DVD Collectors Online

2001: A Space Odyssey, a review by Danae Cassandra

2001: A Space Odyssey
Year of Release: 1968
Directed By: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester
Genre: Science-Fiction

Overview:My Thoughts:
What an interesting and beautiful film.  An absolute classic of sci-fi, and I can see why it has that honor. 

First, it's a gorgeous piece of art.  The effects, the spectacular miniatures work, the spectacular camera work, all of that combines to make this one of the most beautiful films of all time.  It is dazzling visually and unforgettable. 

The story is more obtuse.  It deals a lot with symbolism and theme rather than plot.  Humanity evolves, as does our technology, and what will be the end of our evolution?  Or are we only just being born? 

I really wanted the middle section fleshed out more.  I wanted to see more of HAL and his interactions with his human shipmates.  The first and third sections, while I think I understand what they were trying to convey with them, I feel could have been cut down a bit to evolve the relationships in the middle section more. 

It's a small quibble though.  If you are a fan of sci-fi at all, you MUST see this film.  If you're only a fan of action sci-fi, however, you won't enjoy this.  It's a slow, cerebral film.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 4/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on August 24th, 2015)

Snuff, a review by Jimmy

Title: Snuff (1976)
Genre: Horror
Director: Michael Findlay / Simon Nuchtern
Rating: NR
Length: 1h20
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.66:1
Audio: English
Subtitles: English

Stars:Plot:
Deep in South America, a Manson-like cult leader named Satan cavorts with his bevy of beautiful biker-chick followers while compelling them to kill in his name. When sexy American actress Terry London arrives with producer Max Marsh to shoot a new movie there, the creepy cult targets her and her friends with plans of murder, mayhem and the grisly sacrifice of her unborn baby. Is the final bloody massacre only a movie? Or is it the shocking footage of an actual murder committed before the camera?

I've never considered that film as an horror film, but some do so I've decided to include it in my marathon run. In fact ii it wasn't for the added ending almost nobody would remind of this film, except the most devoted fans of Michael Findlay wich I am. The film itself isn't that original since it's about a Manson-like cult  but it was made way before Helter Skelter or The Manson Familly or Manson since it was made in 1971 (it was never released in its original version). Also the dubbing isn't very seriously done (usually the Findlay's are narrated wich is much better in my oppinion) and the carnaval stock footage got old fast.

This film is more important for its new ending and all the controversy it had created in those days. Hard to believe since it doesn't look real at all, but a lot of feminist group tought it was the real deal

Like I said an important film for what it had created, but not something that most people would enjoy and I don't talk about the fake snuff footage but the real film before. Personally I love the film (it's the third time I bought it: VHS, DVD and now blu-ray) and I hope to see the real original version someday... I want to know how it ends

Rating :

(From Jimmy's - 2013 Ooctober Horror Marathon on October 26th, 2013)

Death Note anime/manga/movies comparison, a review by Tom

06. Unraveling

- the agents meet L for the first time. While introducing themselves, L points his fingers like a pistol at them and says "peng". He explains they would be dead now if he were Kira. He cautions them to not use their real names. L tells them of this theory that Kira must be among the people observed by the FBI in a specific time-frame
- Light and family discuss bringing his father a change of clothes. Light volunteers.
- Naomi goes to the police headquarters. Light and Naomi meet up. Light tells her, that he can help her with meeting the investigation team. Naomi tells him of her theories. Light notices, that she is very close to linking him with Kira.

Manga: The first half of the episode is covered in manga chapter 11, the second half in chapter 12

Movies: Very similar. I love how L potrays the "peng"-scene in the movie.


(From Death Note anime/manga/movies comparison on June 27th, 2009)