DVD Collectors Online

Faces of Death, a review by Jimmy

Title : Faces of Death (1978)

Overview
Possibly one of the most talked about video series of all time, Faces Of Death examines the many guises of death in extreme close-up. Sure to shock, horrify and even repulse, these brutal films are not meant for the faint of heart. The classic series is the one true original Faces Of Death. Accept no substitute!

My Impression
The first one of this genre that I've seen in my life and my mother beat me (not too hard) for one of the first and only time in my life because I've let my younger sister watched it with me. I can understand why my mother was really angry since my sister was only 6 years old and had made nightmares for week after that experience. The first time I've seen it I was impress and shock, but since them I've realized that much of it is fake. Except for some autopsy footage and the animal scene everything is fake or modify. So the more know moments (the electric chair, the monkey restaurant, the aligator attack and the bear attack) are fabricated and really obvious if we take the time too think : multiple angle, camera place at impossible place if hidden (by exemple a camera under the table in the monkey scene. Don't forget the camera were big 30 years ago), peoples who didn't speak naturally, many continuity errors...

Sure there are a lot of real footage that can be not for anyone : a pitbull fight, a normal day at a slaughterhouse, autopsy procedures, seals clubbing, ...   
 
Rating :

(From Shockumentary/Mondo Week Marathon on February 2nd, 2009)

The Eagle, a review by VirtualScot

There few periods of history that really intrigue me in film, WWI and the Roman Empire are two them. Mainly because story's don't relove around these two periods of history very often, so it's very rare to see them be realised on film. This is what initially attracted to go see The Eagle in cinema, and boy was i impressed with how well realised it was.

Staring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell. Marcus (Tatum) is posted to Britain in the hope of regaining his family's honour, after the ninth legion disappeared in North Britain twenty years under the command of his father. Losing the Eagle standard, Rome's most sacred symbol of honour and five thousand men. Shamed by the defeat Hadrian's wall is build, marking the line of the end of the known world.

After saving the life of a young Briton slave called Esca (Bell), who in thanks swears a bond to Marcus. Marcus sets off with Esca beyond the wall to find the Eagle standard and restore his family's honour.

From the opening where Marcus arrives at his first post to the ending. Every detail of Roman Britain is brilliantly brought to life, and all this on a budget twenty five million dollars.

There's no gas can powered chariots in this film (wink wink).

The only issue i had with the historical aspect, was the highlands not being as leafy as it was back then. The highlands only lost it's forests in the 18th century thanks to the Royal Navy. But that's forgiveable and only another couple of issues pop up here and there.

The action scenes do suffer from the fast is apparently more realistic idea. And the plot does get a little slow at certain point. Overall though Tatum and Bell both put in strong performances. Bell coming off better as it's safe to say he is the better actor (no offence to Mr Tatum).

Mixing full on violence with a more profound story of honour and courage. A masterpiece it is not but a solid film none the less, and the sleeper hit of this year i think.







(From The Eagle on March 30th, 2011)

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

07. The Initiative (1999-11-16)
Writer: Douglas Petrie (Writer)
Director: James A. Contner
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Seth Green (Oz), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Marc Blucas (Riley Finn), Mercedes McNab (Harmony Kendall), Adam Kaufman (Parker Abrams), Bailey Chase (Graham Miller), Leonard Roberts (Forest Gates), Lindsay Crouse (Maggie Walsh), Mace Lombard (Tom), Scott Becker (Lost Freshman)

A very fun episode. We are introduced to the initiative. We have a very fun "fight" between Xander and Harmony. And the best thing is Willow trying to cheer up Spike after his "under-performance".

Rating:



08. Pangs (1999-11-23)
Writer: Jane Espenson (Writer)
Director: Michael Lange
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Seth Green (Oz), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Marc Blucas (Riley Finn), Mercedes McNab (Harmony Kendall), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Leonard Roberts (Forrest Gates), Bailey Chase (Graham Miller), Tod Thawley (Houss, Chumash Spirit), David Boreanaz (Angel), Margaret Easley (Curator), William Vogt (Jamie), Mark Ankeny (Dean Guerrero)

A episode I never really liked. Though it has some fun stuff in it. I love all the scenes with Spike. And this episode is the reason for a funny line in the Buffy musical.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on August 15th, 2009)