1 comments about All Star Christmas.

1. For what could have been a good concert DVD this fails miserably. Brentwood seems to have trouble with quality audio even on their CDs, but this is a disaster. The mixing leaves the singers sounding muffled and frequently washed out by the orchestra. A disappointment. Save your money.

5 comments about You're Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley's Vacation Parties.

1. Mary-Kate and Ashley are look'n very cool on the cover! I love the background the twins are on. I also like their idea of puting the" Hawaiien Beach Party" first because of the water on the cover. As I mentioned in my title I love the clothes M+K&A are wearing on the cover ( I think the clothes are from the fashin line). The onley reason I gave the video four stars is because I have one episote out of the three.



2. This dvd is is value for money! as an Australian I am unable to go to the stores to get the parties so these dvd's are heaven sent! I don't find these boring like the other reviewers and I am 20 years old so I guess it depends on what you like. I love watching this dvd and the other parties (school dance & favourite) you can just sit down, sing along with them and be a kid again...which is basically what Ashley & Mary-Kate wanted to acheive with these.



3. A sure 5-star-DVD! This DVD contains Hawaiian Beach Party, Ballet Party and Christmas Party. They're all so funny and cool! Christmas Party for Christmas! ;) And the two others when you feel for it. All the episodes includes really cool songs and in Christmas Party you even get to rock on with Jingle Bells Rap! :) Just buy this DVD if you LOVE Mary-Kate and Ashley! You won't be sorry!



4. great for that i chose a ballet party for spring break summer vacation will be hawaiian beach party christmas wiil be suprise! a christmas party! what about fall break? perhaps another ballet party or a beach party i dont know!



5. Today is the 2nd of August. And I don't still have this DVD. I ordered it on the 27th of June.

5 comments about Rick Steves' European Christmas.

1. This is a great combination of travel information, historical background, holiday traditions, great photographs and even recipes, all describing the European Christmas experience. There are chapters on England, Norway, France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Rick Steves even adds a personal touch as his family joins him to celebrate a snowy Christmas in Switzerland. This is a book you will pick up every Christmas to reread and enjoy.



2. Lovely table book with information about how Christmas is celebrated in Europe. Complete with recipes and pictures of family celebrations. Because it was by Rick Steves I was disappointed that there was not specific information on where to stay during the actual Christmas holiday.



3. This is actually a DVD and not a book like the previous two reviews have mistaken. There is a matching book to this DVD and probably what they have mistaken in this case. Now, on to the DVD.
   
   I cannot recommend this DVD enough! My family has sat down to this program for the past two years and everytime I find something new to appreciate about it. Rick Steves takes us on tour in his usual style through several European countries and their unique customs. This time however we are allowed into the homes and traditions of the native peoples families. 7 european cultures are explored through their Christmas and holiday traditions. Italian, Swiss, British, French are to name a few of the places Rick takes us to on Christmas eve and the preceding days of celebration. What I like about the DVD most is the way you are shown each countries holiday traditions seperatly right up to Christmas eve then you are treated to the mounting Christmas eve excitment from all countries as they get ready for Father Christmas's visit or for some cultures the pinnacle of the season that evening. It shows the flashy city wide celebrations as well as what the average family does for seasons greetings. If you want to see humanity at its best this DVD will surely do your heart some good to see the common excitement in all childrens eyes and in the adults voices. Like I said I can't say enough. However, I will break a cardinal rule here and tell you that I would splurge here a little and go to www.ricksteves.com and purchase the Christmas set which includes the DVD, the book that the other two reviewers are refering to, as well as the matching CD that contains all of the carols that are in the DVD. Belive me once you see the performances you will want the CD! This package sells for around 35 dollars and is well worth it! Wishing you a happy holidays whatever time of the year you read this!



4. The Rick Steve's Video "Christmas In Europe" is a very enjoyable video presentation based on his regularly featured public televison program. He travels to Britain, Norway, France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland giving a presentation of how the Christmas holidays are celebrated in each of these countries. The vast majority of the celebrations are based on traditions and if you are the type of person who enjoys "traditional" things you will love this program. It is colorful and has a large segment of musical presentations scattered throughout it. The DVD was created from the televison program that first appeared on public televison in 2005 or so. The DVD also contains several full presentation musical concerts, a presentation of Italian nativity sets as displayed each season, an interview with the traditional German Christmas angel and an enjoyable slide show of scenes taken from the presentation set to traditional Christmas music. As I said, if you enjoy traditional Christmas topics as I do, you will enjoy this program very much. If your taste are more modern and secular you probably will not enjoy it very much. A reasonable part of the program is centered around Christmas being the birthday of Jesus and this message is found repeatedly throughout the show. Since the birth of the Christ child is an important part of my celebration of the holiday I enjoyed this very much. It was a nicely presented message of the meaning of Christmas that also included some of the pleasant secular tritions along with it. It was a nice balance. Presentation time is about 2 hours long.



5. My review is simply to state that the case for this DVD is made from quality, thick, shiny cardstock paper, not plastic clamshell. This information is not in the product description, and I thought it would be helpful to know. I know that makes a difference for some.
   Rick Steves, as always, is great!

5 comments about I Vampiri.

1. I expected more from this film because so much had been written about it and when I saw the packaging I assumed it would be a wild little movie. This was not the case however. Due to obvious budget constraints "I Vampiri" is somewhat of a letdown. It's not bad, it's just disappointing. A wealthy countess stays beautiful thanks to "scientific methods"---blood transfusions---from female victims. Atmosphere is plentiful but it's SO low budget that it's creaky and not creepy. It would have helped had Bava been more daring with the story and plot elements but for some reason he wasn't. What is here is timid with very little action. Much time is spent on the detective pursuing leads and a lot of talk when the running time is so short. It's worth noting as an early Bava horror film but that's about it. He would obviously fare better in the future.



2. This movie is famous for two reasons: First, it was the the first talking horror film from Italy. Second, it was the directing debut of the Italian master of horror, Mario Bava. Original director, Riccardo Freda, had captured the first half of the film in 10 days of filming. The producers had agreed to a 12 day shoot and were not about to go over that. Mario was the cinematographer on the film and was asked if he could finish the movie in 2 days. He agreed and it was pulled off in what became a very stylish (almost a fimm noir) and well made gothic horror. It does have it's flaws mind you, but I really liked virtualy everything about this movie.

   I Vampiri (The Vampire in Italian) plays almost as more of a detective movie than a straight horror. There is the dashing and hip reporter, Pierre Lantin (Dario Michaelis), who is trying to find out who is murdering people and draining their bodies dry of blood. He gives leads to the police who investigate them along with Pierre, but they find nothing useful in them. After he goes out on his own to investigate, Pierre is led to the local castle that houses an old and decrepid duchess along with her beautiful niece, Giselle du Grand (Gianna Maria Canale - director Riccardo Freda's longtime girlfriend and frequent star), whom he has some mysterious tie to from his past.

   Pierre's partner from the newspaper they work at is on love with Giselle and is always making comments about her, even though it is clear that Giselle is romanticaly interested only in Pierre. Pierre spurns her at every turn and becomes interested in the friend, Lorette, of one of the victims (played by Wandisa Guida).

   There are two story lines that I found hard to really figure out in this film: The first was the romantic interest between Pierre and Lorette. I didn't know there was an interest and then suddenly they are obviously an item. The second is that in the lower regions of the castle, there is a doctor who has faked his own death along with an assistant. They are doing experiments with lots of cool looking lab equipment and victims that have been kidnapped by a drug addicted thug (played by Paul Müller, who later appeared in many of Jess Franco's films). They are in cahoots with the duchess but exactly what they are doing with her is never clear. But neither of these nebulous plotlines takes away much from the movie.

   The dvd is presented in 2.35:1 widscreen and the sound is Dolby Digital mono. The print looks fantastic, especially for a relatively obscure, 45 year old movie. It is released by Image Entertainment who has released several Mario Bava films on dvd. There are several trailers for these other Bava films on the disk along with the usual filmographies and also a 4 page insert with liner notes by film historian and author of "Mario Bava: All of the Colors of the Dark", Tim Lucas (who also recorded the commentary for Bava's next major film after I Vampiri, Black Sunday). The film really is well done and considered a classic for a good reason. My brother had bought this dvd and I borrowed it from him, but it is definitely on my list of movies to get, even in the [price] range.




3. Very underrated film, IMO-- Beautiful gothic atmosphere, a mad doctor, a hopped-up (and later undead) thug. The plot is a pulpy rollercoaster ride that doesn't always make sense, but manages to wrap itself up neatly. The fact that our hero's by far the least interesting character on the screen barely ever occurs to you as you try to keep track of the convolutions. It was the fore-runner not only to gothic horror in Itally, but also the giallo crime dramas. Excellent B-movie!



4. I've always had it in mind to view this film but never got around to it until recently. It wasn't what I thought it would be either. It's not quite about vampires, although the title seems to connotate that, and the visual imagery on the dvd cover also tends to present something other than what it really is. This is actually a sort of "mad science" film if anything. Despite that I got something different than what I had hoped for, it's still a good film.



5. Elizabeth Báthory (aka "Lady Dracula") became infamous for murdering over six hundred young girls, and allegedly bathing in their blood to retain her youth.
   
   Well, probably the bathing-in-blood part is untrue -- just a centuries-old version of an urban legend. But who cares? It makes for a fascinating horror movie in "I Vampiri," which gives a scientific slant to the legendary use of blood to retain youth -- and it's a pretty good murder mystery too.
   
   Girls in Paris keep vanishing, only to turn up drained of blood. Of course, reporter Pierre Lantin (Dario Michaelis) is determined to find out who is doing this, when he's not fending off the advances of the Duchess du Grand's sultry niece Giselle (Gianna Maria Canale). Apparently the old duchess was in love with Pierre's dad, and now Giselle wants to continue. Pierre is more interested in finding the "vampire."
   
   But then an unwanted suitor tries to seduce Giselle -- and sees her instantly transform into a withered old woman, right before she shoots him. Turns out she's the old duchess, keeping herself eternally alive and young by transfusing blood from young girls into herself. But this murderous therapy is taking its toll on the duchess -- and Pierre is getting too close to the truth...
   
   If "I Vampiri" doesn't have Mario Bava's distinctive flavour, that's for one simple reason -- it was originally directed by Riccardo Freda, and when he left the production Bava had to wrap things up. So don't expect the same kind of experience that Bava's solo pictures had, although it's a pretty solid Euro-horror movie on its own.
   
   Half of the movie is steady, not very captivating detective work, with Pierre ticking off the local police chief, flirting with schoolgirls, and reluctantly attending a ball -- where, of course, he hears someone screaming from the tower but doesn't clue in. And of course, lots of creepy men in the streets and autopsies of the dead girls.
   
   No, the creepiness is there when the Good Guys are not present -- dungeons, coffins, sinister labs, zombies, junkies, mad scientists, and old gothic castles with long white drapes blowing in the wind. Not to mention the decrepit old lady shooting mirrors, and ranting endlessly about how she just HAS to be young and beautiful again, no matter what the risk. And despite being from the mid-fifties, the "aging" special effects are still very, very well-done.
   
   The final scenes are where Bava's influence comes out, as Pierre and the police finally get a clue. Director No. 2 toys around with light and shadow, music, and the ghastly architecture -- turning a formerly mundane transformation into a thing of horror.
   
   Michaelis and Carlo D'Angelo do pretty tepid jobs as Pierre and the police chief, though admittedly they're not given much to work with. Canale is the real star of this piece -- she can flip from a sultry seductress to screeching harridan on a moment's notice, and you can see the absolute insanity bubbling under the surface. And Wandisa Guida has a good, brief performance as the love interest/latest blood victim.
   
   "I Vampiri" is less about vampirism than about a Hollywoodesque determination to preserve youth and beauty, whatever the cost. And that devastating vanity is what makes this REALLY horrific.

2 comments about A Different Kind of Christmas.

1. Christmas really can be about hurt feelings and sacrifices, especially if your dad is Santa all year long. For Elizabeth, Santa was not a happy thing, as she longed for a normal dad instead of a Christmas icon. When her dad moves to her town to be near his only grandson, Liz is forced to deal with long ago hurt feelings, and to accept that Santa Claus is also a loving father and grandfather.



2. Depressing, slow moving, lifeless movie. Shelly Long's character in this movie is just like her character (Diane Chambers) from the TV show Cheers-self-centered, arrogant, selfish & career driven. Since I will not ever want to watch this movie again, my copy will be donated to the local library tomorrow, if they accept it. Otherwise, in the trash it will go.

5 comments about Veggie Tales: The Star of Christmas.

1. I really enjoy this episode of Veggietales. It is full of humor for adults and kids. The only thing it is missing is a Silly Song.



2. We are a veggietales loving household, and this movie is one of our new favorites! It was a little weird for us (adults and kids both) to not hear the theme song at the beginning and a silly song in the middle, but we loved it just the same. We've been watching it pretty frequently and will continue to do so all year, not just during the Christmas season. Thanks Big Idea!



3. I am a big veggie tales fan and I did enjoy this movie. I believe that the message is wonderful--well done and easy to understand. However, the music was not nearly as enjoyable as the other veggie tales and therefore, my kids don't enjoy watching this movie as much as some of the others. The bottom line is this--if my kids don't enjoy it, the best message in the world gets lost.



4. Well, I absolutely love Veggie Tales, but it had been a while since I'd seen one. Therefore, this was a good break back into watching them. The Christmas message is very strong in this DVD, and it really reminds you that Christ is the reason for the season. It talks about what love really is, rather than just everyone being nice to each other, and I absolutely love how that is played out in the end. As you start watching, you may find the story to go a little slow, but just be patient, and you won't be disappointed! I feel that the ending is more than adequate to make up for the part or two that isn't so great!



5. Cavis Appythart (A.K.A. Bob the tomato) is a big dreamer. His goal is to teach London, England, to love. His feeling is that no one in London is willing to care about one another, so he makes it his calling in life to teach them. He comes up with a fantastic idea to accomplish this: a play. He and his good buddy, Millward Phelps (A.K.A. Larry the cucumber) will write and direct a wonderful play with romance, comedy, and lots of lights! But when hopes of a great play begin to fade, will the "Teacher of Love" himself be able to love?
   
   This was a cute movie. One part in particular made me giggle. The animation is great, considering that it is 3D, and the storyline was a decent one. I'm sure a better person to judge just how good this movie was would be a smaller child, but coming from a pre-teen, this movie was good. It won't be one that makes you gag and roll your eyes non-stop, and it teaches little ones a good lesson about love (not the romantic kind).

5 comments about The Very First Noel.

1. This is such an amazing movie! My kids are still asking to watching it even though Christmas is over. My only negative thing to say is not about the movie- I wish Amazon would specify what shipping company an item will be shipped with. At the same time I had ordered this movie, I also ordered another item. The other item was shipped via UPS and arrived within 4 days. This movie was shipped via DHL- I have never had a positive experience using DHL and this was no exception- this item arrived approximately 2 weeks later. I have an idea for DHL and a "slogan"- Better late than never. If the shipping method had been listed, I would have chosen another site to have ordered from. With that said, the movie is great- you won't regret purchasing it!



2. A beautifully animated Christmas classic for people of all ages! Andy Griffith narrates the story of the three wise men in their search for the newborn King following a magnificent star. This movie will leave everyone laughing and sharing in the joy of Christmas for generations to come.



3. This is a nicely done movie. Cute characters and poetry. Technically speaking it is not correct as the wise men were not there the night of Jesus birth but came at a later time. However, it is still a very cute movie that I enjoyed sharing with my children. I realy liked the many references to Christmas carols throughout the poetry.



4. We discovered this movie at Christmas 2006. It is a sensational new Christmas movie that entertains all ages! I have viewed it with audiences of children, teens and adults - all found the movie to be a modernly produced version of probably the most-often-told story in history. The graphics, storytelling and musical scores are quite impressive! Andy Griffith is an expert narrator. We will cherish this for generations!



5. This movie is great! My 4 year old nephew just loves it. Before he always associated christmas with Santa and Reindeer but now he is totally different. He just started going to church and I took him on christmas eve and as the priest was finished telling the story of the nativity on the way home my nephew said "just like my movie". If you want to get younger kids interested in why we really have christmas...this is a great way to do it!!

5 comments about The Little Drummer Boy.

1. This is one of the classics forever during the holidays, generations to come will enjoy it and love it, teaches how senseless hate can be and love is always stronger, besides the song is really heart warming.



2. When I heard that the Little Drummer Boy was once again going to be re-released on DVD I was ecstatic since I thought we'd finally get a trluy restored version to replace my old DVD which had the picture quality of a worn out VHS tape. But, once again, we're given a sub-par print with dark, grainy imagery and scratches. This is nothing more than the same repackaged junk that already existed! I understand it's quite possible that no better prints exist, but if that's the case then the state of affairs on this terribly neglected classic is even grimmer than imagined. Own it if you've no other choice but this is a shame. I give it a 5 for content and less than zero for quality.



3. I am very happy with this DVD, and with the Amazon's service. I bought this movie because I looked for this in local stores or rent with no succes, But although I live in Costa Rica Amazon did possible that I can to see again this beautiful history (that it has not been possible to see on TV for 20 years), at only 3 shipping weeks and before christmas. The history contains a beautiful scenes and a important and positive education for the family, remembering the real sense of Christmas.



4. Loved the Christmas TV special "The Little Drummer Boy" as a child, so I thought I'd order it. Having watched it for the first time in about 35 years, it no longer measures up (with the exception of the nativity scene) to such greats as Mr. Magoo's "A Christmas Carol" or "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Generally a big bore, although the Vienna Choir Boys still inspire.



5. I fondly remembered this holiday classic from my childhood.
   
   Or rather, I thought I did.
   
   The music is as beautiful, touching, and spiritual as ever; it captures the spirit of Christmas better than much of the music that accompanies modern holiday programming. And Jose Ferrer's voice work remains superb.
   
   But the animation, puppetry, and diorama backdrop are primitive by modern standards. And some of the co-starring voice work is sub-par.
   
   A restoration of the dark and grainy film print has been avoided, perhaps with good reason: Crisp, clear video would expose the underlying limitations of the production. I sadly understand now why this production is no longer shown on TV: It does not meet modern broadcast technical standards.
   
   The Little Drummer Boy is well worth owning or renting as a nostalgia item. But in order to attract audiences under age 35, it may require (and it deserves) a full remake by a modern digital animation studio, with fresh visuals and talented new voices. One hopes such a remake might preserve and restore at least a portion of the classic music track, which has moved listeners spiritually for decades.

4 comments about Neil Diamond: The Christmas Special.

1. Neil Diamond has many fine tunes, but I do not know what the producers of this video were thinking. This is by far the most depressing Christmas special ever recorded. I remember this program as a giant energy vampire which left myself and my family lying listlessly on the couch in the living room, unable to buoy our spirits sufficiently to locate the missing remote control and change the station. The holidays already have too high a suicide rate -- do yourself a favor and pass on this one.



2. I own this VHS and I cannot disagree more with the review written. I used to think that O Holy Night by Bing or Perry were the absolute best, until I heard Neil Diamond. It is so powerful and sends chills up my spine and tears to my eyes. The choir that sings along with him makes me feel like I am listening to angels in heaven. I love the entire VHS, but this song alone is worth owning this VHS.



3. There seems to be a lack of Christmas specials these days, and I was happy to find a VHS tape of this one several years ago. The production is fantastic, and the use of many choirs and other musicians enhances the performance that Neil Diamond brings to this album. I only wish it was available on DVD.



4. This is one of the finest collections of Christmas songs available. My VHS tape is wearing out. Wish it was available on DVD. It truly brings holiday joy!

5 comments about A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert / Frederica von Stade, Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis.

1. Yes after waiting years for this treasure it finally arrived everything was great but what happened to the sound..Flate muddy DEAD I'm sure the CD was better but that was produced by SONY? I hope they can remarster this superb production



2. We have been waiting forever for this to come out on DVD. While the picture quality and sound are not perfect, the sheer beauty of the music and performances are well worth the purchase price. No matter how many times we see it, the finale still blows us away. Let the holidays begin!



3. The stars must have been aligned perfectly, all must have been right with the world on that night of December 8, 1991 in NYC's Carnegie Hall when this Christmas concert was filmed, because it is an example, one of those rare instances when everything falls into place perfectly.
   On this particular night Kathleen Battle, Frederica Von Stade, Wynton Marsalis and Andre Previn performed, not only with their instruments but with their hearts as well. All the performers relate and connect to this often performed material in ways others simply do not. This is secular Holiday music performed with fervor and an emotional connection that borders on the religious.
   The highlight of this recording is the 17 minute "American Songs" (I Wonder as I Wander, Who Was Mary, etc) performed primarily by Battle and Von Stade that is so exquisite as to be otherworldly.
   Christmas Concerts can be corny or at worst, maudlin. But on this particular night in 1991, the angels sang and the heavens opened and called forth these artists to perform not only with their voices but with their souls as well. This is an emotional experience that is not to be missed.
   (12/07/07: Ok, so I had to order this on amazon.uk and it was shipped from North Carolina..so go figure.
   The picture is only ok, the sound is fair but at least i can once again hear and see the glory of this wonderful performance.)



4. I saw this concert here in Holland several years ago...I am a fan of Kathleen Batlle and Wynton Marsalis...So I was so happy when i saw that this concert is available on DVD I immediately ordered it...and folks, its great!! Everything I expected, it gives you the ultimate christmas feeling! If you dont have this DVD, and youre a fan of good music, and fabulous singers and musicians...BUY this dvd!!



5. Every December, I watch this production several times and it never fails to work its magic. Frederica von Stade and Kathleen Battle present a marvelous picture and produce the sound to complement it. Purchase this DVD and you are ensuring yourself an enjoyable evening of viewing that will put you in the holiday spirit and remind you how beautiful Christmas carols can be. And you will likely also find yourself inspired to add a night at the opera to your New Year's list.