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fiddler
 
 
 
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  • Review count
    75
  • Helpfulness votes
    53
  • First review
    June 21, 2008
  • Last review
    August 9, 2008
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  • Average rating
    3.7
 
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fiddler's Reviews
1 2 3 4 5 ... 8 >>
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Eh, Disney Channel Could Do Better
on August 9, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Jason Dolley got his fame from the Disney channel movie Read it and Weep (terrible movie) and series Cory in the House. I never found him that great in terms of acting and bringing his character to life. Disney channel has had better.
As for this DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie), it was as disappointing as all of them for the past two years. Disney in the past has touched on High School issues, but lately, it's become an obsession that seems to almost falsely depict the realities of high school and build up high hopes for the majority Middle school and younger population.
Now sure, it's a good idea to be optimistic, but come on, a time machine being linked to help the uncool kids? That's a bit odd.
Kids find imaginative things like time machines so mystical and fun and that's about the only good side to the movie.
What's great about it: fun idea, Jason Dolley already a Disney Channel star, good message
What's not so great: acting can be painfully bad, very exaggerated, compared to other DCOMs--boring
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Even Better than it Looks
on August 9, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
The title itself and a brief summary do no justice to this bone-chilling adventure. I remember seeing the trailer and hearing it was by the same makers as the Saw series, and since I am a horror/suspense/thriller buff, I finally gave it a chance. I was reluctant, because the details about it didn't seem appealing, but I highly recommend you try it out.
What's great about it: good story, frightening, memorable
What's not so great: underrated/most don't know about it, a bit too dark
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
All Their Best Songs in One!
on August 8, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
It's funny that growing up I never really appreciated the Goo Goo Dolls and listened to them but never really tried to absorb it (the pop Boyband era consumed me)... years later, I find myself reliving my childhood and old life through these songs. I remember listening to them, but never caring, and now I found my love for them.
My most favorite songs of theirs and their hits are in this CD. My all-time fave, Black Balloon. It's a good buy. They were The Fray/Maroon 5 of the 1990s!
What's great about it: catchy and relaxing songs, deep lyrics, their best songs all here, great musicians
What's not so great: can't think of any
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Critic-User Discrepancy; It's a GOOD MOVIE, guys
on August 7, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
To Critics, this is a D movie, but to Users, it is a B movie. And since this is a family comedy with favorite stars like Raven-Symone (a Disney channel hero) and Steve Martin, you, as a user should not hesitate to give this a try. There's a good chance you will enjoy it despite critic opinion.
It is a laugh out loud comedy, and surprisingly rated G. The title "COLLEGE road trip" and rated G at the same time? Is this for real? It's a fun movie for those who care not to be so critical about family movies and just want a fun time. Raven-Symone is back on the screen!
What's great about it: rated G so it's a family movie, silly-type funny, some favorite actor/actress faces
What's not so great: not the best movie with the best plot, not received well by critics
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Pop singer Mandy Moore stars in her first feature film, an adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' young love tearjerker, A Walk to Remember. The film is presented in its original anamorphic widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Both English and French soundtrack options are available, along with English, French, and Spanish subtitles. Special features include two feature-length commentaries. The first is an amusing commentary by Shane West, Mandy Moore, and director Adam Shankman. The trio discusses cut material and gives entertaining insight into filming the movie in Dawson's Creek territory. The second commentary is a more serious narration by novelist Sparks and screenwriter Karen Janszen who talk about the differences between the book and the movie and the film's overall themes. Moore's "Cry" music video is included with the film's theatrical trailer and cast and crew filmographies. After listening to the first commentary, it becomes obvious that outtakes and deleted scenes should have been added to the disc, as they would've been a great addition to this too-sparse package.
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Cute But Predictable
on August 6, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
I love Shane West and I love Mandy Moore, but I did not love this movie. It was alright, but I predicted all the main things that would happen to happen early on. It's pre-The Notebook.
It does give multiple messages to teens that anything is possible. The seemingly most cool guy in school could fall for the unnoticed plain Jane. And some events could be life-changing, and there's nothing you can do about it but endure.
I find more issues with the plot than the acting, because Mandy Moore herself has the perfect homely girl personality for this role. She's beautiful and has the willpower to escape the hype of extraoridinary glamor and wildness.
Shane West is the bad boy that everyone would want to see in his most emotional state.
I wouldn't recommend it though. You'd be fine without it. Analyzing it was more fun than actually watching it.
What's great about it: Shane West and Mandy Moore, good idea, warm feeling, sad
What's not so great: very predictable, teen girls will enjoy this most everyone else probably not much
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-11points
0of 11voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Disappointment to the Cartoon
on August 6, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
This has to be one of those movies where the story was better in its original form, in this case, a cartoon. By turning it into a movie with actual people, I think it lost its comical and classic effect. I just did not enjoy it. I dove into it expecting some great fun and a blast from the past of childhood memories, but both these movies seem more robotic than the original cartoon series, which was full of heart.
What's great about it: a bit fun to see the cartoon animation turn to life, funny at times
What's not so great: don't like the Inspector Gadget acting... too overly robotic, boring
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Pixar's award-winning animated adventure film for the entire family The Incredibles gets a truly super treatment on this two-disc DVD release from Disney/Buena Vista Home Entertainment. After a short introduction from the film's writer and director, Brad Bird, the first disc kicks into full gear with a razor-sharp, spectacular 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen picture transfer. The disc's picture, which has been taken directly from the digital source, is breathtaking and is perfect for showing off the powers of a high-definition television. The film's lush audio is also wonderfully represented for home viewing with a THX-mastered soundtrack, presented in English, Spanish, or French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX. The result is an audio presentation that thrusts the viewer into the film's world. A lively and informative audio commentary track from Brad Bird is also available. As if the phenomenal work done on the first disc wasn't enough, Pixar continues its proud tradition of including a generous helping of some impressive bonus features on a stuffed second disc. Starting out with another introduction from Bird, disc two of the Incredibles gets rolling with a collection of six deleted scenes. Each deleted scene has an introduction from Bird and features a combination of storyboards and half-finished animation. While most scenes are understandably disposable, they provide an interesting look at how the film might have been. Next up is the terrific exclusive Pixar-animated short Jack-Jack Attack, featuring the ultra cute baby of the Incredibles family contending with a babysitter. Also included is the acclaimed Pixar-animated short that played with The Incredibles' theatrical release, Boundin'. An audio commentary track is included for Boundin' by the film's director, Bud Luckey, as well as a short featurette on Luckey and his history in animation. From there, the viewer goes right into the lengthy and compelling "Making the Incredibles" featurette. Covering every single aspect of the film's long and complicated production, this documentary offers a raw and fascinating look at director Brad Bird and what goes into to making a hit family film. Next is a strange nine-minute mini-documentary with Sarah Vowell, who voiced the Incredibles daughter Violet. Vowell spends most of the time talking to the camera about her love for American history and Abraham Lincoln. An unusual highlight comes toward the end when she introduces a Violet action figure to her Lincoln action figure. A section of the DVD titled "Top Secret" finds many more unusual features, like a fictional 1960s-style Mr. Incredible cartoon with an optional hilarious audio commentary by the characters. Also in the "Top Secret" area are secret files on all the lost "supers" seen in the film, with a brilliant audio commentary from each character. Rounding out the disc are a series of bloopers and technical goof-ups from the film, a massive and attractive art gallery, a trailer collection, and a series of well-hidden secret Easter eggs. With all of these fine features, it is clear that this release of The Incredibles on DVD is destined, just like the film itself, to become an instant family classic.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Visual Bliss and Lots of Fun
on August 6, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Kids will love this, guaranteed. It might definitely be one of those kid themes of today that isn't as played out as "become a popstar" but this idea of a family of superheroes/heroes with special powers grasps on to the concept that there's nothing like a good family bond. Other examples: Sky High (Disney channel), The X's (Nickelodeon), Up Up and Away (Disney Channel), the Halloweentown movie series (Disney channel).
BUT, The Incredibles has to be the best in its genre. It has a unique, carefree, REAL family sense of humor and plays with childrens' imaginations as well as adults.
Lots of fun.
What's great about it: pixar animation, comical, fun plot, good message
What's not so great: not the best pixar (debatably that would be one of the Toy Stories) but excellent
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Lindsay Lohan stars in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, which debuts on DVD with 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. An English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, and a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Stereo. French subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by the film's director, writer, and producers. A making-of featurette, a deleted scene, and a music video round out this THX-certified release from Disney/Buena Vista.
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
As Irritating as the Drama Queen Herself
on August 5, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
I personally think Disney would have been better off not producing a movie like this. I mean, the main audience for this is kids and teens, and it's just promoting the struggle for popularity, rather than the struggle for acceptance. I think that may have been a big issue why I didn't enjoy it so much.
Also, though I find Lindsay Lohan a great teen actress, it was just the role she had to play and the plot of this movie that made it such a pain watching.
Ditch this and go for Mean Girls instead.
What's great about it: can be funny, lots of good-looking people, Lindsay Lohan is a good actress
What's not so great: very very stereotypical, movie is too princess-y, frustration with characters
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Best Goosebumps Episode
on August 5, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
As someone who grew up a Goosebumps fan, I actually always found the television series no disappointment, and I found this Goosebumps episode the most entertaining. It has to do with a time warp between the current age and the medieval times and follows two protagonist siblings through time as they battle an evil sorcerer.
It's imagination times infinity, in a low-scale level. Sure it's not as visually excellent and backed up by such careful thought like Pan's Labyrinth, Bridge to Terabithia, Peter Pan, Nim's Island, or movies like that... but as a longer episode it's great fun.
A child into gruesome or horror stuff should enjoy it a lot.
What's great about it: imaginative, suspenseful, engaging, thought-provoking for kids
What's not so great: can be a bit frightening for young kids
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Witty and Well-done
on August 3, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
I grew up watching Amanda Bynes on Nickelodeon and liked it, but found her a very strange comedian star. Still, her charm and innocent wit made her more than that and gave her a unique identity in young entertainment.
Without her, She's the Man may not have been half as funny. Extremely fun movie!
What's great about it: hilarious, modern comedy remake of a Shakespearean classic, entertaining
What's not so great: Amanda Bynes humor is a bit odd for my liking, but okay nevertheless
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
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