Around the World in 80 DVD's

[Rich]

Through the jungle in Ecuador...



"End of the Spear" is the remarkable journey of a savage Amazon tribesman who becomes family to the son of a North American man he kills. Mincayani (Louie Leonardo) is a Waodani warrior who leads the raid that kills Steve Saint's father and four other missionaries. Through a suspenseful series of events Steve Saint (Chase Ellison) is able to visit Mincayani's tribe. Steve tries to learn which warriors killed his father, but has to leave with his question unanswered. Steve returns to the Waodani as an adult (Chad Allen). Together Mincayani and Steve confront the true meaning of the life and death of Steve's father, and the other men who were killed.

Wow, a wonderful surprise, a thoroughly enjoyable film that kept me riveted to the end, and will entice all. The film is shot from the natives perspective which provides an understanding of why they speared the missionaries, and distances itself enough from religion to keep the film entertaining. Keep watching through the credits to see clips from the actual survivors. 7/10

[Rich]

puffing through Colombia...



Johnny Depp offers a bravura performance in this true-life account of the rise and fall of drug kingpin George Jung, who went from selling marijuana in California in the late '60s to becoming a "pioneering" cocaine dealer in the '70s, living a life of wealth and pleasure until his eventual downfall. Penelope Cruz, Ray Liotta, Franka Potente and Paul Reubens also star

A storytelling style similar to Goodfellas and Casino, I found the film dragged on a little, however Depp is fantastic and perfect for the role, although the film relied on him a little too much. This film is low key, with few humourous moments, with Jung coming off more angel than sinner.
Certainly worth watching, but is missing something that stops it being great, and the final feeling is one of unfulfilment. 7/10

[Rich]

Challenging in Cuba...



This powerful glimpse into the life of famed Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas (Javier Bardem) spans several decades in his eventful life. Although vilified for his homosexuality in Fidel Castro's Cuba, Arenas finds success as a writer but must eventually emigrate to New York City to enjoy unfettered creative freedom. Johnny Depp appears twice: as a transvestite inmate and as a warden.

After an interesting beginning, this film fizzled out into a blubbering diatribe that I couldn't wait to finish. Limited appeal, with a narration that is nigh on impossible to understand, an impassioned film that could have been filmed in half the time. 3/10

[Rich]

Untouched in the Virgin Islands...



Corporate peons Larry (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard (Jonathan Silverman) discover the key to the safety deposit box of Bernie (Terry Kiser), their dead former boss. The box, located in the Virgin Islands, reportedly contains 2 million dollars. Unfortunately, company security guard Hummel (Barry Bostwick) also wants the money, as do a gang of criminals who try to get the location out of Bernie through the use of voodoo! Larry and Richard take a working vacation to the tropical local and find that, once again, Bernie may not be as dead as anybody thinks!

Possibly the worst sequel ever, this is an absolute stinker and the worst of the marathon so far. Shoving slivers of steel up my toenails would have been more entertaining, avoid like the plague. 0/10

[Jon]

Expectations in Japan...



A desperate village hires seven samurai to protect it from marauders in this crown jewel of Japanese cinema. No other film so seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, delicate human emotions and relentless action. Featuring Japan's legendary star, the great Toshiro Mifune, Akira Kurosawa's 'Seven Samurai' is an inspired epic, a triumph of art, and an unforgettable three-hour ride.

Ok, this was my second viewing of the film, I was all set-up for the marathon knowing the immense length of the production, and with expectations I would enjoy this more than when I watched it some years ago at a friends.
Nope - I still only see this as an average film.  I don't get all the hype?  Just appears now like film buff BS.
Unrealistic acting, false wigs so clear to see on a bigger screen, did I miss a really good swordplay fight scene whilst comatose, all they seemed to do is shout at each other the whole film??
Unless you have a beard, wear cordrouys and jackets with patches on the elbows, and wish to pretend you are cultured, I would miss this one.
I gave it a sympathetic 5/10 for the positive influence it has had on subsequent films

 

I only just saw this -ahem- "review".

I do not have a beard, corduroys or patches on the elbows of my jackets. I have no wish to pretend that I am cultured. And The Seven Samurai is amongst my top five of all time. Maybe top three, even. Beautiful and sublime, there is so much in that film that put it so far ahead of its time. People often say that without it, the modern action film wouldn't exist. That's rubbish, John Woo would have got through just the same. But certainly the Western was just about dead and buried and Kurosawa showed the Americans how to make their own films again.

It looks fantastic. The acting is fine. Anyone who doesn't like it, doesn't like cinema.

[Achim]

I only just saw this -ahem- "review".

I do not have a beard, corduroys or patches on the elbows of my jackets. I have no wish to pretend that I am cultured. And The Seven Samurai is amongst my top five of all time. Maybe top three, even. Beautiful and sublime, there is so much in that film that put it so far ahead of its time. People often say that without it, the modern action film wouldn't exist. That's rubbish, John Woo would have got through just the same. But certainly the Western was just about dead and buried and Kurosawa showed the Americans how to make their own films again.

It looks fantastic. The acting is fine.

I agree!

When I watched it for the forst time just a short while back () I was amazed how quickly the 3 1/2 hours passed by. I would also firmly place this in my personal Top 10. (If it was a little shorter the replay value would be much higher...)

Anyone who doesn't like it, doesn't like cinema.

Well, that seems a little harsh... (although clearly tongue-in-cheek). However, I want to add that in "interantional" list of the top 10 best films of all time Seven Samurai often pushes Citizen Kane to the number 2 spot; and that doesn't happen for no reason!

[Rich]

I'm sorry, I gave seven samurai two go's, so I've tried my best to discover what others see so great in it, but it doesn't work for me 
Guess thats where these reviews are great, we can all express our differences in a mature way.

So I am right and you are both wrong

NERRRR!! 

[Achim]

 

[DJ Doena]

Boring!

Better:

 

 

[Jimmy]

Another one less ancient times 

[Rich]

hiding behind cushion in iceland...



Director Eli Roth (Hostel, Cabin Fever) and producer Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) up the ante in the brutal and terrifying sequel to the smash hit Hostel.Starring Bijou Phillips (Almost Famous, Venom), Heather Matarazzo (The Princess Diaries, Scream 3) and Roger Bart (The Producers, TV's Desperate Housewives), Hostel Part II takes place directly after the events of the first film and once again also features Jay Hernandez (Hostel, Ladder 49) as the revenge-seeking but ultimately hapless Paxton.Hostel Part II follows a group of female backpackers as they are lured to the apparently perfect youth hostel for a holiday packed with hedonistic fun. However, the truth once again turns out to be far more terrifying as the girls are subjected to a brutal ordeal at the hands of the sick tourists who pay to exercise their darkest desires.

I know a few here can enjoy gore, but I am a lightweight so spent some time averting my eyes at the most gruesome parts of the film. Well constructed and slickly produced, breathless pace and vivid imagery. If you are a fan of this genre I would have thought this to be nearly as good as they come. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, and thus have to say it would be worth a viewing. 5/10

[Jon]

I love that smiley!

As we all know, Seven Samurai was remade as The Magnificent Seven. His later film, Yojimbo, was likewise repeated as For a Fistful of Dollars. You should try that one, Richie. It's a lot shorter than Seven Samurai and is a typical more frivolous genre movie, just like the Leone version. You might enjoy it more, plus it might reveal the true genius of Kurosawa to you. It's got plenty of action, genuinely funny and a fantastic theme (which I swear elements of were used in Hot Fuzz).

Likewise, I should also mention that if you didn't like Seven Samurai, I suggest to steer well away from films like Sword of Doom. Kurosawa was a western style director at heart, but SoD is a true Japanese story from the same era. Long, tedious, no story to speak of, and no sodding end! Apparently a study of madness. Certainly I'd have ended up in the loony bin if it went on any longer. A real waste of time and truly only drooled over by people who own jackets with elbow patches.

So have you seen Hostel Part I?

[Rich]

searching for truth in Northern Ireland...



American activists Paul Sullivan (Dourif) and his fiancee Ingrid Jessner (McDormand) journey to Belfast to probe allegations of brutal human rights abuses by British security forces. When Paul is killed under mysterious circumstances, the official reports list him as an I.R.A. accomplice. But Ingrid and British policeman Paul Kerrigan (Cox) question the findings and begin to uncover a shocking high-level conspiracy. Now, with their safety in jeopardy, they must decide whether to risk everything to reveal the truth...

Ken Loach directs this political thriller excellently, characters are full and rich, violence is real, and the political cover-ups & corruption are rife and realistic as have since been well documented since the troubles in NI died down. Brian Cox is perfect as the investigative detective, Frances McDormand oddly weak as the activist widow. I found it gripping to watch how things unfolded during the movie, and as one of the best in its class I'd highly recommend this dvd. 8/10

[Rich]

I love that smiley!

As we all know, Seven Samurai was remade as The Magnificent Seven. His later film, Yojimbo, was likewise repeated as For a Fistful of Dollars. You should try that one, Richie. It's a lot shorter than Seven Samurai and is a typical more frivolous genre movie, just like the Leone version. You might enjoy it more, plus it might reveal the true genius of Kurosawa to you. It's got plenty of action, genuinely funny and a fantastic theme (which I swear elements of were used in Hot Fuzz).

Likewise, I should also mention that if you didn't like Seven Samurai, I suggest to steer well away from films like Sword of Doom. Kurosawa was a western style director at heart, but SoD is a true Japanese story from the same era. Long, tedious, no story to speak of, and no sodding end! Apparently a study of madness. Certainly I'd have ended up in the loony bin if it went on any longer. A real waste of time and truly only drooled over by people who own jackets with elbow patches.

So have you seen Hostel Part I?

Thanks for the tips Jon, and I'll add Yojimbo to my wishlist 
Yes I saw Hostel part 1, and enjoyed it as much as I could any film from this genre. My expectation of course was that with a sequel it would be infinately worse, but surprisingly this was not the case.

[Jon]

I thought it was more clever than it had any right to be! On paper it was an obvious gimmick cash-in, but I thought it worked really well. Have you seen this review, btw? Hostel 2 Anything for a bit of gratuitous self-promotion!