DVD Collectors Online

Alamar, a review by Danae Cassandra

Alamar
Year of Release: 2009
Directed By: Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio
Starring: Jorge Machado, Roberta Palombini, Natan Machado Palombini, Nestor "Matraca" Marin
Genre: Drama

Overview:
Jorge has only a few weeks before his five-year-old son Natan leaves to live with his mother in Rome.  Intent on teaching Natan about their Mayan heritage, Jorge takes him to the pristine Chinchorra reef, and eases him into the rhythms of a fisherman's life.  As the bond between father and son grows stronger, Natan learns to live in harmony with life above and below the surface of the sea.

My Thoughts:
This is a lovely and touching portrait of the relationships between father and son, mostly the bonding between Jorge and Natan, but also touching on Jorge's relationship with his own father, and the relationship between the grandfather and Natan. There's not much plot here - it's all about the characters and the story of these few months Jorge has with his son before he leaves for Italy with his mom. It's also about the beauty of Banco Chinchorro, and the seemingly timeless way of life of Jorge's people. It's a very gentle film, a film about feelings rather than action, like a tone-poem almost. Recommended for the natural beauty and the loving relationships depicted here.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From March Around the World 2016 on March 23rd, 2016)

Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas: Live from Dublin, a review by Danae Cassandra

Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas: Live from DublinOverview:
The concert features timeless holiday favorites (Silent Night, I'll Be Home for Christmas, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Joy To The World) with the group's signature Celtic Woman flair under the distinct musical direction of Emmy-nominated Music Director, David Downes. HOME FOR CHRISTMAS- LIVE FROM DUBLIN is a visual and aural feast under the direction of Russell Thomas and filmed at Dublin's Helix Theatre. Complimented by Ireland's finest musicians comprised of a 36 piece orchestra and 40-member Philharmonic Choir, this large-scale one-hour production promises a festive and moving celebration of music to be cherished by generations. The Blu-ray also features 15 minutes of bonus material of intimate, acoustic performances to Away In A Manger, The Christmas Song, In The Bleak Midwinter and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

My Thoughts:Christmas Celebration, and if I do still like that one just a wee bit more, the new members also have beautiful voices. Recommended if you've enjoyed their music before, or just enjoy carols.

Bechdel Test: N/A
Mako Mori Test: N/A

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Christmas 2016 on December 16th, 2016)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Die Camper: Die komplette Serie (1997/Germany) IMDb | Wikipedia Turbine Medien, AL!VE (Germany) Length: 2753 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: German: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles:

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Die Camper
Staffel 1.01 Der Grillabend
WriterDirector: Stefan Lukschy
Cast


(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on November 10th, 2012)