Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Into The Wild Green Yonder is the fourth and final installment in the series of direct-to-video Futurama movies, all of which are scheduled to be cut up into quarters and be broadcast as a "fifth season" on TV. While it's a decent enough episode in its own right and provides an poignant conclusion to the series, it demonstrates the difficulties (not insurmountable, but significant) in adapting Futurama's blend of witty satire, sci-fi action and character development to a feature film.
The first quarter of the movie shows our heroes enjoying a vacation in the New Mars Vegas, recently developed by Amy Wong's wealthy parents. The whole chapter is lighthearted, enjoyable and plants two seeds of the main plot -- Fry gets injured in an accident and gains telepathic powers, while Leela becomes upset at the extent to which the construction is destroying the environment. From here, the main story arcs develop: Leela joins an eco-feminist collective devoted to saving a violet dwarf star and planet and becomes a fugitive; Fry joins a secret society and learns that that the violet dwarf system is a key element in a cosmic struggle for the fate of all biological life in the universe; Bender teams up with Zapp Brannigan and initiates a crucial plot twist. The final scenes tie up a long-running thread in the Futurama saga and provide a touching (yet not excessively sentimental) conclusion to the Futurama series while leaving open the possibility of future adventures.
The massive, epic nature of the movie (a consequence of the feature-length format, as well as the writers' desire to go out with a bang) is responsible both for the strengths and the weaknesses of the episode. On the one hand, the characterization throughout the movie is very strong. Placed in stressful, completely unfamiliar circumstances, our heroes act in ways that are true to themselves for the most part without being overly predictable or coming off as caricatures of themselves. The artistry is impressive as well -- many of the shots of outer space are breathtaking, the opening Sinatra-themed number is a hit, and alert viewers will recognize the return of some of the moving musical themes from a previous movie. The writers and creative staff manage to take an epic adventure and make it connect with the viewer on a personal level.
On the other hand, the sci-fi content of the movie is sloppy and heavy-handed, with little of the nuance and subtlety of Futurama's previous ecologically-minded episodes. In addition, the satirical wit and goofiness that is the hallmark of the Futurama franchise gradually peters out about halfway through the movie -- the jokes don't disappear as such, but most of them are exhausted running jibes, while the genuinely clever lines and gags are unable to lighten the mood of the episode, making portions of the film feel tense and grim. It's clear that Futurama can become imbalanced when forced to adapt to the more massive, slower-developing story arcs of a feature-length film.
While this movie is certainly a mandatory purchase for devoted Futurama fans, who will appreciate the positive elements of this movie and be willing to leave the rest behind, novices are advised to start with the original series (or perhaps Bender's Big Score) before delving into the rest of the movies. As for the future of Futurama, the writers still seem to be capable of producing fresh ideas, and the events of Into The Wild Green Yonder leave several issues open as fodder for future releases (Twentieth Century Fox has just confirmed that Comedy Central has ordered 26 new episodes, to begin airing in 2010). Despite the unevenness of the movies, there's plenty of reason for optimism.

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Cruel Intentions 2 (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)Now, I liked the first CRUEL INTENTIONS starring Sarah Michelle Gellar (it was entertaining in a sick, twisted kind of way, and the production values were great), but I didn't even know they made a sequel until I saw this on cable! Well, after watching it, now I know why I've heard nothing about it. This was apparently supposed to be a television series called "Manchester Prep", but it's clear why it was rejected -- the subject matter is just too risque. There's more gratuitous nudity and sexual innuendo in Cruel Intentions 2 than in the original film.
This movie stunk worse than a New York subway car in August without any air conditioning. You thought the lesbian kiss scene in the first movie was a little over the top? Man, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Cruel Intentions 2 is really nothing but a soft-porn B-movie. The first movie was a "modern retelling" of the "classic" story Dangerous Liaisons. Cruel Intentions 2 is a "prequel" that leaves almost no taboo unexplored. Since this is a "family" site, I will not go into any graphic detail here. Suffice it to say that virgin eyes should not behold what transpires in this movie (Scenes like an innocent freshman girl getting aroused while learning to ride a horse, twins in a shower, Valmont's stepmother giving him a massage...you get the idea).
Anyway, consider this a public service announcement: beware if you turn on your tv and are flipping through the cable channels and you come across a little movie called CRUEL INTENTIONS 2. Or if you see this on your videostore shelf. Or if you were thinking of buying this film. The production values and the acting and the story are nowhere near as good as the original. You might find some of the nudity and erotic content enjoyable if you're looking for that sort of thing... ...You have been warned.

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The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Lizzie McGuire Movie picks up where the Hit Disney Channel Original TV Series left off. Hilary Duff is back as Lizzie, a gorgeous and good hearted, but totally insecure teenage girl, preparing to leave Jr. High and move on to bigger and better things. The movie focuses on a very special graduation trip that Lizzie and some of her classmates take that summer, to Rome, Italy. Hoping this will be her chance to find adventure instead of bad luck for a change, Lizzie and her best friend Gordo vow to take chances and have fun, and forget about the embarrassing social order of school and home. Once in Rome, Lizzie's friend-turned-enemy, Kate, mopes about being ignored by the Italian boys, meanwhile, Lizzie's old crush Ethan scopes the chicks, and Gordo repeatedly catches himself scoping Lizzie. But Lizzie is entranced by an Italian pop-star she's just met, Paolo, who's amazed at the likeness Lizzie shares with his former singing partner, the dark-haired beauty Isabella. Paolo begs Lizzie to perform on stage with him at a major awards show in the guise of the vacationing Isabella, and, remembering her vow to have an adventure, Lizzie agrees to go through with it. Time passes as Lizzie is being prepped for the fraud, and as it does, she finds herself growing closer to Paolo and discovering assertive qualities she didn't know she had. But as Paolo's scheme is rising to fruition, Gordo is having a heck of a time keeping Lizzie's adventures secret from the group of American travelers and their vicious chaperone/tour guide. Back home, Lizzie's little brother Matt, under the evil influence of his friend Melina, is working on another plan to ruin his sister's reputation, this time requiring himself and his parents to travel to Rome as well. When the day of Lizzie's big performance finally arrives, so does Lizzie's family, not to mention the mysterious pop-star Isabella! It's anybody's guess how the big show will turn out, not to mention who will get the girls in the end!
The Lizzie McGuire Movie was a wonderful surprise, even for this loyal Hilary lover and long-time fan of the series. From the super cute and perfect opening scene, to the fan and crowd pleasing feel-good ending, this was a perfect movie for such a great hit TV show. I must admit, it WAS pretty weird to see all the Lizzie McGuire characters on the big screen, but it was very cool once I got used to it. The graduation scene bothered me a bit, because they felt they had to give an explanation for every major character, making statements the TV show fans already knew, like how Kate used to be Lizzie's best friend until she became popular, etc..., but that was the only thing in the whole movie that bugged me. It wouldn't even have been that bad, if not for the way they did it, rushing from one character to another like, "we need to get these character explanations out of the way," mentioning how Lizzie's other best friend, Miranda, was away in Mexico and things like that. But like I said, that was the only part that bugged me in an otherwise incredibly great movie! As a long-time fan of the show, a couple of parts nearly made me cry, though I'm sure sometimes it was just the result of seeing my dreamgirl, Hilary Duff, up there looking incredible and doing the best acting I've ever seen her do! The part where she gets on stage and does her thing, I was really getting choked up, because after coming to know the character the way we have from the TV series, it was amazing to see the things Lizzie was doing in this movie as she finally found her confidence! I should also say that Hilary has really improved as a singer, actress, and in everything else she does! She even did a great job as Isabella, the Italian pop-star! There were only a couple of times where she lost the accent a bit. But every girl should be able to look that good with both blonde AND brown hair! Ha. I wonder how Hilary would look as a redhead? I can't say enough good things about this movie! I just can't wait till it comes out on DVD. My eyes are even a little teary right now. Oh, what I would have given to have traded places with Gordo in that movie!

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Join America's sweetheart, Lizzie McGuire, on the trip of a lifetime in the theatrical hit THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE, starring teen sensation Hilary Duff (AGENT CODY BANKS). Goodbye, home! Hello, Rome! Lizzie, along with classmates Gordo, Kate, and Ethan, is celebrating with a graduation trip to Italy to experience la dolce vita -- and some awesome pizza! In a whirlwind of comic events, Lizzie is mistaken for Italy's biggest pop diva, Isabella, and falls for Paolo, Isabella's handsome singing partner. Transformed from awkward teen into international pop star, Lizzie now has the choice of a lifetime. Will becoming Italy's next singing sensation also mean leaving her family and close friends behind? It's up to Lizzie to embrace newfound courage and do things she never thought possible. Find out what dreams are made of in THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE.

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Ben 10 - Season 4 (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)We find out in Season 4 that there are alot of alien races out there that are fighting one another for control of the galaxy. As we all know, there is one 10 year old kid that ain't going to let that happen and that is Ben Tennyson. Season Four opens up with Ben living out a perfect day, perhaps too perfect-I'm afraid- as he soon discovers and things escalate from there. While most of the episodes walk a familiar ground, the plot thickens more as you soon discover before the Season is over. Team Tennyson may be no more. As for extras, we are given three alternate versions of the Ben 10 Secret of the Omnitrix movie. While each version has minor changes(different heroes used to combat the enemy, a pop up trivia version for fans, etc), they are still worth watching. I'm glad Cartoon Network included this movie with Season Four(it makes one less thing I have to buy in order to have the complete Ben 10 Collection). Other than that, nothing much to speak of.
While I'm older than the audience this series was created for, I can honestly say that it appeals to me too. See, Ben is living every kid's dream of being a hero and I think that is what appeals to fans of the show, including me. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a real hero?? Besides, the cartoon is fun with lots of twists and turns in the storyline. With all the aliens that Ben turns into and the things that he faces, that makes for alot of episode possibilites.
If you're into Ben 10 Alien Force, you owe it to yourself to pick up the series that started it all: Ben 10. I'll admit, I wasn't much of a fan til I saw the new show. The series is definitely worth picking up.
Now, it is time for me to pick up Volume One of Ben 10 Alien Force.

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Ben Tennyson was just an average 10-year-old kid – until he discovered a strange alien watch in a crashed meteorite. Called the Omnitrix, this watch gives Ben the ability to transform into any of 10 alien heroes, all the while keeping his 10-year-old personality.

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Terror in the Family (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this movie purely because of the actresses who participated in it. Normally, Hillary Swank and Joanna Kerns are a part of some really good movies. I was very disappointed in this one though. I expected more than what the movie gave.


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Homeless to Harvard - The Liz Murray Story (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)I saw this one when it first came out (on Lifetime) and am delighted it is finally available on video/Dvd. Thora Birch does an exceptional job playing a girl whose family life is chaotic (her mother is a drug addict, her father is mentally ill).
She's the butt of jokes at school because she has had no training in normal social behanvior and her home is so cluttered and messy that finding clean clothes to wear is a major challenge.
Somehow she manages to rise above her circumstances, beating the odds and going to Harvard. Credit the filmmakers for being honest and staying away from saccharine solutions. THis is a gritty but riveting film. A must-have in my colletion..should be in yours.

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Liz Murray was raised in poverty by drug-addicted parents. Though they loved her, they were unable to care for her and Liz ended up living on the streets by the age of 15. Profoundly affected by her mother's AIDS-related death, Liz forced herself to look at her future and make some significant changes. Her prospects were dismal, yet she turned her life around by going back to high school. After earning her diploma in just two years, while still homeless, Liz won a New York Times scholarship for needy students, which enabled her to attend Harvard University. DVD Features:Interviews:Interview with the real Liz MurrayOther:Inspirational message from Liz Murray

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The Martha Stewart Holiday Collection - Martha's Classic Thanksgiving (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)This Martha Stewart * CLASSIC THANKSGIVING DVD is just great, it is like having someone right there in the kitchen with you, so easy to follow it has Turkey ideas, decorating, crafts,desserts and more .I would recommend this dvd if you just love Thanksgiving ,the holidays and cooking.

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Let Martha Stewart make your Thanksgiving the most special one yet. This DVD covers the traditional Thanksgiving basics plus offers more ideas for those interested in trying something new. Includes turkey, stuffing, side dish and dessert recipes, centerpiece, table setting and decorating ideas and Thanksgiving crafts for kids. DVD Features:DVD ROM Features:Printable recipes and how-to instructions Raffia Cornucopia Thanksgiving Planner 6 Gravy Tips Turkey Trivia Place Card Thanksgiving Clip-Art Place Cards Other:Bonus video: How to Carve a Turkey Classic Turkey Platter Presentation Cranberry Bog Field Trip 10 Helpful How-To Demonstrations

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