What It’s About: Another inspirational teacher movie that makes me feel inadequate. I hate watching these because as a teacher, I always wonder why I haven’t helped gangster kids overcome their limitations and do something creative and productive—oh yeah, I live in Alberta.
Still, I dread these films. So with great dread I popped Freedom Writers into the DVD player. And then I sat there riveted. Not because it’s such an amazing film but because it really does have a lot of heart behind it. It’s the story of real teacher Erin Gruwell who ends up at an LA high school two years after the riots. Her students are all African-American, Cambodian, or Hispanic with one white kid in the whole bunch. They also all hate each other. Gangs ate rampant and students shoot at each other every day. Erin realizes what she’d been trying to teach them simply won’t work when a passing reference to the Holocaust reveals they don’t know what it is. Her relationship with her husband (Mc Dreamy) suffers and she finds herself working three jobs to buy the kids resources they can relate to. Swank makes the movie with her goofy naiveté and saves it from becoming a complete cliché. It’s not perfect but it sure is fascinating to watch.
Technical Stuff: Beautiful picture in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, with no issues whatsoever. The sound is either DD 5.1 or 2.0 and the hip hop music comes through nicely.
Synopsis: Hilary Swank stars in this story about a teacher in a racially divided school who gives her students what they've always needed - a voice. Swank plays Erin Gruwell, the real-life teacher at Long Beach's Wilson High who inspired her students to overcome the gangs that divided them and the education system that forgot them. Based on the book The Freedom Writers Diary and supported by a cast of first-time actors who drew from their actual experiences on the street, Gruwell teaches us all an important lesson about tolerance and trust.
Extras?
Feature-length Commentary with Director Richard LaGravenese and Actor Hilary Swank
Deleted Scenes
Making 'A Dream'
Freedom Writers Family
Freedom Writers: The Story Behind the Story
Photo Gallery
Theatrical Trailer
Final Verdict: One thing bugs me—does she only teach one class all day? That’s the only one we ever see. That irritated me throughout the entire movie. Still, it’s an inspirational movie that really made me think. And that’s always good.

What It’s About: This show just got better every season and the third in so exception. There are some cast changes in this one but the new characters make everything more exciting and interesting.
The 24 episodes has some real winners among them, and the chemistry between the cast members plays out really well. There are a few times that their lives are in danger and the show manages to do that without the complete disbelief that we get in other shows (CSI anyone?)
Technical Stuff: The picture is fullscreen anamorphic and despite some occasional grain, looks good. The audio is given DD 5.1 surround and additional tracks in English and dubbed Spanish 2.0 Dolby digital stereo sound. The sound is good overall and subtitles in English, Spanish, and Portuguese are included.
Synopsis: NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is more than just an action drama. With liberal doses of humor, it's a show that focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a former Marine gunnery sergeant, whose skills as an investigator are unmatched, formerly led this troupe of colorful personalities. Gibbs, a man of few words, only needs a look to explain it all. The team includes NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), an ex-homicide detective who may come off as the world's oldest frat boy, but whose instincts in the field are unparalleled; forensic specialist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), a talented scientist whose dark wit matches her Goth style and eclectic tastes, NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), an MIT graduate whose brilliance with computers far overshadows his insecurities in the field and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), a former Moussad agent who shares a bond with Gibbs over the death of his arch nemesis, Ari, the terrorist who killed former NCIS Special Agent Kate Todd. Assisting the team is medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum), who knows it all because he's seen it all, and he's not afraid to let you know. Rounding out the team is NCIS director Jennifer Shepard (Lauren Holly) who has a romantic history with Gibbs. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents travel the globe to investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.
Extras?
Audio Commentaries
The Real N.C.I.S. Declassified
Hit The Head Montage
Round Table
Women of N.C.I.S.
N.C.I.S. Season of Change
Final Verdict: NCIS is a hit for a reason—it’s smart, funny but still tense and exciting. This is a great season, and they just keep getting better.

What It’s About: There was a massive surge of new shows that came out in September, so many of them looking promising I was getting blurry vision from trying to watch them all. The problem with that is if a show doesn’t get a killer audience right away it gets dropped. This was the case with Kidnapped, a good show, but not flashy enough to rake in the viewers it needed.
The show was cancelled after 13 episodes and although the rest were posted on the NBC website most viewers didn’t watch those and can now find out what happened on DVD. It’s a great way to watch the show as all 13 episodes are here and it doesn’t end with a cliffhanger. Kidnapped was very engaging and had a great cast. It was reminiscent of 24 but without super-awesome Jack Bauer.
Technical Stuff: Picture is great and in anamorphic widescreen. It’s a new show so there shouldn’t be any problems. The sound comes in DD 5.1 in English and that’s it. They should absolutely have subtitles!
Synopsis: When a teenage boy, Leo Cain (Denton), is kidnapped, his wealthy parents (Hutton, Delaney) hire a former FBI agent turned "retrieval specialist" (Sisto) to work outside the law while keeping the family’s secrets behind closed doors. Meanwhile, an FBI agent (Lindo) becomes embroiled in the case while investigating the disappearance of Leo’s driver, discovering a personal connection that ties the driver to the culprit suspected of orchestrating the crime. As the FBI and the investigator proceed with independent inquiries into Leo’s disappearance, they soon find themselves entangled in a dangerous game of manipulation and deceit where everyone is a suspect and no one is safe.
Extras?
Ransom Notes - Behind-the-Scenes Featurette
Final Verdict: Although Kidnapped was a little cliché and over-the-top at times, it should have been given a fair run. It’s quite entertaining to watch as a whole and fans of 24 should definitely check it out.

What It’s About: The life and times of former Ugandan president Idi Amin Dada. Forest Whitaker is mesmerizing and absolutely deserved every award he got for this movie. But be warned—it’s not something to watch when you’re looking for pure entertainment.
Technical Stuff: I actually had to watch a regular version since my screener was very unimpressive but the picture on that looked great. Vivid colour and just a teensy bit of pixellation. The audio has a choice of Dolby 5.1 and 2.0 and optional English, Spanish and French subtitles, as well as Closed Captioning. This is a dialogue driven movie but the sound is stellar nonetheless.
Synopsis: As Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, Forest Whitaker gives "one of the greatest performances of modern movie history" (Wall Street Journal), one that the Associated Press calls "nothing short of Oscar(r) worthy.” This is Amin's incredible story as seen through the eyes of Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), a young Scotsman who becomes the volatile leader's personal physician, due in part to Amin's unexpected passion for Scottish culture -- Amin even proclaims himself "The Last King of Scotland". Seduced by Amin's charisma and blinded by decadence, Garrigan's dream life becomes a waking nightmare of betrayal and madness from which there is no escape. Inspired by real people and events, this gripping, suspenseful stunner is filled with performances you will never forget.
Extras?
· Commentary by director Kevin Macdonald
· Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Kevin Macdonald
· Documentary: Capturing Idi Amin
· Forest Whitaker Featurette
· Fox Movie Channel Presents: Casting Session- The Last King of Scotland
· Theatrical Trailer
· International Trailer
Final Verdict: Very heavy and a little slow at times (I’m guessing to build the tension,” The Last King is a film everyone must see but be prepared, it’s not a light evening of fun.

What It’s About: What an odd little movie. Two of the best actresses out there carry Notes on a Scandal, Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench and it really is a pleasure to watch them, despite the fact that the entire movie makes you uncomfortable.
Sheba Hart (Blanchett) is a new teacher who has trouble fitting in at the school and she becomes friends with Barbara (Dench) an older and meaner teacher and starts to confide in her. She starts up an affair with a 15=year-old student (eeewww, eeww, ew!!) and Babara catches her in the act and becomes her sole confidant. Barbara has some ulterior motives though, and Dench plays her brilliantly, seeking out Sheba’s vulnerability and creating a manipulative situation of control.
The movie builds beautifully and the acting really is superb on both counts. I was worried I would be bored but I wasn’t in the least. The movie is catty and sleazy and addictive. It ends rather abruptly but the ride is so worth it.
Synopsis: Academy Award®-winners Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett give wickedly entertaining, Oscar®-nominated performances – one as a woman consumed by her colleague’s guilty secret, the other, a victim to her own dark obsessions – in this sexy, stylish thriller. Dench mesmerizes as Barbara Covett, a teacher who rules over her classroom with an iron fist, yet leads a desperate, solitary life outside it. That is, until she meets radiant new art teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett). Although at first overjoyed with her newfound kindred spirit, when Barbara discovers that Sheba is having an affair with a teenage student, her jealously and rage spiral out of control. Also starring Bill Nighy, Notes On A Scandal “has all the right ingredients: lust, greed, envy, secrets, lies, betrayals!” (Interview).
Technical Stuff: Although I had a Fox screener and braced myself for bad quality, the picture actually looked quite good. The sound was solid as well although I can’t comment on the final product.
Extras?
Commentary by director Richard Eyre
Notes on A Scandal: The Story of Two Obsessions
Notes on A Scandal: Behind The Scenes
In Character with Cate Blanchett
Webisodes:
Judi and Cate: Behind The Scandal
The Screenplay
Judi Dench
Cate Blanchett
A Conversation with Cate Blanchett and Bill Nighy
Trailer
Final Verdict: A delicious movie. It’s gossip and one huge catfight. Love it.

What It’s About: Did you like High School Musical? Not everyone did. Some would say it’s formulaic, cheesy and lame. Others say it was brilliant and watch it over and over again. Those are the kiddies in my grade eight class. But that’s who is supposed to love it and Jump In!, while cheesy, lame and formulaic, will appeal to that age group just as much as HSM did.
It’s not as good though. While HSM was fresh and new when it came out, Jump In! seems to just try and ride on its coattails with a similar premise. But it lacks the originality and spirit of the former. The cast is wonderful and includes Corbin Bleu from HSM and KeKe Palmer, who was awesome in Akeelah and the Bee. But they can’t save the script and the lacklustre acting being done around them.
Still, there are some great lessons and messages in the movie and there are certainly worse things for your kids to be watching.
Synopsis: BURBANK, Calif., January 30, 2007 – Disney Channel’s highest rated original movie will debut on Disney DVD April 3, 2007. Jump In! Freestyle Edition will be release just in time for Easter. Starring Corbin Bleu (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL) and Keke Palmer (AKEELAH AND THE BEE) in her Disney Channel debut, JUMP IN! is a coming-of-age story about Brooklyn teenager Izzy Daniels (Bleu) whose father dreams of him becoming a champion boxer. When his neighbor Mary (Palmer) asks him to substitute for a jumper on her double Dutch team in time for the city championship, Izzy jumps in and discovers a passion for the world of competitive jump roping. Rounding out the primarily African- American cast are David Reivers (POSEIDON) and Shanica Knowles (HANNAH MONTANA). Filled with exciting bonus features, the JUMP IN! DVD includes the exclusive “Learning the Moves”, in which Corbin Bleu hosts an instructional Double Dutch jump rope video so fans can learn the moves at home, a an exclusive pop-hop music video, “Jumpin’” from the movie’s soundtrack performed by Keke Palmer. Rounding out the bonus features is a music video from rising pop sensation T-Squad performing their song “Vertical” and a making-of featurette “Inside the Ropes.”
Technical Stuff: The picture is excellent as always with Disney. It was filmed for a future HD broadcast so the quality is sxcellent. The audio is also stellar and the fun soundtrack comes through nicely.
Extras?
- "Learning The Moves" -- Corbin Bleu Teaches You How To Double Dutch
- "Inside The Ropes: The Making Of Jump In!" -- Featuring Exclusive Interviews With The Cast And Crew
- "Jumpin'" Music Video -- Performed By Keke Palmer
- "Vertical" Music Video Performed By T-Squad
Final Verdict: It’s demographic (ages 6-14 and primarily girls) will love it. It’s a cute movie with a positive message and although it’s full of clichés, I can’t really say anything too bad about it since I’d rather my students watch this than say, SAW.

What It’s About: Watching She-Ra brings me right back to my childhood. I loved this show and adored She-Ra. I had several action figures including She-Ra herself as well as a Crystal Castle that my mom found at a garage sale once, which thrilled me to no end. Wouldn’t a new live action movie of She-Ra be amazing? With Scarlett Johannson as She-Ra?
But I digress. BCI has released the second half of Season One on DVD and it’s a great time. You forget through the years what this show was like and I squealed with delight going through the episodes as I remembered various characters, all of which had the lamest names. They loved to stick an “a” on the end of words to create new characters like Frosta, Perfuma, Huntara, and my fave—Castaspella. Hee.
The show is silly and fun and this set has some really great episodes that fans will gobble up. Seriously, get this set and watch an episode a day. Your mood rises as soon as you hear the theme music. Love it!
Synopsis: Princess Adora raises her magic sword and becomes She-Ra, the most powerful woman in the universe, to aid her friends in defeating the Evil Horde so their planet Etheria can be free.
Technical Stuff: The show is very old so you have to cut it some slack but the presentation is still wonderful. BCI has done a great job of cleaning the picture up.
The sound is decent but of course nowhere near the 5.1 we’re all used to. It’s an old show and there are times when it gets muffled and sounds pretty mono. But it us Stereo and for the most part, works fine.
Extras?
The Stories of She-Ra, Part 2
Full-length animated storyboard with interactive comparison for episode #45 "Huntara" with optional audio commentary
Image gallery
He-Man and She-Ra cartography
50 character profiles
Loo-Kee's fun facts and trivia
Easter eggs
DVD ROM: Scripts for 8 episodes
Model sheets: "The Heroes"
Exclusive 4x6 collectible She-Ra art cards
Final Verdict: I love it and I hope they make it into a movie.

What It’s About: I never watched Twin Peaks as I was much too young at the time. I do remember that when the Laura Palmer Diary came out, I was in Grade Eight and it was the popular Secret Santa gift in my class, so obviously other kids were allowed to watch it (which isn’t that good.)
Watching it now on DVD left me…confused. I suppose I really needed to watch the first season to know what was going on and despite reading a synopsis of it, I was still lost. So I base this review on the fact that the show was a huge cultural phenomenon that people loved. Therefore, I know that Season One was better than Season Two and I know that a lot of viewers were very disappointed with how the shoes ended. I guess if you’re a fan, you’ll snap this baby up.
Synopsis: Twin Peaks was created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. The show was set in the fictional town of Twin Peaks in northeast Washington state and tells the story of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper and his investigation of the murder of a popular local teenage schoolgirl, Laura Palmer.
Technical Stuff: The picture is okay, but not great. There is a lot of grain and fuzziness but the show is quite old, so that’s to be expected to a certain degree.
The audio comes in English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0) and is quite good. There are some cool special effects throughout the show that come out well through the speakers.
Extras?
Interactive Interview Grid
Behind the Scenes with Kyle MacLachlan, Madchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn, David Duchovny, and more
Season 2 "Log Lady Introductions"
Insights by Caleb Deschanel, Duwayne Dunham, Todd Holland, Tim Hunter, Stephen Gyllenhaal, and Jennifer Lynch
Final Verdict: It’s weird but people love it. What can I say? I don’t get it but who am I to judge?

What It’s About: Will Smith deserved the Oscar nomination her got for The Pursuit of Happyness. His acting in the film is superb. That does not make this a great movie.
It’s the inspirational story of Chris Gardner, a man who put everything on the line to become a success. The movie has good and bad points. The good things are that this true story shows us that humans can achieve wonderful things if they’re determined and it’s the classic fantasy—going from homeless on the streets to a hugely successful millionaire.
The bad thing is that it’s a little sappy and sentimental, as well as getting happiness and money confused. It’s the age-old question if money buys happiness. Gardner is after money, which he thinks will bring him the family stability and joy he’s missing in life.
Kind of a materialistic message, no?
Still, it’s a happy and sweet movie and the kid (Will Smith’s son, Jaden) is adorable. Worth a watch.
Synopsis: Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a bright and talented, but marginally employed salesman. Struggling to make ends meet, Gardner finds himself and his five-year-old son evicted from their San Francisco apartment with nowhere to go. When Gardner lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, he and his son endure many hardships, including living in shelters, in pursuit of his dream of a better life for the two of them.
Technical Stuff: I received the full screen version to review so I can’t comment on the widescreen (which is always better) but it looks nice and crisp and clean.
The sound is Dolby Digital 5.1 and sounds solid although the movie is dialogue-driven so it never busts out in full surround craziness.
Extras?
Commentary by: Director Gabriele Muccino
Father and Son: Onscreen and Off
The Man Behind the Movie: A Conversation with Chris Gardner
Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream
Inside the Rubik’s Cube
“I Can” Song (audio only)
Final Verdict: A great movie, if a little sentimental. Will Smith and his son alone make this a movie worth checking out.

What It’s About: Most people are at least a little familiar with 7th Heaven, and frankly the show has a bad rap. The name is met with groans when I talk about it to my Grade 8 class. But then if I play them an episode, they’re riveted.
The show took a great turn this season, losing some of its goody-goody mentality. This was the season of Eric’s heart attack, Mary’s rebellion and Matt’s crazy love life. In general, this is a great season that’s extremely engrossing. The best so far on this show, and from what I’ve heard, it just gets better.
Synopsis: From leading television producer Aaron Spelling comes 7th Heaven, a critically acclaimed family drama about a minister, his wife and their seven children. The WB's highest-rated series, 7th Heaven has captured the hearts of television audiences with its witty, charming and heartwarming storytelling and has been praised for providing high-quality entertainment for all ages.
Technical Stuff: This show aired in 1994 and is given its fullscreen ration on the dvd release. It’s not absolutely perfect, but still looks very good and there’s nothing too horrendous—just a wee bit of grain.
The sound is Dolby Digital 2.0 and sounds solid. Some music has been changed for the DVD release.
Extras?
Nada
Final Verdict: Charming show that you can watch with your kids. Even if they groan at first they’ll become very immersed. Trust me.

What It’s About: Let me clear something up: Eragon isn’t a horrible movie. A lot of reviewers out there will have you thinking it completely sucks. It doesn’t. You just end up feeling like you wasted two hours of your life for no reason. And I guess that’s a problem too.
Eragon is based on the book by Christopher Paolini who says he wrote the book because he had run out of things to read. Hmm. That’s not very promising. In general, the story feels like a compilation of others: Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Willow etc. It’s pretty uninspired and dull and leaves the watcher shaking her head at the obvious rip-offs from other stories. The movie is well-made with a great cast and cool special effects but that doesn’t make up for its short-comings.
Synopsis: In his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy happens upon a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realized he's the one person who can defend his home against an evil king.
Technical Stuff: Another Fox screener here, so I can’t comment on the final picture. I can say that it wasn’t all that great on my screener. It’s okay, but not as good as a film like this should look.
The DVD includes DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 and the DTS is quite good. I wasn’t blown away (again, adding to the mediocrity of almost everything in this movie) but it wasn’t poor either.
Extras?
· Disc 1:
· WIDESCREEN FEATURE
· Director's Commentary with Stefen Fangmeier
· Disc 2:
· GIL'EAD
· Pronounciation/Background 6 stills
· EXTENDED and DELETED SCENES (with optional commentary by Stefen Fangmeier)
· The Butcher's Daughter
· Farm Fight / "We Don't Take Charity"
· Roran and Katrina Say Goodbye / The Butcher Changes His Mind
· Milking the Cow
· "We Can Learn A Lot From Each Other"
· The Son of a Traitor / The Twins' Test
· The Magic of Blessings
· CARVAHALL
· Pronounciation/Background 6 stills
· INSIDE THE INHERITANCE TRILOGY: THE MAGIC OF ERAGON FEATURETTE
· Prologue: The Storyteller's Scroll (Focuses on turning the novel into a screenplay)
· Chapter One: Realizing Alagaesia (focusing on storyboards, location scouting and character design)
· Chapter Two: The Destined Roles (Casting the actors)
· Chapter Three: From Carvahall To Farthen Dur (on set filming
· DARET
· The Inhabitants of Alagaesia
· Pronounciation/Background
· The Inhabitants of Alagaesia
· The Dragon Riders
· Saphira
· Arya
· Durza
· The Urgals
· The Ra'zac
· THE SPINE
· Pronounciation/Background
· Vision of Eragon with Optional Commentary by Director Stefen Fangmeier
· Arya's Ambush - Original Animatic Sequence
· Vision of Eragon: Conceptual Art Gallery
· TEIRM
· Pronounciation/Background
· ORGINAL STORYBOARDS
· Saphira Hatches
· Raising The Ra'zac
· Brom's Tale
Final Verdict: Kids will be entertained, and some adults as well but in general this movie really wasn’t necessary.

What It’s About: Let’s get this out of the way—I’m not a Stargate fan. Or a Star Trek fan. Or a Battlestar Gallactica fan. So when I review these DVDs, I do so from the completely unbiased eye of a non-Trek-geek who can appreciate these shows for what they are. Having said that, I can completely agree with the Trekkie nerds that Stargate is a first-rate sci-fi show.
Each season ends with a huge cliff-hanger and the first season did just that. So Season Two picks up from that spot—I’d try to explain it to you but it’s really complicated. I also won’t really get into plot since that’s complicated too and if you’re reading this you’re probably already a fan and know what’s what. Let’s just say that this and Battlestar Gallactica are the two best sci-fi shows on tv right now and this one isn’t as dark and weird as the other.
Synopsis: Join Colonel Marshall Sumner, Major John Sheppard, Dr. Elizabeth Weir and an international team of explorers on humanity's greatest adventure yet!
The Stargate Atlantis team's discovery of an abandoned secret base buried in the ice of Antarctica leads them to a daring expedition of the distant Pegasus galaxy, where they encounter a primitive human civilization and a sinister new enemy that threatens human life everywhere.
Technical Stuff: The picture is released in the original 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen colour as shot for broadcast on the Sci-Fi cable channel which looks amazing since it was shot in HD. Awesome transfer.
The 5.1 Surround track is also top-notch and makes the show sound like a blockbuster Hollywood movie.
Extras? Some killer special features here:
Disc 1:
The Siege: Part 3
The Intruder
Runner
Duet
Special Features:
Commentary on The Siege: Part 3 by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero and actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett
Commentary on The Intruder by Director Peter DeLuise and Stargate SG1 actor Gary Jones
Commentary on Runner by Director Martin Wood and Actor David Hewlett
Commentary on Duet by Director Peter DeLuise, Writer Martin Gero and Actor David Hewlett
Mission Directive: 'The Intruder' featuring Director Peter DeLuise
Mission Directive: 'The Siege: Part 3' featuring Director Martin Wood
Photo and Production Design Gallery
Disc 2:
Condemned
Trinity
Instinct
Conversion
Special Features:
Commentary on Condemned by Director Peter DeLuise and Stargate SG1 actor Gary Jones
Commentary on Trinity by Director Martin Wood and Writer Damian Kindler
Commentary on Instinct by Director Andy Mikita and Producer Paul Mullie
Commentary on Conversion by Writer Martin Gero and actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett
Mission Directive: 'Instinct' featuring Director Andy Mikita
Introduction to a Character: Ronan Dex
Photo and Production Design Gallery
Disc 3:
Aurora
The Lost Boys
Hive
Epiphany
Special Features:
Commentary on Aurora by Director Martin Wood and Co-Producer Peter DeLuise
Commentary on The Lost Boys by Writer Martin Gero and actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett
Commentary on The Hive featuring Director Martin Wood
Commentary on Epiphany featuring Director Neill Fearnley
Road to a Dream with Martin Gero
Photo and Production Design Gallery
Disc 4:
Critical Mass
Grace Under Pressure
The Tower
The Long Goodbye
Special Features:
Commentary on Critical Mass by Director Andy Mikita, Rachel Luttrell and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer
Commentary on Grace Under Pressure by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero, Amanda Tapping and David Hewlett
Commentary on The Tower by Producer Paul Mullie and Director Andy Mikita
Commentary on The Long Goodbye by Director Andy Mikita, Torri Higginson and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer
Profile On: David Hewlett
Stargate Atlantis: Stunts
Photo and Production Design Gallery
Disc 5:
Coup D'Etat
Michael
Inferno Allies
Special Features:
Commentary on Coup D'Etat by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero and David Hewlett
Commentary on Michael by Director Martin Wood and Supervising Producer/Director Peter DeLuise
Commentary on Inferno by Director Peter DeLuise and Stargate SG1 cast member Gary Jones
Commentary on Allies by Director Andy Mikita, Writer Martin Geroand David Hewlett
Profile On: Paul McGillion
Photo and Production Design Gallery
Final Verdict: Although I’m not a crazy fan, I know good television when I see it and it’s all over this show-great storylines, compelling characters, great suspense—worth checking out.

What It’s About: Is Ghost not a classic? I remember watching it when I was little and not completely getting it. I watched it again now older and wiser and can fully say that I understand the fuss—despite the bad acting of Patrick Swayze (was it always this bad?)
Yes, parts are cheesy and gushy, but the cleverness of the movie shines through.
Synopsis: One of the most memorable romantic films ever and winner* of two Academy Awards®, Sam (Patrick Swayze), living as a ghost, discovers his death wasn't just a random robbery gone bad. To help him reconnect with the love of his life, Molly (Demi Moore), and solve his own murder, he enlists the talents of a skeptical psychic (Oscar®-winner Whoopi Goldberg), who doesn't even believe her own abilities. Ghost is a supernatural mystery-thriller that will cross over into your heart and never leave. Demi Moore is great here, and so is Whoopi! It’s a highly entertaining movie that yes, begs to be parodied, but holds up well and will be a must-own for thousands of fans.
Technical Stuff: This new transfer is first-rate. There is no grain or artefacts. Lovely work Paramount!
Audio is also excellent. The 5.2 swells nicely when needed and that Unchained Melody song and scene will be nicely burned into your memories.
Extras?
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection
Theatrical Trailer
"Remembering the Magic" - Retrospective
Commentary by Director Jerry Zucker and Writer Bruce Joel Rubin
Final Verdict: A total classic! This new edition is lovely and definitely something you have to add to a decent DVD collection!

What It’s About: If you haven’t heard about this movie, you’ve been living in a cave. So you don’t have internet access and aren’t reading this review anyway. Borat was so widely talked about, it built up an expectation. I hadn’t seen it until the screener arrived at my door. Did it live up to the hype?
Sascha Baron Cohen created the character of Borat, a Kazakhstani reporter doing a documentary of life in America. He is crude, unlikeable and just plain odd, but you still root for him. Actually, he reminds me of a cousin I have in Poland. And why does Borat speak in Polish phrases? “Jak sie masz” is Polish for how are you. I don’t get it.
The strength here is how people react to Borat. Cohen didn’t break character unless he was along in his hotel room while filming this, and that really adds to the film. The Amricans he encounters are mind-blowing. From the frat boys that wish slavery was legal to the cowboy who wants to kill gay people, it’s amazing to see how people behave when they think someone shares their viewpoint.
Synopsis: Sacha Baron Cohen brings his Kazakh journalist character Borat Sagdiyev to the big screen for the first time.
Leaving his native Kazakhstan, Borat travels to America to make a documentary. As he zigzags across the nation, Borat meets real people in real situations with hysterical consequences. His backwards behavior generates strong reactions around him exposing prejudices and hypocrisies in American culture.
Technical Stuff: I received a screener and am not sure if the final movie is the same quality. Fox is known for releasing very bad screeners that don’t do the movie justice. So I can only comment on what I saw. The film is shot as a documentary and there is some grain and dullness. The picture isn’t all that impressive but I did keep in mind this isn’t your typical blockbuster release with millions in digital enhancement.
The sound was a solid 5.1 but the best part of it is the optional language tracks—they include English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish, Russian and French Dolby Digital 2.0, and Hebrew (make sure to check out the Hebrew track), with English and Spanish subtitles and closed captioning.
Extras? Oh, how I wish there was a commentary!!
· Kazakhstan "Bay Watch" Spoof
· 5 Deleted Scenes
· The "Best of" other Deleted Scenes Compilation
· Rodeo News Report
· World Promotions Tour Featurette
· Borat Sountrack Infomercial
Final Verdict: If you expect too much like I did, you may be a little disappointed. But it’s a hilarious and completely fascinating movie well worth checking out. Cohen is a genius.

What It’s About: Despite a killer cast and reputation, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints ends up feeling sorta redundant. I feel like I’ve already seen this movie before. It’s the coming-of-age story of the director, Dito Montiel, who grew up on the super-scary streets of Queens.
Dito does a great job directing this movie. The gritty reality of his life is well portrayed with images that jump around and characters who address the audience. Sometimes though, all that gets in the way of a good movie, and makes it all seem a little pretentious.
Synopsis: Director Dito Montiel’s coming-of-age drama is inspired by Montiel’s own youth in New York. A successful writer living in Los Angeles, Dito (Downey Jr.) is summoned home to Astoria, after a 15-year absence, by his mother (Wiest) when his father (Palminteri) becomes seriously ill. As Dito finds himself whisked back into the childhood events that shaped him, we meet an unforgettable cast of characters living in the thick of a sweltering 1986 Queens summer.
Technical Stuff: The picture is beautiful, and perfect for the lovely cinematography the film has.
The 5.1 Dolby sound is perfect and the 2.0 is solid as well. Also includes subtitles in English and Spanish.
Extras?
- alternate opening and endings
- commentaries
- Shooting Saints: The Making of A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints
- young Laurie audition played by Diane Carcando
- deleted scenes
- Full Monty Interview
Final Verdict: An odd movie, but worth a rental. Just don’t expect to be as wowed as the Sundance praise made it seem.

What It’s About: In the style of a Christopher Guest “mockumentary,” Confetti follows the story of three couples chosen by a wedding magazine to compete for most original wedding ever. And it’s hilarious.
I wasn’t sure what to expect here but found myself laughing aloud by myself to the charming British humour and really enjoying this film. The three couples are Mat and Sam (the most normal) who want a wedding like a 1930s musical, Isabel and Josef, a pair of tennis nuts who wants everything in their wedding tennis-related (including giant balls, hee) and Joanna and Michael, nudists who spend most of the movie, ahem, totally naked. Yes, you can see everything.
The three couples have their weddings and then judges pick the best one and that couple wins a house. The movie made me laugh and got me hooked and entertained—what more could I ask for?
Synopsis: Say "I do" to this hilarious "mockumentary" about a trio of wacky couples who vow to win the coveted title of "Most Original Wedding of the Year." The dueling duos include the tuneless Matt (Martin Freeman) and Sam (Jessica Stevenson) whose unfortunate wedding theme is Hollywood musicals; the hypercompetitive tennis partners Josef (Steven Mangan) and Isabelle (Meredith MacNeil), and the outrageously uninhibited nudists Michael (Robert Webb) and Joanna (Olivia Colman). At stake is a million-dollar dream home, but can love survive in the midst of unbridled prenupital chaos?
Technical Stuff: The picture does look sort of low-res at times but I think that’s just because of the style it was filmed in.
There are three 5.1 mixes to listen to: English, French and Spanish. I can only speak for the English but it was solid.
Extras?
- alternate endings
- deleted scenes
Final Verdict: Loved it. Super-funny and sweet. Definitely and no-brainer, laugh out loud movie.