DVD Collectors Online

Beyond Borders, a review by Rich

Beyond Borders





Despite a very good performance from Jolie and Owen, and a story about aid workers and refugees which surely must be told, there was something missing, perhaps it just didn't gel too well together? Or perhaps it was the voyeuristic feel the viewer has, watching what must be genuine starving Africans in the name of entertainment?
I felt rather guilty after watching this, wondering how much of the box office returns or the Hollywood stars income was ploughed back into countries like Ethiopia or Somalia? And the faked settings in some instances were just too obvious, spoiling the feel of the movie. At times it even felt like this was a political statement and it was being forced down your throat as opposed to us being able to determine an opinion.
Worthy subject, poorly delivered.
 

**Angelina Jolie mini-marathon


(From Riches Random Reviews on August 8th, 2009)

Memento, a review by Tom

Title: Memento
Year: 2000
Director: Christopher Nolan
Rating: FSK-16
Length: 109 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35
Audio: German: Dolby Digital 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 5.1, German: DTS 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: English, German

Stars:
Guy Pearce
Carrie-Anne Moss
Joe Pantoliano
Mark Boone Junior
Russ Fega

Plot:
From director Christopher Nolan, a unique and intriguing thriller that begins with the ultimate act of revenge and back tracks through time to reveal the shocking and provocative reasons behind it.

Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) remembers everything up to the night his wife was brutally raped and murdered. But since that tragedy, he has suffered from short-term memory loss and cannot recall any event, the places he has visited or anyone he has met just minutes before.

Determined to find out why his wife was killed, the only way he can store evidence is on scraps of paper, by taking Polaroid photos and tattooing vital clues on his body.

Throughout his investigation, he apperas to have the help of both bartender Natalie (Carrie-Ann Moss), who may have her own secret agenda and police officer Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) whose friendship is always suspect.

As Shelby's fractured memory tries to piece together a chilling jigsaw of deceit and betrayal in reverse, breathtaking twists and susprising turns rapidly occur in the most challenging, original and critically acclaimed thriller in years.

Awards:

Academy Award	2001	Nominated	Best Film Editing	Dody Dorn
Academy Award	2001	Nominated	Best Writing, Original Screenplay	Christopher Nolan (Screenplay); Jonathan Nolan (Story)
American Film Institute Awards	2001	Won	Editor of the Year - Movies	Dody Dorn
American Film Institute Awards	2001	Won	Movie of the Year
American Film Institute Awards	2001	Won	Screenwriter of the Year - Movies	Christopher Nolan
British Independent Film Awards	2001	Won	Best Foreign Independent Film - English Language
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards	2002	Won	Best Screenplay	Christopher Nolan
Golden Globe	2001	Nominated	Screenplay	Christopher Nolan
Independent Spirit Awards	2002	Nominated	Best Cinematography	Wally Pfister
Independent Spirit Awards	2002	Won	Best Director	Christopher Nolan
Independent Spirit Awards	2002	Won	Best Feature	Jennifer Todd; Suzanne Todd
Independent Spirit Awards	2002	Won	Best Screenplay	Christopher Nolan
Independent Spirit Awards	2002	Won	Best Supporting Female	Carrie-Anne Moss
Online Film Critics Society Awards	2002	Nominated	Best Actor	Guy Pearce
Online Film Critics Society Awards	2002	Won	Best Breakthrough Filmmaker	Christopher Nolan
Online Film Critics Society Awards	2002	Won	Best Picture
Online Film Critics Society Awards	2002	Won	Best Screenplay, Adapted	Christopher Nolan
Saturn	2001	Won	Best Action / Adventure / Thriller Film
Saturn	2001	Nominated	Best Actor	Guy Pearce
Saturn	2002	Nominated	Best DVD Speical Edition Release

Extras:
"Memento Mori"
Chronological Cut
Commentary
Featurettes
Interviews
Photo Gallery
Production Notes
Scene Access
Trailers

After watching Ghajini I thought it was time to watch Memento again. Its unique way of storytelling was just something really fun when I first watched it. It is still a great movie to rewatch.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on August 1st, 2009)

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

7. Rage
Clark discovers the Green Arrow was shot while trying to save a couple from a carjacking, but Oliver denies he was injured. However, when Oliver starts displaying erratic behavior, Clark and Chloe investigate and discover he is taking a super-drug that causes his body to heal itself but has severe side effects.

My Thoughts:
This was a good episode... I enjoyed it... even though it did have the underlying message "Don't Do Drugs"... they did it in a way that was not aggravatingly preachy.

8. Static
Clark learns a Zoner has landed in Seattle and slaughtered the entire crew of a working ship. Upon investigation, Clark comes face to face with a horrifying Phantom who sucks the bones out of people.

My Thoughts:
Another episode I enjoyed a lot... This is one of the episodes they decided to use a professional wrestler in an episode... using Dave Batista.... which I find extra interesting... as my last name is Battista.  I don't know too much about the wrestler as I haven't watched wrestling in years.

9. Subterranean
An illegal immigrant from the nearby McNally farm seeks help from Clark, who soon discovers a sinister secret buried in the farm's cornfield, which had been bombarded during the last meteor shower.

My Thoughts:
This one is a decent episode... but nothing really too special in my opiniion. Just a decent stand alone episode.

10. Hydro
A Daily Planet gossip columnist uses her special power to overhear a conversation between Lana and Chloe, and publishes the conversation... where Lana admits having doubts about marrying Lex. While Chloe investigates the reporter, Lois asks Clark to help her investigate the mysterious Green Arrow bandit when she suspects he may be Oliver Queen in disguise.

My Thoughts:
This episode I enjoyed.... a freak of the week type episode guest starring Tori Spelling. One of the reasons I liked this one is because even our lovable little Chloe gets into a fight in it. And now Lana knows that Chloe not only knows... but is frantically protecting Clark's secret. This episode is just fun.

The only extra on this disc is a Deleted Scene for the episode Hydro... which was no real loss to the story line... but still fin to watch.

(From Smallville Marathon on September 23rd, 2007)