Sequence Girl

Four-disc set includes "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," "The Girl Who Played with Fire," "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest," and a special disc packed with exclusive features.

The Girl With the Dragon TattooFans of Stieg Larsson's Men Who Hate Women may have been concerned about how the Swedish author's novel would translate to the screen, but they needn't have worried. Significant changes to the source material have been made, but director Niels Arden Opley's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, as it's now called, is mostly riveting. As the story begins, middle-aged investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) has just been convicted of a bogus charge of libel against a rich and corrupt corporate hotshot when he's unexpectedly offered a most unusual gig. An aging captain of industry named Henrik Vanger (Sven-Bertil Taube) wants Blomkvist to figure out what happened to Vanger's niece, who disappeared more than 40 years earlier; not only is the old man convinced that she was murdered, but he suspects that another member of his large and rather disagreeable family (which includes several former Nazis) is the culprit. Blomkvist takes the job, which includes spending at least six months on Vanger's isolated island in the middle of winter. But what he doesn't know is that he's being spied on by twentysomething Lisbeth Salander (brilliantly played by Noomi Rapace in a career-making performance), the titular Girl and the possessor of remarkable skills as a sleuth and computer hacker. With her gothlike piercings and all-black clothes, Lisbeth is a vivid character, to say the least. While we don't exactly know the details of her dark past, it's obviously still with her; indeed, she's just been assigned a new "guardian" (like a parole officer) to look after her finances and other matters. We also know that she is not someone to mess with; when the guardian turns out to be a thoroughly vile monster, Lisbeth gets back at him in one of the more satisfying revenge sequences in recent memory. That Lisbeth and Mikael should end up working together, and more, isn't especially surprising. But the horrifying details and depths of depravity they uncover while working on the case (parallels to The Silence of the Lambs are facile but appropriate) definitely are, and Opley does a nice job of keeping it all straight. At more than two and a half hours, the film is long, with its share of grim, graphic, and scary moments, but The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a winner. --Sam GrahamThe Girl Who Played With FireThe toughest chick in Sweden returns to action in The Girl Who Played with Fire, the second film adaptation of the late author Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy novels. That would be Lisbeth Salander, once again played with quiet, feral intensity by Noomi Rapace. As Larsson's readers and anyone who saw the first film (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, also released in 2010) knows, Lisbeth is small in stature but big trouble for any man who crosses her--after all, this is the woman who set her father on fire after he abused her mother and later, after being released from a mental institution, took extreme revenge on her legal guardian after he brutally assaulted her (those scenes are briefly revisited for the enlightenment of those who missed the earlier film). Also back is investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), Lisbeth's erstwhile lover and partner in solving the Dragon Tattoo mystery. When two of his young colleagues are killed while at work on a story about sex trafficking, followed shortly by the murder of the aforementioned guardian, Salander is the prime suspect. But Mikael is sure of her innocence; in fact, he's convinced she's the next victim, leading to a tangled tale in which Lisbeth learns more about her family and its very dark secrets than she ever wanted to know. The story is compelling, if a bit slow to take shape, and director Daniel Alfredson, taking over for Niels Arden Oplev, skillfully sustains the mystery and tension (there are also doses of nudity and violence, the latter much more graphic than the former). But Lisbeth isn't on screen nearly as much this time, and her relationship with Blomkvist, so central to Dragon Tattoo, is almost an afterthought. Still, The Girl Who Played with Fire will certainly whet fans' appetites for the next installment, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest; and considering the overall class and quality of these Swedish productions, one shudders to think how they'll turn out in the inevitable American versions, the first of which is due in 2011, with Daniel Craig as Blomkvist. --Sam GrahamThe Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's NestIt takes a while, but the saga of one of the more fascinating characters put on the page or the screen in recent years comes to a satisfying conclusion with The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, the last installment of the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson's so-called Millennium Trilogy. That character is Lisbeth Salander, the computer-hacking, Goth-loving, dark angel of revenge, played by Noomi Rapace with the same black stare and taciturn charisma that were so riveting in the first two films (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire, both also released in 2010). When we last saw her, Lisbeth was trying to kill her father, a Russian defector and abusive monster; in the process, the girl was seriously wounded by her half-brother, a hulking freak with a strange condition that renders him impervious to physical pain. As the new film opens, all three are still alive, and she's being taken to a hospital to recover while waiting to stand trial for attempted murder. Meanwhile, her champion and erstwhile lover, journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), sets about uncovering the full extent of the conspiracy responsible for (among other crimes) Lisbeth's being sent to an asylum at age 12 while her father was protected by evil forces within the government. This investigation, which puts not only Lisbeth but also Blomkvist and his colleagues in considerable danger, leads to "the Section," a thoroughly repellent bunch of aging liars, killers, thieves, and perverts with a great many secrets they'd like to keep (the oily Dr. Peter Teleborian, who was responsible for Lisbeth's "treatment" as a child, emerges as the most vile antagonist since the guardian who brutally assaulted her in the first film). Although much of the exhaustive detail about these and other matters has been eliminated by director Daniel Alfredson (who also helmed The Girl Who Played with Fire) and screenwriters Jonas Frykberg and Ulf Ryberg for the purpose of adapting the novel to the screen, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is still quite long (148 minutes), and less kinetic and violent than the earlier films; there are some exciting sequences, but Lisbeth, previously an unlikely but magnetic action heroine, is seen mostly on a hospital bed or in a courtroom, and much of the film is spent on procedural matters. Still, the fact that the loose ends are wrapped up in fairly conventional fashion doesn't make the conclusion any less satisfying. In fact, the only real letdown comes from knowing that we won't get to see Noomi Rapace play Lisbeth Salander again. --Sam Graham

A shy young orphan who learns the truth about love with the help of a crippled puppeteer (Mel Ferrer).

The wonderful Leslie Caron stars in this Oscar-winning musical fable with a touch of the bizarre. Caron plays Lili, a recently orphaned waif hopelessly in love with a carnival magician. Mel Ferrer plays Paul, a gruff puppeteer who can express his softer side only through his puppets. Sound weird? It is. Caron's performance is lovely. She is, as always, a graceful dancer, but she is also able to pull off the much more difficult task of making Lili pure and innocent without being icky--she talks to Paul's puppets with complete conviction. (The puppets, by the way, are incredibly creepy.) Younger viewers will take Lili at face value, but adults may well get sucked into its unintentional dark side: homelessness, suicide, emotional repression, and giant dancing puppets all come into play. Also enjoyable is Zsa Zsa Gabor, who does a great job standing around looking pretty as the magician's assistant. --Ali Davis

This darling Molly 'N Me lime green table lamp has a shade embellished with beautiful colored thread and sparkling sequence. Green toned beaded fringe adds sparkle when lit. Molly 'N Me is a one stop source for the hippest girl trends. It's a definite "Just Gotta Have It!"

Intense thriller, based on a novel by Robert B. Parker, stars Tom Selleck as a burned-out L.A. detective who becomes police chief of a coastal Maine town. When the community's peace is shattered by a gang rape of a high school student and a string of shootings, Selleck must deal with antagonistic townspeople, a seductive defense attorney, and a news reporter who happens to be his ex-wife. Mimi Rogers, Reg Rogers, Viola Davis also star. 87 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Chinese, French, Spanish; "making of" featurette.

All 13 episodes from the debut season--including the "Pilot," "Like Father, Like Gun," "Dave of the Dead," "Bo Fight," and "Why Can't You Read Me?"--are featured in a two-disc set. 4 1/2 hrs. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1. **13 episodes on 2 discs. 4 1/2 hrs.**

"It's like Friends, only different." That's the gist of how fans have described this quick-witted, funny, and unexpectedly intelligent sitcom on numerous message boards. It's also quite apt and a nice compliment for a show that stumbled down a rickety, wayward path as an ABC midseason replacement in April 2011, getting green-lit just a month later for a full second season on the fall roster. Happy Endings presents a gang of six friends (!) working through that awkward about-to-turn-, turning-, just-turned-30 phase where they can't fit in with the hipsters, but fear the idea of letting go and getting older. The winning ensemble cast play with or against each other in various groupings while the show makes good-natured fun of their foolishness in clinging to hipsterish speech, style, manners, and dress. A recurring example of being caught in some sort of cultural middle is their intentionally moronic use of "I know, right?" or just "Right?" as a comeback that sounds even wronger than it does coming from people who talk that way with authentic sincerity. The premise laid out in the pilot has Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) playing runaway bride to Dave (Zachary Knighton), who is stranded at the altar while their best friends (!) Penny (Casey Wilson--bubbly and boy-crazy), Max (Adam Pally--gay but not swishy), and Brad and Jane (Damon Wayans Jr. and Eliza Coupe---married) look on in bewilderment. The conflict that's the glue and the meat of the 12 ensuing episodes is figuring out if they can all stay friends (!) without anyone having to choose sides. It turns out they can, hence the title. With one camera, no laugh track, and sets that pretend to place them in Chicago, the troupe of six tease, torment, support, and are generally there for each other thanks to snappy scripts packed with running, recurring, and throwaway gags. Though there's nothing groundbreaking in setup or style, the cast brings a high level of accountability by making their individual characters real and giving their group dynamic a gloss of believable unreality. It fulfills the best measure of any TV show by positively answering the question, "Do I want to spend my valuable time with these people?" They're smart, but also shallow and dopey as demanded by the quick pace of jokes that are crammed together with well-timed precision. Are Dave and Alex deep down still in love? Is there anything that can honestly rattle Brad and Jane's soul-mate devotion? Will Penny ever find a socially or age-appropriate boyfriend? And by the same token, will Max find a boyfriend who can appreciate his slothful attitude and the completely non-gay cut of his jib? There's ample room for more fleshing out on all these themes. The 13 episodes in this DVD set are presented in their originally intended order, which was not the case when ABC jammed back-to-back episodes over six weeks in the spring season. (The special features are skimpy--a couple of Banana Republic tie-in promos, a faux-hipster interview, deleted scenes, and outtakes.) There's a little bit of overall arc, but each installment pretty much stands on its own, with favorites being the one where Penny makes best friends with an über-stereotypical gay guy (Stephen Guarino, playing it hysterically over the top); the one where a long-lost college buddy gets married, but follows his wife's freak-out about Alex being a wedding jinx; the one where Jane shows off her creepy competitiveness in a martial arts class; and the one where Brad's father visits for some medical tests and shows a new-found love for everyone except Brad. The underlying theme of the Dave and Alex situation often fades into the background, popping up just enough to add romantic tension when needed. Though many people compare the show favorably to Friends, there are just as many who will give thanks that it really is different. Both camps can coexist and be happy that Happy Endings has not come to an end. --Ted Fry

Based on the best-selling Catherine Marshall novel, this warm and winning family drama series starred Kellie Martin as Christy Huddleston, a young woman who moves to a rural Tennessee town in 1912 to teach school and finds her life forever changed by the residents. The cast includes Randall Batinkoff, Tyne Daly, Tess Harper. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo; Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish. 20 episodes on 4 discs. 15 hrs.

Determination, faith, and optimism are powerful forces that enable individuals to positively affect the lives of themselves and others. Christy, a captivating 1994 television series based on the book by Catherine Marshall and reminiscent of the Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie series, is the story of an idealistic 19-year-old woman named Christy Huddleston (Kellie Martin) who sets out for the wilderness of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in 1912 on a mission to educate the children of the remote community of Cutter Gap. A well-to-do girl raised in the city, Christy is shocked and completely unprepared for the extreme poverty, ignorance, and superstitious tendencies of Cutter Gap's people, but resolves to persevere in her commitment to better the lives of her young students. Each day brings a fresh lesson for the children and a new struggle that inspires Christy to draw upon and re-examine her own faith while striving to disprove local superstitions and replace long-held animosities and prejudices with virtues like forgiveness and respect. Christy is surrounded by a handful of allies in Cutter Gap that include fellow missionary Miss Alice Henderson (Tyne Daly), whom she idolizes for her strength, resolve, and mentorship; Fairlight Spencer (Tess Harper), a local woman who offers Christy the rare gift of friendship; mission preacher Reverend David Grantland (Randall Batinkoff), a hard worker who immediately becomes smitten with Christy; and local Doctor Neil MacNeill (Stewart Finlay-McLennan) whose gruff manner and atheistic beliefs both confuse and excite Christy. Eventually, Christy finds she's fallen in love with both Reverend Grantland and Doctor MacNeill and embarks on a very personal journey toward maturity while simultaneously succeeding in her quest to educate the children of Cutter Gap and affect significant positive change throughout the entire community. (Ages 9 and older) --Tami Horiuchi

Sequence for Kids (new packaging)

582 Features: -Shape sequence sorting. Color/Finish: -Colored and sized geometric pegs fit in a hardwood base.-For shape sorting and color matching fun.

The Deluxe Sequence Board Game is a fun game for your family and friends! Play a card from your hand, place a chip on the corresponding space on the game board... when you have five in a row, it's a SEQUENCE. Learn to block your opponents-remove their chips. Watch out for the Jacks - they're wild! With a little strategy and a little luck, you're a winner! Fun and excitement with friends and family. Easy enough for children, challenging for adults. From 2 to 12 players. Ages 7 through adult.

Description:The Leisure Suit Larry Box Office Bust video game gives gamers an all-access pass to the glitz, glamour and gorgeous women of Tinseltown. The original Larry is now a movie mogul, but he's got a problem ... the studio across the road always seem to know what he's making: there must be a mole in the studio! Uncle Larry turns to you, his nephew, Larry Lovage - to solve the mystery -- after all, no one would suspect a guy working in the mail room right? You must uncover the identity of the mole ... the very existence of the studio depends upon it! What could possibly go wrong?Features: Interesting directing minigame Low price.Technical Information: Genre: Adventure Release Date: Mar 31, 2009 (more) ESRB: MATURE Resolution: Widescreen, 1080p Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Number layers: 1 Player

While seemingly placid on the surface, the world of Lunar is slowly descending into chaos, as the Goddess Althena, the creator and guardian of the world, has disappeared and the valiant efforts of the legendary Dragonmaster Dyne and his faithful companions fade into obscurity. With Althena gone and no one able or willing to become the next Dragonmaster, a shadowy figure, known only as the Magic Emperor, has started plotting to usurp Althena's place and become a god. In a remote village far removed from the decay that is slowly spreading throughout the world lives a young man named Alex, who dreams of one day becoming the next Dragonmaster like his hero Dyne. One day, Alex's friend Ramus convinces him to head toward a cave near town, where it is rumored the legendary White Dragon resides. With Alex's adopted sister Luna and his mysterious pet Nall in tow, Alex heads off on what seems to be a meaningless adventure, not knowing that it would be the first step in an epic journey with the fate of the entire world at stake. Features:

Since its initial release over a decade ago, Lunar: Silver Star Story has continued to captivate fans with its timeless tale of love, betrayal and redemption, expertly woven into its involving gameplay and cinematic presentation. Now the original single player RPG masterpiece is reborn on the PSP as Lunar: Silver Star Harmony Limited Edition with all new graphics, added gameplay features, a re-mastered soundtrack and special bonus items so that a whole new generation of fans can experience this legendary first entry of the Lunar universe, while newly added story elements will entice returning fans. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: -15px; } table.callout { font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1. 3em; } td.vgoverview { height: 125px; background: #9DC4D8 url(http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/callout-bg.png) repeat-x; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 250px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; } Rediscover an RPG classic via this limited Edition release. View larger. Story While seemingly placid on the surface, the world of Lunar is slowly descending into chaos, as the Goddess Althena, the creator and guardian of the world, has disappeared and the valiant efforts of the legendary Dragonmaster Dyne and his faithful companions fade into obscurity. With Althena gone and no one able or willing to become the next Dragonmaster, a shadowy figure, known only as the Magic Emperor, has started plotting to usurp Althena’s place and become a god. In a remote village far removed from the decay that is slowly spreading throughout the world lives a young man named Alex, who dreams of one day becoming the next Dragonmaster like his hero Dyne. One day, Alex’s friend Ramus convinces him to head towards a cave near town, where it is rumored the legendary White Dragon resides. With Alex’s childhood friend Luna and his mysterious pet Nall in tow, Alex heads off on what seems to be a meaningless adventure, not knowing that it would be the first step in an epic journey with the fate of the entire world at stake. Key Game Features Limited Edition Bonus Items - Includes: a soundtrack CD and a set of 13 exclusive "bromide" collector cards highlighting the girls of Lunar. A Classic RPG Brought to a New Generation of Fans - Widely acclaimed as one of the best RPGs of all time, the classic, original Lunar is back to be experienced by a new generation of gamers. Enhanced Graphics and Sound - All of the graphics have been redone to take full advantage of the widescreen format and processing power of the PSP. Newly composed songs added to the remastered original soundtrack ensure the new audio experience is just as impressive as the graphical overhaul. Traditional Play - Classic RPG play that has players leveling and upgrading gear as you progress through a story peppered with cutscenes. Expanded Battle System - First introduced in Lunar Legend, the Arts Gauge System that allows players to unleash devastating attacks or heal party members has been implemented to add another dimension to the battle system. All-New Additional Story Elements - The beloved original story has been expanded and fleshed out with new cut-scenes and story sequences, revealing more about the four heroes and answering some of the questions left unresolved in the original. Additional Screenshots: Revamped battle system. View larger. All-new story elements. View larger. Enhanced graphics & sound. View larger. Engaging dialogue. View larger.

Larry is back!  And this time he's on the silver screen!Product InformationThe original Larry is now a movie mogul but he’s got a problem…the studio across the road always seem to know what he’s making: there must be a mole in the studio! Uncle Larry turns to you his nephew Larry Lovage - to solve the mystery after all no-one would suspect a guy working in the mail room right?  You must uncover the identity of the mole… the very existence of the studio depends upon it!  What could possibly go wrong?Product FeaturesHot Hollywood voice talent from Carmen Electra (Scary Movie) & Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie)Explore with Larry in a pick up and play open world packed full of hilarious mini-gamesPlay ridiculous rip-offs of classic movies including: Bytanic Beefcake Mountain and Horror Coffin.All new Directors Mode - create your own movie sequencesWindows RequirementsWindows XP Vista SP1Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz or equivalent Athlon 64 equivalent processor1 GB of available RAM6 GB of available Hard Drive spaceGeForce 6600 / Radeon X1300 or above Video CardDirectX patible Sound CardDVD-ROM driveDirectX 9.0cKeyboardMouse

Track clues around the world w/ Barbie & solvethe thrilling spy adventureProduct InformationYour mission: catch the mysterious thief who stole fashions made of top-secretfabric and stop the creation of an invisible suit.Solve mini-missions in cities like Paris Tokyo and more!You will go undercover and help Barbie sneak tumble and even blend into thesurroundings as she pursues the thief from city to city.Decode clues solve puzzles and use high-tech gadgets like pink-vision glassesand a robot spy puppy to uncover the plot and courageously save the day!Fun Activities Include Join Barbie and her team on an exciting 3D spy adventure! Revel clues sneak past guards and more using spy gadgets! Stay hot on the trail of the culprit! Meet friends and foes in every location! Solve puzzles with the clues you find!Product Features Encourages an innovative approach to problem solving Promotes creative thinking in a realistic and rich 3D setting Inspires team work and hours of computer fun tracking down cluesMinimum Requirements Windows 95/98/Me/2000 Pentium II 266MHz or higher 64MB RAM 3D video card with 8MB 130MB available on hard drive 16X CD-ROM drive 16-bit color 16-bit Sound Blaster or 100% compatible sound card Standard Keyboard Mouse

Barbie is finally a woman of action. Taking up international espionage in Secret Agent Barbie, she travels the world in pursuit of justice. A thief has stolen valuable clothing from a friend of hers, a fashion designer who is just setting up for a big show. In order to bring the thieves to justice, Barbie has a full team of helpers and a complement of gadgetry. To get past a guard who won't let her through a door, she uses her compact to blow foundation in his face. To investigate areas too tiny for her to access, she has a robotic spy puppy. Her Pinkvision goggles can seek out the combinations to otherwise secured doors. Finally, Barbie has two gymnastic skills: dive rolls that carry her past guarded areas, and jumps to get over obstacles and laser alarms. By virtue of its emphasis on gizmos, this game makes itself a distant relative of pop-culture heroes like James Bond or the Mission Impossible teams. However, Secret Agent Barbie lacks the defining characteristic of this milieu: violence. Barbie has a stealth mode for sneaking around game scenery, an adventure mode for calmer moments, and an action mode for running and jumping. (Each of these modes comes with its own costume options.) What Barbie doesn't have is a fight mode. Whether this is a good or bad thing may be entirely a matter of parental and player opinion. Regardless of your position on mayhem, Secret Agent Barbie has a few definite weaknesses. Gameplay is really just a process of moving from one animated sequence to the next--and the quality of these sometimes lengthy movies is only so-so. The game is highly inflexible, pursuing a straight path to the stolen fashions. As a result, its replay factor is almost zero. As for the mystery-solving element, players don't find clues so much as stumble over them. That said, Secret Agent Barbie does move the widely beloved doll into a distinctly macho career path, allowing girls to tag along with their heroine on a globetrotting adventure. (Ages 6 and older) --Alyx Dellamonica

Secret Agent Barbie lets kids join Barbie and her friends in an exciting new adventure as she travels the world as a secret agent. Her mission is to investigate and stop the creation of an invisibility suit. Kids travel tofive locations--Paris, New York, Egypt, Tokyo, and Rio--and complete amission in each, bringing them closer to breaking the case. Secret agentshave access to special powers like running, jumping, tumbling, and blendinginto the background. There are special gadgets like pink-vision glasses anda remote-control puppy, and a selection of cool secret agent outfits.

Never face another rained-out ball game with this stunning simulator just for kids. Backyard Baseball 2001 lets you manage your own team through sunshine, hail, and hurricane. Whether you want to enjoy a single pickup match or maneuver through an entire season, this game will let you put the players you want on the field of your choice before pitting them against the toughest young players the Major Leagues have to offer. Play in Backyard Baseball 2001 can be as simple or as difficult as you want it to be. While it is definitely useful to know a few simple statistics about your team members, it is not required. During play, batters may choose between power hits, line drives, bunts, and grounders as they try to hit the fiendishly clever pitches of the opposition. Once a hit is made, players direct runners from base to base. Unlike the earliest baseball simulators, where many decisions were made by the computer, this one puts the user in control of everything, encouraging a good sense of baseball tactics and discouraging rash play. (Stealing bases with a player who is not a good runner, for example, is a quick road to an out!) When pitching, players select from a menu of pitches and then give the pitcher a target within the batter's box for their throw. A hit transfers play to a wider view of the field, so you can direct the ball to whichever base the runner is headed for. Backyard Baseball 2001 is an upgrade of an earlier game, and players familiar with the original Backyard Baseball will find that it is very similar in design and structure. Your favorite players (and their color commentators) have been carried over wholesale from the first game, complete with the same signature animations as they come up to bat. At first glance, in fact, the program may seem like it hasn't been spruced up much at all. However, the newer game allows players to join Major League ball teams, such as the Toronto Blue Jays, or to create their own team names and uniforms. Players may recruit or play against youthful versions of current sports superstars, such as Mark McGwire and Tony Gwynn. They can even create customized team members to shore up weaknesses in their outfield or custom-tweak an even deadlier pitcher. Another very welcome upgrade is Internet play, which takes the players on the virtual road, pitting them against teams managed by other players online. The game design in Backyard Baseball 2001 is absolutely stellar. The interface is easy to use and entertaining. The eight ball fields each come with advantages and disadvantages to be puzzled out and exploited. Players themselves come from a pleasingly multicultural palette with a good age, gender, and ability mix. This game also carries over and expands on the original Backyard Baseball's zany sense of humor: a drinking-box gauge shows how much "juice" the pitcher still has, the patter of the commentators is pleasing and surprisingly nonrepetitive, and successful play is rewarded with power-ups for both pitcher and batter. These power-ups are hilarious--a hot pitcher can throw Fireballs, for example, which literally burn as they zoom past the luckless batter. Batters who do manage to hit these special pitches earn the right to try Crazy Bunts, which carom randomly around the field, or the (literally) Screaming Line Drives. Young baseball enthusiasts will love this program, which combines entertainment and sports education in seamless combination. So put your team together, suit up, and play ball! --Alyx Dellamonica

To left field--it goes back, back, and over the fence into the neighbor's yard! Sosa scores, and McGwire is right behind him! For the first time ever, Humongous Entertainment brings select Major League Baseball players and the Backyard Kids together in Backyard Baseball 2001. For the ultimate team, pick players such as Cal Ripken Jr., Mark McGwire, and Randy Johnson--as kids. Choose from 30 MLB teams or create a team with customizable colors, playing field, and strategy. Play a single game, play through an entire season, or go online and play against other Backyard Baseball players on the secure Junior Sports Network.

These sequin purses are the perfect accessory for your favorite little diva's! Use them as party favor purses or as party favor bags! Great for dress-up tea parties as well. Any way you choose to use them they are sure to be a hit.