DVD Collectors Online

An Education, a review by goodguy

An Education (UK 2009) Written by: Nick Hornby, based on a memoir by Lynn Barber Directed by: Lone Scherfig Starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard DVD: R1-US Sony (Mar 30, 2010) My rating:

Cover Blurb: From acclaimed writer Nick Hornby (About a Boy, High Fidelity) comes this inspired coming-of-age film Rolling Stone magazine calls "a miracle of a movie." When Jenny (Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Carey Mulligan), a bright young school girl who longs for adulthood, meets David (Peter Sarsgaard), a dashing older man, he introduces her to his vibrant world of glamorous friends, chic jazz clubs and her own sexual awakening. Will she let this affair ruin her dreams of attending Oxford, as her headmistress (Emma Thompson) fears? This captivating film sparkles with wit, charm and style of 1960s Britain.

I have just one thing to say: How could Carey Mulligan not win the Oscar for this? The movie itself is a bit of a mixed bag, to eager to portrait the parents and some other characters as dull, clumsy and uneducated. A bit more subtlety would have been appreciated. That's also true for the safely played wrap up that ends the cautionary tale with the proper morale. However, all that is forgiven because of the way Mulligan lights up the screen as the bright young girl in love not so much with that older guy, but with a world full of possibilities.

(From goodguy's Watch Log on November 15th, 2010)

Species, a review by Rich

Species



A genetically engineered, shape-shifting creature with extraterrestrial intelligence adopts the form of a beautiful woman to mate with humans and unleash a brood of offspring that will destroy mankind. A team of experts must band together to stop her--it--from accomplishing its diabolical mission.

Flimsy storyline and plot, goriness, gratuitious nudity - lovely! 
A surprisingly renowned cast including Ben Kingsley and Michael Madsen, Species was a pleasant surprise and rises above it's essentially B-movie synopsis. Some good ideas about extraterrestrial contact and genetic engineering, albeit ending on a major bug hunt.
The film will be memorable for 2 major points, both attached to Natasha Henstridge.
A great film to watch after the pub or just chilling with a few beers.
 




(From Riches Random Reviews on March 9th, 2009)

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

Synopsis: The Galarans have developed a device that can implant memories. This could become an easy way to train new pilots in a matter of weeks. But then Mitchell is accused of murder and he can remember doing it. Due to his immunity there will be no trial but he insists on clearing his name.

My Opinion: It was nice to learn something about Cameron's background an his life before the Antarctica battle. And they made me suspect the wrong person. But the Galarans made the wrong choice at the end of the episode. If I can avoid being punished just because I can't remember what I did - what would stop me of doing it again and make me forget again?

Synopsis: SG-1 returns from a mission but in the debriefing they insist that Selmak is still alive. But then SG-1 returns from a mission. And another SG-1 returns from a mission. And another SG-1...

My Opinion: Great episode. I liked it a lot, especially to see some characters again (Martouf, Dr. Frasier). I also liked the Asgard, he (she?) was really funny. Too bad, they didn't make an expanded version of the episode, with all the materials they had to cut out.

Synopsis: Strange things happen within the Jaffa High Council. A motion for more democracy is voted down by members who have been in favour of it just recently. Teal'c wants to get to the bottom of things and disappears.
Meanwhile an old friend of Cameron's who should have been on the F-302 program is dying and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

My Opinion: A very emotional episode which I also liked. Both parts of the story worked very well. I even had to admit that Ba'al may have a point when he proposed his plan to Teal'c.

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on April 29th, 2008)