Don Movie Reviews

Destine to become a cult classic for alcoholics everywhere,"Mule Skinner Blues" conveys a message of hope for every poor, down-and-out individual.

I have read several plot analysis written by the "pros" and they seem to be all wrong. There is no terrorist on the plane. The story is about a letter that is found in the first class airport lounge after an international flight has taken off. The letter states that there will be murders before the flight lands. The best part is the "WHO IS THE KILLER" set-up. Farrah is in one of her first roles and just as lovely as ever. Adam Brooks talent was not shown enough.

I have read several plot analysis written by the "pros" and they seem to be all wrong. There is no terrorist on the plane. The story is about a letter that is found in the first class airport lounge after an international flight has taken off. The letter states that there will be murders before the flight lands. The best part is the "WHO IS THE KILLER" set-up. Farrah is in one of her first roles and just as lovely as ever. Adam Brooks talent was not shown enough.

I have read several plot analysis written by the "pros" and they seem to be all wrong. There is no terrorist on the plane. The story is about a letter that is found in the first class airport lounge after an international flight has taken off. The letter states that there will be murders before the flight lands. The best part is the "WHO IS THE KILLER" set-up. Farrah is in one of her first roles and just as lovely as ever. Adam Brooks talent was not shown enough.

I won't go into much detail about the quality of the DVD for this review of the third of the NADIA DVDs (except mention that the video quality is somewhat weaker than that of the first one; there are a few moments when it becomes shaky, but it mostly happens at the beginning), so instead I will focus on the plot content.

Picking up from where Volume 2 left off, Nadia and company, having escaped Gargoyle's island, are brought aboard by the Nautilus, and from here on the relationships between the characters begin to get a little more complicated.

Grandis falls madly in love with Captain Nemo, and desperately wants to impress him, much to the dismay of Sanson and Hanson. And to the jealousy of Electra, Nemo's second-in-command! Sanson and Hanson know all too well that Grandis can get herself into trouble whenever she becomes lovestruck, and Electra, although very controlled on the outside, is rather overprotective of Captain Nemo, even though she is unable to express her emotions for him. (This is for reasons deeper than what we are given here, although it takes a while before the secrets are coughed up.) Nemo, meanwhile, is rather aloof initially, but he, too, is tormented by a deep secret. He is shocked upon discovering that Nadia is on board the ship... for he possesses a Blue Water similar to hers, only larger. Yet he refuses to allow himself to become attached to anyone. It is Jean's enthusiasm, interests, and super-sweet personality that begin to puncture his shell in the same way that it did Nadia's. I'll admit for not caring much about Nemo, but seeing Jean win him over in the same way he makes friends with everyone aboard the Nautilus is one of the most delightful moments of the show. (In fact, it is his optimism that keeps our interests afloat whenever the show begins to get on our nerves.)

Nadia, meanwhile, is dealing with a lot more tangible issues occurring within her. She is frightened of the Nautilus, and is especially suspicious of Captain Nemo. It also becomes a bit of a challenge for her to trust Grandis, Sanson, and Hanson (for understandable reasons; they were, after all, chasing after her Blue Water in the beginning), and begins to become a little more self-centered.

She also starts to get on our nerves a little bit with her impulsive temper tantrums. For example, in one episode, when Electra are informs Jean and Nadia that they are to separate to different cabins (because they aren't "grown-up" enough yet), Nadia yells at Jean, telling him to go away when he accidentally glances at her bosom. (She later on apologizes for that.) She does the same later on when Jean is too busy reading at the dinner table to notice a dress she puts on to impress him (he doesn't know that she is jealous of his friendship with Electra). These mood swings from Nadia begin to make us feel a little bit uneasy about her, although her tantrums do not last entirely throughout the show. (They do, however, get much worse as the story goes on.)

Fans who were spoiled by the action sequences in Volume 2 may be dismayed that there are little in this volume, save for a sequence where the Nautilus falls into Gargoyle's minefield trap, and Sanson, Hanson, and Jean literally dive into action, via the Gratan, to clear the mines before they explode. As exciting as this sequence is, its probably just about as close as you're going to get with action scenes.

There's also plenty to laugh at, from the doings of Grandis, Sanson, Hanson, Marie, and King (especially in Episode 11-there is a hilarious chase sequence involving him.), the rivalry between Grandis and Electra, and the over-the-top performances by the actors portraying them (on both the dub -- which I listened to on my primary viewing session -- and on the subtitled track, which I spot checked).

Oddly, it also includes another sexual situation scene; something in common to the first NADIA DVDs. In the first NADIA DVD, for example, Jean almost glances at Nadia as she takes a shower, only to get whacked on the head by a brush she flings. In Volume 2, Nadia shakes her, uhhhh, bathing-suit top thingy to cool off in a fiery area, and Jean sneaks in close, getting a slap for that. Here, Jean stumbles across Sanson spying on Grandis changing her bikini; when Jean tries to find out what the heck he's looking at, he sees Nadia, partially undressed, much to her shock (and ours, too!). (Several other sequences like this occur throughout the story.)

The DVD ends on a very uneasy note when Nadia runs away from the camp after a dead baby deer is brought back. The problem is not that there is little action and more character development, but because the producers chose to end the DVD with that episode. It leaves one anticipating the next volume and feeling a little bit queasy, wondering what will happen next.

The upbeat moments give this volume some oomph, but its overall less engaging than the first two installments. This is probably because it focuses primarily on character development and less on the plot. Don't let it discourage you, though, because it still has enough to offer.

Once the first episode on this DVD has passed (the last of the AWFUL African episodes), the penultimate volume treats the viewers to an emotionally moving entry and the production values and storyline finally get back on track. Actually, this happens on Episodes 35 & 36. The second episode suffers from some silly, uninspired writing and choppy animation and transitions, but it is STILL FAR better than the African episodes, and it features some great songs (its a music video episode), and the VAs on both language tracks do an excellent job on the songs, especially Meg Bauman (Nadia). (The rest of the cast does a decent job, too.)

What makes this volume so good is that we get to see Nadia transform from being a rather bratty, stubborn, distrustful, self-centered girl into a caring, brave, adventurous young woman. It begins in the music video episode, where she seeks Jean's attention and suddenly becomes aware about how badly she has occasionally acted around him (thanks to an amusing little song Jean writes -and sings-). In the next episode, we see that she has changed her behavior and is brave enough to reveal her deepest secrets... including that of her identity. The grand moment comes (SPOILER ALERT) when she expresses grief over what a horrible wench she has made of herself and of the perils she is destined to bring to the world, and, in a chilling sequence, attempts to fall to her death rather than live to face her problems. She doesn't die, of course. She's saved by the Blue Water and, upon seeing how Jean and the others were so worried, concerned, and truly care about her, apologizes for everything hurtful she has done to them, especially Jean. (END OF SPOILER) This is done so effectively and emotionally that it will be enough to move one who has been irritated at her outrageous behavior for about half of the series (myself included).

This, in addition to the fact that the animation becomes more crisper and the extra: a text interview with Nathan Parsons, who voices Jean (not as interesting as the Meg Bauman interview, but still good and informative), brings the ninth entry high above the last two volumes.

The narration for Episodes 33 & 34 is still pretty stupid (no offense to Karen Kuykendall's excellent grandmotherly voice and line readings), but this annoying factor disappears after the title for Episode 34 comes on. I should also mention that the dialogue in Episode 33 is HORRIBLE. Uninspired, incomprehensible, and totally contradictory, it features lines that are really painful and barely improved in the English dub version of this episode.

Aural, technical, and voice acting aspects are still as good as on the first eight volumes, and get especially better by the next three episodes.

...of NADIA: THE SECRET OF BLUE WATER, what can one expect? Well, first off, the video and audio quality is superb as always, the dub is getting even better as it goes along (Jean's voice sounds a bit like its getting more mature, as does Nadia's - a sign of growth, perhaps?), and the menu format and extras are identical to those of the fourth volume.

As for the content, the first episode centers on Jean feeling tired at being treated like a kid, and attempts to prove his worthiness by constructing an aircraft to impress Nadia. Watching Jean in this episode actually made me begin to like him a lot better than I did the first time I met him. He was always happy, even in the direst of circumstances, and I was sort of taking Nadia's side on him (perhaps a little too unfairly), but as the story went on, I began to like him FOR that reason. And when Nadia begins to mistreat him on the last episode, I actually feel more drawn to him and pretty much driven away by her. Her angry outbursts remind me painfully how I treated people in a similar way when I was younger, because I shared the same distrusting, rigid, stubborn, dismissive nature that Nadia occasionally gets into. Grandis, Hanson, and Sanson are as funny as ever, and Marie is just adorable (especially whenever she teases Nadia about being in love with Jean, and saying that they're going to get "mushy" with each other!). Of course, King also engages in some occasionally hilarious bits, although not many on this volume.

The highlight of this DVD is the Nautilus's trip to Antarctica. Enacted in Episodes 18 (which involves a grueling, and exciting, undersea battle with a giant shellfish) and 19, this depiction of Antarctica, although not accurate, is so spectacular that one will wish this is what it would really look like. From the warm cavern upon arrival to the shadows of the legendary beasts, to a mighty, talking(!) whale, finishing with an absolutely breathtaking shot of an aurora in the night sky atop the Southern Pole, the imaginative images of Antarctica could warrant the purchase of the DVD alone.

So why doesn't it? Well, because the last episode is the weakest on the DVD. It ends on a "to be continued" mode, which will leave the viewer wanting more (I personally didn't watch this episode until I got Volume 6). In addition, there is very little that is resolved right here. Also, as mentioned, Nadia may drive you away on the last episode. Her jealousy over Jean's friendship with First Officer Electra intensifies when Grandis "plants the seeds" in her head, and her inability to deal with her emotions almost destroys her friendship with Jean. She does, however, visit Electra and learns that she only considers Jean a friend, and not as a potential love interest as Grandis might have suggested. Even though she apparently starts to get a better idea, the lack of any scenes involving her with Jean after her talk with Electra is rather unsatisfying and unsettling.

There are two very mild sexual situations on the DVD. The first is a recycling of the sexual gag on Volume 2 (Jean trying to sneak a look as Nadia shakes her bra to cool off, only to receive a slap on the cheek), only this time Marie is involved as well. In this case, the two throw off their coats to cool off because they are in a cavern that they consider to be "too hot! Too hot! TOO HOT!" The second one is when Nadia and Electra share a bath together (where the latter reveals secrets which I will not go into detail about), and Marie, naked, is playing with King on the floor. There isn't anything revealing (sex-wise) about these scenes, and they're absolutely not offensive, but it is best to be informed so that you don't find yourself gagging in shock.

If there's anything disappointing about the fifth installment of NADIA, aside from the cliffhanging last episode, it may be the lack of interaction between Marie and Sanson. The two shared an absolutely terrific, funny, fast-paced chase sequence in Volume 4, with Sanson coming out of his egotistical shell and starting to care for Marie, especially when she gets sick. There isn't much of that right here, with the exception of a sand castle game and a very woefully short but funny scene where they play "house", with Sanson as a baby! *Hysterical Laughter* Nevertheless, I would have liked to see more of that, so that was a bit of a letdown.

In spite of its pitfalls, though, the fifth volume of NADIA only leaves you wanting more. It's still worth getting, but I'd also suggest purchasing Volume 6 as well. That way, you'll be able to pick up from right where you leave off in this volume. (Did I mention to also pick up the first four volumes if you haven't already done so?)

THIS IS A GREAT DOCUMENRTY ABOUT THE OMEN MOVIES AND ALL THE WEIRD STUFF THAT HAPPENED DURING FILMING. IF YOU LOVE THE OMEN YOU WILL LOVE THIS DOCUMENTRY

"One the Road With Duke Ellington" was first broadcast on October 13, 1967 on NBC. Filming began in earlier that year. Here's an idea of what is included in the film.
In April 1967 Ellington prepared his "Salute to Morgan State." He performed it on May 1, 1967. (Ellington received an Honorary Doctorate from the College.) He also performed "Take the A Train" and "Jones" which are included in the film.
On May 31, 1967 Billy Strayhorn died. Included in this documentary is footage of Ellington at Strayhorn's funeral.
On July 11, 1967 he and his band were in the RCA studios recording "Rondolet." This is included on the "Private Collection Volume 8"cd.
On July 26, 1967 he performed at the Gillmore Brothers Auto Park in Kalamazoo Michigan where (probably) "Traffic Jam" (aka "The Biggest and Busiest Intersection") and "In the Beginning God" were recorded.
Other interviews were filmed during the summer and early fall of 1967.
I don't know when Louis Armstrong showed up back stage to talk to Ellington, but it's very interesting. You see Ellington pull his cheek kissing bit (four kisses--one for each cheek) on Armstrong about two years before he pulled the same bit on Richard Nixon.
It should be said that the musical numbers are often abridged. No doubt that will anger some viewers, but it is fine by me. You can listen to Ellington's music any time. And this film really isn't about Ellington performing his music, it's about Ellington getting up in the morning, having his potato and steak breakfast, making calls, answering his mail, noodling at the piano, going on stage and performing, flirting with women (both young and old). For a 68 year old man, he's living just the way he wants to. He gets to write his music, record it, and perform it. Like I said--Welcome To Duke's World.

After her beloved brother is killed in an auto-accident, a mentally unstable woman seeks deadly revenge on the woman that hit him with the car and the doctor that couldn't save him. After the incident, she changes her identity and meets, "falls in love", and then marries the same doctor. But soon after she moves in with him, the housekeeper and the doctor's ex-wife become suspicious of the woman, resulting in an aggressive feud. The woman becomes more and more psychotic as she maliciously tears apart the doctor's life with violence, murder, and madness towards his friends and family. The flashback scenes to her fearful childhood with her abusive step-father shows how she became so psychotic. And when he finally goes too far with making her and her younger brother miserable, she flings scalding hot bacon grease on him before murdering him. The intense plot and nail biting ending will is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.