DVD Collectors Online

House on Haunted Hill, a review by addicted2dvd

House on Haunted Hill
One night in the house, one million bucks, no questions asked. But there is a catch for anyone who accepts the offer. Murder is a way of life at the 'House on Haunted Hill', a jolting, effects-ramped remake of the 1959 cult classic that starred Vincent Price and was directed by screen horror legend William Castle. Geoffrey Rush plays twisted theme park bigshot Steven Price, who's hosting a scary/jokey birthday bash for his wife (Famke Janssen) at an abandoned institute for the criminally insane. Taye Diggs, Ali Larter, Bridgette Wilson, Peter Gallagher and Chris Kattan portray strangers mysteriously assembled for the event that could make them all very rich. Or profoundly dead. And you? We won't start the party without you.

My Thoughts:
I remember when I first heard they were making this movie. All I could say at the time was WHY!?!?! But after watching it I decided that even though a remake wasn't needed... they did a pretty good job on it. I did (and still do) enjoy it. That is not to say it is as good as the original... because there is no way it could be. In the original Vincent Price was perfect in the role... and Geoffrey Rush just didn't cut it in my opinion. I do like how they changed the role name to Stephen Price.... a little homage to Vincent Price there? But other then that it is a decent horror movie.... I would even say above average.


Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRPVgujgaw4

(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Ghosts/Hauntings on January 30th, 2009)

A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa, a review by Danae Cassandra

A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
Year of Release: 2009
Directed By: Kirk R. Thatcher
Starring: Kermit the Frog, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Rizzo, Pepe the King Prawn
Genre: Comedy, Television

Overview:
Celebrate the season with all your favorite Muppets in this heartwarming and hilarious holiday movie. Whoopi Goldberg, Uma Thurman, Nathan Lane and other sensational guest stars join our friends on a fun-filled Christmas adventure full of sidesplitting laughs and memorable music.

When Gonzo forgets to mail three letters to Santa, he convinces Kermit and the gang to help him deliver the notes to the North Pole. Along the way, they discover that Christmas is the time to be with those you care about most, as they dash home to make a friend's Christmas wish come true. Bursting with bonus material and never-before-seen footage, A Muppets Christmas: Letters To Santa is hours of holiday fun for the entire family!

My Thoughts:
This is a pretty average Muppets special. It's cute, Paul Williams puts together a couple of good songs, and the Muppet performers give it their all ... but the main story is fairly dull, and the human performers aren't anywhere near the Muppets in their performances. Yes, you watch a Muppet movie for the Muppets, but the humans could have been a lot better.

Not bad for Muppet fans, but not in the same league as The Muppet Christmas Carol. Not sorry I watched it, but it won't make the yearly rotation.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 2.5/5

(From Christmas 2016 on December 21st, 2016)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

The Cosby Show

Pilot Presentation - Theo's Economic Lesson



The Cosby Show pilot episode uses the same title sequence as the rest of the first season, and is widely regarded as the 'first episode'. However, it is notable for a number of differences from the remainder of the series.
In the pilot, the Huxtables have only four children. Following the pilot, the Huxtables have five children, with the addition of their eldest daughter, Sondra (Sabrina Le Beauf). The character was created when Bill Cosby wanted the show to express the accomplishment of successfully raising a child (e.g., a college graduate). Whitney Houston was considered for the role of Sondra Huxtable. Sabrina LeBeauf almost missed out on the role because she is only 10 years younger (b. 1958) than Phylicia Rashād (b. 1948), who played her mother.
Bill Cosby's character is called "Clifford" in the early episodes of the first season (as evidenced by his name plate on the exterior of the Huxtable home). His name was later switched to "Heathcliff". Additionally, Vanessa refers to Theo as "Teddy" twice in the dining room scene.

Clair is furious when Theo brings home a report card with 4 D's. He tells Cliff that he has no intention of going to college, as he feels that he is destined to be a "regular person." Cliff uses Monopoly money to teach him about the economic realities that many blue-collar workers must face. He assures Theo that he only wants him to try his best. Cliff is alarmed to meet Denise's latest beau, a former merchant marine who once spent time in a Turkish prison

Not a lot one can say about a tv series we no doubt would all of caught at some point. The pilot was a good introduction to the original family and the brand of humour one can expect throughout its long run. Probably a lot more suited and popular in the States than the UK, it still had a fairly long run here and was repeated a multitude of times.
It is one of those friendly sitcoms you can pick up at any point, there is no longer term complicated plot, and it is easy viewing.
Interesting tp note the points above, with a few changes by its 2nd episode, most notably a name change for the lead and another child appearing!
 


(From My PILOT Marathon on September 1st, 2009)