DVD Collectors Online

El Amor brujo, a review by Antares

El Amor brujo (1986) 81/100 - I bought Saura's Flamenco Trilogy for my wife many years ago and started to watch the first film in the trilogy, Bodas de sangre with her, but I just couldn't get into it. Years have passed by, and I've decided to try again, but this time, starting with the last film in the trilogy. According to the liner notes, this was to be Saura's most narrative story of the three, and after finishing it, I wished I had started with this one many years ago. This is a hauntingly beautiful film with a pretty basic story, but is highlighted by some magnificent dancing and also by the vibrant music of early 20th century Spanish composer, Manuel de Falla. You can definitely hear the influence of Maurice Ravel in his compositions, but he definitely puts his own stamp to the alluring rhythms used in the ballet. When combined with some very creative dance routines, this becomes not only a feast for the ears, but for the eyes as well. There is one dance routine that had me mesmerized as Carmelo pronounces his love for Candela as the two dance amongst wind driven clothing, hanging on clotheslines. Candela is still haunted by the memory of her dead husband and tells Carmelo that they can never be together. As they dance, they intertwine to the pulsing of the music, but they never touch. And through the separation, you come to understand that they won't become lovers as long as Candela is haunted by her husband's spirit. The film takes a little while to get going, but in the end, it is well worth the time you invest into it. I'm now looking forward to going back for the other two films.

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 May 6th, 2015)

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, a review by addicted2dvd

Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980/United States) Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Irvin Kershner Writing: Leigh Brackett (Screenwriter), Lawrence Kasdan (Screenwriter), George Lucas (Story By) Length: 127 min. Video: Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 6.1 (Discrete), Audio Descriptive: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: DTS: 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Commentary

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Stars:
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
Harrison Ford (1942) as Han Solo
Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia
Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
Anthony Daniels as C-3PO

Plot:
It is a dark time for the Rebellion. After a devastating attack on their ice base on the frozen planet of Hoth, the Rebels are scattered by Imperial pursuit. Luke Skywalker seeks out the mysterious Jedi Master Yoda in the swamps of Dagobah, while Han Solo and Princess Leia outrun the Imperial fleet to the beautiful Cloud City of Bespin. In an attempt to convert Luke to the dark side, the evil Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap. In the midst of a fierce lightsaber duel with the Sith Lord, Luke faces a terrible truth about the Skywalker legacy.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• THX

May the 4th be with you...

So of course I had to watch at least one of the films today. Watching these in production order this time. So next time I will watched them as the studios numbered them. This is a good continuation to the previous film. And it still holds up rather well after all these years. It really is hard to believe this film it almost 40 years old. It remains well worth the time put in to watch it. And I ook forward to contue watching the saga through--out this year long challenge.



(From 2018 Challenge: Box Office TOP 100 FILMS OF ALL-TIME (Domestic Gross) on May 4th, 2018)

Angel Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

8. The Shroud of Rahmon
Original Air Date: 11/21/2000
Angel poses as a flashy vampire hoodlum, and with the help of Gunn prevents a mind-altering shroud from falling into the wrong hands.

Guest Stars:
Elisabeth Rohm
W. Earl Brown
Dwayne L. Barnes
R. Emery Bright

My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode. It has a few chuckles in it as well as a decent story. Worth the time to watch it.

My Rating:

(From Angel Marathon on March 2nd, 2010)