DVD Collectors Online

September Dawn, a review by Rich

September Dawn





Staggeringly based on a true story, it is hard to imagine how any man, in any moment of history, could have partaken in such a slaughter. Having read a bit more on the subject it is a bit biased, but if you can ignore a sloppy and fictitious love angle in the movie it is highly enjoyable.
A film with substance and some solid acting performances, notably Voight and Shaun Johnston, this is a skilful portrayal of a delicate subject. You are compelled to watch as the story unravels, culminating in a heinous crime supposedly ordained by gods will.
Fascinating viewing and given the cheap prices this can be picked up for, a true bargain.
 



(From Riches Random Reviews on May 17th, 2009)

The Librarian: Quest for the Spear, a review by DJ Doena

Director: Peter Winther

Noah Wyle   ...    Flynn Carsen
Sonya Walger   ...    Nicole Noone
Bob Newhart   ...    Judson
Kyle MacLachlan   ...    Edward Wilde
Kelly Hu   ...    Lana

Synopsis: Flynn Carsen is what we call in Germany a "Dauerstudent", a student who never leaves the comfort of the university - until he's thrown out. He then gets a mysterious invitation to apply for a job at the library. But not any library, the Library.

The place where they keep the Ark of Covenant, Excalibur, Pandora's Box - and one third of the Spear of Destiny. Unfortunately that piece is stolen shortly after he started working there and now he has to make sure that the other two thirds that are hidden around the world don't fall into the hands of the bad guys.

My Opinion: What I expected to see was a poor man's version of Indiana Jones as a Direct-to-DVD movie. It could have been bad. Luckily for us everyone involved seemed to be aware of the limitations of the budget and the general silliness of the plot so they decided to have fun with it. And that works. I'd qualify this movie in the category of "so bad, it's funny".

What comes as an added bonus is that Noah Wyle's (ER) character is not an Indiana Jones clone, if anything then he's more of the Henry Jones, sr. kind.
Also starring are Sonya Walger (LOST) as the more action-oriented partner in the duo and Kyle MacLachlan (Dune) as the bad guy.

Can't wait to see part two (with Gabrielle Anwar - Burn Notice) and three (with Stana Katic - Castle).




(From DJ's Short Movie Reviews on October 31st, 2012)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Cmdr. Riker from the Enterprise visits the station but then he hijacks the Defiant by faking a warp core breach. This man isn't really William T. Riker. He's his identical copy, created by a transporter accident several years ago: Lt. Thomas Riker. And Thomas is a member of the Maquis now and he intends to use the Defiant against the Cardassians.

My Opinion: It's interesting how certain organizations are supposed to report to someone else but have developed a life of their own and begin to exist outside of any hierarchy. In this case both Central Command (the military) and the Obsidian Order (intelligence) are supposed to report to the Detapa Council (the civilian government) but neither of them does anymore. I think some real intelligence services behave pretty much the same way. On the other hand: Do we really and honestly want to know what they are doing or do we simply feel safer because they are there?

Synopsis: Peldor joy, my friends! The bajoran gratitude festival is coming up and the station prepares for it. Vedek Barail comes to the station, as well as Keiko - who's currently on a botanical expedition on Bajor - and the Betazoid ambassador: Lwaxana Troi. But something is happening. As if someone slipped a love potion in the punch people are starting to chase one another - but of course in the wildest combinations.

My Opinion: Although it wasn't actually a love potion the plot of this episode is quite common throughout the TV show landscape and wasn't that fascinating.

Synopsis: Sisko, Bashir and Dax have to report back to Earth and they take the Defiant. But when they beam down, they don't land exactly where (or better when) they were supposed to land. It's the year 2024 and while Dax manages to meet a nice industrialist, Bashir and Sisko are brought to Sanctuary District A, a slum without the possibility to leave it.

My Opinion: Although the timeline/time travel logic wasn't logical at all (to explain it here would take than more than a few lines) I liked this episode. But it was scary at the same time. To use concentration camps (although not in the Nazi meaning) for home- and jobless people - a few years back I wouldn't have thought it possible. But if we really slide into a larger depression now, I wouldn't it put past some politicians, who are always looking for simple solutions to complex problems.

Synopsis: The uprising in the sanctuary was one of the turning points in the 21st century but unfortunately the important leader, Gabriel Bell, was just killed protecting Bashir. History is about to be changed, but Sisko mustn't allow that, since it could jeopardize the existence of the Federation itself. He becomes Gabriel Bell. Meanwhile the Defiant's crew tries to re-create the accident and tries to find the three.

My Opinion: This was a good conclusion to the episode, the storming of the district reminded me of the ending of Gangs of New York and O'Brien's and Kira's trips into other eras brought a light touch to this very dark episode without destroying the intended effect.
But I have to make one remark regarding the timeline: The alteration of the timeline was a bit too blatant. No Federation? No space travel at all? Because of the outcome of one revolt that happened even before the third world war? A bit much, don't you think? But as I said the main story was interesting and scary at the same time.

(From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Marathon on October 19th, 2008)