DVD Collectors Online

Into The Mirror, a review by Jon

Into The Mirror
2 out of 5

Thanks to Lovemunkey for the recommendation in response to a post about the remake starring Kiefer Sutherland. But on reflection (snigger!), I couldn't see the attraction.

Mysterious deaths threaten the reopening of a shopping centre, closed after an accident the year before. A former detective works as a security guard while trying to come to terms with a past tragedy and believes there is a supernatural element to the killings. His former colleague tries to follow a more conventional explanation and between them they uncover corruption behind the supposed accident.

Lots of fantastic ideas that continually run out of steam. The two deaths early on were promising, but literally nothing happened after to build on them. Especially as I thought it was going to focus more on them having issues with guilt (a metaphor for having to deal with their own ghosts), but that seemed to get left behind and the actual resolution was more contrived or detached.



But whatever the reason, the execution (of the scene and the character!) was excellent. The atmosphere is fantastic, so why wasn't it used more? When the premise suggests "security guard" and "scary mirrors" I thought there might be at least one scene of him wandering around dark, empty corridors after hours with just his torch and reflection for company. Never happened! 

I did like the idea of the split personality theories and obviously a lot of work was put into that angle, but at the end of the day, they were making a horror film and forgot to make it scary. The premise gives the story a huge margin for shocks, but by the end I was sure I was just watching a decent police detective story where someone tried to shoehorn in a supernatural element and really it was just getting in the way. Motivation was weak, resolution weaker.

The final scene encompasses all the problems I had with it. It's creepy and effective, but a step behind the story and it didn't fit in entirely with what happened:
I'm more than willing to accept I've missed the point, leading to my confusion. But that's what second viewings are for and sadly, there wasn't enough going on and the characters were too thin to support putting it on again. I know from the Trailer Park thread that Lovemunkey holds this in very high regard, so I'd love for him to give me a reason for repeats! 

These themes seem to crop up a lot in Korean film. If you like this, I would recommend Some (which resembles this as a detective thriller with a supernatural element) and A Tale of Two Sisters.

Speaking of the trailer for the the remake, after seeing this, I really don't know what to think. Obviously they're increasing the horror, which should make it more entertaining (and Kiefer does seem to be on his own a lot, which as I said before, is surely the point), but the original story did have some substance and strong ideas about dual personalities. In typical Hollywood fashion I can see them turning this into a gore-fest with a really weak reference to duality. Which would be a shame. There's a bloody good film stuck in here somewhere! Romero could have pulled it off, but although I like Aja's version of The Hills Have Eyes, I don't think he has the same touch.

(From Into The Mirror (Geoul Sokeuro) on August 2nd, 2008)

Despicable Me, a review by dfmorgan

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



(From Dave's DVD/Blu-ray Reviews on February 28th, 2011)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

Spooks - Series 1

1.Thou Shalt Not Kill
An abortion doctor and her daughter are killed by a bomb placed by Mary Kane, an American "pro-life" terrorist. An informant reveals that this is just the tip of the iceberg as 20 bombs have gone missing. Kane has started training more pro-life groups within the UK and is planning more attacks. Meanwhile, Tom struggles with issues of duplicity and juggling two identities



MI5 agents, living a different life every moment, facing a different threat every day. In the dangerous shadow-world of the intelligence community, the enemy is never far away. Hidden. Waiting. Planning. All MI5 have to go on are glimpses and fragments. Our lives depend on them seeing the full picture...

Very impressive pilot, I was blown away with the excellent and techy start, and I thought on the whole all of the characters were promising.
Missing some of the glossy finish of similar US shows like 24, this UK production based on pilot demonstrates solid storyline, dependable acting and a true feeling of topical realism sadly lacking in similar series.
High calibre spy series, certainly worth a few quid investment.
 


(From My PILOT Marathon on September 21st, 2009)