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X-men volume one gave us a great introduction for a great series, in it our heroes faced great evils like Magneto, Apocalypse and MR Sinister. In Volume two the story begins to take form for one of the best stories in X-Men history, also new and impressive characters are shown like the deadly Omega Red, Lady death Strike and impressive heroes like Colossus and MS Marvel make some appearances. Second volume improves some minor animation errors made on the first volume, and continue portraying the amazing story of the X-Men, including two great sagas like the Time fugitive saga and of course one of my favorite x-men stories The Phoenix Saga. There is no doubt that this DVD set is one of the most complete ones since it does not have this stories but also it has crucial episodes that define many characters. I have to thank Disney in releasing the firs two volumes back to back. It made me reminisce on my child hood as I relived this incredible series.

Volume Two begins where Volume one left us, with Xavier lost and the X-men searching for him, however what makes this volume great is that there is a more deep and interesting story evolving from it, than just a search adventure. Also here we get to know more about the bonds between Xavier and Magneto, the story of Rogue, some of Wolverine Past, and the X-men future, culminating with the exciting Phoenix Saga. I have to say that most of my favorite episodes are in this set. Like all the series this episodes are full with great and deep stories, awesome and colorful character designs, action, social issues, imaginative situations and one of the best character development I ever seen in animated movies. And like in the first volume in this set we also have guess appearances by other Marvel characters, specially in the phoenix saga. The only set back of the series is an episode that seems more like a filler than an actual continuation of the story the one called Mojovision. Everything else the series flow very smoothly.

Technically speaking I have to say the same as in the first volume: it looks just like in 1992. Which is good enough since I knew what I was getting, These series did not have fast pace animation like today’s series, but it is more intuitive and suggesting, besides for the time it was created the episodes looks as best as they can, and of course the stories make up for this, it would be great for marvel to recreate the exact same series with today’s animation.

Like in the previous volume the excitement continues in this one, it will grab you from beginning to end, except on the Mojovision episode which seems more of a comical satire episode making fun of Classical shows like Miami Vice, A Team, and Star Wars or Star Trek. Everything else is full with great action and it is kept loyal to the comic books. The volume has a total of 17 episodes in two disks, and what is to admire is that as the first one, volume 2 finishes each saga from beginning to end, which gives us an impression that we are concluding a book, however unlike the first one this ending seems to leave the story open, or suggest that the conflict is not over. I recommend this DVD to all the X-Men fans, it is a most have. You could relate this series to the movies, like the upcoming one: X-Men origins: Wolverine, since we get to know a lot of his past. Without a doubt this series is a classic, it will entertained people of all ages, and should be in any fan of superheroes movies collection.

Review By Milo

Release Date: April 28, 2009

DVD DETAILS
OWN DVD

Finally! After almost 20 years since its debut on TV in 1992 X-Men the Animated Series is being released in its DVD format. I was really surprised to see that one of the most accurate and successful adaptations of a comic book series was being left out from the home entertaining market. In X-men we might not see an outstanding high tech animation or audio like in today‘s Saturday morning cartoons, however it is full of great and deep stories, the best and most accurate designs, action, social issues (like in all X-Men Comic Books), and much more. I don’t know if Disney and Marvel were waiting for a perfect moment for these released (which I considered that the first X-Men movie would have been more appropriate time), but with the upcoming movie X- Men Origins: Wolverine which had created a lot of hype, I think there has not been a better moment to catch up, refresh or relived the stories that entertained us for almost 5 years.

X-Men Volume one begins with one of my favorite stories from the X-Men Universe “Night of the Sentinels Part 1 and 2.” With these episodes the mood is set, and through out the series, we realized that this are not the average Saturday morning cartoons, yes it has all the aspects and characteristics of those kind of cartoons but it adds more to it. We see that these episodes touch many deep issues and problems faced in America every day, also that the series is willing to go where no other cartoon series had the courage to go before: it kills characters. After that the series begin to flow with episodes linked one another with incredible adventures featuring great, powerful and popular villains like Magneto, MR Sinister and Apocalypse. These series setting is also one of the best I ever seen, like in the comic books, the series takes place in the whole Marvel Universe, which makes them more exciting since we get to see reference from other marvel heroes and villains, like Ms Marvel, Dead Shot Dr Strange, or future X-men like Cable and Bishop. This adds great excitement since we realize that each story could go anywhere from different cities, countries, to a distant future, or space.

Technically I have to say it looks just like in 1992. I do not know how could that be interpreted. To me it was good enough since I knew what I was getting, I knew that these series did not have fast pace animation like today’s series. It is more intuitive and suggesting, besides for the time it was created the episodes looks as best as they can. Voice acting wise this is the best ever, I think these character had set the standard of how the X Men should sound, anytime Wolverine is mentioned Cal Dodd’s voice performance should come to mind. He is Wolverine, same goes to Gambit and Chris Potter. The other character are also well interpreted.

Last week I referred to Wolverine and the X-men as a Fresh take on the already known story. Well if you do not know the story this is the set you Should start with. This Set will give you the most accurate version of the mutant story beside the books. It tells the origin of the characters and their struggle the best way possible. The volume has a total of 16 episodes in two disks, and what is to admire is that each volume close each main saga, it does not let us in the middle of the story waiting for the conclusion, however it leave us wanting for more. I recommend this DVD to all the X-Men fans, it is a most have. You could relate this series to the movies, the new animated series and way not the upcoming X-Men movies. Also to any person who enjoys animated series like batman and Spiderman will find in X-Men a great time. Another great thing about this Volume is that after watching it you could follow the story almost immediately since the second volume is also released on the same day.

Review By Milo

Release Date: April 28, 2009

DVD DETAILS
OWN DVD

The new series Wolverine and the X-Men is the fourth animated series of the X-Men characters. This time around the writer went away from the original story., that might either worked or annoyed the fans. The series looked like a mix version of the 1992 X-Men: The animated Series and 2002 X-Men: Evolutions. In this version the roles of two of the main character are inverted, others are just discarded or demoted to a supporting role. When I first heard from this series my first thought was that it was just an opportunity to squeeze the popularity and hype created for the upcoming movie: X-men Origins: Wolverine. I was surprised with what I saw. If in fact, the series features the adventures of the cool, arrogant, cocky and selfish character, but this time he is put in a position he has never been: As the leader.

What really surprised me about this series is that it did not damage the original story known to the X-men fans, it does not try to reinvent a story that is sacred to many people. Instead it begins with an already establish setting, and as it develops the audience get to know the characters (if they are knew to the series) or refresh about them. Also I liked the way they kept the main character’s personality and how they accommodate it to the new version, but what really caught my attention was Cyclops, unlike in previous versions this time he is humanized, he is no longer the goody goody hero, this time around, he is troubled and confused which makes him more appealing. Technically, each episode is splendidly animated, it is liked the stories from the comic books with the animation quality of the evolution series, if not better in some effects. music, story line, script, voice acting everything is as good as the animated series which I think is the best series in depicting the characters. What bothers me about it was that it kept in some characters the same “Teeny” appearances they had in X-men: Evolution like Iceman, rogue, Nightcrawler and Jeanne. Also what they do with Professor Xavier seems to be predictable and overused, however for storytelling purposes it works and is excellently managed.

This new X – men series is a new approach to the classic, and although it has many differences with the comic book. It still feels like X-men, the adventures, the action, the powers, and the stories. Each episode is well narrated and depicted just like the comic books, plus with an astonishing animation that invites the viewer to keep watching. I hope that this series last as much as the animated series, since it has all the potential to become a classic.

Review By Milo

Release Date: April 21, 2009

DVD DETAILS
OWN DVD

It’s surprising that a movie set mostly in a catholic school would be full of tension. But, that is exactly what Doubt delivers. What I though would be a boring movie, turning out to be probably one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. Doubt comes as a welcomed surprise since the last three movie I‘ve seen, Twilight, Elegy & Seven Pound, have been a real disappointment. I was about to give up on movies, until Doubt restored my faith in them again.

In Doubt, Father Brendan Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is a priest who Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) suspects is having an improper relationship with the school’s first black student Donald Miller (Joseph Foster). Sister Aloysius first comes to suspect Father Flynn after witnessing an incident between Father Flynn and another student. Sister Aloysius tells her teachers to raise there awareness level to any suspicious behavior. A few days later Sister James (Amy Adams) tells Sister Aloysius that Father Flynn called Donald to the rectory and that he returned with the smell of alcohol on his breath. Armed with this, Sister Aloysius is out to get Father Flynn kicked out of the church while Father Flynn claims there are other explanation for what Sister James has witness.

The best thing about Doubt are the performance and with power houses like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep how can this not be true. Meryl Streep steals every scene she is in with her hard as nails no nonsense nun who the students respect and fear. Philip Seymour Hoffman is more subtle here; he plays Father Flynn with confident and as a modern day priest who is not tied down to the old traditions of the church.

Father Flynn is like one the guys and enjoys playing basketball, indulging in sugar and smoking cigarettes. Sister Aloysius has it out for him for his non-traditional ways. The climax of the movie has Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius fighting it out for the true, and while the viewer is never out right told what exactly happened, there is enough in here for the viewer to decide.

Review By Brad Peterson

Release Date: April 7, 2009

DVD DETAILS
OWN DVD

REVIEW: “Bravery, chivalry and courage” is the code of this little mouse and warrior at heart.

Three stories intertwined, three unlikely heroes unknowingly linked. The tale of Despereaux is a fantastic adventure at a time when castles and warriors ruled the day. How then can you imagine that a tiny, strange little misfit mouse such as Despereaux Tilling (Matthew Broderick) would not only save the day, but a Princess, a lost and lonely rat, the lost relationship between a father and his beloved daughter but also a towns love and tradition for great SOUP! Yes, I said soup. Our story begins in the Kingdom of Dorr where Soup Day is looked forward to as much if not more than Christmas.

The King, his portly wife and beautiful daughter are adored by their people and the Castle’s Chef Andre (Kevin Kline) is looked upon as a genius. Until one fateful day when a simple mishap changes not only the royal families future but the entire kingdoms happiness and thus turning all the lands (and also their souls) dark, dry and sad.

Little Despereaux is born into your typical, cowardly mouse family but there is nothing typical about him. His appearance is adorable, as far as my opinion goes, but to the other mice he is quite strange. Large ears and short stature (even for a mouse) make him stand out but that is not where the peculiarities end. Despereaux is fearless and mice cannot be fearless. His parents do all they can to make him conform but when he chooses reading a book instead of eating a book they can no longer protect him from banishment.

Roscuro the rat (Dustin Hoffman) is not your typical rat either. He loves the sunlight, good food and is honorable. That is until a small “misstep” changes not only his path but that of the kingdom of Dorr . His own banishment of sorts forces his own tender heart to turn dark and dire decisions are made.

Miggery Sow (Tracey Ullman) dreamt of being a Princess and truly in her heart believed that one day she would be. She was not the prettiest of girls and definitely not the brightest but her dreams were huge. Her life takes a turn when she is traded by her uncle to the castle to work as a maid. There her visions of royalty come closer but her hold on reality slowly begins to slip.

What do these three have in common? A little mouse with the heart of a Warrior, a rat with a tender nature thrown into darkness and a maid with delusions of grandeur but “so much heart that some of it had to be put on the outside”. Their stories intertwine in an attempt to save a Princess and a kingdom.

I have to tell you that the artwork for this film was breathtaking and at times I thought I was looking at a painting by Dutch artist Het Meisje met de Parel. Truly a feast for the eye. Despereaux himself makes you want to run out and purchase a collectable toy (if any one knows where I can get one, let me know). I would have to tell you that this film was not just for your kids, but for adults as well. Beautifully written, engaging in the way that it told the separate stories of Despereaux, Roscuro and Miggery and then wove them together in the end. I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned who the narrator is yet!!!! None other than Ms. Sigourney Weaver herself. Can I tell you that it is easy to know that she is a mother by her gentle telling of this tale? Ms. Weaver chose to do this narration only after being told that she would be more of a protective and guiding, gently voice and not just a cold story teller. Wow, did she get the job done. Loved her. It is not often that one brags about a NARRATOR for pete’s sake, but she really did it. One last comment I want to make about the film is that it is such a great movie that you leave feeling that you would not mind seeing it again and again. This says a lot about the film because unlike CineMarcos who purchases movies based upon his “Can See it Again” factor, I usually see a movie once and I’m good for all time. Take your kids to see The Tale of Despereaux but also go for yourself. Especially if you are in need of a feel good film, this one will do the job.

Film Review By Priscilla

DVD: THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX DVD is presented in widescreen format (2.35:1 aspect ratio) with English 5.1 Dolby Digital Sound and Spanish and French Dolby Surround with English, Spanish and French subtitles.

In terms of special features Universal Home Entertainment when for the kids. The DVD includes more games than behind the scenes featurettes. It includes three games that will keep the little ones entertain, Also includes a ten minutes sneak peek of Curios George 2 called Follow the Monkey” and finally a short behind the scenes featurette called “THE TALE OF THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX: A (MOSTLY) NON-FICTIONAL MAKING-OF”, which talks really quick from beginning to end on how the animated film was made.

Overall even though The Tale of Despereaux DVD includes plenty of games for the kids, it the actual film that will keep them entertain making the film a good recommendation if you have kids.

Release Date: April 7, 2009

DVD DETAILS
OWN DVD