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Quatermass and the Pit, a review by GSyren

Quatermass and the Pit - 1958 vs. 1967

Quatermass and the Pit (Disc ID: 8821-4144-4F6A-93E1)

United Kingdom 1958 | Released 2005-04-04 on DVD from BBC Worldwide

207 minutes | Aspect ratio Non-anamorphic 1.33:1 | Audio: English Dolby Digital Mono

Directed by Rudolph Cartier and starring Andre Morell, Cec Linder, Anthony Bushell, John Stratton, Christine Finn

When ancient bones and something resembling an unexploded bomb are found on a London building site, the military and scientists are baffled. As further astounding discoveries are made, the renowned Professor Quatermass begins to unravel a terrifying thread of chaos and terror.

I rate this title

Quatermass and the Pit (5-055201-815569)

United Kingdom 1967 | Released 2011-10-10 on Bluray from Optimum Releasing, Studio Canal

98 minutes | Aspect ratio 1.66:1 | Audio: English PCM 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary PCM 2-Channel Stereo, English Dolby Digital 2-Channel Stereo

Directed by Roy Ward Baker and starring James Donald, Andrew Keir, Barbara Shelley, Julian Glover, Duncan Lamont

I rate this title

It's fascinating to watch these two versions back to back. Almost everything from the 3 1/2 hour TV series is also in the 1 1/2 hour movie. And the TV series doesn't seem slow or the movie rushed. There are a few things that are omitted from the movie, but nothing that you really miss. Most notably there is a journalist in the TV series that is not in the movie. And a major difference between the series and the movie is the location of "the pit". In the series it's an excavation for a building, in the movie it's inside a tube station.

The endings are a little bit different, too. For my money, the ending is set up better in the series, but executed better in the movie. When it comes to the main actors, I think the movie is a bit better. Professor Quatermass is OK in both version (Andre Morell vs Andrew Keir). But for Dr. Roney I definitely prefer James Donald over Cec Linder. The close-minded Colonel Breen is played by Anthony Bushell in the series, and by Julian Glover in the film. I prefer Glover.

When it comes to picture quality, the comparison is simple but perhaps not fair. There is no way that the b&w TV show from 1958 can compete with the film that's in color and 1.66:1 widescreen. But one shouldn't let that weigh in too much. Watch the TV series for what it is, and it's quite enjoyable. I have given them both 4 stars. The movie is perhaps a little bit stronger, but both version are well worth watching.

(From Reviews and ramblings by Gunnar on May 25th, 2015)

The Good Witch, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: The Good Witch
Year: 2008
Director: Craig Pryce
Rating: NR
Length: 88 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: N/A

Stars:
Catherine Bell
Chris Potter
Catherine Disher
Peter MacNeill
Allan Royal
Matthew Knight

Plot:
A mysterious, yet charming woman arrives in a small town and causes a stir when people think she is an actual witch. The town's moral committee, lead by the mayor's wife, becomes convinced she is evil and begins a campaign to drive her out of town. This causes much stress to the town sheriff, a struggling widower, who is slowly developing feelings for the woman. As their relationship grows, the woman helps the sheriff's children, as well as several members of the community, face their problems and overcome personal obstacles. But is it common sense or magic that's helping the townfolk? And will they ever be able to accept her as one of their own?

Extras:
Scene Access

My Thoughts:
This is a movie I saw on cable not all that long ago... along with it's two sequels. And at that time I enjoyed every minute of it. Watching it for the second time today I enjoyed it just as much as the first. I really like the character of Cassandra Nightingale (The Good Witch) and the lovely Catherine Bell did a wonderful job in the role. I couldn't imagine anyone doing it better. If there is anything I didn't care for though... it would be that the ending felt like it was settled a little quickly and easily. But that didn't really take away from the movie for me.

After watching it the first time on Cable I was quick to see if these movies were on DVD. I was thrilled to find this one and ordered it on the next order I made. But unfortunately the two sequels have not been released yet. Hopefully they will be before too long. Also unfortunate is the fact that this DVD release has no extras what so ever.



(From 14 Days of Romance Marathon on February 9th, 2011)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: A woman tried to contact a man on the station to purchase something from him, but he gets killed before they can meet. When she tries to steal it, Odo catches her and starts an investigation. The woman is wanted by the Orion Syndicate, the most powerful criminal organization in the quadrant, and Odo tries to protect her and to help her. But he also falls in love with her.

My Opinion: Odo's love life. Not interested in I am.

Synopsis: Since his business license has been revoked, Quark is almost broke and now another deal has gone down. His knight in shining armor is his cousin Gaila (who once tried to kill Quark), but the business he's in is illegal: He's a weapons dealer and he wants Quark to join him. At first that seems like a good idea, but then he loses his Federation friends on the station and later he might lose his life.

My Opinion: Quark has always been a crook and he probably will always be one. He has purchased and sold illegal goods all his life. But it's good to see that even he has a moral line where he says "till here and no further". And I liked it how he played the leaders of this bloody struggle against each other.
Somehow I feel the urge to watch Lord of War again.

Synopsis: Once, Kira was surgically altered to look like a Cardassian. She was supposedly the daughter of a high ranking cardassian officer in the Central Command. Now this man, her "father", comes to the station. He's dying and he's alone and he wants her to know all his secrets to use it as leverage - a cardassian tradition when one is dying. But seeing him die reminds Kira of the death of her own father back in the days of the occupation.

My Opinion: Five years ago it was unimagenable that Kira would care so deeply for a Cardassian. I liked it how they switched between the current timeline and here memories of the death of her father and I liked it that she buried Ghemor beside her real father. I know exactly how she must have felt. One year ago my grandfather died and I often sat beside him in the hospital and saw the diminishing sparkle of light in his eyes.

Synopsis: Quark is depressed and Rom wants to marry Leeta, one of the bajoran Dabo-Girls in Quark's bar. But when Quark returns home to Ferenginar, to visit his mother, he learns the she and the Grand Nagus Zek are a couple. Brunt (FCA) wants to break them up and he needs Quarks help. Meanwhile Leeta and Rom break up because she doesn't want to sign a standard Ferengi marriage contract (which of course leaves her with no rights and no money during and after the marriage).

My Opinion: This was a fun episode. It's funny how Quark's family breaks with all traditions: Ishka wears clothes, does business and even acts as first financial advisor to the Grand Nagus (secretly of course) and Rom gives all his savings (ok, it wasn't that much) away because he loves Leeta. And Quark stands in the middle of it and just wants to be a normal Ferengi - but at least he's got his business license back.

(From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Marathon on February 1st, 2009)