Hero Dragons

Avenant confronts a fearsome dragon - fortunately, a helpful owl is bringing him a magic phial, and all are able to live happily ever after, hero and dragon alike....

Don Quixote dreaming of knightly exploits -- to dream the impossible dream! .

A scene from Cervantes novel Don Quixote -- the hero of the title relives his past glories, surrounded by objects from his travels. To dream the impossible dream ... .

Tan Dun straddles the very different worlds of concert music and film scores, winning admirers in both. He's perhaps best known for his score to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which shares with Hero a visual poetry that transcends the sword-filled action film genre. In Crouching Tiger, Tan Dun's music was often striking. In Hero he often lapses into repetition and cliché, a failing compensated for by several appealing cues. The Overture, for example, begins with the mournful wail of ancient Chinese instruments set against pounding drums, a promising start that evokes ancient China and the struggles to come. There's a mournful soprano vocalise in "Gone With the Leaves," and the "Warriors" cue recalls Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky. The plucking of the ancient Chinese lute in "In the Chess Court" evokes a timeless, peaceful mood, contrasting with the thrilling kodo drummers showcased in "Swift Sword." Itzhak Perlman gets cover billing for violin solos any competent studio fiddler could have handled. Tan Dun's admirers will want this, and audiophiles will love those kodo drummers. --Dan Davis

The films of director Zhang Yimou have a panoramic sweep to them that deftly creates a fantastical vision of ancient Chinese culture for the screen. Yimou's eye for color and sense of drama demands a score that conveys the emotion, tradition and action of his movies. Here Shigeru Umebayashi tells each part of the story with a mix of traditional flute, drums, string instruments and, to a lesser degree, orchestra and moody-sounding synthesizers. The lilting melody of "Lovers" is particularly effective, simmering with a passion that leaves no doubt about the tone of the scene; it comes back to dramatic effect at other times in the film as well--the soundtrack closes with a soaring version of it by soprano Kathleen Battle. Similar to but not as heavy as Tan Dun's occasionally overbearing work on Yimou's film Hero, Umebayashi leans toward the subtle for this love story, and the film is better for it. - Tad Hendrickson

This incredible collection features the legendary Dire Straights front man guitarist Mark Knopfler on the first song. This piece was written for the soundtrack for the film "Local Hero". The theme for the film "The Last of the Mohicans (The Gael)" and other classics round out this most enjoyable collection from the LEGENDARY Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Exactly three decades after they topped the singles chart with Amazing Grace, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards have decided to make their second imprint in pop history. And in doing so, they've enlisted the aid of a new recruit one who can handle a Stratocaster with military precision. Yes, Mark Knopfler's no longer in Dire Straits, he's transferred to Edinburgh's finest. 'Parallel Tracks' sees the Sultan of Swing appropriately guesting on Going Home, his theme from the Scots-filmed movie 'Local Hero'. But elsewhere you'll find the Guards have taken up guitars, digital drums and all the modern musician's armoury to add a contemporary feel to the sound which in many places is nearer Knopfler than you'd imagine. The bagpipes are used to add an ethnic feel to tracks like The Gael, rather than as Irish music uses uillean pipes. 'Amazing Grace makes a reappearance in a Millenium Mix but elsewhere it's surprisingly varied fare, a female vocal-assisted take on the traditional She Moves Through The Fair the most affecting. The CD also contains specially commissioned artwork on a multiple page booklet produced with the collaboration of Mark Knoplfer and the Regiment. This includes details of the circumstances which led to each of the albums songs and a heartfelt message from the former Regiment Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel David Allfrey.

Curse of the Golden Flower, a fictionalized historical glimpse into the brutally complicated politics of Emperor Ping's (Chow Yun Fat) reign during the Tang Dynasty, shows the viewer just how far a megalomaniac must go to gain and retain power in medieval China. Lavish sets, massive ceremonial displays, and perversely fascinating battle scenes impress similarly to the special effects Americans have come to love and expect from Chinese action films like Zhang Yimou's previous House of Flying Daggers and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. An intricate plot involving the Emperor's wife, Empress Phoenix (Gong Li) and their three sons, Crown Prince Xiang, Prince Jie, and Prince Cheng, most closely follows the Empress's secret plan to force abdication upon her corrupt husband as revenge for his slowly poisoning her with Black Fungus tea. Opening on the eve of the Chysanthemum Festival, 928 A.D., the Empress obsessively embroiders gold chysanthemums to adorn her army's uniforms while hatching plans with Jai to overthrow the Crown Prince for control of the throne. Meanwhile, a side plot develops as the Emperor's ex-wife and mother to Crown Prince Yu reemerges as Yu's lover. By the time the Festival occurs, family members are pitted against each other in a King Lear-ian web of lies that can only result in demise. The most sophisticated narrative aspect of Curse of the Golden Flower is that as the royal family crumbles, the Emperor's death grip on China remains unwavering. Gorgeous scenes set in the palace and costume design displaying China's upper class decadence cannot fail to entertain. The paradox between good and evil, here, is highlighted by how the Emperor successfully rules despite, and because of, his utter cruelty. --Trinie Dalton

No Description Available.Genre: Foreign Film - ChineseRating: RRelease Date: 29-MAY-2007Media Type: Blu-Ray

CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON/CURSE - Blu-Ray Movi

HERO (SPECIAL EDITION) - Blu-Ray Movie

The MH125FAV is the least powerful of Mr. Heater's line of propane forced-air heaters for smaller jobs (see the MH55FAV and the MH85FAV). The heater gives you 35,000 Btu--enough to heat 800 square feet. Though the larger models give you more Btus, each heater in the line shares the same basic features, including an automatic shutoff with loss of flame or power supply and a high-output fan that circulates heat quickly. Hooking the heater up to the 20-pound propane cylinder (not included) is easy, and the 10-foot hose and regulator are included. CSA certified. One-year limited warranty.--Josh DettweilerWhat's in the BoxHeater (heater body kit, control box assembly, valve with thermocouple, wire assembly, electrode, high limit switch [240 degrees F], thermocouple, motor 0.74 A, grille assembly, fan blade, 6.75 x .75 pitch, power, cord assembly, strain relief bushing, piezo ignitor, clip handle, handle), 10-foot hose, regulator, operating instructions and owner's manualFive Tips for Buying a HeaterChoosing a space heater is a matter of sifting through a bewildering array of types, power ratings, and fuel sources. Let's break it down a little to make the process easier.What are the different types of space heaters?Radiant heaters emit infrared radiation that directly warms the objects in front of the heaters (rather than the surrounding air). If you only need heat by a desk or in a small section of a room, a radiant heater is quiet and will use very little power.Forced-air heaters use a fan to blow air that has been warmed by metal or ceramic heating elements. A forced-air heater is appropriate for quickly heating up a small- to medium-sized room, but can be noisy.Convection heaters draw cold air from the floor; the air is warmed by heating coils and emitted from the top of the heater. A convection heater is appropriate for quickly heating up a small- to medium-sized room, but also can be noisy.Radiators work by heating oil enclosed in a reservoir, gradually heating the surrounding air. If heating speed isn't an issue, you might want to opt for a radiator. These are extremely quiet and effective--perfect for bedrooms. Should I buy an electric or a combustion model?If you want a heater that will be available in emergencies, or that can heat areas larger than a single room, choose a "combustion" model--one that is powered by a gas or fuel like propane, kerosene, natural gas, or diesel. Which fuel type you choose depends largely on convenience and local availability. For example, diesel would be appropriate for a heater you take with you on long car trips. How powerful a heater do I need?Heaters are rated by BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit (the amount of heat needed to heat one pound of water by 1 degree F). To find out how many BTU you need: Calculate the volume of the space to be heated by multiplying square footage by height. Multiply that number by 4 if your insulation is poor, 3 if it's average, or 2 if it's good.The resulting number is a ballpark figure for how many BTU you'll need.Do space heaters cost a lot to operate? As a general rule, electric space heaters are more expensive to use than combustion models. To ensure energy efficiency, a thermostat is a must-have feature for any heater. For radiant heaters, models with a 360 degree heating surface can heat larger spaces. If you need a forced-air heater, models with ceramic elements tend to be more efficient.Are space heaters a fire hazard?Space heaters are implicated in about 25,000 residential fires every year. To ensure proper safety, always follow the manufacturer's usage instructions and fill out the warranty card to receive informational updates from the manufacturer. Also, look for extra safety features such as an automatic shutoff switch that can shut down the unit if, for example, it gets upended. In addition, choose a model where the heating element is adequately enclosed within the unit.

The MH125FAV is the least powerful of Mr. Heater's line of propane forced-air heaters for smaller jobs (see the MH55FAV and the MH85FAV). The heater gives you 35,000 Btu--enough to heat 800 square feet. Though the larger models give you more Btus, each heater in the line shares the same basic features, including an automatic shutoff with loss of flame or power supply and a high-output fan that circulates heat quickly. Hooking the heater up to the 20-pound propane cylinder (not included) is easy, and the 10-foot hose and regulator are included. CSA certified. One-year limited warranty. What's in the Box.. Heater (heater body kit, control box assembly, valve with thermocouple, wire assembly, electrode, high limit switch [240 degrees F], thermocouple, motor 0.74 A, grille assembly, fan blade, 6.75 x .75 pitch, power, cord assembly, strain relief bushing, piezo ignitor, clip handle, handle), 10-foot hose, regulator, operating instructions and owner's manual.

(20x28) Pascal Lemaitre Knights Wall Stickers

Here's an event movie that holds up to being an event. This filmed version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling, stunningly brings to life Harry Potter's world of Hogwarts, the school for young witches and wizards. The greatest strength of the film comes from its faithfulness to the novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the details of Rowling's imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crème de la crème cast, including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and more. Especially fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his schoolmates Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as his protector, the looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The second-half adventure--involving the titular sorcerer's stone--doesn't translate perfectly from page to screen, ultimately because of the film's fidelity to the novel; this is a case of making a movie for the book's fans, as opposed to a transcending film. Writer Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in check, making this a true family film, and with its resourceful hero wide-eyed and ready, one can't wait for Harry's return. Ages 8 and up. --Doug Thomas

Here's an event movie that holds up to being an event. This filmed version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling, stunningly brings to life Harry Potter's world of Hogwarts, the school for young witches and wizards. The greatest strength of the film comes from its faithfulness to the novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the details of Rowling's imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crème de la crème cast, including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and more. Especially fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his schoolmates Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as his protector, the looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The second-half adventure--involving the titular sorcerer's stone--doesn't translate perfectly from page to screen, ultimately because of the film's fidelity to the novel; this is a case of making a movie for the book's fans, as opposed to a transcending film. Writer Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in check, making this a true family film, and with its resourceful hero wide-eyed and ready, one can't wait for Harry's return. Ages 8 and up. --Doug Thomas

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE - DVD Movie

DRAGON BALL Z:SEASON 8 - DVD Movie

The eighth and penultimate season of Dragon Ball Z pits the Z Fighters, the Supreme Kai, and his attendant Kibito against the evil wizard Babidi, who hopes to release the monster Buu, which his father Bibidi created. (The names are apparently a back-handed salute to Walt Disney's Cinderella.) Goku, who's technically dead but still visting from the Other World, joins Vegeta and Gohan in the initial fights against Babidi's minions. As the battles escalate, Babidi use Vegeta's overweening pride to entrap the Saiyan Prince and turn him against his allies. It's all Goku can do to win Vegeta back, and the energy loosed in their stand-off enables Babidi to free Buu. Instead of one of the over-muscled behemoths the Z Fighters usually tackle, Buu is an obnoxious, infantile creature who looks like a sumo wrestler molded out of pink marshmallows. But he's incredibly powerful and resilient: even the Saiyans can't defeat him. Goku realizes only one warrior can destroy Buu: Goten and Trunks in their Super-Saiyan forms must fuse to form an über-hero. The boys initially balk, as the Dance of Fusion looks and feels silly. But Gohan and Picollo whip them into shape and the formidable Gotenks appears. Season 8 offers much more action and excitement than the World Tournament story that takes up most of Season 7. But unlike the earlier DBZ adventures, the Babidi & Majin Buu Sagas end on a cliffhanger, with the fate of the Earth and its inhabitants hanging in the balance. (Rated TV PG. suitable for ages 8 and older: violence, violence against women, tobacco and alcohol use, ethnic stereotypes) --Charles Solomon (220. The Wizard's Curse, 221. King of the Demons, 222. Vegeta Attacks, 223. Next Up, Goku, 224. Battle Supreme, 225. Eighteen Unmasks, 226. Pay to Win, 227. Heart of a Villan, 228. The Dark Prince Returns, 229. Vegeta's Pride, 230. The Long Awaited Fight, 231. Magic Ball of Buu, 232. Buu is Hatched, 233. The Losses Begin, 234. The Terror of Mr. Buu, 235. Meal Time, 236. The Warrior's Decision, 237. Final Atonement, 238. Evil Lives On, 239. Find the Dragon Balls, 240. Revival, 241. Global Announcement, 242. Learn to Fuse, 243. The Z- Sword, 244. Race To Capsule Corp, 245. Super Saiyan 3?! 246. Buu's Mutiny, 247. The Fusion Dance, 248. Goku's Time is Up, 249. Return to Other World, 250. Out From the Broken Sword, 251. Gotenks is Born, 252. Unlikely Friendship, 253. I Kill No More)

The second season of the hit fantasy Dragon Ball concludes the story line involving pint-sized Emperor Pilaf and focuses on Goku's battles with the nasty officers of the Red Ribbon Army. The evil General Red wants the magic Dragon Balls to make him ruler of the world; Goku wants the Four Star Ball as a souvenir of his adoptive grandfather, who owned it. Chuckling merrily as he goes from battle to battle, the irrepressible Goku dispatches the minions of General White in Muscle Tower and befriends android Number Eight (whose appearance and kindly demeanor may remind American viewers of Milton the Monster). After a visit to Bulma, Goku tackles effete General Blue and a robot pirate on a hidden island. Season 2 ends as Goku challenges Korin, the cat who controls magical, strength-giving water atop a precipitous tower. Goku needs the water to grow stronger and defeat assassin Tao Pai Pai, who murdered his friend Oopa's father, Bora. Although Goku's adventures will delight legions of fans, these episodes include some of the most egregious stereotypes in the Dragon Ball franchise: Oopa and Bora are clichéd American Indians in war paint and feathers, while General Blue minces and swishes (his dialogue in the subtitles is quite offensive). Parts of the episodes set at Muscle Tower were recut into the fourth Dragon Ball movie, The Path to Power (Saikyou e no Michi, 1996), also known as "The Way to Become the Strongest." Rated TV 14, but appropriate for ages 12 and up: nudity, risqué and toilet humor, cartoon violence, ethnic stereotypes, alcohol and tobacco use). --Charles Solomon (32. The Flying Fortress: Vanished! 33. The Legend of a Dragon, 34. Cruel General Red, 35. Cold Reception, 36. Major Metallitron, 37. The Ninja Murasaki Is Coming! 38. Five Murasakis, 39. Mysterious Android No. 8, 40. Horrifying Buyon, 41. The Fall of Muscle Tower, 42. The Secret of Dr. Flappe, 43. A Trip to the City, 44. Master Thief, Hasky, 45. Danger in the Air, 46. Bulma's Bad Day, 47. Kame House--Found! 48. Deep Blue Sea, 49. Roshi Surprise, 50. The Trap Is Sprung, 51. Beware of Robot, 52. The Pirate Treasure, 53. Blue, Black and Blue, 54. Escape from Pirate Cave, 55. Penguin Village, 56. Strange Visitor, 57. Arale vs. Blue, 58. The Land of Korin, 59. The Notorious Mercenary, 60. Tao Attacks! 61. Korin Tower)

DRAGON BALL:SEASON 2 - DVD Movie