A&E Home Video - DVD

Battle 360 - Season 1 (History Channel) (Steelbook)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good Show, Disappointing DVD Set 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I'll save space and say that I agree with the other posts that laud the show for it's quality and usefulness.

Unfortunately, the DVD set is seriously flawed. Amazon lists the aspect ration as 1.33:1 and technically that is correct. But, just as the History Channel did with the Dogfight series, the DVDs are actually letterboxed 16:9 matted into a 4:3 frame. Why the History Channel continues to use this outmoded format for their DVD releases is a mystery. Even cheap direct to video DVD releases are in anamorphic format. I can author a disc in anamorphic format on my home PC so it can't be that hard or expensive to do.

If you have an older home theater system, this set being letterboxed may not matter to you but if you have a HDTV with your DVD player connected via HDMI, it is likely that you will not be able to watch this in other than letterbox format without lowering the resolution of your system.

Come on, History Channel, move your DVD releases into the 21st Century.

Editorial Review:

Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 12/16/2008

Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us [Blu-ray]

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

The space to fill 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Paul's peformance during this tour is still strong. The tracklist of the concerts are mainly beatles songs and they sound pretty good.
The edition of this DVD is not what real fans wait: not a complete concert set (again). I wonder why Macca keeps on doing this; doesn't he know there are special features sections in order to insert all that stuff he likes to add?
The band is Ok, though I particulary don't like the 'show-man' drumer at all.

The Next best thing to seeing him in person 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I have to admit Paul has never been my favorite Beatle. Paul however is the last of the Beatles who wrote music.
I do enjoy many songs Paul has written with the Beatles, with Wings and as a solo performer.
What you have here is history. Paul McCartney and John Lennon are the two greatest composers/writers of the last century.
This is a chance to see one of the Masters displaying why he is so popular and fameous.
Paul opens the show with Hello, Goodbye and it just goes uphill from there.
Another thing that was cool was how he ended a song with Foxy Lady, the old Jimi Hendrix tune.
He does Beatles classics like Got to get you into my life and Penny Lane, among others.
To me the hightlight of the show was when he did Jenny Wren and English Tea for the current album.
He also closes the show with Yesterday and other big hits from the Beatles days.
This is not as good as seeing him in person, but it is the next best thing.

Editorial Review:

Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 11/18/2008 Run time: 115 minutes

The History Channel Presents Last Stand of the 300 - The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 42 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Where few stood against many 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The last stand of the 300 is one of history's greatest military tales of bravery, endurance, and valiantness. The history channel's rendition of this heroic battle between King Leonidas and his 300 Spartan soldiers against three-hundred thousand Persians on land was recreated with painstaking detail. But the battle did not take place only on land - Themistocles led the Athenian naval forces against Xerxes at Thessaly and finishing off the Persians at Artemisium.

This documentary does a great job of recounting the beginnings of the war between Persia and Greece - starting with King Darius the Huckster's defeat at Marathon by Callimachus. King Darius grooms his son Xerxes to exact his revenge which led up to the battle of Thermopylae. In 480 B.C. King Leonidas, with his 300 Spartans and roughly 6000 free men of Greece decided to make their stand at Thermopylae "The Hot Gates" (named after the hot thermal springs) It was at this narrow pass flanked on one side by steep mountains and on the other by the sea, the Greeks made their stand.

"Come and get them" were the words that launched this battle. In this narrow corridor, the Persian numbers counted for nothing - they were restricted from using the stableness of their cavalry. It wasn't until the third day when Ephialtes informed the Persians of a route that would allow them to outflank the Greeks. Now surrounded, the brave soldiers at Thermopylae were doomed. It is then that Leonidas was killed and a battle raged over his corpse - with Xerxes ordering that the head be cut off and stuck on a pike.

Editorial Review:

As one of the most famous last stands in history the battle of thermopylae is still discussed today for its influence on western civilization brilliant military maneuvers & well-trained & fearless army of 300. Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 07/31/2007 Run time: 91 minutes

Pride and Prejudice (10th Anniversary Collector's Set) (A&E, 1996)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1552 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

educational standpoint 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

As a high-school teacher for English foundations, I try my best to expose my students to the literature their peers in regular English classes receive. I must utilize movies as a visual aide supplement to help them connect with the characters, setting, dialogue... I strongly recommend using this dvd to support your curriculum to teach on all levels of student learning (auditory, kinesthetic, visual).

Outstanding Adaptation 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

With over 1500 other reviews on Amazon for this DVD set, why write another one?

Because it's a great series, that's why!

OK -- confession time: I'd never been a fan of "chick" authors such as Jane Austen, but boy, was I mistaken! Friends at work turned me on to this series when it first appeared on A&E, and I was immediately sucked into the story. And what a great story it is!

The adaptation remains very faithful to the novel (a fact which I discovered when I read the book after I'd seen the series), so much so that a pivotal scene that occurs *exactly* half way through the book also occurs *exactly* half-way through the series.

Colin Firth plays a Darcy that I don't believe shall ever be equaled (a role that he seems to have reprised, time and again, in later films), and the entire cast, from top to bottom, is great. That, coupled with set and costume design that seems to authentically replicate the period, gives the series a lushness and depth that is a pleasure to watch.

The series stands up well to multiple viewings (always a sign of a great film). In fact, it's one of my favorite things to watch during the Christmas Holidays when it's cold and wet outside.

Anyway -- it's well worth five stars, and if anyone has not yet seen it (hard as that is to believe), my advice is: get thee to the video store!

Editorial Review:

Critics and fans agree that the bbc miniseries adaptation of pride and prejudice called the best austen of all by the new york times is the most authentic and definitive version of jane austens literary classic ever made. Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 09/26/2006 Starring: Colin Firth

Haunted History - Haunted Histories Collection (Hauntings / Vampire Secrets / Salem Witch Trails / The Haunted History of Halloween / Poltergeist) (History Channel)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

not the history i expected! 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 4 people found this review helpful.

ok, i am into paranormal however, this series just doesn't cut it! too short when covering subject matter and didn't tell me anything that i didn't know already. in fact, i fell asleep watching one of the DVDs!

Haunted History a good deal 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Haunted History was purchased primarily for the Halloween segment which I had my substitute teacher show to my World History class on Oct 31st while I was away on a trip. I previewed the video before showing it and felt it gave a nice treatment of the subject. The other videos I consider a bonus and made this a good buy. All are good as would be expected from History Channel.

Good history 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

While this wasn't the Haunted History programs from the History Channel, this collection provides a spookey and interesting insight into things such as hauntings, the witch trials, and the history of Halloween.
The video quality of the discs isn't exactly stellar, but considering most of it was shot in the early '90s, it's in the best quality possible.
The biggest downside of the set is the fact that all five discs come in bulky, full-sized cases. There are no real inserts to speak of, so why the massive cases? This set would greatly benefit from being in 5 slim cases, or even better, 3 slim dual cases.

Otherwise, it's a good set at a great price. If you're interested in this stuff, I recommend it.

Editorial Review:

This brings the scariest old fashioned horror stories to life just in time for halloween. Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 09/25/2007 Run time: 300 minutes

Decisive Battles of the Ancient World (History Channel)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Very good series 5 out of 5 stars.
19 of 19 people found this review helpful.

When I saw this set advertised, I was very excited to get it. But when I read that the battles were presented using computer simulations, I was very skeptical. It just sounded so cheesy. Well, I bought the series and viewed with an open mind. I was pleasantly surprised. The simulations will fool no one, but they're good enough for their purpose--to show the ENTIRE battlefield, which in some cases will cover several miles, and not just a couple guys in hand-to-hand combat. You just can't get several thousand Greek and Roman, etc. reenactors together for this type of documentary. This format is a very good way of doing it.
What about the material itself? All is very good. The information is presented in a lively manner and is satisfying for the viewer. I learned a lot and have watched several episodes more than once. All in all, this is a good set and has set a trend for documentaries of the future. Get this if you are interested in the ancient world, warfare, or history in general. You won't be disappointed.

Editorial Review:

Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 11/28/2006

Ice Road Truckers - The Complete Season 1 (History Channel)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Ice Road Truckers 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We'd only ever seen the first episode her in Australia, but I wanted to see them all. So I placed an overseas order, with Amazon. The full First Series arrive very quickly, considering the distance to the "Down Under" and in perfect condition, as well. The rest of this first series, was fantastic and I have watch some of them, over and over again!!! They are of a very similar scarey action, as was Deadliest Catch, of which I also bought the full series, from Amazon. The very LARGE numbers "beeps" in the Ice Road Truckers, does take away the true sense of the stories, so we just have to endure that, we guess!!!! We did have to purchase a later brand of DVD Player, to be able to play the Ice Road Truckers, because of being in a different Zone, but we had to watch them, somehow and this was a small price to pay. And now, we'll be able to play ALL DVDs, that we order from Amazon!!! So there you have it, folks!!!!!!

Poorly executed clone of Deadliest Catch 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I had high expectations for this series, but after watching it my primary reaction is one of disappointment. This would have been a terrific two-hour special. But the producers had a lot of time to fill, and fill they did...with repetitive, monotonous footage, weak story lines, artificial and manipulative "drama", and lots of time spent repeating the same material over...and over...and over.

I don't think I've ever seen a series that was so obviously stretched to fill the available time. The latter episodes were unwatchable thanks to the endless use of tired footage and shameless rehashing of earlier material.

While Deadliest Catch is immensely watchable and thrilling to the end, this series falls far short of the high bar set by that program.

Editorial Review:

Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 11/20/2007

Poirot - Classic Crimes Collection (The Mystery of the Blue Train / After the Funeral / Cards on the Table / Taken at the Flood)

Amazon Price: $33.99 List Price: $59.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: A&E - Model: AAE-75210 Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $26.48

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 54 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Tony Award-nominee David Suchet reprises his celebrated role as Hercule Poirot in the CLASSIC CRIMES COLLECTION--an exclusive collection of four brand-new A&E original films. Artfully adapted from Agatha Christie s famous mystery series each multi-million dollar production features a top-notch cast stunning settings and of course enough murder and mystery to test the mettle of our inimitably beloved Belgian sleuth.The CLASSIC CRIMES COLLECTION contains the following four brand-new Poirot movies:THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN: When the daughter of an oil magnate is found dead on the famous Blue Train to the French Riviera Poirot must investigate the past to reveal the killer.TAKEN AT THE FLOOD: Mystery surrounds a young woman after her new husband is killed in the London Blitz but with the discovery of new information Poirot wonders about her true motives.AFTER THE FUNERAL: Following the murder of a wealthy patriarch Poirot is called upon to begin an investigation. The case takes a wild twist however when his prime suspect turns up dead.CARDS ON THE TABLE: When the host is found dead at a card game four investigators - including Poirot himself - look for clues as they set out to discover which guest is the killer.System Requirements:Running Time 379 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 733961752106 Manufacturer No: AAE-75210

Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Mayflower 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The History Channel special on the Mayflower gives a good history prior to the Separatist leaving England and the landing of the Mayflower. I read Bradford's account and Philbrick's account of the events. The special is faithful to both and throws in Native perspectives as well.

desperate crossing 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

this movie brought the past to our present by being a drama and also a documentary,this makes you see the begining of our great nation,how Christians

Excellent documentary 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is an excellent docu-drama. I plan on showing it to my high school students next year before they read about the pilgrims--excellent movie.

Editorial Review:

The History Channel provides a typically thoughtful documentary on the Pilgrims in DESPERATE CROSSING - THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE MAYFLOWER. The Royal Shakespeare Company provided actors for the extensively reconstructed footage of the trip on the Mayflower and the program also ventures into the first year in their new country as they attempted to forge a relationship with the Native Americans.System Requirements:Running Time: 23 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 733961768190 Manufacturer No: AAE-76819

The Complete UFO Megaset

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 60 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

UFO was Gerry Anderson's first live-action TV series after a decade of producing such children's animated classics as Stingray (1963) and Thunderbirds (1964). The premise of UFO, which ran for a single season of 26 episodes in 1970, was like a more serious version of Anderson's Captain Scarlet (1967): in the near future of 1980, a high-tech secret organization, SHADO, waged covert war against mysterious alien attackers. Ed Bishop played the American head of SHADO--he had been previously featured in Captain Scarlet and Anderson's Doppelganger (1969)--though in all other respects this was a thoroughly British production. As with all Anderson series, UFO evidenced remarkable technological inventiveness and groundbreaking production values, coupled with startling lapses in fundamental logic too numerous to list.

Much more adult in story and content than earlier Anderson productions, and surprisingly dark with its pragmatic view of human nature and downbeat endings, the show now seems like a forerunner of The X-Files and the equally short-lived Dark Skies (1996). Barry Gray's memorable theme and atmospheric music greatly enhanced the overall impact. Stylishly made, though terribly sexist by current standards and featuring eye-catching costumes more fitted for a campy dress party than the front line of a futuristic war, this cult classic eventually evolved into Space: 1999 (1975).

The UFO DVDs have been beautifully designed and produced. The mono sound is exceptionally strong, and the restored and remastered picture is almost unbelievably good for a 1970 TV show. With barely a flaw anywhere, the episodes look so clear, colorful, and detailed that they could have been filmed last week. This eight-disc megaset features all 26 episodes. --Gary S. Dalkin