The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Full Screen Edition)

The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Full Screen Edition) Review

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The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Full Screen Edition) Feature

• The Chronicles of Narnia
• lion
• fantasy
• narnia
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Full Screen Edition)

C.S. Lewis's classic novel The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe makes an ambitious and long-awaited leap to the screen in this modern adaptation. It's a CGI-created world laden with all the special effects and visual wizardry modern filmmaking technology can conjure, which is fine so long as the film stays true to the story that Lewis wrote. And while this film is not a literal translation--it really wants to be so much more than just a kids' movie--for the most part it is faithful enough to the story, and whatever faults it has are happily faults of overreaching, and not of holding back. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe tells the story of the four Pevensie children, Lucy, Peter, Edmund, and Susan, and their adventures in the mystical world of Narnia. Sent to the British countryside for their own safety during the blitz of World War II, they discover an entryway into a mystical world through an old wardrobe. Narnia is inhabited by mythical, anthropomorphic creatures suffering under the hundred-year rule of the cruel White Witch (Tilda Swinton, in a standout role). The arrival of the children gives the creatures of Narnia hope for liberation, and all are dragged into the inevitable conflict between evil (the Witch) and good (Aslan the Lion, the Messiah figure, regally voiced by Liam Neeson).

Director (and co-screenwriter) Andrew Adamson, a veteran of the Shrek franchise, knows his way around a fantasy-based adventure story, and he wisely keeps the story moving when it could easily become bogged down and tiresome. Narnia is, of course, a Christian allegory and the symbology is definitely there (as it should be, otherwise it wouldn't be the story Lewis wrote), but audiences aren’t knocked over the head with it, and in the hands of another director it could easily have become pedantic. The focus is squarely on the children and their adventures. The four young actors are respectable in their roles, especially considering the size of the project put on their shoulders, but it's the young Georgie Henley as the curious Lucy who stands out. This isn't a film that wildly succeeds, and in the long run it won't have the same impact as the Harry Potter franchise, but it is well done, and kids will get swept up in the adventure. Note: Narnia does contain battle scenes that some parents may consider too violent for younger children. --Dan Vancini




Stills from The Chronicles of Narnia:  The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Click for larger image)

Prepare to enter another world when Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media present C.S. Lewis' timeless and beloved adventure. With the stunningly realistic special effects, you'll experience the exploits of Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter, four siblings who find the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of "hide-and-seek" at the country estate of a mysterious professor. Once there, the children discover a charming, once peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs, and giants that has been turned into a world of eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Aided by the wise and magnificent lion Aslan, the children lead Narnia into a spectacular climactic battle to be free of the Witch's glacial powers forever! The Chronicles of Narnia, Narnia, and all other book titles, characters and locales original thereto are trademarks of C.S. Lewis Pte Ltd. and are used with permission. © Disney/Walden

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French Connection [Blu-ray]

French Connection [Blu-ray] Review

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Welcome to the Filmmakers Signature Series on Blu-rayT. Enjoy this highly acclaimed, realistic crime drama from innovative director William Friedkin with authentic high-quality picture and sound, true to the director's vision. This new HD transfer comes with an exclusive 28-page booklet on the making of the film, which includes in-depth actor and director profiles. Based on a true story, The French Connection stars Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider as detectives who aim their sharp instincts and unconventional methods at the international suppliers of New York's heroin trade. The French Connection earned 8 Academy Awardr Nominations and 5 Wins,* including Best Director for groundbreaking "New Hollywood" director Friedkin.

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Academy Awards Best Picture Collection, Vol. 1

Academy Awards Best Picture Collection, Vol. 1 Review

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This DVD collection contains six Academy Award-winners for Best Picture, including: Patton, The French Connection, All About Eve, How Green Was My Valley, The Sound of Music, and Gentleman's Agreement.

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James Dean: Born Cool

James Dean: Born Cool Review

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James Dean: Born Cool, the first documentary film on the life of James Dean executive produced by Marcus Winslow, Dean’s cousin and head of the Dean Estate features a wealth of never-before-seen photos, offers insights and anecdotes by those who knew Jimmy best—his friends and family.

The two-disc DVD, produced Whatantics Productions and Flim Flam Film, is absolutely loaded with extra features. OVER 6 HOURS OF BONUS MATERIAL!

Fans will be able to see for the first time the complete raw footage of James Dean’s home movies with commentary by Dean’s cousin, Marcus Winslow. Also included is the complete raw footage of home movies by an extra on the set of Dean’s first film East of Eden. Fans will also be able to view three separate video tours! Marcus Winslow gives a tour around the farm house James Dean grew up on and also of the Fairmount Historical Museum that houses the family’s extensive collection of Dean Artifacts. The second tour is by Dean Historian David Loerh who gives a tour of his brand new James Dean Gallery Museum. Third is a driving tour of James Dean’s hometown of Fairmount, Indiana.

The DVD also contains hundreds of photos of James Dean set to music. Included in this is a complete tour of James Dean’s yearbooks included page-by-page scans of Dean’s Senior yearbook.

The DVD has the most comprehensive filmography, quotes collection, timeline, and interactive trivia. It has two separate audio commentaries by the filmmakers and Marcus Winslow, deleted scenes and MUCH more!

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Sade - Live Concert Home Video

Sade - Live Concert Home Video Review

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This DVD showcases Sade's live performance at San Diego's Open Air Theatre on October 3, 1993. It features 17 tracks such as "Jezebel," "Like a Tattoo," "Kiss of Life," "Love is Stronger Than Pride" and more!

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I Dream of Jeannie - The Complete Fourth Season

I Dream of Jeannie - The Complete Fourth Season Review

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Hold on tight as the fourth captivating season of I DREAM OF JEANNIE takes off! Join Jeannie (Barbara Eden)and her beloved master, Major Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman)as they find themselves in some of the most hysterical situations of the series. This season, Jeannie’s magical and invisible dog from over a thousand years ago returns to terrorize NASA and is later transformed into a porcelain statue mistaken as a priceless ancient artifact from the Ming Dynasty. In a two-part episode, Tony is replaced by a look-alike double agent who unwittingly becomes engaged to Jeannie. Jeannie’s wicked twin sister returns to take another go at Major Nelson, only this time in a crowded night club! The cast of "Laugh-In" race to cast Jeannie as Princess Armina in a special guest appearance on their show. Dr. Bellows is replaced by a younger and more aggresive phychiatrist who is dead set on exposing Major Nelsons secrets. With 26 hilarious episodes featuring such guest stars as Judy Carne, Arte Johnson, Gary Owens and Richard Mulligan, the complete fourth season is every fan’s "fourth wish!"

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The Gene Hackman Blu-ray Collection (French Connection / Hoosiers / Behind Enemy Lines)

The Gene Hackman Blu-ray Collection (French Connection / Hoosiers / Behind Enemy Lines) Review

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French Connection

Hoosiers

Behind Enemy Lines

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Fully Flared

Fully Flared Review

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Fully Flared. Lakai's newest skate film.

Eric Koston, Rick Howard, Marc Johnson, Brandon Biebel, Mike Carroll, Guy Mariano, Anthony Pappalardo, Scott Johnston, Cairo Foster, Jeff Lenoce, Mike Mo Capaldi. Put all of those skaters on film mixed with some sick editing, multiple camera angles for every shot and you have Lakai Fully Flared DVD sure to please every skate movie collector.

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The Muppet Movie - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition

The Muppet Movie - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition Review

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The Muppet Movie - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition Feature

• Recommended Age: 3 years and up

Jim Henson vaulted Kermit, the famous floppy-armed frog, and his Muppet pals to the big screen with this charming 1979 musical adventure. Like the TV show that inspired it, Henson and director James Frawley playfully acknowledge movie clichés and conventions and allow the characters to address the camera in asides, like a Hope and Crosby road film for the 1980s. The ambitious singing frog decides to leave his swamp and conquer Hollywood, gathering a group of friends along the way (Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and more) and bumping into oodles of guest stars making tongue-in-cheek cameos (my favorite is the tip-of-the-hat appearance by Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy). Meanwhile, despicable fast-food king Charles Durning pursues Kermit, hoping to make him the spokesfrog for his Frogs-Legs restaurant franchise. Austin Pendleton costars as Durning's sad sack henchman while guest stars include James Coburn, Dom DeLuise, Madeleine Kahn, Steve Martin, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Carol Kane, Cloris Leachman, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Telly Savalas, Elliot Gould, Orson Welles, and Big Bird. Paul Williams penned the bouncy, song-filled score. You'll believe a frog can sing! --Sean Axmaker


This anniversary edition features wacky new bonus material.

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In the Time of the Butterflies

In the Time of the Butterflies Review

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Academy Award® nominee* Salma Hayek gives a powerful, passionate performance as an idealistic young woman who wages a daring struggle for freedom against a murderous dictator (Academy Award® nominee** Edward James Olmos) in this moving thriller that, "with brutal simplicity, dramatizes the personal toll of political tyranny" (San Francisco Chronicle). For generations, General Rafael Trujillo (Olmos) has ruled the Dominican Republic with a mixture of terrorand savagery until Minerva Mirabal (Hayek) dares to oppose him. Inspired by her love for a rebel leader (Marc Anthony), Minerva and her sistersknown as Las Mariposas ("The Butterflies")endure unimaginable hardships in a battle for the very soul of a nation. But as their acts of bravery gain notoriety, Trujillo's forces close in, determined to put an end to Minerva's heroics. *Actress, Frida (2002) **Actor, Stand and Deliver (1988)

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