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Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, a review by Tom

Title: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Year: 2003
Director: Jonathan Mostow
Rating: FSK-16
Length: 105 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, German: Dolby Digital 5.1, German: DTS 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: Commentary, English, German, Turkish

Stars:
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Nick Stahl
Claire Danes
Kristanna Loken
David Andrews

Extras:
Booklet
Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Interactive Game
Outtakes
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Storyboard Comparisons
Trailers

I will probably be only one of few people, who did like the third installment of the Terminator franchise the best of the three. I saw it in the cinema, and more than five times since then on DVD.
The plot is similar to T2 (Arnie comes back to protect John from an advanced Terminator), but has much more action. In a matter of fact, this movie is non-stop action with hardly anything else. And in this case, it is good. Nothing else have I expected from another Terminator movie.
We do not have to suffer a teenage John Connor. Instead we got Nick Stahl as an adult John, which he did a great job with. Also we have a no-nonsense Schwarzenegger Terminator back without him having to learn human emotions. And we got a hot female Terminator as an advisary. What else do you want?
I think the special effects are great in this movie. Beginning with the crane chase in the beginning, the effects with T-X (especially her fights with Arnie) and the great special effects with Arnie's face half gone at the end.
And I loved the ending. Just the right way to finish this trilogy.
Until recently I have thought it an error to continue this franchise from here with other movies, but Sarah Connor Chronicles has shown, that it can work without having Arnold Schwarzenegger a big role in it. I am hoping, that the new movies will integrate the stuff, we have learned in the first three movies. Like Kyle Reese getting the picture of Sarah Connor and being sent back in time by John. Or having John killed by an T-800 (rumors have it, that there will have permission to use Arnold's face to superimpose on a double and that Arnold probably has voice recorded. I hope that is true.) and have that Terminator sent back in time by Kate.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on January 17th, 2009)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, a review by Dragonfire

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Uncover the intimate details of the search to cast Harry Potter and his friends. See Daniel, Rupert and Emma's never-before-seen screen tests. Be there with stars and filmmakers walking onto the set of the exciting first day of shooting. Learn about Chris Columbus' critical, step-by-step decisions behind the creation of Harry Potter's world on screen. Look back on an amazing decade's worth of movies with Daniel, Rupert and Emma in new and vintage interviews never seen before.

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As some of you many have noticed recently from my signature, I watched my Harry Potter movies again.  I still love the movies when I watch them even though I do have some issues with things in later movies.

This one is a very good adaptation, and it takes the time to properly set things up.  I know that some people thought the movie was too long and didn't cut out enough, but I don't agree with that at all.  I love discovering the magical world along with Harry.  The cast is great and they all fit their characters so well.  Yes the child actors weren't the strongest at times, but they get better in later movies.  Some of the effects late in the movie don't look as good but that doesn't detract from my enjoyment.  There is a sense of wonder in the movie - and the next few - that is missing from the last few movies. 



I did post a review after I saw the movie in the theater.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone




(From Marie's Random Movie Viewing on July 15th, 2013)

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

Synopsis: After they've returned from a weird mission, the SG-1 members get the feeling that they aren't themselves anymore. They aren't even humans anymore. They are machines. They travel back to the planet and confront Harlan - the only inhabitant.

My Opinion: Harlan is the only inhabitant of that planet and everytime such a thing happens, something strange is going on with SG-1. I like Harlan, he is a funny guy.
BTW: When we see Jack's front and his back then we see the back of Dan Shea. Dan was RDA's stunt double on MacGyver and he is it on SG-1. He also plays Sgt. Siler.

Synopsis: An artefact that looks like a mirror brings Daniel into a parallel universe. When he returns to Earth, everything is the same and also different. But then Apophis' troups attack from the orbit.

My Opinion: It mustn't be any artefact, it has to be a mirror. Episodes in a mirror universe are always interesting because they fall under the category of "What if". I also liked Teal'c's haircut.

Synopsis: Senator Kinsey is head of the committee that oversees the Stargate project's budget. But he won't spend any more money on this project unless he is convinced of it's purpose. So he comes to Cheyenne Mountain to see the project for himself.

My Opinion: This is the "We've spent to much money on the FX and now we have to make a really cost-effective episode" episode. This is not uncommon, usually they find a reason to show a lot of archive footage and thus reduce the production costs of the current episode.

Synopsis: After Kinsey has shut down the Stargate Command, SG-1 goes through the gate without permission. They go to the address Daniel brought back from the mirror universe, because that's the point from which the attack came. Suddenly they find themselves on a Ha'tak (Goa'uld mothership) that is on its way to Earth.

My Opinion: Great cliffhanger. I also liked the gag with the acceleration/deceleration. But they stopped using that later on (they also stopped using the ice-effect when going through a Stargate). This episode gives even more hope than Thor's Hammer that something of the host survives when the Goa'uld takes over.

The Season - My Opinion: A good start to the series. Granted, there were weaker episodes but they had to warm up. The general framework of the series is set up and most of the major players are already on the playing field. The others arrive soon and then they can play the game for the next seven seasons until the rules are changed.

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on March 2nd, 2008)