DVD Collectors Online

The Prestige, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Prestige
Year of Release: 2006
Directed By: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Piper Perabo, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie
Genre: Suspense/Thriller, Drama

Overview:
Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson are pure magic in The PrestigeRolling StoneMy Thoughts:
I thought this was a really stellar film.  It's a wonderful character study of two obsessed men, and how that obsession drives them to destruction.  The plot - without saying too much, about two rival stage magicians seeking to both one-up and destroy the other - moves from one twist to the next, opening up one layer only after you have become comfortable with the previous.  All of the cast do a great job, though Jackman and Bale have the most on their shoulders as the leads, and they carry it off spectacularly.  Michael Caine is also great, as is David Bowie, in their respective supporting roles.  It's quite stylish and sophisticated, as well as very, very good.  Highly recommended.

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall:  4/5

(From The Prestige on January 9th, 2014)

Georgia Rule, a review by Rich

struggle through georgia...



Three generations of top actresses - two time Academy Award winner Jane Fonda, Lindsay Lohan and Felicity Huffman unite in a film from director Garry Marshall about the power of redemption, freedom in forgiveness and unbreakable bonds of motherhood. When Lily (Huffman) can no longer handle her rebellious teenage daughter, Rachel (Lohan), she takes her to the one place she swore she'd never return...her mother's house. For one very surprising summer, these three very different women are living under one roof and under one rule: Georgia's (Fonda).

A better than anticipated movie, certainly not a comedy as I previously thought. Bold and graphic, in many places obscene and intentionally shocking, watchable and provocative, but the script IMO just stops this being a must-see film.  5/10


(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on February 9th, 2008)

Babylon 5: Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Arthur Pendragon, King of the Britons has arrived at the station to return Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake. Meanwhile Sheridan tries to set up a defense treaty of Babylon 5 with the League of Non-Alligned Worlds.

My opinion: Loved the speculation whether or not he could be King Arthur, especially with the experience that the Vorlons have indeed taken people from Earth. Michael York played this role very well. I also liked the episode because I think that a sword is the most fair weapon on a battle field - if something like a "fair weapon" exist. I always liked what I call "sword movies" (e.g. all kinds of "3 Musketeers" movies, Highlander, "Last Samurai" and so on). "Sword movies" are one of the few movies I'd watch even if they were made before the 80s.

Quote of the episode:
Garibaldi: "What are you so nervous about? We went up against the entire Earth Alliance and two carrier groups." Security guard: "Yeah, but this is the post office. This could get us in real trouble."


Synopsis: Bester comes yet again to the station to ally himself with Sheridan. He fears that alien forces have to much influence on the president and that they are threatening the Pis Corps. And so he acts accordingly to the old rule "the enemy of my enemy ..."

My opinion: Again a very good Bester episode in which we learn a lot about the Shadows and we get the insight that Bester has indeed a heart beating in his chest. And now it makes sense why the Narns were the first victims of this great war. They knew too much about the Shadows and how to beat them.


Synopsis: Sheridan needs a great victory against the Shadows to draw other races into the war against them. And for this victory he needs the support of the Vorlons, the only race capable of winning such a battle. Meanwhile Londo is awaiting Adira Tyree, the exoctic dancer he fell in love with in the first season. But Morden is unhappy, that Londo did cut Morden's connection to Lord Refa.

My opinion: It was great to see that a Vorlon can be made angry and that they have feelings just like the rest of us (fear of death for instance) and it was a very sad moment to see Kosh die. It was also sad to see Londo doing all the wrong things again. He was fooled again by Morden and was too blind to see it.


Synopsis: Ranger One / Entil'Zha Sinclair comes to the station because he got a letter addressed specifically to him, but written over 900 years ago. When he arrives Delenn discloses to him, Sheridan, Marcus and Susan that she knows, where (or better when) Babylon 4 went, after it got lost. It was used in the great war a thousand years ago and it would be their task to steal it and move it back in time.

My opninion: Just like I waited for "Comes the Inquisitor" in the last season I waited for this one in this season. I always liked the fact that Sinclair simply wasn't forgotten after he left Babylon 5. And for this episode he had to be there since we saw a "future Sinclair" in the "Babylon Squared" episode in the first season. Can't wait to see the continuation.

(From Babylon 5: Marathon on August 26th, 2007)