DVD Collectors Online

Rango, a review by Dragonfire

I went to see Rango when it was in the theater here.  I'm just a little late writing about it.

It is a fun animated western that I really enjoyed.  Even though I'm not as familiar with many westerns overall, I did notice the different influences in the movie.  That makes the plot a bit more predictable, but it is still well done and entertaining and definitely worth watching.  The plot is interesting, dealing with a chameleon pet who ends up stranded in the desert.  He has a love of acting and seems to have some identity issues.  After arriving in the small town of Dirt, Rango claims to be a tough gun fighter and it isn't long before he's made sheriff.  Things go well for a while, but then Rango is forced to face up to a few things.

The animation is really well done, with some of the settings looking very realistic.  Unlike most of the other recently released animated movies, there wasn't a 3D version for this one.  The characters have an interesting look.  Many of them, including Rango, aren't exactly cute, but they still manage to be likable overall.  I could have done without the giant rattlesnake though.

Johnny Depp was perfect as the voice of Rango.  The other voice cast did well for their characters as well. 

I really enjoyed this movie overall and will be adding it to my collection once it is released.



I did get a review posted on Epinions after seeing the movie originally.

Rango

(From Rango on May 8th, 2011)

Frankenweenie, a review by Danae Cassandra

Frankenweenie
Year of Release: 2012
Directed By: Tim Burton
Starring: Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Animation

Overview:
From Disney and creative genius Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland, The Nightmare Before Christmas) comes the hilarious and offbeat FrankenweenieFrankenweenie is alive with enchanting fun for the whole family.

My Thoughts:
First, let me say that I am unabashedly a fan of Tim Burton's work.  I've loved all of his stop motion films, and his live-action stuff is generally good too (if not as much).  I love his dark, atmospheric, gothic style.  I'm also a big fan of old, classic monster movies.  So it's almost a given that I was going to love Frankenweenie. 

There's a lot of homage paid to the classics - Frankenstein, obviously, but also all the old Universal films, Gamera, heck, there's even a Bambi Meets Godzilla moment.  There's some genuinely emotional moments; both mom and I teared up toward the end.  There's also an interesting take on the usual theme in horror films of science as dangerous - here it is the intent behind the science that creates danger, rather than the science itself.  Also the usual message about not being so judgmental, and a condemnation of mob mentality. 

A great film for older kids, especially ones who've seen Burton's other films, as well as adults, I can recommend this for anyone - unless they refuse to see a film where a dog dies (yes, I know that person).

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 4/5

(From Danae's 2013 Horror Marathon on October 6th, 2013)

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

EPISODE 5: NOCTURNE
The poems of a secret admirer leaves for Lana are heartfelt and eloquent, but are they harmless? Perhaps not when the writer is a reclusive youth who mysteriously turns monstrous when forced into the light of day.

My Thoughts:
This was a pretty good episode... their take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I really like how they did the make-up of the character... it was a slight change that had a massive result.

EPISODE 6: REDUX
Clark and Lana are confronted with family secrets from the past. And a spirited cheerleader has a secret of her own: she's a geriatric fiend who hides her age by sucking the youthfulness out of teens.

My Thoughts:
Not a bad episode... but not a favorite. I think the ending could have been better.... think she was beaten way too quickly.

EPISODE 7: LINEAGE
If she's Clark's mother, Lex is his half-brother! A woman claiming to be Clark's biological mother sparks a revisiting of events that brought Clark to Smallville and mysteriously linked the Kent and Luthor families.

My Thoughts:
In a TV Series about the teen years of Clark Kent.... of course they had to do the supposed Real Parent comes to town type show. I think they did this one really good though. It not only gives a decent story... it also sets up a good story for later.

EPISODE 8: RYAN
Clark uses his powers to free his young mind-reading friend Ryan. But Ryan's plight leads Clark to realize there are some things even a fledgling superhero can't do.

My Thoughts:
Cool... The return of Ryan... the boy from the episode "Stray" (Season 1 episode 16). This is a good... but sad episode.... which also sets up something for later this season... when he tells Clark's mother he knows her secret and asks when she will tell the family. Definitely a good episode.

(From Smallville Marathon on August 1st, 2007)