Stream Phantom from Space – In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced! Online

January 14th, 2010 by lily9968507
Stream Phantom from Space - In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced! Online. Stream Phantom from Space – In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced! Online.

Movie Title: Phantom from Space – In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced!
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Phantom from Space – In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced! is available for streaming or downloading.

Click Here to Stream or Download Phantom from Space – In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced!

It’s about time somebody finally but out a decent print of “Phantom from space”. I’ve been so sick and tired of finding copies that always have blurred images in them. Case in point is when a car goes by and the headlights leave a streak across the screen. I’ve been looking for a good copy of this film for quite awhile now and i have finally found it. I thought the picture quality was very good and the sound quality excellant. Other copy’s I’ve seen left a lot to be desired. I’ve always wondered how some company”s can but out a product of inferior quality and dumb it on the general public when it come from and inferior source. I feel I am being ripped off. But Legend Films has out done them selfs with this film. Good picture and good sound. In my book this one is worth the money. I have not watched the colorized version of the film since I have no interest in faked color film. The color always looks unatural and I prefer my films in there original Black and White and aspect ratios.

“The Phantom From Space” is a sci-fi cheapie from 1953. The first half is pretty boring, as most of the action involves driving around in ridiculous old cars with ludicrous antennae on their roofs looking for disturbances. This takes place in California, so there are some other wacky things going on, but just to make sure we understand, the bulk of the first half hour or so is narrated. As the narrator drones on over the scenes of stock footage, and the cars drive around endlessly, something finally happens! A murder by a guy in a diving suit happens, to be specific, but unfortunately for the audience, all that results for our entertainment is some really tough (not!) interrogation of the prime suspect. Ultimately a couple of people get killed and a refinery gets set on fire.

As the movie gets over the hump and starts picking up steam, we see some silly police foot chases of the diving-suit being that go on a bit too long, but ultimately corner the guy in a lab with a pretty female scientist. To evade capture the being takes off his suit and turns out to be invisible unless exposed to ultraviolet light. They chase him around until he needs to put his helmet back on while he practices Morse code with the lady scientist. She figures out that he needs to breathe methane (hence his attraction to the refinery…see how it all makes sense) but thanks to the comic relief newspaper reporter who is forever screwing everything up (at least they got that part right) he drops and breaks his helmet. Eventually we see him shriek and burn up in what I believe may be the Griffith Park Observatory, his mission having utterly failed.

This film is a borderline two or three star movie, but I decided to go with three as it was quite well made considering that it was from 1953. I liked that the film didn’t attempt to make the invader from space into a killing machine, and that in the end actually made the audience feel sympathy for him. The special effects are not so special by the standards of today, but remember this was made 51 years ago, and I think was a pretty credible effort for the time. The acting is average, and the script is too. The biggest weaknesses were pacing and the whole silliness with the cars with ridiculous antennae. The second half is entertaining, and the creature actually looks good when we finally get to see him. If you can get past the first half, this is better than average for mid 1950s sci-fi.

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Streaming Baraka: 2-Disc Special Edition Online

January 13th, 2010 by lily9968507
Streaming Baraka: 2-Disc Special Edition Online. Streaming Baraka: 2-Disc Special Edition Online.

Movie Title: Baraka: 2-Disc Special Edition
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Baraka: 2-Disc Special Edition is available for streaming or downloading.

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BARAKA is a beautiful travelogue directed by Ron Fricke, the cinematographer of KOYAANISQATSI. It is similar, but superior, to KOYAANISQATSI and its sequels, largely because it doesn’t have quite as much of a political axe to grind, and because it is not designed to highlight the music of Philip Glass.

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Instead, BARAKA is a profound, moving experience. I guarantee you will find in it at least a half-dozen moments of pure wonder, and probably many more. You will also see images of things you’ve never seen before, or even imagined. BARAKA explores natural wonders, religious practices, and humans in harmony and in conflict with nature and themselves. In many ways it remains me of the PLANET EARTH series, but focused on humanity, and with no narration.

BARAKA contains scenes of great beauty, great ugliness, and great humor. It is also a spiritual meditation, and I make it a point to watch this movie every Easter season, even though it is not particularly Christian in its outlook.

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Buy it. Watch it on the best movie system you or your friends own. You will certainly enjoy this film. What I can’t say is whether this new DVD release is superior to the old one, which is no longer in print.

Much has been said in the past 16 years of the film itself, so I review the specifics of this version. The newest (and likely final) DVD edition comes from the transfer intended primarily for the Blu-Ray release. By all means, if you possess a Blu-Ray player, get that disc. (I suggest you look to the numerous videophile magazines slowly putting out reviews on that format).

The boasted 8K UltraDigital HD transfer provides enough information for down-scaling to DVD specs without too significant loss, though the area of greatest benefit from the transfer is the color saturation. The special features are contained on the second disc, allowing room on Disc 1 for the movie’s generous bit-rate and the DTS 96/24 5.1 audio track. The high bitrate for the video allows for great detail contrast with surprisingly little visual noise, preventing any jarring artifacting in the scenes of high detail in movement (compare the distant shots of large flocks of birds in this DVD versus similar shots in the DVD version of Planet Earth, and the difference is clear).

The surround mix itself is perfectly immersive, and the music could have been done no better justice than to have the new mix restored and overseen by score composer Michael Stearns.

Regarding the special features, I’ll first touch on the lesser bonus documentary for the restoration and scanning process. It starts out feeling like an industry advertisement for overscanning with an 8K machine. Soon, they demonstrate and justify the necessity, artistically, for all this “technological back-slapping”. And at six and a half minutes, doesn’t overdo it.

The main documentary, “A Closer Look”, is much more satisfying and steadily interesting. At an hour and sixteen minutes, this covers the full scope of the entire history, from Fricke’s early work with Reggio, to the development of the technology for creating this film, to the many experiences in filming and traveling. It ends with a few points on the scoring, and a brief discussion of the film’s reception and impact. This documentary benefits strongly from the extensive amount of behind-the-scenes video, as it provides a firm visual anchor for the numerous anecdotes the crew has to tell, and frequently offers touching moments between the filmmakers and the peoples with whom they interacted.

Overall, this DVD is a great piece that shows the strength remaining in the capabilities of DVD in spite of the growth of Blu-Ray. For the videophiles with an HD monitor not yet buying into the Blu-Ray market, consider this a cornerstone of your “show-of” set, yet buy it also for the film’s stunning beauty.

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Watch Sesame Street – Quiet Time Online

January 12th, 2010 by lily9968507
Watch Sesame Street - Quiet Time Online. Watch Sesame Street – Quiet Time Online.

Movie Title: Sesame Street – Quiet Time
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Sesame Street – Quiet Time is available for streaming or downloading.

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Both of our children (we have a girl 19 months and boy 3 years with Down Syndrome), will watch from finish to start. We have incorporated it into our nap/bedtime routines. Quiet Time is still as entertaining as the other Sesame Street videos, so they watch it, but it is a little more calming then the others. We give it two tiny thumbs up.

This video helps explain the concept of quiet time to young children. While the video itself is not always quiet, it demonstrates the differences between doing something quietly and loudly and it is extremely entertaining. It suggests several quiet time activities that can be fun and entertaining. My two year old loved watching the video, and, as with most Sesame Street videos, learned something as well.

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Richard Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier / Te Kanawa, Howells, Haugland, Bonney, Solti, Schlesinger Movie Streaming

January 11th, 2010 by lily9968507
Richard Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Te Kanawa, Howells, Haugland, Bonney, Solti, Schlesinger Movie Streaming. Richard Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier / Te Kanawa, Howells, Haugland, Bonney, Solti, Schlesinger Movie Streaming.

Movie Title: Richard Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier / Te Kanawa, Howells, Haugland, Bonney, Solti, Schlesinger
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Richard Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier / Te Kanawa, Howells, Haugland, Bonney, Solti, Schlesinger is available for streaming or downloading.

Click Here to Stream or Download Richard Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier / Te Kanawa, Howells, Haugland, Bonney, Solti, Schlesinger

Kiri Te Kanawa thrilled and delighted me with her singing, and made me weep with her sensitivity as an actress…she’s also an exquisitely graceful and beautiful woman, making this aesthetically in every way a perfect performance, and a treasure for any opera lover. The last few moments of act one (the end of tape # 1), are incredibly moving, and will stay with me forever.

Anne Howells is also superb as Octavian. Her body language as a young man is flawless and vocally she’s excellent as well. Every member of this cast shines, held together with mastery by the wonderful Georg Solti.

The sets and costumes of this Covent Garden production are spectacular (the Marschallin’s dress in the last act is breathtaking !), the direction flows, the editing expert, the comedy good, the drama great.

The scene between the Marschallin, Octavian, and Sophie is mesmerizing. The beauty and emotional power of it overwhelmed me, and once again, I was moved to tears.

This is simply one of the best filmed operas in existence…nothing short of magnificent, a rare jewel.

I tend to spend most of my opera viewing time in the Italian and French repertoire, but have always enjoyed the ravishing music of Rosenkavalier in excerpts which include “the presentation of the rose” and the final trio. If more lovely music has ever been penned, I haven’t heard it, but listening to all of it was a bit tedious, to tell the truth.

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But seeing it, and thus enjoying it as musical theatre? Not until I got this disc.It converted me completely. This is simply a wonderful experience, which I cannot praise too highly.

Dame Kiri is definitive as the Marschallin: her vocal production is literally amazing, and , yes, I have heard her sing a lot! She floats some pianissimo tones that bring tears to the eyes! She also acts well: the first act soliloquy, where she ponders on the effects of age is splendid.

Buy,Download, Or Stream Richard Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier / Te Kanawa, Howells, Haugland, Bonney, Solti, Schlesinger! Click Here

Anne Howells is vocally excellent as Octavian, with acting second only to that of Federica von Stade, who always does well in those “trousers roles”

Barbara Bonny has the ideal voice for Sophie, and uses it with splendid artistry. Aage Haugland is perfect as the incredibly gross Baron Ochs, and the supporting cast all do very well. Solti conducts definitive Strauss.

This DVD was made from a taping of a 1985 performance from the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, so the audio and video are not quite state of the art. Subtitles make following the German easy.

But it is the totality of the performance as musical theatre that I found so captivating; this performance just “works” from beginning to end. All of the elements that make up a great operatic performance come together from beginning to end.

I cannot say enough good things about this disc. The decision to buy it is a “no brainer”!

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Watch Black Fist Movie Online

January 10th, 2010 by lily9968507
Watch Black Fist Movie Online. Watch Black Fist Movie Online.

Movie Title: Black Fist
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Black Fist is available for streaming or downloading.

Click Here to Stream or Download Black Fist

I watched this low budget “blaxploitation” movie from a DVD set that also included three other blaxploitation films. The story is that of a younger black man(Fisk) who lives in a dirty and dangerous part of town. One day, he is given an opportunity by Mr Logan(the local mob leader), to make a whole lot of cash by kicking some booty in street fighting contests. After becoming mildly successful, he is shaken down by Hienrick(a dirty cop). Already stressed by the business of fighting, once he discovers that his whino friend has been murdered, he decides that he wants out. Of course, that comes with a price. So one day, when his best friend is about to take Fisk’s wife home, the car suddenly explodes and kills both of them. So now Fisk is after Mr. Logan, Hienrick, and whoever else he felt that was involved in the murdering of his wife and best friend. The movie is shot entirely on location(in the seedier areas of Los Angeles); so the ambiance of the movie feels gritty and realistic. Although a low budget flick, the acting is realistic and intense. I found the dialogue to be racially realistic. The movie, being a 70’s low budget flick, looks and sounds grainy. The ending, I found, is quite disappointing. Overall an enjoyable movie experience if you can find the movie on DVD for under $10 dollars.

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Update – This movie is available in other low-budget DVD packs. Try the Martial Arts 50 movie pack.

I first saw this in the movies when it first came out as “bogard” and it was rated x,the box had a unrated title but after viewing it it was the same r rated version that has been out for years.as i recall there was about 10 -15 minutes from the original movie cut out to give it a r rating so it played as all the other versions out there with different names.if you can find the original version it may say x but it should have been rated mature as there was no real sex in the film.They should remaster it as the color looks like a vhs or “beta ” tape.

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Stream Resident Evil: Degeneration Online

January 10th, 2010 by lily9968507
Stream Resident Evil: Degeneration Online. Stream Resident Evil: Degeneration Online.

Movie Title: Resident Evil: Degeneration
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Resident Evil: Degeneration is available for streaming or downloading.

Click Here to Stream or Download Resident Evil: Degeneration

The Resident Evil series has become one of the top selling titles for video game company CAPCOM. Known in Japan as “Biohazard”, the series has sold over 34 million games and among the series, one of the most popular titles was the 1996 Sony Playstation game “Resident Evil 2 which introduced us to the characters of Racoon City rookie police officer Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield (sister of “Resident Evil 1 hero Chris Redfield).

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The two were popular characters that fans enjoyed and in 2005, “Resident Evil 4 featuring Leon Kennedy became a huge hit earning “Game of the Year” by various publications.

With the popularity of the character of Leon Kennedy, how fitting was it when CAPCOM announced the reuniting of both Leon and Claire. As a fan of the video game series, I was definitely excited and couldn’t wait to see the film. “resident evil: DEGENERATION” takes place seven years after “Resident Evil 2.

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VIDEO & AUDIO:

Picture quality is pretty good. The film is entirely in CG and was created in Maya. The CG was well done but not as fluid as “Final Fantasy: Advent Children” but still looked very impressive. The rendered character models were just great to look at (especially at the beginning when you see the airport or even the WilPharm HQ. Both look very realistic!) and Leon, Claire and Angela Miller model renders were just very well done. If anything, there is slight jerkiness when it comes to a close up of a character and trying to make it do natural and realistic movements during a conversation. But during the action scenes, the movements were very nice and overall, the CG was very well done.

If anything, fans of the video games will more than likely enjoy these CG rendered scenes.

As for audio, the audio is featured in Dolby Digital 5.1 and during the action scenes (which there are many), sound does come alive and sounds very good on my system. Dialogue is quite clear. As for the music, the ending theme “Guilty” is by Japanese music artist ANNA TSUCHIYA.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The DVD features quite a few special features which include:

* The Generation of DEGENERATION featurette – This featurette interviews Makoto Kamiya and other CAPCOM staff and their goal with the film, why they used the actual English voice actors in terms of the motion capture (including having them learn how to hold a gun) and more behind-the-scenes footage on the creation of the film. Also, fan reaction at San Diego Comic Con.

* Character Profiles – Profiles feature a text blurb on each character and you can access a video or photography profile (from parts of the film).

* Voice Bloopers – This is more or less bloopers but not sure if it was intentionally created or if it was actual bloopers. One featured Leon Kennedy telling the others about his “fee”. Quite funny to watch.

* Faux Leon Interview – I’m not quite sure what this feature was about. A man is interviewing one of the motion capture actors and the actor is talking about working with Kamiya-san and others on the film.

* Resident Evil: Degeneration Trailers – Trailers for the film

* Resident Evil: Degeneration Tokyo Game Show Trailer – Tokyo Game Show trailer

* Resident Evil 5 Special Game Footage – Promotional video for the upcoming Playstation “Resident Evil” game.

* Resident Evil 5 Game Trailers – Trailers for the upcoming Playstation 3 video game.

Let me first say that I am a big fan of the “Resident Evil” series and I own nearly all the US releases. “Resident Evil 2 really was innovative when it first was released for the Sony Playstation and was my favorite R.E. game until “Resident Evil 4 was released and that video game was just incredible.

So, that being said, watching this film had me smiling because I absolutely adore both the characters of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. How this film furthers the storyline of the two characters but also builds on certain situations that may have major ramifications for future video game releases is quite exciting.

So, with that being said, I enjoyed the film because the creators really wanted to pay homage to “Resident Evil 2 and “Resident Evil 4 video game series and its fans. But I realize that many people who are not familiar with the video game series are wondering how the context of this film is to the live-action film series featuring Mila Jovovich.

There is a relation by name and of course, the virus that turns people to zombies but really, this film was created for the fans of the video game series in mind.

Also, with this being a video game-related film, many who crave a deep storyline with character development of who is Claire and who is Leon may feel disappointed. The reason why video gamers who played the video games is that through those video game moments of playing these characters for hours, there was a vested interest.

I would assume that many viewers not familiar with the video game series won’t pick up the importance of Claire or Leon to the actual “Resident Evil” storyline. In fact, some may wonder why they should care about these characters especially at the end with the politics surrounding the viruses.

So, with that being said, “resident evil: DEGENERATION” is an awesome film for those who followed the video game series. The film features plenty of non-stop action, bloody violence courtesy to the zombies and you even get a scene with blood that splatters on to the camera. But the enjoyment comes from those who had the experience of playing “Resident Evil 2 and “Resident Evil 4 and to see Claire and Leon again.

The CG looks great and there are some moments that I was just really in awe but at the same time, there are some movements that were jerky and robotic at times. But overall, the model renders were good and Leon and Claire look very good. So, the bottom line is that this film is just total fan service for “Resident Evil” video game fans. So much that I highly recommend this DVD.

For those who are not familiar with the video game series, you may enjoy it but if you are expecting a continuation of the live action films, then this DVD may not be for you. In fact, some may be disappointed because there is no strong plot for them to truly enjoy these characters especially without playing the video games. So, I can understand if they don’t get into it.

Again, if you are fans of the “Resident Evil” video games, you can’t help but have a smile on your face because there is now a “Resident Evil” film that was created with the RE video game fan in mind. And for that, I recommend this DVD for you!

I watched Degeneration in NY Horror Film Festival. At first I didn’t expect a lot from this movie, cause the live action trilogy is very disappointing and I just didn’t dare to expect it would be good, but it is. If you’re an RE fan, it’s a must-see movie. You won’t be disappointed. Luckily the movie doesn’t focus on fighting zombies too much. It is a drama/thriller. The movie successfully combines T & G-virus storyline fans are familiar with. Although not much character development, you can enjoy the story. CG part in my opinion is not as good as Final Fantasy. Characters’ facial expression is a little stiff, and their “stares” are dull. Women look like they had plastic surgery. But these are not serious problems, just the technical parts they need to improve. Degeneration story is much better than FF. After watching its premiere, I can’t wait to buy the DVD.

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Incubus Streaming

January 9th, 2010 by lily9968507
Incubus Streaming. Incubus Streaming.

Movie Title: Incubus
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Incubus is available for streaming or downloading.

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INCUBUS, a 1965 B&W film filmed in Esperanto, was thought lost until just recently when producer Tony Taylor found the only surviving copy in France and managed to make the movie available on video. I was one of the first buyers, and I absolutely love the video.

The basic plot line is the eternal struggle of good versus evil, so even though the movie is old it’s not dated.

It’s extremely well done with great acting, interesting music, and wonderful photography. Conrad Hall, who is an Oscar winner, was the cimematographer. William Shatner is the only big name actor in it, but all the cast is excellent. (And, no, Shatner doesn’t do the dialogue with his trademark Kirk mannerisms.) Shatner protrays Marc, a man tempted by a beautiful succubus (female demon ). The incubus, the male demon, comes into the film later.

The film looks like a classic foreign film, especially with the Esperanto and subtitles. The fact it’s in B&W gives it an ageless quality. It can be called a horror film, but the film is more than just demons giving humans problems. I’d call it a classic morality play about good and evil.

I think anyone who likes movies will enjoy this, and anyone who is a movie buff definitely needs to add this one to his collection because it is a special film, if only because it’s the only film I know of made in Esperanto ( a made-up language some people actually do speak as a second language).

The only drawback to the movie is that the subtitles take up too much space on the screen at times. But this was because the only surviving copy with French subtitling was done that way and the subtitles couldn’t be moved–only changed to English.

INCUBUS is one of my favorite videos, and I’ve shown it to several friends already. So buy the video, invite some people over, pop some popcorn, and enjoy it.

I remember seeing this film in college back in the mid-seventies, and it struck me as one of the strangest movies I had ever seen. The Esperanto dialogue fits in perfectly with the otherworldliness of the film. It seems that Director Leslie Stevens was paying homage to his Outer Limits partner Joseph Stefano by making one of the most Gothic themed motion pictures ever. The film has may haunting scenes perfectly framed by cinematographer Conrad Hall–two of the creepiest are when a coven of succubi are walking ever so slowly on a beach and the scene where the Incubus is summoned is a sequnce worthy of horror grandmaster James Whale.

The DVD edition has a wonderful interview with producer Anthony Taylor and cinematographers Conrad Hall and William Fraker. Their commentary track is very good. I was EXTREMELY impressed with William Shatner’s commentary track. Listening to Mr. Shatner talk about the “curse of the film” is especially chilling. My only fault with Mr. Shatner’s commentary is that he wasn’t joined by someone like David Schow (the renowed OUTER LIMITS expert). I think a dialgue between these two would have been fascinating. Schow has written extensively on Incubus, and the website (for the movie Incubus) links to his commentaries. The DVD is truly a chilling and fantastic experience!

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Streaming Robotech Remastered – Volume 2 Extended Edition Online

January 8th, 2010 by lily9968507
Streaming Robotech Remastered - Volume 2 Extended Edition Online. Streaming Robotech Remastered – Volume 2 Extended Edition Online.

Movie Title: Robotech Remastered – Volume 2 Extended Edition
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Robotech Remastered – Volume 2 Extended Edition is available for streaming or downloading.

Click Here to Stream or Download Robotech Remastered – Volume 2 Extended Edition

Sheesh…I guess it wasn’t enough that Harmony Gold & ADV got me to buy the Legacy Collection DVD box sets; now they gotta throw out all-new platters with a souped-up sound mix and “new” footage in an avaricious effort to get me to buy the same thing twice (sorta)?! Well, looks like their efforts succeeded, `cuz I just hadda pick this latest volume up to go with the first one I snagged a couple months ago (as of this writing). And besides, it gives me an excuse to waste yet another hunk of Amazon’s bandwidth with my insipid scrawlings! And awaaaaay we go…

The main attraction of this “new-&-improved” edition is the inclusion of some “new” footage that was originally edited out of the original Macross show `cuz it was considered less than appropriate for the American kidvid audience at the time. The more notable extra bits in this particular collection consist primarily of the extended death scenes of Roy Fokker and Ben Dixon. And thanks to this set containing two flashback/recap-type shows (`Gloval’s Report’ and `Phantasms’, respectively) featuring recycled footage from previous eppies, the viewer is once again treated to Minmei showering (from episode 4), and another scene extension (Zentraedi soldier gettin’ shot from behind by Fokker in his Skull Leader rig) that, oddly, wasn’t shown first time `round. Otherwise, not much else in the way of visuals has been thrown back into the mix. Well, except for the redone opening and closing credits, which contains new typeface and more Macross footage to replace the excised Southern Cross and New Generation bits. `Course, if you’ve seen the original Macross show that the first act of Robotech is based on (which I highly recommend if you haven’t seen it yet–the second set, which covers the same episodes as this collection, is available for purchase at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000B1ODN/qid=1080091979/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-0457490-8406223?v=glance&s=dvd), the added scenes won’t be all that new to ya, anyway…

My biggest disappointment with this set was the remastered video, which displayed inconsistent picture quality throughout. Fortunately, the picture clarity here is a might better than the even-more-inconsistent video quality of the first Robotech Remastered set (check it out at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00011ZBRA/qid=1080091881/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl74/103-0457490-8406223?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846). Sadly, Harmony Gold was unable to acquire the footage that AnimEigo painstakingly cleaned and restored for the aforementioned Macross DVD sets, and had to go with the best of what they had on hand. Which was okay for what it was, but not as sharp, clear, and vibrant as I was hopin’ it’d be…

This collection’s one truly extensive improvement is the sound mix, which has been beautifully remastered in 5.1 channel stereo. Most of the sound effects have been totally redone, especially the various explosion and space fold noises. The only downside to the new explosions is that they’re not too varied; most of `em sound like rock slides and crumbling masonry. You know, noises that a metal spaceship most likely doesn’t make when it’s gettin’ blasted to bits (`course, I could bring up the point that there shouldn’t be any noises at all in the space battles, but that’d be gettin’ too anal-retentive). Other sounds have been “boosted” for better auditory perception. The most noticeable examples of this enhanced audio are the background noises that play during the “battle stations” scenes on the SDF-1’s bridge. But the best audio improvement of all is the remastered voice track: they fixed it so that it stands out reasonably well from the background sounds, thus making the dialogue more comprehensible.

As for bonus material and special features– well, aside from trailers for other ADV anime videos and a cutesy transformable super-deformed Skull Leader Veritech fighter toy, there ain’t any. Looks like you’ll hafta hang on to those `Elements of Robotechnology’ bonus discs that came with the Legacy Collection box sets you bought a couple years back (and don’t tell me you didn’t buy `em, `cuz I know better!) if you’ve a hankerin’ for supplemental material…

`Late

In order to appreciate this release, you have to know what went into making it possible.

Buy,Download, Or Stream Robotech Remastered – Volume 2 Extended Edition! Click Here

For those NOT in the know, independent US Anime Distributor AnimEigo (with the cooperation of North American Macross distribution right holder Harmony Gold) conducted an EPIC and PAINSTAKING restoration of the original UNCUT Japanese Language/Soundtrack Macross TV series from the original 35mm Film Masters that Robotech’s Macross Saga was based on and then released this MASTERPIECE on 9 DVDs.

The Macross release was then followed by a DVD release of the UNCUT Japanese Language/Sountrack version of the Southern Cross and Mospeada TV series which made up the second and third arcs of the Robotech storyline respectively.

Buy,Download, Or Stream Robotech Remastered – Volume 2 Extended Edition! Click Here

On the 9 DVD AnimEigo release, there was the option to play the Restored Japanese Language version of Macross DVD’s without the sound.

This curious feature led many of us to suspect that Harmony Gold agreed to the AnimEigo funded and conducted restoration because they had already secured the right to use the finished product of it and because they had always/secretly/eventually intended to do a Special Edition Robotech release which would take the form of Robotech Re-Mastered.

This hypothetical release would likely be created using the restored video masters synchronized with the US English Language/Robotech Soundtrack which was composed by Ulpio Minucci. It would also likely include the extra deleted original footage which had been deleted from the original Robotech TV series because of concerns over continuity, length, and content back in the 80’s when Robotech first came out. As it turns out the original audio master tapes had been destroyed in a freak flood accident but a recently discovered back-up gave Harmony Gold the missing piece of material they needed to do a full audio merge with the restored Macross TV Series making Robotech Re-Mastered possible.

With the release of these sets, our suspicions have been confirmed and Robotech fans everywhere can rejoice and dance in the streets!

The reason that the image quality isn’t quite as good in this release (Even though it came from the EXACT same AnimEigo Restored 35mm Film to Digital Video Master!) is because Harmony Gold has squeezed MORE episodes onto each disc (6 as opposed to 4!) INCREASING the amount of compression necessary to pull it off. The AnimEigo release has 36 episodes spread over 9 discs (The best space-use/image balance possible!) and the ADV release will have 36 episodes spread over 6 discs so you can do the math on image degradation due to the compression.

The results with the increased compression actually aren’t bad at all, especially, considering how wretched the original Robotech Series looked both on TV, VHS, Laserdisc, and the initial DVD release as much as we loved it.

For those who want to appreciate the level of restoration they were able to do and also understand the Macross TV series as a stand-alone release before it was spliced into Robotech, the AnimEigo set is still the best one to own and it is available for order from Amazon and AnimEigo and the Robotech website.

One must wonder why they just didn’t just go 9 for 9 on the number of DVDs utilized in this release. My suspicion is that they were either feeling cheap or they wanted fans to be able to replace the two intitial release DVD’s that came with each Legacy Box Set 2 for 2. A better strategy would have been to follow the Animeigo 9 for 9 approach and then release a special case for the Bonus Discs.

The credit text and organization are a vast imrovement and the “new” opening credits are just the original Macross TV Series opening credits with the new Robotech Credits. They have added A LOT of improved and way-cool weapon and ship’s systems sound effects which adds a level of believability to the action. For instance, the SDF-1 take-off, transformation, and bridge scenes all have techno-sounds which make them feel more real then before.

The original US version of the credits was more integrative for the combined series — Though the credit text looked cheap and awful! — but this is a fun alternate version although seeing Lisa Hayes (Misa Hayase) tossing her hair like she is in a Pantene Commercial looks pretty dumb considering how serious the character was most of the time.

Another thing that doesn’t make sense (And blame for this goes to Tatsunoko because they designed the credits!) is that the SDF-1 is shown firing its Main Gun while flying through the upper atmosphere in cruiser mode using it’s gravitational control system which NEVER happened in the original series and which would have been IMPOSSIBLE given the limitations of their reflex furnace power, their gravitational control system’s requirement for standby booster support while in cruiser mode and within Earth’s gravitational field, and the disappearance of the fold system which rendered the Main Gun inoperative while in cruiser mode.

Anyway, ADV and Harmony Gold could have given us a slightly more Royal Treatment, but, considering all the hard work they have done, considering how badly we all wanted the Restored Version/Deleted Scenes to be paired with the US Music and Vocal Soundtrack and to have it all come together in this life, this version, and the Southern Cross and Mospeada versions that are going to follow, are going to be a welcome addition.

Well done, ADV, AnimEigo, and Harmony Gold, well done!

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Megaman: A Hero Is Born Streaming

December 24th, 2009 by lily9968507
Megaman: A Hero Is Born Streaming. Megaman: A Hero Is Born Streaming.

Movie Title: Megaman: A Hero Is Born
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Megaman: A Hero Is Born is available for streaming or downloading.

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I owned this version for years I know it say 2009 but it came out years ago

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This is one of the best mega man showed out their
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Stream Linda Linda Linda Movie Online

December 23rd, 2009 by lily9968507
Stream Linda Linda Linda Movie Online. Stream Linda Linda Linda Movie Online.

Movie Title: Linda Linda Linda
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Linda Linda Linda is available for streaming or downloading.

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I have been a performer off and on for most of my life. My best friend is in a couple bands. Needless to say, we both loved this movie. We caught it at the local Art House movie theatre (bawl out to the gargantuan folks at Portland’s Historic Hollywood Theatre!) .

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What’s it about? A Japanese high school girl group has a falling out with their lead singer about an incident that injures one of the other girls. There are damage feelings all around. So the remaining girls determine to swap instruments and draft the local misfit (the stunningly talented super-model-turned actress Du-na Bae) Korean girl to announce lead.

Nothing turns out quite like you’d interrogate. There are wonderous slight moments all tied together with the tour-de-force-of-nature that is Bae. The smaller characters are well defined, and you fetch a right sense of this world.

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Captures the feeling of giddiness/stress that is performance better than virutally any movie I’ve seen in years. Do you treasure punk music? Do you adore movies about misfits? Do you fancy films about finding your hold situation? THEN Urge and earn this film. A precise stunner.

Japanese indie film “Linda Linda Linda” follows the record of four high school girls who need to learn to play the songs of the Blue Hearts, 80s Japanese punk rock band, for the annual school festival. They got only three days to practice, and the vocal happens to be an international student from Korea. But can they master the songs and play them in front of the audiences?

The chronicle is simple. As two girls recently left the group, three remaining members of the band Kyoko (Aki Maeda, “Battle Royale”), Kei (Yu Kashii) and Nozomi (Shiori Sekine) have to bag a vocalist for the unique band. They recruit a skittish Korean exchange student Son (Du-na Bae, “The Host”), who, as it turns out, shows unexpected side of her character as she keeps practicing.

[SLOW-MOVING BUT TOUCHING] First, maintain this in mind before watching “Linda Linda Linda” of which mood is something different from such films as, say, “School of Rock” or “Hard Day’s Night” (both my common films) . The catchy Blue Hearts songs are astounding and the rock concert scenes are plump of energy, but the greatness of director Nobuhiro Yamashita is that he not only succeeded in expressing the youthful energy of high school girls, but also cleverly suggesting that the girls are leaving gradual their younger days though they themselves are not aware of it.

To fully be pleased “Linda Linda Linda,” please remember these things. Annual high school festivals (usually called “bunka-sai” in Japanese) are usually held in autumn and the girls are in the third (and last) year of high school. That means this is their final chance to join in the bunka-sai of their school. Son will go succor to her country and most probably they will not play together again. Yamashita inserts several episodes or images that imply the festival (or the sweet, gratified days of youth) is going to be over soon – the images of deserted schoolyard or one of the girl’s ex-boyfriend leaving the town, for instance. Only grown-ups around the girls know this fact (listen carefully the words from the teacher), but the girls themselves do not seem to realize this, or even if they do, they don’t understand the meaning of it … until long after their youth is past.

The film deftly captures the atmosphere of high school festivals in Japan. I can allege you the authenticity of each scene of the film because I was once a high school student there. So distinguished time and efforts are achieve into “bunka-sai”: classrooms are turned into shops selling noodles, ice cream stand, rock music club or “frightened house.” It is precious moment of life, which becomes fragment of bitter-sweet memories of youth only after you realize you have left it leisurely forever.

The acting is uniformly mountainous, especially the vivid performance from Du-na Bae as Son, who is to be seen in “The Host,” a 2006 mega-hit in South Korea. In fact she might be a bit too worn to play the role Son (Du-na Bae was about 25 years-old at the time of shooting), but her spontaneous and though-provoking performance makes us forget that. The film is also benefited from the authentic place as it was shot in the sincere, now disused building of Maebashi Industrial High School in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, which had recently moved to another position.

“Linda Linda Linda” uses a slightly downbeat reach in telling the sage, avoiding the cliched position devices. It is sometimes slow-moving, but in keen slowly, it shows a realistic portrait of high school life in Japan. Wherever you are, you will eye it is an silly and touching film that captures the essence of youth.
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