5 comments about The Long Good Friday.

1. "The Long Good Friday," (1980), made from an original script by Barrie Keefe, starring Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren, directed by John Mackenzie, makes just about everyone's short list of greatest British gangster movies. In fact, greatest gangster movies, period. It was nominated for a BAFTA (British Oscar) on its release. Gangster movies are said to depend on the energy and performance of their protagonists -- see George Raft, Jimmy Cagney, and Edward G. Robinson-- and this one made a star of Hoskins, who captured the explosive violence of its protagonist Harold Shand, a cockney gangster.
   
   The late George Harrison, of The Beatles, served, among others, as the film's Executive Producer. The film opens on Good Friday, and is, in fact, full of Easter imagery. Shand's mother goes to mass; and scenes set in a slaughterhouse and a warehouse present specifically Christian iconography. "The Long Good Friday" is also set at a significant time, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's own Euro version of the greed-is-good 1980's. In fact, at moments, it almost seems the film is quoting Dante Aleghieri's famous Italian Renaissance poem "The Inferno," that also is set at Easter, and concerns the greed is good crowd of its own time and place. At any rate, the film makes good use of its era, as Michael Caine's memorable "Get Carter" did of Britain's sourly swinging 1970's.
   
   Shand appears to be on the top of the world as the film opens. During Thatcher's reign, London's extensive docklands are just beginning to be profitably redeveloped, and he's getting in on the ground floor. He expects to get additional seed money for his projects from Charlie, a visiting American gangster, nicely played by that iconic French actor Eddie Constantine. Shand's got a gorgeous, upper crust, tough, sexy, smart mistress, Victoria; as played by Helen Mirren, nobody could doubt that she has her say in his organization. But while he's in the States, hooking up with Charlie, things begin to go wrong for him. And it takes him too long to figure out what's happening.
   
   Pierce Brosnan, then evidently at the start of his career, has a bit, nearly non-speaking part: apparently he improvised one line, and it stuck. But he plays a bare-chested pool scene, showing off a fine body, and a charming smile, but, oh, those terrible not-yet-improved-to-American standards teeth! And he drives the car in the movie's gripping final scenes. Hoskins and Mirren give remarkable performances, together and on their own, never more so than these final, almost wordless scenes together. You're not going to find them easy to forget.



2. This film, together with Get Carter (the original) are the two finest British crime/gangster films you can get.
   
   Bob Hoskins gives his best ever performance as Harold Shand a cockney gangster whos trying to do a deal with an American over the (as was then) wasteland of London docklands. Unfortunately while he's in the states one of his gang has upset some rather nasty people. Upon his return things start to go badly wrong.
   
   This film is full of great scenes - perhaps most memorably when the men Harold suspects are trying to muscle in on him are brought in hanging upsidedown from meathooks - Harold has a quiet word:
   
   "For more than ten years there's been peace - everyone to his own patch. We've all had it sweet. I've done every single one of you favours in the past - I've put money in all your pockets. I've treated you well, even when you was out of order, right? Well now there's been an eruption. It's like f**kin' Belfast on a bad night. One of my closest friends is lyin' out there in the freezer. And believe me, all of you, nobody goes home until I find out who done it, and why".
   
   Its all marvellously done, and the ending is very clever indeed - you will never forget it once you've seen it. The whole film is complimented by excellent music composed by Francis Monkman (who played with Curved Air and Sky).
   
   Helen Mirren gives a great peformance as Harolds wife/girlfriend. The cast includes quite a few familiar faces such as Eddie Constantine and P H Moriarty as 'Razors'. The most noteable is a small role for the as then unknown Pierce Brosnan.
   
   This film is also an interesting piece of British history as you can see docklands as it was before before Canary Wharf existed.
   
   If you haven't already seen this, then you've missed a really cracking film.



3. Seeing this one again brings back fond memories. An London crime boss is at the zenith of his influence & power when various events rise up and challenge his kingdom... who is responsible and who would dare challenge the undisputed boss in this way? While the conclusion isn't as satisfying as it might be, it was fun to see a young Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren tackle the gritty crime genre so early in their respective careers (1980). Look out too for a very young Pierce Brosnan as the gay pool boy.



4. This flick shows us why people say "they don't make movies like they used to." The acting by Hoskins and Mirren in this film is superb, as well as the plot line. The soundtrack is great. I'm amazed this film isn't more widely known, but no matter. The Long Good Friday is the business.



5. This is a film is that is nearly great. Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren turn great performances as a gangster couple in the London of the early 1970s. Mirren in particular gave her role a take almost never seen in this sort of film. She is a competent partner of Hoskins playing something closer to the corporate wife than the old-style gangster's woman. Nothing like her performance has been seen before or since.
   
   Where the film goes wrong is that while it develops an elaborate mystery of who is attacking Hoskins, it gives an answer that isn't all that interesting. What we get is the Irish/IRA as a kind of faceless and nameless invincible monster. They are everywhere and seem to know everything while Hoskins (and everyone else in London) doesn't even know who they are. They don't speak, are rarely visually shown and amount to little more than ciphers within the film.
   
   Hoskins made the role interesting by seeming competent, but by the end of the film he is made out to be a total fool. It would have been a better film if the Irish had been more human or (better yet) the complexities of Irish Loyalist and Nationalist gangsterism had been used. With more political dialog and a better ending, this film would have reached the level of greatness. As it is, its very, very good but flawed.

5 comments about The Classic Musicals Collection - Broadway to Hollywood (Easter Parade Two Disc Special Edition / The Band Wagon Two Disc Special Edition / Bells Are Ringing / Finian's Rainbow / Brigadoon).

1. Warner has been doing a magnificent job of using the latest picture resolution process to restore and/or polish up their best movies; and again they do not disappoint! Warner Home Video truly hits a home run and does the incredible with this boxed set of five of the greatest musicals of all time! The set is well presented with excellent digital transfer, wonderful sound and a bevy of sublime extras.
   
   The Band Wagon (which itself is a two DVD special edition) stars Fred Astaire as an older entertainer trying to be successful again in show business. Things do not go well: he doesn't like the director; there aren't fancy dance scenes that he prefers to perform and he has to dance with a ballerina! The show is unpopular and Fred's character Tony Hunter saves the day using his superior technique and know-how. The extras are wonderful! Liza Minnelli (whose Dad, Vincente Minnelli, did an excellent job as director of the picture) and Michael Feinstein provide an engaging commentary. There are also two documentaries: "Get Aboard! The Band Wagon" about the making of the movie and an older expose entitled "The Men Who Made the Movies: Vincente Minnelli." You won't regret these-they are excellent and very informative! SMILE There's also the outtake musical number of Two Faced Women. Very good! For Astaire fans there's an Astaire trailer collection and even a musical short of Jack Buchanan with the Glee Quartet. I was particularly pleased with the fine commentary Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinstein give here.
   
   The other two disc special edition is of the MGM classic Easter Parade. Wow! This has always been one of my very favorite musicals. The acting and the chemistry between Astaire playing the professional dancer and Judy Garland playing Hannah Brown his at first unlikely dance partner-and eventually romantic partner-is nothing short of excellent and captivating! Ann Miller turns in a great performance as the dancer who leaves Fred's character to try to get even further ahead in her career. The digital quality of the video and the sound are both excellent. There's a documentary of the making of this movie and a particular favorite of mine is the American Masters documentary profile: "Judy Garland: By Myself" put out only with the essential effort of my friend John Fricke. (The American Masters documentary won more than just one Emmy, making this a particularly valuable extra! John won one of the Emmys for this; he is the leading Garland biographer who wrote several books on Judy.) John worked so hard on this profile! John's fine commentary along with Ava Astaire (Fred Astaire's daughter) proves to be an excellent resource for reliable information about this film and Judy. You also get the outtake musical number "Mr. Monotony." There's a Judy Garland trailer collection and some promotions for the original film are provided. Wow! A fine two disc set in and of itself.
   
   Bells Are Ringing is Judy Holliday's last performance; she plays a worker at a telephone answering service who gets overly involved with her client's personal lives. Jean Stapleton, a favorite actress of mine (from All In The Family as Edith) is in this picture as well. This picture was nominated for an Oscar for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture and the song "Just In Time" is certainly one good reason why! Outtake musical numbers include "Is It a Crime?" and "My Guiding Star." The digital transfer is again excellent and the sound quality is excellent. This is definitely a classic musical.
   
   Brigadoon boasts a wonderful musical score by Lerner and Lowe. The principle cast is only the best: Gene Kelly, Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse. An adventurous American suddenly uncovers a magical Scottish town which is only visible one day a century! Does he stay there and perhaps experience a fine true love; or should he return to his life as it is? Quite the dilemma! There are three musical outtakes you want to look at: "Come to Me Bend to Me," "From This Day On," and "Sword Dance." An audio outtake and a brand new digital transfer make this a fine addition to the box set as well as your DVD collection.
   
   Last, but certainly not least, is Finian's Rainbow. A wonderful fanciful musical, this film stars Fred Astaire in his final full length performance as Finian McLonergan. Somehow Finian steals a pot of gold from Og the leprechaun. Finian and his daughter Sharon (the lovely Petula Clark) go to America (as does Og) and use their powers to overcome a rather prejudiced senator. Not only are the musical numbers excellent; the cinematography is superlative and the ending is a happy one! There is an excellent commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola and a cute feature on the film's premiere.
   
   All in all, this is clearly one of the best boxed sets of supremely fine great musicals and it is very reasonably priced. For me personally this set was an easy decision-it is already in my personal DVD collection! I highly recommend this boxed set for fans of the great American musicals as well as all patrons of the arts. This is also a solid introduction to some of the quality musicals produced on film to date. Equally important, the hard work and effort everyone put into the seemingly countless extras is superlative.



2. The wonderful folks at Warner Home Video have outdone themselves recently with several amazing boxed sets of great films. We now have definitive batches of the best of Film Noir, Classic Comedy, Gangster Films--and this beauty, my favorite so far. The sheer brilliance of the technical work that went into restoring these classic musicals is reason enough to pounce on Amazon's bargain price while it lasts.
   
   What can you say about the films themselves that hasn't already been said? THE BAND WAGON is the crown jewel here, of course, but the others are excellent. EASTER PARADE is terrific. BELLS ARE RINGING, though not the strongest story or score around, has B'way legend (and Oscar-winner) Judy Holliday in her final star vehicle. And BRIGADOON has all that dancing in the heather, not to mention the stunning score of Lerner & Loewe.
   
   For me, the most pleasant surprise in the box is FINIAN'S RAINBOW. I'm familiar with all the other titles here, but I'd never really looked at this one all the way through before, and it's visually impressive and surprisingly charming. Astaire, Petula Clark, Tommy Steele, Don Francks, and an energetic supporting cast of singer/dancers do wonders with the dated story and timeless score. And young Francis Ford Coppola had some fresh and interesting visual ideas (montage, cross-cutting, swooping aerial shots, etc.) to keep it all humming along. Coppola is unnecessarily self-effacing throughout his commentary track--he has no reason to apologize. With its restored widescreen picture and 5.1 stereo soundtrack, this film is really quite beautiful.
   
   All in all, this is yet another must-have collection for all serious film buffs. Thanks again, Warner Home Video!



3. Theses are not the best examples of the Hollywood musical. While I love Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, there a much better films with Fred or Gene.
   
   Easter Parade has the two best musical stars, Fred and Judy, but together they have no chemistry and are further hampered by a weak script.
   
   Finian's Rainbow is Fred's last musical and what a poor choice. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, he went on to much better fare. This was a groundbreaking musical but does not translate well to the large screen.
   
   Brigadoon is for Gene Kelly super fans only. Kelly is great but this is not one of Lerner and Lowe's better efforts (Think Gigi and My Fair Lady).
   
   There are only 2 great films.
   
   The Band Wagon is Fred at his best. This is classic camp. A show within a show. Fred, Nannette Fabray and Oscar Levant are making a musical version of Faust that turns into a big egg. But they quickly take all the good pieces and rework it to a smash. Sounds familiar but it is original. Most people remember this for the Tripplet's Song.
   
   Bells are Ringing is Judy Holiday at her best. She conquered Broadway with this show and then proved herself again with this film. Dean Martin is her costar and features Jean Stapleton.
   
   Of course both are Comden and Green shows, which of course helps. My suggestion is buy the titles you like seperately.



4. 
   BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD is Warner Home Video's blanket title for five of the splashiest and most tuneful color MGM musicals ever made: THE BANDWAGON, EASTER PARADE, BRIGADOON, BELLS ARE RINGING, and FINIAN'S RAINBOW.
   
   Two of these are sleeper gems. Vincente Minnelli's BRIGADOON (1954), with an army of musical numbers by Lerner and Loewe, has travelers Gene Kelly and Van Johnson coming upon a Scottish village that can only be seen once every hundred years; Cyd Charisse is the lovely leading lady. The movie has been criticized for its sound stage re-creation of a Scottish village, but that is a plus for me. Along with CinemaScope, one gets the feel for what this show was like on Broadway. A dozen songs, choreographed by Kelly, include "The Heather on the Hill" and "It's Almost Like Being in Love." BRIGADOON is a lovely movie, with remastered color and sound. Bonuses include three outtake musical numbers and several original theatrical trailers.
   
   Francis Ford Coppola does brand-new audio commentary on his own fabulous FINIAN'S RAINBOW (1968), in Technicolor and letterboxed Panavision. Again, we are mostly on a soundstage, with Fred Astaire and Tommy Steele as leprechauns and Petula Clark at her loveliest as Astaire's daughter. This E.Y. Harburg-Fred Saidy-Burton Lane musical has songs I cannot get out of my head weeks later, including "Look to the Rainbow,""That Old Devil Moon," "How Are Things In Glocca Mora?" and Steele's show-stopper: "If I'm Not With the Girl I Love, I'll Love the Girl I Am With." The movie is glorious and very underrated, from a late 1960's era of underrated movie musicals, including STAR! and HELLO, DOLLY!
   
   BELLS ARE RINGING.(1960), with Vincente Minnelli directing a delightful Betty Comden-Adolph Green screenplay, with Jule Styne music, is a great musical vehicle for wonderful Judy Holliday, re-creating a Tony winning stage role. She is a switchboard operator named Melasande at Susanswerphone in a lower-depths part of Manhattan. She is not supposed to get personally involved with the clients, but as "Mom" falls in love with songwriter Dean Martin. She also does not know that bookie Eddie Foy, Jr. is using the answering service as a gambling front. Terrific songs here include the legendary "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over". DVD bonuses, in addition to remastered color and sound, include outtake musical numbers and a filmmaking documentary. You also get to see a CinemaScope movie at its right aspect ratio.
   
   The two crown jewels of the BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD set are double disks of Charles Walters' EASTER PARADE (1948) and Vincente Minnelli's THE BANDWAGON (1953). Both have magnificently remastered sound and picture to look and sound brand new. EASTER PARADE has about fifteen old and new Irving Berlin songs, performed by the incomparable Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. Its magnificent bonuses include the finest Garland documentary, two full hours from PBS, that I have ever seen; a filmmaking documentary; and audio commentary by Astaire's daughter Ava and Garland biographer John Fricke. This is an all-time favorite musical of mine, and I have never enjoyed it more.
   
   Last and probably best (which is saying a lot!) is THE BANDWAGON (1953), which several movie musical experts feel is the best movie musical of all time. It is certainly one of the most sophisticated and stylish color ones, with a wonderful Oscar-nominated Comden and Green screenplay about putting on a Broadway show. Astaire stars this time with lovely Cyd Charisse, never better than in "Dancing in the Dark." Other hit songs include "By Myself," "Shine on My Shoes." "Triplets," "Louisiana Hayride," the gorgeously-designed Mickey Spillane climax, and "That's Entertainment!" Comden and Green have a delightful time spoofing themselves as the Nanette Fabray and Oscar Levant characters. The biggest bonus here is audio commentary by a very happy and friendly Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinstein, along with a filmmaking documentary and an hour-long "Men Who Made the Movies" documentary on Vincente Minnelli.
   
   If you'd like to own this DVD boxed set, BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD, it retails for about $60, but sells from Amazon for about $45, less than an orchestra ticket for a downtown San Francisco stage show. Happy viewing!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   



5. This set was given to me a few months ago. My personal interest is in Brigadoon. Cyd and Hugh are probably the greatest dancers to ever crossover (and Mr Kelly doesn't count since he was never really on the other side). What angers me about the transfer of the film version to dvd is that it was edited. DVD transfer is an opportunity to realize a film's full life. The version of Brigadoon in this collection is clearly formatted for some kind of commercial-tv presentation. The beautiful and crucial number "Come to Me Bend to Me" is formatted as an outtake, as if there wasn't time for it in the tv format. I remember when the film was released in 1964. All of us in the production had a sense that this was a show that could delight and move people who would never see a stage production. I cannot fathom why the people that gained the rights to the dvd transfer did nothing more than dump a tv-commercial-edited version onto a piggy-back of a multi-dvd set--they don't know the show, or don't give a damn

5 comments about Cher - Live in Concert.

1. This concert was so colorful and fun. Her Bob Mackie outfits and her music is timeless! You just gotta love Cher. The best their is, the best that was, and the best that will ever be. Cher.



2. Great concert DVD-almost more fun than the Farewell DVD!
   
   Need more Cher concert DVDs released - and would love to have the FULL Divas concert instead of the small selection chosen for that release.



3. Cher, what can you say this lady has it all good performance, all her hits, this dvd has excellent picture and much better sound than the vhs version get it you will not be disapointed, Cher will be missed I hope she come back with something new, this is one talent we dont need to loose, I LOVE CHER, she is a true diva and no one can step on stage and present total class like Cher once again she will be missed by all. We love you Cher and wish you the best . Randall nurseboy35@aol.com



4. I have several DVDs of Cher's concerts; however, the sound was not always the best. THIS ONE IS OF TRULY GREAT QUALITY, as the sound is really the most important to me. Of course, Cher is FABULOUSLY SEXY, costumed beautifully too, and has many wonderful dancers to accentuate this LONG performance. YOU GET LOTS FOR YOUR MONEY with this SENSATIONAL DVD. Buy it you will just love it!!!!! BUT YOU WILL BE YEARNING FOR MORE ~ THAT'S FOR SURE!!



5. Some Top Grossing Tours according to Ray Waddell and Billboard
   
   $558,255,524 Rolling Stones "A Bigger Bang"
   August 21, 2005 to August 26,2007 -144 Worldwide shows -4,680,000 sold
   
   $389,047,816 U2 "Vertigo"
   March 28,2005 to Dec 9,2006 - 131 shows - 4,619,021 tickets sold
   
   $109.7 million (from Pollstar) U2 "Elevation" Tour
   3-24,2001 to 12-2,2001 - 113 shows
   
   $385,115,516 "Celine Dion:A New Day"
   March 25,2003 to Dec 15,2007 - 714 reported shows, of 717 shows - 2,814,577 tickets sold
   
   $320 million Rolling Stones "Voodoo Lounge"
   August 1, 1994 to August 30, 1995 - 130 shows
   
   $299,520,230 Rolling Stones "Licks" tour
   September 3,2002 to Oct 2,2003 - 115 shows - 3,470,945
   plus 2 shows in Hong Kong-11-7&9, 2003 not included in this earnings tally
   
   
   $194,683,927 "Cher:The Farewell Tour"
   June 15,2002 to April 30,2005 - 280 North American shows - 2,880,726 tickets sold
   she did an additional 45 shows Worldwide which are not counted in this earnings tally "Cher played 325 dates,grossing well over $200 million and playing to more than 3 million people" 5-28-2005 Ray Waddell Billboard
   
   $221.5 million Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band "Rising Tour"
   August 7,2002 to Oct 4,2003 - 121 shows - over 3 million tickets sold
   
   $212,227,302 The Police
   May 28,2007 continuing into 2008 - 66 shows - 1,858,456 tickets sold
   
   $194,754,447 Madonna "Confessions Tour"
   May 21,2006 to Sept 21,2006 - 60 shows - 1,209,618 tickets sold
   --9-20-2006 Billboard reports that Madonna has the Top Grossing tour by a female artists, besting Cher's Farewell tour gross of 192.5 million from 273 shows.
   
   According to Nielsen Media Research:
   "Celine Dion:A New Day" CBS 3-25-2003 9.1 rating and 13.8 million viewers
   "Cher:The Farewell Tour" NBC 4-8-2003 11 rating and 16.6 million viewers
   Bruce Springsteen CBS 2-28-03 3.7 rating and 5.4 million viewers
   Madonna Confessions Tour" 11-22-2006 NBC 4.6 million viewers
   "U2 Beautiful Day" CBS 11-29-02 2.2 rating and 3.6 million viewers
   
   Of these artists Cher had Network TV show's: Three Variety shows from 8-1-1971 to 8-31-1977, the shows ended when Sonny and Cher chose not to renew their TV contract (Robert Wussler CBS-TV President April 1977)

5 comments about Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas Plus Halloween & Easter Celebrations.

1. I've watched the Raisin's Christmas special every year with either my kids or grandkids off an old videotape, and was pleasantly suprised to find this classic on a DVD with Halloween and Easter specials too!



2. We think this a wonderful dvd. My sons loved clayamtion Christmas. We sang the songs and rememberd catchy phrases from the movie.
   Plus you get Easter and Halloween. Any age would enjoy this.



3. It was always a family favorite and it was great to find it in DVD format. A lot of fun and laughs.



4. When I was a kid it was an annual event to sit around the tv and watch the Christmas Claymation. I missed this show and was more than excited to find this on DVD. I actually bought 3 sets so I could give a couple as gifts to my family.



5. It was an impulse purchase at Christmastime. I purchased it and sent it to my parents' house while I was in Florida, with the in-laws. It was awesome to hear them recount watching it when I returned to Ohio. After reading several other reviews, I advised them to skip the Halloween & Easter segments. Its a family tradition for us to watch Claymation Christmas & now we can watch it on DVD, since the VHS tape was wearing out.

5 comments about Winnie the Pooh - Springtime with Roo.

1. We rented this movie from Blockbuster. A part when rabbit's friends are missing was his worst nightmare



2. If there is justice in the universe, the ghost of A.A. Milne haunts Michael Eisner on a nightly basis for films like this one.
   
   The plotline is almost indecipherable, and the references to "Easter" are absolutely pointless since what you have here is a determinedly secular film trying to dance around the meaning of a religious holiday.
   
   At one point, Rabbit actually physically throws the other characters out of his house in a way that is almost violent. For anyone who has grown up loving what the Pooh stories were originally all about, this film is a new low.



3. My 2 1/2 year-old son loves all things Pooh and I guess this is no exception. Unfortunately for him, he won't be watching it again. I don't understand why Disney decided to make an "Easter" DVD that had nothing to do with Easter. I mean they could have done a "springtime" DVD (as the show's title would imply) with their own made-up holiday, but that's not the case here. I imagine that non-Christian parents wouldn't want their kids watching anything having to do with Christian holidays, whereas Christian parents will likely be confused and disappointed by how this DVD repeatedly tries to explain "the true meaning of Easter" without ever even alluding to Christian doctrine. I certainly don't look to Disney for spiritual enlightenment, but neither do I expect from them such pointless and confusing children's fare. Please look to Heffalump, The Tigger Movie, or Piglet's Big Movie for more wholesome, innocent entertainment.



4. What can you say, it is Pooh and friends, but this allows Roo to shine in the spotlight. We had bought this movie before, and it got broken, now that we have it again, it is watched alot, has taught her to see what she has heard about the workings of Easter



5. I usually love everything Winnie the Pooh that comes along. This movie is almost painful to watch. There aren't any catchy songs, the storyline is stretched thin, and Rabbit's character is downright mean (I might even go as far as to say that he's abusive, while the other characters try to make excuses for him). The only glint of wit in it is when Tigger makes a Dickens reference, as this is an unabashed and abyssmal rip-off of a Dickens classic. Even my children are less than thrilled with it, and at ages 2 and 4 they are usually easy to please, as long as it's animated. The younger child is now afraid of Rabbit. Don't waste your money on this one: Pooh's Heffalump Movie, Piglet's BIG Movie, The Tigger Movie are all so much better!

5 comments about It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (remastered deluxe edition).

1. Product as described. Perfect condition. Fast arrival. Extra snippets and specials on the DVD. Would recommend seller without hesitation.



2. I am a little biased b/c my 2yo is OBSESSED with Snoopy, but this was a fun DVD. Easter Beagle is a classic and I especially enjoyed the part where Peppermint Patty tried to teach Marcie to color eggs. Easter Beagle is a classic and is enjoyable for us nostalgic adults too! And Charlie Brown--oops, I mean Schultz--allowed the female characters to be more likeable in this one, which is not usually the case. The bonus episode, Arbor Day, was cute and not an episode I'd seen before. Best of all, my 2yo loooooooves this DVD b/c there are plenty of SNOOPY scenes which cause lots of happy giggles! Definintely two thumbs up from us!



3. it brings back memories, it's innocent,cute, funny and great for the who family to see regardless of age.



4. It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown originally aired in 1974 on the CBS network. The special features the voices of Todd Barbee, Melanie Kohn, Stephen Shea, Linda Ercoli, Lynn Mortensen, James Ahrens, and Bill Melendez. The musical score is composed by Vince Guaraldi, and the presentation is directed by Phil Roman. ***
   
   Just in time for Easter, the classic Peanuts special has been given the remastering treatment, and released again as a "special edition." ***
   
   It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown was one of the many television specials released based on the comic strips of Charles Schulz. Naturally, this special focuses on the holiday of Easter, and a number of adventures that befall our young heroes. Amongst the plots crammed into the 25-minute television presentation are Peppermint Patty's efforts to dye Easter eggs, only to have her plans be ruined by awkward pal Marci, Linus frequently preaching to everyone that the "Easter Beagle" will come on Easter Sunday, and Snoopy's efforts to get his bird friend Woodstock a decent place to sleep. ***
   
   All of the Peanuts television specials are classics, and well worth watching. But one thing I won't deny is that the Easter Beagle does fall short of earlier outings. For instance, the episode tends to focus more on the commercial aspects of Easter than the deeper, religious meanings (which the earlier A Charlie Brown Christmas did to perfection.) It's still worth picking up if you're a fan of the comic strip or these characters, though. ---
   
   Image And Sound:
   
   While this still isn't a great DVD transfer, it's definitely a step up from the 2003 DVD release. The 2003 release had a rather soft picture, and plenty of grain throughout. The picture this time around is sharper, and while there's still some grain in many places, I won't deny that this is the best the special has looked in a home video release to date. ---
   
   Special Features:
   Despite being billed as a "Special Edition", there are only two bonus features here. The first is the 1976 special, It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown. This was included as a bonus feature on the original DVD issue as well, so it's nothing new to the DVD presentations of this special. The new, more noteworthy special featured here is the In Full Bloom: Peanuts on Easter featurette. This features a variety of interview footage, and while you'll probably learn some things you didn't know, at just 15 minute it leaves you wanting more. Whether or not you want to buy this special on DVD again based on the inclusion of one little new documentary is up to you. ---
   
   Final Words:
   
   This is one of many classic television specials based on Charles Schulz's classic characters, but it's definitely not up to the earlier specials, namely the Christmas and Halloween ones. Should you buy this DVD? If you're a Peanuts fan and don't have this on DVD yet, go for it. But if you bought the 2003 DVD, the only things you're getting here that weren't on that DVD are improved picture quality and a new documentary that only runs about 15 minutes. It's up to you to decide whether or not the double dip is worth it.



5. Never laughed so much during the original classic Peanuts Christmas or Halloween shows, but this one is a hoot! The kids find nothing BUT Christmas items as they search for Easter goodies, seems like today even though unfortunately we have been dealing with this nightmare since the 1970s! Peppermint Patty trying to dye eggs as Marci constantly cooks them in every imaginable way, BUT hard-boiled. Buy it, watch it with your kids and find you're both "tee-hee"ing. Enjoy!

5 comments about Easter Parade (Two-Disc Special Edition).

1. Words are not able to fully describe what your eyes will see.
   Can never, ever, be remade even with an unlimited budget.
   Fred is Priceless.



2. In this joyous musical romp, MGM producer Arthur Freed paired Garland with the recently "retired" Astaire after original lead Gene Kelly injured his ankle. Combining Astaire's moves and Garland's pipes with a phenomenal Irving Berlin score adapted by Johnny Green and Roger Edens, highlights include the vaudevillian duet "We're a Couple of Swells" and Astaire's excellent solo to "Steppin' Out With My Baby". The movie was a big success in 1948, and no wonder! By all means, step out with this title.



3. 
   Taking into account you are going to see 17 Irving Berlin's tunes, plus the first-rate cast Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, you may even forget the plot.
   
   An unforgettable musical.



4. When Don Hewes dance partner Nadine Hale (Ann Miller) abandons their act, he sets out to find a new partner. He discovers Hannah Brown (Judy Garland, in one of her favorite roles). This movie was originally intended to star Gene Kelly as Don Hewes and Cyd Charisse as Nadine Hale. But Gene Kelly broke his ankle and Cyd tore a muscle so Fred and Ann stepped in. (I really like this movie, but I think it would have been better with Cyd and Gene.)
   There is a little confusion as Don loves Nadine, Nadine loves Johnny (Peter Lawford as Don's best friend), Johnny loves Hannah, and Hannah loves Don. But in the end all works out well!
   Judy sings some wonderful Irving Berling songs: Easter Parade, It Only Happens When I Dance With You, I Wish I Was In Michigan, Better Luck Next Time and I Love a Piano. This DVD also includes the deleted song "Mr. Monotony" in which she wears the tuxedo top she later wore for her famous "Get Happy" number in Summer Stock.



5. Easter Parade, the movie, is a classic that those with dementia will enjoy especially during the Easter season. Folks with dementia feel a special connection to the classic musicals. The songs are familiar to them. They often will sing along. The music uplifts them. The dancing and the drama are exciting. This movie will put a dementia person in the Easter spirit. Buy them a new Easter bonnet to complete the experience. Watch this movie with someone you love whether they have dementia or not for a terrific Easter day.
   
   By Susan Berg author ofAdorable Photographs of Our Baby: Meaningful, Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones, and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals

5 comments about Girl Happy.

1. At long last,after all the dashed hopes and anxieties,we finally have a remastered studio print of the best Elvis comedy ever: GIRL HAPPY.This movie had wonderful casting(no one else could come close to Harold J. Stone's performance as "Big Frank".He was so intimidating all through the movie,and turns into an old softie by films' end);Fabrizio Mioni(from 1959's "Hercules" w/Steve Reeves) as the Italian exchange student who must have been the original "marine biology" major,as long as it was female biology!;Gary Crosby and his various attempts at German and Yiddish accents,explaining why he can't be trusted to protect Shelly Fabares:" I'm too well-trained the other way!"Jackie Coogan(Uncle Fester)as Ft. Lauderdale police Sgt.Benson, who arrests all the college kids;John Fiedler as the motel manager(NO Boys in the Room!!);
   MaryAnn Mobley(never more sexy and alluring) as Deena,perpetually frustrated with Elvis' passion-interruptus(she was drop-dead gorgeous in that black-and-white print dress,showing why she won the Miss America Crown);Shelley Fabares in her best of three co-starring roles opposite Elvis,with that adorably cute little "flip" hairdo and peachy-sweet face(not to mention a great figure,as evidenced in the "She's Evil" number,dancing around Elvis in that sexy outfit.Eat your heart out Britney!);and finally The King himself,giving as always 200% of himself for the sake of his loyal fans.Let's face it,in 1965 the only way you were going to get to see Elvis was on a movie screen.He knew this,and did the best he could with the material presented.But in this film,it all "clicks":the story,the location,the characters,and the songs.Walt Disney said musical numbers in a movie should always support and advance the plot,and all the songs in Girl Happy meet this requirement handily.One of the best musical scenes is when Elvis and guys,and Shelley and girls are driving down to Florida in their convertibles(all color-coordinated)singing,"Spring Fever",alternating verses.You can see how much fun they were having with this scene,just watch the antics of Elvis,Gary,Jimmy Hawkins(of"It's A Wonderful Life" fame),and Joby Baker in that cramped car.They are constantly laughing and joking around.Honorable mention to Peter Brooks(Brentwood Von Durgenfeld...BVD)and Nita Talbot(Sunny Daze the stripper) for great comic support.I guarantee if you watch this movie,you will have fun,fun,fun and want to watch it again and again.I just can't fathom why it took all this time to release it on DVD.All I can say is,"It Was Worth the Wait"



2. I found this product to be very good. I was also very happy when I opened the case to find photo's of Elvis and Shelly Fabares and Mary Ann Mobley and the other cast members inside the case. I have always been an Elvis fan and I will never stop watching his movies.



3. I am a huge fan of Elvis Presley. I have been trying to get all of his movies on DVD. I had a hard time finding Girl Happy which is one of my favorite movies of his. I was told a year ago that it had not been out yet on DVD. I have it on VHS but want to get them all on DVD. I finally found it. If you love Elvis then you will love this movie and all of the others. If for no other reason because he is in them.



4. I am a big fan of Elvis and I love all his movies, Girl happy is very funny, I have ssen it about ten times, and my guess is that I will see it another ten more times, That is how much I love it.



5. For Elvis Presley's serious side in movies accompanied by music, it's "Jailhouse Rock", "King Creole" and "Roustabout". In the lighthearted catagory it's "Viva Las Vegas" and "Girl Happy". Shelley Fabares was Elvis finest leading lady this side of Ann-Margret. They had uncanny on screen chemistry. Elvis and Shelley also looked like a couple. "Girl Happy" is a product of Spring Break in Florida during the 1960's. Elvis and his buddies are hired to secretly watch over Shelley Fabares during her vacation. It's sounds easy, but it's not that simple. His band has to perform in a club on a nightly basis. Shelley dates another guy constantly leaving the motel. Fabares father phones in from Chicago checking up on her at different times during the day and night. In between all of this frenzy, the guys and the girls try to have fun on the Florida Coast. This movie is top five Elvis because of the great scenery, comedy and the music promos. The fun parts are: Watching Elvis pull a boat with an automobile from a marina into a motel swimming pool. Presley trying to date two ladies simultaneously in his room without them knowing each other is present. Then near the movie ending, a large group of pretty girls get thrown in one jail cell and Elvis breaks in digging an underground tunnel trying to free up Shelley Fabares. The songs, which are nothing special on the CD soundtrack, "Girl Happy" and "Do The Clam" go over well with the film. Widescreen captures this movie the way it was meant to be watched. Excellent transfer. "Girl Happy" is an essential Elvis flick. The reason is classy, attractive Shelley Fabares and a better than average Elvis movie script. If you're looking for a nice escape to Florida without going there try this film and "Flipper" - the TV series on DVD.

5 comments about Holiday Inn (Special Edition).

1. This iis a very enjoyable movie and we all enjoyed watching it. Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby were terrific in this movie.



2. A classic for the ages and for all ages to watch. If you have never seen this movie, you MUST. I highly recommend it for everyone to see at least once in their lives!



3. not only is this my favorite movie of all time, I love the extras
   in the dvd. Special features of the careers of both Fred astaire
   and Bing Crosby are delightful. Love it



4. WHAT A CLASSIC. ISN'T IT TOO BAD THEY DON'T MAKE MOVIES LIKE THIS ANYMORE. YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY WILL NEVER KNOW THE TRULY GREAT ACTORS THAT WE HAD. WHEN BING CROSBY SINGS YOU CAN UNDERSTAND ALL THE WORDS--THEY ARE NOT SCREAMED INTO A MICROPHONE. THEY SHOULD MAKE MUSICALS LIKE THIS AGAIN--MAYBE A LITTLE MORE UP TO DATE BUT DELIGHTFUL LIKE THIS. THIS IS PURE ENTERTAINMENT--IT NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE.
   
   WHILE I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION COULD I PLEASE ASK IF YOU HAVE EVER HEARD OF "JUST YOU AND ME KID"?
   IT IS WITH GEORGE BURNS AND BROOKE SHIELDS. I KNOW IT WAS MADE BECAUSE I COPIED IT OFF THE TV BUT MY COPY IS SO POOR. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME. BETTY CONKLIN



5. I am a sucker for Christmas, and I have always been a huge Crosby fan, plus I love to watch Astaire dance. This show has all 3 in it, so it is among my favorites! The Christmas theme isn't really carried out as the Holiday Inn is only open on Holidays. Berlin's songs are great - "Be Careful, It's My Heart," "I'll Capture Your Heart," the one about Lincoln and Washington, and of course, the best one, "White Christmas." The story line is cute also (I do love happy endings, and everyone can be a star!), and it just seems a fun picture!.Holiday Inn (Special Edition)

5 comments about Masterpiece Theatre: Room With a View.

1. I gave this production 2 stars because the overall production quality and acting was fair enough. On the other hand... I had doubts about this remake from the beginning- it's always dangerous to remake something done so well once. Some (on this site) found the 1985 version stuffy and too romantic, but that's the whole point. The juxtoposition of fantastically sensual scenery against turn of the century English stuffiness was explosive and revealed Lucy's conflict as well as her passionate piano playing. This version suffers from a lack of chemistry between its stars. I'm really not sure if I would have realized there was any attraction between them at all without previous knowledge of the story. So, the supporting cast could not provide the magic of the Merchant/Ivory version and the leads had no chemistry, but it was better than I feared it would be all around---UNTIL the end. The end was awful- it completely gutted the author's intent. SPOILERS!!!
   Forster did not even leave George's fate up to question- he put him back in Florence after WWI and states specifically that he was a conscientious objector- fully in line with his RWAV characterization. Lucy's tracking down of the gig driver was just tacky and suggests that George was not the catalyst of her sexual awakening, but a place holder. Awful. These were carefully built characters who were gutted in the last minutes of this adaption.
   Lastly, the only real excuse to remake this film would be to do it as Forster privately imagined it- as a tale of two men- it would be neither difficult nor terribly shocking today. That would be interesting. This was not and appalled at the end.



2. Skip this version.
   It is far, far better to get/see the Bonham Carter, Daniel Day Lewis, etc. version. Why the director had to sledge hammer us with his interpretation of the future, when anyone who enjoyed the book could experience the subtleties of the Carter/Lewis version. It is practically a travesty.



3. Though I claim A Room With a View as one of my favorite novels, I would never expect a movie to be exactly dead on. And yet, even with lowered expectations, I was highly disappointed in Andrew Davies' adaptation. Not only are the characters somewhat unbelievable (the acting isn't exactly terrible, the writing just seems a bit dodgy), but it turned one of my favorite "Yes! Life is to be lived!" stories into something utterly depressing.
   
   The plot only roughly keeps to Forster's original, the characters are far from being similar and the ending was absolutely terrible.
   
   It's an ok movie if you're out for entertainment, but if you're looking for a good adaptation of a great book, stick with the James Ivory version with Helena Bonham Carter instead. It's much much better.



4. A number of reviewers here tend to, dare I use that pesky word, CLING to the M/I version as if it were some sort of Rosetta Stone. What a relief to finally see a film adaptation of "Room With A View" which is not seen through rose colored glasses and dripping in gossamer. Every M/I film has the same prettified, romanticized, Hollywoodized take on period pieces. The Andrew Davies version is both much closer to the book in spirit than the M/I version and yet shakes it up in a way that beautifully brings all the social, historical and sexual issues into play. The actors look and behave like real people with real dimension instead of character archtypes as in the M/I version. Casting the father and son team of Timothy and Rafe Spall is a stroke of genius. Elaine Cassidy's take on Lucy's inner turmoil and longing is spot on and all the supporting roles are seamless. All this fuss and moaning about the endng is really a tempest in a teacup. The ending is startling, yet innovative, provocative and is based on Forster's own musings. It does exactly what a film adaption should do - adapt! Anyone who is interested in fine filmmaking and this great literary classic should snap up this version.



5. This is a lovely film. No, it's not perfect, and yes, it deviates somewhat from the book, but that doesn't necessarily prevent you from enjoying it. The acting, the sets, characterization, everything was wonderful. It's useless to try to compare everything to previous adaptations - just take it for what it is.