Archive for the ‘DVD Reviews’ Category

Princess DVD Review

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009



Princesses movies are always so charming, classy, romantic, and magical. Well at least that is what Disney and many animators from the east and the west have portrayed so far. With the upcoming movie Princess and the Frog and The diamond Re mastered once again released of Disney ‘s all time classic “Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs” I was feeling in a princes sly mood to see another magic tale. As I took a look to my new DVDs I could not help to notice Morgent Haler’s animated movie: Princess. Just by looking at the title I could not help to think that this was going to be another predictable “fairy- happy ending tale,” type of movie. READ FULL REVIEW

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Death Note L : Change The World DVD Review

Friday, September 4th, 2009



Be a witness of world’s best detective’s last 23 days, and watch how his brilliant mind and flawless intuition solves and saves the world once again from another wicked opponent. Not really. L Change the World, an original story on Tsugumi Ohba’s famous character: L could have been an exceptional way to close the Death Note series, but it ended up being nothing but a simple spin off. The movie is entertaining, I will give it that, the plot and the story line are acceptable enough to spend the whole 129 minutes watching it, however it does not feel like any of the Death Note movies, anime, or manga. READ FULL REVIEW

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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button DVD Review

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009



Based on the short story by F Scott Fitzgerald about a man who grows young, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is with a doubt one of the best movies of these times. It is a magical story that would captivate any audience visually and emotionally, the movie is both magical and realistic, it has drama, action and even some comical remarks keeping the audience interested at all times. Many of my friends who watched the movie before me criticized it as being another Forest Gump, but I have to tell them that although there are certain similarities in the story, the way real historic events are linked with fiction, and of course in its message, there is something in Benjamin’s story that set it apart. The movie moves the audience to a more pleasant and comfortable places, since there is less tragedies and each phase of Benjamin’s story is more adventurous, enjoyable, and in a sense it is not centered in just one love story, unlike Forest’s story that has more dramatic scenes, and is more centered within one relationship. and of course visually, Benjamin’s surpasses it.

There is no need to say that the cast is fabulous in this movie, all of them performed in a level that elevated this movie’s quality even more. I was impress specially with brad Pitts’ performance, not because I had any doubt of his talent, but because for what I remember right now, this character goes way out of line of what Brad has gotten us used to. it is one of his best “serious” performance, and he just deliver it fantastically, seen him as an old man with a mentality of a young one is just fun and impressive, and as he gets younger he also evolves with his character, it is truly an Oscar worthy performance, and Cate Blanchett was the perfect complement for the main character, the beautiful actress delivers an outstanding performance as Daisy, people can feel her emotions and frustration as she goes through as she see his loved one getting younger and herself getting older. The rest of the cast would also be unforgettable like the remarkable performances of Traraji P Henson as Queeny, she surely embraced her character, her emotions, way of talked and acted are a pure reflection of what a real mother should be, or the skilful performance of Jared Harris and his unforgettable Captain Mike, which added some humor and joy to the movie, in general all of them did an spectacular job, it is one of the most impressive performance I ever seen.

These great performances are of course backed up by the script, the soundtrack and also the visual effects. This is without a doubt one of the highest points of this movie, each scene has been carefully improved not only to look good, but to feel good, as the movie advances I could not find one scene that was not necessary or did not added something to the story, or for it to look out of place, everything looked possible and ordinary. And of course Pitt’s make up was amazing all through out the movie, he appears the age he is portraying at any time, not only when he is a decrepit old man, but also as he goes trough all the other ages, and even when he is shown as a teenager he looked like one. Same thing with Cate’s and the rest of the supporting cast Make up , as they get older none of the make up seen overdue and everything seem very natural. There is no arguing why this movie won an Oscar in these categories (Best Make up and Visual effects).

Director David Fincher hit a hole, or a touchdown, or what ever sport you like with this one, the move is just exceptional, he created a perfect story where time and space interaction is not so linearly, each second of the movie provides with a wonderful and incredible story that would not let us go to the very end. This movie not only entertained us, but it also gives us a unique vision of life, and how to enjoy it no matter what, Benjamin, being “Born under certain circumstances” never gives up in his search of happiness, keeping always a good attitude and putting aside his differences is a message that everybody no matter how old they are should get from this movie. I recommend this movie to any one. It is just one of those movies that has to be in any collection no matter what type of movie you liked, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is bound to become a classic that would overcome time.

Review By Milo
Release Date: May 5, 2009

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JCVD DVD Review

Thursday, April 30th, 2009



In 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme has his first international hit with the movie Bloodsport. I was 13 years old when this movie first came out and thought it was the second best movie ever made right after America Ninja. Hey, give me a break I was just a kid. Anyway, I went on and became a big fan of Jean-Claude, and through the 90’s I enjoyed many of his works including Kickboxer, Lionheart, Death Warrant, Double Impact, and Hard Target. Some time after Hard Target, Jean-Claude kept doing the same thing and I grow up and lost interest, that is until now.

I’ve always which that the action stars of my childhood, Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Michael Dudikoff, would stage a comeback. Here with JCVD, in my opinion, Jean-Claude has come close. In JCVD, Jean-Claude shows that he is much more than an action star and can portray the emotions required of a dense character.

Director Mabrouk El Mechri has crafted a wonderful crime/drama which only problems are a bit of clumsy editing and a couple of strange scenes that don’t exactly fit. The movie is a glimpse into the life of Jean-Claude Van Damme in a alternative reality, but leaves the viewer guessing as to how much is really about Jean-Claude. Here after losing custody of his daughter and a failing film career, Jean-Claude returns to him childhood home of Brussels and gets mixed up in a big mess that seems at times comedic.

The support cast is excellent and did a very good job maintaining the seriousness of the film. However, for those looking for their karate fix, I’m sad to say they will not find that here. The only knock out punch Jean-Claude does deliver involves an emotion portrayal.

Peach Arch Entertainment is not having a big release for this movie; the DVD is very basic. The DVD has two deleted scenes and includes a digital copy. However, do not let this dissuade you, this is a damn fine movie and it would be a shame not to watch.

Review By Brad Peterson

Release Date: April 28, 2009

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The Spectacular Spiderman Volume 4 DVD Review

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009



The adventure continues, and this time is rising to its highest peak. Peter Parker would have to deal with his biggest challenge ever; it is not about the villains now, in volume 4 it is all about the hero. The Spectacular Spiderman Volume Four shows us one of the best sagas in the Spiderman universe, The Venom saga. It has been beautifully adapted to this new version without leaving or damaged any aspect of the original story, and adding an extra touch with makes it somehow original. The four episodes on this DVD might not have as much action as the previous ones and it does not offer as many newer characters as the previous two sets; however, the ones that are presented and the old ones returning are just enough to keep the fans of Spiderman entertained for a good 92 minutes.

Each episode in volume four gives us an important part of Spiderman’s life, in the first episode we are introduced to one of the most conflicted enemies/friends of the arachnid. The Black Cat makes its appearance and begins to bemused the wall crawler’s head; also a new enemy the Chameleon makes his appearance in this episode, affecting the hero’s image and reputation. Episode two and three although does not offer any new character is one of the most exciting since the Sinister Six are Assemble, this time they are commanded by no other than DR Octopus, the episode offers a lot of fun, since we see the hero struggle against this dreadful group of villains. It will take all Spiderman has plus some extra help to defeat them and safe someone really precious to him. The last two episodes are the icing on the cake, since one of the most deadly enemies emerges: Venom. It is him who test not only our hero’s special abilities but also his human side.

I was wondering how the Venom saga was going to be depicted in this series, I got to say that I am satisfied with the results. The story was well thought and depicted, the alterations did not damaged at all the comic book’s version, if anything I think this version was much better than the movie. The new characters are well drawn and acted for this type of series, Venom specially did not look as childish as many other foes, and his voice was also very good. In volume IV we still get as many action and humor in this episodes as the previous ones, but what I enjoy the most was the ability of the writers to show Peter’s struggle, not only with the enemies but also with himself and friends, also his final decision is excellently depicted; in this episodes we get to feel more the human side struggle that this comic has gotten used to show us.

The bad thing about the DVD is the same as the previous ones, some characters appearance are far away from the classical profile to the point that they might disappoint the fans, like chameleon, DR octopus, and Black Cat. However, the story helps a lot to avoid being annoyed by their look, also the final battle against Venom although original and fresh was kind of disappointing. The animation was excellent and the sound is also very good like the previous sets. The episodes continue to develop nicely with the right amount of time given for the resolution unlike the episodes from the first volume which endings were hastily rushed. The Spectacular Spiderman has become one of my favorite animated series, let us hopes that future episodes continue with the same intensity or with more, this DVD for collectors of the series is a most have, and if you are not collecting it at least watch it you would need the previous ones to understand and follow it. I recommend this volume to every fan of the wall crawler and hero series in general, it does not matter if you are a kid or an adult just leave it to Spiderman to give us lots of action, some drama (Not much) lots of laughs and a great time.

Film Review By Milo

Release Date: April 28, 2009

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