High Road (2011)

I have to completely disagree with the previous reviewer. I just went to a screening of this film in NYC and found this movie to be absolutely hilarious. Maybe I'm of a younger generation than the previous reviewer but I wasn't the only one who seemed to enjoy this film. The theatre was sold out, had a very diverse mix of all shapes, sizes & ages in the audience and the laughter never stopped. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. Its clear that this film is a very low budget indie and I went in not expecting much, but I found the ensemble cast very entertaining and the story surprisingly sweet ~ which is why I came on here to purchase some copies for friends! I loved it.

This movie is FUNNY. I don't think I am the target audience for this movie, but I found it hilarious laugh til you cry. I have never been a huge fan of improv but this story seems to have a path, and it is so good that it makes me want to take another look at some other improv movies!

I think this movie is perfect for watching with friends. The laughing can be contagious when watching so don't choke on your popcorn! If you have a chance to see this in a theater the theater will be FULL of laughter and joy. Great movie!!

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I was one of the lucky ones to see this movie in a theater, and I laughed my ass off!!! I'm a huge fan of Improv and UCB, so when I finally saw this movie there was no surprise that I would love it. After purchasing and watching it again I caught some subtle jokes that I didn't get before due to the fast pace and the fast dialogue. This is a type of movie that grows on you, like Grandma's Boy. At first I hated Grandma's Boy and thought it was the stupidest movie I have ever seen. Then I watched it with some friends who enjoyed it, and we laughed til we cried. High Road is shot like another Improv movie from a few years back called Cyrus (Matt Walsh, the director of High Road was also in Cyrus) but where Cyrus was a mopey melodrama, High Road plays out like a French Farce. The plot really doesn't matter, but it's the actions of the characters and listening to their dialogue that really makes the movie shine. Watch it with some friends and pay attention, or else you'll miss the funny.

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Almost a perfect movie. I laughed pretty freakin' hard at a lot of the jokes, and the plot kept moving along at a decent pace. The fact that the script was improved only adds to the humor. Oh the soundtrack was excellent. I want to find it and purchase it only for the sound the drag queen dad sings towards the end.

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"I'm not a drug dealer, I'm an artist." Glenn "Fitz" Fitzgerald's life

is starting to fall apart. His band is breaking up and he watches his

former mates find success while he is stuck at home selling pot to make

money. This may be my shortest review ever. This movie is 100%

improved. Unlike movies like "Best In Show", "Mighty Wind", and most of

Will Ferrell's movies this one is not funny. It may be because I'm too

old but this is not my type of movie and I thought it was lame and

boring. Overall, not for me. I give it a D.

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This Means War (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) (2012)

I won't go into great details because there is no need to spoil it for you. If you're coming to read these, I am assuming you probably are trying to decide if you want to watch it or not.

The story is beyond predictable, but that doesn't mean it's not worth "date night".

The movie is about two close friends. They are CIA partners, you know that there is a brotherhood that only forms when you put your life in someone else hands. That relationship is put to the test when they both fall for the same woman ... in walks femme fatal, Reese Witherspoon whose character contains that charm which has made Reese a mainstay in cinema.

The plot is a road-map that lists all the main attractions along the way. You know where it's going, everyone's been there before, yet you still have fun. This movies is above all else a romantic comedy. It has just enough action to help guys enjoy the movie with their girls. It throws in a bit of situation and physical comedy to keep it from being sticky sweet.

You'll probably know what's going to happen before it does. That's ok; and it's ok to laugh out-loud even when the jokes are completely obvious. Allow yourself to enjoy this no brainer comedy and you might even find yourself rooting for the inevitable evolution each character has.

Still not sure? Rent before you buy and decide for yourself, after all, no two people are alike.

I hope this was helpful. Enjoy!

If you liked my review and found it helpful, please vote. Thanks. :-)

When two CIA agents find themselves vying for the same woman, their rivalry is epic! Lucky Reese Witherspoon, to be one-third of an eternal triangle with these guys!

Director McG ("Terminator Salvation," and "Chuck") certainly knows how to open a film with a bang and never slow down. Even though this is a romantic comedy, CIA activities and skirmishes are couched in enough reality that we invest a little skin in the game. But the banter and camaraderie between two hunky heroes keep it cartoony and light. Furthermore, the conversations between our heroine and her best friend are hilarious, particularly when they are being overheard by the guys.

* Reese Witherspoon ("Water for Elephants") tests products and facilitates focus groups, but she hasn't quite recovered from her last break-up. Her best friend offers sage advice that positively drips with envy.

* Chris Pine ("Star Trek") is the smooth man about town, a CIA-trained lady killer with blue eyes you could get lost in. Problem is, Reese isn't about to fall. She may be tempted, but she won't fall. ...maybe....oops....

* Tom Hardy ("Inception") is the third side of this triangle, who pretends to be a travel agent, which contributed to the end of his marriage. Now he's competing with Chris Pine for Reese's affections and not doing too badly, either, despite being British...

* Chelsea Handler (lots of TV) is the best friend who keeps offering Reese all that bad, bad advice. She's so funny I'd probably try her suggestions, too! Hey, don't Volkswagens have air bags?

Once again we are confronted with a PG-13 film that is fairly anatomical, but it's so funny I guess I'll forgive them. The clever script is loaded with double entendres that had us laughing out loud ("the agent has entered the premises"). To watch Hollywood's version of the high-tech power the CIA can bring into this testosterone-laden rivalry is really fun! Plus, I've never seen Ms. Witherspoon so relaxed or funny before.

Expect no sweaty bodies, a snippet of profanity, lots of gunfire, some bloody fisticuffs, a bit of exciting vehicular mayhem, and even some blowie uppie stuff. Our happy audience made a LOT of noise as we left the theater. This should do very well, because it's good old-fashioned entertainment, no socially redeeming qualities, just silly fluffy fun. Amazon.com will notify me when the DVD is available.

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If you're in the mood to sit back, laugh, and not have to think too much this is the movie for you! It's the perfect combination of Comedy, Romance, and Action. The cast has good chemistry and are sexy to boot! As with any romantic comedy, you can't over analyze...you just have to sit back and enjoy!

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Let me say first that I agree with a lot of what the other reviewers have said both good and bad. The audience was quite happy with this movie, and it made for a nice date. It's a piece of fluff -but it's bad fluff. Now, wait, I was going to give the good parts first. Tom Hardy. Tom Hardy. Some funny bits, like the paintball scene, the way each guy spoils the other's dates. That's about it. I'd add Chelsea Handler for a couple of funny remarks, but I really don't see what she's doing in the movie. Uh, and the cinematography is often very good. That's about it.

The bad parts are really, really bad. For the romcom format, this is a disaster. There is no chemistry between Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon. I mean, when McG has to mount a kitchen counter to show Pine and Witherspoon how to do foreplay, you know there's a problem. There is no chemistry between Tom Hardy and Reese Witherspoon, either. Uh, I forgot another good thing: the chemistry between Pine and Hardy is great; they play off of each other (think Eames and Arthur in Inception)with genuine comedic talent. Which is surprising given their out of the box casting. I'd read that both men wanted to add some fluff to their resumes but they're wasted here. What they need is a vehicle that has a good script and a good director. Reese Witherspoon did the Oscar-winning June Carter Cash role years ago, and the Legally Blonde thing even longer than that. McG says she wanted to show off her sexy side here. That may have something to do with the zero chemistry thing. Plot problems: the premise is weak. Two incompetent covert-operations agents have been grounded, and so they play around with surf-dating. Would you believe -they both fall for the same woman! Complication: they are closer than brothers, than partners, they "would take a bullet" for each other. However, when the time comes to test this bond, the men become twelve-year-olds and begin a series of gotcha/gotcha-back stunts. The plot has a lot of holes in it. What's Chelsea Handler doing in the movie? She provides nothing to fill out Witherspoon's character or to move the plot forward. She's given some witty impromptu lines. What's the bad-guy thing doing here? It's superfluous and badly done. The action scenes could certainly work with the stunts the two agents pull. And why is Angela Bassett in this movie? OMG The amount of wasted talent is humongous. McG's direction is, is, invisible. There is no direction here. All three of the actors try to build something with Legos, but McG insists on tearing it down. As a director, he shoots good videos.

Now for the worst criminal of all for the movie: the screenwriter(s). Let me start with the story's ending. It's ridiculous. "Don't choose the better man," Handler tells her, "choose the man who will make you better." Is she kidding? Reese does choose one of the men, but lest the audience feel cheated for the fate of the other -kind of ruining the romcom's happy, satisfying ending-he is given something to look forward to without Reese. I'd say he's the guy who really wins the "war." I read an interview where Hardy and Pine suggest writing an ending which would have been far more satisfying, not to say really funny, but McG nixed it. He did say, though, that there would be an alternate ending on the dvd. If the dvd sells for three bucks, I'll buy it for that. (And Tom Hardy. Did I mention him?) Oh, this is supposed to be the bad stuff. The screenwriter(s) must have been on crack. Or were paid two bucks a page. Will Smith and Reese produced this, and you'd think they'd have burned the script after reading it. Witherspoon has mentioned that when she thought one or another of the scenes "wasn't working," she'd change it. I mean, she admitted that. Whoa. The dialogue is not good enough to be called cliched. It's embarrassing. Since its release, both Pine and Hardy have had the charity to damn it with faint praise. Good for them. There is no cohesive story; the plot is choppy and some scenes gratuitous. It's like a string of miscellaneous scenes that someone forgot to edit.

Verdict: So-freaking-so. Have a couple of drinks before seeing this. Suspend all disbelief. Do not expect a good romcom. Do not expect comedic performances. Think back to your high-school days and the people you knew then, the popular girl, the sweet nerd, the jock, in an impossible triangle. Did you like them then? You won't like them now, either. Save your money instead of seeing this on the big screen. Rent the dvd, pop some corn, cuddle up on the sofa, and enjoy the fluff. Just don't expect it to be good fluff. In the meantime, rent a good Hepburn-Tracy movie if you want an intelligent romcom -and a really funny one.

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"Why don't you tickle Ivan's feet until he talks with your teeny tiny itty bitty jazz hands."

One of the best lines in recent movie history delivered with perfect comedic timing.

Even though Reese Witherspoon is the headliner the buddy story is well played by Tom Hardy and Chris Pine. Oscar worthy? No. Entertaining. Yep. Not all movies have to have deep life changing meaning. Some are meant to be silly. This is one!

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The Mel Brooks Collection (2011)

I was originally looking to only replace one DVD movie. However when I went looking on Amazon I saw that the collection was on a Timed Deal on Amazon. It had an extreme price cut and I could not pass it up. However even at the higher price it appears to be a value balancing both the content and price per disk in the set. I believe it to be worth the investment so as one would say the buy is not just a "Roll in the Hay" (pardon the Pun).

Here is the low down on the collection:

1) The Box and Packaging of the disks is very good. Includes a cover box and a plastic multi-disk case. (The disks did not shift out of their spot in shipping) Disks also go in and out of the case easily. The Silk Screening on the Box Art is well done. Great selection of Cover Art which is a picture of Mel Brooks as a "Director".

2) You receive quite a number of movies for the price. Silk Screening on the disks is clean and crisp.

3) The picture quality is better than DVD, but maybe not as good as I have seen with other box sets. But not to worry they do make good use of the extra room on the Blu-Ray with Extras.

4) I was impressed with the number of extras that were included, an Example of this is: In Young Frankenstein you get additional out-takes, interviews, bloopers, deleted Scenes, etc.

5) I would recommend exploring the extras they are fun to watch and also give you some insight into the creative process and at times a bigger picture of the story. (I.E. in Young Frankenstein you get to view, as part of the deleted scenes, the reading of the Baron's Will)

6) Includes Trivia Tracks which are fun to play.

7) Downside is it does not contain all of his movies. It would be Nice to have a Volume 2 or 3 which would eventually bring all the features together under one consistently produced collection.

8) Makes a great gift!

I would recommend the collection. So start trading in your DVDs.

This Collection Includes the Following 9 Titles on a set of Blu-Ray Disks:

Blazing Saddles

Spaceballs

Young Frankenstein

High Anxiety

History of the World Part 1

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Silent Movie

To Be or Not To Be

The Twelve Chairs

Blazing Saddles

Extras Include:

New Featurettes:

Trivia Games

Isolated Score Tracks

Deleted Scenes

Gag Reels

Commentaries

Interviews

Documentaries

Still Galleries

Most of the movies here are classics which makes it a problem if you don't want all the movies. The version of "Blazing Saddles" is the earlier release from Warner which doesn't look as good as the 30th Anniversary re-release and the extras aren't any great shakes. The transfer looks so-so and lacks the sharper look of the later 30th Anniversary Edition. "Young Frankenstein" resembles the first DVD release of the film from Fox with the same extras. Reportedly "Young Frankenstein" was supposed to be remastered in anamorphic widescreen but the wrong master used or the wrong discs shipped with this set. For those that care it's not anamorphic. The film looks extremely good but if you already have these classic films, I'd suggest waiting for these to be released individually.

Fans of Brooks will be buying this for the previously unreleased films "Silent Movie", "Robin Hood:Men in Tights", "To Be or Not to Be" (which Brooks didn't direct but stars in) and "High Anxiety". All these films look pretty good here (although "The Twelve Chairs" is probably going to be of the least interest to fans that grew up on Brooks other classic films). "Robin Hood" comes with an featurette produced for HBO on the film. Most of the others come only with theatrical trailer(s). "To Be or Not To Be" comes with a short featurette and some profiles of Brooks, the late Anne Bancroft and Charles Durning. Clearly they weren't produced for the DVD but must be some sort of promotional bits for another format (you're guess is as good as mine)possibly for an Electtronic Press Book.

If you have problems with any of the discs you can contact Fox at their customer service phone number 1-888-223-2FOX.

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Since I grew up in the 80's, I grew up with Mel Brooks' films. I have been a fan for as long as I can remember. When I saw this set listed on Amazon for $45.99, I couldn't pass it up. I must say that Fox has outdone themselves here. Those of you who have been buying Fox's DVDs and blu-rays probably know that there is nothing special about the majority of them, as many are lacking special features, etc. But not so with this set. First of all, the video transfers on all nine movies are simply incredible. I have watched all of these movies on DVD in the past, and the blu-ray versions just blows them all away. Every movie also has an impressive collection of special features. These include excellent documentaries (many of which are in HD), deleted scenes, trailers, TV Spots, etc. My only (albeit small) complaint here is that I wish more of the films had commentaries, because I love listening to Mel talk about the making of his movies. He is funny, witty, and he tells a great story. Also included is a 119-page, hard-bound book which talks about the making of all nine films. I am still in the process of reading it, but so far there is a lot of information about the making of the movies that I had not known before. My only other complaint about this set is that it is missing The Producers, Life Stinks, and Dracula: Dead and loving It. It really is too bad that these films were left out for whatever reason, but when they are finally released on blu, I will pick them up just the same. The bottom line is that if you are a fan of Mel Brooks' movies, then you simply can't go wrong here. You will not be sorry.

Read Best Reviews of The Mel Brooks Collection (2011) Here

FYI everyone, Mel Brooks only shot TWO films in wide screen: "Blazing Saddles" and "History of the World Part 1".

If you compare the rest of the films to the original full frame laserdiscs you will see that FOX just masked off the top & bottom of the picture to make the films look widescreen. They should have been presented in full frame to give us the complete picture, some signs & faces get cut off.

So now I have to keep my 1987 laserdiscs, even though these new transfers look sharper.

The missing films not in this box set are not owned by 20th Century Fox. We are lucky they made a special arrangement with Warner Brothers to include Blazing Saddles (although it is the old master) in this set.

"The Producers" , "Space Balls" and "Life Stinks" are owned by MGM.

"Dracula Dead and Loving it" is distributed by Warner Brothers & owned by Castlerock.

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Allow me to begin by stating that "High Anxiety" is by far, one the all-time BEST Mel Brooks films. Being a huge Hitchcock fan, I immediately became attached to this one. Thank you to 20th Century Fox for finally making this available in Region 1 DVD format for the US.

If you're even just a bit curious, check this title out. You won't be dissatisfied.

Enjoy,

Jeff

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Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar, Part 2 (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2009)

Babalun, Dagmeyer and the male Sacred Mechamasters have begun their attack on the Holy Land and have captured it! But with all hope is lost, the women of the Holy Land have one person they can put their trust in...one who may be able to save their lives...Kenshi!

Can Kenshi pull it off and will Kenshi ever return back home? Or will his friends or the temptation of so many girls wanting to marry him, will make him want to stay? Find out in the final part 2 of "Tenchi Muyou!: War on Geminar".

What is "Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar"?

In 2009, a spinoff OVA series that is a spin-off of "Tenchi Muyo!" was created by original creator Masaki Kajishima.

Presented in 13 OVA episodes which was released from March 2009-March 2010 and produced by AIC Spirits and BeSTACK, the OVA series would lead to a light novel adaptation by Atsushi Wada in 2009, a manga adaptation serialized in Comic REX in 2010 and now released in America on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of FUNimation (Note: Part 2 comes with episodes 8-13),

According to Kajishima, the anime is part of the "Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki" continuity and takes place 15 years after the events of "Tenchi Muyo! GXP". Because "Tenchi Muyo!: War on Geminar" features the debut of Tenchi's half brother Kenshi, this would lead many fans to discuss theories of Kenshi and its connection to the original series.

The series revolves around 15-year-old Kenshi Masaki who ended up in an alternate world of Geminar. This world has been waging war against each other using Sacred Mechanoids (humanoid weapons discovered in ancient ruins).

We are first introduced to Lashara Earth XXVIII, the 12-year-old ruler of the Shrtrayu Empire and her bodyguard Chiaia Flan who fights against intruders in the Holy Land. One of these intruders proves to be an excellent fighter and is revealed to be Kenshi.

Kenshi has been ordered to assassinate Lashara Earth XXVIII but can't do it as he is not a killer. Seeing good within Kenshi, as the group hold him captive and to find out his whereabouts, it is quickly learned that Kenshi is not of this world. In fact, he was being used by the enemies of Shtrayu Empire who had promised him a safe return back to his homeworld, which became false.

Finding out he had been betrayed, he is rescued by Dark Elf Aura Shurifon, who returns him back to Lashara. But they realize that he has caught a disease and will die unless he receives treatment. So, everyone works quickly to try and save him.

For now, Kenshi can be useful to the empire who is suffering from enormous debt. So, as they try to find a way for Kenshi to return back home, Lashara Earth XXVIII has Kenshi become her assistant, so he can learn and assimilate with society (which the female population outnumber males by a very large margin). So, naturally many of the women he comes into contact with are impressed by his demeanor, his work ethic and are amazed by his uncanny fighting skills and bravery.

But as Lashara and those working for her try to keep Kenshi's identity secret, there are those in the Holy Land who are working for the enemy and are keeping their eyes on Kenshi.

VIDEO:

"Tenchi Muyo!: War on Geminar Part 2″ is presented in 1080p High Definition. Because the series is an OVA series and not a television series, I was expecting the picture quality to be vibrant and fully-detailed. If anything, "Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar" seems more like a television series when it comes to picture quality.

There is a hint of softness, but the series does feature good shading, character and mechanical designs designs but similar to the original series, tends to use a lot of lush backgrounds, blue skies, mountains, a lot of trees, etc. But there are some emphasis on building structures, cement walls and most importantly its use of mechanical designs with Mecha featured throughout the series. There is also a good use of CG for floating structures and backgrounds. There are some indoor scenes which are nicely detailed but overall, picture quality is good but it is a bit soft.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

"Tenchi Muyo!: War on Geminar" is presented in Japanese and English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. I have to admit that I was so excited for the lossless soundtrack because the opening theme really comes out crystal clear and utilizes the surround channels immediately. But the overall presentation, while clear, is not as immersive as I would have hoped. Audio is primarily dialogue driven and center and front-channel, while music gets the surround sound treatment. But for a television series, audio is could and didn't notice any difference in terms of surround sound use on both Japanese or English lossless tracks.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"Tenchi Muyo!: War on Geminar Part 2″ comes with the following special features:

Audio Commentary for Episode 13 Joe McDonald, ADR Director interviews the English dub voice talent and technical crew.

Information and Sneak Peek of the Pay-Per-View Program 7-13 (3:33) The Japanese previews for the pay-per-view commercials for "Tenchi Muyo!: War on Geminar".

Presale Promotional Videos (:43) Promotional videos for the "Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar" DVD.

Teaser Trailers 3-5 (4:27) Teaser trailers for "Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar".

A Taste of a Day Recording Tenchi Muyou! War on Geminar's Radio Broadcast (8:04) Featuring personality Hiro Shimono (voice of Kenshi) and guest Mie Sonozaki (voice of Yukine) and a footage from the episode radio broadcast.

Web Trailers (3:42) The web trailers for "Tenchi Muyo!: War on Geminar".

Textless Opening Song "Follow Me"

Textless Opening Song "Destino"

U.S. Trailer U.S. Trailer for "Tenchi Muyou!: War on Geminar"

Trailers FUNimation trailers

EXTRAS:

"Tenchi Muyo!: War on Geminar Part 2″ comes with the Blu-ray and DVD version of episodes 8-13.

JUDGMENT CALL:

I have been watching every "Tenchi Muyo!" series since it was first released in Japan. A big fan of the original OVA's and animated films, it's always fascinating to see how the storyline is without the characters that fans have followed for many years.

First with "Tenchi Muyo! GXP" and now with "Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar", what will interest fans the most is the introduction of a 15-year-old named Kenshi, the half brother of Tenchi Masaki. How did this happen? Fans will find theories from other fans about who Kenshi may be. But in terms of the series, we have Kenshi stuck in another world and for the first half, the series is more introductory to the characters and a secret plot taking place behind-the-scenes.

The second half of "Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar" focuses on Babalun and his son Dagmyer along with the male Sacred Mechmasters of the Academy capturing the Holy Land. But also Babalun possessing the Shield of Gaia and trying to defeat Kenshi and restore the Sacred Mechalord Gaia. But to save the land, Kenshi must do all that is necessary to stop Gaia's revival.

The series does tend to play out as a harem anime series with flocks of women, not just a few, wanting to marry Kenshi. But fortunately, a much more deeper storyline is presented in the final half of the OVA series.

There are references to the "Tenchi Muyo!" characters in the anime series such as Washu and others when Kenshi is questioned about his home and these crystals that belong to him. But also his unusual abilities that surpass normal people in the planet.

As mentioned in my review of "part 1″, there is a little sexual humor in the series, so you may not want to watch this series with children in the room.

As for the Blu-ray release, I have to admit that I was a bit surprised that the OVA series looked more like a television series. Back in the day, "Tenchi Muyo!" was a series that captivated our attention at anime club screenings as the series was known as a quality series on LaserDisc at the time. Fast forward to 2010, when this series was first released, while shown on the Animax pay per view channel, I was hoping for sharper, crisper animation and less softness. But the series was soft and while many scenes did have good detail for its art backgrounds and some scenes and characters were well-shaded, it seemed more like the picture quality of a TV series than OVA series.

As for the lossless soundtrack, I loved how the music was utilized for the surround channels but I was hoping the action sequences would feature a bit more LFE and surround use. Dialogue and music are crystal clear but was hoping for something more immersive.

For special features, you get many of the Japanese special features included such as the commercial previews or trailers, a behind-the-scenes radio featurette and an audio commentary featuring the English dub voice talent and the FUNimation crew that worked on the series.

Overall, "Tenchi Muyo!: War on Geminar" is a harem sci-fi anime series that is enjoyable and fun. While the first half of the series is more about the fun and harem side of Tenchi, his gullible nature and the women who love him, there is more story, more action and things become a bit more deeper for the second and final of the OVA series.

If you are a fan of "Tenchi Muyo!", while none of the original characters appear in this OVA series, we are introduced to Kenshi Masaki, a 15-year-old half brother of Tenchi that is stuck in an alternate world and with his kind nature and his special ability, he proves himself as important in the lives of many people. But will he stay or will he go home back to Earth?

"Tenchi Muyo!: War on Geminar Part 2″ is recommended for fans who love sci-fi anime with a harem twist!

Poor Kenchi stuck on another planet with a lot of lovely ladies, sounds like another Misaki we know and love. But when the Holy Land is invaded by a power hungry ruler, he must reveal his abilities to protect the innocent. Now it is a race against time as the crew of the Swan tries to get enough help to take back the Holy Land but also as more and more ladies try to get Kenchi alone and perhaps married. Why can't more guys get that lucky???

Overall I enjoyed this series. The 45 minute episodes might be a little different than most people are used to, but it fits as each one tells a good story. I enjoy the tenchi's since the beginning and this is a good addition. If you enjoy the side stories like GXP and Rhy Oh Ohki you will enjoy this.

Buy Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar, Part 2 (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2009) Now

Like with the other series Tenchi Muyo GXP while some of the characters will be familiar others are pretty much new to the Tenchi Universe namely the younger brother of Tenchi named Kenshi Masaki, though you'll of course have the usual hilarity and harem drama of the Tenchi plot the action and mecha fights are pretty exciting a little reminiscent of another series Escaflowne. While the info of the series shows only thirteen episodes remember that each episode is about forty five minutes so if you compare that with the usual length of anime episodes you get a twenty-six episode series. The animation and soundtrack fit nicely and the Japanese subbed cast did terrifically and as expected from Funimation the English dubbed cast did great in their character roles. While the series sets are somewhat pricey the overall enjoyment of the series for myself makes it worth it so if you're a fan of the Tenchi franchise or Ranma 1/2 or looking for a comedic/romantic/dramatic action anime with an endearing cast and good story here's one worth taking a peek at....

Read Best Reviews of Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar, Part 2 (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2009) Here

Other than a few mentions and one flash of one the characters from the tenchi series, War on Geminar is a complete stand alone series. There is some character development but not much. However the story is solid, the characters are likable and memorable. This is a harem but the male lead is not some pathetic pushover that doesn't deserve a following. For only having thirteen episodes, though long, the series gets a lot done for story and plot progression. There really isn't a pointless episode. Every episode leads into the next smoothly and moves the story forward. There is fan-service but I would be hard pressed to find a harem anime without any. (One thing I am hoping for is Good English voice acting, and good packaging.)

Want Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar, Part 2 (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2009) Discount?

If you like the Tenchi OVA's and GXP then this is pretty much a must get. I got it for $30 for each part which was a great price.

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Submarine (2010)

Being a fan of Richard Ayoade from "The Mighty Boosh" and "The IT Crowd," I was eager to check out his feature film debut "Submarine." As the writer and director of this offbeat coming-of-age story, Ayoade demonstrates a deft hand balancing a narrative that is simultaneously outrageous and surprisingly grounded. Championed by Ben Stiller (who takes an executive producer credit), the movie has moments of laugh-out-loud humor to be sure--but it is much more than a conventional teenage romp. I hate using the term quirky as a descriptor. Quirk, as I've often and loudly proclaimed, is the curse of independent cinema. Too many times, eccentric characters and unbelievable situations abound in quirky coming-of-age stories that drain real life relatability out of the comedy. "Submarine," however, employs a real restraint. Its deadpan tone and clever script are its strongest assets in conveying a story that, despite its occasional wackiness, presents identifiable dilemmas and believable protagonists.

Set in contemporary Wales, "Submarine" introduces a high school outsider played by Craig Roberts. Roberts contends with the traditional angst of a boy of fifteen. Trying to navigate the pitfalls of school and, in the process, score his first real girlfriend--Roberts has an understated charm that is pivotal to the success of the film. Even at his most gloriously frustrating, Roberts always holds the story together as one of the most strikingly original heroes I've seen in a while. In addition to his blossoming romance with a very challenging partner, his life faces further upheaval as his parent's marriage seems to be on the brink of destruction. His mother (the always reliable Sally Hawkins) is spending a lot of time with an old paramour who happens to be a neighbor (Paddy Considine). Befuddled dad (Noah Taylor) seems ill-equipped to deal with this new set of circumstances so Roberts becomes both sleuth and mischief maker in a scheme to keep things on track.

In truth, there is nothing in the plotting of "Submarine" that you haven't seen in countless other films. But despite this, the movie still feels very fresh and original. A lot of credit must go to a terrific central performance. But Yasmin Paige as the tough, yet vulnerable, love interest is such a complex and interesting character as well. Hawkins and Taylor make a perfect pair of opposites and Considine has a lot of fun with a new-age self-help psychic ninja shtick (you just have to see the movie). Although quite humorous, this is not always what I would describe as a laugh riot. It has an understated cleverness and much of the amusement derives from uncomfortable situations. If I had to compare the film's sardonic tone to that of another filmmaker, the closest relation in my mind would be Wes Anderson at his most restrained. An easy recommendation, Ayoade has scored a winner and I look forward to future endeavors. KGHarris, 9/11.

It's a short putt from here to a Wes Anderson movie, so if you like Anderson, this should do you just fine.

Here's the scoop. Fourteen year old Oliver Tate is in love with his classmate Jordana Bevan. Oliver's folks are having issues in their marriage and mom's old flame has moved in next door. Oliver feels compelled to get the girl and save his folks' marriage.

This is a quirky flick. Oliver is young and too bright for his age so he comes off as kind of gorpy. Jordana seems nice enough but has a dark side and harbors issues regarding closeness and commitment. Of course Oliver only sees what he wants to see in her because he wants to get in her nickers. His mom seems normal enough but dad is an intellectual stick in the mud. Her old flame is way too into himself and his "New Age" guru travelling show, but he's more alive than dad. This film does much to give the viewer the sense of the craziness one experiences when coming of age. The awkwardness and missteps are all brought to the forefront.

Again, this is a very quirky movie. It's set in Whales and sometimes the accents and Oliver's rapid fire delivery of a line kept me from getting everything, but I enjoyed it just the same. And this is only a happy-ish ending. You get the feeling that Oliver and Jordana, if they move into the future together, might not end up as the storybook happy couple. They both have issues to work on.

This is director Richard Ayoade's first feature length film, but he seems to have already found a voice. This is so good I will easily look forward to seeing his next outing

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I generally appreciate British humor and quirky comedies, and I really wanted to like this movie because I liked Richard Aoyade so much on "The IT Crowd." (Just to be clear, he's the director of the film; he does not act in it.) It wasn't a bad little movie, but it felt pretty flat overall. The acting was good, and the story was certainly quirky enough (in fact, a bit quirkier than I cared for), but I thought the humor wasn't all that humorous.

What it really reminded me of was one of Wes Anderson's less successful efforts; so imagine what Wes Anderson's take on a coming-of-age film set in a Welsh town...directed on an off day for Wes Anderson...and that's pretty much what "Submarine" is like. If that sounds awesome to you, then, seriously, have at. Otherwise, you should probably pass.

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This somewhat sweet, somewhat creepy coming of age movie is worth watching for its quirky humor and for the sincere acting of its young cast. It is set in South Wales in the mid-1980s. By way of local color, there are some nice shots of the seashore, the hills, the local junkyards and railway depots and deserted industrial plants.

We meet Oliver, a somewhat thoughtful, somewhat geeky kid of around 15 anxious to avoid bullying, if necessary by joining in against even more vulnerable targets. His love interest is Jordana, a cute classmate with an independent streak. Both of them have problems at home.

Oliver's parents are bizarre, each in their own way. His father seems to be in the grip of clinical depression; his mother is obviously frustrated and somewhat attracted by a creepy neighbor who practices a form of "new age" therapy to do with light. Both are hopelessly awkward and inept with their son.

We learn later that Jordana's mother may die of a brain tumor, though when we meet her, she seems amazingly healthy. This is one aspect of the plot that totally fails to work.

Oliver earns Jordana's respect when he submits to a beating for refusing to call her a "massive slut". But then he loses it by failing to show up at the hospital where her mother has just undergone surgery. The two break up -and we watch Oliver try to go through the painful mournful process we all go through when our first love affair dies. At the same time, he makes increasingly desperate and ill-judged attempts to save his parents' marriage.

In the end, all these matters are resolved and the characters walk off into the sunset.

I quite enjoyed it, my wife did not. I think it's worth watching on an evening when there's nothing on the TV and when you can't stand yet another reality show.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program A lot of films strive to 'place' the viewer in the place of the protagonist of the story. To cause the viewer to feel and sympathize with the hero of the film, and cheer him on. It's difficult to think of a film that does just this more productively than 'Submarine'. I went into it knowing nothing about the movie, and came out of it feeling like I had just spent time with a close friend.

Ultimately, 'Submarine' is an exploration of a young man's adolescent failures and tiny successes, but every thought that 'Oliver Tate' (our hero) stammers aloud is met with touches of humor, confusion, anger, conflict, romance and anxiety from both the cast around him and the audience. 'Submarine' is perfectly cast and hits its mark time and time again. I had a great time hanging out with Oliver and his family, and reliving the awkwardness and thrills of young love and adolescence.

A great directorial debut from Richard Ayoade (yes, the guy with the afro on 'The IT Crowd')... I can't wait to see where he takes us next.

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Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

This movie is getting a surprising amount of hate and I don't know why. There is very little in the way of violence, even less in the way of sex and even the gross-out jokes are kept way below what is usually the minimum level for comedies lately. The bad guys get around the mall with mountain bikes, skate boards and by utilizing some impressive parkour moves. Clearly this movie was meant for the PG crowd and in that it succeeds. It's a nice clean family comedy that everyone can attend and enjoy. There were lots of families in the theater when I saw this movie and they all seemed to have a pretty good time. They laughed and giggled and there was very little of the bored chatter you hear sometimes at kids/family movies.

I was thinking a little about the John Candy movie Summer Rental after I saw this. Candy played a few different roles in films before he did Summer Rental but that movie is where you see the classic John Candy affable lug character that kind of served as a template for most of his following roles. His characters were usually some variation of that, he did it well and people loved it. Kevin James has a similar likable quality and I'm hoping that maybe he picks up the Easy Going Good Guy mantle where John Candy left it.

To paraphrase Paul Blart himself, "Don't write this movie off." Like I said, there were plenty of scenes that had both kids and adults laughing together. Isn't it worth at least the price of a matinee ticket to laugh for a while with your kids?

I had my reservations going in to see this one, but it was surprisingly funny and didn't have to use much gross-out, potty humor or profanity that seems to be pervading many comedies these days in attempts to humor people. Instead, there was more slapstick style humor, and while it is the classic lovable loser meets girl scenario (except at the mall) and has its predictable moments, over all it was a pretty decent comedy.

King of Queens star Kevin James plays Paul Blart, a long time mall security guard who is a bit lonely in life because of failed relationships. When he sees a beautiful woman working in the mall, he tries to figure out a way to connect with her, but his awkwardness gets in the way of his progress. Training a new mall security guard isn't what it seems to be, as this supposed high school dropout turns out to be the brains behind a massive robbery and hostage situation. It is up to Paul Blart, the only one who takes his job too seriously, to try and save the day.

The first part of the movie was funny, but some of the gags were awkward at times (trying too hard to be funny). What James brought to the character Blart was kind of a Chris Farley/John Candy kind of persona. I thought that the later half of the film was better, even though as usual you have to throw reason out the window.

Not too bad of a film, and dare I say, it might even be one you could take a date to see.

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Given the large numbers of people who referred to this silly little movie as one of the worst ever, I wonder where we draw the line between critical assessment and pure gut reaction in forming our opinions of entertainment. What separates Step Brothers, which I hated, from Mall Cop, which I enjoyed? Why did this movie work whereas Funny People, another more critically received Sandler project, disappointed me?

There is little original in the story, there are the predictable credibility issues (young attractive girl falls for shleppy overweight loser oh, what hath Seth Rogen wrought?), and there's Sandler's penchant for schlocky 80s pop music touchstones that buddy Kevin James is borrowing, but still I found myself laughing out loud during much of this movie even when I saw the gag coming from a mile away. Either my opinion isn't worth squat or the reviewers who tore this movie to shreds need to lighten up. Or maybe neither. Maybe individual taste is just too complex to figure out and the reasons we react the way we do to entertainments aren't so important after all. All I know is that I liked Mall Cop. I laughed a fair amount. I would watch it again. Does that qualify as an endorsement?

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It isn't often that a movie comes out that actually makes me laugh out loud, but with Kevin James behind Paul Blart as creator and star, Mall Cop fulfills its promise to entertain.

Mall Cop isn't necessarily a movie intended for the entire family, as there is frequent use of mild profanity, but there was nothing else I could find of offense in the movie. About the first half of the movie is much like watching the Kevin James hit TV series, King of Queens, as Paul Blart is very much the same character as Doug Heffernan. At times during the first half of the movie, I found my mind wondering just a bit, or found myself not too disappointed when distracted by something my son would say or do. But about half way through the movie, when the action really kicked in and we get to see James playing the role of Paul Blart a la John McClane of Bruce Willis' Die Hard fame, I found myself engrossed.

Imagine Die Hard meets Homer Simpson, and you'll get a pretty accurate picture of what Paul Blart lives through in his dedication to defend the people of his mall against the invading force of a band of Black Friday thugs out to steal thirty million dollars worth of the credit card transactions on the busiest shopping day of the year. And just like Homer Simpson, Paul Blart manages to pull through in the end.

While I don't recommend Paul Blart Mall Cop for the entire family, it is harmless and enjoyable fare for viewers over the age of twelve or thirteen. I haven't laughed so hard at a movie in I don't know how long.

Jeff Cole is an author, blogger, and podcaster.

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A single, suburban dad tries to make ends meet as a security officer at a New Jersey mall. It's a job he takes very seriously, though no one else does. When Santa's helpers at the mall stage a coup, shutting down the megaplex and taking hostages (Paul's daughter and sweetheart among them), Jersey's most formidable mall cop will have to become a real cop to save the day. Refreshing to see a movie without bad language, unnecessary sexual content, good script writing, and enjoyable throughout. Characters were real and relatable and very funny.

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Set It Off (Blu-ray/DVD Bundle) (1996)

Four Black women struggling with trying to keep afloat and fighting off the biting sharks of poverty: One a single mother, another a single woman raising her only sibling: a brother, another who was wrongfully terminated from her position as a bank teller after a robbery-gone-bad, and another just fed up with her position working for Luther, the foul-mouthed owner of his own janitorial company. For each of their own individual reason, they all band together and decide to pull their own bank heist. Disguised in wigs and clear masks, they coolly and calmly walk into banks and demand money. To make matters more complicated, Stoney {Pinkett} meets and begins to fall for a branch manager played by Blair Underwood. While working for Luther, the discover he runs out with their money, and now they have to "hit" the bank one more time. With the police hot on their trail, the ill-conceived robberies fly out of control. This movie is filled with emotion, honesty, and a tragic ending. Guest appearances by Dr Dre as Black Sam and Dub-C as one of the bank robbers. This movie is a real crowd pleaser!!!

F. Gary Gray is one of the most talented directors today (not black directors, but director, period!) A film major, I look forward to the day I meet him.

I can't watch this movie when I am down, because it will make me think life just ain't worth living. It has a very very depressing ending. But overall, the narrative was excellent. Each one of the girls had a motive, whether it was directly indicated or not. Black intellects trash this movie because they see it as trapping African Americans in the Boyz N the Hood genre (which was also an excellent film). But they fail to see there are so many stories within the inner cities of African Americans. It is not just about robbing banks, gangs, or drugs, it is out survival, loyalty and frienship. Which I think mainstream America really does not understand and why I think so many black women go to jail for protecting their men involved in illegal activities.

Not to veer off the subject, but set it off is about loyalty and true friendship, (just like waiting to exhale, just a different neighborhood) with a fresh twist. Hats off to F. Gary Gray!

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The issue with the story is that greed is bad. It's also a story about love, a universal subject. There are two different types of love here: heterosexual and homosexual, which is great because people should be true to themselves not just so they'll sleep well at nights, but so that they'll attract people who'll love them the way they are. I love that Blair Underwood and Jada Pinket-Smith have great chemistry. It's so beautiful to watch. I love that they talk about trying different delicacies, which is great because diversity is a great thing. I also love that they talk about their accomplishments because we should all have positive goals. Queen Latifah's character and her partner were great together. I took out a star because a major theme of the film is about robbing banks, which is a very bad idea. It's also a film about stereotyping people, which is a bad thing to do. So in a nutshell, diversity is amazing, different types of love are amazing, stereotyping people is wrong and don't rob banks.

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A great movie with a great cast, this movie shows what can happen when you push a black woman to her last straw. From the beginning to the end this movie shows how easily one can be profiled as a criminal just by the company she keeps. Like how one of the characters were surrounded and killed by the SWAT team just because he had the same hair cut as one of the bank robbers. And he was a soon-to-be college student. There is a lot of emotions shown in this movie when the it takes you into each characters personal life and thier reasons for robbing the bank. Don't get me wrong there are no reasons for committing a crime like a bank robbery but their stories are compelling. The ending is sad, even though there was a bright side to the ending. It kind've teaches you a lesson about friendship and material things.

The acting was fantastic, you almost felt like the characters were real individuals(of course that is the point of acting). Queen, Jada, Kimberly, and Vivic really make this movie come to life. I would watch this movie all day everyday, just because it's so great.

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The is the best movie I have ever seen dealing with the following themes: Friendship, Loyalty and Trust. Even though the movie is about crime, these themes dominate the plot. The girls' commitment to each other and loyalty to their cause is very impressive. Also the director of the movie deals with these themes in a easy, playful and humourous manner, even though the girls' couse is a risky and dangerous one. This keeps the audience interested. There is no dull moment or lousy scene in this movie.

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Something Wild (The Criterion Collection) (1986)

An interesting choice for the Criterion label, I have hoped desperately that Jonathan Demme's 1986 madcap road picture "Something Wild" would get a deserving upgrade from its rather drab earlier DVD presentation. I actually went to a theater and saw this film twice and it is easily one of my favorite Demme pictures. With his eclectic resume, Demme will perhaps always be known best for "The Silence of the Lambs" but his legacy has several terrific screwball comedies (Married to the Mob) and understated masterpieces (Melvin and Howard) prior to him being anointed an Academy Award winner. "Something Wild" fits comfortably into the screwball comedy category--but what makes it so unorthodox and refreshing is that it has both heart and edge. A lot has changed since 1986. Back then, Jeff Daniels was still a leading man as opposed to a character actor. Melanie Griffith was sexy, surprising, and a blossoming talent. And a relatively unknown Ray Liotta was trying to break into a big screen career after years on television. These three leads turned in unexpectedly strong performances and ALL were nominated for Golden Globe awards.

Styled after silent screen star Louise Brooks, Griffith vibrantly portrays Lulu (at least, that's the name she calls herself). Wild, aggressive, and sexually uninhibited, Lulu crosses paths with Daniels' uptight businessman. Challenged by the rebellious free spirit, Daniels' mild mannered existence is all but hijacked by adventure as the unlikely duo take to the road. A culture clash and wacky hilarity ensue--but then the picture softens as a real persona emerges from beneath the Lulu alter ego. As tentative romance and understanding bubble to the surface when the couple reach Griffith's home town, a further complication arises in the character of her violent ex-con ex-husband (that's one too many exes to sit comfortably with me--it's Liotta and you know he's trouble!). A real dangerous undertone pervades the final acts of the film--and the movie shifts again for its final transition. Going from ribald to heartfelt to thrilling, "Something Wild" crosses genre boundaries even as it's a quintessential romantic comedy.

This is Daniels at his most appealing--this with "The Purple Rose of Cairo" remind you how dashing he could be. Griffith is so strong. She really has to embody a tremendous character arc and she does so with precision. But the break-out star has to be Liotta, magnetic and absolutely chilling. I think it's one of the most undervalued supporting performance of that era! The film also boast a smart screenplay and a distinguished soundtrack. Not only do I think that the film holds up well to the nostalgia factor, I think it's primed to be discovered anew.

However, it is with much regret that I report that the usually impressive Criterion treatment seems a tad lackluster. The film receives a new, and much needed, restored digital transfer (with a DTS-HD Master Audio Soundtrack for Blu-ray). The extras? Not much. The DVDs have only new interviews with the writer and Demme and the film's trailer. Really? What's up with that? The movie is only 25 years old, there has to be supplemental material to include and Demme is still cranking out A-list projects. So my happiness at the Criterion treatment is short-lived with a big fat zero in special features. Great movie, glad it's re-mastered, but still disappointed! KGHarris, 2/11.

I thought Demme walked on water after seeing this movie (and its follow-ups, Married to the Mob and Silence of the Lambs). I love the layers of texture to this movie--there's always some set decoration I never noticed before, and the performances he wrings out of his stable of actors is great. This movie defined "alternative" when it was released, and deftly pulled off the seemingly impossible feat of starting out screwball comedy and turning violent halfway thru without losing its voice. All three leads have never done better than they did here (okay, maybe Liotta in Goodfellas). So why is SW subjected to the basement of video VHS? This movie made tons of critics top 10 lists for the Eighties (sadly not much of a challenge, but still...) and yet can't even get a DVD date to prom. Wild...

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I remember seeing this waaaay back when it was in theaters. One of those incredibly under-rated cinematic gems. What I liked most about it was the transition from a seemingly lighthearted Indie-ish goofball romantic comedy, to dead on noir. I caught this recently on a High-Def channel on cable. All I can say is WOW ! It was like I was seeing it for the first time, Déjà vu all over again. This film deserves a Blu-ray release, preferably packed with extra features, commentaries etc.

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this film knocks me out every time I see it. the acting is great and the story so different and original. Jonathon Demme really knew his stuff. Generally an all round brilliant effort and an unlauded gem in the opinion of yours truly.

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This is a great twist on the traditional love story. Demme takes you on a 'wild' ride. Inspires to get priorities correct in life. An interesting evening for two: somthing for the guys someone who get over their head, something for the girls an untraditional love story that touches the heart. Let's hope that not every couple starts out like this. Great cast with Griffith, Daniels, Liotta (in a superb and very scary performance).

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Wild Target (2010)

WILD TARGET (2009) is one of the most enjoyable, relaxing and hilarious films I have ever seen. The British have a way with this kind of black comedy that we have yet to perfect, though we try.

The legendary assassin Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy in yet another cool-as-a-cucumber role of a lifetime) is reaching a midlife crisis. He falls for his latest hit, young swindler Rose (Emily Blunt in a role that actually fits her well). As she throws him off his game initially, he begins to like her immensely.

A fateful encounter in a parking garage introduces them to each other and to Tony (a sweet Rupert Grint), a bisexual pothead garage attendant who saves first the life of Rose, then Victor. They flee together, and a sort of sweet madness ensues.

It is not what you'd expect, and were it not for occasional foul scenes (which we can bear with a guffaw) I'd recommend such caliber of comedy for children. Sadly, black comedy of this caliber is not for children's innocent eyes. But here I'll leave this fantastic film, for you to discover and judge.

The cast is rounded out by crooked art collector Ferguson (Rupert Everett, appearing apparently because he needs the work) and the immortal Aileen Atkins as Victor's former-assassin mother and first teacher. (In a bit of a snit, she excoriates Victor for his crisis: "A Beretta! The gun of princes! For your SEVENTH birthday!") Also moving to me was Victor's white cat Snowy, who has the most wonderful MEOW.

With all the great talent here and others whose names I'm too tired to mention, I have to say a word about Rupert Grint. Rupert's a handsome, rising star with a flair for sweetness, drama and comedic skills I have often compared to those of Buster Keaton. Sometimes I wonder if old Buster from Kansas and Rupert from Stevenage are somehow related.

Rupert is the busiest of the HARRY POTTER 'children', with two excellent films under his belt already (CHERRYBOMB and DRIVING LESSONS). This, his third major film with major work to show for it, is his third film off the POTTER reservation. Here's a toast: a long and successful career for Rupert!

And a long, cult-classic status for WILD TARGET ... one of the best films (for its genre) that I have ever seen.

WILD TARGET is an English remake of the French film "Cible émouvante" (1993) which I am now anxious to see. I understand the great Jean Rochefort plays "Victor Meynard" in this original version.

Bill Nighy has a following in my store no matter what the film's theme is, and in this case he plays his age and character beautifully.

The story follows an aging hit man revered as the best at what he does, but an assignment to snuff a young klepto/con-artist played adequately by Ms. Blunt goes awry and the fun begins. It is like a bumbling Stooges act for the middle of the film as he decides to protect her instead, while also apprenticing a hapless young man. Nighy's mom is a little over-the-top by Eileen Atkins who I last saw in the nice film Evening, and the remaining cast is average to overly cheesy. The comedy tried to be dark as the body count goes up, but Nighy carries this overall without letting it get too slapstick.

The Blu specs are solid as the picture is clear, so much so that the background failings can be obvious (can see the rain outside nearby windows when they are trying to make it look sunny, crew reflections, etc.) and the DTS is mixed nicely. The car chase scenes are where the channels get used the most and it surrounds you just right. Unfortunately though Fox once again dumps this BD with nothing extra. The "On Target with Emily Blunt" lasts a few minutes and is immediately forgettable. You really want to have there be a making of documentary or commentary as quite a few questions come up about the production (why he holds the gun in such an obscure way throughout the film, locations, etc). 3.5 for the film and .5 for the Blu specs. Region coded A with English language only and subs in same. A light comedy that does not take itself too seriously, enjoy.

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Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy) is an erudite, posh gentleman who also happens to be a professional hit man. Hired to terminate Rosie (Emily Blunt), a pretty young thief, he instead falls for her. On the run from the men who hired him, they are accompanied by a confused stoner (Rupert Grint) as they hide out till the coast is clear.

I always enjoy the wonderful Bill Nighy and he has many witty scenes early on; unfortunately, none of them are shared with Blunt or Grint. Blunt's character is thoroughly unlikable and she has no romantic chemistry with Victor; Grint's drifter serves no purpose in the story, he's awkward, and mumbles his dialogue. The film starts out promising enough as we watch Victor alone, but once the three come together it's absurd and silly.

This is an okay rental, just don't expect big laughs or a plausible script.

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I came across this as a complete lark, but found it well-made, well-acted, and pretty funny. The premise is great (what if the best assassin fell in love with one of his targets), and the character development is great.

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Wild Target is an off-beat dark comedy about a hit-man who changes his ways when he encounters Rose, a beautiful woman who was intended to be his next victim. After failed attempts to kill her, he can't seem to shake her, and soon finds himself connected to her. With the mission failed, Victor finds himself with Rose and a young slacker (Rubert Grint), as they are now the intended victims.

I don't mind understated comedy and love dry humor, but this film just didn't hit the mark (pardon the pun). Some comedies work at an understated level, but the story here just seems so stilted and dead in Wild Target. If there is any comedy ,it barely has a pulse, as many of the jokes are mistimed. Most of the acting seems uninspired and the script really lacks anything creative.

I differed from most in that I detested the film during the first half, but it kind of grew on me a little when we find more about the characters as they are hiding out in the second half. What I didn't like was that the resolution felt a little forced, and the main character's transformations a little contrived.

There were some enjoyable moments, though. I did think it was interesting to see Rubert Grint in a different kind of role, and there are moments when Victor actually is a bit of a sympathetic character. Over all, though, Wild Target is a bit average.

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Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009)

Watch purely for entertainment--it's well worth a rental,& perhaps purchase. For Sara Jessica Parker & Hugh Grant fans, it's right up your alley. It's funny, even though the situation they find themselves in is a bit off-the-wall. The Wyoming setting is great and used well in applying situations for the couple to re-find themselves. Yes, it's a romance/comedy with a very nice romance HALF that those types of movie lovers will find worthy of 5-stars. The comedy is great also, including even some of the outtakes, and special features, including a bear episode with Hugh Grant getting as close as it takes. By the way, SUBTITLES ARE AVAILABLE.

It's not going to become a "classic" or talked about in years to come, or produce a great number of movie spin-offs. However, after you see the outcome, such a delightful finish, you will perhaps wish for a sequel of say, 15 years later, and see how the relationships are going, and a reunion back with Sheriff Clay Wheeler (Sam Elliott)of Ray, Wyoming, and his packin' wife, Emma (Mary Steenburgen). I really loved that pair and their part in the witness-protection-home-away-from-home. Even some western horsin' around for the horse loving viewers.

It's rated PG--meaning Pretty Good entertainment for the family. Not much violence, no blood, no heavy sex, although the stars are considered sexy, and all the other things that most movie makers seem to think necessary to make a film entertaining. This is one to just give you a fun evening in front of the telly with a home-spun bowl of popcorn and perhaps with luck, beside a significant other. Bottom line-----buy it, rent it, borrow it, whatever works, just don't overlook it. IT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT.

Sarah Parker's acting efforts always leave me underwhelmed. So I can't say she disappointed me in this film. I thought she was so-so which is what I always think about her acting. Hugh Grant, however, is a horse of a different color. He is a tremendous comic actor with exquisite timing. When he's got a good script and a good leading lady, he is unbeatable. His ABOUT A BOY is just one example of his performing at the top of his game. Nick Hornby was the writer on ABOUT A BOY though and he is first rate. The screenwriter of this film is no Nick Hornby. The premise is about a Manhatttan couple forced to hide out in the remote West in the witness protection program. They are married but separated yet it is quite obvious they will be getting back together. That's the whole movie. I can't say don't watch it because Grant is funny. He does the most with what he's got. The rest of the movie though is (thankfully) completely forgettable.

Buy Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009) Now

The cover says "the perfect date movie!" How is this the perfect date movie? Its about a married couple having issues, because the man (Hugh Grant) cheated on the woman (Sarah Jessica Parker). They're seperated, getting a divorce, then when he appears to talk with her, they end up witnessing the murder of SJP's client.

Then they get stuck in witness protection together. Which is what Hugh wants, and of course SJP wants to get as far away from him as possible. He does what he can to get her back, and I'm sure you can guess how it comes out.

In witness protection, the movie becomes a fish out of water movie, as an Englishman and an upscale New Yorker are stuck in the country town of Ray, Wyoming with a sheriff and his wife the deputy. SJP as a New Yorker out of her element, was very unfunny and it should be so easy for her.

Another big problem with the movie is after seeing movie trailers for it, I felt like I had seen it before. My friends said the same thing. The movie is also REALLY slow. Every good laugh was shown on the commercials, and its a long way between laughs.

Avoid this movie and see Music & Lyrics with Hugh and Drew Barrymore. Actually Drew Barrymore would have made a much funnier New Yorker in the country. Bad acting on SJP's part.

Read Best Reviews of Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009) Here

Surprised at the so-so ratings on this movie. My husband and I loved it. It is a more 'mature' romantic comedy dealing with heavier issues than normal but written with tremendous depth (Honesty, forgiveness, having the courage to move on, start again, and leave the baggage behind being human and making mistakes desperately wanting to be a parent and the stress it causes in a relationship when it doesn't happen and a love that has the ability to transcend it all if we can move beyond the pain).

We found it to be very funny not slap-stick funny, but rather a dry wit which is rather refreshing. There are no car chases or predictable steamy love scenes, this movie is for someone who wants something more with their popcorn something deeper more real.

Personally, I don't like SJP, but thought she nailed the part of the character no question. The wedding vows in the movie are simply wonderful.... I searched for hours to try and find them and did and have printed them out.

If you exist on Harlequin romances this movie is not for you....

If your intellect stretches beyond that, give this movie a whirl we're sure you will enjoy it!!

Want Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009) Discount?

I honestly don't understand all the negative reviews. I thought this movie was incredibly hilarious and had a great plot. Grant and Parker star as a couple named Paul and Meryl Morgan who are on the verge of divorce. After having dinner, they witness a murder and become new targets for the killer. They are forced to relocate to Ray, Wyoming where nothing too much happens. They take refuge in the home of the Wheelers. The Wheelers show Paul and Meryl how to shoot a gun. While hiding out from the killer, who is hot on their trail, the Morgans begin to rekindle their love. I highly recommend DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS?!!!

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