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Time Bandits, a review by Antares

Time Bandits (1981) 65/100 - Well, it only took me 39 years to getting around to watching this film, which is surprising because I'm a big fan of Gilliam's work. Had I watched it back in the early 80's, I probably would have liked it much more. But knowing what was to come from him, this viewing left me indifferent to it's place in Gilliam's canon. He's taking that big step away from his past success with Monty Python and charting a course towards his creative destiny. But, he still has one foot anchored rigidly on the Python landscape. As I got past the halfway point in the film, I wondered what kind of film it would have been had Gilliam made it after Brazil, where he reached his zenith. Nothing in that film could be even remotely associated with Monty Python and I think that this earlier film would have been better served had it sunk its roots in Gilliam's single minded creative genius, post-Python and all the tropes associated with that seminal comedy troupe.

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is

(From Antares' Short Summations on September 6th, 2020)

Gangs Of New York, a review by Rich

Title: Gangs Of New York

Runtime:166
Certificate:18
Year:2002
Genres:Drama, Action, War

Plot:Martin Scorsese's GANGS OF NEW YORK introduces today's world to the Five Points, a dark corner of the city known to New Yorkers of long ago as the centre of vice and chaos.
Into this frontier of extreme lawlessness arrives the young Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio). Amsterdam is the orphaned son of the slain Priest Vallon (Liam Neeson) - once chief warrior of the Dead Rabbits gang that rallied the Irish immigrants of the Five Points.
Amsterdam has returned to the Five Points to hunt down his father's killer. His target is William Cutting AKA "Bill the Butcher" (Daniel Day-Lewis), who has since become the merciless new leader of the neighbourhood, a Nativist who detests the newly arrived immigrants and is determined to fend off all so-called "foreign invaders".

My Review:
You would of hoped that a big movie like this which was condemned as being poor quality on dvd, would have been remastered for blu-ray. Sadly not, there is still problems with hues, ghosting and shadow on the edges of the picture, and it is very noticeable specifically in the big fight scenes. The audio is first-rate and really loud, had to turn amp way down more than usual.
For the film itself, it has many flaws of course most noticibly DiCrapio playing a hard Irish immigrant (   ) but it is a fun action and bloodthirsty tale, with Daniel Day Lewis playing a wonderful role, and it is one of my guilty pleasures.


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

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

13. Recruit
In an effort to recruit Clark for their football team, Met U sends their star player Geoff to show Clark the "perks" of attending Met U. However, after one of Met U's players dies under mysterious circumstances and Lois is arrested for his murder, Clark discovers that Geoff has super powers and is using them to paralyze anyone who gets in his way - including Lois.

My Thoughts:
This was a good episode... though nothing special about it. I think that this episode was made just for a reason for Clark to quit football.

14. Krypto
While driving, Lois accidentally hits a dog and brings it back to the farm to heal. Clark realizes this is no ordinary dog after the pup lifts up a car to retrieve a ball.

My Thoughts:
Decent episode... nothing to special about it... I think this episode was no more then a nod Superboy's pet dog from Krypton. Even though they really changed it up for this series big time.

15. Sacred
After learning that Jason and Lex are in China searching for one of the mysterious kryptonian crystals, Clark and Lana follow in the hopes of finding it first.

My Thoughts:
This is one of the mythology episodes. Not a great one... but it was good. For the second time... Lana gets possessed by the witch in this episode.

16. Lucy
Lois' younger sister, Lucy, with whom Lois doesn't get along, comes to town and charms everyone she meets.

My Thoughts:
This is just another basic good episode. Aside from meeting Lois' sister there is nothing really special here. The first time I saw this episode I was thinking if she comes back it would be a new love interest for Clark... what with the way they flirted... but at this point I doubt we ever see her again. I did like her... so I would like to see an update to her storyline before the series ends.

(From Smallville Marathon on August 10th, 2007)