DVD Collectors Online

Super 8, a review by Dragonfire

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Super 8 J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg join forces in this extraordinary tale of youth, mystery and adventure. Super 8 tells the story of six friends who witness a train wreck while making a Super 8 movie, only to learn that something unimaginable escaped during the crash. They soon discover that the only thing more mysterious than what it is, is what it wants. Experience the film that critics rave is "filled with unstoppable imagination and visual effects to spare. It will put a spell on you."* *Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

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This is the first time that I've watched this movie since I saw it in the theater last summer.  The movie is great and holds up well on repeat viewing, though I did notice the lends flare a bit more often.  That does get a bit annoying.  Otherwise, I still really enjoyed this movie.  The story is interesting and intriguing, and handled in a way that allows for the tension to build without showing everything.  The movie is very effective and the cast all handles their parts well.



I did post a review of this at Epinions after I first saw the movie.  I've also posted about it here before.
Super 8



(From Marie's Random Movie Viewing on June 17th, 2012)

The Birds, a review by Rich

Title: The Birds

Movie Count:25 
TV Ep. Count:15 

Runtime:119
Certificate:PG-13
Year:1963
Genres:Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Plot:Nothing equals THE BIRDS for sheer terror when Alfred Hitchcock unleashes his foul friends in one of his most shocking and memorable masterpieces. As beautiful blonde Melanie Daniels ('Tippi' Hedren) rolls into Bodega Bay in pursuit of eligible bachelor Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor), she is inexplicably attacked by a seagull. Suddenly thousands of birds are flocking into town, preying on schoolchildren and residents in a terrifying series of attacks. Soon Mitch and Melanie are fighting for their lives against a deadly force that can't be explained and can't be stopped in one of Hollywood's most horrific films of nature gone berserk.

My Review:
Superb film, not necessarily horror (at the beginning probably better described as comedy) but 2nd half must have been disturbing at time of release. Tippi Hedren is a babe, totally gorgeous and from her screen test you can tell she was a bundle of fun. The effects are convincing for an early 60's movie, and as always with AH it's the character depth, long silences, pace, suspense and tension that keep you glued to the screen.
I am sure there is some underlying message hidden deep within this film, possibly frustration, human weakness, mother/son relationships aka Psycho?? Whatever it is, I was happy to sit back again and marvel at another great job by the director.




(From Rich's October Horror Fest on October 21st, 2009)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete Second Season marathon, a review by goodguy

2x05 Goodbye to All That
Synopsis: Derek leads John on his first mission in defense of a military school cadet with a vital future role in the Resistance.
My Rating:

That was a rather average episode with some good bits inbetween.

I liked the T1-nod. I really loved the macho scene of Derek and John loading up the truck with weapons and gear, changing first to a sudden shot of Cameron in the foreground, turning her head to look at John and John then looking at Sarah, who is watching from afar. Several shots establishing all three POVs and showing John between those two women. Great stuff.

I won't say anything on how easy Derek and John got into the military school, it just isn't worth it. Some of the scenes there worked pretty well, but overall it was far too simplistic bordering on cheesy. Likewise the scenes with Sarah and the kidnapped kid were hit and miss. The initial video game turning real as they get chased by the Triple-8 certainly was fun.

The Wizard of Oz must be the most used reference in US movies and TV shows. Still, they managed to pick some interesting parts as VO when Derek and John defeat the T-888. I remember complaining about the Sarah VO's in my initial S1 review, but upon rewatching I've gotten rather fond of them, to the point were I actually was starting to miss them in S2.

I also really loved the final scene between Derek and John: We all die for you. It's not about upsetting John as Achim suspects, but about encouraging John to become the man and leader who is worth that kind of sacrifice.

The slowly advancing story of Weaver and Ellison seems to confirm what could be already picked up from the coda of 2x02: Weaver seems to be interested in keeping the power plant operational. BTW, is there any way to make the scene with the plant manager in the alley any worse? Well, I suppose there is, but that was a new low after the men's room scene in 2x01.


(From Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete Second Season marathon on February 3rd, 2010)