DVD Collectors Online

Best of Enemies, a review by Antares

Best of Enemies (2015) 65/100 - Interesting, yet somewhat incomplete look at the decades long war of words and ideals between William F. Buckley Jr. & Gore Vidal. The main focus of the film should have been on the debates these two political intellectuals and for the most part, demagogues had during both the Republican and Democratic conventions on ABC in 1968. Instead, the debates take second stage to the idiosyncratic nature of the two protagonists. The debates themselves, except for the big blustering moment when Buckley completely blows it, are only doled out in small snippets. Thus, you don't really get a sense of why this was such a ratings winner for ABC News at the time. And, how this one moment changed political news coverage forever. A bit too much editing of their previous debates leaves you wondering why Vidal got under Buckley's skin so easily with just a simple little phrase. The moment happens, it's shocking, and then it's over with Vidal sitting there gleefully. But the build up is insufficient to make it really hit home. If you are unfamiliar with this one great moment in television journalism, it's worth a watch. But mind you, it won't stay with you for too long afterwards.

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)

Clerks, a review by Tom

Title: Clerks.
Year: 1994
Director: Kevin Smith
Rating: 18A
Length: 92 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Trivia

Stars:
Brian O'Halloran
Jeff Anderson
Marilyn Ghigliotti
Lisa Spoonhauer
Jason Mewes

Plot:
The movie that started it all... In two versions, including the Extended Cut that you've never seen!

Miramax Home Entertainment is proud to present this amazing three-disc collector's set that includes two versions of the original indie classic, a killer, brand-new 90-minute documentary - "Snowball Effect: The Story of Clerks" - and more never-before-seen bonus material than you shake a salsa shark at!

Awards:

AFI	1994	Nominated	100 Years... 100 Laughs (2000)
Independent Spirit Awards	1995	Nominated	Best Debut Performance	Jeff Anderson
Independent Spirit Awards	1995	Nominated	Best First Feature	Kevin Smith; Scott Mosier
Independent Spirit Awards	1995	Nominated	Best First Screenplay	Kevin Smith

Extras:
Closed Captioned
Commentary
DVD-ROM Content
Featurettes
Music Videos
Photo Gallery
Production Notes
Scene Access
Trailers

Still a great movie to watch. I just love all the scenes with Randal in it. His "Return of the Jedi" rant or his ordering of porn videos are hilarious. Imagine Kevin Smith would have played this role as originally planned. I think it wouldn't have been half as fun.
And the bonus feature "The Flying Car": Simply Great!


Rating:

(From Tom's Alphabet Marathon Reviews on July 3rd, 2010)

Angel Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Fred has returned to her work on physics and she has written an article that has been published. Now she is supposed to talk on a science conference where she meets her old professor.

My Opinion: Damn! I would have bet that there would be a plot twist and that the assistant is the true villain. Even though I haven't predicted the end, that makes the story weaker, because it was so straightforward.

Synopsis: To return Cordelia's memories, Lorne gets hold of a potion. They conduct a certain ceremony. Unfortunately now everyone has lost his/her memories.

My Opinion: Don't get me wrong, the episode was good, even if it is a recurring plot in many Sci-Fi/Fantasy series. But I didn't understand why Wesley had to be there but not Connor. That felt forced. I also didn't understand why all people lost a different amount of years of memories.

Synopsis: Cordelia sees the apocalypse coming but it's not the apocalypse that Wolfram & Hart is planning. She and Connor run right into the demon who happens to appear in the very same alley Connor was "born". The gang, including Wesley try to kill the demon.

My Opinion: Cordelia, why? Can one break the heart of a vampire even if it doesn't beat anymore? It certainly looked that way. I like the new demon, it's bound to become interesting.

Synopsis: The gang has to regroup after they've lost the last battle. And this time their attack leads directly into the heart of evil, Wolfram & Hart.

My Opinion: "So I will walk through the fire, cos where else can I turn?" Granted, Buffy sang this in "Once More, With Feeling" but I am sure Angel feels the same way now. While I really like the new demon because we/they know nothing about it, I don't like what the writers are doing with Cordelia. I hope she comes out of it, but so far Whedon's characters (nearly) always did.

(From Angel Marathon on February 23rd, 2008)