Although Al Pacino and Robert De Niro deliver their usual fantastic performances, it is, in my opinion, director and writer Michael Mann who must take more credit for why this is such a superb film. Showing more of the flair he has for directing action (see Last of the Mohicans), Michael Mann produces one of, if not the best, shoot outs in any film and, together with cinematographer Dante Spinotti, creates some fantastic shots of the urban landscape around Los Angeles which are highlighted by Blu-Ray's superior picture quality. Credit must also go to Michael Mann for the script, constructing a first class story that, while mostly dealing with the 'day jobs' of the characters, also shows their lifestyles and conflicts at home, creating some of the best characterisation I have encountered in any film. There is no doubt that the lack of extras is a disappointment, but to those who appreciate the film, little else is required.
Perhaps about a subject a little too controversial to be truly considered for the Best Picture Oscar, this film is still first class storytelling by one of the best directors working at the moment. The film tells of three separate, yet interrelated, stories about drug trafficking/addiction - one revolving around the drug cartels of Mexico, another following the newly appointed drug czar in America who discovers his daughter's drug addiction and the third about a pregnant woman's determination to keep her life together after her husband is arrested on drug trafficking charges. The crisp picture quality on DVD does a lot to enhance Steven Soderbergh's style of bringing a different wash of colour to each of the stories and allows the viewer to easily recognise each story as the film cuts to them. Great interviews give informative insights into the making of the movie and a wide selection of deleted scenes makes this a fantastic DVD package.
Preceding such widely acclaimed films as 'The Double Life of Veronique' (1991) and 'The Three Colours Trilogy' (1994), Krzysztof Kieslowski's 'Dekalog' (1989), a series originally made for Polish television while the country was still under Communist rule, surely stands not only as a major artistic accomplishment among the oeuvre of the venerable director but as a major accomplishment of contemporary film as a whole.
Described by Stanley Kubrick as the only masterpiece in his lifetime, this series - consisting of ten one-hour episodes, each self-contained and independent of the others but set within the same Warsaw apartment block - is loosely based on the Ten Commandments, whereby each story adopts a different Commandment as its basic premise. Yet, though it would seem likely which such material as the inspiration, Kieslowski never tends towards didacticism or moralising and leaves each episode open to the interpretation of the individual viewer.
Many episodes can, therefore, be considered to refer to more than just one of the Commandments, and to which Commandment each refers is perhaps not of high importance, with Kieslowski himself stating that the films should be influenced by the individual Commandments to the same degree that the Commandments influence our daily lives. What is of importance is the stories Kieslowksi, with his co-writer Krzysztof Piesiewicz, weaves from the premise of each Commandment; profound stories about ordinary people leading their everyday lives; complex and touching stories which explore themes universal to us all: love, loss, guilt, faith, fear and compassion.
Contained on this two-disc set are the first five episodes, with the latter five available in a separate set; and from the first episode - a moving story which conflicts an ardent belief in the rationality of science and mathematics with the spirituality of human faith - through to the fifth - a devastating story which shares some likeness with Albert Camus' 'The Outsider' where the protagonist is both the perpetrator and the victim of a killing, and was later extended by Kieslowski and released as a separate film under the title 'A Short Film About Killing' - these films are utterly engrossing and always affecting, at once both visceral and cerebral.
'They gain the added power of allowing the audience to discover what's really going on rather than being told,' Kubrick said in his praise of this series. 'They do this with such dazzling skill, you never see the ideas coming and don't realise until much later how profoundly they have reached your heart.'
Collectively the 'Dekalog' series is a remarkable achievement by Krzysztof Kieslowski, one that any viewer who has an appreciation for film beyond mere escapism will find unique and unforgettable.
The final season of the 5 year long TV series has come to an end. Ties up many loose ends and also still keeps you thinking of other reasons and happenings on the island. This has been my favourite TV show next to Prison Break and was sad to see it end but I found that it was the right time as to not to let it drag on. The last episode is due to speculation...in my opinion, the ending could have been 100% better but others say it was the perfect finale. The only way to find out what you think on the matter is to buy this final season to fulfil your Lost needs!!!!!
Kick-Ass is a new look on super-hero films...When you watch from the start, it seems like a 'Superbad' or 'American Pie' style comedy. But then twists and turns from Comedy to Romantic Comedy to Action to Action Comedy then to a Dark Action Drama. This film has so many elements to it, that you wouldn't be expecting what will be encountered in the next scene. Without sounding too cheesy...It Kicks Ass! :D
Fans of the later and more well-known The Haunting will find a lot to enjoy in The Innocents. The Others, from 2001 starring Nicole Kidman, seems likely to have been inspired by it, but Jack Clayton's incredible film is far superior and doesn't rely on a twist to shock viewers. Instead the story has a tangible and creepy dark side and can be very disturbing, with echoes of The Shining.
This is at odds with what's on the surface! It comes across as a very British period class drama with enthusiastic melodramatic dialogue, especially from Deborah Kerr. It would seem at home on cosy Sunday evening TV and you'd assume it was dated even in 1961, following as it did such revolutionary horror films as Psycho, Peeping Tom or Mario Bava's Black Sunday. But the flowery language and stilted politeness are a means to an end and create an almost satirical and cruel story that makes this an astonishingly powerful film. If anything, it is a finer piece of writing and more challenging than its more famous predecessors in horror cinema, but all go to prove that the early 1960s were surely one of the most fertile and important periods in the genre.
The story of a Governess and her lonely, possibly haunted, young charges is based on The Turn of The Screw by Henry James, adapted by William Archibold and Truman Capote, who gave the story its twisted heart, subverting what you might have otherwise dismissed. And far from being the predictable old fashioned actress I may have insinuated she was earlier, Deborah Kerr, as the Governess Miss Giddens, is vital to selling this audacious plot. It is a captivating performance that traps the audience beautifully. Wherever your sympathies lie at the end will be because of her and in any case, don't expect an easy night's sleep after watching it!
The children, Flora and Miles, are played by Pamela Franklin and Martin Stephens. Essential to the story, the chemistry between them is wonderful, and so too their relationship to Miss Giddens and the housekeeper, memorably played by Meg Jenkins. Child actors are so often the weak spot, but these two will keep you guessing, especially Stephens. If The Omen had been filmed 15 years earlier, this kid would have been a shoe-in!
For all the metaphors and subtext, The Innocents is first and foremost a visual ghost story. While it doesn't rely on jumps and gimmicks, Jack Clayton's clever direction, drawing together the brilliant performances and sumptuous sets, is complemented by Freddie Francis's gorgeous photography which will have you on the edge of your seat, peering into shadows. And while in the context of the story, the two ghosts may or may not exist, they will still make your blood run cold. A stunning moment on a rain-lashed lake is especially haunting, all the more for being in daylight. Clayton wrings every bit of potential from the frame without ever forcing the viewer's attention.
The result is possibly the finest ghost story ever filmed; a unique, memorable and important contribution from British cinema at its most confident.
It would be easy to think the film would benefit little from Blu-Ray, but this BFI release is fantastic value for money. The print is pristine and proves the real strength in high definition is not always in modern CGI heavy action, but in classic photography, where the depth of a well composed film comes to vibrant life. But as well as the main feature with a commentary and introduction by Professor Christopher Frayling, you also get two shorts from Jack Clayton, including The Bespoke Overcoat (1955), another ghost story of a different tone to The Innocents. It is an absolute gem and well worth seeing. Buy one ghost story, get one free? It makes this release a must-own.
90's horror goes tropical in this fast paced, albeit chronologically confused, sequel to teen slasher 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'. Jennifer Love Hewitt returns as Julie James; traumatized survivor of the hook wielding fisherman's first reign of terror. Now trying to move on with her life, she's hoaxed into winning a holiday for four to the Bahamas; it's a clever little ruse which sees JLH incorrectly answer a radio phone in competition: "Rio de Janeiro is the capital of Brazil!", exclaims our hapless heroine. And off she goes, straight into a deadly trap set by the Mac wearing bogeyman from part one.
JLH is a good sport and plays along with the premise quite well, even doing all the stupid things the cine-literate movie brats of 'Scream' warned their peers about. Freddie Prinze Jr. makes an appearance about half an hour in as the cast run, hide, jump and prowl around the remote island resort. Its' by-the-numbers horror for the most part, as characters are picked off in order of their poster billing whilst director Danny Cannon leaves no cliché unused, in a breathless dash to the 90 minute mark.
Better than you may remember: 'I Still Know What You Did Last Summer' is an enjoyable, if entirely predictable, sequel which never outstays its welcome and delivers the goods more often than not.
The 40 year old virgin is an amazing film it wil have you in stiches from the start its about the life of andy(the 40 year old virgin) who makes friends with his work mates (seth rogen,paul rudd) and they try and help him lose his virginity wich leads to many funny situations this comedy film has a top notch cast and is extremley funny a 5/5 must see
"i need some poon"
a must see ,funniest film ever
The Inbetweeners is one of the Funniest modern British sitcoms in a long while, winner of many awards including 2011 British comedy award best sitcom, this box set is the perfect laugh. If you are in a sad mood, this will cheer you up. If you are in a happy mood it will make you into a even happier person. It is impossible not to laugh at this brilliant show so I say to you as a person of this earth... Buy this now!!!!
Amazing
A highly confusing plot which takes the best part of an hour to get into. The film its self didn't live up to the previews and yet again another film that DiCaprio cries in.
The original film in this series featured an unlikely but plausible concept for the car modification steps, which moved further into the "gliding" car in the second film, bringing a large hint of fantasy to it. This third installement manages to maintain the excellent humour and delivery, but does head further towards the fantasy land. Keep this in mind and it is an enjoyable film well worth its money.
Maintains the same good humour and faced paced driving action, but heads further to the world of fantasy
The best comedy i have seen in year. The series feels more like a movie rather than a series as im sure you will be wacthing each episode back to back. Loads of quaotes can be taken from the show and i cant wait for the second series. If you like will ferrel type comedys then you have to watch this, your sides will split!
this is the second series of the great HIMYM and it is acctually better then the first season with more laughes and more stinson, personally i think its the best season
more of an exelent show!
Jennifer Love Hewitt, screenwriter Kevin Williamson, 'Kula Shaker' on the soundtrack and post-modern witticisms? It must be the 90's.
Cast your mind back to a time when those names meant something and slasher movies made an unexpected comeback. Thanks in no small part to scribe Kevin Williamson and 'Elm Street' maestro Wes Craven (The 'Scream' trilogy). Following on from the critical and commercial success of 'Scream', Williamson went onto create TV teen drama 'Dawson's Creek'. But let's not hold that against him, for he quickly made amends by adapting this fast, fun and atmospheric little horror movie, which made stars of its young cast and even spawned a surprisingly competent sequel.
Directed by Jim Gillespie, 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' is based on a novella by Louis Duncan; and sees a group of high spirited, but drunk, teenagers accidently kill a man in a nighttime hit and run. Foolishly, they decide to cover it up; but the past won't stay buried. And the hapless quartet; comprising of JLH, Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Geller and Ryan Philippe, are stalked by a hook handed killer in a Mac who, as the title suggests; knows what they did last Summer.
'IKWYDLS' was never as big a hit as 'Scream' and nor did it go all out with knowing winks to the audience or convoluted self-reflexivity: This was a good move, as it keeps you involved whilst subtly acknowledging its ludicrous plotline, hysterical B-movie conventions and off the wall set pieces (e.g. beauty contest, fishing boat finale etc). Unadulterated 90's zeitgeist, worth revisiting for horror fans.
Best season of one tree hill season 7 is so good especially with the epic season finale !!
This film picks a while after the previos films but is still a continuation. Alice still as her superhuman like powers and she is joined by serveral hundred (maybe more) clones. Alone as powerful as her and all out for vengeance against the Umbrella corporation. The company that created them and the T Virus which was destroying the human race. So your average doomsday story.
In this installment we meet a member of the umbrella corporation who as injected themself's with the T Virus but unlike Alice it as not taken to him. So he injects Alice and makes her human again. For which she thanks him and goes off to search for Arcadia (Mentioned in a previous film) and the survivors she sent there (same film).
Lots of good special effects and action sequences. It also bought in characters from the previos film and it bought the plot into the line with game. Upon which it is loosely based. It was also good to see Milla Jovovich as Alice and of course the clones. Which must of been taxing for her. Which was one of many good points to the film.
However good the action sequence may have been. I found that the film still lacked some crediablity for me. The guy from umbrella, why did he inject himself with the T Virus, it was never explained and why were they still coming after people at the end. Alice was no longer a threat, she was now human surrounded by other humans. To go after them would be sucide for her and none of the survivors would go after them. They might get infected.
Some high notes for me, Wentworth Miller......drawl..... Some stronger more nastier looking creatures. Oh and Alice and several humans stuck in a prisoner with no chance of escape. Millions of creatures clawing at the walls trying to get in. Further more a ship with the name Arcadia on the side. Not far away but with no signs of life onboard, mystery anyone.
A Film trying to hard, that we hope to god they don't make a sequal of.
This series of Spooks is one of the best I've ever seen. Rupert Penry Jones and Hermione Norris are brilliant together which really helps this series. There is a cliffhanger at the end of every episode which keeps the viewer feeling tense and exhilarated. This is a must watch. Nine series of Spooks have now been made and all the big characters are being killed off one by one. Spooks wouldn't be the same without exciting and interesting characters and I fear that's what it is becoming. But this series has the best mix of personality, warmth, fear, tension, character acting and terror. If you like all these things then Series 6 of [ Spooks ] is for you. Spooks betters big US shows such as 24 and Lost because it isn't tacky or cheesy and it certainly isn't uncomfortable to watch. BUY IT NOW for action, guns and terror!!!!
A brilliant series!!
An Amusing, if occasionally absurd, movie that tackles the thorny issue of immigration on the Texas-Mexico border. Writer / co-director Robert Rodriguez reunites with second cousin and long time collaborator Danny Trejo ('From Dusk Till Dawn') as the film's eponymous hero. 'Machete' is a sprawling, sun scorched action-adventure painted on a comic book canvas with plenty of good ideas and held together by Rodriguez's skill to cohesively draw in themes from all over the place: For 'Machete' is part political satire, part modern Western and, in a nod to its origins as a Grindhouse trailer, an OTT Mexploitation B-movie.
Danny Trejo knows the character like the tattoos on the back of his hand, and has essentially been playing him for over a decade. Here; Machete vows revenge on the criminal cartel that wiped out his family and begins a vendetta against their pudgy, self-absorbed cliché of a mob boss; played with tongue-in-cheek humor by Steven Segal. Machete's mission takes him into the murky underworld of illegal immigration, American racism and revolutionary politics. Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez provide some Latina eye candy as a sellout immigration officer and freedom fighter respectively whilst Don Johnson and Robert DeNiro play the racist, militant-political embodiment of 'The Man'.
Executed with sledgehammer subtly and balls-to-the-wall verve; 'Machete' makes for an entertaining, fast paced and often hilarious ride. And though it's not on a par with my favorite Rodriguez movie; 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico', is still a good watch if you're in the mood. Viva la revolucion!
This dvd was Ridiculously and Fantastically Funny. Loved every single second of it. My best part was when Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) went on to the wrong building by mistake!! :) And my best quote was when Pascal Sauvage (John Malkovich) said 'English!, I am gobsmacked'. I would really recommend this to any Mr Bean fans and from age 7 to Adult. This was my best Christmas Present and i have already watched it 5 times and it's always been just as funny as the first time!!!! GET IT, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??!! ;)
Best Christmas Present!!
Despite being highly derivative of everything from The Matrix (bullet-time), Blade (reaper strain zombies), 28 Days Later (rage infected zombies) and Dawn of the Dead (stuck in a building besieged by zombies) to pinching other little bits and nuances from classics such as Terminator (Tiltrotor aircrafts) and Aliens, Resident Evil: Afterlife is still an enjoyable addition to the Resident Evil series and a pretty decent film in its own right.
Afterlife is set after the events of Resident Evil: Extinction which I didn't see but I understand that Alice (Milla Jovovich) was not only infected with the T-Virus making her stronger and faster but she was also cloned and the opening scenes are of a group of Alice clones trying to kill Albert Wesker (Shawn Roberts) at the Umbrella base in Japan.
Alice is unsuccessful in killing Wesker and upon hearing emergency broadcasts she heads for Arcadia in Alaska, where she hopes to find other survivors including Claire Redfield (Ali Larter), K-Mart (Spencer Locke). She finds Claire but Claire is being controlled by some Umbrella device and has also lost her memory. They fly to Los Angeles and find a group of survivors holed up in a prison besieged by zombies.
Luther West (Boris Kodjoe) is a former basketball star and celebrity and he is de facto leader of a small group of survivors. There are new tunnelling zombies (which are a bit daft) and also The Executioner - a giant axe-happy ogre looking zombie (really, really daft) that Alice and Claire must kill before fleeing from the overrun prison and escaping hopefully to safety.
Some elements of the Resident Evil 5 videogame such as the inclusion of Wesker have been incorporated but you don't really need to be an aficionado of the games to enjoy the film. The direction is good, without ever being anything special. The music is pretty irritating and the script is reasonable for this sort of film.
Resident Evil Afterlife was reviewed by The Sun newspaper as being 'the best Resident Evil sequel yet', which is probably about right, it's not really got the suspense or originality of the first Resident Evil film but it certainly beats Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) but as I said I've not seen the third instalment - Extinction - so I can't comment on that.
It's a fun film, with some good fight sequences that despite being very Matrix-like are still entertaining. In terms of it being a horror film, it's about as frightening as a box of fluffy kittens but if you watch it just as entertainment it'll still pass the time fairly nicely.
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