DVD Collectors Online

Na Cidade Vazia, a review by Danae Cassandra

Where We Are: Angola
wikipedia



Na Cidade Vazia (Hollow City)Overview:
One of the few films to have been made in Angola since it was torn apart by civil war, this eye-opening drama is set in Luanda, the capital of Angola, in the aftermath of the war. N'dala is a war orphan who escapes from his caretakers, hoping to find his way back to the village where he grew up. Wandering the streets of Luanda, he meets an array of characters, all the while pursued by a missionary nun across the bewildering and dangerous city.

My Thoughts:
This was a very poignant film.  N'dala hopes to return to his village to see his family again - to see them in the sky, where the Sister has told him they are, though he believes they are only in the sky over his own village.  N'dala is naive, trusting, and lonely and his interactions with the people he meets show some of the best, and some of the worst, parts of human nature.  Hollow City is a good, simple story, but it's also likely a metaphor for the situation in Angola after their civil war, with N'dala confused and frightened, seeking a return to a life that is destroyed.  The film is also a subtle critique of colonialism, and a stronger critique of westernized society over the traditional ways of life.  The old fisherman is the one who shows N'dala the best way of living, the way that reminds him most of the home he has lost, but just as he decides to grasp at this and perhaps make a home with the fisherman, he is caught up with the westernized hoodlums who have also shown him some kindness but seek to use him for their own ends with the result being only tragedy.  It's not a complete indictment of non-Angolans, as the nun is portrayed very positively.  Both she and the fisherman only want to help N'dala, but the point is that the fisherman's traditional way of life is the better for him because it is his culture, it is familiar and does not frighten or confuse him.  Wonderful no-budget film, but very sad, recommended for fans of foreign films and drama particularly.

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on April 5th, 2013)

Vampire in Brooklyn, a review by addicted2comics

Title: Vampire in Brooklyn: Widescreen Collection
Year: 1995
Director: Wes Craven
Rating: R
Length: 102 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Eddie Murphy
Angela Bassett
Allen Payne
Kadeem Hardison
John Witherspoon
Zakes Mokae

Plot:Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

Definitely one of my favorite vampire movies, but then again I haven't seen that many.

I liked the idea of a suave, sophisticated-type vampire to have chosen a street-wise lier, theif and cheater as his apprentice - a ghoul. That perspective was hilarious through the whole movie doing the "Flippity floppity jibby!" (and if you saw the movie you'd know why what I just typed was funny! )




(From Doing the ABC's Movie Style!! on July 29th, 2010)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

"Love Hurts"
Original Airdate: May 19, 1999
Returning to San Francisco, Leo (Brian Krause) asks the Halliwell sisters to protect an innocent woman who is being stalked by a demonic auditor. Piper finally learns that her beau, Leo, is a White Lighter. Because of this, Piper must say goodbye to her love.

My Thoughts:
This was a really good episode. Now all the sisters know about Leo as they fight to save his life. The sisters use a spell to switch powers so Piper can try to save Leo with his own healing power. As Phoebe said... it was a supernatural "Freaky Friday".


Original Airdate: May 26, 1999
Fighting for their lives, the Charmed Ones combat time sorcerer Tempus Fugit (guest star David Carradine) who has created a terrifying time loop. It is a race against the clock as the sisters try to find a way out of their terrifying recurring fates.

My Thoughts:
A great way to end the season. A ""Groundhog Day" type of episode as Tempus aides a demon to try to get rid of The Charmed Ones. Even though it was pretty obvious to have Phoebe see through the time loop with her psychic powers... but how else could they really of done it? It was the most obvious way... but at the same time the best way in my opinion.



(From Charmed Marathon on February 28th, 2008)