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Defiance, a review by Rich

Defiance



Daniel Craig (James Bond: The Quantum of Solace) stars as Tuvia Bielski, an ordinary citizen turned hero, in this action-packed epic of family, honor, vengeance and salvation. Defiance is a riveting adventure that showcases the extraordinary true story of the Bielski brothers, simple farmers - outnumbered and outgunned - who turned a group of war refugees into powerful freedom fighters. Tuvia, along with his unyielding brother, Zus (Liev Schreiber, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), motivate hundreds of civilians to join their ranks against the Nazi regime. Their "Inspirational story" (David Densby, The New Yorker) is a true testament to the human spirit.

Humbling feel good true story movie, for once not spoilt by Hollywood glamourising, delivers stunning cinematography, haunting soundtrack and amazing shoot locations. Craig works surprisingly well in his lead role of the courageous Tuvia Bielski, but for me the shine-out star was Liev Schreiber, an actor I have never really warmed to perhaps because of his Scream appearances, but here in his part of Tuvias' brother Zus, I found his performance outstanding.
The atmosphere works well, with dialogue intermixing between German, English and Russian, and the drama, action, human interest and love aspects are all finely sculpted together. Some may find the pace gets a bit clumsy at times, but it did not overall detract from my enjoyment.
Story-telling of the highest quality, with the ending of course updating the viewer on what happened to the many survivors after the war. Uplifting and recommended.
 

(From Riches Random Reviews on July 30th, 2009)

Love Story, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: Love Story
Year: 1970
Director: Arthur Hiller
Rating: PG
Length: 100 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Ali MacGraw
Ryan O'Neal
John Marley
Ray Milland
Russell Nype
Katharine Balfour

Plot:Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Featurettes
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
I will admit... I was a little hesitant choosing this one right now as it isn't my normal fair that I enjoy. But more then one person wanted me to review this movie.... so thought I would give it a go. I found I really have mixed feelings about this one. The story is a good one for the most part... even though they had to make things go a little quickly to fit everything in. But that is OK... I can handle that. The main problem I had with this one is that all the characters are just unlikable. I couldn't relate to any of them. I main guy in this one I found to be stubborn to the extreme. Really pig-headed. And the main girl I found to be awful snobbish for someone coming from such a poor background.... the way she acted... the way she talked... pretty much everything. The did improve on her... but to me it was no more then too little.... too late. And I really didn't like the supporting characters any more then the main characters. But despite all that it has a good story... and I did find myself being drawn in. Especially towards the end... which without going into too much detail hit a little too close to home for me.



(From The Movies From Within My Lifetime on March 23rd, 2011)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

6.09 Smashed
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Drew Z. Greenberg (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: Turi Meyer
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Danny Strong (Jonathan Levinson), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells), Elizabeth Anne Allen (Amy Madison), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Jordan Belfi (Ryan), John Patrick Clerkin (Man), Rick Garcia (Reporter), Jack Jozefson (Rusty), Lauren Nissi (Girlfriend), Melanie Sirmons (Brie), Kelly Smith (Innocent Girl), Patrice Walters (Woman), Adam Weiner (Simon)

This is the start of the low point of this season for me. I like that Amy is back, but I do not like the way she is used here. Also they start here with beating the magic use=drug use metaphor to death. And the "magic spree" that Willow and Amy go on is too much like Sabrina the Teenage Witch. And I don't like Buffy and Spike humping while bringing a building down.

Rating:


6.10 Wrecked
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Marti Noxon (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: David Solomon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Elizabeth Anne Allen (Amy Madison), Jeff Kober (Rack), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Fleming Brooks (Mandraz), Michael Giordani (Jonesing Guy), Colin Malone (Creepy Guy), Mageina Tovah (Jonesing Girl)

This is where they have gone to far with the whole magic thing. They didn't even try to hide the drug comparison anymore. They even introduced a magic drug dealer. Also Willow's break-down at the end and her withdrawal symptons are that of a drug addict.

Rating:


6.11 Gone
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), David Fury (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: David Fury
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Danny Strong (Jonathan Levinson), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells), Daniel Hagen (Social Services Supervisor), Susan Ruttan (Doris Kroeger), Dwight Bacquie (Security Guard), Jessa French (Cleo), Elin Hampton (Co-Worker), Jeffrey Jacquin (Meter Man), Kelly Parver (Girl in Park), Lyndon Smith (Little Boy), Melina Webberley (Little Girl)

The premise is interesting, but I didn't like how childish invisible Buffy was behaving. Nice that the gang finally meets up with the geek trio.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on October 3rd, 2010)