Collecting Movie Reviews

The DVD includes the commentary with John Lurie which fills out the experience with the tales of how he came up with such interesting shots, the locals that helped (and sometimes didn't) and most of all the not-so-behind the scenes look at what his guests are really like. It was also surprising to see how well John is at editing the film to make a specific impression of time or mood.
Everyone should watch! Always will be a DVD I come back to on a rainy day.

However, I STRONGLY recommend you view it in Japanese with English subtitles. The voice acting is EXCELLENT (yes, that's my adjective of the day ^_~), and the dub pales considerably in contrast. If you understand Spanish, I encourage you to view the episodes in it -- AFTER you watch them in Japanese. In particular, I'm complaining because of the changes in the characters' voice tones. That alone can kill the essence of the story. It's not that the voice actors did a bad job -- on the contrary, I rather like the dub cast. It's just that sometimes the lines are read... wrong, to put it simply.

And if that doesn't help at all, this will: Asuka's "Back roll entry!" and "Hello! Guten mortgen!" sound MUCH cuter in Japanese. ^_~

The first of the three tales finds Asuka and Shinji pitted against an Angel (Israphel) who can magically duplicate itself when it is under attack. After a failed first effort, the two EVA pilots must learn to coordinate their efforts perfectly. Considering how little they like each other this may be harder than destroying the Angel. It certainly is funnier.

Next, NERV scientists discover an Angel embryo (Sandalphon) deep in the lava of an active volcano. Asuka, deprived of a chance to go on a class trip, is determined to destroy it on her own... If she can just get over the embarrassment of her special heat-resistant suit. Misato's determination puts Asuka in severe danger and the outcome is in doubt to the very end.

The final episode finds NERV headquarters in darkness due to human sabotage. Without power, Shinji, Asuka, and Rei must break into NERV to get to the EVAs before they can face an acid wielding Angel (Matriel) determined to liquefy Tokyo-3.

These episodes show the EVA pilots at their best and their worst. We do get a tiny glimpse of whatever it is that motivates Asuka's abrasive bravado, and how this balances and contrasts with Rei's calm acceptance and willingness to do whatever is needed. Poor Shinji, cursed with a brilliant but cold and distant father finds himself attracted and bewildered by both. Writer/director Hidako Anno again uses short glimpses, rather than long exposition to build interest. This enables him to accomplish a great deal of layering of story, development and symbol in the sparse context of the Anime medium.

I am English and live in the UK and have been unable to get a video copy of this film that will play on my TV, but I would recommend this film to anybody who enjoys a love story. It tugs at your heart and really does stay with you as one of Hepburns best films and her main main Rossano Brazzi is great too, he plays her emotions magnificently - Sit back and enjoy a truly wonderful film...

I'll watch it over and over and over again and again...when I want to see an excellent story, have a few laughs ... and a good cry. It is that good! Highly recommend it...especially for sentimentalists who appreciate a good tearjerker.

Who would've thought that the perfect instruments of torture could be B movies? Well, we quickly learn that this is possible with the show. MST3K is all about a man (either Joel Hodgson or Mike Nelson) and his robots being forced to watch some of the worst movies ever created. In the process, they wisecrack their way through every single one of them. It is a talent to admire, as many of us can do the same thing; however, many of us cannot get the same hilarious results as these guys do.

The set includes the movies "Bloodlust," "Catalina Caper," "The Creeping Terror," and "The Skydivers." The best ones are "Bloodlust" and "The Skydivers," as they are really lousy movies; meaning that the boys are able to come up with some hilarious lines and observations. You also have the chance to see these films without the MST3K crew (why in the world would you want to subject yourself to that??!!). Theatrical trailers for the movies are also available on the DVDs.

This is a wonderful show that is brilliantly clever and fresh. It will always remain a favorite of mine, that's for sure. "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume 1" is a treat to have and a joy to watch. You'll be watching each episode over and over again. A MUST for MST3K fans all around.

The Devil's childe incarnated here in the form of an adorable little English boy. Born into wealth & prestige, the son of senator destined for the presidency --- it seems that "Satan" planned well {of course}, to place "His" son in prominance, instead of in some dungheap of a manger {who does that remind you of?}.

One after another, obstacles {human & otherwise} are removed from the path of the Devil's son's path --- whomever dares get in His way.....

This movie draws from JC-mythology from the book of "Revelation" of an apocalyptic anti-christ / tyrant born to dominate the earth. He carries the dreaded "666" birthmark upon his head --- proof positive he is "The One".

In one particularly dramatic scene, Damian refuses to be led into an Episcopal church. Instead, his mother takes him to the zoo, where the resident animals panic & lash out in fear & anger. Small wonder --- he is Thanatos made flesh.

Born of a jackal, Damian is protected by exarchs of Hell --- a good-natured woman, & a strong & beautiful doberman --- erego, the diabolical connection. Damian.....the name has since been the favorite for infernal children.....

Damien Omen 2

The second six in the saga of this classic infernal trinity. Here, in military school, Damian comes to grips with the realization that he is this antichrist character, after being reassured by an official. Damian learns to grasp His power, & even his own brother is annihilated, who threatened to stop Damian's destiny.

Again, his parental guardians get the proverbial axe, as 'The Antichrist' continues on his path to world dominion.

Damien III: The Final Conflict

Damien is all grown up here, & has taken his place as President of 'Thorn Industries', a global conglomerate incorperating everything from product manufacture to food charities, & is firmly allied with the UN {of course}.

In the darkest of plans, children are sacrificed, a politician commits suicide {by the auspice of satanical forces}, & the homicidal efforts of a secret xian order to murder Damien Thorn rotinelt prove to be ineffectual & laughable.

Thorn has his own "Ritual Chamber", in which the nazarene is crucified, not inverse as you would expect, but turned around so that his naked posterior shows most humiliatingly. Thorn blasphemously rants at the nazarene in a messe noiresque fashion, & shows what proves to be one of the most powerfully sacriligeous scenes in cinematographic history.

"Nazarene......you have won NOTHING....."

Omen IV: A New Awakening

Damien Thorn is reborn in his subsequent sister Delia, a dark-haired little girl who is adopted by a politician destined fo the presidency --- sound familiar? The Antichrist is persistent.

A nun turned prostitute then evangelical jesus-freak is tormented with the knowledge of helping to bring 'the evil' into the world; she prays to 'god' for forgiveness that she didn't kill the child when she had the chance. Mother Superior has a heart attack after slapping the holy sheizer out of the pre-nun, & a crucifix inverts during an agonizing supplication.

Very early on, she shows signs of her 'wickedness' --- scratching her mother across the cheek while still but an infant.

As might be expected, her whole childhood is filled with a series of anomeles.

While at school, a ...-disturbing little brat picks on little Delia for some undetermined reason, perhaps as an exercise in masochism. In a particularly memorable scene, the brat makes off with Delia's lunchbox, dumping the contents onto the floor, stamping on it while laughing idiotically. Well, Delia doesn't take kindly to this antagonistic gesture, & forthwith slams her lunchbox square across the brute's ugly mug --- he just sits in the corner crying his little beady eyes out, after managing to strike little Delia. But she gets her revenge --- the next day, during a break, Delia makes off with his lunch, & runs out to mount & climb a ladder leading to the roof. When she gets quite a ways up, the little pigface follows, & begins to climb, but lo & behold, he's afraid of heights!

He ends up urinating all over himself in front of the whole class. Ah, sweet revenge......

Next, babysitter selection comes along, & who manages to get the job, but a new-age flake / weakan type.

One day, Delia comes in from playing, & notices the babysitter sitting in the kitchen with her mother, with a book displayed on the table, entitled, "The Book of Light"; I paraphrase --- "It's all about healing, & crystals.....", "And stupid junk!" yells Delia, slamming the book on the floor. A truly wonderful scene.

Another scene involves curious Delia inspecting the weakan's crystal necklace. Guess what? It turns black. As do all of the crystals in her drawer.

Another incident involved the babysitter taking a shower, when all of a sudden, she sees an inverted cross appear in the steam on the mirror. Frightened, she finally employs one of her 'wippie' friends to 'feel the vibe' --- well, he promptly becomes quite ill, almost smashing his car into Delia's 'mother's'.

The weakan arranges to trick Delia into attending a weaker - blindlight convention, where all manner of occultnik idiocy is enacted. By & by, as Delia passes the different booths, the practitioners are horrified by her presence, much like rabbits in the face of a stalking predator, until she is finally sabotaged, & forced to take a Kirlian photograph, which develops quite predictably. Swirls of black & red paint, which denotes chaos.

Eventually, one of the flame tossers ignites himself, which catches upon the roof of a booth, & soon, the whole place is a raging inferno, with Delia smirking in its wake.
Eventually, Delia's 'mother' gets the 'xoid cooties', the paranoia bug, consulting priests & pastors about the rise of the Antichrist, the book of Revelations, etc.

Finally, with the help of the 'lambs of god', she manages to justify her paranoia, & makes up her mind for infanticide. Not surprising, actually, considering that the judeo-xian god has been guilty of this atrocity twice {jeezwiz & Ezekiel's son Abraham --- the latter, which was a cruel mind-scrambling joke}.

The Detective helping her gets demolished, amidst a chorus of spechtral dark angels.

The little nun finally finds relief by the fang, & the weaker is destoyed. The 'mother' stalks towards the bedroom, as Delia holds the infant; the 'mother' points her gun, the baby displays the characteristic 'Mark of the Beast', & then.........?

Overall, Omen 4 is very entertaining, without the demoralization. Delia proves herself to be quite a demon-spawn.

Hence, to those who are planning to buy these DVDs, avoid buying those highly-priced used discs from other sellers.

(For those who are interested in the film, please refer to my April 19, 2001 review.)

Mr. Hulot's Holiday is a good place to start admiring Jacques Tati's Mr. Hulot films but they are all great, all full of sight gags and observations on human nature. Mr. Hulot wanders and blunders through his holiday like a big kid observing, but not even trying to understand the odd behavior of the adults around him. The sight gags are fabulous, often leaving Mr. Hulot wondering how did this get from here to there or how did that happen. If you blink you will have to watch the film again to catch what you have missed. There is very little dialog - Jacques Tati was an aficinado of silent films - so if you do not like watching a subtitled film don't be put off. And don't be put off by the statement: "non-American" humor, this is funny stuff. Jacques Tati is one of the great comics.

All the Mr. Holot films are equally brilliant; they will leave you smiling, laughing, and ocassionally - as when Mr. Hulot is trying to put out a fire in a shed full of fireworks - gasping for air.