Collection ID 314
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Starring: Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davidtz, James Gandolfini
Genre: Horror
Studio: Turner Pictures (I)   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, German, Spanish (USA)
Summary: Homicide detective John Hobbes witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese's style.
My Rating:
My Review: Excellent movie. Screenplay by Nicholas Kazan and directed by Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear). The casting was great: Denzel Washington plays Det. John Hobbes. John Goodman plays Jonesy, Hobbes' partner, Donald Sutherland plays their boss. This group of Philadeplhia homicide detectives do battle with a supernatural killer who can't be killed. The movie starts when a killer (Edgar Reese, played by Elias Koteas). We're immediately informed that this man is no ordinary killer. He can move by spirit from body to body. As the 'copycat' murders start to pile up, suspicion begins to shift to those intimately familiar with the case. While the cops are spinning their wheels, an increasingly supernatural mystery is revealed. It's a very compelling story, filled with plenty of good dialog and fair acting (balanced to the cast). The best acting (in my opinion) actually comes from John Goodman who provides a surprisingly even and understated performance. Narration throughout the movie provides vital hints and necessary exposition to some. The movie is a bit complicated but not very difficult to follow. More horror than violence. More mystery than drama. Excellent use of music in the plot. The premise is quite good, but the twists are just a bit too easy to spot. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 1017
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Starring: Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davidtz, James Gandolfini
Genre: Horror
Studio: Turner Pictures (I)   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, German, Spanish (USA)
Summary: Homicide detective John Hobbes witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese's style.
My Rating:
My Review: Excellent movie. Screenplay by Nicholas Kazan and directed by Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear). The casting was great: Denzel Washington plays Det. John Hobbes. John Goodman plays Jonesy, Hobbes' partner, Donald Sutherland plays their boss. This group of Philadeplhia homicide detectives do battle with a supernatural killer who can't be killed. The movie starts when a killer (Edgar Reese, played by Elias Koteas). We're immediately informed that this man is no ordinary killer. He can move by spirit from body to body. As the 'copycat' murders start to pile up, suspicion begins to shift to those intimately familiar with the case. While the cops are spinning their wheels, an increasingly supernatural mystery is revealed. It's a very compelling story, filled with plenty of good dialog and fair acting (balanced to the cast). The best acting (in my opinion) actually comes from John Goodman who provides a surprisingly even and understated performance. Narration throughout the movie provides vital hints and necessary exposition to some. The movie is a bit complicated but not very difficult to follow. More horror than violence. More mystery than drama. Excellent use of music in the plot. The premise is quite good, but the twists are just a bit too easy to spot. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 625
Director: Louise Archambault
Starring: Sylvie Moreau, Macha Grenon
Genre: Drama
Studio: Albares Production   Release date: 1999   Rated:   
Language (Country): English, Spanish, French (USA)
Summary: In a wacky Rhode Island town, a dysfunctional family strive to cope with everyday life as they are thrown from one crazy scenario to another.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 1324
Director: Louise Archambault
Starring: Sylvie Moreau, Macha Grenon
Genre: Drama
Studio: Albares Production   Release date: 1999   Rated:   
Language (Country): English, Spanish, French (USA)
Summary: In a wacky Rhode Island town, a dysfunctional family strive to cope with everyday life as they are thrown from one crazy scenario to another.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 155
Director: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong
Starring: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor, Hugh Douglas, Julietta Novis
Genre: Family
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures   Release date: 1940   Rated: G   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: A collection of animated interpretations of great works of classical music.
My Rating:
My Review: Fantasia - 1940 (Animation, Family, Fantasy, Musical) Disney’s best movie ever. This animated classic won two special Honorary Oscars in 1942, and its won numerous other awards. The film features eight animated segments set to classical music (Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski). Each segment is introduced by Deems Taylor (Music critic and composer). Filmed in ‘Technicolor’, the film was visually stunning and audibly amazing. The soundtrack used a new multi-track technique to mix multiple channels of audio - The first commercial production of Stereo sound. ‘Fantasound’ led to the development of ‘Surround Sound’. The film also features the voice of Walt Disney himself as Mickey Mouse in ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ segment. Watching this movie as a child inspires creativity and imbues one with a sense of awe and imagination. Watching it many years later as an adult, its effect is the same. The dancing characters, the wondrous music, the brilliant technical achievements, they all shine as brightly as the day the film was first released back in 1940. If you think you’re too old for cartoons, its been too long since you’ve seen Fantasia. The only thing lacking in this movie is a plot. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 929
Director: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong
Starring: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor, Hugh Douglas, Julietta Novis
Genre: Family
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures   Release date: 1940   Rated: G   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: A collection of animated interpretations of great works of classical music.
My Rating:
My Review: Fantasia - 1940 (Animation, Family, Fantasy, Musical) Disney’s best movie ever. This animated classic won two special Honorary Oscars in 1942, and its won numerous other awards. The film features eight animated segments set to classical music (Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski). Each segment is introduced by Deems Taylor (Music critic and composer). Filmed in ‘Technicolor’, the film was visually stunning and audibly amazing. The soundtrack used a new multi-track technique to mix multiple channels of audio - The first commercial production of Stereo sound. ‘Fantasound’ led to the development of ‘Surround Sound’. The film also features the voice of Walt Disney himself as Mickey Mouse in ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ segment. Watching this movie as a child inspires creativity and imbues one with a sense of awe and imagination. Watching it many years later as an adult, its effect is the same. The dancing characters, the wondrous music, the brilliant technical achievements, they all shine as brightly as the day the film was first released back in 1940. If you think you’re too old for cartoons, its been too long since you’ve seen Fantasia. The only thing lacking in this movie is a plot. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 1628
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wallace Wolodarsky
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Family
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox   Release date: 2009   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: This is the story of Mr. Fox and his wild-ways of hen heckling, turkey taking and cider sipping, nocturnal, instinctive adventures. He has to put his wild days behind him and do what fathers do best: be responsible. He is too rebellious. He is too wild. He is going to try "just one more raid" on the three nastiest, meanest farmers that are Boggis, Bunce and Bean. It is a tale of crossing the line of family responsibilities and midnight adventure and the friendships and awakenings of this country life that is inhabited by Fantastic Mr. Fox and his friends.
My Rating:
My Review: Screen play by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach. This movie is an adaptation of a novel by Roald Dahl. It's a whimsical, wonderful, fantasy. The adventures of one Fantastic Mr. Fox. Mr. Fox is having trouble facing the realities of raising a family. He needs to provide for his family, and he has to stay safe doing so, but he misses the adventurous days of his youth. Mr. Fox surreptitiously, then openly, engages in risky activities in a vain attempt to recapture that lost youth. When risks run a bit too high, and family members are endangered, Mr. Fox does his best to redeem himself, set things right, and repair the seriously tarnished trust of his family unit. A fine morality play discussed in animated animal costumes. The writing was amazing, balancing serious issues with a comedic execution and humorous characters. The animation was a joy to watch, and Anderson's film technique was clearly evident in the editing. The voice talent (George Clooney, Bill Murray, Jason Swartzman) was exceptional, the sound production so finely tuned that one might easily watch and comprehend this movie without any video. While the story had plenty of depth, the simplicity of it's execution keeps it light enough to be fine entertainment.

Collection ID 401
Director: Joel Coen
Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Harve Presnell, Peter Stormare
Genre: Crime
Studio: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment   Release date: 1996   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (UK)
Summary: Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of pregnant Marge Gunderson.
My Rating:
My Review: Fargo - 1996 (Crime, drama, thriller) Written and directed by the Coen brothers (Joel & Ethan), starring a brilliant cast: William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Steve Reevis, Frances McDormand and many others. I like most of the Coen Brother’s work (a big exception is ‘No Country for Old Men’) and this movie is a perfect example of why I like their movies. Detail oriented - in the writing and execution, perfectly paced and carefully edited. The camera work is outstanding and the acting superb. The movie is a crime story that takes place in the middle of a Minnesota winter. Jerry Lundegaard is no ‘Crime boss’, but his financial problems and an overwhelming need to keep things domestic lead him to some very poor decisions. As his problems spiral out of control, he concocts a kidnap scheme, hires some out-of-towners and loses control of everything he so carefully planned. On the trail of all these crimes is the unassuming sheriff from Brainerd. Her tenacious nature proves to be more than these pros can handle. The movie is slow moving, but perfectly paced, with a perfectly matched sound track and camera work. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, you’re missing a fantastic example of cinematic Americana. The ‘woodchopper scene’ alone is worth the price of admission. I give this movie a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1121
Director: Joel Coen
Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Harve Presnell, Peter Stormare
Genre: Crime
Studio: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment   Release date: 1996   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (UK)
Summary: Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of pregnant Marge Gunderson.
My Rating:
My Review: Fargo - 1996 (Crime, drama, thriller) Written and directed by the Coen brothers (Joel & Ethan), starring a brilliant cast: William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Steve Reevis, Frances McDormand and many others. I like most of the Coen Brother’s work (a big exception is ‘No Country for Old Men’) and this movie is a perfect example of why I like their movies. Detail oriented - in the writing and execution, perfectly paced and carefully edited. The camera work is outstanding and the acting superb. The movie is a crime story that takes place in the middle of a Minnesota winter. Jerry Lundegaard is no ‘Crime boss’, but his financial problems and an overwhelming need to keep things domestic lead him to some very poor decisions. As his problems spiral out of control, he concocts a kidnap scheme, hires some out-of-towners and loses control of everything he so carefully planned. On the trail of all these crimes is the unassuming sheriff from Brainerd. Her tenacious nature proves to be more than these pros can handle. The movie is slow moving, but perfectly paced, with a perfectly matched sound track and camera work. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, you’re missing a fantastic example of cinematic Americana. The ‘woodchopper scene’ alone is worth the price of admission. I give this movie a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 234
Director: Rob Cohen
Starring: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Rick Yune
Genre: Thriller
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 2001   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Undercover cops infiltrate Los Angeles street racers to bust a hijacking ring.
My Rating:
My Review: A summer block-buster done right. Hot cars, hot women and chiseled dudes. This movie is more about style than substance, but it sure succeeds in that regard. Creating a genre and a franchise that lives on (work on FF6 is underway for a 2013 release). The story? Paul Walker plays Brian O'Connor, an undercover cop posing as a gear-head with a job at the local parts shop. Vin Diesel plays Domenic 'Dom' Toretto, leader of a local group of street racers. O'Connor is on the trail of a group of street gang that hijacks semis for high-priced cargo. O'Connor struggles to fit in with the street racers while investigating some leads. The stakes get higher when rival gangs come under suspicion and mix it up with Dom's crew. O'Connor's allegiances are tested when the police pressure him to produce evidence linking Dom's crew to the hijackings. The story is relatively straight forward, and the dialogue is lame, but the action is scorchin' in this adrenaline powered, super sexy, summer block-buster. The acting was o.k. Vin Diesel is a pretty good 'Action Hero' and the supporting cast was well matched in casting. 5 out of 5.