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New York: A Documentary Film, a review by Antares

New York: A Documentary Film (1999)




The Civil War, changed forever how the world looked upon the once stoic and stodgy special interest film. Ric had participated in some of the writing for this film and has produced solid segments of The American Experience, such as The Donner Party and Ansel Adams: A Documentary Film- The pinnacle of film perfection and excellence.
- Not quite an immortal film, yet a masterpiece in its own right.
- Historically important film, considered a classic.
- Borderline viewable.
- A gangrenous and festering pustule in the chronicles of celluloid.



(From New York: A Documentary Film (1999) on December 12th, 2009)

Prom Night, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: Prom Night
Year: 1980    
Director: Paul Lynch
Rating: R   
Length: 89 Min.
Video:  Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio:  English DD Mono
Subtitles: None

Stars:
Jamie Lee Curtis
Leslie Neilson
Casey Stevens
Eddie Benton

Plot:
Four Hamilton High School seniors have been hiding the truth of what happened to ten-year-old Robin Hammond for six long years. But someone saw what they did and is preparing for revenge - a prom night killing spree. Hooded, masked, and wielding an axe, he'll stalk his prey in the dark, empty halls, striking when his victims are alone. And just as the spotlight falls upon the newly crowned king and queen, the killer will show everyone what his favorite game to play is...

Extras:
NONE!!!

This is a movie I have not seen in years! It has been so long in fact that I really don't remember much of anything about it going into it. Other then I like the fact that it stars Jamie Lee Curtis as she has done some really great work in horror in her early years. First off... I know the movie is Prom Night... and I know what that entails... but too much music for my taste. For those of you that don't know... I am not a music fan... There is NO type of music that I like. But I was of course expecting that going into it. This is not a movie that I could say is really scary in any way... but it does have it's moments. It is one that doesn't show any real gore either. It is one of those movies that leaves most to the imagination. That is not a complaint mind you... as at times that can be worse then what they can actually show. I personally like both gore and non-gore movies. The twist ending was no real surprise... even with the mis-direction they used.

The DVD Release for this movie could have been so much better They give us no extras what so ever on this release... not even the Theatrical Trailer! Surprisingly... there isn't even trailers for other movies. Which is something we usually get... if for no other reason to try to get us to spend more money on other titles from their catalog.

Over-all... It is a decent '80s horror flick that I am glad I added to my collection. I just wish they treated the DVD release with more respect then they did.

(From Prom Night on June 21st, 2008)

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: In a few days Buffy will turn 18 and she doesn't really want to celebrate it due to the fear that it will be a crap-fest again. And she's right. She has suddenly lost her Slayer powers and is a normal young woman again. The gang investigates in this - with the exception of Giles because it is he who must put her through an ancient and cruel Watcher's Council ritual.

My Opinion: Between this and the last episode of Buffy I've watched, I watched a lot of other stuff, including four seasons of Bones, in which David Boreanaz plays the male lead. So I needed a bit of time to get used to the brooding Angel again. I never really liked the plot of that episode because IMHO it doesn't make sense. The Slayer is always in constant danger of being killed and the more experienced she gets the better are her chances of survival. So why take the chances of her getting killed in this stupid test when the result would be that you end up with an inexperienced beginner Slayer again?
But I really liked the ending when Buffy wordlessly forgave Giles when Quentin fired him due to his fatherly love for Buffy.

Synopsis: After being pummelled by a demon again, Buffy and Giles seriously advise Xander to stay out of future fights. But without being in the midst of it he feels useless and decides to become the "wheel man". This doesn't really work out either and he suddenly finds himself being the driver for a bunch of dead-yet-not-in-the-ground former high school jocks who want to have some fun.

My Opinion: That was a great Xander episode. I really liked it that there was a big Hellmouth fight - but that it wasn't really the plot of the episode. I also liked how they pointed at the danger Angel had to face (and survived of course) without ever explaining or showing what he was up against - because that it wasn't really the plot of the episode. This way they could create a cool Xander-based story without making the others his sidekicks (which would never work) or make them disappear for the entire episode.

Synopsis: The new Watcher has arrived: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, a young stiff Englishman on a high horse who isn't taken seriously by neither Buffy nor Faith. Because both have better things to do: Want. Take. Have. Faith shows Buffy her philosophy of what it means to be a Slayer and together they party and slay and party and break into a weapons store and party ... until Faith makes a horrible mistake.

My Opinion: When I saw him enter the library I had a hard time imagining that this man is the husband of Alyson Hannigan and father of her child. It's just a role, but still... But back to the episode: When I first watched this episode I didn't know what was going to happen in the end but I was quite certain that something would bring the party crashing down. It was inevitable from the moment they broke into that weapons store. But I didn't recognize who Faith had killed (Bad with faces, remember?) until it's explained in the next episode. Still, I liked this episode, Faith and Buffy partying and playing bad girls.

Synopsis: Faith has accidentally killed the Deputy Mayor but she has no intentions of facing the consequences and is trying to cover everything up. When that doesn't work she tries to blame Buffy who has already a hard time to cope with what had happened. When Wesley gets wind of this he tries to deport Faith back to England which makes matters only worse.

My Opinion: This episode I really, really liked. It was great to see Buffy struggle with her secret and how she tried to convince Faith to come clean and how she sobbed in Willow's arms. She is a warrior, but she still remains human. I also liked how Xander honestly tried to reconnect with Faith even though he failed. But this is his quality: He does not give up on his friends and one day it will save the world.
What I honestly didn't understand was Willow's breakdown in the bathroom. Granted, she had always feelings for Xander, but after Lovers Walk she wanted to get back with Oz and Xander was single again. What did she expect?

(From "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Marathon on August 31st, 2009)