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Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds: Live on Stage!, a review by GSyren

Looking at upcoming releases at Amazon UK, I noticed a blu-ray release of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds - The New Generation: Alive On Stage. Being a long time fan of the record album, I was intrigued. But I noticed that they had replaced Richard Burton's narration with Liam Neeson. I was truly disappointed. When they had gone to so much trouble to incorporate Burton's narration into the original stage production, why on earth would they replace it? Now, I have nothing against Neeson, but Burton is so iconic and an integral part of the experience of the record. So anyway, this lead me to dig out the original 2006 show from my archive and watch it once again. And...

Title	Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds: Live on Stage! (5-050582-456738)
Director	David Mallet
Performers	Lewis McCleod, Richard Burton, Justin Hayward, Alexis James, Anna-Marie Wayne
Conducted by	Jeff Wayne
Produced	2006 in United Kingdom
Runtime	110 minutes
Audio	English Dolby Digital 2-Channel Stereo, English Dolby Digital 5.1, English DTS 5.1
Subtitles	French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch
Overview	Filmed at Wembley Arena on 25th April, 2006, The War of the Worlds Live is a spectacular mix of live music, theatre, multi-media and visual arts on a grand scale. It combines the brilliance of the original performers including Jeff Wayne, Justin Hayward, Chris Thompson and even the late Richard Burton ('In Sight and Sound') along with a brand new cast, the 10-piece Black Smoke Band, the 48-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings and an unforgettable fully operating 30ft Martian Fighting Machine!
My thoughts	For some reason I never bought Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the WorldsEssential viewing!
My rating	4.5 out of 5

(From Reviews and ramblings by Gunnar on November 23rd, 2013)

Toy Story 3, a review by Dragonfire

I went to see Toy Story 3 today.  I'll just say right away that this movie is absolutely amazing.    all the way.  It is just as good as the previous movies.  This movie is a definite must see.

Ok...now to get to some specifics..though I am not sharing spoilers.

First, the new short before the movie, Day & Night, is amazing.  It seems more simple than the other shorts Pixar has done, but I think it is the most creative and clever of the shorts.  It is also very entertaining.

I think most people who have seen a trailer or preview for the movie know that the movie is set just days before Andy is leaving for college.  The toys, who haven't been played with in a long time, are worried about their futures.  They are facing being packed away in the attic or thrown out.  Something happens, and the toys end up at Sunnyside, a day care center.  The toys are thrilled at the prospect of being played with again, but things quickly turn into a nightmare since they are in the toddler room.  The toys start planning an escape.

The movie starts off with a bit of an adventure that is tied to Andy playing with the toys when he is younger.  Some home video footage is shown, and after a few minutes, Andy is getting ready to go to college.  I think setting the movie in that time is good and it ties into themes that came up in the first movies - toys worry about being forgotten, replaced, or thrown out and they want to be played with.  Some people may not like that the story deals with those things again, but I think it is perfect.  That keeps the movie true to the characters and the first two movies.  Those things are the core ideas of the first movies and it would have been wrong if they had been abandoned just to try to make the story completely new.  There are new elements introduced in the movie and a few surprises.  I was completely shocked by one major development because I just didn't expect that to happen.  It does make sense and fit for the story.  There is resolution to the movie.  During the first several minutes of the credits, additional scenes play that add to the story and are very entertaining.  They are definitely worth staying to watch.

Much like previous Pixar movies, this one has a lot of heart and emotion as well as some touching moments.  Pixar has once again made animated characters have more heart than most live action characters.  By doing that, the audience comes to care about the characters and what happens to them in addition to liking them.  Pixar does this better than anyone.  There are a few things that happen that are slightly upsetting - even for me - and a few things that could be a bit scary for younger children.  The movie does get very emotional, especially later.  Anyone who gets emotional in movies - and who was brought to tears by Jessie's song in the second movie - should probably have a tissue or two handy.  It is incredibly moving, sweet, and beautiful.  There is also a decent amount of humor in the movie as well.  It is really funny when Buzz ends up in what I've decided to call Spanish delusion mode.  He is talking Spanish and thinks he's a real space ranger again.  Ken also adds humor with how he is obsessed with clothes.  He does seem to be living in his own little dream world.

The animation is gorgeous and detailed, which I expect as standard for Pixar.  Andy's room has some changes to it since Andy is older, but it is clearly the same room from the second movie.  There are all sorts of details in his room - including a few references to other Pixar movies.  The scenes set outside look amazing.  There are new locations at the daycare that are incredibly detailed as well.  The characters still look the same, though there are a few changes at one point.  I was really impressed with the look of Barbie's hair.  It doesn't look perfect and smooth like it does on a new doll...it looks more like the hair on a Barbie that has been played with.  There are all sorts of details to the Dream House - though it looks nothing like the one I still have packed away somewhere.  The home movie footage that is shown at the beginning of the movie is made to look very realistic.  The picture is a bit jerky and grainy with static.  I did see the movie in 3D.  The effect is more subtle overall.

The returning characters are much like they were in the previous movies.  The main characters are Andy's toys, though there are less of them now.  They are all conflicted to some degree over their loyalty to Andy and their desire to be played with again.  Woody is probably struggling with that the most.  He even gets guilty when he admits he had fun playing for the first time in years at one point.

There are several new toy characters, though some of them don't do much.  Ken and Lotso, a pinkish strawberry scented bear who basically rules the toy at the daycare.  He seems nice and welcoming at first, but he rules with an iron paw and his darker side comes out.  He is a really good character and a good addition to the movie.  Ken is in close with Lotso, though he doesn't have much authority.  Ken is also obsessed with fashion, having a huge room full of outfits in the Dream House.  He changes outfits more than Barbie.  Stretch is a purple, glittery stretchy octopus.  The character is seen in several scenes without doing that much.  Big Baby is a doll that is basically Lotso's second in command.  Big Baby only says a few words once or twice, but there is something slightly creepy about how the doll looks.

Buttercup is a cute but male unicorn.  Dolly is a little rag doll.  Trixie is a dinosaur who is good with computers.  Mr. Pricklepants is a hedgehog who wears leiderhosen - I have no clue how to spell that - speaks with a British accent and believes that he is a classically trained actor.  I like him.  He is just so different and entertaining.

Once again, there aren't many human characters.  Andy, his sister Molly and their mom are the main ones shown.  The same person that did the voice for Andy in the first two movies did the voice again for this one.  Various children are shown at the daycare, though none of them are really focused on.  Bonnie, a little girl with a wild imagination, is the only one that really stands out.  A few of the workers at the daycare are shown and a few other adults turn up in a couple of other scenes and that is it for human characters.

Pixar has done what is very nearly impossible..they have made a third movie in a series that is just as good as the previous movies.  For many movie series that have a strong second movie - which doesn't happen that often - the third movies have gone to crap more often than not.  Pixar has avoided that fate with this movie.  It is absolutely wonderful and a must see movie for anyone who liked the first movies.  The animation is wonderful and the story is strong.  The care that Pixar puts into making their movies shines through. 

 

I did get a review posted on Epinions.

Toy Story 3

(From Toy Story 3 on June 19th, 2010)

Pete's Pilots, a review by addicted2dvd

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002)


1. The Beginning: Part I
The exiled warlord Keldor tells his forces that he has created a device that will destroy the "Mystic Wall" that keeps them out of Randor's kingdom. When they get to the Mystic Wall, they trigger the device but all it produces is a mere crack in the wall. Keldor's forces are confused, as they assumed that the device would break the wall completely, but Keldor explains that now they know where to strike. Inside the castle walls, Man-At-Arms receives a telepathic message from the Sorceress that the time has come.

2. The Beginning: Part II
Adam returns to Castle Grayskull upon witnessing the damage inflicted on the royal palace by Keldlor (now calling himself Skeletor due to his horrific appearance) and embraces his new destiny as He-Man, defender of Eternia.

3. The Beginning: Part III
He-Man and Skeletor duke it out for the first time, with many lives hanging in the balance... literally.

My Thoughts:
I bought this series at the suggestion of a friend. Never seeing an episode before. I have seen the original '80s version before... but not this one from 2002. It is pretty much the same storyline as the '80s version. But it has much better graphics. The first 3 episodes makes up the origin story of He-Man.  Now I can't remember if there even was an origin story to the '80s version... but if there was it couldn't have been done as well as this one. Making it 3 episodes it allowed them to really tell the story right. I thought I would have a hard time getting used to the new style of drawing this series... but I really had no problem at all with it. One thing that did bother me a little was everyone taking these over-exaggerated leaps into the air when they were in battle. But before I knew it I had gotten used to it as well. It really did make for more entertaining battle scenes. Over-all I really enjoyed it. Glad I have it added to my collection.

My Rating:

Review taken from another thread when I watched it recently.

(From Pete's Pilots on February 4th, 2010)