Riches Random Reviews

[Rich]

Especially for Pete this one

Dead Set



BIG BROTHER gets a NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD makeover in horror spin-off DEAD SET. The action takes place during a fictional series of the reality TV show, with stories unfolding both on camera in the 'house' and with the staff behind the scenes. When a zombie outbreak occurs the contestants are blissfully unaware inside their secure little bubble, a bubble which soon becomes a fortress when outsiders seek refuge from the walking undead. Inevitably, the infection spreads into the 'house', turning the popularity contest into a scene of carnage, with cast and crew uniting to escape the ultimate 'eviction'.

Jaime Winstone (KIDULTHOOD) stars as production-runner in peril Kelly, with Andy Nyman (SEVERENCE) as hotheaded producer Patrick, Kevin Eldon (HYPERDRIVE) as a disgruntled housemate, and even a surprise appearance from Davina herself. The innovative show is the creation of writer and cult television satirist Charlie Brooker (SCREENWIPE, NATHAN BARLEY) so be prepared for some dark humour, as pop-culture turns zombie and feeds on its own kind.


Our new year eves viewing, really unusual for us as we are not great fans of gore/horror. However to watch the series in one viewing was perfect, and it was an enjoyable experience with plenty of booze and quite a few classic comedy moments.
Overdone zombie/survival theme, but with the twist of a modern everyday scenario. The cast play their parts well of typical braindead big brother contestants, and Andy Nyman as the OTT producer is brilliant and very entertaining. Davina as a bloodlusting zombie is an improvement to her everyday performances  and it was satisfying watching her get impaled.
The effects are obviously not up to the standard of a multi-million dollar film and there are very few 'scary' moments, but the action is swift, the gore is pretty uncomfortable at times to watch, and all in all I think someone more interested in this genre will really enjoy
 

[Jon]

The effects are obviously not up to the standard of a multi-million dollar film and there are very few 'scary' moments, but the action is swift, the gore is pretty uncomfortable at times to watch, and all in all I think someone more interested in this genre will really enjoy
 

Jimmy seems to have temporarily mislaid my Dead Set review (it was part of the Horror Marathon) , but whereas we come to the same conclusion, I have disagree about the effects. I think they are up to standard and actually better in some respects. I Am Legend would have been more pricey, but they were shit.

[Jimmy]

Jimmy seems to have temporarily mislaid my Dead Set review (it was part of the Horror Marathon)

This is a tv review I only place movie in my part of the review archive 
I think that Karsten is the one who update the tv archive...

[Jon]

I'll let you off then!

[addicted2dvd]

Thanks for the review... I downloaded this show a while back ago but still haven't had the chance to watch it yet.

[DJ Doena]

I think that Karsten is the one who update the tv archive...

Actually I have to confess that I only listed entire topics marathon-ing one or more series, not single postings in several threads. 

[Rich]

CASS



The incredible true story of how an orphaned Jamaican baby, adopted by an elderly white couple and brought up in an all white area of London, became one of the most feared and respected men in Britain. CASS grew up in a time before political correctness and was forced to endure racist bullying on a daily basis, until one day when the years of pent up anger came out in a violent burst. CASS found through violence the respect he never had and became addicted to the buzz of fighting. His way of life finally caught up with him when an attempted assassination on his life, saw him shot three times at point blank range. His inner strength somehow managed to keep him alive but he was left with a dilemma; whether to seek vengeance as the street had taught him, or renounce his violent past. This is the extraordinary story of his life.

For someone who grew up going to football in the late 70's and early 80's, albeit to a lower division club which did not have many incidences of hooliganism, I had read the book and hoped the film would be as mature and enlightening. Unfortunately this is a poorly put together effort, strayed considerably from the autobiography, and was badly acted from most lead characters.
It is more realistic that Green Street, but does not have the same bite and feel of Quadrophenia, I cannot see it being of any interest to anyone who did not live through the era, and I could only keep thinking it was a wasted opportunity of translating a good story to film.
 

[Rich]

The Office - Season 4



Clock in to The Office, for even more inappropriate remarks, uncomfortable silences, and petty behavior in the complete fourth season of the Primetime Emmy® Award winning series! Steve Carell (40 Year-Old-Virgin) is back in his Golden Globe® -winning role as Michael Scott, the clueless boss of the Scranton Branch - Dunder Mifflin who 'manages' to create unending comical drama despite his best intentions. Trusty and loyal assistant-to-the-regional manager Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) continues to uphold the office honor as Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) find ways to sabotage him and encourage Michael's hysterics. Plus, see wonder kid Ryan (B.J. Novak) in his new role at corporate as he pushes the 'infinite' limits of Dunder Mifflin, often pushing Michael to his limits as well. This 4-disc collection contains all 14 hilarious season four episodes and tons of smack talkin' bonus features! You'll want to stay late at The Office to relive every entertaining episode of this must-see, must-own TV show that demands to be watched again and again.

I have been a great fan of the US version of the Office, for the first 2 seasons especially I thought it worked even better than the UK originals. However this 4th series was generally hard work, the scenarios became overly far-fetched and squirmingly embarrassing, and on the whole the format is becoming rather tired. There are of course some great moments and hilarious parts to the series, the dvds have excellent and full extras, but this will probably be the last series I buy.
 

[Rich]

Lost - Season 4



From J.J. Abrams, the director of Cloverfield, comes the long awaited Series 4 of Lost! Join Jack, Sawyer, Kate and the rest of the remaining survivors in an action packed fourth series! Rescue is imminent.... but how or by whom remains a mystery.

Season 4 of Lost and I was wishing for something original this time after a fairly lacklustre S3, and I got it! Unfortunately this is the type of new that makes Lost feel at times it's dragging it's feet - many new characters and a completely new direction of plot. This has made its reputation by releasing small plot details at a time, hand-feeding the watcher pieces of vital story twists & turns just before ending the episode, or even worse the season, thus 'forcing' you to watch more! S4 is the same, but it still infuriantingly works.
As with most Lost fans, I can't wait for the 'end' of the story, hopefully it will be worth the many hours viewing!
 

[Rich]

Righteous Kill



Turk and Rooster, two aging NYPD detectives who have been longtime partners are faced with a serial killer who is murdering sociopathic criminals. They both have personal issues, and when they start working with a younger team, Perez and Riley, tensions between the pairs of partners is inevitable, especially since Turk is now living with Perez's ex-girlfriend, also a homicide detective.

All the ingredients of a great film? - DeNiro & Pacino playing a couple of veteran cops in a NY thriller, can't go wrong can it? Unfortunately it can, and it did.
Very weak script, two very tired performances from great actors, a plot twist telegraphed so early on in the film it wasn't even worth guessing at, and a storyline too overly cooked for the worst 70's cop shows.
This is not the worst movie ever, but with 2 heavyweights appearing to just be there for their paychecks, it was a major disappointment.
 

[Jimmy]

The Office - Season 4

This is a serie that I think of trying soon, mostly because of Jenna Fischer that I have really appreciated in Lollilove that I've reviewed last year. The first season isn't really costly so I will probably get it in a couple of months.

[Rich]

The Office - Season 4

This is a serie that I think of trying soon, mostly because of Jenna Fischer that I have really appreciated in Lollilove that I've reviewed last year. The first season isn't really costly so I will probably get it in a couple of months.

The first 2 seasons are class Jimmy, I highly recommend them, but percevere through the first few episodes S1, I remember it took me a while to get hooked

[Rich]

Babylon A.D.



Veteran-turned-mercenary Thoorop (Diesel) takes the high-risk job of escorting a woman from Russia to America in a post-apocalyptic world. But it isn't long before they are pursued by warring factions who are both determined to take the girl, and it is up to Thoorop to stop them.

Ignore the trailer for this film, it will give the impression this is worth spending your hard earned dosh on, it isn't. A woeful effort which is reminiscent of the superior Children of Men, the effects and action don't get going till the last half an hour, and these are so choppy it is difficult to understand what is actually happening.
The acting is poor, the action pedestrian and badly filmed, direction amateur and characters unbelievable. An awful ending where it is jumped several years in advance without explanation or what happened in-between culminates this waste of viewing time.
 

[Dragonfire]

Righteous Kill



Turk and Rooster, two aging NYPD detectives who have been longtime partners are faced with a serial killer who is murdering sociopathic criminals. They both have personal issues, and when they start working with a younger team, Perez and Riley, tensions between the pairs of partners is inevitable, especially since Turk is now living with Perez's ex-girlfriend, also a homicide detective.

All the ingredients of a great film? - DeNiro & Pacino playing a couple of veteran cops in a NY thriller, can't go wrong can it? Unfortunately it can, and it did.
Very weak script, two very tired performances from great actors, a plot twist telegraphed so early on in the film it wasn't even worth guessing at, and a storyline too overly cooked for the worst 70's cop shows.
This is not the worst movie ever, but with 2 heavyweights appearing to just be there for their paychecks, it was a major disappointment.
 

I actually went to see this one in the theater.  I was very disappointed in it as well.. especially how the supposed twist was so clear to me after only a few minutes.

[Achim]

This is a serie that I think of trying soon, mostly because of Jenna Fischer that I have really appreciated in Lollilove that I've reviewed last year. The first season isn't really costly so I will probably get it in a couple of months.

I also enjoyed the first season very much and recommend it as well.

I just thought I made sure you know that it's not costly because it's only six episodes! If you've seen the much cringe-worthier british original than it's almost fun to compare the two in their similarites and deviations.