The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
by Elijah Wood
Director: Peter Jackson
Average Customer Review:
DVD (12 November, 2002)
list price: $39.98 -- our price: $27.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

In every aspect, the extended-edition DVD of Peter Jackson's epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring blows away the theatrical-version DVD. No one who cares at all about the film should ever need to watch the original version again. Well, maybe the impatient and the squeamish will still prefer the theatrical version, because the extended edition makes a long film 30 minutes longer and there's a bit more violence (though both versions are rated PG-13). But the changes--sometimes whole scenes, sometimes merely a few seconds--make for a richer film. There's more of the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien, embodied in more songs and a longer opening focusing on Hobbiton. There's more character development, and more background into what is to come in the two subsequent films, such as Galadriel's gifts to the Fellowship and Aragorn's burden of lineage. And some additions make more sense to the plot, or are merely worth seeing, such as the wood elves leaving Middle-earth or the view of Caras Galadhon (but sorry, there's still no Tom Bombadil). Extremely useful are the chapter menus that indicate which scenes are new or extended.

Of the four commentary tracks, the ones with the greatest general appeal are the one by Jackson and cowriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, and the one by 10 cast members, but the more technically oriented commentaries by the creative and production staff are also worth hearing. The bonus features (encompassing two complete DVDs) are far superior to the largely promotional materials included on the theatrical release, delving into such matters as script development, casting, and visual effects. The only drawback is that the film is now spread over two discs, with a somewhat abrupt break following the council at Rivendell, due to the storage capacity required for the longer running time, the added DTS ES 6.1 audio, and the commentary tracks. But that's a minor inconvenience. Whether in this four-disc set or in the collector's gift set (which adds Argonath bookends and a DVD of National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring), the extended-edition DVD is the Fellowship DVD to rule them all. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Features

• Director's Cut
• DTS Surround Sound
• Color
• Box set
• Widescreen

Reviews (3515)

The best!
Its a wonderful movie, amazingly brought onto the screen without making much changes to the book version. Bringing a beautiful fantasy to something which you can watch is wonderful! I am proud to own all the 3 of the extended editions of the movie on dvds :-)
I say, it is a must to watch all the movies, appreciate the creativeness of the writer (Tolkien) and also the people who made it possible to be got onto the screen. I think it is the best trilogy which has ever been made and which will ever be made.

Favorite movie i ever watched!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lord of the rings THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING is my favorie movie i ever watched.It is a cool action movie. I ecspecaly like the troll & the Belrog. I would also recomend reading the book first and you should watch the extended edition. This cool movie is 3 1/2 hours long (the extended editon) so make sure you have enough time before watching it. I personaly Wouldn't recomend it for children under 10 but it is your choice. or maybe children under tenif taking the scary parts uot. If you havn't seen it already go get it from your nearest movie store. Youl love it!!!

Its About Addiction
Lord of the Rings is not an epic struggle between "good" and "evil". That level of analysis is more appropriate for pop trash, such as Lucas' Star Wars.

Lord of the Rings is about addiction. Any addict, or anyone who works with addicts, will immediately recognize the ring's affect on its bearer as quite similar to the affect of serious addictive elements on the addict, such as that found in heroin addiction, alcohol addiction, or religion addiction. There are numerous parallels between the power of the ring and addictive behavior: the transformation that occurs in Bilbo, Frodo, Gollum and the Ringwraithes; the insipient, all-consuming desire to use the drug, but also the fear to do so; Frodo's desire to see Gollum restore to Smeagol, so that Frodo may hope to also return to a pre-addictive state; the inability to return to a pre-addictive state, as with Bilbo and Frodo; the overwhelming temptation to use, even among those who are cognizant of its terrible descrutive power, as with Galadriel and Gandalf; the development of multiple personalities, as with Gollum/Smeagol; the isolation of addiction, as with Gollum living alone in the depths of the Misty Mountains for countless years with his "precious"; the discarding of loved ones, as with Frodo to Sam or Smeagol to Deagol; the delusion of strength acquired by addictive usage, such as with Boromir and Faramir; the deterioration of perceived strength over time, and ultimate corruption of the soul, as with Gollum and the Wraithes. These are all highly correlated with serious addictions.

With this understanding of addiction in mind, it is a painful yet inspirational experience to view the epic journey that occurs in the three LOTR movies. So much is familiar. Even Frodo's and Bilbo's decision to accompany the elves across the waters to live out their days is indicative of a life that has been utterly and irreversibly changed due to past addiction - the addict is never really cured.

Thank you so much Peter Jackson, for bringing Tolkein's books to life. Now, how about The Hobbit?
... Read more

Asin: B000067DNF
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-action/Adventure   

PalmOne m505 Color Handheld
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $349.00
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Editorial Review

Palm's simple yet elegant operating system has long been a shining light in the world of PDAs. The good news on the Palm m505 is that the Palm OS still offers a wide array of tools to gather yourpersonal and business data in a great computing environment. Unfortunately, the most touted aspectof the Palm m505--its color screen--is a disappointment.

Turning it on for the first time, we wondered if we had received the monochrome version Palm m500handheld--the screen was dark and barely visible in our moderately lit office. We fumbledaround for the contrast preference, but couldn't find it. In fact, the Palm m505 has no way toadjust contrast other than to turn on the backlight. Only with the backlight activated could weactually discern the icon and screen colors, and even then the LCD screen seemed muted.

On side-by-side tests with the Handspring Visor Prism, its main color competition, the Palm m505was lacking in brightness and crispness--despite both handhelds' having 16-bit displaysupport that can show up to 65,000 colors.

The reason for this seems to be that Palm hassacrificed brilliance for energy efficiency. The Palm m505's rechargeable battery does, indeed, keep its charge with "normal" usage (estimatedby Palm at 40 minutes per day) for about three weeks. However, with the mandatory useof the m505's backlight, we found the battery needed more frequent charging. Luckily, charge timein the included HotSync cradle/recharger is quite short.

The basic Palm applications in OS version 4.0--Address, Date Book, Memo Pad, and To DoList--remain largely unchanged, with a few tweaks here and there. For instance, the Date Book applicationnow includes a screen view with a list of the appointments and to-do items for a particular date.And like the m100 series, the Note Pad has been added for doodling and scribbling handwrittennotes (instead of writing longer tomes in the Memo Pad using the Palm's Graffiti alphabet).

Palm has collected a number of bonus software titles that you can easily add to the m505 withoutdenting much of the 8 MB of memory, including AvantGo, which downloads Web news and content from avariety of sources (enabling us to keep up with Aussie Rules Football scores). The biggest testfor the color screen came with PhotoSuite, an image viewing app that displays a range of image-file formats downloaded from your PC. We found the color depth to be quite good, but the screen'slack of brightness made the images look rather muddy.

Additionally, several connectivity applications from Palm's Mobile Internet Kit are provided,including the Web Clipping app for viewing Web content built specifically for Palm viewing andMultiMail SE for accessing e-mail. And, of course, there's the highly touted expansion slot forSecureDigital cards and MultiMediaCards, allowing you to add memory, content, and functionality.Unfortunately, at the time of this review, we were unable to test any of the cards offered byPalm.

With its curved angles, thin design, and light weight, the Palm m505 closely resembles itspredecessor, the Palm V series handheld. And like that model, the m505 feels very comfortable bothin the palm of your hand and resting in your pocket. Also, with the Palm m505's new 33 MHzDragonball VZ processor, switching applications seemed much more immediate.

The siren song of the new m500 series is indeed seductive, and Palm has done well to streamlineits basic repertoire and add some tasty new notes to the mix. However, the Palm m505 is ultimatelya disappointment due to its underwhelming color display. If you're having trouble getting thissong out of your head, the Palm m500 handheld (with all the functions of the Palm m505 but with a monochromescreen) should keep your toes tapping just fine. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• Faster processor
• Classic Palm styling--contoured design is comfortable to hold
• Good range of additional software, from Internet connectivity to e-book reader
• New expansion slot takes industry standard SecureDigital cards and MultiMediaCards

Cons:

• Color screen is rather dim and ultimately disappointing
• Backlighting must be turned on to see the color screen, wearing down the rechargeablebattery
• Expandability via SecureDigital and MMC cards limited by current offerings

... Read more

Features

• Built-in 8 MB memory stores thousands of contacts, appointments, to-do items, and notes
• Displays over 65,000 colors--view photos, video clips, and more
• SecureDigital/MultiMediaCard expansion slot for additional memory and functionality such as a dictionary/thesaurus, games, and more
• USB cradle allows faster HotSync operations
• Windows and Macintosh compatible--includes desktop software for both platforms

Reviews (229)

2nd Palm, 2.75 Years w/m505
I've owned this since late 2001. It replaced a 4-year-old Palm Pilot Professional (1MB mono, AAA batts). It has been very solid for me. I am hooked on the simplicity of the Palm OS. I don't need a notebook computer in my pocket. I need an all-in-one-place-and-go-anywhere life organizer--calendar, address book, Scrabble (extra!), with ability to sync to desktop @ home and @ work; beam entries between this and my wife's m130. I also have add-on of SplashID for password-protected storage of PINs, passwords, web-logins, and other sensitive/private info. As a result, every piece of critical info (13+ categories of addresses, work/personal appointments, etc.) is always at my fingertips, and always safely backed-up on the Palm Desktop.

Battery life has been fine for my usage levels. Backlight is dimmer than newer models, but it does the job (I'm not playing DVD movies, for cryin' out loud).

Only problem I'm currently having is that a small section of the screen (approximately a .5"x.5" square) has "died" within the past 6 months--losing all touch sensitivity....so I have to work around that.

My office IT guy says PalmOne will come out with next generation of models this fall, so I'll wait for that selection before replacing this one.

Perfect for almost anybody!
The Palm M505 is a neat little PDA. It's features are perfect for students to business people. There are many positive elements to this little Palm.

The Palm M505 is the perfect companion for a student. It's small size and low price makes it perfect for somebody on the run and someone in need of a durable, compact Palm Pilot. In it's life, my Palm has been dropped numerous times, gotten soaked in water, and gotten thrown into the bottom of a backpack countless times. Again, it is perfect for anyone in need of durable database.

AWESOME CHRISTMAS PRESENT!!
I got this awesome palm piolot with a keyboard and it is great!I bought games and put a cool "Documents to Go" program on it.I write stories a lot so I can use it for that, and I can also write school things on it if I'm in the car and my handwriting won't be sloppy!This is very cool.I am 12 1/2 and this is one of the best palms I have ever used.You should buy it! ... Read more

Asin: B00005AWCL
Subjects:  1. m500    2. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, Electronic Organizer)    3. Palm Connected    4. Handheld (Hand Held)   

PalmOne Leather Zippered Case (m500 series)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $34.99
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Editorial Review

This stylish leather case boasts even more room than its predecessors had, so it can accommodate your expansion cards. It also has space for credit and business cards, a window flap for your driver's license, and a zippered closure to keep your handheld securely in place. It even has a space for a small notepad. Each case is crafted in soft, full-grained black leather. ... Read more

Features

• Slots for credit cards as well as expansion cards
• Window flap for drivers license or picture ID
• Small notepad
• Space for a small note pad

Reviews (37)

Impractical
This just didn't work out for me.First, the on/off button kept getting hit while in my travel bag, leaving me with no Palm on one trip and virtually no power left on another.On top of that, blank notes kept being left due to this issue.The leather flap is constantly in the way when you try and enter something.I gave up and bought the hard case as a replacement.It's smaller and much sturdier so shouldn't have any of the above problems.Plus it opens up all the way for easy use.

Slim Leather Case
If you like a leather case with a professional look for your Palm, ths is the best one for the money in my opinion.It contains convenient slots for expansion cards and and extra stylus.A velcro closure might be better than the slip closure currently used.This would help it be able to open and close easier.You can also hotsync easily with this case without having to take the unit out.

Expensive, but there is no substitute
I have the Palm m500 and while the flipcover that came with the package is nice, it doesn't protect the back of the heldheld from stratches. Since I just got my heldheld, I want to keep it looking as new as possible.
With a leather case, you can protect you handheld from stratches and possible minor drops (if the case is thick, or padded) If you look at other leather cases out there, especially the universial cases and worst, the Iconcepts and (generic brand) cases, they make you sleek m500 look (bad). The original Palm leather cases actually custom-fit into the left side rail of the m500 series handheld.
While the (Palm) leather wallet and zippered case holds more stuff, I prefer to have to smallest case possible (to fit into my pocket), that's why I like the Slim Leather Case the best. Nonetheless, don't get the universial cases because they do not custom fit into your m500 rail and your m500 won't look as sleek. If the Palm leather cases weren't so overpriced, I'd give it a five. ... Read more

Asin: B00005B6SF
Subjects:  1. Cases (Case)    2. Notebook (Note Book)    3. Laptop    4. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, Electronic Organizer)    5. Palm m500 m505    6. Cases Covers    7. Handheld (Hand Held)    8. Accessories (Accessory)    9. Bags (Bag)   

Hewlett Packard DVD200e 2.4x2.4x8 External USB 2.0/FireWire DVD+RW Drive
Average Customer Review:
Electronics

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Features

• Compatible with Windows 98 SE, 2000, NT 4.0, Me, and XP
• High-speed external USB 2.0/FireWire DVD+RW/CD rewritable drive
• Features 2.4x write, 2.4x rewrite, and 8x read speeds for DVD; 12x write, 10x rewrite, and 32x read speeds for CD
• 2 MB buffer
• Includes Cyberlink PowerDVD, Veritas RecordNow, and more

Reviews (13)

JUNK
i tried to use the one i have at work with TWO different brands of DVD-Rs (one Sony) and the drive did NOT work with them. it only worked with the DVD-RW it came with. a write failure occurred with the HP brand DVD-R. i'm glad this item is outdated now.

Expensive "DVD PLAYER"
I bought this external DVD Writer from HP, and for me it did record a DVD movie.But I can't record on CD-R/RW.I've wasted a few R's and it won't even record on RW's.I even tried to erase the CD-RW using the program that is the ONLY one that works with this DVD Writer, and it comes up with this message and doesn't erase.I was almost successful in creating a recorded CD, but the error message comes up at the end and that CD-R is gone.I'm returning it and am going to try that Sony one.I haven't had much luck with HP products.Someone I even know that has an HP computer had to replace the hard drive because it came with so many errors installed that were unfixable.That's the last HP product I'm ever using until I can find something dependable.Right now, I have an expensive DVD-ROM Drive by HP hooked to my computer's USB 2 port.The software was okay...when it finally recorded using my cheaper CD-RW drive that came with my computer using the HP Memories Disc program.This drive hasn't burned one CD yet.The only good thing about it is the color almost matches my Dell Dimension 4550 computer.

Great hardware, but throw out the software
Speaking as a newbie to dvd recording, this is a fine piece of hardware but you need to throw out the software that comes with this. With the software you'll not be able to 'back up' your purchased dvd's. The external drive is easy to plug in to your pc (assuming you've installed or have a USB 2.0 or Firewire card: required). To overcome the software problem dvdrhelp.com is an excellent help center, which has helped me understand what I need to get going. My suspicion is that most dvd recordable drives don't ship with software that immediately allows you to copy dvd's, so don't let this put you off an excellent recorder. ... Read more

Asin: B00006599N
Sales Rank: 39310
Subjects:  1. Hewlett-Packard    2. (HP)    3. (Hewlet Packart)