DVD Collectors Online

The Bride of Frankenstein, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Bride of Frankenstein
Year of Release: 1935
Directed By: James Whale
Starring: Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson, Ernest Thesiger
Genre: Horror

Overview:
In one of the most popular horror classics of all time, Boris Karloff reprises his role as he silver screen's most misunderstood monster, who now longs for a mate (Elsa Lanchester).

My Thoughts:
This was a tragic film in so many respects. The horror isn't the monster - the horror is the treatment of the monster. Indeed, it is the way that people treat him that makes him into a monster. When shown kindness, he responds in kind. Shown fear and anger, he equally responds in kind. He is a lonely, persecuted being, judged on his appearance and origin - and that brings about the deaths among the townsfolk.

We see that he could have a different life, in his brief friendship with the blind hermit. We see he has the capacity to learn, to care, and to enjoy life. So his decision at the end of the film, that he is better off dead, makes this more tragedy than horror.

There was so much that I liked about this film that made the part I disliked so much more pronounced - Una O'Connor's character. That character was so ridiculous, her character overacted and ludicrously hysterical, that she nearly brings the entire tragic atmosphere of the film down. I'd really like to just edit her out of the film, because I enjoyed the rest of it quite a lot.

Her aside, this is a classic piece of cinema that everyone should see at some point. It's a good follow up to Frankenstein, though for me that remains the superior film.

Watched For: Hoop-tober 3.0, Horror/Halloween Challenge 2016

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

Horror/Halloween Challenge Films: 42/52

(From Horror/Halloween 2016 Challenge on October 29th, 2016)

The Prestige, a review by Jon

The Prestige
4 out of 5



Is there a secret you would kill to know? In this electrifying, suspense-packed thriller from director Christoper Nolan (Batman Begins, Memento), Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale play magicians whose cut-throat attempts to best each other plunge them into deadly deceptions. Scarlett Johanssen also stars as the stage assistant who's both a pawn and player in their rivalry. A brilliant supporting cast (including Michael Caine and David Bowie). An ingenious story. An astonishing payoff. Once you see The Prestige, you'll want to see it again. Watch closely.
InceptionThe PrestigeSherlock Holmes

(From Jon's Alphabet Marathon 2010 on July 30th, 2010)

Tom's Random Reviews, a review by Tom

Title: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Volume Three
Year: 2002
Director:
Rating: NR
Length: 286 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles:

Plot:Extras:
2 Masters of the Universe Collectible art cards
Commentary
DVD-ROM Content
Featurettes
Interviews
Photo Gallery
Scene Access

This finishes off the 2002 He-Man series. This volume has some great episodes in it (like the one where we learn from where He-Man's powers originate). It also introduces the Snakemen. Although I think it is great, that the series took on the snakemen, which were available in the 80's comics and toyline, but I think they overstayed they welcome. I didn't find them that interesting and the fights were rather repetitive. Also it brought some changes to the series with it, which I didn't like. Like the renaming of the series to "Masters of the Universe vs. the Snakemen" (including an inferior opening sequence) and the new armor of He-Man.
The fight against the snakemen would have been the focus for the rest of the season but the series got cancelled halfway through the season. I would have liked very much a third season. Things which were planned: Teela learns who her mother is. She-Ra would probably have been introduced at some point. And it is very likely, that Hordak would have returned.

#	Episode	Rating
01	The Last Stand
02	To Walk With Dragons
03	Out of the Past
04	Rise of the Snake Men, Part 1
05	Rise of the Snake Men, Part 2
06	The Price of Deceit
07	Of Machines and Men
08	Second Skin
09	The Power of Grayskull
10	Web of Evil
11	Rattle of the Snake
12	History
13	Awaken the Serpent

(From Tom's Random Reviews on June 14th, 2009)