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Dead Man Walking, a review by KinkyCyborg

Dead Man Walking



Title:Dead Man Walking
Year: 1995
Director: Tim Robbins
Rating: R
Length: 122 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.85:1, Pan & Scan 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: Spanish

Stars:
Susan Sarandon
Sean Penn
Robert Prosky
Raymond J. Barry
R. Lee Ermey

Plot:Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Production Notes
Closed Captioned
2-Page Booklet


First time watching this and what an intense, emotionally gripping movie it was. True story about Sister Helen Prejean, who at the request of a death row inmate, becomes his spiritual counselor. Inexperienced in such matters, confused and scared shitless, she knows she can't save his life but tries desperately to save his soul.

Maybe Susan Sarandon's finest performance and certainly worthy of the Oscar she received. You could tell how much of an emotional investment she had in this role as she took direction not only from director/hubby Tim Robbins, but from the actual Sister Prejean who was a consultant on the film. Getting first hand accounts of the last week of this convicted killer's life right up to his execution would help any actor get into their role, least of all a great actress like Sarandon.

Sean Penn also earned himself an Oscar nom for his role as the convicted killer whose pride, hatred and disdain for authority eventually works his way towards accountability, remorse and a small amount of redemption thanks to the kindness shown to him by Sister Prejean. No one can dispute Penn's convincing and powerful performances, particularly in difficult roles and he brought it home again in this one.

I'm not exactly sure what message Tim Robbins was trying to convey with this movie save perhaps simple compassion. Dead Man Walking provides plenty of ammunition for both sides of the capital punishment debate and I found it did little to sway my own opinion on the subject. The pros and cons were pretty much a wash and I'd love to ask Robbins that question if I had the chance. I'm also interested to hear other people's take on this movie who have seen it before. It's for sure one of those movies that can inspire spirited discussion, debate and pondering.

KC

Rating:

(From KinkyCyborg's Random Reviews 2010 on November 8th, 2010)

Starship Troopers, a review by addicted2dvd

Starship Troopers
From the bridge of the Fleet Battlestation Ticonderoga, with its sweeping galactic views, to the desolate terrain of planet Klendathu, teeming with shrieking, fire-spitting brain-sucking special effects creatures, acclaimed director PAUL VERHOVEN crafts a dazzling epic based on Robert A. Heinlein's classic sci-fi adventure.
CASPER VAN DIEN, DINA MEYER, DENISE RICHARDS, JAKE BUSEY, NEIL PATRICK HARRIS, PATRICK MULDOON, and MICHAEL IRONSIDE star as the courageous soldiers who travel to the distant and desolate Klendathu system for the ultimate showdown between the species.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this one... but I have seen better... though I will admit that it is beyond a little far fetched... but I think that is to be expected from anything set in the future. This is a movie that don't take itself too seriously though. It is almost like watching a live-action comic book. Which I guess is what makes it more of a fun watch then anything else.



(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Outer Space on December 27th, 2008)

The One Where It All Began: The Pilot Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century



What's the show about?
Buck Rogers is an astronaut who's been frozen in his spacecraft for 500 years and is been resurrected in the late 25th century. Earth has seen a nuclear holocaust and mankind lives in a few shielded cities and depends on the trade with other worlds. Buck Rogers has now to live in this world and to adapt to this new culture.

What happened before?
It's a remake of the 1939s, but since I've never seen this, I do not know what they've taken over and what not.

"Awakening"
In the year 1987 Buck Rogers is send on a mission that should've lasted 5 months. Due to a cosmic accident he is frozens and awakes 504 years later on the Draconian flagship under the command of princess Ardala. Earth seeks a trade treaty with the Draconian Empire and Aradala's father who rules over 3/4 of the known universe. But Buck is suspicious whether the empire has the best interests of Earth in mind.

My Opinion
This is one series I just bought because of the pilot. I watched that show in the late 80s on television  but only a few episodes because I had a regular appointment when the show was running. After I bought the DVD set, I watched a few episodes but it didn't interest me that much. That's also the reason why I haven't got the second season. But the pilot I could watch over and over again. I could laugh my ass off everytime Buck shows that Earth pilots how to fly in a dogfight.

(From The One Where It All Began: The Pilot Marathon on January 3rd, 2008)