DVD Collectors Online

The Phantom of the Opera, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Phantom of the Opera
Year of Release: 2004
Directed By: Joel Schumacher
Starring: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson
Genre: Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Musical

Overview:My Thoughts:
I love Phantom.  I'm not sure that this is my favorite version of the story - I think that's still the 1990 TV movie - I still think this is an excellent version.  I love Lloyd Webber's music.  I listened to the Broadway soundtrack for years before this came out.  This is a beautiful, lush, romantic film, with gorgeous costuming and sets.  I enjoy all of the cast, even if Gerard Butler's voice isn't quite as good as it probably should be for his role.  The Phantom here is manipulative and cruel, and it's creepy when you think about him knowing Christine since she was a child.  He's also still quite a sympathetic character, and you feel quite bad for him in the life he has led.  I don't find Christine or Raoul to be as well-developed, but the Phantom is the central character of the story no matter how you look at it. 

Recommended with the caveat that this is almost entirely music, so if you don't like Lloyd Webber's sound this is not a film for you.  I thought the story would be enough to carry Pete through, but we lost him an hour into the film.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 4/5

(From July Movie Marathon: Musicals (Yes... You read right!) on July 11th, 2016)

Redemption, a review by Rich

Redemption



Stan "Tookie" Williams founder and member of Los Angeles' notorious gang The Crips, was once the most feared man on the cit streets. His reign of terror was finally brought to an end when he was convicted of multiple murder and sent to the infamous San Quentin prison where, even from his cell on Death Row, his reputation lives on. But when journalist Barbara Becnel is granted an interview,instead of a brutal thug she finds a man intent on putting his life of crime behind him as well as gang warfare.

Unbelievably glossy portrayal of a murdering gang member, Williams is made out to be some form of Saint which is of course far from the truth. It amazes me how a convicted and self confessed murderer gets so much acclaim for his miraculous rebirth and consequent work and books to reduce gang crimes and the violent culture associated with many cities in the States. I wonder whether the release of this film was intentionally just before his clemency hearing?
As a film I did not find myself caring about the characters, Foxx is a good lead but did too many scenes which were solely focused on his face or in the visiting rooms, as if that would tell us his story. It is very predictable, artistic license has gone haywire by the director, and the violence and brutality of Tookies early life and initial time in jail is swept under the carpet.
This movie has had an overdose of Hollywood treatment and smacks of a PR piece by Tookie, and the legacy he built up in the 70's and 80's through extreme violence and murder is ignored. Emotionless and disappointing film.
 


(From Riches Random Reviews on April 27th, 2009)

"Stargate SG-1" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Jared Kane comes through the Stargate to aks for SG-1's help. One year after the Rand Protectorate and the Caledonian Federation have been at war (caused by the arrival of SG-1), the Ori have given the Rands a weapon (a satellite) that could wipe out the Caledonians. Kane wants to end the hostilities that have lasted for centuries. Prometheus is dispatched to destroy the satellite.

My Opinion: I always try to find out why an episode is called the way it is called. But I didn't find any connection and thus Wikipedia had to help out. And I was delighted to find out that they've once again made an effort to find an appropriate title.
The end of the episode was especially shattering because I already went into "SG-1 has saved the day" mode. But episodes like this are important to show that you simply can't always win.

Synopsis: SG-1 investigates in a case of chemically modified crop that makes people addicted to it. But then they get captured by the Lucian Alliance and the Stargate is beamed away. The new battle cruiser Odyssey saves them but more Stargates are disappearing and Ba'al seems to be the one who is responsible.

My Opinion: In my opinion the new BC-304 "Daedalus" class is not as pretty as the old Prometheus. Additionally the form reminds me of already existing ships in other Sci-Fi universes. Anyway, that's not the point.
The way the Lucian Alliance was presented wasn't really convincing to me. I didn't understand how they were able to track down Ba'al and how they managed to get a hand on that many Ha'taks. It's unlikely that the Jaffa parked them somewhere after their "god" had died.

Synopsis: SG-1 accompanies some members of the International Oversight Committee to the Gamma Site, on a "Sightseeing Tour" so to speak. But then some bugs escape from a lab and these bugs were made by the Priors and they spread fast - and they are flesh-eating.

My Opinion: I like Cameron a lot and they HK G36 is much for fitting for him than the FN P90. I liked the episode especially because of the symbolism at the end, when SG-1 is standing side by side defending the civilians. I also liked that Woolsey realises that some things can go wrong and that there's nothing anyone could have done to prevent it.
But the best thing was Cameron's line, that they would watch Starship Troopers this evening. 

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on May 1st, 2008)