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Invictus, a review by Critter

Invictus



Director: Clint Eastwood

Writer: Anthony Peckham

Plot: Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Cast:My ThoughtsRating

(From Critter's Films at Cinemas Reviews on February 4th, 2010)

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer
Year of Release: 2003
Directed By: Craig R. Baxley
Starring: Lisa Brenner, Steven Brand, Kate Burton, Tsidii Leloka
Genre: Horror

Overview:
A prequel to the hit Stephen King's Rose Red, The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer unveils a story of the twisted marriage of a matriarch to a promiscuous early 20th-Century industrialist and the haunted beginnings of an enormous Seattle mansion that has come to life.

Passages of the diary track a series of deadly encounters surrounding the Rose Red estate that transform Ellen from the innocent and submissive wife into a woman possessed by the dark forces inhabiting her home.

My Thoughts:
For a prequel to a movie that doesn't answer many of the viewer's questions, this movie only leaves you with more.  Nothing is offered up about the nature of the house, it's mysterious disappearances and hauntings.  while that works in "Rose Red" it distinctly does not work for a prequel about the house and its ghosts.  Vague mentions are made of 'cursed ground' and we learn that the house was moved over from Europe, but that's it.  The film is quite handsome in it's sets and costumes, and has a nice atmosphere to it, but there's no suspense.  Instead it's really the story of a philanderer, his marriage, and the wife who must suffer him.  Ellen comes off much too innocent and victimized here - she needed much more depth, as did her friend Sukeena and their relationship.  About average for a film, recommended only if you really, really liked "Rose Red."

Bechdel Test: Pass, barely

Overall: 2.5/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on May 30th, 2015)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Rick

You Must Remember This
Go Ray... Gettin it on with Dr. Leah Brahms. 

Overall a boring episode I thought. Give it a

(From "Due South" marathon on July 12th, 2009)