DVD Collectors Online

Friday the 13th, a review by RossRoy

What they say

Terror and suspense abound in this 24-hour nightmare of blood. Camp Crystal Lake has been been shuttered for over 20 years due to several vicious and unsolved murders. The camp's new owner and several young counselors are readying the property for re-opening despite warnings of a "death curse" by local residents. The curse proves true on Friday the 13th as one by one each of the counselors is stalked by a violent killer.This film is widely acclaimed for its horrifying and creative murder sequences.

My Thoughts

Suspense? Where? They don't take the time to build the suspense. All they do is to have the story make the kids get isolated, only to be promptly killed, without much build up. The movie gets so easily predictable because of it (not that there's a whole lot of unknown to begin with in a slasher movie). But, the movie does get interesting once the killer is revealed. Then you actually get the cat and mouse chase that finally builds up some tension. Maybe I did go into the movie with too much expectation. After all, it is the "classic" that spawned a whole franchise and defined a genre. But I'm a bit disappointed by it, I was expecting more. I did enjoy it, that's not the problem, but it didn't tick the way I hoped it would. Maybe it'll click with one of the sequels. We'll see.

Rating:

(From RossRoy's Random Viewings on October 11th, 2009)

The Old Man and the Sea, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Old Man and the Sea
Year of Release: 1958
Directed By: John Sturges
Starring: Spencer Tracy, Felipe Pazos Jr., Harry Bellaver
Genre: Drama, Adventure

Overview:
Ernest Hemingway's choice for the lead in the film version of his The Old Man and the SeaThe Old Man and the Sea is a colorful cinematic ode to the indomitability of the human spirit.

My Thoughts:
Hemingway wrote a wonderful story, and this is a good adaptation, though it has its flaws.

On the good side:  The film hews closely to the story, and Spencer Tracy gives a powerful, moving performance as the old man.  Filming this story would always hinge upon casting that role, and he carries the film marvelously.  He is completely believable as this aged fisherman, worn down by life but still struggling, not giving up, still living.

On the other hand, while one can (and must) overlook the technical issues of a movie made in 1958 when watching almost sixty years later (such as the obvious composite shots and patchwork film sources), it is much harder to overlook the problem with the voice-over narration.  Someone needed to tell the director that "less is more."  A truth in writing is 'show, don't tell,' and that's equally true in movies.  Narration is a useful tool in telling a story like this, but the director overuses it to the point where this almost becomes an audiobook with visual. 

Worth seeing for Tracy's performance, but slow moving and very, very talky. 

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.25/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on November 20th, 2015)

"Due South" marathon, a review by RossRoy

Pilot Movie
Great introduction to the series. I found both main actors to hit it off well. Looks to build towards a good series.

Oh and, is Ray's little sister cute or what?
Hope she's back in future episodes!

--------------------

Free Willie
Loved the episode. A bit predictable, but there's a few nice moments. I'm really liking the dynamics between Fraser and Ray.

I liked Willie's reaction when Fraser gives him some money and the boy asks "why is this money pink?" and Fraser just replies "Good night Willie"  

--------------------

Diefenbaker's Day Off
Another episode that builds on the strong start of the series. I like how they use Dief on the series. He's pretty much a third main character. I'm guessing this episode also served to introduce another recurring character: the Reporter. Looks to be an interesting one.

One thing bugged me though, and I hope they don't do it too often, and that's the over-the-top rescue of Lucy at the end. Do you honestly believe anyone is strong enough to throw a girl of her weight high enough to reach the roof of a building? All this while running away from a van towards a brick wall, and still get her precisely where Fraser stands (I'll admit Fraser might've moved, and he did catch her by the arm, so she wasn't thrown all the way to roof level, but still)? Come on! I just hope they keep it a little more real in the future.


(From "Due South" marathon on June 28th, 2009)