DVD Collectors Online

Contact, a review by Blair

Contact

Tagline: If it's just us, it seems like an awful waste of space.




Film Details
    Rating: PG
    Runtime: 150 minutes
    Year: 1997

    Director: Robert Zemeckis

Main Cast
    Jodie Foster as Eleanor Arroway
    Matthew McConaughey as Palmer Joss
    Tom Skerritt as David Drumlin
    William Fichtner as Kent
    James Woods as Michael Kitz
    John Hurt as S.R. Hadden
    Angela Bassett as Rachel Constantine
    Geoffrey Blake as Fisher
    Jena Malone as Young Ellie
    David Morse as Ted Arroway


Synopsis
The character of Eleanor Arroway is driven by scientific discovery, particularly in the field of astronomy. Struggling against overwhelming criticism, she hopes to prove the existence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. On her side -- through affection yet compassion -- is Palmer Joss, a man who holds a firm belief in God expressing it through a gentle voice. When a signal from space is picked up by Arroway, new battles between her and those with their own agendas begin, putting both science and faith through a test of truth.


My Thoughts
This movie does an excellent job of portraying many aspects of the human condition: faith, depression, self-centeredness, determination, and bliss to name a few. While not all of the acting was too my liking, two key antagonists -- played by Tom Skerritt and James Woods -- expertly performed their parts making me wish I could jump through the screen and punch them. The musical score, while effectively adequate, was nothing too special... but it didn't need to be. The effects ranged from subtle yet interesting to realistic enough to not seem like effects at all.

The film as a whole is a true roller-coaster ride of highs, lows, and unexpected twists worthy of a viewing by anyone who has ever searched for their own answers to the question, "Are we alone in the universe?"


I end with a favorite set of lines which, to me, summaries the essence of the story. Ellie and Palmer debate their opposing views on the existence (or non-existence) of God:
    Palmer: I couldn't imagine living in a world where God didn't exist.
    Ellie: How do you know you're not deluding yourself? I mean, for me... I need proof.
    Palmer: Proof. Did you love your father?  (Her father has been deceased since she was a child)
    Ellie: Yes, very much.
    Palmer: Prove it.


My Rating:
    

(From Blair's topic for reviewing . . . . wait for it . . . . . MOVIES! (duh) on July 24th, 2011)

Young Frankenstein, a review by Hal

Young Frankenstein: Special Edition (1974/United States) Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Mel Brooks Writing: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley [Mary Shelley] (Original Material By), Gene Wilder (Screenwriter), Mel Brooks (Screenwriter) Length: 106 min. Video: Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: English

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Stars:Plot:
Mel Brooks' monstrously crazy tribute to Mary Shelley's classic pokes hilarious fun at just about every Frankenstein movie ever made. Summoned by a will to his late grandfather's castle in Transylvania, young Dr. Frankenstein (GENE WILDER) soon discovers the scientist's step-by-step manual explaining how to bring a corpse to life. Assisted by the hunchbacked Igor (MARTY FELDMAN) and the curvaceous Inga (TERI GARR), he creates a monster (PETER BOYLE) who only wants to be loved. CLORIS LEACHMAN, MADELINE KAHN, KENNETH MARS and GENE HACKMAN co-star in this inspired vision of lunacy.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Production Notes
• Closed Captioned
• Interviews

With the exception of this film and Blazing Saddles I've never been a big Mel Brooks fan, but this movie is absolutely hysterical at times.
Although the humor is a bit silly at times, the acting is just tremendous and the comedic timing, especially of Wilder and Feldman, is simply marvelous.  With many familiar scenes from the original 1931 film, Brooks has built on the story adding new and hilarious moments.  The scene where Madeleine Kahn breaks out in song with "Oh sweet mystery of life, at last I've found you..." had me laughing my ass off!  Very funny stuff!

Rating:

(From Hal's 2010 Horror Marathon Reviews on October 24th, 2010)

Angel Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

8. Quickening
Original Air Date: 11/12/2001
As Lilah sends a SWAT team out to find Darla, a man whose family Angel and Darla killed back in 1764 is brought into the future to kill the two vampires.

Guest Stars:
Julie Benz
John Rubinstein
Stephanie Romanov
Daniel Dae Kim
Keith Szarabajka

My Thoughts:
A nice continuation from the previous episode. I got a kick out of that vampire cult that was there to guard the baby being born. Another enjoyable episode.

My Rating:

(From Angel Marathon on March 12th, 2010)