DVD Collectors Online

Du levande, a review by Danae Cassandra

Du levande (You, The Living)
Sweden, 2007

This plotless film is made up of 50 or so vignettes, illustrating moments, dreams, fantasies, nightmares in the lives of a group of people, some named, many not, that appear and reappear in the different sketches.  As the overview states they "illustrate the truth, humor, poetry and drama of human existence."

I got this DVD free (along with two others) for ordering the film 9 Songs on blu-ray from Palisades Tartan.  They all sounded interesting, and it was such a good deal at 3 DVD & 1 blu for $15.  Having now watched the first of the group, I'm pleased to say it was worth it.

Disclaimer first - this is an art film.  Capital A-R-T art film.  This is not for everyone.  In fact, there's no one among my RL friends I could recommend this to.  However, Moira and I enjoyed it a lot.  It's very thematic and has a unique visual style.  Everything is washed-out, pallid and illuminated.  Shadow is something you won't find.  Things are laid bare.  Many of the vignettes are very funny, in a dark comedy vein.  Others illustrate the issues developed through loneliness, a lack of connection with others, and a lack of comfort and compassion.  Yet the ultimate message of the film is that "tomorrow is another day" and life is what you make of it.  Not simply persevering through the bleak moments in your life, but doing something for your own happiness (even if most of the characters don't). 

A great film, if you don't mind getting out of the box that most film is created in.  Absolutely see this if you enjoy art films, and can eliminate any expectation that film should have certain elements (like plot or main characters) and can simply sit back and enjoy it for what it is.

Overall: 4/5

(From Danae's reviews on April 24th, 2011)

Rambo, a review by addicted2dvd

Rambo: Widescreen (2008/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | Lions Gate Entertainment Director: Sylvester Stallone Writing: David Morrell (Original Characters By), Art Monterastelli (Writer), Sylvester Stallone (Writer) Length: 91 min. Rating: Rated R : Strong Graphic Bloody Violence, Sexual Assaults, Grisly Images and Language Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, Spanish

---

Stars:
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo
Julie Benz as Sarah
Matthew Marsden as School Boy
Graham McTavish as Lewis
Rey Gallegos as Diaz
Jake La Botz as Reese

Plot:
The next chapter finds Rambo recruited by missionaries to protect them during a humanitarian aid effort on behalf of the persecuted Karen people of Burma. After the missionaries are taken prisoner by Burmese soldiers, Rambo gets a second impossible job: rescue the missionaries in the midst of a civil war.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Bonus Trailers
• Closed Captioned

I have seen this movie before. But it has been a while... not since it was first released. I can't remember how off hand. Whether it is one I watched with a friend... the library... or netflix. I have always enjoyed the Rambo movies. So this one was a no-brainer to add to my collection. Plus there is the bonus that the lovely Julie Benz is in this one. I became a fan of hers when I first saw her on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Anyone that seen any of the Rambo movies knows what to expect with this one... non-stop action and plenty of gore. You see beheadings, people shot, limbs blown off... pretty much name it. I definitely enjoyed it... well worth the time it took to watch it.



(From What Movies I Been Watching on June 27th, 2013)

Grey's Anatomy: Complete Eighth Season, a review by addicted2dvd

Grey's Anatomy: Complete Eighth Season Wikipedia |IMDb |Trailer/Intro |

---

Stars:
Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey
Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang
Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey
James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber
Sara Ramirez as Dr. Callie Torres
Eric Dane as Dr. Mark Sloan
Chyler Leigh as Dr. Lexie Grey
Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt
Jessica Capshaw as Dr. Arizona Robbins
Kim Raver as Dr. Teddy Altman
Sarah Drew as Dr. April Kepner
Jesse Williams as Dr. Jackson Avery
Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd

I got this set only 4 days ago... and I already finished the entire thing! What can I say... this is my favorite medical drama! I really adore all the characters... and immensely enjoy all the storylines. It also helps that I haven't seen these episodes since they originally aired back in the  2011-2012 TV season. Some of this season's highlights for me were people falling into a sinkhole... Karev bringing the children for surgeries from Africa.... Shepherd and Grey adopting one of those children... Stampede at a Comic-Con.... A Penis Transplant... A Lion Attack... and an incredible season finale that makes you wish you could continue with the next season right away! If you never got the chance to check out this series... and you enjoy a good medical drama... this one is definitely a must see!



(From Addicted2dvd's Random TV Series Watched on June 9th, 2013)