Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 3rd, 2002
Synopsis
Jennifer Lopez plays a waitress named Slim. She meets Prince Charming in the person ofMitch (Billy Campbell). They get married, have a kid, and overnight Prince Charming turns intoJason Voorhees. After suffering a relentless campaign of terror, Slim shifts from Sleeping withthe Enemy to I Spit On Your Grave, and fights back. Her retaliation, which is the entire pointof the film in terms of title and promotion, only begins 80 minutes in. That’s a long time to waitthrough wha...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 31st, 2002
Synopsis
Zero Mostel is a down-on-his-luck play producer. Gene Wilder is a neurotic accountant.Together they cook up a scheme to raise a million dollars (from old ladies) to produce a playguaranteed to flop (and thus they keep the money.) The play they choose is a little romp called“Springtime for Hitler.” This being a Mel Brooks film, the humour ain’t subtle, and Brooks doesrun some sequences into the ground (he never has known when to quit). But there is a lot oftremendously funny...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 30th, 2002
In an interview with producer Harve Bennett he tells us that Star Trek II was so successful that he was given the green light for Star Trek III three days after its predecessor’s release. The Search For Spock is not the best of the franchise, but it is certainly the most underrated. Trek lore states that even numbered films are great and odd numbered films bite. This is certainly an exception. Christopher Lloyd is surprising as the main villain, the Klingon Kruge. Shatner actually provides one of his best scenes with Mark Lenard as Spock’s father.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 23rd, 2002
Synopsis
John Wayne plays an American returning to his Irish roots in the town of Innisfree. He fallsin love with the fiery Maureen O’Hara, but the path to true love does not run smoothly. This isbecause O’Hara’s brother is the bully Victor McLaglen. Wayne refuses to fight back, though,because of accidentally killing a boxing opponent in the past. Sooner or later, though... A changeof pace, this, for Wayne: essentially a romantic comedy (loaded with Irish stereotypes) ratherthan a w...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 22nd, 2002
Synopsis
The Djinn (John Novak) is unwittingly released by Tara Spencer Nairn. Adopting the identityof one of her friends, the Djinn insinuates himself into her life. If she makes three wishes, hisentire race will be unleashed upon the earth. The tricky thing is, her last wish is that she couldlove him for himself. Oops. How is the Djinn supposed to grant a wish that only she can grant?He certainly has an odd way of courting her. Very, very, very low-budget stuff, mildly divertingfo...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 22nd, 2002
Synopsis
The Princess (Mira Sorvino) is in love with Agis (Jay Rodan), the man who is the true heir tothe throne. He has been raised by philosopher Ben Kingsley to hate not just the Princess, but allwomen. So the Princess dons male clothing to infiltrate Kingsley’s home. Her scheme gets moreand more complicated as she winds up having to win the hearts not just of Agis, but of Kingsleyand his spinster sister (Fiona Shaw) as well. Deliberately stagey, and with a script thatcarries dis...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 22nd, 2002
Synopsis
Wayne is veteran Lt. Col. Yorke, bedevilled by the fact that the Apaches attack and thenretreat across the Rio Grande, while the cavalry can’t pursue into Mexico. Further complicatinghis life are the arrival in camp of his young son as a fresh recruit, and his estranged wife(O’Hara) wanting to bring sonny home. This isn’t the greatest of Ford’s westerns, largely becauseof its meandering plot. But it does have those great Monument Valley vistas, and it is goodfun.
...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 21st, 2002
Synopsis
The story unfolds in something close to real time. Gary Cooper is on the point of retiring asMarshal of a small town. He is also about to leave, accompanied by new wife (and pacifist)Grace Kelly. But then a villain from his past returns with vengeance in mind. Cooper turns to thetownspeople for help, but nobody wants to know. Released during the McCarthy witch hunts, thefilm invites (and rewards) political analysis. But it is also a damn fine suspense film.
Audio...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 21st, 2002
Synopsis
Country boy John Travolta arrives in the big city of Houston. He finds a home away fromhome in Gilley’s, a huge country & western bar. There he meets and falls in love with DebraWinger. But when villain Scott Glenn tries to steal her from him, will Travolta rise to thechallenge of the mechanical bull?
Audio
A pretty nice job done of giving an older soundtrack a solid surround mix. The music and thesound effects both come through very well. You won’t...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 21st, 2002
Synopsis
Tony Manero (John Travolta) is still dancing up a storm (snort). He’s a dance instructor now,but he’s hoping to land the big gig on Broadway. Duly that break comes, and he must choosebetween the two women in his life, one of whom (Finola Hughes) is British, so you know she’sa bitch. Finally we reach the big finale, and it’s everything that was wrong with the 80s.
Audio
The soundtrack is showing its age, and up to the crystalline clarity and richness w...
