Don Movie Reviews

This is such a great story. My kids love to watch it over and over. It has a great message and a lot of fun. I would highly recommend it.

'Hermie' is such a cute adventure video for kids of all ages (parents will love it, too.). It comes from Max Lucado's story available on board book, but animation is lots more fun. It's nice to see this cute animated character Hermie a caterpillar come to life to tell his unhappy story to his pal, Wormie who has something in common. That's just it being common. The voices of Hermie are played by Tim Conway, and Wormie played by Don Knotts makes this so delightful. Hermie and his pal Wormie looks at all the fabulous insects around both of them and wonders Hermie and Wormie are just so plain. Hermie learns that being what God made you does mean He through with you yet. God lets Hermie snd Wormie know He's not finished with them. Then one day Hermie and Wormie gets a special surprise. Both of them become a beautiful butterfly. Hermie and his pal, Wormie both understand now that God's work wasn't done yet. The best always comes to the finish. Hermie and Wormie soon trust in God's plan. To all parents-this will help you child build self-esteem and self-worth. It lets them know that God loves them just like they are. They're very special just like all His wonderful creation. That is God's purpose and plan for each of us. It's superb---I recommend this!

Our 3 year-old cant get enough of this movie! It's humorous for 3 year olds and parents with a good lesson. Hermie is an unfulfilled catepillar who wants to be anyone but himself. He's too ordinary and plain. He's regularly complains to God that He made him too ordinary, especially in light of all of the other insects that have interesting and unique abilities. God's response is that He is not finished with him yet. Well, the story has a great ending when he transforms into a butterfly. He finally understands and trusts. The story is inspired by Max Lucado's writings and Tim Conway and Don Knotts deliver the voices. Great Stuff! Wish there was another one.

All Detective Jake Cornel (Roddy Piper) wants is to ask his artist girlfriend Sami to marry him, but just as he's about to pop the question, duty calls. Jake has to go down to Jungleground, an area so filled with drugs, gangs, and mayhem that the police refuse to patrol there. Jake is captured by the Ragnarockers, a Norse mythology loving gang led by Odin, a techno-punk psychotic with a warped sense of humor. Odin decides to play a game with Jake. If Jake can make it home through Jungleground by dawn, he will be free. To further handicap things, Odin sends a team of "soldiers" after Jake, and dispatches two goons to kill Sami at dawn should Jake fail to return home.

This is one of my very favorite Roddy Piper movies, mainly because of the outstanding performance of JR Bourne, who plays the villainous Odin with charisma and style. Check this movie out!

All Detective Jake Cornel (Piper) wants is to ask his artist girlfriend Sami to marry him, but just as he's about to pop the question, duty calls. Jake has to go down to Jungleground, an area so filled with drugs, gangs, and mayhem that the police refuse to patrol there. Jake is captured by the Ragnarockers, a Norse mythology loving gang led by Odin, a techno-punk psychotic with a warped sense of humor. Odin decides to play a game with Jake. If Jake can make it home through Jungleground by dawn, he will be free. To further handicap things, Odin sends a team of "soldiers" after Jake, and dispatches two goons to kill Sami at dawn should Jake fail to return home. JR Bourne stands out as Odin--what a great villain!! Check this movie out. Joe Bob Briggs even chose it as one of his year's best!!

This movie was surprisingly enjoyable. Just let your brain relax and sit back and enjoy.

This page oddly is identical, review-wise, to that of Volume 6, so I'll review both volumes here instead. I will say, though, that the technical, aural, and voice acting aspects on both language tracks get better with each volume. The content for the two volumes, however, is quite different:

VOL. 4: BATTLEGROUND: ***** out of *****

This is the third best of the NADIA DVDs; we are treated to more character development (Nadia disrespecting other people who have opinions different from hers about killing and eating meat, Jean's insatiable curiosity and love for technology and Nadia), terrific action sequences (a wonderfully paced and executed chase sequence in Episode 13 where Marie and Sanson outrun a mechanical walker), heartfelt moments (Jean painfully getting a glimpse of the dangers of technology when it claims the life of a new friend of his, as well as he and Nadia bonding throughout the volume, especially the last episode), and some truly imaginative artwork (the lost kingdom of Atlantis on the last episode). Definitely a nice pickup after Vol. 3, although not as strong as Vol. 2 or emotionally satisfying as Vol. 10.

VOL. 6: THE DEEP BLUE SEA: **** out of *****

The first two episodes are the best, but the later two episodes are the beginning of the Island Episode Arc, which, as I mention in my later reviews, is weaker than the first 22 episodes, with some disjointed plotting, uneven animation, occasionally bland artwork, and some uncharacteristic exaggerations from our characters. It is also here that Nadia begins to get on our nerves even more by becoming more bratty, crazy, and selfish; reacting impulsively rather than learning any lessons, and only Jean's gentle love, patience, and compassion can save her from falling prey to her inner demons. Admittingly, it is funny for a while, but it soon gets out of hand, particularly on Volumes 7 and 8. Still, it, along with the aforementioned volumes, is worth the price.

OVERALL: ****1/2 out of *****

Volume 6 is slightly weaker than Volume 4 (due to its uneven plot jumping), but both volumes are must-gets, nevertheless, especially for NADIA fans.

Gainax Studios is something of a legend in anime circles, and deservedly so. Started when a couple of fanboys decided to go beyond being mere fans, it first created a couple videos for the large convention "Daicon", and then shifted into high gear, producing four works that are generally considered classics of the anime world: Wings of Honneamise, a startlingly realistic depiction of an alternative space program on an Earth that COULD have happened; Gunbuster:Aim For The Top!, a mecha-space opera which reaches scales of conflict beyond anything before or since; Otaku no Video, a self-parody and incisive look at the fanboy world; and Nadia: Secret of Blue Water (actual title would translate more as "Nadia of the Mysterious Sea").

Based on the world of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and using an outline created by Hayao Miyazaki (known for his magnificent works like Totoro, Laputa, Princess Mononoke, and Kiki's Delivery Service), it takes place in 1899, at the World's Expo in Paris. Young Jean, a genius inventor obsessed with flight, is present to compete in the heavier-than-air flight challenge. He is, however, smitten when a mysterious, dark-skinned girl goes by, and he chases after her. The girl, Nadia, knows nothing of her own past, not even sure of where she comes from originally; the only remainder of her past life is a huge jewel called the Blue Water. Unfortunately, the Blue Water is being sought out by a number of forces, and pursue Jean and Nadia from Paris to the open sea to hidden fortresses. Their adventures feature gadgetry ranging from simple gliders to a multi-formed Victorian steam-tech transforming gadget called the Gratan, and weapons from normal bullets to the mighty Tower of Babel, a super-weapon capable of wiping cities from the earth. Captain Nemo and his Nautilus play a large part, though their origin is different from that of Verne's original.

The music is first-rate, and most of the episodes are wonderful as well, with some being pure character interaction and others slam-bang action second to none. The only flaw in the series is the infamous "island sequence" which not only doesn't advance the plot but features second-rate animation and truly stupid plot (if it can be called that); this was apparently due to Gainax realizing they were running short of money and needed to save some for a while in order to be able to make the finale of the series live up to the beginning.

Nonetheless, this is a top-notch anime series, good for any age range, and worth viewing whether you're 9 or 90.

This Anime-series is great!!!!! The story is a mix from 18th century lifestyle, upcoming 19th century technique, the story: 20.000 Leagues under the Sea from Jules Verne and a good portion Si-Fi.....
You get it all! The love, the submarine, the action, the fun and the tension of a fast-paced, hard-hitting storyline!
Thats FUN!! Get into the world of Jean and Nadia!!

You will love it!!

This page oddly is identical, review-wise, to that of Volume 6, so I'll review both volumes here instead. I will say, though, that the technical, aural, and voice acting aspects on both language tracks get better with each volume. The content for the two volumes, however, is quite different:

VOL. 4: BATTLEGROUND: ***** out of *****

This is the third best of the NADIA DVDs; we are treated to more character development (Nadia disrespecting other people who have opinions different from hers about killing and eating meat, Jean's insatiable curiosity and love for technology and Nadia), terrific action sequences (a wonderfully paced and executed chase sequence in Episode 13 where Marie and Sanson outrun a mechanical walker), heartfelt moments (Jean painfully getting a glimpse of the dangers of technology when it claims the life of a new friend of his, as well as he and Nadia bonding throughout the volume, especially the last episode), and some truly imaginative artwork (the lost kingdom of Atlantis on the last episode). Definitely a nice pickup after Vol. 3, although not as strong as Vol. 2 or emotionally satisfying as Vol. 10.

VOL. 6: THE DEEP BLUE SEA: **** out of *****

The first two episodes are the best, but the later two episodes are the beginning of the Island Episode Arc, which, as I mention in my later reviews, is weaker than the first 22 episodes, with some disjointed plotting, uneven animation, occasionally bland artwork, and some uncharacteristic exaggerations from our characters. It is also here that Nadia begins to get on our nerves even more by becoming more bratty, crazy, and selfish; reacting impulsively rather than learning any lessons, and only Jean's gentle love, patience, and compassion can save her from falling prey to her inner demons. Admittingly, it is funny for a while, but it soon gets out of hand, particularly on Volumes 7 and 8. Still, it, along with the aforementioned volumes, is worth the price.

OVERALL: ****1/2 out of *****

Volume 6 is slightly weaker than Volume 4 (due to its uneven plot jumping), but both volumes are must-gets, nevertheless, especially for NADIA fans.

Gainax Studios is something of a legend in anime circles, and deservedly so. Started when a couple of fanboys decided to go beyond being mere fans, it first created a couple videos for the large convention "Daicon", and then shifted into high gear, producing four works that are generally considered classics of the anime world: Wings of Honneamise, a startlingly realistic depiction of an alternative space program on an Earth that COULD have happened; Gunbuster:Aim For The Top!, a mecha-space opera which reaches scales of conflict beyond anything before or since; Otaku no Video, a self-parody and incisive look at the fanboy world; and Nadia: Secret of Blue Water (actual title would translate more as "Nadia of the Mysterious Sea").

Based on the world of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and using an outline created by Hayao Miyazaki (known for his magnificent works like Totoro, Laputa, Princess Mononoke, and Kiki's Delivery Service), it takes place in 1899, at the World's Expo in Paris. Young Jean, a genius inventor obsessed with flight, is present to compete in the heavier-than-air flight challenge. He is, however, smitten when a mysterious, dark-skinned girl goes by, and he chases after her. The girl, Nadia, knows nothing of her own past, not even sure of where she comes from originally; the only remainder of her past life is a huge jewel called the Blue Water. Unfortunately, the Blue Water is being sought out by a number of forces, and pursue Jean and Nadia from Paris to the open sea to hidden fortresses. Their adventures feature gadgetry ranging from simple gliders to a multi-formed Victorian steam-tech transforming gadget called the Gratan, and weapons from normal bullets to the mighty Tower of Babel, a super-weapon capable of wiping cities from the earth. Captain Nemo and his Nautilus play a large part, though their origin is different from that of Verne's original.

The music is first-rate, and most of the episodes are wonderful as well, with some being pure character interaction and others slam-bang action second to none. The only flaw in the series is the infamous "island sequence" which not only doesn't advance the plot but features second-rate animation and truly stupid plot (if it can be called that); this was apparently due to Gainax realizing they were running short of money and needed to save some for a while in order to be able to make the finale of the series live up to the beginning.

Nonetheless, this is a top-notch anime series, good for any age range, and worth viewing whether you're 9 or 90.

This Anime-series is great!!!!! The story is a mix from 18th century lifestyle, upcoming 19th century technique, the story: 20.000 Leagues under the Sea from Jules Verne and a good portion Si-Fi.....
You get it all! The love, the submarine, the action, the fun and the tension of a fast-paced, hard-hitting storyline!
Thats FUN!! Get into the world of Jean and Nadia!!

You will love it!!

Better than the first DVD. Still has the quirky antics of the Ranma cast. I especially enjoyed the Second one tilte "The Stalker of Furikan High" where poeple believe Ranma has flipped and is out right attacking girls. I'm still waiting for something more emotional though in the series but this is a good one much better than the first DVD, I think any Ranma fan should get it.

I was a little reluctant to buy Ranma 1/2 at first. I had several friends recomend it to me saying it was pretty funny. Although even with there recomondations I still didn't buy any eps of it. It just really didn't seem like something i would like. Then about a month ago i was in a video store near my house and i had a few extra bucks i just felt like spending. So I decided too listen to my friends and buy a copy of one of the Ranma 1/2 DVDs. I happened to buy Watermelon Beach which has Three eps. on it. I was very happy with my purchase. I thought it to be one of the funniest things that i have seen. Because of this I've gone out and bought and bought some more DVDs of Ranma they are:
1.For the love of Akane
2.Ranma 1/2 the Movie 2 - Nihao My Concubine
3.The First season boxed set

I laughed my head of at all of them. Plus i'm Waiting for the Second Season boxed set and the first movie in the mail right now. And there are very few things i would spend so much money on within a month. So I highly Recomend you buy this or another Ranma 1/2 DVD.

This is probably one of the best Ranma discs yet. The first episode has the Tendo family along with a group of other characters going to the amusement park. When Happosi eats all their food and both Genma and Soun spend all their money at the arcade, there is only one option left. A go-kart race with the grand prize of a full corse dinner. I must say that for a racing episode it was done pretty well. Happosi running around the course in a go-kart with bras and panties is a riot. The next episode is the tale the Furinkan High Stalker. Everyone thinks it's Ranma and the whole ordeal turns out to be a conspiracy plotted by one of Ranma's enemies. The last episode is by far the funniest. When Kuno washes up on shore with a watermelon on his head, he can only remember that he has spent his entire life dating the "pig-tailed girl". This leads back to Watermelon island where Akane discovers the secret behind Kuno's amnesia. The Japanese language on this disc is way better. In the second episode, Ranma dresses up as a girl and ask where Ranma is in the most hilarious voice you will ever hear. And during the third episode when Ranma-chan wakes up from a nightmare of having chidlren with Kuno, he makes the most insane face ever scene when set against the music. Stay tuned. The next disc features a two part episode AND a NEW character. Buy this disc and the one after it. You wont regret it.

The animated Series of Sabrina is just as good as the show!

It is worth it buy it!

I see this on Disney's 1 Saturday Morning, and now I see it on the disney channel, and I think this is greater than the real TV show or the movie (which I've never seen), but it this a disney show, because the movie Inspector Gadget is also made from DiC, and so is Sabrina, so Sabrina might be made from disney.

I haven't seen this DVD yet, I only just found out it existed, but I have several episodes of this show on tape, probably including some of the ones here. All I can say is this, Sabrina the Animated series is funny and fun, and it stars the most gorgeous cartoon girl I think has ever been drawn, and I'm an expert. And it doesn't hurt that her voice is provided by Emily Hart, Melissa Joan Hart's gorgeous sister. Melissa provides the voices of Sabrina's two aunts, Hilda and Zelda, who are both in the form of teenagers in this show as the result of a curse. Sabrina is in junior high this time around. The show is basically based on the Melissa Joan Hart show, only younger and animated. It's basically done by Disney, and can be checked out on One Saturday Morning, and in some areas on weekday mornings and possibly other times. Some episodes try too hard to teach a lesson, but most are just plain fun. They all teach a lesson though. They're great to watch, but if you're like me and don't approve of the big pro-witchcraft explosion going on in the media targeted at young people you might want to talk with your kids first. If they've got a healthy understanding about fact and fiction they'll be able to watch a show like this without getting all messed up, the same way you watch reruns of bewitched!

While no where near as good as "A Woman of Substance" it is still worth watching. If you fell in love with Emma Harte how can you not watch the second part of the story? The best character of the movie is of course Jenny Seagrove.I'd love that they cast er as the star in this one too. Why have I never seen her star in another movie? She is just excellent as in "Substance." Stephen Collins is a great lead but the chemistry is pretty low between them. The worst part of the entire story is Paula marrying a Fairley? I honestly couldnt stomach that one after seeing them try to ruin Emma a generation before. The best part? Emma & Blackey O"Neill FINALLY declare their love.

Hold the Dream is a second part of a series. It is based on a family which came from poor to powerful. The Series is one of the best I've seen. It will build self esteem and make you aware of others who have to struggle each day. It will help you to learn to endure.

As with "A Woman of Substance" this movie carries on with Emma Harte's granddaughter Paula who is charged to hold Emma's dream. True to her previous movie this story stuck very close to the book. I love this story and I can't wait to watch the third one "To Be The Best". Watch and love!

*

Hi! As always, my review is based on QUALITY of the DVD's and not on the movie, acting, or direction.

DUCKLING: Picture-3.5, Sound-3.5
CITY OF DEAD: Picture-2.0, Sound-3.0

Thus, my overall rating is 3 stars. If I was rating "Duckling" alone, I would round it up to 4 stars by itself.

This is an excellent two-pack to buy if you enjoy Lucio Fulci. The price of the two-pack is about the same as if you buy one separately, so get 'em both at once. The case has kind of a hard-to-get-to insert card because the 2nd DVD flops around on a stiff plastic round. The insert card has Chapter Lists, one movie on each side -- that's it.

I watched "City of the Living Dead" first and I'm glad. There's not much to enjoy. The picture is lousy and grainy -- this, from a 1980 film. It is not true 16x9; in fact, it is more like a box on the screen. Sound is empty with no depth. Dolby 5.1? I don't know; it's barely stereo. The best part of the movie is seeing Catriona MacColl.

"Don't Torture a Duckling" is a superb film. There is a bit of gore, but this movie would earn plenty if released today in theatres. The sound is listed as mono (true) and is sharp and clear, becoming a bit distorted during loud parts. It is a true 16x9 picture and superior to "City of the Living Dead".

Whew. Both films feature good-looking female actors, as you'd expect in any Argento, Bava, or Fulci film. The prize here is Florinda Bolkan -- who gets top billing. Now I know why. She is very, very beautiful although in somewhat of a dirty and disheveled role. She is taller and larger than some of the policemen -- I like that -- and her performance is dramatic and superb. She did not receive an easy part to perform. It's always good to find a new female hero although the film is from 1972. She continues to work in film. I'm glad I found her, and I will be looking for more of her work. She literally spells the word GLAMOUR despite the grubby part here.

There is one very disturbing violent scene that many will not enjoy. I didn't like it one bit, and most women will not either. Whether it adds to the narrative or belongs in the film is up to you to decide. This is an "uncut" version so I guess Fulci wanted it in there.

There seems to be a transportation challenge in this movie as people on their feet can travel faster than automobiles. All the scenes are very interesting!

I will view "Duckling" again and again. "City..Dead" is probably worth a view once every five years or so.

*

Being a fan of Lucio Fulci and needing a copy of City of Living Dead, I decided to buy the 2 disc set even though I hadn't seen Duckling before, I am lucky I made that decesion.

First of all City is basicly the same plot as Beyond and even stars Catriona MacColl from Beyond. A priest hangs himself opening the gateway to hell and MacColl sees this in a phsycic vision and is scared into a coma. A report saves her from the grave as she is buried alive and they set out to close the gateway. While there are zombies in this film they are noit traditional ones, they have supernatural powers and rip the back of their victims skulls off. The priest zombie makes victims bleed from their eyes and vomit up their guts, this happens in a really great scene. There is also a brilliant head drilling scene, which is in my opinion one of Fulci's best effects. While not as good as Beyond, City is still a great Fulci film, with plenty of atmosphere and Catriona MacColl looking very cute, I haven't seen her in anything but Fulci films, it's a shame though as she is such a cute actress.

Duckling, which I though would be the weak movie, was surprisingly a brilliant. While I have heard of it refered to as a giallo, it really is more of a great mystery involving a series of child murders. While there are a few stalking scenes, Duckling lacks the gloved killer vibe of the standard giallo. What stands out in this film is the lack of Fulci gore, except one scene involving a witch being beaten by vigilantes and also Fulci proves with this film that he is capable of directing a coherrant plot driven film and makes a truely gripping film experience.

While slim on special features compared to the Beyond DVD, Anchorbay has as usual done an exceptional job of transfering these films to DVD. The pictures are generally as crisp as the day they were shot and really any Fulci fan should snap these up as there will never be better versions available.

june 18,02 tuesday I taught t have seen the original city of the dead dvd .but no this is the uncut version the was film when lucio was alive this one contains gut seens the were cut of from the movie it has more blood guts and seens of the movie
the you havent seen .dont torture a duckling is uncut it has seen the i havent seen at all guts blood when a gril is rip little from her skin by the towns people and is uncut from the vault of lucio bouth dvds are original uncencerd and complete. im the fist to own it you must see by henry

Somewhat hilariouslly amusing gay-comedy of dysfunctional families and friend's, loose moral's and plenty of partner-swapping bed-hopping hi-jinx set amongst Boston's Art community of gallery opening's, hammy-theater performing numerous drug & drink cocktail-partie's and you've got a movie called NEVER MET PICASSO.
Plot is thin and shallow and never really goe's anywhere as character's drop in and out of scenes from nowhere and do nothing.
However Andy(Alexis Arquette) is a frustrated(in more way's than one)30 yr-old gay painter whom enter's a contest to win a trip to Africa for much needed inspiration.
His self-centered mother actress Genna Magnus(Margot Kidder) is vexed by her directionless son and is preoccupied with the world's worst play Naked Tenor(so awful it's funny).
Andy's Uncle(Alvin Epstein) is also gay and keeper of a family-secret.
Other numerous notable friend's are Lesbian childhood-pal Lucy(Georgia Ragsdale) whom shine's the brightest.
All in all fine performances by all cast in a much needed tighter written script by 1st timer director Stephen Kijak, but passable.
Pace drag's along slowly and could've benefitted with some forward-momentom. Amusing.

This film is truly a find ! Arquette is fabulous- as usual, but equally as engaging is Georgia Ragsdale who does a great Jackie-O impersonation in the film. This is one of Don McKellar's more interesting roles, and the old grandfather (Alvin Epstien) brought tears to my eyes. A beautifully photographed film with layers and layers of truths, humour, and sincerety. From female artists who have been forgotton in history, to family secrets, to finding true love and following our hearts,this film has a voice and a message!

This is Arquette at his best. The film is a little low on plot but is high on ideas - its thought provoking, tender, strange and really beautiful - the cast is great (I loved Margot Kidder and that crazy psychic painter!). It's like John Waters does Antonioni - a real artful film. This 'story' of a young gay painter and his search for inspiration is filled with unusual characters and small life lessons that are touching and haunting. Like nothing I've seen before!

It is nice to finally see the TV series appearing on DVD. The movies and OAV's have been out for a while on DVD and now Viz is putting out Random Rhapsody (the sixth season) on disc as well. There is not a lot of extras on this DVD nor is the transfer quality all that high (this is why I gave it a 4 instead of 5)but the durability of DVD and the quality of the episodes themselves still recommend this. Episode 1--Dear Daddy Love Kodachi This epsiode finally gets rid of easily the most annoying Ranma character, Principal Kuno. His leaving plus a litttle Kodachi and Tatewaki (always funny characters) make for an above average episode. Episode 2--Enter Gosunkugi This episode introduces Gosunkugi, an annoying but funny loser who is obsessed with Akane and who wants to remove Ranma. He is going to be in many more episodes so this is a good one to see. Episode 3--Ranma's Calligraphy Challenge Mostly a useless episode with another weird character with another wierd martial art style to challenge Ranma. Weakest of the three

Ranma runs into a shady man who runs a secret black market store on Furinkan High's campus! Principal Kuno wants him off the grounds, but this is one feisty merchant that won't go without a fight. Then, Ranma, Ryoga, and Mousse travel into the mountains in search of the legendary Spring of Drowned Man in an attempt to restore their original forms. Will the three martial artists be successful, or will paranoia tear them apart? Plus, what is Genma thinking when he names Ryoga as the inheritor of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts!?

The first esp is Okay but the other two are TOO FUNNY! Just as all Ranma stuff is, it made me laugh out loud and made me smile.
Get this one if you love Ranma but not for people looking at Ranma for the first time