DVD Collectors Online

El amor brujo, a review by Danae Cassandra

El amor brujo
Year of Release: 1986
Directed By: Carlos Saura
Starring: Antonio Gades, Cristina Hoyos, Laura del Sol, Juan Antonio Jimenes
Genre: Romance, Drama, Performing Arts, Musical

Overview:
The most straightforward narrative in the "Flamenco Trilogy" is also its most forthrightly theatrical, a modern take on composer Manuel de Falla's gypsy ballet, dressed up in pink sunsets and hellishly red fires. Set in a dusty Andalusian village, El amor brujo (Love, the Magician) is a seductive melodrama of a man (Antonio Gades) whose beloved is haunted by the ghost of another.

My Thoughts:
Such wonderful, gorgeous dancing!  Seriously, these folks are splendid, and if you enjoy classical dancing, especially flamenco, this is worth watching just for that alone.  Top that off with de Falla's wondeful music, and a haunting, romantic tale of love and betrayal, this was a great film. 

I should probably only recommend it to art film lovers, as it is done in a very minimalist fashion and set much more like it would be on stage than what one thinks of as a traditional movie.  I really enjoyed this film, however.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 4/5

(From July Movie Marathon: Musicals (Yes... You read right!) on July 8th, 2016)

The Cabin in the Woods, a review by Tom

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The Cabin in the Woods (2012/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Lionsgate Home Entertainment (United Kingdom) Director: Drew Goddard Writing: Joss Whedon (Writer), Drew Goddard (Writer) Length: 95 min. Video: Widescreen 2.40 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Subtitles: English

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Stars:
Sigourney Weaver as The Director
Kristen Connolly as Dana
Chris Hemsworth as Curt
Anna Hutchison as Jules
Fran Kranz as Marty

Plot:
Five friends go to a remote cabin in the woods. Bad things happen. If you think you know this story, think again. From fan favourites Joss Whedon (The Avengers Assemble, TVs Buffy: The Vampire Slayer) and Drew Goddard (Cloverfield) comes THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, a mind blowing horror film that turns the genre inside out.

Produced by Whedon and directed by Goddard from a script by both, the film stars Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers Assemble), Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz (Tvs Dollhouse), Jesse Williams (TVs Grey Anantomy), Richard Jenkins (Let Me In) and Bradley Whitford (TVs The West Wing).

Awards:
Nominated:

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards (2012)

Best Sci-Fi/Horro Movie

Extras:

• Commentary
• Featurettes
• Picture-in-picture
• Scene Access

I really wanted to like this movie. I had high expectations for it. It is written by Joss Whedon and I often read that is quite a game changer. But I found it quite a standard horror movie fare. Which I am not much of a fan of.

Rating:

(From Tom's 2013 Horror Marathon on October 24th, 2013)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

2.16 The Duel (1996-06-02)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Seth Freeman (Writer)
Director: Gilbert Shilton
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Ramona Milano (Francesca Vecchio), Colm Feore (Carver), Lisa Houle (Madeline Carnes), Anthony Sherwood (Frank Greco), Dave Nichols (Van Slyke), Katayoun Amini (Angela Vecchio), Christina Rouner (Laurie Zaylor), Gary McMillan (Corey), Doug Lennox (Kelly), Catherine McNally (Parole Officer), Monique Kampherm (Shannon)

Although this movie has hardly any humor in it, I enjoyed it. And finally an appearance by Francesca again.

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on August 26th, 2009)