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The Times of Harvey Milk, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Times of Harvey Milk
Year of Release: 1984
Directed By: Robert Epstein
Starring: Harvey Fierstein (narrator)
Genre: Documentary

Overview:
A true twentieth-century trailblazer, Harvey Milk was an outspoken human rights activist and one of the first openly gay U.S. politicians elected to public office; even after his assassination in 1978, he continues to inspire disenfranchised people around the world. The Oscar-winning The Times of Harvey Milk, directed by Robert Epstein and produced by Richard Schmiechen, was as groundbreaking as its subject. One of the first feature documentaries to address gay life in America, it's a work of advocacy itself, bringing Milk's message of hope and equality to a wider audience. This exhilarating trove of original documentary material and archival footage is as much a vivid portrait of a time and place (San Francisco's historic Castro District in the seventies) as a testament to the legacy of a political visionary.

My Thoughts:
This excellent documentary about a courageous pioneer in human rights ought to be required viewing. If for no other reason than people need to hear about real heroes, true heroes, people who stand for something, and admire people for their character and their actions, rather than admire their fame. Milk did what he believed was right, even in the face of knowing he would be hated, knowing he might be assassinated. He still stood for something greater.

It's also a very well-constructed documentary, very informative and enlightening. I'm knocking the 1/2 star off for getting one detail about Milk's assassination wrong, but other than that, stellar film and highly, highly recommended.

Bechdel Test: N/A

Overall: 4.5/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on June 12th, 2015)

Rango, a review by Dragonfire

I went to see Rango when it was in the theater here.  I'm just a little late writing about it.

It is a fun animated western that I really enjoyed.  Even though I'm not as familiar with many westerns overall, I did notice the different influences in the movie.  That makes the plot a bit more predictable, but it is still well done and entertaining and definitely worth watching.  The plot is interesting, dealing with a chameleon pet who ends up stranded in the desert.  He has a love of acting and seems to have some identity issues.  After arriving in the small town of Dirt, Rango claims to be a tough gun fighter and it isn't long before he's made sheriff.  Things go well for a while, but then Rango is forced to face up to a few things.

The animation is really well done, with some of the settings looking very realistic.  Unlike most of the other recently released animated movies, there wasn't a 3D version for this one.  The characters have an interesting look.  Many of them, including Rango, aren't exactly cute, but they still manage to be likable overall.  I could have done without the giant rattlesnake though.

Johnny Depp was perfect as the voice of Rango.  The other voice cast did well for their characters as well. 

I really enjoyed this movie overall and will be adding it to my collection once it is released.



I did get a review posted on Epinions after seeing the movie originally.

Rango

(From Rango on May 8th, 2011)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman: The Complete Third Season, a review by addicted2dvd

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman: The Complete Third Season (1995/United States) Wedding planning puts a strain on any couple. Lois and Clark aren't just any couple. Besides coping with caterers and orange blossoms, they must battle mad scientists, LEX LUTHOR, revived World War II Nazis and other diabolical foes. Which means Lois and Clark face one tough (and action-packed!) trip to the altar. The Daily Planet's ace reporters team for exciting adventure and winning romance in 22 episodes that blew fans and critics away. "'Lois & Clark' has shown renewed superstrength in its third season...by breaking one of the oldest rules in the SUPERMAN canon: Superman has not merely revealed to LOIS LANE his secret identity as CLARK KENT, but he's also become engaged to her! Messing with the Superman myth is one thing; doing it so well is a shock" (Ken Tucker, 'Entertainment Weekly'). Prepare to be shocked...and thrilled! Episodes: 1. We Have a Lot To Talk About 2. Ordinary People 3. Contact 4. When Irish Eyes Are Killing 5. Just Say Noah 6. Don't Tug On Superman's Cape 7. Ultra Woman 8. Chip Off The Old Clark 9. Super Mann 10. Virtually Destroyed 11. Home Is Where The Hurt Is 12. Never On Sunday 13. The Dad Who Came In From The Cold 14. Tempus, Anyone? 15. I Now Pronounce You... 16. Double Jeopardy 17. Seconds 18. Forget Me Not 19 Oedipus Wrecks 20. It's a Small World After All 21. Through a Glass, Darkly 22. Big Girls Don't Fly

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Stars:
Dean Cain as Clark Kent/Superman
Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane
Lane Smith as Perry White
Justin Whalin as Jimmy Olsen
Eddie Jones as Jonathan Kent
K Callan as Martha Kent

Extras:

• Featurettes
• Interactive Games
• Closed Captioned

I just finished this season. While I still enjoyed it quite a bit. This is actually my least favorite season of the series. It got a bit tiresome how they kept Lois and Clark apart. And I really didn't care for the whole frogs/clone storyline. That said... it did end on a high note. One that set up the fourth season really nicely. Once again there are many guest stars that I recognized this season. In the third season there was Peter Boyle, Bruce Campbell, Patrick Labyorteaux, Jonathan Frakes, Dave Coulier, James Read, Fred Willard, Brad Garrett, Tony Curtis and Justine Bateman.

When I first started to re-watch this series I was actually only planning on watching the pilot episode... or at the most the first disc of the first set. I got so into this series again that I have now completed the third season... and I still don't feel like I want to stop... so about to start the fourth (and final) season!




(From Addicted2dvd's Random TV Series Watched on August 7th, 2011)