DVD Collectors Online

La sagrada familia, a review by Danae Cassandra

Where We Are:  Chile
wikipedia

What We Watched:


La sagrada familia (The Sacred Family)Overview:
A dinner guest turns a family's Easter weekend upside down in this sophisticated comedy drama from Chile. On Good Friday, college freshman Marco brings his beautiful new girlfriend Sofia to meet his parents at their house on the beach. Sofia quickly charms everyone, but her impulsiveness and honesty hint at her disruptive nature. When mother is unexpectedly called away and the trio are joined by another three of Marco's friends, Sofia's flirtatious, manipulative ways soon expose latent frictions, sexual tensions, and the unspoken rules that tie the family together.

My Thoughts:
Hand-held camera, improvised dialogue, three day shoot; this is a film that shows its low budget and revels in it, using it to achieve a look that is like watching a home movie.  It works well for this film, as it wouldn't for others.  The cast all do their work very well, each inhabiting their character believably.  Nonetheless, there's a distance between them and the viewer that makes it hard to care about them.  The film is sort of raw and real, but also rough and in parts a little poorly finished.  Transition in one scene in particular is very poor and jumpy, leaving the viewer confused as to how and what exactly happened.  The ending is the same, while Marco comes of age and finds his truth at the end of the film, and there is some closure, his actions before that don't make a lot of sense either way one interprets them.  Interesting film, however, but only recommended if you're a fan of art films.

Bechtel Test:  Pass

Overall: 3/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on September 10th, 2012)

Batman Begins, a review by addicted2dvd

Batman Begins
In 'BATMAN BEGINS', acclaimed director Christopher Nolan explores the origins of the legendary DARK KNIGHT. In the wake of his parents' murders, disillusioned heir BRUCE WAYNE (CHRISTIAN BALE) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. With the help of his trusted butler ALFRED (MICHAEL CAINE), detective JIM GORDON (GARY OLDMAN) and his ally LUCIUS FOX (MORGAN FREEMAN), Wayne returns to GOTHAM CITY and unleashes his alter ego: BATMAN, a masked crusader who uses strength, intellect and an array of high-tech weaponry to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city.

My Thoughts:
Christian Bale is the most recent actor to take on the role of Batman. This one of course is to be separate from the previous movies. And is back to a darker version of Batman.Once again it is a nice change from what I was currently watching. I think they did a wonderful job on this movie I enjoyed every second of it. I especially enjoyed Michael Caine as Alfred and Morgan Freeman. I also enjoyed the Scarecrow storyline. Actually I can't think of much of anything I didn't like. It is a long movie.. clocks in at 2hrs and 19min... but you wouldn't know it while watching as time just flies by as you are watching. I never got to see the sequel to this (The Dark Night) as I never go to the theaters anymore... but can't wait to check it out.

(From Batman Marathon on August 30th, 2008)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

6.14 Older and Far Away
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Drew Z. Greenberg (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: Michael Gershman
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Kali Rocha (Halfrek), Ryan Browning (Richard), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Elizabeth Cazenave (Teacher), James C. Leary (Clem), Laura Roth (Sophie)

An average episode. Dawn behaves too childishly though.

Rating:



6.15 As You Were
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Douglas Petrie (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: Douglas Petrie
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Marc Blucas (Riley Finn), Ivana Milicevic (Sam Finn), Marilyn Brett (Lady), Alice Dinnean Vernon (Baby Demon Puppeteer), Adam Paul (Skanky Vamp), Ryan Raddatz (Todd)

This episode is fanservice to the one Riley fan. Nothing special, but also nothing bad.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on December 19th, 2010)