DVD Collectors Online

Monsters, a review by Jon

Monsters
4 out of 5



Like Val Lewton in the 1940s, Gareth Edwards could be accused of pulling a fast one. Lewton was influential in creating cheap b-movies with evocative titles that were actually intelligent character pieces. Likewise MonstersDistrict 9District 9Cloverfield, but MonstersThe Mist stands as a finer example of using monsters as a backdrop for the human condition, however Monsters is distinct for its optimism. While it lacks set-pieces and gore, the detritus of fights with the creatures litter the route and create a sombre atmosphere. If anything, the film it reminds me more of is The RoadMonstersJurassic Park thrill-ride, but go in with an open mind and there is much to admire. Monsters is a masterful film that demonstrates a more effective, restrained use of CGI than any of its contemporaries, from War of the Worlds to Cloverfield, while having a grasp of cinematography and editing so confident it could rival a political thriller like Syriana

(From Monsters **** on December 1st, 2010)

New Tale of Zatoichi, a review by Antares

New Tale of Zatoichi (1963) 3.5/5

(From Antares' Short Summations on January 12th, 2012)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

09. Hero (1999-11-30)
Writer: Howard Gordon (Writer), Tim Minear (Writer)
Director: Tucker Gates
Casthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F-JfoXSzuk

What I really liked in this episode is the final scene with the pre-recorded videotape of Doyle.

Rating:



10. Parting Gifts (1999-12-14)
Writer: David Fury (Writer), Jeannine Renshaw (Writer)
Director: James A. Contner
Cast: David Boreanaz (Angel), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Glenn Quinn (Doyle), Maury Sterling (Barney), Carey Cannon (Female Oracle), Randall Slavin (Male Oracle), Alexis Denisof (Wesley Wyndam-Pryce), Jayson Creek (Producer #1), Sean Smith (Producer #2), Sara Devlin (Producer #3), Jason Kim (Soon), Brett Gilbert (Reptilian Demon), Henry Kingi (Kungai Demon), Lawrence Turner (Hank), Cheyenne Wilbur (Concierge), Dominique Jennings (Mac), Kotoko Kawamura (Ancient Korean Woman)

I like the introduction of Wesley. At first introduced as a hard-assed demon hunter, but as it turns out, he hasn't much changed since we last seen him on Buffy.
"I am a rogue demon hunter!" - "What's a rogue demon?"

Rating:



11. Somnambulist (2000-01-18)
Writer: Tim Minear (Writer)
Director: Winrich Kolbe
Cast: David Boreanaz (Angel), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Alexis Denisof (Wesley Wyndam-Pryce), Elisabeth Rohm (Kate Lockley), Jeremy Renner (Penn), Nick McCallum (Skateboard Kid), Kimberleigh Aarn (Precinct Clerk), Paul Webster (Uniform #1), Brien DiRito (Task Force Member #1)

Finally Kate has a bigger and a better role in an episode. Here she learns the truth about Angel.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on April 18th, 2009)