Topic: DSigs What I'm Watching

[addicted2dvd]

The Cell is another one I haven't watched in years! Another one I really don't even remember what it is about. I should pull out my copy again soon too.

[DSig]

I would be interested in what you think of it.

Dsig

[Achim]

I have seen The Cell years ago as well and would really be interested in getting it on Blu-ray. If you like the visual style I would recommend getting The Fall from the same director (also reviewed by Michael).

Marie also enjoyed his latest film Mirror, Mirror. I have not heard anything good about Immortals.

[DSig]

Stir of Echoes (1999/United States) Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (United Kingdom) Director: David Koepp Writing: Richard Matheson (Original Material By), David Koepp (Screenwriter) Length: 95 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Italian: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Italian

Stars:
Zachary David Cope as Jake
Kevin Bacon as Tom
Kathryn Erbe as Maggie
Illeana Douglas as Lisa
Kevin Dunn as Frank

Plot:
Tom Witzky (Kevin Bacon) is a blue-collar worker, a family man, the most ordinary guy you could meet... who is about to be plunged into a shattering encounter with another world.
After he is hypnotized at a neighbourhood party, Tom changes. He sees things he can't explain. As the horrific visions intensify, Tom realises they are echoes of a crime calling to be solved. But when his nightmares begin coming true, Tom wants out.
He desperately tries to rid himself of his eerie, unwanted powers - only to be seized by an irresistible compulsion to dig deeper and deeper into the mystery that is consuming his life. When at last he unearths the truth, it will draw him into the long-buried secret of a ghastly crime, a vengeful spirit... and the lethal price of laying the spirit to rest.

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **

(click to show/hide)

Tom Witzky (Kevin Bacon) is a phone lineman living in a working-class neighborhood in Chicago with his pregnant wife Maggie (Kathryn Erbe) and his son Jake (Zachary David Cope), who possesses the ability to commune with the dead. At a party one evening, Tom challenges Maggie's sister Lisa (Illeana Douglas), a believer in paranormal activity and psychic telepathy, to hypnotize him. After putting him under, Lisa plants a post-hypnotic suggestion in Tom urging him to "be more open-minded." Tom then begins experiencing visions of a violent scuffle involving a girl who he later learns is Samantha Kozac (Jennifer Morrison), a 17 year-old that disappeared from the neighborhood six months prior.

While Tom and Maggie attend a high school football game, Jake is overheard by his babysitter, Debbie Kozac (Liza Weil), as he speaks with Samantha. Debbie gets upset and snatches Jake, running off with him in the night. Meanwhile, Tom senses Jake is in danger and rushes home but finds him gone. Tom then sees strange flashes of red light that eventually leads him to the 'L' station where Debbie is speaking with her mother about Jake. When Tom and Maggie confront her, Debbie angrily questions them about her sister Samantha, explaining that she had an intellectual disability; having the mental capacity of an 8 year-old and thus, a child's tendency to trust strangers. Tom denies knowing her to Debbie, but admits to Maggie that she's the girl in his visions.

Tom becomes obsessed with Samantha and begins probing members of the community about her disappearance. This attracts the attention of his landlord Harry Damon (Conor O'Farrell), Tom's friend, Frank McCarthy (Kevin Dunn) and their respective sons Kurt Damon (Steve Rifkin) and Adam McCarthy (Chalon Williams), who all dismiss Samantha as a runaway teen. During an afternoon walk, Jake and Maggie encounter a policeman named Neil (Eddie Bo Smith Jr.) who immediately recognizes Jake's unique talent and invites Tom to a private gathering of like-minded people to learn more about it. Maggie withholds her conversation with Neil from Tom and goes to the meeting herself where Neil tells her the spirit that contacted Tom has asked for something and will continue to get upset if it doesn't get done. As predicted, Samantha begins plaguing Tom, eventually leading to his insomnia. He goes back to Lisa demanding she undo what she did, but when she hypnotizes him he's told by the spirit to dig. Tom complies and begins digging holes in the backyard and eventually tears up the house in a desperate attempt to appease Samantha.

While Maggie and Jake attend her grandmother's wake at a relative's house, Tom inadvertently knocks down a shoddy brick wall in the basement and discovers Samantha's decomposed remains wrapped in a plastic sheet. He receives a vision showing him that before his family moved in, Adam and Kurt lured Samantha into the house to rape her. When she resisted, they suffocated her and hid her body. Tom brings Frank back to the basement to disclose to him the crime and Frank breaks down and admits that Adam and Kurt had already confided their secret to him and Harry. Frank pulls out a gun and demands to be alone, and as Tom leaves the basement he hears a single shot and assumes Frank committed suicide.

Harry and Kurt suddenly show up and Harry, in his capacity as landlord, voices displeasure with the torn up house. They corner Tom with the intention of killing him to silence him, but Maggie arrives back home and Harry takes her hostage. Frank suddenly emerges from the basement and shoots both Kurt and Harry in order to save Tom and Maggie. Tom then notices Samantha's spirit putting on her glasses and coat, and smiling as she walks down the road and disappears. Afterwards, the family packs up a U-Haul and moves out of the house. Meanwhile, Samantha's mother and sister are finally able to give her a proper funeral and burial. Tom and Maggie smile happily as they drive away but Jake, however, tries to cover his ears to drown out the sound of the overlapping voices in his head.

Extras:

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

My Thoughts:

It has been a while since I saw this movie .. and I still love it.  It is engrosing from the start and Kevin Bacon and  and Kathryn Erbe are great as parents of young Jake (Zachary David Cope) a child with 'the eye'.
The writing is sharp with little being left without connection.  Direction and filming is also very sharp.  I love the scenes and coloring.

I think this is one of Kevin Bacons better performances.  And Kathryn Erbe shows she can really act .. coming out from working behind Vincent D'Onofrio in 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent'.

This is overall a great suspense and supernatural movie.  I stongly recommend this movie to anyone who like the genre.


Rating: 4of5 stars

[Dragonfire]

I have seen The Cell years ago as well and would really be interested in getting it on Blu-ray. If you like the visual style I would recommend getting The Fall from the same director (also reviewed by Michael).

Marie also enjoyed his latest film Mirror, Mirror. I have not heard anything good about Immortals.

After I went and looked at the review, I remember being interested in The Fall..I'll have to try to remember to look for it.  I better add it to one of my lists.  lol

I thought the director's name was familiar, but I couldn't place it.  Completely forgot that he directed Mirror Mirror.  Very different sort of movie, though it also has some cool visuals.

[DSig]

I have seen The Cell years ago as well and would really be interested in getting it on Blu-ray. If you like the visual style I would recommend getting The Fall from the same director (also reviewed by Michael).

Marie also enjoyed his latest film Mirror, Mirror. I have not heard anything good about Immortals.

Achim .. thanks for that.

I have not seen 'The Fall' but it is now on my list to find <G>

I really have no desire to see 'Mirror, Mirror' as I am not a Julia Roberts fan (with 'Pretty Woman' or 'Pelican Brief' being the only movies i enjoyed her in).  An I too have heard nothing good about 'Immortals'.

But thanks for the lead on 'The Fall'.

DSig

[DSig]

The Lion in Winter: Vintage Classics (1968/United Kingdom) MGM Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Anthony Harvey Writing: James Goldman (Screenwriter), James Goldman (Original Material By) Length: 134 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: French, Spanish

Stars:
Peter O'Toole as Henry II
Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine
Anthony Hopkins as Richard
John Castle as Geoffrey
Nigel Terry as John

Plot:
Katharine Hepburn delivers an "amazing" (Variety), Oscar®-winning* performance "that must be seen to be believed" (BoxOffice) in this "dazzling" (Los Angeles Times) all-star film that is not to be missed.

Behind the great stone walls of an English castle, the world's most powerful empire is in crisis. Three sons struggle to win their father's favor – as well as his crown. King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and his Queen, Eleanor (Hepburn), engage in a battle of royal wits that pits elder son Richard (Anthony Hopkins) against his brothers, while the cunning King Phillip of France (Timothy Dalton) takes advantage of the internal fracturing in his bid to destroy their kingdom.

*1968: Actress

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **

(click to show/hide)

The Lion in Winter is set during Christmas 1183, at King Henry II's château and primary residence in Chinon, Anjou, within the Angevin Empire of medieval France. Henry wants his youngest son Prince John (1166–1216, the future King John of England, reigned 1199–1216) to inherit his throne, while his estranged wife Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (whom he keeps locked in the Salisbury Tower at Windsor Castle) favours their oldest surviving son Prince Richard the Lionheart (1157–1199, the future King Richard I of England, reigned 1189–1199) as heir. Meanwhile, King Philip II of France, the son and successor of Louis VII of France, Eleanor's ex-husband, has given his half-sister Alais, who is currently Henry's mistress, to the future heir, and demands either a wedding or the return of her dowry.
Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine.

As a ruse, Henry agrees to give Alais to Richard and make him heir-apparent. He makes a side deal with Eleanor for her freedom in return for Aquitaine, to be given to John. When the deal is revealed at the wedding, Richard refuses to go through with the ceremony. Having believed Henry's intentions, John, at the direction of middle brother Prince Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany (1158–1186), plots with Philip to make war on England. Henry and Phillip meet to discuss terms, but Henry soon learns that Phillip has been plotting with John and Geoffrey, and that he and Richard were once lovers.

Henry dismisses all three sons as unsuitable, and locks them in the dungeon. He makes plans to travel to Rome for an annulment, so that he can have new sons with Alais, but she says he will never be able to release his sons from prison or they will be a threat to his future children. Henry sees that she is right and condemns them to death, but cannot bring himself to kill them, instead letting them escape. He and Eleanor go back to hoping for the future, with Eleanor going back on the barge to prison, laughing it off with Henry before she leaves.

Although the background and the eventual destinies of the characters are historically accurate, The Lion in Winter is fictional; none of the dialogue or action is historical. Although there was a Christmas court at Caen in 1182, there was no Christmas Court at Chinon in 1183. In reality, Henry had many mistresses and many illegitimate children; the "Rosamund" mentioned in the film was his mistress until she died. The article on the Revolt of 1173–1174 describes the historical events leading to the play's events. As a matter of historical record, Richard succeeded Henry, and was followed by John.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

If you are a high energy action fanatic with a need for adreneline then this might not be the movie for you. .. but ..

Starring ...
Peter O'Toole as King Henry II
Katharine Hepburn as Queen Eleanor
Anthony Hopkins (in his motion picture debut) as Richard
John Castle as Geoffrey
Nigel Terry as John
Timothy Dalton (In his motion picture debut) as King Philip II

This is a 'classic' movie in all the traditional meaning of the word.  What is isn't is historically accurate.  

With this being said .. this move is excellent.  I can not find a thing wrong with it.  The acting is brilliant with specal nod to Timothy Dalton and Anthony Hopkins who both had their debut in this movie.  The filming/photography and direction are great.

It can take a bit to get into the film, especially depending on what you have recently been watching .. but if you can take the time and shift the gears this movie is great entertainment by some of the halmark stars and performances of the last 50 years.

I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves the classics, period pieces or great actors/performances.

I give this a 4.5of5.  The only thing this is missing to make my unacheivable 5 is that it didn't break new ground.


Rating: 4.5of5

[DSig]

Blade: Trinity (2004/United States) (Canada (Quebec)) Director: David S. Goyer Writing: David S. Goyer (Original Material By), Marv Wolfman (Original Material By), Gene Colan (Original Material By) Length: 113 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1, Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: DTS ES: 5.1 (Matrixed 6.1), English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Wesley Snipes as Blade
Kris Kristofferson as Whistler
Dominic Purcell as Drake
Jessica Biel as Abigail Whistler
Ryan Reynolds as Hannibal King

Plot:
The final battle begins and the trinity comes to an end! Blade is back and his enemies have grown in number since they resurrected their king, Dracula. Together with a new group of vampire hunters, called the Nightstalkers, led by Whistler's strong but beautiful daughter Abigail and the wise-cracking Hannibal, they must finally defeat the vampires or face inevitable extinction.

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **

(click to show/hide)

The film begins with an opening narration about Dracula, told by Hannibal King (Ryan Reynolds):

The film starts with a group of vampires, looking for "Drake", a.k.a. Dracula (Dominic Purcell). They subsequently find and wake him in a Syrian ziggurat tomb, although not before he kills one of their own number.

Being unaware of the existence of vampires, the world considers Blade (Wesley Snipes) to be a serial killer. The vampires capitalize on this misconception and succeed in framing Blade for the killing of a familiar posing as a vampire. During the ensuing manhunt, the FBI locate and attack the hideout. During the siege, Whistler (Kris Kristofferson) is mortally wounded and perishes after setting the hideout self-destruct. With his mentor gone, Blade allows himself to be captured.

The police prepare to hand Blade over to a group of supposed federal agents, who are, unknown to them, vampires. But he is rescued by Hannibal King (Ryan Reynolds) and Abigail Whistler (Jessica Biel). The two head a group of vampire hunters called the Nightstalkers, formed by Blade's mentor to assist him. King and Abigail reveal that the vampire Danica Talos (Parker Posey), who turned King into a vampire in the past, (but now cured), has located Drake. Talos hopes that by resurrecting him, Drake will help save the vampire race by producing more daywalkers, and eliminate Blade. In his first confrontation with Blade, Drake shows an affinity for Blade, as they are both "honorable warriors". Ironically, while Drake is delivering his speech about honor, he is hiding behind a baby he has taken hostage; however, he appears to consider humans as unworthy of any consideration unless they first prove themselves. During the chaos, King is incapacitated by Drake.

Blade eventually learns of a bioweapon the Nightstalkers had created called Daystar, an airborne virus capable of killing every single vampire in the world. However, there are two catches. The first is that they need Drake's blood and it must be infused with the virus. As he is the first vampire, his DNA is still pure, which, infused with Daystar, will make it work to its maximum efficiency. The second: the virus could possibly kill Blade, since he is half-vampire.

Blade and Abigail learn of the vampire "final solution", which involves a warehouse where hundreds of homeless humans are being kept "alive" in a chemically-induced coma, (brain dead), trapped in body bags. This keeps in line with vampires needing live food sources if the vampire race were to take over the world. Blade has all of them put out of their misery, shutting down their life support.

The two return to find the Nightstalkers have been all but wiped out. The only exception is King, who has been kidnapped by Drake, and a young girl named Zoe (Haili Page), the daughter of one of the Nightstalkers. Blade and Abigail go to the Talos building to save their friends.

Meanwhile, King is chained and tortured by Jarko Grimwood (Triple H) and Asher Talos (Callum Keith Rennie) for information about Daystar. When this fails to get any information from him, Talos threatens that she will bite King and leave him to feed on Zoe. Drake tries to convince the young Zoe to become a vampire so that she won't have to die. He tells her that there is no God, heaven or angels, Zoe simply states to Drake "My friends are coming to kill you". Blade and Abigail eventually enter the building, and the fighting begins after they freed King. Abigail kills Asher and King kills Grimwood while Blade engages Drake in a sword battle. In the end, Blade impales Drake with the Daystar arrow, and releases it into the air, killing all the nearby vampires, including Talos. He then honors Abigail and her fighting skills by making her a full-fledged "blade." As Drake dies, he praises Blade for fighting with honor and tells him that through Blade, the vampire race will survive. Dying, he offers Blade a "parting gift"; he also warns him that the thirst will eventually win.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Production Notes
• Outtakes/Bloopers
• DVD-ROM Content
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

While watching this, I have been trying to think what to say about this movie.
If you are familiar with the Blade series the all I can really say is that this is just more of the same.  They say that Practice Makes Perfect but from watching Wesley Snipes (Blade) performance I can only say that too much practice makes it look very phony.
This is the least favorite of the 3 Blade movies for me.  I like the acting of Jessica Biel (Abigail Whistler) .. it is fun and playful, and Ryan Reynolds (Hannibal King) .. wise cracking at his best.  But other than that this movie really doesn't hold anything for me.  Dominic Purcell (Drake) as the 'original' vampire is okay I guess.  I just couldn't get any feeling for the part.
Lots of action, there is a great bit where Abigail (Jessica Biel) is pretending to be a mother with a baby at a railroad station .. baiting the vampires .. and this is fun.  But other than that and a few other scenes it is the same cars, bikes and vampires turning to ash.
All in all, if this was the only Blade movie it would be a big SUCK.  But as the final installment ... well it doesn't suck quite so bad.

I would recommend that only Blade lovers watch this.

Rating: 2.5of5 stars

[DSig]

Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (2005/United States) Universal Studios Home Entertainment (United States) Director: 10. Pegasus: Extended EpisodeMichael Rymer, 11. Resurrection Ship: Part 1Michael Rymer, 12. Resurrection Ship: Part 2Michael Rymer, 13. EpiphaniesRod Hardy, 14. Black MarketJames Head, 15. ScarMichael Nankin, 16. SacrificeReynaldo Villalobos, 17. The Captain's HandSergio Mimica-Gezzan, 18. DownloadedJeff Woolnough, 19. Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 1Michael Rymer, 20. Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2Michael Rymer Writing: 10. Pegasus: Extended EpisodeAnne Cofell Saunders (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 11. Resurrection Ship: Part 1Anne Cofell Saunders (Story By), Michael Rymer (Screenwriter), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 12. Resurrection Ship: Part 2Michael Rymer (Writer), Ronald D. Moore (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 13. EpiphaniesJoel Anderson Thompson (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 14. Black MarketMark Verheiden (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 15. ScarDavid Weddle (Writer), Bradley Thompson (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 16. SacrificeAnne Cofell Saunders (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 17. The Captain's HandJeff Vlaming (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 18. DownloadedBradley Thompson (Writer), David Weddle (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 19. Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 1Ronald D. Moore (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By), 20. Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2Anne Cofell Saunders (Writer), Mark Verheiden (Writer), Glen A. Larson (Original Material By) Length: 521 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
10. Pegasus: Extended EpisodeEdward James Olmos as William Adama
Mary McDonnell as Laura Roslin
Katee Sackhoff as Kara "Starbuck" Thrace
Jamie Bamber as Lee "Apollo" Adama

Plot:
Rejoin Sci-Fi's most action-packed TV series as Battlestar Galactica 2.5 flies on to DVD in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. Featuring an extended version of the cliffhanger episode "Pegasus," this continuation of the epic second season follows the ongoing battle of President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) and Commander William Adama (Edward James Olmos) in their heart-pounding crusade to save humanity from the deadly robot Cylons. Packed with special features, including deleted scenes, podcasts and Producer David Eick's video blog, Battlestar Galactica 2.5 is an explosive thrill-ride that's not to be missed!

Episode List
0. Pegasus: Extended Episode
PEGASUS: EXTENDED EPISODE
The Galactica crew is stunned to find the missing Pegasus unscathed after a vicious Cylon assault. Commander Adama cedes control to Pegasus's superior officer, but a disagreement over a murder verdict will have the ships turning their Viper weapons upon one another in a ruthless war of wills.

1. Resurrection Ship, Part 1
RESURRECTION SHIP: PART 1
When Lt. Starbuck uncovers recon on a deadly Cylon "Resurrection" ship, Galactica's Commander Adama and the Pegasus' Admiral Helena Cain form an uneasy and risky alliance in order to destroy this vital target.

2. Resurrection Ship, Part 2
RESURRECTION SHIP: PART 2
While the Battlestars engage in full-on battle with the Cylon "Resurrection" ship, orders are challenged within the Galactica brig and the Pegasus crew members ruthlessly attack their 'Galactica' prisoners.

3. Epiphanies
EPIPHANIES
Loyalties are tested when President Roslin issues controversial orders from her deathbed and a group of violent Cylon sympathizers find an unlikely ally among the Galactica crew.

4. Black Market
BLACK MARKET
A thriving black market economy threatens the personal safety of the fleet, but President Roslin's controversial quest to stop it leads to murder, kidnapping and a gripping standoff between a renegade freighter and chief investigator Lee Adama.

5. Scar
SCAR
When a devious Cylon Raider named Scar hinders the operations of a colonial mining ship by reportedly killing the war-weary Viper squadrons, Apollo and Starbuck must put aside their personal struggles to take on the warrior in a dangerous aerial dogfight.

6. Sacrifice
SACRIFICE
The Galactica's dependence on Sharon's enemy intelligence is put to the test when an embittered civilian takes some of the crew hostage in exchange for the Cylon she believes is duping them all.

7. The Captain's Hand
THE CAPTAIN'S HAND
Election tensions run high as the candidates debate fiercely over abortion issues, while the new crew of the Pegasus battles over the best way to handle a distress signal from two missing Vipers.

8. Downloaded
DOWNLOADED
Birth and rebirth affect the balance of power within the fleet as a human-Cylon hybrid is born on Galactica and reincarnated Number Six and Sharon are hailed as Heroes of the Cylon on Caprica.

9. Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 1
LAY DOWN YOUR BURDENS, PART 1
A daring discovery of a potentially habitable planet threatens President Roslin's winning edge in the election, while Starbuck's rescue mission to Caprica runs into unexpected dangers.

10. Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2
LAY DOWN YOUR BURDENS, PART 2
The presidential election race intensifies as President Roslin must decide between fixing the vote or letting a suspected Cylon collaborator lead Galactica in an uncharted, and potentially deadly, new direction.

Extras:

• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes

My Thoughts:

Once again this series shines.  From the writing to the new characters the depth of the stories work well on an episode by episode level (well except for the 2 partners) and well in the over all ARC of the story line.
For the first several episodes there is no real movement toward trying to find Earth.  This also means that the 'religiosity' is cut back to a degree.
But the complications of Adama and others starting to think more about and try to understand the Cylons brings in new issues.  What is humanity?  How can a flesh and blood Cylon be?

This is another must have.  I don't think there is one episode here that wasn't at least good .. with most being great.

Rating: 4of5

[DSig]

Major League: Back to the Minors (1998/) (United States) Director: John Warren Writing: John Warren (Writer), David S. Ward (Original Characters By) Length: 100 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Scott Bakula as Gus Cantrell
Corbin Bernsen as Roger Dorn
Dennis Haysbert as Pedro Cerrano
Takaaki Ishibashi as Taka Tanaka
Jensen Daggett as Maggie Reynolds

Plot:
What do you do if you're the new manager of the minor-league team called the Buzz? Pray for rain!

Instead, Gus Cantrell (Scott Bakula) turns his team from a laughingstock to the equivalent of blue-chip stocks in this third 'Major League' comedy reuniting five series stalwarts, including wisecracking play-by-play man Bob Uecker. Cantrell has his work cut out. The catcher is living proof why the chest protector and other protective gear are called "the tools of ignorance." The ace pitcher should earn frequent-flyer miles for the fastballs opposing batters sock into orbit. The double-play combo's motto should be "to error is human." The star slugger is a legend in his own mind. They play on diamonds. They work for peanuts. Batter up!

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **

(click to show/hide)

Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen) is now the owner of the Minnesota Twins. Aging minor league pitcher Gus Cantrell (Scott Bakula), who plays for the Fort Myers Miracle, is planning to retire. Then, Roger recruits Gus to be the manager of the South Carolina Buzz, the Twins AAA minor league affiliate. (The Twins actual AAA affiliate at the time was the Salt Lake Buzz, but the movie was filmed in South Carolina.)

Gus's mission is to make a real team out of a bunch of players who include ballet dancer turned ballplayer Lance "The Dance" Pere (Kenny Johnson), Frank "Pops" Morgan (Thom Barry), Rube Baker (Eric Bruskotter), Taka Tanaka (Takaaki Ishibashi), Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert), pitcher Hog Ellis (Judson Mills), home run hitter Billy "Downtown" Anderson (Walton Goggins), and pitcher Carlton "Doc" Windgate (Peter MacKenzie) who throws the slowest fastball in the minors.

Gus ends up clashing with Leonard Huff (Ted McGinley), the snobby manager of the Twins. One night in Minnesota, Gus and his fiancee Maggie Reynolds (Jensen Daggett) are having dinner with Roger and Huff at an expensive-looking restaurant, where Huff challenges Gus to a game between the Buzz and the Twins, then Huff starts a fight with Gus, and Gus accepts the challenge.

The game is scheduled to take place at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minnesota. The Twins take a 3-0 lead in the 6th inning, but Billy hits a home run that ties the game at 3-3 in the 8th inning. But in the bottom of the 9th inning, with two outs, while the Twins are up to bat, and Doc is one strike away from striking out home run hitter Carlos Liston (Lobo Sebastian), Huff has the stadium's lights turned off so the game can end with a tie rather than give the Buzz a chance to win in extra innings. However, the media says that the Twins were still outplayed by the Buzz.

Huff now wants to bring Billy up to the Twins, even though Billy is not yet ready to go up to the Twins. Billy jumps on the opportunity, and turns his back on Gus. Without Billy, the Buzz start losing again. With the Twins, Billy starts hitting poorly, proving Huff wrong about Billy.

Gus manages to get the Buzz back on track and Billy is sent back down to the Buzz where Gus teaches Billy how to get more hits. Gus leads the Buzz to a division title in their league.

Gus issues a challenge for Huff to bring the Twins to Buzz Stadium for another game. If the Twins win, Gus will give his salary for the year to Huff. If Gus and the Buzz beat the Twins, Gus can take over as the manager of the Twins. Huff accepts the challenge and takes the Twins to South Carolina to play against the Buzz. This time, the Twins take a 4-0 lead in the 6th inning, but the Buzz still manage to come from behind with three runs, and then win the game, 5-4, thanks to a game-winning two-run home run by Billy. Gus decides that he wants to stay with the Buzz so he can continue to work with minor league players on their skills and hopefully turn them into stars.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Featurettes
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

This is the third (and i hope final) installment of the 'Major League' franchise.  Corbin Bernsen (Roger Dorn) reprises his roll for the third time (though now win the Twins) and Dennis Haysbert (Pedro Cerrano)  reprises his roll for the third time.  Eric Bruskotter (Rube Baker) and Takaaki Ishibashi (Taka Tanaka) reprise their roles from 'Major League II'.

Walton Goggins (Downtown Anderson) currently of the AMC TV series 'Justified' and formerly from the TNT TV series 'The Shield' is good in his role as a rookie with a great hit on fastballs and not so good on the old outside pitch.

This is just a fun movie.  The comedy is middle of the road with nothing in the writing to really make it stand out.  The actors probably have done as well as they can with the material they had.

Although i only give it 2.5of5 i do recommend it to people who like baseball movies and comedies.

Just watch and enjoy.

Rating: 2.5of5

[DSig]

Major League II (1994/) (United States) Director: David S. Ward Writing: R. J. Stewart (Screenwriter), R. J. Stewart (Story By), Tom S. Parker (Story By), Jim Jennewein (Story By), David S. Ward (Original Characters By) Length: 105 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Charlie Sheen as Rick Vaughn
Tom Berenger as Jake Taylor
Corbin Bernsen as Roger Dorn
Dennis Haysbert as Pedro Cerrano
James Gammon as Lou Brown

Plot:
They're back -- and better than ever! The diehard Cleveland Indians who went from worst to first now cope with fame and its perks as the team tries to hit, hustle and joke its way back to the top.

Reckless thrower Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn (Charlie Sheen), catcher Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger), self-absorbing infielder Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen), slugger Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert) and more are in for a whole new ballgame in this hilarious sequel. Harry Doyle (Bob Uecker) is back in the booth with colorful play-by-ply, team owner Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton) schemes to the hilt and Randy Quaid joins the lineup as a marvelously motor-mouthed bleacher bum. 'Major League II' is major fun!

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **

(click to show/hide)

Last season, the Cleveland Indians won the division title by beating the New York Yankees in a one-game playoff, but they were defeated in the ALCS by the Chicago White Sox.

The success of last season has changed the attitudes of the Indians. Pitching sensation Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) is now a bland yuppie concerned about his endorsement potential, causing him to lose the edge on his fastball. Home run hitter Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert) underwent a spiritual conversion, from aggressive voodoo to placid Buddhism, which affects his competitive spirit. Conceited player Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen) retired and bought the team from Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton). Aging catcher Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger) has also retired to become one of the coaches who work for manager Lou Brown (James Gammon). And Willie Mays Hayes (Omar Epps) is still as fast as ever, but he has added some power to his hitting and a sprained knee from performing stunts in his new movie. However, Dorn signs arrogant power hitting catcher Jack Parkman (David Keith) as an offseason free agent, and minor league catcher Rube Baker (Eric Bruskotter) makes the team out of spring training, despite his throwing problem.

The Indians get off to another slow start, as egos clash. The signing of Jack Parkman has put Dorn in a financially tough spot, as well as putting a strain on the clubhouse, so Dorn trades Parkman to the Chicago White Sox, the team that defeated the Indians in the playoffs last season, keeping them from the World Series. In return, the Indians receive Isuro "kamikaze" Tanaka (Takaaki Ishibashi), a gifted left fielder with a penchant for crashing into the walls.

Dorn, still short on money, sells the team back to Rachel, but is retained as General Manager. He then announces his comeback to the majors and returns to the team, but cannot regain his former form. Rachel sees this as an opportunity to get revenge on the Indians for what happened last season, so she tries to find ways to make them have a losing season this time. When Lou has a heart attack, he gets Jake to take over as the Indians' interim manager. Baker and Tanaka aid Hayes and Cerrano (respectively) regain their competitiveness, and the Indians begin to win again. A notable turning point to the season comes after an emotional victory in Game 2 of a double-header against the Boston Red Sox.

The Indians clinch the division on the last game of the year against the Toronto Blue Jays, giving the team their second consecutive division title. They go on to face the Chicago White Sox in the ALCS. The Indians take a 3-0 lead in the ALCS against the White Sox, but in the next three games Jack Parkman scorches the Indians forcing a Game 7. In Game 7, Vaughn finds the "Wild Thing," and retires Parkman for the final out, as the Indians would go on to defeat the White Sox sending them to the World Series.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Production Notes
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

This is the second installment of the 'Major League' franchise.  Charlie Sheen (Rick 'Wild Thing' Vaughn), Tom Berenger (Jake Taylor), Corbin Bernsen (Roger Dorn), James Gammon (Lou Brown)  and Dennis Haysbert (Pedro Cerrano)  reprise their rolls for the second time.  Wesley Snipes, now being a mega star, wouldn't reprise his roll as Willie Mays Hayes so that part was played by Omar Epps.

Eric Bruskotter (Rube Baker) and Takaaki Ishibashi (Taka Tanaka) start new rolls which will carry them to 'Major League III Back to the Minors'.

This installment is inline with the first movie 'Major League'.  The humor is simple and fund.  Acting is generally good.

Although i only give it 2.5of5 i do recommend it to people who like baseball movies and comedies.

Just watch and enjoy.

Rating: 2.5of5

[DSig]

Bad Boys: Special Edition (1995/United States) Columbia TriStar Home Video (United States) Director: Michael Bay Writing: George Gallo (Story By), Michael Barrie (Screenwriter), Jim Mulholland (Screenwriter), Doug Richardson (Screenwriter) Length: 119 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Music Only: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: Chinese, English, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai

Stars:
Martin Lawrence as Det. Marcus Burnett
Will Smith as Det. Mike Lowrey
Téa Leoni as Julie Mott
Tchéky Karyo as Fouchet
Joe Pantoliano as Captain Conrad Howard
Emmanuel Xuereb as Eddie Dominguez
Nestor Serrano as Detective Sanchez
Julio Oscar Mechoso as Detective Ruiz

Plot:
From director Michael Bay (THE ROCK, ARMAGEDDON) and the production team of Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer (BEVERLY HILLS COP, TOP GUN) comes a thrill ride of explosive action from beginning to end.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence team up as partners in crime, crime-fighting that is, in this action-packed flick about a couple of good guys who are real BAD BOYS!

One hundred million dollars worth of confiscated heroin has just been jacked from police custody. Once the career bust of Detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), the missing drugs now threaten to shut down the narcotics division of the Miami Police Department.

When the drug investigation turns deadly, the murderers kidnap the only witness – a beautiful police informant (Téa Leoni) and close friend of The Boys – and things get personal! Fast cars, a gorgeous woman and non-stop action make BAD BOYS a guaranteed good time!

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **

(click to show/hide)

Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) are best friends and detectives in the narcotics division of the Miami-Dade Police Department. One night, $100 million of seized heroin is stolen from a secure police vault. This is a major blow to Burnett and Lowrey, because it was the biggest drug bust of their careers. Internal Affairs thinks that it was an inside job and warns Miami PD that if they do not recover the drugs in five days, the narcotics division will be shut down.

One thief, a former cop named Eddie Domínguez, is found dead at a suite at the Biltmore Hotel, shot to death by his boss, French drug kingpin Fouchet. Fouchet also kills an escort, Maxine "Max" Logan, who was hired by Eddie. It is revealed that she is also one of Lowrey's ex-girlfriends and one of his major informants. The only witness to the crime is Max's best friend Julie Mott (Téa Leoni), who watched the crime from the upper balcony of the suite.

Although she has not met Mike, because of Max's relationship with him Julie will only trust and deal with Lowrey. However, he is away when she contacts the police about the murders, threatening to run if she does not speak to Mike. Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) forces Burnett to impersonate Lowrey to get Julie to cooperate. In order to continue the deception, Burnett and Lowrey switch lives. Burnett tells his family he is going to Cleveland for a case, leaving Mike to stay with them. Burnett then moves into Lowrey's apartment with Julie and her dogs. In Julie's presence, Burnett poses as Lowrey while Mike poses as Burnett.

The investigation proceeds with Lowrey and Burnett calling in on their old informants, including Jojo (Michael Imperioli), a former chemist who now works at a tire store. Later, Julie identifies one of Max's killers, Noah Trafficante, while looking through mug shots. The two cops then head off to Club Hell, one of his known hangouts. Unbeknownst to them, Julie has followed, eager to dish out revenge on Max's killers. Her presence alerts the criminals, resulting in Noah fleeing. After a brief fight and car chase, Noah is killed. The incident is caught on camera by a news helicopter. The subsequent report is later seen by Burnett's family.

Lowrey and Burnett decide to visit Jojo again. After an aggressive and convincing good cop-bad cop act from Lowrey and Burnett, Jojo tells them the location of the chemist who is cutting the stolen drugs. After staking out his house, they follow him to where Fouchet is hiding the drugs. They return to Mike's apartment with Julie, where they are confronted by Marcus' wife who blows their cover, causing Julie to try to run. Fouchet and his gang arrive at Lowrey's apartment and kidnap Julie. Because of this, Internal Affairs reassigns all members of the narcotics division, effectively shutting them down, but Captain Howard delays the order to give Lowrey and Burnett a chance to get Julie and the drugs back.

Burnett, Lowrey and two other members of the Miami P.D. (Sanchez and Ruiz) organize a plan to stop the criminals from killing Julie and selling the drugs. A final shoot-out erupts between the group of cops and the drug dealers at an abandoned air field. Burnett is shot in the leg after saving Julie from Fouchet. Fouchet also shoots Lowrey while escaping the building, which is now on fire, but he is rescued by Burnett and Julie who left to get Lowrey's car.

The cops and Julie chase Fouchet's Shelby Cobra AC 427 in Mike's Porsche 911 Turbo. After Burnett bumps him off the road, Fouchet crashes but manages to escape the wreckage. Attempting to run, Fouchet is shot in the leg by Lowrey. Fouchet, knowing he is beaten, tries to goad Lowrey into killing him, which he almost does as revenge for Max's murder, until Burnett prevents it. While on the ground Fouchet then pulls out a concealed weapon and aims at Burnett, but seeing the reflection on his partner's forehead, Lowrey spins and shoots Fouchet numerous times, killing him.

Later, after Marcus and Mike profess their mutual platonic love for one another and their relief in surviving the gun fight, Marcus handcuffs Julie and Mike's hands together and hobbles away hoping for some much needed "quality time" with his wife. Julie and Mike wonder if he has the keys to the handcuffs.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Production Notes
• Multi-angle
• Music Videos
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

This movie, 'Bad Boys' (1995) staring Will Smith (Mike Lowrey), Martin Lawrence (Marcus Burnett) and Tea Leoni (Julie Mott), is a fast pace action-comedy following in the footsteps of great buddy-cop movies like the 'Lethal Weapon' franchise and would find Smith and Lawrence in a follow up film 'Bad Boys II' in 2003.  This was the directorial debut for director Michael Bay.

The chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence seemed to be very good.  It is reported by Michael Bay, in the comentary for the movie, that alot of the 'back and forth' between Smith and Lawrence was actually adlibed as Bay was very unhappy with the script.

This is a good cop-buddy movie.  The action is good (lots of stuff blowing up and lots of car chases) though predictable.  Although there is nothing new in this movie, if you like Smith and/or Lawrence it is a fun watch.  There are worst ways to waste two hours.

If you like buddy-cop movies with lots of action (read car chases and things blowing up) then this will work for you.

I give this a 3of5 stars



Rating: 3of5

[DSig]

The Maiden Heist (2009/United States) Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Peter Hewitt Writing: Michael LeSieur (Original Material By) Length: 90 min. Video: Widescreen 2.40:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English

Stars:
Christopher Walken as Roger Barlow
Joseph McKenna as Lead Villain
Wynn Everett as Docent
Patricia B. Till as Rude Museum Patron
Marcia Gay Harden as Rose Barlow

Plot:
It was a stroke of genius. But now the perfect crime is turning into a perfect disaster in this madcap comedy featuring Academy Award winners Morgan Freeman (Best Supporting Actor, Million Dollar Baby, 2004), Christopher Walken (Best Supporting Actor, The Deer Hunter, 1978), Marcia Gay Harden (Best Supporting Actress, Pollock, 2000) and Academy Award nominee William H. Macy (Best Supporting Actor, Fargo, 1996).

Charles, Roger and George are the very picture of honest security guards. But when they learn their favorite artworks are being sent to another museum, they concoct a plan to switch the real masterpieces with fakes. All goes well until a mistake forces these first-time thieves into a last-minute escapade in the comedy caper that proves you're never too old to have some new fun.

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **

(click to show/hide)

Roger (Christopher Walken) is a security guard at an art museum who is only rarely in motion, opting rather to stare at his favorite painting, The Lonely Maiden, [2] a beautiful woman staring forlornly out into the distance. Despite the fact he has a wife, Rose (Marcia Gay Harden), he's become rather obsessed with the painting. Rose wants Roger to retire so they can move to Florida.

One afternoon, Roger learns that several pieces including The Lonely Maiden are to be permanently moved to another museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. Unable to follow the maiden, Roger falls into despair until he meets Charles (Morgan Freeman), who has a similar attraction to a painting on another floor of a woman with cats.

George (William H. Macy) is also obsessed with a piece of art, a nude sculpture of a Greek warrior; he often strips down and poses naked beside it during his night shift. Using the advantages between their shifts and experience, George comes up with the idea to steal their favorite works of art and replace them with replicas.

Roger volunteers to tag the artworks being shipped, while Charles and George seek assistance in replicating their favorites. Because Charles is a painter, he's able to do the cat painting perfectly, but he fails in capturing The Lonely Maiden. The men hire a street artist (Breckin Meyer) for that task, forcing Roger to steal Rose's Florida vacation savings to pay for the job. Rose becomes suspicious and nearly ends up having Roger taken off the volunteer staff. George manages to replicate "his" sculpture and the Maiden copy is also completed.

On the day of the switch, George sneaks into the warehouse in the crate with the statue. He successfully swaps the three marked pieces, but can't resist stripping down and posing with the statue. A guard shows up, forcing George to hide in the crate without his clothes.

The next morning, when Roger and Charlie (with the unwitting accompaniment of Rose) come to collect him, George ends up boarding the wrong van. A panic-stricken Charlie gives chase, and they manage to successfully rescue George, who emerges (much to Rose's surprise).

Having pulled off the heist without getting caught, they retire from their jobs and Rose is none the wiser. On a trip to Florida, Roger is enthralled by Rose as she looks out over the ocean because she strikingly resembles the Lonely Maiden pose. Their love life is rekindled.

Meanwhile, the three men hide their treasures in a shack on Charles' apartment roof so that they can go and view them at their leisure. However, when Roger looks at the painting, it doesn't inspire him like it once did. He smiles and remembers his wife.

Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, a guard on duty passes the fake Lonely Maiden and looks at it, smiling...

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Outtakes/Bloopers
• Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

'The Maiden Heist' stars Christopher Walken (Roger Barlow), Morgan Freeman (Charles), William H. Macy (George McLendon) and Marcia Gay Harden (Rose Barlow, Rogers wife).

This movie is superb.  It is one of those movie who for me is a must watch if I am just cruising the channels and I happen upon it.  Like 'Secondhand Lions', 'Cookies Fortune' or most things with Reese Witherspoon in it.

The acting, direction and artwork all work seamlessly to create a great feeling.  Walken, Freeman and Macy .. what can i say about these 3.  They have been in so many different movies and have received or nominated for so many awards .. the is really not much left that can be said.  I find them flawless in this movie.

I would simply say that this movie is for anyone who likes a great ensemble cast, good action and a touch of comedy.

Rating 4of5 stars

Rating: 4of5 stars

[samuelrichardscott]

Thanks for bringing up The Maiden Heist. It's been under my radar and I'm a big fan of William H. Macy.

[DSig]

Thanks for bringing up The Maiden Heist. It's been under my radar and I'm a big fan of William H. Macy.

My pleasure ... I just say 'em as i watch 'em <G>.  William H. Macy was great in this .. just a quirky as his roll in 'Fargo'.