DVD Collectors Online

Beautiful Boxer, a review by Rich

boxing through Thailand...



Based on the true story of Thailand's famed transvestite kickboxer, Beautiful Boxer is a poignant action drama that punches straight into the heart and mind of a boy who fights like a man so he can become a woman.

A fairy tale - literally, based on truth. Over-sentimental and gentle, it is neither action, drama or impacting. This film bored me senseless, and only warrants a 3/10 due to the brilliant cinematography and convincing acting of the lead role.

(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on February 26th, 2008)

Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage, a review by Danae Cassandra

Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage
Year of Release: 2007
Directed By:  Michael Campus
Starring: Jared Padalecki, Marcia Gay Harden, Peter O'Toole, Aaron Ashmore
Genre: Drama

Overview:
Returning home from college one Christmas, young artist Thomas Kinkade (Jared Padalecki) is dismayed to learn that attempts to promote local tourism have failed and his mother (Marcia Gay Harden) is dangerously close to losing the family cottage to foreclosure. Inspired by his mentor, Glen (Peter O' Toole), a famous artist who lives next door, Thom accepts a job painting a mural of his small, idyllic hometown. With Glen's help, Thom not only discovers his calling as the Painter of LightMy Thoughts:
I observed once that no one appreciates sentiment any more.  We have uplifted cynicism in its place.  I think perhaps that accounts for some of the reason this film has gotten poor reviews.  Yes, it's sentimental, and maybe a bit schmaltzy, but I enjoyed it and thought it was pretty good.  It's a Christmas movie, and one should expect sentiment in such a film.  The film and its characters felt very real to me, these small town eccentrics and their rivalries and friendships.  If Peter O'Toole is the standout, the entire cast did a good job with their characters.

For those who have said this isn't a "family movie" because of some very brief, and very mild, language, and the portrayal of the town hussy, you are missing the forest for the leaves.  The film is filled with the value of love and community, of putting aside those things that hold you back from others and coming together.  And that makes it a good Christmas film.  Recommended, unless you're a total prude living under a rock, or too-cool for old-fashioned sentiment.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 3/5

(From Yuletide 2013 on December 19th, 2013)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman: The Complete Third Season, a review by addicted2dvd

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman: The Complete Third Season (1995/United States) Wedding planning puts a strain on any couple. Lois and Clark aren't just any couple. Besides coping with caterers and orange blossoms, they must battle mad scientists, LEX LUTHOR, revived World War II Nazis and other diabolical foes. Which means Lois and Clark face one tough (and action-packed!) trip to the altar. The Daily Planet's ace reporters team for exciting adventure and winning romance in 22 episodes that blew fans and critics away. "'Lois & Clark' has shown renewed superstrength in its third season...by breaking one of the oldest rules in the SUPERMAN canon: Superman has not merely revealed to LOIS LANE his secret identity as CLARK KENT, but he's also become engaged to her! Messing with the Superman myth is one thing; doing it so well is a shock" (Ken Tucker, 'Entertainment Weekly'). Prepare to be shocked...and thrilled! Episodes: 1. We Have a Lot To Talk About 2. Ordinary People 3. Contact 4. When Irish Eyes Are Killing 5. Just Say Noah 6. Don't Tug On Superman's Cape 7. Ultra Woman 8. Chip Off The Old Clark 9. Super Mann 10. Virtually Destroyed 11. Home Is Where The Hurt Is 12. Never On Sunday 13. The Dad Who Came In From The Cold 14. Tempus, Anyone? 15. I Now Pronounce You... 16. Double Jeopardy 17. Seconds 18. Forget Me Not 19 Oedipus Wrecks 20. It's a Small World After All 21. Through a Glass, Darkly 22. Big Girls Don't Fly

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Stars:
Dean Cain as Clark Kent/Superman
Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane
Lane Smith as Perry White
Justin Whalin as Jimmy Olsen
Eddie Jones as Jonathan Kent
K Callan as Martha Kent

Extras:

• Featurettes
• Interactive Games
• Closed Captioned

I just finished this season. While I still enjoyed it quite a bit. This is actually my least favorite season of the series. It got a bit tiresome how they kept Lois and Clark apart. And I really didn't care for the whole frogs/clone storyline. That said... it did end on a high note. One that set up the fourth season really nicely. Once again there are many guest stars that I recognized this season. In the third season there was Peter Boyle, Bruce Campbell, Patrick Labyorteaux, Jonathan Frakes, Dave Coulier, James Read, Fred Willard, Brad Garrett, Tony Curtis and Justine Bateman.

When I first started to re-watch this series I was actually only planning on watching the pilot episode... or at the most the first disc of the first set. I got so into this series again that I have now completed the third season... and I still don't feel like I want to stop... so about to start the fourth (and final) season!




(From Addicted2dvd's Random TV Series Watched on August 7th, 2011)