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No comments about Nature Parks KRUGER NATIONAL PARK South Africa.

1 comments about Thomas Kinkade: Impressions of the Holy Land.

1. This combination of DVD, large postcards, and booklet, all cleverly packaged in a lovely tin, is a fantastic journey of the Holy Land as viewed through the eyes of "America's Artist," Thomas Kinkade, a master of the "plein air" technique. We travel with him to 9 famous sites, starting with "Jerusalem Sunset," viewed from the Mount of Olives. It continues with "Sunset, Sea of Galilee," "Mount Arbel," "Caesarea," "Garden of Gethsemane," "The Garden Tomb," "Via Dolorosa," "Tower of David," and "The Wailing Wall."
   
   It is fascinating to see Kinkade's easel set-up, and his technique, as he paints some of the best work of his immensely popular and lengthy career. The print sizes given in the booklet are much larger than the originals, which seem to be in the 8 x 10 and 11 x 14 range. One of my favorite pieces, the "Tower of David," was painted on a piece of packing crate bought off a street vendor, and is approximately 12 x 16, because the vista required a bigger "canvas" than Kinkade had with him. Primed with hairspray, it is marvelous to see a master at work on this piece of rough wood, such a contrast from artists who fuss about "surfaces" and "north light" and so many other things of no real consequence.
   
   While Kinkade paints, we get the historical aspect of the places from Claire Pfann of the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem (one sequence is with Stephen Pfann of the same university). Pfann is attractive and knowledgeable, and adds much to the content and enjoyment of this DVD. Also excellent is the background music, which blends in well with what is being shown.
   
   The 5 ½ x 7 ½ cards that come in this package are wonderful. There are 9 cards, but instead of "The Garden Tomb," there is an exquisite nighttime portrait of Jesus viewing Jerusalem, titled "A Prayer for Peace." This one is so special I immediately put it in a frame. An interesting "special feature" is of Kinkade laying the pieces he has done side by side on a table and talking about them. He seems unaffected by his enormous fame, and very aware that his gift comes from God.
   
   This is a superb gift package for anyone interested in art and the Holy Land. As a Christian artist, I was overjoyed to receive it, and will thank the giver for his generosity and thoughtfulness for years to come, because this 90 minute DVD is one I will enjoy many times, as an inspiration for my work, and to view the places where my Lord and Savior once walked.

5 comments about Split Infinity: A Gift From the Past.

1. THIS MOVIE WAS SO GOOD!! IT'S ABOUT THIS YOUNG GIRL AND ALL SHE CARES ABOUT IS MONEY AND SHE GOES BACK IN TIME AND LEARNS THAT THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN MONEY AND THAT YOU CAN BE RICH WITH OTHER THINGS, TOO. IT IS SO GOOD!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!



2. I have been searching for this movie for 13 years now. My sister and I first saw this movie on tv back in 1992. Never getting to finish the movie and not knowing the name of it has made me search for it for quite some time now. It is still as exclent as the first time I watched it, back when I was five. I must say it was well worth the wait!!!!



3. What a SWEET film. It would have been best as part ONE
   in a triology. There's been 3,4;5;6;7, and MORE sequels
   to FAR worse films. Since there ARE no sequels to this
   fine 1992 film, I'll just have to rewatch it on a quarterly
   basis until you read my mind and WATCH it yourself.
   This film BEGS to be watched by your pre-teen girl and her
   gran'pa-- in real life-- to see a fantasy-world in which
   dreams CAN come true.
   There's no such thing as a BAD time travel movie. Well, I
   guess there are at least FOUR, but this ISN'T one of them.
   I give this film 5-thumbs up! It's quite a find. This's a
   good weekend-killer, along with The Infinate Worlds of H.
   G. Wells [$7 Mini-series].
   I'm NOT a rich man, but I bought copies of these TWO films,
   from Amazon.com, and had them shipped to three friends. I
   guess THAT's my highest praise for e-x-c-e-l-l-e-n-t film-
   making... applauding it by S-U-P-P-O-R-T-I-N-G it!
   Buy this film... it's a keeper! It'll bring out the child
   in us all! Enjoy!



4. A great now and then film for adults and children alike. You can trust FFFF films to be of good moral value. A must film for all homes where you want to teach good moral values.



5. This movie was very enjoyable and has a good message. Of all the Feature Films for Families my family owns, this one is my second favorite (the first is Rigoletto).

No comments about The Michael Palin Collection.

5 comments about Globe Trekker: New Zealand.

1. I saw this episode on the television. Ian was obviously bored stiff traveling in NZ.



2. I saw this epidosde on TV thought they did a great job!



3. I am looking into emigrating to New Zealand and will watch pretty much anything covering it. They completely skipped Wellington (on the NORTH island, folks) which was disappointing, but there was enough to keep me interested. Definitely focused on traveler's needs, not immigrants of course!
   
   Also check out Billy Connolly's (the stand up comic) tour of New Zealand. In between his routines, he does the sights. He is much more familiar with the place than Ian is.
   
   There is also a documentary on walking the Milford Track, beautiful. Unfortunately I don't know the details on finding it.



4. Cheaply shot, unflattering look at New Zealand. I was thinking of going there, but not after viewing this poor production. (Apparently the place is really pretty, but it doesn't come through on this DVD.)



5. This couldn't be much worse. It was more about the host trying to convince you that he was cute than about New Zealand. A wasted hour.

1 comments about Rome: A Musical Journey.

1. Having been to Rome last summer, I was intriqued to buy this DVD. Although I might have chosen different music more related to Italy and Rome for this dvd, the music presented is great, and the visual tour of Rome and environs is stunning and the music is well coordinated with the Images. I definitely will try more cities in this series by Naxos.

5 comments about Somewhere in Time.

1. A fantastic film with good storyline and very good acting.
   This film as been a firm favourite with my wife and I since we first
   saw it when it first came out.
   Good settings,costumes and highly recomended.



2. I am a big fan of Jane's work in Dr. Quinn, and I finally
   saw SIT on Netflix instant viewing. Although the historical
   atmosphere is beautifully evoked, this was a perfectly terrible
   film on every other level. The story is simplistic but I
   could overlook all that if it at least hung together. But
   the many unanswered questions (like the watch, what did
   it symbolize; was the Richard who registered in 1912 the
   same one in 1978 or was it a name coincidence) ruin even
   this oversimplified story. Jane was lovely too look at
   but her dialogue was very stilted. A big dissapointment after
   all the hype I have read on the blogosphere. I recommend
   Dr. Quinn for much more convincing on-screen romance.



3. I love the thought behind this movie. Don't get caught up in the overanalysis of whether it could actually happen. Sit back and enjoy the movie as entertainment. Just too bad Christopher Reeves was cast as the lead. He couldn't act his way out of a paper bag. A more accomplished actor and this would be a 5 star movie.



4. Classic. Good to have in my DVD collection. Fast shipping and quality product.



5. I saw this movie roughly when it came out and then a few more times on television. Parts of its stayed with me--and yes it is Reeve's finest performance by far (the "first kiss" scene is among the top three in cinematic history in my book). The musical score is, well, haunting; it creates an aural impression of Romantic longing. Last summer I happened to be on Mackinac Island; I visited the Coin Shop by accident (no longer a coin shop, so definitely go in and check out the SIT memorabilia) and decided to see the movie again. It took two months but the Collector's Edition was in the local video store....
   
   Yes, there are continuity flaws, yes there is the fantastic time-travel dynamic, yes there are the wrong umbrellas at the Grand Hotel for 1912, yes there is the canonical ending--BUT, not since Wagner's leibestod has there been a more powerful artistic expression of the love that transcends mortal temporality. One might call the film a guilty pleasure, but, well, they just don't make movies like this anymore--and it deserves to stay in circulation. It is, well...timeless. Definitely worth your time.

5 comments about South - Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition.

1. South is a wonderful video featuring real motion footage from Frank Hurley's cameras on the expedition. Even though there is no sound they added words and nice piano music in the backround. The video features everything from pictures of their departure, to picture of the dogs on deck, to pictures of the ship being crushed, falling apart, and its final sinking. This film shows the truth of what really happened. I highly recomend this film.



2. In her own review of "South," Paulette Struckman mentions another Shackleton movie using original footage but narrated. I believe that's the film I've been seeking. Did she ever find it? Does anyone else know that title? It's not "South," and it must have been released in the early 1990s. Please help. Thanks!



3. With regard to Paulette and Todd's queries; I believe the film they are seeking is called "Endurance-The Shackleton Expedition". I saw this film in a Seattle theatre about 2 months ago. It does contain original footage and is narrated; about 90 minutes in length.I would imagine that it will soon be available on VHS/DVD inasmuch as it's first run should be over.It's an amazing story of perseverence under the most difficult of conditions and a must see for the entire family(although children under 12 or so might be bored).



4. This is a fantastic documentary if you are familiar with the history of "The Endurance". This film contains NOTHING but archival footage and photos from the actual expedition itself. The footage is amazing, especially to see how the men accepted and worked through their plight. However, that is also the film's shortcoming. Since there was only so much actual footage to use, a large portion of the story goes unshown (the film historian was left behind while Shackleton went ahead for help). They also "pad" the film with some VERY unnecessary wildlife footage taken after the rescue. For newcomers to the story, first watch "The Endurance" (available on Amazon) and then watch this feature.



5. Incredible movie abt one of the famous antarctic explorer. Even unlucky expedition expressed real courage of Sir Shackleton and his crew.
   Highly recommended!

No comments about Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown Season 1 Episode 2: Florence, Italy.