Extremely disappointing!  Save your money -- do not buy this DVD!
354346
I am extremely disappointed in this DVD. I first saw this movie as a mini-series called "A Matter of Justice." The editing is a real butcher job.  A great move has been destroyed in this production.  I hope someone puts the full production on DVD some day soon.
3810270
When I first saw that CRANE FIGHTER, one of Judy Lee's best films, was finally available on DVD and in widescreen I was very excited.  When I opened the box after it arrived, I became more and more DISAPPOINTED.  First, this is the second of three DVDs I've ordered from amazon.com (both VIDEOASIA DVDs if that's who's to blame) that have arrived sliding around loosely inside the DVD case.  After opening all THREE (!) of the security enclosed tape strips found along the sides of each box, and having the package art tear off along with the tape (AGGGHHH!), I then picked up the loose CRANE FIGHTER disc to find scratches all over it (amazon.com PLEASE tell whoever you need to that the packagers of these DVDs need to do a better job!).  Luckilly both the discs I've received from amazon.com that were scratched played without skipping, but they now have no resale value.  And I just might want to sell CRANE FIGHTER, but I doubt anyone would want it anyway.  As I pressed play I immediatley saw that the VIDEO ASIA DVD of CRANE FIGHTER is NOT WIDESCREEN as the box label indicates.  It is instead a transfer of an old VHS copy complete with lines and glitches of tape wear and tear, dull color, and blurry images (it's a copy of a copy of a copy at the very least).  Also VIDEO ASIA DVDs, while sometimes providing neat interviews with stars on their DVDs, sometimes seem to run at slower speeds than the original prints.  CRANE FIGHTER and INVINCIBLE ARMOR both look like something's wrong with the running speed of the film.  The fight scenes especially (the best parts!) look like some silent film transfers look today.  They have an unnatural speed of motion, almost like a strobe-like effect on a dance floor.  I was SO DISAPPOINTED to find this out.  It completely ruined my enjoyment of the films.  If you are able to rent VIDEOASIA DVDs at your local rental stores, I recommend doing so before wasting your money since the quality of individual titles varies and the labels on individual DVDs are not always to be believed.  I hope VIDEOASIA will treat its DVDs and it's customers with more respect in the future.  Sorry, to break this news to you kung fu movie fans about this version of CRANE FIGHTER, but save your money for a better version in the future if you can.
261368
I am extremely disappointed with this DVD. It is not a note for note lesson like other DVD's out there e.g., Lick Library(I am not familiar with other Hal Lenoard's DVDs) so essentially what the guy does is say in this part Dickey plays a D7 or something like tha and proceeds to play the part without ever saying what is the fingering of the D7 chord is, and this method is also used when teaching solos, he plays the whole part once and then proceeds to play the part a tad slower and broken up in smaller pieces and the only explanation he gives is something like "in this part Duane plays the minor pentatonic". The other thing is that they do not teach complete songs, for example "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" lesson ends after Dickey's solo, yes you read that right, no Duane solo lesson for Liz Reed.

I was expecting a note for note DVD or at least something more detailed than this, something more than the guy just playing, the least they could do was put the tabs on screen as a guide since they were too lazy to make a proper Allman Brothers lesson(there was also no Blue Sky lesson) the only difference between this DVD and watching a cover video on YouTube is that they at least they bothered to divide it into parts and also you have to actually waste your money on this garbage.
3863537
Simple and direct? Skimpy DVD at best.
Honestly- when I checked the reviews for this DVD- Jimbo's was not published yet. While I own Ms Friedman's book as well- and it's very informative, this DVD for the PRICE is a huge disappointment. Please be aware- this DVD plays for a little over 19 mins- it's basically a teaser to what QiGong can do for you.
This is what you get in 19 mins:
1-Cleanse the Qi, 2-Stretch and Support the Sky, 3-Open Heaven and Close the Earth, 4-Ascend and Descend the Qi, 5-Flying Crane Spreads its Wings, 6-Gathering Qi, 7-QiGong Self massage and 8-Acu-Point tapping.

This makes for a great warm up QiGong DVD but not for the price, and I again, I do own her book and had higher expectations out of this DVD.
I would have thought there would have been several different QiGong routines to work through, based on her well written book.

Another reviewer mention the Garripolis, I own 2 of their DVDs as well and for the experience and value, the Garripolis' DVDs are much better options for those who want to practice QiGong- even those who are beginners.

This is certainly not worth $30-so unless you can find this for at the very least, half price, you may be dissappointed.
1067795
I really wanted to like this DVD. I love the length of the segments, the grouping by muscle area, and the interval concept. However, the exercises demonstrated (including several of the modified movements) are so taxing on tendons and joints, I'm utterly shocked the instructor has a BA in Kinesiology. The form is sloppy, and leaves people at risk of injury.

If you have ever injured your wrist(s), shoulder(s) or knee(s), SKIP THIS VIDEO. Somehow this video has magically reaggrivated an old (and healed) knee injury from 14 years ago. To be clear, I usually perform 200 squats, lunges and plies on any given day without incident, am 29, and in great shape. This video is simply not well designed. I would strongly advocate&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Debbie-Siebers-Slim-in-6-2-DVD-Set/dp/B00E3EMP48/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Debbie Siebers' Slim in 6 (2 DVD Set)</a>&nbsp;if you have any joint or tendon issues but want excellent results.

So disappointed!
1942109
I caught the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Mis on PBS. Each character and presentation was worse than the previous one. How bloody awful!

The 10th Anniversary cast and recording of Les Miserables in Concert is so inspiring - so perfect. Please opt for that one instead of this flat and insipid cast and production. There is absolutely nothing compelling in the 25th anniversary version.  I was sickened and could not stand watching anymore. EEWWHHH!

I had the good fortune to see the original Broadway production in NY.  Please, please seek out the 10th anniversary DVD and CD to get the truest experience of a wondrous and marvelous production. It was groundbreaking and continues to inspire.

The "modernized" 25th anniversary edition is just awful. Rather like the kids putting on a very amateur production in the back yard. But this lacks even that depth of feeling.

No soul. Just commercialized pablum. Horrible - 25th anniversary CD or DVD - avoid at all costs!

For total joy, fulfillment, translation into musical bliss - seek out the 10th anniversary edition CD, DVD, anything at all.
540978
I was anxiously awaiting the release of this DVD set, and was very disappointed when I finally bought and watched it.  This set gives us syndicated versions of "Make Room For Daddy" episodes which are VERY heavily edited!  Many times the edits are abrupt fade out/fade ins, and the missing portions of the episodes make some of the stories difficult or confusing to follow.  Putting edited syndicated versions of these "Make Room For Daddy" episodes on DVD is unforgivable and certainly not worth the money for this DVD set!
1035588
This DVD is an unfocused mess that seems to be a loose compilation of "save the Californian coast," "come take our whale watching boat ride," and impromptu, sloppy stream-of consciousness pseudoscience from one "Dr. David Warner." This was soooo bad that I really do want about an hour of my life back. The James and Hartley narration had nothing to do with dolphins, and the teaser promo lines lead to nothing of substance at all. Thank goodness this is actually only a one-disc experience. The writers, editors, videographers and soundtrack guys should be encouraged to find other work -- this was simply terrible... all of it.  Save yourselves (and your 20 dollars).
2769222
I had such great expectations for this dvd set but was sorely disappointed upon watching it...I've gotten far better boxing instructional dvds for less than $5 on ebay! The Mayweather name was used to promote and market this dvd set, but the content with Roger Mayweather was barely 5 minutes on any dvd (except the one on mitt-work).

'Train like a pro'??? 'Who's your trainer'??? Pffft, they are selling the 'sizzle', not the steak!

The guy who takes up most of the time trying to teach boxing is darn near useless as an instructor and so is this dvd set as a result. If you were in a class at the gym, or working out on your own, you wouldn't break a sweat with it.

IMO, it is a cash grab...Plain and Simple - literally.

There were absolutely no drills or routines of any worth shown for new students of the 'sweet science' to practice or 'train' at, except again for the segment on mitt-work by Roger Mayweather and a slow two step sparring exercise. Far too much time was spent talking about the most simplistic theories and those could barely hold my interest. I kept looking and hoping for Roger Mayweather to teach something and when he finally did appear, it was almost always near the end of each dvd and only for a few minutes. What little nuggets Roger did share were the only thing of any value however, but not enough to justify the cost of this set.

Hit Em Up it seems is for -watching- and not for practicing or 'training' with and I know first hand, because I can compare it to exceedingly better boxing instructional DVD sets that are available, and which I personally own. There are the Title Boxing Instructional dvds and Kenny Weldon dvds that give great info and also the My Boxing Coach website that has a genuine 'Boxing Training Foundation' which has hours and hours of precise boxing development skills, drills, techniques and boxing training routines; plus psychology -- at half the price of 'Hit 'Em Up'! The BTF is equal to, or better, than the Title series imo and is a tremendous value considering all the high quality content. The BTF coach Fran Sands, is way, WAY BETTER at actually showing proper boxing techniques, giving excellent instruction and transferring information with repeated drills and exercises that can greatly increase your boxing skills.

If Hit 'Em Up is supposed to be worth $90, then the BTF is worth $1000!

I also own the Chris Getz - Ultimate Boxing Lessons program and it is an excellent boxing instructional dvd set. It is a great deal superior to 'Hit 'Em Up', and similar to the BTF since it uses - proper - drills and 'training' to develop better skills. They are over 10x better than Hit Em Up imo, because of their focus on the development of technical skills thru 'training drills' and demonstrations. If you use any dvd from the Ultimate Boxing set or watch any of the BTF videos, you will get great lessons, great training and a great workout!

With 'Hit 'Em Up', (unless it's mitt-work) you get nothing of the sort.

I can not in good conscience re-sell the 'Hit 'Em Up' dvd set - It is just not worth the price, imo.

So, because I already own a library of -quality- pugilistic training resources, knowledge and information, I can emphatically state -- without apology; that if not for the very brief segments of Roger Mayweather sharing some tiny bits of boxing wisdom, the 'Hit 'Em Up' dvd set would have barely been given 1 Star by me and would have been renamed -- by placing a letter 'S' in front of the word 'hit'!

In conclusion:

Save your time and your money, or spend it on a REAL Boxing Instruction and 'Training' program that will give you - proper - pro techniques and workout drills to develop ever increasing skills. IMO, the professional style coaching techniques and features found in the 'Boxing Training Foundation' of My Boxing Coach, and/or Chris Getz's Ultimate Boxing Lessons DVDs will greatly satisfy where this set sorely disappoints.
1871359
I have to admit I have not watched the whole DVD so this review may not be entirely fair.  This is so awful, you are torn between laughter and utter disbelief.  The folder (you just see his hands) seems nonplussed most of the time and cannot even make sense of his own work.  The "music" overwhelms the "narration", and you are left with a pair of hands fiddling around with a wrinkled up piece of paper that does eventually turn into a "box", which looks as if it has been through a series of distress tests. This is a funny DVD and if I watch the rest of it someday and have to eat my words, I will gladly do so.
2763619
Like one of the previous reviewers stated, this looks like a good buy from the outside due to the really nice packaging and the very good movie selection.  My wife and I were really looking forward to some of the movies featured on this set, especially "Life With Father".  Oh what a terrible disappointment it was to see such TERRIBLE quality audio and video.  We only made it through half the movie because it was so disheartening.  The audio is horrible.  Many of the lines spoken are unintelligible.  The video quality was so bad it was not watchable.  We took it back and left it at the store we bought it from because of the 'copyright laws that prohibit DVDs that are opened from being returned'.  It was HORRIBLE!  Avoid this DVD.  Purchase the movies individually if you can find them.
2249978
i was very disappointed in this DVD.  After being very excited after the release of the Whimsey sewing books, and taking one of Kari's classes, i expected a great deal more from this very expensive DVD.  First of all, the DVD is poorly made.  After launch I couldn't get it to go past the title page.  I had to go click on the menu option in the upper right corner (after taking it out of full screen mode) and then try to get it to launch the first chapter.  That marginally worked but I got better results by launching windows explorer and right clicking on the DVD and selecting Play.  Seems like a ridiculous amount of work just to get the DVD going.  While Kari's instructions are very good and valuable the absence of any patterns left me feeling very ripped off.  But that seems to be the way of all of Kari's merchandizing: if you buy a kit from her you have to buy the pattern separately.  Don't even get me started on the outrageous cost of her 'Whimsy' sticks.  Given the poor quality of the product, the disappointing lack of patterns and my general disappointment I will be returning the DVD for a refund.
4604299
I suppose that the point of a star system is to rank the quality of the product as well as its content, but it seemed pointless to not recommend this to anyone who would be reading this review.  After all, if you're looking at buying an entire season of a show, you're hopefully already familiar with its premise.
That said, this is one of the worst DVD transfers I've ever seen.  I'm frankly surprised that DVCC, the company that did the transfer, even puts their logo at the end of each disc.  Not to mention the numerous problems with halting-motion...  Whereas the first season was crystal-clear picture (or nearly), this season is pixelated and grainy.
The extras are fine, I guess.  Someone should've told David Greenwalt (commentary on "Reptile Boy") that narrating what is happening on screen is a waste of time for both him and the viewer, while Marti Noxon's commentary was fun and relatively insiteful.
So, in conclusion, if you have it all on video, don't buy this.  Your videos are probably better quality anyway.  If not, be prepared for a big let-down, but you'll no doubt enjoy it anyway.
4831724
I should have borrowed this book or checked it out at the local book store first before making the mistake of purchasing it from Amazon and wasting my money.

The author's lofty premise is that in order for any movie to make it into his top 1000 list in this book, it has to be a great movie PLUS it must have great video transfer quality. Ah, only if Mr. Travers had actually watched the DVDs for the movies in his list.

The book fell apart when I started noticing movies that are well known for their extremely poor video transfer quality being promoted by the author as fantastic editions of the movie. For example, on page 127, he listed The Last Emperor, Director's Cut as the version of the movie on DVD to get. Any movie or DVD buff who loves this movie will know that this is probably the most atrocious video transfer, butchering job ever done for a movie. check out the reviews here on Amazon for this DVD version listed in the book:<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Last-Emperor-Director-s-Cut/dp/6305261032/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Last Emperor - Director's Cut</a>&nbsp;The DVD's video quality is poor, it is unwatchable, I know this for a fact because I own this DVD and I watched it! The author should be ashamed to be listing such a crappy DVD edition in his top 1000 list against his "criteria." This is just one example, and he lists many more DVDs of poor quality (both in terms of video transfer and just bad movies.)

Based on this example and numerous others in this book, you can't trust anything this guy tells you in the book. Don't waste your money, you and I already know a lot more than Travers the "Rolling Stone Movie Critic."
2746862
I've been dancing for over 25 years and found this DVD to be an absolute JOKE! There is zero instruction or breakdown and the entire DVD consists of Tracy Anderson bouncing around doing ridiculous "choreography" that you're supposed to just follow along. If I was a beginner or someone with limited training, I'd be completely lost. Hell, I'm a trained dancer and I was completely lost. The music is annoying, the "workout" is ridiculous and for the money, you'd be better off buying a $2 jumprope and an iTunes gift card and making up your own moves to good music. Complete waste of time and money.
3688967
I wish I had read the other 1-star reviews for this video before purchasing from my Roku. What a waste--as others have noted in great detail, the ONLY tie-in to its claim of being good for stress or feeling low is that ALL YOGA is good for anxiety, depression, and for that matter being lazy, having no connection with the universe, being a douche. COME ON!! I blew nearly $14 on this and wish to high heaven I could purge it from my library--which incidentally has amazing kundalini yoga from Maya Feines, Shiva Rea, and others. This is a SUPER LOW production value, poorly scripted, and apparently done  with a stationary camera in a cruddy looking studio with the pukiest green paint ever. DUDE, here's a hint--paint your studio before making a video. I'm sorry to be so brutal, but I'm outraged by the crass look & feel, and by-the-numbers yoga BTW. The only nice part is the intro & exit footage near water. I'll give it to him that he is a good practioner if a terrible cue-giver. And it's in a virtual echo chamber so the bad cues are almost impossible to catch unless you're a foot from the TV, geez. To all other potential buyers, DON'T PURCHASE THIS VIDEO--THERE ARE SO MANY BETTER ONES OUT THERE!! Take the time to read the bad reviews as they usually tip you off to what's very wrong.

NOTE TO AMAZON/Yeah, that's you Mr. Bezos, I would greatly appreciate you living up to Amazon's vaunted return policy for shipped goods (of which I am a FREQUENT BUYER, BUT NEVER A RETURNER UNTIL NOW--and refund at least the balance of what I paid (less the rental charge, perhaps?). Do the right thing),and while you're at it give me a way to delete this awful video from my library!!!!! ugh
144995
I was quite disappointed in this video. While it was very interesting to see the changes in her vulva as she diddled her clitoris I saw no other value to this DVD. There was no discussion, explanation, or insights to learn about masturbation. The gal didn't move a muscle other than her index finger. She did, however, apparently do some kegel exercises to stimulate herself. I wasn't expecting jumping jacks but this lifeless method seems to be unrealistic and reminiscently catering to necrophiliacs. Seriously, without the noises that she was making and the robotic movement of her index finger, I would have thought she was dead. Very boring and unhelpful.

My other complaint that I have is that the camera continually zoomed in and then out, in then out... with the only thing that seemed valuable in this DVD being the changes of her vulva as she progressed it was terribly frustrating to have the camera pan out to watch her just lay there. I was hoping that at least it would zoom back in at the time of her climax but it didn't. Hell, that was the reason to sit through all that boring footage and then it didn't even have a close up of her finale.

Very boring, un-educational, and disappointing.

A much better choice is Betty Dodson's video "The Joy of Selfloving" and the book "She Comes First: The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman" by Ian Kerner.