MAZE (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

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MOVIE COMPANY: SOFTWARE SCULPTORS

CAST:  Hasegawa Katsumi and more.
RATING:  R
TYPE OF MOVIE: Action, Adventure
DURATION: 85 minutes

Transported through time and space, Maze has gained incredible powers – and one astronomical problem. Every night, she transforms into a lecherous man! To top it all off, she must rescue a fugitive (and overly affectionate) princess from a mysterious warrior cult. But male Maze would rather be chasing the ladies…

DVD EXTRAS:

• Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
• 1st episode of the Maze TV Series
• Meet the Cast
• Sneak Peak (trailers)

KNOWN DVD SECRET(S): None that I know of

DVD REVIEW:

I wasn’t expecting too much from this anime, so I came in with an open mind.  For the Maze series, the OAV’s came before the TV series and thus with the OAV, you see situations that are more for adults and the TV series, things are toned down for the children who come home in the afternoons in Japan.

With that out of the way, the series was interesting and it did keep my interest.  It’s not a superb anime but it was entertaining.  The anime though is not as sharp as other OAV’s that came out during the mid or late 90’s.  It seemed like TV quality OAV’s.

As for the DVD, special features include the first episode of the series (is this a special feature?) and a “meet the cast” which is nothing and the trailers which are from Hasegawa Katsumi’s (screenwriter) other works.

Perhaps if I had a DVD-Rom, I would say more positive things but at this time, if you can rent it…rent it.  It is a good anime but again…nothing great.

THE MOVIE: B-
THE DVD EXTRAS: C-
THE DVD OVERALL:  C

 

Contact (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

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MOVIE COMPANY: Warner Bros.
CAST: Starring Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, James Woods, John Hurt, Tom Skerritt, Angela Bassett, Rob Lowe and more.
DIRECTED BY: Directed by Robert Zemeckis
PRODUCED BY: Robert Zemeckis and Steve Starkey
RATING: Rated PG
INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE URL: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0118884
TYPE OF MOVIE: Drama, Sci-Fi, Romance

The exciting adventure of the day we make contact with life beyond Earth comes to the screen with a profound sense of wonder and a dazzling visual sweep that extends to the outer reaches of space and the imagination.

Jodie Foster is astronomer Ellie Arroway, a woman of science.  Matthew McConaughey is a religious scholar Palmer Joss, a man of faith.  They’re opposite ends of the spectrum–and sudden players on the world stage as the countdown to humanity’s greatest journey begins.  Powerfully, thrillingly and emotionally, Contact connects.

DVD EXTRAS:

• Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
• Color, Dolby, Widescreen, Closed-captioned, HiFi Sound, Surround Sound, AC-3
• Commentary by (English) by actress Jodie Foster
• Commentary by (English) by director Robert Zemeckis and producer Steve Starkey
• Commentary by (English) by Ken Ralston and Steven Rosenbaum
• Production notes
• Theatrical trailer(s)
• Computer animation concepts and tests
• Special effects designs
• Widescreen anamorphic format

KNOWN DVD SECRET(S): None that I could find.

DVD REVIEW:

This film was very important for me to watch.  I’m not so much of a Carl Sagan follower but I am an Art Bell fan and I have been interested in SETI and the pursuit to find out the truth of life outside our universe.

This movie focuses on several topics such as extra-terrestrial life and also the battle between science and religion.  I for one am a person who thinks scientifically but at the same time a God believing person and for others they can’t compare the two, both are at opposite ends of the spectrum and this movie is really good at showing that.

Also, the involvement of the US government.  Very interesting.  Also, the movie uses a lot of major newscasters from CNN and President Bill Clinton.  Also, very interesting.

This DVD is one of the best intelligent movies and the whole story including the special effects are wonderful.  The video is nice and clear and the use of many colors in the film are brilliant.  The sound on digital 5.1 is also very nice.

As for the DVD extras, I have to give Warner Bros. an applause for doing this movie justice by including three feature length commentaries by Jodie Foster, the director and producer Robert Zeickis and Steve Starkey and another group being Ken Ralston and Stephen Rosebaum.  Also, it was nice to see the computer animation concepts and tests, special effects designs and more.  I’m not sure if there were many deleted or cut scenes but I wish they included them but I can’t expect much, they did a great job and by including three commentaries, that’s really awesome!

I’m sure some people will love or hate this film due to the science vs. religion overtone but I know what my heart believes and I can only say that this DVD is highly recommended!

THE MOVIE:  A+
THE DVD EXTRAS:  A-
THE DVD OVERALL:  A

 

CLERKS (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

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MOVIE COMPANY: Miramax Films
CAST: Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Jason Mewes, Lisa Spoonauer
DIRECTED BY: Kevin Smith
PRODUCED BY: Scott Mosier and Kevin Smith
RATING: R
INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE URL: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0109445
TYPE OF TV SHOW: Comedy
DURATION:  92 minutes

If you’re in the market for what The Detroit News called “a lively comic adventure,” Clerks delivers with wholesale hilarity!  It’s one wild day in the life of a pair of overworked counter jockeys whose razor-sharp wit and on-the-job antics give a whole new meaning to customer service!  Even while braving a nonstop parade of unpredictable shoppers, the clerks manage to play hockey on the roof, visit a funeral home, and straighten out their offbeat love lives.  The boss is nowhere in sight, so you can bet anything can — and will — happen when these guys are left to run the store!

DVD EXTRAS:

• Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
• Color, Dolby, Widescreen, Closed-captioned, Digital Sound, Black & White
• Commentary by director Kevin Smith and members of the cast and crew
• Theatrical trailer
• Deleted scenes with introduction by Kevin Smith
• Alternate ending
• Music video “Soul Asylum”
• Widescreen letterbox format

KNOWN DVD SECRET:  None that I know of at this time.

DVD REVIEW:

I saw this movie as a recommendation as one of the best written comedy/movies of the all time.

Well, I wouldn’t say it’s one of the best but it’s pretty good.  First, hats off to Kevin Smith for the unique perspective of a movie about clerks.  Also, a hats off to the actors because I don’t know if regular actors can do something like this.  These actors are a lot more believable than say if you get big name actors to play the characters parts.  Last, hats off for making an entertaining movie without the big budget.

That’s where “Clerks” is a winner.  It’s not big-budgeted, you get non major names to play roles.  The acting is not top notch but they look as if they do fit those parts.  The more believable these actors are to their characters, the more humorous the movie was for me.

As for quality video and audio, this was a low budget movie, so I wasn’t going to expect any major video/audio at all.  As for the special features, the audio commentary was funny but terrible in a way that you can’t really hear the actors speak.  It’s like one microphone was being used. This was a big minus for the DVD.  Why put it in there if you can’t hear it that well.  The alternate ending was a shock and it’s very good they didn’t include it in the final release.  It would of made the movie very depressing.  The Soul Asylum music video rocked and how it stays with the “Clerks” theme made watching the music video that much more enjoyable.  If there was anything very negative about this DVD, it’s that this DVD continues to be one of the most expensive ones out there.  Otherwise, thank God for DVD coupons.

So, if you want to see a fun movie, “Clerks” will definitely make you laugh.

THE MOVIE:  B-
THE DVD EXTRAS:  C
THE DVD OVERALL:  C+