Author Topic: Tom's Random Reviews  (Read 931827 times)

Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #945 on: June 19, 2011, 08:24:30 PM »
     Toy Story 2 (1999/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

Buena Vista Home Entertainment (Germany)
Director:John Lasseter
Writing:John Lasseter (Original Material By), Pete Docter (Original Material By), Ash Brannon (Original Material By), Andrew Stanton (Original Material By), Andrew Stanton (Screenwriter), Rita Hsiao (Screenwriter), Doug Chamberlin (Screenwriter), Chris Webb (Screenwriter)
Length:89 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 1.77
Audio:German: Dolby Digital 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Italian: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Stars:
Englische Stimmen
Tom Hanks as Woody (voice)
Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear (voice)
Joan Cusack as Jessie (voice)
Kelsey Grammer as Prospector (voice)
Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head (voice)

Plot:
Der sensationelle Kinoerfolg TOY STORY 2 wurde als beste Komödie des Jahres mit dem "Golden Globe" ausgezeichnet. Endlich gibt es die lustigenSpielzeughelden in ihrem neuen Abenteuer auf Video und DVD.

Cowboy Woody wurde entführt ! Da gibt es für seinen besten Freund Space Rancer Buzz Lightyeah nur eins: raus aus der Spielzeugkiste, rein ins größte Rettungsabenteuer ! Und mit ihm all die witzigen, chaotischen und tapferen Spielzeuge aus Andys Zimmer. Sie riskieren alles, um ihren Freund aus den Händen des skrupellosen Spielzeughändlers All zu befreien. Der will Woody als Sammlerstück an ein japanisches Museum verkaufen. Ihre spannende Suche führt über gefährliche Kreuzungen, in gigantische Spielzeuggeschäfte und durch abgrundtiefe Fahrstuhlschächte. Ein gag jagt den nächsten, wenn sie die ganze Stadt auf den Kopf stellen. Doch als sie Woody endlich finden, ist es fast zu spät. Er wird, gut verpackt, schon zum Abflug verfrachtet ...

Toy Story 2 ist ein Riesenspaß - bis zur Unendlichkeit und noch viel Weiter !!!

Awards:
Won:
Annie Awards (2000)  Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Theatrical feature (Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios)
Annie Awards (2000)  Outstanding Individual Achievment for Directing in an Animated Feature Production (John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich, Ash Brannon)
Annie Awards (2000)  Outstanding Individual Achievment for Music in an Animated Feature Production (Randy Newman (Composer, Songs, Music))
Annie Awards (2000)  Outstanding Individual Achievment for Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production (Dan Jeup, Joe Ranft)
Annie Awards (2000)  Outstanding Individual Achievment for Voice Acting by a Female Performer in an Animated Feature Production (Joan Cusack As the voice of Jessie)
Annie Awards (2000)  Outstanding Individual Achievment for Voice Acting by a Male Performer in an Animated Feature Production (Tim Allen As the voice of Buzz Lightyear)
Annie Awards (2000)  Outstanding Individual Achievment for Writing in an Animated Feature Production (John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Ash Brannon, Andrew Stanton, Rita Hsiao, Doug Chamberlin, Chris Webb)
ASCAP Awards (2000)  Top Box Office Films (Randy Newman)
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2000)  Favorite Family Film (Internet Only)
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards (2000)  Best Animated Film
Golden Globe (1999)  Picture - Musical or Comedy (Karen Robert Jackson, Helene Plotkin)
Grammy Awards (2001)  Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media ("When She Loved Me": Randy Newman)
Satellite Awards (2000)  Best Motion Picture – Animated or Mixed Media
Satellite Awards (2000)  Best Original Song ("When She Loved Me")
Young Artist Awards (2000)  Best Family Feature Film – Animated
Nominated:
Academy Award (1999)  Best Music, Song ("When She Loved Me": Randy Newman (Music/Lyrics))
AFI (1999)  100 Years... 100 Songs (2004) ("Song": When She Loved Me)
Annie Awards (2000)  Outstanding Individual Achievment for Character Animation (Doug Sweetland)
Annie Awards (2000)  Outstanding Individual Achievment for Production Design in an Animated Feature Production (William Cone, Jim Pearson)
Golden Globe (1999)  Original Song ("When She Loved Me": Randy Newman (Music/Lyrics))
Grammy Awards (2001)  Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or other Visual Media (Randy Newman)
MTV Movie Awards (2000)  Best On-screen Duo (Tom Hanks and Tim Allen)
Online Film Critics Society Awards (2000)  Best Film
Online Film Critics Society Awards (2000)  Best Screenplay, Original (John Lasseter, Pete Docter)
Saturn (1999)  Best Fantasy Film
Saturn (1999)  Best Music (Randy Newman)
Teen Choice Awards (2000)  Film - Choice Hissy Fit (Joan Cusack)

Extras:
  • Featurettes
  • Kurzfilm "Die kleine Lampe"
  • Outtakes
  • Scene Access
  • Trailers


My Thoughts:
This one didn't age quite as bad as the first one. But you still see that it is in the early days of computer animation. But again, the story is great.

Rating:



Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #946 on: June 19, 2011, 08:27:13 PM »
     How to Train Your Dragon (2010/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment (Germany)
Director:Chris Sanders, Dean Deblois
Writing:Will Davies (Screenwriter), Dean Deblois (Screenwriter), Chris Sanders (Screenwriter), Cressida Cowell (Original Material By)
Length:98 min.
Video:Widescreen 2.35
Audio:English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1, German: Dolby Digital 5.1, Estonian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Hebrew: Dolby Digital 5.1, Latvian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Lithuanian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Romanian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Russian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Other: Dolby Digital 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Subtitles:Commentary, English, Estonian, German, Hebrew, Latvian, Lithuanian, Other, Romanian, Russian, Trivia

Stars:
Jay Baruchel as Hiccup (voice)
Gerard Butler as Stoick (voice)
Craig Ferguson as Gobber (voice)
America Ferrera as Astrid (voice)
Jonah Hill as Snotlout (voice)

Plot:
Der neueste Hit von DreamWorks Animation – Drachenzähmen leicht gemacht – kombiniert feuerspeiende Action, epische Abenteuer und viel Humor mit einer fesselnden, originellen Geschichte und schafft es so, Publikum und Kritiker zu begeistern!

Als sich der junge Wikinger Hicks mit einem seiner Todfeinde – einem wilden Drachen, den er Ohnezahn nennt – anfreundet, bricht er mit allen Traditionen. Zusammen müssen die ungleichen Helden allen erdenklichen Widrigkeiten trotzen, um die Welt beider zu retten in diesem "… Feuerwerk an Humor und explosiver Action”. – Hörzu

Awards:
Nominated:
Academy Award (2010)  Best Animated Feature (Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois)
Academy Award (2010)  Best Original Score (John Powell)
Golden Globe (2010)  Best Animated Feature Film

Extras:
  • Commentary
  • Featurettes
  • Picture-in-picture
  • Scene Access
  • Wendecover


My Thoughts:
After all the hype about this movie, I was curious about this one. It had great animation. Also it was fun to watch. But to be honest, I expected a more surprising story. It was without any surprises. Also I didn't really like the voice-acting of the main character. It didn't really fit.

Rating:



Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #947 on: June 22, 2011, 11:44:33 PM »
     Aladdin (1992/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

Buena Vista Home Entertainment (United Kingdom)
Director:John Musker, Ron Clements
Writing:Ron Clements (Screenwriter), John Musker (Screenwriter), Ted Elliott (Screenwriter), Terry Rossio (Screenwriter)
Length:87 min.
Video:Widescreen 1.66
Audio:English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Norwegian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Danish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Audio Descriptive: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Subtitles:Danish, English, Norwegian, Spanish

Stars:
Scott Weinger as Aladdin (voice)
Robin Williams as Genie (voice)
Linda Larkin as Jasmine (voice)
Jonathan Freeman as Jafar (voice)
Frank Welker as Abu (voice)

Plot:
DISNEY'S 31st ANIMATED CLASSIC

Soar away on a magic carpet ride of non-stop laughs and thrills in one of the most spectacular adventures of all time!

In the heart of an enchanted city, a commoner named Aladdin and his mischievous monkey Abu battle to save the free-spirited Princess Jasmine from the schemes of the evil sorcerer Jafar. Aladdin's whole life changes with one rub of a magic lamp as a fun-loving, shape shifting Genie appears and grants him three wishes, setting him on an incredible journey of discovery.

Enter a "Whole New World" of FUN in this limited time Musical Masterpiece Edition. Sing along with Aladdin, Jasmine and Genie to five of your favourite songs from this Classic Disney Film - it's everything you could ever wish for.

Awards:
Won:
Academy Award (1992)  Best Music, Original Score (Alan Menken)
Academy Award (1992)  Best Music, Song ("A Whole New World": Alan Menken (Music); Tim Rice (Lyrics))
Annie Awards (1993)  Best Animated Feature (Walt Disney Pictures)
ASCAP Awards (1993)  Top Box Office Films (Howard Ashman, Alan Menken, Tim Rice)
BMI Film & TV Music Awards (1993)  BMI Film Music Award (Alan Menken)
BMI Film & TV Music Awards (1994)  Most Performed Song from a Film ("A Whole New World": Alan Menken)
Golden Globe (1992)  Original Score (Alan Menken)
Golden Globe (1992)  Original Song ("A Whole New World": Alan Menken (Music); Tim Rice (Lyrics))
Golden Globe (1992)  Special Achievement Award (Robin Williams (Vocal Performance))
Grammy Awards (1994)  Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television (Alan Menken)
Grammy Awards (1994)  Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television ("A Whole New World": Alan Menken, Tim Rice)
MTV Movie Awards (1993)  Best Comedic Performance (Robin Williams)
Saturn (1992)  Best Fantasy Film
Saturn (1992)  Best Supporting Actor (Robin Williams)
Saturn (1992)  Best Younger Actor (Scott Weinger)
Nominated:
Academy Award (1992)  Best Music, Song ("Friend Like Me": Alan Menken (Music); Howard Ashman (Lyrics))
Academy Award (1992)  Best Sound (Terry Porter, Mel Metcalfe, David J. Hudson, Doc Kane)
Academy Award (1992)  Best Sound Effects Editing (Mark Mangini)
AFI (1992)  100 Years... 100 Laughs (2000)
AFI (1992)  100 Years... 100 Songs (2004) ("Song": A Whole New World)
AFI (1992)  100 Years... 100 Songs (2004) ("Song": Friend Like Me)
BAFTA (1993)  Achievement In Special Effects (Don Paul, Steve Goldberg)
BAFTA (1993)  Score (Alan Menken)
Golden Globe (1992)  Original Song ("Friend Like Me": Alan Menken (Music); Howard Ashman (Lyrics))
Golden Globe (1992)  Original Song ("Prince Ali": Alan Menken (Music); Howard Ashman (Lyrics))
Golden Globe (1992)  Picture - Musical or Comedy (Ron Clements, John Musker)
Grammy Awards (1994)  Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television ("Friend Like Me": Alan Menken, Howard Ashman)
Hugo Award (1993)  Dramatic Presentation
MTV Movie Awards (1993)  Best Movie
Saturn (1992)  Best Music (Alan Menken)

Extras:
  • Lyric Book
  • Music Videos
  • Scene Access


My Thoughts:
I was looking forward to this movie, but sadly it did not meet my expectations. It is a nice movie, nothing more, nothing less. I think Robin Williams as Genie is not such a good choice like I first thought. I couldn't help myself but constantly see Robin Williams instead of a character. It is very noticable that the character was build around him.
The animation is good. Also the song "A Whole New World". The music is not as catchy as other Alan Menken songs.

Rating:



KinkyCyborg

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #948 on: June 23, 2011, 04:56:12 AM »
For me the highlight of Aladdin is Gilbert Gottfried as Iago the diabolical Parrot. Some of his lines still crack me up.  :laugh:

Offline Achim

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #949 on: June 23, 2011, 06:37:51 AM »
Aladdin is one of my all-time-favorite Disney films, next to Jungle Book. It has catchy tunes, is funny and exciting. It also has some of the earliest use of CGI in an otherwise hand drawn animated feature of Disney.

Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #950 on: June 24, 2011, 09:40:44 PM »
     Bandslam (2009/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

E1 Entertainment (United Kingdom)
Director:Todd Graff
Writing:Josh A. Cagan (Screenwriter), Todd Graff (Screenwriter), Josh A. Cagan (Story By)
Length:107 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40
Audio:English: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:English

Stars:
Aly Michalka as Charlotte
Vanessa Hudgens as Sa5m
Gaelan Connell as Will
Scott Porter as Ben Wheatly
Ryan Donowho as Basher

Plot:
This year's family musical comedy stars singing phenomenon VANESSA HUDGENS; everyone's favourite friend LISA KUDROW; Disney teen pop favourite ALYSON MICHALKA; new Hollywood hotshot SCOTT PORTER (Speed Racer); The OC's RYAN DONOWHO; and introducing GAELAN CONNELL.

When gifted singer-songwriter Charlotte Banks (Michalka) asks new kid in town Will Burton (Connell) to manage her fledgling rock band, she appears to have just one goal in mind: go head-to-head against her egotistical ex-boyfriend, Ben (Porter) at the biggest event of the year, a battle of the bands.

Against all odds, the band develops a sound that has a shot at success. Meanwhile, romance brews between Will and a musically gifted Sa5m - Sam with a silent 5 (Hudgens) and must decide where his allegiance lies.

When disaster strikes, it's time for the band to make a choice: do they admit defeat or face the music and stand up for what they believe in?

Extras:
  • Bonus Trailers
  • Commentary
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Music Videos
  • Scene Access


My Thoughts:
This popped up on my Amazon recommendations and it looked some nice light-hearted fun. I expected a movie which was mainly about a rock competition, but actually, this only played a small role. This movie is a great character-driven high school story.
This movie's success suffered from the marketing, which made it look like a High School Musical rip-off. But actually it is something completely different.

Rating:
« Last Edit: June 24, 2011, 10:49:35 PM by Tom »



Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #951 on: June 26, 2011, 02:15:28 AM »
     Red (2010/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

entertainment one, Summit Entertainment (United Kingdom)
Director:Robert Schwentke
Writing:Warren Ellis (Original Material By), Cully Hamner (Original Material By), Jon Hoeber (Screenwriter), Erich Hoeber (Screenwriter)
Length:111 min.
Video:Widescreen 2.40
Audio:English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Subtitles:English, Trivia

Stars:
Bruce Willis as Frank Moses
Mary-Louise Parker as Sarah Ross
Heidi Von Palleske as Woman Neighbor
Jefferson Brown as Fred
Karl Urban as William Cooper

Plot:
Frank (Willis) is a former black-ops CIA agent living a quiet life alone... until the day a hit squad shows up to kill him. With his identity compromised, Frank reassembles his old team – Joe (Freeman), Marvin (Malkovich) and Victoria (Mirren) – and sets out to prove that they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Stand back and watch the bullets fly in this explosive action-comedy that critics call a rip-roaring good time.

Awards:
Nominated:
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards (2009)  Best Actor (Brian Cox)
Golden Globe (2010)  Best Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical

Extras:
  • Bonus Trailers
  • Commentary
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Interviews
  • Picture-in-picture
  • Scene Access


My Thoughts:
A fun action movie which I had already seen at the cinema and now enjoyed on Blu. Bruce Willis does what he does best: Playing an over-the-top action hero, coming out of retirement.

Rating:



Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #952 on: June 26, 2011, 02:23:45 AM »
     The Princess Bride (1987/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

Concorde Home Entertainment (Germany)
Director:Rob Reiner
Writing:William Goldman (Screenwriter), William Goldman (Original Material By)
Length:94 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85
Audio:German: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Subtitles:German

Stars:
Cary Elwes as Westley
Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya
Chris Sarandon as Prince Humperdinck
Christopher Guest as Count Rugen
Wallace Shawn as Vizzini

Plot:
When the lovely Buttercup is kidnapped by a ghastly gang intent on fermenting an international incident they find they are pursued by the Dread Pirate Roberts who just might be Westley, her one true love. Also after everyone is nasty Prince Humperdinck to whom Buttercup is now betrothed but who seems to care little for her continued survival. The stage is set for swordfights, monsters, and tortures - but will Grandpa be allowed to finish telling the story with all these kissy bits?

Awards:
Won:
AFI (1987)  100 Years... 100 Passions (2002)
Hugo Award (1988)  Dramatic Presentation
Saturn (1987)  Best Costumes (Phyllis Dalton)
Saturn (1987)  Best Fantasy Film
Young Artist Awards (1988)  Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Fred Savage)
Nominated:
Academy Award (1987)  Best Music, Song ("Storybook Love": Willy DeVille (Music/Lyrics))
AFI (1987)  100 Years... 100 Laughs (2000)
Casting Society of America Awards (1988)  Best Casting for Feature Film – Comedy (Jane Jenkins, Janet Hirshenson)
Grammy Awards (1988)  Best Album of Original Instrumental Background Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television (Mark Knopfler)
Saturn (1987)  Best Actress (Robin Wright Penn)
Saturn (1987)  Best Writing (William Goldman)
Writers Guild of America Awards (1988)  Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (William Goldman)

Extras:
  • Bonus Trailers
  • Scene Access


My Thoughts:
I was thinking about rewatching the movie after I recently watched Stardust, but never actually came around to it. After Peter Falk's passing I thought it was now the right time to rectify this.
This is a great fairy tale movie, with a lot of fun scenes. And Peter Falk's and Fred Savage's scenes with a grandfather telling the story to his grandson, bring just the right amount of variety to it. Peter Falk's character very much reminded me of Columbo. He has the same mannerisms.

Rating:



Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #953 on: July 03, 2011, 06:23:02 PM »
     A Cinderella Story (2004/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

(United Kingdom)
Director:Mark Rosman
Writing:Leigh Dunlap (Writer)
Length:91 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85
Audio:English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Subtitles:Arabic, English, Hebrew

Stars:
Hilary Duff as Sam
Jennifer Coolidge as Fiona
Chad Michael Murray as Austin
Dan Byrd as Carter
Regina King as Rhonda

Plot:
Meet high school student Sam (Hilary Duff), who scrubs floors at a diner, copes with her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, and all the while dreams of Princeton (the perfect spot for a would-be princess to find a prince). But maybe she has a Prince Charming already: her anonymous e-mail buddy (Chad Michael Murray), who arranges to meet her at the Halloween dance. Sam panics when Mr. Anonymous turns out to be the coolest guy on campus. Can he love a girl who isn't part of the in crowd? Can fairy tales come true? Sure - but only if Sam stands up for herself and turns her dreams into reality.

Awards:
Won:
Teen Choice Awards (2004)  Choice Breakout Movie Star - Male (Chad Michael Murray)
Teen Choice Awards (2005)  Choice Movie Blush Scene (Hilary Duff)
Teen Choice Awards (2005)  Choice Movie Sleazebag (Jennifer Coolidge)
Nominated:
Golden Raspberry Awards (2004)  Worst Actress (Hilary Duff)
Teen Choice Awards (2005)  Choice Date Movie
Teen Choice Awards (2005)  Choice Movie Actress: Comedy (Hilary Duff)
Teen Choice Awards (2005)  Choice Movie Chemistry (Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray)
Teen Choice Awards (2005)  Choice Movie Liplock (Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray)
Teen Choice Awards (2005)  Choice Movie Love Scene (Chad Michael Murray, Hilary Duff)
Teen Choice Awards (2004)  Choice Movie of the Summer

Extras:
  • Commentary
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Featurettes
  • Music Videos
  • Scene Access
  • Trailers


My Thoughts:
Because of mediocre reviews and a horrible DVD cover, I never bothered to pick this one up in the past. But now I was in the mood for a Cinderella story and I saw this movie cheap in a two-movie set.
I have to admit I enjoyed this movie. There aren't any surprises but I never actually expected them anyway. I expected a Cinderella story and that I got. Including the girl being orphaned and being left with a evil stepmother and stepsisters. A midnight deadline, a ball and a happy ending.

Rating:



Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #954 on: July 08, 2011, 11:52:07 PM »
     Train Man: Densha Otoko (2005/Japan)
IMDb | Wikipedia

VIZ Pictures (United States)
Director:Shosuke Murakami
Writing:Hitori Nakano (Original Material By), Arisa Kaneko (Screenwriter)
Length:101 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78
Audio:Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Japanese: Dolby Digital 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Subtitles:English

Stars:
Takayuki Yamada as Densha otoko
Miki Nakatani as Hermes
Ryôko Kuninaka as Rika
Eita as Hirofumi
Kuranosuke Sasaki as Hisashi

Plot:
"How should I ask her out?" — When computer engineer otaku (the Japanese term for "geek") who has never had a girlfriend in his life saves a pretty young woman on a commuter train from a lecherous molester, he seeks out his pals on a popular Internet BBS website for some dating advice, using his pseudonym Train_Man (Densha Otoko).

Deeply interested in Train_Man's first love, his BBS friends eagerly supply him with tips. Encouraged by their support, Train_Man undergoes a total makeover for his first-ever date with "Hermess." Little does he know that he is about to ignite an Internet phenomenon...

Based on true events that took place on a popular bulletin board website in Japan called "2ch," Train Man: Densha Otoko is a unique romantic comedy which will appeal to anyone who has experienced the thrill and rush of love — and to the pure, innocent geek in all of us.

Extras:
  • Commentary
  • Photo Gallery
  • Production Notes
  • Scene Access
  • Trailers


My Thoughts:
A rather original love story. I enjoyed every minute of it. I think they did a great job editing the internet chats between "Train Man" and his online friends. One of the better "geek love stories".

Rating:



Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #955 on: July 25, 2011, 05:18:48 PM »
     Mirageman (2007/Chile)
IMDb

DVDtainment, SchröderMedia (Germany)
Director:Ernesto Díaz Espinoza
Writing:Ernesto Díaz Espinoza (Writer)
Length:84 min.
Video:Widescreen 1.85
Audio:German: DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1, Spanish: DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1
Subtitles:German

Stars:
Marko Zaror as Maco Gutierrez
María Elena Swett as Carol Valdivieso
Ariel Mateluna as Tito Gutierrez
Mauricio Pesutic as Juan Moli
Iván Jara as Pseudo-Robin

Plot:
The raw story of a real-life superhero.

Awards:
Won:
Austin Fantastic Fest (2007)  Audience Award: Best Film (Ernesto Diaz Espinoza)

Extras:
  • Bonus Trailers
  • Featurettes
  • Scene Access


My Thoughts:
A more realistic portrayal of a guy "playing" superhero than Kick-Ass. It reminds a little of Defendor, except here the hero can actually Kick-Ass and is not a deranged guy going around with a bat.
It's easy to think that this movie is cashing in from the Kick-Ass craze, but it actually was made well before Kick-Ass. And it seems it goes even further back because it is based on a comic.

Rating:



Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #956 on: July 26, 2011, 04:21:11 PM »
     Valentine's Day (2010/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

Warner Home Video (United Kingdom)
Director:Garry Marshall
Writing:Katherine Fugate (Story By), Abby Kohn (Story By), Marc Silverstein (Story By), Katherine Fugate (Screenwriter)
Length:125 min.
Video:Widescreen 1.78
Audio:English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Audio Descriptive: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, French: Dolby Digital 5.1, German: Dolby Digital 5.1, Italian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Subtitles:Chinese, Commentary, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish

Stars:
Jessica Alba as Morley Clarkson
Kathy Bates as Susan
Jessica Biel as Kara Monahan
Bradley Cooper as Holden
Eric Dane as Sean Jackson

Plot:
An all-star cast sparkles in this hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy from the director of Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries. Stories crisscross, collide and boomerang in this look at a day in the life of love. There's a proposal. Flowers that didn't get sent. A big fat secret that's finally told. The "I'll show up and surprise him" that ended up surprising her. Fights, kisses, wrong turns, right moves and more. Whether new to love or through with love, you'll fall in love with this funny-side-up celebration of romance.

Awards:
Won:
Golden Raspberry Awards (2010)  Worst Actor (Ashton Kutcher)
Golden Raspberry Awards (2010)  Worst Supporting Actress (Jessica Alba)
Teen Choice Awards (2010)  Choice Movie Breakout Female (Taylor Swift)
Nominated:
Golden Raspberry Awards (2010)  Worst Actor (Taylor Lautner)
Golden Raspberry Awards (2010)  Worst Supporting Actor (George Lopez)
MTV Movie Awards (2010)  Best Kiss (Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner)
Teen Choice Awards (2010)  Choice Movie Chemistry (Taylor Lautner, Taylor Swift)
Teen Choice Awards (2010)  Choice Movie Hissy Fit (Jessica Beil)
Teen Choice Awards (2010)  Choice Movie Liplock (Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner)

Extras:
  • Bonus Trailers
  • Commentary
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Digital Copy
  • Featurettes
  • Music Videos
  • Outtakes
  • Scene Access


My Thoughts:
Despite negative reviews I picked this up when I saw it really cheap. Mainly because of its cast and that I generally like "Love Actually" kind of movies.
Among the stars are Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Julia Roberts and Jessica Biel.
Though this movie is nothing special, I enjoyed it. Not necessarily a must-see, but if you want to complete your collection of one of your favorite actresses, you could do worse.

Rating:



Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #957 on: July 31, 2011, 10:14:30 PM »
     Forbidden Planet (1956/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

Warner Home Video (United Kingdom)
Director:Fred McLeod Wilcox
Writing:Cyril Hume (Screenwriter), Irving Block (Original Material By), Allen Adler (Original Material By)
Length:98 min.
Video:Widescreen 2.40
Audio:English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 1, German: Dolby Digital 1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital 1
Subtitles:English, French, German, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish

Stars:
Walter Pidgeon as Dr. Morbius
Anne Francis as Altaira Morbius
Leslie Nielsen as Commander Adams
Warren Stevens as Lt. "Doc" Ostrow
Jack Kelly as Lt. Farman

Plot:
Forbidden Planet is the granddaddy of tomorrow, a pioneering work whose ideas and style would be reverse-engineered into many cinematic space voyages to come. Leslie Nielsen plays the commander who brings his spacecruiser crew to Planet Altair-4, home to Dr. Morbius (Walter Pidgeon), his daughter (Anne Francis), a dutiful robot named Robby...and to a mysterious terror. Featuring sets of extraordinary scale and the first all-electronic musical soundscape in film history, Forbidden Planet is in a movie orbit all its own.

Awards:
Nominated:
Academy Award (1956)  Best Special Effects (A. Arnold Gillespie, Irving Ries, Wesley C. Miller)
AFI (1956)  100 Years... 25 Scores (2005) ("Composers: Bebe Barron, Louis Barron)

Extras:
  • Bonus Trailers
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Featurettes
  • Scene Access
  • The Invisible Boy Film & The Thin Man Episode Robot Client
  • Trailers


My Thoughts:
This is the first time that I saw this sci-fi classic. It is also the first time that I have seen a pre-"Airplane!" movie starring Leslie Nielsen. The only non-comedic role I knew him as was as a murderer on Columbo.
This movie holds up well. Story-wise and from a technical stand-point. The special effects probably were ground-breaking for its time.
It reminded me a little of the classic Star Trek series. Especially the original Star Trek pilot "The Cage". I wonder if the platforms they were standing on when going out of hyperspace was the inspiration of the transporter platforms in Star Trek. When they stood on those my first thought was, that they were going to beam and Star Trek didn't invent it after all.

Rating:



Offline Dragonfire

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #958 on: July 31, 2011, 11:05:28 PM »
I really enjoyed Forbidden Planet when I saw it too.  I saw Neilson as a bad guy in Creepshow before.  This is the first one with him that I've seen from when he was younger..before he started going grey.

I watched the extras on the Blu-ray and one of them was about how this movie influenced so many other science fiction movies.

Offline Tom

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Re: Tom's Random Reviews
« Reply #959 on: August 03, 2011, 10:42:26 PM »
     Super (2010/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

(United Kingdom)
Director:James Gunn
Writing:James Gunn (Writer)
Length:92 min.
Video:Widescreen
Audio:English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:

Stars:
Rainn Wilson as Frank Darbo
Ellen Page as Libby
Liv Tyler as Sarah
Kevin Bacon as Jacques
Gregg Henry as Detective John Felkner

Plot:
When Frank's (RAINN WILSON - THE OFFICE (US), TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN) ex-junkie wife Sarah (LIV TYLER - LORD OF THE RINGS, THE INCREDIBLE HULK) leaves him for the arms of sleazy drug-dealer Jacques (KEVIN BACON - X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, APOLLO 13), he is touched by the finger of God and decides to take the law into his own hands, becoming his own crime fighting superhero: 'The Crimson Bolt'. What Frank lacks in superpowers he makes up for with his trusty wrench in his one-man war on petty criminals.
Powers or not, every superhero needs a sidekick! Enter Libby (ELLEN PAGE - INCEPTION, JUNO), a cute psychopath working at the local comic book store. Transforming into 'Boltie', Libby teams up with Frank to take Jacques down in his quest to win back his wife.

From the warped imagination of writer-director JAMES GUNN (SLITHER) comes Bolt and Boltie, a crazed crime fighting duo her to save the day, or at least to beat you up!

Extras:
  • Bonus Trailers
  • Featurettes
  • Scene Access
  • Trailers


My Thoughts:
Another superhero-without-powers movie. This time with Rainn Wilson (The Office). His character here is very much like his character on The Office, only much more deranged. He is great. His sidekick is played by Ellen Page, who is the highlight by playing this psychopath. This movie is written and directed by James Gunn, who has also written "The Specials", another fun superhero movie. Nathan Fillion also has a fun supporting role.

Rating: