February 11, 2013
The last days of Zeugma and Apamea
"This program captures the feverish work of the multinational rescue archaeology team that excavated low-lying areas of Zeugma and key portions of Apamea before inundation by the Birecik Dam, in Turkey".
The mosaics and architecture are amazing. The flooding of this area is truly a loss to mankind. The film asks: Since it was known for 2o years that this dam would flood the area and it would make all of the artifacts unreachable, why was such a short time allowed to investigate the site? This was a Middle Eastern society that was a central hub for trade early in our collective ancient history. ~Mike
Askwith Media Library 58824-D 53 minutes
Posted by mcmike at 01:55 PM | Comments (0)
The Green Hornet
The ultimate set for Green Hornet collectors. This special edition contains the two feature films: "The green hornet" (1974), and Fury of the dragon (1976) along with all 26 Green Hornet episodes from 1966-1967, and all 13 Green Hornet Serial episodes from 1940. It also contains a rare interview with Bruce Lee, a documentary on the "Black Beauty" car, classic Green Hornet Trailers, a bonus short film, and the two Batman/Greenhornet crossover episodes. All in all, over 22 hours of material spread out on 4 dual layer DVD-9 discs.
Disc 1. The Green Hornet (1974) -- Fury of the dragon (1976) -- Documentary "The Black Beauty" (2000, 14 min.) -- Rare interview with Bruce Lee.
Disc 2. Batman/Green Hornet crossover 1: "A piece of the action" - Batman/Green Hornet crossover 2: "Batman's satisfaction - Green Hornet pilot episode, "The silent gun" - Green Hornet short film [(2006)] - Green Hornet episodes (1966): The silent gun -Give 'em enough rope - Programmed for death - Crime wave -- The frog is a deadly weapon - Eat, drink and be dead - Beautiful dreamer, part 1 -Beautiful dreamer, part 2 - The ray is for killing.
Disc 3. Green Hornet episodes (1966-1967) ; The preying mantis - The hunters and the hunted - Deadline for death -- The secret of the Sally Bell - Freeway to death - The Hornet and the firefly - Seek, stalk and destroy - Corpse of the year, part 1 - Corpse of the year, part 2 - Ace in the hole - Bad bet on a 459-silent - Trouble for Prince Charming - Alias The Scarf - Hornet save thyself - Invasion from outer space, part 1 -- Invasion from outer space, part 2.
Disc 4. Green Hornet movie serial episodes (1940, b&w): The tunnel of terror - The thundering terror - Flying coffins - Pillar of flame - The time bomb - Highways of peril - Bridge of disaster - Dead or alive - The Hornet trapped - Bullets and ballots - Disaster rides the rails - Panic in the zoo - Doom of the underworld.
This is an outstanding collection for fans and those who might want to know more about the Green Hornet. The 1940s serials and movies are great but nothing can compare to the 1960s TV show with Bruce Lee. Mr Lee was truely amazing. He played this part as a serious character. There is a short interview with him where he demonstrates some of his moves. ~Mike
Askwith Media Library 57587-D
Posted by mcmike at 01:39 PM | Comments (0)
Masters of Russian animation.
A collection of award-winning animated short films by Russia's world-renowned directors and artists.
Films by Jove in association with Soyuzmultfilm.
There are four volumns to this series. The artwork and quality of the productions are outstanding. There is a mixture of stop motion, cartoons and live action mixed media. ~Mike
Askwith Media Library 42899-D, 43635-d, 43636-D and 43637-D about 2 hours per disc.
Posted by mcmike at 01:27 PM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2013
Ai Weiwei
This is a documentary that chronicles artist and activist Ai Weiwei as he prepares for a series of exhibitions and gets into an increasing number of clashes with the Chinese government. Follows Ai "from the close of the 2008 Beijing Olympics (for which he helped design the acclaimed 'Bird's Nest' stadium) to his arrest and 81-day detention in 2011".
Everyone who stands up against the state takes a risk. Sometimes the risks are great sometimes not. In China I'd say the risks are great. Suppressing the voice of the people is certainly important to modern nation states, either China or elsewhere. All of those who stand up against the various forms of oppression are very brave. Ai is one who stood up. However, now, we cannot know his status. We can only hope for the best.
Askwith Media Library (Both DVD and Blu-Ray) 58939-D, 58921-B
91 minutes 2012
Posted by mcmike at 02:49 PM | Comments (0)
Jack the Giant Killer
In this version of Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack rescues the beautiful princess from the giant as well as an array of witches, dragons and sea monsters-- each the magical creation of the evil Pendragon.
The stop-motion effects and the other filmic special effects make this a marvel and a joy to watch. It is quite intense and may not be suitable for viewers under ten or so. With two headed giants, a lizard octopus and my favorite some sort of burning, flying demon it is a joy. The story is a little campy but the special effects cannot be beat for 1962. Jim Danforth did the effects and they look like something by Ray Harryhausen. Jim Danforth, who after watching this, stands alongside of Harryhausen in stop-motion animation. ~Mike
Askwtih Media Library 59013-D 94 minutes 1962
Posted by mcmike at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)
Iron sky
At the end of World War II the Nazis set up a secret project on the Dark Side of the Moon where over the next seven decades they create a space fortress and flying saucers.
I don't think I would ever say a film about Nazis could be wonderful unless it is a production by Mel Brooks. For shock value and almost decent production value this film is wonderful. It is over the top in American pop culture. Everyone in this film fits a stereotype. However "Nazis on the Moon?". If you have a taste for the absurd and don't mind some insults thrown at you from the screen than what more can be said, enjoy the movie. ~Mike
Askwith Media Library 58966-D 93 minutes 2012
Posted by mcmike at 01:50 PM | Comments (0)
Twilight's last gleaming
A Colonel in the United States Air Force, and three other convicts, escapes from a military prison. The four men take cover at a nuclear base and proceed to hold America hostage.
The description above is probably not the best for this film. This film is based on the idea of the military industrial complex that Eisenhower warned about in his farewell address of 1961. There are some great topics within this film that are as pertinent today as they were in 1977. This film has an all-star cast with Charles Durning as the President. ~Mike
Askwith Media Library 58979-D 146 minutes 1977
Posted by mcmike at 01:33 PM | Comments (0)
