DVD Collectors Online

Shiver, a review by Jimmy

Title: Shiver (2011)

Genre: Horror
Director: Julian Richards
Rating: NR
Length: 1h31
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2:35.1
Audio: English
Subtitles: English 

Stars:
Danielle Harris
John Jarratt
Casper Van Dien
Rae Dawn Chong
Brad Harris

Plot:This isn't often that a new movie catch my attention, but this one did it the first time I've read about it on some website I forgot when it was in the first stage of its pre-production. I felt it would be something different... not a serial killer movie told trough the eyes of the detective chasing him, not a serial killer movie told trough the eyes of the killer, but a serial killer movie told trough the eyes of one victim. It was a long wait from the moment it come to my attention untill the movie was finally picked up and release... almost three years. But the wait was a rewarding one.

I can't talk too much about the film without saying too much and spoiling it. But I can promise you something different with a good credible script, good acting from Harris and Jarrat, a suspenseful atmosphere from the beginning to the end and some brutal gory moment (but it's mostly for one murder and, don't worry, this film isn't a pointless gory flick).

Highly recommanded, I can't understand why that film isn't more talk about and why it got such an under the radar small release like this

Rating :

(From Jimmy's - 2013 Ooctober Horror Marathon on October 19th, 2013)

The Heart of Christmas, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Heart of Christmas
Year of Release: 2011
Directed By: Gary Wheeler
Starring: Candace Cameron Bure, Jeanne Neilson, Christopher Shone, Nicholas Shone, Eric Beck
Genre: Drama

Overview:
Based on a true story of hope and compassion, The Heart Of Christmas will touch your heart and bring home the spirit of the holidays. Austin and Julie Locke are devastated when they learn that their young son, Dax, has been diagnosed with cancer. But with courage, determination and faith, they decide to give Dax a one last Christmas, even if it has to be in October. When the community sees the holiday decorations and learns the heartbreaking truth, what happens next is a miraculous outpouring of caring and support. Starring Candace Cameron Bure (Make It or Break It), Jeanne Neilson (Faith Like Potatoes), George Newbern (Father of the Bride), Erin Bethea (Fireproof), Anita Renfroe (Bless This Mess), and Matthew West (Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter). The Heart Of Christmas is the greatest gift of all.

My Thoughts:
This is a good story with a great message, done with competent actors who do their best with what they've been given. You can tell everyone had their heart in making the film, and really had a lot of empathy for Dax's story. It's quite the tearjerker, but it's also a heartwarming story, as all these people come together to support this family.

I just wish it was a better movie. I had some issues with the filmmaking choices. That's not to say that the film is bad ... but the technique could have been better. When I was working on my creative writing, I was always told "show, don't tell." Well, this film does a lot of telling. Most of the film is in flashback, and it has a framing story of a career mom reading the blog Dax's mom writes. I would have rather seen the film told linear, as the story of the family with their son. While I understand what they're going for with it, I really felt it was unnecessary. The message of cherishing each moment, and how the lives of one family can influence others, could come through just fine without the frame.

Still, I enjoyed the film and would recommend it if it sounds like one you'd enjoy. Be prepared for some tears, and some Christianity. I won't say it's a faith film, but it's close. It wasn't preachy, so it didn't offend this non-Christian. Your milage may vary.

I did like the film's message, so I had to go listen to "Another Day" from Rent after watching this film. There is no future / There is no past / I live this moment as my last / There's only us / There's only this / Forget regret / Or life is yours to miss / No other road / No other way / No day but today

Bechdel Test: Pass
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

(From Christmas 2016 on December 21st, 2016)

Angel Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Gwen comes to the hotel to ask for Gunn's help. They try to rescue a little girl who is held captive by a japanese business man. But then everything is different.

My Opinion: Good out-of-the-arc episode, but I thought that Gunn and Fred had made up again. But finally Cordelia's cover has blown.

Synopsis: Cordelia has unwillingly unmasked herself but Conner didn't see it, thus rescueing and hiding her. The gang tries to find out if that is really Cordelia and what happened to her. And Angel has to prevent that the "child" is being born.

My Opinion: Tell me what you want, but I don't believe that they've planned this for several seasons. I think they made that up in the course of the fourth season and simply redefined former events for their purposes. Since Angelus has killed the demon we obviously have a new one now.

Synopsis:My Opinion: What was that? The story drops from one episode to another from "very interesting" to "boring". I like Gina Torres, but I nearly dozed off.

Synopsis: Fred has seen through the mask and she saw the true face of Jasmine. But she is hunted by Gunn and Wesley. Yet she has found a way to break though the mask to show people her true face.

My Opinion: It doesn't get better. OK, the majority of the gang is in the clear now, but kumbaya-Jasmine is simply boring. At least there are only 3 episodes left until the season ends.

(From Angel Marathon on February 24th, 2008)