Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on March 2nd, 2005
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Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 25th, 2005
There’s gotta be some reason why Charmed has stuck around for as long as it has. What started as a show created by Aaron Spelling, starring Shannon Doherty (Beverly Hills 90210) and goddess to internet pervs everywhere in Alyssa Milano (Embrace of the Vampire) has been a staple in the WB lineup for its 7th season now. Even though the show did have to change out Doherty several seasons ago, replacing her with Rose McGowan, the adventures of the Halliwell sisters are still going strong.
T...e folks at Paramount have finally started putting this show out on DVD, and the first season has recently arrived. All 22 episodes from the first season are available on a six-disc set, which examines the clairvoyance of Phoebe (Milano), the telekinetic powers of Prue (Doherty), and the freezing powers of Piper (Holly Marie Combs, Picket Fences). Phoebe returns to San Francisco to stay with her sisters, the more free-spirited of the three, while Prue is the dominant one and Piper is the shy one. Those familiar with the show now will find the dynamic between the three completely different than what it first was, and it’s fun to watch, as the girls try to get a better handle of their newfound powers, and they eventually embrace them in a fight against various demons and other black magic antagonists.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on February 22nd, 2005
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Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on February 17th, 2005
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Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on February 15th, 2005
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Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on February 10th, 2005
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Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 10th, 2005
Ah, the 80's. I remember slapping on the vinyl for the new Def Leppard album, "Pyromania". And what an album it was. "Photograph", "Rock of Ages", the list of singles go on. Def Leppard seemed to be poised for superstardom. Then tragedy struck. Their drummer lost his arm in a car accident. But they still rocked on. "Hysteria" was their most popular album, but a bit too sugary for me. Now we have a movie that charts the rocky road to stardom and beyond, Hysteria: The Def Leppard Story is a heavy m...tal bio pic that meets with semi-successful results.
Hysteriahas all the band movie cliches. We have the forming of the band, the first hit single, lives change, drugs take over. But what makes this story distinct is not just the music (80's hair metal has a certain kitschy charm), but the fact the drummer lost one of his arms. The movie starts with this tragic event, thus setting up the rise and fall narrative. The low budget of this movie is quite noticeable at times (a North American left steering wheel for British driving scenes ¦ c'mon), but the story is told with conviction, cliches and all. The music performances are well done, but this is a minor "band" movie. The metal saves it from becoming a retread altogether.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 2nd, 2005
There is cause for joy for TV sitcom fans. Taxi's second season is now on DVD. It's an important season to own, since the show develops more memorable characters like Reverend Jim and Simka (played by the great Christopher Lloyd and Carol Kane). But series regulars, like Alex, Latka, Louis, Nardo, Tony, and Bobby Wheeler, all show more depth here. Taxi really came into its own in the second year, and its multiple Emmy awards were justified. All 24 episodes are here. Farcical but human, Taxi...should belong on any TV collector's shelf. I could listen to that melancholic theme song for days.
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Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 2nd, 2005
Fear of nuclear proliferation was a definite threat in the Reagan era 80's. Movies like The Day After played into those fears. Another film that deals with the consequences of nuclear fallout is 1983's Testament. Testament is a small, quiet film about the effects of nuclear fallout on a family and a community. The director, Lynne Littman, is a veteran of documentary films, and she brings a certain truth and realism to the story. There are no mushroom clouds or special effects, just human eff...cts. Jane Alexander plays the mother, and she's the rock that keeps her family together. She deserved the Oscar nomination she received that year. A very young Kevin Costner also makes a cameo.
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Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 30th, 2005
Written by Jason Franz
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