Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 29th, 2007
Criterion has surprised me once again with this beautiful film. It amazes me ow they continue to find these “diamonds in the rough”. Films that couldn't possibly exist, yet here they are, widely available on the mas market. The Burmese Harp is a Japanese war film that is decidedly anti-war, and features some truly beautiful music.
At the end of World War II, a group of Japanese soldiers find themselves in Burma, held by British forces as prisoners of war. One soldier from the party has spent his free t...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 29th, 2007
Lovewrecked appears to be a standard teen movie chick flick, starring the likes of Amanda Bynes and Chris Carmack. Off the get-go the only things appealing to me about this movie are I get too see Chris Carmack on my TV for the first time since he played Luke on The OC and it takes place on a colorful island.
Jenny (Amanda Bynes) is a bookworm who just graduated high school and plans on attending medical school after the summer, during which she will be working at a resort with her best frien...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 29th, 2007
Pedro Almodévar is a big deal in Spanish film, and well respected worldwide by those in the know. Almodévar - director, screenwriter and producer - has had major success with films that explore complex themes and favor female characters. His latest, Volver, remains true to those qualities.
Starring Penélope Cruz (Vanilla Sky), Carmen Maura (Comunidad, La) and Lola Dueéas (The Sea Inside), Volver is a film about female resilience, and the power of death over life. Raimunda (Cruz) is a hardworking mother with a lazy husband and a teenage daughter, Paula.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 27th, 2007
Two films in, and I am still impressed with Warner Brother's new Raw Feed line of direct-to-DVD horror films. As the direct-to-DVD market continues to grow, Warner's has jumped out in front with their new studio. The first film, Rest Stop, deftly told the story of a woman stranded at a rest stop and terrorized by a local madman. An entertaining film, but certainly not a new premise.Sublime is a much more developed story, and a very involving film.
Tom Cavanagh from TV's Ed and Love Mon...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 27th, 2007
Midnight Cowboy (Awards Series) is a previous DVD version re-released with a cardboard slipcover.
"I'm walking here! I'm walking here!" Smart money says you're familiar with that quote whether you've seen this film or not. Midnight Cowboy was a hit back in 1969, and it's been referenced plenty of times in pop culture since.
John Schlesinger's film, which took home Oscars for best picture, director and adapted screenplay, was also controversial back in '69, as it received an X-rating.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 26th, 2007
Misery (Awards Series) is the 2000 DVD version re-released with a cardboard slipcover. (Cover art pictured is the 2000 edition)
Of the many films based on books by prolific writer Stephen King, Misery ranks near the top. Falling somewhere between the horror and thriller genres, this film about a twisted obsession is frightening because the premise seems very real.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on March 25th, 2007
Synopsis
As I get older, I notice my tastes for movies change. Sure, I still like over the top action and if there is an attractive girl on the screen it gets my attention. I'm human, however as I get older I start liking films that are older. Now, I'm not talking about keeping true to films of my generation but I find myself engrossed in films that were made before I was born. There are some true classics out there such as In the Heat of the Night. This movie starred Sidney Poitier ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on March 25th, 2007
Synopsis
Family pictures usually miss when viewed by a lonely dvd reviewer who has nothing better to do on a saturday morning. There are no kids to laugh at the bad jokes and slapstick mayhem, there are no wives to go awwwww and marvel at the cute kids. All that one man can hope for is a decent lead who provides thought provoking characterisms and smart laughs. Wait, I'm watching Are We There Yet?, so I have pretty much no chance of that. Are We There Yet? is the stor...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 25th, 2007
Since its premiere in 1994, Inside the Actors Studio has been a fascinating talk show for film fans and aspiring actors, writers and directors alike. Each episode a famous guest � usually an actor � is interviewed one-on-one by host James Lipton, followed by questions from the student audience.
If you�ve never seen the show, this three-disc set would make a fine introduction. Inside the Actors Studio: Icons features episodes with four towering entertainment personalities. In chronological order, star...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 24th, 2007
He's one of the most compelling villains of modern fiction. Disturbing, disgusting and absolutely captivating at the same time, Hannibal Lecter can really get inside your head.
You may not have read the novels by Thomas Harris, or even seen all of the films, but I'm willing to bet you're familiar with The Silence of the Lambs. One of the greatest thrillers in film history, the film in which Sir Anthony Hopkins became Dr. Lecter is the cornerstone of this three-movie set.
