DVD Collectors Online

Overboard, a review by Dragonfire

t's the craziest mix-up ever! Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell dazzle the screen in this buoyant and screwball comedy of memory-making and memory-faking. One of Hollywood's most dynamic screen pairs, Hawn and Russell make the most of every hilarious situation in this delightful riches to rags romance that's perfect entertainment for anyone who appreciates a great practical joke.

Hawn is Joanna Stayton, the pampered wife of a pretentious, yacht-owning socialite. When their boat gets stuck for repairs, Joanna employs carpenter Dean Profitt (Russell) to improve her closet space. But when Dean asks to be paid, he's blatantly turned down by the "nothing is ever good enough for me" Joanna. So when Joanna falls overboard and gets a bad case of amnesia, Dean takes advantage of the situation and, in a stroke of retributive genius, tells her that she's his wife and the mother of his four unruly children!

My Thoughts

This is a fun, entertaining movie even though it is rather silly. Joanna was so stuck up and rude that she sort of deserved for someone to get back at her even though what Dean did wasn't that nice.  Dean and his sons were living like wild men and Joanna attempting to figure out how to resume her household responsibilities was hilarious.  Russell and Hawn worked wonderfully together and made everything work.  I don't think it would have worked as well with a different cast.  I still really enjoy this movie.

 

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

Overboard

(From Dragonfire: What I've Been Watching on February 23rd, 2009)

Jason and The Argonauts, a review by Jon

Jason and The Argonauts
4 out of 5



Fantastic special effects by Ray Harryhausen and exciting mythological adventure make this a film that is fun for everyone. It's the story of Jason (Todd Armstrong), a fearless sailor and explorer, who returns to the kingdom of Thessaly after a 20-year voyage to make his rightful claim to the throne. But to do so, Jason must first find the magical Golden Fleece. He selects a crew and with the help of Hera, Queen of the Gods, sets sail in search of the Fleece. Jason and his crew must overcome incredible obstacles including a 100-foot bronze giant, the venomous Hydra - a huge creature with the heads of seven snakes - and a spectacular battle with an army of skeletons.

Marvellous old fashioned big dumb fun! No-one ever mentions films like Jason and The Argonauts when considering influences on such things like Star Wars or the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but it seems obvious to me. A big operatic story, told with determination and passion, even when the dialogue and pacing really aren't up to scratch, and it charges through classical Greek myth with the subtlety of an out-of-control bus. It's like someone read the script, panicked, and just went for it! It doesn't even finish properly, feeling like part one of a trilogy and is basically just a collection of set-pieces. But oh what set-pieces. The stop-motion work is brilliantly effective and still the best argument against CGI. Photo-real and motion captured actors just don't convince in the same way because they detract from the story when they don't quite work. Here, you can see the joins, but no-one cared and you get drawn into a world of fantasy creatures without any struggle at all.

It's a wonderful story and I feel sorry for kids who are growing up not having things like this. It was dated even when I was a kid, but my memories of those clack-clack skeletons have stayed with me forever. Therefore this is required viewing for all six year olds, even today! All of Harryhausen's creations were superb, but those and Talos stand out as the most convincing. Add terrifying once you throw the Harpies in there.

(From DCO third annual November Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on November 9th, 2009)

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

Synopsis: On a planet that is protected by the nordic god Thor, Teal'c gets imprisoned in a labyrinth because of his Goa'uld larva - and Jack with him. Sam and Daniel try to find them, while Jack and Teal'c try to escape from the labyrinth and the thing that has dwelt there cince centuries.

My Opinion: I liked the episode in general, Darth Vader's James Earl Jones's voice gave the Unas the right sound. But even when I saw the episode for the first time I had my doubts of whether it was the right decision to destroy Thor's Hammer. The team makes a lot of gut decisions without even thinking about long-time consequences. Here they've just endangered the security an an entire population.

Synopsis:My Opinion: This episode was tragicomical. On the one hand there was this lonely, old man who hasn't seen a human being for 50 years. On the other hand was it funny to see how embarrassed they all were when he ran around naked. I really liked it when Dr. Littlefield convince Daniel that some prices are too high to be paid for the gain of new knowledge.

Synopsis: Teal'c wants to return to Chulak, with or without SG-1. Teal'c has to admit that he has left his family behind. His son Rya'c has reached the age for the Prim'ta: he will recieve his first Goa'uld larva. Teal'c wants to prevent exactly this. But he is regarded as Shol'va (traitor), who has betrayed his god.

My Opinion: The first appearance of Tony Amendola in his role as master Bra'tac. I liked the man from the beginning. In this episode you realize for the first time what Teal'c has given up when he switched sides. Until now one could believe that he was single and has only left his belief behind.

Synopsis: Jack, Sam and Teal'c return from ann off-world mission on which Daniel died. The funeral service takes place in the Stargate room. All three of them know that Daniel is dead but they can't really accept it. And Daniel has to think about the fate of Omoroca.

My Opinion: Nice funeral. One could have thought that Michael Shanks has left the show. But Daniel's part in this episode was rather boring, especially with that repeated question "What fate Omoroca?".

Synopsis: In a mayan temple a sarcophagus with egyptian hieroglyphs is found and shortly after the inhabitant of that sarcophagus breaks out. Then she is on the way to the Stargate.

My Opinion: The women fight while the men can only think about the one thing. It was fun to watch and I liked it a lot. I found the remark interesting, that Hathor is both child and wife of Ra's. That's not an uncommon concept among ancient gods. Hera also was Zeus's daughter and wife.

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