Harry Potter Years 1-4 (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone / Chamber of Secrets / Prisoner of Azkaban / Goblet of Fire) (Widescreen Edition) (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)I went out to buy the newest Harry Potter DVD (Movie 4) on it's release day, even though I don't already own the first two (I do own Movie 3, however). I knew I'd get the two I didn't own eventually, so why not get Movie 4 upon it's release? I arrived at the store and noted the price for the 2-disc Widescreen Special Edition of Movie 4 was about $23 USD. I looked around a bit and found this boxset with all four of the movies in it for $49 USD. That makes them about $12.50 USD each, and even though I'm buying one movie I own already, I'm getting three that I don't for less than I would pay buying them all seperately (Movie 4 was half the price of the boxset alone!).
The boxset contains Movies 1-4 in the 2-disc Widescreen Special Edition format. That is 8 discs total. Each one is packaged the same as it's original release, though Movies 3 and 4 don't have the cardboard slip covers that came with them originally, but they still display just as nicely. The box that the movies come in is rather weak and poorly constructed and I doubt I'll be keeping it, however I bought the set to get the movies at a bargin price and not to get a nice box to put them in.
I strongly recommend this set for anyone who wants to get the whole set for one low price, it's a great way to catch you collection up for cheap!

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The Harry Potter Years 1-4 includes each of the four 2-disc sets of Harry Potter 1, Harry Potter 2, Harry Potter 3 and Harry Potter 4 (all widescreen versions).

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Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)The biggest surprise is that this DVD didn't make you feel embarrassed for the creators, unlike the 1978 made for TV movie. This direct to DVD show is fairly watchable, and stays vaguely true to the Dr. Strange mythos - Wong, Mordo, Dormammu, the Ancient one are all here. Mordo is still a good guy gone bad. The animation is very similar to Marvel's other animated efforts.
While a bit more "Kung Fu Fighting" than one might expect, I'm sure the target audience is not 50 year old collectors of silver age comics. In this regard however, one misses the sometimes amazing visuals that artist Steve Ditko brought to the original 1960's comic book series. After all, Dr. Strange was one of Marvel's more cerebral characters.
Bottom line - a nice DVD to share with kids, or for Marvel fan boys.

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Peel back the layers of reality and behold a stunning realm hidden beneath. One of magic and wonder. Of sorcery and enchantment. Of ancient spells, secret doors and remarkable heroes who protect us from evil. Because this is also a world of dark mysticism, malevolent forces and unspeakable horrors. And within the shadows around us, a supernatural war is waged. But the balance is shifting. Darkness is winning. Yet there is hope... Join us as Dr. Stephen Strange embarks on a wondrous journey to the heights of a Tibetan mountain, where he seeks healing at the feet of the mysterious Ancient One. But before his wounds can mend, Strange must first let go of his painful past and awaken a gift granted to very few. The gift of magic. Empowered as the new Sorcerer Supreme, Dr. Strange now tests his limits, rising up against monsters that push at the gates, facing the most terrifying entity humankind has ever known.

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Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)For the record, I am not a fan of Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" fantasy series, so I didn't really expect to enjoy the TV adaptation.
But to my surprise, "The Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season" turned out to be a surprisingly solid fantasy adventure series, with plenty of swords, monsters, lush New Zelaand scenery, sorcery and a likable young Prophesied Hero. It has some cheesy genre cliches at the beginning, but quickly evolves into a good-hearted, action-packed series.
Young woodsman Richard Cypher (Craig Horner) rushes to help a Confessor woman who's being attacked by D'Haran soldiers -- and promptly finds himself accused of being her accomplice, and hunted by the D'Harans (who have made it through a magical barrier than cuts off the Westlands). When he goes to get help from the eccentric wizard Zed ("He's crazy! He talks to his chickens!"), he encounters the beautiful Confessor Kahlan Amnell (Bridget Regan) once again.
The big reveal from Zed and Kahlan: Richard is a prophesied hero called a Seeker, who must use a magical sword to defeat the evil overlord Darken Rahl (Craig Parker). When his life is ripped apart by murder and treachery, Richard reluctantly accepts his destiny, and sets off across the Midlands with Kahlan and Zed.
Unfortunately the Midlands have plenty of problems as well -- cruel D'Haran soldiers, Mord-Sith, magical maps, a boy who can read minds, some inconvenient magic shape-changing, the birth of a forbidden male Confessor, a string of impossible murders (including one seemingly committed by Richard), a malevolent wizard who is trying to create new Confessors, corruption in the Westlands, a plague created by Rahl, and a visit to the haunted tomb of an ancient Seeker bent on possessing Richard's body.
In the course of their travels, the trio also learn that Rahl is searching for the Boxes of Orden, which can give ultimate power to the one who owns all three. Richard and his friends struggle to keep the magical boxes hidden, but a terrible mistake threatens to derail the Seeker's quest.
It's not necessary to be a fan of Goodkind's books to appreciate "Legend of the Seeker" -- it's only loosely based on Goodkind's first doorstopper, and quite a few things are changed. Fortunately the TV show has plenty of merits on its own -- the lush scenery porn of New Zealand, intricate story arcs and standalone adventures, and plenty of swords'n'sorcery. You almost forget sometimes that it's yet another story about a prophecied hero.
Each episode has plenty of action, usually involving Richard's acrobatic sword fights with D'Haran soldiers, and some fun magical twists (a talking doll). The writers also deftly avoid the Ye Olde Fantasye trap by penning dialogue that is breezy, straightforward and frequently amusing ("Remember, before chopping off the head, make sure the body is dead lest the head grow back." "What lesson is THAT?" "Not a lesson, just something I once read in a cookbook").
It does have some flaws, however -- the first two episodes are bogged down in genre cliches (Richard becoming a master swordsman overnight), cheesy moments (Richard's sword being struck by LIGHTNING?), and too much slow-motion. Fortunately things even out after the beginning of the series.
Craig Horner is absolutely perfect for the role, especially since Destined Heroes tend to be rather boring. Instead he perfectly portrays a down-to-earth goodness and kindness, which is tempered from innocence to maturity as the season winds on. But he brilliantly pulls off Richard's darker moments, including a horrendous Mord-Sith "training" session that leaves Richard broken, twitching and doe-eyed. He's also ridiculously gorgeous, and the directors take full advantage of that (the whole bridge-building scene).
And Horner has amazing chemistry with Regan, who does a great job as a strong, butt-kicking woman who can enslave anyone with a touch. Bruce Spence does a wonderfully eccentric, lanky old wizard who frequently batters Richard with life lessons, and Parker makes a surprisingly human Evil Overlord, whose cruelty and manipulations are revealed to be an obsessive desire for "harmony." Doesn't stop him from being deliciously hateable, though.
"Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season" is wobbly at first, but soon becomes a well-acted fantasy series that stands on its own apart from Goodkind's fantasy novels. Definitely a good show, and promises to become better.

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Explore a world of fantasy and mythology in the unforgettable epic adventure LEGEND OF THE SEEKER. There's fun to be had in the sword-and-sorcery action sequences and magical effects, says Matt Roush of TV Guide. Take a coming-of-age journey with The Seeker as he joins forces with a mysterious woman and a wise, powerful wizard to combat Darken Rahl, the demonic sorcerer intent on taking over the world. In the ultimate battle between good and evil, who will answer destiny's final call? Experience every episode of the fantastic first season, and discover how LEGEND OF THE SEEKER comes to life with exclusive, behind-the-scenes bonus features. TV's most magical series is even more spellbinding on DVD!

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The Dresden Files - The Complete First Season Review

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(More customer reviews)After Buffy went off the air, and then Charmed, I despaired of finding a supernatural show with quality writing and great plots. My prayers were answered by the Scifi network with this awesome show.
I was already a fan of the book series and this show does an excellent job of adapting the stories written by Jim Butcher. Like in Charmed, magic exists but regular people don't know about it. Harry Dresden is the only Wizard P.I. in the phone book. Most think he's a crack pot, but some know he is their only hope. He works as a consultant to the police via Det. Murphy on those cases considered bizarre. Along the way there are werewolf serial killers, vampire club owners, and innocents that need to be protected.
The show doesn't overdo the special effects, rather using them less frequently but with greater impact. Which is actually in keeping with the books. Harry is faithfully recreated and played by Paul Blackstone. And then there is Bob. The portrayal of Bob is one of those rare instances where a book character has been drastically changed, but in a good way. In the books he is an incorporeal spirit residing in a skull. This is fine in the books where a reader's imagination is boosting the concept, but would not translate well to TV. Producers cleverly decided to make him a human-looking ghost with a dry wit and snappy dialog. They did it so well, Bob quickly became my favorite character!
If you like fantasy or scifi shows, get the Dresden Files. And when you can't get enough of Harry, get the books.

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Based on Jim Butcher's best-selling novels, "The Dresden Files" chronicles the cases of no ordinary detective. Harry Dresden (Paul Blackthorne) is a wizard, the only one listed in the Chicago phone book. He's got a handle on the crimes that can't be solved by anyone else. Paranormal? No problem. Dresden deals in all matters of supernatural threats. If you need a little hocus pocus or some other worldly advice, Dresden's your man.

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Tin Man (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are expecting ruby slippers and a cackling green lady, you are in for an awakening of your own. Growing up with singing munchkins, I realized, hey, I am a grownup. And SciFi seemed to realize it too with a magnificent departure from the 1939 MGM film to a brilliant, futuristic, decadent, and sometimes apocalyptic telling. The reinventions of characters and fantastical sets soon transport you from the familiar to a place you find yourself hard to take your eyes off of-- from phosphorous-glowing trees, desolate paths, Metropolitan-like art deco palaces, and underworlds unlike anything and then again reminiscent of a certain alphabet city pre-Rudy.
The story itself is not for the kiddies. Mine were told continuously to leave the room, go play, and find something else to do. But the grown up fairy tale is long overdue. The story actually had twists, turns, and menacing meaning-- much more substance and meaning than the trifles the network and cable gurus seem to thrust down our throats.
I honestly cannot wait until the DVD comes out to feast my peepers on the rich masterpiece SciFi laid out for the holidays. (A much better smorgasborg than the Cheeto-fare of Lifetime).
And for just desserts-- SciFi scored an incredible coup with incredibly gifted actors perfectly tailored for each role-- most notably Alan Cumming for Glitch, Neal McDonough as the titular Tin Man, and the remarkable "evil" Azkadelia played by Kathleen Robertson.
Evil no longer is a personality trait to just carry a plot, but in this series, actually has a real beginning, reason to exist, and a true part in throughout the series up to the climatic end. This series is like a force of nature that I found myself carried away in-- somewhat like DG.

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A tent-pole miniseries release from RHI Entertainment and SCI FI Channel, Tin Man is a modern science fiction update of L. Frank Baum’s timeless "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." When a sorceress named Azkadellia scorches the once-beautiful land of OZ into a desolate wasteland, the only hope lies in an "outsider" named DG, a young Midwestern woman, whose troubling dreams have summoned her to the doomed paradise.D.G. embarks on a journey to find the great mystic man to save the O.Z. and on her way she befriends a scarecrow named Glitch, a tin cop named Cain, and gentle manimal named Raw. Journey beyond the yellow brick road withTin Man, now on DVD for the first time in this 2-Disc Collector's Edition with amazing bonus features and collectible packaging.

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Legend of the Seeker: The Complete Second Season Review

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(More customer reviews)The first season was a little slow (at least by comparison) but season 2 is awesome! There has been much more action and the plots have gotten better with the addition of the reformed Mord Sith Cara to the merry little band and even briefly having Darken Rahl (villain from season 1) join them. If you liked Lord of the Rings or that sort of thing, this is a must buy for you. It has wizards, witches, magical swords, women that can make you tell the truth, prophecies, dark lords, epic struggles between good and evil and even a few of the actors from Lord of the Rings. All it's missing is a ring and some elves, but I guess they had to leave something for season 3...if there will be a season 3 that is. As the previous reviewer said, it is doubtful the show will be picked up for a 3rd season. It has suffered from a serious lack of publicity almost from day 1. Were it not for Briget Regan going on G4 to promote the show I wouldn't have known it existed and if not for Tivo I would have never known when it was on. I watch it on WGN (which has said they will not air season 3) and the only promos for the show I ever see come on right after watching the episode. So the only people that will ever know when it is on are those that already knew when it was on....how do you grow an audience like that? It's kinda like a guy cutting off his horse's leg and then complaining that it doesn't ride fast enough so he shoots it. Hopefully syfy will pick it up. If you are a fan of the show or haven't seen it yet but want to, please Email to feedback@syfy or disney/abc and ask them to give us a 3rd season so they can at least give the show a proper ending. There are numerous sites that have a link to sign the petition for season 3 Sign it or risk being burned with Wizard's Fire!
Update: Season 2 just ended with a bang! You do not want to miss it. If you were one of the many that were not fortunate enough to watch this show at a regular time slot and have any interest at all in the show, you MUST buy this dvd and you will not be disappointed. Things ended in a way that if that is really the end it is an ending worthy of rememberance but there are still questions and certainly a hint that the true dark lord of the series could come back with a vengeance. I for one want to see what happens next. Keep fighting Seeker fans! Maybe we can get a partial season or tv movies or something. Visit the websites like legendoftheseeker dot org (it doesn't allow me to post the actual link but you can figure it out with that) for info on who to write and demand more Legend of the Seeker.

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Television's epic fantasy Legend Of The Seeker returns for a spell-binding second season. Relive every exciting moment uninterrupted in this sensational 5-disc box set complete with exclusive bonus features.
The ultimate battle between good and evil reaches new heights as a tear in the veil separating the world of the living from the underworld unleashes the most powerful forces the world has ever known. Only the mythical Stone of Tears can seal the cracks forming across the globe and only the Seeker, with the help of Kahlan and a fiery Mord'Sith named Cara, can find the stone and close the rift once and for all.

Journey to the thrilling world of mystery and mysticism with all 22 episodes of Legend Of The Seeker: The Complete Second Season, and delve even deeper with never-before-seen bonus features available only on DVD.

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