gave one as a gift, so AOK. The DVD is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. My kids love it and we watch it often, sometimes on mute while we do other things in the room. The dozens of kittens are so adorable. The program is not a movie really, it's a series of chapters, each with a different sort of loose story. It's fun and my kids follow along and really like certain moments that they want to see over and over again. For $6.99 you get endless entertainment of little kittens running around! A bargain, if you ask me.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kitten Party Holiday



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Kitten Party Holiday

Read More...

3/08/2012

As Good As It Gets (1997) Review

As Good As It Gets  (1997)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
"As Good As It Gets" is a rarity among today's movies, a truly witty and poignant romantic comedy with an unusual protagonist. That protagonist is Melvin, played with relish by Jack Nicholson. Melvin is a highly successful novelist who is also an abrasive misanthrope suffering from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. (Not your typical hero for sure!)

As one would expect, Melvin is a recluse and resistant to any changes in his life until he is forced to interact with a down-on-his-luck gay neighbor, Simon, portrayed by Greg Kinnear, and Simon's perky little pet pooch, Verdell. Melvin also becomes reluctantly involved with the pretty and patient waitress Carol, played by Helen Hunt, who serves him breakfast every day at a local cafe. Other than Carol, none of the other cafe's employees will deal with the impossible Melvin.

When Carol abruptly quits her job, Melvin tracks her down and offers her financial incentives to return to her post. Melvin increasingly finds himself drawn into Carol's personal life, and he eventually falls for the plucky single mom.

"As Good As It Gets" is a quirky update of the fable "Beauty and the Beast". Gifted writer-director James L. Brooks has assembled a superb cast to re-tell this classic tale. Besides the pitch perfect lead performances by Nicholson, Hunt, and Kinnear, there are sparkling supporting performances by Cuba Gooding Jr., Shirley Knight and others.

Too many of today's so-called comedies are mindless, uninspired concoctions profuse with sophomoric vulgarities and sexual obscenities. "As Good As It Gets" reminds us that there are still a few determined filmmakers willing to bring qualities such as intelligence, inventiveness, sophistication, and charm back to the silver screen. It is a shame that there are not more artists like these to inspire and entertain much-deprived audiences.

Click Here to see more reviews about: As Good As It Gets (1997)

New, in original shrink wrap!

Buy NowGet 70% OFF

Click here for more information about As Good As It Gets (1997)

Read More...

3/07/2012

Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004) Review

Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My son loves Clifford the Big Red Dog and enjoys the PBS cartoons. We watched the Really Big Movie on a family trip. My 2-year-old burst out crying when Clifford was kidnapped and in danger of being hurt by multitudes of lassoing cowboys. This might be a better movie for an older child.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004)

Based on the beloved character from the Clifford's Really Big... book series, Clifford's Really Big Movie tells the story of Clifford the Big Red Dog, a lovable canine who joins a traveling carnival when he mistakenly believes that he has become a burden to his human family. As he seeks his fortune in food, Clifford helps his new animal buddies overcome their fears, saves the carnival from going bust, and finds his way home to his real family.DVD Features:Documentary:INSIDE THE DOG HOUSE: Behind the scenes featuretteFeaturette:CLEO'S CRAFTS: Learn how to make Clifford puppets and other craftsMusic Video:"Big Time" music video and sing-alongOther:Clifford's Really Big Movie Read-Alongs: "The Star of the Show" and "Amazing Animals"Theatrical Trailer


Buy Now

Click here for more information about Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004)

Read More...

1/29/2012

William Wegman's Alphabet Soup (2006) Review

William Wegman's Alphabet Soup (2006)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is so clever and hilarious! It's full of laugh-out-loud comedy in every scene -- really great. Perfect whatever age... you don't even have to love dogs to love this.

Click Here to see more reviews about: William Wegman's Alphabet Soup (2006)



Buy NowGet 10% OFF

Click here for more information about William Wegman's Alphabet Soup (2006)

Read More...

11/25/2011

Marley & Me (Three-Disc Bad Dog Edition) (2009) Review

Marley and Me (Three-Disc Bad Dog Edition)  (2009)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
'Marley & Me' is a great adaptation of the novel by Josh Grogan. It kept all the emotional elements as well as the fun. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson had amazing chemistry together in this heartfelt film. It is more than just a dog movie, surpassing hit dog films such as 'Beethoven,' '101 Dalmations,' and 'Homeward Bound.' This film concentrates on the family and how a dog affected the lives of this family for both good and bad. It's a good representation of a young couple and how they evolve as they have children and move on in life. Along with it, is shows the life cycle of a dog, which is something that rarely gets shown honestly in films. It shows the good, the bad, and the painfully tragic elements of having a dog. The end of the film is very true to the book and I'm glad because it is probably the most important part of the story and it's nice to see it portrayed honestly for fans of the book.
Overall, I think viewers will enjoy this film. Jennifer Aniston is sweet as the supportive wife and Owen Wilson shows how he's much more than playing screwball characters and can be tender and emotional as well.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Marley & Me (Three-Disc Bad Dog Edition) (2009)

MARLEY AND ME BAD DOG EDITION - Blu-Ray Movie

Buy NowGet 60% OFF

Click here for more information about Marley & Me (Three-Disc Bad Dog Edition) (2009)

Read More...

10/25/2011

War Dogs of the Pacific Review

War Dogs of the Pacific
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I'm a high school video production teacher and I showed this film to my students. As the credits rolled, the students stood up and applauded. I've never seen them do that before. The lessons they learned by watching this film are many, including great documentary filmmaking, storytelling, and excellent research and writing. I recommend this to other teachers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: War Dogs of the Pacific



Buy Now

Click here for more information about War Dogs of the Pacific

Read More...

9/24/2011

Puppy Party (2009) Review

Puppy Party (2009)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Whether you are a dog lover or looking to get a dog, Puppy Party is an new, adorable DVD from NCircle Entertainment. It is 70 minutes of dog-filled fun and perfect for both kids and adults. Now I admit it, I am not an animal lover, but I did enjoy this DVD.
Filled with over 25 breeds and hundreds of adorable puppies, the DVD is really jam packed with puppies. There are Heartwarming puppy moments, Hilarious puppy antics, and Puppy Facts about each breed. The DVD is even educational as it gives information about each breed and showcases the dogs.
My youngest son loves this DVD as he loves dogs. Even though he doesn't understand the facts or the different breeds, he cracks up at when the puppies do funny things. I think this DVD would be especially perfect if you are planning on getting a puppy as it would get your child excited or even to put on the TV for your own dog to watch. (My mother-in-law leaves the TV on for her dog.) It really is a cute DVD and for the price you can't beat it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Puppy Party (2009)



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Puppy Party (2009)

Read More...

8/21/2011

Homeward Bound - The Incredible Journey / Homeward Bound II - Lost In San Francisco (2008) Review

Homeward Bound - The Incredible Journey / Homeward Bound II - Lost In San Francisco (2008)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Just a technical review: Two disc collection. The first movie is in FULL SCREEN (why why oh why???), has a theatrical trailer. The second movie is in widescreen and has no trailer. The first disc is clearly a first edition from WB as it has the design of their early discs, nice silkscreened with a pale coating that lets the title and info be readable, while the second is a "picture" disc with all artwork pasted on the disc. Seems like a rushed thing to make this double-pack which could have been done better in my opinion.
Still, good value.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Homeward Bound - The Incredible Journey / Homeward Bound II - Lost In San Francisco (2008)



Buy NowGet 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Homeward Bound - The Incredible Journey / Homeward Bound II - Lost In San Francisco (2008)

Read More...