The Time Machine
by Universal Studios
Average Customer Review:
DVD (31 May, 2005)
list price: $12.99 -- our price: $9.09
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Editorial Review

While the 1960 version of The Time Machine remains a sciencefiction classic, this adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel benefits from adazzling CGI facelift. Digital wizardry shows us the awesome splendor of eonspassing in an eye blink, while Wells's heroic time traveler--played withappealing conviction by Memento's Guy Pearce--is given a strongermotivation for piloting his time machine 800,000 years into the future. Longafter New York City has crumbled and the moon shattered by a nuclear accident,Pearce finds a new home with the peacefully primitive Eloi, after confrontingthe subterranean Morlocks (courtesy of Stan Winson's monster shop) and theirevil overlord (Jeremy Irons in wicked, pigmentless makeup). Trading Wells'ssocial commentary for pure adventure, director Simon Wells (the author'sgreat-grandson) maintains the story's legacy of wonder, despite a few hokeyembellishments. Catering to a younger audience, this Time Machine is funwithout being particularly distinguished--a treat for the eyes, if not thebrain. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen

Reviews (329)

Ironic in how terrible it is . . .
This movie utterly fails to capture the message of the H.G. Wells classic novel.Herein lies the irony:The eloi are not depicted as the subservient race that Wells meant them to be.That part is instead played by the audience. It's the audience whom the film has been marketed to who truly end up representing Wells' eloi, and the morlocks are embodied by the film executives responsible for letting this movie see the light of day.It's my hope that Simon Wells isn't a total idiot, and that this movie is just his way of proving his great-grandfather's anxities over the future to be completely justified.Man will eventually devolve into little more than beasts and cattle, and this film is evidence of our race trudging one step closer and being happy as hell about it.

A Time Machine that wastes it instead of gains.
Although the writer of Time Machine had a good idea, he failed to follow it through the end. Which left us the audience with one word on our now befuddled minds. Huh?

Yes Huh, for I couldn't make heads or tails of the movie, and boredom that ran through my foggy brain didn't help any. Yes the CGI was good, but does computer enhanced graphics really make up for bad story plots? The answer no, as this movie clearly shows us.

A true rendition of H.G Wells story this is not, and for fans of his works I have to say don't bother with this movie. Wait a few more years until someone gets the right idea on how to follow through with Well's original story.

Whats Wrong?
I don't understand why people pan this movie so much. It is, what i consider to be, a great version of a classic work of fiction. Note; not a re-telling. If you are looking for a straight forward "Book on Film" you won't like this movie. Like a good story? Interesting characters? Cool Sci-fi and effects? This is a winner. ... Read more

Asin: B00005JKLZ
Subjects:  1. Science Fiction   

Essential Baroque: 35 Great Masterpieces
by Decca
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 October, 2002)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Reviews (1)

High-quality, marvelously varied intro to baroque music
I ambuying this as the perfect gift for Russian and Chinese scientist friends. They have knowledge of classical music but perhaps not much about baroque music, which achieved special popularity in the U.S. during the 1970's and 1980's. Russians seem to have more familiarity with romantic classical music, while the more recently arrivedAsian classical buffs have special affinity to the "Classical" classical period and the great 19th Century romantics. How can a baroque sampler be better than with a span of music ranging from solo harpsichord to full orchestra and chorus, and from the very familiar (Pachelbel Canon and Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah) to a trio sonata by Zelenka and the Dardanus Overture by Rameau. Not only that, but both the period instrument and living tradition baroque styles are represented by noted performers (e.g. Trevor Pinnock and Christopher Hogwood; and Henryk Szeryng, Andras Schiff, Pepe Romero, and Alicia de Larrocha, respectively). The producers were careful enough to state that the "Albinoni Adagio in g minor" was actually composed by Remo Giazotto - though in fact Giazotto did use a fragment of Albinoni. This is definitely not a supermarket special, but a boxof choice musical bonbons. ... Read more

Asin: B00006L3IL
Sales Rank: 3988

Personalized He Knows Your Name Elmo (All Occasions)
by Fisher-Price
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Reviews (35)

Elmo doesn't work
I purchased this ELMO for my 16 month old son as a Christmas gift.My son loved him, but didn't play with him too much initially.3 months later, my son is extremely interested in ELMO, constantly squeezing his hand and hugging him.We have not been rough on this ELMO, however, We have become very disappointed, because he does not work!We've tried new battereies, adjusting the position of the sound box, etc., but it appears that there is some kind of short in the wiring.I contacted Personalized R US, and unfortunately, they will do nothing when it has been longer that 30 days since purchase.This toy is cute, and a great idea, but for the price, I expected it to last more than 3 months.I recommend not buying it.

Problems with Elmo...no response from PersonalizedBy RUs
We purchased this Elmo for our son this past Christmas, when he was 21 months old, since he absolutely LOVES Elmo, and thought sure he'd be a hit.HOWEVER, something must be programmed wrong, because in the game section, Elmo asks him to "hop like a CAT", or "run like a BUNNY", etc...the animals and actions don't match up at all.I contacted Personalized By R Us online (the only way I could find to contact them) about this problem and got NO response at all.It's ridiculous to pay this amount of money for something that's going to teach him the wrong actions for these animals.It is cool to hear him say my son's name, but I could probably count on one hand the number of times he's played with this Elmo since Christmas.The E-L-M-O Elmo was MUCH more of a hit, and a good bit less expensive too!!I would agree with the prior reviewers who commented on the fuzz factor...that red fuzz is constantly shedding...and I thought the dog was bad!Other Elmos that I'v found look more like the Elmo on TV too.Not sure I'd buy this one if I had it to do over....

hands too big, fuzz comes off, not interesting for my child
Maybe my child is unusual, but she could care less about this toy.I thought she would love it and bought it for her 2nd birthday.She showed mild interest, but we found that Elmo's hands are too big for my child's small hands -- she can't squeeze his hand to make him say anything.We also found that the red fuzz comes off easily (which is more of a problem for my 10-mo-old).It was disappointing to pay so much for a toy that sits in the closet!(I'm not sure this review helps others, but if your child has very small hands, he might have trouble squeezing Elmo's hands.) ... Read more

Asin: B0000DZCRT
Subjects: