DVD Collectors Online

What Price Hollywood?, a review by Antares

What Price Hollywood? (1932) 3.5/5 - A Pre-Code precursor to both A Star is Born and Sunset Blvd. about a waitress who is discovered by a famous director and catapulted to stardom, all the while the director's career is fading.  What makes this pre-code work is Lowell Sherman's performance as the washed up director, and the realism in the story about what Hollywood fame does to him. Just two years later a film like this could have never been made and stayed true to its story. Clocking in at a quick 88 minutes, we get a view of Hollywood that would be white washed just a few years later at the hands of the Breen Office. This is my second film starring Constance Bennett and its a shame that her career was so reminiscent of a shooting star. She definitely had a good screen presence and had enough moxie to make her roles interesting.

(From Antares' Short Summations on April 16th, 2012)

Zulu Dawn, a review by Rich

24/11

Zulu Dawn



This dramatic and true story recounts the breathtaking defeat of British forces at the hands of a 25,000 strong and relentlessly determined Zulu army in 1879. General Lord Chelmsford is the man responsible for the fatal decision that leads to the massacre. Colonel Durnford is the military hero who courageously faces the Zulu army, outnumbered sixteen to one, he leads his men into battle and certain death.

The all-star cast, and extravagant production qualities make ZULU DAWN a spectacular film. Vibrantly rich and alive with passion and bravery, this truly thirlling sequel to the legendary ZULU has a guaranteed place in the list of Hollywood Greats.

Being a massive fan of the original 1964 epic Zulu, I was disappointed when I first watched the sequel on TV some years ago. I gave this dvd a run-out for a 2nd watch to see if my feelings had improved on the film. Definately missing the original writing and direction of Cy Endfield, and coming out some 15 years after the original, it sadly does not compare.
The war scenes are still realistic and at times gripping, but the characterisation and officer conflicts that so appealed in Zulu are sadly lacking in the sequel. Burt Lancaster (has he ever been able to act?) is shocking with possibly the worst Irish accent I've ever heard, Bob Hoskins totally wasted, and O'Toole looking distinctly hungover and uncomfortable in the role.
It is 'spot the star' of a considerably renowned cast (I'm sure I spotted Danny Glover although he isn't credited) as they blunder towards the massacre of Isandhlwana, the bloody aftermath of which opened this film's more infamous predecessor.
 


(From November Alphabet Marathon - Discussion/Review Thread on November 25th, 2008)

The IT Crowd: Version 3.0 - (mini) marathon, a review by Tom

01. From Hell (2008-11-21)
Writer: Graham Linehan (Writer)
Director: Graham Linehan
Cast: Chris O'Dowd (Roy), Richard Ayoade (Moss), Katherine Parkinson (Jen), Matt Berry (Douglas), Chris Morris (Denholm), Tom Binns (Nolan), Togo Igawa (Mr Yamamoto), Jonathan Ryland (Gary)

Great start to a new series. Everyone had a fun storyline.

Rating:

(From The IT Crowd: Version 3.0 - (mini) marathon on July 31st, 2009)