DVD Collectors Online

Cop Out, a review by Dragonfire

Cop Out

(From Cop Out on March 18th, 2010)

Laputa: Castle in the Sky, a review by dfmorgan

Title: Laputa: Castle in the Sky
Original Title: Tenkuu no Shiro Rapyuta
Year: 1986
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Rating: PG
Length: 125 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: PCM: 5.1, Japanese: PCM: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Keiko Yokozawa
Mayumi Tanaka
Kotoe Hatsui
Nou Terada
Fujio Tokita

Plot:
Orphan Pazu's life is changed when one day the beautiful Sheeta literally falls out of the sky. Round her neck she wears a glowing crystal, a relic of the mighty Levitation Stones that once kept ancient cities floating in the air. Caught up in a race between sky pirates and sinister government agents, Pazu and Sheeta go in search of Laputa, the last of the fabled castles in the sky.

Hayao Miyazaki's homage to Jules Verne and Jonathan Swift, Castle in the Sky was the first feature film from the now legendary Studio Ghibli. Combining the Japanese master director's twin obsessions of eco-thriller and aerial escapades, it crashes a treasure hunt into a fight against evil for an unforgettable adventure.

Featuring the voices of Anna Paquin, James Van Der Beek and Mark Hamill.

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Bonus Trailers
Featurettes
Storyboard Comparisons
Textless Opening and Ending Credits



The 3rd Ghibli Blu-ray release and the 2nd gorgeous upgrade. This time the presentation from Optimum Releasing is better as there are both the Japanese and English versions of the credits depending upon the language chosen.

Original DVD review is here

(From Ghibli Blu's on May 14th, 2011)

Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

5. The Path Not Taken
Xena faces ghosts from the past when she revisits one of her old haunts and ingratiates herself with murderous former "colleagues" in order to locate a kidnapped princess who is being hidden here.

My Thoughts:
A really good episode that I enjoyed a lot. In this one Xena has to act like her old self some in an attempt to save a princess and stop a war before it starts. I liked how she tried to show an old friend that he too could be good.

My Rating:

6. The Reckoning
When villagers declare war on an innocent Xena for killing their neighbors, she's forced to consider an offer made her by Ares, the god of war, that would give her the power to rule the world.

My Thoughts:
This is the first episode of Xena that we see Ares in. It is another good episode... though not quite as good as the previous one.

My Rating:

7. The Titans
The stage is set for a clash of the Titans when Gabrielle inadvertently releases three of the giants from a centuries-long entombment and one proceeds to terrorize a village - against the wishes of the other two.

My Thoughts:
Another episode I enjoyed very much. I got a kick watching them deal with these gigantic Titans. And in this episode Gabrielle finds herself attracted to a young man she meets in the village.

My Rating:

8. Prometheus
Upon realizing that Prometheus has been captured and chained by the gods - thus causing great harm to mankind - Xena sets out to find the sword that will free him, and is joined in her quest by Hercules.

My Thoughts:
Another excellent episode! I really enjoyed seeing all four (Xena, Gabrielle, Hercules & Iolous) in one episode like this. Though it did seem a little weird to see a romantic attraction between Gabrielle and Iolous. But the episode had a great story.

My Rating:

(From Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon on November 23rd, 2009)