DVD Collectors Online

Hellzapoppin', a review by Antares

Hellzapoppin' (1941) 60/100 - From my perspective, this film has two things working for it, and two things working against it. In the plus column you have Mischa Auer and the amazingly talented Martha Raye, whom I have a newfound respect for. Take her out of the film and it sinks like a stone. But, working against it are Olsen & Johnson and Jane Frazee & Robert Paige as the love interests. Olsen & Johnson are a poor man's Abbott & Costello. They have no schtick, they just occupy the frame space, and when they're there, you can't wait for the movie to get back to Auer & Raye. Frazee & Paige are two doormats onscreen and once again, cue Auer & Raye please. It was probably a pretty daring film back in 1941, but time has not been kind to it. Almost all of the jokes fall flat. I counted one gag that I laughed at, and that was the joke with Auer wanting more bread. It wasn't a great gag, but I did chuckle, because Auer had great comedic timing. For a movie that clocks in at only 80 minutes, it dragged a lot. That is, except for the best scene in the film, the "staff" doing the "Lindy Hop' dance routine. Wow! I repeat WOW!!!

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is

(From Antares' Short Summations on July 11th, 2020)

Firestarter, a review by addicted2dvd

TITLE: Firestarter YEAR: 1984 DIRECTOR: Mark L. Lester LENGTH: 114min. PLOT: 'Firestarter', the bestseller by top writer Stephen King, now comes blazing to the screen in a $15 million saga, produced by Dino De Laurentiis. Eight-year-old Drew Barrymore, who won America's heart in 'E.T.-The Extra-Terrestrial', stars as the child who has the amazing ability to start fires with just a glance. But can this power and the love of her father save her from the sinister government agency, "the Shop," which wants her destroyed? The top-notch story, an all-star cast that includes George C. Scott, Martin Sheen, Louise Fletcher, Art Carney, David Keith and Heather Locklear, plus amazing special effects and stunts from the masters who worked on 'Star Wars', 'E.T.-The Extra-Terrestrial', and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' make 'Firestarter' this year's hottest movie.

My Thoughts:
This is another movie I haven't watched in many years. It is one of the movies I do like... but is not what I would call a favorite. What I mean by that is...  it is a movie I definitely enjoy but I can only watch but so often... once every few years at the most for me. For being so young at the time... I think Drew Barrymore did a great job in it. Unfortunately this release has no extras what so every.  I personally would have liked to at least seen the Theatrical Trailer.

(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Stephen King on July 26th, 2008)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

16. Hyde School Reunion
Phoebe's wild teenage personality takes over when she inadvertently casts a spell on herself before her high school reunion. Her delinquent former classmates then user her magic for wrongdoing.

My Thoughts:
This was an episode that was more on the fun side. Just basically Phoebe getting in trouble and then having to fix the problem. At the same time they need to save Chris from some demons that are on to him.

17. Spin City
Piper is kidnapped and cocooned by a Spider Demon, a creature who emerges every hundred years to feed off magical beings. Chris mutates into a spider after becoming infected with the Demon's venom.

My Thoughts:
This was a really good episode... and Chris' turn to get turned into something when he gets infected by the Spider Demon... and turns into one himself. We also get a good idea just how bad Chris and Leo's relationship in the future really is. Did I mention how much I really enjoy this Chris storyline. Unfortunately that storyline is coming close to an end.

18. Crimes And Witch-Demeanors
The Charmed Ones are put on trial for recklessly abusing their powers after Phoebe and Paige are caught on tape using their powers.

My Thoughts:
This is another clips episode. Well not really as there wasn't THAT many clips shown. But it does visit scenes from all the other seasons... clear back to season 1.  It is a decent episode that has some consequences for Phoebe. Is a good episode... but think it could have been better.

19. A Wrong Day's Journey Into Right
Paige unknowingly conjures up Mr. Right's evil twin, Mr. Wrong, who uses his magical pheromones to trick her into believing that she must kill her sisters to realize her secret desire.

My Thoughts:
This is a decent standard episode. Nothing really special. Well.. Paige does give in to evil a little bit in this episode... but it was explained away by her being under a spell of sorts... so not really. It is another episode that I though could have been better.

(From Charmed Marathon on July 8th, 2008)