Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Terminator The Sarah Connor Chronicles DVD


I was at a major electronics store recently getting a computer fixed, and while I was there I picked up the new DVD of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES Season 1. As a big fan of the movies, I have been eagerly anticipating the new television series. It is AWESOME. It is truly a worthy follow-up to Terminator 1 and 2, and pretty much ignores T3 for the most part. The action in the pilot episode is mind-blowing, and does not disappoint. I highly recommend it!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Note About This Blog

A NOTE ABOUT THIS BLOG: I had built this blog a while back, and had gotten busy doing other things, and so it was neglected for a long time. Recently I decided to get back to it, and so as of today it is a bit thin. However, with your encouragement, I intend to get it back to its former glory and then some!

Ghost Rider DVD


I have always been a big fan of Marvel Comics, and that includes the movies based on some of my favorite titles. GHOST RIDER is definitely a good entry in the series, with Nicolas Cage (Con Air, Lord Of War) playing Johnny Blaze. JB made a deal with devil to save someone he loves, but ends up becoming the devil's bounty hunter. Cage plays the character with the right flair, and the special effects do the story justice. Eva Mendes (Training Day, Hitch) does an excellent job as Blaze's love interest, and Sam Elliott (The Legacy, Shakedown) adds a special surprise to the plot that will bring back memories for older fans of the comic books. The DVD I reviewed was the full screen single-disc edition, with both Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks. Also available in widescreen single-disc, widescreen two-disc extended cut, and Blu-Ray.

X-Men The Last Stand DVD


I saw X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (X-Men 3) in the theatre and loved it. Since then, I have eagerly awaited the DVD release. I am happy to report it was worth the wait. The transfer quality is beautiful, and the sound is available in both Dolby Digital and DTS. The supplemental materials include the two trailers, plenty of deleted scenes, and three alternate endings. Of the deleted scenes, my personal favorite is a different version of Magneto and Jean's conversation at the camp. Highly recommended!

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark


I saw DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK on television when I was a kid, and it scared the hell out of me. Sally Farnham (Kim Darby, Better Off Dead, Teen Wolf Too) and her husband Alex (Jim Hutton, Ellery Queen) move into an old house that Sally inherited from her family. Soon, strange things start happening. This is the kind of movie I wish they still knew how to make. It's truly scary, rather than just gory. It relies on atmosphere, and a minimal amount of special effects to frighten the audience. I know by today's standards it may be considered tame, but if you see it on TV some night, give it a chance. You'll be glad you did!

Scary Movie 4


I loved SCARY MOVIE. It's one of the few films that makes me laugh over and over, no matter how many times I've watched it. And while most sequels can never live up to the original, the Scary Movie follow-ups have always been entertaining. SCARY MOVIE 4 is no exception. Once again, the spoofs in this film made me laugh til I cried. Anna Faris is still my favorite modern comedienne. And the last skit in the movie was, for me anyway, actually scary enough to live up to the title!

Not Just Another BRICK In The Wall


BRICK has got to be one of the best detective movies I have ever seen! I saw the trailer on a DVD a while back, and have been looking forward to seeing it ever since. I missed it in the theatre, but now it's finally on DVD and it is worth the wait. When Brendan Frye's ex-girlfriend gets in trouble, he is plunged into a mystery that grabs you and doesn't let go. A brilliant film from start to finish!

Tamara


I watched HELLO MARY LOU: PROM NIGHT 2, and THE LAST KISS: PROM NIGHT 3 a few years back, and was dazzled by these beautiful girls who end up with nearly unlimited Freddy Krueger-like power. When PROM NIGHT 4 didn't continue the tradition, I was desperate for another one of this kind of movie for a long time afterward. A few months ago, I was granted my wish when I went to a local mall's multiplex and saw TAMARA! Jenna Dewan plays the title character, and does a phenomenal job for a relatively new actress. Some people might think I'm exaggerating if I say she deserves a best actress award for her role, but she is GREAT in this movie. And while characters like Mary Lou and Freddy are just fun to watch for being delightfully evil, Tamara also has a heart. I felt for her character, at first pitying her, then relishing her rise to power, then heartbroken by her tragedy. And as a side note, there is a scene involving another character that has forever changed my perspective regarding eating disorders...!