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Elvira, Mistress of the Dark , a review by Dragonfire

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark My Thoughts I sort of remember seeing Elvira on tv back in the 1980s.  I think I did see some of the show she did hosting low budget horror movies - I can't remember the name of it now.  The character, while a bit over the top, is entertaining.  I have seen some of this movie on tv, though I'm not sure if I ever saw all of it before now.  I decided to pick it up when I found it on sale - as you can see from the picture, I have it in a two movie set.  I'll probably watch that other movie here soon.  The plot is thin and not that developed, but it manages to work.  A lot of what happens is silly, but again, that works for what is going on.  The humor doesn't always work, but most of ends up being pretty funny.  A lot of corny lines are used, usually by Elvira.  Some supernatural type of stuff does turn up, and I like that those things are included.  Several elements do seem to be influenced by the B horror movies.  There's nothing serious about this one.  It is campy and cheesy, but really fun. There are some sexual situations and a lot of sexually suggestive lines used in the movie.  Most of the sex appeal comes from Elvira in her very, very low cut dress that really displays her...assets.  It seems like a miracle that she didn't pop right out of that dress in some scenes with how her ..assets were bouncing around.  I'm thinking heavy duty tape was used..and maybe super glue.  lol  Anyway, even though she does show off a lot of skin, there isn't any nudity or any sex scenes in the movie. The characters, while not that developed, are interesting enough.  Chastity Pariah fits her name perfectly with how repressed and uptight she is. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and am glad I have it in my collection.  It is cheesy as hell and campy, but it is fun. - I rounded up from 3.5 to 4 for Epinions. I did get a review posted on Epinions. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

(From Dragonfire's 2010 Horror Marathon on October 4th, 2010)

Un été ŕ La Goulette, a review by Danae Cassandra

Where We Are: Tunisia
wikipedia



Overview:
The year is 1967 in La Goulette - a small harbor town in the suburbs of Tunis where various cultures have lived together for ages in effortless harmony. Youssef, Jojo and Giuseppe are as inseparable as their three 16-year-old-daughters, Meriem, Gigi and Tina. In a fit of teenage provocation, the three girls swear that they will lose their virginity by the day of the procession of the Madonna. To make matters worse, each of them has her eyes on a boy of a different religion, thus challenging an inviolable taboo. This leads the three families to cut off all ties with one another. But the bonds tying the three fathers are too strong. They end up making up, more like brothers than ever, just before the Six Day War breaks out in the Middle East, tearing apart Jews and Arabs the world over.

My Thoughts:
This is the image of an idyllic, peaceful place, a "paradise on Earth" as one of the mothers describes it, a place where Jews, Christians and Muslims live side-by-side happily.  It has a nostalgic view of a simpler time, when it seemed like there might still be a hope for peace in the Middle East.  It's a fun film, part coming-of-age, part slice-of-life, part comedy.  None of the performances stand out, but all of them were decent and the girls were all very lovely, especially the girl who plays Meriem.  It's also a film where summer is fleeting, a time to enjoy romance and live without worries before the coming storms.  Recommended for just about anyone, unless you don't like subtitles. 

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on April 2nd, 2013)

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

06. Band Candy (1998-11-10)
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Jane Espenson (Writer)
Director: Michael Lange
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), K. Todd Freeman (Mr. Trick), Robin Sachs (Ethan Rayne), Harry Groener (Mayor Richard Wilkins), Armin Shimerman (Principal Snyder), Jason Hall (Devon), Peg Stewart (Ms. Barton)

I always enjoyed this episode. Especially the apperance of Ripper. My favorite scene is, when Ripper is urging Buffy to punch Ethan Rayne.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on February 27th, 2009)