Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 27th, 2002
Raw Heat is actually the video release of an early 90’s TV movie called Victim Of Love. Pierce Brosnan was cashing in on his Remington Steele fame then, not the much more sophisticated Bond image he struts today. Recently Brosnan announced he has been signed to at least one more Bond film after Die Another Day. If Raw Heat is the caliber of films he would otherwise be making count his further commitment to Bond as the greatest escape in 007 history.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 27th, 2002
Synopsis
Stacy Keach is a boxer in serious decline, now working odd jobs and hooking up withneurotic alcoholic Susan Tyrrell. He runs into Jeff Bridges, a young man who might have a futureas a boxer (emphasis on “might”). These are all downtrodden losers in an ugly California town.Fat City is definitely not for everyone. It is well put together, and the performances are great, butthe pace is very slow, and not very much happens.
Audio
The sound is mono, and ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 27th, 2002
The only reason I can see for this film getting a DVD release is the sudden reemergence of Kiefer Sutherland’s popularity with the trendy TV show 24. In all fairness to Sutherland he is the best thing about the film. He does an outstanding job of portraying the brooding hit man. The supporting cast is weak and uninteresting. Although Desert Saints is rated R and was a theatrical release it has the basic feel of a made for TV film with nudity. The most annoying thing about the film is the intercut of future scenes for no apparent reason than to achieve a film noir art flavor.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 26th, 2002
This movie stunned me in its completely unexpected excellence. Its unrecognized title, cast of minors, typical B-movie premise, and sponsorship by the government of Luxembourg all suggested a weak slasher film to follow. Like Ginger Snaps before it, however, Dog Soldiers is a new brand of monster movie that blends subtle talent with creative plots, superb directorship, spectacular camera work, and over the top action to take viewers completely by surprise.
Before I continue, here’s the synopsis:...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 24th, 2002
Synopsis
Luke Perry picks up an outer-space pebble in a parking lot, gets zapped, and then startsspreading the alien virus. We’ve been in this territory before (and nowhere better than with theoriginal Invasion of the Body Snatchers), but we’ve never had to see it drawn out to 175 minutesbefore.
Audio
Okay, but nuthin’ special. The music starts off rather weak, but then suddenly gets a boostsin volume a few minutes in. There is some rear presence from the sound effe...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 24th, 2002
Synopsis
Despite the title, this holidays covered in this story run all the way from Christmas to theNew Year. Rabbit gets so touchy that, in order to placate him, the Hundred Acre Wood friendsmake resolutions to change, which involves exchanging roles. This is a gentle cartoon aimed atthe very, very young. The Carly Simon songs are pretty hard to take, though.
Audio
The precise nature of the soundtrack isn’t specified, which usually means 2.0. the music isg...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 24th, 2002
Synopsis
Carolyn McDuffy (Christina Ricci) appears to have it all. She is the most dynamic memberof her sorority. She’s dating the most popular boy on campus. Her unspeakably shallow life isperfect. The sorority does some charity work with challenged athletes, and Ricci is paired up withPumpkin (Hank Harris). She is at first disgusted, then fascinated, and then... Life, of course, goesspinning wildly out of control. Though the trailer suggests this might be another gross-outcomedy, ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 24th, 2002
Synopsis
Louis Gossett, Jr. is the dean of a private school for troublesome boys. The main prankstersare led by Sean Astin. School life turns deadly when a group of Columbian gangsters take overthe campus, holding the students hostage and demanding that the father of their leader bereleased from prison. I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting much when I popped this in, and deathless itis not. But it is reasonably suspenseful, with solid action sequences. As time-wasters go, this isn’tbad at...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 24th, 2002
Synopsis
New girl Sandy (a simpering Olivia Newton-John) arrives at school after a summer romancewith bad boy John Travolta. Will he acknowledge the love they shared together, even if this costshim some of his coolness factor? Whether or not you care can be gauged by how you feel aboutthe extremely 70s soundtrack.
Audio
The film has been given a 5.1 mix, but the result isn’t spectacular. Granted, the soundtrack isalmost 25 years old, but the sound quality he...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 24th, 2002
Synopsis
Psychologist Mia is caught up in a web of erotic danger thanks to Tammy, whose husbandgets killed in the opening scene, and who is no doubt not as innocent as she appears to be. Bigyawn. And hasn’t anyone noticed that “Trois 2” is a singularly stupid sounding title? Why not“Trois 2: Uno”?
Audio
Film aside, the sound quality is pretty damn good, with an excellent music mix, and a prettysolid environment creation, with sound effects noticeably present...
