5 comments about Alabaster's Song.

1. As a Preschool Teacher of 4 and 5 year olds, I have read many books about the Christmas Story. This book is by far, the childrens' favorite. It is both touching and exciting. I have never read one of Max Lucado's books that I was not absolutely thrilled with.



2. Alabaster's Song is a story that you should own, even if you don't have a child. It is warm and sweet, and brings you back to the place where the child inside each one of us still lives.

   As always, Max Lucado has the gift of reaching down into the depths of your heart and soul, and touching you, drawing you closer to God.

   Make this book part of your library, part of your Christmas traditions. I read it each year to my "babies", who are now 19, 17, and 13. It is a tradition I will carry on with my grandchildren.




3. This is a fabulous book that brings to mind the wonder of Christmas through a child's eyes. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is timeless and unforgettable! I read this story to my children, ages 11, 8, and 4, each year around Christmas. I even read it to my MOPS group as a Christmas reading last year. Thank you, Max Lucado, for another wonderful children's book!



4. Very cute story about a little boy whose Christmas Tree angel comes to life to sing sweet songs to him. Gorgeous artwork brings the story to life with brilliance. I loved that the story repeated itself once the little boy grew up and had a son of his own who hears the angels music.



5. This is one of the most beautifully illustrated, delightful stories I have had the good fortune to encouter. Alabaster, the spirited little angel, touches the life a boy with positive results. The message in this gentle story is that when good is done, pass it on. It is so lovely, so moving that it might make one misty eyed. This book is a real treasure. Max Lucado and the illustrator have used their talents to enrich the lives of others.

5 comments about Herbert von Karajan - His Legacy for Home Video: The New Year's Concert 1987.

1. January 1st, 2006
   
   Every New Year's Day when I view this superb DVD of the VPO and Karajan at their most musicianly ways, I am impressed by the ebb, flow, and hesitancy which is the way the music of the Strausses should be played.
   
   A conductor friend of mine who studied in Vienna and was conductor of an orchestra in Lvov said that Karajan and the VPO in this recording got it RIGHT!
   
   Especially entrancing is the music accompanying the horses from the Spanish Riding School and Karjan's darling, Kathleen Battle, doing a fine rendition of the Voices of Spring.
   
   The stage is sumptuously decked out in what seem to be all of the fresh flowers in Vienna and one gets the sense that this was a real event because the maestro died only two years later.
   
   I highly recommend this DVD and it will give YOUR New Year's Day something special to remember it by.
   
   Timothy Wingate OTTAWA CANADA



2. In 1986 the Wiener Philharmoniker decided to invite annually a guest conductor to conduct its popular New Year's Day concerts, which still do garner interest from devout classical music fans around the globe. The first conductor so honored, Herbert von Karajan, made the concert his own memorial tribute to the Strauss family (Johann Strauss, Johann Strauss II and Josef Strauss), emphasizing such popular pieces as the "Die Fledermaus" overture and "Voices of Spring" waltz, featuring an elegant solo from acclaimed American soprano Kathleen Battle. Other highlights include equally memorable performances of the "Emperor Waltz" and "Blue Danube Waltz". Karajan was nearing the end of both his conducting career and his life, and yet, here he still managed to create a most memorable performance with the Wiener Philharmoniker, in paying a grand, glorious musical tribute to Johan Strauss I and his sons. This 1987 New Year's Concert still remains one of the finest concert recordings in the history of the Wiener Philharmoniker's annual concerts, holding its own against recent ones featuring the likes of Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Mariss Jansons, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta and Riccardo Muti among others. Devout fans of the Strauss family, Wiener Philharmoniker and Herbert von Karajan won't be disappointed with this memorable concert performance, which this DVD has captured in its entirety.



3. Ya sea por la impecable ejecución o por su dirección este video, a pesar del tiempo transcurrido, sigue siempre vigente. Sublime en su factura, calido y emocionante por el público que festeja cada interpretación cual si fuera un concierto de rock con sus mejores bandas. Un grande, un maestro de todos los tiempos Herbert von Karajan dirije esta velada no solo con su maestría consagrada sino con un cierto aire de entrega y relajación, si se quiere de complicidad con el auditorio todo. Como coronación la exquisitez de la soprano Katheleen Battle interpretando el vals voces de pimavera, nos remonta y nos hace soñar.
   Que se puede decir de los integrantes de la gran orquesta filarmonica de Viena, mestros todos ellos sin excepción.
   En una palabra, digno de los amantes de este género.



4. What is marvellous about this DVD is not only that one can listen to the most authoritative interpretation of some of the Strauss family's best waltzes and polkas but one can see Karajan, towards the end of his life, conduct one of his favourite orchestras in a concert that by his own admission rejuvenated his musical life (cf. the wonderful performances of Bruckner that he went on to make with the VPO after this concert...). It shows him relaxed, and at times very emotional and is a nice corrective for those whose interpretation of Karajan as a hard, unfeeling conductor is based on performances of different music in very different performance environments.



5. 'Nuff said. Get Carlos Kleiber (either one) or, even better, the very recent Georges Pretre.
   
   By comparison with either Kleiber or Pretre, Karajan's approach is rigid, power-thirsty, cold-blooded, altogether unsatisfactory.

2 comments about The Christmas Collection - 4 Movie Pack.

1. The only decent movie on here is The Miracle on 34th Street. Not as good as the 1947 version with Natalie Wood, but still not bad. You can also get this 1957 version as Meet Mr. Kringle.



2. The CHRISTMAS COLLECTION consists of two theatrical films and two made-for-TV movies.
   
   BEYOND TOMORROW-- Three wealthy old misers drop wallets on the sidewalk outside their mansion to see if anyone honest will return them. A young woman and man each retrieve a wallet. They meet at the stately house and eventually fall in love. All five become good friends, with the tricksters learning a lesson about human nature. After they've passed on, the old mens' ghosts try to help the couple through marriage problems. A charming, underrated tale.
   
   SCROOGE-- Not the famous Alastair Sim Scrooge from 1951, but the earlier British film. This one has some interesting minimalist photography in it and the script follows Dickens quite precisely. Sir Seymour Hicks as the title character isn't too robust as the bah humbugging miser, but his bouncing-on-heels enthusiasm once he awakens from the third ghostly encounter is most infectious.
   
   A CHRISTMAS WITHOUT SNOW-- A made-for-TVer about a divorced woman and son who relocate to a new city and try to rebuild their lives. The mother joins a choir run by crotchety John Houseman that is busily preparing for a Christmas concert. This film tackles issues like racism, depression, the problems of aging, poverty and single parenting deftly. Stars THE WALTONS' Michael Learned.
   
   THE MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET-- A 46 minute TV movie starring Thomas Mitchell as Kris Kringle. Although the story's been trimmed compared to the feature film, it works nonetheless and is very heartwarming.
   
   This DVD is also one-third of ST. CLAIR's THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION. Included on the 3-DVD set are 11 holiday-themed sitcom episodes and 21 cartoons and Christmas specials.
   
   .
   Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings found at a film resource website.
   
   (6.5) Beyond Tomorrow (1940) - Harry Carey/C. Aubrey Smith/Charles Winninger/Richard Carlson/Jean Parker
   
   (6.3) Scrooge (UK-1935) - Seymour Hicks/Donald Calthrop/Mary Glynne/Philip Frost
   
   (5.8) A Christmas Without Snow (TV-1980) - Michael Learned/John Houseman/Valerie Curtin
   
   (5.5) The Miracle On 34th Street (TV-1955) - Thomas Mitchell/Teresa Wright/Macdonald Carey/Hans Conreid
   
   BONUS FEATURE: Images of Christmas

1 comments about The Music of Leroy Anderson: Once Upon a Sleigh Ride.

1. If you were growing up in the 1940s/50s and 60s, you'll probably remember most of Leroy Anderson's hit songs of the 50s (they seem to refer to it as easy listening music today), but it was a time when music was melodious and catchy and you could at least whistle or hum a pop song. What a wonderful and humble composer he was!
   
   This DVD is exceptional for its content, with lots of archival footage of Arthur Feidler and the Boston Pops, Ed Sullivan Show, and even John Williams. There are excerpts from Leroy Anderson's most memorable tunes as well as some interesting interviews with Anderson's family and his peers. The DVD is presented in full frame 4x3 because the material comes from a time before widescreen TV. For its time, the picture quality is quite good. Some of the audio is mixed in stereo. If you enjoy quality music and want to reminisce about 'happier times,' then this is the program made just for you! Enjoy your trip down memory lane.

No comments about The Martha Stewart Holiday Collection - Martha's New Year's Celebration.

No comments about Together Again for the First Time.

5 comments about Black Christmas.

1. terrifying slasher film. the scariest and most intelligent of the genre. the voice of that maniac over the phone crawls under your skin. careful about reading too much info from reviews and other sources about this movie. the plot can easily be ruined. now available in a new special edition release! time to upgrade.



2. This movie is pre Halloween by Four years and is really the standard by which all films of it's kind should be judged. Very Very Scary ! This little film has everything going for it... The 2007 Black Xmas Sucks and should never be watched.



3. ...in a theater and it scarred me tremendously. As an adult, nothing special. Some good creepy moments, but over all very typical 70's horror movie. There is noticable camera work (subjective angle shots by the psycho killer) that was adopted by John Carpenter four years later in Halloween. Halloween is two stars superior to this movie. Can I recommend it? Only if you are a huge fan of horror from all time periods and do not expect too much from this film. Don't get me wrong. Its not a bad movie, just not as great as many of the reviews I see glorifying it. You will have to decide on your own about whether its worth a purchase or not. It does not have the re-watchability factor like Halloween does. Its not the ending on either film, but the journey along the way that brings you back again and again or not. I just didn't think this journey was worth much of a second time around.



4. This 74'er jem - along with a few other movies - has influenced a whole generation of slasher flicks. Way ahead of it's time, one can clearly point out that the makers of films like When a stranger calls (78'), Halloween (78'), Friday the 13th (80') and all the Sleepaway Camp trash that followed with another few thousand mediocre to bad productions.
   
   Director Bob Clarke has co-started a genre, however did so marvellously without much violence or any gore. Instead he relied on a solid script, some witty film edits, obscene phone calls that will make your skin crawl, a somber, abstract soundtrack and a few pretty watchable actor performances. With Margot Kidder as a delightful chronically drunk foulmouth, 2001 Space Odissey veteran Keir Dullea as a modern classical musician and John Saxon in his usual detective role...minus his usual cheesy factor, I'm sure fans of the genre will be enjoying this treat. Needless to say that some of the imagery I shall not forget all that quickly.
   
   I say: Two thumbs and the hair on the back of my neck UP!



5. Don't get me wrong, if you've read my reviews before, you'd know I love horror films, but this one is sorta boring at some parts. I actually saw the remake of Black Christmas before I saw this, maybe that's why I don't like it as much. In other words, I'm saying I like the remake better than the original. Usually, it's the other way around. It does have some good parts; like the killing scenes, and it has the classic look of the 70's. People are always saying this is the original slasher and HALLOWEEN isn't, but that doesn't matter to me. It doesn't matter which is the original slasher, because I love HALLOWEEN better. Maybe one day, I'll give this movie a 2nd chance. If you love classic slashers, maybe you'll like BLACK CHRISTMAS!!!

5 comments about The Best of Andy Williams Christmas Shows.

1. The reason I wanted to buy this DVD was because I really miss the old fashioned Christmas Specials. It seemed they used to go to alot of trouble with the sets, had great guests, and they all just seemed so happy and Christmasy!
   
   Yes, the Osmond Brothers are featured, and they were great to watch, as they are such an incredibly talented family, but there were no other guests except for people that I assumed were part of Andy's family, but who weren't introduced, and so I'm not sure. It really would have been nice to know who they were and how they were related. It would also have been nice to see some other guests, as that is always such a big part of Christmas Specials. I guess I was expecting that.
   
   This is The Andy Show. Lots and lots of close ups of Andy, posing and singing goofy-eyed into the camera. The sets are a hoot, as are the funny styles of the day, which was expected and fun to see, but what wasn't expected was how much Andy comes across as quite full of himself (he really does!), and I don't remember thinking that about him before. We didn't finish watching the whole DVD.
   
   Would I watch it again next Christmas? Well, it will have been a year by then, and I will have forgotten most of the negatives, so yes, maybe on a slow TV night if my husband is out. I don't think he'd watch it again.
   
   Knowing what I know now, would I buy this DVD again? Yes I would, if only to see the Osmond Brothers, but I also would have tried harder to get the Bing Crosby DVD, which says it features other guests on it.



2. The Andy Williams Shows clearly showcase great talent and worthwhile entertainment. The Christmas shows in particular are a family tradition in my home. These shows need to be remastered and shown more often. They just don't make em like this anymore



3. What a shame that this DVD is out-of-print. It's an absolute gem containing the finest Andy Williams Show moments.
   
   Outstanding sets, songs, music and guests. Lots of rare footage of the Osmond Brothers appearances, Bob Hope, Andy's kids and brothers.
   
   You don't find a lot of Christmas DVDs that you want to watch more than once. This is an exception. Can't say enough good things about it.



4. I didn't like this DVD as well as the other Andy Williams special I purchased this year. This one is a colelction of excerpts from various shows instead of being a cohesive show in and of itself. That made it a little disjointed and harder for my kids to watch than if an entire show had been chosen. Still the adults did enjoy the stroll down memory lane!



5. Remember when the Holiday Season on TV ment the variety specials with Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby and Andy Williams? I miss them. All you see now are those sappy holiday romance stories or the animated kiddy features. This DVD is great and includes musical numbers with Andy and the Williams brothers. And the Osmonds are a scream. Donny can't be more than 5 years old in the earliest scenes. If you own White Christmas and watch it every year, this holiday DVD is for you.

5 comments about Bernard and the Genie.

1. Bernard and the Genie is a family favorite. Its been our tradition to watch this film every Christmas and no matter how many times we see it, it will never get old.
   This inspired tale of a down on his luck art dealer and a fantastically over the rambunctious Genie not only will have you laughing at some good clean humor but get you into the Christmas mood as well.
   The quality of the DVD isn't all that great, probably because the original film may have been lost, and as such the transfer had to be made from a VHS copy, but its a detail that can easily be looked past for the brilliance of this movie.
   Lenny Henry steals the show as the ridiculously outspoken and lovable Genie Josephus!
   The rest of the cast is excellently played, including Alan Cummings portrayal of poor Bernard, who finds out what Christmas really means after spending it with a 2000 year old Genie.
   Rowan Atkinson plays Bernards vile and villainous employer, as the Art dealer Charles Pinkworth.
   
   In short, this is an excellent film, one that captures the holiday spirit in an original and hilarious way.



2. Bernard and the Genie is a little known BBC telemovie running just over an hour. Featuring Alan Cumming as Bernard, we follow Cumming as he experiences a really, really bad day. After losing his job and discovering his girlfriend is having an affair with his best friend, Bernard uncovers a genie hidden in a lamp. Lenny Henry is superb as the 2000 year old genie who is yet to discover the wonders of contemporary music, icecream, McDonalds, the cinema and the modern Christmas.
   
   Highly recommended and certainly one of the best Christmas movies around. It was worth all of the effort used in tracking down a copy!



3. This is a great movie in the British Comedy tradition. The songs are wonderful. Rowen Atkinson plays a very good villian and the rest of the cast is terrific. There is something new to catch each time you watch it. My whole family really enjoys it.



4. This is a Christmas classic that ranks up there with The Irony of Fate or Have a Nice Steam Bath. The actors sparkle. The plot is magical.



5. I LOVE this movie and looked for it on VHS and DVD for quite awhile before it was available on Amazon, and while it's just as funny as I remembered, the picture quality of this DVD is terrible. The company that produced it should have tried to get a better-quality source video---there must be one out there because the picture quality was not this bad when I last saw this movie on television back in 2000. At least Amazon has lowered the price; when I bought this DVD from them a couple of years back it was $28.95.
   
   But all picture complaining aside, this movie is wonderful and my family loved watching our home-recorded VHS copy every Christmas for years. :)

2 comments about Punchinello and The Most Marvelous Gift.

1. As if Max Lucado's Punchinello books weren't wonderful enough, now we can choose from DVDs that help us instill healthy morals and values into our children. My one-year-old hates the television, which is truly a blessing, but can get a little frustrating if I need to distract him while Mommy takes care of a few business details. This is the first and only show he will watch. We haven't made it through the whole thing yet, but we get close!
   
   He loves to clap and sing along with the concert the Wemmicks produce for "Maker Day", their version of our Christmas Day. All the familiar characters are here, Lucia, Hans, and of course, our beloved Punchinello. Wonderful animation, a sweet story and a terrific message combine to show children another way to understand God's love for His creation.



2. This had some, what I consider, scary parts for younger children. I bought all the DVDs to this small collection and this is my least favorite. It still has a great message and catchy music, but still, a little scary in some parts. We watched it once and I won't bring it out again for awhile.