The Santa Clause 3 - The Escape Clause

Amazon.com

How about a new villain and a dash of It's a Wonderful Life to spice up the third installment of the popular Tim Allen holiday franchise? Under the onslaught of another Christmas season, Santa Claus/Scott Calvin (Allen) is feeling even more pressure because Mrs. Claus (Elizabeth Mitchell, reprising her role from The Santa Clause 2) is expecting a little Claus and also longing for the company of some "tall people." So Scott agrees to let her parents (Ann-Margret and Alan Arkin) visit as long as they believe that they're really in Canada rather than at the North Pole. Further complicating matters is a visit by Scott's ex-wife (Wendy Crewson), her husband (Judge Reinhold), and their daughter, Lucy (Liliana Mumy). Enter the bad boy of the Council of Legendary Figures, Jack Frost (Martin Short), who's supremely jealous of the figures who have their own holidays, especially Santa. So he launches a plan to sabotage the toy factory and compel Scott to invoke the little-known Escape Clause and wish he'd never become Santa. The resulting evocation of a classic Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life, is seasoned with a splash of Back to the Future when Scott rewinds 12 years (has it really been that long?) to when it all began. Though neither sequel has matched the charm of the original Santa Clause, both have been safe, reliable family fare. (All ages: some crude humor) --David Horiuchi

Description

Walt Disney Pictures presents the next hilarious holiday comedy in the hit Santa Clause movie tradition, starring Tim Allen and now featuring Martin Short as Jack Frost. This movie offers wholesome family entertainment which brings alive the joy and magic of the holiday season and is now the ultimate holiday DVD and Blu-ray Disc® to own and to give. Featuring an all-new bonus feature, Christmas Carol-Oke - a fun-for-all Christmas Caroling guide for the entire family to enjoy.

Customer Reviews:

A Decent Movie, that Kids would enjoy.......2007-04-26

It wasn't the best movie, and granted it was probably the weakest of the three, but as long as the kids enjoyed it, and judging by their reviews they did, I'm happy.

This movie started out strong, but towards the end, it felt rushed. Like the director and the production team realized they were running out of time and had to wrap the movie up ASAP. But, it was still decent. It was better than half the crap they have out in the movie theaters now.

Will I buy this DVD? Of course. I have the first two, and I can't leave the trilogy open. And the bonus features are a big plus from me.

wow.......2007-03-25

this is my favorite one out of the seris it very fast paced i never got bored at all watching this movie unlike the second movie you need 2 see the first one to understand it clearly yes u good understand it without seeing the first one but it helps u follow through once the escape claus happens though it is now out of theaters when it comes out on dvd in november see it u won't regret it!

Excelent !!.......2007-02-13

I loved it. I love Tim and think he makes his best effort in every movie.

for my granddaughter Sasha.......2007-02-09

Great family movie. Sasha, age 6, loves the movie. She focused on a secondary character (Jack Frost)
and has almost instant recall on all things concerning him, music of the film, and plot. She is amazing. For fun I am trying to find out the
COLOR of Jack Frosts shoes in the movie Santa Claus 3, the Escape...
she didnt remember seeing his shoes and she wants to know every detail!

DOES ANYONE KNOW THE COLOR OF JACK's shoes?????????? Costume designer's
names is Ingrid Ferrin. Dont know how to contact her to get this answered.

THANKS!!!!!! Grandma in Texas.

This movie gets a big fat PASS from me, because ... .......2006-12-30

First of all, the trailer was the best part of the movie & had me expecting a totally different story ...

Second, the story I got turned out to be the "Grinch Who Stole Christmas" crossed with "It's A Wonderful Life" (the latter of which was even more boring than this hokey remake) & doesn't that therefore make "Santa Clause 3" SO cliche & SO done before?!

Third, the kids in the audience seemed to enjoy it, but MAN was I bored! (& I actually enjoyed the original Santa Clause, so I can't blame the boredom factor on the fact that this is supposed to be a kids' movie ... )

Fourth, I found the Christmas council to be extremely offensive (read: inappropriately pagan for a movie that is ostensibly about Christmas).

*****WHOOP! WHOOP! WHOOP!*****SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!*****READ NO FARTHER IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY SEEN THE MOVIE!*****

Fifth, I found Jack Frost's conversion to be ...

zzzzzzzzzzz

Whazzat? Oof. I must have dozed off for a minute. Sorry. Now what was I saying? Oh yeah. Poor, pitiful, evil Jack Frost.

(ho hum)

Wouldn't it have been much better to kill him off than convert him? I mean, come ON. Is the converted Jack Frost supposed to be an improvement? YUCKY. He's disgusting! I liked him much better as a villain. Better hair. Better duds. I say: just freeze him off next to a wooly mammoth & be done with him. Or bring him back in next year's sequel (because you know there's going to be one). For goodness' sake. Do we always have to embrace our inner icicle? (hurl)

& sixth -- not only Jack -- but there was SO much about this movie that just didn't make sense!

(yawn)

Okay, I'm done with it. It's not even worth the time I took for it ...

Average customer rating:

Great movie
The most beautiful mini-series
Something different in a world of copycats.
Comes the Kingdom!
Addictive Movie

The 10th Kingdom
Starring: Kimberly Williams , Scott Cohen , John Larroquette , Dianne Wiest , and Camryn Manheim
Director: Herbert Wise , and David Carson
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000648XE
Release Date: 2002-05-28

Amazon.com

This epic 10-hour miniseries from the Emmy-winning writer of Gulliver's Travels was a ratings bust on television, but on video and DVD, where it can be enjoyed at one's leisure, it has a better chance to cast its magical spell. Kimberly Williams has never been more enchanting than as Virginia, a waitress who still lives with her janitor father (John Larroquette) and yearns for something exciting to happen to her. Her wish comes true when she and her father are transported from New York City into a dimension that, with apologies to Rod Serling, can only be called the Fairy Tale Zone; nine kingdoms populated by characters from fairy tales of yore. They team up with a dog who's really a prince--Wendell, grandson of Snow White--changed into canine form by the evil Queen (Dianne Wiest), who plots to usurp Wendell's throne. Father, daughter, and his royal dogness are relentlessly pursued through the nine kingdoms by the Troll King (Ed O'Neill) and his three bumbling and horrible children, and the conflicted Wolf (Scott Cohen), who is allied with the Queen but, with the aid of some Oprah-esque self-help books, tames his inner beast and falls in love with Virginia. The 10th Kingdom is a special effects extravaganza. There is indeed, as one character marvels, magic to behold here. But despite the Hallmark brand name and the presence of a grown-up Snow White (Camryn Manheim) and Cinderella (Ann-Margret), bewitched animals, magic mirrors, and trolls, this is not kid's stuff. It can get scary, surprisingly violent, and quite intense; you know, just like real fairy tales. --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews:

Great movie.......2007-08-23

This is a great movie, I received it promptly and in perfect condition, I recommed this to anyone.

The most beautiful mini-series .......2007-08-11

This is the most beautiful mini-series you're liable to see. A modern woman from contemporary New York City still living with her father ends up on an adventure beyond her imagining when a gateway between her world and the strange and surreal world of the 9 kingdoms is opened. The 9 kingdoms is an alternate reality where the fairy tales are strangely true and wolves (werewolves actually) do seduce young women, princes are put under wicked spells and dark, deep secrets are hidden behind the villainous wicked queen. (I won't spoil it for you.)

One character I love in particular in this is the neurotic Wolf. Wolf is a half-wolf (werewolf) and apparently a descendant of The Big Bad Wolf. Wolf becomes the love interest in the story.

There are some amazing acting talents in this mini-series including Diane Weist in her very first villain role. It's shocking to see her out of the sugary sweet motherly role we're used to such as her role as Peg in Edward Scissorhands and the mother role in Lost Boys.

Another thing I like is the beautiful yet full figured woman who played Snow White- the actress from the practice. The writers paid close attention to detail in remembering that the original Snow White story's protagonist was fair and plump and they didn't follow the modern trend of the sickly-thin conception of beauty.

The fairy tales return to their roots with this mature- yet decent enough for people of all ages- fantasy. It's simply beautiful.

Something different in a world of copycats........2007-08-10

What I can't believe is how intricate this whole story is. I really shows a lot of different story lines, characters and twists and turns along the way. It is inventive and enjoyable. I have watched bits and pieces since the first time I watched the entire thing at once. Everytime I watch, I see something I didn't see before.

Scott Cohen as "Wolf" is totally amazing. He is the perfect lead male in a twisted fairytale. He is charming, sexy, daring, and yet flawed in a number of ways. John Larroquette is great as "Tony" and he has the comic timing down pat. Kimberly Williams holds it all together while being brave and vulnerable all at once.

My kids are 10 & 7 and they love it. My Mom is in her 60's and she loves it so it appeals to many age groups.

If you can't handle fantasy, don't watch. If you are sick of the same old formulas, then give it a try for something new.

Comes the Kingdom!.......2007-08-05

This is a delight for anyone who enjoys fantasy and folk lore. In a modern age it is so delightful to find the old stories coming to life!

Addictive Movie.......2007-08-01

This is a very addicting movie! You just can't stop watching. My Aunt had this movie when we went to visit her and we promptly came home and ordered it, my Aunt then watched with me and I had to order it for her too, and she is a teacher. She brought this to class for thier "free Friday's" and now her class has seen it several times. This is a light hearted fantasy type movie. I reccomend it for all ages!

Average customer rating:

awesome!
Not as good as you remember . . .
best cruise movie
One of the best fantasy movies ever made
I love this movie

Legend (Ultimate Edition)
Starring: Tom Cruise , Alice Playten , Billy Barty , Cork Hubbert , and Peter O'Farrell
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000063UR2
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Amazon.com essential video

This strange, 1985 experiment by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner) starred the up-and-coming Tom Cruise in a fairy-tale world of dwarfs and unicorns and demons. After the horn of a unicorn is broken, darkness and winter descend upon the world. Cruise's character, helped along by a magic sprite played by David Bennent (The Tin Drum), descends into hell to save paradise. This movie is almost a classic case of art direction gone amok. The somewhat amorphous Cruise doesn't lend much dramatic focus or artistic definition, but the drama between Tim Curry's satanic majesty and Mia Sara's character, who becomes a sort of princess of the netherworld, is pretty captivating. A mixed experience all around that makes one wish it had been more successful. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

awesome!.......2007-09-12

i don't care how old this movie is it rocks!! If u havent seen it you need to!!

Not as good as you remember . . . .......2007-09-08

Some films are better left in the recesses of your nostalgic memories. Legend is one of them. Great art direction, costumes, cinematography and direction can't save a story with no action and unappealing characters. Re-watching this after not having seen it for about a decade, all I kept thinking was, "What a waste!" The sets, the special effects, everything is very nice for the time but totally squandered on a very loose story with little thought put into creating an authentic or detailed fantasy world. I think Ridley Scott wanted to make a Lord of the Rings-type epic but didn't bother to investigate why or how successful fantasy stories work.

best cruise movie.......2007-09-01

wow , i did'nt even know this movie was on dvd , my vhs went bad so i started looking and here it was on amazon , i LOVE this movie and the dvd is great , it even has two versions one with the origanel sound track (witch sucks) and one with the tangerine dream and the guy from yes sound track (kicks butt), if you like fantasy movies this is one that you MUST have in your collection !!

One of the best fantasy movies ever made.......2007-08-24

Wow, I love this movie. The setting is enchanting and there is an innocence about the movie. I love how serene and beautiful the forest looks, with details like floating particles (makes me want to quit my deskjob and go hiking). There isn't a huge amount of story or dialogue, but I think that is why I like it. Tom Cruise does a great job and Mia Sara is extremely beautiful (even when singing)

I bought this version because I really like the director's cut. I haven't actually seen the US theater release since I was a kid so I honestly don't know how much better it is.

Legend is timeless. This is a movie I will show my kids (once I find a girl that will bear my children).

I love this movie.......2007-08-21

I remember seeing this movie when I was much younger and I still love it. Even now, its not as cheezy as a lot of other older fantasy movies. The acting was great and you gotta love Tim Curry in this.

The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)

Average customer rating:

Wish I could give it 10 stars
"No! We need him alive. We need him to talk"
One of my favorites
Return of the King DVD
Excellent Movie

The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
Starring: Viggo Mortensen , and Liv Tyler
Manufacturer: New Line Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000634DCW
Release Date: 2004-12-14

Amazon.com

The greatest trilogy in film history, presented in the most ambitious sets in DVD history, comes to a grand conclusion with the extended edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Not only is the third and final installment of Peter Jackson's adaptation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien the longest of the three, but a full 50 minutes of new material pushes the running time to a whopping 4 hours and 10 minutes. The new scenes are welcome, and the bonus features maintain the high bar set by the first two films, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.

What's New?

One of the scenes cut from the theatrical release but included here, the resolution of the Saruman storyline, generated a lot of publicity when the movie opened, as actor Christopher Lee complained in the press about losing his only appearance. It's an excellent scene, one Jackson calls "pure Tolkien," and provides better context for Pippin to find the wizard's palantir in the water, but it's not critical to the film. In fact, "valuable but not critical" might sum up the ROTK extended edition. It's evident that Jackson made the right cuts for the theatrical run, but the extra material provides depth and ties up a number of loose ends, and for those sorry to see the trilogy end (and who isn't?) it's a welcome chance to spend another hour in Middle-earth. Some choice moments are Gandalf's (Ian McKellen) confrontation with the Witch King (we find out what happened to the wizard's staff), the chilling Mouth of Sauron at the gates of Mordor, and Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) being mistaken for Orc soldiers. We get to see more of Éowyn (Miranda Otto), both with Aragorn and on the battlefield, even fighting the hideously deformed Orc lieutenant, Gothmog. We also see her in one of the most anticipated new scenes, the Houses of Healing after the battle of the Pelennor Fields. It doesn't present Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) as a savior as the book did, but it shows the initial meeting between Éowyn and Faramir (David Wenham), a relationship that received only a meaningful glance in the theatrical cut.

If you want to completely immerse yourself in Peter Jackson's marvelous and massive achievement, only the extended edition will do.

And for those who complained, no, there are no new endings, not even the scouring of the Shire, which many fans were hoping to see. Nor is there a scene of Denethor (John Noble) with the palantir, which would have better explained both his foresight and his madness. As Jackson notes, when cuts are made, the secondary characters are the first to go, so there is a new scene of Aragorn finding the palantir in Denethor's robes. Another big difference is Aragorn's confrontation with the King of the Dead. In the theatrical version, we didn't know whether the King had accepted Aragorn's offer when the pirate ships pulled into the harbor; here Jackson assumes that viewers have already experienced that tension, and instead has the army of the dead join the battle in an earlier scene (an extended cameo for Jackson). One can debate which is more effective, but that's why the film is available in both versions. If you feel like watching the relatively shorter version you saw in the theaters, you can. If you want to completely immerse yourself in Peter Jackson's marvelous and massive achievement, only the extended edition will do.

How Are the Bonus Features?

To complete the experience, The Return of the King provides the same sprawling set of features as the previous extended editions: four commentary tracks, sharp picture and thrilling sound, and two discs of excellent documentary material far superior to the recycled material in the theatrical edition. Those who have listened to the seven hours of commentary for the first two extended editions may wonder if they need to hear more, but there was no commentary for the earlier ROTK DVD, so it's still entertaining to hear Jackson break down the film (he says the beacon scene is one of his favorites), discuss differences from the book, point out cameos, and poke fun at himself and the extended-edition concept ("So this is the complete full strangulation, never seen before, here exclusively on DVD!"). The documentaries (some lasting 30 minutes or longer) are of their usual outstanding quality, and there's a riveting storyboard/animatic sequence of the climactic scene, which includes a one-on-one battle between Aragorn and Sauron.

One DVD Set to Rule Them All
Peter Jackson's trilogy has set the standard for fantasy films by adapting the Holy Grail of fantasy stories with a combination of fidelity to the original source and his own vision, supplemented by outstanding writing, near-perfect casting, glorious special effects, and evocative New Zealand locales. The extended editions without exception have set the standard for the DVD medium by providing a richer film experience that pulls the three films together and further embraces Tolkien's world, a reference-quality home theater experience, and generous, intelligent, and engrossing bonus features. --David Horiuchi

Description

The WINNER of 11 Academy Awards* including BEST PICTURE is now 50 minutes longer! This extended version of the epic conclusion of The Lord of the Rings trilogy includes new score by Howard Shore and over 350 new digital effects shots.

DVD Features:
Additional Scenes
Audio Commentary
DVD ROM Features
Documentaries
Easter Eggs

Customer Reviews:

Wish I could give it 10 stars.......2007-08-22

This is my favorite film. Probably ever. It is an absolute MUST for any movie lover in general. Along with the other 2 films of course. The platinum edition is pretty damn sweet. I loved the intertwined extended/deleted scenes. I wish other directors did that more often. Yes the movie is 4 hours but for people who love movies and love great movies, it shouldnt matter how long a film is. If it was 6 hours, I would still watch it without complain. I cannot gush enough about this movie. Peter Jackson created a masterpiece that noone could possibly match. At least not anytime soon.
His attention to every detail is evident in this movie. The acting is wonderful, I even stopped cringing at Elijah Wood's acting after this film. And I absolutely adore the score to this. I own the soundtrack to all 3 films. I love them all. I dont own many other soundtracks but this is a must for anyone. I could go on and on.

"No! We need him alive. We need him to talk".......2007-08-09

Why has it taken me three and a half years to review this movie on Amazon? Because it's taken me that long to decide whether I like it or not.

My initial reaction to "The Return of the King" was one of disappointment. Not only was there no way it could have lived up completely to the hype in advance of the release of the third film in the most acclaimed film trilogy ever, but many of the specific decisions Peter Jackson made with respect to this film, both in the scripting process and in the editing room, seemed calculated to infuriate die-hard fans of the book, the films' core constituency. Certainly the most controversial example was the omission of Christopher Lee's Saruman from the Theatrical Edition.

In this Extended Edition the Saruman scene is, of course, restored to its place in the film, but turns out not to be as satisfying as one might have hoped. The manner of Saruman's death is certainly not faithful to the book, and the scene is indeed, as the filmmakers have said to explain their controversial decision to cut it, a structural encumbrance on the front of the movie. One is left to wonder whether "The Return of the King" may have been better off without the scene after all.

This is a recurring pattern with the additional scenes in the Extended Edition. Each of the new scenes most anticipated by fans of the book proves to be so far inferior to its book equivalent that the film was probably better off without it in the first place. The Extended Edition gives us a Gandalf/Witch King confrontation which is harmful rather than helpful to Gandalf's character and a Mouth of Sauron scene which is profoundly untrue to Tolkien's philosophy of warfare. Of the three Extended Editions, "The Return of the King" has been the most poorly received by Tolkien fandom, probably deservedly so.

But away from the hype of its release, the film as a whole can be seen to be an awesome piece of work. Not quite as perfect a literary adaptation as "The Fellowship of the Ring" or as cinematically compelling as "The Two Towers", "Return" nonetheless provides a powerfully emotional climax to a film trilogy fully worthy of Tolkien's beloved epic. The climactic scenes of the story may not live up to one's imagination of them in reading the book -- how could they? -- but they are more memorable than anything in the vast majority of the movies I have seen.

"The Return of the King" will always be my third favorite of Jackson's "Rings" trilogy, but that still makes it one of the greatest fantasy films of all time.

One of my favorites.......2007-07-30

Amazingly creative, scary, and inspirational. Wonderful story full of drama, moral examples, and deep meaning. It's hard to add to 622 reviews. It's not for the faint of heart.

Return of the King DVD.......2007-07-30

Great movie. THe series is just awesome and this last movie is wonderful and suspenseful.

Excellent Movie.......2007-07-26

This is an excellent movie. That is why I bought it. The theatrical version of this movie made you say, "Wow, what a great movie." The extended version raised the bar to, "Oh WOW!! What a totally awesome, AMAZING movie!" That is all.

The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)

Average customer rating:

Awesomness
Utterly sublime
Outstanding
Excelente aventura
Gotta Have All 3

The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
Starring: Sean Astin , John Rhys-Davies , Brad Dourif , Bernard Hill , and Christopher Lee
Director: Peter Jackson
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009TB5G
Release Date: 2003-11-18

Amazon.com

The extended edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was perhaps the most comprehensive DVD release to date, and its follow-up proves a similarly colossal achievement, with significant extra footage and a multitude of worthwhile bonus features. The extended version of The Two Towers adds 43 minutes to the theatrical version's 179-minute running time, and there are valuable additions to the film. Two new scenes might appease those who feel that the characterization of Faramir was the film's most egregious departure from the book, and fans will appreciate an appearance of the Huorns at Helm's Deep plus a nod to the absence of Tom Bombadil. Seeing a little more interplay between the gorgeous Eowyn and Aragorn is welcome, as is a grim introduction to Eomer and Theoden's son. And among the many other additions, there's an extended epilogue that might not have worked in the theater, but is more effective here in setting up The Return of the King. While the 30 minutes added to The Fellowship of the Ring felt just right in enriching the film, the extra footage in The Two Towers at times seems a bit extraneous--we see moments that in the theatrical version we had been told about, and some fleshed-out conversations and incidents are rather minor. But director Peter Jackson's vision of J.R.R. Tolkien's world is so marvelous that it's hard to complain about any extra time we can spend there.

While it may seem that there would be nothing left to say after the bevy of features on the extended Fellowship, the four commentary tracks and two discs of supplements on The Two Towers remain informative, fascinating, and funny, far surpassing the recycled materials on the two-disc theatrical version. Highlights of the 6.5 hours' worth of documentaries offer insight on the stunts, the design work, the locations, and the creation of Gollum, and--most intriguing for rabid fans--the film's writers (including Jackson) discuss why they created events that weren't in the book. Providing variety are animatics, rough footage, countless sketches, and a sound-mixing demonstration. Again, the most interesting commentary tracks are by Jackson and writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens and by 16 members of the cast (eight of whom didn't appear in the first film, and even including John Noble, whose Denethor character only appears in this extended cut). The first two installments of Peter Jackson's trilogy have established themselves as the best fantasy films of all time, and among the best film trilogies of all time, and their extended-edition DVD sets have set a new standard for expanding on the already-epic films and providing comprehensive bonus features. --David Horiuchi

Description

Not seen in theaters, this unique version of the epic adventure features over 40 minutes of new and extended scenes integrated into the film by the director. DVD set consists of four discs with hours of original content including multiple documentaries, commentaries and design/photo galleries with thousands of images to give viewers an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the film. Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship continue their quest to destroy the One Ring and stand against the evil of the dark lord Sauron. The Fellowship has divided and now find themselves taking different paths to defeating Sauron and his allies. Their destinies now lie at two towers - Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupted wizard Saruman waits and Sauron's fortress at Baraddur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
DVD ROM Features
Documentaries
Interactive Menus
Interviews
Photo gallery
Production Sketches:Four discs with hours of original content including multiple documentaries, commentaries and design/photo galleries with thousands of images to give viewers an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the film.
Scene Access

Customer Reviews:

Awesomness.......2007-08-27

This edition is a must own. I loved the deleted and extended scenes, it just brought everything together perfectly and seamlessly. The soundtrack on this is probably my favorite from all 3 films. It is simply an exquisite movie and a sure classic. many people have complained about the lack of beginning or end to this but surely by now everyone must know that this is not a sequal, its a continuation, therefore, its SUPPOSED to be like that. And the length doesn't bother me either, I love longer movies, as long as they keep my interest.

Utterly sublime.......2007-08-16

This is the best edition of this indescribable movie they could have tried to produce. The commentary is super fun to listen to, over and over again. All the special features are just so enjoyable. GREAT BUY!

Outstanding.......2007-07-27

Probably the funniest of the 3. Wonderful story full of drama, moral examples, and deep meaning. It's hard to add to 1,964 reviews. It's not for the faint of heart.

Excelente aventura.......2007-05-13

A mi modo de ver fiel a la version escrita, aunque le hayan cortado la parte final para insertarla en el retorno del Rey. Como las otras dos pelicuals recomendable!.

Gotta Have All 3.......2007-04-27

the ring trilogy is the ultimate battle between good and evil...and the same struggle within, that we all must face...
if i could choose a character out of middle-earth, and become that character, i would choose king theoden...i watch his parts over and over..like "where is the horse and the rider?" and i love some of his other lines...like when his men say,"but we cannot defeat them" ...and theoden replys, "no" ... "but we will meet them in battle, none the less" or somethin' like that.(but that is in the third movie) :-)
...he's so dang tuff! and wears really cool armor.
i happen to like those hollywood battle scenes, alot, so i enjoy watching the battle at helm's deep, over and over.
and, of course, at the same time, we have little frodo...where the internal conflict resides...different kind of battle...but same problem...
"good 'vs' evil".
but i don't wanna be frodo...i want to be theoden.
who would you choose?

wake.

Average customer rating:

What a movie!
Good Christmas Show
One of the funniest family movies I've ever seen!
Thanks to Ferrell, it's no lump of coal
Way Too Fun to Take Seriously

Elf (Infinifilm Edition)
Starring: Edward Asner , James Caan , Zooey Deschanel , Peter Dinklage , and Patrick Ferrell
Manufacturer: New Line Home Entertainment
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ASIN: B0002F6BRE
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Amazon.com

Elf is genuinely good. Not just Saturday Night Live-movie good, when the movie has some funny bits but is basically an insult to humanity; Elf is a smartly written, skillfully directed, and deftly acted story of a human being adopted by Christmas elves who returns to the human world to find his father. And because the writing, directing, and acting are all genuinely good, Elf is also genuinely funny. Will Ferrell, as Buddy the adopted elf, is hysterically sincere. James Caan, as his rediscovered father, executes his surly dumbfoundedness with perfect aplomb. Zooey Deschanel, as a department store worker with whom Buddy falls in love, is adorably sardonic. Director Jon Favreau (Swingers) shepherds the movie through all the obligatory Christmas cliches and focuses on material that's sometimes subtle and consistently surprising. Frankly, Elf feels miraculous. Also featuring Mary Steenburgen, Bob Newhart, Peter Dinklage, and Ed Asner as Santa Claus. --Bret Fetzer

Description

This hilarious Christmas film tells the tale of a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts on Christmas Eve and is transported back to the North Pole and raised as an elf. Years later Buddy learns he is not really an elf and goes on a journey to New York City to find his true identity.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:2 commentaries with Will Ferrell & Director
DVD ROM Features
Deleted Scenes
Featurette:Film school for kids Tag along with Will Ferrell How they made the North Pole Kids on Christmas and more!
Other:2-Disc Infinifilm DVD Widescreen version on Disc 1 and Fullscreen version on Disc 2 Spanish Language Track Elf Karaoke Read-Along Infinifilm Fact Tack Buddy's Adventure Game Elf Decoder Card and more!

Customer Reviews:

What a movie!.......2007-09-01

one of his best movies, and magical all the way, you get lost in the story line, and the music.

Good Christmas Show.......2007-08-26

We loved this show. How fun!!! We plan on watching it every Christmas. It is a good family show.

One of the funniest family movies I've ever seen!.......2007-06-10

This movie is loved by my whole family, all ages, from the 3-year-old up to the 64-year-old! A hilarious adventure for all! The character Elf is so lovable and the movie just touches your heart (and your funny bone!).

Thanks to Ferrell, it's no lump of coal.......2007-05-26

The yuletide season always brings a handful of holiday-themed releases, but most of them are pure humbug. It's only every five years or so that a true holiday classic comes along. Elf, from actor/director Jon Favreau ("Swingers"), tries to buck that trend by dressing Will Ferrell in tights and putting his comic skills to the test.

Ferrell plays Buddy, a human who grew up among Santa's elves. When he was a baby, he snuck into Santa's bag on Christmas Eve and wasn't discovered until Santa was back at the North Pole. Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) "adopted" Buddy and raised him. But now, Buddy is sticking out like a sore thumb within the elf community because of his ungainly size, unable to perform classic elf functions like toy building.

Buddy decides the answer to his problems is to seek out his human father Walter (James Caan) in New York City. Walter is the stereotypical big-business prick, and initially wants nothing to do with his elf-son freak. That leaves Buddy to inadvertently score a job at a department store, which leads to a romance with fellow store employee Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) and much hilarity when Buddy prepares for a visit from "Santa," thinking the real deal is on the way. When he sees that the store-hired Santa is actually an imposter, hilarious havoc ensues.

Walter slowly starts to warm to Buddy, who befriends his wife (Mary Steenburgen) and neglected son (Daniel Tay). But as Buddy becomes an increasingly disruptive presence at Walter's workplace, the fragile new family bond is threatened. Things comes to a head on Christmas Eve, naturally, as Santa begins his toy-delivering run and Walter desperately tries to make an 11th hour book sale.

Director Favreau and his crew deserve props for their work in creating the elf community. By using forced perspective and some cool animation techniques, they do a great job of building a unique world that captures the feel of the classic "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty The Snowman" animated holiday specials.

The screenplay, by newcomer David Berenbaum, is best when it places Ferrell in inventive fish-out-of-water scenarios. The story does stoop to formulaic scenarios from time-to-time, but it's a little more forgivable in this instance, since we're talking about a Christmas movie. The cast is also a mixed bag. Former Academy Award nominees Caan and Steenburgen are largely wasted in thankless roles, but Newhart and Deschanel make the most of theirs.

Fortunately, when the film threatens to get stuck in syrupy cliche, the wacky Ferrell comes to the rescue. He pulls out all the stops in an off-the-wall comedic performance that will have you in stitches. From wild slapstick to nuanced facial expressions, this is pure comedic genius at work.

It remains to be seen whether "Elf" becomes a new holiday classic, but thanks to Ferrell, it's definitely no lump of coal. It's a great way to have some holiday fun and raise your Christmas spirits.

Way Too Fun to Take Seriously.......2007-05-17

Elf is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies.

Will Ferrell fans fall into two camps: the ones that appreciate his raunchy side, and those who find his goofy innocence charming.

I'm in the second camp.

My children and I quote Elf often. "Does somebody need a hug?" is a favorite.

But I know perfectly wonderful people who hated the movie.

If you go for art or brilliant acting/writing, or a deep heartfelt message to take away with you -- you probably shouldn't go there with Elf. The logical will be annoyed with the elf adoption and flying sleigh logistics.

But if you find it at all amusing when grown men wear tights and get sideswiped by taxis, Elf may be singing your song. Does excessive childlike behavior no matter how old the child, coax a smile? Then Elf may be a movie you'll add to your favorites list.

Elf may fall into that category with Napoleon Dynamite...either you love it or you hate it. And I'm a Napoleon fan. I even loved Nacho Libre, Three Amigos and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Give me an excellent sight gag, some physical humor and a few great one-liners and I'm in.

The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

I'd give it 3.5 stars If it was an option
"Q: Where Would You Rather Be? A: Anywhere But Here..."
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
LOR Return of the King
Just a couple of questions

The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Sean Astin , John Rhys-Davies , Brad Dourif , Bernard Hill , and Ian Holm
Director: Peter Jackson
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JKZY
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Amazon.com

With The Return of the King, the greatest fantasy epic in film history draws to a grand and glorious conclusion. Director Peter Jackson's awe-inspiring adaptation of the Tolkien classic The Lord of the Rings could never fully satisfy those who remain exclusively loyal to Tolkien's expansive literature, but as a showcase for physical and technical craftsmanship it is unsurpassed in pure scale and ambition, setting milestone after cinematic milestone as the brave yet charmingly innocent Hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood) continues his mission to Mordor, where he is destined to destroy the soul-corrupting One Ring of Power in the molten lava of Mount Doom. While the heir to the kingdom of Men, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), endures the massive battle at Minas Tirith with the allegiance of the elf Legolas (Orlando Bloom), the dwarf Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) and the great wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Frodo and stalwart companion Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) must survive the schizoid deceptions of Gollum, who remains utterly convincing as a hybrid of performance (by Andy Serkis) and subtly nuanced computer animation.

Jackson and cowriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens have much ground to cover; that they do so with intense pacing and epic sweep is impressive enough, but by investing greater depth and consequence in the actions of fellow Hobbits Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd), they ensure that The Return of the King maintains the trilogy's emphasis on intimate fellowship. While several major characters appear only briefly, and one (Christopher Lee's evil wizard, Saruman) was relegated entirely to the extended-version DVD, Jackson is to be commended for his editorial acumen; like Legolas the archer, his aim as a filmmaker is consistently true, and he remains faithful to Tolkien's overall vision. If Return suffers from too many endings, as some critic suggested, it's only because the epic's conclusion is so loyally inclusive of the actors--most notably Astin--who gave it such strength to begin with. By ending the LOTR trilogy with noble integrity and faith in the power of imaginative storytelling, The Return of the King, like its predecessors, will stand as an adventure for the ages. --Jeff Shannon

Description

The final battle for Middle-earth begins. Frodo and Sam, led by Gollum, continue their dangerous mission toward the fires of Mount Doom in order to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn struggles to fulfill his legacy as he leads his outnumbered followers against the growing power of the Dark Lord Sauron, so that the Ring-bearer may complete his quest.

DVD Features:
3D Animated Menus
DVD ROM Features:Exclusive online content Link to www.lordoftherings.net
Documentaries:3 in-depth programs that reveal the secrets behind the production of this epic adventure, including: "The Quest Fulfilled: A Director's Vision" (23:05) "A Filmmaker's Journey: Making The Return of The King" (28:30) National Geographic Special (45:57)
Featurette:6 featurettes --Aragorn's Destiny (3:25) --Minas Tirith: Capital of Gondor (3:10) --The Battle of Pelennor Fields (2:14) --Samwise the Brave (4:32) --Eowyn: White Lady of Rohan (3:45) --Digital Horse Doubles (4:35)
Other:2-DISC SET The Battle For Middle Eath Continues--Video Games from EA (3:00)
TV Spot
Theatrical Trailer:Original Theatrical Trailers "The Lord of The Rings" Trilogy Supertrailer (6:45)

Customer Reviews:

I'd give it 3.5 stars If it was an option.......2007-08-03

God Bless Peter Jackson for delivering this epic film (all 3) to us in the first place. That must be said first. But in Return of the King, there is simply some things that must be questioned in the story telling. I know in a film the story must demand certain things, but that speech Aragorn gave to his men was so utterly stupid and embarrassing, it's hard to give the film anything more than a 3.5. I mean, sure, William Wallace pulled it off BRILLIANTLY in Brave Heart, but this speech thing just backfired brutally. He was completely unbelievable. There was no moment likened to when Mel Gibson said, "I AM WILLIAM WALLACE, and I see an army of my country men..."

Come ON. Who thought of this?

Also, why make the oldest wisest creatures in Middle Earth look like a bunch of dumb idiots? The Ents were powerful and wise in Tolkien's stories. They CERTAINLY didn't have to be talked into going to war by a little hobbit. Good lord! And last but not least, Elrond. What they heck is that person in the film supposed to be? Certainly not Elrond, the amazingly wise and brilliant Elrond. Come ON. He was manipulating his daughter blatantly. It was just crazy.

Other than these three seriously horrible things, the film was AMAZING. My fav out of the 3 was Fellowship.

Again, I don't want to sound ungrateful to Peter Jackson for making these films. I just wish some parts of the story could have been more true to the characters.

BJ

"Q: Where Would You Rather Be? A: Anywhere But Here...".......2007-07-20

Follow in "The Lord of the Rings" creator's (J.R.R. Tolkien's) footsteps. Project a malevolent universe. Invent a world and animate it with creatures in conflict. Make the conflict a battle between good and evil, but don't identify clearly the moral value or purpose of either side. In fact, remove morality's essence altogether by eliminating the power of choice for your characters. Emphasize the corruptibility of men. Glamorize the supernatural. Dwell interminably on the preparations for and the wreaking of violence and destruction, on the fragility of hope and happiness. Name the scene of action: Middle-earth. Sound like an environment you'd care to envision? Would you "live" there? If so, fate alone will decide its survival and your own. You can visit this predetermined "paradise" by watching/enduring/suffering Peter Jackson's elaborately filmed adaptation of Tolkien's epic trilogy, which concludes with "The Return of the King."

I hold it is true that what is not worth contemplating in life is not worth contemplating in art. For its dismaying lack of meaningful moral definition, its pervasive pictorial ugliness, the quantity of its scenes of mind-numbing graphic violence, and its minimizing of the value of happiness, "The Lord of the Rings" films--including this one--ought to be shunned and damned.

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.......2007-05-15

I love this triology and purchasing this DVD completes my collection. Thanks for having it at a good price!

LOR Return of the King.......2007-02-09

Wonderful sequel.
Just as good as origonal, perhaps better.
Revisit most of your favorite charactors.
Even with some of the not so cutting edge effects, this adventure movie delivers outstanding entertainment value.

Just a couple of questions.......2007-01-26

Great film, but I have some questions: 1) How come Frodo's mithril shirt stopped the cave troll's spear pretty neatly in Fellowship - yet the spider stabbed him in the gut in the third installment without too much effort at all? And he was definitely wearing the shirt because the orcs later take it from him..and...2)How is it that Gandalf could send in the eagles to a)save himself from Isengard and b) fly Frodo & Sam OUT of Mordor, but he doesn't use the eagles to simply fly the two hobbits INTO Mordor in the first place, and save alot of tedious walking (I know because then there'd be no story!). There's alot to be said for air superiority. One more thing...Isildur with his sword and armor takes the ring from Sauron like how many THOUSANDS of years before this story takes place, and these people are STILL walking around with the same swords and armor??? What kind of stagnant culture is this?.....one of these brilliant wizards certainly could have come up with gunpowder, at least, in a thousand or so yrs.....just some thoughts...

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

Sets the Bar for Fantasy Movies
MST3K Fans Rejoice -- Rifftrax is Here!
"Q: Where Would You Rather Be? A: Anywhere But Here..."
A bad adaptation of a great book
Best Lord of the Rings Movie ever!

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Noel Appleby , Sean Astin , Sala Baker , Sean Bean , and Cate Blanchett
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00003CWT6
Release Date: 2002-08-06

Amazon.com essential video

As the triumphant start of a trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring leaves you begging for more. By necessity, Peter Jackson's ambitious epic compresses J.R.R. Tolkien's classic The Lord of the Rings, but this robust adaptation maintains reverent allegiance to Tolkien's creation, instantly qualifying as one of the greatest fantasy films ever made. At 178 minutes, it's long enough to establish the myriad inhabitants of Middle-earth, the legendary Rings of Power, and the fellowship of hobbits, elves, dwarves, and humans--led by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and the brave hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood)--who must battle terrifying forces of evil on their perilous journey to destroy the One Ring in the land of Mordor. Superbly paced, the film is both epic and intimate, offering astonishing special effects and production design while emphasizing the emotional intensity of Frodo's adventure. Ending on a perfect note of heroic loyalty and rich anticipation, this wondrous fantasy continues in The Two Towers (2002). --Jeff Shannon

Description

Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is an epic adventure of good against evil, the power of friendship and individual courage. The saga centers around an unassuming Hobbit named Frodo Baggins who inherits a Ring that would give a dark and powerful lord the power to enslave the world. With a loyal fellowship of elves, dwarves, men and a wizard, Frodo embarks on a heroic quest to destroy the One Ring and pave the way for the emergence of mankind.

DVD Features:
3D Animated Menus
DVD ROM Features:Exclusive online content
Documentaries:3 in-depth programs that reveal the secrets behind the production of this epic adventure, including: -"Welcome to Middle-earth" in-store special as shown by Houghton Mifflin -"The Quest for the Ring" as debuted on the FBC Network -"A Passage to Middle-earth" as premiered on the SCI-FI Channel
Featurette:15 featurettes originally created for lordoftherings.net, which explore the locales and cultures of Middle-earth and include interviews with cast members Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler and others. Exclusive 10-minute behind-the-scenes preview of the next The Lord of the Rings theatrical release, The Two Towers.
Music Video:Enya "May It Be" music video
Other:An inside look at the Special Extended DVD Edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Preview of Electronic Arts' video game, The Two Towers Double Amaray Packaging
TV Spot
Theatrical Trailer:Original theatrical trailers

Customer Reviews:

Sets the Bar for Fantasy Movies.......2007-09-10

This movie is everything that fantasy should be. What an experience! This a story that has stood the test of time and that has been brilliantly brought to the screen. Worth watching again and again. Don't rent it, own it.

MST3K Fans Rejoice -- Rifftrax is Here!.......2007-08-09

The greatest fantasy epic of all times is at last a RiffTrax! No, not Crossroads - we already did that. And not A Very Unlucky Leprechaun - which we haven't done yet but are seriously mulling over. We speak of course of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the thrilling tale of some short guys, some slightly taller hairy guys, some thin, fey, but slightly taller guys, some grungy, somewhat beefier, slightly taller guys, and a frighteningly hairy, older, slightly taller guy with a stick, and their quest to throw something somewhere hot.

Mike Nelson and special guest riffer Kevin Murphy go after the ultimate comedy prize in this very special two-part RiffTrax.

This RiffTrax is only compatible with the Theatrical Release, not the extended edition. It does however, work for both the single side and doubled sided versions of the Theatrical Release.

Viewing Suggestion: This RiffTrax was written and performed with the whole family in mind, so if you are comfortable with your children watching Lord of the Rings, this should be perfectly appropriate for them as well. Skip the endless reruns of The War at Home and treat your whole family to the RiffTrax experience!

"Q: Where Would You Rather Be? A: Anywhere But Here...".......2007-07-20

Follow in "The Lord of the Rings" creator's (J.R.R. Tolkien's) footsteps. Project a malevolent universe. Invent a world and animate it with creatures in conflict. Make the conflict a battle between good and evil, but don't identify clearly the moral value or purpose of either side. In fact, remove morality's essence altogether by eliminating the power of choice for your characters. Emphasize the corruptibility of men. Glamorize the supernatural. Dwell interminably on the preparations for and the wreaking of violence and destruction, on the fragility of hope and happiness. Name the scene of action: Middle-earth. Sound like an environment you'd care to envision? Would you "live" there? If so, fate alone will decide its survival and your own. You can visit this predetermined "paradise" by watching/enduring/suffering Peter Jackson's elaborately filmed adaptation of Tolkien's epic trilogy, which begins with "The Fellowship of the Ring."

I hold it is true that what is not worth contemplating in life is not worth contemplating in art. For its dismaying lack of meaningful moral definition, its pervasive pictorial ugliness, the quantity of its scenes of mind-numbing graphic violence, and its minimizing of the value of happiness, "The Lord of the Rings" films--including this one--ought to be shunned and damned.

A bad adaptation of a great book.......2007-07-10

Let me begin by saying that I have been a Tolkien fan since I was in Jr. High School oh so many years ago. I, along with the rest of the known universe, eagerly awaited the film release of Tolkien's massive epic. To say I was disappointed in the end result is putting it mildly.

I suppose I have only myself to blame. After all, I should have known the cause was lost the instant I learned Peter Jackson was going to direct the trilogy. With all due respect to Mr. Jackson, he does not seem like the kind of person who could even comprehend, let alone translate on to film, the theology and complex allegory that are the hallmarks of the LoTR. After all, anyone who knows the first thing about Tolkien knows that he was a devout Roman Catholic of the pre-Vatican II variety and that his religious views profoundly influenced his writing.

My guess is that Peter Jackson, who would probably make a great Dungeon Master, knows little of and could care less about Roman Catholicism no matter what brand you are talking about. Hence, instead of timeless epic we are stuck with what amounts to warmed over Dungeon and Dragons that is the all too predictable result of his efforts.

Other reviewers have already done an excellent job of cataloging this film's (and the entire trilogy's) many glaring shortcomings so I will not regurgitate them here. What I will say is this. His worst offense in my opinion is not even the barely thought thru script, terrible casting (Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortenson, Cate Blanchett) and huge chunks of the book that were either left out (Barrow Downs, Tom Bombadil, Shelob) or mutilated beyond recognition (Helm's Deep, The Ents, Faramir). His greatest sin is that he manages to take one of the most interesting and exciting stories ever written and make it dull and boring. That for me is enough to warn any potentinal customers away from purchasing this product.

The plain fact of the matter is that the LoTR, because of its structure and length, simply does not lend itself to being made as a feature film. My advice to anyone looking to discover the great treasure of Tolkien's Middle Earth is to purchase the books and read them. You can't do any better than that.

Best Lord of the Rings Movie ever!.......2007-07-06

This version of the Lord of the Rings as a movie is the best ever made.

Okay some "changes" were necessary to make it a commercial successful movie, such as reducing "responsibilities" for events to a minimum (result: somebody was held responsible for things in the movie, where somebody else was responsible in the book), Some characters and events (especially the first third) are just missing (to make the movie not too long and difficult for NON-Book Readers). They did not mention some locations and events from the first book and gave some information, which were not available until book 2 or 3.

Some Characters for Book 2-3 got also a role in book 1 (movie 1) to substitute characters from the original book (to keep it simple). In addition, some dialogs did never take place, but that is understandable, if you want to tell the story in a movie.

Nevertheless, they had to sacrifice something to make a good movie to tell Tolkien's story with real characters.

It is a fantasy world. You cannot expect that somebody spend 100+ million dollars, to make a 1-1 version of a book. A 1-1 version would require making 3 movies with 3-5 hour length. In addition, after part 1 would nobody (who did NOT read the book) go to watch part 2. Final Comment: Read the books! Moreover, if you do not read books, this movie version is the best you can get right now.

(Original review January 13, 2002)

Average customer rating:

A Well Done, Exciting, Middle Section To The Story
"Q: Where Would You Rather Be? A: Anywhere But Here..."
Orlando! Bloom! can't! act!
An ok adaptation for the classic but not on par with the other two films
Some of Tolkins best

The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers
Starring: Sean Astin , Sean Bean , Cate Blanchett , Orlando Bloom , and Billy Boyd
Manufacturer: New Line Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Serkis, Andy | ( S )