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Reviews
The Flight of Dragons (1982)
DVD Version?
I really enjoyed this film as a child. I had forgotten the name for many years, which was unfortunate. Recently, my mother recalled the title in order to show this film to her class. She had requested it from the library and was surprised that it doesn't exist in a DVD format.
I happened to find it laying about and watched it again. All the childhood memories poured back. It isn't often an adult will sit through a children's' film and enjoy what they see but I did.
I still searched online for a DVD format so I could make a purchase but no dice. I wish it would be put on DVD.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
This is in the tradition of indie greats Kevin Smith's Clerks and Richard Linklater's Slackers.
This is in the tradition of indie greats Kevin Smith's Clerks and Richard Linklater's Slackers<.
I saw this film in the local community theatre when it first debuted and I received it today from my friend Paul for my birthday, in addition to Katamari Damacy for PS2, and this film completely blows my socks off. The film is Napoleon Dynamite, an indie film by brothers Jared and Jerusha Hess, both Mormons, that is constantly hilarious without resorting to "dick and fart jokes." The film is also one for the kids as the closest to swearing is when a character, usually Napoleon, says "Gosh!" or "Dang!" Not only is the film hilarious but it tackles many important issues that lie just beneath the film's surface. The issue of economic wealth, racial harmony/disharmony, social and class harmony/disharmony, and rural American life.
My friends and I laughed throughout the entire film at the community theatre in a nonstop laughfest. Tonight was a repeat, albeit solo, laughfest. The film, lasting nearly 90 minutes, is a joy to watch and it is no wonder that it was a nominee for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
This ranks near the top of my list of favored films with 5 stars.
An Evening with Kevin Smith (2002)
Smith Speaks Out
`An Evening With Kevin Smith' is the latest of director Kevin Smith's works. Smith is a renowned Indie filmmaker and New Jersey native made famous by his independent film, `Clerks.' Smith speaks out at several college campuses in a Question and Answer format on many topics of interest to college students from his five films and religion, to sex and sexual preference.
Covering two discs and almost four hours, `Evening' will have even non-fans of Smith rolling on the floor with laughter. It is a nonstop express train to comedy-ville that actually delivers what it promises. Smith's frankness and humor allows him to touch on the touchy subjects of religion, sex, and sexual preference without being overly offensive.
Being a fan of Smith and his work I immediately purchased this DVD as soon as possible. However, that sounds easier than the actual process since I had to find a store that heard of it and also had it in stock. In the end I found it in the Special Interest section at Best Buy for $22.99, a bargain as most double discs run at a higher price than that.
True fans who have seen all of his films will enjoy `Evening' more than the average viewer and will not be offended by the plethora of `dick and fart jokes' that Smith's comedy is normally based on. Fan will be depressed near the end of the second disc when they reach scene #39 where Smith discusses the future of Jay and Silent Bob.
The tomfoolery of such films as `Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' continues and even goes up a notch with the inclusion of actor Jason Mewes and producer Scott Mosier (via telephone) and of the student audience. Smith takes the time to make several phone calls on student's behalf and even attempts to get a student their job back after losing it in order to attend the performance.
Despite all the positives going for `Evening' it is not for everyone. People who are easily offended, don't enjoy `dick and fart jokes' or disliked Smith's films will want to avoid this DVD at all costs.
For the rest of us, the DVD is a great addition to our personal film collections and is a must have for any Smith fan. The DVD has some superb editing; features bonus trailers, is subtitled in English, French, and Spanish, and is in wide screen format. I highly recommend this and can't wait for the release of Smith's next film, `Jersey Girl'.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Gollum Steals the Show
`Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' is the second of the Lord of the Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. The DVD is the wide screen theatrical release edition featuring the theatrical release of the film and an additional disk with some special features.
It covers two discs with a running time of almost three hours; `Two Towers' is an incredible sequel to `Fellowship of the Ring.' For the first time, viewers get to see Gollum in the flesh so to speak. The animated character acted by Andy Serkis definitely steals the show with the awesome visual affects, dialogue, and contrary emotions this complicated character has. The film continues where `Fellowship' left off but propels the story forward at an amazing pace.
We are indulged in the scenery of Rohan and the immense Battle of Helm's Deep but also are exposed to the first appearance of the Ents who are living, sentient tree people. `Two Towers' also brings the characters of Merry and Pippin to the forefront allowing actors Billy Boyd and Dominic Monahan to shine. Of course, the story of Frodo and Sam's friendship entwined with the journey to destroy the Ring of Power plays a major role and continues to develop.
True fans of the novels and first film will especially enjoy this DVD. Retailing at $17.99 the DVD is a good buy but unfortunately falls short in the special features department. The special features gems include Sean Astin's short film, `The Long and Short of It' and the trailer for `Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.'
Although the film is a joy and the special features entertaining people may wish to wait and purchase the extended version of the film instead. If the extended version of `Fellowship' is any indicator, `Two Towers: Extended Version' will be a DVD everyone must add to their collection. Having scenes expanded and cut scenes integrated with the film and a plethora of special features will make the extended version more in demand than the theatrical release.
While we wait, `Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' theatrical release is a good buy with its fun special features, and DVD-ROM content. It includes English and Spanish subtitles but no available dubbing.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Overall solid performance, 6 out of 10 stars.
I just got back from seeing RoTK today. I went with two friends (they say it last night at a sneak peek but this was my first viewing of it). The film is a major epic and highly memorable but it suffers from some major flaws. It glosses over the conclusion of Battle of Isengard, doesn't bother to explain the Palantir, contains some dry/poor acting and lines (mainly poor jokes revolving around Gimli and Legolas that do not get pulled off well), and the ending is highly inappropriate and disappointing in conjunction with the film.
The ending is great but not at the end of THIS film. The film contains one of the best battle scenes I've ever seen, akin to that from Spartacus, bringing viewers to an emotional high with adrenaline pumping but then goes into a "where are they now?" series of subdued scenes mainly with an orchestral (albeit incredible orchestral) piece serving as the main auditory feature excepting the last scenes in which some dialogue is jutted forth. Jackson attempted to utilize some of the novel's closure but it turned out to be poorly done/placed in this film.
On a more positive note, the film flowed incredibly well and had some of the best special effects I've seen recently in a film that has an overall solid performance (I'm thinking a 6 out of 10). I'd definately see it again in the hopes that it grows on me.
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
They go from jersey to LA to stop a movie from being made about them.
The dynamic duo travel from New Jersey to Los Angeles to stop a movie from being made about them because people made fun of them on an internet message board. But the film gets made, they get rich, they then find everyone who posted negative comments about them on the internet and beat them up to the song "How Many People Wanna Kick Some Ass?" by Stroke 9.
Shichinin no samurai (1954)
Best of the best by the best in cinema
This film is a classic! Directed by the best to ever exist, Akira Kurosawa, with a superb cast including the one and only Toshiro Mifune. Seven Samurai is the best American Western to exist, the best Samurai genre film, and one of the best black and white films...no one of the best films period. Even if you do not enjoy subtitles it is best to see this listening to the original Japanese language and reading subtitles. So full of action, drama, suspense, horror, and emotion that you'll come back for more.