The Secret - Extended Edition

Not really a movie or documentary, The Secret is more of a video seminar, a presentation featuring a series of authors, philosophers, doctors, quantum physicists, entrepreneurs, and spiritual practitioners expounding on the powers of The Secret (probably the most well-known of the presenters is Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul and The Success Principles). What is The Secret, exactly? "That principle can be summed up in three simple words: thoughts become things," proclaims writer Mike Dooley, author of Notes from the Universe. Put it another way, it's The Power of Positive Thinking and how it can be applied to attracting more money, better health, and relationships; in short, happiness. (There is a rundown of topics on the DVD Chapters menu).

Most of the material here is given in a straightforward manner, with the presenters simply talking into the camera to address the audience directly, which is good because it avoids the trap of pretense. On the other hand, the quick edits between presenters (would it hurt to let them say more than one sentence at a time?) don't help because it reduces many of their points to palatable sound bites and aphorisms. To many viewers, this may make the program come across as a series of nice ideas not rooted in reality. Plus it's somewhat spurious to claim that The Secret was well understood and practiced by specific individuals like Plato or Shakespeare (it's well known that some of the historical figures noted didn't exactly live happy or even prosperous lives, despite their achievements). But still, the primary message is one of positivity and hope for everyone. So what to make of it? In the end, programs like this generally find an audience that is open to the message, and many will probably find it to be a source of inspiration. Others will approach it with a good deal of skepticism or dismiss it as another way of marketing happiness the masses. It simply won't resonate with everyone, but if it resonates with you, you're likely to enjoy it and get a lot out of it. Those looking for more on The Secret might want to check out the companion book by Rhonda Byrne. --Daniel Vancini

The Secret - Extended Edition

Pokemon Movie - The Rise of Darkrai

The 10th Pokemon movie introduces Dialga and Palkia, two Legendary Pokemon from the "Diamond" and "Pearl" versions of the game. Ash, Brock, Dawn, and Pikachu visit the town of Alamos, which is dominated by two lofty towers that represent space and time. Alamos has been plagued by nightmares and supernatural events that the arrogant Baron Alberto blames on Darkrai, a powerful and elusive Pokemon. Alice, a gentle musician whose grandmother discovered Darkrai, disagrees. Her professor friend Tonio proves the escalating problems are caused by a clash between Dialga and Palkia. Unless the humans find a way to end this battle, the space-time fabric will tear and Alamos will be thrown into another dimension. Ash and Pikachu save the day, with some help from Dawn and Alice. The Rise of Darkrai (2007) is most the elaborate Pokemon feature to date: the CG effects range from the graceful towers to fireworks and energy storms. The drawn characters and computer-generated special effects are better integrated than in the previous features.

Pokemon Movie - The Rise of Darkrai

Dragon Ball Z - Season Five

The artificial humans 17 and 18 who terrorized Earth in Season #4 of Dragon Ball Z were only a preliminary threat: Dr. Gero's ultimate creation, Cell, strikes in Season #5. A bio-entity created from genetic material taken from Goku, Piccolo, Vegeta, and Frieza, Cell arrives via the time capsule Bulma built for Trunks. (There are now two of them, somehow.) Although he defeats the merged Piccolo and Kami, Cell remains imprisoned in his "imperfect form," a sort of larval stage. Until he absorbs androids 17 and 18, he can't attain his ultimate power. Vegeta and Trunks train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber at Kami's palace, which enables them to undergo the equivalent of a year's heavy workouts at high gravity in one day. Transcending his powers as a Super Saiyan, Vegeta clobbers Cell. When Cell challenges Vegeta to fight his perfect form. Vegeta takes the bait and allows Cell to evolve. The perfect Cell proves so powerful, Trunks has to draw on untapped reserves of power to save Vegeta. Goku plays only a small role in Season #5: he spends the first episodes recovering from the heart virus, then waiting with Gohan for the Hyperbolic Chamber or training in it. One of best-loved stories in the Dragon Ball Z continuity the "Cell Saga" offers plenty of action, with characters punching each other through rock walls and destroying entire islands as they fight. But it ends on a weak note when, instead of killing Trunks, Cell challenges the Z Fighters to a martial arts tournament--the focus of Season #6. The paradoxes of the time travel story, including adult Trunks encountering himself as a baby, don't seem to bother the fans--or the writers. These 26 episodes could have easily fit on five discs or even four, and spreading them over six feels chintzy.

Dragon Ball Z - Season Five