Matt Codd Movies
- 2007
Veteran sci-fi and action stalwart Mark L. Lester (Commando, Class of 1984) helms this period supernatural horror opus, inspired by one of history's oddest mysteries: the question of what happened to the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke Island in 1587. In Lester's version of the tale, three demonic witches arise from the netherworld to claim the settlers, and attack the soldiers from multiple directions. The spirits include the Witch Wraith, who exerts apocalyptic control over the nearby forest; the Viking Wraith, who slices through the front lines with a broadsword, and the Reaper Wraith, who disembowels victims with a scythe. As devastation erupts and the colonists meet gory ends, hope arises in the form of Ananias Dare, who valiantly attempts to decipher the enigma of the wraiths, exploit their Achilles' Heel, and send the vile spirits back to the fiery cauldron of Hell. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
The first Disney cartoon to be produced in the 70 mm format since The Black Cauldron (1985), this blend of traditional animation with computer-generated imagery is a straight adventure tale of the Jules Verne school, eschewing the studio's typical formula of cute critters mixed with song-and-dance routines. Michael J. Fox is the voice of Milo Thatch, a lowly museum employee and linguist in the early 20th century who's determined to continue his late grandfather's search for the lost, sunken empire of Atlantis. Bankrolled by eccentric millionaire Preston Whitmore (John Mahoney), Milo teams up with a diverse crew of mercenaries led by submarine commander Rourke (James Garner). After a sea battle with a giant denizen of the deep, the explorers locate the submerged civilization. Milo falls in love with Princess Kida (Cree Summer), the daughter of Atlantis' aged ruler (Leonard Nimoy), and must choose sides when it's revealed that some of his fellow expedition members intend to steal a mystical energy source from their hosts. Claudia Christian, Mark Hamill, David Ogden Stiers, Don Novello, and the late Jim Varney co-star. Although considered a shoo-in for a nomination in the debut year of the new Oscar category of Best Animated Feature, Atlantis: The Lost Empire faced stiff competition from other non-live-action entertainment in the summer of 2001, including Shrek, Final Fantasy, and Monsters Inc.. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael J. Fox, James Garner, (more)
Spencer Northcut (Antonio Sabato, Jr.) quite reasonably never forgot the day he witnessed his family being mauled and eventually killed by a prehistoric shark on what was meant to be an innocent boat trip. Obsessed, Spencer builds himself a submarine in hopes of setting out to find and kill the bloodthirsty shark. At first, it looks as if he'll never have the chance--the research group in charge of the sub refuses to let him board his own creation, until they themselves are killed by the same shark responsible for the death of Spencer's parents. Unhindered, Spencer leaves in anticipation of finding the shark and ending a very personal grudge.
~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
Science must confront a power greater than our own in this unusual sci-fi-thriller. As seismic activities around the world begin going haywire, causing untold damages in major cities and claiming thousands of lives, the President of the United States orders Kasia Czaban, one of his top scientific advisers, and Mason Rand, a leading weapons expert, to investigate the phenomenon and see if it can be stopped. Kasia and Mason's investigation leads them to the Himalayas, where they discover a strange object of otherworldly origin that can generate its own power and water, spawn and support its own life forms, and either extend or extinguish human lives at will. What is this strange item? What is its role in the history of our universe? And can Mason and Kasia unlock its secrets without falling prey to its dangers? Epoch stars David Keith, Stephanie Niznik, Ryan O'Neal, and Shannon Lee. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Keith, Ryan O'Neal, (more)
