Post by: dfmorgan on February 11, 2010, 08:51:51 PM
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 11, 2010, 09:19:43 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/85/858604001240f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise |
Year: 1987
Director: Hiroyuki Yamaga
Overview: Acclaimed by anime fans all over the world, Royal Space Force—The Wings of Honnêamise comes back to life 20 years after its original release!
The stirring odyssey created by nascent anime masters at GAINAX is still unsurpassed for its meticulous artistry and heartfelt drama of a young man's coming of age in a turbulent world!
Watched: 6th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: This anime I first saw in 1995 on a VHS released in the UK by Manga Video, this version was cut and dubbed. I then got the uncut US R1 DVD in 2000 released by Manga Entertainment and again there were problems, Manga badly transfered this film onto DVD and were castigated by the fans and many review sites. Now finally I have a version which should be near perfect. Colours and images were nice and sharp generally, some evidence in places of dust but not too obtrusive. Sound was good, I watched it in Japanese but my amp doesn't support HD sound so only had the downmixed Dolby Digital 5.1 from the PS3, not a lot of surround effects but when used it added to the ambience. One thing that was strange though was that it was window-boxed, i.e. a border around the whole image on screen. Checked up on a couple of review sites and that was intended to ensure that the original aspect ratio was fully shown.
At its heart this is a love story. A young man, a member of the recently formed Royal Space Force, meets a young woman, distributing pamphlets, and their romance follows a slightly tortuous path. Mixed in with this is a secondary story about the nations ongoing troubles with a neighbouring country and their first launch into space. Of course there is also duplicity within the government which leads to a interesting conclusion to this film.
My Rating: Not too sure about the window-boxing so 4
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on February 11, 2010, 09:54:28 PM
Post by: Critter on February 11, 2010, 10:43:04 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on February 12, 2010, 12:05:55 AM
I'm adding this anime to my 'Plan to Watch' list.
Hope you enjoy the film, like I did, when you get round to watching it.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 13, 2010, 02:02:19 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050629764437.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs |
Year: 2009
Director: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
Cast: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell, Mr. T
Overview: When eccentric wannabe scientist Flint Lockwood’s (Bill Hader) latest contraption accidentally destroys the town square and rockets up into the clouds, delicious cheeseburgers start raining from the sky. But when Flint bites off more than he can chew, his miraculous machine starts to run amok, unleashing spaghetti tornadoes and giant meatballs that threaten the world! Now it’s up to Flint, with the help of weather girl Sam Sparks (Anna Faris) and Steve, his talking monkey assistant, to prevent a global disaster of epic proportions.
Watched: 7th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: A nice animation based on a childrens book but not having read the book, or even previously heard of it, I can't say how close or different this film is to the book. It revolves around an inventor, who never quite gets thing right, and his attempt to solve his town's problems after the local sardine factory closes down.
My Rating: Overall an enjoyable 90mins so 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 13, 2010, 08:43:18 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022153400792.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)In the Electric Mist |
Year: 2009
Director: Bertrand Tavernier
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, John Goodman, Peter Sarsgaard, Mary Steenburgen
Overview: New Iberia, Louisiana. Detective Dave Robicheaux (Tommy Lee Jones) is on the hunt for a serial killer who preys on young women. Driving home from another gruesome crime scene, Dave meets charismatic Hollywood star Elrod Sykes (Peter Sarsgaard). Sykes is in town shooting his new movie, with backing from local crime kingpin Baby Feet Balboni (John Goodman). He tells Dave he saw a body lying in a swamp - the decomposed corpse of a black man in chains. The discovery brings memories hurtling out of Dave's past... he senses the two cases are linked.
But as Dave gets closer to the murderer, the murderer gets closer to Dave and his family...
Watched: 11th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: A very interesting film, not a typical detective film. Tommy Lee Jones plays a recovering alcoholic, Detective Dave Robicheaux, who is looking for a serial killer. Whilst this investigation is ongoing memories are stirred with the discovery of a corpse in the swamp. Overall I enjoyed this film and have committed to memory a new favourite line from a film, Mary Steenburgen to Tommy Lee Jones: "Drink your milk and get to bed... I'm horny". It was a pity though that in that scene Ms. Steenburgen was slightly out of focus. As to the role played by Mr. Jones it reminds me somewhat of his role in "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada".
I wasn't aware that this film was based on a book but for reference it is "In The Electric Mist With Confederate Dead" written by James Lee Burke. This the 6th book in a series, currently there are 17, featuring Det. Dave Robicheaux.
By the way this is a bare-bones release - just the film, some trailers, a choice of DD2.0 or DD5.1 sound, no subtitles.
Further Musings: There were some idiosyncrasies within the film (1: no apparent resolution to his being shot at in the bar and 2: his appearance in a photograph) which made me look up further information on this film in the IMdB. There I found that Messr Tavernier, the director, had problems with the US film editor and disagreed with what he had done so he went back to France and employed a French film editor to edit the film the way that he wanted. This means that there are 2 versions of the film available a 102min US/International cut and a 117min French Director's Cut. The Director's Cut may be available in other territories but is definitely available in France. I have ordered the Director's Cut from France and look forward to comparing them.
My Rating: Very interesting and overall enjoyable so 4
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on February 14, 2010, 03:26:15 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on February 14, 2010, 04:51:50 PM
Thank you, Dave! Very intriguing. I'm probably reading too much into it, but have you seen Christopher Nolan's Insomnia? There's something about what you say that makes me think of that, which would be good as I love that film.
Yep I have seen Insomnia, both the original Norwegian and Mr. Nolan's, and you are reading too much into it. Although Mr. Jones' character does have involvement with the corpse found in the swamp it is not direct like Insomnia.
Although it is not a major spoiler, the requisite fact is mentioned about halfway into the film and there are a couple of earlier clues, I will detail his involvement here
(click to show/hide)
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 14, 2010, 09:20:07 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060148530239.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Kamikaze Girls |
Year: 2004
Director: Tetsuya Nakashima
Cast: Kyoko Fukada, Anna Tsuchiya
Overview: Meet Momoko (Kyoko Fukada from 'The Ring 2' and 'Dolls'), a self-absorbed dreamer who fantasizes about fleeing her backcountry home and living life in 18th century Versailles. When she unexpectedly meets the rebellious Ichigo (Anna Tsuchiya from 'Dororo' and 'Sakuran'), a rough-and-tumble biker chick, the two misfits form a unique friendship – together, nothing can stop them!
Born from the pages of favourite cult author Novala Takemoto, Kamikaze Girls is a frenetic roller-coaster ride brimming with day-glo visuals and wild hilarity that you will never forget!
Watched: 13th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: :hmmmm: an interesting film. At its basic level a 'buddy' film but it's much more than that. We have 2 disparate teenagers Momoko, a Lolita fan, and Ichigo, a biker girl, who meet when Momoko starts to sell her fathers Versach, or Ver**ce, clothing to fund her Lolita habit. From there a friendship builds up leading to a climax set to Johann Strauss II's The Blue Danube. For those who are not aware Lolita is a fashion style/subculture, popular in Japan, based on Victorian and Rococo eras of clothing and not related to the book or film of the same name.
Like the recently reviewed Royal Space Force this film is window-boxed. Initially it started full 1.77 for the studio credits but once the cartoon element of the opening started then it went window-boxed and stayed that way for the rest of the film ???
My Rating: Interesting and enjoyable so 4
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 18, 2010, 08:27:33 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582733617.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Coraline |
Year: 2009
Director: Henry Selick
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David
Overview: From Henry Selick the visionary of THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, and based on Neil Gaiman's best-selling book, comes this spectacular stop-motion animated adventure!
Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning) is bored until she finds a secret door and discovers an alternate, better, version of her life on the other side.
When this seemingly perfect world turns dangerous, Coraline must use her resourcefulness, determination and bravery to save her family.
Watched: 3-D - Jan 2010, 2-D - 14th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: Decided to watch this again in 2-D as I wasn't impressed by the 3-D colours although the effects were not too bad and looking around various reviews on the interweb it would appear that the general view was that the 3-D colouring was bad. I do realise though that this is due to current technology in having to have Red/Blue glasses doing the filtering rather than the polarising glasses as used in the 3-D cinema presentations.
Yes in 2-D the film comes alive with clear colours. A magical film with excellent voice acting. I was really glad I decided to reappraise it soon after my initial 3-D viewing. Although I was aware that this was based on a book by Neil Gaiman I hadn't read it so didn't know the story. Just to be clear I have read books by Mr. Gaiman and also have seen the marvellous Stardust so I was aware of how he can twist fantasy.
My Rating: Marvellous a 5
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 18, 2010, 08:41:45 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418242633.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Up |
Year: 2009
Director: Pete Docter
Cast: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson
Overview: From the revolutionary minds of Pixar Animation Studios and the acclaimed director of Monsters, Inc. comes a hilariously uplifting adventure where the sky is no longer the limit.
Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman, is part rascal, part dreamer who is ready for his last chance at high-flying excitement. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, Carl sets off to the lost world of his childhood dreams. Unbeknownst to Carl, Russell, an overeager 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer who has never ventured beyond his backyard, is in the wrong place at the wrong time - Carl's front porch! The world's most unlikely duo reach new heights and meet fantastic friends like Dug, a dog with a special collar that allows him to speak, and Kevin, a rare 13-foot-tall flightless bird. Stuck together in the wilds of the jungle, Carl realises that sometimes life's biggest adventures aren't the ones you set out looking for.
Up reaches new heights with a pristine picture, theatre-quality sound and hours of never-before-seen bonus features available only on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def. It's an adventure that will send your spirits soaring!
Watched: 18th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: Disney/Pixar do it again. I don't think I've failed to like a Pixar film since they appeared and this just continues the run. As usual there is pathos and eyes welling up with tears and not just towards the end but also within the first 10 minutes or so. The characters worked with the voice acting and Ed Asner played an excellent curmudgeonly Carl Fredricksen.
My Rating: Excellent 5
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 21, 2010, 11:43:29 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201808219.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Ocean Waves |
Year: 1993
Director: Tomomi Mochizuki
Cast:
Overview: Rarely seen outside of its native Japan and never before released within the U.K, Ocean Waves (also known as Umi Ga Kikoeru and I Can Hear The Sea) is one of Studio Ghibli's most obscure and sought after titles. Directed by Tomomi Mochizuki (Princess Nine) and based upon author, essayist and playwright Saeko Himuro's most popular, best selling novel, Ocean Waves is one of the most poignant and unsung masterpieces within Studio Ghibli's legendary creative output. Wonderfully detaailed and incredibly subtle, there are very few films in the histroy of animation that have managed to capture so well the joys and drama of adolescence and teenage alienation.
Kochi is your average coastal town on the sleepy, idyllic island of Shikoku and young Taku is definitely your average high school student. But soon his quiet life will be turned upside down with the arrival of Rikako: a beautiful, female student recently transferred fromTokyo. By the end of term Taku will have learnt a valuable lesson in love and friendship.
Watched: 20th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: Well it's Studio Ghibli so I had to watch it early. Basic story is a love triangle, boy meets girl and introduces girl to best friend. From there you have the ususal up and downs of relationships but with a few detours thown in. Only problem with this film is its length, only 72 mins, which seems to result in some character and storyline developemnt being left out especially the 2 years that the 3 participants were apart at university. Of course it is possible that the film is true to the original novel and that the gaps existed there as well.
My Rating: Overall a very good film so 4
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 21, 2010, 09:08:37 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051429701882.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Pandorum |
Year: 2009
Director: Christian Alvart
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Ben Foster, Cam Gigandet, Cung Le, Antje Traue
Overview: Two astronauts (DENNIS QUAID, G.I. JOE and BEN FOSTER, X-MEN 3) awaken in a hyper-sleep chamber aboard a seeminly abandoned spacecraft. It's pitch black, they are disoriented, and the only sound is a low rumble and creak from the belly of the ship. They have no memory of who they are or what their mission is, but one thing they do realise very quickly is that they are not alone.
Slowly the spacecraft's shocking, deadly secrets are revealed and the astronauts find that they must fight to stay alive and that their survival is more important than they could ever have imagined.
Watched: 21st Feb 2010
My Thoughts: Went for something a bit different after 3 animations. A mix of Horror and Science Fiction that I found interesting.
My Rating: Quite interesting so 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 27, 2010, 08:39:27 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582760651.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)9 |
Year: 2009
Director: Shane Acker
Cast: Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Overview: 9 is an action-packed animated fantasy adventure, set in the near future. The world's machines have turned on mankind and sparked social unrest - decimating the human population. But as our world falls to pieces, a mission begins to salvage the legacy of civilization and a small group of "stitchpunk" creations is given the spark of life by a scientist - and they successfully survive the apocalypse!
With their group being so small, these creatures must summon individual strengths well beyond their proportions in order to outwit and fight the still-functioning monster machines.
9 dynamically explores the will to live, the power of community, and how one soul can change the world.
Watched: 27th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: Wow really enjoyed this. Although the themes employed of man being man's worst enemy and that one person's sacrifice can save the world have been used many times, and in many different ways, this film still added a slightly fresh spin to them. This film has very dark and gritty imagery, probably due to its dystopian theme, but that didn't stop it being well drawn with plenty of details. The voice acting didn't grate and came over well. Although one could probably identify other films within this and its themes one scene in particular caught my fancy and that is when we meet the twins, 3 and 4, I was reminded of the episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation with the Binars.
My Rating: An excellent film so 5
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 28, 2010, 12:50:59 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366516440.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)The Girl Who Leapt Through Time |
Year: 2006
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Cast: Riisa Naka, Takuya Ishida, Mitsutaka Itakura
Overview: What would you do if you could "leap" backward through time? When tomboyish 17 year old Makoto Konno gains this ability after an accident in her high school chemistry lab, she immediately sets about improving her grades and preventing personal mishaps. Before long, however, she realizes that even innocuous changes can have terrible consequences. Changing the past is not as simple as it seems, and eventually Makoto will have to rely on her new powers to shape the future for herself and her friends.
Featuring brilliant character design by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and stunning visuals by long time Studio Ghibli Art Director, Nizo Yamamoto, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a feast for the eyes as well as the heart.
Watched: 27th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: A wonderful film, one that I will have to watch again soon as I am sure that I missed some details due to my watching it late evening. I initially wondered what was going on as one logo after another came up at the start, in fact I think there were 10 logos including 3 for different parts of Kadokawa, but then the film began and that was it. It took a little time to get going just to set characters and scenes for future events and developments but this was necessary. The animation was bright and colourful with attention to detail where required. The voice acting matching, in general, the charaters as represented on-screen although the maniacal laughter and crying did grate a bit but not enough to upset the viewing.
I don't think I've said this before but foreign language films I will always try to watch in their original language with English subtitles and this was no different. I may update this review after I view the film again as I don't intend to leave it too long before doing so.
My Rating: Wonderful film so 5
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on February 28, 2010, 09:13:36 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/IE/IEAB0F668B28EA361.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Gunbuster: The Movie |
Year: 2006
Director: Hideaki Anno
Cast:
Overview: As humanity sets out for distant space, a squadron of Machine Weapons is created to combat the onrushing opposition of the Space Monsters! To avenge her father's death and to win victory for all mankind, Noriko Takaya, scouted for her potential, joins her "Oné-sama," Kazumi Amano, aiming to become an elite pilot—a "Top"!
Presented for the first time in HD, the theatrical release version of the classic OAV created by Hideaki Anno & Studio GAINAX (Neon Genesis Evangelion), is the first half of a diptych that concludes in DIEBUSTER The Movie!
Watched: 28th Feb 2010
My Thoughts: After "The Girl who Leapt Through Time" I decided to watch a classic anime with time as one of its major themes.
Some background notes: I have previously seen Gubuster, in its original 6 episode series, on both VHS and the poor DVD produced by Kiseki in the UK and toyed with the idea of getting the remastered DVDs but eventually put that idea on the back-burner and it propmtly went out. My taste for anime has recently been reactivated so I have been looking around for titles, even though I have missed many original releases and now have to look on amazon marketplace or play traders for them. When I saw that there was a limited edition BD box-set of Gunbuster: The Movie, its sequel Diebuster: The Movie and a bonus disc I decided that I would get it, amazingly at what I consider a reaonable price on amazon marketplace.
Now to the film itself: This feature length film is an abridgement of the original series using the original animations but with an improved Dobly Digital 5.1 sound. The use of original animations does show in places with dust and grain apparent in many areas but somehow, probably because the subject is so good, it doesn't detract from the film and the 5.1 sound adds to the overall effect. My memory didn't let me down this was as good as I remembered and still managed to bring a tear to the eye. In reducing the 180mins of the series down to a 95mins film the producers have managed to cut out much of one of the items this series became famous for The Gainax Bounce although they couldn't do much with the leotards that the girls were wearing.
My Rating:
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on March 01, 2010, 05:05:39 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/IE/IE56A6F06294FFFA4.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Diebuster: The Movie |
Year: 2006
Director: Kazuya Tsurumaki
Cast:
Overview: In a future where the Space Monsters resume their invasion of the Sol System, the abilities of young men and women known as the Topless, and their Buster Machines, are mankind's final line of defense! One day, runaway girl Nono sets out for the capital to become a space pilot, and meets the fighter ace Lal'C...neither realizing that the future of humanity rests on the both of them!
Presented for the first time in full HD, the theatrical release version of the long-awaited GUNBUSTER sequel OVA (aka GUNBUSTER 2) from the director of FLCL is the second half of a diptych that started with GUNBUSTER The Movie!
Watched: 1st Mar 2010
My Thoughts: Like Gunbuster: The Movie this film is an abridgement of the original 6 episode series Diebuster (aka Gunbuster 2). This is the first time I've seen this, in either form. The setting for this film is within the time-frame covered by Gunbuster. An excellent film which has made me place an order for the original 6 episode series as well as going for the R1 remastered Gunbuster series.
My Rating:
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on March 03, 2010, 08:41:22 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051429701684.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)The Good the Bad the Weird |
Year: 2008
Director: Kim Jee-woon
Cast:
Overview: Set in the 1930's Manchurian desert where lawlessness rules, three Korean men fatefully meet each other on a train. Do-Won (Jung Woo-sung - The Warrior) is a bounty hunter who tracks down dangerous criminals. Chang- yi (Lee Byung-hun - GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra) is the leader of a group of tough-as-nails bandits. Tae-goo (Song Kang-ho - The Host) is a train robber with nine lives. The three strangers engage in a chase across Manchuria to take possession of a map Tae-goo discovers while robbing the train. Also on the hunt for the mysterious map are the Japanese army and a horde of marauding bandits. In this unpredictable, escalating battle for the map, who will stand as the winner in the end? Forget Indiana Jones and The Man With No Name and experience the incredible, the original, the outrageously unpredictable The Good The Bad The Weird!
Watched: 3rd Mar 2010
My Thoughts: And now for something completely different. After half a dozen animated films thought that I ought to do a live-action one again. Can't get much different than a Korean Western :) I enjoyed this film very much with its nodding references to Spaghetti Westerns. In some areas I was reminded of films that I used to enjoy going to see like Terence Hill and Bud Spencer films. The chase/shoot-up sequence set to Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. a remix I think of the Santa Esmerelda version, was glorious. In fact I'm sure I've heard that music in another film but can't place it at the moment, was it a Tarantino film :hmmmm: ?
I loved the final sequence
(click to show/hide)
My Rating: A glorious 4
Dave
editied to answer own question above
(click to show/hide)
Post by: Najemikon on March 03, 2010, 09:13:38 PM
Post by: Achim on March 04, 2010, 06:12:13 AM
I don't think I've said this before but foreign language films I will always try to watch in their original language with English subtitles and this was no different. I may update this review after I view the film again as I don't intend to leave it too long before doing so.:thumbup:
I do the same and there are almost no exceptions to the rule. I once bought the Artisan release of Black Mask and due to lalc of an original soundtrack have never watched it. In one occasion I even double-dipped because the subtitles on trhe original release were sub-par (Let the Right One In).
I forgot about the The Good, The Bad and The Weird and should try to find it before long.
Post by: dfmorgan on March 04, 2010, 09:35:15 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060116724165.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Outlander |
Year: 2006
Director: Howard McCain
Cast: Jim Caviezel, Sophia Myles, Jack Huston, John Hurt
Overview: As an age old battle rages amongst the stars, Kainan's ship burns brightly as it crash-lands into the Nordic coast. His space ship comes to rest in the fjords of ancient Norway and it's with dismay that Kainan (JIM CAVIEZEL) realises that he is not the only survivor, as a second passenger, the Moorwen, also emerges from the wreckage.
A hellish, fire-breathing monster, the Moorwen is intent on causing havoc and destruction to those it has perceived to have wronged it. As the Moorwen kills everything in its path, Kainan must work together with a tribe of fierce warring vikings to destroy the blood thirsty beast before it kills them all.
Watched: 4th Mar 2010
My Thoughts: Thought I'd watch a less cerebral film this time. A good old action science fiction fantasy. This did not disappoint me, it was nothing more than expected with no real shocks in the story line. One question I asked myself, not that I will ever get an answer, was why did such an advanced race have such a hurtful method of transferring data?
My Rating: A watchable 3
Dave
Post by: Achim on March 05, 2010, 05:16:51 AM
When I heard a podcast review of this they pointed out one interesting point. While Jim Caveziel's characters seems hunted by the monster on earth and gets our sympathies, when we see a flashback it's revealed that in fact he had been about to make that monster race extinct without obvious purpose.
Would you confirm that or do I remember this entirely wrong?
Post by: dfmorgan on March 05, 2010, 11:54:34 AM
POSSIBLE SPOILERS (just being safe...)
When I heard a podcast review of this they pointed out one interesting point. While Jim Caveziel's characters seems hunted by the monster on earth and gets our sympathies, when we see a flashback it's revealed that in fact he had been about to make that monster race extinct without obvious purpose.
Would you confirm that or do I remember this entirely wrong?
Yep Achim, your memory is good. There was a purpose though, which does come out in the film, and Jim Cavaziel's character does apparently regret his earlier actions but by then it is too late.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on March 05, 2010, 08:57:12 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036040082.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)The Day the Earth Stood Still |
Year: 1951
Director: Robert Wise
Cast: Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe
Overview: A spaceship lands in Washington, D.C., capturing the attention of the world. But the peaceful alien emissary (Michael Rennie) it brings fails to earn the public's trust. When a young woman and her son befriend him, they soon realise they may be all that stands between the human race and total destruction.
Watched: 5th Mar 2010
My Thoughts: Time for a classic. Still wonderful to watch and to see the way that simple actions generated fear in the people and how hysteria spreads. This was mainly due to the way the film was made and due to the immediate post-war and beginnings of the cold-war era when the film was made. Klaatu, Barada, Nikto.
My Rating: Magnificent 5
Dave
Post by: Antares on March 05, 2010, 09:17:11 PM
Klaatu, Barada, Nikto.
That strange sound you just heard was Gort blasting you with his laser! By not giving him all the words in correct sequence, he sees you as an enemy and potential threat and you are disintegrated. :laugh:
It's Gort, Klaatu barada nikto ;)
Good review. Glad to see someone else here besides Jon and I delving into films pre-1980's. :thumbup:
Post by: dfmorgan on March 05, 2010, 09:31:08 PM
Klaatu, Barada, Nikto.
That strange sound you just heard was Gort blasting you with his laser! By not giving him all the words in correct sequence, he sees you as an enemy and potential threat and you are disintegrated. :laugh:
It's Gort, Klaatu barada nikto ;)
Good review. Glad to see someone else here besides Jon and I delving into films pre-1980's. :thumbup:
:hysterical:
Ever so sorry Gort. Please forgive me. :bow:
:thanks: Antares, I need to obtain more classic '50's like When Worlds Collide, This
Dave
Edited to correct film title
Post by: Antares on March 05, 2010, 09:40:32 PM
You might want to check out this website...
Brian's Drive-In Theater (http://www.briansdriveintheater.com/)
This site has a treasure trove of info from that time period. :thumbup:
Post by: Jimmy on March 05, 2010, 09:55:35 PM
Glad to see someone else here besides Jon and I delving into films pre-1980's. :thumbup::redcard:
I watch mostly pre eighties films, I just don't review most of them here ;)
Post by: dfmorgan on March 05, 2010, 10:00:32 PM
Forbidden Planet, Them!, The Thing from Another World, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and This Island Earth are great DVD's to pick up. :thumbup:
You might want to check out this website...
Brian's Drive-In Theater (http://www.briansdriveintheater.com/)
This site has a treasure trove of info from that time period. :thumbup:
:thanks: Thanks gain Antares, looks like a very interesting site.
Dave
Post by: Antares on March 05, 2010, 10:00:36 PM
Glad to see someone else here besides Jon and I delving into films pre-1980's. :thumbup::redcard:
I watch mostly pre eighties films, I just don't review most of them here ;)
my apologies Jimmy :bag: :slaphead:
Post by: Tom on March 05, 2010, 10:43:49 PM
Good review. Glad to see someone else here besides Jon and I delving into films pre-1980's. :thumbup:
I have been known to watch pre-1980s movies from time to time ;)
Like this very same movie (http://www.dvdcollectorsonline.com/index.php/topic,626.msg84730.html#msg84730) ;)
Post by: Critter on March 06, 2010, 12:08:19 AM
Post by: Rogmeister on March 06, 2010, 01:09:53 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on March 06, 2010, 07:27:52 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060116723908.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Wolfhound |
Year: 2006
Director: Nikolai Lebedev
Cast: Aleksandr Bukharov, Oksana Akinshina
Overview: A ferocious epic of swords, medieval kingdoms, and vengeance, Wolfhound brings to life the saga of the last surviving member of a slaughtered tribe - enslaved, left for dead, destined to become the world's most feared warrior. Consumed by a lifelong quest to avenge his family's murder, he is drawn into an all-out war to destroy a vicious monster and save a nation. Based on a bestselling novel, Wolfhound is an extraordinary adventure, filled with thunderous battles, incredible special effects, and fantastic, never-before-seen creatures.
Watched: 6th Mar 2010
My Thoughts: A medieval hack and slash, I was going to say sword and sorcery but there was very little sorcery but plenty of swords hacking and slashing. The front cover reference to Conan The Barbarian is correct but I'm not too sure about the reference to Lord Of The Rings. Also, in my view, the last sentence in the overview is over the top. Overall, though, it was enjoyable but predictable.
My Rating: Enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on March 07, 2010, 09:16:40 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036043564.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Fantastic Mr. Fox |
Year: 2009
Director: Wes Anderson
Cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill, Murray, Jason Schwartzman
Overview: GEORGE CLOONEY and MERYL STREEP lend their voices to this hilarious and heartwarming animated adventure from director WES ANDERSON. Mr. and Mrs. Fox (CLOONEY and STREEP) live a happy home life with their eccentric son Ash (JASON SCHWARTZMAN) and visiting nephew Kristofferson. That is until Mr. Fox slips into his sneaky, old ways and plots the greatest chicken heist the animal world has ever seen. Based on the beloved, best-selling book by ROALD DAHL (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Fantastic Mr. Fox is family fun at its very finest. This edition of Fantastic Mr. Fox contains a Blu-Ray, DVD and a Digital Copy - for you to enjoy this film wherever and whenever you want!
Watched: 7th Mar 2010
My Thoughts: Another animation, stop motion this time. Although I have heard of Roald Dahl I haven't read any of his works so came cold into this story. I found it quite enjoyable with the voices lending a comforting tone to the on-screen action, George Clooney as the charming rogue Mr. Fox and Meryl Streep as his counterpoint Mrs. Fox. The humour seemed to be pitched at just the right level without going over the top and when necessary reigned back in for the sadder moments, although there weren't too many of those.
My Rating: Thoroughly Enjoyable 4
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on March 20, 2010, 08:47:09 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060085366052.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)The Machine Girl |
Year: 2008
Director: Noboru Iguchi
Cast: Minase Yashiro, Asami, Kentarô Shimazu, Honoka
Overview: Ami's a beautiful, popular kid for whom the future looks pretty good. But when her high-school brother gets bullied for money, and the guy after the cash just happens to be the vicious son of a crazy yakuza crime boss, you know all hell is about to break loose.
When Ami's bro can't pay enough, violence breaks out, he is murdered and Ami is bound, tortured and has her left arm hacked off as a reminder not to screw with the Yakuza.
But this is one chick who doesn't tkae any shit! Barely alive, she is taken in by a mechanic, who builds her a prosthetic limb with a difference - it's only a fully automatic machine gun!
THE QUEST FOR REVENGE IS ON!
Filled with genius toungue-in-cheek gore moments including human tempuras, nail-gunned faces, finger sushi, exploding torsos and the soon to be legendary 'drill bra', Machine Girl is the movie that Quentin Tarantino always wanted to make! Don't miss the over-the-top cult action hit of the decade!
Watched: 19th Mar 2010
My Thoughts: Well after seeing this endorsement by Jon I had to watch the film
I saw Machine Girl the other night. It's beyond awful! Absolute garbage. :yucky:
Hmmmmm what can I say. The transfer as mentioned in the thread on the other site isn't that good, loads of jaggies, but it didn't seem too bad after a while, I guess that I probably got used to the bad images. A girl fighting to avenge her brother's murder assisted by the mother of the brother's friend also killed by the same gang. These 2 take on a Yakuza family and gangs. Gore a plenty was the main theme with cut fingers, limbs, holes blown into torsos, decapitations, slicing heads and bodies all spraying blood everywhere plus we also had frying hands and arms. I didn't think it was that bad but it wasn't that good either.
My Rating: A worthy 2
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on March 20, 2010, 10:03:08 PM
Although I have heard of Roald Dahl I haven't read any of his works so came cold into this story.
:o
Sir, how dare you fly our flag and make such comments! Be off with you and read The BFG! :redcard:
:tease:
A girl fighting to avenge her brother's murder assisted by the mother of the brother's friend also killed by the same gang. These 2 take on a Yakuza family and gangs. Gore a plenty was the main theme with cut fingers, limbs, holes blown into torsos, decapitations, slicing heads and bodies all spraying blood everywhere plus we also had frying hands and arms. I didn't think it was that bad but it wasn't that good either.
I wouldn't have minded that so much, but the "wash your hair in your sons blood!" was where it jumped the shark for me. Then later, the drill bra. I mean, wtf? :-X
Post by: snowcat on March 20, 2010, 10:22:20 PM
Although I have heard of Roald Dahl I haven't read any of his works so came cold into this story.
:o
Sir, how dare you fly our flag and make such comments! Be off with you and read The BFG! :redcard:
:tease:
:O or even better! The Twits!
....id also recommend one of his adult books "Sometime Never: A Fable for Supermen"
Post by: dfmorgan on March 21, 2010, 11:42:11 AM
I wouldn't have minded that so much, but the "wash your hair in your sons blood!" was where it jumped the shark for me. Then later, the drill bra. I mean, wtf? :-X
I don't know, I thought the sequence before the hair washing was gross when mum was adding diced carrots and red sauce to the son's head stew :o. At least Ami squeezed the torso of the son to get more gore for dad to wash his hair in :laugh:. :hmmmm: the drill bra - well this was based on a fairly common contrivance in that we have seen other weaponed bras, e.g. pistol bras, in other films but to short circuit the bra in a pool of urine was, words failed me there :bag: .
But overall whilst still bad it was better than garbage IMHO.
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on March 21, 2010, 11:59:51 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on March 21, 2010, 12:09:10 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036043601.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Jennifer's Body |
Year: 2009
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons
Overview: Sexy temptress Megan Fox is hotter than hell as Jennifer, a gorgeous, seductive cheerleader who takes evil to a whole new level after she's possessed by a sinister demon. Steamy action and gore galore ensue as the male student body succumbs to Jennifer's insatiable appetite for human flesh. Now it's up to her best friend (Amanda Seyfried) to stop Jennifer's reign of terror before it's too late! This edition also contains a Digital Copy of the film, now you can watch Jennifer's Body where you want, when you want!
Watched: 20th Mar 2010
My Thoughts: Interesting, a demonic possession film. A cheerleader (Megan Fox) goes off with a rock band following a fire at the venue. When she returns she is a different person. Her best friend (Amanda Seyfried) has to discover what has happened and then bring it to an end. Whilst there is some gore it is not a gore-fest, unlike the last film I watched.
My Rating: It was alright for a 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on March 21, 2010, 02:43:44 PM
Yeah, nothing against the drill bra... just, how it was used. :-X
True enough, drill bra with plenty of blood sprayed when used but Ami didn't have a sign of damage from it when they parted.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on March 21, 2010, 08:52:34 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036041331.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Valkyrie |
Year: 2008
Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson
Overview: "Tom Cruise gives one of the best performances of his career" (Jeffrey Lyons, NBC/Reel Talk) in this action-packed film from the director of The Usual Suspects and X-Men. Based on the incredible true story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Cruise) and his ingenious assassination plot targeting Adolf HItler, this thrilling adventure re-enacts the daring operation to eliminate one of the most evil tyrants the world has ever seen. Co-starring Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Terence Stamp and Eddie Izzard, Valkyrie delivers gripping suspense and pulse-pounding excitement from start to finish!
Watched: 21st Mar 2010
My Thoughts: A very good film. I was aware of the events that this film covered with the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler towards the end of WWII, not fully conversant though just aware. I thought that in general the cast played their roles well and didn't really have any problems with them except for Bill Nighy, whenever I see him all I can see is Billy Mack and the song "Christmas Is All Around" from Love Actually even though I have many other films featuring Bill Nighy. I did wonder how close to the events that this film would go but I see from other reviews and features that they generally stayed close to what actually happened.
My Rating: A 4 from me here
Dave
Post by: filmincarnate on March 21, 2010, 09:11:46 PM
Also, I don't think Tom Cruise was right for his part at all. He just looks to damn smug in it and really stood out amongst everyone else.
It had its moments though, I thought the opening was great. It looked gorgeous for the most part (partly due to seeing it on blu-ray I imagine) and Singer can create suspense like very few other filmmakers working today.
Had some more attention been paid to the authenticity of everything and perhaps some different casting decisions been made than I feel this could've been one of the better WWII/Nazi films of recent times. As it is, it just feels like a sorely missed opportunity.
Post by: dfmorgan on March 21, 2010, 10:40:13 PM
I had really mixed feelings about Valkyrie. I thought it was well enough made but it just did not feel authentic to me at all. A huge issue being the Germans not only not speaking German, but some even having British accents :suicide:
Also, I don't think Tom Cruise was right for his part at all. He just looks to damn smug in it and really stood out amongst everyone else.
It had its moments though, I thought the opening was great. It looked gorgeous for the most part (partly due to seeing it on blu-ray I imagine) and Singer can create suspense like very few other filmmakers working today.
Had some more attention been paid to the authenticity of everything and perhaps some different casting decisions been made than I feel this could've been one of the better WWII/Nazi films of recent times. As it is, it just feels like a sorely missed opportunity.
Thanks for the comments :thumbup:. I wasn't really worried by the lack of authentic accents, too used to hearing very bad comedy accents on British TV, but I do take your point. To do a little rebuttal though this is a mainstream film to be sold around the world and it will be dubbed and subbed in many places and ways but for the main home markets they needed to keep it easy as there are film-goers and video-viewers who do not like to have to read films. Whether these same people went to see or even bought this film I've know idea.
Re: Tom Cruise, in one of the featurettes in my UK edition Bryan Singer said something along the lines that he and Cruise had discussed working together after the release of The Usual Suspects and that once he had the script he thought of Cruise. Also it was implied that much of the co-operation from Germany in using original locations came from efforts by Cruise amongst many others.
Dave
Post by: Tom on March 21, 2010, 10:51:55 PM
Also it was implied that much of the co-operation from Germany in using original locations came from efforts by Cruise amongst many others.
I only remember from the German press, that they had big trouble getting permission to use original locations because of Tom Cruise's association with Scientology.
Post by: dfmorgan on March 21, 2010, 11:14:04 PM
Also it was implied that much of the co-operation from Germany in using original locations came from efforts by Cruise amongst many others.
I only remember from the German press, that they had big trouble getting permission to use original locations because of Tom Cruise's association with Scientology.
Yes, for some reason I don't think that was even mentioned in the featurettes but I do recall a furore at the time. They didn't say how Tom had actually helped in getting the permissions just that he had and that in the end they were surprised at the level of access they eventually received.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on March 25, 2010, 08:14:52 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060116724752.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Let the Right One In |
Year: 2008
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Cast: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson
Overview: Twelve year old Oskar is an outsider; struggling to fit in at school and left alone to fend for himself at home whilst his mother works nights. One evening he meets the mysterious Eli. As a sweet romance blossoms between them, Oskar learns to overcome his tormentors and discovers Eli's dark secret and the connections to the gruesome events occuring across town. Together they must help Eli be gone and live, or stay and die.
Brutal, bloody and tender, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN weaves friendship, rejection and loyalty into a disturbing and darkly atmospheric, yet poetic and unexpectedly tender tableau of adolescence.
Watched: 25th Mar 2010
My Thoughts: Wow! What a film. I knew the basic information about this film in that it was about a vampire but after watching this afternoon, wow! I thought that this was incredible. The two leads were excellent and the growth of their affections was portrayed extremely well. I got a little confused towards the end
(click to show/hide)
My Rating: A superb 4, would have been 5 without the confusion
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on March 28, 2010, 08:56:50 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060052419002.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus |
Year: 2009
Director: Terry Gilliam
Cast: Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Tom Waits, Heath Ledger
Overview: Directed by visionary genius Terry Gilliam, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus features Heath Ledger in his last role, plus a stellar cast including Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell. Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) is an immortal who leads a travelling theatre troupe. Their props include the 'Imaginarium' - a mirror doubling as a magic doorway into a world that makes your wildest dreams a reality.
Parnassus's immortality has come at a price however - he will lose his daughter Valentina (Lily Cole) to the Devil himself (Tom Waits) unless he persuades five more souls to lose themselves in the Imaginarium. "A wild and wonderful fantasy" - Alan Frank, Daily Star
Watched: 27th Mar 2010
My Thoughts: Ok a strange film but then again not. Terry Gilliam in a weird phase, been there before and will be again, but making an excellent film which in places was very Pythonesque, not too sure if that is good or bad. There will be nuances and depths that I have missed in this first viewing, one thing you can't do with a Terry Gilliam film is to remove your brain and let it rest on the side, but hopefully they will appear and clear when I rewatch this in future. The basic premise is the usual fight between Good and Evil represented here by Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) as the Good and Mr. Nick (Tom Waits) as the Devil. Both these came over well and with good support from Verne Troyer, Andrew Garfield and Lily Cole as Doctor Parnassus's troupers.
One of the main talking points about this film, also heavily touched upon by Terry Gilliam in his introduction to the film, was the fact that Heath Ledger died before his role had been completed. Three other actors, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell, stepped in to save the film by taking on the uncompleted parts which luckily were those that involved Heath Ledger stepping into the Imaginarium. Did that work? I have to say that to me it appeared that yes it did work, I presume though that Terry Gilliam and his co-writer had to amend their original scripts to cater for this but it came over well.
My Rating: Overall a 4
Dave
Post by: Achim on March 29, 2010, 06:34:02 AM
One of the main talking points about this film, also heavily touched upon by Terry Gilliam in his introduction to the film, was the fact that Heath Ledger died before his role had been completed. Three other actors, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell, stepped in to save the film by taking on the uncompleted parts which luckily were those that involved Heath Ledger stepping into the Imaginarium. Did that work? I have to say that to me it appeared that yes it did work, I presume though that Terry Gilliam and his co-writer had to amend their original scripts to cater for this but it came over well.Reviewer Mark Kermode pointed out that in his opinion it possibly became a better film through this tragedy. He liked the effect that was created by ledger stepping into the other world and changing his appearance better than what he imagined it would be with ledger only...
Post by: dfmorgan on March 29, 2010, 07:46:12 PM
Reviewer Mark Kermode pointed out that in his opinion it possibly became a better film through this tragedy. He liked the effect that was created by ledger stepping into the other world and changing his appearance better than what he imagined it would be with ledger only...
Yep, I know what he means there as the 3 become really different characters within the Imaginarium. One of the featurettes show Heath Ledger in some wardrobe tests which included when he was dressed ready for the first mirror visit, subsequently taken by Johnny Depp, and it looked like a continuation of the non-mirror character. Which maybe what was originally planned but once events happened and then Depp, Law and Farrell stepped in they had to play their mirror characters different to the non-mirror Ledger as they aren't Ledger.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on March 31, 2010, 08:18:30 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582755480.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant |
Year: 2009
Director: Paul Weitz
Cast: John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Jessica Carlson
Overview: From the best-selling book comes this unstoppable fantasy adventure. Visiting a travelling freak show, 16-year-old Darren is bitten by a vampire (John C. Reilly). Newly undead, he joins the Cirque Du Freak and descends into a fantastic life with a sideshow of fabulous freaks, including Salma Hayek and Willem Dafoe. As war looms between the vampires and their evil counterparts, one boy's bravery will become humanity's last hope.
Watched: 31st Mar 2010
My Thoughts: Yet another vampire film, :hmmmm: have to change my diet. I enjoyed this film which seemed to move along at a decent pace. The main cast and secondary characters, in general, came over well. I would have personally liked to have more of the back story but maybe that was too much to cover in this film, maybe I need to sort out the book(s) to find out. Although the film came to a conclusion it was also very nicely left open for sequels.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on April 01, 2010, 08:36:11 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5017239151316.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Planet 51 |
Year: 2009
Director: Jorge Blanco
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Gary Oldman, Seann William Scott, John Cleese
Overview: When Chuck the astronaut (Dwayne Johnson) lands on a distant planet filled with little green people, he is surprised to discover that we are not alone in the galaxy. He gets the shock of his life when the residents of Planet 51 mistakenly believe that his presence is the start of an alien invasion of the human kind! Luckily Lem (Justin Long) quickly realises that Chuck is friendly and makes it his personal mission to help him return safely to his ship - with the help of Chuck's trusty pal Rover.
Watched: 1st Apr 2010
My Thoughts: A rather enjoyable animated science fiction comedy. There were lots of references to other science fiction films throughout this film, my favourite was the pet alien. There were no real surprises and nothing really spectacular just generally enjoyable. I thought the voices came over well in their roles although I failed miserably to recognise a couple.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on April 11, 2010, 09:49:04 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060148530147.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Funuke: Show Some Love, You Losers! |
Year: 2007
Director: Daihachi Yoshida
Cast: Eriko Sato, Aimi Satsukawa, Masatoshi Nagase, Hiromi Nagasaku
Overview: Funuke... is the story of a countryside family struggle. The movie begins with both parents dying in a car accident. The elder sister (Eriko Sato) comes back home from Tokyo because they are no longer able to send her money for acting school. The other two members of the family are the little sister (Aimi Satsukawa), an asthma-stricken aspiring manga writer and older brother (Masatoshi Nagase), who abuses his wife (Hiromi Nagasaku). Now that the frustrated elder sister has come back (and eager to leave again), tension within the family hits an all-time-high. Every member of the family has a dark secret and they lead to one event after another...
Watched: 11th Apr 2010
My Thoughts: A dark comedy it has been called, yes it is most definitely dark and there are some giggles to be had so I suppose dark comedy must be the best description but there wasn't a lot of laughs. A dysfunctional family is reunited because of the death of the parents but they have not reunited in grief. This film follows them as they try for retribution for events in the past and also to some degree try to resolve these issues.
The director showed flashback sequences by using a darker colour palette as opposed to the generally bright imagery for current day events.
There were plenty of trailers for Third Window Films releases but no other extras and this film was presented in non-anamorphic widescreen :thumbdown:
My Rating: A strange but oddly enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on April 18, 2010, 09:01:11 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201808080.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Hardware |
Year: 1990
Director: Richard Stanley
Cast: Dylan McDermott, Stacey Travis, John Lynch
Overview: In a post-apocalyptic, nuclear-scarred future the world has become a radioactive, neon drenched, industrial wasteland populated by the disenfranchised and the demented. Amidst the dust and decay of a poisoned landscape a 'Zone Tripper' manages to salvage a disembodied robotic head. But what is initially mistaken for discarded techno trash is in fact the mechanical remains of the M.A.R.K 13: a merciless killing machine programmed to activate, exhilarate and exterminate. After ending up in the isolated apartment of an introverted artist, the M.A.R.K 13 re-assembles itself for an eye gouging, chainsaw wielding, body drilling, skull-crushing rampage where no flesh shall be spared.
Inspired by the 2000AD comic strip SHOK: Walter's Robo Tale and Directed by Richard Stanley (Dust Devil), Hardware features a face pounding soundtrack and appearances from twisted rock legends Iggy Pop, Motorhead's Lemmy and Fields Of The Nephilim's Carl McCoy. Available for the first time as a special edition, Hardware remains a highly original, mind melding, Cyberpunk, horror/sci-fi cult classic, so plug in, turn on, download and prepare to have your inner circuits pulled out and re-wired.
Watched: 17th Apr 2010
My Thoughts: What can I say which hasn't already been said in the overview? Only one thing that I can think is that the overview fails to mention the stalker. Never managed to see this on release but I was able to buy the VHS in 1991 and watch it then. I remember reading the story, SHOK!, in Walter's Robo Tales in 2000AD and then hearing about this film that copied the main theme of the story. When the video was released the two sides had settled their differences with a writers credit being added to the film for the writers of the comic strip. Overall a good film, very dark with some excellent music, in fact I bought a CD of tracks used in science fiction films to get the Public Image Ltd track amongst others.
My Rating: An overall 4
Dave
Post by: Achim on April 19, 2010, 02:53:12 AM
+" from me. I may have to rewatch it without the high expectations I had from it ;)I think it's great that a publishers creates this platform where someone like Richard Stanley has their films released with good transfers and loads of special features. After all, he only made 2 cult films (without broad appeal), this and Dust Devil, and a bunch of documentaries. he may be most famous for being kicked of the The Island of Dr. Moreou set :laugh:
Post by: Jimmy on April 19, 2010, 03:47:57 AM
Post by: Achim on April 19, 2010, 06:01:23 AM
But, it has different themes and the film therefore unfolds way differently. Dust Devil is a mystic horror film (although I hesitate calling it that) and Hardware is a futuristic cyborg film, where a super-cyborg goes crazs and wreaks havoc (although this description is a bit off, really).
I guess what I am trying to say is, that it's not a safe bet. If it's a blind buy based on Dust Devil, I couldn't judge if you'll like this one all the same.
Post by: dfmorgan on April 20, 2010, 10:42:19 PM
I saw Hardware at a Film Festival (Fantasy Film Festival, often mentioned by Tom) and was blown away by what I saw at the time. Unfortunately it didn't hold up to that ("imaginary") standard when I saw it again last year. Still good though, a solid "
I think it's great that a publishers creates this platform where someone like Richard Stanley has their films released with good transfers and loads of special features. After all, he only made 2 cult films (without broad appeal), this and Dust Devil, and a bunch of documentaries. he may be most famous for being kicked of the The Island of Dr. Moreou set :laugh:
Yes Achim it is good that some of these films get their due day in glory. Although some of the features on this disc show that the originals weren't kept well and have video tracking errors. I'll have to look out for Dust Devil as what I've seen it looks quite good, I've caught parts of it on the movie channels but never managed to catch the whole film.
Dave
Post by: northbloke on April 21, 2010, 02:57:58 AM
(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/85/858964001133f.jpg)
I understand Optimum released the director's cut over here but I would suggest you only pick it up if it's dirt cheap because I've heard the transfer quality is awful.
Post by: dfmorgan on April 21, 2010, 11:45:38 AM
I can heartily recommend the R1 5-disc limited edition of Dust Devil that Subversive released back in 2006. That's if you can find a copy!
I understand Optimum released the director's cut over here but I would suggest you only pick it up if it's dirt cheap because I've heard the transfer quality is awful.
:thumbup: thanks for this. Something to keep my eye out for now.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on April 21, 2010, 12:06:25 PM
I can heartily recommend the R1 5-disc limited edition of Dust Devil that Subversive released back in 2006. That's if you can find a copy!
:thumbup: thanks for this. Something to keep my eye out for now.
Dave
Now ordered from amazon marketplace for 25 smackers
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on April 30, 2010, 09:16:10 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366801546.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Evangelion: 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone |
Year: 2007
Director: Hideaki Anno
Cast:
Overview: THE REBUILD OF THE GROUNDBREAKING GIANT ROBOT ANIME!
The year is 2015, and half of the Earth's population is dead, victims of the disaster called Second Impact! Answering a summons from his enigmatic father, 14-year-old Shinji Ikari arrives in the rebuilt city of Tokyo-3 just as a gigantic creature known as an Angel attacks! Forced into the cockpit of a giant bio-mechanical construct known as an Evangelion, Shinji must defend the city from the rampaging Angel or die trying!
Rebuilt from the ground up by creator Hideaki Anno, this is the definitive Evangelion for a new generation! Featuring a radically new storyline, completely new animation, additional CG plus never-before seen extended footage
Watched: 30th Apr 2010
My Thoughts: The first of four films that rebuild the 1995/6 Evangelion TV series. I have watched the series and the two supplemental films, Death & Rebirth and The End of Evangelion, and generally enjoyed them. This rebuild is of the first six episodes of the original series. The six episodes would have been 150mins running time and this has been condensed into 100mins and to some degrees this is apparent:-
a) The Angel attacks come thick and fast.
b) The depth of character that the series could build has had to be lost.
The new imagery does look good on the blu-ray and the sound, although I only have a downmixed DD5.1 rather than TrueHD 6.1, is excellent with plenty of effects being positioned all over the place, especially in the battle and NERV Control Room sequences.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on May 01, 2010, 08:51:45 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036044073.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Avatar |
Year: 2009
Director: James Cameron
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana, Stephen Lang
Overview: Return to Pandora
A reluctant hero. An epic journey. A choice between the life left behind and the incredible new world he's learned to call home. Return to James Cameron's AVATAR — the greatest adventure of all time. This edition of Avatar contains a Blu-ray and a DVD
Watched: 1st May 2010
My Thoughts: I hadn't seen this in the cinema and to be brutally honest I was disappointed, probably my expectations were too high after hearing all the bruhaha about it. Not to say that I didn't enjoy it just that it wasn't possibly quite what I expected, maybe because this was flat 2-D. Visually and sonically spectacular with an excellent cast (does Michelle Rodriguez play any roles other than fiesty kick-butt females?). A friend who went to see this in the cinema said that he thought that it was an action remake of Ferngully and I could see that, but it was more with Cowboys vs. Indians, boy meets girl/loses girl/gets girl back again, plus a large dose of Braveheart and Independence Day thrown into the mix with the rallying speech. Overall though I did enjoy it and will probably buy again when the super-duper improved extended edition rears its head.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Addendum: 2nd May 2010
I have given some more thought to this and decided that the disappointment sprang from the friend mentioning action Ferngully. I now realise that I watched the film and was looking for other films within it rather than just sitting back and enjoying it as a good action thud and blunder film.
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on May 01, 2010, 09:45:36 PM
Not to say that I didn't enjoy it just that it wasn't possibly quite what I expected, maybe because this was flat 2-D.
Not to pick on you Dave, but it's this sort of thing that worries me more than anything about the 3D gimmick. You didn't see it at the cinema, you haven't been blown away by it, and you think the fact you didn't see it in 3D may be the problem. It really won't be. It's more that the story is crap and now it hasn't got a flashy gimmick to hide behind.
The thing is, it's always nice to see a film at the cinema because that's where it was designed to be seen, and there will always be a loss in spectacle for a film like this when transferred to your front room, but it should never, ever, make it a lesser film.
In other words, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it's probably a duck. :shrug:
Post by: dfmorgan on May 01, 2010, 09:58:05 PM
Not to say that I didn't enjoy it just that it wasn't possibly quite what I expected, maybe because this was flat 2-D.
Not to pick on you Dave, but it's this sort of thing that worries me more than anything about the 3D gimmick. You didn't see it at the cinema, you haven't been blown away by it, and you think the fact you didn't see it in 3D may be the problem. It really won't be. It's more that the story is crap and now it hasn't got a flashy gimmick to hide behind.
The thing is, it's always nice to see a film at the cinema because that's where it was designed to be seen, and there will always be a loss in spectacle for a film like this when transferred to your front room, but it should never, ever, make it a lesser film.
In other words, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it's probably a duck. :shrug:
Thanks Jon. I think the disappointment set in as some friends had seen it, both in 3-D and 2-D, and they said what great film it was. The trailers made it look interesting, which of course is what they are supposed to do. Then, when I sat down and watched it, the film came over as Cowboys vs. Indians fighting over Ferngully with Braveheart rallying the troops. Maybe I was over thinking my friends comments and looking for Ferngully rather than just sitting there and watching, 'tis easy to over think at times. Though as I said in my review I did enjoy the film.
Dave
Post by: snowcat on May 01, 2010, 09:59:50 PM
Anyway, I digress...
3D is a gimmick and unfortunately.... a bad one, even when 3D TV Sets rear there ugly over priced head... its still gonna look crap compared to a cinema, Shame on Avatar for making it ok to release every other film in 3D.
3D a good film does not make.
:2cents:
Dave, I also think that's a problem with hearing peoples views on a film before you have seen it, high expectations can ruin your experience. ;P Always go in with low expecs!
Post by: Najemikon on May 01, 2010, 10:07:15 PM
Post by: snowcat on May 01, 2010, 10:11:16 PM
Post by: Najemikon on May 01, 2010, 10:12:21 PM
Post by: snowcat on May 01, 2010, 10:15:11 PM
Id probably get an Oscar for my breathtaking visuals and deep storytelling and awesome new camera angles (in the shoe angle etc).
Of course for coming up with the idea Jon you could have 10% of profits, your name in the credits and a thank you when I accept my award.
Post by: dfmorgan on May 01, 2010, 10:48:29 PM
Of course for coming up with the idea Jon you could have 10% of profits, your name in the credits and a thank you when I accept my award.
Hey, don't forget me. It was my review that started all this :laugh:
Dave, I also think that's a problem with hearing peoples views on a film before you have seen it, high expectations can ruin your experience. ;P Always go in with low expecs!
Thanks Emma, I try not to let other peoples views sway me but it can and does happen occasionally. I tend to glance through the reviews in newspapers/magazines just to get a feel for the film, I explicitly trust the reviews from Chris Tookey in the Daily Male though :devil: :laugh:
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on May 01, 2010, 11:19:45 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on May 02, 2010, 12:07:07 AM
Karsten posted a great video review he found on YouTube after I posted mine. The guy is nuts, but he's worth persevering with! http://www.dvdcollectorsonline.com/index.php/topic,5951.msg104666.html#msg104666
:hysterical: That was wonderful. I'm glad he mentioned Dances With Wolves as that was one I was also thinking of but the title wouldn't come to mind.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on May 02, 2010, 09:31:04 PM
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on May 02, 2010, 09:52:44 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051892007122.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)The Hangover |
Director: Todd Phillips
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Heather Graham
Overview: They planned a Vegas bachelor party that they would never forget. Now they really need to remember what exactly went down! Whose baby is in the closet of their Caesars Palace suite? How did a tiger get in the bathroom? Why is one of them missing a tooth? And most of all, where is the groom?! What the guys did while partying can't compare to what they must do sober in an outrageous caper that has them piecing together all their bad decisions from the night before - one hazy clue at a time. Director Todd Phillips (Old School) and an all-aces comedy cast bring it big time with unpredictable situations that somehow all fit together.
Watched: 2nd May 2010
My Thoughts: An enjoyable romp. No real laugh out loud moments for me but I found it overall humourousish. I couldn't really believe that the groom-to-be would have two best friends who appear to be such opposites but then again stranger things do happen. Wasn't too sure about the Mike Tyson doing Phil Collins but that was probably because I had got used to seeing a gorilla doing Phil Collins in an advert for CDM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy52yueBX_s).
My Rating: Overall a 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on May 04, 2010, 09:46:44 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/IF/IF9D3615187171860.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BluRayLogo.png)Alvin and The Chipmunks |
Year: 2007
Director: Tim Hill
Cast: Jason Lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Jane Lynch, Justin Long
Overview: ALVIN AND THE CHIMPMUNKS is a hilarious adventure packed with toe-tapping tunes and fur-flying fun! When struggling songwriter Dave Seville (Jason Lee) opens his home to a talented trio of chipmunks named Alvin, Simon and Theodore, they become overnight music sensations. But a greedy record producer (David Gross) intends to exploit the "boys" and send them on grueling concert tour just to line his own pockets. Now Dave must use a little human ingenuity—and a lot of 'munk mischief—to get his family back before it's too late! This edition of Alvin and the Chipmunks contains a Blu-ray, DVD and a Digital Copy – for you to enjoy wherever and whenever you want!
Watched: 3rd May 2010
My Thoughts: Some light comic relief. No real laugh out loud moments but enjoyably humourous. A point I have often pondered is why do people never notice chipmunks or other animals running around the lobbies of large office blocks except when it is important to the plot of the film. Another pondering point for me, in this film specifically, is the big record executive and his record company Jett Records, were the makers of the film aware of Don Arden and Jet Records? IIRC Don Arden was supposed to exercise a large control of the artists on his label.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on May 30, 2010, 09:02:57 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060018658025.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)And Then Came Lola |
Year: 2009
Director: Ellen Seidler, Megan Seiler
Cast: Ashleigh Sumner, Jill Bennett, Cathy DeBuono
Overview: Sizzling lesbian newcomer Ashleigh Summer takes the leading role as Lola alongside cult lesbian heartthrobs Jill Bennett (Dante's Cove), Cathy DeBuono (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Out At The Wedding) and Jessica Graham (2 Minutes Later) in this sexy lesbian romp inspired by the classic Run Lola Run.
Sassy lesbian photographer Lola is on the verge of success in both love and work, yet she could lose it all if she doesn't make it on time to a crucial meeting with her girlfriend. But, as usual, Lola is late! Racing through the streets of San Francisco, Lola gets into an ever increasing number of outrageous scrapes involving ex-lovers, wannabe girlfriends and part-time stalkers. As the clock counts down, Lola realises that it will take more than one chance to make this date...
Watched: 29th May 2010
My Thoughts: After Heartless (http://www.dvdcollectorsonline.com/index.php/topic,6349.msg111928.html#msg111928) I thought I would go for something a little lighter. I bought this on the premise that it was a rom-com based on Run Lola Run, I film that I enjoyed. However this film has become only the second film that I failed to watch to the end. I watched the first cycle through, but was finding that hard-going, and then started on the second cycle but decided to fast forward and didn't even bother with the third cycle. Whether it was trying to wacth this after Heartless or whether I was too tired, I started watching about 23:20, I just didn't find anything to get into the film. I will have to give this another go but earlier in the evening when I am refreshed and then maybe I'll find more in it.
My Rating: For the moment a 2
Dave
FYI: I hadn't looked at Tom's review as I didn't want to colour my thoughts but will now see what he thought of this.
PS: The only other film that I have failed to watch to the end, so far as I can remember, is Grave of the Fireflies. My failure to watch this is for toally different reasons as what I saw was excellent, worthy of a 5 rating, but I couldn't handle the subject matter. Maybe it is time for me to try to watch this again.
edited to correct film title - Thanks Jon
Post by: Najemikon on May 30, 2010, 10:10:14 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on May 30, 2010, 10:23:00 PM
Thanks Jon, yes of course I do.
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on May 30, 2010, 11:26:34 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on June 06, 2010, 12:21:38 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201812445.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Ponyo |
Year: 2008
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Hiroki Doi, Yuria Nara, Tomoko Nagashima
Overview: Welcome to a world of magic and adventure! Academy Award®- winning director Hayao Miyazaki (2002, Best Animated Feature, Spirited Away) brings to life a heart-warming and imaginative retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale The Little Mermaid. And now it's even more thrilling through the magic of Blu-ray, with never before seen extras that will take you on a journey into the film's enchanted world!
A young boy named Sosuke rescues a goldfish named Ponyo, and they embark on a fantastic journey of friendship and discovery. Under the sea Ponyo's father, the Wizard Fujimoto is desperate for his daughter to return to their undersea home and uses his magic to bring her back, much to Ponyo's dismay. But Ponyo, ever the stubborn little goldfish, longs to return to her special friend. She magically transforms herself into a little girl and finds her way back to Sosuke's house but accidentally stumbles upon her father's magical 'Water of Life' and triggers a gigantic storm. Now balance must be restored to the world they all cherish.
Watched: 5th Jun 2010
My Thoughts: Another wonderful anime from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. The basic premise of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid with a magical twist. I liked the Wagnerian references to Die Walküre with Ponyo's original name being Brünnhilde and then after Ponyo releases the storm, she rides the waves and fishes to music thematically close to The Ride Of The Valkyrie from that opera.
My Rating: Just loved it to bits so a 5
Dave
Addendum: Think I'll have to sort out all my Studio Ghibli titles and have a marathon session with them.
Post by: dfmorgan on June 06, 2010, 08:56:12 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8902797602080.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Black |
Year: 2005
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Shernaz Patel
Overview: I know now that there is God... He is not in the Holy Spirit we pray to... He isn't written about in religious texts... He is someone who is a part of our lives... Whom we live for...
Because of whom we live...
Michelle McNally is "special" in more ways than one. She cannot see... nor hear... nor speak... She inhabits a world of infinite black... of a seamless, endless void where nothing reaches her and she reaches nothing. Her world is frightening in its complete remoteness. On the sheer will of her ferocious rage against destiny, Michelle struggles to stay afloat in the impenetrable whirlpool her life has become.
Into this devastating isolation enters a battle weary teacher, Debraj Sahai, life's wounded but arrogantly insolent warrior. With a single minded obsession, Debraj takes up a challenge that is next to impossible - to lead this wild, uncontrollable child into the light of knowledge.
Thus begins a journey of two headstrong individuals. They will overcome what they seek is that moment of miracle - when the ray of knowledge will penetrate through the dense black of Michelle's life... Black is the cathartic tale of a deaf, mute and blind girl who saw what people with sight fail to see - a vision of her God. Michelle McNally saw what other lesser mortals could not. She saw her God... heard Him... and walked with Him... into the light...
Watched: 6th Jun 2010
My Thoughts: Thank You Tom and Thank You Jon for recommending this wonderful film.
This film takes us through the life of Michelle McNally (Rani Mukherjee) from a few months after birth where she has now been diagnosed as both deaf and blind, through feral childhood onto a fairly confident young womanhood and finishing with a very confident woman. The bulk of the story is told in flashback but this doesn't detract from the storyline as it was easy enough to follow. One area I thought the director handled well was the sibling rivalry and reconcilation. When he chose to show the rivalry it was understated just enough to ensure that you were aware of it until he brought it to its head at the pre-wedding dinner. In the middle of all this was the teacher Debraj Sahai (Amitabh Bachchan) who brought Michelle out of herself and into the light. The film is top and tailed with Michelle seeing/visiting Debraj in hospital after finding him and finding out that he is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.
My Rating: It has to be 5
Dave
Post by: Tom on June 06, 2010, 09:02:29 PM
Thank You Tom and Thank You Jon for recommending this wonderful film.
You're welcome! I am glad that so many people are giving this film a chance now and that so far everyone enjoys it :)
Post by: kahless on June 06, 2010, 09:08:58 PM
Now I hope, that I find the leisure very soon to watch this movie!
And thanks, Tom from my side as well for the recommandation! :)
Post by: Najemikon on June 06, 2010, 09:13:21 PM
My Thoughts: Thank You Tom and Thank You Jon for recommending this wonderful film.
I'm glad you liked it too! :thumbup:
One area I thought the director handled well was the sibling rivalry and reconcilation. When he chose to show the rivalry it was understated just enough to ensure that you were aware of it until he brought it to its head at the pre-wedding dinner.
Good point. It felt very real and far more convincing than similar scenes in Rachel Getting Married, not that the two films can withstand any other comparison...
Except that one is a wonderful cinematic experience, telling a beautiful story with inspiring characters and the other is called Rachel Getting Married. ;)
Post by: Tom on June 06, 2010, 09:19:17 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on June 06, 2010, 10:39:17 PM
Except that one is a wonderful cinematic experience, telling a beautiful story with inspiring characters and the other is called Rachel Getting Married. ;)
I have that and will now have to watch it, but it may have to wait as Robo-Geisha has been despatched :laugh:
Dave
Post by: goodguy on June 06, 2010, 10:52:28 PM
Except that one is a wonderful cinematic experience, telling a beautiful story with inspiring characters and the other is called Rachel Getting Married. ;)
I was about to give in to the peer pressure regarding Black, but you saved me. :P
Post by: Najemikon on June 06, 2010, 11:12:16 PM
Except that one is a wonderful cinematic experience, telling a beautiful story with inspiring characters and the other is called Rachel Getting Married. ;)
I was about to give in to the peer pressure regarding Black, but you saved me. :P
:bag: :laugh:
Did you see my review of Rachel Getting Married? I thank you for giving me the impetus to see it because it really was very good. I just couldn't stomach those people! :suicide:
Post by: Antares on June 06, 2010, 11:39:56 PM
Except that one is a wonderful cinematic experience, telling a beautiful story with inspiring characters and the other is called Rachel Getting Married. ;)
I was about to give in to the peer pressure regarding Black, but you saved me. :P
:bag: :laugh:
Did you see my review of Rachel Getting Married? I thank you for giving me the impetus to see it because it really was very good. I just couldn't stomach those people! :suicide:
The funny thing for me about Rachel Getting Married was the way the screenplay sort of stutters along, speeding up, then slowing down with no discernible framework. It's almost as schizophrenic a pacing as watching Demme speak to a crowd. I know this description may sound confusing, but if you watch Demme addressing this audience, I think you'll catch what I mean.
Rambling, rambling rambling... just like Rachel Getting Married was.
Post by: goodguy on June 07, 2010, 01:18:16 AM
:bag: :laugh:
Did you see my review of Rachel Getting Married? I thank you for giving me the impetus to see it because it really was very good. I just couldn't stomach those people! :suicide:
Yeah, I read it and wanted to reply, but decided to postpone it until I have rewatched the movie. You struggled admirably with something you didn't like.
The funny thing for me about Rachel Getting Married was the way the screenplay sort of stutters along, speeding up, then slowing down with no discernible framework.
What bothers me the most about traditional Hollywood cinema of old and new is the fixation on ancient storytelling structures. I prefer rambling, atmosphere, mood over that any day. Consequently, I consider Silence of the Lambs Demme's most boring movie and its "discernible framework" does nothing for me.
Post by: Antares on June 07, 2010, 02:59:22 AM
I prefer rambling, atmosphere, mood over that any day.
I myself don't mind when a screenplay does that either, what I don't like is when it becomes tedious, which RGM does. Case in point, the protracted wedding scene.
Post by: dfmorgan on June 14, 2010, 09:40:40 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/IA/IADCA7E358043DB62.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)A Fistful of Dollars |
Part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036044035.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Spaghetti Western Trilogy |
Year: 1964
Director: Sergio Leone
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Marianne Koch, Johnny Wels
Overview: OSCAR® Winner Clint Eastwood* blends a quiet steadiness with palpable ferocity as the iconic gunslinger "The Man With No Name" in Sergio Leone's gritty "spaghetti western." When a steely blue-eyed mercenary arrives in a dusty border town where two rival bands of smugglers terrorize the impoverished citizens, he pits the gangs against each other in one of the most exhilarating frontier adventure films in Cinema history.
*2004, Million Dollar Baby, Best Picture, Directing; 1994, Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award; 1992, Unforgiven, Best Picture, Directing.
Watched: 12th Jun 2010
My Thoughts: An iconic film which helped to establish Clint Eastwood as a major film star. As to this copy is it a worthy upgrade? In my view yes and no. Yes to the image, although grain is very evident the overall change to picture quality makes a yes. No to the audio though as to my ears the DTS HD-MA 5.1 came over as very tinny with what appeared to be zero use of the 5.1 unlike the DTS 5.1 on the 2005 DVD. Now this may be a limitation of my audio set-up as my amp does not support the modern HD sound sources therefore my PS3 is connected via optical cable to the amp and the PS3 downmixes the DTS HD-MA sound to DTS 5.1 which the amp handles but I haven't had this problem with other DTS HD or Dolby TrueHD sound source films.
I enjoyed watching this again and even looked at some of the bonus features where I learnt that in Japan this film was called Return of Yojimbo because this film is a remake of of the Japanese film Yojimbo.
My Rating: A 4
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on June 14, 2010, 09:51:37 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/I8/I8421D2D221281780.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)For a Few Dollars More |
Part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036044035.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Spaghetti Western Trilogy |
Year: 1965
Director: Sergio Leone
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Gian Maria Volontè
Overview: When two rival bounty hunters (OSCAR® Winner Clint Eastwood* and Lee Van Cleef) learn they're both after the same murderous bandit, they join forces in hopes of bringing him to justice. But all is not as it seems in the hard-hitting second installment of Sergio Leone's trilogy starring Eastwood as the famed "Man With No Name."
**2004, Million Dollar Baby, Best Picture, Directing; 1994, Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award; 1992, Unforgiven, Best Picture, Directing.
Watched: 14th Jun 2010
My Thoughts: The second of the trilogy that wasn't really a trilogy. According to the bonus features Sergio Leone made three films with a similar central character all played by the same actor. It was America that turned them into the "Man With No Name" trilogy. Upgrade worthy a definite yes this time. Both audio and image were good. The image again suffered with grain but the overall changes with colour and depth were a big plus. The audio again was DTS HD-MA 5.1 but this time wasn't tinny and while effects were limited there was some 5.1 sound staging.
My Rating: A 4
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on June 14, 2010, 10:49:52 PM
This film has one of my favourite endings! "Any trouble, boy?"... "No, old man. Thought I was having trouble with my adding. It's all right now."
:clap:
Post by: dfmorgan on June 15, 2010, 12:12:50 AM
There was a definite shift in quality between the first two, so maybe the upgrade worth is consistent with that.
This film has one of my favourite endings! "Any trouble, boy?"... "No, old man. Thought I was having trouble with my adding. It's all right now."
:clap:
Yes, they used lower quality film stock on the first but with an increased budget, from the success of the first, they got better film stock for the second and subsequent films.
Yes great lines.
Dave
Post by: Achim on June 15, 2010, 06:10:06 AM
My Thoughts: The second of the trilogy that wasn't really a trilogy. According to the bonus features Sergio Leone made three films with a similar central character all played by the same actor. It was America that turned them into the "Man With No Name" trilogy....and funny enough he is called by name in those films (even it is sometimes just a nickname). At first Joe, then Monco and eventually Blondie.
Good reviews, looking forward to my favorite :)
I bought the special edition(s) that were released 3 years ago. I may have to hold on to them and not upgrade after all.
Post by: dfmorgan on June 15, 2010, 09:17:36 PM
Good reviews, looking forward to my favorite :)
:thanks: I hope to do the third part over the weekend, tomorrow I have Laputa scheduled then I am out on Thursday and recovering on Friday ;D
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on June 20, 2010, 09:17:30 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/I4/I4D58E4BFF236292B.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Good, the Bad and the Ugly |
Part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036044035.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Spaghetti Western Trilogy |
Year: 1966
Director: Sergio Leone
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Eli Wallach
Overview: Sergio Leone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is even gutsier on Blu-ray!
With a saddlebag full of special features, including commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes and more, it's the most exciting version of this groundbreaking western available! The inimitable "Man With No Name" (Clint Eastwood) teams up with two gunslingers (Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach) to pursue a fortune in stolen gold. But teamwork doesn't come naturally to the outlaws, and they soon discover that their greatest challenge is to stay alive in a country ravaged by war. Forging a vibrant and yet detached style of action never before seen and not matched since, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly shatters the western mold in true Eastwood style!
Watched: 20th Jun 2010
My Thoughts: The third film in the trilogy and to my mind the best one. Like For A Few Dollars More this film is not actually part of a Sergio Leone trilogy even though Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef may look like the characters in that film. This is one film I do enjoy watching and again the music forms an important part in setting the scenes and making the moods along with the individual motifs for the lead roles. Upgrade worthy again a yes, this time the video didn't have the grain of the previous two although there did appear to be a strange effect on the faces of the 3 gunslingers at the beginning of the film when their faces were in close-up. The audio is DTS HD-MA 5.1 once more with limited sound placement.
My Rating: A very enjoyable 5
Dave
Post by: Achim on June 21, 2010, 06:20:01 AM
This is one film I do enjoy watching and again the music forms an important part in setting the scenes and making the moods along with the individual motifs for the lead roles.If I remember correctly then they had some music ready before shooting and Leone played it on the set while filming, thus adding to the atmosphere for the actors. At least the scene where Tuco runs down the hill towards the gold at the end (not really a spoiiler, is it?) was done that way. It is incidentally my favorite song from the film (The Ecstasy of Gold).
Quote
Upgrade worthy again a yes, this time the video didn't have the grain of the previous two although there did appear to be a strange effect on the faces of the 3 gunslingers at the beginning of the film when their faces were in close-up.Good you find it upgrade worthy in overall.
The effect you refer to is probably that the faces looked a bit like made of wax, which would be caused by too much use of Digital Noise Reduction; this release supposedly had its fair sharte of that.
Post by: Dragonfire on June 21, 2010, 06:32:38 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on June 21, 2010, 07:53:50 PM
:thanks: I haven't watched any of the featurettes this time plus there isn't one by Sir Christopher Frayling just his commentary - maybe I'll have to watch again but listen to that instead.This is one film I do enjoy watching and again the music forms an important part in setting the scenes and making the moods along with the individual motifs for the lead roles.If I remember correctly then they had some music ready before shooting and Leone played it on the set while filming, thus adding to the atmosphere for the actors. At least the scene where Tuco runs down the hill towards the gold at the end (not really a spoiiler, is it?) was done that way. It is incidentally my favorite song from the film (The Ecstasy of Gold).
Quote
Thanks for that and yes it was waxy styled faces so must be the DNR.QuoteUpgrade worthy again a yes, this time the video didn't have the grain of the previous two although there did appear to be a strange effect on the faces of the 3 gunslingers at the beginning of the film when their faces were in close-up.Good you find it upgrade worthy in overall.
The effect you refer to is probably that the faces looked a bit like made of wax, which would be caused by too much use of Digital Noise Reduction; this release supposedly had its fair sharte of that.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on June 21, 2010, 07:59:35 PM
I have seen at least a little of one of these spaghetti western movies..but I have no idea which one. It was years and years ago.
Marie all three are very good but as I said above The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is my persoal favourite, but I do enjoy the other 2. I ought to get hold of and watch Yojimbo to see where A Fistful of Dollars and Last Man Standing drew their inspirations from.
Dave
Post by: Dragonfire on June 21, 2010, 09:23:47 PM
Post by: Achim on June 22, 2010, 05:57:22 AM
Those are some of the very few westerns that my mother does not like.Not uncommon. many people who like American Westerns have a problem with Italian ones. It usually starts with the fact that there is no real good guy(s), just guys with a different degree of bad. :laugh:
Post by: dfmorgan on June 22, 2010, 08:59:16 PM
Those are some of the very few westerns that my mother does not like.Not uncommon. many people who like American Westerns have a problem with Italian ones. It usually starts with the fact that there is no real good guy(s), just guys with a different degree of bad. :laugh:
Nice point Achim, never really thought of that but it's so true :laugh:
Dave
Post by: kahless on June 22, 2010, 09:17:13 PM
[...]
Not uncommon. many people who like American Westerns have a problem with Italian ones. [...]
Not to forget the German westerns from the sixties, filmed in former Yugoslavia! :laugh:
Post by: Dragonfire on June 23, 2010, 04:08:26 AM
Post by: Achim on June 23, 2010, 04:29:20 AM
I think my mom said one thing she doesn't like about them - at least the 3 with Eastwood - is that he doesn't talk.:o
But, but, but, that's the whole point. :laugh:
Post by: Dragonfire on June 23, 2010, 05:21:54 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on July 01, 2010, 08:26:35 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050629062014.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)2012 |
Year: 2009
Director: Roland Emmerich
Cast: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Overview: From Roland Emmerich, director of THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW and INDEPENDENCE DAY, comes the ultimate action-adventure movie, exploding with ground-breaking special effects. As the world faces a catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions, cities collapse and continents crumble. 2012 brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors. Starring John Cusack, Woody Harrelson and Danny Glover.
Watched: 1st Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: A fairly standard Roland Emmerich film. Sit down, park your brain on the side and watch the screen. If you think too much about these films then you start to wonder how Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) can hold his breath for what seem like record periods of time, why when he has to save the ship, and everyone on it, he decides that it was the appropriate time to start making up to his ex-wife.
My Rating: Overall the usual fare so a 3 as I do enjoy these
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 02, 2010, 09:15:06 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418259020.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Alice in Wonderland |
Year: 2010
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter
Overview: Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice for a fantastical adventure from Walt Disney Pictures and Tim Burton. Inviting and magical, Alice in Wonderland is an imaginative new twist on one of the most beloved stories of all time. Alice (Mia Wasikowska), now 19 years old, returns to the whimsical world she first entered as a child and embarks on a journey to discover her true destiny. This Wonderland is a world beyond your imagination and unlike anything you've seen before. The extraordinary characters you've loved come to life richer and more colorful than ever. There's the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) and more. A triumphant cinematic experience – Alice in Wonderland is an incredible feast for your eyes, ears and heart that will captivate audiences of all sizes.
Watched: 2nd Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: After seeing trailers etc. for this I wasn't too sure what to really expect but now after viewing I have to say I enjoyed the film. An update or sequel to the original Lewis Carroll tale using the same characters but 10 or so years older. The biggest problem I had was with Johnny Depp, the Mad Hatter, I don't know if he thinks that because the Pirates of the Caribbean series was so successful that he has to play each new character in a similar maniacal way but that is the way he has come over to me lately. At times he was speaking normally but then affected a weird sort-of-Scottish accent. Overall though I have to say I enjoyed and will watch again.
My Rating: An enjoyableish 3
Dave
Post by: Critter on July 03, 2010, 02:07:24 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on July 03, 2010, 09:48:57 PM
I really couldn't enjoy most of this one, also that "dance" at the end didn't help. I really don't know what they were thinking when they put that in.
Yes that was weird, where did it come from. Maybe I need to read the books again and then watch an earlier film version, trouble is the only earlier version I have is the Disney one, and then this one. I almost made this a 2 but decided that I had enjoyed the film more than that mark would represent.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 04, 2010, 12:11:49 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5017239151521.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Book Of Eli |
Year: 2010
Director: The Hughes Brothers
Cast: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis
Overview: Eli walks alone in post-apocalyptic America. He heads west along the highway of Death on a mission he doesn't fully understand but knows he must complete. In his backpack is the last copy of a book that could become the wellspring of a revived society. Or in the wrong hands, the hammer of a despot. Denzel Washington is Eli, who keeps his blade sharp and his survival instincts sharper as his quest thrusts him into a savage wasteland... and into explosive conflict with a resourceful warlord (Gary Oldman) set on possessing the book. "We walk by faith, not by sight," quotes Eli. Under the taut direction of the Hughes Brothers (From Hell), those words hit home with unexpected meaning and power.
Watched: 3rd Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: An excellent film which I enjoyed very much. I had guessed what the book was from the overview and that was confirmed less than halfway through but the twist with the details of the book and Eli himself I didn't spot coming. Gary Oldman to me seemed to play the bad guy character very much as he did in other films, Zorg in The Fifth Element and the detective in Léon: The Professional. Denzel Washington played Eli with a laconic, laidback ease but with power when necessary. Mila Kunis I haven't seen before but she came over not too badly. The imagery with the bright sunlight and washed out backgrounds came over well especially with the subtle change at the end when Eli reached his destination. One section I wasn't too sure off was the scenes at the remote farm with Michael Gambon and Frances De La Tour, when Gary Oldman and his gang arrived it reminded me the house shootdown in Clint Eastwood's The Gauntlet.
My Rating: An excellent 4
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 04, 2010, 09:03:41 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051368216133.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Collateral |
Year: 2004
Director: Michael Mann
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith
Overview: Vincent (Tom Cruise) is a cool, calculating contract killer at the top of his game. Max (Jamie Foxx) is a hapless cabbie with big dreams and little to show for it. Now, Max has to transport Vincent on his next job – one night, five stops, five hits and a getaway. And after this fateful night, neither man will ever be the same again. Tonight everything is changing...
"No crime film in years boasts a cooler vibe than Michael Mann's dazzling Collateral. Mann hits a new peak ... Cruise takes his game to a whole new level. Foxx fires up the screen with the power and subtlety of a born star". — Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Watched: 4th Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: An OK film. Quite enjoyable even if a tad unbelieveable in places. Everyone seemed to put in decent performances.
My Rating: An OK 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 06, 2010, 12:25:26 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582698794.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Duplicity |
Year: 2009
Director: Tony Gilroy
Cast: Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti
Overview: From the writer/director of Michael Clayton, Duplicity is a smart, slick and cool espionage movie. Academy Award® winner Julia Roberts* and Clive Owen star as two sexy spies-turned-corporate operatives who attempt to pull off one of the biggest heists ever. As the stakes rise in the ultimate game of cat-and-mouse, they'll put everything on the line to remain one double-cross ahead of the rest.
Watched: 5th Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: An interesting film. I will admit to getting confused with some of the jumps from the present to their past meetings until it was cleared up. A nice concept with plenty of twists and turns to keep you thinking. Would companies go to that extreme I wondered then decided that yes, probably, if they were trying to launch that type of product or similar.
My Rating: Overall an enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 06, 2010, 09:08:35 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060002835920.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Eastern Promises |
Year: 2007
Director: David Cronenberg
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl
Overview: After a young teenage mother dies during childbirth, midwife Anna resolves to try to trace the baby's relatives. Guided by the girl's personal diary she meets Semyon, the charming proprietor of a plush Trans-Siberian restaurant who impeccably masks his cold and brutal acts as the head of one of London's most notorious Eastern European crime families. Semyon's volatile son Kirill, who is also part of the Vory V Zakone criminal brotherhood, and the family's mysterious driver, Nikolai, soon cross her path as Anna accidentally unleashes the full fury of the Vory...
Eastern Promises reteams acclaimed director David Cronenberg with his A History of Violence leading man Viggo Mortensen.
Watched: 6th Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: An OK film. Some convenient links between the midwife Anna, Naomi Watts, and the young Eastern European girl. A neatish twist.
My Rating: An OK 3
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on July 06, 2010, 11:45:03 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on July 07, 2010, 12:35:25 AM
I thought Eastern Promises was a very weak film. Such a disappointment after A History Of Violence... http://www.dvdcollectorsonline.com/index.php/topic,971.msg74699.html#msg74699
I thought about a 2 for this but decided that because of the twist I would bump it up to a 3. I did look at your review after I wrote mine as I usually look to see if anyone else has reviewed the films once I have written mine, I find it too easy to copy what other people have said so try to avoid seeing them before mine get posted. Although I own A History of Violence it sadly lives in one of my TBW piles, maybe I need to move it up ready for the H, nope that's reserved for The Hurt Locker, ok then the V, nothing in place for that so far.
Dave
Post by: Antares on July 07, 2010, 12:45:49 AM
I have seen at least a little of one of these spaghetti western movies..but I have no idea which one. It was years and years ago.
Marie all three are very good but as I said above The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is my persoal favourite, but I do enjoy the other 2. I ought to get hold of and watch Yojimbo to see where A Fistful of Dollars and Last Man Standing drew their inspirations from.
Dave
Do you have any plans to watch Leone's best, Once Upon a Time in the West?
Post by: dfmorgan on July 07, 2010, 12:06:59 PM
Do you have any plans to watch Leone's best, Once Upon a Time in the West?
I have got and seen that on DVD
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5014437834836.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Once Upon a Time in the West |
Think I'll have to sort it out and give it a rewatch/review as well as this one
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050070027679.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)A Fistful of Dynamite |
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on July 07, 2010, 12:36:03 PM
Post by: Achim on July 07, 2010, 04:25:54 PM
Glad you're making room for A History Of Violence. Great film. And by the way, I liked Dynamite, but it's nuts... :)a.k.a. "Duck You Sucker"
Dynamite is better than I had originally expected. Given that it is the rather unknown second entry in Leone's Trilogy:
Once Upon a Time in the West
A Fistful of Dynamite
Once Upon a Time in America
It just pales against the other two, really...
Post by: dfmorgan on July 08, 2010, 12:34:49 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582572247.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Forgetting Sarah Marshall |
Year: 2008
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Cast: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand
Overview: Struggling musician Peter Bretter (Jason Segel, Knocked Up, How I Met Your Mother) has spent five long and wonderful years idolising his celebrity girlfriend, television star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars, Heroes). His perfect world comes crashing down when Sarah suddenly dumps him for 'that guy' (Russell Brand) from that band'. But his plan to leave his troubles behind backfires when he arrives to find his worst nightmare has only just begun!
Watched: 7th Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: I was hoping for a good comedy but find this only mildly amusing. Russell Brand played Russell Brand as Russell Brand, I haven't seen too much of him but what I have caught seems to me to be just the same as what he was doing here. Jason Segel I know even less about, just Knocked Up, but he didn't make me want to be on his side. Kristin Bell and Mila Kunis though gave performances I did enjoy. Some of the other supporting cast I recognised from other films and in varying degrees I liked or disliked them.
My Rating: A mildly amusing 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 08, 2010, 12:38:17 PM
Given that it is the rather unknown second entry in Leone's Trilogy:
Once Upon a Time in the West
A Fistful of Dynamite
Once Upon a Time in America
Thanks. Another one to dig out and then watch them in the above order.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 08, 2010, 08:36:03 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5017239151408.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Gamer |
Year: 2009
Director: Neveldine/Taylor
Cast: Gerard Butler, Amber Valleta, Michael C. Hall, Kyra Sedgwick
Overview: Gerard Butler (300, RocknRolla) stars as Kable, condemned criminal and globally famous super-soldier in the ultimate multiplayer game, "Slayers." Human controllers direct each thought and move of real-life prison inmates battling in hyper-intense environments - where the goal is freedom and the penalty is death. But when Kable suddenly decides he wants out, his rebellion threatens the twisted plans of game creator Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall, TV's "Dexter"), who will stop at nothing to crush the renegade commando in this taut, adrenaline-packed action-thriller.
Watched: 8th Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: An interesting concept, an extension of the reality show shown in The Condemned combined with a first person shoot-em-up (fps). Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall) has invented two reality games. The first "Society" allows people to interact via avatars in another enclosed environment except the avatars are real people. "Society" reminded me of the PlayStation3 on-line game PlayStation®Home but taken to a higher level with real people. The second "Slayers" is a fps where again the player is controlling a real person but this time they are trying to kill other real people. The playing pieces in "Slayers" are all convicts trying to win their freedom.
A couple of things came to mind whilst watching this film.
1) When I hear of The Fat Controller from Thomas The Tank Engine now I will have a totally different image than the smart dressed man from the books/TV show.
2) When Kable, Gerard Butler, and his wife are running from the other killers through various parts of the "Society" environment it reminded me of the film Logan's Run when Logan and Jessica are running through their environment trying to escape the other Sandmen.
My Rating: A slightly enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: Achim on July 09, 2010, 06:02:50 AM
The creepiest bit of this film is the weird smile of Butler on the cover :stars:
Post by: dfmorgan on July 09, 2010, 08:42:37 PM
I like the concept of Gamer but thought they could have handled it better. Mainly, I found the "Society" bits highly annoying and thought it went a step to far. The action segments where enjoyable though and Michale C. Hall as the baddy was fine too.
The creepiest bit of this film is the weird smile of Butler on the cover :stars:
True enough Achim. I suppose that they included "Society" to show where he was coming from and further details may well be in the commentary track or the Making Of dissection, I had a quick glance at the Making Of and they seemed to be taking you through the whole film giving a true breakdown of how they made it. Yes the action parts were good and he made a fine baddy. Yes that is one weird smile on his face.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 09, 2010, 09:15:04 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060085366250.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Robo Geisha |
Year: 2009
Director: Noboru Iguchi
Cast: Aya Kiguchi, Hitomi Hasebe, Takumi Saito, Taro Shigaki
Overview: GET READY for the most unashamedly over-the-top and deliriously inventive cinematic experience of your life, as the Japanese masters of movie mayhem achieve a brand new level of JAW-DROPPING CRAZINESS.
To help them achieve their goal of taking over the world, a megalomaniac Japanese businessman and his son recruit a vicious gang of Geisha assassins. These include two feisty sisters with an amazing range of surgically added weapons.
But when one of these Robo-Geishas refuse to kill an innocent group of ex-employees, its butt-blades versus wig napalm and machine breasts against killer-cleaver socks as the assassins take on the Geisha's in one of the most mind-bending movie battles of all time.
Throw in the buildings that bleed, the Giant Castle Robot and the Breast Milk From Hell, and you have a wonderfully insane Kamikaze movie that will have you laughing out loud!
Watched: 9th Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: From the director of The Machine Girl comes this addition to the Japanese Gore Fest. Two sisters become part of gang of Geisha assassins whose bodies have been enhanced with add-on weapons. So instead of drill bras and machine gun arms we have machine gun breasts, breast milk from hell, cleaver socks, armpit swords, mouth swords, butt ninja stars, butt swords and wig napalm. Also the castle of the evil company turns into a Giant Robot Castle leaving a trail of bleeding buildings, in the tradition of Japanese Gore Fest with fountains of blood. Our heroine also transforms into a tank at one point. Stupidly enjoyable :)
My Rating: Slightly better than The Machine Girl so a 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 12, 2010, 07:24:01 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050629134810.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The House Bunny |
Year: 2008
Director: Fred Wolf
Cast: Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Emma Stone, Kat Dennings
Overview: When the mansion’s favourite bunny, Shelley (Anna Faris), is kicked out of the hottest favourite house in town, she gets lost in the wilderness of Beverly Hills. But when she stumbles into the sorriest sorority, Zeta Alpha Zeta, she finds a home where she can finally put her talents to good use. Then when Shelley meets a beau she'd like to tie on for good, she really has something to flirt for and thinks she might have a chance at life on the outside. Now the race is on to make over the girls and make Zeta the hottest house before the University shuts them down. Move in with The House Bunny and laugh your tail off!
Watched: 12th Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: A mildly amusing film. No real surprises.
My Rating: A mildly amusing 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 12, 2010, 07:32:23 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5017239151224.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Inkheart |
Year: 2008
Director: Iain Softley
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Sienna Guillory, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent
Overview: When Mo Folchart reads a story, the characters leap off the page. Literally. And that's a problem. Mo must somehow use his magic powers to send the interlopers back to their own world... and save ours. If ever a task was easier read than done, this is it. Mo and his daughter Meggie, aided by friends real and fictional, plunge into a thrilling quest that pits them against diabolical villains, fantastic beasts and dangers at every turn.
Brendan Fraser (The Mummy films, Journey to the Centre of the Earth) leads a splendid cast (including Academy Award® winners Helen Mirren and Jim Broadbent) in an all-fun, all family film of Cornelia Funke's bestseller.
Watched: 12th Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: An entertaining film. As a person born in the star sign of Capricorn I'm not too sure about Capricorn being a baddy but Andy Serkis came over quite well in that role. I enjoyed this film and am looking forward now to reading the books which are sitting in one of the TBRs pile close to my TBW piles.
My Rating: An enjoyable 4
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 14, 2010, 08:44:05 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/88/8830935001108.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Jodhaa Akbar |
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonu Sood
Overview: Jodhaa Akbar is a sixteenth century epic romance about a marriage of alliance that gave birth to true love between the greatest Muslim Mughal Emperor that rules Hindustan (now India), Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar , and the fiery young Hindu Rajput Princess, Jodhaa.
The film stars Hrithik Roshan as Emperor Akbar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Princess Jodhaa.
Watched: 13th/14th Jul. 2010
My Thoughts: Following Asoka and Black this is my third Bollywood film, the second one full blown with song and dance. An immensely enjoyable experience although I couldn't watch it in one sitting, my own fault as I didn't start until 21:30ish on the 13th and at 214mins it wouldn't have finished until 01:00ish. Putting aside the song and dances, there were only 5 or 6 not sure if that is the average, this was a very enjoyable historical drama/romance. There were some decent battle scenes but I wasn't too sure about the sizes of the armies and the distances and locations that they fought in.
My Rating: A very enjoyable 4
Dave
Post by: Tom on July 14, 2010, 09:00:22 PM
Seeing that you like "Jodhaa Akbar", I think Bollywood movies could be generally something for you. My first Bollywood movie I have seen was also with Hrithik Roshan. It was "Krrish", Bollywood's first superhero movie since "Mr. India" from the 80s. He is quite famous and have seen Krrish referenced in a few other modern Bollywood movies.
5 or 6 songs per movie is about the correct average. Especially for the 3h+ kind. A lot of modern Bollywood movies are shorter now. They clock in at around 2.5h.
Another movie I have on my wishlist is "Lagaan". Of what I have read, I think you would enjoy it as you like "Jodhaa Akbar". It's by the same director.
Post by: dfmorgan on July 15, 2010, 10:29:23 AM
What did you think of "Asoka"? I have this one on my wishlist, but I haven't bought it yet, because the better DVD releases I have seen have the shorter 169 min cut on it. As far as I know there is a 180 min cut.Asoka is one I went to the cinema to see when it came out here, October 2001 according to IMDb. From what I can recall I did enjoy it but for some reason I never transferred that into a DVD purchase, it is very probable that I was cutting back on purchases when that came out on DVD.
Quote
Seeing that you like "Jodhaa Akbar", I think Bollywood movies could be generally something for you. My first Bollywood movie I have seen was also with Hrithik Roshan. It was "Krrish", Bollywood's first superhero movie since "Mr. India" from the 80s. He is quite famous and have seen Krrish referenced in a few other modern Bollywood movies.Thanks, I will give them a go. I have Love Aaj Kal to watch and Race on pre-order. I will also look into the reviews here.
Quote
5 or 6 songs per movie is about the correct average. Especially for the 3h+ kind. A lot of modern Bollywood movies are shorter now. They clock in at around 2.5h.Ok thanks for that. Yes I heard good things about Lagaan
Another movie I have on my wishlist is "Lagaan". Of what I have read, I think you would enjoy it as you like "Jodhaa Akbar". It's by the same director.
Dave
Post by: kahless on July 15, 2010, 10:44:17 AM
[...]
Ok thanks for that. Yes I heard good things about Lagaan
Dave
"Lagaan" is really recommended! I like that movie - it was one of my first Bollywood movies I've seen on tv. :thumbup:
Post by: dfmorgan on July 15, 2010, 09:35:42 PM
"Lagaan" is really recommended! I like that movie - it was one of my first Bollywood movies I've seen on tv. :thumbup:
Thanks, copy now ordered and apparently has been despatched from amazon marketplace. Although I may have gone over the top as I ordered a 3 disc LE ???
Dave
Post by: Tom on July 17, 2010, 11:53:32 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on July 17, 2010, 08:09:02 PM
I finally came around and ordered Lagaan myself. I want to use it for my "L" in the alphabet marathon now.
Looking forward to your review of it. I will try to watch my copy soon.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 17, 2010, 08:09:39 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060085366106.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Kung Fu Dunk |
Year: 2008
Director: Kevin Chu
Cast: Jay Chou, Eric Tsang, Charlene Choi
Overview: Hot on the heels of SHAOLIN SOCCER, Kung Fu Dunk is a dazzling collision of hi-impact martial arts and re-hot sports action from the action-director of HERO and HOUSE OF THE FLYING DAGGERS.
Orphaned from birth, Jay is raised in a martial arts school, and becomes a prodigious master in the ancient art of Kung Fu. When he is expelled for overshadowing his teachers in an epic showdown, he quickly learns that lightning fast reflexes are good for more than just fighting, and agrees to play for the college basketball team in exchange for information on his long-lost family.
After a dazzling display of backboard-breaking slam-dunks, alley-oops and gravity-defying circus-shots, he emerges triumphant as the team’s new star-player. However, when faced with a headlong race to the finals against a team of legendary brutality, he soon discovers that skill alone will not bring home the gold...
Showcasing the breathtaking talents of one of action-cinema’s brightest new stars, KUNG FU DUNK delivers a high-velocity, hoop-tastic thrill-ride that will have you cheering for overtime!
Watched: 17th Jul 2010
My Thoughts: An enjoyable martial arts/sports romp, although not heavy on the martial arts. No real surprises to catch you unawares.
My Rating: A basic enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 20, 2010, 09:02:04 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060116722024.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)The Last Legion |
Year: 2007
Director: Doug Lefler
Cast: Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Aishwarya Rai
Overview:
THE END OF AN EMPIRE
THE BEGINNING OF A LEGEND
THE UNTOLD STORY OF EXCALIBUR
AD 476. The Roman Empire is crumbling and the last Emperor, Romulus, is fleeing for his life. His only safety is to be found in the hands of his bodyguard and an enigmatic Byzantine warrior. His only sanctuary lies in the far-flung western outpost of Britannia, it is a perilous trek across a continent in search of a long forgotten elite legion of Roman soldiers.
When Rome is sacked by an army of Goths, the Empire Romulus was born to rule falls, now a new myth, destined to span the centuries, is waiting to rise.
Imprisoned and desperate, Romulus's destiny unravels as he discovers a mythical sword holding an ancient prophecy.
Watched: 20th Jul 2010
My Thoughts: To be honest I was expecting a hack and slash or sword and sorcery film but in the end this turned out to be a quite enjoyable romp through Roman history at the end of the Roman empire and leading to the Arthurian legend. Everything and everyone seemed to come together and play out well.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 23, 2010, 09:08:07 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055002554933.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Management |
Year: 2009
Director: Stephen Belber
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Woody Harrelson
Overview: From Jennifer Aniston and the producer of 'Sliding Doors' comes a romantic comedy that shows love just who's boss!
When straight talking business woman Sue Claussen checks in for a single night at the roadside motel owned by Mike's family in Arizona, what starts with a bottle of dreadful champagne "compliments of the management" evolves into a bumpy ride toward true love. Eventually.
You see, Mike's an aimless dreamer and bets his whole life all on a trip to visit Sue across the continent in Maryland – only to find she has no place for his impulsive charms in her carefully ordered, buttoned down life. Obsessed with making a difference in the wold, Sue has gone back to her yogurt mogul ex-boyfriend Jango. But Mike's not convinced.
Having found the love of his life, Mike pits everything he has against Sue's safe, conservative existence. Only then might he persuade her that their place in the world just might be together.
Watched: 23rd Jul 2010
My Thoughts: A rom-com that doesn't really surprise in any shape or form. The protaganists meet and part and meet and part and finally meet again. During the final time apart they come to realise aspects about themselves that they change ready for the finale.
My Rating: I wanted to like this but only a 2
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 25, 2010, 12:17:57 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582769272.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Nanny McPhee & the Big Bang |
Year: 2010
Director: Susanna White
Cast: Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rhys Ifans
Overview: Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang is the next chapter of the hilarious, magical and heartwarming fable that has enchanted children around the world.
Emma Thompson returns as the mysterious nanny who appears when she's needed the most and wanted the least. This time, she finds herself at a family farm where mayhem has broken out between some boisterous country children and their spoilt city cousins.
Relying on everything from a flying motorcycle to a tree-climbing piglet, Nanny McPhee conjures up just the right formula to teach her charges five new lessons.
Watched: 24th Jul 2010
My Thoughts: A fairly enjoyable romp. A decent retread of the original Nanny McPhee. Everyone seemed to play their parts as caricatures especially Rhys Ifans as the spivvish Uncle with shades of Flash 'arry from St. Trinian's, Minder's Arthur Daley and the spiv in Dad's Army. But overall enjoyable.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: Dragonfire on July 25, 2010, 12:20:39 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on July 26, 2010, 12:11:22 AM
I want to see this one. It hasn't even been in the theater here yet. I think it is just going to be called Nanny McPhee returns when it is out here.
Yes IMDb shows that as the US title. I hope you enjoy it, I'm presuming that you saw the first one.
Dave
Post by: Dragonfire on July 26, 2010, 12:12:23 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on July 26, 2010, 08:13:42 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050629247732.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Ong Bak: The Beginning |
Year: 2009
Director: Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai
Cast: Tony Jaa, Sarunyu Wongkrajang, Sorapong Chatree
Overview: MARTIAL ARTS LEGEND TONY JAA IS BAK!
This jaw-dropping new film features some of the most breathtaking fight sequences ever seen. Battling his own demons, Tien (Tony Jaa), must fight to avenge the slaughter of his beloved family. Trained by vicious outlaws, he evolves into a dangerous and feared warrior, his lethal skills perfected to the point where he is able to exact a terrible revenge on the men responsible for the murder of those closest to him. Following the ground breaking global success of 'Ong Bak' and 'Warrior King', Tony Jaa once again brings his sensational skills to bear in one of the most eagerly anticipated martial arts films of recent years.
Watched: 26th Jul 2010
My Thoughts: I've enjoyed the other Tony Jaa films I've seen and in general enjoy martial arts films but this film hmmmm. I don't know whether it was because Tony Jaa wrote, directed and produced this film but it seemed to me to be disjointed. There was plenty of action and weapons but it was almost as if the actions scenes were all filmed and then they had to make up a story to combine them and if necessary repeat a flashback to take up a bit more time. Then the ending seemed to be - OK we've reached 90mins so we'd better end this somehow so let's have confusion from stupid plot devices and end with no clear resolution.
My Rating: I wanted it to be a 3 but overall wasn't enjoyable enough
Dave
Post by: Achim on July 27, 2010, 03:20:39 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on July 27, 2010, 11:42:20 AM
Did you know that Tony Jaa disappeared (without telling anyone) into the jungle half-way through production, try to "find himself" or something like that? I believe prodiction had to shut down for quite some time. Interestingly it's not on IMDb Trivia page, but googling it yielded some results.
Nope I wasn't aware of that. I'll have to have a look around into that. Thanks :thanks:
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 29, 2010, 09:49:46 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060052417916.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Passengers |
Year: 2008
Director: Rodrigo Garcia
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Patrick Wilson, Andre Braugher
Overview: After a plane crash, a young therapist, Claire (Oscar® Nominee* Anne Hathaway, Rachael Getting Married, The Devil Wears Prada), is assigned by her mentor (Andre Braugher, The MIst, City Of Angels) to help the flight's five survivors. When they share their recollections of the incident - which include an explosion that the airline insists didn't happen - Claire is intrigued by Eric (Patrick Wilson, Watchmen, Hard Candy), the most secretive of the passengers. Just as Claire's professional relationship with Eric grows into a deeper connection - against her better judgment - the survivors, one by one, begin to disappear mysteriously... and Claire suspects that Eric may hold all the answers. Claire becomes determined to uncover the truth, no matter the consequences.
Watched: 29th Jul 2010
My Thoughts: A fairly standard psychological thriller with a number of twists in its tail. The first twist is more or less given away with the tag-line of the front cover. The second twist I didn't expect but the third I did sort of guess.
My Rating: Overall enjoyableish and a 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 30, 2010, 10:56:58 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055002555237.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Banquet |
Year: 2006
Director: Feng Xiaogang
Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Ge You, Daniel Wu
Overview: A spectacular, dazzling and bloody re-imagining of Shakespeare's legendary Hamlet, 'The Baquet' is an epic tale of revenge, violence and betrayal.
Locked in a loveless marriage Empress Wan (International superstar Zhang Ziyi) is desperate to keep her forbidden love for Prince Wu Luan (Daniel Wu), from a family divided by cruelty and oppression. When the Emperor suddenly dies, his conniving younger brother Li takes up the throne forcing Wan to marry him. Convinced that this is the only way to protect all she loves from being destroyed by this new power hungry tyrant, Wan agrees.
But Wu Luan refuses to see his love snatched away through such evil, greed and deception. After repeated attempts on his life amid furious confrontations with the new Emperor's imperial assassins, Wu Luan resolves to return to the palace and take revenge for himself, his beloved and a nation in the grip of a murderous madman.
Featuring astonishing, career-topping action from the infamous Yuen Wo Ping ('Kill Bill', 'The Matrix' and 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon') and a cast featuring some of Asia's most acclaimed cinema icons, 'The Banquet' is like no other epic you have ever witnessed.
Watched: 30th. Jul 2010
My Thoughts: As a martial arts film this was wordy, probably due to it being based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, rather than loads of action but I thought it was quite well done though. The action choreography seemed to be more balletic (is that a word) with many spins, pirouettes, leaps and bounds as well as the obligatory cut and thrust. I don't know if there is a longer director's cut, I couldn't find any reference to one, but this film ends with an unresolved murder.
My Rating: I did enjoy it so a 3
Dave
ETA missing word than after rather and before loads - which now kinda changes the meaning of what I wrote :-[
Post by: Najemikon on July 30, 2010, 11:33:45 PM
I do find Zhang adorable and she was stunning in 2046.
Post by: dfmorgan on July 31, 2010, 12:28:10 AM
Dave, have you seen other "wuxia" movies? For example, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero, The House of Flying Daggers, etc. I wondered how The Banquet compares.
I do find Zhang adorable and she was stunning in 2046.
Yep to question 1 and Yep to statement 2.
How does it compare? As I said above I did find it wordier than usual with what seemed to be less action, n.b I have edited the review - I had left out an important word which I only noticed when I started this reply. The action was beautifully choreographed and included all the usual leap, bounds, floating through air that those other 3 films had. When they were in the open it was marvellous but then when they transferred back into the palace then the action was more confined, when used, and instead you got the political machinations between the various parties. Personally I'd rate those three higher than this and maybe have this alongside Curse of the Golden Flower which again seemed to me to be less action more words.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on July 31, 2010, 08:21:01 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050629894516.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Rachel Getting Married |
Year: 2008
Director: Jonathan Demme
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin
Overview: When Kym (Anne Hathaway) returns to the Buchman family home for the wedding of her sister Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt), she brings a long history of personal crisis, family conflict and tragedy along with her. The wedding couple's abundant party of friends and relations have gathered for a joyful weekend of feasting, music and love, but Kym – with her biting one-liners and flair for bombshell drama – is a catalyst for long-simmering tensions in the family dynamic. Filled with the rich and eclectic characters that remain a hallmark of Jonathan Demme's films, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED paints a heartfelt, perceptive and sometimes hilarious family portrait.
Watched: 31st. Jul 2010
My Thoughts: hmmmm what do I say. I find this a strange film to write about here. Did I enjoy it? No. I found the whole environment grating, I honestly have to say that I hope I never go to a wedding with all that kerfuffle. Aspects of the wedding had no rhyme or reason like why all the Indian bits and bobs with the Indian meals, sari's for the bride and bridesmaids, Indian elephant shaped wedding cake flavoured with tumeric and using a kukri to cut the cake. Then the reception with about 10 different bands and performers. The cast came over well and must have put in good performances to get such a reaction.
My Rating: Can't say I really enjoyed it but it's better than a 2
Dave
ETC a typo
Post by: Najemikon on July 31, 2010, 08:35:10 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on July 31, 2010, 08:42:30 PM
This film has been discussed at some length before. I was much the same as you. I thought it was actually quite brilliant, but I just couldn't get past the characters and that awful wedding.
Yep just been reading through some of the discussion, interesting viewpoints but then again that goes to show the difference between different people after viewing the same item. If we all liked and thought exactly the same then what a boring world this would be.
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on July 31, 2010, 09:20:49 PM
But I hadn't considered Surrey before... ;)
Post by: dfmorgan on July 31, 2010, 09:53:36 PM
But I hadn't considered Surrey before... ;)
Glad I live in Herts. :P
One film that came to mind whilst watching this was Black and how the sibling rivalry was handled there. I don't recall whether it was ever stated which sister was the elder but it was obvious that there had been and was still rivalry between them. Kym with her addiction and the accident made her front and centre in the family circle. She then went away for hospitalisation and re-hab which allowed Rachel to move into the family spotlight. Now with the impending wedding Kym comes back and takes back the family spotlight and as far as Rachel is concerned seems to be trying to take over the full wedding cycle spotlight. This leads to conflict and we do see some resolution but not all by the time Kym departs back to re-hab.
In both films the rivalry comes to its head at the pre-wedding dinner but in Black it had been shown but not stated until the blow-up whereas in this film we have to get the rivalry from the off as we meet everyone just before the pre-wedding dinner and we have to learn of other causes of the conflict. By the time of the wedding the sisters had resolved their differences in both films but here there was still some outstanding family confilct left unresolved.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on August 01, 2010, 11:43:08 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366801942.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Sky Crawlers |
Year: 2008
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Cast: Ryō Kase, Rinko Kikuchi, Shōsuke Tanihara
Overview: From Mamoru Oshii, the world-acclaimed director of Ghost In the Shell, comes an award-winning story of an exciting but endless war with heroes too young to understand the meaning of their battles.
A group of eternally young fighter pilots known as Kildren expreience the sudden loss of innocence as they battle the enemy in astonishing dogfights above the clouds. With his only childhood memory consisting of intense flight training, the fearless teenage pilot Yuichi's dogfights coexist with his struggle to find his missing past.
When his beautiful, young female commander Suito is reluctant to discuss the fate of the pilot that Yuichi is replacing – or the strangely perfect condition of that pilot's former aircraft – Yuichi's curiosity becomes heightened.
Watched: 31st. Jul 2010
My Thoughts: A strange anime. Mamoru Oshii appears to have used multiple film techniques with this film. There appears to be real film backgrounds, CGI animation and traditional cel animation in use at various times plus apparently all the aerial sequences were filmed in 3D-CGI. Much of the cel animation is used within the character interaction and ground based sequences and is very flat with very little depth.
The film itself is set in an alternate history where wars are now fought between corporations to avoid harm to the populace. The combatants in the wars are easily replaced clones called Kildren. This film is about a fighter pilot Yuichi Kannami. Yuichi is deployed to a front-line squadron and upon arrival he tries to find out about his predecessor.
My Rating: An overall 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on August 08, 2010, 09:24:54 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582786354.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Psycho |
Year: 1960
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles
Overview: After 50 years the ultimate nightmare returns in stunning high definition on Blu-ray, with superior picture, spine-chilling sound plus a host of extras. More chilling than ever before, Alfred Hitchcock's landmark masterpiece of the macabre stars Anthony Perkins as the troubled Norman Bates, whose old dark house and adjoining motel are not the place to spend a quiet evening. No one knows that better than Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), the ill-fated traveller whose journey ends in the notorious shower scene. First a private detective (Martin Balsam), then Marion's sister (Vera Miles) search for her as the horror and suspense mount to a terrifying climax where the mysterious killer is finally revealed.
Watched: 7th. Aug 2010
My Thoughts: OK this is only the second Hitchcock film I have seen all the way through, the other being The Birds although that was many years ago, and to be honest this film has left me feeling underwhelmed. I knew about the infamous shower scene from this and also via the many spoofs of it, maybe that is what did it for me or maybe I had my expectations set too high. It was nice and suspenseful up to murder one and then built up again nicely to murder two but then seemed to tail off to its conclusion.
My Rating: Although I can't say I enjoyed this I will watch it again so I will mark it a 3
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on August 08, 2010, 09:27:45 PM
"3"? That's "3"? For Psycho? :o
Post by: dfmorgan on August 08, 2010, 09:30:52 PM
:baffled: :heat: :shutup: :wacko: :weirdo:Yep for sure. I was toying with a 2 but thought that the film was better than that even though I didn't really enjoy it. As i said above it was suspenseful but then tailed off as far as I was concerned.
"3"? That's "3"? For Psycho? :o
Dave
Post by: Tom on August 08, 2010, 09:37:14 PM
Post by: Najemikon on August 08, 2010, 09:40:04 PM
Even I liked Psycho :laugh:
I was just going to say exactly that! :hysterical: Dave has the honour of being the only person so far to give the film a kicking, on this forum at least. Ah, well. Good to have an opposing view I suppose. :headscratch:
Shame it's wrong. :tease:
Post by: dfmorgan on August 08, 2010, 09:42:50 PM
Even I liked Psycho :laugh:
Just looked at the other reviews here and it seems I am in a very, very small minority. Just wonder what would have happened if I had stuck with my first thought of a 2
. :whistle: Dave
Post by: snowcat on August 08, 2010, 09:45:23 PM
Post by: Najemikon on August 08, 2010, 10:01:44 PM
Even I liked Psycho :laugh:
Just looked at the other reviews here and it seems I am in a very, very small minority. Just wonder what would have happened if I had stuck with my first thought of a 2
Dave
:laugh:
That would have just been silly! The basic structure of the film is so brilliant it deserves more than that. Emma remarks the second half better than the first, but I find the scene in the office such a brilliant narrative trick that it's very hard to call. For Hitchcock to do that, at that time, is one of the most audacious moves in mainstream cinema and has never been so successful since (Tarantino tried it most recently with Death Proof). It could easily have killed off his career, but for his habit of involving the audience, so you would feel like part of the film even when you're being manipulated. With Peeping Tom in the same year, Michael Powell was just as audacious and that did ruin him. Another brilliant film that suddenly I find difficult to recommend to Dave! ;)
Post by: dfmorgan on August 08, 2010, 10:24:58 PM
With Peeping Tom in the same year, Michael Powell was just as audacious and that did ruin him. Another brilliant film that suddenly I find difficult to recommend to Dave! ;)
Amazon UK have the special editon from 2007 for a fiver. Should I go for it?
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on August 09, 2010, 12:30:45 AM
I don't want to speak for Emma, but while all great films get better with each viewing and occasionally some are so brilliant you need to seem them twice at least, Psycho should grab you by the balls on the first viewing. Otherwise you'll only ever appreciate it, never love it.
I mean, I doubt you'll ever get from a grudging 3 to an enthusiastic 5! :laugh: but whatever, its horses for courses at the end of day. If you're the opposite of Tom, you may enjoy Rear Window or Vertigo more.
Post by: dfmorgan on August 09, 2010, 12:39:53 AM
You might as well at that price, Dave. It would be interesting for you to compare at least.
Order placed
Quote
I don't want to speak for Emma, but while all great films get better with each viewing and occasionally some are so brilliant you need to seem them twice at least, Psycho should grab you by the balls on the first viewing. Otherwise you'll only ever appreciate it, never love it.
I mean, I doubt you'll ever get from a grudging 3 to an enthusiastic 5! :laugh: but whatever, its horses for courses at the end of day. If you're the opposite of Tom, you may enjoy Rear Window or Vertigo more.
Yeah a 5 might be far away but possibly a 4 could appear. I'll have to give more thought to Hitchcock and maybe get a few more, this being the only one I own and as I already said The Birds is the only other one I can say I've watched all the way through, but that must have been on TV as I don't own it on any format :(
Dave
Post by: Tom on August 09, 2010, 12:56:21 AM
I mean, I doubt you'll ever get from a grudging 3 to an enthusiastic 5! :laugh: but whatever, its horses for courses at the end of day. If you're the opposite of Tom, you may enjoy Rear Window or Vertigo more.
I quite liked Vertigo. It got a 4 from me. That I didn't quite enjoy Rear Window was also surprise to me. This is one of Hitch's I expected to enjoy very much.
Post by: goodguy on August 09, 2010, 10:54:05 AM
Dave has the honour of being the only person so far to give the film a kicking, on this forum at least.
While I didn't give Psycho a proper kicking, I posted my rating (
) in the Hitchcock thread. That's entirely subjective - I do agree with some of the points Jon made about the merits of this film (here and in his review), but I can't bring myself to care.
Post by: dfmorgan on August 11, 2010, 07:57:25 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8901736012935.39f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India |
Year: 2001
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne
Overview: Queen Victoria's India. The year is 1893. Champaner… a small farming village in Central India. On the outskirts of the village stands a British cantonment, commanded by Captain Russell (Paul Blackthorne) - an arrogant and capricous man who wields the power of life and death over the villages under his jurisdiction.
'LAGAAN' - a story of a battle without bloodshed.
Fought by a group of unlikely heroes led by Bhuvan (Aamir Khan), an enigmatic young farmer with courage born of conviction - and a dream in his heart. Helped by Elizabeth (Rachel Shelley), an English rose who came to India and lost her heart, and Bhuvan's pillar of strength, Gauri (Gracy Singh), the young and perky village girl who dreams only of a home with the man she loves.
A story of extraordinary circumstances thrust upon ordinary people. Adversity faces with fortitude and injustice with dignity. Faith and courage come face to face with arrogance and ruthlessness… and the human spirit triumphs.
Watched: 11th. Aug 2010
My Thoughts: An enjoyable film. I thought that maybe I had seen it before but was pleased to find that I hadn't. An over-bearing boorish English army officer, Captain Russell (Paul Blackthorne), takes pleasure in belittleing the locals. The local villages are in the middle of a long drought and Captain Russell decides to double the taxes (Lagaan). When challenged by the local villagers, led by Bhuvan (Aamir Khan), he decides to play them in a game of cricket with an important condition, the penalty being triple taxes if the Army win and no taxes for 3 years if the locals win. There is also a sort of love triangle for Bhuvan between Elizabeth (Rachel Shelley), the sister of the Captain, and Gauri (Gracy Singh) a local village girl.
My Rating: A very enjoyable 4
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on August 15, 2010, 12:34:09 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060034577935.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Peeping Tom |
Year: 1960
Director: Michael Powell
Cast: Carl Boehm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey
Overview: From Michael Powell, the acclaimed director of A Matter of Life and Death and The Red Shoes, comes one of the most controversial films ever made in Britain, and a masterpiece of psychological terror.
By day, Mark Lewis (Carl Boehm) works as a focus-puller in a film studio, supplementing his income by shooting glamour photographs for a seedy Soho newsagent. By night he seeks victims for his gruesome obsession with filming the look of pure, unadulterated fear – the legacy of his fathers sadistic experiments on him as a child.
Released in 1960, shortly before Hitchcock's equally shocking Psycho, the film was praised by the leading trade paper Kine Weekly as 'at once tender as well as horrifying'. But it provoked British critics into a fury of disgust: 'the sickest and filthiest film I can remember seeing' (The Spectator); while Tribune wanted it 'flushed swiftly down the nearest sewer'.
Powell's career never recovered from the scandal. But twenty years later, Peeping Tom was hailed as a misunderstood masterpiece – especially by filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese and Bertrand Tavernier – and today its wit and beauty, as well as its insight into the voyeurism of cinema, have made it a modern classic.
Watched: 14th. Aug 2010
My Thoughts: OK not a film I can say I enjoyed however I did find it to be interesting. There are obvious similarities to Psycho, released the same year, in that the protagonist has been twisted by an overbearing parent and that they then go on to murder people. However whilst in Psycho we don't get clarity on the murderer until near the end of the film here we meet him committing his first offence at the beginning. Unlike Psycho this film kept me interested through to its completion. Hard to believe that it caused such a furore when it was released, especially when you look to todays offerings in the Saw franchise and those from the Hostel and The Grudge stables, but it did and effectively killed off Michael Powell's career.
My Rating: An interesting 4
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on August 15, 2010, 01:51:29 PM
Not so hard to believe when you consider that the Saw and Hostel movies are empty gimmicks, designed for an audience who know what they are in for. But it isn't about graphic violence and the real reason is very simple.
(http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Peeping Tom
Hard to believe that it caused such a furore when it was released, especially when you look to todays offerings in the Saw franchise and those from the Hostel and The Grudge stables, but it did and effectively killed off Michael Powell's career.
Narratives have an "emotional focus"; the character that the writer/director wants us to identify with and older films were structured in a very disciplined manner that such things were absolutely vital. Powell's conceit of filming from the point of view of the killer forces the viewer to -for want of a better word- sympathise with him. It exposes the voyeuristic nature in the audience and there is nowhere to hide. It doesn't matter that the killings aren't graphic. It was still a step too far for audiences of the day and if you think about it, what film since has tried the same trick with such commitment and elegance? Shame that Powell suffered for it because he was nothing short of a genius.
This is why I have always linked Peeping Tom and Psycho. What Hitchcock did with his film was just as audacious, working again with the emotional focus by asking the audience to follow this lead character, understand her, imagine where she might end up... oh. Hold on. What just happened in the shower? That can't be right!
There is no finer example of the idea that Hitchcock considered himself an audience member. It's like he's gleefully trying to scare himself as much as us while telling us a story. If you follow the same train of thought, Powell clearly wanted to disturb the viewer, hold a mirror up and ask us to take a good long look at who we really are. It came out before Psycho, but it's almost as if he's telling audiences off for enjoying such thoughts and exposing them as voyeurs. Clearly no-one wanted to be told off!
Antares will detest me for saying this after taling about Powell, but it's this kind of playfulness I like about Tarantino. He messes with the viewers perception quite brilliantly in the notorious ear-slicing scene in Reservoir Dogs.
Post by: Antares on August 15, 2010, 07:08:47 PM
Not so hard to believe when you consider that the Saw and Hostel movies are empty gimmicks, designed for an audience who know what they are in for. But it isn't about graphic violence and the real reason is very simple.
Narratives have an "emotional focus"; the character that the writer/director wants us to identify with and older films were structured in a very disciplined manner that such things were absolutely vital. Powell's conceit of filming from the point of view of the killer forces the viewer to -for want of a better word- sympathise with him. It exposes the voyeuristic nature in the audience and there is nowhere to hide. It doesn't matter that the killings aren't graphic. It was still a step too far for audiences of the day and if you think about it, what film since has tried the same trick with such commitment and elegance? Shame that Powell suffered for it because he was nothing short of a genius.
This is why I have always linked Peeping Tom and Psycho. What Hitchcock did with his film was just as audacious, working again with the emotional focus by asking the audience to follow this lead character, understand her, imagine where she might end up... oh. Hold on. What just happened in the shower? That can't be right!
There is no finer example of the idea that Hitchcock considered himself an audience member. It's like he's gleefully trying to scare himself as much as us while telling us a story. If you follow the same train of thought, Powell clearly wanted to disturb the viewer, hold a mirror up and ask us to take a good long look at who we really are. It came out before Psycho, but it's almost as if he's telling audiences off for enjoying such thoughts and exposing them as voyeurs. Clearly no-one wanted to be told off!
Very well put. Peeping Tom is one of the great, yet virtually unknown horror films in the history of that medium. Other films would follow decades later that put you in the killer's head, but those would glorify the gratuitous nature of the deed's shown. This film did it with subtlety.
Antares will detest me for saying this after talking about Powell, but it's this kind of playfulness I like about Tarantino. He messes with the viewers perception quite brilliantly in the notorious ear-slicing scene in Reservoir Dogs.
It was a great read until this...mentioning Tarantino in the same breath as Powell is akin to speaking the names of Jayson Blair and Edward R. Murrow in regards to journalistic integrity.
(click to show/hide)
Post by: dfmorgan on August 15, 2010, 10:29:00 PM
Thanks for the comments Jon and Antares. I shall go away and cogitate upon them.
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on August 15, 2010, 10:47:57 PM
Thanks for the comments Jon and Antares. I shall go away and cogitate upon them.
Well, you just make sure you clean up afterwards. ???
:tease:
It was a great read until this...mentioning Tarantino in the same breath as Powell is akin to speaking the names of Jayson Blair and Edward R. Murrow in regards to journalistic integrity.(click to show/hide)
:laugh:
If I knew who Jayson Blair was... :P
Post by: Antares on August 15, 2010, 10:52:18 PM
If I knew who Jayson Blair was... :P
From Wikipedia...Jayson Blair (born March 23, 1976) is a former American reporter for The New York Times. He resigned from the newspaper in May 2003, in the wake of plagiarism and fabrication being discovered within his stories.
(click to show/hide)
Post by: Najemikon on August 15, 2010, 11:01:03 PM
Just sayin'. :-X :laugh:
Post by: Antares on August 15, 2010, 11:12:30 PM
Oh, that was quite a clever link then. :P By the way, I noted your lack of using that word in your recent Magnificent Seven review.
Just sayin'. :-X :laugh:
Actually that's an old review from my DVDSpot days. I'm really not too keen on it, and I plan to edit and rework it a bit sometime in the future.
Oh, and Sturges wasn't paying homage to Kurosawa. He was asked by Brynner to to make a western version of the samurai classic. So homage is not even a word to be bandied about when it comes to those two films.
Post by: dfmorgan on August 22, 2010, 12:27:08 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366508742.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Chanbara Beauty |
Year: 2008
Director: Youhei Fukuda
Cast: Eri Otoguro, Manami Hashimoto, Chise Nakamura
Overview: Based on a hack-n-slash video game series, the story revolves around a scantily-clad girl named Aya (Eri Otoguro), her little sister Saki (Chise Nakamura), and a mysterious gun-toting leather chick named Reiko (Manami Hashimoto) who must protect their dystopic metropolis from a marauding zombie attack. This itchy, twitchy, finger-popping, head-lopping hoedown will leave you absolutely breathless!
Watched: 21st. Aug 2010
My Thoughts: A mad scientist trying to prolong life is producing zombies from his experiments. An encampment has been overrun by zombies when a cowboy hat wearing girl arrives with her sidekick. Aya (Eri Otoguro) takes on the mass of zombies and manages to despatch many of them with her sword. Aya continues to fight on and is then joined by a leather clad girl, Reiko (Manami Hashimoto), armed with a self-loading shotgun. It turns out that Aya is looking for her younger sister, Saki (Chise Nakamura), who is being used by the mad scientist whilst her sidekick is looking for his sister who had been abducted by Saki. Reiko meanwhile is looking for the mad scientist so the three join together in their quests.
My Rating: An enjoyable little diversion for a 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on August 22, 2010, 09:54:19 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5017239151590.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Solomon Kane |
Year: 2009
Director: Michael J. Bassett
Cast: James Purefoy, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Pete Postlethwaite
Overview: Solomon Kane is a brutally efficient 16th Century killing machine. Armed with his signature pistols, cutlass and rapier he and his men unleash bloodlust as they fight for England in war after war across all continents. Things change when Kane is visited by the Devil's reaper, dispatched from the depths of hell to lay claim on his corrupt soul. Solomon has to redeem himself by renouncing violence and devoting himself to a life of peace. As Kane embarks on his newfound spirituality he has to face the ultimate test when he begins his journey across an England ravaged by diabolical human Raiders. Will he jeopardise his own soul by re-embracing his murderous talents for a higher cause?
Watched: 22nd. Aug 2010
My Thoughts: Based on the Solomon Kane stories by Robert E. Howard. We meet Kane (James Purefoy) as an adventurer fighting for queen and country. However the Grim Reaper is waiting for him to reclaim his soul for the Devil. Kane escapes from the Reaper and returns to England where he takes sanctuary in a monastery and renounces his killing ways. The abbot has a vision and expells Kane and tells him to return to his ancestral home. On his journey there Kane befriends a puritan family on their way to the new world. This family is attacked and the daughter (Rachel Hurd-Wood) is taken prisoner. Kane is assured by the father's dying breath that he will be redeemed if he frees the girl even though he has taken up arms again. Kane now pursues the attackers.
My Rating: I found this to be enjoyable action for the most part so a 4
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on August 29, 2010, 09:13:29 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050629263930.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Legion |
Year: 2010
Director: Scott Stewart
Cast: Paul Bettany, Lucas Black, Tyrese Gibson
Overview: At a remote desert truck stop, the fate of mankind will be decided. The armies of evil are massing and the only thing standing in their way is the Archangel Michael (Paul Bettany, THE DA VINCI CODE). Fully armed and ready for battle, he is joined by a group of strangers who are about to become unwitting soldiers on the frontline of the Apocalypse. Their mission: protect a waitress and her sacred unborn child from the relentless, bloody siege of the demonic legion. With a cast that includes Dennis Quaid (G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA), Tyrese Gibson (TRANSFORMERS) and Lucas Black (JARHEAD), get ready for the ultimate fight between good and evil.
Watched: 28th. Aug 2010
My Thoughts: An OK film. Mildly enjoyable good versus evil fare. It has a couple of examples of the standard demonic possession move of running up the wall and along the ceiling if that takes your fancy.
My Rating: A little better than a
so a Dave
edited to correct Bettany
Post by: Najemikon on August 29, 2010, 09:58:40 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on August 29, 2010, 10:27:25 PM
I think that is literally the best review I've seen of Legion... ;)
Cool, see I can get some things right :D
Dave
Post by: Mustrum_Ridcully on August 30, 2010, 12:05:17 AM
I think that is literally the best review I've seen of Legion... ;)Me too, usually it gets something between 0 and 0.5 from 100 possible.
The problem with me is, that because of the normally very discouraging ratings I now started to be very curious if "Legion" is really as bad as the reviewers say. :bag: :bag:
Post by: Achim on August 30, 2010, 06:44:47 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on September 05, 2010, 09:54:51 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050629197112.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within |
Year: 2001
Director: Hironobu Sakaguchi
Cast: Ming-Na, Alec Baldwin, Ving Rhames
Overview: The year is 2065. A meteor has crashed into Earth unleashing millions of alien creatures who roam the earth, decimating field and city alike, threatening to extinguish life itself. Prepare to be spellbound by an amazing woman, the brave individuals at her side and an astouning mission to save the Earth - all in cutting-edge CGI!
Watched: 4th. Sep 2010
My Thoughts: Upon release this film set the benchmark for CGI animation and when I watched the DVD in late 2001 I was blown away. Now rewatching on Blu-ray Disc I find that it is still an enjoyable film with the Blu generally adding to the picture but some bits seem flat. The hair flicking around and other such effects still stood the test but the facial expressions and much of the background seemed to me to be flat in comparison. The dream sequences though appeared a tad sharper especially with the shot from beneath Dr. Aki standing in the puddle.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on September 11, 2010, 12:21:36 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582787771.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Kick-Ass |
Year: 2010
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Cast: Aaron Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nicolas Cage
Overview: When Dave Lizewski, an ordinary teenager, sets abbout trying to become the no-power vigilante Kick-Ass, he soon discovers he's not alone. But he's out of his depth – a fearless and highly trained father daughter crime-fighting duo, Big Daddy and Hit Girl, have declared war on New-York mafioso, Frank D'Amico. As Kick-Ass and his new found friend, Red Mist, get drawn into their no-holds-barred world of bullets and blood, the stage is set for a final showdown – in which the DIY hero will have to live up to his name...or die trying.
Watched: 10th Sep 2010
My Thoughts: Following the rave reception this film received here I was looking forward to sitting down and watching it. However as a long-time Daily Mail reader I have usually found that I can trust Christopher Tookey's film reviews and again, with this film, he hasn't let me down. What a total letdown I couldn't find any redeeming features about this film it was just a great big steaming cow-pat of poo!
My Rating: Sorry it has to be 0
The above was written as a joke because so many people here raved about this film. Below is my real thoughts and rating which were originally spoiler tagged to hide them from general view.
My Real Thoughts: What an immensely fun film. I thought that all the main characters came over well and am looking forward to watching it again very soon. As to Mr. Tookey's reviews - Yes I do trust them as, in general, if he dislikes a film I quite often like them and vice versa some he has rated highly I have found to be boring or lacking in the enjoyment factor.
My Real Rating: A very enjoyable 4
Dave
Edited to remove spoiler tag around My Real Thoughts and Rating and to add little expanation between both sets of thoughts and ratings.
Post by: Najemikon on September 11, 2010, 12:42:41 PM
:hysterical:
Post by: Tom on September 11, 2010, 01:00:27 PM
Post by: Achim on September 11, 2010, 01:06:59 PM
Post by: Jimmy on September 11, 2010, 07:01:20 PM
Post by: Tom on September 11, 2010, 07:01:48 PM
The fun part is that the spoiler will not appear in the front page :laugh:
:hysterical:
Post by: dfmorgan on September 11, 2010, 08:00:25 PM
The fun part is that the spoiler doesn't appear in the front page :laugh:
Ok I'll let it stand a week or two then unspoiler it with a little explanation. Glad that people here appreciated my review.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on September 19, 2010, 10:50:07 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582780062.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Black Lightning |
Year: 2009
Director: Dmitriy Kiselev, Aleksandr Voytinskiy
Cast: Grigoriy Dobrygin, Ekaterina Vilkova, Viktor Verzhbitskiy
Overview: A student's life turns upside down when he discovers the battered old car his father gave him can fly...
After his entire world falls apart he makes a choice and shoots from zero to hero as a crime fighter known as "Black Lightning". Little does he know that evil forces are watching, they want the incredible car, and will stop at nothing to get it, even if it means killing him and destroying the city.
Produced by Timur Bekmambetov (Director of Wanted and Night Watch), this fast-paced action-adventure features the Special Effects Teaam behind Wanted and stuntmen from The Bourne Identity & Quantum of Solace.
Watched: 18th Sep 2010
My Thoughts: A superhero film from Russia which I found to be quite a fun little film. There are similarities with Spiderman with the reason behind the boys decision to become a hero and with a girlfriend in a love triangle. It took a while for Black Lightning to appear but when he did it seemed to me to be displayed well.
My Rating: Overall a good and very enjoyable 4
Dave
Post by: Rogmeister on September 20, 2010, 12:06:27 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on September 20, 2010, 12:15:45 AM
I actually remember a super-hero from the comics called Black Lightning but this is obviously not that character. The comic book character had electrical powers and never drove a car... 8)
True enough Roger not the one you remember, this Black Lightning doesn't have any powers just the flying car.
Dave
Post by: Tom on September 20, 2010, 09:53:12 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on October 17, 2010, 12:14:34 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201813367.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Losers |
Year: 2010
Director: Sylvain White
Cast: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoë Saldana, Chris Evans
Overview: An explosive action tale of betrayal and revenge, The Losers centres around an elite Special Forces unit sent to the Bolivian jungle on a search and destroy mission. But the team soon find that they have become the target of a deadly double cross by a powerful enemy known only as Max.
Now presumed dead, the group makes plans to avenge themselves and clear their names, joined by the mysterious Aisha, a beautiful operative with her own agenda.
The Losers stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen) as Clay; Zoe Saldana (Avatar, Star Trek) as Aisha; Chris Evans (Fantastic Four) as Jensen and Idris Elba (The Wire) as Roque, in an incredible action adventure that has to be seen to be believed!
Watched: 16th. Oct 2010
My Thoughts: I haven't read, nor previously heard of, the comics that this film was based upon so cannot compare them. However I found this to be an acceptable park-your-brain type of a film. A tad OTT in places and a little far-fetched in others but generally enjoyable.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on October 17, 2010, 09:55:33 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/88/8830935001146.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Swades: We, the People |
Year: 2004
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kishori Ballal, Gayatri Joshi
Overview: Set in modern day India, Swades (Our Country) is a film that tackles the issues that development throws up on a grass root level. A country that is grappling with problems that development throws up, the India of Swades is colorful, heterogeneous and complex, with people of diverse cultures and attitudes. It is to this environment that Mohan Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan), a bright young scientist working as a project manager in NASA, returns to on a quest to find his childhood nanny. In his attempts to persuade Kaveriamma (Kishori Ballal), the symbol to him of motherhood and family, to return to America with him, he gets drawn into the life of a village called Charanpur and finds himself searching for answers to the questions of progress and development that the village is facing. His curiosity is piqued by Gita (Gayatri Joshi - film debut), an admirable young woman teaching in the village primary school, who chooses to live here despite problems like casteism, prejudice and a lack of basic amenities.
The film uses the contrast between the highly developed world of NASA, which has been at the forefront of advances in space research, and this world back home in India, which is at the crossroads of development. What was a simple mission, prompted by nostalgia and affection, turns into a journey into the heartland of rural India, both literally and metaphorically. His quest becomes the journey that every one of us goes through in search of that metaphysical and elusive place called "home".
Watched: 17th. Oct 2010
My Thoughts: An excellent film. At its heart a love story with no real surprises but there is more with Mohan (Shah Rukh Khan) discovering himself along the way. Following his arrival at the village, where his nanny Kaveriamma (Kishori Ballal) now lives with Gita (Gayatri Joshi), Mohan finds himself attracted to Gita and also gets involved in the village way of life and the way that things are run there. This all leads up to an event where Kaveriamma gives him a task to complete and whilst on this task Mohan has an insight into the inherent problems of local village life. After this Mohan is attending a festival where the village council question him and he in turn questions them and he decides that action is needed to show his commitment. This is not the end though there are still a couple of further trials and tribulations.
I did enjoy this very much even though the picture quality was very grainy at times, this I put down to the original material as the poor quality generally appeared on interior shots where maybe the director was limited on film stock or equipment to achieve his aims.
My Rating: An enjoyable 4
Dave
Post by: Tom on October 17, 2010, 10:52:04 PM
Next I recommend to you "Chak De! India".
Post by: dfmorgan on October 17, 2010, 11:10:50 PM
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Next I recommend to you "Chak De! India".
:thanks:. Order for DVD now placed with amazon marketplace.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on October 24, 2010, 09:13:27 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8902797601984.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Chak De! India |
Year: 2007
Director: Shimit Amin
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Vidya Malvade, Tanya Abrol
Overview: Jo nahin ho sakta hai, wahi to karna hai...
Kabir Khan (Shahrukh Khan) knows what it's like to come back from the dead. The ex Indian Captain has now come back in the avatar of the Coach of the Indian Women's National Hockey team. A team that exists more on paper & less in reality.
The team is a rag-tag bunch of girls with their own agenda. A bunch of girls who have forgotten what it is like to play for the love of the game - of playing because you want glory for your country. Not because you want a pensioned job or a government flat. They have all forgotten the sharp thrill of just holding the hockey stick, keeping their eyes on the ball and playing for all they are worth. They have played every game but hockey to make sure they get selected every year in the Indian National team. But what does it really mean to play for the Indian National team? To play for India?
"Mujhe sirf ek mulk ka naam sunaai deta hai - India"
The girls have never known the thrilling energy of being Team India. Of giving their all to see their country's name on a trophy. But Kabir Khan, once a captain, now forgotten, does. He knows what it takes to get there. And what it means to return empty handed. This time, he wants to make sure that it is different. He knows there are no second chances. Despite his past, he believes that if only the girls played as one, anything would be possible.
Because Kabir Khan believes that it is not that we can't win. It's just that we never believed that we can.
Chak De India is the story of a coach's fight of making his team, Team India by overcoming their diverse backgrounds, by learning to use everything that lifehurls on them as a secret weapon. It's a story about honesty, sincerity and integrity. A story to remind the nation of its National sport.
Watched: 24th. Oct 2010
My Thoughts: An excellent enjoyable sports drama. There were no real diversions from a sports plot here but a couple of things did surprise me -
a) No song and dance, there were 3 or 4 songs but they never broke off into characters singing or dancing
b) No romance.
A ragbag team of disparate girls are joined by their new coach Kabir Khan (Shahrukh Khan), an outcast since losing to Pakistan in a world cup final. It's his mission to take them to the world cup but first he has to get them to become a team. As I intimated earlier no real surprises, the girls gelling as team was clearly signposted once the ruckus started. Not too sure about how quickly Bindia Naik (Shilpa Shukla) switched her antagonism off after the coach tells her she is the only one who can save the team but then again that would have killed the film dead if she hadn't.
My Rating: I thoroughly enjoyed this so a 4
Dave
Post by: Tom on October 24, 2010, 10:20:17 PM
but a couple of things did surprise me -
a) No song and dance, there were 3 or 4 songs but they never broke off into characters singing or dancing
b) No romance.
This is why I recommended it to you. I had much fun watching this movie, and it hasn't got the incredients which Bollywood is infamous for. And I want to slowly ease you in with my recommendations and not put you off of Bollywood from the get-go. That way I would never get you to buy "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" (one of my guilty pleasures with much singing, dancing and romance) :whistle:
Also if someone reviews and likes some of the "unusual" Bollywood movies, maybe more here will take a stab beyond "Black" into Indian cinema ;)
Now what to recommend next. :hmmmm:
Maybe "Lakshya", a war drama with a little romance. It has singing (but not really dancing) and I was very much surprised how well the songs fit in the movie.
Or maybe "Veer-Zaara", a romance drama I very much liked.
Or "Ghajini", Bollywood's take on "Memento" I liked watching. Although it is very different to Memento with only some basics in common.
Another Bollywood movie without song and dance numbers which comes to mind: "My Name is Khan"
Though I very much enjoy it, I fear that the Wilhemina subplot towards the end will make you cringe. But ignoring that subplot, this movie is recommendable.
Now that I made more than one recommendation I fear that you won't follow any of these :bag:
Post by: dfmorgan on October 24, 2010, 10:37:55 PM
Or maybe "Veer-Zaara", a romance drama I very much liked.
Now that I made more than one recommendation I fear that you won't follow any of these :bag:
Too late, I was looking around amazon to update my profile for Veer when I came across it. It looked interesting so order placed on the marketplace for the Blu ;D
I will look into the others :thanks:.
Dave
Post by: Tom on October 24, 2010, 10:57:46 PM
Or maybe "Veer-Zaara", a romance drama I very much liked.
Now that I made more than one recommendation I fear that you won't follow any of these :bag:
Too late, I was looking around amazon to update my profile for Veer when I came across it. It looked interesting so order placed on the marketplace for the Blu ;D
So yet another Shah Rukh Khan movie for you :laugh:
Though it has pretty Preity Zinta in it and also Rani Mukherji ("Black"). Two of my favorite Bollywood actresses.
I am a little envious that you get all these on Blu. For me it is too late as I have already all of the important Bollywood movies on DVD and I don't want to double-dip. There is one Blu double-dip I have my eyes on though ("Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham"), because the DVD suffers greatly from the 3.5 hours length. More so than most of the others.
Post by: dfmorgan on October 24, 2010, 11:09:38 PM
So yet another Shah Rukh Khan movie for you :laugh:
Yes looks like it.
Quote
I am a little envious that you get all these on Blu. For me it is too late as I have already all of the important Bollywood movies on DVD and I don't want to double-dip. There is one Blu double-dip I have my eyes on though ("Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham"), because the DVD suffers greatly from the 3.5 hours length. More so than most of the others.
I do prefer to buy Blu if I can at the moment but will drop down to DVD if no Blu is listed and I really do want the title in question. What does annoy a liitle is when I look and can't find a listing for the Blu but once I get the DVD then a Blu becomes listed. This happened with Chak De! India although most of the marketplace traders currently have it marked as unavailable even though it is listed :hmmmm:
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on October 31, 2010, 08:51:42 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8902797300061.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Veer-Zaara |
Year: 2004
Director: Yash Chopra
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherji, Preity Zinta
Overview: Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh (Shahrukh Khan) is a rescue pilot with the Indian Air Force, who risks his own life to save the lives of others. One day, on duty, he comes across a stranded Zaara (Preity Zinta) ... a girl from Pakistan. Zaara, a carefree, sprightly girl has come to India to fulfill her surrogate mother's dying wish. She meets with a bus accident leaving her stranded in a foreign land.
Veer saves her life... and his life is never the same again...
Twenty-two years later, Saamiya Siddiqui (Rani Mukerji), a Pakistani lawyer on her first case, finds herself face-to-face with an ageing Veer Pratap Singh. He has languished in a Pakistan jail cell for 22 years and has not spoken to anyone all these years - and no one knows why. Her mission is to discover the truth about Veer and see to it that justice is served. And thus starts her journey to unveil the truth...
Veer-Zaara is not an ordinary story - it is a Love Legend... Veer and Zaara's love legend. This is a saga of love, separation, courage and sacrifice. A love that is divine, a love that is whole-hearted, a love that is completely consuming, a love that grows with separation, deepens with sacrifice.
A love that is an inspiration... and will remain a legend forever.
Watched: 31st. Oct 2010
My Thoughts: As per the overview a love story. A very weepy love story. At its heart an ordinary 'boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy meets girl again' love story but with some different twists and turns which makes this no ordinary love story. Totally captivating and wonderful.
My Rating: A wonderful 5
Dave
Post by: Tom on October 31, 2010, 10:27:59 PM
I am really glad you enjoyed. I wasn't so sure with this one, because not everyone likes sappy love stories. Also this one had quite a few songs, which weren't even catchy in my opinion.
Post by: dfmorgan on November 01, 2010, 10:59:22 AM
Phew!
I am really glad you enjoyed. I wasn't so sure with this one, because not everyone likes sappy love stories. Also this one had quite a few songs, which weren't even catchy in my opinion.
No problemo. I checked your review afterwards and see that we were both captivated.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on November 07, 2010, 12:24:18 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051892007023.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)North by Northwest |
Year: 1959
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason
Overview: Dazzling 50th Anniversary Restoration!
Cary Grant is the screen's supreme man-on-the-run in his fourth and final teaming with Master of Suspense Alfred Hitchcock. He plays a Manhattan adman plunged into a realm of spy (James Mason) and counterspy (Eva Marie Saint) and variously abducted, framed for murder, chased, and in a signature set-piece, crop-dusted. He also hangs for dear life from the facial features of Mount Rushmore's Presidents. Savour one of Hollywood's most enjoyable thrillers ever in this State-of-the-Art Restoration: its Renewed Picture Vitality will leave you just as breathless as the chase itself.
Watched: 6th. Nov. 2010
My Thoughts: OK I guess that Mr. Hitchcock is not to my style. Although I didn't have any high expectations I was still left underwhelmed by this film. I thought the actors came over well but overall the film did nothing for me.
My Rating: Yet another 2 for the master of suspense
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on November 07, 2010, 01:52:47 PM
Post by: Antares on November 07, 2010, 03:09:01 PM
Post by: Antares on November 07, 2010, 03:09:45 PM
Oh dear. There is no hope for you. :weep:
The same thing I say every time you post a Tarantino film review. :tease: :hysterical:
Post by: dfmorgan on November 07, 2010, 09:10:20 PM
Oh dear. There is no hope for you. :weep:
I've still got 13 other Hitchcock's in that Universal box set to see. There may one I like in that.
Dave
Post by: Dragonfire on November 10, 2010, 08:36:14 AM
Only 2 stars for North by Northwest??
I...I....I'm speechless.
Post by: dfmorgan on November 11, 2010, 09:04:00 PM
:o
Only 2 stars for North by Northwest??
I...I....I'm speechless.
Sorry about that Marie :bag:
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on November 11, 2010, 09:05:04 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060085366304.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Little Big Soldier |
Year: 2010
Director: Ding Sheng
Cast: Jackie Chan, Leehom Wang, Steve Yoo
Overview: Join the undisputed King of Action Comedyfor a madcap action-packed journey across ancient China. In the aftermath of a great battle between rival kingdoms, only two men remain standing! One is a peasant soldier with a shameless ability for avoiding his responsibilities in battle (Jackie Chan); the other is a warrior prince, who has been wounded fighting for his country (Leehom Wang). Irresistibly tempted by the chance to collect a large reward, the peasant overpowers the disadvantaged prince and sets off to collect his bounty. When danger confronts them around every corner, the world's two most unlikely allies quickly realise they will need to join forces if they are to make it home in one piece! As each challenge takes them closer to victory, a prince will learn humility and a nobody will find the strength to be someone great.
Based on an original story created by Jackie Chan himself, Little Big Soldier is a irresistible, pulse-pounding deluge of side-splitting comedy, stunts and kinetic martial arts action that is guaranteed to enthrall and entertain from start to finish!
Watched: 11th. Nov 2010
My Thoughts: Very much still the usual Jackie Chan fare of martial arts action and comedy. On top of this though Mr. Chan is bringing a dramatic edge to the proceedings. I think the two parts did mix but it wasn't fully cohesive in places as if he had to rein in his action for the drama. There was the usual bloopers during the end credits.
My Rating: An overall enjoyable film 3
Dave
Post by: Tom on November 11, 2010, 09:24:26 PM
And also don't feel bad about your rating for "North by Northwest". I gave it the same :laugh:
Post by: dfmorgan on November 11, 2010, 09:49:23 PM
Seems like you enjoyed it more than I did ("Little Big Soldier").
And also don't feel bad about your rating for "North by Northwest". I gave it the same :laugh:
Yep Tom, I look for for reviews after I have written mine and I saw that you were quite bored by it. And by the same margin I did see your review for NbNW and also that we weren't the only people not to fall under its spell, Rich also marked it low.
Dave
Post by: Najemikon on November 13, 2010, 01:58:29 AM
Rotten Tomatoes (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/north-by-northwest/)
Anyway... :laugh: Little Big Soldier sounds pitched just where I thought. I'll look it up, thanks, Dave. :thumbup:
Post by: dfmorgan on November 13, 2010, 08:23:31 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/I4/I4B621D5D436966DC.21f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Il Mare |
Year: 2000
Director: Hyun-seung Lee
Cast: Jung-jae Lee, Ji-hyun Jun
Overview: "Il Mare" is the name of a seafront house where two lovers reside in at two diffrent times. Sung-hyun in 1997 receives a strange letter one-day, reminding him to be careful of the snowstorm in 1998. But it is posted in 1999. Time travels backward again when Eun-joo sends him a letter of request, asking him to look for her lost cassette recorder at the train station where Sung-hyun finally gets a glimpse of her. Pusan International Film Festival 2001.
Watched: 13th. Nov 2010
My Thoughts: This is the Korean original film that the Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves 2006 film The Lake House was based upon. A couple comminucate with each other by letter except that they are separated not by distance but by time, he lives in 1997/98 whilst she is in 1999/2000. The common factor is the house, Il Mare, that they both owned at separate times and the mail is sent to each other via its post box. I need to rewatch The Lake House now to clarify some things in my mind, some subtle differences between the two e.g. the ending, but overall I enjoyed this film as much as I recall enjoying the remake.
My Rating: A very enjoyable 4
Dave
Post by: Tom on November 13, 2010, 08:57:54 PM
(click to show/hide)
Post by: dfmorgan on November 13, 2010, 09:28:57 PM
I recently rewatched "Il Mare" (now that I am in a Korean movie watching phase). I really enjoyed the second time around, until that is the last five minutes.(click to show/hide)
Yes, when the director panned up behind her kneeling then upto the postbox and around it I thought the same as you.
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on November 14, 2010, 12:56:16 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/48/4891670619267.21f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Azumi |
Year: 2003
Director: Ryuhei Kitamura
Cast: Aya Ueto, Shun Oguri, Hiroki Narimiya
Overview: The story of AZUMI is adapted from a massive hit comic in Japan. In war-torn Japan, the Tokugawa Shogun, desperate to restore peace to his people, orders the assassination of the hostile warlords. Azumi (Aya Ueto) is raised from birth with nine other orphans to become an assassin. Prior to setting out on their mission, their master orders his students to "pair up" with each others best friend and proceed to kill each other.....Azumi reaches a gruesome climax with one of the most memorable beheadings seen in film.
Watched: 13th. Nov 2010
My Thoughts: I was updating the profile of this film so I decided to sit down and rewatch it. It is still a wonderful Japanese hack and slash film with a decent story, probably due to its manga history. Just looking at the level of damamge inflicted upon all participants you'd think that's it this one's gone now but no somehow they still manage to overcome that to fight on. This edition is the standard International Theatrical version even though the Hong-Kong based e-tailer I bought it from had it listed as the Extended Edition.
My Rating: A wonderful 4
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on November 21, 2010, 11:37:10 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051368219752.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)How to Train Your Dragon |
Year: 2010
Director: Chris Sanders & Dean Deblois
Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson
Overview: A winner with audiences and critics alike, DreamWorks Animation's How To Train Your Dragon rolls fire-breathing action, epic adventure and laughs into a captivating and original story. Hiccup is a young Viking who defies tradition when he befriends one of his deadliest foes - a ferocious dragon he calls toothless. Together, the unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save both their worlds in this "wonderful good-time hit!" (Today).
Watched: 20th. Nov 2010
My Thoughts: An excellent film. Dragons are my favourite creatures and it was good to see the views of the Vikings change as the dragons were shown to be a positive force. One problem I had though, not a fault of the film, was that I kept expecting Sean Connery's voice everytime Toothless opened his mouth, this goes back to another favourite film Dragonheart where Sean Connery provided the voice for the dragon Draco.
My Rating: An excellent 4
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on November 21, 2010, 11:52:37 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201812599.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Secret of Kells |
Year: 2009
Director: Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey
Cast: Evan Mc Guire, Christen Mooney, Brendan Gleeson
Overview: THE SECRET OF KELLS is a magical animated classic that tells the story of Brendan, a young monk whose life is changed forever when he is initiated into the secrets of the Book of Kells and embarks on an extraordinary adventure, meeting fearsome monsters, Vikings, and a serpent god along the way!
From the producers of Kirikou and Belleville Rendez-Vous and nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, THE SECRET OF KELLS is a unique and stunning adventure for the whole family.
Watched: 20th. Nov 2010
My Thoughts: A very enjoyable film. Different in style to many of the bigger animation studios offerings but still very good. Much of the work is based around the Illumination style of drawing used in manuscripts and as such there were many instances of shapes etc. surrounding the on-screen action.
My Rating: A very enjoyable 4
Dave
Post by: Critter on November 21, 2010, 11:55:30 AM
Post by: goodguy on November 21, 2010, 12:41:55 PM
Post by: Najemikon on November 21, 2010, 01:36:09 PM
I'm no expert when it comes to animation, but I take the The Secret of Kells over the output of bigger studios any day.
I'm looking forward to seeing Kells, but I wish I could see past the cynicism in that comment, Matthias. I know what you mean, particularly in the lack of experimentation in the actual artwork, the more mainstream it becomes, but when I think of Pixar, I think of the finest studio working today and they produce magic from the most basic and commercial ideas. They should never be dismissed, especially as John Lasseter would probably be the first to champion animators like Tomm Moore because that's where he and every other mainstream animator came from. How their animation is put to use is the important thing and Pixar don't waste a single moment and keep pushing their target audience.
Post by: goodguy on November 21, 2010, 02:07:48 PM
Post by: Najemikon on November 21, 2010, 02:39:08 PM
I wasn't being cynical. Since you mention Pixar: I think The Incredibles is probably their best movie and I like it a lot, but there is a gap between that and work like Kells, Persepolis or Sita that they will never overcome.
Really? ;)
That's what I mean. In your head, Pixar has a ceiling they have likely already hit. Move up from Incredibles to Wall-E, Up or Toy Story 3 and it's far less obvious. That said, Kells and Persepolis are one thing, Sita is entirely another. I know you've supported it from the start, but I can only see it as an experimental curiosity. Judged on its own merits, it's very good (though not my thing; far too pretentious), but against the sheer brilliance of Wall-E? No, there is a gap but it's entirely in the other direction!
Post by: goodguy on November 21, 2010, 03:01:49 PM
That's what I mean. In your head, Pixar has a ceiling they have likely already hit. Move up from Incredibles to Wall-E, Up or Toy Story 3 and it's far less obvious.
You are right. I gave up on Pixar after Ratatouille. Not because it is particularly bad (it isn't), but because they continue to move in a direction that is of no interest to me. As fantastic as the scenarios of their movies might be, they strive for a technical realism in their 3D animation that I find simply misguided.
That said, Kells and Persepolis are one thing, Sita is entirely another. I know you've supported it from the start, but I can only see it as an experimental curiosity. Judged on its own merits, it's very good (though not my thing; far too pretentious), but against the sheer brilliance of Wall-E? No, there is a gap but it's entirely in the other direction!
Well, you win that argument because I haven't seen Wall-E, but I very much doubt that it would change my mind. Still, I'm very glad that you gave Sita a chance, even if you didn't like it.
Post by: Najemikon on November 22, 2010, 12:30:13 AM
Post by: Critter on November 22, 2010, 11:35:31 AM
Basically they trust their audience to have faith in what they do.
And unlike many other major 3D animation studios now *cough* Dreamworks *cough* they don't talk down to kids. They give young children the credit that they deserve, and know that they can appreciate a true story, one that they will maybe even come to appreciate and understand over time as they age, rather than just one-shot gags and fart jokes throughout. Although that being said, Dreamworks have made one or two improvements lately, but everytime I think they are improving (Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon) they seem to suddenly sink just a little again (Monsters vs Aliens, Shrek the Third and 'Forever After').
Post by: dfmorgan on November 24, 2010, 08:33:56 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418274306.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Toy Story 3 |
Year: 2010
Director: Lee Unkrich
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack
Overview: The creative minds behind Disney•Pixar's groundbreaking animated blockbusters invite you back inside the toy box for a heartwarming and hilarious High Definition movie experience you'll never forget. In Toy Story 3, Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) and the rest of the Toy Story gang return for an all-new adventure, along with a few new faces – some plastic, some plush – including Barbie's counterpart Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton), a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants (voiced by Timothy Dalton) and a strawberry-scented bear named Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear (voiced by Ned Beatty). It's "the biggest, best, most exciting Toy Story of them all," raves Access Hollywood's Scott Mantz.
As Andy prepares to depart for college, Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of Andy's faithful toys wonder what will become of them. But, when a mix-up lands them at Sunnyside Daycare, they meet a host of new toys and soon discover a wild new adventure is just beginning!
Buzzing with hours of exclusive bonus features including an interactive trivia game, and the Pixar short film Day & Night, Toy Story 3 goes to infinity and beyond on Blu-ray Hi-Def!
Watched: 24th. Nov 2010
My Thoughts: Wow another magnificent film from Pixar. Just superb. I loved all the little touches. I knew that a Totoro appeared but it was nice that it smiled as well, just as in its original film My Neighbour Totoro.
My Rating: Has to be 5
Dave
Post by: Critter on November 24, 2010, 10:12:03 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on November 28, 2010, 12:53:13 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418288556.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Fantasia |
Part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418283568.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Fantasia |
Year: 1940
Director:
Cast:
Overview: Walt Disney's timeless masterpiece is an extravaganza of sight and sound - now brilliantly presented in high definition with an all-new digital restoration! Blu-ray™ technology finally makes it possible for you to experience Fantasia the way Walt envisionned!
Plus, an exploration of the new Disney Family Museum and dynamic new bonus features allow generations of moviegoers to enjoy this musical masterpiece like never before. No family's Disney Blu-ray collection is complete without Fantasia! See the music come to life, hear the pictures burst into song and experience the excitement that is Fantasia over and over again through the magic of Blu-ray!
Watched: 27th. Nov 2010
My Thoughts: The first film I saw, I was taken to see it by my parents in the mid-1950's when I was about 5 or 6. It was magic then and still is today.
My Rating: Absolutely wonderful
Dave
Post by: Critter on November 28, 2010, 01:10:18 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on November 28, 2010, 08:33:45 PM
Gah! When is this coming out in Australia! I have been dying to get my hands on this for years, DVD or blu and it isn't even listed here yet as being released soon. :(. I really hope it's soon though, I have been waiting so long and haven't seen the full film from start to finish in years. Yet when I was younger I watched it constantly and knew it back to front.
I hope the wait isn't too long for you. It was wonderful seeing it again.
Post by: dfmorgan on November 28, 2010, 08:34:14 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418288495.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Fantasia 2000 |
Part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418283568.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Fantasia |
Year: 1999
Director:
Cast:
Overview: Experience an extravaganza of sight and sound in Fantasia 2000, the triumphant classic inspired by Walt Disney's vision of Fantasia as a continuing work-in-progress, now brilliantly presented in high definition. Plus, for the first time ever on Blu-ray™, experience the 2003 Academy Award® - nominated animated short Destino - the extraordinary collaboration between Walt Disney and the legendary Salvador Dali!
Through the magic of Blu-ray, fully immerse yourself in the wonders of this innovative blend of music and animated imagery. See the music come to life, hear the pictures burst into song and share the excitement that is Fantasia 2000 with your family again and again.
Watched: 28th. Nov 2010
My Thoughts: Not quite as wonderful as the original Fantasia, maybe because the themes used within the images are similar to the earlier themes. Still very enjoyable though.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on December 05, 2010, 12:20:28 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/I6/I6F48FB7E4E520C56.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)My Summer Of Love |
Part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582477979.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Imagine Me & You / My Summer of Love |
Year: 2004
Director: Pawel Pawlikowski
Cast: Natalie Press, Emily Blunt, Paddy Considine
Overview: Mona (Natalie Press) has just got hold of a brilliant moped that only cost a tenner. No engine but still dirt-cheap. She lives with her brother, Phil (Paddy Considine) who used to run a pub before he found God and poured away all the booze. Tamsin (Emily Blunt) is rich, spoilt and trying to live a life of seductive decadence. They meet on the moors, above their quiet Yorkshire village and begin an intense, unlikely friendship. Tamsin and Mona want to escape their lives, but Phil wants to save them and save everybody else. Mona wants the old, dangerous, Phil back; the brother that she loved. Tamsin wants to see what it takes to break him.
Watched: 4th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: As mentioned elsewhere a bit of faux pas by Universal to include this as part of a Romantic Comedy Double as although there is romance and some comedic pieces this is not a Rom/Com.
Overall I thought that this was and OK film. Some of the film could be used to sell Yorkshire as a county to visit because there was some stunning photography of the countryside, dales and woods. However the director used some techniques in the filming of the lead girls that left me cold. He seemed to me to be filming like a first time user of a camcorder with tops of heads cut off, jerky movement to close in to the face then a jerky movement back out. I wondered at first if this was his first film but found on IMDb that it wasn't. As already said an overall enjoyable film with a nice unexpected twist and with that enigmatic smile on Mona's (Natalie Press) face as she walks away at the end leaving one to ponder.
My Rating: Overall a 3 from me
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on December 05, 2010, 12:32:08 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/IE/IE4EA2CE6A09C65EB.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Imagine Me & You |
Part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582477979.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Imagine Me & You / My Summer of Love |
Year: 2005
Director: Ol Parker
Cast: Piper Perabo, Lena Headley, Matthew Goode
Overview: "A genuine world rocking romance that's guaranteed to make the hardest of hearts believe in love at first sight" — GRAZIA Magazine. Heck and Rachel are a young London couple about to embark in a new life together when an unexpected meeting turns Rachel's world upside down. What follows is the romantic, hilarious and sometimes poignant journey familiar to anyone who has ever fallen in love at first sight. And what if you discover that the one person you are destined to spend the rest of your life with might not be your boyfriend, but a perfect stranger? Imagine Me & You shows that the path to true love isn't always straight...
Watched: 4th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: A fairly standard Rom/Com with a twist. Standard in that boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy meets girl again and gets girl this time but the twist here is that it's girl meets girl etc. I quite enjoyed it and thought that the female cast came over extremely well.
My Rating: Overall a 3 from me
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on December 05, 2010, 09:02:05 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418269371.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Search For Santa Paws |
Year: 2010
Director: Robert Vince
Cast: Kaitlyn Maher, Madison Pettis, Richard Riehle
Overview: In the tradition of Disney's classic holiday tales comes a heartwarming movie about the power of giving and the true meaning of Christmas. Discover how the legendary friendship of Santa Claus and Santa Paws began in the inspiring original film, The Search For Santa Paws.
When Santa and his new best friend, Paws, discover that the boys and girls of the world have lost the spirit of the season, they take a trip to New York City. But after Santa loses his memory, it's up to Paws, a faithful orphan named Quinn (America's Got Talent Kaitlyn Maher), her new friend Will (The Game Plan's Madison Pettis) and a wonderful group of magical talking dogs to save St. Nick and show the world what Christmas is really all about.
This Christmas, Disney invites you to meet Santa's BFF in an instant holiday classic, full of fun, adventure and a timeless message sure to delight the entire family!
Watched: 5th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: Fairly standard Disney Christmas fare. Santa Claus, along with his new pet puppy Paws, visits New York but he is knocked over and loses his memory. A series of adventures and misadventures ensue until almost everyone has their Christmas enhanced and enriched.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on December 11, 2010, 03:14:17 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036043960.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)My Name Is Khan |
Year: 2010
Director: Karan Johar
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol
Overview: My Name Is Khan is the triumphant story of an unconventional hero and the obstacles he must overcome to regain the love of this life. Rizvan Khan, a Muslim man who has Aspergers Syndrome, moves to San Francisco and falls in love with the beautiful Mandira. They marry and have a happy life; until September 11, 2001, when attitudes towards Muslims undergo an alarming change. After a series of tragic events leaves her devastated, Mandira splits from Rizvan, leaving him alone once again. To win her back, Rizvan embarks on a touching and inspiring journey across America to clear his name and prove his love to the woman who captured his heart.
Watched: 10th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: I can't really articulate my thoughts on this film. Let's just say wonderful.
My Rating: A wonderful 5
Dave
Post by: Tom on December 11, 2010, 03:30:37 PM
Seems we really have the same taste in movies for the most part.
Though I am curious what you thought about the Wilhelmina/Mama Jenny subplot. When I first saw this movie it was the international cut which had done away with these scenes. And I have to admit that I liked the movie even better without them.
There is one other Bollywood movie, which has become a guilty pleasure of mine, where I am really curious if you would enjoy it as well: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1182937/).
Post by: dfmorgan on December 11, 2010, 05:01:10 PM
Glad you liked it. Though I am surprised you like it that much :)I was surprised as well but yes that much. I liked that, again, this film went against the grain of a 'typical' Bollywood film in the fact that they took on awkward subjects head-on with the racism and his autism. Not that difficult subjects haven't been used before viz Swades: We the People, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India and Chak De! India all, to some degree, attacked casteism.
Quote
Seems we really have the same taste in movies for the most part.Not having seen the other cut I can't really comment but I wonder if this section was a dig at President Bush and his supposed lack of action in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Here they show that one man can make a difference even in the poorest of situations. If this was the case maybe it was removed to try to garner more popularity.
Though I am curious what you thought about the Wilhelmina/Mama Jenny subplot. When I first saw this movie it was the international cut which had done away with these scenes. And I have to admit that I liked the movie even better without them.
Quote
There is one other Bollywood movie, which has become a guilty pleasure of mine, where I am really curious if you would enjoy it as well: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1182937/).OK looks interesting, I will place an order for this :)
Post by: Tom on December 11, 2010, 05:13:39 PM
Not having seen the other cut I can't really comment but I wonder if this section was a dig at President Bush and his supposed lack of action in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Here they show that one man can make a difference even in the poorest of situations. If this was the case maybe it was removed to try to garner more popularity.
The subplot itself was in the shorter cut via the television report and such. What was cut was the interaction of Khan with Jenny and Joel.
Quote
Compared to most of the recommendations I have given you so far, I would say it is the most "typical" Bollywood movie. Though I thought the same thing about Veer-Zaara and you really ended up liking it as well to my surprise.QuoteThere is one other Bollywood movie, which has become a guilty pleasure of mine, where I am really curious if you would enjoy it as well: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1182937/).OK looks interesting, I will place an order for this :)
Post by: dfmorgan on December 12, 2010, 12:26:26 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201811851.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Ong Bak 3 |
Year: 2010
Director: Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai
Cast: Tony Jaa, Primrata Det-Udom, Chupong Chungpruk
Overview: The mighty Tien (TONY JAA), Muay Thai Warrior and fighting legend, has been captured, tortured and left for dead by the eternally cursed tyrant Lord Rajaseena. Beaten beyond any reccognition, Tien is saved by the ancient Kana Khone villagers and revived through their strange, mystical rituals. Returning from the brink of death, Tien must now transform himself into an unstoppable force of vengeance and fury; an ultimate warrior prepared to unleash a storm of bone breaking, neck snapping, skull crushing justice.
The original ONG-BAK brought martial arts movies into the new century. With its mind blowing stunts and jaw dropping action sequences it made TONY JAA an instant legend. Following on directly from ONG-BAK 2, part 3 brings an explosive conclusion to the trilogy that has taken action cinema to another level. Essential, unforgettable and simply astounding, there is no other movie experience that could possibly compare to the fearless, gravity defying TONY JAA.
Watched: 11th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: This is a direct sequel to Ong Bak: The Beginning and, to me, this was better than that as whilst still loads of bone-crunching action and weapons the story came over as more cohesive and followable.
My Rating: I enjoyed this more so a 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on December 19, 2010, 12:35:56 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051892024341.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Inception |
Year: 2010
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page
Overview: Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in this sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the world of dreams. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is the best there is at extraction: stealing valuable secrets inside the subconscious during the mind’s vulnerable dream state. His skill has made him a coveted player in industrial espionage but also has made him a fugitive and cost him dearly. Now he may get a second chance if he can do the impossible: inception, planting an idea rather than stealing one. If they succeed, Cobb and his team could pull off the perfect crime. But no planning or expertise can prepare them for a dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy only Cobb could have seen coming.
Watched: 18th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: I did enjoy this film even though it managed to get a little confusing at times. I think I need to rewatch this, maybe earlier in the day rather than late evening, to try to get a better understanding.
My Rating: For the moment an enjoyableish 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on December 19, 2010, 08:54:55 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418273576.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Sorcerer's Apprentice |
Year: 2010
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina
Overview: A job so great...it's magic
Magic is everywhere in Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice - the fun family adventure from the creators of National Treasure. Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a modern-day sorcerer with his hands full defending Manhattan against dark forces. When a seemingly average kid shows hidden potential, Balthazar takes his reluctant recruit on a crash course in the art and science of magic to become the ultimate sorcerer's apprentice. Experience more extraordinary thrills, heart-stopping action and spectacular special effects than you can imagine as these unlikely partners show us the real world is far more magical than we ever knew!
Watched: 19th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: An enjoyable park-your-brain actioner. Everyone came over well and I thought Nicolas Cage's acting style suited the character of Balthazar. One squence in the film was a nice little homage to "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" sequence in Fantasia. Pre and post credits sequences point to a possible sequel.
My Rating: A very enjoyable 3
Dave
Post by: dfmorgan on December 26, 2010, 11:25:24 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8902797300016.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi |
Year: 2008
Director: Aditya Chopra
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Vinay Pathak
Overview: You might have a love story to tell?
Maybe not! How can an ordinary man have a breathtaking, goose flesh igniting, awe inspiring love story of all things to tell?
But guess what - love does not differentiate between the ordinary and exceptional, the uninteresting and interesting, the unattractive and attractive. Because love knows no distinction. It can happen to anyone and once it does it engulfs us into it completely and gives us those miraculous experiences that only love can yield.
This is what happened to Surinder Sahni (Shahrukh Khan) - a simple, clean hearted, honest man working for Punjab Power, leading a humdrum life, when he meets his total opposite and finds love in the flamboyant, fun-loving, vivacious - Taani (Anushka Sharma) for whom the whole world is her canvas and she paints her own life with the colours of rainbow all until unforseen circumstances changes it all and brings them together.
What follows is a journey filled with laughter, tears, joy, pain, music, dance and a lot of love.
A journey that makes us believe that there is an extraordinary love story in every ordinary jodi.
Watched: 24th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: Oh my what do I say? I watched this initially with some trepidation, wondering if this was going to be a Bollywood remake of Shall We Dance?, which itself was a remake of the Japanese film Shall We Dansu?. As Shall We Dansu? is a film I really enjoyed I was a little concerned but my fears were quickly put aside as this film tells a completely different story. This is a gorgeous romance with a healthy dash of comedy. A couple are brought together by tragedy but the tragic events leave the wife, Taani (Anushka Sharma), having no love for her new husband, Surinder Sahni (Shahrukh Khan), who does love his wife but will not declare it. The film follows them and their choices. We see Taani attending dance classes and Surinder adopting an alter-ego, Raj, to try to see what the dance classes offer. At the end Taani is in a fix over Surinder and Raj and has to make a choice.
Shahrukh Khan plays both the geekish Surinder and his alter-ego the fun-loving Raj and plays both of them superbly to evoke the mood of the moment and the switch in action.
My Rating: A gorgeous romantic comedy 4
Post by: Tom on December 26, 2010, 11:45:14 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on December 27, 2010, 08:18:50 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201811141.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Chloe |
Year: 2009
Director: Atom Egoyan
Cast: Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried
Overview: Catherine (Julianne Moore: Boogie Nights), a successful doctor, suspects her handsome music professor husband David (Liam Neeson: Taken, Clash of the Titans) is cheating on her. To lay her suspicions and fears to rest, she hires an irresistible young woman, Chloe (Amanda Seyfried: Mamma Mia!), to test David's fidelity. Chloe's torrid tales of her encounters with David lead Catherine on a journey of sexual and sensual re-discovery. But by opening the door to temptation, she puts her family in great danger...
Watched: 25th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: An erotic thriller. I guessed the first twist, but that may have been from comments here, but failed to spot the second. Apparently this is a remake of the French film Nathalie... (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0348853/) which I have in my collection, in fact I'm sure I have watched it but cannot remember any details. I'll have to sort it out and (re)watch that to see how they compare.
My Rating: A pretty good film so 3
Post by: Critter on December 27, 2010, 10:25:12 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on December 28, 2010, 12:17:31 AM
This movie did my head in. I guessed none of the twists and each one left me like this- :o
Yes I think it may have been something you said that gave the first twist away to me, but nonetheless it was still quite enjoyable and still caught me out.
Post by: dfmorgan on December 28, 2010, 12:18:50 AM
I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Yes Tom I did and thanks for all the recommendations.
:thanks:
Post by: Critter on December 28, 2010, 12:33:12 AM
This movie did my head in. I guessed none of the twists and each one left me like this- :o
Yes I think it may have been something you said that gave the first twist away to me, but nonetheless it was still quite enjoyable and still caught me out.
Sorry about that. :-[
I don't even remember there being two twists, I only remember one major one at the end. I'll be more careful with my words next time.
Post by: dfmorgan on December 28, 2010, 12:52:55 AM
Sorry about that. :-[
I don't even remember there being two twists, I only remember one major one at the end. I'll be more careful with my words next time.
No problemo. It wasn't a major twist per se and wasn't the major one at the end
(click to show/hide)
Post by: Critter on December 28, 2010, 01:19:02 AM
Haha oh those scenes, talk about awkward. I wouldn't want to watch that one with my Mum. :laugh:
The part that got me was
(click to show/hide)
Post by: dfmorgan on December 28, 2010, 09:47:10 PM
The part that got me was(click to show/hide)
Yes that was a very different twist and I never saw it coming. In the extras there are a couple of alternate endings but they in fact are the same ending but with different voice-overs.
Post by: Critter on December 28, 2010, 11:18:13 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on December 30, 2010, 08:32:40 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060085366199.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Sword With No Name |
Year: 2009
Director: Kim Yong-Gyun
Cast: Cho Seung-Woo, Soo-Ae, Cheon Ho-Jin
Overview: A young woman of noble birth embarks on a dangerous cross-country journey, where she encounters an infamous bounty-hunter. Honour-bound, he becomes her protector and against all the odds they fall in love. A few years later, to fulfill a sacred promise, she must enter the royal court and ascend to the throne as Empress, leaving her love behind. However, when aggressive Japanese forces gather against her nation, the bounty hunter will once again stand by her side as a devoted bodyguard.
As the conflict escalates to all-out war, her irrepressible leadership will sustain her people and give them the hope of victory. Tragically, as her reputation spreads, she will become a target for assassination, but one man's courage will make all the difference...
Watched: 30th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this film. At its heart it is a romance with some action rather than action with some romance. The action is partly based on real events and takes place in Korea of the mid 1800's when nations from the West, here in the guise of France and Russia, and the East, in the guise of Japan, were trying hard to get into Korea and influence its people. A bounty hunter, Mu-Myeong (Cho Seung-Woo), meets a young woman, Ja-Yeong (Soo-Ae), and their lives become intertwined. Ja-Yeong becomes the Queen of Korea whilst he joins the palace guard to be near her. There are many political machinations as Ja-Yeong and her husband, the King Gojong (Kim Young-Min), try to broker deals which her father-in-law Daewonkun (Cheon Ho-Jin) is against. Eventually this leads to major conflicts and its final tragic ending.
My Rating: An absorbing 4-
-Post by: Tom on December 30, 2010, 08:42:13 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on January 02, 2011, 08:59:28 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051892011662.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Mars Attacks! |
Year: 1996
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening
Overview: AWAKE, EARTHLINGS! It’s later than you think.
Don’t miss this hilarious frenzy as Tim Burton directs – and Mars Attacks!
SEE! Stars that shine across the galaxy. Jack Nicholson (in a dual role), Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito and a dozen more! SHRIEK! At mean, green invaders armed with insta-fry ray guns, endowed with slimy, humongous brains – and enlivened with state-of-the-art special effects. GASP! As the U.S. Legislature is overwhelmed. (Don’t fear, we have 2 out of 3 branches of the government working for us.) THRILL! As Earth fights back with an unexpected weapon. Take that, Martians!
Watched: 1st. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: Ack. Ask. Ack. A nice fun film to start the New Year, pity that Warner chose to release it as a vanilla with zero extras.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on January 02, 2011, 09:21:22 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060049145617.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Nathalie |
Year: 2003
Director: Anne Fontaine
Cast: Fanny Ardant, Emmanuelle Béart, Gérard Depardieu
Overview: From the director of Mulholland Drive and The Pianist comes Nathalie, a seductive tale of sexual intrigue and manipulation, starring Emmanuelle Béart, Academy Award nominee Gérard Depardieu and acclaimed actress Fanny Ardant.
Tormented by the suspicion of her husband's adultery, Catherine, a bourgeois Parisian businesswoman, seeks the help of a beautiful but mysterious call-girl, Nathalie, to uncover the truth once and for all. As she hears the intimate details of her husband's meetings with Nathalie, Catherine also begins to learn more about herself and her own desires. However as she loses her control over Nathalie's actions she begins to question who is deceiving whom.
Nathalie is a stylish and provocative drama set against the backdrop of the world's most seductive city, which looks at the nature of relationships, and the subtle line that separates love from desire.
Watched: 1st. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: I decided to watch this after viewing Chloe the US remake of this film. The premise is the same with a professional woman employing a call-girl to try and trap her husband, whom she thinks is having affairs. The family dynamics though are different and the ending an anti-climax compared to the US version.
My Rating: A mildly enjoyable 3
Post by: Dragonfire on January 02, 2011, 11:44:59 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on January 02, 2011, 11:51:07 PM
I have Mars Attacks on DVD and I don't remember many extras on it either.
Thanks Marie. I was surprised to find that I didn't have this on DVD but checking things through I do have it on NTSC Laserdisc but that probably was also vanilla.
Post by: Dr. Hasslein on January 02, 2011, 11:53:32 PM
Post by: Tom on January 02, 2011, 11:57:25 PM
Wasn't Mar Attacks one of the first DVD titles?
My German DVD release was reased in April of 1998 (according to the DVD Profiler profile). So at least it was one of the first German DVD releases. And it also had no extras except for a music-only audio track, production notes and the theatrical trailer.
Post by: dfmorgan on January 03, 2011, 12:16:39 AM
Wasn't Mar Attacks one of the first DVD titles?
My German DVD release was reased in April of 1998 (according to the DVD Profiler profile). So at least it was one of the first German DVD releases. And it also had no extras except for a music-only audio track, production notes and the theatrical trailer.
That is way more extras than this Blu-ray. There is zero extras, no trailers, notes or anything. Only 7 language tracks and 17 subtitles.
Luckily I didn't buy this for me it was a birthday gift.
Post by: Dragonfire on January 03, 2011, 12:44:28 AM
The version I have was released in 1997, so it probably was one of the first DVDs.
According to Profiler, there are trailers and production notes/bios..and Martian subtitles. So, basically no extras..least as far as I'm concerned.
Post by: dfmorgan on January 05, 2011, 07:46:21 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582812619.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Scott Pilgrim vs. The World |
Year: 2010
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Michael Cera, Alison Pill, Mark Webber
Overview: Meet charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). A bass guitarist for garage band Sex Bob-omb, the 22-year-old has just met the girl of his dreams - literally. But, there's one catch to winning Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) ...he has to meet and defeat her seven evil exes!
From genre-smashing filmmaker Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) comes the amazing story of one romantic slacker’s fight to POWER-UP with love - before it realy is GAME OVER!
Watched: 5th. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: A great fun film. Loved all the video game touchs throughout even down to 8-bit style graphics on the disc menues
My Rating: Immensely fun 4
Post by: dfmorgan on January 09, 2011, 05:06:04 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/IA/IA58D096C4DE0200A.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Jonah Hex |
Year: 2010
Director: Jimmy Hayward
Cast: Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox
Overview: Out of the pages of the legendary comics and graphic novels steps Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin), a scarred drifter and bounty hunter of last resort. Jonah's past catches up with him when the U.S. military offers to wipe out the warrants on his head if he hunts and stops dangerous terrorist Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich).
Watched: 8th. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: OK what can I say. First of all I haven't seen the comics this was based upon and whilst I realize that hitting you with the back story from the off can be awkward the constant drip-feed here, and not necessarily in the right order, made this a little more confusing to me. Plus they never explained why a Confederate General turned to wholesale slaughter and terrorism. Some touches were nice in making this look like a Spaghetti Western but in the end the action and acting didn't save it for me.
My Rating: A confused 2
Post by: Rogmeister on January 09, 2011, 06:00:10 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on January 09, 2011, 08:40:23 PM
Most of the reviews I've seen for this movie just call it outright horrible so you actually seemed to enjoy it more than them...hard as it is to believe. I may still get it...if it ever hits the $5 bargain bin. The DVD may...not sure about Blu-ray...I've not seen any Blu-ray bargain bins yet though I did get one title recently for $8 which is close to that price. Do you recall who did the music for this film? I always like to check that out.
Yes wait for the bargain bin. Sorry even though it was only 81mins long I didn't look too closely at the end credits, I recall that Seasick Steve did a couple of songs but that is about all.
ETA: Just looked at the profile in DVDP and it says the music was by Marco Beltrami and Mastodon
Post by: Rogmeister on January 09, 2011, 10:17:55 PM
Post by: Achim on January 10, 2011, 07:58:57 AM
Yes wait for the bargain bin. Sorry even though it was only 81mins long I didn't look too closely at the end credits, I recall that Seasick Steve did a couple of songs but that is about all.The composer is usually in the opening credits, if there are any. ;)
Quote
ETA: Just looked at the profile in DVDP and it says the music was by Marco Beltrami and MastodonMarco Beltrami has done quite a few horror soundtracks, several of the movies I own:
The Faculty
Blade II
Scream Trilogy
Hellboy
Live Free or Die hard (Die Hard 4.0)
Hurt Locker
Post by: Najemikon on January 10, 2011, 10:41:44 PM
Do you recall who did the music for this film? I always like to check that out.
I have no idea in this case, but it can be unfortunate when music gets lost in a poor film no-one pays attention to. I've always dismissed James Horner as repetitive, and while this still is, I dropped across his Willow theme the other day and it just caught me right. I thought it was wonderful and there it is trapped in the middle of a movie I have no wish to watch again. It's not terrible, but... meh.
Post by: dfmorgan on January 11, 2011, 12:22:35 AM
The composer is usually in the opening credits, if there are any. ;)I knew that but I didn't really notice who was in the opening credits and could only just remember some of the ending credits and then I couldn't be arsed enough to change my original comment and that is why I then added:-
Quote
ETA: Just looked at the profile in DVDP and it says the music was by Marco Beltrami and Mastodon
Marco Beltrami has done quite a few horror soundtracks, several of the movies I own:in addition I have Marco down for
The Faculty
Blade II
Scream Trilogy
Hellboy
Live Free or Die hard (Die Hard 4.0)
Hurt Locker
3:10 to Yuma (2007)
Cursed
Dracula 2001
The Eye
Flight of the Phoenix (2004)
I, Robot
In the Electric Mist
Knowing
Max Payne
Red Eye
Repo Men
Resident Evil
Roadkill
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
Underworld Evolution
XXX: The Next Level
edited to fix quoting
Post by: dfmorgan on January 16, 2011, 12:21:04 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8902797300009.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge |
Year: 1995
Director: Aditya Chopra
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Amrish Puri
Overview: Having been brought up in London, Raj (Shahrukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol) are second generation British Asians, who still cherish their Indian roots, culture and values. The two meet in a chance encounter while traveling through Europe on an inter-rail holiday. When they get seperated from their friends, they discover each other.... they discover LOVE! When they return to London, Simran is taken back to India, for an arranged marriage as per her fathers wishes. Now Raj must go to India to win his Dulhania and asks Simran's father for her hand in marriage and seek acceptance of their love - all this, while the preparations for Simran's wedding are in full swing.
DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE released in 1995, is the longest running film in Indian Cinema. Aditya Chopra's debut film became one of Hindi cinemas biggest blockbusters sweeping 10 Filmfare awards and the National award for popular and wholesome entertainment. Sensitively and often poignantly scripted, the film has a sweet, innocent freshness that makes not just Simran and Raj (perhaps Kajol and Shahrukh's best performances) but all the other characters so real that you love, laugh and ache along with them as if they lived next door.
Watched: 15th. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: An enjoyable film in two parts. In part one two separate people, Raj (Shahrukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol), set off on a trip around Europe, each with their own circle of friends. However the plans go awry and Raj and Simran keep getting caught up with each other throughout the trip. When they get back to London they both come to the realisation that they have deep feelings for each other but Simran is already promised to another in India. For part two the film then transports us to India where Raj now tries to win Simran's hand and approval of her father.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Post by: Tom on January 17, 2011, 06:54:02 PM
I still think you should check out SRK and Kajol's later cooperations "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and "Kabhie Khuchi Kabhie Gham" because they are essential Bollywood viewing. Especially the later (KKKG) I really can enjoy again and again. So if you plan to only buy one of these, go with the second one. And you really should go Blu on this one. I even have double-dipped here.
Post by: dfmorgan on January 18, 2011, 09:04:32 PM
I expected that you won't enjoy this one as much as the others. Too many imperfections of Bollywood are obvious. Their production values have only risen the last ten years or so.
I still think you should check out SRK and Kajol's later cooperations "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and "Kabhie Khuchi Kabhie Gham" because they are essential Bollywood viewing. Especially the later (KKKG) I really can enjoy again and again. So if you plan to only buy one of these, go with the second one. And you really should go Blu on this one. I even have double-dipped here.
Thanks again for the recommendations. I looked for these two but they are not on UK Blu as yet and have held off on the DVD's. I also did check the earlier titles Krrish and Koi... Mil Gaya but they were silly prices at the time I checked but Krrish seems to have come down a bit now, around the £8/9 mark including postage, but although said to be 2-Disc Editions the Marketplace traders are saying it is a single disc. Koi... Mil Gaya is still silly money at over £200.
Post by: Tom on January 18, 2011, 09:27:43 PM
Koi... Mil Gaya is still silly money at over £200.
I found it cheaper at Play.com (http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/129208/Koi-Mil-Gaya/Product.html?searchstring=Koi...+Mil+Gaya&searchtype=allproducts&searchsource=0&urlrefer=search).
Post by: dfmorgan on January 18, 2011, 10:16:43 PM
Koi... Mil Gaya is still silly money at over £200.
I found it cheaper at Play.com (http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/129208/Koi-Mil-Gaya/Product.html?searchstring=Koi...+Mil+Gaya&searchtype=allproducts&searchsource=0&urlrefer=search).
Thanks for that. Order now placed for that there and Krrish at amazon marketplace for a 2-disc edition
Post by: dfmorgan on January 22, 2011, 09:04:27 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8901452100688.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Ghajini |
Year: 2008
Director: A. R. Murugadoss
Cast: Aamir Khan, Asin, Jiah Khan
Overview: Ghajini is the largest grossing Hindi Film of all time. It is the only Indian film to earn One Billion Rupees at the Box Office across India and it Grossed 4 Million US Dollars overseas within a week of it's release.
A film about a man with only 15 minutes of memory recall. A man who was once suave, successful and had everything a man could desire. A man who had everything he loved snatched away from him, including his identity by brutal senseless violense. A human being who is forced to become something close to inhuman. A story about his wounded, savage quest for revenge. Driven by the pain of what he once was and had...
Watched: 22nd. Jan. 2011
My Thoughts: A very interesting film. A Bollywood song and dance romance but with a very dark edge. The story is well told and the film's constuction helps to maintain the story with the film having two halves with two big sections forming each half. These sections are the lighter side of the film being that they are about the romance. However they are each bookended by the dark side of the film with Sanjay (Aamir Khan) dealing with his short term memory loss and its cause. Parallels can be drawn with Memento as that also deals with short term memory loss and the protagonist's, both here and there, handle it in similar ways but I would have to rewatch Memento before I can reach any real conclusions.
My Rating: A interesting 4
Post by: Tom on January 22, 2011, 10:31:48 PM
Also Asin did a great job. She is really lovely in this movie. She is the only one who also played in the original Ghajini. This one you were watching is the Hindi remake of a Tamil movie. Both movies were directed by the same guy. Aamir Khan, liking the Tamil movie, convinced the director to remake his movie with a bigger budget in Bollywood. It was Asin's first role in a Hindi movie. I hope I get the chance to see her in more.
Post by: dfmorgan on January 23, 2011, 12:00:28 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051368219950.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Shrek Forever After: The Final Chapter |
Year: 2010
Director: Mike Mitchell
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz
Overview: It started with a loveable ogre... who befriended a talking donkey... and rescued a beautiful princess in the unforgettable story that broke the mould for all animated films to follow. Now comes SHREK FOREVER AFTER, the hilarious and fitting finale to this record-breaking, Oscar®-winning* movie phenomenon.
Longing for the days when he was a "real ogre", Shrek signs a deal with Rumpelstiltskin to get his roar back... but turns his world upside down in the process. Donkey suddenly can't remember his best friend; Fiona is now a tough warrior princess; ans Puss In Boots is one fat cat! Together, they have just 24 hours to reverse the contract and restore happily FOREVER after to close the final chapter in this "fine family film!"**
Watched: 22nd. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: The fourth and supposedly final chapter in the Shrek saga. Shrek (Mike Myers) is suffering from mid-life angst where every day has settled down into a standard routine. Matters come to a head and Shrek signs a contract with Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn) whereby Shrek is granted a day to relive his days as a feared ogre and Rumpelstiltskin receives a day from Shrek. However the day that Rumpelstiltskin receives from Shrek has ramifications far and beyond what Shrek imagined and now Shrek must try to stop Rumpelstiltskin's machinations. Overall I did enjoy this film and it seemed to me to be better than the third but still not as good as the first or second.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on January 23, 2011, 12:03:25 PM
Aamir Khan, always the perfectionist, did a great job in this one. Both in the light and the dark side of the story. He usually throws himself into a movie. For this one he worked out for months to get the physique you see on the cover. When you watch Fanaa, you see that this is not his normal appearance.
Also Asin did a great job. She is really lovely in this movie. She is the only one who also played in the original Ghajini. This one you were watching is the Hindi remake of a Tamil movie. Both movies were directed by the same guy. Aamir Khan, liking the Tamil movie, convinced the director to remake his movie with a bigger budget in Bollywood. It was Asin's first role in a Hindi movie. I hope I get the chance to see her in more.
Thanks for this background info Tom.
Post by: dfmorgan on January 23, 2011, 08:45:40 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8902797300078.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Fanaa |
Year: 2006
Director: Kunal Kohli
Cast: Aamir Khan, Kajol, Rishi Kapoor
Overview: Choices... to choose between right or wrong is simple, but what defines one's life is the decision between the greater of two goods or the lesser of two evils. This is the advice Zooni Ali Beg (Kajol) receives from her father just as she is about to venture out into the world on her own for the very first time. Little does she know that these very words will shape her life.
Zooni, a blind Kashmiri girl, meets Rehan Qadri (Aamir Khan), a local tour guide and an incorrigible flirt. Her friends warn her against this good-for-nothing roadside Romeo, but she chooses to ignore them. It is now her time to discover life, and love. Is this really the right choice?
Rehan is fascinated by Zooni and wants her to see life as it should be seen, in its many colours. He promises her that the time spent with him will be the most precious in all her life. Zooni sees Delhi, life and love like she never has before, because of Rehan.
What Zooni doesn't know is that Rehan has another side of his life that he has kept from her - something that can not only change her life, but can also destroy it.
Fanaa... destroyed in love...
Watched: 23rd. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: Wow what a film, totally not expecting that. I'm glad that the overview didn't contain any spoilers about Rehan (Aamir Khan) and that I hadn't read any reviews that might possibly have held spoilers. Another film with light and dark elements with the first half of this film being the light side but the second half given over to the dark.
My Rating: A marvellous 4+
+Post by: Tom on January 23, 2011, 09:14:40 PM
So far my favourite Kajol movie, where she isn't partnered with Shah Rukh Khan.
You know, I still envy you, that you got all these Bollywood movies on Blu.
Post by: dfmorgan on January 23, 2011, 11:26:24 PM
Glad you liked it :)
So far my favourite Kajol movie, where she isn't partnered with Shah Rukh Khan.
You know, I still envy you, that you got all these Bollywood movies on Blu.
No problemo. I'm enjoying them all so far.
Well I have the Blu's of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhie Khuchi Kabhie Gham now ordered and the seller of those has both My Name is Khan and Taare Zameen Par listed as being available on Blu. I'm sorely tempted but will wait and see how the first two turn out as the only previous order I had from this seller was via amazon marketplace whereas these four titles are listed on their site but not on amazon in this form.
Post by: dfmorgan on January 27, 2011, 09:53:57 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036045506.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The A-Team |
Year: 2010
Director: Joe Carnahan
Cast: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel
Overview: They're armed, dangerous...and downright crazy! Buckle up for an adrenaline-fuelled, action-packed thrill-ride starring Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Quintin "Rampage" Jackson and Sharlto Copley. Convicted by a military court for a crime they didn't commit, a daring team of former special forces soldiers must utilise thier unique talents to break out of prison and tackle thier toughest mission yet. It's going to take guts, split-second timing and an arsenal of explosive weapons - this is a job for The A-Team! This triple play edition of The A-Team contains a Blu-ray, a DVD and a Digital Copy - for you to enjoy when you want, where you want!
Watched: 27th. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: I watched the extended version and thought that it was the usual park-your-brain mindless fun. There were aspects to link back to the original TV series but in general this film took the team into a slightly different direction.
My Rating: A mindlessly enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on January 28, 2011, 09:47:51 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8902797300214.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Kuch Kuch Hota Hai |
Year: 1998
Director: Karan Johar
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji
Overview: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Something is Happening) is a story of 2 best friends at college. Rahul (Shahrukh Khan) and tomboy Anjali (Kajol).
Unknown to Rahul, Anjali has fallen in love with him - When Rahul confesses that he is in love with Tina (Rani Mukerji), Anjali is heartbroken and decides to leave the college so that Rahul and Tina can get together.
Now, nine years have passed and Rahul is a single parent after Tina's demise.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is a story of best friends.... Now they are falling in love.
Watched: 28th. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: Oh dear. What can I say. Just have to repeat myself. Another wonderful recommendation of a film. This film is a weepy romance with a comedic edge. Weepy bits start from the off and continue on and off until almost the end just over 3 hours later. The first half of the film is the story of Rahul (Shahrukh Khan), Anjali (Kajol) and Tina (Rani Mukerji) as related to Tina and Rahul's daughter via a letter written to her before Tina's death after giving birth to her. The second half is how their daughter follows her mother's wishes as expressed in that letter.
My Rating: A very enjoyable, even though it was a weepy, 3+
+Post by: Tom on January 28, 2011, 11:10:03 PM
As you don't seem to be put off by "weepy" movies, I have another great recommendation for you: "Kal Ho Naa Ho"
Especially if you also enjoy Kabhie Khuchi Kabhie Gham. Try to avoid reading spoilers for it though.
Post by: dfmorgan on January 28, 2011, 11:34:09 PM
You think that one was weepy, than wait for Kabhie Khuchi Kabhie Gham. But it is a different kind of weepy. Supported by (IMO) great music.
Okely Dokely. Hoping to get to watch this on Sunday afternoon.
Quote
As you don't seem to be put off by "weepy" movies, I have another great recommendation for you: "Kal Ho Naa Ho"
Especially if you also enjoy Kabhie Khuchi Kabhie Gham. Try to avoid reading spoilers for it though.
Ok, I had a quick look round for it and the e-tailer I got this and K3G from has it in Blu so I'll probably be hitting the order button on Sunday evening assuming that I do like K3G. May also take the opportunity to upgrade My Name is Khan as I caught part of it this afternoon on a satellite HD movie channel.
Post by: dfmorgan on January 30, 2011, 11:17:29 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050629831139.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Other Guys |
Year: 2010
Director: Adam McKay
Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes
Overview: Misfit police detectives Gamble and Hoitz (Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg) are sentenced to life behind a desk. Forced to live in the shadows of the two biggest and most badass cops on the force (Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson), they hate the monotony of their meaningless jobs almost as much as they hate each other. But opportunity knocks for Gamble and Hoitz when they stumble onto what could be one of the biggest crimes in years. Can The Other Guys step up their game and solve the case without killing each other and destroying New York in the process? Steve Coogan and Eva Mendes also star in this hilarious new comedy from the director of 'Step Brothers' and 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby'.
Watched: 29th. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: I watched the extended edition and thought it was an OK film. I didn't really enjoy this as much as other Adam McKay films I have seen, the characters tended to grate on me. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood for this.
My Rating: A ho-hum 2
Post by: dfmorgan on January 30, 2011, 10:00:03 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8902797300221.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... |
Year: 2001
Director: Karan Johar
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan
Overview: Yashovardhan Raichand (Amitabh Bachchan) and his wife Nandini (Jaya Bachchan) have raised their sons, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) showering them with love and affection. Yash has tried to pass on to his sons the values, heritage and traditions of the family.
Nandini has different dreams for her sons. Dreams of love that she wanted both her sons to experience, more so Rahul as she shares a special bond with him. A bond that has been cultivated with love for a child that was never meant to be ... a child who was adopted. Rahul's adoption was a secret never discussed in the Raichand household. Ever since Rahul found out at the age of 8 years, it became the reason for his unending gratitude for his parents - especially his father. His father's every wish became a command for him. A command which he never breaks until he falls in love with Anjali (Kajol) - a bubbly girl from Chandni Chowk, who dotes on her younger sister Pooja (Kareena Kapoor). Rahul marries Anjali and brings her home but his father doesn't approve of her. Rahul thus decides to leave home causing his mother's every waking moment to be spent eagerly awaiting his return. Seeing this the younger son Rohan makes a promise to reunite the family and bring back the happiness they once shared.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G) is directed by Karan Johar whose first film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai has so far been the highest grossing Indian film. Yash Johar and Karan Johar have assembled the largest star cast ever and created one of the most spectacular films of Indian cinema. K3G has in fact surpassed their own earlier film and is already the most successful Indian film of all time.
Watched: 30th. Jan 2011
My Thoughts: Another wonderful recommendation. A weepy again but with plenty of songs and dance. A father and son become estranged and the first half of the film details the where and when behind the estrangement whilst the second half shows how the younger son tries to bring about the family reconciliation.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3+
+Edited for typos
Post by: dfmorgan on February 06, 2011, 04:43:53 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418268640.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time |
Year: 2010
Director: Mike Newell
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley
Overview: In the spirit of the Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films transport you to the mystical lands of Persia for this wildly entertaining, epic action-adventure. It's a race against time when a rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) reluctantly teams up with a rival princess (Gemma Arterton) to safeguard a magical dagger that gives its possessor the power to reverse time and rule the world. Filled with death-defying escapes and unexpected twists at every turn — PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME is a fun-filled adventure that will keep your pulse pounding long after the credits end.
Watched: 6th Feb. 2011
My Thoughts: An enjoyable romp. I guessed the bad bad guy early on in the film, part way through I started to wonder if I was right but was vindicated with my decision before the end. Having played one of the "Prince of Persia" platform games I could see how they incorporated some the games styling into this film and its action. Most of the time the brain was parked in neutral but a couple times I had to get into first gear but generally a good action romp.
My Rating: An enjoyable romp for a 3
Post by: Achim on February 07, 2011, 07:54:16 AM
I guessed the bad bad guy early on in the film,According to Mayo and Kermode they weren't exactly being overly ambiguous about him, either :laugh:
(click to show/hide)
Post by: dfmorgan on February 13, 2011, 11:38:20 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036045469.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Knight and Day |
Year: 2010
Director: James Mangold
Cast: Tom Cruise. Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard
Overview: Get set for wild action and sizzling chemistry with the exclusive extended edition of Knight and Day. Big screen superstars Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible, Tropic Thunder) and Cameron Diaz (Charlie's Angels, Something About Mary) come together in this thrilling action-adventure. When June meets a mysterious stranger on a routine flight, she thinks she's met the man who'll add some excitement to her life. But she soon discovers he's a fugitive super-spy, who thrusts her into a globetrotting cat-and-mouse chase. As the bullets and sparks fly, June must decide if she can really trust this Knight in shining armour. This triple play edition of Knight and Day contains a Blu-ray, a DVD and a Digital Copy — for you to enjoy when you want, where you want!
Watched: 12th Feb. 2011
My Thoughts: I watched the Extended Cut and thought it was a fairly standard action-adventure, comedy film. It was moderately fun and a slightly enjoyable no-brainer.
My Rating: An OKish 2+
+Post by: dfmorgan on February 13, 2011, 08:54:40 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050629500110.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Saawariya |
Year: 2007
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Cast: Salman Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor
Overview: From Sanjay Leela Bhansali, one of India's most acclaimed cinema directors comes a love story. Saawariya is a tender and romantic musical which centres around the chance encounter of two people Raj (Ranbir Kapoor) and Sakina (Sonam Kapoor) and an impromptu romance that's initiated in the remote picturesque town of Simla, a quaint hill station in Northern India.
Watched: 13th Feb. 2011
My Thoughts: This film is based on the story "White Nights" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, not a work or author that I have ever read therefore I cannot compare them. The film is set in a red-light district and Gulab (Rani Mukherjee), one of the women who work there, relates a story that takes place over four or five nights. A wandering musician, Raj (Ranbir Kapoor), arrives in town and meets a young woman, Sakina (Sonam Kapoor), crying on a bridge. She is pining for her love, Imaan (Salman Khan), to return from whence he had wandered. The tale is about unrequited and requited love and although I guessed part of the ending I didn't expect the final outcome.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on February 20, 2011, 12:15:27 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5035673010259.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Privilege |
Year: 1967
Director: Peter Watkins
Cast: Paul Jones, Jean Shrimpton, William Job
Overview: Steven Shorter, the biggest pop star of his day, is loved by millions, his endorsement influencing the actions of the masses. But, in reality, he is a puppet whose popularity is carefully managed by government-backed handlers keen to keep the country's youth under control. Starring Manfred Mann lead singer Paul Jones and iconic Sixties supermodel Jean Shrimpton, Privilege is remastered in High Definition and made available in the UK for the first time since its original cinema release.
Watched: 19th Feb. 2011
My Thoughts: A film I remember seeing in the '60s but not too much about. The lead role of Steven Shorter, a pop star adored by the masses, is played by Paul Jones who had been the voice and front man of the pop group Manfred Mann. The film is made as a pseudo-documentary set in the near future, then of the 1970s. Steven is heavily contolled by his management team who in turn are sponsored by various government departments who believe that contolling Steven Shorter allows them to control the teenage mass.
Parallels with this film can probably be drawn today with they way that media, in all forms but especially the populist press, seem to have the power to make or break people with relative ease.
My Rating:
Post by: dfmorgan on February 20, 2011, 08:23:42 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060148530284.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Memories of Matsuko |
Year: 2006
Director: Tetsuya Nakashima
Cast: Miki Nakatani, Eita
Overview: When the body of a female tramp is found in the park, her nephew, Shou, is called upon to clean out her abandoned apartment. He unwittingly embarks on a surprising journey through the extraordinary life of his aunt, Matsuko, a starry-eyed female searching for her prince.
A collision of visually stunning hues and Bob Fosse-like musical set-pieces, this Amelie-esque fairytale gracefully glides through the decades from the 50s to the 80s. Miki Nakatani displays an award winning performance as Matsuko, engaging the audience with her touching portrayal of life.
Watched: 20th Feb. 2011
My Thoughts: An interesting film. Sho (Eita) is ask to clear out the apartment belonging to his recently deceased aunt Matsuko (Miki Nakatani), an aunt he never knew he had. In clearing the rubbish he comes across items from her past and meets some of her acquaintances. This leads him to discover details about her life where she appeared to stumble from one disastrous relationship to another. One very nice misty-eyed touch was the ending which recalled a line much earlier in the film.
My Rating: An interesting 4-
-Post by: Tom on February 20, 2011, 08:29:33 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on February 20, 2011, 08:36:15 PM
Wishlisted now. Thanks.
No problemo, I hope you like it as well.
Post by: dfmorgan on February 27, 2011, 12:20:12 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8902797300238.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Kal Ho Naa Ho |
Year: 2003
Director: Nikhil Advani
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta
Overview: For Naina Catherine Kapur (Preity Zinta), life is cold, grey and dull - as it has been ever since a family tragedy shook her world.
Between the constant bickering in her half punjabi half Catholic household, her grandmother's temper, looking after her little sister and brother and helping her mother (Jaya Bachchan) deal with the family's financial troubles - Naina has no time for things like parties, fun or herself... she's twenty-three, going on fifty. she is serious. She is boring.
Enter Aman Mathur (Shah Rukh Khan). like a whiff of fresh air, he moves into their tiny indian neighborhood to take it over. Helping others to resolve their problems, face life's little challenges - Aman has all the answers. Much to Naina's irritation, he insists on interferring in her life too...
Aman pushes Naina into doing things she would never dream of doing. He nags her till she learns to smile. He conspires with friend Rohit (Saif Ali Khan), an eligible Manhattan bachelor to help find her happiness.
Kal Ho Naa Ho is the story of Aman, Rohit and Naina's journey together - how they discover themselves, find the courage to love and come together to celebrate life.
Watched: 26th Feb. 2011
My Thoughts: Yet again another wonderful recommendation. This must be the one weepy to rule all other weepies. The first half of the film builds the characters and their dynamics leading to a little weepy session before the intermission. Then the second half is powerful with many weepy hits all through it leading to its conclusion and small postscript set 20 years later. Overall this is not just a weepy though, this film has a very strong multi-threaded story being told with some unexpected reveals.
My Rating: A marvellous 4
p.s. I loved the Bollywoodized interpretation of Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman".
Post by: Tom on February 27, 2011, 01:10:46 PM
Let me know if you need further Bollywood recommendations. I think I know of a few others you might enjoy.
Post by: dfmorgan on February 27, 2011, 09:13:01 PM
Currently in TBW there are 13:-
Dabangg, Housefull, I Hate Luv Storys, Karthik calling Karthik, Krrish, Love Aaj Kal, Namastey London, Om Shanti Om, Raajneeti, Taare Zameen Par, Tere naam, Veer, Wake up S!d
Although to counter this I have to say that I have watched more, apparently 15 so far. So 28 individual titles since June when I started with Black although the count of owned is higher at 31 because I double dipped on 3 DVD's so far for Blu's with a further one due to be despatched next week and I haven't removed the old copies from my DVDP. I may well also be ordering Kites after your mention of it earlier.
Post by: dfmorgan on February 28, 2011, 11:59:30 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582816778.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Despicable Me |
Year: 2010
Director: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand
Overview: In a happy suburban neighbourhood with its well-kept gardens and white picket fences, sits a black house with a dead lawn! This is the secret hideout of Gru (Steve Carell), who, with his army of excitable little yellow minions, plans to TAKE OVER THE WORLD.
Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze guns and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, Gru is accustomed to defeating all who stand in his way. But the arrival of three little orphaned girls, and their determination to make him their Dad, threatens his reputation as a SUPER-VILLIAN!
Watched: 27th Feb. 2011
My Thoughts: Evil super-villain Gru (Steve Carell) adopts three orphan girls in a quest to beat his latest rival Vector (Jason Segel). Fairly usual fun and frolics in this animated film.
My Rating: Fairly enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on March 06, 2011, 01:44:43 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/82/828970000284.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Om Shanti Om |
Year: 2007
Director: Farah Khan
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, Deepika Padukone
Overview: The makers of 'Main Hoon Na' are back with the biggst film of 2007!
Farah Khan, one of the most accomplished directors in India, weaves a spectacular story of romance, revenge and reincarnation.
'Om Shanti Om' is a romantic saga of a boy next door, Om Prakash Makhija (Shah Rukh Khan) who works as a junior artiste in bollywood in the 70's. He is madly in love with the superstar of that time, Shantipriya (Deepika Padukone). His dreams and aspirations to become a superstar and be with his lady love are thwarted as he witnesses the brutal murder of his beloved Shantipriya by a mercenary producer Mukesh Mehra (Arjun Rampal). Om Prakash dies, trying to save his Shanti.
But destiny has something else in store when 'Om Prakash' a junior artiste returns as 'Om Kapoor' the superstar of 2007! His journey of rediscovering himself, his past life and avenging the death of his beloved is the story of 'Om Shanti Om!
'Om Shanti Om' is a tribute, especially to the joyous and exultant era of Bollywood - the swinging 70's! It has captured the imagination of the audiences worldwide with its dramatic storytelling, musical narration and stunning performances, making it the 'Highest Grossing film of Bollywood ever!'
Watched: 5th Mar. 2011
My Thoughts: I quite enjoyed this film. Many of the references to Bollywood old and new were lost on me with my current lack of depth of knowledge about Bollywood but that didn't detract from the overall enjoyment. The big climatic song at the end for the final reveal reminded me very much of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera"
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Post by: Tom on March 06, 2011, 02:17:19 PM
Overview: The makers of 'Main Hoon Na' are back with the biggst film of 2007!
I wanted to wait with further recommendations but I couldn't let this go. "Main Hoon Na" is on my list for further recommendations for you. I quite enjoyed it.
Post by: dfmorgan on March 06, 2011, 08:26:59 PM
I wanted to wait with further recommendations but I couldn't let this go. "Main Hoon Na" is on my list for further recommendations for you. I quite enjoyed it.
Okely Dokely. On my to order list.
Post by: dfmorgan on March 06, 2011, 08:44:39 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050629314137.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Easy A |
Year: 2010
Director: Will Gluck
Cast: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes
Overview: In this charming, funny and critically-acclaimed tale of rumours and reputation, Olive (Emma Stone), an average high school student, sees her below-the-radar existence turn around overnight once she decides to use the school's gossip grapevine to advance her social standing.
Now her classmates (Amanda Bynes, Aly Michalka) are turning against her and the school board is becoming concerned, including her favourite teacher (Thomas Haden Church) and the distracted guidance counsellor (Lisa Kudrow). With the support of her hilariously idiosyncratic parents (Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson) and a little help from a long-time crush (Penn Badgley), Olive attempts to take on her notorious new identity and crush the rumour mill once and for all.
Watched: 6th Mar. 2011
My Thoughts: Initially when this came up on the pre-release schedule I dismissed it after a brief look at the description offered on amazon UK. However I read further reviews of the film and decided to give it a chance and am pleased I did. Despite the theme of a girls reputation being destroyed I found this to be a fun and enjoyable film.
My Rating: A fun and enjoyable 4
Post by: dfmorgan on March 06, 2011, 08:53:57 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060223760582.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Alpha and Omega |
Year: 2010
Director: Anthony Bell, Ben Gluck
Cast: Justin Long, Hayden Panettiere, Dennis Hopper
Overview: Come along on the ultimate road-trip adventure that will leave the whole family howling with laughter! When Kate, a take-charge "Alpha" wolf, and Humphrey, a laid-back "Omega" wolf, are snatched by park rangers and relocated halfway across the country, the two must set off on an incredible journey home! With the help of a goofy golfing goose and his quacky duck caaddy, Kate and Humphrey won't let anything stop them –prickly porcupines, grumpy bears, even a speeding locomotive – from getting back to Jasper Park in time to help save their pack from rival wolves! And along the way, Kate and Humphrey learn that even though they are complete opposites, they make a pretty good team! It's a thousand miles of fun in this wildly entertaining journey the whole pack can enjoy together!
Watched: 6th Mar. 2011
My Thoughts: An average animation which has its moments.
My Rating: A slightly enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on March 12, 2011, 03:38:44 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051429702209.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Let Me In |
Year: 2010
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Richard Jenkins
Overview: A haunting and provocative thriller written and directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield), based on the best-selling Swedish novel (Let The Right One In). Chloë Grace Moretz (Hit Girl in Kick-Ass) stars as Abby, a mysterious girl who moves next door to Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Road), a social outcast who is viciously bullied at school. In his loneliness, Owen forms a profound bond with Abby, but as a string of grisly murders grips his wintry New Mexico town, he begins to realise that Abby is anything but 'the girl next-door'.
Watched: 11th Mar. 2011
My Thoughts: The second film to be based on the novel 'Let The Right One In' by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Overall this film is the same as the original which is close to the book however areas do vary where each director concentrated on different aspects of the book. In this film there is less of the community spirit, less interaction between Owen (Oskar in the book and first film) and his mother but the detective has a higher profile similar to the book with a slight role crossover.
My Rating: An excellent slightly alternate take for a 4
Post by: dfmorgan on March 13, 2011, 11:49:04 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8903431900128.39f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Taare Zameen Par |
Year: 2007
Director: Aamir Khan
Cast: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tisca Chopra
Overview: Eight-year-old Ishaan's world is filled with wonders that no one else seems to appreciate. Adults are more interested in things like homework and marks. And Ishaan just can't seem to get anything right in class. When he gets into more trouble than his parents can handle, he is packed off to boarding school to 'be disciplined'... New Art teacher, Nikumbh, soon realizes that something is wrong and sets out to discover why. With time, patience and care, he ultimately helps Ishaan find himself.
Watched: 12th Mar. 2011
My Thoughts: A captivating and really enjoyable film. No real surprises and a nice use of songs with no dance accompaniment.
My Rating: A captivating 4
Post by: dfmorgan on March 20, 2011, 12:10:59 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/82/828970001380.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Veer |
Year: 2010
Director: Anil Sharma
Cast: Salman Khan, Zarine Khan, Jackie Shroff
Overview: The Pindari warrior Veer (Salman Khan) plots to overthrow British rule in Madhavgarh, while falling in love with princess Yashodhara (Zarine Khan), daughter of King Gyanendra (Jackie Shroff) who as a prince, in the past, had betrayed the Pindaaris, leading to a massacre of 4,500 men.
Watched: 19th Mar.2011
My Thoughts: A mildly enjoyable film.
My Rating: A mildly enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on March 20, 2011, 08:38:21 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582812831.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Kids Are All Right |
Year: 2010
Director: Lisa Cholodenko
Cast: Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Mark Ruffalo
Overview: Academy Award® nominees* Annette Bening and Julianne Moore star in this funny, smart and vibrant portrait of a modern American family. Nic (Bening) and Jules (Moore) are your average suburban couple raising their two teens,Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson), in Southern California. But when the kids secretly track down their "donor dad," Paul (Mark Ruffalo), an unexpected new chapter begins for everyone as family ties are defined, re-defined and then re-re-defined. Fall in love with this big hearted comedy!
Watched: 20th Mar. 2011
My Thoughts: Oh dear, I should have listened to the Daily Mail's Christopher Tookey. He gave this 5 stars and rated it highly so I should have stuck with my usual instinct for his reviews and given this a miss but I didn't :(
Overall I didn't find this funny. I didn't feel for any of the characters even in the sad rather than funny areas that this film went into. It wasn't exactly boring but I wasn't grabbed by it.
My Rating: A ho-hum 2
Post by: dfmorgan on March 27, 2011, 11:59:23 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050349018322.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Machete |
Year: 2010
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Cast: Danny Trejo, Steven Seagal, Jessica Alba
Overview: A bad-ass, star-studded action fest from Robert Rodriguez (Once Upon a Time in Mexico), MACHETE is the most outrageously explosive entertainment you're likely to see. Danny Trejo stars as a hard-as-nails Mexican Federale seeking revenge against a vicious drug lord (Steven Seagal), a ruthless vigilante (Don Johnson) and a power-mad politician (Robert De Niro). He is helped in his violent quest by a beautiful immigration agent (Jessica Alba), a tough revolutionary (Michelle Rodriguez) and by his brother, a priest (Cheech Marin), whilst also finding solace with a drug addict (Lindsay Lohan) along the way. Viva Machete!
Watched: 26th Mar. 2011
My Thoughts: A wonderful, outrageously over-the-top film. It starts like Rodriguez/Tarantino's Grindhouse with a scratchy print for the scene setting a couple of years back but moves into a clean print after the opening credits and into current times. Lots of hack and slash with plenty of guns, of all shapes and sizes, too. I found this to be immensely fun but it is not for everyone with plenty of blood and guts being spilled.
My Rating: A wonderfully OTT 4
Post by: dfmorgan on April 03, 2011, 12:29:56 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366802444.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Summer Wars |
Part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366802543.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Summer Wars / The Girl Who Leapt Through Time |
Year: 2009
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Cast: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Nanami Sakuraba, Mitsuki Tanimura
Overview: Kenji is your typical teenage misfit. He's good at math, bad with girls, and spends most of histime hanging out in the all-powerful, online community known as OZ. His second life is the only life he has until the girl of his dreams, Natsuki, hijacks him for a starring role as a fake fiance at her family reunion. Things only get stranger from there. A late-night email containing a cryptic mathematic riddle leads to the unleashing of a rogue AI intent on using the virtual world of OZ to destroy the real world, literally. As Armageddon looms on the horizon, Kenji and his new family set aside their differences and band together to save the worlds they inhabit in this "near-perfect blend of social satire and science fiction". AinItCoolNews
Watched: 2nd Apr. 2011
My Thoughts: A lovely enjoyable romp. A bright and colourful update to the premise of Wargames. This time a malevolent AI is loose in the cyber-world of OZ and because practically everything in the world is run through OZ accounts the whole world is in danger.
My Rating: A thouroughly enjoyable 4
ETA: Part of
Post by: Tom on April 03, 2011, 07:16:21 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on April 03, 2011, 08:21:49 PM
I also watched "Summer Wars" yesterday. You seemed to have enjoyed it more than I did. For some reason I didn't like it all that much.
I think I must have been in the mood for some lightish fun and this film delivered that to me last night. I sat down and watched this without interruption. Often I may do a little web-surfing on my laptop whilst watching films but didn't during this and that will always help gauge the rating I give the film i.e. if my attention is held it will generally be a 4 or 5 with a lack of attention being 3 or less.
Post by: dfmorgan on April 03, 2011, 08:23:17 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366802048.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Girl Who Leapt Through Time |
Part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366802543.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Summer Wars / The Girl Who Leapt Through Time |
Year: 2006
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Cast: Riisa Naka, Takuya Ishida, Mitsutaka Itakura
Overview: What would you do if you could "leap" backward through time? When tomboyish 17 year old Makoto Konno gains this ability after an accident in her high school chemistry lab, she immediately sets about improving her grades and preventing personal mishaps. Before long, however, she realizes that even innocuous changes can have terrible consequences. Changing the past is not as simple as it seems, and eventually Makoto will have to rely on her new powers to shape the future for herself and her friends.
Featuring brilliant character design by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and stunning visuals by long time Studio Ghibli Art Director, Nizo Yamamoto, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a feast for the eyes as well as the heart.
Watched: 3rd Apr. 2011
My Thoughts: I know I saw this just over a year ago but I felt in the mood, after Summer Wars yesterday, for another anime and went for this the second film in the set. I found this to be still as wonderful a film even in this repeat viewing, although in High Definition on Blu-ray this time.
My Rating: A wonderful film so 5
Post by: Tom on April 03, 2011, 08:32:42 PM
I will do it, if the next time I am making scans none are submitted yet. But my scans are usually not that good. I don't have a good scanner and I don't bother much with retouching it.
Post by: dfmorgan on April 03, 2011, 08:58:07 PM
Are you planning to submit new cover scans for these two?
I will do it, if the next time I am making scans none are submitted yet. But my scans are usually not that good. I don't have a good scanner and I don't bother much with retouching it.
I was planning to get up to date with my submissions this weekend but didn't get as much done as I originally planned, however I will get something sorted within the next couple of days for these though.
Post by: Tom on April 03, 2011, 09:04:36 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on April 04, 2011, 11:26:01 PM
Are you planning to submit new cover scans for these two?
I will do it, if the next time I am making scans none are submitted yet. But my scans are usually not that good. I don't have a good scanner and I don't bother much with retouching it.
I was planning to get up to date with my submissions this weekend but didn't get as much done as I originally planned, however I will get something sorted within the next couple of days for these though.
OK a total of 8 submissions yesterday and today with 3 of them being initial. You've seen the one for Summer Wars I have also now done an intial profile for The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and that has been approved so should be available tomorrow.
Post by: Tom on April 04, 2011, 11:35:59 PM
OK a total of 8 submissions yesterday and today with 3 of them being initial. You've seen the one for Summer Wars I have also now done an intial profile for The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and that has been approved so should be available tomorrow.
Great! Thanks! :thumbup:
Post by: dfmorgan on April 10, 2011, 01:32:07 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/82/828970001489.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Karthik calling Karthik |
Year: 2010
Director: Vijay Lalwani
Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone
Overview: MEET KARTHIK: an introvert by nature and shy by choice. Karthik suffers with huge confidence issues and is miserable at his less than average job. His boss treats him like dirt. Shonali, his colleague who he secretly loves doesn't even know he exists. Karthik is a loser, knows it, and accepts it.
And then one day the phone rings. Karthik speaks to someone who also claims to be Karthik, and promises to change his life.
Soon begins the thrilling and soulful journey of this lovable loser's victory against all odds with the help of his mysterious friend.
Watched: 9th Apr. 2011
My Thoughts: I quite enjoyed this film for the first hour and three-quarters where initially it showed the loser character Karthik (Farhan Akhtar) who then changes once he starts to get the 'phone calls from Karthik. The film then progressed through Karthik gaining and exuding confidence in the office and with the woman he loved Shonali (Deepika Padukone) then to the fateful day he disobeyed the 'phone Karthik's orders whereupon he loses all. We next see Karthik commence to rebuild his life again but then in the last 25/30 minutes of the film we are rushed through to a conclusion which to me seemed to be a bit of a cop-out.
My Rating: A 3 for me but would have been 4 with a better handled ending
Post by: dfmorgan on April 17, 2011, 08:50:39 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060116726367.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Monsters |
Year: 2010
Director: Gareth Edwards
Cast: Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able
Overview: Six years ago NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A probe was launched to collect samples, but crashed upon re-entry over Central America. Soon after, new life forms began to appear and grow. In an effort to stem the destruction that resulted, half of Mexico was quarantined as an INFECTED ZONE. Today, the American and Mexican military still struggle to contain the massive creatures...
A jaded US journalist (McNairy) begrudgingly agrees to find his boss' daughter, a shaken American tourist (Able) and escort her through the infected zone to the safety of the US border.
Watched: 16th Apr. 2011
My Thoughts: A disappointing bore-fest. I guess I should have read more reviews before purchasing as I expected more science-fiction rather than just a couple rambling.
My Rating:
Post by: Najemikon on April 17, 2011, 09:15:25 PM
Sorry, I shouldn't laugh! I liked it. I thought as a drama, it was quite brilliant. I think Gareth Edwards surprised himself with a natural ability for film-making, when all he set out to do was set-up a story about actual monsters. He kind of forgot about them in the end.
Post by: dfmorgan on April 17, 2011, 09:29:06 PM
:laugh:
Sorry, I shouldn't laugh!
No problemo
Quote
I liked it. I thought as a drama, it was quite brilliant. I think Gareth Edwards surprised himself with a natural ability for film-making, when all he set out to do was set-up a story about actual monsters. He kind of forgot about them in the end.
Yep I saw that as I read your review after I had written mine. I watched some of the making of and that aspect came over as well as his guerilla filming technique but even with that I still couldn't find a redeeming feature for me. I wasn't aware of this but apparently Gareth Edwards two leads were the only actors in the film, all other characters were real people and in the majority of cases were performing their day-to-day jobs which he then filmed with the interaction required by the leads as laid down by Gareth. Also there was no script as such just a series of outlines to give guidance.
Post by: dfmorgan on April 24, 2011, 08:55:56 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055126175281.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Koi... Mil Gaya |
Year: 2003
Director: Rakesh Roshan
Cast: Rekha, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta
Overview: Rakesh Roshan’s Koi Mil Gaya is the story of Rohit Mehra (Hrithik Roshan) who shows the world that friendship is truly universal. Sanjay Mehra (Rakesh Roshan) is a scientist obsessed with establishing contact with extraterrestrial life. He invents many innovative gadgets till he finally succeeds in creating a computer that can transmit messages to space.
His foresight becomes reality when as a response to his signals, a spaceship is sighted in the sky. But before Sanjay can enjoy his success, his wife Sonia (Rekha) and he meet with a horrific accident where Sonia survives but Sanjay loses his life.
Sanjay’s son Rohit is born, a mentally challenged child who faces ridicule in every phase of his life. His lone companion is Nisha (Preity Zinta) whose compassion draws her towards Rohit.
One day Rohit discovers his father’s old computer and calls Nisha to help him use it. Both of them are completely fascinated by the images and instructions that appear on the screen and relentlessly experiment with the gadget, not realizing the impact this would have.
The whole town witnesses a blackout and a bizarre phenomenon… in an incandescent glowing sky… a colossal spaceship is sighted. However, more strange findings were in store for Rohit’s town – a pair of footprints not belonging to man or animal is found. What do Rohit and Nisha find out? Is danger lurking somewhere close? A nation holds its breath…
'Kol Mil Gaya' is the first sci-fi film made in Hindi, with the finest special effects ever created in Indian cinema. With 'Kol Mil Gaya', Rakesh Roshan has once again created history after the phenomenal success of 'Kaho Naa … Pyaar Hai', which catapulted Hrithik Roshan to dizzying heights.
Watched: 23rd Apr 2011
My Thoughts: Overall I enjoyed this. The first half detailed the mentally challenged Rohit's (Hrithik Roshan) trials and tribulations leading to a close friendship with Nisha (Preity Zinta), a visitor from out-of-town. However the second half is a version of E.T., there were some differences between the two but overall was very similar to the original. Even with this though I still found it enjoyable.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on April 25, 2011, 08:03:49 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/8901452100152.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Krrish |
Year: 2006
Director: Rakesh Roshan
Cast: Rekha, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra
Overview: A young boy called Krishna is born with magical powers, a legacy from his father, Rohit Mehra. Hidden from the prying eyes of the world by his grandmother Sonia Mehra, he grows up one with nature...faster than the wind, stronger than the mountains, purer than the rushing rivers. Into this sylvan, serene world, drops down a pretty girl - Priya - literally from the skies! Krishna is entranced by her, she's amazed at his unusual speed and strength. When she returns to Singapore, Krishna follows...
In Singapore, unknown to Krishna, Priya and her friend have hatched a plot to use Krishna's powers for personal gain. In Singapore, unknown to Krishna, Dr Siddhant Arya, whose dream of making a super specialized computer died 20 years ago with Rohit Mehra, is on the verge of a break through. Will Krishna nip Priya's plans to manipulate his powers?
Will Krishna foil Dr Arya's evil intentions to transform himself into a demi God?
Or will Krrish do for him?
Watched: 25th. Apr 2011
My Thoughts: I'm glad I waited until I had seen the earlier film Koi... Mil Gaya, as per Tom's advice, to me this was more enjoyable purely as a superhero film without attempting to copy an existing film.
My Rating: A very enjoyable 3+
+Post by: Tom on April 25, 2011, 08:49:27 PM
My second favourite from this movie is this one:
Post by: dfmorgan on April 25, 2011, 09:23:49 PM
This one was my very first Bollywood movie that I have ever seen (so it started it all for me). I bought it after I stumbled across it when looking for Asian superhero movies. It was also one of the movies where I enjoyed all of the songs (there are only four though). I especially enjoyed the last one.
I'll admit that I was surprised that the first song didn't start until after 45 mins had passed, as they usually are much earlier than that, and that in the end, as you say, there were only 4 and yes these two were the better songs of the 4.
Post by: dfmorgan on April 30, 2011, 05:22:43 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060085366359.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Woochi: The Demon Slayer |
Year: 2009
Director: Choi Dong-hun
Cast: Gang Dong-won, Kim Yoon-suk, Lim Soo-jung
Overview: Discover the movie that delivered the biggest box-office opening in Korean Cinema history and experience breathtaking hi-octane thrills from the celebrated action-director of 'The Good, The Bad and The Weird' and 'Brotherhood'.
When a dark lord obtains the secret to unimaginable power, an elite army of shape-shifting goblins threatens to destroy the world, as we know it. However, just when all seems to be lost, a great warrior-wizard, named Woochi, travels through time to fight for the future of all mankind... Crammed with "plenty of action and excitement (Beyond Hollywood)", Woochi the Demon Slayer is a "romping fun-packed fantasy adventure (Twitch)" that will thoroughly entertain you from start to finish!
Watched: 29th Apr. 2011
My Thoughts: Quite an enjoyable fun romp. A couple of switches between the past and the present early on to set the stage. Then the telling of the protagonists past encounters leading to a 500 year banishment. Then the jump to the present so they can meet and resolve their differences. Generally a good actioner with plenty of wire-work and a degree of CGI.
My Rating: An overall fun film for a 3
Post by: Tom on April 30, 2011, 05:25:02 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on April 30, 2011, 05:37:06 PM
Thanks for the review. But I am still not sure if I would enjoy it :laugh:
It is very light-hearted fun, a lot of it seemed to be played for laughs especially the supporting characters of three Taoist Gods and Woochi's assistant, but I did enjoy it and I am not disappointed that I bought it. It may well be worth waiting for it to enter the bargain prices.
Post by: dfmorgan on May 01, 2011, 11:40:41 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050349155621.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Green Hornet |
Year: 2011
Director: Michel Gondry
Cast: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz
Overview: Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) is a slacker by day, party animal by night... until he finds a serious career that's seriously cool: crime-fighting action hero. As the Green Hornet, he teams up with gadget wiz and martial arts master Kato (Jay Chou) to take down LA's underworld. Even Britt's assistant Lenore (Cameron Diaz), doesn't suspect this mismatched pair as the masked duo busting the city's toughest thugs led by Chudnofsky (Academy Award® winner Christoph Waltz, 2009, Supporting Actor, Inglourious Basterds). With style, swagger and an arsenal of awesome gear, the Green Hornet and Kato are doing justice their way, making every mission a mix of over-the-top action and outrageous comedy.
Watched: 30th Apr. 2011
My Thoughts: I know nothing about the mythology of The Green Hornet so cannot compare this film to that. However I did get cheesed off with Seth Rogen's whiny rich brat Britt Reid but found Jay Chou's Kato fun and enjoyed Cameron Diaz as Lenore. Overall the action sequences were good but the comedy provided by Seth Rogen grated.
My Rating: A ho-hum film for a 2
Post by: Achim on May 06, 2011, 06:58:08 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on May 06, 2011, 09:01:58 PM
I started watching The Green Hornet in the airplane yesterday. I gave up when the first fight scene arrived and they presented Kato to have this terminator-stylke ability to check all options and variables of the fight first, before engaging. Seemed to totally mismatch the style they were going for. I then rather watched Tangled ;D
(click to show/hide)
Post by: Rogmeister on May 06, 2011, 11:19:48 PM
Post by: Achim on May 07, 2011, 03:58:39 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on May 08, 2011, 09:46:51 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366521246.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)Time Traveller: the girl who leapt through time |
Year: 2010
Director: Masaaki Taniguchi
Cast: Riisa Naka, Narumi Yasuda, Akinobu Nakao
Overview: In 2010 pharmaceutical researcher Kazuko Yoshiyama (Narumi Yasuda) is injured in a car accident. Her daughter Akari (Riisa Naka) uses Kazuko's newly completed time-travel potion to leap back in search of a mystery man from her mother's past... but misjudges the date and arrives two years late in the year 1974. There, she enlists the help of reluctant student filmmaker Ryota (Akiyoshi Nakao), in a race against time to find a man that nobody remembers.
Watched: 7th May 2011
My Thoughts: A sad, sweet romance film. Apart from being based on the same novel this film is unrelated to the anime The Girl Who Leapt Through Time although Riisa Naka, the lead actress here, also provided the lead voice in the anime. I quite enjoyed this film.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Post by: Dragonfire on May 09, 2011, 02:49:17 AM
I started watching The Green Hornet in the airplane yesterday. I gave up when the first fight scene arrived and they presented Kato to have this terminator-stylke ability to check all options and variables of the fight first, before engaging. Seemed to totally mismatch the style they were going for. I then rather watched Tangled ;D(click to show/hide)
I didn't care for that nonsense in The Green Hornet either. I also didn't care for Seth Rogen. I just don't like him.
Post by: dfmorgan on May 22, 2011, 08:37:37 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5017239151729.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Warrior's Way |
Year: 2010
Director: Sngmoo Lee
Cast: Jang Dong Gun, Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush
Overview: The world's greatest swordsman abandons his warrior clan to start a new life in America in The Warrior's Way, a fantasy action adventure from the producer of the Lord of the Rings, Barrie M. Osborne.
With stunningly choreographed fight sequences and gravity-defying stunts, The Warrior's Way is a visually dazzling journey into a mythical past which seamlessly marries the cinematic traditions of East and West. Kate Bosworth, Danny Huston, Academy Award® winner Geoffrey Rush, and Jang Dong Gun star in this epic story of revenge and redemption.
Watched: 21st May 2011
My Thoughts: A mildly enjoyable film. On his way to becoming the world's greatest swordsman Yang, Jang Dong Gun, fails to complete his mission and becomes ostracised and wanted dead by his clan. They follow him to America where he has settled into a new life.
My Rating: A mildly enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on May 28, 2011, 09:10:28 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060116725674.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)44 Inch Chest |
Year: 2009
Director: Malcolm Venville
Cast: Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, John Hurt
Overview: From the team behind Sexy Best comes this potent exploration of the masculine ego at breaking point, set against the seedy back drop of Londons`s gangster underbelly.
Colin Diamond (Ray Winstone) is in agony. Shattered by the bombshell of his wife’s (Joanne Whalley) infidelity with a young French waiter.
His motley crew of friends - Old Man Peanut (John Hurt), Meredith (Ian McShane), Archie (Tom Wilkinson), and Mal (Stephen Dillane) - kidnap Loverboy, and assemble a kangaroo court so that Colin can restore his manhood with revenge. Loverboy's life is now at stake as Colin wrestles with heartbreak, anger, madness, love and self-pity.
A powerful and explosive drama of retribution Nuts describe as a 'tense knockout'.
Watched: 27th. May 2011
My Thoughts: The trailers I had seen made this look interesting but not interesting enough for me to pre-order and pay full whack for. So I waited and and picked this up recently in a 2 for £15 offer, I should have carried on waiting. A film with a very high count of f word usage and even higher count of c word usage, not that that offends me just seems so unnecessary as the bad language to that extreme gets in the way of telling the story.
My Rating: Should have done better for a -2 -
ETC watched date
Post by: dfmorgan on May 29, 2011, 09:05:45 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5021866015408.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Certified Copy |
Year: 2010
Director: Abbas Kiarostami
Cast: Juliette Binoche, William Shimell
Overview: From acclaimed director Abbas Kiarostami (Taste of Cherry, The Wind Will Carry Us) comes the story of a couple's apparent chance meeting in beautiful Tuscany.
He (William Shimell) is a British author in town to talk about his new book. She (Juliette Binoche) is a French gallery owner in search of originality. Together they tour the local galleries, cafés and museums and discover that nothing is quite what it seems and truth, like art, is always open to interpretation. Captivating and hugely entertaining, this acclaimed romantic tale playfully and provocatively blurs the lines between reality and imagination.
Watched: 28th May 2010
My Thoughts: hmmmmm a strange film. He (William Shimell) is publicising his book which she (Juliette Binoche) apparently doesn't like but has bought a number of copies to get them autographed. She invites him to her gallery, from there they decide to tour the local area and at a café he is mistaken for her husband whereupon they continue to act as a married couple.
After my viewing of 44 Inch Chest last night maybe I should have watched a less cerebral film as I feel that there is something deeper within this film that has completely washed over me and I will have to watch this one again, hopefully I'll be more receptive.
My Rating: For now a 2
Editted to close italics
Post by: Najemikon on May 30, 2011, 02:57:51 AM
The trailers I had seen made this look interesting but not interesting enough for me to pre-order and pay full whack for. So I waited and and picked this up recently in a 2 for £15 offer, I should have carried on waiting. A film with a very high count of f word usage and even higher count of c word usage, not that that offends me just seems so unnecessary as the bad language to that extreme gets in the way of telling the story.
My Rating: Should have done better for a -2 -
Wow, is that a 'minus 2'? :P Even if the language/writing was better, the story was still terrible. :thumbdown:
Post by: goodguy on May 30, 2011, 07:21:08 AM
Certified Copy
... maybe I should have watched a less cerebral film as I feel that there is something deeper within this film that has completely washed over me and I will have to watch this one again, hopefully I'll be more receptive.
My Rating: For now a 2
You definitely should give this another try. My first encounter with Kiarostami and one of my favorite films from last year. Intriguingly complex and layered in handling its central theme of copy and original. It's kinda like Inception for grown-ups. :)
Post by: dfmorgan on May 30, 2011, 10:45:47 PM
Wow, is that a 'minus 2'? :P Even if the language/writing was better, the story was still terrible. :thumbdown:
Yes sure is -2, I was trying to be kind as I thought some it was OK but not really good but not outright bad or boring - but then again it could be bad.
Post by: dfmorgan on May 30, 2011, 10:50:04 PM
You definitely should give this another try. My first encounter with Kiarostami and one of my favorite films from last year. Intriguingly complex and layered in handling its central theme of copy and original. It's kinda like Inception for grown-ups. :)
I will do. I must have not been in a receptive mood for this film at the time I watched it.
Post by: dfmorgan on June 05, 2011, 08:58:34 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/82/828970001687.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Namastey London |
Year: 2007
Director: Vipul Amrutlal Shah
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Rishi Kapoor
Overview: What happens when you transplant an English rose to a countryside in Punjab and expect her to thrive in an alien environment? The rose will either die or rebel. That's exactly what Jazz, rather Jasmeet, does when her father brings her to India and marries her to a rough and tough farmer who can barely speak English. But Jazz is determined to marry Charlie Brown, her British boyfriend. Caught in this emotional tug of war between father and daughter, is poor Arjun, who is helplessly and hopelessly in love with his beautiful but unyielding wife.
Namastey London will determine whether love is more about giving or taking, whether Indian values must surrender to western culture and whether Jazz will win or Jasmeet!
Watched: 4th. Jun 2011
My Thoughts: I decided that I wanted something fairly light but entertaining tonight so went for a slice of Bollywood. A quite enjoyable film with no real surprises. As you watch this film you know where it is heading and what the final outcome will be with just a couple of minor diversions along the way.
My Rating: A quite enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on June 18, 2011, 08:00:42 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582840803.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Paul |
Year: 2011
Director: Greg Mottola
Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jason Bateman
Overview: Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) reunite as sci-fi geeks taking a pilgrimage to America's UFO heartland. There they meet a smart-ass alien, Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen), who takes them on an insane road trip. As they struggle to return Paul home, the little green man might just take the outcasts from misfits to intergalactic heroes.
From the director of Superbad, Greg Mottola, with a stellar supporting cast including Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio Sigourney Weaver, PAUL is a must-own comedy adventure not to be missed!
Watched: 10th Jun 2011
My Thoughts: A fun, enjoyable comedy. As to be expected there were loads of references to other sci-fi films, I know I got some but probably missed quite a few as well. The best one for me was the classic line spoken by Lt. Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) from Aliens - "Get away from her you bitch!" - used in this film against The Big Guy (Sigourney Weaver).
My Rating: A very enjoyable 4
Post by: Achim on June 18, 2011, 08:04:30 PM
The best one for me was the classic line spoken by Lt. Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) from Aliens - "Get away from her you bitch!" - used in this film against The Big Guy (Sigourney Weaver).:hysterical:
Can't wait to order mine...
Post by: dfmorgan on June 18, 2011, 08:09:02 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051368221953.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Megamind |
Year: 2010
Director: Tom McGrath
Cast: Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey
Overview: Packed with high-flying action and non-stop laughs, MEGAMIND puts a hilarious new twist on the superhero movie. Super villain Megamind's (Will Ferrell) dreams have come true when he conquers the city's protector, Metro Man (Brad Pitt), gaining control of Metro City. But when a new villain (Jonah Hill) is created and chaos runs rampant, the world's biggest "mind" and his comic sidekick Minion (David Cross) might actually save the day. With an all-star cast, including Tina Fey, and amazing animation, Megamind is "brilliant... the perfect film for anyone of any age" - **** The Sun
Watched: 11th Jun 2011
My Thoughts: Fairly standard animated romp with superheroes and supervillains.
My Rating: A mildly enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on June 18, 2011, 08:32:55 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201815699.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Apocalypse Now |
Year: 1979
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen
Overview: Francis Ford Coppola's stunning vision of man's heart of darkness revealed through the madness of the Vietnam War. Lieutenant Willard receives orders to seek out a renegade military outpost led by the mysterious Colonel Kurtz. Willard's mission: "Terminate with extreme prejudice." One of the most powerful films of all time, Apocalypse Now was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won two for Best Sound and Best Cinematography.
Watched: 12th Jun 2011
My Thoughts: I have seen this film before in both theatrical and Redux versions and decided that for this Blu-ray edition I would watch the theatrical cut. The cut used in this edition has a fade to black with no credits ending and is supposed to be the original 70mm theatrical cut, apparently it is also the first time that a home video release of this film has been in the correct aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The enhanced definition given by the HD presentation adds to the film.
My Rating: Still thought provoking for a 5
Post by: Najemikon on June 18, 2011, 08:36:15 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on June 18, 2011, 08:39:49 PM
The best one for me was the classic line spoken by Lt. Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) from Aliens - "Get away from her you bitch!" - used in this film against The Big Guy (Sigourney Weaver).:hysterical:
Can't wait to order mine...
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. That line is one of my favourite lines from a film and for a long time I had it as a tag-line in a signature block until one time at work I was warned about inappropriate language.
Post by: Najemikon on June 18, 2011, 08:43:22 PM
(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366802048.4f.jpg) (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Part of
(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366802543.4f.jpg) (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Summer Wars / The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Year: 2006
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Cast: Riisa Naka, Takuya Ishida, Mitsutaka Itakura
Overview: What would you do if you could "leap" backward through time? When tomboyish 17 year old Makoto Konno gains this ability after an accident in her high school chemistry lab, she immediately sets about improving her grades and preventing personal mishaps. Before long, however, she realizes that even innocuous changes can have terrible consequences. Changing the past is not as simple as it seems, and eventually Makoto will have to rely on her new powers to shape the future for herself and her friends.
Featuring brilliant character design by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and stunning visuals by long time Studio Ghibli Art Director, Nizo Yamamoto, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a feast for the eyes as well as the heart.
Watched: 3rd Apr. 2011
My Thoughts: I know I saw this just over a year ago but I felt in the mood, after Summer Wars yesterday, for another anime and went for this the second film in the set. I found this to be still as wonderful a film even in this repeat viewing, although in High Definition on Blu-ray this time.
My Rating: A wonderful film so 5
I've had the Blu-Ray double pack of these on Find DVDs price watch for ages and it's never dropped its price. Until today and it's now just £6.85 for both! :o I'm using The Hut because Zavvi's "3 days" suggests they might be out already.
http://www.find-dvd.co.uk/blu-ray/Summer-Wars-The-Girl-Who-Leapt-Through-Time/1104743.htm
Post by: dfmorgan on June 18, 2011, 08:45:33 PM
I saw this remastered cut in the cinema last week. Seriously awesome. The whole Ride of the Valkyries sequence is one of the absolute best cinema experiences I've had and that's considerable when I knew it was coming. The end without credits did catch me off guard though! :laugh:
Yes that sequence is one of the best. When I saw the film originally on release that was a mind-blowing moment.
Post by: dfmorgan on June 18, 2011, 08:51:13 PM
I've had the Blu-Ray double pack of these on Find DVDs price watch for ages and it's never dropped its price. Until today and it's now just £6.85 for both! :o I'm using The Hut because Zavvi's "3 days" suggests they might be out already.
http://www.find-dvd.co.uk/blu-ray/Summer-Wars-The-Girl-Who-Leapt-Through-Time/1104743.htm
Nice one. I see that all bar one of The Hut's on-line stores have at that lovely low price. Unless of course I am wrong and W.H.Smith Entertainment is not part of The Hut.
Post by: dfmorgan on June 23, 2011, 10:40:56 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051368219035.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)True Grit |
Year: 1969
Director: Henry Hathaway
Cast: John Wayne, Glen Campbell, Kim Darby
Overview: JOHN WAYNE earned the 1969 "Best Actor" Academy Award® for this larger-than-life performance as the drunken, uncouth and totally fearless one-eyes U.S. Marshall, Rooster Cogburn.
The cantankerous Rooster is hired by a headstrong young girl (KIM DARBY) to find the man who murdered her father and fled with the family savings. When Cogburn's employer insists on accompanying the old gunfighter, sparks fly. And the situation goes from troubled to disastrous when an inexperienced Texas Ranger (GLEN CAMPBELL) joins the party. Laughter and tears punctuate the wild action in this extraordinary Western which also features performances by ROBERT DUVALL, JEREMY SLATE and STROTHER MARTIN.
Watched: 17th Jun 2011
My Thoughts: First time viewing for this film and I found it to be very enjoyable.
My Rating: A very enjoyable 4
Post by: dfmorgan on June 23, 2011, 10:47:35 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051368222134.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)True Grit (2010) |
Year: 2010
Director: The Coen Brothers
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon
Overview: True Grit is a powerful story of vengeance and valour set in an unforgiving and unpredictable frontier where justice is simple and mercy is rare.
Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), is determined to avenge her father's blood by capturing Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), the man who shot and killed him for two pieces of gold. Just fourteen, she enlists the help of Rooster Cogburn (Academy Award® Winner Jeff Bridges)*, a one-eyed, trigger-happy U.S. Marshall with an affinity for drinking and hardened Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Academy Award® Winner Matt Damon)** to track the fleeing Chaney. Despite their differences, their ruthless determination leads them on a perilous adventure that can only have one outcome: retribution.
* Best Actor, Crazy Heart, 2009. ** Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen), Good Will Hunting, 1997.
Watched: 18th Jun 2011
My Thoughts: Although the book is the same this version does have a slightly different take. Overall though the differences are minor enough to not matter too much. I enjoyed seeing this on the big screen back in March and now re-watching it on the not-quite so big screen it still stands up as very enjoyable.
My Rating: A very enjoyable 4
Post by: dfmorgan on June 23, 2011, 10:58:13 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051429701226.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Seraphim Falls |
Year: 2006
Director: David von Ancken
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson
Overview: A taut action film, an epic chase and primal battle set in the breathtaking landscape of the West. The civil war has ended but Colonel Morsman Carver (Liam Neeson) is on one final mission: to kill Gideon (Pierce Brosnan) no matter what it takes. Launched by a gunshot and propelled by rage, the relentless pursuit takes them both far from the comforts and codes of civilisation, into the bloodiest recesses of their own soul.
Watched: 19th Jun 2011
My Thoughts: Gideon (Pierce Brosnan) is being chased by Carver (Liam Neeson) and during a number of flashback sequences in the film we find out why. Some bits seemed a tad illogical like Gideon, who was on foot, getting far ahead of Carver and his men, who were on horseback, not once but three or four times, but then again we wouldn't have had much of a chase film if Gideon hadn't got away. The ending seemed a bit weird but when looking at the film in the context of the futility of war then maybe it wasn't so strange.
My Rating: A interesting 3
Post by: Najemikon on June 24, 2011, 12:00:10 AM
Really glad you liked the original True Grit. Bodes well for the other Duke films. :thumbup:
Post by: dfmorgan on June 25, 2011, 08:25:45 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201810892.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Mulholland Drive |
Year: 2001
Director: David Lynch
Cast: Naomi Watts. Laura Elena Harring
Overview: In MULHOLLAND DRIVE, David Lynch takes the viewer on a memorable neo-noir trip through Hollywood's dark underbelly in a mystery that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality and features astonishing performances from Naomi Watts and Laura Harring. Lynch dispenses with a conventional narrative in favour of a hallucinogenic assault on the senses that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Watched: 24th Jun 2011
My Thoughts: After seeing Jon's review I decided to re-watch this film. I did spin it up when I got this Blu-ray edition but found that I wasn't in the mood for the film at that time. This time though I did settle down and watched. I originally saw this film on release in 2001/2 and was stunned and befuddled by it and have watched it since on DVD. However I'm still no clearer even with "David Lynch's 10 clues to unlocking this thriller" included in the booklet. There is an introduction by Thierry Jousse who states that the first hour and fifty minutes were the original pilot and the remaining film is the extra added with the French money to close the project as a film rather than leave an open ended pilot. The original DVD release had no chapter stops but this edition does include them however they go to random points in the film, not the usual predetermined orderly sequence. Even with all that I still find the film wonderfully weird.
My Rating: A wonderfully weird 4
Post by: Najemikon on June 26, 2011, 02:02:03 AM
Post by: Achim on June 26, 2011, 06:36:43 AM
The original DVD release had no chapter stops [...]You probably know this, but I wanted to say that this is done on David Lynch's request, meaning if there are chapter stops is it's actually against his wishes. he wants the audience to experience his films without interruptions and therefore removes the ability to easily access center parts of the films. However. of my David Lynch DVDs only Eraserhead is done this way, since he distributes that himself; the studios apparently have the viewer in mind more than the artist...
Post by: dfmorgan on June 26, 2011, 08:53:06 PM
The original DVD release had no chapter stops [...]You probably know this, but I wanted to say that this is done on David Lynch's request, meaning if there are chapter stops is it's actually against his wishes. he wants the audience to experience his films without interruptions and therefore removes the ability to easily access center parts of the films. However. of my David Lynch DVDs only Eraserhead is done this way, since he distributes that himself; the studios apparently have the viewer in mind more than the artist...
Yes Achim, thanks :thumbup:, I was aware that that what he wanted. Of the David Lynch titles I own I think that Inland Empire is the only other title that has no chapter stops.
Post by: dfmorgan on June 26, 2011, 08:54:48 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418297916.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Incredibles |
Year: 2004
Director: Brad Bird
Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee
Overview: From the creative minds behind the Toy Story films and Ratatouille comes this hilarious, action-packed animated adventure about a seemingly ordinary family with an incredible secret. Experience it like never before in Blu-ray™ High Definition!
Known to the world as superheroes Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, Bob Parr and his wife Helen used to be among the world's greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs where they live "normal" lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction.
Exploding with fun this high definition spectacular adventure is edge-of-your-seat entertainment for everyone.
Watched: 25th. Jun 2011
My Thoughts: An immensely fun superhero film, a film that is a very enjoyable watch. I love the little nuances and this time it was a musical section that I caught this time - when Mr. Incredible is at Syndrome's computer terminal the music is very John Barry in a James Bondish style.
My Rating: A fun 4
Post by: dfmorgan on July 24, 2011, 08:28:39 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060116725858.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Season of the Witch |
Year: 2011
Director: Dominic Sena
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman
Overview: A heroic crusader (Nicolas Cage – Knowing, Drive Angry) and his close ally (Ron Perlman – Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy) return home after decades of fierce fighting to find their world destroyed by the Plague.
Believing a witch to be responsible for the devastation, they are commanded by the church Cardinal (Christopher Lee – Lord of the Rings) to transport the girl to a remote monastery where monks will perform an ancient ritual to rid the land of her curse.
But they soon discover the girl's dark secret and find themselves battling a powerful and destructive force that will determine the fate of the world forever.
Watched: 1st Jul. 2011
My Thoughts: It was OK.
My Rating: Just a 2
Post by: dfmorgan on July 24, 2011, 08:32:49 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060223764801.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Drive Angry |
Year: 2011
Director: Patrick Lussier
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard
Overview: Get ready for one hell of a ride! Milton (Nicolas Cage) is a hardened - albeit dead - criminal who has broken out of Hell to stop a religious cult sacrificing his baby granddaughter. The police are in hot pursuit but they're the least of his worries - The Devil's none too pleased either and has sent the enigmatic emissary "The Accountant" (William Fichtner) to bring him back.
Aided by sassy waitress Piper (Amber Heard) and driving a series of smoking hot muscle-cars, Milton is Hell-bent on his mission and is breaking all the rules - but what are they gonna do, not let him back in?
Watched: 2nd Jul. 2011
My Thoughts: This was quite a bit of fun.
My Rating: A fun 3
Post by: dfmorgan on July 24, 2011, 08:41:28 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/87/8717418294427.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Tangled |
Year: 2010
Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Cast: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi
Overview: Disney presents a new twist on one of the most hilarious and hair-raising tales ever told. Your whole family will get tangled up in the fun, excitement and adventure of this magical motion picture.
When the kingdom's most wanted – and most charming – bandit Flynn Rider hides in a mysterious tower, the last thing he expects to find is Rapunzel, a spirited teen with an unlikely superpower – 70 feet of magical golden hair! Together, the unlikely duo sets off on a fantastic journey filled with surprising heroes, laughter and suspense.
Let your hair down and get ready to cheer for Tangled. Bursting with never-before-seen bonus features, it's even more enchanting on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def.
Watched: 23rd Jul. 2011
My Thoughts: A very enjoyable Disney animation.
My Rating: A very enjoyable 4
Post by: dfmorgan on August 21, 2011, 07:50:21 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on August 21, 2011, 07:52:50 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201814319.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventure |
Watched on July 30th. Quite a fun little animation. Just a 3
Post by: dfmorgan on August 21, 2011, 07:58:40 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051892027946.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Sucker Punch |
Watched on August 12th. I did enjoy this. There were some references to other films and console games, I caught Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings, I think, but missed the console links. A 3 from me
Post by: dfmorgan on August 21, 2011, 08:01:04 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201818461.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec |
Watched on August 13th. Based on a French comic this was immense fun. A 4 for this
Post by: dfmorgan on August 21, 2011, 08:06:32 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051892028264.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Red Riding Hood |
Watched on August 20th. A take on the classic tale of Red Riding Hood but done with a Twilight twist. I watched the Alternate Cut which appeared to be a minute or two longer than the Theatrical Cut. A 3 for this one
Post by: dfmorgan on August 28, 2011, 08:11:50 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582857061.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Hanna |
Year: 2011
Director: Joe Wright
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett
Overview: Academy Award® nominee* Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, The Lovely Bones) stars as Hanna, in this action-packed suspense-thriller about a girl who was brought-up to be the perfect assassin.
Raised and trained by her father (Eric Bana), an ex-CIA agent, Hanna is sent out into the world on a mission.
As she travels across Europe, Hanna is pursued by agents working for a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own (Academy Award® winner† Cate Blanchett). As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence.
Watched: 27th Aug 2011
My Thoughts: A spy thriller with a fairy tale edge.
My Rating: I quite enjoyed this so a 3+
+Post by: dfmorgan on September 04, 2011, 08:49:20 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051368219332.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Rango |
Year: 2011
Director: Gore Verbinski
Cast: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Ned Beatty
Overview: Get ready to tango with RANGO, a winner with critics and audiences that's "wildly imaginative and wonderfully animated" (Box Office Magazine). Johny Depp is spectacular as Rango, a kooky pet chameleon who gets tossed into a wild and raucous town in desperate need of a hero. Refreshingly original with eye-popping animation, RANGO is "a truly hilarious film" (The Sun).
Watched: 3rd. Sep 2011
My Thoughts: An excellent fun animation with an off-beat take on the western genre. All the voice acting came over well, I will admit though to only definitely recognising one without reference to the cast listing and that was Ray Winstone as Bad Bill.
My Rating: An excellent 4
Post by: dfmorgan on September 11, 2011, 09:58:28 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050349129424.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Priest |
Year: 2011
Director: Scott Stewart
Cast: Paul Bettany, Maggie Q., Karl Urban
Overview: In a post-apocalyptic world, a savage war between man and vampire ranged for centuries. A warrior priest (Paul Bettany) receives word of fresh attacks, and now it's personal - his niece has been kidnapped by a new hive of merciless vampires. To save her, he must break his vow of peace and hunt down the hive before it's too late. Based on the acclaimed graphic novel and packed with bloodthirsty action, this full throttle crusade takes you on the hunt for a deadly new breed of killer.
Watched: 10th. Sept 2011
My Thoughts: A quite enjoyable vampire romp with Maggie Q. in leather. In this the vampires are not the traditional type, they are hive based with a queen.
My Rating: A quite enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on September 18, 2011, 08:16:49 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/I8/I8562C805C22BBC91.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars |
A part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036046671.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars: The Complete Saga |
Year: 1977
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Overview: The Jedi Knights have been exterminated and the Empire rules the galaxy with an iron fist. A small group of Rebels have dared to fight back by stealing the secret plans to the Empire's mightiest weapon, the Death Star battle station. The Emperor's most trusted servant, Darth Vader, must find the plans, and locate the hidden Rebel base. Princess Leia, a captive Rebel leader, sends out a distress signal that is intercepted by a simple farm boy, Luke Skywalker. Seizing his destiny, Luke takes up the challenge to rescue the princess and help the Rebellion overthrow the Empire, along with such unforgettable allies as the wise Obi-Wan Kenobi, the cocky Han Solo, the loyal Chewbacca, and the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO.
Watched: 17th. Sep 2011
My Thoughts: The Blu-ray edition of the first Star Wars film from George Lucas in which he continues to tweak and 'fine tune', some changes in this and the earlier revisions work and some don't. I first saw this in release year in the West End and was blown away. In the cinema the standout moment for me was at the beginning when the rebels were gathering at the airlock door waiting for the Imperial troopers entrance, all of a sudden we hear a loud clunk from above and as well as the rebels on the screen the whole of the cinema audience looked up. Overall I enjoyed this very much again but felt that in places the picture quality was down, scenes in the desert on Tatooine in particular.
My Rating: Still a big favourite of mine so a 5
Post by: dfmorgan on September 18, 2011, 08:24:38 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/ID/ID98B5FB584D48E61.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back |
A part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036046671.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars: The Complete Saga |
Year: 1980
Director: Irvin Kershner
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Overview: It is a dark time for the Rebellion. After a devastating attack on their ice base on the frozen planet of Hoth, the Rebels are scattered by Imperial pursuit. Luke Skywalker seeks out the mysterious Jedi Master Yoda in the swamps of Dagobah, while Han Solo and Princess Leia outrun the Imperial fleet to the beautiful Cloud City of Bespin. In an attempt to convert Luke to the dark side, the evil Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap. In the midst of a fierce lightsabre duel with the Sith Lord, Luke faces a terrible truth about the Skywalker legacy.
Watched: 18th. Sep 2011
My Thoughts: As with Star Wars I went to see this on release in the West End but cannot remember any standout moments apart from the shock revelation towards the end. Overall I enjoyed this very much again and felt the picture quality was much better this time than the first film.
My Rating: Still a big favourite so still a 5
Post by: Najemikon on September 18, 2011, 08:30:21 PM
Did you spot any particular tweaks to New Hope? I meant to compare Obi Wan's entrance. It seemed to me like his shout to scare off the Sand People was enhanced. I liked it, because I'd got the volume ramped up and it seemed so harsh, you could imagine them being scared! Still can't believe that if they're tweaking anything, a moment of dialogue looping for Vader is still untouched. Watch the second scene where he's telling Tarkin that he knows Obi Wan is aboard. There's a brief moment where his hands are moving as if he is still talking, but... he's not.
Post by: dfmorgan on September 18, 2011, 10:01:41 PM
Did you spot any particular tweaks to New Hope? I meant to compare Obi Wan's entrance. It seemed to me like his shout to scare off the Sand People was enhanced.
Yes that was one bit that was different, not too sure it worked for me but then again I viewed this late evening so the volume was down. Another minor change I think I spotted was that Greedo and Han now seem to fire simultaneously in the cantina. Not too sure that I saw any others that were new amendments to this version of the film.
Post by: Najemikon on September 18, 2011, 10:09:21 PM
Post by: Najemikon on September 18, 2011, 11:55:38 PM
There is one small tweak to Jedi, which you may have heard about already. It's completely unnecessary, beyond an attempt to mirror a similar [much derided] thing in Episode 3, but I have to say, I like it. :-[
Post by: dfmorgan on September 19, 2011, 12:49:09 AM
Just watched Jedi.
My original plan was Fri/Sat/Sun but I got busy Friday evening. As things currently stand it'll have be to Tuesday evening for Jedi for me. Looking forward to it though.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooo not a tweak to Jedi as well ;)
Post by: Najemikon on September 19, 2011, 12:54:09 AM
Post by: Achim on September 19, 2011, 02:41:18 PM
There is one small tweak to Jedi, which you may have heard about already. It's completely unnecessary, beyond an attempt to mirror a similar [much derided] thing in Episode 3, but I have to say, I like it. :-[Am I misunderstanding or did you like the added mumbling and then yelling of "No"...?
Not sure those clips on YouTube few weeks back were accurate, but those were pretty awful. Maybe the low-key spoken No is bearable, but the loud one when he picks him up is terrible to me.
Post by: dfmorgan on September 19, 2011, 07:39:37 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/I3/I38031A06D82B1C07.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi |
A part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036046671.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars: The Complete Saga |
Year: 1983
Director: Richard Marquand
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Overview: In the spectacular final chapter of the Star Wars Saga, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia must travel to Tatooine to free Han Solo by infiltrating the wretched stronghold of Jabba the Hutt, the galaxy's most loathsome gangster. Reunited, the Rebels team up with tribes of Ewoks to combat the Imperial forces on the forest moon of Endor. Meanwhile the Emperor and Darth Vader conspire to turn Luke to the dark side, and young Skywalker is determined to rekindle the spirit of the Jedi within his father.
The Galactic Civil War culminates in the ultimate showdown, as the Rebel forces gather to attack the seemingly defenseless and incomplete second Death Star in the battle that will determine the fate of the galaxy.
Watched: 19th. Sep 2011
My Thoughts: Another I first saw in London, this time not the West End but at a preview screening at the Odeon Marble Arch. A friend worked at EMI-Elstree Studios and she got tickets to the advance screenings and took a few of us along. She also had some T-shirts and bits and pieces with the title Revenge of the Jedi on them but she wouldn't let us have those. Another excellent film with just the noted extra modification over and above that done for the Special Edition. As Jon said elsewhere the Tatooine sequences were better this time around but some of the Endor scenes looked off, maybe it is down to the Matte paintings used at the time.
My Rating: Still enjoyable so a 5
Post by: Najemikon on September 20, 2011, 12:13:08 AM
There is one small tweak to Jedi, which you may have heard about already. It's completely unnecessary, beyond an attempt to mirror a similar [much derided] thing in Episode 3, but I have to say, I like it. :-[Am I misunderstanding or did you like the added mumbling and then yelling of "No"...?
Not sure those clips on YouTube few weeks back were accurate, but those were pretty awful. Maybe the low-key spoken No is bearable, but the loud one when he picks him up is terrible to me.
I think it's hard to judge the clips out of context. I heard of what the change was, but avoided seeing it. Caught up in that marvellous film, yes, I have to say I thought it worked. Unnecessary, as I said, but it makes sense in a way.
what did you think Dave?
Post by: dfmorgan on September 20, 2011, 11:37:20 AM
what did you think Dave?
I'll have to sort out my copy of the original Jedi just to compare but my feeling is that is works. From what I can remember in the original all we get is Darth moving over and you wonder if he going to assist the Emperor until he attacks him then it becomes clear he isn't. The wondering comes in as there is no visual or audible guidance to Darth because his eyes, the window to the soul, are hidden by his Dark Helmet. In this revised edition Darth shows his anguish with the cry before the attack on the Emperor giving us an audible guidance.
Post by: Achim on September 20, 2011, 07:42:25 PM
In this revised edition Darth shows his anguish with the cry before the attack on the Emperor giving us an audible guidance.MINOR SPOILERS to follow, if you have never seen the film.
If it fits in like this I could be more forgiving (not that I'm such a über-fan to begin with). The clip I saw had the loudest No after Vader had picked him up already just before throwing him down the shaft.
Post by: dfmorgan on September 20, 2011, 09:20:00 PM
In this revised edition Darth shows his anguish with the cry before the attack on the Emperor giving us an audible guidance.MINOR SPOILERS to follow, if you have never seen the film.
If it fits in like this I could be more forgiving (not that I'm such a über-fan to begin with). The clip I saw had the loudest No after Vader had picked him up already just before throwing him down the shaft.
I checked the original and S.E. versions and they were identical with no dialogue by Darth during the attacks.
In the latest BD version we have
(click to show/hide)
Post by: Achim on September 21, 2011, 12:47:13 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on September 26, 2011, 10:03:57 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/IE/IE5AA5BE4283C6BD1.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace |
A part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036046671.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars: The Complete Saga |
Year: 1999
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman
Overview: Every generation has a legend. Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning... Return to a galaxy far, far away in the first chapter of the mythic Star Wars saga.
Set 30 years before the original Star Wars film, Episode I introduces a young Anakin Skywalker, a boy with special powers, unaware that the journey he is beginning will transform him into the evil Darth Vader. Obi-Wan Kenobi, the wise old Jedi from the original trilogy, is a determined young apprentice and Palpatine, well-known as the evil Emperor, is an ambitious senator in the Galactic Republic.
It is a time when the Jedi Knights are the guardians of peace in a turbulent galaxy and a young queen fights to save her people. In the shadows lurks an evil force waiting for the right moment to strike.
With Episode I in your DVD collection, you can experience the excitement again and again. Feel the adrenaline of the Boonta Eve Podrace. Relive the intense lightsaber battles. Discover the incredible detail and breathtaking scope of this milestone in the Star Wars saga.
Watched: 24th. Sep 2011
My Thoughts: I haven't watched the prequels as much as the original so cannot really state whether there are any modifications to this film. Whilst enjoyable it doesn't come up to the levels of enjoyment I get with the original trilogy. I have to say though that it was a good film in introducing the characters and build up for the next 2 films in this trilogy to give the setting and basis for the original trilogy.
My Rating: It was enjoyable but less than the originals so a 3+
+Post by: dfmorgan on October 02, 2011, 08:24:25 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/IE/IE7D0272B9580BE11.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones |
A part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036046671.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars: The Complete Saga |
Year: 2002
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen
Overview: The STAR WARS saga continues on DVD with Episode II ATTACK OF THE CLONES. Anakin Skywalker has grown into an accomplished Jedi apprentice, and he faces his most difficult challenge yet as he must chose between his Jedi duty and forbidden love. Relive the adventure the way it was meant to be seen in spectacular digital clarity, including the climactic Clone War battle and Jedi Master Yoda in the ultimate lightsaber duel.
Watched: 1st. Oct 2011
My Thoughts: As I said in my review of A Phantom Menace I haven't watched the prequels as much as the originals so cannot really state whether there are any modifications to this film. Whilst enjoyable it doesn't come up to the levels of enjoyment I get with the original trilogy. I have to say though that it was a good film in continuing the character and plot development to give the setting and basis for the original trilogy.
My Rating: It was a tad more enjoyable then SW1:APM but still less than the originals so a 4-
-Post by: dfmorgan on October 02, 2011, 08:32:31 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/IF/IF0C45C9E4F9B1A78.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith |
A part of
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036046671.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Star Wars: The Complete Saga |
Year: 2005
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen
Overview: The STAR WARS saga is now complete on DVD with Episode III REVENGE OF THE SITH. Torn between loyalty to his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the seductive powers of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker ultimately turns his back on the Jedi, thus completing his journey to the dark side and his transformation into Darth Vader. Experience the breathtaking scope of the final chapter in spectacular clarity and relive all the epic battles including the final climactic lightsaber duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan.
Watched: 2nd. Oct 2011
My Thoughts: The final part of the prequel trilogy. I enjoyed this a lot more than the earlier 2. In this they really set up the original trilogy with the 4 births - The Empire, Darth Vader, Luke and Leia.
My Rating: I found this to be enjoyable and so a 4
Post by: dfmorgan on October 08, 2011, 07:57:16 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582801569.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Warrior and the Wolf |
Year: 2009
Director: Tian Zhuang Zhuang
Cast: Joe Odagiri, Maggie Q, Tou Chung Hua
Overview: More than two thousand years ago the Han Emperor sent his army to the far western border of China, way beyond the Gobi Desert, in order to subdue rebellious tribes. It was a treacherous and inhospitable zone where, when winter came, the land belonged to the wolves. After much war and bloodshed, Commander Lu and his men have given up the battle and begun their retreat
Trapped by a blizzard, they take refuge in a village of the 'cursed' Harran tribe where Lu commandeers a shack and where, initially to his distaste, he finds a beautiful but mysterious Harran widow hiding in a pit beneath it. Passion quickly overcomes their mutual distrust and suspicion, and they become lovers... but Lu does not comprehend the great price that he will end up paying for their illicit passion...
Watched: 7th. Oct 2011
My Thoughts: hmmmmm. I'd like to say this was a revelation and a riveting film, just to rebuff Jon's comments when I purchased it, but sorry it wasn't. Now off to look at Jon's review. Maybe I'll report back once I've read it.
My Rating: Whilst not totally bad, it had Maggie Q in it, no more than a 1
Post by: Najemikon on October 08, 2011, 10:13:55 PM
My Thoughts: hmmmmm. I'd like to say this was a revelation and a riveting film, just to rebuff Jon's comments when I purchased it, but sorry it wasn't. Now off to look at Jon's review. Maybe I'll report back once I've read it.
My Rating: Whilst not totally bad, it had Maggie Q in it, no more than a 1
:devil: sorry, Dave. I'd have been impressed if you had been able to enjoy it.
Post by: dfmorgan on October 08, 2011, 11:35:18 PM
:devil: sorry, Dave. I'd have been impressed if you had been able to enjoy it.
No problemo, I tried to like it. I thought your review covered the film very well, although the love came after he showed compassion when he saved her from the bite or sting she suffered in the lake/sea.
Post by: dfmorgan on October 09, 2011, 08:05:21 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060223760490.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)The Expendables |
Year: 2010
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li
Overview: SYLVESTER STALLONE stars as Barney Ross, leader of The Expendables, a tight-knit team of skilled combat vets turned mercenaries. Hired by a powerful cover operator, the team jets off to a small South American country to overthrow a ruthless dictator.
Once there, they find themselves caught in a deadly web of deceit and betrayal. Using every weapon at their disposal, they set out to save the innocent and punish the guilty in this blistering action-packed thriller.
Watched: 8th. Oct 2011
My Thoughts: A very enjoyable action film. Usual park your brain on the side table fare and just let your eyes and ears take everything in.
My Rating: A fun and enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on October 12, 2011, 11:04:20 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366804448.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)H.O.T.D.: High School of the Dead: Complete Series Collection |
Year: 2010
Director: Tetsuro Araki
Cast: Junichi Suwabe, Marina Inoue, Eri Kitamura
Overview: A seemingly ordinary day at Fujimi High School rapidly descends into a terrifying nightmare and a deadly fight for survival for a group of teenage students who find themselves caught up in the chaos caused by an outbreak of a new disease that turns its victims into ravenous, flesh-eating zombies. Forced to slay large numbers of their teachers and fellow students just to escape the confines of the school, they soon learn that the outbreak is not only a local of even national problem but also a global one.
As the pandemic rages out of control, society begins to collapse and everyday moral codes begin to crumble. Now it is up to Takashi Komuro to unite the small group of school friends and other survivors and lead them on a journey that they hope will take them to a place of safety beyond this new world of the living dead.
Episodes:
1. Spring of the Dead
2. Escape from the Dead
3. Democracy Under the Dead
4. Running in the Dead
5. Streets of the Dead
6. In the Dead of the Night
7. Dead Night and the Dead Ruck
8. The Dead Way Home
9. The Sword and the Dead
10. The Dead's House Rules
11. Dead Storm Rising
12. All Dead's Attack
Watched: 11th./12th. Oct. 2011
My Thoughts: Quite an enjoyable series. I was only going to watch a couple of episodes but in the end I watched them all over two days.
A worldwide contagion has caused people to become zombies and we are introduced to our protagonists, five students and the school nurse, over the first couple of episodes as they realise the predicament they are in. They escape the school and try to find safe haven and their parents. The first six episodes cover just the first days events and the remaining six a further two days. The zombies conform to the standard zombie mythos with one minor change that I could see
(click to show/hide)
*Fan service is described at wikipedia here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_service).
My Rating: I did enjoy it for a 3
Post by: dfmorgan on October 15, 2011, 08:19:28 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5022366805940.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Gantz |
Year: 2010
Director: Shinsuke Sato
Cast: Kazunari Ninomiya, Kenichi Matsuyama, Natsuna
Overview: Gantz is based on a hit manga series created by Hiroya Oku and stars leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City).
After an accident on the train platform, recently deceased childhood friends Kei and Kato find themselves transported to an empty apartment populated by other confused strangers and a mysterious black ball known only as Gantz, which issues them a set of strange suits and alien weapons, instructing them that their lives are forfeit and now they must exterminate "dangerous aliens" from Earth in a series of games.
Watched: 14th. Oct 2011
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this film. An interesting concept of bringing people back to life to fight aliens. Looking forward to part 2 when it comes out next year.
My Rating: A really enjoyable 4
Post by: Tom on October 16, 2011, 02:12:19 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on October 16, 2011, 12:36:47 PM
If you have missed it, here (http://www.dvdcollectorsonline.com/index.php/topic,626.msg146917.html#msg146917) is my review of it. It's not indexed yet.
Thanks Tom :thumbup:. I've got the anime on its way to me and I may well look into the manga as well now.
Post by: dfmorgan on October 16, 2011, 09:03:57 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5051892072212.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Green Lantern |
Year: 2011
Director: Martin Campbell
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard
Overview: Experience the action as it was meant to be seen as Green Lantern takes flight in full HD! In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, an elite force of protectors for peace and justice has existed for centuries. They are the GREEN LANTERN CORPS. When a new enemy called PARALLAX threatens to destroy the universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of the Corps' newest recruit, the first human ever selected: HAL JORDAN (Ryan Reynolds). Bringing the popular superhero to the big screen for the first time, Green Lantern also stars Blake Lively (Gossip Girl), Peter Sarsgaard (Orphan), Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes), Academy Award® nominee Angela Bassett* and Academy Award® winner Tim Robbins**.
Watched: 15th. Oct 2011
My Thoughts: I quite enjoyed this film. As with many others based on US comics I have no real knowledge of the mythos and background so cannot compare with the comics, but overall I thought that how Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) became the Green Lantern and his initial misgivings and eventual acceptance were handled well. The ending of the film sets up for a sequel.
My Rating: An enjoyable 3
Post by: dfmorgan on October 23, 2011, 08:44:49 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5055201818324.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Potiche |
Year: 2010
Director: François Ozon
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Gérard Depardieu, Fabrice Luchini
Overview: Suzanne (Deneuve) is a "Potiche"; a beautiful, subservient wife dedicated to serving the selfish whims of her tyrannical husband. But after the exploited workers of his umbrella factory decide to strike, Suzanne takes on the role as head of the company to great success. Although business and personal politics are about to collide with the arrival of Maurice (Depardieu), a charming union leader and a former lover of Suzanne's.
Starring two of the most iconic stars of French cinema, Catherine Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu and directed by acclaimed filmmaker François Ozon (8 Women, Swimming Pool), Potiche is a hilarious, stylish and subversive romantic comedy that turns the battle of the sexes on its head and refuses to pull any of its punches.
Watched: 22nd. Oct 2011
My Thoughts: A wonderful gentle comedy. All three leads play off each other marvellously with general excellent support from the remaining cast. At times it almost descended into farce territory but managed to pull back from there and stay a lighthearted comedy.
My Rating: A wonderful 4
Post by: dfmorgan on March 05, 2012, 10:46:29 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/82/828970088190.4f.jpg) | Main Hoon Na: Collector's Edition (2003/India)
|
Stars:
Shahrukh Khan as Maj. Ram Prasad Sharma
Sushmita Sen as Chandni
Sunil Shetty as Raghavan
Zayed Khan as Laxman Prasad Sharma
Amrita Rao as Sanjana
Plot:
To your very surprise, the film is based on the current-favorite Bollywood theme of Indo-Pak relations and formulated as a mission film. Of course it's loaded with dollops of fun, humor, romance, action and emotions as well. In Bollywood slang – a complete masala film! Major Ram Prasad Sharma (Shahrukh Khan) yearns to see the ambitious project Mission Milaap become a reality. A mission that will prove to be the dawn of a new tomorrow! Where long standing enmity between two countries will begin to see its end. But some forces do not want that dawn to come. One of them is Raghavan (Sunil Shetty) who will do anything to prevent the strategic move. For this reason his devious shadow looms large over General Amarjeet Bakshi's daughter Sanjana (Amrita Rao) , whose life is in danger. Every drop of Ram Prasad's blood glistens with the shine of pride for his country and he will not allow dark actions to create an eclipse in its bright future. To protect Sanjana, he goes to her school as a student… indeed 'Back to School'! Here fun and frolic conceal his real intent. Will anyone here guess that he has just lit funeral pyre of his martyr father Brigadier Shekhar Sharma (Naseeruddin Shah) . The ashes have emerged but the fire has not subsided. For he has to fulfill his fathers last wish. Strangely, the fulfillment of his wish also lies in this very school… completing this mission will be no easy task. For it involves intense emotions and long – standing misunderstandings. These two missions are now his life-blood. The weapon of one mission is Gun and that of the other is Love. But the road to both is that of Truth. The only option is victory. The only man is Ram Prasad Sharma. And the only mantra is Main Hoon Na!
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Feature Trailers
- Deleted Scenes
- Featurettes
- Production Notes
- Music Videos
- Closed Captioned
My Thoughts:
A quite enjoyable film. It started as a full blown action fest but soon changed to the more normal Bollywood song and dance, with minor action bits, leading to the romance elements before ending in another action fest. There were elements of The Matrix and Mission Impossible within the action sequences and to me the final action sequences set in a church were a nod to John Woo films especially with the white doves flying around. Overall this was enjoyable but I had a couple of quibbles, but then again the expected outcome wouldn't occur if you didn't suspend belief at points in the majority of films. My main quibbles were the resolution to the family conflict
(click to show/hide)
Rating: an enjoyable 3
Editted to remove an incorrect aspect within the review.
Post by: Tom on March 05, 2012, 10:53:43 PM
and the fact that to fall in love all you have to do is a) dress feminine if you're the female and b) cut your hair if you're the male.
This is what I also had a problem with. Especially since Amrita Rao looked way hotter before the makeover. I also didn't like it, that even though she mentioned to Lucky that she doubts that he loves her for her and not her new clothes, she never goes back to being herself, so that he has a chance to prove otherwise.
But I disagree with you on the haircutting. She loved him before the haircut. The haircut was just for him to show his mother that he loves her and that he was willing to get a proper haircut for her.
Post by: dfmorgan on March 05, 2012, 11:01:52 PM
But I disagree with you on the haircutting. She loved him before the haircut. The haircut was just for him to show his mother that he loves her and that he was willing to get a proper haircut for her.
Yes you are quite right my fault in over thinking in writing this review.
Post by: dfmorgan on March 05, 2012, 11:12:31 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/89/896911001355f.jpg) | Gantz II: Perfect Answer (2011/Japan)
|
Stars:
Plot:
The battles continue as Kei and other members still reside in the "in-between" world of GANTZ. Determined to resurrect friends who have died in battle, Kei and other members trapped in the "in-between" world of GANTZ are aiming to score the 100 points needed to break through. An emergence of a mysterious investigator, however, complicates the situation further. The battle continues on as the two dimensions start to merge together. Some fight for love, and others fight for justice. At the end, who will sacrifice the most?
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Feature Trailers
- Bonus Trailers
- Production Notes
- Interviews
My Thoughts:
I did enjoy this film but found myself a tad confused. The first film Gantz followed the anime but this film departs from that path, it is possible that this film follows the manga but not having read that I cannot comment. We are introduced to a new lady with a black ball and an investigator who both have an impact on the Gantz participants. There is a new level of conflict between Gantz and the aliens leading to a conclusion which I'll admit I was not really expecting.
Rating: I enjoyed this for a 3
Post by: Tom on March 05, 2012, 11:14:34 PM
We are introduced to a new lady with a black ball and an investigator who both have an impact on the Gantz participants.
Doesn't sound like the manga either. I will be able to tell more, after I have seen the movie.
Post by: Tom on March 10, 2012, 08:15:58 PM
(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/82/828970001489.4f.jpg) (http://www.invelos.com/images/BlurayLogo.png)Karthik calling Karthik
Year: 2010
Director: Vijay Lalwani
Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone
Overview: MEET KARTHIK: an introvert by nature and shy by choice. Karthik suffers with huge confidence issues and is miserable at his less than average job. His boss treats him like dirt. Shonali, his colleague who he secretly loves doesn't even know he exists. Karthik is a loser, knows it, and accepts it.
And then one day the phone rings. Karthik speaks to someone who also claims to be Karthik, and promises to change his life.
Soon begins the thrilling and soulful journey of this lovable loser's victory against all odds with the help of his mysterious friend.
Watched: 9th Apr. 2011
My Thoughts: I quite enjoyed this film for the first hour and three-quarters where initially it showed the loser character Karthik (Farhan Akhtar) who then changes once he starts to get the 'phone calls from Karthik. The film then progressed through Karthik gaining and exuding confidence in the office and with the woman he loved Shonali (Deepika Padukone) then to the fateful day he disobeyed the 'phone Karthik's orders whereupon he loses all. We next see Karthik commence to rebuild his life again but then in the last 25/30 minutes of the film we are rushed through to a conclusion which to me seemed to be a bit of a cop-out.
My Rating: A 3 for me but would have been 4 with a better handled ending
I just watched this. For me it was the other way around. The movie would have been a solid 3, but the ending pushed it to a 4 for me.
Post by: dfmorgan on March 11, 2012, 08:26:26 PM
I just watched this. For me it was the other way around. The movie would have been a solid 3, but the ending pushed it to a 4 for me.
:hmmmm: wish I could remember more about this now. Still in both cases the ending made us change our rating ;D
Post by: Tom on March 18, 2012, 01:03:34 AM
We are introduced to a new lady with a black ball and an investigator who both have an impact on the Gantz participants.
Doesn't sound like the manga either. I will be able to tell more, after I have seen the movie.
I have seen now "Gantz 2". And yes, this movie has almost nothing in common with the manga. It has more similarities with the last mission of the anime (which was the only part of the anime not based on the manga), than it did with the manga. The whole plot with the small black ball is completely original to the movie (at least as far as what I have read of the manga. I have read the first 20 collected volumes so far).
Post by: dfmorgan on March 18, 2012, 08:11:03 PM
We are introduced to a new lady with a black ball and an investigator who both have an impact on the Gantz participants.
Doesn't sound like the manga either. I will be able to tell more, after I have seen the movie.
I have seen now "Gantz 2". And yes, this movie has almost nothing in common with the manga. It has more similarities with the last mission of the anime (which was the only part of the anime not based on the manga), than it did with the manga. The whole plot with the small black ball is completely original to the movie (at least as far as what I have read of the manga. I have read the first 20 collected volumes so far).
Thanks for that Tom :thumbup:
Post by: dfmorgan on March 18, 2012, 08:27:16 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582881011.4f.jpg) | Immortals: 3D (2011/United States)
|
Stars:
Henry Cavill as Theseus
Mickey Rourke as King Hyperion
Stephen Dorff as Stavros
Freida Pinto as Phaedra
Luke Evans as Zeus
Plot:
Eons after the Gods won their mythic struggle against the Titans, a new evil threatens the land. Mad with power, King Hyperion has declared war against humanity. Amassing a bloodthirsty army of soldiers disfigured by his own hand, Hyperion has scorched Greece in search of the legendary Epirus Bow, a weapon of unimaginable power forged in the heavens by Ares. Only he who possesses this bow can unleash the Titans, who have been imprisoned deep within the walls of Mount Tartaros since the dawn of time and thirst for revenge. In the king's hands, the bow would rain destruction upon mankind and annihilate the Gods. But ancient law dictates the Gods must not intervene in man's conflict. They remain powerless to stop Hyperion... until a peasant named Theseus comes forth as their only hope.
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Feature Trailers
- Deleted Scenes
- Featurettes
- Digital Copy
My Thoughts:
I quite enjoyed this film. I watched the ordinary 2D version as I don't have a 3D TV. I have got and watched "The Fall" by Tarsem (Singh) and although I enjoyed that film more I felt that there were some similarities between them with the way in that both films seemed, to me, to have a touch of style over substance. This I feel was confirmed in one of the featurettes where Tarsem said, something along the lines of, that he preferred to let the colours tell some of the story rather than words or action.
Rating:
Post by: dfmorgan on March 18, 2012, 08:36:53 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060255690611.4f.jpg) | Super (2010/United States)
|
Stars:
Rainn Wilson as Frank Darbo
Ellen Page as Libby
Liv Tyler as Sarah
Kevin Bacon as Jacques
Gregg Henry as Detective John Felkner
Plot:
When Frank's (RAINN WILSON - THE OFFICE (US), TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN) ex-junkie wife Sarah (LIV TYLER - LORD OF THE RINGS, THE INCREDIBLE HULK) leaves him for the arms of sleazy drug-dealer Jacques (KEVIN BACON - X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, APOLLO 13), he is touched by the finger of God and decides to take the law into his own hands, becoming his own crime fighting superhero: 'The Crimson Bolt'. What Frank lacks in superpowers he makes up for with his trusty wrench in his one-man war on petty criminals. Powers or not, every superhero needs a sidekick! Enter Libby (ELLEN PAGE - INCEPTION, JUNO), a cute psychopath working at the local comic book store. Transforming into 'Boltie', Libby teams up with Frank to take Jacques down in his quest to win back his wife.
From the warped imagination of writer-director JAMES GUNN (SLITHER) comes Bolt and Boltie, a crazed crime fighting duo here to save the day, or at least to beat you up!
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Feature Trailers
- Bonus Trailers
- Featurettes
My Thoughts:
I decided to watch this after it came up in another thread. I did enjoy it, not as much as "Kick-Ass" though with which there are a number of similarities, and liked the twist within Frank's rationalisation at the end.
Rating:
Post by: Achim on March 19, 2012, 05:29:55 AM
Post by: dfmorgan on March 19, 2012, 11:34:50 AM
I think Super is better than a comparison with Kick-Ass will make it appear to be. Kick-Ass is just way too much fun and here they go for a more serious tone (basically like Defendor). So, in comparison most of us will choose the one we had more fun with :shrug:
Cheers Achim, I did like Super, even with its more serious tone. I've not seen or got Defendor which Sony decided not to release on Blu here in the UK. Maybe I need to get hold of the DVD and give it a go.
Post by: Mustrum_Ridcully on March 19, 2012, 11:47:47 AM
Maybe I need to get hold of the DVD and give it a go.I'll support this.
Defendor is a great piece of film.
Post by: Najemikon on March 19, 2012, 10:05:58 PM
I think Super is better than a comparison with Kick-Ass will make it appear to be. Kick-Ass is just way too much fun and here they go for a more serious tone (basically like Defendor). So, in comparison most of us will choose the one we had more fun with :shrug:
I don't think that's entirely true, though I know what you mean. Kick-Ass is definitely the better film, by some margin. I enjoyed Super and appreciated it's more serious, but also rather naively sentimental and rough tone, which made it effectively disturbing. I had to wonder though how much of that tone was by design or accident, because I think it could be very uneven. For instance, Ellen Page's character was so annoying until she suited up at least, and the plot doesn't stand any real attention. On one hand, the fact we recognise that the guy is a nutter with a very skewed sense of justice is what makes it so cool and disturbing, but I don't think the writing is sharp enough to suggest the film recognises that fact itself. Again, that accidental nature.
Kick-Ass is at once a very different approach, but it's leagues ahead as a production on all counts. The one thing it loses is the documentary hand-held style, so Super found the more disturbing edges, but still, Kick-Ass is genre defining while Super is just interesting.
Dave, have you seen the trailer for God Bless America in Jimmy's thread? I still find it has an uncanny resemblance to Super.
Post by: dfmorgan on March 21, 2012, 10:51:41 AM
Dave, have you seen the trailer for God Bless America in Jimmy's thread? I still find it has an uncanny resemblance to Super.
Yep, it was your remarks there that made me get Super out of the ever-growing TBW pile. And yes aspects appear similar.
Post by: dfmorgan on March 25, 2012, 08:11:26 PM
Maybe I need to get hold of the DVD and give it a go.I'll support this.
Defendor is a great piece of film.
An order has been placed
Post by: dfmorgan on March 25, 2012, 08:26:10 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5013037002393.4f.jpg) | Lakshya (2004/India)
|
Stars:
Amitabh Bachchan as Col. Sunil Damle
Hrithik Roshan as Karan Shergill
Preity Zinta as Romila Dutta
Om Puri as Subedar Maj. Pritam Singh
Sharad Kapoor as Maj. Binod Sengupta
Plot:
"You never know where life will take you." These words could not have been more true than in the case of Karan Shergill, the protagonist of Lakshya. Karan Shergill, born to rich, affluent parents, lives life not worrying about tomorrow. In most case, one can only be worried if they know what they want to do. Karan hasn't a clue! He is forever at the crossroads of life. The only thing stable in his life is Romila Dutta, a bright and ambitious, young woman. Romi, as she is known, loves Karan and believes that someday, he will find his calling.
Here begins his journey.
A journey that will test Karan, physically, mentally and emotionally.
A journey that will stretch him far beyond his limitations.
A journey that will force him to make bitter choices.
A journey that he will start as a boy but will end as a man.
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Feature Trailers
- Deleted Scenes
- Featurettes
- Gallery
- Music Videos
My Thoughts:
Another recommendation from Tom and another excellent film. A young man is told by his girlfriend that he has no objectives in life so he decides to join the army on a half-hearted whim. We then follow him as finds his way and gains some objectives.
Rating:
Post by: Tom on March 25, 2012, 08:35:20 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on April 02, 2012, 08:10:21 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5017239151828.4f.jpg) | Hugo: 3D (2011/United States)
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Stars:
Ben Kingsley as Georges Méliès
Sacha Baron Cohen as Station Inspector
Asa Butterfield as Hugo Cabret
Chloë Grace Moretz as Isabelle
Ray Winstone as Uncle Claude
Plot:
Welcome to a magical world of spectacular adventure! When wily and resouceful Hugo discovers a secret left by his father, he unlocks a mystery and embarks on a quest that will transform those around him and lead to a safe and loving place he can call home. Academy Award®-winning* filmmaker Martin Scorsese invites you to experience a thrilling journey that critics are calling "the stuff that dreams are made of"
(Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE).
Extras:
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this film and thought that the transfer from the written page worked very well. The only problem I had was with the Station Inspector played by Sacha Baron Cohen. Mr Cohen played this man like a bumbling fool speaking in franglais as per the RAF pilot employed as a gendarme in the BBC TV series 'allo 'allo. All the other characters spoke normally why did the inspector have to idiotised.
Rating:
would have been a but for that mentioned above.
Post by: Najemikon on April 02, 2012, 10:38:38 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on April 03, 2012, 09:11:27 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/82/828970002882.4f.jpg) | Ra.One (2011/India)
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Stars:
Shah Rukh Khan
Kareena Kapoor
Arjun Rampal
Armaan Verma
Shahana Goswami
Plot:
A father trying hard to 'fit-in' in his son's badass world a son trying hard to 'dude-up' his dad from 'aiiiyyo' yo 'yo!' and a mother lost in translation between her husband's 'ingeva' and her son's 'in' it!' while Shekhar was trying every trick in the book to woo his son, get 'dude-ified' and 'up his coolness quotient' his son had given up on him... just when the father-son duo hit a deadlock; Shekhar strikes gold when he designs one hell of a game... finally it all starts falling in place... as the family comes together... ...only to find themselves in the middle of a crash... not just a hard drive crash but a crash that would drive them to a disaster and make their lives go - kamboom!!!... all hell breaks loose when the game that was meant to be played with... starts playing them...
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Music Videos
My Thoughts:
A fun and enjoyable romp. Bollywood goes full-on sci-fi, loads of references to other science fiction films with plenty of thrills. One nit-picking point though
(click to show/hide)
Rating:
I did like this take on Ben E. King's Stand By Me
Post by: Tom on April 03, 2012, 09:18:18 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on April 03, 2012, 09:46:27 PM
Interesting. I liked his character and welcomed that change, but I can't stomach the girl in this version. Chloe Moretz was wrong for the role and they changed her character anyway, in small but vital ways. Unforgivable.
I couldn't remember much of how the characters developed in the book so didn't really pick up on the changes to Isabelle and Hugo but after reading your review I can see where you came from. But the portrayal of the Station Inspector as the 'allo 'allo gendarme was too much for me. I realise that Mr Scorsese must have been happy with it but it grated on me.
Post by: dfmorgan on April 03, 2012, 09:49:55 PM
You seemed to have enjoyed the movie more than I did.
:hmmmm: yep seems that way. I found it fun and enjoyable, but then again it has been shown here, when you compare some reviews, that action and science-fiction films I tend to really enjoy more than other people. I went to see Wrath of the Titans today and enjoyed that.
Post by: Najemikon on April 03, 2012, 11:25:32 PM
Interesting. I liked his character and welcomed that change, but I can't stomach the girl in this version. Chloe Moretz was wrong for the role and they changed her character anyway, in small but vital ways. Unforgivable.
I couldn't remember much of how the characters developed in the book so didn't really pick up on the changes to Isabelle and Hugo but after reading your review I can see where you came from. But the portrayal of the Station Inspector as the 'allo 'allo gendarme was too much for me. I realise that Mr Scorsese must have been happy with it but it grated on me.
I can certainly understand why. The guy is Marmite at the bet of times. I expected to dislike him, but I saw something genuine in his character.
Post by: dfmorgan on April 08, 2012, 09:23:48 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5060000700701.4f.jpg) | Repo Man: The Masters of Cinema Series (1984/United States)
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Stars:
Harry Dean Stanton as Bud
Emilio Estevez as Otto
Tracey Walter as Miller
Olivia Barash as Leila
Sy Richardson as Lite
Plot:
Arguably the defining cult film of the Reagan era, the feature debut of Alex Cox (Sid & Nancy, Walker, Straight to Hell) is a genre-busting mash-up of atomic-age science fiction, post-punk anarchism, and conspiracy paranoia, all shot through with heavy doses of deadpan humour and offbeat philosophy. With an iconic soundtrack (Iggy Pop, Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies), stunning Robby Müller cinematography, and iconoclastic direction, Repo Man remains one of the great debuts of the 1980s. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present a definitive Steelbook edition of the director-approved Blu-ray.
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Audio Commentary
- Feature Trailers
- Deleted Scenes
- Featurettes
- Interviews
- TV version, 44-page booklet
My Thoughts:
A strange film with a chequered history. Overall I enjoyed it and I think that this was the first time I saw the film that Alex Cox made as opposed to the alternate TV version that usually gets broadcast.
Rating:
Post by: dfmorgan on April 15, 2012, 08:40:18 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/82/828970002783.4f.jpg) | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011/India)
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Stars:
Hrithik Roshan as Arjun Saluja
Abhay Deol as Kabir Dewan
Farhan Akhtar as Imraan Qureshi
Katrina Kaif as Laila
Kalki Koechlin as Natasha Aurora
Plot:
Kabir has just met Natasha. 6 months later they are engaged. He wants to go on an extended bachelor party. A 3 week road trip with Imraan and Arjun- his 2 best friends since school. The only problem is Imraan and Arjun don’t speak to each other anymore. After much emotional blackmail and cajoling the boys set off on a journey they were meant to take 4 years ago. A fantasy holiday they had planned to take after college but never happened. A road trip where each one gets to do the ultimate sport of his choice and the other 2 just have to do it with him. Whether they want to or not! Kabir, Imraan and Arjun meet up in Barcelona and set off on an adventure that will not only make them face their fear but will alter their perception, unravel their fabric, force them to break out of the box and teach them to sieze the day. In other words a holiday that will change their lives forever.
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Music Videos
My Thoughts:
A fun road-trip film. Three slightly disparate friends from school days had drifted apart but come together to celebrate a forthcoming marriage and to create an adventure they had promised themselves. Although there were songs and poems in this film there were no full blown song and dance numbers. A nit-picking point is a scene set in London where you see a Routemaster bus in the background, Routemasters were taken out of service in 2005. Although I can understand them using this as they were an icon that represented London.
Rating:
Post by: dfmorgan on May 20, 2012, 12:02:20 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5017239151835.4f.jpg) | Underworld: Awakening (2012/United States)
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Stars:
Kate Beckinsale as Selene
Stephen Rea as Dr. Jacob Lane
Michael Ealy as Detective Sebastian
Theo James as David
India Eisley as Eve
Plot:
KATE BECKINSALE returns as the ultimate vampire warrioress Selene in Underworld: Awakening, the stunning new installment of the epic saga for the first time in 3D.
Having escaped years of imprisonment, she finds herself in a changed world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species. Now Selene must battle the humans and a frightening new breed of super Lycans to ensure the death dealers' survival.
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Audio Commentary
- Featurettes
- Music Videos
- Outtakes/Bloopers
My Thoughts:
An enjoyable film. The series is moving forward and this film sets up ready for the next installment.
Rating:
Post by: dfmorgan on August 12, 2012, 09:00:03 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5030305516390.4f.jpg) | Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012/United States)
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Stars:
Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider
Violante Placido as Nadya
Ciarán Hinds as Roarke
Idris Elba as Moreau
Johnny Whitworth as Ray Carrigan
Plot:
NICOLAS CAGE (Drive Angry, Season Of The Witch) stars as legendary action hero Johnny Blaze in one of the year's most thrilling, adrenaline-pumped films.
Struggling to live with his flame-headed alter ego The Ghost Rider, Blaze is offered the chance to rid himself of his curse forever - but to do so he must defeat The Devil in a terrifying battle for survival. Co-starring Idris Elba (Thor) and Ciaran Hinds (The Woman In Black) and featuring ground-breaking special effects, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is one hell of a ride.
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Audio Commentary
- Bonus Trailers
- Deleted Scenes
- Featurettes
My Thoughts:
A fairly entertaining film. I watched this in 2D as I don't have a 3D TV. Nicolas Cage reprises his dual role of Johnny Blaze / The Ghost Rider and for the most his anguished tortured faces and groans work. A bit more background is given to The Ghost Rider itself
(click to show/hide)
Rating: I quite enjoyed this for a 3
Post by: dfmorgan on October 18, 2012, 10:54:44 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5039036050432.4f.jpg) | The Terminator (1984/United States)
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Stars:
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Terminator
Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese
Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor
Paul Winfield as Traxler
Lance Henriksen as Vukovich
Plot:
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as the most fierce and relentless killing machine ever to threaten the survival of mankind!
An indestructible cyborg — a Terminator (Schwarzenegger) — is sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the woman whose unborn son will become humanity's only hope in a future war against machines. This legendary sci-fi thriller from pioneering writer/director James Cameron, and co-written by Gale Anne Hurd, fires an arsenal of action and heart-stopping suspense that never lets up!
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Deleted Scenes
- Featurettes
My Thoughts:
A film I have enjoyed and liked on various formats. This latest release has very good picture quality and sound but is obviously a make-do until the 30th Anniverary Special Edition comes out in 2014. Why do I say that you may ask and the reason is that the film starts and plays continuously from disc insertion. There is no menu option available except the pop-up menu and even when you look at the special features and deleted scenes it will go straight back into the film after each one
Rating: A solid 4
for the film but down a point for the presentation so 3
Post by: Najemikon on October 18, 2012, 11:50:24 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on October 19, 2012, 12:09:53 AM
Have you seen the Ultimate Edition DVD transfer, Dave? I found it to be excellent. I have several of those releases and they seem to be good enough to not need Blu-Ray upgrade consideration.
This is the DVD version I have
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050070005127.4f.jpg) | (http://www.invelos.com/images/DVDLogo.png)The Terminator |
Post by: Najemikon on October 19, 2012, 09:06:15 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on October 22, 2012, 10:44:40 AM
Yeah, I had that too, but the UE was a noticeable improvement. Not least because my original Terminator was the only title I had that suffered from "DVD rot" and wouldn't play!
I had a look around and somehow it would appear that the UE release passed me by :(
Post by: dfmorgan on October 22, 2012, 10:55:03 AM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/50/5050582912708.4f.jpg) | Snow White & The Huntsman: Collector's Boxset (2012/United States)
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Stars:
Kristen Stewart as Snow White
Chris Hemsworth as The Huntsman
Charlize Theron as Ravenna
Sam Claflin as William
Sam Spruell as Finn
Plot:
THE FAIRYTALE IS OVER...
In this epic adventure, Kirsten Stewart (Twilight) plays the only person in the land fairer than the Evil Queen (Oscar Winner Charlize Theron) who is out to destroy her. But the one girl threatening the wicked ruler's reignhas been training in the art of war with the very huntsman (Chris Hemsowrth - Thor) dispatched to kill her. Evil now fights destiny.
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Audio Commentary
- Featurettes
- Digital Copy
My Thoughts:
A darker version of the classic fairy tale. I enjoyed this film and feel that maybe I need to look up the original stories behind the tale as the one I know is the Disneyfied version. I do have last years Mirror Mirror to view and will now schedule that to possibly be the next film I watch.
Rating: A solid 3
Post by: DSig on October 22, 2012, 07:49:54 PM
Post by: dfmorgan on October 23, 2012, 11:30:14 AM
I wouldn't rush to watch "Mirror, Mirror" .. oh my i am still trying to cleanse the pallet :thumbdown:
OK thanks.
Post by: dfmorgan on February 03, 2013, 09:00:53 PM
| (http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/82/828970003780.4f.jpg) | English Vinglish (2012/India)
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Stars:
Sridevi
Adil Hussain
Mehdi Nebbou
Priya Anand
Sulabha Deshpande
Plot:
Money, fame and the ability to speak English. In India, these 3 factors play a huge role in how society judges an individual.
English Vinglish is the story of a woman who does not know English and is made to feel insecure by her family and society at large. The film is a light-hearted yet touching and transformational journey of Shashi. Circumstances make her determined to overcome this insecurity, master the language, teach the world a lesson on the way to becoming a self assured and confident woman. The film is shot mostly in New York and captures the inherent struggle of many people all over the world with the English language. Hilarious, touching, sensitive, this film marks the come back of India's biggest female star - Sridevi.
Extras:
- Scene Access
- Feature Trailers
- Deleted Scenes
- Featurettes
- Gauri's first short film - Oh Man!
My Thoughts:
This was a lovely gentle yet powerful drama. Shashi, a housewife played by Sridevi, is at times ridiculed by her husband and daughter because of her poor English skills. Shashi's widowed sister lives in New York and invites the family over to attend her daughter's wedding. Shashi though has to go earlier to assist in the preparations and her lack of English makes the awkwardness of being in a foreign country worse. Shashi joins a Teach You English in 4 weeks course on a whim whereupon she makes some new friends and skills. There is an interesting cameo by Amitabh Bachchan on the flight to New York.
Rating: A gentle yet powerful 4