DVD Collectors Online

Libeled Lady, a review by Antares

Libeled Lady (1936) 79/100 - I avoided this film for years because I've never much cared for the acting "talents" of Jean Harlow. Plus, I made the mistake of thinking this was a drama, not a comedy. When it was about to start on TCM, Robert Osborne mentioned that it was considered a screwball classic, so I decided to give it a shot. Turned out to be a well scripted farce with great performances from Myrna Loy, William Powell and Walter Connolly. Harlow and Tracy's performances both felt a bit forced. I know that Tracy is considered one of the all time greats, but just like his mistress, Katharine Hepburn, the early performances tend to show an indulgence in over exuberance in delivery of lines. I don't think he really got it right until he made Captain's Courageous two years later. Getting back to the film, I'm surprised that this hasn't been remade because its premise is timeless, especially in a society today where even the slightest misfire by someone is grounds for litigation.

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 October 9th, 2013)

Train Man: Densha Otoko , a review by Tom

Train Man: Densha Otoko (2005/Japan) IMDb | Wikipedia VIZ Pictures (United States) Director: Shosuke Murakami Writing: Hitori Nakano (Original Material By), Arisa Kaneko (Screenwriter) Length: 101 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78 Audio: Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Japanese: Dolby Digital 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: English

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Stars:Plot:
"How should I ask her out?"otaku (the Japanese term for "geek") who has never had a girlfriend in his life saves a pretty young woman on a commuter train from a lecherous molester, he seeks out his pals on a popular Internet BBS website for some dating advice, using his pseudonym Train_Man (Densha Otoko).

Deeply interested in Train_Man's first love, his BBS friends eagerly supply him with tips. Encouraged by their support, Train_Man undergoes a total makeover for his first-ever date with "Hermess." Little does he know that he is about to ignite an Internet phenomenon...

Based on true events that took place on a popular bulletin board website in Japan called "2ch," Train Man: Densha OtokoExtras:

• Commentary
• Photo Gallery
• Production Notes
• Scene Access
• Trailers

A rather original love story. I enjoyed every minute of it. I think they did a great job editing the internet chats between "Train Man" and his online friends. One of the better "geek love stories".

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on July 8th, 2011)

Angel Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Fred is really dead and Illyria has posessed her body. There's no hope of Fred coming back - at least currently. In Angel's world death isn't as final as it seems to be. But Illyria plans to raise her army again.

My Opinion: Wesley has become very merciless even though he can't even remember some the events of the last year(s). Amy's mask and her accent are quite good - I wouldn't have recognized her. The connection between Fred/Illyria and Wesley doesn't seem to be totally broken, thus hope remains.

Synopsis: Angel, Spike and Gunn try to rescue Lindsey from a hell dimension to get more knowledge about the coming apocalypse. But they have no idea in what kind of hell he is trapped in: he lives in suburbia.

My Opinion: Average episode. Nothing special happend, except for Gunn taking the path of the penitent.

Synopsis: An old prophecy shall become true. Connor is supposed to kill Sahjhan, the demon who sent him and Holtz into the Quor'Toth dimension. But thanks to Angel, Connor doesn't know anything about this past. Unfortunately the sorcerer who took that memory is exactly the same as the one who wants to see Sahjhan dead - and he has the power to give those memories back.

My Opinion: Loose ends get tied up. I've totally forgotten about the prophecy. But I feel sad for Wesley. Now he has not only to carry the grief of Fred's death but also the old knowledge of him kidnapping Angel's son and the new knowledge of having brought back those memories. He is evn more than Angel the tragic figure of this show.

Synopsis: Illyria loses more frequently the control over her body and Angel loses more and more interest in helping the helpless but instead acts more and more like a real Wolfram & Hart employee.

My Opinion: I may be wrong, but I am quite certain that there is a plan behind Angel's actions - especially allowing that young woman to sign the contract. There are only three episodes left and I can't believe that Angel has another crisis of faith - especially since Cordelia has pulled him out of the last one. I wouldn't like that. Unless the show doesn't end with a bad surprise - in the "Buffy" comic "The Long Way Home" none of them is mentioned.

(From Angel Marathon on February 27th, 2008)