DVD Collectors Online

Zatoichi's Revenge, a review by Antares

Zatoichi's Revenge (1965) 74/100 - This is either the third or fourth film in this series, where the theme music could have been written by Ennio Morricone, as it's reminiscent of his style of work. It makes me wonder how much of an influence this series had on Italian directors of Spaghetti Westerns. If you think about it, Ichi is no different than a roving gunslinger, with a conscience, eerily similar to The Man with No Name. For this tenth film in the franchise, Ichi happens upon a village, where the sensei who taught him his masseuse skills, lives. He decides to pay his old master a visit, but is aghast when he finds out the old man has been murdered and his young daughter is being forced into prostitution by the local yakuza boss. Well, you know that Ichi is going to find a way to right the wrongs, all the while dispatching scores of yakuza thugs. What separates this film from the other nine that proceeded it, is that this is the first time that Ichi goes against his code of honor. Up until now, Ichi only killed in self defense, but I guess the anger in his heart at the death of his sensei is too much for him this time around. It shocked me that Daiei allowed this change in his character to happen, because they were taking a chance that audiences would reject this trait in their beloved blind swordsman, and the golden goose would be cooked. But I guess maybe they were right, as another fifteen films would follow this one and it doesn't seem to have besmirched his character or popularity.

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 April 9th, 2014)

British & Irish Lions 2009: Living With the Pride, a review by Rich

Title: British & Irish Lions 2009: Living With the Pride

Runtime:204
Certificate:E
Year:2009
Genres:Sports, Television, Documentary

Plot:In 1997, Living with Lions - the behind the scenes story of the British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa - was acclaimed as one of the greatest sports films ever made. Now, 12 years on, the British & Irish Lions were back in South Africa and so were our film crew, recording every minute of what was one of the greatest British & Irish Lions Test Series of all time.
With unprecedented access to all areas of the Tour, Living with the Pride is the most intimate, honest and intense portrait of life as a Lion ever produced.
From the Pennyhill Park training camp, to the magnificent final Test victory in Johannesburg, this is the inside story of how players, who are normally the fiercest of opponents, turned themselves into a band of brothers desperate to restore pride to the Lions jersey. Their grueling 10-match tour of the World Champions' back yard asked questions of the players' mental and physical strength like never before.
British & Irish Lions legend and Head Coach Ian McGeechan worked closely with our film crew to make an astonishing no-holds-barred documentary with access to every player, an open door to every team meeting, training session, selection meeting as well as excusive access to the passion, fury and ultimately elation of the Lions dressing room. This is a unique and uncompromising insight into life on a Lions Tour, described by Tour Manager Gerald Davies as 'the last great adventure in rugby'.
No Lions Series has ever been closer, with many commentators describing the second Test as 'the greatest rugby match ever'. Sometimes hilarious, but often brutal, bruising and moving, British and Irish Lions 2009 - Living with the Pride DVD is the official and exclusive behind the scenes story of one of the most exhilarating, emotional and memorable sports tours of all time.

My Review:
Of absolutely no interest to 99% of the world, but if you are interested in rugby, or like watching behind the scenes sporting documentaries, then this view into the lives of the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, the hardest full contact sport, in the hardest country, is a must. Not quite the 1997 groundbreaking Living with the Lions, but fascinating, awe inspiring and laced with some hilarious moments as can only be had by 40+ young fellas on tour.


(From DCO third annual November Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on November 17th, 2009)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Marathon , a review by Critter

1.07
Angel

Plot:My Thoughts: This is an excellent episode. Darla is fantastic as the antagonist here and it's great to hear about Angels interesting backstory. I've always loved the idea that returning the soul to a vampire is the worst punishment anyone can do to them and this really shows in how tortured Angel is. I also like how the story of the Master and the boy that works with him was developed throughout this ep. In a way though I was almost sad to see Darla go, she was a very cool villian.

Rating: 4/5

(From Buffy The Vampire Slayer Marathon on May 24th, 2010)