DVD Collectors Online

Journey to the centre of the earth, a review by Rich

1st November

Journey to the centre of the earth



Brendan Fraser stars in this action packed adventure based on the Jules Verne classic that is sure to deliver fun for the whole family! On a hunch to find the center of the Earth, Trevor Anderson (Fraser), his nephew and their tour guide make a breakthrough discovery that launches them on a thrilling journey into the unknown. On a scramble to find their way back, the group travels through a never before seen world, encountering creatures and objects never imagined

Ok, first the 3d gimmick. Certain scenes work amazingly, ie the beach and the 'electric' birds. the rest of the time it is not 'stunning' enough to warrant the hype IMO. You could certainly watch this in 2d and not miss very much.
Storyline is non-existent and fans of Verne will be disappointed. It is fast flowing and full of action, but aimed towards a 4 year-old. Cliche'd lines, and truly unbelievable scenarios, this is a poorer Goonies with reasonable acting performances. One wonders if less time was spent on 'the gimmick' whether the film could have been slightly better told and portrayed?
I can see this being a themed ride at Disney or Universal or wherever in the future.
Not a hit or a miss, but squarely in the middle.
 

(From November Alphabet Marathon - Discussion/Review Thread on November 2nd, 2008)

Citizen Kane, a review by goodguy

Citizen Kane (1941) Written by: Herman J. Mankiewicz, Orson Welles Directed by: Orson Welles Starring: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore DVD: R1-US Warner (2001) My rating:

Cover Blurb: Orson Welles' timeless masterwork is more than a groundbreaking film.  Presented here in a magnificent 60th anniversary digital transfer with revitalized digital audio from the highest quality surviving elements, it is also grand entertainment, sharply acted (starting many of Welles' Mercury Players on the road to thriving film careers) and superbly directed with inspired visual flair.  Depicting the controversial life of an influential publishing tycoon, this Best Original Screenplay Academy Award winner (1941) is rooted in themes of power, corruption, vanity - the American Dream lost in the mystery of a dying man's last word: "Rosebud."

That's the third time I've given this a try, but it just doesn't improve. Yes, the cinematography is masterful. And the circular storytelling is probably pretty sophisticated, at least for its time. So I probably should appreciate it more, even if the story itself isn't really that interesting. The problem is, it is all so damn economical. You can explain every shot and every scene and it makes perfect sense (well, except for some awkward attempts at being funny). But it doesn't have a soul. And frankly, aside from Welles himself, the acting is less than stellar.


(From goodguy's Watch Log on December 1st, 2009)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

17. Enemies (1999-03-16)
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Douglas Petrie (Writer)
Director: David Grossman
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), David Boreanaz (Angel), Seth Green (Oz), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Harry Groener (Mayor Richard Wilkins), Alexis Denisof (Wesley Wyndam-Pryce), Michael Manasseri (Demon), Gary Bullock (Sorcerer), Eliza Dushku (Faith)

A good episode with a surprise twist. Although I am still not sure, if the circumstances of this twist are not just too far fetched (i.e. Giles knowing the demon who did this spell and having him on their side).

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on March 5th, 2009)