DVD Collectors Online

Family Plot , a review by Dragonfire

Family Plot When a wealthy woman unwittingly hires a con man and a phony psychic to find her missing heir, the results are diabolically funny in Alfred Hitchcock's tongue-in-cheek mystery thriller. Bruce Dern and Barbara Harris star as a conniving couple plotting to bilk an old lady out of her fortune by pretending to find her long-lost nephew (William Devane). Meanwhile, Devane, a larcenous jeweler, and his beautiful girlfriend (Karen Black) have kidnapped a rich Greek shipping magnate for ransom. Together they're on a nonstop merry-go-round of mystery, murder and mayhem that combines suspense and comedy for unforgettable entertainment. My Thoughts This one is a bit different from the other Hitchcock movies that I've seen.  I know this one isn't one of his more popular movies, but I did like it.  There isn't as much suspense in general, though I do think a sequence late in the movie is very suspenseful.  There is a bit of mystery to what is going on, though it isn't as strong since the viewers are aware of certain things fairly early.  Things are slightly more complicated in since there are basically two stories being told that intersect.  Things jump back and forth between the two stories and characters.  I think the plot is very interesting and entertaining.  Some of what happens is a bit more light hearted, but there are also some serious things happening as well.  Characters are definitely in danger at different points, though even some humor is added to some of those scenes.  The way humor is blended into everything that make the story a little different.  Some people may not like that the movie is more lighthearted in general, but I think that works for the plot and what is going on. The characters are interesting, especially Blanche who pretends to be psychic.  Her boyfriend George gets pulled into what is going on as well.  He has a legitimate job as a cab driver, but he ends up acting like a private investigator, following people and trying to track down someone.  Arthur isn't in the same league as other Hitchcock villains, but he makes a decent villain.  These characters are fine, but they aren't as memorable as others. Overall, I did enjoy this movie and am glad I decided to pick it up.  It is different from other Hitchcock movies, but it is still entertaining.  I do think it is worth watching. I did get a review posted on Epinions. Family Plot

(From Alfred Hitchcock Marathon on August 22nd, 2010)

The Proposal , a review by addicted2dvd

The Proposal (2009/United States) Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Touchstone Home Entertainment Director: Anne Fletcher Writing: Peter Chiarelli (Writer) Length: 108 min. Rating: PG-13 Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

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Stars:
Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate
Ryan Reynolds as Andrew Paxton
Mary Steenburgen as Grace Paxton
Craig T. Nelson as Joe Paxton
Betty White as Grandma Annie
Denis O'Hare as Mr. Gilbertson

Plot:
Sandra Bullock is at her funniest in the fresh, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy The Proposal. On the verge of being deported and losing the high-powered job she lives for, the controlling Margaret announces she's engaged to her unsuspecting, put-upon assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds). After proposing a few demands of his own, the mismatched couple heads to Alaska where they have four short days to convince his quirky family and a very skeptical immigration agent that their charade is real. Featuring a star-studded supporting cast, including Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson and the delightfully inappropriate Betty White, this madcap comedy will have you saying "yes" to The Proposal again and again.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Bonus Trailers
• Closed Captioned

I enjoy this one very much. It helps that I am a fan of both Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. I think the funniest scene in the entire movie was the shower/running into each other naked scene. Basically the only scene I actually laughed at in the movie. But I do believe a romantic comedy isn't so much about actual laugh out loud moments. More about a lighthearted look at falling in love. Sure... the ending is predictable. But once again I believe that is to be expected with romantic comedies as they are not about the ending... going in we expect the ending... it is about the journey of how they get to that point. Over-all looking at this movie I just find a fun story. I enjoyed both Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds...but I do think they wasted the talents of Betty White. They could have done a better job on her character. Though it was kinda funny seeing her dancing and chanting in the woods.




(From Tuesday Mini-Marathon: Happy Birthday Sandra Bullock! on July 26th, 2011)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

The Powerpuff Girls: Season One (1998/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia (United States) Length: 291 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, French: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

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Plot:
From a simple beaker is born the most powerful crime fighting trio on earth...

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS! (Cue dramatic music)

When Professor Utonium - a lonely genetic engineer - tries creating the perfect little girl in his lab, he haphazardly adds Chemical X to the mix and accidentally creates Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup - The Powerpuff Girls!

And now the evil villains of Townsville quake in fear as the girls soar through the air, battling even the most nefarious no-good-doers! Mojo Jojo, The Amoeba Boys, The Gangreen Gang, and even The Boogie Man are no match for sugar, spice, and everything nice!


The Powerpuff Girls
1.01 Insect Inside/Powerpuff Bluff
Writer: Michael Ryan (Writer)
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky, Craig McCracken, Genndy Tartakovsky, Craig McCracken
Cast: Tom Kenny (Narrator/Mayor/Mr. Cooper (voice)), Tom Kane (Professor/Talking Dog/Man (voice)), Tara Charendoff (Bubbles (voice)), Catherine Cavadini (Blossom (voice)), E. G. Daily (Buttercup (voice)), Jennifer Martin (Sara Bellum (voice)), Roger L. Jackson (Mojo Jojo/Prison Guard/Butch (voice)), Rob Paulsen (Brick/Boomer (voice))

A fun little series. Though I haven't finished watching the first season yet. Before that I had some best of releases and the movie, which I enjoyed.
My favorite Powerpuff Girl is Bubbles.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on June 24th, 2012)