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Event Horizon, a review by Rich

Event Horizon



In this eerie science-fiction ghost story, an astrophysicist (Sam Neill), haunted by the memory of his wife's suicide, joins a rescue mission to salvage his life's work: the Event Horizon, a prototype spacecraft capable of faster-than-light travel that has been missing for seven years. Their arrival triggers contact with something beyond human experience--and more dangerous than ever imaginable. Similar in plot to Andrei Tarkovsky's eponymous screen adaptation of Stanislaw Lem's science-fiction novel SOLARIS, EVENT HORIZON provides some truly potent moments in its often potent combination of horror and sci-fi.

I'm not sure why I can't fall in love with this sci-fi, it has all the ingredients I like in such a film, but something just doesn't work for me. Perhaps it is the cast which lacks union and chemistry, or a slow cobbled together storyline which drags the suspense out a little too long? Or is it the lack of original ideas in the film which is a horror/alien clone?
The effects are brilliant, especially the zero-effect ones, the score works well through the surround system, and you can't help but jump at several points. Try playing the video they find of the original crew in slow motion - unbelievable gore and depravity!
But there is just too much unexplained for me to get a high scoring review, the Latin speaking captain, where the ship had been and how it got there, the suicidal wife etc etc.
 



(From Riches Random Reviews on April 25th, 2009)

Forever Strong, a review by Rich

Forever Strong



Best friends and teammates Rick (Sean Faris, Never Back Down) and Lars (Penn Badgley, Gossip Girl) become bitter rivals when Rick's free-spirited lifestyle lands him in juvenile detention. There a concerned counselor (Sean Astin, Lord of the Rings, Rudy) and a national championship rugby coach (Gary Cole, Office Space) recruit Rick for a new team - and a new direction.
Based on actual events surrounding the perennial powerhouse Highland Rugby program (379 wins - 9 losses, and 18 of the last 24 national championships), Forever Strong is a film that combines heart-stopping, on-the-field action with a life-changing story of victory.

Americanised rarity of a film revolving around the greatest sport in the world - rugby.
It is a fair effort, based on actual events, with a particularly good lead by an unknown to me - Sean Faris. The storyline remained interesting throughout, of clearly quite an amazing coach in real life improving young lads lives. The sporting simulations for anyone involved in the sport were a bit off the mark, but not irritatingly so.
Altogether an 'ok' sports based film.
 

(From Riches Random Reviews on June 14th, 2009)

Death Note anime/manga/movies comparison, a review by Tom

06. Unraveling

- the agents meet L for the first time. While introducing themselves, L points his fingers like a pistol at them and says "peng". He explains they would be dead now if he were Kira. He cautions them to not use their real names. L tells them of this theory that Kira must be among the people observed by the FBI in a specific time-frame
- Light and family discuss bringing his father a change of clothes. Light volunteers.
- Naomi goes to the police headquarters. Light and Naomi meet up. Light tells her, that he can help her with meeting the investigation team. Naomi tells him of her theories. Light notices, that she is very close to linking him with Kira.

Manga: The first half of the episode is covered in manga chapter 11, the second half in chapter 12

Movies: Very similar. I love how L potrays the "peng"-scene in the movie.


(From Death Note anime/manga/movies comparison on June 27th, 2009)