FILMS on DVD Reviewed Part 1 (Closed)

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED

Psychosis UK Certificate 18

Genre : Horror/Mystery/Thriller

Directed by : Reg Traviss

Starring : Charisma Carpenter/Ricci Harnett/Paul Sculfor

In 1992 a group of young Anarchists braved the snow covered wilderness to set up camp against the construction of a motorway by-pass. A terrible fate awaited them. 15 years later Susan, a successful horror novelist and sensitive soul relocates from her native California to the rural English countryside in search of peace. The newly-wed finds it in an idyllic, remote Hamlet. It is here that Susan's living nightmare unfolds....

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A neat horror thriller with a strong performance by Charisma Carpenter..The Storyline is good compliment by some excellent special effects.
The only down side for me was Harnett's wooden performace...He gave the impression he had only just come across the script.

6/10





Charlie Valentine UK Certificate 18

Genre : Crime/Drama

Directed By : Jesse V. Johnson

Starring : Raymond Barry/Michael Weatherly/James Russo

Aging, charismatic Los Angeles criminal Charlie Valentine (Raymond J. Barry) is forced to take flight from the city and seek asylum with his estranged son Danny (Michael Weatherly) after his last big score goes up in flames.

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The larconic and charismatic performance by Barry sets the scene for an enjoyable roller coaster Crime drama...Recommended.

7/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD


The Human Centipede : First Sequence UK Certificate 18

Genre : Horror/Thriller

Directed by : Tom Six

Starring : Dieter Laser/Ashley Wiiliams/Ashlynn Yennie

In Germany, two American women and a Japanese man fall victim to a demented surgeon who plans to recreate a horrific operation with humans that he performed on his three beloved dogs: reverse-engineering Siamese triplets by attaching their digestive systems....

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I found this film sadly to be a let down, perhaps I was expecting something more when the hype has us believe that it was medically accurate. I surpose from the operation sense it was.
Anyway a run of the mill horror with few stand out moments.

One for die hard horror fans.

5/10





Road Train UK Certificate 15

Genre : Horror/Sci-Fi

Directed by : Dean Francis

Starring : Xavier Samuel/Bob Morley/Georgina Haig

The Australian outback is one of the most vast, desolate and brutal landscapes in the world. A place of immense beauty, mystery and a hazardous, hostile environment filled with danger. Today four innocent friends on a camping trip are about to find out how deadly that landscape is. Soon they will be forced to face pure, unadulterated evil in a bloody, gruesome journey to hell they might not survive… or want to survive.

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A passable Horror film with good, and at times over the top performances. The Storyline is so-so, but lifted with some neat special effects.
One for Horror/Sci-Fi fans

6/10

[|MYT|Alexis]

Inception



Genre: Action / Mystery / Sci-Fi / Thriller

Director: Christopher Nolan


The protagonist is a special kind of thief. Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), steals your ideas, the crime scene is your mind. At a certain stage of sleep is the human mind is vulnerable and it is now used by Cobb. My big success is the best in their field, and thus offers its services after mass. Demand for his services in the industrial and corporate espionage is increasing, and it must reject some orders, becoming a fugitive and has many enemies at once. Then get a great deal that could solve all his problems. This time does not steal the idea, but you inspire someone. That could create the perfect crime, but to get on thin ice. And so it begins preparing for battle with the strongest opponent....





Legend of the Guardians



Genre: Animation / Adventure / Fantasy

Director: Zack Snyder


Soren is a young barn owl and he lives peacefully in her forest home. One of the other owls, however, kidnapped and imprisoned in St. Aggie's - alleged orphanage where young owls are like him are brainwashed and trained in the bloodthirsty soldiers. Although it is not easy, Soren you will find friends and together they manage to escape. Shelter on the island of Ga'Hoole, which help the noble, wise owl in the fight against the wicked army forming in St. Aggie's.

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED


The Loved Ones UK Certificate 18

Genre : Horror

Directed by : Sean Byrne

Starring : Xavier Samuel/Jessica McNamee/Robin McLeavy

In order to avoid a ghostly figure in the road, high school senior Brent Mitchell wraps his car around a tree, killing his father. Constantly confronted by his mother's emotional collapse after the accident, Brent escapes into a marijuana fueled world of loud metal music to block the pain and guilt. Dejected and out of sorts, he has a shot at happiness with his girlfriend Holly, a grounded, caring girl with drop dead good looks, a dream date for the high school prom. But his plans are thwarted by a disturbing series of events that take place under a mirrored disco ball, involving pink satin, glitter, syringes, nails, power drills and a secret admirer. Brent has become the prom king at a macabre, sadistic event where he is the entertainment.....

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A neat Australian Horror Film, with well acted performances that deliver the intended shocks & horror.
The Storyline is basic...But nevertheless good as are the special effects.

Recommended to all Horror Fans

7/10





Hunter Prey UK Certificate 15

Genre: Sci-Fi

Directed by : Sandy Collora

Starring : Clark Bartram/Damion Poitier

The Prometheus has dropped out of orbit. Communications and life support systems are down. Situation Critical: Status of Crew and Prisoner unknown. With orders to catch their Alien Prisoner alive the surviving crew of the spaceship Prometheus pursue a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with their escaped prisoner on a deserted and barren planet. But, who is the hunter and who is its prey?

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This could have been a good Sci-Fi film, but budget contraints and a lack of a compelling Storyline lets it down.
So-So performances & an overly long film do not add anything to what is a very average experience.

One then for die-hard Sci-Fi Fans

5/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED

The Collector UK Certificate 18

Genre : Horror

Directed by : Marcus Dunstan

Starring : Josh Stewart/Michael Burke/Andrea Roth

When the Chase family moves to an isolated house in the middle of nowhere in Detroit, Arkin is hired to fix the windows and the doors. Later he meets his daughter and his wife that has a debt with dangerous sharks and needs money, but his week payment is not enough to pay her debts. Arkin plots to heist the safe of Michael Chase during the night to raise the necessary money. However, when he arrives in the house, he finds that a sadistic criminal has imprisoned the family and planted traps everywhere. Arkin seeks a way out of the deadly house to save his life....

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Another in the so called "torture Porn" type horror movie...above the average with credible performances & reasonable storyline.
Another for Horror fans only I think.

6/10





The Tortured UK Certificate 18

Genre : Horror/Thriller

Directed by : Rob Lieberman

Starring : Erika Christensen/Jesse Metcalf/Bill Moseley

The Perfect marriage of Craig & Elise Landry is suddenley shattered when there young son is abducted & murdered.When the Killer is brought to trial he manages to plea bargain his way to a lighter sentence. Utterly outraged the parents decide to take matters into there own hands....

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Yet another "torture porn" horror movie...This time a neat and suspensfull storyline with strong and believable performances.
Well worth a watch..but be warned there are some gut wrenching moments.

7/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED


31 North 62 East UK Certificate 15

Genre : Thriller

Directed by : Tristan Loraine

Starring : Craig Fairbrass/Aurelie Bargeme/John Rhys-Davies/Heather Peace

When an SAS unit in Afghanistan is attacked, the sister of its Captain, Jill Mandelson (Heather Peace), embarks on a dangerous quest to uncover what went wrong. Suspecting the units position was given up in order to secure the UK a massive arms deal, Mandelson must prove the deception runs right to the top....

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Great to get back to a good old thriller...Marvelous...A superb all round viewing experience...tense, well performed and engaging storyline.

Highly recommended

9/10





A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) UK Certificate 18


Genre : Horror

Directed by : Samuel Bayer

Starring : Jackie Earle Haley/Karl Gallner/Rooney Mara

Death stalks the dreams of several young adults to claim its revenge on the killing of Freddy Kruger. Chased and chastised by this finger-bladed demon, it is the awakening of old memories and the denials of a past of retribution that spurns this hellish vision of a dreamlike state and turns death into a nightmare reality.....

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This is a remake..and like most, does not come close to the original...That said there are some shock moments, performances are good but the storyline is average...

Recommended to die-hard Horror fans only.

6/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED


Predators UK Certificate 15


Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror

Directed by : Nimrod Antal

Starring : Adrien Brody/Topher Grace/Alice Braga

A group of elite warriors who come to realize they’ve been brought together on an alien planet… as prey. With the notable exception of a disgraced physician, they are all cold-blooded killers--mercenaries, Yakuza, convicts, death squad members--human “predators” that are now being systemically hunted and eliminated by a new breed of alien Predators in the ultimate battle of survival of kill, or be killed....

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Another outing in the Predator Universe...and not a bad one. Recalls some of the action seen in the first film. That said the Storyline is somewhat average, but is lifted with some good performances & as usual special effects.

One for Sci-Fi Fans

6/10




Black Death UK Certificate 15

Genre : Adventure/Horror/Mystery

Directed by : Christopher Smith

Starring : Seam Bean/Eddie Redmayne/Carice Van Houten

Set during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is tasked with learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life, a mission that pulls him toward a village ruler who has made a dark pact with evil forces....

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This film certainly protrays the brutality, hardship & superstition found in 14th century Britain. The Storyline is good with some excellent performances......particularly from Sean Bean.

Recommended

7/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILM ON DVD REVIEWED


The Pacific UK Certificate 15


Genre: Action/Drama/War

Directed by : Tim Van Patten/David Nutter/Jeremy Podeswa/Graham Yost/Carl Franklin/Tony To

Starring : Joseph Mazzello/James Badge Dale/John Seda

Special Note : The DVD Box set comprises 6-Discs, all 10 episodes & Special Features.

The Pacific tracks the real-life journeys of three U.S. Marines Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale), Eugene Sledge (Joe Mazzello) and John Basilone (Jon Seda) across the vast canvas of the Pacific Theatre during World War II. The extraordinary experiences of these men and their fellow Marines take them from the first clash with the Japanese in the haunted jungles of Guadalcanal, through the impenetrable rain forests of Cape Gloucester, across the blasted coral strongholds of Peleliu, up the black sand terraces of Iwo Jima, through the killing fields of Okinawa, to the triumphant, yet uneasy, return home after V-J Day.

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What can one say...utterley superb..a stunning production takes you thru the War in the Pacific viewed by three Marines. The Performances are top draw and compliments a strong Storyline. The Direction & photography draws you into the atmosphere of War, the fears, emotions and shear Brutality that must have been felt and seen at the time.....

An trually unmissable experience...

10/10

[|MYT|Alexis]

' Season of the Witch '



Genre: Drama / Adventure / Horror

Director: Dominic Sena


A 14th century Crusader returns to a homeland devastated by the Black Plague. A beleaguered church, deeming sorcery the culprit of the plague, commands the two knights to transport an accused witch to a remote abbey, where monks will perform a ritual in hopes of ending the pestilence. A priest, a grieving knight, a disgraced itinerant and a headstrong youth who can only dream of becoming a knight join a mission troubled by mythically hostile wilderness and fierce contention over the fate of the girl. When the embattled party arrives at the abbey, a horrific discovery jeopardises the knight's pledge to ensure the girl fair treatment, and pits them against an inexplicably powerful and destructive force........







' The Way Back '



Genre: Drama

Director: Peter Weir



"The Way Back" is a remarkable adventure story chronicling the escape of a small group of multi-national prisoners from a Siberian gulag in 1940 and their epic life affirming journey over thousands of miles across five hostile countries.......






' Skyline '



Genre: Sci-Fi / Thriller

Directors: Colin Strause, Greg Strause


Strange lights descend on the city of Los Angeles, drawing people outside like moths to a flame where an extraterrestrial force threatens to swallow the entire human population off the face of the Earth.


“After a late night party, a group of friends are awoken in the dead of the night by an eerie light beaming through the window. Like moths to a flame, the light source is drawing people outside before they suddenly vanish into the air. They soon discover an otherworldly force is swallowing the entire human population off the face of the earth. Now our band of survivors must fight for their lives as the world unravels around them.”

Those alien spaceships look scary!

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED


"V" Mini-Series Season One UK Certificate 15

Genre : Sci-Fi

Directred by : Yves Simoneau/Fred Toye

Starring : Elizabeth Mitchell/Morris Chestnut/Logan Huffman/Laura Vandervoort


Simultaneously appearing over every major city in the world, the Visitors (or V's) promote a message of peace. Through their generous offer to share advanced technology, the V's build a following that may actually hide a more malevolent agenda, one that twists a very deep component of human nature: devotion......

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Somewhat disappointing rewrite of the original series..True only season one, but the Storyline & special effects do need a lift.
The Performances are good and do compensate.

6/10




Night Dragon UK Certificate 18


Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller

Directed by : Tim Biddiscombe

Starring : Imogen Church/Annette Kellow/Alan Ford

A small cabal of professional criminals attempt to extort information from a beautiful but naive lawyer, but are betrayed from within when Liz, one of their number falls in love with the victim.

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This is a tense erotic crime thriller with an above average storyline. However some of the performances are shallow in the sense that you just cannot believe in the character. Still well worth a watch, particularly those that enjoy crime thrillers.

6/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED


The Tournament UK Certificate 18


Genre : Action/Thriller

Directed by : Scott Mann

Starring : Robert Carlyle/Kelly Hu/Ian Somerhalder

Every seven years in an unsuspecting town, The Tournament takes place. A battle royale between 30 of the world's deadliest assassins. The last man standing receiving the $10,000,000 cash prize and the title of Worlds No 1, which itself carries the legendary million dollar a bullet price tag....

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This is a great Film for action Fans...Solid performances, Good Storyline and well crafted action sequences.
Highly recommended

8/10




Frozen UK Certificate 15

Genre : Drama/Thriller

Directed by : Adam Green

Starring : Emma Bell/Shawn Ashmore/Kevin Zegers

In Mount Holliston, snowboarders Dan Walker, his girlfriend Parker O'Neil and his best friend Joe Lynch don't have enough money to buy cable car tickets. Parker bribes Jason, an employee of the skiing station, with one hundred dollars. When the system is nearing closure, they force Jason to let them have the last pass. However, Jason needs to resolve a problem and his colleague misunderstands his instructions and stops the cable car, and the trio of snowboarders gets stranded on the chairlift on the top of the mountain. When they see that the lights of the ski resort had been turned off, they need to make a choice: leave the chairlift or freeze to death.

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An interesting drama with good performances & a tense, often gripping storyline.


7/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED


Splice UK Certificate 15

Genre : Sci-Fi/Drama/Thriller

Directed by : Vincenzo Natali

Starring : Adrien Brody/Sarah Polley/Delphine Chaneac

Two young rebellious scientists are told by their employers to halt groundbreaking work that has seen them produce new creatures with medical benefits by splicing together multiple organisms' DNA. They decide to secretly continue their work, but this time splicing in human DNA...

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An Enjoyable Sci-Fi Drama...Often intense & gripping..The Evolution of Dren, The Creature (Delphine Chaneac), from DNA to Adulthood is very convincing....Excellent Performances & Storyline then, just a bit let down in the latter part of the film by a predicatable plot.
That said I recommend this to all, particularly Sci-Fi Fans.

8/10





The A-Team UK Certiicate 12

Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller

Directed by : Joe Carnahan

Starring : Liam Neeson/Bradley Cooper/Quinton Jackson

During the Vietnam war a 4 man team (known as the A-Team) of Special Forces were (wrongly) convicted of the robbery of the bank of Hanoi and were sent to a prison. But, while they were being transferred to that prison, this team managed to escape and secretly went into hiding in Los Angeles. Now, the A-Team aims to find another team of U.S. soldiers that framed them for the crime back in Vietnam,while they wait however they help other people that have a problem with other underworld dwellers.....

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This is a remake and a hugely fun ride it is. A roller coaster of action from start to finish...Excellent Performances & Storyline... Yes I was surprised but pleasantly so...

Recommended to all

8/10

[|MYT|DK]

nice movie

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED

Inception UK Certificate 12

Genre : Action/Crime/Sci-Fi

Directed by : Christopher Nolan

Starring : Leonardo DeCaprio/Joseph Gordon-Levitt/Ellen Page/Tom Hardy

Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming....

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An amazing Sci-Fi tale where you don't just watch the scenes but feel them. Strong performances & Storyline compliment. The special effects are awsome as is the Direction.

Highly Recommended

9/10






Devil's Playground UK Certificate 18

Genre : Action/Horror

Directed By : Mark McQueen

Starring : Danny Dyer/Craig Fairbrass/Myanna Buring

London: The not too distant future. N-Gen Industries, a leading pharmaceutical company, is trying to placate a media uproar. Its new legal performance enhancer, RAK-295, has met with spectacular failure during testing, causing severe physical and allergic reactions in all 30,000 of its test subjects baring one.... Angela Mills (MyAnna Buring). Our Future Has One Hope ... and with Angela being the only person not to report any type of reaction, N-Gen CEO Peter White (Colin Salmon) enlists Head of Security Cole (Craig Fairbrass), a hardened ex-mercenary, to find her and bring her in for examination. Angela is joined by troubled on-off boyfriend Joe (Danny Dyer) and a small group of friends as they try to seek refuge from the infected and Cole and the N-Gen Corporation.....

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Ordinary Horror outing with good Performances & Special Effects, but with an average Storyline.
That said I think this Film will appeal to Horror Fans, if only for the gore content.

6/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED


Knight & Day UK Certificate 12

Genre : Action/Adventure/Comedy

Directed by : James Mangold

Starring : Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz

June Havens finds her everyday life tangled with that of a secret agent who has realized he isn't supposed to survive his latest mission. As their campaign to stay alive stretches across the globe, they soon learn that all they can count on is each other....

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Enjoyable actioner with tongue in cheek one-liners...As one might expect good Performnces by Cruise & Diaz, which I think compliments the Storyline.

Recommended

8/10





Salt UK Certificate 15

Genre : Action/Crime/Thriller

Directed by : Phillip Noyce

Starring : Angelina Jolie/Liev Schreiber

As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt's efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: "Who is Salt?"

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Jolie in top form...With some good set piece action...Just as well I think as the Storyline is average & the end twist really did deserve better.
Anyway that a side I recommend this Film to all.

8/10