No comments about Alvin and The Chipmunks - Trick or Treason.

5 comments about A Child's Christmas in Wales.

1. My daughter choose Wales for her Christmas around the world project, and when I saw this on Amazon we thought we could show some of the movie at school. While at home previewing the movie I decided we could not show it to the Kindergarten class. My 6 year old girl was not very interested in it but my 8 year old boy laughed and loved it. It has made a great addition to all of our other Christmas movies and really puts you in the Christmas spirit.



2. I have an LP recording of the story which is narrated by the author, Dylan Thomas. This beautiful film is surely the next best thing, if not better because it is enhanced by a sensitive and faithful dramatization. Denholm Eliot's narration does justice to Thomas' exquisite language.



3. A four-person, three-generation family tucked into a charming little cottage in Wales on Christmas eve. Grandpa's stories of the Christmases of his youth (Dylan Thomas' words brought to life by Denholm Elliott's wonderful face and marvelous voice and an extended series of beautifully filmed "flashbacks" to an earlier and even simpler time.)
   
   It's everything you could want a Christmas eve story to be without any of the modern-day Santa Claus or superficially religious clap-trap. Wistful. Elegant. A thoroughly believable masterpiece.
   
   No cynicism. No saccharine silliness. No "Little Drummer Boy" or "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Just a purity of purpose and performance that leaves one on the verge of tears and bliss simultaneously.



4. Thank you so very much for this DVD. We didn't get our first mailing and you graciously gave us another with no charge. We will send back anything that may arrive at a later date.
   Again, thank you for being so generous.
   Diane Boehm



5. have searched long and hard for this dvd....one of my most favourite Thomas creations...I know some libeties were taken with the story and text but still a gem! thank you some much for a very early Christmas present!

5 comments about Arthur: Arthur's Perfect Christmas.

1. Item came in perfect shape & timing. Great service & saved me hours & gas trying to find it.
   Thanks,
   Nelda



2. This movie is perfect if you have young children. My daughters are 8 and 4 and they love Arthur.



3. Love Athur, and love this movie. I am so glad I added it to my collection of Holiday favorites.



4. The reason you should buy this movie "Arthur's Christmas" is because it has great song's you can sing along to. My favorite is the first song, and your child won't believe the thing's Buster does. I won't tell you. D.W. embarrasses herself, and there is something worst for Arthur. D.W. wants a cat but instead she gets something different. I am sure your child will love this movie just like me!



5. My whole family has watched Arthur since 1997 and we love it! My kids are now teenagers and still love to watch this show. Arthur's Perfect Christmas is one of our favorite holiday shows. We hope Arthur continues forever!

5 comments about A Stained Glass Christmas with Heavenly Carols (Widescreen) [Blu-ray].

1. I played this to get myself ready for Christmas next month and fell in love with it! I will definitely get my money's worth. The best thing about this disc is that there is an option to play a soundtrack of traditional Christmas songs or Handel's Messiah. Each song is accompanied by amazing and ultra vivid Christmas stained glass scenes. I will play this every year. A+



2. I've only viewed the HD side of the disc.
   
   Some closeups are finely detailed but overall, it does not have the crispness of, say, Planet Earth. I watched this disc on both a 65" 1080p dlp rptv and on a 106" screeen with 720p front projector.
   
   But it is sharper than a typical sd disc and is just as sharp as many hd movies. So a 4 star for video.
   
   It is highly recommended to play as background for a holiday party and the constant changing of images can hold your attention.
   
   Although 5.1 DD, mostly the front 3 channels are used. Not much lower subwoofer output.
   
   Switching between the Christmas Carols and the Messiah, the video is the same for each of them. And if you change the music selection mid disc, it resumes from the exact video point you left with the other audio. But you would be hard pressed to remember all the visiual images if you played each music track in sucession so it can play for several hours.
   
   The audio plays fine through hdmi, 6 channel input or coaxial digital audio cable but will sputter constantly and is unlistenable through Optical digital audio. So just 2-3 stars for audio as many folks only have optical audio connection. And loses stars for not being in Dolby True HD or DTS HD formats.
   
   It's a keeper for background Christmas celebrations or just for a tour of many beautiful pieces of religious stained glass panels.



3. We are playing this disc for about 3rd time - Fantastic picture quality - music is very timely for this time of the Year. Hightly Recommended. I'll be buying another copy for my parents.
   
   Merry Christmas.



4. The glowing praise in the reviews here at Amazon were what prompted me to purchase this HD-DVD. Unfortunately, I cannot agree with it.
   
   The majority of the "scenes" are simply photos that are panned over, not actually video. We all could just do a photo slideshow of our own Christmas photos for the same effect, but with more personality. The small amount of video that is there is shaky and not as sharp as the photos. Clearly not a professional production.
   
   This could almost be looked over if the scenes were of some gorgeous European cathedrals, but all of the locations are in and around Chicago. Definitely not what I would consider "the world's most beautiful stained glass Nativity artwork, holiday scenery and churches". If you, like me, were hoping for shots of ancient stained glass, you won't find them here.
   
   My last complaint is with the bible verses displayed between scenes. I found them very distracting, out of place, overly religious and preachy. Obviously a work about Christmas and art in churches is inherently religious, but I felt this was a bit over the top in execution.
   
   The music is decent. Not fantastic, but enough to bring my score to two stars.
   
   I cannot recommend this title.



5. I purchased this for our 2007 Christmas Family Reunion. Wow! Very beautiful! As our guests arrived they were greeted with the lovely music and colorful stained glass photos. We have a 46' LCD 1080 and the blu-ray disk makes everything look so crisp, clear and colorful. It really filled the home with the TRUE meaning of Chistmas. My children who are 7 and 4 LOVED it, not to mention the guests. I highly recommed it. This will now become a family tradition.

2 comments about Greatest Heroes and Legends of the Bible (The Nativity/ The Miracles of Jesus).

1. You can't go wrong with this when the price is so low. The animation quality is like that typically seen in basic Saturday morning cartoons, which is good enough for kids. What I like is that all the videos in this series give all the important details of the story, rather than giving a shallow, watered-down version as is usually the case in children's stories. These will entertain preschoolers up through junior high and the script is very closely based on the scriptural account. Each video is 45-50 minutes long, and this double feature has two such videos on the disc. The only reason I didn't give this series a 5 is that each video has a hokey song that could definitely have been left out, but for such a low price and good script, I can overlook that.



2. Nice to have a video with a religious theme for the holidays, but I must confess this one is a little slow -- My son is three and it was not really holding his interest. Maybe next year he'll take to it a bit more...

1 comments about Caillou: Caillou's Holidays.

1. My kids love Caillou so when I saw this I thought it would be a fun surprise of holiday shows. Unfortunately, there's a lot of things missing. First, there isn't a Halloween episode though there are two sequences with the dancing kids between the cartoons. Frankly, there's a little too much of the puppets AND the dancing kids between the shows. They should stick with one or the other or alternate them and show more cartoons.
   
   Overall, it's ok but could be much better if they featured at least two shows per holiday.

5 comments about Call Me Claus.

1. I'm actually a huge fan of Nigel Hawthorne but he is horribly miscast in this Christmas turkey. Not a convincing Santa Claus at all and the idea of him turning to Whoopi Goldberg to become the next Santa was a pathetic idea at best. I mean, Kris Kringle has nothing better to do in the run-up to Christmas than associate himself with a money-grubbing home-shopping network??? Give me "Miracle on 34th St", "A Christmas Story", or "The Polar Express" anyday over this. In fact, I didn't even see "Call Me Claus" broadcast on ANY station this year. May Nigel Hawthorne be forever remembered as Sir Humphrey Appleby or King George rather than this drivel.



2. This is a really great tape to watch and so much fun for the holidays came in in great shape and arrived ontime



3. This is the right way to do a Christmas movie - it's clever, it's fantastic and it isn't afraid to let the real reason for the season be a part of the joy. Anyone who likes to giggle at a movie while wrapping gifts or sing along with kids at Christmas while setting out the nativity will enjoy this movie. The casting is perfect, by the way.



4. Whoopi Goldberg adds a new twist to a Santa Claus story that is not only entertaining but well acted. Excellent addition for anyone who has a Christmas movie collection.



5. This is an ok little DVD with Whoopie. I have other DVD's with Whoopie that I like better. The Associate, Jumpin Jack Flash are two that I have that I prefer over Call Me Claus.

No comments about Elmo's Christmas Countdown.

5 comments about The Year Without a Santa Claus (Deluxe Edition).

1. I was gald to help SPARKHILL with the documentary that is on this DVD! Finally, you will hear from the creators. While I applaud WARNER BROTHERS for including this, I wish their legal dept. would have let the RANKIN/BASS archives flourish in this doc as well BUT they did not. At least the interviews are here and you get to hear from the creators themselves! Maybe now, WB will do a RANKIN/BASS DVD box set and include what fans have been asking for: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS, THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY, BOOK 2, PINOCCHIO'S CHRISTMAS, THE LEAPRECHAUN'S CHRISTMAS GOLD, etc. There also needs to be a deluxe edition of THE FLIGHT OF DRAGONS. If WB owns THE BERMUDA DEPTHS, that needs to come out too. HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2007!



2. All three videos are classics from my 30 something childhood - 100% worth the memories relived and the new ones with my kids - go, heat miser!



3. First, let me say that I own this movie because it still retains it's charm more than three decades later, and still get a kick out of it. I can recall watching it on TV when I was a kid, and would sing the catchy Miser's songs. So having it on hand to watch it every year at Christmastime is a pleasure.
   
   I was looking forward to upgrade from my older DVD of YWASC to this "Deluxe Edition" since I was keen on seeing a couple of documentaries and noted the product being advertised as "Newly Remastered". Well, in looking at the ORIGINAL 2000 DVD release, I realized that it is quite sharp in picture, as well as having a decent mono audio track. I noticed there were scarcely any grain or dirt on this print. So maybe I could not see a need to upgrade after all, and, as it turns out, I was correct in my assumption. I rather like to make picture comparisons with different DVD releases of a favorite movie, and I did the same with YWASC. Much to my surprise, the image is not only NOT an improvement, but to my eyes, in some instances has less sharpness and is duller in the colors! Again, in the first DVD release, one can see the finest details in say the puppet's hairs. Great clarity. With this new edition, there are periodic (though admittedly minor) inconsistancies in image. It is indeed puzzling that such a reduction in clarity (and I do know that the overwhelming majority of folks wouldn't know of them--and further, would not detract from their viewing enjoyment).
   
   Sorry, I know I could get flack for what might be considered a minor quibble, but I feel that, apart from two (fairly interesting) documentaries, one could just as well not bother to invest in this repackaging of what was an already very adequate DVD release.
   
   But either way, by all means enjoy and share with the family. Along with Rankin and Bass' other, earlier classic, Rudolph, The Red-nosed Reindeer, Year Without A Santa Claus is a gem that will charm for generations. So let me make very clear that the two-star rating is for this DVD release, of which the content is a decent four star.



4. One of my favorite Christmas specials. My co-workers and I sing all of the songs in the office during the Holidays! I've started collecting the older movies so my nephews and neices can share in the fun!



5. Ho yeah. Just as good at I remember it when I was a wee one. Ho yeahhhhh.

5 comments about The Martha Stewart Holiday Collection - Martha's Halloween Ideas.

1. I already have the 3 set Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years DVD's and love them, so I decided to go ahead and spring for the Halloween DVD. I was not disappointed. The ideas range from easy children's costumes, to devilish ideas for decorating. If you like kid-friendly and fun spookable ideas, this DVD is for you! Even if you don't have children, this DVD will provide you with a lot of wonderful ideas to decorate your home. Thanks Martha!



2. The fun is about to begin!!!! Our Martha has brought us her always top-notch DVD of holiday fun and "education" this time in the theme of Halloween, which seems to be one of her favorite celebrations!!
   
   These enjoyable and fun idea's are from her former TV show format which have been transferred onto DVD's. They come with her demand for nothing but high quality picture and sound, let alone the idea's and projects that will keep you and the kids entertained and busy for hours, depending on what great fun you want to tackle first!!
   
   The DVD is in 6 different area's of Halloween magic:
   
   PUMPKINS:
   
   1) pumpkin carving 101 ( I really loved the use of "miniature" lights to place inside a pumpkin; it was so pretty!)
   2) pumpkin creatures (this was a really clever way of mixing different gourds and pumpkins to make creative creatures)
   3) pumpkin owls
   
   COSTUMES:
   
   1) supermarket costumes
   2) fleece costumes (such adorable idea's like the little tree)
   3) baby chicken (this was such a great idea for little ones plus idea's of the things you can make with garbage bags and coffee filters!)
   4) fish head costumes (there is a material called "specialty sparkle film" that's used in emergency workers outfits and it is just brilliant for this idea and can be easily purchased at craft stores)
   5) pirate costume
   
   DECOR:
   
   1) clothespin bats
   2) spider cone lanterns
   3) window silhouettes (these were alot of fun and the kids can pose for the ones you make for big windows or long glass doors)
   4) glow stick spiders
   5) specimen bottles
   6) shrunken heads (this was a blast with the use of Granny Smith apples that are sculpted then "shrunken"!)
   
   TREATS: (these are fun to make if they aren't all eaten first)
   
   1) Halloween cupcakes
   2) white chocolate ghosts
   3) popcorn balls
   
   TRICK or TREAT:
   
   1) pillowcase treat bags
   2) animal treat bags
   3) reflective bags (these were a great and kid-safe idea because of the use of reflective tape, plus the kids will have fun making them)
   
   MAKEUP:
   
   1) frightfully scary makeup
   2) bruises and scars
   3) special effects makeup (this is the filming of how Martha was transformed into the "Spider Lady" that was on the October issue of MSL; it's an amazing episode that gives some insight into the world of special effects)
   
   The price for this DVD is well worth it and all the idea's within can be easily made without needing alot of time and money. So if Halloween is as much fun for you as it is for Martha, then consider this DVD and have a safe and fun day!!



3. MS fans know that this is Martha's favorite holiday. This DVD is packed with ideas. I would also like to see it in book form.



4. This is a wonderful DVD full of super ideas for Halloween. The projects are fantastic and much easier than you expect as Martha guides you through the process step by step. This is a must have for any Martha fan.



5. This DVD is full of delightful ideas for a spooktacular Halloween. I did not get mine in time for Halloween 2006 but am already reving up some of the ideas on this DVD for future Halloween parties and get togethers. This is definitely a must have on your Martha Stewart Holiday Colletion!!!