DVD Collectors Online

Aurore, a review by RossRoy

Original Title: Aurore Year: 2005 Country: Canada (Quebec) Director: Luc Dionne Rating: 16+ Length: 110 Min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: French: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo Subtitles: English, French

What they say - (translated from French)My Thoughts
Like the back cover of the DVD says, this story has touched everyone in Quebec in one way or another. Everybody is affected by this story. Of course, being such a relatively old story, it all happened at the beginning of the last century after all, it has been ingrained in our collective cultural heritage here in Quebec. Even before seeing this movie, or the one that came before it, or before reading about it, I was still very much aware of Aurore's suffering, and the collective indifference to her situation.

Unfortunately, movies being the beast they are, and the actual events taking place so long ago, there's no way to know how much of it real, and how much of it was romanced. Still, from what I've read of the case in the past, they couldn't be all that far. And that, makes it a movie that is hard to bear. You know it actually happened. You know a young girl had to go through this. You know she wasn't alone. You know she wasn't the first. You know she wasn't the last.

I may be reading more than I should into this movie. But I can't help it. I can't help but think of all these children who are being abused, to this day, by a parent and/or close relative, and nobody will say anything. So many kids have had their lives turned into hell, only because nobody will talk.

And that's what this movie is all about. Yes, it's telling Aurore's story in particular. Yes, it's easy to say that the movie may not be faithful to the actual event. Yes, it's also easy to say that the movie is flawed because it may have tried to show the stepmother as being mad, instead of just mean.

But that's not the point. That's not what the director intended.

Aurore's story is mean to an end. What he's doing, is showing how a full community becomes just as guilty as the parents, because they ignored the cries of the children. Everybody knew, yet nobody did anything until it was too late. Everybody had their suspicions. Nobody went in, or even confronted the parents. Even after Aurore was treated for a full month in a hospital.

That's the message of the movie. If you have reason to suspect something, say something. Don't wait until it's too late.

Rating:

(From RossRoy's Random Viewings on November 6th, 2008)

Gandhi, a review by Rich

No stopping for a ruby in India...



Gandhi was not a ruler of nations, nor did he have scientific gifts. Yet this small, modest man did what others before him could not. He led an entire country to freedom - he gave his people hope. Gandhi, the man of the century, is explored in this breathtaking, unforgettable motion picture.

What an incredible film, learnt so much about the man and his life that I never knew before. Over 3 hours long this kept a very tired man awake until nearly 3 in the morning, but I'm not complaining. Whole-hearted recommendation and an experience to watch if you enjoy biographical epics. 7/10

(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on February 23rd, 2008)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

9. Never Leave Me
Spike is held captive in the Summers home while the Scoobies ponder their options in the aftermath of his murder spree.

My Thoughts:
Decent episode with some good action.... other then that a pretty basic episode.

10. Bring On the Night
Giles arrives with three apprentice Slayers, the Scoobies research the origins of the First to find a way to rescue Spike, and Buffy fights the Ubervamp.

My Thoughts:
And the "Potential Slayers" has arrived. I remember the first time I seen this season (as it aired) I wasn't so sure about this storyline... but I grew to enjoy it very much. I also thought that the Ubervamp... as they call it... was extremely cool. did a great job on him.

11. Showtime
Buffy stages a showdown with the Ubervamp with the Slayers-in-training as her audience, then rescues Spike.

My Thoughts:
Another episode I really liked... the final fight between Buffy and the Ubervamp was great.


12. Potential
Buffy and Spike establish a boot camp to prepare the potential slayers for combat with the First, while a spell from Willow reveals another potential living in Sunnydale.

My Thoughts:
This episode was really good. I especially enjoyed watching the scenes where Dawn and her school friend goes up against the vampire at the school by themselves. Not to mention finding out who the new potential slayer is.

13. The Killer in Me
Courtesy of a bitter Amy, Willow turns into Warren after kissing Kennedy; Buffy contacts the government to get help with Spike's misfiring chip.

My Thoughts:
This was a decent episode... Advances the season long story a little... but for the most part is a stand alone episode.

14. First Date
Buffy accepts a dinner invitation from Principal Wood, who reveals that he's a former Slayer's son.

My Thoughts:
A decent episode... Xander has his normal luck with the ladies in this one.

15. Get It Done
The Scoobies are rocked by a suicide within their ranks. After lambasting everyone, Buffy jumps through a portal on a quest for knowledge.

My Thoughts:
Another decent episode...I understand they had to get all this stuff in... but this season is really strong on the season long storyline.... and sometimes that gets a little tiring. I felt that a bit in this episode.

(From Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon on November 28th, 2007)