Topic: What Movies I Been Watching

[addicted2dvd]

Tomboy (1985/United States) Mill Creek Entertainment Director: Herb Freed Writing: Ben Zelig (Writer) Length: 90 min. Rating: R Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: None

Stars:
Betsy Russell as Tomboy
Jerry Dinome as Randy Starr
Kristi Somers as Seville Ritz
Richard Erdman as Chester
Philip Sterling as Earl Delarue
Eric Douglas as Ernie Leeds, Jr.

Plot:
A budding female race-car driver finally meets her racing idol and unbelievably they fall in love...a love that's quickly put to the test when, having received the chance to show her racing talents, the two find themselves in a race for a multi-million dollar sponsorship contract.

Extras:

• Scene Access

My Thoughts:

This is a movie that I got in a cheap box set called Too Cool for School Collection. It is a set that has a lot of those teenage sex comedies that was popular in the '80s. Before popping this disc in I had thought this is one I haven't seen before. But it didn't take long to realize I have. I seen it multiple times on cable back when I was a teen. Mainly because I had found Betsy Russell so drool-worthy in this movie. I don't know how I managed to forget this movie over the years as many times as I watched it on cable. Now... how well did it hold up? I found I still enjoyed it quite a bit... but it isn't as good as I remembered it being as a teen. Story was good... but definitely too much music mixed in for my taste. But I still find it worth the time to watch. This set being from Mill Creek Entertainment I am also surprised to say that there is no problems what so ever with the audio/video quality. Though I would have liked to seen some extras.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

[addicted2dvd]

Well... not bad... watched 11 movies this weekend. Think it is now time for me to go back to my TV series for a while.

[Jimmy]

This set being from Mill Creek Entertainment I am also surprised to say that there is no problems what so ever with the audio/video quality.

It's because the material they use for those Crown International Pictures set was remastered previously by Cliff McMillan when he was at BCI. Mill Creek picked the material when BCI went into liquidation.

[addicted2dvd]

I should have figured it was something like that.

[addicted2dvd]

Cujo: 25th Anniversary Edition (1983/United States) Lionsgate Director: Lewis Teague Writing: Stephen King (1947) (Original Material By), Don Carlos Dunaway (Screenwriter), Lauren Currier (Screenwriter) Length: 93 min. Rating: R Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Dee Wallace as Donna Trenton
Danny Pintauro as Tad Trenton
Daniel Hugh-Kelly as Vic Trenton
Christopher Stone (1942) as Steve Kemp
Ed Lauter as Joe Camber
Kaiulani Lee as Charity Camber

Plot:
Monstrous canine evil stalks a helpless, isolated family in rural Maine. Vic and Donna Trenton (Daniel Hugh-Kelly and Dee Wallace) struggle to repair their crumbling marriage, while their young son Tad (Danny Pintauro) befriends a hulking, lovable, 200-pound St. Bernard named Cujo. With Vic away on business, Donna and Tad take their decrepit car to be fixed at the remote farm of their mechanic (Ed Lauter). As their aging Pinto sputters to a stop and dies, Cujo appears. But the once docile dog has undergone a hideous transformation - and becomes a slavering, demonic, implacable killer possessed by almost supernatural strength... and unholy cunning. Critically acclaimed, CUJO is a fearsome, spine-chilling tour de force from the most popular name in horror!

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes

My Thoughts:

While I have seen this movie several times... this is the first time for me watching it since getting the 25th Anniversary Edition DVD. And also the first time I got to see it in it's OAR. And the transfer for this release looks and sounds great! Not only is it in it's OAR... but the picture quality is some much better then the original release. I have always enjoyed watching this movie. I never read the book... so I can't comment on how true to the book this movie is... though I have read that it is a pretty good adaptation. This DVD release has 2 movie related special features. First is the director's commentary... and the second is a 3 part documentary of the making of the movie. I didn't get the chance to check out the features... though I hope to before too long. Definitely a movie you should check out. Even worth the upgrade if you already have the original release.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

[addicted2dvd]

The Cable Guy (1996/United States) Columbia TriStar Home Video Director: Ben Stiller Writing: Lou Holtz, Jr. (Writer) Length: 96 min. Rating: Rated PG-13 : Dark Thematic and Crude Humor Video: Pan & Scan 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, French: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: Korean, Spanish

Stars:
Jim Carrey as Cable Guy
Matthew Broderick as Steven
Leslie Mann as Robin
Jack Black as Rick
George Segal as Steven's Father
Diane Baker as Steven's Mother

Plot:
Jim Carrey is Chip Douglas, cable installer. Raised on television sitcoms, he wants life to look just like My Three Sons. And when he meets single guy Steve Kovacs (Matthew Broderick), he sees his chance for some serious male bonding. But Chip's idea of friendship – which includes physical assault, a game of 'Porno Password' and a medieval joust – may be hazardous to Steven's health. In Chip's own immortal words, "I can be your best friend...or your worst enemy."

Directed by Ben Stiller (Meet the Fockers), THE CABLE GUY is "the perfect comedy for the TV generation. Jim Carrey's comic genius is frightening." (George Pennacchio, CBS-TV San Diego.)

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

Just finished watching this one. I saw this movie before... but very long ago. Probably when it was first released on VHS. Going into it the only thing I really remembered was that I enjoyed it at the time. While I enjoyed it enough that I was able to watch it from beginning to end... it isn't as good as I remember it being. There is very few... if any real laughs in it. But it isn't all bad. It has a decent idea for a story... and some pretty good cast in it. But it just didn't come through in the end for me... at least not as much as it could have... or I remember it being. I would say no more then a decent way to pass an hour and a half.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

[samuelrichardscott]

I love The Cable Guy and think it's a massively underrated comedy. Makes me laugh every time I watch it and is easily Carrey's funniest film IMO (though not his best - Eternal Sunshone of the Spotless Mind is). I had never realised it was Stiller that directed it until years after it was made.

[addicted2dvd]

Big: Full Screen Edition (1988) Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Director: Penny Marshall Writing: Gary Ross (Original Material By), Anne Spielberg (Original Material By) Length: 104 min. Rating: PG Video: Pan & Scan 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, French: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Tom Hanks as Josh
Elizabeth Perkins as Susan
Robert Loggia as MacMillan
John Heard as Paul
Jared Rushton as Billy
David Moscow as Young Josh

Plot:
TOM HANKS won raves for his Oscar® nominated performance (1988, Best Actor) as a twelve-year-old boy trapped inside a thirty-year-old body in director Penny Marshall's winning comedy.

At a carnival, young Josh Baskin (HANKS) wishes he was big – only to awake the next morning to discover he is! With the help of his friend Billy (JARED RUSHTON), Josh lands a job at a toy company. There, his inner wisdom enables him to successfully predict what children want to buy, making the awestruck, naive Josh irresistible to a beautiful ladder-climbing colleague (ELIZABETH PERKINS). But the more he experiences being an adult, the more Josh longs for the simple joys of childhood.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• DVD-ROM Content
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

I have seen this movie several times on cable... but this is the first time I am seeing it since a good friend gave me the DVD. This is a movie I have always enjoyed quite a bit. It is just a fun movie to watch. I think Tom Hanks did a wonderful job playing an innocent kid inside a grown up body. Though that shouldn't be surprising... he is good in pretty much all he does. Whether it is comedy or serious roles. Unfortunately my friend only had the full screen edition to give me... but I hope to upgrade it to the widescreen if I get the chance. Something with better extras would be nice too.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

[addicted2dvd]

Child's Play 2: The Franchise Collection (1990/United States) Universal Home Video Director: John Lafia Writing: Don Mancini (Original Characters By), Don Mancini (Writer) Length: 84 min. Rating: R Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Alex Vincent as Andy Barclay
Jenny Agutter as Joanne Simpson
Gerrit Graham as Phil Simpson
Christine Elise as Kyle
Brad Dourif as Voice of Chucky
Grace Zabriskie as Grace Poole

Plot:
After being rebuilt by Play Pals Toy Company, Chucky reappears in the life of Andy Barclay, and the two battle it out for possession of the young boy's soul. Playtime's over!

Extras:

• Feature Trailers

My Thoughts:

Last year I watched this movie on On-Demand and mentioned how I would like to add it to my collection. Not long later a friend of mine sent me the box set containing parts 2-5. While it may not be quite as good as the first Child's Play... I still like this one quite a bit. Like how it takes place shortly after part one. And I like the main storyline. I also thought the teen girl was a good addition to this one. It's a good, entertaining way to waste an hour and a half!

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

[addicted2dvd]

The Gladiator (1986/United States) Beverly Wilshire Filmworks, Telefilms International, Saturn Productions Director: Abel Ferrara Writing: William Bleich (Story By), William Bleich (Screenwriter), Tom Schulman (Story By), Jeffrey Walker (Story By) Length: 94 min. Rating: NR Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: None

Stars:
Ken Wahl as Rick
Nancy Allen as Susan
Robert Culp as Lieutenant Frank Mason
Stan Shaw as Joe
Rosemary Forsyth as Loretta
Bart Braverman as Dan

Plot:
Ken Wahl plays a top-notch mechanic obsessed with creating an invincible automotive machine. So obsessed, he creates an indestructible weapon on wheels to avenge the death of his kid brother who was viciously murdered by a hit and run madman.

Extras:

• Scene Access

My Thoughts:

This is a TV movie from the mid-'80s. The audio and video quality on this release could be better. The video is a little on the soft side... and every once in a while there is a bit of a shake in the image. Not so much that you can't see what is going on... it is just enough to be barely noticeable. As for the audio... there is a bit of a hum under the dialogue. Once again it isn't so bad that you can't easily understand everything you are listening to... but there nonetheless. Through-out the time he was on the film I was thinking I knew the kid that played the little brother that got killed in the accident (Brian Robbins). After I looked it up I found out why. He played Eric on Head of the Class.

As for the movie itself. It is pretty good... I did enjoy it. But it isn't what I would call great. It is a little on the slow side for they type of story it was trying to tell. I almost lost my interest during some of the scenes... but it always seemed to pick back up shortly afterward. I also didn't care for the way it ended. It just left too many questions unanswered. Over-all I would say it is worth checking out if you can do so cheap... better yet for free. Luckily this is one of the many a friend gave to me... so didn't cost me anything.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

[addicted2dvd]

Open Water: Widescreen (2004/United States) Lions Gate Home Entertainment Director: Chris Kentis Writing: Chris Kentis (Writer) Length: 80 min. Rating: Rated R : Language and Some Nudity Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: DTS ES: 5.1 (Matrixed 6.1), Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Blanchard Ryan as Susan
Daniel Travis as Daniel
Saul Stein as Seth
Michael Williamson as Davis
Cristina Zenaro as Linda
Jon Charles as Junior

Plot:
In search of much needed relaxation, Susan and Daniel take a tropical island vacation. While scuba diving miles off the coast, the tour guide miscounts leaving them abandoned in the middle of the ocean. As the hours pass, the couple realizes they are not alone as a shark's fin breaks the surface water. Over the next 24 hours, the couple must fight to stay afloat and alive, surrounded by miles of ocean.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

I decided to watch this one when I noticed on the cover it said it was based on a true story. Which is mentioned again in the opening of the film. I kind of have a mixed reaction to this one. It is a slow based movie... but that is not a problem for this one. It is expected to be so. I liked the two main characters. Not so thrilled with the ending. But the worst thing about it is that I really don't see any re-watch value to this film at all. While it is well worth the watch the first time around... I have the feeling I would be pretty bored with it if I was to watch it again. Though I can see myself getting more from it if I watch it with the commentary on next time... but beyond that.... can't see myself watching this one again.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

[Achim]

I decided to watch this one when I noticed on the cover it said it was based on a true story.

I actually saw a documentary on Disovery or so about them. Quite interesting. One of the big problems in real life seemed to be the salt water "attacking" (sorry for the lack of a better word) their skin.

(click to show/hide)

There probably is more than one case, but in the documentary I saw they both survived. IIRC they reached shore by themselves.

I liked the two main characters. Not so thrilled with the ending.

I agree on the characters, but I have mixed feeling about the ending. While it felt somewhat unstisfactory it seems it's a rather logical solution for the film

But the worst thing about it is that I really don't see any re-watch value to this film at all.

I gave it a try once and found it held up reasonably well.  It's not all about the ending. And the fact that it's fairly short does quite help with this

[addicted2dvd]

Without a Paddle: Full Screen Collection (2004/United States) Paramount Home Entertainment Director: Steven Brill Writing: Fred Wolf (Story By), Harris Goldberg (Story By), Tom Nursall (Story By), Jay Leggett (Screenwriter), Mitch Rouse (Screenwriter) Length: 99 min. Rating: Rated PG-13 : Drug Content, Sexual Material, Language, Crude Humor and Some Violence Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Matthew Price as Young Tom
Andrew Hampton as Young Jerry
Jarred Rumbold as Young Dan
Carl Snell as Young Billy
Anthony Starr as Billy Newwood
Dax Shepard as Tom Marshall

Plot:
Seth Green, Matthew Lillard and Dax Shepard star in this offbeat comedy as childhood friends whose lives have drifted apart but must reunite following the sudden death of a fourth friend.

The trio finds out that he was hot on the trail of the $200,000 that vanished with real-life airplane hijacker D.B. Cooper in 1971. After discovering a map left behind, they decide to follow its course to claim the loot. They soon run into a few things that their friend hadn't planned on, including backwoods pot farmers with itchy trigger fingers, beautiful tree-living hippies and a bear with maternal instincts that knows no bounds!

Also starring a hilarious Burt Reynolds, Without A Paddle proves that it's better to be down a river than up a creek.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

I just finished this one... and I did enjoy it very much... but for some reason I was expecting more from it. I guess because I was told on more then one occasion how hilarious this movie is. It definitely has it's funny moments. But I guess my expectations were heightened a bit too much. No real complaints though. I enjoyed the storyline... and liked all the characters. The only thing I would change... I can change. And that is to upgrade to the widescreen edition.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

[addicted2dvd]

The Longest Yard: Widescreen Collector's Edition (2005/United States) Paramount Home Entertainment Director: Peter Segal Writing: Sheldon Turner (Screenwriter), Tracy Keenan Wynn (Original Material By), Albert S. Ruddy (Original Material By) Length: 113 min. Rating: Rated PG-13 : Crude and Sexual Humor, Violence, Language and Drug References Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
ConsAdam Sandler as Paul Crewe
Chris Rock (1965) as Caretaker
Burt Reynolds as Coach Nate Scarborough
Nelly as Megget
Michael Irvin as Deacon Moss

Plot:
Are you ready for a different kind of football? Comic superstar Adam Sandler teams up with the always-outrageous Chris Rock, rap-sensation Nelly and a gang of real pro football players and wrestling superstars in the hardest-hitting action-packed comedy of the year! After former NFL quarterback Paul "Wrecking" Crewe (Sandler) gets thrown into a maximum security prison, the warden orders him to put together a team of hard-core inmates to play a fixed warm-up game against the brutal prison guards. But little does he know that the "Mean Machine," led by a tough-as-nails coach (Burt Reynolds), have plans to settle their own score in this rib-busting, unforgettable laugh-out-loud riot directed by Peter Segal (Anger Management).

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Music Videos
• Outtakes/Bloopers
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

I want to start off this review by saying that I have never had the opportunity to see the original 1974 version of this movie. So I can't tell you how it compares to it. But after watching this movie today... I would love to check out the original as I enjoyed every minute of this movie. I found it to be an all around fun movie. It has plenty of laughs and plenty of football action.... with a good storyline to bring it all together. I also liked that they got Burt Reynolds to play the coach in this movie after seeing that he played the part of Crewe in the original movie. I went into this movie with no expectations what so ever.... and came out of it a little surprised how much fun I did have watching it. It's also a good DVD release as there is no audio/video problems and there is a nice selection of extras to go along with it.

This movie was given to me from a very generous friend.... so I want to take this opportunity to say thank you once again. As I really enjoyed this one!

Now I just need to get my hands on the original!

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

[addicted2dvd]

The Sandlot: Family Feature (1993/United States) Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Director: David Mickey Evans Writing: David Mickey Evans (Writer), Robert Gunter (Writer) Length: 101 min. Rating: Rated PG : Some Language and Kids Chewing Tobacco Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1, Pan & Scan 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Art LaFleur as "The Babe"
Tom Guiry as Scotty Smalls
Mike Vitar as Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez
Patrick Renna as Hamilton "Ham" Porter
Chauncey Leopardi as Michael "Squints" Palledorous
Marty York as Alan "Yeah-Yeah" McClennan

Plot:
It's the early 1960s and fifth-grader Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry) has just moved into town with his folks (Karen Allen and Denis Leary). Kids call him a dork – he can't even throw a baseball! But that changes when the leader of the neighborhood gang recruits him to play on the nearby sandlot field. It's the beginning of a magical summer of baseball, wild adventures, first kisses, and fearsome confrontations with the dreaded beast and its owner (James Earl Jones) who live behind the left field fence. Soon nine boys have become best friends, Scotty is part of a team, and their leader has become a local legend in this hilarious and warmhearted comedy.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Featurettes
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

When I decided to watch this one... I couldn't remember if I ever seen the movie before or not. Turns out I haven't. It is another one I enjoyed quite a bit. It is a fun storyline with a lot of likable characters.... and it is a good reminder of a simpler time. I think my favorite part of the movie is when squints, the small nerdish looking boy of the group, tricked the pretty female life guard at the pool to give him mouth to mouth. Definitely a fun part. This was a good way to waste some time... think I may just go ahead and watch part 2.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5