Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 25th, 2006
Synopsis
I think that by revisiting Unbreakable, and looking at it outside of M. Night Shyamalan’s other films (The Sixth Sense and Signs), there’s actually a pretty good movie going on there. I mean, a movie that grossed $95 million domestically can’t be considered a failure, right? It did, however, do amazing overall numbers, the international totals brought the film up to a near $250 million gross. However, I guess when you put them up against Signs ($227 million domestic, $40... million worldwide) and The Sixth Sense ($293 million domestic, $672 fricken’ million worldwide), maybe it can be considered disappointing, but the film itself is pretty good.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on January 16th, 2005
M. Night Shyamalan has a knack for channeling the spirit of Rod Serling each time he sits down to write and ultimately direct and produce a new film. When Serling’s spirit is unavailable, then it seems that Hitchcock will do. The Village, like each of his previous films, is carried off in rather subtle tones both in visual textures and storytelling.
The Village again begins with little or no action but somehow compels us to begin to ask questions about the deceptively simple story unfolding b...fore us. Just as he brought out the incredible talent of the young Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense, the surprising talent in this film is obviously Bryce Dallas Howard as the blind Ivy Walker. At times she is capable of carrying the film entirely on her shoulders. Fortunately that is not often the case as a well rounded supporting cast includes William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Joaquin Phoenix playing a Gladiator named Lucius.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 3rd, 2003
Originally released in 1988 this film received 4 Academy awards (Best film editing, best sound effects editing, best visual effects, special achievement in animation direction) and was the first film to feature a combination of live action and traditional cell drawn animation. Before any of the other big budget animation films of the 90’s (think the Little Mermaid, The Lion King, etc.) there was Roger Rabbit. This film spawned the animation revolution of the 90’s and there still to this day is nothing like it. One pa...t slap stick comedy and film noir equals a whole lot of fun for you and old as this is not your everyday kids cartoon. The computer animated film of today are great but, after watching Roger Rabbit and remembering just who well shot, directed, written and drawn this film is you can’t help but get nostalgic for the good old days of traditional animation.
Toon star Roger is worried that his wife Jessica is playing patty cake with someone else, in comes washed up detective Eddy Valant to spy on her. But the stakes are quickly raised when Marvin Acme is found dead and Roger is framed for his murder. On the way to redemption we uncover a sinister plot to wipe out all of toon town for good. A movie for young and old alike truly one of the best films to ever come out of Hollywood and Robert Zemekis.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 17th, 2003
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 19th, 2002
Film
If one thing can be said about Michael Bay films, it would be that they are beautifully shot. I cannot think of many directors’ that have such a unique cinematographic feel to their films… and Pearl Harbor is no exception. This film contains some of the best fighting sequences ever put onto film. Unfortunately, this fabulous action is tainted by a sub-par love story that is interwoven into the story. With the elimination of this love story, Pearl Harbor would have been an amazing action film...with a reasonable length of 120 minute (rather then its 180+ minute running time). This Director’s cut of Pearl Harbor showcases an extra 1.5 minutes of footage… mostly extra gore and graphic war sequences. If you are looking for a noticeable amount of extra footage, you may be disappointed. Enough for my ramblings… here is a bit about the story:
