DVD Collectors Online

Octopussy, a review by Rich

Octopussy



Agent 007 is as daring as ever in the 13th installment in the Bond series. A maniacal Soviet general (Steven Berkoff) is about to cause a nuclear accident that will cripple Western Europe and make the USSR ruler of the world. In order to stop him, Bond (Roger Moore) travels by hot air balloon and folding miniature jet plane to exotic India, where the perils he encounters include a man-eating tiger--and the equally dangerous female head of an international smuggling ring. Maud Adams plays the fabulous villain, Octopussy. This film was released simultaneously against NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, in which Sean Connery reprised the Bond role for the first time in 12 years.

A good start to the film specifically with the plane stunt through the hanger, but unfortunately the film slowly petered out like a dying flame. It hit the ridiculous mark when they played a Tarzan yell as Bond swung through trees trying to escape, and it never recovered after.
Moore is now showing his age (and his weight), relying heavily on perhaps one too many glib remarks and some disappointingly bad acting, and it is difficult to believe he is athletic and a daring spy anymore. The leading lady is unnoticeable, and the villain limp. The storyline is disjointed, and for a change the score and theme song do not inspire
One of the worst Bonds in my book.
 


(From Riches Random Reviews on April 27th, 2009)

Letters to Juliet, a review by Danae Cassandra

Letters to Juliet
2010, USA

Sophie, an aspiring writer, goes on vacation in Verona with her fiancee, an obsessed chef.  He's more interested in his job than he is her, heading off to dig for truffles and bid on wine.  Sightseeing alone, she finds the courtyard where heartbroken lovers leave letters to Juliet.  Finding one from fifty years ago, she answers it and is soon scouring the countryside with Claire, the letter writer, and her grandson Brian, looking for the man Claire lost so many years ago.

I love movies; my friend Katrina loves movies ... you'd think this would be good, but getting us to agree on a film to watch is like pulling teeth from a radish.  We find a place to meet at romantic comedies, which seems to be the middle ground between my love of movies that have something to say and her love of movies where things blow up.  

I'm happy to have added this to my collection; I enjoyed it quite a bit.  First, the movie itself is simply beautiful.  Both the countryside and the charming old buildings make you want to head to Italy, like yesterday.  The characters were all decent, honorable people, which I liked, and well-developed enough for the story.  You could see Claire's growth in self-confidence through the film in her wardrobe, as each successive choice looked more sophisticated and put-together on her, whereas Charlie's growth was shown in his expressions and body language.  It was a sweet, romantic film, and like Mahiha ashegh mishavand, showed that you can tell a story, a romantic story, and make it about the romance, about the characters, about the relationship - and it will be sexy instead of raunchy.  You can sit down with your grandmother, or your daughter, and watch this movie and not worry about a thing.  It's just an enjoyable, romantic little film.

Overall: 2.75/5

(From Danae's reviews on April 7th, 2011)

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

7.05 Selfless
Writer: Drew Goddard (Screenwriter)
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), Abraham Benrubi (Olaf), Andy Umberger (D'Hoffryn), Kali Rocha (Halfrek), Joyce Guy (Professor), Jennifer Shon (Rachel), Taylor Sutherland (Villager #1), MaryBeth Scherr (Villager #2), Alessandro Mastrobuono (Villager #3), Daniel Spanton (Viking #1), John Timmons (Viking #2)

A nice Anya-centric episode. We even get a few flashbacks and another song for the musical.

Rating:



7.06 Him
Writer: Drew Z. Greenberg (Screenwriter)
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), Thad Luckinbill (RJ Brooks), Brandon Keener (Lance Brooks), DB Woodside (Principal Wood), Yan England (O'Donnell), Angela Sarafyan (Lori), David Ghilardi (Teacher), Riki Lindhome (Cheryl)

An average episode with all the female characters falling for the same boy because of a spell.

Rating:



7.07 Conversations With Dead People
Writer: Jane Espenson (Screenwriter), Drew Goddard (Screenwriter)
Director: Nick Marck
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow), Danny Strong (Jonathan), Adam Busch (Warren), Tom Lenk (Andrew), Jonathan M. Woodward (Holden "Webs" Webster), Azura Skye (Cassie Newton), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce), Stacey Scowley (Young Woman)

A good episode setting the stage for this season's bad guy.

Rating:



7.08 Sleeper
Writer: David Fury (Screenwriter), Jane Espenson (Screenwriter)
Director: Alan J. Levi
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Robinne Lee (Sired Vampire), Rob Nagle (Robson), Lisa Jay (Linda), Kevin Daniels (Bouncer), Stacey Scowley (Young Woman), Lindy Christopher (Nora)

A good episode but nothing special.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on March 20th, 2011)