Two Seconds

Two Seconds Review

The Warner's Archive Collection are no frills releases with unrestored prints and no extras except maybe the original theatrical trailers. The're very expensive too. The upside though is that many films are now available which otherwise may be not.

Released in 1932, "Two Seconds" is a Warner Brother's pre code gem. Edward G. Robinson gives an outstanding performance as a nice guy who is set up in marriage by dance hall cutie, Vivienne Osborne. The title refers to the premise that a man's life flashes before his eyes prior to death. In 2 seconds, he recalls the circumstances which brought him to a tragic end. The film is chock full of nasty characters, sleazy situations and coloquial dialogue. All the actors are good but it is Robinson who shines. His story is a masterpiece of irony and his solilquoy towards the end of the film brilliant. The writing in this one is absolutely outstanding.

Fortunately, the print is very good. In spite of the exorbitant price at which the film is available, don't miss it. It's been said that your whole life unfolds before your eyes during your last, fleeting moments of existence. Not so for convicted murderer John Allen. After he's strapped into the electric chair and the switch is thrown that sends the fatal current through his body, he - and the movie audience - sees the chain of events that turned Allen from amiable high-rise construction worker to brutal killer.

Edward G. Robinson reteams with Mervyn LeRoy, the director of his star-making Little Caesar, to portray Allen, a man descended into psychotic rage. Vivienne Osborne portrays the manipulative dime-a-dance dame who plays on John's good nature...and lives long enough to see it turn deadly.

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Friday the 13th the Series: The Second Season

Friday the 13th the Series: The Second Season Review

Glad this is available on dvd finally. And i don't think the dark quality a number of you state you have a problem with was a duplication error. Such a dark uneven tone was one of the things i enjoyed about the series; it set the mood and made many an 80's morning deliciously creepy... a fun addition to the frivolity of the time. The other great thing about the series is the detail. Friom set decoration to smallest character, the attention to nuance, even of otherwise over the top characters, allows you to develop empathy for each and really like the story. This skill current filmmakers, at least in America, would do well to try to emulate anymore. There was also some really good performances and character development from many really good actors! I'm thankful Mancusso made as many sordid joyful little yarns for me to revisit as he did :)
Genre: Television: Series
Rating: NR
Release Date: 10-FEB-2009
Media Type: DVD

ALL ABOARD:The Legends of The Rails The Complete Story of Passenger Trains in America DVD

ALL ABOARD:The Legends of The Rails The Complete Story of Passenger Trains in America DVD Review

One of the most beautiful programs about trains I have ever watched. Excellent photography and a great story of passenger trains growth in America. Wonderful for young children to watch too. Homeschooling and classroom teachers would benefit from this. Was on PBS a few years ago. Its one of the most beautiful train videos in the world! As seen on PBS stations, this fascinating 60 minute video history of passenger trains in America will please young and old alike. Our award-winning camera crews take you on an awe-inspiring journey from coast-to-coast to re-live the history, color and grandeur of America's most popular steam and diesel passenger trains. These great trains and locomotives offer spectacular viewing as they glide through the mountain valleys, cityscapes, and back country of America. Featuring: Union Pacific 3985, 844,and E9s, Nebraska Zephyr, Norfolk & Western 611, Frisco 1522, and the Southern Pacific 4449. Plus, youll also be treated to excursion specials, dinner trains, tourist lines, ski trains, Amtrak and much, much more! Great music, highly recommended - award winner! KIDS LOVE IT TOO! Great video! This parade of trains large and small was created especially for adults, historians, train enthusiasts and kids. - Billboard Magazine

Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]

Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray] Review

If you want to see a good action/adventure/drama type film then this is the one for you. The cinematography, action sequences, and music are great. The movie centers one one character, Balian, as he journeys to Jerusalem in search of salvation and answers to some of life's questions. The movie does offer some interesting philosophical insights or questions that we all probably ask ourselves concerning faith and religion.

This movie is not an accurate portrayal of the crusades. The characters in the movies and the period it is set during (the second crusade) did exist. But, as is typical with Hollywood and political correctness, they depict the Christians as the aggressors and the Muslims as the noble warriors. The Muslims were extremely cruel in their treatment of Christians and Jews. They also started the crusades when they invaded Jerusalem and moved in on the Byzantine Empire, murdering any who did not accept Muslim rule. The Byzantine Emperor asked the Pope for help and that is when the Pope sanctioned the first crusade. The first crusaders defeated the Muslims (and yes they did massacre everyone within the city) and Jerusalem remained under Christian for about a hundred years until the time of the second crusade which is when this movie is set. The second crusade did not begin because a bunch of knights set out to start a war. There were aggressors on both sides. The fact is, the Muslims are ordered by their religion to spread sharia law and Mohammad himself left orders that Jerusalem be taken under Muslim rule. Muslims took the city of Jerusalem during the second crusade and when Richard the Lion-heart headed to Jerusalem in the third crusade, he lost miserably. There were other crusades fought in the Middle East but not all of them were over Jerusalem.

One thing the movie gets right are some of the reasons why people went to the crusades. Europe was in shambles at that time and Jerusalem, while controlled by Christians, gave people a chance to better their circumstances. There were those that went for fame, power, glory, wealth, greed, but their were also those that went for spiritual reasons seeking salvation, or trying to discover something about themselves.

Like I said, do not take this movie as an accurate portrayal of history. However, it is a good movie and worth watching. But make sure you watch the director's cut and not the theatrical version. It gives more insight in the character's lives and back stories explaining more of why they do what they do. Among the best directors of our time, Ridley Scott (Gladiator), contributes generously to this extraordinary Collector's Edition of Kingdom of Heaven. Featuring his Director's Cut of the film and hours of fascinating extras ? including a six-part tour from conception to completion of filmmaking ? this definitive set makes what Variety called a "genuinely spectacular" film even more so!

An epic marvel that's as beautifully acted as it is visually awesome, Kingdom of Heaven stars Orlando Bloom as Balian, a Jerusalem blacksmith who has lost his family ? and his faith. But when his father (Liam Neeson) shows him his destiny, Balian vows to defend his country, and in the process, falls in love, becomes a formidable leader, and steps forever into history

• Audio: English: 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio (Lossless)
• Language: Subtitled: English, Spanish, & French
• Theatrical Aspect Ratio: Widescreen: 2.35:1

Soylent Green

Soylent Green Review

As the final third of Charlton Heston's "Last Man Standing" trilogy, along with The Omega Man and Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green is the most prescient of the three.

To be fair, apes ruling the earth was always going to be unlikely. And while a world decimated by biological weapon-induced plague is at least possible, Richard Fleischer's 1973 film foretold of overpopulation problems that continue to vex today's scientists and urban planners.

"SOYLENT GREEN IS........!!!"

On the slim chance that you have not watched this yet, be advised that while the set design screams 1970, the impact of the film remains unblunted, and with a cautionary tale that presaged later sci-fi classics like The Matrix (especially when Thorn warns of "raising humans like cattle"), Soylent Green still packs the proverbial punch. After all, who is not sickened by the use of garbage trucks to transport human remains? Waste management, indeed!

The opening sequence is brilliant, with a chronological photo essay detailing both the marvels and pitfalls of Industrial Revolution, all set to Fred Myrow's wonderful score.

Better DVD art here than on the current US offering (Soylent Green). It may interest you to know that my Region 2 release from the UK has the same art as this older Region 1 release, *but* includes a nice commentary track with the now-deceased director along with stunner Leigh Taylor-Young. Studios evidently feel the Brits have more interest in film critique. Just hack your DVD player and prove them wrong!

The ending is ambiguous. Does Heston play the true tragic hero and will the secret die with him? After all, Lt. Hatcher was shown to be buyable, no? In closing (appropriately), let me just echo that Edward G. Robinson's final film role here is a fitting goodbye, both for his character and for the actor himself.
The is the year 2022. Overcrowding, pollution, and resource depletion have reduced society's leaders to finding food for the teeming masses. The answer is Soylent Green - an artificial nourishment whose actual ingredients are not known by the public. Thorn is the tough homicide detective who stumbles onto the secret so terrifying no one would dare believe him.

El Gendarme Desconocido

El Gendarme Desconocido Review

This is certainly one of Cantinflas classics (arguable the best). It is also the first one with his favorite director MM Delgado, who was debuting as director in "complete" charge. I'm not sure who benefited more of this association. Delgado became one of the bussiest directors in Mexico and Cantinflas never made a better movie than "Ahi esta el detalle" (also can be arguable the best) done previously and directed by Bustillo Oros. However, he equaled this many times with Delgado (at least until his color movies). Here in this film, it is notorious the liberty he gives Cantinflas to improvise. I believe that this produced most of his funniest scenes. Like in this one when he was reading his report to the chief of police, about a bomb that is just about to explode; and he excuses himself for having trouble to read what he wrote, because he doesn't know how to read and write. Anyway, it'a gem of a comedy and a must to be digitally restored. Cantinflas captures three bandits who had robbed a bank the night before. Considered a hero, Cantinflas is given the title of Agent 777 because of his ability to disguise himself in many different forms. In his ultimate assignment, he transforms himself into a wealthy jewel collector to set up a group of gangsters.

Color of Night

Color of Night Review

As a huge (and very new) Bruce Willis fan I had to watch this movie as it has gone down in history as being one of his most (in)famous roles ever. In this film Bruce is a group therapist on a quest to find a macabre killer who he suspects is a patient. Along the way he meets a trampy young girl (the very talented Jane March) that only manages to complicate matters.

The overall story and the pace of the movie (after the first 35 minutes which moved like sand in an hourglass) was very strong. I enjoyed learning about all of the members of the group. They were all a bunch of oddballs. It's hard to say which was the most screwed up or who had the most issues.

Ritchie was the most interesting to watch because although he was the youngest member of the group it was fairly apparent that he had been through something very shocking. Although she wasn't a member of the group sessions, I also thought that Bonnie added a lot to the overall story. Even though she was only in a couple of short scenes she somehow still always managed to pull the rug out from under Sondra.

The movie ends with a surprise that no one could have seen coming because even though the story built up to it the ending still managed to remain a total surprise. Bruce was just fine in this movie, however I thought that perhaps his talents were a touch overused and overstated. Perhaps he would have been better suited as the police detective.

I did think the movie was a little on the long side (over 2 hours). The love making and nudity was also rather excessive. Frankly, I do not want to see my movie stars undress because it leaves nothing to the imagination. It's also rather anticlimactic and just boring to watch. The DVD does not include anything besides the trailer. The lightening, picture quality and overall sound leaves a lot to be desired.

Overall I give this movie 4.5 stars. "Color of Night" is probably one of the best mystery style suspense movies that came out during the '90s, because unlike the gaggle of other films, this one is both creative, wonderfully directed and includes a strong supporting cast. Haunted by the bizarre suicide of a patient, New York psychologist Dr. Bill Capa abandons his successful practice and relocates to L.A., but his encounters there prove as shocking as the chilling event he has run away from, and he immediately finds himself entangled in an explosive sexual relationship with a beautiful but enigmatic woman named Rose, and the investigation into the brutal stabbing murder of a friend and colleague, Dr. Bob Moore. A moth drawn to a flame, Dr. Capa is lured to Rose by his sexual cravings, and he discovers this woman has the power to fulfill his most reckless erotic fantasies. Yet, the more she satisfies him, the more he finds himself enslaved by her manipulation and control. As Capa gets closer to identifying the killer of his patient, Rose becomes an equally tantalizing mystery that he must solve -- if he can stay alive long enough to avoid a lunatic murderer who is stalking him.