The Beastmaster (1982) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Beastmaster is a cult favorite that was a modest success in its initial release, but found an audience through home video and repeat (and I mean repeat) TV viewings. HBO doesn't stand for Home Box Office, it stands for "Hey, Beastmaster's On!" - Dennis Miller
Called a Conan the Barbarian ripoff, even though it was released shortly after that film which would've made it impossible to copy it, The Beastmaster stars Marc Singer (V: The Miniseries, Beastmaster II & III) as Dar, the last surving member of his tribe, who has the power to communicate telepathically with animals. His sidekicks include a black eagle (really a hawk), a black panther (actually a Bengal tiger painted black) named Ruh, and two cute ferrets named Kodo & Podo. They're on a quest to save the lovely slave girl, Kiri, played voluptuously by Tanya Roberts (Sheena, A View To A Kill, TVs That 70's Show) who also happens to be the cousin of the son of a king imprisoned by the evil Maax, played with an added beak nose by Rip Torn (Men In Black). The film blends a good amount of adventure, action, drama, romance, and heart to make any moviegoer satisfied. But my personal favorite scenes involve Dar playing with his animals (especially Kodo & Podo). Marc Singer is truly an animal lover who cares for them with honesty and sincerity, which gives the movie it's added zeal. Throw in John Amos as Seth for dramatic acting effect and you've got a perfect movie! Gotta love those creepy Birdmen as well as the evil Jun Horde!
The DVD Special Features are pretty good. You of course get the film in it's original widescreen aspect ratio (1.85:1), which is also enhanced for 16x9 TVs. There's an audio commentary by co-writer/director Don Coscarelli (Phantasm 1,2,3,&4) and co-writer/producer Paul Pepperman (Phantasm) which is informative but lacks in part due to both men not talking enough about Marc Singer or Tanya Roberts, and more about how disappointed they were in those bad effects shots (the Jun Horde army riding in the distance and the black eagle having to carry the little girl in mid air) and how they got the animals to do their work (FOOD!!). There's also an added bit of Behind the Scenes Home Movie footage with both Don & Paul providing commentary. Plus you get the Theatrical Trailer, original production art, poster still galleries, Talant bios and a really nice 16 page booklet with sketches and liner notes. And for those who don't know, there's a great "easter egg" hidden feature of the cut love scene between Dar & Kiri. Just click on "Extras" at the main menu, then once you're there go down to "Main Menu" and go right. When you hit enter you'll see the "Eye Ring" come to life and then the bonus scenes will begin!
The Beastmaster - A Cult Classic!
"I see through their eyes...they see through mine. They know my thoughts...I know theirs" - Marc Singer as Dar

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Item Name: The Beastmaster; Studio:Starz / Anchor Bay

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V: The Original TV Miniseries (1983) Review

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(More customer reviews)For anyone who is a fan of 'alien invasion' movies, sci-fi in general, or just good-old storytelling, the original 'V' mini-series is an absolute classic. The story begins with the arrival of 50 gigantic spacecraft over 50 major cities around the world; a civilization of human-like beings have come to ask for our aid in saving their dying planet. Over the film's 3+ hours, our 'visitors' go from friend to foe, and humanity faces the prospect of enslavement by a facist regime, not unlike in World War II, this time on a world-wide scale. V was (and still is) unique in its ability to weave together action and drama, along with some sci-fi elements, to create a 'morality tale' of sorts. I must admit, there were a couple of scenes that still leave me choked up. The mini-series debuted on NBC in the Spring of 1983 and was followed by an excellent sequel, 'The Final Battle,' a year later. Considering the date of release, it must be mentioned that the special effects are not up to current CGI standards - don't come here expecting 'Independence Day', but there are some scenes that are still impressive, even by current standards. This was done back in the day when you had to build all your effects from scratch and there were no computers to fall back on!
On to the DVD release of 'V'...I must say this right now: if you're like me and you've seen V a hundred times already, you're in for a shock when you get a look at this version. The colors are brilliant and everything is so sharply in focus...it makes my old VHS version seem like watching t.v. with plastic-wrap over the screen. It looks that good! The audio track has been completely remastered and the majority of the effects have been enhanced. Every laser blast, every explosion, the whoosh of a passing fighter...it's all there, loud and clear, and in Dolby Stereo. A 25 minute 'behind the scenes' documentary is included, and while it won't tell you anything new or shocking about V, it is intriguing and adds to the value of the disc. Last, but definitely not least, is the commentary track by writer/director Kenneth Johnson. This WILL tell you 'new and shocking' things and is definitely a major treat for those of us who are long-time fans.
I was about 9 years old in the Spring of '83 when the original V mini-series debuted on t.v. Needless to say, V left a major impact on me, as much as the original 'Star Wars' movie did, if not more. If you are a fan of V, you MUST purchase a copy of this - it's like seeing the show again for the first time. On the other hand, if you've never seen V before, if you can deal with its early-80's origins, it will no doubt move you like the rest of us.
As for myself, I have one thing to say: bring on 'The Final Battle' DVD, I'm ready!
P.S. Oh, and one more thing...why did Jane Badler's name never become a household word? Aside from her being devastatingly gorgeous, not to mention her chilling portrayal of the evil alien leader 'Diana', one would have expected to see more of this talented actress later on in her career. There is no justice in this world!

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Aliens pretending to be friendly come to Earth and are received openly. The aliens have masqueraded themselves to look just like humans. When it is discovered that the aliens' planet is dying and that they have come to rape the Earth of its natural resources, the war for Earth begins. An important key to the humans' success is distinguishing the their own from the aliens.

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Marc Anthony - The Concert from Madison Square Garden (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)A live broadcast for HBO from Madison Square Garden in 2000, this 2 hour show is energy filled and a winner for salsa lovers; the camera work and editing are excellent, and it must have been challenging to follow Marc Anthony as he dances his way across the stage. He is super-charged and looks great in all black, with a knee-length jacket and his trademark sunglasses.
The musicians are incredible, and keep up with Marc every step of the way, and the audience reaction is like an ocean of applause and cheers, that clearly overwhelms Marc with emotion at times.
The DVD "Extras" include the video of "When I Dream at Night".
As Marc is fond of saying, "check it out, baby !"
The songs:
1: "Y Hubo Alguien", a wild salsa number to start the show with.
2: "Contra la Corriente", the title song to his terrific 1997 CD.
3: "You Sang to Me"
4: "When I Dream at Night"
5: "Hasta Ayer". My favorite song of the show ! the concert is worth viewing for this number alone; guitarist Nelson Gonzales does a marvelous solo on this one.
6: "Si Te Vas". more wild salsa.
7: "Nadie Como Ella". Tito Puente does a drum solo on this one.
At this point in the concert Marc Anthony does some introductions: Ruben Blades, and Julia Roberts and Benjamin Bratt who are in the audience.
8: "Don't Let Me Leave". Aaron McLain does a nifty electric guitar solo on this song.
9: "Remember Me". A lovely, poignant ballad.
10: "My Baby You". An emotional ballad dedicated to Marc's daughter Arianna, which moves Marc to tears after singing it.
11: "Te Conosco Bien". Back to the salsa.
12: "Da la Vuelta". Mas salsa !
13: "Preciosa". An ode to beautiful Puerto Rico.
14: "That's Okay". Great dance number.
15: "I Need to Know". I love this tune ! Wonderful melody and rhythm, impossible to refrain from dancing when this is playing.

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: DVDArtist: ANTHONY,MARCTitle: CONCERT FROM MADISON SQUARE GARDENStreet Release Date: 03/16/2004

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