DVDpedia : Groove Quantize DVD Library : Title : J

Theatrical: 2005

Studio: Eagle Vision USA

Genre: Music Video & Concerts

Duration: 113

Summary: "Soul Brother No.1", "The Godfather Of Soul", "Mr Dynamite" are all titles that have been applied to James Brown over the years. A hugely influential figure in black American music, he was a driving force in the development of soul music in the early sixties and funk in the early seventies. He has had more R&B hits in the US than any other artist, and has charted singles in countries around the world.
One of the defining elements of James Brown's career has always been his electrifying live show and his performances at Montreux give ample evidence of this. This DVD focuses on his choice as the best of them all from 1981. It's a string of hits from start to finish delivered with all the flamboyant style and showmanship for which he is rightly famous.
Tracklisting:
1) Payback
2) It's Too Funky In Here
3) Gonna Have A Funky Good Time
4) Try Me
5) Get On The Good Foot
6) It's A Man's Man's Man's World
7) Prisoner Of Love
8) I Got The Feelin'
9) Hustle (Dead On It)
10) Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
11) I Got You (I Feel Good)
12) Please, Please, Please
13) Jam
14) Sex Machine

Theatrical: 1963

Studio: Sony Pictures

Genre: Action & Adventure

Summary: Arguably the most intelligently written film to feature the masterful stop-motion animation of Ray Harryhausen, "Jason and the Argonauts" is a colorful adventure that takes full advantage of Harryhausen's "Dynarama" process. Inspired by the Greek myth, the story begins when the fearless explorer Jason (Todd Armstrong) returns to the kingdom of Thessaly to make his rightful claim to the throne, but the gods proclaim that he must first find the magical Golden Fleece. Consulting Hera, the queen of gods, Jason recruits the brave Argonauts to crew his ship, and they embark on their eventful journey. Along the way they encounter a variety of mythic creatures, including the 100-foot bronze god Talos, the batlike Harpies, the seven-headed reptilian Hydra, and an army of skeletons wielding sword and shield. This last sequence remains one of the finest that Harryhausen ever created, and it's still as thrilling as anything from the age of digital special effects. Harryhausen was the true auteur of his fantasy films, and his brilliant animation evokes a timeless sense of wonder. "Jason and the Argonauts" is a prime showcase for Harryhausen's talent--a wondrous product of pure imagination and filmmaking ingenuity. The DVD contains an informative interview with Harryhausen by filmmaker John Landis. "--Jeff Shannon"

Theatrical: 1975

Studio: Universal Studios

Genre: Action & Adventure

Summary: In the vastly overrated 1998 book "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls", author Peter Biskind puts the blame for Hollywood's blockbuster mentality at least partially on Steven Spielberg's box-office success with this adaptation of Peter Benchley's bestselling novel. But you can't blame Spielberg for making a terrific movie, which "Jaws" definitely is. The story of a Long Island town whose summer tourist business is suddenly threatened by great-white-shark attacks on humans bypasses the potboiler trappings of Benchley's book and goes straight for the jugular with beautifully crafted, crowd-pleasing sequences of action and suspense supported by a trio of terrific performances by Roy Scheider (as the local sheriff), Richard Dreyfuss (as a shark specialist), and particularly Robert Shaw (as the old fisherman who offers to hunt the shark down). The sequences on Shaw's boat--as the three of them realize that in fact the shark is hunting "them"--are what entertaining moviemaking is all about. "--Marshall Fine"

Theatrical: 1997

Studio: Magna

Genre: Box Sets

Duration: 627 mins

Summary:

Theatrical: 1962

Studio: Turner Home Ent

Genre: Kids & Family

Summary: "The Jetsons" (1962) was the third primetime series from the Hanna-Barbera Studio, after "The Flintstones" (1960) and "Top Cat" (1961). Although the show was cancelled after its first season, it proved a durable Saturday-morning favorite, running for more than 14 years on all three networks.
Like "The Flintstones", "The Jetsons" borrowed heavily from live-action sitcoms, notably "The Donna Reed Show" and "Hazel". The 21st century became a Futurelux vision of a '60s suburb. George Jetson (voiced by George O'Hanlon) pushed buttons for the penny-pinching Mr. Spacely (Mel Blanc). Judy (Janet Waldo) was a typical teenager with a crush on rock & roll singer Jet Screamer. Elroy (Daws Butler) was a bright little boy whose experiments always blew up. Astro (Don Messick) was one of the first anthropomorphic dogs that became a Hanna-Barbera standard. Jane (Penny Singleton, basically reprising her role in the "Blondie" films) kept everyone and everything on course. "The Flintstones" used rocks and animals to approximate everyday appliances; "The Jetsons" had high-tech gadgets that invariably malfunctioned and clobbered George.
Aside from two commentaries by Waldo and a short making-of video with old footage of Hanna and Barbera, the DVD set has little in the way of extras: no bumpers, commercials, etc. "The Jetsons" hardly ranks as great animation, but for anyone who grew up during the '60s and '70s, these discs are the comforting video equivalent of a slice of yellow cake with fudge frosting and a glass of milk. (Rated G: alcohol and tobacco use, minor cartoon violence) "--Charles Solomon"

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: AV Channel

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 243 mins

Summary: In his most ludicrously ambitious project yet, world-famous media hooligan John Safran scours the world in search of God... AND FINDS HIM.... Or, at least, a lot of folk who believe they have.

Theatrical: 2002

Studio: AV Channel

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 240 mins

Summary: The supercharged and funny guy whose TV exploits have included streaking through the streets of Jerusalem and confronting Ray Martin across his garbage bin is back - to share his peculiar passion for the wild, wild world of contemporary music. John Safran's Music Jamboree reveals all – the drum, the dirt and the bittersweet memories. Here are the classics and forgotten flops, stories of gigs and groupies, guns, drugs, deals and egos and the scams and scandals brought to light by his very own music "mole", not to mention practical advice on how to make it in the savage world of rock 'n' roll.

Theatrical: 1949

Studio: Bfi Video Publishing

Genre: Classic

Duration: 76 mins

Summary: Jacques Tati is Francois, the postman. One day, when the carnival comes to town, the villagers make him watch a movie about new fast mail delivery techniques in the US, but the movie is in fact a daredevil show. Francois actually believes that these techniques exist,and tries to apply them during his delivery tour the next day.

Theatrical:

Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Genre: Action & Adventure - General

Summary: In this 1959 adaptation of the Jules Verne novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth, James Mason plays Professor Oliver Lindenbrook, a scientist hoping to find the world's core. He leads his unusual party on an expedition to the centre of the earth, by way of a volcano in Iceland. On the way, they encounter enormous mushrooms and giant prehistoric monsters. Produced by Michael Todd with then-spectacular special effects, the story was modernised to suit 1950s sensibilities and graced by a suitably outlandish Bernard Herrmann score. Mason gives this class, while Arlene Dahl and Diane Baker are the romantic interests. And Pat Boone is more palatable than you might expect as a secondary lead. You can watch this with your children and not be bored, and they will surely love it. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Theatrical: 1969

Studio: Universal Studios

Genre: Art House & International

Duration: 102

Summary: There's a sense of awe to the special effects work of animation specialists Gerry and Sylvia Anderson ("Thunderbirds Are Go")--the slow, lovingly detailed introduction of a massive spaceship creeping out of dock and struggling against its bulk while trapped on the ground, and the almost balletic spectacle of the ship elegantly floating against an impressive star field or dramatically flying against the rugged landscape. These moments are the highlights of this sober science fiction thriller about the discovery of a planet on the far side of the sun in Earth's orbit. A mission is hastily put together, with British astrophysicist Ian Hendry teamed with hotshot American astronaut Roy Thinnes for the three-week trip, but when they suddenly crash-land the strange creatures that surround them are revealed to be human. Against all rational explanations they're back on Earth, but Thinnes suddenly discovers that everything is a mirror image of his existence: "Through the Looking Glass" by way of "The Twilight Zone". Though it begins as a paranoid spy thriller set in the near future (the opening details an ingenious espionage caper featuring a very special eyepiece), it quickly turns into a serious and oddly unsettling space-race drama with a heady twist. Robert Parrish's direction is unusually aloof, but the film is always intriguing and well acted with gorgeous special effects that may rank second only to Stanley Kubrick's "2001" as the most elegant vision of outer space flight on film. --"Sean Axmaker"

Theatrical:

Studio: Pathe Distribution Ltd

Genre: Action & Adventure - General

Summary: Judge Dredd is one of those movies that doesn't have a brain of its own, so it can only rip off a lot of ingredients from other, better movies. It's a mishmash of Blade Runner, Total Recall, and The Road Warrior, with a dash of Star Wars tossed in for good measure. As if that weren't enough, it's got Sylvester Stallone, who seems to be the only one in the movie who's in on the game and knows it's all a sci-fi scam. Like The Fifth Element a few years later, Judge Dredd depicts a futuristic megalopolis packed with crowded vertical overgrowth and rampant commerce, where anarchy reigns supreme. Violent "block wars" are fought by lawless citizens with machine guns, and Judge Dredd (Stallone) is one of the city's heavily armed policemen, given free rein to judge and execute the perpetrators of violence. But Dredd himself is subjected to judgement and swift justice when his own gun is identified in the murder of a prominent TV reporter, forcing him to do whatever he can to clear his name. Diane Lane plays his partner in crime-fighting and romance, and Rob Schneider provides juvenile comic relief as Dredd's streetwise sidekick. Impressive special effects are on vivid display, and the movie's fun for what it's worth. Lower your expectations and you just might enjoy it. --Jeff Shannon

Theatrical: 1972

Studio: Anchor Bay

Genre: Drama

Summary: "Junior Bonner" is director Sam Peckinpah's lovely, elegiac look at the world of the rodeo--and his only film with nary a bullet wound. Steve McQueen, engagingly easygoing but determined, is the title character, a rodeo rider out to win a big bull-riding contest in his hometown. Even as he confronts his dwindling days on the circuit, he also must deal with his feuding parents, marvelously played by Robert Preston and Ida Lupino. Preston is particularly good as the randy old con artist; he and Lupino strike real sparks. Peckinpah's slow-motion camera is put to particularly good use filming the balletic violence of the rodeo, at once more terrifying and awe-inspiring than any gun battle. A lovely country-western valentine to a dying breed. "--Marshall Fine"

Theatrical:

Studio: Universal

Genre: Box Sets

Duration: 349 mins

Summary: Jurassic Park:
Director Steven Spielberg's Jurassic masterpiece is back in this Collector's Edition containing interviews and special behind-the-scenes footage. One of the most successful films in worldwide box office history, Jurassic Park remains a most compelling and spectacular experience. This thrilling adventure features Sam Neil, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Richard Attenborough. Featuring incredible special effects and action-packed drama, Jurassic Park takes you to a remote island where an amazing theme park with living dinosaurs is about to turn deadly, as five people must battle to survive among the prehistoric predators. Rediscover the breathtaking adventure you'll want to experience again and again. The Lost World: Jurassic Park:
Director Steven Spielberg takes us back to the scene of Jurassic Park in The Lost World, the blockbuster sequel with even more dinosaurs, more action and more breathtaking visual effects than its record-breaking predecessor. This Collector's Edition contains exclusive interviews and rare behind-the-scenes footage. The Lost World remains among the most successful films of all time and features an all-star cast including Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore and Pete Postlethwaite. It has been four years since the disaster at Jurassic Park and two groups are in a race against time that will determine the fate of the remote island's prehistoric inhabitants. Take home this classic film that will leave you on the edge or your seat...again! Jurassic Park III: (DTS)
Adventure runs wild when renowned paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) agrees to accompany a wealthy adventurer (William H. Macy) and his wife (Tea Leoni) on an aerial tour of Isla Sorna, InGen's former breeding ground for prehistoric creatures. But when they're terrifyingly stranded, Dr. Grant discovers that his hosts are not what they seem, and the island's native inhabitants are smarter, faster, fiercer and more brutal than he ever imagined in this heart-stomping thriller. Beyond Jurassic Park:
Prepare to go even deeper into the breathtaking adventures of the Jurassic Park Trilogy! Highlighted by fascinating, never-seen-before footage from all three Jurassic Park films, this DVD offers an exclusive look at deleted scenes, additional footage and other materials not shown on any theater screen!