DVD Collectors Online

THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: The Wright Stuff, a review by Antares

THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: The Wright Stuff (1996) 90/100 - When I was 8 years old, I sat in front of our television set on an August evening and watched as Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon. My father said to me, "Remember this moment, because you can tell your grandchildren that you witnessed the greatest achievement in mankind's history." As the years passed by, and my knowledge of world history was gathered by my inquisitive mind, I came to dispute his proclamation, because without the Wright Brothers, Armstrong's "one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind" might have had to wait for another century or so. It was a steady progression from the first moments at Kitty Hawk, through two World Wars and finally, a paranoid Cold War that increased the technological advances needed to perform the Herculean task of getting to the moon. Apollo 11 was made in part, by the hard work of hundreds upon hundreds of people working together to achieve a common goal. The spectacle of the first powered man flight came about through the determination, will and skills of two quite anonymous bicycle shop owners from Dayton, Ohio. They were self taught engineers, seeking a solution to a mystery that had baffled not only the leading scientists of the day, but many prominent inventors, dating back to Da Vinci. The documentary shows how through deduction and a bit of luck, the two brothers overcame the problems that had eluded all others. But such was their distrust of others, that they almost lost their claim to being the first, by refusing to show their flying machine. If you only now about the Wright Brothers from snippets from high school history class, then this episode is a great place to start. It's economical in its duration, but engrossing in its execution.

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 December 3rd, 2014)

Band of Outsiders, a review by Antares

Band of Outsiders (1964) 3/5 - This was my first Godard film and after it was finished, the first thought that ran through my mind was a scene from the movie Amadeus. After Mozart's first royal commissioned opera, is finished, Emperor Joseph II comes on stage to praise Mozart for the work. He is at a loss for words, but manages to blurt out that it was 'quite new', but with slight trepidation in his delivery. Mozart retorts It is new...isn't it your Majesty? as if being new instantly makes it praise worthy. But sometimes, being new doesn't make something a masterpiece, and I felt that Godard was more interested in being fashionably different as opposed to making an interesting film. Sure, it does have it's share of crafted shots, but as a whole the story was lacking in creativity. I will admit that just looking at Anna Karina was worth the effort of watching this film, but aside from her, the rest was pretty shallow and a bit self exalting on the part of the director. It won't stop me from seeking out his other films, but now at least, I know what I can expect and hopefully, this was just an aberration, and not the norm.

(From Antares' Short Summations on July 13th, 2012)

"Stargate SG-1" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: SG-1 is in hell. Their plan to escape didn't work after Apophis had unexpectedly risen from the dead. And he needs a dead pledge to prevent Sokar from executing him. But the Tok'ra have also a plan B: They intend to blow up Ne'tu.

My Opinion: Cool continuation. Apophis managed to save his skin again. I also liked the hallucination sequences due to the "Blood of Sokar".

Synopsis: After SG-1 returns from a mission something strange happens: Teal'c awakes in the infirmary and overhears a conversation between General Hammond and an unknown alien. There are two possibilities: Either the base has been overtaken or they have been exposed to a dangerous chemical that causes hallucinations.

My Opinion: When I watched the episode for the first time, until a certain point it was unclear to me which one is the truth, especially with the argument between Jack and Maybourne. What I like about such disguise devices is that they can actually change the size and form of a person.

Synopsis: Klorel crashes with a Deathglider on the Tollan homeworld. For a short moment, Skaara is in control of his body and he asks the Tollans for help. They agree to hear both sides.

My Opinion: A great episode. I love episodes with court hearings, especially when you could agree with both sides. I also liked the split where Daniel argues with logic and Jack with his heart. I thought this episode stands in one row with Star Trek TNG's The Measure of a Man. Regrettably we haven't seen Omac (Enigma) again.

Synopsis: SG-1 can't remember being on a planet for 15 hours. But then they find a microscopic device implanted into their brains. It generates an audio-visual hologram that only SG-1 can see and hear: Urgo.

My Opinion: Dom DeLuise (Cannonball Run, father of Peter DeLuise) is too funny as Urgo. I had a really good laugh, it was a great fun episode.

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on March 17th, 2008)