DVD Collectors Online

Magnificent Obsession, a review by Antares

Magnificent Obsession (1954) 65/100 - This film had three things working against my enjoying it for more than just a curiosity. This is my first film Douglas Sirk, a director whose particular skills were in the realm of Technicolor. So I was a bit disappointed by the fact that after the first half hour of the film, he starts to use a more muted palette, with most of the cinematography dwelling more on shadow. He proves that he also can master the lighting techniques needed for highlighting faces in light and shadow, but at the cost of Technicolor splendor. It doesn't help that the story is beyond hokey, with elements bordering on melodramatic, romantic fantasy. Which brings me to my second problem with the film, Rock Hudson. You remember that episode of Seinfeld where Elaine is dating Tony, the guy who always says Step off. George has a man crush on him and Jerry tells Elaine that Tony is a mimbo, Seinfeldese for male bimbo. Whenever I watch Hudson, I'm reminded of this, because he was probably the first actor in Hollywood who could carry this sobriquet, unless you mention Robert Taylor. Both of these actors were movie stars, not thespians. They are there as eye candy for the ladies and tend to be outclassed by the cast around them. Hudson is beyond unbelievable and somewhat cartoonish in his delivery of his character's lines and emotions. Finally, my third reason for yawning at this movie and why I consider it romantic fantasy, is Jane Wyman. Never for a moment, could I believe that someone with such a shallow personality like Bob Merrick, would fall head over heels in love with her, especially when Barbara Rush is in the same room.

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is

(From Antares' Short Summations on December 5th, 2014)

Lakeview Terrace, a review by Jon

Lakeview Terrace ****
4 out of 5



A young couple (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) have just moved into their California dream home when they become the target of their next-door neighbour, who disapproves of their interracial relationship. A stern, single father, this tightly wound LAPD officer (Samuel L. Jackson) has appointed himself the watchdog of the neighbourhood. His nightly foot patrols and overly watchful eyes bring comfort to some, but he becomes increasingly harassing to the newly-weds.

Samuel L. Jackson shares the lead with at least Patrick Wilson, but his powerful performance anchors the film. When I say this is his best role for years, don't be concerned if you think this will be full-on Pulp Fiction Jules. Instead he shows how brilliant he truly is by commanding the screen without taking it over. All three are complicated roles and this isn't the sort of story they can get through with show-boating and shouting.

On paper it seems a new play on the theme used in Pacific Heights (Modine v. Keaton!) or Unlawful Entry (Russell v. Liotta!), but the characters and situations are more exploitive in both of those and descend into predictable action beats. Not that there is anything wrong with that! It's just that Lakeview Terrace is first and foremost a drama that you may be able to identify with more readily, and it seems reluctant to cut loose until the very last moment.

Up until then, director Neil La Bute creates a simmering tension, possibly undermined by your own assumptions. If you go into it expecting Jackson to be an obvious villain, you do his performance a disservice, because throughout he deserves some sympathy. None of the three characters are perfect and it's their flaws that drive the story. Jackson's Turner is a manipulative racist, but he is also a single dad and staring forced retirement in the face. Meanwhile Wilson as Chris is paranoid that everyone is like Turner, judging his interracial relationship. His wife Lisa, played by Washington, doesn't always give Chris enough respect for that position and she also makes a particularly poor judgement that threatens their marriage.

Still, they are a close couple and Wilson and the lovely Kerry Washington have good chemistry, so you want them to work it out and that means dealing with Turner. It's a clever plot development that escalates the situation without turning him into a cartoon villain, even for the ending which is otherwise predictable. I also like the backdrop with California wild-fires that are getting closer throughout the film because that increases the immediacy of a plot that could have become tediously contrived, especially the ending. Like Gone Baby Gone, it is a satisfying conclusion, but not one that suggests a happy ever after. Life isn't like that and to suggest otherwise is insulting.

Occasionally the black versus white sensibilities border on heavy handed, but actually I still found it easier to empathise with than Crash and it bears more similarity with Gran Torino in some ways. It's a well written, cracking little thriller, that doesn't spoon-feed the viewer. Highly recommended. La Bute may have done himself a disservice by making the ill-advised remake of The Wicker Man, because here he shows a far more interesting grasp of difficult material.

(From Jon's Random Reviews on November 29th, 2009)

Tom's TV Finales marathon, a review by Tom

[tom]778854172593.3f.jpg[/tom]

Corner Gas: Season Six (2008/Canada) IMDb | Wikipedia Video Service Corp. (Canada) Length: 420 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles:

---

Plot:
How do we Canadians say farewell to a dear friend? We tap a keg and wake up the next morning on a stranger's futon. The morning haze will be flooded with memories of Brent switching to self serve; Oscar, Emma and Lacey canoodling in the new hot tub; how Davis landed himself in sensitivity training by Karen's hand; and when Wanda and Hank found themselves 'celebrities' during the Turn Off Your TV Week competition against Wullerton (spit). And did you dream it, or did a mighty wind blow the sign right off the roof of The Ruby? Yes, maybe you should have stopped at nine, but for now, don't hold back. Chug! Chug! Chug! Cheers to six hilarious seasons of great Canuck-O-Vision. You'll never look at Saskatchewan the same way again - or that new friend's futon.


Corner Gas
Season 6.19 You've Been Great, Goodnight
Writer: Brent Butt (Created By), Brent Butt (Writer), Kevin White (Writer)
Director: David Storey
Cast: Brent Butt (Brent LeRoy), Gabrielle Miller (Lacey Burrows), Fred Ewanuick (Hank Yarbo), Eric Peterson (Oscar LeRoy), Janet Wright (Emma LeRoy), Lorne Cardinal (Davis Quinton), Tara Spencer-Nairn (Karen Pelly), Nancy Robertson (Wanda Dollard), Ivan Fecan, Susanne Boyce, Ed Robinson, Scott Henderson, Louise Clarke, Brent Haynes, Traces Boulton, Anne-Marie Lapointe, Cavan Cunningham (Fitzy), Barry Kennedy (Kelly), Denny Park (Tank Top), Brent Haynes (Fan), Brad Grass (Bed Sales Person), Gregg Schwartz (Hunky Guy), Katy Storey (Melissa), David Storey (Guy), Kevin White (Last Scene Guy)

A great last episode. As this series is based on the stand-up of the main character, the main character starts doing stand-up about his life. So we come full circly. Almost. Even though Brent has success as a stand-up, he decides not to pursue it.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Finales marathon on April 14th, 2013)