DVD Collectors Online

The Butterfly Effect, a review by Silence_of_Lambs

Summary:
A young man (Ashton Kutcher) blocks out harmful memories of significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life.

My Thoughts:
This was the second time I watched this movie.
I didn't quite like it the first time and rewatched it today (two years after the first attempt), because I'm frequently told that this is a great movie and I surely must have missed something important if I don't like it.

I still don't really like it, probably never will!
And that for two reasons:
1. Ashton Kutcher is a terrible actor, even though for his capabilities he's doing quite well here, it's still far below what a talented actor might have made of this role.
2. The script is full of plausibility leaks! A Fantasy movie on time travel doesn't have to be realistic (how could it be that?), but at least it should keep to the logical system it set up. While I can accept that those who caused the change of the present still have memories of the alternative pasts, it's hard to see why some of the involved have this too and others don't.

I admit that it's quite entertaining (provided you keep your brain in "Sleep Mode") and has an interesting story, but that's about it.


My Rating: (out of possible 5)

(From Michael's random reviews on November 9th, 2010)

On Her Majesty's Secret Service, a review by Dragonfire

James Bond goes undercover in the treacherous Swiss Alps in this action-packed epic filled with artillery-laden ski pursuits, incredible stunts and nonstop thrills! George Lazenby leaps into the role of Agent 007 with supreme confidence and undeniable charisma, even finding love with the beautiful and seductive Tracy Di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg). But first Bond must stop evil genius Blofeld (Telly Savalas) from releasing a germ warfare plot that could kill millions!

My Thoughts

Well I finally watched this one.  This was probably the Bond movie I was least wanting to watch and I'm still not completely sure why.  I put off watching this one since like...September or October when I had started the others.  It wasn't horrible....but I didn't love it either.  Lazenby was ok, but just didn't seem right as Bond to me..and that frilly shirt he was wearing with the kilt at one point was just ridiculous.  The plot was somewhat interesting, but it just moved too slow.  I actually had to watch it in two sittings.  There were some decent action scenes, but too much of the other stuff just moved too slow.  It didn't work for me how Bond went undercover and came face to face with Blofeld...Bond didn't do that much to change how he looked and the men had met before - going on the order the movies were made instead of the original books.  The big chase in the bobsleds just seemed ridiculous to me. 

The relationship between Bond and Tracey was alright, though I don't think it was given enough time to develop for it to be believable.  The fact that he jumped into bed with her so fast fit his character...then when he was undercover he got with those other women...yet right after that when he was with Tracey again, he declares his love and proposes.  It was just a bit too fast.  There was emotion to what was going on, especially late in the movie.  I don't really like how everything worked out there either, even though I knew it was coming and things for the movie series really wouldn't worked that well otherwise. 

I did like the movie overall...but I had issues with it.  It was mostly entertaining, though the pace could have been handled better.  I have started a draft of a review that I'll post on Epinions.  I want to watch the extras from the second disc of my DVD and talk about those for the review as well.  I just haven't gotten myself motivated to watch them yet.  lol  I might do that yet tonight..or wait until tomorrow.  I do know I'm ready to return to Connery and then move on to Moore.

 

(From James Bond Marathon on March 9th, 2009)

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

5.05 No Place Like Home
Writer: Douglas Petrie (Writer)
Director: David Solomon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Marc Blucas (Riley Finn), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Clare Kramer (Glory), Charlie Weber (Ben), Ravil Isyanov (Monk), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), James Wellington (Nightwatchman), Paul Hayes (Older Nightwatchman), Staci Lawrence (Customer), John Sarkisian (Old Monk)

In this episode Buffy learns about Dawn's true nature. I enjoyed this episode. I also like that Giles and Buffy are growing closer again and he is a confidante for Buffy. I never really liked his storyline in season four where he is pushed out of the group and he felt useless.

Rating:



5.06 Family
Writer: Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: Joss Whedon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Marc Blucas (Riley Finn), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Mercedes McNab (Harmony Kendall), Clare Kramer (Glory), Charlie Weber (Ben), Amy Adams (Beth Maclay), Steve Rankin (Mr. Maclay), Amber Benson (Tara), Ezra Buzzington (Bartender), Peggy Goss (Crazy Person), Torry Pendergrass (Damon), Megan Gray (Sandy), Brian Tee (Intern), Kevin Rankin (Donny)

A nice Tara episode. Amy Adams has a small role as Tara's cousin. I love how they welcome Tara in their little Scooby family at the end.

Rating:



5.07 Fool For Love
Writer: Douglas Petrie (Writer)
Director: Nick Marck
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Marc Blucas (Riley Finn), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), David Boreanaz (Angel), Mercedes McNab (Harmony Kendall), Julie Benz (Darla), Juliet Landau (Drusilla), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Kali Rocha (Cecily Adams), Edward Fletcher (Male Partygoer), Katharine Leonard (Female Partygoer), Matthew Lang (2nd Male Partygoer), Chris Daniels (Stabbing Vampire), Kenneth Feinberg (Chaos Demon), Steve Heinze (Vampire #1), Ming Liu (Chinese Slayer), April Wheedon-Washington (Subway Slayer)

A great episode. I always love flashback episodes. It's funny to see Spike before he was turned into a vampire.
And also the end is one of the most touching scenes in the series.

Rating:



5.08 Shadow
Writer: David Fury (Writer)
Director: Daniel Attias
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Marc Blucas (Riley Finn), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Clare Kramer (Glory), Charlie Weber (Ben), Kevin Weisman (Dreg), William Forward (Doctor), Amber Benson (Tara), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Megan Gray (Sandy)

An average episode. Nothing special.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on May 22nd, 2010)