The Challenge (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)"The Challenge" continues (and perhaps wraps-up???) the Olsen twins direct to video line of franchise movies, this time taking the girls to Mexico for a "Survivor-esque" reality game show.
THE STORY:
Shane and Lizzie Dalton (Mary-Kate and Ashley) are estranged sisters who unknowingly enter the same "Reality Game Show" competition for college scholarship money where, among other things, they have to learn to tolerate each other, compete in "Survivor-esque" contests, battle "evil" TV producers and of course, work through boyfriend problems. In the end the girls learn the meaning of family.
THE ANALYSIS:
All in all, this is definitely one of the best Olsen twins efforts and marks a fitting end to their "pre-adulthood" films and direct-to-video line. While the "Faux-Survivor" bit was a little cheesy at first, the action is top-notch for a "family" film courtesy of all the outrageous "Survivor"-type challenges and the message of family the film shares is just awesome. In a strange but appropriate nod at the end of the film the girls and characters "break character" to acknowledge the twins past accomplishments and a montage of the girls in their films throughout the years make an appropriate end to not only this movie but their "pre-adulthood" career.
THE DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
Like most Olsen DVDs you've got a stuffed DVD features section, but unfortunately most of it is fluff. Included in the DVD special features are:
1.Behind the Scenes featurette: 7 1/2 minute featurette where the cast and crew (primarily the twins) talk about the movie and their experiences filming it.
2.Trailers: The Multi-million dollar Olsen marketing machine was in full force here!!! The twins shill the following from their extensive product line as well as the Warner Brothers product line:
a."New York Minute" Movie Trailer
b.Their extensive DVD/Video Catalog
c."Getting There" Movie
d."When In Rome" Movie
e.Mary-Kate and Ashley Super Spa Day Fashion Dolls (?????)
f.Their line of books
g.The "Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action" cartoon series on ABC.
h.Their website "MarykateandAshley.com" where you can get all the latest information!!!
i.Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos (where THIS film was filmed)
j."What A Girl Wants"
k."Twas the Fight Before Christmas Powerpuff Girls"
l.the "Tom and Jerry" Catalog of videos
m."Saddle Club: The First Adventure"
3.Trivia Quizzes - Test your knowledge on the film and the twins!!!
a."The Challenge: Don't Spill the Beans" Quiz - Answer the same questions as posed to the contestants during the movie
b."The Challenge: Know Your Challenge Contestants" Quiz - Test your knowledge of the various characters in the movie
c."Mary-Kate and Ashley Movies: What Happened Where?" Quiz - How well do YOU know your Olsen twin films?
d."Mary-Kate and Ashley Movies: Who Played Whom in What?" Quiz - How well do you know the characters the girls played in their films?
THE VERDICT:
In all, overselling in the DVD features aside, the movie was great for a family viewing. Olsen fans should love this installment in their ever-growing video franchise series. While the "Faux-Survivor" concept was a bit cheesy this film probably had the best mix of adventure and story out of all their films and the message of "family is important" is as great a message to share in a film as any. Parents should be pleased with another clean, quality product from America's favorite twins. Overall, not a bad addition to their franchise and a fine choice to add to your Olsen collection if you're so inclined.
GRADES:
Film: 4.5 stars
Extras: 3.5 stars
Overall: 4 stars
Highly Recommended

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Challenge (2003)

In their newest direct-to-video, Mary-Kate and Ashley embark on a Survivor-style adventure in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! Estranged teen sisters who live on opposite sides of the country are brought together as teammates in the TV show, "The Challenge", much to their surprise. In order to win the grand prize - college scholarships - they'll need to reconcile their differences, work together, and keep their romances a secret from the producers all at the same time!

Get 42% OFF

Click here for more information about The Challenge (2003)

Paprika (2006) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It's no secret amongst fans of intelligent, adult sci-fi that some of the best genre films these days aren't originating from Hollywood, but rather from the masters of Japanese anime. Films like "Akira " and "Ghost in the Shell" display a quality of writing and visual imagination that few "live action" productions (post "Blade Runner") can touch.
One of the most adventurous anime directors is Satoshi Kon. In previous work like his incredibly dense and ambitious TV miniseries "Paranoia Agent", and in several feature films, Kon has displayed a flair for coupling complex characterization with a neo-realistic visual style that tends to make me forget that I'm watching an "anime". Most of Kon's work up until this point has drawn on genres that one does not typically associate with anime: adult drama ("Tokyo Godfathers"), film noir ("Perfect Blue"), psychological thriller ("Paranoia Agent") and character study ("Millennium Actress").
Kon's latest film, "Paprika" is actually the first of his animes that I would categorize as "sci-fi"... and it's a doozy.
A team of scientists develops an interface device called the "DC mini" that facilitates the transference of dreams from one person to another. This "dream machine" is designed primarily for use by psychotherapists; it allows them to literally experience a patient's dreams and take a closer look "under the hood", if you will. In the wrong hands, however, this could potentially become a very dangerous tool.
As you have likely already guessed, "someone" has hacked into a "DC mini" and started to wreak havoc with people's minds. One by one, members of the research team are driven to suicidal behavior after the dreams of patients are fed into their subconscious without their knowledge (much akin to someone slipping acid into the punch). Things get more complicated when these waking dreams begin taking sentient form and start spreading like a virus, forming a pervasive matrix that threatens to supplant "reality" (whew!). A homicide detective joins forces with one of the researchers, whose alter-ego, Paprika, is literally a "dream girl", a sort of super-heroine of the subconscious.
"Mind blowing" doesn't even begin to describe this Disney-on-acid/murder mystery/psychological sci fi-horror story. It is Kon's most visually ambitious work to date, with stunning use of color and imagery (mark my words-this one has "future cult midnight movie" written all over it).
Kon raises some engaging philosophical points (aside from the hoary "what is reality?" debate). At one point, Paprika ponders: "Don't you think dreams and the internet are similar? They are both areas where the repressed conscious vents." I think Kon is positing that the dream state is the last "sacred place" left for humans; if technology encroaches we will lose our last true refuge. A must-see for anime and sci-fi fans.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Paprika (2006)

Prepare to enter the realm of fantasy and imagination where reality and dreams collide in a kaleidoscopic mindscape of sheer visual genius. The magical tale centers on a revolutionary machine that allows scientists to enter and record a subject’s dream. After being stolen, a fearless detective and brilliant therapist join forces to recover the device before it falls into the hands of a dream terrorist in this gripping anime thriller from acclaimed director Satoshi Kon.

Get 42% OFF

Click here for more information about Paprika (2006)