Synopsis: An orphaned baby elephant? A lion with a brain tumor? Call Dr. Marsh Tracy! This lovingly remembered show from executive producer Ivan Tors (Sea Hunt, Flipper, Gentle Ben) stars Marshall Thompson as a dedicated veterinarian who runs an animal research center in Africa with the help of his daughter, two courageous aides, a mischievous chimp and a cross-eyed lion named Clarence. Action, laughs and breathtaking encounters with exotic animals highlight the 18 Episodes of the Complete Season One as Tracy and his crew handle everything from poachers to diamond thieves to a raging fire that threatens the nearby game preserve. “Daktari” means “doctor” in Swahili, but for viewers it means uplifting family fun!

Review: Our family is animal crazy.  In fact, we run our own little zoo in our home, lol.  Dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, fish..whatever you can imagine.  If your family loves animals, then Daktari is for you!  This show is being released for the first time by the Warner Archive, and its a great watch.  The tales of this vet and his daughter are heart warming, fun and great for any family.  In an era where is hard to find shows for the entire family, the complete first season of this one would be a wonderful purchase for you.

Synopsis: Germany today. During project week, a popular and unorthodox high school teacher, in an attempt to stir up his lethargic students, devises an experiment that will explain what totalitarianism is and how it works. What begins with harmless notions about discipline and community builds into a real movement: The Wave. Within days, The Wave s uniformly attired students begin ostracizing and threatening others, and violence boils just below the surface. Sensing danger, the teacher decides to break off the experiment. But it may be too late The Wave has taken on a life of its own and is out of control. Based on a true story, THE WAVE chillingly shows just how easily the seeds of fascism can be sown.

Review: The Wave is a fantastic german film that shows us the dangers of modern day facism.  In the day and age when the tea party has emerged and racism is on the rise, we can see splinter factions coming up in politics again.  If you couple that with a precarious economic situation you can quickly invite in a terrible regime in exchange for some security.  The Wave is a fantastic look into what could happen if things got out of control.  A great watch and very relevant.

Interest Range: Drama

Synopsis: The most astounding and uncompromising film of the year, Miguel Angel Vivas KIDNAPPED is a masterpiece of tension and all-too-realistic violence. Jaime and Marta, along with their teenage daughter Isa, move into a gorgeous new home with the hopes of beginning a beautiful new phase of their life together. It s the dream of every hard-working family: a comfortable life in a place of their own. But the dream is shattered when a gang of masked men break in and take the entire family hostage, demanding Jaime hand over everything he has in the bank or watch his wife and daughter die. And so begins an unimaginable ordeal for Jaime and his family.  Winner of Best Picture and Best Director honors at Fantastic Fest 2010, KIDNAPPED has been declared impeccably crafted, flawlessly performed (Todd Brown, TwitchFilm.com) and a new genre classic. (John Fallon, Arrow In The Head).

Review: Kidnapped is not for the faint of heart.   If you're a fan of home invasion film, then this one may appeal to you.  The only thing is that this spanish-made film is a far cry more graphic!  This one has the basic character stereotypes and plot that you might imagine, but the violence and tone are there and it far surpasses its contemporaries, like "Funny Games", in that you get to see far more of the brutality involved.  If you have a strong stomach and a dark mind, you're gonna love this one.

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Interest Range: Drama

Synopsis: For some unexplained reason, letters to Santa Claus are being returned to the children of Junctionville. It seems some sour soul has angered St. Nick, calling Christmas "a fraudulent myth!" The skeptical rodent Albert Mouse has to be brought to his senses "and let up a little on the wonder why." How Albert is persuaded to change his tune paves the way for Santa's jolly return to Junctionville - and the joyous finale of this charming animated fable inspired by Clement Moore's poem.

Review: Everyone loves a good Xmas movie.  I enjoy watching everything from Rudolph to Frosty to the Garfield Xmas special and Charlie Brown each year.  One that hasn't been around for many years, at least not that I've caught, is the Rankin/Bass animated classic "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

This enjoyable classic cartoon shows a tale of what would happen if we sassed Santa and he stomped off the job.  Its a well produced and fun cartoon that isn't well circulated on television, so this may be the first chance for your kids to see it.  Mine loved it and that was enough for me!  This is the first time you can get it on blu-ray, high-definition.  The toon looks fantastic!

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Synopsis: Deck the halls with Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy, Jokey and all the other true blue friends in these absosmurfly charming animated specials from "The Smurfs" TV series. In "'Tis the Season To Be Smurfy", young Sassette Smurf discovers the true meaning of the season when the Smurfs befriend an elderly human couple who have no money to celebrate Christmas. Then, in "The Smurfs Christmas Special", the wicked Gargamel plots to ruin Christmas for the Smurfs and with the help of an evil stranger, he destroys the Smurf's village. But even with no Christmas decorations or holiday feast, the Smurfs still have a smurfy song in their hearts. Will Gargamel feel the Christmas spirit this year? Dash through the snow to give your family the smurfiest gift of the season.

Review: This DVD is a collection of two Xmas specials from the Smurfs TV show of the 1980s.  One thing that strikes me is how kids these days don't have much for good holiday specials.  We have a lot of good ones attached to our 80s cartoons, like Garfield and He-Man.   This Smurfs special is absolutely charming and fun.  My daughter LOVED the episodes and is really Smurf crazy since the film came out this past summer.   We highly recommend this DVD for the holiday season..its cheap and fun.  Win!

Synopsis: 23 Award-Winning Stories in a 3-DVD collection.  Caldecott award winners including Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day, Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling and Denise Fleming’s In the Small, Small Pond come together for the first time in Caldecott Favorites!

Review: Scholastic is famous for providing us with the finest in children's literature.  Now, this DVD joins dozens of other great sets just like it...this time featuring Caldecott favorites!  These tales are all absolutely fantastic and some even legendary.  This is a wonderful set to expose your children to...especially with the drivel on TV these days.  If you want a break from the insantiy of Sponge Bob you can have these great tales read to your kids on the TV!

Antarctic Antics
o Antarctic Antics
o Bear Snores On
o In the Small, Small Pond
o Bark, George 

Ezra Jack Keats Collection
o The Snowy Day
o Peter’s Chair
o Whistle for Willie
o Pet Show! 

Make Way for Ducklings
o Make Way for Ducklings
o The Ugly Duckling
o The Story About Ping
o Angus and the Ducks 

23 Stories Featuring narration by John Lithgow, Laura Dern, Jane Harvey, and more!

Synopsis: Neil Gaiman’s (The Sandman, Coraline) first TV miniseries, co-created with Lenny Henry (The Lenny Henry Show, Chef!), brings viewers to an ambitious exploration of a London with two worlds. When office drone Richard Mayhew (Gary Bakewell) rescues a mysterious girl named Door (Laura Fraser, He Knew He Was Right), he unwittingly finds himself part of her quest to learn why her parents have been killed. The next thing he knows, Mayhew’s life changes forever as he's pulled into the fantastical world of London Below, far from his mundane life in London Above. Pursued by the murderous Messrs. Croup and Vandemar, Door and Richard, with the help of Hunter and the Marquis de Carabas, attempt to find the Angel Islington, who knows the secret behind the murder of Door's family, and possibly a way for Richard to go home.

Review:  The BBC if famous for their telefantasy shows, especially in the 1990s.   Neverwhere is one of those shows that has been underground in the USA for a long time and is now finally available on this great anniversary edition DVD.   The magical world of London Below is brought to us from the twisted mind of comic book legend Neil Gaiman.  The show was full of oddities and dark corners, but is SO much fun.  The low budget is very apparant, but I love a lot of the low budget sci-fi that BBC has put out over the years, so that certainly doesn't dappen it for me, in fact, it almost adds to the appeal!  Its great to have the chance to see this show now and its a wonderful addition to any sci-fi fan's collection.

The special features on this DVD include: 15th Anniversary Introduction, 15th Anniversary Audio Commentary with Neil Gaiman, Lenny Henry, and producer Clive Brill, Original Interview with Gaiman, Original Audio Commentary with Gaiman, Photo Gallery, Character Descriptions and Neverwhere Map Insert.

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Links: BBC Shop

Interest Range: BBC, Sci-Fi

Synopsis: Ozzy Osbourne is one of the most iconic figures in rock and one of the founding fathers of heavy metal, however to many his Madman persona has overshadowed his considerable musical achievements. God Bless Ozzy Osbourne tells for the first time the story of his career from the founding of Black Sabbath through to solo stardom and his wider fame beyond. These were the wild days of his prodigious drug and alcohol intake, of biting the head from a dove at a record company meeting and biting into a bat on stage but also of the tragic death of Randy Rhoads and the reality TV show The Osbournes. The film follows Ozzy s torturous and emotionally fraught journey from excess to sobriety, which Ozzy regards as his greatest accomplishment. Featuring never before seen footage, new interviews with Ozzy himself, his brothers and sisters, his children, his bandmates in Black Sabbath and those who both inspired him and were inspired by him, this is the first film to take viewers inside the mind and psyche of this legendary figure.

Review: We love Ozzy here at the Legion.  Not so much his music funnily, but rather his persona and his family.  We LOVED the Osbournes MTV show back in the day.  This new documentary, partially done by his own son Jack, is an amazing and in-depth look at the life of the man himself.  The film takes you from his early childhood through Black Sabbath..to solo and beyond.  It blows the lid off of the behind the scenes of the MTV show, which was very cool to see.  The basis for the film is Ozzy's sobriety.  Its new still and its tender, but its there.  Ozzy is finally healthy and clean and its so good to see.  This is an amazing documentary and we think Jack has a great future with his new company...though I do think Ozzy was more candid because he was being interviewed by his son.  This one is a must own.

Bonus Features: Q&A with Ozzy and Jack Osbourne, Deleted Scenes, Tribeca Film Festival footage

Synopsis: T.J. Miller has been a rising star in stand-up comedy having been named as Variety's "10 Comics To Watch" and one of Entertainment Weekly's "Next Big Things In Comedy." He's now arrived in a big way with his first full length Comedy Central special No Real Reason. T.J.'s fan base continues to grow with each big screen role - "Unstoppable," "Gulliver's Travels," "Get Him To The Greek," "She's Out Of Your League" - along with his regular appearances on Chelsea Lately.

Review: We love stand-up comedy here at the Legion.  That being said, we're rather particular about what we watch.  T.J. Miller has been seen all around lately..in movies and on TV.  This comedy special is definately a great representation of his style.  The guy is just plain funny.  His jokes are well thought out without being unnecessarily crude and his humor, we feel, would have mass appeal.  This is a great comedy special, we laughed our asses off.  Comedy Central hit a home run again.

Synopsis: Discover how the Love Comes Softly series began! After their father’s passing, Ellen Barlow (Julie Mond) and her sister Cassie struggle to maintain the family farm in Anderson’s Corner. When Clark Davis (Wes Brown) finds trouble in town on his way to California, Ellen agrees tohire him at the farm to work off his debts. Before long, Clark and Ellen unexpectedly develop feelings for each other. Ultimately, a turn of events inspires the pair to begin a legacy of love and faith together in this heartwarming family drama

Review: If there was ever a date movie...one to cuddle up on the couch with your sweetheart and enjoy, its Love Begins.  The period tale features a pair of sisters in trouble, trying to preserve their lifestyle, and a drifter in debt comes their way a love connection begins.  The film explores the difficulties of people in two different stations in life that are so different, and yet so much alike, falling in love.  This one is touching, heartwarming and definately romantic!

Synopsis: One of the most popular European classic comic strips of all time tells stories of the heroic escapades of youthful reporter Tintin and his loyal canine companion Snowy. From a comic that first appeared in 1929 by Belgian artist Herge, these delightful adventures were spun into books, magazines, TV series, radio programs and theater productions. The television series The Adventures Of Tintin (1991 1993) follows Tintin and Snowy in solving mysteries closely related to the much-loved original stories. A colorful cast of characters is along for the ride, including the salty Captain Haddock, handy Professor Calculus and clumsy Thomson & Thompson. Exploring the globe, solving mysteries and searching for truth and justice, Tintin and crew inspire the adventurer in all of us!

Now featured in a major motion picture that intertwines elements of two episodes included here (The Secret Of The Unicorn and Red Rackham’s Treasure), the complete first season of the award-winning series is now available for your enjoyment on DVD for the first time!

Review: Shout! Factory is famous for releasing some of the best vintage animation on DVD.  This time around they're releasing The 1990s show Adventures of Tin Tin.  This release features the complete first season of the show.   The animation style was very remiscent of the original strips and the target audience is most definately a young audience.  The show is a lot of wholesome fun that is hard to find these days.  This is just the first of three seasons to release on DVD, so get started collecting this vintage favorite today, just in time for the live-action feature film.

Synopsis: The action packed franchise is backwith the next generation of Spy Kids! Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) has it all: married to a famous spy-hunting television reporter (Joel McHale), with a new baby and intelligent twin step kids, Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook). When maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) disrupts her domestic bliss--threatening to take over the planet--Marissa comes out of retirement as a top secret agent. With Armageddon quickly approaching, Rebecca and Cecil are thrust into action! With a little help from some familiar Spy Kids friends, Carmen (Alexa Vega), Juni (Daryl Sabara), and their faithful dog Argonaut (Ricky Gervais) and some mind-blowing gadgets, they just may be able to save the world!

Review: Spy Kids is one of the biggest children's movie franchises of the 2000s.  This newest and fourth installment of the franchise features a new family and all new Spy Kids.  My kids LOVE these films, so we gave this one a fair shake, even though there is a major cast lineup change.  The original spy kids return as grown spies to pass the torch to the new kids.  This film, much like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise, has its target audience of third to sixth graders.  They love these films more than life itself, but parents may find some of the camp a bit hard to swallow.  Part of the duty of parenthood, right? lol.  The one bonus is that original director and creator Robert Rodriguez is back again to direct, so it doesn't fall far off the beaten path for these movies.  Basically, if you enjoyed the first three, this one is a home run!  It looks amazing in 3D, as well.  The new technology really does these films well.  There are tons of great action sequences that involve objects and the spies themselves coming right out at you!  Even if you don't have a 3D TV and Blu-ray player yet, you can still buy this combo and enjoy the 2D blu-ray and DVD included.  This one would make a great Xmas gift for the kids in your life.

Synopsis: Two-time Golden Globe nominee Maria Bello of ''Prime Suspect'' stars as Lorraine, a stressed out single mom harassed by an abusive ex-husband and struggling to raise her 8-year-old son. Her world changes in an instant when she and her child are carjacked by a fugitive bank robber (Stephen Dorff of Immortals) and taken on a desperate cross-country drive to retrieve his loot. But Lorraine refuses to be a victim. She is about to take control and fight back. And tonight, what she will do to survive may lead to the most shocking crimes of all. Joanna Cassidy (''Six Feet Under'') and Catherine Dent (''The Shield'') co-star in this intense action-thriller from the director of THE MARINE.

Review: Ok, now if you enjoy action films, like I do, then you'll be used to a pretty sketchy level of touch and go when it comes to acting and cliche plots.  Carjacked is definately in this category.  The action is solid, the drama is there, but its definately nothing we haven't seen before.  The plot points are very predictable and the characters a bit laughable at times, but that is kind of the charm of these types of films.  You have to enjoy the camp.  This one is a great addition to the extensive history of the action-suspense genre.

I Triple Dog Dare You!

Recreate a scene from A Christmas Story for a chance to win the ultimate fan vacation!
Now at a www.AChristmasStoryScene.com

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, invites everyone to get into the holiday spirit by recreating their favorite scene from the classic holiday comedy, A Christmas Story, with the “A Christmas Story: I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU! Video Contest.” The contest features celebrity judge Ian Petrella, who starred as the lovable and hilarious Randy Parker, Ralphie’s younger brother, in the film and will give fans the chance to win the ultimate A Christmas Story experience. 

Fans can enter at www.AChristmasStoryScene.com.  Contestants must recreate and film their favorite scenes from A Christmas Story for a chance to win a trip to the real A Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio, with a VIP Chinese dinner included!  Fans can upload their creations onto YouTube and submit the links to the contest site.  Here are a few examples:

Synopsis: The screen’s great Schnarzan (Jimmy Durante) wants to wow the visiting Baron Munchausen (Jack Pearl, reprising his familiar vaudeville and radio character) by throwing him a big, bustling Tinseltown bash. Hollywood Party – 8 directors and 8 writers (2 credited) strong – is the wild, wildly inconsistent but ever fun musical-novelty result, packed with kicky dance montages offering pre-Code chorines and Berkeley-like kaleidoscopic shots, spiked with a color cartoon insert from Walt Disney, muscled up with Schnarzan’s lion-wrasslin,’ and thronged with notables (including Mickey Mouse, Ted Healy and his Stooges and Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy, who put an egg in Lupe Velez’s shoe and are duly repaid). Dress to impress!

Review: Hollywood party is absolutely crazy!  We love vintage film here at the Legion and this one definately doesn't disappoint!  Its full of great dance numbers, weird scenes and misc. oddity.  I'm not even sure how to describe it to you..its kinda trippy!  This is one of the lastest releases on the Warner Archive...you can get this only online, so don't watch for this one in stores.  We definately recommend checking it out if you enjoy old hollywood the talent that used to go into productions.  This one has everyone from the Three Stooges to Laurel and Hardy!

Interest Range: Vintage, Comedy

Synopsis: The only people to see the war like this were the ones who lived it. Until now...

Seventy years in the making. Three thousand hours of color footage few knew existed. The first documentary to show original color footage of World War II in immersive HD, the world premiere HISTORYTM series WWII IN HD uses the journals and accounts of those who served in the war s biggest battles to create a personal, introspective and detailed look at life on and off the front lines. Follow 12 unforgettable Americans, and experience the war through their eyes, in their own words, as it really looked and sounded. WWII IN HD transforms their stirring journey into a tangible piece of history. Culled from rare color film found in a two-year worldwide search and converted to HD with meticulous technique, WWII IN HD provides a picture of World War II as it has never been seen before.

Also included is The Battle for Iwo Jima, an immersive look at the momentous battle using gloriously restored, full-color footage, some of which has never seen before. HISTORY details the entire action of the battle, from the first landing of a crippled B-29 to the conflict s bloody conclusion in a jungle of lava rocks.

This collection also features WWII in HD: The Air War, the untold story of the American 8th Air Force's bloody battle to defeat the German Luftwaffe in the months leading up to D-Day. Told through the gripping, first person accounts of three American airmen and Stars & Stripes reporter Andy Rooney, this special showcases breathtaking aerial combat--original, color footage, never before seen by most Americans--of the B-17s Flying Fortresses, P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs on missions such as Regensburg, Schweinfurt and Berlin. The 8th Air Force suffered more than 26,000 combat deaths--more than the US Marines lost in all of World War II.

Review: The World War II in HD television series was groundbreaking.  For historians and fans of the world war the footage and accounts from people actually involved are absolutely amazing.  The footage was unknown and anyone that watches a lot of WWII documntaries knows that new footage is hard to find!  We get the same old thing recycled over and over again.  Now, we get hours upon hours of NEW footage!  And its breathtaking, shocking and absolutely sobering.  What is easily the most infamous and most important war in world history is accounted now on blu-ray in this great collector's edition set from the History Channel. 

BONUS FEATURES: Two feature-length WWII in HD specials: The Battle for Iwo Jima and The Air War; Character Profiles; Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes - Finding the Footage, Preserving the Footage 

This set is an essential own for teachers, students, parents..everyone.  This would make an fantastic Xmas present for anyone on your list.  We highly recommend it.

Interest Range: Documentary, WWII

Synopsis: The greatest love story ever told...in the most acclaimed musical of all time...is now on Blu-ray! Experience every sensational song, dazzling dance number and magical movie moment of "West Side Story" in sparkling high definition with pure 7.1 digital sound - along with fascinating special features created exclusively for this 50th Anniversary Edition! Winner of ten Academy Awards(R), including Best Picture, this electrifying musical sets the ageless tragedy of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. Featuring an unforgettable score, exuberant choreography and powerful performances by Natalie Wood, Russ Tamblyn, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris, "West Side Story" will forever resonate as a true cinematic masterpiece

Review: West Side Story maintains its place as one of the best musicals ever brought to the big screen.  The characters are fantastic and the songs are legendary.  This is the first time that this one has ever been released on blu-ray and it looks amazing for the age.  The color really pops and the sound during the musical numbers is fantastic.  Coupled with all the great extras, this one is an absolute essential.  It'd make a fantastic Xmas gift.

The special features include: "Pow! The Dances of 'West Side Story' In-Movie Viewing Mode", Song-Specific Commentary by Stephen Sondheim, Music Machine, "A Place for Us: 'West Side Story's' Legacy", "Creation and Innovation", "A Timeless Vision", "West Side Memories", Storyboard-to-Film Comparison Montage, Standard DVD Version of "West Side Story".

Synopsis: Big Lesbian Love Collector Set This quartet of top lesbian romances includes a gorgeous pair of Big Apple love stories, The Four-Faced Liar and My Normal plus two equally fresh West Coast American indies the smart and sexy And Then Came Lola and the legendary Jamie Babbitt hit, Itty Bitty Titty Committee. Enjoy some Big Lesbian Love! The Four-Faced Liar Intelligent, sexy and witty snapshot of messy relationships... sexual awakening. SoSoGay.com The irresistible Marja-Lewis Ryan falls unexpectedly in love with a straight girl (fresh-faced Emily Peck) in this super-smart comedy about drama. My Normal A comic romp! Variety Fashion model-actress Nicole LaLiberte stars in this fresh American indie about a New York dominatrix trying to balance her work, her artistic dreams and her girlfriend! And Then Came Lola Run, don t walk, to this one! Philadelphia Gay News Sexy Ashleigh Sumner stars as a San Francisco photographer under pressure to save her job and her relationship. Co-starring Jill Bennett and Cathy DeBuono. Itty Bitty Titty Committee Jamie Babbit s follow-up to But I m a Cheerleader is smarter, funnier and more accomplished than its predecessor. LA WEEKLY From the director of But I m A Cheerleader! Sexy young Melonie Diaz joins a gang of Feminist activists and falls in love with their leader, Nicole Vicius.

Review: The market is flooded with romantic comedy, but unfortunately, there is little diversity.  If you're a straight white person then you're the target audience clearly, but to the millions of lesbians in our country..what do they get to watch?  What embodies romance for them on the big screen?   Fortunately, there are filmmakers out there that recognize this need and there are some really great romantic comedies geared towards the LGBT community.  All four of these films are fantastic in their own ways and would appeal to any audience, gay or straight.  The themes of love and romance are universal.  This is a fantastic collector's set and would make an excellent Xmas gift!

Interest Range: Romance, LGBT

Synopsis: Big Gay Love Collector Set Everybody loves a good gay romance and these are four of the all-time best. From the hit teen musical charmer Were The World Mine to the unexpected Los Angeles love tales East Side Story and Hollywood je t aime and across the pond in search of Mr. Right if you re looking for Big Gay Love, you ve definitely found it. Were The World Mine Enchanting! Endearing! Striking! The New York Times An adorable teen turns his whole town gay and wins the heart of the rugby jock of his dreams in this massively popular gay musical fantasy. East Side Story Vibrant romantic comedy. L.A. Weekly Nominated for a 2009 GLAAD Media Award, this hilarious gay love triangle features an excellent, and very attractive, cast. Hollywood je t aime A polished crowd-pleaser likely to rank among the year s more popular gay pics. Variety This is a bright, funny, honest and utterly charming tale of a gay Parisian searching for fame, fortune and fun on the streets of Los Angeles. Mr. Right Engaging romp... smartly delivered! Variety A fast-paced, colorful, and exuberantly gay romantic-comedy that tells the intertwined tales of a group of successful gay men in London.

Review: The market is flooded with romantic comedy, but unfortunately, there is little diversity.  If you're a straight white person then you're the target audience clearly, but to the millions of gay men in our country..what do they get to watch?  What embodies romance for them on the big screen?   Fortunately, there are filmmakers out there that recognize this need and there are some really great romantic comedies geared towards the LGBT community.  All four of these films are fantastic in their own ways and would appeal to any audience, gay or straight.  The themes of love and romance are universal.  This is a fantastic collector's set and would make an excellent Xmas gift!

Interest Range: Romance, LGBT

Synopsis: When a fashion model is killed, a stock boy suspected of the murder and another model set out to solve the crime.

Review: Fashion Model is a 1945 classic, directed by the great William Beaudine.   This murder mystery centers around the death of a model and the end of a marriage.  The suspects are bountiful and the energy is fantastic in this classic film.  This is part of the MGM manufacture on demand DVD series.  These films are not found in stores, so get yours online today and add this great film to your personal library.

Interest Range: Vintage, Mystery

Synopsis: Amateur sleuth Lamont Cranston, alias "The Shadow," is called upon to solve the murder of a newspaper columnist.

Review: This film is an early incarnation of the classic radio hero the Shadow!  This is part of a trio of films that were produced back in 1946, starring Kane Richmond.  I found this one to be quite enjoyable.  I collect a lot of superhero film and to have this early Shadow pulp film is a fantastic addition to my collection.  The acting was solid and the action was fun.  I only wish that I had the other two in this series now!  This is part of the MGM manufacture on demand DVD series.  These films are not found in stores, so get yours online today and add this great film to your personal library.

Synopsis: While exploring a cave, two skiers find the body of a 400-year-old samurai warrior entombed in ice. He is brought to the United States in a hush-hush operation and revived through cryosurgery. Unfortunately, he is then forced to battle for his freedom, dignity and life.

Review: This film was originally released under the title Swordkill, before undergoing the name change for home video.  Released in the mid 1980s, this one is a sign of the times through the clothing, music and attitudes, but the action is timeless!  The basis of the film is basically Encino Man meets Samurai.  Its weird, but completely fun.  If you collect martial arts film, like I do, then you're used to some campy stuff..this one is no exception, but as I said the action and swordplay is absolutely solid.  This is part of the MGM manufacture on demand DVD series.  These films are not found in stores, so get yours online today and add this great film to your personal library.

Synopsis: The absorbing martial arts film that exposes Ninjutsu, the lethal, little-known "Art of Invisibility"... which includes the use of hypnotism, explosives and super-human fighting skills.

Review: Enter the Ninja is an absolute classic martial arts film.  It was produced back in 1981 and as such is dated, but this one is a gem.  This one features the legendary Sho Kosugi, and that alone is enough for it to be the business to me!  This was my first introduction to ninjas on the big screen and it was an immediate love affair!  From there it was magazines and martial arts lessons and countless other martial arts films that made up a huge portion of my childhood.  This one is a great film with lots of great ninja action.  This is part of the MGM manufacture on demand DVD series.  These films are not found in stores, so get yours online today and add this great film to your personal library.

Interest Range: Martial Arts, Vintage

Synopsis: Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story dramatizes the British author s (Poppy Montgomery, Without a Trace) struggle to bring the beloved wizard fantasy of Harry Potter to life as a single mother on welfare and become one of the world s wealthiest women, with more than 400 million copies of her visionary books sold across the globe resulting in a billion-dollar film franchise. The film is an inspiring look at a woman s rise to become one of the most influential writers ever from her humble beginnings as an imaginative young girl and awkward teenager to the devastating loss of her mother and the genesis of the Harry Potter phenomenon in her early twenties. The rags-to-riches tale also follows Rowling s tumultuous first marriage, becoming a mother, her divorce, and the dark days of living on government assistance while publisher after publisher passed on her first novel...before it became an international best-seller and solidified Rowling s rightful place in literary and cultural history.

Review: One of the best rags to riches stories in recent time is that of Harry Potter writer J.K. Rowling.  This well produced biopic tells her story with ease and grace.   The acting is fantastic and the story is amazing.  If you're a fan of Harry Potter or even just great life stories, then this one is definately for you.

Synopsis: One of Pawn Stars' most popular experts Rick Dale runs Las Vegas based Rick's Restorations, a family business that finds, restores and upcycles cool objects ranging from Cadillacs to Coke Machines. On Pawn Stars, he's restored everything from barber chairs to a 1937 gas pump. The before and after reveals of his work are always highlights on Pawn Stars, in part because of the history nuggets Rick Dale shares about each object, including where, when and why they were invented, who used them and how fixing or transforming them changes their value.

Review: We were first introduced to Rick Dale on one of our favorite shows, Pawn Stars.  He is an absolute expert when it comes to restoration of antique machines and furniture.  Its not cheap, but he does the trick!  This is his own show, it features his team and the insights into his own business.  This one is a great watch for anyone interested in antiques and restoration.  You also get to learn quite a bit about the various rare objects that Dale works with.  We highly recommend this one.  It'd make a great Xmas gift.

Synopsis: Tripp Kennedy (Patrick Dempsey) ambles into a bank near closing time, just as two different gangs unwittingly converge to rob it. A shoot-out erupts, and Tripp tackles the smart, pretty teller, Kaitlin (Ashley Judd), to protect her. The gangs - one clearly made up of pros and the other a couple of buffoons - have deadlocked themselves in a Mexican standoff. The bank's security system starts the end-of-day lockdown and seals everyone into the building. As the night evolves, a hilarious game of cat and mouse ensues as Tripp and Kaitlin try to save the day, escape being killed, and avoid falling in love... almost.

Review: Flypaper is one of those dark comedy "whodunit" type films.  The cast here is fantasic and the chemistry is abound.  This is basically a tale of two teams of bank robbers and their dealings with each other one fateful night.  In some ways it reminds me of the bank job, but with more colorful characters.  This is a great film and definately recommended.

Interest Range: Dark Comedy, Suspense

Synopsis: MAIN STREET is a contemporary drama about several residents of a small Southern city whose lives are changed by the arrival of a stranger with a controversial plan to save their decaying hometown. In the midst of challenging times, each of the colorful citizens of this close-knit North Carolina community from its mayor to a local police officer to a once-wealthy tobacco heiress will search for ways to reinvent themselves, their relationships and the very heart of their neighborhood.

Review: Main Street is a quiet, but poignant film about small town life.  Colin Firth and Orlando Bloom headline this great cast and both are definately on their game.  We love Firth in film to begin with and he comes to this role with his usual level of charm and dignity.  The basis of this film is a topic that hits towns daily these days...economic downfall and what measures we'll take to save our way of life.  This is a great film and definately worth the watch.

Interest Range: Drama

Synopsis: Innocent and trusting Angelica falls in with the wrong crowd at school and finds herself grounded during the biggest party of her senior year. The desperate teen turns to a mysterious pirate radio station that appears on full moon nights to grant the wishes of its callers. When her mischievous friends decide to play a prank on her, her wishes are unleashed in a twisted and violent fashion on the unsuspecting teens.

Review:The Open Door is the latest in a long history of great teen thrillers.   This film is full of twists and scares that are sure to keep any audience in suspense.  The basis of the film is silly and of course its far-fetched...the action is fun and though the acting is a little cheesy its a good time.  We definately recommend this one for anyone that is looking for a teen slasher-style suspense film.

Interest Range: Thriller

Synopsis: The sun-drenched splendor of Rio de Janeiro provides the backdrop to this sexy comedy of romantic entanglement. Among the tourists who find themselves footloose and under the sway of the city's erotic spell are Charlotte Rampling (Swimming Pool) as a prominent British plastic surgeon warning that new looks don't solve old problems; Bill Pullman (Surveillance, Lost Highway) as a U.S. ambassador who seeks a break from his duties in one of city's most dangerous shanty towns; and Irene Jacob (Red, The Double Life of Veronique) as a French anthropologist whose proper nature is no match for the pleasures of Rio. Director Jonathan Nossiter (Mondovino) weaves the tales of these wanderers together into a holiday of sensual delight.

Review: Rio Sex Comedy isn't much of a comedy, lol.  It really hits more of a romantic drama.  This movie is basically a gratuitous film on how magical Rio is.  This is one of those ensemble flicks where the lives of all the characters intersect and come together in the end.  Its a nice watch, definately a good date night movie..you can snuggle with your honey and enjoy this one.

Interest Range: Drama, Romance

Synopsis: International locales, beautiful women, guest stars galore... It Takes a Thief: The Complete Series is now available for the first time ever on DVD featuring all three seasons of the hit show that Cinema Retro called "the coolest espionage series of the late sixties."

Smooth, suave and sophisticated, Alexander Mundy (Robert Wagner) is the world's greatest cat burglar. Now, he's plying his trade as the SIA's most debonair spy - traipsing the globe, seducing beautiful women and embezzling fortunes, all on behalf of Uncle Sam and the U.S. government.

Review: It Takes A Thief was easily one of the coolest spy shows EVER.  It far overshadows the legendary Mission Impossible, in our minds.  The tone of the show really follows the James Bond model more closely and thats a damned fine idea.  Robert Wagner was, of course, a thief more than a secret agent, but he was working for the US government on secret missions that required someone with less than savory skills.  Wagner does a magnificent job of playing the anti-hero all three seasons of this show.  The total of 66 episodes are all included in this great collector's boxed set.  The picture looks fantastic, and has clearly been painstakingly restored.  The extras are fantastic and the in-set items, like the booklet and senitype are absolutely wonderful.  This would make an epic Xmas present for any fan of the show.

18-DISC COLLECTOR'S SET INCLUDES: All 66 Episodes Digitally Re-Mastered, Extended Feature-Length Version of the Pilot Episode "Magnificent Thief", The King of Thieves: Interview with Robert Wagnerm A Matter of Larceny: Interview with Glen A. Larson, Limited Edition Senitype (reproduced 35mm film frame), It Takes a Thief Exclusive 4-Piece Coaster Set and Collectible Booklet with retrospective essay.

Synopsis: Based on the fifteenth best-selling children's book of all time, The Littlest Angel tells the story of a young boy who arrives in heaven before his time. Home-sick and lonely, he will travel back to earth, with his friendly pup Halo, to retrieve a most selfless and precious gift for The Baby Jesus. Experience the love, laughter and magic of one of the most popular children's stories of all time. From the classic book by Charles Tazewell comes the CGI animated film, The Littlest Angel.

Review: Parents, especially religious ones, will rejoice at this fun loving CGI kids movie, based on the book by Charles Tazewell.  The film is well-done and definately has wholesome family entertainment in mind.  If you're looking for a christian-minded holiday film for your little ones, this one will do it.  If not, this one may turn you off a bit.