Top 10 DVD Movies for June 2012

Top 10 DVD Movies for June 2012

1. Act of Valor 6. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies
2. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 7. Thor
3. John Carter 8. This Means War
4. Safe House 9. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part I
5. Red Tails 10. Captain America: The First Avenger


1. Act of Valor

List Price: $29.98
Price: $16.99
You Save: $12.99 (43%)

Act of Valor aims to capture the experience of Navy SEALs as they combat the schemes of a Chechnyan jihadist who wants to send suicide bombers into American stadiums and shopping malls. Their efforts take them all over the world, from Costa Rica to Somalia to the South Pacific. For added authenticity, eight real Navy SEALs have been cast in the lead roles. In terms of tactics and equipment, Act of Valor is rigorously authentic. What marks this as fantasy is the perfection of the missions (there are no civilian casualties; every sniper takes out his target in a single head shot–there are a lot of exploding heads in this movie) and absolute moral clarity (the wild-eyed jihadist and drug cartel foot soldiers are unquestionably evil; one of the main characters carries his grandfather’s folded flag from World War II). The performances of the SEALs, though well intentioned, make you appreciate the complexities of Arnold Schwarzenegger. What’s smart about Act of Valor is that it doesn’t waste much time with setups or dialogue, but heads straight into the missions. However, much of these missions are filmed like a first-person-shooter video game, which lends a sense of immediacy but undercuts the sense of reality. Still, all in all, Act of Valor is a sincere attempt to express admiration for the men and women risking their lives in the military.

2. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (+ Ultraviolet Digital Copy)

List Price: $28.98
Price: $14.96
You Save: $14.02 (48%)

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and Jude Law returns as his friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room… until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large – Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) – and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may give him an advantage over the renowned detective. Around the globe, headlines break the news: a scandal takes down an Indian cotton tycoon; a Chinese opium trader dies of an apparent overdose; bombings in Strasbourg and Vienna; the death of an American steel magnate… No one sees the connective thread between these seemingly random events – no one, that is, except the great Sherlock Holmes, who has discerned a deliberate web of death and destruction. At its center sits a singularly sinister spider: Moriarty. Holmes’ investigation into Moriarty’s plot becomes more dangerous as it leads him and Watson out of London to France, Germany and finally Switzerland. But the cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead, and moving perilously close to completing his ominous plan. If he succeeds, it will not only bring him immense wealth and power but alter the course of history.

3. John Carter

List Price: $29.99
Price: $16.99
You Save: $13.00 (43%)

Disney’s megabudget foray into a new CGI franchise of epic sci-fi mythology arrives with a massive marketing push and an interesting pulp pedigree that will probably inspire as many fans as it will naysayers. This impressively crafted piece of escapist fantasy is based on a character and series of books by Edgar Rice Burroughs that is runner-up to his primary creation, Tarzan, and the 20-plus volumes he wrote about that iconic ape-raised jungle adventurer. Burroughs churned out books in both series concurrently for roughly his entire adult life in the first half of the 20th century. John Carter is a former Confederate Civil War captain and fortune-hunting ne’er-do-well who through a weird incident of astral projection is plopped down on the red planet, where he becomes a passionate warrior against beasts and humanoids for the security of a home world known to its inhabitants as Barsoom. John Carter presents this origin setup in a clever prologue that finds the cranky Carter on the run from frontier military authorities as well as a band of marauding Indians. Carter is played by Friday Night Lights star Taylor Kitsch with great bravado. His character undergoes radical change when confronted with something he can finally care about. It doesn’t hurt that an exotic princess of Mars is part of the prize package that comes from his battle against evil and ultimately doing the right thing. John Carter is a visual feast (especially in well-conceived 3-D) with an array of digital and motion-capture techniques that create an eye-popping world of strange creatures, astounding architectural vistas, aerial panoramas, and luminous landscapes. All the extraordinary detail is not surprising considering that Pixar superstar Andrew Stanton is at the helm (he also directed Finding Nemo and WALL-E). There’s a lot going on in the script, and it sometimes feels as though too much work was done in the editing suite to streamline a story that is often overly complicated. Barsoom is ruled by three species, all with their own political and social agendas. There are the humans whose city-state cultures are threatened by civil war and the aggression of Tharks, a race of giant green-skinned, four-armed warriors with horrific tusks and a deeply bellicose intellect. Separate from both are the mythic Therns, a cultlike sect of über-beings who seek to manipulate all of Barsoom into their own submission. Added to the mix are a variety of outrageous animal creatures both vicious and sublime that make for an extremely motley ensemble of beasties. The huge cast of characters, species, and names becomes a bit confusing to keep straight in all the rapid-fire exposition. Fortunately the movie doesn’t ever stop long enough to allow much time for thinking; there’s something new and exciting to look at in virtually every scene. Because of some fantastical leaps of physics and gravity, Carter’s Martian body possesses super strength and the ability to make single bounds over huge distances. His powers not only make him a godlike presence to the natives of Barsoom, they also provide for some dizzying feats of movie magic. The most bravura element of the conceptual design is a fleet of massive solar-powered flying machines that recall something out of H.G. Wells or a steampunk fantasy. These colorful, insectlike machines soar and float in the gold-hued Martian atmosphere with thrilling precision. Even though the multitude of beings, names, and alliances may sometimes elicit a glassy-eyed response, there’s plenty of attention-grabbing exactitude to behold in John Carter. There’s also a good chance that the fans will make it worth Disney’s while to shell out another hundred million to keep the saga going.

4. Safe House

List Price: $29.98
Price: $16.99
You Save: $12.99 (43%)

The first hint that Safe House will be a notch above the typical thriller comes from the list of supporting actors: Brendan Gleeson, Vera Farmiga, Sam Shepard, Rubén Blades–that’s a smart cast. Then the movie starts quietly: Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) holding his girlfriend’s hand, Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) having a drink with an old friend… then that friend gives Frost a microchip and Safe House takes off, accelerating with every scene as legendary rogue agent Frost ends up in the hands of newbie Weston, who’s just supposed to watch the safe house where prisoners are held for interrogation. But now Weston is racing across Cape Town and Johannesburg, pursued by ruthless killers, his loyalties tested and manipulated by the infinitely charming Frost. Director Daniel Espinosa skillfully orchestrates jolting action sequences and distills quieter scenes down to their mesmerizing essence. Washington and Reynolds both give their characters emotional complexity and a sense of actual thought going on behind their charismatic movie-star eyes. The plot has its clichés (legendary rogue agent, crucial microchip, CIA corruption and whatnot), but this cast and director make Safe House a genuinely gripping thriller.

5. Red Tails

List Price: $29.95
Price: $14.96
You Save: $14.99 (50%)

Aerial spectacle gives this World War II drama a lift. Based on the true adventures of the Tuskegee Airmen, who battled Nazis in the air and racism on the ground, Red Tails is built around four pilots, each with a character-type-appropriate nickname: the daredevil is named Lightning (David Oyelowo), the likable boozer is Easy (Nate Parker), the kid trying to prove himself is Junior (Tristan Wilds), and the joker is called, uhm, Joker (Elijah Kelley). While these four chafe at their lousy assignments at the front, Colonel Bullard (Terrence Howard, applying his steely rasp to fervent, inspirational speeches) fights back in Washington to give these men a chance to prove themselves… and when they get that chance, prove themselves they do. This is a crucial bit of history–racial integration in the military was a key step leading to the civil rights movement decades later. Regrettably, this powerful material has been reduced to ham-fisted clichés, groaning under the weight of clumsy exposition. Such flimsy hokum is particularly surprising coming from co-screenwriter Aaron McGruder, creator of the sharply satirical The Boondocks; one suspects that the heavy hand of producer George Lucas was a factor. Nonetheless, when Red Tails takes to the air, the movie–like the pilots–shows its mettle. Though the digital effects are inexplicably uneven, the dizzying dogfight choreography will make your nerves tingle.

6. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies

List Price: $19.98
Price: $14.96
You Save: $5.02 (25%)

The year is 1907. It is 10 years after the Phantom’s disappearance from the Paris Opera House. He has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives amongst the screaming joy rides and freak-shows of Coney Island. In this new electrically-charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar. All that is missing is his love – Christine Daa‚. Now one of the world’s finest sopranos, Christine is struggling in an ailing marriage to Raoul. So, it is with excitement she accepts an invitation to travel to New York and perform at a renowned opera house. In a final bid to win back her love, the Phantom lures Christine, her husband, and their young son Gustave from Manhattan, to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island… not knowing what is in store for them.

7. Thor

List Price: $29.99
Price: $14.96
You Save: $15.03 (50%)

Of all the folks in long underwear to be tapped for superhero films, Thor would seem to be the most problematic to properly pull off. (Hypothetical Hollywood conversation: “A guy in a tricked-out, easily merchandisable metal suit? Great! An Asgardian God of Thunder who says stuff like thee and thou? Um, is Moon Knight available?”) Thankfully, the resulting film does its source material rather proud, via a committed cast and an approach that doesn’t shy away from the over-the-top superheroics. When you’re dealing with a flying guy wielding a huge hammer, gritty realism can be overrated, really. Blending elements from the celebrated comic arcs by Walter Simonson and J. Michael Straczynski, the story follows the headstrong Thunder God (Chris Hemsworth) as he is banished to Earth and stripped of his powers by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) after inadvertently starting a war with a planet of ticked-off Frost Giants. As his traitorous brother Loki (the terrific Tom Hiddleston) schemes in the wings, Thor must redeem himself and save the universe, with the aid of a beautiful scientist (Natalie Portman). Although director Kenneth Branagh certainly doesn’t skimp on the in-jokes and fan-pleasing continuity references (be prepared to stick around after the credits, Marvel fans), his film distinguishes itself by adopting a larger-than-life cosmic Shakespearean air that sets itself apart from both the cerebral, grounded style made fashionable by The Dark Knight and the loose-limbed Rat Packish vibe of the Iron Man series. Glorying in the absolute unreality of its premise, Branagh’s film is a swooping, Jack Kirby-inspired saga that brings the big-budget grins on a consistent basis, as well as tying in with the superhero battle royale The Avengers.

8. This Means War

List Price: $29.98
Price: $14.96
You Save: $15.02 (50%)

Spy flick meets romantic comedy in this surprisingly entertaining film about two CIA agents who find themselves in competition for the affections of the same beautiful woman. Agents FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) are accustomed to using whatever means necessary to complete a mission–and that mentality has a tendency to bleed over into their personal lives. The two agents are also close friends, so when they discover they’re both dating Lauren (Reese Witherspoon), they enter into a gentleman’s agreement that stipulates they not interfere with one other, allow Lauren to choose the best man for her, and walk away from Lauren if seeing her begins to affect the men’s friendship. The agreement quickly degenerates into a pissing contest of epic proportions thanks to the men’s competitive natures and the arsenal of government resources at their disposal. Oblivious to the rivalry and the high-tech circus going on around her, Lauren desperately tries to figure out which of the two men is right for her. Her married friend Trish (Chelsea Handler) offers plenty of advice, assuring Lauren that just because she’s dating two guys at the same time, “You’re not going to hell, but if you are, I’ll be there to pick you up.” What makes this film so good is its perfect blend of high-action spy caper, laugh-aloud humor, and romance–all skillfully delivered by a talented cast.

9. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part I (Two-Disc Special Edition)

List Price: $30.99
Price: $12.59
You Save: $18.40 (59%)

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 delivers strongly for the rabid fan base who have catapulted the young adult novel series and subsequent movie adaptations to the worldwide phenomenon that it’s become, but it alienates a broader audience with a lack of any real action. Similar to the tone of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, the first film of the two-part Twilight conclusion is heavy on romance, love, and turmoil but light on fight scenes and gruesome battles. The movie doesn’t waste any time getting to the goods and opens with Bella and Edward’s much-hyped wedding scene. It works–the vows are efficient and first-time franchise director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) moves the party along quickly and amusingly with a well-edited toast scene and some surprisingly moving moments between Bella and her father, cast standout Billy Burke. The honeymoon plays as a slightly awkward soft-focus made-for-TV movie, with a lot of long moments spent staring in the mirror and some love scenes that feel at once overly intimate and completely passionless. It’s a relief when Bella retches on a bite of chicken she’s cooked herself and quickly concludes she’s pregnant with a potentially demonic baby. From bliss to horror, the Cullens return to Forks, where Bella spends the second half of the movie wasting away and Edward and Jacob are aligned in their anger and frustration over her decision. Throw in some over-the-top scenes with Jacob and his pack–including a strange showdown where the wolves communicate in their canine form by having a passionate nonverbal fight in their minds (a plot point that works much better in print, it’s portrayed in the film via aggressive voice-over)–and the film overshoots intensity and goes straight to silly. The birth scene is horrific, but not as gruesome as in the book, and by the end, Bella has of course survived, though is much altered. The final scene features a delightfully campy Michael Sheen as Volturi leader Aro and makes it clear that the action and fun in Breaking Dawn, Part 1 is ready to start. Fans will just have to wait until Part 2 to get it.

10. Captain America: The First Avenger

List Price: $29.99
Price: $14.68
You Save: $15.31 (51%)

The Marvel Comics superhero Captain America was born of World War II, so if you’re going to do the origin story in a movie you’d better set it in the 1940s. But how, then, to reconcile that hero with the 21st-century mega-blockbuster The Avengers, a 2012 summit meeting of the Marvel giants, where Captain America joins Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk and other super pals? Stick around, and we’ll get to that. In 1943, a sawed-off (but gung-ho) military reject named Steve Rogers is enlisted in a super-secret experiment masterminded by adorable scientist Stanley Tucci and skeptical military bigwig Tommy Lee Jones. Rogers emerges, taller and sporting greatly expanded pectoral muscles, along with a keen ability to bounce back from injury. In both sections Rogers is played by Chris Evans, whose sly humor makes him a good choice for the otherwise stalwart Cap. (Benjamin Button-esque effects create the shrinky Rogers, with Evans’s head attached.) The film comes up with a viable explanation for the red-white-and-blue suit ‘n’ shield–Rogers is initially trotted out as a war bonds fundraiser, in costume–and a rousing first combat mission for our hero, who finally gets fed up with being a poster boy. Director Joe Johnston (The Wolfman) makes a lot of pretty pictures along the way, although the war action goes generic for a while and the climax feels a little rushed. Kudos to Hugo Weaving, who makes his Nazi villain a grand adversary (with, if the ear doesn’t lie, an imitation of Werner Herzog’s accent). If most of the movie is enjoyable, the final 15 minutes or so reveals a curious weakness in the overall design: because Captain America needs to pop up in The Avengers, the resolution of the 1943 story line must include a bridge to the 21st century, which makes for some tortured (and unsatisfying) plot developments. Nevertheless: that shield is really cool.

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Copyright David Masters 2012

 

Top 10 Best Organic Foods June 2012

Top 10 Best Organic Foods June 2012

1. Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil 6. Annie’s Homegrown Mac & Cheese
2. Wedderspoon Manuka Honey Active 16+ 7. Steamed Brown Rice Bowl, Organic
3. Bob’s Red Mill Organic Oat Bran 8. Organic Valley Organic 1% Lowfat Milk
4. Eden Organic Black Beans, No Salt 9. SunButter Creamy Sunflower Seed Spread
5. Kashi GOLEAN Crunch! Honey Almond Flax 10. Rapunzel Pure Organic Whole Cane Sugar


1. Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 15-Ounce Tubs (Pack of 2)

List Price: $24.06
Price: $18.00
You Save: $6.06 (25%)

  • Pack of two 15-ounce jars (total of 30 ounces) USDA-certified-organic, extra-virgin coconut oil
  • No refrigeration required; solid at room temperature and melts at 76 degrees
  • Use as cooking oil, butter substitute, shortening substitute in baking, and massage/body oil
  • Product of the Philippines

Nutiva’s cold-pressed, Organic extra-virgin coconut oil has light taste, pleasant aroma, and pure white color. Please note that any tiny brown specks found at the bottom of Nutiva’s Coconut Oil are from the coconut fiber and are indigenous to extra-virgin coconut oil. It is deliciously healthy cooking oil. Better than butter and are USDA Organic. Unrefined with no trans fats, rich in lauric acid.

2. Wedderspoon Raw Organic Manuka Honey Active 16+, 17.6-Ounce Jar

List Price: $37.50
Price: $33.92
You Save: $3.58 (10%)

  • Manuka; Manuka Honey

Wedderspoon Organic is North America’s number One Organically Certified Manuka Honey suppliers, providing an Authentic, manuka honey recognized throughout North America for its outstanding quality and consistency. Manuka Honey is know all over the world for its extraordinarily powerful healing benefits At Wedderspoon Organic, we bring you the finest in organic products because we know quality matters. We proudly support the OMA Mark (Organic Manuka Active) Chemical and Pesticide Free honey Antibiotic and GMO Free honey Never feeding the bees sugar Hives are made from environmentally friendly material Each jar is traceable back to master beekeeper Area of forage is 5km from intensive farming Activity in our honeys has been reached naturally & has not been increased by man

3. Bob’s Red Mill Organic Oat Bran Hot Cereal, 18-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4)

List Price: $17.20
Price: $10.48
You Save: $6.72 (39%)

  • Case of four 18-ounce packages (72 total ounces)
  • Made from pure organic oat bran
  • An excellent source of fiber and protein
  • Makes a nutritious, smooth, hot morning cereal
  • Made from Northwest-grown oats and packaged in Milwaukie, Oregon

Hot cereal. A deliciously smooth, high fiber cereal milled from high protein oats grown in the great Northwest – some of the best oat-growing country in the whole United States. Bob’s Red Mill Oat Bran Cereal Contains a high concentration of the natural fiber found in oats. USDA organic. Certified 100% organic by QAI. All natural. Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

4. Eden Organic Black Beans, No Salt Added, 15-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)

List Price: $26.32
Price: $16.32
You Save: $10.00 (38%)

  • Pack of 12, 15-ounce unit
  • No salt added
  • Low fat; Nature’s perfect food
  • 100% USA family farm organically grown

No salt added. Low fat. Nature’s perfect food. 100% USA family farm organically grown. Eden Organic Black Turtle Beans add elegant flair to many dishes. Combine can for can with diced tomatoes w/green chilies (drained), and diced onion for chunky bean salsa.

5. Kashi GOLEAN Crunch! Cereal, Honey Almond Flax, 14-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4)

Price: $19.98

  • Pack of 4 (total 56 oz)
  • Made with honey-sweetened seven-grain clusters, sliced almonds, and whole flax seeds
  • Naturally sweetened with honey and cinnamon
  • 15 grams of whole grains, 8 grams fiber, 9 grams of protein, and 500 mg Omega-3s per serving
  • Made in USA

Kashi golean crunch cereal helps you stay satisfied all morning with twice the protein and fiber of the average cereal. You’ll love these crunchy clusters made from Kashi Seven whole grains and sesame. They’re naturally sweetened with a touch of honey and cinnamon, and then toasted to perfection for a hearty crunch.

6. Annie’s Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Pasta & Cheddar Mac & Cheese, 6-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)

List Price: $42.00
Price: $30.48
You Save: $11.52 (27%)

  • Makes delicious and yummy macaroni and cheese in a matter of minutes
  • Pack of twelve 6 ounce boxes
  • Totally natural, gluten-free product, consists of no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, free of GMOs, trans fat, and cholesterol
  • Good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin B6
  • Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging

Annie’s gluten-free rice pasta & cheddar is made with gluten-free and wheat-free rice pasta elbows and real aged cheddar in a wheat- and gluten-free facility. Annie’s believes you will find the creamy cheddar cheese and natural, 100% rice pasta to be a winning combination.

7. Steamed Brown Rice Bowl, Organic, Microwaveable, 7.4-Ounce Bowls (Pack of 12)

Price: $20.31

  • Fully cooked organic brown rice bowl
  • Ready in 90 seconds
  • Organic and gluten free
  • No Cholesterol and no preservatives
  • Vegetarian

Fully Cooked Organic Brown Rice Bowl – ready in 90 seconds

8. Organic Valley Organic 1% Lowfat Single Serve Milk, 8-Ounce Aseptic Cartons (Pack of 24)

List Price: $37.92
Price: $28.80
You Save: $9.12 (24%)

  • Organic aseptic shelf stable
  • 1% Low fat Single-Serve Milk
  • Ultra-pasteurization and revolutionary aseptic packaging
  • Optimal balance between nutrition and convenience
  • Incomparable versatility and freshness

A lunchbox classic Organic Valley’s delicious organic lowfat milk comes from the family farms of our cooperative, where the cows are raised on organic pastures and handled with the greatest of care. It’s certified organic, as are all our products, to assure you they’re produced without the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones or pesticides. Ultra-pasteurization and revolutionary aseptic packaging give this delicious and nutritious beverage its incomparable versatility and freshness. Because they don’t require refrigeration, our shelf-stable milks strike the optimal balance between nutrition and convenience. Look for Organic Valley 1 percent lowfat single-serve milk in individual 8 ounce packages, convenient 4-packs, and new 12-pack cases. Also available in strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate.

9. SunButter Creamy Sunflower Seed Spread, 16-Ounce Plastic Jars (Pack of 6)

Price: $25.60

  • Pack of six, 16-ounce each (total of 96 ounces)
  • Peanut, Tree-Nut Free, and Gluten Free
  • Good source of vitamin E, iron and fiber
  • Product of the U.S.A

SunButter is a great tasting alternative to peanut butter made from specially roasted sunflower seeds. All of our products are completely peanut free, tree-nut free, and gluten free. Our sunflower seed spreads are all processed in a peanut & tree-nut free facility. SunButter is packed with nutrition and an excellent healthy alternative to other nut butters. It is nutritionally superior to peanut butter with 1/3 the saturated fat, 27% of your vitamin E in one serving, as well as a much higher iron & fiber content. All of this extra nutrition is derived from the sunflower seeds which are also a great source of protein.

10. Rapunzel Pure Organic Whole Cane Sugar, 24-Ounce Packages (Pack of 6)

Price: $30.65

  • Pack of 6 (total 144 oz)
  • Contains only whole, unrefined, evaporated sugar cane juice
  • QAI certified organic, vegan
  • Unrefined sugar, with a unique caramel flavor and fine texture
  • Product of Brazil

True to nature. Rapadura captures the sweet essence of sugar cane – organically. Harvested from sustainable family farms in Bolivia and through the Hand in Hand fair trade program, Rapadura is an unrefined sugar prizes for its unique caramel flavor and fine grain texture. This deliciously pure sugar retains a beautiful golden color and offers unmatched nutritional value because – unlike other sugars – it is not separated from the molasses stream during squeeze-dried processing. You can truly taste the difference of Rapadura whole organic sugar. Delivering pure flavor and superior baking results, Rapadura is the perfect sweetener for your favorite foods and drinks. We use only 100% certified organic commodities that are grown and purchased through the Hand in Hand fair trade program. USDA Organic. Organically grown and processed in accordance with the US NOP and certified by QAI. Product of Brazil.

Click Here for More Best Organic Foods

Copyright 2012 David Masters