Thomas the Tank Engine - Best of Thomas

Amazon.com

Thomas fans have spoken and this Best of Thomas: Collector's Edition represents eight, viewer-selected favorite episodes. An insecure Thomas learns just how much he's valued in "Thomas Gets Bumped," while Percy learns an important lesson about fears and bravery in "Thomas, Percy, and the Dragon." Jealousy threatens to eliminate any chance of friendship between Thomas and Stepney in "Thomas and Stepney," and Thomas comes to embrace diversity in "A New Friend for Thomas." Thomas learns the virtues of hard work and patience in "Thomas Saves the Day," "A Big Day for Thomas," and "Trouble for Thomas." Finally, cooperation and pride culminate in a visit from the queen that Edward, Thomas, and Gordon will never forget in "Thomas Meets the Queen." This entertaining, 46-minute tape concludes with the sing-a-long tune "Really Useful Engine." (Ages 3 to 7) --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description

For over 50 years, the exciting adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine and his Island of Sodor friends have enchanted millions of people around the world. With his endearing grin, light-hearted attitude, and cheeky personality, Thomas has enriched the lives of generations of children.

Over the past year, we have received hundreds of thousands of letters, e-mails, and phone calls from fans who wanted to share with us their favorite Thomas stories. From this loyal support, we were proud to produce this first-ever DVD which includes 8 of your favorite Thomas adventures and remarkable bonus features that promote learning and fun for everyone!

Join Percy, James, Gordon, and the rest of your Sodor Friends as we celebrate the little blue engine who does really big things!

Our Story Stops Are:

Thomas & Stepney, A Big Day For Thomas, Thomas Meets The Queen, Really Useful Engine, Thomas Gets Bumped, A New Friend For Thomas, Thomas, Percy And The Dragon, Thomas Saves The Day, Trouble For Thomas

System Requirements:

Running Time 46 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

WARNING: read this before you buy.......2005-10-24

The DVD has a terrible amount of advertising that you're forced to watch before you can see any of the Thomas stories. It's advertising other Thomas products, so it's actually interesting the first time through. But you'll be forced to watch the advertising EVERY time you play this. Other DVDs are programmed so you can jump straight to the menu and skip the advertising. Not this one.

Once you run the advertising gauntlet and earn the right to watch videos, they're excellent as always. But given that all the Thomas collections are excellent, you should buy something other than this one.

Very well done, thanks!.......2005-02-05

This is one of the nicest Thomas videos out there, in our opinion. It's just very nice how the engines work together, work out their problems together, and support each other along the way. It's particularly interesting when they show the breakdown train getting James out of the mud and onto the track again after those bad freight cars shove him off the track. They get taught a lesson in this video and it's quite nice. When the trains are getting prepared to meet the Queen, then the really shine.

This video is full of great lessons and very well done graphics. This is actually one of our favorites and it gets watched in our house quite often. My little one just loves it. Great video and a great price!

Thomas fans, rejoice!.......2004-11-06

Here is Best of Thomas. Now the stories on here are good but there were alot more out there that should've been one this video. Let me start by saying that they didn't put one of the greatest stories of all time on here, Thomas Comes To Breakfast. That one was a perfect Thomas episode. Other ones that should have been on here include Thomas Gets Tricked, Trust Thomas, Thomas and Bertie's Great Race, Thomas Goes Fishing, Double Trouble, Better Late Than Ever, The Runaway, I could go on for ever but I'm sure you get my point. Thomas & Stepney and A New Friend For Thomas should not have been on here because Thomas is not the main character in both of these even though the title might have his name in it. I had to give this one 4 stars because of the numurous amount of Thomas stories that could have been on here and weren't. A part 2 of Best of Thomas might be needed. Anyway, this is a great video to buy because it does have some great Thomas moments. Here are the stories: Thomas Gets Bumped, A New Friend For Thomas, Thomas Percy and the dragon, Thomas Saves The Day, Trouble For Thomas, Thomas & Stepney, A Big Day For Thomas, Thomas Meets The Queen, and the music video "Really Useful Engine". And that wrapps up my review for Best of Thomas, hope it was helpful for you. :)

America's number 1# engine.......2004-02-29

Let me start of by saying that viewer selected doesn't mean they have to be great. Thomas's first ever episode Thomas gets Tricked wasn't even in it. I thought Better Late than Never, Thomas comes to Breakfast, Thomas Breaks the Rules, and Thomas and Bertie's Great Race were far better than some of these like Thomas and Stepney or a New Friend for Thomas. Were they really that good. Thomas was barely in both of them. Thomas meets the Queen didn't excalty focus on Thomas. Are these viewers really stupid becasue these epiodes weren't great. And I really think they shoulda kept the Ringo Starr narrations.

The BEST of Thomas.......2003-10-11

Thomas the Tank Engine is a very lovable character. Which Thomas fan wouldn't love Thomas? This is a very wonderful video. It contains the stories: Thomas Gets Bumped, A New Friend for Thomas, Thomas, Percy, & the Dragon, Thomas Saves the Day, Trouble for Thomas, Thomas & Stepney, A Big Day for Thomas, Thomas Meets the Queen, and Really Useful Engine (music video). My favorite story is Thomas Meets the Queen. The video is told by George Carlin. If your child loves Thomas (himself), then he'll love this video.

Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends - Thomas and The Jet Engine

Average customer rating:

Much Too Scary For Little Ones
FYI - This has the Halloween themed episodes.
Annoying menu options
More bearable than Stemies vs. Diesels...but not much better
Thomas rules

Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends - Thomas and The Jet Engine
Starring: Ringo Starr , Michael Angelis , George Carlin , Alec Baldwin , and Michael Brandon
Director: David Mitton
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001ZX0EM
Release Date: 2004-07-20

Product Description

Thomas & the Jet Engine DVD [12787] Based on the children's stories written by the Rev. W. Awdry, Thomas the Tank Engine has become a television institution. In THOMAS AND THE JET ENGINE, every child's favorite train returns for another animated adventure. Thomas finds himself in a heap of trouble when he uses a high-powered jet engine to help push him around Sodor!

Customer Reviews:

Much Too Scary For Little Ones.......2007-08-26

I rented this DVD for my 2 year old who loves all the Thomas movies. Unfortunately, this one had several scary episodes about ghosts, Halloween, etc. The night after he watched watched it, he screamed and shouted "GHOST!". It made me sad to realize that Thomas had introduced something scary to him so unneccessarily. I'm glad I only rented it, but I wish I would have avoided it altogether.

FYI - This has the Halloween themed episodes........2006-08-12

This is another enjoyable DVD for any young children who enjoy the Thomas shows or playing with Thomas wooden or plastic train sets. It has 6 short episodes to keep it just over 30 minutes, which is much better than those 90 or 2 hour ones that are simply way too long for little ones to sit through. Also, there are two spooky episodes just in time for Halloween, one is Percy and the Haunted Mine, which is doesn't deal directly with Halloween, but has it's share of spooky night scenery, and the Scaredy Engines episode which follows, that is about Halloween. You get the usual extras with a few games and sing-alongs. Check out Thomas' Snowy Surprise for the Christmas themed episodes.

Annoying menu options.......2005-11-14

The first time the kids watched it they didn't mind the verbal descriptions in the menu. Subsequent viewings were very annoying because you can't jump past the menu to watch the movies. They won't watch it any more.

More bearable than Stemies vs. Diesels...but not much better.......2005-10-01

This is the most modern Thomas movie I own. It is better than Stemies vs. Diesels, but it is definatly not 4 or 5 star material.

First of all, before I say all the negatives, I was very pleased to see the return of Bulgy, but I'm exacly happy with his current position on Sodor. Now for the bad stuff. First of all (or second), the producers are inconsistant with narration. Second, the episodes are far to short now. Instead of the engines thinking up ways to do things, they now say let's do this and what do you know? It works just like that. No thought or consideration into the problem whatsoever. Third, they're getting rather unrealistic. If a jet engine pushed a train aroud the tracks in real life, the speed of the train and the rocking motion that all trains have, the train surely would've derailed.

This is an OK video, but not excellent. If you're a rather new Thomas fan or like this new, strang Thomas you might like, but if you're an old Thomas fan who grew up hearing Ringo Starr and George Carlin's excellent narration and enjoy the old Thomas, skip this video.

Thomas rules.......2005-08-30

This is another good thomas dvd that has action packed stories ther storeis or very good but after the frist three michel brandon starts to alec baldwins place any way here or the storeis

1.thomas and the jet engine.9/10

2.percy and the hunted mine.8/10

3.scardy engines.10/10

4.harold and the flying horse.5/10

5.bulgy rides agian.10/10

6.saltys stormy tale.4/10

song.boo boo choo choo

I think its great.BUT WARING TO PARENTS WITH YOUNG KIDS.the frist 3 stories on the tape may be to much for young children.I hopre the next thomas andventures good

Thomas and Friends: Calling All Engines!

Average customer rating:

Thomas is the greatest
Thomas is awesome
Oh, how the mighty have fallen
Thomas and Friends: Calling All Engines
Did I miss something or what?

Thomas and Friends: Calling All Engines!
Starring: Thomas & Friends
Manufacturer: Lyons / Hit Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009CTT6U
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Product Description

Summertime is always beautiful on the Island of Sodor. It is a busy time for all of the engines....but when the Steam engines and Diesels can't get along, and no work is getting done, the engines are in a terrible mess! Will the new airport get ready in time? Will the bridge get built? Can the engines save the day?

System Requirements:

Approx. Run Time: 100 minutes (including bonus features)

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Thomas is the greatest.......2007-05-31

My grandchildren love the Thomas the Tank Engine videos. We purchased some for them for Christmas, but did not have any to keep at our house for their visits. My four year old grandson specifically requested "Calling All Engines" and the only place we could find it was on Amazon. It has become one of their favorite ones. This morning they came to visit and the first words from our two year old grand-daughter was "THOMAS!!!!" So we watched it again. They never get tired of it and neither do the grandparents (and that is saying a lot).

Thomas is awesome.......2007-01-11

We love Thomas here. The feature the newer DVD's are coming out with are great, being able to set it up to play over and over is great for those busy toddlers who want the movie to play and watch.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.......2006-10-07

I love the old Thomas, back in the days of Ringo Starr and George Carlin, but ever since Alex Baldwin came on the scene, the Thomas shows seem to sink lower and lower. Gone are the days when I could let my kids watch the shows without my having to view them first. And in addition to having more questionable content (see below), the shows are much more twaddle than they used to be. Older Thomas shows don't beat the kids over the head with the moral like these new ones seem to. And the stories in the older Thomas shows just seemed better.

This particular escapade has dramatic tension, and a good message about working together to accomplish good things, but the engines now use expletives -- okay, not grown-up expletives, but things like "Cinders and Ashes!" which my children started using as expletives. (They hadn't used expletives before, other than "Bother!") The engines call each other names ("Stinky Steamies" for example), and, again, my children started calling each other "stinky" for awhile. We hadn't had name-calling problems before the movie. Now, I realize that most kids are exposed to much worse, but I draw attention to this because the older Thomas episodes didn't have any of this going on. Three-year olds could watch with impunity! ;-> But for those who care about this kind of thing, be warned.

The older Thomas episodes are so much more wholesome, just stick with them!

Thomas and Friends: Calling All Engines.......2006-07-19

Child likes this very much. This DVD contains many trains.

Did I miss something or what?.......2006-06-30

Everywhere I look, people are talking about how great of a movie Calling All Engines is and "Oh!, It's soooooo much better than Thomas And The Magic Railraoad!". In my opinion, this movie is just as much of a load of garbage that it's preceder was. It is POOOOORLY writen; I mean the dialogue is horrendous. But I think the straw the really broke the camel's back was when they cheekily added those stupid activities. WHY!!!! I'd be watching this movie and then out of no where, one of those activities would come on screen.

I'm giving this movie 2 stars because I really do love Thomas, even though this movie does only deserve one.

Thomas and Friends: On Site With Thomas & Other Adventures

Average customer rating:

Excellent DVD !
The Pack is Back!
Summers Nearing The End
The First Release From Season 10 !
Well...

Thomas and Friends: On Site With Thomas & Other Adventures
Starring: Ringo Starr , Michael Angelis , George Carlin , Alec Baldwin , and Michael Brandon
Director: David Mitton
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FS2W5I
Release Date: 2006-08-15

Product Description

Thomas and his railroad pals invite young viewers to join them for a whole new set of adventures with this children's release. ON SITE WITH THOMAS & OTHER ADVENTURES contains six fresh stories starring Thomas and his fellow trains, including a new character named Jack.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Excellent DVD !.......2006-10-22

This is a great Thomas DVD! New characters, new stories, one of our new Favorites:)

The Pack is Back!.......2006-08-09

The stories featured on this dvd are not from season 10 like most people believe. They are just extra episodes all featuring Pack-members, both old and new. It is unclear if these episodes are in fact Thomas & Friends episodes. The narrator is Michael Brandon and the episodes are filmed using 35 mm film, not digital film. (So they will look like season 7, not seasons 8-9). Here are the story stops:

1. A Visit From Thomas
2. Jack Owns Up
3. On Site With Thomas
4. Percy's Scary Tale
5. Kelly's Windy Day
6. A Happy Day For Percy

Summers Nearing The End.......2006-07-21

As Summer Nears The End Thomas and his Friends Have Fun Filled Line-up to start off the new school year.Starting with Thomas,Percy,and the Dragon its one of the first ones I like.I have everyone of Thomas' Video's when one comes I'll be one the first one's there to get it.Come Ride the Rails except I think Molly,Neville,Dennis,and Mighty Mac should be on one video with maybe two other stories.Thomas' Halloween Adventures even though it is some of the older stories I think it will be good.My favorite Thomas video right now is Spills and Chills,but I think On Site With Thomas will be my new favorite if Alec Balwin or Michael Angelis narrate it.Micheal Brandon is okay but they fit the role better or maybe another storyteller might come and do season 10 cause Micheal Brandon has done it for 2-3 seasons by now.As far Thomas and the Magic Railroad 2 I Have Really no information when it comes to theaters or to DVD.Have A Great Rest of the Summer.

The First Release From Season 10 !.......2006-06-25

According to new information on Anchor Bay, it appears that this video will feature five stories from Season 10. Not only that, but they're bringing back 'The Pack' characters from the Season 6 stories, 'Jack Jumps In' and 'A Friend In Need'. The new stories on this video are:

1. A Visit From Thomas

2. Jack Owns Up

3. On Site With Thomas

4. Percy's Scary Tale

5. Kelly's Windy Day

As of yet, it is not exactly clear what the stories are about, but you can find out for yourself when the video is released in August!

By the way: Watch for new adventures from Season 10 featuring our favorite blue train and his friends airing on PBS KIDS starting Labor Day Weekend. Check local listings for day and time!

Well..........2006-06-18

When I heard that it will be released by HIT, then I assumed it will just be Series 9 episodes. But then when it is officially confirmed by Anchor Bay, it could be a best-of of series 1-7! It could have the episode we've been waiting to be released on US DVD, "Not so Hasty Cakes"! Stay tuned with me as I find the story stops for this and more information, and the cover art!
TO BE CONTINUED...

Average customer rating:

Guilty pleasure
One of those unexpected pleasures
I've seen all 3 versions of this film
Loved this movie --
Learning Curve Gets Down to Business!

Learning Curve
Starring: John S. Davies , Marsha Dietlein , Susana Gibb , Meason Wiley , and Jonathan Brent
Director: Andy Anderson
Manufacturer: Mti Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000B3FCC
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Product Description

Public high school is a private hell for the teachers and weaker students at Donner High. A beautiful, young teacher is molested at gunpoint. Other students are beaten and intimidated. Finally, a new substitute, Mr. Walmsley, a former Medal of Honor winner and animal trainer, decides to teach the bullies a lesson they'll never forget. A shocking substitute tot he three-ring circus of the classroom, Walmsley's savage "reform school" becomes a house of horrors where students only survive... if they learn.

System Requirements:

Running Time 44 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Guilty pleasure.......2006-11-28

I really enjoyed this movie because it deals with bullys in a very different way. I bet it got some snickers from some of the teachers that watched this movie. I highly recommend this movie to anyone that has dealt with bullys in thier life.

One of those unexpected pleasures.......2005-10-09

I just happened onto this little independent film, and must tell you - was pleasently surprised. I really didn't know what to expect from this film, but as I was watching it I soon realized that my eyes were glued to the screen for the full 108 minutes that it ran. I know that many of the other reviewers have stated excellent observations, however, I would just like to add my endorsement. Check this one out. Rent it, buy it . . . you won't be dissapointed. As I was watching; it did remind me of another picture I saw years ago titled "Class of '84." These two films would make a great double-bill!

I've seen all 3 versions of this film.......2004-12-11

And this is the weakest. This film began some years ago as Detention, a black black-comedy with lots of gritty raw footage. A movie that grabbed you by the lapels and shook you, it precluded all mealy-mouthed hem-hawing about good and evil. But that same year, another film with the same name was released, and this Detention got lost. Andy recut it, chopped about 30 minutes, gave it a new name, and offered Very Special Ed, a brilliant, scathing, frightening movie that worked in every direction. I had thought the original unimprovable. I was wrong.

But now he has recut it again, and it is diminished by the newest rearrangements. Some scenes were (I think) reshot, and they seem curiously without energy, as if everyone felt they had done this once already. The forcefulness is lost, and the new ending, while similar to the previous versions, again, comes out a bit tepid.

A wonderful film is in here, this just isn't it. Still pretty good, with some flashes that are so good they shake you (e.g. the now shortened assembly scene where the teachers are learning just how many times they are supposed to look at a student) but overall, a notch below its previous lives.

One wishes it success, but the disappointment of seeing something wonderful reduced, for whatever reasons, is saddening.

Loved this movie --.......2003-10-24

This is one of those movies that I wish I had the opportunity to assist with the script. I would have had that substitute teacher ripping the throats out of some those smart mouth high schoolers! lol

Besides the fact that I was mesmerized by the good looks of the leading man, (The substitute teacher) the movie was really good. It kept my attention til the end. Not a bad way to spend an hour and a half. A real gem. A must for my DVD collection.

Learning Curve Gets Down to Business!.......2003-10-07

Some times we just have to cut to the chase and get down to business. "Learning Curve" does just that - writer/director Andy Anderson has a particular take on life and it vividly shows in this film. "Curve" is not a movie you see every day. The market forces would never create a story like this as it should be - this is where independent filmmaking shines. So, a high school teacher can't teach his students - they just don't want to learn (not that they CAN'T learn!)...I've been witness to situations similar to this in my high school days. I was put in low-level applied classes with all the goof-offs and Dopeheads and Metal Heads: all who didn't want to learn a thing. Needless to say I wasn't one of them, I did want to learn, but spending three years with these types of students left me with a sour after taste in my mouth in regards to the public school system...So, now comes "Learning Curve" and with this teacher's method of teaching, I applaude with great glee. Learning through imprisonment and electric shock cuts through the B.S. and gets right to the heart of the matter. And what's more, IT WORKED! They did begin to learn! Overall, Mr. Anderson has crafted a film that's part satire, part reality and part shocking. This is his second feature film and I hope that I won't have to wait years and years to see his next effort on the big screen!

Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends - Hooray for Thomas

Average customer rating:

Brandon's narration prevents 4 stars
Speaking of cutting...
Narrator is hard to follow
Well worth a few bucks
Great New Stories

Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends - Hooray for Thomas
Starring: Ringo Starr , Michael Angelis , George Carlin , Alec Baldwin , and Michael Brandon
Director: David Mitton
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0006HBLEQ
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Product Description

Hooray For Thomas Dvd

Customer Reviews:

Brandon's narration prevents 4 stars.......2006-01-12

This DVD would have been so much more enjoyable had there been another narrator apart from Michael Brandon. His voices are what really let him down this time around. Not only is he totally inconsistent with them, but he chooses unsuitable voices for nearly all the characters. Rusty sounds like a raving madman, Rheneas sounds stuffed up, and Edward and Skarloey's voices are too high-pitched. And he also tries a bit too hard with the minor characters, giving them voices that are completely weird and wacky (if you listen to his voice for Rheneas's driver, you'll see what I mean). Brandon also sounds really amateur; there are numerous scenes in "Edward's Brass Band" where his narration is out of sync with the on-screen action, and at one point in "Rheneas and the Roller Coaster" he rushes through his narration to try and keep up with what's happening on screen.

The music on this DVD is also somewhat half-hearted (the original music worked so well, why couldn't they have stayed with it?). However, the music video at the end ("The Red Balloon" is truly beautiful...the last moments always bring a tear to my eye. At least they included something from the original composers on here!

The episodes on this DVD are all well-written and fairly original (I especially like "Edward's Brass Band"), so it is a great pity that they are spoiled by Brandon's shoddy narration and below-average music. Young children might like it, but this shouldn't be on your "must-have DVDs" list.

Speaking of cutting..........2005-12-21

Well, I'll be happy to buy myself a second computer if I have £50 pounds or something like that... I will be putting games on there and do some tpying.

Well, looks like Thomas is back with more action! Michael Brandon does the narrator... (well, I wish I could speak like Michael Brandon; if I speak like him, they wouldn't understand. It's like shouting, but it's not!) I need your help to do this review, if you please!

There's a reason: you must insert this DVD-ROM inside the computer, and you choose Region 1. After that, it will be fixed to Region 2 only!

Thank you for your help!

Narrator is hard to follow.......2005-07-16

my 1 year old loves the Ringo Narrations, he will not watch this one with this Narrator. The Narrator is all over the place, and his voices are dumb. I cant even watch it because it makes me go insane. I love the Ringo ones and so does my 1 year old. This DVD is going right up on Ebay.

Well worth a few bucks.......2005-04-23

This DVD contains six episodes from Series 7 of Thomas and Friends. However, the music in them has been redone by the current composer, probably because the old composers took the rights to their music with them when they left. I much prefer the original music, but this new music isn't too bad.

Michael Brandon narrates this DVD, and he narrates it rather well. However, once again he is rather here and there when it comes to voice consistency; and some of his character voices are a bit iffy (Bertie has a Cockney accent that gives Dick Van Dyke's a run for its money when it comes to poor quality; Rusty sounds like a thug; Rheneas sounds like he has a cold; Skarloey sounds a tad too young for an engine his age; Rheneas's driver sounds like a robot; and Peter Sam's driver sounds like he's falling asleep). His emotions and enthusiasm can't be faulted, but I do wish he would choose his voice for each character and stick with it.

As for the episodes themselves..."Hooray for Thomas" and "Edward's Brass Band" are really good. "The Refreshment Lady's Stand," "The Grand Opening" and "Best Dressed Engine" aren't too bad either. "Rheneas and the Roller Coaster" is the poorest episode on the DVD...completely unrealistic and poorly directed.

All in all this is a good way to spend a few dollars.

Great New Stories.......2005-04-22

You're invited to the celebration on the Island of Sodor! Watch as Thomas wins a medal for saving the day. Will Edward rescue the brass band in time? Can Peter Sam help find a new refreshment stand for the refreshment lady? There's lots of fun new stories in this DVD, including Rheneas giving the school children a roller coaster ride on the tracks and Gordon winning a best-dressed competition.

The stories themselves run about 35 minutes and include:

Hooray For Thomas
Edward's Brass Band
The Refreshment Lady's Stand
Rheneas and the Roller Coaster
The Grand Opening
Best Dressed Engine

The Bonus Features include:

Character Gallery
Read Along Story: The Great Race
Sing Along Song: The Red Balloon
3 Games: Counting Celebration, Paint Party, and Fun With Shapes
Computer Fun: Web Fun and 2 Coloring Sheets

While the stories will appeal to children of all ages, the DVD games are quite basic. This is ironic, because a child would have to be pretty advanced to work the DVD remote to access the games! By the time a child knows how to use a DVD remote, he's outgrown the games. It would be nice if the DVD games were more advanced.

Kids will love the bonus train that comes with the package. If I recall correctly, it was Mavis that came with ours. It was a "repeat", but my son doesn't mind that he has a few doubles of some engines...having fun with them regardless!

The actual DVD case that's in the box is quite slim...more narrow than the usual DVD cases that don't have the bonus train. The flimsiness shouldn't matter, though, as long as the DVD case is stored properly.

My son enjoys all the narrators, and doesn't seem to notice the different ones. I feel the narrator on the Hooray For Thomas DVD does just as good a job as most (save Alec Baldwin, who's my favorite)...and much better than Ringo Starr and George Carlin (in my opinion).

A very nice addition to the Thomas DVD collection.

Average customer rating:

Entertaining, succesful on a taboo theme of power broker dealing
Carmine Giovinazzo & Monet Mazur: Modern day Bonnie & Clyde
Fun Ride
Fun Ride
Criminally Stupid

The Learning Curve
Starring: Carmine Giovinazzo , Norbert Weisser , Monet Mazur , Tim Ransom , and Rod Roesser
Director: Eric Schwab
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000060MUY
Release Date: 2002-04-23

Amazon.com

Sleek and stylish, The Learning Curve follows two young lovers named Georgia (Monet Mazur) and Paul (Carmine Giovinazzo) who quickly discover they have a mutual taste for recklessness, cheap fast food, and petty larceny. But when a scam goes awry, they're at the mercy of a ruthless and criminal record executive. Paul starts to work for the exec and, to Georgia's dismay, is soon seduced by drugs and money. The Learning Curve starts out slightly implausible but is consistently surprising; as it goes along, the story grows more clichéd, yet the script, direction, and performances are smart enough that the movie maintains its stylish momentum. By the end, The Learning Curve is just short of preposterous, yet--much like the Hong Kong action movies that surely influenced the director--the movie remains so fully committed to the high-pitched emotions of its melodramatic plot that it becomes not only engaging but even moving. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Two aimless twentysomethings are launched into a fiery tryst of love, lustand crimein this stylish thriller that conjures memories of Bonnie and Clyde (The Courier News). Starring Carmine Giovinazzo (Black Hawk Down), Monet Mazur (40 Days and 40 Nights), Vincent Ventresca ('the Invisible Man ), Jack Laufer (Lost in Yonkers), Majandra Delfino ( Roswell ) and Steven Bauer (Traffic), this 'taut thriller (The Star) is charged with sizzling love scenes, unrelenting suspense and a final chase scene [that] will grab the viewer's throat (The Courier News)! Paul (Giovinazzo) and Georgia (Mazur) are lovers, soul mates and partners in crime.But when this duplicitous duo tries to dupe the wrong man (Ventresca), they are ensnared in a worldmore dangerous than they could ever have imagined. Seduced into working for him on dangerous jobs beyond their small-time capability, Paul and Georgia suddenly have everything they ve ever wanted andeven more to lose.

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining, succesful on a taboo theme of power broker dealing.......2007-06-24

THE LEARNING CURVE (2001) is a surprise success considering its
lack of big box office stars. Let this not deter anyone from
renting this DVD, as it packs plenty of entertainment and then
some.

The story will often appeal on the visual and intellectual aspects,
although there is a fair bit of action, too.

The cast does a splendid and convincing job over the entire 90
mins, comprising Monet Mazur as the bored daughter of a richman
(reminiscent of Darryl Hanna), Vincent Ventresca (somewhat of a
Kyle MacLachlan clone), Carmine Giovinazzo as the street smart guy
and Steve Bauer as the "tough enforcer" of the organization.
Mazur's role is that of a woman who is effective, efficient, fast,
confident, experienced in engaging and seducing men of all kinds,
and them playing them for their wealth, for the illusion of
romance and or of a personal relationship.

The visual aspects are excellent, although the release is not a
wide-screen. There's plenty of exciting, energetic moments,
including race car dare-devil behavior on the highway, near the
edges of a cliff, and more bringing an upbeat, positive feeling in
the early minutes.

The soundtrack is talented and tasteful, as are the visuals, in
capturing a variety of moods (melancholy, joy, ecstasy,
irresponsability, remorse, recklessness, etc) on screen, such as in
the darker outdoor night or indoor club scenes.

Skillfully, the move wastes no time in showing the evolution of
Mazur and Giovinazzo, from 2 youngsters ridding themselves of their
boredom by running small-time con jobs, grifts by setting up their
marks for the scores, that drives their libidos in an ever
increasing crescendo. Nothing is off their limits, from insurance
claims for a simulated accident, to sex entrapment, arson, etc.

This continues until their talent brings them to the big leagues,
to the attention of Ventresca who's a bigger player, wishing to
leverage their talent for his major real estate deal.

The developer plans to convert a run down and neglected part of the
city into a new project, that many oppose, including the municipal
politicans and some small stores.

The solution lies in power-brokering a deal with the right people,
using the right tactics, including blackmail over sex, offering
gifts and success of the right kind to the right people, including
cash.

For those familiar with sustainable development, use and misuse of
new eminent domain laws to override the 5th Amendment of the US
Constitution, stating "private property shall not be taken for
public use, without just compensation", the payoffs and
powerbrokering occurring sound realistic.

The action, chases, gun fire fights are good enough to shake the
audience's socks off.

A funny quip: " I sure you're too young for a lot of things, but I
bet that sure doesn't stop you! It's the grease that keeps the
gears going."

The moral lesson is present, as Mazur makes the choice of resisting
a pure role of prostitute in the deal, limiting herself to her
hitherto comfortable role of fleecer. Some personal feelings also
surface, questioning her mind also about what is right and wrong.

An intriguing question is left with the audience, in terms of
Mazur's prolonged anguish ... is the reaction of the character
real, when she had scored so many marks on so many cons, for so
long a time, with contemptible tactics and no remorse all that time?

Carmine Giovinazzo & Monet Mazur: Modern day Bonnie & Clyde.......2007-03-09

I loved this movie. Carmine & Monet as lovers turned modern day con-artists, get bribed into working for a music exec. & end up in trouble with the FBI. I originally bought this film because I'm a Carmine Giovinazzo fan, & I ended up loving it.

Fun Ride.......2003-07-25

I LOVED this film and found it thoroughly enjoyable. It drew me in and kept me watching. To see these characters go through the changes they go through was truly amazing to me. Monet Mazur was wonderful as well as geogeous and Carmine Giovinazzo did a great job along with Vincent Ventresca who plays his character to the edge. I thought the film was well cast, the acting was superb, the locations were amazing and the story original. Just sit back and enjoy the ride because this one is worth the trip. I give it thumbs up. If you can't enjoy this film you're looking waaay to deep. Relax and enjoy.

Fun Ride.......2003-07-25

Criminally Stupid.......2003-03-01

Stupid criminals hook up with stupid record exec who thinks he can use them to further his evil plans to create a mallýer ýentertainment centerý by ousting a nice old guy from his variety store. Due to a bribe sting, some very stupid FBI agents instigate a shoot out in a crowed club, causing the death of untold innocent bystanders. Iýve learned one thing from all of this: The FBI REALLY HATES SHOPPING MALLS.

Product Description

A substitute school teacher decides to teach class in his own special way.

Customer Reviews:

Slightly fresh slant on a standard B movie theme.......2005-02-25

A typical B-rate movie that does show a few flashes of originality. Basically, a substitute teacher at the "high school from Hell" decides to take matters into his own hands. He ends up kidnapping a group of 7 of the worst students and locks them in steel cages in rural Texas. In the midst of nudity, deprivation and electric shock disipline, they finally accept that they must learn or die! The characters, although grossly exaggerated, are really despicable enough to make the mistreatment at the hands of their captor almost enjoyable. From Bob Sage in Las Vegas