Topic: DSigs What I'm Watching

[DSig]

Aeon Flux (2005/United States) (United States) Director: Karyn Kusama Writing: Phil Hay (Writer), Matt Manfredi (1971) (Writer), Peter Chung (Original Characters By) Length: 93 min. Video: Widescreen :1 Audio: Subtitles: English

Stars:
Charlize Theron as Aeon Flux
Marton Csokas as Trevir Goodchild
Jonny Lee Miller as Oren Goodchild
Sophie Okonedo as Sithandra
Frances McDormand as Handler

Plot:
Æon Flux is a 2005 science fiction film directed by Karyn Kusama. The film is a loose adaptation of the animated science fiction television series of the same name, which was created by animator Peter Chung (who had a minor role in this film version of his work) and stars Charlize Theron as the title character. The film was released on December 2, 2005, by Paramount Pictures

In a post-apocalyptic future, after a virus in 2011 wiped out 99% of the Earth's population, all the survivors inhabit Bregna, a walled city-state, which is ruled by a congress of scientists. Although Bregna is idyllic, people are disappearing and everyone is having bad dreams. Æon Flux is a member of the 'Monicans', an underground rebel organization who communicate through telepathy-enabling technology and are led by The Handler. After a mission to destroy a surveillance station, Æon comes home to find her sister Una has been killed for supposedly being mistaken for a Monican. When Æon is sent on a mission to kill the government's leader, Trevor Goodchild, she discovers that both she and the Monicans are being manipulated by council members in a secret coup.

This discovery causes Æon to question the origin and destiny of everyone in Bregna; and in particular, her own personal connection to Trevor. It turns out that every person in Bregna is actually a clone, grown from recycled DNA. With the dead constantly being reborn into new individuals and still bearing partial memories of their previous lives, there has been an increase in the populace's troubling dreams. Recycling and cloning became necessary since the original virus antidote made humans infertile. Trevor's experiments, and of all his clone ancestors, have been trying to reverse the infertility. Æon learns that she is a clone of the original Trevor's wife, Katherine and is the first Katherine clone in over 400 years.

One of Trevor's experiments, Una, had been successful as she was pregnant. However, Oren Goodchild, Trevor's brother, had her killed and had Trevor's research destroyed so he could stay in power forever through his clones. In a confrontation with Trevor and Æon, Oren reveals that humanity itself has corrected the problem and that some women were becoming naturally pregnant. Oren had them all killed to maintain the Goodchild reign. Æon is now forced to go up against both her former allies, who want to kill Trevor, and Oren.

She manages to convince the other Monicans to ignore The Handler and help her instead to kill Oren and his men. Æon goes to destroy the facility where the cloning DNA is stored - The Relicle, a dirigible constantly floating in the sky. There she meets the old man who monitors everything. She also discovers he preserved her DNA for years, even though Oren ordered it to be destroyed so Katherine could not influence Trevor in any way. The dirigible crashes into the city wall breaking it down to reveal, for the first time in centuries, a lush and fertile land as opposed to the wasteland they were taught about.


Extras:

My Thoughts:

I like this movie.  It isn't rocket science, doesn't have the deep characterizations and it certainly can be 'lightweight' at times.  But it is just a fun movie to watch.  And what the heck .. watching Charlize Theron walk around in skin tight cloths isn't a bad thing either <g>

It doesn't follow the animated series but that is okay as it is complete on its own.

I do recommend this to anyone who likes good light 'post-apocalyptic' films.

Rating:

3of5

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Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.0 (2005/United States) Universal Studios Home Entertainment (United States) Director: 1. ScatteredMichael Rymer, 2. Valley of DarknessMichael Rymer, 3. FraggedSergio Mimica-Gezzan, 4. ResistanceAllan Kroeker, 5. The FarmRod Hardy, 6. Home, Part 1Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, 7. Home, Part 2Jeff Woolnough, 8. Final CutRobert Young, 9. Flight of the PhoenixMichael Nankin, 10. PegasusMichael Rymer Writing: 1. ScatteredBradley Thompson (Writer), David Weddle (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 2. Valley of DarknessBradley Thompson (Writer), David Weddle (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 3. FraggedDawn Prestwich (Writer), Nicole Yorkin (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 4. ResistanceToni Graphia (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 5. The FarmCarla Robinson (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 6. Home, Part 1David Eick (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 7. Home, Part 2David Eick (Writer), Ronald D. Moore (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 8. Final CutMark Verheiden (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 9. Flight of the PhoenixBradley Thompson (Writer), David Weddle (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 10. PegasusAnne Cofell Saunders (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By) Length: 442 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
1. ScatteredEdward James Olmos as William Adama
Mary McDonnell as Laura Roslin
Katee Sackhoff as Kara "Starbuck" Thrace
Jamie Bamber as Lee "Apollo" Adama

Plot:
Sci-fi's hottest TV series returns as Battlestar Galactica 2.0 blasts onto DVD in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. As the epic second season begins, the fight to save humanity rages on -- even as civil war looms within the fleet between the followers of President Roslin and Commander Adama. Relive all the intensity and excitement aboard the Galactica with a supernova of explosive bonus features, including deleted scenes and podcasts. It's a heart-pounding adventure you can't afford to miss!

Episodes:
1. Scattered
With Adama fighting for his life after being critically wounded and President Roslin sitting in the brig after finding herself on the losing side of a power struggle, it's up to Col. Tigh to lead the troops. With Galactica alone in space, Tigh is forced to make decisions that could put the ship and her crew in danger.

2. Valley of Darkness
When a computer virus causes a power loss onboard Galactica, Centurions seize the opportunity to take over the ship. Lee, in the brig with Roslin for being disloyal to his father, tries to persuade his captors to release them so they can defend the battlestar against the invading Cylons.

3. Fragged
The Quorum arrives to see President Roslin, but Tigh is hesitant to release her from the brig. Persuaded that her compromised mental state will result in more power for him, he relents with drastic consequences. Meanwhile, Lee heads a search-and-rescue mission on Kobol to find the lost crew.

4. Resistance
Tigh, whose decisions are now influenced by his ambitious wife and his drinking problems, institutes martial law, an act that divides the fleet. Meanwhile, Lee and Roslin break free and scheme to establish a democratic opposition.

5. The Farm
When Adama reassumes command of Galactica, his first order of business is finding Lee and Roslin, who have escaped with Tom Zarek. Meanwhile, Starbuck recovers in a hospital on Caprica and makes a shocking discovery.

6. Home (Part 1)
A third of the fleet follows Roslin back to orbit Kobol, but this rebel group suffers from infighting as Zarek and his security chief Meier go up against Lee. Roslin must trust the Cylon Sharon, who may be the link to finding the Tomb of Athena and the route to Earth.

7. Home (Part 2)
While Roslin and her group search for the Tomb of Athena, Zarek continues to plot against Lee. Meanwhile, Adama heads a mission to Kobol, where he finally tracks down Roslin's team, and Sharon has to decide between saving him - or shooting him all over again.

8. Final Cut
When Galactica's marines fire into a group of civilian protesters, damage control is required. But when Adama and Roslin invite reporter D'Anna Biers onboard and give her unlimited access to the ship, she discovers an astonishing secret that could affect them all.

9. Flight of the Phoenix
Chief Tyrol decides to build a new Viper from salvaged parts, a seemingly impossible task. Meanwhile, Galactica is hit by a crippling computer virus identified as a "Cylon logic bomb." Sharon, whose loyalties are still under suspicion, plays a key role in reversing the viral tables, allowing Galactica to avoid defeat from a Cylon assault.

10. Pegasus
Pegasus, a battlestar everyone thought had been destroyed, surprisingly reappears and its leader, Adm. Helena Cain, wastes no time in asserting her power. When Pegasus' chief interrogator uses strong-arm tactics on Sharon, Helo and Tyrol come to her aid and the interrogator is killed. Cain sentences them both to death, causing Adama to prepare his ship for battle.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes

My Thoughts:

Season 2.0 does not let up from where season 1 let off.
All of the episodes are very good.  The only thing i find off, that starts with season 2, is the amount of religiosity that comes into play.  It can become a bit strainned. 
The characters played by Edward James Olmos (William Adama), Mary McDonnel (Laura Roslin), Katee Sackhoff (Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, Jamie Bamber (Lee "Apollo" Adama), James Callis (Gaius Baltar) and Tricia Helfer (Number Six) are all written and played well.  It is good to find characters that you actually care about.

I would give the Season 2.0 a 4of5 stars

Rating: 4of5

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Insidious (2011/United States) Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (United States) Director: James Wan Writing: Leigh Whannell (Writer) Length: 103 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Patrick Wilson as Josh Lambert
Rose Byrne as Renai Lambert
Ty Simpkins as Dalton Lambert
Lin Shaye as Elise Rainier
Leigh Whannell as Specs

Plot:
From the makers of Paranormal Activity, INSIDIOUS is the terrifying story of a family who, shortly after moving, discovers that dark spirits have possessed their home and that their son has inexplicably fallen into a coma. Trying to escape the haunting and save their son, they move again only to realize that it was not their house that was haunted.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes

My Thoughts:

This is a very good movie.  It is 'Poltergiest' on steroids .. with attittude.
I am very suprised that it is only PG-13 as the intensity is very good.  Although you can guess at the ending, you don't really see it coming.
This is a must watch for anyone who likes spooky movies

Rating: 3.5of5

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Darkman: Widescreen (1990/United States) Universal Home Video (United States) Director: Sam Raimi Writing: Sam Raimi (Story By), Chuck Pfarrer (Screenwriter), Sam Raimi (Screenwriter), Ivan Raimi (Screenwriter), Daniel Goldin (Screenwriter), Joshua Goldin (Screenwriter) Length: 95 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Liam Neeson as Peyton Westlake / Darkman
Frances McDormand as Julie Hastings
Colin Friels as Louis Strack Jr.
Larry Drake as Robert G. Durant
Nelson Mashita as Yakitito

Plot:
Dr. Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when a gang, led by the sadistic Robert G. Durant (Larry Drake), obliterates his laboratory.

Burned beyond recognition and altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake attempts to rebuild his laboratory and reestablish ties with his former girlfriend Julie (Frances McDormand). But his most challenging task lies within himself.

Torn between his desire to create a new life with Julie and his quest for revenge, the man known as Darkman begins to assume alternate identities in this stunning, fast-paced action thriller from director Sam Raimi.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Production Notes

My Thoughts:

I really like this one.  Liam Neeson (Peyton Westlake/Darkman) is great as usual and Larry Drake (Robert G. Durant) is very good as the evil protagonist.  Frances McDormand (Julie Hastings) is good as her role as Paytons girlfriend.
Although this isn't a 4+ (lucky to be a 3) movie, the writing and directing/filming is very good and sets the mood.  It is, at heart a cheesy civilian turned hero movie.  Reminds visuals and writing reminds me of the old serials.

I would suggest this movie for anyone who likes a good time.  But I would leave it there and not look at the 2nd and 3rd movies in the series.  Liam Neeson did <G>

This is a 3.0

Rating:

[samuelrichardscott]

I haven't seen the Darkman movies since release. I need to check them out again.

[Achim]

The first Darkman is quite cheesy and the special effects are often not very good, but it's all in good fun. You can see the style Raimi created with Evil Dead and what would eventually evolve into Spider-Man...

I have never seen any of the sequels.

[Dragonfire]

It's been years since I saw Darkman.  I didn't even realize Raimi directed it.

I think I saw the second one at some point...maybe.

[Tom]

I had bought the trilogy in a cheap set.
I saw the first one, and didn't really like it. The second one, I also didn't really like. Didn't watch the third one yet, even though I am curious about it, because it has Roxann Dawson in a pre-Voyager role.

[DSig]

The Cell: New Line Platinum Series (2000/United States) (United States) Director: Tarsem Singh Writing: Mark Protosevich (Writer) Length: 107 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English

Stars:
Jennifer Lopez as Catharine Deane
Vince Vaughn as Peter Novak
Vincent D'Onofrio as Carl Stargher
Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Dr. Miriam Kent
Jake Weber as Gordon Ramsey

Plot:
In order to save a life, she'll have to risk her own.

JENNIFER LOPEZ ('Out of Sight', 'Selena') takes a terrifying journey into the mind of a killer in this chilling, critically acclaimed psychological thriller.

When a serial killer VINCENT D'ONOFRIO ('The Thirteenth Floor', 'Men in Black') falls into a coma before his last victim can be found, a child therapist (Lopez) must use an experimental treatment to enter his mind and learn his secrets before it is too late. The visually haunting world threatens her very existence when she beomes trapped by the terror inside.

Now, an FBI agent VINCE VAUGHN ('Swingers', 'Jurassic Park: The Lost World') must rescue her from the killer's nightmare mind before he too is lost to the twisted world forever.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Interactive Games
• DVD-ROM Content
• Original Screenplay

My Thoughts:
I haven't see this movie for quite a while, but it holds up well to what I remember. Jenifer Lopez is actually brilliant in this role. Lopez enters the dreams of children to help them recover from comas and dreams. The visuals are stunning. The writing seems tight in all situations. Vincent Vaughn play the role of an FBI agent well (and i am very happy to see him play something other than stupid roles). Vincent D'Onofrio is also great in his role as a serial killer. Very insane indeed.
I loved this movie when it first came out and I still love it. Very glad i got a copy of this.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good suspense movie with touches of fantasy. Think 'The Silence of the Lambs' meets '13 Monkeys' or '13 Ghosts'. Suspense and wierdness .. very enjoyable. 4of5

My Rating: 4/5

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Music and Lyrics: Widescreen Edition (2007/United States) Warner Home Video (Canada (Quebec)) Director: Marc Lawrence Writing: Marc Lawrence (Writer) Length: 104 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Hugh Grant as Alex Fletcher
Scott Porter as Colin Thompson
Nick Bacon as Pop Bass Player
Andrew Wyatt Blakemore as Pop Guitar Player
Dan McMillan as Pop Drummer

Plot:
First you're hot, then you're not...and then you're Alex Fletcher. So when the sizzlingest tween queen on the charts asks the has-been '80s pop sensation to write her a song, he grabs for another chance at stardom. Problem: Alex can say it with music, but he sure can't say it with words. Enter Sophie Fisher, his beguiling if quirky plant lady, who has an unexpected green thumb for lyrics. Together, they go after songwriting success – and discover that if you want to write the perfect love song, it helps to fall in love. With Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore at the keyboard and Marc Lawrence (Two Weeks Notice) directing, Music and Lyrics is a witty, wacky romantic comedy that faces the music...and laughs!

Extras:

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

My Thoughts:

This is a very good romantic comedy.  The chemistry between Hugh Grant (Alex Fletcher) and Drew Barrymore (Sophie Fisher) is charming.  The writing remindes one of the movies of the 50's and 60's.
It is also nice to see the music bands of the '80s being punked.  Couldn't happen to a better period of music <G>

I recommend this movies for anyone who enjoys romantic comedies.  Sit on the couch, turn down the lights and cuddle with you favorite other.

Rating: 3.5of5

This is a very good romantic comedy.  The chemistry between Hugh Grant (Alex Fletcher) and Drew Barrymore (Sophie Fisher) is charming.  The writing remindes one of the movies of the 50's and 60's.
It is also nice to see the music bands of the '80s being punked.  Couldn't happen to a better period of music <G>

I recommend this movies for anyone who enjoys romantic comedies.  Sit on the couch, turn down the lights and cuddle with you favorite other.

I give this 3.5of5

[DSig]

Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999/United States) Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (United States) Director: George Lucas Writing: George Lucas (Writer) Length: 136 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English

Stars:
Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn
Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi
Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala / Padmé
Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker
Ian McDiarmid as Senator Palpatine

** Complete Plot (with spoilers)

(click to show/hide)

The Galactic Republic is in a period of decline. In response to a taxation on trade routes, the Trade Federation organizes a blockade of battleships around the planet of Naboo. Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum (Terrence Stamp) dispatches two Jedi Knights, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), to negotiate with Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray (Silas Carson) in hopes of resolving the issue. However, the Sith Lord Darth Sidious orders the Viceroy to kill the Jedi and invade Naboo with an army of battle droids. The two Jedi escape the attempt on their lives by stowing aboard landing craft and escaping to Naboo. There, Qui-Gon saves Gungan outcast Jar Jar Binks (voiced by Ahmed Best) from being crushed by a Federation tank. Indebted to the Jedi, Jar Jar leads them to the underwater Gungan city of Otoh Gunga; there, the Jedi unsuccessfully attempt to persuade the Gungans to help the people of Naboo, though they are able to obtain a transport to reach the Capital city of Theed on the surface.

The leader of Naboo, Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), is captured by the Federation army, but is rescued by the Jedi. The Queen escapes Naboo with the Jedi on her personal starship, which is damaged on its way through the blockade surrounding the planet, forcing them to land on Tatooine, a nearby desert planet, for repairs. Qui-Gon ventures into the settlement of Mos Espa with Jar Jar and the astromech droid R2-D2 to a junk shop to purchase a new hyperdrive generator. The queen allows Padmé, a handmaiden, to journey along with them. There, they meet a slave child named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a pilot and engineer who has created his own protocol droid, C-3PO. After spending time with Anakin, Qui-Gon senses a strong presence of the Force within the boy, and suspects he may be the "Chosen One" of Jedi prophecy who will bring balance to the Force. Qui-Gon makes a bet with Anakin's owner, Watto (voiced by Andy Secombe), to enter him in a podracing tournament; if Anakin wins, he will be freed. Anakin manages to win the race and joins the group to be trained as a Jedi, but he is forced to leave his mother Shmi (Pernilla August) behind, as Qui-Gon was unable to arrange for her release. They are attacked by Darth Sidious' apprentice, Darth Maul (played by Ray Park and voiced by Peter Serafinowicz), who was dispatched to capture the Queen.

Having escaped the attack, the Jedi escort the Queen to the Republic's capital planet of Coruscant so she can plead her people's case to the Galactic Senate. Qui-Gon asks the Jedi Council to train Anakin as a Jedi, but is rejected. Meanwhile, Senator Palpatine of Naboo convinces the Queen to make a motion of no confidence in Valorum in attempt to vote for a stronger Chancellor who will help end the conflict. She pushes such a vote, but grows frustrated with the lack of action by the Galactic Senate, ultimately deciding to return to Naboo with the Jedi.
Three men in robes fight with laser swords in a hangar.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan fight Darth Maul.

Back on Naboo, Padmé reveals herself to be the real Queen Amidala, the other "Queen" (Keira Knightley) having been a decoy. Padmé convinces the Gungans to form an alliance against the Trade Federation. While Jar Jar leads his people in a battle against the droid army, the Queen tries to capture Gunray in Theed, Anakin pilots a vacant starfighter and joins the fight against the Federation droid control ship in space and destroys the ship, deactivating the droid army down on Naboo. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon encounter Darth Maul once more and engage him in a lightsaber fight. Maul mortally wounds Qui-Gon, but is defeated by Obi-Wan; Qui-Gon's dying request is for Obi-Wan to train Anakin. Palpatine is elected as the new Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, the Federation Viceroy is sent to stand trial for his crimes, Obi-Wan is bestowed the rank of Jedi Knight, and the Jedi Council accepts Anakin as Obi-Wan's apprentice. However, the Jedi are still mystified by the recent reemergence of the Sith, and even at Qui-Gon's funeral they're left to wonder if Darth Maul was a Sith master or merely a master's apprentice. At a festive ceremony, Padmé presents a gift of appreciation and friendship to the Gungans. During a Post-credit scene a blank screen is shown with Darth Vader's iconic breathing, reminding the viewers of the fate of young Anakin Skywalker.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Production Notes
• Multi-angle
• Music Videos
• DVD-ROM Content
• Closed Captioned
• THX

My Thoughts:

Okay, I know that I am going to take some hits for this one, but I do like the second trilogy for the Star Wars series (actually Star Wars 1-3).
I find the writing in line with the other Star War movies, maybe a little more thourough.
The graphics/special effects are very good and i love the characters.
I have never been sure about the romance that grows between  Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) and Anakin Skywalker (played in this movie by Jake Lloyd but later by Hayden Christensen).  Seems a little dodgy to me <G>

Other than that IF people had never seen the first trilogy (Star Wars 4-6) then the reception of these would have been much greater.

If you just want a good action movie to watch this is a good pick

Rating: 3.5of5

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Bridge to Terabithia: Widescreen (2007/United States) Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Gabor Csupo Writing: Katherine Paterson (Original Material By), Jeff Stockwell (Screenwriter), David Paterson (Screenwriter) Length: 95 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Josh Hutcherson as Jess Aarons
Annasophia Robb as Leslie Burke
Zooey Deschanel as Ms. Edmunds
Robert Patrick (1958) as Jack Aarons
Bailee Madison as May Belle Aarons

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **

(click to show/hide)

Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) is a fifth-grade aspiring artist living with his financially-struggling family in Lark Creek, Virginia. He rides the bus to school with his little sister May Belle (Bailee Madison), where he avoids the school bully, Janice Avery (Lauren Clinton). In class, Jesse is teased by classmates Scott Hoager (Cameron Wakefield) and Gary Fulcher (Elliot Lawless), and meets a new student his age by the name Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb). At recess, Jesse enters a running event, for which he had been training at home. Leslie also enters and manages to beat all the boys, much to Jesse's irritation. On the way home, Jesse and Leslie learn that they are next-door neighbors.

Later in the evening, Jesse becomes frustrated when he finds that May Belle drew in his notebook, but his mom who favors her daughters and his strict father (Robert Patrick) sides with her. He later watches them gardening together, disappointed that his father never spends time with him. The next day at school, Leslie compliments Jesse's drawing ability after seeing his notebook, and they soon become best friends. After school they venture into the woods and swing across a creek on a rope. Jesse and Leslie find an abandoned tree house and a broken down truck on the other side, and invent a new world, which Leslie names "Terabithia". The fantasy world, which is a reflection on their lives, comes to life through their eyes as they explore the surroundings. For the next few days, Jesse and Leslie spend their free time in the tree house getting to know each other.

Leslie gives Jesse an art kit for his birthday, much to his delight. Later, he gives her a puppy, whom she decides to name Prince Terrien (P.T. for short). Once in Terabithia, they fight with various creatures, including a troll resembling Janice. In one particular scene, Leslie walks onto a log and shouts "We rule Terabithia and nothing crushes us!" At school, May Belle shows her friend Alexandra what she got in her snack, which are Twinkies. Jesse tells her that she should not brag about the Twinkies. At recess, May Belle screams towards Jesse and Leslie saying that Janice stole her Twinkies. Afterwards, Janice puts a fee on entering the bathroom. Leslie becomes frustrated by her fee and she and Jesse play a prank on Janice. Once Leslie's parents finish writing their book, she and Jesse help paint their house. Jesse is impressed by her parents' happiness, and smiles as he watches their family. At school on Friday, Leslie hears Janice Avery crying in the bathroom. After Leslie talks with her, she discovers that the reason why Janice is a bully is that she is abused by her father, and they become friends. Jesse and Leslie take P.T. to Terabithia, where they fight off several creatures resembling students at their school. They decide to go home when it starts raining and the creek gets higher than ever, and Jesse realizes that he has fallen in love with Leslie as she runs back to her house.

The next morning, Ms. Edmunds (Zooey Deschanel), Jesse's music teacher, calls to invite him on a one-on-one field trip to an art museum. Jesse tries to ask his mother's permission; however, she is half-asleep and he takes her mumbling as approval. Jesse does not ask Leslie to accompany him, and merely looks at her house as they drive by. When he returns home, Jesse finds that his father and mother are worried sick because they did not know where he was. His father tells him that Leslie drowned in the creek after falling in (possibly due to head injury) because the rope broke in the same morning when Jesse went to the museum. Jesse is heartbroken, and says he doesn't believe that Leslie drowned.

The following day, Jesse and his parents visit the Burke family home to pay their respects. Leslie's father, Bill Burke (Latham Gaines), tells Jesse that she loved him, and thanks him for being a very good friend to her, since she had trouble making friends at her old school. Jesse feels overwhelming guilt for Leslie's death because he didn't invite her to the museum trip and for not being there for her. He runs back into the forest, and breaks down in tears. His father tells him that it's not his fault and says, "She brought you something special when she came here, didn't she? That's what you hold on to. That's how you keep her alive".

Jesse decides to re-imagine Terabithia and builds a bridge with a sign saying "Nothing Crushes Us" across the creek to welcome a new ruler. He invites his sister May Belle to enter Terabithia; she is delighted because she was previously denied every opportunity to enter. She and Jesse bring back Terabithia in even greater splendor, with Jesse as king and his sister as princess.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes
• Music Videos

My Thoughts:

This is a fun watch.  Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutcherson)Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) play well together in this growing of age fantasy film.  Over coming the hardships of family life and bullies at school the kids create their own world.  
This is a 'kids' movie so expecting 'What Dreams May Come' will just cause you to be disappointed.

I recommend this film for anyone just wanting to watch an enjoyable film for a hour and a half.

I rate this movie at 3.5of5.  Maybe a little high but i enjoy the movie as well as the book

Rating: 3.5of5

[DSig]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Widescreen Edition (2005/United States) Warner Home Video (United States) Director: Tim Burton Writing: Roald Dahl (Original Material By), John August (Screenwriter) Length: 115 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital EX: 5.1 (Matrixed 6.1), French: Dolby Digital EX: 5.1 (Matrixed 6.1), Spanish: Dolby Digital EX: 5.1 (Matrixed 6.1) Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka
Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket
David Kelly (1929) as Grandpa Joe
Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Bucket
Noah Taylor as Mr. Bucket

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **

(click to show/hide)

Charlie Bucket is a kind, loving boy who lives in poverty with his mother, father, and four bedridden grandparents. His mother is unemployed and his father works at a toothpaste factory, responsible for putting the caps on the tubes of toothpaste that come through the line. Down the street is Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, which had recently been reopened after industrial espionage forced him into seclusion and to fire his employees. Charlie's Grandpa Joe had worked for Willy Wonka directly and was laid off when that happened.

One day, Willy Wonka announces a contest, having wrapped five Golden Tickets in five ordinary candy bars, the children to find the tickets will be invited to a full tour of his factory; and that one of the children will also receive a special prize at the end of the tour. The first four tickets are found fairly quickly, the first by a gluttonous fat, chocolate eating boy from Dusseldorf named Augustus Gloop. A spoiled rotten little girl named Veruca Salt from Buckinghamshire, competitive and boastful bubblegum chewing Violet Beauregarde from Atlanta and arrogant, aggressive know-it-all television and video game addict Mike Teavee from Denver who cracked the code on where to find his chocolate bar. Charlie makes two attempts for the ticket, one as his annual birthday present from his family, and a second from Grandpa Joe, both attempts end in failure, and all hope seems lost when a boy in Russia finds the last ticket. Charlie finds a ten pound bill on the ground and uses it to buy a chocolate bar, and as the word spreads that the fifth ticket found was a fake, Charlie finds to his shock and joy that he discovers the remaining ticket. Despite patrons offering him money for the ticket, he takes it and runs home. He almost backs out because his family needs the money more, but his Grandpa George reminds him that money is far more common than the ticket, and Charlie changes his mind.

Accompanied by Grandpa Joe as his chaperone Charlie and the other children with one of their own parents enter the factory and meet Willy Wonka, throughout the tour each of the children is eliminated due to a flaw in their personality which causes them to break each of the rules that Willy had laid out for them. Augustus falls into a chocolate river from which he is drinking and is sucked up into the pipe that extracts it. Not convinced Augustus would make a good flavor of chocolate, he sends his mother and his live-in workers the Oompa-Loompas to rescue him from the chocolate vats. Violet is the second to be eliminated when she takes an experimental three-course meal chewing gum, which when it reaches the blueberry pie desert causes her to swell up to a gargantuan size. The Oompa-Loompas and her mother take Violet off to be squeezed of the blueberry juice now filling her body. Veruca becomes interested in owning a trained nut-cracking squirrel as (another) pet for her collection, but when Willy refuses to sell one to her, she ventures in to take her own. The squirrels attack her and pin her down, declaring her a bad nut she is thrown down the garbage chute, followed shortly by her father checking to see if she had gotten caught before the fall. Thankfully, the incinerator was broken and they had garbage to break their fall. Willy employs the use of a glass elevator to take the rest of them across the factory, Mike chooses the Television Room where Willy has discovered a means of transporting chocolate through the television to the audience. Mike uses the teleporter and ends up less than six inches in height and Willy has him taken to the taffy puller to stretch him back to his original height. Each of the children wind up in a different state due to their elimination; Augustus is completely coated in chocolate, Violet is thin again but still blue and superhumanly flexible. Veruca and her father are covered in garbage and he takes a more assertive attitude toward her demands while Mike is extremely tall now, but thin as a rake next to his father.

Willy announces to Charlie and his family that he is now heir to the chocolate factory as he has proven to be the least rotten child, but refuses to let Charlie's family move in with them; it was revealed throughout the film in a series of flashbacks that Willy Wonka's familial issues stemmed from his childhood, the son of an overly protective orthodontist Wilbur Wonka, Willy, who had been fitted with orthodontic headgear discovered his love for candy much to his father's chagrin and threatened to run away and Wilbur said one day he wouldn't be there when Willy returned, which became the case literally as the entire house vanished when Willy was gone for less than a day. His father's mean spirited block of Willy Wonka's creative spirit must not hinder Charlie's creativity; but Charlie turns down the offer, opting to stay with his beloved family, which confuses Willy. After consulting an Oompa-Loompa for psychiatric help, he asks Charlie for help confronting his estranged father and Charlie agrees. The two meet and reconcile. Sometime later, Charlie and Willy Wonka work together at the factory, having transferred Charlie's entire house into the chocolate river room under two gigantic shakers of powdered sugar to emulate snowfall, and they live "Happily Ever After".

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Featurettes
• Interactive Games
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

Johnny Depp (Willy Wonka) and Tim Burton (director) are at it again.  Another great collaboration with great writing, directing and characters. Freddie Highmore (Charlie Bucket, also of 'August Rush') plays Charlie very well.  The use of Deep Roy as ALL of the oompa oompas was a very clever trick.  Additonal cast of David Kelly (Grandpa), Helena Bonham Carter (Mrs Bucket) and Christoper Lee (Dr Wonka) as Willy's father was great casting choices.

IF you have see the original then you probably don't like this one.  It is a little edgy compared to the original movie.  But if you haven't see the original OR if you are able to come to this version with a clean slate .. you will find that it is a very good movie.

I recomment this to anyone who wants to watch a fun movie with some suttle grown up bits.

Rating: 3.5of5

[Dragonfire]

I remember getting freaked out when I saw The Cell.  It was a lot better than I had expected.  I'll have to try to see it again sometime..it has been years since I saw it.

[DSig]

Yes .. i think the direction, photography and artwork greatly enhances the script and great acting. 

Only other things I really like Lopez in as much is a movie called 'Enough' and 'Angel Eyes'.  She was fun in 'Wedding Planner' and 'Maid in Manhattan' but didn't think she was as strong in those.

And i think that Vincent D'Onofrio really pulled off the creepy psychotic serial killer.

I did give the film a 4of5 but on creep factor it would be a 10 <G>

DSig