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Koizora , a review by Tom

Koizora (2007/Japan) IMDb | Wikipedia AVP Asia Video (Hong Kong) Director: Natsuki Imai Writing: Mika (Original Material By), Mutsuki Watanabe (Screenwriter) Length: 127 min. Video: Widescreen 2.35 Audio: Japanese: PCM 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: Chinese, English

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Stars:
Yui Aragaki as Mika
Haruma Miura as Hiro
Karina as Minako
Ryuji Yamamoto as Hiro's Father
Yumi Aso as Hiro's Mother

Plot:
Mika is in her first year of high school. Her closest friends are absorbed in finding boyfriends, but while Mika likes the idea of being in love, she does not know how to go about it. When she meets Nozomu and Hiro, two flashily dressed boys, she turns and flees.
She begins getting calls from a boy she doesn't know. Suspicious at first, Mika is gradually drawn into conversation. One day, they meet each other, Mika thinks she has been set up and turns to go, but the boy gives her a bouquet of flowers. He shows her his cell phone, with the dawn picture.
Mika rapidly becomes close to Hiro, who has an innocent quality belied by his delinquent appearance. Their days pass happily, but trouble is coming, in the form of Hiro's ex-girlfriend...

Extras:

• Scene Access

A good teen-drama, though at times a little far-fetched, even though it is said to be based on a true story. At least the novel it was based on supposedly makes that impression, but as far as I know it is not really proven as the author "Mika" is anonymous.

Rating:

(From 2010 December Marathon - Discussion thread on December 27th, 2010)

Masque of the Red Death, a review by Danae Cassandra

Masque of the Red Death
Year of Release: 1964
Directed By: Roger Corman
Starring: Vincent Price, Hazel Court, Jane Asher, David Weston, Nigel Green, Patrick Magee
Genre: Horror

Overview:
Death and debauchery reign in the castle of Prince Prospero (Vincent Price), and when it reigns...it pours! Prospero has only one excuse for his diabolical deeds - the devil made him do it! But when a mysterious, uninvited guest crashes his pad during a masquerade ball, there'll be hell to pay as the party atmosphere turns into a danse macabre!

My Thoughts:
This is another one of Price & Corman's wonderful Poe adaptations. Price is marvelous as the sinister, cultured, cruel Prospero, and Corman's direction is solid. There's a good supporting cast here, and lavish, colorful sets and costumes. Apparently Corman was able to borrow sets from Becket, so this is a handsome production. Nicholas Roeg is here as cinematographer, and he makes wonderful use of light and dark in the film, as well as the jewel-like colors of Prospero's masquerade ... and of the figures of death. One of the best of Price's films. Highly recommended.

This is also a beautiful transfer of the film.  It's never looked better.

Watched For: Hoop-tober 3.0, Scavenger Hunt 19, Horror/Halloween Challenge 2016

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 4/5

Horror/Halloween Challenge Films: 23/52

(From Horror/Halloween 2016 Challenge on October 11th, 2016)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

"Animal Pragmatisrn"
Original Airdate: February 10, 2000
When Phoebe's friends use a book of spells to turn animals into men, Phoebe's attempt to reverse the spell goes horribly wrong.

My Thoughts:
This episode is nothing more then a done for fun Valentines Day episode. And yes it is a fun episode. I did like how they got around normal people pulling off a spell that only a witch could do.

"Pardon My Past"
Original Airdate: February 17, 2000
Phoebe risks her life by travelling back in time in order to reverse the past in which she was seduced by an immortal warlock to give into the dark side of her power.

My Thoughts:
This was a good episode... another one where we are reminded that Phoebe could turn either good or evil.

"Give Me A Sign"
Original Airdate: February 24, 2000
When criminal mastermind Bane Jessup (Antonio Sabato, Jr.) narrowly escapes an attack by a powerful demon, he kidnaps Prue and forces her to use her powers to save him.

My Thoughts:
Nothing really special about this episode. Bane is back... no big deal to me... I didn't care for him the first time. Piper stress over if she should be with Dan or Leo.

"Murphy's Luck"
Original Airdate: March 30, 2000
When Prue rescues a woman who has been driven to attempt suicide by a Darklighter, she finds herself his next tormented victim.

My thoughts:
This is a good episode... but not great. Prue goes hunting for a job as a photographer. Saves girl being tormented by a Darklighter... Darklighter turns his wrath on Prue.  The only really big thing for this episode is not only does Piper make up her mind who she wants to be with... but Leo becomes a whitelighter once again.

(From Charmed Marathon on March 2nd, 2008)