Sabtu, 19 November 2011

Highwaymen

  • Original Release CD
The myth of the American West--lawless lands, resolute heroes--takes on a grave, elegiac quality on this first, and best, collaboration from Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. There's little bravado here, just a sense of ticking time, of frontiers lost, cowboys singing their last songs. In the end, Highwayman works because it fuses mythic, serious material with the artists' own legendary personas and well-aged voices. Lesser lights would be lucky to muddle through Jimmy Webb's epic title track; these four cagey desperados make every fantastic image believable. If Chips Moman surrounds them with less than subtle layers of guitars, keyboards, and drums, he does update vintage progressive country in a suitably cosmic but rugged fashion. Romantic legends and production values notwithstanding, it's the tough, wise singing here that's the! real draw. --Roy Kasten Here are 36 highlights from all three albums by country's greatest supergroup! Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson unite for the hits Highwayman; Desperados Waiting for a Train , and Silver Stallion ; inspired spins on Take It to the Limit; Sunday Morning Coming Down; Luckenbach, Texas; Me and Bobby McGee; Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys; Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way , and more.A man sets out to avenge the death of his wife by tracking down her murderer - a serial killer who hunts and kills women using his '72 El Dorado.

DVD Features:
Other:DTS Sound Widescreen (2.35.1) and Fullscreen versions available on one disc
Theatrical Trailer

Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash are icons, legends and outlaws of country music, When they untied they became the super group the Highwaymen, a concept that allowed 4 lifelong friends the! chance to sing, work and tour together. This 10th anniversary! that wa s produced by Don Was will feature a never before heard song, 'If He Came Back Again' and five unreleased demo's. Capitol. 2005.Don Was, the producer who transformed Bonnie Raitt from cult hero to pop star, tried to jump-start the stalled careers of Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings by producing their recent albums, Across the Borderline and Waymore's Blues (Part II), respectively. This resulted in two artistic triumphs but no hits. That didn't deter Nelson and Jennings from hiring Was to produce their album with Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson as the Highwaymen. The Road Goes on Forever is easily the best of the three Highwaymen albums, even if changing radio tastes will probably doom it to the poorest sales of the three. The two earlier releases, 1985's Highwaymen and 1990's Highwaymen 2, were thrown together as if the sheer star power of the four singers could carry the project. Both albums had their exciting moments when everything c! licked but both also had a lot of filler. By contrast, Was approached the new recording as if every song and every arrangement had to be good enough to be a single. He picked one obscure but terrific composition from each of the four singers and supplemented them with equally strong material from four of Texas's best songwriters--Steve Earle, Billy Joe Shaver, Robert Earl Keen Jr., and Stephen Bruton. Nelson's harmonica ace Mickey Raphael and Kristofferson's singing buddy Billy Swan are joined by top L.A. session pros like keyboardist Benmont Tench and drummer Kenny Aronoff to create a sound that has the twangy picking of old-fashioned country and the fat bottom of modern pop. The result is an album with everything: first-rate material, grade-A playing, and inimitable singing. The thread that ties Nelson, Jennings, Cash, and Kristofferson together is the crustiness of their voices (a honey-voiced singer like George Jones or Don Gibson would seem out of place in this crowd);! when they sing Shaver's "(I'm Going To) Live Forever," they s! ound as if they're more than halfway there. The Highwaymen are so naturally hard-bitten and world-weary that they can slip a little sentiment into a song without spoiling it. They use this to great advantage on the album's two great outlaw songs, Earle's "The Devil's Right Hand" and Keen's title tune; the gruff tales of violence lead up to a sobering admission of the price paid for such a life. That same gruffness allows the Highwaymen to sing two religious meditations, Jennings's "I Do Believe" and Cash's "Death and Hell," without once sounding sanctimonious. --Geoffrey Himes11 tracks on the Cd. UPC 074644524024The myth of the American West--lawless lands, resolute heroes--takes on a grave, elegiac quality on this first, and best, collaboration from Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. There's little bravado here, just a sense of ticking time, of frontiers lost, cowboys singing their last songs. In the end, Highwayman works because it f! uses mythic, serious material with the artists' own legendary personas and well-aged voices. Lesser lights would be lucky to muddle through Jimmy Webb's epic title track; these four cagey desperados make every fantastic image believable. If Chips Moman surrounds them with less than subtle layers of guitars, keyboards, and drums, he does update vintage progressive country in a suitably cosmic but rugged fashion. Romantic legends and production values notwithstanding, it's the tough, wise singing here that's the real draw. --Roy Kasten

Chicken Run

  • Special Edition
  • From the Creators for Wallace and Gromit
Having been hopelessly repressed and facing eventual certain death at the chicken farm where they are held, Rocky the rooster and Ginger the chicken decide to rebel against the evil Mr. and Ms. Tweedy, the farm's owners. Rocky and Ginger lead their fellow chickens in a great escape from the murderous farmers and their farm of doom. --Written by Cory BoothThere were a lot of disappointments in the 2000 summer movie season, but Chicken Run wasn't one of them. Made by Aardman Animations, which produced the Oscar-winning Wallace & Gromit shorts, this is a dazzling stop-motion animation film that is both deftly funny and surprisingly touching. The concept is simple: The Great Escape--with chickens. But directors Peter Lord and Nick Park take it much further than that (and remember: there's a whole generation out there t! hat has no idea who Steve McQueen is). Julia Sawalha voices Ginger, a plucky English hen who has been trying to escape from Tweedy's chicken farm, where the vicious Mrs. Tweedy (Miranda Richardson) fries up any chicken who doesn't produce enough eggs. When egg profits slump, Mrs. Tweedy decides to turn her farm into a chicken-pie factory, giving new urgency to Ginger's plan. Enter Rocky the Flying Rooster (Mel Gibson), a brash American who has escaped from a circus and promises to teach the chickens to fly to safety. The film is filled with innumerable visual touches and the animation has a tactile quality that makes you want to reach out and touch these funny fowl. Above all, it's played with intelligence, wit, and heart--a rare combination in any film. While Chicken Run is being marketed to a youth audience, it truly is a family film that operates on both a child and an adult level. It would be a shame if grownups skipped it because they thought it was strictly fo! r kids. --Marshall Fine

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (Widescreen Edition)

ASUS PCI-Express x1 7.1 Channel Sound Card XONAR_DX/XD/A/90-YAA060-1UAN00Z

  • Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 116dB for front-out, 112dB for other channels dB;
  • Input Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 112 dB; Output THD+N at 1kHz: 0.00056% (-105dB) for Front-out
  • Input THD+N at 1kHz: 0.0004% (-108dB) for Line-in;
  • Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input): <10Hz to 48KHz; Output/Input Full-Scale Voltage: 2 Vrms (5.65 Vp-p)
  • Audio Processor: ASUS AV100 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192KHz/24bit);
  • 24-bit D-A Converter of Digital Sources: 1x Cirrus-Logic CS4398 for Front-Out(120dB SNR, Max.192kHz/24bit), 1x Cirrus-Logic;
  • CD-ROM drive (or DVD-ROM drive) for software installation; High-quality headphones, powered analog speakers,
  • CS4362A for other 6 channels; 24-bit A-D Converter for Analog Inputs: 1x Cirrus-Logic CS5361 (114dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit);
  • Microsoft Windows Vista(32/64bit)/XP(32/64bit)/! MCE2005; Intel Pentium 4 1.4GHz or AMD Athlon 1400 CPU or faster CPU
  • One PCI Express 1.0 (or higher) compatible slot for the audio card; One available 4-pin power cable from PC?s power supply unit;
They all live in Los Angeles. And in the next 36 hours, they will collide.Movie studios, by and large, avoid controversial subjects like race the way you might avoid a hive of angry bees. So it's remarkable that Crash even got made; that it's a rich, intelligent, and moving exploration of the interlocking lives of a dozen Los Angeles residents--black, white, latino, Asian, and Persian--is downright amazing. A politically nervous district attorney (Brendan Fraser) and his high-strung wife (Sandra Bullock, biting into a welcome change of pace from Miss Congeniality) get car-jacked by an oddly sociological pair of young black men (Larenz Tate and Chris "Ludacris" Bridges); a rich black T.V. director (Terrence Howard) and his wife (Thandie Newton) get p! ulled over by a white racist cop (Matt Dillon) and his relucta! nt partn er (Ryan Phillipe); a detective (Don Cheadle) and his Latina partner and lover (Jennifer Esposito) investigate a white cop who shot a black cop--these are only three of the interlocking stories that reach up and down class lines. Writer/director Paul Haggis (who wrote the screenplay for Million Dollar Baby) spins every character in unpredictable directions, refusing to let anyone sink into a stereotype. The cast--ranging from the famous names above to lesser-known but just as capable actors like Michael Pena (Buffalo Soldiers) and Loretta Devine (Woman Thou Art Loosed)--meets the strong script head-on, delivering galvanizing performances in short vignettes, brief glimpses that build with gut-wrenching force. This sort of multi-character mosaic is hard to pull off; Crash rivals such classics as Nashville and Short Cuts. A knockout. --Bret Fetzer

Stills from Crash (click for larger image)







This compelling urban thriller tracks the volatile intersection of a multiethnic cast of characters struggling to overcome their fears as they car! een in and out of one another's lives. In the gray area betwee! n black and white, victim and aggressor, during the next 36 hours, they will all collide.Movie studios, by and large, avoid controversial subjects like race the way you might avoid a hive of angry bees. So it's remarkable that Crash even got made; that it's a rich, intelligent, and moving exploration of the interlocking lives of a dozen Los Angeles residents--black, white, latino, Asian, and Persian--is downright amazing. A politically nervous district attorney (Brendan Fraser) and his high-strung wife (Sandra Bullock, biting into a welcome change of pace from Miss Congeniality) get car-jacked by an oddly sociological pair of young black men (Larenz Tate and Chris "Ludacris" Bridges); a rich black T.V. director (Terrence Howard) and his wife (Thandie Newton) get pulled over by a white racist cop (Matt Dillon) and his reluctant partner (Ryan Phillipe); a detective (Don Cheadle) and his Latina partner and lover (Jennifer Esposito) investigate a white cop who shot a black! cop--these are only three of the interlocking stories that reach up and down class lines. Writer/director Paul Haggis (who wrote the screenplay for Million Dollar Baby) spins every character in unpredictable directions, refusing to let anyone sink into a stereotype. The cast--ranging from the famous names above to lesser-known but just as capable actors like Michael Pena (Buffalo Soldiers) and Loretta Devine (Woman Thou Art Loosed)--meets the strong script head-on, delivering galvanizing performances in short vignettes, brief glimpses that build with gut-wrenching force. This sort of multi-character mosaic is hard to pull off; Crash rivals such classics as Nashville and Short Cuts. A knockout. --Bret Fetzer

Stills from Crash (click for larger image)

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Asus Xonar DX PCI-Express x1 7.1 Channel Sound Card,One PCI Express 1.0 (or higher) compatible slot for the audio card , One available 4-pin power cable from PC s power supply unit , Microsoft Windows Vista(32 or 64bit) or XP(32 or 64bit) or MCE2005 , Intel Pentium 4 1.4GHz or AMD Athlon 1400 CPU or faster CPU,CS4362A for other 6 channels , 24-bit A-! D Converter for Analog Inputs , 1x Cirrus-Logic CS5361 (114dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit) .

Head Over Heels (Marine, Book 1)

Pack of 10 Acolyte FloraLyte White

  • Floralytes are a one-time use, disposable, self powered lighting unit.
  • The Original FloraLyte is activated by removing a paper strip.
  • Battery life of the lighting unit is 48+ hours.
  • Floralytes are about 1.5" long x 0.75" wide x 0.25" thick.
  • Each FloraLyte comes with loop for fastening and a black elastic string.
A tension soaked stalk and chase thriller. In their senior year of high school, James and Mark find a way to stop being the victim, they’re going to kill their nemesis… That is when they stumble upon the serial killer who will do the killing for them. The chase of their lives begins into graves of the killer’s victims…Stills from Acolytes (Click for larger image)









A collection of eighty all new poems, Acolytes is distinctly Nikki Giovanni, but different. Not softened, but more inspired by love, celebration, memories and even nostalgia. She aims her intimate and sparing words at family and friends, the deaths of heroes and friends, favorite meals and candy, nature, libraries, and theatre. But in between, the deep and edgy conscience that has defined her for decades shines through when she writes about Rosa Parks, hurricane Katrina, and Emmett Till's disappearance, leaving no doubt that Nikki has not traded one approach for another, but simply made room for both.

A collection of eighty all new poems, Acolytes is distinctly Nikki Giovanni, but different. Not softened, but more inspired by love, celebration, memories and even nostalgia. She aims her intimate and sparing words at ! family and friends, the deaths of heroes and friends, favorite meals and candy, nature, libraries, and theatre. But in between, the deep and edgy conscience that has defined her for decades shines through when she writes about Rosa Parks, hurricane Katrina, and Emmett Till's disappearance, leaving no doubt that Nikki has not traded one approach for another, but simply made room for both.

A collection of eighty all new poems, Acolytes is distinctly Nikki Giovanni, but different. Not softened, but more inspired by love, celebration, memories and even nostalgia. She aims her intimate and sparing words at family and friends, the deaths of heroes and friends, favorite meals and candy, nature, libraries, and theatre. But in between, the deep and edgy conscience that has defined her for decades shines through when she writes about Rosa Parks, hurricane Katrina, and Emmett Till's disappearance, leaving no doubt that Nikki has not traded one approach for another, but si! mply made room for both.

Best known as the main guitarist f! or Genes is from 1971 to 1977, Steve Hackett has long been regarded as one of the leading progressive rock guitarists of his generation. This remastered pressing of his 1975 album features 10 tracks including the 2 bonus tracks 'Ace Of Wands' (live) & 'Shadow Of The Hierophant' (extended playout version). EMI. 2005.After leaving Genesis in 1977 and shortly after completing a tour to promote Wind and Wuthering, Steve Hackett focused on assembling a solo career that ultimately produced several well-received albums, not the least of which was Voyage of the Acolyte, which featured guest appearances by Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford (two thirds of the remaining full-time Genesis members) and contributions from Sally Odlfield and his brother John. Consisting of several highly melodic tracks, only three of which contain vocals drawing on the decidedly idyllic and magical subject matter, the album will treat those who appreciate expert musicianship and artistry. --Paul Cla! rk

Use FloraLytes to illuminate flower arrangements, design props, table settings, corsages, serving trays, candle votives, ice sculptures and much, much more.

The FloraLytes can also be used for practically any design element including costumes, masks, place settings, art lighting, interior design and accent lighting to name a few.
They make great party favors as well.

Floralytes original are not designed to be used in water. If submersed in water, the Floralyte will last approximately 8-10 hours and the water will start to discolor after a couple of hours. It is best to use submersible floralytes if you cannot change the water every 6 hours. Not for use in edible items.

Wacky Wobblers Looney Tunes Daffy Duck Rabbit Season Bobble Head by Funko

  • "Duck Season!, Rabbit Season!, Duck Season!"
  • Based on the cartoon Rabbit Fire by Walter Maltese
  • Without luck, poor Donald tries to convince Elmer the Hunter that it is Rabbit Seaon.
  • Approximately 2 lbs shipped
  • This Bobble Head is a perfect gift for any Looney Tunes fan.
"Duck Season" takes you into one particular Sunday morning in the lives of two fourteen-year old boys, Flama and Moko. With their neighbor Rita and pizza delivery boy Ulises, they create their own adventures to overcome their boredom. "Duck Season" explores the loneliness of childhood, the effects of divorce and the curious power of love and friendship. Winner of numerous awards, including an unprecedented 11 Ariel Awards, the film was produced by Christian Valdelievre, Lulu Productions and Cinepantera and executive produced by Jaime Ramos. Warner Independent Pictures and Alfonso Cuaron's Espera! nto Films will distribute.The Oregon Daily Emerald, the student newspaper at the University of Oregon, is pleased to bring Duck fans a very special, hard-bound, coffee-table pictorial book. This heirloom quality keepsake book, with foreword by University of Oregon President Richard Lariviere, will feature hundreds of images that capture the amazing 2010 championship season of the Oregon Ducks as seen through the eyes of the University of Oregon s best student journalists. Go Ducks!Duck and Goose, where is your pumpkin? Is it in the log? Is it under the leaves? Is it in the apple tree? Preschoolers will surely enjoy going on a pumpkin hunt with Duck and Goose . . . especially when they find the perfect pumpkin at the end!Duck and Goose, where is your pumpkin? Is it in the log? Is it under the leaves? Is it in the apple tree? Preschoolers will surely enjoy going on a pumpkin hunt with Duck and Goose . . . especially when they find the perfect pumpkin at the end!Ex-Beat Junki! e and Dilated Peoples refugee Babu takes the time-honored hi! p-hop tr adition of the master mix and twists it up a bit. A well-traveled and well-respected man, the Los Angeles turntablist is an emcee's DJ who got his start during the early '90s, a fact reflected in Duck Season, Vol. 1's almost lazily nostalgic selection. Overall, the production work reigns supreme over fairly mediocre lyricism. However, the album's old-school feel is strengthened by Babu's tight mixing skills. Not only are the songs well blended, he actually chops things up a bit with a taste of cut 'n' scratch and some nice backspin techniques. Random snippets of dialogue and sound effects tie into the Duck Season theme. New York is repped to full effect by solid cuts from Bumpy Knuckles, M.O.P., and the Beatnuts, while Phil Da Agony and Jurassic 5 hold it down for the West. --Rebecca LevineWho would have thought that an alligator and a duck could be best friends? Bill the Duck and Aldo the Alligator are ruffling feathers and rewriting al! l the rules with their crazy antics and unusual friendship in Sitting Ducks. Now the entire first season of all their adventures is together in one egg-citing collection, featuring over 5 hours of wild fun and surprises that will have everyone laughing their tails off. Come fly with Sitting Ducks. It's guaranteed to quack you up!Duck & Goose are back! New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tad Hills brings our favorite feathered friends out to celebrate spring in this sturdy board book. Duck & Goose have lots of ideas about how to find the Easter Bunny, but will they succeed? Preschoolers won't be able to resist this latest board book featuring Duck & Goose, lots of colorful eggs, and the Easter Bunny."Duck Season!, Rabbit Season!, Duck Season!". , a 1950 Looney Tunes cartoon starring Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck for Warner Brothers Studios. Without luck, poor Daffy tries to convince Elmer the Hunter that it is Rabbit Seaon. This Bobble Head is a perfect! gift for any Looney Tunes fan.

WOW Christmas: 30 Top Christian Artists and Holiday Songs

  • Includes, Avalon Winter Wonderland, Michael W. Smith
  • Emmanuel, Point of Grace O Holy Night, Steven C. Chapman
  • Christmas is all in the Heart, Yolanda Adams Have yourself a merry little
  • Christmas,Amy Grant Breath of Heaven(Mary's Song)
  • 31 Songs in all. Rachel Lampa Ave Maria, Donnie McClurkin, Hark the hearld Angels Sing...Kathy Mattea Mary Did you Know? Kirk Franklin the Night that Christ was born...
Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, Emmanuel's Gift tells the story of a disabled orphan in Ghana, West Africa, whose father abandoned him, village dismissed him, and country thought him better off dead. This is the story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, who had nothing, but gave everything--and changed a nation forever.: If you are born disabled in Ghana, West Africa you are likely to be poisoned, or left to die by your family; and if you are not poisoned or left for dead, you're ! likely to be hidden away in a room; and if you're not hidden, you are destined to spend your lifetime begging on the streets. Of the twenty million people in Ghana, two million are disabled. This is the story of one disabled man whose mission-and purpose- is to change all that forever. In Emmanuel's Gift, filmmakers Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern have uncovered a story as compelling as it is important. Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, the film chronicles the life of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a young Ghanaian man born with a severely deformed right leg, who today, against incalculable odds, is opening minds, hearts and doors-and effecting social and political change throughout his country. While Emmanuel's message is vital: people with disabilities are valuable contributors to any society, his method is inspirational. Emmanuel begins his quest with a bicycle ride, over 600 kilometers, across Ghana with one leg-and continues to spread his vision with grit and resolve. Lisa Lax and Nancy Ste! rn have been documenting Emmanuel's plight for over a year, ha! ving sho t over 100 hours of powerful imagery. The film includes original footage shot in Ghana, California, Oregon and New York, as well as photographs and other acquired film/video of Emmanuel's early years. Through it all, they have created an intimate insight into the mind and heart of a visionary whose unforgettable journey transcends continents and cultures and becomes each of ours to share.Grammy-nominated fingerstyle guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel has toured in Europe, Asia, South America, and the United States, bringing his music from the Australian outback to the rest of the world and creating legions of new fans in the process. None other than the incredible Chet Atkins has referred to him as "One of the greatest guitarists in the world," and Tommy is quick to acknowledge Chet as his principal inspiration. Modestly referring to himself as "an entertainer who happens to play the guitar," Tommy captivates his audiences with his humor, charisma and musicianship, delivering kn! ockout performances around the globe. Tommy's energy and the ideal acoustics of the Sheldon Concert Hall make this a video performance to be cherished. This DVD features nearly two hours of performance, including all of the material from both of the VHS volumes entitled Tommy Emmanuel in Concert! Live at the Historic Sheldon Auditorium. Academy Award winner Tim Robbins stars in this compelling film from Pedro Almodovar, the renowned director of Volver and Talk to Her. Powerfully acted and critically acclaimed, The Secret Life of Words is a moving story about discovering love and hope when least expected. A wounded oil worker forms an unlikely and emotional relationship with a nurse based on his need to divulge the secrets of his past and her mysterious silence about her own identity. Jack Mathews of the New York Daily News calls it "remarkably compelling…one you won't soon forget."In the Secret Life of Words, a wounded man and a hearing impaired woman forge an unli! kely relationship that transcends romance. They reach an under! standing that speaks as much for the affection they hold for one another, as it does their need to simply be recognized. Academy Award winner Tim Robbins (Bull Durham, The Shawshank Redemption) stars opposite Sarah Polley (The Sweet Hereafter) in this emotional drama directed and written by Isabel Coixet (who also collaborated with Polley in My Life Without Me). Polley plays Hanna, an emotionally-stilted factory worker who is forced to take a vacation. Instead of jetting off to the Caribbean or the South of France for some sun, Hanna opts for Northern Ireland where she is hired to work as an oil rig nurse, despite the fact that she may never have actually had any medical training. Robbins portrays Josef, a chatty burn victim who is left temporarily blind, but still has enough life in him to flirt with Hanna. She would rather turn down her hearing aid and make as little contact with others as possible. Slowly, the two share secrets and help each other reco! ver--him physically, her emotionally. While the burgeoning love story is a bit implausible, the film does a good job in exploring two characters with complicated backgrounds. --Jae-Ha KimIn this gory horror comedy classic from Troma Team Video, two kindly little old ladies turn into flesh-eating, denture-gnashing demons when they open a mysterious package! When the sweet seniors invite their family to a birthday party, one nephew who is not invited, a devil-worshipper whose activities have resulted in his being removed from the sisters' inheritance, decides to take his revenge! He sends a party gift that turns the scene into a frolic of the macabre: the aunts turn cannibal and eat up all their guests! Rabid Grannies will make you scream and laugh at the same time, and this DVD comes fully loaded with unreleased scenes, special effects outtakes and demos by James Desert, a director’s commentary, and a special episode of Troma’s Edge TV!(Drama) Something the Lor! d Made tells the emotional true story of two men who defied th! e rules of their time to launch a medical revolution, set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow south. Working in 1940s Baltimore on an unprecedented technique for performing heart surgery on "blue babies," Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and lab technician Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) form an impressive team. As Blalock and Thomas invent a new field of medicine, saving thousands of lives in the process, social pressures threaten to undermine their collaboration and tear their friendship apart.Something the Lord Made recounts the relationship between Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and Vivian Thomas (Mos Def). It begins in 1930s Nashville when imperious cardiac surgeon Blalock hires Thomas, an African American carpenter, as his janitor. When the latter reveals a passion for medicine and facility with surgical instruments, Blalock promotes him to lab tech. Thomas isn't given a raise, works side jobs to make ends meet, and is expected to be grateful. Along the way, he follows Bla! lock from Vanderbilt to Johns Hopkins, where they save thousands of lives through their pioneering work, but will Thomas ever get any credit? The film provides a satisfying answer to that question. Joseph Sargent (A Lesson Before Dying) directs with subtlety and intelligence, while Rickman and Mos Def are in top form, often underplaying where most actors would do otherwise. Something the Lord Made won the 2004 Emmy for outstanding made-for-TV movie. --Kathleen C. FennessyIt was only a matter of time before the folks behind the wildly successful WOW series turned their eyes toward Christmas. After all, holiday releases by Christian artists flood the market every year, and there's plenty of stock to choose from. WOW Christmas does, indeed, capture a nice range of styles and artists from releases over the last few years. Among the sweeter moments are Michael W. Smith's new standard, "Emmanuel," Point of Grace's angelic "O Holy Night," Rebecca St. Ja! mes's quirky "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," and the Mark Schultz-Ni! chole No rdeman gentle treatment of "Silent Night." There are a couple of curiosities here, as well: Avalon jazzing up the old standard "Winter Wonderland" with a Manhattan Transfer-like big-band sound; and Fred Hammond's soulful "Go Tell It on the Mountain." And if that's not offbeat enough, we also get the flat-out weirdness of Audio Adrenaline's punked-out "Little Drummer Boy." For the most part, though, WOW Christmas spices up the classic Yule tunes with freshness and creativity, making it a must disc for your holiday party. --Michael Lyttle
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