DVD Collectors Online

Man Without a Star, a review by Antares

Man Without a Star (1955) 65/100 - Universal International was well known in the fifties for their western offerings, so I can't understand why Kirk Douglas, in his production company's first film, decided upon King Vidor to be the director. Last night, I watched an early Budd Boetticher film from two years earlier which had plenty of action and showed that Boetticher was a director on the rise. When the film started I was enthusiastic, because the opening theme song was sung by Frankie Laine, usually a good harbinger of things to come. But from the onset, it doesn't know what kind of film it wants to be. Bits of comedy, Douglas singing a song and in the end, a somewhat revenge vibe, that never really amounts to anything of merit. It was entertaining, hell, anything with Kirk Douglas is, but it never really satisfies. In the end, it comes across as nothing more than a B movie. Had Douglas chosen Boetticher, it may have been much, much better. It had the potential.

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 July 11th, 2020)

On the Beach, a review by Rich

Underwater to Alaska...



Title: On the Beach

Runtime:198
Certificate:15
Year:2000
Genres:Science-Fiction, Drama, Television

Plot:It's 2006 and most of the world has been devastated by a catastrophic atomic war between China and America. Billions have been wiped out.
Australia is the only refuge for survivors, but radioactive fallout is drifting alarmingly closer. Anarchy and chaos are taking over as tension builds on the loot-ridden streets.
There is one glimmer of hope, a lone American submarine led by Commander Dwight Towers (Armand Assante) sets off in the desesperate search for a faint radio message traced to Alaska.
Their mission is chilling. They see the brutal devastation of the war. Can they see off the end of the world as we know it?
"On the Beach" is based on Nevil Shute's classic novel warning of a terrifying possible future.
This heartbreaking yet exhilarating epic stars ARMAND ASSANTE (Striptease, Hoffa), his love interest is played by RACHEL WARD (Double Jeopardy). Also co-starring STEVE BASTONI (Matrix Reloaded) and BRYAN BROWN (Cocktail).

My Review:
Remake of Kramers classic which starred Peck, Gardner and Astaire. Enjoyed this film, but whoa how depressing is this story! Not the greatest acting or cast list (good to see the lovely Jacqueline Mackenzie ) but Shute's story pulls it through. Let's be honest, we all grumble about sickly Hollywood happy endings, but when they aren't there you feel a bit gloomy! I will hunt down the original now for comparison, for this remake I would recommend it if bought from a bargain bin or to watch on cable/tv.


(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on March 11th, 2008)

TV Time-Travel Marathon, a review by Tom

Time-Travel/Alternate Reality
Red Dwarf
Tikka to Ride

A fine example of why Red Dwarf was a great series.

By traveling to the past, the Red Dwarf crew accidentally prevent the assassination of JFK. This results in a major crisis for the future of the US, as JFK's affairs became public knowledge during his presidency and was impeached. Edgar J. Hoover became president, but was controlled by the Mafia because they had pictures of him cross-dressing.
Now the Red Dwarf crew has to put things right and we learn, who the second gunman was:


(From TV Time-Travel Marathon on January 12th, 2008)