Collecting Movie Reviews

I really love the band the Tea Party. This DVD is a great idea. One problem... I have a playstation 2 as my main DVD player and it does not play this disc. There is a warning on it that says it may not play in some consoles, but when my girlfriend bought it for me for xmas, I don't think it said that anywhere on Amazon's website.

So anyway. I don't know if the disc skips based on the fact it's not made to play on game consoles, or because it is scratched... but I'm bummed.

I just want to say that you should still get this DVD but beware if you have a PS2.

Released in conjunction with their "Tangents " cd, "Illuminations" is the very first DVD compilation from Tea Party. The fourteen tracks on this disc comprise the major label video history of the trio, including the Australian-only vid for "Shadows On The Mountainside", which was previously available as part of the computer portion of "Alhambra".
This is truly a fan's treat as the extras on the dvd include band commentaries, a discography, lyrics & biographies, and an audio- only option. Options also include a choice of 2.0 stereo sound, DTS, or 5.1 Dolby surround sound to enhance listening enjoyment.
While long-time fans may be disappointed that the vid for the indie single, "Let Me Show You The Door" wasn't included, the disc more than makes up for it by adding behind the scenes coverage of the making of the video for "Walking Wounded". The video history of Tea Party is available now and is truly an illuminating experience.

CHRIS

I got this as an early Christmas gift this year and I'm so happy I did. I've been wanting this since it came out.

It has the bands best songs and a wonderful behind the scenes from the filming of Walking Wounded. SO much hard work went into making such a great video, although you do have to go digging around to find the footage. It's in there!

The dvd DOES play on a Playstation 2, contrary to what someone else said.

The videos are gorgeous. The Tea Party has such a unique style that no one else even comes close to. A lot of people don't appreciate this band and the music they create.

All around, it's a great collection of wonderful music and visions. Get it.

Berserk has the same problem that many other anime have - a lousy beginning that camouflages an exceptionally well-done middle sequence. Once you get past the murky and muddled exposition, you get to actually meet the cast as more than just the standard fantasy archetypes.

Guts (Gatsu), for example, is more than just the stoic, battle-hardened fighter he seems to be at first. He is a truly interesting head case, a product of years of systematic abuse and ill fortune. He is constantly battling demons, both metaphorical and real, and often wonders aloud about his lot in life. Griffith, on the other hand, is a surprisingly gentle soul, with a mind and wit as sharp as his blade. His beauty seems eerily unfitting for a field of death, and yet when Guts and Griffith fight side by side, covered in the blood of their enemies, it is like they are gods of war, kindred spirits with little else to define their lives.

The rest of the Band of the Hawk is made up of very real people, and it's almost a shame to realize that these are men (and in the case of Caska, women) joined together in the cause of bringing death to their enemies. They are killers, takers of lives, even as they pretend to live "normal" lives as mercenaries.

Even the antagonists, the men of Chuda, are portrayed as very human. Guards wonder aloud when they get to go home, or comment on the weather, in the moments before the Band takes their lives. The incompetent, egotistical Sir Adon struts and pontificates on his family's eternally expanding "tradition", while his troops pay the consequences of his folly when the Band of the Hawk takes advantage of it.

It's a good thing that the plot and writing for this series are excellent, because much of the rest of it is not. The opening and ending themes are two of the least appropriate songs I have ever heard for an anime series. Whiny subpar J-rock in less-than-fluent English simply does not cut it for dark fantasy, or any other sort of anime for that matter. They're terrible! On the other hand, Hirasawa Susumu's (Millennium Actress) background tracks are rather memorable, especially the battle song, "Forces", which seems to be an object lesson in how to use a synthesizer and reverb completely wrong, and yet still come up with something interesting and fresh anyway. Hirasawa's music is an acquired taste, to be sure - people either love it or hate it.

Technically, the animation is just this side of serviceable, but it doesn't need to be great. After all, war is ugly. The directorial staff makes judicious use of dramatic pauses and speed lines for effect, often using cinematographic shots in place of animation that would otherwise be substandard. There is a staggering amount of violence, with blood gouting and spraying everywhere like a classic Kurosawa film.

And much like most Kurosawa films, the lesson here is that, beneath all that metal armor, these soldiers are people.

Berserk, at its core, is a tragedy of immense proportions. Eventually, the Band's fortune will run out - even the best soldiers can only last so long in a war that never seems destined to end.

There is a lot more than can probably be said about this title, and certainly as the series continues to progress, I'll get to writing it down. However, let this be known - Berserk is not an easy series to fall in love with, and perhaps it may not be the sort of series that will sit well with many viewers - but it is extremely well-done and deserves to be looked at by those people who want a fantasy that's more realistic than the idealized questing of Lodoss or the antics of Rune Soldier and Dragon Half.

If you want fantasy that really makes you think, then don't let the name fool you. Berserk is not about turning your brain off. Not one bit.

It took me four years to get past the first two episodes. Don't wait that long - this series really is worth your time.

I rented this series on a couple suggestions from some anime fans I know. I had only seen Cowboy Bebop prior to this, and I enjoyed that series. Berserk was such a pleasant surprise to me, I found that I couldn't wait to get home from work so that I could see what was going to happen next to these endearing characters.

Now for the caveats --

VIOLENCE: There is violence here. Lots and lots of blood. In fact, it often sprays like a garden hose.

SEX: There is some nudity and sexual situations. Not a lot of them, but there's a scene on the last episode that some people may find schocking.

UNFINISHED?: Speaking of the last episode, you may find the entire last episode disturbingly loose-ended. I still find myself wanting more, but I think it just means I really enjoyed the series.

SPECIAL FEATURES: I'm not sure about the box set, since it hasn't yet been released as of this writing, but the series released by Media Blasters had some hilarious OUTTAKES which had me laughing out loud. Very entertaining extra feature.

The storyline is very satisfying. There are significant milestones throughout; not just a lot of build-up for one great climactic ending. Meaningful happenings occur on a regular basis, and there are many subtle underlying themes that I missed the first time 'round. The English voices are surprisingly good. There are the occasional cheesy actors who shout too much, but you get used to that before long. The animation is a combination of still comic-book-style shots and animated scenes. They combine the two effectively.

From a new anime viewer, I highly recommend this one.

I'm not going to tell you how great Berserk is (especially in character development, story and dramatization departments). Other reviews do that well. I'm writing this to inform all friends of Berserk about Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melnibone saga from which Kentarou Miura has a great deal of influence. If you liked Berserk then you MUST do yourself a favor and read the Elric saga. Except the Elric saga one other major influence is Corum saga by the same author. Maybe you want to check that also.
Ps: Elric of Melnibone and Corum saga's are parts of the Eternal Champion series

This is one of my favorite movies. It's quality is typical of what I have come to expect of a Criterion reconstruction. Something along the lines of HDTV black and white. It's that good. The story itself is situated at the begining of Russia's Great Patriotic War (WWII). The story covers every inch of human behaviour including happiness, love, sorrow, deceit, manipulation, and heroism against all odds. The last quarter of the movie is a stunning surprise, as it builds to an ending scene that is nothing less than a grand tribute to the best of what makes us human. Even hardcore war movie fans (like me) can expect blurred vision at the end of this film. Not sappy at all, this film will strike a chord with viewers of any country, and most generations. It is not a single view disk.

I don't even know if it has an English language soundtrack, as the tonality of the Russian soundtrack combined with the very well produced English subtitles offers a great connection to the film even for non Russian speaking people. Buy this disk, you wil enjoy it over and over.

This is one of those few Russian films that truly has to be seen to be believed. Words simply do not do it justice. The story is simple enough. Boris and Veronika are in love with each other but when war breaks Boris volunteers for the fighting, leaving her to the care of his deceitful cousin. Now, the film itself was made during the 'Soviet Thaw' when film makers were given a bit more freedom with which to work, and it shows in the realism of The Cranes are Flying. There is no glorification of war here as it is shown for what it is, a brutal event that seperates loved ones and inevitably leads to death and sorrow for most. There is very little, if any, political propaganda to sift through and the camerawork is absolutely next level. Perhaps the only thing better than the cinematography in this movie are the performances. In fact, it could be said that the only thing more beautiful than Tatyana Samoilova herself, is the performance she gives. An incredible portrayal of a love that triumphs against all odds.

Veronica and Boris are in love and they are planning their next meeting. When Boris wakes up the next day he finds out that war has been declared and World War II is about to commence. Boris has thought of enlisting with his best friend to help his country. However, he also knows it would hurt Veronica's feelings if he left for the war. Can he make a decision that could hurt his only love's heart? Knowing that this film was filmed during the Soviet era when film was closely supervised and censored by the Soviet government, fed propaganda lines can be understood. Nevertheless, the film is a sublime experience. 

Yami no Matsuei is possibly one of the top five anime I've seen, perhaps even up there with Evangelion. However, after viewing a few of the NA version episodes purchased by a friend, I would have to suggest importing the pure, unadulterated, un-Americanized version straight from Japan. There is just so much... editing, and cutting... :: shudders :: The ignorance of our culture... upsetting really.

I have quite a few anime series and movies. I bought a lot of them based on reviews since I have only been watching anime with a couple of years. A lot of the reviews for the anime's I bought often start out with 'this is the best anime I have ever seen' and indeed I have found in a lot of cases the anime's like Akira, Cowboy Bebop, Amon Saga and so on were really good. However for me 'Descendants of Darkness' are on a level all of their own. Nothing I have seen in other anime's quite compare with the brilliant artwork, the dark and moody atmosphere creepily gothic in places. The characters are well fleshed out so you actually get to care for them. I found 'X' and 'Vampire D a little disappointing in this respect. I am an adult and wanted adult themes i.e. real life concerns not pornography. While some sexual scenes are dealt with they are not too explicit or invasive of the overall plots. 'Descendants of Darkness' is a DVD set to treasure whether you are into yaoi or not. The story satisfies on many levels and has a broad appeal not just as yaoi. The character Tsuzuki reminds me of Fox Mulder of the X Files in many ways, a delight to watch. There are also comic moments which are a hoot affording some relief from the darker moments in the plots. It is no wonder Yami No Matsuei [Descendants of Darkness] have an ever-growing cult following. I can't reccomend it enough.

Decendants of Drakness is one of the best anime series i have ever seen. I don't what to give anything away, but if your looking for a pretty boy anime then this ones for you thou the guys do get firendly with each other, so if that offends you then maybe its not for you. And if you are just starting out watching anime this is a good series to begain a collection with. And another thing to the people who rat on the english voice actor's. I realize that some of them [are bad], but give them a break. My first anime movie was Macoss dubbed by Australians. So take it easy on them.

A.D. Vision has taken to labeling there DVD's with Disc1 or DiscA type of labeling. This of course makes it pretty hard to tell which disc is which when you bring your disc menu. So you are stuck using the EZ Play slot on the Sony DVP CX870D 300 +1 DVD player.

The major themes of Season 3 of "Farscape" were that of separation and death, which is amply proven by the episodes on this pair of DVDs that provide a resolution to the two Crichton story arc and finally brings Moya and Talyn back together:

Episode 14, "Infinite Possibilities Part 1: Daedalus Demands" (Written by Carleton Eastlake, Aired July 27, 2001) has the Ancient who shows up as Crichton's father Jack showing up on Talyn to accuse John of giving his wormhole information to the Charrids, who are allied with the Scarrans (i.e., as bad, but not quite as powerful). Crichton connects the dots and knows that it has to be Furlow, the mechanic we met earlier, who studied his module and must have pieces together enough to duplicate the technology. As Crichton tires to access the infromation in his brain by getting past "Harvey," the remnant of Scorpius, things get progressively worse in this episode, which is why it is "to be continued." (4 Wormholes)

Episode 15, "Infinite Possibilities Part 2: Icarus Abides" (Written by Carleton Eastlake, Aired August 3, 2001) does offer some good news as Crichton is finally free of the Scorpius clone and unlock the wormhole technology in his mind. Unfortunately that Scarran dreadnought is still on its way and Crichton has to work with the Ancient, who looks like his father Jack, work on a weapon that can defend them. Unfortunately Furlow is still trying to take every side involved for everything she can and the price of survival this time around is as high as it has ever been. (5 Wormholes)

Episode 16, "Revenging Angel" (Written by David Kemper, Aired August 10, 2001) is in the running for the funniest "Farscape" episode ever. Crichton and D'Argo have another one of their stupid fights, but this time John ends up in a coma. Meanwhile, just to make things fun, a strange ship is bent on destroying Moya. However, this is nothing compared to what is happened in Crichton's mind, where the Scorpius clone is trying to convince him to take revenge against D'Argo. That does not sound like much, but I should mention that these flights of fancy are animated in the grand style of Chuck Jones cartoons; i.e., think Coyote and Roadrunner lost in space. After the end of the previous episode, this is a welcome bit of comic relief before we continue the downward spiral. (5 Wormholes)

Episode 17, "The Choice" (Written by Justin Monjo, Aired August 17, 2001) has the grieving Aeryn traveling to a planet of mystics, seers, and frauds to try and contact Crichton. However, once there she learns she can make contact with someone who could be her father. There is some question as to whether or not this is really Talyn Lyczac, but there is no doubt that lurking in the shadows is Xhalax Sun, Aeryn's mother (who we though Crais had killed earlier in the season). So much for the idea that your parents can provide conflict when the man you love dies. (4 Wormholes)

Episode 18, "Fractures" (Rockne S. O'Bannon, Aired August 24, 2001) shows that the long awaited reunion between the divided crews on Moya and Tayln is not going to be any bed of roses. But first Moya's crew encounters a trio of escapees from Peacekeeper prisons: a Nebari, a Scarran and a female. This proves to be another one of Season 3's "road not taken" episodes since we see parts of the "Farscape" crew refracted in these visitors. However, all that really matters is that Aeryn and the other Crichton get to see each other again. (5 Wormholes)

You have to be impressed with any television series that manages to kill off half of the original characters halfway through a season, especially when most of those characters actually stay head. Especially when each of those deaths is made especially meaningful. Traditionally one of the great kisses of death (a.k.a. as "jumping the shark") for a series is when the male and female leads, who have been resisting get together, finally get together and the entire dynamic of the show changes. As we see by these episodes, in Season 3 of "Farscape" they manage to have their cake and eat it too.

This review contains spoilers. Action and adventure off of Moya, in IP, parts 1&2. With Rygel seeing some action. Furlow and Jack are back. Crais and Stark have some good interaction. Aeryn and "lucky" John (so designated because he is the one with Aeryn) really hitting their stride because they know how to work well together and their love relationship is going really well. Unfortunatly, "lucky" John's good fortune runs out. Aeryn is devastated.
Revenging Angel was not one of my favorites, but, like most of the episodes, there are some very good moments between the characters. Ka'Dargo, having anger problems with "unlucky" John, gives him a concussion. During Crichton's coma, Harvey tries to talk him into taking revenge on Dargo. Crichton resists and there is a good scene between Crichton and Dargo at the end as they come a little closer to a meeting of the minds. another good scene between Chiana and Dargo as they discover some of the workings of Lo'La. And between Jool and Dargo, as their relationship warms a little.
The Choice is Aeryn grieving over "lucky" John's death. Aeryn is angry with Crichton and comes to a decision.Though thought dead, Xalax(sp) Sun makes a reappearance and tries to take revenge on Aeryn for the failures of her own life and career. Crais and Stark have some good scenes together, very intense. Rygel is funny, as usual, in his curmudgeonly way. An excellent, and sad, episode.
The first part of Fractures is decent, but one of the most heart wrenching parts, of the whole series is the look that passes between "unlucky" John and Aeryn when she steps off of the transport pod and the crew is finally reunited.
Awesome stuff.

I just finished watching the entire series of Marionette J and I have to write a review of it. I have watched a great many anime and I have to say going in that I thought this would be like Tenchi but in fact although it certainly shares a similarity it far excells the aforementioned show. In fact it has gone to the top of my chart along with such exalted favorites as Evangelion and classics like Sailor Moon. In case you didn't notice I watch a little of everything. This show really excells in giving you the viewer the feeling that you actually know the characters. In fact the show is nearly as good as Sailor Moon in that respect. In any case the only real problem is that at the ending the show seems to lose a little cohesion, but the story possesses a large scope and struggles to portray it in a few episodes. Well I won't ramble any more, just know I heartilly recommend it to any anime lover.

I just went and bought it and find myself craving more. This from a long time anime adict who usually is a lot more reserved. This is a great anime! I heartilly recommend it to any anime fan!

Saber Marionette J is one of my fav anime titles. In this final part of the story the truth behind the maiden circuits is at last revealed. We learn the truth behind the creation Of Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry as well as the Saber Dolls. We also see Otaru's desperate struggle as he tries preserve everything he knows and loves without giving up what is most dear to him. What drives SMJ is the emotional bond between Otaru and is Marionettes. It's this bond that is put to the test in this final collection as the Marionettes are torn between doing what's needed and obeying Otaru. The final scenes are some of the most emotional scenes in all of anime. I'm not the type of guy that gets all teary eyed, but I admit a tear fell from my eye during these final episodes. SMJ is a beautiful series that proves that it takes more then flesh and blood to make someone human. The story deals with heavy subject matter and really gets to root of what it means to "be alive". If you loved anime titles like Oh My Goddess, Hand Maid May, and Tenchi Muyo you'll love SMJ. A truly beautiful series.

Before I get to my review, here's a little disclaimer:

Beware if you are buying this boxset--mine was not packaged well at all, and as a result several of the discs were damaged! The DVD's are packaged two discs to a sleeve, and when they arrived, nearly half of these discs were floating around in the cases (the holders had broken, apparently during shipping) and were getting scratched in the process! Another of the cases had THREE discs (one was a duplicate) floating freely around in the case; they are all damaged. The last time this happened was when I purchased a VHS boxset and several of the tapes were not functional. I just wanted to give everyone whose interested a head's up. I wish I had been warned. But onto my little review:

This show is nothing ground-breaking, but I found it entertaining nonetheless. The character designs aren't really my cup of tea (they are remniscent of The Slayers), but the animation is pretty well done.

I found the characters to be pretty hard to like, honestly. Otaru is just a WEIRDO--I don't care if his robots look like girls, they are robots! Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry are ROBOTS. I don't care how "cute" they act, it doesn't change the fact that they're machines. And the whole "Master, we love you" attitude of the marionettes got to be grating. It did!

Another bothersome aspect was how all of the main characters relentlessly picked on the character Hanigata! I mean, the guy could be annoying, but is that any reason to punch him everytime he says something or push him off cliffs, or give him over to the enemies to save yourself? What kind of a "hero" type character does that? Suffice to say, I came to sympathize with Hanigata the most, and not give a rat's tail about the main cast.

Yet, despite its many flaws, this was an enjoyable watch.

Yaoi and shounen-ai fans might enjoy Hanigata, voiced by the popular Koyasu Takehito, whose also lent his voice to characters like Aburatsubo (another flamboyantly gay character) from Magic User's Club and Mosquiton from Master of Mosquiton. Hanigata develops an undying love for Otaru (who knows why) and constantly flirts with him--and is violently rejected each time. It's really hard to believe that there isn't MORE homosexuality in this show, however, seeing as these characters inhabit an all MALE planet. In that context, I don't understand why it would be considered so unusual by Otaru for another guy to like him.

And one more note: I'm usually not one to say this but AVOID the dubs! The voice actors were not chosen well at all, and they aren't even consistent, as they changed casts with each series. Stick with the subtitles on this one.

Saber Marionette J is one of the only anime series that actually made me almost cry. Saber Marionette J takes place on Terra 2, an all male planet. Because it is an all male planet, marionettes were created to replace the human female. The main character is a man named Otaru. One day, Otaru somehow(don't want to ruin the story)woke up a marionette named Lime. Lime, unlike other marionettes, has emotions. Otaru also awakens two other marionettes(Cherry and Bloodberry) with emotions as well. And thats just a summary about the series(Not very good huh?).

Anyway, the animation of J and J Again was excellent(J was better). The animation for J to X looked more simple and childish. The English VAs are different for each series. J has a good dub, J Again has an average(good VAs, but not accurate)dub, and J to X's dub is terrible(stay away from it). If your listening to the Japanese, you won't even notice(by the way, the Japanese VAs are good)! The songs are great. The opening song for J, J Again, & J to X and closing song for J and J to X are sung by Megumi Hayashibara. You'll most likely start buying SMJ soundtracks.

Now about the box. The box is strudy, but too tight so you may have to tip over the box and get the dvds. There are 14 DVDs in seven 2-discs sets. The box and cover art looks nice and the box has the signature of the character designer and is individually numbered. There is no volence and not a lot of sexual situations. Even though, this series for preteens to adults. There are some things to complain about SMJ, but this series has a good plot, lovable characters, excellent music, great animation(I'm talking about J and Again)so it is a must see for all anime fans.

When I bought this dvd, I had never seen any episodes. All I had to go on were reviews from the discs and hope. After purchasing and viewing this set, I can honestly say that spent my money well. The series all start out kind of comical, but as they go on they make an effortless transition into pure action with drama. I watched the entire series in about four days (thats a total of 57 episodes) and i wanted more. There are only two things that I can say that I don't like is the voice acting on the j to x series. It seems monotone and dry. They sound like their reading cue cards not a movie script. Although the actual story line makes up for the lack of acting. The other thing is that one of my favorite marionettes Marine is only around in the six episode ova. All in all its one of my favorite series.

I purchased this DVD set and waited with great anticipation. However, the DVDs will not work on older model DVD players. I took the DVDs over to a friend's house who recently purchased a DVD player and DVDs worked fine. I had this issue once before with another DVD. So, if you do not want to purchase a new player and you have an older model player, I suggest you do not purchase the set. What a bummer!!

This is the perfect gift for anyone you want to give the gift of music, laughter and wonderful memories.
The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour stands the test of time and comes thru as witty and engaging as ever. How much fun it is to watch all the great comedy sketches and memorable musical numbers again! The quality of this set excellent! There are nine complete episodes! Six from The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour and Three from the Sonny and Cher show. Every episode is completely enjoyable from beginning to end!
The bonus material just adds to this already wonderful collection!
I have an older DVD player and it plays beautifully on my system.
The offer for this Collection also comes with a bonus CD of great Sonny & Cher Duets! The CD is a great addition to this package.
I highly recommend the DVD/CD collection!

I am thrilled to finally have great episodes of the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour available on DVD! I loved these shows as a child and thirty years later they are still funny, charming and full of great musical numbers! How lucky we are to have this set available!
This collection includes nine complete episodes (six from the original run of the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and three from their reunited run on The Sonny & Cher Show).
Laverne at the Launderette, Raggedy Sonny and Raggedy Cher, and the classic V-A-M-P segments are just a few of the great regular series features represented in this collection. Just a partial list of guest stars includes: Don Knotts, Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Tina Turner, then Gov. Ronald Reagan, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Carroll O'Connor and Glenn Campbell. There are many great musical numbers by the weekly guests and of course Sonny and Cher! Many Sonny & Cher hits and Cher's solo hits are spotlighted in this collection, including: "All I Ever Need Is You","Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves", "The Way of Love", "A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done", "Half-Breed", "Dark Lady", "The Beat Goes On", and "I Got You Babe".
Each show's opening segment was a bright musical duet from Sonny and Cher and always included one of their famous dialogue exchanges. The openers to each of these shows are priceless and remind me of just how much I love The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and how happy I am to be able to view it again!
This collection also contains a great amount of bonus material highlighted by audio commentary (on select segments) by Cher. This commentary was recorded in August of 2003 and is a wonderful addition to the collection. Recent interviews with the shows producers, and Sonny & Cher's 1969 pilot spot on the Barbara McNair Show, are just two of the other great segments included in the bonus material.
The visual and audio quality of "The Sonny & Cher Ultimate Collection" is outstanding! I hope this is the first of many editions!

Philippe Noiret generally did an outstanding acting job in all the films I've seen him. This one is no exception. Bertrand Tavernier is also one of my favorite directors. Novelist Jim Thompson wrote great noir dramas. Putting the three of them together was a great idea even though the whole thing was moved to Afica, which none of the three had in their background. Isabelle Huppert, an actress I don't like, is in the film also but she plays someone that is disliked and avoided by her husband (Noiret) too so she was ok here. Noiret plays policeman Lucien Cordier, who is weak and easily corruptible. He has no one's respect. Just as the viewer is about to feel some sympathy towards him, however, he becomes the ultimate bad guy, solely driven by gaining revenge against everyone in his world. The film is almost too successful in that by the end of it I have had it with Noiret's character, his world, Africa and the whole story. I think it overplayed its hand. But most of the way through it is very enjoyable viewing and it is certainly worth an evening's viewing at home.

Very unusual movie. I was unprepared for such a strange story. Only after the movie was over did I glimpse Jim Thompson's name in the credits and it dawned on me so that is what I have been watching. Thompson's name is synonymous with hard-boiled noir and if you like that genre then this is for you though the setting will throw even the most ardent noir fan for a bit of a loop. Noir in Africa? Phillips Noiret plays the sherrif of a West African town in the thrall of the worst kind of colonialism. Unforunately he's not much of a law and order man. In fact he is completely ineffective at administering any kind of justice whatsoever. Blacks are brutally mistreated right in front of him and he does nothing. Hes the sherrif only in name and at home he is abused by his wife played by Stephane Audran who does not hide the fact she is sleeping with her live-in "brother". The sherriff takes all kinds of abuse til one day he reaches his breaking point. He decides he's had enough and so he begins administering his own brand of "justice". In a western movie or in a gritty American noir this kind of scenario would seem commonplace but not in the middle of sunny Africa. Noirs aren't supposed to be exposed to sunlight, are they? The novel was set in the American South but Tavernier decided he would transplant the story in African soil. Its a film that is hard to fathom. I believe it takes at least one viewing to get used to the idea of an African Noir and then another to see just what Tavernier is up to. So I would highly recommend anyone see the film twice before making up their mind about it. One thing is undoubtedly certain and that is the acting. The performances by Noiret, Audran, and Isabelle Huppert(one of her most stunning vacant faced roles) are perfect and the most fascinating aspect of the film is watchng each unwind. Even those who don't normally have a taste for noir will find this very dark comedy quite compelling. On first viewing I felt there was something missing like at least one strong black character but then I realized on second viewing that that is part of the power of this comedy. These characters are so selfish it matters very little to them where they are. And so the abscence of black characters and the abscence of any interaction between whites and blacks except on the most superficial and degrading terms underlines the utter selfishness of the whites. The blacks going about their business largely ignored by the whites offer a subtle comparison. The blacks live humane lives. The whites are only capable of committing crimes against each other. If you are part of the white community in such circumstances you become corrupt if not for what you yourself do for what you refuse to see as the underlying injustice of the circumstance you see and participate in everyday. The circumstance is a timebomb. Noiret as the sherrif is the one who goes off. He acts out against white hate and anger and bigotry only to become infected himself by those very properties. So at first I was unsure but ultimately I marveled at what Tavernier did with this noir material. He gave the material the very dimension it lacked, a social dimension. By placing this noir in a strikingly new context the typical noir theme (being the darkness of human nature) is given a more specific context and scope (the darkness of colonial mans nature). Tavernier brings new life and significance to the commonplaces of Thompsons fiction and more importantly he brings a new approach and new insight to the colonial predicament.

I am mainly disappointed with the Yank reviews - did they read Jim Thompson at all? Yeah - the PULP FICTION movie is great for them but not the real "pulp fiction". It would be a surprise if Tavernier did a "Martin Eden" or "Iron Heel" and folks would label it "pulp fiction" as well. How about "Les Miserables", huh ? A pulp fiction ? Let's go on and on...
Get fiction in the wrong hands and you have a disaster right away, say Sir Spielberg, as an example, he's the master of the "hokey", lately.
This film proves the ages old wisdom that good films are made of mediocre novels, like "The Informer", "The Shop on Main Street" etc., while the great script of classical "belles lettres" remain beyond reach of the infantile contemporaries.

Love'em or hate 'em, idiosyncratic films that dabble with subversive notions and stories of fringe people make some viewers uncomfortable. You either get it or not. For those who do, there are rewards.

Martha (Shirley Stoler) and Ray Tony LoBianca) are two misfits whose sick pathologies collide into something greater 1969's THE HONEYMOON KILLERS (Criterion). Based on The Lonely Hearts Killers case (1949), Leonard Kastle's only film, luridly shot in black and white, documentary style, connects with a visceral impact. No pin up movie star arty slo mo stuff here. Stoler's authentic emotions transcend the B-movie schlock. Original director Martin Scorsese was fired for being too slow, too artful. Great extras.

I bought this DVD on impulse. That was two weeks ago I'm still watching this movie over and over. It's well directed. I love Shirley Stoler and Tony Lo Bianco's acting. Stoler is especially amazing, everytime I rewatch the DVD something new is revealed, her nasty character is consistent throughout the movie. After watching this movie the first time I couldn't get some phrases out of my head like Stoler's "Awww ain't that cute", and Lo Bianco's "don't be a shy nurse", although said in the scene it's distubring, but funny. I highly recommend this film, the sound is monoaural, but I believe it enhances the movie. Watch it's directing and Stoler's acting.

For years I had to watch a pan and scan video of this dark, sad movie. Now Criterion has released an enhanced widescreen DVD which is like a Holy Grail for lovers of this underground cult classic. This film makes the list of classic murderous, hetro couples genre along with BONNIE AND CLYDE, BADLANDS, THE GETAWAY and GUN CARZY. Ray Fernandez is a hot looking Latin stud; he fleeces lonley women who respond to his ad in the type of Lonely Hearts correspondence club found in the back pages of seedy magzines. He only takes their money and their hearts until he hooks up with a fat, miserable nurse named Martha. While pretending to be brother and sister, they go on a murderous spree as they hook up with spinsters, widows and an ugly assortment of women who look for love in the wrong place. Although there is only two scenes of actual violence, this is one of the most violent movies I have ever seen due to the ruthlessness, and cold blooded greed of Ray and Martha. It's dark, violent, and extremely brutal; not recommened for the squeamish.