DVD: Hard Candy

Hard Candy was one of those films most people won't like, mostly because it has such a true story-line(except for the torture). A lot of people will find this one offensive.

I once remembered reading that I heard that there once was a be controversy on the topics and issues that this film shows.

When I first saw Hard Candy I became very irritated at the film mostly because it kept we wonder were to I remember the actress 'Ellen Page' and then after a bout of a couple of hours and I remember, X-men: the Last Stand, she played Kitty Pryde.

Ellen Page did an amazing job in this film, and also Patrick Wilson but the one who really stood out in my opinion was Ellen Page.

This was a kind of film that really made you use you brain while you watch this film then during the film something happens and it will force you to rethink, like 'What the hell just happen' This is really great because it keeps up on the edge of suspense. There was one point in the film where I kept yelling into the screen because I was so into the film. Which made that a great film.

Hard Candy is those kind of films, that will either you love it or hate it. I am a big fan of indie film mostly because to me they have a much more story-line that make you think, instead of most of the Studio production were they care more about the box office and the action in a film.

The Film is a definite watch if this one is still playing in a theater around you go out right now and see it you will not regret it.

DVD

Specs.

Hard Candy is presented in 16x9 Widescreen with 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital Sound. With English and Spanish Subtitles. The Special Features of this DVD include:

• Commentary with Director David Slade and Writer Brian Nelson.
• Commentary with the actors Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes.
• 'Creating Hard Candy" Making Of-Documentary
• "Controversial Confection" Minifeaturette
• DVD-Rom Production Notebook.
• Theatrical Trailer.

The DVD Special Features of Hard Candy really surprised me, it was a great addition to the film. My favorite part in the Special Features were the 'Making-Of' Feature. Mostly because of the Of it was broken down into to different sections like From the Writing of the Script all the way to the Marketing and Sales of the Script.This is one of those features that I love to watch in a film.

Overall this DVD adds a great addition to the already amazing story and acting so I would have to say that this DVD is a Must Buy for any movie fan and DVD collector.

DVD: Save the Last Dance (SE)

Well first when I received Save that Last Dance Special Collectors Edition, I asked myself what is the company doing re-releasing this film when it originally came out in 2001 that's five years from when it was made over five years ago. Then as I played the previews and I found out why they are doing this I believe of the first week of October 2006, Save the Last Dance 2 will coming to stores with Straight to DVD. Very much like the the original marketing ploy, When the sequel comes out send out the DVD with a couple new Features just to make some more money, from the buyers.

If you have not yet seen Save the Last Dance, it was a very successful film. It more that tripled its budget from the US Box Office. With in case you might not know that's amazing to earn back what you payed to make it and also make a lot of more money.

The story of Save the Last Dance is about a young woman you use to Dance, ballerina, and as some that forces her to move to the gritty of South Side Chicago, and at first she just tries to fit in, though she never wants to dance ever again. She finds some who bring dancing to her again, and love. The love is which other might not like to cope with because of the color of skin, might brake up her love of dancing again.

Watching the film after around five years, I thought it was an OK the acting, story-line was nothing to brag about but you can live with it. This was one of the major films that brought Julia Styles in to the movie business. I would also have to say this could have been the fist time MTV Film really make a name in the film studio industry. Mostly for teens at the time around 2001 you went to go and watch this film in the theaters.

If you are a huge fan of either the film or any of the actors that are in the film then this could be a must in you watch list. I like and I would have to say that this could be just a rental, rather than a buy.

DVD

Specs.

Save the Last Dance Special Collectors Edition is presented in Widescreen format. Widescreen is enhanced for 16:9 TV's . The audio comes in English in both 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, and French 2.0 Surround Sound. Though there is one one type of Subtitles for the film which is English.

The Special Features included:

• Commentary by director Thomas Carter.
• The Making of Save the Last Dance.
• The Writer's Story
• In Step: The Choreographer ' Story.
• What it takes
• Save the Last Dance - A Retrospective
• Music Video -"Crazy" by K-Ci & JoJo
• 2 Deleted scenes.
• Sneak Peek at Save the Last Dance 2
• Save the Last Dance 2 Trailer

On the Original First DVD release, Special Features:

• Commentary by: director Thomas Carter
• The making of Save The Last Dance
• Crazy from K-Ci & JO JO music video
• Deleted scenes

Comparing the Special Features , it would seem that the Collectors Edition has around four new Features with the Save the Last Dance 2 behind the scenes. Those four Features really don't add to the features at all they just in my mind show the same thing over and over so the features get very repetitive, because the Director/Writer/ or the Producer talks about the exact same thing for about ten to five minutes.

I don't think this is something tat you should go and get right away, I think if you really want this movie till it gets extremely cheap and then maybe you should buy it. In till then though I suggest that this film is a rent or not even buy.

DVD: Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift

Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, or just to put it easier Fast and the Furious 3. The Fast and the Furious trilogy was made in the beginning of 2001 with Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. I would say that this film really pushed up the popularity of street racing. With the popularity came those fellow who decided to fight against it and since most people really have to blame at least one thing with a death, many choose Fast and the Furious to be connected with many Car crashes.

from all that I thought that the first one was 'ok' and the second one 2 Fast 2 Furious I really didn't care for.

My first opinion when I sat down to watch this one I started to wonder "since when did that kid 'Buddy' from Married With Children start to act in movies, and have a southern accent." Overall the movie seemed to be good, I liked some of the actors, could care real less about Bow Wows character 'Twinkie' but besides that everyone else did a good job.

The Story aspect of it all was fine, I really like Drifting that that drag much like the first two one. I think Drifting is a really unique sport, I know we have a some what large gathering in America but Japan is where the great Drifting is. Though the story did seem much like the old story from the first Fast and Furious just now only with brand new characters and instead of Drag its drifting, I thought the drift brought a great feel to the film.

The Drifting scenes is what I think are the main selling point in the film. There are some amazing shots in this film that just look great with the amazing looking cars to the cars turning sideways and smoking coming out of the back tires. The film greatly portrays the Drifting scene very good.

If you like the first one or the second film you will most likely want to see this one, Or if you just go and have a good time I think you would enjoy this one also.

DVD

Specs:

Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift come presented in both Fillscreen and Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1). With English, Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound Audio. Also English, Spanish and French Subtitles. The film running time is 1 Hour and 45 minutes. Fast and the Furious is rated PG-13 by the MSRP.

The Special Features include:

• Deleted Scenes
• Tricked Out to Drift - Find out how the filmmakers customized over 230 cars for stunts, crashes and pure adrenaline.
• The Japanese Way - Go on location with the cast and crew to high-intensity Tokyo
• Feature Commentary with director Justin Lin
• Drifting School.
• Cast Cam.
• The Big Breakdown.
• The Real Drift King.
• Don Omar "Conteo" Music Video.

The DVD Features of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, are great it as documentaries from when they where making it and also they showed from the beginning all the actors start to have some Drifting lessons which was cool to watch. The Deleted scenes where ok I liked how they all had Directors commentary, because most DVD don't have that commentary for the Deleted Scenes. They also show the man who really started the sport of Drifting Keiichi 'The Drift King' Tsuchiya and how he helped in the film on some of the scenes.

The DVD aspect was great its what you always would want in a DVD bonus Features section.

If you like the first one or the second film you will most likely want to put this one in our DVD Library. Or if you like cars, action this will most be a watch for you. That's a very bad thing because this really fits a certain group of people. My advice is that maybe this could be a Rent and if you liked it then you could Buy.

DVD: 'Whose Line Is It Anyway? Season 1 Volume 1' (TV)

Back in 1998 a show came on to the air and it was call Whose Line is it Anyway?. Hosted by Drew Carey, with the regular cast members: Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrine, and Wayne Brady also owith the other guest who switch off the spots on every episode, Greg Proops, Brad Sherwood, Denny Siegel, Kathy Kinney and Karen Maruyama. With also the great music by Laura Hall.

Whose Line started during the middle of the the Drew Carey Shows, which in my opinion is a great show that ended in 2004. Whose Line is it Anyway?, has a great set of some of the best improv comedians alive today, when Drew Carey started off a a comedian, he did the Late show with Johnny Carson. Ryan Stiles come to this show also from the Drew Carey Show, he plays Drew's Friend Lewis Kiniski, Ryan. Colin Machrine and also Ryan Stiles have also stared in the UK version of Whose Line is it Anyway. Wayne Brady who I think many know from his hilarious skit on the Chappelle Show, came in to comedy as a stand up comedian and preformed at the SAC Comedy Club in Florida, before he joined the cast of Whose Line is it Anyway.

While Whose Line is it Anyway? is not on T.V anymore. Though I know the cast switched with the exception of Drew Carey, Colin Machrine, and Wayne Brady. The rest of the original Cast goes around the country and preform The Whose Line is it Anyway? tour. A couple of months ago I was lucky to get tickets to go see it, but Due to a mix up we where forced to sit in the very back of the theater complex but we got our money back. The show though was still true to the T.V Show and it was hilarious.

Overall if you've seen the show then you know that this show can make anyone laugh. Also Whose Line is it Anyway? was the most requested TV show to be put on DVD so this will most likely be a very big seller, with most places who are selling the DVD. With some of the greatest comedic and great scenarios and skits such as The Whose Line is it Anyway? most popular skit the Hoe-Down which is always a great toe tapper, and my person favorites "Greatest Hits". I very glad that this show came on DVD this is a defiantly a buy, its a must for any Library.

DVD

Whose Line is it Anyway? is presented in Standard Version that is presented in a format preserving the aspect ratio of its original television exhibition. The DVD is also presented in Dolby Digital English Surround Sound, with Spanish and French Subtitles on the Episodes only. Its in color and is 110 minutes long.

Warning: Special Features of this DVD contains mature themes and vulgar and sexually explicit language that may not be suitable for viewing by children under 17. Viewer and parental discretion are strongly advised.

The Special Features are Hilariously adult and out-there bonuses are:

• Never before seen Out-takes (aka Deleted Scenes)
• Gag Reels.

The DVD Special Features sections really don't look that amazing but , as like the old saying goes: 'Don't judge a book by it cover." The extras really that that to heart. The extras on the DVD has some of the Skits that were never seen except if you've been in the studio when they were shooting the scene. On the Gag Reel I was laughing the whole time on both Gag Reels both one and two. I think theses where a great set of extras which just add greatness to the DVD overall the extras just add even more reason why you should get the DVD.

DVD: Stick it

From the writer of Bring it on, come the hilarious Stick, a story about the side of Gymnastics, or what the cover of the DVD says, Gym-nice-tics. I really liked Bring It On, the first one, I thought it was very original at the time of its release, it was very funny and i thought it had some good actors and actress who played the parts. Stick it was what I thought a great film all together. It had be laughing, most of the humor would be understood to the younger crowd much of what Stick It is aged towards, A Teenage Based. Don't get me wrong I think many others would like this film, its quirky, fun, and very entertaining.

Stick It is a story about Gymnastic and a journey of a young lady named Haley Graham( Missy Peregrym) who enters the world of gymnastics, as she meets those who really aren't fond of her for example Joanne Charis(Vanessa Lengies), and her really stricked coach Burt Vickerman( Jeff Bridges). Together Haley and her teammate show the world of Gymnastics who is the boss as they conquer the competition.

Most of the Actors or Actress are relatively new to the big screen, except the Jeff Bridges who is the most in my opinion a very underrated acting in movie today. A couple of the actresses who play aside the main character are brand new to the screen except for Vanessa Lengies who you might know from Waiting as she plays, Natasha, in the movie with Ryan Renolds. I must say she was one of my favorite character in this movie on how she really wasn't that smart and she would make idiotic come backs for example when she thought a G.E.D. had to do with Drunk Driving, I was laughing pretty hard. Overall I thought the acting in the film was quite good, everyone did a great job.

The story aspect of Stick was to me very original mostly because its not like most of the films out either on DVD or in the theaters now and later. Mostly because most of the films that come out now are stuck in being much like the other one before that. Like when I going to a movie I want to see something where I can't say what the ending is because its like all other type of films that are still in the theaters today. Stick It is all I can say is a very Original story, the Dialogue was good, the actors did a good job, the direction was great what else could you want in a film. Not that much.

The film is an entertaining, fun film I don't have really anything bad to say about this one the story really explained everything quite good the characters were widely developed, what else could you ask for. Stick It is a great family film. I think this one is a defiantly watch.

DVD

Stick It:

Stick It has a makings of a great DVD packed with tons of Bonus Features from Documentaries, to Music Videos. Anything that you could what. Does it have what it takes?

Specs.
Stick It DVD comes in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround Sound, French and Spanish subtitles as well French and Spanish language tracks, with the original English tack. The DVD is prorated in 1.85:1 Widesceen format and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions.

The bonus features for the DVD included:

• "Buttaharas" Outrageous Bloopers and Outtakes
• "Skinny Fat" Hilarious Deleted Scenes with two optional commentaries
• Missy Elliot's Music Video "We Run This"
• Jeannie Ortaga featuring Papoose Music Video "Crowded"
• "Hard Corps" Featurettes - the real gymnasts who were stunt double for Stick It
• "The Elites" - Full gymnastics routines performed by some of the worlds best, with optional commentary
• "The Judges' Table" - Uneven bar routines in slow motion with optional commentary
• "Read My Mind" Multiple commentaries -Director, and actors; or Director and filmmakers.

This DVD is fully pack with extras, from Bloopers to great commentaries this is what should be a table for other DVDs to follow by for what they should but a DVD with. With the movie that is awesome from beginning to end, now added with some great bonus features this is truly one that should be in everyone's DVD library.

MOVIE: Jet Li's Fearless

Fearless is Jet Li last martial Arts Epic, and boy did he go out on a great note. Just like Hero, which came out in 2005, the look and feel is basically the same. Fearless is a story about a man who would note let his nation be the laughing stock of the would, while the nations from the west came into China and was destroying all the fighters that were there at the time and his journey to show his people can fight too.

Right off at the bat Fearless wastes no time at bring the action to the audience, With mere seconds you are engulfed into a brawls which is very nicely put together, As a matter of fact all the fights were really well done, well done Yuen Wo-Ping, who is if you done know one of the greatest Choreographer anyone as ever seen in the movies. His credits range from: Unleashed, Kung Fu Hustle, All three Matrix's, Revolution, and Reloaded, to Kill Bill Vols. 1 and 2.

Jet Li play a man named Huo Yuanjia, who is the son of one of the great fighter in China, match after match Huo gets himself such a large following that he his know throughout the lands of Tianjin. As his popularity expands and grows so does Huo head, which later lands him in a self discovery on who he was and as he develops he create a Federation to stand up against these people from the west.

Jet Li is a great actor, but he also isn't the only great actor that is in this film there is Collin Chou, who for the most part played Seraph in Matrix's Revolutions and Reload, in those two film he had a great fight scene with Neos character. There is also Masato Harada who is a actor who played in the Last Samurai with Tom Cruse, He is also a wonderful Writer and Directer I will recommend any of his film.

Fearless is a great film overall but I do know there are many people who don't like the Subtitle part, most likely on the DVD release in America it will come with a English Audio Track inside with the original language. Even if you don't like to read Subtitles while you are watching a film I would still recommend this film to you, basically because of the action is so amazing that you'll know exactly whats happening by both the fighting styles and the actors emotion in each scene.

MOVIE: The Covenant

From the writers of the story about the battle between Vampires and Werewolves aka 'Lycans', Underworld, Covenant takes the story of Witches from the witch hunting days, and how that effects a group of relatives of the witches that were hunted.

As I watched the preview of the Covenant one time on the T.V. I was very intrigued with the action I thought it was going to be very interesting movie to watch. Boy could I be any more wrong, First off I really don't know the Witch back ground but I don't think John Putnam was a witch, I don't know maybe someone can give me some incite on this but I thought he was on accused of being a witch but never was proved in the trails, and John Putnam was a main story object that moved the story along.

Another thing I was not impressed in was that the story line was very confusing. Much like Underworld going into the film you have to know a lot about Werewolves and Vampires like what kills them/what can hurt them, but in this case you must know a lot about the Witch history from the Colonial settlements area, like Boston, Virgina around there. So like with some one like me during the film I was wondering what the hell was going on, or why were they doing this.

The fight Scenes, I was was laughing at and mad, First let me get this off my chest. If anyone knows what the men witches were throwing at each other, please tell me. Most film I would like to know what exactly was I looking at it seemed like Star Warsy like they way they could move objects and so forth. Back to my first part. The 'thing' they were throwing at was it a ball of energy, or was it their power, or what. I could have put a small description of what they were in the film.

Enough of the bad thing I can go on and on, I did think the visuals were great, I thought it was awesome when the car of the Main Character broke into a million pieces and came back together, or the hundreds of tiny killer spiders. Those were a great thing in this movie basically the only good thing.

The Acting on the other hand, was for me bad. I really don't know most of he actors or actresses from and big thing but, The bad and good guys for me just over acted, They brought too much of the same facial expressions every time they talked which good get real repetitive and ignoring.

I went to see this with a Friend, and most of the time we disagree on most films and have different view on the movie but this one we both had the same reviews of the picture, we thought it wasn't a picture we should have wasted money on, because there are some great film that are out in the theater that are much better like Little Miss Sunshine.

MOVIE: The Protector

For those who don't know Tony Jaa, he stared in the action packed Ong-Bak The Thai Warrior, which in my mind is a very a underrated film in 2003. To show no surprirse The Protector (Tom yum goong) is a story about a man who goes to Australia looking to find his elephant which was stolen, on the way he finds out the one who took his elephant is a mob, So he fights his way to get him back.

To many people if you told them about this story line they would just laugh and most likely not go and see it. There's much more that meets the eye. The film is about the passion a man can have for something and tries to honor that by doing the right thin, and in this case to get his elephant back.

The acting, is one thing that I must say brings down the film. Tony Jaa does an ok job. Though most of the supporting actors and actress, I really don't know it could have been my theater I was at, the sound and voice acting was not matching the mouths movement. I would say oh that is just dubbing, but then The Father of Tony Jaa character and Tony Jaa was talking in Thai so that's what I really disliked. Another thing that could have been my theater too was The presentation was not good at all the picture was at time not that clear which makes the experience not all that good.

Action is an amazing thing that this movie brings. Tony Jaa can kick some serious a** . The action at mind was very entertaining, I as many of the others in the theater laugh, cheered, ohh and awed and everything that was happening second by second. This is truly what makes is film good. This is showing Tony Jaa at his best.

If there is one Action film you intend to see this year this is the one to go and see. Its a great bone crushing action packed film that gives even a casual movie goer a great time at the movies.

DVD: United 93

As almost five years since the horrific day of September 11, 2001. I can go on and on about all the information, recordings, what or what not the government had known pre-9/11. But this film is not about that the film is about the brave men and woman who were on the United Airlines fight number 93. Many other might not now when the right time to even talk about that day. The one thin I admire is that everyone who was thinking about doing this film, talk with all the family member and made sure that they felt that it was ok for this story to be told.

The story of this film starts off from the early morning of September 11 up till plane United 93 Crash in Pennsylvania later that same day. As a person just watching a film I was very enticed scene to scene. I like the scenes of when in the control room trying to find out what is happening, and the military trying to stop who was attacking America. The scenes in the plane where the Courageous people on the plane and you feel what it was like for most of the people on the plane. That to me was very emotion. At times I wanted to cheer for the brave passengers who fought back, it really shows who our idol's should be and I really look up to them for that. I hope for those who watch this great film I hope you do also.

Many will say why would some one made a film that shows one of the worst days of American history, this film doesn't show that it shows a group of people be come United. If you ever get a film (DVD) this is the one to own I am very much proud to have this in my collection. So I'll never forget the brave passengers.

DVD

For this one I really just have to say that I'm not going to rate the DVD portion of this film. I will say I loved the family's and the Film Documentary about he real ones on the plan That I think everyone should watch.