DVD Collectors Online

Die Another Day, a review by Tom

Title: Die Another Day
Year: 2002
Director: Lee Tamahori
Rating: FSK-12
Length: 127 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35
Audio: German: Dolby Digital Surround EX, English: Dolby Digital Surround EX, German: DTS ES (Matrixed), Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: Commentary, English, German, Trivia, Turkish

Stars:
Pierce Brosnan
Halle Berry
Toby Stephens
Rosamund Pike
Rick Yune


Extras:
Commentary
Featurettes
Multi Angle
Music Videos
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Storyboard Comparisons
Trailers

This Bond movie seems to take a lot of heat. But I tought it was a good entry. Great car chase, Halle Berry as Jinx and a lot of nice references to previous Bonds ("Here a new watch. When I am correct the twentieth" - Q paraphrased).

Of course there are some points, which are bad and probably are the main reasons, why this movie is not liked that well:
1) An invisible car: The fact that it can turn invisible is totally ridiculous and not needed for the story at all.
2) Probably the worst theme song of the franchise.
3) Holo-goggles: Plays no part in the story at all and are too Star Trek for Bond. And the ridiculous Moneypenny scene at the end. Too bad that it was this scene, Moneypenny was last seen (so far).
4) Too much bad and obvious CGI. Bond is known for having great real-live stunts. In the past we often got bad blue-screen inserts. But to have so obviously bad green-screen effects in this day and age is sad.

Rating:

(From James Bond Marathon on June 12th, 2009)

Guardians of the Galaxy, a review by Dragonfire

Guardians of the Galaxy

5 out of 5 stars

I went to see Guardians of the Galaxy on opening day.  I loved it.  I want to see it in the theater again and I will definitely be adding it to my collection.

Peter Quill, who likes to call himself Star Lord, ends up in all sorts of trouble after he finds an orb that others are after.  He ends up working with a strange group including an assassin, two bounty hunter/mercenaries, and a maniac to save the galaxy. 

There is a scene after the end of the credits that ties back into something from earlier in the movie.  Another Marvel character is shown.  I knew who the character was immediately, though I have no idea what Marvel is planning where that character is concerned.  I certainly wasn't expecting that character to show up.  I thought maybe it would be someone that will be in one of the next few confirmed Marvel movies.

The plot is fun and entertaining, though it also has some more emotional moments as well.  There is a lot of humor throughout the movie and it works wonderfully well.  This movie made me laugh more than 22 Jump Street and Tammy.  There is a decent amount of action and adventure going on.  There is some violence, but nothing too extreme or graphic.  At one point, a character does make an obscene gesture.  It is done in a humorous way.  Even with that bit in the movie, it seems more family friendly than some of the other PG-13 rated comic book movies.  The movie is a bit...odd or even bizarre at times, but it works.  The oddness makes the movies more interesting and entertaining.  It is really one of the best movies of the year.

I did see the movie in 3D.  I did notice some 3D effects and think it was used well throughout the movie.  There are a lot of cool scenes throughout the movie and the 3D does add to some of them. 

Several older songs are heard throughout the movie.  The way the songs are used works very well and adds to what is going on.  Personally, I would have liked to have heard more of some of the songs. 

The characters are interesting and different from anything in any of the other comic book movies I've seen.  There is a small connection to the other Marvel cinematic universe movies through Thanos.  It seems like something in particular is being set up for him in future movies, though I don't know how at least one of the confirmed movies will connect to that. 

Guardians of the Galaxy is a very fun, entertaining movie that is well worth seeing.  It is awesome.

5 out of 5 stars

I did post a longer review on my blog.

Guardians of the Galaxy


(From Guardians of the Galaxy on August 3rd, 2014)

Tom's Random Reviews, a review by Tom

Title: Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest
Year: 2007
Rating: NR
Length: 48 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish


Plot:
The laughs come full "Force" when the Griffin clan puts a freakin' sweet spin on the greatest sci-fi saga ever told! With Peter playing the swashbuckling Han Solo, Lois as the sexy Princess Leia, Chris as an adolescent Luke Skywalker, Brian as a well-spoken Chewbacca and Stewie finally embracing his dark side as Darth Vader, who knows what will happen? Filled with outrageous gags, spaced-out droids and more intergalactic satire than you can shake a lightsaber at, this epic spoof is a must-own for every fan of Family Guy!

Extras:
Commentary
Digital Copy Included on Disc 2
DVD-ROM Content
Interviews
Trailers

A fun Family style retelling of the first Star Wars movie, which likes to poke fun at the plot holes of the movie. I was surprised about the quality of the animated space scenes. And that they got to use the John Williams score throughout.
And at the end they make a great allusion to the Robot Chicken special, which is co-created and co-produced by Seth Green, the voice of Chris. So I think it would be fitting when I follow up with the Robot Chicken special now.

Rating:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFdBRvGtnok

(From Tom's Random Reviews on March 1st, 2009)