DVD Collectors Online

Blazing Saddles, a review by Dragonfire

My Thoughts

This was the first time that I had seen all of the movie in a very long time.  I think I may have only seen a version that had been edited for television because I was shocked by how much one word was used throughout the movie - or maybe I just forgot.  It worked in this particular movie, but the language, and the usage of that word in particular, may offend some people.  The movie was very funny, but it won't appeal to everyone.  I did really enjoy the movie.

 

I have started working on a review to post on Epinions.

(From Dragonfire: What I've Been Watching on February 23rd, 2009)

Blood From the Mummy's Tomb, a review by Danae Cassandra

Blood From the Mummy's Tomb
Year of Release: 1971
Directed By: Seth Holt
Starring: Andrew Kier, Valerie Leon, James Villiers, Hugh Burden, George Coulouris
Genre: Horror

Overview:
A British expedition team in Egypt discovers the ancient sealed tomb of the evil Queen Tera. But when one of the archeologists steals a mysterious ring from the corpse's severed hand, he unleashes a relentless curse upon his beautiful daughter. Is the voluptuous young woman now a reincarnation of the diabolical sorceress or has the curse of the mummy returned to reveal its horrific revenge?

One of Hammer's most notorious productions, BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY'S TOMB was plagued by the sudden deaths of director Seth Holt and the wife of original star Peter Cushing, leading to rumors of a real-life curse. Andrew Keir (QUATERMASS AND THE PIT) and the luscious Valerie Leon star in this supernatural shocker based on Bram Stoker's classic novel JEWEL OF THE SEVEN STARS.

My Thoughts:
This is an atmospheric, romantic, Gothic horror style tale that Hammer Films was so well known for.  We have all the elements we need - possession, a powerful magical being whose good or evil is questionable, a beautiful woman with ample cleavage, the concerned boyfriend, the worried father who knows more than he lets on, and the dastardly manipulator who thinks he can control things (and of course, he can't).  The ending is left open.  All of the performances are quite good, though Valerie Leon's Margaret/Tera and James Villiers's Corbeck stand out the most.  While I liked Andrew Keir's portrayal of her father, I can't help but wonder what Peter Cushing (one of my favorite actors) would have done with the role.  If the choices in design (clothes, cars, sets, etc) don't always match in era, it only adds to the otherworldly feel of the film.  I enjoyed it a lot and would recommended for fans of Hammer's style of horror. 

Bechdel Test:  Pass

Overall:  3.5/5

(From Month Long Horror/Halloween Marathon on October 1st, 2014)

Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

5. Return of Callisto
Gabrielle plans to marry Perdicus, her hometown sweetheart, and must leave Xena and their travels, at the same time that Callisto has escaped from prison and is headed straight for them with vengeance in mind.

My Thoughts:
This was a really good episode. I enjoyed every minute of it. It is a pretty big episode for Gabrielle.

My Rating:

6. Warrior...Princess...Tramp
When Diana's father takes ill, Xena is summoned and runs into yet another lookalike, a barmaid named Meg, who seems quite taken with Joxer.

My Thoughts:
This is a fun episode. This time Lucy Lawless gets to play 3 parts. Nice amount of comedy here.

My Rating:

7. Intimate Strangers
Xena's life takes a nightmarish turn when Callisto escapes from the Underworld by infiltrating her dreams.

My Thoughts:
Interesting episode. Not sure how I feel about the who Xena in Gabrielle's body. I guess Lucy Lawless needed some time off?

My Rating:

8. Ten Little Warlords
While still trapped in the body of her enemy, Callisto, Xena is forced to enter a competition where warlords vie to become the new god of war.

My Thoughts:
Another pretty good episode. Definitely got some laughs out of thisone... especially the scenes of Gabrielle and Joxer together. At least at the end of this episode we have Xena back in her own body.

My Rating:

(From Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon on December 31st, 2009)