DVD Collectors Online

The Living Daylights, a review by Dragonfire

Armed with razor-sharp instincts and a licence to kill, James Bond battles diabolical arms merchants bent on world domination in this thrilling, lightning-paced adventure. Timothy Dalton brings energy, humour and ruthless cunning to his debut performance as Agent 007.

My Thoughts

This is a decent Bond movie, but it is far from one of my favorites.  The plot is fine, though some aspects of it - mainly the Russian military guy coming up with a plot - has been done before in the Bond movies.  The action scenes are mostly decent, though Bond and the woman use her cello case for a sled is just ridiculous and didn't work at all in my opinion.  Timothy Dalton is ok as Bond, though he isn't my favorite in the part.  He is more serious in the part and I missed the bits of humor that popped up in the previous movies.  The woman playing Miss Moneypenny is all wrong and I didn't believe her interest in James when she did attempt to flirt with him.  This is minor, but I hated the theme song. 

 

I still have to watch the extras on my DVD..and I'll get a more detailed review posted at Epinions eventually.

(From James Bond Marathon on May 26th, 2009)

Munyurangabo, a review by Danae Cassandra

Where We Are: Rwanda
wikipedia

What We Watched:


Munyurangabo
Year of Release: 2007
Starring: Rutagengwa Joseph, Ndorunkundiye Eric, Nkurikiyinka Jean Marie Vianney, Harerimana Jean Pierre, Uwayo B. Edouard
Directed By: Lee Issac Chung
Genre: Drama

Overview:
After stealing a machete from a market in Kigali, Munyurangabo and his friend, Sangwa, leave the city on a journey tied to their pasts. Munyurangabo wants justice for his parents who were killed in the genocide, and Sangwa wants to visit the home he deserted years ago. Though they plan to visit Sangwa's home for just a few hours, the boys stay for several days. From two separate tribes, their friendship is tested when Sangwa's wary parents disapprove of Munyurangabo, warning that "Hutus and Tutsis are supposed to be enemies."

My Thoughts:
I found Munyurangabo to be a good debut film for its director and actors. It shows its amateur status with its uneven camerawork, but it has a strong emotional core and is worth seeing.  One might consider the plot uneven, but it could also be viewed as more like real life, where things aren't always neat and reasons aren't always clear.  It's an authentic, gritty little film with a lot to say about friendship, family, violence and hatred, and the power of forgiveness.  The ending, unlike many films on subjects dealing with war and genocide, is one of hope. 

Recommended for anyone who enjoyed Hotel Rwanda.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on May 3rd, 2013)

Pete's Pilots, a review by addicted2dvd

Life on Mars


Out Here in the Fields
After an accident, NYPD detective Sam Tyler inexplicably finds himself back in 1973, where he must help solve a murder that is eerily similar to a case he was investigating in 2008.

My Thoughts:
I know this series is an American version of a series from the UK... but I never seen the original UK version so I can not compare this one to that. What I can do is tell you about this show as it stands on it's own. This pilot epiosde is a very good introduction to the characters. It has a very good, entertaining story that keeps your intrest throughout the entire episode. I like that his 2008 partner is played by Lisa Bonet (Denise on The Cosby Show)... and they made it clear how important she is to him. I also like how they do not make it clear if he is crazy, in the hospital in a coma dreaming it all or if he really somehow traveled through time. Even though the evidence points in a certain way you don't know for sure. This is the first time I seen this show since it originally aired in 2008... so it is fun watching this again now... as there is so much I forgotten about this show since then!

My Rating:
NOTE: This review was taken from my marathon thread from a while back.

(From Pete's Pilots on February 24th, 2010)