DVD Collectors Online
DVD Reviews => The "Marathon" reviews => Topic started by: Dragonfire on November 03, 2008, 02:13:32 AM
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101 Dalmatians (1996)
Unleashing every once of Disney magic, 101 Dalmatians thrills audiences of all ages with fast-paced adventure and comedy - featuring a brilliant performance by five-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close (including Best Actress, Dangerous Liaisons, 1988) as Cruella De Vil. Achieving new heights of hilarity, Disney's all time classic puppy tale comes to life as a world-wide box office sensation. In their small London flat, Dalmatians Pongo and Perdy, and their human "pets" Roger and Anita are overjoyed by the arrival of 15 puppies. But when the spotted-fur-loving Ms. De Vil and her clumsy cohorts, Jasper and Horace, dognap the litter - along with every other Dalmatian pup in London - Pogo and Perdy must rally the town's animals to their rescue. The plan hurls them towards a thrilling climax filled with uproarious moments as the puppies attempt to outwit their captors and bring on a final showdown with Cruella.
My Thoughts
This was the first time in years that I've watched this one. The movie had the same basic plot, though a few things were changed a bit and other things were added. Cruella was a fashion designer and Anita worked for her instead of the two of them being old friends. I thought that addition to the story made sense and provided a way for Cruella to have enough money to get all the fur she craved. None of the animals were shown talking in some way like has been done in other movies. Some scenes moved a little slower because of that when only animals were shown. The animals, especially all the puppies, were adorable. I think the movie is very entertaining even though the idea of someone being twisted enough to make a coat out of puppies is disturbing. Glenn Close was perfect as Cruella. I've thought that Cruella was one of the scariest Disney villains. Close's version of the character was scarier than the version from the original animated movie. A few things that happened, mostly with what some of the animals did, were a bit silly, but the movie was still very entertaining.
;D (I think that is the right one..still learning the emotes)
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Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
First he fought for the Crown, now he's fighting for the family jewels! Mike Myers (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery) returns as the world's grooviest superspy in this latest comedy-adventure!
Intent on world domination, diabolical genius Dr. Evil travels back to 1969 and steals Austin's "mojo". Now Austin must return to the Swingin' Sixties, recover his mojo and stop his terminally square arch nemesis from liquidating the world. Together with the fab CIA superchick Felicity Shagwell (Heather Graham, Lost in Space, Bowfinger), Austin faces off against an army of outrageous villains including a heinous henchman of tremendous girth and Mini-Me, Dr. Evil's deranged 1/8 sized clone.
My Thoughts
I fully admit this movie is silly and a bit corny..but it is funny and entertaining. The explanation for getting rid of Vanessa was really out there, but it somehow seemed to fit with the tone of the movie. Dr. Evil is very funny to me and the addition of Mini-Me was interesting, especially how he interacted with Scott. I didn't care for Fat Bastard though. He was just gross. The time travel wasn't even remotely believable, but it helped make the movie entertaining. People who liked the first Austin Powers movie might also like this one.
;D
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Comic genius Steve Martin delivers an incredible performance as an engaging small town fire chief who has only one tiny flaw - no, make that one HUGE flaw - his astonishingly long nose. Although he considers it no laughing matter, the hilarity never stops as C.D. Bales (Martin) contends with jerky nose jokes, a bumbling crew of firemen, and his secret love for gorgeous astronomy student Roxanne (Daryl Hannah). Unfortunately, she is attracted to fireman Chris (Rick Rossovich), who's tall on looks and short on conversation. And when C.D. agrees to coach the the dumbstruck Chris in his pursuit of the fair maiden, this ticklish triangle dissolves into a hilarious series of rib-tickling romantic misadventures. A contemporary love story of mistaken identity and unrequited love, ROXANNE is an unforgettable comedy that Siskel & Ebert call "a comic masterpiece".
My Thoughts
This was the first time that I'd watched this movie in many years. I picked up the DVD maybe 2 months ago and hadn't gotten around to watching it until now. I remembered the basic idea of the plot, but I had forgotten just how funny it was at times. Steven Martin was great in the part and made a very funny, intelligent character. Roxanne seemed a bit....flaky to me though. She went on about wanting to meet an intelligent guy for a change, and then she went after Chris, the good looking guy. At one point when talking to C.D., she claimed that the guy she was interested in was interesting and intelligent even though she had never actually spoken to him. Then just a minute or two later she was asking C.D. what Chris was like. And Chris was just a big idiot. He was definitely not the brightest bulb. Even though a few of the characters irritated me a bit, I did enjoy the movie overall and think it is worth watching.
;D
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AWAKE, EARTHLINGS! It's later than you think. Don't miss this hilarious frenzy as Tim Burton (Batman, Beetlejuice) directs - and Mars Attacks!
SEE! Stars that shine across the galaxy. Jack Nicholson (In a dual role), Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito and a dozen more! SHRIEK! At mean, green invaders from the angry red planet! Armed with insta-fry ray guns, endowed with slimy, humongous brains - and enlivened with out-of-this-world but state-of-the-art special effects. GASP! As the U.S. legislature is overwhelmed. (Don't fear, we still have 2 out of 3 branches of the government working for us, and that ain't bad!) THRILL! As Earth flights back with an unexpected weapon. Take that, Martians!
My Thoughts
Yes this is a very silly movie, but I find it to be very entertaining. It is a bit odd, which seems to be typical of a Tim Burton movie, and very funny. I haven't seen many of the older movies dealing with martians, but some elements of this movie did seem to be the same - like the look of the flying saucers. The aliens themselves had a unique, creepy look and a very odd language. It was sort of like Independence Day in showing how many different characters reacted to and dealt with the invasion. There was a lot of over acting going on, but it fit in with the general absurdity of the movie. This is a movie to watch just for fun. It's goofy, kooky, and a bit twisted, which is probably why I like it.
:D
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Futurama: Bender's Game
With fuel prices skyrocketing, the Planet Express crew sets off on a dangerous mission: to infiltrate the world's only dark-matter mine, source of all spaceship fuel. But deep beneath the surface lies a far stranger place...a medieval land of dragons and sorcery and intoxicated knights who look suspiciously like Bender. So park your hover-car and saddle up your unicorn for Futurama's grandest adventure yet... Bender's Game.
My Thoughts
I loved Futurama and am still annoyed that Fox canceled it - along with some other very good shows. Anyway, I was very happy when I learned that some direct to DVD Futurama movies were being made and I got the first two, Futurama: Bender's Big Score and Futurama: The Beast With a Billion Backs when they came out. This movie didn't reference anything that happened in the first two, so it is more self contained than they were. There were no story threads left unresolved from the second one.
The plot was a bit different, but I think that is typical of Futurama in general. It was very entertaining and I think fans will be happy with it. The story featured a combination of things connected to Dungeons and Dragons and The Lord of the Rings that I think worked very well and was very entertaining. It was hilarious to watch Bender get sucked into the game and end up in a robot asylum. The characters ended up in a fantasy world that was very interesting. I thought the movie was funny as well. The characters still acted like they had throughout the series without anyone having a major personality change. Leela, Fry, and Bender really ended up with the most to do overall. The other regular characters like the Professor, Amy, Hermes and Dr. Zoidberg were also around.
I also enjoyed the extras. There is a short featurette featuring a few men involved in the making of the movie talking about Dungeons and Dragons and how they incorporated it into Futurama. They pointed out some references to the game that popped up during the episodes. There was one deleted scene shown and some outtakes from recording sessions with the voice cast that were funny. It would have been nice if there had been more extras.
I don't like the case for the DVD..that is a minor thing, but I just don't like it. Like the first two Futurama movies, it is just cardboard. It says on the case that it is carbon neutral and how the makers are being more environmentally friendly. I don't have a problem with that, but this type of case does not keep the disc secure. I have to be very careful with these cases because I've had the first two movies go flying out when I was just picking up the case. It wasn't like I was waving it all around or anything. Anyway, the movie is still great and fans of Futurama will probably enjoy it.
:thumbup:
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Nothing equals 'THE BIRDS' for sheer terror when Alfred Hitchcock unleashes his foul friends in one of his most shocking and memorable masterpieces. As beautiful blonde Melanie Daniels ('Tippi' Hedren) rolls into Bodega Bay in pursuit of eligible bachelor Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor), she is inexplicably attacked by a seagull. Suddenly thousands of birds are flocking into town, preying on schoolchildren and residents in a terrifying series of attacks. Soon Mitch and Melanie are fighting for their lives against a deadly force that can't be explained and can't be stopped in one of Hollywood's most horrific films of nature gone berserk.
My Thoughts
This was the first time I had watched this one in a long time. It started off a little slow while the situation with the characters was set up. Once Melanie was on the island and the birds started to act weird - with the attacks - things got much more interesting. The pace was still a bit slower, but not so slow that I was bored by what was going on. Hitchcock slowly built up the suspense and tension in a way that worked very well. The movie was very entertaining and one of Hitchcock's great movies. I think part of what made it scarier was the fact that there wasn't an explanation for why the birds were attacking and that aspect of the movie did seem a lot more believable. The fact that there wasn't a musical score and just all the bird sounds also made certain scenes much more intense.
There was a featurette that featured different people connected to the making of the movie, including some of the cast, that was very interesting. They talked about how different scenes were filmed and someone explained how special effects were done.
:thumbup:
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Steve Carell is in CONTROL as Maxwell Smart, the novice agent often out of his depth but never out of options in this action comedy pitting him against the nuclear scheme of the evil spy group KAOS. Anne Hathaway partners with Max as ever-capable Agent 99. And director Peter Segal ('The Longest Yard') guides his stars (including Dwayne Johnson and Alan Arkin) through dangerous realm of molar radios, multifunction pocketknives, exploding dental floss and more. "'Get Smart' works as an action film and it's funny." (Richard Roaper, 'At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper').
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this movie. I saw it on opening day back in June and I still liked it just as much when I watched the DVD. It was a bit silly, but that fit in perfectly with what was going on. I saw a lot of the episodes on the tv show when it was on Nick at Nite or TVLand, and the movie had the same spirit as the tv show. I loved Steve Carell as Max. His version of the character was a little different, but still very much like the character from the tv show. I also thought that Anne Hathaway did great as Agent 99. This part was very different from everything else I've seen her in and I think it showed that she can do action and comedy very well.
The gag reel on the DVD were funny and I also enjoyed the featurette on the making of the movie.
The movie will probably be too silly for some people, but I loved it.
:thumbup:
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The movie will probably be too silly for some people, but I loved it.
Anne Hathaway alone is enough to make me like the movie. :drooling: :drooling:
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I liked it too. I got the spin-off on Ebay and glad I only paid a couple of quid for it. It was watchable... sort of. :-X
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Anne Hathaway alone is enough to make me like the movie. :drooling: :drooling:
Someone I think some other people may have shared your feelings on that. :) She does wear some..provocative outfits.
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I liked it too. I got the spin-off on Ebay and glad I only paid a couple of quid for it. It was watchable... sort of. :-X
Do you mean the one with Bruce and Lloyd? The tech guys? That was on one of the cable channels the other day..just a basic channel and not a movie channel. I saw a little of it. It seemed ok, but not as good as Get Smart.
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I liked it too. I got the spin-off on Ebay and glad I only paid a couple of quid for it. It was watchable... sort of. :-X
Do you mean the one with Bruce and Lloyd? The tech guys? That was on one of the cable channels the other day..just a basic channel and not a movie channel. I saw a little of it. It seemed ok, but not as good as Get Smart.
That's the one. It was a bit childish if anything.
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That's the one. It was a bit childish if anything.
I wasn't overly impressed with what I saw of it either. But I have seen worse.
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Matthew Broderick ('Ferris Bueller's Day Off') and Ally Sheedy ('The Breakfast Club') star in this compelling drama filled with action, suspense and high-tech adventures! Featuring superb performances by Dabney Coleman and Barry Corbin, WarGames™ is "brilliant...funny...and provocative" ('New York') – a fast-paced cyber-thriller.
Computer hacker David Lightman (Broderick) can bypass the most advanced security systems, break the most intricate secret codes and master even the most difficult computer games. But when he unwittingly taps into the Defense Department's war computer, he initiates a confrontation of global proportions – World War III! Together with his girlfriend (Sheedy) and a wizardly computer genius (Tony Award winner John Wood), David must race against time to outwit his opponent...and prevent a nuclear Armageddon.
My Thoughts
I first saw this one years ago on television and watched it several more times since I enjoyed it. I just got the DVD on Friday and this was the first time that I had seen the movie in several years. I still really enjoyed it. It was kind of funny to see the computers and think that all that stuff was high tech when the movie came out. :laugh: I thought that the plot was very interesting and I remember finding it very suspenseful the first time I saw the movie. It was really scary to me to think that computers would control something like that and not be able to be stopped if something went wrong. All the computer stuff does look dated, but I think the movie has held up well and is still entertaining.
;D
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Welcome to Castle Rock, Maine, a lovely place to live...if you don't mind selling your soul! Oscar® nominees* Ed Harris ('A Beautiful Mind') and Max Von Sydow ('Minority Report') head an exceptional cast- including Bonnie Bedelia ('Die Hard') and Amanda Plummer ('Pulp Fiction') – in this supernatural thriller that's dark, haunting and "a hell of a good scare." ('Los Angeles')!
Sheriff Alan Pangborn (Harris) has a devil of a problem: Suddenly all the residents of his sleepy little town are dying...to kill each other. But at least business is still booming, especially at a new antique store. The shop's mysterious owner (Von Sydow) has something for everyone, and his prices are always reasonable: just one small favor...oh, and, of course, eternal damnation!
*Harris: Actor, 'Pollock' (2000); Supporting Actor, 'The Truman Show' (1998); Supporting Actor, 'Apollo 13' (1995). Von Sydow: Actor, 'Pelle the Conqueror (1998).
My Thoughts
I first saw this movie on television several years ago and really enjoyed it. I haven't read the book, so I don't know how it compares. I'm guessing the book is probably better since that is what tends to happen when movies are based on books. I thought that the movie was entertaining and interesting and I really enjoyed it. There could have been more mystery and suspense, but things were still interesting. I did like Ed Harris, but then I tend to like him in just about everything.
;D
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I don't have an image for this one. I went to see Changeling on Tuesday the 11th.
Changeling
Based on a true story.
This movie tells the story of Christine Collins, a single mother living in Los Angeles in 1928 with her son Walter. Christine, who worked for the phone company as an operator, was called in to work on a Saturday. When she got home, her son Walter was missing. She looked in the area for him and then called the police, only to be told that they wouldn't do anything until Walter had been gone 24 hours. After five months, the police told Christine that her son had been found. When she was reunited with him, she knew the child wasn't Walter. The police wouldn't listen and then set out to discredit her and even went so far as to have her thrown into a mental hospital when all she wanted was to find her son.
My Thoughts
This is a very good movie. The subject isn't a fun one, but the movie was still very good. The fact that Walter vanished without a trace was upsetting enough, but what Christine was put through just because she was determined to find her son was awful. The police was so corrupt at the time that they could get away with anything and they certainly didn't want to admit to a mistake when Christine said that the boy they turned over to her wasn't Walter. The fact that all this happened at a time when women were still treated fairly badly in general probably didn't help matters either. The pace was a bit slow, but I was never bored by what was going on. Angelina Jolie was amazing as Christine.
This movie deserves to be seen even though it deals with a very sad, upsetting story.
:thumbup: - almost forgot this lol
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The fate of mankind hangs in the balance when a ruthless prince awakens an unstoppable army of creatures and wages war with the human world. It's up to Hellboy and his team of paranormal outcasts to face off with the forces of darkness in the ultimate battle of good versus evil!
My Thoughts
I liked the first movie featuring Hellboy and I liked this one as well. This movie connected to the first one well while still having a different, unique plot. Certain things about the characters would make more sense if the movies were watched in order. I did think that some elements were liked things that Guillerno del Toro used in Pan's Labyrinth. The fantasy things worked well in Hellboy's world. The movie was very entertaining, with great special effects, interesting action scenes, and an interesting plot. There was some humor used here and there throughout the movie as well that I thought worked well. I know some didn't care for it, but I liked the scene when Hellboy got Abe to drink beer and they started singing along to a Barry Manilow song. People who liked the first movie should give this one a chance.
;D
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I'm looking forward to seeing both of these! I think Clint Eastwood is the best American director these days and I love the style of his films.
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I'm looking forward to seeing both of these! I think Clint Eastwood is the best American director these days and I love the style of his films.
I hope you like them. They were both good, in different ways. Eastwood is a very talented director and there have been several from his movies that won Oscars.
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Prepare for awesomeness with DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda, "a delightful movie that can stand among the very best animated features" (Leonard Maltin, Entertainment Tonight). Jack Black is perfect as the voice of Po, a noodle-slurping dreamer who must embrace his true self - fuzzy flaws and all - in order to become the Dragon Warrior. With groundbreaking animation, an all-star cast and high-kicking humor, Kung Fu Panda is "Ultra-satisfying entertainment" There's heart in this movie and that's the secret ingredient." (Richard Corliss, Time)
My Thoughts
I still like animated movies and tend to see most of the new ones at least once. I haven't liked the ones from Dreamworks as much as the ones from Pixar overall, but I will still go see them. I have liked some of their newer movies, like this one, more than their earlier movies. I thought the movie was cute and entertaining. Po was a cute, likable character. Some things were a bit silly, but that didn't bother me at all. I thought the movie was very entertaining overall. The way the different styles of kung fu were represented by the animals worked well. I did think that the animation was well done. I think this was one of the better animated movies from Dreamworks.
;D
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When young Alan Parrish discovers a mysterious board game, he doesn't realize its unimaginable powers, until he is magically transported before the eyes of his friend, Sarah, into the untamed jungles of JUMANJI! 26 years later he is freed from the game's spell by two unsuspecting children. Alan ('ROBIN WILLIAMS') reunites with Sarah ('BONNIE HUNT') and together with Judy ('KIRSTEN DUNST', 'Little Women') and Peter ('BRADLEY PIERCE') tries to outwit the game's powerful forces in this imaginative adventure that combines breathtaking special effects with an enchanting mixture of comedy, magic and thrills.
My Thoughts
I first saw Jumanji back when it was first released..I think I saw it in the theater. I hadn't seen the movie for a long time when I watched it again this time and I still really enjoyed the movie. The plot was interesting with having a game come to life and did provide for a fun adventure. The special effects do look a bit dated now, but I think they have held up well overall. Certain things about the movie were kind of silly, but I still enjoyed the movie. Robin Williams and Bonnie Hunt were really good in the parts. I thought the movie had a decent amount of humor. It is a good family friendly adventure movie that is worth watching.
:D
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No picture again.
Quantum of Solace
This movie picked up right after the end of Casino Royale, so it would be best if people saw that one before watching this one. I'm not going to say too much about the plot so I don't spoil anything for people who still want to see it.
James had caught Mr. White and discovered a little bit more about the organization he was working for. He was still struggling to deal with everything that had happened with Vesper, but he kept working and was sent to Haiti. Once there, he met Camille and discovered that Dominic Greene, an environmental businessman, was also in the secret organization. Things got more complicated when Bond was suspected of some killings and M was having some doubts. Despite all that, James kept trying to learn more about Greene and the organization. He did discover that it was called Quantum.
The movie was pretty good, though I don't think it is the best of the Bond movies. I know that some of the older ones got a little...silly at times, but I still really like the majority of them and find them to be very entertaining. I like them a bit more and while Daniel Craig is good in the part, he isn't my favorite. That would probably be Brosnan or Connery...though I liked Moore too. Anyway, I didn't mind some of the things that were different, but I didn't like some of the other things either. There was still no Q or Miss Moneypenny and it just seems weird for them to be missing. I like the little scenes where Bond and Moneypenny flirt and the scenes with Q would lighten the mood a bit. He had some really interesting gadgets in the past..those were basically missing in this movie. All he really had was a high tech cell phone.
Some scenes were very violent..I'm not sure I like that the movies have gotten so much more violent...though the action scenes tend to keep things interesting. I hate the shaky camera work and quick cuts between shots. It was almost impossible to tell what was going on at times and things were passing in a blur, especially during a car chase that had the potential to be very impressive. In one fight scene, I couldn't tell who was James and who was the other guy even though they had different hair colors.
I did really enjoy the movie overall and will probably add it to my DVD collection once it is out, but it isn't my favorite Bond movie. Some people who really liked the earlier movies might be disappointed by certain things.
;D
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I'm seeing it tomorrow night. When it was first announced they'd used the Bourne stunt designer many said it looked like they would jump on the Bourne bandwagon instead of sticking what works best for Bond. I never thought they would, but word of mouth, comments about the action/violence and now your review seems to suggest they really have made it like Bourne.
I loved the Bourne films, but I don't want to see identikit movies, especially with a franchise that proved itself and re-wrote the rule book multiple times. I know some of them were silly, but they were always a Bond for the times. From Russia With Love and Live and Let Die are my favourites and are marvellous.
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It was more like a Bourne movie than a Bond movie which is unfortunate really. Bond is a very different type of character in very different situations. His movies should be different instead of jumping on the bandwagon of the freaky shaky camera during action scenes and trying to out do Bourne. I've seen some ads on television claiming that this is the best Bond movie ever, but I don't feel that way at all. I'm not sure which is my favorite Bond..maybe Goldfinger or From Russia With Love. I got all the movies now and I've been watching them in order - I got away from that while watching scary movies in October, so I need to get back to that. I'm up to On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Anyway, there were a few things that did connect back to the older Bond movies. There was a very obvious reference to Goldfinger for anyone who has seen that movie. The secret group Quantum seemed to be a bit like SPECTRE even though the main villain show really wasn't that impressive as a villain.
I really liked the Bourne movies overall too. I wasn't happy with what happened with Marie - though I will admit that I was genuinely shocked when it happened. I also hate the shaky camera work. Call me crazy, but I kind of like to see what is going on and who is who when I go see a movie.
I did like Quantum of Solace overall..I just think it could have been better. I hope you like it when you see it. :)
I said a lot in the review I posted on Epinions..like I tend to do. I've been posting movie reviews there since 2001.
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Go deeper into Tropic Thunder with this extended version of the hit film, packed with more action, more comedy, and more madness than ever before.
When three of Hollywood's biggest stars head into the jungles of Vietnam to shoot a war movie, they have no idea how real things can get. Starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder is the most unexpected and controversial movie of the year.
My Thoughts
First of all, I will say this is not a movie for everyone and some things will upset a lot of people. I thought it was very funny, but it was a twisted sort of humor that some people just don't like. That being said, I loved it. But I do tend to like movies that are a bit twisted at times. Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and especially Robert Downey Jr. were great in their parts. Downey Jr. somehow managed to make his character work instead of just being a giant mess. He was playing this sort of pretentious Australian actor who had won a bunch of Oscars who would always go to great lengths to get into his character. Since there was a movie being made within the movie, the main cast, especially Stiller and Downey Jr. were really playing two different characters and they all managed to make that work and seem believable. There were some good action scenes throughout the movie, including several impressive explosions. The violence did get a bit graphic at times, but it was done in such an over the top fake way that was it wasn't really gross and was more funny. Of course that might just be because I'm twisted.. :laugh: There were a few other minor characters that were really funny too.
I did listen to one of the commentaries on the DVD and it was really entertaining. I listened to the one with Black, Stiller, and Downey Jr. and it was very funny at times. I think it is well worth listening to for anyone who liked the movie. At one point in the movie, Downey Jr.'s character Kirk was staying in character even though things were going straight to hell. Kirk then said that he didn't break character until he did the DVD commentary. On the Commentary, Downey Jr. was talking like that character from the movie for almost the entire time. Very late in the movie when Kirk finally started to act like himself, then Downey Jr. talked like Kirk - with the Australian accent - for a while before finally using his own voice at the very end. It was so funny and tied into that joke in the movie perfectly. Downey Jr. was amazing in the part - or parts I guess you could say - and this did help to show just how talented he is.
The other extras on the DVD were really good too. I have the 2 disc Director's Cut version that did add a few extra minutes here and there throughout the movie. There were a few deleted or extended scenes. The best extra was probably the one that was meant to be a making of documentary on the movie within the movie. It was so funny and showed how the director Damien - played by Steve Coogan - was loosing control over the movie and really started to flip out. It also showed more of the extremes Kirk was going to to play his character.
:thumbup:
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One of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest cinematic achievements, 'Vertigo', celebrates its 50th anniversary with an all-new 2-disc Special Edition DVD! Set in San Francisco, 'Vertigo' creates a dizzying web of mistaken identity, passion and murder after an acrophobic detective (James Stewart) rescues a mysterious blonde (Kim Novak) from the bay.
Recognized for excellence in 'AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies', this dreamlike thriller from the Master of Suspense is as entertaining today as it was 50 years ago. Featuring revealing bonus features and a digitally remastered picture, 'Vertigo' is a "great motion picture that demands multiple viewings" ('Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide').
My Thoughts
I did enjoy this movie, though not really as much as I have some other Hitchcock movies. The story was interesting and I wasn't bored with what was going on, but the movie did have a slower pace that might bother some people. It is a suspenseful psychological thriller that was dealing with obsession and how that can take over a person's life. I think this was the first time that I had seen the entire movie. Jimmy Stewart was very good in the part of John - or Scottie as some of his friends called him. John was a very different type of part than the others I've seen Stewart play. He wasn't really a bad guy, but he made some bad decisions.
The movie is very good and worth seeing at least once, especially for fans of Hitchcock.
;D
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Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Neal Page is an advertising executive who just wants to fly home to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his family. But all Neal Page gets is misery. Misery named Del Griffith – a loud mouthed, but nevertheless lovable, salesman who leads Neal on a cross-country, wild goose chase that keeps Neal from tasting his turkey.
Steve Martin (Neal) and John Candy (Del) are absolutely wonderful as two guys with a knack for making the worst of a bad situation. It it’s painful, funny, or just plain crazy, it happens to Neal and Del in “Planes, Trains And Automobiles.” Every traveler’s nightmare in a comedy-come-true.
My Thoughts
This movie is hilarious, especially what happens with the rental car later in the movie. How that thing was still running I don't know. The movie is one of the few I have seen that is set near Thanksgiving and the while the holiday wasn't the main focus of the movie, it was important to the plot since Neil was trying so hard to get home in time for dinner with his family. Many people tend to travel around the holiday, so that aspect of the movie was believable and realistic. It was even realistic that Neil and Del would end up in a different city and having to resort to other forms of travel to make it to Chicago. Martin and Candy worked very well together and added a lot of humor. Neil was clearly annoyed with Del from the start, but he managed to keep that under control for the most part. He was finally pushed over the edge after an incident when he tried to rent a car and he did flip out, using a version of the word that rhymes with luck about 20 times in 2 minutes. That was a Clark Griswald type of flip out and it was hilarious, including the way he was using that particular word. Some aspects of the movie were a bit silly, but it was very entertaining overall.
;D
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(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/02/025195018357f.jpg)
I did enjoy this movie, though not really as much as I have some other Hitchcock movies. The story was interesting and I wasn't bored with what was going on, but the movie did have a slower pace that might bother some people. It is a suspenseful psychological thriller that was dealing with obsession and how that can take over a person's life. I think this was the first time that I had seen the entire movie. Jimmy Stewart was very good in the part of John - or Scottie as some of his friends called him. John was a very different type of part than the others I've seen Stewart play. He wasn't really a bad guy, but he made some bad decisions.
That's interesting because I do think Vertigo catches people out. It isn't quite a typical Hitchcock movie. I wasn't fond of it when I first saw it and I think I heard it was a bit of a flop on first release. Maybe if you watch it again... and again... and again... ;) you might feel the same as me that it is not only one Hitchcock's best films, but also one of the truly greatest films ever made. It's like Citizen Kane; it takes a view runs to work its magic. Also like Kane, it is a hard movie to like at first because the character is so flawed as you say. I don't know, but somehow he makes more sense to me now than many of his other characters. I last saw Vertigo at a local cinema showing and it was just marvellous seeing it at a proper size.
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I have read that it didn't do that well when it was originally released. The rather..bleak ending probably contributed to why some didn't like it either. I didn't have a problem with that and thought the way it was shown did leave a few possibilities open.
I do like the movie and think it is a very good suspenseful movie. Certain things with the character do make sense and the obsession he developed did make him more believable I think.
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(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/02/025193298324f.jpg)
Prepare to save the universe with the King of the Impossible! Alex Raymond's famous comic strip blasts to life in the timeless sci-fi cult adventure 'Flash Gordon'! When energy waves pull the moon out of orbit, New York Jets quarterback Flash Gordon unwittingly finds himself heading for the planet Mongo, where - with assistance from beautiful Dale Arden - he'll take on Ming the Merciless and rescue humankind. This must-own 'Saviour of the Universe' Edition features a digitally remastered picture, 5.1 surround sound, and the unforgettable musical score by Queen. Bursting with spectacular thrills and colorful dialogue, this Special Edition DVD features never-before-seen bonus materials. 'Flash Gordon': He's a miracle!
My Thoughts
I decided to go ahead and use this one for my L entry. I had something else in mind, but I don't think I'll get to it in time, so I went with this one. :)
There is just something about this movie that I really enjoy. It is cheesy as hell, but I like it. There was a lot of overacting going on at times, but it somehow seemed to work pretty well with what was going on. The plot was fairly simple and there really weren't any surprises. That didn't stop the movie from being entertaining. Ming the Merciless made a very good villain. This isn't a movie that will appeal to everyone. It is just a fun, entertaining movie. It also has great music.
;D
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(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/02/027616896551f.jpg)
Have yourself a very Muppet Christmas with this all-new holiday movie starring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the whole Muppet gang - plus a celebrity cast featuring David Arquette, Joan Cusack and Whoopi Goldberg, with cameos by Michael Lillard, William H. Macy, Carson Daly, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rogan, Molly Shannon and the cast of "Scrubs"!
'Tis the night before Christmas, and the Muppet theater is in danger of being torn down. And when bad goes to worse, Kermit begins to believe the world would be a better place if he'd never been born. But don't worry! With heavenly help and hilarious send-ups of just about every holiday movie ever made, Kermit and the Muppets discover what matters most is their love for each other.
Featuring showstopping musical numbers like "Moulin Scrooge!" (starring Miss Piggy as "Saltine"), this "charming and clever" ('The San Diego Union-Tribune') holiday classic will have the whole family laughing!
My Thoughts
I should start off by saying that I am a bit partial to The Muppets. I grew up watching Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. I have loved the Muppets since I was a child and I still love them. Basically, if The Muppets are involved, I'm watching.
That being said, I did enjoy this movie overall, though it wasn't as good as earlier Muppet movies. This one was made for television a few years ago. I liked how the movie was a version of It's a Wonderful Life. Without Kermit, poor Miss Piggy ended up pretending to be a psychic with an apartment full of cats..She was a crazy cat lady..or pig I guess. lol Anyway, the movie was entertaining and had a decent message about what is really important without being too preachy like can happen with some movies. Joan Cusack was really good as the bad guy who was tring to take over the Muppet Theater. Some of the characters didn't have as much to do, which was a little disappointing. Since I have seen so much Muppet stuff, I did really notice that more of the characters didn't sound the same since other people took over performing. The characters did still act the same though. Some of the voices were just slightly different while one or two were much more different.
:D
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Bolt - no picture for this one. :) I'm using it as my O entry.
Bolt is a cute dog that appears in a television show. In the, he has all sorts of cool super powers that he uses to save Penny, his person. Bolt doesn't know he is on a tv show though and thinks he really has powers and that everything that happened was real. When an episode ended with a cliff hanger with Penny in danger, Bolt thought she really was in danger and he was determined to save her. While trying to find her, he ended up being shipped to New York City and he had to try to find his way back to Hollywood with the help of Mittens the cat and Rhino the hamster.
My Thoughts
This was a really cute, well done animated movie. I don't know for sure, but I think this might be the first one to be developed after John Lassiter - of Pixar - was put in charge of all animation at Disney after Eisner finally got the boot. Lassiter served as a producer on this one. I think his influence made the movie stronger and certain elements did have much more impact. Yes the story was predictable, but it was still very entertaining. There was a lot of humor, especially once Bolt started to accept certain things and Mittens was teaching him how to beg or even just to play. The movie did have a few more emotional scenes as well that did work very well with what was going on. The animation was very well done, though not quite as good as what Pixar has been doing. The voices all fit the characters very well, especially John Travolta as Bolt. Overall, I really enjoyed this movie and I'm sure I'll add the DVD to my collection eventually.
:thumbup:
Now I have to get a longer review done to post at Epinions..the holiday has me a little behind. :)
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(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/02/025195039918f.jpg)
Academy Award® nominee Edward Norton stars as scientist Bruce Banner, a man who has been living in shadows, scouring the planet for an antidote to the unbridled force of rage within him: the Hulk. But when the military masterminds who dream of exploiting his powers force him back to civilization, he finds himself coming face to face with his most formidable foe: the Abomination - a nightmarish beast of pure aggression whose powers match the Hulk's own!
Also starring Liv Tyler, Oscar® nominee Tim Roth, and Oscar® winner William Hurt, The Incredible Hulk is "steeped in action and spectacular special effects" (Claudia Puig, USA Today) and delivers a mind-blowing final showdown that can only be summed up with one word... INCREDIBLE!
My Thoughts
I'm using this for my U entry.
I did see Hulk after it was out on DVD. I didn't hate it like so many seemed to, but I didn't love it either. There were just too many things about that one that didn't work for me, especially the main villain of the movie. The Incredible Hulk was so much better on every level. The casting seemed to fit better, the story was stronger and more logical, and there was an actual villain from the comics used..plus there was set up for a future villain as well. I wasn't sure what to think when I heard this movie was going to basically ignore the other movie, but I think it worked doing that. The origin story - which wasn't shown in a lot of detail - just worked better even though it was different from the comic books. It was more like what had been done in the television show. I use to watch that show all the time and I really liked it. I really don't remember a lot from it now, but I did read and see some interviews back before this opened in June that there was an attempt to make the movie more like the tv show since that had been so popular. I also read about how Edward Norton had been a fan of the show and worked on the script to make some of the changes so it was more like the show. I did remember some things that were clearly from the show..like how his eyes would turn green first and how he was always on the move alone. I think there were some other things as well that I can't remember. I felt like the connection and story with Bruce and Betty worked better this time as well. The special effects worked better and looked better overall as well. Yes things were unbelievable, but that worked with the movie. I also really liked how there was a little bit of a connection to Iron Man and more hints of what is to come from Marvel movies.
:thumbup:
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I think what Marvel are about to attempt is huge. I'd love to see it work, but really, is it too big?
If you haven't heard, there are two sequels to Iron Man, a Thor and a Captain America on the slate, not to mention potential Ant Man. But also, there is an Avengers movie planned for around 2011 that will feature all those characters in one film, with Norton's Hulk as the catalyst, perhaps even the "villain"...
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I know they have a lot planned. I think if they they do it right - like they did with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk - it can work. A lot of fans have wanted to see an Avengers movie for a long time, so I can see why they are planning for it. And I think it makes more sense to introduce some of the characters first. It will be nice that in the future movies, other characters can be mentioned or even pop up like has been going on in the comic books for years.
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I did get more movies watched that fit for this marathon. I just haven't had time to write up little reviews about them. I may do that for at least a few of the last one I watched in the next day or so. I have to watch one more to finish.