DVD Collectors Online

The Hellbenders, a review by Antares

The Hellbenders (1967) 69/100 - Only my second Sergio Corbucci Spaghetti Western and definitely a leg up on the first, Django. Django started off and ended great, but it really slogged along during the middle. This film starts off kind of sloppy and frenetic, but once it settled down, the plot twists finally pulled me in. I do think that Joseph Cotten was horribly miscast in the lead role. The dubbing is pretty bad in spots, but it doesn't detract from the viewing experience. Corbucci was known for his scenes of violence and here he ramps it up to red line status. The twist at the end was good and I didn't see it coming. A lukewarm recommendation at best from me.

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 July 11th, 2020)

The Reaping, a review by addicted2dvd

I didn't feel like waiting for the weekend so....


The Reaping


My Thoughts:
When I bought this movie yesterday (Wednesday) it was a complete blind buy. I never even seen the trailer to it. But it was cheap... and the back of the case sounds like a good movie. One that reminded me of the short lived TV Series Miracles... which I enjoyed quite a bit. So I bought it before doing any research on it what so ever. Absolutely no more then an impulse buy. Once I got home with it the first thing I did was watch the trailer online. This was very promising... looked like something I would enjoy... and my expectations started to grow. Then I went to read some online reviews of the movie. It seemed most all reviewers was disappointed with this movie. And with that my expectations went done somewhat.

So I finally decide to watch it and see for myself just how good or bad this movie is. For me... This is a decent movie. Maybe slightly above average. But it is not even as good as I was actually expecting from the back cover blurb and trailer. The movie has a good story which I do believe could have been better. And it has some great visual effects. The movie did look pretty amazing. I think Hilary Swank did a pretty good job in this movie... but she has definitely done better in previous movies... so is not her best work. I also think the story over-did it with the flashbacks. OK... some was necessary... like explaining what happen to Katherine's daughter years before. But why the need to show flashbacks of what we actually did see previously in the movie? Do they think we would forget what happen? I won't say I am sorry I bought this movie... as it definitely wasn't terrible... and it was cheap. But I don't think it is one I will watch often. Though who knows... I may enjoy it a bit more on a second viewing... that has happened before.


Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJmoEPwudN0

(From Movie Marathon on March 12th, 2009)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

1.20 Victoria's Secret - Part 1 (1995-05-11)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Paul Haggis (Writer), David Shore (Writer)
Director: Paul Haggis
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Daniel Kash (Detective Louis Gardino), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Ramona Milano (Francesca), Melina Kanakaredes (Victoria Metcalf), Denis Forest (Jolly Hughes), Shay Duffin (Father Behan), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Paulina Gillis (Maria), David Calderisi (Mr. Vecchio), Vito Rezza (Tony), Sam Moses (Mr. Mustafi), Bruce McFee (Moran), Victor Ertmanis (Staff Sgt. Meers), Kim Ange (Boswell), Sam Malkin (Brown), Arthi Sambasivan (Jasmine), Craig Eldridge (Criminalist), Reiner Schwarz (Peddlar), Bob Fisher (Bonilla)

This two-parter picks up on the story of Fraser's ladyfriend whom he mentioned earlier in the season. This is a more dramatic episode. The only real comic relief here is Fraser's dad ("What happened to your hat?" )

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on July 26th, 2009)