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Race to Space, a review by KinkyCyborg

Title:Race to Space
Year: 2000
Director: Sean McNamara
Rating: PG
Length: 104 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
James Woods
Annabeth Gish
Alex D. Linz
Wesley Mann
Patrick Richwood

Plot:
Based on the true story of the first chimpanzee in space, James Woods stars as Wilhelm Von Huber, a NASA scientist who transfers to Florida with his son, Billy (Alex Linz). Billy dreams of becoming a hero like the young astronaut Alan Shepard. Wilhelm dreams of Billy becoming a scientist like him. When Billy is hired by Dr. Donni McGuiness (Annabeth Gish) to help train the chimpanzees for the NASA space mission, he develops a close bond with Mac, one of the chimps. But when Mac is chosen to become the first chimp sent into space, Billy soon realizes that if Mac is successful on this mission, something could go terribly wrong. Father and son put aside their differences and work together in hopes of bringing Mac home safely.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Production Notes
Bloopers, HAM Featurette, KSC Promo


Based on true events, this explores the U.S./U.S.S.R. race to put a living being in space. An American team led by German scientists accomplished this feat by putting a chimp in orbit.

I don't think this was a completely accurate accounting of the events leading up to the launch of that day as some comical and diabolical elements were added to keep this from being a strictly technical display, but it was done without going overboard.

I enjoyed it although I thought James Woods looked horribly out of place as the lead German scientist whose uptight and strict nature certainly did nothing to dispel the Nazi persona associated with his homeland. I like Woods but I guess I'm used to seeing him as a hard nosed cop or a convincing sleaze... 

Kids will enjoy this too as the chimps do the expected gags, farts, raspberries and goofy faces. 

KC



Rating:

(From KinkyCyborg's Random Reviews 2010 on October 3rd, 2010)

3-Way, a review by samuelrichardscott

3-Way (2004) R2 United Kingdom

Overview:
Based on fabled pulp novelist Gil Brewer's "Wild To Possess" comes this sinfully tasty, hard-boiled brew of lust, extortion and murder, starring Gina Gershon (Borderline) and Dwight Yoakam (Panic Room). Lew (Dominic Purcell, Mission: Impossible II) is a small-time loser with a very big secret. He's overheard a sordid little kidnapping plot worth a cool million and is cutting himself in for a piece of the action. But when Lew shares his guilty knowledge with three extremely untrustworthy women - sexy gal pal Rita (Joy Bryant, Antwone Fisher), luscious abductress Isobel (Ali Larter, Legally Blonde) and sultry, well-heeled Florence (Gershon) - his blackmail scheme spins murderously out of control. The problem with secrets? No one can keep 'em. Also stars Desmond Harrington (Ghost Ship).

My Thoughts:
I hadn't heard of this movie before, purchasing solely on the cast which includes Gina Gershon, Dwight Yoakam, Dominic Purcell and Ali Larter. Advertised as a 'sexy noir like thriller' I went into the film with intrigue but was unfortunately disappointed. The story, whilst completely capable, relies on too many stupid and unlikeable characters and the dialogue can be somewhat empty. The level of acting was average yet disappointing. Yoakam puts in a decent performance despite being given a poor character to work with but everyone else put in lesser showings. Don't get me wrong, the movie is far from bad but it just isn't very good either. A below average 2/5

(From Never Ending Movie Marathon (short reviews) on June 27th, 2010)

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: The Complete Series, a review by addicted2dvd

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: The Complete Series IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer/Intro | What goes on behind the scenes of a nationwide late-night comedy sketch show? Aaron Sorkin, creator of The West Wing, answers that question with a must-see show within a show filled with engaging characters, ear-grabbing dialogue and a Hollywood hive of insider buzz. Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford portray the likable hotshots brought in to revive NBS-TV's sagging flagship comedy series and Amanda Peet plays their savvy boss in episodes exploring the lives and loves of and the make-or-break creative pressures on the show's staff. Panic. Chaos. Fear. Sleep deprivation. Just make sure it's funny by Friday. Because that's when a nation tunes in to Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip. Episodes: 1. Pilot 2. The Cold Open 3. The Focus Group 4. The West Coast Delay 5. The Long Lead Story 6. The Wrap Party 7. Nevada Day, Part I 8. Nevada Day, Part II 9. The Option Period 10. B-12 11. The Christmas Show 12. Monday 13. The Harriet Dinner, Part I 14. The Harriet Dinner, Part II 15. The Friday Night Slaughter 16. 4AM Miracle 17. The Disaster Show 18. Breaking News 19. K&R, Part I 20. K&R, Part II 21. K&R, Part III 22. What Kind of Day Has It Been

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Stars:
Matthew Perry as Matt Albie
Amanda Peet as Jordan McDeere
Bradley Whitford as Danny Tripp
Steven Weber as Jack Rudolph
D. L. Hughley as Simon Stiles

Extras:

• Audio Commentary
• Featurettes

This is a series I liked from the start when it originally aired. unfortunately NBC decided to cancel it after only 1 season. At least it was a full season. This series is a good combination of comedy and drama. I felt it really worked... and I liked all the characters. This is definitely a series I can easily recommend. I just wish there was more of it to watch.  For those of you that worry about it. Don't worry... the way they ended the season... there is no unresolved storylines. As the season finale also works well as a series finale. If you haven't yet... check it out. I don't think you will be sorry.



(From Addicted2dvd's Random TV Series Watched on November 9th, 2013)