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	Eloise at the Plaza
	"Yes, Yes, Yes"	2009-09-20
The Eloise books are a long standing tradition in my family. My mother gave me her Eloise books when I was little, and I have passed them on to my own daughter. She is now four years old, but she has enjoyed listing to Eloise's antics since she was two. Eloise is well known and loved by all generations of my family, and I have really enjoyed sharing her stories with my own child. The Disney DVD, ELOISE AT THE PLAZA, truly captures the spirit of those original Eloise books. In ELOISE AT THE PLAZA, Eloise, delightfully played by Sofia Vassilieva, is a typical self-centered, curious 6 year old girl, who always speaks her mind, but has a heart of purest gold. Eloise likes to "help" and to "fix things," but she is only trying to make those around her happy. Of course, Eloise's version of "helping" often leaves to craziness and mayhem, but that is all part of the fun. And in the end, as with all Disney movies and Eloise book, everything always works out for the best. Sofia Vassilieva is adorable and spot on in her portrayal of Eloise, perfectly bringing this well loved character to life. The incomparable Julie Anders is superb as Eloise's loving and understanding Nanny. What a wonderful surprise to find her in this film. Jeffrey Tambor fantastically plays a very neurotic Mr. Salamone, the hotel manager, and the rest of the cast is equally entertaining. My wee one has been quite ill this week, so, as a special surpise, we cuddled up together on the couch this evening to watch ELOISE AT THE PLAZA. She simply loved it, and mom loved seeing her kid smiling and laughing after such a rough week. ELOISE AT THE PLAZA is a charming, warm, fun, entertaining family film that breathes new life into these beloved, classic, children's characters. It is a film that I am sure we will be watching again and again.
	The Kissing Hand
	"A Wonderful, Sweet, Heartwarming Story"	2009-09-12
My 4 year old daughter's new teacher read THE KISSING HAND to the class on the first day of school, and she was very taken with the story. She seemed to make an immediate connection with it. She talked about it so much, that I ordered a copy for home. And we have read this story almost every night since it arrived. THE KISSING HAND is the story of a young raccoon named Chester. Chester does not want to go to school; he wants to stay home with his mother. But his mother shows him a special family secret - THE KISSING HAND. THE KISSING HAND let's Chester know that his mother's love is with him always, no matter where he is. THE KISSING HAND is a perfect story for any child facing a new situation on their own. All any child wants to know is that they are loved, totally, completely, and always. It is that unconditional love that gives children confidence to face new situations with self-assurance and independence. The prose is clear and simple; the illustrations are lovely, detailed, and colorful. THE KISSING HAND is a charming, endearing story that will touch a chord with any young child and quickly become a family favorite. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
	To Hell and Back
	"Perhaps The Best War Movie. Ever."	2009-08-30
TO HELL AND BACK is arguably the one of the best World War II movies ever made. And what makes this classic film so very special is that it is a true story. The events portrayed in TO HELL AND BACK are real, as they actually happened, without any Hollywood embellishment. After the death of his mother and at the tender age of 16, Audie Murphy, received special permission to enter the Army infantry, after being turned down by the Marines, the Navy, and the paratrooper corp. Young and small for his age, Audie's squad mates felt the need to watch out for him, but soon Audie was taking care of them. His quiet commitment to doing what was right, to doing the best job possible at all times, along with his heroism led to a series of promotions, and finally a battlefield commission. His final mission earned him the Medal of Honor and made him "the most decorated soldier in America." Unfortunately, a leg wound from that final mission also ended his military career, and at the age of 19, after just 27 months of combat action, Audie Murphy was honorable discharged from military service. After the war, Audie Murphy became a B-movie star, making over 30 Hollywood westerns and other films, including TO HELL AND BACK, his own biography. TO HELL AND BACK is straight forward telling of Audie Murphy's life. Simple and honest, TO HELL AND BACK portrays his affection for his comrades, his innate goodness, and his love of family and country. I do not normally care for war movies, but this is one that I would watch again and again. A story of outstanding heroism and bravery, TO HELL AND BACK is not to be missed.
	To Hell and Back
	"Perhaps The Best War Movie. Ever."	2009-08-30
TO HELL AND BACK is arguably the one of the best World War II movies ever made. And what makes this classic film so very special is that it is a true story. The events portrayed in TO HELL AND BACK are real, as they actually happened, without any Hollywood embellishment. After the death of his mother and at the tender age of 16, Audie Murphy, received special permission to enter the Army infantry, after being turned down by the Marines, the Navy, and the paratrooper corp. Young and small for his age, Audie's squad mates felt the need to watch out for him, but soon Audie was taking care of them. His quiet commitment to doing what was right, to doing the best job possible at all times, along with his heroism led to a series of promotions, and finally a battlefield commission. His final mission earned him the Medal of Honor and made him "the most decorated soldier in America." Unfortunately, a leg wound from that final mission also ended his military career, and at the age of 19, after just 27 months of combat action, Audie Murphy was honorable discharged from military service. After the war, Audie Murphy became a B-movie star, making over 30 Hollywood westerns and other films, including TO HELL AND BACK, his own biography. TO HELL AND BACK is straight forward telling of Audie Murphy's life. Simple and honest, TO HELL AND BACK portrays his affection for his comrades, his innate goodness, and his love of family and country. I do not normally care for war movies, but this is one that I would watch again and again. A story of outstanding heroism and bravery, TO HELL AND BACK is not to be missed.
	Hop on Pop (I Can Read It All by Myself Beginner Books (Hardcover))
	""I Can Read This One All By Myself!""	2009-08-26
After my preschooler started learning to read with the Bob Books, I wanted to mix in some different material to help her apply what she was learning to other books. HOP ON POP, by the legendary Dr. Seuss, was the perfect choice. HOP ON POP uses rhyming words and short, active sentences to help children extend their reading vocabulary and build up their sight words. The brilliance of HOP ON POP stems from using rhyming words to teach common diphthongs and letter combinations, and then adding or changing only one or two initial letters to form new words. From these new words, Dr. Seuss then creates the wild and zany sentences he is famous for, and are easy for very young children to read. As a possible example, using "at" as the basic letter pair, you can form the words cat, hat, sat, and bat. The silly sentence then might be "The cat in the hat sat on a bat," accompanied by a wacky and wonderful Sessian illustration showing the cat in the hat sitting on the end of a baseball bat. At 72 pages, HOP ON POP has many basic letter patterns that really help a young one build their reading skills fast. My wee one loves to read HOP ON POP to me. She can do it all by herself, with very little prompting, and her pride and confidence in her new skills are through the roof because of HOP ON POP. HOP ON POP has really helped to increase her sight word vocabulary, as well as her ease and comfort in sounding out new words. HOP ON POP really is a perfect first reader.
	Caddyshack - 19th Anniversary Edition
	"Dated, But Still Funny"	2009-08-16
I saw CADDYSHACK, oh, at least 200 times during my 4 undergraduate years. I was a "little sister" for the Evan's Scholars Fraternity, a national colligate fraternity for caddies. This newly released 1980's comedy was their anthem. Weekend parties centered around it. And, of course, there was drinking - lots of it. At the time, I thought CADDYSHACK was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen. Last night, my husband and I watched CADDYSHACK for the first time in about 25 years. True, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and Chevy Chase all turn in outstanding, zany comic performances. There are many scenes that have become classics, and many jokes that still elicit a loud chuckle and the occasional guffaw. But all these years later, the humor struck us both as juvenile and crude, the plot as mindless, and the sex as, well, gratuitous and tasteless. Clearly, CADDYSHACK is a cult flick that has not aged well for the general audience. I don't think I will be watching this one again anytime soon. I prefer my memories of it from my college years, and not from last night's viewing.
	Caddyshack
	"Dated, But Still Funny"	2009-08-16
I saw CADDYSHACK, oh, at least 200 times during my 4 undergraduate years. I was a "little sister" for the Evan's Scholars Fraternity, a national colligate fraternity for caddies. This newly released 1980's comedy was their anthem. Weekend parties centered around it. And, of course, there was drinking - lots of it. At the time, I thought CADDYSHACK was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen. Last night, my husband and I watched CADDYSHACK for the first time in about 25 years. True, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and Chevy Chase all turn in outstanding, zany comic performances. There are many scenes that have become classics, and many jokes that still elicit a loud chuckle and the occasional guffaw. But all these years later, the humor struck us both as juvenile and crude, the plot as mindless, and the sex as, well, gratuitous and tasteless. Clearly, CADDYSHACK is a cult flick that has not aged well for the general audience. I don't think I will be watching this one again anytime soon. I prefer my memories of it from my college years, and not from last night's viewing.
	Caddyshack
	"Dated, But Still Funny"	2009-08-16
I saw CADDYSHACK, oh, at least 200 times during my 4 undergraduate years. I was a "little sister" for the Evan's Scholars Fraternity, a national colligate fraternity for caddies. This newly released 1980's comedy was their anthem. Weekend parties centered around it. And, of course, there was drinking - lots of it. At the time, I thought CADDYSHACK was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen. Last night, my husband and I watched CADDYSHACK for the first time in about 25 years. True, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and Chevy Chase all turn in outstanding, zany comic performances. There are many scenes that have become classics, and many jokes that still elicit a loud chuckle and the occasional guffaw. But all these years later, the humor struck us both as juvenile and crude, the plot as mindless, and the sex as, well, gratuitous and tasteless. Clearly, CADDYSHACK is a cult flick that has not aged well for the general audience. I don't think I will be watching this one again anytime soon. I prefer my memories of it from my college years, and not from last night's viewing.
	Caddyshack
	"Dated, But Still Funny"	2009-08-16
I saw CADDYSHACK, oh, at least 200 times during my 4 undergraduate years. I was a "little sister" for the Evan's Scholars Fraternity, a national colligate fraternity for caddies. This newly released 1980's comedy was their anthem. Weekend parties centered around it. And, of course, there was drinking - lots of it. At the time, I thought CADDYSHACK was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen. Last night, my husband and I watched CADDYSHACK for the first time in about 25 years. True, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and Chevy Chase all turn in outstanding, zany comic performances. There are many scenes that have become classics, and many jokes that still elicit a loud chuckle and the occasional guffaw. But all these years later, the humor struck us both as juvenile and crude, the plot as mindless, and the sex as, well, gratuitous and tasteless. Clearly, CADDYSHACK is a cult flick that has not aged well for the general audience. I don't think I will be watching this one again anytime soon. I prefer my memories of it from my college years, and not from last night's viewing.
	Caddyshack
	"Dated, But Still Funny"	2009-08-16
I saw CADDYSHACK, oh, at least 200 times during my 4 undergraduate years. I was a "little sister" for the Evan's Scholars Fraternity, a national colligate fraternity for caddies. This newly released 1980's comedy was their anthem. Weekend parties centered around it. And, of course, there was drinking - lots of it. At the time, I thought CADDYSHACK was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen. Last night, my husband and I watched CADDYSHACK for the first time in about 25 years. True, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and Chevy Chase all turn in outstanding, zany comic performances. There are many scenes that have become classics, and many jokes that still elicit a loud chuckle and the occasional guffaw. But all these years later, the humor struck us both as juvenile and crude, the plot as mindless, and the sex as, well, gratuitous and tasteless. Clearly, CADDYSHACK is a cult flick that has not aged well for the general audience. I don't think I will be watching this one again anytime soon. I prefer my memories of it from my college years, and not from last night's viewing.
	Resident Evil - The High-Definition Trilogy (Resident Evil/ Resident Evil: Apocalypse/ Resident Evil: Extinction) [Blu-ray]
	"Road Warrior Meets Night of the Living Dead"	2009-08-11
So, just how many super-secret, super-huge, underground, scientific lairs does the evil Umbrella Corporation have?? And will they never learn? Playing with zombies is very dangerous, and could very well mean the end of humanity as we know it. RESIDENT EVIL - EXTINCTION is the third installment in the RESIDENT EVIL series of zombie flicks. Picking up approximately 5 years after the end of RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE, the deadly virus created by the Umbrella Corporation has escaped containment and turned the world into a barren waste land. Humans, dogs, birds, rats, and all other living creatures have been turned into mindless, flesh-eating zombies. The remaining humans who have survived the virus are in a constant battle for their lives, banding together in roving caravans. Our hero Alice wanders the planet on her own, killing zombies wherever and however she can. In answer to a distress call, she rejoins some old friends, and together they make a break for the last known, virus-free outpost. But Alice's powers continue to develop and grow, and the Umbrella Corporation wants her back...at any cost. As with RESIDENT EVIL and RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE, RESIDENT EVIL - EXTINCTION is a monster-killing, gore-filled zombie flick that is unexpectedly entertaining, and is perfect for an evening of mindless relaxation. I never imaged I could enjoy this series so much. The pace is fast and bloody, the plot is a bit more substantial than the previous two installments, and the acting is standard for a monster movie...but then again, you don't watch monster movies for the acting. And the special effects in RESIDENT EVIL - EXTINCTION out do themselves for the title of Best On Screen Decapitation Ever, clearly besting the previous title holder, the original RESIDENT EVIL. RESIDENT EVIL - EXTINCTION is bit of a departure from the modern day B-movie genre of the first two movies. There is a little less camp, and lot more "jump out of the dark and go BOO!" in RESIDENT EVIL - EXTINCTION, taking it more toward the horror genre. Still, my husband and I had a really good time watching this this. The ending is a perfect set up for the next flick, which promises to launch the most formidable zombie destoying army yet. Go ask Alice...
	Resident Evil: Apocalypse
	"Zealous Zombies, Devil Dogs, Mutant Monsters, And Gore Galore!"	2009-07-28
Those evil, all powerful corporations just never learn. Rule #1: never, never go back into the secret, underground research facility after it has been sealed off because of cannibalistic zombies, rampant viruses, and a crazed, out of control, killer computer. But in RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE, the big, bad Umbrella Corporation does just that. And baaaaad things are released into Raccoon City. Very bad things. And it looks like only Alice can stop them. As with the original Resident Evil, RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE is a monster-mashing, gore-filled zombie flick which is unexpectedly entertaining. The pace is fast, the plot is thin, but followable (and even contains a few surprises), and the acting is typical for a monster movie...but then again, you don't watch monster movies for the acting. The special effects are decent, if corny at times. If you take this flick for what it is, RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE is a fun, modern day B-movie, perfect for a popcorn evening at home. My husband and I had as surprisingly good time with this. And we are actually looking forward to seeing the next one!
	Resident Evil - Apocalypse [Blu-ray]
	"Zealous Zombies, Devil Dogs, Mutant Monsters, And Gore Galore!"	2009-07-28
Those evil, all powerful corporations just never learn. Rule #1: never, never go back into the secret, underground research facility after it has been sealed off because of cannibalistic zombies, rampant viruses, and a crazed, out of control, killer computer. But in RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE, the big, bad Umbrella Corporation does just that. And baaaaad things are released into Raccoon City. Very bad things. And it looks like only Alice can stop them. As with the original Resident Evil, RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE is a monster-mashing, gore-filled zombie flick which is unexpectedly entertaining. The pace is fast, the plot is thin, but followable (and even contains a few surprises), and the acting is typical for a monster movie...but then again, you don't watch monster movies for the acting. The special effects are decent, if corny at times. If you take this flick for what it is, RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE is a fun, modern day B-movie, perfect for a popcorn evening at home. My husband and I had as surprisingly good time with this. And we are actually looking forward to seeing the next one!
	Resident Evil - Apocalypse (UMD mini for PSP)
	"Zealous Zombies, Devil Dogs, Mutant Monsters, And Gore Galore!"	2009-07-28
Those evil, all powerful corporations just never learn. Rule #1: never, never go back into the secret, underground research facility after it has been sealed off because of cannibalistic zombies, rampant viruses, and a crazed, out of control, killer computer. But in RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE, the big, bad Umbrella Corporation does just that. And baaaaad things are released into Raccoon City. Very bad things. And it looks like only Alice can stop them. As with the original Resident Evil, RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE is a monster-mashing, gore-filled zombie flick which is unexpectedly entertaining. The pace is fast, the plot is thin, but followable (and even contains a few surprises), and the acting is typical for a monster movie...but then again, you don't watch monster movies for the acting. The special effects are decent, if corny at times. If you take this flick for what it is, RESIDENT EVIL - APOCALYPSE is a fun, modern day B-movie, perfect for a popcorn evening at home. My husband and I had as surprisingly good time with this. And we are actually looking forward to seeing the next one!
	Apple iPod touch 16 GB with Software Upgrade
	"Toucha Toucha Toucha Touch Me!"	2009-07-26
What can I said that hasn't already been said? The IPOD TOUCH is a device from the future. It's the tricorder I wanted as a child. It's sexy, sleek, and amazing. Do I sound like a gadget fangirl? Well, not usually, but when my husband bought a TOUCH, I very quickly became hooked. More than that, the whole family suddenly had to have it. I was reminded of the classic movie The Gods Must Be Crazy when the Coke bottle landed in the middle of the tribe and soon no one could live without it. Of course, we weren't that bad, really, but the phrase, "Where's the Touch" became quite common. The exception was the 3-year-old. She'd asked, "Where's Daddy's special little TV?" Now at age 4, she's also playing - and winning - several of the games. And that's part of the beauty of the design of the TOUCH. It's clean. Everyone understands the basic rules of how the apps work. Everyone can turn it on, flick through the screens, and find they app they want. The device is small enough to take everywhere but the screen is large enough to watch movies on. It is truly a paradigm-shifting design. The TOUCH and the iPhone are fraternal twins. While springing from the same nucleus, they are different. The TOUCH is slimmer, has no phone, no GPS, and no speaker. For my tastes, that's just fine, although a speaker would be nice. We have the 16GB version which is plenty for a score of movies/TV shows, plus some music, audiobooks, and a slew of apps. I actually like that it is not also my phone, but I wouldn't give it away if it were! I'm just leery of all-in-one products. Battery life is descent, but we always have a charger close at hand. One nice thing is that you can turn the screen off while listening to music or an audiobook. You can even play games while listening to your own music. And of course, you have Apple's App store full of every type of program imaginable. We've had our TOUCH for more than 2 years, and we still love it. It goes everywhere with us and truly has us spoiled. More on that in my review of the Samsung Omnia.
	The Mist (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]
	"The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street"	2009-07-26
When I first heard of THE MIST, I was thinking it was a remake of the 1980 flick, The Fog, with Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Janet Leigh. Oops. No such luck. Instead I found myself in a Stephen King movie, which was quite fine by me. I've enjoyed several of Stephen Kings other books and films including The Stand, Stand By Me, The Tommyknockers, and even the Langoliers, but I had never read this one. It begins with an inside joke where an artist is painting a movie poster for a Stephen King novel and has other famous movie posters displayed as if he had painted them. We meet the family, the neighbor, and soon, half the town. And then THE MIST rolls in. Most of THE MIST takes place in a supermarket and most of the movie is typical Stephen King. We get to know a group of ordinary people who start to show their true colors as the pressure mounts. And the pressure mounts, you betcha! We have all sorts of creatures coming out of the mist to eat our frugal shoppers. But we also have our very own annoying humans inside the store, including an "unstable" Christian woman who constantly preaches her own version of the Bible and the end-of-days. As the movie progresses, we lose more shoppers until... I can't give away the ending, but I do have to talk about the ending. It's a very bad ending. And, apparently, it wasn't Stephen King's original ending. It's an ending that belongs in a different kind of movie, not a jump-out-of-the-mist-and-go-boo! movie. I mean, THE MIST is a modern B-Movie, and we all have certain expectations that go along with those. For instance, when the boy and girl make out, we know they're the next to die. Check. When anyone smiles or think they've made it, they're about to die in a particularly gruesome way. Check. And when our heroes risk everything to put an end to what's been dogging them, we expect ... well, we know what we expect and that box was definitely left unchecked. If it weren't for the ending, I'd have gladly given THE MIST higher marks for knowing that it was a Saturday matinee monster movie. Unfortunately, at the very last minute, it tried to be something more important, which is exactly what I did not want. Stephen King himself is quoted as saying, "The ending is such a jolt--wham! It's frightening. But people who go to see a horror movie don't necessarily want to be sent out with a Pollyanna ending." Well, this person does!
	Sky High (UMD Mini For PSP)
	"Super Cute!"	2009-07-22
SKY HIGH is a Disney movie about a high school, SKY HIGH, for the children of superheroes. Here, they study to be either a) superheroes or b) sidekicks (aka Hero Support). As with any high school, there are social cliques, raging hormones, and impossible homework, but SKY HIGH takes it all to a whole new level. It is the first day of high school at SKY HIGH for freshman Will Stronghold, son of superhero power couple The Commander and Jetstream. Unfortunately for Will, he is a bit delayed and has not yet developed his powers. He washes out at "power classification" and is shunted off to the sidekick track. To make matters worse, he learns that, in very rare cases, the offspring of two superheroes may never develop powers. Will makes the best of his situation, but is very worried about disappointing his top of the heap parents. And of course, there is evil lurking about, and it seems to be targeting Will's family. Will Will get his powers in time? Will he get them at all? Will he be able to save his family and the world? Tune in to SKY HIGH to find out. Is SKY HIGH predictable, campy, and cliché? YES! Did I know exactly what was going to happen from the very beginning? YES! Was it immediately obvious who the real heroes and who the villains were? YES! Did I care? NO! NO! NO! SKY HIGH is cute, sweet, and perfect for families. There is no bad language, no sexual innuendo, no gore, and nothing more than mild comic book violence. Just plain, good, clean fun. I, personally, found myself grinning throughout most of this film, enjoying the sheer cuteness of it. The entire cast does a nice, campy, over the top job of it (hey, they ARE superheroes and super villains, after all), but I especially enjoyed the appearances of Lynda Carter, Cloris Leachman, and Bruce Campbell. The story is typical Disney, with a happy ending and good messages. SKY HIGH teaches kids to be true to themselves, true to their friends, and true to what they believe, all wrapped up in a live action comic book. SKY HIGH is an easy, breezy, light-hearted summer flick, perfect for the entire family.
	Sky High (Blu-ray)
	"Super Cute!"	2009-07-22
SKY HIGH is a Disney movie about a high school, SKY HIGH, for the children of superheroes. Here, they study to be either a) superheroes or b) sidekicks (aka Hero Support). As with any high school, there are social cliques, raging hormones, and impossible homework, but SKY HIGH takes it all to a whole new level. It is the first day of high school at SKY HIGH for freshman Will Stronghold, son of superhero power couple The Commander and Jetstream. Unfortunately for Will, he is a bit delayed and has not yet developed his powers. He washes out at "power classification" and is shunted off to the sidekick track. To make matters worse, he learns that, in very rare cases, the offspring of two superheroes may never develop powers. Will makes the best of his situation, but is very worried about disappointing his top of the heap parents. And of course, there is evil lurking about, and it seems to be targeting Will's family. Will Will get his powers in time? Will he get them at all? Will he be able to save his family and the world? Tune in to SKY HIGH to find out. Is SKY HIGH predictable, campy, and cliché? YES! Did I know exactly what was going to happen from the very beginning? YES! Was it immediately obvious who the real heroes and who the villains were? YES! Did I care? NO! NO! NO! SKY HIGH is cute, sweet, and perfect for families. There is no bad language, no sexual innuendo, no gore, and nothing more than mild comic book violence. Just plain, good, clean fun. I, personally, found myself grinning throughout most of this film, enjoying the sheer cuteness of it. The entire cast does a nice, campy, over the top job of it (hey, they ARE superheroes and super villains, after all), but I especially enjoyed the appearances of Lynda Carter, Cloris Leachman, and Bruce Campbell. The story is typical Disney, with a happy ending and good messages. SKY HIGH teaches kids to be true to themselves, true to their friends, and true to what they believe, all wrapped up in a live action comic book. SKY HIGH is an easy, breezy, light-hearted summer flick, perfect for the entire family.
	Being There
	"Beautiful and Thoughtful"	2009-07-12
BEING THERE is a wonderful film; simple, quiet, and extremely though provoking. One of Peter Sellers' final and, perhaps, best performance, the role of Chance the gardener is a huge departure from the typical, over-the-top, slapstick comedic roles for which he is so well known and loved. An amazing mixture of political satire, social commentary, and Biblical metaphor, BEING THERE is strangely prophetic and very relevant to our own current political drama. In BEING THERE, we meet Chance the Gardener (Peter Sellers), a mentally handicapped man who has learned everything he knows from TV and has had no other interaction with the outside world. Chance appears to have been born in the garden, and has never been outsides its walls. When his employer, the Old Man, dies, Chance is thrown into the real world. Chance's initial interactions with the outside world are very innocent, simplistic, and very literal. When the wife (Shirley MacLaine) of a wealthy power broker (Melvyn Douglas) accidently hits Chance with her car, he finds himself hanging out with the rich and famous. To Chance, these are just people, people whose kindnesses and words he takes at face value. Yet these people believe that Chance is great man and a great scholar; they believe that his simple observations about plants are rich metaphors for life, business, and politics. Chance becomes a valued and well known advisor to the rich and famous, to the country, and to the world. While Peter Sellers is always fun, in BEING THERE the humor is more muted and subtle. BEING THERE is a successful mockery of political conceit and the effects of seeing what you want to see. The character of Chance is a mirror; the people who go to him for advice see what they want to see - what they NEED to see - whether the subject is political, business, or just plain life. To me, BEING THERE is a new, updated version of the old fable The Emperor's New Clothes. Peter Sellers is outstanding in this, his penultimate role. His performance is subtle, calm, and nuanced to near perfection. He makes you want to laugh, to cry, and to just plain hope. Shirley MacLaine as a woman looking for love and Melvyn Douglas as her dying, powerful husband are both superb. In fact the entire cast does a marvelous job. As previously stated, BEING THERE is thoughtful, understated film, brilliant in its simplicity. The finale of the film is a subject of much debate, but like Chance, himself, I think the ending is what you want it to be. However, if you take the metaphors of the Old Man, the Garden, etc, to their natural conclusion, the meaning of the ending is quite clear. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
	Stranger in a Strange Land (Remembering Tomorrow)
	"A Martian Named Smith"	2009-06-20
There is no question that Robert Anson Heinlein is one of the Fathers of Science Fiction. There is also no question that STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND is his most famous work, having been called "the most famous science fiction novel ever written." Is it his best? Perhaps not. But it is a ground breaking classic, one that I enjoy reading again and again. STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND is the story of Valentine Michael Smith (Mike), a male born of human parents on the first Earth colony ship to Mars. Literally born as the ship landed on Mars, Mike's parents and the rest of the crew died, and Mike was raised by Martians. 25 years later, a second Earth colony ship lands on Mars, and discovers Mike, the native inhabitants of Mars, and a host of unanswered questions. Mike returns to Earth, and STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND is the detailed chronicle of his introduction to, interaction with, and transformation of human culture. STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND was Heinlein's first truly adult science fiction novel, and he took on some pretty heady topics. Politics, religion, sex, equality, and the concept of a truly un-human culture (which happened to be superior), to name a few. Heinlein wove these themes into STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND, each of which contributed to his idealistic vision of a perfect world.He intermixed shock value, logic, and plain good storytelling to get his points across, and I think he did so quite wonderfully. 1. Religion. Heinlein was not an atheist, as some have claimed. He did believe in a higher power; what he did not have any use for was organized religion. He believed in faith. If you had faith, true faith, then the trappings of religion were unnecessary and superfluous. They just did not matter. The Church of All Worlds in STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND was set up to show that no matter what the religious trapping were, it was faith that really mattered. He also created a religion where happiness and self-belief were the main drivers, rather than fire, brimstone, and fear. Makes great sense to me. 2. Sex. Contrary to popular belief, STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND did not promote promiscuity or free love. What Heinlein did was to create a world where people were open about sex, where it was enjoyable and exciting, but with it came great responsibility. In this world, sex wasn't hidden, secret, or naughty; rather it was honest and pure and fun. People who could develop this utopian attitude became happier, healthier, less jealous, more caring, and, yes, more sexual. Responsibility to partners, offspring, and an entire extended family became the norm. In his own way, by exploring sexuality, Heinlein was exploring and redefining the meaning of family. He was also trying to define sex as a miraculous union, and to show that humans should treat it as the miracle of bonding and "growing closer" that it is. 3. Equality. Before the sexual revolution and equality for women, Heinlein clearly believed in equality of the sexes, equality of the races, equality of faiths...basically the equality of all humans. Yes, he felt women should be treated with respect and reverence and be protected and nurtured because they gave birth and perpetuated the species, but he clearly believed that they were intelligent and capable. He also believed that women had sexual needs equal to those of men and had the right to pursue those needs. 4. Politics. In STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND, Heinlein clearly had little use for government, politics, or politicians. He believed that government in general was a necessary evil, but preferred that it be kept small and out of his business. He didn't care what it was based on or what guided it - astrology was the ridiculous example used in STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND - as long as it left him alone. Works for me. He also had little use for entitlements, and expected human beings to work for what they received. Again, works for me. 5. Un-Human, Superior Culture. Heinlein did a remarkable and revolutionary thing when he created the Martian culture of STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND. The Martians of this novel are clearly not humanoids from another planet. They do not think like humans, act like humans, look like humans, reproduce like human, live like humans, or do anything like we do here on the planet Earth. There is nothing remotely recognizable about these Martians; they are completely alien. We can't them, and they can't understand us. They are older, more advanced, and can perceive the universe around them in ways that humans do not. But humans can, if properly taught, learn some of the things that Martians do. What a marvelous concept. In 1962 the original version of STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND won the Hugo Award for the Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year. After Heinlein's death in 1988, his wife Virginia discovered the original uncut manuscript and arranged to have it published in 1991. It is interesting to read the two books side by side, to see the differences, and to compare them. I enjoy both versions very much, and am still not sure which is my favorite. Whatever version you choose, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND. Whether you have read it before or not, whether you love it or not, you will find it to be an interesting and thought-provoking read.
	Rescue Pets Swim to me Puppy
	"Tons Of Swimming Fun!"	2009-06-14
My four year old really, really wanted THE RESCUE PETS SWIM TO ME PUPPY for her recent birthday. I read all of the negative reviews about this toy, and really wasn't sure, but she convinced her Paw-Paw to get for her. She knows what she wants and is a great little salesman. And do you know what? We were all very pleasantly surprised. THE RESCUE PETS SWIM TO ME PUPPY works exactly as advertised. First of all, this all plastic puppy is very cute. His big, adorable eyes, long, floppy ears, and a sweet expression have won my daughter's heart. Place him on the floor, turn him on, and he will walk around the room, following my wee one. He is slow, but can manage the transitions from carpet to tile to hardwood and back again with no problem. The SWIM TO ME PUPPY just keeps going until he encounters a wall or some other large obstacle. You do have to remember to turn him off so that you don't waste the batteries. Next, we took the SWIM TO ME PUPPY to the neighborhood pool. You don't even have to turn him on in the water. My daughter placed him in the pool, and the two sensors on his neck detected the water, and he immediately started swimming around. My little one squealed with delight! Now, you do have to let him fill up with water so that his ballast is right and he swims correctly, but that takes just a few seconds. Once he has his balance, he swims and swims. We kept THE SWIM TO ME PUPPY in the water for quite a long time (30 minutes or so), and he kept going. When we finally took him out of the water, he stop almost immediately, once the sensor stopped detecting water. Perhaps it took about 5 seconds. My child lovingly dried him off, but it was not necessary for THE SWIM TO ME PUPPY to turn off. All I can say is that THE RESCUE PETS SWIM TO ME PUPPY works perfectly for us. My daughter is absolutely thrilled with it, and I am extremely pleased. THE SWIM TO ME PUPPY has helped my wee one overcome some of her fear of the water. She will mimic anything he does. Because of THE RESCUE PETS SWIM TO ME PUPPY, her swimming is improving every day. We have had THE RESCUE PETS SWIM TO ME PUPPY for several months now, and he is still going strong.
	The Little Mermaid (Limited Issue)
	"A Foundation For A New Era"	2009-06-05
There is no question that in 1989, Disney's animated film, THE LITTLE MERMAID ushered in a new golden era for both Disney and animation. Widely recognized at the time as one of the best Disney films in decades, THE LITTLE MERMAID brought the beauty and joy of Disney animation to a new generation of audiences. THE LITTLE MERMAID went on to become one of the most honored animated films of all time, garnering two Academy Awards, on for Best Music, Original Score and the other forBest Music, Original Song, "Under The Sea." The artistic beauty of THE LITTLE MERMAID shines through in every frame. Artist James Coleman created exquisitely detailed backdrops for this film. The songs of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman are classics in their own right: memorable, toe-tapping, and fun...some of the very best in the Disney repertoire. The characters themselves are unforgettable. Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder, Ursula have all ascended to the pantheon of Disney greats. And of course, none of this describes how my 4 year old daughter feels about Ariel and THE LITTLE MERMAID. Ariel's story of the THE LITTLE MERMAID who wanted feet, and her beauty, innocence, and fascination with the human world instantly propelled her into the ranks of the classic Disney princesses - Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. She is beloved by millions of little girls across generations, and my little one is no exception. She is a strong female character who proves she can take care of herself, along with a little help from her friends. I really like Ariel as a role model. This platinum addition DVD is a must have for any Disney, princess, or animation fans...or for the little princess in all of us. My wee one and I love curling up on the sofa together to watch THE LITTLE MERMAID. We become captivated by the story each time, and we love to sing-a-long. It is a wonderful time together. What else could anyone ask for?
	The Little Mermaid
	"A Foundation For A New Era"	2009-06-05
There is no question that in 1989, Disney's animated film, THE LITTLE MERMAID ushered in a new golden era for both Disney and animation. Widely recognized at the time as one of the best Disney films in decades, THE LITTLE MERMAID brought the beauty and joy of Disney animation to a new generation of audiences. THE LITTLE MERMAID went on to become one of the most honored animated films of all time, garnering two Academy Awards, on for Best Music, Original Score and the other forBest Music, Original Song, "Under The Sea." The artistic beauty of THE LITTLE MERMAID shines through in every frame. Artist James Coleman created exquisitely detailed backdrops for this film. The songs of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman are classics in their own right: memorable, toe-tapping, and fun...some of the very best in the Disney repertoire. The characters themselves are unforgettable. Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder, Ursula have all ascended to the pantheon of Disney greats. And of course, none of this describes how my 4 year old daughter feels about Ariel and THE LITTLE MERMAID. Ariel's story of the THE LITTLE MERMAID who wanted feet, and her beauty, innocence, and fascination with the human world instantly propelled her into the ranks of the classic Disney princesses - Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. She is beloved by millions of little girls across generations, and my little one is no exception. She is a strong female character who proves she can take care of herself, along with a little help from her friends. I really like Ariel as a role model. This platinum addition DVD is a must have for any Disney, princess, or animation fans...or for the little princess in all of us. My wee one and I love curling up on the sofa together to watch THE LITTLE MERMAID. We become captivated by the story each time, and we love to sing-a-long. It is a wonderful time together. What else could anyone ask for?
	Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker by Jakks Pacific
	"Not Perfect, But Fun and Cute"	2009-05-10
My four year old daughter received the GIRL GOURMET CUPCAKE MAKER as a birthday gift. She was very, very excited when she unwrapped it, and could not wait to make cupcakes with Mommy. We gave it a try this morning, and I must say, we both had a lot of fun! The GIRL GOURMET CUPCAKE MAKER comes with everything you need to mix, bake, and frost 4 cup cakes. Yes, you have to make one cupcake at a time, and you need to clean all the pieces in between cupcakes. But none of that takes too long, and my wee one was having a great time. First you mix up the batter in the little mixing bowl provided. You must follow the directions exactly and get the correct consistency. Then, you pop the baker in the microwave for 30 seconds, and out pops a nicely done cupcake. Wait for it to cool. While you are waiting, mix up the icing, again, following the directions exactly to get the right consistency for the frosting machine. Fill the frosting machine (again, messy but fun). Then put the cooled cupcake in the little bowl, push down on the lever slowly, and watch the cupcake spin as the icing machine swirls icing onto the cupcake. The cupcake actually moves forward as it spins, so you get a spiral of icing. It isn't perfect, but it isn't bad either. Then you add the sprinkles and voila! Four nicely decorated cupcakes in about 15 min. FUN! The taste is actually pretty good (our favorite was the yellow cupcake (to which we added chocolate chips) with chocolate frosting), but the refills are expensive. I can see from other reviews that there are ways to use regular cake mix and canned frosting, so we will definitely be trying that next. Overall, the GIRL GOURMET CUPCAKE MAKER is easy to use, easy to clean, makes decent cupcakes, and was a very fun way to spend Mother's Day with my child.
	Harvey
	"Classic Jimmy Stewart"	2009-04-26
We recently revisited this old friend, and HARVEY is one film that surely stands the test of time. This is Jimmy Stewart at his best: sweet, polite, and happy. HARVEY is an excellent choice for a lazy Sunday morning with the entire family. Elwood P. Dowd has an imaginary friend, whose name is HARVEY. HARVEY is an invisible, 6 foot tall, white rabbit, who accompanies Elwood everywhere. Ever polite, Elwood introduces HARVEY to everyone he meets. However, since only Elwood can see HARVEY, most folks think that Elwood is crazy. But is Elwood crazy? That question is left for the audience to ponder. The fact is that it doesn't really matter if Elwood is crazy. Elwood is kind, polite, pleasant, and always has a good time right where he is. It just doesn't matter if he has a giant, talking, white rabbit for a best friend or not. The story of HARVEY is delightful and engaging. Jimmy Stewart is at his very best as Elwood. The rest of the supporting cast is outstanding, including Josephine Hull who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Elwood's sister. Of course, HARVEY is excellent as himself. The black and white cinematography is gorgeous! The play of light and shadow gives this movie a calm, dreamy quality that could not ever be duplicated in color. On my DVD, Jimmy Stewart gives a marvelous, sentimental introduction to HARVEY. As part of the introduction, Mr. Stewart said that people still stop him on the streets and ask if HARVEY is there with him. At first, he thought people were pulling his leg. But he soon came to realize that folks were serious. They wanted to meet HARVEY and give him their regards. It seems that many people a have friend like HARVEY that they talk to about their problems, and they wanted to let HARVEY know that they believe in him. This charming story brought a tear to my eye. The world would probably be a much better place if there were more HARVEYs and more Elwood P. Dowds in it.
	Hidden
	"Sci-Fi Campy Fun - 1980s Style"	2009-04-25
I had never heard of THE HIDDEN. When my husband put it on last night, I thought "What is this, a cheesy shoot`em up cop flick? A `B' horror movie?" But I have to admit, I quickly changed my tune. THE HIDDEN is all of those things, and much, much more. In fact, I really enjoyed this movie. In THE HIDDEN, law abiding citizens are suddenly going on wild, violent killing sprees and then turning up dead. There is a pattern to these outbreaks; they started up north in Washington, have made their way through Oregon, and are now happening in LA. An LA cop and an FBI agent team up to catch the latest killer and put an end to all the bloodshed. But, there is something else going on here, something more than meets the eye. Something is very, very wrong, and it must be stopped. Immediately. THE HIDDEN is bloody, violent, with innumerable chase scenes. It has a campy, well-worn plot. The special effects, well, they aren't, not even for the `80s. And the hair...you gotta love the hair. But THE HIDDEN is very entertaining and just plain fun. The twist at the end is suspected, but plays out a bit differently than originally thought. THE HIDDEN is a hidden gem. If you like cop thrillers, B-movies, sci-fi, or enjoyable, light evenings at home, try THE HIDDEN.
	The Hidden
	"Sci-Fi Campy Fun - 1980s Style"	2009-04-25
I had never heard of THE HIDDEN. When my husband put it on last night, I thought "What is this, a cheesy shoot`em up cop flick? A `B' horror movie?" But I have to admit, I quickly changed my tune. THE HIDDEN is all of those things, and much, much more. In fact, I really enjoyed this movie. In THE HIDDEN, law abiding citizens are suddenly going on wild, violent killing sprees and then turning up dead. There is a pattern to these outbreaks; they started up north in Washington, have made their way through Oregon, and are now happening in LA. An LA cop and an FBI agent team up to catch the latest killer and put an end to all the bloodshed. But, there is something else going on here, something more than meets the eye. Something is very, very wrong, and it must be stopped. Immediately. THE HIDDEN is bloody, violent, with innumerable chase scenes. It has a campy, well-worn plot. The special effects, well, they aren't, not even for the `80s. And the hair...you gotta love the hair. But THE HIDDEN is very entertaining and just plain fun. The twist at the end is suspected, but plays out a bit differently than originally thought. THE HIDDEN is a hidden gem. If you like cop thrillers, B-movies, sci-fi, or enjoyable, light evenings at home, try THE HIDDEN.
	The Hidden
	"Sci-Fi Campy Fun - 1980s Style"	2009-04-25
I had never heard of THE HIDDEN. When my husband put it on last night, I thought "What is this, a cheesy shoot`em up cop flick? A `B' horror movie?" But I have to admit, I quickly changed my tune. THE HIDDEN is all of those things, and much, much more. In fact, I really enjoyed this movie. In THE HIDDEN, law abiding citizens are suddenly going on wild, violent killing sprees and then turning up dead. There is a pattern to these outbreaks; they started up north in Washington, have made their way through Oregon, and are now happening in LA. An LA cop and an FBI agent team up to catch the latest killer and put an end to all the bloodshed. But, there is something else going on here, something more than meets the eye. Something is very, very wrong, and it must be stopped. Immediately. THE HIDDEN is bloody, violent, with innumerable chase scenes. It has a campy, well-worn plot. The special effects, well, they aren't, not even for the `80s. And the hair...you gotta love the hair. But THE HIDDEN is very entertaining and just plain fun. The twist at the end is suspected, but plays out a bit differently than originally thought. THE HIDDEN is a hidden gem. If you like cop thrillers, B-movies, sci-fi, or enjoyable, light evenings at home, try THE HIDDEN.
	Coraline
	"Alice Skellington"	2009-04-24
Question: What would you get if Alice Liddell married Jack Skellington? Answer: CORALINE CORALINE is a deliciously creepy odyssey which starts with a young girl's boredom and ends with her being appreciative of her own backyard. Figuratively and literally. It is a well-told tale reminiscent of Through the Looking Glass, The Wizard of Oz, and Hansel and Gretel. What I particularly liked about the tale was that CORALINE's parents are alive and remain so from beginning to end. Yeah for living parents! When first we see CORALINE(not Caroline, as she has to remind folks), she's bored. She lives in an apartment with her mother and father, both of whom work from home but can't give her the attention she craves. She tries visiting the old Vaudevillian ladies who live upstairs as well as the crazy old man who trains the mice, but she just doesn't understand them. Huh. Then she finds the key and the door, and the passage beyond that's sometimes there and sometimes not. The old man says that the mice have a message for her: don't enter the passage. If only CORALINE had listened. What CORALINE finds beyond that passageway is what makes this story interesting. It's what makes all classic fairytales interesting. Temptation, morality, determination, and heroism, all wrapped up like a spooky burrito with a side order of eerie dipping sauce. The story is nicely edited, keeping the reader turning pages and wanting to know what happens next. In fact, once I finished the book, I went looking for the movie. Unfortunately, it has already left theaters and not yet made it to store shelves. I'll just have to keep my button-eyes peeled for it!
	Coraline by Neil Gaiman, ISBN 0380807343
	"Alice Skellington"	2009-04-24
Question: What would you get if Alice Liddell married Jack Skellington? Answer: CORALINE CORALINE is a deliciously creepy odyssey which starts with a young girl's boredom and ends with her being appreciative of her own backyard. Figuratively and literally. It is a well-told tale reminiscent of Through the Looking Glass, The Wizard of Oz, and Hansel and Gretel. What I particularly liked about the tale was that CORALINE's parents are alive and remain so from beginning to end. Yeah for living parents! When first we see CORALINE(not Caroline, as she has to remind folks), she's bored. She lives in an apartment with her mother and father, both of whom work from home but can't give her the attention she craves. She tries visiting the old Vaudevillian ladies who live upstairs as well as the crazy old man who trains the mice, but she just doesn't understand them. Huh. Then she finds the key and the door, and the passage beyond that's sometimes there and sometimes not. The old man says that the mice have a message for her: don't enter the passage. If only CORALINE had listened. What CORALINE finds beyond that passageway is what makes this story interesting. It's what makes all classic fairytales interesting. Temptation, morality, determination, and heroism, all wrapped up like a spooky burrito with a side order of eerie dipping sauce. The story is nicely edited, keeping the reader turning pages and wanting to know what happens next. In fact, once I finished the book, I went looking for the movie. Unfortunately, it has already left theaters and not yet made it to store shelves. I'll just have to keep my button-eyes peeled for it!