DVD Collectors Online

Chaplin, a review by Antares

Chaplin (1992) 3.5/5 - I'm a big fan of silent films and Charlie Chaplin is one of my favorites, so I was looking with great anticipation back in 1992 when Richard Attenborough made this film. This is my second viewing of this film, and upon finishing it, I realized that I liked it a whole lot more the first time I watched it back in 1992. I have read that Attenborough submitted a director's cut that was close to 16 minutes longer, and he felt that the studios editing ruined the flow of the film. Maybe that is so, but until a director's cut is issued on DVD, we're stuck with this version, and some things that were done don't work. The novelty of the scenes where Attenborough tries to move the story along as if we're watching a silent film, now appear amateurish or hokey. The character played by Anthony Hopkins, whom we find out in the end is fictional, is a weak device to propel the narrative. On the good side, Robert Downey Jr. nails Chaplin's mannerisms and technique and probably should have won the Oscar for his portrayal. Moira Kelly and Diane Lane are both good in their limited roles as two of Chaplin's wives. I think this film should have dealt with more of Chaplin's woes during the late 40's and early 50's, and not just brushed aside their importance. Maybe this is more fleshed out in the director's cut, but for now, we'll never know. All in all, it's an OK biography of one of the great artists of cinema.

(From Antares' Short Summations on January 2nd, 2011)

The Proposal, a review by Rich

Title: The Proposal

Runtime:104
Certificate:PG-13
Year:2009
Genres:Comedy, Romance

Plot:Sandra Bullock is at her funniest in the fresh, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy The Proposal. On the verge of being deported and losing the high-powered job she lives for, the controlling Margaret announces she's engaged to her unsuspecting, put-upon assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds). After proposing a few demands of his own, the mismatched couple heads to Alaska where they have four short days to convince his quirky family and a very skeptical immigration agent that their charade is real. Featuring a star-studded supporting cast, including Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson and the delightfully inappropriate Betty White, this madcap comedy will have you saying "yes" to The Proposal again and again.

My Review:

(From DCO third annual November Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on November 2nd, 2009)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

17. Scry Hard
Zankou (Oded Feher) is determined to find the Nexus and release the Shadow, the ultimate power. For their own protection, Piper and Leo are magically miniaturized and trapped inside a dollhouse.

My Thoughts:
This was a good episode. The first really serious attempt by Zankou.

18. Little Box Of Horrors
The mythological Pandora's Box falls into the hands of a shapeshifting demon who wants to open the box and release all the wickedness it contains. The Charmed Ones must find the Guardian who can return the released evil spirits to the box.

My Thoughts:
This is a good... but standard episode. Not surprising they got around to doing an episode about Pandora's Box. The show is pretty good about hitting all the big mythology items. (or whatever you would call it).

19. Freaky Phoebe
A power-hungry sorceress switches souls and tries to gain control of the Underworld while armed with Phoebe's identity and power. Phoebe, a prisoner in the sorceress's body, is accidentally vanquished by her sister.

My Thoughts:
This episode is alright... but I think it could have been better. Definitely not one of my favorites. In this episode Paige gets her first true charge as a whitelighter. Which of course they are able to work into the episode where they need his help.

20. Imaginary Fiends
Baby Wyatt's imaginary friend is actually a demon trying to gain his trust to turn him evil. Piper's spell inadvertently brings an evil 25-year old Wyatt back from the future who now wants to crush the good in baby Wyatt.

My Thoughts:
This was a good episode. I really enjoyed seeing the older Wyatt again. Wish they were able to fit in Chris as well. We get to see both a good and evil version of Wyatt in this episode. You can tell someone that don't watch the show wrote the plot to this episode... as the Evil Wyatt did not want to "crush" baby Wyatt... just the opposite... he had to be sure he was safe and away from his family so he would stay good. if he destroyed baby Wyatt.. he would have destroyed himself as well.

(From Charmed Marathon on July 14th, 2008)