DVD Collectors Online

Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival, a review by Antares

Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival (1970) 74/100, who seems to be in the story, just to give Ichi a final showdown at the end. He kind of sleepwalks his way through the role, and I felt his presence halted the screenplay when he appeared. There's also a weird action scene in a bathhouse where Ichi defends himself against a dozen naked yakuza. And while the use of water buckets is quite well placed, the scene seems to be just there for shock and giggles. It's definitely a middle of the road offering in the series, but Toho is starting to get it right. Hopefully, the last four films will progress more towards the better Daiei renderings.

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 November 8th, 2014)

Live and Let Die, a review by Jon

I only have a handful of Bond films. They're on every Bank Holiday in the UK! So I've seen all of them several times while growing up and found I was sturggling to keep up with this marathon, even though I don't have many. But then I saw, apart from Richie, a lack of love for my personal fave, Live and Let Die. So...

Live and Let Die
4 out 5

For me this is the most memorable Bond film. A fantastic change of pace for the new Bond in Roger Moore. Somehow I can't see Connery managing to pull off this story.

First, Moore himself. Richie said Connery could have him in a scrap; I'm not so sure. I love the way he plays him as an arrogant prick, wandering around like a lost English business man and well out of his depth. But just try something and he'll snap your neck as soon as look at you. That line to Rosie is a classic, when he threatens to kill her and she say's "you wouldn't after what we just did". "Well, I wasn't going to before..." 

Witness possibly my favourite moment in any Bond film: when the booth spins and he realises he's in a trap. Impossible odds, but he still flirts, still teases the bad guys. Moore's style is brilliant as he walks in with an icy glare and theatrics for the thugs and a wink for Solitaire. And his grin while they drag him off! I do think Connery was the definitive Bond overall, but nobody else has come close to Moore since. Daniel Craig, much as I like him and he's perfect for the current mould, looks like an identikit agent compared, and no way would Matt Damon's Bourne been able to handle that situation.

This was a Bond back from the days when they were trying to be different and stand out, rather than play to the masses. Moonraker will change all that, though I do rate Octopussy pretty high. Therefore it is dated, it does drag in places and can be a bit too silly, with several contrivances that simply don't make sense, but I repeat, it is the most memorable for me.

I'm in full agreement on that bloody Sheriff. He's a poor character, badly played. I like the idea of him taking the lead throughout the chase sequences (Bond is a background character for a bit), but he's so awful it doesn't work. Really the whole film is dragging at this point. After the cracking mood of the opening hour or so, it just loses momentum. Still, the crocs are classic Bond and we finish with an underground lair and sharks! Sadly without frickin' lasers on their heads. Shame Kananga (bloody great villain) had to go in such silly fashion.

(From James Bond Marathon on April 8th, 2009)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

4. Love's A Witch
Paige becomes immersed in an ongoing feud between two magical families. the Montanas and the Callaways, and attempts to bring about a truce.

My Thoughts:
This is a pretty good episode. Here we meet a guy that Paige becomes interested in as she tries to stop two family of witches from feuding.

5. My Three Witches
The Charmed Ones learn a valuable lesson in magical priorities when a Whithlighter and a demon cast them into an alternate reality.

My Thoughts:
Another good episode. The Charmed Ones get sucked into a world where their own desires comes true... but takes a tragic turn for the worse... and must find a way out.

6. Soul Survivor
Paige discovers that her new boss has sold his soul to the demon Zahn. Despite her sisters' pleas, Paige makes the ultimate sacrifice to save her boss.

My Thoughts:
This is a good... but standard episode. The storyline of Paige wanting to hand some of these magical problems on her own at times is starting to get a little old. I understand where it is coming from... where she was raised as an only child... but it kinda goes against what Charmed has ever been.

7. Sword And The City
A bevy of magical beings arrive at the manor after the Charmed Ones agree to help the Lady of the Lake protect Excalibur, the legendary Sword in the Stone.

My Thoughts:
A good episode... but a bit on the silly side. Not that it was done in a silly way... as it was done quite seriously. I just found the whole storyline a bit silly. Was more of a stand alone episode... not one that served much purpose for future episodes.

(From Charmed Marathon on July 6th, 2008)