DVD Collectors Online

Across the Universe, a review by goodguy

Across the Universe (2007) Directed by: Julie Taymor Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess DVD: R1-US 2-Disc-SE Sony (2008)

I'm not a Beatles fan. For me, great bands from the '60s are Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead and the like. That's a good thing though, because I can take the cover versions in the movie at face value and don't have to cringe at the "sacrilege" of the sometimes heavily changed renditions. In fact, many of them are far more interesting than the originals.

Still, I wouldn't have bothered with a Beatles musical if it weren't for Julie Taymor. She is one of the most imaginative directors both in movies and on stage. Her look at the '60s through more than 30 Beatles songs should be an interesting ride.

To be honest, the first half hour is a bit of drag. It isn't really bad, but very conventional and rather cliched in its simultaneous depiction of Liverpool working class guy and American rich girl. The only exception during this is the introduction of the Prudence character and her take on "I wanna hold your hand". Visually still not out of the ordinary, but great interpretation.

After half an hour, the movie slowly becomes more inventive in its visual storytelling. I suppose it makes kinda sense, as it matches the character arcs. But even later on it seems that for each strikingly original scene (the dancing suits, the Uncle Sam poster, the statue of liberty, the hospital, etc.) one has to suffer through so-so parts that are well-crafted, but not much more.

I realize that I'm a bit harsh here. Overall, the movie works and it is enjoyable. It is probably the most mainstream thing Taymor has done so far. And since it is inspired by some pop songs and not by Shakespeare (Titus) or a Mexican painter (Frida), one cannot really blame her for that.

The movie ends with a rooftop concert. Rather fittingly, because such a concert was the last public Beatles performance. I had to look up this fact on Wikipedia though, because I knew only the rooftop concert by Jefferson Airplane (one year earlier and filmed by Godard). As I said, I'm not a Beatles fan.


(From Across the Universe on June 11th, 2008)

Kick-Ass, a review by dfmorgan

Kick-Ass

Year: 2010
Director: Matthew Vaughn
CastOverviewWatched: 10th Sep 2010
My Thoughts: Following the rave reception this film received here I was looking forward to sitting down and watching it. However as a long-time Daily Mail reader I have usually found that I can trust Christopher Tookey's film reviews and again, with this film, he hasn't let me down. What a total letdown I couldn't find any redeeming features about this film it was just a great big steaming cow-pat of poo!

My Rating: Sorry it has to be 0

The above was written as a joke because so many people here raved about this film. Below is my real thoughts and rating which were originally spoiler tagged to hide them from general view.

My Real Thoughts: What an immensely fun film. I thought that all the main characters came over well and am looking forward to watching it again very soon. As to Mr. Tookey's reviews - Yes I do trust them as, in general, if he dislikes a film I quite often like them and vice versa some he has rated highly I have found to be boring or lacking in the enjoyment factor.

My Real Rating: A very enjoyable 4

Dave

Edited to remove spoiler tag around My Real Thoughts and Rating and to add little expanation between both sets of thoughts and ratings.

(From Dave's DVD/Blu-ray Reviews on September 11th, 2010)

Pete's Pilots, a review by addicted2dvd

The Addams Family
They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, and now for the first time, they're on DVD! The Addams Family, America's first family of ghastly giddiness, are here in all of their ghoulish glory in the original TV series based on the delightfully demented imagination of Charles Addams. Tarantulas, torture racks, and tombstones have never been so much fun! Join Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Cousin Itt, and the rest of the gang for a fiendishly funny and altogether ooky experience. It's time to pay a call on...The Addams Family!

The Addams Family Goes To School
When Gomez and Morticia keep Wednesday and Pugsley home from school, the truant officer pays a visit with predictably ghastly results.

My Thoughts:
I always enjoyed this classic sitcom. Sure the characters are weird but of course they are meant to be. In this one the kids has their first day at school. Where they get upset over Grimm's Fairy Tales. So The Addams Family tries to rid the school of these fairy tales where there is cruelty to animals (Dragons slayed) and Nice old ladies pushed into ovens (Hansel & Gretal).

My Rating:

(From Pete's Pilots on October 27th, 2009)