DVD Collectors Online

Matchstick Men, a review by Rich

Matchstick Men



If there's a sucker born every minute, these guys will work the delivery room. Meet Roy and Frank, con men who plan to flimflam a flimflammer out of big-time dough. They have a new partner to help them too: Roy's long-absent 14-year-old daughter, who has entered his life and is eager to learn the art of the con.
Just when you think you have it figured out you don't, during this acclaimed comedy thriller directed by Ridley Scott. Nicolas Cage is winningly quirky as Roy, genius at crime and basket case in life because he's an agoraphobe, a germaphobe and suddenly a parent. Sam Rockwell is wily Frank. And Alison Lohman plays the wild child at Roy's door. For fun, suspense and brain-busting twists, nothing's hotter than Matchstick Men.

Interesting film, intriguing plot, with a nice set of twists at the end that I didn't guess until close to the finish. Cage plays his neurotic character well, in an engaging and humourous story that Scott weaves well. The relationships and characterisations between the leads are particularly effective, and the performances and film stay with you.
Underrated movie that deserves watching.
 

(From Riches Random Reviews on June 14th, 2009)

9 Songs, a review by Danae Cassandra

9 Songs
Year of Release: 2008
Directed By: Michael Winterbottom
Starring: Kieran O'Brien, Margo Stilley
Genre: Romance

Overview:
9 SONGS is a powerful insight into the lives of two young people who share a summer of love amidst today's vibrant London rock 'n' roll scene.

My Thoughts:
Your enjoyment of this film will be predicated on one of two things:  First, do you like modern indie rock?  If so, other reviews say this has a great soundtrack.  This style of music isn't to my taste, and the only way I recognize the names is from my co-workers (except Michael Nyman), but the music and concert scenes are best thing in the film. 

Second, do you want to watch two ordinary people have really explicit sex?  As in, a lot of sex.  If so, watch this film.  Because that's the other half that isn't concerts.  Sure, there are a few short scenes strewn through where the two main characters aren't having sex or seeing a show, but they're short and infrequent.

Otherwise, this is a really dull film.  The characters have no charisma and there is no development to them.  I didn't care about them, or about their relationship (what we saw of it - they ate, they went to the beach, they did some drugs, and, oh yeah, they had a lot of sex).  There seemed to be no real point to the film, no plot other than hey,  these two people hooked up for a time and now they're not together and dude is looking back on it and being cold and lonely.

Honestly, one of the most boring films I've ever seen.  Right up there with 12:08 East of Bucharest.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 1.5/5

(From Off Day Alphabet Marathon on July 31st, 2014)

The One Where It All Began: The Pilot Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

What's the show about?
Dean and Sam Winchester are brothers. 22 years ago a yellow-eyed demon killed their mother. Since then their father has been on the hunt for all kinds of supernatural beings and phenomenon.  Sam once tried to get out of the "family business" but after his father went missing and his girlfriend was murdered in the very same way his mother was he has rejoined with his brother. They fight against vampires, ghosts and everything else you dare not think about in the middle of the night.

"Pilot"
22 years ago. John Winchester has to evacuate his son Dean and infant son Sam out of the house after something pinned his wife onto the ceiling and set her on flames. Present day. Sam has stopped hunting two years ago and studies at Stanford now. But suddenly his brother Dean stands in the door and announces that their dad has gone missing while being on a hunt. Sam agrees to accompany Dean on this one thing to find their father - only 'til Monday.

My Opinion
I was never really into horror stories, but shows like Buffy and Angel brought me closer to the topic and since I liked Jensen Ackles in Smallville's fourth season I thought to give it a try. And it's a great show. Except for the fact that there's a monster of the week every episode is totally different due to the very nature of the supernatural being. There's also an overall story arc that includes the yellow-eyed demon, fallen angels and the apocalypse.

(From The One Where It All Began: The Pilot Marathon on September 2nd, 2009)