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We Own The Night, a review by Rich

We Own The Night



What if your own family stood in the way of everything you worked for? Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix) has forsaken his name to escape his family and their tradition in law enforcement to pursue his ambitions as a Brooklyn nightclub owner. As he turns a blind eye to the drug dealers around him, he comes face to face with the family he abandoned when his brother (Mark Wahlberg) and father (Robert Duvall) crack down on the club. Now Bobby must choose a side. Is he going to turn informant or will he help run the biggest crime ring in New York history?

A great film which slipped under the radar, with some stand out performances, particularly from Phoenix. He portrays the torn, angry and disillusioned night club owner brilliantly, and you feel by the 2nd half of the film you understand his character perfectly. It's great 80's soundtrack, gritty storyline and fitting climax made this film well above average, it is quite long but the time seemed to slip past.
The only major downside was Wahlberg, who's paralysed facial expression acting style, which works in some films, definately does not work in this movie and I was disappointed with his performance.
 



(From Riches Random Reviews on May 18th, 2009)

Black X-Mas, a review by addicted2dvd

Black X-Mas
THE HORROR CLASSIC 'BLACK CHRISTMAS', which spawned a wave of hit slasher films, is re-imagined for a new generation of fans in this terrifying remake. A group of sorority sisters, snowed in over the holiday break, tried desperately to survive the night as a relentless killer terrorizes and murders them, one by one. Featuring an old-school slasher story, the modern horror touch of director Glen Morgan (writer/producer, 'Final Destination') and a cast of today's hottest stars, including Michelle Trachtenberg ('Eurotrip'), Lacey Chabert ('Mean Girls'), Katie Cassidy ('When a Stranger Calls'), and Mary Elizabeth Winstead ('Grindhouse'), 'Black Christmas' is a thrilling, blood-soaked screamfest.

My Thoughts:
Ahhh... now this is better... what Christmas is all about... Family. Slight Spoiler: Now you had to know there was no way I was going to miss out on watching some Christmas horror movies! Though I don't have many at the moment... I still need to see the original Black Christmas... which I hear is awesome. I did enjoy this remake.. though it is impossible for me to compare with the original. That might be a good thing. There is a nice amount of gore in this movie... some of which is realistic enough... other which looks very fake.  I did feel this movie went on longer then it had to... I don't know it just felt like it slowed down towards the end. This movie does have 1 (that I noticed) familiar face in it... Michelle Trachtenberg  (Dawn on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) which was pretty cool to see.

(From My 25 Days of Christmas Marathon on December 10th, 2007)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

16. Hyde School Reunion
Phoebe's wild teenage personality takes over when she inadvertently casts a spell on herself before her high school reunion. Her delinquent former classmates then user her magic for wrongdoing.

My Thoughts:
This was an episode that was more on the fun side. Just basically Phoebe getting in trouble and then having to fix the problem. At the same time they need to save Chris from some demons that are on to him.

17. Spin City
Piper is kidnapped and cocooned by a Spider Demon, a creature who emerges every hundred years to feed off magical beings. Chris mutates into a spider after becoming infected with the Demon's venom.

My Thoughts:
This was a really good episode... and Chris' turn to get turned into something when he gets infected by the Spider Demon... and turns into one himself. We also get a good idea just how bad Chris and Leo's relationship in the future really is. Did I mention how much I really enjoy this Chris storyline. Unfortunately that storyline is coming close to an end.

18. Crimes And Witch-Demeanors
The Charmed Ones are put on trial for recklessly abusing their powers after Phoebe and Paige are caught on tape using their powers.

My Thoughts:
This is another clips episode. Well not really as there wasn't THAT many clips shown. But it does visit scenes from all the other seasons... clear back to season 1.  It is a decent episode that has some consequences for Phoebe. Is a good episode... but think it could have been better.

19. A Wrong Day's Journey Into Right
Paige unknowingly conjures up Mr. Right's evil twin, Mr. Wrong, who uses his magical pheromones to trick her into believing that she must kill her sisters to realize her secret desire.

My Thoughts:
This is a decent standard episode. Nothing really special. Well.. Paige does give in to evil a little bit in this episode... but it was explained away by her being under a spell of sorts... so not really. It is another episode that I though could have been better.

(From Charmed Marathon on July 8th, 2008)