DVD Collectors Online

Mystery Men, a review by addicted2dvd

Mystery Men


My Thoughts:
Felt a little like a comedy today. This is a pretty good comedy... though I did find it a bit silly at times... and I have definitely seen better superhero movies. I liked most of the cast as well... though one person on the cast I was not impressed by is Greg Kinnear as Captain Amazing. At least he wasn't in most of the movie.



(From Superhero Marathon on May 26th, 2009)

Journey to the centre of the earth, a review by Rich

1st November

Journey to the centre of the earth



Brendan Fraser stars in this action packed adventure based on the Jules Verne classic that is sure to deliver fun for the whole family! On a hunch to find the center of the Earth, Trevor Anderson (Fraser), his nephew and their tour guide make a breakthrough discovery that launches them on a thrilling journey into the unknown. On a scramble to find their way back, the group travels through a never before seen world, encountering creatures and objects never imagined

Ok, first the 3d gimmick. Certain scenes work amazingly, ie the beach and the 'electric' birds. the rest of the time it is not 'stunning' enough to warrant the hype IMO. You could certainly watch this in 2d and not miss very much.
Storyline is non-existent and fans of Verne will be disappointed. It is fast flowing and full of action, but aimed towards a 4 year-old. Cliche'd lines, and truly unbelievable scenarios, this is a poorer Goonies with reasonable acting performances. One wonders if less time was spent on 'the gimmick' whether the film could have been slightly better told and portrayed?
I can see this being a themed ride at Disney or Universal or wherever in the future.
Not a hit or a miss, but squarely in the middle.
 

(From November Alphabet Marathon - Discussion/Review Thread on November 2nd, 2008)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

The Royle Family - Series 1

Bills, Bills, Bills
Jim is annoyed when the latest phone bill arrives, before his daughter's wedding, and finds out someones been calling Aberdeen. Cheryl brings over the catalogue, and she and Denise decide to buy leather jackets. Meanwhile, Barbara is nervous about starting her new job at the bakers.




Sit down, put your feet up, light a fag and join Britain's first family in their sitting room, for the complete first series of The Royle Family.
The Royle Family is a real-life comedy set in a Manchester council house. Imagine a secret camera placed in the living room of an average working class family. The intense drama and emotions of everyday life, such as whose turn it is to go to the off-licence, is set against the continuous hum of the television. The rosy hue of their life is yellowed only by a nicotine haze.

When series 1 first aired on TV in UK I didn't bother with it, the whole premis of a 'sitcom' that was 99% based in a families front room sounded ridiculous. Fortunately I was convinced to watch series one on dvd and ever since I have been hooked and could not praise this masterpiece in British comedy enough. It rates only slightly below Fawlty Towers in my book, and similar to that series you can watch it again and again, and every time find something new to amuse.
The writing is inspired, the characters are so deep and convincing you recognise parts of yourself, family or friends in each one. The actors, each and every one of them, are top drawer and appear made for the roles. Their timing, facial expressions, appearance and demeanour oozes class and polish. You feel by series 2 that you know them very well, and fully relate to so many scenarios.
The first episode is a good introduction to the characters and the 'feel' of the series, but it is only after a few more episodes that you realise you are fully addicted.
Pure understated humour that will have you laughing for years, if you have never given this series a chance you are missing out on perhaps the best UK comedy in decades.
 

(From My PILOT Marathon on September 16th, 2009)