No comments about Historical Adventure Sports Movies: Chinook's Children DVD (1940s).

3 comments about Sun Dogs.

1. Sun Dogs is the heartwarming tale of the first ever Jamaican dogsled team. Yes, dogsled not bobsled. The film documents the rescue of 12 stray dogs from Jamaica and their formation into a dogsled team. It's a film about second chances, not only for the dogs but for the mushers as well. The mushers are offered the chance of a lifetime as they cultivate their love for animals while receiving an education and traveling the world. It's a great film for the whole family to watch. You get attached to each of the dogs like they're your own. Jimmy Buffet even sponsored the team, so how can you get any better? The film puts me in a good mood every time I watch. I highly suggest you bark at this documentary.



2. "Sun Dogs: The True Story of the Jamaican Dogsled Team" operates on several different levels. To be honest, when I started the video, I was expecting a bit of a "feel good, happy dogs running to a Jamaican beat" type movie. It's much more than that. Yes, it has lots of feel good moments, but it tackles the creation of this unique sporting team with honesty and shows the dips in the trail as well as the fun moments. As a bonus, you'll even learn a bit about Jamaica in the process.
   
   The video opens as you might expect, with lots of fun in the sun type scenes of Jamaica. Yet, it also shows us the poverty and despair of so many that live there. Danny Melville, who is a businessman and founder of the Jamaican Dog Sled Team, admits that he usually gets laughs when he brings up the team in conversation. It's to his credit that he hasn't settled for using it simply for self promotion. A unique advertisement, the team provides more in form of hope and second chances for many, human and dogs alike. Teachers work with the young men involved with the team, cultivating dreams and showing that anything is possible. In the process, the JSDT entertains visitors and the world as the team evolves.
   
   "I don't know anything about racing dog teams," admits the team's best known sponsor, musician Jimmy Buffett. As he began to listen more and more to Melville, however, and learned more about the team and its goals, he notes that it struck a nerve with him. The dogs are "tough street dogs from Jamaica," most straight from the animal shelter, which film crews visit. Like Melville, Buffett could appreciate the concept of second chances. While there are many scenes of running dogs and the mushers as they learn to be a team, "Sun Dogs" isn't the light hearted romp one might expect.
   
   Davon Anderson is head musher. Melville characterizes him as hard working, caring and someone who not only loves animals, but is loved by them. You'll also meet Newton, one of the assistants, who unwittingly goes on to personalize the theme of second chances when he makes a mistake that is difficult for all involved to forgive. While not covered by the video, the fact that Newton is entered in the 2009 Yukon Quest should reassure you that like the dogs, Newton makes good on his second chance.
   
   As for the dogs, Team Jamaica is definitely a second chance opportunity. As noted, most were street dogs and probably fated for short, difficult lives. You'll meet them all, including big, tough Bruno, whose aggressive attitude keeps him off the team initially. Gradually, with Anderson's efforts, that aggression gives way and you'll see him become a part of the team, adding his strength to its drive. You'll see Diamond's first experiences in harness and the team as it begins to mesh, some becoming kennel pets instead of working sled dogs, but all a part of the team.
   
   "Sun Dogs" also shows that no one is in such a sport alone. Professional mushers are brought in to help select team dogs and train the mushers. You'll follow some to Scotland for more training and their initial races. Their willingness to admit some trepidation is refreshing, especially given the weight they carry as ambassadors of not just the sport, but all of Jamaica. "Sun Dogs" is their story as well as the story of the hopes of Jamaica.



3. Not what I expected. The movie is about the life of people in a warm climit. Nothing to do with Jimmy Buffett. Not sure where he comes into play.

4 comments about Appetite and Attitude: A Conversation with Lance Mackey.

1. I am so impressed with Lance Mackey. He is the real deal as far as big time mushers are concerned. His love for his human family, his dogs, Alaska and sled dog racing comes thru loud and clear in this video. If want to hear what a 4 time Yukon Quest and 2 time Iditarod champion has to say about life and sled dogs, this is the video for you. The only problem is the time goes too fast and I wanted to hear more. Highly recommended.



2. Let me be upfront and straight forward, I'm a huge Lance Mackey fan. When I got my copy in the mail I couldn't get it opened and into the DVD player fast enough. I watched it straight through, then microwaved some dinner and watched it again.
   
   For die hard Lance fans, like myself, its mesmerizing. Its like having a long, fireside conversation with him. Its almost like being there in person. Prehaps its even better, because there are no distractions. He is amazingly candid and open. He offers up insights about the sport that few of us would imagine. He tells us a lot about his own thinking and how he processes observations of dog and musher behaviors.
   
   He gives us the history of mushing in his family, his dad's early endeavors with dogs and how he built his teams. Lance talks about how he and Tonya started their lives together on a beach in the Kenai Peninsula and how the dogs returned to his life. He talks about his battle with cancer and the long term effects of the treatment. This video allows us unprecedented access into Lance's life, intimate, hilarious, heartfelt, determined, and truely dogged.
   
   This is not a critical review. This is South-Paw Sarida telling all those Lance Mackey fans out there to get this video as quickly as you can!
   
   Thank you Donna, Helen, Teresa and everyone involved in the production of this work. I will be living in anticipation until part 2. I hope in the next video we will get to see more of the dogs and watch that Mackey Magic with them.
   
   South-Paw Sarida
   San Antonio, Texas



3. Since his back-to-back wins in the Yukon Quest & Iditarod (beginning in 2007) it's been hard to catch a few minutes with Lance to just hear what the man has on his mind. This is that opportunity! Don't wait! Own this DVD cuz' I'm not loaning mine out!



4. "Appetite and Attitude: A Conversation with Lance Mackey "is perhaps as revealing about the past that brought him to this point as what drives him today. Mackey's repeated refrain that his father Dick Mackey, who won the closest finish of the Iditarod ever, taking a win over Rick Swenson by one second, was viewed as something of a laughing stock amongst those involved in the sport when he started made me wonder given Mackey's claims of not getting the respect he deserves. One wonders if Mackey's drive to gain the respect of his peers today might be more closely associated with that perception than perhaps even Mackey realizes, but "Appetite and Attitude" is exactly what it claims to be, an informal chat with the Lance Mackey about his life and his dogs. This is about as close as most fans can get to having a one-on-one with Lance Mackey.
   
   There's an earnestness about Lance Mackey that makes you believe what he's saying whether he's talking about his own troubled youth, his battle with cancer or his love for his dogs. Those who know Mackey know that "what you see is what you get". He's not just a talker who tells a great story, but he's honest and rarely holds back in conversation. Mackey clearly loves what he's doing and it shows.
   
   You'll certainly find plenty to ponder here as Mackey talks about how he rebuilt his life and built his team, but it's the dog talk that is most memorable. Perhaps the stand-out moment of the entire conversation in my mind is his recounting of how Larry, who'd win the Iditarod's Golden Harness in 2007, seemed to know he'd done something special. Mackey is known to take a moment with his team before entering Nome and recounts stopping to tell them all how special they were and all they had done. He's convinced Larry knew exactly what he was saying. Mackey also talks about Larry sort of surveying the crowd at the Burled Arch and taking it all in as if he knew it was his due. As he talks, you can see the faint trace of a smile on Mackey's face as he remembers, too.
   
   This is what "Appetite and Attitude" is about then, Lance Mackey's unrestrained comments on all aspects of his and how the love of dogs has taken him to where he is now. "I love what I'm doing" is a comment you'll hear often from Mackey. while much has happened in his life since this video was made, it still holds true. "Appetite and Attitude" will take you inside his life, introduce you to his dogs and his drive to gain the respect of his peers, and, yes, leave you convinced that he does love what he's doing. Pull up a chair and listen to what Lance Mackey has to say.

5 comments about Snow Dogs.

1. I thought the movie was excellent. If you own a Huskey you will love the movie even more. I highly recommend this movie to all age groups



2. Product had a dirty cover and prints all over DVD _ BUT it did play and with a little soap and water it cleaned up as for further purchases I may Not unless stated it is clean and acceptable



3. When Miami dentist Ted Brooks learns that his birth mother has passed away and that he was named in her will, he travels to Alaska to claim his inheritance. Rather than the large chunk of change that many people would expect, Ted instead receives his mother's pack of rowdy sled dogs and her property. Although the dogs seemingly have it in for Ted, he decides to keep the dogs and race them in the local race, the Arctic Challenge, spiting a mountain man who wants the dogs. What follows is a comedy detailing Ted's adventures in learning to run the sled dogs. This is a fun family type movie. The dogs pretty much steal the show, with their sometimes human like facial expressions and obvious smarts. I think everyone will enjoy it.
   



4. Having already seen Snow Dogs, I was very pleased to find it on a dvd because it's a very enjoyable movie with beautiful scenery and original and fun filled story! The dogs are amazing!
   But I was sorry not to find the blu-ray version, and also this version is not 16/19 but the edges have been cut off to make it play full screen on an old 4/3 television: this is a pity because quite a bit of scenery is missing which spoils the general effect!



5. cuba gooding jr. gives an excellent performance in this heartwarming story about a man and his sled dogs. this is a good movie. i recommend this movie for everyone

5 comments about Iron Will.

1. I really enjoyed watching this movie with my family. It makes you laugh, cry, get mad, and cheer. It's well worth watching again.



2. the first time i saw this film was in the summer of 1993 or 94,i think.? it's been more than fifteen years now and when i searched for this in amazon, i knew i just had to buy it. my 2 children ages 9 and 6 love the dogs and i'm pretty sure as they grow, they'll like the story too. i rate this movie 5 stars because i like to think that everyone has its own challenges in life and when you're just odds with everything but still you have that feeling that no matter what, you know that you can and if it feels right, then you are victorious.



3. Received this item quickly and in perfect condition. One of my favorite films and I'm glad to be enjoying it again.



4. The "professional" review calls this a "B" movie but that isn't really a good indication of how much you may enjoy watching it. This is more of a softer-edged family drama than a gritty realistic one. So what! It is, after all, a Disney movie -- one that I could show my kids as an example of what someone with determination can accomplish in the face of adversity. (Think "Rudy" or "The Greatest Game Every Played.")
   Against all the odds, Will enters a long distance dog sled race (not the Iditarod) in order to save his family's home. As if the race itself isn't enough, he faces danger from a competitor who will do anything to win as well as other forces outside the race. His only support is a reporter with some mercenary as well as altruistic motives who sees a good story in the making. But everyone underestimates Will. They don't know what he's made of. Along the way, he gets a lot of help from his lead dog who is probably his best friend. Yes, it has some overly sentimental moments but overall, it's a totally enjoyable film that you can show to almost any age audience.
   MacKenzie Astin is not quite as good an actor as his brother Sean, but he gets the job done creating an appealing character that you will definitely root for.



5. Well made movie, Story is good and as a Dog Musher myself the recreated dog sledding equipment is acturate to the period that the film takes place.