DVD Collectors Online

Privilege, a review by dfmorgan

Privilege

Year: 1967
Director: Peter Watkins
Cast: Paul Jones, Jean Shrimpton, William Job
Overview: Steven Shorter, the biggest pop star of his day, is loved by millions, his endorsement influencing the actions of the masses. But, in reality, he is a puppet whose popularity is carefully managed by government-backed handlers keen to keep the country's youth under control. Starring Manfred Mann lead singer Paul Jones and iconic Sixties supermodel Jean Shrimpton, Privilege is remastered in High Definition and made available in the UK for the first time since its original cinema release.

Watched: 19th Feb. 2011
My Thoughts: A film I remember seeing in the '60s but not too much about. The lead role of Steven Shorter, a pop star adored by the masses, is played by Paul Jones who had been the voice and front man of the pop group Manfred Mann. The film is made as a pseudo-documentary set in the near future, then of the 1970s. Steven is heavily contolled by his management team who in turn are sponsored by various government departments who believe that contolling Steven Shorter allows them to control the teenage mass.

Parallels with this film can probably be drawn today with they way that media, in all forms but especially the populist press, seem to have the power to make or break people with relative ease.

My Rating:  



(From Dave's DVD/Blu-ray Reviews on February 20th, 2011)

Citizen Kane, a review by goodguy

Citizen Kane (1941) Written by: Herman J. Mankiewicz, Orson Welles Directed by: Orson Welles Starring: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore DVD: R1-US Warner (2001) My rating:

Cover Blurb: Orson Welles' timeless masterwork is more than a groundbreaking film.  Presented here in a magnificent 60th anniversary digital transfer with revitalized digital audio from the highest quality surviving elements, it is also grand entertainment, sharply acted (starting many of Welles' Mercury Players on the road to thriving film careers) and superbly directed with inspired visual flair.  Depicting the controversial life of an influential publishing tycoon, this Best Original Screenplay Academy Award winner (1941) is rooted in themes of power, corruption, vanity - the American Dream lost in the mystery of a dying man's last word: "Rosebud."

That's the third time I've given this a try, but it just doesn't improve. Yes, the cinematography is masterful. And the circular storytelling is probably pretty sophisticated, at least for its time. So I probably should appreciate it more, even if the story itself isn't really that interesting. The problem is, it is all so damn economical. You can explain every shot and every scene and it makes perfect sense (well, except for some awkward attempts at being funny). But it doesn't have a soul. And frankly, aside from Welles himself, the acting is less than stellar.


(From goodguy's Watch Log on December 1st, 2009)

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

6.09 Smashed
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Drew Z. Greenberg (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: Turi Meyer
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Danny Strong (Jonathan Levinson), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells), Elizabeth Anne Allen (Amy Madison), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Jordan Belfi (Ryan), John Patrick Clerkin (Man), Rick Garcia (Reporter), Jack Jozefson (Rusty), Lauren Nissi (Girlfriend), Melanie Sirmons (Brie), Kelly Smith (Innocent Girl), Patrice Walters (Woman), Adam Weiner (Simon)

This is the start of the low point of this season for me. I like that Amy is back, but I do not like the way she is used here. Also they start here with beating the magic use=drug use metaphor to death. And the "magic spree" that Willow and Amy go on is too much like Sabrina the Teenage Witch. And I don't like Buffy and Spike humping while bringing a building down.

Rating:


6.10 Wrecked
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Marti Noxon (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: David Solomon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Elizabeth Anne Allen (Amy Madison), Jeff Kober (Rack), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Fleming Brooks (Mandraz), Michael Giordani (Jonesing Guy), Colin Malone (Creepy Guy), Mageina Tovah (Jonesing Girl)

This is where they have gone to far with the whole magic thing. They didn't even try to hide the drug comparison anymore. They even introduced a magic drug dealer. Also Willow's break-down at the end and her withdrawal symptons are that of a drug addict.

Rating:


6.11 Gone
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), David Fury (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: David Fury
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Danny Strong (Jonathan Levinson), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells), Daniel Hagen (Social Services Supervisor), Susan Ruttan (Doris Kroeger), Dwight Bacquie (Security Guard), Jessa French (Cleo), Elin Hampton (Co-Worker), Jeffrey Jacquin (Meter Man), Kelly Parver (Girl in Park), Lyndon Smith (Little Boy), Melina Webberley (Little Girl)

The premise is interesting, but I didn't like how childish invisible Buffy was behaving. Nice that the gang finally meets up with the geek trio.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on October 3rd, 2010)