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Best Price Cheap Ghost Whisperer: Seasons 1-4 Discount Review Shop

[This review is spoiler-free!]

SHOW OVERVIEW

For those of you like me who would pass by this show because of its supernatural ties, know that it is full of substance, not relying on any dazzling paranormal special effects to compensate for lack of depth. As another reviewer notes, the show uses the ghosts to explore human relationships, both among the living and the dead, rather than just for scares or oohs and ahhs. To classify it, the show is a drama with some laughs, romance, mystery, and moments of horror mixed in.

CHARACTERS: Even more so than plot and Melinda’s day-to-day hauntings, Ghost Whisperer is about quality character development. The main characters are likable, and relatable, despite their extraordinary brushes with the afterlife. A few episodes in, and you feel like you know them personally, so you care about them. Melinda Gordon (Jennifer Love Hewitt), the gifted protagonist who runs an antique shop, is simply a good person: she’s compassionate, thoughtful, empathetic, and genuine. Rather than see her as impossibly pure-hearted, and grow irritated with her seemingly unfailing goodness, you admire her. She also maintains her relatability–when she tears up, so will you! Though I agree with many viewers that the generous necklines characteristic of her wardrobe–to put it delicately–are needlessly distracting, and Hewitt’s fake lashes are a bit too much, somehow Melinda’s down-to-earth personality seems genuine enough that you grow to overlook her over-the-top showcasing.

Melinda’s husband, Jim Clancy (David Conrad), a paramedic and firefighter, is similarly sincere. He’s sensitive, caring, understanding, and supportive, all while upholding his masculinity, refreshingly. As a couple, Melinda and Jim share a touching emotional connection–and perhaps too perfect a relationship, some say. But this is my response: Shows do not offer us a look at any character’s life 24/7. What we are shown are the times that best exemplify the characters. If in the first episode and multiple ones thereafter, we had seen Jim and Melinda get in a tiff, what would our impression be of their relationship as a whole? We’d think their marriage was tumultuous. Instead, we are offered a picture of a typically harmonious couple, so that when there IS a conflict–such as in the season 6 episode “Dead Ringer”–we immediately realize the gravity of the issue pitting them against each other.

PLOT: Storylines per episode involve Melinda communicating with earthbound spirits and the loved ones those spirits left behind, helping them conduct their “unfinished business with the living.” They start with an encounter and end with what always aims to be a poignant, upbeat closure. While I agree with some viewers that the plots are predictable to the point of redundancy, I disagree that such patterning detracts from the show. Just look at crime shows like CSI. You know there is going to be some wrongdoing, and that the show will likely open with the event and close with the crime’s resolution and the capture of the culprit. But you still watch the show, and perhaps you even re-watch episodes even once the mystery is gone because you want to revisit a particular storyline or character. That’s how it is with Ghost Whisperer.

Underlying these spurts of action is a greater, more sinister plot that we are reminded of every few episodes: the growing power among the dark earthbound spirits. Both the lesser plots and this greater one highlight Melinda’s relationship with those close to her, while more broadly demonstrating the impact each of us has on the lives of others. Thus, Ghost Whisperer is more about human stories than it is about ghost stories. For this reason, the show does not go too far and stays intriguing even for those viewers who claim no religion or have no interest in the horror and science fiction genres.

SPECIAL FEATURES

There are a good number of special features throughout the seasons, including deleted scenes, audio commentary, and blooper reels (which are not there for every episode), as well as interactive games; behind-the-scenes sneak-peeks at wardrobe, ghost make-up, the cast, and the music; and miscellaneous tidbits such as “A Tour of Grandview” and “Ghost Whisperer Mythology.”

**Note: The Season One box reads, “Some music has been changed in this home entertainment version,” and Season Two reads, “Some episodes may be edited from their original network version,” without specifying how.

*A NOTE ON WHERE TO BUY*
Amazon has recently had new boxsets for sale at as little as , the best price I’ve found. Here are some of the competitors’ prices as of May 10, 2010:

Wal-Mart: 3, Borders: 6, Best Buy: 5, Target: 4, Books a Million: 3, Barnes and Noble: 2

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Best Price Cheap Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga: Total Body Transformation and Weight Loss with Sadie Nardini Discount Review Shop

I purchased this DVD along with Shiva Rea’s “Daily Energy” DVD, and though I think the rich cinematography and smooth-as-silk musical soundtrack of Shiva Rea’s production is much more sophisticated and appealing, I fully enjoyed and appreciated the detailed instruction and encouraging coaching from Sadie Nardini far more. I was a bit tentative about jumping into starting this core vinyasa yoga workout, given the numerous reviews stating that it was rather intermediate/advanced (handstands, crow positions, backbends, etc.). I am relatively new to yoga (I’ve been practicing less than 3 months), and took it up in my quest to seek a conditioning workout that would enhance my ballroom dance training and discipline (and didn’t involve using a treadmill and weights, or other traditional “gym-rat” fare).

I watched this DVD a couple times before finally deciding to try it; in fact, the main reason I was “pushed” into finally doing it comprehensively was because of a back injury (I had tried parts of the “Total Body Sculpting” workout sequence a week ago, just to get my feet wet in her style). I had been doing a full advanced Pilates matwork routine for several weeks(which was actually putting increased stress on my back muscles and osteoarthritic lumbar joints), and had done Kristin McGee’s “Weight Loss Pilates” DVD for the second time 4 days ago; I felt a twisting and pull in my right lumbar spine and knew that I would have to ease back on the advanced Pilates. I decided to try a few of the easier matrix workouts of Shiva Rea’s “Daily Energy” DVD, but realized that though she is very competent as a yoga professional, her instruction isn’t extensive enough for full expression of the more difficult poses, and she pretty much just rushes through poses to fit the 20-minute time frame of her yoga segments. So, the next day, I tried “Core Strength Vinyasa”, and realized that it didn’t stress my back muscles nearly as much as Pilates (though I still LOVE Pilates and can’t wait to heal up my back so I can get back to doing the full matwork routine again). It also offered a sweat-dripping workout that was relatively low-impact, and requires quite a bit of mental engagement and focus (so I have to rather rudely kick both my dogs and husband out of the Master bedroom while I’m focusing on my yoga poses, especially the balancing poses). Some of the stretches were a bit challenging (especially in the core twisting section) and I am still wary of doing Shakti kicks in general and Shakti kicks to handstand. However, I was blown away by the “magic” of the crow position, and so I’ve watched Sadie’s You Tube video on “Rocking Your Crow” several times in preparation for doing it myself. I’ve extensively practiced the preparation for crow position a total of 4 times total in the last month or so (I fell on the crown of my head once last weekend, which could have really caused some major problems if I didn’t catch myself soon enough; I had a sore neck all week), and this morning I finally “stuck” the position successfully for a full 10 seconds! I kept practicing, trying to hold as long as possible, until my ulnar and radial nerves in my right wrist became so stretched that my fingers went numb and the backs of my triceps became bruised from my knees pressing into them, but that was only temporary; I was so proud to have finally mastered this amazing pose, and in only 4 practices. I was also able to get into crow and jump back into Chataraunga position to upward-facing dog (though I’m still a bit apprehensive of going from a jump into crow position; will still have to work on getting myself to psychologically break the barrier of apprehension and try the move in time).

I’d also still like to one day soon try the Shakti kicks to handstand. One thing that might help those who are interested in trying without fear of causing bursitis or wrist sprains by putting all the body weight load vertically into the wrist joints is to purchase neoprene wrist guards from a sporting goods store, which help to protect the heels of the hands and stabilize the wrist joints while keeping the joints and tendons warm. These guards will also prevent you from slipping on your mat at a time when stability is absolutely necessary (I have an Aurorae mat, which is somewhat notorious for being slippery, as if a coat of Teflon is sprayed on the surface, and I hate using the Aurorae rosin powder because it’s hard to clean off the mat and makes it look dirty/dusty). I think I’ll have more courage, now that I know my wrists are more protected. The end section of cool-down/restoration is a bit long, though I’m sure real yogis prefer a long Shivasana section to really relax (I’d rather spend my workout time working up a sweat, as I wake up at 4:30am specifically to exercise before work, so I’m more for the other cardio/intense/energetic sections; I can relax when I’m asleep at night). The only section I don’t see myself really using much in the future would be the heart-opening sequence involving the backbends, since those can exacerbate low-back problems. My next battle is really the kicks to handstand sequence (though I’m not sure how inversions can be all that “refreshing”, what with all the blood rushing to one’s cerebral arteries and causing potential aneurysms).

So, overall, I think this is an excellent DVD. Her extra section on modifications of poses is encouraging, and her explanation that all poses begin with a “seed” of the pose helps the beginning yoga student understand that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, and yoga (like most important things) is a journey of accomplishment. Her sections on breathing and intro are also good. And it’s great that she has You Tube reference guides online (for FREE!) to help one further study the background behind the more difficult poses, as if receiving a private lesson. So I will try my best to achieve as much flexibility and strength as Sadie; she’s a sweet, encouraging, knowledgeable, nurturing instructor with a very pretty face and lovely skin (without all the sun damage and “fake-and-bake” look you see on other fitness professionals, especially here in California). She’s also a bit on the “Goth-y” side, which my hubby finds to be really cool (he’s a Goth as well, but he still won’t try yoga…yet). I’m hoping to do this DVD practice at least 3-4x per week, mixing it with Pilates, Ballet conditioning, and my dance training.

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My husband and I love this movie. I bought this one to replace one that had been scratched beyond repair. If you like silly jokes, and a movie that you don’t have to think about. This is the one. My husband and I still laugh over quotes from the movie and we initially saw it about 6 years ago.

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This is a great way to find movies and music that may be hard to find in the stores. The prices are great and the merchants are reliable and dependable. It sure works for me!

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It’s been awhile since I’ve been totally overwhelmed by a movie. Having seen THE READER (several times, along with all the extras in this DVD), I remain officially dumbstruck. A flood of emotions sweep over me when I think about, or discuss, this moving portrayal of guilt, shame, turmoil, anguish, remorse, tormented love–and reclamation–set in post-WW II Germany and based on Bernhard Schlink’s internationally acclaimed novel. The story reflects Germany’s relentless guilt, pain, and denial, as the succeeding generations come to grips with the horrors of its Nazi past. Or, better yet, doesn’t come to grips.

And how is this struggle allegorically portrayed? An affair, a summer fling in 1958, between 36-year-old Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet) and 15-year-old Michael Berg (David Kross as the youth, Ralph Fiennes as the man). The affair is doomed from the start, yet for one fleeting summer Hanna and Michael are the fulcrums of one another’s lives–especially when Michael, either before or after their lovemaking, reads to Hanna. And he reads everything: literature, plays, poetry; and Hanna is so very moved. Why?

The affair ends abruptly, and Michael moves on with his life. As a law student he signs up for a seminar studying a war trial now taking place–and Hanna is one of the defendants. Beforehand, Michael was firmly in agreement with his law school peers in their condemnation of the generation that was either duplicitous, or looked the other way, as Nazi atrocities were committed. Now, he’s torn, because before his eyes is the woman he once loved–a proud, stubborn woman willing to pay any price to hide her shame–and Michael, at the cost of haunting regret, does not reveal information that would aid Hanna. Subsequently, Michael is distant, aloof, tentative, unemotional, with all his relationships–even his relationship with his daughter. As Hanna ages in prison, Michael reaches out to her in the only distant way he knows how: He reads books on a cassette recorder and ships the tapes to her. The story moves on to its tragic conclusion–yet we are given a glimpse that maybe, perhaps, Michael is moving towards his own reclamation.

Kudos to director Stephen Daldry for bringing such a complex, tragic, and cerebral story to the screen. The cast is superb, especially Kate Winslet; this, by far, is her best role. Extra features include interviews with the cast and crew, along with a very humorous vignette depicting Winslet’s ordeal each day sitting in a makeup chair being aged more than 30 years (Winslet’s wry humor definitely shows this lady has her feet firmly on the ground). THE READER will have you talking and thinking about its haunting story a long time; a must-have for all collectors of quality cinema.
–D. Mikels, Author, The Reckoning

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