DVD Collectors Online

Tokyo Drifter, a review by Antares

Tokyo Drifter (1966) 3.5/5 - This is my second attempt at a Seijun Suzuki film and this was definitely a more enjoyable experience than Youth of the Beast. That film, at times, came across as a live action anime, with cartoon characters and comical action pieces. Tokyo Drifter lies at the other end of the spectrum for yakuza flics, and is a completely different beast (pun intended). Very style conscious, yet containing a plot as thin as a nori wrap, I was reminded many times of Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Samourai through atmospheric shots used by Suzuki. If I can find one fault with the film, it probably lies with the over indulgent use of the theme song. But aside from that, it's a very quick little yakuza film that won't try your patience and has some really outstanding looking scenes. Foremost the ending, which definitely had to be influenced by The Avengers TV series that was popular at that time. After Youth of the Beast, I was a little leery about watching another Suzuki film, but this has made me change my mind. Next stop will probably be Branded to Kill.

(From Antares' Short Summations on March 9th, 2012)

Curse of the Golden Flower, a review by Rich

over the wall in China...



Set in the lavish and breathtakingly colorful world hidden from the eyes of mere mortals behind the walls of the Forbidden City, a tale of a royal family divided against itself builds to a mythic climax as lines are crossed, trust is betrayed, and family blood is spilled in the quest for redemption and revenge. Starring Chow Yun Fat of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' as the embattled Emperor and Gong Li of 'Memoirs of a Geisha' as his poisoned Empress, 'CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER' grants you entry into a dazzling and spectacular world of betrayal, vengeance and passion that will change he way you think of martial arts forever.

The appeal of watching martial arts steeped in history and gravity defying wire acts has paled somewhat for me, and although I could appreciate the wonderful choreography the films thinly veiled plot did not capture me in any way. 4/10

(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on February 23rd, 2008)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

The Greatest American Hero
Greatest American Heroine
Writer: Babs Greyhosky (Writer)
Director: Tony Mordente
Cast: William Katt (Ralph Hinkley), Robert Culp (Bill Maxwell), Connie Sellecca (Pamela Davidson), Mary Ellen Stuart (Holly Hathaway), Mya Akerling (Sara Hathaway), John Zee (Alien), Jerry Potter), Wayne Grace), Jeffrey Markel (Timothy)

Originally this was supposed to be a pilot for a new series, but it was not picked up. Instead in now serves as the last episode of the series. Which works quite well. It shows how and why Ralph has to give away the suit.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on June 27th, 2011)