Saturday Matinee #17

Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Presents Saturday Matinee

-----Movie Review #1-----

Title: X-men
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen
Narrator: Miles Neth
Running time: 104 minutes
Released in: 2000
Genre: comic heroes
Filed in: Movie reviews

Periodically throughout history, the natural evolution of mankind takes a leap. During these times, many generations of change suddenly become prevalent in certain select individuals. We are living in one of those periods. It is the dawning of the age of mutants. These mutants can take on many shapes and forms, displaying powers and abilities far beyond those of ordinary people.
Naturally the common citizens are frightened of mutants. We always fear what we do not understand. And just as naturally, some mutants want to help, while others only seek to harm. Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X, believes that humans and mutants can live together peacefully. He has dedicated himself to taking in the mutant outcasts, training them to understand and use their abilities for the betterment of all mankind. His group is known as the X-men.
On the other side of the coin is Magneto, the master of magnetism. He believes that mutants are the next evolutionary step and should rightfully rule over ordinary people. To help him accomplish this goal, Magneto has developed a device that can turn ordinary people into mutants. His plan is to use it on all the world leaders, as they gather in New York City for a world summit. Only Professor X and his X-men can stop Magneto from gaining control over the leaders of the entire world.
I have to admit this was a pretty good movie. The story wasn’t bad, there was plenty of action, and the casting was great. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan as Professor X and Magneto were perfect choices, and I’m glad they were both available to do the film. Come to think of it, those guys are excellent in any role.

-----Movie Review #2-----

Title: X-men 2
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen
Narrator: Miles Neth
Running time: 133 minutes
Released in: 2003
Genre: comic heroes
Filed in: Movie reviews

There is an attack on the president by a mutant. Regular, non-mutant people are already wary of mutants, and this attack only fans the flames. Professor X, leader of the X-men, suspects that Magneto may be behind the attack, but Magneto is still safely locked away inn an all-plastic prison designed just for him.
As it turns out, there is a new player in the game, a government agent named Stryker who has developed a method of controlling mutants. It will be up to the X-men to stop this crafty and surprisingly powerful human.
Unfortunately, the copy of this movie that is available at Three Blind Mice is cut short, very short. Only the first half is available. What I got to listen to was very good though, and I look forward to finishing it someday. Sequels usually do not measure up, but this one is promising.

-----Movie Review #3-----

Title: X-men 3: The Last Stand
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen
Narrator: Miles Neth
Running time: 104 minutes
Released in: 2006
Genre: comic heroes
Filed in: Movie reviews

Worthington Laboratories has developed a serum that can completely negate the special abilities of any mutant, reducing them to an average human being. Add this to fears of a steadily rising mutant population, and you’ve got an explosive situation. Is it any coincidence that Worthington’s son, Warren, happens to be a mutant? I don’t think so.
Magneto, not missing a trick, uses this new set of circumstances to do what he has always wanted to do, gather an entire army of mutants to himself. The anti-mutant serum is the perfect cause for him to rally his troops. Will a small handful of X-men be able to stop Magneto and his army? Don’t be so sure.
This movie is awesome! Remember when I said that sequels usually don’t measure up. This is the exception that proves the rule. You know how sometimes a movie can shock you so much that your jaw drops and your eyes pop open in utter disbelief? I’m talking about moments like the end of The sixth Sense. This movie has a bunch of those, each one more shocking than the one before. I wish I could tell you what they are, but I will say this much: there is a monstrous head-to-head (literally) duel between Phoenix and Professor X, and another one between Pyro and Iceman. Some major characters die in this movie, and a few others lose their mutant abilities. This movie will knock your socks off. You may want to remove them beforehand.

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All of the DVS movies I listen to come from the Three Blind Mice. They have hundreds of titles in mp3 format to choose from, and they can all be downloaded to your computer completely free. Visit Three Blind Mice by following the link on the sidebar.

Movie reviews by Steven Brandt.
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