Collection ID 1018
Director: Rob Bowman
Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, John Neville, William B. Davis, Martin Landau
Genre: Sci-Fi
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation   Release date: 1998   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): German, English, Spanish (Canada)
Summary: Mulder and Scully must fight the government in a conspiracy and find the truth about an alien colonization of Earth.
My Rating:
My Review: A film based upon the series and characters. This X-Files film is directed Rob Bowman (Director of hundreds of television shows from the 80s through present day), with screen-play by Chris Carter, and starring David Duchovny (as Mulder) and Gillian Anderson (as Dana Scully) in the series defining roles. In this made for the big screen episode, Mulder and Scully take up the case of an intricate E.T. conspiracy. There's plenty of series centric conspiracy and characters: A prehistoric E.T., an ancient space-ship, a DNA bending virus, government agents, conspirators and secret facilities. Similar to the TV series, here the treatment is bigger, with better locations, more sophisticated effects, a broad scope and engaging pace. If you're a fan of the T.V. series, this is a must watch. If you're a fan of sci-fi, you can't miss it. The backing cast (including Martin Landau) did an outstanding job supporting this excellent story. The production is T.V. level, scaled up in an impressive effort. If Mulder and Scully can't stop the spread of this mutagenic virus, the human race may soon become slaves for a race of genetically reconstituted aliens. Very entertaining - I own a copy and can't wait to watch it, again! 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 418
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden
Genre: Action
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox   Release date: 2000   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Two mutants come to a private academy for mutants whose resident superhero team must oppose a powerful mutant terrorist organization.
My Rating:
My Review: Story (in part) and direction by Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, Apt Pupil, Valkyrie). Starring Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen and many others. Here's the genesis of an excellent franchise. X-Men was a comic book favorite of mine as a wee lad. The Superhero genre is growing and X-Men is one of the crowning gems in the genre, thanks in part to Patrick Stewart's foundational acting and Bryan Singer's work at the helm. While the cgi leaves much to be desired, the story is the real star of this movie. It's an origin story for those unfamiliar with the franchise. Welcome to Professor X's academy for 'Gifted Students'. The conflict between humans and mutants is coming, and Magneto (played by Ian McKellen) want's to bring about that eventual conflict in a way which means the demise on non-mutants. Professor X and his X-Men are committed to the protection of those who cannot defend themselves against the evil intentions of those who might abuse their gifts. There's plenty of character development, and a rather simple story. The limited story provides plenty of time to focus on characters, and there are a lot of characters. The costume work was excellent, the acting stellar (especially Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellen), and the direction outstanding (given the size of the cast and the scope of the story). Juggling the introduction of the franchise and all the characters while executing on a thrilling action plot are all difficult chores for a movie of that runs an hour and fourty five minutes. The cgi and wire work were not very well blended or executed, but the sound effects and music were great. An excellent beginning. 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 1137
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden
Genre: Action
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox   Release date: 2000   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Two mutants come to a private academy for mutants whose resident superhero team must oppose a powerful mutant terrorist organization.
My Rating:
My Review: Story (in part) and direction by Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, Apt Pupil, Valkyrie). Starring Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen and many others. Here's the genesis of an excellent franchise. X-Men was a comic book favorite of mine as a wee lad. The Superhero genre is growing and X-Men is one of the crowning gems in the genre, thanks in part to Patrick Stewart's foundational acting and Bryan Singer's work at the helm. While the cgi leaves much to be desired, the story is the real star of this movie. It's an origin story for those unfamiliar with the franchise. Welcome to Professor X's academy for 'Gifted Students'. The conflict between humans and mutants is coming, and Magneto (played by Ian McKellen) want's to bring about that eventual conflict in a way which means the demise on non-mutants. Professor X and his X-Men are committed to the protection of those who cannot defend themselves against the evil intentions of those who might abuse their gifts. There's plenty of character development, and a rather simple story. The limited story provides plenty of time to focus on characters, and there are a lot of characters. The costume work was excellent, the acting stellar (especially Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellen), and the direction outstanding (given the size of the cast and the scope of the story). Juggling the introduction of the franchise and all the characters while executing on a thrilling action plot are all difficult chores for a movie of that runs an hour and fourty five minutes. The cgi and wire work were not very well blended or executed, but the sound effects and music were great. An excellent beginning. 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 527
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen
Genre: Action
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox   Release date: 2003   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, Spanish, French (USA)
Summary: The X-Men band together to find a mutant assassin who has made an attempt on the President's life, while the Mutant Academy is attacked by military forces.
My Rating:
My Review: Pretty good! The plot was rather simple, but well mixed. Lot's of action, but well balanced with some human/mutant drama. Special effects were pretty good. Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler did a really good job.

Collection ID 1232
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen
Genre: Action
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox   Release date: 2003   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, Spanish, French (USA)
Summary: The X-Men band together to find a mutant assassin who has made an attempt on the President's life, while the Mutant Academy is attacked by military forces.
My Rating:
My Review: Pretty good! The plot was rather simple, but well mixed. Lot's of action, but well balanced with some human/mutant drama. Special effects were pretty good. Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler did a really good job.

Collection ID 548
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yôko Tsukasa, Isuzu Yamada, Daisuke Katô
Genre: Action & Adventure
Studio: Criterion   Release date: 1961   Rated: Unrated   
Language (Country): Japanese (Japan)
Summary: This semi-comic 1961 film by legendary director Akira Kurosawa ("Rashomon", "Ran") was inspired by the American Western genre. Kurosawa mainstay Toshirô Mifune ("The Seven Samurai") plays a drifting samurai for hire who plays both ends against the middle with two warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his own bad luck. Eventually the samurai seeks to eliminate both sides for his own gain and to define his own sense of honor. "Yojimbo" is striking for its unorthodox treatment of violence and morality, reserving judgment on the actions of its main character and instead presenting an entertaining tale with humor and much visual excitement. One of the inspirations for the "spaghetti Westerns" of director Sergio Leone and later surfacing as a remake as "Last Man Standing" with Bruce Willis, this film offers insight into a director who influenced American films even as he was influenced by them. "--Robert Lane"
My Rating:
My Review: Produced in 1961, this black and white movie is another fantastic film writen and directed by Akira Kurosawa. Starring Toshirô Mifune, Eijiro Tono, Isuzu Yamada and others. The story is exceptional. A classic which has been remade as Sergio Leone's - Per un pugno di dollari (otherwise known as A Fistful of dollars) and Walter Hill's - Last Man Standing. 19th century Japan; A Ronin (Samurai without a master) wanders the countryside looking for employment. After a fateful crossroads decission, he comes upon a back-water town in the midst of a two-way gang war. A brief discussion with the innkeeper sets up the story. Here is an opportunity to profit at the expense of feuding, unscrupulous, leeches while simultaneously championing the oppressed town folk. Pitting both sides against each other, the samurai nearly loses his life when his deception is uncovered. In the end the town is nearly destroyed, and both sides have been decimated leaving the town eerily 'Quiet again'. Outstanding direction, acting by Toshiro Mifune as the Ronin, a great musical score. An all around excellent movie.

Collection ID 1253
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yôko Tsukasa, Isuzu Yamada, Daisuke Katô
Genre: Action & Adventure
Studio: Criterion   Release date: 1961   Rated: Unrated   
Language (Country): Japanese (Japan)
Summary: This semi-comic 1961 film by legendary director Akira Kurosawa ("Rashomon", "Ran") was inspired by the American Western genre. Kurosawa mainstay Toshirô Mifune ("The Seven Samurai") plays a drifting samurai for hire who plays both ends against the middle with two warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his own bad luck. Eventually the samurai seeks to eliminate both sides for his own gain and to define his own sense of honor. "Yojimbo" is striking for its unorthodox treatment of violence and morality, reserving judgment on the actions of its main character and instead presenting an entertaining tale with humor and much visual excitement. One of the inspirations for the "spaghetti Westerns" of director Sergio Leone and later surfacing as a remake as "Last Man Standing" with Bruce Willis, this film offers insight into a director who influenced American films even as he was influenced by them. "--Robert Lane"
My Rating:
My Review: Produced in 1961, this black and white movie is another fantastic film writen and directed by Akira Kurosawa. Starring Toshirô Mifune, Eijiro Tono, Isuzu Yamada and others. The story is exceptional. A classic which has been remade as Sergio Leone's - Per un pugno di dollari (otherwise known as A Fistful of dollars) and Walter Hill's - Last Man Standing. 19th century Japan; A Ronin (Samurai without a master) wanders the countryside looking for employment. After a fateful crossroads decission, he comes upon a back-water town in the midst of a two-way gang war. A brief discussion with the innkeeper sets up the story. Here is an opportunity to profit at the expense of feuding, unscrupulous, leeches while simultaneously championing the oppressed town folk. Pitting both sides against each other, the samurai nearly loses his life when his deception is uncovered. In the end the town is nearly destroyed, and both sides have been decimated leaving the town eerily 'Quiet again'. Outstanding direction, acting by Toshiro Mifune as the Ronin, a great musical score. An all around excellent movie.

Collection ID 633.5
Director: Will Canon
Starring: Al Thompson, D. Jamaar, Wilbur Penn, Jennifer Sciole
Genre: Short, Drama
Studio: Three Folks Pictures   Release date: 2004   Rated:   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary:
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 1332.5
Director: Will Canon
Starring: Al Thompson, D. Jamaar, Wilbur Penn, Jennifer Sciole
Genre: Short, Drama
Studio: Three Folks Pictures   Release date: 2004   Rated:   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary:
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 605.5
Director: Joshua Leonard
Starring: Lukas Haas, Kelli Garner, Nathan Norton, Mariah Bess
Genre: Drama, Short
Studio: No-Relation Films   Release date: 2005   Rated: TV-PG   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: A young couple confronts a painful future by looking to the past.
My Rating:
My Review: