Grammars Movie Reviews

The first time I saw TS1 & 2 was on a bad taped version, so I bought the 2 disc DVD the second I got a DVD player (a couple years ago). And the 2 disc was worth the money. But even seeing them on a badly taped version I was absorbed into the story of these toys. As an only child, I was convinced my toys had a life when I left so watching these movies took me back to my childhood. As disturbing as Sid was, there's a lot of kids who enjoy destroying toys and for this reason he was a perfect 'real' villian for the toys. The best part of these films is that (with the exception of Woody and Buzz, or in TS2's case 'the Woody toy collection') all the toys are real toys. The idea of Toys living has been done before, but the fact that these were actual toys (from Mattle, Hasbro, FisherPrice, etc) really brought it to life (that and the introduction of 3D computer animation in feature length format). At times, I forgot it was animated. And even though Woody and Buzz only became real toys because of the movie, the two eras of toys they represent are very real as are the stories sorounding them (TS1 shinny new toy becomes boy's favorite, TS2 Classic old toy becomes collectors item). Also, the story itself got to the heart of what a buddy film is suppose to be. There's nothing else to say except that these movies are a must have.

wow! If you or your children enjoy family time watching videos then you should deffinatly,deffinatly watch the set of Toy Story. Buzz and Woody set very good examples of friendship and the rest of the amazing toys show very good team work. This video is a video I myself could watch over and over again. This would be a video I would recomend to anyone, of any age, it is GREAT...

This is a beautifully packaged collection! Get one while supplies last, it may prove as valuable as a vintage Woody doll. Pixar really came up with something wonderful in these two stories, both provide such engaging accounts of one's [longing] for toys of the past. My kids treasure these two movies and the dialog is witty enough to draw parents into the stories. Toy Story II builds on the former, introducing a wider range of characters and offering a light-hearted parable on the collection mania in America. One too many out of the frying pan and into the fire situations for my taste, but the action keeps kids enthralled throughout. Hanks and Allen lend great voice to the battling lead characters, and there are many other wonderful voices as well. The only drawback (and it is a mild one) is not mixing Pixar toys with real family members. I think that would have made the stories even more compelling.

I saw this film on video when it first came out. I'd never heard of it, but I saw it on the shelf of the 20/20 in Studio City.

However, when I ordered it, from Amazon, I think, I was surprised to see that the video had been "altered" (exactly what the euphemism used to stand for). I went back to 20/20 and found that they had the same new version I'd bought. The older, funnier and much sexier one had vanished. I hope that a choice will be given if this comes out on DVD: a choice such is being given now for "Spun," for example. I wonder whose agent went all to pieces and had that changed?

I was really surprised that this movie received such mediocre views when it was first released. This movie is extremely funny in a silly sort of way, but without seeming stupid. This is one of the few comedies that I tend to watch over and over, and I am looking forward to when it will be released on DVD. If you're interested "Dave" with Kevin Kline is the other comedy I'll watch repeatedly. However, fitting in with the military comedy genre, I also recommend "Operation Petticoat" and "No Time for Sergeants"

Don't look for the cerebral in this comic farce about a submarine full of Navy misfits led by a true comedic chameleon, Mr. Kelsey Grammar.
Down Periscope is a lighthearted romp full of slapstick comedy, bodily function humor, and revenge, with some really good Naval strategy mixed in. "The Hunt for Red October" this is not...
...but what a great cast! Lauren Holly as the Navy's ONLY female dive officer (there's a lesbian joke somewhere in there, but I'll leave it alone), Grammar as the sub commander, Rob Schneider as his anal and perpetually "stick-up-his-butt" executive officer, not to mention Rip Torn in a much overlooked role as Grammar's Commanding Officer and his only (silent) fan and supporter. Bruce Dern also puts in a strong performance as one of Grammar's foes, the senior officer out to get him.
It's a great, funny, and good-feeling movie that I can't wait to own on DVD. I will watch it again and again...

The first season of Frasier is a classic, and it is absolutely hilarious! It is one of those shows that is worth watching and re-watching and, therefore, worth having on DVD.

The season comes with several special features. The commentary with the creators is my favorite, since it provided more understanding on why they did things a certain way. It always plagued me why they would write a character (Niles) to be married and then have him in love with another character (Daphne)--come to find out that it wasn't planned but happened when there was a connection between the characters on the set--but it definitely has proven to be something to draw the audience in. The other features are The Making of Frasier, Frasier Crane's Apartment (the creators are a little too proud of the decor), and Celebrity voices--all interesting but not thrilling.

The only thing I found lacking was the inclusion of subtitles for the hearing impaired. My husband's native tongue is not English, and subtitles help him catch all the lines. I found it strange to have several special features and then no standard selection of subtitles.

Overall, a great buy!

If you're a fan of Frasier, you don't need me to tell you how great the first season of this show truly was -- from the uncomfortable arguments between Frasier and his father to the indescribable sexual tension between Daphne and Niles. This DVD set is a must-have for any Frasier fan.

Extras: The commentary behind the pilot was fascinating. I wish there had been more commentary and/or interviews with the actors, but I hear this is coming with Season 2 (due out in early 2004). The features with the guest callers (celebrity guest voices) was pretty neat too. The packaging is really nice and sturdy.

Biggest complaint (and the reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5): No sub-titles. The closed-captions are there, but on many TVs it's impossible to bring those up without muting the TV, which somewhat defeats the purpose. That said, though, the audio is generally very easy to understand and I wished for subtitles only on a handful of occasions.

Can't wait for the next volume!

If you love the hilarious show Frasier, then you should get this. No commercials, no annoying adds, just 100% pure Frasier. This set includes four discs from the first season with great special features and episodes that will have you entertained and laughing for hours and hours. This is the season that started it all. And after years and years, Frasier still makes me cry with laughter. I can watch this whole set every week without getting sick of it. I can't wait until the next season comes out. This is a great, entertaining set and I recommend you get it if you want a good laugh.

It's wonderful to have this five-hour mini-series complete and on DVD. Prior to this release, a VHS version of the program (squeezed onto one tape) edited out at least half an hour of the show. This presentation is a two-disc release that has parts one and two on disc one and part three and the 75 or so minutes of documentary footage on disc two. The mini-series itself is very well done and surprisingly poignant considering it was first broadcast in 1983. Martin Sheen's accent, while at first startling and seemingly exaggerated, is actually brilliant and spot-on 99% of the time. He is the best "John F. Kennedy" I have ever seen portrayed, hands down.

My only complaint (and this might be isolated to my own Sony DVD player) is that the picture occasionally slows and then speeds up. This is not like a dual-layer pause but an actual slowing of the film and then a burst of speed to "catch up." It is only slightly irritating and does not warrant you not purchasing it, since it is only a minor problem. Overall, I was quite surprised to see the film and audio to be as crisp and vibrant as it appears. I can't help but guess that this DVD is a great deal better than having watched the original broadcast in 1983. And yes, it is expensive...but you are getting over six hours of material.

Martin Sheen plays an excellent John Kennedy in the 1983 mini-series, Kennedy. he's got the voice of John Kennedy down almost to perfection.

the DVD version is great. you get additional footage such as JFK's Inaugural Address, One Day in Berlin, One Week in October, and The Last Two Days.

throughout the mini-series you see the tension between Hoover and both Jack and Bobby, you go along on the campaign trail with JFK, right up until the shots are fired in Dallas.
good mini-series.
i surley enjoyed watching all of it.

This 2-disc DVD set is outstanding. I recall seeing this mini-series when it originally aired in November 1983, exactly 20 years after JFK's tragic assassination. It's now great to have it available on DVD. All the major elements that made up the presidency of John F. Kennedy are explored very nicely during this five-hour series, including the Bay Of Pigs invasion of April 1961 and the ultra-frightening Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. For me, a major reason I purchased this product was due to the extra bonus features included on Disc 2. Here, we get to see the real JFK in action, in a series of documentaries. These extras total 75 minutes, making this 2-disc package a completely absorbing and satisfying experience for anyone who wants to look back into history at one of the most popular men ever to occupy The White House.

It's wonderful to have this five-hour mini-series complete and on DVD. Prior to this release, a VHS version of the program (squeezed onto one tape) edited out at least half an hour of the show. This presentation is a two-disc release that has parts one and two on disc one and part three and the 75 or so minutes of documentary footage on disc two. The mini-series itself is very well done and surprisingly poignant considering it was first broadcast in 1983. Martin Sheen's accent, while at first startling and seemingly exaggerated, is actually brilliant and spot-on 99% of the time. He is the best "John F. Kennedy" I have ever seen portrayed, hands down.

My only complaint (and this might be isolated to my own Sony DVD player) is that the picture occasionally slows and then speeds up. This is not like a dual-layer pause but an actual slowing of the film and then a burst of speed to "catch up." It is only slightly irritating and does not warrant you not purchasing it, since it is only a minor problem. Overall, I was quite surprised to see the film and audio to be as crisp and vibrant as it appears. I can't help but guess that this DVD is a great deal better than having watched the original broadcast in 1983. And yes, it is expensive...but you are getting over six hours of material.

Martin Sheen plays an excellent John Kennedy in the 1983 mini-series, Kennedy. he's got the voice of John Kennedy down almost to perfection.

the DVD version is great. you get additional footage such as JFK's Inaugural Address, One Day in Berlin, One Week in October, and The Last Two Days.

throughout the mini-series you see the tension between Hoover and both Jack and Bobby, you go along on the campaign trail with JFK, right up until the shots are fired in Dallas.
good mini-series.
i surley enjoyed watching all of it.

This 2-disc DVD set is outstanding. I recall seeing this mini-series when it originally aired in November 1983, exactly 20 years after JFK's tragic assassination. It's now great to have it available on DVD. All the major elements that made up the presidency of John F. Kennedy are explored very nicely during this five-hour series, including the Bay Of Pigs invasion of April 1961 and the ultra-frightening Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. For me, a major reason I purchased this product was due to the extra bonus features included on Disc 2. Here, we get to see the real JFK in action, in a series of documentaries. These extras total 75 minutes, making this 2-disc package a completely absorbing and satisfying experience for anyone who wants to look back into history at one of the most popular men ever to occupy The White House.

This is a cute movie and its a sweet fairy tale for kids and anyone that likes animation but it doesn't tell the real truth about Anastasia. Anyone that is Russian or anyone that knows the true history of Russia knows that the royal family didn't survive. They were taken to the basement and shot along with their servants. There have been women in the past that have claimed to be Anastasia but they were proved to be fakes. I can't believe the film makers had the nerve to put the tag line, "based on a true story." Who do they think their kidding?

The year is 1917. The place is Russia during the revolution. Anastia Romanov (Meg Ryan) survies the revolution, along with her grandmother, with the help of a small boy (who we'll meet later). Anastia is left behind at the train station and is sent to an Ophanage. Meanwhile, Anastia's grandmother will pay 10 million dollars to the man who can find Anastia. Enter: Dimirti and Vladimir (Keysley Grammar) . The two are on a "get rich quick" scheme, since they're hiring girls to act as Anastia herself! Soon, Anastia finds Dimitri and Vladimir and head off to Paris.
A great children's movie that skips over what really happened.

First of all, this film was NOT made by Disney. I can honestly say people have argued with me about this even after seeing that Fox made Anastasia. Anyways, this fabulous (yet historically inaccurate!) film about the Russian princess is a grand story that elaborates on what happened to Anastasia when the palace was siezed.

The animation and writing is so bright and vibrant in Anastasia, you really may be convinced Disney made this film. (Yet they didn't!)

Meg Ryan is fantastic in voicing the lead. The musical is also great and never really gets on your nerves like the fast majority of animated musicals. Anastasia was just great.

This film can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone at any age. I loved Anastasia, even though the ending and beginning were a bit weak. It was just great!

This is a cute movie and its a sweet fairy tale for kids and anyone that likes animation but it doesn't tell the real truth about Anastasia. Anyone that is Russian or anyone that knows the true history of Russia knows that the royal family didn't survive. They were taken to the basement and shot along with their servants. There have been women in the past that have claimed to be Anastasia but they were proved to be fakes. I can't believe the film makers had the nerve to put the tag line, "based on a true story." Who do they think their kidding?

The year is 1917. The place is Russia during the revolution. Anastia Romanov (Meg Ryan) survies the revolution, along with her grandmother, with the help of a small boy (who we'll meet later). Anastia is left behind at the train station and is sent to an Ophanage. Meanwhile, Anastia's grandmother will pay 10 million dollars to the man who can find Anastia. Enter: Dimirti and Vladimir (Keysley Grammar) . The two are on a "get rich quick" scheme, since they're hiring girls to act as Anastia herself! Soon, Anastia finds Dimitri and Vladimir and head off to Paris.
A great children's movie that skips over what really happened.

First of all, this film was NOT made by Disney. I can honestly say people have argued with me about this even after seeing that Fox made Anastasia. Anyways, this fabulous (yet historically inaccurate!) film about the Russian princess is a grand story that elaborates on what happened to Anastasia when the palace was siezed.

The animation and writing is so bright and vibrant in Anastasia, you really may be convinced Disney made this film. (Yet they didn't!)

Meg Ryan is fantastic in voicing the lead. The musical is also great and never really gets on your nerves like the fast majority of animated musicals. Anastasia was just great.

This film can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone at any age. I loved Anastasia, even though the ending and beginning were a bit weak. It was just great!

Since, The Walt,Disney,VHS, tapes,Have been sold,to the puplic,customers, Have been getting! cheated.You the seller, dont give enough, information, on the tape, Example, their, Disney,Classics, Masterpeices, Disney,Gold collection.,and others, I ask for A Disney,Gold,Their are two tapes, of the same movie,made. When you sell, a gold, It sould say Gold collection, on cover. you sould tell the customer,more information.You Display, picturesque,on the Internet, And send what is not of the picturesque.sell,me what I see! For that is what im buying.

I got this video (and I'm going to buy the DVD this year) about 2 years ago and my daughter and I have sat and watched it for the last two holiday seasons. There are three stories all about the true meaning of Christmas (another reviewer explains them so I won't repeat it here). In my opinion this is one of the best Christmas videos (animated) that I've seen in a while. Disney really came through on this one. Enjoy!

I really enjoyed this movie as well as my "almost 4 year old" child. Three stories, all with a relavant moral. On deals with friends being more important than what one gives. Another with today's "gimme a present" culture and how caring is found to be more important, the other with a similar "caring about family is more important than presents" and how wishing Christmas happened every day of the year isn't necessarily a good thing. The rock band item at the end of the movie was disjoint and shouldn't have been there (a dismail rendition of "Deck the Halls" done to the tone of a funeral march.) Put a erase protect defeat label on this part, erase it is my advise so you don't have to hear it if you don't shut off the movie in time. It destroys the innocent content of the movies.

I would never have expected, even with family sequels so prevalent nowadays, that anyone would think of making a movie to track the life of Rasputin's tiny sidekick in Anastasia. I guess I'm not alone in what character traits appeal to me, however. Interestingly enough, some days before I saw Anastasia I woke from a dream in which the villain and sidekick from Disney's Aladdin, Jafar and the parrot Iago, were floating on an abandoned raft during a nighttime lightning storm and lamenting their mistakes together. It seemed foolish when I woke, because those characters were nothing like what my dream made them to be... but when I saw Anastasia, I was amazed at how well Rasputin and Bartok fit the bill. I didn't think anyone else would be so charmed at how the helpful bat-like creature offered sensible advice to his evil liege even while dragging back his fallen-off body parts and displaying a general sort of affection. What a great little guy, I thought, and what a pity he's fallen into such bad company. It was heartwarming to see him turn to the aid of good at the end. All that is why Bartok the Magnificent charmed me so much. It's certainly not a sequel to Anastasia, and I'm sorry the previous reviewer was expecting it to be. It's a spin-off, rather, for anyone curious whether that little whitebat managed to make anything of his life after abandoning his master. What fun to see that he's pursued the life of street showman, which seems oddly appropriate. This movie is casual and makes little effort to establish a setting, which groups it with other sequels/spin-offs and is why I give it only four stars, not five. Chronologically, the characters shown on the Russian throne make no sense and beg the question of what happened to Princess Anastasia. Yet, when we view this Moscow as something of an unreliable fairytale land (and the movie does follow certain tenets of fairy-tales), it seems quite believable. Bartok is obviously the hero of his movie, and he lives up to the role well. He is immodest, an unusual trait among genuine heroes, but it works on him. Of especial note is the fact that while his integrity is questioned at times, hardly anyone ever points out that Bartok is quite small--so how could he make anything of himself? Naturally, this issue itself has been explored time and again in children's movies and books, and is properly treated as a sidenote here. For his part, Bartok is all the more inspiring by how he resourcefully makes use of the physique he has. He is never shown doing anything unrealistic for his size or strength, and neither is there much of the inordinate luck small characters in movies like this often have in besting those larger than them. In my opinion, that implicit honesty makes this movie a real treasure. Bartok is more than just an amusing voice and more than just another unlikely hero--he is an inspiration for those who must confront tasks they know appear far beyond their means to carry out. The tools at hand are determination, perseverance, and ingenuity, all of which are put fully to the test in Bartok the Magnificent, and all of which succeed.

Get this movie for kids and adults. It's very funny and charming. The animation has the quality of a feature, not a direct-to-video. The cast is first rate: Hank Azaria, Kelsey Grammer, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara.

My 4 year old just LOVES this tape! The songs are wonderful, and there is a nice story as well. It is a spin off from Anastasia - which is also a wonderful video. My 7 year old nephew likes it too! I highly recomend this for your video collection! again ***** 5 stars! I even like to sit down and watch it too!