:: theLogBook.com DVD Reviews ::

As I said in my review of Episode I, I enjoyed the movie. By no means is it perfect, and it probably ranks as my least favorite Star Wars movie, but to me that’s a lot like talking about my least favorite chocolate chip cookie. There must be folks who agree with me, given the rush of people who bought Phantom Menace on VHS and now on DVD - I’d hate to think they’re spending 20-25 bucks a pop on a movie they hate. Although even if you’re merely lukewarm toward the movie, the DVD is money well spent, so long as you’re a fan of behind-the-scenes and making of material. In that regard, I think this DVD sets the bar. There are hours of documentary and behind the scenes footage here. (more…)

The sixth Doctor and Peri take on the slimy, slug-like Sil in this two-part 1985 adventure. The DVD, not quite as feature-filled as some past BBC releases, does boast one very compelling feature: quite possibly the funniest audio commentary track I’ve ever heard on a DVD (and that includes my previous favorite for that category, Kentucky Fried Movie). Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, and Nabil “Sil” Shaban all but do a Mystery Science Theater 3000 number throughout the entire 90 minutes (more…)

I can’t, in all honesty, claim that I’ve examined every feature this DVD has to offer, but I’m reviewing it anyway. And what’s stopped me?

Jodie Foster told me not to.

No, really. Let me explain. I started out listening to Foster’s audio commentary track, one of a grand total of three such alternate audio tracks available while watching Contact. And mere seconds, maybe a whole minute, into the movie - during that pullback that spans the entire universe - Ms. Foster says “I’m not sure how they did this. If you want to know about that, go listen to the special effects guys. Now.”

Well, who am I to argue with Jodie Foster? (more…)

Seems like the jury’s still out on this, the most recent Star Trek movie featuring the Next Generation characters. And some of the criticism is valid - Insurrection is a bit of a mess, but still an entertaining mess. But did it really merit big screen status, or is it something that could’ve been done on TV? That seems to be the big question, and it too is a valid one. However, given the huge strides in special effects, particularly CGI, that have been made since Next Generation’s miniature model-based heyday, it’s almost a moot argument since some of Insurrection’s more action-packed setpieces couldn’t have been pulled off in the early 1990s. (more…)