I know – it seems a bit foolish to write a review about this set of films, so this entry will be brief.

While people love the first two movies, most were disappointed with the third one.  While I agree that it is the weakest of the three movies, it is still a powerful entry in this saga.  The weakest part of the movie is Sofia Coppola’s attempt to play the part of Michael Corleone’s daughter.  While not the worst performance, it was noticeably bad with all of the acting firepower on-screen.

The set I have on DVD was a 5-disc set that had Coppola’s heart and soul poured into it.  The movies looked beautiful and sounded great in 5.1.  The 5th disc had the stitch scenes used to recut the first two movies into the chronological-order miniseries aired on ABC in 1978.  The family tree showing how all of the characters relate is a cool graphic.

My advice: Is this really an offer you can refuse? Because once the Don has been refused one request, he doesn’t make a second one…

Some movies conjure up images of badness with the mere mention of their titles; others, guffaws.  This is one of those movies that does both.

We all know the story of Robin Hood and his Merry Men.  This is a slightly different take on the story that, after allowing time to pass, is not as bad as everyone thinks.   More than anything the movie is a victim of bad casting for the lead role.  I think we can all agree that Kevin Costner was wrong for the role; well, maybe not Costner, but he is an egotistical idiot.  The actors in the other roles were great choices, but one stands above all others.  Alan Rickman, not far removed from Die Hard, turns in another brilliant performance as the villain and almost single-handedly saves the movie from itself.

The extended edition includes three scenes that better explain the connection of the witch to the Sherriff and allows Rickman to really shine.  Had they been left in, the movie would have actually been better upon first viewing.  While over 2 hours, the movie is enjoyable from a scenery standpoint and a general adventure standpoint.

The 2-disc set also includes multiple features and press junkets.  What stands out from the press junkets is how much of Costner’s “worship me” attitude is visible to the audience.  If not for that attitude, the movie gets a better reception at the box office and on video.

My advice:  Put aside your hatred of Costner as Robin Hood and check out a fairly decent romp through Sherwood Forest – but only if you have the extended edition…

It seems weird to be writing this review after posting one for Star Trek, but life is full of these odd occurrences…

Every year, movie studios jockey to put out what they think audiences will label as the “must-see” movie of the summer.  In the mid-90s this reached a fever pitch that has yet to die with the release of Independence Day, Men In Black, and other action adventures.  In 1998, July 4 was targeted by Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay for Armageddon.  With Disney pouring money into the promotion of its release and a big Super Bowl commercial, Armageddon was guaranteed a huge payday.

Once I started collecting movies on DVD, I noticed that a few movies got special treatment as part of the Criterion Collection.  This collection tries to spotlight movies that have some sort of significance in either cinematic technique or a particular career.  Interestingly enough, Criterion honored two of Michael Bay’s movies, The Rock and Armageddon.  Since I did enjoy both movies on the big screen, I went ahead and got the Criterion version of each.

Armageddon was the second movie to be released in 1998 centering around the theme of an asteroid crashing into Earth and destroying all life as we know it (Evolution, released a few years later, was a comedic take on this subject).  Bruce Willis leads a big-name cast in an effort to save the world from an asteroid that looks like a reject from the Fortress of Solitude.  The effects are big and Michael Bay hits you over the head time again with overwrought music and cheesy camera framing as to what the huge emotions should be – this is something that finally catches up to him with Pearl Harbor.

The DVD transfer is very nice and the movie holds up fairly well.  Even at 2 1/2 hours and tons of predictable moments, the movie is a decent enough one to watch.  While many may ridicule it publicly, they are the same ones secretly watching it whenever they run across it on TV.  Criterion took the time to pack the DVD with extras that can make any DVD better: tons of features on effects and space training, all of the promotional materials, and commentaries.

My advice:  give this disc a spin and tell your inner critic to disappear for a few hours.

Continuing with the Pi Day activities of Saturday, our second choice of movie was Donnie Darko: The Director’s Cut, as selected by David.  Most everyone, including me, had not seen it so we settled in for it.  I did not know what the plot was supposed to be, but I remember it being one of those “cult” favorites that many did not understand the first time around watching it.

The story centers on a high-schooler who has visions of a bunny after a jet engine crashes through his room – sort of a demented Harvey.  What follows is his journey to understand the messages being delivered and to see if he can figure out why the world will end in 28 days.  The movie is supported by good casting (Jake and Maggie Gyllenhall, Mary McConnell, Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle) and interesting visuals.  The director’s cut included transitional pages that explained some of the phenomenon that were not present in the theatrical release – or so I was told.  While I know it is a 2-disc set, we only watched the movie.  While I could tell it was made well, I didn’t care for it by the time it was finished.

My advice: check it out if curious or are interested in time/space paradoxes….

Some movie experiences you have as a child stay with you forever – seeing Star Wars on the big screen; watching Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on your first date; and having Regarding Henry play in background while your girlfriend cries about the fact that you have broken up and this time it is for good.  Well, Clash of the Titans holds a special place in my heart.  This was one of the first movies that my parents let me go to by myself while they went to watch something else; what made it even better was that my dad gave me money to buy my own concessions – of course I got into trouble for spending way too much and eating too much junk, but it was worth it.  I was blown away by what I saw on the screen and could not wait to see it again.  With it being 1981, I knew it would be years before I would get to see it on TV, my only option.  Imagine my joy when I found it on DVD and was able to relive a story based on Greek mythology once again.

Saturday found me celebrating Pi Day (3/14) with friends over at Lisa’s house.  I brought over some DVDs and this was deemed to be nerdy enough to be played.  Of course, I was the only one who had seen it in the theaters since it was before most were born that were present.

The story is about Perseus, played by a then-unknown Harry Hamlin, who is the mortal son of Zeus.  He finds his destiny intersecting with that of Andromeda, who is in need of rescuing.  What follows is a story woven with scenes of Hades, Medusa, and the mighty Kraken.  As a nod to the “Star Wars” crowd, one of the gifts from the gods is a mechanical owl that looks like a miniature C-3PO, but not as whiny.  The effects were extremely obvious given today’s capabilities, but it is a brilliant showcase for Ray Harryhausen’s abilities with stop-motion creations.

The DVD only had the trailer as an extra, which is a shame – I hope they give this one special treatment sometime soon.

My advice:  check it out one afternoon – you might believe that a horse can fly…