Movie Info:
Writer: Kevin Smith
Director: Kevin Smith
Cast: Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonhauer, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier, Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Joey Lauren Adams, Shannon Elizabeth, Eliza Dushku, Ali Larter, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, Will Ferrell, Judd Nelson
Rating: R
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: November 17, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $53.99

I have been a huge fan of Kevin Smith since I saw the movie Dogma. I was a little too young to get into the Clerks craze when it first came out (I was 13), so I didn’t even know about the comedic genius of Smith until I saw Dogma. As a practicing Catholic at the time, I found this movie quite hilarious, familiar and awesomely funny. From that moment, I became interested in Smith. Of course, I never got the opportunity to see another Smith film until I saw Clerks a few years later.

When Dogma came out there was no IMDB that I knew of, and the internet wasn’t as widely used as it is today. It was harder to find out about who Smith was and his other works. While I owned a VHS tape of Dogma and watched it many times, it wasn’t until I caught Clerks on a premium station late at night that I realized this had to be another Kevin Smith movie. It was Jay and Silent Bob who gave it away. From there, I actually pursued finding other Smith movies at the local Blockbuster.

After seeing Clerks, I saw Chasing Amy and when Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back came out, I bought that on DVD right away. Since then, I’ve been a loyal fan of Smith, who speaks to a generation I understand. Excluding Jersey Girl, I am a big fan of the movies he has written and directed. There is nothing like Clerks out there, and because of this the story, the jokes and the unique, yet every day Joe characters never grow old or tired.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writers: Michael Mann, David Mamet, Ted Tally, Steven Zaillian, Thomas Harris
Directors: Ridley Scott, Michael Mann, Jonathan Demme
Cast: Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Giancarlo Giannini, Dennis Farina, Stephen Lang, Tom Noonan, Kim Greist, Julianne Moore, Jodie Foster, Joan Allen, Francesca Neri, Anthony Hopkins, Brian Cox, Ray Liotta, Frankie Faison, William Petersen
Rating: R
Studio: Fox Home Entertainment/MGM

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: September 15, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $44.49

I am a huge fan of films involving Hannibal Lecter. I’m also a huge fan of William Petersen, Jodie Foster, Joan Allen, and Anthony Hopkins. That means I was pretty anxious to get my hands on a copy of the Hannibal Lecter Collection. This collection consists of Manhunter, Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal. While I had seen Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, as well as Red Dragon (the feature film version of Manhunter), I had never before seen the TV movie, Manhunter. I knew it followed pretty much the same storyline as Red Dragon does, I knew it had an excellent cast, and I had heard only good things about it. This made me very curious about seeing Manhunter.

Out of this set of three movies, the best is Silence of the Lambs. It’s hard to beat the story. In fact, Silence has been one of my favorite movies of all time for years. I can’t discount Manhunter, though. While I enjoyed Red Dragon, I have to say that William Petersen really made Manhunter worth watching. While it was weird to see Brian Cox in the role of Hannibal Lecter, considering I’ve only seen Hopkins play the role prior to watching Manhunter, I don’t think Cox did too bad a job. His Lecter was quite different from the one portrayed by Hopkins. While I find Hopkins is the definitive Lecter, I can’t dislike Cox’s portrayal too much, especially since it is so different from the one by Hopkins.

The only dead weight in this set is Hannibal. The biggest problem is that Jodie Foster isn’t in this. While Julianne Moore took over the role of Clarice Starling, and I generally like Moore, I just can’t see anyone else in the role but Foster. I am of the firm belief that for a sequel to exist, it needs to be a strong extension of the first film and I don’t feel that is what Hannibal offered. It wasn’t just about replacing Foster with Moore. The story just didn’t feel as connected to Silence as I feel it should have. That being said, for what the actors are given to work with, I don’t feel they did a horrible job. It’s rather mediocre, which is expected considering the expectations a sequel has after following a movie like Silence of the Lambs.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

TV Show Info:
Creator: Joss Whedon
Cast: Eliza Dushku, Harry Lennix, Fran Kranz, Tahmoh Penikett, Enver Gjokaj, Dichen Lachman, Olivia Williams, Amy Acker, Reed Diamond, Miracle Laurie
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: February 13, 2009-May 1, 2009
DVD Box Set Release Date: July 28, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $42.49
Episodes: #1.1-#1.13

I admit it. I started watching Dollhouse because I thought Eliza Dushku was hot. I was certain this latest Joss Whedon project would bring on the sexy. I knew Dushku could bring it, but Whedon adds in exotically beautiful Dichen Lachman, and even Olivia Williams displays this sort of authoritatively British, sexiness that oozes off the screen. What is surprising (or not since the entire cast is made up of talented actors) is how enjoyable the storytelling is for this season.

Sure, the show didn’t get the best ratings during its debut season. Some feel it plodded through the first season hitting bumps and blocks throughout, but I didn’t feel that way. From the first episode, I knew this was a show I wanted to watch. Unfortunately, Fridays aren’t good for me. I don’t watch television much on Fridays, and I spent most Fridays forgetting this show was on. I’d remember an hour after the show aired, and would forget to DVR it prior to it airing. Other than the very first episode, I saw I only had a chance to see the episode “Echoes” when it aired on television. By the time the series’ first season was half over, I figured I could just catch up when Dollhouse came to DVD and Blu-Ray. I’m glad I did.

I like Dollhouse. There really isn’t another show like it on television. It’s one of those rare, original concepts that leave the audience intrigued by the entire possibility; the entire ‘what if.’ Sure, some of the dialogue is stilted in the beginning of the series. It takes a little bit of time to warm up to some of the characters, and others (like Mr. Dominic) you realize you were never meant to. Overall, though, the storyline is one of a kind. It’s nice to see some originality in Hollywood. The characters and the storyline work together to make for an engaging, thought-provoking series.

I find myself thinking, a lot, about the ethical connotations behind Dollhouse. A major part of me believes the entire purpose and point of the Dollhouse is wrong. I can see how some of the dolls could have been exploited into being dolls, and I can also see how some truly do choose, to volunteer for this. Some of the dolls just want to forget their pain, their hurt, and the lives that have been wiped away. I feel for the characters, as their pasts have been slowly revealed. I go back and forth between the morality of what is right and the desire to help people, by wiping away those bad memories. Dollhouse really makes you think about this.

The acting for Dollhouse is handled nicely. Eliza was a nice choice for Echo/Caroline. She’s sexy, but also has the ability to play the roles she is given each week. My favorite character is Topher ( Fran Kranz) the lovable geek and Tech guru for the Dollhouse. He may be somewhat cliche, but Kranz does a nice job of making Topher unique and engaging. I also really enjoy Boyd Langton as Harry Lennix, Echo’s handler turned Dollhouse head of security. Even in his new job, he cares so much for Echo, and his chemistry with Eliza is great. Of course, I can’t leave out Enver Gjokaj. He plays Victor, one of the other dolls, and though we haven’t seen him nearly as much as the other major players, his versatility as an actor shines in those brief moments when he is on screen.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writers:Kirk Ellis
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Stephen Dillane, David Morse, Tom Wilkinson, Rufus Sewell, Justin Theroux, Danny Huston, Clancy O’Connor, Željko Ivanek, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Sarah Polley, Andrew Scott, John Dossett, Mamie Gummer, Samuel Barnett, Kevin Trainor, Tom Hollander
Rating:
Studio: HBO

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: March 16 – April 20, 2008
DVD Release Date: June 16, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $45.49

History has always been a subject that I am incredibly interested in. American History was not always my favorite subject in the bunch, though I will admit that there are specific periods in American History that have always interested me. One of those periods is the colonial period and the American Revolution. Over the years there have been countless miniseries’, television, and movie productions concerning this subject matter. A particular favorite subject, especially lately seems to be John Adams. An incredible British miniseries was done a few years back that I thought would be pretty hard to top. However, that was until I had a chance to see HBO’s production, John Adams.

When America was just being formed and was coming into its own as a new nation, John Adams was there to fight for what he thought was right. Countless books and movies have been made about him and this period, though this may end up being one of the defining pieces. All of the major events are highlighted from the Boston Massacre to Adams’ final days.

It is hard to discount a miniseries that has won more awards than any other television production to date. Filled with an all-star, aptly chosen cast, John Adams gives the history lover everything that they could want in a movie and the non-history lover a riveting story that is filled with the twists and turns of real life from start to finish.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writers: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Ryan Kwanten, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Jim Parrack, Todd Lowe, Deborah Ann Woll, Chris Bauer, Nelsan Ellis, Carrie Preston, Michael Raymond-James, William Sanderson, Adina Porter, Kristin Bauer, Robert Amjarv, Alexander Skarsgård
Rating: Uncensored
Studio: HBO

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: 2008
DVD Release Date: May 19, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $44.99

“…Giving Jason Stackhouse Vampire Blood is like giving ho-hos to a diabetic…You know he can’t control himself…” – Tara True Blood

Like Jason Stackhouse, I have a hard time controlling myself, though my compulsive nature is a rather harmless one. You see I have a hard time controlling myself when it comes to HBO’s smash hit, True Blood. I knew that I would love this show from the first moment I saw it. I was watching HBO and a preview for True Blood came on. I knew I would end up getting hooked. When it finally aired, I ended up watching one episode and then I kept missing it. I constantly told myself I was going to watch it, but something always got in the way. Finally, that fateful day came when it showed up at my door for review.

Unlike most television series I review, I watched this entire season (12 episodes) in two days. Since then, I have vowed not to miss an episode of the new season. I plan to watch it Sunday’s when it airs because I cannot stand the thought of waiting until the next season box set comes out. However, I do look forward to reviewing it when it does and I can only hope it comes out as good as this one has. This set includes all of the episodes from Season One, a few bonuses, and it’s offered in a gorgeous quality. The box (at least for the Blu-ray) is covered with cast and episode photos, inside and out and is constructed from a heavy cardboard. It’s a better quality box than most and it’s not your typical looking clamshell case, though it is foldout, which comes in handy.

For those of you reading this that do not have cable and have little knowledge of True Blood, it is a series created by Alan Ball that was originally a series of books called the “Southern Vampire Mysteries” by Charlaine Harris. The show does a fair job at sticking to the books from what I understand, though there have been a few changes, one of which, I am very happy about for my own selfish reasons.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.