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Member's Reviews

Zatoichi's Revenge, a review by Antares


Zatoichi's Revenge (1965) 74/100 - This is either the third or fourth film in this series, where the theme music could have been written by Ennio Morricone, as it's reminiscent of his style of work. It makes me wonder how much of an influence this series had on Italian directors of Spaghetti Westerns. If you think about it, Ichi is no different than a roving gunslinger, with a conscience, eerily similar to The Man with No Name. For this tenth film in the franchise, Ichi happens upon a village, where the sensei who taught him his masseuse skills, lives. He decides to pay his old master a visit, but is aghast when he finds out the old man has been murdered and his young daughter is being forced into prostitution by the local yakuza boss. Well, you know that Ichi is going to find a way to right the wrongs, all the while dispatching scores of yakuza thugs. What separates this film from the other nine that proceeded it, is that this is the first time that Ichi goes against his code of honor. Up until now, Ichi only killed in self defense, but I guess the anger in his heart at the death of his sensei is too much for him this time around. It shocked me that Daiei allowed this change in his character to happen, because they were taking a chance that audiences would reject this trait in their beloved blind swordsman, and the golden goose would be cooked. But I guess maybe they were right, as another fifteen films would follow this one and it doesn't seem to have besmirched his character or popularity.

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is


(From Antares' Short Summations on April 9th, 2014)

Member's Reviews

Bottle Shock, a review by Rich


Bottle Shock



In 1976, a small American winery bested the exalted French wines of the time and sent the wine industry into a tizzy--putting California wines on the map for good. Based on a true story, "Bottle Shock" chronicles the events leading up to the famous "Judgment of Paris" tastings, told through the lives of father and son, Jim and Bo Barrett. A former real estate attorney, Jim has sacrificed everything to realize his dream of creating the perfect hand-crafted chardonnay. His business, however, is struggling, and he's not only trying to overcome differences with his slacker son, but is also fighting off the creditors. Meanwhile in Paris, unwitting British wine shop owner Steven Spurrier hopes to revive his own failing business by sponsoring a competition which will pit the traditional French powerhouse against the California upstarts. Little did Steven and Jim realize that they were both on course to change the history of wine forever.

Enjoyable tale based on a true story, this was a pleasant yarn with a 'feel-good' after-view factor.
The storyline meanders on a comfortable path, the acting is solid from all the cast besides a disappointing Bill Pullman, who looks like he would rather be somewhere else. I wasn't aware of the history of Californian wine, and how it became so well renowned in Europe, but the movie clearly explains the history from the 70's in a very entertaining way.
This is not an 'amazing' or 'groundbreaking' film, it is however a goold old fashioned story-telling that educates and entertains all in one.
 :)

(From Riches Random Reviews on February 17th, 2009)

Member's TV Reviews

Tom's Glee Marathon, a review by Tom


Glee
Season 1.17 Bad Reputation
Writer: Ryan Murphy (Created By), Brad Falchuk (Created By), Ian Brennan (Created By), Ian Brennan (Writer)
Director: Elodie Keene
Cast: Dianna Agron (Quinn Fabray), Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel), Jessalyn Gilsig (Terri Schuester), Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester), Jayma Mays (Emma Pillsbury), Kevin McHale (Arty Abrams), Lea Michele (Rachel Berry), Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson), Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester), Amber Riley (Mercedes Jones), Mark Salling (Noah "Puck" Puckerman), Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina Cohen-Chang), Jonathan Groff (Jesse St. James), Molly Shannon (Brenda Castle), Iqbal Theba (Principal Figgins), Patrick Gallagher (Ken Tanaka), Stephen Tobolowsky (Sandy Ryerson), Naya Rivera (Santana Lopez), James Earl (Azimio), Max Adler (Dave Karofsky), Heather Morris (Brittany Pierce), Harry Shum, Jr. (Mike Chang), Dijon Talton (Matt Rutherford), Olivia Newton-John (Herself), Mary Jo Catlett (Mrs. Carlisle), Jean Sincere (Ancient Librarian), Robin Trocki (Jean Sylvester)

This is a fun episode. Glee club gets their hands on a video where Sue does aerobic to "Let's Get Physical" and posts it on YouTube. This attracts the real Olivia Newton-John to do a remake of the old music video of this song together with Sue.

Finncompetence:
This episode shows that Rachel has much more chemistry with other characters than with Finn. In this case with Puck (or Puckleberry how their romance was known in school and to fans). Even the fandom's name of the pairing sounds stupid: Finchel.

Brittana:
Brittany and Santana play angels in Rachel's music video.

Notable music:
There are some fun songs in this episode.
Will is rapping again, but this time around I enjoyed it. He did "Ice Ice Baby".

Another funny music scene is when some of the Glee club members are trying to be badass by singing "You Can't Touch This" in the school's library. But it backfires.


Another funny music scene is Rachel's video to "Run Joey Run".


My favorite song in this episode though is "Total Eclipse of the Heart", but I may be partial to it. Since I saw the musical "Tanz der Vampire" where this song was covered, I am a fan of this song.


Rating:

(From Tom's Glee Marathon on September 15th, 2012)