DVD Collectors Online

Iron Man, a review by DJ Doena

Robert Downey Jr.    ...    Tony Stark
Terrence Howard   ...    Rhodey
Jeff Bridges   ...    Obadiah Stane
Gwyneth Paltrow   ...    Pepper Potts
Leslie Bibb   ...    Christine Everhart
Shaun Toub   ...    Yinsen

Synopsis: Tony Stark is the CEO of Stark Industries. They manufacture and sell the most advanced weapons technology in the world. One day Stark is kidnapped and is forced to build a new weapons system for a group of terrorists. But Stark builds something else: an armored suit that he wears to break out of his prison. When he returns to the civilized world he reflects what he has seen on the other side of the world and he decides that weapons production isn't a good idea after all. But he can help people if he would wear that new suit of his more often...

My Opinion: This was a blind buy for me. Tony Stark's character is very two-dimensional, even after his change of heart. I would put it closer to Underworld than to The Incredible Hulk, more visuals than actual story or profundity. What bothered me, was the fact that they invented a superhero that has no actual superpowers and yet he survives the most absurds stunts as if he had superpowers. First when he crashed into the desert and again when he tested his rocket-boots and crashed without armor into a concrete wall. It may have looked funny but it didn't help with the character's credibility.
I find it interesting that movies about a teenager who has been bitten by a spider or about people who are born differently are more serious than a movie about a guy who's inventing the newest weapons.

(From DJ Doena's movie watchings 2009 on March 8th, 2009)

Freddy vs. Jason, a review by RossRoy

WHAT THEY SAY

The Ultimate Battle of Evil vs. Evil Freddy Krueger is in hell - literally! And like an inmate with a life sentence, Freddy's been plotting a fantastic revenge...all he needs is a little help. In comes Jason Vorhees, the equally iconic madman and perfect means for Freddy to once again instil fear on Elm Street. As the bodies begin to pile up, it becomes clear that Jason isn't willing to step aside. Now, with a terrified town in the middle, the two titans of terror enter into a horrifying and gruesome showdown. Winner kills all.

MY THOUGHTS

Like you probably, I just discovered the Friday the 13th franchise this year. But, I've loved Nightmare on Elm Street for a long time. Combining the two is brilliant. I will not say the movie is perfect, but I do think it's a fun movie. I luke how they left the ending ambiguous enough to let both camp argue about "Who won?". It's a fun movie, though I wish both protagonists had been feature a bit more. They kids are there too much. Nevertheless, it's a fun movie that I gladly revisit every once in a while.

RATING

(From RossRoy's Random Viewings on November 2nd, 2009)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

6.09 Smashed
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Drew Z. Greenberg (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: Turi Meyer
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Danny Strong (Jonathan Levinson), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells), Elizabeth Anne Allen (Amy Madison), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Jordan Belfi (Ryan), John Patrick Clerkin (Man), Rick Garcia (Reporter), Jack Jozefson (Rusty), Lauren Nissi (Girlfriend), Melanie Sirmons (Brie), Kelly Smith (Innocent Girl), Patrice Walters (Woman), Adam Weiner (Simon)

This is the start of the low point of this season for me. I like that Amy is back, but I do not like the way she is used here. Also they start here with beating the magic use=drug use metaphor to death. And the "magic spree" that Willow and Amy go on is too much like Sabrina the Teenage Witch. And I don't like Buffy and Spike humping while bringing a building down.

Rating:


6.10 Wrecked
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Marti Noxon (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: David Solomon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Elizabeth Anne Allen (Amy Madison), Jeff Kober (Rack), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Fleming Brooks (Mandraz), Michael Giordani (Jonesing Guy), Colin Malone (Creepy Guy), Mageina Tovah (Jonesing Girl)

This is where they have gone to far with the whole magic thing. They didn't even try to hide the drug comparison anymore. They even introduced a magic drug dealer. Also Willow's break-down at the end and her withdrawal symptons are that of a drug addict.

Rating:


6.11 Gone
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), David Fury (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: David Fury
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Danny Strong (Jonathan Levinson), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells), Daniel Hagen (Social Services Supervisor), Susan Ruttan (Doris Kroeger), Dwight Bacquie (Security Guard), Jessa French (Cleo), Elin Hampton (Co-Worker), Jeffrey Jacquin (Meter Man), Kelly Parver (Girl in Park), Lyndon Smith (Little Boy), Melina Webberley (Little Girl)

The premise is interesting, but I didn't like how childish invisible Buffy was behaving. Nice that the gang finally meets up with the geek trio.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on October 3rd, 2010)