DVD Collectors Online

Babel, a review by Silence_of_Lambs

Summary:
4 interlocking stories all connected by a single gun all converge at the end and reveal a complex and tragic story of the lives of humanity around the world and how we truly aren't all that different.

My Thoughts:
I shied away from this movie for quite some time, simply because it was so highly praised by the critics, that I thought there has to be something wrong with it ...

... well, there isn't.
This movie is a masterpiece and might as well work as the definition of how an episode movie has to be. It works with time-shifts that are not confusing, builds up the required tension while taking the needed time to develop the story as well as the characters. And it does this so virtuously that you'd like to press the replay-button immediately, not because there would be any open questions, but because of the elegance of the plot and the beauty of the cinematography.

Great one ... and from now on on my "rewatch frequently"-list.

My Rating: (out of possible 5)

(From Michael's random reviews on January 19th, 2011)

Quantum of Solace, a review by Rich

Quantum of Solace



On a nonstop quest for justice that crisscrosses the globe, Bond meets the beautiful but feisty Camille (Olga Kurylenko), who leads him to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a ruthless businessman and major force within the mysterious Quantum organisation. When Bond uncovers a conspiracy to take control of one of the world's most important natural resources, he must navigate a minefield of treachery, deception and murder to neutralise Quantum before it's too late!

Less memorable than Casino Royale, a little less polished than the best Bonds, villains not having such a great impact, Bond girls are great - but could be better.
In other words, this could have been improved with slight tweaks, to transform it from a good movie to a great movie.
The dark rough and ready Daniel Craig is more terminator than the saint, continuing to bring a hard edge to the familiar Bond character, as he goes renegade in an attempt to investigate the organisation that killed Vesper. Very few one-liners, gadgets a rarity, but a mature breakneck speed storyline that fully satisfies.
The action scenes are carbon copies from Bourne, and need to develop in the next Bond film to their own individuality. M has a bigger part than usual, and needless to say Dench pulls off a great performance.
This is the new Bond, grittier and current, and QOS will rank as one of the better films for me.
 

(From James Bond Marathon on June 23rd, 2009)

Smallville Marathon #2, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Lana sees a former friend of hers. But that's impossible, Emily died six years ago. She isn't a ghost, but she isn't totally real either. Clark tries to help Lana and finds a secret lab - and there's more than one Emily. They are copies of a failed experiment and that experiment now endangers Lana's life.

My Opinion: Although I found it interesting that Lionel Luthor is conducting experiments on human beings, I wasn't much into that episode because I am not much into the horror genre.

Synopsis: Lana and Clark get closer and closer but then Dr. Walden is awaking from his coma and he claims that "the day is coming". He tries to kill Clark because he has read the same text as Clark, that "the last son will rule the third planet". Meanwhile someone has stolen Clark's blood from Dr. Bryce's office and there are supsects: Lex and his father Lionel.

My Opinion: This was the great begin of a season finale. As I said I've never read Superman comics but I don't like the idea that Jor-El really had the intention that his son should rule mankind and I am glad that he is opposed to that thought as well.

Synopsis: Clark and Lana have their very first date but then the ship calls out for Clark again. His biological father demands that he leaves everyone behind and that he has to leave Smallville. But he doesn't intend to follow his father's rule but instead he plans to destroy the ship. Meanwhile Lex walks down the aisle and marries Dr. Bryce. But from there everything changes for both Clark and Lex.

My Opinion: Great finale and an evil cliffhanger. I feel so sorry for both Martha who has lost her baby and Clark who feels responsible for that (ok, he actually is). But personally I also think that Clark made a bad choice when he ran away. This guy saves lifes on a nearly daily basis but he doesn't want to face the consequences of his actions. But then again I am forgetting that he is only 17 years old.
I believe that was the last episode I ever watched on television on a regular basis. I missed the beginning of the third season the next fall and then kind of dropped out. I only regained interest in the show after I bought the first seasons on DVD.

The Season - My Opinion: That was a very good season, exploring Clark's origins. We will learn more with every season. This season also had a lot of good stories that came together to several arcs and these will also continue. Of course there were also FotW episodes - and there will always be some in every season - but not so many than in the first season. And more importantly they weren't always bad guys.

(From Smallville Marathon #2 on May 25th, 2008)