Merlin: The Complete First Season DVD Review


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Merlin: The Complete First Season DVD Review 



Synopsis: Like Smallville did for Superman, Merlin is a new drama series that updates the story of the infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend for a new audience. In a time before history began, the mythical city of Camelot was a fantastical realm and a dangerous world in which magic has been banned by the ruthless tyrant Uther Pendragon. When Merlin, a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers, arrives in the kingdom, he discovers his destiny and that of the kingdom's young leader in waiting, Arthur, are inextricably linked.

Review: My wife and I began watching Merlin on NBC last summer, after hearing great things about the BBC show online.  We're interested in mythical tales and the BBC never disappoints, so we figured it was a homerun.  Unfortunately, our own circumstances caused us to lose track of the show after a few episodes, so we were anxious to get caught back up on DVD.

Merlin not only features a high production quality, but its a fantastic plot.  The actors chosen are dynamic and the tales are full of wonder.  It manages to be fun without being cheesy, which isn't easy with medieval tales of mystery.  Its fun to watch Arthur abuse Merlin and Merlin attempt, with great futility, to hide his magical abilities for fear of being killed.

The second series of Merlin is now running on SyFy, so pick up this DVD and get caught up, then tune in for the continuation!  We highly recommend this DVD boxed set!  Go pick it up.

Rating: a strong 5 out of 5 Stars


Where's Spot: 30th Anniversary Edition BBC DVD Review


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Where's Spot: 30th Anniversary Edition BBC DVD Review



Synopsis: Spot, the delightful star of Eric Hill's beloved children's books, makes his return to DVD as BBC celebrates his 30th Anniversary with an all-new DVD edition of Where's Spot! Spot has disappeared! Can you help Sally find him? Is he behind the door? Is he inside the clock? Is he under the stairs? Kids will love searching for Spot in this adorable children's classic. Plus, in this DVD, you'll also have fun with Spot at the playground, at the park, in the bath, and more! There are six episodes all together, each with its own special song, plus three bonus episodes, games, and more! Spot has never been so delightful!

Review: The Spot books, by Eric Hill, are some of the most beloved tales by parents and children alike.  I have a lot of experience with these as a parent of three kids, and I can tell you that they're not only adorable, but they're educational and appropriate.  Now, the BBC Spot series comes to DVD with nine adventures from Spot's world!

The cartoon, Where's Spot, is a parent-safe and pre-school age friendly DVD that features fantastic lessons for little ones like using their manners and accepting the differences of others.  The cartoons feature other animals and small children in a series of fun adventures.

There are a total of six episodes and three bonus episodes in the special features.  This animated DVD is a lot of fun.  We highly recommend it to everyone.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Plunder: The Crime of Our Time DVD Review


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Plunder: The Crime of Our Time DVD Review



Synopsis: A hard-hitting investigative film by Danny Schechter. The “News Dissector” explores how the financial crisis was built on a foundation of criminal activity uncovering the connection between the collapse of the housing market and the economic catastrophe that followed. To tell this story Schechter speaks with bankers involved in these activities, respected economists, insider experts, top journalists including Paul Krugman, and even a convicted white-collar criminal, Sam Antar, who blows the whistle on intentionally dishonest practices.

Review: This documentary investigates the Wall Street fraud and financial crisis going on in our country right now, with a huge focus on the issues with the housing market.   The same guy that brought us "In Debt We Trust", this documentary is full of great investigations and information, including damning speeches by politicians and various perspectives on the way Wall Street operates and trains.   This documentary is great, I highly recommend.

Rating: Documentary film, Investigative Journalism

Armageddon Blu-Ray Review


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Armageddon Blu-Ray Review



Synopsis: From the mega-hitmakers who produced and directed The Rock and Pearl Harbor comes Armageddon. And now, these mind-blowing action-adventure explodes on Blu-ray for the first time ever! Bruce Willis (Surrogates, Sin City) and Academy Award winners Ben Affleck (1997, Best Original Screenplay, Good Will Hunting) and Billy Bob Thornton (1996, Best Adapted Screenplay, Sling Blade) head an all-star cast that incudes Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Steve Buscemi (Con Air) and Will Patton (Gone in 60 Seconds). When NASA's director (Thornton) realizes the Earth has 18 days before it's destroyed by a metor the size of Texas, he has only one option; land a ragtag team of roughneck oil drillers on the asteroid and drop a nuke into its core. With spectacular special effects, laugh out loud humor, a riveting story and a rockin' soundtrack featuring Aerosmith and Bon Jovi, this adrenaline-pumping thrill ride now boasts the staggeringly intense picture and incomparable theater quality sound of Blu-ray high definitition.  

Bonus Features include: Aerosmith's music video I Don't Want To Miss A Thing, theatrical trailer, teaser trailer.

Review: I remember when Armageddon came out back in '97.  I was newly dating my now wife and McDonald's had a tie-in promotion.  I won an Armageddon poster off of some french fries.  I don't think we ever went and picked it up....thats how unexcited we were about this big-budget summer film.   Now, its on blu-ray and I've actually watched it in the subsequent years, and my outlook has changed..at least a little.

Firstly, I love Aerosmith, but this movie had the most annoying theme song of all-time.  Ok, not the worst, but 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' was overplayed and extremely obnoxious.   Beyond that, the film was pretty good.  It featured a young Ben Affleck who, at the time, had a promising acting career.  Bruce Willis had really stalled out and needed a hit, so this film did good things for him.  The movie was admittedly a bit cliche and completely predictable, but its still fun.  One highlight is actress Liv Tyler (Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler's daughter...we smell a coincidence..) in the romantic lead as Willis's daughter.  She is not only gorgeous but a great screen presence.

The blu-ray transfer of this film is pretty good.  There are some cool effects shots where the grain shows up and the high-definition could be better, but when films weren't filmed in high-def, only so much can be done!  We recommend this for anyone that enjoyed the film, its a nice addition to your library.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Hell on Earth DVD Review


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Hell on Earth DVD Review 



Synopsis: The world has suffered from numerous disasters of varying magnitude over the years. From hurricanes to earthquakes, floods to fires, Mother Nature has unleashed some of the most devastating and catastrophic earth-shattering events taking thousands of lives and costing millions of dollars. This comprehensive documentary collection is composed of 25 riveting and harrowing documentary features chronicling some of the most epic disasters mankind has faced throughout the 20th century.

Review: Hell on Earth is a great collection of 25 different documentaries.   Each of the documentaries documents a different epic disaster.  The production quality is different for most of them, but there is a fairly consistant decent value to be found here.  We're big fans of documentaries here at the Legion, so collections like this are invaluable to us!  

Mill Creek Entertainment has done it again by compiling some great programming for us to enjoy at a value price.  We highly recommend this to anyone interested in documentaries and nature.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Amazing War Machines DVD Review


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Amazing War Machines DVD Review



Synopsis: Learn the fascinating history and advancements made in the field of war machinery and weaponry. From gunpowder to the Gatling gun, the first Tank to the latest unmanned drones, we review the mechanisms and machinery man has created to wage war. Historical achievements through to modern day technologies are reviewed as we travel Land, Sea and Air in our in-depth, fascinating chronological journey of war machines.

Review: This DVD collection gives us all of the episodes of 'The Amazing World of War Machines'.  The subjects covered are:

Flint & steel
Rifles & machine guns
Artillery - Bombard to the howitzer
Fortification - Bollards to bunkers
Tanks and armoured cars
Battleships and Flotillas
Submarines - The silent killer
The fighter plane
The bomber - fortress in the sky
Rockets and missiles
Air defence and surveillance
Nuclear - biological and chemical warfare
Future war and the robo

This is a great quality documentary show that really gives a great production values.  I found it really enjoyable and full of information.  Mill Creek has released this great set, and you can find it for around $15, which is a fantastic bargain.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Tombstone Blu-Ray Review


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Tombstone Blu-Ray Review



Synopsis: Kurt Russell (Miracle, Death Proof) and Val Kilmer (Deja Vu, The Missing) will blow you away in this explosive, action-packed adventure! And now, the legendary battle for justice in Tombstone hits home on Blu-ray™ for the first time ever. Russell is U.S. Marshal Wyatt Earp; Kilmer is the outrageous Doc Holliday. Together, they team up to lay down the law in a notorious showdown with ruthless outlaws at the O.K. Corral. With an all-star cast that also includes Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Dana Delany, Jason Priestley, Michael Biehn and Hollywood icon Charlton Heston, this Wild West epic will transport you back in time and land you smack dab in the center of the crossfire. So strap on your six shooters as you experience the remarkable picture and theater-quality sound of Tombstone in Blu-ray™ High Definition.

Review: Tombstone is hands-down one of the best westerns out there.  The cast of Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer and Sam Elliot knock the competition to the ground.   I can remember the first time I saw Kilmer's performance as Doc Holiday, thats when I decided he was more than a comedic actor (Real Genius), but he actually had some dramatic acting chops and a great range.

To clarify, this is the standard edition release, not the director's cut, as was released a few years back.   Tombstone is without a doubt the best dramatic recont of the showdown at the O.K. Corral.  This film is full of top-shelf actors and dynamic performances.

This new blu-ray release is rather outstanding.  It doesn't include the grain and soft edges that I figured it would, being a film from 1993.  Touchstone did a nice job of transfering it to high-definition.   We definately recommend this one.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

History Channel: Holy Grail in America DVD Review


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History Channel: Holy Grail in America DVD Review



Synopsis: Has the Holy Grail been in America all along?

In 1898, a Minnesota farmer clearing trees from his field uprooted a large stone covered with mysterious runes that tell a story of land acquisition and murder. The stone allegedly dates back to 1362. Initially thought to be a hoax, new evidence suggests the find could be real, and a clue that the Knights Templar discovered America 100 years before Columbus, perhaps bringing with them history's greatest treasure...the Holy Grail. Follow the clues as experts use erosion studies on the rune stone and match symbols in Templar ruins all over Europe to support this theory. Stones with similar markings have been found on islands across the Atlantic Ocean, and in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Is it possible the Knights Templar, long thought to have been massacred, escaped on an incredible journey and were leaving clues to the whereabouts of the stone? Find out in the HISTORY two-hour special, Holy Grail in America.

Review: The History Channel produces amazing documentary television.  They're a leader in the industry and we wish they'd produce more!  They even make great religious documentary and thats saying something since subjects like Christianity may, in fact, be the most boring subject matter in the entire world.   They somehow find a way to make it interesting.

Religious lunatics have been hunting after the holy grail for ages.  Convinced that it holds some magical powers or significance, they've spent their lives searching and even and killing.  They make a great arguement that the Knights Templar sailed to America in the 15th century and hid the grail here.  Its really fascinating to listen to the historical accounts of what may have happened.  Less from a religious standpoint and more from a historical standpoint we enjoyed this documentary.

This two-hour special is now available on DVD.  Go pick it up today, if you're interested in such things!  Its a great quality special.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

History Channel: The Real Wolfman DVD Review


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History Channel: The Real Wolfman DVD Review



Synopsis: In the mid 1700s, a mysterious beast viciously attacked and killed 102 villagers in the French village of Gevaudan. The victims, mostly women and children, were mauled and decapitated, their naked bodies all bearing the bite marks of a non-human creature. The killings mark the largest number of alleged werewolf attacks in history and are the basis of the Hollywood Wolfman legend. Venture deep into the mythology and folklore of werewolves with renowned cryptozoologist Ken Gerhardt and veteran criminal profiler George Deuchar as they investigate this reviled creature that brutally kills when the moon is full. In their investigation, they uncover intriguing paranormal transformations, diseases that make men look and act like animals, strange but true stories of children raised by wolves and, eventually, the dark side of human nature in the horrific truth behind the Gevaudan werewolf attacks.

Review: The History Channel is where its at for documentaries.  They don't make as many as they used to, much to our dismay, but when they do make them, they're phenominal.  The recent Wolfman re-make film has sparked some renewed interest in the legend, so we're examining the latest DVD release, The Real Wolfman.

This documentary isn't so much a definitive documentary about the legend of the Wolfman, as specifically about the Beast of Gevaudan from the 18th century.   The special employs well-known cryptozoologist to investigate accounts from 1764-1767 of a man-eating animal that was said to terrorize the former providence of Gevaudan in France.  The beast was said to emit a horrendous odor and long hair and a tail.  It was responsible for over 210 attacks, including 113 deaths and 49 injuries.   98 of the victims were partially eaten!  Was this a true Wolfman?  Or was it a now extinct species.  This wonderful documentary special finds out!

This is yet another home-run from the History Channel.  Its a great special and definately something worth adding to your library.  We highly recommend it.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Giggle, Giggle, Quack and More Stories DVD Review


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Giggle, Giggle, Quack and More Stories DVD Review



Synopsis: GIGGLE GIGGLE QUACK (Illustrated by Betsy Lewin, narrated by Randy Travis) Farmer Brown goes on vacation, leaving his brother Bob in charge. Little does Bob know that

Duck has changed all of Farmer Brown s instructions on how to take care of the animals.

DOOBY DOOBY MOO (illustrated by Betsy Lewin, narrated by Randy Travis) Duck sees an ad for a talent show in the newspaper, so the animals quickly put acts together hoping to win the grand prize.

DUCK FOR PRESIDENT (illustrated by Betsy Lewin, narrated by Randy Travis) Unhappy with the working conditions on the farm, Duck campaigns to put himself in charge!

DIARY OF A WORM (Illustrated by Harry Bliss, narrated by Alexandra Gould) This fun-filled look into the daily ins and outs of a lovable underground dweller shows us

that a worm s life is really not so different from our own.

DIARY OF A FLY (Illustrated by Harry Bliss, narrated by Abigail Breslin) Take a peak into the day-to-day life of a little fly that wants to be a super hero and is not

afraid to dream big!

DVD Features: 5 Stories on One DVD Plus: Spanish Version of Giggle Giggle Quack; Spanish Version of Duck For President; Interview with Illustrator Harry Bliss on Diary

Of A Fly; Read-Along; Discussion Questions

Review: This DVD includes five stories from various authors.  These are based on existing children's books.  When I showed my six year old daughter this DVD, she immediately recognized the Giggle, Giggle, Quack as a story that they had read in school and that she loved.  She ran to put it in the DVD player right away!  

What lovely and heart-warming stories!  I haven't seen kids programming of this high quality in ages.  Scholastic brings to life these great stories that I can feel confident letting my children of all ages sit down to watch.  I don't have to subject them to Sponge Bob when they have these greatly entertaining stories that don't dumb themselves down for kids, but still manage to entertain.

This is a wonderful DVD full of educational and rich stories for young ones.  Its a breath of fresh air for any parent searching for quality programming for their children.  We highly recommend this DVD for all kids.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Jim Henson's The Animal Show with Stinky & Jake: Lions, Tigers & Bears DVD Review


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Jim Henson's  The Animal Show with Stinky & Jake: Lions, Tigers & Bears DVD Review 



Synopsis: Jim Henson's "Animal Show with Stinky and Jake" brings out the wild side of wildlife – as only The Jim Henson Company can! Your hosts, Stinky the Skunk and Jake the Polar Bear, welcome guests of the animal kingdom to the furriest talk show to ever hit the airwaves. There's music and merriment in this show that has the animal world roaring – ANIMAL SHOW! LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS” includes 5 episodes: "Zebra and Lion,” "Tiger and Tiger Beetle,” "Raccoon and Polar Bear,” "Chimpanzee and Hyena,” and "Grizzly Bear and Hedgehog.”

Review: The Jim Henson's  The Animal Show with Stinky & Jake aired on Fox Kids back in 1994 through 1996.   Animal Planet later picked-up the show in 1997 and produced 26 new episodes for the series.

This is basically a talk-show format television show where an animal comes on and discusses their real-life counterparts.  I remember watching this one when it aired on Animal Planet.  It was a lot of fun.  It has the typical Henson zeal and zest for life.  Jim would have been proud.  There were also a lot of cut film segments with songs from previous Henson properties like Fraggle Rock and the Muppet Babies.  These are really fun to see.

This is another great Jim Henson company release from Lionsgate.  We hope to see many more of these soon, including full seasons of the Animal Show!  Pick this one up for yourself or your kids. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Jim Henson's The Song of the Cloud Forest and Other Earth Stories DVD Review


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Jim Henson's The Song of the Cloud Forest and Other Earth Stories DVD Review



Synopsis: THE SONG OF THE CLOUD FOREST: Originally appearing as part of The Jim Henson Hour, THE SONG OF THE CLOUD FOREST features a blend of music, puppetry and animation resulting in a vibrant landscape of color that echoes the natural beauty found in the real world's rain forests. Starring a brightly colored cast of puppet animals, the show celebrates the beauty of the rain forests while educating the audience about the real dangers threatening the survival of both the rain forests and their inhabitants. FRAGGLE ROCK - "RIVER OF LIFE”: When Fraggle Rock’s water supply is contaminated by the Silly Creatures, only Boober can save the day! ANIMAL SHOW WITH STINKY AND JAKE - "Owl & Frog" and "Kangaroo & Frog": ANIMAL SHOW brings out the wild side of wildlife – as only The Jim Henson Company™ can! As the furriest talk show to ever hit the airwaves, there's music and merriment that has the animal world roaring – ANIMAL SHOW! Your hosts Stinky the Skunk and Jake the Polar Bear welcome Owl, Frog and Kangaroo guests of the animal kingdom.

Review: Jim Henson is best known for shows like the Muppets, but he was responsible for so many other features, many of which were environmentally conscience.   The Song of the Cloud Forest was part of the Jim Henson Hour back in 1989 on NBC.  The hour-long series would begin with MuppeTelevision and then a half hour segment, often the Storyteller.  

The main focus of the Song of the Cloud Forest was an environmentally conscious outlook on the world.  There was a new movement at the time to save the rainforest and Henson was always very tapped into such causes.  The puppeteering is wonderful and the story is great.  This is classic Henson work.

This DVD includes the Cloud Forest and two other tales, one of which is Fraggle Rock.  The other is the Animal Show with Stink and Jake.  This is a fantastic release from Lionsgate.  We're hoping for a full Jim Henson Hour series DVD release soon! 

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Hitler's Bodyguard DVD Review


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Hitler's Bodyguard DVD Review



Synopsis: How history’s most evil tyrant survived 25 years of terror

How did Adolf Hitler manage to survive more than 40 assassination attempts--some by his own generals? Using captured SS documents and eyewitness interviews, this documentary series reveals the secrets of the elite bodyguards who swore loyalty oaths to the Führer himself. It explains how Hitler cultivated rivalries among his security services to ensure his safety, and how his purposefully unpredictable behavior saved his life several times.

Carefully assembled archival footage offers rare glimpses inside Hitler’s infamous strongholds--the Berghof, the Wolf’s Lair, and the Berlin bunker. Computer-generated graphics detail the security measures used in his trains, planes, and touring cars. And meticulous re-enactments bring lost incidents to life. In 13 riveting episodes, this Military Channel favorite brings fresh, fascinating context to the 20th century’s most evil and destructive tyrant.

Since 1990, the British team of Philip Nugus and Jonathan Martin has created popular, critically acclaimed historical documentaries, including Churchill’s Bodyguard and The Century of Warfare.

BONUS FEATURES
-- 20-page viewer’s guide with highlights, questions to consider, avenues for further learning, Who’s Who among Hitler’s Bodyguard, and a guide to Hitler’s security units.
-- Killing Hitler in the Movies filmography
-- Photo galleries
-- SDH subtitles

Review: You know, when I see another documentary about Hitler coming out I sigh loudly.  I mean honestly, who needs to watch more about Hitler and WWII?  Haven't we had our fill of Nazi garbage by now?  I must've seen three dozen comprehensive documentaries about the Nazis in my day, so why is this one special?  Why am I showcasing this one for the Legion readers?  Firstly, its produced by Athena.  I have yet to see an Athena documentary that doesn't blow me away.  Second, its an absolutely original and interesting angle that hasn't yet been explored.

Its so important for us not to forget our past as a world community.  What happened before and during World War II should never happen again.  If we keep these events close to our hearts, hopefully it won't.   Adolf Hitler was the most feared and hated man in the world, and yet he managed to stay alive for so long.  How is this possible?  Hitler's bodyguard does a wonderful job of bringing to light little-know incidents and delving into the logistics of how Hitler was kept alive.  Its a very interesting angle that sheds a lot of light on the inner-workings of the third reich.

This DVD set includes a ton of great extras too, like photo galleries, a 20 page booklet and more.  We highly recommend this for anyone interested in WWII, homeschoolers or even for in-school or college classes!

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

The Natural Blu-Ray Review


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The Natural Blu-Ray Review



Synopsis: Nothing was going to stop Roy Hobbs from fulfilling his boyhood dream of baseball superstardom. Robert Redford stars in this inspiring fable that begins when 14-year-old Hobbs (Redford) fashions a powerful bat from a fallen oak tree. He soon impresses major league scouts with his ability, fixing his extraordinary talent in the mind of sportswriter Max Mercy (Robert Duvall), who eventually becomesinstrumental in Hobb's career. But a meeting with a mysterious woman shatters his dream. Years pass and an older Hobbs re-appears as a rookie from The New York Knights. Overcoming physical pain and defying those who have a stake in seeing the Knights lose, Hobbs, with his boyhood bat, has his chance to lead the Knights to the pennant and to finally fulfill his dream.

Review: Robert Redford is an amazing talent..from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to the Sting to Sneakers, he is always tearing up the screen.  This film from the 1980s, the Natural, is no exception.  This love-letter to the baseball industry is really an overlooked classic, so I'm glad its made its way to blu-ray.

Redford plays a baseball legend that overcomes adversity to come back into the limelight.  The movie is inspirational and full, and we mean FULL, of great baseball play.

This vintage film looks pretty good on blu-ray.  Its not perfect, there is some grain and some showing of age with the color palet, but overall its nice.  The game shots look good and the sound is wonderful.  We definately recommend.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery in the Mist Edition DVD Review


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The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery in the Mist Edition DVD Review



Synopsis: From the creators of The Princess and the Frog and The Little Mermaid comes the story of a clever little hero on a great big adventure. Join the Sherlock Holmes of Mousedom on a heroic journey unraveling clues through London. If you like Sherlock Holmes, you'll love The Great Mouse Detective. When the diabolical Professor Ratigan kidnaps the city's master toymaker, the brilliant Basil of Baker Street and his trusted sidekick Dawson set off to track down Basil's lifelong nemesis. Little do they know that the evil rat's trail leads all the way to The Queen at Buckingham Palace! Get on the case with Basil, the master of disguise, as he tries to elude the ultimate rattrap and foil the perfect crime. Now digitally remastered, fully restored and complete with exclusive bonus features, The Great Mouse Detective is better than ever in the Mystery In The Mist Edition!

Bonus Features Include: All-New Digital Restoration, New So You Think You Can Sleuth Game, The Making Of The Great Mouse Detective, The World's Greatest Criminal Mind Sing-Along Song, Dylan & Cole Sprouse: Blu-ray Is Suite!, Learn How To Take Your Favorite Movies On The Go

Review: The Great Mouse Detective is one of those frequently overlooked Disney classics.  It never really got the huge positive attention that many of the princess-oriented Disney films recieved, and yet it was a fantastic film.  It featured mice, which is a different formula for Disney, and it really gave kids an adventure that crossed all gender boundries and entertained everyone.

The Great Mouse Detective has been overshadowed by films like the Little Mermaid and Oliver and Company for many years.  In fact, I find people all the time that haven't even seen it.  Hopefully this new DVD release will enable many kids to experience this great film for the first time.   Its basically a Sherlock Holmes tale translated into mice and its so much fun.

This new Mystery in the Mist Edition of the DVD features an all-new restoration that looks fantastic.  It also gives kids some games to play, which I don't personally care about, but my kids go crazy over.  This is a great way to own this Disney classic film.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

A Nightmare on Elm Street Blu-Ray Review


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A Nightmare on Elm Street Blu-Ray Review 



Synopsis: Don't fall asleep! -- words to live by for Elm Street teens. Not a problem for fans wide awake with fear (and glee) as they experience these first 8 Nightmare movies released from 1984 to 2003. Each features Robert Englund's masterfully macabre incarnation of slouch-hatted, razor-fingered Freddy Krueger, who mixes wicked wit with even wickeder mayhem as he haunts teens when they're asleep and most vulnerable. A newspaper article about children who died after having fearsome nightmares provided the real-life springboard for filmmaker Wes Craven's breakthrough series. Perhaps that underlying reality helps make these shockers so unnerving. Or maybe it's just that we all like a good scare, and that this series consistently, imaginatively delivers some of the best.

Review: This is where it all began folks. Wes Craven's masterpiece 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'.  Freddy Krueger comes out of the ashes and into the dreams of the kids on Elm Street.  This represents the first of 7 original films and one of the first big screen debuts of Johnny Depp!  It even spawned a tv show, Freddy's Nightmares.  The latest hollywood horror remake is a re-boot of this famous franchise.  Before you see that in the theaters, you need to check out the original.

This movie..all of these movies, horrified me as a child.  I wasn't one of those kids that loved horror movies, I hated them.  Then, when I was a teen I went and saw the New Nightmare in theaters, that was the seventh film in the series.  It was the first one that Wes Craven had come back to direct and it showed.  What a fantastic movie it was.  The first one is so groundbreaking and definately shows the Craven mark.  Craven went on later in his career to launch the now infamous Scream series.

The 1080p high-definition transfer is fantastic.  I'm really impressed with it, considering the film was originally released about 30 years ago.  It certainly blows Clash of the Titans out of the water!  The color palet really pops in most sequences.  Its a little flat in some of the reality scenes, but overall it really looks amazing with smooth picture and minimal grain.  I definately recommend this release.  It has great picture and great 5.1 sound.  The extras are bountiful and Freddy is as terrifying as ever! 

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Tom and Jerry Tales: the Complete First Season DVD Review


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Tom and Jerry Tales: the Complete First Season DVD Review


Synopsis: There's no stopping them!  Tom and Jerry recently returned to the TV limelight to continue their wham-bam winning streak of comic catastrophes and merry mouseadventures in the all-new series Tom and Jerry Tales.   Join the pursuit with this terrific 2-Disc, 13-episode Collection of their Complete First Season.  Each episode features 3 cartoons chock-a-block with the familiar fur-flying, fun-packing chases, schemes and pranks that delight kids and their parents time and again.  That's a total of 39 animated escapades in which you can try and keep up with them....but you can't keep from laughing!

Review: Tom and Jerry have been entertaining audiences for over 70 years now!  They began as theatrical shorts and moved into a regular television cartoon, once that medium was made popular.  Since then they have been re-run and re-hashed dozens of times, much to the delight of audiences everywhere. 

This particular show ran between 2006-2008 on the CW kids network.  One of the writers was even the legendary Joseph Barbera.  Don Brown voiced Tom and Sam Vincent took over as Jerry.  Other voice acting highlights include the legendary Frank Welker as Tyke and Tom "Sponge Bob" Kenny as Topsy.  The scenarios and action is very close to the old show, minus some of the original violence.

Overall this is a great DVD release.  Its nice to finally get a full season of this show, hopefully there is more to come!

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Links: www.kidswb.com and www.classiccartoonsdvds.com

Warner Archive: Steel DVD Review


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Warner Archive: Steel DVD Review



Synopsis: Basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal ("Kazaan") sheds his hi-tops for a dazzling suit of battle armor as the latest and greatest DC Comics superhero to wage war on crime. When evil scientist Judd Nelson ("Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," "The Breakfast Club") begins selling top-secret weapons to LA's street gangs, former military researcher Shaq joins forces with a brilliant electronics expert to build an invincible suit of armor. Layered in his magnetic metal sheath and armed with his own hi-tech weaponry, Shaq transforms into his mythic alter-ego, "Steel." From a secret command center, Steel sets out on a high-powered silver motorcycle to confront Nelson and rid the city of crime. Co-starring Annabeth Gish ("Double Jeopardy," "Nixon") and the original urban crime-fighter, Richard Roundtree ("Shaft," "Seven"). Directed by multiple Emmy-winner Kenneth Johnson (TV's "Incredible Hulk," TV's "V"). Produced by Oscar, Emmy and Grammy-winning producer/composer/performer, Quincy Jones.

Review: Steel was a semi-popular Dc Comics character in the Superman universe prior to the making of this film.  The decision to make this came in the same era when Warner Brothers produced the stinkbomb Batman & Robin.  Compared to that film, Steel is a masterpiece!  Compared to modern superhero genre films, it can't hold it's weight.  That isn't all bad though...

I'm a parent of three kids and I do struggle to find appropriate films within the superhero genre for them to watch.  Steel is one of those films.  Starring then hot item Shaq as John Henry Irons, this film tries very hard and does a pretty good job of bringing the character to screen.  It has a lot of action, but its not over the top in seriousness or gore.  Its light hearted and doesn't take itself too seriously, as many superhero films in the 1990s did not.

The Warner Archive series has released Steel onto a new DVD.  In fact, I think this is the first time you could get the film on anything but VHS!  Its made from the best possible master tapes, so this is most certainly the closest thing you'll get to ultimate edition of the film.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Housebroken Blu-Ray Review


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Housebroken Blu-Ray Review



Synopsis: Dad (Danny DeVito, TV's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) has finally retired and wants to enjoy his golden years relaxing at home with his lovely wife. But his two twentysomething slacker sons have no plans to leave the nest anytime soon! So there's only one solution Dad and Mom (Katey Sagal, TV's Married with Children) move out! It's either sink or swim for clueless Elliot (Ryan Hansen, TV's Party Down) and Quinn (Skyler Stone, Van Wilder), who find themselves home alone for the first time with no one to pay the bills.

Review: The pairing of Katey Sagal and Danny DeVito is a great one.  Its only too bad that we don't get to see more of them in this film.  The majority of the feature is focused on the kids and their idiot selves.   The parents basically move out to teach their kids a lesson, which works eventually, after a lot of craziness. 

The blu-ray transfer looks great.  High-definition is the only way to enjoy a film these days.  This movie is a lot of fun.  Its light-hearted and yes, at some points kinda cliche, but its an enjoyable watch.  Anything with Danny DeVito is worth checking out!

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Watch the Live Online Broadcast of the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards Ceremony


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Watch the Live Online Broadcast of the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards Ceremony Recognizing Excellence in Web Television Programs Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 5:30pm (PST) on www.streamys.org

Join your favorite Web TV stars and actor/comedian Paul Scheer as he hosts the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards this Sunday!  The excitement kicks off with a live online Red Carpet Pre-Show starting at 4:00 p.m. (PST), followed by the Awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Real-time closed captioning will be provided for this global audience in five languages: English, German, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

The star-studded event will feature nominees including Kevin Pollack, Felicia Day, Illeana Douglas, Robert Englund, David Faustino, and many others.  For a full list of nominees, including  The Guild, Auto-Tune The News, FEAR Clinic and many more, visit: http://www.streamys.org/winners/2010-nominees/

An impressive group of global corporate and digital entertainment industry sponsors have signed on to support this year’s Streamy Awards, including Kodak, Trident, IKEA, and Boxee. For more details, see the Partner release: http://bit.ly/bEaqF9

The show is sure to be a laugh-riot as the hilarious Paul Scheer gets behind the podium to flex his hosting muscles. Scheer is best known for his work on the MTV sketch comedy series Human Giant, which he co-created and starred in with Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel and director Jason Woliner.  He also stars in FX's newest hit comedy, The League, which will return this Fall for its second season. This summer Paul can be seen in Dimension Films' Piranha 3D opposite Elisabeth Shue and Jerry O'Connell and in Adult Swim's newest live action comedy show, Children’s Hospital. To learn more, visit the Official Paul Scheer Web site at http://paulscheer.com.

Download the First-Ever Streamy Awards iPhone App!
You can even watch the Streamy Awards Ceremony LIVE on your iPhone! Learn more:
http://www.streamys.org/2010/04/08/watch-the-2nd-annual-streamy-awards-live-on-the-apple-iphone/

About The Streamy Awards
Presented by the International Academy of Web Television and co-hosted by new media companies Tubefilter (www.tubefilter.tv) and NewTeeVee (www.newteevee.com),

Streamy Awards recognize excellence in global web television programming for broadband distribution across 35 creative categories, from acting and directing, to editing and special effects. Members of the International Academy of Web Television review shows submitted through a free, public submissions process and vote on the final nominees and winners for each category. The Audience Choice Award for Best Web Television Series is selected by members of the public. Winners of the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards will be announced at the Streamy Awards Ceremony on April 11, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The Streamy Craft Award winners will be announced at a separate ceremony on April 7, 2010 at the Barnsdall Art Center in Hollywood. Founded in 2009, the Streamy Awards is produced by Tubefilter, Inc. (www.tubefilterinc.com). For more information, visit www.streamys.org, follow @streamyawards on Twitter and become a Fan at www.facebook.com/streamys.

Discovering Ardi DVD Review


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Discovering Ardi DVD Review




Synopsis: Has a 4.4-million-year-old: missing link, been found? The groundbreaking discovery of the skeleton nicknamed: Ardi, more than a million years older than Lucy, offers a fascinating look at what the last common ancestor of humans and living apes might have been like. An international team of scientists, who 17 years ago began an investigation of the remote Ethiopian desert where the discovery was made, has painstakingly analyzed its findings and now can reveal in compelling detail how and why humans emerged. This exclusive peek at a new chapter on human evolution, narrated by Dirty Jobs’ Mike Rowe and illuminated with 3D recreations, brings Ardi and her world to vivid life.

Review: We really enjoy watching a good documentary here at the Legion.  When we heard about Ardi, we were fascinated.  Then, once we heard about Discovery doing a special on the find...well, there was no question that we had to tune-in!  No one does scientific documentary tv like Discovery!

The finding of Ardi is an absolute coup in the scientific community.  It really helps to tie in various theories on evolution with fact.   He is one of the missing links that has been searched for all of these years.  The fact that we're still making finds like this is so exciting, not only as a person that is very in-tune with science, but just as a human being, trying to make sense of the world and our past.  Mike Rowe does a great job on narration and the special is very well put together.

We cannot recommend watching this one enough.  Go pick it up today!

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Poseidon Blu-Ray Review


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Poseidon Blu-Ray Review


Synopsis: It's New Year's Eve on the Poseidon. Partying voyagers toast the future. The future comes in a rush: a 150-foot rogue wave flips the cruise ship over, and a struggle to survive begins. Director Wolfgang Petersen (The Perfect Storm) returns to the sea with a thrill-packed, cutting-edge screen adaptation of Paul Gallico's novel The Poseidon Adventure. Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Emmy Rossum and more play passengers who must rely on each other as they seek safety through the water, flames and wreckage of an upside-down world.

Review: The original Poseidon Adventure is better.  I'm going to throw that out there.  Not every remake is wonderful.  Its not that this was a horrible film by any means, its good.  Its just not as good as it could have been.  A bit more detail and money could've been invested in the graphics and maybe a better cast could've been thrown out there.  I like Richard Dreyfuss, but maybe not in an action film!

The important part of this release is the fact that this already well-established film is coming to blu-ray high-definition!  The transfer is pretty good, overall.  Its difficult when you have a release that wasn't filmed in high-def.  The 1080p changeover looks good.  We don't get much for compression artifacts or gain, which is nice.  The underwater scenes are nice and clear, which is what is most important.

The big up here is the sound!  The 5.1 surround is fantastic in this type of film.  It really adds to the experience.  Overall this is a fun release. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Baader Meinhof Complex Blu-Ray Review


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Baader Meinhof Complex Blu-Ray Review




Synopsis: Germany in the 1970s: Murderous bomb attacks, the threat of terrorism and the fear of the enemy inside are rocking the very foundations of the still fragile German democracy. The radicalised children of the Nazi generation led by Andreas Baader (Moritz Bleibtreu), Ulrike Meinhof (Martina Gedeck) and Gudrun Ensslin (Johanna Wokalek) are fighting a violent war against what they perceive as the new face of fascism: American imperialism supported by the German establishment, many of whom have a Nazi past. Their aim is to create a more human society but by employing inhuman means they not only spread terror and bloodshed, they also lose their own humanity. The man who understands them is also their hunter: the head of the German police force Horst Herold (Bruno Ganz). And while he succeeds in his relentless pursuit of the young terrorists, he knows he s only dealing with the tip of the iceberg.


Review: The state of Germany was an unheard of mess post-World War II.  No one knew really what to do with themselves.  The country was divided between post-war nazi remnants (of which there were many still in power) and the communist takeover.  Neither of which ended up doing the country much good, but out of these ashes rose a group of left-wing youth that called themselves the Baader-Meinhof Group, later to be known as the infamous Red Army Faction.  Their ideals were bold and just, but their methods soon earned them a place in infamy.


The problem with the RAF wasn't as much their politics, which are of course subjective, but the way in which they got lost in their cause.  This is now a classic tale that shows how so many can lose their ideals in the fury of getting caught up on in a lifestyle.  There are so many people that get involved in extreme politics that lose sight of why they're there in the first place.  The same can be said of religion.   The RAF had good intentions, they just completely lost sight of them.


This was a highly enjoyable film.  If you're interested in history or subversive politics, this one is for you.  Otherwise, its still just a plain enjoyable flick.  It is rather violent at times with the gunplay, so beware any parents out there.  The blu-ray looks amazing, its the only way to go.  Socialism looks best in high-definition!



Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Contest: Win an Easter Basket filled with DVD & Blu-Ray!


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Contest: Win an Easter Basket filled with DVD & Blu-Ray!  You can win this great prize filled with titles provided by Twentieth Century Fox and MGM.  Simply email us your name to enter!  DVDLEGION.com @ Gmail.com !  Good luck and Happy Easter!

Easter Basket Approved!  
Fantastic Family Entertainment Hops To Blu-ray Disc And DVD

In Time For Easter With A Chance To Win A $50,000 Nest Egg

Available March 2 From 20th Century Fox And MGM Home Entertainment
 
Launch Highlights: 
  • Visit www.MoreEasterFun.com for fun Easter activities including downloadable character coloring pages, coupons, games, and a chance to win a $50,000 Nest Egg.  Site goes live
    March 2, 2010.
  • Catch up on all the Chipmunk mischief in Alvin and the Chipmunks on Blu-ray Disc, just in time for Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel!
  • Contemporary blockbuster hits and family favorites on Blu-ray Disc include
    Horton Hears A Who, Ice Age, Ice Age: The Meltdown, The Pink Panther 2 and
    Night at the Museum.
  • Share timeless childhood classics on DVD with The Black Stallion, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Secret of Nimh.
  • Each Blu-ray Disc and DVD is adorned with a colorful and eye-catching
    ‘Easter Basket Approved!’ dyed egg sticker.
 
Blu-ray Discs:     Length:   Price:
Alvin and the Chipmunks    91 minutes   $29.99
Horton Hears A Who     87 minutes   $29.99
Ice Age      81 minutes   $29.99
Ice Age: The Meltdown    90 minutes   $34.99
Night at the Museum     105 minutes   $29.99
The Pink Panther 2     92 minutes   $39.99

DVDs:
The Black Stallion     117 minutes   $14.98
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang    142 minutes   $14.98
The Secret of Nimh     82 minutes   $14.98

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and Digital Copy as well as acquisitions and original productions.  The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment.  Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets – from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout the world.  Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles.  Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive.  In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries.  MGM ownership is as follows:  Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%).  For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

THE NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS DVD Review


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THE NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS DVD Review



Synopsis: After seizing power, the Nazis began their crusade against Jews with discriminatory laws and the looting of property; they turned to violence openly in what has come to be known as Kristallnacht: the night of broken glass.

In November 1938 German soldiers set on fire some 400 synagogues and destroyed 7,000 Jewish stores and businesses. More than 90 people were killed, 600 committed suicide, and over 26,000 men were deported to concentration camps.

Through rare footage, photographs and documents, THE NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS reveals the background to this orgy of anti-Semitic violence, which – while masterminded by the Nazi regime – is shown to have been largely accepted by the German public.

Review:  The night of broken glass has gone down in infamy as one of the huge turning points of the pre-World War II era Germany.  The level of violence and anti-semetism culminated in this overnight event on November 9, 1938.  These riots throughout Germany and Austria were basically orchestrated by the German government, primarily through instigation by Joseph Goebbels.

Michael Kloft brings us another interesting Nazi documentary.  He has produced a few others in the past for First Run Features, but this one stands out.  There are two narrators, one male and one female.  It is rather distracting and I'm unsure as to what the motivation for this was.  That is the only downside to this short film.  The level of research and rare information and footage is astounding.

This documentary would be fantastic for anyone that homeschools or has any leverage in the classroom to show outside materials.  Its a great and rare in-depth look at one of the most interesting and important events surrounding World War II.   I highly recommend this one!

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Man vs. Wild: Season 4 DVD Review


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Man vs. Wild: Season 4 DVD Review

Synopsis: Bear Grylls has served with the British Special Forces, climbed Everest and explored the Arctic. In this exciting series he shows us how to survive the toughest and most remote environments on the planet by putting himself in the position of a stranded tourist. He parachutes into rainforests and abseils into deserts, lakes and the highest, most inhospitable peaks in America. Using his specialist survival techniques to find his way out of these wildernesses, he climbs sheer cliffs, navigates white water and icy crevasses, encounters predators and forages for maggots, raw fish, alligator meat and live snakes as food.

Review: Discovery Channel has released the complete fourth season of their hit show Man vs. Wild exclusively on their website (see link above to buy).  The 3-disc set spans over 9 hours of insanity as Bear Grylls puts himself in the most dangerous points of nature to prove his survival skills.  

This show is crazy.  I had caught it casually before, but I'd never sat down and watched a lot of episodes sequentially.  Everything from Alaska to the jungles of Vietnam, Bear is a madman.  Its so interesting to watch him survive in the most unlikely of situations.  It was a nice break from the ridiculous drama-filled 'reality-tv' that is usually on the air.  This show actually gives you useful information along with extreme entertainment.

Bonus Features include: Deleted scenes and River Monsters episode: Piranha: In 1976 a packed coach crashed into the Amazon killing 39 people. When the bodies were pulled out, some had been so viciously mutilated by Piranhas they could only be identified by their clothes. Extreme angler Jeremy Wade investigates the Piranha.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

HEINRICH HIMMLER: ANATOMY OF A MASS MURDERER DVD Review


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HEINRICH HIMMLER: ANATOMY OF A MASS MURDERER DVD Review



Synopsis: Born into a Bavarian bourgeois family, Heinrich Himmler became the driving force behind the indescribable crimes that made the Nazi regime so unique in modern history. An early henchman of Hitler’s, Himmler turned a small gang of thugs into a monstrous pseudo-religious order and widely feared instrument of terror – the SS.

As a compliant servant to his Führer, Himmler controlled an economic empire in which hundreds of thousands of slave workers were exploited and extermination camps murdered millions. Using rare archival materials and interviews, this film biography shows how – and why – Himmler became a “monster of history.”

Review: We get here another fantastic World War II documentary from the mind of Michael Kloft.  First Run Features has been producing some great and informative features in this veign, but I was particularly interested in the one on Himmler.  There is an overwhelming thought in the world that Hitler was a madman and a monster.  While this is true, he certainly wasn't a lone gunman, was he?  Himmler is rarely understood as one of the larger figures in the horrors that the Nazis unleashed on Europe.

Himmler was the leader of the Nazi S.S.  He was far more personally responsible for the concentration camps and experimentation than Hitler ever was.   Certainly Hitler had knowlege, but it was Himmler's brain child.  He needs to be understood as a central figure in every non-military Nazi event that took place prior to and during World War II.

This documentary is well thought out and contains great information.  We highly recommend it.  The feature would be great for homeschoolers or your classroom.  If you just love documentaries, then this one would be excellent for you as well.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

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