Engineering Ships

Archimedes, Greek mathematician and inventor, demonstrating the use of pulleys to haul a ship. .

Cast Away is a good movie that wants to be much better. While director Robert Zemeckis's earlier film Contact achieved a kind of mainstream spiritual significance, Cast Away falls just short of that goal. That may explain why the film's most emotionally powerful scene involves the loss of an inanimate object, even as it presents a heart-rending dilemma in its very human final act. It's three movies in one, beginning when punctuality-obsessed Federal Express systems engineer Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) departs on Christmas Eve to escort an ill-fated flight of FedEx packages. Following a mid-Pacific plane crash, movie number two chronicles Chuck's four-year survival on a remote island, totally alone save for a Wilson volleyball (aptly named "Wilson") that becomes Chuck's closest "friend." Movie number three leads up to Chuck's rescue and an awkward encounter with his ex-girlfriend Kelly (Helen Hunt, in a thankless role), for whom Chuck has seemingly risen from the grave. It's fascinating to witness Chuck's emerging survival skills, and Hanks's remarkable physical transformation is matched by his finely tuned performance. With slow, rhythmic camera moves and brilliant use of sound, Zemeckis wisely avoids the postcard prettiness of The Black Stallion and The Blue Lagoon to emphasize the harshness of Chuck's ascetic solitude, and this stylistic restraint allows Cast Away to resonate more than one might expect. Even the final scene--which feels like a crowd-pleasing compromise--offers hope without shoving it down our throats. You may not feel the emotional rush that you're meant to feel, but Cast Away remains a respectable effort. --Jeff Shannon

Cast Away is a good movie that wants to be much better. While director Robert Zemeckis's earlier film Contact achieved a kind of mainstream spiritual significance, Cast Away falls just short of that goal. That may explain why the film's most emotionally powerful scene involves the loss of an inanimate object, even as it presents a heart-rending dilemma in its very human final act. It's three movies in one, beginning when punctuality-obsessed Federal Express systems engineer Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) departs on Christmas Eve to escort an ill-fated flight of FedEx packages. Following a mid-Pacific plane crash, movie number two chronicles Chuck's four-year survival on a remote island, totally alone save for a Wilson volleyball (aptly named "Wilson") that becomes Chuck's closest "friend." Movie number three leads up to Chuck's rescue and an awkward encounter with his ex-girlfriend Kelly (Helen Hunt, in a thankless role), for whom Chuck has seemingly risen from the grave. It's fascinating to witness Chuck's emerging survival skills, and Hanks's remarkable physical transformation is matched by his finely tuned performance. With slow, rhythmic camera moves and brilliant use of sound, Zemeckis wisely avoids the postcard prettiness of The Black Stallion and The Blue Lagoon to emphasize the harshness of Chuck's ascetic solitude, and this stylistic restraint allows Cast Away to resonate more than one might expect. Even the final scene--which feels like a crowd-pleasing compromise--offers hope without shoving it down our throats. You may not feel the emotional rush that you're meant to feel, but Cast Away remains a respectable effort. --Jeff Shannon

Tom Hanks "gives one of the towering screen performances of all time" (New York Post) as Chuck Noland, a FedEx systems engineer whose ruled-by-the-clock existence abruptly ends when a harrowing plane crash leaves him isolated on a remote island. As Chuck struggles to survive, he finds that his own personal journey has only just begun...

Walk Away the Pounds Express Advanced Walk, 3 Miles Leslie Sansone (Primary Contributor) | Format: VHS Tape Get fit fast with Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie's complete, total-body walking program that gives you serious fat burning, muscle conditioning, and stretching - all in one powerful, energizing workout. Did someone say "high-calorie burn"? Tell that stored fat the bad news - it's outta here! This challenging, 3-mile walking workout is going to give you so much more. You're getting 45 minutes of intense fat burning and body sculpting, plus a revitalizing stretching routine with your STRETCHIE that takes the power of your workout to a whole new, invigorating level. Walk strong as you add kicks, curls, lifts, and stretches to tighten your tummy, boost those buns, trim your thighs, and reshape your back, arms, and waist for maximum results. Wow! There's no holding back now! Lace up those shoes and show your living room what you are made of! (The rest of the neighborhood has already started noticing...)

No film better utilizes Audrey Hepburn's flighty charm and svelte beauty than this romantic adaptation of Truman Capote's novella. Hepburn's urban sophisticate Holly Golightly, an enchanting neurotic living off the gifts of gentlemen, is a bewitching figure in designer dresses and costume jewelry. George Peppard is her upstairs neighbor, a struggling writer and "kept" man financed by a steely older woman (Patricia Neal). His growing friendship with the lonely Holly soon turns to love and threatens the delicate balance of both of their compromised lives. Taking liberties with Capote's bittersweet story, director Blake Edwards and screenwriter George Axelrod turn New York into a city of lovers and create a poignant portrait of Holly, a frustrated romantic with a secret past and a hidden vulnerability. Composer Henry Mancini earned Oscars for the hit song "Moon River" and his tastefully romantic score. The only sour note in the whole film is Mickey Rooney's demeaning performance as the apartment's Japanese manager, an offensively overdone stereotype even in 1961. The rest of the film has weathered the decades well. Edwards's elegant yet light touch, Axelrod's generous screenplay, and Hepburn's mix of knowing experience and naiveté combine to create one of the great screen romances and a refined slice of high society bohemian chic. --Sean Axmaker

A professional fixed blade knife that takes a mighty serious cut at self defense, the Gerber 45803 Guardian Back Up features blackened--and therefore non-reflective--stainless steel in a 3/4" tang blade. Lightweight and compact, it's effortless to carry and agile to use. The Santoprene-covered nylon handle, and it comes with a patented sheath that lets you adjust the withdraw tension to suit your individual style. Clip it to your boot or belt or your strap, and you'll never be without a reliable back-up. The double fine-edged, spear-style blade is constructed of high carbon stainless steel and has a fine tip. The blade measures 3.41 inches and it has an overall length of 7.28 inches and a 3-ounce weight. Made in the USA. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty. The Gerber Guardian Back Up with aggressive lines and matte black paint job (view larger). Gerber 45803 Guardian Back UpAt a Glance: Aggressive lines and matte black paint job Blackened, non-reflective high carbon stainless steel blade Santoprene-covered nylon with soft grip inserts Patented sheath with adjustable withdraw tension Limited lifetime warranty

A guide to climate control covers such topics as design, installation, service, testing, and balancing for such HVAC applications as compressors, fans, refrigeration, and thermostats. Title: Dewalt Hvac Professional Reference Author: Rosneberg, Paul Publisher: Cengage Learning Publication Date: 2005/09/01 Number of Pages: Binding Type: PAPERBACK Library of Congress: bl2007025718

The easiest way to secure your home or office and bring a little peace of mind. Easy-to-install alert system lets you know if your doors, cabinets, or windows have been opened by letting out a 90 db piercing alarm sound. System is easily activated/deactivated with an on/off switch. Composed of two parts: The magnetic controls and the security system. Compact size and easy installation, no wiring required. Low power standby consumption lasts up to 3 years. It runs off 3 included button-cell batteries (included). Working voltage: DC Button cell battery: 3 x 1.5V LR44 (AG13) Quiescent current: 0mA Working current: 60 - 80mA Alarm reliablity: sends out alarm sound once there is 30mm distance between the magnetic control and the alarm system Working temperature: -30 to 60 degree Celsius With on/off switch on the side

Feel-good sleeper sensation stars Nia Vardalos (who also adapted her one-woman play) as a Chicago-based woman who works at parents Michael Constantine and Lainie Kazan's Greek restaurant, but longs for romance and a life for herself. After taking computer classes, she gets a job at her aunt's travel agency, where she meets and falls for personable teacher John Corbett, who must now come under her family's scrutiny. With Andrea Martin, Joey Fatone, Gia Carides. 95 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, Greek, Spanish, French; audio commentary by Vardalos, Corbett; biographies.

It's not surprising that My Big Fat Greek Wedding grew more popular over the course of its theatrical release (whereas most blockbusters open big and then drop precipitously)--not only does it have believable situations and engaging characters, but these characters (particularly our romantic heroine, Toula, played by writer and performer Nia Vardalos) look like actual human beings instead of plastic movie stars. The result is the very accessible tale of Greek-American Toula (whose family sees her as over the hill at 30), who falls for a WASPy guy named Ian (John Corbett) and then has to endure the outrage, doubt, and ultimate acceptance of her deeply ethnically centered family. The actors invest their wildly stereotypical portrayals with sincerity and compassion, giving the movie an honest warmth instead of Hollywood schmaltz. But My Big Fat Greek Wedding ultimately succeeds because of Vardalos; her intelligent, down-to-earth presence and charm carry the film. --Bret Fetzer

Billy Chapel (Kevin Costner) is having a bad day. His girlfriend Jane (Kelly Preston, stunning as ever) says she's leaving, and his boss (Brian Cox) says he's selling the business and ace employee Billy may be out of job. Sounds like business as usual for an old-fashioned veteran. However, the business is baseball and for Billy Chapel, the 40-year old former all-star for the Detroit Tigers, it means his career--and his life--is at a crossroads. Although it is no Bull Durham, For Love of the Game finds a solid and very believable role for Costner. The film is based on Michael Shaara's (The Killer Angels) stream-of-consciousness novel (the rough manuscript was found after his death 1988). The entire film takes place on Billy's day on the mound against the Yankees, a meaningless late-season game for the Tigers, but everything for Billy. In flashbacks, he lingers over his long relationship with Jane and his baseball career (from World Series heroism to a career-threatening injury). His one viable link to the game at hand is his catcher, played winningly by John C. Reilly. Costner, like Chapel, is looking for one more great performance, but the film is too simplistic and loopy at times to resonate. The love story has an extra helping of cuteness, and legendary baseball announcer Vin Scully nearly takes on a leading role, waxing grandiloquent. It's no grand slam, but a solid double. --Doug Thomas

A baseball legend almost finished with his distinguished career at the age of thirty-seven has one last chance to prove who he is, what he is capable of, and win the heart of the woman he has loved for the past four years.

The world's largest and deadliest submarine, an undetectable Soviet craft codenamed Red October, is hijacked by commander Sean Connery and heading for America, and a race against time begins as both superpowers seek to capture the sub or destroy it. Hit "End of the Cold War" thriller based on Tom Clancy's book also stars Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, James Earl Jones. 135 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, French Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary by McTiernan; interviews; theatrical trailer.

Before Harrison Ford assumed the mantle of playing Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan hero in Patriot Games, Alec Baldwin took a swing at the character in this John McTiernan film and hit one to the fence. If less instantly sympathetic than Ford, Baldwin is in some respects more interesting and nuanced as Ryan, and drawing comparisons between both actors' performances can make for some interesting postmovie discussion. That aside, The Hunt for Red October stands alone as a uniquely exciting adventure with a fantastic costar: Sean Connery as a Russian nuclear submarine captain attempting to defect to the West on his ship. Ryan must figure out his true motives for approaching the U.S. McTiernan (Predator, Die Hard) made an exceptionally handsome movie here with action sequences that really do take one's breath away. --Tom Keogh

Before Harrison Ford assumed the mantle of playing Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan hero in Patriot Games, Alec Baldwin took a swing at the character in this John McTiernan film and hit one to the fence. If less instantly sympathetic than Ford, Baldwin is in some respects more interesting and nuanced as Ryan, and drawing comparisons between both actors' performances can make for some interesting postmovie discussion. That aside, The Hunt for Red October stands alone as a uniquely exciting adventure with a fantastic costar: Sean Connery as a Russian nuclear submarine captain attempting to defect to the West on his ship. Ryan must figure out his true motives for approaching the U.S. McTiernan (Predator, Die Hard) made an exceptionally handsome movie here with action sequences that really do take one's breath away. --Tom Keogh

Canon 5206B005 PG-240XL/CL-241XL/GP-502 Combo Pack - 50 Sheet Pack of Canon Glossy Photo Paper, Black and Color

Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks Authors: by Pierre Leonforte and Eric Pujalet-Plaa, with a preface by Patrick-Louis Vuitton Imprint: Abrams Books ISBN: 0-8109-8247-1 EAN: 9780810982475 Publishing Date: 12/1/2010 Trim Size: 9 1/2 x 12 1/4 Page Count: 496 Cover: Hardcover with slipcase Illustrations: 800 illustrations About the book Trains and steamships transformed transportation in the mid-19th century and opened the world to a new breed of traveler. Louis Vuitton understood the need for more practical luggage, and strove to create products that were adaptable to all situationsâ?"and the travel trunk was born. Authors Pierre Léonforte and Ã?ric Pujalet-Plaà curate 100 of the finest trunks the Louis Vuitton company has produced on commission, including boxes made for movie stars from Douglas Fairbanks to Sharon Stone and couturiers from Jeanne Lanvin to Karl Lagerfeld, as well as cases designed for Ernest Hemingway, Leopold Stokowski, and Damien Hirst. Illustrated with 600 images taken from the Louis Vuitton archives and new photographs made especially for this book, this is the definitive history of personalized objects of both practicality and luxury. About the author Patrick-Louis Vuitton directs custom workshop production and handles public relations for the company founded by his great-grandfather.  Pierre Léonforte has been contributing to Maison Louis Vuitton for many years and is currently the editor in chief of the City Guide Vuitton series.  Ã?ric Pujalet-Plaà is assistant curator of fashion and textiles at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

A-Data and Amazon.com have teamed up to offer this item in Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging, a recyclable, easy-to-open alternative to traditional packaging. A Frustration-Free Package comes without excess packaging materials such as wire ties, hard plastic "clamshell" casings, and plastic bindings. It’s designed to be opened without the use of a box cutter or knife and will protect your product just as well as traditional packaging. This item ships in its own box, without the need for an additional shipping box, and Amazon.com is continuing to work with manufacturers to make the packaging even more streamlined.

A-DATA Unveils the Industry-leading Turbo series SDHC Class 10 memory card. After the exciting release of its 633X CF card, A-DATA Technology Co. Ltd, the worldwide leader in DRAM module and Flash application products announced another industry-leading memory card - Turbo series SDHC Class 10 memory card. It supports the new SD Association's new class 10 specification with a dramatic performance improvement in recording cameras on the market today. With high transfer rate of