DVD Collectors Online

Max Payne, a review by Rich

Max Payne



Coming together to solve a series of murders in New York City are a DEA agent (Wahlberg) whose family was slain as part of a conspiracy and an assassin (Kunis) out to avenge her sister's death. The duo will be hunted by the police, the mob, and a ruthless corporation.

Disappointing adaptation and possibly the 2nd worst film I've watched Wahlberg in.
The noir film setting, the effects (especially the hallucinations), and the principle of the film taken from the video game are wonderful, sadly it doesn't make much sense and is way too far fetched.
At one point he faces up to about 20 security guards who are armed with machine guns, whilst he has just a pistol, and only 10 feet between them. Somehow they shoot about 1000 times and miss him, whilst his never ending magazine picks them off with little trouble as he 'dramatically flees' the scene. And then his pump action shotgun that allows him to fire it with the speed of an automatic?? And let's not even get to how the star was shot so many times without bleeding or getting hurt. Maybe the director thought this was a game and not the movie, made with easy mode chosen.
I finished the film thinking why end here?, what happened?, and was it worth it?
 


(From Riches Random Reviews on February 1st, 2009)

House of the Long Shadows, a review by Danae Cassandra

House of the Long Shadows
Year of Release: 1983
Directed By: Pete Waller
Starring: Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, John Carradine, Desi Arnaz Jr.
Genre: Horror

Overview:
Newly Re-mastered in HD! Horror legends Vincent Price (The Oblong Box), Christopher Lee (The Crimson Cult), Peter Cushing (Madhouse) and John Carradine (The Sentinel) star as the screen's greatest gruesome foursome! When a young novelist, Kenneth Magee (Desi Arnaz, Jr., Billy Two Hats) spends a night at Baldpate Manor to win a bet that he can turn a best-selling novel in 24 hours, he gets more than he bargained for. The grizzly Grisbane clan arrives to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a ghoulish family secret. And their dinner party has murder on the menu. Lightning! Thunder! Torrential rain! Clattering shutters! Creaking doors! A locked attic! A sinister secret! Murder! All the ingredients of the classic "Old Dark House" tale come together in this top-notch horror film by cult film-maker Pete Walker (House of Whipcord). Co-starring Richard Todd (The Assassin) and Sheila Keith (Frightmare).

My Thoughts:
Price, Lee, Cushing, Carradine.  These are the reasons to watch this film.  They're all the elder statesmen of horror by the time this film gets made (Lee is the youngest at 61), and this is the only film that all four appear in together.  If you're a fan of any of these actors, and most especially if you're a fan of all of them, their performances make this film worth watching.  All of them are superb.  Arnaz Jr. is also competent enough in his role.

On the other hand, the neat little twist at the end is completely overshadowed by the lame second twist and the lamer third twist.  Though it's true to the novel that inspired it (Seven Keys to Baldpate), I really think the film would have been better leaving those off and ending the film before the second twist.  The repeat twists were very much a let down after the rest of the film.  I was also really annoyed by Julie Peasgood's character.  Every time she would scream and cower all I kept thinking was "what a useless person!"

Recommended if you're a fan of the four lead actors.  These men are always a treat to watch, and this film is no different.  Not necessarily for the more casual, or modern, horror fan - I'd recommend a number of their earlier films first, simply because of the let down in the ending here.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

2015 Horror Movie Count: 10

(From Horror/Halloween Marathon 2015 on October 17th, 2015)

Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

13. Athens City Academy...
Gabrielle forsakes a new odyssey with Xena in order to audition for the Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards at their annual storytelling competition.

My Thoughts:
This is a fun episode... though I found it odd that so soon into the first season they decided to do a clips episode that revisited the earlier episodes. I just don't think it was needed this soon into the series. Especially watching it on DVD like this. But it was fun watching Gabrielle tell all the stories about her and Xena... as well as see the other styles of storytelling from the other people in the competition.

My Rating:

14. A Fistful of Dinars


My Thoughts:
Another good episode... had Xena and the others figuring out clues to make it to the treasure. It almost had a feel of an Indiana Jones movie where he always had to figure out the correct way of doing things to get further.

My Rating:


15. Warrior...Princess
The Warrior Princess learns life as a blue blood can be a royal pain when she stands in for a princess whose life has been threatened by assassins.

My Thoughts:
This episode I liked very much. It was just plain fun... and I found myself laughing on more then one occassion in this episode. Not only did I think it was fun seeing Xena try to act like a princess and fight in the princess's dress... but I thought it was hilarious seeing the princess trying to be a convincing Xena.

My Rating:

16. Mortal Beloved
The ghost of her beloved Marcus prompts Xena to travel to the Underworld - where a madman has stolen Hades' Helmet of Invisibility, causing total chaos in the realm.

My Thoughts:
Another excellent episode... but this time much more serious then the last episode. I liked the more fantasy driven storyline. I also liked how they did Hades' guards, The Harpies.

My Rating:

(From Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon on December 7th, 2009)