Disc Audio

From Hell

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 17th, 2002

Intro

Fox has done it once again! From Hell is not the greatest of films, but this DVD release makes this film a must own.

Film

“FROM HELL is a gory detective film cloaked in Victorian-era mystique. The movie shows how the serial killer Jack the Ripper stalked the dark streets of 1888 London, slaying prostitutes and crudely dissecting their bodies. Based on the graphic novel written by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell, this moody chiller is directed by twin brothers Albert and…
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Best Men

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 17th, 2002

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The case features Drew Barrymore front and centre, but don’t be misled. This is a 1997 effort, and Barrymore’s star was still on the (re)ascension. She has a supporting role in this crime story, yet another smart-aleck tale to come in the wake of Quentin Tarantino.

Synopsis

Luke Wilson (doing his best Nicolas Cage impression) has just been released from prison. He is picked up by his friends to be driven to the church to marry Drew Barrymore, but along the way, one of them (Patrick Flannery) decide…
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Stargate SG-1 – The Complete First Season

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 16th, 2002

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Let me start off by being very honest. I was not a huge fan of the Devlin and Emerich film version of Stargate. And because I wasn’t into the film, I did not bother to watch the Showtime original series when it first debuted. That was a major mistake on my behalf. The series is closer to Star Trek than Stargate (the movie). The cast is excellent beginning with Richard Dean Anderson taking over the Mike Douglas role of Col. O’Neal. With a refreshing blend of wit and tough guy, Anderson is everything you want in a le…
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X-Files – The Complete Fifth Season

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 14th, 2002

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The X-Files is one of those TV shows that lends itself very well to the DVD format. Its insanely complicated mythos and attendant continuity makes it a show where extras actually make sense. (Does anyone REALLY need Ally McBeal commentary?)

Synopsis

The fifth season is the one that led up to the release of the feature film, so it functions something like an extended prologue. Among the notable stand-alone stories, however, is “Kill Switch,” scripted by William Gibson. This season also saw the Lone …
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Thief of Hearts

Posted in Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 12th, 2002

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Let’s take a little trip down memory lane, shall we? Follow me back to that bygone era known as the eighties. Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer were consolidating their formula for slick, commercial fluff, Harold Faltermeyer’s synthesized scores were inescapable, and Steven Bauer actually rated star billing.

Synopsis

Steven Bauer is a professional cat-burglar, aided and managed by cocaine-sniffing restaurant employee David Caruso (looking geekily young). On one particular job, Bauer finds, amid hi…
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The Cell

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 10th, 2002

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Let me start off by saying that “The Cell” is not for the timid. It can be as disturbing as it is visually stunning. On the surface this is a serial killer thriller but in reality the film is much more. Elements of suspense and graphic horror combine with a science fiction premise that one can enter the dreams of another person. It’s hard not to make comparisons with the 1980’s film “Dreamscape”; both have created elaborate larger than life dream worlds where if you die in your dream you die in reality. “The Cell” goes much further with its stark contrasts of often gritty environments followed by lavish and brightly colored settings.

Galaxy Quest

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 9th, 2002

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Anyone who has been to a Star Trek convention will have heightened appreciation for Galaxy Quest. George Takei, who played Sulu on the original Trek, was asked about the film at a convention and he responded, “That was real. I know that guy played by Tim Allen”. There are many classic parodies of science fiction films but I think this is one of the most entertaining.

Synopsis

The cast of the cult classic sci-fi series Galaxy Quest are now relegated to convention hell. They aren’t really fond of each other but stay together because they need the money.
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Independence Day

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 27th, 2002

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This film has been met with mixed but mostly rave reviews (Maltin only gives it 2.5 stars) since it was released. I loved it. It wasn’t just the spaceships and groundbreaking effects but the well-rounded cast that makes this film a future classic for me. Goldblume’s quirky nerd works perfectly here (more than it did in Jurassic Park), Quaid is a simple joy, Will Smith showed that he has grown out of the “Fresh Prince” stereotype, and anyone who thought Judd Hirsh wasn’t anything more than Taxi’s Alex must have been awed by his performance.
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Jurassic Park II: Lost World

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 25th, 2002

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“Welcome back to Jurassic Park”. How do you make a blockbuster better? The simple answer is: You don’t. The story for this one is about as contrived as a good Godzilla film. Call it the politically correct Jurassic Park. The high point, however, is bigger, better, and cooler dinosaurs. The T-Rex and raptors are back but now they’re joined by dozens of new species to gape at. The movie is actually fine until the ending. What was Spielberg thinking? Substitute Tokyo for San Diago and we’ve seen it too many times before done better.

Drunken Master

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 22nd, 2002

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Intro

This film has been dubbed as “The Original Kung Fu Comedy”. Jackie Chan is his good old self in this classic Kung Fu film, and the comedy and action are both fun to watch. The sequel entitled “The Legend of Drunken Master” does not hold a candle to this original, but that is also the case with most sequels.

Synopsis

“Won Fei Hung (Jackie Chan) is the mischievous young son of a martial arts schoolmaster who is constantly clowning around when he should be learning kung fu. After …
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Cinderella II: Dreams Come True

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 21st, 2002

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Intro

If you have small children, this DVD is made for you. The story and animation are not as good as the original (of course), but this disc is a great spin for the kids.

Synopsis

“Discover the magic that comes after “happily ever after” as CINDERELLA II continues the enchanting story of Cinderella. All of the dazzling fantasy and colorful characters from Disney’s original CINDERELLA return, including Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother, Jaq and Gus, and the evil stepsi…
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Bandits

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 20th, 2002

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Intro

This film has an all-star cast, and a very funny story. This Special Edition release of Bandits is very good… and the film should entertain.

Synopsis

Loosely based on a true story, Bandits tells the tale of Joe (Bruce Willis) and Terry (Billy Bob Thornton), two convicts who break out of prison and stage a daring series of bank robberies by taking the bank manager hostage the night BEFORE the robbery, then getting him to open up the bank. Joe is the ladies man and prone to…
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Original Sin – Unrated

Posted in Disc Reviews by David Annandale on March 20th, 2002

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The second version of Cornell Woolrich’s novel “Waltz Into Darkness” (previously filmed by François Truffaut’s Mississippi Mermaid), this is a decidedly steamier version, especially here, in its unrated form.

Synopsis

Cuban plantation owner Antonio Banderas advertises for a wife, and the woman who answers his ad is, he believes, plain but pure. What shows up, however, is the beautiful but duplicitous Angelina Jolie, who has larceny rather than matrimony on her mind. Her scam runs smoothly at first,…
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The Mummy Returns

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 20th, 2002

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Sequels can be tricky business. Expectations are usually high because it was the success of the original that warrants a follow-up. More often than not the audience leaves unsatisfied. The Mummy’s Return suffers this curse more intensely than any invoked by Imhotep or the Scorpion King. Yes, the story is contrived with holes big enough to drive a starship through. Still I rather enjoyed this film. If you’re looking for logic then what are you doing watching a Mummy film anyway? If you are looking for a thrill ride then this film delivers a rollercoaster wild ride through Egypt. When you’re finished you’ll be calling for your Mummy.

Bull Durham

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 17th, 2002

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Intro

Writer/director Ron Shelton says, in his commentary, that one of the things that pushed him to make Bull Durham was the sense that nobody did sports movies right. Mission accomplished: here is a film about baseball that can be enthusiastically embraced by those of us who have no interest in, or knowledge of, baseball.

Synopsis

Devout member of the Church of Baseball, Susan Sarandon selects a player each year to coach in the arts of love and of the game. This year, her two candida…
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De Sade

Posted in Disc Reviews by David Annandale on March 15th, 2002

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Intro

Every so often, the Marquis de Sade comes back into vogue. The last couple of years saw the release of Quills and Sade close on each other’s heels. Their rather romantic views of Sade are as nothing, however, compared to this 1969 film.

Synopsis

Returning to the now decrepit castle in which he lived, Sade (Keir Dullea of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame) encounters his corrupt clergyman uncle, played by John Huston (hilariously mangling French names and doing a lip-smackingly creepy wa…
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The Mummy

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 14th, 2002

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It was the Universal Horror classics of the 30’s and 40’s that baptized me into the world of films forever. Although I wasn’t born when these films were made, like the creatures they portrayed, they came back to life for me on TV Shock Theaters and the writing of Forrey Ackerman. Now Universal has once again resurrected one of its marquee monsters for a new generation of fans. The fusion of modern-day CG effects and an Indiana Jones flair for adventure make this a remake worth viewing.The film was an unexpected gem for both Universal and fans.

Spongebob Squarepants: Nautical Nonsense

Posted in Disc Reviews by David Annandale on March 11th, 2002

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Intro

The hero is a kitchen sponge. I think I’ve seen everything now.

Synopsis

Ten episodes of the Nickelodeon cartoon series, starring the terminally nerdy Spongebob Squarepants. He lives in the Goo Lagoon, and has a thing for Sandy, a squirrel in a diving outfit. The humour will either work for you or it won’t.

Audio

The sound is clear, but a bit thin. The surround effects are limited almost entirely to the music, and even that isn’t as rich as it might be. The big…
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Bar Girls

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 11th, 2002

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Intro

It is interesting to see a film with such a tiny budget ($500,000) on the MGM label.

Synopsis

The film is centred around a Girl Bar, and follows the trials and tribulations in love of a group of lesbians. Loretta, a TV cartoon writer, is the central figure (though this is pretty close to being an ensemble piece), and is something like a cross between Bette Midler and Bridget Jones. Bar Girls was originally a play, and a good job was done of opening the story up – the film does no…
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Hunchback of Notre Dame II

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 10th, 2002

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Intro

It is the season for animated sequels, and right on the tail of Cinderella 2, Disney has released The Hunchback of Notre Dame II.

Synopsis

“Return to the magnificence of Notre Dame in Disney’s all-new movie, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME II, a fun, romantic adventure told with vibrant animation and music as soaring as its setting. Still the faithful protector of Notre Dame’s beloved bells, Quasimodo now rings them with the help of Esmeralda’s and Phoebus’s little boy,…
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Heist

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 9th, 2002

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Intro

This was a very interesting crime thriller. The acting was quite good, and the triple-crossing plot was very unique. It is too bad that a film such as this would get a bare-bones DVD release.

Synopsis

“Question: What makes the world go round?

Joe Moore (Gene Hackman) has a beautiful young wife, money owed to him, and a job he loves. He’s a thief. His job goes sour when he gets caught on security camera tape. His fence, Bergman (Danny DeVito) reneges on the …
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Wilde

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 9th, 2002

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Intro

An ambitious, intelligent, serious look at the life of Oscar Wilde, this is a first-class biopic.

Synopsis

Stephen Fry is Oscar Wilde, the role he was born to play. The film begins with Wilde’s triumphant lecture tour of the US, and we pick up his life from there, seeing his marriage, his seduction by Robbie Ross, and the flowering of his talent, even as his downfall becomes inevitable through his relationship with the callow Lord Alfred Douglas (Jude Law). Fry is surrounded by a…
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National Lampoon’s European Vacation

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 7th, 2002

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Chevy Chase is at his funniest in National Lampoon’s European Vacation. This film now seems somewhat dated, but it still makes me laugh.

Synopsis

“The first time the Griswalds took a trip – in National Lampoon’s Vacation – moviegoers everywhere went along for the ride… and went bonkers! Now they’re into even zanier sightseeing in National Lampoon’s European Vacation, directed by Amy Heckerling (Clueless, Fast Times at Ridgemont High).

Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo return as Clark …
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Traffic

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 6th, 2002

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Starting a few years back with Out of Sight and continuing on with The Limey and Erin Brokovich, director Steven Soderbergh had been riding a remarkable streak of winning films that fulfills the blazing promise of his first film, sex, lies, and videotape. With his most complex film to date, Traffic, Soderbergh once again proved that he is one of America’s most inventive filmmakers. He doesn’t play it safe – with each and every new outing, Soderbergh proves that he’s not afraid to …
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Barabbas

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 5th, 2002

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Intro

We’re approaching the Easter season, which means it’s time for Biblical epics to hit the new release shelf (whichever ones haven’t been put on DVD yet). This one puts its emphasis on spectacle and action.

Synopsis

Anthony Quinn plays Barabbas, the thief freed in Christ’s place. Though he initially goes back to his drunken, thieving, carousing ways, he is rattled by the events surround the crucifixion. He successively discovers his faith and loses it over the course of a tumultuou…
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