DVD Collectors Online

Under Siege , a review by Dragonfire

Under Siege It's not a job. It's an adventure! Steven Seagal comes aboard and comes on strong in a fireball of a movie from the director of "The Fugitive." When the USS Missouri welcomes aboard entertainers for the battleship's last voyage, the visitors throw a party. A war party. Led by a rogue CIA operative (Tommy Lee Jones) and a turncoat officer (Gary Busey), they're killer-elite commandos out to hijack the ship's nuclear arsenal. They overpower the crew. Except one man. "I'm just a cook," that man says. But he's a cook with a recipe for action. He's ex-Navy SEAL and decorated combat operative Casey Ryback (Seagal). All hands on deck, action fans! My Thoughts I've seen several of Steven Segal's movies.  I've usually enjoyed them, though the man really isn't that talented of an actor.  This one is my favorite of his movies..and I think the best. The plot is entertaining even though it isn't the most original.  It is a bit like Die Hard, but that didn't bother me.  There is enough explanation in the movie for why Strannix and Krill are doing what they are doing..and for why Casey is able to deal with the situation almost completely alone.  Things do start off a little slower while everything is set up.  Once Strannix puts his plan in motion, the pace picks up a lot.  There is a lot of action in the movie, including a few well done fights with Segal.  The violence is a little graphic in a few scenes, but it isn't that bad overall.  There does seem to be an attempt to add a bit of romance between Casey and Jordan that really goes no where..though there is one kiss late in the movie.  I don't think there is chemistry between them, but I'm not really bothered by it either.  Jordan doesn't add a lot to the movie other than sex appeal.  She does get almost naked briefly - probably too briefly for some people Strannix and Krill are a bit over the top, but they work great as villains.  Strannix is complicated and perhaps a bit unbalanced.  There is an intensity to the character that makes it clear he is willing to do anything to achieve his goal.  He also calls himself RoadRunner and talks about other Looney Tunes characters, almost like he idolizes them or something.  Tommy Lee Jones is wonderful in the part.  I really don't think the character, and as a result the movie, would have worked as well if someone else played Strannix.  Krill is definitely unbalanced and more than likely willing to kill his own mother if it will serve his needs.  Gary Busey plays unhinged really well. I've lost track of how many times I've seen this one over the years.  It works well as an action movie and I still enjoy it.  It is definitely worth watching. I did get a review posted on Epinions. Under Siege

(From Under Siege on September 26th, 2010)

The Exorcist: The Version You Never Seen, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen
Year: 1973
Director: William Friedkin
Rating: R
Length: 132 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Surround EX, English: Dolby Digital Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: English, French

Stars:
Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil
Max von Sydow as Father Merrin
Lee J. Cobb as Lt. Kinderman
Kitty Winn as Sharon
Jack MacGowran as Burke Dennings

Plot:Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Theatrical Trailers
Production Notes
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
Let me start out this review by letting you all know that this film holds a special place in my heart. This was Dawn's (my late wife) all time favorite movie. We watched this together countless times. And it never failed to scare her every time. Scared her to the point that after watching it she made me follow her around the house as she didn't want to be anywhere alone. I always felt it was unfortunate she never saw this version of the movie. While the movie never scared me. I could see how it would scare people.

The above reminds me of something else. Several years later my niece spent the night with us. And she came to me saying... "Uncle Pete, Show me a movie that will scare me!" So I instantly thought of The Exorcist... and can you believe she sat there and laughed through the entire movie!?!? Kids now a day! Which bring us to the point that it was Brittany chose this movie to watch next. (So you can expect a review from Brittany soon) But I already told her.... if she laughs at this movie... I am calling a psychiatrist!

To me this is a great movie. Sure it is a bit slow in parts. But the story is of such interest to me that it didn't "feel" slow. I of course love the head spin scene... and then there is the whole spider walk down the stairs scene... very cool. I am afraid that my problem reviewing this movie is determining how much of my fondness is for the quality of the movie and how much of it is how it just holds a special place in my heart. So how true is the rating I am giving it? I am questioning myself on this matter. But one thing I would never question myself on is the fact that I would definitely recommend this movie!



(From Movies of the '70s Marathon on March 19th, 2010)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete First Season marathon, a review by Tom

09. What He Beheld (2008-03-03)
Writer: Josh Friedman (Created By), Ian Goldberg (Writer), James Cameron (Original Characters By), Gale Anne Hurd (Original Characters By)
Director: Mike Rohl
Cast

(From Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete First Season marathon on January 28th, 2009)