THE MOSCOW CIRCUS: Animals Under The Big Top (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an excellent DVD for children (all ages) and adults. Fast moving and fascinating. Simply amazing.

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A treasure of Russian culture for over 200 years, the Moscow Circus has been the pride of their homeland, elevating their unique art to a status alongside Ballet and Opera.This special DVD, The Moscow Circus: Animals Under the Big Top, continues the ascension, and lets you Step Right Up to awe-inspiring acts of daring, humor and non-stop entertainment. Watch as animal trainers, acrobats and exotic animals from land and sea create a Russian Circus that mesmerizes millions with their breathtaking, eye-catching spectacle, truly more like a traditional performing art.While each of the artists in the Circus is the best at their respective craft, together these performers form a thrilling, vibrant whole. The Moscow Circus carries on the centuries old tradition in splendid style and embraces the feats of daring, fantasy, and imagination that have long enthralled audiences across the world.Featuring 2 Programs on 1 DVD, witness the Wild Animals Tamers & Cossack Horse Riders as they thrive on the danger of face-to-face confrontation, mastering the instincts of some of nature's most savage and beautiful beasts. Marvel at the imperial elephants, enchanting seals and fierce and stealthy leopards as they all bow to the will of their trainers in acts that range from hilarious to astounding. Moscow Circus: Animals Under The Big Top not only will reveal a fascinating Russian cultural export, but will enchant your whole family with the dazzling artistry of the unparalleled Moscow Circus.Program # 1 - Dancing Bears & More Circus Acts includes:Dancing Bears, Cossack Horse Trick, Solo Camel Act, Six Camel Acts, Snake Act, Jugglers with Bears, Goat & Dog on Ice, Doves and Eagles, and the Dancing Bears Finale.Program # 2 - Animals Under the Big Top Circus Acts:Monkeys and Ponies, Elephant Act, Seals, Chicken / Goose Act, Monkeys on Ice, Leopards and Horses, and a Dog Act.DVD Bonus Features:About the Moscow CircusDolby Stereo AudioDigitally Re-Mastered Audio & VideoInstant Access to the PerformancesDVD Recommendations

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Masterpiece Theatre: My Family and Other Animals (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)Readers of "My Family and Other Animals" might approach this BBC adaptation with some reluctance. How could the producers ever hope to convey the wisdom and humor of Gerald Durrell's book into 90 minutes? An ideal adaptation should probably be at least four hours, if not more but this film does not do badly.
The casting was well done with Imelda Stauton (who starred in Vera Drake) being a perfect choice for as Mrs. Durrell. Spiro and Theo appear exactly as I would picture them as are Larry's impossible friends. Gerald is well cast and his curiosity in nature is brought to the film but there is no time to deal with the animals individually. We can see that Gerald has an owl but we don't get any details about him. The scene with the scorpions is in the film and nicely brought off and the Rose-Beetle Man is perfectly done. The actor's have done a remarkable job in capturing the personalities of the Durrell family and the magical beauty of Corfu is nicely conveyed as Gerald investigates the island with his dog Roger.
There are so many humorous episodes for the writers to choose from that I am sure some viewers will be somewhat dismayed that their favorite was not select. The magpies have their five minutes in the film but their antics are not as clearly drawn as they are in the book. They do raid Larry's room but we do not learn about how Larry was trying to keep them out, and we do not get to see them calling after Spiro as he sets out on yet another errand.
So, I found this version of "My Family and Other Animals" to be a delight but I wish it was longer. I could not help but recalling episodes that were not included or cut short. I do recommend the film as it captures the essence of Gerald Durrell's book; it is just a slice of the book but a fairly good helping.


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When the dreary English weather of 1935 gets to be too much for the eccentric Durrell family, they set off for the rustic, sun-drenched Greek island of Corfu, and the unknown. The lively clan is headed by Mrs. Durrell, a middle-aged widow who gives in to the whims of her children and who patiently tolerates their adventures. Her eldest son Larry, a budding avant-garde writer with wild friends, has no regard for his mother, while her second son, Leslie, is a gun-obsessed sportsman who shoots at everything in sight. Her only daughter, Margot, is a teen beauty who changes boyfriends as quickly as she does bathing suits. But her youngest son, 12-year-old Gerald, is the heart and soul of this lively saga. Filling his family°¶s villa with an impressive menagerie of animals and insects, Gerald discovers his life°¶s vocation in nature and animals, as well as his own voice as an author. Based on Gerald Durrell°¶s childhood memoir, Academy Award-nominee Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake), Matthew Goode (Match Point), and Eugene Simon (Casanova) bring My Family and Other Animals humorously to life.

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