DVD Collectors Online

The Hellbenders, a review by Antares

The Hellbenders (1967) 69/100 - Only my second Sergio Corbucci Spaghetti Western and definitely a leg up on the first, Django. Django started off and ended great, but it really slogged along during the middle. This film starts off kind of sloppy and frenetic, but once it settled down, the plot twists finally pulled me in. I do think that Joseph Cotten was horribly miscast in the lead role. The dubbing is pretty bad in spots, but it doesn't detract from the viewing experience. Corbucci was known for his scenes of violence and here he ramps it up to red line status. The twist at the end was good and I didn't see it coming. A lukewarm recommendation at best 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 July 11th, 2020)

Gone in 60 seconds, a review by DVDsRGreat

Title: Gone in 60 seconds

Overview:NICE! I never get bored of watching this movie again and again. I guess I'm just a sucker for all the nice exotic cars they show. Not to mention the HOT looking Angelina Jolie and the bike she rides (I think that's an MV Augusta - even if it's on screen just for a few seconds). Some corny dialog - to be expected from any Jerry Bruckheimer/Nicolas Cage feature, but I really enjoy the action packed scene with Eleanor (the Shelby Mustang GT-500 ).
I consider this one of my popcorn flicks which I can enjoy no matter what kind of mood I'm in. I haven't seen the original 1974 version but it's on my wishlist and hope to see it someday!

Rating: 


(From My November alphabet marathon reviews on November 7th, 2008)

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

Synopsis: Caused by the explosion of the sun and the activated Hyperdrive SG-1s Ha'tak has been catapulted into another galaxy. But Apophis is also there with his huge motherhip. But as soon as they have arrived another ship is apporaching that attacks Apophis's ship. It is the Replicators.

My Opinion: Nothing against a good deus ex machina now and then, but this time they've overdone it. First they land in a remote galaxy, then the Replicators arrive, then Teal'c has been brainwashed somehow and in the end the Replicators kindly bring SG-1 back home. Honestly! At least Apophis has breathed his last breath.

Synopsis: Teal'c is still brainwashed. According to Bra'tac, the only way to get him out of this, is to remove the larva and bring him to the brink of death.

My Opinion: Even though the events that led to this were rubbish, this was a very good compensation. It showed us how Teal'c became the man he is and how Bra'tac tought him all this. A great character drawing.

Synopsis: SG-1 discovers a device that could be a powerful weapon. But then Sam faints and has to be brought back to the SGC. When she is put on leave and comes home, she is awaited by a non-corporeal being. It declares that it comes from the planet Sam has just been to.

My Opinion: The most important information in this episode was the fact, that Teal'c has watched Star Wars nine times while Jack has never watched it. That aside this episode was a goof examply why in Star Trek a Prime Directive exists: Because it is not predictable, what happens if one interfers with the developement of a culture. But the extinction of that entire planet was also over the top, they simply could have taken the Stargate away.
The appearance of John de Lancie (Q in Star Trek: The Next Generation) was also nice, especially because it won't be the last.

Synopsis: Sam, Teal'c and Daniel return to the SGC under heavy fire while Jack and Lieutenant Tyler are grounded. But the real problem is: In the SGC no one knows this "Lieutenant Tyler". Only SG-1 can remember this man.

My Opinion: I liked this episode, too. Another fact has cought my eye here: Stargate SG-1 has found a good balance regarding the number of alien races. The universe isn't as crowded with non-humans as the Star Trek universe. But it is also not as empty as the Battlestar Galactica universe. While most of the aliens are still humanoid they aren't simply knobbly-nose-aliens but really alien-aliens.

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on March 30th, 2008)