The Jungle Book (Two-Disc Diamond Edition: Blu-ray / DVD + Digital Copy)

I love the movie but this DVD is seriously flawed
I picked this DVD up today and got it home to find that Disney had altered the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1 to make the movie "fit" on widescreen TVs. They did this by chopping off the top and bottom of the image. This results in the loss of a good deal of character animation (at least the tops of their heads and their feet). Trust me, I own the original Limited Issue DVD of this film and I did a side-by-side comparison as soon as I got the new Platinum Edition home. If you are a purist about original aspect ratios, please avoid this release and petition Disney to start a free disc replacement program. We should at least have the option of watching the original unaltered film the way that it was meant to be seen.
***NOTE: There are now user images that can be viewed for this product that illustrate the cropping discussed in my review.

A �Bear Necessity�
This movie is more than just another Disney masterpiece. The Jungle Book is a great tale of friendship and adventure. Although almost every animated feature that was created during Walt Disney's life is a classic, this one in particular holds a special place in the heart of many men (and now thanks to video and DVD, boys) who saw it while growing up. There isn't a boy alive who can see this movie and not want to be Mowgli. What a life it would be to live in the jungle, with friends like Baloo and Bagheera. It is every young boys dream to be so free.

That is not to say that only boys will love this movie. As with all Disney films, this one will be enjoyed by all members of the family, young and old. I saw it growing up, and never forgot my memories of the movie, and the days afterward, singing the songs and dreaming of adventure.

The music in The Jungle Book is some of the best in any Disney movie. "The Bare Necessities" is simply one of the best songs ever...

Disney's The Jungle Book - Limited Issue DVD
When it comes to DVDs, I would probably be the first in line to complain about releases that have mediocre supplements. But I felt like I had to make an exception when it came to Disney. All of their "Limited Issues" seem to have little or no extras at all, but the actual animated classic that the disc holds, for me anyway, more then makes up for it.

"The Jungle Book" is one of the first Disney Movies that I watched as a kid. I bought the DVD, and I saw the movie today for the first time in around 12 years. The entertainment value is suprisingly still there, and more over, as a grown up movie fan, I can appreciate the film more as a classic in animated films from Disney & not just a 'cartoon' to pass the time, like I considered it to be as an adolecent.

The picture and sound is satisfying for the film's age and genre; the Spanish Dubbing is an excellent addition, for some of my family anyway. But it pales in comparison to the English vocals; The animation...

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House, M.D.: Season Eight

An incredible final season for an incredible show.
I am going to write two reviews. One will be spoiler-free. The other will delve into the final season of this amazing series.

Spoiler-free:

How do I sum up a show that has influenced me so greatly without giving anything away about the finale, or the episodes that lead up to it? I think the answer lies in House as a character. I have to assume if you are reading the review for the final season of a show that has had eight, that you are at least somewhat familiar with it. I am going to assume that because there is no way to talk about the character as a whole without going over the past seasons. I will not spoil eight at all, but I will talk about seven in this review, and how it ties into eight beautifully.

So, here we go. House is as damaged as a character comes. He has tried to find love, with Stacy in season two, and Cuddy in season seven. Some can argue there was even something between he and Cameron in the first season. House is capable of love...

A memorable exit for House & company
The long-running medical drama's final season picks up with House facing the consequences of Season 7's destructive act against his ex-girlfriend Dr. Lisa Cuddy -- he's in prison, where we learn he's been the better part of the last year.

Although House is no longer a doctor, his basic nature means he's unable to stay away from puzzles, especially when they concern medicine -- meaning, House is a frequent visitor to the prison clinic. In the season premiere, "Twenty Vicodin," Dr. Jessica Adams (Odette Annable) is a bit wary at times, but despite the reasons for House's being there, Adams quickly deduces that this man is a medical genius from whom there's lots to learn.

After much wangling on the part of House's former team member Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) - who is now the Dean of Medicine, taking over for Cuddy - House is able to work at the hospital again. The only problem is, he no longer has a team - during the past year, everyone scattered to other parts...

The Doctor's Last Call
"House, M.D. November 16, 2004 - May 21, 2012

I love this show and will always be a fan of the series, but it has continuously been going downhill and I must admit has not been on my favorites list. Although "HOUSE, M.D." had a great run, I felt it lost everything that once made it such an outstanding show... a couple seasons ago.

Aside from the previous comments, I will miss this show for three reasons. One being, it was once a spectacular series and it's sad to see it end without returning to its original glory. Two, the interaction between House and Wilson has always been a big highlight of the show, to me. Lastly, I will miss Hugh Laurie. I feel no one could have played a better Dr. Gregory House.

All and all, I recommend season eight if you are a fan and want to follow the show until the end.

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TIMMY'S HICCUP CURE / TIMMY'S JIGSAW [HD]

the sheep is too cute
cute sheep and it is a bit sing songie but then it is meant for young children I think it is worth watching for a young child.

Very funny!
My kids are 2 and 4 and they love Timmy Time. It's one show they both like. They laugh every time they watch an episode. Great show for little kids!

One of the best children's shows out there
My wife, daughter and I all love this show. A lot of fun and humor. We hope that someday they make another season.

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The Christmas Toy

Kermit is GONE!
Kermit's opening sequence and his introduction to the cast have been edited out. Gone, too, is the entire "Old Friends, New Friends" song finale, in which Kermit shows up and joins the cast singing the song. All that's left is a brief chorus heard over the closing credits.

For those who have never seen the 1986 original, this will make no difference. For myself and my kids, who fell in love with the original version, this Kermit exorcism is quite sad. Plus, the song finale was an important closing celebration of the show.

The DVD transfer is pristine, but one star is missing, in tribute to the missing green frog dressed in a Santa suit. I'm sure there are purist Henson fans who will not be as generous as I.

There should be a lump of coal in Disney's stocking this year.

Jim Henson is in tears over this DVD
Studio Lyons should be ASHAMED of this DVD release. No extras. Missing opening by Kermit and closing finale of Old Friends, New Friends. This is one of the best Christmas films ever made and they do it no justice. To add insult to injury the disc is labeled as CC closed captioned for the hearing impaired and our friend who is hearing impaired came to watch and we assured her it has subtitles so she could enjoy the film. She was so heartbroken being a big muppets fan that she could not follow the film because there IS NO CLOSED CAPTIONING. Luckily I already own the VHS release and it has closed captions and no missing scenes. DO NOT BUY THIS DVD!!!!

Meteora!
How sad is this...? My sister and I, who are 27 and 30 respectively, think this is the most fun Christmas movie to watch together around the holidays! When our mother taped it off the TV (and we still have that...and every single commercial is for some kind of margarine, which they don't do anymore [that is, run only one product's commercials during a program]) we watched it over a few Christmases and then forgot about it. In high school we rediscovered the tape and thought the story was really stupid and childish...but then, despite ridiculing the idiocy of the stinking mouse "Mew" and the wide-eyed vacuousness of "Apple" the doll (maybe Gwynnie Paltrow liked this movie too and named her poor daughter after that character...?), we ended up watching it every Christmas since. And of course the busty Meteora, who is as close to a villain as this show has, is particularly worthwhile, with her outrageous "outer space" breastplate and diva-esque song. In truth the songs are memorable,...

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Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head [HD]

Grey's Anatomy The Complete Second Season UNCUT is coming to DVD this September!
Grey's Anatomy is one of the best shows I have seen in a Television world filled with way too many reality shows. I will be the first to admit I have never really been in to medical shows. I bought the first season of this DVD set for a couple of reasons. First because I knew it stared Katherine Heigl who stared in one of my favorite Tv shows Roswell, and secondly because I kept hearing buzz and saw how many positive reviews it got here on amazon. Now Grey's Anatomy The Complete Second Season will be released on DVD this September. Grey's Anatomy is a show that has just the right amount of comedy mixed in with just the right amount of drama, and those two things along with the great cast take this far just beyond another medical TV show. This show just keeps you coming back for more. Along with Desperate Housewives and Lost, Grey's Anatomy is another welcomed addition and a great break from all those reality TV shows. According to the press release from Buena Vista/Disney The DVD set...

E. R. Meets Dallas
As I pulled the last episode of Season 2 from my DVD player, I found myself wondering exactly where one might find such a hospital. With the lone exception of the charmingly irascible Dr. Bailey, every doctor who is on screen for more than 5 minutes has slept with a colleague, often a boss or subordinate.

Doctors chide and insult each other and parade their sexual escapades and love frustrations in front of their patients, occasionally as a patient keels over from lack of attention. If you think these doctors are busy, my Lord . . . can you imagine the workload in the legal department? (There's got to be another whole drama concept sitting there ripe for the picking.)

After a season and a half of this, why was I still surprised when the comely intern Izzie climbed into bed alongside a patient and giggled as he talked about groping her? Sure, she knows her supervisor would disapprove. But, hey . . . what self-respecting intern could be expected to subordinate...

The best show on T.V!!
I cannot get over season two of Grey's anatomy!! seriously I am hooked i have been watching the dvd over and over again. The plot twists are always entertaining. there's always some drama going on at seattle grace and then theres the mc dreamy addison meredith love triangle. At first you think he should so choose meredith but as things progress we see that addison is not so bad a person and who should he choose?? The season finale is wicked really wicked because now i jus wanna know what will happen next?? I cant wait for S3 to start airing seriously I am counting down and ticking off the days on my calendar. Sad u think? well buy this DVD and you'll see what it does to you. Greys anatomy is AWESOME!!! *****

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You've Got Mail (Deluxe Edition)

Hanks and Ryan Shine in a Slick But Charming Internet-Based Romance Ten Years Later in a Deluxe Edition DVD
A 10th Anniversary DVD seems a bit vaunted for this familiar 1998 romantic comedy since it continues to play repeatedly on TBS and other cable outlets. It's no wonder since Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan have the kind of ingratiating rapport that makes it easy to slip into one of their movies no matter what part you find yourself watching. Directed by the acerbic Nora Ephron, who helmed 1993's Sleepless in Seattle with the same pair, this movie gleams with the same kind of good-natured, Hollywood-style gloss that made the previous outing a hit. However, the pieces fit a little too perfectly for me, so much so that it feels packaged for maximum audience appeal. It really takes the combined skills of Hanks and Ryan to make this palatable, even likable, but it's not without its challenges.

As with Sleepless in Seattle, Ephron, along with her...

Bouquets of sharpened pencils, indeed
Here's the main and completely irrelevant reason to love this movie: New York City in the fall. Honestly, it should have no bearing whatsoever on the plot, but it does -- and it's impossible not to fall in love with the bright, sunshiny, orange-leaved sheer beauty of the city encapsulated in this movie. Without even resorting to shots of Central Park in all its glory (and really, who can resist that?), "You've Got Mail" takes you on a lovely scenic tour of the Upper West Side, Starbucks and all. Who can resist the street fairs, the parks, the stores, the dock? It's picture-perfect, and if it's a bit surreal, I won't admit it: New York really is rather lovely in the fall.

Aside from making me want to run away to the Big Apple and work in the children's section at Fox Books, "You've Got Mail" also features Meg Ryan at her most adorable ("Aren't daisies just the friendliest flower?"), Tom Hanks at his most charming, and a terrific supporting cast (Greg...

Love this!
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks shine in this romantic comedy. This is the second time this duo have performed together (Sleepless in Seattle). Perhaps that helps create the smooth natural tone of the interactions between the two. Ryan plays a bookstore shop owner...a tiny little store first run by her mother. Hanks company is building a huge bookstore chain in the same neighborhood. The two cannot stand each other. Besides their business lives, the two are both chatting with an interesting person through the internet and believe they are falling in love with the person. Little do they know, it is really each other! Will they meet? And if they do, will they fall in love or be shocked and disturbed? Watch the movie to find out what happens!

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Moneyball

Back Office Baseball: A Smart Screenplay And Grounded Performances Showcase The Business Of The Game
Every year, I get wary of the inevitable film set in a sporting arena where an underdog player or team must triumph against adversity to become unlikely heroes. As accomplished or heartwarming as many of these films can be, they never seem to be able to break free of the conventions that we've all seen a hundred times. While I can't say that "Moneyball" isn't inspired by the genre, I will say that it looks at the phenomenon from a decidedly different angle. Based on Michael Lewis's non-fiction account of the same name, this is actually an intriguing story ruled by the business of baseball as opposed to the emotions the game elicits. As such, it seems like something entirely new. Director Bennett Miller (Oscar nominee for Capote), along with heavyweight screenwriters Aaron Sorkin and Steve Zaillian, has created one of the brainiest and least sentimental baseball films you're likely to see. "Moneyball" tells the true story of how the Oakland A's GM Billy Beane rebuilt the team for...

Inexplicably great movie, even for baseball dummies
I really don't understand baseball. Like it, but don't really understand it. I can watch the game and understand superficially what's happening, but I don't get the strategy and, of course, it's all strategy. So, I went to see this in the theater and loved it and then just rewatched the blu-ray. Loved it, and only partly understand why. One thing: You can't take your eyes of Brad Pitt. Not because of his good looks, but because he's just utterly charismatic and engaging. Jonah Hill is an unexpected but perfect casting choice. But, overall, it's a tribute to the filmmakers that a movie that shouldn't work this well works this well.

The business of baseball
"Moneyball" is based on true events, and provides valuable insight regarding the on-field and off-field dynamics of the Oakland A's Major League Baseball Club.

This film has the capacity to engage viewers who are familiar or unfamiliar with the sport, based on the avant-garde approach to managing resources that is utilised by Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), which any person in business can appreciate.

The narrative is also inspiring, as the viewer is presented with what seems like impossible circumstances for the A's to be successful, yet through innovative thinking high performance is achieved.

Brad Pitt provides a solid performance, as does the entire cast, and the viewer is entertained with plenty of humour and quality drama.

This movie is a win for baseball, as it has the capacity to introduce new people to the game from all over the world.

Nicholas R.W. Henning - Australian Baseball Author

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