DVD Collectors Online

Twelve Monkeys, a review by Antares

Twelve Monkeys (1995) 4/5 - I'm ashamed to say that I haven't seen too many of Terry Gilliam's films, even though I'm a huge Monty Python fan. I think my problem lies with the fact that I know I'm going to have to invest myself completely with the storyline because of Gilliam's cerebral screenplays and his attention to detail. Last night there was nothing on television and I couldn't think of a DVD in my collection that piqued my interest, so I started surfing the channels and fell upon this film. I started to get that uneasy feeling that I usually get when I'm undecided about sinking my teeth into a complex film, as I felt I wasn't in the right frame of mind, but after about 15 minutes, I was hooked. Usually films about time travel don't sit well with me because you can usually find holes in the screenplay to make the time travel aspect inconceivable as written. But Gilliam's storyline is completely plausible and has enough twists to keep it compelling throughout. Bruce Willis and Madeleine Stowe are both excellent in their roles, but Brad Pitt steals the show every time he's on screen. I read on IMDB that Gilliam took away Pitt's cigarettes to get a more manic delivery from him, and this obviously worked to a tee. I think now that I'm finally going to seek out Gilliam's other films, if they're half as good as this was, I'll be happy.

(From Antares' Short Summations on January 9th, 2012)

Mr. Popper's Penguins, a review by Dragonfire

When I first saw the trailers for Mr. Popper's Penguins, I thought it had the potential to be cute, though I wasn't sure I wanted to see it.  I ended up going to see it with a friend and I liked it overall.  It is a fun, cute, family friendly movie, though it does have some problems.

The plot is silly and not at all believable, but it does make for an entertaining movie.  I know it was based on a book, but I haven't read the book.  From what I read about the book, it seems like the plot has been changed a lot for the movie.  There are a lot of funny moments, though some of the humor is a little gross, dealing with penguin poo and things of that nature.  There are a few sweet moments in the movie as well.  A lot of what happens is just silly, but it works for the movie.

The penguins are really cute.  Jim Carrey can be hit or miss, depending on if he goes too over the top.  I think he did pretty good with this movie.  The other actors are fine in their parts. 

Not everyone will like this movie, but as a family friendly choice, it isn't that bad.  I would have gone with 3.5 stars at Epinions if I had the option.  Since I didn't, I ended up rounding up to 4 stars.

Mr. Popper's Penguins


(From Mr. Popper's Penguins on July 16th, 2011)

Babylon 5: Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: The body of a dead Minbari warrior is presented on Babylon 5 as a sign of respect towards the warrior. But the body is stolen and the Star Rider clan of his blames the humans for the loss. Meanwhile a young girl is found who has teep abilitiies. Whila Talia Winters wants her to enter the Psi Corps, Susan Ivanova tries anything to keep her away from that organisation.

My opinion: Funniest moment was when somone remined Garibaldi that the Pak'Ma'Ra are carrion eathers. We also learn that the Narn are the only people that have no teeps. And we get another look into the Minbari culture and tradition. For the first time we see Delenn use her power as member of the Grey Council. And I liked the ending where Talia and Susan - who where opponents over the teep business - apologized to each other.

Quote of the episode:
Neroon (to Sinclair): "You speak like a Minbari"


Synopsis: The planet Epsilon 3 around which Babylon 5 is orbiting devolps a series of quakes. A survey team which tries to land is being attacked when the planet is supposed to be uninhabited. Meanwhile riots have broken out on the Mars colonies and Garibaldi tries to communicate with a previous lover.

My opinion: At last we learn something about the planet below Babylon 5 except it being a nice wallpaper. We see that there's a huge machinery down below the planet's surface but like most two-parters the first one is only the prelude to the second part.

Quote of the episode:
Draal: "The third principle of sentient life is the capacity for self-sacrifice. The conscious ability to override evolution and self-preservation for a cause, a friend, a loved one."


Synopsis: Earth heavy cruiser Hyperion arrives at Babylon 5 to protect anything of interest that may be found on Epsilon 3. But another ship arrives, too; claiming the planet belongs to them and that they will take it by force, if necessary. And the dying man from the Great Machine tells Draal and Delenn, that someone must take his place in order to prevent the planet's destruction.

My opinion: Loved it. Sinclair is willing to risk everything to protect the station and the people living there. He is truly a man who understands the third principle of sentient life. And to see the sparkle of excitement in Londos eyes to really do something again - marvelous. It was also interesting to see that there are (and have always been?) tensions between the Earthers and the Marsians.


Synopsis: Babylon 4 is back! After Bablon 1 to 3 were destroyed during constructions, Babylon 4 got lost 24 hours after going operational. Babylon 4 was trapped in a time distortion field and it seems to fall back into it. It's decided to evactuate the station before it disappears again. Meanwhile Delenn is summoned back to the Grey Council to take back her place there which means she has to leave Babylon 5.

My opninion: I alsways like time travel episodes even though this time it wasn't really a time travel. But I loved the hints about Sinclairs future. And I like the fact that Delenn left the Grey Counsil because of the calling of her heart and her expressed opinion about the humans (even if it came from a human script writer )

Quote of the episode:
Zathras: "The One leads us. The One tells us to go. We go. We live for the One. We would die for the One."

(From Babylon 5: Marathon on August 5th, 2007)