DVD Collectors Online

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, a review by addicted2dvd

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
Get ready for edge-of-your-seat excitement with the hit that rocked the nation! In this entertaining thriller, Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra - 'The Hard Way', 'Internal Affairs') has the perfect life and family - and exactly what Peyton Flanders (Rebecca De Mornay - 'Risky Business') desires desperately. But once Peyton deceptively becomes the Bartels' live-in housekeeper, how far will she really go when the life she wants belongs to someone else? From absorbing start to heart-stopping finish, this critically acclaimed winner delivers a lively mix of thrills, chills and surprises equaling 100% fun!

My Thoughts:
This is a movie I have not seen in MANY years. I think the last time I saw it was when it was first released back in 1992. I actually bought this from the video store I managed when it went out of business (This and about 200 others!) So I got it super-cheap (like $3.00)... and it has been sitting on my shelf every since... unwatched. And that was a good 5 years ago! Needless to say in that length of time I completely forgot what this movie was like... it was like watching it again for the first time. And I must say I came out of it a bit surprised. This is a damn good thriller! I really enjoyed every minute of it! I liked pretty much everything about it. I felt the entire movie was well done. I especially liked how the did the character of Solomon. They showed that yes, he may be slow... but he is far from stupid. Unfortunately this movie did not get the DVD release that it deserved. The only extra on this release is the Theatrical Trailer. I would really like to see a special edition of this one come out.

(From Weekend Movie Marathon: 7/4 - 7/6 on July 5th, 2008)

Wonder Woman, a review by Tom

Title: Wonder Woman
Year: 2009
Director: Lauren Montgomery
Rating: PG-13
Length: 74 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.85
Audio: English: Dolby Digital TrueHD, English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: English, French

Stars:
Keri Russell
Nathan Fillion
Alfred Molina
Rosario Dawson
Marg Helgenberger

Plot:
On the mystical island of Themyscira, a proud, strong warrior race of Amazon women lives in a utopian civilization shielded from the corrupt world of man. But a betrayal within the Amazon sisterhood leads to the escape of Ares, the God of War, and Amazon Princess Diana must capture him before he unleashes global chaos and destruction. With the aid of cocky fighter pilot Steve Trevor, Diana tracks Ares to the United States for a battle unlike any humankind has ever faced in this epic tale of the princess who becomes the World's Greatest Super Heroine.

Extras:
Bonus Episodes
Commentary
Featurettes

A fun movie. The only real contact I have with Wonder Woman is the 70s series with Lynda Carter. I have been waiting for a modern movie version for awhile. The live-action version seems to stuck in development hell. A animated movie is the next best thing.
We have here the origin story of Wonder Woman. The beginning is quite similar to the pilot of the old series. The main difference here is, that they didn't wipe Steve Trevor's memory when returning him to the outside world. So he is very much aware of who Wonder Woman is and where she comes from. And this movie is much more violent than the TV series ever was.
The character of Artemis reminded me very much of Teela from the rebooted "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe".
My complaint about this movie is the short runtime of 73 minutes. They did tell the story they wanted to. But Wonder Woman's alter ego Diana Prince only appears in the last minute. I would have liked her to have a longer part. The dual life as everyday people of superheroes is what I like best about the genre. Not the big fights with powerful enemies.
So all in all this movie serves well as a introduction, but it would have been nice to have more of Diana Prince in it.

The Blu-ray also contains two selected Justice League and two Justice League Unlimited episodes which have Wonder Woman in the center of the story.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on June 6th, 2009)

Dark Angel Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

8. Gill Girl
Alec and Max set out to rescue an aquatic transgenic caught at sea from White, but the creature's mate throws a wrench into Max's plans. Meanwhile, Logan has a brush with death after he and Max get a little too close while babysitting his niece.

My Thoughts:
This episode was pretty good... but I think it could have been better. Not one of my favorites... that is for sure. Not that there is anything in particular wrong with it... it is just a good basic episode in my opinion.

9. Medium is the Message
Max and Logan find themselves caught up in a spellbinding kidnapping case, that takes surprising turns when they learn the boy is the son of the infamous Mr. White.

My thoughts:
Once again... a good episode... but nothing all that special about it. It does give you some info that (if I remember correctly) is needed for upcoming episodes... but just another basic episode.

10. Brainiac
When Asha's militant group comes under fire, Max figures that it's all because of a Manticore-engineered military strategist, another transgenic called Brain. Brain sets out to protect Max as best he can, after he's called upon to discover who really betrayed the group.

My Thoughts:
Now... this episode I enjoyed. I thought it was done well... had a load of action in it... and even a few laughs in it as well. I had to laugh when Brain was riding with Max on her motorcycle and she told him to watch his hands... to high!... so he lowered them and she said Too low now! LOL... I can't say I blame the guy at all!... she could give me a ride anytime! 

11. The Berrisford Agenda
While being haunted by music from the past, Alec must revisit one of his Manticore missions that went bad and resulted in the loss of his one true love. Max attempts to put the pieces of Alec's past together and upon discovery of the truth sets out to help him as best she can.

My Thoughts:
Another really good episode...This time we see a lot of flashbacks as Alec remembers one of his missions from Manticore... a mission that went wrong. In this episode we learn a lot about Alec... and why he is the way he is.

(From Dark Angel Marathon on September 11th, 2007)