DVD Collectors Online

Criss Cross, a review by Antares

Criss Cross (1949) 78/100 - I really wanted to like this a lot more than I did, but it has a few glaring problems that keep it from being considered a masterpiece in the film noir genre. First, there isn't enough exposition in the beginning of the film to explain the relationship between Steve and Anna. Second, Dan Duryea doesn't get enough screen time or character development. Third, the ending is a little convoluted. Where did Anna and Steve get all the money they have when Nelson brings Steve to the house in Palo Alto? Back at the robbery, Steve is shot in the shoulder and passes out, holding on to one half of the payroll. The other half is taken by Slim and the rest of the gang. So how did Anna wind up with Steve's share? After Steve passes out, the scene shifts to him waking up in his hospital room, a hero for saving half of the payroll. I've been going over it in my head and it doesn't make any sense. Aside from that, the film is a blueprint for what a film needs to be considered a classic noir. You have the amazingly seductive femme fatale, played by the drop dead gorgeous Yvonne De Carlo. De Carlo is the actress that Ava Gardner always wishes she could have become. She can play either a good girl or the tempting bad girl with ease. I couldn't take my eyes off of her and it's a shame that she's primarily remembered for her role as Lily Munster, because she definitely has talent. You have the poor sap, who doesn't know whether or not he's being played for a fool, but can't help himself because the little head is doing all the thinking for the big head. Top those off with a nail biting story, believable heist sequence and decent bad guys and you should have the makings of a masterpiece. But unfortunately, those problems I spoke of hinder this film's ability to reach that strata. It's a good film with a very good final scene, but it could have been more... much more.

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 November 17th, 2012)

Kill Bill: Vol. 1, a review by Antares

Kill Bill Vol. I





Year: 2003
Film Studio: Miramax Films, A Band Apart
Genre: Action, Martial Arts
Length: 111 Min.

Director
Quentin Tarantino

Writing
Quentin Tarantino...Writer
Quentin Tarantino ...Original Characters By
Uma Thurman ...Original Characters By

Producer
Harvey Weinstein (1952)
Bob Weinstein (1954)
Erica Steinberg
E. Bennett Walsh
Lawrence Bender (1957)

Cinematographer
Robert Richardson (1955)

Music
The RZA ...Composer

Stars
Uma Thurman as The Bride
Lucy Liu (1968) as O-Ren Ishii
Vivica A. Fox as Vernita Green
Daryl Hannah as Elle Driver
David Carradine (1936) as Bill
Michael Madsen (1958) as Budd
Julie Dreyfus as Sofie Fatale
Chiaki Kuriyama as Gogo Yubari

Review. Whatever this overrated , Kill Bill vol. 1Natural Born Killers. Surreal scenes of senseless violence interspersed with quirky and campy characters dominate the breadth of this films duration. While this concept worked well in Reservoir Dogs and to a lesser extent in Pulp Fiction, it now seems as fresh as day old bread. Countless scenes that were by the director from his favorite films of the past are re-imagined in his own YojimboSamurai Assassin, to which Uma responds, yes you guessed it, Maybe Quentin should try his hand at commercials. Just think of all the material he could lift and re-use to pay Branded to Kill or Youth of the BeastSamurai Assassin, Sword of Doom or Kill!Samurai Rebellion. For a film with a vengeful female assassin, you only need to watch Lady SnowbloodRatings Criterion

(From Kill Bill Vol. I (2003) on December 9th, 2009)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

04. Beauty and the Beasts (1998-10-20)
Writer: Marti Noxon (Writer)
Director: James Whitmore Jr.
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), David Boreanaz (Angel), Seth Green (Oz), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Fab Filippo (Scott Hope), John Patrick White (Pete), Danielle Weeks (Debbie), Phill Lewis (Mr. Platt), Eliza Dushku (Faith)

An episode I never really cared for. I was never a fan of third season's Angel storyline. Good thing they have spun him off to another series. I think he is more interesting away from Buffy.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on February 25th, 2009)