Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on January 8th, 2005
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 22nd, 2004
Synopsis
Ten years after the events of Epoch 2000 (didn’t see it? then be prepared to beconfused), scientist David Keith and his son (apparently the result of an immaculate conceptionthanks to alien intervention) are on the run from the Genesis Coalition (a well-funded group ofnutcases devoted to expunging all things alien from the world). Alien rock formations, called“toruses” (they look like frozen tornadoes) rise from the ground, and good guys and bad guysdescend on them to discov...r their secrets. Meanwhile, the world is on the brink of nuclear wwarafter the Chinese (for some obscure reason) shoot down a US/Russian defense satellite.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on December 2nd, 2004
Venus Risingis a laughably bad movie advertised as “in the tradition of Johnny Mnemonic”. Maybe the two movies are in the same ballpark, theme-wise, but quality-wise they’re not even the same sport. Audie England and Costas Manylor play two fugitives who escape from a desert Island. Eve and Vegas, however, are still controlled by drugs from the Pacifica Corporation. The drugs also enable the characters to achieve a “virtual reality” state of mind. Fantasy sequences occur, flashbacks etc. It’s just an exc...se to kill time in this lame piece of celluloid.
Morgan Fairchild is advertised as one of the movie’s “stars”. She barely has 30 seconds of screen time. Oscar winner Joel Grey also makes a cameo. Can’t the host of the Kit Kat Club get better work? Venus Rising moves at such a slow pace too. It’s only 90 minutes, but it seems like 90 days. The acting is wooden, the dialogue is inane, and the plot is ridiculous.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 2nd, 2004
Synopsis
A year after the clash seen in Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, the giant robot built around the bones of the original Godzilla is still being repaired. Mothra and her two fairy princesses appear to warn humanity to return the bones to the sea, but the authorities do not listen, and Godzilla, drawn to Mechagodzilla, returns to ravage Tokyo. A titanic battle ensues, with Mechagodzilla and Mothra struggling to save the city from the unstoppable lizard.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 30th, 2004
While the world of Harry Potter was created primarily for a younger adolescent audience, there is no question that the tapestry is epic, and compelling enough to satisfy adults. I believe the true success of these films lies within that idea. It is truly rare when a film arrives that can appeal so completely to both demographic groups.
Prisoner of Azkaban is perhaps the darkest, but I don’t think the most frightening, Potter film. The creature images of the previous entry were considerably more graphic an... disturbing to the younger children. I’m going to take some heat for this, but I am so happy there was a very limited scene of the famous quidditch games. They are very popular it seems, but I find them a dreadful bore. The children are beginning to mature both as characters and actors. While Daniel Radcliffe has improved quite noticeably from the first film, I must admit that it is the performance of Emma Watson that showed the greatest maturity and potential. Richard Harris was most certainly missed, but I think that Michael Gambon conjured up a nice, while more limited, performance of the wise old Dumbledore. As with all of the Harry Potter films this one begins with Harry’s tedious life in the normal world. I’m sure that each time viewers of all ages are eager to see Harry return to his element and friends.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 26th, 2004
Species III comes from good genes. The original was kind of fun (and starred Ben Kinglsey!), but the first sequel was not as fun. But here comes the second sequel. It has the original alien girl Natasha Henstridge, but her appearance is short (I’ll just leave it at that). The director, Brad Turner, is a veteran of action television shows like 24. Is this direct to DVD release the best one of the “species”? The answer tilts towards the negative.
But Species III has a few things goi...g for it. If you like the gore, there are some nice effects here. In fact, Species III plays like a horror film more than sci-fi. The budget constraints limit the movie to a few locations, so its scope isn’t as broad as the other Species siblings. Sunny Mabrey, who bares a striking resemblance to her alien mother (Henstridge), plays the new daughter. This species chick can kick some serious a$#. And the filmmakers, in this unrated cut, make sure to show off Sunny’s other features (yes, there is above the waist nudity).
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 23rd, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 4th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on October 28th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on October 27th, 2004
Synopsis
Humanity’s pollution of the seas has given rise to Hedorah, a giant sludgy tadpole creature that feasts on industrial waste and grows bigger and more powerful all the time. Godzilla, protector of Earth and small children, is already angered by the pollution, but concentrates his energies on defeating Hedorah. The first battle goes well, but soon Hedorah is back, bigger and stronger than before.
