Forgotten Heroes - The Robert Hartsock Story DVD & Digital ~ #Review #MillCreekEntertainment

Forgotten Heroes - The Robert Hartsock Story

Image Credit: Mill Creek Entertainment

Disclosure: I received free product for review purposes and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Forgottten Heroes The Robert Hartsock Story is a DVD and Digital that I recently received from Mill Creek Entertainment to review. It is a documentary telling about the story of the only military dog handler that has ever received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest personal military decoration.

It tells of 10,000 lives that were saved in Vietnam, with the aid of 4,000 military dogs and their handlers. SSGT Robert Hartsock was the only handler ever to receive the Medal of Honor, which is the nations highest award.

The beginning starts with President Lyndon Johnson who struggled with the Vietnam War, which was a civil war, unlike WWI and WWII which were based on a country's domination over another.

In Vietnam scouts dogs were used to find the enemy by their smell, hearing and sight. The canine operations were widely unknown to avoid revealing our capabilities to the enemy. Scout dogs were able to find traps laid by the enemies, such as booby traps, a mine or trip wires.

When the Vietnamese found out about the scout dogs and their leaders, they put out a bounty on them.

The documentary went on to tell of Robert Hartsock, who grew up on a farm and had a father who had been in the military. He grew up learning about teamwork, working on the farm and playing in sports. He also had a willing attitude to help others.

Fellow friends that were drafted into the war told of how Hartsock was a great soldier, who could out shoot anyone, and how good he was at push ups. It told of the scout dog program, which Hartsock and others were in, and given their own German Shepherd to train with.

One of the most important things that the soldiers found out was to take excellent care of their dogs, and they took it seriously. They had vets that took care of the needs of the dogs. It told of when one of the dogs died, it was just like a fellow soldier had died.

Various friends and fellow soldiers told of how they got along and their camaraderie. They celebrated Christmas and had a common bond of friendship.

One of the former vets told of how a dog found a sniper in a palm tree. The dogs and their trainers walked along in front of their units. Another told of how when the dogs got over tired, they were just like anyone and let things slip.

It told of February 23, 1969 when Dau Tieng erupted. The base camp that Hartsock was in was under an unexpected and brutal assault by 2 North Vietnamese divisions. A fellow soldier told of how Hartsock and another solder were on top of the bunker with him when a rocket came in behind them and killed civilians. Nearly 20,000 enemies were the most ever seen in their area in over five years.

Not thinking about his own life, Bob Hartsock took it upon himself to throw himself upon a satchel charge and was greatly wounded. He then crawled to a ditch and helped to suppress enemy fire. Another solder (Sgt. Hughes) was then able to get away and was able to alert the tactical operations center what was going on. They were then able to get reinforcements.

SSGT Hartsock gave his life for his fellow soldiers, which was the ultimate gift. Besides his fellow soldiers grieving, Hartsock's scout dog Duke passed away shortly after his handler did. Although he was physically fit he didn't want to eat or drink, and ultimately died of self imposed starvation.

At the end of this documentary it showed actual footage of President Richard Nixon giving a posthumous Medal of Honor to Robert Hartsock's family in a White House ceremony.

This was a very informative documentary and I learned about a true American hero named Robert Hartsock!

Ancient Secrets of the Bible The Complete Series #Review #MillCreekEntertainment

Photo Credit: Mill Creek Entertainment

Disclosure: I received a free DVD & Digital Set from Mill Creek Entertainment and all opinions expressed here are my own.

This DVD & Digital set titled Ancient Secrets of the BIBLE The Complete Series sounded like something I would be very interested in and I was not disappointed to say the least. It comes with 3 discs and includes a lot of information from the bible, with questions and different theories from doctors and authors.

I started watching disc 1 and it shows man landing on the moon. Then it goes on to tell of Genesis, which is the first book of the bible. It tells of the first man and woman of the bible - Adam and Eve, which God created.

It goes on with different doctors and authors telling their opinions of Adam and Eve and if they think it is a myth or fact. One doctor tells that there was nothing before God created the universe. The narrator says that for many the bible is accepted but asks the question if it could be evolution. It shows some evolutionists that dispute the bible. One of them was Charles Darwin, who wrote a book in 1859 that told about evolution. It tells of chemicals that changed in the universe and that's how evolution occurred. It also told that Darwin said his book was just speculation.

There is another doctor which tells about fossils that have been dug up which were reptiles and he says they transitioned into birds. It tells and shows pictures of  neanderthal men and a man tells of skulls they have found and that they were deformed from old age or rickets. Some bones were bent over so people thought that was the "missing link".

In another segment it tells of the oldest skeleton that has been found which is named "Lucy" which was found in 1974. They say that she stood 3 feet 6 inches tall and was very chimpanzee-like. The only human like features were her hips and knee joints and is very controversial. A doctor said it wasn't a "missing link" but only an unusual monkey.

Another doctor tells that data from DNA has been helpful in telling that we all came from one woman, although the dates are controversial. I found it very interesting that he said they can trace the DNA of females to "mitochondria Eve".  He also said that they found out in 1998 that mitochondria DNA changes 20 times faster than previously assumed, which was something very intriguing to think about.

Some of the other subjects in this set include Noah's Ark, Moses' Ten Commandments, Dead Sea Scrolls, Gold's Holy Ark. Last Supper Artifacts, Shroud of Turin and The Rapture...plus so much more!

So far I am enjoying this DVD set very much and look forward to viewing the whole set, which includes 3 discs. By the way, this set  runs for 17 hours and 33 minutes. The cover also says is is "Winner of 19 Prestigious National Family Film Awards for Excellence".

Queens of Scream Blu-ray & DVD #Review #MillCreekEntertainment

Photo Credit: Mill Creek Entertainment

Disclosure: I received free product for review purposes and all opinions expressed are my own.

Recently I had the pleasure to receive and review Queens of Scream Blu-ray & DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment. As you might know from my previous posts, they have so many DVDs and Blu-rays to offer for any genre and age.

If you like scary or horror films, the Queens of Scream would be the ticket for you to watch. It includes the following films:

I Know What You Did Last Summer
Vacancy
When A Stranger Calls

I decided to watch When A Stranger Call, which I had never seen before. It was made in 1979 so I was in my 20's when it was made.

One of my favorite actors is in it - Charles Durning. It also stars Carol Kane and Colleen Dewhurst. The movie starts out with a babysitter coming to a home and the parents giving her instructions about the kids.

The babysitter starts doing her homework and gets a couple of phone calls, then the phone cuts off. She gets another phone call with a male voice that says "have you checked the children"?  She is getting frighted and calls the place where the parents of the children are at. She gets the reply that they have left 40 minutes ago.

Later she decides to call the police and let them know she's getting phone calls from a man every 15 minutes and they say they can't do anything about it. Afterwards she gets another call from the man and he says "why haven't you checked the children". She calls the police again and they tell her to keep him on the line and they could trace the call. She gets another call and starts talking to him and asking who he is and if he knows her. He then hangs up again.

The police call her and tell her they have traced the call and it is coming from inside the house! In another segment it shows a bunch of police in the house and say the children have been dead for several hours and are covered with blood. The parents are home and grieving and the police say the babysitter is alright.

The story fast forwards to 7 years later when the police (Charles Durning) goes to the house where it all happened. The father (I assume)  says the murderer was declared insane and is in a state mental hospital which is not secure. The policeman goes to the state mental hospital and asks the doctor questions about how he is and his habits. The  doctors lets him listen to a tape recording of them interviewing him.

Later the scene is in a bar and there is a man who I think is the murderer going up to a woman to light her cigarette. She lights her own and he offers to buy the next round. She says she has her own money. She moves down the bar and he comes and keeps talking to her. Then another guy comes and says "the lady wants to be alone". The strange guy just sits there and the other guy hit him and they fight until the strange guy is knocked on the floor.

In another segment the police go to the home again and tells the father that the murderer has escaped and he has the job of tracking him and he needs his full cooperation. The father says "okay, yes, anything you want".

Later the woman that was in the bar walks home to find the strange guy standing by her apartment door. He says he wants to apologize but she says she should be the one to apologize and didn't mean for that to happen (get beat up). He walks in her apartment and wants to have coffee with her but she says maybe tomorrow. She get a phone call and says that her boyfriend is coming over and that he has to go now.

In the morning it shows the murderer and another guy getting kicked out of a laundromat they must have spent the night in. They go their own ways and later the policeman (Durning) is walking the streets asking people if they have seen a guy (showing them a picture of the murderer who escaped).

So far I am very interested in this movie and want to see how it ends. It is rather scary and holds my attention very well. The other 2 movies sound just as scary as well!

If you have never visited Mill Creek Entertainment before I would definitely recommend checking it out for yourself!

No Tell MOTEL 8 Movie Collection - #Review #MillCreekEntertainment

Disclosure: I received free product from MillCreekEntertainment.com and all opinions are my own.

Mill Creek Entertainment has a great assortment of movies for anyone. Besides movies you can find television shows and they have any genre you are looking for. They offer drama, comedy, westerns, family, action, horror and much more! They are always coming out with new releases so you can be sure to find something you would like.

For my review I received a DVD Collection which includes 8 movies in a 2 disc set. They movies that are on this set include:

Vacancy
Identity
Hostel
Hostel Part II
Terror At Red Wolf Inn
It Happened At Nightmare Inn
The Devil's Nightmare
Legacy of Blood

I decided to watch Terror At Red Wolf Inn first, which was made in 1972 (when I was in high school). It starts off with a bunch of teenagers coming out of college and riding bikes A girl goes to her dorm and is opening her mail when she gets a surprising letter that she has won an all expense trip to the Red Wolf Inn. She calls the number on the letter and is pretty excited about winning and starts packing. She asks if it is some sort of a joke but believes it.

In another segment it shows an elderly woman getting a phone call that the girl is coming. Then she goes outdoors and tells an elderly man that "she's coming and is on the way". He says he will get ready. I think it is really weird how a girl would go away with complete strangers thinking she won a prize. But, things happen like this I guess. It's a movie too.

Later it shows the girl getting on a plane with an escorted pilot. She wants to call her mother but the pilot says they don't have time and that she can call her when they arrive. It then shows a young man fishing and the old lady says she is on her way. He picks her up at the plane and puts her suitcase in a car and they drive off. He is speeding and the police start going after him and she wants him to pull over but he doesn't want to. He eludes them in an alley or driveway.

When they arrive at the the hotel there are other girls there who must have "won a prize" also. They go in the huge mansion and Regina (the college girl) wants to phone her mother. Of course she goes to use the phone and it doesn't work.

The old lady says they must be famished and has a big meal for the girls at an elegant dining table. It shows them all stuffing themselves with a rib roast, which was rather comical the way they were chomping away at it. Then the old man tells the young guy who lives with them to get a bottle of brandy and they all have some. Soon they get tired and all go to bed. The college girl starts to dream and wakes up; then goes looking in the bathroom medicine cabinet, looking for something to settle her stomach I assume.

She goes downstairs and looks in the walk in freezer when the young man (their grandson) who lives with the old people comes out wielding a large knife. The old lady appears and apologizes for scaring her and the young guy does also. The next day Regina goes for a walk outdoors and comes upon a  little house or building. She goes inside and looks around.

In another segment it shows one of the girls on the beach enjoying the day. The old lady comes and offers her some lunch while she's lying on the beach. She eats the sandwich and says it is good. The weird guy that was earlier wielding a large knife is fishing on the beach also. The girl and guy start making a sand castle together and he kisses her. He then looks at his fishing pole in the water and catches a small shark. Then he starts hitting it till it's dead and yelling "shark" which was really weird.

Later it shows the whole group having a go away party for one of the girls (Edwina) and are drinking champagne and wearing party hats. Later when Edwina is sleeping the old woman, man and their grandson come in her room and put something on her mouth to put her out.

They carry in a basement and it shows them going in a door. The old man says "this is choice grade A" which was really eery. Then you can hear outside of the door some chopping. The next morning Regina comes in for breakfast and asks where Edwina is. The old lady tells her she went home early. Regina says that there is something going on here and tries to make a phone call but the old lady comes and hangs up the phone.

So far this is a very interesting film, if you like horror movies. It holds your attention and you want to keep watching it to see what happens next.

And The AWARD Goes To... 80 Years Academy Awards DVD & Digital #Review #MillCreekEntertainment

Photo Credit: Mill Creek Entertainment

Disclosure: I received free product for the purpose of a review and all opinions expressed here are my own.

SYNOPSIS:
(From Mill Creek Entertainment)

80 Years of the Academy Awards®

Celebrate the crowning achievements in film making in this unique overview spotlighting the 80 year history of the Academy Awards®!  The biggest movies and the brightest stars have earned their place in Hollywood history and are revered in this extensive documentary collection!

Contents:

DISC 1 -
Birth of an Icon
The Golden Era
The Vintage Year
Hollywood Goes to War
The Post War Years

DISC 2 -
A Method and a Message
Movies Are Better Than Ever
The Epic Years
A Time of Change
Hollywood Comes of Age

DISC 3 -
1972-1976
1977-1981
1982-1986
1987-1991
1992-1996
1997-2002

My Thoughts:

Mill Creek Entertainment has a wide variety of DVDs and Blu-rays that you can't find any place else! They offer every genre for the whole family such as dramas, thrillers, comedies, television shows, children's and so much more!

Recently I had the opportunity to review And The Award Goes to...80 Years of the Academy Award, which is a DVD & Digital. It tells about movie stars too numerous to mention in this DVD Disc Set such as Elizabeth Taylor, Sidney Poitier, Al Pacino, Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Jimmy Stewart, and Judy Garland - to name just a few.

The first disc goes back to the very beginning of how it all started in 1927, when they first gave a few honors out  at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

The first movie to win an actual Oscar was It Happened One Night with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in 1934. I also learned that in The Wizard of Oz  film that we all know and love from 1939  Judy Garland won an Oscar for a juvenile in movies.

Another great movie I really like that won Oscars was The Best Years of Our Lives from 1947. It was a story which told of some World War 11 veterans that returned home and became best friends, and how they adjusted to their new lives. It had 21 wins of which Fredric March won best actor for.

The film went on to the 50's where On The Waterfront that was one of the first films which was entirely filmed outside and won a total of 8 Oscars. Marlon Brando won best actor for it and Eva Marie Saint won best supporting actress. 

Another awesome film that I've always enjoyed was the movie Ben-Hur, which won a total of 11 Oscars and cost $15 million dollars. It made actor Charlton Heston a well known star.

In the 60's Sidney Poitier was the first black person to win a major acting award  and he was the second black person to win an Oscar. He won it for a film called Lilies of the Field. Another film from the 60's  that I wasn't familiar with called Midnight Cowboy, won an Oscar for best picture of the year. It stars Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight

One highlight I remember watching on television years ago is when Marlon Brando turned downed his Oscar for The Godfather in 1973. He was protesting the treatment of American Indians and sent a woman named Sacheen Littlefeather on stage to state that he could not accept the award. 

Also in 1977 Star Wars first came out and was nominated for ten Oscars. It made the creator of Star Wars, George Lucas a name we all would remember from then on.

So far, I am enjoying this disc set. from Mill Creek Entertainment. It tells a lot of information if you want to find out some history and learn who some of the actors that have won Oscars in the past were.

COMMUNITY The Complete Series Blu-ray #Review #MillCreekEntertainment

COMMUNITY The Complete Series Blu-ray

                                                            

Photo Credit: Mill Creek Entertainment

Disclosure: I received free product for review purposes and all opinions expressed here are my own.

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SYNOPSIS 

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First time released in HD on Blu-ray!

Featuring all 110 Episodes in glorious High Definition!

Community is a smart, exuberant comedy that was consistently ranked as one of the most inventive and original half hours on television. This ensemble comedy centers on a tight-knit group of friends who all met at what is possibly the world's worst educational institution -Greendale Community College.

Recently disbarred lawyer Jeff Winger enrolls to get a legit degree the quickest and easiest way possible, but when he starts a fake Spanish study group solely for the purpose of hooking up with a sexy classmate, he doesn’t expect to be joined by a random group of misfit fellow students. Over the course of the next 6 years, this group finds themselves involved in epic paintball battles, chicken finger conspiracies, sci-fi conventions, campus-wide pillow wars, and everything in-between. In the process, they become so much more than just a study group…they become a family.

“Community is mercilessly snarky and also surprisingly charming" - Alessandra Stanley, The New York Times

Starring:

Joel McHale (The Happytime Murders)

Gillian Jacobs (Netflix’s Love)

Danny Pudi (Star Trek: Beyond)

Alison Brie (Netflix’s GLOW)

Ken Jeong (The Hangover Trilogy)

Yvette Nicole Brown (ABC’s The Mayor)

Jim Rash (The Way Way Back)

Donald Glover (FX’s Atlanta)

Chevy Chase (SNL, Caddyshack)

My Thoughts:

I don't watch a lot of television shows but was interested in reviewing COMMUNITY The Complete Series Blu-ray. I've heard of it but never had watched any of it before.

I started out watching Season One and it began with a guy talking to a group of people about Greendale , a community college. A lawyer came in to see the psychology professor, who was going to go back to college because of his degree being revoked.

At the beginning it shows Pierce (Chevy Chase) who is a favorite comedian of mine. It shows him getting a hot dog in the cafeteria and dropping it, then getting a couple of pieces of bread instead of a bun.

The students gather for a study group and are like a kind of family of friends. They go back and forth together arguing and just doing a lot of chit chat. They get personal and talk about each other's personality and what they are like.

The study group is kind of a therapy group and the teacher says that they have become a "community".  Actually this is a made up study group which the lawyer Jeff Winger (John McHale) formed, so it is a fake study group which they are getting together for.

Actually, the people rather seem like a group of misfits getting together in college. One of the guys wears his high school varsity jacket all the time and sneezes like a girl. They form a bond together and actually like each other.

A funny part is where the Spanish teacher (Ken Jeong) tells his class that people sometimes ask him why he teaches Spanish (he happens to be Asian).  He says he tells them "it's none of your business"! He gets kind of loud at the time, then calms down and acts "kind of" normal.

Another part is when Pierce (Chevy Chase) and Jeff (Joel McHale) are together in the study group room. They have a drink of whiskey together (which one of them has a bottle in a duffel bag, along with two glasses) before they start studying. 

In another scene, some of the students are holding a protest outside of the college, with them having black tape on their mouth, some holding signs and holding candles. Pierce (Chevy Chase) comes out of the college and gets his arm on fire from one of the candles when he gets too close to the candle. I guess his arm is alright because later there is nothing wrong with his arm.

I like when Pierce and another student are supposed to do a presentation in Spanish class and have tiny sombreros on their heads. It shows them dancing around, with music playing in the background. 

In an accounting class, the professor tells the students to open their books, then close them and throw them away.  He then proceeds to tell them there are no tests or papers. Then he tells them to take their shoes off and go out the door.  In another episode he tells one of the students that she will get an "A" if she can tell him why she is going to Greendale.  Then he tells them to stand on their desks, and one of the students fall down.  He then tells them their homework is to go swim in the lake.

So far, I am rather enjoying watching this series. There have been some humorous scenes and the show is something that grows on you I think. You want to continue watching it. 

There are 12 discs in this set and it is rated PG. If you are interested you can find it on Amazon for $57.62.

Hollywood's Best & Brightest 30 Living Legends and the Hollywood History They Made #Review #MillCreekEntertainment

Hollywood's Best & Brightest 30 Living Legends and the Hollywood History They Made

Photo Credit: Mill Creek Entertainment

Disclosure: I received free product for review from Mill Creek Entertainment and all opinions expressed here are my own.

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SYNOPSIS

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30 Living Legends and the Hollywood History They Made

Over 12 Hours of Hollywood Biographies

Enjoy this legendary documentary collection that pays tribute to Hollywood's Best and Brightest stars. Featuring 15 female and 15 male performers, go in-depth on their lives and careers as we honor these shining celebs and their blockbuster works.

Featuring: Warren Beatty, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta, Dick Van Dyke, Robert Wagner, Michael York, Julie Andrews, Kim Basinger, Candice Bergen, Catherine Deneuve, Faye Dunaway, Jane Fonda, Jodie Foster, Goldie Hawn, Lauren Hutton, Angela Lansbury, Shirley MacLaine, Ann-Margret, Barbra Streisand, Kathleen Turner, Raquel Welch

My Thoughts:

If you are into movies, you will love learning more about some popular stars on these DVDs. There are 4 discs and over 12 hours of Hollywood biographies on them. I started watching Disc 1 which included lots of popular actors such as Warren Beatty, Sean Connery, Robert DeNiro, Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino. There is so much information on this disc that I just picked out some highlights about each of these stars.

Warren Beatty has been an actor, director and producer of movies. If you didn't know, he is the younger brother of actress Shirley MacLaine. I remember the film Spendor in the Grass, which Beatty starred in with Natalie Wood when he was a young man. It was his first film and is a love story which I have viewed several times and never get tired of it.

One of the other early films Beatty made was The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone which he played a gigolo. Vivian Leigh also starred in it as a rich aging actress who meets Beatty (Paolo) after her husband has a heart attack and dies on the way to Rome. This was Beatty's second film which I had never even heard of before. I learned that he made many other films that I had never seen, such as Mickey One which was made in 1965. One of my favorite of Beatty's films was Bonnie and Clyde which he starred in and produced in his early years. There were so many other films the DVD talked about such as Heaven Can Wait, Shampoo and Reds...to name a few.

Sean Connery was born in Scotland and dropped out of school to work in plays. He started out in some small movie roles such as Action of the Tiger and A Night to Remember. Connery happens to be the first James Bond in the film Dr. No, who also starred Ursula Andress. He also starred starred in two other Bond films. One of my favorite movies I know that Connery was in is an Alfred Hitchcock film called Marnie. Tippi Hedren also starred in this film.

Some other films Connery starred in was A Fine Madness, which also starred Joanne Woodard. In 1967 Connery returned to the Bond films and starred in You Only Live Twice. A western I had never heard of  that he starred in with Bridgette Bardot was Shalako. I learned that it was a disappointment at the box office.  Another, the Molly McGuires was a disappointment at the box office. By the way, the 6th Bond movie he made was Diamonds are Forever and Connery vowed to never play James Bond again.

Robert DeNiro was born in New York and studied drama. He appeared in several off broadway productions. Some of his early films were The Swap in 1969 which was a low budget movie. In 1970 DeNiro had a small part in Bloody Mama;  and The Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight in 1971. A breakthrough film for Deniro was Bang the Drum Slowly which was about a baseball team.

DeNiro won the best supporting actor in The Godfather Part 2. In 1976 he played a crazed cab driver in Taxi Driver and received his 1st Academy Award nomination for best actor. I've seen this film and it is a good one, but pretty scary. There are so many films I had never heard of before that DeNiro was in...such as New York, New York. Liza Minnelli also starred in this movie. A film I had heard of but never saw was The Deer Hunter in which he played a steelworker turned Green Beret. He was nominated for Best Actor in this film also.

Clint Eastwood was born in 1930 and was in a few early films that I had not heard of were Revenge of the Creature, Tarantula, and Frances in the Navy. After that he starred in spaghetti westerns such as A Fistful or Dollars, For A Few Dollars More, and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. I've seen The Good, The Bad and The Ugly many times and really enjoy this western.

Play Misty For Me was a film I did see in the past but kind of forgot about it. It was a scary movie which revolved about him being a DJ who was tormented by a deranged fan. Dirty Harry was a film he was in that John Wayne and James Caan had turned down the role. It was made in 1971 and he played a private investigator named Harry Callahan. Escape from Alcatraz was a good one I've seen which was made in 1979. This was based on a true incident of a planned escaped from Alcatraz.

Mel Gibson was born in New York in 1956 and was one of 7 children in an Irish-Catholic family. When Mel was 12 his family moved to Austrailia. Gibson  In 1979 Gibson starred in a film called Tim with Piper Laurie, which I had never heard of. He played a mildly retarded young man who was taught by an older women to learn to live in the world on his own; and the two gradually fall in love.

In 1982 Gibson made Mad Max, which was followed by a sequel The Road Warrior. They were action packed films which received much praise. Yet another film was The Year of Living Dangerously which was set in Indonesia in 1965. He played a wire service reporter who romanced a British Diplomatic Atache which was played by Sigourney Weaver. Gibson has been in numerous other early films such as The River which he made with Sissy Spacek. Another one was Mrs. Soffel, in which he starred in with Diane Keaton

Jack Nicholson was born in New Jersey in 1937. His first part was in the film Easy Rider which I just watched on television not too long ago. He played a disillusioned young lawyer that gets hooked up with two other guys portrayed by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper who are roaming the country on motorcycles. Five Easy Pieces was a film Nicholson was nominated in for best actor in his early years.

Carnal Knowledge was a film that takes place in the 40's that he co-starred with Art Garfunkel in which they played young college roommates that are first learning about the opposite sex and dealing with marriage through the years. Ann Margret was also in this film, along with Candice Bergen. In 1974 Nicholson starred in Chinatown in which he played a spy. Faye Dunaway also starred in this film which I have never seen. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is another in which he played a mental patient in a hospital with a group of other patients. These are just a few of the films that were the beginning of his long career.

Al Pacino was born in New York City in 1940 and was raised by his mother who sheltered him. In one of his early films he played a drug addict in The Panic In Needle Park which I had never heard of. In 1972 Pacino played in The Godfather and won best supporting actor, which is a classic of all time.

In 1973 Pacino played a drifter, along with Gene Hackman in Scarecrow. Another film Serpico which was about police corruption got him nominated for best actor, playing a police officer. In Godfather Part 11 he again played his role as Michael Corleone.  In Dog Day Afternoon Pacino won his 4th Academy Award nomination, playing a bank robber. Pacino also starred as a race car driver in Bobby Deerfield.  In  ...And Justice For All Pacino received his 5th Academy Award nomination, playing a lawyer.

I am enjoying finding out about so many films in Hollywoods Best & Brightest 30 Living Legends and the Hollywood History They Made.

BORN FREE The Complete Collection DVD Set ~ #Review #MillCreekEntertainement

BORN FREE The Complete Collection DVD Set  

Photo Credit: Mill Creek Entertainment

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SYNOPSIS

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A franchise collection based on the classic film BORN FREE including the 1966 original, 1972 sequel, 1974 TV series, and the 1996 TV movie.

In 1960, a book written about raising an orphaned lion cub named Elsa and then releasing her back into the wild became a worldwide bestseller. Born Free was a game changer that essentially altered the way we perceive relationships between humans and animals. Because of the emotional bond George and Joy Adamson formed with Elsa, lions could no longer be dismissed simply as brutal killers to be shot while on safari. Elsa became an individual in the eyes of the world, and her story made her a symbol for all animals’ right to live free. Hollywood took the story to the next level with the 1966 release of the film based on the book. Starring real-life husband and wife Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna as George and Joy Adamson, it became a box office hit and award-winner and turned Travers & McKenna into wildlife activists in the process. 

This deluxe collection includes the following films and TV series: 

BORN FREE (1966)

LIVING FREE (1972)

BORN FREE: THE SERIES (1974)

BORN FREE – A NEW ADVENTURE (1996)

My Thoughts:

This is a great set titled BORN FREE The Complete Collection.

I received the set free for review purposes from Mill Creek Entertainment and all opinions expressed here are my own.

The set has 4 discs and includes BORN FREE from 1966, LIVING FREE from 1972, BORN FREE THE SERIES from 1974 and BORN FREE A New Adventure from 1996.

I remember hearing about the original movie BORN FREE from 1966 and how emotional the film was. I've seen bits of it on reruns on television and always loved the music that goes along with the film. The title song actually won an award at the Academy Awards. Along the the title song, it also won an academy award for original music score.

If you have never seen this movie it is a great one to see. It is based on a true story which revolves around a British couple (George and Joy) who are wildlife conservationists. While in Kenya they adopt some orphaned lion cubs. They keep the smallest one (a female) which they name "Elsa" and raise her like a pet. 

As Elsa grows she becomes a part of the family and quite tame. A cute part is when George is in the bathroom and Elsa brings him a towel to dry off. Another part I thought was neat was when George and Joy go swimming in the ocean and introduce Elsa to the water. They all go swimming together and have lots of fun playing with a ball.

When Elsa causes a herd of elephants to stampede through a village, George and Joy are given 3 months to introduce the lioness to the jungle by George's boss or she is going to be sent to a zoo. They make the decision to try to get her to adapt to living in the wild and continue to take her out every day to get used to living on her own as she should.

After many attempts, Elsa adjusts to being with other lions and going off to living in the wild. It is a sad and heartbreaking time for Joy and George to leave their beloved Elsa., but they believe that they will see Elsa again.

At the end of the film, George and Joy are coming off a plane to see if they can find their Elsa after being away for quite some time. They look where she had been located when they left and call her with no luck. Then George fires a gun in the air. After a while their precious Elsa comes walking to them with three cubs of her own. High on a mountain stands her lion mate. She still knows them and they hug her but know that she has a new life and is doing fine, living in the wild instead of a cage in the zoo and free as she should be.

I enjoyed this and how emotional and beautiful this film was. It would be a great movie for the family to view and is nice not to have any bad language and the like. This film is based on a book which was written in 1960.

I'm looking forward to watching the rest of this set which includes:

LIVING FREE (1972)
BORN FREE: THE SERIES (1974)
BORN FREE - A NEW ADVENTURE (1996)

You can purchase the BORN FREE COLLECTION at Mill Creek Entertainment for $19.98. It would be a great gift for the upcoming holidays or one for yourself!

Documentary NOW! DVD + Digital #Review #MillCreekEntertainment

Documentary NOW! DVD + Digital #Review #MillCreekEntertainment

Photo Credit: Mill Creek Entertainment

Disclosure: I received free product for review purposes and all opinions expressed here are my own.

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SYNOPSIS 

"so good" - Boston Herald

"funny, smart comedy" - Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

"exceptional... delightful throughout" - Los Angeles Times

"Saturday Night Live" compatriots Fred Armisen, Bill Hader and Seth Meyers serve as creators, executive producers and writers of this IFC original series, using their love of documentary films and combining it with comedy to present a unique take on the form. Hosted by Dame Helen Mirren and starring Armisen and Hader, each episode is shot in a different documentary film style, paying tribute to some of the most important stories that didn't actually happen. "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels also executive produces "Documentary Now!", and guest stars include Jack Black, John Slattery, Anne Hathaway, Maya Rudolph, Mia Farrow, Peter Fonda, Paul Thomas Anderson, Faye Dunaway, Cameron Crowe and more!

Episodes:

SEASON ONE

Sandy Passage

DRONEZ: The Hunt for El Chingon

Kunuk Uncovered

The Eye Doesn't Lie

A Town, a Gangster, a Festival

Gentle and Soft: The Story of the Blue Jean Committee Part 1

Gentle and Soft: The Story of the Blue Jean Committee Part 2

SEASON TWO

The Bunker

Juan Likes Rice & Chicken

Parker Gail's Location Is Everything

Globesman

Final Transmission

Mr. Runner Up: My Life as an Oscar Bridesmaid Part 1

Mr. Runner Up: My Life as an Oscar Bridesmaid Part 2

My Thoughts:

When I saw the title of this DVD I really didn't know anything about it. I didn't know that it was all about parodies of documentaries. I was thinking that it was just about original documentaries. I was really surprised to find out it about parodies! There are 14 episodes which included seasons 1 and 2.

When I started watching it I thought it was hilarious! The actors Fred Armisen and Bill Hader from Saturday Night Live are really entertaining and it kept my attention. I wanted to keep watching it right from the beginning. These guys are great comedians which make a serious documentary form so funny.

Besides Armisen and Hader, I liked viewing Jack Black (one of my favorites). He is always so funny in any movie I've seen. I don't know how they can keep a straight face when filming these. They make it seem so serious while being funny.

So far I'm on Season One and am liking this DVD and would recommend it.

If you like parodies of films, you can find it on Mill Creek Entertainment right now for $24.98.

LEGACY COLLECTION, The Great Changemakers in America

Image Credit: Mill Creek Entertainment

Disclosure:  I received free product for review purposes and all opinions expressed here are my own.

SYNOPSIS FROM MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT:

Over 20 Hours of Historic Moments

Changemakers are described as being relentless, non-partisan and fearless in their pursuit of solving issues to improve the world.  No word better describes three of the most influential men who fought for human rights throughout American history: Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.  This expansive documentary collection chronicles their courageous and monumental legacy in the United States and around the world.

Contents:

MARCH TO FREEDOM is the chronicle of a struggle 400 years in the making. From the first African slaves in the colonies to today, the rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness have been tested throughout the history of America and are examined in this 14-part documentary series. 

Explore the life and times of Abraham Lincoln in ABRAHAM LINCOLN – TRIAL BY FIRE.  Witness the stirring events leading up to Lincoln's assassination and the aftermath that quickly followed. Discover the power struggle between Lincoln and General George McClellan and unravel the events that lead to the Emancipation Proclamation. Uncover the story of the Confederacy's last attack that almost brought the north to its knees! Also, through full-color, live-action, authentic record learn about the fight for freedom and abolishment of slavery through the eyes of the African-American Civil War Soldier. Its a historical journey through one the most significant times in our nation's history. 

Fifty years after his death, John F. Kennedy’s life, legacy and youthful vigor continues to intrigue and enthrall an entire nation! Relive and introduce, to younger generations, the compelling story of this unforgettable leader and the inspired dynasty he left behind in JFK: A NEW WORLD ORDER.

My Thoughts:

This is a huge collection with over 20 hours of film which tells much of the history of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King.

Abraham Lincoln Trial By Fire  includes five documentary collections plus a bonus feature. I started watching the first documentary which is narrated by Cliff Robertson. It tells of the civil war which began in 1861, and of Lincoln's advocacy against slavery. General George McClellan is pro-slavery. It's hard to believe 600,000 men died, some to preserve the union and some to secede from it.

It told of Lincoln being hated in the south and often was ridiculed in the north. There were already rumors of an assassination with heavy guards and forcing him to have a secret arrival to the White House after he was elected.

I learned that an escaped slave and black spokesman named Frederick Douglas, was received by President Lincoln and Lincoln told him he wouldn't retreat from his decision about slavery. He thought all men should be free.

So far I am enjoying this video very much. It is very detailed and tells a lot about Abraham Lincoln's presidency that I did not know. The video includes realistic characters dressed in that time era and is very interesting.

JFK: A New World Order was just as great. It told of his growing up, the second son of Joseph Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald in 1917. From the very beginning Jack (as he was called) grew up in wealth and privilege. 

Kennedy discovered an interest in politics after his freshman year at Harvard.  I found out that Kennedy's passion in politics were for matters of foreign affairs after his interest was sparked from touring Europe in his senior year in Harvard. He wrote his senior thesis from those experiences.

Kennedy felt it was his duty to join the war effort but failed to pass the required examination because of his chronic health issues, from both the Army and the Navy. His father Joe rearranged the administration requirements to get him in the Navy.

It showed the presidential debate between Kennedy and Nixon, which Kennedy outs shined in the debate. In a 1958 television interview Eleanor Roosevelt accused Kennedy's father of having a paid representative in every state. Roosevelt also questioned his ability to separate church from state. The film showed a 1960 speech Kennedy spoke at, confronting the issue, which was delivered to the greater Houston Ministerial Association.

I'm looking forward to continue watching more of  JFK: A New World Order. It's so interesting to find out about so many things I never knew about Kennedy and his history.

MARCH TO FREEDOM: A 400 Year History From Slavery to Salvation

I learned that in 1860 there were as many as 400,000 slaves in the United States. The slaves in large part came from the interior regions of Africa. West African chiefs controlled the local slave trade  It told of the terrible and inhumane conditions they went through. Once they reached the European coast, they were placed in holding pens, sometimes for weeks. By the time they were loaded on the ships they were hungry, sick, and exhausted. It told that 12 million of the Africans would take this journey across the ocean. 

It also told that the first sugar grown by African slaves in the Caribbean reached Spain in 1516. The production then spread to Puerto Rico and in the 1540's to Brazil. The "Triangle Trade" in which it was called, slaves, sugar and rum were traded for profit, except for the African slaves.

I learned that in 1676 a young planter named Nathaniel Bacon, led an uprising against the Virginian's governor. He and his followers were angry at the refusal to exterminate the local native Americans. Many servants, both white and black took part in the rebellion, which burned Jamestown to the ground.

It told that slaves on tobacco plantations were able to develop family systems, in Virginia. In South Carolina slaves were sold to rice farmers. Most of the early English settlers in South Carolina had come from Barbados and brought slaves with them. They received more land if they brought more slaves. Slaves generally worked 6 days a week with Sundays as a day of rest and religion. The owners generally allowed slaves to be married to provide a next generation of labor.

This is very educational to learn about the history of slavery so far. There is so much that I didn't know and am anxious to continue watching. There are 4 discs in the March To Freedom set so there is a lot of film to continue watching, until I get to learning about Martin Luther King.

You can find this amazing collection of history on Mill Creek Entertainment for $19.98.