Lara Croft - Tomb Raider
100 minutes
(#128)
Theatrical: 2001
Studio: Paramount
Genre: Action & Adventure
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
Lara Croft - Tomb Raider
100 minutes
(#128)
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Summary: Like the video game series it's based on, "Tomb Raider" is best enjoyed for its physical strategies, since even casual scrutiny of story details will induce a headache. It's more concerned with puzzles than plot, populated with characters that don't have personalities so much as attitudes. It's silly and somber at the same time, but as a franchise vehicle for Angelina Jolie in the title role of relic hunter Lara Croft, this is packaged entertainment at its most agreeable, ambitious in scope and scale, and filled with the kind of globetrotting adventure that could make Jolie the best thing that's happened to action movies since Indiana Jones. "Could" being the operative word here, because "Tomb Raider" can't match any of Steven Spielberg's celebrated joyrides, but the ingredients are there for an exquisitely cinematic meal.
Perhaps to distance himself from Lara Croft's video game origins, director Simon West takes things a bit too seriously; "Tomb Raider" handles its plot (involving a planetary alignment, the nefarious Illuminati, and coveted relics that hold the key to controlling the flow of time) with all the gravity of a championship chess match... minus the tension. If the movie had lightened up and been truly suspenseful (instead of being suffused with been-there, done-that familiarity), it would have been an instant popcorn classic. As it is, however, this is an elegantly mounted adventure featuring exotic locations (in Cambodia and Iceland) and an exotic star born for her role. Even without her padded bra, Jolie would be the living embodiment of Lara Croft, and that's enough to bode well for inevitable sequels. "--Jeff Shannon"
Lara Croft Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life
Jan de Bont
117 minutes
(#129)
Theatrical: 2003
Studio: Paramount
Genre: Action & Adventure
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
Lara Croft Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life
Jan de Bont
117 minutes
(#129)
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Summary: "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Cradle of Life" is certainly better than its 2001 predecessor, but its appeal is mostly aimed at fans of the video games that inspired both movies. That pretty much leaves you with some fun but familiar action sequences, and the ever-alluring sight of Angelina Jolie (reprising her title role) as she swims, swings, kicks, shoots, flies, jet-skis, motorcycles, and free-falls her way toward saving the world, this time by making sure that a grimacing villain (Ciarán Hinds) doesn't open Pandora's Box (yes, the actual mythological object) and unleash a deadly plague that will "weed out" the global population. Exotic locations add to Jolie's own coolly erotic appeal, but we're left wondering if this franchise has anywhere else to go. "--Jeff Shannon"
Les Miserables
Bille August
134 minutes
(#130)
Theatrical: 1998
Studio: Sony Pictures
Genre: Drama
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
Les Miserables
Bille August
134 minutes
(#130)
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, French
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Summary: Frenchman Jean Valjean (Liam Neeson), imprisoned for stealing bread, is paroled after nearly two decades of hard labor. A gift of silver candlesticks from a kindly priest helps him begin anew. Forging a decent and profitable existence, he finds success as a businessman and as the mayor of a small town. He even takes in a pregnant young woman (Uma Thurman) and raises her daughter as his own. When a former prison guard (Geoffrey Rush) recognizes Valjean, his past catches up to him. Director Bille August culls mesmerizing performances from his cast, but loses us with an ending that panders to teen audiences. The focus shifts dramatically, and uncomfortably, from the haunted Neeson and his hawk-like pursuer, to his daughter (Claire Danes) and her romance with a handsome revolutionary. After this narrative shift, the script leaves behind the Victor Hugo classic's themes of revenge and redemption to focus improbably on teen angst--hardly what Hugo had on his mind. "--Rochelle O'Gorman"
Lidsville - Complete Series
440 minutes
(#131)
Theatrical:
Studio: Rhino Theatrical
Genre: Kids & Family
Writer:
Date Added: 23 Aug 2007
Lidsville - Complete Series
440 minutes
(#131)
Languages: English
Summary: When Mark (Butch Patrick) visits a theme park's magic show, he discovers a magic hat that shakes him into a bizarre world known as Lidsville! Premiering in 1972, this psychedelic Sid & Marty Krofft creation yielded 17 magical episodes in its two-year run on network television.
Episodes:
World In A Hat
Show Me The Way To Go
Fly Now, Vacuum Later
Weenie, Weenie, Where's Our Genie?
Let's Hear It For Whizzo
Is There A Mayor in the House
Take Me To Your Rabbit
Have I Got a Girl For oo Doo
Mark and the Beat Stalk
Turn in Your Turban, You're Through
Alias The Imperial Wizard
A Little Hoo Doo Goes A Long Way
Oh, Brother
Hoo Doo, Who?
Hold Hat Home
Great Brain Robbery
Mommy Hoo Doo
Like Mike
John Schultz
100 minutes
(#132)
Theatrical: 2002
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Comedy
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
Like Mike
John Schultz
100 minutes
(#132)
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Summary: As its title suggests, "Like Mike" is a rousing wish-fulfillment fantasy for any kid who's ever dreamed of soaring for a game-winning slam dunk like basketball legend Michael Jordan. It's fun but formulaic, beginning when 14-year-old, 4-foot-8 orphan Calvin Cambridge (played by appealing teen rapper Lil' Bow Wow) dons a magical pair of hand-me-down Nikes with the enticing initials "M.J." written inside. Next thing you know, Calvin's the new star of the L.A. Knights, an instant NBA celebrity taking his team to the playoffs alongside favorite teammate Tracy Reynolds ("The Best Man"'s Morris Chestnut), with a bevy of villains (including reliable weirdo Crispin Glover) trying to steal his thunder. With "Jerry Maguire"'s Jonathan Lipnicki as a fellow orphan, and a solid supporting cast including Eugene Levy, Robert Forster, and two dozen NBA stars, "Like Mike" is schmaltzy and predictable (and, surprisingly, there's no cameo from Jordan himself), but its sweet, good-natured quality will captivate kids from start to finish. "--Jeff Shannon"
Lilo & Stitch
Chris Sanders (III), Dean DeBlois
85 minutes
(#133)
Theatrical: 2002
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Genre: Comedy
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
Lilo & Stitch
Chris Sanders (III), Dean DeBlois
85 minutes
(#133)
Languages: English, Spanish
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Summary: Warm, funny, and imaginative, "Lilo & Stitch" is the best animated feature the Walt Disney Studios have produced in years. On the planet Turo, mad scientist Jumba Jookiba (voice by David Ogden Stiers) has created a miniature monster programmed for destruction. When the monster escapes to Earth, it's adopted as a pet and named "Stitch" by Lilo (Daveigh Chase), a lonely little Hawaiian girl. Lilo and her older sister Nani (Tia Carrere) have been struggling to stay together since their parents died. Stitch and Lilo share some hilarious adventures, evading welfare officer Cobra Bubbles (Ving Rhames) and galactic police agents. They learn the timely lesson that a family can be something you're born into--or something you assemble. A warmth and sincerity that recall "The Iron Giant" and the films of Hiyao Miyazaki make "Lilo" a delightful fantasy adults and children can truly enjoy together. "--Charles Solomon"
The Lion King
Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
88 minutes
(#134)
Theatrical: 1994
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Genre: Kids & Family
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
The Lion King
Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
88 minutes
(#134)
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, French
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Summary: Not an ideal choice for younger kids, this hip and violent animated feature from Disney was nevertheless a huge smash in theaters and on video, and it continues to enjoy life in an acclaimed Broadway production. The story finds a lion cub, son of a king, sent into exile after his father is sabotaged by a rivalrous uncle. The little hero finds his way into the "circle of life" with some new friends and eventually comes back to reclaim his proper place. Characters are very strong, vocal performances by the likes of Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and Whoopi Goldberg are terrific, the jokes are aimed as much (if not more) at adults than kids, the animation is sometimes breathtaking, and the music is more palatable than in many Disney features. But be cautious: this is too intense for the "Rugrat" crowd. "--Tom Keogh"
How good-looking is the DVD restoration of Disney's popular animated film? Take a look at the serviceable but dull film clips incorporated in the plethora of extras and compare them to the vivid gorgeousness of the film presentation. This "special edition" also adds a 90-second song ("Morning Report") that originated in the lavish stage musical. To Disney's credit, the original theatrical version is also included, both restored and featuring two 5.1 soundtracks: Dolby Digital and a new Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix, which does sound brighter. As with the Disney Platinum line, everything is thrown into the discs, except an outsider's voice (the rah-rahs of Disney grow tiresome at times). The excellent commentary from the directors and producer, originally on the laser disc, is hidden under the audio set-up menu.
The second disc is organized by 20-minute-ish "journeys" tackling the elements of story, music, et cetera, including good background on the awkward Shakespearean origins at Disney where it was referred as ""Bamlet"." The most interesting journey follows the landmark stage production, and the kids should be transfixed by shots of the real African wildlife in the animal journey. Three deleted segments are real curios, including an opening lyric for "Hakuna Matata." Most set-top DVD games are usually pretty thin (DVD-ROM is where it's at), but the Safari game is an exception--the kids should love the roaring animals (in 5.1 Surround, no less). One serious demerit goes to the needless and complicated second navigation system that is listed by continent, but just shows the same features reordered. "--Doug Thomas"
Little Big Man
139 minutes
(#135)
Theatrical: 1970
Studio: Paramount
Genre: Western
Writer:
Date Added: 23 Mar 2008
Little Big Man
139 minutes
(#135)
Languages: English
Subtitles: English
Sound: Dolby
Summary: Jack Crabb is the only white survivor of the Battle of Little Big Horn and the centenarian shares his story in this picaresque fable of the Old West. In Arthur Penn's adaptation of Thomas Berger's novel, Dustin Hoffman plays Jack from teen years into old age in a bravura performance. And Jack's story is a fantastic one: captured by Indians as a boy, reared as an Indian, shuttling back and forth between the white and Indian worlds. In the process, he befriends everyone from Wild Bill Hickock to George Armstrong Custer and is a gunslinger, a snake-oil salesman, and an Army scout. This is a solid blend of comedy and tragedy, with a strong statement to make about America's treatment of Native Americans without sermonizing. A terrific cast includes Faye Dunaway, Martin Balsam, and Richard Mulligan. But this show is all Hoffman's. "--Marshall Fine"
The Little Mermaid II - Return to the Sea
Brian Smith (XV), Jim Kammerud
75 minutes
(#136)
Theatrical: 2000
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Genre: Kids & Family
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
The Little Mermaid II - Return to the Sea
Brian Smith (XV), Jim Kammerud
75 minutes
(#136)
Languages: English, Spanish, French
Summary: Ariel and her husband, Prince Eric, have a little problem with their daughter, Melody, in the sequel to Disney's landmark "The Little Mermaid". Melody is threatened by Morgana, the evil sister of the sea witch Ursula (both voiced by Pat Carroll). Before you can say "Briar Rose," Melody's parents decide to keep their daughter's roots a secret, forbidding her to learn about the ocean while Morgana is around. Now the budding teenager secretly frolics in the sea with Ariel's old friends, Sebastian and Scuttle. When she learns the truth from Morgana, Melody becomes an unknowing pawn in her scheme--and Mom has to take to the sea again to help.
As with Disney's other made-for-video sequels, "The Little Mermaid II" looks and sounds wonderful (and reunites much of the same vocal talent). Four- to nine-year-olds who grew up with the original will certainly enjoy seeing the friends again. A new set of artists has come up with four catchy tunes and some fun new characters, including Tip and Dash, a pensive penguin and his blubbery walrus friend. Yet, where "Beauty and the Beast" had a deliberate Christmas-themed sequel, and "Pocahontas" told the tale of her historical trip to England, the plot here is very forced. It is pretty much a rehash of the first film with different characters. Tip and Dash are a reincarnation of Timon and Pumbaa, and Morgana is exactly like her sister, except thinner. Besides the stellar music, this unneeded sequel also misses another important aspect of the original--heart. "--Doug Thomas"
Little Miss Sunshine
Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton
101 minutes
(#137)
Theatrical: 2006
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Comedy
Writer:
Date Added: 24 Feb 2007
Little Miss Sunshine
Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton
101 minutes
(#137)
Languages: English, Spanish
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Sound: Dolby
Summary: Pile together a blue-ribbon cast, a screenplay high in quirkiness, and the Sundance stamp of approval, and you've got yourself a crossover indie hit. That formula worked for "Little Miss Sunshine", a frequently hilarious study of family dysfunction. Meet the Hoovers, an Albuquerque clan riddled with depression, hostility, and the tattered remnants of the American Dream; despite their flakiness, they manage to pile into a VW van for a weekend trek to L.A. in order to get moppet daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin) into the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. Much of the pleasure of this journey comes from watching some skillful comic actors doing their thing: Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette as the parents (he's hoping to become a self-help authority), Alan Arkin as a grandfather all too willing to give uproariously inappropriate advice to a sullen teenage grandson (Paul Dano), and a subdued Steve Carell as a jilted gay professor on the verge of suicide. The film is a crowd-pleaser, and if anything is a little too eager to bend itself in the direction of quirk-loving Sundance audiences; it can feel forced. But the breezy momentum and the ingenious actors help push the material over any bumps in the road.-- "Robert Horton"
Beyond "Little Miss Sunshine"
More Dysfunctional Family Comedies
More films from the stars of "Little Miss Sunshine"
More Independent Films Turned Sleeper Hits Stills from "Little Miss Sunshine"
A Little Romance
George Roy Hill
110 minutes
(#138)
Theatrical: 1979
Studio: Warner Home Video
Genre: Art House & International
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
A Little Romance
George Roy Hill
110 minutes
(#138)
Languages: English
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Summary: Sandwiched between "Slap Shot" and "The World According to Garp", George Roy Hill made this effervescent film about first love. A sharp American girl (Diane Lane, in her debut) and a film-loving Parisian boy (Thelonious Bernard, in his only film) fall innocently in love. When the girl's zealous mother (Sally Kellerman) goes ballistic, the young couple fall under the spell of a curious gentleman (none other than Laurence Olivier), who plants the seed to make their love last forever: to kiss under a Venetian bridge at sunset. As the love story becomes an adventure with the young lovers crossing France and Italy, Allan Burns's Oscar-nominated script and Hill's deft touch turn this into a romance for the ages and a movie to smile about. George Delerue's Oscar-winning score and the picturesque European scenery don't hurt either. Ages 7 and older. "--Doug Thomas"
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Jim Fall
93 minutes
(#139)
Theatrical: 2003
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Genre: Comedy
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Jim Fall
93 minutes
(#139)
Languages: English
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Summary: "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" spins around the axis of Disney Channel starlet Hilary Duff, whose glossy good looks and rather mature figure are balanced by a sweetly bashful persona and an endearing klutziness. On a school trip to Rome, Lizzie is discovered to be the virtual twin of an Italian pop star named Isabella--and her dreamy former partner wants Lizzie to take Isabella's place at an award show to avoid a lawsuit. Only Lizzie's loyal best friend Gordo (Adam Lamberg) suspects that Paolo may not be all that he seems. "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" is competent fluff, but the most fun to be had actually comes from Lizzie's pesky little brother (Jake Thomas) and his Machiavellian friend Melina (Carly Schroeder), who plot to humiliate Lizzie for fun and personal gain. Also featuring Alex Borstein ("Mad TV") as Lizzie's tyrannical principal and chaperone. "--Bret Fetzer"
Logan's Run
Michael Anderson, Ronald Saland
120 minutes
(#140)
Theatrical: 1976
Studio: Warner Home Video
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
Logan's Run
Michael Anderson, Ronald Saland
120 minutes
(#140)
Languages: English
Subtitles: English, French
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Summary: If you can stifle the urge to laugh at its pastel unisex costumes and futuristic shopping-mall décor, this extravagant science fiction film from 1976 is still visually fascinating and provocatively entertaining. Set in the year 2274, when ecological disaster has driven civilization to the protection of domed cities, the story revolves around a society that holds a ceremonial death ritual for all citizens who reach the age of 30. In a diseaseless city where free sex is encouraged and old age is virtually unknown, Logan (Michael York) is a "sandman," one who enforces this radical method of population control (but he's about to turn 30 and he doesn't want to die). Escaping from the domed city via a network of underground passages, Logan is joined by another "runner" named Jessica (Jenny Agutter), while his former sandman partner (Richard Jordan) is determined to terminate Logan's rebellion. Using a variety of splendid matte paintings and miniatures, "Logan's Run" earned a special Oscar for visual effects (images of a long-abandoned Washington, D.C., are particularly impressive), and in addition to fine performances by Jordan and Peter Ustinov, the film features '70s poster babe Farrah Fawcett in a cheesy supporting role. Jerry Goldsmith's semi-electronic score is still one of the prolific composer's best, and "Logan's Run" remains an interesting example of '70s sci-fi that preceded "Star Wars" by less than a year. "--Jeff Shannon"
Lonesome Dove
Simon Wincer
240 minutes
(#141)
Theatrical: 1989
Studio: Lions Gate
Genre: Western
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
Lonesome Dove
Simon Wincer
240 minutes
(#141)
Summary: Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones star as Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call, aging cowboys and former Texas rangers and who organize a 2,500 mile cattle drive for one last great adventure in this excellent 1989 miniseries adaptation of Larry McMurtry's novel. The best friends, who steal the herd from a gang of Mexican cattle rustlers, drive their herd from Texas to Montana, battling horse thieves, angry Indian tribes, and a renegade half-breed killer named Blue Duck (Frederic Forrest) on a mission of revenge. The excellent cast also includes Robert Urich as cardsharp and former Ranger Jake Spoon, Anjelica Huston as McCrae's old flame Clara Allen, Danny Glover, Ricky Schroder, Diane Lane, Chris Cooper, D.B. Sweeney, Steve Buscemi, and even a small role for author Larry McMurtry. Australian director Simon Wincer shows a tremendous capacity for balancing sweeping drama and intimacy against the gorgeous landscape of the American Southwest, giving a grandly epic feel to the film despite its small-screen target and limited budget, and for forging memorable characters of even the smallest supporting parts. The heart of the drama belongs to McCrae and Call, memorably etched by Duvall and Jones as the last of the range romantics. In the age of revisionist Westerns, this excellent cattle-drive drama nicely maintains an old-fashioned feeling while still showing the dark side of the American West. Winner of seven Emmy Awards and responsible for two miniseries sequels ("Return to Lonesome Dove" and "Dead Man's Walk") and a TV series. "--Sean Axmaker"
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring
208 minutes
(#142)
Theatrical: 2001
Studio: New Line Home Entertainment
Genre: Action & Adventure
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring
208 minutes
(#142)
Languages: English
Subtitles: English
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Summary: In every aspect, the extended-edition DVD of Peter Jackson's epic fantasy "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" blows away the theatrical-version DVD. No one who cares at all about the film should ever need to watch the original version again. Well, maybe the impatient and the squeamish will still prefer the theatrical version, because the extended edition makes a long film 30 minutes longer and there's a bit more violence (though both versions are rated PG-13). But the changes--sometimes whole scenes, sometimes merely a few seconds--make for a richer film. There's more of the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien, embodied in more songs and a longer opening focusing on Hobbiton. There's more character development, and more background into what is to come in the two subsequent films, such as Galadriel's gifts to the Fellowship and Aragorn's burden of lineage. And some additions make more sense to the plot, or are merely worth seeing, such as the wood elves leaving Middle-earth or the view of Caras Galadhon (but sorry, there's still no Tom Bombadil). Extremely useful are the chapter menus that indicate which scenes are new or extended.
Of the "four" commentary tracks, the ones with the greatest general appeal are the one by Jackson and cowriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, and the one by 10 cast members, but the more technically oriented commentaries by the creative and production staff are also worth hearing. The bonus features (encompassing two complete DVDs) are far superior to the largely promotional materials included on the theatrical release, delving into such matters as script development, casting, and visual effects. The only drawback is that the film is now spread over two discs, with a somewhat abrupt break following the council at Rivendell, due to the storage capacity required for the longer running time, the added DTS ES 6.1 audio, and the commentary tracks. But that's a minor inconvenience. Whether in this four-disc set or in the collector's gift set (which adds Argonath bookends and a DVD of "National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"), the extended-edition DVD is the "Fellowship" DVD to rule them all. "--David Horiuchi"
The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King
250 minutes
(#143)
Theatrical: 2004
Studio: New Line Home Entertainment
Genre: Action & Adventure
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King
250 minutes
(#143)
Languages: English, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Sound: Dolby
Summary: The greatest trilogy in film history, presented in the most ambitious sets in DVD history, comes to a grand conclusion with the extended edition of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King". Not only is the third and final installment of Peter Jackson's adaptation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien the longest of the three, but a full 50 minutes of new material pushes the running time to a whopping 4 hours and 10 minutes. The new scenes are welcome, and the bonus features maintain the high bar set by the first two films, "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers".
What's New?
One of the scenes cut from the theatrical release but included here, the resolution of the Saruman storyline, generated a lot of publicity when the movie opened, as actor Christopher Lee complained in the press about losing his only appearance. It's an excellent scene, one Jackson calls "pure Tolkien," and provides better context for Pippin to find the wizard's palantir in the water, but it's not critical to the film. In fact, "valuable but not critical" might sum up the "ROTK" extended edition. It's evident that Jackson made the right cuts for the theatrical run, but the extra material provides depth and ties up a number of loose ends, and for those sorry to see the trilogy end (and who isn't?) it's a welcome chance to spend another hour in Middle-earth. Some choice moments are Gandalf's (Ian McKellen) confrontation with the Witch King (we find out what happened to the wizard's staff), the chilling Mouth of Sauron at the gates of Mordor, and Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) being mistaken for Orc soldiers. We get to see more of Éowyn (Miranda Otto), both with Aragorn and on the battlefield, even fighting the hideously deformed Orc lieutenant, Gothmog. We also see her in one of the most anticipated new scenes, the Houses of Healing after the battle of the Pelennor Fields. It doesn't present Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) as a savior as the book did, but it shows the initial meeting between Éowyn and Faramir (David Wenham), a relationship that received only a meaningful glance in the theatrical cut.
If you want to completely immerse yourself in Peter Jackson's marvelous and massive achievement, only the extended edition will do.
And for those who complained, no, there are no new endings, not even the scouring of the Shire, which many fans were hoping to see. Nor is there a scene of Denethor (John Noble) with the palantir, which would have better explained both his foresight and his madness. As Jackson notes, when cuts are made, the secondary characters are the first to go, so there is a new scene of Aragorn finding the palantir in Denethor's robes. Another big difference is Aragorn's confrontation with the King of the Dead. In the theatrical version, we didn't know whether the King had accepted Aragorn's offer when the pirate ships pulled into the harbor; here Jackson assumes that viewers have already experienced that tension, and instead has the army of the dead join the battle in an earlier scene (an extended cameo for Jackson). One can debate which is more effective, but that's why the film is available in both versions. If you feel like watching the relatively shorter version you saw in the theaters, you can. If you want to completely immerse yourself in Peter Jackson's marvelous and massive achievement, only the extended edition will do.
How Are the Bonus Features?
To complete the experience, "The Return of the King" provides the same sprawling set of features as the previous extended editions: four commentary tracks, sharp picture and thrilling sound, and two discs of excellent documentary material far superior to the recycled material in the theatrical edition. Those who have listened to the seven hours of commentary for the first two extended editions may wonder if they need to hear more, but there was no commentary for the earlier "ROTK" DVD, so it's still entertaining to hear Jackson break down the film (he says the beacon scene is one of his favorites), discuss differences from the book, point out cameos, and poke fun at himself and the extended-edition concept ("So this is the complete full strangulation, never seen before, here exclusively on DVD!"). The documentaries (some lasting 30 minutes or longer) are of their usual outstanding quality, and there's a riveting storyboard/animatic sequence of the climactic scene, which includes a one-on-one battle between Aragorn and Sauron.
One DVD Set to Rule Them All
Peter Jackson's trilogy has set the standard for fantasy films by adapting the Holy Grail of fantasy stories with a combination of fidelity to the original source and his own vision, supplemented by outstanding writing, near-perfect casting, glorious special effects, and evocative New Zealand locales. The extended editions without exception have set the standard for the DVD medium by providing a richer film experience that pulls the three films together and further embraces Tolkien's world, a reference-quality home theater experience, and generous, intelligent, and engrossing bonus features. "--David Horiuchi"
The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers
208 minutes
(#144)
Theatrical: 2002
Studio: New Line Home Video
Genre: Action & Adventure
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers
208 minutes
(#144)
Languages: English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Summary: The extended edition of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" was perhaps the most comprehensive DVD release to date, and its follow-up proves a similarly colossal achievement, with significant extra footage and a multitude of worthwhile bonus features. The extended version of "The Two Towers" adds 43 minutes to the theatrical version's 179-minute running time, and there are valuable additions to the film. Two new scenes might appease those who feel that the characterization of Faramir was the film's most egregious departure from the book, and fans will appreciate an appearance of the Huorns at Helm's Deep plus a nod to the absence of Tom Bombadil. Seeing a little more interplay between the gorgeous Eowyn and Aragorn is welcome, as is a grim introduction to Eomer and Theoden's son. And among the many other additions, there's an extended epilogue that might not have worked in the theater, but is more effective here in setting up "The Return of the King". While the 30 minutes added to "The Fellowship of the Ring" felt just right in enriching the film, the extra footage in "The Two Towers" at times seems a bit extraneous--we "see" moments that in the theatrical version we had been told about, and some fleshed-out conversations and incidents are rather minor. But director Peter Jackson's vision of J.R.R. Tolkien's world is so marvelous that it's hard to complain about any extra time we can spend there.
While it may seem that there would be nothing left to say after the bevy of features on the extended "Fellowship", the four commentary tracks and two discs of supplements on "The Two Towers" remain informative, fascinating, and funny, far surpassing the recycled materials on the two-disc theatrical version. Highlights of the 6.5 hours' worth of documentaries offer insight on the stunts, the design work, the locations, and the creation of Gollum, and--most intriguing for rabid fans--the film's writers (including Jackson) discuss why they created events that weren't in the book. Providing variety are animatics, rough footage, countless sketches, and a sound-mixing demonstration. Again, the most interesting commentary tracks are by Jackson and writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens and by 16 members of the cast (eight of whom didn't appear in the first film, and even including John Noble, whose Denethor character only appears in this extended cut). The first two installments of Peter Jackson's trilogy have established themselves as the best fantasy films of all time, and among the best film trilogies of all time, and their extended-edition DVD sets have set a new standard for expanding on the already-epic films and providing comprehensive bonus features. "--David Horiuchi"
Lost in Translation
Sofia Coppola
102 minutes
(#145)
Theatrical: 2003
Studio: Universal Studios
Genre: Comedy
Writer:
Date Added: 21 Feb 2007
Lost in Translation
Sofia Coppola
102 minutes
(#145)
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Sound: Dolby
Summary: Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) are two Americans in Tokyo. Bob is a movie star in town to shoot a whiskey commercial, while Charlotte is a young woman tagging along with her workaholic photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi). Unable to sleep, Bob and Charlotte cross paths one night in the luxury hotel bar. This chance meeting soon becomes a surprising friendship. Charlotte and Bob venture through Tokyo, having often hilarious encounters with its citizens, and ultimately discover a new belief in life's possibilities.Shot entirely on location in Japan, Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation is a valentine to the nature of close friendships and to the city of Tokyo. Ms. Coppola's film, for her original screenplay, contemplates the unexpected connections we make that might not last - yet stay with us forever.
System Requirements:
Running Time 102 Min
Format: DVD MOVIE
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