DVD Collectors Online

Django, a review by Antares

Django (1966) 68/100 - Good beginning and a good ending, unfortunately the rest of the film makes you truly appreciate what a genius Sergio Leone was with his four westerns. It appeared to me that Corbucci never really had the same love of the American west and Hollywood's vision as Leone did. When Leone created for the screen, it was a love affair, with Corbucci, it's all just matter of fact, mud and violence. There were times when it bordered on camp with so many ridiculous moments of unreal violence, something that must have inspired Sam Peckinpah when he made The Wild Bunch, as the ambush scene is eerily similar to Peckinpah's blood bath at the fiesta. I did enjoy Franco Nero's performance though, he definitely had that certain something that screamed screen presence. I watched it in its original Italian soundtrack, maybe I should have used the English dubbing. I may have liked it more, because the cheesy dubbing is what makes most spaghetti westerns entertaining. Oh, and one final note, I spoke of the campy nature of certain scenes, well, this was definitely further augmented by the horrible soundtrack by Luis Bacalov. Ennio Morricone he is not.

What the color coding means...

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is

(From Antares' Short Summations on January 24th, 2013)

The Last Wave, a review by Danae Cassandra

Where We Are: Australia
wikipedia

What We Watched:  


The Last Wave
Year of Release: 1977
Directed By: Peter Weir
Starring: Richard Chamberlain, Olivia Hamnett, Gulpilil, Nandjiwarra Amagula
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Fantasy

Overview:
Richard Chamberlain stars as Australian lawyer David Burton, who takes on the defense of a group of aborigines accused of killing one of their own. He suspects the victim has been killed for violating a tribal taboo, but the defendants deny any tribal association. Burton, plagued by apocalyptic visions of water, slowly realizes his own involvement with the aborigines...and their prophecies.

My Thoughts
Richard Chamberlain has long been one of my favorite actors. He might have the distinction of being the first actor I would have said was a favorite. I had such a crush on him in the 80's. It's thirty years later, now, but he's still a favorite of mine, and movies like this show why.

This is a really interesting film. It's very slow moving, which doesn't work for a lot of people, but to me helps build the growing atmosphere of mystery, and the pervading feeling of impending doom.

Doom here is the future that David (Chamberlain) foresees, but does not believe in his own power. Mystery here is meant as in religious mysteries, the mysteries that the aborigines Chris and Charlie hint at to David, and that David's dream-visions open to him.

Spirituality is the heart of the film. David comes from a completely secular background, even though his dad is a minister. Discovering there is more to the world than he has been taught, he feels betrayed and lashes out at his dad with "Why didn't you tell me there were mysteries?" When his dad says that his whole life has been dealing with them as a priest, David retorts that he stood at the pulpit and explained them all away.

This is, to me, what Chris & Charlie mean when they say that David has forgotten what dreams are. He - we - have lost the mystical in the world, the mysteries of life that surround us.

It also has something to say about what white attitude toward aboriginal peoples, especially in how David's colleagues are so quick to dismiss the idea that city-dwelling aborigines may not have held onto their culture, that they are just like 'poor whites.' Maybe they are, and David is being romantic with his ideas about tribal peoples, and maybe they aren't, but who are we, as outsiders, to decide either way.

Vastly interesting film, very well done, for all of me. Both Moira and I enjoyed it immensely.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 4/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on January 5th, 2015)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

4. Size Matters
A hideous demon shrinks Phoebe to a powerless five inches and uses her as bait to trap the other two sisters.

My Thoughts:
This is a really good episode. One of my favorites. But that could be because of the guest star in this one. Has one of my favorite horror genre actors in it. Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger)... he plays the "demon of the week" in this episode. And the episode is a lot of fun.

5. Knight To Remember
After conjuring up a medieval prince and discovering she was an evil enchantress in a past life, Paige must save Phoebe and Piper who have become trapped in the Dark Ages.

My Thoughts:
This is a pretty good episode. It is the episode that Piper and Phoebe decide it is time to have Paige move in with them. And it also is one where we find out about Paige's past life... an evil past of a Charmed One... like the show never did that before! But I guess it is ok to recycle some ideas now that the series has a new start with a new sister. Just as long as they don't go to far with it.... and if memory serves me right... they didn't.

6. Brain Drain
When The Source taps into Piper's brain and alters her perception of reality, Phoebe and Paige work quickly before she gives up all their powers.

My Thoughts:
This is a good episode... I did enjoy it. But what is it about fantasy shows? It is like they all must have those "What if I am really crazy... and in a nut house?" episode. Don't get me wrong... I think they did a really good job with it. But it just seems like every fantasy series must have this story in there somewhere.

7. Black As Cole
Phoebe encounters Cole's demonic past when the sisters help a widow seek vengeance on a demon that killed her fiance.

My Thoughts:
This is a pretty good episode. Is a big Cole episode... and a major turning-point for the character... as his demon half gets vanquished.

(From Charmed Marathon on June 27th, 2008)