DVD Collectors Online

Lonely Hearts, a review by Rich

Lonely Hearts



Based on a true story, Raymond Fernandez (Jared Leto) and Martha Beck (Salma Hayek) are two psychopaths with a passion for hot-blooded sex and cold-blooded murder. Placing ads in singles magazines, they prey on a series of rich, lonely women, whom they later swindle and kill. Leaving a trail of bodies that stretches from New York to Michigan, Raymond and Martha believe they're literally getting away with murder, until homicide detectives Elmer C. Robinson (John Travolta) and Charles Hildebrandt (James Gandolfini) pick up their trail. Co-starring Laura Dern, Scott Caan and Alice Krige.

Gritty fact based crime drama, with a stand-out performance by Salma Hayek as the psychotic lover. The pace isn't electric, but surely it mirrors the true story and as such any further editing would have left out key elements.
The period settings were convincing, and the cast all deliver excellent performances. I will look out for the Honeymoon Killers now, to compare that portrayal of the Lonely Hearts killers against this film.
 

(From Riches Random Reviews on May 13th, 2009)

A Charlie Brown Christmas, a review by Danae Cassandra

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Year of Release: 1965
Directed By: Bill Melendez
Starring: Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Tracy Stratford, Bill Melendez, Chris Doran
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Television

Overview:
Christmastime is here. Happiness and cheer. And for Peanuts fans everywhere, it just wouldn't be Christmas without this classic holiday delight. Lights may twinkle red and green, but Charlie Brown has the Yuletide blues. To get in the holiday spirit, he takes Lucy's advice and directs the Christmas play. And what's a Christmas play without a Christmas tree? But everyone makes fun of the short, spindly neverMy Thoughts:
One of the few true pieces of Christmas perfection.  Everything about this little special is made of win.  The music is now part of the canon.  We can see a bit of us in each of the kids.  Who hasn't been depressed about this time of year, wondering with all the commercialism what the true meaning is?  Who hasn't been upset that they don't get what they want?  Or that they aren't going to get their fair share? 

It's also the innocence of childhood that makes this a perfect piece of Christmas.  Dancing just for the joy of it, catching snowflakes on your tongue, ice skating.  Snoopy is the embodiment of this.  He celebrates every moment, has fun and enjoys himself, and only stops when the others eye him disapprovingly (dancing on the piano).  We should all be more like Snoopy.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 5/5

(From Christmas 2016 on December 26th, 2016)

Babylon 5: Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Delenn is called back to Minbar. Her clan will decide if she should be allowed to marry a non-Minbari. She has into go to the dream oracle and relives the events that lead to the Earth-Minbar war. Meanwhile Sheridan sends Dr. Franklin and Marcus to Mars to bring news and make contact with the Mars resistance.

My opinion: Great episode which fills the last holes about Delenn's involvement in the Earth-Minbar war and a great explanation why The merging of Human and Minbari souls began a thousand years ago. Loved it


Synopsis: Dr. Franklin and Marcus arrive on Mars and make contact with the resistance - or at least they try to. Meanwhile Ivanova suspends Sheridan for 48 hours from active duty, he hasn't had a free day fro more than nine months.

My opinion: It's an OK episode. Not much to say about it.


Synopsis: The problems of Minbar are getting worse. The conflicts between the warrior caste and the religious caste becomes more violent and Minbar stands on the brink of civil war. Delenn is forced to meet with a race called "Drakh". Meanwhile Franklin convinces the Mars resistance to work with them and stop the terrorist bombings on the Mars colonies.

My opinion: Delenn has to go to Minbar to fight for her planet, Sheridan has to go to Earth to his planet. It's a sad episode because even with the ended war there are still many open wounds that must heal and many conflicts left to be solved. One asks oneself if it will ever going to end. It's the same question as in real life: Will there be ever a time where there is not a war or fight going on on this planet?

Quote of the episode:
Delenn (to Sheridan): "Curious thing about Humans. Minbari cities remain untouched and unchanged for centuries. I leave for three days and you redecorate."


Synopsis: Garibaldi has to smuggle his former love in and out of the station. Meanwhile Invanova tries to find a power source for their news broadcasting system.

My opninion: One asks oneself what the Psi Corps did to Mr. Garibaldi. He is so hostile towards his former friends and colleagues he won't get any help from them in the near future. Nonetheless it was a good episode especially the ending with the newly installed broadcasting system.

(From Babylon 5: Marathon on November 11th, 2007)