Vengeance [Blu-ray]

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Vengeance [Blu-ray] Review

Hong Kong auteur Johnnie To is back and this time he's gone international--heck, this film even competed at Cannes! "Vengeance" is a co-production with France and utilizes French, Chinese, and English as its primary languages. For fans of To's work, "Vengeance" aligns thematically with "The Mission" and "Exiled." But no prior familiarity with To is necessary to enjoy the pleasures that "Vengeance" has to offer. Even though the film is staged in an urban setting, it is essentially an existential gunfighter western with one man seeking retribution for an attack on his family. Moody and contemplative, "Vengeance" is not a non-stop action picture but rather a thoughtful meditation on honor, loyalty, and mortality.

As "Vengeance" opens, a family of four is gunned down at their residence in Macau. As the wife clings to life, her father (French rock star Johnny Hallyday) arrives to provide comfort. With his craggy face and sullen demeanor, Hallyday recalls a "Death Wish" Charles Bronson--and, indeed, it does appear that the film is headed in that direction. Hallyday, a chef by profession, knows his way around a gun but needs help identifying the culprits responsible. He conveniently runs across a team of hitmen (doesn't that always happen when you need it?). Promising them everything he owns, including his restaurant, they join forces and are soon off to Hong Kong to settle the score. But tracking the killers down is just the first stage as the team on Hallyday's payroll unravel some unexpected connections.

To has reassembled many familiar faces from his previous films--I particularly liked Anthony Wong, Lam Kar Tung and Lam Suet as the trio working with Hallyday. A real relationship develops within the team and this, to me, is one of the stronger elements in "Vengeance." There are several finely staged, if somewhat familiar, shoot-outs. A sequence in the park is orchestrated with precision and artistry while the finale is both loopy and surprisingly poignant. One of the more unusual aspects of "Vengeance" is a condition (which I won't reveal) that Hallyday must cope with--but it is done well and really highlights a number of interesting philosophical questions about the nature of revenge. There is a complex and adult subtext within this genre picture about responsibility, what we owe to others and ourselves. "Vengeance" may not be the film you are expecting from its title and set-up, there is an underlying sorrow and a depth that is quite unexpected. Give it a try. KGHarris, 10/10.

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Battlestar Galactica - Saison 2 [Blu-ray]

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Battlestar Galactica - Saison 2 [Blu-ray] Review

This is the best show on TV right now. Maybe the best Sci-Fi show ever. If you are a sci-fi fan, this is a must-see show. If not, you should still consider checking this out. Yes, it is in space and yes, it has killer robots, yet even with that, the depth of human drama is comparable to anything on TV today.

Last season, the 12 Colonies of Kobol were nearly blown away by the Cylons, machines that resemble humans and the old warrior mechanical types. The humans almost ran out of water and fuel, yet somehow manage to survive. This ragtag group of human refugees is in search of a 13th lost tribe of humans on a planet called Earth. Things this season start out badly, and they only get worse.

Both of the leaders of the fleet are incapacitated at the beginning of the season. President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) is in Galactica's brig for inciting Lt. Kara "Starbuck" Thrace (Katee Sackhoff) to mutiny which caused the loss of the Cylon Raider that had been captured, which was a valuable military asset. Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) was shot by "Boomer" (Grace Park), who is a Cylon,

The second season here picks up right where the first season left off. However, unlike most TV shows, the problems presented in the Season 1 finale are not resolved in the first episode. Some will take the whole first part of the second season to be resolved.

As we learned in season 1, there are 12 models of Cylons. The question is: is the Raider (ship) and Warrior, unit 2 of the twelve, or are there 12 models that resemble humans? We do have the introduction of 2 new human-form cylon models (bringing the total to 6/8, leaving 6/4 left to be uncovered), and the reappearance of political activist/terrorist Tom Zarek (Richard Hatch, of the original Battlestar Galactica).

A unique feature this season, and one that is a most interesting addition, is a textual representation of how many people are still alive. Each week in the credits, there is a sentence which lists the exact number of survivors, and it changes every week, depending on how many people died (or appeared) the episode before.

In comparison to Season 1 it is hard to say which is better. The 13 episodes of Season 1 were all great. In the first half of Season 2, there are also no bad episodes. Battlestar Galactica season 2 has such powerful episodes as " Pegasus" and "Scattered". Yet the best episode of the Season 2.0 DVD is " Valley of Darkness", which in my opinion is sheer brilliance, and possibly the best episode of the series.

This is one of the best shows on TV right now, according to many media outlets. "A Breakaway Hit!" -TV Guide and "The Best Show on Television." -Newsday are but two examples of the rave reviews it has received. If you are a sci-fi fan, this is a must-see show. If you aren't a sci-fi fan, you should still consider checking this out. Even though it's in space and has killer robots, it is more human than most other drama shows on TV today. So say we all.

Anyway, for those who haven't seen this show, but you like a good character drama, be sure to check out this show on DVD. I believe it's even better on DVD. Much like Babylon 5, there is a single story line, with multiple story arcs all tying into that one line. So there is continuity between each episode...and unlike Star Trek, they don't hit the reset button between each episode or movie. What's damaged on a ship in one episode stays damaged in following episodes, as the first season takes place just over a 3 month period.

I recognize that this is a compelling drama that just happens to take place in outer space. It deals with many weighty subjects such as genocide, human flaws, paranoia, depression, and religion. The creators of the original 1970's Battlestar Galactica included many Mormons. On the Internet there are hundreds of articles looking at the religious imagery, the Mormon end-time theology. The religion themes are just as powerful in this new series and this series has practicing religious (clergy - faithful believers), visions, a drug to induce religious visions, and the president believes she is to fulfill prophecy and save humanity.

This is possibly the best Sci-fi series ever!

So say we all.

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Historic Travel US: New York - Bundle Pack

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Product Description

This bundle pack includes the following DVDs:

Historic Travel US - Around the World in New York (2-DVD Set)

One of the first radio stations to undertake broadcasting in the United States was KDKA in Pittsburgh, which announced the results of the 1920 presidential elections. Two years later the number of licensed broadcasting stations had increased to 500, but only 2 million Americans who owned radio sets could enjoy listening to the broadcasts.

Historic Travel US - Arteries of New York DVD

Take a thrilling ride through the streets of New York. Ride its magnificent subways. Be enthralled by the fascinating elevated train as it thunders over the busy 3rd Avenue. Witness the city’s plight when newspaper transporters call a 17-day strike. This fascinating DVD has it all.

Historic Travel US - Many Faces of New York DVD

The "Big Apple" has had its share of great moments and some forgettable ones as well. This DVD presents an exhilarating picture of the many ethnic groups that have made New York their home and contrasts these with some pathetic visuals of New Yorkers who lived in pitiful conditions under the shadows of the mighty skyscrapers in the first half of the 20th century.

Historic Travel US - New York A Century Ago (2-DVD Set)

This fascinating DVD records some historic moments as boatloads of immigrants step on to the piers in New York. It also captures some graphic images of the city that greeted these fortune seekers as they settled into their newly adopted country.

Historic Travel US: New York - Bundle Pack Review

"I live in Rochester, and was pleasantly surprised to witness a pictorial history of this great place in this fabulous DVD. The clip provides some breathtaking views of the natural beauty of Rochester and places around it. Fortunately, Rochester has kept its cool and has not bowed down to the pressures of urbanization. It remains one of the most spacious cities of America, attracting people from all over the country. The other clips are equally fascinating and provide a great look at life in New York over half a century ago."

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Crazy Stupid Love [Blu-ray]

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Crazy Stupid Love [Blu-ray] Review

I thought this movie was fabulously funny and warm-hearted, poignant and tender, bitter and sweet. In other words, just like our real relationship(s) in life. Steve Carell was brilliant as the cuckolded husband who had to find his groove (again) after slipping into the humdrum of benign neglect, Ryan Gosling couldn't have been better in the role of the dazzling womanizer who surprised himself by falling in love, Julianne Moore nailed it as the wife who couldn't quite figure out what she wanted now that she'd up-ended everything and everyone. Every one of the youngsters in the film had such sweetness to them, and yet were so real, just like any kid of their various ages. Emma Stone was just the right balance of vulnerable woman and strong.

When we finally see how all the pieces of this seemingly random puzzle come together, it's brilliant. Couldn't be better, or more touching-while-funny. In fact, I was in a full theater of mostly 50's and 60's age adults, and the place rocked with laughter from the start of the film to the finish.

This is a movie NOT to be missed!

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Band of Brothers + The Pacific [Blu-ray]

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Band of Brothers + The Pacific [Blu-ray] Review

With a history aficionado (in general) and a World War II buff (in particular) on my holiday shopping list, I always face the inevitable crisis about what to get them. Arguably, HBO's 2001 miniseries "Band of Brothers" and the 2010 offering "The Pacific" are two of the most significant narrative works to emerge on the contemporary entertainment scene. Spearheaded by the powerhouse collective of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, these two massive enterprises showcase different aspects of the Great War. While initially dubious of the hefty price tag (although I picked one up when Amazon had it deeply discounted), there is no denying that the appearance of the Special Edition Gift Set is both handsome and deluxe. As a gift or if you don't already own the two shows, this would be an easy recommendation. However, if you do have one or both of the programs--I'm not sure that this qualifies as a necessary upgrade.

I will make some comments about the programs for newbies in a moment, but let's get down to the facts for those who are already familiar with the two miniseries and just want to know about this specific item.

Packaging: The DVD discs are placed within a large hardbound book with thick cardboard pages on which glossy photographs accompany the inserts. It's akin to having a coffee table book with DVDs inside. There are two discs housed on each two page spread (one side only) and I have no issues with too much glue or scratched discs which can be problematic in similar sets. It's really quite a nice layout. The book itself is then housed in a the simple box pictured which seals magnetically. Granted, the size of the overall package may not sit easily with your traditional DVD collection--but it is designed as a real centerpiece.

DVDs: The two actual miniseries, with all previously released bonus material, are carried over from the prior individual releases. Each disc houses two episodes (both Band of Brothers and The Pacific run ten episodes or five discs). Each miniseries then has a Bonus disc. As I said, these features are the same as those previously released. This makes up 12 DVDs and a thirteenth has a new documentary feature.

Principle bonus features carried over for Band of Brothers:
"We Stand Alone Together" Documentary
Ron Livingston's Video Diary
"Making of" Featurette
Normandy Premiere Featurette

Principle Bonus Features carried over for The Pacific:
"Profiles of the Pacific" featurette
"Making the Pacific" featurette
"Anatomy of the Pacific War" featurette
On Blu-ray only: An Enhanced Viewing Mode Experience

New Documentary: "He Has Seen War." This is a 53 minute feature that follows some of the veterans shown in both miniseries home as they reminisce about those homecoming experiences. It is bleak, sometimes painful, and a very emotional addition. It is very worthy to be seen--but if you already own both shows, it's not enough to drive a double dip purchase.

"Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific" represent very different components of the war. I won't synopsize either show as that information is widely available (and I've gone on way too long). Both are essential viewing in my opinion. Packaging them together makes a beautiful set. KGHarris, 11/11.

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