DVD Collectors Online

Rise of the Guardians, a review by Danae Cassandra

Rise of the Guardians
Year of Release: 2012
Directed By: Peter Ramsey
Starring: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Isla Fisher, Hugh Jackman
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Animation

Overview:
DreamWorks' newest animated adventure is a fun-filled and magical story about the legendary guardians - Jack Frost, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and Sandman - together for the first time! When the evil Pitch threatens to take over the world, it's up to our beloved heroes to protect the hopes and dreams of children everywhere. Filled with non-stop action and laughs, it's a dazzling family film that's being hailed as "an instant classic. You will believe."

My Thoughts:
I thought this was really pretty good. The animation is absolutely gorgeous, and some of the details are simply beautiful. The frosting effects Jack does are so well done, as are Sandy's dreams. I enjoyed all of the characters, from Russian Santa, to badass Aussie Easter Bunny, to sweet little Sandy. Jack's a bit more predictable character archetype (lonely, brooding teen), but he makes a good protagonist for a kids film. Pitch makes a very suave villain, especially with Jude Law's voice behind him.

The plot is pretty predictable though ... but that can be said of almost every movie out there aimed at the younger audience. But that doesn't ruin the enjoyment or charm of the movie. This may likely make it into rotation for holiday films, provided room can be found. Just a really fun film.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Christmas 2016 on December 21st, 2016)

WR: Mysteries of the Organism, a review by Danae Cassandra

WR: Mysteries of the Organism
Year of Release: 1971
Directed By: Dusan Makavejev
Starring: Milena Dravic, Ivica Vidovic, Jagoda Kaloper, Tuli Kupferberg
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Drama

Overview:WR: Mysteries of the Organism begins as an investigation into the life and work of controversial psychologist and philosopher Wilhelm Reich and then explodes into a free-form narrative of a beautiful young Slavic girl's sexual liberation. Banned upon its release in the director's homeland, the art-house smash WR is both whimsical and bold in its blending of politics and sexuality.

My Thoughts:
Subversive, anarchic, but also ultimately a product of it's time; this was an interesting watch. It's very much a surrealist film - part documentary, part montage, part narrative, part social critique via music video - it's a weird film. It's also a film that shows its age. It could only be a product of the late 60's/early 70's, for all that it's actual critique is timeless. Some familiarity with Stalinist policies and Communist Yugoslavia is helpful in viewing. Recommended only to serious art film lovers.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 4/5

(From March Around the World 2016 on March 11th, 2016)

The King of Queens: The Complete Series, a review by addicted2dvd

The King of Queens: The Complete Series IMDb |Wikipedia |Intro | THE KING OF QUEENS consistently delivered laughs for nine seasons, making it one of the most popular and longest-running comedies in television history! Kevin James stars as Doug Heffernan, a lovable regular guy with an adoring wife, Carrie (Leah Remini), and a frustrating father-in-law (Jerry Stiller) under his roof. Packed with a crazy cast of characters, hilarious situations and plenty of great guest stars, this is one show that brings the goods!

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Stars:
Kevin James as Doug
Leah Remini as Carrie
Victor Williams as Deacon
Patton Oswalt as Spence
Gary Valentine as Danny
Nicole Sullivan as Holly
Jerry Stiller as Arthur

Extras:

• Audio Commentary
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes
• Production Notes

This is a series I never watched when it originally aired. I caught a few odd episodes when they were in reruns... but not that many at all. Then I finally bought the first season set... and found I really enjoyed the show. Instead of continuing to buy the season sets I decided to just get this complete series set. This way I would get it all at once... and then there was the added bonus of a special bonus disc only available through the complete series set.

In a matter of just about a month I completed this set... all 9 seasons... 207 episodes! And I must say... I really enjoyed every minute of it! I just couldn't stop watching it! I definitely feel I got my money worth with this series. I found myself literally laughing out loud through the entire series... well the entire series up until the last few episodes of the series. Don't get me wrong... I still enjoyed it. And I do get the storyline demanded a much more serious atmosphere... but I just think it took too much of a turn to the more series and not as much comedy as there should of been. But then that could also be because I really didn't care for the storyline they chose for the final episodes.

The packaging for this set leaves a lot to be desired as well. I know there is a more fancy IPS Truck shaped complete series set out there... but I felt they were just asking too much money for that one. This one is exactly like the complete series set for Married with Children where it opens up like a digipak... but on each side there is 2 big spools with half the discs on each side... the discs just sitting on top each other. I can deal with it... but it is probably my least favorite packaging I ever seen.

Over all this is a set I definitely recommend. The complete 9 season (207 eps.) set plus a bonus disc available only through the complete series set.... at amazon right now for under  $40. Definitely a great deal for a great series!




(From The King of Queens: The Complete Series on August 17th, 2012)