DVD Collectors Online

Waterhole #3, a review by Rogmeister

Waterhole #3 (1967)  95m

Directed by William Graham
Cast: James Coburn, Carroll O'Connor, Claude Akins, Timothy Carey, Harry Davis, Bruce Dern
Balladeer: Roger Miller

This is a satirical western involving stolen army gold and the various people who are after it including conman Coburn, sheriff O'Connor (and his daughter), army deserter Akins and others.  And just when you think you know who's going to wind up with it, there's another twist in the storyline.  At the very end, we still aren't shown who winds up with the loot as one last chase has begun and "The End" shows up on the screen...you get to make your own decision who winds up with the gold.  Throughout the movie, there is a song that goes on, a ballad sung by Roger Miller.  I enjoyed that, but I've always liked his music...someone who isn't crazy about that kind of music might not be as appreciative as I.  Overall, I enjoyed the film...it's not quite your normal western.   

(From DCO fourth Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on July 11th, 2010)

Day Of The Dead (remake), a review by Rich

Title: Day Of The Dead (blu ray)

Movie Count:34  
TV Ep. Count:17  

Runtime:86
Certificate:18
Year:2008
Genres:Horror

Plot:WARNING! The population of a small town in Colorado seems to have been infected by a virus with unknown origin. The flu like symptoms usually consist of lethargy, cold sweats, nausea, discomfort, intense headaches and a slight discolouring to their complexion. Unfortunately this is usually followed by a sudden urge to savagely rip the limbs from any living creature that might stand in their way whilst chewing on their bones, sucking out their brains and chewing on their flesh. En elite, cold bloodied and tenacious military force has been sent in to clean up the mess. But where as some residents are more than willing to spend the rest of their short lives in quarantine a small group of survivors escape and head towards an uncertain demise unaware of the eyeball chomping, gut splurting nightmare that awaits them.
Directed by Steve Miner (Friday The 13th Part 2, House, Soul Man, Warlock), written by Jefffrey Reddick (Final Destination) and starring the irresistible Mena Suvari (American Pie, American Beauty), this re-imagining of George Romero's horror classic is a minefield of extreme gore and violence that takes the zombie genre to a new level of savagery.

My Review:
Despite the negative criticism heard for this, I really thought it was a fun blast with some nice modern effects and tongue in cheek humour. Sure there is absolutely no chance this storyline will win any awards, and the actors are not from the top table, but what it offers is a pacy, whacky trip from start to finish and an understanding that zombie films should be humourous.
I think the enjoyment was heightened by the blu-ray viewing, as the picture quality was superb, and especially the audio being powerful and fitting to the subject matter must have kept my neighbours awake as I pumped it round the speakers.
I must admit that I enjoyed this more than the original. Sure the original can be respected and lauded in what followed it, but for pure enjoyment and something to leave a smile on your face this modern re-imaging is more appealing.





(From Rich's October Horror Fest on October 27th, 2009)

Angel Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: The gang tries to settle in with their new lives at Wolfram & Hart. Angels new assistant is Harmony who doesn't know yet about the fate of her friend Cordelia. Gunn is being re-clothed. And then there is this client of W&H's who threatens to kill all the people of California if he gets convicted for the crimes he has done.

My Opinion: Cordelia has left the show. On the other hand, Spike isn't as dead as it looked like at the end of "Buffy" - ok "not as dead" as a vampire can be who additionally is a ghost now. While I liked the season opener, it's pity that they lift Angel's restirctions more and more. The show loses its dark touch a bit. The idea to upload a lawyer's knowledge directly into Gunn's brain was very matrix-y but really cool.

Synopsis: The gang uses the resources of W&H to find out what happend to Spike who isn't happy with his life as a ghost at all. Despite their mutual despise, Angel and Spike work together to stop a necromancer who gets his dead bodies via W&H.

My Opinion: One can feel how they both really like each other. I liked Spike back in "Buffy" and I like how he badgers Angel - this season has to be good.

Synopsis: A young femal jogger is bitten by a werewolf and the full moon will be up for another two days. Spike on the other hand has the problem that his essence is more frequently and longer being pulled into the direction of hell. He asks Fred for her help, to return him into a body of his own.

My Opinion: Spike won't be a ghost for the entire season, that much is certain now - in my opinion. I presume that he will return to his body within the next few episodes. The story about the werewolf was ok, but currently I am more interested in Spike. Unfortunately Angel has again abandoned a human - even if he had a werewolf bite - even though he knew that he would die. I still don't like that.

Synopsis: Suddenly Spike is not only a ghost, now he is a ghost no one can see or hear. And he starts to see dead people who are disfigured.

My Opinion: "I never told anyone this, but I liked your poems." - "You like Barry Manilow." Yes, Spike gives the show a new spice. This foru episodes have already made me forget the last season and even Harmony fits in. I am just a bit sad that Angel doesn't belive in his mission anymore.

(From Angel Marathon on February 24th, 2008)