DVD Weekly Roundup – Mon 21st September 09
STATE OF PLAY
Seeing as Craig has already covered State Of Play I won’t go into much detail here.
I suggest you read his detailed review and all I’m going to add is that it really is an intelligent ensemble piece that has good acting from an impressive cast.
It’s nice to see a smart American film for a change, one that actually has something to say and a message to bring across. It’s a shame that it didn’t light up the box office because it deserved success.
Definitely worth your time if you are looking for a higher level of entertainment.
State Of Play is also available on Blu-Ray
FAST & FURIOUS
The 4th in the series reunites the original cast for more pedal to the metal action.
This time Brian O’Conner and Dominic Toretto join forces to bring an evil heroin importer to justice. Damn those evil heroin importers! They always give those nice heroin importers a bad name.
It’s common knowledge that both Vin Diesel and Paul Walker have less charisma than a plank of wood. Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster haven’t really got much to do so they basically end up sleepwalking through the entire film.
NO, the real stars here are the cars of course and director Justin Lin knows that.
The story takes a back seat and if you are able to just enjoy the sight of cool cars go very fast then you are fine.
Fast & Furious is also available on Blu-Ray
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: COMPLETE SERIES: LIMITED EDITION TIN
Battlestar Galactica isn’t just a TV series. It’s a way of life. It’s one of the family.
It’s like a religion. Now you can own every episode of the fantastic Sci-Fi series all in one snazzy limited edition tin.
Battlestar Galactica succeeds because it takes huge global current affairs and transports them into a Sci-Fi setting. Audiences connected with the ongoing struggles depicted and with the added plot point concerning the search for planet Earth.
It’s well acted, well written and has huge production values for a television series. If you haven’t experienced the joy of Battlestar Galactica I can’t recommend it enough. In my opinion the second best show that has ever been on TV, just after The Sopranos.
Battlestar Galactica is also available on Blu-Ray
BIG MAN JAPAN
Here’s a nice little Japanese oddity to check out. Big Man Japan is a dry comedy about a man who turns into a giant after being exposed to large amounts of electricity.
He keeps his country safe by protecting it from monsters that commonly plague Japan.
Unfortunately the public still oust him and he has to deal with greedy agents who just want to exploit him. Very funny!
CHERI
British director Stephen Frears reunites with Michelle Pfeiffer for the first time since Dangerous Liaisons 20 years earlier.
This is very much the same territory here as he tells the tale of courtesans in 19th century Paris. The film also stars Kathy Bates and Rupert Friend.
It has brilliant photography and a decent script. Strange that it got only a limited theatrical release.
FEW DAYS IN SEPTEMBER
This has a great cast, Nick Nolte, John Turturro, Tom Riley and the brilliant Juliet Binoche.
The film however is a massive let down.
The script is all over the place.
Weaving a story about a missing C.I.A. Agent and a pointless plot point regarding 9/11.
FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN
Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt star in a tight thriller about two killers on opposing sides with a personal vendetta against each other.
Set in Ireland and playing off the political divide this is a tough, gritty film directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel who also directed Downfall.
Anamaria Marinca also stars.
One to watch!
GOTH: LOVE OF DEATH
This is a brilliant film from Japan. Wonderfully morbid, it tells the story of two students that share a fascination with death and cruelty.
This same interest leads them to track down a wanted serial killer. However the two youths don’t intend to catch him but instead want to ask him his advice on murdering people.
This is a dark and broody horror film based on a popular manga and adapted from a novel.
THE LAZARUS PROJECT
It’s that plank of wood again!
Paul Walker appears in a direct to DVD thriller about a criminal that gets released from prison only to involve himself in a robbery. The robbery ends in murder so he is sentenced to lethal injection.
After death he finds himself part of a mystical new life that may or may not be a second chance to redeem himself. With a better actor this might have been interesting.
WORLD WITHOUT THIEVES
A great film from Hong Kong starring Andy Lau from Infernal Affairs. It is about a couple that are experienced con artists. As they travel across china the woman decides she wants out of the relationship.
Not just a crime film but also a brilliant study of relationships and the strains that arise once you stop loving someone.
Excellent and highly recommended.
RUN FOR YOU LIFE IT’S THE CRAP OF THE WEEK!
BRING IT ON: FIGHT TO THE FINISH
How many sequels can a film about cheerleaders have!
Same old formula here as a tough inner city kid moves to a posh school and competes for a place in the cheerleading squad against the evil school bitch.
Starring pop reject Christina Milian and a host of other talent-less wannabes the entire film just grates. Full of stereotypes and crap acting this is like an STD disguised as a film.
…And there you have it. Fast cars, Vin Diesel, Political Sci-Fi, Japanese giants, Con artists, Students obsessed with murder, two lots of Paul Walker and crappy cheerleaders.
What a week!
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