DVD Collectors Online

Evil Roy Slade, a review by Danae Cassandra

Evil Roy Slade
1972, USA

Orphaned as an infant, Evil Roy Slade grew up alone (save for some vultures) to become the meanest villain in the West.  A notorious outlaw, his robberies have made him a life-long enemy in Nelson Stool, a railroad tycoon.  Yet Evil Roy is perplexed as to what he should do when he falls for a pretty schoolteacher.  She, however, sets out to reform him after declaring her love.

We actually watched this a while ago, I just hadn't written anything yet.  Evil Roy Slade was made for TV, and with the cast you just know it's going to be hilarious (John Astin, Mickey Rooney, Milton Berle, Dom DeLuise).  It's a spoof on the western genre - how often have we seen the story where the no-good outlaw is made right by the love of a beautiful woman?  Yet here Evil Roy gets her involved in his outlaw shenanigans after trying things her way and failing at reforming.  Ultimately Evil Roy stays true to himself.  There are some really great lines in the film; I especially love the one about the dead neighbor and all six apples.  

If you like westerns you should enjoy this, since it's hilarious and you'll get all the jokes.  I think it would be funny even for someone who hadn't seen a lot of westerns, but not being that person I can't be sure.  

Overall:  3/5

(From Danae's reviews on April 21st, 2011)

The Muppets, a review by Dragonfire

The Muppets

I have been wanting to see The Muppets since I first heard that the movie was being made, even before I knew what it would be about.  I did have a few concerns at first about Jason Segal being involved at first.  He is one of the main characters and he co-wrote the script.  Then I remembered that he had talked about growing up loving the Muppets...he put references to the Muppets into Forgetting Sarah Marshall..and his character even wrote a musical to be performed with puppets.  So I got past my concern pretty quick.  After seeing the movie, I think he was a really good choice.  I think his love of the characters shines through.  It also looks like he had a ball being in a movie with the Muppets. 

I have loved the Muppets since I was little.  I have seen all the Muppet movies, including the ones made for television.  While I admit that some of them haven't been as good as the classic Muppets, I still enjoyed them overall.  As I saw more trailers - the trailers made for this movie were great with how they spoofed all kinds of other movies - I got more anxious to see the movie.  By the time I went to see it on opening day, my expectations were high.  I was also more excited than I have been for a movie..even Harry Potter.  Part of that is because for so long, it looked like there wouldn't be anything new with the Muppets, let alone a movie released to theaters again.  The movie is wonderful.

The story is fairly straight forward and not the most original, but I think it works for the movie.  It sets up and deals with the fact that the Muppets have been gone from performing for years.  I like that they get back together to try to save the Muppet Theater.  So many of the Muppet characters were back, and some that haven't done much for a long time get to do more.  My favorite characters are true to how they were in the Muppet Show and the first Muppet movies.  Some of them have slightly different looks - from a different hairstyle or outfit - and the legs of several of them are seen too.  There is heart to the movie, and I did get emotional more than once watching it.  There are some sad moments, but overall, the movie just made me really happy.  I felt that a few scenes, including one of the new songs, were touching.  There is decent humor and only one thing that is gross humor..Fozzy makes fart shoes.  I thought that was stupid in the trailer and I wasn't that fond of them in the movie..though when they turn up again later, they did make me laugh. There are several new songs, including a big production number within the first few minutes of the movie.  The songs all work really well for the movie and I loved them.  Rainbow Connection turns up, another scene that got me emotional.  Camilla and the other chickens even sing a song while wearing sequined outfits.  That part is hilarious.  They are just singing in clucks, but it is clear what song they are performing.  It would have been nice if they had done a Pigs in Space segment.  Dr. Strangpork and Link Hogthrob were around in some scenes.  Other characters from the Muppet Show that haven't been seen much since then are also back like Wayne and Wanda, Uncle Deadly, and Thog.  I love that so many of the Muppets are in the movie, though some of them don't have as much to do.  It was also nice to see the Muppet Theater again, and the backstage area.

Gary and Mary are good main human characters.  They are sweet and innocent and Jason Segal and Amy Adams are wonderful in the parts.  Chris Cooper is great as Tex Richman, the villain of the movie who wants to tear down the Muppet Theater to drill for oil.  Walter is a new Muppet character.  I wasn't sure about a new Muppet being introduced, but he works wonderfully in the movie.  He is Gary's brother who fell in love with the Muppets when he discovered them.  Walter is kind of a super Muppet fan.  He fits in really well with the Muppets.

I absolutely loved this movie and I'll probably see it at least one more time in the theater.  The movie is wonderful and definitely worth seeing, especially for fans of the Muppets.



I did get a review posted on Epinions.

The Muppets



(From The Muppets on December 3rd, 2011)

Smallville Marathon #2, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: A FotW who should be in Belle Reve reappears in Smallville and claims to be healed. Unfortunately she can't remember anything since the time she became infected. Chloe doesn't see that as a story but as a means to "cure" her, too. But the doctor isn't who he appears to be.

My Opinion: Great appearance of Dean Cain who was Clark Kent/Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, a show that I also watched until it was cancelled.
What I didn't like was the fact that the Martian Manhunter has become Clark's "waste disposal". The writers have found an easy way out of any kind of plot without needing to think about it.

Synopsis: The "Warrior Angel" movie is being made in Smallville. But someone seems to have a grudge against the lead actress and tries to kill her. Why? Because "if you're destined to save the world, you're destined to be alone". But when Clark saves her (again) he's being watched and now Lana becomes the target for that very reason.

My Opinion: I really liked the talk about the world of Hollywood and the world of comics and how they differ regarding happy ends. But Smallville and other shows like Buffy have shown that happy ends are no automatism anymore. And sometimes I wished for more happy ends again.

Synopsis: Kara is looking for the crystal that was in her spaceship and she nearly crashes with a plane over Washington. But she gets caught by a government agent who knows her weakness because he analyzed the ship prior to its self-destruction. Now she's forced to relive some forgotten memories about her father and her aunt Lara - Kal-El's biological mother.

My Opinion: Now it gets soap-y. Zor-El (Kal-El's uncle and father of Kara) loves Lara and makes his daughter forget about it... And how fast she's learned to break into high security government computers. Impressive. Not.

Synopsis: A "lightning accident" gives Lana Clark's powers without taking his. Now she can experience what he is able to do. And she uses it to "procure" incriminating evidence against Lex and she brings it directly to the "Daily Planet". When they deny to print the story, she tries to finish Lex off once and for all but - surprise! - is stopped by Clark.

My Opinion: Lana is slipping over to the dark side of the force. But I really don't think that Clark is the one to blame. Sure, he lied to her over a long time, but he never betrayed her and he never did anything to hurt her (although sometimes he managed to do it anyway). These dark traits have either been there forever or she has picked them up during her time with Lex. But I liked to see that Chloe is watching out for him and that she gave Lana an upfront warning about it.

(From Smallville Marathon #2 on June 22nd, 2008)