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XAvenger
 
 
 
XAvenger's stats
 
  • Review count
    184
  • Helpfulness votes
    243
  • First review
    September 6, 2007
  • Last review
    July 5, 2015
  • Featured reviews
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  • Average rating
    5
 
  • Review comment count
    3
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    2
  • First review comment
    September 24, 2011
  • Last review comment
    October 12, 2011
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XAvenger's Reviews
<< 1 ... 13 14 15 16 17 ... 19 >>
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
The best of the Mummy movies
on October 10, 2009
Posted by: XAvenger
This is the Mummy movie to watch! Far superior to any sequel or remake!
This version tells the story of the evil Imhotep, a sorcerer cursed by a Pharoh many centuries ago and brought back to life today (meaning 1932 when the movie was made).
Boris Karloff turns in a terrifying performance as Imhotep, the undead villain. There are many truly frightening scenes in this movie, all without being violent or gory. Karloff's fine performance and the superb directing of The Mummy makes this one of the best suspense films ever made.
The extras include a documentary on the making of the Mummy and on the films enduring legacy. Very informative.
There are problems with background noise and some image quality problems here and there. Plus a couple isolated scenes are missing a frame or two, but this will not diminish your enjoyment of the Mummy.
For a true classic of horror and suspense, The Mummy stands the test of time and is still one of the best.
What's great about it: Classic horror from Universal
What's not so great: Some source material problems
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Brilliant horror classic
on October 9, 2009
Posted by: XAvenger
This is the movie that set the standard for all Frankenstein movies to follow. It is also one of the true pioneers of the horror genre.
This version tells the familiar tale of a scientist (Dr. Frankenstein) who dared to conquer life and death. Colin Clive's portrayal of Dr. Frankenstein is what set the groundwork for all 'Mad Scientist' characters. He gives an electrifying performance as a driven, but not entirely crazed man. Dr. Frankenstein had much greater depth and complexity than a cliched 'Mad Scientist'. We get to see his family life and learn a few details about his past and what led him to conduct such an extreme experiment. We see him more as a misguided person than a lunatic.
As for Boris Karloff's performance as the monster, this was a briliant performance. The moster looks grotesque and frightening, but Karloff makes the moster sympathetic. He plays the monster not as a villain but as a victim and we really come to feel for the unfortunate creature.
The special effects were state of the art by 1930's standards and some still hold up, particularly the make-up on Karloff. This is the mosty famous monster make-up in movies and he still looks ghastly today.
The DVD extras are all informative and tell the history of not just this movie but of Universal's classic horror movies as a whole.
The only problems stem from the age of the source material. Universal did a great job with the restoration, but this is still a nearly 80 year old movie. There is background noise, some problems with the film stock and a missing frame or two in one scene. Despite this, the DVD is still highly enjoyable to watch.
This is the perfect Halloween movie. Scary and suspenseful but not gory and violent. If you are interested in classic movies, you need this in your collection.
What's great about it: The best Frankenstein ever
What's not so great: source material issues here and there
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
One of my favorite Marvel super-heroes
on October 8, 2009
Posted by: XAvenger
This movie tells the origin of Dr. Strange, one of Marvel's lesser known and more interesting characters. Dr. Strange does not have the recognition of say Spider-Man or Wolverine but I have always found him to be a fascinating character.
The story begins with Dr. Strange as a brilliant but arrogant physician. The movie shows us why he is so cold-hearted and chronicles his change from heartless doctor to someone who learns to care for his fellow man and who becomes a champion defending people against mystical threats. The plot is very well thought out and tells the story of a Sorcerer Supreme in a way that feels realistic (in the context of the movie).
The visuals are fantastic. There are many exciting action scenes with sorcerers casting a lot of very cool looking spells. The magic sequences are all very well drawn and superbly animated. The animation throughout is very good, a nice blend of cel and CG animation.
I would have liked to have seen a longer featurette on the history of Dr. Strange in comics with more input from Stan Lee, but that's the on;y complaint I have.
After seeing this movie, I want to see more Doctor Strange movies! This would be the perfect beginning for a series. I'd love to see an animated series with Doctor Strange or with the Defenders (A team Dr. Strange led in the Marvel comics. The other memebers included the Hulk, the Sub-Mariner and the Silver Surfer). Disney now owns Marvel comics, so there could be more Doctor Strange in the future.
What's great about it: Grerat animated feature about a great character
What's not so great: Would have liked to see more on the history of the character in the DVD extras
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A true classic
on October 7, 2009
Posted by: XAvenger
Here is a true classic. Dracula starring Bela Lugosi, the silver screen's finest Dracula.
This version sets the standard for all Dracula movie to follow. The movie is not graphically violent nor does it have any visual effect shots, but it is suspensful. It tells the familiar tale of Count Dracula, a great story of good vs. evil and tells it far better than any of the subsequent Dracula movies.
What makes this movie great is Bela Lugosi. He was the consummate Dracula. His stage presence was phenomenal and when the camera gives a close-up of Dracula's hypnotic stare, you cannot take your eyes off the screen. Lugosi's riveting performance makes this Dracula one of the best horror movies ever made.
The only problem with this DVD is that the source material shows its age. There is background noise and some image problems, but this will not detract from you enjoyment of the film.
An essential addition to any DVD collection.
What's great about it: Best Dracula movie ever made
What's not so great: Some source material issues
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Nice blend of military action and comedy
on October 5, 2009
Posted by: XAvenger
This collects the first two Full Metal Panic series: Full Metal Panic and Full Metal Panic Fummofu.
In Full Metal Panic, a young Japanese girl named Kaname Chidori possesses psychic powers and this makes her a target for terrorists. A secret mercenary army sends an agent named Sosuke Sagara to pose as a student in the high school Kaname attends and to protect her. What follows is a great mix of action and comedy. The action follows Sosuke's efforts to protect Kaname from the terroists and has some exciting combat and mecha scenes. The comedy is based on the fact that Souske can only think in military terms and is thus unable to fit in with ordinary society. Lots of hijinks and Kaname is always on hand to try to knock some sense into him.
FMP Fummofu is all comedy and is based on Souske's inability to fit in to normal society.
Both series are very well written and animated and feature some great characters. If you are into mecha but want a series that is more than just mindless robot fights, check out FMP.
Do not watch the English dub under any circumstances. The English voice cast ranges from inappropriately cast to annoying, the Japanese cast is far superior.
What's great about it: Top quality animation and story
What's not so great: English dub
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Magnificent score
on October 5, 2009
Posted by: XAvenger
The soundtrack for Disney's Sleeping Beauty is based on a ballet of the same name composed by the illustrious Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky. For the movie, the score from the ballet was adapted to the movie.
The score has the sound and feel of a full orchestra and is a perfect complement to the Disney movie. One of the finest scores ever produced for any motion picture.
The adaptation was phenomenal. The musical elements created by Tchaikovsky fit the movie perfectly from comic scenes, to romantic scenes to the exciting finale battle between the good and evil. I have heard the original Tchaikovsky scoe in its entirety and this soundtrack is faithful to the spirit of the original work.
I think Tchaikovsky would have been proud to know that his music has inspired such a fantastic work. If you like the movie or classical music, this CD is essential.
What's great about it: Excellent soundtrack based on Tchaikovsky
What's not so great: Nothing really
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Fifty years after he first attacked Tokyo, Godzilla is back on the rampage -- and this time he's brought reinforcements -- in this monster opus from Toho Studios. After numerous rounds of combat with Japan's most furious monsters, the robotic beast Mechagodzilla is in for some much needed repairs when a handful of sprites appear before the scientists putting the machine back in fighting shape. The enchanted ones warn the scientists that their actions could have grave consequences, but it isn't long before a strange series of natural disasters brings the most fearsome of all monsters, Godzilla, back to life. What's more, Godzilla is joined by Mothra for a reign of terror that threatens to devastate the island. With few alternatives, Japan's leaders pit the repaired Mechagodzilla against Godzilla and Mothra, but it quickly becomes unclear if the robot will obey its human creators or join forces with the flesh-and-blood monsters.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Outstanding Godzilla movie
on September 26, 2009
Posted by: XAvenger
Tokyo S.O.S begins with a warning from Mothra (a giant moth) to the people of Japan. 'Do not use Mecha-Godzilla!'. What follows is an exciting sci-fi action movie that leads up to a great battle in Tokyo involving Godzilla, Mothra and Mecha-Godzilla.
Tokyo S.O.S boast a fine array of visual effects and some well-designed monsters. The monsters and the Tokyo sets look realistic. Masaki Tezuka (who also directed 'Godzilla against Mecha-Godzilla') proves to be an excellent director. He ranks with Ishiro Honda (who directed the first Godzilla movie) as one of the best directors of the Godzilla movies.
The English dub is not up to the standard of the original Japanese dialogue, but the DVD has the Japanese dialogue.
I recommend this to any fan of sci-fi or Japanese movies. Godzilla truly is the King of the Monsters!
What's great about it: Nice visual effects and exciting battle scenes
What's not so great: English dub
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
This 1954 Disney version of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea represented the studio's costliest and most elaborate American-filmed effort to date. Kirk Douglas plays a trouble-shooting 19th century seaman, trying to discover why so many whaling ships have been disappearing of late. Teaming with scientist Paul Lukas and diver Peter Lorre, Douglas sets sail to investigate--and is promptly captured by the megalomaniac Captain Nemo (James Mason), who skippers a lavish, scientifically advanced submarine. The film's special effects, including a giant squid, were impressive enough in 1954 to win an Academy Award.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Thrilling undersea adventure
on September 25, 2009
Posted by: XAvenger
20,000 Leauges Under the Sea ranks as one of my all-time favortie movies.
This was Disney's first live-action film and is also the best screen adaptation a Jules Verne novel has ever recieved. While the movie does not follow ever event in the novel, it stays true to the spirit of the original novel.
Set in the late 19th Century, two scientists and a harpooner are taken prisoner by Captain Nemo, a man waging his own private war against a tyrannical regime. Much of the movie takes place on the Nautilis, an atomic submarine.
James Mason turns in an extraordinary performance as Captain Nemo, we can truly feel the inner turmoil that defines one of literatures most enduring anti-heroes. Kirk Douglas is great as Ned Land, the harpooner and provides some very nice comic moments both on his own and with his sea lion sidekick.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea has some exciting and dramatic action sequences in the best swashbuckling tradition highlighted by great visual effects. The visual effects were state of the art in the 50's and they still hold up today. The design of the Nautilis was well-thought out and brilliantly realized. It looks almost exactly like Jules Verne's concept of the Nautilis.
The extras include documentraies on the making of the film, theatrical trailers and a gallery of promotional materials and a Donald Duck cartoon.
This movie has a g rating and that is exactly the rating it warrants. The movie is exciting but non-violent. It is a great movie for children and is also the type of movie adults can enjoy as well making it the perfect family film.
This is truly a movie I can recommend to anyone. A brilliant adventure movie and a great family film in one.
What's great about it: Top-notch filmmaking all the way
What's not so great: nothing really
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Superb anime
on September 24, 2009
Posted by: XAvenger
This series follows the plot of the Sakura Wars video game (a game made for the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast in Japan but never released in the US).
Sakura Wars follows a team of elite mecha pilots who work in secret to defend Japan against invasion by demonic forces. In thier secret identities, they form a theatrical company. As in the game, the TV series focuses more on how the team comes together than on just combat. But there are plenty of action scenes. The pasts of most of the characters is explored through the course of the series and is told in a nice pace. As the series progresses, the team evelves from a group of strangers to group of frineds and comrades-in-arms.
The interactions between the characters ranges from the heart-wrenching to the comic, one comic sequence involves the misspelling of a name that changes the meaning of the name. A more dramatic one involves one character having to rescue her wounded comrade. Ecxellent blend of comedy and drama.
The animation is good by TV standards, but where the anime really shines is its music. Sakura Wars boast some of the best songs ever sung in anime (mostly in their stage performances). The opening is one of my favorite anime songs and each character has at least one song for that character.
Watch the ORIGINAL JAPANESE version. Sakura Wars has one of the most talented casts in anime and the English dub does not do the series justice.
For a unique mecha anime, check out Sakura Wars.
What's great about it: Great story, great music, great characters
What's not so great: English dub
I would recommend this to a friend!
-1point
2of 5voted this as helpful.
 
A monstrous prehistoric reptile squares off against an equally huge mechanical creature in this Japanese monster opus, which has been given a straightforward presentation for its North American DVD release. Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla has been transferred to disc in letterboxed format at the widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1, which has also been enhanced for anamorphic playback on 16 x 9 monitors. The audio has been mastered in Dolby Digital 5.1; viewers may choose between the original Japanese-language soundtrack and a dubbed version in English, while optional subtitles in English and French have also been included. No additional bonus materials have been included for this release.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great Godzilla movie
on September 24, 2009
Posted by: XAvenger
This is one of my favorite Godzilla movies and is the best of the movies where Godzilla fights his robot double Mecha-Godzilla.
In this version, Mecha-Godzilla is built by the Japan Self-Defense Force to defend against Godzilla. Mecha-Godzilla looks very cool and projects the image that it really could take on Godzilla one-on-one. The duels between Godzilla and Mecha-Godzilla are exciting to watch and boast some great visual effects. A nice blend of CG and miniatures.
The music, by Michiru Oshima, is worthy of the likes of John Williams and original Godzilla composer Akira Ifukube. At turns the music is exciting and stirring.
The beautiful Yumiko Shaku does a great job as Akane Yashiro, Mecha-Godzilla's pilot and there are other great characters as well. Particularly a scientist on the Mecha-Godzilla team and his young daughter.
Godzilla against Mecha-Godzilla features everything you know and love about the Godzilla movies, lots of action, scary monsters and more than one big throwdown with Godzilla.
This DVD includes the original Japanese dialogue version, which I wish was included on every Toho DVD release.
Godzilla shows once again why his is called 'King of the Monsters'. If you are a Godzilla fan, then you must see 'Godzilla against Mecha-Godzilla'.
What's great about it: Visual effects, action, music
What's not so great: English dub
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
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XAvenger's Review Comments
 
This extensive release includes all six films in the science fiction juggernaut Star Wars franchise: Star Wars (aka Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope), The Empire Strikes Back (aka Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back), Return of the Jedi (aka Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
 
Overall3 out of 53 out of 5
Bad disc - TWICE
By QuoteMe from Los Angeles, CA
About an hour into Episode II, the disc freezes a bit and seems to skip. Returned to store for a hassle free exchange. The same problem with the new disc at the exact same spot!!!! Haven't had a chance to view all the other discs but what a disappiontment. Question is do I exchange again or simply ask for a refund???? Anyone else have similar problem?
I've had no problems
September 24, 2011
You might want to try sending the discs to 20th Century Fox for a replacement.
I've had no problems whatsoever with any of the movies. Of course, I've plyed them on my PS3.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
Good Movie If You Don't Have A Sony or Samsung
By Enchanter from Trenton, MI
Lots of talk with the First Class movie not working with Sony. It would not work with my Sony BDP S350. Which is NOT 3D. I had to disable the internet connection "Do not allow disc to access internet" or some such. Then I had to delete the data file the Xmen movie had already installed when I tried to watch it the first time. This isn't easy either as it normally doesn't display the stored data in the setup menu. I had to do this by inserting an invalid disc. In this case the digital copy. Then I got the menu to delete the First Class data file. What a pain, I'm watching this now and it BETTER be good, lol. If your not up to this then get the DVD. Hope this helps someone.
October 12, 2011
I have had no problems with watching the Blu-Ray on my PS3 (a Sony player). You may want to update your firmware
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
 
This extensive release includes all six films in the science fiction juggernaut Star Wars franchise: Star Wars (aka Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope), The Empire Strikes Back (aka Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back), Return of the Jedi (aka Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
Good value for the money. One BRD issue.
By burrisd from Fredericksburg, VA
As a Star Wars fan I find this a good value for the money. I have a problem with the blu-ray discs, which is in no way a fault of Best Buy. Every single disc seems to enter a pause mode during the movie and then speeds up without audio. I have to stop playing the disc and restart it again. This happens regardless of which blu-ray player I use. Other than that, I would recommend this product.
October 12, 2011
I've had no problems with any of the Blu-Ray discs. I've been playing them on my PS3.
Your firmware may need to be updated.
-1point
0of 1voted this comment as helpful.
 
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