Collection ID 1732
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Edward Asner, Mary Steenburgen
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Studio: New Line Cinema   Release date: 2003   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Buddy was a baby in an orphanage who stowed away in Santa's sack and ended up at the North Pole. Later, as an adult human who happened to be raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs. Hobbs, on Santa's naughty list for being a heartless jerk, had no idea that Buddy was even born. Buddy, meanwhile, experiences the delights of New York City (and human culture) as only an elf can. When Walter's relationship with Buddy interferes with his job, he is forced to reevaluate his priorities.
My Rating:
My Review: A favorite. I can't believe it took me this long to buy a copy. Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Chef, The Lion King). Starring Will Ferrel, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Edward Asner, Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Deschanel, Peter Dinklage and others. Who would have thought? I thought Will Ferrel was pretty much useless as an actor. Despite the fact that this role further type cast him, he did an absolutely fantastic job as the lead character. Very simple plot - Now an adult; Buddy (Played by Will Ferrel) discovers that he's actually a Human (not an Elf!). A human raised by elves. He heads off for the big city. Traveling from the North Pole to New York City, Buddy is looking for his real human father. Very good writing and directing. The laughs were adult enough to make me chuckle, yet they weren't profane or insulting. A great supporting cast. This family appropriate film gets a 5 out of 5. 18 Dec, 2020.

Collection ID 41
Director: John Boorman
Starring: Powers Boothe, Meg Foster, Yara Vaneau, William Rodriguez, Estee Chandler
Genre: Action
Studio: Christel Films   Release date: 1985   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (UK)
Summary: Based on a true story, Powers Boothe plays an American dam engineer in Brazil. Boothe's son (played by Charlie Boorman - son of director John Boorman) is kidnapped by a rain forest tribe, and raised as one of their own. Boothe continues to look for him and after many trials and adventures, stumbles upon him.
My Rating:
My Review: Based upon a true story? Here's an environmentalist movie. A save the rain forest movie. Despite it's bleeding heart liberal themes, it's actually pretty good. The only star of note is Powers Boothe (playing Bill Markham/Dadde), and his acting wasn't all that bad. Aside from the b-cast, there were a lot of nubile young lovelies sans shirts to keep your attention throughout the movie. The story, a big city engineer is employed to build a dam on the Amazon. During a brief outing one day, his young son is abducted by a group of jungle dwelling natives. Over the years, Bill continues to search for his son while work continues on the dam. Eventually, Bill stumbles upon the 'invisible people' and finds his son living an idyllic life among the natives. Unable to tear him away from this paradise, he returns to his skyscrapers and urban squalor. Father and son are reunited again when a tribe of fierce warriors kidnap the women of Tomme's tribe. As Bill does his best to help Tomme and his tribe, mother nature does her part to help protect the fragile ecosystem of the Amazon. Excellent story (writing), direction and locations. The production was top notch, with much attention paid to language, customs and costumes (or lack thereof). I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 189
Director: John Boorman
Starring: Powers Boothe, Meg Foster, Yara Vaneau, William Rodriguez, Estee Chandler
Genre: Action
Studio: Christel Films   Release date: 1985   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (UK)
Summary: Based on a true story, Powers Boothe plays an American dam engineer in Brazil. Boothe's son (played by Charlie Boorman - son of director John Boorman) is kidnapped by a rain forest tribe, and raised as one of their own. Boothe continues to look for him and after many trials and adventures, stumbles upon him.
My Rating:
My Review: Based upon a true story? Here's an environmentalist movie. A save the rain forest movie. Despite it's bleeding heart liberal themes, it's actually pretty good. The only star of note is Powers Boothe (playing Bill Markham/Dadde), and his acting wasn't all that bad. Aside from the b-cast, there were a lot of nubile young lovelies sans shirts to keep your attention throughout the movie. The story, a big city engineer is employed to build a dam on the Amazon. During a brief outing one day, his young son is abducted by a group of jungle dwelling natives. Over the years, Bill continues to search for his son while work continues on the dam. Eventually, Bill stumbles upon the 'invisible people' and finds his son living an idyllic life among the natives. Unable to tear him away from this paradise, he returns to his skyscrapers and urban squalor. Father and son are reunited again when a tribe of fierce warriors kidnap the women of Tomme's tribe. As Bill does his best to help Tomme and his tribe, mother nature does her part to help protect the fragile ecosystem of the Amazon. Excellent story (writing), direction and locations. The production was top notch, with much attention paid to language, customs and costumes (or lack thereof). I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 396
Director: Peter Hyams
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Byrne, Robin Tunney, Kevin Pollak, CCH Pounder
Genre: Horror
Studio: Beacon Communications   Release date: 1999   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: At the end of the century, Satan visits New York in search of a bride. It's up to an ex-cop who now runs an elite security outfit to stop him.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 1031
Director: Peter Hyams
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Byrne, Robin Tunney, Kevin Pollak, CCH Pounder
Genre: Horror
Studio: Beacon Communications   Release date: 1999   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: At the end of the century, Satan visits New York in search of a bride. It's up to an ex-cop who now runs an elite security outfit to stop him.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 462
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Starring: Jude Law, Ed Harris, Rachel Weisz, Joseph Fiennes, Bob Hoskins
Genre: Drama
Studio: Swanford Films   Release date: 2001   Rated: R   
Language (Country): German, English (USA)
Summary: Two Russian and German snipers play a game of cat-and-mouse during the Battle of Stalingrad.
My Rating:
My Review: Written by Jean-Jacques Annaud and Alain Godard. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud (Quest for Fire, The Name of the Rose, Seven Years in Tibet). Starring Jude Law, Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes and many others. A historically based drama which features a Russian and German sniper who duel each other during the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943). Germans and Russians are fighting in the streets of Stalingrad. The urban conflict makes perfect cover for snipers and one such soldier is Vassili Zaitsev (Played by Jude Law). While he's systematically picking off German troops, the soviet propaganda machine uses his exploits to spur their countrymen to defeat the Germans. To counter his surgical attack on their efforts, the Germans send in one of their best - Major Konig (played by Ed Harris) is sent in to end this reign of terror so that the Germans can once and for all conquer this soviet enclave. One can clearly see that the movie doesn't feature actual Russians or Germans. The speech, mannerisms and period work was barely acceptable, despite the well produced aspects of the movie. Set design, decoration, costumes. The portrayal of these two adversaries paints war in a romantic frame, along with the love story that's woven into the script. There were plenty of historical touches, and great effort was expended to make this move seem very realistic. Despite the fact that it may not have done justice to the historical and sociological aspects of war on the Eastern Front, it was a very entertaining movie. The action really does boil down the entire battle for Stalingrad into a tense and dramatic contest of wills between two hunters. I really enjoyed the script, the dialog and the direction. I give this movie a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1174
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Starring: Jude Law, Ed Harris, Rachel Weisz, Joseph Fiennes, Bob Hoskins
Genre: Drama
Studio: Swanford Films   Release date: 2001   Rated: R   
Language (Country): German, English (USA)
Summary: Two Russian and German snipers play a game of cat-and-mouse during the Battle of Stalingrad.
My Rating:
My Review: Written by Jean-Jacques Annaud and Alain Godard. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud (Quest for Fire, The Name of the Rose, Seven Years in Tibet). Starring Jude Law, Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes and many others. A historically based drama which features a Russian and German sniper who duel each other during the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943). Germans and Russians are fighting in the streets of Stalingrad. The urban conflict makes perfect cover for snipers and one such soldier is Vassili Zaitsev (Played by Jude Law). While he's systematically picking off German troops, the soviet propaganda machine uses his exploits to spur their countrymen to defeat the Germans. To counter his surgical attack on their efforts, the Germans send in one of their best - Major Konig (played by Ed Harris) is sent in to end this reign of terror so that the Germans can once and for all conquer this soviet enclave. One can clearly see that the movie doesn't feature actual Russians or Germans. The speech, mannerisms and period work was barely acceptable, despite the well produced aspects of the movie. Set design, decoration, costumes. The portrayal of these two adversaries paints war in a romantic frame, along with the love story that's woven into the script. There were plenty of historical touches, and great effort was expended to make this move seem very realistic. Despite the fact that it may not have done justice to the historical and sociological aspects of war on the Eastern Front, it was a very entertaining movie. The action really does boil down the entire battle for Stalingrad into a tense and dramatic contest of wills between two hunters. I really enjoyed the script, the dialog and the direction. I give this movie a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1077
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Lisa Bonet, Regina King
Genre: Drama
Studio: Touchstone Pictures   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: A lawyer becomes a target by a corrupt politician and his NSA goons when he accidently receives key evidence to a serious politically motivated crime.
My Rating:
My Review: A fast paced espionage thriller in a dark dystopic present. The setting is America, circa 1998. The government is operating fast and loose with it's authority to surveil American citizens, and one rogue Congressman abuses that latitude by using the NSA as his own personal hit squad! The direction by Tony Scott was deft, concise and well measured. The usually laughable Will Smith is believable as an ambitious but mild mannered lawyer in over his head. Gene Hackman was superb as 'Edward 'Brill' Lyle, a former spook operating underground after disagreements with the government. Lisa Bonet as Rachel F. Banks provided a fair figure as eye candy, but her acting wasn't up to par. The story. Hotshot lawyer, Robert Dean (played by Will Smith) is in the wrong place at the wrong time when a long time friend says 'Hello - help? - Goodbye' in a very niche boutique shop. He runs out the door and ends up dead a few seconds later. The feds pursuing this man search his body, but go away disappointed. What secret did he carry? Why were NSA agents?! following this low key character? Despite the early exposition, the story is quite good. It would have been much better if we hadn't been exposed to that initial display of exposition. The only thing left is pacing and the chase. Keeping things moving, Tony Scott does all he can to salvage the improbable antagonists and the poorly handled plot spoiling exposition. I enjoy this movie for it's completely ridiculous premise, it's quick pacing, excellent acting (by Gene Hackman) and suspenseful cat and mouse chase scenes. Tony Scott also does a really good job maintaining a sense of paranoia and conspiracy throughout the movie. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 346
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Lisa Bonet, Regina King
Genre: Drama
Studio: Touchstone Pictures   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: A lawyer becomes a target by a corrupt politician and his NSA goons when he accidently receives key evidence to a serious politically motivated crime.
My Rating:
My Review: A fast paced espionage thriller in a dark dystopic present. The setting is America, circa 1998. The government is operating fast and loose with it's authority to surveil American citizens, and one rogue Congressman abuses that latitude by using the NSA as his own personal hit squad! The direction by Tony Scott was deft, concise and well measured. The usually laughable Will Smith is believable as an ambitious but mild mannered lawyer in over his head. Gene Hackman was superb as 'Edward 'Brill' Lyle, a former spook operating underground after disagreements with the government. Lisa Bonet as Rachel F. Banks provided a fair figure as eye candy, but her acting wasn't up to par. The story. Hotshot lawyer, Robert Dean (played by Will Smith) is in the wrong place at the wrong time when a long time friend says 'Hello - help? - Goodbye' in a very niche boutique shop. He runs out the door and ends up dead a few seconds later. The feds pursuing this man search his body, but go away disappointed. What secret did he carry? Why were NSA agents?! following this low key character? Despite the early exposition, the story is quite good. It would have been much better if we hadn't been exposed to that initial display of exposition. The only thing left is pacing and the chase. Keeping things moving, Tony Scott does all he can to salvage the improbable antagonists and the poorly handled plot spoiling exposition. I enjoy this movie for it's completely ridiculous premise, it's quick pacing, excellent acting (by Gene Hackman) and suspenseful cat and mouse chase scenes. Tony Scott also does a really good job maintaining a sense of paranoia and conspiracy throughout the movie. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 554
Director: Barry Levinson
Starring: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Rachel Weisz, Amy Poehler, Christopher Walken
Genre: Comedy
Studio: DreamWorks   Release date: 2004   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: A man becomes increasingly jealous of his friend's newfound success.
My Rating:
My Review: Unfortunately, I bought this movie before watching it. I purchased it on the weight of its principles and a few clips. This film is horribly produced, there are video and sound problems, and the editing was... rushed? Staring Jack Black, Ben Stiller, and Christopher Walken; I had high hopes for this comedy. The only redeeming feature was Christopher Walken as 'the J man'. I kept waiting for the laughs, but they never materialized. The ending was horrible! 2 of 5.