Best More Than a Game (2008) Deals

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $9.98
Sale Price: $6.99
Today's Bonus: 30% Off

The title More Than a Game is more than a little cliché, and the most basic summary of this documentary's premise does little to refute that initial impression: the story of five inner city youths who forge something beyond friendship while pursuing their high school hoop dreams. But the journey of the "Fab Five" who made up the core of the St. Vincent-St. Mary basketball team in Akron, Ohio earlier in the decade is not exactly your average sports saga, filled with extraordinary characters and equally extraordinary circumstances that Hollywood could craft no better in any feature script. Any filmmaker blessed with such serendipitous narrative riches would be content to simply recount the not-so-tall tale, but director Kristopher Belman takes it an added step: bringing the larger-than-life back down to a universally relatable scale.

Figures hardly come more larger-than-life than LeBron James, the Fighting Irish alum who (as the world over has come to know) first caught national sports media attention during his high school stint and has since become one of most celebrated and recognizable stars in all of sports, let alone in basketball. With the knowledge of James's ultimate NBA fairy tale fate, the temptation would be to focus the film solely on his rise, but his story is duly treated as but one of the threads borne out of what was originally the "Fab Four"--James, "Little" Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, and Sian Cotton, whom we see in some rare home video honing their individual skills and team chemistry from way back when they were pre-teens. Playing in the Amateur Athletic Union, the quartet lived up to the "Shooting Stars" team name, building on their local Ohio successes to shock observers in a national tournament down in Florida; however, the four's first taste of national success will turn out to be just shy of complete victory.

And, like most lives, that bittersweet experience reflects the greater journeys followed in More Than a Game. Given the presence of James, one expects this to be a film full of triumphs, but what make those resonate even more strongly in the end are the relatable setbacks, obstacles, and shake-ups that occur along the way. In fact, falling into that last category are two people who will come to complete the "fab" family and help lift the entire unit to new heights, Romeo Travis and "Little Dru"'s father, Dru Joyce II. But long before those heights, each initially enters the basketball picture under less than ideal circumstances: Travis in sophomore year at St. Vincent-St. Mary's, where his surly demeanor quickly clashes with the core quartet, who had just led the school to a championship the previous season; Joyce II in junior year, who takes over the head coaching position from a decorated predecessor despite minimal experience. How the four manage to evolve into a "Fab Five" and, above all else, a family of six headed by Coach Dru proves not so much a result of their hard work on the hardwood than of the growth they each must undergo as people.

The film's structure reinforces that latter point. Instead of going the standard route of going through each person's background at the top, Belman gives the individual histories at appropriate, organic moments within the overall narrative. While this approach does mean that some events early in the film unfold without a complete familiarity with or understanding of all of the players, spreading the stories out pays off in a couple of respects. Instead of blurring into a muddle, it allows each person to have their time to shine and their respective stories breathe and remain clear to the viewer. But even more effectively, the backstories are used beyond mere exposition to illuminate certain key events that affect the group as a whole--further underscoring the greater idea of how various circumstances seemingly centered on one person can cause repercussions for the collective. Chief among these developments, of course, is the hysteria and hype that arises around James after he is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, suddenly catapulting midwestern high school hoops into a nationally televised arena. The film admirably does not downplay any of the well-documented dramas and tensions that then sprung forth from James's literally overnight fame, but instead of wallowing in sensational celebrity scandal, Belman keeps these developments in their proper perspective in regards to the bigger picture: how they affected the entire group and what they all aimed to accomplish.

That is an example of how and why More Than a Game works--showing the grounded, real-life terms and consequences of an increasingly surreal chain of events. Only a select few people can completely relate to being blessed with natural athletic ability and talent at such a young age; even fewer still would relate to being suddenly thrust into the media spotlight and scrutiny. But underneath that gloss and glamour is the classic tale of boys growing into men, of people learning the importance of the greater group glory over the individual shine, with the distinctly drawn personalities of each of the five offering a fairly diverse set of entry points for the viewer to understand and relate. Ironically enough, in balancing his attention between everyone on the team, Belman offers deeper, uncommonly intimate insight into the film's marquee name; one is a witness what is perhaps James's most critical, formative period through the eyes of those who not only knew him best, but had a huge hand in shaping the superstar "King James" so familiar to sports fans today. But if lifting-oneself-from-a-hard-knock-childhood-through-big-dreams is fairly commonplace film fodder, More Than a Game's trump card comes in an arc that is not as commonly told and even more empowering: the story of Coach Dru, as the film is just as much about him coming into his own. If James's story confirms the prevailing contemporary notion that one's opportunity for success comes--and then passes--only while one is young, that of the elder Dru counters that, rather poignantly proving that one does not have to settle for comfort and complacency, for one's true calling and self-actualization may not arrive until later in life.

That statement may make More Than a Game sound pretentious, but such weightier ideas are delivered in a very accessible and entertaining package. The Fab Five make an affable and appealing, funny and fun group, and Belman accordingly has fun, fighting the trap of talking head-and-news-clip documentary monotony and keeping the film visually dynamic. Beyond some snazzy (but not overdone) graphic work that gives the documentary staples of old photos and newspaper headlines some motion and flair, Belman also manages to lend some variety to the basketball footage, with each pivotal game edited and presented in their own subtly distinct way; for instance, some visual repetitiveness is avoided by simply not shooting scoreboards in the same way. Belman even has a little fun with the standard closing "where are they now" text cards without resorting to overwrought editorializing or labored stabs at profundity.

While it certainly helps to be familiar with the game of basketball and a fan of the sport to enjoy More Than a Game, it is far from necessary. Basketball is what brought the Fab Five and Coach Dru together and was and remains a shared passion, but the game is almost incidental to the larger idea: not only that those from not exactly the most privileged of backgrounds can indeed dream and succeed, but that one doesn't necessarily do it by oneself. Not looking out for number one but instead always looking out for each other is what made Coach Dru and the Fab Five what they were as a team, who they have become as people today--and why their story and this film are so richly moving and inspirational.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Let me start off my review by saying that I have not been an active fan of basketball for several years now. I wound up watching this film because it received excellent reviews and my students are always talking about Lebron James, so I took it as an excellent opportunity to learn more about this young man at the center of all the hype. Having watched the dvd, I am just amazed at not only the skill and athleticism displayed by Mr. James, but the caliber of the character demonstrated by him, his teammates and his coaches. This is more than a basketball documentary , it's a life-lesson documentary that provides the added bonus of amazing footage of someone whose skills as a youngster clearly out-ranked many who play the sport professionally (to say the least, Mr. James is clearly most worthy of the praise heaped upon him). If you have kids, get More than a Game and use it as a sounding board for honest discussions with your kids. If you just love sports, get it because the footage is spectacular.

Best Deals for More Than a Game (2008)

I have to admit, I am not a big fan of basketball. BUT because of my son's love of basketball, I brought this and a few other DVD's which showcases his favorite NBA players. (Note: I am still learning the techniques of basketball.)

The highlight and pivotal point of this film, "More Than A Game," was when the team (St. Vincent-St. Mary) coach gave a serious speech to his young men and devout his faith in prayers (along with them) in a call to the Almighty Saviour. Both messages developed a strength of character to the young men whose lives are expectedly in a vacuum filled with wild excitements (promiscuity, alcohol and more). This to me was a turnaround for the young men. Although it was the coach's last and final year to train them (in their last year of high school), Coach Dru Joyce and the team thought they would win the championship. They didn't! BUT, because of their hardwork, faith, character (thanks to Coach Dru Joyce), friendship and love, these young men pulled it off and TODAY we still see the excitement some of them display. What an incredible film. I'm happy to have attain it as a gift; a gift my son will (and has said) will treasure forever. He's inspired by this great documentary. Great work! Bravo to the executors for producing a fabulous history of the St. Vincent-St.Mary's basketball team, "Irish".

Honest reviews on More Than a Game (2008)

Ok let me say this, am I a Miami Heat bandwagon fan? NO

Am I a local resident of Ohio or a fan of the Cavs? HELL NO

Have I followed the career of LBJ since 2001? YES I HAVE

I was not going to pick up this movie, at all, but something told me to see it. Yes, Im glad that I did....it is very well done. I first heard of LBJ back in 2001, and I never thought this guy would live up to the hype, but this movie covers the behind the scenes of the hype.

It is a story not of just Lebron but of all his friends and team-mates over a course of 4 yrs throughout high school. It shows the good the bad, the ups and downs...and the brotherly love that these 6 guys (Including coach Drew) had for each other from the time they hit 8th grade until 12th. What a good story. Its not the best documentary on hoops that I have seen (that would be Hoop Dreams) but it is very well done! I was impressed, and it really doesn't leave a whole lot out.

I do wish this movie would have shown a lot more games, or released a special edition that had some of his full games...but overall it is a great buy. You don't have to like Lebron to enjoy this film, cause this film is about more than just Lebron, its about life, love, team work, hard work, and 5 brothers. Enjoy, I give it 4 stars....the soundtrack is even pretty good as well!

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for More Than a Game (2008)

If you are a Lebron James fan or know one this is the DVD for you. The title states it all.

Gives you an insight into what makes the man you happens to be one great basketball player!

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2012) Review

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $19.98
Sale Price: $10.62
Today's Bonus: 47% Off

While the movie is certainly worthy of praise and is a very excellent sequel to the first one, my review will be focusing on what now has become a monumental case of false advertising about getting a "Digital Copy" product. To be fair to the movie, I did give this a 5 star rating. There are other excellent descriptions of the movie already published under reviews so I am focusing on the product.

What you are getting with this and any other "Ultraviolet" product is NOT a digital copy. You don't get a copy of anything. All you get is the right to create an account to access the servers of the so called "Ultraviolet" system. Hence, if you are at an airport, you get the joy of using your data plan to capacity (and paying actual additional dollars if you have exceeded capacity) only to realize that while on the plane, you have no access to your purported digital copy. This is one of the biggest scams in the digital age. Advertising to let you think that you are getting a "copy" of a movie, when all you get is access to a web site, when it is up, using your own internet bandwidth and the dollars that go along with it. If consumers don't fight this severe advertising deception, soon true digital copies will be a thing of the past and you will be stuck with Bluray vs. iTunes. Buyer beware. Stand up to Ultraviolet and don't let them ruin the digital copy experience. We are all paying good money for these. The least we could get in return is a digital copy to take with us, legally on a plane ride or traveling otherwise.

Again, remember, all you get is access to the Ultraviolet website with no guarantee of its continued existence. That is not getting a copy of anything at all. Just a promise that as of today, you will be able to access a web site owned by a greedy conglomerate of movie studios who want to prevent you from having a portable copy of the movie so they don't have to share any profit with companies like Apple.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

After the very good opening film in the Guy Richie Sherlock Holmes franchiseA Game Of Shadows takes the series to another level. There is a real feeling that the actors have a firmer grasp on their characters. It can also be said that Richie seems to be in more of a flow in this second installment. How many times can we actually say that a second film in a series improves upon the first?

First and foremost, Robert Downey Jr is an extremely gifted actor. Most people know that, but his command of this role is exceptional. You have probably seen the extent of his preparation in regards to the proper English accent he had to masterbefore ever getting infront of the camera! His acting in this film is up there with Chaplin and his other great performances. He is Sherlock Holmes and I believe any version of Sherlock in the future will be hard pressed to equal Downey's version. And Sherlock definately needs a worthy Watson. Enter Jude Law. The perfect sidekick, who has to shake off Sherlock's barbs at times, but is equal at firing back. Its part of the charm of these movies. When the going is rough they are a perfect team. When they are at each other's throatsthey're just as perfect.

Watson's wedding and honeymoon should have been great memories for himtoo bad Sherlock is working on "the single greatest case" of his career! That meansedge of your seat action, mystery and not the least of all ruining poor Watson's honeymoon! The scenes where Sherlock and Watson are on the train are some of the funnier moments of the film. "I'm on my honeymoon!" "Did you just kill my new wife!". To top it off, Sherlock's disguise!

The men are in pursuit of Professor James Moriarty. A challenging opponent for Sherlock, which is proven countless times throughout the film. Mr.Moriarty is waiting for an outbreak of war, because he owns a large weopons cache/factory. Sherlock must get to the professor before France and Germany put Europe in turmoil. There are some classic confrontations between Sherlock and the professor. Great dialogue and witty banter back and forth. The two men finish a chess game without even looking at the board, while talking about their own personal moves in the next room. That is a great scene.

Not to be forgotten in all the excitementare the scenes with the gypsies. Sherlock's interest in the gypsies is for the sister of Renee. Noomi Rapace -from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoois excellent in this role. And a natural fit with the other actors. There are several great scenes with Sherlock and Watson trying to mix with the gypsies. Then theres the case of how Sherlock will travel across the countrysidehave to see this!

Lets hope there is a 3rd installment. It looks like a sure bet, but things can change. I think Downey and Law have great comedic chemistry. It would be great to see these guys atleast one more time playing these iconic characters. And adding another chapter in Sherlock lore.

The End?

Best Deals for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2012)

Well this film is that level of fun. After kicking into gear they quickly take an old and familiar setting and bring it into the modern day (figuratively that is, since this is actually set in the late 19th century). They manage to do this without making it too youth oriented. The true fun in this film will be in rewatching it, the quick banter and fun plot twists that turn out to be thought out well in advance (for the most part), will only be more enjoyable upon multiple viewings. The layers, much like those found in the Pirates script, are multiple and cerebral. They hit the viewer without our full awareness and when we later realize this it brings a smirk if not a smile to the face. Many plot points that seem by chance or appear to be toss away jokes end up returning and playing a larger role in the story, it's nice to see some effort in a big budget blockbuster especially when its a sequel.

The action and staging of set pieces might not properly belong in the era portrayed (according to some critics) but it makes for a fun and well balanced film in my opinion. This isn't meant to be historically accurate, its meant to be a version of history much like Gladiator or Pirates. The performances are excellent and I found RDJ to be even more comfortable in his role as Holmes, surprising since he has so many other films and franchises now on his plate. Having laid the groundwork in the first film he spends more of the film flexing Holme's emotional levels, mainly regarding his relations to Watson and Irene Adler. Jude Law becomes much more familiar as Watson and thus becomes much more likable because this time he adheres to the objective with much less resistance (possibly because he has a chance to really let out his frustrations with Holmes early on). The two obviously have that strong relationship that goes beyond friendship, something Ritchie quite enjoys playing with but that makes for something different and refreshing while allowing for moments of strong humor.

Also compelling was Noomi Rapace, filling a space left by McAdams departure after a short but meaningful cameo early in the film. Noomi is given somewhat of a small role and largely facilitates plot purposes but her character does have an arc and emotional stakes that make her important to the story, if not always fully utilized. She of course develops an interest in Holmes but again this is well justified given the events that transpire and doesn't feel as forced as one would assume. Another new face is Jared Harris, who is a very cerebral Moriarty. I really enjoyed his performance but was prepped for it, having enjoyed him on the series Mad Men. For those not familiar with his "proper/formal" Englishman style I'm not sure if he will come across as menacing as some might hope or expect, even based on the first film. I thought he played the villain in a unique way and did so quite well.

In short, if you enjoyed the first you will enjoy this, at least I don't see how you couldn't. If you didn't enjoy the first because of the occult vs. science storyline, the pacing, or perhaps the uneven still developing characters, I will say I personally found this one to be much improved and much more comfortable with itself all around. I did enjoy the first but never thought I'd need to see it again, but I found myself rewatching it after seeing this sequel, and this film I want to own and rewatch, again and again, just as I do with Pirates Curse of the Black Pearl.

Honest reviews on Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2012)

Sherlock Holmes was one of my favorite movies of 2009, so my expectations for this film were high. I was not disappointed in the least. Though the first film was tighter, I enjoyed this one far more. Game of Shadows has a very ambitious plot, that falters somewhat half way through. Holmes and Watson's trip to Germany, while host to the most exciting scene in the movie, is a bit cluttered story wise. Everything makes sense, but it isn't until the end of the movie that you find out why.

Robert Downey Jr. is compared to Benedict Cumberbatch, star of the excellent BBC show "Sherlock: Season One [Blu-ray]", a comparison which I find unfair. While Cumberbatch is indeed brilliant in his portrayal, Downey is equally so in a completely different way. Their performances are apples and oranges, with the only similarities being that you will enjoy both. Jude Law, once again, shines as Watson. Him and Downey have chemistry, the likes of which I have never seen on film. The term bromance is tossed around too frequently these days, but it fits Holmes and Watson to a tee.

The villain of this film, Moriarty, played to perfection by Jared Harris, elevates an already entertaining film to something with some weight behind it. He is a foe of intelligence on par with Holmes and the game they play is fascinating to behold. While there may be one too many action sequences, the fight at the stag party, and the always wonderful Noomi Rapace is given nothing of real importance to do, this is, as stated above, an unfailingly fun, and wonderfully enjoyable movie, well worth your time and hard earned dollar. Highly Recommended.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2012)

Guy Ritchie's first 'Sherlock Holmes' was a decent, if completely forgettable attempt to reboot/remake the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle characters for a modern-movie audience. Now 'Sherlock Holmes:Game of Shadows' is out and while I don't think it comes any closer to successfully rebooting the franchise, as a sequel it makes a remarkable number of improvements and ends up being a very entertaining film.

The main story of 'Game of Shadows' has Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigating a series of bombings and assassinations that put them on the trail, and in the cross-hairs of arch-criminal Professor Moriarty and master sniper Sebastian Moran. The plot in this film has some fun twists and turns as Holmes and Watson team up with a mysterious gypsy and Holmes' older brother Mycroft, but it's the battle of wits between Sherlock and the Professor that keeps this film engaging; Moriarty is a dangerous and diabolical adversary which raises the stakes in this film head-and-shoulders above it's predecessor.

The acting in 'Game of Shadows' is much more level-headed than the first 'Sherlock Holmes' and therefore easier to swallow: Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law's Holmes and Watson act less like a bickering couple and more like long-time friends who actually care about each other. Stephen Fry brings dry-wit and welcome comic relief as Mycroft Holmes. Noomi Rapace is great but seems wasted in a smaller part as the gypsy. Rachael McAdams, who I couldn't stand as Irene Adler in the first film makes a surprisingly welcome (if brief) appearance in the film. As good as these actors are however it's Jared Harris as Professor Moriarty who ignites the screen and the scenes between him and Downey Jr. are nail-bitingly tense.

As with everything else in 'Game of Shadows', the camera-work is an improvement over the original 'Sherlock Holmes' though is still a bit overblown. The slow-motion, rewinding-hand-to-hand combat scenes are much more fun as things don't always go the way Holmes plans. The more open environments in this film add to the atmosphere and make the action seem less artificial. Ritchie still favors super-close-ups and a bit too much slow-to-fast motion (I couldn't tell what was going on during one particular chase scene through a forest) but overall the movie stays coherent from beginning to end.

As I've said: Guy Ritchie's 'Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows' is far from a successful reboot of the Holmes/Conan Doyle characters (and still carries a lot of pointless disguises and sight-gags), but as a sequel that gets right what it's predecessor got wrong it stands as a very fun movie experience.

Discount Once Upon a Time Season 2, Ep. 10 "The Cricket Game"

Customer Ratings:

There are some big changes in Storybrook in this second season of "Once Upon a Time." With the breaking of the Evil Queen's spell at the end of last season, Storybrook's residents are once again aware of their fairy tale identities. However, nothing in this dual world of reality and fairy tale is ever simple. For one thing, no one can leave town. For another, it isn't easy to get back to the original enchanted land that is home for the characters. For a third, Regina, the once and future evil queen, just can't seem to go straight, locking horns with Prince Charming, with Mr. Gold, and finally with a long lost relative.

There will be excitement and enchantment galore in the second season, as the backstories of yet more characters are revealed, and as characters travel between their two worlds. Emma and Snow make a dangerous trip back into the land of enchantment, only to be stranded and left in mortal danger. Their journey will give Snow a chance to teach Emma about motherhood and magic. Along the way, Emma will finally begin to understand that her own powers may extend past her street smarts and pluck. Her journey, and the viewer's, will be enhanced by meeting THE Captain Hook (who comes with his own complicated backstory) and Jack's bean stalk (and the Giant). Prince Charming will be acting sheriff in Emma's absence, and face his own challenges, including a missing Henry and the framing of Red for murder. Regina will struggle to keep a promise to foster son Henry not to use magic, while she and Rumplestiltskin may be compelled, unhappily, to cooperate to face a truly dangerous opponent from their collective past, an opponent who will force life-changing choices on a number of characters.

One of the attractions of the show is its creative mixing of fairy tales from any genre. How else, for example, to explain Ruby (a werewolf in her alternate identity) talking Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein into performing life-saving surgery on an auto accident victim? "Once Upon a Time: The Second Season" is very highly recommended to its fans, who are likely to enjoy more good storylines and excellent work by a solid ensemble cast.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Giants, ogres, werewolves, Frankenstein, Mulan, Captain Hook ... what do all the things have in common? Once Upon a Time Season Two, that's what! This is the series that has single-handedly changed the face of television fantasy and made ABC a major player in creative, prime-time entertainment.

This show has almost limitless possibilities and (at the writing of this review) is creatively satisfying the potential of an ever-expanding setting while maintaining continuity with previous episodes. To date Once Upon still hasn't sold out to the HBO/Showtime/AMC paradigm of dark/edgy/gritty; a thematic bandwagon I'm so sick of I could literally vomit and more importantly they stick with the main characters from season one, continuing to develop them in a huge way (e.g. the welcome "manning up" of Charming) while constantly introducing new ones.

Also, I've sort of come to expect sub-standard or straight-up cheesy FX from television as a given and this is where Once Upon just continues to amaze me. What I really find astonishing is when I hear other people actually labeling the CG as bad... I guess I just don't get it. I mean if we see a dragon on TV we already know it's not real; we just hope it's convincing enough to maintain the illusion that the events we're watching might actually be taking place somewhere... out there. I say kudos to the producers for their frugal reliance on CG which is inherently a technology always one step ahead of being outdated and overly scrutinized as more people become fluent in graphics tech. In other words, too many people know how the trick is done to maintain the illusion if it's the only trick up the sleeve, so to speak, and so I guess it's a good thing that Once Upon excels in the areas of camera-work (including green-screen), costumes, sets, lighting, makeup, fighting and action choreography.

This is a bigger season with more action, lots of unexpected and clever plot twists, new realms and more fantasy than season one with just enough added drama to enhance adult appeal without detracting from the original premise; less emphasis on Emma, spotlight on Charming and Snow as their characters are reinvigorated, less of Henry, much more of The Dark One (i.e. Mr. Gold), sllightly less screen-time for the Evil Queen as new dangers and villains are introduced and based on the way this series is gaining momentum, I'd predict it may very well be a five year run because it just "feels" like the writers, producers, actors etc. actually enjoy what they're doing. :o)

Best Deals for Once Upon a Time Season 2, Ep. 10 "The Cricket Game"

Pure entertainment, intriguing and there is enough there to keep your interest. Definitely a cult type program, may not have a broad appeal however if you like fantasy and fairy tail although campy at times can definitely be nostalgic. I just love this kind of stuff so I may not be the best critic. I give it a thumbs up, worth purchasing!!

Honest reviews on Once Upon a Time Season 2, Ep. 10 "The Cricket Game"

They could not have put a better cast together. They are freaking adorable and talented. I started watching on netflix and loved it so much I bought the first season just to support it. Fun story that has you falling in love with all the characters both good and bad. Must watch!

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Once Upon a Time Season 2, Ep. 10 "The Cricket Game"

So says Red Riding Hood, who is also a werewolf, to Dr. Whale, who is also Dr. Frankenstein. They're two residents of Storybrooke, the New England town that wasn't there before 1983, when the Evil Queen moved the whole population. Sending fairy tale characters from their enchanted world to the modern world isn't new to ABC--a short lived, broadly played sitcom called The Charmings had a similar premise. But Once Upon a Time is a sumptuous "theme park opera" in which the relationships and the relatives are as serpentine as Maleficent the dragon.

Season Two brought the realization to the characters that they were actual fairy tale people. They didn't believe young Henry last year, but like the existence of Mr. Snuffle-Upagus, eventually you can't keep denying the truth. So now the characters have dual essences; they remember who they were and who they are. Prince Charming (or should I say "Cool Hand Charming?") takes control and sets the town straight. Snow White and Emma Swan realize they're mother and daughter, and are embarrassed about all the intimate talks they shared (apparently Snow had a one-night stand, but it was caused by a spell).

The season also brings us the even evil-er Queen Cora, played by Barbara Hershey (who renamed herself "Barbara Seagull" in the `70s to draw attention to the plight of the species, and then changed it back). Was the name "Cora" drawn from the character Margaret "Wicked Witch of the West" Hamilton played in hundreds of Maxwell House commercials before her passing?

The other major newcomer is the beardy, Revlon-eyed Captain Hook, played with vim and vigor (but mostly vim) by Colin O'Donoghue, who in a bonus feature seems to be shocked by the amorous attention he apparently is getting from fans. (It's not like he asked to wear the sleek leather outfit with the flowing cape and the shiny chain around his neck and the shirt open to there, ladies!) Hook is much better in the second half of the season when he settles into a supporting role. He plays well off the other actors, who have really honed their roles and created a nice chemistry. The whole season seems to really kick into gear by the midway point.

Moving right along to biology, what's with Snow White and the Prince doin' it on camera, as their daughter and grandson enter the bedchamber? Without being a spoiler, Snow is racked with guilt about another deed, yet after being found together with nothing on but a 250-count cotton percale, they wait for their family to leave and get back to gettin' it on. Even Mom and Dad Dunphy were shocked, embarrassed and angry when their kids discovered them doing the same thing, and they're not even Disney characters.

No matter how complex the storylines get and the double crosses get double crossed this season, the standard bearers for the series remain Lana Parilla as Regina the Evil Queen (what's really magic is how she never smears that ruby red lip gloss) and Robert "Full Monty" Carlyle as Rumpel Stiltskin (but you can call him "Rumpel").

Like Dark Shadows, another ABC series, in which vampire Barnabas was racked with guilt about his murderous condition, yet slipped in and out of being a hero and a villain, so do Regina and Rumpel. Between that classic conflict and their acting skills, they're the ones upon which most of the rest of the show radiates. They can't turn nice, or you'd have no story. But you find yourself hoping they'll reform. And they do, then they don't, then they do.

Season two of Once Upon a Time looks like a movie on Blu-ray. The details of the costuming and art direction show up nicely. The special effects are mostly impressive, though the seams show once in a while. But you just couldn't do a show with the illusory sets and vistas in this series back in the day, before green screens and digital effects made such things faster and more economically feasible for TV.

And now for the bonus features (wait, let me get out my invisible chalk). This set has some of the most entertaining on any DVD set. Ariel Winter of Modern Family traces the convoluted family trees of the characters, so completely outlandish that even the cast themselves has trouble keeping it straight. Several interesting audio commentaries add to the understanding of how stories were created and how the actors approached their roles, especially after the curse ended, and they had to be two people in one. Gennifer "Snow" Goodwin explains that "Bobby" Carlyle actually changes Rumpel's behavior based on which character he encounters. Carlyle himself has assigned numbers to the levels of Rumpel's intensity. This is why I love commentaries!

The gem of the bonus features is a spoof of Good Morning America that features funny commercials (particularly the one for Granny's Diner in which Red does her impression of SCTV's Edna Boil) and the cast gets to have fun making fun. Check out how unctuous Doctor Whale is in his segment. They're having a blast with this short video, which was played at this year's ComicCon.

Next season promises a visit to Never Land and the appearance of Ariel. Even though the best of TV's series can ebb and flow as Once Upon a Time has this season, who couldn't resist sticking with it?

Discount 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship Game (2012)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $24.95
Sale Price: $18.35
Today's Bonus: 26% Off

I agree with the other comments about poor video quality.

An LSU friend of mine had a different complaint. They kept trying to watch the DVD, but it kept stalling about halfway through.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

The quality of this recording is terrible. I can't believe the BCS would knowingly license a DVD this poor. It's a real stretch giving it even one star.

Best Deals for 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship Game (2012)

I was excited about being able to have this game on DVD (especially since I was actually there). However, I am extremely disappointed by the quality of the video. Atrocious. Its like I am watching something in lower resolution on YouTube. I had previously downloaded a HD copy from iTunes and the quality is much better. This DVD was produced by XO Digital and they apparently have the exclusive rights to the BCS and SEC game reproductions. XO clearly dropped the ball and has put forth a very poor quality product apparently in an effort to make a quick buck from the fans. To make matters worse, the DVD could not be detected and was unplayable by the DVD drive of my new Dell laptop.

Honest reviews on 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship Game (2012)

If you'd filmed the game with the camera Zapruder used on Kennedy ... while working a jackhammer ... on a trampoline ... in the snow, you'd have a better looking picture than this DVD.

I'm glad I watched the game 5 times on ESPN3, cuz those memories are all I'm gonna have of Bama's dominance. Until their next Championship. :)

Boooooooooooooooooo to this DVD. Booooooooooooooooooooo, booooooooooooooooooo, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship Game (2012)

Horrible Video quality. so fuzzy that you cannot see the jersey numbers at times. Field lines are in double vision and are constantly moving. Don't buy this video.

Spy Kids 3-Movie Collection (Spy Kids / The Island Of Lost Dreams Reviews

Customer Ratings:

It's difficult to find movies that all three of my kids, ages 5, 9 and 12, will happily watch together. Not only did our kids love them, we enjoyed them too! The movies are clever, action packed, relatively non-violent, and just good family fun. Priced at around $15 for the set, you just can't go wrong.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

I did not realize that the 3rd was in 3-D and glasses were included. Looking forward to next visit when we will watch the movies. They love the first two.

Best Deals for Spy Kids 3-Movie Collection (Spy Kids / The Island Of Lost Dreams

Saw this in Wal-mart once,didn't buy at time and it was gone when I went back.After months of searching stores,I was glad to find it here.Delivery was fast,product is perfect condition and I love these movies.Each one is antique;the Cortez family is a barrel of laughs.The actors were the right choice,it is a shame they didn't receive greater recognition.I would recommend this buyer.

Honest reviews on Spy Kids 3-Movie Collection (Spy Kids / The Island Of Lost Dreams

spy kids 1 and 2 is okay but spy kids 3 is a good movie but its in 3D and the 3D glass are in with the 3 movie collection

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Spy Kids 3-Movie Collection (Spy Kids / The Island Of Lost Dreams

My son and I like the Spy Kids movies and we enjoy watching them so I'm glad I bought them.

Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over / Adventures of Sharkboy (2012) Reviews

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $16.98
Today's Bonus: 15% Off

This 3D double bill unpretentiously features some of the best 3D imagery ever, including some great "pop-out" effects. The Spy Kids romp might be more appealing to adults because its cast includes Sly Stallone, Salma Hayak, Antonio Banderes, and Ricardo Montalban.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

nice movie for kids,3d graphics are really great,and price also great,my kids love to see again and again,i also ejoy

Best Deals for Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over / Adventures of Sharkboy (2012)

This is definitely a Comic Book / Video Game type films. There are some fun sequences that are aimed at kids. Adults should find the visual effects interesting. Each is more of an amusement ride than a normal movie. These films are more like watching someone play video games.

Honest reviews on Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over / Adventures of Sharkboy (2012)

Used to have the 2d versions of these that my neice and nephew used love to watch when they came over and since the price was right @ $14.99 for both movies in 3d I couldn't pass them up (buy mostly 3d movies nowadays). They may not be Oscar material but they are fun and even more so in 3d.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over / Adventures of Sharkboy (2012)

always trying to find something for my grandkids (ages 6-12) and the birthday girl (6) thought I was the best nonna in the world! and the other kids don't mind the shows on tv

Discount Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $9.99
Sale Price: $9.98
Today's Bonus: $0.01 Off

This is the first hollywood blockbuster released in field-sequential (FS) 3D. The red and blue glasses were used in the theaters and in the first DVD release, but this release is much better than the first. This version works with the shutter-glasses type of 3D system, which is fairly easy to get your hands on. It's available at Amazon in the Ultimate 3D Collection, which comes with 3 3D Imax flix (stay away from the Ultimate 3D Horror Collection! The three films that come with it are not genuine 3D films--read my review there). This type of 3D really pops off the screen in full color without the distracting red/blue glasses, and it's quite amazing that a mainstream movie has been converted to a somewhat underground viewing format. "3D Transitions", another FS DVD here at Amazon is a good companion to this. I have also purchased the HQFS (High Quality Field Sequential) version of Santa vs. The Snowman, but I haven't had a chance to watch it. Also, there are numerous older 3D movies available for this system, but most are less-than-legal versions of Jaws 3D, Friday the 13th Part III in 3D, House of Wax, It Came From Outer Space, etc. These are easy to find on auction sites as well as some private sites.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

There is no way on earth, or any other planet or dimension for that matter, that this movie could be related to the first two Spy Kids movies. The same actors appear to be present, but I'm guessing that they have been replaced by emotionally-incapable robots with their charm programme removed.

Instead of a plot, almost the entire movie is spent inside an extremely confusing computer game with incomprehensible rules, controlled by the evil Toymaker (Sylvester Stallone, what have you gotten yourself into?) The robot battle scene was very imaginative, and also the bike race and the lava surfing, but having to watch it with 3D glasses spoiled the movie for me. I wear spectacles, and was unable to see the effects clearly while wearing both pairs. Taking them off just made it worse, and the version I bought didn't have a 2D version included.

Just for information, Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino only appear in this movie as cameos, as all the action centers around Juni (Daryl Sabara), Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Grandpa (Ricardo Montalban). Small parts were adequately filled by Elijah Wood and Salma Hayek, and there are guest appearances by everybody who was in the first two movies.

For fans of Alexa Vega, like my four year old son, there are some music videos in the extras that are worth a look.

Not up to the standard of the first two Spy Kids movies.

Amanda Richards, May 24, 2005

Best Deals for Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003)

Everybody is being so annoying over how the 3D isn't great or how there is no plot. First of all, that is the whole point, it is a fun cheesy exciting movie for kids. Half the time anyone takes thier kids to the movies there is hardly anything going on that keeps them interested, even if it is a cartoon or whatever.

SpyKids 3D wanted to make this movie experience a very different one for kids and adults, an exciting one where in order to see the movie, you need special glasses. Fine the 3D isn't Imax status but it was intended to have video game graphics, hence the title, game over!

For anyone who has ever had a Viewmaster (you know, those little binocular looking toys that project images with circular discs) well, you get that kind of 3D in this movie. Rodriguez was celebrating the 50 year anniversary of 3D (stereoscopy) in itself.

For anyone looking for things to pop out of the screen and hit em in the head, go stand in front of a bus, but for those of you who appreciate an escape from the real world into fantasy, red/blue lenses and all, than you will definately enjoy this movie.