DVD Collectors Online

Wanted, a review by Tom

Title: Wanted
Year: 2008
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Rating: 18
Length: 110 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.35
Audio: Japanese: DTS 5.1, English: DTS HD Master Audio, French: DTS 5.1, Italian: DTS 5.1, German: DTS 5.1, Spanish: DTS 5.1
Subtitles: Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish

Stars:
James McAvoy
Morgan Freeman
Angelina Jolie
Terence Stamp
Thomas Kretschmann

Plot:
Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is a cube-dwelling hypochondriac, with a boss who humiliates him and a cheating girlfriend. His life is going nowhere.
Wes discovers that his estranged father has been brutally murdered and finds himself thrust into a secret society of assassins, called The Fraternity. During his training, at the hands of a skilled mentor named Fox (Angelina Jolie), this once office-bound wimp develops lightning-fast reflexes and superhuman dexterity.
However, with his first assignment, Wes finds out that the only thing more difficult than ending the lives of others, is summoning the courage to take control of his own.

Extras:
BD Live
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Motion Comics
Scene Access
U-Control

I had seen this movie in the cinema and couldn't wait to watch it again. I think it is one of the only decent attempts of making a Matrix like movie since the first Matrix came out (way better than the two Matrix sequels).
When the Blu-ray arrived, I was surprised, that it had a rating of 18 (both British and German, both ratings are printed on the disc). The cinema I had visited plays movies in their original language and usually do not display the rating. I didn't remember that this movie would warrant such a high age restriction, but seeing it again now, I can understand why. There is a lot of bloody violence in it (but nothing which would endanger an US R-Rating ).
I enjoyed this movie just as much as the first time around. Even though the action reminds a little of Matrix, this movie has an interesing story different from Matrix.
But that Angelina Jolie should eat something. I don't remember her seeing as such a stick-figure in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith", the last movie I have seen her in.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on January 24th, 2009)

Dumb and Dumber, a review by samuelrichardscott

Dumb and Dumber (1994) R2 United Kingdom

Overview:
Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are too lame to live--and too dense to die--as a pair of deliriously dim-witted pals on a cross-country road trip to return a briefcase full of cash to its rightful owner. Along the way they'll confound cops, kidnappers and anyone and everyone who had the misfortune of crossing their paths in this comic caper for every idiot in the family!

My Thoughts:
When it comes to Jim Carrey movies, I am neither a lover nor a hater. He is a good enough comic actor who has been in some above average funny movies like The Mask and Ace Ventura, both of which make use of his 'rubber face crazy' humour and of course the slightly less crazy but equally as fun movies Liar Liar and Yes Man. However for me, it's his offbeat films I really enjoy with my two favourites being the phenomenal Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and the criminally underrated The Cable Guy. Unfortunately, for me at least, Dumb and Dumber is an overrated movie that tries too hard and ultimately fails. Despite a reasonably half decent 'plot' for a comedy, the laughs come far to slowly (and I'm a fan of the Farrelly Brothers) and I laughed once during the entire movie (when Lauren Holly gets taken out by a snowball from about 2 feet away). I know I'll get some flack for this one but I've never seen the charm. Skip it. 1.5/5

(From Never Ending Movie Marathon (short reviews) on June 21st, 2010)

Angel Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: After Fred's parents have found her in Angel's hotel, she runs head over heels. Angel and her parents - who are oblivious to supernatural phenomena - try to find Fred. And of course they cross path with monsters.

My Opinion: Finally Fred has come out of her self-imprisonment, it couldn't have gone on like this. And I seriously liked the attitude of the parents.

Synopsis: The man who Angel freed from the demon prison is at large and he uses his evil powers. Both Angel and Cordelia feel obliged to stop him.

My Opinion: That was quick. It's good that Lilah shot the bastard but that shortens the list of possible Angel enemies.

Synopsis: Darla is very advanced in her pregnancy and she makes an impact at Angel's hotel. Neither Darla, nor Angel nor Wolfram & Hart (who of course learn of her pregnancy) know how it's possible that a vampire becomes pregnant. And Angel's friends are very disappointed that he lied to them.

My Opinion: Cordelia has gotten her maternal instincts in the very wrong moment. I didn't understand her behaviour from the beginning. Hopefully this story with his son and the vampire hunter is a longer arc.

Synopsis: Darla has gone into labour and the gang gets her into a normal hospital. But several different groups have an elaborated interest in getting their hands on both Darla and the child, among them W&H, a vampire cult and the vampire hunter Holtz, who has been ressurected by a demon.

My Opinion: Chosen children never had an easy life, we've seen this on "Xena", on "Star Wars" and it will be no different here. Holtz is obviously stronger than normal men but I get the suspicion that their struggle won't last long because Holtz won't stop hunting Darla/Angel and Angel won't hide from Holtz. I supect that the main plot of the next episodes will be to protect the child. This episode was a good appetizer for that.

(From Angel Marathon on February 18th, 2008)