Present:

Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season Four
$39.98
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" premiered in October, 1955. Hitchcock himself introduced each show with his trademark dry wit, and directed selected episodes. The anthology series featured tales of mystery and suspense, horror and the supernatural, usually with a surprise ending. It ran for ten seasons and was the forerunner of such series as "Thriller" and "The Twilight Zone." The 36 episodes from 1958-1959's Season Four, now available in a four-disc set, are one of the series' best collections of stories.
"Poison," directed by Hitchcock and based on a Roald Dahl short story, finds plantation owner Harry Pope (James Donald) awakening to find that a deadly snake has crawled into bed with him and is now asleep under the covers on his chest. Suspense mounts as Harry, his partner Timber Woods (Wendell Corey), and a neighboring doctor attempt to figure a way to save him from a lethal bite.
"The Waxwork" is a creepy tale of reporter Ray Hewson (Barry Nelson) who convinces wax museum owner Mr. Marriner (Everett Sloan) to let him spend the night in the museum's murderers' row gallery so he can write a story about its atmosphere. Later that night, Hewson is stunned to see the unfinished figure of a murderous barber named Bourdette suddenly spring to life. Bourdette claims he was scheduled for execution the following morning, but escaped and hid in the museum.
A personal favorite, "Banquo's Chair," also directed by Hitchcock, stars frequent series cast member John Williams as Scotland Yard Inspector Brent, who sets up a plan to entrap a man (Kenneth Haigh), acquitted of murdering his aunt years earlier, into confessing to the crime. Brent hires an actress to appear as the ghost of the dead woman to shake up the nephew at a dinner party, prompting a confession. This episode is wonderful in its use of reaction shots to illustrate the growing tension and then panic of the nephew as he sees his aunt's "ghost" while casual dinner conversation takes place around him.
Bette Davis stars in "Out There, Darkness" as wealthy Miss Fox, who hires the elevator boy to walk her beloved pet poodle. When Eddie asks her for a loan, she turns him down and he refuses to walk the dog any longer. That night, Miss Fox is mugged and her handbag and valuable ring are stolen. Assuming Eddie is the perpetrator, she informs the police and Eddie is arrested but, after he's spent a year in jail, the actual culprit is caught. Eddie is released and a penitent Miss Fox tries to make amends.
Other stars appearing in fourth season episodes include Claude Rains, Franchot Tone, Joyce Meadows, Brian Keith, Steve McQueen, Dick York, Paul Douglas, Cloris Leachman, Richard Kiley, Leslie Nielsen, and Elizabeth Montgomery. Also included in the set is the featurette "Fasten Your Seatbelt: The Thrilling Art of Alfred Hitchcock."

The Present : The Secret to Enjoying Your Work And Life, Now!
$19.95
The story line compared to how we go through life made "The Present" a reality and I really do make sure I go for "The Present" daily!! It's a special gift we must pass on!!

When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present
$27.99
In 1960, a secretary named Lois Rabinowitz went to court to pay a traffic ticket for her boss. But there was just one problem: she was wearing pants. What is commonplace now (women in pants) caused an uproar at the time as the judge threw her out of his courtroom for dressing inappropriately. The event ushered in a new era for women, and the right to wear pants --- figuratively and literally --- was just the beginning. In WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED, journalist and author Gail Collins chronicles 50 years of social, political, legal and cultural changes in the status, rights and roles of American women.

Rabinowitz never intended to be part of a movement, but there were many women in the 1960s who decided the time was right for change. Some of the first to demand if not equality than fair legal protection were flight attendants, who were sick of being hired based on looks and fired once they got married. In the years that followed, women's rights to equal pay and fair treatment in the workplace and financial world became a massive movement led by all types of women: housewives, radicals, writers, politicians and artists.

Soon colleges began admitting more women. There were a growing number of female doctors, lawyers and elected officials. Yet even as they proved their competence, they continued to be discriminated against in various subtle --- and not so subtle --- ways. Women still felt the need to take to the streets and call for improvement. Of course, the backlash came, and it was often led by women as well.

One of the most interesting and poignant sections in the book is Collins's examination of the Civil Rights Movement from the perspective of women's participation and contributions. There is great irony that an equality movement would discriminate based on gender. Collins spends much of her time discussing women in law, politics and journalism, and there is little mention of women in cultural milieus such as art and music. Still, the book doesn't seem lacking, only thusly focused.

Collins's narrative is a blend of well-researched history and interviews; she covers all the heavy-hitters of the movement but spends plenty of time discussing the changes brought about by women most have never heard of. In this way, the scope is broad and informative, but the book is personal and energetic. Though entertaining and readable, it packs a punch. Young ladies may not realize, for instance, that until after 1970 women couldn't sign for mortgages or credit cards in their own names --- and that realization is powerful. A lot has been accomplished in the last 60 years, and this book celebrates that but also acknowledges that true equality has yet to be achieved.

WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED is the follow-up to AMERICA'S WOMEN but can be read alone as an exploration of contemporary women's history in America. Ending with an even-handed account of the 2009 presidential election and the key figures of Clinton, Palin and Michelle Obama, Collins succeeds in bringing the book to a timely and exciting conclusion. With a balanced but pro-equality message and a lively style, she treats her subject with all the seriousness it warrants and the right amount of humor to keep the reading from being dull. WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED is a welcome and important addition to the study of not just women's history but American history.

--- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman

Family Guy Presents: Something Something Something Dark Side
$22.98
Jeez, what a perfect representation of what family guy does, right on the cover. Rip off a particular picture, scene or pop culture reference just for the sake of cheap jokes and even cheaper laughs. That's Family Guy for you.
I saw the preview, and it doesn't look any better than something Aaron Seltzer and Jason Friedberg crapped out, in fact, it almost looks EXACTLY like something they have done in the past.