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Sunday, September 5, 2010

Life After People - Complete Season Two (2-Disc Set) [Blu-ray]

Life After People - Complete Season Two (2-Disc Set) [Blu-ray]

Life After People - Complete Season Two (2-Disc Set) [Blu-ray]
From History Channel

Price: £14.93 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Editorial Reviews

DVD Description
Welcome to Earth. Population Zero. What would happen if every human being on Earth disappeared? This isn’t the story of how we might vanish – it is the story of what happens to the world we leave behind. The second season of the fascinating HISTORY™ series Life After People takes a stunningly graphic journey to a world wiped clean of humanity.

From animal outbreaks to massive structural collapses to hordes of toxins and chemicals unleashed across the globe, Life After People: The Complete Season Two reveals what happens in the hours, days, months and years after people disappear.

• The incredible cutting-edge CGI effects are perfect for the Blu-ray format, revealing in superb quality the scientific details of the fate of every aspect of the man-made world and how the landscape of our planet would forever change in our absence. As each scenario is revealed it is easy to forget you are watching CGI and not the actual disintegration of our planet as we know it.

• 2 discs in a luxury 4 page Digipak in a double walled slipcase.



Stills from Life After People - Season Two (Click for larger image)






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Amelia [DVD]

Amelia [DVD] [2009]

Amelia [DVD] [2009]
Directed by Mira Nair

Price: £10.40 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
With her lanky Middle-America looks and her toothy grin, Hilary Swank is a natural fit for the adventurous figure of Amelia Earhart, the world's most famous aviatrix. Amelia ticks through the major achievements of Earhart's career: her 1928 flight across the Atlantic (as a passenger, not a pilot), which made her the first airborne woman to make the trip; more triumphantly, her 1932 solo transatlantic journey; her marriage to publisher George Putnam; and of course the mysterious 1937 around-the-world flight that ended in her vanishing, with engineer Fred Noonan, somewhere near Howland Island in the mid Pacific. With Swank in her pilot togs and director Mira Nair at the helm, the project would seem to have the ingredients for success, but the resulting film is a truly dull, almost featureless affair. The big flights themselves have innate appeal, but otherwise the emphasis is on Amelia's love life, shared between Putnam (Richard Gere) and the dashing Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor)--who, the film clumsily keeps reminding us, is the father of Gore Vidal, seen here as a precocious tyke. A smidgen of Amelia's proto-feminist attitude is included, including her intriguing take on her marriage agreement, but nothing actually cuts deep or generates interest. After a while Amelia becomes a series of events, told with less excitement than the average documentary on the same subject, albeit with prettier photography. --Robert Horton

Synopsis
Hilary Swank and Richard Gere star in director Mira Nair's biopic tracing the life of famed aviator Amelia Earhart -- who made history in 1932 by becoming the first woman ever to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The trip made the aviatrix a national celebrity -- with help from her publicist George Putnam (Gere), whom she fell in love with and eventually married. Their union was tested, however, as Earhart developed feelings for contemporary Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor ), and the couple's marriage faced the ultimate tragedy years later, as Earhart's fierce independent spirit spurred her to attempt to fly around the world -- a venture that infamously shrouded her in mystery, as the pilot simply vanished after crashing into the Pacific Ocean. Christopher Eccleston and Joe Anderson co-star in the Avalon Pictures production.

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Favela Rising

Favela Rising [2005] [DVD]

Favela Rising [2005] [DVD]
Directed by Jeff Zimbalist, Matt Mochary

Price: £11.87 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Editorial Reviews

Synopsis
A documentary profiling Anderson Sa, a former trader of drugs, who leads his community in non-violent revolution through the music and culture now known as Afro-Reggae.

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How the Earth Was Made [Blu-ray]

How the Earth Was Made [Blu-ray] [2007]

How the Earth Was Made [Blu-ray] [2007]
Directed by Robert Strange

Price: £9.93 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Editorial Reviews

DVD Description
San Andreas Fault: The San Andreas Fault runs 800 miles through some of the most valuable real estate in the world. Through the southern section hasn't had a significant quake for over 300 years, recent warnings have Los Angeles primed for a destructive quake that could wreak havoc on the city.

The Deepest Place on Earth: Lying seven miles below the surface of the sea, the Marianas Trench is the deepest place on Earth. Investigate the mystery of this strange underwater abyss, where a world of fiery mountains, bizarre marine mud volcanoes, and devastating tsunamis reveal how the deepest scar on Earth's crust was created.

Krakatoa: The 1883 eruption of the Krakatoa volcano unleashed an explosion that was heard mroe than 2,000 miles away, and triggered a giant 100-foot tsunami that wiped out more than 36,000 people. What made this corner of our planet so dangerous, and could another catastrophic eruption be on the way?

Loch Ness: Home to the legend of the Loch Ness monster, this lake holds more water than any other lake in Britain. It's only 10,000 years old, but billions of years in the making. Trace the lake's extraordinary history and find out if the famed monster could really have survived in its murky waters.

New York: Built on the remains of mountains that 450 million years ago were as tall as the Himalayas, New York is one of the most man-made spaces on the planet. Learn how everything about it--from the height of its skyscrapers to the position of its harbour--is governed by the amazing forces that shaped it.

Driest Place On Earth: Since human records of the area began, some places in the Atacama Desert have never received rain; yet strange bacteria have been discovered living there. Look into the riddle of this South American desert to discover how this extraordinarily dry landscape was created.

Great Lakes: The Great Lakes of North America are the largest expanses of fresh water on the planet. As the lakes settle to their current levels, geologists delve deep in search for clues of their formation, discovering that the Great Lakes' evolutions are far from over.

Yellowstone: This National Park houses one of the most dangerous geological features on Earth, a hidden super-volcano overdue for a massive eruption. In the past 16.5 million years, the volcano has mysteriously moved hundreds of miles to its present, and active, location. Is this sleeping giant beginning to stir?

Tsunami: Tsunamis are one of the most terrifying forces of nature, destroying all in their path. The December 26th tsunami in 2004 is estimated to have released energy equal to that of 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs. What are the enormous forces that generate these catastrophic waves deep on the ocean floor?

Asteroids: Until recently geologists could find no evidence that asteroids had actually struck the earth. See both the immense riches now known to be the result of these giant boulders from space, and the decimation their violent impacts had on the first people to live in America.

Iceland: The largest and most fearsome volcanic island on the planet, Iceland is being ripped apart by powerful forces lighting its fiery volcanoes. Could these volcanoes cause climatic chaos and devastation across the planet?

Hawaii: Emerging from the centre of the Pacific Ocean, the origins of the Hawaiian islands have remained a puzzle for generations. See what clues their history of raging volcanoes, vast landslides, and mega-tsunamis might hold about the inner workings of our planet.

The Alps: Spanning seven countries, the Alps are Europe's most important natural landmark. But how did marine fossils get there, seven thousand feet above sea level? A team of investigators attempts to understand how the Alps evolved, and how long they will be around.

Synopsis
How could the planet that was once a simmering sea of radioactive, molten rock evolve to become the universe's greatest refuge for human life? This is the question asked by filmmaker Peter Chin as he descends deep into the volcanoes that formed the planet's crust and dives to the bottom of the ocean to explore the first evidence of life on Earth. Beginning in the distant past and stretching into the far-off future, How The Earth Was Made utilizes cutting edge special effects and breathtaking footage from remote locations in order to find out not only where life came from, but where it could be heading as well.

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Mysteries of the Bible

Mysteries of the Bible (6 DVD Gift Pack)

Mysteries of the Bible (6 DVD Gift Pack)
From History Channel

Price: £9.93 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Editorial Reviews

DVD Description
This series provides a wealth of astonishing discoveries and unforgettable revelations.

Upheld as the literal word of God by some and the ultimate testament of mankind’s spirituality by others, the Bible has galvanized western history for over 2,000 years. For ages, it has provided a rich treasury of tradition, ritual and mystery that has engaged scholars as much as it has guided the faithful. After thousands of years of debate and question, Mysteries of the Bible explores many of the greatest tales of Scripture.

Filmed on location throughout the Holy Land and utilising modern scientific techniques and newfound archaeological discoveries, Mysteries of the Bible reveals surprising facts and theories behind the legendary figures and fabled stories of the Bible.

ABRAHAM: ONE MAN, ONE GOD
Searching for evidence to support the existence of Abraham, one of the Bible’s most revered figures.

SPARTACUS
The tale of the infamous Thracian warrior who lead a slave revolt of 70,000 gladiators against the Roman Republic.

HEROD THE GREAT
The world’s leading archaeologists and historians search for the truth about one of the Bible’s most legendary villains.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
This is the code that has come to many to be the very definition of moral behaviour.

JACOB’S LADDER
Jacob’s magnificent vision has both fascinated and perplexed people of all religions for centuries.

JOSEPH: MASTER OF DREAMS
Looking for evidence to support the story of Joseph, who used his divine gift to save Egypt from famine.

CAIN AND ABEL
A tale of cold-blooded murder between the world’s first brothers, which in many ways remains a mystery.

QUEEN ESTHER: FAR AWAY AND LONG AGO
An in-depth look into how a woman from ancient Persia came to have such an impact on Judaism?

KING SOLOMON
Explore new answers to some of the oldest questions that have perplexed historians and archaeologists for years.

KING DAVID: POET WARRIOR
Extraordinary new discoveries about one of the bible’s best known characters – slayer of the giant named Goliath.

ARCHENEMY: THE PHILISTINES
What is the truth behind the legend of the Philistines, who were the Israelites most cunning and ruthless enemies.

THE EXECUTION OF JESUS
An exploration into the truth behind the legendary crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

THE LOST YEARS OF JESUS
Scholars reveal intriguing theories of why the Bible is silent about the missing decades of Jesus’ life known as the “lost years”.

THE LAST SUPPER
The significance of the last supper is unparalleled, but details are scant and modern scholars continue to debate the specifics.

PAUL THE APOSTLE
With the exception of Jesus of Nazareth, Saint Paul is the single most important figure in the history of Christianity, this is his story.

THE BIBLE’S GREATEST SECRETS
In the Holy Land today, dozens of specialised archaeologists attempt to unlock the mysteries of vanished civilisations.

BIBLICAL ANGELS
Featuring time and again in the bible, today, angels are still the centre of wonder, popular imagination, and debate.

HEAVEN AND HELL
We try to uncover where do the images of Heaven and Hell come from and what do they tell us about our own fears of sin and redemption?

APOCALYPSE: THE PUZZLE OF REVELATION
Visit ancient Megiddio--thought to be the site of the biblical Armageddon--and uncover answers about the apocalyptic prophesies.

Special Features
Ancient Mysteries: The Lost Ark
History’s Mysteries: The Shroud of Turin

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Lisztomania

Lisztomania [DVD] [1975]

Lisztomania [DVD] [1975]
Directed by Ken Russell

Price: £9.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Editorial Reviews

Synopsis
Outrageously hedonistic 'rockopera' LISZTOMANIA casts contemporary rock god Roger Daltrey as the world's first music superstar, Franz Liszt. Loosely based on the life of the composer, the film takes a fantastical voyage through rock'n'roll excess and adventure, peppered with cameos from such pop icons as Ringo Starr (as the Pope) and Rick Wakeman (as Thor). The dynamic pairing of THE WHO frontman and visionary filmmaker Ken Russell reunited again after the triumphant TOMMY (made the same year) for another equally flamboyant and extraordinary assault on the senses. Sex, groupies, Nazis, Vikings, Robots and classical music; LISZTOMANIA has it all and more!

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Bus 174 [DVD]

Bus 174 [DVD] [2002]

Bus 174 [DVD] [2002]
Directed by Jose Padilha

Price: £4.57 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Editorial Reviews

Synopsis
A documentary recounting the events of June 12, 2000 in Rio de Janeiro when several people fell victim to the hijacking of a bus. Unable to determine the motives of the hijacker, the authorities stood their ground for four hours whilst the television cameras recorded every second, capturing the attention of a nation for the duration of the stand-off. Portuguese dialogue with English subtitles.

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Life In Victorian Britain [DVD]

Life In Victorian Britain [DVD]

Life In Victorian Britain [DVD]
From Cromwell Productions

Price: £6.53 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Customer Reviews

Not bad3
Life in Victorian Britain(1995) is an OK documentary using excellent pictures and photographs of the age. The sound quality is poor on the DVD but apart from that its watchable. I recommend this for beginners in the victorian era, it covers most parts of the era from lower classes to upper classes, industry and empire and has interviews and dramatised readings. The DVD is one hour long, and also includes a picture gallery. Not a brilliant dvd but i learned alot from it so i recommend.

victorian Britain3
I ordered dvd this hoping I could use it as part of my Project Victorian Britain with my class of nine year olds. It was very interesting but too adult for them. Perhaps this could have been mentioned in the description?

Life in Victorian Britain3
This is an interesting DVD, which does pack in a lot of good information. However,I find the constant 'criticism' over the class system of Victoria's age both unnecessary and hypocritical. We in the West today are living with even greater differences in real wealth between rich and poor than they had then.

Victoria's reign was in fact England's heroic age. A time in which the population, industrial and military strength of both Great Britain and Europe, all grew faster for longer; than ever before or since. It was an age that saw a highly sucessful English ruling class create the largest Empire the world has ever seen. This Empire in turn allowed the establishment of the first genuinely worldwide economic system; a system we all benefit from even today.

The Victorian educational system was, in it's day, the best in the world bar none; as were the British engineering, banking, shipbuilding, and railway industries. In medical and scientific research, England took a world lead which has only recently been lost; and many other Victorian achievements could easily be added to this list.

To conclude; this programme does have a lot to offer, but I feel that there was far more positive information on Victoria's age which could have been included in order to give a more balanced view. Life In Victorian Britain [DVD]

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Rural Britain A novel approach

Rural Britain A novel approach [DVD]

Rural Britain A novel approach [DVD]
From Go Entertain

Price: £12.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Customer Reviews

Nice viewing4
All in all a set of discs that is worth viewing. Picture and sound are very good. The whole project falls short, however, of the promises that the title gives. Neither is it a "novel", ie new, nor a "novel", ie based on the novels of the presented authors, approach. So the pun somehow misfires! It is quite simply a series of biographical detail, embedded in rural surroundings and buildings, with little "novel" impetus. But, as stated before, well worth its purchasing price, if you do not expect too much.
By the way, running time is about 150 minutes.

authors and countryside3
Very informative and attractive to watch whilst not being too heavy on the details of the actual writers, therefore, well worth watching but I was left with a feeling that

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