DVD Collectors Online

Double Suicide, a review by Antares

Double Suicide (1969) 65/100 - This definitely wasn't what I was expecting from this film after reading the description on a few other sites. The story itself, although consider a time worn classic, doesn't really have much bite to it. And I feel that the gimmick of having the 'puppeteers' in the scenes, didn't really add anything significant enough to have their presence justified. In the beginning of the film, you see real bunraku puppeteers readying themselves for a play. I think it would have made the film more enjoyable if not only had the director used the live action puppeteers, but also did exposition scenes using bunraku puppets and puppeteers to tell the viewer how the two lovers came to be in their deadly situation. It would have given the live action puppeteers some basis for being there and not just a gimmick.

What the color coding means...

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is

(From Antares' Short Summations on January 2nd, 2014)

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, a review by Dragonfire

You'll dodge, duck, dip, dive... and laugh out loud watching VINCE VAUGHN and BEN STILLER settle their differences in a winner-take-all dodgeball competition. Under the painful tutelage of legendary ADAA champ Patches O'Houlihan (Rip Torn), Peter LaFleur (Vaughn) and Average Joes take on the Purple Cobras, led by egomaniacal fitness guru White Goodman (Stiller). It's an over-the-top underdog tale filled with hilarious sight gags and BALLS-OUT FUN!

My Thoughts

This is another one that is rather silly, but still works as a very entertaining movie.  It isn't going to appeal to everyone, but it is worth checking out.  The plot is fairly simple and it is fully of crude humor, but it works.  I remember when the movie first came out I wasn't interested, but then I read some reviews and decided to give it a chance.  I'm glad I did.  It is a very funny, though somewhat twisted movie.  Fans of Ben Stiller should give it a chance.  I've seen the movie several times now, and I still makes me laugh every time I watch it.  White Goodman is a huge jerk of a character and he provides a lot of the humor. 

 

I did post a review on Epinions back after I first saw the movie.

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

(From Dragonfire: What I've Been Watching on May 26th, 2009)

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

What's the show about?
Sydney Bristow is a double agent. She works for supposedly covert branch of the CIA called SD-6 and for the real CIA. SD-6 is part of a larger group called The Alliance but only the high-level leaders know that SD-6 is not CIA. Field agents like Sydney are not supposed to know. Thus Sydney goes on whatever mission SD-6 sends her and the CIA gives her a counter mission to sabotage SD-6 without them knowing.

"Truth Be Told"
Sydney Bristow is a grad student who works part time at a bank. But the bank job is only a cover. She's an agent in a covert branch of the CIA and she hasn't told anyone about this. But when her boyfriend proposes to her she makes that fatal mistake. After she's come back from her next mission she finds him dead. SD-6 has killed him because he became a security risk. And when she doesn't come back to SD-6, they try to kill her, too. But luckily for her she has a father who also works for SD-6 and who saves her. After she's re-established her credibility with SD-6 she goes to the CIA and offers to work as a double agent.

My Opinion
I've only seen one season so far, but really liked it. There is a mystery element on the show in the form of artefacts the Italian inventor Rambaldi has built - in the 15th century (it's a J.J. Abrams show after all). Rambaldi has also made a prophecy and it is not clear yet whether it refers to Sydney Bristow or not (I assume that it will become clear in later seasons). Just like with Chuck I like it how they try to keep their public and their secret life apart and how it becomes more and more difficult to do that. But Sydney has also a cool number of disguises.

(From The One Where It All Began: The Pilot Marathon on September 4th, 2009)