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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Extended Edition, a review by addicted2dvd

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Extended Edition (2013/United States, New Zealand) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | Warner Home Video (United States) Director: Peter Jackson (1961) Writing: Fran Walsh (Screenwriter), Philippa Boyens (Screenwriter), Peter Jackson (1961) (Screenwriter), Guillermo Del Toro (Screenwriter), J. R. R. Tolkien [J.R.R. Tolkien] (Original Material By) Length: 187 min. Video: Widescreen 2.40:1 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 7.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish

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Stars:
Ian McKellen as Gandalf
Martin Freeman as Bilbo
Richard Armitage as Thorin
Ken Stott as Balin
Graham McTavish as Dwalin

Plot:
THE HOBBIT BILBO BAGGINS, THE WIZARD GANDALF and 13 Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, continue their journey to reclaim the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Along the way, they encounter the skin-changer Beorn; giant Spiders of Mirkwood; Wood-elves led by Legolas, Tauriel and King Thrandull; and a mysterious man named Bard, who smuggles them into Lake-town. Finally reaching the Lonely Mountain, they face their greatest danger - the Dragon Smaug.

Extras:

• Audio Commentary
• Featurettes
• Digital Copy

This is a great continuation of the story. I was once again glued to the screen through-out the film. And once again... the visuals was simply amazing. I absolutely loved the dragon in this one. It was very cool how he was done. I look forward of seeing more of him in the final movie... which I so can't wait to see!


(From Within My Lifetime Marathon on January 29th, 2015)

Ocean's 11, a review by KinkyCyborg

Ocean's 11



Title:Ocean's 11
Year: 1960
Director: Lewis Milestone
Rating: NR
Length: 127 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Peter Lawford
Dean Martin
Frank Sinatra
Henry Silva
Joey Bishop

Plot:Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Closed Captioned


I started watching this with some preconceived notions... that I wouldn't like it because I had seen the remake first, that it would be diluted with singing numbers and that it would seem terribly dated. Of course I was wrong as usual.  

It's easy to resist the temptation to compare this to the remale simply because other than the title of the movie and one character who retained their name, Danny Ocean, there was little these two movies had in common. I enjoyed this and the remake and refuse to say one is better than the other because they both stand on their own merits.

There was a bit of singing in this one, but I can listen to Dean Martin sing all day. Sammy Davis Jr. also had a short snappy number that I liked too. I confess to not having seen Davis Jr. in many movies beyond the Cannonball Run flicks and he impressed me too. Probably my favorite character in this would be Cesar Romero as Duke Santos. Very suave and full of confidence! Also if Julia Roberts had her hair tied up like Angie Dickinson did in this version you would be astonished at the resemblance!

The casino heist theme is common between the two films but the method and direction were completely different. This version of course lacked all the high tech gadgetry, replaced with creative trickery and the art of the con. I think I may have liked the ending better in this version, satisfying and full of irony.

This movie is one I'd like to revisit from time to time so you know it has scored high with me.  

KC


Rating:

(From KinkyCyborg's Random Reviews 2010 on October 20th, 2010)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

MARION & GEOFF - SERIES ONE - EP1



"I don`t feel like I`ve lost a wife, I feel like I`ve gained a friend. I would never have met Geoff if Marion hadn`t left me!

Good morning, good morning! It`s a beautiful day and Keith is looking for a fare. With the cab`s radio on the right channel he might even find one...Separated from his wife Marion and missing his `little smashers` Rhys and Alun, the `man with no home` is always optimistic. Marion`s lover Geoff may be something hot in pharmaceuticals, but Keith Barrett is `in cars`, literally. Keith is always popping up to Cardiff to keep an eye on Marion and the kids (through his binoculars). The trouble is, he`s always a bit early and they never want to see him. Still - another day, another dollar! Apart from a little trapped wind and his impending divorce, life for Keith is lovely, smashing and very nice.

After seeing Rob Brydon live, I had high hopes for this series. But if the first episode is anything to judge this by, I was disappointed overall by the lack of originality and humour, in fact I felt quite depressed by the storyline which revolves around a lonely loser who craves everything he has lost, all shot inside his taxi.
I will not rush to finish this series.



(From My PILOT Marathon on May 18th, 2008)