FILMS on DVD Reviewed Part 1 (Closed)

[|MYT|Edward]

"The Ides of March " is really a good movie.

You can watch "Iron Lady" too.

[|MYT|Kuchar]

"The Ides of March " is really a good movie.

You can watch "Iron Lady" too.

Yes, it is good movie but not very spectacullar. Last days i watched french movie Intouchables (2011), on a real story. Maybe Torqy watched it and he can write recension? Cause i cant do it very well in english. But this movie is worth to watch, wasnt there any boring minute.

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED

Three more


The Clinic UK Certificate 18


Genre : Crime/Horror/Mystery/Thriller

Directed by : James Rabbitts

Starring : Tabrett Bethell/Andy Whitfield


Set on Christmas Eve in 1979, while travelling across country with her fiancé, Beth wakes alone in an isolated clinic to a mother’s worst nightmare. Just how far will she go to save her child?

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A lack lustre horror which could have been much better...Yes there is the Gore, but I felt bored which is not a good sign...
That said the Direction & performances were fine.


5/10






Shadow of the Sword aka The Headsman UK Certificate 15



Genre : Drama

Directed by : Simon Aeby

Starring : Steven Berkoff/Nikolai Coster-Waldau/Julie Cox/Peter McDonald


Orphans Martin (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Georg (Peter McDonald) bond as children, but walk very different paths as adults. Georg follows his calling to join the church, while Martin becomes an army captain. When fate places Martin in the role of executioner, he must choose between friendship and fundamentalist doctrine...

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A Film set in the middle ages....Good Storyline gives a flavor of the often brutal times....torture & executions.
Much like Game of Thrones in character, but otherwise not as good.

Execellent performance frome Coster-Waldau...he gets better & better.


6.5/10






The Whistleblower UK Certificate 15


Genre : Biography/Drama/Thriller

Directed by : Larysa Kondracki

Starring : Rachel Weisz/David Strathairn/Nikolaj Lie Kaas/Anna Anissimova


Kathy (Rachel Weisz) is an American police officer who takes a job working as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. Her expectations of helping to rebuild a devastated country are dashed when she uncovers a dangerous reality of corruption, cover-up and intrigue amid a world of private contractors and multinational diplomatic doubletalk.

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Excellent Biographical story of Kathryn Bolkovac...Well acted by Weisz...Based on actual events the movie takes you into the dark world of Bosnia at the time, Mercenaries & so called Diplomats.
Great Direction & Cinematography...

Highly Recommended


8/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED



Dream House UK Certificate 15


Genre : Drama/Mystery/Thriller

Directed by : Jim Sheridan

Starring : Daniel Craig/Naomi Watts/Rachel Weisz


Some say that all houses have memories. For one man, his home is the place he would kill to forget. A family unknowingly moves into a home where several grisly murders were committed...only to find themselves the killer's next target. Successful publisher Will Atenton (Craig) quit a job in New York City to relocate his wife, Libby (Weisz), and two girls to a quaint New England town. But as they settle into their new life, they discover their perfect home was the murder scene of a mother and her children. And the entire city believes it was at the hands of the husband who survived. When Will investigates the tragedy, his only lead comes from Ann Paterson (Watts), a neighbor who was close to the family that died. As Will and Ann piece together the disturbing puzzle, they discover that the story of the last man to leave Will's dream house will be just as horrifying to the one who came next.

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Excellent performances by the leads, particularly Craig & Weiszm, let down by a somewhat confusing storyline...Thats said a competent mystery thriller for those that like the genre, however the movie is not a horror film as some may interpret from the trailer.


6.5/10






House of the Rising Sun UK Certificate 15


Genre : Action/Crime/Thriller

Directed by : Brian A. Miller

Starring : Dave Bautista/Amy Smart/Craig Fairbrass


Ray, an ex-con, is starting a new life looking to stay out of trouble. One evening, on Ray's watch, the nightclub he works for is robbed and the owner's son is shot dead. As his criminal past is exposed Ray hunts for the person responsible for this crime in an effort to clear his own name. Ray must get to the bottom of this as both the mob and cops start to close in on him as their target suspect.

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Yet another Wrestler trying to act....which it does not help a lack lustre thriller which has been done better elsewhere.
Very average outing...One for action addicts only.

4/10





Recoil UK Certificate 15


Genre : Action

Directed by : Terry Miles

Starring : Steve Austin/Danny Trejo/Serinda Swan


A cop turns vigilante after his family is murdered, exacting vengeance on the killers - and then on all criminals who have slipped through the system.

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An average action movie where Austin does a bit better than previous Films he has starred in.
I felt that there was room for improvement especially in the action scenes themselves..
Still..worth a watch particularly by those that like the genre.

5/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED



The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (English Version) UK Certificate 18


Genre : Crime/Drama/Mystery/Thriller

Directed by : David Fincher

Starring : Daniel Craig/Rooney Mara/Christopher Plummer

Mikael Blomkvist is a disgraced journalist who is asked by a wealthy industrialist to write a biography on his family. But what he really wants Blomkvist to do is to find out what happened to his niece, who went missing 40 years ago. Blomkvist, at first, is not interested, till the man offers to help him clear his name. Blomkvist, begins by talking to the man's relatives who were there when the girl went missing. And some of them are not forth coming. Blomkvist eventually believes that her disappearance might have something to do with some serial killings that took place 20 years before she disappeared. So he asks for a research assistant. So the industrialist's man suggests Lisbeth Salander, a talented hacker who does background checks for them and who even did one on Blomkvist. When he sees her report, he's impressed and asks her to work with him and she does. She's anti-social but is extremely efficient.

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An outstanding adaption of the Book by Steig Larsson, and in my opinion better than the Swedish Film which was not as well measured in it's storyline...
Memorable performances by the leads, especially Mara as Lisbeth Salander....
Top draw Storyline, fine Direction & an amazing musical score tops it all off..

Highly Recommended

10/10







Bad Cop aka Sinners & Saints UK Certificate 18



Genre : Action/Crime/Thriller

Directed by : William Kaufman

Starring : Johnny Strong/Kevin Phillips/Costas Mandylor


In the gritty New Orleans underbelly, beleaguered Detective Sean Riley is trying to cope with the death of his young son and his failed marriage. Facing a probable suspension from the department, Riley is teamed with a young homicide Detective, Will Ganz, to help solve a series of brutal murders that have plunged the city into a major gang war. The two quickly realize there is something much bigger and far more sinister going on than either could have ever imagined...


<><><>

This action/thriller was much better than I thought it would be...Fast Moving, often brutal, excellent performances & a decent storyline.

Recommended


7/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED



Another Earth UK Certificate 12


Genre : Drama/Sci-Fi

Directed by : Mike Cahill

Starring : Brit Marling/William Mapother


On the night of the discovery of a duplicate planet in the solar system, an ambitious young student and an accomplished composer cross paths in a tragic accident.

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Every so often a real gem of a film comes along..."Another Earth" is one such.
Is a tender character drama played with stunning presence by Brit Marling...She also co wrote the Story which is just as good.
It is a study of guilt & remorse for what she has done & how she tries to gain penance for it from the Man whos family she killed.
Not one for Sci-Fi gung ho addicts then, but if you like solid Drama with a dash of Sci-Fi this is for you.


Highly Recommended

8/10





Fury UK Certificate 18


Genre : Thriller

Directed by : David Weaver

Starring : Samuel L. Jackson/Luke Kirby/Ruth Negga


After twenty years in prison, Foley is finished with the grifter's life. When he meets an elusive young woman named Iris, the possibility of a new start looks real. But his past is proving to be a stubborn companion.

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A neat revenge thriller with good performances & a gritty storyline...Brutal & without compromise..


6.5/10





Mission Impossible : Ghost Protocol UK Certificate 12


Genre : Action/Adventure/Thriller

Directed by : Brad Bird

Starring : Tom Cruise/Paula Patton/Simon Peg/Jeremy Renner


Ethan Hunt is broken out of a Russian prison by IMF team members and begins his search for an international terrorist who has successfully stolen Russian arming codes for their nuclear missiles. They must first identify him and the only way to do so is to break into the Kremlin archives. The end result is that much of the Kremlin is destroyed and now Russian agents are after the IMF. They track the thief, now identified as Kurt Hendricks, to Dubai where an attempt to con him out of the codes fail. They then follow him to Mumbai where it's believed he will transmit the signals to launch the Russian missiles at the USA...

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An excellent action movie with some awsome Special effects....a good addition to the frachise.

Recommended

8/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED



War Horse UK Certificate 12


Genre : Drama/War

Directed by : Steven Speilberg

Starring : Emily Watson/David Thewlis/Peter Mullan


Dartmoor,1914: To his wife's dismay farmer Narracott buys a thoroughbred horse rather than a plough animal, but when his teenaged son Albert trains the horse and calls him Joey, the two becoming inseparable. When his harvest fails, the farmer has to sell Joey to the British cavalry and he is shipped to France where, after a disastrous offensive he is captured by the Germans and changes hands twice more before he is found, caught in the barbed wire in No Man's Land four years later and freed. He is returned behind British lines where Albert, now a private, has been temporarily blinded by gas, but still recognizes his beloved Joey. However, as the Armistice is declared Joey is set to be auctioned off. After all they have been through will Albert and Joey return home together?

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What can I say.....Stunning adaption of the Book by Michael Morpurgo...
Top draw Direction (Speilberg at his best), Storyline & performances beautifully shot...
It does not often happen but I was moved emotionally, especially by the end scenes......Indeed the Storyline sturs much passion.

Highly Recommended must see Film.

10/10





The Iron Lady UK Certificate 12


Genre : Biography/Drama

Directed by : Phyllida Lloyd

Starring : Meryl Streep/Jim Broadbent/Olivia Colman


Elderly and a virtual prisoner in her own home due to her concerned staff and daughter Carol, Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first woman prime minister, looks back on her life as she clears out her late husband Denis's clothes for the Oxfam shop. Denis is seen as being her rock as she first enters parliament and then runs for the leadership of the Conservative Party, culminating in her eventual premiereship. Now his ghost joins her to comment on her successes and failures, sometimes to her annoyance, generally to her comfort until ultimately, as the clothes are sent to the charity shop, Denis departs from Margret's life forever...

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I have mixed feelings about this Film....Yes Meryl Streeps Performance as Margeret Thatcher is Top Draw, somewhat sentimentalised I think....
The Storyline line was a bit uninteresting at times and the flash backs somewhat disjointed. There was a feeling that playing safe with a controversial figure is best.

That said there are touching scenes which show the moments of grief for her dead husband & not being able to let go....and yes dementia and its effects.

So a mixed critique...I think you will either love or hate this film.


8/10






The Watermen UK Certificate 18



Genre : Horror/Thriller

Directed by : Matt Lockhart

Starring : Luke Guldan/Tera Heston/Tyler Johnson


A crew of watermen abducts persons in boats to grind their flesh and make bait. Six youngsters have their motor yacht sabotaged and they are stranded in the sea. The crew of a trawler rescues them and they drink spiked water and faint. When they wake up, they learn that they are trapped in an island and they have to fight against the sadistic men to survive.


<><><>

Dear me ..This is one for Die Hard Horror addicts only...Gore..Yes...Nudity ..Yes
Sensible Storyline..no


3/10

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED



Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows UK Certificate 12



Genre : Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Thriller

Directed by : Guy Ritchie

Starring : Robert Downey jr./Jude Law/Noomi Rapace


Sherlock Holmes is investigating terrorist attacks in London alone since his old partner Dr. John Watson will get married a few days later with Mary. His investigations point to Professor James Moriarty as the person responsible for the explosions. When Dr. Watson and Mary are attacked in the train while traveling for their honeymoon in Brighton, Holmes delivers Mary to the protection of his brother Mycroft. Soon Holmes and Dr. Watson disclose that Professor Moriarty has bought arms and ammunition factories and is trying to start a war in Europe killing political leaders and politicians. Now Sherlock and Watson have to stop Moriarty and his dangerous associate, the skilled former Colonel Sebastian Moran to avoid the imminent war.

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Yes the magic continues...In my view better than the first outing...gripping, suspensful & hilarious.
Downey & Laws chemistry works well & just gets better...Strong performances & Direction top it all off.

Highly Recommended

9/10







Underworld : Awakening UK Certificate 18


Genre : Action/Fantasy/Horror/Thriller

Directed by : Marlind & Stein

Starring : Kate Beckinsale/Stephen Rea/Michael Ealy


After 12 years, vampire Selene wakes up in a laboratory tank. She manages to escape her human imprisonment. On re-entering the world, she finds that humans are aware of both vampire and Lycan species and are fighting to annihilate them. The Lycans are almost extinct, but they are creating more powerful super Lycans. Selene must stop BioCom from creating the new Lycan breed with the help of Detective Sabastian. She also discovers that she has a 14-year-old Vampire/Lycan hybrid daughter.

<><><>

Fourth episode in the franchise....Well not upto expectations...below average storyline whos plot was under developed & to add to that an overly short movie.
The bright spots were the special effects & of course Kate Beckinsale.


6/10






Transit UK Certificate 15



Genre : Crime/Drama/Thriller

Directed by : Antonio Negret

Starring : Jim Caviezel/James Frain/Diora Baird


The camping trip was meant to reunite the Sidwell family. When they are hunted and terrorized by violent bank robbers, their very survival will depend on working together.

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A neat gritty Crime Thriller with a somewhat preposterous storyline line.
Nevertheless an enjoyable romp.


6/10

[»GhostReaper«]

Underworld : Awakening UK Certificate 18


Genre : Action/Fantasy/Horror/Thriller

Directed by : Marlind & Stein

Starring : Kate Beckinsale/Stephen Rea/Michael Ealy

I'll watch it just for that.

[|MYT|macdutch]

I already seen it 7 months ago (long life spotgrit.org) i think the need to stop with UNDERWORLD its not like part 1 & 2 ... but ok for a sad evening alone with some beer and chips you can watch it.

[|MYT|Alexis]

Prometheus (2012)


Genres: Action / Horror / Sci-Fi

Director: Ridley Scott


A team of scientists journey through the universe on the spaceship "Prometheus" on a voyage to investigate Alien life forms. The team of scientists becomes stranded on an Alien world, and as they struggle to survive it becomes clear that the horrors they experience are not just a threat to themselves, but to all of mankind.

[|MYT|macdutch]

Prometheus (2012)


Genres: Action / Horror / Sci-Fi

Director: Ridley Scott


A team of scientists journey through the universe on the spaceship "Prometheus" on a voyage to investigate Alien life forms. The team of scientists becomes stranded on an Alien world, and as they struggle to survive it becomes clear that the horrors they experience are not just a threat to themselves, but to all of mankind.

I love this kind of movies and his director

[|MYT|Torq]

Prometheus (2012)


Genres: Action / Horror / Sci-Fi

Director: Ridley Scott


A team of scientists journey through the universe on the spaceship "Prometheus" on a voyage to investigate Alien life forms. The team of scientists becomes stranded on an Alien world, and as they struggle to survive it becomes clear that the horrors they experience are not just a threat to themselves, but to all of mankind.

I love this kind of movies and his director

Yes it is the prequel to "Alien"

I look forward to seeing it on DVD

[|MYT|Torq]

THIS WEEK'S FILMS ON DVD REVIEWED



The Grey UK Certificate 15


Genre : Action/Adventure/Thriller

Directed by : Joe Carnahan

Starring : Liam Neeson/Frank Grillo/Dermot Mulroney


Crude oil workers in Alaska are heading home for a 2-week vacation, after working grueling shifts. On their way home, they encounter a vicious storm that brings their plane crashing down in the Alaskan tundra. 8 survivors must find their way to civilization. They are hampered by mysterious wolves.


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With this movie you need suspend your beliefs in the natural order of things....That said it is a powerful, gritty tale of survival, well acted and very atmospheric.

Recommended

7/10





Humanity's End UK Certificate 15


Genre : Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Directed by : Neil Johnson

Starring : Jay Laise/Rochelle Vallese/Cynthia Ickes


Mankind has left planet earth to find new homes throughout the galaxy. Humanity has split up into two different species: the Homo Sapiens and another, highly advanced race of Homo Technicus. Generation by generation the population of Homo Sapiens decreases, and by 2820 is almost extinct. Space pilot Derasi Vorde and his crew are the guardians of the last strain of human DNA and vow to protect it at all costs. But when the Homo Technius attempt to destroy the specimen, a battle for the survival of humanity begins.

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An average Sci-Fi movie with plenty of action...The special effects vary from "so-so" to ok.
One for B-Movie Sci-Fi Fans I think.


5/10





The Lost Colony UK Certificate 15


Genre : Fantasy/Horror/Mystery

Directed by : Matt Codd

Starring : Adrian Paul/Frida Farrell/Alex McArthur

In 1587, a group of British colonists arrives in Roanoke Island and finds the local fortress deserted with the corpse of a suicidal hanged in decomposition and a warning written with blood on the ceiling. Ananias Dare is assigned to be in charge of the colony while their leader will bring supplies. Sooner Ananias learns that the forest is haunted by evil spirits that feed themselves of human soul and that they are chasing his new-born daughter that has a pure soul.

<><><>

Not a bad little chiller which could have been improved by a better storyline.
Still, worth a watch on a rainy day.

5/10

[|MYT|Kuchar]

Underworld : Awakening UK Certificate 18


Genre : Action/Fantasy/Horror/Thriller

Directed by : Marlind & Stein

Starring : Kate Beckinsale/Stephen Rea/Michael Ealy

I'll watch it just for that.

Ye its good movie. I wait for new Underworld