DVD Collectors Online

Criss Cross, a review by Antares

Criss Cross (1949) 78/100 - I really wanted to like this a lot more than I did, but it has a few glaring problems that keep it from being considered a masterpiece in the film noir genre. First, there isn't enough exposition in the beginning of the film to explain the relationship between Steve and Anna. Second, Dan Duryea doesn't get enough screen time or character development. Third, the ending is a little convoluted. Where did Anna and Steve get all the money they have when Nelson brings Steve to the house in Palo Alto? Back at the robbery, Steve is shot in the shoulder and passes out, holding on to one half of the payroll. The other half is taken by Slim and the rest of the gang. So how did Anna wind up with Steve's share? After Steve passes out, the scene shifts to him waking up in his hospital room, a hero for saving half of the payroll. I've been going over it in my head and it doesn't make any sense. Aside from that, the film is a blueprint for what a film needs to be considered a classic noir. You have the amazingly seductive femme fatale, played by the drop dead gorgeous Yvonne De Carlo. De Carlo is the actress that Ava Gardner always wishes she could have become. She can play either a good girl or the tempting bad girl with ease. I couldn't take my eyes off of her and it's a shame that she's primarily remembered for her role as Lily Munster, because she definitely has talent. You have the poor sap, who doesn't know whether or not he's being played for a fool, but can't help himself because the little head is doing all the thinking for the big head. Top those off with a nail biting story, believable heist sequence and decent bad guys and you should have the makings of a masterpiece. But unfortunately, those problems I spoke of hinder this film's ability to reach that strata. It's a good film with a very good final scene, but it could have been more... much more.

What the color coding means...

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is

(From Antares' Short Summations on November 17th, 2012)

Do Not Adjust Your Set , a review by Tom

Do Not Adjust Your Set (1967/United Kingdom) IMDb | Wikipedia (United States) Length: 280 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 1 Subtitles:

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Plot:
Teatime 1968. In millions of homes in England something strange was happening and TV comedy around the world would never be the same again - 'Do Not Adjust Your Set'. Hitting audiences like a wet fish in the face it was weird, wonderful and above all hilarious. 'Do Not Adjust Your Set' combined the writing and performing skills of Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, added a dash of David Jason, a dollop of the legendary Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and a hint of Terry Gilliam. Feast your eyes on the madness and discover how something completely different began....

This 2 DVD set features the recently rediscovered 9 episodes of the classic 'Do Not Adjust Your Set' series and a Comedy Family Tree poster booklet.


Do Not Adjust Your Set
1.01 Episode 1
This old series is written and stars three of the later Monty Pythons: Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. This is supposed to be a children's show but you wouldn't know this if not told so. You can already see some of the typical Python humor here.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on April 7th, 2011)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

Filthy, Rich and Catflap - The Complete Series 1

The Milkman Always Rings Twice
Richie wakes up feeling sexy then discovers Eddie is also in his bed. Richie worries that he has caught Eddie's 'trouser rash.' Eddie has his head under the back of Richie's robe on a rash hunt when the milkman walks in. Richie smashes the milkman over the head with some milk bottles and inadvertently kills him. They hide the bod in the cub. Soon, several more milkmen die as Richie and Eddie dash to the hospital to foil a paternity suit being brought against Richie in a dastardly plot to get hold of Richie's cash.



Filthy, Rich and Catflap is the tale of Richie Rich, a talentless and unheard-of television personality; Ralph Filthy, his useless, sponging agent; and Eddie Catflap, his alcoholic minder - both involved in helping (hindering) Richie's quest for TV fame and glory.
Unfortunately, Filthy never gets Richie any work and his minder Eddie is more than willing to administer extreme physical violence should any be visited upon his boss. Probably not the most stable basis from which to launch a career in television

I was never a great fan of the Young Ones, and this is basically a cross between that and the later Bottom series. It is a pretty tired old formula with uninspiring script, sex and fart gags, and the 2 leads basically knocking the shite out of each other. Not surprising this only got 1 series, and I recall talk at the time of a rift between writer Ben Elton and Rik Mayall.
Unless you were a major Young Ones/Bottom fan I'd steer clear of this, the pilot does not entice me to watch more.
 

(From My PILOT Marathon on September 2nd, 2009)