DVD Collectors Online

Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise, a review by dfmorgan

Year: 1987
Director: Hiroyuki Yamaga
OverviewWatched: 6th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: This anime I first saw in 1995 on a VHS released in the UK by Manga Video, this version was cut and dubbed. I then got the uncut US R1 DVD in 2000 released by Manga Entertainment and again there were problems, Manga badly transfered this film onto DVD and were castigated by the fans and many review sites. Now finally I have a version which should be near perfect. Colours and images were nice and sharp generally, some evidence in places of dust but not too obtrusive. Sound was good, I watched it in Japanese but my amp doesn't support HD sound so only had the downmixed Dolby Digital 5.1 from the PS3, not a lot of surround effects but when used it added to the ambience. One thing that was strange though was that it was window-boxed, i.e. a border around the whole image on screen. Checked up on a couple of review sites and that was intended to ensure that the original aspect ratio was fully shown.

At its heart this is a love story. A young man, a member of the recently formed Royal Space Force, meets a young woman, distributing pamphlets, and their romance follows a slightly tortuous path. Mixed in with this is a secondary story about the nations ongoing troubles with a neighbouring country and their first launch into space. Of course there is also duplicity within the government which leads to a interesting conclusion to this film.

My Rating: Not too sure about the window-boxing so 4

Dave

(From Dave's DVD/Blu-ray Reviews on February 11th, 2010)

Fiend Without a Face, a review by Danae Cassandra

Fiend Without a Face
Year of Release:  1958
Directed By:  Arthur Crabtree
Starring:  Marshall Thompson, Terry Kilburn, Kim Parker, Kynaston Reeves
Rating:  Not Rated

Overview:
A scientist's thoughts materialize as an army of invisible brain-shaped monsters (complete with spinal-cord tails!) who terrorize an American military base in this nightmarish chiller, directed by Arthur Crabtree (Horrors of the Black Museum). This outstanding sci-fi/horror hybrid is a special effects bonanza, and a high-water mark in British genre filmmaking.

My Thoughts:
What a fun little horror film!  So obviously a B-movie, but also so well done for a B film.  I loved their choice to keep the monster invisible for most of the picture.  I think it really added to the terror of them.  The cast was good, the camera work effective, the sound guy obviously having a great time with the fiend's noise.  It's a 50's film set on a military base, so there's naturally a nod to keeping an eye on the Russians.  Also there's the not-subtle-at-all fear of atomic power and science run amok.  But that's what makes a good 50's monster movie!  If you like these sorts of films, this is highly recommended.

Also, who wants to bet Gary Gygax saw this film?  The fiend is so obviously the inspiration for the intellect devourer. 

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall:  3.5/5

(From Danae's 2012 Horror on October 4th, 2012)

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

EPISODE 9: DOCHOTIC
Clark has his suspicions when an overachieving student goes on a date with Lana and Chloe at the exact same time. Meanwhile, Lex meets his future wife in anger management class.

My Thoughts:
This is a really good episode. Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Home Improvement)  plays the boy that can split in 2. I have to admit... every time I see the scene where :ex takes a 9 Iron to the meter maid's car a smile comes to my face.

EPISODE 10: SKINWALKER
He fell to Earth in a meteor shower. Shoots fire from his eyes. Sound like anyone you know? The story told in ancient cave drawings may relate to Clark's destiny and his new romance with a lovely Native American.

My Thoughts:
Another good episode. This is the one that started the long arc about the Indian caves that talks of Clark's destiny.  Though I must admit... even the first time I watched this episode I figured right away who the "Skinwalker" was.

EPISODE 11: VISAGE
Just when things are getting better between Lana and Clark, along comes ex-boyfriend and Marine recruit Whitney. But there's something about Whitney that doesn't seem right to Clark.

My Thoughts:
Yet another good episode. And the last appearance of Eric Johnson (Whitney) in the series. And the last appearance of the character Tina Greer... the "Freak of the Week" that was able to change her appearance into anyone.

EPISODE 12: INSURGENCE
There's only one way into the sealed-off Metropolis tower where Lionel and Martha are held captive at gunpoint, and that's to leap 200 feet from the adjacent 'Daily Planet' building. This sounds like a job for - wait: can youthful Clark really accomplish such an incredible feat?

My Thoughts
Wow... This disc is 4 for 4 on good episodes! In this episode we get the first real hint of Lionel Luthor's attraction to Martha. I loved the scene of Clark jumping from building to building. Really good episode.

(From Smallville Marathon on August 2nd, 2007)