DVD Collectors Online

The Polar Express, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Polar Express

When a young boy doubts the existence of Santa Claus, a train arrives at his house to take him on a magical journey to the North Pole, to show him the true meaning of the season, and that believing is seeing.

A personal favorite, and just about my favorite modern (post 1980) Yuletide film (the other being Tokyo Godfathers). This is a film that really puts me in the Yuletide spirit. 

The animation falls into two categories: absolutely stunning visuals and somewhat off-looking people.  I expect the people problem is because of the limits of early mocap, and I find that each year I watch the film I notice less and less that the people don't move right.  The environment, however, is brilliantly realized and absolutely magnificent.  When we saw this at the IMAX in 3D, the sequences where the train goes downhill on the tracks are fabulous.

I also really enjoy the characters, especially the girl in the group.  She's refreshingly different from most female characters in American animation, breaking stereotypes and being the leader of the group that she is.  But all of the main child characters are portrayed rather realistically, which I like. 

While there's probably too much music for Pete, I can't think of anyone else I couldn't recommend this film to. 

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Yuletide 2011 on December 24th, 2011)

Paul Blart: Mall Cop, a review by addicted2dvd

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009/United States) IMDb |Trailer | Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Steve Carr Writing: Kevin James (1965) (Writer), Nick Bakay (Writer) Length: 91 min. Video: Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby TrueHD: 5.1, French: Dolby TrueHD: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Commentary

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Stars:
Kevin James as Paul Blart
Keir O'Donnell as Veck
Jayma Mays as Amy
Raini Rodriguez as Maya
Shirley Knight as Mom

Plot:
With a heart that won't quit, a stomach that won't stop gurgling, and a self-sworn oath to protect his turf, he's Paul Blart: Mall Cop.

Mild-mannered Paul Blart (Kevin James, "The King of Queens") has always had huge dreams of becoming a State Trooper. Until then, he patrols the local mall as a security guard. With his closely cropped mustache, personal transporter and gung-ho attitude, only Blart seems to take his job seriously. All that changes when a team of thugs raids the mall and takes hostages. Untrained, unarmed and a super-size target, Blart has to become a real cop to save the day.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• BD-Live
• Digital Copy

This is the second time I watched this movie, I find it to be a fun... silly type of film that uses a lot of slapstick comedy. On the down side it is pretty darn predictable. But on the up side I did find it entertaining... it easily kept my interest throughout. Definitely worth the watch if you like silly slapstick humor.



(From April Fool-A-Thon on April 12th, 2016)

Supernatural Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

EPISODE 9: Home
After 22 years, Sam and Dean return to their childhood home. Now another beautiful young mother lives there - and, if Sam's nightmares are correct, she may be threatened by the same evil that killed Mary Winchester.

Guest Stars:
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as John Winchester
Samantha Smith as Mary Winchester
Kristin Richardson as Jenny
Loretta Devine as Missouri Moseley

My Thoughts:
This one I enjoyed a lot. It's an obvious storyline for the show... having them go back home to where it all began. It is basically a story they had to tell. I really got a kick out of the psychic Missouri Moseley. And we finally meet Sam and Dean's father... even though they didn't know he was in town with them.

My Rating:

(From Supernatural Marathon on January 15th, 2010)