Apocalypto (2006)

Even with all the controversy surrounding Mel Gibson last year (and doesn't it seem as if each new week brings another celebrity meltdown?), I still looked forward to seeing "Apocalypto." Why? If for no other reason--the subject matter, subtitles, and lack of star power made it a bold choice for a major studio release. Films of this nature generally go into limited distribution to develop an audience and critical word of mouth before expanding, if they ever do. But with Gibson at the helm, "Apocalypto" debuted with much fanfare and backing just in time to be considered for 2006's Academy Awards. For some reason, though, I still missed "Apocalypto" at the theaters. I have heard every description imaginable from those that have seen the film--from the "best movie ever" to "excessively violent and disturbing." And while I wouldn't go to either of those extremes, "Apocalypto" is certainly an accomplished adventure picture.

Set in ancient Mayan times, "Apocalypto" is essentially the harrowing journey of one man, a youth named Jaguar Paw (a convincing Rudy Youngblood). Living a simple and isolated existence, his tribe are very at home within the forest. One day, the unthinkable happens. They are attacked by another group with apparent intentions of enslaving whomever they don't kill. Youngblood's wife and son are stranded in an underground well, many others are murdered, and Youngblood is among a dozen or so who are rounded up and marched out in bondage. The subsequent journey leads to a fantastical temple sequence, where it becomes clear that the prisoners are not to become slaves--but sacrifices. The remainder of the film deals with how Youngblood can escape this situation. The temple scenes feature a cast of thousands, ritualistic and brutal slayings, and a mob mania that is terrifying and believable. Racing against the clock to save his wife, Youngblood must escape back through the jungle--where all he has to help him are his cunning and an almost spiritual connection to his surroundings. The action is practically nonstop, it's inventive, and it is beautifully staged. Much of "Apocalypto," therefore, is absolutely riveting and wildly entertaining.

For the purists who will debate the film's historical accuracy, I will neither deny or confirm the legitimacy of the events that transpire within "Apocalypto." While there do seem to be some liberties taken with the historical timeline (as evidenced by a surprise in the ending--which I enjoyed despite its implausibility), I really don't think that this film aspires to be a "historical document." Gibson has made an adventure story using a Mayan backdrop. The feel and look of his picture stay as valid as possible to the timeframe, however, I never interpreted this picture as a "true" story. Guess what? Fictional liberties are taken in every motion picture. Otherwise every motion picture would be a documentary--and even documentaries have an angle or slant which make them less than "true" in many cases. "Apocalypto," at heart, is an effective action picture that makes interesting use of its Mayan setting.

I guess "Apocalypto" is not for the squeamish--however, the violence depicted is by no means unusual by modern film standards. You can see much worse in today's "torture" cinema, those films that pass for horror with current audiences. I suppose what makes "Apocalypto" more vivid is that the violence is in a believable context. There are some beheadings and some hunting scenes, but the brutality is intrinsic to the story "Apocalypto" is telling. I don't believe serious minded filmgoers will be put off by seeing some savagery depicted in a film about ancient Mayan cultures--it's not as if this is a Merchant/Ivory production with tea parties and witty banter.

I do recommend "Apocalypto." Beautifully filmed, the technical merits of the film are beyond reproach. The cinematography, score, and editing all enhance this exciting tale. I imagine these elements really shone bright for those who saw this on the big screen. A great action picture that is for adults--check it out. KGHarris, 03/07.

A welcome change of pace for us who feel Hollywood keeps making the same picture over and over again. The first part of this film is the most unconventional but also hard to endure as only bad things seem to happen to the characters but once Act II arrives and the chase begins, grab on !. I can't remmember the last time a film had my stomach in knotts like this one.

Some people here in Mexico have complained about the film's historical accuracy since by the time the Spanish arrived in America, the Mayan civilization had already been taken over by other groups. In any case, Hollywood films are not the best way to learn about history.

When Braveheart came out over 10 years ago I remmember a friend telling me: "who would have thought Mel Gibson was a real director", 2 films later he keeps surprising me with his directing skills. It's too bad the public has let themselves be convinced by the media that he's the most evil person to ever come out of Hollywood which is absurd. I guess they feel the more they discredit him the more they discredit "The Passion of the Christ".

Great work Mel !

Buy Apocalypto (2006) Now

Apocalypto is a story about a Mayan man's, Jaguar Paw, epic journey. His peaceful, content village is attacked by a superior tribe and his people are slaughtered and enslaved. He escapes and has to deal with great obstacles while trying to race back to save his wife and child.

When I first heard what this was about and saw the trailer I feared that Mr. Gibson was losing his touch. The movie looked plain boring.

I can't remember the last time I have been so wrong.

I work for a production company that made a film with Mr. Gibson in the past and decided to write him to share how I felt about his work. Below is a copy of the letter I sent him:

"Dear Mr. Gibson,

I am writing to tell you how beautiful and powerful I think Apocalypto is. I first saw it one month ago and have seen it four more times since. I believe it is one of the best films ever made.

The story was magnificently crafted with characters and emotions I found I could easily relate to. It triggered emotions within me as I watched. I laughed hard with the characters. And I felt their fear, pain, hatred, love and desire. The gaps (between expectation and reality) were opened wider than in any movie I've seen in a very long time. My mind throbbed with contemplation when the old story teller told his people of how man took until the Earth had nothing left to give. I grew uneasy as I realized the similarities between the Mayan narcissism and that of great civilizations since, especially our (America's) own.

The epic chase was powerful and cerebral. Jaguar Paw's exhaustion and need was palpable. It is the greatest chase ever better than The Fugitive.

The cinematography was bold and vibrant. When combined with the powerful sound and fantastic casting, the story took hold of me from the opening scene right through to the credits.

Mr. Gibson, you have become one of my favorite directors. You now have two films on my short, all-time-favorite-movies list, which includes American Beauty, Braveheart, Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction and RKO 281. Apocalypto not only entertains, it evokes strong emotion and inspires soulful contemplation. Apocalypto is a true masterpiece. You are a master storyteller.

Sincerely,

[Scrutinizing Consumer]"

Read Best Reviews of Apocalypto (2006) Here

Apocalypto `s main merit resides in the original treatment which received this story placed in the Maya era. The film was planned according the classic patterns of a symphony of just three movements. The First one is the warmth Adagio where the viewer realizes the rituals and customs of a pacific tribe, and a casual encounter with a foreign tribe, the second movement has to do with the violent scenes of fight and defeat of the pacific tribe, whose leader: "Jaguar paw" will undertake the epic challenge to survive along the dynamic final movement And through the first two movements everything is OK, but the febrile human chase along the last third of movie is what it deserves the jewel of the crown. Shocking sequences and chilling fact will happen that will hold fixed to your seat. Gibson recreates the hero's journey with absolute realism with some commercial concessions here and there, that don't avoid the spectacular dynamic of the movie.

Go for this one!

Want Apocalypto (2006) Discount?

Mel Gibson does it yet again bigger and better!

Whether you love him or hate him, obviously the vast majority rule that Mel Gibson can not only act, but direct movies with the best of them. The tale of the tail tells all.

Hoo-hum Box Office sales, but the lead in DVD sales. That's with no doubt due to his ranting and subsequent arrest. But overlying all of this is the absolute high quality of storytelling and savage beauty he can lend to a film. This is without a doubt one of the best films ever made.

Filled with such raw beauty and savage violence, Gibson is smart enough to balance it with showing the love and caring his characters evoke. Not just rely on great action seqeunces, or special effects. The downfall of many a director.

This movie shines beautifully on my 65-inch HD T.V. Better than the theater. If you don't own a huge HD TV, then you must purchase one to get the full effect of such awesome filmed movies.

A must have for your library.

Save 27% Off

Touching the Void

My son and I came out of the theater exhausted just by watching this quasi-documentary reenactment of the 1985 ascent up an unclimbed route on the Siula Grande glacier in Peru. The film's impact is heightened by the excellent cutting between the actor/climbers and Simon Yates and Joe Simpson, who recall their actions, reactions, and feelings nearly 20 years later. Disaster strikes on the descent, where -as one of them notes -"80 percent of accidents happen." After Simpson breaks his leg in a fall, Yates -against impossible odds -continues to try and get him down. Finally, Simpson falls again, off the edge of the mountain. After hours of hanging on to what feels like dead weight, Yates cuts the rope to prevent himself from being gradually pulled into the void. Simpson's survival and return to base camp is nothing short of miraculous, suggesting that man is never more tenacious about life than when he is closest to losing it. Though far different in its circumstances, his story rivals that of Shackleton and the Endurance in Antartica three quarters of a century before. An underlying issue, addressed briefly in the film, is whether Yates should have cut the rope. Apparently some other climbers criticized him for doing so, but Simpson always defended his action. I have no idea how well the technical aspects of Touching the Void are done, but to this mostly earthboard amateur, they looked brilliantly and truly shot. Danger and beauty are scarcely separable in Touching the Void. When you are not immersed in the terror of Yates' and, especially, Simpson's plight, the frigid beauty of the glacier, the colors within its crevasses are glorious. A story of recklessness and great determination, superbly told, filled with many "how did they ever shoot that?" moments, Touching the Void must be seen.

I've seen countless movies over the years but I don't think I've ever been moved in quite the same way that I was watching Touching the Void. I first saw Touching the Void in a small art-house theater in Chicago, the experience was closer to going to church than going to the movies. The entire theater was dead quiet throughout the film but you could feel the tension throughout the room. After it was over I felt like I had been holding my breath for an hour and a half incredible when you consider that, this being a documentary, I more or less knew how it was going to end and others I talked to in the theater expressed the same feelings. I wasn't sure if anything would be lost in the transfer to DVD, it wasn't. Not only was the story just as gripping on the small screen but the extra features made a perfect movie-going experience even better. People marching off to see I, Robot or whatever other dreck Hollywood throws at us have no idea what they're missing in this masterpiece.

Buy Touching the Void Now

This film, based upon the international best seller of the same name, recounts an amazing tale of courage, fortitude, and the will to live, despite dire circumstances. About twenty or so years ago, British mountaineers Joe Simpson and his then climbing partner, Simon Yates, attempted to ascend a perilous section of the Peruvian Andes, Suila Grande, a majestic 21,000 foot peak that was nearly inaccessible. These two intrepid climbers tackled the mountain alpine style and, surprisingly, reached the summit, the first mountaineers to do so.

After reaching the summit, however, tragedy struck on their descent, when Joe, up over 19,000 feet, fell and hit a slope at the base of a cliff, breaking his right leg and rupturing his right knee. Beneath him was a seemingly endless fall to the bottom. When Simon reached him, they both knew that the chances for getting Joe off the mountain were virtually non-existent. Yet, Simon Yates fashioned a daring plan to do just that. For the next few hours, they worked in tandem through a snowstorm, and managed a risky, yet effective, way of trying to lower Joe down the mountain.

Several thousand feet down, Joe, who was roped to Simon, dropped off an edge and found himself now free hanging in space, about six feet away from an ice wall, unable to reach it with his axe. The edge was over hung above him and the dark outline of a yawning crevasse lay directly below him. Joe could not get up, and Simon could not get down. In fact, Joe's weight began to pull Simon off the mountain. So, Simon was finally forced to do the only thing he could do under the circumstances. He cut the rope, believing that he was consigning his friend to certain death. Therein lies the tale. It is at this point in the film that the real story begins.

What happens next is sure to make one believe in miracles. This is an absorbing, beautifully shot film. The story is told in a sort of unique docu-drama style, with actors re-enacting moments in this fantastic, true life tale of survival, while Joe Simpson and Simon Yates narrate what happened on that mountain. It is an absorbing piece of cinema, as it presents a somewhat novel and fresh way of telling this amazing survival story. The cinematography is magnificent, as the film is shot in the Peruvian Andes, where the incident occurred. Moreover, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates do the actual climbing scenes in the film. All armchair climbers will thrill to the sound of their crampons and axes digging into the ice. My only suggestion is that one read the book before viewing the film.

Read Best Reviews of Touching the Void Here

Climbers have always felt there was no need for the embarassing antics displayed in absurd films like Vertical Limit, MI-2, and Cliffhanger to get across the at-once dangerous and beautiful aspects of their sport. In fact, it was believed that a truly talented director could convey those things quite well through a little creativity rather than resorting to nitro-glycerine and cheesey free-soloing scenes to add suspense. So it was with great anticipation and a bit of skepticism that the release of this movie retelling the classic story of Joe Simpson's epic in the Andes was anticipated. No one was let down. This is a brilliantly done film, at the original scene, with the real climbers doing much of the legwork. The climbing scenes are shot with authenticity, and even the actors portraying the climbers did a good job. The horrible situation Simpson finds himself in and his deteriorating physical and mental condition are palpable and nerve-wracking. The feeling of desperation and hopelessness reaches the same heights achieved in the book, as does the anxiety and anguish of Simon (his partner). This is a classic film rendering of a classic book. This is one movie you must see; who knows if another climbing story will ever be done as well. And whether you're a climber or not, you will be just as close to the edge of your seat, all without the insulting Hollywood silliness.

Want Touching the Void Discount?

"Touching the Void" was also the name of the book that Joe Simpson wrote about the events shown in this astonishing movie. In 1985 Simon Yates and Joe went on one of those "we're going to do something that has never been done" kind of Mountain Climbs up a previously unconquered approach up Siula Grande in the Andes.

My wife told me that the film wasn't at all what she was expecting, so it is perhaps worth describing the format of the film. A small film crew, a couple of actors and Joe and Simon themselves returned to Siula Grande in 2002. Richard Hawking, who maintained the base camp at the foot of Siula Grande while Joe and Simon went off on their death-defying climb, comes along as well and seems to have one of the most balanced viewpoints among the original three members. The movie intercuts interviews with Joe and Simon and Richard with footage shot for this movie with actors portraying them. The shots of the Andes and glaciers and icy crevaces are spectacular outdoor photography. The present day Joe, Simon and Richard tell an absolutely spell-binding story of heroism and perseverence and bravery.

Well before the end of the movie I found myself wondering how in the world Simon ever made it off that mountain, and he had by far the easier time of it. Joe's survival is one of the most incredible stories of human endurance you'll ever hear. Seeing that both Joe and Simon made it to the making of this movie removes some of the tension of "oh my goodness! will they make it!" but knowing the ultimate outcome doesn't relieve the edge-of-your-seat-white-knuckle tension of hearing this incredible story.

As a bonus there is additional footage of "what happens next" plus a mini-documentary on the making of the movie. The movie essentially ends with Joe and Simon and Richard reunited at base camp. You KNOW that both climbers need urgent medical attention and Simon will require surgery for his shattered leg and the "what happens next" fills in some of those blanks.

The behind-the-scenes documentary gives you an idea of why the story depicted in the movie ends where it does. Simon comes under criticism from the climbing community when Joe and Richard are staunch supporters of his actions on the mountain. Joe returns to the mountain and memories he has suppressed for 15 years come flooding painfully back and he withdraws from the remainder of the crew. There is an emotional detachment in both men that seems odd to those of us in the audience but none of us have descended from the top of Siula Grande. They both experienced horrors that can't really be imagined even with the assistance of this movie. They have mentally walled off the events of 1985 into a place they don't allow others to and it seems obvious they don't want to go there either.

The "special features" complete the story, and don't diminish the magnitude of the bravery, perseverence, etc seen in the movie. Recommended for those who want to see what humans pushed to the edge can do. My hat is off to Joe and Simon and Richard as well it is plain that Richard was crucial to the survival of the other two.

Save 31% Off

The Strange Case of Angelica

Patrick Rogers, DVD Verdict --The Strange Case of Angelica has a style similar to a 1930s black and white picture. It's very set oriented with a minimalist and continuous camera technique intent on portraying realism instead of style. And yet realism slowly gives way to expressionism, much in the same way as a film by Carl Theodor Dreyer (The Passion of Joan of Arc). It's also a film set in the 1950s, but with more than a few anachronisms. This tendency helps to infuse the film with its fairy-tale sensibilities. The director is blending the lines between past, present, and future. To further this feeling is a beautifully refined mise en scène that feels believable and lived in with how the characters move and interact within its confines. The color palette is dominated by vibrant and whimsical blues and greens to capture the playful nature of the narrative and its characters, while also reveling in darker stone hued greys and slates for the more somber aspect of this tale of death and vitality counterpoised.

Many people will not like The Strange Case of Angelica. They'll find it boring or pointless, if not bordering on indulgent, in the way the film takes its time to make a point...any point. And yet this isn't a film that should be a massive crowd pleaser. For people looking to see something unique, or to see a slightly offbeat love story instead of the more generic fodder we're all exposed to, then you might just find a little something to like here. Most importantly, Cinema Guild has released a splendid Blu-ray in order to make the film that much easier to digest and to appreciate.

The AVC/MPEG-4 1.85:1/1080p transfer is detailed though flawed. The richly varied color palette is beautifully rendered, while the visual effects employed by Oliveira are given an even great sense of clarity. There's also a great underlying grain structure to the whole affair. One negative aspect is that the black levels are too washed out or murky in some scenes, but it's not a constant. The DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track is also elegantly understated. The film's simplistic yet potently effective score is given a great level of vibrancy in the front channels but never quite gets the push it needs in the back channels. The dialogue and sound effects are also crisp and audible but mostly dominate in the front channels.

But the real effort for this disc is put into the special features. First up, we are given Oliveira's first silent film, Douro, Faina Fluvial, with an all-new 2k restoration. It's great to view this short film not only for the obvious craftsmanship and ability to better trace the director's auteur status, but also because it puts Oliveira's long career and evolution into perspective. There's also a stellar commentary by film curator and critic James Quandt who theorizes and discusses in great detail the film itself, while also contextualizing Oliveira's oeuvre as a whole.

To round out the special features, there's a 63 minute documentary called Oliveira L'Architecte by Paulo Rocha which is a very intimate look into the life and career of the director. There's also a 35 minute conversation with Oliveira which, combined with these other features, will answer any last question you may have had about the man. There's also a theatrical film and an amazing booklet essay by Haden Guest, director of the Harvard Film Archive. You really couldn't ask for a better host of special features.

-Full review at dvdverdict.com

I happened to see director Manoel de Oliveira's 2009 "Eccentricities of a Blonde-haired Girl" last year, and now comes the legendary movie-maker's next movie.

"The Strange Case of Angelica" (originally released in Portugal in 2010; 107 min.) brings another slice of magic-realism from de Oliveira. Set in the Porto region, the movie brings the curious tale of Isaac, a Jewish-Portuguese photographer who is called in the middle of the night to photograph the just-deceased Angelica, a young woman who had just married. When taking pictures, Angelica strangely comes to life again through the camera lense. As Isaac later develops the pictures he has taken, Angelica comes to life again, and subsequelty also into his dreams, which seem real-life like to him. But is it a good dream or a nightmare? Separately, Isaac has a strong interest in taking pictures of the laborers working the farm fields in the area. How it all plays out (and how both those story lines are intertwined), I will leave up to you to discover. The movie moves at snail's pace, and that's meant as a compliment.

Just a reminder: Manoel de Oliveira was a crisp 101 years old when he wrote and directed this movie. Wow, just wow. But wait! There is more! This DVD comes with a bunch of extras, none more so than his very first movie, a 20 min. documentary made in 1931 called "Douro, Faina Fluvial", documenting the life and times of people working in and around the Douro river in Porto, yes the very same setting of this "Angelica" movie, now 80 years later! There is also an incredible interview with the director, made in March, 2010 when he was in the final editing process of the movie. Listen to him commenting on "Avatar", violence in movies for violence sake, John Ford, and many other juicy comments. What a great DVD all around, and not just for the intruiging "Angelica" movie. Not for anyone in a hurry, but highly recommended!

Buy The Strange Case of Angelica Now

This would be a better title, as the film is primarily about an introverted photographer who becomes emotionally unstable after photographing a deceased married woman at the request of her family. The film only features "Angelica" for very short moments, and as others have pointed out, it is a very slow paced film with plenty of extra dialogue and lingering shots that do not necessarily add anything to the film. de Oliveira's Eccentricities of a Blonde-Haired Girl was under 70 minutes, and I feel this film could have benefitted from a shorter run time. Nonetheless, I found it a good character study of a man who turns his back on people in a crowded room, chooses to shoot with an old film camera in the digital photography age, and is interested in taking pictures of the few manual laborers still working the hillside of the Portuguese city of Porto. It is more a psychological film rather than the fantasy one the trailer makes it out to be. This becomes an overall sad tale of a man who appears to be so lonely, that he has to resort to fantasizing over someone he'll never have apart from viewing her in his photos. The cinematography has some nice touches (like the interior scene with the orange goldfish) and features a mostly bland color palette, with Isaac wearing very conservative black and white clothing throughout, and several older characters who do not wear the latest fashions. If it weren't for the children wearing backpacks in the trailer, you would think the film was set in the 1950's, but it is a contemporary Portuguese setting.

Read Best Reviews of The Strange Case of Angelica Here

The Punisher / Punisher: War Zone (Two-Pack) (2011)

The movies come as two fully cased movies wrapped together with cellophane. I expected two disks in one case. This is not a big deal, but good information to know (especially if you are running out of room in the media cabinet, like I am.)

1. This was great how they put both Punisher movies in one Blu-Ray pack!

The PunisherIt my been a little too slow at parts, but it was well filmed and when the action starts it's really hardcore! Especially the fight between the Punisher (Thomas Jane) and the Russian (Kevin Nash)! It's one of the goofiest and violent fights you'll ever see! Plus the movie has a great cast with John Travolta as the lead villan! Over all; this movie was a great story about death, grief, revenge, and lots of guns! My grade; B+ ,or; four stars!

The Punisher: War ZoneThe kept true to the comic books for the most part, but the movie went a little too over the top with the violence, to choppy with the story's pace, plus Ray Stevenson had little more to do than look gloomy half the time! But the action is a little more hardcore than the first movie, a most of the characters are memorable! My grade; C ,or; two stars!

Bottom line: if you are a Punisher fan, this Blu-Ray is for you!

Buy The Punisher / Punisher: War Zone (Two-Pack) (2011) Now

Both movies are great but I enjoy the first a little more. Definitely films I will watch again and again.

Read Best Reviews of The Punisher / Punisher: War Zone (Two-Pack) (2011) Here

"Punisher" was really good (four stars). It had action and decent story-telling. I would call it superior by far to the one that starred Dulf Lundgren that came out several years ago. Would suggest it to comic book fans and fans of good action films.

"War Zone" wasn't as good (2.5 stars) It had a different actor and the storytelling was lacking, and it also didn't really transition from the first film. Although the action sequences were ok, I would only suggest it to die-hard fans.

Want The Punisher / Punisher: War Zone (Two-Pack) (2011) Discount?

This movie is really fun to watch and I like the part where he punishes people severely hurting them for their injustices.

Save 35% Off

War Wagon

Gunfighter Taw Jackson (John Wayne) recruits a motley crew of sidekicks to rob ruthless mine owner, Frank Pierce (Bruce Cabot). Pierce routinely transports a fortune in gold dust in an armored stagecoach called "The War Wagon." Complete with a small army of guards and a Gatling gun, The War Wagon is formidable. Taw figures to settle old scores by devising a complex plan to steal the gold. John Wayne was good at big budget B pictures. This flick is very different from a John Ford masterpiece, but so what? This movie is a typical Batjac action-adventure flick with comic overtones. Wayne trades verbal barbs with Lomax (Kirk Douglas), a too-cool hired gun. Howard Keel is Levi Walking Bear, a comic and politically incorrect Indian. Robert Walker is a drunken explosives expert. Keenan Wynn is a sadistic teamster. They each play a role in the carefully timed execution of the robbery. Unaware of their thieving alliance, Pierce hires Lomax to kill Taw, setting up several tense situations. The supporting cast includes members of Wayne's Batjac production company family. Look for Bruce Dern, Gene Evans, and Sheb Wooley in small roles. Throw in colorful outdoor locations, a saloon brawl, lots of hard-riding action, and it's great fun for Western movie fans. It's well worth the price. ;-)

Well, if you're into double-dipping for DVDs, this RE-PACKAGED/RE-RELEASED downer dvd is for you. Universal did the big SIN all right, they took their original dvd release of The War Wagon, and gave us the same non-animorphic release as they did the first time, only with a different packaging so us suckers hoping for a better, cleaner, or at least animorphic widescreen version, would be duped into buying the same thing twice.

If you've come here, then like myself you love this entertaining pairing of two of Hollywoods greatest leading men, John Wayne and Kirk Douglas. Their on-screen chemistry is perfect in this not-so-buddy Western, where Taw Jackson (Wayne) gets out of prison after serving only 3 years for a crime he was framed for, and gets together a misfit group of men to rob the man that robbed him of half-a-million in gold. If they can stop The War Wagon.

If you already have the original white and red colored widescreen release, don't spend your money again on this newly package "Universal Western Collection" release (brown in color). It is EXACTLY the same print, with the same poor extras as that first release. Some scant production notes, cast and filmakers (again scant) film highlights, theatrical trailor. Exactly the same. I'll give the extra copy I now own to a friend of mine who also loves John Wayne. And someday, maybe a good studio will give The War Wagon the dvd release it deserves-we don't need 5.1 surround(this was originally a mono-stereo release); just animorphic widescreen with a restored print which does not show the speckles of age.

Buy War Wagon Now

This is a movie about revenge. It's about the quest of one man, Taw Jackson (Wayne), to get even with the man who set him up and stole his ranch. To get his vengeance, Taw puts together a small group of men, including a gunfighter who's been hired to kill him (Douglas), to help him rob the "War Wagon," so named because it is an iron stagecoach complete with a gattling gun and a large complement of mounted guards. The five men scheme, plan, and concoct a plan to steal the wagon, and Taw and Lomax (Douglas) try to refrain from killing each other in the process.

This is not meant to be a completely serious Western, and in fact it is quite lighthearted. It is also funny, with just enough comic relief to keep things lively. Douglas and Wayne are absolutely fabulous together, and the rest of the cast works well too. This is a great all-around Western.

Read Best Reviews of War Wagon Here

I didn't like the "War Wagon" when it was first released, I found it rather silly and vaguely offensive. The problem was me, I was not ready to recognize, let alone relate to, a subtle parody of the western genre. I should have been more receptive because in the mid-60s a huge amount of genre parody began to appear on television ("Batman", 'Wild Wild West", "F-Troop", "Get Smart"), which could be traced back to gently tongue-in-cheek series like "Maverick" and "Zorro".

"Cat Ballou" (1965) was the first feature length parody of Western generic clichés. But its parody elements were obvious, even if you were not that familiar with the conventions of the Western genre you could recognize exaggerations and revisions. In addition, up to this point John Wayne films had given the Western genre only very traditional treatments.

But "The War Wagon" was only the first example of director Burt Kennedy's tweaking of the genre. He would follow it up with "Support Your Local Sheriff" (1969), "Hannie Caulder" (1971), and "Support Your Local Gunfighter" (1971). Wayne would toy with parodic elements two years later with "True Grit", and would stay much less traditional with the remainder of his westerns.

"The War Wagon" is also a genre hybrid as western is mixed with buddy picture and big heist movie. Taw (John Wayne) recruits an old enemy Lomax (Kirk Douglas) as he seeks revenge on a ruthless mine owner (Bruce Cabot) who not only framed and sent to him prison, but appropriated his ranch and personal possessions after a huge gold strike was discovered on ranch property (here we go with the exaggeration-the only things missing are stealing Taw's wife, adopting his children, and leaving his toilet seat up). Cabot transports his gold in a "Wild Wild West" inspired armored wagon.

The interplay between Wayne and Douglas (who always seems right on the verge of accepting Cabot's standing offer of $12,000 to kill Wayne) is clever and sarcastic, working with the many exaggerated elements to provide the film's considerable humor.

"The War Wagon" finds Wayne on the wrong side of established authority, for at least the third time as his Ethan Edwards character in "The Searchers" also operated well outside the law and Quirt Evans in "Angel and the Badman" had to be bad enough that he could be reformed by Gail Russell.

Howard Keel plays the civilized Indian sidekick mostly for comic relief and the characters actually demonstrate an awareness of the movie context when they self-reflexively (deliberately drawing attention to their playing characters in a movie) refer to a tactic as an old Indian trick. Ultimately the joke (and the irony) is on Wayne and Douglas, as their seemingly one-sided deal with the Indians (a few blankets in exchange for their participation) causes the Indians to end up with most the rewards.

"The War Wagon's" understated parody style would inspire John Huston ("The Life & Times Of Judge Roy Bean") and George Roy Hill ("The Sting"); and of course many others.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Want War Wagon Discount?

The War Wagon is a good comedy western starring John Wayne and Kirk Douglass as two men attempting to steal a shipment of gold. Wayne stars as Taw Jackson, a man recently released from prison after being framed, who wants to get revenge on the man who put him in jail(Bruce Cabot). Kirk Douglass is Lomax, Wayne's greedy, cocky partner. These two are perfect together as they try and figure out how to rob the "war wagon." Their dialogue is sharp and cutting with insults being handed back and forth.

The movie is very entertaining to watch. Excellent cast backing up Wayne and Douglass including Howard Keel as Levi Walking Bear. There is enough action and humor for everybody in this western. DVD presentation is good in widescreen with a trailer included even though it is a little pricey. Well worth it for Duke fans!

Save 14% Off

NFL Super Bowl XLVI Champions: 2011 New York Giants (2012)

I've been duped into buying each of the Giants' last two Super Bowl winning seasons DVDs. NFL Films, thanks for taking my money while delivering a pedestrian, rushed-to-market product.

My chief complaint with this (and with the Super Bowl 42 DVD) is that the narration fails to TELL THE STORY of the season. It's hard to make this Giants campaign seem flavorless, but they did. The format of the film is such that they'll go over a few highlights of each game rather journalistically, move on to the next one, and lather, rinse, repeat. There is very little commentary and they barely put anything in context. How about beginning with the fact that the team was widely criticized for making no free agent impact, for allowing Steve Smith to slip to Philadelphia, to see Plax return with the Jets? How about mentioning the fact that each of Coughlin's eight seasons in New York have begun with a 5-2 or better record, and late season declines were a pattern that was on the minds of everyone when they seemed to begin another one? How about discussing the emergence of JPP, the contract dispute with Osi, or Justin Tuck's tumultuous season -rife with personal lose and physical injury -before returning to strengthen the defense down the stretch? Or Eli Manning's bounce back year, in which he defended his pre-season remarks and reversed a nasty turnover trend to throw a record-setting 15 TD passes in the fourth quarter? No, no mention of any of this. Instead, all you get is "Bradshaw ran for a TD... then Eli threw for one... the Giants won X to Y. The next week, Cruz had two TDs, Corey Webster had an INT, the Giants won X to Y..."

In fairness, the footage is pretty spectacular. Makes you wonder where it is when the officials don't have a good view on a replay review and the announcers are telling you "all they have is what you're seeing on your screen, folks."

The bottom line is, I get these DVDs so I can remember the finer points of a miraculous season and so that in 10, 20 years time, I can pop the DVD in and bring this season back to life. I seriously doubt that this product will serve that purpose.

At about an hour and fifteen minutes, the feature program is longer than most other Super Bowl recap DVD's of recent memory. I was expecting the standard 30 minute retelling of the Super Bowl and short snippets of the season's highlights leading up to it, but what I got was a comprehensive review of every Giant game this season, win or lose, and the featured play from each game in high definition on blu-ray.

What makes this program special is the fact that NFL Films has recently elevated their high definition photography to an art form, so every play is stunning in its appearance and when the players are miked up for sound and they are hit or are hitting, the brutality of the sport is graphically spotlighted. On a good sound system, some of these hits sound as brutal as they look.

Obviously, for the Giant fan, buying this memento of another improbable run is a no-brainer, but even for the casual NFL fan, this feature-length film features some of the best behind-the-scene footage of preseason coaching, banter between officials and players, sideline discussions (including the now-infamous Bill Belichick "make 'em throw it to Manningham" plea during the Super Bowl) and other rare moments that only the NFL Films crew has access to.

The scene selections are divided by game, so if you wish to fast forward through the Giants mid-season swoon and get to the good stuff, just flick the remote and off you go! What I also liked about the program is the highlighting of all players who played an integral part in this championship, like Victor Cruz, Jason Pierre-Paul and even Chase Blackburn. Sure, this is Eli's team, but you are not beaten over the head with it, like you were with the Aaron Rogers or Drew Brees love-fest videos. This was truly a team effort, and the narrative certainly makes the most of that theme.

I also like how candid they were able to get with Tom Coughlin, particularly his heartfelt post game speeches, and especially with linebacker Michael Boley, who you can clearly see took over Michael Strahan's role as the emotional leader of this defense, and who I believe was even more emotionally invested this year than Strahan was during the 2007 run. I certainly hope they peg him for at least one spot in the America's Game film of this team's story. I vote for Boley, Cruz and either Pierre-Paul or Ahmad Bradshaw to be the narrators, as Coughlin and Manning are probably not going to repeat...all I can do is speculate of course!

The bonus material is not extensive, but it does feature the Super Bowl ceremony with everyone humorously assaulting Raymond Berry as he escorts the Lombardi Trophy through the field, as well as Super Bowl Media Day highlights, a short Super Bowl XLII retrospective (borrowed liberally from the NFL Films feature) among a half dozen or so clips and highlights. Nothing to write home about, but that's hopefully not what you bought it for.

All in all, NFL Film's ability to be EVERYWHERE during filming of these games (including in the cheap seats!) makes this a truly unique perspective on a truly unique season and team. I think the most memorable moment of this feature is the very prophetic shot of Mario Manningham's mother in deep focus in the stands at the Super Bowl, then a close up on her son and Manning, just before Eli calls the play that ultimately defines and decides Super Bowl XLVI. You'll be asking yourself, how did they know? Maybe they already knew it was destiny repeating itself...

Buy NFL Super Bowl XLVI Champions: 2011 New York Giants (2012) Now

This is an ACTUAL review of the DVD, and not a bunch of whining about Blu-Ray or Hi-def or what people think this DVD should contain. Such things are of no matter to me personally. As long as I have a lasting document of this incredible season, I am happy.

I received the DVD earlier today, in advance of the Tuesday release date. All I can say is...stunning!

The first thing I must say is that to call this a season's highlight package is to sell this production woefully short. "Cinematic" is a more appropriate term. NFL Films, as a production studio, consistently puts out a product that rivals any Hollywood studio and can easily play on the big screen. You will have a greater appreciation of how fast and violent this game is when watching this, or anything from NFL Films. When you see the camera focused on a ball in flight, that is likely from the camera of Donnie Marx. That's his signature shot. He's got to be one of the best cameramen working in any medium. His shot of Tom Brady's "Fail Mary" at the end of the Super Bowl is a thing of beauty.

About this DVD in particular, I got chills and that nervous stomach when watching, even though I knew what was going to happen. If you were already a fan of Giants' WR Victor Cruz, you will grow to love him even more. NFL Films was able to capture him in those moments, and you'll see that he plays the game with a team-first attitude and a childlike enthusiasm (on display when the Giants win the NFC Championship, and sprints across the field). I have to use the world "childlike", because when he is handed the Lombardi Trophy, his eyes open wide and he looks at the trophy as if he's reliving the moment he held his first child a few weeks earlier. I also love an exchange between Safety Deon Grant and one of the refs during the Atlanta playoff game where Grant argues the spot of the ball. The ref tells Grant to do his job and he'll do his. Grant replied that he DID his job and that why the spot is where HE said it was. Classic stuff.

I think the one tiny complaint that I have with the DVD is that it focused on Giants' WR Domenik Hixon's acrobatic TD catch against the Rams. But they don't mention that it was Victor Cruz's window into the starting lineup, since Hixon suffered a season-ending injury to his ACL on the play. I DID like that they didn't spend too much time on the shellacking that New Orleans put on the Giants on that Monday night.

The one major complaint that I had about the Giants "Road to SB XLII" set is addressed on this DVD, as the Super Bowl XLVI Post-game trophy ceremony is presented in the special features, along with Media Day highlights from the NFL Network, an interview with Eli Manning conducted by the man he supplanted as Giants QB...Kurt Warner, A interview with the Giants WR Corps, and a feature on Super Bowl XLII hero David Tyree.

Giants fans...I really can't wait for you to see this DVD!

Read Best Reviews of NFL Super Bowl XLVI Champions: 2011 New York Giants (2012) Here

First, this isn't the Super Bowl XLVI "Road to the Super Bowl" production, which contains the entire Super Bowl and Playoff Games. That DVD collection should be out some time this spring/summer. "NFL Super Bowl XLVI Champions: 2011 New York Giants" is a Giants' 2011 highlight DVD/Blu-ray. It contains highlights of every regular season game, playoff game, and of course Super Bowl XLVI. There are some very nice special features too, which include:

Super Bowl XLVI Media Day

Super Bowl XLVI Post-Game Ceremonies

Super Bowl XLII Recap

The Eli Manning Conversation

Back To The Future

The Receiving Giants

Catching Up With David Tyree

2011 NFL Shots of the Year

2011 NFL Players Wired For Sound

2011 NFL Coaches Wires For Sound

The Blu-ray transfer is superb, and is a must have for any Giants' Fan.

Want NFL Super Bowl XLVI Champions: 2011 New York Giants (2012) Discount?

One thing's for sure is that Tom Brady proved that he is no longer an elite quarterback in the game (can he regain his elite status? maybe). Regardless, his terrible rookie-like mistakes cost the NE Patriots the Superbowl and handed Eli Manning an extra ring. Could the Patriots won in spite of Brady? maybe if they got really, really lucky and had a healthy Gronkowski. I give the Pats credit for being in a semi-rebuilding year and still making the Superbowl, but I give the Giants credit for not making any big mistakes. And while I admit that Manning's not an elite quarterback, he didn't make any big mistakes. And that is what you want out of your quarterback. Period. No big mistakes for Big Blue.

Save 40% Off

Nowhere to Run (1993)

Well first of all I never really liked Van Damme's movies, well it's not so much that I didn't like them but it was pretty much the same thing over and over again...he would beat up people. However, this movie had a different story line. It wasn't only an action movie, but a drama as well. I think that he did a great job potraying the character and he really took on the role of the "father" for the little boy. I think he did a great job with that, since when you looked at him, you could tell that he wanted to be part of that family. I think he should do more movies like this, and it is definetely worth seeing/buying...you'll enjoy it :). So don't wait any longer, BUY it. Oh and this one isn't only for guys...my mom saw it with me and she enjoyed it as well. I believe females will enjoy this one as well.

This was such a well made movie and i don't understand why JCVD doesn't do more movies like this! They made JCVD more human than he was in films like Universal Soldier and Bloodsport because he was not the "i will kick your ass any day" guy. He was the "i will kick your ass to protect this family" guy. It also had an ending that the others didn't, but i won't spoil it for you. I love this movie, JCVD's best work!

Buy Nowhere to Run (1993) Now

The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)

1. Who is he? Sam Gillen, a criminal on the loose

2. Which family member/friend must be avenged? His friend Billy, who breaks him out of police custody, and Clydie (Rosanna Arquette), a worn down widow and mother of two youngsters

3. Does he take his shirt off? In one of the most disturbingly inappropriate images possible in a movie, Sam is completely naked in front of Clydie's children. Luckily, the viewers are spared.

4. Does he have sex with a C-List actress? In one of his most provocative sex scenes ever, Sam and Arquette do a little carnal gymnastics (JCVD gets to a legit second base on film).

5. Is there a tournament? JCVD steers away from his kumite roots in this one.

6. Is training needed for this tournament? He clearly trained and prepared in some way, because he beats everyone down, has a law degree, understands the nuances of the animalistic fright-versus-flight dynamic, is an accomplished motorcycle stuntman, and knows how to drive a forklift.

7. Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? Sorry JCVD fans, no splits.

8. Does he punch someone in the balls? In the first fight of the movie, one unfortunate guy gets an axe handle to the jewels.

9. Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? No jumping of flying in this one.

10. Is his enemy unbeatable? Essentially he's fighting "The Man" and "The System"; so, it depends on your point of view.

11. Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? It's possible that he had some broken ribs, but that didn't stop him from fixing Clydie's pipes.

12. Does he win? Hmmm...

Nowhere to Run is almost a mirror image of the 1953 classic Shane. An outlaw escaping his past, houses up with a family struggling against the classic tale of greedy corporation versus small land owner. With a sheriff played by the guy who played Mr. Belding's brother in one episode of "Saved by the Bell" paid off by the land developer, and a creepy henchman played by Ted Levine, a man who appears to be perfectly suited for only that role, it's up to Sam to save the day. Motivated by the taut, perky body of Arquette, not to mention multiple full frontal shower and sex scenes, JCVD gives us perhaps the best movie in his legendary career, following the lead from Shane one last time, as he rides off into the sunset of an ambiguous future.

Read Best Reviews of Nowhere to Run (1993) Here

An escaped convict, Sam (Jean Claude Van Damme), hides out on the ranch property of a single mother, Clyddie (Rosana Arquette), and her two children, and ends up helping the family to stand-up to an unscrupulous developer (Joss Ackland) who wants to buy Clyddie's land to mine it.

"Nowhere to Run" is not a great film. The plot is lifted directly from some old western and is utterly contrived and predictable, and the two young children seem to only be included in the story in order to emotionally manipulate the audience. Jean Claude Van Damme doesn't even get to show off his martial arts skills all that much. Nevertheless, in spite of all of the above, somehow this film managed to work, and I enjoyed it more than many films that are far better made. It is a fun, mindless action movie that kept me entertained and didn't tax my brain too much. Sure, the script is laughably bad at times (in particular the romance elements and any scenes involving Van Damme's relationship with Clyddie's son), but that just added to the entertainment value. Provided that you go into this film not expecting too much, you too will probably enjoy it.

Want Nowhere to Run (1993) Discount?

An escaped convict befriends a young widow and helps her battle corrupt land developers who want to force her off her land. Jean-Claude Van Damme does an excellent job in all of his movies. Van Damme shows more acting than action in this movie. Van Damme does not display the full martial arts arsenal, but he does display surprisingly effective acting as he does not overact in a role that possess more serious evocation than his other martial arts movies. Very entertaining movie.

Save 47% Off

Judas Kiss Blu-ray

For me, Judas Kiss (which I saw at the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco this past June)represents a huge leap in indie gay film making. After years of coming out stories (who have their place, but are clichéd riddled these days), it was fun to see a movie where no one was suicidal about being gay, was not being beat up because they're gay or just worried they could be gay. It also differs from the others in this genre with its lush cinematography and impressive use of CGI effects (and on such a low-budget I know these movies work with). In this film, screenwriter Carlos Pedraza (the web series Star Trek: Phase II) and director J.T. Tepnapa (the funny short Masturbation: Putting the Fun into Self-Loving and the web series Star Trek: Hidden Frontier) takes a simple idea -what if you could go back in time and change your pastand spins a tale about the paths we choose when we're young, and how (at the time) we never think about the consequences of our actions. From that idea, the movie then borrows equal parts The Twilight Zone and a dash of A Christmas Carol and takes us on a journey that while familiar, it is never boring. Charlie David has never been better, giving a wonderful performance of a man in search of redemption for the sins of his past. Then there is Richard Harmon who shines as the troubled young man in search of life outside the reach of his damaged father (he also gave a creepy and memorable performance in AMC's The Killing this past spring). Harmon is brilliantly watchable in what should be a breakout performance. Meanwhile, Belgium singer/actor Timo Descamps as the evil Big Man on Campus is equally as good, along with the talented Julia Morizawa. Then there's Sean Paul Lockhart as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Well known for his gay adult films as Brent Corrigan, Lockhart proves he can act. He's likable, charming and vulnerable, but confident in what he wants. Like Harmon, this could be a game changer for the him.

"Judas Kiss" is a rather creative and ambitious story about destiny and second chances. The main character is "Zachary", a 30-something failed movie director (David's character) who reluctantly agrees to help judge a film school scholarship competition at his old alma mater. Being housed in a dorm room for the festival makes this even more of a journey for Zachary, since it reminds him of all the promise and potential he showed back then, which he sold out by making some bad decisions then and since. At a gay bar near campus, he meets a student (played by Richard Harmon) with whom he spends the night. It's not until the next day, meeting the filmmakers, that he realizes the young man is one of the contestants. Even stranger: the young man's name is Danny Reyes, which is Zachary's real name, and the film he presenting is actually one that Zachary made when he went to the school. A mysterious older man clues him in that he is somehow being given a second chance to perhaps change his life, by helping the younger version of him make better choices than he made when he was in his shoes.

Supporting, fully developed and relatable characters include Shane (Timo Descamps) a singer/artist into "vampire" videos who is the spoiled son of one of the school's richest benefactors, and his filming assistant Chris (Sean Paul Lockhart), and the film has a nice, original soundtrack that adds to the film, which is low budget but done remarkably well considering I did chuckle a bit that it looks like they used an old disco ball to generate some cheap "special effects" in a couple of scenes). Usually, the words "Starring Charlie David" aren't much of a draw for me, but he is actually quite good in this role, much deeper than the usual "hot guy" he plays and has considerable depth and emotion. Harmon is also excellent in his role.

Not rated, but would likely be an R due to sexual content. ... Watch it through the end credits, as the entire cast sings a song that can't be missed! DVD has extensive extras, including commentary, a "making of" feature, deleted scenes and a music video by Descamps (who apparently is a big teen idol in Belgium). May not be for everyone, but I thought it was a great effort. Five stars out of five.

Buy Judas Kiss Blu-ray Now

This film, Judas Kiss, was absolutely amazing, and everyone leaving the film festival theater where I recently saw it was touched by it and its message of regret, redemption, and hope for the future. Judas Kiss has a little bit of something for everyone, but most especially, it is a story that every viewer can relate to... reflection upon one's own life, regret over decisions made, and what you might have done differently if you could. In this innovative film, the character of Zach actually does get a chance to change some things in his younger life. But will his younger self, in that "all-knowing-invincible arrogance" of teenage youth, listen to his older self, and take a different path that will change both of their futures? That indeed is the question in this charmer of a film.

The film has a professional and compelling soundtrack, lighting, photography, and editing, I was blown away by its message of regret, redemption, and the possibility of change. Charlie David, Sean Lockhart, Timo Descamps, Julia Morizawa, and the rest of the cast truly give stellar performances, beyond what is often expected in independent films.

Viewers will be transported to this quirky, mystical intersection of time and space, and experience similar emotions as the characters on screen. Viewers will ponder how they, too, could change their own life, and, indeed, change their own future. Beginning right then and there. I know this for a fact because everyone at the film festival where it played did just that. Everyone was thinking about it. To me, that is the success of this smart and bright indie film from director/writer J.T. Tepnapa and producer/writer Carlos Pedraza (who were amazing in the Question and Answer session held afterward).

Be aware, Judas Kiss is an edgy film, and there are several graphic and emotional scenes that are intentionally made to evoke some emotional response from the viewers. That being said, all is done tastefully and artistically, and viewers will be glad that they saw this little gem of a film.

I can't wait for it to be available on DVD -it will definitely be a stocking stuffer for many of my friends -gay, straight, bi, and whatever.

Read Best Reviews of Judas Kiss Blu-ray Here

I was expecting a lot from this movie, since, well, the tam-tam was huge, the cast was good, and yes, I was really interesting in see how they would interact with each other, who will be with whom and so on.

Charlie David was perfect for his role, a man disappointed with his present life and in no mood to walk through the memory line to be a judge in a college movie festival, the same college and the same movie festival crowning him 15 years ago and now completely forgetting who he is.

Richard Harmon is so "haunting" that is no wonder all the cute boys want to sleep with him (and most manage to). He has an attitude but he seems to deserve it also. He is beautiful, probably even too beautiful and he has got talent, probably even too much. He wants to be someone, but he wants also to escape from his past. And, in the end, he prefers when men take advantage of him, manipulate him, betray him... for him it's how the ways are, how he is expecting to be treated.

That is the reason why he seems to prefer Shane to Chris, even if, actually, he is playing with both of them (and on the side also with Zach).

Sean Paul Lockhart in the role of Chris is probably, with Harmon, the best discovery of this movie. The right dose of enticing young boy, the right dose of shyness, he is the safety against the allure of Shane. I think I understood who Chris is in Danny's future, or maybe it's what I want to believe for them. He played the "innocent/naive/nerd" boyfriend in comparison to Timo Descamps's "aloof/cold/socialite" one, and maybe that made me smile, considering all. But he was cute, and that was what the director wanted, he wanted him to represent the peanut butter in comparison to Timo's dark chocolate. I think he was good in being so.

All in all a good movie, low budget but you barely notice it, and some of the camera shot are almost paintings so good they are. And, I was almost forgetting... good sex scene too, saying all it has to be said without showing gratuituos naked bodies.

Want Judas Kiss Blu-ray Discount?

JUDAS KISS is a polished little film that successfully mixes gay issues with science fiction. Written (with Carlos Pedraza) and directed by young J.T. Tepnapa it manages to take a dream idea and by incorporating the use of sci-fi create a story with which almost everyone can relate. It introduces some fresh talent and allows some seasoned actors to keep the quality of the film on keel.

Zachary Well (Charlie David) is a failed filmmaker who despite a promising career in college left school to respond to the magnet of Hollywood: fifteen years later his life now is in and out of rehab and waiting tables because his dream of fame in la-la-land didn't happen. Zach's friend Topher (Troy Fischnaller) is successful and when an emergency trip arises he asks Zach to replace him as a judge for the filmmaking class at Zach's old college. With great trepidation Zach goes back to his alma mater, is housed in the freshman dorm, visits the local gay bar and has an encounter with a student one Danny Reyes (Richard Harmon). The next day as Zach is preparing for the judging he discovers the name of his previous night's encounter and cannot believe that Danny Reyes hnot only has Zach's previous name but also is a contestant in the film contest with a film by the same name that Zach had written and made 15 years ago. Other characters enter the scene Chris (Sean Paul Lockhart) who is Danny's paramour but who Danny is rejecting in favor of Shane (Timo Descamps) whose parents are wealthy and are supporting the film contest; Abbey (Julia Morizawa) who is Danny's assistant; and Danny's father (Vince Valensuela). The bizarre aspect of this is that Danny Reyes not only possess Zach's name but also Danny's life and associations mirror Zach's when he was in college. Characters form the past and imaginary situations occur and Zach sees in Danny the opportunity to make the result of the film contest different and thus alter the destiny of Danny Reyes.

The story makes sense as a campus story but the interesting aspect of the film is the clever way in which elements of science fiction (via camera work and music and Trompe l'oeil) bring the story to a level of reconsidering the past and seeing where different actions could have possibly resulted in a more successful present. It works and bodes well for the career of JT Tepnada. Grady Harp, November 11

Dogma

Don't listen to the zealots, this is a great movie. Many people believe that this movie "bashes" Christianity, Catholicism in particular. Now, like Kevin Smith, I am a Catholic, and I was in no way offended by this movie, in fact I saw it five times in the theater. This is a movie that shows the idiosyncracies in church dogma, just as every structure has idiosyncracies. The movie shows these points through an interesting and entertaining story of good v. evil. The overall theme of this movie is that people should be more open to new ideas and to realize what Christ was all about, love and understanding. "Jesus wasn't sent to earth to give us the 'willies,' he is a booster." Finally, this is a great movie, with great ideas and great dialogue. I believe that it is Kevin Smith's best work to date. Matt Damon, Jason Lee, Linda Fiorentino, George Carlin, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Alan Rickman, and Chris Rock all give very good performances, but Ben Affleck does a wonderful job as Bartleby. I would certainly suggest this movie to anyone. Faith is a funny thing.

As a pair of two lapsed Catholics, My husband and I rented this movie on the recommendation of another catholic friend of ours. From the moment they unveiled the hilarious "Buddy Christ" to the moment the ending credits appeared we were rolling on the floor howling with laughter as only two people who spent years in catholic school could.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were great as two fallen angels banished by God to hell (Wisconsin) trying to get back into Heaven through a loophole in Catholic dogma. Which would unfortunately destroy the world because it would prove God fallible. Chris Rock was a very funny 13th Apostle named Rufus and Selma Hayek's role as a feisty muse name Serendipity was also good. Jason Mews and Kevin Smith himself in their perennial roles as "Jay" and "Silent Bob" were a scream as two unlikely "prophets" sent to aid the last Scion played by Linda Fiorentino. My favorite performance was that of Alan Rickman who played the surly and much put upon Metatron (or the voice of God). He portrayed the long suffering character of God's right hand angel with an excellent mix of irony, dry humor, and compassion. His fiery entrance scene was classically funny!

I felt that the weakest performance was that of Fiorentino's who played the main character Bethany, the last Scion charged with the mission of stopping the renegade angels. While she did a good job, there was something that seemed slightly forced in her portrayal of a catholic (who worked in an abortion clinic by the way) struggling with her beliefs just going through the motions of faith. The sarcastic lines lacked some bite and her expressions seemed a bit contrived. Her performance improved in the middle of the movie during her scene with Rickman after she discovers her true identity.

Overall, I felt that Dogma was not about bashing the Catholic church, but about some of the funny things about organized religion and faith. Smith touches on a number of different issues here, and the humor was a great way of dealing with the touchy and explosive subject of religion.

Most critics I suspect were offended by the language, but if you've seen one of Kevin Smith's movies before, that's to be expected. Sometimes you have to look past the messenger to see the message. Other critics sited implausible plot, wordy, or the always elegant "it just sucks". One critic bashed Smith for assuming that everyone was Catholic!

Those that thought the movie bashed Catholicism didn't read into what Smith was saying. Selma Hayek summed it up perfectly "You people don't celebrate your faith. You mourn it." Loosen up people, having a sense of humor about it is part of celebrating your faith.

I agree that the dialogue got a bit wordy, but I suspect that was for the benefit of those who didn't have a background in Catholicism. If you filtered out some of the conversational meandering and vulgar interjections by the trash mouthed "prophet" Jay, you'll find some interesting and thought provoking gems in there. As for an implausible plot...hello! We're talking religion here folks, and I think that few people would agree that the Bible is necessarily a wellspring realistic and plausible plots. Religion is about leaps of faith and if you can't handle that, then you won't get the meaning behind the movie.

The critics in the "it just sucks" camp I suspect aren't very patient with the subject of "two hours of Catholic mythology" and are more comfortable with the secular subjects of Smith's other movies (romance, shopping, drugs and the like). Hey, I don't like football, so am I going to complain that the writers of The Replacements and Remember the Titans assumed that everyone in the world enjoys football? No, I'm simply not going to watch movies about football...problem solved. The name of the movie is Dogma, it should give you a clue. And if you don't know what dogma means, look it up.

So here's a warning to all...if you have no tolerance for organized religion, so called Catholic mythology, occasional potty humor (literally), profanity, or you have no sense of humor on the subject of religion, then don't watch this movie. You be disappointed or angry.

If you are a little bit more open minded, I invite you to try out this wonderfully funny movie.

Buy Dogma Now

Forget about any controvery, this movie is a laugh a minute. Being Catholic I was wary of this film, knowing the church was not too pleased with it. Having watched it once, I then bought the DVD.

Granted, Smith takes some artistic license here. I doubt that there was a 13th apostle and I doubt that Jesus had brothers and sisters that we never heard about, but he uses his "theories" with amazing comedic effect. He also mixes in some poignant generaliztions about the faith that ring somewhat true (i.e. Salma Hayek "Catholics don't celbrate their faith , they suffer it)

The cast in this flick is great. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are a couple of fallen angels looking for a loophole that will get them back into heaven. Damon is surprisingly relaxed and funny in his portrayal as the angel of death Loki. The only people that can stop them are Linda Florentino (the last zion), Rufus the unknown 13th black apostle, and Jay and Silent Bob (the prophets?). Chris Rock is hillarious as Rufus and Jay and Silent Bob are......well if you have ever seen a Kevin Smith movie you know they are good for some laughs.

Other supporting cast include Salma Hayek (serendipity wow, dont miss her dance scene!) and George Carlin(priceless as the cardinal). Overall the cast is fantastic although Linda Florentino was a little off on her timing.

Watch this film with an open mind and you'll watch it again. If you are easily offended, don't even bother....let the rest of us enjoy it.

Read Best Reviews of Dogma Here

This is an all round great movie that offers so much to the viewer. The plot is original and well crafted. It offers an intelligent, sometimes violent, but ultimately lighthearted telling of two banished angels who have found a loop hole which will enable them to re-enter the gates of heaven. However, this cannot be allowed to happen, for it would negate all existence. It is up to the cynical Bethany (Linda Fiorentino), accompanied by two unlikely prophets, Jay & Silent Bob (who provide some hilarious moments) and the "13 apostle", (Chris Rock) to stop them.

This is probably Kevin Smith's finest work yet, despite it being aimed at a more mainstream market than his usual audience. He uses the same type of characters and much of the same cast as those which made Mall Rats, Chasing Amy and Clerks so watchable. It is a very creative, hilarious, fantasy tale that I can watch over and over again.

The Dvd quality is complimentary to the movie. The 5.1 surround makes full use of its capabilities while the picture is clear. However the extras are dissapointing. For such an interesting movie, it would have been good to understand more about the making of and Kevin Smith's vision, Nonetheless, it is still a must have in your collection.

Want Dogma Discount?

I wont review the movie plenty reviews here already. So you want to know about the Blu Ray, well having just watched it inspite of the good reviews before me, I dont quite agree. I dont know what the quality of the DVD is like but I didnt find the blu ray anything special. But what I did find annoying inspite of the fact its supposed to be a 5.1, I found the sound to be sub-standard. The dialogue was low and not crisp and had to up and down volume with the scene. Any action sound was over the top. I just found the sound annoying and no way to par to what it ought to be. Personally Id say just go with the DVD.

PS. I went through the deleted scenes and you wont believe just how bad the quality of them was not even VHS quality. So Id say they didnt invest much if anything into this blu ray hence my suggestion to go for the DVD if half the price, this aint anything special at all. 2 Stars for the blu ray experience.

Hellraiser: Bloodline / Hellraiser: Inferno / Hellraiser: Hellseeker / Hellraiser: Hellworld (Multi

I've heard quite a few poor reviews on Miramax/Echo Bridge who seem to put out the lower end Blu-Rays. I personally think this was a pretty solid release. As long as you know what your getting yourself into with the Hellraiser films =).

First and foremost as the other reviewer stated, each movie is presented in 1080P except Inferno which is my favorite of the series and is presented in 1080i. It still looks pretty good mind you. All four films come on one Dual Layered Blu-Ray with no subtitles. And the 5.1 surround is only on Hellworld while the others are 2.0.

Without going into an in depth review and synopsis of each film, they all pretty much have the same tie in. There is a puzzle box known as the Lament Configuration which when manipulated correctly opens a gateway from hell. Hence Pinhead and his friends, the Cenobites, always come through to murder, torture, and trick the protagonist(s) in each of the film(s).

Most people would argue with me but my favorites in the series are Inferno (V) and Hellseeker (VI). I enjoy more of the thriller/mystery genre compared to the bloody/slasher genre the other films seem to offer.

This was a pre-order on a few web sites for $7.99 and can now be purchased for $9.99 in most stores. Four films with a decent video quality, most certainly better than there DVD counterparts for ten bucks ain't half bad. The stories can vary and may not be everyone's cup of tea, but should keep your attention and they always have this cool and creepy underlying feeling due to the hell aspect, and our friend Pinhead.

Video Quality: C (sadly Inferno is only 1080i, they all look pretty good though)

Audio Quality :C(can be on the low side, even with my sound bar I have to raise the volume pretty high)

Aesthetics: C (they could have made the print a little larger on the back cover, and the characters on the front don't match the films they coincide with.)

Price: A+

Extras: F (None at all, not even separate menus for each film,besides the initial choosing what movie you'd like to watch. And no subtitles at all brings this set down grade wise a lot.)

Overall: C+

Great for a horror movie night, or just a fan of these films in general. I recommend this set, especially for it's cheap price on Blu-Ray.

Pros:

-Each movie only cost around $2.50 if you get this for the right price.

-To my knowledge this is the only way to get Hellseeker on blu ray at this time.

Cons:

-All four movies have been compressed onto the same disc, this will almost definitely have a negative effect on picture quality.

-Only one of the four movies has surround sound, the other three are left with 2.0

-No special features

-No separate menus, just an initial screen that has you select between the four movies and then they start up as soon as you choose.

Bottom Line:

If your able to get this set for really cheap ($12 or less) and your looking to own these movies just for the sake of one day owning all the Hellraiser movies, then I say pick it up. However if you seriously liked any of these movies your better off getting individual releases because the lack of surround sound and special features may be a deal breaker.

Buy Hellraiser: Bloodline / Hellraiser: Inferno / Hellraiser: Hellseeker / Hellraiser: Hellworld (Multi Now

I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical when this was first announced. 4 movies on 1 disc? Surely the quality can't be that great, right? But then I thought back on the Hellraiser series and realized that these were never about top-quality cinematography. This is pure fun, especially for fans of the series.

That said, the picture and audio quality is actually quite good. The picture is clear, perhaps ever-so-slightly softened...but much better than on DVD. And really, for the price of $2.50 per movie...on Blu-ray, this is a must have for horror and Hellraiser fans alike.

Read Best Reviews of Hellraiser: Bloodline / Hellraiser: Inferno / Hellraiser: Hellseeker / Hellraiser: Hellworld (Multi Here

I just bought this Blu-Ray today at Wal-Mart and I am watching it now. I have a HP laptop that has a Cyberlink DVD/Blu-Ray DVD player and I watched Hellraiser Inferno. The video quality was really, really good. I am a huge fan of all the Hellraiser films.

Want Hellraiser: Bloodline / Hellraiser: Inferno / Hellraiser: Hellseeker / Hellraiser: Hellworld (Multi Discount?

I'm building up a collection of Hellraiser Blu-Rays. I believe I'm missing three films, but this booster pack of sorts is great to have.

Of course, no candle to the original. But great if you simply cannot get enough of Pinhead. And I certainly cannot get enough of Pinhead.

Save 50% Off

Repo! The Genetic Opera (2009)

This movie is amazing! The scenes are very creepy and unsettling, but at the same time very appealing and artistically beautiful. Even if you hated the music or plot, which I didn't this movie alone for the scenery is worth a buy.

Now about the music. At first I was uncertain of how to feel regarding their musical numbers, and by the third song I was hooked. The lyrics in this are comedic at times, other times serious, and actually nearing the end there is a song that I think is pleasant, "I Didn't Think I'd Love You This Much," is the name of the song I believe. The vocals of lead Alexa Vega are great, strong, and defined. Even Paris Hilton surprised me as this is the first time I have heard her vocals, and it reminded me some some old school goth rock cd I'd listen to in high school. Finally, Sarah Brightman. What can I say about Sarah that anyone doesn't already know? Musical Wise, she was nothing short of spectacular.

Acting wise, I'm a big junkie for Bill Mosley and it was fun to see him pull off the comedic cult character he portrayed. Paris, actually did great acting, it surprised me how great Alex Vega did considering I had never seen her attempt anything like this, and I was surprised that Sarah Brightman could be as dark as she was in this movie. The casting meshed well and it was fun to see such big names in a movie that hadn't hit theaters in my area.

Art wise, the scenes were mind-blowing. There are scenes where there is much cgi used, but overall it looks good, and that's saying a lot for me considering I hate cgi. Also, the make up was great with good effects, example, if the box hadn't said Paris was in this I doubt I would have recognized her until the end.

Overall, I rarely say this.... But I wish I could give this a higher rating then a 5 star. I will be buying the soundtrack as soon as I complete this review. Repo! Will be played a second time tonight for my posse... Yes, it was that good.

Three, count 'em, three (!) songs from Repo! The Genetic Opera are being considered for Academy Award nomination. That shows how amazing this film is. Sadly, Lionsgate does not consider this film to be all that amazing, and is not doing anything to support this nomination. Generally, a film company would send letters and sample DVDs to the Academy members, promoting their film. Lionsgate, however, is run by a bunch of idiots and they are not doing this. So, it is up to the fans to promote Repo! Here are the three songs that are up for the nomination:

"Zydrate Anatomy"

"Chase The Morning"

"Chromaggia"

Set against a futuristic backdrop where an epidemic of organ failures is plaguing humanity, people turn to the unscrupulous Geneco Corporation to purchase replacements for their failing vitals. Not everybody makes good on their payments, however, which is where Nathan Wallace (Anthony Head of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame) goes into action as one of Geneco's "repo men", brutally reclaiming defaulters organs at scalpel-point.

I loved it! It's basically a very stylized, horror rock opera. I was a little worried about Alexa Vega and Paris Hilton being lead characters in it, but Alexa Vega was marvelous, and Paris Hilton was basically being herself (an heiress to a multibillion-if-not-more-dollar company who's obsessed with fashion and thinks she's capable of singing), so she couldn't really go wrong. Her character didn't sing much either, so you don't really have to hear much of her voice. The songs are incredibly catchy and well written, and the actors had the voices that really brought the songs to life. Imo, the best songs are "Zydrate Anatomy," "Infected," and "Legal Assassin." There wasn't as much gore as expected, but the gore in the movie was great. Lots of someone being cut open and then the Repo Man reaching into his/her abdomen and taking various organs.

I've read/heard a lot of complaints about the film saying "oh the story's too complex and weird!" or "the lyrics were awful and poorly written!" You know what? The movie's called Repo! The Genetic Opera. "Opera" being the key word here. The melodrama and crazy story lines are a staple of classic operas! The story line is just like many classic opera story lines. I read someone's comment that the only opera aspect missing is a mistaken identity, which I find to be totally true. Weird lyrics are also a staple of classic operas. I mean, come on, they sing EVERYTHING in operas. Even "oh no, I've dropped my hat" gets turned into a ridiculously emotional song.

Overall, I loved this movie. The cast was great, the songs were great, and the style of the film was really interesting. I loved the nods to classic opera as well.

Final Verdict: 10/10

Buy Repo! The Genetic Opera (2009) Now

Seemingly forever destined for cult status, Repo! The Genetic Opera is something you have to see to believe. A Goth-themed rock opera directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, III, & IV), Repo! tells the tale of a future, Blade Runner-inspired world where massive worldwide organ failures have led to the rise of GeneCo; a biotech company run by Rotti Largo (Paul Sorvino) that lends out organs to those that need them. Failure to pay in full however results in a visit from the Repo Man (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Anthony Stewart Head), who has no qualms about getting his hands dirty (and bloody) as he takes them back. As the story moves on, we learn of Repo Man's sickly beloved daughter Shilo (Alexa Vega) who learns of some deep buried secrets, and Largo's heirs Amber Sweet (Paris Hilton), Luigi (Bill Moseley), and Pavi (Skinny Puppy's Ogre) who are all warring to be left in charge of their sickly father's empire. The film moves along at a pretty brisk pace, even though its story doesn't always manage to catch up to it. The film's music is spectacular, and the cast (even Paris Hilton believe it or not) is wonderful as well, as Bousman quickly shines well above anything he's ever done with the Saw series. Also featuring Sarah Brightman, Repo! stage vet Terrence Zdunich, and a quick cameo from Joan Jett; Repo! The Genetic Opera is made to be a pure cult classic through and through, and though it definitely isn't for all audiences, the film stands as being something special regardless, and is wholeheartedly worth a look at the very least.

Read Best Reviews of Repo! The Genetic Opera (2009) Here

A few years ago I went to see Rob Zombie's directorial debut "House of 1000 Corpses" and I remember driving home not knowing what the hell I just watched. I wasn't sure it was actually any *good* but I knew it was different. I had that same feeling tonight after watching "Repo! The Genetic Opera."

It is what it is, operatic but with a distinct goth/rock feel. Very little of the dialogue is spoken, it's mostly sung. The look of the whole thing was a mishmash of "Rocky Horror Picture Show," "Moulin Rouge," "Blade Runner" and the Nine Inch Nails music video for "Hurt." So visually it was arresting to be sure.

I didn't like it at all at first, the first 20 or so minutes was pushing me to just turn it off but it grew on me......somehow.

The film's plot (if you can call it that) is we're in the not-too-distant future where the world has seen an epidemic of organ failures and one company offers something of a cure-all. They specialize in organ donors but the catch is if you fail to make your payments, they send a repoman to reclaim the heart, kidney, whatever from you....forcibly.

Obviously there's a strong horror movie vibe going on here with some macabre imagery (and a dash of sci-fi thrown in) and having everything played out in these grand operatic gestures dressed up in trashy goth outfits.....well......it's different. Certainly not something for everyone but I'm willing to bet "Repo! The Genetic Opera" will find a very loyal cult following.

Want Repo! The Genetic Opera (2009) Discount?

Everything the acting to costumes and songs are fantastic!

This film is wonderfully paced and a bunch of the songs like Chase the Morning and At the opera tonight are really catchy! another highlight would be Sarah Brightman's role as Blind Mag! Her Performance is so subtle yet very convincing you can't help but feel for her character!

Save 10% Off

All the Right Moves (1983)

Because "Risky Business" gets all the attention for being Tom Cruise's breakout film, Michael Chapman's "All the Right Moves" has often been unfairly overlooked or just outright forgotten. That is a shame because Cruise's "other" coming-of-age film is a highly entertaining effort that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as his more high profile projects.

Cruise plays Stefan Djordjevic, a high school football player who dreams of being awarded a college scholarship in order to escape a future in the steel mills. However, Stefan's short temper often gets the best of him and his relationship with his high school coach (Craig T. Nelson) becomes strained after he participates in an incident that leaves the coach's house vandalized. With the help of his high school sweetheart, Lisa (Lea Thompson), Stefan starts to get his act together and ultimately gets his life back on track.

"All the Right Moves" proves that Tom Cruise had tremendous screen presence from the very beginning. His scenes with Nelson and Thompson provide dazzling hints of greater things still to come. Nelson, who may be better known for his comedic side, turns in an especially strong supporting performance as the coach who is both Stefan's tormentor and supporter at the same time. The story of the small-town kid dreaming to escape his surroundings for better things has been told so many times on television and film in so many different ways that it would be easy to dismiss "All the Right Moves" as just another tired re-telling. However, a familiar story is still engaging if told well and this film is proof of that.

Having grown up and played football in Western Pennsylvania, every bit of "All The Right Moves" brings back emotions, thoughts, memories and even smells. Even if you are not from Pittsburgh, you can appriciate the frustration this film captures of just wanting a better way of life. I hope any body viewing this film, at least can appreciate what the backbone of this country experiences. I never realized it until I moved to Los Angeles, the respect I have for my home town. I will very soon be moving my family back. Every time I see this movie I remember who I am and how proud I am of my heritage.

Buy All the Right Moves (1983) Now

Tom Cruise was a busy man in 1983. With the success of Taps 2 years earlier, he took a year off, then came out with 4 movies in the next year. They was Risky Business, The Outsiders, Losin It and All the Right Moves. My fav of all those was All the Right moves.

Cruise plays Stefan, a kid who plays for the Ampipe HS football team as a cornerback, in backwoods Pennsylvania. It is a one industry (steel) town and if the kids can't get away from there, they usually end up in the steelworks. Cruise doesn't want to work there. He has higher goals of being an Engineer. And football is the only way out, and a few schools have offered him a full scholarship.

His girlfriend is played by Lea Thompson, and she is a smart, insecure girl who is also talented in music, but trapped because schools don't give scholarships to music students who aren't brillant. There is always a hint of jealousy in her mannerisms as she watches the "dumb jocks" ride to the schools that she will never get into..and it is smartly portrayed near the end of the movie.

The "dumb jocks" here are the anti-stereotypes that are seen in movies today. They aren't slick, omnipotent acting jerks. Stefan and Brian (played well by Christopher Penn) are sensitive, uncertain and shy people. The other players become sidetracked as well, such as Salvucci who becomes a criminal, rather than a star or Shadow (played by Leon) who is so worried that he won't get in anywhere (but gets into Virginia Tech).

The core of the movie is the relationship between Coach (Craig T. Nelson) and Stefan. It is rocky in the beginning. Coach (who is also the typing teacher), is nervously waiting to see if he will be a defensive coach at CalTech, and is on a blaming streak against anyone messes up his chances. One person he blames is Stefan for losing the game to another school (it wasn't really his fault). It gets worse when (after kicking Stefan off the team), he catches him with a posse of local idiots vandalizing Coach's home.

In a derivative movie, Stefan would have blackmailed him, burned him into getting back on the team. Or he would ruined Coach's chances to being accepted at CalState. Coach would have become another one-dimensional badguy. But here, at the end, they resolve their differences like real people and work things out.

The only problem with the movie is that the genre has been copied so many times, by the time I saw it for the first time (7/2000), it seemed very derivative. Another spoiler for me is the ending, while upbeat, seemed a little too Hollywood. Rating: B-

Notes: There is full frontal nudity between the two leads! Also, the director of Photography was Jan deBont, who went on to better (Twister, Speed) and worse things (Speed 2, The Haunting).

Read Best Reviews of All the Right Moves (1983) Here

Sent the movie to a grandson. He needed to see the message in this movie.

Want All the Right Moves (1983) Discount?

I bought this DVD for my husband for Christmas, He loves it and watches it frequently. Great price.

Save 44% Off