DVD Collectors Online

Star Trek (2009), a review by Rich

Title: Star Trek

Runtime:122
Certificate:12
Year:2009
Genres:Science-Fiction

Plot:
Director J.J. Abrams (Alias) re-teams with his MI: III screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci to bring a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time. Featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no man has gone before, Star Trek depicts Romulan time traveller Nero's bloody quest for revenge against Spock and the Federation.

My Review:
A welcome glossy revamp of Star Trek, and it really is a fantastic piece of work. The casting is superb, Pine as a feisty Kirk is excellent in the role, and the choice of Quinto as Spock inspired. The love interest between Spock and Uhura (Saldana) was a little twist that was unexpected but works well, and Urban playing the sarcastic and dry Bones better than the original. Pegg as Scottie was ok for me, and with Chekov and Sulu played well we have a full house.
The effects are jaw-dropping, the first view of Nero's Romulan ship is stunning, and the huge budget is evident in every minute of the movie. Audio is knee-tremblingly solid, and you are immersed in the film from the first shots.
I was not happy with the one to one between Nimoy and the new Spock, but that is about the only negative I can list about a fresh, exciting storyline. I am sure ST purists may find more fault, but I was never into the ST enough to notice any continuity or design anomalies. Seeing the history of Kirk literally from birth, and the early schooling years of Spock, give us an insight to their characters strengths and flaws before joining Starfleet.
I believe you don't have to be a trekkie to enjoy this film, standalone it is a great movie, and I take my hat off to Abrams for this modern day sci-fi action classic.


(From DCO third annual November Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on November 21st, 2009)

Crossing Over, a review by Rich

Crossing Over



Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones films) is on a quest for justice as an immigrations agent investigating the case of a missing illegal. In a cross-fire of crime and bureaucracy, fraud and murder, he must race against time to try to save a family from becoming collateral damage in the fight for the American dream. Critics rave, "Harrison Ford is terrific. An engrossing, thoroughly entertaining movie with great performances from a first-rate ensemble cast" (Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com). Co-starring Ashley Judd (Twisted), Ray Liotta (Smokin' Aces), Jim Sturgess (21), and Cliff Curtis (10,000 BC), Crossing Over will keep you riveted until the final mystery unfolds.

Average fare with Ford showing his age, and with his constant broodiness seen in several recent films not carrying it particularly well. What has happened to Liotta, did he get a welder to perform his plastic surgery?

Guys only -
For Americans some of the questions raised, and ironies and hipocracies shown surrounding immigration, will probably be more poignant than they were for me. But this storyline has been overdone in recent years, and typically better, and this just misses the mark in too many ways, it actually felt like a dot the dot formula for such a plot design.
Best to leave this one at the border  


(From Riches Random Reviews on June 19th, 2009)

The Good Old Days TV Thread, a review by addicted2dvd

My Thoughts:
This is my favorite episode of this series that I have seen so far. Even though I have not even made my way through the second disc of this set yet... this is at least my 3rd time watching this particular episode. It stars a young Drew Barrymore who was only about 12 or 13 years old when she made this episode. In this episode her parents and her neighbors won't believe she is really hearing a woman screaming for help... thinking it is her imagination since she spends all her time reading horror comics (Tales from the Crypt). As I said... I haven't gotten too far into this set yet (only watched 14 out of 65 episodes so far)... but so far... I must say this is my favorite episode!

My Rating:

(From The Good Old Days TV Thread on February 18th, 2010)