DVD Collectors Online

Casino Royale, a review by Rich

Casino Royale



CASINO ROYALE introduces JAMES BOND before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status.Bond's first 007 mission takes him to Madagascar, where he is to spy on a terrorist, MOLLAKA (Sebastien Foucan). Not everything goes to plan and Bond decides to investigate, independently of MI6, in order to track down the rest of the terrorist cell. Following a lead to the Bahamas, he encounters DIMITRIOS (Simon Abkarian) and his girlfriend, SOLANGE (Caterina Murino). He learns that Dimitrios is involved with LE CHIFFRE (Mads Mikkelsen), banker to the world's terrorist organizations.Secret Service intelligence reveals that Le Chiffre is planning to raise money in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro at Le Casino Royale. MI6 assigns 007 to play against him, knowing that if Le Chiffre loses, it will destroy his organization.'M' (Judi Dench) places Bond under the watchful eye of the beguiling VESPER LYND (Eva Green). At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together and even torture at the hands of Le Chiffre.In Montenegro, Bond allies himself with MATHIS (Giancarlo Giannini), MI6's local field agent, and FELIX LEITER (Jeffrey Wright), who is representing the interests of the CIA. The marathon game proceeds with dirty tricks and violence, raising the stakes beyond blood money and reaching a terrifying climax.

Brushed off Casino Royale for a 3rd viewing (1st in cinema, 2nd on dvd) in preparation of seeing Quantum of Solace, this time watching on BluRay. I am bias being a true Bond fan, and the high definition viewing with pure sound was awesome. I am in favour of the new 007, from the books I always thought he was a cold character and more ruthless than typically portrayed, and this is perhaps less 'comic-book' than previous adventures. Good to see the scene with the cut-out wicker chair is in this version of the film mirroring the book. The only minor criticisms I have with the new format were too few gadgets, and lack of a memorable theme song.
A good start to a new Bond.
 


(From James Bond Marathon on June 23rd, 2009)

The Fantastic Four (1994), a review by Jimmy

Didn't realize that I've not written anything in my review depot for that long, almost 3 and a half months 
OK I've wrote my reviews in a marathon topic, but this one had disapear almost at the third page and now it's time to resurect it 

Since many of you had wrote reviews of comic book superhero film I've decided to make my part and watch "The Fantastic Four". Not the recently release one since this is not the goal here (and I have not seen it or care about it to begin with), but one that you probably didn't even know that it exist.



Title: The Fantastic Four (1994)

Genre: Super Hero
Director: Oley Sassone           
Rating: Unrated
Length: 1h30
Video: Full Frame
Audio: English
Subtitles: No Subtitles

Stars:
Alex Hyde-White   
Jay Underwood
Rebecca Staab
Michael Bailey Smith
Joseph Culp

Plot:
When an experimental space voyage goes awry, four people are forever changed by cosmic rays: Reed Richards, inventor and leader of the group gains the ability to stretch his body and takes the name Mr. Fantastic. His girlfriend, Sue Storm, gains the ability to turn invisible and create force fields becoming The Invisible Girl. Her little brother, Johnny Storm, becomes The Human Torch with the ability to control fire, including covering his own body with flame. The pilot Ben Grimm is turned into the super-strong, super-tough Thing. Together they become a team of super-heroes and use their unique powers to foil the evil plans of villains.

This movie was never suppose to be release that's why almost nobody know it, in fact it was made because the producer was about to loose the movie right of it. The actors and the crew didn't know this fact at all when they worked on the film. Because of this it's evident that the movie had some flaws, but the most apparent one is the lack of finishing on the Human Torch effect. The rest of the effects are well done and seem real enough for me (I prefer the old way of doing the special effects, the CGI effects doesn't really interest me). The cast who consist of relatively unknown actors does a good job (except for Underwood, he overact so much) : White had mostly works in tv series (his father is the annoying doctor in the second season of Buck Rodgers, Staab works on tv too and Smith was at the beginning of his career.

For the movie I will not say that it's the best movie ever made, but the origin story goes fast and everything is clear. 2 vilains are present in it : evidently the Dr. Doom and The Jeweler (a lame one who doesn't exist in the comic). One big plus in comparaison with the recent films : Susan Storm is played by a real blond actress, not an untalented bleach one  . The chemistry between the four actors is really great and this isn't a problem like it is with the others movie (from what I've understand of the review written by Tom).

If you can find it this is a fun way to pass 90 minutes in front of your tv or your computer. 

Rating :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcpmM-eTESI

(From The little known movie review depot on January 11th, 2009)

NCIS Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

9. TWISTED SISTER
McGee takes matters into his own hands after his teenage sister appears at his door bloodied and confused.

My Thoughts:
This one is a very good episode. One of my favorites. I liked getting to meet McGee's sister... and loved that she let the cat out of the bag about McGee's book.

My Rating:

10. SMOKED
Working in tandem with the FBI, the NCIS team makes a shocking discovery wehn they identify the remains of a serial killer.

My Thoughts:
This is another one I enjoyed quite a bit. Though not quite as much as the previous one. I did like how they put a little twist into the ending of this one.

My Rating:

11. DRIVEN
A highly classified robotic device is sabotaged and kills a Navy lieutenant who was working on an important project for the Department of Defense.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this one as well. Even though it is somewhat standard... it has some good moments.

My Rating:

12. SUSPICION
A high-level Marine intelligence officer is murdered in a small-town motel room. The NCIS team rushes to the scene of the crime only to discover the local authorities have disrupted the crime scene and performed an autopsy days earlier.

My Thoughts:
This one is alright... but it really didn't impress me too much. I did like the small town forensic scientist though. I would have liked to seen her come back for some more episodes. Unfortunately the rest of the episode was pretty standard... and somewhat slow.

My Rating:

(From NCIS Marathon on December 24th, 2009)