The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus Megaset
Average Customer Review:
DVD (30 November, 2000)
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Editorial Review

While more cautious fans may want to pick and choose among the previously released individual volumes of Monty Python for their collection, true Pythonites will want to own this definitive, 14-volume DVD-only boxed set that contains all 45 episodes (in chronological order) of Monty Python's Flying Circus. This "persistently silly" collection encompasses three-and-a-half seasons of dead parrots, cross-dressing lumberjacks, loonies, upper class twits, and spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, baked beans, spam, spam, and spam. Click past the occasional clunker and go directly to such signature sketches as the Ministry of Silly Walks, the Spanish Inquisition, the Fish-Slapping Dance, the Dead Parrot Sketch, the Lumberjack Song, the Cheese Shop, the Argument Clinic, and Nudge, Nudge. Taken as a whole, one marvels at how Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam thoroughly subverted television convention with "something completely different," like sketches with no punch lines ("Your average TV viewer isn't going to understand this").

A warning to the uninitiated: there is much "material that some may find offensive, but which is really smashing." Violations of something called the "Strange Sketch Act" are the least of the troupe's offenses, as witness the Oscar Wilde Sketch, the Dirty Vicar Sketch, and the Most Awful Family in Britain Sketch, all of which achieve "the really gross awfulness" all Python fans are looking for. Say no more. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Box set

Reviews (103)

A word for our non-American friends...
...you should know that this set is, in fact, not "Region 1", but "Region 0" - meaning it can be played without problem anywhere, including those Region-2-only DVD players common in Europe (such as mine).

Any possible US censorship aside, this is the most complete Python collection available anywhere, and true aficionadoes just must not miss it ... [nudge, nudge]

GREAT! GREAT!-REWRITE!
this dvd set despite its advertised flaws, and possibly a missing scketch or two( dont try going to the complaint department- the clerks are rather silly) is awesome and really solidified me as a fan of monty python. dont look at the scrathes you bloody twit- once you get 200 pounds, buy this set or 4 mos imprisonment (i aint a copper- thgese are python refrences)

Great series, great DVD set
First, my review of Monty Python's Flying Circus.I love the show.I think it is groundbreaking in its style and is still incredibly funny today.However, a type of humour doesn't appeal to 100% of the people and this is British humour so I know it won't appeal to a larger percentage.That being said, if you like British humour or sketch comedy, you will probably like Monty Python's TV show.

But, I am here to review the DVD set more than anything since that is what you are considering to buy.I am no Python expert so I can't tell you every little nook and cranny that should or should not exist on this collection.Like most box sets, it is missing something here and there and some of the other reviews point this out.For the most part, unless you are saturated in Python lore, you will not notice.

What you get is every episode put out on the BBC and I think they did a fine job working with the product.This isn't digital transfer so there are limitations.All of the skits I knew were on there, many that I had forgotten and many that I hadn't seen broadcast in the U.S.It is great to see them one after another in their original form.It is also great to have them all together in one box.If you are looking to find just a few specific skits or episodes, you may only need one disc or one of the smaller sets.But the price adds up if you get several, making the box set worth it.

The extras give some nice insight into the making of the series through some written blurbs about each episode and they have spliced together some thematic skits and animations.You can test your trivial knowledge of the Pythons and you can learn some history of the players.Also, some of the skits that they later performed live are available in the extras.The menu, as expected, is also well done using Terry Gilliam's animations.

However, the chaptering of the discs isn't real obvious so if you are searching for one skit, it may take some work to get there.Also, the packaging doesn't list all of the skits on each disc and in each episode so if you haven't memorized the series completely, you will have to go online to find that resource.

The boys went all out when putting extras on Holy Grail and I wish there was a bit more to this set.I would love commentary or interviews or a documentary or something.It would be quite a chore for this much but even a little bit would be nice.Otherwise, this would rate 5 stars as a DVD set.

For me, though, I'm very happy having the episodes to watch whenever I want, whenever the mood strikes me.Some of the gems are the lesser known skits that aren't part of the public consciousness.Again, you don't need to be a Pythonphile to enjoy this set, just someone who really likes the show and the humour. ... Read more

Asin: B00004ZEU5
Subjects:  1. Television   

Surfing With the Alien
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 August, 1999)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (58)

Satriani rocks!
This is a fantastic guitar rock album (without vocals) by one of the greatest players in the world.Sure, there's a lot of flat out shredding, but there's also some haunting, beautiful music to be found here as well."Surfing With The Alien" is the song that got me hooked on his music.It flat out rocks, as does "Satch Boogie" (sounds kind of like ZZTop's La Grange, only faster)."Crushing Day" is definetely one of my favorites.It's a fantastic song."Echo" is another gem.It's a nice, long rocker with a darker feel to it than the others.It's not as quickly accessable, but once you give it a listen through, you're hooked."Circles" is starts out as a slow, beautiful, haunting, but catchy, song, turns into rock, and goes back to slow and haunting."Always With Me..." is a nice ballad, but I prefer "Starry Night" (which is on a different album, but can be found on his Electric Anthology two disc set) to this."Ice 9" is a good rocker, but it pales slightly to the others."Midnight" is a fine example of beautiful, haunting guitar work.

Overall, if you're a classic rock fan or a guitar player in general, you'll love this album.It's worth the price and more.

No Whamy bar,..No whamy bar... wham!
Looks like John Buscema coulda used a better inker on this one.

PERFECT!
Joe Satriani is the ultimate guitar hero.He has amazing chops, incredible melodic vision, and also fast, unbelievable shred skills.This album shows in a very inspiring way what an amazing musician he is.If you are a guitar player or have a good ear for talented and thoughtfull music, then you should pick this one up in a heartbeat. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JQFM
Sales Rank: 9629
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Opus Dei
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 February, 1993)
list price: $15.98 -- our price: $15.98
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Reviews (10)

Fans Of Rammstein Take Notice
Former Yugoslavian group LAIBACH has to be one of the most mysterious, yet artful bands to ever come out of Europe. Their controversial use of imagery (which heavily leans on fascism and even nazism) might put some people off, but it's more of a shock value thing. The music is even harder to describe. This album in particular, "Opus Dei" sees the band at their most "rock oriented" phase. Combining classical arrangements with militaristic drum machines and a voice that might have been the true influence for RAMMSTEIN, this album is an oppressive, dark, yet funny musical statement. The band cover "life is Life", originally by Euro Rock band OPUS DEI, in two versions: english and german. But both versions differ greatly in the arrangement of music and excecution. The german version sounds hilarious (taken into account that you DO remember the original's happy-go-lucky singing style!)and sounds as heavy as it can get! The music on this album could be best described as "Industrial", but it too differs greatly from other so called "industrial" bands such as MINISTRY, NIN, EINSTURZENDE NEUBAUTEN and even RAMMSTEIN. The music is incredibly heavy, without becoming "heavy metal", although some songs do have that "metal guitar" sound.
This was the second LAIBACH album I heard and it has become one of my favorite, if not MY favorite. It's diverse, heavy, dark, brooding and yes, even funny (the band also cover QUEEN's "one nation" in "geburt einer nation"). If you're looking for something fresh and out of the ordinary, then check LAIBACH!

Powerful, Mysterious Music For The Strong
By now, it's pretty well known in the press that Laibach aren't fascists.It's been said the image they've created as fascists was aimed to mock fascists.Even though they're not it seems they know that political adversity is a good thing for societies.Political adversity would be a good thing for the entertainment industry also, which seems to only represent the left wing no matter how extreme it is.With the exception of Ted Nugent and a handful of underground artists, the music industry has a shortage on music that represents the right wing political philosophy.Maybe that's why popular music doesn't ever change.

"Opus Dei" is a gem in the bland field of pop music stones.The beats, the horns, and especially the German vocals are very powerful.The first track "Leben Heisst Leiben" comes out like a dramatic rally song making the listener feel almost noble.The second track is a cover of a Queen song, but you would know it by the way Laibach does it."Geburt Einer Nation" translates to "One Vision" in English, which comes across as a war song in the flow of the album.The rest of the album gets into hard industrial with a very rough and angry voice.Other parts of the album are almost like fascist opera.
"Opus Dei" is a fun album for those with truly open minds.It's been known to make small children cry, so those who are fragile may not appreciate it.

opus dei-putting rumours to rest! DA!
first: putting those runours to rest...i know a person who met them-spent time with them and they are what can be considered UBER ANTI NAZI! the success of the sounds on this album is only a strong testament to it - they are the punks of the state rule and they state that their music is such as to raise dissent against the state through mockery and p**s takes - while these guys were in their own way doing something about opression they were also making great music and having a great time...this album was the birth of true industrial/evo/revolution in sounds! you wont be disappointed and this CD is a perfect place to start at in your laiback collection ... Read more

Asin: B000003REL
Sales Rank: 69625
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Industrial    3. Pop    4. Rock   

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete First Season
Average Customer Review:
DVD (15 January, 2002)
list price: $39.98 -- our price: $29.99
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Editorial Review

Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) looks like your typical perky high-schooler, and like most, she has her secret fears and anxieties. However, while most teens are worrying about their next date, their next zit, or their next term paper, Buffy's angsting over the next vampire she has to slay. See, Buffy, a young woman with superhuman strength, is the "chosen one," and she must help rid the world of evil, namely by staking demons. The exceptional first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer introduces us to the treacherous world of Sunnydale High School (where Buffy moved after torching her previous high school's gym). The characters there include "watcher" Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) and the original "Scooby Gang" members--friendly geek Xander (Nicholas Brendon), computer whiz Willow (Alyson Hannigan), and snobbish popular girl Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter)--who aid Buffy in her quest. Those used to the darker tone that Buffy took in its later seasons will be surprised by the lighter feeling these first 12 episodes have--it's kind of like Buffy 90210 as the cast grapples with regular teen problems in addition to saving the world from demonic darkness. Fans of the show will enjoy the crisp writing, the phenomenal chemistry of the cast (already well-established within the first few episodes), and the introduction to characters that would stay for many seasons, including moody vampire Angel (David Boreanaz). Through it all, Gellar carries the series with amazing confidence, whether conveying the despair of high school or dispatching various demons--she's one of TV's most distinctive and strongest heroines. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Dolby
• Box set

Reviews (482)

Awsome but the least Buffy series
12: I, Robot...You Jane = 6.2/10
11: Never Kill A Boy At The First Date = 6.6/10
10: Nightmares = 7.0/10
09: Angel = 7.5/10
08: The Pupped Show = 7.6/10
07: Teacher's Pet = 8.0/10
06: The Harvest = 8.2/10
05: Welcome To The Hellmounth = 8.5/10
04: Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight = 8.6/10
03: The Witch = 8.9/10
02: The Pack = 9.0/10
01: Prophecy Girl = 10/10

this is just an awsome season, everything starts with this.
too bad the effects and acting wasn't as strong as the rest of the seasons, but in overall, thanks to this season everythign of the two briljant series started

The Beginning of a Great Show
Okay. So I love this show. It's probably one of my favourites if not my favourite show. It's excellent! It's full of twists and turns and leaves you wanting more. OK yeah this season was probably is the WORST season... Cheesy lines, not so good acting, monster-of-the week kinda format... But it's a start. It's still a good show even with a not so good start... Onto the DVD set itself. I've watched this season before on video tape so I've watched it all. I haven't watched all of the season on DVD... In fact im not even on the second disc yet but so far so good. The picture is pretty grainy and the black levels are pretty bad but after adjusting the settings on my tv (turned up the contrast and the brightness, turned down the sharpness...) it became perfectly clear. So those complaining about grain just lower the sharpness of your sets also those who talk about the bad black levels just adjust the brightness and contrast it worked like a charm for me.
anyway... yeah for me this season was pretty bad. I'd rate it like 3 stars but since it's buffy I rate it 4... heheh
yeah... so... um... Oh the extras are not so bad... I mean ive watched an interview. Nothing great i think they could have added better stuff but yeah I'm just happy to have it on dvd :)

Fun to watch....
I have to admit that I never really was a huge Buffy fan while the show was running on UPN.However, I have discovered this great show on DVD...and boy is it fun!The first season is very entertaining.We get introduced to all of the characters that set the foundation for the next six seasons.My personal favorite is Charisma Carpenter, who plays the snobby, yet hillariously funny, Cordelia.While Charisma is the funniest, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alison Hannigan also put in great performances as Buffy and Willow respectively.This show is highly entertaining, fun, and destined to be a classic to be remembered for generations to come. ... Read more

Asin: B00005221I
Subjects:  1. Television   

So I Married an Axe Murderer
Director: Thomas Schlamme
Average Customer Review:
DVD (07 December, 2004)
list price: $14.94 -- our price: $11.95
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Editorial Review

Mike Myers's first feature role without his Wayne's World wig is a performance at odds with the best interests of the movie. Myers plays a single guy who always manages to find something seriously wrong with each of his girlfriends. His new love (Nancy Travis), a butcher, may be the perfect woman, except for one thing: she might be a "black-widow" killer who prefers dispatching husbands with a sharp instrument. Robbie Fox's original script has a fine shape and strong, black-comedy material within it. But Myers creates unnecessary dissonance by playing a variety of characters (including an irascible Scotsman like the one he often played on Saturday Night Live) and accenting his skills as an improvisational comic (such as impersonating the soothing cadences of a massage therapist). It's not that Myers isn't funny doing all that, but it has nothing to do with the movie. Directed by Thomas Schlamme (Miss Firecracker). --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Dolby
• Widescreen

Reviews (103)

My absolute favorite movie
This is the best movie ever made.Charlie's dad is the most hilarious and well written character in recent memory.You have to watch it several times to get all of the jokes.After that it keeps getting better and better.I'm pretty sure that my sister and I know every word by heart.

Underappreciated Comedy
This movie was panned by a number a critics upon its release in theaters, and I haven't a clue as to why.

Mike Myers, whom I'm not the biggest fan of, hits the bullseye in his portrayal of the neurotic Charlies MacKenzie, a young man who is so afraid of commitment that he spends as much time trying to think up reasons to end his relationships with members of the opposite sex as he does in enjoying the relationships.Myers, who has a penchant for portraying multiple characters in his movies, also plays his own father--a man who's convinced that Colonel Sanders puts an addictive chemical in his chicken to "...make you crave it fortnightly."

The beautiful Nancy Travers, as Harriet, enters Charlie's life when he stops in one day at her butcher shop to buy his father some haggas (sp?).After dating and often hilarious miscommunications, they marry.Then Charlie's imagination starts to get carried away (again) as he suspects his new bride as being an axe murderer who kills her new husbands while on their honeymoon.

The other characters that fill out this movie are truly wonderful.You have, Tony, played by Anthony LaPaglia, Charlie's best friend and a cop who can't seem to find any satisfaction with his job.In his words to his Captain:"When I became a cop I thought I was going to be Serpico, but now I feel like Fish on Barney Miller."He goes on to say that he yearns to hang from that "thing on the bottom of a helicopter" (a la the opening credits of "McCloud," starring Dennis Weaver).

Funny stuff!

Other characters include Alan Arkin in an uncredited role of Tony's precinct captain, who LaPaglia believes is "too nice" to be a police captain.Arkin's artificial transformation into a abusive, bigotted, out-of-control cop (to please LaPaglia) is worth the price of rental alone.Then you have in smaller roles:Brenda Fricker, playing Charlie's mother, who has the hots for Tony--and isn't shy about making him aware of it, even in front of her son; Phil Hartman, as "Vicki," a tour guide for Alcatraz; Charles Grodin, as a uncooperative private citizen; and Amanda Plummer, as Rose, Harriet's mysterious sister who is definitely more than she originally passes herself off as.Michael Richards, Kramer on Seinfeld, also has a small cameo as a very insensitive and incendiary obituary critic.

Worthy of ownership and repeated viewing!

It really IS a comedy classic...
Mike hit his peak here - I love Austin Powers, but "So I Married..." is WAY better. It's just a very well written and acted comedy that will keep you laughing from start to finish.

"We've got a piper dooownnn", "Hard hearted harbinger of haggis" and "Head!!!...!"... the list of quoatable quotes goes on and on : - )

Buy this one, you'll watch it way more than once. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IQBW
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

The Monkees - Head
Director: Bob Rafelson
Average Customer Review:
DVD (12 June, 2000)
list price: $19.95 -- our price: $9.99
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Features

• Color
• HiFi Sound

Reviews (122)

One of my favorites
In 1968, as Monkeemania started to wain, Bob Rafelson, Jack Nicholson, and the Monkees tried to save face by making a Monkees movie. Instead of making a film for their core audience, they came up with Head.
Head is a bit psychedelia that their fan base could not even see (it was originally rated R) nor even comprehend. Inside the movie is a jumbled plot, many, many celebrity cameos (look for Jack Nicholson and Frank Zappa), and lots of flashing lights and colorful backgrounds during some scenes.

Though the movie is hard to comprehend, it is a very good movie to those who are fans of pychedelic movie or, of course, a Monkees fan. Though it is hard to follow (it seems more like skits pieced together than a coherent movie), it has many enjoyable moments. adding to this is the soundtrack. In my opinion, it is the last good Monkees album (see soundtrack) featuring "Porpoise Song" and "Circle Sky". A true cult classic and must have for any Monkees collector, this is one of my favorite movies.

Uneven, yet also containing amazing moments
Like all cult movies, "Head" contains unusual, unorthodox - even beautiful - moments interspersed with material that simply does not work. With "Head," the Monkees - the most maligned pop rock group of the 1960s - created some of the very best and biting sequences that have ever appeared in a rock movie. It's not as consistently brilliant as "A Hard Day's Night," "Almost Famous," or "This is Spinal Tap," but it's one of the very best rock films ever made.

Virtually everyone knows that the Monkees were American TV's attempt to harness some of the Beatles' electricity. Unfortunately for the Monkees, their TV debut almost perfectly coincided with "serious" rock criticism, which brutally mocked them as prefabricated, defamed them as hoaxes, and ridiculed their brand of Beach Boys-meet-British Invasion sound. Persecuted beyond belief, the Monkees were denied anything resembling hip status and their resentment of this treatment influenced the insights the band (along with Jack Nicholson) contributed to the screenplay.

In one memorable sequence, the Monkees are mobbed onstage after performing a song. They're ripped to pieces by their adoring fans, revealing they aren't human at all but merely robotic mannequins. In another, they change the lyrics to their TV theme song to admit they are nothing but soulless fakes. And, in sequences framing the beginning and end of the film, we have simulated suicides. All of this is accompanied by some of the most accomplished psychedelic pop any mainstream rock band recorded in the hippie era. (It's very fitting that "The Porpoise Song," which plays over the credits here, was resurrected in the similarly disturbing film "Vanilla Sky.") This is nightmarish, hauntingmaterial unlike that of any other rock film of the 1960s. To the Monkees, the last 1960s psychedelic revolution wasn't the dawn of Aquarius; it was Armeggedon.

Unfortunately, there are also a lot of injokes, and some hammy slapstick that would not have been out of place in the Monkees TV series. This ruined the pace of the film, and detracted from the Monkees' message. The DVD version of the film suffers further in not being widescreen, and requires minor restoration beyond what was done for the VHS release a few years ago.

This isn't a film for everyone. If you like to believe that rock and roll can change the world (or if rock is now totally irrelevant to you), you won't like this film. If, on the other hand, you love rock with a passion and aren't afraid to question the foundations of many of your rock beliefs, you will find many segments of this film rewarding.

Things that make you go..huh?
I like this movie, mainly for the music. I think the music for "Head" was some of the Monkee's best. The movie I think is something one has to be stoned to truly understand. It cuts back and forth to different scenes, and I sat there for the entire 1hr 30mins trying to figure out if the Monkees were in a movie *within* a movie (there are scenes where they walk through sets and you see the directors etc) or if its all just one big headtrip. I understand that the Monkees were trying to say something with this movie, that they weren't all pegged in a box like society and the media were making them out to be. Perhaps they felt their lives were one big movie, and this film stood for something so hugely figurative that its hard to understand in one shot.

I think I have to watch this movie a few more times to understand it, but its probably one of the strangest movies I've ever seen. I like it because the music is fantastic, and its The Monkees, if it were anyone else I doubt I'd give this movie a second chance because I wouldn't have the patience to watch it again to understand it.

But, I think its kind of funny because this movie is a kick in the pants for teeny bopper fans who were expecting them to be like they were on TV. Theres a funny line where a waitress says "if it isn't God's gift to 8 year olds!" to Peter, which is obviously a jab at the Monkees image. Another funny part is where Micky is in the desert, and is so thirsty. Up ahead is a Coke machine, he puts in a quarter and nothing comes out. He freaks out at the machine for a bit and lets it go. Finally these Italian men come up in a tank and surrender. Micky takes the tank and blows up the machine! I think a lot of this movie is figurative and you have to read between the lines, perhaps this is Micky taking "aim" at commercialism.

Reguardless of me not really being able to tell you what this movie is exactly about, I did enjoy it. Its definitely something that you'll have a hard time understanding the first time you watch it, there are some parts that are funny, and do make sense, but a lot of it is confusing! Get out your acid for this one. ... Read more

Asin: 6305038694
Sales Rank: 5468
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Live at the El Mocambo 1983
Average Customer Review:
DVD (29 October, 2002)
list price: $14.98 -- our price: $11.98
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Editorial Review

In 1990, Texas bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan was just emerging from a longperiod in which drugs had taken their toll: the previous year's In Step album was the first hehad made drug free, and the results were a marvel. But then, after sharing astage with Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, and Eric Clapton, he boarded a helicopter toChicago. It crashed, and the career of one of the great blues guitarists wasended.

Rewind to 1983 and here is Stevie Ray at the beginning of his fame, his firstalbum with his backing band Double Trouble, Texas Flood, having just beenreleased to critical and popular acclaim. The venue is the El Mocambo club inToronto, a dark, smoky joint with a laid-back but appreciative clientele.Vaughan, drummer Chris Layton, and bassist Tommy Shannon share the tiny stage.The guitarist, bedecked in trademark hat and alligator-skin boots, is pale ofcomplexion, sweating from the heat and physical exertion, and physically muchsmaller than Shannon, who towers over him. But Vaughan dominates, as much by themagnetism of his flamboyant personality as his guitar playing. And what playing:by turns fiery, funky, then limpid and surprisingly graceful. Here is anauthentic blues artist captured in the throes of living through his music. Atthis early stage in his career he was still very much in thrall to Jimi Hendrix(the flower-power shirt gives it away), as covers of "Voodoo Chile" and "ThirdStone from the Sun" (the latter a Hendrix-inspired guitar-abuse session)indicate. The highlight of the show, however, is his rendition of "Texas Flood,"which turns out to be an amazing essay on the art of blues guitar. This is araw, intimate, and spontaneous record of a one-time event. All fans of the blueswill be grateful to those who had the foresight to capture it on film. --MarkWalker ... Read more

Features

• Color

Reviews (111)

Yes...He played Little Wing!
Before this video was ever released, it was aired on tv up here in Canada. Stevie performed a beautiful version of Little Wing with some quiet wah wah work in the middle of the song...it was the best version I've heard.
I love this concert and it's my favorite of his video releases, but I wish Little Wing was included.

Passion & Tons of Tone
I have several DVDs of Stevie & Double Trouble live (Austin City Limits, Tokyo, etc) but none compare to his performance at the El Mocambo. Adjectives like blistering & searing come to mind. The intensity of his performance is quite simply...mind-boggling.

On tracks like Mary Had a Little Lamb, Pride & Joy, Voodoo Child, and in particular Texas Flood, I have never heard a guitar sound the way he makes it so am not surprised that so many, including myself, forever try to unsuccessfully emulate his tone (big frets, high gauge strings, high action, tube screamer, & even playing his signature Strat won't do it). It's no surprise why we fail. Stevie was a once in a lifetime kind of player and no better evidence exists of this than his performance at the El Mocambo.

Perhaps the venue or through plain coincidence Stevie & Double Trouble hit a special "groove" that night, after all the El Mocambo is a small, smokey, intimate venue that seems to bring out the best in performers and has excellent acoustics. Regardless of the reasons or his drug dependency which I understand was in full swing around this time, to me this is the zenith of his live performances.

This performance is also the best example of his unique playing style with plenty of closeups of his hands. Yeah, he's really pushing it and sweating up a storm but his playing also appears effortless at the same time and it is remarkable how precise he was.

Wow and how sad that he is lost to us.

great viewing
If you are a SRV fan you gotta have this. Hopefully you have stereo speakers hooked to your TV. ... Read more

Asin: 6305019681
Subjects:  1. Music Video - Pop/Rock   

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
by Douglas Adams
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (27 September, 1995)
list price: $7.99 -- our price: $5.71
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Editorial Review

Join Douglas Adams's hapless hero Arthur Dent as he travels the galaxywith his intrepid pal Ford Prefect, getting into horrible messes and generally wreaking hilarious havoc. Dent is grabbed from Earth moments before a cosmic construction team obliterates the planet to build a freeway. You'll never read funnier science fiction; Adams is a master of intelligent satire, barbed wit, and comedic dialogue. The Hitchhiker's Guide is rich in comedic detail and thought-provoking situations and stands up to multiple reads. Required reading for science fiction fans, this book (and its follow-ups) is also sure to please fans of Monty Python, Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, and British sitcoms. ... Read more

Reviews (566)

This book is a hitchhiker that you actually want to pick up
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is a great book for all ages. Arthur Dent is about to get his house knocked down, which he is very mad about. Then his friend, Ford Perfect who is from a different planet, tells Arthur that the Earth is going to be destroyed, to make way for a space highway. Ford Perfect is a researcher for the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and he wants to update the book to be more up-to-date. Arthur and Ford hitch a ride with the Vogons, rights before the world explodes, and are almost immediately thrown out. They hitch another ride, with the president of the galaxy, who stole the fastest space ship ever made, coincidentally, Arthur finds his friend Trillian aboard too, he had met her one day at a party. After that they go on many journeys and mishaps, which make the book incredibly funny. Every character in this book is great, and adds humor to every page, Arthur who is a regular human, Ford Perfect his friend, and Zaphod Beeblebrox. Zaphod Beeblebrox is one of the most interesting characters because he ahs 2 heads, and 3 arms. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a book full of humor, and also a reader who enjoys reading science fiction books.

Stick out your thumb and hop aboard
I am very late to the Hitchhiker series of books having just read this one a week or so ago. In fact, I saw the movie before reading this book. That being said, I can see what my friends have been recommending all these years. This is a very funny novel, very inventive and will stretch your imagination.One caveat would be if you know you don't like the British sense of humor, this book probably won't work for you.

Though it made me laugh a lot and shake my head at its ingeniousness, it gets 4 stars because of some basic problems in that there is virtually no character development and the plot is razor thin. But it's a short book and easy to read and very funny.

Don't Buy it !
If you can't see 'Don't Panic!' at the cover, Don't buy it !!!

Of course editorial people just need to know how to count money, not how to read, but as readers we also can just not to buy this kind of thing. ... Read more

Isbn: 0345391802
Subjects:  1. Fiction - Science Fiction    2. Science Fiction    3. Science Fiction - Adventure    4. Science Fiction - Series    5. Fiction / Science Fiction / General   

The Princess Bride (Special Edition)
Director: Rob Reiner
Average Customer Review:
DVD (11 January, 2005)
list price: $14.95 -- our price: $11.21
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Editorial Review

Screenwriter William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride earnedits own loyal audience on the strength of its narrative voice and its gently satirical, hyperbolic spin on swashbuckled adventure that seemed almost purely literary. For all its derring-do and vivid over-the-top characters, the book's joy was dictated as much by the deadpan tone of its narrator and a winking acknowledgement of the clichés being sent up. Miraculously, director Rob Reiner and Goldman himself managed to visualize this romantic fable while keeping that external voice largely intact: using a storytelling framework, avuncular Grandpa (Peter Falk) gradually seduces his skeptical grandson (Fred Savage) into the absurd, irresistible melodrama of the title story.

And what a story: a lowly stable boy, Westley (Cary Elwes), pledges his love to the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright), only to be abducted and reportedly killed by pirates while Buttercup is betrothed to the evil Prince Humperdinck. Even as Buttercup herself is kidnapped by a giant, a scheming criminal mastermind, and a master Spanish swordsman, a mysterious masked pirate (could it be Westley?) follows in pursuit. As they sail toward the Cliffs of Insanity...

The wild and woolly arcs of the story, the sudden twists of fate, and, above all, the cartoon-scaled characters all work because of Goldman's very funny script, Reiner's confident direction, and a terrific cast. Elwes and Wright, both sporting their best English accents, juggle romantic fervor and physical slapstick effortlessly, while supporting roles boast Mandy Patinkin (the swordsman Inigo Montoya), Wallace Shawn (the incredulous schemer Vizzini), and Christopher Guest (evil Count Rugen) with brief but funny cameos from Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, and Peter Cook. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (699)

a classic worth keeping
this is the best spoof i have ever seen.Hands down.
it is hilarious, witty, and set to a quick pace.Highly recomended.
it never occoured to me that this movie takes place in the mediterrenean until i read the book.Makes sense.You've got a turk, a sicilian, and a spaniard.Other than that, there's no historical or otherwise geographical accuracy in the book.I've watched the black and white version recorded on tv since i was a little kid, and i love this version and the story overall.the sicilian aforetomentioned is hilarious, especially in his efforts to prove his superiority of intelligence.
A grandfather comes over to his grandson's house to read him the book of this story to give him something else to do besides play baseball on super nentendo.Thier commentary is pretty good.

Everything for Everyone
This is currently my favorite movie, ever. Considering it was released in 1987, that says something.

The movie is tight; every line, every shot, every pause is there for a reason. There are no slow boring parts. The cast is flawless,everyone excellent, the perfect representation of their characters. The characters themselves are well-developed, despite this being a fairy tale.

The story has everything. It's hilarious, full of adventure, and has romance and drama too. You don't even miss the latest special effects; the out of date obviously fake effects work well with the overall character of the moving. What could you possibly want that it doesn't have?

A classic, and rightfully so
"The Princess Bride" is an offbeat fairy tale adventure that seems to have found its way into "cult classic" status. More often than not, you'll find it on someone's list of favorite movies.

The story is told primarily through the imagination of a young boy, whose grandfather has come over to read to him while he is sick in bed. At first the boy is reluctant to hear the story, worried that it's nothing more than a "kissing book", but soon he (along with us, the audience) is sucked into the action.

And what action. To paraphrase the summation included in one of the promotional items on the DVD, "she gets kidnapped, he gets killed, but somehow things turn out all right in the end." In between there are daring swordfights, dashing pirates, wicked princes, gentle giants, ROUSes, evil geniuses and miracle men. Puns and one line jokes abound. There's really not a dull moment to be found in this movie. What romance there is shouldn't classify the film as a "chick flick" because Buttercup and Westley aren't really your absolutely sickeningly perfect couple, though it is cool that the film sends the message that true love conquers all.

This is one movie sets out to provide something for everyone, and it completely succeeds in reaching that goal.
... Read more

Asin: B00005LOKQ
Subjects:  1. Feature Film Family   

Military Small Arms of the 20th Century (Military Small Arms of the 20th Century)
by Ian V. Hogg John Weeks John S. Weeks
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 March, 2000)
list price: $24.95 -- our price: $16.47
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Reviews (5)

very imformative book
When I purchased this book abut a year ago, I didnt know anything about firearms.I read the whole book and really enjoyed it.The reason i gave this book only 4 stars was because it does miss some firearms (Ian Hogg's health was deterioationg at the time of its writing).With the purchase of Jane's gun Recongnition Guide, written also by Hogg, I found that I was missing very little in my knowledge of military firearms.

Easy Reference for Gun Enthusiasts
For those with a passing interest or an obsession with guns, it may be wise to buy other books before this one. It contains well written write up that includes the history of the weapon, firearms efficiently cataloged by categories according to their countries with a well designed table of contents of an easier time of searching for the firearm and several photographs to entertain the passive reader. I'd also like to add that the index at the back was a very effective way of finding a particular gun and the introductory articles were well turned-out. Although it could have been better with more detailed cutaway photographs of the weapons and the articles could have used some additions beyond the weapons history. It also could have included weapons manufactured by up and coming manufacturers like Arms Corporation of the Philippines that imports well made firearms to the States and other countries. Not a top priority buy in the long list of firearm reference but a must nonetheless.

Suprisingly Witty
I've always enjoyed Mr. Hogg's books. His writing is informative and I find myself refering back to his books time and time again. Though I have a few small quibbles with this edition, some models are left out etc. , for the most part I found it to be a comprehensive and beautifully illustrated reference book. But what I especially like about Ian Hogg is that he's actually rather witty. Hardly what one would expect from a technical reference work, such as this. I've been wanting a copy of this book for many years and I don't regret having spent the money to buy this , the last edition of this series.Hopefully everyone agrees with me. ... Read more

Isbn: 0873418247
Sales Rank: 48453
Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Firearms    4. Firearms & Weapons    5. History - Military / War    6. Military - Weapons    7. Military Science   

Model Airplane News
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
list price: $59.40 -- our price: $29.95
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Features

• Magazine Subscription

Reviews (4)

THE BEST!
THE ONLY RC PLANE MAG FOR EVERYONE. FROM BEGINERS TO PROS IT'S GOT IT ALL. IT HAS GREAT PIC'S, ARTICELS, HOW TO'S AND PRODUCT REVIEWS. IT'S WORHT YOUR MONEY!

Where's the beef?
There's no meat in this mag!Did I buy a catalog?There are better, more informative magazines in this hobby.It's not a bad rag, just not a good one.It does have alot of color photo's and decent reviews.They're not about things that interest me, though.If you like nothing but ARF's and are not interested in any other aspect of the hobby like building and designing then this magazine is for you.
Well, infrequently they have plans and other stuff.Mostly electric though.I'm a diehard "slimer" of the 1/2A variety.

NEED MORE TEACHING
AS ALL MAGAZINES THEY BECOME A CATOLOG FOR SELLING.
ITS NICE TO SEE ALL THE NEW STUFF OUT THERE.
BUT WHEN YOU PUT IN MORE TEACHING ITEMS, THATS WHAT THE CUSTOMER IS LOOKING FOR.AND IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ROOM FOR YOUR TEACHING ITEMS JUST ADD A FEW MORE PAGES.
LIKE RC AIRPLANES, HOW TO BUILD ,PUT IN MOTORS, ON AND ON .
THATS WHY I BUY MAGAZINES NOT WHAT YOU CAN SELL ME BUT WHAT YOU CAN TEACH ME.
THANK YOU
CHUCK ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7UK
Sales Rank: 1209
Subjects:  1. Games & Hobbies    2. Models    3. Radio & Remote Controlled Vehicles (Remote Control Cars, Planes, Boat, R/C, RC)