It's easy to forget that superstars are real people, but when Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) shows signs of forgetting her roots as Miley Stewart, her father Robbie Ray (Billy Ray Cyrus) puts his foot down. Miley has always strived to live a relatively normal teenage life, but when late stage entrances, exclusive shopping trips that end in brawling catfights, and ditching friends and family in favor of Hannah appearances become commonplace, Robbie Ray whisks her away from a date at the New York Music Awards for a dose of hometown reality at her grandma's in Crowley Corners, Tenn. Unfortunately, she's followed by Oswald (Peter Gunn), a relentless reporter from Britain's Bon Chic Magazine. Miley's initial fury at being tricked into staying at Grandma's spurs her to commence operation Save Hannah Montana, but her bad attitude eventually gives way to resignation and then the beginnings of reconnection between Miley and her family. As the days progress, Miley glimpses her growing self-absorption, finds she's attracted to old elementary friend Travis (Lucas Till), realizes that her selfishness has negatively affected her dad's personal relationships, and is drawn into her grandma's fight against the commercialization of Crowley Corners. A boastful impulse leads to Miley being charged with bringing Hannah Montana to Crowley Corners for a benefit concert; when Miley's worlds collide onstage, she reveals her true identity and declares that Hannah Montana is no more. Can Miley's hometown possibly keep Miley's secret, silence the reporter, and convince Miley that she can have the best of both worlds, or is this the end of Hannah Montana? Well-known Hannah Montana songs, including "Best of Both Worlds" and "Let's Get Crazy" are featured in the film as well as the fun new song "Hoedown Throwdown" (complete with line dance instruction), the heartfelt "Butterfly Fly Away," and the inspirational "The Climb." More important than the great music is the film's wholesome message about staying true to oneself and one's family and friends. (Ages 7 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
By Elliott
This is such an amazing movie and being a big fan of Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana it satisfied me a lot. I loved how it started out with Miley as Hannah thinking that she was going to go to New York for a performance at an awards show, but her father surprisingly flies her to where she is born Tennessee. I enjoy all the wonderful moments of father/daughter bonding between Miley and her father Billy Ray Cyrus.
It is wonderful to see Miley finding her true self and who she is back at home. She also realizes that it is becoming harder to be Hannah and Miley at the same time, and she wants to stop being Hannah and to remain Miley only. There are a lot of high moments, bonding with family and friends at Crowley Meadows. The music by Miley/Hannah is truly magnificent and the guest appearances are really cool. I love all the songs that Miley has in here, the funny and emotional parts especially when Miley goes to get eggs from the chickens and when she sings "Butterfly Fly Away" with her father is such a touching moment.
I truly enjoy when she starts "Rock Star" towards the end of the movie, and then realizes she can't be Hannah anymore, stops singing, tells everyone she is really Miley Stewart, and then goes into a powerful performance of her amazing-inspirational song "The Climb." This movie is such a wonderful mixture of self discovery, putting aside who you were, deciding what is really important, comedy, and emotional moments.
The bonus features are truly amazing especially seeing Miley walking around the small-town where she was born Franklin, Tennessee. I also love the deleted scene where Miley is on the porch strumming the chords to "Butterfly, fly Away", while talking to her dad (I wish they would've kept that scene in the movie.) I give it 5 stars, because Miley is truly amazing both singing and acting wise, and all the music is truly wonderful. The movie was so amazing that it kept me so hooked on it that I couldn't stop watching it, and I have watched about six times already. I also love that they included the video for "The Climb" on the bonus features.
Miley is so amazing and talented, she kept me really mesmerized with her music and acting in this movie adaptation of "Hannah Montana" that I will be able to watch it, many more times and never ever get tired of it. So if you're a Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana like me, then you should buy this, because it is so worth it.
Hannah Montana The Movie
DVD Release Hannah Montana The Movie
The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second
Every situation comedy (sitcom) has to come up with a unique angle to view reality through, in the hopes of finding the humor in life. In the past, this was generally done in family situations with "zany" characters. That type of sitcom has also largely been done to death. Even the "group of funny friends" situation is starting to be overdone. Friends did it. How I Met Your Mother is currently doing it (very well I might add), Seinfeld did it, etc.
In "The Big Bang Theory" we are thrust into the lives of 3 genius level scientists, and one super-genius level scientist. The story needed its "Spock" or "Mr. Data" to explain to the rest of us what on Earth they were talking about, so we got Kaley Cuoco playing the lay-person's character of "Penny." As the genius scientists have to explain to her what they are talking about, it clues the rest of us in too.
The result of the situation this comedy is taking place in, is an inside look into a world most of us have never seen, nor do we understand. As someone who took both levels of introductory physics (and passed!) in college, I can tell you that their subject matter is accurate, and also way over the undergraduate level. The characters are pure genius, and pretty much every episode is hilarious and filled with heart.
I highly recommend this show to anyone looking for a good sitcom to watch. It isn't a "science show" -- no more than "Sports Night" was a "sports show." It is a comedy show, and it is darn funny! The Big Bang Theory is now entering its third season, and I strongly recommend you all support it so we can keep this quality entertainment on the air! The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second
thirtysomething: The Complete First Season
In 1987 we were introduced to a group of couples, of friends: 'thirtysomethings.' A dream cast of characters that from the very first episode resonated with a nation of people who knew these people all too well. Michael (Ken Olin, Brothers And Sisters) and Hope Steadman (Mel Harris), the suburban 'new-parent' poster children; Elliot (Timothy Busfield, The West Wing) and Nancy Weston (Patricia Wettig, Brothers And Sisters), a couple whose marriage is falling apart; Gary Shepard (Peter Horton, In Treatment),
the perpetually 'twentysomething' thirtysomething; Melissa Steadman (Melanie Mayron), Michaels cousin and a struggling artist; and Ellyn Warren (Polly Draper), the driven but restless career-chaser.
thirtysomething channeled the consciousness of baby boomers into a running commentary on what it really meant to be on the cusp of success and failure, marriage and divorce, adulthood and parenthood. Every week the show blurred the lines between television and film, drama and comedy, hard reality and twisted imagination. Each episode of this truly groundbreaking series was its own unit yet somehow fed a larger, growing experience from week to week.
At last, the experience comes to DVD with 21 original episodes restored from the original film elements. Go behind the making of this landmark television series with all-new interviews, commentaries and conversations with the creators, cast and crew.
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Gladiator [Blu-ray] (2000)
Gladiator [Blu-ray] (2000)
A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! --Mark Englehart
Product Description
Director Ridley Scott’s triumphant Gladiator is an unparalleled combination of vivid action and extraordinary storytelling that earned five Oscars® including Best Picture. The Blu-ray presentation will include both the original theatrical version of the film as well as the extended version in 1080p High Definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, as well as English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Korean subtitles. The two-disc set also will feature over four hours of bonus material including, but not limited to, the following:
• Audio Commentary—Two separate commentaries accompany the original theatrical version and extended version of the film.
• The Scrolls of Knowledge—The original trivia track has been newly enhanced with focus points allowing viewers to access a series of new behind-the-scenes featurettes exploring key scenes and how they relate to the historical accuracy depicted in the film. The extended version of the film also includes a deleted scene marker.
• Visions From Elysium: Topic Marker—Viewers can tag moments of interest throughout either version of the film, allowing them to create “shopping lists” of topics to learn more about. Thanks to the Blu-ray player’s memory, the topics will automatically be loaded when Disc 2 is inserted, giving viewers immediate access to featurettes and galleries of interest.
• Strength And Honor: Creating The World of Gladiator—The definitive documentary on the origin, production and impact of the Oscar®-winning classic. The documentary includes an all-new Enhanced Viewing Mode allowing viewers access to additional interviews and behind-the-scenes material.
Supernatural The Complete 4th Season (2009)
After a mildly entertaining third season, Supernatural came roaring back with its best season yet. The show has also evolved in a number of ways. It is now more serialized. It is no longer only about two brothers driving around the country in Impala, with classic rock blasting, and fighting monster of the week. Episodes are more interconnected as the overall story revolves tightly around the coming battle between angels and demons.
The story also turns much darker as the two brothers struggle with inner demons: Sam's addiction to demon blood and power, and Dean's guilt over what he was driven to do in Hell. The two young actors have stepped up and met the demands of the roles, though the new actress for Ruby seems bland and out of place acting at opposite side of them.
The battle of angels and demons is no ordinary black and white affair. We learn that God is forever silent, and that some angels are shady and would not hesitate a second to sacrifice human lives for a "greater" cause. Lucifer was formerly an angel. "Fallen" angels may or may not be "evil" in Supernatural's universe. I marvel at how successfully the creator and writers of the show explore the Christian themes and myths. There are countless references to the Bible and Milton's Paradise Lost, and echoes of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. In so doing, the season goes beyond popular entertainment to the realm of serious fantasy.
I recommend anyone new to the series to watch the first three seasons, and then stay in sequence for season four. For long term fans of the show, watch the season again. It is that good!
The Complete Fourth Season
Smallville The Complete 8 Season (2009)
By Eric Barr
This was a great season,a stunning surprise given the fact that Miles/Gough, the original producers had left. Most thought the show would go down the tubes, but it did not. In fact, it only got better.
The season had a film noir look to it, and much darker plot lines. The Doomsday arc is the best, the Lana arc is the the worst--but we had to deal with her somehow.
Outstanding is the acting of Sam Witwer who plays Davis/Doomsday. He gave a fresh take on innocence turning evil. The Lois/Clark relationship definitely improved. Tom Welling has anchored this series superbly since its beginning. He deserves far more credit then he gets for keeping Smallville a solid dramatic slhow.
Most folks, me included, would welcome a complete metamorphosis of Clark into Superman, but the writers gave us much more this season than I thought. Some iconic images are introduced and the finale is rather shocking--and satisfying.
No one thought the show would go on this long. To its credit, Smallville remains an excellent show. If you have not seen this season, this is a must view; if you have, buy the DVD and enjoy it all a second time around.
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