DVD Collectors Online

Whale Rider, a review by Rich

dodging sheep in NZ...



A small Maori village faces a crisis when the heir to the leadership of the Ngati Konohi dies at birth and is survived only by his twin sister, Pai. Although disregarded by her grandfather and shunned by the village people, twelve-year-old Pai remains certain of her calling and trains herself in the ways and customs of her people.  With remarkable grace, Pai finds the strength to challenge her family and embraces a thousand years of traditions in order to fulfill her destiny.

Certainly a dvd that would be better understood by a woman, as the underlying theme of the film is the struggle of a girl to be accepted in a mans world. Well crafted, flowed beautifully, and wonderful acting by all involved. Great scenes with the whales, and as a viewer you develop a love/hate relationship with the tyrannical and proud grandfather. A wee bit too slushy for my taste, but I would still recommend a viewing of this with a 5/10.

(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on March 10th, 2008)

Crazy Heart, a review by Silence_of_Lamb

Summary:
Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a broken-down, hard-living country music singer who's had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road and far too many drinks way too many times. And yet, Bad can't help but reach for salvation with the help of Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician.

My Thoughts:
A movie like a freight-train: Slow and Powerful

In fact this movie is more or less a One-Man-Show, granted, there are other actors and actresses appearing but what makes it exceptional is the performance of Jeff Bridges.
And what a performance this is, Bridges is giving us the down-on-his-luck musician struggling for survival with such an intensity ... it's simply breathtaking.

The, besides the acting of Mr. Bridges, best thing about this movie is what it isn't.
It isn't a movie about an alcoholic drowning in his addiction.
It isn't a movie about an egomaniac doomed to destroy himself and all that love him.
It isn't a movie about a big comeback of an almost forgotten former idol.
And best of all: It isn't a fairytale, in which the ugly frog miraculously turns into a prince.

In the end we find Bad Blake exactly where he was at the beginning of the movie, with just one important difference: In the beginning he had to be there, in the end he wants to be there.

Highly recommended to all but Pete (too much music)

My Rating: (out of possible 5)

(From Michael's random reviews on March 26th, 2011)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

5. Church of Metropolis (10/23/94)
Let us prey. Entrepreneur Bill Church hires local thugs to terrorize good neighborhoods so he can scoop up bargain-priced real estate as sites for his discount stores.

My Thoughts:
This is the episode that introduces Intergang. I always had mixed feelings on the Intergang storyline since I never cared much for stories involving organized crime. But at the same time the stories have always been pretty good... and I like Peter Boyle as Bill Church.


6. Operation Blackout (10/30/94)
Where were you when the lights went out? A citywide blackout has Lois and Clark hunting for a culprit(and a motive) while the rest of the Daily Planet staff scrambles to publish sans technology.

My Thoughts:
This one is an entertaining... but somewhat average episode. I will admit it wass fun to watch Lois go through technology withdraws.


7. That Old Gang of Mine (11/13/94)
Scarface vs. Superman! A misguided scientist manipulates DNA to regenerate 1930s gangsters, including Al Capone - who decides he'd like to run Metropolis the way he did Chicago.

My Thoughts:
I normally do not care for anything with gangsters and such. But this is an exception... as I really enjoyed this episode. I must admit... I got a bit of a chuckle out of Clark falling asleep in the car at the end of the episode while Lois told him how she feels about him.


8. A Bolt from the Blue (11/20/94)
A lightning strike gives a dumpy sad sack the same abilities Superman possesses. Garbed in a red suit and blue cape, the newly empowered Resplendent Man goes into the superhero biz - for a price.

My Thoughts:
This episode is a lot of fun. I enjoyed every minute of it. Plus it had a few recognizable faces. First there is Denise Crosby playing the doctor once again. This time a much larger part. Then there is Cindy Williams (Laverne and Shirley) As well as I forget his name... but he played the scientist that created the invisibility suit in season 1. This time he plays the guy that get's Superman's abilities.



(From Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Marathon on July 22nd, 2009)