DVD Collectors Online

The Day of the Jackal, a review by Jimmy

Title: The Day of the Jackal (1973)

Genre: Political Thriller
Director:  Fred Zinnemann
Rating: PG
Length: 2h23
Video: Widescreen
Audio: English
Subtitles: English, French and Spanish

Stars:
Edward Fox   
Terence Alexander
Michel Auclair
Alan Badel
Tony Britton

Plot:
Based on Frederick Forsyth's best-selling novel of political intrigue, 'The Day of the Jackal' tells of a cold, suave British assassin hired by the French OAS to kill General Charles de Gaulle. Nameless and faceless, the killer, known by the code name of Jackal (Edward Fox), relentlessly moves toward the date with death that would rock the world. The tension mounts as the methodical preparations of the Jackal are paralleled with the efforts of the police to uncover the plot, which gives the story non-stop, edge-of-your-seat suspense.

I know this film is certainly much more known that every others I've reviewed here previously, but we never know maybe it's an unknown one for some members. This film was americanize in 97 and it's the first time that I watch the original one (it was a part of my wishlist for a long time but I've finally got it sooner this year from Eric). The story looks more credible for me in this film. Firstly the target is a real person (I can add that he is the most respected French President for a large part of my province and I am a part of them. As a nation we owe a lot to him) and the reason for killing is completly believable. Secondly the Jackal isn't an over the top killer, he looks and acts like a normal person, for me this is more a credible representation of how those political assasin works. Thirdly the Jackal doesn't look invinsible, he can make error and the director doesn't need to make than obvious¹. Don't expect an over the top action festival this isn't The Jackal or Jason Bourne, but if you expect a believable thriller that will catch your attention for all its running time and great acting (I was really impress by Edward Fox) this one is for you. The only little critic that I could make, even if I can understand the reasonning, is the fact that the French don't use their native language when they speak to each other (by exemple in the crisis cabinet reunion). Like I've said I understand the reason (most people don't watch movie to read a book) but this would have add more reality to the story.

No problem to recommand this one. You see I don't watch only obscure dirty movie

Rating :


(From The little known movie review depot on April 16th, 2009)

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, a review by dfmorgan

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Year: 2008
Director: Patrick Tatopoulos
Cast: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra
Overview: The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Michael Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Rhona Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.

Watched: 3rd. Oct 2010
My Thoughts: Another lycanthrope disappointment. Whilst I enjoyed this more than The Wolfman I feel that it didn't come up to the standard set by the two earlier films in the Underworld series.

My Rating: Just a 2 again.

Dave

(From 2010 October Horror Marathon (Discussion thread) on October 3rd, 2010)

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Summer break is nearly over and Buffy has returned from L.A.. But she seems to to have changed. She is closed up and snubs virtually everyone. And it gets worse: The Anointed One wants to get the Master back from the really dead. And for this he needs the people who were close to him when he died.

My Opinion: This behaviour will develop into a habit. Everytime Buffy goes through a shocking or traumatizing event she will try to shut everyone out and keep the world at bay. She will do it again at the beginning of the third season and during the sixth season. It may not be a good character trait but it's definitively a defining one for the character. Just as the one that she will do what's right when it matters.
The episode was also a portent for the season. When she claims that Angel has thought about fighting her and that he should try it. When Snyder states that he would love to expel her. When she was lured away from the library and that's the place she was needed most.
I think it was a good start of the season.

Synopsis: During her patrol in one of Sunnydale's graveyards she discovers that a grave is empty that shouldn't be empty. But it's not another Vampire who has risen. The body is simply gone. So it's either the work of flesh-eating demons or a group that wants to build an army of Zombies. But when Cordelia finds a lot of body parts in the dumpster they can safely dismiss both theories. But who needs only some parts from several young women?

My Opinion: I never liked these frankenstein-y stories, neither here nor in the fourth season. But once again I liked it that good and bad weren't clear cut, that our Dr. Frankenstein in the form of Chris didn't go as far as killing someone just to build a bride for his brother. But I haven't understood what the other guy was hoping for. Why was he helping in the first place and why would he have killed Cordelia? I simply couldn't see his motive to act the way he did.

Synopsis: Buffy and another "rebel" is ordered to organize and host the annual parent-teacher-night. And Buffy has to keep her mother far away from principle Snyder. And some special Vampire holiday is coming up. And the Vampire Spike has come to town to have some fun around here. And he will kill Buffy on Saint Whatshisname's day. Fortunately those two events don't fall on the same day...

My Opinion: ...Unfortunately Spike isn't the most patient guy. I loved it how he single-handedly decluttered all the Vampire rituals and my prejudice about them. James Marsters once stated that he played Spike "with a bit more soul than he was supposed to". I knew him from Smallville and he was one of the reasons to give Buffy a chance and I couldn't wait to finally see him here. He will develop into one of the most interesting characters on the show even though he just lost his first battle against the Slayer.
But they also made two statements about him that they will "correct" later: Giles states that he's barely two hundred. I would assume "barely 200" means something like 190 or 180. Later they will make him just 150 years old (born around 1850). Spike also says that Angel was "his Sire, his Yoda". But as it will turn out, Spike was sired by Drusilla who was sired by Angel. But maybe Spike meant it in some figurative way. After all, Angel is his Grand-Sire and Yoda was Luke's second Jedi teacher after Obi-Wan.

Synopsis: During a visit of the local museum one of the student tries to steal a mummy seal and accidentally breaks it. The young, female Inka mummy re-awakes, kills the student and disappears from the museum. Shortly after she takes the place of an exchange student (whom she also killed) and moves in with Buffy for the next two weeks. And naturally Xander falls for her the minute he sees her. But then there's a mysterious knife guy who seems to be connected to the mummy and the body count is increasing. The gang has to find out what's going on.

My Opinion: I have to say, I liked this episode. As most creatures do this young woman tried to ensure her own survival. But in the end she couldn't kill the person she fell in love with. I also liked the comparison between her and Buffy's fate: The be the Chosen One and not being able to have a say in it. And in opposition to Teacher's Pet Xander could be Xander without being influenced from the outside.
In this episode we've also seen Oz and Jonathan for the first time but I think one notices Jonathan only if one knows him already - ironically that is exactly what this character will be about.

(From "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Marathon on March 28th, 2009)