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The Prestige, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Prestige
Year of Release: 2006
Directed By: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Piper Perabo, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie
Genre: Suspense/Thriller, Drama

Overview:
Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson are pure magic in The PrestigeRolling StoneMy Thoughts:
I thought this was a really stellar film.  It's a wonderful character study of two obsessed men, and how that obsession drives them to destruction.  The plot - without saying too much, about two rival stage magicians seeking to both one-up and destroy the other - moves from one twist to the next, opening up one layer only after you have become comfortable with the previous.  All of the cast do a great job, though Jackman and Bale have the most on their shoulders as the leads, and they carry it off spectacularly.  Michael Caine is also great, as is David Bowie, in their respective supporting roles.  It's quite stylish and sophisticated, as well as very, very good.  Highly recommended.

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall:  4/5

(From The Prestige on January 9th, 2014)

The Hunger Games, a review by Tom

The Hunger Games (2012/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Lionsgate Home Entertainment (United Kingdom) Director: Gary Ross Writing: Gary Ross (Screenwriter), Suzanne Collins (Screenwriter), Billy Ray (Screenwriter), Suzanne Collins (Original Material By) Length: 143 min. Video: Widescreen 2.40 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Audio Descriptive: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: English

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Stars:
Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman
Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen
Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne

Plot:
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Sixteen year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister's place and must rely upon her sharp instincts when she's pitted against highly trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Awards:
Won:

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards (2012)		Best Actress in an Action Movie (Jennifer Lawrence)
Empire Magazine Awards (2013)		Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence)
MTV Movie Awards (2012)		Best Female Performance (Jennifer Lawrence)
MTV Movie Awards (2012)		Best Fight (Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Alexander Ludwig)
MTV Movie Awards (2012)		Best Male Performance (Josh Hutcherson)
MTV Movie Awards (2012)		Best On-Screen Transformation (Elizabeth Banks)

Nominated:

Golden Globe (2012)		Best Original Song - Motion Picture (Taylor Swift, John Paul White, Joy Williams, T-Bone Burnett)
MTV Movie Awards (2012)		Best Cast
MTV Movie Awards (2012)		Best Hero (Jennifer Lawrence)
MTV Movie Awards (2012)		Best Kiss (Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson)
MTV Movie Awards (2012)		Breakthrough Performance (Liam Hemsworth)
MTV Movie Awards (2012)		Movie of the Year

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Photo Gallery
• Featurettes
• Interviews

When I first heard about this movie, my first thought was that it sounds like a total Battle Royale rip-off. So I wasn't all that keen to watch this movie. I have waited until the price for the blu-ray came down. After seeing it, I still think it rips off Battle Royale. Though it has a much slower start and a not as effective pay off. They had been rumors of a Battle Royale remake, but I fear if they do it now, people will think that it rips off The Hunger Games. I rewatched BR after watching Hunger Games to make sure if I still feel that it is the superior movie. And yes, it is by far.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on June 23rd, 2013)

Blood Ties Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

4. Gifted
When the mother of an 8-year-old girl is killed in suspicious circumstances, Vicki & Henry investigate and discover that the girl may be more involved then they thought. Meanwhile Mike deepens his investigation on Henry, and confronts him with the startling information he's found.

Guest Stars:
Keith Dallas
Francoise Yip
Cassandra Sawtell
Gordon Michael Woolvett

My Thoughts:
This is the last episode on disc 1. Sure I have seen the child with mental powers storyline before... but I really enjoyed this episode. I had wondered if Vicki's ex partner Mike would find out what Henry is. And that question was answered in this episode. But didn't go into very much detail on it. As it happened right at the end of the episode. Making it so I can't wait to see the next episode!

My Rating:

(From Blood Ties Marathon on December 27th, 2009)