DVD Collectors Online

Moon Child, a review by Jimmy

Title: Moon Child
Year: 2003
Director: Takahisa Zeze         
Rating: Unrated
Length: 1h59
Video:  Widescreen 
Audio:  Japanese (Stereo)
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Hideto Takarai - Kei     
Gackt Camui - Sho   
Lee-Hom Wang - Son   
Taro Yamamoto - Toshi     
Susumu Terajima - Shinji       

Plot:
Japanese pop stars Gackt and HYDE star in this wild hybrid of futuristic science fiction, John Woo-style gunplay, and Gothic vampire horror. 'Moon Child' follows a group of childhood friends as they advance in a futuristic criminal underworld. Sho (Gackt) feels he is doomed to walk in his idol Kei's (HYDE) footsteps as a vampire with the gift of eternal life and the curse of blood thirst. Over time, their tight friendship becomes corrupted because of their rivalry and love for the same woman. Filmmaker Takahisa Zeze bring a stylized sting to the blood draining and hyper violent proceedings.


Extras:
Photo Gallery
Trailers

I've got this one in a set with 2 others movies (Suicide Club & 2LDK) and that's a good thing. This movie is not good at all! The suppose vampire spend is time to cry and he is so effeminate that makes it really hard to be convince of his toughness (think of the most stereotype emo possible and you get the picture). The principal actors are suppose to be Japanese pop stars and if they all look like that I prefer to pass my turn. At the start of the movie one vampire died because of the sun, but the other vampire are not affected at all by the sun (if you want to change the mythology it's ok but at least be consistent they die or they don't). Never in the film one vampire take a bit on another person, they fight with gun!!! They are affraid of gun because it's hurt them, but they are a bunch of cry baby so it's not really surprising. The director use the same level effect for the fight (slow-fast, slow bullets,...) than Uwe Boll but saying that is an insult to the Dr. Boll. The films find another way to be insulting with a bad slow cover of My Bonnie (the original by Tony Sheridan is a great rock'n roll song). The movie is way too long (not because it's long I have watch 5 hours movie and apreciate them), a lot of stuff happen just to fill the running time. A lost of my time, but at least the 2 others movies in the set was good.

Rating : 1/5 (Just because "Lizzie Borden" was worst)

(From My review - unseen and unwatched january marathon on January 29th, 2008)

Coraline, a review by Dragonfire

From the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas comes a visually stunning stop-motion animated feature - the first to be filmed in 3-D! Discover how the filmmakers and artisans created the magical handmade world of Coraline, exclusively in this 2-Disc Collector's Edition!

Coraline Jones is bored in her new home until she finds a secret door that leads her into a world that's just like her own. . .but better! But when this fantastical adventure turns dangerous and her "other" Mother tries to keep her forever, Coraline must conunt on her resourcefulness and bravery to get home.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this movie, though it is rather twisted and dark, especially for an animated movie.  I don't consider this a good choice for younger children.  The plot is interesting and makes for an entertaining movie, but aspects of it may be too dark for some viewers.  There are some rather disturbing images that turn up every so often as well.  This movie isn't going to appeal to everyone.  The story does have a bit of mystery to it as well as some suspenseful moments.  The animation is very well done.

My biggest issue with the movie is the way some of the characters are depicted.  It is harder to like them, even Coraline, because of how they act at times.  I get that she isn't happy about the move, but she does come across as a brat at times.  I do think she gets more likable as the movie progresses.  Coraline's parents aren't much better, especially her mother.  She is just shown in a perpetual bad mood, always snapping about something and only caring about her work.  Coraline's dad is a little better, but he is very focused on his work too.  With the way they act, it is easy to see why Coraline is so tempted by the other parents.

I did not see this movie in the theater.  My DVD does have the 3D version too and even came with 4 pairs of the glasses.  I tried the 3D version, but it wasn't that great.  I only noticed a few images that really worked for the 3D.  The color change because of the glasses was very extreme and did get annoying.  After a while, my eyes started hurting and I just gave up on the 3D version, flipping back to the normal version instead.  I'm sure the 3D worked much better in the theater.  I have seen a few other movies in 3D in the theater, and they worked well without the color distortion because of the different glasses.  I also haven't had my eyes start hurting in the theater.  Unless technology gets better, home viewing of 3D is lousy.

Overall, this is a good movie for people who don't mind something that is a little twisted and dark.

 

I did get a review posted on Epinions if anyone wants to take a look.

Coraline

(From Dragonfire: What I've Been Watching on September 10th, 2009)

Angel Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

20. Sacrifice
Original Air Date: 4/23/2003
Angel and the gang are now reunited, but they must hide out in the sewers to escape from Jasmine and her followers. While walking around, they encounter a large group of teenagers. Wesley is captured by a creature dwelling further in the sewers, who gives him some helpful information. Meanwhile, Connor realizes Cordelia is missing.

Guest Stars:
Gina Torres
Avery Kidd Waddell
Michah Henson

My Thoughts:
An excellent episode... I enjoyed every minute of it.I especially liked the way they did the spider creature.

My Rating:

(From Angel Marathon on March 22nd, 2010)