DVD Collectors Online

The Shawshank Redemption, a review by Rich

Title: The Shawshank Redemption

Runtime:137
Certificate:15
Year:1994
Genres:Drama

Plot:Nominated for seven Acadamy Awards including Best Film and Best Actor, this film is an extraordinary tale of hope, friendship and survival inside a maximum security prison.
City banker, Andy Dufresne, (Tim Robbins) arrived at Shawshank Prison in 1947, convicted of two brutal murders, he received a double life sentence.
He discovers that when they send you to Shawshank State Prison of life... that is exactly what they take.
Within the confines of Shawshank, Andy forms an unlikely friendship with the prison "fixer" Red (Morgan Freeman). He also becomes popular with the Warden and the prison's guards, as Andy is able to use his banking experience to help the currupt officials amass personal fortunes.
With an extraordinary twist in the tale, Andy finds that survival comes down to a simple choice, get busy living or get busy dying.

My Review:
As a break from the horror marathon, I picked a title that always hovers in my top 10 movies, a film that oozes class and whos appeal never wanes.
Very moving and sentimental, a great adaptation, with Robbins and Freeman putting in their best ever performances. As I am sure everyone has seen it, I won't do a full review, but would just say I believe it is nearly faultless and a modern classic.


(From Riches Random Reviews on October 25th, 2009)

Dance of the Dead, a review by addicted2dvd

Dance of the Dead
In the near future when nuclear war has turned much of our world into wasteland, the youth of America have become drug-crazed sociopaths who lawlessly prowl what's left. But for pretty teenage Peggy ('Jessica Lowndes'), her sheltered life is far removed from underground club The Doom Room where a depraved MC ('Robert Englund', Freddy Krueger from NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET fame) provides immoral entertainment for the murderous masses. Tonight, the most horrific stage show of all is about to begin...and Peggy's young innocence will come to a brutal end forever.

'Jonathan Tucker' (of HOSTAGE and the TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE remake) co-stars in this extreme shocker adapated by 'Richard Christian Matheson' from the celebrated short story by his father 'Richard Matheson' (writer of I AM LEGEND, DUEL and STIR OF ECHOES) and featuring music by 'Billy Corgan' of 'The Smashing Pumpkins'.

My Thoughts:
The first time I watched this one I considered it my all-time least favorite... I just did not like this episode. On second viewing I changed my thoughts on this a bit. It is better then I remember it being. I still wouldn't call it a favorite. One thing I really liked about this episode is the fact that Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger) is in it. I have been a fan of his since the very first Nightmare on Elm Street.  It is still a very weird episode. But it has grown on me some... that much is for sure. At this point I would say this is a mediocre episode. As with the previous releases... the quality is good... and it is definitely loaded with extras.

For those interested... here is the trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoQvMRfPYh4

(From Masters of Horror Marathon on May 25th, 2008)

Tom's Random Star Trek Reviews, a review by Tom

Star Trek: The Next Generation
5.26 Time's Arrow: Part One
Writer: Joe Menosky (Screenwriter), Michael Piller (Screenwriter), Joe Menosky (Original Material By)
Director: Les Landau
Cast: Patrick Stewart (Capt. Jean-Luc Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Cmdr. William Riker), LeVar Burton (Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Lt. Worf), Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data), Jerry Hardin (Samuel Clemens), Michael Aron (Bellboy), Barry Kivel (Doorman), Ken Thorley (Seaman), Sheldon Peters Wolfchild (Indian), John Murdock (Beggar), Marc Alaimo (Gambler), Milt Tarver (Scientist), Whoopi Goldberg (Guinan), Michael Hungerford (Roughneck)

Data's head is found in a cave on Earth, where it was lying since the 19th century. During the investigation of this, Data gets pulled into the past.
This season cliffhanger may not have the big impact expected from such a cliffhanger, but I always enjoyed this episode.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Star Trek Reviews on October 31st, 2011)