DVD Collectors Online

It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown, a review by Danae Cassandra

It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown
Year of Release: 1992
Directed By: Bill Melendez
Starring: Jamie E. Smith, John Christian Graas, Marnette Patterson, Phillip Lucier, Lindsay Benesh
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Television

Overview:
As the holiday season rolls around and all the Peanuts gang are getting ready for it. Whether it be Charlie Brown struggling to raise money for his girlfriend or Sally and Peppermint Patty struggling to rehearse and memorize their one word lines for the Christmas pageant, these kids try to keep with the Christmas spirit while Snoopy has his mischief to do.

My Thoughts:
Despite the amusing bits and a bit of sharp dialog - and Peppermint Patty as the sheep is pretty funny - this special doesn't come close to the original's classic charm. Then again, nothing really can. It's still a cute Peanuts cartoon, though.

Bechdel Test: Pass
Mako Mori Test: Pass

Overall: 3/5

(From Christmas 2016 on December 26th, 2016)

Monsters vs. Aliens, a review by Dragonfire

I still love animated movies and I'll usually see most of them at least once.  I do tend to like the Pixar and Disney movies more than some others, but I do think that Dreamworks has been getting better.

A meteorite lands on Earth, specifically on Susan Murphy, just before her wedding.  During the ceremony. Susan starts to grow until she is 50 feet tall.  The government, lead by General W.R. Monger arrives and takes Susan away.  She ends up in a special top secret facility where monsters captured by the government are being held and her name is changed to Ginormica.  When the alien Gallaxhar starts an invasion on Earth, Monger convinces the government to send in the monsters to deal with the threat. 

This movie is in 3D in some theaters.  The theater here doesn't do that, so I saw the normal 2D version.  I think it would be entertaining to see the 3D version though.

The plot is definitely a nod to the old monster movies.  The monsters are interesting and they all have some unique abilities that they use, or try to use, in dealing with the Gallaxhar threat.  The plot isn't that complicated, but it is very entertaining.  There are things in it aimed at kids and other things aimed at adults without anything being too suggestive.  The movie isn't as silly as some other animated movies and I think adults can enjoy it just as much as children.  There are a few scenes that might scare or upset young children, but overall, it is a very family friendly movie.  The humor works well and only a few of the jokes are gross.

The animation is very well done.  I think this is the first time that Dreamworks has come close to the quality of Pixar with the animation, though what they have just managed to do - mainly with the animation of hair - is something that Pixar has been doing for years.

Overall, this is a really entertaining animated movie that deserves to be seen. 

 

I did get a review posted on Epinions if anyone wants to take a look.

Monsters vs. Aliens

(From Monsters vs. Aliens on April 30th, 2009)

Grey's Anatomy Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

6. Into You Like a Train
A catastrophic train wreck floods Seattle Grace with victims while Izzie is forced to choose between friendship and career advancement. Alex questions his choice of profession as the outcome of Derek and Meredith's relationship is revealed.

My Thoughts:
This is an excellent episode. Extremely powerful and emotional. The ER was flooded with casulties from the train wreak... including 2 people that was skewered together when a pole shot through them. Definitely one of my favorite episodes of the first 2 seasons... and wouldn't be surprised if it made it into my favorites for the entire series once I do get caught up.

My Rating:

7. Something to Talk About


My Thoughts:
A good... but somewhat standard episode. I mean it was entertaining enough... but just not as exciting as I thought it could have been. The pregnant male thing while entertaining just could have been done a lot better.

My Rating:

8. Let it Be
George tries to figure out why a fall survivor isn't happy about living after plunging five stories and an elderly man makes a heartbreaking decision. Derek and Addison spar over the visit of longtime friends seeking a radical surgery.

My Thoughts:
This one is really just another standard episode that not much exciting happens. While it is worth watching... don't expect too much from it.

My Rating:

9. Thanks for the Memories
Thanksgiving arrives at Seattle Grace, as George endures another year of O'Malley family tradition while Meredith tends to a coma patient awake after 16 years.

My Thoughts:
This is a fun episode. It is of course Thanksgiving so it is definitely a bit different then what you normally expect. Not surprisingly most the interns ends back at the hospital... but for me the most entertaining reason is George. He is out hunting turkey with his father and two brothers... and his brother accidentally shoots their father in the ass.

My Rating:

10. Much too Much
A one-night stand comes back to haunt Meredith when the man shows up needing odd medical help; Izzie is frustrated by Alex's faults and a women bearing quintuplets is confused by the chaos surrounding her high-risk pregnancy.

My Thoughts:
This episode was really good... I liked the whole quintuplets storyline... which if I remember correctly continues on into the next 1 or 2 episodes. Alex really messed up with Izzie... which I am ok with since I didn't like them two together anyway.

My Rating:

(From Grey's Anatomy Marathon on September 7th, 2009)