DVD Collectors Online

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, a review by Tom

Title: Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
Year: 1990
Director:
Rating: 15
Length: 163 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 1
Subtitles: English

Stars:


Plot:
A POIGNANT, COMIC AND TOTALLY ORIGINAL COMING-OF-AGE STORY ADAPTED FOR THE BBC BY JEANNETTE WINTERSON FROM HER WHITBREAD PRIZE-WINNING NOVEL.

Jess is the adopted daughter of a deeply religious woman. Growing up isolated and insulated in the north of England in the 1970's, Jess is told she's part of a larger plan. Her mother keeps her away from "Breeding Grounds" like schools, preferring to train her to spread God's word "to all the heathens in the hot countries." Jess eventually attends school, but continually feels like an outcast due to her religious beliefs. Her small town life changes when she meets Melanie, a beautiful sixteen-year old, and she experiences love at first sight. As the two draw closer, Jess's mother sees the devil at work and determines to exorcise the demons from her daughter.

Faced with the ire of Pastor Finch and his congregation, Jess realizes that she must soon decide between following her own heart or the path set out for her by others.

Awards:
Extras:
Interviews
Scene Access

Overall an okay mini-series. I liked the second episode the best of the three. I didn't enjoy it as much as the later BBC mini series I have reviewed in this thread ("Fingersmith" and "Tipping the Velvet").
The old ladies reminded me very much of Monty Python when they are doing their old ladies drag. Especially in the beginning of the first episode

Rating:

(From Lesbian Movie Marathon on May 14th, 2010)

Iris, a review by Rich

Iris



The powerful true story based on John Bayley's novels that earned Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge) an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Judi Dench (Shakespeare In Love) a BAFTA Award for Best Leading Actress and Kate Winslet (Titanic) an Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Judi Dench and Kate Winslet bring to the screen one of the most extraordinary women of the 20th Century, celebrated English author Iris Murdoch. As told by her unlikely soulmate, husband John Bayley, Iris first became known as a brilliant young scholar at Oxford whose boundless spirit dazzled those around her. During a remarkable career as a novelist and philosopher, she continued to prove herself a woman ahead of her time. Even in later life, as age and illness robbed Iris of her remarkable gifts, nothing could diminish her immense influence or weaken the bond with her devoted husband.

Sensitive, moving and emotional classy movie from the UK, a film that portrays perhaps 2 of the best actors in recent history at their finest, Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent. If tears do not come to the viewer at many times in the 2nd half of this film, they must have concrete hearts. Based on the true story of Iris Murdoch, the movie captivates from start to finish, and tackles a really difficult subject of Alzheimers in a touching and focussed manner. The affectionate devoted relationship between the 2 is heart-warming, and the wonderful way the director switches between the young couple and then the old, makes you feel totally part of the story and understanding the frightening confusion and desperation that hits Iris.
Painfully honest portrayal of not just a celebrity, but a frightening illness. Please buy it.
 

** Kate Winslet mini-marathon


(From Riches Random Reviews on August 2nd, 2009)

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

EPISODE 9: DOCHOTIC
Clark has his suspicions when an overachieving student goes on a date with Lana and Chloe at the exact same time. Meanwhile, Lex meets his future wife in anger management class.

My Thoughts:
This is a really good episode. Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Home Improvement)  plays the boy that can split in 2. I have to admit... every time I see the scene where :ex takes a 9 Iron to the meter maid's car a smile comes to my face.

EPISODE 10: SKINWALKER
He fell to Earth in a meteor shower. Shoots fire from his eyes. Sound like anyone you know? The story told in ancient cave drawings may relate to Clark's destiny and his new romance with a lovely Native American.

My Thoughts:
Another good episode. This is the one that started the long arc about the Indian caves that talks of Clark's destiny.  Though I must admit... even the first time I watched this episode I figured right away who the "Skinwalker" was.

EPISODE 11: VISAGE
Just when things are getting better between Lana and Clark, along comes ex-boyfriend and Marine recruit Whitney. But there's something about Whitney that doesn't seem right to Clark.

My Thoughts:
Yet another good episode. And the last appearance of Eric Johnson (Whitney) in the series. And the last appearance of the character Tina Greer... the "Freak of the Week" that was able to change her appearance into anyone.

EPISODE 12: INSURGENCE
There's only one way into the sealed-off Metropolis tower where Lionel and Martha are held captive at gunpoint, and that's to leap 200 feet from the adjacent 'Daily Planet' building. This sounds like a job for - wait: can youthful Clark really accomplish such an incredible feat?

My Thoughts
Wow... This disc is 4 for 4 on good episodes! In this episode we get the first real hint of Lionel Luthor's attraction to Martha. I loved the scene of Clark jumping from building to building. Really good episode.

(From Smallville Marathon on August 2nd, 2007)