In concept, The Hunger Games is basically THX 1138 meets Death Race 2000, but in execution it feels more like a metaphor for how we are forced to compete against others in the pursuits of our dreams (or even just to survive.) I haven't read the novel, but the idea is genius. Anyone can identify with it on at least a sub-conscious level. As a story it's intriguing, scary and exciting. I wanted to hate this film after all the hype, and for having the word "games" in the title (as a cheap marketing gimmick,) but it impressed me.

As a woodsman, some parts did annoy me. Of course whenever anyone in a Hollywood film is in the woods they have to fall, but after slamming over roots, rocks and ground, at the very least you'd be badly bruised and disoriented. Also, a bow & arrow might look easy but it actually takes a powerful arm and shoulder to manage. It's like pulling back 60 pounds with your fingers! It's difficult to pull off with grace, and added to this, repeated shots. Also, what kind of predator can be outrun by humans?

As for the violence, what sets this apart to other films for me is how easily randomly-selected people take to killing other human beings. Killing an animal for the first time can be a difficult thing. As for taking a human life, I guess I would look to "Unforgiven" as a realistic example of that. As good as this film is, its unrealistic approach to violence hurts it a bit for me. One could argue that it's taking the "Lord of the Flies" approach. In which case, the enemy is human nature. There is however that repressive Big Brother theme here, which questions the evils of centralized power and mainstream media. Obviously this film is in part exploring the exploitation factor of reality shows. As the kids are being observed by the adult watchers above, I can't help but be reminded of "The Truman Show," a film which was in some ways a precursor to reality TV.

I'll be reading the Hunger Games novels now for sure! I'd recommend this film for anyone who enjoys something different, thought-provoking or if you like romantic thrillers. But be warned; kids forced to kill other kids is obviously not subject matter suited for all audiences. The film isn't really about the violence though. It's about the main characters, as human beings, and how they overcome their ordeals. We watch them struggle and find ourselves rooting for them, before we realize the moral wrong in rooting for anyone in such a blood sport. In theory, we, like the viewers of the program in this film, should not be rooting for anything but the blood sport's termination. Otherwise, we are supporting blood sport entertainment. By engaging us into the sport, emotionally invested in the main characters, the film uses us to make its point to us.

I was pleased with the product and its delivery. They were loose in the box and had no receipt. As this was a Christmas present for my mother, if I had known this I wouldn't have opened it first. But it arrived very quickly (and on time) and she is very happy with its variety of flavours. There are some repeats, but we both knew there would be. I would recommend this pack as it is a good deal.

A highly entertaining political drama and an honest look at early Canadian politics. It's ironic to see how things have changed in this country since confederation in regards to political attitudes, etc. John A Macdonald's charisma was not so unlike Pierre Trudeau's about one century later. This was a made-for-TV (CBC) movie, on 16:9 ratio in good quality visual and sound. The writing and acting are top-notch quality. Shawn Doyle really becomes John A. Macdonald. The disk includes a behind-the-scenes bonus feature, exploring the making of the film, also talking with and eavesdropping on the actors (on and off set.) I'd highly recommend it for anyone interested in Canadian history!

It left me wanting more, which is the mark of a good storyteller. I would very much like to see a Part 2, and 3 and more!

Got this in a 5 dollar bargain bin (yes, this two-disk set) and felt it was a waste of my money. A truly horrible film. Not even "so bad it's good", no, just bad..

When the girl dies in the van early on I laughed out loud, as it was not convincing in the slightest. I suppose it works as a kind of parody of horror films. The fact that it was actually intended to be scary (I think) just makes it funnier. Hey, on second thought, maybe it IS "so bad it's good"...

Although well done overall, it lacks the serious effort of season 8. The writers `played it safe' (or easy) this time, relying on the more formulaic believer/skeptic paradigm that we were familiar with. The last season had far more mythology, far more twists and turns, kept us more on the edge of our seats. That being said, for fans it's a must-see because it builds up to the final climax of the series.

A more serious problem is how they all but abandon Reyes' character. For the first half of the season they made her tough (to be more like Scully I presume) but this goes against her character. People are strong in different ways and Reyes' strength was in her intuition and spirited determination, not in being `tough'. In the second half she is reduced to a silent sidekick, barely speaking at all. What does come out doesn't sound like anything Reyes would actually say. This must have made it very difficult for the actress, who deserves credit for keeping in character performance-wise with so little to work with.

For some reason it becomes all about Doggett. Yes, he's a good character, but so is Reyes! They worked together so beautifully in season 8. I'm not sure if this is due to new writers who didn't understand Reyes' character or to old ones who forgot. Doggett makes for a wonderful lead but he needs a counter-opposite, just as Mulder needed Scully and vice-versa.

As for the finale, some fans were disappointed and others liked it. With a show like the X-Files, fans' hopes were of course going to be very high. The finale is good, but fans wanted brilliant, phenomenal, deeply gripping. Personally, I'm pleased with it but will keep waiting for a final X-Files film to truly conclude the mythology. The name "The Truth" should make it obvious that Mulder finally gets the answers he's sought, but it by no means concludes the mythology. If anything, it's still only half way to its conclusion.

The X-Files remains, and always will be, my favorite TV series. And in my opinion, overall, it was the finest series ever aired on network television. It won me over early and despite a couple low points it ends with me still wanting more...

After my huge disappointment with season 7, I stopped watching the X-Files. With Mulder away and Scully pulling back, I lost interest. These were the characters that I had grown to love and I didn't want to see anyone in their place, nor could I imagine that the writing could improve after season 7's dismal failure. Boy, was I wrong!

I finally got around to watching season 8 and I was surprised and highly impressed. In terms of writing, I think this season was its best. Almost every episode deals with the mythology--not that I don't like the average X-Files episode, but the mythology ones were usually the best. They really--and I mean REALLY--got it together this season. Even though Mulder and Scully are pulled back a bit, the stories still involve them a great deal and it's clear that the FBI has benefited greatly due to their work--work that needs to be continued.

If Mulder and Scully had to be replaced, I'm glad it was Doggett and Reyes. Doggett is a tough, up-front and old-fashioned kind of guy. Reyes is the sensitive, psychic type who relies greatly on her intuition. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, but because they are human, sincere and appreciative of their predecessors' achievements, we actually care for these two! They are very well written and the actors are natural in their roles. We enjoy watching a new skeptic-believer team taking on the world of government conspiracy and paranormal phenomena with a kind of refreshed excitement. It actually feels...right.

I'm not sure I've ever seen this level of writing in a TV show before in my life. It works like that rare kind of classic film that somehow pulls it off, only this runs for a 21 one-hour episodes and never disappoints! Don't get me wrong, the early X-Files seasons will always be my favorite, but I salute the incredible writing effort and solid performing of this wonderful season. I highly recommend it!

First off, in regards to the Mac adaptability issue, it's been remedied (they now have a download to fix that issue.)

Sometimes "pro" just means "better", but with the Blue Yeti Pro they literally do mean professional! This thing is a high-end product, recording over four times CD quality, with analog and USB ports. You can record in a variety of settings, whether it's for commentary or podcasting (recording directly in front of the microphone), two-way conversations, stereo (multiple directions) or ambient sound (all around.) The thing is huge and it looks and feels so state-of-the-art that it makes me feel professional with the vocal work that I do. This product is highly recommended for professional musicians, singers and audio performers! The microphone can be unscrewed and mounted on a standard stand, ect. of your choice. I love the one that it comes with however because it adjusts easily and rests firmly. Also, you can plug in headphones (the volume controlled by the volume knob on the front) to hear your voice as you record. There is also a "gain" button which comes in very handy for digital recordings via the USB cord.

But if all you're doing is recording audio for YouTube, etc. then you'd might as well just purchase the regular Blue Yeti and save some of your money! The regular Blue Yeti records at DVD quality, which is already more than sites like YouTube can output!

Before the agents of The Matrix, before the Borg of Star Trek: TNG, there was "Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future"! It was sort of a cross between "The Terminator" and "Star Wars", but was quite versatile, highly influential in Sci-Fi for many years to come. CP only made it only one season, cancelled after mothers' complaints about the intense violent edge in a kids' show got it kicked off Saturday mornings and thus found itself way over budget (at 1 mil per episode (unheard of in its time.) And it was made in Canada!

Back in the 80's, nothing--and I mean nothing--was as cool, as sexy or as violent for a kid as "Captain Power". It was like watching an adult military series with splashy Sci-Fi FX, and an imaginative dark intensity you only saw in some comic books. It was philosophical, political, emotional and action-packed. A team of talented writers (who would go on to write for "Star Trek: TNG" and "Babylon 5") made the stories intriguing and edgy, keeping its audience to the edge of their seats.

A super computer called OverMind has the power to `digitize' humans into bio-mechs: holographic replicants of their former selves who now serve the will of OverMind as agents of the New Order. Most of the world lies in ruins, as the Metal Wars have ended--and the machines won! A small band of warriors give the surviving Resistance hope: Captain Power and his team, equipped with heavy fire power and holographic armor suits that can be generated via a shoulder badge ("power on!") This `power' is maintained by a battery and thus their power can only last for a short time. Added to the fact that their numbers were few, battles were tense because time was always of the essence.

CP was the first live action series to incorporate CGI characters, and it worked because these actually were `digitized' agents! Sauron might look old school today but by 80's standards he was badass! He flew fast and fought hard, and he always shot to either kill or digitize--without mercy or pity. He was the right-hand bio-mech of Lord Dread--the main villain. Dread should be considered among the great enigmatic villains of Sci-Fi History: such as the Terminator, Darth Vader, Kahn Singh and the Borg. He was half man, half machine: symbolic of one who has lost his humanity to the system and seeks to draw all others down that same path.

Ultimately CP is about humanity overcoming an opposing system that smells an awful lot like Fascism. I think, without sounding too extreme, that it's fair to say that many people today could appreciate what a show like this was warning us about. Should humanity work for the system or should the system work for humanity? One erases your humanity (`digitizes' you) and one forces you to `power up' your humanity (such as William Wallace in "Braveheart".) CP was clearly an appeal to the human side, and even if we didn't get it consciously I'm sure Generation Xers got it subconsciously. Many of us have written very similar stories since. CP wasn't the first to talk about this stuff but when it comes to TV nothing was ever as provocative at grabbing our attention to its message.

The show's FX is outdated, but the same could be said of the old "Star Wars" films and many other classic Sci-Fi titles. For 20 bucks it's a great buy and I'd highly recommend it if you're a Sci-Fi adventure fan! When I was a kid you had to buy episodes individually on VHS for the price of a movie! I wanted the whole show, or at least several episodes for that price! I've waited a long, long time, but it's finally here--the complete Captain Power on DVD!!

SPECIAL FEATURES: An in-depth documentary that explores every aspect of the series through interesting interviews with the show's creators, crew and some of the cast. I didn't realize how innovative it was for its time. Today CGI is easy but back in the 80's this was a cutting edge, experimental stuff. "Star Trek: TNG" is one of my all-time favorite shows, yet I always felt that it took a few years to really find its feet. With such imaginative and competitive people at the helm, if CP had been switched to Saturday nights (instead of being cancelled) one can only wonder what this show might have evolved into. This docu really makes you wonder!

Also, "The Legend Begins" adopts CP footage to create a CP movie. I enjoyed it. There is also a "Gallery" with lots of cool art designs. "Season 2: Declassified" is a second in-depth documentary which explores the planned second season of CP. They had plotted several episodes and drew visual concepts for new characters, villains, technologies and story ideas. Also, the disks include six commentaries.

"POWER ON!"

"A Haunting in Georgia" was a follow-up docu to the classic paranormal series, "A Haunting", which followed the groundbreaking docu, "A Haunting in Connecticut. Credible witnesses tell their real-life experiences with dark parnormal events, acted out--this time--by the witnesses themselves. This is an interesting change which gives the docu a more intimate feel. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone interested in the parnomal, the mystical and especially anyone who was a fan of the "A Haunting" series! I HOPE they will make more soon!

A classic paranormal documentary which led to the "A Haunting" TV series. Credible witnesses tell their stories and we watch skilled actors portray them in the reenactments. It's very creepy, therefore fun for people who like scary movies. But it's also very intriguing, exploring the dark side of spiritualism and how we perceive the spiritual. I can't recommend this one enough!