DVD Collectors Online

Picnic at Hanging Rock, a review by Danae Cassandra

Picnic at Hanging Rock
Year of Release: 1975
Directed By: Peter Weir
Starring: Rachel Roberts, Vivean Gray, Helen Morse, Anne Lambert, Margaret Nelson
Genre: Suspense/Thriller

Overview:
Twenty years after it swept Australia into the international film spotlight, Peter Weir's stunning 1975 masterpiece remains as ineffable as the unanswerable mystery at its core. A Valentine's Day picnic at an ancient volcanic outcropping turns to disaster for the residents of Mrs. Appleyard's school when a few young girls inexplicably vanish on Hanging Rock. A lyrical, meditative film charged with suppressed longings, Picnic at Hanging RockMy Thoughts:
This was a beautiful, moody, haunting film.  The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, and the pan flute soundtrack is perfectly chosen for the otherworldly ambiance of Hanging Rock.  This is a film about repression and freedom, dreams and nightmares, of time moving and standing still.  It has a sort of magical realism quality to it, and what should be the nightmare doesn't feel like it is one, while what should be reality feels like it might be the nightmare.  It's not so much about the disappearances as it is about those who are left behind, less about the mystery than how others deal with the mystery.   

I'll readily admit it's not for everyone.  It's a slow film, with a lot of symbolism and atmosphere but not a lot of action.  The ending doesn't tie up anything or solve the mystery.  Of course, not all mysteries are ever solved.  Recommended for art film lovers.  Definitely something I want to upgrade to blu.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 4/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on January 15th, 2015)

Xanadu, a review by Danae Cassandra

Xanadu
Year of Release: 1980
Directed By: Robert Greenwald
Starring: Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, Michael Beck
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Musical

Overview:
Step into a magical world with superstars Olivia Newton-John (Grease) and Gene Kelly (Singin' in the Rain) as they take you through one of the most extraordinary musicals in the beloved film, Xanadu! A beautiful muse is sent from up above to inspire a struggling artist and help motivate him to open a roller-disco. The dazzling soundtrack includes the hit songs "Magic," "I'm Alive," "All Over the World," "Suddenly" and the title song "Xanadu." Throw on your roller-skates, turn up the volume and enjoy this sparkling out-of-this-world fantasy!

My Thoughts:
This isn't as bad as lot of reviews give it, and certainly isn't one of the worst films of all time (despite being the inspiration for the Razzies). There's quite a bit to like here - the dance numbers are lots of fun, though the camera doesn't capture them as well it could. The soundtrack is great. Gene Kelly is wonderful as usual - he has the best dancing, the best lines, and the best character here. Actually, all round he is the best thing in the film. I could probably watch Gene Kelly in anything.

On the other hand, while Olivia Newton-John is pretty, she's not a particularly great actress. She's leaps and bounds over Michael Beck, however. His performance reminds me of the lead in a high school play. He has zero charisma and zero acting ability. Which is a problem for the plot, as it's hard to believe that a Greek muse would fall in love with this boring-ass chump. Actually, the plot could use a lot more development - the romance seems forced and we don't learn nearly enough about the mythology.

Still, I enjoyed it more of it than I didn't. Or maybe I like Gene Kelly rollerskating that much.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 2.75/5

(From July Movie Marathon: Musicals (Yes... You read right!) on July 10th, 2016)

Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Xena intervenes in an old feud between two kingdoms that is fuelled by the weapons dealer profiting from it. He kidnapped the princess and blamed it on the other kingdom. Within his ranks Xena finds Marcus, an old friend of hers who still travels the road she's left.

My Opinion: It was an OK episode, but Marcus's sacrifice at the end was a bit unconvincing. Granted they prepared for it in that conversation between him and Xena, but he was just fighting her because he did not want to change his way of living.

Synopsis: Ares, God of War, slaughters some innocent villagers and blames it on Xena. The surviving villagers want to bring her to trial and then execute her. Ares could help her - if she comes back to him. Gabrielle tries to defend her and prove her innocence but is being sabotaged in her efforts.

My Opinion: Even though the episode introduced the cool Kevin Smith (they are both cool, but this is not the fat one! ) as Ares, the episode didn't work for me. Even though she was innocent she surrendered to this trial just because she has a dark past. And it looked like as if she might have let them kill her. That's BS in my eyes.

Synopsis: Gabrielle inadvertently releases three of the Titans when she recites and old chant in a huge cave hall. Amongst them is Hyperion, the Sun Titan, who is not very fond of Humans. At first they follow Gabrielle's command since they believe that only a powerful god could have released them. But Hyperion is impatient...

My Opinion: This episode I liked. It was cool to see Crius (one of the Titans) to follow Gabrielle's every wish and constantly calling her "the virgin goddess" and her getting annoyed by it (especially the "virgin" part ). I also thought they did the handling of the height difference pretty decently. The special effects in the show aren't the best but here they managed it to look pretty convincingly.

Synopsis: Hera, wife of Zeus and mother of the gods, has put Prometheus in chains. This means that mankind will slowly lose all gifts Prometheus has given them. Starting with the ability to heal and the ability to utilize fire. Both Xena & Gabrielle and Hercules & Iolaus try to free him again.

My Opinion: This was a cool episode, seeing the four of them together (I think it's the only time it ever happens). And while it was unlikely (due to the time frame) that Hercules told Xena about Prometheus and his chains I didn't care. I liked how they found "a solution" to free him without the need to sacrifice one of them and I liked how Iolaus and Gabrielle came closer.

(From Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon on December 2nd, 2009)