Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 19th, 2004
Just in time for Christmas, and starring the Governator himself, we have Jingle All the Way with Arnold Swartzenegger. The story follows Arnold’s relentless pursuit to get a Turbo Man action figure for his son. This obsessive quest brings a lot of complications for our hero, from kidnapping, to stealing another kid’s toy, to a manic riot for numbered balls. Arnold even assumes the persona of Turbo Man at a parade and rockets around the city on a real turbo pack (Turbo rocket packs are real?). This all sound... like crazy fun and, for the most part, it is.
The cast is rounded out by Sinbad, as Arnie’s mailman nemesis in this quest, and Phil Hartman, as a sensitive dude putting the moves on Arnie’s wife (played by Rita Wilson). Swartzenegger gives his usual mugging comic performance. The movie climaxes with a lot of action, so it’s entertaining from that respect. But the message about the materialism of the holidays gets a little lost. Who needs a toy when you have your dad, right? But only if he dresses up as Turbo Man.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 18th, 2004
Born Rich is a documentary about, well, rich kids. The subject makes it hard to sympathize with the piece (“oh those poor millionaires”). But the director and main character, Jamie Johnson (an heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune), gives us interviews with other heirs from rich families - Ivanka Trump (Real Estate Heiress), Josiah Hornblower (Vanderbilt/Whitney Heir), Cody Franchetti (Textile Heir), S.I Newhouse IV (Publishing Heir), Luke Weil (Gambling Heir), and others. Johnson makes his subjects talk abo...t that taboo topic: money.
There are some revealing interviews, and we get taken inside a secret world, which is the whole point of documentary filmmaking. And the subject matter, obviously, satisfies people’s curiosity (remember Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous). But the problem with the film (an “official” selection at the Sundance Film Festival) is that we’re only scratching the surface here. It’s an interview based documentary, and the interviews aren’t nearly exciting to support an entire film. What about the clubs? The parties? The chi-chi stuff? We just get glimpses. The movie is only 67 minutes long and NOT the 81 minutes advertised on the DVD cover. Surely a rich kid could afford a little bit more budget?
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 18th, 2004
SCTV is back with Volume 2. We all know the players, Joe Flahrety, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, and John Candy. Martin Short wasn’t on board yet. But this volume has all your favorite characters, Bob and Doug MacKenzie, Count Floyd, Johnny LaRue, Dr. Tongue, Jerry Todd, Lola Heatherington, and I always loved the Hi-Q sketch.
SCTV’s kind of satire and parody is not biting like Monty Python. It’s more endearing, like wrestling match with a friend.... When not parodying real TV shows, the show also make gentle jabs at Russian culture, feminism, and Canadian tax shelter films. The jokes might seem a bit dated, but the talent of this septet goes with out saying. But I will say something anyway: SCTV sports one of the funniest casts to ever grace the sketch comedy stage (or tube).
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 17th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 15th, 2004
Given this DVD’s release date (directly coinciding with one of the most highly anticipated election days in history), and season three’s initial air date (following on the heels of September 11th), this season may become the most pivotal in West Wing history- if not the most consistent. It opens with an out-of-context episode, “Isaac and Ishmael,” that’s as didactic as it is well-meaning. While Chief of Staff Leo (John Spencer) interrogates a suspect, Sam (Rob Lowe), Josh (Bradley Whitford), Charlie (Dule Hill..., Toby (Richard Schiff), C.J. (Alison Janney), Donna (Janel Maloney), First Lady Abbey Bartlet (Stockard Channing), and President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) discuss terrorism and it’s repercussions with a group of nervous High School Students.
Written in response to the 9/11 attacks, “Isaac and Ishmael” does present an interesting analogy (Islamic Extremist: Islamic as KKK: Christianity). But the season really kicks off with “Manchester,” a two part episode that initiates where season two concluded. After Bartlet announces his plans for re-election, the staff deals with his recently disclosed Multiple Sclerosis and a military rescue in Haiti. Flashback intensive, “Manchester” jumps back and forth between the Bartlet’s New Hampshire estate and the White House, as a team of strategists headed by Bruno Gianelli (Ron Silver) attempt to revive the administration. Later, Oliver Platt shows up as White House council Oliver Babbish, and the First Lady’s secrecy regarding her husband’s condition may result in a revocation of her medical license.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 15th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 15th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 14th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 12th, 2004
What is Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band – Tour 2003? Well…The Last Waltz this ain’t. Ringo has been touring with his All-Starr’s since the 1990’s. And the 2003 version includes “stars” such as Colin Hay from Men at Work, Paul Carrack from Mike and Mechanics, John Waite and Sheila E. I suppose we’re in time warp because these are 80’s stars.
The DVD was shot on Digital Video and goes back and forth between live concert footage, “behind the scene” stuff, and interviews (mostly about the “s...ars” talking about how much they love Ringo). Some of the songs are okay and the “documentary” footage is mildly entertaining, but mostly it’s just much ado about nothing.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 12th, 2004
What is Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band – Tour 2003? Well…The Last Waltz this ain’t. Ringo has been touring with his All-Starr’s since the 1990’s. And the 2003 version includes “stars” such as Colin Hay from Men at Work, Paul Carrack from Mike and Mechanics, John Waite and Sheila E. I suppose we’re in time warp because these are 80’s stars.
The DVD was shot on Digital Video and goes back and forth between live concert footage, “behind the scene” stuff, and interviews (mostly about the “s...ars” talking about how much they love Ringo). Some of the songs are okay and the “documentary” footage is mildly entertaining, but mostly it’s just much ado about nothing.
