Bleach 338

CUSTOMER REVIEW



i love Bleach i have been hooked on it since the fist episode the animation is great the stories are well done i give it more than 5 stars

A

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Not being a fan of the zombie craze (sorry I just don't get it) I was going to pass this show by. But after giving the Walking Dead a chance and watching the first couple episodes, I quickly realized that I was missing out. This show is much more than a zombie story--in fact at points that senario is like a gory backdrop for the real story. Sure there are lots of scenes with half-dead "walkers" chasing the living, but even those are pretty well done. It's suspenseful, dramatic, well writen, and somehow beautiful. In my opinion the Walking Dead might be the best human condition story I have seen on tv. Despite the story revolving around death (or the undead), it has a lot to say about life and how we live.

A [HD]

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Not being a fan of the zombie craze (sorry I just don't get it) I was going to pass this show by. But after giving the Walking Dead a chance and watching the first couple episodes, I quickly realized that I was missing out. This show is much more than a zombie story--in fact at points that senario is like a gory backdrop for the real story. Sure there are lots of scenes with half-dead "walkers" chasing the living, but even those are pretty well done. It's suspenseful, dramatic, well writen, and somehow beautiful. In my opinion the Walking Dead might be the best human condition story I have seen on tv. Despite the story revolving around death (or the undead), it has a lot to say about life and how we live.

A

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Not being a fan of the zombie craze (sorry I just don't get it) I was going to pass this show by. But after giving the Walking Dead a chance and watching the first couple episodes, I quickly realized that I was missing out. This show is much more than a zombie story--in fact at points that senario is like a gory backdrop for the real story. Sure there are lots of scenes with half-dead "walkers" chasing the living, but even those are pretty well done. It's suspenseful, dramatic, well writen, and somehow beautiful. In my opinion the Walking Dead might be the best human condition story I have seen on tv. Despite the story revolving around death (or the undead), it has a lot to say about life and how we live.

A [HD]

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Not being a fan of the zombie craze (sorry I just don't get it) I was going to pass this show by. But after giving the Walking Dead a chance and watching the first couple episodes, I quickly realized that I was missing out. This show is much more than a zombie story--in fact at points that senario is like a gory backdrop for the real story. Sure there are lots of scenes with half-dead "walkers" chasing the living, but even those are pretty well done. It's suspenseful, dramatic, well writen, and somehow beautiful. In my opinion the Walking Dead might be the best human condition story I have seen on tv. Despite the story revolving around death (or the undead), it has a lot to say about life and how we live.

Even Vacuum Cleaners Fall in Love, Baby [HD]

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Just saw the first episode of Space Dandy...



I loved Cowboy Bebop like many others, and when I heard Space Dandy was coming out, I was definitely intrigued. Space Dandy is truly a 180 compared to Bebop though. Barely even related other then with a few aspects of similarity. Just so you know, if you are a high-brow, deep person who wants entertainment and learning to be serious and with meaning, then you might want to side step this one. There are definitely low-brow aspects to this series, but in a somewhat good-natured manner. However, Space Dandy shows promise, I believe.



After seeing the premiere episode, I'm wondering where this storyline is going to trek off to and how the characters will evolve or possibly devolve with the passage of time. I also ponder how long this series will run and whether it has a predetermined short, one season arc like the Bebop series.



Now, after a bit of thought, I would say that Space Dandy has more in common with Samurai Champloo than Cowboy Bebop in terms of animation, speed, and willingness to go off on odd, intense tangents and visuals. Bebop, although set in outer space, was far more rooted to the ground of reality and grittiness of life. Space Dandy seems to show intent signs of just wanting to have whacky, ribald romps through the galaxy. And that's not a bad thing at all if you are up for it.

Even Vacuum Cleaners Fall in Love, Baby

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Just saw the first episode of Space Dandy...



I loved Cowboy Bebop like many others, and when I heard Space Dandy was coming out, I was definitely intrigued. Space Dandy is truly a 180 compared to Bebop though. Barely even related other then with a few aspects of similarity. Just so you know, if you are a high-brow, deep person who wants entertainment and learning to be serious and with meaning, then you might want to side step this one. There are definitely low-brow aspects to this series, but in a somewhat good-natured manner. However, Space Dandy shows promise, I believe.



After seeing the premiere episode, I'm wondering where this storyline is going to trek off to and how the characters will evolve or possibly devolve with the passage of time. I also ponder how long this series will run and whether it has a predetermined short, one season arc like the Bebop series.



Now, after a bit of thought, I would say that Space Dandy has more in common with Samurai Champloo than Cowboy Bebop in terms of animation, speed, and willingness to go off on odd, intense tangents and visuals. Bebop, although set in outer space, was far more rooted to the ground of reality and grittiness of life. Space Dandy seems to show intent signs of just wanting to have whacky, ribald romps through the galaxy. And that's not a bad thing at all if you are up for it.

Fairy Tail - The Movie: Phoenix Priestess

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Amazing story plot with a strong foundation of what true friendship is all about. Having the story continue throughout the ending credits was a smart one, especially right at the ending of the credits...GENIUS!!!! This is clearly the best anime I have ever seen, and I've grown up with Anime for 20 years. Can't wait for the next masterpiece.......

Akira

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Since Amazon condenses the reviews of multiple formats into one pile, I hope this one stands out. It covers the new 25th Anniversary Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from Funimation, NOT Bandai'a 2009 Blu-ray or one of the many earlier DVD releases. I was able to get an advance copy from Funimation and also used it to write a separate full-length review of this title, listed below.



"Akira" still holds up perfectly well after 25 years. The film condenses a LOT of material into two hours; not surprising, since writer/director Katsuhiro Otomo's long-running manga series was still being written after its 1988 release. This epic, violent, mind-melting slice of animated history is chock full of terrific visuals, an amazing soundtrack and, of course, the sci-fi tinged story that introduced many to Kaneda, Tetsuo and company. Those new to the film will find it an exhausting experience, but don't give up: the eye candy will suck you in, but there's a real heart and soul to the story that has made countless fans worldwide return to "Akira" again and again. It's practically the grandfather of modern anime.



But that's not what most people want to know; they're probably just curious how this Blu-ray stacks up to previous releases (pretty well, as it turns out). Video quality is ever-so-slightly better than Bandai's 2009 Blu-ray: the image is no longer "picture-boxed" (thin black bars on all four sides) and the colors appear more well-defined and evenly saturated. It's the same 2001 master, so don't expect a night-and-day difference...but it's there. On the audio front, we get two excellent DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio versions of the original Japanese track and the 2001 Pioneer English dub, as well as a new DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio version of the older 1998 Streamline English dub. The choice of both English dubs is a nice touch, as I'd imagine that many long-time fans (including myself) have a nostalgic connection to the older one. English subtitles are included for translation purposes only. No dubtitles!



The bonus features, by and large, are similar to Pioneer's 2001 Special Edition DVD...which itself borrowed plenty of extras from the company's older Laserdisc release. Two are missing, however: the excellent "Akira Production Report" (a vintage behind-the-scenes documentary) and a gallery of promotional images. Otherwise, it's pretty much business as usual, but die-hard fans might still want to hold on to those Special Edition DVDs.



So essentially, we get a slight visual upgrade, the addition of Streamline's 1988 English dub and many (but not all) of the vintage extras not included on Bandai's 2009 Blu-ray. Funimation's 25th Anniversary Edition is definitely worth a purchase if you don't own "Akira" on Blu-ray yet, but those that do might not want to bother.



For more details, please check out my full-length review at: [...]

Mama Said Knock You Out

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Each and every episode of this show is terrific. The ensemble is perfectly matched. Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope is a standout star of this show, but each character's story was carefully crafted to feed the plot and keep us coming back! I know I'll keep watching and I hope the creative staff can keep the show as interesting as it is now when it gets to season 5.

Heartburn

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This show is absolutely fantastic. I love the nerdy movie references, and the jokes and the situations that they create.

Their case plots are really good. They have built up the characters really well and I cant wait to see what happens in the

3rd season. I zipped past the first 2 seasons in 3 days.. (yes I know, I should get a life) and I can't get enough of it.

Miss this at your own peril!!

Answers in Blood

CUSTOMER REVIEW



With much anticipation I watched the first episode of Vikings. I am a little baffled because it looks to me it's heading to more fictional and fantasy based story line. It is true that clans would fight each other on a regular basis, after all that is exactly how the Vikings became superior fighters. However, the concept of Rollo going against his brother because he feels he is in the shadow of his glory is a modern concept. In reality their alliance would have been much more equal, not to mention that it would have been at odd with the Gods for him to change his fate in such manner.



Also, it seems that Floki is the only ship builder in town and to put him in a bloody battle would have been out of the question. A ship builder would not have been considered a warrior.



It is unlikely that Rollo would have gotten so easily away with betraying his brother, he would have been deemed "utilegumadur" or vagrant and "rettdraepur" by anyone which means anyone could rightfully kill him. That is exactly what happened to Eric the Red, he was prone to unfair fights with his neighbors and kept killing them both in Norway and in Iceland and therefore was on constant escape and ended up establishing a colony in Greenland.



Aslaug shows up on the scene, she is the daughter of Sigurdur Dragonslayer and the shield maiden Brunhildur, which are both fictional characters in Norse Mythology. I am also baffled by the fact that if she is high born, what on earth is she doing traveling to some minor Nobleman in a remote fjord? On a small boat all the way from Jotland? With no army to protect her? Even though she is pregnant by Ragnar Lodbrok, it doesn't make any sense. Unborn babies were simply "borin ut" or brought out to die in the cold, a practice that was abolished when ever they would convert to Christianity. Suggesting that polygamy was a common thing in this society is untrue. Of course Aslaug has never met her alleged father, because he has never existed. A highborn woman would never have accepted the status of basically a concubine.



What makes sense is Lagertha is not buying the story of the mythical parents neither is she willing to submit to polygamy and leaves. What is likelier to have happened, is she would have either revenged her husband herself or maybe gotten Rollo to do it because betrayal like that is just not betrayal to her but the whole family. Women had status in this society, they were just as fierce as the men, and would use all the cunning power they could conjure to keep their men in place. Also, when you lived in a tribal society, Loyalty to anyone close to you, was extremely important, because your survival depended on it. It is a reoccurring theme throughout the Sagas. It's is also stressed as an importance in Edda. The Gods did not approve of betrayal to your kin. If you broke your loyalty in those time, you were sure to create a lot of enemies in a society based on a revenge after revenge, because your friends enemies would become your enemies. It would have been your duty to kill your friend's enemies. Sometimes when you read about this it becomes flat out ridiculous in the modern mind, the revenge never ends... But that was their way. Loyalty and Honor was highly important.



It will be interesting to see how the story developers. I'll write more later.



Addendum.

It is starting to be clear to me why Aslaug was thrown in the mix in this story. Although it unclear if she ever lived as her alleged parents were mythical, she might be a part of an awe stories that circulated around Ragnar Lodbrok in the next centuries after his death. What is important and in accordance with behavior at the time is that Lagartha and Bjorn ( which literarily means a bear ) come to his aid to reclaim his town and territory. What baffles me however is, why Lagartha doesn't let Bjorn kill that brute of a husband she has, since he is in a situation to do so and claim his wealth and power. My Viking roots tell me that now that, that brute (I never caught his name, I think it was mispronounced) will go against Ragnar Lodbrok and whoever is affiliated with him. That being his wife or not. I have upped my stars to 5 because the story is making very good sense. Now I just want Michael Hirst to give me a part in these series ;) LOL

Saving Private Ryan

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I was very impressed by ths film. I thought it would probably turn out to be rather cliched but it did seem to have a newer perspective on WW2. Some people say the characters are stereotypical - well, I served in the British Army Reserves for four years and my platoon had a fierce Scot, joking Londoner, smiling Irishman and philosphical Welshman in it, plus me as the token University Boy so I think you'll find that real-life Army units can be like that. No African Americans? Since the US Army was segregated until the sixties that is hardly surprising. Caricatured Germans? Germans running away? Well, some of them DID run away you know - they weren't all ruthlessly obedient supermen, and some were no doubt far more fed up with the war that the allies were. It would have been nice to see some British soldiers about but they were some way East taking out Caen at the time, so again, not a surprise. I wasn't sure about the film's comment on Montgomery ("overrated") and the British divisions though; Monty was a very good general indeed, at least as good as Patton or Eisenhower, and if he was so overcautious then why did the British lose so many men and tanks taking Caen? I think you'll find that about 80% plus of all the German armour in Normandy was at Caen, directed against the British - not the sort of battle that can be won in an afternoon I'm sure you'll agree.

Excellent film though - the most realistic combat scenes you will ever see on celluloid by far, and the plot is at least believable.

By the way, thanks very much to the US armed forces for doing a fantastic job as our allies in WW2, and other times. Long may Britain and the US continue to stand up for freedom.

Birds of Prey

CUSTOMER REVIEW



LIKE BATMAN BEGINS.. BUT WITH ARROWS YOU'LL LOVE IT! As a kid I never read Green Arrow Comics, I read Batman, Wolverine, Punisher, Moon Knight.. the realistic hard core heroes of DC and MARVEL.. little did I know Green Arrow fits very nicely in the company of those guys.. at least this one on TV does.. ITS no joke..

Birds of Prey

CUSTOMER REVIEW



LIKE BATMAN BEGINS.. BUT WITH ARROWS YOU'LL LOVE IT! As a kid I never read Green Arrow Comics, I read Batman, Wolverine, Punisher, Moon Knight.. the realistic hard core heroes of DC and MARVEL.. little did I know Green Arrow fits very nicely in the company of those guys.. at least this one on TV does.. ITS no joke..

We Were Soldiers

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This is war and it truly is hell. Outnumbered on the field and backed by the politically driven Defense Department of the time, one battalion finds itself outnumbered and fighting for its life in the jungles of Vietnam.



A recent reviewer here mistook what this movie was about. It is NOT about America's war in Vietnam and all the ideology behind it. Its about a battle that occurred in the early years of that war between a new type of specialized fighting unit and a very determined enemy. America wanted to engage the enemy for the first time and this is the battle. The only politics involved here is the decision not to declare a National Emergency thus allowing the Army's most experienced soldiers to leave at the end of their enlistments, when ironically they were most needed. This movie is about a battalion commander training his unit, getting orders and shipping off to war. It also gives an excellent look at what the wives had to endure during that terrible time.



If one wants to look at the politics of this war, check out HBO's Path to War. Path to War shows the speech were LBJ sends this unit, the Air Cav, to Vietnam and the political reasoning behind it. It goes through LBJ's escalation and McNamera's change of heart on the winnablity of the war. Highly recommend it.



Anyway, in realism this ranks up there with Saving Private Ryan. By reading the book you get a much better grasp of what happened as well as the story not told of what happened at LZ Albany. That encounter was even a worse then what happened at LZ X-Ray.



All told this movie gives the feel of how horrible, horrowing and confusing first-hand combat can be. One decision can lead to winning the day, or as the movie shows, getting yourself cut off and most of your men killed. As for accuracy to what occurred, a group of soldiers that were there appeared on The History Channel's "Hollywood vs History" program and they concurred that it was 75-80% factual. 20 - 25% Hollywood. That's probably a good ratio indeed. Oh, and the little American Flag at the end was real, not Hollywood. And Sam Elliot deserves an Academy Award for his portrait of American Hero Sgt. Major Basil Plumley.

The Toll

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This is Season 5 for Justified and I have watched it from Season 1 and it has been one of the best things I can ever remember watching on TV.



Justified has been one of the premier programs on television for 4 seasons and going into the 5th season it shows no signs of letting up on quality or entertainment value. The characters are interesting (if not sometimes conflicted) and each week you are left with a "OH NO, it's over until next week!". It is that good and trying to figure out what comes next is usually an exercise in futility and frustration, the writers for this show are top shelf talent.



The "sneak preview" indicates it might get a bit darker and I hope they don't lose that touch of humor that is one of the things that makes it rise above any competition. Boyd has to get the love of his life back and I am guessing he will not be nice about getting revenge on the ones who are responsible for her situation. Good times ahead indeed :)



NOTE: If you have Amazon Prime, you can watch the first 4 Seasons (that I paid for) for FREE! You will never get another deal like that for such quality entertainment.



UPDATE: Well we are getting much closer to the end of this season and I hesitate to think what Boyd might do before the end of this season if things do not get fixed soon.