5 comments about Discovery Atlas: China Revealed [HD DVD].

1. I was expecting a little better production than this. With the vast area that is encompassed by China, with its ancient culture and history; one would have anticipated more coverage of that rather than the excessive coverage of the country yokel who seeks his fortune in the big city and the young female olympic hopeful. Also, I have to agree with the other reviewer about the quality of the picture. Perhaps after watching Planet Earth I'm a bit spoiled; but I didn't think this dvd deserved to be advertised as high definition .
   Finally, I wouldn't purchase this dvd if given the chance to do it over again.



2. Overall not bad. But not much scenery of the China's. There are stories about different people. Wished it had more native sceneries.



3. The videography, the production values, and the mellow tones of James Spader, and the HD DVD itself are excellent, but that's it. Call this educational if you want, but its more about polishing up the image of China for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. This documentary reveals startling facts about China as being the world's most consuming nation of raw materials on earth simply because its 1,300,000,000 people have gotten a taste of capitalism and they like it. It features video of a country that for a long time was synonomous with Communist tyranny. Even though the Chinese have made great strides in improving their lifestyles since the Red Guard plundered through the countryside trying to strip away everything cultural and uniquely Chinese, there is still much oppression. Just look at the recent political unrest regarding Tibet. This documentary highlights different families in the "new" China and how they fit in with the rest of the world. I think the producers at the Discovery Channel were sincere in their efforts to present an unbiased look at China, but they look at it with a different set of eyes than I do. I for one thing think that Chinese manufactured goods, while they may be cheap, are substandard and in some cases, dangerous. I still look at the Chinese government as being typical for communist countries, and cannot be trusted. While the Chinese people now have more economic freedom and more opportunities, they are not free, no matter how pretty they try to package it. Dan Casey



4. "China Revealed" follows several individual Chinese as the oldest continuous civilization on earth transitions into a leadership position. Its 1.3 billion people are expected to become the next superpower, and the world's largest economy within twenty years. All despite being comprised by over 50 different peoples and 7 major languages, fortunately united by the common ability to read and write Chinese.
   
   Viewers begin by seeing incredibly terraced 8 century-old rice fields in a mountainous region, and learn that less than 10% of China is arable (large desert and mountain areas). The "good news" is that peasant income has increased 1,500% since they were given control of their lands in 1978.
   
   Urban residents, however, have fared even better. Shanghai is 8X the size of NYC, with 20 million inhabitants, vs. NYC's 8 million. One new immigrant from the rural areas is followed as he works long hours cleaning skyscraper windows and saves his money for his family back home.
   
   "China Revealed" also follows a 12-year-old girl selected for training in gymnastics beginning at age two (6 hours/day for six days/week), a young female computer worker who undertakes cosmetic surgery to improve her chances of promotion, Inner Mongolians following traditional ways while worrying about change, and a rural female police chief who has risen above traditional Chinese sexism.
   
   Overall, "China Revealed" is an impressive depiction of an impressive people moving forward.



5. This is an outstanding video, I seen it on TV a few years back and wanted to show my wife how the West views China. Impressive.
   
   It would of been nice if in the description that the HD video is only playable on HD DVD players.

No comments about All Aboard, Vol. 2: American Train Journeys.

No comments about Petra: Israel's Secret Hiding Place.

1 comments about Living Landscapes: Hawaii.

1. There are a lot of dvds produced these days to provide viewers a chance at virtual relaxation without leaving the confines of your own home.
   
   Living Landscapes is a stellar entry into this genre, with each title giving an actual destination instead of just a theme, and the visual and musical productions a step above the competition. I don't just want beaches, I want Hawaii. Everytime I view this dvd, I can prepare for the day that I get to make my Hawaiian trip a reality.
   
   Start with the sampler dvd from this series, called "Most Beautiful Places n the World" to get an idea of what is offered with this series. Each disc is its own unique experience. I will keep coming back for more!

No comments about Bavaria & The Black Forest.

1 comments about America's Funniest Comics 3 (Full).

1. Something is wrong with the DVD. For some reason it skips and stops on it's own. I can't play past it. I couldn't do anything with it. I tried just fast forwarding through the part but it wouldn't allow it.

No comments about Made in Spain 2.

1 comments about Globe Trekker: Ultimate Scandinavia.

1. Ian Wright is the most fun host of them all, but it's not all him on these two dvds.
   The title is off, because by definition Scandinavia includes Sweden, Norway and Iceland.
   The coverage of the Baltic states is far too short, almost nothing shown. Just as you get into watching the Talinn bit, it's over. Norway and Sweden are covered well, I'm guessing. I'drecommend to purchase a separate DVD for the country of interest, instead of hoping that "Ultimate" Sacndinavia covers it all, which it only attempts to do.

No comments about The Greatest Tractor Show on Earth Ever.

2 comments about Frank Patterson - Ireland In Song.

1. .
   As I indicated on my original CD review (Ireland in Song - CD) dated May 13, 2000, I have been waiting for this DVD ever since I watched it on PBS six years ago. The DVD version of this CD is finally here. Kudos to Kultur, they are releasing the DVD version on February 28, 2006.
   
   As of this writing, the song listing is not available from Amazon. I will list them below:
   
   01. Maggie
   02. Galway Bay
   03. Little Bridget Flynn
   04. The Fields of Athenry
   05. The Mason's Apron (The Cassidys)
   06. My Irish Molly O (Frank with The Cassidys)
   07. Tipperary So Rare
   08. The Last Rose of Summer (Eanan Patterson)
   09. An Irish Lullaby (Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral) (with Eily O'Grady)
   10. The Marino Waltz (Eanan Patterson)
   11. Lady of Knock
   12. Red Sails in the Sunset
   13. Away from the Roll of the Sea
   14. Memory (from "Cats")
   15. Danny Boy
   16. How Great Thou Art
   
   My only gripe with this DVD is that subtitle or lyrics is not provided. I would love to sing along and is one feature I hope this DVD will include and should include. Besides from this ONE missing feature, it is still highly recommended. My comments from my original CD review still hold true today.



2. Ireland's Golden tenor lives on in this this dazzling show of scenes of the Emerald Isle with Patterson's sweet Irish songs being sung beautifully and with passion as he always sang. What a loss that he died. But how great to have his recordings still available to see and hear. Fabulous.