Aliens in the Attic (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2009)

I absolutely loved this movie! I loved the comedy, the storyline, the action, the effects, everything! This may be my 4th favorite movie of 2009 behind Friday the 13th, Land of the Lost, and Halloween II! I've seen a lot of negative reviews toward this movie, but some people take things a little too seriously. This movie is for the kid in all of us. While on summer vacation, the Pearson family go to three-story holiday house in the middle of nowhere. The kids; Hannah, Tom, and Bethany don't wanna go, but they are forced to. They meet more family members like Jake, Art, and Lee. When Bethany's boyfriend forces Tom to the roof, they see the aliens who want to take over the world. Throughout the day, the kids try to stop them, without their parents finding out. One alien, Sparks is not a threat to the humans and decides to become friends with Hannah. Sparks is a cute little alien, unlike Skip, Tazer, and Razor. Will the Pearson children stop the evil aliens from taking over the world? I highly recommend ALIENS IN THE ATTIC!!!

My almost 9 year-old son and I saw this together. It was VERY, VERY funny. We both thought so. (There were way too many male crotch gags, in my opinion, and of course, the law enforcement representative was an idiot. However, we didn't see his underwear; so, this movie was superior to other kid flicks.) Robert Hoffman is outrageously funny as Ricky the lying-loser boyfriend turned robot alien minion. Ashley Tisdale carries off another major role with credibility, humor, and grace. The DVD is already on my son's wish list for Christmas, and I will be recommending Aliens to my friends to watch with their kids. I will also recommend it to parents of teenage daughters who need a laugh, a break, or a reminder that Eddie Haskell didn't die with the Cleavers.

Aliens in the AtticAliens in the Attic[Blu-ray] [Blu-ray]

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Before I saw this movie the previews gave me the impression that this was just another computer animated and effects driven films trying to exploit a kid's inherent interest in this stuff. It turns out this movie has more thought put into it and a good deal more heart than I assumed (that's what I get for assuming). Aliens in the Attic isn't an instant classic by any means. However it delivers on what you want in a family sci-fi film. Cute enough in some places, witty enough in others.

So yeah, the plot isn't Shakespeare. You have a family on vacation that gets visited by some diminutive (and not too bright) aliens bent on taking over the world. This plot is very close to the same vein as the 80's movie Spaced Invaders. The difference, and it is substantial enough to keep the two movies from being similar, is where the focus is. Where Spaced Invaders put all of its attention on the wacky Martians, Aliens in the Attic puts its focus on the kids and how they deal with the invaders. For this movie it makes all the difference.

You see, the chemistry between the kids is tight. The main boy and his crazy cousins, lovelorn big sisters and a cute little sister all mesh their respective personalities into a coherent plot progression rather well. There isn't a whole lot of character development once the individual players have been established, but you don't need that much since the script capitalizes on the interactions. I'm not talking about two dimensional character clashes sort of capitalization. This movie shows a good example on how differing personalities can work together.

The acting is surprisingly good for these kids. All of them play their parts solid with nary a bad scene in the bunch. Ashley Tisdale is not the main focus of the movie, but her star quality wasn't wasted on. Although she is swimming in familiar waters with her character good acting is good acting. SNL alumnus Kevin Nealon and Tim Meadows both hit high marks in their comedic timing, even though Kevin mainly plays the straight man in his role. The big kudos, however, go to Robert Hoffman. He plays the jerk boyfriend to Ashley's character, and while the jerk scenes make you love to hate him the real joy in his performance come after the aliens take over his mind and Robert goes off on some of the craziest pratfalls and other physical humor with a hilariously crazy grin on his face. It's comedic gold!

The aliens are funny in a kids will get giggly kind of way. Sometimes they say something funny enough for the adults to snicker (include a funny observation on kissing). But mostly the aliens are for the kid's entertainment and are mostly two dimensional characters with very little to no depth. The CG animations for the aliens aren't bad, but they aren't going to really impress anybody on the technology either. Basically it's serviceable special effects for a production company that likely couldn't pull this off with puppets.

The Bu-Ray for the movie looks really great. Details pop out with a lot of clarity on both the CG aliens as well as the gorgeous backdrop of the vacation spot. Sound is also top notch with the DTS-HD 5.1 audio, but it's not exactly an audiophile reference kind of movie so don't expect to be blown away. Here's a quick rundown of the extras:

Introduction to Film with Ashley Tisdale Just a quick hello from the move famous actress in the film. No big deal.

The Ashley Encounters A short promo of the movie from actresses Ashley Tisdale and Ashley Boettcher. I wouldn't be surprised with this aired on the Disney Channel before the movie came out.

Alternate Ending It's an unfinished product with the CG kind of in the middle phase of production. Not exactly a complete change from the actual ending, but it is different enough. Prefer the real ending anyway.

Behind the Zirkonians It's a pretty long comic short story about the origins of the aliens. It's not exactly adult fare, but your kids will enjoy it.

Meet the Zirkonians A little biography of the four aliens in the movie that you can browse through.

Lights, Camera, Aliens! A short "making of" featurette that's pretty light on details. Feels like another promo for the movie more than an informative documentary.

Kung Fu Grandma This is funny and weird at the same time. It's like a video game commercial using footage of the movie. The title of this featurette is kind of a spoiler for the movie and I'm glad I didn't know about it before I saw the flick.

Brian Anthony "Electricity" Music Video It's a music video with clips of the movie. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Fox Movie Channel Presents Life After Film School with Barry Josephson This is the REAL "Making Of" documentary. It has more details on the film's production than the other fluff featurette, but it's not an all-inclusive thing.

Deleted Scenes and Gag Reel Didn't get a chance to see these yet. They run about four minutes each and are self explanatory.

If you have kids ranging from grade school to the tweens I believe this film will keep them entertained provided they enjoy watching light science fiction to begin with. Others may enjoy it too for the other fun stuff, but maybe rent first to test the waters. For the adults it really depends on your threshold for this kind of entertainment. The aliens will annoy most of you, but the kids and grown ups in the movie will entertain. If you have a Blu-Ray player it's definitely worth getting if on BD if for nothing else so you can see the beautiful landscapes in high definition.

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This was a good movie. My 6 year old son really enjoyed it. There is not any crude language or bad messages included in the movie. The humor is very clean and funny. Would recommend you watch this movie.

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This is not a film most adults would enjoy as it is designed for kids. Two families go away to the country for the Fourth of July. The kids need to get out and do something away from all their electronic gadgets.

While they are there,small green unfriendly aliens take over the attic and plan on taking over the world. The aliens have devices that can control adults, but not kids. So now it is up to the kids to save the planet using the skills they learned from video games along with modified toys. Ashley Tisdale (Miley Cyrus light) does give the young male viewers a glimpse of her in a bikini.

Acting is bad, script is bad, plot is bad, humor is bad, unless you are under age 13. 5 STARS on the tween scale.

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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Milos Forman has always had a knack for assembling great ensemble casts. This is particularly true in his most critically acclaimed releases (Taking Off, Amadeus and this film). It would be difficult indeed to come up with actors and actresses who were better suited to fill the roles in OFOTCN. This is true in terms of both the stars, Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher, and the secondary characters. Who could have been a better Harding than William Redfield? A better Billy Bibbit than Brad Dourif? A better Cheswick than Sydney Lassick? And most especially, a better Chief Bromden than Will Sampson?

I rank this movie as the best of the best of what I consider to be American Cinema's golden decade, the 70s. It certainly won the widest acclaim, with its sweep of the major Oscars for 1975 (Nicholson also won best actor from the New York Film Critics voters that year).

Not to be overlooked is the fantastic job performed by the film's adaptors, Bo Goldman and Lawrence Hauben, who also won Oscars for their screenplay. True, they did have a fairly decent stage version (by Dale Wasserman) to work with. I remember seeing an excellent production of the play, with a terrific cast, in San Francisco circa 1972. Just as an aside, I read in the Norton Critical edition of the novel, a review of a NY production of the play by Walter Kerr that was an absolute pan. Suffice it to say that the movie is much different than either the novel or the play. Those familiar with Kesey's great novel understand how difficult a transfer from page to screen would be; about a third of the story is Bromden's delusional interior monologue. The final script, quite rightly, focuses almost exclusively on Randal P McMurphy's struggle with Nurse Ratched for the hearts and minds of the inmates.

This is truly a gut and soul-wrenching movie, with many moments of high maniacal comedy interspersed. Though many of his other films are top-notch, this is Forman's masterpiece. If you haven't read the book, read it. It you don't own this movie, buy it. There are few works in the history of American literature and film that are superior.

It has taken me nearly 30 years to get round to watching this film, and I genuinely think I appreciate it more for being that much older. It has had accolades for everything -plot, direction, filming, casting, acting. It deserves them all. It is nothing short of compulsive. The bad guy who has not lost his soul (much less his spirit) is pitted against the embodiment of sanctimonious righteousness who never had a soul to lose.

I wonder whether Nicholson has even yet had full recognition for the truly great actor he is (how many people have even seen The King of Marvin Gardens, for instance?) His screen presence is enormous, magnetic and menacing. He combines outsize testosteronic individuality with the ability to get inside a character, and an electric sense of threat with a real power to tug at the heart-strings. Bad he may be, but unsympathetic never. He is a very big little guy, but he is still the little guy against the system. It must be impossible, surely, to upstage that?

Incredibly, no. The ultimate star in a film that has no shortage of up-and-coming luminaries as well as Nicholson (D de Vito for one) is Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched. I am never going to forget that mask-like expressionless face and that ever-rational, implacable, ever-modulated voice mouthing those soulless, uncomprehending, the-system-is-right banalities. Above all, I am never going to forget that hair. Among the many touches of genius in this production, that hairstyle is the ultimate. I simply could not take my eyes off it. The name is effective too, and I shall continue to believe until someone proves me wrong that it was an inspired borrowing from Jane Eyre -the dreadful and sadistic Miss Skatcherd brought up to date and given a 20th-century twist.

This film is never going to become dated as long as these polarities continue to repel each other. I saw it at all only because my son showed it to me. It is relevant to my generation, it is relevant to his, and I can't foresee when it is not going to be relevant.

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This movie is as relevant now as it was when it first hit movie theaters in the 70's. Hilarious, somewhat dark and thought provoking. Great performances all around, anyone I recommend this film to loves it. You will remember most of these characters, right down to Christopher Lloyd and Danny DeVito in supporting roles. In my opinion, one of the most uproariously funny moments in movie history occurs when Chezaroo flips out about Nurse Ratched's stingy cigarette policy.

The Blu ray transfer of this movie is excellent. It is not the very best of the best, but for a film that came out in the mid-seventies it has superb PQ on Blu ray.

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This is one of my favorite Jack Nicholson movies. The collector's edition has some nice goodies: a 52 page hard-bound book, reproduction of the original press book, a 52 card deck, 4 mini-reproduction of the original worldwide theatrical posters and 6 cast/character photos. A great package for a great movie that received 5 Academy Awards.

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5 stars for the film, 1 star for the DVD:

There are a lot of reviews that discuss the movie itself, so I will keep this one short and talk about the DVD.

The DVD is a bit of a disappointment. The film itself is very dirty; it looks like the transfer was done from a copy of the film that's been shown a few hundred times in a theater. It's hard to believe that the master itself has deriorated this much.

There are no interesting extras on this DVD. No deleted scenes, no commentaries, no behind the scenes footage. Just some text screens talking about awards the film received, etc.

The are no audio options. You're just stuck with standard sterio. And the menu is bland and static. Basically, you are getting the movie, as you would have experienced it in a theater nearly three decades ago, and nothing else.

I love this film however, especially the ending, so I still recommend buying it if you are a Jack Nicholson fan. Just don't expect the DVD to actually take advantage of the medium.

16 Wishes (2010)

This is a very good and funny movie with a heart-warming storyline and a great message. Abby Jensen has been making a secret wish-list for her Sweet 16th Birthday ever since she was a little girl. Her and her best friend, Jay run into a mysterious woman named Celeste. Celeste gives her candles with numbers on them. Everytime she makes a wish, it comes true. Abby makes a wish that everyone treats her like an adult, and it comes true as well, but not the way Abby wanted. She turns 22 and loses all her friends and her parents kick her out. She must figure out the rules of the wishes and tries to become 16 again before midnight, or else the wish becomes permanent. I highly recommend 16 WISHES!!!

I normally don't watch kids movies, but there was nothing on and so, I decided to give it a watch. I actually became a bit glued as the story really caught my attention. It's not a great film, but it's a feel good film. It definitely makes you appreciate what you have.

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Girl gets wishes granted, but then regrets them and learns to appreciate her life. It's a pretty old story and has been reused in hundreds of teen girl movies. Still, 16 Wishes isn't a bad retake for the intended audience. It's a bit unrealistic and tough to suspend disbelief during some scenes (like when the girl suddenly becomes an adult). A bit more time with the script would have helped. The better moments are more of a take on Dickens' Christmas Tale. It's certainly not a classic in the genre but should entertain young girls for a while.

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This movie was perfect for anyone who has had their 16th birthday or almost ready to celebrate their 16 th birthday. The young man star I was used to seeing in another weekly show that had been discontinued Kyle XY. I was disappointed when it went off the air. The girl I had also seen on Disney shows of course. She is really cute and appears to be sweet.

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My 17th wish is more Debby Ryan. From Jessie to Radio Rebel to this classic, this Disney star has never been better!!!!

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Feast (Unrated Edition) (2005)

I saw this movie this past weekend at one of its very rare theatrical screenings (which happened to be at the theater where co-screenwater Marcus Dunstan used to work in Macomb, IL). What the film lacks in originality and budget it makes up for in attitude and ends up a fun, entertaining movie. The plot is a simple rehash of From Dusk Til Dawn, only this time it's monsters/aliens(?) attacking the bar, and the people are trapped inside, defending themselves like the folks in both the original and remake of Night of the Living Dead. The writers know what the audience expects from a film like this, so they throw a monkey wrench in here and there to dispel a few of the B-movie horror cliches, their tongues planted firmly in cheek. This movie is down right hilarious, but there are a few surprise moments. Don't expect to be scared, but there is plenty of blood and gore. As one person said on another site, the only element missing from the classic late 80's horror flicks is the gratuitous nudity No T&A!!! (Just a little bare cleavage). The character profiles which pop up when the characters are first introduced have a Tarentino feel to them, and are a hoot. If you like From Dusk Til Dawn, Jeepers Creepers, the Evil Dead or Tales From the Crypt movies, or Return of the Living Dead, then this movie is a must see.

This movie isn't perfect, but I'm giving 5 stars for effort. Despite the low budget and no name actors, Feast delivers a fast paced, gory and wildly entertaining ride that undoubtedly deserves more respect than many big studio horror films. Special Kudos to the film's first act, which has to be one of the most original set up's in horror history. The only problem Feast really suffers from is the formulaic structure. Some reviews complain Feast lacks a plot and they're right. The story is very simple. An eclectic group of people find themselves barracaded in a rural bar while a family of deadly abject monsters with huge teeth lurk around outside. What the monsters are or where they came from is only briefly explored but it doesn't matter. The story is about the humans trying to outwit the monsters and survive. Its substance comes from the sub plot which pits man against man inside the bar. A couple of pop culture icons do appear, most notably Henry Rollins and Jason Mewes, but overall the cast is a group of new faces. Fortunately, most of them do the best job they possibly could given the dialogue and deserve recognition for helping make Feast the entertaining gore-fest it turned out to be.

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Ok. Yes. The movie is not original. The monsters, well, we've seen those kinds before. The characters, of course these are cliche characters, the movie practically points that out to you. Yet the movie is probably the best American horror movie I've seen in the past year. I'll compare this to another movie I saw yesterday (I saw Feast movie just a while ago), that movie was another cliche movie called Are You Scared. That movie compared to this movie shows just how a cliche can work well (as in Feast) and work badly (as in Are You Scared). Both copy what we've seen before, but Feast revels in the passion, the gore, the humor, something that the other cliche lacks. Yes. Nothing new under the sun you might as well say, at least in the horror genre, but this can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you know your work in your hands. The people that bring us Feast know what we want, know what we like, and presents it in such a twist that keeps us glued to the action throughout the whole movie...something that many other movies out there in the horror field lack these days. I really hope that the director of this, along with the actors and actresses, along with the special effects people, go a long way and will be seen again. The movie kind of reminds me of an early Stephen King (as in The Mist or Pet Semetary) or Clive Barker (Books of Blood), fast, furious, bloody, funny, and want we want in our horror.

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I bought the DVD because of Navi Rawat. Love her in NUMB3RS and wanted to see her in something else. I also love the occasional horror movie, but they have to be ones that creep me out or have really "killer" special effects (pun intended).

FEAST moves a long at a rapid clip but ultimately progresses very little. The opening is interesting, especially when we see what happens to HERO right off the bat, but then it downgrades into a somewhat predictable slayride.

None of the characters were truly given the chance to come to life. They served the needs of the role, but little else. The tags identifying the characters were humorous and well done, I thought, but that was really about as much characterization as you got.

The special effects were good, and there was plenty of gore to spread around. The bar felt real because I've been in that part of the country and seen plenty of them just like it. The fact that the movie was shot almost entirely within the bar and maintained suspense is credit to the director and the actors.

FEAST is a good buddy flick for a night when you don't really want to get heavily involved in something but would like an hour and a half of diversion. You're not going to see anything overtly original, but there are some moments of the truly unexpected that do shine.

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F**k this s**t was the line. Well, I guess you can say what you want when your son is directing the movie and doing a right fine job, I might say.

Feast is a frenetic gore fest that takes the edge off with a lot of comic relief. Lots of pulling the rug out from underneath you and a very effective monster gimmick keeps the viewer involved right to the end. I not totally enamored with the cinematic style during the action scenes but after Savings Private Ryan this has been the norm and probably will be for a long time and besides it covers for a lot of budget constraints.

Overall, a lot of fun, who's going to win, who's dog meat. This is an excellent GreenLight entry. Highly Recommended

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Firefox / Heartbreak Ridge (Two-Movie Collection) (2011)

Please describe the audio and video quality of any Blu-Ray you review. Thanks to those who do this.

Both movies have DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks, which are very good.

Video quality varied throughout the movies. Firefox started out very good, and had a lot of very good parts, but some parts were grainy. The flying scenes at the end were, unfortunately, grainy. Heartbreak Ridge also had some very good parts, and some grainy parts. Video quality in these two movies wasn't great, but mostly good.

Overall, these are pretty good movies, and I'm not terribly disappointed with the video quality. I'm satisfied with this purchase.

I have always been a huge fan of Firefox, lumping it in with Hunt for Red October for my "superior Russian tech we must steal" flicks. I was surprised at out crisp the blu-ray transfer is and really enjoyed watching it for the first time in a few years.

The sound design/mix is of particular interest to me the soundscape they engineered for this film is exceptional. At no time during the plane visual effects sequences do you feel like you are listening to a post-produced "mix" it registers as very real for me, which is great because the model effects don't always hold up as I would like them to.

Great price point and two movies to boot (still have to check out Heartbreak Ridge). Enjoy!

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I'm happy to report that the somewhat misleading use of the term "2 movie set", while true, is less informative than '2 Disc Set'. Yes indeed this is a 2 disc set, not '1' as widely speculated prior to release (also shown as '1 disc' on Amazon's product page).

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As for the Firefox movie it's a great movie and so is Heartbreak Ridge. It's better quality over the old copy I have and as for the sound well let's just say it's not really 5.1DDS. It's better than the original 2chnl dvd with better picture quality. So yes it is better..! If your that much of a stickler for sound and picture quality then don't buy this. But if you want better than vhs or old dvd then buy it and I bet you'll like it over the old original old stuff.

I love these movies and Firefox was a great movie and still is..

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Two spectacular films of one of my favorite actors Clint Eastwood, who has become an icon of film in the genre of spaghetti wester and action as Dirty Harry.

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The Ipcress File

Magnificently directed by Sidney Furie, this terrific thriller has one of Michael Caine's most memorable performances, and a sensational score by John Barry.

Caine's Harry Palmer is a marvelous character...an anti-Bond...a guy in a dull job who suddenly finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. He has his quirks...he goes against authority, has his sharp wit, his gourmet food, and "that look" behind the horn rimmed glasses.

The plot revolves around a "brain drain" of scientists in England, and has spies, the CIA, and all the usual suspects...which in this case are a little harder to predict.

With brilliant writing (Bill Canaway/James Doran), superb cinematography (Otto Heller), and some good character actors (I love Alice the office lady...an anti-Ms. Moneypenny !) this is a film that will keep you interested for many viewings...suspenseful, amusing, and you'll just be wild about Harry.

It should be noted that this blu-ray is not in 4:3 but formatted for 16:9 televisions. The aspect ratio for this movie is 2.35:1. A lot of people are misled on this point because Amazon.co.uk incorrectly listed it as 1.33:1. The reviewers on the uk site correctly points out the error. If you visit blu-ray.com there is a review of the movie along with screen shots that show its correct aspect ratio. I hope this was helpful. The "The Ipcress File" is one good movie. It should be noted that this is a region free disc meaning it will play on American NTSC players and televisions.

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Len Deighton's first novel presents the micro-detail workings of a nameless espionage agent's workaday world. The protagonist is as far removed from the glamour world of James Bond as you can get -in fact, it's the polar opposite. The film IS a departure from Deighton's novel but what is here works well.

The entire cast is very good. The story moves along at a leisurely but good pace. The cinematography takes on a persona of its own that bears well under repeated viewing. John Barry's score is one of his best and quite different in tone from his Bond scores. Production values are top notch. And it's quite surprising when you realize this film's producer is Harry Saltzman -one of the co-producers of the Bond series! In fact, Saltzman brought along some of the Bond crew to work on "The Ipcress File".

This is Michael Caine's first starring role in film. Saltzman tapped Caine after seeing his excellent performance in "Zulu". Caine does a yeoman job of portraying the novel's spy with no name as Harry Palmer, complete with deadpan, wry humor.

On DVD, the film is presented in its intended original aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The image looks quite good. The sound is the original clear mono. There is commentary by director Sidney J. Furie and editor Peter Hunt. Anchor Bay is to be congratulated for making this film available on disc. Which brings us to a sore subject

"The Ipcress File" is currently out of print in the US. The film is slated to be screened in Washington, DC. Maybe there's some renewed interest in the film which might lead to a remastered edition on DVD? Who knows who owns the copyright? ITM, try vising your local library or rental outlet to see this film.

IMHO, it's an excellent film -filled with believable characters and situations and enough plot twists to keep you wondering what the heck's going on. A keeper.

[2012: Now available on a region-free Blu-ray import.]

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THE IPCRESS FILE does for espionage films what BULLITT did for police films; it provides what seems to be a realistic depiction of the trade as opposed to Hollywood glamourization. And it succeeds marvelously.

Caine turns in an excellent performance as Harry Palmer, a secret agent investigating the "brain drain" of leading government physicists who have been kidnapped only to reappear with their scientific knowledge erased. In additon to providing the audience with an alternative to James Bond, dealing daily with paperwork and beaurocracy and completely devoid of gadgets, the film gives the viewer real insight into counter-espionage techniques, portraying Plamer as more of a detective than a playboy (did James Bond ever take time away from the casino to locate Blofeld by tracking down the location of his most frequently issued parking tickets?).

I very much enjoy the direction of this film, which made impressive use of the widescreen format. Low, angled shots add to the drama immensely. My one complaint is that, while performances are all top-notch, the plot fizzles upon resolution and it seems as if apprehension of the key villain is as unimportant as reversing the "brain drain." The entire experience of THE IPCRESS FILE is good enough, however, that this does little to hamper the viewer's enjoyment of this film.

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"Let's see," says Major Dalby, head of the Counter-Intelligence Bureau, as he reads Sergeant Harry Palmer's personnel file. "'Insubordinate. Insolent. A trickster. Perhaps with criminal tendencies.' Well, that last one may just be put to good use."

Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) has been sent to Dalby (Nigel Green) by Col. H. L. Ross (Guy Doleman) of Britain's Ministry of Defense. Scientists have gone missing, and the few who have shown up later seem to have been brain washed. They are no longer useful. Dalby's unit is charged with finding out what's going on. And Harry Palmer, like it or not, who loves to cook and loves the birds, who wears glasses, who is not impressed with authority, who can be a bit unreliable when he chooses to be, and who actually is a pretty good spy, is assigned to help break the case. Eventually he does, but not without a lot of pain and a fair amount of violence. Palmer can take it, but he can dish it out as well. He also has a shrewd, analytical mind. He's willing to gamble and sometimes he's off the mark. And all the while he has to deal with the bullying, condescending Dalby, "a passed-over major," as well as Col. Ross, who drips condescension like an ice cube on a hot day. Harry Palmer doesn't have it easy.

I think this is one of the better espionage movies made. It's not a spoof, like the Bond movies. Harry Palmer, based on the Len Deighton character (to whom Deighton never gave a name), as played by Caine is immensely likable because he takes the measure of the stuffed shirts and is amused by their pretensions. The character also works because as the story proceeds you realize that Palmer knows his job. The two secondary actors, Green and Doleman, bring a lot of depth to their roles and a lot of interest to the movie. Their attitudes are so imperviously superior it would be amusing except that they both wield quite a bit of power.

This is a movie that I can watch many times and still enjoy for its style and story-telling prowess. Furie throws in some directorial flourishes common then that now seem a bit dated, but that's a minor quibble for a well made and well acted movie. The DVD transfer is just fine.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (+ BD Live) (1997)

Yes, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" does seem like some corny teenybopper popcorn flick; but it's not. Believe me, I went into this film with pretty low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised with the level of terror provided! And it's not cheap terror, it's genuine because of the suspense director Jim Gillespie consistently builds.

It's the fourth of July and four friends Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Junior), Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), and Barry William Cox (Ryan Phillippe) are celebrating their high school graduation and Helen's beauty pageant win. On their way home they hit a man walking down a curved corner in the road. They panic when they learn he's dead and in hopes of saving their futures, decide to dump the body into the ocean. The four friends make a pact to keep it a secret. It was an accident, but it was one they cannot forget.

Their friendships are ruined and they all leave for college and don't talk to each other; they are all depressed and upset. When Julie returns home for summer vacation there is a letter waiting for her. It reads, "I Know What You Did Last Summer". Frightend, Julie goes to find her old friends for help. Was someone else there that night? They think it's only a prank until a man in a slicker with a hook begins to stalk the four friends and torment them in the most vile and disgusting ways imaginable (dead bodies in their trunks, cutting off their hair in sleep, trying to run them over, etc.

Realizing that if they don't find out who's doing this and get rid of him fast, they'll be dead, they search for answers, all the while receiving even more terrifying threats. It sure is a thrilling ride and there are a remarkable number of points in this movie when you jump in fright and scream!

One reason this movie is terrifying is because the situation the characters are in could happen to anybody. Hitting someone with a car could happen to anybody, and what happens after the crash is also believable. The acting by Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe are phenomenal coming from such young actors. These two are now big stars, but they weren't when they did "I Know What You Did Last Summer" so it's interesting to see how they were before they were famous. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Junior aren't quite as convincing as Hewitt and Phillippe, but they are still enjoyable.

The script for "I Know What You Did Last Summer" was adapted from Lois Duncan's best-selling novel by Kevin Williamson, the writer of "Scream". Yes, the script is in good hands! Williamson's script is a very visual one filled with twists, witty dialogue, and plenty of scares.

The DVD for "I Know What You Did" last summer values quality over quantity and provides only a theatrical trailer and commentary. The trailer is terrifying, very enticing and fun to watch. The commentary by director Jim Gillespie is very informative and insightful for fans of the film. It focuses mainly of production design, but has some interesting blurbs about music, casting, and script changes. Gillespie has a wonderful Scottish accent, which makes the commentary even more delightful to listen to.

I Know What You Did Last Summer is a (loose) adaptation of the childrens book, by Lois Duncan. It focuses primarily on the four main characters... intelligent, level headed, heroin Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt), her well intentioned, typical nice guy boyfriend Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr), her best friend the rich and popular beauty queen Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), and Helens rich, macho, handsome football star boyfriend Barry Cox (Ryan Phillippe) The four teens have just graduated high school and are prepared to spend a summer of "immature adolescent decadance" as said by Barry. Things didnt go as planned

On July 4th Helen appeats in the Miss Croaker beauty contest and is crowned queen, much to the excitement of her friends and especially Barry. The four kids decide to celebrate by heading down to a secluded beach for a night of scary stories, drinking and sex, your typical teenage summer night. In what is to be their last decent decision of the movie, they agree Ray is to drive drunken Barrys BMW home that night. Barry stands up through the sunroof, spills alcohol and distracts Ray long enough to hit a crossing man head on. At first they disagree on what to do, call the police, or dump the body. Barry argues that if they come clean theyre dreams will be ruined. His as a football star, Helens as a famous actress, Rays as a writer, and Julie's as a lawyer. Much to Julie's dismay, they agree to dispose of the body in the ocean. They vow never to speak of the incident again.

One year later everythings changed. Julie comes home for the summer (after practically failing out of college in Boston) and recieves an anonymous note from someone claiming they know what happened the previous summer. Panicked, Julie turns to her former best friend Helen for help. Helen immediately wonders how now ex boyfriend Barry will react. Barry is skeptical, sure its someone messing around. After hes nearly run down with his own car by a man in an impossibly creepy fishing slicker, his attitude changes. The estranged foursome is forced to come back together to fight for their lives. From then on, the movie is a series of scares and edge of your seat suspense. Especially the famous Helen chase.

All and all great movie with respectable acting. Jennifer Love Hewitt was actually tolerarble in a sense other than being easy on the eyes. Freddie Prinze was sincere and adorable. However the always beautiful Sarah and the absolutely hunky Ryan stole the show. Both were believable and managed to make their stereotypicaLly vapid characters dimmensional. It hit me how well the acting was done when Helen watched Barry get hooked and I actually cared, felt bad for them. Rent this one for fun, but not in search of meaningful messages. Dont watch it alone ;)

Buy I Know What You Did Last Summer (+ BD Live) (1997) Now

I've watched my fair share of teen horror films, this one, was simply boring. I watched from beginning to end tried my best to get into it and my viewing taste wasn't having it. I'm sure the book was better than the movie (they usually are). The acting was so-so at best, the plot was flat due to the poor execution, and the scare factor was limited. Since I did not watch this movie in 1997 and did not go see it for the star power, my appreciation for the movie won't be there like others. While I like Sarah and Ryan, this movie just missed the cut, in my opinion.

Read Best Reviews of I Know What You Did Last Summer (+ BD Live) (1997) Here

Should the truth be told or kept quiet? That's the moral dilemma 4 teenagers are faced with after accidentally hitting a pedestrian one Summer with a friend's car.

Ray (Freddy Prince Jr.), beauty queen Helen (Sarah Michelle Geller) and Helen's hot-headed boyfriend (Ryan Phillipe) all rationalize just forgetting it ever happened. Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt), however, is disgusted by that idea, but eventually caves in and becomes an accomplice to a hit and run.

The 4 teenagers get away with this crime...or so they thought. One year later, the group is suddenly being taunted by someone who claims to know what they did last Summer, which leaves the group in a panic.

Was there a witness that night? Is it a family member of the dead person? Or are the threats coming from within the group?

Not confessing was supposed to make their lives easier, but instead, they're living in constant fear that whoever's taunting them might not be bluffing.

Like a lot of slasher flicks, there are those sudden scares that make you jump, but there's also some good creepy moments like the scene at the store with the mannequins...the scene in the alley...and the scene at the beauty pageant. It also has a good musical score that lends a creepy vibe, too.

There's one scene that defies logic, though, and it's the scene where Julie runs out of the car because of what she sees in the trunk. When she comes back to show her friends, what's in the trunk is gone. But when I pictured all the steps the killer would've had to take to remove what's in the trunk, there's no way the killer could've had time to accomplish this. Especially since when Julie is running away in the beginning, you can't see anyone near the car....and when she returns, you can't see anyone near the car again.

As far as acting goes, it's better than most teen movies, though, like most teen movies, there's overacting, too. Overall, though, I thought this movie was a suspenseful thriller.

Want I Know What You Did Last Summer (+ BD Live) (1997) Discount?

Blu-Ray is brand new. Plays great. Movie was shipped from back east and it took awhile to get here. Still, I will buy from this seller again. I wish this company would have closed captions in english so that people with bad hearing can get all of the movie.

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Blackthorn (2011)

One reviewer's blurb said: "A classic old-fashioned western, every bit as good as 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'." It is neither. It should not even be compared to that film since it's only marginally in the same genre.

There are many good things about "Blackthorn" -Sam Shepard's acting, for instance. The scenery is also excellent, albeit dully colored. I would have chosen a better film stock. Most of the colors seemed drab and lifeless to me. That may be partially due to the generally overcast skies that were the norm in Bolivia at least that appears to be the case when they were shooting this film. But I believe that either the film they used did not reproduce the colors well or there was something wrong with the projector at the theater in which I saw it. Yet even with the lack of color saturation, there were some spectacular vistas as our hero made his way across the country. The director made excellent use of the widescreen format.

Another interesting aspect of the movie was the back-story the flashbacks to the early 1900's with Butch, Sundance, and Etta Place. Those flashbacks provide a possible explanation as to how Butch and Sundance survived the infamous gun battle with the Bolivian army and why they split up. Enough said about that. (No spoilers here.)

I will mention that, historically speaking, while there is evidence of two American bandits being killed in a gun battle with a few soldiers (not an entire army) and a couple others from a small Bolivian town, later DNA evidence ruled out those bandits as being either Butch or Sundance. Also, many people have stated they met with and/or knew Robert Leroy Parker (aka Butch Cassidy) after he moved back to the U.S. (using an alias, of course).

But the story and the characters were rather bleak and left me feeling as cold as Blackthorn working his way through the high mountains of Bolivia with the young criminal who owed him money.

I would recommend this film with reservations. Don't go in expecting a fast-moving story with colorful, genial characters. It is tense and somber.

Surprised. Not by Shepard, who I've long thought is one of our great under-appreciated leading men, but by the story, the style and feel of the movie. I think I loved it. I've read some critics have called it "slow".....absolutely, its what I call a "slow burner." Not every story needs to move like a freight train.

There are a lot of ways the writer and director could have screwed this up, in just my opinion they dodged all the bullets. Like so many people I have a long term love affair with "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," so any movie taking a stab at sequel-ing that is running on dangerous ground. But they pulled it off.

If you like sweeping scenery, genuine-feeling westerns, GREAT acting (Shepard is beyond perfect all the way to amazing) those are all reasons enough to watch Blackthorn. I paid $9.99 to watch "before its in the theaters," and it was definitely worth it for me.

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Well done in all respects. The scenery is fantastic, acting is excellent, story is great, and everything works. It will pull you in and keep your attention like a good book.

Really liked this one. Try it, I think you'll like it.

Read Best Reviews of Blackthorn (2011) Here

Sam Shepard is no novice to the thoughtful, landscape-driven Western. This film posits the question: What if Butch Cassidy hadn't been gunned down by the Bolivian army, but instead lived to old age in exile. It picks up with him as an old man considering a return to his long lost home, but along the way he is sidetracked, and some of his old ways (and old acquaintances) come back to haunt him.

The performances here in every way match the beauty of the landscape photography here. This is an excellent character study with a nice conversation regarding the nature of true crime.

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"One day I woke up and found myself alone. Seemed like everyone I knew was dead or in jail, they thought I was dead too." After writing for years to her son, James Blackthorn (Shepherd) hears about Etta's death. Wanting to see his home one last time he heads out. When he meets a young robber on the trail he forms a type of friendship. The young robber begins to realize that the old man is not who he says he is, he may be riding with Butch Cassidy. This is one of the best westerns to come out in the last few years (along with "Meek's Cutoff) and is that way for one reason. Sam Shepherd is fantastic in this role. Much like Sam Elliot, Shepherd is born to be in westerns. A mix of present day and flashback scenes make this movie riveting and you are questioning if he is really Butch or not. Weather you are a fan of westerns or not this is one movie that you should watch. Overall, one of, if not the best westerns to come out in the last 5 years. Great acting by Shepherd helps. I give it a B+.

*Also try Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid & Meek's Cutoff

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Wizards (35th Anniversary Edition) (1977)

I'm ashamed to say that there are still some classic animated movies that i've never seen before, Wizards was one in particular, and i must say i enjoyed the hell out of it. I've seen many other Ralph Bakshi films including my all time favorite "Fire and Ice", but just never got around to seeing this.

The film may be 35 years old but it doesn't show, they've done a good job cleaning up the video and audio quality, but the video quality could still be improved upon. One thing i really appreciate about this release is the included 30 min special feature documentary with Ralph Bakshi, which is very entertaining and informative.

I recommend that everyone buy this film to encourage future releases of classic animated movies by Bakshi and other great animated film makers.

"They've killed Fritz!!!"

In the 1970's before West Coast's PIXAR and during Disney's weak period evolved an East Coast animated independent genius "Ralph Bakshi" (from Terrytoon Studio's). Also full length animated features were not respected by the film academy and weren't expected to have a complex storyline or plot. Until Bakshi arrived only Disney produced full length animated features with success. Bakshi produced at first adult only heavy graphic animated art (Fritz the Cat). But his genius and wonderful animation and storylines had a following and very interested audience. Bakshi Animators were allowed to create the story with much latitude and individual style not like Disney's cramped cookie cutter style of the 70's.

Now came "WIZARDS" Raplh Bakshi's favorite film from his pallet of creativity. This 35th Anniversary Blu-ray Book Edition now more than ever shows the artistic marvel "WIZARDS" really was/is. We can now enjoy completely and appreciate Bakshi's passion and genius.

This 35th Anniversay Blu-ray Book Edition provides us with Bakshi's full disclosure of this and all his creative genius art work. This man Writes, Directs, Draws and Produces. He has complete control of his product. Just like George Lucas did with Star Wars except Bakshi did not believe in merchandising his creative world. (Note: Both these young genius' worked for FOX and released amazing films in 1977. We all know who became the household name!! But Bakshi genius is preserved forever in this Blu-ray Disc!!!!!!!!) So WIZARDS is a story of two brothers one good the other is evil or in Bakshi's world Imagination and Magic versus Technology and Machinery. The genius is the animation is inaccordance with the brothers amazing stuff!!!

This is a must have Edition to our Blu-ray Fantasy library!!!!!!! This "WIZARDS (1977)" set includes; a 24 page illustrated/antimated hard cover book. 1 Blu-ray Disc 81 minute movie in Blu-ray (PURE EYE CANDY), the SPECIAL FEATURES include; COMMENTARY by Director Ralph Bakshi (his commentary is one of the best, most candid and informative I've ever listened to!!! Bakshi is a very entertaining and interesting character.) Also, "RAPLH BAKSHI": The Wizard of Animation (30 minutes of animation/animator history WODERFUL STUFF), a Still Gallery and Theatrical Trailers.

This is a must have movie!!! Also a special note; Bakshi Loved Tolkien so much that after "WIZARDS" he went to see Tolkiens daughter for permission to make an animated version of "THE LORD of the RINGS". With her full endorsement went ahead and made the first half (released in 1978) Also available in Blu-ray!!! Enjoy.

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While Wizards does not enjoy the wide audience of, say, a Disney movie, this is nonetheless a really strong transfer. The source material is thirty-five years old, and while it didn't get the thorough re-mastering of an old Disney classic, it's nonetheless a fine transfer that looks leagues better than the DVD. The featurettes are interesting, and Bakshi's commentary track is worth a listen for any fan of either his or the movie. Wizards isn't really like any other film, and this set -with a book full of pictures and a sharp-looking disc -does this unique movie justice.

Read Best Reviews of Wizards (35th Anniversary Edition) (1977) Here

If you remember "Wizards" from its theatrical release then you won't need reminding what a groundbreakiing film this was at the time. Happily it continues to hold up well in the digital age. For some reason, the fact that "animation" has progressed so far seems to enhance Bakshi's syle that much more. It is a joy to see the old gang in hi-def on a big flat screen...get it.

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There isn't much anyone can say about the story and if you want a good review of the transfer and disc, http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Wizards-Blu-ray/36536/.

I've always enjoyed this film especially the ending.

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Girl / Chocolate Pretty Sweet Skateboard DVD and BLU RAY (NEW & SEALED) (2012)

This video is still very good compared to the standard skate video, but doesn't meet the exceptionally high standard set by their previous videos (Girl/Chocolate). Also I was sad to see Mike Carroll retired, but that's how it goes. Thanks for all your hard work, Mike. Best of luck!

defiantly is one of the best skate video's i have seen in awhile, i almost would say best skate video of 2012 in my opinion

Buy Girl / Chocolate Pretty Sweet Skateboard DVD and BLU RAY (NEW & SEALED) (2012) Now

newest ,modern cuttin edge s*** out there right now,definitely will become a legendary dvd ,it does back up all the hype,buy it!!!

Read Best Reviews of Girl / Chocolate Pretty Sweet Skateboard DVD and BLU RAY (NEW & SEALED) (2012) Here

Great footage and some amazing skaters. The Marc Johnson part is ridiculous. The guy can do it all barely needs to lift his hands above his waist...SMOOTH.

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The special effects and video production in this film are phenominal and entertaining especially on Blu Ray. Although this edition says DVD I believe it comes with both a DVD and a Blu Ray disc of the film (at least mine did). The soundtrack is pretty good with varied genres including classic rock, contemporary rock, old school hip hop, and punk. The actual tricks and locations in the video get pretty monotonous after about 30 minutes, but it's still pretty good. It could have used more pool skating and maybe some ramp skating along with all the street skating since there are only so many variations of kickflips and heelflips that you handle watching for 1 1/2 hours.

I started skating back in 1984 and still skate when I can, so I've seen enough skate videos to understand that foul language is kind of "to be expected." I was not surprised that the "f" bomb was dropped a number of times throughout the film, but the first spoken word in the video is the big "f" and it is said a few times within the first few minutes of the film. The soundtrack has some songs with explicit lyrics as well. Then there is the scene where Jack Black takes off all his clothes and runs around. Yes, he has his hands covering his genitals, but it still leaves NOTHING ELSE to the imagination. Finally, when we were watching the bonus content a scene pops on where a young woman is holding a very large "self pleasure device" in the shape of male genitals (yes, I know what it is called but I'm trying to keep this review family friendly). I had the video muted at that point so I did not hear what she said about the device, but it may have been sexually explicit.

So, although this video is one of the hottest skate videos of the year, parents be warned you may not want your child viewing some of the content and hearing some of the language in the film. I would have given it a 4 1/2 to 5 star rating if it did not include some of this content.

Broken Arrow (1996)

A vast improvement over "Hard Target" (1993), director John Woo finds his Hollywood niche in this fast-paced thriller. Though it doesn't match the kinetic flair of Woo's Hong Kong epics, "Broken Arrow" (1996) delivers plenty of serial-style action while utilizing the Southern Utah landscape to striking effect. The film's raison d'être lies in the charismatic villainy of John Travolta who has a wonderful time playing a traitorous military pilot and nuclear blackmailer. Christian Slater's efficient heroics are a good match for Travolta's diabolical cool. "Broken Arrow" is cheerfully preposterous and endlessly entertaining. Classic dialogue: "Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons?"

If you love action and adventure, this is a definite must-see! Christian Slater and John Travolta make a perfect good guy vs. villian mix, and while the plot may be a bit far out, you will never notice. The action will draw you in and keep you spellbound until the last scene. Mathis's role as the park ranger helping Slater save the day is a bit strained at times, but the effort is valiant, and by the end she's an old pro. Travolta's one-liners definitely make the movie. If you're going to be the bad guy, you've gotta have a stack of suave comebacks and wisecracks, and boy, has he got it! ...."Please try NOT to shoot at the thermonuclear weapons" from behind clenched teeth gets me every time. It's clear that though this is an action movie, it's also a mind game. Travolta's comments let the viewer inside his head, to feel like you are really there.

..."You're out of your mind!"...

..."Yeah, ain't it COOL?"....

You bet it is -and the stunts will leave you gasping in wonder. From Mathis's near disembowelment by a thwocking chopper blade to Travolta's frantic attempts to catch his getaway pilot's attention, it's all fantastic. Howie Long is also fantastic as Kelly, one of Travolta's goons.

All in all, quite spetacular. I recommend it to everyone, but get your snacks before it starts because you won't want to miss a minute!

Buy Broken Arrow (1996) Now

A great action film with excellent performances. I have the Standard DVD and just bought and watched the Blu Ray version. While I did not put one on and then the other for a relative side by side comparison, the video transfer is pretty good, not great. In some scenes there appears to be a smoothness to faces which is demonstrative of over compression. However, this really occurs only intermittently. Overall, a pretty decent transfer with little if any noticeable grain, no artifacting or aliasing.

The audio transfer is DTSHD 5.1 and is very well done with full use of your surround system, including sub. The score sometimes overshadows the foley fx and directionality of the discreet audio channels, but, overall, a very fine transfer.

I bought the BluRay on sale at Walmart for $7 so it was more than worth it. Other than BD LIve, which I think is a waste of a feature found on many Blu Rays, there were no extras, no deleted scenes or any thing other than the hated trailers for other films.

All my movie reviews are of this nature and focus only on the quality of the transfer to BluRay so check them and see if they are of help as well.

Hopefully, this review has been of some help to you in determining your purchase, hope I am on the correct path with a review of the transfer quality as opposed to providing plot summaries.

Thanks

Read Best Reviews of Broken Arrow (1996) Here

Great movie. The action scenes are intense and perfect. John Travolta as Deakins is magnificent because of his mimic and fantastic acting. The special effect are very good. And last but not least the explosions are great, big and a great sound. If you have not seen it rent it on DVD because of the sound,and picture quality. Have fun!

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Catching a line from this movie the suspense in this movie is "cool". John Travolta and Christian Slater are at odds in this 1996 movie on the theft of two nuclear warheads in rugged terrain of Utah. At times it has you on the edge of your seat. It certainly is a far cry from Travolta's roles in Grease and Saturday Night Fever but one of his best!!

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Hands Of The Ripper (Blu-ray + DVD Combo) (1971)

Welcome to Hammer's outstanding "Hands of the Ripper", one of the studio's last movies and one of their best. The story tells of Anna, a young girl who is actually Jack the Ripper's daughter, and who was traumatised as a toddler by witnessing a vicious killing (seen in the prologue). Now an adult, she is prone to murderous seizures which provide the many grisly highlights of the film. It sounds rather lurid, but the film takes the subject seriously, and as a whole, the plot is tremendously engaging. Anna's rages are only triggered by a specific set of circumstances, and the script creates a surprising and clever staging for each one, following on every time with a suitably gory slaughter. The film features great performances from its prestigious cast, particularly Angharad Rees who is luminously beautiful as Anna, and Eric Porter as the doctor who realises her identity but is compelled to try and cure her rather than turn her in (as well as falling for her charms, as she has no recollection of what she does when she goes into a trance). Of course, in the movies such a situation can only end in tragedy, and the climax of the story is elegantly downbeat and very effective. The period London setting, the photography and the directing all fall perfectly into place, and "Hands of the Ripper" can be judged as one of Hammer's greatest acheivements. It's crying out for a DVD release, so hopefully someone will take the initiative very soon. There is a UK region 2 release, but it's only available as a box set with two far inferior British 70's horror movies "The Monster" and "The Uncanny". I was lucky and got one from a split set, but it's a real shame that most people will miss out on enjoying this movie by it not getting the circulation it deserves.

'Hands of the Ripper' is a Hammer movie from Peter Sasdy; the same guy who directed the lamentable 'I Don't Want To Be Born' and it's in a different league.

Superior in every multitudinous way you can possibly think of, and then some...

It's a sharp, aggressive picture. A slight departure for Hammer, in that there's a VERY sympathetic 'monster'. Not an unthinking fiend from the murk and fog, but a vulnerable and frightened young girl: Anna.

Traumatized by an unspeakable horror from her childhood, conditioned by years of abuse and then hidden away. Forced to participate in her guardian's shameful exploiting of recently bereaved people in her fraudulent role as a medium.

That she snaps will come as no surprise. The trigger, something as innocent as a kiss, provokes the most horrendous violence as she becomes possessed by her father's murderous spirit and continues his trail of destruction.

Her father is none other than Victorian bogeyman Jack the Ripper. In 'HOTR's pre-credit sequence we see a hysterical Anna in her cot, witnessing her own mother's ghastly death at the hands of her scarred and blood stained father. Sowing the seeds of the inevitable carnage that follows....

Later, she's taken into the care of a kindly doctor, played excellently by old Soames himself Eric Porter. Who, as an early advocate of Freud(the only thing he doesn't do is say "Ja ?"(!)), both suspects the evil in Anna, but thinks he can help her with psycho-analysis.

An opinion not shared by nasty politician (is there any other kind?) Dysart who believes the only cure for her is "a good, stout rope about her neck".

As it turns out, in Sasdy terms anyway, this would undoubtedly have been the wisest course of action.

There's some brilliantly unpleasant low-budget killings, including a jaw-dropping hat-pins-in-the-eye demise. and the film roars along like a leopard on fire cramming all sorts of ideas and subversions across it's superbly compact 85 minutes.

Performances are exceptional. The fine Welsh actress Angharad Rees is marvellous as Anna, giving an understated interpretation. On one hand, ferocious, eyes-ablaze and ruthless on the other a child. Lost and innocent with no comprehension of whats happening to her or the devastation she's causing either in her own environment, or on the foggy, corrupt streets of Victorian London(itself a ruthless, hypocritical monster a theme explored just as bitingly in Sasdy's previous 'Taste the Blood of Dracula').

Despite it's lurid title, this is a serious, complex thriller with many facets and is unmissable if you're in any way a fan of the Hammer ouvre in particular, or horror pictures generally.

Buy Hands Of The Ripper (Blu-ray + DVD Combo) (1971) Now

Hands of the Ripper is a shockingly neglected and obscure little atmospheric masterpiece from Hammer Studios. It's a veritable showcase of classic horror at its best, with several somewhat bloody scenes thrown in for good measure. Beautifully shot and scored, the film simply oozes the aura of Victorian London, and the cinematography of the final shot is, ahem, to die for. The entire cast is wonderful, particularly Eric Porter and Angharad Rees, the latter being a delightful young actress I had never encountered before.

I know you're probably wondering if the film is about Jack the Ripper. Well, yes and no. The story is ostensibly about his daughter. You can imagine how screwed up in the head a daughter of Saucy Jack might be; now imagine that this little girl saw her father murder her mother right in front of her eyes. Freud would have wet himself over such a poor, young thing. Now a young lady, we find Anna working as a fraudulent medium's secret little helper. The madam isn't above selling Anna's body to certain gentlemen, either. Following a "séance" attended by the good Dr. Pritchard (Eric Porter) and others, no less than a man of Parliament (Derek Godfrey) stays behind to indulge in some special favors. A scream later, Pritchard has run back into the house (encountering the fleeing Parliamentarian at the door) to find Anna in a somewhat catatonic state and the medium quite dead. You would think Pritchard would accuse the man he saw fleeing the house at the time of the murder, but he has plans of his own. Having grown fascinated with the breakthrough work of Freud in Vienna, Pritchard thinks he can cure the girl (if she does turn out to be the murderer) and, at the same time, finally acquire the answers as to why people commit murder in the first place.

Having brought Anna home with him, Pritchard finds her to be the meekest of creatures, a veritable delight to be around. If it weren't for her bad habit of killing people for no good reason, she would be a beacon of female virtue. In her defense, she is quite unaware of her murderous actions, as she falls into something of a trance each time the violence rises up in her. Pritchard, not yet knowing the facts of her childhood, believes her to be schizophrenic, but more than one character ultimately voices the opinion that Jack the Ripper himself possesses her body whenever a certain stimulus causes her to break with reality. Either way, Dr. Pritchard has bought himself some trouble and just days away from his son's marriage, too.

OK, the plot is a little less than perfect, but I loved this movie. You just can't beat Hammer Studios when it comes to producing old school horror films heavy on suspense and characterization. Those looking for quick bloody thrills should probably look elsewhere, as this film's rather limited gore is sprinkled here and there throughout the film, but those who appreciate horror in all its facets should be particularly impressed with this overlooked 1971 Hammer Studios gem.

Read Best Reviews of Hands Of The Ripper (Blu-ray + DVD Combo) (1971) Here

The other reviews are good. Trouble right now is that the DVD is becoming unavailable. This import is spoken in English, don't worry, and subtitles can be turned off. It's the full wide screen. The end credits are cut short before the music stops, which spoils that mood, but not "in the middle of the credits". There's a bit of nudity with Rees.

The title may mislead people into thinking it's a cheap gore film. No, it's a literate masterpiece, and based on a serious novel.

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This Carlton release has no problems, it is a genuinely good copy of the 1971 Hammer Film, Reg. 2 from Great Britain. It is an intriguing twist on the Jack the Ripper story with great performances by Eric Porter, Angharad Rees and others directed by Peter Sasdy, even though Hammer by this time was on the decline. Synapse Films who brought out a Reg. 1 edition of "Vampire Circus" is supposed to later this year put out "Hands of the Ripper" and "Twins of Evil." "Vampire Circus," in otherwise a great presentation, was printed too dark and one must adjust the "Contrast" button. This Carlton release has no such hindrances.

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Never Back Down (2010)

NEVER BACK DOWN is a teen-action-martial arts drama that has all the ingredients to entertain a VERY specific audience. The film isn't going to win awards for its story, but then again, what martial arts film ever had? The film has a very formulaic and routine storyline but what caught my notice are its action sequences. Please note that this is a review of the film's "Beat Down" edition that supposedly contains more punches and kicks, more blood and graphic violence.

A young man with an ill temper named Jake Tyler (Sean Faris) has been trying to keep his life together with his mother and younger brother after his father`s death. They move to another town from Iowa so his brother can pursue a tennis scholarship. Once in school, he gets baited by a pretty girl, Baja (Amber Heard), to a party that ended up with Jake getting his head kicked in by the resident "Beat Down" champ Ryan McCarthy (Cam Gigandet). Frustrated, Jake enlists Max's (Evan Peters) aid to introduce him to a master of mixed martial arts named Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou) with revenge on his mind. After training for sometime in the Dojo, Jake realizes more things about family, discipline and friendship; and more importantly controlling his anger. Jake isn't interested in fighting anymore. However, now that he's been training under Roqua, McCarthy is even more eager to fight Jake...

The film has all the elements we can relate to; family issues, bullying at school, forgiving oneself and atonement. At first impression, I thought it was just going to be a bad rethread of "The Karate Kid" with just more action and violence. Well, it actually is a rehash if you think about it in regards to its plot but the film is quite entertaining. The film actually explores the issues that often plague martial artists themselves and explores the relationship between Sensei and apprentice. Jake and Jean developed a common denominator to each other which is their failings in their family. McCarthy is a martial artist without discipline and as a result becomes a brash, arrogant fighter.

The direction by Jeff Wadlow knew what his goals were; and that is to provide popcorn entertainment. While the film does have a very unoriginal premise and frankly, those elements have almost been done to death; Wadlow manages to keep things small but focused. The pacing is quite competent enough to keep the viewer interested and never becomes too ambitious or pretentious by adding excess "fat" to the film's simple plot. There are some morality issues and quite a lot of preaching about the necessities of forgiving oneself. What helps the film along is that the relationship between Roqua and Jake were convincing enough and I was happy it took center stage rather than the sappy blossoming "teen love" between Jake and Baja. Just when does a Sensei know when his student has become the best he can be? When the sensei begins learning from his apprentice.

Now the film's main draw would have to be its fight sequences. For a Hollywood flick, I thought it was decently executed. Of course, the fights can never compare to the fight sequences choreographed by the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping or the best of Corey Yuen; but for the most part it was smooth enough to generate some intensity and pain in the proceedings. There is quite a bit of graphic violence in this dvd edition that stays within the realm of mixed martial arts. I credit the director that the managed to keep the scenes that make Faris and Gigandet look good and edit out the scenes that make them look bad. The fights were decent, and I thought the encounters were hard-hitting enough for what its worth. Just don't expect the fights to be in the same caliber as Asia's best martial arts action sequences.

Now, the film does have its share of problems. The performance by the supporting cast does seem a little too "wooden" at times. Max provides some of the film's 'comic relief' but you can see from miles away that he was a simple plot device to set up the film's final climax. Amber Heard who plays Baja is pretty, sexy and attractive but I think she had so little to work with, so I can't really criticize her acting that much. Well, she acted like a girl star-struck by the new boy in town and she does do that. Jake's Mom and little brother had limited screen time but they gave Jake more character development than what was provided by visuals alone.

Overall, I thought "Never Back Down" is an entertaining enough experience. It does play its cards well enough and it stayed focused on its main premise. Sure, its premise is pretty simple and very unoriginal; the stereotypical love triangle definitely got in the way but I guess there has to be something for everyone. Consider it a "Karate Kid" remake that focuses more on its action sequences rather than the drama. The film is pretty routine but it is a worthwhile watch for action junkies with its abundance of kicks and punches to satisfy that "fix".

Recommended for action junkies and a good rental for everybody else. [3 ½ Stars]

Ok, first off, people need to see this movie for what it is; a fast paced action flick full of girls, cars and fighting. This film is aimed squarely at a younger audience (like myself, 18) who enjoy some good action, even if it doesn't have the best plot, which, I will admit, is very thin. And to all the old farts giving their snobish reviews, go watch romantic comedies or some independent film and talk about how sophisticated it is and how clever you are for watching it. This movie is about adrenaline and thats about it. If your too old to remember what that is, then avoid this movie.

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From the trailer I assumed the best and I was rewarded. The action is fast paced, each scene is useful and masterfully written. If you like UFC or MMA fighting this movie kick serious a... You know it, I know it. So there is nothing like a good old brawl reminiscent of the original Rocky. The soundtrack is the strong suit of this movie it adds aggression and motivation. Watch it I strongly recommend it.

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I saw this on cable TV one night and really enjoyed the story so I got this to share with my wife. We were a little shocked to see some of the scenes that had been edited out for the version I saw. In truth, these were just gratuitous and added nothing to the story, but added because they could.

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The product is in great condition! Great movie, my husband is obsessed with the movie. Totally recommend this movie for both male and female.

Predator 2 (1990)

I hesitated renting this one because I already owned it on DVD. That version looked terrible fuzzy, grainy, generally like crap. The Bluray is much sharper and more enjoyable to watch. Pretty good special features, too. I'm actually considering adding it to my collection of Blurays.

This sequel to 1987's highly popular and successful PREDATOR is not nearly as suspenseful as the original, but it is still exciting and action-packed. Though star Danny Glover does not generate the same commanding screen presence that Arnold Schwarzenegger did in the first film, he is nonetheless a very talented and experienced actor, and he and his fantastic supporting cast--the gorgeous Maria Conchita Alonso, the always-delightful Bill Paxton, Hollywood staple Gary Busey, and Panamanian character actor Rubén Blades--are able to raise 1990's PREDATOR 2 several notches above the average quality level of film sequels.

This time the eponymous extraterrestrial is on safari in the (then) futuristic Los Angeles of 1997, and it is Columbian and Jamaican drug lords, mon, that seem to be his prey of choice. But when he spots the crime-fighting juggernaut Lieutenant Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) in action, he feels he's finally found the king of this urban jungle. Harrigan then becomes the main object of the hunt, and the inevitable but exciting showdown takes place on the upper levels of a high-rise apartment in the L.A. slums.

The special FX of this sequel are not as fresh as they were in the original PREDATOR, but they are still adequate for the story and action. The Alien, when visible, gets more screen time than he did in the first film, and genre fans will be delighted to see that Stan Winston and his staff manage to make the E.T. look just as cool as before.

In short, PREDATOR 2 is not as fresh, classy, or suspenseful as its progenitor, but Danny Glover--who, though no Arnie, is a talented and interesting actor--creates an urban hero who is both compelling and sympathetic.

THE DVD from Fox offers a nice anamorphic Widescreen transfer and good Dolby Digital sound, and in addition to the theatrical trailer, the extras include a pretty cool behind-the-scenes featurette that was filmed during the movie's original production. Good movie and good DVD, but be sure to also get the DVD version of the even better original PREDATOR.

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Following a wildly successful film is never easy, especially one backed up with the star power of an Arnold Schwarzenegger, who apparently chose not to reprise his role as he didn't care for the script, feeling the idea of a Predator film set in a major metropolitan city was a poor one, instead working on a little film called Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)...perhaps you've heard of it...rumor has it Patrick Swayze was offered the starring role in this film, but couldn't accept due to injuries sustained during the filming of Road House...so with the success of Lethal Weapon (1987) and Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) under his belt, Danny Glover was chosen, for better or worse...written by Jim and John Thomas (the brothers behind the 1987 film Predator), Predator 2 (1990) was directed by Stephen Hopkins (Judgment Night, Lost in Space), and stars Danny Glover (Silverado, Lethal Weapon). Also appearing is Gary `Mr. Head Injury' Busey (Under Siege, Black Sheep), Rubén Blades (Mo' Better Blues, The Two Jakes), Maria Conchita Alonso (The Running Man, Colors), Bill Paxton (Navy SEALS, Twister), Robert Davi (The Goonies, Die Hard), Adam Baldwin (My Bodyguard, D.C. Cab), Morton Downey Jr. (Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation), and Kevin Peter Hall (Harry and the Hendersons, Predator) as the Predator, but obviously not the same one as in the first film (well, obvious if only you've seen the first film, which you should before seeing this one).

The film is set in L.A. (the original setting was to be New York City), in the grim, near future of 1997 (remember, the film was released 1990, and back then, we didn't have the brightest outlook on the future). The city and police are under siege by not only ruthless, excessively armed drug gangs, but also an oppressive heat wave. Smack dab in the middle is Lieutenant Mike Harrigan (Glover), a play by his own rules cop doing what's necessary to get the job done, which often rubs his superiors the wrong way (can you smell a cliché here? It's the first of many). But wait, it appears there's a new player in town, one that even the powerful drug gangs seem to fear, later identified as an extraterrestrial being whom we've come to know as a Predator...apparently drawn by the hot climate and extreme amount of conflict, in town with a few days (and people) to kill, its prey being man, and begins making short work of the gangs, what with all the beheadings, disembowelings, flaying of skin, spine removals, and so on...this draws the attention of some gooberment types, headed by Peter Keyes (Busey), who have an interest in not only the alien, but its super awesoma weaponry and technology (oh my, another cliché). The stage is set, the players in place, the bloodbath ready to ensue...

I did enjoy this film, and I appreciated the effort to try and stick to the formula that made the first so successful, but the absence of director John McTiernan (he chose to instead direct The Hunt for Red October) and Arnold Schwarzenegger is painfully noticeable. Glover and director Hopkins do a good job, but the effect is kind of like going from tender, juicy steak to a hamburger. I like hamburgers, but next time you're in a restaurant, check the menu and notice the price difference between the two...anyway...one thing that has puzzled me with this film is the element of Predators visiting the Earth and hunting humans on a fairly regular basis. The impression I got of the species is that their whole lifestyle, be that as it may, seems to revolve around the hunt, and the more difficult the prey, most likely the greater the prestige and status. If that's the case, why do they visit the Earth, specifically to hunt humans? Let's face it, we're pretty easy targets, given their technology, weapons, and various other strengths. Sure, once in awhile they may come across a worthy opponent, like Schwarzenegger's character in the previous film, or Glover here, but in general, they mop the floor with us (I'm unsure the body count in this film, but it was very high)...but I digress, as is my wont...the script (which I heard had been re-written something like 20 times) is pretty rough, and the plot laden with clichés, but the pacing is strong, and the action thorough, so the end result is entertaining. I heard a decent amount of violent gristle had been removed to avoid a NC-17 rating, so I was curious why, with this release, they didn't reinstate this material, or included in a `deleted scenes' section. The film contains lots of gooey bits, but it did feel like parts (no pun intended) were missing. Maybe those scenes excised don't exist anymore. I sorta groaned at the composition of Glover's squad, an African American, two Hispanics (one male, one female in Blades and Alonso, respectively), and a Caucasian (Paxton), as I felt it was a lame attempt to present a cross section, I guess meant to represent the community...the actors did generally do a good job, but the material really wasn't there to allow for a cohesiveness to settle in, like in the first film. I'm not talking so much about deep character development, as that wasn't a necessity in the first film, but Schwarzenegger and his crew felt like a real team, hardened by past experiences, and that wasn't the case here. The inclusion of the new Predator weapons was cool, and the production overall is pretty slick, but ultimately falls a little short. And can someone tell me how the huge Predator ship came to be parked underneath the city unnoticed by anyone?

The widscreen anamorphic (1.85:1) picture looks sharp, and the audio clean and clear. This is a 2 DVD set, with most all the special features (outlined in detail on the Amazon site) appearing on the 2nd DVD. 3 stars for the film, plus one for the release.

Cookieman108

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The collection has two discs the first has the movie with two full commentary tracks (with tons of info) and the second has behind the scene featurettes, a documentary, special effect clips, a photo gallery and trailers. Both Danny Glover and Gary Busey are great in this movie and make sure to watch for wall of skulls near the end when Danny enters the Predator's spaceship. Great surprise ending for those of you who have never seen it.

Get it new or used.

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Predator 2 is a misunderstood and crimnally underrated sequel to Predator. It not only equals it's predesscessor, but also surpasses it in a few categories. Alan Silvestri's mind-blowing score from Predator 1 is improved on the 0-10 scale by 11. Stephen Hopkins' direction is excellent and gives P2 a very special and hard-worked feel to it. The Cinematography is awesome and makes the film scary and unpredictable. The action sequences are also Grade A+. The breath-taking shootout at the beginning, the Train confrontation, and the final Battle. Wow! P2 combines the intense action of P1 and amps it up to eleven. The action sequences are even more though-out and better than those of P1. The acting is brilliant too. Danny Glover makes a great Hero as Harrigan and has one of his best roles ever. He makes Harrigan a likeable character that you'll root for all the way too the end. The level of violence and gore is also a LOT higher than the original's and any gore-hound will be in Heaven with this. I also must say that P2's settings and story are brilliant to the max. A crime infested Los Angeles was the perfect spot for him to continue his Rampage and all of the sets, from the Meat Factory, Predator Ship and "shot-out" Buildings are mind-blowing. Predator 2 is all in all an excellent Grade A+ sequel that pretty much improves over the original Predator. I REALLY hope this review will give this underrated masterpiece a much better reputation. Give Predator 2 a chance and ignore everyone who shamefully panned it. I can't wait for the DVD release and I'm looking forward to Predator 3.

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