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The Bride of Frankenstein, a review by Hal

Title: The Bride of Frankenstein: Classic Monster Collection
Year: 1935
Director: James Whale
Rating: NR
Length: 75 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, French

Stars:
Boris Karloff [Karloff]
Colin Clive
Valerie Hobson
Ernest Thesiger
Elsa Lanchester

Plot:
One of the most popular horror classics of all time and an acclaimed sequel to the original Frankenstein. The legendary Boris Karloff reprises his role as the screen's most misunderstood monster who now longs for a mate of his own. Colin Clive is back as the overly ambitious Dr. Frankenstein, who creates the ill-fated bride (Elsa Lanchester). Directed by the original's James Whale (his last horror film) and featuring a huanted musical score, The Bride Of Frankenstein ranks as one of the finest films not only of the genre, but for all time.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Featurettes
Gallery
Production Notes

A fun, almost humorous sequel to Frankenstein.  I like the way they worked Mary Shelley, the author of the original book, in as the story teller of what happened after the Monster was supposed to have died in the mill fire.  She then plays a double role as the monster's mate.  The scene with the blind fellow is always touching.  I'm not sure where they came up with the hairdo for the "bride", but that alone should have won an Oscar.  Her quick, stilted movements gave her an interesting mechanical feel, and her hissing reminded me of a really pissed off cat.  An OK sequel.

Rating:

(From Hal's 2010 Horror Marathon Reviews on October 17th, 2010)

12:08 East of Bucharest, a review by Danae Cassandra

Where We Are: Romania
wikipedia

What We Watched:


A fost sau n-a fost? (12:08 East of Bucharest)
Year of Release: 2006
Directed By: Corneliu Porumboiu
Starring: Mircea Andreescu, Teodor Corban, Ion Sapdaru
Genre: Comedy?, Drama

Overview:
ON THE SIXTEENTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the fall of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, a local anchorman of a nearby provincial town invites two of his acquaintances to share their moments of revolutionary glory on his talk show. One is an impish, insightful retiree who sometimes poses as Santa Claus, the other a henpecked, hard-drinking teacher who has just devoted his entire salary to his drinking debts. Together they will remember the day when they stormed their town hall calling "down with Ceausescu." Or did they?

My Thoughts:
Maybe this is a film that plays better in it's home country, because this was the most boring film I've seen in several years. At a mere 85 minutes, this film was tediously long and we debated shutting it off. Nothing happens in this dreary little movie except to establish that the revolution may, or may not, have happened in this little town. If this is a comedy, it's an awfully bleak one with few moments of humor. The characters are reasonably fleshed out and the actors do a good job, but the only likeable character was Mr. Piscoci, and he didn't have nearly enough dialog.

I wouldn't mind seeing Mr. Piscoci in another film, as that character was interesting and amusing and is responsible for all the 1 and a half stars I'm giving the film. Recommended for no one and I wouldn't watch it again.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 1.5/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on January 7th, 2014)

"Big Bang Theory" Marathon, a review by Rick

1. Pilot
Synopsis: The two theoretical scientists Leonard and Sheldon get a new Neighbour: Penny, a waitress in The Cheesecake Factory. And suddenly two galaxies begin to crash into each other.

My Thoughts: The opening 2 minutes alone sets up the show perfectly. Sheldon's idea for a t-shirt is great. I think Penny learns everything she need to know abotu her new friends when they tell her they play Klingon Boggle. HA! Luke Skywalker Conditioning Shampoo.

Favorite line: Sheldon to Leonard at the end: "I don't know what your odd are in the whole world but as far as this car goes you're a veritable Mac Daddy"

Great start. All of the characters are set up nicely. Looking forward to the rest of the series.


2. The Big Bran Hypothesis
Synopsis: After he's seen the chaos that is Penny's appartment, Sheldon cleans it (and Leonard helps him) during the night while Penny's sleeping. Naturally she freaks out when she realizes what they've done.

My Thoughts: Leonard comes out at night after hearing what seems to be a noise with his light saber. It's really funny cause he seems to honestly think it would help him if someone was there.  Penny begins to define her relationships with all of the guys and how they interact through out the show. It's good to see what they set up now continues true to form throughout the rest of the season (and hopefully into S2. I also like the way she messes with them as a group (something else they continue). When they are redesigning the TV stand and she says
Favorite lines:
Howard in the hallway "[Speaking Russian]"
Penny: "I'm Sorry?"
Howard: "Haven't you ever been told how beautiful you are in flawless Russian?"
Penny: "No, I haven't"
Howard quickly replies: "Get used to it"
Penny a bit creeped out replies: "Yea... I probably wont" 


3. The Fuzzy Boots Corollary
Synopsis: After having no luck with Leslie, Leonard tries to ask Penny out to a date. But she totally misinterprets the invitation, thus not considering it a date.

My Thoughts: Another great beginning to an episode (The four of them playing an online game on their laptops). The openings to each episode are entertaining enough!

The exchange between Leonard & Sarah Gilbert (Leslie) discussing a date was really funny. How they break it down to it's pure fundamental elements and then reach a conclusion was perfect.

Favorite Line: Sheldon to Leonard as Leonard came in from giving Penny her mail: "Penny for your thoughts"


The Luminous Fish Effect
Synopsis: Sheldon gets canned after he's insulted his new boss in his very own - and typical - way. But he uses his time off to invent new things the world was waiting for, e.g. a luminous fish as a night light.

My Thoughts: Not my favorite episode but still very funny. The egg experiement was great, especially the conclusion   Laurie Metcalf's character is good but for me it is hard to believe someone so deeply rooted in logic and science as Sheldon is could have such a religious upbringing.

Favorite Lines: Sheldon to Penny after his failed egg experiment:
Penny: "Hey, I'm running out to the market, do you guys need anything?"
Sheldon: "Oh... this would be one of the circumstances that people who aren't familiar with the law of large numbers would call a coincedence"


5. The Hamburger Postulate
Synopsis: After they been practicing with their classical instruments, Leonard sleeps with Leslie and is now torn between his fantasy about Penny and the prospect of having a real relationship with Leslie.

My Thoughts: Re: Opening where they are reenacting the civil war with the aid of Orcs, Godzilla, Superman and apparently a pair of Hindu Gods - Could these guys be any more geeky? 

Leslie is a great character. Flash freezing a banana for her cereal cause she didn't have a knife. Great stuff.

Sheldon and Penny together absolutely crack me up and once again they have my favorite line in the show.
Sheldon: "I need your opinion on a matter of semiotics
Penny: "I'm Sorry?" (a line she uses a lot!)
Sheldon: "Semiotics - the study of signs and symbols. It's a branch of philosophy related to linguistics"
Penny [speaking slowly]: "Okay, sweetie, I know you think you're explaining yourself but you're really not"


6. The Middle Earth Paradigm
Synopsis: Penny invites the four - Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj - over to a Halloween party and Leonard hopes that he can present himself in another light during that party.

My Thoughts:6. I have to admit, the fisrt time I saw this episode I was just about to have an asthma attack when they all came in with their costumes. Reachin for the puffer... tryin to get my breath back 

Sheldon studying the group of party goers and comparing it to Jane Goodall studying apes, and explaining his costume all night.. LOL funny. He really plays his character great. These guys just don't know how to fit in with the average person and they know it, Except Howard that is  He thinkgs he is quite the ladies man.

Leonard taking on Penny's old boyfriend with the help of his "wingman" was a great scene too. The classic brains against brawn.

Favorite lines (Couldnt' pick one this time):
Sheldon: "[giving his audio clue to help people figure out his costume, the doppler effect]"

Leonard: "That's how we roll in the shire"



On to disc 2 

(From "Big Bang Theory" Marathon on September 28th, 2008)