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Journey to the Center of the Earth, a review by GSyren

Title	Journey to the Centre of the Earth (9-345228-001424)
Director	Henry Levin
Actors	Pat Boone, James Mason, Arlene Dahl, Diane Baker, Thayer David
Produced	1959 in United States
Runtime	129 minutes
Audio	English DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0, Music Only DTS-HD Master Audio 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles	None
Overview	The accent is on fun and fantasy in this film version of Jules Verne's classic thriller that stars James Mason, Pat Boone, and Arlene Dahl. With spectacular visuals as a backdrop, the story centres on an expedition led by Professor Lindenbrook (Mason) down into the earth's dark, threat-laden core. Members of the group include the professor's star student, Alec (Boone), and the widow (Dahl) of a colleague. Along the way lurk dangers such as kidnapping, death, sabotage by a rival explorer, and attacks by giant prehistoric reptiles. But they also encounter such magnificent wonders as a glistening cavern of quartz crystals, luminescent algae, a forest of giant mushrooms, and the lost city of Atlantis. Remaining faithful to Verne's story, this is a sweeping adventure that offers enough thrills and entertainment to satisfy every explorer in the family.
My thoughts	Journey to the Center of the Earth Raiders of the Lost Ark. Using live lizards to represent giant monsters is usually a groan-inducing trick, but it actually works better than expected here. There are a couple of really accomplished split screen scenes. The acting is fairly good for the most part. It's Peter Ronson's only acting credit. It's clear that he is not an actor, but he's acceptable as Hans, their Icelandic guide. Pat Boone isn't much of an actor, either, and his singing feels like a filler, but otherwise he's not too bad. Professor Lindenbrook is hardly James Mason's most taxing role, but it's always good to see him. Apparently he didn't much like Arlene Dahl, but that works fine since that pretty well mirrors what his character feels. If I had seen this for the first time today I would probably not rate it more than max 4, if that. But with the good memories I have, and the fact that re-watching it hasn't diminished them, I rate it a very strong 4.5.
My rating

(From Reviews and ramblings by Gunnar on May 26th, 2014)

You've Got Mail, a review by Rogmeister

You've Got Mail 
Directed by Nora Ephron
Music by George Fenton
Cast: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Dave Chappelle, Steve Zahn, Greg Kinnear, Dabney Coleman

This is basically a remake of the film The Shop Around The Corner in which two people who work together don't realize they are the same people each other is writing anonymous love letters to.  In this updated version, they are exchanging e-mails and don't work together but work at competing book stores.  Meg Ryan is at her cutest and perkiest in this film...I haven't seen her lately but I wonder if she's doing this kind of movie anymore...can a woman in her 40's (which she must surely be by now) still be that cute and perky?  Probably not.  I've always thought that Tom Hanks' character in this movie was actually something of a jerk but he has his good moments as well.  I like much of the supporting cast, especially Jean Stapleton and Greg Kinnear.

My DVD of this is obviously an older release...not only does it have Warner Brothers' ancient cardboard case but when you put the disc in, it doesn't go first to a menu screen but instead immediately starts the movie up.  I remember back when DVDs did that routinely...now you always go to the menu first.  This disc has some decent extras including an audio commentary by Nora Ephron and producer Lauren Shuler Donner, a music-only track, a behind-the-scenes documentary, an HBO special (basically an interview with Ephron) and no less than 12 trailers (2 of this film with the others from other films).  If you like witty romantic comedies, you should get this title.  This film has since had a new special edition re-issue though I'm not sure enough has been added to get me to pick it up.  So I'll just enjoy this copy again...

 

(From DCO third annual November Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on November 30th, 2009)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

5. Church of Metropolis (10/23/94)
Let us prey. Entrepreneur Bill Church hires local thugs to terrorize good neighborhoods so he can scoop up bargain-priced real estate as sites for his discount stores.

My Thoughts:
This is the episode that introduces Intergang. I always had mixed feelings on the Intergang storyline since I never cared much for stories involving organized crime. But at the same time the stories have always been pretty good... and I like Peter Boyle as Bill Church.


6. Operation Blackout (10/30/94)
Where were you when the lights went out? A citywide blackout has Lois and Clark hunting for a culprit(and a motive) while the rest of the Daily Planet staff scrambles to publish sans technology.

My Thoughts:
This one is an entertaining... but somewhat average episode. I will admit it wass fun to watch Lois go through technology withdraws.


7. That Old Gang of Mine (11/13/94)
Scarface vs. Superman! A misguided scientist manipulates DNA to regenerate 1930s gangsters, including Al Capone - who decides he'd like to run Metropolis the way he did Chicago.

My Thoughts:
I normally do not care for anything with gangsters and such. But this is an exception... as I really enjoyed this episode. I must admit... I got a bit of a chuckle out of Clark falling asleep in the car at the end of the episode while Lois told him how she feels about him.


8. A Bolt from the Blue (11/20/94)
A lightning strike gives a dumpy sad sack the same abilities Superman possesses. Garbed in a red suit and blue cape, the newly empowered Resplendent Man goes into the superhero biz - for a price.

My Thoughts:
This episode is a lot of fun. I enjoyed every minute of it. Plus it had a few recognizable faces. First there is Denise Crosby playing the doctor once again. This time a much larger part. Then there is Cindy Williams (Laverne and Shirley) As well as I forget his name... but he played the scientist that created the invisibility suit in season 1. This time he plays the guy that get's Superman's abilities.



(From Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Marathon on July 22nd, 2009)