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Mission to Mars, a review by Rich

Mission to Mars



From the director of Mission: Impossible comes the thrilling, eye-popping science-fiction adventure Mission to Mars - starring Gary Sinise (Snake Eyes) and Tim Robbins (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Loved Me). The year is 2020, and the first manned mission to Mars, commanded by Luke Graham (Don Cheadle, Out Of Sight), lands safely on the red planet. But the Martian landscape harbors a bizarre and shocking secret that leads to a mysterious disaster so catastrophic, it decimates the crew. Haunted by a cryptic last message from Graham, NASA launches the Mars Recovery Mission to investigate and bring back survivors - if there are any. Confronted with nearly insurmountable dangers, but propelled by deep friendship, the team finally lands on Mars and makes a discovery so amazing, it takes your breath away. Mission to Mars is an action-packed rocket ride that will enthrall you with its stunning special effects and keep you on the edge of your seat.

2001 inferior copy, but with enough special effects and originality to make it viewable. A touch too much sentimentality in a sci-fi for my taste, but the pulsating score and thought provoking ending turned it from a potential onion to a respectable film. Acting was hit and miss, Robbins miscast but Sinise perfect.
Its a marmite film, you'll likely to love it or hate it. I sit on the fence as I found it ok.
 
 

(From Riches Random Reviews on April 27th, 2009)

Raging Bull, a review by Rich

Raging Bull





I cannot undersand how this has been heralded as the best boxing movie of all time, in my opinion the boxing was purely a backdrop to a deeper exploration of one mans psyche. The fights just appeared to be a release for all the obvious pent-up anger, frustration and jealousy that bubbled in La Motta, and ruined his relationships.
The direction is amazing, just simple shots somehow seem more important and penetrating, claustraphobic in the dometic shots, artistic in the ring. De Niro & Pesci give wonderful convincing acting masterclasses. The unflinching production of a fairly unpleasant personality, makes you realise how volatile and dangerous La Motta would have been roaming the streets, you certainly don't warm to him through the film.
I think everyone should watch this film, to perhaps see de Niro at his best, and Scorsese matching him blow for blow.
 


(From Riches Random Reviews on January 27th, 2009)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Haibane - Renmei: Ailes Grises (2002/Japan) IMDb | Wikipedia (Germany) Length: 330 min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78 Audio: German: Dolby Digital 5.1, German: DTS 5.1, Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: German

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Haibane Renmei
1.01 Mayu - Sora wo ochiru yume - Ourudo Houmu (2002-02-09)

A wonderful story about angel-like creatures with beautiful animation work. A girl finds herself, after having some strange dream, coming out of a cocoon with small wings on her back. She has lost all memories of her previous life and now must find out what it means to be a "Haibane" (this is how these creatures are called).

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on July 4th, 2011)