DVD Collectors Online

Gamera vs. Gyaos, a review by Danae Cassandra

Gamera vs. Gyaos  (Daikaiju kuchusen: Gamera tai Gyaosu)
Year of Release: 1967
Directed By: Noriaki Yuasa
Starring: Kojiro Hongo, Reiko Kasahara, Taro Marui, Yoshio Kitahara
Genre: Science-Fiction, Disaster, Tokusatsu, Kaiju

Overview:
The third entry of this classic monster series continues when a volcanic eruption awakens Gyaos, a gigantic vampire-like bat who has a ravenous hunger for blood. Gyaos is Gamera's most popular foe, returning in four more films (not counting the stock footage in SUPER MONSTER). Can the fire-spitting terrapin Gamera defeat this nocturnal beast?

My Thoughts:
Gyaos has emerged from his cave! He is hungry! Humans are the perfect size for snacking! See him generate great wind with his wings! Witness his sonic scream cut through almost anything! Gamera is all that stands between Gyaos and humanity's snacktastic end!

One of the best of the Showa era Gamera films. Gyaos is a lot more frightening than the usual monsters of the era - after all, he's not just about rampaging damage. He eats people! And seems to have a genuine glee about it. He's also a pretty cool monster, and there's a bit of thought given to what the anatomy might have to be for his powers. The kid is a fairly annoying character, but aside from him this is a pretty fun kaiju film.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

(From Gamera! on February 27th, 2016)

In the Mood for Love, a review by Jon

In the Mood for Love (Dut yeung nin wa)
5 out of 5



Hong Kong 1962.   Chow (Tony Leung - Happy Together, Hard Boiled) is a junior newspaper reporter with an elusive wife.   His new neighbour, Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung - Days of Being Wild, Irma Vep), is a sectretary whose husband seems to spend all his time on business trips.   they become friends, making the lonely evenings more bearable.   As their relationship develops they make a discovery that changes their life forever...

In this sumptuous expolration of desire, internationally acclaimed director Wong Kar-Wai (Chungking Express, Happy Together, Fallen Angels) creates a world of sensuality and longing that will leave you breathless.   "In the Mood for Love" has seduced audiences and critics alike, winning awards at Cannes 2000 for best actor, cinematography and editing.

(From DCO third annual November Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on November 8th, 2009)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

"Witch Trial"
Original Airdate: September 30, 1999
When a demon steals the Book of Shadows, the Ha!liwell sisters have just one chance to recapture it or they will lose their powers forever.

My Thoughts:
A nice strong episode for the season premiere. We even get to see some of the demons they vanquished in the first season... as the demon undo the spells that The Charmed Ones casted in the first season. I also liked how they showed repercussions from the end of the first season... and showed Pru freezing up when she faced the first demon since what happen at the end of season 1.

"Morality Bites"
Original Airdate: October 7, 1999
Phoebe has a horrifying premonition of her own execution, so the sisters cast a one-time spell that catapults them into the future to try and change her fate.

My Thoughts:
Another really good episode... one that shows there can be serious repercussions even with minor acts of revenge and personal gain. And I liked how they showed the future if they were ever exposed. Makes you wonder if that is what it would be like if we never smartened up from the days of the Salem Witch Trials.

"The Painted World"
Original Airdate: October 14, 1999
The sisters are trapped in a painting by a warlock who plans to torch it and destroy them unless Phoebe can reverse their impending doom.

My Thoughts:
This is a basic filler episode... and nothing really all that special about it. But it was enjoyable.

"The Devil's Music"
Original Airdate: October 21, 1999
Leo returns to help the sisters save their young neighbor when the manager of a band scheduled to play Piper's nightclub makes a demonic deal.

My thoughts:
A music heavy episode... and you all know how I feel about music. But it was still enjoyable. In this one some band called Dishwalla comes to play at Piper's new club... that she finally gets open in this episode. As I said it was still an enjoyable episode... and I was able to basically tone out/ignore the music.   

(From Charmed Marathon on February 28th, 2008)