DVD Collectors Online

Iron Man 2, a review by Dragonfire

I went to see Iron Man 2 on Friday.  I really enjoyed the movie overall and think it is a good sequel. 

I recently read a book about Iron Man that covered the history of the character and some of the more important story lines.  While I think the plot for the movie is original, I think some parts of it were inspired by the various comic books.  I think the plot works very well and it does offer some character growth for Tony/Iron Man.  Several things are going on without making the movie too confusing.  Tony is dealing with the US government wanting to take control of the Iron Man technology.  A new enemy turns up working with a business rival while Tony struggles with another problem.

This movie definitely builds on the first one.  I do think the movies should be watched in order.  This one picks up about six months after the end of the first movie.  The press conference from the end of the first movie is even heard and seen during the first few minutes of the new movie.  That helps to give motivation to Ivan, the new villain for the movie.  Some of the scenes dealing with introducing Ivan and setting up things with him do move a little slower, but it isn't slow enough to make things boring.  There is a good amount of action throughout the movie that is done well and helps to keep things interesting.  Violence does turn up in several scenes without it being excessive or that graphic.  The special effects are done well and create some cool scenes. 

Some more serious things do come up during the movie.  Those things are handled well and work for what is going on.  I've read some complaints about one of the subplots - that deals with a more serious issue - being a waste of time.  I don't feel that way at all.  It provides the opportunity for growth for Tony.  Yes he does basically fall apart at one point, but there is a reason for that.  Also, that has happened to him in the comics a few times in some of his more well known stories, so it makes sense to me for something like that to end up in the movie.  It doesn't go as far in the movie as it did in the comics, but it still works.  After seeing the movie, I saw another review that complained that the Iron Man suit changed in appearance.  Tony changed the armor a few times in the first movie and he was frequently modifying or improving the armor in some way in the comics, so it makes sense for the armor to change in the movie. 

Tony is a complex character that is still evolving in this movie.  He has flaws and can be a jerk at times, but he still manages to be a likable character.  Robert Downey Jr. is wonderful in the part.  I can't imagine anyone else being Tony/Iron Man.  Gwyneth Paltrow is fine as Pepper, though she doesn't have as much to do.  I do like what happens with Tony and Pepper.  James Rhodes is still Tony's friend, though there are issues between the friends.  I do like Don Cheadle in the part.  Rhodey does get to be War Machine this time.  Samuel L. Jackson gets a bit more to do as Nick Fury.  He is also laying more groundwork for the future Avengers movie.  Natalie is a new character working with Tony and then Pepper.  Natalie  is supposed to be Black Widow from the comics, though she is never called by that name.

Ivan has a huge grudge against Tony.  He isn't that developed, but he works as a villain and Mickey Rourke does well with the part.  Justin Hammer owns a business that is a rival of Stark Industries.  Justin just wants to outdo Tony any way he can.  He is very arrogant and a huge jerk.  Sam Rockwell does well with the part.  I've read that he was actually considered for Tony/Iron Man originally.  I don't think that would have worked and I'm glad the part went to Downey Jr. instead. 

There is a short scene after the credits that is helping to set up another Marvel movie.

I really enjoyed Iron Man 2.  I'll probably see it again and I'm sure I'll get the DVD..or maybe Blu-ray.



I did get a review posted on Epinions if anyone wants to take a look.

Iron Man 2

(From Iron Man 2 on May 10th, 2010)

What To Expect When You're Expecting, a review by addicted2dvd

Watched On: 3/8/2013

What To Expect When You're Expecting (2012/United States) Trailer |IMDb |Wikipedia | Lionsgate Director: Kirk Jones Writing: Shauna Cross (Writer), Heather Hach (Writer), Heidi Murkoff (Original Material By) Length: 110 min. Video: Widescreen 2.40:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, Spanish

---

Stars:
Cameron Diaz as Jules
Jennifer Lopez as Holly
Elizabeth Banks (1974) as Wendy
Chace Crawford as Marco
Brooklyn Decker as Skyler
Ben Falcone as Gary

Plot:
Inspired by the perennial bestseller, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about five couples whose intertwined lives are turned upside down by the challenges of impending parenthood. The movie features "lots of loughs, heart, and a terrific ensemble of actors at their best" (Pete Hammond, Boxofice Magazine) and is "a must see!" (Gayle King, O Magazine). The film stars Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quad, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Ben Falcone and Joe Manganiello.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Digital Copy

This is another film I grabbed off the shelves of the library. To be honest not sure why I even grabbed it up when I saw it. It was on the shelf where they keep all the recent arrivals... and I just grabbed it without even thinking about it... and carried it around with me while looking. I guessed I was thinking it would be a decent back-up and I just never found anything else better to replace it with. This one I found that was a laugh out loud type of funny comedy.... though there is a couple spots that is. Over-all I found that once I got into the story (which was a little difficult for me at first) that I enjoyed it quite a bit. I hope to add it to my collection soon.



(From What Movies I Been Watching on March 9th, 2013)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Freaks and Geeks: The Complete Series (1999/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Shout! Factory, Sony Music Entertainment (United States) Length: 798 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles:

---

Plot:
The fans demanded it, and so it has come. Freaks and Geeks, the Emmy award-winning series about the trials and tribulations of outsiders in 1980 Michigan is finally on DVD in its original form, with all of its original music. The complete series includes all 18 original episodes; the director's cut of the pilot with never-before-seen footage; deleted scenes; outtakes; behind-the-scenes footage and 29 commentary tracks by the actors, writers and directors who made the show. If you wanted it, it's in here. Even if you didn't want it, it's in here. So rock on and enjoy!


Freaks and Geeks
1.01 Pilot
Cast: Linda Cardellini (Lindsay Weir), John Francis Daley (Sam Weir), James Franco (Daniel Desario), Samm Levine (Neil Schweiber), Seth Rogen (Ken Miller), Jason Segel (Nick Andopolis), Martin Starr (Bill Haverchuck), Becky Ann Baker (Jean Weir), Joe Flaherty (Harold Weir), Dave "Gruber" Allen (Jeff Rosso), Ben Foster (Eli), Chauncey Leopardi (Alan White), Tom Wilson (Coach Ben Fredricks), Steve Bannos (Mr. Kowchevski), Brianna Brown (The Cheerleader), Lizzy Caplan (Girl #1), Gabriel Carpenter (The Football Player), David Michael Gangler, Jr. (Don), Marco Gould (Kevin), Sarah Hagan (Millie Kenter), Anna Coman-Hidy (Mousy Girl #2), Stacy Hogue (Karen), Jason Lansing (Bully #2), Jarrett Lennon (Colin), Ron Lester (Seidleman), Natasha Melnick (Cindy Sanders), Ashley Power (Popular Girl #1), Busy Philipps (Kim Kelly), Alan Simpson (Tom), Lea Sheppard (Harris), Mark Allan Staubach (Mark), Shaun Weiss (Sean), Kristy Wu (Mousy Girl)

A great series which sadly only got one season. This series felt more real than any other TV series about high school life that I have seen. I was constantly reminded about my own school. Nothing specific but the general feel to it.
This series also introduced me to a lot of actors who later popped up in many movies and TV shows. Like James Franco, Jason Segel and Seth Rogen.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on June 19th, 2011)