DVD Collectors Online

Freaky Friday, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: Freaky Friday
Year: 1976
Director: Gary Nelson
Rating: G
Length: 98 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Barbara Harris
Jodie Foster
John Astin
Patsy Kelly
Dick Van Patten
Vicki Schreck

Plot:
Now experience all the laughs of the original comedy classic that inspired Disney's hilarious hit remake. Trading places was never so funny, and it could only happen on Friday the 13th! that's when the tomboyish and free-spirited Annabel (Jodie Foster) switches bodies with her straitlaced mother, Ellen (Barbara Harris), and suddenly finds herself responsible for running the entire household. In turn Ellen, now in her daughter's body, faces the daunting challenges of school, including a typing test, field hockey competition, and much more!

Extras:
Scene Access
Bonus Trailers
Featurettes
Interactive Games
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
This is the first time I seen this movie since I was a kid. So going into it I really remembered nothing more then it used to be a favorite. I tried to convince Brittany to watch it with me. But she didn't want to. This movie is just plain fun! I got several chuckles out of it. I really enjoyed the field Hockey game I got a few laughs out of those scenes. The Baseball game in the park was pretty fun as well. Then there was the last scene of the movie... and once again I couldn't help but to laugh at it. There were a few familiar faces in this one... other then what I listed above there was the guy that played Arnold in Happy Days... as well as Marvin Kaplan who I have seen in several TV Series of the time. and then there is Sorrell Brooke as the principle... who was of course Boss Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard. I am the first to admit that I enjoyed the remake of Freaky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan... but I have to say... I prefer this one!

The DVD itself isn't bad... but it could have been much better. Both the audio and video are just fine... but when it comes to extras it leaves a bit to be desired. There is one game you can play... which is a match game. Very simple and very boring once you play it once or twice. But the "Look Back" with Jodie Foster was pretty cool. She don't only look back on Freaky Friday... but all the movies she did for Disney. I did enjoy watching it. And that is all the movie related extras you get. The only other thing on the disc is the "also from Disney" trailers.



(From Movies of the '70s Marathon on May 12th, 2010)

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, a review by Dragonfire

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows



I've been wanting to see this movie since before I knew what it would be about.  I loved the first one - I even watched it again recently.  I've seen other Sherlock Holmes movies, and the wonderful Sherlock - Season 1 since I first saw Sherlock Holmes in 2009, so I've seen more versions of the character - and Watson now.  I still love this version of the characters. 

I've only read one of the Sherlock stories...I have a book with most of them, but I can't remember where I put it.  I need to find it and read more of the stories.  I don't know for sure, but I think at least some of the story elements were pulled from one of the Sherlock stories. 

This plot for this movie isn't directly tied to the first movie, but it definitely builds on what was established in it.  Irene Adler returns, though only briefly.  I'm not that .....pleased with how her part of the story is handled, though it does make sense for the movie.  Professor Moriarty is front and center as the villain.  It is set up like Sherlock has been tracking him for a while, tying different crimes to him.  The two do meet face to face only a few times, but those meetings are very well done.  Yes it is known from very early that Moriarty is the main villain - the trailers make that very clear - but I don't think that hurts the movie.  The audience even knows something before Sherlock this time.  I like the plot and think it is very entertaining.  I also loved how Watson's wedding is added into the mix, along with how Sherlock is trying to deal with the changes to his friendship with Watson.  It is clear that he is sad about the thought of him and Watson not working together anymore. 

Some people may be disappointed that the mystery isn't stronger, but I think it is still very entertaining.  Even while knowing that Moriarty is pulling all sorts of strings and manipulating various things, it takes a little while for the big picture to become clear.  I really like that Moriarty is just as smart as Sherlock and I think that gives Sherlock more of a challenge and ultimately makes the story stronger.  There is suspense in a few scenes, as well as some action scenes.  The action scenes are done well.  Sherlock fights again at different times, while still using his intelligence to deal with most situations.  The movie has the same amazing look as the first movie, with new locations used.  One late in the movie really looks amazing.  I know special effects are used again, but I don't feel like they dominate what is going on.  The humor is back as well, again mostly from the way that Watson and Sherlock interact.  I love their friendship and how they bicker over little things at times.  Sherlock shows off a few more disguises, including as a woman at one point.  Watson and Mary's reactions to that disguise is very amusing.  We get to see that Sherlock has another issue when he won't ride a horse, another humorous scene.

The characters are wonderful and I love how Sherlock and Watson act with each other.  Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are great in the parts.  They have a good chemistry together that makes the relationship between Sherlock and Watson that much stronger.  Mycroft turns up in a few scenes and I really liked Stephen Fry in the part.  It would have been nice if he had a little more to do.  Mary is limited to a few scenes again, so she isn't as developed, but she seems nice.  She still has some issues with Sherlock. Simza is a new character tied to what is going on.  She is a gypsy fortune teller.  She is interesting, though she could have been a little more developed.  Moriarty is a good addition to the movie and he makes a good foil to Sherlock. 

This movie is a lot of fun, like the first one.  In some ways, I think this movie is a bit better.   It is definitely worth seeing.



I did get a review posted on Epinions if anyone wants to check it out.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows


(From Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows on December 21st, 2011)

"Big Bang Theory" Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

15. The Pork Chop Indeterminacy
Sheldon's twin Missy is nothing like Sheldon... which makes her the other guys' newest dream girl.

My Thoughts:
After a couple OK episodes.. this one was much better. I enjoyed every second of it. It was hilarious seeing the guys going after Sheldon's sister.... as it was to see Rajesh on that experimental medication for his shyness.

16. The Peanut Reaction
Leonard's birthday finds Wolowitz and Leonard in the ER and Penny and Sheldon sharing a shopping trip from hell.

My Thoughts:
This is another one I enjoyed. Liked seeing Penny and Sheldon shopping together... and Wolowitz after eating peanuts was fun as well.

17. The Tangerine Factor
Nervous about their first date, Leonard and Penny seek advice from the same romance-savvy sage: Sheldon.

My Thoughts:
Well... that's it... the final episode of the season. It is such a shame the first season was so short (Damn Writer's Strike!)  but at least we got 17 episodes of this hilarious series. I really enjoyed this episode as well. There was several good laughs... though nothing that stands out that much for me. Just a really good episode.

(From "Big Bang Theory" Marathon on October 9th, 2008)