DVD Collectors Online

The Bodysnatcher, a review by Jon

THE BODYSNATCHER
5 out of 5

The first of Lewton's films I've seen that could be described as a full on proper horror. Still has the atmosphere, but now with a story that Hammer could have made, wearing it's bloody evil heart on its sleeve! Edinburgh 1831 (though you wouldn't know from the accents) and a doctor employs a grave robber. They have a long history and the robber is using it as a hold over the doctor and his wife (he's over familiar, calling her "crony"). It is perfect horror, but still has the subtleties Lewton has brought to his others to produce another challenging story. Boris Karloff gives a fantastic performance as the grinning graverobber, a part not unlike the Joker in that he teases and manipulates the characters into place.

Boris Karloff is an absolute legend. You should see this film if only for his wonderful performance. He is superb. Film education is sorely lacking that this particular bastard never has a rightful place in classic villains (or even Lewton and his films in general). He even has a creepy laugh! What else do you need to make this a true horror classic? How about Bela Lugosi scrapping with Karloff. That's right, Dracula and Frankenstein slugging it out. Great stuff!

The story cleverly weaves into Scottish tradition with strong links to classic Resurrection Men Burke and Hare (the Dr was supposedly an assistant of Dr Knox), and more shockingly, a cheeky swipe at poor old Greyfriars Bobby. This is the equivalent of kicking Santa in the nuts! It's sacred. You just don't. Bloody great though.

By the way, if you don't know Burke and Hare, or Greyfriars, it's worth Googling. Both are fascinating stories and really adds to this story. It is rare that someone creates fiction to follow on from fact and it should be done more.

(From Val Lewton Horror Marathon on October 4th, 2008)

Meet the Fockers, a review by samuelrichardscott

Meet the Fockers (2004) R2 United Kingdom

Overview:
Domestic disaster looms for male nurse Greg Focker (Stiller) when his straight-laced, ex-CIA father-in-law (De Niro) asks to meet his wildly unconventional mum and dad (Streisand and Hoffman).

It's family bonding gone hysterically haywire, in this must-see comedy!

My Thoughts:
The sequel to Meet the Parents is pretty much more of the same although this time we go from the extremely conservative parents of Polo, De Niro and Danner to Stiller's very open parents played by Dustin Hoffman and Barbara Streisand. Hoffman and Streisand play their roles a lot more convincingly but just like the first movie, this is a little short on laughs for me although it is still funny enough to warrant a cheap purchase. 3/5

(From Never Ending Movie Marathon (short reviews) on June 21st, 2010)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE - SERIES ONE - PILOT



First aired: 1/9/2000   
Perhaps the most original sitcom pilot in recent years, this first episode combines sharp writing with a hyperbolic camera style reminiscent of Parker Lewis Can't Lose. Malcolm introduces us to his world, dominated by omnipresent schoolyard bully Spath and made worse by his enforced friendship with Stevie, an asthmatic wheelchair genius. When a battery of tests reveals that Malcolm has an IQ of 165, he is moved into Stevie's special accelerated class, despite his protests that "around here being intelligent is exactly the same as being radioactive." On the bright side, Malcolm discovers a practical application for intelligence when he and Stevie spontaneously hit on a solution to Spath's persistent tyranny.

I have watched a few episodes on tv of this series, but never thought a great deal of it whilst watching ad-hoc. The pilot however I really enjoyed, similarities to the Wonder Years but having it's own identity, very entertaining with great jokes from all the characters, introducing Malcolm and his genius status. The subtle jokes like all the houses for sale around his, the in your face gags like the Dad having his back (and other bits) shaved at the breakfast table - very good stuff indeed.
Overall, this is a good start to the series and I will probably watch it over time in parts.



(From My PILOT Marathon on May 18th, 2008)