davidrulesyou Reviews

Married... with Children (1987–1997)

This is true sitcom

[10/10 · 21 June 2011]

This show, in my opinion, has to be the best sitcom I have ever watched. It has everything a sitcom should be: differences between people, certain amount of silliness, things that they do, the problems they have, etc.

The Bundys, Al, Peg, Kelly and Bud have showed the entire world that they are the real deal and that all other family-related sitcoms that came after are just inferior in comparison. Al just tends to hate his job of being a shoes salesman and tends to complain about how miserable his life is. Peg is the housewife no man would probably want to have, well even though she tends to do cooking, she just spends her time watching TV and slacking off. Kelly is just a dumb blonde girl you would just can't help but love due to her naiveté, even though she can be described as a slut at times. Bud is horny, but always tends to fail at getting a girl to have interest in him.

This show has great jokes and enough silliness to make you laugh to the point where you might almost die from it. The acting from these actors is just brilliant and you can get along with their characters quite easily. This show just has everything that you want in a sitcom. Watch it and you will not regret it. Enough said. My rating: 10/10.

Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)

An incomplete yet ideally artistic take on The Wall

[10/10 · 8 July 2009]

As a Pink Floyd fan and like many Pink Floyd fans, I absolutely love this movie version of The Wall. I know it didn't tell the story of the album in full (some songs were left out and some that weren't on the original album were left out), but as a whole, it was artistically brilliant.

Despite some flaws, the visualisations of the film tend to fit very well with the songs. Gerald Scarfe gave us powerful animation scenes for "Goodbye Blue Sky" (which in this movie occurred between "When the Tigers Broke Free, Part 2" and "The Happiest Days of Our Lives", while on the original album it occurs between "Mother" and "Empty Spaces") and "The Trial" (which happens to be one of my favourite scenes in the movie), and both expressed the mood of the song really well.

Bob Geldof was also a good choice to play Pink, yet he didn't deliver the notes of the two "In The Flesh" the way the original songs did. Yet he did capture the insanity of the character. In fact, the Pink character kind of reminds me of myself. We both found school bad (mostly primary school for me as other kids constantly picked on me and bashed me up. I also found the teachers just as bad), we both suffered mental breakdowns, we both tend to daydream, we both blame everyone for being screwed up, and we both tend to want to overpower everyone (which Pink got when he was having his hallucination late in the movie).

Yet despite all the effort, the film crew and band were quite disappointed with the movie, maybe for the way the movie didn't tell the story of the album well.

My rating: 10/10.

Note: The original album can also be used as an alternative soundtrack for the 1951 Disney animated classic Alice in Wonderland. To sync the album with the movie, stick in Disc 1 of The Wall when you load up Alice in Wonderland on VHS or DVD. Have the movie on mute too. Press play when the movie starts.

When Disc 1 finishes, pause the movie and put in Disc 2 and play both at the same time. "Comfortably Numb" must be skipped on Disc 2 and if you look on the back cover of the remastered CD set, you'll noticed a minus sign between the song time and song title. If you get this right, some bits will freak you out. Both album and movie should end at the same time. The titles to both works are also said to link with each other. The thing below proves it.

Alice in Wonderland ALice in WonderLand Wonder (ALice) Land W (AL) L The WALL

Enjoy.

Digimon: Digital Monsters (1999–2007)

Good show in my opinion

[10/10 · 7 July 2009]

Digimon is such an interesting TV show, in my opinion. I know it is usually quite similar to Pokemon in terms of animal partners fighting alongside them, but unlike Pokemon, the Digimon can turn into one level higher and go back to the way they were before, and in Pokemon they don't do that. Also the Digimon talk in human language while Pokemon just say their name. The kids are sent to the Digital World in every season for one mission: to save the Digital World from evil forces. I have said about the Pokemon similarities but it is not a rip-off of Pokemon, it is an original anime show because of some of the things I explained. Although I lost interest in Pokemon, I still think Digimon is cool.

Season reviews:

Season 1: Rating: 10/10. Probably the best of the Digimon Seasons as it usually is with TV shows. This is where 7 kids get Digivices and go into a Digital World and meet their partners and later gain crests for their partners to go into the Ultimate level.

Season 2: Rating: 9/10. "Season 1, Part 2" is what I think of this season, as it is a continuation of the first one, but set 3 years later. Kari and T.K. are the only two from the original Digi-Destined team to be full-time Digi-Destined members. Digimon now get the power to Armor-Digivolve.

Season 3: Rating: 7/10. This is where a new Digimon story begins. Digi-Destined use game cards to help their Digimon partners win battles, and bio-merge with their Digimon to make their partners go into their Mega levels. Not as exciting as the first two seasons, but still good.

Season 4: Rating: 4/10. "Digimon mimicing Power Rangers" is what I think of this season. This season reminded me a bit more of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers than the previous three seasons, because of the way the Digi-Destined become Digimon than have partners and some of the events that go through this season. Was it this that caused the downfall of the Digimon franchise?

Season 5: Rating: 5/10. Returning to how Digimon should be, but the characters are teens rather than pre-teens and work at an organization. Not as good as most previous seasons, but better than Season 4

Total show rating: 10/10. Good TV show and highly recommended to watch.

Batman (1966–1968)

Great TV show, but a travesty of the comics

[7/10 · 29 April 2009]

Although I'm more into serious Batman, this TV show has a strange appeal for me. Maybe it's because I'm a Batman fan and love entertainment. I thought Adam West was good at portraying Batman (although I still think Michael Keaton is the best Batman). Burt Ward I thought was a good Robin, and he and Batman were a great team in that show together, the way they were fighting the bad guys, the way they were getting awards, etc. Every episode seems so fun. I also like the theme song for this TV show. It's so memorable, you'll remember it for years to come.

For serious Batman fans however, this TV show is nothing but a dumb-down mockery of the comics (mostly for what I said: entertainment). Even though it does seem like the comic is coming to life, it tones down the violence so that it would suitable for children to watch as well as adults and make it be laughed at. Also, it lacks any darkness Batman would usually associate with. If you want to watch serious Batman (which I prefer more), I recommended you stay away from this and watch either the two movies directed by Tim Burton or the latest two movies by Christopher Nolan. You'll just be offended with this.

Despite this, this is still a great TV show with memorable scenes and a phenomenon in popular culture. Because of what I said: I rate this TV show 7/10. I wonder how Bob Kane would have felt with this TV show, although he did one time say that Adam West was a buddy of his.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Purely Brilliant! A True Masterpiece

[10/10 · 24 April 2009]

After watching this today, I have two words to describe this movie: Pure Masterpiece.

I loved everything about the movie. The dialogue, the adventures, the segments. This movie is just pure dramatic. It was also kind of strange that a very old man in the "Jupiter and Beyond The Infinite" segment turned into a baby in a ball at the very end. It was just so spectacular, you would want to watch it again and again. The special effects were also great as well.

I thought the classical music pieces of the movie just matched up really well with the scenes of the movie. I also often like to play "Echoes" from Pink Floyd while watching the final segment (I happen to be a lover of audio/video combinations). You can try it too. IF you have the album Meddle from Pink Floyd as well as this movie, turn on the mute before you get to the Jupiter and Beyond The Infinite segment. Set up Meddle and set to track 6 "Echoes" and pause before the third ping, then press play when the screen title comes up to Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite.

For anyone (even if you're not a sci-fi fan), this is very highly recommended. My rating: 10/10.

Pokémon (1997–2023)

Used to be interesting

[4/10 · 7 April 2009]

I used to be a lover of this show when I was young (I still like watching bits of it, however), but the reason I starting losing interest in the show is because I thought it was never going to end.

This show has been going for about a decade, it will probably become the longest-running anime show of all time. I used to think that all the adventures were great and I was pumped when new episodes were coming on air, but after it happened for about 5 years, I started feeling bored because it was getting to be very much the same over and over again. Their adventures will never stop.

Maybe it was my age that I started to lose interest in Pokemon. A lot of kids out there will probably like it, but as for me, as a former fan, I rate it 4 out of 10.

Alice (1988)

Impressive

[10/10 · 29 March 2009]

I saw this 1988 version of Alice in Wonderland on YouTube and, to be honest with you, I was quite impressed with it.

As an Alice in Wonderland adaptation, I thought it was a work of pure genius. I 100% thought that Jan Svankmajer captured the surrealism of the original Lewis Carroll book. Everything about this film was just sick and twisted, as a fan of the book myself. It also followed most of the events of the book, but it did leave out the Mock Turtle and Gryphon bit of the story.

Although I am not really a fan of stop-motion animation (I'm more a 2D animation fan) and I also like the Disney flick, I was so impressed with this version of Alice in Wonderland. I believe the girl who played Alice was great at the part.

If you want to watch a great example of Lewis Carroll's novel, you have come to the right film. As a fan of the books as well as Disney's film: I give it a 10 out of 10.

Note: If you want to watch this movie, it says in the early bit of the film: "This is a film made for children." Don't let that fool you. Do not let your children watch this as they will be terrified by what is going on in this movie.

Alice Through the Looking Glass (1998 TV Movie)

Good version of Lewis Carroll's book

[10/10 · 29 March 2009]

As an Alice in Wonderland fan, I thought this was a good interpretation of the sequel Through the Looking Glass.

I thought this film definitely had the atmosphere of the original novel. And although she is too old, Kate Beckinsale, I think, looked good as Alice and I thought she acted the character very well.

It follows the book mostly well, except they skipped "The Lion and the Unicorn" chapter in this film and just moved onto the "It's My Own Invention" chapter after Alice was talking to both the White King and his messenger Haigha. In the scene when Alice goes into the dark shop before she meets Humpty Dumpty, the White Queen didn't turn into a sheep, although there were shots in that scene of a sheep.

If you want to look for a good adaptation of Through the Looking Glass, here is one to watch. As a fan myself, I rate it 10 out of 10.

Blade Runner (1982)

A Sci-Fi Masterpiece

[10/10 · 28 March 2009]

Blade Runner, I have to agree, is one of the greatest science fiction movies of all time. If you are a fan of science-fiction movies, this one is essential.

I thought the scenery to the movie was just great and I loved some of the action the movie had to offer. The way Rick Deckard was facing off against Roy Batty was a great part of the movie, where Rick was trying to run from Roy because two fingers on his right hand were snapped by Roy. Another thing I loved about it is the way the cars were moving in the air as well.

The electronic music score by Vangelis, I think, matched the mood of the entire film in such a great way, since it is set in the future.

I have heard it's a shame book fanatics seem to like this film, because this film happens to be based on a book called "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep" by Phillip K. Dick, and it doesn't follow the book exactly.

It's also a shame Harrison Ford (who played Rick Deckard) didn't like this movie, but Rutger Hauer did. It's also a shame it did not do very well upon its initial release, but it has become a valid cult classic and one of the best science-fiction films ever.

I thought this movie was just so interesting, everything about it changed my life forever and made a big impact on me.

As of what I said, I would recommend this movie highly for anybody to watch (not children though, because of its parental rating). It's a masterpiece, a highly unique film that should be watched from time to time again. My rating: 10 out of 10.

Batman & Robin (1997)

Enjoyed it, but I agree with most people

[3/10 · 18 March 2009]

The last of the Batman series would have to be this one Batman & Robin, not only the last of the two to be directed by Joel Schumacher but also ends the original Batman film series.

I didn't really enjoy George Clooney's performance as Batman/Bruce Wayne. I also kind of liked Alicia Silverstone in her role as Batgirl. I also thought it was a little sick when two prison guards in one bit where making Mr. Freeze suffer in a cell.

Although I kind of enjoyed it, I didn't feel the respect I had for the first two movies, which I thought were great Batman films.

There's not a lot that I can say for this movie, but I feel that if you want to watch a more decent Batman film, watch the newer ones or the two Tim Burton directed. You'll mostly be disappointed with this movie. My rating: 3 out of 10.

That wraps it up for the original Batman films. I'll be watching Batman Begins and The Dark Knight and I will be commenting on them too.

Batman Forever (1995)

The Joel Schmacher era

[5/10 · 17 March 2009]

I watched this film today and I thought it was good, but nothing like the two previous ones (the ones directed by Tim Burton).

Joel Schumacher has taken over from Burton for the director's chair (although Burton did produce this movie). It's a bit of a shame that Schumacher was taking this into the campy direction of the 1960s TV show (although I happen to like that TV show). Val Kilmer also did a good job on playing Batman/Bruce Wayne, but I have to admit his performance was nowhere near the way Michael Keaton portrayed him.

I also thought Chris O'Donnell did a good job playing Robin as well. I liked that scene where he fought all those bad guys out in the street when they were picking on a girl. I also thought Nicole Kidman looked great in her role as Dr. Chase Meridian, and Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey did good in their roles (as Two-Face and The Riddler) as well.

Not as good as the two directed by Tim Burton, I rate this 5 out of 10. I'll be watching the next movie Batman & Robin some day later as part of my opinions on the Batman movies.

Batman Returns (1992)

Not as good as the first, but almost

[8/10 · 9 March 2009]

After seeing this sequel to Batman, I think it was, like it's predecessor, a great movie. However, I do think it is inferior compared to the first, that's why I give it 8 out of 10.

Again, Tim Burton does a good job directing this sequel and Michael Keaton pulls off his performance as Batman, but to me, this movie didn't seem as exciting as the first. Again, I liked the action scenes in the movie and I thought it was great when Selina (played by Michelle Pfeiffer) turned into Catwoman because of her out-of-control behaviour and the way she trashed her house.

The reason I think some people say this one is better than the first is because it is more action-packed, which is probably what the comic book is supposed to be. I also thought Danny DeVito looked great as the Penguin and played him very well. To me, this is nearly as good as the first and is also recommended for fans of Batman and DC comics. Shame this was the last of the two movies to be directed by Tim Burton. Joel Schumacher took over for the next two, which I will be watching in the next two weeks and Commenting on them. Good luck.

Batman (1989)

The first true Batman

[10/10 · 3 March 2009]

Although I am not really a Tim Burton fan, I have been dying to watch his 1989 take on the Dark Knight. After seeing it, I enjoyed it.

I thought Michael Keaton did an excellent job portraying Batman/Bruce Wayne and Jack Nicholson portraying the Joker. One scene I like is when one of the crooks was being held up by Batman said: "Who are you?" and Batman says: "I'm Batman." I do have to agree that it is a serious comic book movie, very faithful to the original comic books.

I also consider this movie to be the first "official" Batman movie because it was not only the first released by Warner Bros., but the first based off the source material (although there was a Batman movie back in 1966, that was actually based off the TV series of the 1960s.)

It's also a little bit of a shame Tim Burton is now doing a take on my favourite children's book Alice in Wonderland, because Disney will be releasing it and I like their 1951 animated cartoon version, although the movie did screw up the book.

I thought some of the action scenes were great, like Batman getting chased by the Joker's goons and Batman fighting against the Joker. For any fan of Batman, this is an essential movie to watch. As a fan myself, I rate it 10 out of 10. I'll be watching the sequel Batman Returns (also directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Batman) and I'll comment on that.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Not as good as the 1971 version

[6/10 · 16 February 2009]

I've just recently watched Tim Burton's movie and I have to admit, it did a better job on the book than the 1971 movie version did, even though I have not read the original book in years. There are some bits that made me smile, but it was neither as entertaining nor as charming as the original movie.

I have to agree that Johnny Depp was not as great Willy Wonka as Gene Wilder was. I thought Johnny Depp was a little rude towards the children and even though I liked some of the songs, they weren't as good as those on the 1971 movie. I also agree that Johnny Depp was a bit Michael Jackson-ish in behavior. That is some of the criticisms I have to give for this more recent adaptation.

Hey, jon-750, you were hoping that Tim Burton will never do a "remake" again, but, to disappoint you, he is. This time he's doing Lewis Carroll's story Alice in Wonderland. Even though he will be moving away from the mood of this movie, he will be doing the same type of thing he did in this movie, and he will use CGI effects in it too like what he did here too.

I have to agree that Tim Burton has been the same in recent years, just making adaptations and things based on other stuff as well as casting Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in it too, as far as I can see. I wish Tim Burton would take them out and put more different people in rather than a few because some might end up getting bored. But for anyone who hates the 1971 movie, this movie is the one for you. For me, I rate it 6 out of 10, because its not as good as the original.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Excellent Family Classic

[10/10 · 14 February 2009]

I love this movie. I think it is a great family classic which might age more over time. This is based on the Roald Dahl novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." I first read the book when I was a child and some time later I watched the movie at school and, since I happen to not be a Dahl purist, I liked it. I also liked Tim Burton's more recent version, but I like this one better.

Out of either Johnny Depp or Gene Wilder, I have to admit that Gene Wilder did a better job on capturing the character of Willy Wonka. I know this movie is like a mediocre version of Dahl's novel and failed upon its original release, but does a movie have to be perfect to the novel it's based on to be great, no matter how beloved the novel is (anyone apart from purists)? Seems not. But time has become kind to it to make it a beloved cult family classic. While Tim Burton's movie may have done a better job on the book, it is no way as good as this movie (well almost).

I think this movie is what one of the songs in this movie describes it: Pure Imagination. It's a shame Roald Dahl despised this movie (because of the liberties this movie took), but it is quite imaginative, sweet and (in terms of chocolate) scrumdidilyumptious. The songs also made an impression on me too, including the aforementioned "Pure Imagination." Your family would want to experience this minor classic over and over again and I would recommend it for anyone. If you're a purist, however, stick with Tim Burton's more recent adaptation. My rating: 10 out of 10.

Alice in Wonderland (1951)

My personal favourite Disney cartoon

[10/10 · 30 January 2009]

Out of all of Disney's animated classics, this happens to be my number one favourite.

This movie has made a tremendous impact on me. I thought Alice was just sweet, adorable and seductive. I loved the adventures Alice went through in the movie, her long blonde hair, blue eyes, black ribbon, etc. I also feel this is a story I could relate with because it is about imagination and I always wanted my own exit from reality just like that. It is also what being a child is all about.

The animation in this movie is just terrific. The songs were also a thing about this movie that has absolutely delighted me.

I also happen to be a fan of Lewis Carroll's novel upon which this movie is based on. I know this movie didn't follow the book precisely, but if it hadn't been for this movie, I would not have read the book.

The things I dislike about this movie is how some think that the characters are nasty and unfriendly and some think that it has no genuine story arc to it. Didn't the book have no genuine story arc to it? I also disagree with all the critics calling it one of Disney's weaker animated movies.

Another thing I also dislike about this movie is that Disney are doing another adaptation of the book, but it will be a live-action, Gothic interpretation because Tim Burton is directing it, and it will include some of that computerized fakery that is often popping up in movies nowadays. People will mostly go to this new movie because of hottie Johnny Depp being in it, and I'm not fond of either him or Tim Burton. And Tim Burton is not even casting a child as Alice, he's casting an 18 year-old named Mia Wasikowska as Alice.

As one of the best movies Disney made during his lifetime and one of the best animated movies ever made, I recommend this highly for anyone (apart from Lewis Carroll purists, you'll just be displeased with it). If you haven't seen or own this movie, you should. My rating: 10 out of 10.