Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on December 6th, 2004
Despite season two's unquestionable quality, Smallville's third season is probably its best -- and with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel now completely off of television, it's pretty much the only thing around that can fill the whole supernatural Scooby gang void.
Of course, one of the big reasons that Smallville helps fill that spot so well is because it has a lot of the same ingredients that powered Whedon's universe along in its prime: that is, it has a ton of supernatural special effects, and a heal...hy but intimate cast of likeable heroes.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on December 2nd, 2004
Venus Risingis a laughably bad movie advertised as “in the tradition of Johnny Mnemonic”. Maybe the two movies are in the same ballpark, theme-wise, but quality-wise they’re not even the same sport. Audie England and Costas Manylor play two fugitives who escape from a desert Island. Eve and Vegas, however, are still controlled by drugs from the Pacifica Corporation. The drugs also enable the characters to achieve a “virtual reality” state of mind. Fantasy sequences occur, flashbacks etc. It’s just an exc...se to kill time in this lame piece of celluloid.
Morgan Fairchild is advertised as one of the movie’s “stars”. She barely has 30 seconds of screen time. Oscar winner Joel Grey also makes a cameo. Can’t the host of the Kit Kat Club get better work? Venus Rising moves at such a slow pace too. It’s only 90 minutes, but it seems like 90 days. The acting is wooden, the dialogue is inane, and the plot is ridiculous.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on December 2nd, 2004
Smooth Talk is a “coming of age” story that won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. It stars Laura Dern as Connie, a teenage girl from a small southern town. She’s at that rebellious age. In the words of Britney Spears, “she’s still a girl, not quite a woman”. Connie is curious about the opposite sex and a world outside the town. She’s searching for something, but what she finds, she might not want.
Treat Williams plays Arnold Friend. Friend, as it turns out, is nobody’s frien.... I won’t spoil the ending of the movie, but let’s just say he’s the villain of the piece. The ominous music helps you figure that out. Another performance of note is Levon Helm (drummer for “The Band”) who plays Connie’s remote, sensitive father; a standout piece of acting. He’s probably the best drummer/actor I’ve ever seen. Sorry Ringo.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on December 2nd, 2004
Rob (Benjamin Ratner) and Melanie (Angela Vint) are a couple that think they’ve found the key to solving all relationship problems - simply break up after 19 months. By then, all the romance, lust, and excitement of a relationship has worn off and both people involved are ready to test the dating waters. So, they agree to do just that, only they’ll remain friends with benefits until they each find someone else. To prove that their theory is correct, Rob and Melanie even allow a film crew to follow them around and ma...e a documentary about their last few weeks together. While Melanie instantly finds another man, Rob either A) tries to get Melanie back (including a hilarious scene where he steals all of Amy’s paintings) or B) tries to score with less attractive women.
19 Months does score, and the result is a surprisingly funny and endearing look into the life of the common couple. Although the documentary style of the film ultimately wears thin, and the movie would have perhaps been better off being straight forward, some good moments arise out of what is expected to be a bland low-budget romantic comedy. All the actors involved are more than competent, especially Ratner’s neurotic Rob and Vint’s mature and charming Melanie. In an age where the romantic comedy usually relies heavily on slapstick, the film-makers actually create well-rounded characters and supply them with good lines.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 30th, 2004
Secret agent/crime fighter by night…high school cheerleader by day…Disney brings us Kim Possible. The DVD is subtitled The Villain Files. Kim Possible is an original TV show made by Disney. The Villain Files have four episodes for Possible fans. In each segment, Kim battles an arch enemy all the while trying to keep up her pom poms at the local high school. Her buddy, Ron Stoppable, is along for the ride.
Kim Possible has an intriguing premise. For kids watching, it has the best ...f two “possible” worlds. You have the high school “like” and “as if” aspect, and you have the secret agent butt kicking part. How does Kim manage to juggle both lifestyles? That’s the fun of the series. Just when you think Kim is managing to have a “normal” teenage life, there’s Dr. Drakken mucking things up with those world take-over plans.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 30th, 2004
Peep Show is a 9 minute award winning short film. It’s about a private “peeping booth” for females. But the women don’t see anything sexual. The male performers say exactly what a woman wants to hear. Well…what we think they want to hear, “I want to commit, can I wash your hair, etc”. It’s an amusing sketch and just the right length. Since we’re told what the “joke” is fairly early on, and since there’s no surprise or twist, the film ends before things get stale. The performances are on target.
...p>Audio
Posted in: News and Opinions by Archive Authors on November 30th, 2004
Fox Home Entertainment will release the Dustin Hoffman, Isabelle Huppert, Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman and Naomi Watts comedy I Heart Huckabees on February 22nd. This dual-sided disc will include both anamorphic widescreen and full screen presentations, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. Extras will include two audio commentaries (The first with director David O. Russell; the second with cast members Jason Schwartzman, Mark Wahlberg and Naomi Watts), two featurettes ("Production" & "Behind the S...enes of the Detective's Infomercial"), 22 deleted scenes, five cast outtakes, a segment of the Charlie Rose Show, a long version of the Infomercial, six Open-Spaces Coalition PSA's, a photo montage, an inside look at 'In Her Shoes', TV spots and trailers.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 29th, 2004
What’s the dealio with Boy Meets World,? It was a television series that ran from 1993-2000. And the reruns seem to be on TV all the time! But maybe that’s just me. Now we have the second season on DVD. So for all you Boy Meets World fans, your wish has come true.
It stars Ben Savage (Fred Savage’s brother) as Cory Matthews. The show centers on life in the “real world” and the struggles of growing up in a high school setting. It’s a pretty sanitized journey, as the show doesn’t delve in...o any “R” rated issues. So the whole family can watch together, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 26th, 2004
Species III comes from good genes. The original was kind of fun (and starred Ben Kinglsey!), but the first sequel was not as fun. But here comes the second sequel. It has the original alien girl Natasha Henstridge, but her appearance is short (I’ll just leave it at that). The director, Brad Turner, is a veteran of action television shows like 24. Is this direct to DVD release the best one of the “species”? The answer tilts towards the negative.
But Species III has a few things goi...g for it. If you like the gore, there are some nice effects here. In fact, Species III plays like a horror film more than sci-fi. The budget constraints limit the movie to a few locations, so its scope isn’t as broad as the other Species siblings. Sunny Mabrey, who bares a striking resemblance to her alien mother (Henstridge), plays the new daughter. This species chick can kick some serious a$#. And the filmmakers, in this unrated cut, make sure to show off Sunny’s other features (yes, there is above the waist nudity).
Posted in: News and Opinions by Archive Authors on November 22nd, 2004
Buena Vista Home Entertainment will release the John Travolta & Joaquin Phoenix film Ladder 49 on March 8th. This disc will be presented in a 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer, along with a THX certified Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track as well as an Enhanced Home Theater audio mix. Extras will include an audio commentary (by Director Jay Russell and Editor Bud Smith), deleted scenes, two featurettes ("Everyday Heroes" & "Making of Ladder 49”), and a "Shine Your Light" music video performed by Robbie Robertson....
