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Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!, a review by Antares

Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! (2008) 72/100 - An interesting little documentary on the Australian film industry in the 70's & 80's. I would have loved to rate it higher, but the editing in the first 40 minutes or so is like it was done by a teenager drunk with caffeine after downing gallons of Dr. Pepper and direly in need of a sedative or Ritalin. Picture watching the Woodstock documentary edited to be shown as an MTV video. Quick cuts, using two separate screen images, rapid fire montages and talking heads popping in and out explaining what you are seeing. But you are not allowed enough time to absorb what you're watching, because it's on to the next film. It's this need to be flashy, coy and cute at the same time, that detracts from the viewer's experience. It finally settles in after about 45 minutes, and this is when the documentary gets interesting. I remember a few of these films back in the mid-80's when Cinemax would play them in the wee hours of the morning, filling out their daily schedule. It was the perfect time to watch one of these films, and though not all were good, every so often, you found a diamond in the rough. If you grew up on drive-in movies or late night cable schlock, then you'd probably be interested in this documentary. I know I wrote down at least half a dozen films for future perusal.

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 December 31st, 2019)

X-Men, a review by Tom

X-Men (2000/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (Germany) Director: Bryan Singer Writing: David Hayter (Screenwriter), Tom DeSanto (Original Material By), Bryan Singer (Original Material By) Length: 100 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, German: Dolby Digital 5.1 Subtitles: English, German

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Stars:
Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine
Patrick Stewart as Xavier
Ian McKellen as Magneto
Famke Janssen as Jean Grey
James Marsden as Cyclops

Plot:
Born into a world filled with prejudice are children who possess extraordinary and dangerous powers--the result of unique genetic mutations. Cyclops unleashes bolts of energy from his eyes. Storm can manipulate the weather at will. Rogue absorbs the life force of anyone she touches. But, under the tutelage of Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart), these and other outcasts learn to harness their powers for the good of mankind. Now they must protect those who fear them as the nefarious Magneto (Ian McKellen), who believes humans and mutants can never co-exist, unveils his sinister plan for the future. Pulsing with state-of-the-art visual effects and unforgettable characters.

Awards:
Won:

Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2001)		Favorite Supporting Actor - Sci-Fi (James Marsden)
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2001)		Favorite Supporting Actress - Sci-Fi (Rebecca Romijn)
BMI Film & TV Music Awards (2001)		BMI Film Music Award (Michael Kamen)
Empire Magazine Awards (2001)		Best Director (Bryan Singer)
Saturn (2000)		Best Actor (Hugh Jackman)
Saturn (2000)		Best Costumes (Louise Mingenbach)
Saturn (2000)		Best Director (Bryan Singer)
Saturn (2000)		Best Science Fiction Film
Saturn (2000)		Best Screenplay (David Hayter)
Saturn (2000)		Best Supporting Actress (Rebecca Romijn)

Nominated:

Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2001)		Favorite Actor - Sci-Fi (Patrick Stewart)
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2001)		Favorite Actress - Sci-Fi (Anna Paquin)
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2001)		Favorite Male Newcomer (Hugh Jackman)
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2001)		Favorite Supporting Actress - Sci-Fi (Famke Janssen)
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2001)		Favorite Villian (Internet Only) (Ian McKellen)
Costume Designers Guild Awards (2001)
Hugo Award (2001)		Dramatic Presentation
MTV Movie Awards (2001)		Best Male Breakthrough Performance (Hugh Jackman)
MTV Movie Awards (2001)		Best Movie
MTV Movie Awards (2001)		Best On-screen Team (Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, James Marsden and Anna Paquin)
Saturn (2000)		Best Makeup (Gordon Smith, Ann Brodie)
Saturn (2000)		Best Performance by a Younger Actor (Anna Paquin)
Saturn (2000)		Best Special Effects (Michael Fink, Michael J. McAlister, David Prescott, Theresa Ellis)
Saturn (2000)		Best Supporting Actor (Patrick Stewart)
Taurus Award (2001)		Best Specialty Stunt (Steven McMichael)

Extras:

• Animierte Storyboards
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Interviews
• Photo Gallery
• Scene Access
• Trailers

This movie was my first contact I ever had with the X-Men. Even though I enjoy the movie, the X-Men never got to be a must-see for me. I also think it is too much of a Wolverine show and the other characters come up short.

Rating:

(From Tom's Alphabet Marathon Reviews on July 17th, 2010)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete First Season marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: While the others are asleep Cameron checks for possible threats and she finds a huge shipment of the alloy the Terminators are made of. It's protected by another Terminator but John wants to steal the alloy and destroy it.

My Opinion: I liked it that John took charge even if it was dangerous. But apart from that not much has actually happened.

Synopsis: Andy - the man who had built the Turk - build yet another machine. It's a chess machine and he's competing in an computer chess tournament to win a government contract with the military. But someone kills Andy - it's the missing resistance fighter.

My Opinion: For some reason I expected the whole time that Cameron would challenge one of the chess computers. I know that they have to stay undercover and she's a machine and has no emotions, but still, something in her eyes made me expecting it. I still don't know what to think about the "FBI Terminator" / "Cromartie" yet because I have no idea what kind of plot they have for him in future episodes.

Synopsis:My Opinion: This was basically the introduction episode for Derek and since they've put that much effort in explaining his background I believe he'll stay for a while. I like him, he seems like the right type to be a resistance fighter. And with every episode I like Cameron more.

Disc 2 - My Opinion: Either I have become more lenient or they didn't make as many mistakes as in the previous episodes. I also think the addition of Derek and Charley could be interesting. But that depends on how long they will stay.

(From Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete First Season marathon on January 21st, 2009)