DVD Collectors Online

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, a review by Rich

Title: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Movie Count:15 
TV Ep. Count:8 

Runtime:92
Certificate:R
Year:2009
Genres:Action, Horror

Plot:The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Michael Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Rhona Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.

My Review:
Pointless prequel, a bit gorier and fun than the other 2, and loaded with action. I thought some of the CGI effects were below par, a lot of the fight scenes messy and hard to follow, the love story sloppy and the choice of theatrical cast a mistake.
I really liked the original, but this poorly scripted attempt was rather disappointing, and felt like it was dragging out the title to the extreme.
Fantasy and action, and a great act by Bill Nighy, just made it to the average stakes.



(From Rich's October Horror Fest on October 12th, 2009)

Truth be Told, a review by addicted2dvd

Truth Be Told (2011/United States) IMDb |Trailer | (United States) Director: Jonathan Frakes Writing: Wesley Bishop (Screenwriter), Alan Marc Levy (Screenwriter), Alan Marc Levy (Story By) Length: 87 min. Video: Widescreen :1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

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Stars:
Candace Cameron Bure as Annie Morgan
Ronny Cox as Alexander Bishop
Belita Moreno as Sophia Bishop
Christopher Brochu as Kenny Crane
Emma Gould as Zoe Crane

Plot:Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes
• Interviews
• Outtakes/Bloopers

I enjoyed this one. Sure... like most Rom-Coms it is a predictable film. My thoughts on that is that it is not about the outcome... it is about the journey. This film has the added bonus that I am already a fan of the two main characters. Recommended.



(From February Movie Marathon: Romantic Comedies on February 2nd, 2017)

"Stargate SG-1" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: On a planet that seems to be a descendant culture of the Aztecs, SG-1 meets children that are very eager to learn. A girl at eleven years explains to Sam how the Naqahdah reactor works that she has designed. Another boy wants to learn everything about the culture and the battle tactics of the Goa'uld from Teal'c. But the future of these children is rather gloomy.

My Opinion: In my opinion "Clash of Cultures" is the right term here. The Orbanians are no "bad guys", they have just another way of living than we do. I still liked the fact that Jack followed his heart again.

Synopsis: After Earth has been overrun by the Goa'uld, Sam and Major Kawalski have to escape through the dimension mirror - into our world - and they ask for asylum. Suddenly there are two Sams and that leads to unexpected side-effects.

My Opinion: Jack & Sam. I like it when they hint to that possibility during the run of the series but never actually realize it due to the rules set by the US military. The toying with alternate realities is always interesting, as it is this time. I also liked that they kept Teal'c's face in the shadows to not to spoil the gag. BTW: The beards of Apophis and Teal'c were a reference of the producers to Spock's beard in the mirror universe.

Synopsis: SG-1 is caught by a bounty hunter who wants to trade them to the System Lord Sokar. But he offers them a deal: If they help him to catch the Goa'uld Kel'tar they are free to go. But Kel'tar isn't who he seems to be.

My Opinion: Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon, The Highwayman) may not be a good actor but I like him anyway. He has a dry from of humour that I like.
When the transport ship (Tel'tak) decloaked I felt strongly reminded of the first time a holodeck door opened in the middle of a landscape. I still like this effect very much.

Synopsis: In a village that seems to be based on a middle ages christian society is a woman that is to be sacrificed to a demon. She is supsected to be possessed but is just ill. SG-1 prevents the sacrifice but subsequently gets into trouble. The word demon is not randomly chosen this time: The Demon is an Unas in service of Sokar.

My Opinion: I am very bad at recognizing faces, if I haven't seen someone several times I don't recognize him/her. But in the moment I saw Simon I knew it's the same actor as the prosecutor in Cor-ai and I was right: both were played by David McNally.
As for the episode: I didn't like it that much because I didn't like the explanation of how a middle ages christian society can be found on another planet.

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on March 16th, 2008)