DVD Collectors Online

Saw V, a review by addicted2dvd

Saw V
Detective Hoffman is seemingly the last person alive to carry on the Jigsaw legacy. But when his secret is threatened, he must go on the hunt to eliminate all loose ends.

My Thoughts:
This is a movie I never seen before. I went into it a bit hesitantly as I heard that the movie series starts to go downhill from this point. Maybe that helped me to enjoy it more then some people do as I still loved every minute of this movie. Of course it could also be because (As I have said many times before) I am more forgiving of horror movies then most people are. The movie is filled with all sorts of torturous devices, blood and gore. It even had a familiar face in it this time. This one has Julie Benz (Angel, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer & Dexter). Though it did take me a few minutes to recognize her since I am not used to seeing her as a brunette. I will admit that I was a little more confused while watching this one (until the end reveal) then I have been with the past movies... but that could be because I was already tired when I decided to watch this movie.



(From Weekend Movie Marathon: 2/6 - 2/8 on February 8th, 2009)

Watchmen, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: Watchmen
Year: 2009
Director: Zack Snyder
Rating: NR
Length: 165 Min.
Video: Pan and Scan
Audio: English
Subtitles: N/A

Stars:
Malin Akerman
Billy Crudup
Matthew Goode
Jackie Earle Haley
Patrick Wilson

Plot:
n an alternate 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it.

My Thoughts:
This is one of the movies I wanted to check out on HBO On-Demand. I found it to be an interesting movie... but not really the style of a superhero movie that I particularly enjoy. The alternate1985 made it seem a little on the weird side. And I personally prefer the previous style for a superhero movie. But that being said... I don't consider this a bad movie. As I said... it is interesting. And I can see myself watching it again... but not often. I would probably add this movie to my collection if I could find it cheap (well under $10) enough.



(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Anything Goes on January 24th, 2010)

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

2x01 Samson and Delilah
Synopsis: See Achim's post.
My Rating:

Bad things first: The opening credits/intro (whatever you call it) has gotten even worse than in S1. Thankfully, they drop it after a few episodes. And: The final men's room sight gag was downright awful. IIRC, everyone on Friedman's team said so, but he insisted on it. A clear case where everyone was right and the creator was not.

With that out of the way: Like Achim, I really liked the opening slo-mo action sequence, accompanied by Shirley Manson's and Bear McCreary's version of the old traditional "Samson and Delilah". It is worth mentioning that not only did they take out the dialogue, but also most of the sound, save for some key bits that neatly merge with the song. It is a wonderful piece of editing and music, which elevates what otherwise could have been a so-so action scene to an entirely different level and IMHO even tops the use of the Johnny Cash song in the S1 finale.

Naturally, the entire episode can't be as high-concept as the opening, but a certain tone and theme is set, making something that essentially is a prolonged chase worth watching.

Summer Glau is great in evil and visibly damaged Terminator mode. She tacks on her face with a stapler, punches a speeding car out of its track and has time for a little T2-nod (Call to him). That's peanuts though compared to what she does when she is finally trapped and Jon is about to remove her chip. In an amazingly creepy and chilling scene she suddenly starts begging for her (machine) life like a frightened child.

As for Shirley Manson as corporate bitch? I was less than thrilled by her addition to the cast. Great song, lady, but the acting - not so much. Fortunately, it will get better in upcoming episodes.


(From Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete Second Season marathon on January 28th, 2010)