4 comments about American Chopper Season 4 - DVD Set (Part 1).

1. Does anyone know anything about this release? I have tried looking it up elsewhere and can't find any information about it. How many discs? What episodes? etc... HELP?



2. This set includes 3 disks with 2 shows per disk, total of 6 episodes. The episodes are:
   
   42. Carroll Shelby Bike 1 original air date: 1/31/2005
   43. Carroll Shelby Bike 2 original air date: 2/7/2005
   44. Lincoln Mark LT Bike 1 original air date: 2/14/2005
   45. Lincoln Mark LT Bike 2 original air date: 2/21/2005
   47. Junior's Dream Bike 1 original air date: 3/7/2005
   48. Junior's Dream Bike 2 original air date: 3/14/2005
   
   I believe these sets are privately produced by Amazon, definitely not by the Learning Channel's production company. This is a bare bones set. NO special features, not even a disk menu to choose episodes on each disk. Discovery did much better with seasons 1-3, these new sets leave much to be desired, and at $5+ per episode, the price is steep. Come on Learning/Discovery- you can do better than this!!!!!



3. has no extra features like some of the other seasons I've gotten. Almost has a pirated feel to the quality, or lack of. You insert the disc and it just starts automatically into the episodes, no menu or anything. Feels like I should have paid some guy $5.00 from he's car trunk for it.



4. The dvds are definitely manufactured by someone different than the first 3 seasons. The dvds are really bad in the fact that they are out of order on the disc (episode wise). I also had a disc arrive that did not even work. The best part is that the cheap producers did not use any anti-burning techniques, so you can burn / copy them all you want. Might save you some money if you don't want to pay the 30 bucks per set. I would ask around if I were you before buying.
   
   On a good note, the show is still excellent and provides lots of entertainment. I love American Choppers. I just hope they choose a better company next time to release the dvds, just for their sake, because pirating is going to be an issue with seasons 4-5-6 (which I bought).

3 comments about Bruce Brown Moto Classics: Baja 1000 Classic.

1. I just received the video and I've already seen it twice. It is very inspiring. The movie really makes you feel how hard it was to go through the baja 1000. The way the movie was made and the look of the commentator really takes you back in the 60's
   
   If you like off road races then this is a must see video.
   
   Joel



2. Really enjoyed going back to [the old days of motorcycle racing]. I raced at that time and this DVD brought old memories.



3. I think this is a great workout. If you stick with it, you will definitely see gym quality results

2 comments about Hog Heaven: The Story of the Harley-Davidson Empire.

1. This video basically goest through the history of HD and how important the military was in driving m/c sales. Also, as ww I and II ended the guys that learned to ride bought HD's to ride in civilian life. The interesting part to me was how sales peaked in the ~1930's and it wasn't until about 1980+ that sales again reached that volume.
   
   Interested to learn that HD started making motorized bicycles. Also, was interesting that HD had many problems sales up's and down's from 30's - late 80's when they got really consistently profitable.
   
   It is kind of a sudo documentary with a pro HD edge. Then it ends with a general info on other types of motorcycles.
   
   If you are after an intersting historical it is worth getting. If you just want T&A & a beer and sit on the couch skip it.
   
   PaulC, San Diego, CA



2. Hog Heaven is one of the many documenteries about H-D, however I liked to see the old black/white films in it! Knowing the H-D history all to well, the second part of the DVD was of more interest to me! However, it's a must for the real HOG fan!

3 comments about A to Z MotoGP.

1. The technical aspects covered and film footage were first rate. However, the whole experience was bad in that the obnoxious background noise (I'm being very charitable here) was so distracting that I couldn't concentrate on what was being said. I'm not kidding! I don't mind a little music intro but this was absurd and had no place or purpose other than to distract from the oral narrative. I know this isn't supposed to be like a conversation in my living room but still, if someone is trying to explain the intricacies of the tires being use in MotoGp then why in the hell do you have to put up with someone who sounds as if he's pounding on a garbage can lid with a baseball bat? This was not an isolated problem. It occurs throughout the DVD. The same criticism applies to the 2007 MotoGP Official Review DVD that I purchased at the same time.



2. If you like MotoGP you need this for your DVD libary. Only wish had more length to it.



3. When I first got the DVD I played it in the shop over and over - never got the chance to sit and watch it myself. I finally got to do so last night and I thought it was amazing educational DVD put together. Good job!

No comments about World's Greatest Supercross Races DVD Set (5 Disc Set).

5 comments about Akira (Limited Special Edition Tin).

1. When I first saw this in the early '90s, I thought, "What a load of over-rated technotrash." I thought the underlying plot about a government conspiracy of psychics, a dystopian future, and some kid getting messed up on pills before turning into a giant tentacle machine was retarded.
   
   And I was right. I rented the movie again, about a decade later, wondering if perspective would change my mind. Nope. It's still a bad film. Sure, it's pretty and all, what with the awesome motorcycle and... Uh... Damn, that and the giant psychoturd at the end are really the only two visuals to come out of the film, aren't they?
   
   Man, this thing's horrible. Just don't even bother with this hot mess. Instead, here are some useful things you could do with your money: go buy some Uniball 207 medium point gel pens and draw your own hentai; pick up the first two volumes of "100 Bullets" and get hooked; "Sea Monsters" for the Wii; light some cigars with some Lincolns.
   
   One star. But only because I can't give it fewer.



2. In the years since Akira was first unleashed, a lot has changed in anime - and movies in general, animated or not. Animation has become more sophisticated, voice acting has gotten much better and I think Akira is a big reason why (along with the likes of Ghost In The Shell and Armitage III).
   
   I picked this up a couple years ago, and was mostly happy with my purchase. It sill looks as good as I remember, and the option to translate some of the grafitti and signs is nice for gaijin like me. However, I'm not as fond of the new English dub. While I don't remember the original dialogue line for line, this isn't the same. Some of the voices sound *off* and I'm pretty sure some of the dialogue was changed.
   
   I consider myself a fan of anime, not a fanatic. I'm not familiar hundreds of titles, I don't know everyone's name and I don't worship everything that comes out of Japan. I guess that's part of why I prefer dubs over subs. Even with the best translations, you don't get the full meaning unless you're familiar with the original language, in which case you don't need to be using the subtitles anyway. With the right voice actors and the proper way of translation and localizing the dialogue (and other things, if needed), you can convey the exact same thing, even if it's not a 100% accurate, word for word translation. Subtitles can't do much beyond tell you what the person is saying; they can't tell you how they're saying it, what they're stressing, stuff like that. Some things don't translate very well, and changing them to something that makes sense in the subtitles doesn't always work; you need something more, which English voice acting has a much better chance of doing.
   
   But that's just a matter of personal opinion. The English dub is the only thing I find flawed with this release. Of course, the movie itself has issues of its own - namely the rushed feeling that the end that seems as though the Akira Committee started to run out of steam. Some may point out that this doesn't tell the whole story that the manga version does or remain faithful to every detail in it, but that shouldn't stop you from seeing this movie.
   
   20 years later, Akira is still a must see if you're into anime that's not of the non-sensical sort. And even if you're not into anime, it should still be worth a watch or two. Just go into this with an open mind and be prepared to see or hear something new each time.
   
   Sure, it may not be the best anime ever, but it's still up there as one of the best around. Top 10 material, even.



3. An amazing trend setting Animated film; intense, believable characters, deep story line, incredible animation, sound, and music. A pivotal, groundbreaking work that has inspired animators and film makers since.



4. Akira in many ways put Anime on the map, at least in the US, but is deserves to be recognized as more than a gateway film into the world of Anime. It is the classic post-apocalyptic setting, a story about what happens when science and teenage hormones run amuck. The film tells the story of a teenage motorcycle gang, and their troubled, latent psychic and second in command Tetsuo. It is an examination of diverse psychology, The Will To Power, corruption in various forms, and ultimately, sacrifice. The artistry of the animation is still amazing almost twenty years later, and the story is just as compelling now as it was then.



5. It really is unbelievable just how many animes derived and used something from this movie. Obvious origins can be compared to Dragon Ball and Elfen Lied, but so many ideas were first featured in this film that later translated into full-length anime series. Aside from setting the groundwork for future animes, this film was also one of the greatest, if not the greatest, anime film ever made (though my favorite is still Spirited Away).
   The best aspect of this film, in my opinion, is the character development of Kaneda and Tetsuo, best friends in the film. While Kaneda evolves into a more empathatic person, Tetsuo makes the most dramatic changes, from a jealous and weak individual, to an insane, angry, blood thirsty villian, to a frightened child who clearly realizes his mistakes. Tetsuo has to be my personal favorite villian from any film, purely due to how well he is developed and the absolute human, kind-natured side to him that is apparent throughout the film.
   Besides that, the movie is the orgin of anime for most anime fans, and is an absolute must-see film for anyone in my opinion, even for those who don't usually like anime. I mean, who doesn't like an awesome story line, great character developemnt, big explosions with high intensity sequences, and a great ending in my opinion. One of the greatest anime films ever made, and the film that really started it all for anime's popularity.

3 comments about The Last Riders.

1. If you watched CHiP's for years waiting for Ponch to pull his gun or drop the "F" bomb, then this may be your movie. Filled with 80's, early 90's cheese; compleate with girl band montages and female wrestlers in tiny swim suits. About a biker who kills a dirty cop and then leaves to protect the gang, only to be framed by the dead cops partner who turns the gang against him. If you love B biker movies this will be right up your alley. If you are looking for a movie with sceans of vintage bikes this is not your movie as there are only scant shots of near modern day Evo's. Over all not a bad flick for your biker movie collection, with an ending only slightly better than "Hells Angles on Wheels".



2. What can I say? It's just one of those 'bikerflicks' with a lot of shooting and violence. It's still amusing though, but not very believable, especcialy the fact that the main character stays alive when his whole trailer is filled with lead! But there are much worse movies.



3. Ok I love cheesy biker B movie flicks and I didn't like this one, they were giving away a free dvd, a few to choose from and this one sounded best, with a purchase of another at a cd shop or I wouldn't have got it, Estrada just doesn't do the bad guy very well he was in the gang but decideds to leave for the good of the team all happy and grown up about it he starts the movie trying to rob/recover money from a drug deal gone bad then killing a guy and then right after it's like his character is total mister nice guy, then many bad things happen and mister nice guy gets angry? I like cheesy and all but this was too much if you're a teenage guy you will like the women in tight clothes fighting and so on but otherwise don't buy this movie, I'm just glad I got mine free.

5 comments about The Wild Angels.

1. as exhibited by the comments and attacks on a group of Mexicans. Fonda is about as animated as a cigar-store Indian, Nancy Sinatra is woefully miscast, Diane Ladd is over the top and predictable. In fact, the best performance may be delivered by Bruce Dern.....as a corpse.



2. Like most people I've seen "Easy Rider" (1969), Peter Fonda's infamous drug-culture biker flick, but I haven't seen any of the other similar films from the '60s. Since "The Wild Angels" was available cheap I decided to enlighten myself to this Grade B film genre.
   
   The first half hour or so is quite good. The Southern California locations and cinematography are incredible and the story is compelling. In fact, the film's worth owning for these elements alone (the scenic footage was shot in Mecca, Idyllwild and Palm Desert, California). The last 55 minutes can be shocking and tedious, however, if you're not psyched-up for it.
   
   This latter portion of the film involves the death of Fonda's best friend, "The Loser," and his funeral & burial. The movie tends to bog down during these segments wherein the only thing that catches your attention (or wakes you up) is the utterly mean-spirited and criminal behavior of the "Angels."
   
   I'm a big Marlon Brando fan so I've seen "The Wild One" from 1954, the original biker flick; but the worst that Brando & his gang do is brawl, drink and chew gum (gasp!). This may be "wild" perhaps but certainly not mean-spirited or criminal.
   
   "The Wild Angels" was filmed only 12 years later, so I'm thinking 'How "wild" can they be?' Surprise, surprise as Fonda's gang members are WAY beyond merely wild & free (which is how they're depicted in the first half hour), they're totally wicked imbeciles (although Fonda himself, I should point out, is usually portrayed in the film merely as the epitome of 'cool').
   
   Want proof? The Angels break into the hospital to "free" the Loser and he ends up dying for lack of proper medical care for his critical wounds. They make sure to get him high before he dies though. While breaking into the hospital one Angel savagely attempts to rape a nurse. And guess what kind of thanks the Angels give to the minister who kindly perfoms The Losers' funeral? They beat him up and trash his sanctuary. Guess what kind of comfort two Angels offer to The Loser's mourning girlfriend? They cruelly rape her. To top it all off they outrageously abuse The Loser's corpse at the funeral party(!!).
   
   As you can see, the Angels aren't just anti-heroes in this film, they're the SCUM OF THE EARTH. Not only that, but they're a bunch of LOSERS who, as Fonda points out, just "want to get loaded." Hey, everyone needs to let loose and celebrate now and then (God even commands it in the bible -- Deuteronomy 14:26), but if the whole purpose of your life is to just "get loaded" you're not gonna look very good when you hit 35 (the Angels in the movie are all in their 20s), and you're certainly not going to have any energy, drive or charisma. Yeah, the "party animal" life gets old real quick, and then ya gotta grow up (every one grows older but not everyone grows up).
   
   Despite what other reviewers say, Nancy Sinatra does a fabulous job; she would later renounce the film, however, due to it's incredible immorality.
   
   In my teens I went through a "party animal" phase and "partied" with real bikers on quite a few occasions (The Outlaws). These were some bad dudes, to be sure, but they were generally pleasant and merry; I never experienced anything that remotely resembles the Angel's heinous conduct in this flick. So I very seriously doubt the realism of this depiction. In other words, knowing that controversy sells, Roger Corman featured the Angels immorally over-the-top for the simple sake of shock value. Most people, I'm sure, realize this. Still, there's SOME truth to the nature of such outlaw/outcast American biker gangs as depicted in the film.
   
   FINAL ANALYSIS: The first time I saw "The Wild Angels" (2004) I was taken aback (to put it mildly) by the incredibly wicked morality of the Hell's Angels; I simply wasn't prepared to see this in a 1966 flick. I also felt the story really bogged down with The Losers' death, funeral and burial (which involved the last 55 minutes of the film). These factors explain why I rated "The Wild Angels" as 2/5 Stars.
   
   Seeing it again after over two years, fully prepared for the material, I saw the film's uniqueness and brilliance. Yes, some of the Angel's behavior is incredibly reprehensible and, yes, the preacher in the film was right when he stated "Woe to those who say good is evil and evil is good." Still, the picture successfully captures the utterly outcast (and outlaw) nature of the bike gang. They're like a small, totally lost tribe living on the periphery of American soiciety. In a way, one can't help but pity the poor bastages.
   
   Also, I saw the genius of the last 55 minutes of the picture, which involve The Losers' death, funeral and burial. If you're psyched-up to see an action picture you're going to be disappointed because "The Wild Angels" boldly sneers at all such film conventions. The story powerfully shows how the various gang members deal with their grief: They deny it and attempt to lose themselves in drinking/drugs, laughter and criminal conduct. The leader (Fonda) can't shake his great grief; he's not sure if he even loves his "old lady" anymore. When everyone else scatters because "the Heat" arrives, he stays -- risking impending capture -- to bury his fallen comrade.
   
   The original title of "The Wild Angels" was better and more fitting: "All the Fallen Angels."
   
   No matter how you slice it, "The Wild Angels" is shocking, bold, unique and well worthy of its notorious reputation. In fact, it was banned in Denmark, one of the world's most 'liberated' countries, when it was first released.
   
   If you're watching it for the first time you'd better brace yourself.



3. "The Wild Angels" is no "Easy Rider." TWA is chock full of bad acting, bad dialogue, badly-delivered dialogue, and more teased hair than you can shake a can of Aqua Net Extra Super Hold at. Three stars for numerous and unintentionally funny scenes that reek of every biker cliche imaginable. I became interested in the genre after reading Joan Didion's analysis of biker movies in "Notes Toward a Dreampolitik," but I must say I'm pretty much over it now.



4. We want to be free! We want to be free to do what we want to do! We want to be free to ride. And we want to be free to ride our machines without being hassled by The Man. And we want to get loaded. And we want to have a good time! And that's what we're gonna do. We're gonna have a good time. We're gonna have a party!
   
   
   60's alternative cinema and a pretty big hit 40 years ago. Poorly acted. But campy fun.



5. Classic Roger Corman !
   Yea , its kinda cheesy , but if you like bikes there are some old schoolers here .
   Where else can you see Bruce Dern & Dian Ladd , (Laura Derns parents) , in the same movie .

1 comments about Troy's Story - The Incredible Rise of Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss.

1. There was a lot of great background of how Troy Bayliss got into racing but this really stops at 2002. There was really nothing about his 2 years with the Ducati MotoGp team, his year on the Honda MotoGp bike or his return to World Superbike other than a few sentences and images. I would have thought this newer DVD would have more of the recent history as well. This DVD shows what a great competitor and really nice guy Troy is.

5 comments about Moto X Kids.

1. This action movie is an excellent movie for children who like the outdoors and riding bikes. A cute chimpanzie steals the show so see it now.



2. We rented this movie and watched it a dozen times with my kids (ages 4-6). We kept it well past the return date and now we will end up buying it on amazon. The kids are talented little actors and this was a nice movie for the family. I can't count the number of times that little chimp made my 4 year old twins giggle and cheer. Great job.



3. This reminded me of some kind of ABC After School Special. That's all I expected, so I wasn't disappointed. It's just a good little movie about some kids racing to save the family farm and motocross track. Lorenzo Lamas is servicable, as is Grizzly Adams. The kids are cute. The monkey angle is funny and I bet your kids will laugh. The younger they are the better.
   
   This will make them want to either go outside and ride their bmx bikes or their dirt bikes or atvs. And get a pet monkey.



4. I spent way too much money renting this movie over and over again. I didn't think that I would be able to find it, but Amazon had it and delivered it fast. My boys (5 and 9 years old) love this movie and I am glad that I was able to find it.



5. My kids have watched this movie over and over. They are a 6 yr old boy and 9 yr old girl. They both race motocross and my son rides a cobra just like the monkey. He loves seeing that monkey ride "his" bike. They have watched this countless times!