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Pay it Forward, a review by Eric

Pay it Forward


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Sometimes we feel like watching a movie but we don't want something that's gonna require us to think hard or concentrate, we just want to sit, be fed and enjoy.  I was in that mood when I watched "Pay it Forward" as I expected it to be a bit "easy".

To my surprise it wasn't as much as I expected.  Although the premise of the movie is a bit simplistic revolving around a boy who thinks he can make a difference in the world by helping people and as them to "Pay forward" instead of "Paying back".

It turned out to be an interesting movie dealing with many problems and struggles of modern society such as love, sex, alcoholism, unemployment, low education etc.  Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt both give a fair performance and I'll have to admit I didn't mind spending two hours watching Hunt in short skits and tight tops 

Rating:

(From Eric's DVD watching. on June 27th, 2008)

10 Promises to My Dog, a review by Tom

10 Promises to My Dog (2008/Japan) IMDb | Wikipedia (Hong Kong) Director: Katsuhide Motoki Writing: Hare Kawaguchi (Screenwriter), Yoshimitsu Sawamoto (Screenwriter) Length: 117 min. Video: Widescreen 2.35 Audio: Cantonese: Dolby Digital 5.1, Japanese: Dolby Digital 5.1 Subtitles: Chinese, English

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Stars:
Rena Tanaka as Akari Saito
Ryo Kase as Susumu Hoshi
Mayuko Fukuda as Akari Saito - child
Chizuru Ikewaki as Yuko Inoue
Akira Fuse as Shinichi Hoshi

Plot:
Akari is a 14-year-old schoolgirl living in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. One day, a puppy wanders into her yard, a Golden Retriever with white paw markings. Akari names her "Socks". Akari's mother consents to her keeping the dog but only after she agrees to abide by "10 promises" from Socks herself. Akari enthusiastically assents and the two begin their journey to adulthood together. Akari finds herself having to overcome many changes and challenges. But at every juncture, Socks is there to provide unquestioning love and support.

Extras:

A nice movie which I enjoyed throughout, even though there aren't really any surprises. The ending is emotional and done well in my opinion.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on January 27th, 2012)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

3.01 Burning Down the House (1997-09-14)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Paul Gross (Writer)
Director: George Bloomfield
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Inspector Margaret Thatcher), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Dean McDermott (Constable Turnbull), George Bloomfield (Zoltan Motherwell), Neil Dainard (RCMP Inspector), Diane Douglass (Greta Garbo), Vito Rezza (Tony), Edgar George (Battalion Commander), Bill Parrott (Junior Mountie), Kevin Lee Louis (Officer), Sam Shields (Janey), David Taylor (Sven), J.J. Evans (Witness)

After Due South was cancelled after season 2, it seemed to be the end. But because this series was very popular overseas (e.g. here in Germany), it got international funding for further episodes. This resurrected series is often regarded as a spin-off series (for example IMDb lists it as an extra entry). There are some cast changes. David Marciano didn't come back to play Ray, so a new Ray was introduced. In my opinion in a fun way (it's funny how Fraser tries to prove throughout this episode, that the new Ray is not the Ray he knew). A lot of people didn't like this replacement, but I always enjoyed it. I think it brings a fresh wind to the series. Other cast change is, that Fraser's dad and his boss (I really do no like her new hair) are now series regulars. Also other supporting characters like Thurnball and Francesca are getting more screen-time (about time!).

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on September 3rd, 2009)