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The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement , a review by Dragonfire

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement My Thoughts I first saw this one in the theater when it was released.  I do enjoy it, though it isn't as good as the first movie. The back cover claims this movie picks up right where the first one ended.  That isn't right.  Several years have passed - I think 5 - and Mia has just graduated college.  I do like that Genovia is the setting for this movie.  The plot is entertaining, though a few things about it are a bit silly, like Mia being forced to find a husband in a hurry to be able to become Queen.  She is still learning things about the country and about being a princess, and that does add some of the humor every so often.  I know that there is a series of books featuring Mia, but if I remember right - and I didn't pay attention to the credits this time - it didn't say this movie was based on one of the books.  I did read something a few years ago that said how different the movie was from any of the books.  The movie is entertaining, though the plot could have been a bit stronger. This one is a good family movie like the first one.  Also like the first one, this movie will probably appeal more to girls than boys.  There is a bit more romance in this one, though not much is shown or happens.  Mia and her grandmother continue to be entertaining, likable characters.  I also really like Joe, a man who works for Clarisse - the Queen.  I had forgotten that Chris Pine was in this one, though I recognized him as soon as he showed up.  He is kind of a jerk at times, but he ends up being a decent character. I received the widescreen DVD a few months ago when someone was kind enough to send it to me.   I think there is a full screen version too.  There are several extras, including deleted scenes and some music videos.  So far, I've only watched the bloopers.  Those were funny.  The plot for this one is a bit weaker, but it is still a fun, entertaining movie and I think it is worth watching.  I really like Mia, Clarisse, and Joe.  I wouldn't mind seeing another movie with the characters, though I don't think there are any plans for another one. I did get a review posted on Epinions after I saw this one in the theater originally. Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

(From Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement on September 22nd, 2010)

Superman Returns, a review by DJ Doena

February, 13th


Director: Bryan Singer

Brandon Routh   ...    Clark Kent / Superman
Kate Bosworth   ...    Lois Lane
Kevin Spacey   ...    Lex Luthor
James Marsden   ...    Richard White
Parker Posey   ...    Kitty Kowalski
Frank Langella   ...    Perry White
Sam Huntington   ...    Jimmy Olsen
Kal Penn    ...    Stanford

Synopsis: Nobody has seen or heard from Superman in five years. In the meantime Lois Lane has become a mommy and she's written the Pulitzer-winning article "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman". But now Clark is back from what is left of Krypton and he's needed right now again: Lex Luthor has stolen Kryptionian crystals from the Fortress and wants to build a new continent - at the expense of that small island called North America.

My Opinion: It took me some time to really get used to that movie. Mainly because I was mad at Bryan Singer for abandoning the X-Men project which resulted in The Last Stand. But now with a few years distance, I like this movie.
Some elements are still very comic-like, like Lex's behaviour at some points of the story but that is fully outweighed by the moments he's truly evil.
I also like Brandon Routh's portrayal of Clark/Superman. While Christopher Reeve's Clark was a bit of a douchebag that I didn't like very much, they chose to do it differently here. He's just a nobody who lingers in the background and isn't noticed by anybody but Jimmy. Lois couldn't care less about him in any way - which makes it believable that she doesn't see Superman in him. For me that works.
Speaking of realism (): The one scene I didn't buy was when Superman lifted that island out into space while he still had a piece of Kryptonite stuck in his side and was exposed to the other K in the island. If Lex can beat him up just because he's around it, he should have never been able to lift that weight. So much for in-universe consistency...

(From DJ Doena's movie watchings 2010 on February 13th, 2010)

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

1. Exile (Part 1)
Under the influence of red kryptonite, Clark is following a life of crime in Metropolis while his friends and parents desperately try to find him. Lex is forced to confront his personal demons on a desert island, while Lionel holds a funeral for his presumed-dead son.

My Thoughts:
A nice continuation from last season's cliffhanger. I really liked the way they handled Lex on the island. The start of the fight between Clark (on Red Kryptonite) and Jonathan was very cool too. Definitely a good episode!

2. Phoenix (Part 2)
Clark gives up the ring and its effects rather then kill his father, and both he and the rescued Lex return to Smallville. Clark must deal with crime lord Morgan Edge, who has followed him to Smallville, while Lex must determine who tried to have him killed - Lionel or Helen.

My Thoughts:
This episode starts with the continued fight between Clark and Jonathan. This episode tells us what actually happened on the plane that left Lex stranded on a deserted island. I thought they put that all together very well... another really good episode.

3. Extinction
Clark discovers someone is hunting people affected by the kryptonite rocks and the killer's next target is Lex. Clark uses his powers to save Lex, but is caught off guard when the killer learns his weakness and shoots him with a kryptonite bullet.

My thoughts:
This is another episode I liked a lot. There really is some pretty cool special effects in this show. I really liked how they did Clark getting shot by the kryptonite bullet and how the green veins from the wound spread as Jonathan tried to remove the bullet. I swear those needle nosed pliers into his shoulder fishing for the bullet looked painful!

4. Slumber
Clark dreams he is being pursued by a frightened young girl who needs his help. However, after he discovers she is actually a comatose neighbor who should have woken up years ago, he enlists Lana's help to uncover the truth which puts Lana in grave danger.

My thoughts:
This is a great episode... up there with my favorites. I liked the look of "The Traveler" in this one.... had a real Grim Reaper feel to him.

(From Smallville Marathon on August 4th, 2007)