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The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer
Year of Release: 2003
Directed By: Craig R. Baxley
Starring: Lisa Brenner, Steven Brand, Kate Burton, Tsidii Leloka
Genre: Horror

Overview:
A prequel to the hit Stephen King's Rose Red, The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer unveils a story of the twisted marriage of a matriarch to a promiscuous early 20th-Century industrialist and the haunted beginnings of an enormous Seattle mansion that has come to life.

Passages of the diary track a series of deadly encounters surrounding the Rose Red estate that transform Ellen from the innocent and submissive wife into a woman possessed by the dark forces inhabiting her home.

My Thoughts:
For a prequel to a movie that doesn't answer many of the viewer's questions, this movie only leaves you with more.  Nothing is offered up about the nature of the house, it's mysterious disappearances and hauntings.  while that works in "Rose Red" it distinctly does not work for a prequel about the house and its ghosts.  Vague mentions are made of 'cursed ground' and we learn that the house was moved over from Europe, but that's it.  The film is quite handsome in it's sets and costumes, and has a nice atmosphere to it, but there's no suspense.  Instead it's really the story of a philanderer, his marriage, and the wife who must suffer him.  Ellen comes off much too innocent and victimized here - she needed much more depth, as did her friend Sukeena and their relationship.  About average for a film, recommended only if you really, really liked "Rose Red."

Bechdel Test: Pass, barely

Overall: 2.5/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on May 30th, 2015)

Imagine Me & You, a review by Tom

Imagine Me and You (2005/United Kingdom) IMDb | Wikipedia Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Ol Parker Writing: Ol Parker (Writer) Length: 94 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35, Pan & Scan 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

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Stars:
Piper Perabo as Rachel
Lena Headey as Luce
Matthew Goode as Heck
Celia Imrie as Tessa
Anthony Head as Ned

Plot:
Piper Perabo lights up the screen as Rachel, a blushing bride whose perfect nuptials take a surprising turn at the altar: An innocent glance between Rachel and an unexpected wedding guest is all it takes to spark a love-at-first-sight romance with a surprising twist - the object of Rachel's affection is a smart and sensuous...woman! Their shocking romance causes quite a stir amongst her family and friends as Rachel is forced to choose between her husband and the girl of her dreams. Say "I do" to the wonderfully witty film that Cosmopolitan calls "a refreshing romantic comedy!"

Extras:

• Bonus Trailers
• Closed Captioned
• Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Scene Access

This is now the third time that I have watched this movie and I still enjoyed it very much. It has a good cast. Piper Perabo is especially lovely. And so is Lena Headey ("Sarah Connor Chronicles"). The male star of this movie (Matthew Goode) always reminds me of Callum Blue for some reason. I just noticed that he was Adrian Veidt in Watchmen. I have never noticed that before. Anthony Head (Giles on Buffy) does a great performance as a miserable married man.
The story moves along nicely. It is slowly becoming one of my favorite romantic comedies.

Rating:

(From Lesbian Movie Marathon on December 6th, 2009)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

15. Hell's Bells
On the day of his wedding, Xander gets cold feet after he's shown a disturbing glimpse into the future.

My Thoughts:
This is a good episode. This is another one that has a lot of comedy mixed in with the serious stuff.

16. Normal Again
A demon's venom causes Buffy to hallucinate, convincing the Slayer that she's a normal girl in a mental ward, that her parents are alive, Dawn never existed, and her Slayer life is a delusion.

My Thoughts:
This one I liked a lot... has always been one of my favorites. Even if this story line is used in every Sci-Fi/Supernatural Thriller series out there. Just off the top of my head I seen it in both Charmed and Smallville. But I think this episode was done well... I enjoyed every minute of it.

17. Entropy
Anya, secretly a demon again, attempts to get vengeance on Xander.

My Thoughts:
Enjoyable... but just a basic good episode... nothing extra special about it really.

18. Seeing Red
Warren acquires a pair of demonic orbs that imbue him with strength and invulnerability, and he faces off with Buffy.

My Thoughts:
Good episode... one that ends with the beginning of the true "Big Bad" of the season.


19. Villains
Tara's sudden death pushes Willow over the edge. After magically saving Buffy from her own wounds, Willow - consumed by anger and dark magic - hunts down Warren and tortures and kills him.

My Thoughts:
I really hated seen Tara out of the show... but I have to admit... I loved Evil Willow... She is very cool when consumed by the magic like this... and looking for revenge.

20. Two to Go
Buffy and Xander must protect Jonathan and Andrew, who are next on Willow's list. The Slayer is no match for Willow, who has drained Rack of all his powers.

My Thoughts:
Another good episode... Willow doing all she can to get to the final 2 members of the Trio geeks.

21. Grave
Giles faces off with Willow, but she drains him of his powers. This much power causes her to feel all the suffering in the world, so she decides to end it... the world, that is.

My Thoughts:
A great way to end the season... I loved how they finally ended  this one... with Willow being stopped without harming her... and with who stopped her. Definitely something not expected by the first time viewer.



(From Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon on November 27th, 2007)