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  • First review
    October 10, 2007
  • Last review
    July 31, 2009
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prlwctd's Reviews
<< 1 ... 11 12 13 14 15 ... 19 >>
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
1 out of 5
1
more of the same
on November 13, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
The 1999 Mummy film became a hit so this sequel was basically inevitable. All the major players from the first are back, this time with The Rock as the Scorpion King.
Brandan Fraser & Rachel Weisz are back and, while their characters are now married with a son, they are still no different than the last time.
Likewise, the CGI (yes, including those stupid bugs) is just as headache-inducing.
What's great about it: Rachel Weisz is back
What's not so great: Brandan Fraser & the obvious CGI are back too
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Universal has released the Ultimate Edition of The Mummy, but the original Collector's Edition DVD still stands on its own, a disc that other studios still should look to for inspiration. This disc has a fantastic picture; the golds of the desert sand and the dark blacks and grays of the Egyptian catacombs are perfect. The anamorphic transfer is no doubt part of the reason it looks so good. The disc is framed at its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 (the same Collector's Edition disc is available with a pan-and-scan transfer). The 5.1 Dolby Digital English track takes advantage of the large action scenes and the smaller, dramatic moments. While the sound is centered, for the most part, in the front and front-side speakers, there are liberal uses of the surround speakers and the subwoofer. Dialogue is squarely in the middle and is never distorted. In addition, there is a 4.0 Surround track in French along with subtitles in English only. Universal rarely skimps on extras with the Collector's Edition and this disc is a perfect example. The "making of" documentary, with cast and crew interviews, focuses on the visual effects created by Industrial Light and Magic. At times it's a highly complex discussion of their work, maybe more than the layperson can fully grasp; nevertheless, it provides fascinating information. There is also a director/editor commentary track, six trailers from this and other Universal films, deleted scenes, an interesting section on Egypt (Egyptology 101), and DVD-ROM features.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
1 out of 5
1
different but dumb
on November 13, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
While credit should be given for making a different kind of mummy movie, the end result here is just a standard big, loud, dumb, SFX-saturated action mess.
Rachel Weisz makes an appealing heroine, a amateur archeologist who enlists the aid of an American expatriate(Brandan Fraser, who has Indiana Jones-wannabe written all over him here, which wouldn't be all bad were his character not so annoying) to find the Mummy of the title.
Unlike Boris Karloff or Christopher Lee, Arnold Vosloo's Mummy is anything but frightening or pitiable. There are also CGI bugs that run around all through the movie for no apparent reason.
What's great about it: Rachel Weisz
What's not so great: Brandan Fraser, the obvious CGI
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Batman Returns, Tim Burton's even darker and more complex sequel to Batman, has an equally disappointing presentation on DVD: besides the widescreen anamorphic transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio, the disc offers some production notes as its only extra feature. Though Burton devotees and Batgeeks will definitely want to own this disc out of sheer obligation, Batman Returns needs a much more substantial presentation. However, the recent deluxe editions of Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow and even The Nightmare Before Christmas suggest that a more lavish version of Batman Returns is on its way.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
inferior sequel
on November 12, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
This first Batman sequel sees Keaton returning for the title role and he manages to be better than the first time around. This is due to the great chemistry he generates with Michelle Pfieffer, who is perfect casting as Catwoman.
Sadly, this film is sabotaged by Danny DeVito who, while a fine actor, is all wrong as the Penguin. Instead of the clever thief of the comics we now have a deranged mutant (as bad an idea as making Michael Myers white trash in the Halloween remake) who turns out to be merely a Jack-knockoff (a problem which would plague the villains in the next two Batman pics).
The story also doesn't make much sense. How did the Penguin get a hold of plans to the Batmobile? What does the Catwoman have against Batman? Why are the streets of Gotham empty at the climax?
What's great about it: great chemistry between Keaton & Pfieffer
What's not so great: DeVito
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
 
While there are some good things to be said for Warner Bros' DVD release of Batman, one of those things is not how it makes full use of the DVD format. Aside from a handful of production and cast notes, and some film recommendations, the DVD has no extras. The disc includes both full-frame and widescreen versions of the movie. The widescreen version is an anamorphic transfer preserving the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio of the movie. The transfer is very crisp and clean, with no sign of grain, and minimal compression artifacts and edge enhancement apparent throughout. The print used is very clean and shows no degradation. Colors are accurate and vivid throughout (while the scenes that are required to look grey and forbidding achieve a respectably sullen coldness) with no smearing or blending, and blacks are nicely solid and detailed. Earlier video transfers of this movie tended to push the luminance levels too high, leaving darker areas a kind of ugly grey-green. The soundtrack, originally Dolby Stereo, has been remastered to Dolby 5.1. The resulting track is clean and clear, with good dialogue separation, but is somewhat lacking in dynamics and does not make particularly good use of either the subwoofer channel or the surrounds (there is some surround work, mainly for ambience, but the majority of the soundstage is across the front). The French-language track is the original Dolby 2.0 track, with levels pushed to the wall. The voice cast seems a bit odd, but the dubbing is adequate. The disc has 31 chapter stops and is packaged in a cardboard snapper case.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
watchable but empty
on November 12, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
The Joker was the role Nicholson was born to play and his performance here shows that he knows it.
The art direction (which richly deserved an Oscar) is also first rate, as is the music from Prince (especially Scandalous).
Sadly, this emphasis on Jack proved to be at the cost of what could've been great work from Michael Keaton in the title role. Instead, his work is merely good instead of legendary (a la Christopher Reeve as Superman). Kim Basinger, as beautiful as she is, proves as weak and cliched a love interest here as she was in Never Say Never Again.
It wouldn't be until Batman Begins, over 15 years later, that the big screen would do the Caped Crusader justice.
What's great about it: great productions values & the definitive Jack performance
What's not so great: Kim Basinger, doesn't do justice to the title character
I would recommend this to a friend!
-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
 
The hockey-masked killer Jason goes cosmic in the tenth installment of the Friday the 13th series, Jason X. New Line has done an excellent job at making sure this 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer looks sharp, detailed, and very well produced. With solid black levels and bright colors throughout, this transfer should please any self-respecting horror film buff. The soundtrack is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DTS Surround, and Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, all in English. Both the Dolby 5.1 and DTS mix are in full bombastic order with multiple uses of directional effects throughout the movie. With nary an ounce of hiss or distortion in the mix, both of these soundtracks are very loud and enveloping. Also included on this disc are English subtitles. Jason X is featured as one of New Line's "Platinum Series" DVDs, and as such sports a vast array of extra features. Starting out the disc is a commentary track with director James Isaac, writer Todd Farmer, and producer Noel Cunningham. This is a grandly entertaining commentary with all kinds of stories about the film's production and lots of tidbits about the character of Jason (played by the imposing Kane Hodder). "The Many Lives of Jason Voorhees" is a half-hour featurette that takes a probing yet humorous eye to the legendary Friday the 13th series. Featuring interviews by film critic Drew McWeeny, film historian David del Valle, B-movie host Joe Bob Briggs and others, this is an exceptionally entertaining piece on the history of the franchise. "By Any Means Necessary: The Making of Jason X" is a nice promotional piece on the making of the film with interviews by the principle cast and crew members. Much of the information from this featurette is covered in the commentary, though this is still a worthwhile treat for fans. Finally there is a theatrical trailer for the film, along with a fun "Jump to a Death" menu.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
dumb fun
on November 11, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
Jason X is no better than its Friday the 13th brethern, but its space setting makes it more fun than most of the others.
Lexa Doig makes a sexy, appealing heroine, even if her acting leaves much to be desired.
The documentaries about the film and the Friday series are also nice viewing for fans of the series.
What's great about it: Lexa Doig, documentaries
What's not so great: don't expect art
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
A fun Roman Polanski (Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby) thriller starring Harrison Ford, Frantic was clearly one of the first DVDs that Warner Brothers ever put on the market. The film not only has no extras, but it's not even widescreen. The full-screen standard transfer looks like the same one used when creating the VHS, with slightly sharper resolution thanks to the DVD technology. The sound in Dolby Surround isn't digital and is only available in English. There are no theatrical trailers, production notes, bios, or interactive screens. Warner Brothers' interest in releasing this disc must have been purely experimental -- testing out the new DVD format with some of its less popular titles.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
solid but unspectacular
on November 11, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
Polanski's most commercial film following his exile in France. Ford plays an American doctor whose wife vanishes not long after they arrive in France. His maddening search for her leads him to a mysterious woman (Emmanuelle Seigner, who later became Mrs. Polanski) who holds the key to his wife's disappearance.
Ford's great performance proves that he was more than an action hero.
The only thing keeping this thriller from achieveing classic status is the weak, undefined villains, who make this film surprisingly less intense than expected given Polanski's real-life experience with this sort of ordeal.
What's great about it: Ford's great acting
What's not so great: weak villains
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
brilliant 2nd half of Clint's Iwo Jima saga
on November 10, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
Clint's followup to Flags of Our Fathers (released just two months later) is equally powerful & memorable. This time, it's Iwo Jima from the point of view of the Japanese soldiers, who fought (some more reluctantly than others) to the death to keep the island from Allied hands.
Ken Watanabe is perfect casting as the general in charge of the operation, even though he held respect for the Americans he and his men were fighting.
Appropriately, this film is spoken in Japanese with its American director showing the utmost respect for the culture.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
wonderful WWII film
on November 10, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
This great film from Clint Eastwood concern three American soldiers (Ryan Phillippe, Adam Beach, & Jesse Bradford) who go home after Iwo Jima, where the government sends them around the country putting up on display as heroes, a designation they don't exactly agree with, as many of their fellow flag raisers died without fanfare.
Great acting and directing are just two assets of what was just one half of Clint's great Iwo Jima opus.
I would recommend this to a friend!
-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
 
The familiar theme for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly springs nicely from this mono transfer, but technological limitations keep everything very centralized. The sounds are basically clear and the dialogue is understandable, but this track lacks the complexity of two- and five-channel presentations. This DVD utilizes an adequate 2.35:1 widescreen transfer that includes some defects brought by age. Dirt and grain also appears intermittently, but they never detract too much from the overall experience. The most significant bonus with this release is the inclusion of seven deleted scenes that were removed from the original 1966 Italian release when it appeared overseas. They cover approximately 16 minutes and use a strong widescreen transfer. The additional extras include the original theatrical trailer and some production notes. The preview appears in a mediocre 2.35:1 widescreen transfer and includes some basic narration. The notes offer a page of minor behind-the-scenes details and two screens concerning spaghetti Westerns and Sergio Leone's trilogy. It's also impressive to note the 64 chapter cues, which give very specific access to the film.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
third & best
on November 9, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
The best of the Eastwood/Leone teamings and, possibly, the best spaghetti western ever made.
Due to the success of both Fistul and For a Few, Leone received his biggest budget yet for this film, and that budget wonderfully shows.
During the Civil War, the three title characters (Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach, respectively) look for Conferate gold, with each of them possessing only partial information as to its whereabouts.
Ennio Morricone's music has deservedly become one of the all time great movie themes.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
The first thing one notices about this new DVD edition of For a Few Dollars More is the dramatic improvement in the film-to-video transfer. In place of the slightly soft and speckled opening credits, we get a much more solid and consistent image -- the letterboxed (2.35:1) picture is far richer in tone, shot-for-shot, than the earlier version. And that goes for the clarity and color tones throughout the picture -- this will look sensational on big-screen setups, where the old MGM/UA DVD would not have. Viewers should be cautioned, however, that, as with the earlier DVD edition of the movie, there is some chemical damage at the edges of a few shots in the opening reel, in Lee Van Cleef's first scene; it's there, and evidently there's nothing to be done about it except minimize the impact, which is what has been done here. The improved picture and sound would be enough to justify the new edition of this movie, but MGM has loaded it up with a ton of special features as well. The principal bonus element is Christopher Frayling's commentary track, which is a match for his work on A Fistful of Dollars. Frayling approaches his tour through this production from across a wide range of subjects and angles, historical, literary, thematic, etc.; they all work, and it all fits together beautifully. There's also a featurette in which Clint Eastwood reminisces some more about working with Sergio Leone (though, curiously, he spends as much time on A Fistful of Dollars as he does on For a Few Dollars More) and a featurette on this production. Also, this time the U.S. trailers that should be here are here, although, as with A Fistful of Dollars, one wishes we could see examples of how the movie was sold in Europe, to contrast with the U.S. promotional campaign. The producers have also gone to the trouble of including the edited sequences from the original U.S. release of the movie -- these were mostly done to remove references to the Eastwood character's name, since UA's publicity focused on the "Man with no Name." They're a fun little addendum. As was the case with A Fistful of Dollars, the two discs here open to simple, easy-to-use multi-layered menus that offer a generous chapter selection and include easy access to all of the special features. It's all welcomed and long overdue -- this and the preceding film in the trilogy always deserved this kind of treatment, to match that which was accorded The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and now they've got it.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great Fistful followup
on November 9, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
This followup to A Fistful of Dollars finds Clint's no named drifter (called Manco here) reluctantly teaming up with Lee Van Cleef to get rid of a merciless bandit. The twist is that both are going after him for different reasons.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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