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Fantastic 4, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: Fantastic 4
Year: 2005
Director: Tim Story
Rating: PG-13
Length: 106 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: DTS 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards
Jessica Alba as Sue Storm
Chris Evans as Johnny Storm
Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm
Julian McMahon as Victor Von Doom

Star(s) of TV Series:

Star:	Movie Character:	TV Series:	Season(s):	Series Character:
Jessica Alba	Sue Storm	Dark Angel	All	Max Guevera
Julian McMahon	Victor Von Doom	Charmed	3-5	Cole Turner

Smaller Parts/Cameos:

Star:	Movie Character:	TV Series:	Season(s):	Series Character:
Gina Holden	LV Receptionist	Blood Ties	All	Coreen Fennel
Peter Bryant	Lame Joke Business Man	Dark Angel	1	Bling

Plot:Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Bonus Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Music Videos
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
I have been a fan of the Fantastic Four since watching the cartoon series from back in the '60s or '70s when I was a kid. Forgive me for using the obvious word here... but going by my memory of the show... I think they did a Fantastic job bringing the characters to life. I liked everyone in this movie. And that is saying something since this is the first (and so far only) thing I have seen that I actually like Julian McMahon in. But I thought he did a great job here. I think Chris Evans got The Human Torch dead on. Jessica Alba was awesome as Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman). I remember when I first heard they were doing this movie I was concerned how The Thing would look in the movie... but that impressed me as well. I think the origin story is both interesting and fun. And I loved the scene on the bridge where the team first came to be. This is one I would definitely recommend. I enjoyed every minute of it.



(From Weekend Movie Marathon: TV Stars in the Movies on March 5th, 2010)

Ring 2, a review by Jon

Ring 2
2 out of 5

Rachel and her son have survived their first encounter with Samara, but not without a price. She's trying to rebuild her life in a sleepy town when a local boy is found dead, in worryingly familiar circumstances. It soon becomes clear that Samara is now coming for the two of them, but why?

I always judge remakes -especially of foreign films- on how they stand up if the original didn't exist. Remakes are rarely better, but every now and then you drop across one that certainly did nothing wrong and was a watchable version. I thought the American Ring was like that. It was loud, brash and overdone, but the intricate storyline was intact and still powerful. Unfortunately this sequel to the remake is a missed opportunity, especially when directed by Hideo Nakata, director of the first Ringu.

Japanese horror films seem to generate a lot of impact by being made as simple dramas; no unnecessary editing or music and the actors play it straight. Howard Hawks once said, "no action without danger" and it makes a lot of sense. I get the impression Hideo is trying that here, but the score and cast are still being played like there is a ghost around every damn corner. Nothing can be accepted for what it is, it's overflowing with unresolved innuendo and furtive glances. It doesn't help that most of the cast are wooden or half-developed characters.

Naomi Watts is gorgeous as usual and does nothing particularly wrong and David Dorfman still impresses as Aidan coming across much older than his years, although I think he's being stretched in the last act. They're let down though by a murky, unfocused script and poor supporting characters. It tells you something when the most memorable is the ever reliable Gary Cole who is on screen for about 30 seconds. He gives the film a much needed slap in the face, but then goes away again.

Overall I quite liked the premise. Fitted in well with the mythology, as you'd expect. It just needed some... oomph! There's a scene toward the end in Samara's well that was great. It needed lots more of that while letting the drama scenes lighten up and simmer down.

All in all, this is a Asian-American fusion that has failed completely, taking the worst of both sides.

Note: there is an extra on the DVD, a short film acting as a sort of prelude to the first victim, that while being weak nevertheless makes me think it could have been a decent storyline for a sequel on its own. All the Rings start off with kids finding tapes and showing them to each other, scaring themselves shitless. Here they go one typical teen step further by forming a cult that records everything that happens after viewing the tape and seeing how close they can get to the 7 day deadline before showing it to the next person, a pre-appointed "tail". I liked the idea of them trying to play Samara at her own game for thrills.

(From Jon's Random Reviews on February 2nd, 2009)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

3. Neverending Battle (10/3/93)
To test just how strong and fast Superman is, Lex Luthor masterminds a series of emergencies around Metropolis to assess the Man of Steel in action.

My Thoughts:
A good episode. In this episode they really added to the comedic levels. I loved how Clark knocked Lois down a peg or 2 after she stole his story.


4. I'm Looking Through You (10/10/93)
A nerdy scientist who's invented invisibility suits becomes the unseen Robin Hood of Metropolis. Then crooks swipe some suits, steal from the rich...and keep the loot.

My Thoughts:
An entertaining episode... if not a little on the silly side. In this episode one of the guest stars is Leslie Jordan. I had to look that name up as it is one of those deals where I know him so well when I see him... but had no idea who he is. One of those faces that shows up all over the place.


5. Requiem for a Superhero (10/17/93)
Cyborgs vs. Superman. Lois and Clark go after a heavyweight story: corrupt fight promoters with a stable of bionic boxers. (And the doctor who created the humanoid machines for Lois's father!)

My Thoughts:
This is a very good episode. It is one of my favorites. I really enjoyed the story. I much more serious one compared to the last couple episodes. Though it did still have some laughs in it. I loved the scene with Superman in the boxing ring.  Especially since he had to hold back against the guy as Clark Kent.


6. I've Got a Crush on You (10/24/93)
Dressed in feathers, Lois goes onstage to investigate a series of nightclub arsons. But she's upstaged by the new bartender: Clark, who's determined to get the story and ice the arsonists.

My Thoughts:
While ok... this has never been a favorite episode of mine. Not that Lois didn't look great in it... but I could have went without the whole nightclub scene...and never been much for organized crime stories. Which of course is a big part (basically all) of the storyline.



(From Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Marathon on July 15th, 2009)