DVD Collectors Online

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)

Shock Treatment, a review by Jimmy

Shock Treatment (1981)

Overview
In the continuing adventure of Brad and Janet Majors (Cliff De Young and Jessica Harper), their suburban hometown, Denton, U.S.A., has been transformed into a giant TV studio, where the brainwashed citizens remain happily glued to an endless series of soap operas, variety acts and game shows. But before you can say, "We'll be right back after this," the station's unscrupulous sponsor has locked Brad up in a mental hospital and recruited Janet to be the sexy star of her own hit show. Stay tuned for a shocking lineup of maniacal characters, biting satire and all-out fun!

My Thoughts
To be honest the reason why I've bought this movie is because of Jessica Harper who is an actress that I've really appreciated in Suspiria and Phantom of the Paradise (the reason I know she had a beautifull voice). This is the sequel of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and many peoples hate it because of that. But, I couldn't care less about this. I've bought TRHPS after this one and quite frankly I can't understand the cult following : the story is boring, the acting is medium, the songs are not really good, ...

This one is not perfect either, but most of the song are good and particullary Me of Me what a great hymn to the narcissism. Jessica Harper unsurprisingly does a great job, Cliff De Young is correct too in a double role, but the rest of the cast is not really bad or good just ok. What I really like is the anticipation of the reality tv phenomena : the tv channel make a big star of Janet and her personallity is completly change since everyone wants to see her (she's the taste of the month).

Not necessary my genre of musical : I like the music in it, but the story is to silly for me

Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-xRAvVWp5w
Rating :    

(From Musical Marathon on September 22nd, 2008)

"Due South" Marathon, a review by Tom

Due South (TV movie) (1994-04-26)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Writer)
Director: Fred Gerber
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Wendel Meldrum (Leann Brighton), Charles Shamata (Capt. Walsh), Joseph Ziegler (Insp. Moffatt), Page Fletcher (Frank Drake), Ken Pogue (Gerard), Kaye Ballard (Mrs. Vecchio), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Jim Millington (Underhill), Victor Ertmanis (Supt. Meers), Michael J. Reynolds (Senior Official), Eric Schweig (Inuit Hunter), Kimberly Ange (RCMP Officer 1), Jennifer Parsons (RCMP Officer 2), Johnathon Wittaker (RCMP SGT.), Steve Morel (RCMP Officer 3), Scot Dentor (RCMP Officer 4), Nigel Hamer (RCMP Officer 5), Barry Kennedy (Bert Jenkins), Philip Williams (Herb Lantrell), Keith Dinicol (Coroner), Jack Nicholsen (Airport Hustler), Gene Mack (Chicago Desk Sgt.), Simon Lugassy (Prisoner), Dan Lett (Dr. Weingarten), Paulina Gillis (Maria), Ramona Milano (Francesca), Vito Rezza (Tony), Elizabeth Berman (Mrs. Drake), Sandi Stahlbrand (TV Reporter), Farzad Sadrian (Cabby)

It was really fun to revisit this TV movie again. Great introduction to the two main characters. None of cast which became the regular cast of the series are in this movie though. We have another captain (the one of the series is better). The only two other characters who are well known in the series to appear in this TV movie is Robert Fraser, Benton's father. And Francesca, the beautiful sister of Ray who develops a crush on Benton.
The humor the series is known for is already present in this movie.
The pilot made appetite for the series again.

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on May 27th, 2009)