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The Forbidden Kingdom , a review by Dragonfire

The Forbidden Kingdom



Individually, they've starred in the most adrenaline-pumping martial-arts adventures ever. Together for the first time, JET LI and JACKIE CHAN join forces to create the greatest epic of them all - The Forbidden Kingdom. As ancient Chinese warriors, they must train and mentor a 21st century kung-fu fanatic who's been summoned to fight a centuries-old battle and free the imprisoned Monkey King. If you're a fighting fan, the wait is over. The team is ready. The Kingdom has arrived.

My Thoughts

I was interested in seeing Forbidden Kingdom when the movie came out a few years ago, but I didn't get the chance to see it then.  I ended up seeing it after it was released on DVD and I enjoyed it.  I decided to pick up the Blu-ray of the movie a few months ago when I found it for like $15.

The plot is interesting with having a teenager who likes kung fu movies travel through time and end up in ancient China.  A few elements of the plot could be a little stronger, but overall the movie is really entertaining.  There are lots of fights, but the story is developed enough for it to make sense.  There are some mystical or magical type of things involved and those things work with what is going on.

This is the first movie that Jackie Chan and Jet Li have made together.  I think it is still the only one they've made together, though I might be wrong about that.  Both of them are very impressive with their martial arts abilities.  Their characters aren't enemies, though they aren't exactly friends either and they do end up fighting at one point.  The fight is done well, though some of their fans may be disappointed that it didn't last longer.  All the fights are done well and look really impressive.  Some wire work is done in some scenes.  I don't think there is much CGI to the fight scenes.

The Blu-ray has several extras focused on different aspects of the making of the movie that are very interesting and worth watching.  The movie was filmed at various locations around China.  The different locations look gorgeous on Blu-ray. 

This is a very entertaining movie that is well worth watching, especially for fans of Chan or Li.



I did get a review posted on Epinions if anyone wants to take a look.

Forbidden Kingdom



(From Forbidden Kingdom on September 3rd, 2010)

From Beyond the Grave, a review by Danae Cassandra

From Beyond the Grave

Year of Release:  1973
Directed By:  Kevin Connor
Starring:  Peter Cushing, Ian Bannen, Ian Carmichael, Donald Pleasence, David Warner
Rated:  PG

Overview:
Bolt the door, lower the lights and settle in for a stylish five-episode supernatural shocker possessed of a shivery all-star cast and drenched in evil. Welcome to Temptations Ltd., a decrepit antique shop whose unwary customers get more than they bargain for from the wily proprietor (Peter Cushing). Much more.

Go to the head of the horror class if you can predict who'll join the ranks of the doomed from among this role call of distinguished British actors: Ian Bannen, Ian Carmichael, Diana Dors, Lesley-Anne Down, Margaret Leighton, Donald Pleasence, Nyree Dawn Porter, David Warner and more. A mirror. A medal. A snuff box. An ornate door. All unleash novelty surprises for the characters – and you – in these wickedly horrific tales From Beyond the Grave.

My Thoughts:
This is a fun and entertaining anthology film from Amicus, starring the great Peter Cushing.  He's one of my favorite actors, so I wanted to get at least one of his films in this month.  It's got a nicely creepy atmosphere, especially the blue room in the fourth story, and some pretty good acting (especially Cushing, but Donald and Angela Pleasence are also quite good in their roles).  The opening sequence, as the camera moves through an overgrown graveyard, is also very well done and sets an appropriately eerie stage for the film.  There isn't a lot of gore - while there's plenty of death, the camera cuts away from the act of killing.  I personally kind of like this, because it forces the film to rely on telling a scary story.  Recommended for fans of Amicus, Hammer, or classic horror in general.

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall:  3.5/5

(From Danae's 2012 Horror on October 13th, 2012)

Tom's Random Reviews, a review by Tom

Title: I Dream of Jeannie: Season Five
Year: 1969
Director:
Rating: NR
Length: 628 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Mono, Spanish: Dolby Digital Mono, Portuguese: Dolby Digital Mono
Subtitles: Portuguese, Spanish

Stars:
Barbara Eden
Larry Hagman
Hayden Rorke
Bill Daily

Plot:Awards:

Golden Globe

1969

Nominated

Actress - Television Comedy or Musical Series

Barbara Eden

Extras:
Closed Captioned
Trailers

#	Episode	Rating
01	Jeannie at the Piano
02	Djinn Djinn, the Pied Piper
03	Guess Who's Going to Be a Bride - I
04	Guess Who's Going to Be a Bride - II
05	Jeannie's Beauty Cream
06	Jeannie and the Bachelor Party
07	The Blood of a Jeannie
08	I'll See You in C.U.B.A.
09	Jeannie & The Mad Home Wrecker
10	Uncles A-Go-Go
11	The Wedding
12	My Sister, the Home Wrecker
14	Never Put a Genie on a Budget
15	Please Don't Give My Jeannie No More
16	One of Our Hotels Is Growing
17	The Solid Gold Jeannie
18	Mrs. Djinn Djinn
19	Jeannie and the Curious Kid
20	Jeannie the Recording Secretary
21	Help, Help! A Shark!
22	Eternally Yours, Jeannie
23	An Astronaut in Sheep's Clothing
24	Hurricane Jeannie
25	One Jeannie Beats Four of a Kind
26	The Chili King

(From Tom's Random Reviews on December 27th, 2009)