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Dogma (DVD)
by Beanie8844
Firstly, i would like to point out that this is a film only view.
Introduction:
Released in 1999 'Dogma' is a rather controversial film due to the fact that it is quite mocking of religion and the language throughout is very strong, although it does have a suitable certificate so this is acceptable. It is essentially a ... satirical comedy and knows no boundaries. The first thing that i noticed about this film was the incredible cast that writer and director Kevin Smith managed to attract. Starring are Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, Alanis Morrisette, Linda Fiorentino and Jason Mewes, as well as many more.
Plot:
The term 'Dogma' basically means the official system of belief or doctrine held by a religion - hence the title of film. The idea of the film is rather strange, but once you get your head around it and just accept the film for what it is things get easier. Two fallen angels who have been thrown out of heaven due to their bad behaviour - Loki and Bartleby - played by Damon and Affleck are seeking to get back to heaven. Being badly behaved and wanting to prove their doubters wrong they attempt to rid themselves of sin exploiting a loophole which will enable them to return to heaven. This is where it gets a little crazy - now because it was gods decision that they should be banished from heaven and he is infalible, if they manage to pull off their quest they will have showed that God was infact wrong in his decision and therefore undo all that has been created. It's pretty far out i know, but you have to look beyond that deep plot because the film is really quite ridiculous and is basically a twisted comedy.
So is it any good?
I'm told that when it was released it good a decent reception from the film critics, but i don't understand how. I must have thought about three or four times at turning it off and watching something else. However, i persivered and to be honest i wished that i had pushed the 'off' button.
I don't really understand what the point of the film was nor how it is very funny really. I think Smith has purposely attempted to take the mickey out of religion knowing that it would be controversial and therefore get his film talked about and more viewings. For me it's quite embarassing viewing and I can't really believe that Affleck and Damon went in for this at all. Maybe i missed the point of the film, but i don't think so. If i watched this with family i think they would be quite shocked at its content. I'd definitely opt for a genuine comedy instead next time. I'm dissapointed with Dogma and because of this I'm going to give it two Dooyoo stars **.
Thanks for reading feel free to comment
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Toy Story 2 (DVD)
by cha97mw
Toys Story 2 is Pixars 1999 sequel to the 1995 film, Toy Story. After the success of the original film, most people were looking forward to seeing the characters we know and love and what had happened in the intermittent years.
Toy Story's original success was because of the relationship the child Andy had with his toys. They ... secretly come to life when no humans are looking, but this is the way Andy see's them anyway in his imagination.
In this second installment, Andy is old enough to go off to cowboy camp in the summer holiday, and he is supposed to take Woody (Tom Hanks) with him. However Woody gets broken just before they leave, so he gets left behind.
In Andy's absence, his mum decides to have a yard sale and get rid of a few 'old' toys. Woody can't bear to see his pal Wheezy be sold, so he stages a rescue mission, only it goes horribly wrong when he is spotted by a collector and he is stolen and taken miles away from his home.
Woody learns his history, and how he used to be a character in a TV show - Woody's Round Up. He meets Jessie the Cowgirl (Joan Cusack), Bullseye his horse, and Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammar.) Woody prepares himself to stay with these toys and have a new life.
Meanwhile, the rest of Andy's toys, led by spaceman Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) stage a rescue mission of their own. They take a dangerous journey of their own across town to try and get Woody home before Andy gets back from camp.
Will they be able to persuade Woody to come home?
This film for me is slightly weaker than the other two as there are some duller moments in there that I don't want to watch over and over. I find the bits where Woody is with the other Round up Gang toys a bit dull, especially when we learn about Jessie's past with a girl called Emily. However, there are some good moments when the rescue moments are occuring, particularly a comical scene where the toys are all trying to cross a busy road without being seen by anyone. One of my favourite lines from here is "Buzz, I am your father!" A blatant Star Wars rip off, but it amuses me every single time I watch this.
I loved the scenes in the Toy store as you get to see a few more girly toys like the Barbie dolls, and there are again comical moments as they work out how to trip the sensors to open the automatic doors, and they go round the store in a pink Barbie car. Although the middle is weak, the beginning and ending of the film is strong, and it always makes me think how ingenious these toys are at negotiating their way around.
Animation is just as good as in Toy Story, and it is nice to learn a little more about Woody's background and get the new strong female characters, Jessie and Mrs Potato Head. I also like hearing You Got a Friend in Me as the theme song for the TV show, so you kind of see where it comes from. I didn't like the song that accompanies Jessie's backstory, as it doesn't have a catchy tune, and is just sad and a bit dull. This is the point where my kids lose interest for a bit, before coming back for the finale.
The best bit about this whole film though, is the out takes that are shown at the end of the film. They are really hilarious, and it is a complete mickey take but done in such an original way. We always make sure we watch this.
Our overall family opinion is we'd rather watch one or three, but we will watch this now and again and always enjoy it when we do. But it is the weakest film in the trilogy.
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The Sixth Sense (DVD)
by HelenW
*Film only*
I am a huge fan of thrillers. I don't do gore very well, but I love a good on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller that makes you jump throughout with shrill violins in the background. I've also never seen sixth sense, as I was too young to see it when it first came out and when there was so much hype surrounding it. I ... just never got round to watching it. My dad was raving about it recently, so I decided to give it a go!
The film revolves around Dr Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist who receives a visit from an unhappy, ex-patient, on the same night that he receives an award for his work and accomplishments. Following this visit, Dr Crowe takes on another patient, a young boy, Cole. Cole has the same kind of problems as this ex patient who paid an unexpected visit. Dr Crowe begins to spend a lot of time with the young lad, who he soon begins to get through to. Cole was difficult to talk to at first, and had little trust for Dr Crowe. Also, he is very alienated from people, even his mother. He is distant from her and she struggles to understand him. He is picked on at school, and is often called a freak. Cole is burdened with a sixth sense which no-one but him seems to have. He can see dead people, who don't know that they're dead.
This film is very good, Haley Joel Osment, who plays Cole is a great actor. He is able to bring a confused innocence to the character of Cole, but all time time, remains very eerie. I really liked the development of Cole through the film. After firstly being pegged as delusional, Cole begins to attempt to finish the ghost's unfinished business on earth, encouraged by Dr Crowe. One particularly moving incident, is after the death of a young girl, he shows her father how she died.
This film is quite an old film, having been released in 1999, but I think it's one of those which will stay timeless. The film lasts for 107 minutes, which is a good length. If it was longer, it would have been drawn out. The actual film is concise, it keeps you interested throughout. I think the main issue that would make or break this film for you, is your own personal belief about the realms of possibility for "ghosts". If you have an absolute mindset of "ghosts don't exist.", I think maybe you would struggle to get into this film. Personally, I'm going to maintain my nice comfortable position on the fence! A part of me wants to take the former approach, but one of my mum's friends is very spiritual. She's not "in your face" about it, but things my mum has said have quite intrigued me to think about what may be possible... Anyway, I digress.
One thing that really surprised me through this film, was the acting of Bruce Willis. I've never been a massive fan of him, mainly because I think I've only ever seen him in Die Hard, where he does the whole "tough guy" thing. His character in this film is completely different. He is softly spoken and really seems to 'get' his patients. He has a gentle side that gets through their vulnerability and really wins their trust. Having only seen him running around shooting people before, playing a caring character really stood out to me.
I'm torn with the ending. You know it's a good film, when the ending leaves you saying "Wow, I did NOT expect that!" However, nearing the end of the film, there is an emotional scene with Cole and his mum, where after so long of not communicating adequately with each other, Cole begins to be able to confide in his mum and his mum begins to trust him. Although on one hand, it was very emotional; I couldn't help but feel it was slightly... contrived. I found this scene didn't really sit well with the rest of the story, in particular, as Cole is such a young child, I found the line "I'm ready to communicate with you now" to his mum, I found it very odd.
The music score was pretty good throughout; although I do feel that a bit more drama within the score could have really added an element of surprise. Even if we're not going to say, the stereotypical violin screeching; but maybe something more eerie in the wind section. But maybe that's just me preferring films that terrify me and have me on the edge of the seat with suspense!
Overall, I thought this was a great film. I'm going to say 4 stars, as it was very cleverly made; and Bruce Willis really appealed to me in this film, showing how well he plays a 'deeper' character than running around shooting terrorists. I wouldn't stretch as far as 5 stars; as I expected it to be more tense than it was. I don't think I would ever bother with it again, but it was definitely worth the watch.
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