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The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning: Unrated
Year: 2007
Director: Robert Berlinger
Rating: Unrated
Length: 95 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: English, French

Stars:
Gary Cole
Rufus Dorsey
Jonathan Bennett
Randy Wayne
Joe Gieb
Challen Cates

Plot:
You never forget the first time! Meet teenagers Bo and Luke Duke (Jonathan Bennett and Randy Wayne), high-spirited troublemakers, new to Hazzard County, paroled to the care of the moonshine-making Uncle Jesse (Willie Nelson). Blowhard Boss Hogg (Christopher McDonald) is already fleecing the citizenry to line his pockets but crosses the line when he sets out to steal the Duke farm. As the feudin', fussin', and fast-trackin' fun revs up, cousin Daisy (April Scott) transforms from country girl to Hazzard hottie and a vehicular legend - the General Lee - is born, along with the boys' skills for outrunning Hogg and his deputies. You're at the starting line of the Duke saga. Let the comedy, spills and thrills pile up at lightning-fast speed!

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Bonus Trailers
Featurettes
Music Videos
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
I grew up watching the TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. The series holds a special place in my heart. When the first movie made from the series came out I was glad I got to watch it before buying it because I felt it was an insult to the series. I especially hated that they didn't have the confederate flag on the roof of the General Lee. Thankfully in this prequel movies they fixed that problem. But the movie still didn't live up to the series. I did enjoy this one better then their first attempt. But more for the General Lee flying around the back woods country then the story itself. I did definitely enjoy April Scott in the role of the always hot Daisy Duke. And I liked watching her start out as a cute but frumpy conservative country bumpkin just out of a religious school and seeing her transform into the very sexy Daisy Duke every fan of the series knows and loves. So this movie does have a certain something about it that I like. But the story should have been a lot better.



(From The Movies From Within My Lifetime on May 21st, 2011)

Kiki's Delivery Service, a review by dfmorgan

Title: Kiki's Delivery Service
Original Title:Year: 1989
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Rating: G
Length: 103 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Japanese: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Minami Takayama
Rei Sakuma
Mieko Nobuzawa

Plot:
Rarely does a film touch so many hearts or reach such artistic heights as the highly acclaimed Kiki's Delivery Service, the magical adventure of an enterprising young girl who must follow tradition to become a full-fledged witch.

Venturing out, with only her chatty black cat Jiji, Kiki flies off for the adventure of a lifetime. Landing in a far-off city, she sets up a high-flying delivery service. Here begins a wonderful experience of independence and responsibility as she finds her place in the world.

Kiki's Delivery Service showcases the breathtaking animation of legendary Hayao Miyazaki and the star voice talents of Kirsten Dunst (Kiki), Phil Hartman (Jiji), Matthew Lawrence (Tombo) and more. This spectacular 2-disc set will give you an inside look into the acclaimed movie that soars with energy, excitement and the kind of imagination that entertains again and again!

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Featurettes
Multi-angle
Storyboard Comparisons
Closed Captioned
John Lasseter Intro


This was my second venture into the world of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. As with My Neighbour Totoro it was on laserdisc but this time it was issued by Disney and was in widescreen although dubbed. Another enjoyable, enchanting film.

Kiki is a young witch who has just turned 13 and is required to leave home for a years training and to find and hone her skills. After leaving home she finds herself in a big city and although some people recognise her for what she is others just ignore and brush past her. After wandering for a while she helps a baker to return a lost item to one of the bakers customers and with this she also finds a place to stay and a career path. Following a couple of setbacks Kiki gets a little disillusioned and loses some confidence, this has a knock-on effect and Kiki finds that her powers are going. However after meeting a friend and visiting one of her earliest customers Kiki manages to turn things round and regains her powers.

Again there is more to this film than I have detailed above but I need to leave room for others to find the details. The usual Miyazaki trademarks are plentiful in this film.

Whilst this is another marvellous, enchanting and magical film, I will only give this a 4 because it it slightly more simplistic.

Dave

ETA original title

(From dfmorgan's Studio Ghibli Marathon on June 28th, 2010)

Angel Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

3. First Impressions
Original Air Date: 10/10/2000
When Cordelia has a particularly disturbing vision of Gunn is in grave danger, she elects herself as his new protector. When she discovers that he may be his own worst enemy, she has to face the fact that she can't save him without the help of Angel and Wesley.

Guest Stars:
Julie Benz
David Herman
Chris Babers
Cedrick Terrell

My Thoughts:
A good episode. We get lots of time getting to know Gunn some in this one. him together with Cordelia for most the episode gave us some good laughs. As did Angel wearing a pink helmet while riding on the back of Wesley's motorcycle.

My Rating:

(From Angel Marathon on March 1st, 2010)