Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on May 3rd, 2004
Synopsis
Structured around 11 “life lessons” learned by former Secretary of Defense Robert S.McNamara, Errol Morris’ documentary takes us through McNamara’s life and concentrates onhis role in the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. Extensive war footage is intercut withMcNamara’s direct address to the camera, while off-screen we occasionally here Morris askquestions. Still incredibly vigorous and forceful in his 80s, McNamara is a compelling speaker.His descriptions of just h...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on May 2nd, 2004
Synopsis
In the second year of the series, Clark finds more and more of his powers manifestingthemselves, most notably heat vision, and a move closer and closer to flight. An archaelogical digreveals more secrets of his origin, and there’s a really big revelation when he encounters areclusive scientist/billionaire played by Christopher Reeve.
One of the more impressive aspects of the series is a real sense awe associated with theSuperman myth. “Myth” doesn’t seem too strong ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on May 2nd, 2004
Synopsis
The Rock plays Beck, would-be restauranteur, but currently bounty hunter in thrall to a mobboss. If he takes one more job, his obligations will be cleared, and he can open his restaurant.The job entails tracking down the gangster’s son (Seann William Scott) in the Amazon. Nothingis simple for our poor hero, as it turns out that Scott has located a priceless statuette, and TheRock is soon caught between the forces of gold mine overlord Christopher Walken and thenatives rebel...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on May 2nd, 2004
Quite possibly my favorite part of this job is checking the post on the day that my new box of DVD screeners are scheduled to come in. Sometimes, I know what is coming to me, and the new box means that it is time to get down to business. Other times, however, there is a surprise inside, much like the new box of cereal that made its way home with the groceries when I was a child. Upon reviewing the parcel’s contents, I will either be greatly pleased with my employer, or I will be filled with immediate dread, knowing t...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on May 1st, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 30th, 2004
Synopsis
The film spirals around and around the last half-hour or so at a high school before twoheavily armed students arrive to slaughter their classmates. Again and again, we go over the sametime segment, but Gus Van Sant’s constantly moving camera takes a different POV each time,and interactions that were fleeting background at one moment become central on the next goaround. Anyone who has survived high school (one of society’s most successful attempts tocreate Hell on Earth) wil...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 29th, 2004
Synopsis
A young boy is growing huge and foul-mouthed due to a growth hormone injection gonewrong. The scientist who injected him (Jackie Burroughs) gets in touch with fellow researcherPaul Coufos, reasoning somehow that he might be able to come up with an antidote. Before hisresearch at the university is complete, however, animal rights activists break into his lab andrelease injected rats. Soon rats the size of wolves are prowling about the campus tunnels,munching on all and sundr...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 28th, 2004
When I first glanced over the cast of this film, I was certain that it was shot in the 80’s. These days, names such as Deborah Harry, Ally Sheedy, Ralph Macchio and Robin Givens just don’t show up together on a movie poster. Of course, this is no ordinary gangster film, either. In fact, for a director trying to make a name for himself, this casting strategy is pretty brilliant. If Quentin Tarrantino has taught us anything, he has taught us that old actors don’t lose their chops, they just become less fashionable. If ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 28th, 2004
Synopsis
After being stripped of his title by Norman baron Jeroen Krabbe, Saxon Robert Hode(Patrick Bergin) becomes Robin Hood, outlaw. He soon leads a large band of the dispossessed,and the battles with Krabbe become more and more pointed. Robin has also tumbled for MaidMarian (Uma Thurman), but she is promised to the evil Jurgen Prochnow.
In other words, all of the familiar incidents and story elements of the Robin Hood legend arepresent and correct. The film is grittier t...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 28th, 2004
Synopsis
Denzel Washington dons a reasonably credible English accent as Reuben James, who lefthis urban blight of a home to join the military. Six years after the Falklands, he returns home,and finds things in a greater shambles than before, with drugs, theft, and corrupt, racist policeeverywhere. Alienated on all sides, Reuben is pushed closer and closer to the edge. An explosionof violence is inevitable.
It must be said, however, that the violence feels as if its being hel...
