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Oddball scientist Fred Z. Randall (Harland Williams) is nobody's idea of an astronaut. But he turns out to be NASA's only hope when the first manned mission to Mars comes up one man short. So it's up to Fred, who instantly rubs the ship's commander (William Sadler) and specialist (Jessica Lundy) the wrong way--but makes eerily good friends with the ship's chimp. A movie whose rude, gas-laced sense of humor will appeal to kids; adults may also get a few chuckles out of Canadian funnyman Williams, who does countless impressions and makes endless faces and funny noises. Think of him as the poor man's Jim Carrey. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Rocketman soars with laughs
When I first started watching "Rocketman," I thought it was gonna be corny and that it wouldn't be a good movie. I was wrong, it was hilarious. An unlikely candidate for the first ever mission to mars goes on the mission with an experienced mission commander and an attractive woman. Also on board to stir things up is a monkey.

"Rocketman" has some parts that are hilarious and will keep you laughing for awhile. Some of the funniest parts are when the monkey steals Fred's (Harland Williams) contraption in which he's supposed to sleep for months in and when Fred and Captain Overbeck (William Sadler) go for a walk on mars and Fred finds out that he's got just a little bit of gas overload.

"Rocketman" is hilarious and if you like comedy movies, I recommend getting it. It's a comedy movie that you can watch with the whole family and never get tired of it.

One of the Funniest Movies I've Ever Seen
Strange as it may seem, this really IS one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Unexpected twists. Bizzare stange things that make no sense. And weird goofy euphemisms. That's what makes me laugh. As another reviewer said, the fist time you see the "anti-theft device" you can't help but laugh. And I really get a kick out of the things Fred says instead of curse words "Sweet swirling onion rings!". And the way he keeps launching into old classic songs (the one from the wizard of OZ was pretty great), it's just not the kind of humor you see in movies very often. But I think this movie's funniest moments come from the over-the-top crazy things that keep happening (the monkey biting his hand and him flailing across the room while other people talk in the next room over oblivous to what's happening, and the testing he goes through in the isolation chamber and the G-Force Tunnel).

This movie is good, clean fun and truly appropriate for all ages. If you like any of the movies I mentioned at the outset, or are just looking for something to show the kids, give this one a try.

AWESOME!!
About 6 years ago I had an incident in school which left me bedridden for a few weeks. A couple boys decided they wanted to fight and I happened to be in their way. Anyways, my Dad was constantly renting me movies since I had nothing else better to do. He rented this movie and I absolutely fell in love with it. I had him rent it 6 more times because I loved it so much! It just brightened my day with laughter. Recently I rented it again and had my sister and brother-in-law watch it and they felt the same way. Their favorite part was the gas on Mars. Such comment as "It wasn't me... It was the hairy one!" My brother-in-law just laughed so hard he almost cried. Needless to say this is my all time favortie movie!!

Tim Man
Origninally I rented this movie for my kids but I think I may have laughed harder than they did, then again maybe not.... Favorite part in the movie was of course the gas on Mars scene, "that had to be Julie"..and, "its in my mouth!!"........such classic moments, my kids and I will remember that movie forever......now if we could only get it on DVD......Spectacular fun for the whole gang...Perfect dinner and a movie night movie, just don't drink and watch at the same time.

bring it to DVD!!!!
Rocketman has got to be hands down the funniest movie my family has ever watched. We laughed till we cried and I had to watch it a second time to see it all because my eyes were shut laughing so hard during a few scenes. It is a great family movie for any age. My only wish is that Disney would bring it out on DVD. Come on Disney!! We've been waiting years!! ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Phoebe Cates is the only paradise in "Paradise"
I'm not gonna lie, I rented "Paradise" and the only reason I rented it is because I heard that it showed Phoebe Cates nude. And it does show her naked several times, even more times than I was expecting it to. Unfortuanately, Phoebe Cates is just about the only good thing about this movie and it's definitely the only thing I'll remember from the movie. The only other possible good thing about the movie is that the monkeys can be funny.

"Paradise" isn't a 100% ripoff of "The Blue Lagoon," it's more of an 80% ripoff. The differences are the monkeys, that the two main characters (Phoebe Cates and Willie Aames) are consistently chased by an enemy, and they're stranded in the desert instead of on an island. Like "The Blue Lagoon," both of them discover sex and fall in love with each other.

I recommend anybody who just wants to see "Paradise" to see Phoebe Cates nude to buy the film because it's well worth it. However, if you're looking for a great movie to watch, I wouldn't recommend getting "Paradise" because it's only a mediocre movie, if it's even mediocre. For the movie, I give Phoebe Cates 5 stars and the movie itself 2 or 3 stars.

My first review was revoked!!!
My initial review of this movie was so harsh and damning that I'm sure that is why it was not saved. So, here I go again. I will try to contain the bile rising in my throat when I remember all the ridiculous things in this ludicrous film. The direction is laughable, the acting is horrible, the plotting...I won't go there for fear of saying something foul. Anyway, Phoebe Cates gets naked. That may be enough for shallow males but not for any man with depth of character. Avoid this film like the plague. The only use I can see for this movie would be a time slot on "Mystery Science Theater 3000."

A Desert of the Mind
This is a truly dreadful film, on a par with "Blue Lagoon" (the remake with Brooke Shields, not the rather decent original version with Jean Simmons), to which it bears more than a little resemblance. In "Paradise" Willie Aames replaces the equally callow Christopher Atkins of "Blue Lagoon," while Phoebe Cates replaces the equally vapid Brooke Shields. It would not be inaccurate to say that the principals in both films are equally talented actors and actresses. You remember Phoebe Cates, of course, who gave the most astonishing jaw-dropping dating advice to Jennifer Jason Leigh in the wonderfully goofy "Fast Times at Ridgement High." Both "Paradise" and "Blue Lagoon" have some common denominators: (1) the heroines seem to learn the facts of life from old Victorian medical books--never be stranded in the desert or on a desert island without them; (2) the heros become frantic from raging adolescent hormones; and (3) these woefully ignorant youngsters seem to become remarkable architechs when it comes to building comfy cottages from palm fronds.

The moronic excesses of this film surpass all expectations. Only in "Paradise" are the oases of the Syrian desert home to chimpanzees and Damascus a coastal city. Despite these absurdities, I would still give a slight nod to "Paradise" over "Blue Lagoon" because of the greater exposure given to the female lead in the former. The 15-year-old Ms. Shields seems almost chilly in "Blue Lagoon" compared to her antics at age 12 in "Pretty Baby." Ms. Cates has a rather more enticing smile and figure, which she displayed gladly in lieu of acting talent. (To her credit, her acting has grown since.) Most memorable in "Paradise" is the shower scene in the cave. I have visited this cave, located not far from Ashkelon in Israel, and I am sorry to report there are no showering maidens in it, nor even a stream of water cascading from the ceiling. Nonetheless, Ms. Cates' glistening display almost makes me forgive the studio these glaring inaccuracies. In fact, it is rather fortunate that they have put it in. Otherwise the film would have had nothing at all to recommend it.

movie fan in denver
This movie had all the real potential of being another "Blue Lagoon" but the execution is quite weak. It's a shame to gather all of the right stuff to do the film so poorly. While some of the scenery shots are really good the film quality is really grainy. The music soundtrack is interesting but comes off as herky/jerky (probably really bad recording equipment). The two main actors Aames and Cates have very good visual appeal but the film quality doesn't lend itself to quality viewing. Also, the entire acting crew should have had better coaching before attempting a full length feature film. Still the movie is fun and if you like movies like Blue Lagoon you'll probably like this one. Unfortunately the cinematrography and music don't match Blue Lagoon at all (hint, hint to the director and producer). Anyways just rent or buy this film for the fun and don't expect much more.

it is NOT Phoebe, BODY DOUBLE
Just to let all of the reviewers know who are going crazy over the beauty of Phoebe Cates, sorry but most of the time it is a body double! The two stars I gave this movie are for the few scenes that are actually her, namely the shower scene in the cave. The close-ups during love scenes and the swimming are indeed a body double, garunteed unless you can CLEARLY see her face, it is not her you are drooling over. You can look this info up in any book that talks about celebrity skin on film, such as the "Bare Facts" Guide to the movies. Sorry to dissapoint, but the movie is really stupid, and half of what makes it worth watching is just wool being pulled over your eyes. Once again, too bad. ... 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

Everybody's favorite giant turtles travel through time and space to feudal Japan to rescue their plucky sidekick April, when a golden sword accidentally causes her to switch places with a rebellious samurai. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Tame and sicking kiddie fare
Oh dear, if you're diabetic then I would seriously advise against watching this film. It' so sugary it'll rot the brain right out of your head.

Why on earth Eastman and Laird allowed this to be made is beyond me. It's soooooooo far removed from their black and white comic book. Okay, I know the cartoon series was too but the first movie did have a hard edge to it. I mean, take a look at the cover-the Turtles are smiling and happy. Then look a cover of one of the original comic books. They're almost always gritting their teeth and frowning. THAT'S how it should be. Not like this.

Even the animatronics look fake. The first 2 had a rather believeable Splinter but now he's juddering and stiff and obviously operated by a couple of technicians loitering a few feet off camera. His voice is also totally different and he seems a touch more upbeat and lively. HARDLY the way Splinter is supposed to be.

The plot itself defies logic and there are massive holes all over the place. With such a dramatic change in locale from New York to Fuedal Japan you'd think the movie would take advantage of that and go nuts with imagination.

But sadly not. It just...goes nowhere. I mean, what is the deal with the character of Whit. Why does he look like the great, great, great grandfather of Casey Jones.

In fact, the return of Casey is the only reason I am not giving this a 1-star rating. It's a pretty wretched movie but Elias Koteas can make it a tiny bit less unbearable.

Hopefully the new cartoon show and the possibilty of another (harder) movie will cancel this one out. It's nothing but dated, mindless fodder for under-fives. At the risk of repeating myself; this is NOT how the Turtles shoud be.

Extras are almost non-existant but the animated menus are cool. The 1.85:1 anamorphic picture is in pretty good shape but the Dolby 5.1 track isn't up to much I'm afraid. The film was orginally recorded in Dolby SR so this is obviously a remastering job. It's just adequate is all I'm saying.

STILL FUNNY!
THIS MOVIE IS NOT SO BAD AS EVERYONE SAID IT WAS. IT'S A GREAT MOVIE WHICH HAS EVERYTHING AND IS'NT AS BORING AS THE FIRST TWO. IT'S A GREAT MOVIE!

So what if it's not the first movie, It's still good!
People complained over and over about how bad this movie was, well now I've finally got to see it again after 10 years! I loved it when I was seven and I love it even more now! This movie was NOT a bad movie,In fact I feel this one was nearly as good as the first film, much lighter and goofier but it still deserves second place. This was much better than the second movie to me. The first movie was dark,serious, and great! The second film was okay but came across as a bit too goofy at times to me(But I still loved it!^-^) and the third movie was, like another customer said, a combo of the two. And as for the animatronics...I didn't see anything wrong with them, they looked exacally like the second movie costumes with better facial expressions! Do I reccommend this movie? Hell yeah! It's not as good as the first movie but that doesn't make it a bad film. Some customers here have said that the storyline is too farfetched for the TMNT-verse, and again I disagree. The comics,old toon,and the brilliant new toon have all taken the fans of the series to new places. In fact I believe this movie was loosly based on a Michealangelo comic from the Mirage series,the one where Mikey writes this little story about him being in ancient Japan and helping people there. Anyway, I'll end my review here. I loved this movie and I'm sure most Ninja Turtles fans will enjoy it too.

Give and Take
The first Turtles movie was great in the fact that it took on the tone of the comics rather than the TV show (more grim, more adult). The second, after much backlash from parents, went in the total opposite direction and turned it into camp. This installment is a nice ballance of the two.

Granted, the costumes are not up to par with the first two, and the plot is not the most original (nor feasible), but they take a back seat to the jokes. The first two TMNT movies focused more on plot and action with an occassional joke to keep things light. Writer/director Stuart Gillard's time travel story, while not the strongest, opens the door to many jokes and gags, which is what makes this movie stand out among the others. It's a nice change of pace, in my opinion.

Kudos to Elias Koteas in this film (he deserves to be the first in the credits). His 15th century counterpart isn't the best, but he makes up for it when Casey Jones is forced to "babysit" four ancient Japanese warriors in modern-day New York (favorite bit is still the hockey scene).

For those who were more interested in plot, this is not the best place to start in the series, but if you enjoy a good line of jokes and gags, I'd definitely recommend this one!

You have -got- to be kidding me.
How can anyone say this movie is -good-? The animatronics were horrible...the turtles looked nowhere as realistic as the suits in the second and first movies. Splinter looked the worst of all...and check out the object interaction with him and the window at the beginning after Raphael has a temper tantrum. He moves his hands with the window to slide it down, but they don't actually *touch* the window. Since -when- did he learn telekinetesis? O_o Anyhoo. The script totally reeks. Come on, time travel? That's a bit farfetched, even by a standard TMNT comic plot, and something was just a bit offsetting about seeing Raphael flying kites and cooling his temper down like that. The only reason I gave this two stars was: THEY BROUGHT CASEY JONES BACK! He was one of the best characters, and even though he isn't in it much (bah, forget that character that's supposed to somehow *coincidentally* look like Casey in the movie.), Elias Koteas does a great job. Other than that and the nice sceneries, the movie stinks worse than a sewer on a hot day. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Good video for kids, not for the musicologist!
Since the videos in this series are just about the only child-friendly introductions to these composers on the market, and children do seem to like them, it is easy to forgive their many flaws. And this one does have MANY flaws. It is chock full of inaccuracies in virtually every scene, has very badly-written dialogue and scenes, falls flat in terms of drama and suspense and goes down in history for one of the worst, most blatant uses of "deus ex machina" at the end that will be sure to disappoint even young children. There's also a scene where an actor holds a recorder to his lips (or at least, close to his lips) while a flute is playing on the soundtrack! Some parents may also disapprove of Bach and other characters drinking what appears to be wine, and Bach's comment about kicking one of the other characters in the ... (his wife stops him short). Nevertheless, the videography is compelling, the music is wonderful, the boy is ADORABLE and children find the Duke to be particularly amusing. To sum up: Despite the movie's drawbacks, there is hardly a better method available to introduce children to Bach and Baroque music in general.

A Fine Video
This is one of the greatest videos I have ever seen. It makes me sad that people don't like it . It was a wonderful experience for my child, so he told me to buy it. So indeed, I recommend this video to everyone.

Bach?
I thought that this movie was not good at all! It was really boring and had absolutely nothing to do with Bach! You could have put another composer in his place and it would not have changed the movie a little bit! The movie was dull and lifeless! In music class I had almost fallen asleep while I had watched this movie!!!! I thought this movie was very dissapointing! I do not reccomend it at all!

Not Excactly Learning Anything....
This is one of the many "educational" movies that you only learn about one thing for an hour. It was not a very fun thing to watch, even though a kid was in the story. It's weird at alot of parts, not just the fact that Bach lived a long time ago. I don't really recommend this movie, only if you are a very big fan of Bach's work. You don't hear alot of his work in the movie, until a "grand finale" in the end. Altogether, this is mostly a true Bach fan's movie to watch.

Review
Bach is better than Handel, is one thing can say. It had an odd plot, never seen before. I forget the kid's name, but he was an odd charcter as well. Watch this movie only if you are a true Bach fan. (Unlike me) ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Derek de Lint...Need I say more??...
But I WILL! Poltergeist; The Legacy is a show all on its own, no it has nothing to do with the Poltergeist movies starring Heather O'Rouke and Jo Beth Williams. PTL as reffered to by the fans stars Dutch actor Derek de Lint as Derek Rayne, Martin Cummins as Nick Boyle, Robbi Chong as Alex Moreau, Patrick Fitzgerald as Phillip Callahan, Helen Shaver as Rachel Corrigan, and Alexandra Purvis as Kat Corrigan. It also had recurring stars Daniel J. Travant(Hill Street Blues)as William Sloan and Kristin Lehman as Kristin Adams. And Jordan Bayne as Julia Walker whose unfortunate demise in the first episode leads to the incorporation of Rachel Corrigan.

As stated the show is excellent, the cast (meaning the original) are great together. The pilot is a little creepy but well worth the watch, and if you can catch the rest of the show currently in reruns on Scifi it gets even better! With the exception of two blondes and a redhead that should have never come about...Watch it, love it and join the rest of us ptl fans!

first REaL horror film
i really wanted to see a horror film that actually looked good besides attack of the killer tomatoes (yuck). So i rented this with my two old friends (icky mon and erin) and it was boring. first, erin wouldnt shut up and monica kept thinking she knew so much about it. i really didnt get the story cuz it was kinda boring. Well it had this box........

A must see!!
This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. After renting it I actually ordered it through my locate Blockbuster, it cost me $75.00 at the time but it was totally worth it. The T.V. series that followed was the best four years of television. I taped the entire series and to this day its the only thing I watch with any regularity. I would recommend anything with Derek de Lint in it as he is a fantasic actor with a very wide range.

Poltergeist is the best show ever!
Poltergeist the legacy has nothing to do with those dumb poltergeistmovies. It's a terific show all on it's own. There are about 100+websites created by the fans alone. There are close to a million fanfics posted online. The cast has great chemistry and the special effects are TERRIFIC! There's curently a petition at Helen's site to bring the show back. :) "Since the begining of time, mankind has existed between the world of light and the world of darkness"

A Movie for Demon Lovers
The cast was good. The plot was good. The character interaction was good. They didn't go overboard in the gore and special effects like most of these type of movies do. Poltergeist: The Legacy is about a team of paranormal experts who are desperate to find the last of the five druidic boxes before it gets into the wrong hands. If that were to happen, then God's fallen angels would be set loose upon the world. There is some gore, some violence and language. So, it is not a movie for children to watch. But, I think fans of the demonic genre will enjoy this fast-paced movie. ... 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

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

Description

The French Foreign Legion will never be the same after the uproarious World War 2 exploits of Sgt. Duke Roscoe and his band of military misfits. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not as bad as I thought
Good for a few laughs. The performances are a great surprize. The actors pull off a fairly predictable script with a great deal of committment. All in all, if you have an hour and a half to kill, you could do alot worse. END

Better than I thought it would be.
This is not the story to define parodies of WWII, but if taken lightly (with no expectations of greatness) it is a valid romp through the North Africa campaign featuring a rather charming band of American battle weary troops. While trying to be the "Airplane" of the war genre, it falls short of gags, but the characters offer more than a device for laughs and are developed with such a deadpan earnest fashion that one cannot help but cheer as they stumble through the sand and eventually defeat some rather cartoonish Nazis (what did you expect?) by destoying their fuel dumps. Okay, its not The Battle of the Bulge, either, but if you go in hoping for a laugh or two and a good fight, you may be (passively, but) pleasantly surprized. -Evan Sayet. END ... 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 (2)

Lonesome Dove - Tale of the Plains
While this video is not the same quality as the original movies, it is the TV series and get's much better as the series continues. I can only hope other episodes are made into videos...
I enjoyed the series, it is light entertainment...

Lonesome Dove - Tales of the Plains.
This is probably one of the worst western videos I have ever seen.The story is pathetic and the acting the same,the location did not seem authentic and was based in a very small area. It is very sad that creative people like Suzanne De Passe and Larry McMurtry can be connected to something as poor as this. There,is of course,no comparison with the rest of the Lonsome Dove Collection which were superb. I think the only way the above two people can make amends for this is to make an epic film of "Comanche Moon" with real top actors and so finish the Lonesome Dove Collection. ... 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 (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 (10)

Based on the Short Story by George RR Martin
...and I bought it for just that reason. I hadn't watched Outer Limits before, and this episode was rather well made, featuring Beau Bridges, and his father Lloyd -A Twilight Zone type of show.

But as I said, the sole reason I bought this video was because it was based on the 1979 Hugo AND Nebula award-winning novelette, "Sandkings" by George RR Martin- My favorite author to date. DO NOT expect as I did, for this to be a movie version of that amazing story.

While it was well scripted and decently made, it had VERY little in common with Martin's 25-page short story. Outer Limits used a different plot, setting AND cast of characters all together, and the only similarity was the Sandkings themselves... but even *they* were vastly different!

Bottom line- Many Outer Limits fans consider Sandkings to be one of the best episodes, so if you like the show, give it a shot. But if you are a fan of Martin, you should find the short story ANY way you can. Unfortunately this may prove difficult.

Terrifying...
SANDKINGS is one of the scariest pieces of sci-fi I've ever seen.
I rank it with original INVASION of the BODY SNATCHERS because it's literal,cut-no-slack, NIGHTMARE. Beau Bridges acting as Madder Max/March Hare scientist,Dr.Simon Kress is superb.The theme drips Freudian anti-myth,as Kress in defiance of God, Nature and the most ordinary paramters of human love and responsibility "cultivates" an alien race of INSECTS. [The Insects were initially brought to Earth in soil samples garnered on Mars by a Rover-like space vehicle.] Kress nurtures this anti-race in untrammeled will-to-Power when he realizes the BREED worships him. [Sand castles are made with ICON portraits of him worked into altar-like minnaret towers. When Kress/Bridges...in exultant hubris...strides into the midst of the DisneySand experimental environment he has fashioned into Alien Eden,thousdands of the insects divide/ bow in obeisance doing him homage as GOD.] Ritual war; sacrifice and finally cannibalistic murder follows as Kress renounces attachment to family,friends and humanity.

Suspense builds into sheer terror. If the climax is a bit "predictable", the tale of terror getting there isn't.
The(revived)OUTER LIMITS used "Sandkings" as premier offering. Director Stuart Gillard, and sriptwriter Melinda Snodgrass have done magnificent jobs rendering George Martin's PM sci-fi shocker.Forget what the movie may lack compared with its literary progenitor.THE SANDKINGS'TV-movie stepchild is masterpiece of blood; cold sweat; and FEAR...

Ant-Farm From Hell
This brilliant contemporized adaptation of George R. R. Martin's award-winning sci-fi novella was the ideal choice for debuting the new Outer Limits T.V. series, since it hearkens back to original OL episodes "The Zanti Misfits," "The Invisible Enemy" and "Wolf 359."

Beau Bridges is the senior scientist on a Department of Defense project studying insects discovered by NASA probes in the Martian soil. The little beasties nearly break free into our biosphere, and the project is terminated - but Bridges, not about to see his potential Pulitzer Prize taken away, smuggles some of their embryos home to start up his own little alien insect ant-farm in a specially built terrarium in the barn out back. Bridges' power over the intelligent little creatures unhinges him - he becomes addicted to being their God, encouraging them to territoriality and war, and eventually even using them to murder colleagues who cotton-on to what he's doing.

This is a great OL creepy-crawlie, in every sense of the word. It's too bad the rest of the series wasn't up to the level of this especially good entry.

Pretty Good Episode
Well written exciting episode. One of the best of the new series.

If All Subsequent Episodes Had Been This Good....
The premiere episode of the most recent incarnation of the sci-fi classic was the show's finest hour. It features a great performance from star Beau Bridges and magnificent support from father Lloyd. The state-of-the art special effects enhance this tale of a scientist so obsessed with his work that all else matters not. This show was so good that the following episodes paled in comparison. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not as bad as I thought
Good for a few laughs. The performances are a great surprize. The actors pull off a fairly predictable script with a great deal of committment. All in all, if you have an hour and a half to kill, you could do alot worse. END

Better than I thought it would be.
This is not the story to define parodies of WWII, but if taken lightly (with no expectations of greatness) it is a valid romp through the North Africa campaign featuring a rather charming band of American battle weary troops. While trying to be the "Airplane" of the war genre, it falls short of gags, but the characters offer more than a device for laughs and are developed with such a deadpan earnest fashion that one cannot help but cheer as they stumble through the sand and eventually defeat some rather cartoonish Nazis (what did you expect?) by destoying their fuel dumps. Okay, its not The Battle of the Bulge, either, but if you go in hoping for a laugh or two and a good fight, you may be (passively, but) pleasantly surprized. -Evan Sayet. END ... Read more