DVD Collectors Online

Murder by Decree , a review by Dragonfire

Murder by Decree When Scotland Yard is unable to stop the gruesome rampage of Jack the Ripper, a citizens' committee asks Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) and his trusted associate Dr. Watson (James Mason to investigate. But even if Holmes' remarkable powers of deduction can unmask the manical fiend, can he and Watson face the most shocking secret of all? Find out in this masterful suspense thriller directed by Bob Clark (A Christmas Story) that both fans and critics have called the most exciting and original Sherlock Holmes movie ever made. My Thoughts I decided to pick this one up recently after reading a bit about it.  I hadn't seen it before.  I'm glad I decided to get the movie. The plot is very interesting and I like the idea of Sherlock trying to track down Jack the Ripper.  I don't know a lot about the Ripper murders, but I know enough to know that that aspect of the plot seems accurate.  At least the order of the victims and the condition of the bodies.  I do think there is a good amount of mystery to what is going on and a few scenes are very suspenseful.  As far as I know, the plot for this one has been created just for the movie and isn't pulled from any of the stories or books. The ...resolution for the Ripper murders is very much like one that has been used in another movie I've seen featuring Jack the Ripper.  From what I've read since watching the movie, the theory in the movie was taken from a book about the Ripper.  I think the theory was kind of popular for a while, so that part of the plot may not be much of a surprise to viewers.  I still thought the movie was very entertaining even though I wasn't surprised by the resolution Sherlock came up with.  The actual attacks aren't shown that much, and there really isn't a lot of violence, especially considering the subject.  More of the final murder is shown late in the movie, though it is through a grimey window, so things are obscured.  The things done to the victims is talked about and those descriptions might bother some people.  The versions of Sherlock and Watson in this movie are a bit different from how they have been portrayed in some of the other Sherlock movies.  I really like these versions of the character.  Sherlock is clearly intelligent and good at solving crimes without seeming smug or condescending.  He treats Watson as more of an equal and there seems to be more of a true friendship between them.  Watson isn't a bumbling fool and he even handles part of the investigation alone.  Sherlock also shows much more emotion - especially compassion for others.  It makes him seem more human than he has in some of the other Sherlock movies I've seen.  Christopher Plummer is wonderful in the part. This is a really good, entertaining movie.  Fans of Sherlock should definitely give it a chance. I did get a review posted at Epinions. Murder by Decree

(From Dragonfire88's Alphabet Marathon on July 14th, 2010)

Goodbye, Mr. Chips, a review by Antares

Goodbye, Mr. Chips





Year: 1939
Film Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Loew's Incorporated, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios
Genre: Drama, Classic, Family
Length: 114 Min.

Director
Sam Wood (1883)

Writing
R. C. Sherriff (1896)...Screenplay
Claudine West (1890)...Screenplay
Eric Maschwitz (1901)...Screenplay
James Hilton (1900)...Book "Goodbye, Mr. Chips!"

Producer
Victor Saville (1895)

Cinematographer
Freddie Young (1902)

Music
Richard Addinsell (1904)...Composer

Stars
Robert Donat (1905) as Charles Chipping (Mr. Chips)
Greer Garson (1904) as Katherine
Terry Kilburn (1926) as John Colley / Peter Colley I / Peter Col
John Mills (1908) as Peter Colley as a young man
Paul Henreid (1905) as Staefel
Judith Furse (1912) as Flora
Lyn Harding (1876) as Wetherby
Milton Rosmer (1881) as Chatteris

Review my mind instantly turns to the classic film Goodbye, Mr. Chips has built up over the years and slowly the staff and students begin to accept and appreciate the new and improved Mr. Chips. His blissful transformation will soon be tested as an unforeseen tragedy befalls Katherine and he is once again alone. Believing that fate has intended for theirs to be a short, yet meaningful affiliation, he throws the weight of his new found enthusiasm into molding the futures of his ever-changing classroom. Generations will come and go and the memory of his dry and dreary deportment will diminish with time, and he will come to be regarded as the true embodiment of the Brookings School for Boys.

       Goodbye, Mr. Chips is a testament to the bygone days of the golden age of filmmaking when a story meant more than the bottom line of gross ticket sales. It is the kind of film that is perfect for viewing on a cold rainy day when a warm and charming tale can help you to escape the stark reality of the times we now live in.


Ratings Criterion:
5 Stars - The pinnacle of film perfection and excellence.

(From Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) on December 17th, 2009)

The Flash Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

Guest Stars:
Vito D'Ambrosio as Bellows
Biff Manard as Murphy
George Dickerson as Quinn
Mike Genovese as Lt. Warren Garfield
Deborah May as Ruth Werneke

My Thoughts:
A good episode. I did enjoy it... but I have to say I thought the antidote for the toxin that was released in Star Labs was a bit on the convenient side.

My Rating:

(From The Flash Marathon on April 13th, 2010)