Reviews (4)

A stunning display of the diversity and beauty of life
I have seen many films on the subject of natural history, but this one is far and away the best series ever produced. The knowledgeable yet unassuming narritive perfectly accompanies the magnificent filming.

This one has it all
This is a great collection. The photography is stunning, Attenborough is an exciting narrator, and the series ties together as a great introduction to biology, natural history, evolution and behavior (to name a few). I am a huge nature video fan with lots of other titles, and this is my favorite.

Simply the best..Beyond the descriptive stories of nature
This is the best shot, pictured, written and narrated documentary on natural life. If you want to have an analytical-critical perspective on the different aspects of 'trials of life' more than a descriptive story-telling, this is simply the best on offer.

The absolute best nature documentary anywhere!
A must see for any nature lover, great for kids to watch... I have watched it several times and the photography amazes me every time! ... Read more

Description

TV Box Set 1 (Vol. 1-8) Goku and his friends fight powerful alien invaders to save the Earth!Eight tapes (25 episodes) of the world famous Dragon Ball Z saga, now available in a convenient, beautifully packaged box set! ... Read more

Reviews (93)

Great Anime
Only one word... GREAT! If you enjoy Japanese cartoons this is a must have, no matter how old you are. If you like adventure, you got it. If you like comedy, you got it. If you like mythology, you got it. If you like sheer non-stopping fun, you definitely got it. This series charm resides best in the fact that the characters' personal lives don't remain stagnated as it happens in most cartoons, and best of all, people grow old. It's not like regular cartoon shows where the characters remain at the same age forever. People are born and grow older just as in real life, which in my opinion is a good thing for children to watch, so they can lean that life is constantly changing. The structure of the action, where a problem appears and they have to strive to fix it is also educational for it teaches children that no matter how wrong things may get, if they work hard enough they can make it right. And since it's an ongoing saga, the Box-set format is ideal for newcomers because you can watch an entire story-line at once. I truly recommend it.

the beginning begins
this was a good box set, exept for a couple of minor "flaws", like having it edited, pioneer should of made at least an uncut version also, even for the namek box set, but i think funimation will make an uncut version when there done with the rest of the sagas. Another flaw is throwing out scenes that shoudn't of been thrown out like the first episode, they removed gohanhe running from a tiger and goku finds him hanging on a tree next to a water fall. Another scene they threw out was when gohan was training under piccolo and gohan falls in a cave and tries to escape. During that time he meets a robot who helps him. they shouldn't of thrown out those scenes, but you cane see them in japenese with english subtititles in the movie dead zone. There is one more deleted scene that can't be viewed in the american version. Launch is in a bar drinking and cries because she saw tien die by nappa and pays the barkeep a bunch of money cause she's too drunk. other than these flaws they have good fights, first apperances of gohan,nappa,vegeta,the sayain race,radditz, gregory,bubbles, and king kai. i reccomened buying this set if your a collecter

A good saga turned bad
The saiyan saga is one of my favirot sagas and for good reason. Unfourtinaly this part of the series was translated before the golden age of uncut dbz. All things that make dbz great have been ethier edited or totaly destroyed for no reason. let me ask you a question . Why do people watch dbz? Some watch it for it's original story , others for it's uniqe characters,but personaly I watch it for it's incredible 100 mile an hour, intence hard hitting, action packed, fights. Yes, that is why we watch dragonball z , but funimation totaly blew it in this case . For exaple , when a person gets punched in the english version they erase the scene where the fist conected and just show two seconds of flashing light. Im sorry but this certanly does not satisfy me . On another note the incredible diologe and music that the japanese version was known for was replaced with some ... noises that sound like they were recorded in sombody's basment. Even if you can look past the rediculice eddits and poor quality you still will not be satisfied with whats left. The only action is in the first tape and in the last three. The other four tapes are just filled with such nonsence as goku chasing bubbles and Gohan saving a pake of orphans in the wilderness. If I were you I would just buy the first and last 3 tapes and save a couple bucks.

YOU'VE GOT TO SEE THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish that I could rate the box set 900,000,000,000,000,000,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gohan gets saiyan napped by Radits. Goku teams up with Piccolo to save him. They save Gohan but Goku dies. Piccolo takes the young saiyan (Gohan) to a desert wasteland for special training while Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, and Yajirobe train for the saiyans stronger than Radits!

Goku travels the long rode of Snake Way in search of the martial arts master King Kai. After one year th saiyans finaly arrive. It seems that the saiyans are unstopable. Tien, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu are gone. Piccolo saves Gohan, but this sends him to another dimention as well. When all seems lost for Gohan and Krillin Goku comes back from King Kai's planet. With the Kao Kin power in store Goku takes out Nappa and hurts Vegeta. Goku body is thrashed as well so it is up to Gohan to fight the saiyan until Krillin can throw the Spirit Bomb (given to him by Goku) at Vegeta. The spirit bomb is thrown at Vegeta... but find out the rest through the movie it self!

Be warned! These are the edited dubbed episodes!
INTRODUCTION:
Dragon Ball Z was the follow-up to Akira Toriyama's surprisingly successful Dragon Ball series. Although his first installment of the classic series was more of an adventure-comedy type series, the Z series pretty much focused entirely on sci-fi martial arts action - which makes the Z series far superior to its superior. The series has become popular all around the world, and it's no surprise that a box set of the first season was released here in the States. Read on for my review of the Saiyan Conflict box set.

BASIC PLOT:
The story for the Saiyan Saga, the first of four major sagas that make up Dragon Ball Z, goes something like this. Five years have passed since the classic Dragon Ball series ended. Goku is now married to Chi Chi and the couple has a son, Gohan (named for the old man that took care of Goku as a child, rather obviously.) Unfortunately Raditz, an alien, comes to earth, telling Goku that he is his brother, and that he was sent here to destroy the planet. Goku joins forces with his arch-nemesis Piccolo to defeat this menace, but Goku is forced to sacrifice his life for the cause. With his dying breath, Raditz announces that two other members of his race are on their way to earth to collect the Dragon Balls and wish for immortality, and that they are far stronger than he is. For the next year, the Z warriors train, and many of the non-warrior types go off to find the Dragon Balls so that Goku can be revived. But will all this training be enough to defeat the Saiyan elites?

EPISODE/DVD OPINIONS:
When you do anime DVDs, it's an unwritten rule that the DVDs include both an uncut English dub version and an uncut Japanese version with English subtitles. AND ALL THESE DVDS HAVE IS THE EDITED DUB! I admit, the voice actors FUNimation hired for the dub version all do the voices of their respective characters well (all except for Vegeta's), but the dialogue is too inaccurate and Americanized. Also, a good deal of footage was cut (nearly HALF of the first episode was cut out.) And needless to say, the violence was reduced so that the series could be aired on American television stations. This is NOT the Dragon Ball Z real fans want.

OVERALL:
My advice is NOT to purchase this set. I recently heard that Pioneer will lose their rights to the older episodes of the series soon, and when they do, FUNimation will redub the episodes, and hopefully rerelease them on DVD with the original Japanese version intact. So hold off and see if that happens. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The long-running Avengers series added some extra gloss to its look and feel by filming in color starting in 1967, making the inimitable, eccentric atmosphere of the show complete. That production change coincided with some of the best writing the program ever enjoyed. So it makes sense that those late-1960s episodes of The Avengers have been packaged to help us forget the botched 1998 feature film version of the show. Set 1 includes a mystery about killer phobias, "The Fear Merchants"; the time-travel story "Escape in Time"; the feathery spy tale "The Bird Who Knew Too Much"; the invisible-villain yarn "The See-Through Man"; and the comic-book spoof "The Winged Avenger." --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Another set of six classic Avengers episodes
Opening sequence: Close-up of two champagne glasses, one standing, one on its side; camera pans back; John Steed (Patrick MacNee) enters stage left, wearing an impeccable suit and a bowler hat, with an umbrella dangling from one arm; he carries a champagne bottle; camera pans back and right; Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) enters stage right, wearing a pastel body suit and carrying a chrome-plated pistol with bone grips; she shoots the cork out of Steeds champagne bottle; he shows no surprise; he draws a small sword from the handle of the umbrella and uses it to flip a carnation from a vase over to Mrs. Peel; vibrant, upbeat music plays throughout the scene.

Does this give you an idea of the style, quirkiness, and love for the unexpected and slightly outrageous that was the trademark of this series? Steed and Peel were agents were British Intelligence, and each episode dealt with some threat to British national security and/or the keepers thereof. The writers had a penchant for outlandish and just-beyond-credible stories. No matter how outrageous, Steed and Peel were seldom taken off-guard, never flustered, and, of course, always able to somehow overcome the obstacles presented to them.

In "From Venus with Love", the duo follows-up on a string of mysterious deaths somehow connected with a group of almost-fanatical amateur astronomers. In "The Fear Merchants" people appear to be dying of extreme fear, and Steed and Peel investigate. In "Escape in Time" a group is selling the idea that they can help people who are in legal or other trouble escape -- by going back in time. That's not what's really going on. In "The See-Through Man", Steed must rescue Peel, while tracking down an invisible murderer. In "The Bird Who Knew Too Much" a talking bird learns things that are better left unsaid, and murder and mayhem ensue. In "The Winged Avenger" the darker side of publishing comic books is unmasked.

VERY GOOD, SOME OF THE BEST
This is a classic set. It has some great ones. Diana Rigg playing Mrs. Peel and Patrick Macnee playing John Steed are fabulous together. This is a humorous and fun series to watch. The set includes: From Venus with Love, The Fear Merchants, Escape In Time, The See-Through Man, The Bird Who Knew Too Much, and The Winged Avenger. This is a classic series.

Delightful Escape in Time with the Avengers
Philip Levene wrote the wonderful "Escape in Time." Are miscreants successfully disappearing into the past? After a few agents are murdered Steed follows an escape route and disappears. Shown old films of Derby day around 1910 he murmurs, " A little before my time." "Not necessarily!" says his host who claims he can transport Steed out of the law's reach- for half his loot. Diana Rigg as the resourceful Emma decides to infiltrate their escape route. When a female member of the gang recognizes her Emma is sent back to the late 1500s, thrown into stocks and accused of dressing to "inflame a man to lust!" Emma, dressed in 18th century garb says,"You should see 400 years from now!" Steed's attempted rescue, trying to find the hideout when he was previously blindfolded, and great fight scenes with an 17th century noble, 18th century soldier. Confronted in the 1560s by a man brandishing a 20th century gun the unflappable STeed asks, Aren't you a little ahead of your time? Witty, satirical and fast paced this is the best episode of the six. Winged AVenger, by Richard Harris, spoofs comic books and super heroes. What can scale multi story buildings and claw ruthless business men to death? The usual eccentrics- the famed explorer who climbs out the window and down the rope from the 2nd floor to take tea on the terrace, the professor who takes tea on the ceiling upside down and marvellous fight between Emma and the killer on the ceiling is a great climax. Bird who knew too much has ruthless killers, a great fight between Emma and a killer who relishes dispatching death on a diving board! See Through Man is the weakest- Invisible man and spies with a realistic plot twist but it is slow, sluggishly directed and the only dull story. Fear Merchants pokes fun at captains of industry who have neuroses. There is a great china smashing scene between Steed and a naive Jeremy Raven who rejects all the products of kiln and hurls them across the room. Raven doesn't question why he is able to take over companies that had previously rejected his bids for amalgamation. Steed unwittingly puts Emma in danger when he lies and says that she is a business competitor. Clever satire of psychiatrists and their quirks. From Venus with love tracks a mysterious speeding white object that kills astronomers, turns their hair white and disappears. Does anyone ever survive mysterious happenings except Steed and Emma? The episodes are among the best of 1967 and definitely worth the purchase and can be viewed with pleasure again and again!

5 Stars for the Delightful Escape of Escape in Time
Writer Philip Levene penned the wonderfully written Escape in time. "Miscreants are escaping to England." Steed and Emma find a slain enemy agent with a 300 year old bullet in him. The next expiring agent leaves a clue that they follow. The escape route involves stuffed animals, a mini mall of vendor/conspirators, and the usual quirky criminals. Emma is nearly run down by a man in a red riding habit on a motor cycle. Avengers wit is top notch. "I didn't know that you could sew," says Steed admiringly as Emma creates a stuffed animal so he can travel the route. "Our relationship hasn't been exactly- domestic- has it?" she retorts. Emma impulsively creates her own stuffed animal to go to Steed's rescue when he disappears. Since he was blindfolded Steed's clues are no help. "there are churches and hills all over," says his harassed colleague. Turkeys!" Steed recalls. "Well why didn't you say so?" Only the Avengers would have a clue to a turkey farm! winged Avenger by Richard Harris has ruthless businessmen who throw employees out of work being sent to their deaths- via an unseen force that climbs buildings and mauls them to death. Emma investigates a disgruntled author who had reason to dislike a murdered publisher. "See you downstairs for tea," he jauntily climbs out the window and slides down a rope. As an explorer Sir Lexius can't stop climbing. Terrific climax of to the death fight on a ceiling between Emma and a crazed villain who will kill anyone who get in his way. One of the wittiest, most surreal episodes of the 1967 series. See through Man is thinly plotted and sluggishly directed. Roy Kinnear as the inventor with the hamster, Bertha running her wheel, is the only humorous note. As the crank inventor whose inventions have been ignored for more than a decade he remains optimistic that he will one day get it right. Has he succeeded in making a man invisible? Clemons bird who Knew too Much has a daffy bird lover who wears a bird on his morterboard and teaches his parrots to recite Shakespeare among other things. Where is Captain Carusoe and why has someone resorted to theft and murder over a parrot? Delightful fight scenes and dangerous ones. Emma tangling with a sadistic killer on top of a diving board, and later with a baddie in a carriage inside an exhibition is great. Well directed. Fear Merchants spoofs psychiatry: one psychiatrist speaks with a Vienniese accent a la Sigmund Freud and the other has developed the most lethal consequences for answering a questionnaire truthfully! Super strong man splits boards with his arm, then is traumitized by a tiny mouse, another titan of industry by excessive speed in a car. Levene's rapid wit delights. Steed unwittingly sets Emma up to be murdered by claiming she is his only rival in business. Great fight scenes again- Steed turning the tables on the sadistic psychiatrist who has HIS own fear and Emma fighting villains while tied to a chair. From VEnus with Love offers the usual eccentrics, an aristocratic chimney sweep, a general who replicates battle sounds on 3 victrolas while dictating his memoirs. What mysterious sounding white flash of light is decimating members of the Venusian society and turning their hair white? Eerie chase as Emma pursues a ball of white light and Steed is nearly dispatched by it as he dives over tombstones. Fast paced and enjoyable. 1967 Set 1 had a much better mix of episodes witty, exciting, and fast paced than 1967 set 3 or 1967 set 4. Later in the year the writing deteriorates, most likely because first Roger Marshall, and later Phlip Levene, the two best writers left the show.

The best TV series of all time.
The Original Avengers remains the best television series of all time (the Prisoner came close.) The synergy of writers, actors, directors, wardrobe, music is hypnotic, and addicting. Feel the neurons firing with every episode, an exercise in satisfaction. With infusions of guest actors such as the delicious and unequalled Christopher Lee; plus Peter Cushing, Anthony Newlands, Peter Bowles, ad infinitum, I salivate nonstop, every time. First and foremost for content and delivery (naturally), subsequently for the actors themselves. Great things, special things in life happen only once; what a shame we fail to fully realize their profoundness at the time of their existence, enough to try to sustain their survival. Great shows like the Avengers not only confirm what we've all known all along, they offer a stark contrast which one cannot ignore: producers and directors insult our intelligence by serving up trash to us on a daily basis. Break free from the trance which is cheap tv and movies, and experience the Avengers. To date, the Original Avengers' decorum has not been equalled; I believe it never will be. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In its second season, The Sopranos sustains the edgy intelligence and unpredictable, genre-warping narrative momentum that made this modern mob saga the most critically acclaimed series of the late 1990s. Creator-producer David Chase repeatedly defies formula to let the narrative turn as a direct consequence of the characters' behavior, letting everyone in this rogue's gallery of Mafiosi, friends, and family evolve and deepen.

That gamble is most apparent in the rupture of the relationship that formed the spine of the first season, the tangled ties between capo Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) and monstrous matriarch Livia (Nancy Marchand), whose betrayal makes Tony's estrangement a logical response. Filling that vacuum, however, is prodigal sister Janice (Aida Turturro), whose New Age flakiness never successfully conceals her underlying calculation and opportunism. Soprano's relationship with therapist Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) also frays during early episodes, as she struggles with escalating doubts about her mobbed-up patient. At home, Tony contends with wife Carmela's ruthless ambitions on behalf of college-bound Meadow, as well as son Anthony Jr.'s sullen adolescent flirtation with existentialism--the sort of touch that the show handles with a smart mix of sympathy and amusement.

Without spoiling the surprise of the season's climactic last episode, it's worth noting that only on The Sopranos could we expect a scene that sets up a mob hit with a perversely funny touch of magic realism--a talking fish, lying on a fishmonger's iced display, speaking with the voice of the victim. It's a touch at once morbid and goofy, and consistent with the show's undimmed brilliance. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (86)

The Second Season: Nearly as Great as the First
THE SOPRANOS had a tough act to follow after that remarkable first season. With so many characters having gotten wacked by the end of the first season, the show faced the always-tricky challenge of integrating new characters into the mix.

Although there are some lulls early in the second season, the show ultimately surfs the transition extremely well. Episode 14, the first of the second season, reveals what became of Big Pussy Bonpensiero; it also introduces us to Janice, Tony's ne'er-do-well sister from the West Coast. In episode 16 we get a blunt introduction to Richie Aprile (brother of the late Jackie Aprile Sr.). Richie has just been released from prison, and we immediately know that he's going to be a nasty thorn in Tony's side. But frankly, you could skip over episodes 17 and 18 and you would barely miss a thing. By far the most significant long-term development in those episodes occurs when Tony brings Furio back after a "business trip" to Italy.

Things really start cooking in episode 19 when we meet Tony's high school buddy and "degenerate gambler" David Scatino, brilliantly played by the underrated actor Robert Patrick. (Frank Sinatra Jr. has a cameo in this episode). It would be unfair to newcomers to detail any more plot twists beyond this point.

The sessions between Tony and Dr. Melfi remain the prism through which the entire show is filtered. One of their best and most pointed exchanges occurs in episode 22. Dr. Melfi asks Tony if he believes that his nephew Christopher will burn in hell because of his mob activities. Who among us really belongs in hell? "The serial killers, the people who kill for pleasure, the child molesters, the Hitlers, the Pol Pots. Those are the [...] who belong in hell, not my nephew," Tony responds (I'm paraphrasing a bit). After all, "Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan were crooks and killers too." But those Gilded Age elites needed Italian immigrants "to build their cities and dig their subways and make 'em richer." The rise of La Cosa Nostra early in the twentieth century, Tony concludes, was simply a class struggle in which the hard-working sons of Italian immigrants claimed their rightful "piece of the action." Not even Dr. Melfi can stomach this much moral equivalence. In one of the few times that she blows her stack at Tony, she angrily asks, "Does that justify EVERYTHING you do?"

The show's little touches are almost as impressive as the big ones. For example, episode 23 begins with an eyewitness telling the cops about a murder. Later we see him at home, sipping wine and reading ANARCHY, STATE AND UTOPIA. This episode also reveals Richie and Janice's unorthodox (and hysterically funny) lovemaking techniques, which only the two of them could have dreamed up.

One could go on and on about what makes this show so special. The key to the show's success, I believe, is that it tends to be character-driven, whereas too many other shows are strictly plot-driven. That explains why THE SOPRANOS almost always rings true. Thank God this show is on HBO and not regular network TV.

Every time I think I'm out, it pulls me back in!
Things are going pretty well for Tony Soprano at the beginning of the second season of "The Sopranos." With most of his enemies safely sidelined, he is the unchallenged boss of the New Jersey mob, with lots of lucrative business opportunities presenting themselves. Yet, as always, new problems present themselves. His kids Meadow and A.J. are as rebellious as ever, and wife Carmela is increasingly fed up with Tony's absences, infidelities and fits of temper. Janice, his hippie-dippy sister, shows up unexpectedly. Richie Aprile, a mobster so greedy and violent that he scares even Tony, is released from prison and starts muscling in on Tony's business. Dr. Melfi, Tony's shrink, refuses to talk to him. And then, as always, there are the feds... As always, "Sopranos" creator David Chase and his superb team of writers cook up a fascinating, mesmerizing witch's brew of money, murder and various misbehaviors, enacted by what may well be the best ensemble cast in the history of television. (If there were a Nobel Prize for TV acting, James Gandolfini and Edie Falco certainly would be on the short list every year.) Once again, if you're offended by rough language, nudity and violence, stay away. Otherwise, be prepared to get hooked.

The 21st Century Is Awesome, So Is This Cable TV Show
Thank God for the 21st century, we live in a great time of great
movies like The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, Crouching Tiger
Hidden Dragon, A Beautiful Mind, and Chicago. A great time of
great music like: Linken Park, and Fisher Spooner. A great time
of miniseries: Band Of Brothers, the miniseries of Ken Burns, and Angels In America. A great time of Books: Film books, and
all other types of reading. And also a great time of great TV:
HBO's Oz, Deadwood, Six Feet Under, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Family Guy, and of course The Sopranos. What I love about this show is everything, it is completely flawless from the fascinating storylines to the outstanding performances from
everyone involved. James Gandolfini not only plays mafia family
man Tony Soprano with character and depth, but with his persona-
lity he captures the works of Hollywood legends Robert De Niro,
and the late Marlon Brando, who was such a legendary actor with
classic films like The Godfather and On The Waterfront (I coulda
been a contender) which De Niro used for his Jake La Motta role
in the flawless masterpiece Raging Bull. Edie Falco brings
human emotion to her role in the show as Carmella Soprano, and
another standout is Michael Imperolli (Who played Spider in
Goodfellas). This is what TV should be. Five Stars.

Can you survive thirteen episodes with The Sopranos?
I was totally looking forward to this second series of The Sopranos. Its amazing writing and compelling story lines are the finest ever to emerge from TV. Never as a TV show had the same effect on you as a movie does.

Series Two is a lot better than series one and contains more depth in the characters. If the Sopranos just went about killing one another we wouldn't really care about it, but because it could almost be described as a psychological drama (with guns) it is fantastic. I'm Italian American and don't mind one iota at some of the humor in this and appreciated every second this DVD had to offer.

If the creator David Chase is reading this (ha) then when The Sopranos finishes, how about a prequel/spin off with JOHNNY 'BOY' SOPRANO in the fiftys? It'll be a sure hit.

It's a Family Thing....
The Sopranos is one of HBO's greatest achievements (although I admit that I think it lost some of its momentum and spark with seasons three and four). When I first saw the show, I was hooked. I'd watch anywhere from three to four episodes a day. One of the great things about first watching this show on DVD was that I could watch any number of episodes instead of just watching one per week.

"The Sopranos: The Complete Second Season" has to be my favorite season. As much as I love the first one, this was when things were really funny, intense, dramatic and involving. The season doesn't let us down when it comes to Tony having more problems than ever before. Both in his Mafia Family and his immediate family, Tony can never get a break. His wife gives him grief while his kids keep doing things that upset him. And don't get me started on his ill mother and self-centered sister. Life isn't much better in his Mafia Family when the brother of Jackie is released from prison and is giving Tony a hard time both personally and professionally. Not to mention that his long time friend, Big P. comes back from a long hiatus when he was first suspected of turning rat to the Feds. All of this leads to one incredible and unpredictable season that showcases the show like none other.

For me, this was the most entertaining season of them all. I loved the characters, the constantly changing storylines, and the personal and business life of Tony Soprano, which is superbly balanced in this season. There's still the much appreciated humor in these episodes that were found lacking in the next two seasons. It doesn't feel like a soap opera, but a more enhanced look into the Mafia world. There's plenty of action as well as dramatic storylines that will make everybody happy for the most part.

This season comes in a set of four discs, totaling at 13 episodes. The great thing about the show is that it is presented to us in a widescreen format that is enhanced for widescreen TVs. This really makes the show that more effective because you feel like you're actually watching a movie rather than a show on cable. The picture and sound quality is great and really shows. There are some nice little extras, such as featurettes, brief previews and recaps of episodes, web-links and more.

"The Sopranos: The Complete Second Season" is a bundle of laughs, suspense, drama, action and surprises. You're always on your toes and you never know what's coming next. One thing's for sure; this is the most unpredictable season out of the four seasons (the fifth one looks pretty promising thus far). While you'll want to start with the first season if you've never seen the show before, you'll know that you will have something special to look forward to once you get to the second season. In my opinion, this is where Sopranos is flawlessly at its best. -Michael Crane ... Read more

Description

Prepare to fight crime and protect the free world with THEAVENGERS!The classic ‘60s TV phenomenon is back, digitally remastered and betterand bolder than ever!The deadpan dialogue, outrageous adventures, ingenious enemyagents and wonderful wardrobes have all been brought back to lustrous life in thisexclusive collection from A&E Home Video.Each colour episode features theindomitable John Steed (Patrick Macnee) and the exquisite Mrs. Emma Peel (DianaRigg) matching wits with the most twisted of villains. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE STATION: Steed goes off therails--and Emma finds her station in life. SOMETHING NASTY IN THE NURSERY: Steed acquires a nanny--and Emma shopsfor toys. THE JOKER: Steed trumps an ace--and Emma plays a lone hand. WHO’S WHO?: Steed goes out of his mind--and Emma is beside herself. RETURN OF THE CYBERNAUTS: Steed pulls some strings--and Emma becomes apuppet. DEATH’S DOOR: Steed relives a nightmare--and Emma sees daylight. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A classic set... but...
This is actually one of my favorite Avengers sets for two reasons. One is it has my favorite Avnegers Team; Diana Rigg and Patrick Macnee. Two is that it has some of my favorite episodes from the series. Some of my favorites are on this set including: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Station, The Joker, Who's Who, and Death's Door...but I think it was a stupid idea to make a sort of sequel to The Cybernauts. The first one was fine and then they had to make a sequel. The sequel was good, but they should have come up with a fresher idea. Something Nasty In The Nursery is good, but not one of my absolute favorites.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Station
As escapism 'The Avengers' is unequalled with the sensational Emma Peel (Diana Rigg creates a new female form to admire - she is no mere stereotype of something that has gone before - even if her acting is not always brilliant) and the equally unique support of John Steed (Patrick MacNee). The supporting actors are so wonderful too. I especially recommend this collection for the superb episode 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Station' in which Rigg and MacNee are typical, but also for the support of John Laurie. There is a great moment when a hand reaches out of the railway carraige to clutch the door handle and make the door safe - it reminded me of another door handle in 'The Wind' with Lillian Gish.

Return of the Cybernauts sequal surpasses the original
1967 set 3 has better episodes than the 4th and final Steed/Mrs. Peel set of stories. The Joker is a 5 star episode. Clemens crafted an eerie setting- isolated country house, surrounded by fog, an unsuspecting Emma being spied on though a peep hole. Diana Rigg give a subtle performance conveying Emma's lack of suspicion, resourcefulness, and then despair as she realizes that she has manipulated and locked in, the key removed by an unseen figure. Rigg conveys Emma's courage, vulnerability, and determination. Steed trys to locate her as his car crawls through thick fog. Clemens uses the cliches of English country house setting skillfully. The villain is so slimy, Diana Rigg superb as always, and she and McNee convey subtle chemistry. Who's Who is much weaker, rating only 1 star. One of the stars was sick, the other on vacation so Levene wrote an episode where Emma & Steed have their bodies snatched, so Steed & Mrs. Peel are played by other actors. No wit in this one until a delightful tag scene where Diana Rigg is fine comedic form saying, (of Steed) "One shold never take a man for granted- but one does!" Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the station was penned by wonderful writer Roger Marshall & is a 4 star episode. Emma and Steed tangle with ruthless killers disguised as a bride and groom! When Steed disappears Emma takes the only clue to a railway eccentric. "I'd like you to listen to this umbrella," she says matter of factly. Great fight scenes- Emma and a female assassin in a railway car, both intent on pulling down blinds during their fight so that no one will see them!, Emma and vicious bridegroom killer who tried to shove her out the door of a moving train, china smashing contest in the dining car, and steam bound fight confusing our heroes amd villians alike. Brian clemens finished this episode and it shows- Emma is rescued twice in 5 minutes by a man! (On Clemens you are a chauvinist) but she does get to rescue Steed. Something Nasty in the Nursery is a 3 star one with killer nanny, politicans who have dreams about their childhood, their nanny, and killer toys. The wit is delightful. "Proud fatherhood sits upon you!" proclaims a middle-aged instructor of a school for nannies to a nonplused Steed. Philip Levene included gadgets and his usual wit in the script. Return of the Cybernauts is 5 star suspense. Peter Cushing is the diabolical villain secretly plotting the destruction of Steed and Emma whom he blames for his brother's death. IT amuses him to pretend to be their friend. Steed's jealousy adds humor. "We know nothing against Paul," Emma points out. "I'm sure I can find something if I try," mutters Steed who does NOT like Beresford's attentions to Emma. The creepiest scene is Beresford having physically enslaved Emma gloating to her as he caresses her cheeck that she "will obey his every whim, his every wish." Cushing is one of the most sinister villains every to appear on the Avengers. Death's Door is 3 stars. Politicians are becoming unglued by premonitions of death and one diplomat's panic leads to his death. Steed and Emma investigate. This was less suspenseful than Return of the Cybernauts, probably because the audience cares about Steed and Mrs. Peel and can't get too excited about some proper politicians. Worthe the purchase but not as well written or witty as the Avengers 1967 set 1 boxed set of 1965 or 1966 ones. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

This is not your parents' sitcom. Two middle-aged tarts smoke, swallow, and bed everything in their paranoid paths and are all the more fun for being so unabashedly vulgar. Jennifer Saunders stars as the queen of excess; Joanna Lumley is her promiscuous best friend in this groundbreaking, side-splitting satire. Created by the uninhibited team of Saunders and Dawn French, the series was written by Saunders. This set includes all 18 of the 30-minute episodes from the British TV series; the less-than-thrilling 30-minute midseason special, How to Be Absolutely Fabulous. Anglophiles and anarchists will love this, but consider yourself forewarned--it is strictly adult material. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Unexcelled!
This brilliant, caustic, uproarious and innovative situation comedy will go down in history as one of the very few greatest ever. The premise -- sort of a American sitcom turned on its head (the mother is the juvenile and the daughter is the sensible one) -- might have gotten stale or threadbare quickly. But with a genius like Jennifer Saunders writing and starring, and with the sterling supporting cast, this set is a delectable treat from first to last. The self-absorbed and fad-mad Edina and the equally self-absorbed sex-and-substance addict Patsy, the not-always patient Saffron, and June Whitfield hilarious as Edina's Mother, are main ingredients in a witches' brew that will intoxicate and delight you. And special mention has to be made of the numerous flashback and dream sequences, which are so far-out and funny that they'd be worth the price alone! (For example, in the "Birth" episode, the flashback to Edina's birth-- with Mother in her hospital bed made up complete with lipstick and wearing pearls as the nurse wields huge salad tongs to clamp the exiting child...and Patsy's riotously funny birth scene in a Paris avant-garde flat with beat poets, a Piafian singer, a ballet dancer, and a modern painter, swirling around Patsy's mother as she free-verses "Come, no longer my ball and chain! Enter the world, you tiny-- mediocrity!... Oh, cut the cord, cut the cord!..." is, in a word, priceless!). Patsy and Edina are (really) horrible but excruciatingly funny! A Desert Island set!

"Cheer up, world, it may never bloody happen! "
One of the funniest Britcoms ever ("Fawlty Towers" and "Blackadder" are the only ones that are better). I find it incredibly amusing that most of the Hollywood community found this series to be so witty and yet the entire time the show was making fun of them, along with the self-absorbed fashion industry (it says something about the intelligence of Britain vs. the US as a whole). All you have to do is listen to Saunders' (Edina's) speech at the end of the episode "Jealous" and you can easily see how she used this show as a venue to bite back at people who lived their lives totally out of disregard for everyone else and yet came out at huge events pretending to care (read: Hollywood and the Fashion Industry with AIDS, cancer, the situation in Bosnia). Jennifer Saunders is a genius for creating a show with such sparkling wit and intelligence (yes, intelligence) which was a pure delight to watch, yet still managing to slam the American entertainment scene. My favorite episode, "Death", also satirizes the art world. If you're like me and appreciate subtle humor, you'll love this series.

Screwball Isn't Dead
These beautifully funny shows rival the old screwball comedies of the 1930's & '40's for roll-on-the-ground laughing madness. In fact, the old and rarely seen adjective "madcap" describes the shows perfectly.

Edina Monsoon is a self-absorbed slacker who lives high by ripping off her ex-husbands. She and her friend Patsy Stone get into almost as many misadventures as they do bottles of vodka. Saffy, Edina's long-suffering, introverted daughter provides the foil for the madness.

Jennifer Saunders has talent coming out of her ears; not only does she perform pratfalls and other physical comedy without the help of a stand-in, but her non-stop delivery would be funny if were just reading the phone book. As it is, the scripts are works of art, much funnier than Seinfeld, funnier than Monty Python even.

The only problem with these shows is that you can't eat while watching them, because you can't eat while laughing unceasingly.

THEY HAVE OUT DONE THEMSELVES!!!!!
This show is one of my favorite shows to watch!!! I am so glad that I can now just sit down and watch the all the episodes over and over! Their humor is great and fresh! There is always somthing new that Patsy and Edina get themselves into. This box set is worth it. Same with series 4! Get them all!!

Loved every one of these!
I have been watching AbFab since its beginning and the first three series are just fabulous. I never get tired of watching them and I just love some of the one-liners. It is fabulous, sweetie darlings! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Natasha rocks!
I've seen many other yoga videos and this trilogy is the best by far.Professionally produced and directed, well-choreographed, Yoga Step-by-Step takes the beginner through the basics, first with a lesson, then progresses to a flowing practice that is just right for someone starting yoga.I found the chalk-talk section of the DVD's particularly helpful in perfecting my form for specific poses; the DVD is even programmed to link the chalk-talk back to the lesson.Also included in the DVD's are medical explanations of yoga poses and how they benefit the body.The array of options are impressive.You can watch the practice with or without music; you can watch just Jason, the poor guy who has to do all the poses as a true beginner, using blocks, straps and modified poses.The trilogy is also produced to focus on particular aspects of yoga--Strength & Stamina (vol 1), Bending & Twisting (vol 2) and Balancing Poses (vol 3).After viewing numerous videos and DVD's on yoga, my wife bought the entire set of three.We're no longer beginners, but we find that Natasha's sense of breath and timing is superior to other gurus.To make the workouts more challenging, we'll do the practice sessions back to back.I give Yoga Step-by-Step our highest recommendation.5 Stars.

Fantastic!
I take yoga as a P.E. class at my high school, and for the first few introduction weeks of the class we used the sitting and standing routines. This video is fantastic! After just two weeks of the standing poses, I noticed an increase in the firmness of my muscles and my ability to hold myself up longer. I also enjoyed this series because with each pose, Natasha says both the Indian name for the pose along with the English translation, allowing one to know the poses whether in a traditional yoga class or a more modern one. I would recommend this to beginner and intermediate students.

The best beginner DVDs
If you're a beginner and need a "first tape", I suggest this set. Natasha Rizopoulos is a great teacher: very specific, yet very understanding and forgiving of beginners. The DVDs have all sorts of added value showing how to modify the exercises if you're a beginner. The medical commentary points out potential issues to be aware of as a beginner. You can get the whole three volume set for just 50% more, or you can start with the first one and see if you like it. (That's what I did) This set of DVDs is great and inspired. I just wish Natasha taught class in NYC so I could work with her directly. Hint, hint, Natasha!

too many ads
The tape's intro is too long without being able to fast forward directly to the yoga session.The intro yoga practice was a bit boring -- too much of the same poses repeated after each other.Needs more variety.

Best Instructional Yoga DVDs By Far!
Natasha Rizopoulos' instructions are clear and easy to follow for the beginner as well as the advanced beginner.She provides great tips for common alignment errors and the best way to avoid them.Absolutely by far the best set of yoga DVDs I have ever viewed.I have greatly improved my knowledge of the basic poses and asanas.Definitely a must have set!!! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Tough and refreshing
I love the FIRM but I like FIRM classic the best. Since i didn't have the cash to buy all the individual volumes yet i bought the Four pack to get a good mix of the classic tapes. Tough Tape 2 is exactly that TOUGH. I was sweating and moving and truly felt like i was building muscle.

5 Day Abs is a love of my life because iuse dit in high school and it got me flat for prom so it is a staple in my workout.

Upper Body was a Killer! i love the movements and i was sore for two days b/c i used new weights and went heavy but my arms and shoulders look great for it.

Standing legs is another killer which will leave you tired and exhilerated all at the same time. I love a lower body challenge and that's what it gave me.

You will need a few peices of equiptment but they are written on the back of each tape with this set so you can prepare. A step, a Dowel or weighted bar, free weights in varying poundage, a mat, towel (cause you will sweat) and plenty of water.

Have fun, exercise and love your body.

SUPER FAST GREAT SERVICE
I ordered this on Friday and received it on Monday.. very prompt.. thank you so much..

Really tough
I first started this workout after having my 2nd son. It is really tough!I like the excercises,and after a few months of doing it was able to get through the whole tape. The tough tape 2 is nice because it covers everything. The standing legs is a killer!

I had results with in a couple weeks. Everything was firmer like the name "the firm", but I am very slow to loose any weight. Overall it's good for firming up, but not for weightloss.

Great for adding variety to your workout schedule
I recently purchased this 4-pack and have found it's a great way to "spice up" my workout week. Both the Upper Body and Standing Legs tapes are quite the workout (and they cram in a lot of punch for only 35-45 min.), and I will do maybe 20 min. of plain (without weights) cardio to warm up beforehand. I have a tendency to get bored if my routine is too unvaried, so these provide a great way to change it up and keep my attention. Plus, you can just pay attention to your body's desires and say, "hm, today my arms really feel like working. Let's do Upper Body!"

Tough Tape 2 is just that--really tough! It's a good alternative to one of the Total Body videos, if you feel like doing more weights and less cardio (although you do get your cardio simply from hefting those weights around the whole time). The transitions between segments can be somewhat sloppy, but once you do the tape a few times you know what's coming next and can prepare for it.

5-Day Abs is a great addition to any collection....the short workouts are intense. I used to just fast-forward my Total Body video to the abs section and do it alone, but this has done it for me, and gives me the abs sections for tapes I don't own, too.

Bear in mind that this collection requires a step or box in all the videos (although in 5-Day Abs, it's just for putting your feet on as you lay on the floor). If you don't care to buy one from The Firm company, you can find suitable ones at the store ... in the housewares department. They're sturdy, have little rubber feet to keep from slipping, and are about the right height. Standing Legs also allows you to use a barbell, if you have one, but if you don't, that's fine (that particular section is hard enough even without any weight!). You could probably also substitute just putting weights on your shoulders, as you do earlier in the video.

If you crave variety in your workout week, this package is a great choice!

sound workout
I love The Firm workout series and this set is worth the money. While all tapes in the set are compilations of previous releases, it doesn't seem to matter. The way that the segments are combined, keeps one engaged even when having seen the moves multiple times... except for the case of the abs tape. These are great ab routines, but if you happen to own the tapes which the ab sections come from (volumes 1-6), then it's a bit boring. But, Tough Tape 2 is great as is the Standing Legs tape (both killers). The Upper body tape isn't as good, partially due to the "instructor" and to the over abundance of one arm rows, but it's a tough workout, and of good length. While there are better tapes from The Firm on the market, this set is nice, due to the concentration on specific areas, the results it produces and its price. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

for fanatics only. And no Tom Baker, either.
As a fan who gets off on seeing Daleks, Cybermen, Yeti, the Master, the Brigadier, etc. all in one place, I enjoy "The Five Doctors." But when I think critically about it, I have to admit that it's just not that good, although it certainly has good ideas. And the additional scenes and FX don't paper over the obvious plot cracks (i.e. where Troughton could possibly be in his own time line). Richard Hurndall nearly steals the show as Doctor #1, however. "The King's Demons" has an interesting premise -- involving the Master, a shapeshifting robot, and the Magna Carta -- that unfortunately goes nowhere. I'd rather recommend the original "Five Doctors," but of course it's no longer available. (To be fair, there are a bunch of six-parters they refrained from milking into two-tape sets.)

"The Doctors, wonderful chaps. All of them."
This two tape set is one of the best in the series and a must have for fans of the series. First, we are treated to The Five Doctors, the feature length episode featuring appearances by all five Doctors (unfortunately, it is only footage of Doctor #4, Tom Baker; and a recasting of Doctor #1 by William Hurdnell as William Hartnell had passed away). The story also brings together villians and compnaions in a story that while simple, is certainly a lot of fun. The movie also has the added bonus of new special effects and a dolby soundtrack. This is followed up in tape two by the two part story, The King's Demons. Two part stories were a specialty of the Peter Davison era and this was certainly one of the best. The Doctor and his companions wind up in England as King John is about to sign the Magna Carta. But he's acting very oddly and his champion seems to know what's going on. For the casual fan or the die hard collector, this is one to own.

Filler 2-parter, followed by classic Five Doctors
In The King's Demons, the Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough, interrupt a jousting match between Hugh Fitzwilliam and Sir Giles Estram, King John's champion. The onlookers are astonished but King John seems unfazed, and welcomes them as his demons. But why is he at
Fitzwilliam Castle and not in London to take the Crusader's oath, and what of Sir Geoffrey de Lacey's confusion that he left the king four hours ago in London?

The interior of the castle is superior and I was reminded of Robin Hood movies, and the Doctor shows his usual compassion on Hugh, "Clearly there is a victor and a vanquished. Must blood be shed?" Turlough has a super line, when he, Hugh, and Isabella are chained in the dungeon. Hugh: "Can you not call on Hell [to free us]?" Turlough: "I could, but then so could you, and with a better chance of success, I fancy." Ouch!

While I rate the two-episode King's Demons as good, I must say this. 25-minute two-parters (to distinguish between the 45 minute Colin Baker ones) were limited by their length, which is why I question their necessity. I sometimes wondered what was wrong with deleting a story to make two five parters or make two three-parters. They did that in the Sylvester McCoy years but that's another story.

Speaking of another story, how about that classic, the Five Doctors, and the special edition, to boot? Some scenes have a few seconds added to them, and changing the time scoop to an "Abyss-creature" watery effect instead of a mere black pyramid was a great move. The special effects are a vast improvement over the original.

After a wonderful bit of scenery at the Eye of Orion, where the Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough are resting, the suspense begins with the appearance of a black-gloved figure manipulating controls. Cut to a scene of the First Doctor, played with great William Hartnell-ness by Richard Hurndall, being kidnapped by the Time Scoop. A miniature of the Doctor appears. Hmmm, who around here likes shrinking people? Familiar?

This happens to the Second and Third Doctor, as well as other companions, but a glitch occurs with the Fourth Doctor and Romana II, who are trapped in a time eddy.

The High Council of Time Lords, still led by Borusa, summon the Master to rescue the Doctor from Gallifrey's Death Zone, "the black secret at the heart of your Time Lord paradise" which is "not the most hospitable of environments."

The Cybermen play a major role here, as three squads of them come out. However, they prove no match to the "most perfect killing machine ever devised," the Raston Warrior Robot, who steals the show. It's like killing mosquitoes with Raid.
There's plenty of fabulous dialogue here. The Master tells us why the Doctor is so endeared to fans: "A cosmos without the Doctor scarcely bears thinking about." Something the Beeb should have remembered in 1989.

My favorite Doctor, Jon Pertwee, comes off the best here, "ever so resourceful," as the Master says. He's still the charming, improvising guy with ideas; it's as if he never left the series, and he's a calm counterpart to the strung out Sarah Jane.

An interesting double-entendre is when the First Doctor sees traces of two other Doctors. "Well, well, well, so two of them made it. I wonder what happened to the other." This last sentence spoken in such an acidic tone, might be a reference to Tom Baker's refusal to participate in the story.

And the Second Doctor's solo presence implies that he came here inbetween the verdict and sentencing at his trial--there is a hint of that when he encounters two of his companions.

One goof is the First Doctor's approximation of pi--3.14287. How about 3.14159265, which if I recall, was spoken in the original version of the Five Doctors--I'll have to check on that later. Another is the Cybermen led by the Master--how could they note fail to spot the Doctor and Tegan in the chessboard room upon entering?

A welcome reunion of sorts from some Who alumni, past and present, (they even included some William Hartnell and Tom Baker footage) with old pairings up (Doctor Two and the Brigadier, Doctor Three and Sarah) bringing back fond memories of the past, as well as new pairings (Turlough and Susan). It figures--we see writer Terrance Dicks utilizing his tool of pairing off figures and thus splitting up the story. Is this guy great or what?

King's Demons gets 3, Five Doctors gets 5--overall rating is 4.

watch Kings Deamons first -and then- 5 Doctors
For chronology, watch Kings Deamons first then 5 Doctors. Kings Deamons takes place before the 5 Doctors. "Shall we go the the Eye of Orion next, Doctor" Both of these films are some of the Best Dr. Who's you can see. A lot of Peter Davison stories are blighted with wooden acting and weak script, but these are certainly not among those. King's Deamons is very underrated in my opinion and 5 Doctors is the best Dr. Who of the Davison era(even though it didn't have Tom Baker).

For die hard fans only!
This video is for die hard fans becasue of the many plot holes and campy special effects! To make matters worse there is no Tom Baker at all in this episode! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Hogan's Heroes was a hit from the beginning of its televised run, from the fall of 1965 through the spring of 1971. This boxed set of uncut videos collects six of the best episodes of the venerable Bing Crosby Productions series on CBS television: the pilot (in black and white), three more episodes (in color) from the first season, and one color episode each from the second and third seasons. These shows, with good video transfers and no commercial interruptions, make for some charming, nostalgic, laugh-track-filled family viewing.

All of the denizens of Stalag 13 are present and accounted for: the smirking Colonel Robert Hogan (Bob Crane), commanding officer of the POWs; his German counterpart, the ineffectual, easily flattered (and distracted) Colonel Wilhelm Klink (Werner Klemperer, son of the famous conductor); the bumbling, easily bribed Sergeant of the Guard Hans "I see nussink!" Schultz (John Banner); and Hogan's multinational, multi-ethnic group of heroes: Sergeant Ivan Kinchloe (Ivan Dixon), American radio expert; Sergeant Andrew Carter (Larry Hovis), a dimwitted American nevertheless good with munitions; Corporal Peter Newkirk (Richard Dawson), a British pickpocket and vaudeville performer; and Corporal Louis LeBeau (Robert Clary), a French cook and tailor. (In the pilot, we even get a glimpse of a short-lived Russian character, Sam, whose tailoring duties were taken over by LeBeau.) Filling the remaining American, German, and British roles are a number of character actors, such as Leon Askin, Howard Caine, Bernard Fox, and Sigrid Valdis (erstwhile wife of Crane, and one of Klink's two voluptuous secretaries).

All the set props familiar to baby boomers--the tunnel entrance under the cot, the coffee-pot tap into Klink's office, the hidden periscopes and prisoner-friendly dogs--decorate a consistent narrative from episode to episode: the heroes must pull off an operation that places them in danger, return in time for roll call, and allow Hogan one final, wisecracking conference with Klink. High points of these six shows include the abortive replacement of Hogan by pompous Colonel Crittendon (Fox) and Hovis's hilarious impersonation of Hitler. Although as thoroughly American as a Mae West, Hogan's Heroes embodies the countercultural spirit of its times, and wittily humanizes friends and foes alike. --Robert Burns Neveldine ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Untouchable
It is criminal that the DVDs for Hogan's Heroes have not been produced...perhaps more criminal than the untimely slaughter of Crane himself. There is a plethora of assorted crap and garbage, passing for entertainment, that has been lasered onto DVD. However, the all-time gem remains unsung in the obscurity bin. Brutal.

AVERAGE, AS I OWN ALL OF HOGANS HEROE'S.
I have most of all the hogan's heroes. on 8 tapes that i watched and taped real good when they were on. and there still the best quality. love this show...
never dull. funny. but stupid. I still love them. I watch them when nothing better is on..

I just wanted to correct something...
Although Kinchloe(Ivan Dixon)was called by Ivan as you said, that was in only one episode that I can remember and he was called James in the others. It was probably a mistake (forgetfulness?) since they only said Ivan once. Also, they have used names of others on the show in real life for this; ie: (Robert E.) Hogan. (I haven't seen this in a long time since they stopped re-runs in my area, but I remember this well. It may not be accurate but it most likely is since Hogan's Heroes is a favorite show of mine.)

BEST SHOW EVER
Hogan's Heroes is one of the best shows ever produced, this set of tapes is definitely a must for any hogan's heroes fan. With these tapes you get a glimpse of the greatest moments for each of the major characters in the show. If you have never seen the show this is a good way to begin your addiction, a warning however... there is no "patch" for THIS addiction.

Brilliant videos of Hogans Heroes
These uncut episodes are absolutely brilliant. The episodes included in this three part volume are: 'The Informer' (pilot episode); 'Kommandant of the year'; 'The Great Impersonation'; 'It takes a thief - sometimes'; 'Hogan Go Home'; and 'Will the real Adolf please stand up?' A 'must' for the dedicated Hogan's Heroes fan. ... Read more

Description

The fascinating tales of James Herriot, a veteranarian in 1940's Yorkshire England. When James joins the successful practice of Siegfried Farnon, the adventures begin. Whether it's Siegfried, his brother Tristan, or the mischevious characters and animals of the county, each day brings on a new set of adventures. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

What's all the fuss? This was the best of all the series!
My husband and I have loved the "All Creatures" series since we first became aware of it a few years ago. Series 4 happens to be my very favorite one. One thing bothers me about all the series, however. I am concerned about the care of the animals in the shooting of the scenes. I remember particularly a horse lying on the ground on her side trembling violently. I wondered at the time what they did to that horse to cause such a physical reaction. There are other instances and they are troubling to watch.

Great as usual!
Set after the end of WWII, this series was taped about eight years after the previous series. As one would expect, there are a lot of changes - but the show is still as wonderful as ever. In this series, Carol Drinkwater (Helen) has been replaced by Lynda Bellingham, and although "The Changing of the Helens" (as I think of it) takes some getting used to, Lynda Bellingham is very good. Also, Helen and James have two children now.

Of course, all of the actors look older than before (with the possible exception of Siegfried, who seems not to have aged in 8 years), but it doesn't matter at all. They are just as much fun to watch as ever. (And Tristan is still very, very cute.)

Although all the episodes are great, my personal favorite is called "The Bull With The Bowler Hat". It's wonderful, but I'm not going to spoil it for you - you'll have to buy the series and watch it! :-)

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT
I AM A FAN OF THE FIRST THREE SERIES. I BOUGHT THEM ALL AND LOVE THEM ALL. THAT SAID, AFTER THE FIRST ABYSSMAL EPISODE OF THIS SERIES I'VE SWORN THEM OFF.

THE NEW HELEN MUST BE A RELATIVE OF THE NEW DIRECTOR IS MY ONLY GUESS. THEY'D HAVE DONE BETTER TO HAVE MOVED A MANNEQUIN ABOUT. HER ACTING IS THAT BAD, WHAT THERE IS OF IT. AND WATCH JAMES AND YOU'LL SEE HE'S AS DISAPPOINTED AS WAS I.

WANT MORE? THE SETS HAVE LOST THEIR FEELING OF REALITY. THE DIRECTION IS FORCED. AND WHATEVER FEELING THE CAST HAD IS GONE, LOST, HISTORY. CAROL DRINKWATER, THE ORIGINAL HELEN HAD IT RIGHT WHEN SHE JUMPED SHIP ON THIS ONE. IT'S A SAD THING TO WATCH A CAST RAVEL BEFORE YOUR EYES TAKING A BELOVED STORY WITH IT, BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS EVISCERATED CORPSE OF A SERIES.

OKAY, READY FOR SOMETHING POSITIVE? THE MUSIC IS BETTER. SEE, I'M NOT SUCH A NEGATIVE BLOKE. BUT, PLEASE, FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, SPARE YOURSELF THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF THIS SPUTTERING FAILURE.

New Look, Same Place
Those who've followed the Herriot story from its humble beginnings are in for a surprise! Series 4 opens with a "new" Helen, two little Herriots, no Mrs. Hall and is set some time after WWII. With Series 3 closing on such a powerful emotional note, I had hoped we would follow the fortunes of the cast through the war years and their subsequent return. After such a long period with this group, it took some adjusting to the cast changes. It didn't help that the writers recycled some earlier themes from past programs, and my copy of episode 1 had an annoying scratchy soundtrack. It left me altogether just a little frustrated.

But my disappointment was brief. This series is every bit as powerful as its predecessors. James and family are in the thick of life, dealing with everything from buying a home to attending school concerts to deciding whether to leave the practice. Siegfried is his usual brilliant self, Tristan loafs..ahem, works for the Ministry of Agriculture as an Artificial Inseminator (perfect!), and we are treated to a new vet in the practice, Callum. The bagpipe-playing, haggis-eating Scot soon wins the heart of Tristan's girlfriend while his menagerie of wild pets drives Siegfried to distraction. Even Granville weighs in with an hilarious episode resulting in the typical mess.

Buy this series! Yes, it looks different, and yes, there are some reprised scenes from prior programs, but for my money you'd have to go a long way to equal the acting and quality of writing seen in this entire series. So call the dogs in, gather the kids round and settle down for a tasty treat from the Yorkshire Dales. You won't be disappointed.

Different Air
I love this series. The first 3 series were some of the most entertaining TV I had ever seen. The 4th series however feels very different. James' wife is a lot more timid and seems to more willingly take a back seat to whatever James whats. James seems to be a lot more stern and less happy then in the first 3 series. He's lost some of his innocence which made him so appealing(perhaps due to the war). I was also a little disappointed that Christian isn't practicing medicine in the field. These things aside, still a great series. ... Read more

Amazon.com

What do you do for an encore after confounding the general public with something completely different? Simple: give them more of something completely different, from a semaphore version of Wuthering Heights to the last meeting of the Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things (you were expecting the Spanish Inquisition?). This three-volume set contains for the first time on video in chronological order the first six episodes from Monty Python's second season. No sophomore slump here. Episodes 14 to 19, which originally aired in 1970, contain the signature Python sketches The Ministry of Silly Walks and The Spanish Inquisition. Also in the Python pantheon are the documentary about the Piranha brothers and their reign of violence and sarcasm, the Architect Sketch, and the scandalous game show Blackmail. While the sketches, filmed bits, and Terry Gilliam animations are enduringly silly, Monty Python's Flying Circus remains a loony marvel in the way it shattered television convention. In Episode 15,a clueless Graham Chapman character is recruited to be the straight man in a sketch, but is not given the punch line. In the same show, the dreaded, but tardy, Spanish Inquisition races to make its entrance before the closingcredits run their course. All three volumes are indispensable for Python completists. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Avangardists Of Modern Humour
To this day, Monty Python remains THE idol and source of inspiration to humourists all around. »Monty Python's Flying Circus« made the group famous, and it is the best ever to come out, not only from Monty Python, not only from Britain... but humour in general!

Highlights on this tape: »The Ministry Of Silly Walks«, »The Spanish Inquisition«, »Flying Lessons«/»Hijacked Plane (To Luton)«, »'The Bishop'«, »Accidents Sketch« and »Registry Office«.

Own it!

a classic
Well, any Monty Python tape is a classic. This set is no exception. I have also purchased from Amazon the scripts for the Python episodes. The set contains some favourite sketches like the "architect's sketch' and the 'Ministry of silly walks'.This does not mean that out of the three tapes only two sketches are worth mentioning. On the contrary. The set guarantees 3 hours of 'silly laughs' -as the Pythons would put it- and-what's also important- at a good price.

Classic Python!
There are two types of people in this world: those that find Monty Python as the most brilliant comedy that ever was short of the Marx Bros., and those that see Monty Python as just wierd.

Well, if you're the first type, than you must see these videos. They contain many excellent skits like 'Ministry of Silly Walks' and 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'. Basically just all around classic Monty Python

Splendid
This is an excellent addition to your Monty Python library. It has great skits, which made me laugh most of the time. To enjoy theese movies, you must be a fan of John Cleese and the rest of the group. I advise buying this as soon as you have the time to fill out the order sheet. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great addition to your workout
I found these tapes to be a great addition to my workout, and am sure you will too. After using them for 2 weeks, I have decided to buy the rest of this series!! Can't wait to get them!!

Great Toning Videos
These are great toning videos. I have them all and love them. I incorporate these with my cardio workouts and have noticed a big difference in the shape & tone of my body! LOVE THEM and highly recommend these along w/ a great cardio workout, great balance!

Hit the Spot Rocks!
I own all of the Hit the Spot Videos and I love using them! Each video has three ten minute workouts that target an area on your body. The ten-minute workouts are easy to commit to,and the workouts are challenging. Because the workouts are targeting specific muscle groups, you will find that your muscles will tire faster, but don't give up! You will really feel how effective the workouts are even after one session. The entire Hit the Spot series is a great supplement to anyone's cardio workout. Denise's perky attidude, the variety of workouts on each tape, and the small time commitment make these tapes a great addition to a fitness library. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sergio Leone's trilogy of operatic spaghetti Westerns with Clint Eastwood made the former TV star into an international sensation as the scraggly, silent Man with No Name, a wandering rogue with a scheming mind and a sense of humor drier than the dusty, wind-scoured desert. With A Fistful of Dollars, a blatant rip-off of Kurosawa's cynical samurai hit Yojimbo, Leone transforms the Western hero into a crafty mercenary. The follow-up, For a Few Dollars More, teams Eastwood up in an uneasy alliance with Lee Van Cleef in a tale of revenge, but the masterpiece of the set is The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, an epic scramble for buried gold set against the violence of the Civil War. In this film good is a relative term as three criminals make a series of tenuous partnerships broken in double-crosses and betrayals in Leone's epic vision of the American southwest as endless deserts and clapboard towns infested with gunmen. This was a new kind of Western: cynical, violent, stylish, and austere. Eastwood's rough face and squinting eyes fill the widescreen frame in massive close-ups while Leone stages action in bold compositions on empty streets and stark landscapes. The guns ring out in cartoonish exaggeration, and the music, an eclectic, electric mix of buzzing guitar, human voice, and harmonica by Ennio Morricone, sets the whole thing in a world pitched between myth and modernity. Leone's shot-in-Spain trilogy ushered in a flood of Italian spaghetti Westerns, but none hold a candle to Leone's stylish classics. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Simply Amazing
These three movies bring a completely new spin to the American west. No longer can you think of westerns as movies with the John Wayne like hero who always does what is right. In these movies, Clint Eastwood is nearly as bad as the men he fights. The camera work of Sergio Garcia provide for some tense moments and classic shots that you can't forget. Added with the music of composer Ennio Morricone, these movies began their own genre, the "spaghetti western" and launched Clint Eastwood's career. The shots of Clint squinting into the sunlight, the cut shots combined with the loud and unusual music of Morricone create some of the most memorable moments in film. For anyone that likes Clint Eastwood or just good, intelligent, and captivating action movies this box set is for you.

Clint Eastwood: The Man With No Name - A Trilogy
Clint Eastwood is the "man with no name." Italian director Sergio Leone directed what many believe are to be the Top 3 films of all time! Beginning with "A Fistful of Dollars" (copied from the Japanese samurai film "Yo Jimbo") Clint Eastwood rides into a town with two bosses. "For A Few Dollars More" betters on the first. Includes Lee Van Cleef as supporting actor.