DVD Collectors Online

The Other Boleyn Girl, a review by Rich

Title: The Other Boleyn Girl

Runtime:115
Certificate:PG-13
Year:2008
Genres:Drama, Romance

Plot:Based on the best-selling novel, The Other Boleyn Girl is a captivating tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, and Eric Bana. Two sisters, Anne (Portman) and Mary (Johansson), are driven by their ambitious family to seduce the King of England (Bana) in order to advance their position in court. What starts as an opportunity for the girls to increase the family fortune becomes a deadly rivalry to capture the heart of a king and stay alive.

My Review:
Fascinating and admirable, an informative and entertaining period piece that shines with great performances (once you can excuse the poor accents), historical drama and educational backdrop.
Portman and Johansson in particular as the Boleyn sisters were impressive, painting a different slant on their involvement in the whole affair and coming across as not such unwitting pawns to their power hungry father and cunning uncle. Bana was a mile away from the real Henry of course who was fat and ugly, but for storyline purposes he fit the bill. The reasons for the split from the catholic church, the lust of Henry, the demise of Catherine, and the birth of Elizabeth, are memorable gems from the movie.
I've not read the book so cannot compare, but as a standalone film, and from one who typically is not a great fan of period drama, I really enjoyed it and would heartily recommend it.


(From DCO third annual November Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on November 4th, 2009)

Stephen King's Rose Red, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: Stephen King's Rose Red
Movie Count: 48
TV Ep Count: 17
Time Started: 7am
Plot:
The chilling tale of Dr. Joyce Reardon (Nancy Travis), an obsessed psychology professor who commissions a team of psychics and a gifted 15-year-old autistic girl, Annie Wheaton, to literally wake up a supposedly dormant haunted mansion -- Rose Red. Their efforts unleash myriad spirits and uncover horrifying secrets of the generations who have lived and died there.

My Thoughts:
This is a long time favorite of mine. One of the best Haunted House stories I have in my collection. I missed this one when it originally aired on TV... but a friend of mine gave the DVD release to me for Christmas when it was released. Since then I have watched it every year during my annual Month Long Halloween/Horror Marathon. One thing I just noticed with this viewing is that one of the psychics is played by the star of the TV Series "Bones"... Emily Deschanel. I didn't originally recognize her as she has her hair blond in this movie. She also has a part in the horror movie "Boogeyman." If you have never seen this miniseries I would highly recommend checking it out! I am sure you won't be sorry.

(From Month-Long Horror/Halloween Marathon on October 17th, 2007)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

"Witch Trial"
Original Airdate: September 30, 1999
When a demon steals the Book of Shadows, the Ha!liwell sisters have just one chance to recapture it or they will lose their powers forever.

My Thoughts:
A nice strong episode for the season premiere. We even get to see some of the demons they vanquished in the first season... as the demon undo the spells that The Charmed Ones casted in the first season. I also liked how they showed repercussions from the end of the first season... and showed Pru freezing up when she faced the first demon since what happen at the end of season 1.

"Morality Bites"
Original Airdate: October 7, 1999
Phoebe has a horrifying premonition of her own execution, so the sisters cast a one-time spell that catapults them into the future to try and change her fate.

My Thoughts:
Another really good episode... one that shows there can be serious repercussions even with minor acts of revenge and personal gain. And I liked how they showed the future if they were ever exposed. Makes you wonder if that is what it would be like if we never smartened up from the days of the Salem Witch Trials.

"The Painted World"
Original Airdate: October 14, 1999
The sisters are trapped in a painting by a warlock who plans to torch it and destroy them unless Phoebe can reverse their impending doom.

My Thoughts:
This is a basic filler episode... and nothing really all that special about it. But it was enjoyable.

"The Devil's Music"
Original Airdate: October 21, 1999
Leo returns to help the sisters save their young neighbor when the manager of a band scheduled to play Piper's nightclub makes a demonic deal.

My thoughts:
A music heavy episode... and you all know how I feel about music. But it was still enjoyable. In this one some band called Dishwalla comes to play at Piper's new club... that she finally gets open in this episode. As I said it was still an enjoyable episode... and I was able to basically tone out/ignore the music.   

(From Charmed Marathon on February 28th, 2008)