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Last Exit to Brooklyn, a review by samuelrichardscott

Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989) R2 United Kingdom SE

Overview:
From Uli Edel, acclaimed director of 'Christiane F' comes this celebrated adaptation of Hubert Selby Jr.'s controversial masterpiece about a desperate group of people, forging a sliver of hope in a relentless and cruel Brooklyn in 1952.
Strike-wary union leader Harry, transvestites Georgette and Regina, street-wise hooker Tralala, trucker Big Joe and his pregnant daughter are just a few of the tortured souls whose destiny's intermingle one simmering summer. It's a time which sees the tensions of these mean streets finally combust in a volatile explosion of union riots and civil unrest.

My Thoughts:
Movies with various characters whose stories tie in either work or they don't. Last Exit to Brooklyn, based on the book by Hubert Selby Jr., does work and on so many levels. Uli Edel has assembled a cast that put in great performances, from Jennifer Jason Leigh as a prostitute to Stephen Lang as a homosexual union leader, who work together very well from a tight and well adapted script. I have to recommend this film, but be wary if you want something that's going to make you feel good because this isn't it. 4/5

(From Never Ending Movie Marathon (short reviews) on July 28th, 2010)

Zatoichi the Outlaw, a review by Antares

Zatoichi the Outlaw (1967) 56/100 - This, the sixteenth film in the successful Zatoichi franchise is loaded with many firsts for the blind swordsman series. For the first time we get to see some blood spurting when Ichi slices an opponent, which in my opinion, is what was finally needed to make the action more palpable. This film also marks the initial offering of its star, Shintaro Katsu, as producer, under the auspices of his newly formed company, Katsu Productions. Katsu also sings what will become the series' theme song and damn, if he doesn't have a fine voice too. The final first is personal, for this was the first film in this marathon that I did not like at all. It's badly directed, sloppily edited and has a confusing storyline that had me look at the clock a few too many times before it ended. And although it never materializes, you get a sense that there's going to be a bit of pinku creeping in down the line as the following films are made. There's a quasi rape scene in the middle of the film, which if it had been made a couple of years later, would probably have had some gratuitous nudity attached to it. You can tell that either Daiei or Katsu himself, are tossing the idea around in their heads.

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 June 17th, 2014)

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

5. Perry
Perry White, a once promising journalist whose career was destroyed by Lionel Luthor, arrives in Smallville in search of alien stories for a tabloid news show. In spite of being constantly inebriated, Perry believes he has witnessed Clark using his extraordinary speed, so he devises a dangerous scheme to expose Clark's superpowers.

My Thoughts:
Perry was a pretty good episode... though not as good as I was expecting it to be. I do think that Michael McKeon did a good job a a young Perry White.

6. Relic
Clark discovers that Jor-El was on Earth forty years ago. Lana's great uncle, who was convicted of murdering his wife forty years ago, shows her a picture of the man he believes really killed her aunt, and she is shocked to discover the drifter looks just like Clark.

My Thoughts:
This was never one of my favorite episodes. It is ok... but I think it could have been better. It was kind of an interesting idea that Jor-El was on Earth before sending Clark.

7. Magnetic
Clark is suspicious when Lana suddenly becomes attracted to a fellow student and begins to act rebelliously, which eventually lands her in jail.

My Thoughts:
Again.... I really wasn't that impressed with this episode.  I don't know... just didn't hold my interest very much.

8. Shattered
Lex locates Morgan Edge and gets him to admit to dirty dealings with Lionel, but before Lex can take it to the authorities, someone tries to kill him at the mansion.

My Thoughts:
Well... seems like this whole disc didn't do too much to impress me. I don't know... just didn't care for the whole drive Lex crazy arc.  Anyway out of these four episodes I liked Perry the best. At least the next disc has a couple I really did enjoy!

(From Smallville Marathon on August 5th, 2007)