The Canyon (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In "Open Water" (2003), a pair of scuba divers (who were also a couple) got stranded in the middle of the ocean and found themselves imperiled by a school of sharks. Well, in "The Canyon", we have a newly-married couple stranded somewhere in the Grand Canyon and hunted by wolves. It's basically a survival-type drama with some twists, but on the whole is quite formulaic. What makes this watchable (though more as a rental and not a purchase) is the acting, which I thought was quite alright, considering this is a low-budget indie flick. The story centers around Nick (Eion Bailey) and Lori (Yvonne Strahovski) who are a pair of newly-weds and eager for adventure (well, Nick mainly) - Nick's idea of a perfect honeymoon is to explore the deepest recesses of the canyon via muleback. Unfortunately, Nick did not have the foresight to apply for a permit for their excursion and the pair decide to take on the proffered services of a grizzled old guide Henry (Will Patton).
Will Patton makes the initial part of this movie quite watchable with his dry humor and vast knowledge of the canyon - he really is quite a hoot to watch in his role as guide. Unfortunately, his role is rather shortlived, and it is left to Nick and Lori to carry the rest of the movie through as the stranded pair are forced to rely on their wits to stay alive and make it out of the canyon, even as tragedy and danger stalk them in the form of a pack of determined wolves. Eion Bailey's Nick is quite average in his role as the smart ass new husband who uses his persuasive skills in getting Lori to agree to his adventure - a plan that seems doomed from the beginning considering his lack of planning and foresight.His character as such is hard to empathize with. Lori as portrayed by Yvonne Strahovski has more of a screen presence and manages to convey a wider range of emotions convincingly and had me rooting for her all through the movie. The highlight of this movie is actually the gorgeous cinematography of the canyon - simply breathtaking. On the whole, this is basically a been-there-done-that sort of survival drama, and I'd recommend it as a rental at best.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Canyon (2009)

Honeymooners Nick and Lori head off to the Grand Canyon for adventure and time alone together. Upon arriving, they hire Henry as their guide, who seems to have his own idea about the outdoor excursion. When tragedy strikes, the newlyweds must fend for themselves. Discovering they areprey being hunted by something orsomeone, they desperately fight forsurvival to escape the canyon alive.

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about The Canyon (2009)

IMAX: Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I haven't seen that many IMAX films on the Grand Canyon so I won't be able to give any real comparisons, but I will say this one does at least deliver on what I was looking for: Nice wide footage of the Grand Canyon. Although most of the footage is personal shots of the expedition you do get some really good aerial footage as well as other impressive nature shots.
The difference between this particular documentary and what I would normally expect from a Grand Canyon is that it has a conservation message tied to it. Instead of focusing solely on nature's wonder there is a lot of footage on the effects of drought and siphoning of the Colorado River. So if you are looking for a full-on nature safari this isn't exactly it. At the same time it's not like you aren't getting any absolutely amazing footage either. Just not as much as I was expecting.
Like many IMAX films coming to Blu-Ray the AVC transfer is breathtaking. The 3-D on this release is indeed in full 1080p as opposed to the 720p some studios are mulling over for their 3-D BD releases. Every little detail will stand out, even on the included 2-D version (even if those details won't come out and touch you). The audio is equally immersive with the DTS HD MA 5.1 track getting you wrapped up in the sounds of the canyon all over. There is also a German DTS HD audio track. Unfortunately like the original Blu-Ray release I think there are no subtitles of any kind. There are a somewhat respectable list of extra features on this release, which I suppose is better than expected. Most of the extras are standard definition with the exception of one. Here is what you get:
- 30 Minute Making of Featurette chronicling the challenges of shooting in IMAX 3-D.
- Music video by Wade Davis' daughter, Tara singing "Water"
- IMAX feature trailers in HD
It looks like they took out some of the features that are on the 2-D only Blu-Ray released a little while back like the HD MFF IMAX Productions retrospective, conservation tips, fact sheet and trivia. I guess you can say it's small price to pay for the 3-D aspect. Still some will miss the retrospective.
Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk is a very worthwhile documentary that shows the real beauty of the Grand Canyon... if you don't mind the preachy parts. Of course conservationists will really appreciate the fact filled message as well as the eye candy. The IMAX theater release was also in 3-D so now you get the full experience of this 40 minute feature... well... aside from the massive IMAX viewing screen of course.

Click Here to see more reviews about: IMAX: Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2008)

From the makers of Everest comes a powerful and cautionary film about the threat to one of America's most iconic landscapes. Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk follows the great Colorado River as it reveals the most pressing environmental story of our time--the world's growing shortage of fresh water. Join environmental advocates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Wade Davis as they set out with their daughters, traveling deep into the Grand Canyon and down the river that runs through it. Your pulse will quicken as you are invited to join this thrilling ride downriver through raging rapids and breathtaking canyons. With stunning photography and sweeping aerial shots the renowned filmmakers capture all the majesty of the Colorado and The Grand Canyon in the largest film format ever made. Narrated by Academy Award-winning filmmaker, actor and noted environmentalist Robert Redford. Featuring the songs and music from the Grammy Award-winning Dave Matthews Band. This film will leave you with a deeper respect for rivers and water everywhere and the realization of how ordinary people can make a difference for our parched planet. Originally conceived, photographed and released in ultra high-resolution IMAX® 3D process. The 3D image is optimized for home viewing by scanning the original 15/70 image at an 8K resolution for the 3D Blu-ray release. This 3D Blu-ray will play on a standard Blu-ray player.

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about IMAX: Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2008)

Historic Travel US Wild West Reaching Out To New Horizons (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Documentaries come and go and obviously some are better than others. This collection has five different documentaries in it, all of them relating one way or another to the American West.
While most of them are good, but not exceptional, the one about the lives of Native Americans on reservations is phenominal and worth the price of the set on its own.
You get a really good sense of just how taken advantage of these people were, and how they fought to preserve their heritage and dignity in the face of incredible odds.
The piece is very well balanced and shows you both sides of the story, which is rare in movies about this subject matter.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Historic Travel US Wild West Reaching Out To New Horizons (2005)

Few places on earth evoke as much excitement and nostalgia as does the West. Introduced to the world largely by Hollywood, this little known part of the country normally conjures images of guntroting cowboys, barren deserts, rugged mountains with fascinating canyons and amazingly crafted mesas and wild Indians whooping down rock-strewn slopes on their saddle less mustangs. there is, however, much more to the west than 'Indians and cowboys' and this fascinating 2-DVD set from a2zcds portrays the little known history, culture and natural resources of western United States, as never before!

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about Historic Travel US Wild West Reaching Out To New Horizons (2005)