THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED




Captain Marvel
UK certificate 12
119 mins



Genre : Action/Adventure /Sci-Fi

Contents Advisory : Moderate Fantasy Violence/Implied Strong Language

Directed by : Anna Boden/Ryan Fleck

Starring : Brie Larson/Samuel L. Jackson/Ben Mendelsohn

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After crashing an experimental aircraft, Air Force pilot Carol Danvers is discovered by the Kree and trained as a member of the elite Starforce Military under the command of her mentor Yon-Rogg. Six years later, after escaping to Earth while under attack by the Skrulls, Danvers begins to discover there's more to her past. With help from S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury, they set out to unravel the truth.

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As is usual with Marvel films the visual effects are spectacular and so is the action.
Performances were generally good and characterization acceptable.
One for Marvel hero's fans me thinks.

7/10






Hollow Point
UK certificate 15
90 mins



Genre : Action/Drama

Contents Advisory : Strong Language/Violence/Sexual Threat

Directed by : Daniel Zirilli

Starring : Luke Goss/Dilan Jay/JuJu Chan

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When his wife and daughter are senselessly murdered, a grieving man finds himself caught up in a war between a group of charismatic vigilantes and the crime that infests their city.

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A run of the mill actioner with reasonable storyline and docent fight choreography.
A bit slow paced but does not distract .

6/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED




Alita: Battle Angel
UK certificate 12
118 mins



Genre : Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Moderate Violence/Bloody Images/Infrequent Strong Language

Directed by : Robert Rodriguez

Starring : Rosa Salazar/Christoph Waltz/Jennifer Connelly

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When Alita awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido, a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past.

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Wow! action all the way with awesome special and visual effects.
Performances were top draw but let down somewhat by an indifferent script.
That said the storyline was entertaining all the way.
Recommended

8/10







Defective
UK certificate 18
98 mins



Genre : Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Violence/Gore

Directed by : Reese Eveneshen

Starring : Colin Paradine/Raven Cousens/Ashley Armstrong

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Set in the near future where Rhett Murphy and his estranged sister Jean are forced to flee from a militant police state after witnessing the dark secrets of a nefarious corporation.

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This was a watchable film butlet down by average storyline and performances.
Those fans of blood and gore get plenty particularly towards the end.
The special effects were ok considering the low budget.

5/10






Solis
UK certificate 12
88 mins



Genre : Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi

Contents Advisory : Infrequent Strong Language/Occasional Gory Images

Directed by : Carl Strathie

Starring : Steven Ogg/Alice Lowe(voice)

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Following an accident, an Engineer of an asteroid mining company endures the extreme limits – both physical and psychological – of human survival, trapped inside an escape pod as he helplessly idles towards the Sun.

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Another low budget film which is slow paced and disappointing storyline.
The Permance by Steven Ogg was ok but the visual effects were average.
one for a sleepless night.

4.5/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED



Domino
UK certificate 18
86 mins



Genre : Crime/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Violence/Gory Images

Directed by : Brian De Palma

Starring : Carice van Houten/Guy Pearce/Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

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Seeking justice for his partner’s murder by an ISIS member, a Copenhagen police officer finds himself caught in a cat and mouse game with a duplicitous CIA agent who is using the killer as a pawn to trap other ISIS members.

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Not a particularly good movie with average cinematography and storyyline.

Slow paced with fight scenes which could have benefited from better choreography.
All in all a bit of a let down.

5/10







Harmony aka Immortal World
UK certificate 15
88 mins



Genre : Fantasy/Romance/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Injury Detail/Threat

Directed by : Corey Pearson

Starring : Jessica Falkholt/Jacqueline McKenzie/Tessa James/Eamon Farren

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Born with an energetic power to absorb fear from others, a young woman must find love to balance the fears of her own and fight an ever growing storm of negative energy.

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An interesting concept complimented by good performances all round.
This film wont appeal to everyone, but if you want something different then give it a try.

6/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED





Dragged Across Concrete
UK certificate 18
152 mins



Genre : Action/Crime/Drama/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Violence/Gory Images

Directed by : S. Craig Zahler

Starring : Mel Gibson/Vince Vaughn/Tory Kittles

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Two policemen, one an old-timer, the other his volatile younger partner, find themselves suspended when a video of their strong-arm tactics becomes the media's cause du jour. Low on cash and with no other options, these two embittered soldiers descend into the criminal underworld to gain their just due, but instead find far more than they wanted awaiting them in the shadows.

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A very slow paced movie well enough acted by the principles. Don't expect much action and what there was of it was brutal and bloody.
This wont be for everyone as it is a drama which dwells to much on character building and in my view detracts.

6.5/10







Hellboy (2019)
UK certificate 15
116 mins



Genre : Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Violence/Gore/Language

Directed by : Neil Marshall

Starring : David Harbour/Milla Jovovich/Ian McShane

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Hellboy comes to England, where he must defeat Nimue, Merlin's consort and the Blood Queen. But their battle will bring about the end of the world, a fate he desperately tries to turn away.

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Well not a bad effort but was let down by some average direction and storyline.
The visual and special effects were ok but not top draw.
If you like action Sci-Fi with a touch of blood ans gore then you may like this.

6/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED




Escape Plan: The Extractors aka Escape Plan 3
UK certificate 15
97 mins



Genre : Action/Crime/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Violence/Language

Directed by : John Herzfeld

Starring : Sylvester Stallone/Dave Bautista/50 Cent

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After security expert Ray Breslin is hired to rescue the kidnapped daughter of a Hong Kong tech mogul from a formidable Latvian prison, Breslin's girlfriend is also captured. Now he and his team must pull off a deadly rescue mission to confront their sadistic foe and save the hostages before time runs out.

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A reasonable addition to the Escape Plan franchise and better than the second outing.
Stallone puts in his usual performance complimented by other actors.
The visual and special effects were fine.

6.5/10






No Surrender
UK certificate 15
110 mins



Genre : Action/Crime/History/Thriller/War

Contents Advisory : Strong Violence/Scenes of Sexual Violence

Directed by : Peter Mimi

Starring : Amir Karara/Ghadah Abdulrazeq/Ahmed el-Sakka

Special Note : An Egyptian Film with Dubbed English (This may differ from country to country)

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During the 1940s, a girl was raped by a group of English soldiers, and three young Egyptians retaliate. The British soldier is being held at the Karamouz police station in Alexandria, headed by General Youssef al-Masri (Amir Karara). General Frank Adams demands that the English soldier be handed over to him, but Yusuf refuses. The British army is led to block the police station, and enters a fierce confrontation with General Yusuf and the rest of the Egyptian soldiers.

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I must say this film is not a bad effort with plenty of action, although Scott Adkins fans will be disappointed, as he only appears in fight scenes towards the end of the movie.
The dubbed English does distract as voice actors cannot fully convey the vocal atmosphere.
I have included two trailers, English only and Arabic and English.

6.5/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED





Avengers: Endgame
UK certificate 12
173 mins



Genre : Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi

Contents Advisory : Moderate Violence

Directed by : Anthony Russo/Joe Russo

Starring : Robert Downey Jr./Chris Evans/Mark Ruffalo

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After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.

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I found this movie to be strong on character development(not that we needed it), less so on action.
Overly long in my view and a tad baggy but some good Visual and special effects.
Performances were ok.
One for Marvel fans me thinks.

7.5/10







Killers Anonymous
UK certificate 15
95 mins



Genre : Action/Crime/Mystery/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Language/Violence/Infrequent Strong Sex References

Directed by : Martin Owen

Scarring : Tommy Flanagan/Rhyon Nicole Brown/MyAnna Buring /Gary Oldman

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A failed attempt to murder a Senator is connected to a group meeting secretly to discuss their darkest urges—to take lives.

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I was disappointed with this movie which had an average storyline and woeful script.
The performances were not much better.
Watch if you have nothing else to do.

4.5/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED




Cold Blood Legacy
UK certificate 15
91 mins



Genre : Action/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Language/Violence/Threat

Directed by : Frédéric Petitjean

Starring : Jean Reno/Sarah Lind/Joe Anderson

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A legendary but retired hit man lives in peace and isolation in the barren North American wilderness. When he rescues a woman from a snowmobiling accident, he soon discovers that she's harboring a secret that forces him to return to his lethal ways.

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Little in the way of action and rather slow paced ordinary storyline is lift by good performances.
The cinematography is good to with some stunning winter scenes.
So it is a pity about the storyline and this film is no "Leon" a Jean Reno classic.

5.5/10







Out of Blue
UK certificate 15
104 mins



Genre : Crime/Drama/Mystery

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Images

Directed by : Carol Morley

Starring : Patricia Clarkson/Toby Jones/James Caan

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The hunt for a killer draws a detective into an even larger mystery: the nature of the universe itself. Mike Hoolihan is an unconventional New Orleans cop investigating the murder of renowned astrophysicist Jennifer Rockwell, a black hole expert found shot to death in her observatory. As Mike tumbles down the rabbit hole of the disturbing, labyrinthine case, she finds herself grappling with increasingly existential questions of quantum mechanics, parallel universes, and exploding stars - cosmic secrets that may hold the key to unraveling the crime, while throwing into doubt her very understanding of reality.

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As with the last review this film is slow paced drama which wont suit everyone.
The principles gave good performances but the plot was a tad dull.
The ending was also disappointing.
One for drama crime fans me thinks.

6/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS OM DVD REVIEWED





High Life
UK certificate 18
113 mins



Genre : Adventure/Drama/Mystery/Sci-Fi

Contents Advisory : Sexual Violence/Strong Sexual Detail

Director : Claire Denis

Starring : Robert Pattinson/Juliette Binoche/André Benjamin

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Takes place beyond the solar system in a future that seems like the present. About a group of criminals who accept a mission in space to become the subjects of a human reproduction experiment, and to find a new energy source at a black hole. They find themselves in the most unimaginable situation after a storm of cosmic rays hit the ship.

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I found this movie hard going and it is most certainly not for everyone. It reminded me of "Solaris"
both in execution and direction. Performances were ok but could not lift the script beyond average.
Some may find this film boring some not.
I found it a tad boring particularly the first half of the storyline

5.5/10






John Wick : Chapter 3
UK certificate 15
124 mins



Genre : Action/Crime/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Violence/Language

Directed by : Chad Stahelski

Starring : Keanu Reeves/Halle Berry/Ian McShane

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Skilled assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) returns with a $14 million price tag on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail. After killing a member of the shadowy international assassin's guild, the High Table, John Wick is excommunicado, but the world's most ruthless hit men and women await his every turn.

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Wow... action all the way with good fight choreography and special effects.
I must say that the action became repetitive and did not lift an otherwise average story line.
That said, if you liked the previous outings you will like this.

6.5/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED







Rocketman
UK certificate 15
116 mins



Genre : Biography/Drama/Music/Musical

Contents Advisory : Drug use/Language/Sexual Content

Directed by : Dexter Fletcher

Starring : Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden

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A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John's breakthrough years.

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Outstanding performance by Egerton as SEleton John with some excellent music.
However I was not so keen on his private life....
Elton John fans should like this movie but others may either love or hate it.

7/10







A Score To Settle
UK certificate 15
103 mins



Genre : Action/Drama/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Language/Sex/Violence/Injury Detail/Drug References

Directed by : Shawn Ku

Starring : Nicolas Cage/Benjamin Bratt/Noah Le Gros

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A former mob enforcer who is released from prison after serving 22 years for a crime he didn't commit sets out on a path for revenge against the people who wronged him.

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Cage puts in a much better performance in this slow paced drama.
I thought the storyline a bit bland and the plots a tad average.
Direction was a bit hap hazard but the special effects and cinematography were fine.
On for cage fans me thinks.

5.5/10







The Cleaning Lady
UK certificate 18
86 mins



Genre : Horror/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Sadistic Violence

Directed by : Jon Knautz

Starring : Alexis Kendra/Stelio Savante/Rachel Alig

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As a means to distract herself from an affair, a love-addicted woman befriends a cleaning lady, badly scarred by burns. She soon learns, these scars run much deeper than the surface.

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Performances are fine in this atmospheric psychological thriller.
The action takes place mainly in the latter part of the film and was ok,
Certainly fans of bloody horror may like this movie.

6/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED






Godzilla: King Of The Monsters
UK certificate 12
128 mins



Genre : Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Contents Advisory : Moderate Threat/Violence/Infrequent Strong Language

Directed by : Michael Dougherty

Starring : Kyle Chandler/Vera Farmiga/Millie Bobby Brown

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Follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species - thought to be mere myths - rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity's very existence hanging in the balance.

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As one might expect there are excellent visual Effects complimented by over the top battle scenes.
Sadly it cannot be said the same for the writing which was rather poor.
Not as good as the first Godzilla but decent enough watch.

6.5/10






X-Men 7: Dark Phoenix
UK certificate 12
113 mins



Genre : Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi

Contents Advisory : Moderate Violence/Bloody Images/Infrequent Strong Language

Directed by : Simon Kinberg

Starring : James McAvoy/Michael Fassbender/Jennifer Lawrence

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The X-Men face their most formidable and powerful foe when one of their own, Jean Grey, starts to spiral out of control. During a rescue mission in outer space, Jean is nearly killed when she's hit by a mysterious cosmic force. Once she returns home, this force not only makes her infinitely more powerful, but far more unstable. The X-Men must now band together to save her soul and battle aliens that want to use Grey's new abilities to rule the galaxy.

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Oh dear another X-Men in the franchise and not a particularly good one. The visual effects were fine but yet again lack luster writing and performances let it down.

6/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS IN DVD REVIEWED






Brightburn
UK certificate 15
87 mins



Genre : Drama/Horror/Mystery/Sci-Fi

Contents Advisory : Strong Gory Injury Detail/Violence/Language

Directed by : David Yarovesky

Starring : Elizabeth Banks/David Denman/Jackson A. Dunn

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What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister?

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Well I was a tad disappointed with this movie not because the gore elements were almost non-existent, but rather an average horror with few scares.
Still it is watchable.

6/10







Doom: Annihilation
UK certificate 15
97 mins



Genre : Action/Adventure/Horror/Sci-Fi/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Gory Violence/Injury Detail/Language/Threat

Directed by : Tony Giglio

Starring : Amy Manson/Dominic Mafham/Luke Allen-Gale

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Follows a group of UAC Marines as they respond to a distress call from a top secret scientific base on Phobos, a Martian moon, only to discover it's been overrun by demons who threaten to create Hell on Earth.

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Another sequel which is nowhere as good as the first outing.
A low budget B Movie with so so visual effects and atoryline.
Domm fans I think will be disappointed.


4.5/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED




Anna
UK certificate 15
114 mins



Genre : Action/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Violence/Language/Sex/Suicide References

Directed by : Luc Besson

Starring : Sasha Luss/Helen Mirren/Luke Evans

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Beneath Anna Poliatova's striking beauty lies a secret that will unleash her indelible strength and skill to become one of the world's most feared government assassins.

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A stylish action movie with some good fight choreography but let down somewhat by a weak plot.
Performances were good to particularly from the principles complimented by excellent special effects.
One for Nakita and Bridge of spies fans.

6.5/10






Dark Encounter
UK certificate 15
94 mins



Genre : Horror/Sci-Fi

Contents Advisory : Strong Threat/Upsetting Scenes

Directed by : Carl Strathie

Starring : Laura Fraser/Mel Raido/Sid Phoenix

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A year after the mysterious disappearance of an 8 year-old girl, we meet her grieving family as they return home from her memorial service in their small town. Later that evening, strange lights appear in the nearby forest and the family is exposed to an inexplicably strange phenomenon that rattles them to the core. The origin of the lights appear to be visitors from another world that seemingly terrorize the family. What they don't realize is that these 'beings' will lead the family to the truth behind the little girl's disturbing disappearance.

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An average storyline lifted by some good performances and visual effects.
However there was little in the way of horror just the occasional chills.
One for die hard SF fans.

5.5/10






Spider-Man: Far From Home
UK certificate 12
124 mins



Genre : Action/Adventure /Sci-Fi

Contents Advisory : Moderate Fantasy Violence/Threat/Sex References/Language

Directed by : Jon Watts

Starring : Tom Holland/Samuel L. Jackson/Jake Gyllenhaal

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Peter Parker and his friends go on a summer trip to Europe. However, they will hardly be able to rest - Peter will have to agree to help Nick Fury uncover the mystery of creatures that cause natural disasters and destruction throughout the continent.

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The usual spectacular visual effects and action, complimented by a good storline and plot.
Performances were in keeping with the spiderman theme.
Well worth a watch...

7.5/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED






3 from Hell
UK certificate 18
111 mins



Genre : Horror

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Violence/Very Strong Language/Gore/Nudity/Bisexual Threat

Directed by : Rob Zombie

Starring : Sheri Moon Zombie/Bill Moseley/Sid Haig

<><><>

After barely surviving a furious shootout with the police, Baby Firefly, Otis Driftwood and Captain Spaulding are behind bars. But pure evil cannot be contained. Teaming up with Otis’ half-brother Wilson, the demented Firefly clan escape to unleash a whole new wave of murder, madness and mayhem

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A typical Rob Zombie film with lots of in the face bloody violence.
The down side is that there is no real strength in the plot and storyline.
That said those that liked "The Devil's Rejects", a better and nastier film, may like this outing as well.

6/10







Semper Fi aka Brothers in Arms
UK certificate 15
96 mins



Genre : Action/Drama

Contents Advisory : Strong Language/Violence/Injury Detail

Directed by : Henry Alex Rubin

Starring : Finn Wittrock/Leighton Meester/Jai Courtney

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Cal is a dedicated cop who also serves as a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve. When his reckless half brother lands in jail for accidentally killing a man, Cal and his buddies hatch a plan to break him out of prison -- no matter what the cost.

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A solid enough drama, more about brotherhood than action.
Fans of well written storyline may like this.

6.5/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED





Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
UK certificate 12
131 mins



Genre : Action/Adventure

Contents Advisory : Moderate Violence/Infrequent Strong Language

Directed by : David Leitch

Starring : Dwayne Johnson/Jason Statham/Idris Elba

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Lawman Luke Hobbs (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and outcast Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) form an unlikely alliance when a cyber-genetically enhanced villain threatens the future of humanity.

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This is a spin off of the Fast and Furious franchise and as one might expect, spectacular all action outing.
There is Plenty of comical one liners pepper the script with good a good storyline complimented by excellent performances .
Recommended

7/10






Crawlspace
UK certificate 18
87 mins



Genre : Action/Horror/Mystery/Sci-Fi/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Violence/Strong Language

Directed by : Justin Dix

Starring : Nicholas Bell/Ngaire Dawn Fair/John Brumpton

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A group of elite soldiers sent to infiltrate and extract the lead science team from Pine Gap, Australia's top secret underground military compound, after it comes under attack from unknown forces. The mission is compromised when they encounter a young woman with no memory of who she is or how she came to be there. As they try to escape, the group quickly discovers all is not as it seems and the facility has become a testing ground for something far more sinister.

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A nice try spoilt in my view by a poor beginning and ending.
That said the performances were good with neat special effects.
I think more could have been done to improve on the horror aspect of the film, rather than some of the rather bland sequences in the storyline.

6/10

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED




Angel has Fallen
UK certificate 15
121 mins



Genre : Action/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Language/Violence

Directed by : Ric Roman Waugh

Starring : Gerard Butler/Frederick Schmidt/Danny Huston

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After a treacherous attack, Secret Service agent Mike Banning is charged with attempting to assassinate President Trumbull. Chased by his own colleagues and the FBI, Banning begins a race against the clock to clear his name.

<><><>

Not as good as the first outing in the franchise but still a watchable action movie.
Gerard Butler puts in his usual performance which compliments nicely well choreographed action sequences.
So for action fans worth a watch

6.5/10






Crawl
UK certificate 15
84 mins



Genre : Action/Drama/Horror/Thriller

Contents Advisory : Strong Bloody Injury Detail/Threat/Violence

Directed by : Alexandre Aja

Starring : Kaya Scodelario/Barry Peppe/Morfydd Clark

<><><>

When a huge hurricane hits her hometown in Florida, Haley ignores evacuation orders to look for her father. After finding him badly wounded, both are trapped by the flood. With virtually no time to escape the storm, they discover that rising water levels are the least of their problems.

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Neat performances could not hide a rather mundane script.
However the special effects were good as was the cinematography.
Horror fans might be a little disappointed but should distract.

6/10