Alice in Wonderland (1982) / Children's Theatre Company (1982) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was in search for Alice in Wonderland on Amazon, as I could not find the older versions for rent in the local video stores. I had no idea there were so many different versions when I began my search for the 80's version that I remembered on TV as a kid. I came across this one and it had a lot of good feedback, so I purchased it. Anyone looking for the TV version they remembered when they were a kid, this is most likely NOT the version you want. While it was well put together, keep in mind that this version is a broadway stage set. A few props against a black backdrop, and some good actors. For the time that this was made, the make-up artist's did a great job. They spent a great deal of time on the costumes. I rated this movie 3 stars because I didnt think it was worth the price. This version is for someone who is an Alice-in-Wonderland super fanatic and wants every single version ever made. If your in search for the older version you remembered on TV, I found 2 versions to be the ones I remembered: 1972 version on DVD w/ Fionna Fullerton & Dudley Moore, and the 1985 version on VHS that stars musicians (Sammy Davis, Ring Starr, ect.) I decided to write this review because I didnt want to see anyone else feel ripped off and let down to find out this was not the version they were in search for. Hope this review was helpful.

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Ballet Shoes Review

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(More customer reviews)BALLET SHOES (starring Emma Watson... celebrated for her lead roles in the Harry Potter films...along with an all-star acclaimed ensemble cast) is absolutely wonderful. I personally am in love it. Targeting a very large and underserved audience which is best defined as "moms and their daughters", Ballet Shoes is a film about realizing ambitions; a film where its tag line `dreams do come true' is really the `spot on' underlying message of the film... and the storyline. I believe it is destined to be a huge success for it is a tale of inspiration indeed.
A big-budget Granada film production, originally for the BBC, Ballet Shoes is based on the literary classic penned by Noel Streatfeild that women especially are very familiar with as key reading material from their childhood. A costume drama with absolutely stunning cinematography, the film portrays 1930's London with a sense of dreamy realism. For those who recall the box office smash "You've Got Mail", the book is the one being sought after that Meg Ryan launches into a verbal expose about. Ms. Ryan was right on the money, as is this adaptation of the tale.
Ballet Shoes is the story of three orphan girls; Petrova, Posie and Pauline (Emma Watson) who are raised as sisters after being brought together by a rich, world traveler as babies. As they grow up, each girl develops a dream of their own. Pauline wants to be an actress; Petrova longs to be an aviator; Posie wishes to dance. Circumstances bring them together, and together they vow to go down in the history books. "We three Fossils vow...". This vow launches the three Fossil sisters on their voyage, a journey that they travel individually as well as together, one that can only serve to inspire any young girl who watches the film.
On a personal note, I watched this film with my 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son. While my son fought to pay attention (not surprising), my daughter was riveted throughout the film. The appearance of `Hermoine' as a teen brought her into focus early on, and then the tale itself kept her eyes and ears wide open. She's asked repeatedly to watch Ballet Shoes again, which of course she has. My son, of course, is back to watching `his thing', Spiderman, Superman and The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers...
Ballet Shoes, in a certain sense, is a long form faerie tale, and I recommend it with no reservations whatsoever as superb family viewing.


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Includes three units of: Ballet Shoes (KOC-DV-6545)

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The Wizard of Oz (Three-Disc Collector's Edition) (1939) Review

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(More customer reviews)Like most baby boomers, I've watched this film dozens of times in the past on broadcast TV, then VHS tape, then LaserDisc ... but I had never actually SEEN "The Wizard of Oz" until this newly restored DVD came out. It's an amazing transfer. The sepia-tone Kansas sequences are startlingly sharp and clear, and the Technicolored world "Over the Rainbow" is truly dazzling. I found myself fascinated by details I had never noticed before: the glittering corn stalks in the Scarecrow's field; the mirror-like floors of the Emerald City; the polished buttons on the guardsmen's uniforms. Incredibly, even the individual grains of red sand in the Witch's hourglass stood out and glistened! All these minor-but-sumptuous visual details served to heighten the magical spell that the film has always woven, enhancing the performances, the story, and the music.
The DVD extras are a mind-boggling embarrassment of riches. The "Making Of" documentary hosted by the incomparable Angela Lansbury is worth the price of the DVD alone, but there's so much more: an international poster gallery, interviews with cast members, deleted scenes, production stills, radio clips, etc, etc. There's enough material to keep even the most casual viewer fascinated for hours, and a true Oz buff will be occupied for days!
If you only bought a DVD player to watch this one disc, it would well be worth the expense. Treat yourself, and fall in love with this classic film again ... for the first time.

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An All-New Wizard of Oz With State of The Art Ultra-Resolution Picture Quality and Over 10 Hours of Bonus Extras.DVD Features:Audio Commentary:Commentary by John Fricke and multiple cast and crew members.Biographies:We Haven't Really Met Properly - includes 9 orginal cast biographiesDeleted Scenes:If I Only Had a Brain; If I Only Had a Heart; Triumphal Return to Emerald City; Over the Rainbow; The JitterbugDocumentaries:L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain; Memories of Oz -2001 TCM documentaryFeaturette:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook; Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz; The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz; Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of OzMusic Clips:Audio Vault Includes: Over the Rainbow; Munchkinland Medley Rehearsal Recordings; Munchkinland Medley Sequence Recordings; Munchkinland Medley Voice Tests; If I Only Had a Brain; We're Off to See the Wizard; If I Only Had a Heart; If I Only Had the Nerve/We're Off to See the Wizard; Emerald City/The Merry Old Land of Oz; If I Were King of the Forest; The Jitterbug; Over the Rainbow/Triumphal Return to Emerald City; Kansas Underscoring; Munchkinland Underscoring; and moreMusic Only Track:Audio Vault Includes: Over the Rainbow; Munchkinland Medley Rehearsal Recordings; Munchkinland Medley Sequence Recordings; Munchkinland Medley Voice Tests; If I Only Had a Brain; We're Off to See the Wizard; If I Only Had a Heart; If I Only Had the Nerve/We're Off to See the Wizard; Emerald City/The Merry Old Land of Oz; If I Were King of the Forest; The Jitterbug; Over the Rainbow/Triumphal Return to Emerald City; Kansas Underscoring; Munchkinland Underscoring; and moreNewsreel:Cavalcade of the Academy Awards Excerpt - 1939 newsreelOther:The Wizard of Oz - 1910 short; The Magic Cloak of Oz - 1914 short; His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz - 1914 feature; The Wizard of Oz - 1925 feature; The Wizard of Oz - 1933 animated short; and morePhoto gallery:Oz on Broadway; Pre-MGM; Sketches and Storyboards; Costume and Make-up Tests; Richard Thorpe's Oz; Buddy Ebsen; Oz Comes to Life; Behind the Scenes; Portraits; Special Effects; Post Production; Deleted Scenes; Original PublicityTV Special:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic - 1990 TV specialTheatrical Trailer:1939 What is Oz? Teaser; 1940 Loews Cairo Theater Trailer; 1949 Re-issue Trailer; 1949 Grownup Re-issue Trailer; 1970 Children's Matinee Re-issue Trailer; 1998 Warner Bros. Re-issue Trailer; Texas Contest Winners [1939 trailer]

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Faerie Tale Theatre: Princess Tales (1982) Review

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(More customer reviews)Collected here are four of the all-time great princess-themed episodes from Faerie Tale Theatre.
CINDERELLA:
Cinderella (Jennifer Beals) leads a life of drudgery and unhappiness at the hands of her wicked stepmother (Eve Arden) and her stepsisters Arlene and Bertha (Jane Alden and Edie McClurg). When the dashing Prince Henry (Matthew Broderick) invites all the eligible maidens in the kingdom to the Autumn Ball, Cinderella naturally wishes to go too. Too bad she's dressed in rags and doesn't have a coach. But she does have a Fairy Godmother (Jean Stapleton) who'll see that Cinderella's every dream comes true...
THE LITTLE MERMAID:
Pearl (Pam Dawber) is a beautiful young mermaid who lives with her father King Neptune (Brian Dennehy) and her sisters Coral and Anemonie (Donna McKechnie and Laraine Newman) in a kingdom at the bottom of the ocean. When Pearl comes of age and is allowed a brief glimpse of the world above the sea, she falls in love with a handsome Prince (Treat Williams) whom she saves from drowning when his ship has a fatal explosion. Pearl makes a bargain with the Sea Witch (Karen Black): her voice in exchange for a pair of legs and hopefully the love of the Prince. Once on land Pearl quickly returns to the Prince, though he only has eyes for the lovely Princess Emilia (Helen Mirren)...
THE DANCING PRINCESSES:
Lesley Ann Warren and Sachi Parker star in an enchanting story about the daughters of a widowed King (Roy Dotrice) who somehow wear out their dance-slippers every night despite being locked in their room until morning. The secret is not discovered until a crafty soldier (Peter Weller) follows them and finds that they go dancing in a fairy-kingdom under the ground.
THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA:
Prince Richard (Tom Conti) leads a boring and eventless life under the thumb of his controlling mother Queen Veronica (Beatrice Straight). Until, one stormy night, in whirls the vivacious Princess Alecia (Liza Minnelli). But is she really a princess? Queen Veronica is skeptical, so employs a method to test her royalty: she places a tiny pea under 20 mattresses and quilts. If Alecia can feel the pea it will prove beyond any doubt her royal blood. Will Alecia pass the test? And if she does, will she choose to marry Richard?
Perfect entertainment for the little princess in your family!

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Includes Four Magical Episodes from Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre Digitally Restored and Re-mastered!
Wicked stepsisters, dancing princesses, evil sea witches, beautiful mermaids and more fill this 4-episode collection from the award-winning series. Some of the most treasured tales of princesses and their charming princes are brought to life with glorious productions and magnificent costumes that will leave you enchanted… happily ever after.
CINDERELLA Cinderella (Jennifer Beals) is a slave to her wicked stepmother (Eve Arden) and her selfish stepsisters (Jane Alden and Edie McClurg) – until her Fairy Godmother (Jean Stapleton) arrives and turns her into a radiant princess.
THE LITTLE MERMAID When a young mermaid (Pam Dawber) falls in love with a human being, she makes a deal with the all-knowing Sea Witch (Karen Black) and sacrifices everything to be with him.
THE DANCING PRINCESSES After an over-protective king (Roy Dotrice) discovers that his daughters\' dancing shoes are worn out every night, he offers to let anyone who can solve the mystery choose any of the princesses to have as his bride.
THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA A bored prince (Tom Conti) decides that the best way to cheer himself up is to get married. As he goes through his mother\'s list of eligible princesses, an outspoken young lady (Liza Minnelli) appears at the castle, claiming to be a real princess.

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Gremlins (1984) Review

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(More customer reviews)Inventor Randy Peltzer (Hoyt Axton) has bought a special gift for his son Billy (Zack Gallaghan) and it's a furry Chinese creature called a Mogwai (voiced by Howie Mandall). But there are three important rules that must be followed if he wants to keep the creature such as number 1 which means to keep him away from bright light especially sunlight cause it will kill him, number 2 is to never get him wet and number 3 which is the most important rule of them all which is never feed them after midnight. But Billy does what he can but he accidently gets him wet one day and it makes him mutiply other Mogwaii like him and he accidently feed the Mogwaii except Gizmo after midnight as it makes them into ghastly reptilian ghouls that cause havok in the town of Kingston Falls.
Brilliant and highly original Horror fantasy comedy from executive producer Steven Spielburg, director Joe Dante ("The Howling") and writer Chris Columbus. This movie became one of the biggest box-office hits of 1984 and of all time, this movie has a great sense of charm and of course black humor thrown into it with gruesomeness. The film co-stars Corey Feldman, Phoebe Cates and Dick Miller and special appearences by Robby the Robot and Chuck Jones, this movie did caused some controversy when it came out because parents thought it was too violent for small children even around the same time "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" came out. So the MPAA created the "PG-13" rating was created that year, i love how make-up artist Chris Walas did the lovable furballs and the hideous beasts and made them some of the most memorable creatures to hit the screen. The film has often been imitated much with films like "Critters 1 & 2" (Which are great movies in their own rights), "Ghoulies", "Munchies", "Beasites", "Elves", "Evil Toons", "Troll" and the worst one of them all "Hobgoblins", this one is a true must see even around the holidays.
This special edition DVD has excellent sound and picture with nice extras like deleted scenes, Trailers, 2 audio commentaries, behind the scenes featurette, photo and storyboard gallery and filmmaker and cast highlights.
Also recommended: "Gremlins 2 : The New Batch", "Black Christmas (1974)", "Small Soldiers", "Critters", "Critters 2", "C.H.U.D.", "The Pit", "Evil Dead II", "It's a Wonderful Life", "Grindhouse", "Silent Night Deadly Night", "E.T.", "Troll", "Dead Alive (a.k.a. Braindead)", "The Witches of Eastwick", "Cat's Eye" and "Monsters Inc."

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A man buys a Mogwai as a Christmas present for his son. The young boy is told to keep the pet away from water, out of the light and never to feed it after midnight. Inadvertently, the creature is dampened and almost instantly, produces half a dozen furry replicas of itself --which continue to multiply and turn the small town upside-down.

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Fairy Tale Theater: The Movie Review

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(More customer reviews)Having enjoyed the Fairy Tale Theater show at Martin's Fantasy Island for the past few years-it was a joy for my children and myself to be able to bring a part of it home with us. The characters are unique and the combination of puppets with people was very different. My 2 boys have watched the movie so many times I may need to order another copy. The acting is very good and the fact that is was all done using Green Screen makes it even more impressive. Very enjoyable for kids (and adults) of all ages. I highly recommend the movie.

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Despicable Me Movie Army of Minions Poster Print Review

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(More customer reviews)I love the minion characters as they are so cute and adorable. I'm glad they made one poster with JUST all the minion characters. The poster would have been perfect if they did not put in the crease in the middle plus some stains, which apparently are included by design since the minions work in the dungeon or underground. However, the poster is worth getting and each time I looked at it, it just makes me laugh. Hence there is some goodness for me to this Minion Madness!

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Despicable Me is a computer-animated 3-D feature film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment that was released on July 9, 2010 in the US. The film stars Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, and Julie Andrews. It is about a trio of orphan girls cause the normally deplorable Gru to rethink his plan to steal the moon.

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Epson MovieMate 60 Portable Projector, DVD and music player combo (V11H319220) Review

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(More customer reviews)Epson has created a winner here with an all-in-one projector with integrated DVD player and powered speakers. Just add a screen for an instant movie night at home or on the road... even in the backyard. The projector's 2,000 ANSI Lumen rating means that it can drive a very large screen - Epson says up to 14.5 feet diagonally, but at this size, pixel structure is visible and you need a very dark environment to prevent the image from getting washed out. But in the 80-100 inch range, the MovieMate 60 provides a bright colorful picture from DVDs, and looks even better if you plug in a high definition set-top box or Blu-ray player to its HDMI input (720p and 1080i HD sources are supported, converted automatically to the projector's native 540p resolution).
The sound isn't quite a match for the picture, with fairly weak bass, but dialog comes through cleanly and the built-in 20 watt amp and stereo speakers are strong enough to provide better sound than most TVs. The MM 60 offers a headphone output as well as a coax digital output in case you want to hook it up to a more powerful audio system. It also includes a microphone jack so you can rock out with some giant screen karaoke! The unit has a fixed lens with only 1.3x zoom which means it is not that flexible in placement. You will need to have it centered and pretty far back from the screen in order to create a large image. It does well on a coffee table about 8 to 12 feet away from the screen, depending on how large you want the image to be. For larger screen outdoor viewing, it will need to be even further back.
It's tons of fun to connect a Wii or other game console, for virtually life-sized game play. But remember to stand or sit behind the projector when playing so you won't cast a shadow on the screen. It's also an excellent choice for a senior center or local recreation center as you can be ready for a movie night or slide show in just a couple of minutes and you can pack everything away in a closet when not in use.
Although you can project the image onto a white or off-white wall, this will not give you the best results. We'd recommend using the Epson Duet Screen which isn't too expensive, and offers a 80-inch diagonal screen in 16:9 mode (or 65-inch screen in 4:3 mode). It folds away for storage and is pretty easy to set up. Its white matte screen and black frame help to enhance the contrast and brightness of the image giving you a more movie theater-like experience (but hopefully without the sticky floors!).
Overall, we give this 4 stars for its audio and video performance, but it's definitely super-fun and convenient. If you want a big screen experience virtually anywhere with a minimum of fuss and a budget-friendly price, it's hard to do better than the MovieMate 60. A full review is available on big picture big sound (dot com).

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Epson MovieMate 60 Portable projector, DVD and music player combo

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