DVD Collectors Online

X-Men, a review by Critter

X-Men (2000)



Director: Bryan Singer

Plot: Two mutants come to a private academy for mutants whose resident superhero team must oppose a powerful mutant terrorist organization.

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Rebecca Romijn

My Thoughts:
Out of all the superhero franchises the X-Men has always been one of my favourites. This film is the first of a trilogy and while I think it is a decent superhero film it would never be up there with what I consider the best superhero films. I think it does introduce the characters well, and while I love all the times in the school I just feel that the final 20 minutes or so of this film is very predictable and conventional.

I think this trilogy is cast very well, Hugh Jackman seems like the perfect Wolverine and Ian McKellen is eerie as the antagonist Magneto. Also, Famke Janssen who is an actor that I love, being cast as Jean Grey who is my favourite of the X-Men is one of the reasons I love this trilogy so much. This offering may not be a fantastic stand-alone film but when viewed in the trilogy everything comes together nicely.

I think one of this films highpoints is the addition of having Mystique on the team. While her relationships with other characters in the film may not be quite canon to the comics she is still a fantastic villain and adds a feeling of uncertainty to many scenes. In the end we are never quite sure if the person we are seeing is really them, or if it is her and that added a great layer of mystery to the film.

Rating:  


(From Critter's Alphabet Marathon Reviews on July 3rd, 2010)

Dracula, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: Dracula: The Legacy Collection Year: 1931 Director: Tod Browning Rating: NR Length: 75 Min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, English: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Bela Lugosi
Helen Chandler
David Manners
Dwight Frye
Edward Van Sloan
Herbert Bunston

Plot:Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Featurettes
Gallery

My Thoughts:
This is the first movie I ever watched with  Bela Lugosi in it. And one of my favorite versions of Dracula. I think Bela Lugosi does an outstanding job in the title role. What with this movie being over 75 years old... I wasn't expecting much from the audio and video on this release. But I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. Though I did have to turn the volume up on my surround sound a little... the quality was impressing. There was some noticeable dust on the video... but nothing that bad at all. It was a very good presentation... and the DVD gives us a nice collection of extras. though I only watched the Theatrical Trailer so far... I like to watch those before the movie to help me get in the mood for what I am about to watch.




Count:
Movie Count: 8
TV Ep. Count: 2
Other Count: 0
Time Started: 3:15am

(From Month Long Horror/Halloween Marathon: 2010 on October 3rd, 2010)

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

21. TEMPEST
A reporter closes in on Clark's secret: Chloe may depart Smallville: LuthorCorp is forced to close. At least the school dance will provide carefree moments for Clark and his friends. Then the twister hits.

My Thoughts:
What a great way to end the first season! The twister scene was amazing! And of course it has plenty of cliffhangers leaving you wanting to see what will happen next!



(From Smallville Marathon on August 1st, 2007)