5 comments about Raging Bull [Blu-ray].

1. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN. DENIRO AND PESCI ARE FANTASTIC. A+



2. Raging Bull is probably the greatest movie about a boxer ever made. Jake Lemotta was NOT one of the nicest or smartest middleweight champions of all time, but Robert De Niro made the character understandable but not sympathetic. The picture is now more stunning that ever for home viewing in blu-ray. I give it my highest recommendation.



3. Martin Scorsese is unquestionably a great director, and this is a fine film. I used to think it was a great film, but since the last time I watched, I've seen "GoodFellas". And the latter casts a bad light on the former. Hang on as I try to explain.
   
   "GoodFellas" has an iconic scene, largely improvised, in which Joe Pesci's paranoid-psychotic character takes objection to another mobster's innocent comment that he finds Pesci "funny". Pesci pesters him about this -- "What do you mean, I'm funny?" -- amping up the tension until it's suddenly released, for no obvious reason. We don't know why Pesci is acting the way he does. But we are very much aware that we're watching stupid, illiterate, insane people argue for no good reason. And it works.
   
   In crafting a biography of Jake LaMotta (who, as I write this, is still alive at the age of 89), Scorsese tried to get away from the clichés of Hollywood bopics, and succeeded. There are no portentous scenes, no "we have to sum up everthing that happened up to now" dialog. The film seems almost documentary, as if we're watching the events unfold in real time.
   
   Unfortunately, in order to get this casual, unpretentious effect, Scorsese had the actors ad-lib some of the dialog -- and it just doesn't work, particularly in scenes where one character confronts another. It's hard enough for a screenwriter to pen high-quality dialog -- it's almost impossible for any actor to come up with merely /appropriate/ dialog on the spur of the moment.
   
   "Did you f*** my wife?" "What do you mean by that?" "I mean, did you f*** my wife?" "I ain't gonna answer that." "You're my brother, I expect you to." "That's a crazy question, I ain't gonna answer." And so on, and so on, until you want to throttle both the characters and the actors playing them. As bad as it sounds "on paper", it's many times worse in the film.
   
   And it doesn't happen just once, but in scene after scene, until it becomes an irritation. It seemed novel in 1980, but in 2010 it's a cliché. Scorsese should have used the ad-libs as a starting point and written "believable" dialog that came closer to the way the characters would likely have spoken in real life. (He could have gotten LaMotta's view, as he was an advisor.) As it is, we're not seeing the charactrers, but the actor ad-libbing.
   
   This is the only reason I dislike "Raging Bull". It is otherwise a magnificent movie, with beautiful B&W cinematography that anyone who says "I don't like B&W films" has to see. If you're not bothered by (in my view) the poor improvised dialog, you will doubtless find it a masterpiece.



4. I saw this movie in my film studies class. At first I thought, "Boxing movie? Cool!" but only a few minutes into the film I discovered that it was miles away from exciting. Jake La Motta is an extremely unsympathetic character whose temper and jealousy don't give any motivation for the audience to like him. He alienates everyone close to him and I couldn't bring myself to feel sorry for his eventual fate. Robert De Niro's portrayal of La Motta was well done, but being well-acted doesn't make the film any more watchable. The boxing scenes were the parts I was most looking forward to, but again, I was sorely disappointed. I am well aware that the boxing wasn't the main focus of this film, but a director of Scorsese's caliber should have been able to make it slightly interesting.
   
   The only thing that angers me more than the fact that my time was wasted by this film is the fact that so many hail it as a masterpiece.



5. Raging Bull is undoubtedly one of the great boxing movies, others include Champion, Somebody Up There Likes Me and The Harder They Fall but my favourite is still Body And Soul with the great John Garfield. This blue ray transfer of Raging Bull makes the close up punches even more painful to watch but the film is overlong and it does drag in some scenes.

5 comments about The Biggest Loser Workout: Cardio Max.

1. This workout is for beginners, unless you use heavier weights or hand weights. It can get your heart pumping, but if you are already in shape this will not be enough to get your heart going.



2. If you are just starting to exercise, I would recommend The Biggest Loser Bootcamp, it's a little less GOGOGO! If you don't have bad asthma and above average stamina, Cardio Max is one heck of a workout. I would suggest this anyone not just starting.



3. This is so awesome! On the DVD menu, you can compile your own workouts... warm up (5 min), level 1 (20 min), level 2 (10 min), level 3 (10 min), and cool down (5 min). I am trying the warm up, level 1 and cool down. On first attempt, I got the warm up and 7 minutes of level 1 then had to quit. Today, I was able to complete the exercises. The exercises don't seem very challenging until you try it out. :-) Got a good sweat going. I think this is a great investment - just buy the DVD and get a pair of hand weights (or just grab 2 cans from the kitchen) compared to joining the Gym. More efficient to exercise at home instead of wasting time driving to/from the gym.



4. Great for getting your heart rate up!
   
   Pros:
   1) There are modifications available for most of the exercises for those that are just starting out.
   2) It is nice to see the "normal" people in the background struggling to do the exercises too. Makes me feel a little better :)
   3) Jillian and Bob do a good job of keeping you motivated by telling you why they were doing certain exercises and reminding you of why you are doing them at all. I am one of those people that do well with the "boot camp" style. No bubbly smiliness here.
   
   Cons:
   1) Can be very hard on knees and wrists. Much easier if you have a thick mat to work out on. Carpet was not enough for me.
   2) Level 3 (with Kim) was not even close to the intensity of levels 1 and 2. Some of her moves were difficult to follow and I did not "feel the burn" like the other two levels.
   
   Overall, I would recommend for beginners/ intermediates.



5. after reading other reviews where people stated they thought they were in shape, UNTIL THEY TRIED THIS DVD, i ran out and bought it. kind of a disappointment, as i didn't feel too worked out after running the whole thing. my calves feel a little worked, but that's about it. i'm guessing this disc is targeting people who do not yet have optimal endurance. it's ok, but probably best for people just starting out with cardio. at least it didn't cost much.

5 comments about The Quiet Man (Collector's Edition).

1. I rarely review my purchases but this one deserves a special warning. I know others have said it already, but the picture quality of this DVD is very disappointing, especially for a classic that deserves a full 5 stars. My parents have a VHS copy from 20 years ago that is much sharper than this. And to call it a "Collector's Edition" is just absurd. Great movie, but wait until it is re-released on Blu-Ray or re-released on DVD.



2. This story is one of the first [if not THE first] of what would become the signature of John Wayne movies: woman-dragging and -tossing the object of his love, with a fistfight/brawl as a climax.
   
   I can't comment on the quality of the DVDs since I watched it on Turner Classic Movies.



3. Maureen O'Hara is the most beautiful. I have been to most all of Ireland. The people are fantastic, funny, & if & when I go back,{I am 75 yearsold} it would be most assuredly bed & breakfast. I read Maureen's book entitled Tis Herself & it was so straight forward. She is truly a fiesty lady. Please give her my regards if you can.I love the Irish & would you believe I am of English decent.Great movie! Good job, Amazon!



4. I love the film. I won't go into the film because I can't fault the film. I CAN fault whoever transferred this film to DVD. The picture quality is horrible. I had to change the settings on my television just so the actors were in colors that are found in nature. But the picture was blurry, there were skips and on occasion magenta splotches would show up, particularly in the portion leading up to the fight. I had a VHS edition that was better than this travesty.



5. While watchable on NTSC, the presentation is pathetic on new HD monitors. It is time for this movie to be remastered from the original cine.

5 comments about The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Weight Loss Yoga.

1. This is a very good workout, it is more intense than I thought it was going to be. I guess I should of read closer about it being a Weight Loss Yoga, instead of thinking it was just regular yoga. If you want a more intense yoga workout I would suggest this one.



2. very pleased with the dvd...
   it isn't for the faint of heart (no pun intended)...
   very much a cardio workout using yoga techniques...
   you will sweat!



3. "The Biggest Loser - Weight Loss Yoga" DVD is a great way to get into yoga without spending a lot of money on it or risk looking like an idiot in public when you fall over. You'll be dripping with sweat when you're done and if you already have some experience with yoga, you'll still be getting a good workout. Bob's instructions are clear and he keeps you motivated throughout the session. If you(like me) like keeping in shape with minimal time and effort spent, you should definately consider this dvd. The only negativ I might say for this product is that it may get a bit onesided and boring after a while - but by then you will hopefully have supplemented your exercise with additional workouts. Definately worth the money I spent on it!



4. I'm surprised by all of the positive reviews of this DVD. I've done yoga for a number of years and found this DVD to be kind of repetitive and slow-paced. This is the SLOW BURN yoga (holding a pose for an extended period of time) that I find to be a bit boring. I think the instructor's comments are discouraging and irritating ("oh, you're shaking now, those legs are on fire, who said yoga wasn't hard, etc."). It is a challenging workout, but it needs more variety. I do think the arm exercises in this DVD are excellent. For upbeat, fun workouts, I like Ellen Barrett's Crunch Yoga and Crunch Pilates.



5. First of all, a yoga DVD led by Bob Harper is a good thing, he loves yoga and you can tell. He wants you to love it too. His instruction is good, but the poses and sequences are just not exciting me. I realize this is probably intended for a person who has never done yoga a day in his/her life, but I've been into yoga for several years now (off and on) and I was somewhat disappointed in this DVD. There is way too much upper body (plank, plank, and more variations of plank) and that makes it feel out of balance. I prefer 10 Minute Solution Yoga.

5 comments about Cool Runnings.

1. Again, I was very happy and pleased with the service and quality of merchandise. Delivery time was amazing. Amazon.com has become my favorite place to purchase items, both current as well as hard to find items.



2. Leon Robinson (played by Derice Bannock) has lived for his dream of going to the Olympics as a sprinter, but when he is tripped during the tryouts, he feels his dream slipping away. But, lightning strikes when Leon gets a brilliant idea, form a Jamaican bobsled team, and go off to the Winter Olympics! Forming a rag-tag team of misfits, and grabbing a washed-up American bobsled gold-medalist (John Candy) as a coach, it's off to Calgary, Canada, and the 1988 Winter Olympics! But, it's going to be a very rocky road for these men from warm and sunny Jamaica, one filled with surprises!
   
   This is an excellent movie, hilariously funny, and very clean (with just enough swearing to give it a PG rating). My whole family loves it, and we have watched it over and over again - don't you just hate spending money on a DVD and then realizing that watching it once is enough? Well, this is a great movie, one that you will not regret buying. My family and I recommend this movie to you and your family.
   
   Buy it and enjoy!



3. great story of the olympic team from jamaica john candy great as always great product fast delivery thx



4. As a 6th grade teacher, I wanted my students engaged in the 2010 Winter Olympics. After researching countries extensively, we watched Cool Runnings. This movie is not only about real life happenings about the first Jamaican bob sled team in the 1988 Calgary Olympics, but it fits perfectly into our Character Education program. The children loved the movie and the accent of the Jamaicans.
   
   The movie came as promised in a white VHS box with shrink wrap. The video is perfect and great for the price.



5. excellent movie. enjoyed it just as much as i did when it played at the movie theater.
   
   john candy was at his best, and the supporting cast blended well together. its emotions and humor left me with a "feel good" feeling. when they crossed the finish line carrying their sled, i wanted to jump for joy.

5 comments about NFL Super Bowl XLIV: New Orleans Saints Champions.

1. This Blu-ray is worth the price! At first, I debated purchasing it because it didn't show the entire Super Bowl but this is better. It tells a great story going game by game with great commentary from Jim Henderson and WWL radio. I was happy when they showed us winning and still a bit upset when they showed the 3 game losing streak. I choked up a bit (again) when they showed Hartley nail the winning FG in the NFC Championship game.
   
   The story is told from a definitively Saints and Who Dat Nation perspective. It's like no one else matters, not even Peyton Manning, he's an after thought (in the film). They do a good job of capturing the spirit of the Saints, season, each game and the Super Bowl.
   
   If you are a Saints fan this is a must buy and if you're not you'll still enjoy a great film.



2. I just got this title in on Tuesday, and in the two days that have elapsed I've watched this blu-ray disc 3 times already.
   
   It's really well written, and is split up into 3 main segments. The first is a prologue that profiles the history of the team (briefly) and sets up the Katrina and post-Katrina struggles of the city and the team. The next segment includes a significant amount of high definition highlights from the regular season and playoffs. They don't skimp on the highlights either - they do a great job of telling the story of each individual game, supported by lots of highlights and game film with the unforgettable calls of Jim Henderson and Hokie Gajan of WWL Saints Radio.
   
   The last segment highlights the Super Bowl. A good amount of player interviews put the game's significance front and center, and you are then immersed in Super Bowl XLIV. After a brief conclusion, Saints fans are treated to scenes from the Super Bowl victory parade on "DAT Tuesday" during "Lombardi Gras."
   
   There are a decent amount of special features - highlighting Jabari Hargrove, Sean Payton, Deuce McAllister, and Jeremy Shockey. There's also significant Saints coverage and interviews from Super Bowl Media Day.
   
   All in all, it's worth every penny.



3. They start off with a little back ground on the saints and then head into the magical 2009 season, giving highlights of each game. The highlights are edited so it feels like a watching a movie. They spend much more time on the playoff games and the Superbowl. The entire movie is narrated giving it the documentary feel. The special features are really nice too, most of them are not longer the ten min, but there well worth watching. It looks great on blu-ray and sounds good. All in all I was impressed with presentation of the season and what highlights they showed.



4. Shattered expectations are tough to take. I thought I was going to get to see the whole game.
   This would be a very nice DVD with all the extras if only it had the whole SUPER BOWL game included like I mistakenly thought it did. If you want highlights ONLY of more games than just the Super Bowl, then this DVD does a nice job of delivering that. If you want to be able to watch the whole game, don't waste your money; cause this DVD doesn't have it. VERY DISAPPOINTED.
   
   I guess I'll try iTunes like a commenter suggested to the other 1 star reviewer. Don't waste your money here like I did unless you're happy with nothing but highlights. I'm not. I was on track for a great Saturday. This is almost as disappointing as if the Saints had lost. But they didn't! Who Dat?



5. I was very disappointed in the DVD--I bought the best games of the season and the NFC Champioship game both of which included whole games, so why is the Super Bowl just highlights? I have seen this DVD advertised and in no way is it stated that the game is not part of the DVD--very misleading.

5 comments about Whip It.

1. Ellen Page was not the appropriate actress to play the main character, Bliss. (Page does not seem the best choice to play either a beauty pageant contender or a roller derby queen, let alone both.) But the rest of the movie is so well cast that Page's dry wit would have allowed one to overlook the square-peg-in-a-round-hole problem with this casting.
   
   But the main problem with this movie is that the screenplay just meanders, causing the energy to flag. And in a movie about a roller derby queen the worst sin is allowing the energy to flag. A good editor could have easily pushed this movie up into four star territory. Unfortunately, Barrymore's directorial debut suggests that she should stay in front of the camera. This movie gets a third star simply on the basis of a strong supporting cast. (Daniel Stern as a redneck? But he pulls it off!)



2. I had read a few reviews of Whip it so I knew it was a decent film. The acting was superior. The plot was
   
   a bit flimsy but was adequate. It was an enjoyable film. I liked her dad very much. Ellen Pages' in the film
   
   that is. The boyfriend part ws weak. Juliette Lewis was at her best. Zoe Bell was good.



3. I had no expectations of this movie other than enjoying Ellen Page in Juno. It was a delightful surprise and so much more than just a roller derby movie. A great directorial debut from Drew Berrymoore too!



4. This movie starts off about an ex-beauty pageant contestant named Bliss who leaves her crowns behind after joining a roller-derby team. While her mother would prefer that Bliss unlace her skates and step back before the judges, the rebellious teen instead seeks the wisdom of rowdy mentor Malice in Wonderland in learning the tricks of the circuit track. The movie is much better than plot may sound. Ellen Page is superb as usual, taking on a somewhat different role than what I've seen before. It's impossible to compare her to her role in Juno, as in "Whip It" she plays a much more introverted, but still conflicted girl. Andrew Wilson was probably the funniest character in the movie. Drew Barrymore had a very small role in the movie. The rest of the cast was solid, including Marcia Gay Harden as the strict but loving mother. Juliette Lewis is good as the over-the-top, intense player who takes things way too seriously. All things considered it's definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of hip movies or just comedy in general.



5. With movies like Stick It coming out & continuing the "girl makes good in ______ sport" genre, there's lots of room to grow. It really shouldn't come as a surprise that the world of roller derby gets their own entry as well.
   
   The movie follows Bliss, a young girl who constantly lives in the shadow of everyone around her. Whether its her overbearing, yet well meaning mother or her mocking classmates, Bliss usually puts up with everything. It is only when she discovers the world of roller derby that she begins to gain the self confidence that she so desperately needs.
   
   This was a cute film. It just wasn't a great film. While the plot has just about everything it needs to appeal to a general audience, I can't help but feel like there was something missing from the film. Part of me couldn't really understand how Bliss caught on to everything & became such a great derby player almost overnight, which was the only real problem I had with the film. I loved seeing how Bliss dealt with the issues surrounding her, especially towards the end. The acting is pretty good & I liked seeing that Bliss has some true love for her family- even when they don't see eye to eye. And I loved the guy who played Razor- he was just awesome as the coach.
   
   I just felt like this film needed a little bit more "oomph" to it in the non-derby scenes. When the derby scenes are on, the film really does come alive & it sparkles with energy. Unfortunately the non-derby scenes just needed a little extra something.
   
   But for what's Barrymore's first film, it's pretty darn good. It shows that she has promise as a director & I can expect her future films to just get better. Plus the soundtrack was just awesome. It just fell a little short of what I'd expected from the film.
   
   3.45/5

5 comments about Jillian Michaels: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism.

1. It was just ok, I was hopping for more sweating and jumping. The 30 day shred video is better, this one just ok.



2. I'm a 20-something year old, 5'6, and about 115lbs. Having done a lot of exercise videos (Tracy Mallet, Denise Austin, The Firm, etc...) I consider myself to be in okay shape and this thing kicked my butt. I had to pause so many times to catch my breath. My shirt was soaked and sweat was also dripping off my face. I felt deliciously sore the next day having worked out every inch of my body with this video.
   
   It is not for beginners. If you're just starting, I highly recommend her 30-day shred to get you into the groove of things. Also, if you're like me, this video is just too much to do in the morning. I didn't have the energy and my body gave out halfway through the video. Eat something small before you start this workout. You will need the energy to finish it. When I first started, I was so exhausted I could barely lift my leg for the knee crunches near the end of the video. My feet only got up a few inches from the floor because I was so drained.
   
   Without a doubt, this video will melt the fat out of your body.



3. I always knew Jillian Michaels could deliver results, but I can attest to it personally now. This tape is awesome, and a challenge beyound belief. She's tough, but I like her teaching style. It's motivational.



4. This video is a great way to get your workout in quickly and efficiently. In about 40 minutes, I burn over 500 calories doing this workout (using a heart rate monitor to track calories). I also like that you don't need any equipment and the moves are easy to learn. These plyometric moves are also great to do in between weight training sets to keep your heart rate up! I'd recommend this video to anyone trying to lose weight and get back into shape.



5. I have done 30 Day Shred a little more consistently than this DVD, but I throw this one into the mix every now and then. This is a kick-butt workout! The thing that I love about it is that it is mostly great cardio, with a little strength built in. In this workout, you are huffing and puffing while using so many different muscles! Much more effective than just running on a treadmill, biking, or doing an elliptical, where you are using the same muscles in the same motion for your entire workout. This is a dynamic workout that is sure to challenge your whole body.
   
   True, this workout incorporates some of the same elements from 30 Day Shred, but I don't see that as a negative thing. Some of the overlap from the two DVDs are: jumping jacks, plank twists, jump rope, jump squats, butt kicks, knee raises, skaters, and possibly a few more. But there is SO MUCH in this workout, it's completely different than 30 Day Shred. I like that Jillian uses some of the same moves, because this workout is so difficult that it is nice to do a move that you are familiar with from 30 Day Shred.
   
   There is a lot of jumping in this DVD, but you can modify ALL of the jump moves if for some reason that explosive action is too much for you or the people underneath you. :-)

5 comments about Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones.

1. I am out of shape, and started her 20 minute workouts a few weeks ago. This one kicked my butt, and I deviated a bit at times, and did slightly less strenuous movements for some of them. Even so, a great workout; works different muscles. I love her theory of never stop moving, no rest breaks until you are done



2. This is a great workout. Very difficult but you feel like you got a good workout.



3. This is a great sculpting workout. It lasts approximately 50 minutes with warm up and cool down. I consider myself to be in pretty decent shape and I had to take a break about 25 minutes in because my muscles started shaking. So don't feel bad if if takes you a few times of doing the video to make it all the way through. She combines legs and arms a lot which really elevates the heart rate so you get some cardio effect from the workout as well. I especially love how she devotes time to the inner and outer thighs since those are definitely my trouble zones. I plan on combining this workout with her "Burn fat, boost metabolism" DVD so I can be ripped for the summer. Also, it seems like Jillian knows when i'm about to give up during the workout and she does a good job of motivating me and reminding me while I'm doing this. My only thing about the DVD is the backup girls. I did the 30 day shred and I loved the personality that those girls showed and the fact that they were sweating and struggling right along with me. The girls on this DVD just smile and don't really seem to struggle which is fine I guess, I'm just used to the other ones. All in all, great sculpting DVD and a great follow up for those of you who have already done 30 day shred. Not sure how beginners will do with this DVD, but if your up for a challenge then give it a try!



4. If you've done the 30 day shred, you'll recognize some of the moves in this DVD, though not so many that it makes this DVD not worth buying. As with her other videos, I could see this being tough on someone with bad knees. I have bad wrists, and there's a lot of stuff in this video that requires you to be in plank pose--she doesn't really give a useful modification, but I found I was able to modify those moves myself to make them doable.
   
   This is basically a longer version of the strength and ab portions of the 30 day shred. That being said, this workout is still a good way to get your heart pumping. If you're like me and the cardio circuits are your least favorite part of the 30 day shred, this is a great option. I still feel like I got a good cardio workout after doing this DVD, and it has the added bonus of targeting even more areas with strength training. You will definitely feel the burn the next day, though I wasn't as sore as I was after the first time I did the 30 day shred. I recommend adding some additional stretching on your own both before and after the video, that seems to help a lot with the next day soreness--with this DVD especially, the stretching in the warm up and cool down doesn't really target all the muscles that the DVD works. This is a great addition to my workout DVD collection--as much as I love to hate Jillian Michaels, her DVDs are some of the most effective I've tried.
   
   I would recommend this DVD to anyone who is looking for a good, interesting workout that is effective and not too time-consuming (the workout runs about 40 minutes).



5. The first Jillian Michaels workout I did was her 30 Day Shred. I liked it so much, I went on to purchase "Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism" as well as this DVD. I love all three DVDs and rotate between them each day.
   
   This is a sculpting workout as opposed to a straight cardio workout, like in Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism or the cardio circuits in 30 Day Shred. But, I wear a heart rate monitor, and I find I burn just as many calories doing this workout even though there is no cardio involved. That means I'm getting a GREAT workout.
   
   What I LOVE about this DVD: it is a whole body sculpting DVD. You're working legs and arms simultaneously (similar to 30 Day Shred, in fact, a few of the moves are the same or similar), and there are two great ab circuits. The plank moves are killer. But when I'm done, I feel I've worked every muscle in my body. I also like that the time spent doing each exercise is shorter because you do each exercise twice, so I find I can get through them more easily without wanting to stop. For example, in 30 Day Shred I will start to lose my steam and motivation because I'll feel like we've been doing squats or lunges FOREVER, and Jillian will say, "halfway there, don't quit on me now!" and I'm like, aaagh how many are left?! But with this DVD, because the circuits are set up differently, you'll do a set of four to five exercises twice. So, you'll do each exercise for a little bit of time, twice instead of doing a whole bunch at once. Make sense? This helps me psychologically because just when I'm starting to lose my steam on a certain move, Jillian switches to another move.
   
   I also like the menu option of picking one circuit. Sometimes I'll want to jog, and come in and do the ab circuit. Or the triceps circuit, etc. It's a great supplemental tool if someone doesn't want to do the entire workout, or if they want to focus on cardio and just do a little bit of sculpting.
   
   Jillian is very motivational, she's a great instructor, and shows you how to do the exercises properly. I feel confident in my form when doing each exercise (some exercise videos go too fast and I'm not sure I've got the proper form down and worry about injury). I highly recommend this DVD.

5 comments about Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown.

1. This is definitely a high powered workout. I believe it will help you burn calories and increase muscle tone. But if you want to experience the full range of the benefits of yoga (along with the aforementioned), this is not a good pick and is absolutely not the best place to start.
   I've been doing yoga for over 30 years and I've really come to appreciate the freshness brought to the practice by innovative teachers. I'm very open minded. But, I don't think Jillian has the experience to be an effective yoga teacher--- yet. I don't think yoga has to involve eastern thought; that's not what's missing. What this lacks is the foundations of yoga; proper use of the breath and attention to the energy that we get from it. Sure, Jillian says to move with your breath and the models purse their lips as they exhale so you can see that an effort is being made to synchronize movement with breath. But the energetic flow is just not there, so the energy gain is not there; only a loss of energy. I don't mean to seem vague and point to some imaginary, woozy thing. I'm talking about something thousands of people feel everyday at the end of their yoga practice that I think will be missed at the end of this one. Just imagine burning calories (using energy) yet gaining even more energy to use for the rest of your day. When you do a high energy yoga practice properly, you gain so much energy from the practice that in spite of burning mega calories and using body weight to build muscles you feel energized and balanced when you're done. I didn't feel that way at the end of this one. If you want a fast-paced, effective yoga practice with all of the benefits and very little hype I would recommend Shiva Rea. Shiva Rea: Daily Energy - Vinyasa Flow YogaYoga ShaktiThe newest DVD- Daily Energy- is great and the older Shakti Yoga is the best for both intensity and foundation. Bryan Kest Bryan Kest Power Yoga Complete Collectionand Rodney Yee Power Yoga - Total Body Workoutare excellent also You,ll sweat and feel your strength (muscles) grow while getting all of the benefits touted in the research on yoga. In all fairness, I've only worked with this DVD a few times. But I've worked with a few over the years and there should be something energizing in the practice even in the first few sessions when you're learning the routines. I'll try it a few weeks and then report back.



2. Weight loss Yoga? Not happening people. Lets look at the some science here.
   
   So she says.. lose 5lbs in a week... since there is 3500 calories in ONE lbs... that is 17,500 calories in FIVE lbs. Even if you were super HUGE and couldn't walk through your front door, you are not going to burn this. 180lb man will burn about 200 calories an hour doing yoga... so MAYBE you will get 300 with this.... but probably not.
   
   Sure, go for it! You can do it. Plunk down your $$... just know...
   
   YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO 87 HOURS A WEEK WORTH OF YOGA!!!!!
   
   She makes me sick marketing this stuff this way.
   
   FYI. I am certified personal trainer and a yoga instructor. This stuff ticks me off. She is using her 'as seen on TV' to swindle people out of their cash. You can add to her piggy bank if you want. What do you give someone who has millions... more money I guess... you should go by her diet pills too.. better act quick she is being sued for 5 million for false advertising. Looks like she is doing it again



3. Jillian Michaels is one of my favorite trainers. She keeps me motivated. With that being said, I was super excited to see that she did a yoga video (I love yoga and want to get back into it). I put it on as soon as it came out of the box and I was NOT DISAPPOINTED!
   
   It is the same Jillian with her hardcore - keep ya moving - boot camp style of instruction, but even with poses that are meant to increase flexibility and improve your breathing, I was sweating within minutes of beginning. Level one was difficult, but I am looking forward to level two already. None of the poses were too hard on my knees and wrists (which I have a problem with) and they were fairly easy to keep up with.
   
   If you like yoga and Jillian Michaels, and you want to get in shape, this will get you on your way. Highly recommend!



4. Yet another awesome workout from Jillian Michaels. She kicks your butt yet again. One thing I want to give her kudos for is that she listens to her fans. She did in fact take the structure of 30 Day Shred that us devout followers love and incorporate that into Yoga Meltdown. Thanks Jillian



5. I just purchased this video earlier this week, without reading reviews first (I ALWAYS read reviews first). Well, I got super lucky because I absolutely love this workout, I find it to be a fun new twist on yoga! I have been practicing yoga for a few years now, and while this workout is NOT traditional yoga, it takes yoga poses and adds reps at a faster pace, ensuring that you shed some calories and still really work the muscles (& I mean every single muscle in your body!). One thing I really like about this workout is that it REALLY works my arms, shoulder's especially. So far I have only tried Level 1, and I can't wait to go into Level 2! This is one of those workouts where you can really feel the burn, but the moves are so fun that you just want to keep going!! I was actually able to finish a whole session on my first try, which is impossible for me with every other one of Jillian's workouts! The best part is the next day I still felt the burn as if I had done the 30 day shred.
   
   I would definitely recommend this dvd to someone looking for a fun new workout to sculpt their muscles and raise their heart rate. I, however, would not recommend this video to someone looking for a traditional yoga session. If traditional yoga is what you're looking for, the best video I have found by far is Suzanne Deason "Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss". Definitely check it out, I like this video better than most of the advanced classes I have taken!