No comments about Touring the World: Touring Australia/Touring New Zealand.

2 comments about Hawaii to the Max.

1. I love Rudy Maxa's work, he makes great travelogues, and this one is as good as any. Highly recommended.



2. MY FIANCE AND I ARE GOING TO HAWAII FOR OUR HONEYMOON AND THIS WAS THE PERFECT DVD TO LOOK AT SO WE COULD MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH ISLANDS WE WANTED TO GO TO! PERFECT CONDITON.........NICE TRANSACTION.

2 comments about Rick Steves' Austria and the Alps, 2000-2007.

1. I thoroughly enjoyed the dvd, Rick Steves is very knowledgeable, this was not only entertaining, but very educational.



2. Has there ever been another travel guide more amiable, more informative, more eclectic and just plain likeable than Rick Steves? This somewhat nerdish but pleasant looking fellow will immediately win the viewer over with his charm, humor and smoothing, layback manner. However what will keep you watching program after program is his consummate knowledge of the sites and people he visits.
   
   While each journey is only 30 minutes in length Rick has a unique talent of synthesizing the many facets that make up a people and place. He leaves no stone unturned in his analysis; historical background, spiritual heritage, cultural underpinnings and political legacy are all equally touched upon to give the audience a fuller understanding of the rural and urban landscape.
   
   However not not an individual to dwell too much on the past, he provides a delightful tour of the markets, music, restaurants and nightlife. The kind of information would really want to know if you're out for a good time.
   
   The production values are also wonderful offering fanstastic visuals that are worth watching even if there where no commentary. Traveling with Rick Steves' is the next best thing to being there.
   
   This particular DVD contains five episodes, thirty minutes in length. Imagine two and one half hours in Austria and the Alps, one of the most picturesque areas to be found anywhere, better get started!

5 comments about Cat-Women of the Moon.

1. The lead males are impossibly homely, more parts of the spaceship move about when those actors bump into them than when the spaceship is actually in space, and the strings that move the spider in the cave on the moon are shamelessly exposed-and yet there is still something compelling about Cat-Women Of the Moon. Maybe it was the dreamy musical score by Leonard Bernstein, it could have also been the evocative minimalist sets of the cat palace on the moon, or it may have been the mysterious, underplayed beauty of the cat-women themselves with their cat-dance, but in the end this movie may win you over. Despite the pretty crappy acting from most of the lead actors, the story of the movie is interesting, because a very sophisticated question is implied of just how far a species can and should go to preserve itself. If it were the human race that was in its 11th hour and 59th minute of existence, how justified would we be in taking any means necessary for our own species' survival? A more pedestrian perspective of course would be to slant the movie as another product of the cold war with the omnipresent fears of communist domination. Personally, it's more fun to imagine what could have been, than fear what might be. Other items: the transfer is decent to outstanding, especially the cat-palace scenes. The sound quality is excellent. The paucity of extras, however, should be what most viewers who've trucked with Image Entertainment in the past would now come to expect. Get this DVD when it's on sale-don't waste the 19.99 on it.



2. I purchased this movie thinking that it would be in the same league as "Queen of Outer Space" with Zsa Zsa Gabor. "Queen" was a hilarious, campy, over-the-top tongue-in-cheek female-dominated planet movie. It's hilarious from beginning to end and totally entertaining in a ridiculous way. It's funny as heck.
   "Cat women of the Moon" just plain sucked! It takes itself so seriously, the plot is horrific, it's SUPER short, black and white (the cover leads one to believe it is colorized?), the characters are bland and just plain dumb! My wife and sat in disbelief at how BAD this flick was when it was over....There are some of those movies that are "so bad they're good." This is NOT one of those! Movies like "Dracula vs. Frankenstein," "Laserblast," "Plan Nine from Outer Space," "Frogs," "Empire of the Ants," etc. are all so corney that they are just a blast to watch. "Cat Women" just plain is cruddy. Don't waste the nine bucks!!



3. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1QDJ12E0X7C7H Original 1953 Black & White trailer shows why this movie was deemed "The most startling picture of the century!" 3-D glasses are not required. Enjoy!



4. I first saw this movie when it was new. It was terrible then but now it is a classic. It lacks the class of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in that TRHPS was meant to be a spoof. These people appear to be serious. Watch it and fall out of your chair laughing. A monument to the really bad sifi of the era. Every time you think it can't get worse, it does.
   Well worth the price for a classic.



5. I think this is one of the better ones. It was good but I was annoyed with the quarrelling astronauts. The movie then turned into a drama of how the poor cat women were falling for the scientists and then the supirior cat women go ga ga over the quarrlesome earth man. Why couldnt the cat women come out on top? I liked the theme song. The kind of movie you could leave running before going to bed.

3 comments about Video Visits: Discovering Greece.

1. Greece's rich history and dynamic cultures are explored in this video, another well-produced entry in Questar's "Discovering" series. The video covers the major cities and islands, revealing the history, geography, culture, and people of Greece. Accompanying the visuals is a nice soundtrack by popular Greek New Age musician Chris Spheeris. All of the major landmarks, the touchstones of much of Western culture, are given attention, with appropriate amounts of history and mythology interspersed for relevance. Especially noteworthy are:
   
   --Famed sites such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Olympia, Delphi, Mycenae, the Sanctuary of Apollo, and the Convent of Laherna
   
   --The beautiful harbors of Skiathos, and the island of Santorini
   
   --The island of Crete, significant to many cultures over the centuries, and home to the ancient Minoans, early seafarers and one of the oldest cultures of the region
   
   --The unusual architecture and windmills of Mykonos
   
   --The island of Corfu, a convergence of Greek, British, French, and especially Italian cultures that retains both mainland European and Greek sensibilities
   
   Since the main video feature tries to touch on as many aspects of Greek history and society as possible, the major sites only get a few minutes worth of attention. However, the DVD features three nice bonus features that reveal more detail and history about ancient Athens and Corinth, the Temples of Zeus and Poseidon, and the sprawling complex of Delphi.
   
   One minor criticism I will offer is that Greece's many famous sites are given much attention at the expense of learning more about the Greek people. The famed Greek cuisine is given some attention, but much of Greek culture--such as dance, language, and music--are given brief mention, if mentioned at all. That's perhaps the video's biggest drawback, but it does cover most other aspects of Greecian culture and history pretty well. If you're planning a trip to Greece or just want to learn more about it, this is a good place to start. Follow this up with the excellent books "Fodor's Greece," along with "Fodor's Exploring the Greek Islands."
   
   I hope this review was helpful.
   
   --Christian Wheeler



2. I thoroughly enjoyed this DVD. It was well written, the photography was top-notch, and the balance between historical and present day Greece was well done. I would recommend this DVD as a must-see before going to Greece or to remind you of the wonderful time you had there. Definitely a professional product with a voice over by someone whose voice is pleasing to listen to (not always the case with documentaries). You truly get a taste of Greece by viewing this DVD.



3. We purchased this DVD based on the above two positive reviews. We are planning a trip to Greece in several months. We found this DVD to be so tedious and boring that we almost wish we weren't going. It goes out of its way to show badly videographed scenes of tourist sites way too crowded with cheeseball tourists and ancient monuments covered in scaffolding. Interspersed are interviews with native Greeks who share insights like, "Athens is one of the most beautiful capitals, because it is beautiful and has beautiful buildings." Or "I ride a motorcycle because it is very crowded and smoggy and I think the only way to get around is a motorcycle because I like motorcycles." I am grateful we bought this DVD used and didn't bother to watch the whole thing. Thank God we're going to the islands. Maybe there will be fewer scaffolds and fewer irritating people.

4 comments about Globe Trekker: Beijing.

1. Ms Megan is childish, rude, condescending and immature. Despite of her efforts to totally ruin this effort, the information and visuals aren't a total loss. It's a real embarrassment for both cultures.



2. The interesting part is Beijing; the frustrating part, Megan. We get way too much of her effort at a star turn. Still, you can come away with some sense of Beijing, if you're able to muster some patience with her.



3. Having been to Beijing myself, I thought this was a wonderful show covering much of the vast city....many places that I myself visited. Megan is funny and quirky and the locals really seem to like her. I've seen a great many shows with her as the host and this has got to be one of her best! Well done.



4. I am going on a tour in November to Beijing China and this DVD is so today and made it exciting to watch and see people of today in this video.
   It's a must see before traveling to Beijing.

5 comments about Secret Yellowstone.

1. Having seen this on TV and having a good friend that does tours in Yellowstone, I ordered it as a gift for her, nothing like being able to impress a tour group with information about areas of the Park they will never see. Yellowstone is the oldest and grandest park in the USA, and this DVD shows you how big and how wild it really is...



2. As the subtitle of the cover has suggested: Explore beyond the Tourist Hotspots, this film is not a tour guide for Yellowstone NP. Although some famous scenes, such as Old Faithful, are shown, they are in a rather fast forward version. There are two main topics in this film. One is about the forest fire and the other is about the wildlife.
   
   Most forest fires are caused by lightning. Conventionally, people tried to extinguish there forest fires once they were found burning. Recent attempts just let it burn, as long as there is no immediate threat to human lives, since it is just a step of the balance of the ecosystem. It will rehabilitate later by itself.
   
   The other topic is about the wildlife. At first, it reveals an experience by two explorers when they encountered a grizzly. They pretended dead by lying down to avoid the grizzly attack. They didn't do it good enough so that this grizzly still came and attacked on them. They finally escaped by the bear spray (why didn't I hear about this stuff when I was in a national park? I encountered a black bear......while in a car) they carried.
   
   Another animal is about the bison. Don't be close to or even touch them. A man was hit into the sky and then fell off as the film shows. It's really dangerous. In addition, wolves were introduced on purpose to pray the bison for achieving the balance of the nature. Interestingly, when a bison is attacked by a pack of wolves, it is safer for this bison to stand rather than run.
   
   It's refreshing after I've finished this film. I am, however, not sure if most people are satisfied with these two topics. Initially, I expect to see more about the magma, lava or volcano stuff but find this is only covered with little time. In addition to this, the quality of screen shots is good. Some may be intended for the purpose of the IMAX theater. This will be a bonus if you have a home theater kind of TV.



3. Given the title of Secret Yellowstone, I was hopeful that it might show portions of the park not typically visited by the public. This was the typical show on Yellowstone with coverage of the wolves, bears and geysers and an emphasis on the volcanic activity. Very nice photography, but I was anticipating a more in depth show.



4. The subtitle of Secret Yellowstone is "Explore beyond the Tourist Hotspots", and the product description says "travels deep inside the 2 million acre national park to reveal the backcountry wilderness few have seen". That led me to believe that we might actually get to see and know some of that backcountry, to get a tour of the parts of the park that most don't see.
   
   Instead, this slick production gives the viewer a 'Matrix-style' view of the park where the average camera shot is less than 2 seconds long, and dizzying transitions and shifts in point-of-view and film speed make it impossible to actually take in any of the scenery or detail. During the opening 10 minutes I literally felt sick from the rapid transitions and editing, and almost turned it off. Fortunately, the pace slows a little during the sections on wildfire and wildife, but only a little.
   
   The film really has very little to do with the description, which as an example says "Explore some of the 300 newly discovered waterfalls most tourists never get to see." Do we actually get to explore some of these waterfalls? If you call viewing a few still photographs for around 2 seconds each exploring, then yes. There is one scene of falls from a high-altitude helicopter that lasts longer, unfortunately there's a blurry reflection on the window right where the falls is, and the perspective is such that there is no indication of height or distance or scale, and the omnipresent speed-changing, special effects transitions interrupt the view every few seconds.
   
   The film is essentially about 4 topics (I wouldn't have known, except they say so near the end): water, geology, wildlife, and wildfire. But those topics are not unique to the backcountry, and they are not 'secret'. Even the heavily traveled tourist areas expose these features to a visitor. Unfortunately, the narration on these topics is no better than the video. It is at times overly dramatic, and always just skims the surface of the topics. The only new thing I learned about Yellowstone was that there is enough magma underneath the park to fill 3 Lake Michigans. There is no real information presented, such as just how much magma that is, or how deep it extends, or how much outside the park's boundaries it extends, or how near the suface it is, or when geologists expect the next eruption, or etc. etc. etc. Instead near the end of the show, a 3D CGI is displayed (in motion of course) showing a mass of magma under the park. Yes, it's big. I guess that's all I need to know.
   
   There are a few highlights on the video - mostly short segments with the people who know the park, such as the head of the wolf recovery program who investigates why a wolf pack was able to down a bison in only 12 minutes instead of the usual hours. Another segment has some regular hikers recalling an encounter with a grizzly bear, and another deals with firefighting in the back county, but the rangers and firefighters are only allowed to get a few sentences out before the editors put us back on the disjointed roller coaster.
   
   The DVD includes a special feature - an interactive map of Yellowstone which uses the N.G. Topo! map engine, which at first appears like a great bonus since the product is also sold separately. There are four levels of maps - a state map, a park map, a topographic map, and a 3-D map. Unfortunately only the first 3 appear to be functional - whenever I select the 3D map (using a new Windows XP machine with 2GB of memory and a fast processor), the program aborts. I'd guess the 3D data was not included with the video. It's too bad - that might have been a viable way to explore the back country.
   
   I had really hoped to find out more about the back country from this film -what the geology is in the different parts of the park, what trails are available, what sights there are to see. There are some computer graphics that are displayed for a few seconds that might have been useful if they were captioned, or left on screen long enough to actually view and were discussed in some detail, but the narrator barely mentions them. For instance one graphic (also in motion) shows the network of trails in the park for a few seconds and the narrator says how many miles of trails there are, but then we're off to the races again.
   
   National Geographic used to make intelligent, quality nature films, with spectacular photography and in-depth commentary. This film has neither of those. Whatever good photography that might be there is spoiled by the special effects. The worst part is that the film's production style makes it impossible to get the feel of the park, and that is what most armchair travelers are looking for. The style of the production is the antithesis of what the park is about, and what anyone would experience in person. Instead of vast vistas, intimate views of nature, and serene exploration, the film is a frenetic disjointed roller coaster of fast motion, slow motion, freeze frame, and special effects that make it impossible to actually comprehend what we are seeing. I suppose that's what the filmmakers intended - to emphasize the underlying potential danger of Yellowstone instead of the usual qualities of beauty and wonder. Maybe they think that's the Secret Yellowstone that tourists don't get to see: a fast moving dangerous land of fire and vicious animals, poisonous fumes and impending doom. Yes, Yellowstone (or any wild area) can certainly be dangerous, but that's no secret, and it's not what I expected from the description. And it's not the feeling I get when actually visiting the park.
   
   Very disappointing, and not recommended.



5. Watched this with my 8 year old niece and she watched the whole thing also! Beautiful scenery and lots of interesting facts. Stuff you will never see on your own in Yellowstone.

5 comments about Journey Into Buddhism Trilogy.

1. These DVDs are a tour of south east Asian Buddhist temples---some still in use, others not. The second DVD deals mostly with Hindu groups in Indonesia. That really confused me. If one know nothing of Buddhism, don't expect to learn much from these DVDs. There is, however, some little tib bits of Buddhist practice scattered in the narration here and there.



2. I am still arriving back from this incredible journey. The 3 dvds let filmmaker John Bush reveal this epic journey over 4.5 hours while visiting the most amazing temples, villages, caves, mountains and rivers in so many different places in Asia. I was particularly moved by the Burma and Tibet segments as there is so much difficulty there, while the people are so beautiful and their cause is so just.
   
   These are not the usual talking heads type documentaries but more intuitive,spontaneous and revealing. We follow the camera into rare and seldom seen places and hear the legends and spiritual significance of each place. I was particularly impressed by the music which seemed very well suited to each scene and added to the dramatic structure. David Hykes' harmonic chants are hypnotic. There is a huge amount of the local music that is extraordinary and which I have never heard before. Each dvd has two viewing choices - with a narrator and with just music and sound. I look forward to this one.
   
   While I know something about Buddhism I was relieved that the films do not have any sectarian biases - you do not have to be a Buddhist to "get" what John Bush is offering here. He presents it all in an informed but universal way that is quite engaging. There is something noble in seeing the grandeur and simplicity of these Asian venues dedicated to nothing but the discovery of wisdom & compassion.
   
   The voiceover narration works fine - I would have preferred to hear the people speak sometimes, but I guess it would have to be translated anyway.
   All in all it is a remarkable way to see so much of spiritual Asia in a short amount of time. I truly recommend this set.



3. There are many beautiful places and people to enjoy here. I bought this to transport me from my living room to exotic lands to experience different cultures and customs. This set delivers. Although it primarily shows Buddhist temples, monks and other related sites, there is no philosophy being preached here, it is a simple journey through gorgeous lands. Don't worry about any religious overtones, there are none. Some of the tribal people are so colorfully dressed and ornamented, I never would have guessed that is what they wear.
   
   The films do suffer from technical difficulties - jerky and inappropriate camera movement (Photography 101 Never use Zoom), segments better left on the cutting room floor (for example the first film had to show us the boatman taking us upriver, but the 8 or 9 seconds were badly done as the boatman eludes us), better editing probably could have fixed most of the problems I saw, there were minor sound problems, and the change in narrators is uncomfortable. I enjoyed the last narration best as it included the film maker and guests who had something to add to the narration. Generally I don't think the narration is that strong, it's kind of an ordinary monotone overview, nothing particularly entertaining or educational. It doesn't add much to a scene to say "the morning sun shines over the river" when you show the morning sun shining over a river. There were many questions that filled my mind as the camera went from place to place, but unfortunately they weren't answered.
   
   The package is marked "letterboxed", but that's only partially correct: the first two discs are 4:3 or "full" screen format, only the last is widescreen format.
   
   I really appreciate the ability to turn off narration, which I did after the first viewing, now I only listen to the music and marvel at the sights presented. The music is varied and adds much, it is especially effective in surround sound. The bonus video of Vajra Realm did not impress me and seems a meandering and pointless addition.
   
   Overall the package is nicely done and should interest any armchair traveler who wants to see Buddhist temples and ceremonies of Southeast Asia, Laos, Thailand, Burma, Bali, Cambodia, Java, and Central Tibet. Some of the temples are truly amazing in size and detail, and the lands surrounding can be breathtaking.



4. The point of these DVD's are the images of sacred sites - which are 5-star. The naration is forgetable.



5. Do not miss this experience. I really did not know what to expect with this collection and came away completely in awe. There is so much going on here: travel to extraordinary lands, Buddhist teachings, a hypnotic soundtrack of chant and Asian music and an informed respect for the spiritual cultures we are seeing.
   
   The cinematography is world class and gets into very intimate and privileged places within these many sacred places. The 3 dvds offer penetrating journeys into the spiritual realms of Thailand, Laos. Burma, Cambodia, Bali, Java and traditional Tibet. The narration is minimal, poetic and at times mildly academic. The words do have a real feeling of allegory and while describing exotic cultures still felt deeply personal to me and my life.
   
   The filmmaker, John Bush, shows no religious bias and the dvds are excellent for Buddhists, travelers or anyone simply interested in discovering these worlds seldom seen. I highly recommend this collection. They stand repeated viewing and have enough depth to keep revealing more.

4 comments about Bike-O-Vision Cycling DVD #1 European Sampler.

1. If you are a biker looking for a winter work out video this is not for you. I bought 2 of these for my husband. I ordered them in early November and they did not arrive until early February. This one is a little better than the All Across America one, but they are nothing more than short choppy scenes with cheesey music, not what you need for a training ride. I am very disappointed. I am glad I also ordered one from Carmichael Training. That one was just what my husband was looking for.



2. What a perfect way to learn and see great travel footage while working out! I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered these, but I was pleasently surprised. Basically it's just really nice footage of scenic driving and biking routes set to music. I have a television right in front of my exercise bike, and I even watch it from the tread mill. Keep 'em coming!



3. The site seeing is nice but it's pretty slow, and the music selection doesn't exactly motivate you.



4. I love to cycle, and love this series of workout DVDs. This one is the shortest of the group (I have them all), only 40 minutes but really interesting because of the diverseness of scenery through Europe. They are great compliments to indoor cycling because the realistic view of the "forward motion" you get keeps you wanting to push ahead instead of slow down. Definitely a different perspective, virtually. I now have all their videos and use them over and over for daily workouts. There are a lot of rides so I never get bored. I also appreciate the lack of commentary (any riders on the screen) and graphics that are on similar cycling videos. I've recommended the series to all my cycling friends, and they seem to have gotten into them too.

4 comments about Journey Into Buddhism: Vajra Sky Over Tibet.

1. Journey Into Buddhism: Vajra Sky Over Tibet
   
   This is a powerful DVD that tells a story of what was once a wonderful country and nation; TIBET.
   
   It deals, poignantly, with what has happened to Tibet and its people since the disastrous invasion by the Communists in 1950's and the departure of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the nation, to India in 1959.
   
   Many of the Tibetans that are left (only a fraction after the myriad of purge's and pogroms against their way of life), still pursue their simple spiritual way and the producers of the movie capture this beautifully in a segment at the Jhokang temple, a sacred shrine to the Tibetan form of Buddhism.
   
   The barbarism of the communists and their system is exemplified in a segment on Shigatse, the home of the second-highest-ranking lama in Tibet, the Panchen Lama. The 10th's name was Choekyi Gyaltsen, and he is described as becoming important to the people when His Holiness escaped to India. The narrator explains that during the Cultural Revolution he was imprisoned for a period of ten years after which time he was released but held under house arrest in Beijing until 1982 when he was allowed to return home where he mysteriously grew ill and died. The narrator points out that the conjecture at the time was that he had been poisoned after giving a speech critical of the Chinese occupation.
   
   The story continues that following his unexpected death in 1989. A search for his reincarnation was undertaken and the head of the search committee and after communicating with the Dalai Lama, recognized Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the new (11th) Panchen Lama. Apparently shortly afterwards the Chinese authorities spirited him away and announced that Gyancain Norbu would in fact be the new Panchen Lama. To this day the whereabouts of the boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family are unknown and the narrator comments that the Tibetan Government in exile claim that he is "youngest political prisoner in the world".
   
   All in all a wonderful DVD beautifully filmed and photographed, with a sound track that is truly remarkable.
   
   
   Bernie Watts



2. This is the best of the 3-part DVD series. The images of sacred sites are 5-star. The naration is forgetable, I recommend this DVD to Buddhists who want to see sacred sites. This is not for someone seeking teachings.



3. I highly recommend the video for anyone wanting to get a feeling for the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in its vanishing milieu. Perhaps there will come a day again soon when Tibetans will be allowed to freely practice their religion (and I do pray for it), but this record of the rich culture which still exists (though diminished) is an important work. My one regret is that there is (for my taste) not enough background information for the those who are just beginning to get to know Tibetan Buddhism.



4. This has to be the definitive film about Tibet today. Shot entirely in this endangered land, the filmmaker John Bush takes us into seldom seen places to reveal the beauty and spirituality that still remains there. Without permission of the Chinese authorities he captures an in depth portrait of a valiant people struggling to maintain their sacred traditions and practice their faith in spite of huge interferences from their atheist overlords. It brought tears to my eyes several times.
   
   Traveling through all the many wonders of Tibet we see the most extraordinary art and spiritual treasures that are so unique to this culture. The noble faces of Tibetan pilgrims illuminated by yak-butter lamps are unforgettable. The soundtrack is ethereal and transporting.
   
   Through all of this we hear the tragic story of the Tibetan people, but somehow seeing their strength and determination in the face of such adversity seems triumphant at the same time. The politics never overwhelm the spiritual intent and the magnificence of what we are seeing.
   
   I heartily recommend this dvd to anyone - it is also available in the boxed set of the trilogy at a better price. I bought it that way. Its interesting to see that the filmmaker builds to this story.