DVD Collectors Online

Keeping Mum, a review by Antares

Keeping Mum (2005) 3/5 - I love the Brits sense of humor, it can be so dark, cynical and witty. Keeping Mum is in this vein, and although it does bring forth a chuckle from time to time, the laughs are few and far between. Maggie Smith is great as the psychopathic 'Mary Poppins', but the rest of the cast really doesn't have much to do. Rowan Atkinson is really wasted here, as he is only given a few brief moments where he chimes in with a bit of slapstick. But I will give a nod to Tamsin Egerton, who I have never heard of or seen before, but is an amazingly beautiful young woman.

(From Antares' Short Summations on October 9th, 2013)

The Avengers, a review by Dragonfire

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The Avengers Marvel makes cinematic history as it unites the Super Hero team of a lifetime. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) assemble together for the first time ever in this epic, action-packed blockbuster - alongside Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Director Joss Whedon creates an unprecedented masterpiece that has become a global phenomenon. Packed with spectacular special effects, this must-own movie sensation boasts exclusive bonus features that transport you deep into the world of Marvel's The Avengers, including a never-before-seen Marvel short film, an interactive Second Screen Experience and Marvel's highly anticipated, first-ever Gag Reel!

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I recently decided to watch this one again and I still enjoyed it just as much as I did when I first saw it in the theater.  It builds on things that have been established in the previous Marvel movies - Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America - especially Thor and Captain America.  It isn't completely necessary to have seen the previous movies, but I think it is best since certain things will make more sense that way. 

Time is taken to set up the situation with Loki that causes everyone to come together.  Tony is fascinated with Bruce and spends time trying to provoke him into turning into a giant green rage monster.  Tony clashes a bit with Thor and Steve, which does cause some conflicts before they are finally able to work together.  I haven't read any of the Avenger comics, though I have seen the animated movies.  From what I remember, the team did have a few issues at first in the first animated movie as well.  The story works and makes for an entertaining movie.  It is full of snappy dialogue that is pure Joss Whedon - he did the screenplay as well as directed - that works perfectly.  Tony still gets some of the funniest lines and they totally fit in with his character.  The action is well done, though some people may think a few scenes drag on too long. 

The Avengers is a great superhero movie and shows that Marvel's long term planning, started with the little seed in the after credits scene of Iron Man, worked perfectly.  Joss Whedon did a wonderful job and I'll definitely be seeing the sequel.  With how great this movie is, it did make me a little...sad that Whedon didn't get to make a Wonder Woman movie.  I still think he could have done an awesome job.  But, if he had done that, he probably wouldn't have been able to do this one.  So I'll take what we have. 



I did post a longer review on Epinions after seeing the movie in the theater originally.  I think I posted about it here too.

The Avengers

(From Marie's Random Movie Viewing on June 26th, 2013)

"Stargate SG-1" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: The Odyssey has been heavily damaged by the Lucian Alliance and has been hijacked. SG-1 goes on a search for the ship but also walks into a trap. Now Cameron is the only one remaining and he has to find a way to infiltrate the Alliance in order to save the others.

My Opinion: It was cool how Cameron managed to make them fight against each other. The relationships between the Lucians were well portrayed given the nature of this organization.

Synopsis: Vala and Daniel believe that they've finally found the planet where Merlin's weapon is hidden. But when they arrive they learn that Ba'al has passed through three days ago. Additionally the warriors of the Ori arrive. The only way out is to find the way to the weapon.

My Opinion: While they've been in the village I didn't suspect anything. But as soon as they left I began to mistrust that old man. I also noticed the ring he gave away, yet I couldn't have known what it represented. The riddles were good, although I knew at once that the fire would require a "leap of faith".

Synopsis: The riddles are solved, now they have to face the dragon. But the weapon isn't there - instead they find Merlin. But Adria is closing in on them and time is running out.

My Opinion: I liked the second part, too. But we have seen people who have been in stasis for several millennia or have endured in a sarcophagus. That makes it somewhat illogical that Merlin's stasis chamber couldn't stop the decay, I especially liked the scene where Sam punches Ba'al, that was really cool.

Synopsis: With the help of "Arthur's Mantle" SG-1 tries to hide an entire village from the Ori. But the field collapses and Sam gets heavily wounded. Vala is caught and meets her husband again who has become a brutal commander of the Ori forces.

My Opinion: The interesting part of the episode is the question whether the Prior took matters into his own hands when he intended to destroy the village. His impressive staff couldn't help him to disable the device.
On the other hand that could be a standard rule: if dangerous then destroy it and find an excuse in the "Book of Origin".

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on May 2nd, 2008)