DVD Collectors Online

Deadline at Dawn, a review by Antares

Deadline at Dawn (1946) 68/100 - Agatha Christie meets Raymond Chandler. For the first 45 minutes or so of this film, I watched in stunned silence as I couldn't believe what was going on in the screenplay. this has to be one of the strangest stories I've ever seen put on celluloid. Unreal coincidences and contrivances come at you like a punch drunk prizefighter's last gasps of energy. But then, after the introduction of the murder victim's brother, the film starts to take off. His dialog has some of the best lines I've ever heard in a noir. Little one line gems like... If she cut off her head, she'd be very pretty., People with wax heads should keep out of the sun., and probably the best line in the whole film... She was no lullaby but she had the brains like a man. It's pearls like these that keep this movie fun and help you to get by the ridiculous premise of the story. It also helps that Susan Hayward and Paul Lukas are excellent in their roles. The only weak spot in the cast is Bill Williams as the naive sailor who starts the ball rolling when he blacks out in the murder victim's apartment. He lays on the Golly gee, Oh shucks stuff pretty thick. A mild recommendation from me.

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 November 24th, 2014)

The Call of Cthulhu, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Call of Cthulhu
Year of Release: 2005
Directed By: Andrew Leman
Starring: Matt Foyer, John Bolen, Ralph Lucas, Chad Fifer
Genre: Horror

Overview:
Written in 1926, just before the advent of "talking" pictures, The Call of Cthulhu is one of the most famous and influential tales of H. P. Lovecraft, the father of gothic horror. Now the story is brought richly to life in the style of a classic 1920s silent movie, with a haunting original symphonic score. Using the "Mythoscope" process ~ a mix of modern and vintage techniques ~ the filmmakers have worked to create the most authentic and faithful screen adaptation of a Lovecraft story yet attempted.

My Thoughts:
This is a modern film, made in the style of an old-fashioned silent film.  When this turned up at the store, I knew I had to have it. I adore Lovecraft, and this very short film (47 minutes!) is as authentic an adaptation of this story as will every be done. This is an ultra-low-budget picture, so don't expect high-tech effects, but the performances are solid and the film is eerie and altogether delightful. Recommended.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Month Long Horror/Halloween Marathon on October 22nd, 2014)

Grey's Anatomy Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

Main Cast:
Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey
Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang
Katherine Heigl as Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens
Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev
T. R. Knight as Dr. George O'Malley
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey
James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber
Isaiah Washington as Dr. Preston Burke
Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd
Kate Walsh as Dr. Angela Sheperd
Sara Ramirez as Dr. Callie Torres
Eric Dane as Dr. Mark Sloan

---

1. Time Has Come Today
Izzie faces life after Denny with the help of Meredith and Cristina. George and Derek are quarantined together after operating on a dangerously contagious patient. Alex searches for the mother of an abandoned infant, while Richard's wife makes an appointment with him in order to deliver an ultimatum. The interns reminisce about the first time they met.

My Thoughts:
This is a great episode. I enjoyed every minute of it. It starts up right where season 2 left off. Izzie is a wreck. Meredith is trying to figure out what happened that night means. George has to figure out if he loves callie. And along with all of this a plegue threat. I also liked all the flashbacks that showed how they all first met... even before the pilot episode of the series.

My Rating:

2. I Am A Tree
Three unique patients have unforeseen effects on the interns. Cristina has an awkward first meeting with Burke's family. A pair of panties on the lost-and-found board leads to trouble for George and Callie. Derek makes an important decision on his future, but Meredith is having trouble making a decision of her own.

My Thoughts:
Another good episode. I was really interested in the medical care in this episode where the teen boy got impaled on a tree branch. Unfortunately they didn't spend too much time on the case. Instead they opted to stick with the doctor's personal lives. Which I normally don't care for... but I am really into the stories right now.

My Rating:

3. Sometimes A Fantasy
Meredith finds that juggling two suitors is not as easy as she thought. Izzie heads to Seattle Grace to ask for a second chance. Cristina takes action when she thinks that Burke has given up. George is having second thoughts about his relationship with Callie, and Alex treats a young girl who believes that she is a superhero.

My Thoughts:
Another good episode. I really liked the case of the little girl who don't have the ability to feel pain. So what does she think? she is some kind of superhero and keeps it to herself. Except to show off a little for other kids. Ending up being seriously hurt internally without realizing it. Izzie is scared of the idea of asking for another chance.

My Rating:

4. What I Am
Izzie gets a visit and surprise gift from Denny's father. Meredith faces an emergency appendectomy and has a heart-to-heart talk with Addison while under the influence of morphine. Mark Sloan joins the Seattle Grace staff, and Derek is not happy about it. Burke is cleared to return to work but is hiding a potentially disastrous secret. Meredith finally makes her choice between Derek and Finn, her dog's veterinarian

My Thoughts:
Another good episode... though this one for the most part is all personal life.  Though they do touch on a couple decent medical cases... not only Meredith with appendicitis... but also a man that actually thought it would be a good idea to light a cigarette in the hospital room... while wearing his oxygen. Smart man... huh? The ending on this one has me a little up in the air... not sure if I like it or not.


My Rating:

(From Grey's Anatomy Marathon on September 12th, 2009)