DVD Collectors Online

Stagecoach, a review by Rich

Stagecoach



ONe of the all-time classic Westerns - considered by many to be the movie that propelled John Wayne to stardom in 1939. The film is set against the impressive backdrop of Monument Valley in Utah and tells the story of a mixed group of travellers who are making their way across the country to Arizona. They are endangered by an Indian War Party and this, along with their personal histories, results in difficulties. The film pays particular attention to the character studies of the group and is a taut psychological piece which earned an Oscar for Thomas Mitchell's performance as the drunken doctor. The music also won an Oscar and John Ford and Bert Flennon were nominated for best picture. A true classic American western.

A true cinema classic, still very enjoyable to watch some 70 years later, amazing stunts that at times are jaw-dropping (falling under moving horses and stagecoach etc) a film often copied but IMO not bettered.
The action has not aged and for such an old film is so impressive, and the time spent on building the characters so worthwhile and testament to Fords direction. I am not a great John Wayne fan, but in this he was perfect as The Ringo Kid, but the show stealer for me will always be Thomas Mitchell playing Doc Boone.
This is a must-see for all cinema fans 

(From Riches Random Reviews on January 20th, 2009)

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring, a review by Danae Cassandra

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring  (Bom yeoreum gaeul gyeoul geurigo bom)
Year of Release: 2003
Directed By: Kim Ki-Duk
Starring: Oh Young-Su, Kim Ki-Duk, Kim Young-Min, Seo Jae-Kyung, Ha Yeo-Jin
Genre: Drama

Overview:Miami Herald).

From the brash actions of youth, through the dawn of adolescence and the fullness of adulthood, one man's life lessons are learned as seasons pass, his emotional inner life changing as the landscape around him. Award-winning Korean writer/director/editor Kim Ki-duk has crafted a lushly exotic, yet universal story about the human spirit and its evolution, from Innocence to Love, Evil to Enlightenment, and ultimately to Rebirth that Elizabeth Weitzman of the New York Daily News calls "a beautifully composed canvas, the sort of film one falls into, resurfacing at the end with great reluctance."

My Thoughts:
This gorgeous Buddhist fable might be the film I've enjoyed most this month. It's a meditation on the seasons of the year, the seasons of life, and the price of wisdom. The old monk watches, seemingly impassive, as his apprentice makes mistakes. Only after does he work on lessons from the mistakes, showing the younger that his actions have consequences he must accept. But only through those mistakes, consequences and responsibility does wisdom come. Wonderful film for anyone wishing to know more about Buddhism, or for anyone walking a Pagan path. Highly recommended.

I now also want to visit Juwangsan National Park, because where this was filmed is spectacular.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 5/5

(From March Around the World 2016 on April 7th, 2016)

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

EPISODE 13: VENGEANCE
Clark is in emotional lockdown, but he finds an understanding spirit in the person of a super-powered female vigilante. She, too, has lost a parent. However, something divides them: their attitudes about how to fight crime.

My Thoughts:
This was a great episode! They showed Clark close to the point of killing before he came to his senses. I loved the look of the Angel of Vengeance! Was an awesome look!

EPISODE 14: TOMB
Chloe hasn't been herself lately. The ghost of a murder victim possesses the 'Daily Planet' reporter's body in an attempt to find the killer and avenge her death. But that quest puts both Chloe and Lois in grave peril.

My Thoughts:
Another really good episode. Nothing like a good ghost/possession story for someone that is as big of a horror fan as I am!

EPISODE 15: CYBORG
Part man. Part machine. Victor Stone, the subject of secret bionic experiments at LuthorCorp, escapes and finds an ally in someone who knows what it's like to be different: CLARK KENT. Also: Lionel comes into possession of a certain secret.

My Thoughts:
This disc is 3 for 3! Another episode I liked a lot! This one brings Cyborg  in. Another of the Justice League comes to Smallville.

(From Smallville Marathon on August 12th, 2007)