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Reviews
The Punisher (1989)
This is a movie about a conflicted hero, with little screen time.
The 80's were a different time then today. Miami Vice was a hit. Movies like "Rambo" and "Death Wish" were quite the rave. People loved to watch the A-team take no crap and a talking car fight crime in Knight Rider. It seemed wherever you looked there was a movie or TV show about people taking on crime. Why was that? In the real world crime was on a steady uprising. Before the rave drugs of today came to be. The 80's set the tracks for Crack and Cocaine to reach global heights in popularity. The decline of organized crime in the late 70's left the streets gangs' new territory. Society as a whole was looking for heroes.
To the folks at Marvel comics it only seamed right to release a movie about their one-man army against crime "The Punisher". After his family gets killed by the mob. Frank Castle (Dolph Lundgren) goes on a killing spree for the people he feels are responsible for his family's untimely demise.
The movie opens with a newscast that explains that over the past 5 years 125 murders took place with "The Punisher" as the key suspect. From there on the movie went down hill. Gently, but still down.
Now I'm not saying that this is a bad movie. Because it's not. I think it could be far worse then it is. I gave it a 7/10. Let me explain. This movie has the name of the hero as the title. It called "The Punisher" the only problem is the filmmakers gave the mob leaders Gianni Franco (Jeroen Krabbé), Lady Tanaka (Kim Miyori) and Detective Jake Berkowitz (Louis Gossett Jr.) almost all of the screen time. Sure there are three separate shoot outs that The Punisher part takes in. But almost of the story driven dialog is put under the entire supporting cast. I think it's possible that the town Drunk (Arthur Sherman) had more lines then Castle.
Unless you're making a sequel for Disney most filmmakers try not to go straight to video. Unfortunately this film fell into that void. I imagine that the big wigs in Hollywood did have too much faith in this movie. With its lack luster action scenes that are put into the dust when compared to today's "Matrix" and "Terminator" films. It's not hard to tell why. Once again the main problem with this film was the lack of screen time with the title character unless he was in those lack luster action scenes. A close up of a throwing star fallowed with a villain already holding his neck spewing out blood is a budget saving tactic that should have been left at film school.
I despite the limited screen time for Mr. Lundgren had and the weak actions scenes. This movie sticks to the Punisher's comic roots better then expected. Yes I'm fully aware that he does not wear a black Kevlar body suit with the trademark white skull on his chest. But once you get past that.
Emotion wise, Castle is more or less straight out of the pages of The Marvel Universe. Unless you're a die-hard fan like myself you wouldn't understand what all Punisher is fully capable of doing. Or why he does it in the first place. Put best by comic writer Carl Potts `He's not just punishing the criminals. He's punishing himself.' With his limited screen time Lundgren still showed the lack of humanity Castle has remaining. Along with the daily suffering he endures for not being there when his family needed him.
I've spent the last week reading reviews from people expressing how letdown that "Matrix Reloaded" was to them. That it has holes in its main characters. While the action is some of the best yet to be brought on screen. "The Punisher" (1989) is more or less the complete opposite.
If you want to see an action film for its action see something else. If you want to see a movie about a guy that suffers because his family was killed and now he want revenge on the criminals that were responsible then check this movie out. Just don't expect the main guy to have much screen time.
Les rivières pourpres (2000)
This river is deeper then it looks
As time moves on and artist struggle to reach the newest bar of viewers expectations, it gets harder and harder for new ideas that do go over the top to emerge. As a fan of this genre of films. "Se7en", "Kiss the Girls", "8mm" , `From Hell' "Jennifer 8". I can say it's hard to make a movie like this not be too predictable but at the same time not make an ending that comes out of nowhere (`Bone Collector') upsetting the viewer. This movie has it's moments of predictability. Just like the detectives; us viewers want to solve the who, what, when, where, why, and how's of the movie. You get some faster then others. The `Why' was the only question I didn't get answered until the very end. Results may vary.
The main reason I rented this film was the idea of two separate cops in different towns following different clues for two different crimes until they meet in the middle. it was an idea I cant' say I've seen done before. I really liked that idea. it almost feels like two separate movies until our heroes Pierre Niemans (Jean Reno / Léon) & Max Kerkerian (Vincent Cassel / Brotherhood of the Wolf) meet.
I was too surprised find out that this movie was not done in English. The version I watched was a region 1 DVD. It has both a English dub and the all hail glory French sound track. Both in Dolby Digital 5.1. One problem most movies that are dubbed suffer from is the drowning out of music and sound effects by the in studio layover of the translated vocal mix. This film is no different. I started off with the dubbed version. I noticed right away that the music was clouded by the dub over. I decided to take a hear at the French sound track. Wow! The use of the sound was definitely noticed. Mystery movies aren't much until you can get the mood right and the sound track on this things helps greatly. From the music to the well done use of the surround channels the sound track puts you right where the director Mathieu Kassovitz (Amélie) wanted.
I could go on and on comparing this movies to others of it's type. But I won't all I have to say for now is I'm glad I rented it and I'm glad I watch it in French. 9/10
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Reloaded indeed, but I think a round is missing from this clip.
I was lucky enough to watch a Wednesday night sneak prescreening of Matrix Reloaded. I must say this movie is full of eye candy. You can definitely tell where the money went. The weirdest part one may find will be after the viewing of over 2 hours of eye candy. You'll be home wondering what just happened. I don't want to give anything away but this movie definitely leaves us viewers with big expectations for November's release of Matrix Revolutions. Now there is no doubt that the masses waiting for "Star Wars" or "Lord of the Rings" to finished their tales will be content seeing this stories conclusion.
It's just too bad we have to wait until November for it. 9/10
Nine Inch Nails Live: And All That Could Have Been (2002)
Great DVD, now where is the DVD for Closure?
Well, this DVD has elevated NIN in my book to the vaulted position of banana split drizzled with caramel and truffle flakes and real whipped cream ... eaten, of course, while I receive a eucalyptus shampoo from a gorgeous model... maybe someone like Cheyenne Silver. Or Sherilyn Fenn from her Twin Peaks days. This DVD has turned me onto NIN all over again. In fact, I even dug Broken out from the bottom of my CD pile. my second copy of The Downward Spiral was some where in the middle.
Instead of hiring a fancy ass expensive video production and editing crew, Reznor decided to produce and edit this DVD on his own. "Could someone else have put this together in less time? Absolutely. But there's something homemade about it that gives it more soul and character. It's cool that you can do all of this stuff on your own now ... computers have become so powerful now that you don't need all that extra hardware," says Reznor.
"I wasn't concerned with it being this professional looking video -- I wanted it to look like you were there."
review of The Movie
If there's one thing to say about this collection, it is to note that you ARE there. Sometimes even the best concert DVDs lack the depth and range you would hope for. But Reznor with his Director Rob Sheridan have edited together such an amazing collction of shots, you actually do feel like you're in the audience. Instead of a fairly static camera placement or standard series of crane shots, Reznor had 5 DV cameras cover each of his stops on the Fragility 2.0 tour (which, by the way, Rolling Stone has noted as the best tour of 2000). The effect is a boggling amount of footage to be able to splice together. I loved the feeling the disc left me with. Certain songs are edited so well, it mimics the concert-going experience of darting your eyes around, looking up, looking down, buggin' out on the lights, etc. When I think back to most of the concerts I've been to, I am left with just flashes of images and iconic moments. This DVD captured a million of those.
All in all, a totally immersive concert experience. A must for any NIN fan.
9 out of 10
review of The Video
Much of the footage is shot on DV and looks fantastic. There are several moments that you would swear are shot on film. Other bits are somewhat problematic, especially trying to make out some of the images on the massive video screens behind the performers. Some of the editing choices appear to be stylistic but still leave a feeling of light grain or poor handling of brightness and color levels.
I'm scoring this a tad bit lower though because a small percentage of shots look downright BAD. Now, it could be that the other shots look so amazing that even the slightest glitch catches the eye. There is a small amount of artifacting but, again, this works in a purely stylistic sense.
7 out of 10
review of The Audio
Nine Inch Nails Live -- And All That Could Have Been comes out in two versions: a DTS one and a Dolby Digital one. I own the DTS copy and the sound is as rich and wide as you could ever hope for. I knew I was in for a treat as soon as my sub thumped out solid bass for Nothing records opening to the DVD. Seriously, this DVD filled my living room so much so that I kept turning around, looking for the sweaty people hollering out for more. Crowd cheers are lovely and rich and leave you wanting nothing more.
I got some nice whoomps from my sub as well, something I wasn't quite expecting. All levels are appropriate and even throughout. Yummy sound.
10 out of 10
easter eggs!!!
If you are too lazy (like me) to actually go lurking around in the disc for easter eggs. It's easy to get to ... during "Head Like A Hole" at around the 11:20 mark, hit 7 on your remote. You will then be dropped into the secret menu called "Beneath The Surface"
"Reptile" live performance
Video for "The Day The World Went Away"
ninetynine commercial
"The Fragile" commercial
"Things Falling Apart" commercial
NIN and Marilyn Manson doing part of "Star***kers" and "Beautiful People".
over all this bay boy of a dvd gets a 10/10... then again i gave it points for style too.
now when will Closure come to DVD?
The Ring (2002)
One time special, the VHS is better then DVD...
Me personally I found The Ring a bit creepy. But then again I let it be. I can watch any type of zombie movie that can be thrown at me. But this movie has a less then direct way of getting to you. An artistic approach to the typical what's "behind the door" style of suspense really lets this movie push people's senses. When the movie first starts you won't really know where there going but after the first 15 there is a defining moment in the movie that will keep you weirded out for the remainder of the film. But as it's been stated before, only of you let it be. I heard a few rumors about this film that `It's the next best horror / suspense film since 6th sense'. So I dimmed the lights except a candle or two and challenged the movie to get to me. With the DTS on full alert (Try it in Pro Logic II for the hard core VHS guru's out there). I was well surrounded by the unique yet eerie sounds this film had to offer. And let me tell you the sounds are the money makers with this film. The plot can easily be put on paper; the film can be easily watched. But if you let the sound put you in the movie... be prepared to be crept out... for a few nights. I watched this on DVD but I have a good feeling for those of you that watch it at home on a quiet night on VHS. You probably will get a little more out of the experience of this movie then the rest of us...//NYReload (10 out of 10)
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
There ain't nothing finer then a chick with guns.
I saw this movie opening weekend. It was my first date. With out any prior knowledge to what the movie was about I thought that it would be some type of romantic comedy staring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Boy was I wrong. To my relief it was one of the best action movies of 1996. Sure, it has its faults. I won't give any spoilers. Let me just say ith T2 being almost 4 years old when this was released I think it was good timing for a leading Female action role. Both Davis and Jackson pulled their role off very well. 8/10
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
It's no mystery: This movie's not that popular because this movie's not that great.
It's really is not worth the effort to write too much on this less then stellar Disney film. I checked it out after I heard it was the first film Disney used computer assistance on. And I must say for that scene it was some nice eye candy. Other then that, the animation for the most part seemed like a Saturday morning special. It didn't have that big budget Disney pizzazz we've all grown to love. Story wise I found myself board by a dull plot. The main guy `Basil of Baker Street' didn't seam all that motivated. Bevis and Butthead had more purpose searching for a TV in their movie then this mouse does looking for a kidnapped girl. The dialog between the characters could have been better too. It seemed like every one knew each other but they didn't seam to really have relationships and personal history. Even when they tell you (the audience) what they've done in the past. You just couldn't feel it.
I give this an average rating of 6 out of 10. The computer sequence showing off the inner workings to London's Big Ben boosted it up from a 5. That and an interesting scene involving a mouse trap, some rope, a cross bow, a record player, a pistol, an anvil, and a hatchet.
If you're looking for a Disney film to watch with friends and family stick to the classics (pre "Aristocats") or everything after "The Little Mermaid". Disney has been criticized for the movies they released during the 80's. `The Great Mouse Detective`is a perfect example why.
From Hell (2001)
Se7en meets Sleepy Hallow
If you've seen and liked "Se7en" or "Sleepy Hallow" you most likely will enjoy "From Hell". I viewed it on it's region 1 DVD with the DTS sound track. The first thing I noticed was the sound. It puts you right in the middle of an eerie environment that can only get more creepy. It really gives your surround speakers something to play with. Then there is the film. The scenes that stuck out to me best were the flickers of grainy, distorted flashbacks that i can best describe as "Something out of a Marlin Manson Video". The whole ambience fits both the story of a serial killer and the slums of old London. The makers of this "almost epic" did a good job making it hard for the viewer to figure out who was Jack the Ripper. It was a relief to me since in the past couple years most crime stories end up being predictable. I've been told that this movie is based on a book. I haven't read it so i can't judge the film based on how well it fallows the book.
I give it 9/10 I was looking for a good old' crime story and it ended up killing more then just a couple of hours.
Resident Evil (2002)
This is not the game i know and love, but it still is a tasy treat.
This movie could of been better if they stuck to the same story as the game. As a finished product it has very little in common with the game that it's based on. But as a single entity it's okay. To sum it all up. "It didn't suck but could have been better".