DVD Collectors Online

Sleeping with the Enemy , a review by Dragonfire

Sleeping with the Enemy



In this suspenseful romantic thriller, Julia Roberts stars as Laura, a young woman who thinks she's found the man of her dreams in Martin (Patrick Bergin). But after they are married, Laura discovers the "real" Martin: compulsive, controlling and dangerously violent. Faking her own death, Laura starts life over in a small Midwestern town. But even with a new identity, Laura lives in fear, stalked by the memory of Martin's brutality-a memory that terrifyingly comes to life when he discovers she is still alive.

My Thoughts

I first saw this movie back when the movie was first released in theaters.  I didn't realize at that time that the movie was based on a book.  I guess I didn't pay attention to the credits.  I did end up reading the book later.  The basic story is the same, though several minor things have been changed.  Some things in the book make more sense and some things in the movie make more sense.

The plot is interesting, though nothing that surprising happens.  Things that happen are predictable, but the movie is still interesting and entertaining.  I think the movie works as a good thriller, though there really isn't much mystery to what is going on.  Suspense and tension build over some scenes, especially later in the movie.  The movie manages to make canned food in a cabinet and hanging towels seem menacing.  There really isn't any action to what is going on, and some scenes do move a bit slower.  That doesn't bother me, but some people may feel differently.

Julia Roberts does a good job as Laura/Sara and is believable in the part.  I think this was one of the first movies I saw her in.  Laura's husband Martin is a complete jerk.  There is an attempt to make him look good guy at first, but there is just something about him that I didn't like at that point even the first time I saw the movie.  Patrick Bergin does a great job with the part, making Martin a horrible character that I hate.  This is the first movie I've seen Bergin in and I've really identified him with the part.  It is hard for me to see him play nice guys because of that.

I have lost track of how many times I've seen this movie.  I still really enjoy it and think it has held up well and is still worth watching.



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

Sleeping With the Enemy



(From Sleeping With the Enemy on September 3rd, 2010)

The Hunger Games, a review by Dragonfire

The Hunger Games



I've heard about The Hunger Games books for a while, but I only picked them up after the movie was released.  I just wasn't that sure I wanted to read them before then.  The previews for the movie looked interesting, so I decided to pick up the book.  I really liked it and would have started right in on the second one if I'd had it.  I picked up Catching Fire and Mockingjay at the same time.  When I finished the second one, I started right in on the third one.  It did take me a while to see the movie, mostly because of my work schedule.  Once I managed to see it, I really enjoyed it. 

In a futuristic country, a boy and girl teenager from each of twelve districts are chosen to compete in a fight to the death that is televised and required viewing.  Sixteen year old Katniss volunteers to be the tribute from her district when her younger sister is chosen.  She and Peeta, the boy tribute, are taken to the Capitol where they start preparing for the games.  During the required events before the games, Katniss and Peeta receive a lot of attention. 

The movie stays fairly close to the book, though there are changes.  Some of them show things that weren't shared in the book since it was just from the perspective of Katniss.  It is interesting to see the different things.  I do feel like a few things weren't handled as well as they should have been.  I know stuff has to be cut when books are turned into movies, but certain things aren't going to make as much sense to people who haven't read the books because of how they are handled in the movie. 

The movie has a disturbing subject, just like the book.  The games are shown, and tributes die in various ways, some of which are really unpleasant.  Despite all the killings, the movie manages to be rated PG-13.  That is probably because of the horrible jerky camera work that makes it impossible to make out anything at times.  The camera is bouncing around, constantly in motion even in scenes that have no action.  It is ridiculous and I hate it.  It would have been better if some of the violence was just hinted at instead of using all the jerky camera work.  The movie probably would have been stronger if it had gone with an R rating, but the studio was never going to go for that. 

Katniss is a very strong, determined character, though she has some flaws.  That makes her more realistic.  Jennifer Lawrence is wonderful in the part.  Peeta isn't developed as much and in the movie, his motivations with a few things end up more uncertain than they were in the book.  One or two things are explained like they were in the book, which I didn't like.  I liked Josh Hutcherson in the part.  The other tributes aren't seen as much, so they aren't developed much.  Primrose, Katniss's younger sister is just in a few short scenes at the beginning.  Gale, the friend that Katniss hunts with, is in a few more scenes, mostly broodily watching the coverage of the games.  There is just something about him that I don't like.  I didn't like him much in the book either.

The movie has a few issues, the biggest being the horrible camera work, but it is good and definitely worth seeing.



I did get a longer review posted at Epinions.

The Hunger Games



(From The Hunger Games on June 11th, 2012)

"Big Bang Theory" Marathon, a review by Rick

1. Pilot
Synopsis: The two theoretical scientists Leonard and Sheldon get a new Neighbour: Penny, a waitress in The Cheesecake Factory. And suddenly two galaxies begin to crash into each other.

My Thoughts: The opening 2 minutes alone sets up the show perfectly. Sheldon's idea for a t-shirt is great. I think Penny learns everything she need to know abotu her new friends when they tell her they play Klingon Boggle. HA! Luke Skywalker Conditioning Shampoo.

Favorite line: Sheldon to Leonard at the end: "I don't know what your odd are in the whole world but as far as this car goes you're a veritable Mac Daddy"

Great start. All of the characters are set up nicely. Looking forward to the rest of the series.


2. The Big Bran Hypothesis
Synopsis: After he's seen the chaos that is Penny's appartment, Sheldon cleans it (and Leonard helps him) during the night while Penny's sleeping. Naturally she freaks out when she realizes what they've done.

My Thoughts: Leonard comes out at night after hearing what seems to be a noise with his light saber. It's really funny cause he seems to honestly think it would help him if someone was there.  Penny begins to define her relationships with all of the guys and how they interact through out the show. It's good to see what they set up now continues true to form throughout the rest of the season (and hopefully into S2. I also like the way she messes with them as a group (something else they continue). When they are redesigning the TV stand and she says
Favorite lines:
Howard in the hallway "[Speaking Russian]"
Penny: "I'm Sorry?"
Howard: "Haven't you ever been told how beautiful you are in flawless Russian?"
Penny: "No, I haven't"
Howard quickly replies: "Get used to it"
Penny a bit creeped out replies: "Yea... I probably wont" 


3. The Fuzzy Boots Corollary
Synopsis: After having no luck with Leslie, Leonard tries to ask Penny out to a date. But she totally misinterprets the invitation, thus not considering it a date.

My Thoughts: Another great beginning to an episode (The four of them playing an online game on their laptops). The openings to each episode are entertaining enough!

The exchange between Leonard & Sarah Gilbert (Leslie) discussing a date was really funny. How they break it down to it's pure fundamental elements and then reach a conclusion was perfect.

Favorite Line: Sheldon to Leonard as Leonard came in from giving Penny her mail: "Penny for your thoughts"


The Luminous Fish Effect
Synopsis: Sheldon gets canned after he's insulted his new boss in his very own - and typical - way. But he uses his time off to invent new things the world was waiting for, e.g. a luminous fish as a night light.

My Thoughts: Not my favorite episode but still very funny. The egg experiement was great, especially the conclusion   Laurie Metcalf's character is good but for me it is hard to believe someone so deeply rooted in logic and science as Sheldon is could have such a religious upbringing.

Favorite Lines: Sheldon to Penny after his failed egg experiment:
Penny: "Hey, I'm running out to the market, do you guys need anything?"
Sheldon: "Oh... this would be one of the circumstances that people who aren't familiar with the law of large numbers would call a coincedence"


5. The Hamburger Postulate
Synopsis: After they been practicing with their classical instruments, Leonard sleeps with Leslie and is now torn between his fantasy about Penny and the prospect of having a real relationship with Leslie.

My Thoughts: Re: Opening where they are reenacting the civil war with the aid of Orcs, Godzilla, Superman and apparently a pair of Hindu Gods - Could these guys be any more geeky? 

Leslie is a great character. Flash freezing a banana for her cereal cause she didn't have a knife. Great stuff.

Sheldon and Penny together absolutely crack me up and once again they have my favorite line in the show.
Sheldon: "I need your opinion on a matter of semiotics
Penny: "I'm Sorry?" (a line she uses a lot!)
Sheldon: "Semiotics - the study of signs and symbols. It's a branch of philosophy related to linguistics"
Penny [speaking slowly]: "Okay, sweetie, I know you think you're explaining yourself but you're really not"


6. The Middle Earth Paradigm
Synopsis: Penny invites the four - Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj - over to a Halloween party and Leonard hopes that he can present himself in another light during that party.

My Thoughts:6. I have to admit, the fisrt time I saw this episode I was just about to have an asthma attack when they all came in with their costumes. Reachin for the puffer... tryin to get my breath back 

Sheldon studying the group of party goers and comparing it to Jane Goodall studying apes, and explaining his costume all night.. LOL funny. He really plays his character great. These guys just don't know how to fit in with the average person and they know it, Except Howard that is  He thinkgs he is quite the ladies man.

Leonard taking on Penny's old boyfriend with the help of his "wingman" was a great scene too. The classic brains against brawn.

Favorite lines (Couldnt' pick one this time):
Sheldon: "[giving his audio clue to help people figure out his costume, the doppler effect]"

Leonard: "That's how we roll in the shire"



On to disc 2 

(From "Big Bang Theory" Marathon on September 28th, 2008)