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When in Rome, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: When in Rome
Year: 2010
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Rating: PG-13
Length: 91 Min.


Stars:
Kristen Bell
Josh Duhamel
Anjelica Huston
Will Arnett
Jon Heder
Dax Shepard

Plot:
Beth is a young, ambitious New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. However, on a whirlwind trip to Rome, she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love, and is then aggressively pursued by a band of suitors.

My Thoughts:
This is a movie that I just watched on Starz On-Demand. I wanted to watch this one because I been a fan of Kristen Bell since her Veronica Mars days. I enjoyed this one... but I definitely seen better Romantic Comedies. It is a cute idea.. I just think it could have been handled a bit better. Kristen Bell was great in this... and I like that they had Danny DeVito as one of the coin owners. Definitely worth a watch... but don't go in expecting too much.



(From 14 Days of Romance Marathon on February 12th, 2011)

Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde (1920), a review by Danae Cassandra

Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde
Year of Release: 1920
Directed By: John S. Robertson
Starring: John Barrymore, Charles Lane, George Stevens, Brandon Hurst
Genre: Horror

Overview:
The fifth American screen version, many regard this as the greatest of all adaptations of Stevenson's classic tale with Barrymore's performance being one of cinema's finest (equally as many regard his performance as excessive and place the 1932 version, with Frederic March, above it). Though it is often claimed that Barrymore used no make up for his transformation scenes this not strictly true. The first change from Jekyll to Hyde was achieved by the actor dislocating his jaw and contorting his facial features but thereafter makeup was used.

My Thoughts:
This is a very good film, held up almost entirely by Barrymore's excellent, chilling portrayal.  His Jeckyll is suitably altruistic in the beginning and conflicted, troubled, remorseful - but unable to cease giving in - after his transformation.  Barrymore's Hyde, meanwhile, is as menacing, distasteful and evil as one can imagine - yet still a charismatic character when he wants to be.  It's a fabulous performance, and one can easily see why Barrymore was one of the most celebrated actors of his day.

The rest of the film is up to snuff, if not as excellent as Barrymore.  The script is relatively tight and moves quickly, and the supporting cast are fine in their roles.  If the acting styles seem a bit broad, a bit over-the-top, or the makeup seems, maybe, more than a bit heavy, one must consider that this film was released in 1920, and as a silent film has different conventions than modern film making.  Silent films owe much more to stage productions, where such things are the norm.

Worth watching - both for its own merits and as a classic piece of silent film.  Recommended.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Month Long Horror/Halloween Marathon on October 21st, 2014)

Smallville: The Complete Fourth Season, a review by addicted2dvd

Smallville: The Complete Fourth Season (2004/United States)

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Stars:
Tom Welling as Clark Kent
Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang
Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor
Jensen Ackles as Jason Teague
Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan
John Glover as Lionel Luthor
Annette O'Toole as Martha Kent
John Schneider as Jonathan Kent
Erica Durance as Lois Lane

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• DVD-ROM Content
• Closed Captioned

I have now finished season 4! And yes... I am still enjoying re-watching this series very much. Yes... I am indeed hooked again! This season introduced 2 new characters. The first being Lois Lane played by Erica Durance. During it's original run I thought it was too soon to introduce this character. I mean after all... she wasn't supposed to show up until After Clark became Superman. But her being there grew on me quickly. She ended up being one of my favorite characters of the series! She definitely added something to the series. The other new character was Jason Teague played by Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) This character I hated from his very first appearance. There was something about him I just didn't like. Thankfully he is only in the one season. I do however think Jensen Ackles is fantastic on Supernatural. This is also the last season of Clark and the gang in high school.

Now bring on Season Five!!!




(From Addicted2dvd's Random TV Series Watched on August 24th, 2011)