DVD Collectors Online

The Hills Have Eyes(Remake), a review by addicted2dvd

The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
The shock-a-minute chiller that scared the 'hill' out of audiences around the world takes terror to the next level in this Unrated Special Edition including additional footage not shown in theaters and DVD special features to die for!

A cross-country road trip takes a deadly turn in this spine-tingling remake of Wes Craven's classic horror masterpiece about a stranded family that falls prey to a freakish clan of bloodthirsty mutants in the New Mexico desert. Packed with gut-wrenching gore, ghastly makeup effects and heart-stopping suspense, 'The Hills Have Eyes' will keep you on the edge of your seat - and your sanity!

My Thoughts:
This was a complete blind buy... never even seen the trailer before buying it the other day. Before watching a movie I always (Whenever Possible) watch the trailer first whether it is on the disc or if I have to find it online. The first thing I noticed when I watched the trailer today is that Emilie de Ravin is in the movie. I first became aware of her in the TV Series Roswell. Then I also notice Ted Levine who I know from the TV Series Monk. So I was happy to see that there will be a familiar face or two in it to watch. In the credits I also saw the name Billy Drago who I have become a fan of over the years. I first notice as The Demon of Fear on Charmed. Though I didn't notice him in the movie itself... so I imagine he was one of the ones that was buried under a whole lot of prosthetic make-up. I never seen the original to compare this to... but that may be a good thing because I was able to judge this movie on it's own merits alone... and I must say I enjoyed every minute of it. I have the Unrated version... and they definitely wasn't shy with gore in this movie!


Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O76m3kpgPTQ

(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Unwatched DVDs on April 25th, 2009)

Frances, a review by Eric

Frances




Summary: Jessica Lange delivers the performance of her career as Frances Farmer, the notorious 1930's movie star whose impassioned opinions and outspoken behavior created scandal throughout the industry. But when she was betrayed by the studio system and committed to an insane asylum by her domineering mother, Frances descended into a madness that revealed the most horrific abuses of mental illness and exposed the cruelest consequences of Hollywood fame.

Kim Stanley and Sam Shepherd co-star in this tragic true story that shocked the world. FRANCES is now presented in a stunning new transfer from original film materials and is packed with startling new bonus features exclusive to this edition.

My Thoughts: This is the typical story of a woman who was born in a time where she couldn't settle for what society allowed her to be.  Truly beautiful, intelligent, opiniated and strong minded, she became an actress in a Hollywood who wanted nothing else from women than be beautiful and do as they were told.  Unfortunately for her, Frances was not of that type and she lived a life full of frustrations and deceptions.  Child of a controlling mother, probably schizophrenic, who wanted to live through her daughter the life that she never had, the only place where Frances could ever seek refuge ended up to be the most damaging to her.  Unable to control her emotions, she often had outbursts of rage which got her labeled as mentally sick and institutionalized.  After receiving monstrous treatments that were common in her time she had a lobotomy and was released from the institution.  She worked in television and died in 1970.

That is a very good movie, for me it was one of those blind buys that turn out to be such a nice choice.  Jessica Lange and Kim Stanley both give extremely good performances.  Some of their scenes together are shockingly good.  I really really liked that movie and very strongly recommend it.

My Score: 10/10, I want use my regular scoring system because this movie is worth much more than just a stupid smiley with a thumb up (But that comment is worth a stupid smiley with an eye closed).


A featurette on the DVD shows pictures of Frances Farmer, the film doesn't when painting her a very beautiful woman, see for yourself.





(From Eric's DVD watching. on June 2nd, 2008)

Pete's Pilots, a review by addicted2dvd

The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Over its seven-year run, The Mary Tyler Moore Show won twenty-nine Emmy Awards, more than any other comedy in television history. Now get ready to run back the dial to 1970 and rejoin the gang from WJM - the lowest-rated (but most hilarious) evening news show in Minneapolis. Relive all the laughter with Mary, Lou, Murray, Ted, Rhoda and Phyllis as the first season of this classic TV show arrives on DVD!

Love is All Around
New to Minneapolis and rebounding from a broken engagement, Mary takes a job in the WJM-TV newsroom.

My Thoughts:
Now we get to  a classic sitcom. And one with lots of laughs. The show's cast works together so well. I love the chemistry between Mary and Lou. And I can't help but to laugh at how Murray goes after Ted. This episode is a great introduction to the show. I laughed out loud more then once. I especially enjoyed the interview Lou gave to Mary. How she answered all the questions out of order.

My Rating:

(From Pete's Pilots on March 25th, 2010)