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With a disabled leg, a deceased father, and status as the newboy in a small Vermont town, 12-year-old Billy has the proverbial threestrikes against him. But things start to turn around when his waitressmom (the saintly Anne Archer) allows him to keep a scraggly pony herescues from a con artist. And when the pony gives birth to a unicorn,and a pretty local girl assists Billy with the birth, things seem to beseriously looking up. But some nasty classmates discover their secretand soon everyone from police on horseback to news helicopters to thearmed charlatan are chasing Billy and Nico up into the mountains. Thisfairly tale for grade schoolers has some real suspense and a magicalending that isn't too sentimental. Mom has a cop love interest (MichaelOntkean), but they keep it pretty tame. The mother pony does give herlife to protect the foal; however, the carnage occurs off screen. This95-minute film will most interest children 5-10 years of age, althoughtrue horse/unicorn lovers up to age 13 may enjoy it as well.--Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Wonderful movie, but younger kids would soon get bored
This is a beautiful movie about a boy named Billy who saves a pony and soon gets rewarded with a unicorn. Soon, his secret gets out and "Nico" is not safe hiding at Billy's house anymore. Billy takes Nico up to Big Rock where Nico finds his real home. I think this movie is great for older kids and adults for younger kids would soon get bored with the movie. Although I didn't enjoy the part of the movie where the mountain lion killed Nico's mother, but in reality that's what would really happen. I saw that people were complaining that the scene should not have been put in because this was a "kid's movie." It's not, the movie was based on the book "Nico the unicorn" by Frank Sacks and that was a very big part of the story. But since I know how protective of their animal-loving children some people are, I will warn them about the scene. The mountain lion tries to kill Nico, but his mother tries to lead the mountain lion away. She gets many wounds and of course that's the part where you should cover up your little kids eyes so they are not haunted by this tragic scene.

Awesome Movie!
I reconmend this movie. It is worth watching. Little kids might be upset by the scene where Nico's mom dies, but it all takes place off screen, except for the fact that the pony runs around with many cuts on her. I have heard people say that older kids won't like the movie. Not true. I enjoyed every second of it! Because the movie is based on a twelve year old's life, older kids will relate to the movie more than younger kids, who will just enjoy the story. The actors are all amazing. Air Bud lovers will enjoy the fact that Kevin Zegers plays Billy. Horse lovers will enjoy Agusto(I did!). He plays Nico, and is a truly amazing actor!
The movie is about Billy, a boy with a dead father and a crippled leg, who just moved to town with his mom. When he rescues a pony, Carolynn, a popular girl, and him help his pony give birth to a unicorn. A must see.

Wonderful for Children
I happened upon this show while at home one day. I thought that the show would be wonderful for my 8 yr old granddaughter. I am still looking for the video to purchase.

Fantastic video for any age
I enjoyed this video so much. Second time around enjoyed it even more. What a wonderful story for young and old alike. I am a 68 year old woman and cannot tell you how much pleasure I received from watching this video. In fact I enjoyed it so much I am purchasing it for my grand daughter so we can watch it together when I visit her. Nico the Unicorn gave me much pleasure and I am sure Emily will also enjoy watching it with her family.

An older lady enjoyed it too!
I am a 57 yr old lady, and I've enjoyed this movie several times on tv. Everyone else has said what the movie's about, but that its mostly for kids. If you're young at heart and enjoy a movie just for the sake of watching a movie and dont judge so hard, maybe you'll love it too like I have and will continue to everytime it comes on...well now I ordered the movie too. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The saga of Felicy King, Gus Pike, and Avonlea finally ends
When Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote about Sara Stanley and her King cousins in "The Story Girl" and the "Golden Road," her readers came to understand that the high and mighty Felicity King was fated to marry Peter Craig, the hired boy on her father's farm. On the television series "Avonlea," (a.k.a. "Road to Avonlea"), the character of Peter Craig was phased out but the idea of the fate of Felicity (Gema Zamprogna) clearly remained the same, although now with Gus Pike (Michael Mahonen), a young fisherman who arrives in Avonlea and decides to stay, smitten with young Felicity and in awe of school teacher Hettie King (Jackie Burroughs). However at the end of season six Gus was believed lost at sea, and when the show came to the end of its seventh and final season, it was necessary to bring their story to a resolution.

The two pivotal episodes are collected on "Return to Me." First up is "Return to Me," which finds Felicity only a few days away from her wedding to Stuart McCrae (David Ferry), the local banker. But then she gets a mysterious phone call that sends her and Aunt Hetty in search of Gus. Amazingly, they find Gus alive in South Carolina. He was not killed in the shipwreck, but he did lose his eyesight. Both Felicity and Hetty insist that Gus has to come home to Avonlea, but he stubbornly refuses. However, there is no way Gus can stand up to two women who are not only more stubborn than he is, but who are the two that he cares most about in the world.

The grand finale is "So Dear to My Heart," where Gus returns to Avonlea and stuns the entire King family. But now the question is whether Felicity will go through with her wedding to Stuart. Meanwhile, in the wake of the disastrous cannery fire, Jasper (R.H. Thomson) and Olivia (Meg Ruffman) have decided to leave Avonlea, which infuriates Hetty so much that she refuses to attend Felicity's wedding. However, this is the final episode of this beloved television series, which means that everybody is going to end up at this wedding (yes, that means everybody including you know who).

Gus being blind is a bit melodramatic for my tastes, but there is such a thing as destiny and the sight of Felicity running through town in her wedding dress to drag Aunt Hetty to her wedding certainly makes up for that. There is really no better final storyline "Avonlea" could have had to bring everything to a close.

A fitting end to a amazing series...
Road to Avonlea~Return to Me, features two episodes from the poplular Disney series Avonlea. Return to Me features two episodes, So Dear to My Heart and Return to Me. Two of the last episodes of Avonlea. In these last two episodes Felicity is engaged to be married to a man named Stuart, when she learns that the love of her life, Gus Pike, is alive. She travels to South Carolina to find him. She then convinces Gus to return to Avonlea with her. A grand wedding takes place in which many characters return to the show. Sara Polley redeams her role as Sara Stanley after a couple years of absence from the show. As well as characters such as Racheal Lynde, Davy and Dora, and Ms Stacy from the Anne of Green Gables Series. This episode is a much have for any fan of the TV show Avonlea or Anne of Green Gables! ... Read more

Description

Brenda (Virginia Madsen, Candyman, Dune) and Scott Kniffen (Jeffrey Nordling, TVs "Once and Again") are accused of child molestation and physical abuse. Without a shred of evidence, the authorities arrest them and take their two young sons into protective custody. The boys are lead to believe that if they give the "right" testimony, they will be returned to their parents. Through relentless badgering, the impressionable children are coerced into testifying against their parents. After an agonizing nine-month trial The Kniffin's are sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes they did not commit. While their sons are tormented by uncertain memories and obscure recollections, Brenda and Scott face many horrors in prison. Based on a True Story. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Dangerous Child
This show is great. I love Ryan Merriman in this movie. Hes almost like me in this movie. I really wanna see it again. Ryan is soooooo hot in this movie. But I would never abuse my mom or my dad.

Ryan Merriman in Dangerous Child
I think that this movie is very good. It has a lot of good acting in it and so forth. Ryan did a very good job in this movie when he would get all pissed of and throw stuff...when he looked mad it was kinda scary. He would get all weapy too... This is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. For anyone who likes Ryan Merriman I would suggest this movie. It has alot of suppense too like what's up with him? and what is wrong with him he has problems? or issues as I like to call them.
It shows that there isn't just child abuse kids can abuse there parents too. and it shows what abuse is really like. It's a very good movie... I would recommend that you see it.

ryan merriman
teen actor ryan merriman iz in this movie his iz hott
in this movie he plays an angry teen named jack who takes his anger out on his mom and lil bro he'z angry cause his parents got a divorce it also showz him as part monster and part regular teenager sometimes he gets along w his mom and sometimes he doesn't teen actor ryan merriman the guy who plays anger jack in the movie iz HOT in real life

True Life
This movie infactuates me. It helped me find my occupation in Social Work to help people like this get through there struggle. For anyone who is interested in how to work through abusive relationships of any kind or would like to learn more about abuse or just treat yourself to a great drama watch this movie. Remember that there is a way to get through and just because the person is younger does not mean that it is not abuse. Abuse is Abuse ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I have directed hundreds of videos and this one is the best
This is a powerful video and the best one I have ever directed. You are really going to love this video. You will be dancing in your house and wear the tape out. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Both Felicity King and Aunt Hetty meet young Gus Pike
If you have read "The Story Girl" and "The Golden Road" by Lucy Maud Montgomery, then you know that the fate of Felicity King was that despite her snobbish pretensions and lofty pretensions, she would end up marrying the poor boy who worked on her family farm. In these two episodes from early in the second season of "Avonela," Felicity is introduced to the fork in the road that awaits her, but while the title of the tape is "Felicity's First Date," she is not the character who unites these two episodes:

"How Kissing Was Discovered" begins with Janet King's Great-Aunt Eliza coming for a visit and turning the King household upside down. Meanwhile, Alec discovers that playing cricket is not as easy it was when he was a younger man and Felicity (Gema Zamprogna) has her eye on a young cricket player on the visiting team. After all, she is now all grown up (she is almost a teenager) and has decided it is time to receive her "first kiss." However, Sarah and Felix have made a new friend in Gus Pike (Michael Mahonen), a young sailor recently arrived in Avonlea and looking for work. Alec lets Gus stay in his barn and while Felicity will not give the boy the time of day, it is clear that he finds her rather interesting.

In "Aunt Hetty's Ordeal" the pivotal relationship between Gus Pike and Hetty King (Jackie Burroughs) begins. Given how Hetty treats Sara, Olivia and everybody else in the extended King family, you have to worry about poor, uneducated Gus. The problem is that everybody in Avonlea knows to take Hetty King with a grain or salt. But Gus thinks everything Aunt Hetty says is carved on stone tablets and when Hetty makes a heated offhand remark to the young man it has significant repercussions.

The title of this episode has a couple of meanings. At first we think "Aunt Hetty's Ordeal" is that Muriel Stacey, who has been appointed school superintendent instead of Hetty, is coming for a visit. Hetty thinks it is an inspection, but, of course, it is no such thing. But that does not stop the old hens in town from ruffling Hetty's feathers. Reminded that kids flocked to be in Miss Stacey's school, Hetty goes out to the cannery to recruit and reels in Gus Pike. He can neither read nor write, smokes and plays the fiddle, but he wants to learn and this touches Hetty. Gus had been a minor character in previous episodes, and "Aunt Hetty's Ordeal" is where he starts becoming more important to the show in general (and Felicity King in particular). This is also the point where Hetty King, who tended to be a bit insufferable for my money, started to thaw, because the big difference between Gus and Sara, is that Gus is not family and Hetty ends up opening her heart to him.

These episodes continue the transition from Lucy Maud Montgomery's novels to more original storylines (although clearly Gus Pike replaces Peter Craig in "The Story Girl" and "The Golden Road"). Note: Do not try to figure out how Hetty King and Muriel Stacey are contemporaries and where this all fits in with the Sullivan Productions of the "Anne of Green Gables" books. Hetty has supposedly been teaching forever at Avonlea School and Anne was teaching there a year or two after Miss Stacey. "Avonlea" had a proud history of bringing back both characters and actors from the "Anne" movies and this is just another nice example of the practice.

A WONDERFUL film!
This has two episodes from the 2nd season of ROAD TO AVONLEA which include HOW KISSING WAS DISCOVERED and AUNT HETTY'S ORDEAL. They are two of the best episodes I've ever seen and I recommend this to ANYONE who loves ANNE OF GREEN GABLES or ROAD TO AVONLEA! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Peg Bowen helps Felix, but dad comes to take Sarah home
I do not think Lucy Maud Montgomery ever came up with a more maddening creation that Hetty King (Jackie Burroughs), the self-appointed moral judge of the King clan in Avonlea. Aunt Hetty is in the thick of things for both of the first season episodes of "Avonlea" collected on this third of four videos, "Magical Moments":

"The Witch of Avonlea" is Peg Bowen (Susan Cox), who lives in the woods smoking her pipe and doing whatever she wants with no concern for what the good folks of Avonlea think or say. When Felix King (Zachary Bennett) finds himself unable to spell anything during the class spelling bees because he is so afraid of Aunt Hetty, his nightmares convince him she might be a witch. So he goes off to visit Peg, who gives him a "magic" stone. His confidence restored, Felix wins the school spelling bee and moves on to the next level of competition. If you do not know that he is going to lose the magic stone before the contest then you must be totally unfamiliar with the rules of children's fiction. Meanwhile, the dreams of Felicity (Gema Zamprogna) have their own comeuppance, as events take her down a peg at the same time that Felix enjoys his moment in the sun.

The important episode here is "Nothing Endures but Change," which finds that Blair Stanley, Sara's father, has been acquitted of the scandalous embezzlement charges that forced him to send his daughter to live with her mother's relatives on Prince Edward Island. Blair arrives in Avonlea ready to take Sara (Sarah Polley) back to Montreal, at which point everyone of Sara's King relatives absolutely freaks. None, of course, as much as Hetty, who announces she will not give the child up to her father. Hetty has always blamed Blair for not only taking her sister Ruth away but in living a decadent life (of travel) that resulted in her death (she caught tuberculosis at home in Montreal). Hetty also has a few things to say about what appears to be happening between Olivia and Jasper Dale, which only makes you wonder how Alec ever managed to get away from Hetty's all encompassing powers. Sara wants to say goodbye to all her friends and attend the upcoming skating party she has been looking forward to, but her father wants to get out of Avonlea and as far away from Hetty as quickly as possible. Sara cannot abide the thought that two of the people she loves most in the world cannot even talk to each other civilly, and so she hatches up a plan to force their reconciliation. But these two stubborn adults cannot admit for a second that the other cares as much for Sara as they do, which only means that fate is going to have to take a hand to make things right.

For me the chief charm of "Nothing Endures but Change," certainly the loftiest sounding title in the series, is enjoying Hetty King getting her comeuppance a few times. She really is such an intolerant woman for somebody who does so many unforgivable things. However, her redemption is still down the road, coming in the form of Gus Pike. It is in his unflinching admiration and respect, that Hetty King is finally confronted with a true mirror of her life.

Amazing example of a growing family @the turn of the century
Beautiful two episode tape depeicting the King family's trysts and triumphs at the turn of the century. These episodes were taken from the "Road to Avonlea" television series based on the popular works of Lucy Maude Montgomery. A true and simple tale of an unconfident boy whom enters a spelling Bee, and wins! The latter tale, "Nothing endures but change" tells again of the King family when their beloved and bewitching cousin, Sara Stanley, is taken from Prince Edward island by her father, but runs into an ill-fated accident, which may be the end of our young Sara. ... Read more

Description

Sunni (Kari Wuhrer, TV’s "Anaconda," "Higher Learning," TV’s "Sliders") is a beautiful singer with an attitude, and is about to record her first album. Deacon (Peter Outerbridge, "Mission to Mars," TV’s "Millenium"), is an ex-tycoon producer whose popularity has gone downhill and who thinks he can make it big again with this young sex kitten. He tries everything to turn her tin ear into gold, but she just can't carry a tune. Drowning his sorrows at a karaoke bar, he stumbles upon a young housewife (Gail O’Grady, TV’s "American Dreams," "NYPD Blue," "China Beach) who is more at home in the kitchen than behind a microphone, but has an amazing voice. He convinces her to lend her voice to what she believes is a demo tape. Her voice is dubbed over Sunni's entire album which ultimately hits the top of the charts. The fans go wild and demand a live concert. Will the two women meet? How will Deacon handle the scam he has pulled? Will the fans get the live concert they crave? ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Superficiality at its best
POSSIBLE SPOILER

This movie is probably the most complete compendium of commonplaces I have seen in years. Every cliché in the book is there, from the failed musician in rehab, to the unscrupulous producers, to the frustrated housewife, to the mindless bimbo. Oh, by the way, in the subplot department we find the unsupportive husband, the moronic teenage son and the angelical little daughter.

I'm not saying that you can't have a good time watching this movie, if you find a moment in which you don't want to occupy your head in more demanding tasks, but the shortcomings are impossible to conceal. There is no character development whatsoever, the kind of "comedy of errors" procedure is specially annoying since nobody can understand why do they want to complicate things in such a stupid way, the ending is "Singing in the Rain" like (and that should be enough to get the picture), and so on.

The acting doesn't help a lot the efforts of the, apparently gifted, screenwriters to put some intelligent humor in the dialog. The male main character is appalling and the rest of his male colleagues are not much better, except for the one who plays the cajoling producer, which is even worse. However, it is fair to say that the difference with the women performances is monumental. Gail O'Grady gives a dignified rendering of her one-sided character and, although the script forces her to do stupid things, she manages to remain lovable to the audience. Kari Wuhrer is superb. She succeeds in taking her dumb-brunette role and pulling a person out of it, with different facets and an opening for development, which is aborted because she doesn't get enough time to work on it. But this is not her fault, of course. I would love to see her in a really interesting role in which she could show what she can, as well as how great she looks, which is undeniable, by the way.

As I said, you can spend an uncritical one hour and half watching this movie if you are not looking for fancy things like logic, character development or intelligent entertainment.

Fantastic Movie!!
This movie was great!! I loved it!! I loved it so much that I want to find out where I can find the movie's music/soundtrack! I cannot find anywhere that sells a soundtrack. I would like know if someone can tell me who it is that is the voice behind Maggie (Gail O'Grady), the titles of all the songs and where I could find a list of the songs on the movie... and possibly the lyrics. I know the name of four of the songs:
*SATURDAY
*DESPERATE MEASURES
*IF LOVE COULD ONLY LIVE
*NAME OF LOVE

Could someone help me??

Top movie!! EXCELLENT!! ***** FIVE STARS!!!!!!!!

Servicing Sunni
Lip Service (2001) (a.k.a. Out of Sync)
Starring: Gail O'Grady, Peter Outerbridge, and Kari Wuhrer
Co-Starring: Stewart Bick, Harvey Atkin, Jerry Ciccoritti, Ryan Dennis, Jonathon Whittaker, and Isabella Fink
Directed By: Graeme Campbell (many sci-fi TV shows)
Rated: Not Rated (equivalent of a very, very tame PG-13)
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Milli Vanilla, Kari Wuhrer style

VH1, in all of its suckiness, does manage to produce a few bright spots in its vapid schedule. Out of Sync/Lip Service is one of those things.

A few years ago, I managed to catch this film on VH1 something like twice, and it was never heard from again. Understand that at this time it was called Out of Sync, so of course I searched for a DVD release of this film under that title, until I discover Lip Service on Amazon. Same cast, some story, same everything as Out of Sync. So I ordered it. And while I can't say I'm not disappointed with the DVD release, it's serviceable.
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Plot

Maggie Stanley is a bored housewife and mother, until one night when she is doing karaoke at a restaurant. Her breathtaking voice catches the ear of washed up record producer Roger Deacon. Deacon is currently having trouble with his latest musical charge, a hopelessly bad "singer" named Sunni. That is until he asks Maggie to record a few of his songs. What Maggie doesn't know is that Roger has passed off her voice as Sunni's, and Sunni becomes a superstar. Making matters worse is a planned wireless concert of Sunni's - and she doesn't know it's not her voice. Though Maggie's family doesn't believe her, she and Roger must team up to stop Sunni's concert once and for all.
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The Cast

Gail O'Grady as Maggie Stanley
(TV's China Beach, NYPD Blue, and American Dreams)
In real life, Gail O'Grady is a big name in TV movies and also in TV series. However, in Lip Service O'Grady is convincing as bored, amd then life-loving, and then furious housewife Maggie Sranley. I can't think of any other actress better than her for this rule.

Peter Outerbridge as Roger Deacon
(Cool Runnings, Better Than Chocolate, Mission To Mars)
Peter Outerbridge, a fantastic actor whom I've never heard of, gives a commanding performance as a record producer pulling off the ultimate music deception.

Kari Wuhrer as Sunni
(TV's Sliders, Kissing a Fool, Eight Legged Freaks)
Kari Wuhrer (the queen of direct-to-video "erotic thrillers") has long been known as being very hot, but a terrible actress. Thank God that's exactly what the role of Sunni (an awful singer who thinks she can sing) calls for!
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So, What Did I Think?

Whichever title (Lip Service or Out of Sync) you prefer to call, it, this is a suprisingly excellent TV movie with commanding performances. Though you're more likely to rub it off as just another terrible TV-movie, it's a lot more than just that. It's actually a rather good social commentary, and it's entertaining too.

And did I mention Kari Wuhrer is hot?
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DVD Overview

In a word: Awful.

Previews: This "feature" is simply a bunch of previews for other Starlight Entertainment releases. This company's releases seem to be domestic thrillers and the like that air on the Lifetime channel.

Star Bios: Bios of the three leading stars. Too bad, like all star bios on DVDs, it's simply filler. And soon, they'll be out-of-date as well.

Scene Selection, which is of course, on every single DVD. It's really not a feature.

Unfortunately, there are no other audio options, suntitles, or even closed captioning on this disc.

Not a great buy, but fans of this film will be glad it's available to buy.

Note: This film is also available on VHS.
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Recommended
Yes

awsome
This movie is really good and you can watch it over and over again and it does not get tirering. Plus the songs are really catchy and stay in your head. It a great movie and i am glad i finaly found it on dvd. Yahooo.

Out of Sync-- Original Title
This is an outstanding movie. I have not seen the Lip Service version but rather saw the Out of Sync original, so there may be nudity in this one but the original was OK for older teens. A couple of bedroom scenes that you may not want to have to explain to youngsters but no actual nudity.

This movie was a lot of fun. My 60-something mother and 24-year old brother saw it together and enjoyed it thoroughly so there seems to be no generation gap. I enjoyed watching it with them even though I had already seen it so it also seems to be a movie you can watch several times. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The trials and tribulations of Rachel and Marilla in Avonlea
I subscribed to the Disney channel just to get to "Avonlea," and even if you have not reading the novels and short story collections of Lucy Maud Montgomery on which the series is "based" you can still enjoy this excellent family series. "Gift of Friendship" is the second of four video tapes from the first season of the series, and contains two episodes featuring the recurring characters of Rachel Lynde (Patricia Hamilton) and Marilla Cuthbert (Colleen Dewhurst), who we first met in the "Anne of Green Gables" mini-series.

"Quarantine at Alexander Abraham's" is one of the best adaptations of a Montgomery short story to the cast of characters on "Avonlea." Standing in for Montgomery's original female protagonist who has to confront confirmed old bachelor Abraham is one of her most beloved supporting characters, Mrs. Rachel Lynde. But this episode is also the first time that Mrs. Lynde takes center stage, which is definitely a treat for her many fans. Mrs. Lynde is put in charge of the boy's Sunday School class and when she finds the young boy who work's Alexander Abraham's farm has gone truant, she heads out to save the boy's soul. Meanwhile, Felix and Sara have run ahead to warn their schoolmate of the impending storm. However, everybody involved is in for a big shock when they all end up in Abraham's home only to discover he has been quarantined because of the small pox. That means this quartet of not too happy individuals are stuck with each other for at least two weeks (to the horror of Felix's mother). Mrs. Lynde decides that she and her two small charges are going to clean the house from top to bottom, no matter what that old curmudgeon has to say, and the war is on.

Next we have "The Materializing of Duncan McTavish," which starts with Sara Stanley not sure she is going to enjoy her first time at the Avonlea sewing circle, since she really does not know how to snow. But then something quite interesting happens. When all the ladies are talking about who had how many beaux way back when, Sara asks Marilla Cuthbert "Did you ever have a beau?" Having endured a lifetime of slurs because she never had a beau after refusing to forgive John Blythe, Marilla defiantly declares "I had one once." In for a penny, in for a pound, Marilla weaves a fantasy about her beau whom she named Duncan, because it is her favorite name, and McTavish, because she sees an advertisement for McTavish Porous Plasters. Everyone is suitable shocked and Marilla cannot imagine what came over her. But as Marilla knows all too well, "if you do wrong, you will be punished for it sometime, somehow or somewhere." Who should arrive in town but Duncan McTavish, to sell his Porous Plasters, and Sara Stanley knows Fate has brought the two former lovers together again. Of course, this is news to the amazed and confounded Duncan McTavish.

Early on with the television series "Avonlea" the idea was clearly to adapt some of Lucy Maud Montgomery's better stories from the two "Chronicles of Avonlea" collections. While something was lost in the translation of "Old Lady Lloyd" from story to television, "Quarantine at Alexander Abraham's" and "The Materializing of Duncan McTavish" are superb adaptations. Plus, you have two of of favorite characters from the Sullivan productions of the "Anne of Green Gables" movies right in the middle of both stories ((Hamilton and Dewhurst were an under-appreciated comedy team when they worked together).

Quality family entertainment!
When our family stumbled upon Tales of Avonlea during it's original Disney airing(1992-96)--we felt like we had struck gold! We purchased 3 of the 4 videos in the prepared set, to add to our family video library, but couldn't find Volume 2--Gift of Friendship--until now, on Amazon Marketplace. Thank you!
The beauty of early 20th century Prince Edward Island sets the stage for lively adventures, and a return to the simple, peaceful life of days gone by. In the first episode of this double feature, young Sara Stanley forges a surprising new friendship, when she and Mrs. Rachel Lind serve as "sisters of mercy together" in unexpected circumstances.
In the second episode, Sara is welcomed into the warm, social "fabric" of Avonlea's ladies' sewing circle--during which a shocking revelation from one of the ladies about a past beau, causes temporary, humorous shockwaves in the town, and also a surprising twist which saves the day.
Each character adds new sparkle and depth to the story, as timeless themes of love, loyalty, friendship, fear and belonging unfold in the lives of these charming Avonlea citizens.

the best tv series
tales from avonlea is the best disney picture ever made

The Entertainer
Having watched this highly-acclaimed show since it's inception in 1990 as a ten-year old boy, I've realized how lucky I truly am to see such fine programming filled with such intriguing plots, unforgettable characters, famous guest stars (Christopher Lloyd won an Emmy for his role in 1992), and touching--but not sappy--moments. My particular favorite episode was when Aunt Hetty went out to "bring in the lost sheep"--and came up with Gus Pike and a HORRENDOUS backache! Unfortunately this series is no longer shown on Disney, but I've recorded almost 40 episodes when they reran some of the episodes in 1996. I promise you this video is worth the money.

Entertaining
Although some of the acting was not as strong as in 'Anne of Green Gables', the two short films presented on the videocassette were charming, and ultimately worth seeing. If you enjoy the Anne series and want more of Avonlea, you will appreciate these films. Not just for children--adults will like them, too. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An excellent film! A great family friendly show!
This DVD included the first two episodes of "Road to Avonlea" the TV series, or better known in the U.S. as "Avonlea", as aired on the Disney Channel in the 1990's. A touching and family-friendly series about a little rich girl who moves to Prince Edward Island to live with her relatives when her father is accused of embezzlement in his own company. The adventures that this little girl Sara Stanley has with her cousins, (the "King" family) are hilarious and heart-warming! This is definately worth checking out!!

delightful
Excellent for children, found this film to be one you can learn from mistakes,has values presented,happy ending! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Truly dreadful -give me VOLCANO any day.
A cheapjack rip-off of DANTE's PEAK. A mountain town is threatened by a volcano, which consumes two young lovers at the start(so did PEAK!), and lo and behold, the townspeople do not believe the volcanologist who constantly warns everyone to evacuate. When the lava flows, it looks more like Heinz Tomato Soup! The effects are not awful enough to be cheesy! They are just simply laughable. And how do they save the town? see for yourself . . . and it had me thinking 'oh do me a favour.' Even SOUTH PARK has more realism than this low-grade turkey.

An awesome adventure movie
This movie is the most exciting edge-of-your-seat volcano action movie out there is!! Micah Gardener does an incredible acting job as well.

This movie is very good.
This movie is the best volcano movie I have seen. The fx in this movie are awesome. It is a movie that you can watch over & over because it never gets tiring to watch. So I recommend, SEE THE MOVIE!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Cousins, family, mischief, tragedy, life and love in Avonlea
"Avonlea" is a show that is of an impeccably high quality, balancing the line between the worlds of adulthood and childhood that sometimes interlap, sometimes don't, but never cliched, never sterotypical, and always maintaining a high level of fun and mischief. It's real life seen through the eyes of the beautiful town of Avonlea and the large extended King clan, which was created by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

It's a lovely show, no overbearing sappiness, but full of honest and varied sentimentality with incredible actors portraying wonderful characters with idiosyncrasies and quirks (sometimes you love em, sometimes you hate em), yet who still feel as though they could become your best friends. And it's these characters that run the show. They grew, they developed, and they become intensely realistic and beloved people with each passing season.

It's not your average series. Every episode is completely believable, and any of the circumstances that occur, or more often, unravel, feel as though they could occur in your own life. And because of it's intelligence and beauty adults may enjoy it more than they expect, though there's plenty of entertaining material for kids to find enthralling (I know many children who devoured this show, try showing them "Proof of the Pudding", I still find it hilarious). In terms of these videos, my one problem is that they don't have all the episodes on video yet. Otherwise you'll have no real problem taking any of the episodes and watching, since the writing is very throrough in making each episode it's own entity, though the whole series through the years developed numerous intricate plots.

And yet, even with the problems of real life barging through from the very first episode (which deals with embezzlement), there's always a warm glow that you will always find a loving place there. For years I imagined PEI, and these people as though I was there, that's a success for these filmmakers. "Avonlea" is full of love and life and eccentricities and tragedy. Yet with all of it's fans, and acclaim, and ratings, and awards through the years, it's real triumph is the fact that it was endearing and beautiful from the first moment to the very last.

L. M. Montgomery's "The Story Girl" comes to "Avonlea"
When her father is threatened with financial ruin, young Sara Stanley is shipped off to her late mother's relatives on Prince Edward Island. Sara arrives in Avonlea with her Nanny Louisa is tow, only to meet up with the formidable King family, headed by the imperious Aunt Hetty, who also happens to be the local school teacher. "The Journey Begins" is the pilot episode written by Heather Conkie for the "Avonlea" television series. Sara Stanley was a character featured in "The Story Girl," which was author Lucy Maud Montgomery's favorite novel, and its sequel "The Golden Road." Along with two collections of short stories known as the Chronicles of Avonlea, these four books are the material from which various episodes were developed for this series.

What becomes fascinating in this first episode is how the premises of "The Story Girl" are redeveloped for this series. In the books Sara would come to visit her King cousins each summer, heading back to Montreal in the fall. However, the situation needed to be altered so Sara was a more permanent part of the Avonlea community. They could have made Sara an orphan, in the grand tradition of Montgomery's most famous literary creations Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon, but it is important that at least on some level Sara WANTS to stay on PEI. At the heart is one of Montgomery's strongest themes, how a young girl forges bonds of affection with a spinster. Aunts Hetty and Olivia certainly recall Emily's Aunts Elizabeth and Laura and there are strong echoes of that novel in this story.

One of the strengths of this series, in addition to its strong ensemble cast of solid character actors, is the casting of Sarah Polley as Sara Stanley. Polley had already proved herself to be one of the best "child" actresses of her generation before she got this role and she only continues to prove in this episode and the rest of the series. I used to have the Disney Channel just so I could watch "Avonlea" and honeymooned last year on PEI, staying at the "White Sands Hotel." So, it is pretty clear that I am just one of countless millions of enraptured fans. Whether you come from "Avonlea" to Montgomery's novels, or the other way around, just be sure you enjoy both.

The Genesis
Well, folks, this was the episode that started it all--"The Journey Begins". We are introduced at first to the palacious estate in which Sara, her father, and her Nanny Loisa lives. We see how extravagant a lifestyle Sara's grown up in, but she seems nonplussed and untainted about her wealth, though we do detect she's a bit spoiled. But when she and Nanny Louisa reach Rose Cottage and encounter the indomitable personage of Hetty King, sparks fly between the two stubborn ladies. What brings Sara and her Aunt Hetty together, though, is the death of Sara's mother. Hetty softens her attitude toward Sara; and everyone by the end of the episode wants her to stay, making it an easy decision for the happy girl! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Is this supposed to be exciting?
"The Man In The Attic" is a movie set in the 1910s. It is inspired by a true story. Unfortunately, it's a story that really didn't need to be told.

Looking at the box, the people responsible for packaging the movie tried their best to make this film appear steamy and erotic. They use terms such as "illicit passion", "forbidden affair", and "unlimited pleasures". They even show a picture of Neil Patrick Harris (little Doogie Howser, M.D.) holding a gun!

The story involves Krista, played by Anne Archer. She is unhappily married to a gentleman who owns his own business. Edward (Harris) is an employee of her husband's company. Krista and Edward end up falling in love with each other.

The supposedly "shocking" part of the movie is this: Krista's husband finds out about the affair and forbids them from ever seeing each other again. So what do they decide to do? Krista ends up having Edward live up in their attic. Wow! Krista ends up seeing someone else and Edward gets extremely jealous. So on and so on and so on.

"The Man In The Attic" doesn't cover any new territory. It's a Showtime original picture, which explains why the stars are a couple of B-list actors and both appear briefly in the buff. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lucy Maud would be proud....
The episodes on this video are How Kissing Was Discovered & Aunt Hetty's Ordeal. I loved both of the episodes. They bring tears to your eyes and joy to you life. I loved the beauty of the scenery If you are a fan of Avonlea movies get this one.

Oh, The Places You Will Go!
It's amazing how much I haven't grown up the past 10 years! Ten years ago, I teared up when Gus played his violin for Miss King (even though he "may wreck the King's english) out of appreciation for her care. Ten years later, I still had the same reaction. Some things prove to me that history only becomes history if you let it. Hetty King is a very strict, often irritating, demanding person, but you really can admire her for the 'hidden' love she shows for others. We see Gus' intro during the first episode, this vagabond in dirty clothes kissing the prim and proper Felicity; this is the beginning of their relationship: "Better than kissing my dog", Gus says! Then, we see the emergence of Gus as a motivated, intelligent young man trying to rise above his soiled past while balancing his ideals of a better future. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Flick
I loved this movie. Nia Peeples and Esai Morales does a great job. It's funny, exciting, and has lots of adventures in it. Esai plays Tony Archer and high master con artist whom is great at B&E. He is wrongfully accussed of murder and is sentence to life in prison. Nia plays Allie, she is wrongfully imprison for a crime her fiance' committeed. Together they escape, but the adventure just begins there. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

L.M. Montgomery's "The Story Girl" comes to "Avonlea"
When her father is threatened with financial ruin, young Sara Stanley is shipped off to her late mother's relatives on Prince Edward Island. Sara arrives in Avonlea with her Nanny Louisa is tow, only to meet up with the formidable King family, headed by the imperious Aunt Hetty, who also happens to be the local school teacher. "The Journey Begins" is the pilot episode written by Heather Conkie for the "Avonlea" television series. Sara Stanley was a character featured in "The Story Girl," which was author Lucy Maud Montgomery's favorite novel, and its sequel "The Golden Road." Along with two collections of short stories known as the Chronicles of Avonlea, these four books are the material from which various episodes were developed for this series.

What becomes fascinating in this first episode is how the premises of "The Story Girl" are redeveloped for this series. In the books Sara would come to visit her King cousins each summer, heading back to Montreal in the fall. However, the situation needed to be altered so Sara was a more permanent part of the Avonlea community. They could have made Sara an orphan, in the grand tradition of Montgomery's most famous literary creations Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon, but it is important that at least on some level Sara WANTS to stay on PEI. At the heart is one of Montgomery's strongest themes, how a young girl forges bonds of affection with a spinster. Aunts Hetty and Olivia certainly recall Emily's Aunts Elizabeth and Laura and there are strong echoes of that novel in this story.

One of the strengths of this series, in addition to its strong ensemble cast of solid character actors, is the casting of Sarah Polley as Sara Stanley. Polley had already proved herself to be one of the best "child" actresses of her generation before she got this role and she only continues to prove in this episode and the rest of the series. I used to have the Disney Channel just so I could watch "Avonlea" and honeymooned on PEI, staying at the "White Sands Hotel." So, it is pretty clear that I am just one of countless millions of enraptured fans. Whether you come from "Avonlea" to Montgomery's novels, or the other way around, just be sure you enjoy both. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Peg Bowen helps Felix, but dad comes to take Sarah home
I do not think Lucy Maud Montgomery ever came up with a more maddening creation that Hetty King (Jackie Burroughs), the self-appointed moral judge of the King clan in Avonlea. Aunt Hetty is in the thick of things for both of the first season episodes of "Avonlea" collected on this third of four videos, "Magical Moments":

"The Witch of Avonlea" is Peg Bowen (Susan Cox), who lives in the woods smoking her pipe and doing whatever she wants with no concern for what the good folks of Avonlea think or say. When Felix King (Zachary Bennett) finds himself unable to spell anything during the class spelling bees because he is so afraid of Aunt Hetty, his nightmares convince him she might be a witch. So he goes off to visit Peg, who gives him a "magic" stone. His confidence restored, Felix wins the school spelling bee and moves on to the next level of competition. If you do not know that he is going to lose the magic stone before the contest then you must be totally unfamiliar with the rules of children's fiction. Meanwhile, the dreams of Felicity (Gema Zamprogna) have their own comeuppance, as events take her down a peg at the same time that Felix enjoys his moment in the sun.

The important episode here is "Nothing Endures but Change," which finds that Blair Stanley, Sara's father, has been acquitted of the scandalous embezzlement charges that forced him to send his daughter to live with her mother's relatives on Prince Edward Island. Blair arrives in Avonlea ready to take Sara (Sarah Polley) back to Montreal, at which point everyone of Sara's King relatives absolutely freaks. None, of course, as much as Hetty, who announces she will not give the child up to her father. Hetty has always blamed Blair for not only taking her sister Ruth away but in living a decadent life (of travel) that resulted in her death (she caught tuberculosis at home in Montreal). Hetty also has a few things to say about what appears to be happening between Olivia and Jasper Dale, which only makes you wonder how Alec ever managed to get away from Hetty's all encompassing powers. Sara wants to say goodbye to all her friends and attend the upcoming skating party she has been looking forward to, but her father wants to get out of Avonlea and as far away from Hetty as quickly as possible. Sara cannot abide the thought that two of the people she loves most in the world cannot even talk to each other civilly, and so she hatches up a plan to force their reconciliation. But these two stubborn adults cannot admit for a second that the other cares as much for Sara as they do, which only means that fate is going to have to take a hand to make things right.

For me the chief charm of "Nothing Endures but Change," certainly the loftiest sounding title in the series, is enjoying Hetty King getting her comeuppance a few times. She really is such an intolerant woman for somebody who does so many unforgivable things. However, her redemption is still down the road, coming in the form of Gus Pike. It is in his unflinching admiration and respect, that Hetty King is finally confronted with a true mirror of her life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Flick
I loved this movie. Nia Peeples and Esai Morales does a great job. It's funny, exciting, and has lots of adventures in it. Esai plays Tony Archer and high master con artist whom is great at B&E. He is wrongfully accussed of murder and is sentence to life in prison. Nia plays Allie, she is wrongfully imprison for a crime her fiance' committeed. Together they escape, but the adventure just begins there. ... Read more