DVD Collectors Online

The War Within, a review by Rich

Trudge through Pakistan...



This searing, controversial, and thought-provoking drama examines the motives and emotions behind terrorism. Co-writer Ayad Akhtar stars as Hassan, a Pakistani man who's falsely accused of terrorist associations, then imprisoned and tortured before finally leaving jail as a genuinely militant extremist. He goes to stay with his old friend Sayeed in New York (Firdous Bamji in a scene-stealing performance), where he explores the city, flirts with Sayeed's sister (Nandana Sen), and works with a group planning to bomb Grand Central. The impressive cast of unknowns and solid direction from Joseph Castelo make this tense, thoughtful drama an intriguing look at a subculture that, for obvious reasons, is more often demonized than dramatized.

Run of the mill terrorist plot and standard fare these days, the Director IMO unable to allow the characters to become associable, it felt difficult to really to warm to this film. In light of September 11 I am really surprised this film was allowed to be made, at times it seemed the film was trying to justify terrorism as a revenge. 3/10

(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on February 14th, 2008)

Starship Troopers, a review by addicted2dvd

Starship Troopers
From the bridge of the Fleet Battlestation Ticonderoga, with its sweeping galactic views, to the desolate terrain of planet Klendathu, teeming with shrieking, fire-spitting brain-sucking special effects creatures, acclaimed director PAUL VERHOVEN crafts a dazzling epic based on Robert A. Heinlein's classic sci-fi adventure.
CASPER VAN DIEN, DINA MEYER, DENISE RICHARDS, JAKE BUSEY, NEIL PATRICK HARRIS, PATRICK MULDOON, and MICHAEL IRONSIDE star as the courageous soldiers who travel to the distant and desolate Klendathu system for the ultimate showdown between the species.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this one... but I have seen better... though I will admit that it is beyond a little far fetched... but I think that is to be expected from anything set in the future. This is a movie that don't take itself too seriously though. It is almost like watching a live-action comic book. Which I guess is what makes it more of a fun watch then anything else.



(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Outer Space on December 27th, 2008)

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

02. Dead Man's Party (1998-10-06)
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), 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), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Nancy Lenehan (Pat), Armin Shimerman (Principal Snyder), Danny Strong (Jonathan), Jason Hall (Devon), Paul Morgan Stetler (Young Doctor), Chris Garnant (Stoner #1)

An episode I never really liked. Best bit was Giles' reaction in his kitchen after Buffy's return. The zombie story was rather dull.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on February 22nd, 2009)