DVD Collectors Online

Hostel, a review by addicted2dvd

Hostel
Presented by Quentin Tarantino ('Kill Bill, Vols. 1 & 2') and written and directed by Eli Roth ('Cabin Fever'), HOSTEL is a shocking and relentless film about two Americans (Jay Hernandez of 'Friday Night Lights' and Derek Richardson of 'Dumb and Dumberer') backpacking through Europe who find themselves lured in as victims of a murder-for-profit business.

My Thoughts:
This is a movie that was given to me from a good friend not that long ago. Going into it I knew very little of this movie... so went into it with very low to no expectations. The first thing I noticed about this movie is that when watching the first half an hour of the movie you can forget that you are even watching a horror movie. That first half an hour feels more like a movie about college buddies backpacking it through Europe. But then when they get to this one particular Hostel... that is where all the fun begins. Then the horror hits pretty good. This is not much of a movie for scares... it is more of a shock value type horror... with a generous amount of gore. Over-all... while it is not the best horror movie I have seen lately. I did enjoy it quite a bit... and can see myself watching it again. Definitely was worth the hour and a half I invested into this movie... now I find myself wanting to get part 2 and checking it out.

(From Weekend Movie Marathon 1/18 - 1/20 on January 19th, 2008)

Winter's Bone, a review by goodguy

Winter's Bone (2010) Written by: Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini, based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell Directed by: Debra Granik Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Kevin Breznahan, Dale Dickey, Garret Dillahunt DVD: R1-US Lionsgate (Oct 26, 2010) My rating:

Cover Blurb:

Long time no post. I'm still not really in the mood for writing even some mini reviews, but this one deserves a few words, because it moved straight up into my Top 3 of 2010.

David Gordon Green's Undertow and Jeff Nichols' Shotgun Stories are the obvious reference points for this Southern Gothic tale, but I'm going out on a limb here (and probably also pique more of an interest on this forum) by mentioning Rian Johnson's Brick.

This time, the weary and beaten teenage detective is a girl, who has to navigate a white trash backwoods community with unspoken rules that are far more complicated than the setting suggests. Newcomer Jennifer Lawrence is amazing in the leading role, but the entire cast is without a flaw.

Trailer:


(From goodguy's Watch Log on November 9th, 2010)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

The Weird Al Show: The Complete Series (1997/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Shout! Factory (United States) Length: 295 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles:

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Plot:
Ever since his 1983 self-titled breakthrough album, "Weird Al" Yankovic has been unsurpassed as a proven purveyor of parody and musical satire. His classic film, UHFTHE WEIRD AL SHOW, a cosmic inevitability.

Yankovic's signature warped comedy, original songs, TV and movie spoofs, offbeat animation and ability to attract a wonderful and motley collection of special surprise guests are what make the 13 episodes of this CBS Saturday morning show a treasure chest of all things Al.

As an inventor living in a secret subterranean workshop, Weird Al's world includes his pet (Harvey the Wonder Hamster), his superhero neighbor (The Hooded Avenger), the twisted animated "Adventures Of Fatman" and a roster of friends and guests, including: Drew Carey, Dick Clark, Dr. Demento, Stan Freberg, Teri Garr, Gilbert Gottfried, Victoria Jackson, Kevin McCarthy, Michael McKean, Bill Mumy, Patton Oswalt, Dick Van Patten, Emo Philips, Randy "Macho Man" Savage, Judy Tenuta, John Tesh, Fred Willard and Dweezil Zappa.

Plus live musical performances by Barenaked Ladies, Hanson and of course, Al himself make THE WEIRD AL SHOW a must-have, timeless delight for all his fans.

The Weird Al Show
Season 1.01 Bad Influence
Writer: Al Yankovic (Created By), Heidi Atherton (Writer), Mark O'Keefe (Writer), Ron Weiner (Writer), Al Yankovic (Writer)
Director: Peyton Reed
Cast: Al Yankovic (Al), Brian Haley (The Hooded Avenger), G. Le'Roi Gray (Bobby), Stan Freberg (Papa Boolie), Donavan Freberg (Baby Boolie), Beau Weaver ("Channel Hopping" Announcer), Billy West (Show Announcer), Kevin Weisman (Spike), Patton Oswalt (Seymour), Julie Brown (Herself), Barenaked Ladies (Themselves)

This series was a hard thing to do for Weird Al Yankovic. He wanted to do something for adult audiences, but had to do a show for kids. The result is an undercurrent of a constant parody of a kid show. If you look at this show like that, you has some fun moments.
Highlight of this first episode is the "Harvey the Wonder Hamster" song and the musical guests "Barenaked Ladies".

Rating:



(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on November 14th, 2012)