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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Jan 8, 2007 22:41:22 GMT -5
I have a brand new review: Natural Born Killers You know, I could have reviewed a light-hearted comedy, a cool action movie, a wrestling DVD, or a DVD of a rock concert. But, I decided to something wild, anti-social, experimental, sex, drugs, and rock & roll with a little bit of pot, acid, whiskey, and pure insanity thrown into the mix. So, I decided to review Natural Born Killers. It is one of Oliver Stone's finest works. It is very experimental. In fact, the filmmakers call it an art film student movie made by a big budget studio. The movie tells the tale of Mickey and Mallory Knox (Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis), a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde who prefer killing people over robbing banks. They meet when Mickey delivers meat to Mallory's home. She runs away with him to get away from her sexually and physically abusive father (Rodney Dangerfield). So, Mallory's dad calls the police and has Mickey thrown in prison. But, Mickey escapes, comes back for Mallory, and they kill Mallory's dad and mom and go across the country killing people. The film depicts there murdering spree until they are captured by Det. Jack Scagnetti (Tom Seizmore). They are tried and sent to prison. A year later, Det. Scagnetti meets with the prison's warden, Dwight McClusky (Tommy Lee Jones). These two devise a plan to get rid of the Knoxes: since they are going to be transferred to a mental institution, McClusky has arranged for Scagnetti to transport them so that he is alone with them and can kill them. Meanwhile, Wayne Gale (Robert Downey, Jr.), an journalist who has been following the Knoxes since they became famous, plans to interview Mickey live after the Super Bowl before he is transfered. During the live interview, a riot breaks out, which allows for Mickey and Mallory to escape. This movie isn't for everyone. Some will like it. Some will love it. Some will become obsessed with it. Some will not like it. Some will hate it. Some will vomit seeing it. Some will get epilepsy from all the fast cuts and flashing lights in the movie. But, it is very good. The film intends to highlight the sensationalized way crimes are depicted in the media and the way some killers have been glamorized by the media. However, the film was ironically criticized for its excessively graphic and violent content. Because of this many people, including many of the film's biggest fans, often seemed to miss the real point of the film: it is a highly stylized critique of violence glamorized by the media as well as an exercise in deconstruction. Nevertheless, it is a good movie. The DVD extras include bios of the cast and crew; commentary from Oliver Stone; a making of the film documentary called "Chaos Rising;" Charlie Rose interviewing Oliver Stone about the film; a threatrical trailer; deleted scenes, which includes three notable scenes: a courtroom with Ashley Judd testifying against Mickey and Mallory, Wayne Gale interviewing bodybuilding/B-movie stars the Hun Brothers that has the Huns saying how much they respect Mickey and Mallory even though the Knoxes cut off there legs with chainsaws, and Denis Leary giving one of his usual rants inside the prison; and an alternate ending. All in all, it is a very good DVD; but it sure as hell ain't for everyone. Highlight: I had a tough time choosing. There were so many potential ones: Ashley Judd's deleted scene, the Hun Brothers' deleted scene, Robert Downey, Jr.'s Australian accent, Wayne Gale becoming a killer, Tom Seizmore's pompadore, etc. But, I'm giving the hightlight nod to the deleted scene with Denis Leary, who explains how the Pittsburgh Pirates are responsible for Fidel Castro's rise. Mildly recommended for those of you who get upset easily. Highly recommended for all you sick f***s out there.
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Shake A Leg
Team Rocket
PLEASE DEAR GOD, LET HIM KEEP THE STREAK!
Posts: 966
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Post by Shake A Leg on Jan 8, 2007 23:19:53 GMT -5
I have a brand new review: Natural Born Killers You know, I could have reviewed a light-hearted comedy, a cool action movie, a wrestling DVD, or a DVD of a rock concert. But, I decided to something wild, anti-social, experimental, sex, drugs, and rock & roll with a little bit of pot, acid, whiskey, and pure insanity thrown into the mix. So, I decided to review Natural Born Killers. It is one of Oliver Stone's finest works. It is very experimental. In fact, the filmmakers call it an art film student movie made by a big budget studio. The movie tells the tale of Mickey and Mallory Knox (Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis), a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde who prefer killing people over robbing banks. They meet when Mickey delivers meat to Mallory's home. She runs away with him to get away from her sexually and physically abusive father (Rodney Dangerfield). So, Mallory's dad calls the police and has Mickey thrown in prison. But, Mickey escapes, comes back for Mallory, and they kill Mallory's dad and mom and go across the country killing people. The film depicts there murdering spree until they are captured by Det. Jack Scagnetti (Tom Seizmore). They are tried and sent to prison. A year later, Det. Scagnetti meets with the prison's warden, Dwight McClusky (Tommy Lee Jones). These two devise a plan to get rid of the Knoxes: since they are going to be transferred to a mental institution, McClusky has arranged for Scagnetti to transport them so that he is alone with them and can kill them. Meanwhile, Wayne Gale (Robert Downey, Jr.), an journalist who has been following the Knoxes since they became famous, plans to interview Mickey live after the Super Bowl before he is transfered. During the live interview, a riot breaks out, which allows for Mickey and Mallory to escape. This movie isn't for everyone. Some will like it. Some will love it. Some will become obsessed with it. Some will not like it. Some will hate it. Some will vomit seeing it. Some will get epilepsy from all the fast cuts and flashing lights in the movie. But, it is very good. The film intends to highlight the sensationalized way crimes are depicted in the media and the way some killers have been glamorized by the media. However, the film was ironically criticized for its excessively graphic and violent content. Because of this many people, including many of the film's biggest fans, often seemed to miss the real point of the film: it is a highly stylized critique of violence glamorized by the media as well as an exercise in deconstruction. Nevertheless, it is a good movie. The DVD extras include bios of the cast and crew; commentary from Oliver Stone; a making of the film documentary called "Chaos Rising;" Charlie Rose interviewing Oliver Stone about the film; a threatrical trailer; deleted scenes, which includes three notable scenes: a courtroom with Ashley Judd testifying against Mickey and Mallory, Wayne Gale interviewing bodybuilding/B-movie stars the Hun Brothers that has the Huns saying how much they respect Mickey and Mallory even though the Knoxes cut off there legs with chainsaws, and Denis Leary giving one of his usual rants inside the prison; and an alternate ending. All in all, it is a very good DVD; but it sure as hell ain't for everyone. Highlight: I had a tough time choosing. There were so many potential ones: Ashley Judd's deleted scene, the Hun Brothers' deleted scene, Robert Downey, Jr.'s Australian accent, Wayne Gale becoming a killer, Tom Seizmore's pompadore, etc. But, I'm giving the hightlight nod to the deleted scene with Denis Leary, who explains how the Pittsburgh Pirates are responsible for Fidel Castro's rise. Mildly recommended for those of you who get upset easily. Highly recommended for all you sick f***s out there. This is so my movie!
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Post by The Booty Disciple on Jan 9, 2007 0:41:56 GMT -5
Okay...being a huge Shawn Michaels mark...
That match from the AWA DVD sounds like its worth the price alone.
And yes...I'm an old school fan, even if I've only been watching since about 1996...I loves me some 1980s AWA and NWA.
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Jan 9, 2007 17:39:01 GMT -5
Okay...being a huge Shawn Michaels mark... That match from the AWA DVD sounds like its worth the price alone. And yes...I'm an old school fan, even if I've only been watching since about 1996...I loves me some 1980s AWA and NWA. Oh yeah, it was a pretty good match. The Jerry Lawler VS Kerry Von Erich match was also very good.
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Feb 7, 2007 2:07:20 GMT -5
Okay, time for a new DVD review: ECW: Extreme Rules 2 Disc DVD Okay, to be honest, when I first heard that WWE was going to release another ECW DVD, I decided to pass on this one. This was because I believe it would be a 2 Disc DVD featuring matches from the new ECW. So, I decided that wasn't for me. Then, I found out the first disc would feature matches from the old ECW and the second disc matches from the new ECW. Then, I changed my mind and decided to buy it. So, let's get started with the review: First, we begin with a tarot card reading from Ariel. Now, that's what I expected to see: Ariel predicting the future.[/sarcasm] Luckily, we get a great shot of Ariel's boobs. NICE!!!! Then, we move on to Joey Styles and Tazz introducing the DVD and the first match: Match 1: ECW World Championship Match: Sandman VS Cactus Jack - Hardcore Heaven, 7-1-1995. This was an okay match. There's a lot of barb wire. Hell, Mick Foley had barb wire wrapped around his hand. Also, we get a run-in from Shane Douglas. I enjoyed it, and it was a good way to get started with this DVD. 6/10. Then, we get a montage of the early days of ECW. Match 2: Steel Cage Weapons Match for the ECW Tag Team Titles: The Gangstas VS The Eliminators - Natural Born Killaz, 8-24-1996. First, it took about 4-6 minutes for both teams to get into the cage; they just kept fighting on the outside. Then, they got into the ring; and the match picked up. The Eliminators and the Gangstas used a wide variety of weapons. Hell, a computer keyboard was used. There was also some interference from Shane Douglas as he disguised himself as one of the weapon handlers and hit New Jack with a guitar. The match itself was pretty good. I was hoping the Eliminators would use a lot of the double team moves they were known for using, but they didn't. At least Saturn jumped off the top of the cage a few times. 8/10. Next, we get a vignette about Sabu. Match 3: Scaffold Match: Tommy Dreamer VS Brian Lee - High Incident, 10-26-1996. This match features alternated commentary from Tommy Dreamer and Johnathan Coachman. It doesn't really make much sense to have Coach commentate with Dreamer when they have Joey Styles giving alternate commentary on another match. Anyway, Dreamer and Lee beat each other up around the ECW Arena for half the match. The other half took place on the scaffolding. All in all it was a good match, especially for a scaffold match. These matches aren't known for being great since the combatants are mainly focused on not falling instead of wrestling, but this one was pretty good, mainly because most of the action didn't take place on scaffold. 8/10. Then, we get a montage of the middle years of ECW. Match 4: Stairway To Hell: Sandman VS Sabu - House Party, 1-10-1998. For those of you who don't know what goes on in this match, a Stairway To Hell Match is basically a ladder match with barb wire hanging above the ring. Whoever can get the barb wire can use it. This match was very good. Sabu and Sandman beat the hell out of each other. Also, Sabu shows his toughness by wrestling with a fractured jaw near the end. I really enjoyed it. 8/10. Then, we get a vignette on Sandman. Match 5: Dudleyville Street Fight: Buh Buh Ray Dudley, D-Von Dudley, and Big Dick Dudley VS Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, and Spike Dudley - Heatwave, 8-2-1998. Now, this match was pretty good and very fun to watch. It was great to see the Dudleys in their ECW prime. Also, it features the referee helping out Sandman, Dreamer, and Spike and a brawl at the end with run-ins from Jack Victory and New Jack. All in all, a very fun match. 7/10. Then, Tazz and Joey Styles show up again to introduce the next match: Match 6: Extreme Death Match to unify the ECW World and FTW Championships: Tazz VS Sabu - Living Dangerously, 3-21-1999. Now, this was a great match. Sabu and Tazz pulled out all the stops. They started with some good wrestling moves and then moved into using weapons. Also, it was great to see Sabu argue with manager Bill Alfonso over Fonzie wanting to stop the match since Sabu was wrestling with a fractured jaw, which got injured more during the match. This match also featured alternate commentary, this time from Joey Styles and Tazz. 10/10. Then, we get a montage of the later years of ECW. Match 7: ECW World Championship Match: Mike Awesome VS Masato Tanaka - ECW, 12-31-1999. Another great match. I could watch Awesome and Tanaka and not get bored. These two always seem put on great matches when they wrestle. They really do bring out the best in each other. 10/10. Then, we get a vignette on Balls Mahoney. Match 8: Tables, Ladders, Chairs, and Canes for the ECW World Championship: Steve Corino VS Sandman VS Justin Credible - Guilty As Charged 1-7-2001. Steve Corino must be upset since he's helping WWE sell more DVDs. Anyway, this was a really good match. All three men pulled out all the stops to put on a good match. However, I was a little disappointed that WWE didn't include the Rhino VS Sandman match that took place immediately after this match. I mean, they showed the Raven VS Terry Funk match that took place after the Triple Threat of Barely Legal. However, I still enjoyed this match, a lot. 8/10. Now, we move on to Disc 2, with Tazz and Joey Styles talking about ECW's return. However, they imply it was mainly because of WWE deciding to bring ECW back "for the fans." Match 9: The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von) defeated Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman - ECW One Night Stand, 6-12-2006 First, we got the usual long Sandman introduction, which ended with him and Dreamer licking beer off of Elektra's chest, who was sitting at ringside and looked like she has had some work done on her face. Spike Dudley, The bWo (Hollywood Nova, Da Blue Guy, and Big Stevie Cool), Kid Kash, The Hardcore Chair Swingin' Freaks (Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney), Lance Storm, Justin Credible, Francine, and Beulah McGillicutty all interfered during the match. The match finally ended when Buh Buh and D-Von pinned Dreamer after a Powerbomb through a flaming table. It was good match and great main event. The crowd really liked it and was really into it. 9/10. Then, we get a montage of ECW One Night Stand 2005. Match 10: Rey Mysterio VS Rob Van Dam - WWE VS ECW: Head To Head, 6-7-2006. This was a good match. I wasn't surprised that RVD and Rey would put on an entertaining match. However, I was surprised that this was the first match on the DVD to feature Rob Van Dam. I figured WWE would have featured one of Rob's matches from the old ECW. Oh well, at least he is prominently featured on the second disc. 7/10. Then, we get a montage of WWE VS ECW: Head To Head. Match 11: World Heavyweight Championship Match: Rey Mysterio VS Sabu - ECW One Night Stand, 6-11-2006. This was a very good match, and the crowd was really into it. However, Dr. Ferdinand Rios came out and called off the match after Sabu hit Mysterio with a Triple Jump DDT through a table on to the floor, rendering both men unconscious. As a result, Mysterio retained the title. I didn't like the ending; I would have been okay with Rey winning the match fair and squared. Also, I figured it would have made more sense to put the Rob Van Dam VS John Cena for the WWE Title Match on this DVD since it was more important. I mean, RVD won the WWE Title; it was very historic and important. However, it was still a good match, and it deserves to be on the DVD. 8/10. Next aired a vingette of the next match: Match 12: Hardcore Intergender Match: Edge, Mick Foley, and Lita VS Terry Funk, Tommy Dreamer and Beulah McGillicutty - ECW One Night Stand, 6-11-2006. At the beginning, Foley cut a great promo, saying how he sold out..."MADISON SQUARE GARDEN!" Then, he said his classic "LONG LIVE THE ALLIANCE!" promo. Then, Edge and Lita came out and cut a so-so promo. Then, Dreamer, Funk, and Beulah came; and Beulah challenged Lita to make the match an 6-Person Tag Match. And, that's what happened. Beulah and Lita pretty much stayed out of the match until the end, which was smart for them. This match was violent and bloody. It got gruesome when Edge and Foley brought out a plywood covered in barb wire. And, all for men got a taste of barb wire during the match. Funk had to be taken out of the match due to a cut above his eye. But he came back with a 2-by-4 wrapped in barb wire, set it on fired, and used it to knock Foley throught the barb wire plywood. In the end, Edge pinned McGillicutty after a Spear won the match for his team. But, the fans still appreicated Funk, Dreamer, and Beulah's effort. The fans really enjoyed the match, and it was a very good hardcore match. 9/10. Then, Tazz and Joey Styles showed up and talked about how RVD won the WWE Title and was named ECW World Champion. They also introduced the next match: Match 13: Extreme Rules Match for the ECW World Championship: Rob Van Dam VS The Big Show - ECW, 7-4-2006. Ah, the infamous Philly Screwjob match. Before the match, RVD and Sabu were arrested when they went speeding and RVD was high on pot. Because of this, he lost the WWE Title to Edge in a Triple Threat that also featured John Cena. Then, he lost the ECW World Title in this match, thanks to Paul Heyman. It was a good match, though I figured there would be more weapon use since it was Extreme Rules and weapons are the best way to take down the Big Show. However, it was still good, despite the ending. 8/10. Next came a vignette for CM Punk, which didn't really make much sense since Punk doesn't have a match featured on the DVD. This would be the last vignette about a wrestler not featured on the DVD. Match 14: Extreme Rules Match for the ECW World Championship: The Big Show VS Ric Flair - ECW, 7-11-2006. I never thought I would see Ric Flair wrestling for the ECW World Title, but sure enough it happened. And, he showed he could go hardcore by using steel chairs, trash cans, and thumbtacks to try and beat the Big Show. However, Show ended up winning. It was an okay match, but it was sad to see Ric Flair wrestling in this match. I mean, he's nearly 60; and he's getting slammed onto thumbtacks. And, it would be the last time it happened that year. However, the match was still watchable, unless of course you can't stomach seeing Flair put himself through such a match. 6/10. Then, we get another vignette of a wrestler who doesn't wrestle on the DVD. This one is about Kevin Thorne. Match 15: Ladder Match to determine the No. 1 Contender for the ECW World Championship: Sabu VS Rob Van Dam - ECW, 8-16-2006. This was an okay ladder match, but it was hurt by two things: one was that RVD and Sabu botched a few spots, and the other was the horrible ending. It featured Big Show coming down, putting RVD through a table, and calling for the No. 1 Contendership Contract to be lowered. Then, Sabu jumped onto his shoulders, and grabbed the contract. Then, Big Show powerbombed Sabu and chokeslammed him onto the clipboard. Couldn't this match have a clean finish. Is that so hard to do? 5/10. Then, we get another vignette of someone who doesn't wrestle on the DVD. This one is on Kelly Kelly. SERIOUSLY!!!! KELLY KELLY!!!! I mean, why have vignettes of three wrestlers on a DVD in which they don't wrestler, especially if one is a girl who does nothing but strip and badly at that? I mean, I would have been happy with vignettes on Mike Knox, Test, and Hardcore Holly. I might not like them, and they might not be your idea of ECW wrestlers, but at least they have matches on this DVD. SPEAKING OF Mike Knox and Test: Match 16: Extreme Rules Match: Rob Van Dam and Sabu VS Test and Mike Knox - ECW, 9-5-2006. This was pretty good match. It started off slow, but it picked up pretty quick. It was also fun to see Sabu and RVD team up. I didn't see much of them tagging together in the old ECW, but now I have an idea of what they were like when they were a team back them. 8/10. Then, we get a vignette of the Big Show. Match 17: Extreme Rules Match: Rob Van Dam VS Hardcore Holly - ECW, 9-26-2006. This was another good match. It started off slow, but it picked up after Holly suplexed RVD through a table from the apron. He got a huge in his back because of the move but continued to wrestle. After that, the action really picked. Both Holly and RVD put on a good hardcore match, and they only used a chair and table as weapons in the match. It was a very good match, especially near the end. 9/10. Then, Joey Styles and Tazz close out the DVD. All in all, it was a good DVD. It had some good matches from the old ECW, and it gives the quality matches from the new ECW. And, this DVD is a lot better than the current ECW. However, the first disc is better than the second disc. Yet, it is a very good DVD, and any ECW fan should pick it up. Highlight: Tazz suplexing Sabu over the top rope and to a table set up on the apron and the steel guard rail. This move also took out a camera. Recommended, mainly for the first disc.
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Shake A Leg
Team Rocket
PLEASE DEAR GOD, LET HIM KEEP THE STREAK!
Posts: 966
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Post by Shake A Leg on Feb 7, 2007 13:51:46 GMT -5
I MUST SEE IT!
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Feb 7, 2007 23:10:29 GMT -5
Time for another DVD review. I hope you can handle this one: The Marine. THAT'S RIGHT!!!! I'm reviewing The Marine. And, I got to admit: I've been dying to see this movie. Yes, as hard as that is to believe, I have been wanting to see The Marine. Why?, you ask. Because, I had to know. I HAD TO KNOW!!!! I just had to know how BAD this movie is. And, sure enough, it didn't this appoint. Hell, it borderlined the "So bad that it's great!!!!" territory. However, it didn't cross it. The film begins with Marine John Triton (John Cena) in Iraq. He is in an Al Quaeda stronghold, trying to save three fellow Marines. However, he is told to wait for back-up. But, Triton ain't doing that; he disobeys a direct order and takes out the whole base. Yes, that's right: John Cena single-handely defeated Al Quaeda, the most powerful terrorist organization in the world!!!! And, I speak for all Americans when I say this: THANK YOU, JOHN CEAN, FOR ENDING THE WAR ON TERROR!!!! Anyway, Triton get discharged for disobeying orders and goes back home. Struggling to come to terms with his new career as a security guard, which ends quickly when he rough-houses a jealous boyfriend by the name of The Frank or The Drake (I would love to see Jerry and Elaine talk about the Drake getting beat up by a security guard), he is convinced by his wife, the lovely Kate (Kelly Carlson), to take a trip to South Carolina. Meanwhile, a man named Rome (Robert Patrick) robs a jewelry store with his gang: Angela (Abigail Bianca), Morgan (Anthony Ray Parker), Bennett (Manu Bennett/Jon Bennett II; I think twins played this character, but I'm not sure), and some other guy whose name I can't remember, but it doesn't matter. Anyway, these aren't the brightest criminals in the world. They rob a jewelry store, stealling $12 Million in diamonds; but during the robbery, Rome shoots an employee and then shoots a machine gun at a cop chair. Then, Morgan blows it up with a rocket launcher. Now, I'm not a criminal; but if I was robbing a jewelry store, I wouldn't shoot an employee and blow two cops up with a rocket launcher. I might get more jail time if I was caught. Anyway, after the robbery, Rome and Abigail go to relax in a hotel that looks to be in Las Vegas, which is weird because it revealed that the robbery took place in South Carolina. Also, Abigail does point out the stupidity of killing three people during a robbery. At least, one of the criminals saw how stupid that was. Then again, it isn't good sign when characters in a movie are point the plotholes of the movie. Anyway, we cut to Morgan in a chop shop trying to get a car for the robbers to drive to the diamond buyer. This was weird because I felt like I was watching one of the many bad movies featured on Mystery Science Threater 3000 that had multiple plots going and making it seem like there three or four movies going on at once. I kept expect Crow to say, "I'm confused. Is this the third or first movie?" and then Servo to answer, "I think it's the second." During the scene, Morgan is talking with the chop shop owner (whose name I can't remember, and I don't feel like finding out what it is) about how he doesn't want to take the minivan the chop shop owner has given him, saying that black men don't drive minivans. Oh yeah, Morgan's black; and everything a racial issue with him. Also, he has issues about rock candy. More on that later. Anyway, Morgan doesn't take the minivan, instead opting to steal a Cadillac. So, our merry band of jewel theifs are off on the road and then stop to get gas. However, John and Kate stop at the very same gas station. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES!!!!? Then, a police car shows up, thus beginning a motif in the movie that the police in South Carolina are supercops. The first sign of this: they have great cars. I mean, I don't know what kind of car the police car, but it looked like it sure as hell didn't look like any police car I've seen. And, it's fast. Hell, it could probably outrun the Batmobile. Anywho, one of the cops gets out and makes small talk with Rome. However, things go bad when Morgan shoots the two for no apparent reason. Bennett hits John with a fire extinguisher, the gang kidnaps Kate, and Rome blows up the gas station. That's another thing about this movie: there are so many explosions that it might leave one to believe that South Carolina is highly flammable and cobustable. I mean, watching the movie will give you the impression that one cigarette dropped in the wrong spot will cause all South Carolina to blow up and become a huge bonfire. Also, 12 minutes into the movie, the skyline of Calgary, Alberta, Canada is shown, even though it suppose to take place in South Carolina. And, the movie was filmed in Queensland, Australia. Back to the film. Triton survives the explosion and then commandeers one of the injured police officers car, and after informing police headquarters on the kidnapping, he gives chase. Eventually, the gang members shoot through his windshield and are able to run him off the road, where the cruiser explodes in typical Hollywood fashion. His car is forced off a cliff. The gang continues to shoot at the car , rupturing its fuel line and causing it to explode. However, they are not aware that Triton had jumped out before it exploded. Afraid of being pursued, the gang members carry Kate and escape into the swampland. Also, another example of why the police of South Carolina are the best police in the world: Bennett says that they need to move because every cop in South Carolina must have heard the police car explode. Yes, that's right: the cops in South Carolina have superhearing. I mean, if they can hear an explosion in the middle of nowhere, then, HELL!!!!, they must be listening to me type this review!!!! Anyway, Triton meets a detective, Van Buren (Jerome Ehlers) at the scene of the wreck, and after a prolonged argument, allows him to track the criminals his own way. Meanwhile, the criminals are walking in the swamp, and Morgan gets upset that they have th walk. So, he asks who was responsible for shooting the cops at the gas station and putting them into this mess. Apparently, Morgan is not only stupid; he's forgetful. IT WAS HIM!!!! Hell, Rome tells Morgan that he was responsible. Of course, Morgan says the blame is on him because he's black. Yeah, that's why they're blaming you, because of the color of your skin and not because YOU DID IT!!!! Anyway, Morgan and the guy in the gang whose name I can't remember get into an arguement that ends when Rome shoots the guy whose name I can't remember. Why?, you ask. Well, don't!!!! I gave up on figuring out how these guys work a long time ago. Also, it is at this point I noticed that Robert Patrick is really red in this movie. I mean, he's about as red as Brother Love. I kept expecting him to say, "I LOOOOVE YOU!!!!" Well, they keep on walking through the swamp, and Morgan goes on some tirade about how black people don't go into the woods. This leads to Rome asking Morgan why he always has to bring up and why he can't just see people as people. You see, he may be a murderer and jewel theif; but he also wants to bring about racial harmony. As they are walking, Rome gets a phone call on his cell phone from the buyer, whom Rome tells that he's not going to sell to diamonds but instead go to another buyer. Now, I know what you're thinking: "HE GOT A CALL ON HIS CELL PHONE IN THE SWAMP!!!!?" Yes, that's right. Rome has the best cell phone service in the world. Hell, I can barely get service the library at my college, and he's getting phone calls in the swamp. Yes, he didn't get just one; HE GOT TWO!!!! The other call was a telemarketeer, and Rome actually let her do her job. Not only does he want to make Martin Luther King, Jr.,'s come true, he's also polite to telemarketeers. He is the most considerate criminal of all time. Anyway, John continues to track the criminals through marshlands. Eventually, he runs into two other criminals in the woods: one white and one black. And, there goes Morgan's stereotype about black people not going into the woods. However, John beats them up. I should note that John Cena has better moves in the movie than he does in WWE. I mean, if he was to add the moves he does in this movie to his move set, then he would be as good of a wrestler as CM Punk and Samoa Joe. Finally, he finds that they have taken refuge inside a shack on the riverbank. And, this is where the best part of the movie takes place. In the shack, Rome, Barrett, and Morgan get to talking; and they somehow come to the subject of summer camp. Well, Morgan tells a tale about summer camp. You see, he went to a summer camp, and at that place was a councelor named Timothy, Tim. But, everyone called him JOHNNY WHIPLASH!!!! I laughed for minutes when I heard that name. And, I would love to hear the story about how Tim the Camp Councelor got the nickname "Johnny Whiplash." Seriously, that tale would be more interesting than the movie. So, Morgan continues, saying Johnny Whiplash gave him some rock candy and then implied that Tim/Johnny molested him. And, that is why Morgan doesn't like rock candy Anyway, John disposes of Morgan and Bennett. Yes, sadly, Morgan will never get to heal the emotional scars that Johnny Whiplash gave him. Angela takes Kate outside while Rome has a gun pointed at John. The investigator John had met earlier has managed to find the shack and now has a gun pointed at Rome, telling him to drop his. He asks Rome where the stolen diamonds are. Rome tells him that he can have a share of the diamonds if he kills John. That's right, Van Buren was the buyer Rome told to snork off. SHOCKER!!!! The investigator then points his gun at John, ready to shoot, but John kicks him. There is a big fight between the three of them. The investigator ends up dead while Rome and Angela take Kate and set fire to the shack. John just manages to jump into the water and the shack explodes. Rome and Angela dragging Kate along, make their way to the Highway where they shoot a semi-driver and steal his semi. They handcuff Kate behind them in the back of the cab. Meanwhile, John climbs onto the riverbank and a river cop with a motorboat tries to arrest him. John handcuffs him to a tree and steals the boat to chase Rome and Angela to the Marina he knows they are going. As he is going down the river, we get the last motif of why South Carolina cops are the best cops in the world: a few seconds after stealing the semi-truck, the police know that Rome and Angela have stolen the truck and where they are going. That's right: THEY'RE PSYCHIC!!!! I mean, they knew what they had stolen a truck, where they were going, and they even knew what color the truck was. It was grey by the way. So, from this movie, I have learn that the police in South Carolina have great looking cars that are fast as hell, they can hear things miles away, and they're psychic. These cops are better than the police on Homicide: Life On The Streets, the Law & Order shows, and the CSI shows combined!!!! So, I going to give some advice: DON'T COMMIT A CRIME IN SOUTH CAROLINA!!!! YOU WILL BE ARRESTED!!!! As Rome pulls the semi up to the marina, Kate sees her husband John steering the boat over to them. She reaches forward and grabs Rome's head, distracting he and Angela while John jumps out of the boat and runs behind the semi. He jumps onto the back of the cab, and while the semi is still going at a high speed, he opens the door, pulling out Angela and throwing her at a oncoming bus. It shows the diamonds falling to the ground sprayed with Angela's blood, so it is safe to assume she is dead. John falls out of the semi, and Rome seeing that it is heading for the water, jumps out. The Semi crashes through a burning barn and lands in the water, very slowly sinking. Kate is screaming for John because she is handcuffed behind the driver's seat. John tries to run to her but Rome and he get into a fight. John eventually kicks Rome into a burning heap of wood and part of the burning building lands on him. John dives into the water to get Kate right as the barn explodes. The semi is underwater. He opens the truck door, Kate is no longer moving, he cannot break the handcuffs, but he rips out the bar she is handcuffed to. He pulls her to the surface and lays her down in front of the burning barn to resuscitate her. She eventually coughs up the water and they hug. You are just beginning to think everything is safe when a charred Rome appears behind John and tries to choke him with a chain. What; are you shocked? I mean, John has survived 15,000 explosions; Kate and Rome just survived one. Hell, the only people to die in an explosion were the two cops at the beginning of the movie; and I highly doubt that they are dead. John wraps the chain around Rome's neck and flips him forward, giving the chain a yank and breaking Rome's neck. As police sirens approach, they kiss and John tells Kate they should have gone to the beach after all. The special features on the movie include a long featurette on the making of The Marine; a featurette about the premiere of The Marine, which took place on an actual Marine base; featurettes about John Cena that show his history in WWE, a short biography of his life, his military history (I'm not quite sure what that was since I was typing this review as it was going on, and to be honest, I don't really want to play it again), those Marine promos that WWE showed on RAW, ECW, and SmackDown! throughout most of 2006; and the Unrated Version. To be honest, I watched the Unrated Version; and I didn't really see what made it unrated. There was no nudity from the ladies, there was hardly any cussing, and there was no shot John Cena's ass, which I am thankful for!!!! Though, I haven't seen the Rated Version. I could watch that and compare the two, but according to Wikipedia, the Unrated Versrion is suppose to be better than the Rated Version. And, the Unrated Version wasn't that great. If the not-so-great Unrated Version is better than the Rated Version, then I would rather not watch the rated version. All in all, this was a bad movie. I mean, it had stupid plotholes, tons of action movie cliches, fight scenes that were decent at best, and through the whole thing John and Kate acted all serious while the criminals were all sarcastic and making jokes. It was like they were in two movies. I am a so glad I rented it and didn't buy it. I can't own this movie. Sure, it was fun at times, and I couldn't stop laughing at the stupidity of it. Hell, I learned that South Carolina can explode at any minute, the police of South Carolina are the best in the world It's not that great, and I would hardly watch it. So, I'm not recommending it, unless you like bad movies. Then, this is movie is for you!!!! Highlight: "I did go to summer camp once, And there was this camp councelor, cool honkey. Timothy. Tim. Or, as he liked to be called, Johnny Whiplash." Not recommended, unless you like bad movies.
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Mar 19, 2007 0:07:36 GMT -5
Time for a new DVD review: The American Dream: The Dusty Rhodes Story 3 Disc DVD Since Dusty is getting inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame this year, I have decided to take a look at his DVD. Dusty Rhodes was one of the best wrestlers of all time. He was very charismatic and could put out great promos. He also held the NWA World Title 3 times. This DVD takes a look at his life and career. The documentary is very good; WWE did a good job of showcasing who Dusty was. However, there weren't a lot of old school wrestlers on the DVD. Sure, Mike Graham, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Michael Hayes, and others were featured; but there were more younger wrestlers on the documentary. Guys like John Cena, Shelton Benjamin, and Trevor Murdoch were featured on the disc. However, the old guys did give a lot of insight on Dusty. The documentary also dwelled a little into Championship Wrestling From Florida, a promotion worked for in the 1970s. The documentary also talked about when Dusty was the booker for NWA and WCW. And, they mentioned Dusty's time in the WWF, when he had Sapphire and wore outfits with polka dot. Some people mentioned that the polka dots were a rib at Dusty by Vince, and some said that they were a horrible idea, even people who worked for WWE, like Cena and Jerry Lawler. The last part of the doc features Dusty's rocky relationship with his son Dustin. There is mention of Dusty and Dustin teaming up and of Dustin's character Golddust. They also talk about the falling out they had over Dustin's wife, Terri, and their reunion and resolution. The extras are also very good. The bulk of them are promos, which were Dusty's specialty. There is a little WrestleCrap in these as the promo where Dusty brought out a "gorilla" to fight Ivan Koloff and the vignettes that led up to Dusty's 1990 WWF debut. There are also some good matches on the DVD, chronicling his days in the AWA, Championship Wrestling From Florida, WWF (1970s and 1989-1991), NWA, ECW, and WCW, including two good matches with Dusty taking on "Superstar" Billy Graham, two NWA Title matches with Harley Race, 3 steel cage matches (with Dusty taking on Tully Blanchard, Ric Flair, and Lex Luger), two good tag matches were Dusty and Sting took on Blanchard and Arn Anderson and The Road Warriors, a classic 4-on-4 Survivor Series match from 1989, and Dusty taking on Steve Corino in a Texas Bullrope match. However, there are some matches that should have been on the DVD, like Dusty and Dustin taking on Ted DiBiase and Virgil at the 1991 Royal Rumble and a WarGames match with Dusty, Dustin, and the Nasty Boys taking on Arn Anderson, Terry Funk, Bunkhouse Bunk, and Col. Robert Parker. All in all, this was a very good DVD. It gives Dusty fans a good way to remember The American Dream and shows new fans what Dusty Rhodes was like. Highlight: AMMMMEEEERRRRICAAAANNNN DREEEEAAAAMMMMM!!!! Man, Dusty's WWF entrance song ROCKS!!!! Highly Recommended.
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Mar 31, 2007 23:42:42 GMT -5
Time for another DVD review: 8 Mile I was looking over my DVD collection today and noticed something: I have quite a few DVDs I haven't watch in a while. In fact, I have some I have never watched. You know how it is: you get a DVD but don't have the time to watch. So you put it off and off, and before you know, a few years have gone by and you still haven't looked at the damn thing. So, I decided to take one of those DVDs I have yet to watch and review. The one I chose was 8 Mile. 8 Mile is a movie about Jimmy "B. Rabbit" Smith Jr. (Eminem), a local Detroit boy who wants to become a famous rapper. He works at a sheet metal factory, lives in a trailer on 8 Mile Road in Detriot, has an alcoholic mother (Kim Bassinger), and goes to rap battles at night. These battles are run by Rabbit's friend "Future" (Mekhi Phifer), who gets Rabbit to participate in one of these battles, but Rabbit chokes. As the film progresses, Rabbit comes to realize that his life has remained largely the same since he was in high school. At first, he considers himself a victim of his circumstances and blames others for his problems. Over time, though, Jimmy begins to take responsibility for the direction of his life and realizes that he has a large degree of control over how his life will go. Also, as the film goes on, he begins dating a girl named Alex (Brittany Murphy) and gets into fights with Poppa Doc (Anthony Mackie) and his crew. Eventually, Rabbit enters another rap battle and makes it to the finals against Poppa Doc. Basically, the movie semi-biography of Eminem's life. I mean, the life of Eminem and his character parallel. In fact, there was some debate about whether this film is a biography or just fiction. Eminem indeed says that Jimmy is not him but the story is semi-autobiographal. This allowed Eminem to do more with the character of Jimmy than he could if it was solely based on his life. The film itself was okay. It was a good inspirational film, and Eminem did give a good performance. Though, I'm not surprised. I mean, Eminem is a white rapper; and he's playing a white rapper. It's not really a stretch. But, he was still good. The special features include the standard making of the film, a featurette about the rap battles of the film with footage of actual rap battles, some of the music from the soundtrack and film, a music video to Eminem's Superman, a trailer, some production notes and bios of the cast and filmmakers. All in all, it's a good DVD, but it's probably best that you rent it. Because, if you buy it, it will just sit on your shelf and collect dust. Highlight: The Superman music video. Recommended, mainly for renting.
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Apr 3, 2007 22:02:30 GMT -5
NEW DVD REVIEW!!!! Memento. Limited Edition DVD. Does your memory suck? Mine does. I have horrible memory; I forget things all time. It's really bothersome and has caused me a lot of trouble. But, at least I can make new memories. Unlike the main character of this movie. (I could have gone with the RD Reynolds "SPEAKING OF bad memories...", but I didn't. I'm getting better) Memento is a movie directed by Christopher Nolan. It was based on a short story by his brother Jonathan. And, it is one of the best movies I have ever seen. The movie isn't your typical, formulaic, cookie-cutter produced Hollywood movie. The movie is filmed in two sequences: one in color and the other in black-and-white. Also, the story is told in reverse, like that Seinfeld episode! Memento tells the tale of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce). Several years before the events in the movie took place, Leonard and his wife (Jorja Fox) were attacked in their home. His wife died, but Leonard survived. However, the attack destroyed his short-term memory; he can't make any new memories. So, what does he do after this? Get medical help? HELL NO!!!! He goes searching for his wife's killer. The color sequence of the film is split into 5 minute scenes, which has the audience wondering what's going on just like Leonard, that show Leonard searching for the killer. SPOILERS!!!! It starts off with him killing the man he thinks killed his wife, "Teddy" (Joe Pantoliano), then goes to when he learns the truth about his life. Along the way, he meets a woman named Natalie (Carrie Anne-Moss), who helps with his investigation. The black-and-white sequence, which come in between the color sequences, move in normal order and depict Leonard talking to a stranger on the phone telling him a story about Sammy Jankis (Stephen Tobolowsky), a man with a similar condition as Leonard's who Leonard investigated back when he as an insurance fraud investigator and who's story is connected with Leonard's. SPOILERS END!!!! The limited edition DVD contains an audio commentary by Christopher Nolan; the original short story by Jonathan Nolan that the movie was based on; a Sundance Channel documentary on the film; a special hidden feature that allows the viewer to watch the film in chronological order; biographies on Nolan, Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Joe Pantoliano; and a very unique feature. is uniquely packaged to look like Leonard's case file from a mental institution, with notes scribbled by doctors and Leonard on the inside. The DVD menus are designed as a series of psychological tests, with the viewer having to choose certain words, objects, and multiple choice answers to play the movie or access special features. Leonard's "notes" on the DVD case offer clues on how to navigate the DVD. The special features aren't that spectacular. The movie itself is really good. The actors give good performances, and Christopher Nolan did a wonderful job putting in out of order and confusing the audience and keeping them surprised at the end. However, this isn't that should be watched over and over again. That's the thing about movies with big twists and endings: they're good the first time when you're surprised, but after that, you know what's coming. That takes the fun away. The best way to watch this movie is to have not seen it before, or if you had no short memory. Oh, the irony!!!! Highlight: Leonard knocks out some guy in a room only to discover he had the wrong room. Recommended, especially if you have never seen it before.
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Apr 4, 2007 17:49:03 GMT -5
Yes, Virginia, you're getting another DVD review: Children Of Men In the year 2027, the world will go to crap, or at least that's what this movie depicts what will happen to our planet in 20 years. Loosely adapted from P.D. James' 1992 novel The Children of Men, Children of Men takes place in a future where no baby has been born in 18 years. Society has virtually collapsed, and terrorism and war run rappant. There are also millions of refugees. Then comes hope. In England, a woman named Kee (Claire-Hope Acrapey) has gotten pregnant. She is in the custody of the "Fishes," a terrorist group that fights for immigrant rights; in the future, Britain tries to rebuild its society by persecuting illegal immigrants. The Fishes' leader, Julian Taylor (Julianne Moore), needs to get Kee out of the country and the Human Project, a group of scientists dedicated to curing infertility; so she turns to he ex-husband Theo Faron (Clive Owen), a former political activist turned bureaucrat. He agrees to help. SPOILERS!!!! However, Julian is killed; and Theo finds out that Luke (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is responsible. So, he takes Kee and flees to his friend Jasper Palmer (Michael Caine), a former political cartoonist living in the countryside, who spends much of his time growing cannabis and caring for his catatonic wife, a former war photographer. Jasper arranges a way out of England and is later killed by the Fishes. Then, Syd (Peter Mullan), a corrupt police officer, helps Theo and Kee get into a prison that will lead to their meeting with a boat that will take them to the Human Project. Then, the baby is born in prison, and Syd betrays them and tries to take the baby. Theo and Kee manage to escape Syd, but the prisoners have started an uprising. And, the Fishes show up. Now, Theo must get Kee out during a battle. SPOILERS END!!!! Children Of Men is a very good movie. Alfonso Cuarón did a wonderful job directing it. Another great aspect of the film is the use of single-shot sequences. These were done very well, especially in complex action sequences. This gave the movie a realistic look. The special features include a half-hour documentary that explored the film's grim vision of humanity's fate, an analysis of the film by philosopher Slavoj Zizek, a trio of deleted scenes, a discussion of Cuarón's technique of long, "incredibly choreographed takes," a look at the design of the film, a featurette on the characters of the film, and a special effects study of making the film's miracle baby. These are very good and go well with the film. Plus, they make you think about what will happen with the world just as much as the actual film does. I highly recommend this DVD. Highlight: There is a scene where Theo goes to get some passports from his cousin (Danny Huston), a high ranking member of the British government and curator of the "Ark of Arts", a repository for rescued art. The Ark of Arts is the Battersea Power Station. Anyway, when Theo goes to visit, he and his cousin to talk near a window; and the viewer can see a balloon in the shape of a pig flying over the Power Station as they talk. This is an homage to Pink Floyd's 1977 album Animals. Highly Recommended.
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Apr 14, 2007 18:20:47 GMT -5
Here's another DVD review: Ric Flair & The Four Horsemen 2-Disc DVD Before Evolution, before D-X, before the nWo, wrestling had the Four Horsemen. They were the ultimate stable in professional wrestling. They pretty much ran roughshot all over the NWA in the 1980s, and this DVD chronicles their reign of terror. The documentary is wonderful; it's one of the best WWE has made. It goes into great detail about how the group formed, starting with Ric Flair and Arn Anderson meeting and moving on to Arn teaming with Ole Anderson, Tully Blanchard joining up with the Andersons and Flair, Tully bringing in J.J. Dillon, and that fateful day Arn Anderson gave the group their name: all four men were thrown together into an interview due to time constraints on the NWA's TBS show and during the interview Arn said this: "Only once has so much damage been caused by so few, and to find that source you need to go all the way back to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." And, thus the Horsemen were born. However, all good things must come to an end. Ole got thrown out of the group. Lex Luger replaced him, only to be thrown out and replaced with Barry Windham. The documentary also talks about the backstage politics that forced Tully and Arn to leave the NWA, leaving Flair to continue the Horsemen with Barry, Barry's brother Kendall, and Hiro Matsuda. It just wasn't the same. However, the Horsemen were revived, with Sting and Sid Viscious joining the group. And, more backstage politics are discussed, as Flair talks about his arguement with Jim Herd that led Flair to leave WCW with the NWA World Title and join the WWF. He also talks about such "wonderful" ideas like the Black Scopion and Paul Roma joining the Four Horsemen. Roma is even featured on the documentary. He comes off as douche, and Flair and Arn have no kinds words for him. They also have nothing nice to say about Sid Viscious, even briefly mentioning the fight between Sid and Arn that ended with Arn being stabbed 20 times with some safety scissors. It also goes on to mention the Four Horsemen in late 1990s and other members Chris Benoit, Brian Pillman, Jeff Jarrett, Steve McMichael, and Dean Malenko. More talk about backstage politics, this time on the feud between Flair and Eric Bischoff. Then, the documentary ends with wrestlers like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Dusty Rhodes, and others talking about the legacy of the Four Horsemen. There are some good extras on the DVD, like stories from the wrestlers: Tully talking about a college kid buying a Rolex, Dillon talking about getting surgery on his eyes, Flair talking about those wild and crazy nights the Four Horsemen were known to have, Jim Ross talking about coming into Jim Crockett Promotions, Barry Windham talking about a cage match he had with Lex Luger, and Dean Malenko sharing two stories, one about meeting Arn Anderson and one about Chris Benoit meeting a fan without a thumb. There are also to deleted scenes, one on J.J. Dillon's pre-War Games match with a jobber and one on the interviews the Horsemen gave. The DVD also shows the time the Horsemen broke Dusty Rhodes's arms and of course promos and matches. However, there could be more good extras. I don't understand how the Four Horsemen DVD only got 2 discs while the D-X reunion DVD got 3. It's a travesty. A TRAVESTY!!!! It's not that the promos and matches aren't good; they are. There is a good War Games match, an excellent tag match between Tully and Arn VS Sting and Nikita Koloff, and a fantastic match between Flair and Arn. However, some matches should have been included, like some featuring one of the Horsemen's first rivals Magnum T.A., Sting VS Ric Flair, the War Games match between the Horsemen and the nWo, and Flair VS Curt Hennig. Also, there are good promos, like the Horsemen kicking Sting out of the group and the Horsemen reunion in 1998. However, some more should have been on here, like the promo where Arn gave the group its name. Oh well, it is still a good DVD. It is a great walk down memory lane for you older fans, and it was wonderful to see what the Horsemen were like when I didn't really get to see it. It was great to see those guys attack people and win title after title. It was also fun to hear the crowds. Back then, those fans were electric; it sounded like they had been cheering throughout the whole show. You hardly hear crowds like that these days. Despite its shortcomings, this is still a good DVD. Though, it could be better. Highlight: FOUR HORSEMEN VITAMINS!!!! Recomended.
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AFN: Judge Shred
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wanted to change his doohicky.
Member of The Bluetista Buyers Club
Posts: 18,221
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Post by AFN: Judge Shred on Apr 15, 2007 17:51:56 GMT -5
Not to bring down what you have done here, but I was really hoping these were dvd reviews by the Incredible Hulk.
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Apr 15, 2007 21:10:21 GMT -5
Not to bring down what you have done here, but I was really hoping these were dvd reviews by the Incredible Hulk. You don't believe that I'm Dr. Robert Bruce Banner. That makes me angry! *turns into the Hulk* HULK SMASH!!!!
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Jun 17, 2007 0:54:37 GMT -5
It's been a while since I've reviewed a DVD, so let's change that: The Ladder Match. 3-Disc DVD. If there's one gimmick match will pretty much guarantee a good affair, then it's the ladder match. It's one of the most dangerous matches in wrestling and has provided some memorable moments. This 3-disc DVD shows 22 of the best ladder matches of all time. However, it doesn't have all the greats. Two that are noticablely missing are the Shawn Michaels VS Razor Ramon match at WrestleMania X and the Triangle Ladder Match featuring the Hardys, Dudleys, and Edge and Christian at WrestleMania 2000. I don't know why WWE left those matches off, their omissions doesn't take away from the DVD. So, let's take a look at the matches on the disc: First, we get an introduction from our host on the DVD, Todd Grisham. He gives a little history on the Ladder Match, mentioning how it originated in Stampede Wrestling. In fact, the first match on the DVD comes from Stu Hart's Calgary promotion: 1. Ladder Match for the North American Title and $1,000--Jake"The Snake"Roberts vs Big Daddy Ritter (AKA the Junkyard Dog): Stampede Wrestling, July 1979. Now, this was a very interesting match to see. I mean, it really shows how the ladder match has evolved over the years. First off, the ladder used isn't a step; it's a regular ladder. And, there was another referee involved to hold the ladder steady for the wrestlers. There weren't very many spots: a few spots where Roberts and Ritter fall of the ladder and Roberts pulling Ritters leg against the ladder; and that's about it. It isn't the best match on the DVD, but it was great to see how the early ladder matches were done. 5/10. 2. Ladder Match for the WWF Intercontinental Title--Shawn Michaels vs Bret "The Hitman" Hart: July 21, 1992. First off, it was kind of sad watching this match since Sensational Sherri was managing Michaels at the time and was present at this match. Anyway, this was a very good match. Though, it doesn't really contain the kind of spots people would expect from ladder matches today. It starts off like a regular match, and the ladder doesn't come into play until the last half of the match. Thought, this was the first ladder match in the WWF. So, it was a good way to introduce this gimmick match to WWF fans. 7/10. Next, Grisham shows up again. This time he's with Shawn Michaels. HBK is talking about stealing the show with the ladder match at WrestleMania X, and some clips from the match are shown. I'll say it again: that match should have been on the DVD. However, the rematch is on the DVD: 3. Ladder Match the WWF Intercontinental Title--Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michaels: SummerSlam, August 27, 1995. If Michaels and Ramon stole the show at WrestleMania X, then they pretty much were the show at SummerSlam 1995. Seriously, that PPV sucked; but this match was the rose growing in a pile of manure. Though, before the match we get some guy shilling Shawn Michaels merchandise. Then, the match begins. Man, this match is excellent; it really lived up to its predecessor. There were many good things to come out of the WWF in 1995, but this was one of them. 10/10. 4. Ladder Match for the WWF Intercontinental Title--The Rock vs Triple H: SummerSlam, August 27, 1998. Now, this match was a trip down memory lane for me. I mean, it has the Rock before he went to Hollywood and was starting to get over the crowds, Triple H when he wasn't as big as he is today and not married to Stephanie McMahon, Mark Henry when he didn't look like the Predator (Henry accompanied the Rock to the ring), and Chyna when she looked like a manish woman and not a manish woman after having a lot of plastic surgery. This was a very physical match. It also made me nostaglic for the Rock; man, he was such a great seller. This was a very good and a real trip down memory lane for you fans of the Attitude Era. 8/10. Grisham shows up again and is joined by Jeff Hardy, who talks about the next match: 5. Terri Invintational Tournament-Ladder Match for for $100,000 and the managerial services of Terri Runnels--Edge and Christian vs The New Brood(The Hardy Boyz): No Mercy, October 17, 1999. Much like the WrestleMania X ladder match, this match also set a benchmark for other ladder matches to follow it. The Hardys and Edge and Christian did things in the match that hadn't been done before in ladder matches. Though, over the years other ladder matches have overshadowed this one, it is still a very great match. 9/10. Also, that is the first appearance of Edge. And, if you love Edge, which I do, then you need to pick up this DVD. He's in 9 matches on the DVD. Next, Edge shows and tells Todd Grisham about the Triangle Ladder Match from WrestleMania 2000. I'll reiterate: that match should have been on the DVD. Then, he mentions this match: 6. TLC Match for the WWF Tag Team Titles--The Dudley Boys vs The Hardy Boyz vs Edge and Christian: SummerSlam, August 27, 2000. The first Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. Much like their match at WrestleMania 2000, this match stole the show at SummerSlam 2000. It was a wonderful match with a lot of amazing spots. Plus, the promo video of what lead-up to the match was fun to watch. Man, I miss Edge and Christian together. They totally reeked of awesomeness! 10/10. Then, Gregory Helms pops and introduces the lone WCW match on the DVD: 7. Ladder Match for Number One Contendership for the WCW Cruiserweight Title--3 Count vs Jung Dragon vs Evan Karagis and Jamie Noble: Starrcade, December 17, 2000. WCW may have sucked back in 2000, but this was one of the few highlights. It was weird to see how much Helms, Shannon Moore, and Jimmy Yang have changed over the years. Amazing, Jamie Noble looks pretty much the same. Anyway, this match didn't start off promising with all three teams begining the match like a tag; but it quickly developed into ladder match goodness. All three teams really showed off their skills, and there were some good spots in the match. 9/10. 8. Ladder Match for the WWF Intercontinental Title--Chris Benoit vs Chris Jericho: Royal Rumble, January 21, 2001. Now, this was a fantastic bout. Benoit and Jericho showed they can put on a great match, wheather it's a wonderful technical bout or a great ladder match. And, this ladder match was incredible as both men pulled out all the stops for it. 10/10. Disc 2 begins with Grisham explaining the dangers of the ladder match. Then, we go to the next match: 9. TLC Match for the WWF Tag Team Titles--The Dudley Boys vs The Hardy Boyz vs Edge and Christian: WrestleMania X-Seven, April 1, 2001. This match was one of the reasons why many people consider WrestleMania X-Seven the best WrestleMania, and quite possibly the best PPV, of all time. It was a fantastic match a lot of great spots. I also enjoyed Rhino, Lita, and Spike Dudley's run-ins. They brought some added drama to the match. I also Jim Ross and Paul Heyman's commentary on this match. 10/10. Next, Chris Benoit shows up and talks about how he got a bad neck injury in the next match: 10. TLC Match for the WWF Tag Team Titles--Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit vs The Dudley Boys vs Edge and Christian vs The Hardy Boyz: SmackDown!, May 24, 2001. Another great match. There was also a lot of great drama to the match with Benoit getting a neck injury after trying to give Matt Hardy on a table a diving headbutt from a ladder and missing. There a lot more great spots in the match, which made this one SmackDown! best matches. 9/10. 11. Ladder Match for the WWF Intercontinental Title--Edge vs Christian: No Mercy, October 21, 2001. Ah, the Invasion. That angle may have sucked and been a huge disappointment, but at least the matches were good. And, this one of those great matches. It was kind of weird seeing Edge and Christian fighting each other, but they both put on an exciting show. Also, Heyman and JR are great on commentary. 9/10. 12. Ladder Match for the WWF Intercontinental Title--Eddie Guerrero vs Rob Van Dam: RAW, May 27, 2002. 2002 wasn't a good year for wrestling, but this was one of the few brightspots. Eddie and RVD put on a good show. Also, WWE editted out the part where that fan came in and pushed Eddie off the ladder. However, that doesn't take away from the match. 8/10. 13. Ladder Match for the WWE Undisputed Championship--Jeff Hardy vs The Undertaker: RAW, July 1, 2002. Another brightspot from 2002. This was a good match with great David and Goliath-like drama to it. It was exciting to see Hardy almost pull over the upset and great to see Undertaker show Hardy respect at the end of the match. It was also funny to hear Hardy yell at 'Taker on the mic with a pre-pubescent voice at the end. 8/10. Next, Jeff Hardy shows up again and talks about how he likes to walk under a ladder before a ladder match for good luck. 14. TLC Match for the World Tag Team Titles--Kane and The Hurricane vs Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam vs Chris Jericho and Christian vs Spike Dudley and Bubba Ray Dudley: Raw, October 7, 2002. Damn! There were quite a few ladder matches on RAW in 2002. Also, even though the Hurricane is listed as Kane's partner, he wasn't in the match, being taken out by Triple H and Ric Flair before the bout. However, that didn't hurt Kane in this match. The match was very good. Also, it was fun to see Spike Dudley acting like an true underdog in the match. 10/10. Then, Kane pops up and talks about how being in a ladder match is like therapy for him. 15. Ladder Match for the WWF Intercontinental Title--Christian vs Chris Jericho: Unforgiven, September 12, 2004. Now, this was a very physical match. I'm very glad it made it on the DVD; it would seem like this match would have been overlooked. However, it's on here and it is spectacular, with Christain and Jericho putting on a great show. 9/10. Now, to Disc 3. It begins with Grisham changing a light bulb and talking to Shelton Benjamin, who goes about how he stole the show in the next match: 16. Money In The Bank Ladder Match--Shelton Benjamin vs Edge vs Kane vs Chris Benoit vs Chris Jericho vs Christian: Wrestlemania 21, April 3, 2005. It's not surprising this match would be good. I mean, you have 6 great talents in it; they are bound to put on a great show. And, they really do in this match. Also, Benjamin wasn't lying; he did steal the show in this match. 9/10. 17. Ladder Match for the Custody of Dominick(Rey's son)--Rey Mysterio vs Eddie Guerrero: SummerSlam, August 21, 2005. Man, I forgot how much that Dominick storyline sucked. I mean, Rey and Eddie's feud in 2005 started out really well. You had Eddie being angry that he couldn't beat Mysterio. You would think that would be enough for a feud. But, NO! WWE just had to have these two feud over custody of Dominick. Oh, well, at least they had some good matches. And, this was a great match. Though it probably would have been better if Dominick was haning above the ring. Also, there is a very pathetically funny moment in the match with Dominick shaking the ladder when Eddie goes for the breifcase. It's so sad it's funny. 9/10. Next, Edge shows up again and talks about is feud with Matt Hardy in 2005, which ended with this match: 18. Loser Leaves RAW Money In The Bank Ladder Match--Matt Hardy vs Edge: RAW Homecoming, October 3, 2005. This match encompasses one of the things I don't like about WWE: how they make RAW to be the end all and be all. I mean, JR, Jerry Lawler, and Coach basically talked throughout the match about how bad it would be for Matt and Edge if they had to leave RAW and go to SmackDown! It's like SmackDown! is a sewage treatment plant in WWE. Oh, well, at least the match was good. Matt and Edge had a great feud in 2005, which had sense reality to it due to Edge stealing Lita from Matt. It made sense that Edge and Hardy would end their feud with a ladder match, and this was a good ending. 8/10. Next, Grisham talks with Ric Flair about being our next match: 19. TLC for the WWE Title--Ric Flair vs Edge: RAW, January 16, 2006. This was a good match, though it was a little tough to see Ric Flair wrestle in this match. I mean, he's nearly 60 and putting himself through hell to have a good match. Hell, it painful to watch Flair take some of the bumps in this match, but that doesn't hurt the match's quality. 10/10. Then, the IWC's favorite son, John Cena, shows up to talk about this match: 20. TLC for the WWE Title--John Cena vs Edge: Unforgiven, September 17, 2006. It was so obvious Cena was going to win this match. I mean, it was Edge's specialty match in his hometown. The odds were stacked against Cena, and he overcomed them once again. But, that didn't hurt the match. Cena might not be a technical master, but he can put on a great brawl. Of course, Edge was there to help Cena in a match he helped to make famous. Also, I marked for when Cena kicked a chair; and it flew all the way to the Spanish announce table, nearly hitting one of the commentators. 8/10. 21. Ladder Match for the WWF Intercontinental Title--Jeff Hardy vs Johnny Nitro: RAW, November 20, 2006. It seemed kind of weird this match would be on the DVD. It's not that the match isn't bad, because it's not. It just seems like an obscure match that would have been ignored. Anyway, Nitro and Hardy put on a pretty show with this match. 8/10. Then, Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro show up. This is technically Mercury's last WWE appearance, and he talks about that horrible injury he suffered in the last match on the DVD. Also, watch Mercury and Nitro made realize how much I miss MNM. Damn, those guys are hilarious in the few minutes they are shown here: 22. Ladder Match for the WWE Tag Team Titles--The Hardy Boys vs Paul London and Brian Kendrick vs William Regal and Dave Taylor vs MNM: Armageddon, December 17, 2006. This was one of the best matches from last year, and it was a complete surprise. Theodore Long made the match on the PPV right before Londrick and Taylor and Regal were about to have their match. Also, the look on Regal's face when he hears the announcement is priceless; and I love how JBL kept saying that Taylor and Regal were afraid of heights And, this match isn't for the squemish as it is known for the horrible nose and eye injury Mercury suffered when Jeff Hardy sent a ladder in his face. Though, there are other great parts to the match. Taylor and Regal may have looked out of place, but they did a good job in the match. The Hardys were there usual good selves in the match. And, Londrick looked really impressive. 10/10. All in all, this is a fun DVD. Sure, the matches are pretty much spotfests; but they are very good and entertaining. This DVD is definitely worth the price. Though, it is lacking a lot of good matches, hopefully, WWE will release a Volume 2. Highlight: “Lita’s jerking Edge off…the ladder!!!!” Highly Recommended.
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Post by Macho Dude Handy Damage on Jun 17, 2007 17:23:40 GMT -5
damn, i thought this thread would be hulk hogan's DVD reviews. color me disappointed!
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Post by Big Daddy Bad Booking on Jun 17, 2007 19:48:38 GMT -5
I love these reviews, do some more man!
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Jun 18, 2007 1:02:27 GMT -5
I love these reviews, do some more man! Okay: Mick Foley's Greatest Hits And Misses. (Hardcare Edition) 3-Disc DVD. Ah, Mick Foley. The man is a legend. He has put on some of the greatest hardcore bouts in wrestling history. And, he is an awesome promo man. He can deliver an incredibly funny promo and one that is very dramatic. So, it would come as no surprise that WWE would release a DVD about the man. Hell, they re-released it and added an additional matches to it. So, let's review it: We start with disc one. Mick Foley hosts it and talks frankly about the matches on the disc, like the first one: WCW World Heavyweight Championship--Cactus Jack vs. Big Van Vader: WCW Saturday Night, April 17, 1993. This was a pretty good match. At the time, Vader had a reputation for being incredibly rough in the ring. I mean, he broke the back of a jobber before this match. He was so rough that WCW basically had no choice but to feud him with Foley as he could really take a lot of punishment. Since WCW had a strict policy on blood not being shown on television at the time, the appearance of blood was edited out of the original broadcast. However, blood was shown on the DVD thanks to an unedited copy of the match that Foley owned. This match is also missing the original commentary by Jesse "The Body" Ventura, due to an early 1990s lawsuit involving videotape royalties filed by Ventura against the WWF. Though, I figured WWE would have put it back since a few DVDs have had his commentary intact. Oh, well. Ventura's missing commentary doesn't take away from the match. It is really good, and you get to see Vader in his prime. 8/10. Chicago Street Fight for the WCW World Tag Team Championship--Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne vs. The Nasty Boys: WCW Spring Stampede, April 17, 1994. This was a pretty good brawl. Before the match, Foley said that the Nasty Boys could be brutal in their matches. And, they looked brutal in the bout. This match also took place shortly after Foley lost his right ear. 8/10. Cactus Jack vs. Sabu: ECW Hostile City Showdown, June 24, 1994. Before the, Foley said that fans might have been disappointed with the match since they expected to "see someone die." Well, it was disappointing. It's not that the match wasn't good, but I can see that people expected from this match. It isn't the best match Sabu and Foley have had, but it was pretty good. 7/10. Cactus Jack vs. Chris Candido: Smoky Mountain Wrestling, November 18, 1994. This was the only match on the DVD to take place in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. It also includes a pre-match promo from Cactus Jack. This was a pretty good short little match. Candido looks really good in the match. It's also the tamest match on the DVD. 7/10. Texas Death Match--Cactus Jack vs. The Sandman: Extreme Championship Wrestling, February 4, 1995. Before this match, Foley is very honest. He does not consider this match one of his best, due to the fact that The Sandman suffered a concussion early in the match and thus is clearly dazed and confused throughout the match, seemingly forgetting the rules of the Last Man Standing gimmick. Seriously, Sandman would not stay down. Foley did not even pick it for the DVD. Well, this match was decent at best. Sandman and Foley have had better matches, and I can see why Foley wouldn't have had it on the DVD. 6/10. Cactus Jack & Raven vs. Terry Funk & Tommy Dreamer: ECW November To Remember, November 18, 1995. This was a great hardcore match. This was also when Foley was in his Anti-Hardcore phase. He even wears a shirt proclaiming his love for the Dungeon of Doom, and reveals another shirt with a airbrushed Eric Biscoff on it. 9/10. Cactus Jack vs. Mikey Whipwreck: ECW Big Ass Extreme Bash, March 9, 1996. This was Foley's last match in ECW before going to the WWF. Foley said before the match that the standing ovation he got from the fans following the match may have been the greatest moment of his career. And, that ovation was deserved. The match was incredible. Hell, Whipwreck looked good in it. I enjoyed it a lot due to the action and drama in it. 10/10. Bonus Material: There are three bonus matches on the disc: Cactus Jack vs. Sting: WCW Beach Blast 1992 (features commentary by Foley and Jonathan Coachman) This was a damn good match. Foley and Sting put on a helluva show. And, on the commentary, Foley put over Sting very well and say that he felt this was his best match before 1996. 10/10. Cactus Jack vs Sabu: September 30, 1994 (features commentary by Foley and Jonathan Coachman) This match is much better than the other Sabu and Cactus Jack match on the DVD. It shows how tough Sabu is: during the match, Sabu goes for a moonsault to Foley on the outside, but he misses gets more steel guardrail than Foley. It looked like he broke some ribs, but Sabu continued. Foley also talked about how the early ECW had to work with whatever was in the arena they were at as there are some spots where a table doesn't break like it does in WWE and bottle takes forever to break over Foley's head. Though, those don't hurt the match. 9/10. Mick Foley's WWE television debut: "Jack Foley" & Les Thornton vs. The British Bulldogs (September 13, 1986. Ah, the days of the jobber matches. This was a classic squash. The Bulldogs look great in their technical primes, and they really give it to Foley. Hell, Dynamite Kid gave Foley a clostheline to the jaw that torn a ligament in his jaw and forced him to eat liquid food for a few months. 6/10. The other bonus matches include a post-match interview with Cactus Jack following his match with Vader, the promo where Cactus Jack spits on the WCW World Tag Team Championship belt, the awesome "Cane Dewey" promo, the also great "Anti Hardcore" promo, Foley's ECW farewell speech, and a feature from WWE Confidential where Foley talks about what he did in his retirement from 2000-2004. Now onto disc two: It starts off with Foley talking about how he became Mankind when he entered the WWF. That leads to this match: WWF Championship--Mankind vs. Shawn Michaels: WWF In Your House 10: Mind Games, September 22, 1996. Foley considered this match the best of his career for the majority of his career. However, in his latest book, The Hardcore Diaries, he mentioned that his hardcore match with Randy Orton that occurred in 2004 at Backlash exceeded this match. Though, this match is really good. Michaels and Foley put on a good show, and I can see why Foley considered this his best match for so long. 10/10. Falls Count Anywhere Match--Cactus Jack vs. Triple H: WWF Raw Is War, September 22, 1997) This was Mick Foley's first match in the WWF as Cactus Jack. It also includes what many believe to be one of Foley's best promos in which he appeared as Mankind, Dude Love and Cactus Jack. In this promo, they all try to decide who would be the best opponent for Triple H. Foley ends the promo saying "Cactus Jack is back!" It was a pretty good match. Also, it is weird to look at Chyna back then and wrap your head around the fact that she looks a lot different today. 7/10. Falls Count Anywhere Match--Mick Foley vs. Terry Funk: WWF Raw Is War, May 4, 1998. Until 2000, this was the only match where Foley wrestled under his real name. Stone Cold Steve Austin is on commentary, which really made be miss the Stone Cold character, especially in his prime. This was a good match. Foley and Funk pulled out all the stops. 8/10. WWF Championship--Dude Love vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin: WWF In Your House 22: Over The Edge, May 31, 1998. This was a great match. Foley and Austin did a good job. These looked like they were going to kill each other in the match. And, Vince McMahon was perfect in his role as special guest referee, as were Pat Patterson and Gerald Bisco. Also, it was great to hear Jerry Lawler when he was great on commentary; what happened? Finally, Foley said that this was his favorite moment as Dude Love. 9/10. Hell in a Cell--Mankind vs. The Undertaker: WWF King Of The Ring, June 28, 1998. This is probably the most famous wrestling match of all time. Foley even said that he will most likely be remembered for this moment by most fans. It is amazing to look at this match and see Foley keep going after falling off the cell and being chokeslammed through it. This definitely proved that Foley was tough as hell. Though, it isn't the best match in the world. Hell, those two spots pretty much make the match. But, it is still a match will be remembered for years to come. 8/10. WWF Championship--Mankind vs. The Rock: WWF Raw Is War, December 28, 1998. Show aired January 4, 1999. Another infamous match. On WCW Monday Nitro, announcer Tony Schiavone mentioned Foley's title victory which was the main event of a taped RAW whereas Nitro was a live show. Schaivone sarcastically said of Foley's victory "That will put some butts in the seats." Following the comment, many fans switched over to RAW to see Foley win the WWF Title, resulting in many lost viewers for Nitro's main event which was the infamous "Fingerpoke of Doom" match between Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash. Following this incident, WWE Fans would occasionally arrive at shows with signs bearing such statements as "Mick Foley put my butt in this seat". It was a great match. I remember seeing it live and being shocked that Mankind won the WWF Title. It was great to see things I had forgotten, like Vince's reaction to Foley's win. It was priceless. The match itself isn't great, but it is a decent affair with a lot of drama. 7/10. Street Fight for the WWF Championship--Cactus Jack vs. Triple H: WWF Royal Rumble, January 23, 2000. Now, this was a great match. Foley was leaving the WWF, and you knew he would leave on a high note. And, this was win Triple H was so good. They both put on a good show with this match. It was a great way to send Foley off at the time. 10/10. Bonus Material: The bonus material on this disc include four Mankind promos leading up to his WWF Debut, a vignette entitled "Music to My Ear," an interview with Jim Ross prior to Mankind's match against Shawn Michaels, Jim Ross interviews Mankind where Mankind attacks Ross afterwards, the birth of Mr. Socko (that is still funny after all these years), two extras that feature Mick Foley and Al Snow in Las Vegas, and a segment from 2000 with Foley and Kurt Angle with Foley as the WWF Commissioner in which Foley books a reluctant Angle into match with The Undertaker. On March 6, 2007 WWE re-released the Greatest Hits and Misses DVD with a bonus disc with Foley's alterego "Dude Love" as the coverart. The third disc includes alternate commentary by Joey Styles and Mick Foley himself on the following matches: No Holds Barred Match for WWE Intercontinental Championship--Mick Foley vs. Randy Orton: Backlash, April 18, 2004. This was a great match. On the commentary, Foley said this was his favorite match and that it helped to make Orton look like a tough guy in the eyes of WWE fans. Well, I can't speak for other fans, but Orton looked tough to me, especially when he fell onto the thumbtacks. That still looks sick. 10/10. Hardcore Match--Mick Foley vs. Edge: WrestleMania 22, April 2, 2006. This was a pretty good match. Foley said that Edge was trying to steal the show in this match and that he felt Edge had done so. He also said that this match helped to make Edge look like a tough guy in WWE fans eyes even though he had been in some brutal matches before this one. Well, I felt Edge was already tough; but this match sure as hell didn't hurt him. 8/10. Extreme Rules Match--Mick Foley, Edge, and Lita vs.Terry Funk, Tommy Dreamer, and Beulah McGillicutty: ECW One Night Stand, June 11, 2006. At the beginning, Foley cut a great promo, saying how he sold out..."MADISON SQUARE GARDEN!" Then, he said his classic "LONG LIVE THE ALLIANCE!" promo. Then, Edge and Lita came out and cut a so-so promo. Then, Dreamer, Funk, and Beulah came; and Beulah challenged Lita to make the match an 6-Person Tag Match. And, that's what happened. Beulah and Lita pretty much stayed out of the match until the end, which was smart for them. This match was violent and bloody. It got gruesome when Edge and Foley brought out a plywood covered in barb wire. And, all four men got a taste of barb wire during the match. Funk had to be taken out of the match due to a cut above his eye. But he came back with a 2-by-4 wrapped in barb wire, set it on fired, and used it to knock Foley throught the barb wire plywood. In the end, Edge pinned McGillicutty after a Spear won the match for his team. But, the fans still appreicated Funk, Dreamer, and Beulah's effort. The fans really enjoyed the match, and it was a very good hardcore match. 9/10. "I Quit" Match--Mick Foley vs. Ric Flair: SummerSlam, August 20, 2006. This match was tough to watch, mainly because of Flair being in the match. To see him at his age put himself through such brutal matches can be hard to watch. Also, Foley said on the commentary that he was a little disappointed with this match. He felt that he and Flair could have made it better and more emotional. There was a lot of emotion in the match, with Flair doing a lot of big spots and Melina coming down, crying and trying to get Flair to end to the match. However, Foley is right. The match could have been better. So, that means Foley will be back to give us one more good match. 8/10. The original two discs have also been repackaged with new menu designs and the updated don't try this at home promo. It lacks some hidden extras on both discs, but it does feature some new ones such as Highlighting the Bulldogs match in the extras of the 1st disc and if you click either left or right a number of times it shows a video of Foley jumping off his friends house from the 'Loved one'. And they have new music for Cactus Jack (because the original song was never WWE property). All in all, this was a great DVD and a must have for Foley fans. It was a little weird to watch it since I have been use to watch DVDs on wrestlers with documentaries, but this was a nice change of pace and very entertaining. Highlight: It's a three-way tie between Tommy Dreamer hitting Raven with a VCR; Gerald Brisco getting knocked down in the Austin/Dude Love and then getting up holding the timekeeper hammer up high to show he was okay; and Foley calling Lita "The Doctor of Juganomics" on commentary on the 3rd disc. Highly Recommended, especially for Mick Foley fans.
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Jul 16, 2007 23:11:07 GMT -5
Time for another DVD review, whether you like it or not: Pulp Fiction: Collector's Edition. 2-Disc DVD. Ah, Pulp Fiction. The movie that put Quentin Tarantino on the map and spawned a whole bunch of copy-cat movies. The film is told in nonlinear order and follows three main characters through three main stories: 1. Vincent Vega (John Travolta) is a hitman who has to take his boss's wife, Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) out on the town while his boss, Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames), is gone on a trip. Things go well until Mia nearly overdoses after snorting heroin from Vega's jacket that she mistook for cocaine. 2. Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) is a boxer who has been paid by Marsellus in his latest match. However, Butch doesn't take the dive, instead he knocks his opponent out quickly in the fight, which ends up killing the opponent. Butch wisely bets on himself and now has enough money for him and his girlfriend to leave town. However, he ends up running into Wallace while trying to retrieve his dad's watch, which leads to a horrible incident in some electronic shop ran by a redneck. 3. Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vega have to retrieve a suitcase for Marsellus. During the retrieval, some guy shoots at both men, but he misses both of them and ends up dead. Jules sees this as a miracle and decides to quit being a hitman. However, his last day on the job gets snorked up when Vega accidentally kills a guy in the back seat of their car, which requires help from the Wolf (Harvey Keitel). After that problem is taken care of, Jules and Vega go for some breakfast. However, the restaurant they have breakfast in gets robbed by a couple of criminals (Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer). It is one of the best films I have ever seen. It doesn't follow a set order. The stories are interesting. The characters are wonderful, even though they are lowlifes. And, the dialogue is very good. It sounds a lot like typical conversations everyday, ordinary people would have. It was also pretty funny. I know it doesn't look like your typical comedy, but it has some hilarious moments. And, it can get laughs out of moments that don't look all that typically funny. All in all, it was a very good movie. Bonus material includes "Pult Fiction: The Facts," a making-of documentary; deleted scenes, with introduction by Tarantino on why they were cut; Tarantino's Charlie Rose interview; an episode of "Siskel & Ebert" that was focused entirely on Tarantino and the film; behind-the-scene montages; Michael Moore interviewing Jackons, Tarantino, and producer Lawrence Bender at the Independent Spirit Awards; Tarantion's acceptance speech from the Cannes Film Festival, where the movie won the Palme d'Or; theatrical trailers from around the world; TV spots; filmographies; reviews and articles analyzing the film; 8 different photo galleries, featuring hundreds of photos; and some DVD-ROM features. The special features are pretty good and have a lot of info on how the movie was made. They really complement the movie, but the movie is good enough to go without them. Basically, these special features are the very definition of "bonus": you don't need, but it's nice that they are there. Highlight: Mia describing to Vega the pilot she was starred in: Fox Force Five. Seriously, some needs to make that into a TV show. Also, while they're at it, they can make a Jackrabbit Slim restaurant as well. I would love to eat there. Recommended.
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Aug 25, 2007 22:24:01 GMT -5
Tonight will be a first. For the first time, I’m going to review a DVD of a TV show: The Venture Bros. Season 1. 2-Disc DVD. I know a lot of people crap on Adult Swim, saying it’s gone to crap with a bunch of crappy TV shows; and they’re mainly right. However, there is one show on the channel that is very good, despite it being relatively new: The Venture Bros. For those of you who don’t know much about the show, here’s the premise: the show is about Dr. Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture. He was once a young boy who got into a whole bunch of adventures with his father, Dr. Jonas Venture, and the original Team Venture. Then, Rusty grew up; and things went to crap, especially after Rusty didn’t finish college because of his dad’s death. Now, in his 40s, Dr. Venture is a crappy super-scientist who has been riding on his dead dad’s coattails for years. Rusty is also a father of two boys: Hank and Dean, AKA the Venture Bros. Hank is an adventurous young boy who looks like Fred from Scooby Doo, has a Batman obsession, and might be gay. Dean is more bookish and effeminate, but is surprisingly straight and has a crush on Triana, the Goth daughter of the Ventures’ necromancer neighbor, Dr. Byron Orpheus. There is also the Ventures’ bodyguard: Brock Samson, AKA the most dangerous man on the planet. Seriously, this guy will smurf YOU UP!!!! It’s good that Dr. Venture and his boys have such a manly and dangerous bodyguard as they always seem to get into trouble and have numerous villains, like: The Monarch, an incompetent villain with a butterfly fetish and a group of equally, if not more, incompetent henchmen; Baron Werner Ünderbheit, a Doctor Doom-like villain with a metal lower jaw who rules his country with an ironfist and blames Dr. Venture for his condition; Phantom Limb, an evil man with invisible arms and legs; Dr. Girlfriend, the masculine-voice love of the Monarch’s life, and Phantom Limbs; and many, many more. There is also, H.E.L.P.eR., the Ventures’ very loyal and emotional robot; Pete White, an albino computer scientist; and Master Billy Quizboy, “boy genius” who’s actually in a middle-age man (think Gary Coleman as a scientist and white). Well, that’s about it in a nutshell. Now, onto the episodes! 1. "Dia de Los Dangerous!"—August 7, 2004 1-01. When the Venture Family visits Tijuana for a lecture Dr. Venture is giving at the (community) University of Mexico, the dastardly Monarch weaves a cocoon of villainy that leaves the Venture Brothers trapped in his clutches, Dr. Venture kidney-less and Brock...dead? If only Dr. Venture would return his calls... This was a pretty good episode, not the funniest, but they were just starting; and it takes a while for a show to hit its stride. It’s still pretty good and introduces the characters really well. It’s a nice first episode. 7/10. 2. "Careers in Science"—August 14, 2004 1-02 The Venture Family must travel to space to repair an orbiting space station that Dr. Venture's father built in the 1970's, but a mysterious space phantom could be haunting the station! This gets even more intense as Brock's presence adds heat to an already tense romantic relationship between the station's two officers, Colonel Bud Manstrong and Lieutenant Anna Baldavitch. It didn’t take this show long to hit its stride. This episode is really funny, with Brock sleeping with the butter-face Baldavitch with Hank and Dean cheering him on, thinking he’s fight “Phantom Spaceman”; Dr. Venture nearly killing Brock when he’s flipping switches trying to get that “Problem” light to go off and accidentally opening the cargo doors; and H.E.L.P.eR. flying around space. It’s a really good episode. 9/10. 3. "Mid-Life Chrysalis"—September 25, 2004 1-03 The Monarch sends Dr. Girlfriend undercover to seduce Dr. Venture in order to inject him with a body-altering serum. Meanwhile, Brock is deeply depressed to learn his secret agent license to kill has expired, but the boys are hell-bent on helping him cram for his government exam. This was a pretty good episode. The best part of Brock taking the test, though Dr. Venture being turned into a caterpillar seemed a little weak. Still a good episode. 7/10. 4. "Eeney, Meeney, Miney... Magic!"—September 4, 2004 1-04 Dr. Venture's new experiment has the entire family interested, not to mention trapped inside! The Ventures' strange new neighbor, master of mysticism Dr. Orpheus, may be the only one who can help them escape. Meanwhile, Dean falls for Dr. Orpheus's teenaged daughter; and Brock has an encounter with his old flame, Molotov Cocktease. This is a very good episode, as it introduces us that wonderfully overdramatic necromancer: DOCTOR BYRON ORPHEUS!!!! He’s hilarious, and this episode is a good introduction to him. 8/10. 5. "The Incredible Mr. Brisby"—August 28, 2004 1-05 Dr. Venture is offered a job by theme park owner and cartoon magnate Roy Brisby, who won't take no for an answer in his quest for worldwide entertainment dominance. Meanwhile, the boys are given the Patty Hearst treatment by the Orange County Liberation Front, a group of militant suburbanites who want to take down Brisby's empire. Brock enlists the aid of former lover and fellow superspy Molotov Cocktease to "mount" a rescue, but she may have her own agenda. This episode features a wonderful parody of Walt Disney, a terrorist group based in Orange County that brainwashes Hank and Dean, the sexy yet unavailable Molotov Cocktease, Dr. Venture being drugged and thinking he’s Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” and a giant panda. What’s not to love! 10/10. 6. "Tag Sale – You're It!"—October 9, 2004 1-06 Always short on cash, Dr. Venture decides to unload some of his father's old scientific equipment in a huge yard sale that attracts fellow scientists and supervillains alike. Everyone is supposed to be on their best behavior, but the Monarch can't resist the temptation to wreak havoc once he finds himself inside the "belly of the beast"...and in desperate need of a bathroom. Another great episode. It marks Baron Ünderbheit's debut, with a disgusting scene where he removes his jaw, as well as Phantom Limb’s. It also has a hilarious security agent who likes to punish men who disobey him by making them wear dresses. There’s a great fight scene started when the Monarch shoots Ünderbheit in the butt, and he thinks some guy looking at Playboy featuring Sarah Michelle Gel-LAR is responsible. And, we learn that you don’t want to incure the WRATH OF THE MONARCH!!!! (That means he’ll take a dump in your toilet and won’t flush.) 10/10. 7. "Home Insecurity"—August 21, 2004 1-07 To protect the Venture compound while Brock is on his yearly mountain survival sabbatical, Dr. Venture builds a panic room and a robotic bodyguard, which are soon put to the test when both the Monarch's and Baron Ünderbheit's henchmen choose the same night to launch attacks. While the supervillains bicker over who has dibs on Dr. Venture, Brock is busy befriending the strangest couple in the Cascadian mountains, and H.E.L.P.eR. runs away in a fit of jealousy. This is a good episode, but it will give you the creeps with thoughts of the Six Million Dollar Man getting romantic with a Sasquatch. EWWW!!!! 8/10. 8. "Ghosts of the Sargasso"—September 11, 2004 1-08 On a scientific expedition in the Bermuda Triangle, Doc's experimental equipment awakens and possibly enrages the submerged ghost of Major Tom, a test pilot who crashed in an experimental aircraft designed by Doc's father. While there, the Venture's hydrofoll is hijacked by a group of fake ghost pirates who've been stranded in the sargassum since Jesus Jones was popular. If you like pirates, David Bowie references, and a guy using his butt to swing a pirate around into killing another pirate, then this is the episode for you. The best part is Dr. Venture running around the bottom of the sea, looking for that experimental aircraft, especially at the end. 10/10. 9. "Ice Station – Impossible!"—September 18, 2004 1-09 Dr. Venture, Pete White, and Master Billy Quizboy are invited to take part in a top secret government think tank run by supergenius Professor Impossible (coincidentally their former college professor), but Doc's life is in jeopardy once he learns the dark secrets of Impossible's sequestered family. Meanwhile, Hank has become a walking time bomb thanks to a stolen Cold War serum, and Brock and Dean are in a race against the clock to save him. I liked this episode, especially for the Fantastic Four reference: you have a Mr. Fantastic who’s a huge egotistical jerk, which is pretty much what Mr. Fantastic is like today; an Invisible Woman who can only turn her skin invisible, a Human Torch who can’t control his powers; and the Thing if he was mentally retarded. I also like the Race Bannon appearance. Interesting side note, the creator of the show, Jackson Publick, was going to use a character based on Bannon for episode until he learned that Cartoon Network owned the rights to the show Johnny Quest and decided to use the actual character. 10/10. 10. "Are You There, God? It's Me, Dean"—October 2, 2004 1-10 The Monarch finally has the Venture family right where he wants them, hanging upside down above the Amazon River! But, his victory is postponed when Dean suffers a strange ailment: according to the bylaws of the Guild of Calamitous Intent, a temporary truce must be called in order to get Dean medical attention, so Brock and Hank are held as collateral. Doc calls on his friends, Master Billy Quizboy and Pete White, to help Dean with his mysterious ailment. This is a hilarious episode. I mean, it basically says that there is a supervillain organization that will torture kids if they are healthy but won’t if they are sick and/or injured and will let them get medical treatment! I also enjoyed Brock attacking the Monarch’s henchmen simply to give the villain something to do and the Monarch acting all paternal to Hank. Though, I didn’t like Dean’s ailment, mainly because it was testicular torsion. I imagine it’s as painful as it sounds. However, the scene where Dr. Venture gets his friends to cheer Dean up after his surgery is hilarious, as is the testicular torsion PSA at the end of the episode. 9/10. 11. "Past Tense"—October 16, 2004 1-12 When Brock and Dr. Venture are kidnapped from the funeral of a college friend, the boys enlist the aid of the original Team Venture: a group of superscience adventurers who worked for their grandfather in the 1960s. Meanwhile, the mysterious kidnapper reveals the secret of his twenty year old grudge through a series of flashbacks to when he, Brock, Doc, Baron Ünderbheit and Pete White were all in college together. This is my favorite episode of Season 1. I mean, some guy kidnaps his college buddies at his funeral because they wronged him college, and these “wrongs” mainly revolved around his obsession with some girl he had a crush on in college, which extended to him stalking the girl and building robots with her face on them. I also enjoyed the part where Brock escapes and attacks the old Team Venture. And, the original Team Venture is wonderful: you have Colonel Horace Gentleman, a gay version of James Bond, complete with Sean Connery voice; Kano, a silent martial artist/origami folder; Otto Aquarius, the exiled fish-man from Atlantis who is now a Mormon; and The Action Man, who appeared in the “Ghosts of the Sargasso” episode, once a tower of physical fitness, he’s now a shell of his former self and will die in two years from a stroke because Dr. Orpheus said so. All in all, this is a wonderful episode. 10/10. 12. "The Trial of the Monarch"—October 23, 2004 1-13 The Monarch is on trial for the one crime he may not have committed, under mysterious circumstances stemming from his bitter breakup with Dr. Girlfriend. The boys and Dr. Orpheus are forced to testify, but only Brock is aware that something far more sinister is afoot. This is the Monarch at his best, from his anger at the tell-all book written about him to his jealously of Dr. Girlfriend to his overly dramatic outbursts. There is also a hilarious fantasy sequence at the beginning of the episode; it’s basically Hank and Dean’s testimony in which Hank is Indiana Jones, Dean is Thomas Magnum of Magnum, P.I., Brock is himself but with a nice suit and castrating a giant ancient statue, the Monarch is a much better villain that he is in real life, and Hank and Dean can turn into an Anime robot of Shiva, the Hindu goddess. 10/10. 13. "Return to Spider-Skull Island"—October 30, 2004 1-11 Dr. Venture finally learns the secret of his recurring nightmares when a stomach tumor turns out to be something far more sinister: his twin brother he consumed in the womb! In a fit of jealousy over their mistaken belief their father is pregnant, the boys run away from home. But, their newfound freedom is short lived once they run afoul of the law and land themselves in a "Scared Straight"-style outreach program headed by none other than the recently incarcerated Monarch. If there’s anything funnier than the Monarch and a gay talking gorilla are running a “Scared Straight” program, then I don’t know what it is. There is also Dr. Orpheus trapping two rednecks into a Homeboy figurine, the Ventures and Brock dressed as characters from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” and a SHOCKING ending. SPOILERS. Two of the monarch’s henchmen accidentally kill Hank and Dean. SPOILERS END. All is all, this is a good episode; and it gives us a new character, Jonas Venture, Jr., Dr. Venture’s twin brother with a baby body and a flipper hand. It’s a good season finale with a great cliffhanger. 9/10. There are also some great special features. The DVD has two bonus episodes: The Pilot "The Terrible Secret of Turtle Bay"—February 16, 2003 0-01 The Venture family travels to New York City, where Dr. Venture is presenting his newest invention to the United Nations. Meanwhile, they are pursued by the Monarch and a mysterious ninja named Otaku Senzuri. This is pretty much like the show, expect the animation is very different. Also, the Monarch and Dr. Girlfriend look very different, and Prof. Impossible makes his first appearance but with a different voice and no name mentioned. In the pilot, Publick’s brother Peter McCulloch does the voice of the stretching scientist; in the “Ice Station — Impossible!” episode, Steven Colbert does the voice. However, this is your typical Venture Bros. It’s about like the first episode: not that great, but still pretty good. 7/10. "A Very Venture Christmas"—December 19, 2004 S1 Dr. Venture throws a Christmas party for many of his friends, but the party goes awry when Dean and Hank find Dr. Orpheus's spell book. Meanwhile, the Monarch has hatched yet another plan to kill Dr. Venture, this time involving a nativity scene booby-trapped with C4 explosive. This is a very good episode, even though it’s only 11 minutes as oppose to the other 22 minute episodes. It has a lot of good moments, like Dr. Venture’s Christmas movies-induced dream; Hank finding some Christmas-theme pornos; Dr. Venture getting “punished” by The Krampus, a Germanic demon that accompanied Saint Nicholas in olden times that meted out punishment to the bad children while Nicholas rewarded the good children with presents; and the Ventures’ X-1 jet crashing in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. It was really good. 9/10. The other features include deleted scenes from several episodes, commentary from the cast and creators, and two mockumentary featurettes: one has the actors who do the voices of Dr. Venture, Dr. Girlfriend, The Monarch, and Henchmen No. 21 and 24 dressing up like the characters they voice and describing what it’s like to “work” on the show; and the other is Pete White and Billy Quizboy narrating a preposterous animating technique for a shot of Hank and Dean doing the “Go Team Venture!” hand sign. All in all, this is a great show. In my mind, it’s not only the best show on Adult Swim; it’s the best animated show on TV today. I mean, it’s hilarious. The characters are wonderfully over-the-top yet still relatable. The episodes are very original and chock full of references from movies, TV, music, comic books, science fiction, and other facets of pop culture that would give any nerd an orgasm. It’s just a wonderful show. Highlight: There’s a part of the “Behind The Scenes Of The Venture Bros. Live Action Movie” featurettes where creators Jason Publick and Doc Hammer yell at “Dr. Venture” until he gets a line a right. It’s hilarious. Highly recommended.
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