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- Review count187
- Helpfulness votes119
- First reviewOctober 10, 2007
- Last reviewJuly 31, 2009
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- Average rating4.1
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![Star Trek: Fan Collective - Borg [4 Discs] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7624/7624001_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Resistance is Futile
on November 6, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
The Borg quickly became, arguably, the most popular of the Star Trek villains since their debut in TNG's second season episode "Q Who." From that point, they appeared once a season on the show, most famously in "The Best of Both Worlds," the two-parter which bridged TNG's third & fourth seasons, and which became the most famous TV cliffhanger since Dallas's "Who Shot J.R.?"
Even the lesser "Descent' two-parter (the cliffhanger which bridges TNG's sixth & seventh seasons) has great moments, which is more than can be said for the Borg's appearances on Voyager and Enterprise, where they simply became less and less scary.
So, buy this for the six TNG episodes and just ignore the others.
Even the lesser "Descent' two-parter (the cliffhanger which bridges TNG's sixth & seventh seasons) has great moments, which is more than can be said for the Borg's appearances on Voyager and Enterprise, where they simply became less and less scary.
So, buy this for the six TNG episodes and just ignore the others.
What's great about it: The TNG episodes
What's not so great: The Voyager & Enterprise episodes
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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![The Other Boleyn Girl [DVD] [2008]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8829/8829011_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
2
great-looking but lightweight
on November 5, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
Natalie Portman & Scarlett Johansson are two of the most beautiful and most talented actresses today. Their teaming as sisters Anne and Mary Boleyn sounded inspired on paper. However, they don't quite have the energy to make such a dramatic teaming pay off, although they give it their best shot.
Likewise, Eric Bana fails to bring authority to his role of Henry VIII the way Robert Shaw or Charles Laughton did.
Kristen Scott Thomas, however, is first rate as Anne & Mary's mother, who is displeased by how her girls, and women in general, as treated in this time period, even if she reluctantly agrees to go along with it.
The art direction and costumes are also great. However, this film doesn't hold a candle to A Man for All Seasons.
Likewise, Eric Bana fails to bring authority to his role of Henry VIII the way Robert Shaw or Charles Laughton did.
Kristen Scott Thomas, however, is first rate as Anne & Mary's mother, who is displeased by how her girls, and women in general, as treated in this time period, even if she reluctantly agrees to go along with it.
The art direction and costumes are also great. However, this film doesn't hold a candle to A Man for All Seasons.
What's great about it: two beautiful lead actresses
What's not so great: the narrative lacks punch
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Star Trek: Nemesis [WS & Special Collector's Edition] [2 Discs] [DVD] [2002]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7368/7368172_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
2
entertaining but a poor ending to a great series
on November 4, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
Although it was nice to see Riker & Troi's wedding (along with them going to a new ship he's going to command), this film is a poor way to end the legacy of TNG.
One reason being that we see many characters coming out of left field for no apparent reason. Why have the Remans never appeared before on Trek if they were so well-known to the Federation? Just how many androids are out there that are like Data? What was the point of making a clone of Picard and why does he look nothing like the younger Picard we saw many times in the series?
Data's sacrifice in the end, like Kirk's in Generations, just sits there and shrugs (I would've at least expected La Forge, his best friend, to have a more emotional involvement in the proceedings), and, yet again, we have Beverly relegated to the sidelines, although there's no arbitrary female guest star for Picard to chat with this time around.
TNG will always endure, but the four films its spawned simply didn't cut it overall.
One reason being that we see many characters coming out of left field for no apparent reason. Why have the Remans never appeared before on Trek if they were so well-known to the Federation? Just how many androids are out there that are like Data? What was the point of making a clone of Picard and why does he look nothing like the younger Picard we saw many times in the series?
Data's sacrifice in the end, like Kirk's in Generations, just sits there and shrugs (I would've at least expected La Forge, his best friend, to have a more emotional involvement in the proceedings), and, yet again, we have Beverly relegated to the sidelines, although there's no arbitrary female guest star for Picard to chat with this time around.
TNG will always endure, but the four films its spawned simply didn't cut it overall.
What's great about it: great ideas
What's not so great: characters coming out of left field
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Star Trek: Generations [Special Collector's Edition] [2 Discs] [DVD] [Eng/Fre] [1994]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6771/6771638_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
3
watchable but routine
on November 4, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
When Star Trek: The Next Generation ended its illustrious run in May 1994 with one of the best series finales of all time, Paramount made the decision that the show would follow the lead of the original Trek series and segue into a series of feature films. Instead of waiting years for those films (as we had for Kirk & co.), we only had to wait until November of the same year for the first film.
With hindsight, this turned out to be a hasty move. This movie, like the following three TNG films, has great moments and ideas but falls flat when compared to the series itself, especially when dealing with character moments, which became a hallmark of TNG.
The prologue begins with Kirk christening the new Enterprise-B and then vanishing into space following a rescue the crew must carry out. Fast forward 78 years and Picard and co must assist a scientific outpost that has been ambushed. There they find Dr. Soran (another nice turn by Malcolm McDowell) who was one of those rescued by Kirk & the Enterprise-B at the beginning of the picture and, we later realize, has a hidden agenda.
The SFX are first rate, especially the shocking destruction of the beloved Enterprise-D.
Kirk's death, however, while not as anticlimatic as Ripley's in Alien 3, just sits there and shrugs.
Overall, this film leaves a bitter aftertaste after the sweet pleasure of TNG's finale, "All Good Things...."
With hindsight, this turned out to be a hasty move. This movie, like the following three TNG films, has great moments and ideas but falls flat when compared to the series itself, especially when dealing with character moments, which became a hallmark of TNG.
The prologue begins with Kirk christening the new Enterprise-B and then vanishing into space following a rescue the crew must carry out. Fast forward 78 years and Picard and co must assist a scientific outpost that has been ambushed. There they find Dr. Soran (another nice turn by Malcolm McDowell) who was one of those rescued by Kirk & the Enterprise-B at the beginning of the picture and, we later realize, has a hidden agenda.
The SFX are first rate, especially the shocking destruction of the beloved Enterprise-D.
Kirk's death, however, while not as anticlimatic as Ripley's in Alien 3, just sits there and shrugs.
Overall, this film leaves a bitter aftertaste after the sweet pleasure of TNG's finale, "All Good Things...."
What's great about it: Malcolm McDowell, great SFX, and some good ideas
What's not so great: weak when compared to the series
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![The Texas Chainsaw Massacre [Ultimate Edition] [2 Discs] [DVD] [1974]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7904/7904217_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
In a word: Horrifying
on November 4, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
This 1974 classic from Tobe Hooper is nothing short of sensational. With its documentary-esque photography and nerve-wracking moments, this is, in some ways, the ultimate horror film.
Like Psycho & The Silence of the Lambs, this film is partially based on the real life exploits of murderer Ed Gein.
Five friends (a girl, her boyfriend, her best friend, her brother, and her best friend's boyfriend) go into a graveyard in Texas to confirm that an acquaintance's grave hasn't been disturbed, following reports of grave robbing in the area. Needless to say, they don't leave quickly enough as they encounter a family of wackos who have them in mind for their next meal.
The climax (which reinforces the notion that shooting dinner scenes is hard on actors) will have the viewer on the edge of their seats.
Like Psycho & The Silence of the Lambs, this film is partially based on the real life exploits of murderer Ed Gein.
Five friends (a girl, her boyfriend, her best friend, her brother, and her best friend's boyfriend) go into a graveyard in Texas to confirm that an acquaintance's grave hasn't been disturbed, following reports of grave robbing in the area. Needless to say, they don't leave quickly enough as they encounter a family of wackos who have them in mind for their next meal.
The climax (which reinforces the notion that shooting dinner scenes is hard on actors) will have the viewer on the edge of their seats.
What's great about it: unrelenting suspense
What's not so great: not for the squeamish
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Hollow Man [Superbit Deluxe Edition] [2 Discs] [DVD] [2000]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4559/4559347_sa.jpg)
Hollow Man makes its second debut on DVD care of Columbia's Superbit Deluxe line of movies on two discs. The film is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and looks absolutely fantastic. With solid black levels and slick color schemes, this is a stunningly well-produced transfer that includes nary an imperfection or defect. Fans will be very pleased with how crisp this image looks. The soundtrack is floating in the same boat as the video transfer. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround as well as DTS 5.1 Surround, both in English, each of these soundtracks feature a multitude of directional effects and surround sounds throughout the entire length of the film. Enveloping the viewer in the world of invisibility, both the video and audio portions of this disc should make anyone with a home theater system very happy. Also included on this disc are English, Chinese, French, Thai, Portuguese, and Spanish subtitles. This deluxe version of the film features a second disc that is full of extra materials (though the commentary track by the director has been excluded from this release). Starting off the supplements is an interesting HBO making of featurette titled "Anatomy of a Thriller." The feature is a short, fluffy look at the making of the film that includes interviews with that cast and crew. Some picture-in-picture comparisons allow the viewer to look at some footage before post-production effects were added in. Some deleted scenes are included that allow a glimpse at what was left on the cutting room floor. A few of these alternate/deleted scenes are interesting, though most were deservedly cut from the final film. No less than 15 featurettes are on this disc (including "The Underground Lab," "Digital Body Parts Montage," "Reversion Progressions," and more), each running anywhere from less than two minutes to nearly six minutes long. These short clips allow the viewer yet another peek behind the special effects department's curtain. Finally there are a few director and actor filmographies, plus a teaser trailer and theatrical trailer for the film.
Customer Rating
2
as hollow as the title implies
on November 3, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
The SFX are first-rate and the underrated Kevin Bacon has fun with the title role.
However, neither of these assets can disguise the fact the the film turns out to be a mindless slasher movie with a scientific twist.
After Bacon, playing a very egocentric scientist, decides to test a new invisibility serum on himself, he eventually goes ballistic on everyone who crosses his path, including his co-workers; among them the normally solid Elizabeth Shue, who plays his former girlfriend.
The climax involves said colleagues trying to take him down before he can kill them. Needless to say, they act more like the characters of a Friday the 13th film instead of the educated scientists they are supposed to be.
This is not one of Paul Verhoeven's finest moments.
However, neither of these assets can disguise the fact the the film turns out to be a mindless slasher movie with a scientific twist.
After Bacon, playing a very egocentric scientist, decides to test a new invisibility serum on himself, he eventually goes ballistic on everyone who crosses his path, including his co-workers; among them the normally solid Elizabeth Shue, who plays his former girlfriend.
The climax involves said colleagues trying to take him down before he can kill them. Needless to say, they act more like the characters of a Friday the 13th film instead of the educated scientists they are supposed to be.
This is not one of Paul Verhoeven's finest moments.
What's great about it: great SFX & Bacon's performance
What's not so great: a slasher film with a scientific twist
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
![The Mummy [DVD] [1959]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4291/4291698_sa.jpg)
Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing star in Terence Fisher's 1959 version of The Mummy, which comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. Subtitles in both languages are accessible. Supplemental materials are limited to a theatrical trailer. Fans of mid-'50s horror films are sure to savor this fine-looking disc, even if it is shy on extra materials.
Customer Rating
5
Hammer scores again
on November 3, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
After Hammer's successful retoolings of Frankenstein & Dracula, the studio scored again with its tackling of The Mummy.
Like its takes on the Monster & the Count, this Mummy was the first to be shot in color. Unlike the other two, however, this film has more in common, storywise, to its Universal counterpart (some plot elements are similar to those in Universal's Mummy sequels).
Once again, we have the great acting team of Christopher Lee (in the title role) & Peter Cushing (as the lead archeologist Banning, who must protect his wife when he realizes the Mummy desires her, due to her resemblence to his deceased love).
The Mummy is, once again, inadvertently brought back to life, but, this time, an unscrupulous Egyptian (who dislikes attempts to dig up the ancient ruins of his homeland) uses the Mummy to wipe out the scientists. Needless to say, this tactic eventually backfires.
Lee, in a performance with no dialogue and in bandages almost the entire time, matches Karloff in the title role. The moment where he first lays eyes on Banning's wife is a great moment of acting, in which he silently expresses astonishment and sadness.
Unlike the Brandon Frasier Mummy films four decades later, this Mummy gives remakes a good name.
Like its takes on the Monster & the Count, this Mummy was the first to be shot in color. Unlike the other two, however, this film has more in common, storywise, to its Universal counterpart (some plot elements are similar to those in Universal's Mummy sequels).
Once again, we have the great acting team of Christopher Lee (in the title role) & Peter Cushing (as the lead archeologist Banning, who must protect his wife when he realizes the Mummy desires her, due to her resemblence to his deceased love).
The Mummy is, once again, inadvertently brought back to life, but, this time, an unscrupulous Egyptian (who dislikes attempts to dig up the ancient ruins of his homeland) uses the Mummy to wipe out the scientists. Needless to say, this tactic eventually backfires.
Lee, in a performance with no dialogue and in bandages almost the entire time, matches Karloff in the title role. The moment where he first lays eyes on Banning's wife is a great moment of acting, in which he silently expresses astonishment and sadness.
Unlike the Brandon Frasier Mummy films four decades later, this Mummy gives remakes a good name.
What's great about it: great photography and acting
What's not so great: nothing I can think of
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
![The Mummy [Special Edition] [P&S] [2 Discs] [DVD] [1932]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8880/8880482_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
The best Mummy ever
on November 3, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
Karloff followed his great success in Frankenstein with a slightly different, and equally memorable, Universal monster.
With the help of Jack Pierce's makeup, Karloff makes the title character scary and slightly sympathetic.
His mummy is inadvertently revived after archeologists dig him up. He then reemerges a decade later and tries to capture a beautiful acquaintance of said archeologists in the hopes of reviving his deceased love.
Zita Johann, Edward Van Sloan, and David Manners are fine (even if the latter two more or less play the same characters they did in Dracula).
The film's delightlfully creepy atmosphere and nice music (the title credits are shown played to "Swan Lake" just like Dracula & Murders in the Rue Morgue) are other reasons why this film remains the definitve Mummy movie. The only one that's come close is Hammer's take over three decades later.
With the help of Jack Pierce's makeup, Karloff makes the title character scary and slightly sympathetic.
His mummy is inadvertently revived after archeologists dig him up. He then reemerges a decade later and tries to capture a beautiful acquaintance of said archeologists in the hopes of reviving his deceased love.
Zita Johann, Edward Van Sloan, and David Manners are fine (even if the latter two more or less play the same characters they did in Dracula).
The film's delightlfully creepy atmosphere and nice music (the title credits are shown played to "Swan Lake" just like Dracula & Murders in the Rue Morgue) are other reasons why this film remains the definitve Mummy movie. The only one that's come close is Hammer's take over three decades later.
What's great about it: great atmosphere & Karloff
What's not so great: nope, nothing wrong here
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
![Close Encounters of the Third Kind [30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition] [3 Discs] [With Scrapbook] [DVD] [1977]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8589/8589155_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
character based sci-fi
on November 2, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
After Jaws propelled Steven Spielberg to the A-list of directors, he followed it with this story involving a man (Richard Dreyfuss), who puts his family life into jeopardy after his encounter with UFO's leads to his obession (along with that of others who witnessed the same thing) to understand it.
The movie is filled with memorable imagery and music. The climatic scene at Devil's Tower is rightfully famous.
The movie is filled with memorable imagery and music. The climatic scene at Devil's Tower is rightfully famous.
What's great about it: everything
What's not so great: nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Phantom of the Opera [WS & Special Edition] [2 Discs] [DVD] [2004]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7059/7059693_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
very romantic
on November 2, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
This is a wonderfully elaborate and very romantic screen version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical (itself based on Gaston Leroux's novel).
The production values and music are first rate and Gerard Butler & Patrick Wilson are fine as the Phantom and Raoul, respectively.
But it's the gorgeous Emmy Rossum, whose physical beauty is matched by her singing, that leaves the lasting impression here. She is perfect casting as Christine, the budding opera star whom the title character falls for.
The production values and music are first rate and Gerard Butler & Patrick Wilson are fine as the Phantom and Raoul, respectively.
But it's the gorgeous Emmy Rossum, whose physical beauty is matched by her singing, that leaves the lasting impression here. She is perfect casting as Christine, the budding opera star whom the title character falls for.
What's great about it: a perfect Emmy Rossum & great music
What's not so great: nothing wrong here
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
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