DVD Collectors Online

The Masque of the Red Death, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Masque of the Red Death

Year of Release:  1964
Directed By:  Roger Corman
Starring:  Vincent Price, Hazel Court, Jane Asher, David Weston, Nigel Green, Patrick Magee
Rating:  Not Rated

Overview:danse macabre!

My Thoughts:
Vincent Price is also one of my favorite actors, and I have loved every one of the movies he and Roger Corman did based on Edgar Allan Poe, so naturally I wanted to get one of these in this year.  Like the others, Masque did not disappoint me.  Price was a wonderfully sinister, cultured, cruel Prospero, and Corman's direction is solid and unobtrusive.  The supporting cast is darn good as well, which can't always be said of a film with Price, but here it can be.  The sets and costuming were colorful and lavish, especially for a Corman film (but in the interview extra he relates how he got sets from either Becket or A Man for All Seasons so it makes sense) and with Nicholas Roeg as cinematographer there is a great use of light and dark in the film.  This is a great film for any fan of Price, Corman, classic horror or Poe (for even if the script is padded, the masquerade stays true to Poe's story).  Highly recommended.

Bechdel Test:  Pass, but barely  (one conversation between Juliana & Francesca about Hell, Satan and losing one's soul)

Overall: 4/5

(From Danae's 2012 Horror on October 14th, 2012)

Never Say Never Again, a review by Rich

Never Say Never Again



In this remake and updated version of the 1965 THUNDERBALL, James Bond (Sean Connery), who has been primarily teaching for the last few years, is quite happily yanked out of semiretirement to deal with the deadly SPECTRE organization's newest plan for the destruction of the planet. (The Bond story line mimics Connery's semiretirement from the role, which he had last played in 1971's DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER.) Agent Number 2, also known as Maximilian Largo (Klaus Maria Brandauer), has managed to steal two cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads, and Agent Number 1, Blofeld (Max von Sydow), has threatened to explode them in areas with large populations if a huge, and almost impossible, ransom demand from the NATO countries is not met. The film features an excellent gaming battle between Largo and Bond, as well as stunning turns by Barbara Carrera and Kim Basinger. Technically not an offical Bond movie, NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN was released around the same time as OCTOPUSSY, starring Roger Moore.

Looks like a Bond, smells like a Bond, sounds like a Bond, but it isn't a Bond!
Despite the ingredients being similar, they could not quite replicate the winning formula that is 007. Connery does his best to pull the film through, Bassinger was a convincing Bond girl, and the sexy Barbara Carrera raised temperatures especially when dressed as a nurse with long leather boots. There were exotic locations, plenty of action and fights, and I am sure a fairly hefty budget.
But now the negatives and why it cannot be considered in the same breath as the 007 series. The theme tune is weak, the opening titles (minus the sexist girls) are run of the mill, M is a disaster with Edward Fox, Q is basically absent, lack of flirting with Moneypenny, 007's glib remarks lack the typical punch and cheesiness, the action is below par, the effects disappointed several times (notably the missile scenes), distinct lack of gadgets, and a different and inferior feel to the whole production compared to the mainstream Bonds.
Close - but no cigar
 


(From Riches Random Reviews on April 30th, 2009)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi: Volume 1 "Fate" (2003/Japan) IMDb | Wikipedia (United States) Length: 93 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: English

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Plot:
How long can they keep a secret!?

Two exciting years have passed since the reunion of Kaoru and Aoi. The newest member of the Sakuraba household is Taeko's cousin, Chika, who just started high school. Her frank questions and surprising sexiness have Kaoru in a bind. Later, a tennis outing for everyone leaves Kaoru impressed with Aoi's grace as well as her charming outfit. Finally, the gang hears mysterious noises in the mansion and suspect that it's haunted. Leave it to Taeko, the resident occult specialist, to solve the mystery!

Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi
1.01 Oshun
Writer: Kou Fumizuki (Original Material By)
Director: Daisuke Takashima
Cast: Original Japanese Cast), Soichiro Hoshi (Kaoru Hanabishi (voice)), Ayako Kawasumi (Aoi Sakuraba (voice)), Akiko Hiramatsu (Miyabi Kagurazaki (voice)), Satsuki Yukino (Tina Foster (voice)), Kaori Mizuhashi (Taeko Minazuki (voice)), Sayaka Narita (Mayu Miyuki (voice)), Haruko Momoi (Chika Minazuki (voice)), Yuka Inoguchi (Uzume (voice)), Kohei Shiozuka (Man (Couple) (voice)), English Voice Cast), Dave Lelyveld ( (voice)), Julie Ann Taylor ( (voice)), Kay Jensen ( (voice)), Kirsty Pape ( (voice)), Lia Sargent ( (voice)), Michelle Ruff ( (voice)), Midge Mayes ( (voice)), Ron Allen ( (voice)), Sue Beth Arden ( (voice)), Wendee Lee ( (voice))

The sequel series to Ai Yori Aoshi, which brings conclusion to the story (although different ending than the manga, because that one was still ongoing at that point).
Who liked the first series will also like this one.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on March 25th, 2011)