DVD Collectors Online

Midnight Express, a review by Rich

Keep out of trouble through Turkey...





Written by Oliver Stone, based on a true story, a harrowing story of a man thrown in to a Turkish jail after being caught smuggling a small amount of dope. Brad Davis and John Hurt are both convincing as they slowly go mad in this torturous prison, and some scenes are extremely brutal and difficult to watch. Enjoyed this flick, despite it slumping in the middle, and would recommend it as a bargain buy. 6/10

(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on February 6th, 2008)

Blind Fury, a review by DJ Doena

January, 10th


Director: Phillip Noyce

Rutger Hauer    ...    Nick Parker
Terry O'Quinn   ...    Frank Devereaux
Brandon Call   ...    Billy Devereaux
Noble Willingham   ...    MacCready
Lisa Blount   ...    Annie Winchester
Meg Foster   ...    Lynn Devereaux

Synopsis: Nick Parker was blinded during the Vietnam War but he's come to live with it. The locals have taught him to compensate it and even how to use a sword. After many years he tries to contact an old army friend of his but Frank is in deep trouble. He owes people money and they force him to create designer drugs. When he doesn't want to cooperate they kill his wife and try to take his son. But they didn't anticipate that blind man showing up.

My Opinion: I always liked this movie. The acting isn't exactly the best but I like the relationship between Nick and Billy; their bantering in the beginning and their friendship in the end. I also like all the fights because it looks different from what a seeing man would do.

(From DJ Doena's movie watchings 2010 on January 24th, 2010)

"Stargate SG-1" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: After SG-1 has brought a device to Earth that was presumably build by the Ancients, Jonas starts to see weird insects. At first no one knows what to make of it but then others begin to see them, too. It even spreads among the normal population.

My Opinion: I liked the fact that it wasn't something they brought back but that these creatures have always been here - we just can't perceive them. The gas station guy was also funny and I liked the insects they've invented.

Synopsis: Jack assassinates Senator Kinsey. At least it looks like it. While Jack is in prison, SG-1 tries to find out what really happened and they get help from the NID.

My Opinion: As I previously mentioned, nearly every storyline gets picked up again and is continued in SG-1. This time they re-used the holographic devices from Foothold. I especially liked the way Teal'c interrogated the scientist. I also thought it to be a good thing that they portreyed the NID from a different POV, that they aren't just a heinous gang that stops at nothing.

Synopsis: In exchange for a Stargate address and a device that can open an Ancients weapons locker, Maybourne gets a presidential pardon. He also has another trump card that allows him to accompany SG-1. But he played with marked cards and he transports himself and Jack to a remote place. Unfortunately he doesn't find what he had hoped for.

My Opinion: Finally a decent Jack episode again. I haven't noticed it before but it struck me during this marathon: Richard Dean Anderson had astonishingly few screen time during this season. In one episode he made no appearance at all (Nightwalkers) in others he has very few scenes (especially but not exclusively in the last two episodes).
But Jack and Maybourne were once again fun to watch, both have their way to survive in the wilderness. And once again it's Jack who is seperated from his team and has to survive on a remote planet for several weeks. He has the same talent as Daniel who falls for power.

Synopsis: The russian SG team brings a man to the SGC. He and his people are experimented on by Nirrti. SG-1 feels morally obligated to stop her but they get caught in the experiment.

My Opinion: She got what she deserved. The fact that she has been killed by her own victims bears a certain poetic justice. But I am more interested in what the writers had in mind when they mentioned that Jonas's DNA is different. I can't remember if this has ever been revealed.

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on April 12th, 2008)