DVD Collectors Online

Underworld, a review by Hal

Title: Underworld: Unrated
Year: 2003
Director: Len Wiseman
Rating: Unrated
Length: 134 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: PCM: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Italian: PCM: 5.1, Italian: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, French, Italian, Commentary

Stars:
Kate Beckinsale
Scott Speedman
Michael Sheen
Shane Brolly
Bill Nighy

Plot:
In the Underworld, Vampires are a secret clan of modern aristocratic sophisticates whose mortal enemies are the Lycans (werewolves), a shrewd gang of street thugs who prowl the city's underbelly. No one knows the origin of their bitter blood feud, but the balance of power between them turns even bloodier when a beautiful young Vampire warrior and a newly-turned Lycan with a mysterious past fall in love. Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman star in this modern-day, action-packed tale of ruthless intrigue and forbidden passion all set against the dazzling backdrop of a timeless, Gothic metropolis.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Featurettes
Music Videos
Storyboard Comparisons
Outtakes/Bloopers

This movie was pretty action-packed right from the start.  While I felt that Beckinsale's performance was good, the strongest character was Michael Sheen as Lucian.  Brolly's portrayal of Kraven left a whole lot to be desired.  I love the way this movie was filmed, giving it a true "Transylvania" feel, it almost felt like it was in black-in-white at times.  I also enjoyed the score.
Not the strongest of stories, but not bad either.

Rating:

(From Hal's 2010 Horror Marathon Reviews on October 9th, 2010)

Venom, a review by KinkyCyborg

Venom



Title:Venom
Year: 2004
Director: Jim Gillespie
Rating: R
Length: 85 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: Spanish

Stars:
Agnes Bruckner
Jonathan Jackson
Laura Ramsey
D. J. Cotrona
Rick Cramer

Plot:
'Venom' is a fright-filled voodoo thriller loaded with a sizzling cast of the screen's hottest young stars! Set deep in the eerie swamps of southern Louisiana -- Agnes Bruckner ('Murder By Numbers'), Jonathan Jackson ('Tuck Everlasting'), and Meagan Good ('Roll Bounce') are among a group of teenagers trying to uncover the truth behind a friend's mysterious death. What they find is an evil force more deadly than anyone could have imagined! Now they are the ones running for their lives! Also starring Bijou Phillips ('Almost Famous') and Method Man ('Garden State') - critics everywhere hailed this chilling and thrilling horror tale!

Extras:
Scene Access
Featurettes
Storyboard Comparisons


Second horror movie in a row and another that didn't disappoint.

The voodoo swamps of Louisiana sets the scene for this movie of a dead man who gets possessed by the many dark souls of many evil and murderous killers.

Excellent scenes of gore, many creative kills and very good acting (for a horror flick!) made for an enjoyable movie.

This movie fooled me however. It's set in Louisiana and yet there was a scene where a train goes by with CN Rail printed on the sides of the cars so I thought AHH!, filmed in Canada! I checked the filming locations on IMDB and it told me that all the locations were in or around New Orleans. I figured that can't be right. Sitting here stumped for awhile I decided to check out the CN Rail website and lo and behold CN Rail does in fact travel to New Orleans, one of North America's largest ports! As if!!  I had no idea.

Great movie and worthy of a recommendation. Check it out if you haven't already.

KC

Rating:

(From KinkyCyborg's Random Reviews 2010 on November 19th, 2010)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Azumanga Daioh: Class Album (2002/Japan) IMDb | Wikipedia ADV Films (United States) Length: 650 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: English

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Plot:
In Miss Yukari's English class, every day is an adventure.

First off, there's the airhead teacher herself. She may have graduated from high school, but she sure hasn't left. And with the arrival of two transfer students - a ten-year-old prodigy and a space cadet - it's going to be an intersting class! Between handling enormous assignments, dodging murderous volleyballs, and eduring endless rivalries, summer vacation should serve as a welcome break for the weary student - unless your teachers come with you! Getting through three years alive with this motley crew is going to be an adventure!

Azumanga Daioh
1.01 Miss Yukari
Writer: Kiyohiko Azuma (Original Material By), Ichiro Okouchi (Screenwriter)
Director: Hiroshi Nishikiori
Cast: English Vocal Cast), Jessica Boone (Chiyo Mihama (voice)), Kira Vincent Davis (Ayumu Kasuga (voice)), Mandy Clark (Tomo Takino (voice)), Nancy Novotny (Koyomi Mizuhara (voice)), Christine Auten (Sakaki (voice)), Luci Christian (Yukari Tanizaki (voice)), Tiffany Grant (Kaorin (voice)), Hilary Haag (Chihiro (voice)), Andy McAvin (Mr. Kimura (voice)), Chris Patton (Male Student 1 (voice)), Greg Ayres (Male Student 2 (voice)), Monica Rial (Additional Voice (voice)), John Gremillion (Additional Voice (voice)), Allison Sumrall (Additional Voice (voice)), Bubba Callahan (Additional Voice (voice)), Sami Mikasa (Additional Voice (voice)), donaldo (Additional Voice (voice)), Japanese Vocal Cast), Tomoko Kaneda (Chiyo Mihama (voice)), Yuki Matsuoka (Ayumu Kasuga (voice)), Chieko Higuchi (Tomo Takino (voice)), Rie Tanaka (Koyomi Mizuhara (voice)), Yuu Asakawa (Sakaki (voice)), Akiko Hiramatsu (Yukari Tanizaki (voice)), Sakura Nogawa (Kaorin (voice)), Koji Ishii (Mr. Kimura (voice)), Akane Omae (Chihiro (voice)), Hiroyuki Yoshino (Ohyama (voice)), Naoki Yanagi (Male Student (voice)), Ryoko Nagata (Female Student (voice))

One of my favorite anime series. The first episode is a good introduction to the characters. And this series gets better and better later on.
You can find my series review here. This review is a little outdated though. I mentioned having only read one manga so far. This is not true anymore. I have read a lot more now. I also mention that my current avatar is based on a character from this series. This is still true. I still use it to this day.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on March 26th, 2011)