I'll admit it, I wasn't excited about seeing Tron Legacy, but I couldn't have been more surprised. By no means cheap and predictable, this non-stop action all-rounder really has a lot to offer: exciting and engaging sub-plots support a gripping, "get in, overthrow the tyrant and get out" storyline, where our hero is undesirable number one in a sort of cyber alternate totalitarian reality.
It really is quite a surprising spectacle of a movie, and the visuals are truly stunning. In fact, while the storyline could uphold the movie anyway, the graphics take it to another level. Why oh why didn't I see it in 3D??
Other high-lights include: a kick-ass soundtrack by Daft Punk (which I have since bought); super-cool chase scenes on light bikes; Jeff Bridges (enough said).
Boy loses father to arcade game; boy grows up and is accidentally transported into the same arcade game; boy must save father from an arcade game city in the throes of the tyrannical leadership of none other than the father's evil clone. Oh, and get the cyber girl at the same time.
The Story: 9.5/10
I really can't believe it has been nearly 30 years since the first movie was released back in the 80's as these movies have not aged at all (except for the 2nd part). They truly still have the same effect as they did back when they were first released.
The trilogy follows the misadventures of our hero Marty (Michael J. Fox) as he travels back then forward then even further back in time.
Back to the Future part I (1985) is everything you'd want your movie to be. It has a clever story that is jam packed with imagination, innovation and unpredictability. It is highly entertaining and infused with funny moments and some really touching moments. This is a family film at its best and it is all due to the brilliant co-writing and directing by Robert Zemeckis and the enthusiastic acting by Michael J. Fox.
Michael J. Fox plays Marty McFly a young typical teenager who spends most of his time with the weird eccentric scientist Dr. Emmet Brown or simply known as "DOC" (played by Christopher Llyod). Doc has invented a time machine inside a classic DeLorean and while testing it one night with Marty, some unfortunate events occur that leads Marty to escape in the DoLorean without knowing that it will travel back to 1955. From then on, the fun ride begins as he must find a way to get back to 1985 but not without having few obstacles on this wild journey.
The two sequels, Back to the Future's Part II (1989) and Part III (1990), are entertaining and clever as well but are less satisfying than the first. The second part is quite dark as it sees Marty traveling to the future to save his son and the future is not quite what he expected and when he returns back things are not what they used to be. The second movie besides of being dark is a bit confusing as well as Marty and Doc go back and further in time a lot more than you can keep track of. Yet is it still a fun movie on its own right.
The third part is set in the Wild West and thus the journey of Marty and Doc comes to a fun closure. The third is a bit inconsistent, yet highly entertaining as this time the main focus is on a blossoming love between Doc and Clara (Mary Steenburgen).
Despite few nitpicks in part II and III this trilogy still comes highly recommended.
Characters: 8/10
These movies simply belong to Marty and Doc. Their relationship and their stories are so much fun. Throughout the series these two characters are put in some serious perils and have to come out rather well developed especially Doc during the third part and Marty during the first part.
This ride wouldn't have been complete if they didn't have a villain to fight. And Biff presents the bully baddie and it is so much fun seeing our heroes beat him every time.
The two other characters that really shine especially in the first part only are Marty's parents played by Leah Thompson and Crispin Glover as the hottie and the nerdy respectively. Marty is put in a rather awkward and bit uncomfortable position as he tries to bring his parents together in the first part and one scene in particular will bring shivers to your spine that involves Marty and his Mom.
Overall: 9.5/10
This is my most beloved trilogy from my childhood. It still feels so fresh after all these years. I seriously can't recommend this set enough. These movies really belong in everyone's collection. The Blu-ray set is the perfect way to enjoy this remarkable trilogy with the looks and sound of Perfect and with loads and loads of extras.
The Story: 10/10
The Lord of the Rings follows the adventures of Frodo (played to perfection by Elijah Wood), a hobbit from a town called the Shire, as he sets out to destroy an incredibly powerful ring that is filled with darkness before its original owner Sauron gets possession of it and brings total mayhem to the world. Frodo is accompanied by 8 people who are known as the fellowship of the ring which includes 3 more hobbits, an elf legolas (Orlando Bloom), a dwarf named Gimli, 2 warriors (Sean Bean and Viggo Mortensen) and finally our most beloved character of all, the powerful wizard GANDALF (played so wisely by Sir Ian McKellen).
It all sounds so simple, yet nothing is as it appears in this massive trilogy as it packs action, drama, romance, camaraderie, comedy, wars, suspense, politics, horror, thriller.etc. Director Peter Jackson simply presents a complete package that runs a almost 10 hours in length (Extended cut). This is a major accomplishment that in the hands of any other director would've felt flat. Yet, in Jackson's hands he truly brings this fantasy tale to life and you really do feel what characters feel.
I won't get in details of each part as it will contain spoilers but believe me this journey is well worth the time. Highly Recommended
Characters: 10/10
Every single character in these 3 movies gets their 15 minutes. However there are some characters that truly manage to leave a lingering mark. Frodo (Elijah Wood) is the weakest in terms of physical features and he isn't the brightest either, yet he is entrusted of carrying this entire trilogy and he does a perfect job at it. He is the soul of this trilogy. You really feel his pain and you share his enthusiasm and cry when he cries. Yet his role would've been incomplete if it wasn't for his aid Samwise Gimji. Sam always brings the best in Frodo and it is such a hard task to keep him drifting to the dark side especially when they run into Gullom (the real reason you watch these movies) as he has a hidden agenda for helping the twosome. Every time Gullom says his magic words "My Precious" you know you are in for a treat and Gullom doesn't disappoint. As for the body of these movies, you get the fearless dormant king, Aragorn, he is the smartest and brightest of the bunch and his delivery is so awesome you really don't want to miss a single scene he is in. Finally the heart of the trilogy, Gandalf the wise, played by Sir Ian McKellen who really does this character justice. I can't imagine the trilogy without him, he is always there to provide wisdom and keep our characters in check during this journey. There are so many other characters that truly stand out but these 5 (Frodo, Sam, Gullom, Gandalf and Aragorn) are the reason for anyone to watch this major motion phenomena.
Technical Details: 10/10
It would've been near impossible to bring this trilogy to life if it wasn't for the crew of the rings. Every single aspect of these movies was so perfect that really you will be spellbound. You really feel like you're in their world. It is this realistic. The music, special-effects, the make-up, the location, the production design, the choreography, the costumes.and much more do perfect job to bring this fantasy world to life and we really get to experience it firsthand and truly an accomplishment of the first degree.
OVERALL: 10/10
These movies belong in every collection and in every household. These 3 movies are perfect example why we even bother watching movies. They bring the fantasy to real world and make us bring all our feelings. The trilogy finally makes its debut on the glorious Blu-Ray in its EXTENDED CUT versions with 15 discs to boot filled with over 20 hours of extras. These movies sound and look every bit of perfection. Just go ahead and buy this set already. This is the perfect gift for the loved ones during the festive seasons.
The lord of the rings trilogy requires no introduction. The big budgeted movie adaptation of the most beloved books by J.R.R. Tolkien, that was brought to life by writer/director Peter Jackson and achieved a massive box office success around the globe and garnered endless awards and nominations. It is an achievement that everyone involved in must be so proud of.
Should a film about boredom be interesting? It's a question I asked myself as Sofia Coppola treated us to frame after frame of Stephen Dorff doing mundane tasks about the house. If someone, I thought, sets out to realistically depict the monotony of showbiz life, and succeeds; does that make for a good film or not? I had time to contemplate these issues in detail because I was sure that I wouldn't be missing much in 'Somewhere'; a lyrical, captivating but often annoying picture from the director of 'Lost in Translation' and 'Marie Antoinette'.
'Somewhere' is a good film. Just one that belongs in an art gallery as opposed to your DVD collection, it would've been brilliant on a loop in some post modern installation at the 'Tate' but as a standalone film, it tries your patience and can be quite a frustrating experience. That said, there's still a lot to like in this Antonioni-esuqe stroll down banality lane: Stephen Dorff makes a welcome return to our screens as a disillusioned movie star whilst Elle Fanning (Dakota's sister) plays his estranged 11 year-old daughter, who comes to visit. Dorff's sybaritic, but pointless, life of boozing and schmoozing is toned down, as he tries to set something vaguely resembling a good example. Both actors seem to understand Coppola's satirical intent and work with it all the way.
As scathing an indictment of the vapid, soulless paradigm of Hollywood as anything Altman ever did. 'Somewhere' seems to go nowhere and slowly at that, but step back from the film and you'll see the bigger picture almost instantly. Not as technically ambitious as 'Marie Antoinette' but an unusual, unique and effective experiment, worth watching once.
A fifty year veteran of the acting business, Morgan Freeman only rose to prominence in the 1990s with standout performances in 'Driving Miss Daisy', 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves', 'The Shawshank Redemption' and 'Se7en'. This set features Freeman's recurring roles as Detective Alex Cross in 'Kiss The Girls' and 'Along Came A spider', and caps things off with Tom Clancy's political potboiler 'The Sum Of All Fears'.
'Kiss The Girls': Following on from 'Seven', Morgan Freeman plays a similar role in 'Kiss The Girls'; a well paced and entertaining police procedural. Freeman's first film as detective Alex Cross, sees him on the case of the Casanova killer; an elusive maniac who is in the habit of kidnapping young women. Things get personal when his niece is among the abducted. Freeman joins forces with Ashley Judd, who plays a doctor and traumatized survivor who managed to escape Casanova's clutches. Standard mid-to-late 90s thriller, well acted and worth a look.
'Along Came A Spider': Freeman manages to defy the odds with a surprisingly competent sequel, reprising the role of detective Alex Cross. This time, author James Patterson's laconic gumshoe is out to expose a political conspiracy that leads directly to the White House: Cross is paired with sexy Secret Service agent Monica Potter, and is drawn into a sinister game of cat-and-mouse with a tech-savvy kidnapper. Freeman exudes sobriety and cool whilst Monica Potter, an underrated actress, deserves some credit for her memorable portrayal of an otherwise clichéd character. Like its predecessor, 'Along Came a Spider' is a fair-to-decent crime thriller, not great but not bad either.
'The Sum Of All Fears': Tom Clancy has always been a somewhat pompous and dishonest character. His 'Military Industrial Complex' themed novels are fetishistic, thinly veiled propaganda efforts praising U.S. foreign policy, militarism and feeding Uncle Sam's delusions of grandeur like a high class hooker turning tricks in a strip joint. 'The Sum of All Fears' isn't all that different, in fact, it even repeats thematic elements from Clancy's own 'Red Strom Rising' and reboots the Jack Ryan story (Jack Ryan being the character played by Harrison Ford in 'Patriot Games' and 'Clear And Present Danger') with Ben Affleck.
Freeman and Affleck make for an affable double act and the film, which contains a few good twists here and there; is watchable, reasonably entertaining fare.
If you love Coronation Street and you especially love Roy & Harley's characters and who can forget the ever so funny Becky and you also love the series Benidorm, then this DVD should be right up your street. David Nielson & Julie Hesmondhalgh comedy timing is great and taking them out of Weatherfield does not effect their performance or appeal. The addition of John Henshaw & Benidorm star Siobhan Finneran to the story makes it 80 minutes of sheer delight. I know that sometimes these one-off specials don't work but this one sure does. I am sure you will not be disappointed as I wasn't.
Corrie meets Benidorm.
Two American scientists are lost in the swirling maze of past and future ages, during the first experiments on America's greatest and most secret project, the Time Tunnel. Tony Newman and Doug Phillips now tumble helplessly toward a new fantastic adventure, somewhere along the infinite corridors of time.
Welcome to a wonderful piece of 1960s cult TV. The Time Tunnel is a fun and exciting 50 minute show that examined the theories and practicalities of time travel.
This one fantastic boxset contains all of the 30 episodes of The Time Tunnel ever made, now for the first time ever available on DVD. It's a series well deserving of the release. In fact I think it would have been even better on Blu-ray. And with the recent release of other 60s classics such as Star Trek and The Twilight Zone on remastered Blu-ray I'm surprised that The Time Tunnel didn't receive such treatment as it's well worthy of being released in HD.
I remember watching The Time Tunnel as a fairly young child, probably from the age of around 10 years old, with my Dad. It would have been when they were re-run on UK TV in the mid 1980s. I've certainly not seen this show on TV since. I don't think that it has really had much airtime in the UK since the mid 1980s which is a shame as it's a show still worthy of an audience. But just like the original Star Trek or The Twilight Zone it seems that classic TV doesn't get a place on TV these days. Fortunate then that they have been released on DVD for us all to enjoy. I know I still enjoy this show, classics are always classics. they can even become better with time and familiarity.
At Project Tic-Toc headquarter, a multi-billion dollar government installation buried deep beneath the desert, crack scientists Tony Newman and Doug Phillips are the first men to ever attempt to travel through time. But just like Dr Samuel Beckett many years later. they can not get back home. Having invented the Time Tunnel - a time machine that allows Tony and Doug to visit anywhere in time and space they are forced into testing it themselves when their impatient government benefactors threaten to shut down the project. Doug gets stuck back in time as a passenger on the Titanic and Tony goes back also to try to save him. It's the first of many important historical events that Tony and Doug will get a chance to be part of, but can they help to save the passengers of the Titanic and what effects if any will such meddling in time have? All the while, back at Tic-Toc HQ, Dr. Ann MacGregor, Lt General Heywood Kirk and Dr. Ray Swain do their best to guide the stranded scientists, all the time trying to fix the Time Tunnel and bring the boys back home.
As the two scientists are flung around in time and space ending up in many different times and places from 13th Century China to the French penal colony of the Devil's Island in 1895 there are many historically interesting episodes to chose from and there are too many episodes to talk about them all in depth but I can tell you that I enjoyed many of the episodes and especially enjoyed watching the pilot episode as I'd never seen it before, As a child I had always wanted to see the pilot episode to see how it all began and hear more about the reasoning behind Tony and Doug getting trapped in time. This was a real treat of an episode for me. In other classic episodes the scientists land in 1200 BC in the middle of the war between Greeks and Trojans, at the Alamo in 1836 and even in the future where they have to stop aliens from stealing all the oxygen from the planet Earth.
The scripting, direction and acting are all strong. Much stronger than other shows of the late 1960s could have boasted and it really does stand the test of time.
I must admit I have an affection for The Time Tunnel. As a kid, just before the days of Quantum Leap this was a show that captured my imagination and my love of science fiction. I still think that this show is a gem, a cult classic from the 1960s that still deserves to be watched and loved even now 40 years later. It's well worth the asking price and your investment into the show. You get well over 25 hours of show for your money so it's great value.
The Time Tunnel is an action packed show from the mind of Irwin Allen - the TV scripting guru who brought us the likes of cult classics Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and Lost in Space. Unfortunately much like Dr Samuel Beckett, Doug and Tony never did return home. The show was cancelled at the end of the first series and never got the chance to wrap things up. A classic show such as this should have been given the opportunity to have a conclusive ending but it was the way back in the 60s just to simply stop producing a show if it wasn't doing as well as the producers wanted, apparently The Time Tunnel didn't quite cut it and Irwin Allen moved onto Land of the Giants.
There are 20 chapters in this boxset. None of them disappoints. From when Aang is freed from the ice and his growing friendship with brother and sister Sokka and Katara. The pace is quick. Lots of fighting that have my lads - age 8 and 10 - acting the scenes in the backyard afterward. And then there are the quips that have us all giggling.
Really good family fun. We have watched it twice all the way through and now look forward to the second Book.
gripping and exciting and funny - best movies that we have seen in a long time
Star Trek is the 11th movie in the Star Tre franchise and the 1st movie in 7 years. Directed by J.J Abrams (creator of Lost), the movie is a "reboot" of the original series featuring all the characters we know and love, brilliantly acted by the likes of Chris Pine, and Zachery Quntio. They manage to bring the characters to life by taking on little characteristics (like Spock holding his hands behind his back, or Chekov's turning "V"s into "W"s when talking) without becoming tacky imitations of the actors who played them in the TV series & movies
J.J Abrams had a massive challenge on his hands when taking on Star Trek. He had to create a film that would please existing Trek fans and, shed the stigma to be appealing to the wider audiences. Amazingly he's managed to do this. There is enough back story so you know who is who without getting bored. The movie is fast pased and full of action without becoming just another dumb "EXPLOSIONS!" movie. AND it manages to break the "odd number curse" where (until now) all odd numbered Star Trek movies have been awful.
Picture quality. Simply put, breaktaking. The glorious 1080p HD brings out the smallest of details like the Starfleet insignia on the crew's uniforms. Pores in the skin are visable, and facial hairs are clear and crisp.
The scenes with special effects are bright, clear and just scream to be watched on the biggest screen you can find.
Sound quality. Whoa. From the spine tingling score to the boom of the Enterprise going into warp. The Dolby True HD sound definetly packs a punch, beefy in the action squences and crystal clear during diagloue. Star Trek will make full use of your system too. Sounds bouncing round all the time, from the scream of a torpeedo in a battle scene to pips and beeps on the Enterprise's bridge making you feel like you're in the middle of the action.
Remember when The Matrix came out on DVD and you would show off your system using the lobby fight scene? Well, Star Trek is the new show off movie. Amazing picture quality and sound that will make the neighbours think the Earth is coming to an end, all packed into a fantastic movie.
You couldn't ask for more from a Blu-ray.
Set in the year 2233, the USS Kelvin is on a routine mission which is interupted by a Romulan mining ship from the future. The Kelvin is destroyed and the Romulans disappear without a trace.
Fast forward 15 or so years where Starfleet receive a distress signal from Vulcan and The Enterprise, captained by Christopher Pike is sent to Vulcan with the rest of the fleet ti assist. When it arrives the fleet is destroyed and the Romulan ship that destroyed the USS Kelvin is drilling a giant hole into the surface of Vulcan.
Nero, captain of the Romulan blames the Vulcans for the death of his family in the future. He kidnapps Captain Pike and it's upto Kirk, Spock to put aside their differences to save Pike, and stop Nero before it's too late.
From affairs, new love and pregnancies to the death of a much-loved character, Waterloo Road returns for a term better than the rest. Headteacher Karen Fisher finds new romance in school caretaker Rob Scotcher, but is the relationship doomed from the start? And, while Waterloo Road faces closure, and one staff member working against her, it looks like Karen's days could be numbered... Karen's daughter, Jess, has problems of her own when she discovers her boyfriend, Aiden, has been sleeping with best friend, Vicki MacDonald.. And the school must come to terms when a student gets diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour... This is a must by for any Waterloo Road fan. A*'s all round.
The Fighter is a glorious film, covering the best of both Hollywood worlds. You have an honest and optimistic sports movie, full of the entertaining emotion you could wish for, tempered by Scorcese-like gritty film-making that delivers a punch! Sorry, but there has to be one cheap pun when you review a sports movie!
Many reviews and poster taglines leapt on the idea of this being the best boxing movie since Rocky, and they are absolutely right, but that still somehow sells it short. Rocky was a phenomenon, yet The Fighter surpasses it by also being the best boxing movie since Raging Bull. In truth, the unavoidable clichés -despite them being true- of Micky Ward's story will forever separate it from the consummate masterpiece of dark irony about Jake La Motta, but director David O. Russell and star Mark Whalberg want us to feel the pure drive and emotion of Ward's struggle for success and recognition as an ode to what can be achieved, not a lesson about fame.
Maybe it's more The Shawshank Redemption meets Goodfellas without the indulgence! But all these other movies being mentioned dilute Russell's achievement. He is not a prolific director, but he is an exciting and vibrant one, an individual talent. His Three Kings is full of invention and character that stands up today and The Fighter is the same. He works potential from every scene and will grab you from the opening sequence of the brothers reliving the old days while they sweep the streets. Some shots are truly breath-taking and not just in the superb, brutal fight scenes which go without saying, mainly because it's always driven by the characters so every visual decision is grounded. Use of sound is incredible too; when the two brothers are entering one of the fights to a chorus of boos drowning out Micky's walk-on song, they sing it quietly to themselves instead. Russell has a fluid style that flows effortlessly, perhaps mirroring the grace of the boxers in the ring, and it makes it very watchable even in the most powerful moments. The seamless editing gives the film a rhythm that never loses time, matched with old fashioned sparky dialogue in Scott Silver's screenplay.
While true-life stories are often tough to make convincing, the ambitious narrative essentially follows two plots, one of each brother, and cleverly shifts focus between them. Although it is fundamentally Micky's story of a boxer looking for his first major win, it also drives a tale of redemption for drug addict ex-boxer Dicky (Christian Bale), determined to make a comeback of his own via a documentary and his job of trainer for his younger brother. It's heart-breaking to see him battle drugs and frequently lose when there is so much at stake and you'll be willing him to pull himself together. While some dismissed him as merely a character with a tic, Bale's performance is subtle and measured; the tics are almost like a magician's sleight of hand while his eyes hold the focus. Above all, it is a generous performance as he works the scenes with his co-stars, in particular Whalberg. As Micky, Mark turns in a career best role. To be fair, he's never been an actor one might take notice of, but he deserves full attention here. He is absolutely convincing in and out of the ring. Apparently he grew up close to where the brothers lived and that authenticity runs through the film at every level.
The supporting cast are stand-outs too. In particular, Melissa Leo as the boys' ferocious mother, leading her daughters like a gang! She is Micky's manager and jealousy guards her position, but without realising it, she might be damaging his chances. Much of the drama comes from Micky learning he has to break some of those suffocating bonds and find his own meaning in life. At first glance, it seems an obvious character, but Leo reveals a delicate and vulnerable centre to Alice without ever being obvious, except maybe one particularly emotional scene with Dicky. Most of the time though she's throwing plates and spitting memorable one-liners! Great fun, if a little scary; not that Amy Adams seems to notice. In a wonderful performance as Micky's girlfriend and a direct threat to Alice, she refuses to back down. It's a role that could so easily have been side-lined, but the feisty red-head refuses to be ignored and represents the films core approach of never settling for "good enough".
It's easy to be cynical about The Fighter: Oscar baiting true story, with a cynically predictable sports movie plot and showboating actors? No way. It has to give in to the conventions of sports movies in the second half, but David O. Russell turns that to an advantage. It is a magnificent and exhilarating experience to watch.
I sat to watch this film thinking it would be much the same as any other animation, run of the mill, ah nice, you know what I mean. How wrong was I? A Great family film from start to finish although some scenes may worry small children. The story writers offer tension, thrills, comedy and human passion. I would advise anyone to give the film a viewing, you won't be dissapointed. AND as for blu-ray.... wow.
An inventive and entertaining thriller which sees down-on-his-luck writer; Eddie Mora (Bradley Cooper) introduced to a strange new pill that activates every synaptic connection, neuron and axon in his brain. The result sees him turn his life around in a matter of hours: Mora completes his long gestating novel in one afternoon, can recall obscure facts in detail and learns how to make a fortune in the business world. But every drug has its side effects and NZT is no different; as Eddie hurtles ever forward like a hungry Shark on speed: upping the intellectual pace by putting intense pressure on both body and mind.
Bradley Cooper ('The Hangover', 'The A-team') plays a likeable loser as well as he does a suave know-it-all and though Robert DeNiro puts in a memorable performance as arrogant fat cat Carl Van Loon, it's Cooper who takes away the lion's share of the film.
Director Neil Bruger ('The Illusionist') does well to tweak the sci-fi leanings within the framework of reality whilst cinematographer Jo Willems ('30 Days of Night') makes good use of filters: blues and grays for normal life, solar flares and neon diffusers for NZT trips. 'Limitless' is high-concept, popcorn moviemaking at its best and makes up for in pace and visuals what is occasionally lacks in logic and coherence. 100 minutes well spent.
This is by far the best TV show of all time. Buy this boxset now and you won't be let down.
Even by the ending.
The entire show in one boxset
The Coen brothers are known for not only always working together (including everything from the writing and directing to producing and even editing their own films under the pseudonym "Roderick Jaynes") but for their quirky style, unique iconic characters and black humour, whether they are working in serious mode ('No Country for Old Men', 'A Serious Man') or silly mode ('Burn After Reading', 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?').
True Grit sits closer to the more serious side, and some might even say it is the least Coen-esque film of their back catalogue, but nevertheless it has the masterful duo's fingerprints all over it. Taking that most iconic of genres, the Western, and putting their unique touch on it, True Grit is one of the best examples of a Western made in the last decade or two, rivalling the likes of recent Westerns such as gritty The Proposition and the vast yet intimate The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. The Coens clearly respect the genre tremendously, and there's the notable scenes from the genre on fine show here including the obligatory night-time fireplace discussions and gun-totin' standoffs. But ultimately the duo's unique brand of filmmaking make this particular Western stand out from the crowd.
This is a remake of the 1969 film of the same name, which starred the great John Wayne (the only film he ever won an Oscar for). Stepping into the daunting shoes of "The Duke" is the brilliant Jeff Bridges, sporting the distinctive eye-patch and cowboy hat, barely understandable with his incessant muttering and more inebriated than just about any cowboy the screen has ever seen. Matt Damon is also on particularly good form as Texas Ranger LaBoeuf who is helping the 14-year-old Mattie Ross avenge the death of her father (or at least gets roped into doing so despite his own agenda of catching the killer). But even with these two great actors - along with Josh Brolin as the killer, Tom Chaney - it is newcomer Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie who truly shines. Managing to out-act even the most seasoned of actors here with her energy, inherent likability and determination making for a lead you can both sympathise with (after all she has just lost her father) but still feel like she can handle herself. On a side note it is bewildering that Steinfeld was nominated as Best SUPPORTING Actress at the Oscars as she is clearly the lead in the film.
With gorgeous cinematography by Roger Deakins and a tremendous score from Carter Burwell (two of the best in their respective fields), True Grit rides high as much on its technical merits as its story and acting. The Coen brothers have made a film which sits comfortably at the top of their list which already includes films such as Fargo, The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men and Blood Simple, to name but a few. I think you'll agree that's quite an achievement.
This particular release of True Grit is packed to the brim with bonuses and special features. First of all not only do you get the Blu-ray edition - allowing the technical aspects to truly stand out - but you also get a DVD copy of the film and a digital copy if you're partial to watching movies on your computer or iPhone.
Special features are plentiful including "Behind the Scenes With Mattie Ross" (doing what it says on the tin), "Outfitting the Old West: Buckskins, Chaps and Cowboy Hats" (which takes a look at the costuming etc.) and "The Cinematography of True Grit" (which is a must-watch if you're a particular fan of Roger Deakins' work), and much more. All this makes this Triple-Play edition well worth the extra few quid!
Watch this show!
One of the very best works of sci-fi made for TV available on DVD in the last decade.
It has a great ensemble cast of actors playing a likable group of misfit heroes, who are the crew of small spaceship "Serenity" operating on the fringes of civilization and the law.
It has often been described as a Western in space, which is one way to sum it up, but it it is so much more than just that. It looks great, and the script is very sharp indeed. There is adventure, mystery, humour, and heartbreak.
Firefly is a truly great series, but it is a flawed gem. Not all the episodes are as great as the best of the bunch, which is of course is the case with any sci fi show, but that is not its weakness. The flaw is that the show was cancelled half way through its first series, so the huge and epic story lines, and revalations about the characters, which the viewer can just SEE that writer-director Joss Whedon intended, never get played out. Whedon's later feature film "Serenity" continues the story of our heroes in an attempt to complete what the series intended. It does a good job, but the series would have been a joy.
Dont let that flaw put you off though, watch Firefly and enjoy the series for what it is, 14 episodes of brilliant sci-fi from a writer-director and cast as good as you will see anywhere.
Must-see science fiction!
You're travelling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop, the Twilight Zone.
Season two of The Twilight Zone has arrived quickly on Blu-ray after the release of the first season. And for me it couldn't arrive soon enough. I was captivated by the stories from the twilight zone in the first season - 36 episodes and hardly a poor instalment to be found amongst them. I'd watched several episodes back-to-back unable to tear myself away from the exciting and enthralling stories.
So has season two met my expectations? Were my expectations just a little too high after the first wonderful season of stories? There are some cracking stories to be found here amongst these 29 episodes. But I have to be honest, for me there are quite a few stinkers as well. That's not so much a criticism, more a statement of fact. But can anyone expect to enjoy every episode as much as the last, or their outright favourites? Of course whether or not one person likes an episode or not is entirely down to their own personal preferences and interests.
Just as with the first season there are several one-man-shows. And I love this type of episode. I feel that they have a distinctly theatrical feel to them. I feel as if I'm watching someone not on the television but on the stage. They seem to use longer cuts, where actors have to deliver many lines. They showcase the talents of the actors more fully than is usually seen on film. They also take us deep into the mind of the character. The result, as with "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room", is that the audience are taken on wonderful journeys into the minds of the characters and the situations which they face. Admittedly less often it backfires as with terribly dull episodes such as "The Invaders" and "Twenty Two".
The Episodes
Rather than try to review 29 individual episodes I'll highlight a few - some my favourites and some that I disliked.
Episode 1: "King Nine Will Not Return" marks the beginning of the second season, it's a reasonable tale of a man who finds himself marooned in the desert after his bomber crashes and he awakes to find that his entire crew has disappeared.
Episode 2: "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room" is an excellent story that examines the idea of split personalities. It's an uplifting and yet cautionary tale.
Episode 3: "The Man in the Bottle" is a fun story about a genie that can grant four wishes and the consequences that comes with those wishes. It's an episode that is exactly what The Twilight Zone is about. It has a supernatural element that affects the characters. And although the characters can make their own choice they decide to enter the world of the twilight zone with varying results and mixed feeling afterwards.
Episode 5: "The Howling Man" is not the greatest of episodes. The set up is slightly protracted but the pay-off is worth it.
Episode 6: "Eye of the Beholder" is an episode that really stands out as being once again exactly what the twilight zone is all about. It's an episode that I'd seen when I was younger so I remembered the storyline. But it's still excellent. Exceptional camerawork and wonderful make up make this episode one of the best in season two.
Episode 10: "A Most Unusual Camera"
Another episode that for me really captures the mythology of The Twilight Zone where a small group of characters are affected by a mysterious, magical or supernatural element - in this case a most unusual camera, the photos from which appear to show the future.
Episode 14: "The Whole Truth"
Is a good episode in which a crafty and dishonest car salesman is forced to tell the truth. It's a little like the story of Liar, Lair, only without Jim Carrey's rubber-faced antics.
Episode 15: "The Invaders" is a terribly dull episode in which we have only one character whose home is being attacked by miniature robotic alien invaders. The character never says an actual word, only screams and moans her way through the episode. It's written by the legendary Richard Matheson and it has a killer twist but the build up is beyond boring.
Episode 16: "A Penny for Your Thoughts" is a wonderful episode to blow away the cobwebs from the previous episode in which a likable young man is granted the gift of hearing other people's thoughts for the day, with varying benefits and consequences.
Episode 17: "Twenty Two" is another criminally dull episode in which a young exotic dancer is recovering in hospital with stress and has dreams of going to the hospital mortuary and being invited in, apparently to die, with the invitation of "room for one more". Again this episode redeems itself with a strong ending, but the build up, that suffers a severe lack of action or dialogue failed to capture my imagination or peak my interest.
Episode 18: "The Odyssey of Flight 33" is another decent episode in which an aeroplane is transported back in time to the age of the dinosaurs. There are hints of The Langoliers in this episode and some strong performances from a larger cast of actors.
Episode 21: "The Prime Mover" is an excellent episode once again showcasing the best of what the twilight zone has to offer. A man with the ability to move objects with the power of his mind helps his friend to win big at the casino. But will the gambler get what he wants?
Enhancing The Twilight Zone - Bringing it up to Blu-ray Quality
Once again the image quality is exceptional. These prints have been cleaned up wonderfully. As I understand it from some research the show was shot on 35mm film. That doesn't mean much to me as I'm not all that knowledgeable about different types of film stock. However for any readers that are knowledgeable in this area I'm guessing that means something. The negatives of these prints were once again, as with season one, meticulously looked at, cleaned and worked on with graphics software to create, all new, tip-top looking HD transfers. However as the series developed I found that the quality of the image dropped significantly enough for me to believe that there was something different going on. I could tell that it was not the work that had been done on the film, more obviously a deficit in the negative of the film itself. It was enough to make me investigate the cause of the lack of quality further. Some internet research allowed me to discover that six episodes: "Static", "The Lateness of the Hour", "The Whole Truth", "The Night of the Meek", "Long Distance Call" and "Twenty Two" were filmed on videotape, for some unknown reason rather than 35mm film.
Now I can understand that shooting on videotape doesn't sound as good as shooting on film. The result is also fairly obvious. The episodes certainly look less beautiful than the others and there are some strange irregularities in the image as seen on the screen. It is however certainly passable, just not quite up to the usual standard that we have been treated to so far. Should they have dropped these episodes from the Blu-ray boxset? Certainly not. They are part of the series and part of The Twilight Zone history. They look a bit dodgy, but it's clear that a lot of work has still been put into upgrading them for HD - maybe even more work as it was perhaps more difficult to upgrade them. Personally I don't believe that a few flickers of image, or flares of light or other little abnormalities provide a strong enough case to drop them entirely. It's simply because the other episodes, as with the first season, look so good that these episodes stand out. However I should stress, once again, that overall the image quality throughout season two, as it was with season one, is truly excellent.
This is more essential viewing. from. the twilight zone.
A wonderful set, not just for the railway enthusiast but for the many modes of transport. The many different outlooks and subjects invite both nostalga and excitement as well as being educational. Well worth the money, a must have for history and transport lovers alike, no matter what age!
apparently based on a true story this film is fast paced and action packed, an easy watch for a relaxing evening it will have you reaching for handfuls of popcorn. the characters and plot could have been expanded far more however definately well worth a watch.
thanks to the laziness of rail company emplyees a train packed with dangerous chemicals is out of control, left to two heroic men to save the day
This was the most hilarous film I have seen for ages. There were five of us who went to see it at the cinema, three of whom were children my daughter aged 4, my son aged 8 and our Chinese student who is nearly 12. We all thoroughly enjoyed the film with some great laugh out load moments. The film has a number of songs throughout which is typical Disney style but it's not too cheesy. It's a brilliant Disney film and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Disney films or humour similar to that found in the Shrek films.
An animated Disney film based on the traditional Rapunzel story.
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