5 comments about The Nutcracker Prince.

1. I had been looking for this movie for years. I used to watch this every year on HBO and couldn't remember the name of it. When I searched for the nutcracker I thought I would never find it but here it is. This is a great version of the nutcracker. I would recommend it as a family holiday tradition movie.



2. I purchased this DVD based on all the positive reviews, however after viewing it, I was extremely disappointed.
   
   I watched this movie with my two-year old son and my four-year old daughter. The movie starts out simple enough w/Clara and Fritz heading home to the party. However, the storyline vears off from the original ballet version when Drosselmyer begins to explain to Clara how his nephew became the Nutcracker. It takes the viewer into a mini-subplot about a king (who is rather rude) and his Queen (whom I assume is supposed to resemble Mother Ginger?). I found this part of the storyline to be annoying and unnecessary. My daughter (who has seen the ballet version of the Nutcracker) kept looking at me confused wondering who these characters were (since they are not part of the ballet version).
   
   Then my two-year old basically jumped into my lap when the Queen Rat's son (very ugly and mean looking) came back to life after it appeared to be dead. I am fully aware of the battle between the mice and the soldiers and expected a certain amount of violence. However, when the camera zooms in closely on what appears to be a dead rat and then the rat jumps up and roars w/it's ugly face, I don't find that appropriate for small children. Talk about causing nightmares!
   
   My daughter was also very disappointed that there was no Land of Sweets (this movie has Land of Dolls) and that the "best part" was missing (performances by foreign countries -- China, Arabia, Russia, etc.).
   
   This movie was a huge disappointment!!!! Not recommended if you're looking for the ballet storyline.



3. I am a big fan of this play as well as this movie. I have worn my VHS tape down and now I have the DVD, I certainly can not stand a Christmas without seeing this movie! Its my favorite Christmas movie by far.



4. I purchased this to show to my three year old before we went to the ballet.She was terrified and all we managed to watch together was the first 15 mins. I do not recommend this to anyone wanting to tell the story to a young child-read them a book.She loved the ballet by-the-way, once I persuaded her to go after seeing the video!



5. I'm so happy I could rely on Amazon to have this movie available when it is impossible to find in stores. Now my children can enjoy it for years to come. Quick shipment and great pricing! Thanks!

5 comments about Mad Monster Party.

1. Most of the youngins may not appreciate this movie to it's fullest, due to the dated material, and the slower pace of stop animation with clay characters. It could be worth the buy if you're looking for a good more wholesome Halloween type movie that the kids can watch, although don't expect them to sit through the whole 95 minutes without wanting to move on to something else. Even I, who grew up with this stuff, found myself a bit lacking in the attention area with this one.
   However, as a novice Rankin/Bass movie collector, I definitely feel it was worth it to add this to my collection.



2. This was a colossal waste of time...87 minutes I will never get back! Ridiculous to the point that the fact it was so astonishingly stupid made it quite funny to talk about afterwards and remember. I dont think my kids will trust my movie picks again!



3. This was the inspiration for many of Tim Burton's movies. This is an early claymation movie by Rankin Bass, whose most well-known work was the original Rudolph The Red nosed Reindeer. In Mad Monster party, the story evolves around the evil scientist, who wants to retire and leave his castle, laboratory, evil island, etc., to his nephew. The characters are all the classic movie monsters, and their voices are by famous old actors. Phyllis Diller, Boris Karloff are just to name a few. This is a classic for all ages.



4. DVD was as expected excelent quality. Arrived within date expected here in Aussie Land . Thankyou for your prompt and safe delivery



5. I remember watching this on TV in the late 70's/early 80's. I recorded a crappy VHS version off television and I was so happy to see Anchor Bay releasing this, and many of my favorite childhood classics on DVD.
   
   I don't understand the reviews saying this wasn't good for children. I was about 4 or 5 when I first saw it and instantly loved it. It's cute, quirky and catchy. What kid doesn't find Felix's allergy attacks hysterical? Long live Rankin/Bass classics!

No comments about Ben Bagley's Arthur Schwartz Revisited.

5 comments about Garbage (music video).

1. If you are a fan of Garbage you should own this video. Even though it only has videos from their first album, it is still worth it. I would've bought it just for the video "Vow". These videos came out in 95-96. That was just about the time before Mtv hit the downhill into the sewer. So if you were lucky you got to see them back when the songs were popular. "Only happy when it rains" and "Stupid girl" were the only videos I had seen before I bought this video. Along with the videos you get a little behind the scenes footage and some concert footage. The only real drawback I can see, is that it isn't available on DVD. A great buy for any true fan. Now all we need is a DVD with the first album and Version 2.0's videos.



2. ANY Garbage fan HAVE to have this fantastic home video. It includes all the videos from the first album (Garbage - 1995). The videos : Vow, Only Happy When It Rains, Queer, Stupid Girl, Sleep (B-Side) and Milk. If you still don't have this masterpiece, don't waste one minute more! BUY IT right now!



3. The Garbage video collection is a must have for new fans, since these arent in heavy rotation anymore. The video has all five clips, from the confrontational "Vow" to the melancholy "Milk". My favorite would have to be "Only Happy When It Rains". The color is just so bright and its very well directed. The distorted images in "Stupiud Girl" is the result of the film being thrown across the room and totally ruined. Very original. The video could have offered more behind the scenes footage (with narration!!!) and more concert footage, or an interview or two; but the clips themselves make up for the lack of other things.



4. I became a Garbage through their self titled album through their music videos. This home video adds a lot to the album because of the visuals that the band uses to enhance the songs. I remember first seeing the videos like queer in 1995 and thinking how good of a band Garbage is. Buying the tape really made me remember why I got into the band in the first place.



5. Excellent video tape with great music about one of the best rock group.
   Have fun with it, I have it.
   Signa french fan (Fabien)

1 comments about The Best of Phyllis Diller.

1. Phyllis Diller cut a distinct niche for herself during the hotly competitive "golden age of comedy" years in the 1960's. The routines on this CD demonstrate why. Themes like cosmetic surgery and airline issues are classic and require real insight and creativity to develop. Her unique delivery style adds to the comic impact. I found myself reasonably engaged through most of this listen, though the passing of years and changing of times, along with the short duration of this CD (36 minutes) prevent it from being higher on my list of recommendations.

5 comments about Mad Monster Party.

1. Most of the youngins may not appreciate this movie to it's fullest, due to the dated material, and the slower pace of stop animation with clay characters. It could be worth the buy if you're looking for a good more wholesome Halloween type movie that the kids can watch, although don't expect them to sit through the whole 95 minutes without wanting to move on to something else. Even I, who grew up with this stuff, found myself a bit lacking in the attention area with this one.
   However, as a novice Rankin/Bass movie collector, I definitely feel it was worth it to add this to my collection.



2. This was a colossal waste of time...87 minutes I will never get back! Ridiculous to the point that the fact it was so astonishingly stupid made it quite funny to talk about afterwards and remember. I dont think my kids will trust my movie picks again!



3. This was the inspiration for many of Tim Burton's movies. This is an early claymation movie by Rankin Bass, whose most well-known work was the original Rudolph The Red nosed Reindeer. In Mad Monster party, the story evolves around the evil scientist, who wants to retire and leave his castle, laboratory, evil island, etc., to his nephew. The characters are all the classic movie monsters, and their voices are by famous old actors. Phyllis Diller, Boris Karloff are just to name a few. This is a classic for all ages.



4. DVD was as expected excelent quality. Arrived within date expected here in Aussie Land . Thankyou for your prompt and safe delivery



5. I remember watching this on TV in the late 70's/early 80's. I recorded a crappy VHS version off television and I was so happy to see Anchor Bay releasing this, and many of my favorite childhood classics on DVD.
   
   I don't understand the reviews saying this wasn't good for children. I was about 4 or 5 when I first saw it and instantly loved it. It's cute, quirky and catchy. What kid doesn't find Felix's allergy attacks hysterical? Long live Rankin/Bass classics!

4 comments about Golden Throats 2: More Celebrity Rock Oddities! { Various Artists }.

1. These songs are funny, but some folks may find them painful to listen to. What can I say, I've listened to this material repeatedly - not only do I get a huge kick from it, but I also enjoy springing it on unsuspecting coworkers. There's no question that this is bad music, but if you have a sense of humour, the Chad Everett version of the BeeGees classic Nights on Broadway is worth the price of admission. I thought the Sammy Davis Jr. selections were unkind, as they lack the howling qualities of (who else) Will Shatner or Phyllis Diller...

   I had to special order this item and haven't regretted it one bit. If you have a sick fascination for horrible music, this one is a must (see also the original Golden Throats). I confess Volume 3 left me a bit cold, but then I am partial to the joyful enthusiasm with which these unsung (no pun intended, believe me) heroes hurl themselves at rock covers... while G.T. 3 was dedicated to country & western.




2. These songs are funny, but some folks may find them painful to listen to. What can I say, I've listened to this material repeatedly - not only do I get a huge kick from it, but I also enjoy springing it on unsuspecting coworkers. There's no question that this is bad music, but if you have a sense of humour, the Chad Everett version of the BeeGees classic Nights on Broadway is worth the price of admission. I thought the Sammy Davis Jr. selections were unkind, as they lack the howling qualities of (who else) Will Shatner or Phyllis Diller...

   I had to special order this item and haven't regretted it one bit. If you have a sick fascination for horrible music, this one is a must (see also the original Golden Throats). I confess Volume 3 left me a bit cold, but then I am partial to the joyful enthusiasm with which these unsung (no pun intended, believe me) heroes hurl themselves at rock covers... while G.T. 3 was dedicated to pathetic attempts at country & western.




3. This second volume of Golden Throats isn't quite the classic the first one is, but it's still pretty damn good. There are plenty of hilariously bad versions of classic songs here. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy and Sebastian Cabot are back, and while their songs aren't quite as funny as the ones on the first Golden Throats, they are still quite amusing. Mae West is also back, and her contribution this time is actually funnier than the one on the first volume. There are two tracks here by Sammy Davis, which are both hilarious. Mel Torme's version of "Sunshine Superman" is bizarre, trippy and funny. Bing Crosby "pum pum pum pums" his way through "Hey Jude". The songs by Cassius Clay, Phyllis Diller and Mitch Miller are also very funny. But I have to say that although the songs by Jack Jones and Chad Everett are bad, I don't find them to be particularly funny. If you enjoy songs that are "so bad they're funny", you should get this CD.



4. Folks, you simply haven't LIVED 'till you've heard Sammy Davis Jr. do the "Theme From Shaft!" Imagine the Samster with his ultra-proper diction trying Isaac Hayes delivery and you will really whoop it up over this one! Bring your buddies for beer and pizza for this!
   
   Then there is Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) with an outrageously hoarse rendidtion of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me." When he goes, "I won't be o-fraid!" and really starts singling sourly near the end, it's another floor pounder in the extreme!
   
   Bing Crosby doing the beatles and Sebastion Cabot (Mister French from "Family Affair" to my generation) doing Dylan add to the fun fun FUN! All I have have further to say about this is JUST GET IT AND LAUGH!

5 comments about Mad Monster Party.

1. This CD is even better now with a NEW Full color booklet! Re-designed by PERCEPTO to celebrate the DVD release, they decided to improve the CD...and that wasn't easy to do...it was already GREAT! I was fortunate to provide the text and the images in the booklet and I am very happy with the NEW look! PERCEPTO and I are working on a followup of RARITIES, which we hope to have out sometime in 2003! MARCH 4th will see the release of THE WACKY WORLD OF MOTHER GOOSE and THE DAYDREAMER on DVD so perhaps, it will be issued by then! Enjoy! Rick Goldschmidt RANKIN/BASS Historian



2. This CD is even better now with a NEW Full color booklet! Re-designed by PERCEPTO to celebrate the DVD release, they decided to improve the CD...and that wasn't easy to do...it was already GREAT! I was fortunate to provide the text and the images in the booklet and I am very happy with the NEW look! PERCEPTO and I are working on a followup of RARITIES, which we hope to have out sometime in 2003! MARCH 4th will see the release of THE WACKY WORLD OF MOTHER GOOSE and THE DAYDREAMER on DVD so perhaps, it will be issued by then! Enjoy! Rick Goldschmidt RANKIN/BASS Historian



3. If you a fan of the Universal classic monsters like Frankstein, Dracula, The Invisible Man...and you enjoy funny satire, MAD MONSTER PARTY is for you. The soundtrack to this Rankin Bass cartoon from the 1960's is wonderful on audio. Boris Karloff and Physill Diller was never singers. However their one song each are pure delights. This soundtrack captures the feel of the stop motion feature film. The only depressing thing is the soundtrack is only 30 minutes long and you wish it would last forever--Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD



4. Retro-Halloween does not get any cooler than "Mad Monster Party." For those of us Baby-Boomer folk who remember this great Rankin/Bass movie hitting the TV airwaves every Halloween throughout childhood, the only thing sweet as the DVD release is that the soundtrack is also available.

   With full salutations to the scores of hep rock era Hallows' Eve novelty song compilations out there, nothing matches up to "Mad Monster Party." Picture the hep-rock mode meeting cocktail lounge culture, add a dash of sentimental love, and a healthy helping of Boris Karloff, one of the greatest grandaddies of 20th century horror, and you have the quintessential CD to set the festive mood at any Halloween get together.

   Starting off with an eery and methodical instrumental called "The Baron," the second track is the title song, a jazzy piece sung by jazz great Ethel Ennis. Contrast that a few songs later with Phyllis Diller belting out "You're Different" as she romances Frankenstein. Phyllis may not carry a tune like Ethel Ennis, but her boisterous laugh and sassy vocals are totally endearing! Throwing more diversity into the batch, we hear Gale Garnett sing a spirited ragtime piece called "It's Our Time To Shine" (hhmmmm, another tune where a gal is enticing a vulnerable male...I forgot what great and powerful women rock this movie!). One of the last tunes features Garnett singing a genuinely sweet love song that contrasts this flick; while I dig this album for the lounge & party atmosphere, I love the way Garnett's soothing voice brings an odd but sincere sentimentality to a cartoon featuring way-out looking puppets!

   The song that really drives this soundtrack home is "One Step Ahead." I'm not saying that this is the absolute finest song in "Mad Monster Party," and Boris Karloff is no Pavoratti, but hearing him sing brings this album from a fun Holiday soundtrack to an absolute archetype of the Pop era's Halloween fests! This is a motivational ode that Karloff's character sings to lift his underdog-of-a-nephew out from under his shell, and there is something truly awe-inspiring when you hear this cartoonish mad scientist voice sing a playful "Get Up & At 'Em!" song. Dr. Phil, eat your heart out!

   Don't let the Autumn season pass without picking up this gem. This album is campy, festive and also contains great music. This CD has a special place in my collection!




5. This is the soundtrack to the cult classic Rankin/Bass "Animagic" movie. The film came out in 1968, but amazingly, the soundtrack wasn't released until 1998. It's a pretty cool soundtrack, with most of the instrumentals being on the "jazzy" side. Then there is "The Mummy", which is someone's idea of what rock and roll sounds like. Aside from the instrumentals, there are five songs with vocals. "Mad Monster Party" is sung by jazz singer Ethel Ennis, and is somewhat reminiscent of "Goldfinger". Comedienne Phyllis Diller sings the comedic love song "You're Different"; she had vocal training and could actually carry a tune. Gale Garnett sings two songs; "Our Time To Shine" is a dixieland style song and "Never Was a Love Like Mine" is a love ballad. Miss Garnett was a one hit wonder; her hit was titled "We'll Sing in the Sunshine". Boris Karloff "sings" (actually recites) the semi-novelty "One Step Ahead". This soundtrack is a lot of fun, and fans of this cult classic will want to get it.

1 comments about Casper's Scare School.

1. I have 4 little kids under 4 years old and they all loved this show!! It had just the right amount of "spookiness" without being scary and it kept them entertained. They thoroughly enjoyed it and it is a very cute movie! I highly recommend this.

5 comments about A Bug's Life.

1. If you liked Finding Nemo, you can't go wrong with A Bug's Life. Kevin Spacey is (not surprisingly) brilliant as the villain Hopper, but there's also some great voice work by folks who are no longer with us (Jonathan Harris, Madeline Kahn, Joe Ranft), adding a note of poignancy to the story. A wonderful DVD to own, whether or not you have kids.



2. We loaned out our copy of 'A Bug's Life' to a couple who have no children yet.....and they could not locate it to return it to us...SO....we purchased another copy because we will NOT be without a copy of this in our library for our grandchildren (we don't have any of those yet either). When we purchased this....the couple found our copy and now we have 2 copies!
   This purchased was in excellent condition and arrived at JUST the right time!



3. For many months, we've been allowing our tots to watch this movie (and other CGI-type "classics" like Toy Story I & II, Monsters, Inc., Shrek, etc). Of late, we realized, with horror, that our kids' recent aggression, and usage of snide and obnoxious remarks has been due to these "modern kids classics."---comments and demands like "WHERE'S MY FOOD!!!" (courtesy of "Bugs Life"); "YOU'RE STUPID!"; "YOU IDIOT" (Toy Story); "YOU STINK"; shouting "I'm an ogre!" after belching...and the like. Even the brilliant (for adults, that is) Monsters, Inc. and Shrek movies have the characters castigating, berating, ridiculing each other, and teaching some pretty detestable behavior in some places. Maybe "Finding Nemo" is the least objectionable of the bunch. This movie is the WORST, and is very scary for tots. The antagonist---the evil Hopper---at various times threatens to kill his own brother and the entire ant colony, humiliates and gloats at various protagonists, and displays other utterly obnoxious and disturbing behavior that is otherwise a very poor influence on toddlers and small children.
   In retrospect, all the CLASSIC Disney movies in our collection are safe, tame, and benign by comparison, and far less objectionable if even at all. (e.g., Cinderella, Snow White, etc). I wish we'd stuck to safer products for toddlers, like the afore-mentioned Disney titles, or The Wiggles, Baby Einstein, Bob the Builder, etc. I choose politically correct but safe, over slyly entertaining and wickedly cutting-edge, any day! Those "modern classics" are great for adults, what with their modern spin, dialogue, etc----but why give the kids a head-start on learning objectionable phrases and vocabulary that they're going to learn later from others? No one wants their kid to be the FIRST SOURCE of the poor habits and language being adopted by the other kids in the neighborhood and amongst the extended family.
   The golden rule now in our house: If the adults enjoy it, and it's not tedious and boring, it's probably inappropriate for kids!



4. I LOVED IT! I'd give it 10 stars if I could! My kids mimic the friendly, cute diaglogue, not the bad dialogue like that D. Afton's kids.



5. A little less sophisticated than its 1998 contemporary, Antz, Pixar's A Bug's Life still has charm as it takes us along on one ant's (Flik, voiced by Kids in the Hall Alum Dave Foley) personal quest to fend off strong-arm grasshopper extortionists (think Seven Samurai here) by hiring a private army of circus performers to hold the menacing horde at bay. Got that? There's little violence but the de rigueur implied death of a villain at the end is redeemingly satisfying. Adding to the film's charm are the voice talents of some '90's A-listers, including Kevin Spacey (jeez, has he vanished or what?), David Hyde Pierce, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Denis Leary, as well as stars of more classic cinematic eras, such as Rodney McDowell, Phyllis Diller, and Madeline Khan. If you've grown up some since seeing this movie---and who among us can maintain otherwise---see it again from a new perspective. It works for young and post-young alike.