DVD Collectors Online

The Station Agent, a review by Rich

Station Agent



When his friend and co-worker suddenly dies, train enthusiast Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) inherits an abandoned railway station in rural New Jersey. A dwarf who avoids social contact whenever possible, Fin treks out to the property and moves in. However, his newly isolated life is disrupted by the arrival of the well meaning Joe and Olivia. Joe (Bobby Cannavale), is an outgoing operator of a roadside refreshment stand, and Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), is a reclusive artist who is grieving the loss of her son. As Joe and Olivia slowly bring Fin out of his shell, all three people are affected by their newfound friendships.

Charming film exploring the characters and relationships of 3 differing personalities. The film is a blend of humour, quirkiness, disappointment, sadness and in the end heart warming interaction. It is intentionally slow paced, a beautifully written simple story, directed with craftmanship, the actors excel, and the film washes over you like warm honey.
Don't expect action or suspense, but if you want to delve into a portrait of humanity and characterisation, then give this a try.
 


(From Riches Random Reviews on April 15th, 2009)

The Da Vinci Code, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Da Vinci Code
Year of Release: 2006
Directed By: Ron Howard
Starring: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno, Paul Bettany
Genre: Suspense/Thriller, Drama, Action

Overview:Philadelphia, and 1994 Best Actor, Forrest GumpMy Thoughts:
I enjoy this film and find it entertaining, filled with twisty conspiracy theories and enough action to keep the viewer interested.  The pacing is pretty good there, because there are parts that are extremely talky but just when it gets to be too much something happens to distract our heroes from their chat.  Having never read the book, I can't comment on its faithfulness or lack thereof, but I enjoy the story and think it's complete.  I certainly haven't felt the need to read the book.  My biggest complaint would be that the best performances and most interesting characters are not the leads.  Hanks' Robert Langdon is surprisingly passive and unemotional, despite his pretty desperate situation he never seems fully engaged, and while Tatou's Sophie is charming she's also one-dimensional.  McKellen's Teabing is a much more interesting character, and steals every scene he's in.  Bettany's Silas is menacing and fanatical, but the extended cut here makes him more understandable and sympathetic.  

I definitely enjoyed the extended cut more than the theatrical, continuing a pattern there, and unlike the extended cuts of some other films, I don't know what I would cut here.  It does make this a nearly 3 hour film, though, so I wouldn't recommend it if you can't sit still that long.  I also wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for a movie to watch with a religious fanatic in the family.  Other than that, recommended.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on August 14th, 2015)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete Second Season marathon, a review by goodguy

2x05 Goodbye to All That
Synopsis: Derek leads John on his first mission in defense of a military school cadet with a vital future role in the Resistance.
My Rating:

That was a rather average episode with some good bits inbetween.

I liked the T1-nod. I really loved the macho scene of Derek and John loading up the truck with weapons and gear, changing first to a sudden shot of Cameron in the foreground, turning her head to look at John and John then looking at Sarah, who is watching from afar. Several shots establishing all three POVs and showing John between those two women. Great stuff.

I won't say anything on how easy Derek and John got into the military school, it just isn't worth it. Some of the scenes there worked pretty well, but overall it was far too simplistic bordering on cheesy. Likewise the scenes with Sarah and the kidnapped kid were hit and miss. The initial video game turning real as they get chased by the Triple-8 certainly was fun.

The Wizard of Oz must be the most used reference in US movies and TV shows. Still, they managed to pick some interesting parts as VO when Derek and John defeat the T-888. I remember complaining about the Sarah VO's in my initial S1 review, but upon rewatching I've gotten rather fond of them, to the point were I actually was starting to miss them in S2.

I also really loved the final scene between Derek and John: We all die for you. It's not about upsetting John as Achim suspects, but about encouraging John to become the man and leader who is worth that kind of sacrifice.

The slowly advancing story of Weaver and Ellison seems to confirm what could be already picked up from the coda of 2x02: Weaver seems to be interested in keeping the power plant operational. BTW, is there any way to make the scene with the plant manager in the alley any worse? Well, I suppose there is, but that was a new low after the men's room scene in 2x01.


(From Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete Second Season marathon on February 3rd, 2010)