DVD Collectors Online

Super, a review by addicted2dvd

Watched On: 3/10/2013

Super (2010/United States) IFC Films, MPI Media Group, IFC Midnight Director: James Gunn (1970) Writing: James Gunn (1970) (Writer) Length: 96 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, Spanish

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Stars:
Rainn Wilson as Frank Darbo
Ellen Page as Libby
Liv Tyler as Sarah
Kevin Bacon as Jacques
Gregg Henry as Detective John Felkner
Michael Rooker as Abe

Plot:
When sad-sack loser Frank (Rainn Wilson, The Office), a short-order cook, sees his ex-addict wife (Liv Tyler, The Lord of the Rings) willingly snatched away by a seductive drug dealer (Kevin Bacon), he finds himself bereft and unable to cope. But he decides to fight back under the guise of a do-it-yourself superhero called Crimson Bolt.
With a red hand-made suit, a wrench, a crazed sidekick named Boltie (Ellen Page, Juno) - and absolutely nothing in the way of superpowers - Crimson Bolt beats his way through the mean streets of crime in hopes of saving his wife.

Extras:

• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Interviews

This is one that I got from the library... it is one I have been curious about every since it was originally released. I have to say... it was different then I was expecting. I didn't hate it... but I wasn't thrilled with it either. The weird thing about it is that I can't really pinpoint what it was about this film that I liked and what it was about this film that I didn't care for. I can say that I never been much of a fain of Rainn Wilson... but I don't really think that was the problem here. I think part of the problem was the characters was a little too much over the top for my taste.




(From What Movies I Been Watching on March 20th, 2013)

Iron Man, a review by Jon

Iron Man
4 out of 5

A lot of you have already reviewed this and I've little to add. I'm going to though!  I thought it was great, we film-lovers were spoiled last year by high-class superhero efforts with this and The Dark Knight. Although, has Goodguy reviewed this yet? 

There are basically two types of comic story; a deep, contemplative study of the human condition, or blowing shit up and looking cool while doing it! Characters like Judge Dredd can do both, Batman tends to lean to the first and that's why The Dark Knight was a perfect realisation of the character. The great thing about Iron Man is that it also feels like a perfect realisation of the "blowing shit up/looking cool" story.

It's a thin, predictable plot, broadly told, but that just makes it easier to have indulgent fun with fantastic set-pieces and a great cast. RDJ is wonderful as is his snappy dialogue with everyone, including his robots. Paltrow doesn't have a lot to do, but she looks great while doing it. And Jeff Bridges must have relished a playing Stane. He's an obvious character, but very different to a lot of Bridges' previous.

The only real problem with the film is the plot. Like many origin films, the origin takes too much of the running time (though it's always fun) and the resolution of the first mission has to be tacked on, meaning when you think about it, there's very little of substance. Comics have the advantage of being able to concentrate on Issue 1, while only having to set-up an element for Issue 2 to pick up on. And of course, they can stretch out the character arc used here for months. I still think the best origin was Burton's take on Batman because he was able to tell it in ambiguous flashback and not cripple his main plot. That said, I do think Iron Man runs a good second, certainly better handled than Spider-Man or even Nolan's first Batman film.

I'm looking forward to the sequel because hopefully they'll get into something a bit deeper (The Shiny Knight?) before getting caught up in this multi-film arc that Marvel are attempting. I'm in two minds about that. Again it's a comic staple (not literally the little metal ones), but will it translate to films?

I'm also disappointed that Trevor Howard won't be back, with Rhodes to be played by Don Cheadle. I already think his role smacks of the producers thinking they got the wrong guy. Most of his stuff is in the deleted scenes and I think a couple of them would have been great, especially one which would make it clear how long Stark was in the cave, except the running time is already over two hours. I liked him though and I'm sorry he can't expand on it himself.

And remember the conversation Pete had in another thread regarding this film: keep watching till after the credits!

(From Jon's Random Reviews on March 8th, 2009)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

21. Blind Date (2000-05-16)
Writer: Jeannine Renshaw (Writer)
Director: Thomas J. Wright
Cast: David Boreanaz (Angel), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Alexis Denisof (Wesley Wyndam-Pryce), Christian Kane (Lindsey McDonald), Thomas Burr (Lee Mercer), Stephanie Romanov (Lilah Morgan), Sam Anderson (Holland Manners), J. August Richards (Charles Gunn), Jennifer Badger Martin (Vanessa Weeks), Keilana Smith (Mind Reader #1), Dawn Suggs (Mind Reader #2), Charles Constant (Security Center Guard), Scott Berman (Vendor), Derek Anthony (Dying Black Man), Rishi Kumar (Blind Child #1), Karen Lu (Blind Child #2), Alex Buck (Blind Child #3)

Angel meets female Daredevil. An okay episode but nothing really exciting. And why is it so easy for Angel to break into Wolfram & Hart from the sewers? They stretch the fact so much in the show, that Angel is essentially able to get anywhere he likes by going through the sewers.

Rating:



22. To Shanshu in LA (2000-05-23)
Writer: David Greenwalt (Writer)
Director: David Greenwalt
Cast: David Boreanaz (Angel), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Alexis Denisof (Wesley Wyndam-Pryce), Elisabeth Rohm (Kate Lockley), Christian Kane (Lindsey McDonald), Stephanie Romanov (Lilah Morgan), Sam Anderson (Holland Manners), Todd Stashwick (Vocah), Carey Cannon (Female Oracle), Randall Slavin (Male Oracle), David Herman (David Nabbit), J. August Richards (Charles Gunn), Julie Benz (Darla), Louise Claps (Homeless Woman), Daren Rice (Uniform #1), Jon Ecklund (Uniform #2), Lia Johnson (Vendor), Robyn Cohen (Nurse), Susan Savage (Doctor), John Eddins (Monk #1), Gerard O'Donnell (Monk #2), Brahman Turner (Young Tough Guy)

An okay episode, but as a season finale too boring. Nice to see Darla again.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on July 23rd, 2009)