Tenant [Blu-ray]

IT'S ALIVE!
A teen couple waits outside what appears to be a home, but is actually an abandoned mental institution. They wait for a woman to show up and undo the padlock on the outside of the door. They want to make love in the building. They go in and get slaughtered. Cue credits. We are now 28 years earlier. Randy Molnar plays Walter, a doctor at the sanitarium. He is doing unauthorized genetic experiments. His wife, who is pregnant with twins, (girl and boy) wants him to stop. Michael Berryman plays a cannibalistic inmate, or "tenant" as the doctor calls them, from whom Walter extracts fluid for his experiment. A nurse, a rival to the wife, wants Walter to continue with his experiments. Got the plot figured out yet?

We now go back to the present. A van, carrying deaf mute girls has trouble in front of the abandoned asylum...with no cell phone reception due to the rain. One of the girls grew up near there and looks a lot like the aforesaid wife. They break in and...

This...

Couldn't even finish watching this movie
The acting was mediocre. And how is it that the red-headed nurse looks exactly the same almost 30 years later? And the plot was totally predictable. Can I have my $3.99 and two hours of my life back, please?

Not Bad
This movie was ok. It set you up to think it was going to be something really good then out of nowhere it deflates. Very predictable and somewhat dumb. Not worth the price of rental. Should be .99cent

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Cul-de-sac (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

The film shifts from engaging to brilliant
Judge Clark Douglas, DVD Verdict-- There are some creepy moments (especially early on, as we don't quite have a handle on who the characters are or what they're attempting to accomplish--Polanski fills in the blanks in a deliberate, methodical manner), but after a while it becomes clear that Cul-de-sac works best when Polanski is being playful.

Perhaps this is due to the fact that it's easier to switch from chills to laughs than vice versa. There are some squirm-inducing yet entertaining moments during the first hour of the film, as the flustered husband and his sneering wife engage in a series of amusing interactions with the American. It's tempting to feel that Polanski is making a larger cultural point, as he seems to have infused each of these three characters with the worst stereotypical traits of the countries they represent: the rude, boorish, violent American; the stammering, spineless, indecisive Englishman and the devious, cruel, self-serving Frenchwoman. The...

"Cul de sac" sick Polanski, brilliant
1966's Roman Polanski film, "Cul de sac" just got recognized by Criterion and the result is as well as expected. Donald Pleasence, Lionel Stander and Francoise Dorleac star in a film of unstable people. The film was made at just the right time in Polanski's career when it had been on the shelf and after "Repulsion" (1965) Polanski was able to pull it together. Written by Polanski and long-time collaborator Gerard Brach who worked with Dario Argento on his "Phantom of the Opera", one can not help but admire the creative talent at work, much better than "Repulsion"'s limited means, more perplexing than entertaining, but quite a good film nonetheless. Criterion did a good job as usual. I hope no one forgets the creativity that went into early Polanski films as they admire his later work. Though Polanski's world is a dark world and "Cul de sac" is no exception.

WISE CHOICE OF CRITERION
This Roman Polanski film, made right after Repulsion, was a shelf-project of the director and writer Gérard Brach. After the success of Repulsion they could resurrect this comedy the producers had rejected. Watch the film may strike the usual Polanski viewer (like myself) for the lack of sinister mood and plot so common in the works of the director. The film basically depict three completely different people stuck together in a old isolated castle, somewhere I read the film is a upside-down story of a knight saved from the princess by the dragon. A good definition of the film.

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Hawaii Five-O: The Eleventh Season

A Great Return to Form after the Season 10 DVD Misstep!
Following 9 stellar seasons on DVD featuring digitally remastered prints, CBS/Paramount disappointed many fans of classic H5O with what seemed to be a rushed Season 10 release that featured rather poor photoshopping on the box art, along with prints that were no better (and in some instances almost worse) than grainy, faded TV prints. Well, fortunately for fans, the complaints that were registered with the studio were most definitely heard and as a result, I'm pleased to say that the eleventh season of H5O looks absolutely stellar on DVD once again in all of its remastered glory. Aside from some grainy, shimmery teasers at the beginning of some episodes, the picture quality of the episodes is a MAJOR improvement over those in the S10 DVD release. Audio levels are also improved as well, crystal clear with good fidelity.

However, the other big question on the minds of fans is about whether there was music replacement on several key episodes during the season (as was noticed...

Eleven Years and Still a Cut Above
I won't argue that the Five-0 Team (on both sides of the camera) was tired; in fact, in a magazine article published at the end of Season 10, Jack Lord said he planned to ask the network to cut things short. He wanted to portray characters other than McGarrett, and who could blame him? Season 11 was the year he began putting together plans for what he hoped would be a new series, "M Station: Hawaii."

But this is Five-0, Season 11, and I think it was very good. More to the point, I am impressed with the efforts that were made to maintain its high standards. At this point, Five-0 had made some money as evidenced by (1) the use of The Bee Gees' music in "Number One With a Bullet" and (2) the trip to Singapore for the filming of "The Year of the Horse." Added to that, they continued to bring in guest stars who did not come without cost; e.g., Mildred Natwick and Robert Vaughn. Please note that these are only examples.

My favorite episodes from Season 11 include "The...

Its about time to Bookem again. Chin Ho shows his face.
Five-0 was the best cop show on TV. And only Jack Lord can run the show as he did. This was TV at its best! Not like the trash that is on TV now. It has taken CBS so darn long to get the seasons out. But only one more after this season.
Then I can watch it from start to end. Lets get it done CBS. Lets Bookem Danno!
I hear CBS has cleaned this season up and got it done right! I hope so. One season 10 was a real mess.
On my set season 11. Disc 5 The Execution File. The Starting shows Kam Fong as Chin Ho real fast)). Did anyone get that also.
I was like what the ? Ha! ha! Lets Bookem!
Be well all.

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Face to Face

Fascinating Film, TERRIBLE DVD
My first review was deleted (Obviously at the request of someone from Olive Films) but since I am not one to give up easily, here it is again:
Face to Face is a fascinating (though difficult) film, OLIVE FILMS RELEASE OF "Face to Face" is DISGRACEFUL. Soft and faded, It looks like a VHS TRANSFER FROM THE 80's and the sound is simply awful. This is an important film. You can't take a print in terrible condition (like this one obviously was) and just throw it out onto DVD with no digital picture or sound restoration. I was an Associate Producer and Film to Tape transfer supervisor for Criterion in the early 90s and the first thing I did was scour every possible place on the planet for the best print. If Olive Films is going to license important and long unavailable films like "Face to Face" effectively making them unavailable to Criterion or ANYONE ELSE, they should at least put in the care, time and effort that the film deserves. I have been waiting for F2F for many years and...

A Note About the Olive DVD
I was very excited to see this film finally released on DVD, but was dismayed at so many negative reviews about the quality of the print. So, instead of purchasing the film for over $25 I was able to track down a library that lent me their copy and I am happy to report that the negative reviews are not entirely warranted.

I was led to believe the quality of the film was on par with some of the Alpha prints and all the copies of "Two Women" currently available on the market. The DVD of "Face to Face" is, of course, not on par with something Criterion would release (it's a shame they will not be able to produce this DVD now), but the quality is not bad. You can hear the dialogue clearly (there are a few quick moments that are not entirely distinguishable), but then again how many people will watch this without subtitles in the United States? No cracks or breaks in the audio track either. And there were only two moments that I noticed the subtitle was not in proper English,...

A bergman classic rescued from neglect
I fist saw this Bergman masterpiece at Madison,Wisconsin when it first came out. Bergman was still at the height of his powers (but did his powers ever diminish?)and this film gave ample evidence of why he is considered one of the greatest - if no THE greatest - filmmaker of all time. Liv Ullmann, at the height of her powers and beauty, gives a naked (in the psychological sense) peformance that earned her an Oscar nomination. Then the film vanished and although virtually every film Bergaman ever made is out on DVD, this is the first time FACE TO FACE has appeared. I had hoped the Criterion people would have got hold of this one and, perhaps, issued the original Swedish TV version along with the movie, as it did with FANNY AND ALEXANDER. This release will have to do. Hopefully, this will be the subtitled version and not the abysmal dubbed version.

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Orpheus (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Blu-ray: One of the greatest, visually poetic films of all time.
In French cinema, there are many filmmakers named Jean Renoir, Jean Vigo, Jean-Luc Godard, Jean-Pierre Melville, to name a few. But among these filmmakers who really never craved the spotlight was Jean Cocteau. A proud man with humility and creative talent that extends beyond cinema.

Before Cocteau was a playwright, a screenwriter, a director...he was one of the most prestigious, talented poets living in France.

At a young age, similar to Jean Vigo who suffered through pain throughout his childhood after the death of his father, Jean Cocteau lived a different life. Coming from a prominent family, like Vigo, at a young age, Jean Cocteau lost his father (who committed suicide).

Where a filmmaker like Vigo had cinema at a young age to escape reality, Cocteau had poetry.

In fact, his first volume of poems titled "Aladdin's Lamp" was created at the age of 19 and would eventually become popular through his poetry.

But it was World War...

"From Now On You Belong to the Other World"
I enjoy studying "Orpheus", my favorite of Cocteau's films for its sheer originality, cryptic whimsy, audio-visual conceptual risks, and superb musical score by Georges Auric. Each time I see it, more is revealed to me, thanks to the richness of the details and the underlying subtext. The picture switches effortlessly between "real-world life" and "dream world / underworld reality". This film features trick shots and special effects that are simple, yet state of the art for their time (as is also the case in "La Belle et La B

Sons of Anarchy: Season Three [Blu-ray]

Awesome show
I am not a review writer but I felt compelled to write a review on this show b/c this is the first show in a very long time that forced me to watch the whole season in one day. I am not a biker chick or never wanted a bike so I didn't think I would like it but this show was HIGHLY recommended so I took a chance and boy I wasn't disappointed. The characters, storyline and action are great and I don't feel anything is too farfetched. I hope they continue for seasons to come.

Brilliant, Intense, Pure Entertainment
The twists and turns of this season grew the world of Charming, CA by ten-fold. Completely satisfying. I've been a fan since running across mention of the show pre-Season 1. Between Kurt Sutter's raw, rambling, passionate blog and the brilliant writing, directing and acting on this show each week you have a perfect blend of entertainment rarely seen. The characters are real and Shakespearean, the plot original and often completely unexpected, and like every great love, you are left wanting more.

And thank you Amazon for partnering to provide a great alternative to cable/satellite tv. I almost resubscribed just to watch Sons this season (there was no way I was waiting 30 days for Hulu and no way I was going without!) I am thrilled to have found the on-demand video.

Now for the painful wait for Season 4!

Best series! A must watch.
Very rarely do I watch something on tv and continue to think about it days later. This season of SOA had that sort of impact on me.

************************* some may consider the rest a spoiler **************************************

With Jax's son kidnapped and Gemma going to jail we watch as the motorcycle club seems to be falling apart. The season opener started with a huge unforeseen bang. It was unbelievable. I really was in shock the entire episode. Especially, after the ended the second season with the way they did.

I think this show has some serious writers. With the scenarios they come up with and how they bring everything together has me WOWed.

I honestly, watched this entire season in one night. I was up until 5am the other morning just trying to see what happens next. This is one of the best series I've seen. I'll be thinking of this show for a long time.

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Coen Brothers Collection (Blood Simple/Fargo/Miller's Crossing/Raising Arizona) [Blu-ray]

A better value for Coen fans, and Fox makes a good effort
Four great Coen Brothers early works from Fox, and a couple licensed from MGM. Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, and Miller's Crossing are all instant classic films from the Coen catalog, and Fargo is an Oscar favorite bundled with this set and previously available. The die-hard Coen fans probably already own Fargo, making its inclusion here a little annoying for them, but it's still a better value (at current prices) than buying the others as individual discs. For those who have been waiting to get Fargo, or want a headfirst introduction to some of America's coolest filmmakers, this is a great bargain and a fantastic set; for the rest of us who are already Coen converts, buy the set, enjoy it, resell or give your extra Fargo to a friend, and try not to stew too badly thinking about Barton Fink, which yes, would have been better suited for this set.

Fox has given us individual cases for each movie, which I like a lot better than the cheap cardboard packaging of other sets. The...

Good Value at $19.99, Fargo Missing Extra Feature
I got this at Best Buy on sale for $19.99. Not sure if it is worth more unless you do not own a previous DVD version of any of these movies. Fargo is missing an extra feature found on the Special Edition DVD version -- the Charlie Rose Interview with the Coen Brothers and Frances McDormand. This makes no sense why it was not included.

Great Collection, Great Price
This is a great collection for a great price; there isn't a bad Coen Brothers movie and they run from great to pretty good (the worst being Intolerable Cruelty which is not part of this collection). This includes three early films and the Oscar winning Fargo. Virtually all Coen films are tales of morality and what happens when one crosses the line into immorality; their first, Blood Simple, is included here and is their first foray into film noir. Their second, the offbeat comedy Raising Arizona, is one of my favorites and is their first foray into allegorical story telling. Their third film, Miller's Crossing, is another film noir offering with a character who manipulates, and is often manipulated by, other gangsters as he operates under a code of morality known only to him. FInally, Fargo is another film noir that examines the "domino principle" and what happens when one crosses the morality line, tapping the first domino that causes them all to fall while spinning wildly out...

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