DVD Collectors Online

The Black Pirate, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Black Pirate
Year of Release: 1926
Directed By: Albert Parker
Starring: Douglas Fairbanks, Bille Dove, Donald Crisp, Sam De Grasse
Genre: Adventure, Action

Overview:
Riding the crest of popularity after his hit films The Thief of Bagdad, Robin Hood, and The Three Musketeers, the silent cinema's greatest adventure hero crowned his accomplishments with the spectacular Technicolor epic THE BLACK PIRATE.

The sole survivor of a ship pillaged by buccaneers, Michel (Fairbanks) poses as the mysterious Black Pirate and infiltrates a nest of bandits. He mounts an elaborate ploy to earn their trust, reclaim the ship and rescue a kidnapped princess (Billie Dove). Like a Robert Louis Stevenson adventure come to life, THE BLACK PIRATE ripples with customary intrigue and a rapid succession of brilliantly inventive stunts.

Mastered from a 35mm negative, this special Kino edition carefully recreates the authentic palette of two-strip Technicolor (comprised of varying blends of green and orange), so that modern viewers can savor the photography The New York Times praised as, "mindful of the paintings of the old masters."

My Thoughts:
This is a fun swashbuckling adventure. It has great action and stunts (mostly courtesy of Fairbanks), a dashing hero, a treacherous villain, and a fair maiden in distress. It's everything you want in a pirate movie - sword fights, treasure, robbery, murder, kidnapping, romance, a scene with our hero forced to walk the plank.  

Don't try to judge this against modern films.  You simply aren't going to have the kind of film you see now.  In its day, this was a lavish production with expensive, and experimental, two-color Technicolor film.  One of the earliest full-length color films!  It's a dynamic, entertaining yarn I'd recommend to anyone who likes a good pirate film or a good silent film.  Lots and lots of fun.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Off Day Alphabet Marathon on August 9th, 2014)

Sherlock Jr., a review by Danae Cassandra

Sherlock Jr.
Year of Release: 1924
Directed By: Buster Keaton
Starring: Buster Keaton, Kathryn McGuire, Joe Keaton, Erwin Connelly, Ward Crane
Genre: Comedy

Overview:
Widely regarded as one of the most visually inventive silent comedies ever made, SHERLOCK JR. offers fast-paced slapstick as well as a brilliant deconstruction of the filmmaking process. Keaton stars as a movie theatre projectionist who dreams of becoming a super-sleuth and, in one breathtaking sequence, literally steps into the screen to bring his fantasies to life.

My Thoughts:
A good friend gave this to me for my birthday, and I promised him I would watch it before the end of the year.  This was a great film! It's clever and imaginative, artistic, smart, and very funny. The gags and their timing are perfect, the stunts make you sit back in amazement, knowing that Keaton did his own stunts, and Keaton's sad little everyman is one of the best characters of the silent era. Yes, the technical aspects are dazzling, with all of the inventive special effects and camera tricks that Keaton employs here, but most of all it's a really good film. Did I mention funny? I'm sure I did - and I will again. It's a really, really funny film.  I'm not sure how it could be made better.  Highly recommended for any fan of silent comedy - or anyone who wants to try a silent comedy.

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall: 4.5/5

(From Sherlock Jr. on December 3rd, 2013)

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

04. Inca Mummy Girl (1997-10-06)
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Matt Kiene (Writer), Joe Reinkemeyer (Writer)
Director: Ellen S. Pressman
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), David Boreanaz (Angel), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Ara Celi (Ampada), Seth Green (Oz), Jason Hall (Devon), Hendrik Rosvall (Sven), Joey Crawford (Rodney), Danny Strong (Jonathan), Kristen Winnicki (Gwen), Gil Birmingham (Peru Man), Samuel Jacobs (Peruvian Boy)

A rather weak episode. But I like the introduction of Oz and that he takes interest in our Willow.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on February 4th, 2009)