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)

Fright Night 2: New Blood (2013), a review by addicted2dvd

Fright Night 2: New Blood (2013/United States) Director: Eduardo Rodriguez Writing: Matt Venne Length: 83 min. Rating: R

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Stars:
Will Payne
Jaime Murray
Sean Power
Sacha Parkinson
Chris Waller
John-Christian Bateman

Plot:I just watched this one... I enjoyed it but felt they did it in an odd way. They call this part 2... but yet it is not a remake of the original part two... and is not a continuation of the part 1 remake. This is more of a combination of parts 1 and 2. Which I really thought was pretty cool. And I did like what they did with the Peter Vincent character this time. Oddly when I first finished watching this one I felt I enjoyed it... but wasn't overly impressed. But the longer I sat back thinking about it the more I liked it. I would say this one is worth checking out.



(From What Movies I Been Watching on November 16th, 2013)

Smallville Marathon #2, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Clark goes to the spring formal with Chloe and Lana brings her boyfriend to the bus station because he decided to join the US Marine Corps. But before that happens the reporter that was hired by Lex some time ago blows up the Kent's truck with Clark in it. And he is right, Clark survives without a scratch. After that he learns both about the octagonal disc and the ship in the storm cellar. This will be a stormy day in Smallville.

My Opinion: Great finale. Smallville is a series that uses cliffhangers at the end of each season and the first parts are often great. But sometimes they fail to give it a good resultion in the next season.
I never had much interest in Whitney but he was a good reason why Clark couldn't be with Lana. I am not sure if it was a good idea to take him out of the show that early.

The Season - My Opinion: As I said, I've never read a Superman comic, but I liked this show from the beginning. The cast is great and several arcs are set in motion. It wasn't the best of all seasons but that rarely happens and in the league of first seasons it was a good one.

(From Smallville Marathon #2 on May 23rd, 2008)