Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on September 20th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on September 15th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on September 14th, 2004
Paul McCartney once implored John Lennon’s son Julian to “take a sad song and make it better”. The same basic concept is at work here, but the words “sad song” should be replaced with “bad cartoon”. Sealab 2021 is a clever show from Cartoon Network that takes a bad old show, Sealab 2020, and replaces the dialog track with something much more enjoyable. Think of it as the Mystery Science Theater 3000 approach to creating a cartoon.
Admittedly, the results are sometimes mixed. When a gag ...oesn’t quite work, it’s amusing in that “I’m having fun, but not quite smiling” sort-of way. When it works, though, the show is laugh-out-loud funny; a concept that seems to be lost on most cartoons after we reach the age of 12. The characters are the same for each episode, including the hapless captain, the token Latino (voiced by Erik Estrada), and my favorite, the occasionally-appearing random Frenchman.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on September 13th, 2004
Scooby-Doo 2 is pretty-much the same as the original film. Oh, sure, the plot differs slightly, but for the most part, this is the same film. If you liked the first one, you will like this one. However, if you hated the first one, like I did, then this is regrettably more of the same mindless fluff.
Recently, movie studios have caught on to the idea that if they make children’s movies with subtle in-jokes for adults, their profits will rise. This was the case with Finding Nemo, Shrek an... even Looney Tunes – Back in Action. Unfortunately, this trend does not continue with the Scooby-series. These films are purely and unashamedly “kids only”. The jokes are lame, the mysteries are transparent, and the film takes itself way too seriously. The inherent problem with a film based on a cartoon is that it must develop a cast full of characters that were previously one-dimensional. This is not an easy task for any filmmaker, and it is clear that Raja Gosnell (which sounds curiously like a pseudonym to me) is not up to the challenge.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on September 11th, 2004
Synopsis
In a totally enclosed dystopia, THX 1138 (Robert Duvall) gradually begins to rebel againstthe completely controlled and drug-managed existence. He dares to think, and to have an affair,and, after a nightmarish imprisonment in a featureless white limbo, he attempts an escape.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on September 7th, 2004
Synopsis
Let’s start with the two biggest titles in the collection, which have a life outside thiscollection. North by Northwest is arguably Hitchcock’s greatest exercise in sheer roller-coaster thriller entertainment. As in so many of the director’s films, an insane chain of eventsis set in motion by the smallest of actions, in this case Cary Grant signalling a bell boy just asthe latter is calling out a name. Grant is thus misidentified by the villains, and he is suddenlyrunning fo... his life with no idea why people are trying to kill him. The crop-duster scene is oneof the most famous in all of Hitchcock’s oeuvre.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on September 2nd, 2004
The fifth season of Babylon 5 would prove to be the show’s last. Fans had clamored at the end of the third season for a fourth, and they succeeded. At the end of the fourth, the clamoring began again, and they earned the show yet another reprieve. The fifth try finally sounded the death knell on this show, however. It’s really all for the best, though, since the series had unquestionably been driving toward this conclusion for some time. To go on any longer would have been unfair to the integrity of the show i...self.
The final season was a bit of a rocky one by comparison, filled with new and departing cast members, guest spots and the always-unpopular series finale. Luckily, this show avoided the last-show curse, and created a series finale that was well received by critics and fans alike. Even going back now, after all the hype, it is easy to see why this episode was liked so well. It is a surprisingly moving piece on what it means for life to move on, no matter your species.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on September 2nd, 2004
If you think about it, it’s a little surprising that Wonder Woman lasted for three full seasons. To my knowledge, there really hadn’t been any popular female super heroes before this show. Obviously there were a couple peppered around here and there in comics, but as far as movies and television go, it was pretty hard to find any kind of super female hero. Of course, Lynda Carter and that tiny patriotic costume may have had something to do with it.
Almost 40 years later, it’s a little more understandable wh... this show can still move some units. It’s a bit Austin Powers, and a bit Indiana Jones. A show about the 40’s, created in the 70’s, and now available on DVD in the new millennium. It’s about as retro hip as the time that Sammy Davis Jr. guest-starred on Bewitched. Too cool to miss.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on September 1st, 2004
This is one of the most interesting ideas that I have seen for a DVD boxed set in some time. Just as there were five seasons of Babylon 5, there were five made for TV movies created as well. Each was essentially a super-episode that was based on the series, but not necessarily a vital part of the story arc of the overall program. This DVD set includes all five of these bonus films.
Included in this collection is the feature-length pilot, as well as a prequel. The other three films have no added agend..., which I believe actually helps them along. One of the benefits of being attached to a television series is that much of the introductory work is done before the movie begins, so the writers are free to jump right in to the story. Of course, this can also be a problem when dealing with viewers that may not be knowledgeable of the series. These films will not bring in any new fans, as the barriers to entry are just too great.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on September 1st, 2004
Fans of The O.C., Melrose Place and even 90210 should take note. The original is back. That’s right, the 80’s favorite Dallas is making a comeback on DVD. This new five disc set features the complete first and second seasons of the show that made America (and even much of the world) stand up and ask the all-important question, “Who shot J.R.?”
A mysterious grin crept across my face when I saw that I would be reviewing this title. Would it be as good now as it was then? Was all of...the original hype justified? Would Patrick Duffy still have a bad haircut? The answer to all of these questions is an unequivocal “yes”! No other show has succeeded in capturing the lifestyles of the rural millionaire better than Dallas. This is a program that has played as important of a role in shaping America’s view of a modern Texas as George Stevens’ Giant did so many years earlier.
