Beethoven's 3rd [HD]

"Full House" with a bigger dog
There is only so much you can do with fifteen minutes of dog footage, and a two hour feature film is not a viable option. Granted it is difficult to make a movie for children when your main premise has been done before - and better - but the direction of this film was disastrous, apparently relying solely on a few moments of animal appeal as salvation. Still, indications are that young children do enjoy the film; young girls will identify with the daughter's plight to be heard, young boys will get a laugh out of the recurring poop and fart jokes, and some of both will cheer Beethoven when he gets to make his brief appearances. Adults, however, will only derive pleasure from the children in the audience.

Beethoven tragedy
I have always loved the other beethoven movies but this is WORST! The 4th one was great, but ugh! this one is [bad]! the director put NOT ONE BIT of taste or brains into this one, he/she just wanted to make "another beethoven movie to get it over with". Don't buy this. save your money.

This 3rd sequal is not worth it!
I watched this third sequal right after seeing the two original movies and it was not what I expected. I love Beethoven 1 & 2 but this sequal was boring and ridiculous. The original cast are gone and the new characters are just boring. The villians in this movie are really stupid. The only interesting thing about this movie was looking at Beethoven. This movie really wasted my time and I suggest saving your time and money. Not funny or interesting at all!!! Anyway I can't wait to see the fourth one though!!!

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King Kong [HD]

Review for 3 Disc Extended Edition
The biggest problem most people had with King Kong was its length, so there's no surprise that reaction by the general public to the release of an extended edition of another 3 hour-plus Peter Jackson film was almost the equivalent of a collective groan.

The surprise is that everything added to the Extended Edition of King Kong should have never been cut. More dinosaurs and more creatures and more action on Skull Island only improves the film, and one wonders if these scenes were cut mostly for time and pacing, why wasn't a little bit of the 51 minutes of pre-Skull Island snipped or perhaps a few overly drawn scenes of Kong and Anna gazing into each other's eyes?

The more noticable scenes are that of a rampaging Ceratops and a fun scene of an underwater monster attacking Adrien Brody and Co. while they are rafting down a river. A bit more character development with some seedy behavior by Carl Denham (Jack Black) and heroic deeds by Jack Driscoll and the shipmates...

tHE eXtra that make the difference....
Hello People,

well Peter Jackson's Opus, King Kong now comes in it's extended version only on DVD... This review basically gives you a guide as to what you might expect from the DVD release.. I have no breakdown of what scenes are make up the extra minutes, but from Perter Jackson's comments and Comic Con presentation, there have been indications of what might be make up the running time...

The dVd details -

Firstly this dvd presentation is brought to you in 3 discs. An additon of thirteen(13) minutes of footage has been added to the extended version of the film.

Extra scenes include :

* King Kong's capture at Skull Island and journey to New York.

* A river scene; where our heros are stuck on a log/raft, and

them being attacked by a large aligator. (Comic Con info)

More to be added soon...

King Kong Extended Edition: Disc 1

2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation...

A movie that beats on it's chest and roars!
I was one of those people who thought King Kong was a mistake for director Peter Jackson. Fresh from his monumental success and Academy Awards with his work on The Lord of the Rings, I wasn't confident that he would make an equally, much less surpassively, good film. I was proven wrong.

Running at a horrendously intimidating 187 minutes, I had my fears that there would be parts where cinematographic drags would consume my interest in the film, especially since there were several such moments in Fellowship of the Ring which Jackson also directed. However, I was pleased to find that dragging moments were limited and the whopping runtime was put to good use... so take care of your bladders prior to watching.

I have heard many complaints regarding the first third of the film which takes place in depression-era New York city. It is in this third where the titular beast is nowhere to be seen, but we are introduced to all the other main characters. I have argued...

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8 Mile [HD]

WOW!
This is the first time I've ever seen a movie on opening night, and it was well worth the wait and trouble. I'm extrememly lucky to get tickets, practically all the theaters in the entire area have been sold out!

Jimmy Smith, Jr., a.k.a. Bunny Rabbit (Eminem) lives in inner city Detroit, with his alcoholic, yet highly interesting mother, played by Kim Basinger; and his younger sister, Lily, who is absolutely adorable, and Rabbit's only obvious weakness. He dreams of making it big, along with his group, 313, including Future (Mekhi Pfipher) and his buddies, including the hilarious, [silly] Cheddar Bob, and the politically active Iz.

Jimmy works in a stamping factory, where he meets Alex (Brittany Murphy), an ambitious woman with dreams of modeling, whose only real wish is simply to leave Detroit and escape to New York City. "All I need is a plane ticket."

Future resides over rap battles at the shelter, and, having faith in Rabbit's skills, invites him to rap. After we open...

Eminem impresses even a non-fan
After believing that Eminem's 15 minutes were up about two years ago, I was incredibly impressed to see just how good his performance was in 8 MILE. Being the only person on the planet that doesn't like his music, I thought that the only place that 8 MILE was headed was a Dead End. I stand corrected. Not only was the film extremely well acted, but it is very entertaining, as well. It takes a bit to get used to the street lingo, but I think fans will have a field day with it, nonetheless. As for whether or not you should bring the kids, DON'T! Three sex scenes, a few fist fights, one shooting, and all the foul language that you have come to expect from Eminem. The only nudity, however, is Eminem's rear. (That should sell a couple tickets, as is!) Although definitely not a film for everyone, the film showcases a new talent for Eminem that many will enjoy. The film is clever and fun. I will certainly be looking forward to his next project, and prefer it be a movie as opposed...

Eminem Displays Talent in New Film
Eminem, probably the most controversial rapper today, who is best known for his highly disturbing lyrics, stars in the first motion picture of his career, 8-mile. Eminem plays Jimmy Smith Jr., a young white rapper trying to make it big in a black dominated area in Detroit near 8-mile road, the barrier that seems to keep him from accomplishing his goals. He struggles trying to deal with home life in a trailer park with a near psychotic mother, as well as earning respect as a white rapper. He attempts to gain recognition for his talent by competing in battles between rappers of the street, he being the only one who's white. The movie seems all too familiar, being somewhat based on Eminem's real life. Kim Basinger plays his mother, Brittany Murphy his "sort of" girlfriend, and Mekkhi Phiffer stars as Future, the DJ of the battles.

As all movies do, this one too has its high and low points, but overall 8-mile is a fairly good film, taking critics and moviegoers all over the country by...

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Illegal Tender [HD]

Puerto Rico Represents
I have to give John Singleton major respect for giving Puerto Rican actors their time to shine. I was going to see this movie regardless because I think Rick Gonzalez is gorgeous. (It's a weakness, but if an attractive man plays a lead role, chances are it's going to catch my eye.) However, I read in JET magazine that the cast was many shades of Puerto Rican people, and I really respected that. African American actors get shunned plenty of times for trying to go against stereotypical roles, and Latino actors absolutely get treated the same if not worse, so for Singleton to put out a movie with a dominant PR cast was something I really respected.

Now on to the movie. Not only did I respect the cast variation, but I also liked how Singleton took this movie against the grain. Instead of having Latinos in a poverty-stricken neighborhood looking mean as hell, he went against the stereotype and made the main characters upper class in an extremely nice neighborhood. Whatever...

AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL!!!!!!
This movie is amazing! I couldnt stop watching it...I watched it like 3 times in a row. It's raw, real and touching all at the same time. I like it because it's not brutal and hardcore to the point where you're disgusted. I absolutely loved it!

Hot Movie
Illegal tender should have been released on the big screen. If you like it you should also view "Slow Burn". Illegal Tender is a blend on "Miami Vice" and "Heat". I watched it on OnDemand from home and was looking for the sound track when I wrote this review of the movie. Get this movie and "Slow Burn"

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Slap Shot [HD]

Fantastic, Funny, a CLASSIC for ANY Hockey Fan
Slap Shot is a great hockey comedy. It's a hilarious, vulgar, completely wild joyride through the trials of a failing 70's steelmill-town based, utterly amateur hockey team. Failing, that is, until their players resort to pure violence in an attempt to keep their franchise alive.

Paul Newman plays the womanizing player/coach who, after a series of embarassing losses (including one to a visitng team's center who's flat drunk) needs to work with a 3 brother gang of misfits, who all look alike and have an incredibly aggressive style of playing.

Chaos insues when Newman's character decides to finally play these "goons" with his other teammates, and he watches as the fan base increases when they proceed to physically demolish - without any love for the game - the opposing teammates in an series of hysterical scenes that combine the best in hockey photography with hilariously explicit dialouge and violence. The shot of the goon's nonchalanty skating past the...

Maybe the greatest sports movie ever
Ask hardcore hockey fans (the kind that are familiar with the Montreal Maroons or that understand that present-day hockey is virtually figure-skating compared to the seventies) what their favorite sports movie is, or ask hockey pros what their favorite sports movie is; probably more than half the time, you'll hear "Slap Shot". Some "serious" sports films suffer from self-importance or a lack of realism; try watching a good war documentary for actual life-and-death situations. Thankfully, "Slap Shot" doesn't take itself terribly seriously yet still manages to paint an accurate, believable picture.

Sure, the humor is rude and crude, but necessary to paint a somewhat accurate picture of `70's minor league hockey (surely these guys weren't discussing Plato or speaking in blue-blood accents). It may be offensive to uninitiated people (e.g. people who don't watch hockey or team sports in general), but the humor is oft-hilarious for hockey fans.

Paul Newman plays...

At last, the original version is saved
I have just received (and watched) the DVD version of "Slap Shot", and I thank the powers that be for restoring the original sound track to the movie. The generic music that was released on VHS took the heart out of the movie. With the restoration, and the excellent digital quality of the movie, my favorite film is complete. Now, a full 5 stars only because I can't give it 10.

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Werewolf Of London [HD]

Werewolf Of London --Good Universal Horror
Warner Oland is simply wonderful as the mysterious Dr. Yogamiand Henry Hull plays the other unfortunate victim of lycanthropy withperfection.This was Universal's first attempt at the werewolf story, and it is too bad that this film is attacked by many critics.The old London, foggy atmosphere is erie setting,music(which was used in other Universal films of the period) is good, set pieces are beautiful, plot is interesting(remember"2 buds from the marafasia lupina will save 2 souls tonight......").Early transformation scene is interesting as Hull becomes harrier as he walks by each wall.Beautiful Valerie Hobson is a good Universal Scream Queen.There is even a scene involving 2 gin-swilling old ladies that is reminiscent of the Bride of Frankenstein(I swear I thought one of those old ladies was Una O'Connor!).One complaint I have is what was that weird final shot of that old bi-plane flying with the triumphant music blaring in the background? Highly recommend this film!

The Wolf Man Prequel that launced the Werewolf films
The film Werewolf of London, produced in 1936, was Universal Studio's first werewolf feature. The studio had released many horror films, and it's horror department was making money. Henry Hull, starring as the Werewolf, is a wonderful actor, but would not agree to the make-up that Jack Peirce had invisoned. Emotion is noticable only because Hull had no latex appliances.
Wilfred Glendon (Henry Hull), a noteable botanist who enjoys solitude, searches for the rare Marifasia flower in Tibet. After finding the blossom, he is attacked by a wolf-like beast. Back in London, Doctor Yogami (Warner Onald) warns Glendon that his "moon flower) is the only known antidote for Lycanthrophobia, or werewolfry. He also claims that two werewolves are in London. Glendon scoffs at such claims-until that night of the full moon, where he transformes into a sinister, super-intelligent werewolf. Attempting to protect his wife Lisa (Valerie Hobson), Glendon hides in an old, abandoned peice of property...

Universal's first werewolf film is too often overlooked
Mention a werewolf, and you immediately think of the afflicted Larry Talbot played by Lon Chaney, Jr., in the classic monster films of the 1940s. Not only was Chaney not the first Wolf Man, he was not even Universal's first Wolf Man - that distinction goes to Henry Hull, who played a werewolf in Universal's 1935 classic Werewolf of London. This film, residing as it does in the shadows of Chaney's memorable werewolf films, is often overlooked; it is also unduly dismissed by some reviewers and horror fans. This is a much different type of movie than 1941's The Wolf Man, but it is really quite an enjoyable viewing experience.

Forget gypsies, wolf bane, pentagrams on the hands of victims, and the other werewolf staples Curt Siodmak put into his script of The Wolf Man. In Werewolf of London, botanist Wilfred Glendon (Hull) sees his troubles begin in - of all places - Tibet, where he traveled in search of a very special flower, the "Marifasa Lupina." This particular flower...

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Beautiful Creatures [HD]

An unpredictable dark comedy Pulp Fiction fans will love!
I saw this movie with a little hesitation. I wasn't sure what to expect, but what I had read sounded all too interesting. And from the beginning, I was completely enjoying it.

The dark comedy stars Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, Chain Reaction) and Susan Lynch (Waking Ned Devine) as two women trapped in bad relationships. The two meet by accident, when Dorothy (Lynch) stumbles across Petula (Weisz) being beaten by her boyfriend. As the boyfriend begins choking Petula, Dorothy realizes she must help her. Acting on instinct, Dorothy grabs a large pipe and whacks the man in the head. The two take the unconscious man back to Dorothy's apartment. There, the two introduce themselves. When the boyfriend wakes up, he falls from the bathtub (where Petula and Dorothy had placed him for the time being) he bangs his head. Now Petula and Dorothy have a dead body to deal with. Not just some man either. Petula's boyfriend is the younger brother of a very wealthy and very powerful...

Dorothy & Petula Have A Body To Die For
While this movie had a promising start, it sort of crumbled like a cookie by the middle. Billed as a black comedy/suspense thriller, Beautiful Creatures stars Rachel Weisz and Susan Lynch and Petula and Dorothy, respectively. At the outset we find both women are involved in abusive relationships with very despicable men. Through a chance meeting, Dorothy intervenes, with an usual choice of a weapon, while Petula's boyfriend, Brian, is throttling her, and he is knocked unconscious. Fearful of legal entanglements and repercussions, they drag him back to Dorothy's apartment and try to decide how to best proceed. Brian regains consciousness, and while still suffering from too much drink, he falls and hits his head, ending his own life. This sets up the rest of the movie, as the women have to now deal with a dead body.

Now Brian, who is well off, works for his brother Ronnie, who is even more well off, so the women concoct a scheme to make it appear as if Brian has been kidnapped,...

Don't underestimate these women!
There is a myth in Hollywood that strong women characters have to be strong women (i.e. Erin Brockovich). What I liked about the film "Beautiful Creatures" is that the lead female characters, Petula and Dorothy, are not strong women initially. They have allowed themselves to be dominated by physically, mentally and sexually abusive men. Neither seem to be capable of helping themselves out of these relationships. But, ironically, they each have the ability to help the other. And in helping eachother, they find the strength that had been beaten out of them. Even though the film addresses a serious subject, I found it to be very funny without making light of the domestic abuse issue. Susan Lynch is terrific as Dorothy, the fed-up heroine who comes to the aid of a stranger and finds herself facing murder charges. And "Mummy" fans will hardly recognize Rachel Weisz from her most familiar role as "Evie." Weisz is proving herself to be one of the most versatile...

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