DVD Collectors Online

The Killing Fields, a review by Rich

Disclosing the truth in Cambodia...



Title: The Killing Fields

Runtime:141
Certificate:R
Year:1984
Genres:Drama, War

Plot:When the Khmer Rouge captured Phnom Penh in 1975, many thought the killing would end. Instead it started a long nightmare in which three million Cambodians would die in the "killing fields."
'The Killing Fields' is an epic story of friendship and survival produced by David Puttnam ('Chariots of Fire') and directed by Roland Joffé ('The Mission'). Sam Waterston plays Sydney Schanberg, whose war coverage entraps him and other journalists. Dr. Haing S. Ngor is Dith Pran, Schanberg's aide and friend who saves them from execution. But Pran is sentenced to labor camps, enduring starvation and torture before escaping to Thailand. Ngor also endured Khmer Rouge atrocities and saw his moving, Academy Award® winning portrayal of Pran (one of the film's three Oscars®) as a way of bringing his nation's tragic ordeal to light.
My Review:
One of the few films in the marathon I've seen before, and this repeat watching did not disappoint and was thoroughly enjoyed by my son also on his first viewing. Often criticised for the severe level of violence, this is purely a factual representation of the disgusting Pol Pot regime which the Cambodian people still suffer repercussions from. Thought-provoking and often disturbing, the only downside I can level at the film is the appalling 80's soundtrack by Mike Oldfield which is totally out of balance with the films content


(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on February 26th, 2008)

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, a review by Dragonfire

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra Prepare for non-stop action and thrilling adventure when you go inside the high-tech world of G.I. Joe in this 2-disc Special Edition. When a secret weapon is stolen by the mysterious and evil Cobra organization, mankind's only hope is G.I. Joe, an elite covert strike force featuring the best operatives from around the globe.  So, suit up and join Duke, Snake Eyes and Ripcord in a race against time to stop Cobra from using their ultimate weapon and plunging the world into chaos.  When all else fails... they don't.  They are G.I. Joe! My Thoughts I ended up seeing this one in the theater after it had been out a while and I enjoyed it overall.  The movie has problems, but it works as a fun, entertaining action movie.  It is based on the toy line and the various characters have also been featured in comic books and a cartoon.  I watched the cartoon all the time when I was younger.  I have forgotten just about everything.  Maybe I would have had more issues with the movie if I remembered more. There is a decent story, though it could have been a bit stronger.  It does serve as a bit of an origin story showing how Duke and Ripcord join the Joes.  The beginnings of the group Cobra is also shown.  There are a few twists introduced into the story that help to keep things interesting.  Flashbacks are used to share some important information.  They do slow the flow of the movie a bit, but the information shared is really needed.  The action scenes are the main focus of the movie.  They are very well done, though they do go over the top.  The movie is supposed to be set in the future, though not that far into it.  The weapons and various technology things do have a futuristic look to them.  They do seem to be things that could be developed.  I think the sound effects for at least some of the weapons is very much like what was used for the cartoon, though I may be remembering wrong.  There are a lot of action scenes in the movie, and that does take time away from developing the characters.  The violence isn't extreme, though it might bother some viewers. None of the characters are developed enough.  There are too many of them popping up for that to happen without the moving being much longer.  Thanks to the flashbacks, a few characters are a bit more developed and shown to have a more complicated back story than I had expected.  The cast is fine in their parts without anyone really standing out. I think I ended up enjoying the movie more this time than when I first saw it.  When I first saw it, I was more aware of all the negative reviews and watching closer for issues.  This time, I just watched it to enjoy it..and I did.  The movie has problems, but it works as an entertaining mindless action movie. I did post a review at Epinions after I saw it in the theater...I thought I had posted here too, but I guess I didn't. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

(From Dragonfire88's Alphabet Marathon on July 4th, 2010)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

Currently I am lending my Buffy and Angel seasons to two collegues who have never seen these shows. And all the talk I have with them now about these episodes makes me want to revisit the series again. I will watch my season sets as I am getting them back.



Title: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season One
Year: 1997
Director:
Rating: 15
Length: 515 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Surround , French: Dolby Digital Surround , Commentary: Dolby Digital Surround
Subtitles: Dutch, English, French

Plot:
Season One brings Buffy into contact with her Watcher, Giles (Head), as well as the support gang who will help her in her quest to combat evil Willow (Hannigan), Xander (Brendon), Cordelia (Carpenter) and the love of her life, Angel (Boreanaz).

Extras:
Commentary
DVD-ROM Content
Featurettes
Music Videos
Photo Gallery
Pilot Screenplay
Production Notes
Scene Access
Trailers



(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on November 22nd, 2008)