DVD Collectors Online

Up in the Air, a review by Critter

Up in the Air



Director: Jason Reitman

Writer:
Jason Reitman  (screenplay) and
Sheldon Turner  (screenplay)
Walter Kirn    (novel)


Plot: With a job that has him traveling around the country firing people, Ryan Bingham leads an empty life out of a suitcase, until his company does the unexpected: ground him.

Cast:
George Clooney - Ryan Bingham
Vera Farmiga - Alex Goran
Anna Kendrick - Natalie Keener
Jason Bateman - Craig Gregory
Melanie Lynskey - Julie Bingham
Amy Morton - Kara Bingham

My Thoughts
Up in the Air is now my absolute favourite film by Jason Reitman, I will find it very hard faulting this film at all as I found it stunning from the beginning to end. As far as Reitman films go I have seen Thank You For Smoking which did not do a lot for me and Juno. While I greatly enjoyed JunoTwilightRating: 5/5


(From Critter's Films at Cinemas Reviews on February 11th, 2010)

Casino Royale, a review by Rich

Casino Royale



CASINO ROYALE introduces JAMES BOND before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status.Bond's first 007 mission takes him to Madagascar, where he is to spy on a terrorist, MOLLAKA (Sebastien Foucan). Not everything goes to plan and Bond decides to investigate, independently of MI6, in order to track down the rest of the terrorist cell. Following a lead to the Bahamas, he encounters DIMITRIOS (Simon Abkarian) and his girlfriend, SOLANGE (Caterina Murino). He learns that Dimitrios is involved with LE CHIFFRE (Mads Mikkelsen), banker to the world's terrorist organizations.Secret Service intelligence reveals that Le Chiffre is planning to raise money in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro at Le Casino Royale. MI6 assigns 007 to play against him, knowing that if Le Chiffre loses, it will destroy his organization.'M' (Judi Dench) places Bond under the watchful eye of the beguiling VESPER LYND (Eva Green). At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together and even torture at the hands of Le Chiffre.In Montenegro, Bond allies himself with MATHIS (Giancarlo Giannini), MI6's local field agent, and FELIX LEITER (Jeffrey Wright), who is representing the interests of the CIA. The marathon game proceeds with dirty tricks and violence, raising the stakes beyond blood money and reaching a terrifying climax.

Brushed off Casino Royale for a 3rd viewing (1st in cinema, 2nd on dvd) in preparation of seeing Quantum of Solace, this time watching on BluRay. I am bias being a true Bond fan, and the high definition viewing with pure sound was awesome. I am in favour of the new 007, from the books I always thought he was a cold character and more ruthless than typically portrayed, and this is perhaps less 'comic-book' than previous adventures. Good to see the scene with the cut-out wicker chair is in this version of the film mirroring the book. The only minor criticisms I have with the new format were too few gadgets, and lack of a memorable theme song.
A good start to a new Bond.
 


(From James Bond Marathon on June 23rd, 2009)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

American Gothic - Season One

Pilot
Sheriff Lucas Buck rules his town with no conscience. After a young girl is murdered, Sheriff Buck seeks custody of the son of a murder suspect.





A series bought for my daughters viewing way back when, and OMG what a complete load of drivel it appears after 1 watching. Despite sharing the same writer as the underrated Invasion, it bears no resemblence. I have no real idea what was going on, what the characters were about, and the point of the whole series? 
If I had of watched this pilot on TV, I'd never have returned to the show. My daughter says this got really good through the series, was quite spooky portraying the fight against good and evil, and is worth persevering with.
I won't be doing that in a hurry.
 

(From My PILOT Marathon on September 7th, 2009)