Monday, November 7, 2011

Donnie Brasco (Special Edition)

  • TESTED
DVDBased on a memoir by former undercover cop Joe Pistone (whose daring and unprecedented infiltration of the New York Mob scene earned him a place in the federal witness protection program), Donnie Brasco is like a de-romanticized, de-mythologized version of The Godfather. It offers an uncommonly detailed, privileged glimpse inside the world of organized crime from the perspective of the little guys at the bottom of Mafia hierarchy rather than from the kingpins at the top. Donnie Brasco is not only one of the great modern-day gangster movies to put in the company of The Godfather films and GoodFellas, but it is also one of the great undercover police movies--arguably surpassing Serpico and Prince of the City in richness of character, detail, and moral complexity. Donnie (Johnny Depp, a splendid actor) is practically adopted by Lefty Rug! giero (Al Pacino), a gregarious, low-level "made" man who grows to love his young protégé like a son. (Pacino really sinks into this guy's skin and polyester slacks, and creates his freshest, most fully realized character since his 1970s heyday.) As Donnie acclimates himself to Lefty's world, he distances himself from his wife (a terrific Anne Heche) and family for their own protection. Almost imperceptibly his sense of identity slips away from him. Questioning his own confused loyalties, unable to trust anybody else because he himself is an imposter, Donnie loses his way in a murky and treacherous no-man's land. The film is directed by Mike Newell, who also headed up Four Weddings and a Funeral and the gritty, true crime melodrama Dance with a Stranger. --Jim Emerson
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Casino Royale (Two-Disc Collector's Edition + BD Live) [Blu-ray]

  • Condition: New
  • Format: Blu-ray
  • AC-3; Collector's Edition; Color; Dolby; Dubbed; Subtitled; Widescreen
Casino Royale introduces JAMES BOND before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status. "M" (Judi Dench), head of the British Secret Service, sends the newly-promoted 007 on his first mission that takes him to Madagascar, the Bahamas and eventually leads him to Montenegro to face Le Chiffre, a ruthless financier under threat from his terrorist clientele, who is attempting to restore his funds in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. "M" places Bond under the watchful eye of the Treasury official Vesper Lynd. At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together. Le Chiffre's cunning and cruelt! y come to bear on them both in a way Bond could never imagine, and he learns his most important lesson: Trust no one.The most successful invigoration of a cinematic franchise since Batman Begins, Casino Royale offers a new Bond identity. Based on the Ian Fleming novel that introduced Agent 007 into a Cold War world, Casino Royale is the most brutal and viscerally exciting James Bond film since Sean Connery left Her Majesty's Secret Service. Meet the new Bond; not the same as the old Bond. Daniel Craig gives a galvanizing performance as the freshly minted double-0 agent. Suave, yes, but also a "blunt instrument," reckless, and possessed with an ego that compromises his judgment during his first mission to root out the mastermind behind an operation that funds international terrorists. In classic Bond film tradition, his global itinerary takes him to far-flung locales, including Uganda, Madagascar, the Bahamas (that's more like it), and Montenegro, where he is p! itted against his nemesis in a poker game, with hundreds of mi! llions i n the pot. The stakes get even higher when Bond lets down his "armor" and falls in love with Vesper (Eva Green), the ravishing banker's representative fronting him the money.


For longtime fans of the franchise, Casino Royale offers some retro kicks. Bond wins his iconic Astin-Martin at the gaming table, and when a bartender asks if he wants his martini "shaken or stirred," he disdainfully replies, "Do I look like I give a damn?" There's no Moneypenny or "Q," but Dame Judi Dench is back as the exasperated M, who one senses, admires Bond's "bloody cheek." A Bond film is only as good as its villain, and Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre, who weeps blood, is a siniste! r dandy. From its punishing violence and virtuoso action sequences to its romance, Casino Royale is a Bond film that, in the words of one character, makes you feel it, particularly during an excruciating torture sequence. Double-0s, Bond observes early on, "have a short life expectancy." But with Craig, there is new life in the old franchise yet, as well as genuine anticipation for the next one when, at last, the signature James Bond theme kicks in following the best last line ever in any Bond film. To quote Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin, now I know what I've been faking all these years. --Donald Liebenson

Stills from Casino Royale (click for larger image)










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Beowulf

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The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth

  • ISBN13: 9780399525179
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Â"Well-researched and engaging . . . Birth is a clever, almost irreverent look at an enduring everyday miracle. (A-)” —Entertainment Weekly
Â"Wonderful. Packed full of information, a brilliant mixture of ancient wisdom and modern science.” —Kate Mosse, author of the New York Times best seller, Labyrinth
Â"Birth is a power-packed book. . . . A lively, engaging, and often witty read, a quirky, eye-opening account of one of life’s most elemental experiences.” —The Boston Globe
Published to widespread acclaim, Tina Cassidy’s smart, engaging book is the first world history of childbirth in fifty years. From evolution to the epidural and beyond, Tina Cas! sidy presents an intelligent, enlightening, and impeccably researched cultural history of how and why we’re born the way we are. Women have been giving birth for millennia but that’s about the only constant in the final stage of the great process that is human reproduction. Why is it that every culture and generation seems to have its own ideas about the best way to give birth? Cassidy explores the physical, anthropological, political, and religious factors that have and will continue to influence how women bring new life into the world.
The newest procedures. The latest information. The complete rundown on modern pregnancy and childbirth...for women who want the facts.

Every intelligent, informed woman is used to gathering the most complete information she can get before making a decision. But when it comes to one of the most important decisions in her life--how she will give birth--it can be tough to get the complete picture, even from an obstetrician. ! Surprisingly, much of the latest research goes against common! medical opinion. Certified Lamaze instructor and activist Henci Goer brings women the carefully researched facts they'll want to have. Based on the latest medical studies and literature, The Thinking Woman's Guide To A Better Birth offers clear, concise information on tests, procedures and treatments--and gives advice about:* cesareans * ultrasound * gestational diabetes * breech babies * inducing labor * IVs * electronic fetal monitoring * ruptured membranes * epidurals * episiotomies * vaginal birth after a cesarean * midwives and obstetricians * alternative birthing methods * choosing a birth location * drugs and delivery * elective induction * professional labor support * and much more

* Author is a certified Lamaze instructor and doula who counsels women on their childbirth experiences
* Author belongs to the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services
* Drawn upon the most up-to-date medical literature and studies
* Written in an accessible, underst! andable style, explaining technical medical terms
* Gives advice to women who were dissatisfied with their first birth experience
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Single-Disc Widescreen Edition)

  • In this enchanting film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's delightful bestseller, Harry Potter learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned first son of two powerful wizards and possesses magical powers of his own.At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. He learns the high-flying sport Quidditch and plays a thrilling game with living chess piece
In this enchanting film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's delightful bestseller, Harry Potter learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned first son of two powerful wizards and possesses magical powers of his own. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. He learns the high-flying sport Quidditch and plays a thrilling game with living chess pieces on his way to face a Dark Wizard bent on destroying him. For the most extraordinary adventure, see yo! u on platform nine and three quarters!Here's an event movie that holds up to being an event. This filmed version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling, stunningly brings to life Harry Potter's world of Hogwarts, the school for young witches and wizards. The greatest strength of the film comes from its faithfulness to the novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the details of Rowling's imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crème de la crème cast, including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and more. Especially fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his schoolmates Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as his protector, the looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The second-half adventure--involving the titular sorcerer's stone--doesn't translate perfectly from page to screen, ultimately because ! of the film's fidelity to the novel; this is a case of making ! a movie for the book's fans, as opposed to a transcending film. Writer Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in check, making this a true family film, and with its resourceful hero wide-eyed and ready, one can't wait for Harry's return. Ages 8 and up. --Doug Thomas Here's an event movie that holds up to being an event. This filmed version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling, stunningly brings to life Harry Potter's world of Hogwarts, the school for young witches and wizards. The greatest strength of the film comes from its faithfulness to the novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the details of Rowling's imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crème de la crème cast, including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and more. Especially fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his schoolmates R! on (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as his protector, the looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The second-half adventure--involving the titular sorcerer's stone--doesn't translate perfectly from page to screen, ultimately because of the film's fidelity to the novel; this is a case of making a movie for the book's fans, as opposed to a transcending film. Writer Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in check, making this a true family film, and with its resourceful hero wide-eyed and ready, one can't wait for Harry's return. Ages 8 and up. --Doug Thomas
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Bruce Almighty (Widescreen Edition)

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With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa

  • ISBN13: 9780891419068
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
[Siren Menage Everlasting ManLove: Erotic Alternative Paranormal Menage a Trois Romance, M/M/M, vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, public exhibition, sex toys] It's been eight years since Boston and Flynn loved and parted, but the pain of Flynn's betrayal still has the power to bring Boston to his knees. Flynn doesn't know why Boston pushed him away and disappeared, but he aims to find out. When he realizes they have a second mate, he couldn't be happier. Too bad Boston is running scared from Malakai as well. Malakai was left alone and brokenhearted because Boston refused to accept their mating. When fate offers a second chance, he seizes it with both hands. He's not willing to come between Flynn an! d Boston, but he hopes the two shifters have room in their hearts for him as well. When a coven leader petitions for a mating contract with Malakai, the only thing that can save him is a claiming bite from his mates. But first, they'll have to accept himâ€"fangs and all. ** A Siren Erotic Romance
[Siren Menage Everlasting ManLove: Erotic Alternative Paranormal Menage a Trois Romance, M/M/M, vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, public exhibition, sex toys] It's been eight years since Boston and Flynn loved and parted, but the pain of Flynn's betrayal still has the power to bring Boston to his knees. Flynn doesn't know why Boston pushed him away and disappeared, but he aims to find out. When he realizes they have a second mate, he couldn't be happier. Too bad Boston is running scared from Malakai as well. Malakai was left alone and brokenhearted because Boston refused to accept their mating. When fate offers a second chance, he seizes it with both hands. He's not willin! g to come between Flynn and Boston, but he hopes the two shift! ers have room in their hearts for him as well. When a coven leader petitions for a mating contract with Malakai, the only thing that can save him is a claiming bite from his mates. But first, they'll have to accept himâ€"fangs and all. ** A Siren Erotic Romance
The climactic novel in Lara Adrian's New York Times bestselling Midnight Breed series--and her hardcover debut--Darker After Midnight invites readers to enter a thrillingly sensual world where danger meets desire. Born the daughter of a witch, Sarah is no stranger to magic. But when she meets an immortal, she quickly discovers that nothing can compare to the magic of being loved by a vampire.

Night Breed is book 2, in the four book Immortal Destiny Series.. Born to Darkness, the first book in the series is available for a .99 download.

Coming from a long line of powerful witches, the only thing Sarah has ever wanted is to have a normal life, but a normal life is not part of her d! estiny. She is one of the immortal sisters, and her fate is one of darkness. But within that darkness, she will discover a love that she could never have imagined.

While Nicole and the Light Seekers search for the two remaining sisters, Sarah is on her own and unaware that she is the target of an ancient and powerful vampire … a vampire that wants her dead.

Darrien is a cold and ruthless vampire. He kills without conscience, and is the perfect assassin to rid the ancients of the immortal sisters, but when he looks into Sarah’s eyes, he is consumed with a fiery passion that not even his bloodlust can overcome.

Other Books in the Immortal Destiny Series

1. Born to Darkness
2. Night Breed
3. Wolves and Black Roses
4. Coming Soon


Book Length â€" Approximately 68,000 words.
Born the daughter of a witch, Sarah is no stranger to magic. But when she meets an immortal, she quickly discovers that n! othing can compare to the magic of being loved by a vampire.
Ni ght Breed is book 2, in the four book Immortal Destiny Series.. Born to Darkness, the first book in the series is available for a .99 download.

Coming from a long line of powerful witches, the only thing Sarah has ever wanted is to have a normal life, but a normal life is not part of her destiny. She is one of the immortal sisters, and her fate is one of darkness. But within that darkness, she will discover a love that she could never have imagined.

While Nicole and the Light Seekers search for the two remaining sisters, Sarah is on her own and unaware that she is the target of an ancient and powerful vampire … a vampire that wants her dead.

Darrien is a cold and ruthless vampire. He kills without conscience, and is the perfect assassin to rid the ancients of the immortal sisters, but when he looks into Sarah’s eyes, he is consumed with a fiery passion that not even his bloodlust can overcome.

Other Books in the Immortal Destiny Series
1. Born to Darkness
2. Night Breed
3. Wolves and Black Roses
4. Coming Soon


Book Length â€" Approximately 68,000 words.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh returns to the world of the Breeds where animal instincts can bring a feral pleasure to every man and his willing female mate.In The Wall Street Journal, Victor Davis Hanson named With the Old Breed one of the top five books on epic twentieth-century battles. Studs Terkel interviewed the author for his definitive oral history, The Good War. Now E. B. Sledge’s acclaimed first-person account of fighting at Peleliu and Okinawa returns to thrill, edify, and inspire a new generation.

An Alabama boy steeped in American history and enamored of such heroes as George Washington and Daniel Boone, Eugene B. Sledge became part of the war’s famous 1st Marine Divisionâ€"3d Battalion, 5th Marines. Even after intense training, he was shocked to be thrown into th! e battle of Peleliu, where “the world was a nightmare of fla! shes, ex plosions, and snapping bullets.” By the time Sledge hit the hell of Okinawa, he was a combat vet, still filled with fear but no longer with panic.

Based on notes Sledge secretly kept in a copy of the New Testament, With the Old Breed captures with utter simplicity and searing honesty the experience of a soldier in the fierce Pacific Theater. Here is what saved, threatened, and changed his life. Here, too, is the story of how he learned to hate and killâ€"and came to loveâ€"his fellow man.
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Enemy At the Gates : Widescreen Edition

  • Widescreen
BASED ON THE TRUE STORY OF WORLD WAR II RUSSIAN HERO VASSILI ZAITSEV, WHOSE FAME THRUST HIM INTO A PERSONAL WAR WITH THE NAZIS' BEST SHARPSHOOTER.Like Saving Private Ryan, Enemy at the Gates opens with a pivotal event of World War II--the German invasion of Stalingrad--re-created in epic scale, as ill-trained Russian soldiers face German attack or punitive execution if they flee from the enemy's advance. Director Jean-Jacques Annaud captures this madness with urgent authenticity, creating a massive context for a more intimate battle waged amid the city's ruins. Embellished from its basis in fact, the story shifts to an intense cat-and-mouse game between a Russian shepherd raised to iconic fame and a German marksman whose skill is unmatched in its lethal precision. Vassily Zaitzev (Jude Law) has been sniping Nazis one bullet at a time, while the German Major Konig (Ed ! Harris) has been assigned to kill Vassily and spare Hitler from further embarrassment.

There's love in war as Vassily connects with a woman soldier (Rachel Weisz), but she is also loved by Danilov (Joseph Fiennes), the Soviet officer who promotes his friend Vassily as Russia's much-needed hero. This romantic rivalry lends marginal interest to the central plot, but it's not enough to make this a classic war film. Instead it's a taut, well-made suspense thriller isolated within an epic battle, and although Annaud and cowriter Alain Godard (drawing from William Craig's book and David L. Robbins's novel The War of the Rats) fail to connect the parallel plots with any lasting impact, the production is never less than impressive. Highly conventional but handled with intelligence and superior craftsmanship, this is warfare as strategic entertainment, without compromising warfare as a manmade hell on Earth. --Jeff Shannon
Genre: Action/Adventure
R! ating: R
Release Date: 19-MAY-2009
Media T! ype: Blu-RayLike Saving Private Ryan, Enemy at the Gates opens with a pivotal event of World War II--the German invasion of Stalingrad--re-created in epic scale, as ill-trained Russian soldiers face German attack or punitive execution if they flee from the enemy's advance. Director Jean-Jacques Annaud captures this madness with urgent authenticity, creating a massive context for a more intimate battle waged amid the city's ruins. Embellished from its basis in fact, the story shifts to an intense cat-and-mouse game between a Russian shepherd raised to iconic fame and a German marksman whose skill is unmatched in its lethal precision. Vassily Zaitzev (Jude Law) has been sniping Nazis one bullet at a time, while the German Major Konig (Ed Harris) has been assigned to kill Vassily and spare Hitler from further embarrassment.

There's love in war as Vassily connects with a woman soldier (Rachel Weisz), but she is also loved by Danilov (Joseph Fiennes), the Soviet off! icer who promotes his friend Vassily as Russia's much-needed hero. This romantic rivalry lends marginal interest to the central plot, but it's not enough to make this a classic war film. Instead it's a taut, well-made suspense thriller isolated within an epic battle, and although Annaud and cowriter Alain Godard (drawing from William Craig's book and David L. Robbins's novel The War of the Rats) fail to connect the parallel plots with any lasting impact, the production is never less than impressive. Highly conventional but handled with intelligence and superior craftsmanship, this is warfare as strategic entertainment, without compromising warfare as a manmade hell on Earth. --Jeff Shannon Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 08/02/2011 Rating: RDVD

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