Film DVD related reviews
DVD title: Panic
Productgroup: DVD
Productgroup: DVD
Filled with muted drama, I believe this is one of the better films I have seen this year. William H Macy proves to be a rare breed of actor. I am not a fan of Neve Campbell, however, I was surpised by the genuine chemistry between her and Macy. I can only attribute this to the talents of Mr. Macy. Also, the relationship between Macy and his child is one that is so quietly touching, you really must see it to understand. If you are looking for a break from the typical drama/action movie, then this would be a good choice.
Studio: Artisan Entertainment
Director: Henry Bromell
Actors:
William H. Macy
Neve Campbell
DVD title: My Baby Can Talk - First Signs
Productgroup: DVD
Productgroup: DVD
We got this DVD about 2 months ago and watch it atleast 3 times a week with my 1 year old and my 3 1/2 year old. Both of my daughters love it. My older child learned how to sign when she was little so we wanted to share the experience with my baby. The results are amazing!!!! At 12 months old she is signing eat, more, milk, and change (to change her diaper). When my mother babysat the kids this weekend she had to ask my older dtr what the baby was doing when she was signing change, and sure enough she had a dirty diaper. WOW!!! Oh and last night when the baby was up and down every hour and we couldn't get her to calm down I put the DVD in and she calmed right down. Thank you for making this DVD....We love it. My baby is learning how to tell us her needs.
Amy mother of Kaitlyn 3 1/2 and Emma 1
Studio: Baby Hands Productions
DVD title: Alien
Productgroup: DVD
Productgroup: DVD
Overrated, as Amazon and a previous reviewer states? Hardly. It seems that those two viewers missed the finer point(s) of the film, and it's hard to appreciate something you don't understand. In actuality, Alien is a deep, absorbing film with revolutionary visuals and meaning to spare. Scott deftly manages to retain subtleties that other directors would have shoved into the spotlight (so it's understandable that some will miss these finer points). It is one of those rare films that manages to be popularly accessible and good works of film art simulataneously. Making strong statements about biology, maternity and human nature, while scaring the pants off us at the same time, Alien is truly a bio-horror/science fiction masterpiece that is required viewing for any fan of the genre. Easily one of the top 10 sci-fi films of all time, and vastly underrated by those who think it's overrated. ;-)
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Ridley Scott
Actors:
Tom Skerritt
Sigourney Weaver
John Hurt
DVD title: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Full Screen Edition)
Productgroup: DVD
Productgroup: DVD
This movie is the funniest Christmas movie ever produced. This is a movie that you can watch and laugh at a different scene each time it is viewed. There are so many one-liners to name. Everyone in the movie is somehow related to your family and friends. Give a few years and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation will stake its claim as the 'Christmas Classic.'
Studio: Warner Studios
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Actors:
Chevy Chase
Beverly D'Angelo
Juliette Lewis
DVD title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Widescreen Edition) (Harry Potter 2)
Productgroup: DVD
Productgroup: DVD
Better direction, much, much better visual effects, better storytelling (since the book developed more exciting, compelling plots and the kids are bigger and wiser), great performances by all characters (you can see much improvement from the kids who play Harry, Ron, and Hermione, not forgetting the tension between 2 of them which should & MUST be developed more in the next installments!!) kids and adults alike; best of all, more fun, funnier, darker, creepier (it has ghosts, monsters, creepy-crawlies, and what have you, all in ONE movie!), more wicked and on-the-edge kinda feel (the unforgettable flying car scene, the heart-thumping Quidditch match, and the horrifying monster chase in the dungeon) to it all!! I just wish the movie was longer!! ;)
This is a must-own DVD for all HP fans out there!! Can't wait for the 3rd installment. Hopefully the direction is up to legendary Chris Columbus' level of captivation!! :)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Director: Chris Columbus
Actors:
Daniel Radcliffe
Rupert Grint
Emma Watson (II)
DVD title: The X-Files (aka Fight the Future)
Productgroup: DVD
Productgroup: DVD
FBI Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), attempt to further unravel the consipracy, that had been part of the series from the start. This is basically an episode of the show made on a feature film budget. Having said that, casual and non fans, can still enjoy the movie. Since the show has a rather vast backstory, the filmmakers had to preform a balancing act, in order to satisfy fans and bring nonfans up to speed at the same time. As a long time watcher of THE X-FILES, I think they did o.k., but it asked more questions than it answered. The film was made at a time when the series enjoyed great buzz and popularity. Since that time though, things have been...not so good, lately As they start to wrap things up on television, I began to long for stuff, back when the show good. Watching the film again recently, I thought it's still solid and is better than the last season has been, with very little exception. There is plenty of standard X-file-isms throughout and it uses many recurring supporting characters to make it fun. Directed by my favorite series episode helmer, Rob Bowman, he connects the dots with skill and know how. The film is a solid effort, no more, no less.
The DTS DVD sounds good and is the only way to go in that department. There are a few snipets of extra footage, not seen theatrically, nothing earth shattering though. The "Making of" stuff is just a special that aired on FOX at the time of the film's release. The DVD commentary offers a bit more substance in the way of production info. Finally the package includes an 8 page book they put together soley to repeat themselves. This review may not have been a ringing endorsement from someone who likes the show, but I like it all well enough to recommend it. Besides, its better than a lot of episodes from late in the series
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Rob Bowman
Actors:
David Duchovny
Gillian Anderson
DVD title: Brother Bear (2-Disc Special Edition)
Productgroup: DVD
Productgroup: DVD
Only Spirit from Dreamworks brought me to tears with their beautiful and deep history of the horse and the indian. Well, this was until I watched Brother Bear. The movie is about man living in peace with nature and respect it and the other animals. Kenai, the little indian had to discover it when he turned into a bear. The mooses on the movie are funny as hell, the best comic characters that I've ever seen, since The Lion King. It worths every cent!!
Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
Actors:
Joaquin Phoenix
Jeremy Suarez
Rick Moranis
DVD title: Tenchi Muyo - OVA DVD Boxed Set
Productgroup: DVD
Productgroup: DVD
First off let me say that this is an awesome DVD set. Great animation and cool characters.
I would like to make a correction to the Editorial Review. The OAV was FIRST. I was made before the TV series was produced, and is considered by many Tenchi fans (myself included) to be the "original" story line. There were 2 TV series created after this that are completly different storylines.
One other thing...the translation of the title is wrong. When Pioneer first picked up Tenchi Muyo! and marketed it they mistranslated on purpose to make it sound like "No Need for Tenchi" (i.e. the main character). Which doesn't make a whole lot of sense since almost everybody seems to need him. The actual translation of the words are---"Tenchi"="Heaven&qu ot; and "Muyo"="useless" so--"No need for Heaven". Which makes a little more sense. Who needs heaven when you have all of the these beautiful women in love with you.
Studio: Pioneer Video
Actors:
Tenchi Muyo
DVD title: The Day the Earth Stood Still
Productgroup: DVD
Productgroup: DVD
This film is so fantastic. Robert Wise did a fantastic job with this science fiction classic. Michael Rennie was a perfect choice as the alien Klaatu. And Gort...GORT! He could destroy the earth! But he doesn't. Instead he melts some tanks and rifles..oh an he head butts to army guys or so we think cause the shot cuts away to the frightened Billy. The film score by Bernard Hermann is so fantastic. The Theramen really makes it special. The film is so simple and that is why i love it. It's a simple story with a simple message that is still as powerful as it was back in nineteen dickity one. I would be the happiest filmmaker on earth if I could make such a classic science fiction film such as this. Brilliance. One of my all time favorites. The features are spiffy especially the old news reels and commentary with Robert Wise and Nicholas Meyer (two men who directed star trek films). A must own for a fan of classics and good science fiction that hits home with an iron fist.
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Video
Director: Robert Wise
Actors:
Michael Rennie
Patricia Neal
DVD title: Remember the Titans (Widescreen Edition)
Productgroup: DVD
Productgroup: DVD
Denzel Washington is spectacular in this movie and is backed up with a young, talented cast. The fact that this is based on a true story makes me sad because I recognize some of the prejudice which still exists in the world today. If everyone could see this movie, I think they would open their eyes just a little bit more to the humanity that exists in the world. Football, great music, and watching Denzel Washington....what more could you want?
Studio: Disney Studios
Director: Boaz Yakin
Actors:
Denzel Washington
