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Jewelsterdefro
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- Review count9
- Helpfulness votes5
- First reviewApril 20, 2008
- Last reviewApril 30, 2008
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3
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Jewelsterdefro's Reviews
![Van Helsing [WS] [DVD] [2004]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6770/6770906_sa.jpg)
Stephen Sommers' summer movie extravaganza Van Helsing comes to DVD in this widescreen edition thanks to Universal Studios (the lesser-recommended full-screen edition is also available). Packed to the gills with extras, this disc presents the film in an anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen picture with both 5.1 and 2.0 tracks for your home theater to sink its teeth into. The multitude of extras includes an interactive tour of Dracula's castle, where the viewer is given the option to listen to Dracula (Richard Roxburgh) ramble on about the different sections of his homely abode. Other features include a ten-minute "Bringing the Monsters to Life" making-of that introduces the audience to the master effects technicians who brought the film's many pixels to life, while "You Are in the Movie" presents a look behind the scenes by an unprecedented amount of hidden cameras on the set. A blooper reel has also been included, as has a ten-minute "Legend of Van Helsing" special that delves into the character's lore from books to the big screen. Two commentaries are available for your listening enjoyment -- the first with director Stephen Sommers and producer/editor Bob Ducsay, and the second featuring actors Richard Roxburgh, Shuler Hensley, and Will Kemp. Finally, a playable version of the Van Helsing game can be accessed through an Xbox game console that allows you to play through the first exciting level of the game. If you're a pushover for Sommers' brand of over-the-top adventure antics, then this disc is for you. This movie is also available in the three-disc Ultimate Collector's Edition featuring an additional feature-packed disc along with another DVD that includes Universal's original Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolf Man movies, which inspired Van Helsing.
Customer Rating
2
Good visuals, lame script and acting/directing
on April 30, 2008
Posted by: Jewelsterdefro
This movie has some great visuals including the special effects, not to mention Kate Beckinsale-who always provide good visuals herself if I do say so myself. The plot isn't bad either but the villains are just so over the top and cheesy you almost have to laugh and that really ruins everything. The stunts are also unrealistic, defying the laws of physics in some cases and are clearly cgi. They really need to get rid of cgi except for backdrops because using it for people and for ridiculous stunt shots just looks cartoony-like Wiley Cayote or somthing. The sad part is that this had the potential to be a good movie, I just wish they'd fixed the problems I mentioned above prior to releasing it. Anyway, unless you're a major Kate Beckinsale or Hugh Jackman fan or a die hard monster movie fanatic I recommend skipping this one. Unfortunately for me, I am a big Kate Beckinsale fan so I most likely will suffer through this film again but I'll probably fast forward through the cheesy and unrealistic parts next time.
What's great about it: Kate Beckinsale
What's not so great: Cheesy over the top villains, unrealistic, laws of physics defying stunts
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Beverly Hills Cop III [DVD] [1994]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4376/4376446_sa.jpg)
Eddie Murphy returns as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop III, which comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Closed-captioned English soundtracks are rendered in both Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Surround, while a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Stereo. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include interviews and a theatrical trailer. While this Paramount release will not win the film any new supporters, this solid disc will entertain fans of the film.
Customer Rating
1
Should have quit after the 2nd one
on April 29, 2008
Posted by: Jewelsterdefro
This movie sadly falls into the category of bad sequels to good movies. The first movie was great, the second was very good, but the 3rd was really aweful. Anything with Eddie Murphy in it is worth seeing at least once, but this movie was definitely a disappointment to me. The script just wasn't very good in my opinion. The comedic elements were flat compared with the first 2 movies and the several of the main characters from the first 2 movies were absent. So, if have seen the first 2 movies but not this one, I recommend skipping this one as you'll most likely be disappointed.
What's great about it: Eddie Murphy
What's not so great: Lame script
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous [WS] [DVD] [2005]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7209/7209656_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
2
Should have quit with the first one
on April 28, 2008
Posted by: Jewelsterdefro
This movie sadly falls into the category of bad sequels to good movies. The first movie was great, but the sequel left a lot to be desired in my opinion. Anything with Sandra Bullock in it is worth seeing at least once, but this movie was definitely a disappointment to me. The script just wasn't very good in my opinion. The comedic elements were flat compared with the first movie and too much of it was frankly a downer. I doubt that Sandra Bullock's character really would have become so obsessed with glamour as she had early on in this movie and it wasn't much fun watching her suffer through her breakup which really wasn't necessary. So, if have seen the first movie but not this one, I recommend skipping this one as you'll most likely be disappointed.
What's great about it: Sandra Bullock
What's not so great: Lame script
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Miss Congeniality [Deluxe Edition] [DVD] [2000]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7025/7025792_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Awesome movie, but lame version
on April 27, 2008
Posted by: Jewelsterdefro
The 5 star rating I've given this movie is well deserved. I initially avoided this film after seeing the preview for it and thinking that it looked really dumb. However, I'm such an enormous Sandra Bullock fan that I reluctantly finally watched it and was pleasantly surprised. If you haven't seen this movie, you're missing a classic. The only negative I could mention is that this so-called deluxe edition isn't all that special. In fact, the only new item on this dvd is a preview of the sequel (which was terrible and should be avoided at all costs in my opinion). So if you already have the regular version, I'd recommend skipping this version. If you don't have either version, I suppose you couldn't go wrong with either version. In any case, if you haven't seen this one, make a point to do so soon.
What's great about it: One of the best romantic comedies ever
What's not so great: Nothing deluxe about it except preview of sequel
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Wedding Singer [Totally Awesome Edition] [DVD] [1998]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7724/7724796_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Awesome movie, but lame version
on April 26, 2008
Posted by: Jewelsterdefro
The 5 star rating I've given this movie is well deserved. I've never been much of an Adam Sandler fan, but I still think this is one of the best movies I've ever seen which should give you some idea of how good it is. If you haven't seen this movie, you're missing a classic. The movie pokes fun at some cheesy 80's styles but frankly this movie could have been set in any era and been just as good because much like That 70's show, it's the underlying love story and humor which makes the movie so great, not the era it's set in. The soundtrack is one of the best ever, and this is one of the great love stories you'll ever see. The only negative I could mention is that this so-called special edition isn't all that special. It loses the full screen version which was available on the original dual format disk and to my knowledge theres only 1 new scene in this version and it was a bit flat in my opinion. So if you already have the regular version, I'd recommend skipping this version. If you don't have either version, I suppose you couldn't go wrong with either version but I personally find the original version to be perfect as was so I recommend the original version but to each their own. In any case, if you haven't seen this one, make a point to do so soon.
What's great about it: One of the best romantic comedies ever
What's not so great: Only 1 new scene that I noticed
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
![Dawson's Creek: The Complete Fourth Season [4 Discs] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6812/6812256_sa.jpg)
The fourth season of the teen soap opera Dawson's Creek followed the characters as they negotiated their senior year of high school. This box set contains every episode form that season. Each is presented in the original broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. Spanish and Portuguese subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include commentary from producer Paul Stupin on a handful of the episodes, a trivia game about the show, and the theme song used on the show when it aired in markets outside the United States of America.
Customer Rating
2
Don't waste your money, wait for a better version
on April 24, 2008
Posted by: Jewelsterdefro
Dawson's Creek was an uneven show at best. It certainly had its moments, but regrettably they were usually few and far between. The storylines were often unoriginal, the dialog was even more frequently unrealistic and certain parts of most episodes, usually scenes involving Jen, Jack or Dawson's parents, generally weren't worth watching to me. The only reason I started watching was Katie Holmes and the main reason I continue to watch any episodes beyond the first season was the addition of Meredith Monroe in the 2nd season and Sasha Alexander in the 4th season because the whole Joey-Dawson love story, around which the entire show revolved, peaked with the season 1 finale and was all down hill from there so if you've only seen the first season, I recommend stopping there because if you keep going you will most likely be disappointed. Season 2 was tolerable only because of the addition of Meredith Monroe to the cast and the Andie-Pacey love story was by far the most compelling reason to watch season 2. In season 3, the main storyline was the development of the Joey-Pacey love story. Some people hated that, some liked it. I cannot say this relationship didn't have its moments, but the worst part of it was that in order to create this relationship, the 2 great love stories of the prior 2 seasons (Dawson-Joey and Andie-Pacey) by necessity had to be destroyed first which in my opinion was the beginning of the end of the show because those 2 relationships were the best part of the show. Season 4 continued with the Joey-Pacey love story, again to the dismay of fans of the Dawson-Joey and Andie-Pacey relationships. Fans who thought Dawson was getting the shaft were thrown a bone though with the addition of Sasha Alexander to the cast who played Pacey's sister Gretchen who became Dawson's love interest during season 4. I certainly couldn't say that Dawson-Gretchen was as compelling a relationship as Dawson-Joey, but I thought they made a good couple nonetheless and their relationship was easily the best reason to watch season 4. The biggest negative of season 4 by far was that this season was the final one for Meredith Monroe who left the show mid-season, and Sasha Alexander also did not return after season 4, which really accelerated the demise of the show. The final 2 seasons were a total train wreck in my opinion so if you didn't stop watching after season 1, definitely stop after season 4 because there's really no good reason to keep watching at that point.
Setting the story issues aside, the biggest problem with the dvd release itself is that many of the songs which were originally included in the show were replaced on the dvd with other, lesser songs. In fact, starting with season 4, they actually replaced the opening theme song (Paula Cole's I don't want to wait). This was done to cut costs because of royalty issues and it completely ruined every episode which was altered. The powers that be behind this decision, and it's not limited to the Dawson's Creek series, don't seem to grasp that the cost of a dvd is irrelevant compared to maintaining the original composition of the show which is what the fans (who are the buyers of the dvds after all) want. Fans of the show know the music from each scene probably as well as the dialog and when it's replaced, it alters the mood and emotion of the scene as well as that of the audience because instead of just enjoying a particular scene we find ourselves thinking "that's not the music that goes with this scene, this sucks, change it back." Just imagine if they replaced the iconic music in films such as Star Wars, 2001, Rocky or Jaws or any other number of films and you'll know what I mean. Not that Dawson's Creek is in the same category with those films, but you get the point. It's no longer the same show if you change the music, it's something different which though similar just isn't as good or familiar. It's like the difference between regular and diet pop, it's just not the same. Buyers must stand up for themselves and send a message to the powers that be that we're not going to waste our money on these pale imitations of the shows we like. If we allow them to get away with "little" changes like the music, the next thing you know they'll be cutting out scenes, or redoing them with cheaper actors or with stick figure drawings for that matter-which as far as I'm concerned is no different than changing the music. So until a corrected version of this series is re-released on dvd with the original music, I recommend to all fans of the show not to buy these dvds. That's the only way the studios will realize and correct their mistake.
What's great about it: Katie Holmes, Meredith Monroe, Sasha Alexander
What's not so great: Music changed, love stories were ruined, Meredith Monroe leaves the show
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
![Valley Girl [DVD] [1983]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5691/5691977_sa.jpg)
Martha Coolidge's teen film Valley Girl gets the deluxe treatment from MGM/UA on this release. The film is presented in a pair of transfers. The widescreen anamorphic transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and is preferable to the standard full-frame image. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, and a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Mono. English, French, and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by Coolidge. She communicates the joy of making the film, her affection for the cast, and the hard work that went into making a film with so small a budget. There is also a "pop-up" track full of '80s trivia. Coolidge and star Nicolas Cage interview each other in one featurette, while a standard looking-back-on-the-film featurette contains interviews with most of the cast. Music videos from Modern English and the Plimsouls are included. The original theatrical trailer, and storyboard-to-screen comparisons round out this excellent package from MGM/UA.
Customer Rating
5
It's, like, totally awesome man, for sure!
on April 23, 2008
Posted by: Jewelsterdefro
This is the definitive teen love story of the 80's, even better than the John Hughes movies which is about as good of a compliment as can be offered. This movie was the launching pad for Nicholas Cage's career and is still by far the best thing he's ever done. If you haven't seen this movie, you're missing a classic. Don't let the stereotypical Valley speak disuade you from seeing it. Much like That 70's Show is much more than poking fun at the 70's, Valley Girl is so much more than chessy Val speak. The soundtrack is one of the best ever, and this is one of the great love stories you'll ever see. It was very Romeo and Juliet for the 1980's, and it's still just as relevant and enjoyable today. The special edition is great, has a commentary and other special features with many of the cast and crew. The only downside is that Deborah Foreman, the lead actress, wasn't part of these features which was a bit disappointing, but the special features are gravy of course so don't let that stop you from picking up a copy of the movie.
What's great about it: The most totally tubular teen movie of the 80's
What's not so great: Deborah Foreman not in any of special features
I would recommend this to a friend!
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
![Dawson's Creek: The Complete Second Season [4 Discs] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6105/6105387_sa.jpg)
This four-disc set contains every episode from the second season of the WB teen drama Dawson's Creek. The season brought many changes to the residents of Capeside, most especially the addition of Kerr Smith and Meredith Monroe as Jack and Andie McPhee. Jack would become one of the first gay teen characters on television, and Andie would provide Pacey (Joshua Jackson) with the first romance of a girl his own age. Each episode is presented in its original broadcast aspect ratio. English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. Supplemental materials include commentaries by those involved in the making of the show, an interactive tour of the town of Capeside, and the summer diaries of the characters. This release will please the many loyal fans of the series.
Customer Rating
2
Don't waste your money, wait for a better version
on April 21, 2008
Posted by: Jewelsterdefro
Dawson's Creek was an uneven show at best. The storylines were often unoriginal, the dialogue was even more frequently unrealistic and certain parts of each episode, usually scenes involving Jen, Jack or Dawson's parents, generally weren't worth watching to me. The only reason I started watching was Katie Holmes and the main reason I continue to watch any episodes beyond the first season was the addition of Meredith Monroe in the 2nd season because the whole Joey-Dawson love story, around which the entire show revolved, peaked with the season 1 finale and was all down hill from there so if you've only seen the first season, I recommend stopping there because if you keep going you will most likely be disappointed. Having said that, as aluded to before, the best thing about season 2 by far was the addition of Meredith Monroe to the cast and the Andie-Pacey love story was by far the most, if not the only, compelling reason to watch season 2. That alone makes watching season 2, or at least the Andie-Pacey scenes, worthwhile.
Setting the story issues aside, the biggest problem with the dvd release itself is that many of the songs which were originally included in the show were replaced on the dvd with other, lesser songs. This was done to cut costs because of royalty issues and it completely ruined every episode which was altered. The powers that be behind this decision, and it's not limited to the Dawson's Creek series, don't seem to grasp that the cost of a dvd is irrelevant compared to maintaining the original composition of the show which is what the fans (who are the buyers of the dvds afterall) want. Fans of the show know the music from each scene probably as well as the dialogue and when it's replaced, it alters the mood and emotion of the scene as well as that of the audience because instead of just enjoying a particular scene we find ourselves thinking "that's not the music that goes with this scene, this sucks, change it back." Just imagine if they replaced the iconic music in Star Wars, Rocky or Jaws or any other number of films and you'll know what I mean. Not that Dawson's Creek is in the same category with those films, but you get the point. It's no longer the same show if you change the music, it's something different which though similar just isn't as good or familiar. It's like the difference between regular and diet pop, it's just not the same. Buyers must stand up for themselves and send a message to the powers that be that we're not going to waste our money on these pale imitations of the shows we like. If we allow them to get away with "little" changes like the music, the next thing you know they'll be cutting out scenes, or redoing them with cheaper actors or with stick figure drawings for that matter-which as far as I'm concerned is no different than changing the music. So until a corrected version of this series is rereleased on dvd with the original music, I recommend to all fans of the show not to buy these dvds. That's the only way the studios will realize and correct their mistake.
What's great about it: Katie Holmes, Meredith Monroe
What's not so great: Music changed, main love story was ruined
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King [4 Discs] [DVD] [2003]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8522/8522244_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
3
Good but strayed from book too much
on April 20, 2008
Posted by: Jewelsterdefro
Whenever a book is adapted to film there will be some changes and omissions. Given that this series of books is perhaps the best ever, these changes were more noticable and less acceptable than they might otherwise have been. For the most part, the changes to the first 2 films weren't too bad and in some cases offered improvements (particularly to The 2 Towers where the movie was actually better than the book in my opinion). The third book, The Return of the King, is another matter. The theatrical version left out some of my favorite parts from the book altogether (such as the confrontation between Gandalf and the Witch King as well as the scene with the Mouth of Sauron) so I was disappointed with this version. The extended version includes these scenes, but for those of us who have the dialogue from those encounters memorized, there were dialogue changes which really ruined those scenes. Likewise for the scene between Eowyn and the Witch King in which the beautiful dialogue from the book was altered to make it less poetic and more hollywood. Setting the dialogue changes aside, the biggest and most disappointing change was that they only paid lip service to the Morgul Night (the artifical cloud of darkness which was supposed to cloud the skies over the battle of Minas Tirith). Seeing those scenes, essentially in daylight with Trolls, who turn to stone in daylight by the way, just running around completely ruined the entire siege of Minas Tirith to me. In the book the Morgul Night is essentially a character and is Sauron's 1 and only direct display of his power and you can tell the way the battle is going based on how strong or weak the cloak of darkness is but this was all but ignored in the film. Also, another problem is that in the movie they completely ruined the surprise and suspense of Aragorn's arrival at Minas Tirith by foreshadowing it the whole time which totally undercut the feeling of hopelessness about the outcome of the battle which the audience should have been feeling up until that time. Frankly, the cartoon version did a much better job in all of these areas than the movie so if you want to know what I'm complaining about without having to read the book, just check out the cartoon, sorry to say but it's way better. I think the movie could be fixed if Peter Jackson would address the problems I mentioned above in some later edition dvd release.
What's great about it: great special effects, good emotional content
What's not so great: certain parts from book were ruined
I would recommend this to a friend!
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