DVD Collectors Online

Le Deuxieme Souffle, a review by Antares

Le Deuxieme Souffle (1966) 4/5 - This is my sixth film by Jean-Pierre Melville, which is almost half of his directorial output, and I find that he is swiftly moving towards the top of my all-time greats list. There is no bullshit in his films. Every line of dialogue has its importance, the music is only there to add a subtle nudge to a scene and he gets the most from his actors. I know that with the six films I've watched that I've pretty much seen his best work, but I'm hoping the remaining eight films are just as good as this one. Oh and if only Robert DeNiro could take a lesson from Lino Ventura...great actors don't accept just any role for the paycheck and then mail in their performance as DeNiro has been doing for close to fifteen years now. I mention this because Ventura reminds me so much of DeNiro in his glory days of the 70's and 80's. Tough, burly and with a smoldering intensity that just explodes onscreen. It's a shame what's become of DeNiro, he's almost a caricature now.

(From Antares' Short Summations on March 15th, 2011)

Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas, a review by Rich

Title: Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas

Runtime:64
Certificate:U
Year:2004
Genres:Animation, Family

Plot:Find out who's been naughty and who's been nice in this all-new Christmas celebration. Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse and all his Disney pals star in an original movie about discovering the true spirit of Christmas.
Watch the hilarious antics of stubborn old Donald as he tries in vain to resist the joy of the season, and laugh along with Mickey and Pluto as they learn a great lesson about the power of friendship. Through the magic of CGI you and your family can celebrate the festive season with a wonderful new look at your favourite Disney characters in an irresistible collection of Christmas stories.

My Review:
Apologies to Mickey fans but this is a set of animated films aimed pretty much at very young kids, and hence we got bored of it very quickly.
The modern animation of the old characters was probably the only interesting thing for a viewer of my age, and was cleverly done.
No doubt a winner for youngsters who could watch it again and again to get totally hypo leading up to christmas.


(From December Marathons - DISCUSSION AND REVIEW THREAD on December 5th, 2009)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

"The Witch Is Back"
Original Airdate: December 16, 1998
Prue is attacked by a powerful 300-year-old warlock (Billy Wirth) who is furious about having been trapped in a locket by an ancestor of the Halliwell sisters. The vengeful warlock can copy others' powers and the Charmed Ones must stop him.

My Thoughts:
This was a really good episode. One where we learn more about the Halliwell line of witches since we get to meet the witch that started it all... Melinda Warren.

"Wicca Envy"
Original Airdate: January 13, 1999
Prue's devious boss and secret warlock Rex (Neil Roberts) frames Prue for stealing a priceless tiara and puts her in jail. The sisters plot a jailbreak to catch the sly Rex in action.

My Thoughts:
Finally... the end of the storyline with Pru's bosses being warlocks trying to steal their powers... I was never very fond of that storyline or the characters of her bosses.

"Feats Of Clay"
Original Airdate: January 20, 1999
Phoebe's ex-boyfriend Clay (Victor Browne) breezes into town looking for a reconciliation but, as usual, there are strings attached. This time, Clay brings with him a mortal curse in a stolen Egyptian urn.

My Thoughts:
This is a fair episode... not one of my favorites and more of a filler episode. We do find out a little about Phoebe's life in New York and meet one of her ex's.

"The Wendigo"
Original Airdate: February 3, 1999
When a hideous supernatural creature attacks Piper, she begins to make a strange transformation - with similar traits to her attacker. Prue and Phoebe must save her by vanquishing the beast. But at night in the woods, how will they know for sure if it's the creature, or if it's Piper?

My Thoughts:
This one I love... it is not only one of my favorites of the first season... but one of my all-time favorites for the entire 8 year run.  A Wendigo seems to be a creature similar to a werewolf. Of course I enjoy this episode so much... is a big Piper episode!

(From Charmed Marathon on February 27th, 2008)