Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 10th, 2004
Synopsis
Once again, we return to the dark world of Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren). Though she is nowa Detective Superintendent, don’t think that promotion means life is any easier. Her personal lifeis just as much of a mess as before, and she is still contending with the old boys’ network on theforce. The cases themselves are pretty nasty stuff too. “The Lost Child” is a strong case in point.Here a young mother is found on her kitchen floor, bleeding from a head wound. Her baby girli...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 10th, 2004
Synopsis
After the multi-story Prime Suspect 4, the series returns to the single case format.“Errors of Judgement” sees Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) finds herself banished from Londonand shipped off to Manchester. This series was clearly not authorized by the Manchester TouristBoard, as the city comes across a bit like a crime-ridden Soviet Gulag, only more depressing.Tennison is up against a whole new hostile crowd on the force here, and her career is goingnowhere fast until...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 10th, 2004
Synopsis
More grim and smart crime tales from England. Robbie Coltrane’s “Fitz” -- criminalpsychologist Dr. Fitzgerald -- is up against not just criminals, but also himself (gambling,drinking, rocky marriage and family) and the world in general. “Brotherly Love” sees himspecifically fighting with his brother Danny and the Catholic Church (all to do with the death ofhis mother). In “Best Boys,” Fitz has become a father again, and things aren’t exactly rosy.Danny becomes perhaps a bit...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 10th, 2004
I hate Carly Simon. However, I feel that as I am supposed to be an impartial reviewer, so I should get that out of the way right here at the start. I have never liked her, though I am not really sure why. Maybe it is her freakishly large mouth. Maybe it’s that fact that “You’re So Vain” really is about the person who thinks it’s about them. Whatever the reason, I just can’t help it. She makes me cringe.
The good news is, now that I have viewed this disc, I have plenty of valid reasons to hate her. Ob...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 9th, 2004
Synopsis
Inspired by a real figure, Call Me Madam is a good-nature political satire, which seesEthel Merman appointed ambassador to Lichtenberg (i.e. Luxembourg). The government of thetiny dukedom is hoping for a massive US loan (which will make possible the marriage betweenVera-Ellen and a neighbouring country’s cold fish nobleman). Merman, however, has nointention of granting that loan, until she meets General George Sanders (sporting a silly MittleEuropean accent). Sanders...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 9th, 2004
Synopsis
Liam Neeson is Oskar Schindler, ladies man with an eye for the main chance. He makes afortune in German-occupied Warsaw, staffing his factory with the cut-rate labour provided bythe Jews. As the Nazi persecution of the Jews becomes more and more murderous, Schindler’sconscience is awakened, and he eventually becomes intent not on making money through cheaplabour, but in saving the lives of his employees.
Shot in black and white, with the disturbing exception of a li...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 9th, 2004
The Final Countdown belongs to that subculture of science fiction that asks the time related what if’s. There have been a great number of books and stories about alternative histories. The Civil War has long been one of the most fertile grounds for this speculative fiction. Most scenarios about World War II generally involved the killing of Hitler as a child or sometime before his leadership. This film not only explores a different aspect of the War but is brave enough to not resolve the question. What would happen i...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 9th, 2004
In season four, Redd Foxx ended his eight episode holdout for more money after a significant raise. Redd’s return would make this one of the show’s most creative years. Ironically one of the series’ funniest moments occurs in the Redd-less opening episode when Grady feeds the local cops pot instead of parsley. Sanford and Son also reached the peak of its popularity with this 1974-1975 season. Many weeks it was the number one rated show and finished the entire season ranked second.
Audio
A ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 9th, 2004
Suspended animation is a story with a lot of promise. Fifteen minutes into the film and it looks like we’re seeing a Misery ripoff with a cannibal twist. From that point on I’m not sure if I’m watching Misery, Deliverance, or Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There are some truly suspenseful moments in the film, but they are spaced too far apart with needless muddled plotlines. The film style is eerily reminiscent of the Italian suspense masters like Brava and Argento without the gore. The Spaghetti Nightmares are an obvious ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 9th, 2004
Synopsis
The film begins on the night of the murder of Sharon Tate and her friends. We then followthe often maddening investigation, where the forces of law and order frequently sabotage eachother through turf wars, false assumptions, and shoddy police work. George DiCenzo playsprosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, and he narrates, Rod Serling-style, as well. Bit by bit, the casecomes together, and the prosecution of the cult begins.
Meticulous in its detail, and often very chilling,...
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