DVD Collectors Online

Australia, a review by Rich

Australia



Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman join forces with visionary director Baz Luhrmann in Australia, an epic and romantic action adventure set on the brink of World War II. When an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) travels to this faraway continent, she meets rough-hewn cattle driver (Hugh Jackman) and an enchanting aboriginal child (Brandon Walters). This unlikely trio joins forces and embarks on a transforming journey, driving a herd of cattle across hundreds of miles of the world's most beautiful, yet unforgiving, terrain. When their world is torn apart by powerful enemies, they must try to find each other amidst the bombing of the city of Darwin by the Japanese forces that attacked Pearl Harbor. With this new film, director Baz Luhrmann is painting on a vast canvas, creating a cinematic experience that brings together comedy, romance, drama, adventure and spectacle.

An epic film but seriously in need of a trim. At Slightly under 3 hours, it becomes hard work to sit through, and it could have comfortably had some narrative cutting without affecting the storyline. Nicole Kidman's upper class English lady act is enjoyable, and Jackman is just ok as Drover. The real star of the show is the Aboriginal boy they foster, Nullah played by Brandon Walters, who was absolutely terrific.
This is a very well directed film with startling scenery. However, it felt like 2 films sewn together, and at times the movie drifts into some very dull and unnecessary plot diversions. It isn't quite a 'blockbuster', but the portrayal of how Westerners treated Aboriginees in those days (right up to the early 70's) is probably the most frank and honest I have seen before.
 

(From Riches Random Reviews on May 27th, 2009)

Hacking Democracy, a review by Rich

A very thin link for Finland (a Finnish hacker) but was a documentary I was keen to watch...





(From Around the World in 80 DVD's on January 3rd, 2008)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

5. Never Kill a Boy on the First Date
Buffy sets her sights on the mysterious and brooding Owen and she opts to go on a date rather than help Giles prevent a prophecy about an unstoppable vampire rising to help the Master.

My Thoughts:
This was a good episode... really enjoyed it. Buffy learns a lesson on just how much her being a slayer effects her personal life... and you also see how the outcome can sometimes be less then perfect.

6. The Pack
While enduring the annual field trip to the Zoo, Xander and several other students enter the quarantined Hyena pen and leave in an altered state. Xander begins acting strangely, sniffing Buffy and being cruel to people, including Willow; and Buffy becomes convinced that he has been possessed by the spirit of the wild animal.

My Thoughts:
This episode was just a lot of fun... Xander is in a bit of trouble once again... and of course it is Buffy to the rescue!

7. Angel
After saving her from a gang of vampire warriors, Angel and Buffy's "relationship" grows until he reveals his true self to her. Angel is really 'Angelus', a 240-year-old vampire who has a reputation for being the most violent creature to ever walk the Earth. Faced with the reality that her possible true love is an enemy, Buffy must ask herself - can a vampire really be a good person or must she do her sworn duty and destroy him?

My Thoughts:
Great episode where you first learn a lot about Angel... Where Buffy and the gang first learn that Angel is actually a vampire.

8. I Robot, You Jane
Willow, saddened by Xander's affection for Buffy turns to the chat rooms and meets a charming boy on-line, ignoring Buffy's concerns about Internet freaks. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang discover a demon trapped in the school computer network.

My Thoughts:
This is another one of those episode that while good... is not one of my favorite episodes. And one I really can't put my finger on why I feel that way. It is also the first time we get to meet Jenny Calander.

(From Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon on November 9th, 2007)