DVD Collectors Online

Hellzapoppin', a review by Antares

Hellzapoppin' (1941) 60/100 - From my perspective, this film has two things working for it, and two things working against it. In the plus column you have Mischa Auer and the amazingly talented Martha Raye, whom I have a newfound respect for. Take her out of the film and it sinks like a stone. But, working against it are Olsen & Johnson and Jane Frazee & Robert Paige as the love interests. Olsen & Johnson are a poor man's Abbott & Costello. They have no schtick, they just occupy the frame space, and when they're there, you can't wait for the movie to get back to Auer & Raye. Frazee & Paige are two doormats onscreen and once again, cue Auer & Raye please. It was probably a pretty daring film back in 1941, but time has not been kind to it. Almost all of the jokes fall flat. I counted one gag that I laughed at, and that was the joke with Auer wanting more bread. It wasn't a great gag, but I did chuckle, because Auer had great comedic timing. For a movie that clocks in at only 80 minutes, it dragged a lot. That is, except for the best scene in the film, the "staff" doing the "Lindy Hop' dance routine. Wow! I repeat WOW!!!

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is

(From Antares' Short Summations on July 11th, 2020)

Down to You , a review by samuelrichardscott

Down to You (2000) R2 UK DVD

Overview:
Freddie Prinze Jr. (She's All That) stars as Al Connelly, a college student aiming for a career as a world class chef whose passions explode when he falls in love with Imogen, Julia Stiles (Save The Last Dance).

Set against the fabulously chaotic backdrop of college life in New York City, their story tells of the conflict between true love and the temptation to wander astray from commitment. When mischievous room mates enter the scene, Al and Imogen are confronted with obstacles that add to the highlights and pitfalls of their love affair.

Thoughts:
Well, when a film is a rom-com starring Freddie Prinze Jr, you shouldn't hold out much hope. Bought solely for Rosario Dawson's small role, this is actually a film of missed opportunities. Instead of being your typical boy (Prinze Jr) meets girl (Julia Stiles) it actually turns into a break-up and a series of 'what ifs?' What if they had stayed together? This results in what started as a rom-com trying to turn into a drama making a mess of the general feel of the film. Freddie Prinze Jr has absolutely zero screen presence, Stiles doesn't so much better. It does have a few good moments, generally involving Dawson or Selma Blair but it's a film that doesn't know which direction it wants to go in and because of that, it falls apart. 2/5

(From Never Ending Movie Marathon (short reviews) on July 7th, 2011)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

18. Five by Five (2000-04-25)
Writer: Jim Kouf (Writer)
Director: James A. Contner
Cast: David Boreanaz (Angel), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Alexis Denisof (Wesley Wyndam-Pryce), Julie Benz (Darla), Christian Kane (Lindsey McDonald), Thomas Burr (Lee Mercer), Tyler Christopher (Bret Folger), Stephanie Romanov (Lilah Morgan), Eliza Dushku (Faith), Rainbow Borden (Gangbanger), Francis Fallon (Dick), Adrienne Janic (Attractive Girl), Rodrick Fox (Assistant DA), Thor Edgell (Romanian Man), Jennifer Slimko (Romanian Woman)

It's always fun to see Faith again. I always liked this episode. Only this time I found, that her turn to Angel at the end was coming to suddenly.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on July 11th, 2009)