ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (DVD Review) - 30/4/06

The Region 2 (UK) DVD single disc is shown below. SPECIAL FEATURES: A Look Inside "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind", a Conversation with Jim Carrey and Director Michel Gondry plus a Feature Commentary with Writer Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry. Deleted Scenes, The Polyphonic Spree "Light & Day" Music Video and Lacuna Infomercial. Running Time: 103 Mins Approx. Soundtrack: 5.1. Subtitles: English. Colour. Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic (1.85:1) Widescreen. Rating: 15. MOMENTUM/FOCUS PICTURES 2004/MP328D/ ISBN # 5060049145280.

Personally I would go with the Special Edition Region 2 (UK) DVD 2-disc version because you get the book with that as well (yellow cover above) and more special features which round the film's production out.

The gold cover to the left is the Region 1 (USA) DVD single disc version and the silver cover to the right is the Region 1 (USA) DVD 2-disc version.
Another of those films I've wanted to get around to watching because I was intrigued by the story concept and wondered how it would work out? Jim Carrey plays an everyman (playing it totally straight and he is a revelation) opposite wild spirit Kate Winslet; who get tied up in a relationship that burns out, so she decides to get her painful memories erased of their time together from Lacuna (a business that does just that!) headed by Tom Wilkinson and supported by Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo and Elijah Wood. Carrey's character finds this out and decides to get the same procedure done. But it's as he gradually loses his memories that he decides he doesn't want to lose them all and so a desperate race against time starts in his mind to at least save a final memory. If you can get your head round the idea this all quite cleverly falls into place as things disappear and change before his eyes and ours drifting through a haze of abstract views and thoughts.

TARANTULA! (DVD Review) - 30/4/06

A classic Universal slice of Black & White 1950's Sci-Fi "Tarantula!" was a film I had heard about but never got round to seeing and it's only just recently been released on Region 2 (UK) DVD in 2006 and not available anywhere else at the moment from what I can see. Again only available as a vanilla disc the sound and picture is not bad from a film made in black & white from the 50's. Jack Arnold the Director had also directed other fifties classics's like "It Came From Outer Space" (1953), "Creature From The Black Lagoon" (1954) and "The Incredible Shrinking Man" (1957). He was also involved with re-shoots on "This Island Earth" (1955) which he was uncredited for, much like Clint Eastwood's early role (also uncredited) as the Jet Squadron Leader in "Tarantula!" All the plot points in these type of films are there from the usual view of small town America faced with a formidable threat and wooden acting to the stock footage of moving scenery whilst driving cars. Leo G. Carroll pops up as the mad scientist character (familiar to many from his role in "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.") The most hilarious bits feature on the film poster as the monster spider runs off with a woman in it's jaws, the hero wields a machine gun and the townspeople flee as their home is destroyed - None of which actually happens in the film....just a little bit of artistic licence there, eh? The 50's heroine turns up by bus at the beginning and you know; just know, that within half an hour she will be screaming at the top of her lungs. Spider escapes, terrorizes townsfolk, gets shot at, blown up with dynamite and finally gets napalmed just outside of town for that crispy toasted spider snack finish. Rating: PG. Soundtrack: English/German & Menu Screens as well - Mono. Subtitles: English, German, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish & Swedish. PAL B&W Regions 2, 4 & 5. Full Frame: 1.33:1.UNIVERSAL 2005/8240974/ISBN # 5050582409741>

BAD SANTA (DVD Review) - 26/4/06

This is actually a DVD review of the Unrated version titled "Badder Santa" which was the version you didn't see in cinemas and has a far raunchier cut of the film with never before seen footage. Disney exec's must have had a cow on seeing this film and it got a very limited big-screen run both in the States and the UK and got shelved for two years before it came out on DVD. It's a film that has no redeeming features at all and just when you expect a silver lining it gets worse - and that is what probably make's it so good - unlike a lot of happy and jolly Hollywood pap it continues in the same vein from start to finish with no let-up in it's depiction of a sodden alkie crook gradually going down the pan and hitting bottom. Totally unrelenting it skewers the viewer with it's tale of criminals Billy Bob Thornton and his sidekick Tony Cox ripping off department stores at christmas in the guise of santa and his elf. Thorton's appalling character eventually get's it together after frequently drunk escapades involving fat women and booze whilst often pissing himself as the foul-mouthed santa. I can't even call this a black comedy it's so unrelentingly dark; more a dramatic voyage of self-discovery from the socially inept child, played by Brett Kelly with good cameos from John Ritter (in unfortunately his last film before he died) as the store manager and Bernie Mac as the store detective.

The Unrated version is the one to see in all it's mind numbing glory! SPECIAL FEATURES: Include over 7 Minutes of Never-Before-Seen Footage, Deleted & Alternate Scenes, Behind-The-Scenes Special, Outtakes & "Badder Santa" Gag Reel. Soundtrack: 5.1. Widescreen (1.85:1) Enhanced for 16x9 TV. Runtime: 98 Mins. Colour. BVHE/Dimension Home Video. 36515/ISBN # 0788855492.

Below is the cover for the Region 1 (USA) and Region 2 (UK) "Bad Santa" DVD both of which have exactly the same special features on - I would say not to bother with this and get the Unrated Region 1 (USA) "Badder Santa" version as above.

THE ICE HARVEST (DVD Review) - 25/4/06

Only available on Region 1 (USA) DVD at the moment this is certainly a strange kettle of fish in what can only be described as a series of events spiralling out of control. I can't tell if it's aimed as a film noir or if it's a comedy albeit a black one or it could even be a thriller? Directed by Harold Ramis of "Ghostbusters" fame this has been rated R in the States and obviously you can imagine why with it's tale of sleazy strip bars and lowlifes consorting with the criminal fraternity in a story of people ripping each other off and general double-crossing in various unpleasant ways. It start's with Billy Bob Thornton and John Cusack (who lead the cast) involved in a robbery from the local mob with able support from Connie Nielsen (as a local Bar hostess) with cameos from Randy Quaid (as the mob leader) and Oliver Platt (playing Cusack's obnoxious friend). A heaping of one-liners and a twist of violence, plus a sprinkling of comedy (hard to tell?) and there you have it - quite what it is I don't know? If you fancy wasting an hour and a half of your life then this could be the one for you! SPECIAL FEATURES: Alternate Endings & Outtake with Billy Bob Thornton, Cracking The Story, Beneath The Harvest, Ice Cracking: Analysis Of A Scene & Audio Commentary with Director Harold Ramis. Language: English/French. Sound: English/French 5.1. Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (1.85:1) Enhanced for 16x9 TV. Subtitles: English, French & Spanish. ALLIANCE ATLANTIS/FOCUS FEATURES 22176/2005 ISBN # 065935221760.

DEAD LIKE ME {1st. Season} (DVD Review) - 22/4/06

The Region 1 (USA) "Dead Like Me" Boxset is Unrated.

Well what to make of this? A friend lent me this first season of "Dead Like Me" with 14 episodes on 4 discs in those super-thin DVD cases in a cardboard boxset. What was bizarre; was like one of those kiddie's TV shows say set in a school or a daytime soap, in which reality does not feature and there is no swearing - because as soon as I had put in the first disc I almost sprayed my cup of tea everywhere as one of the character's screams "You motherfucking skanky bitch whore" or words to that effect and the rest continued in the same vein; even the lead character's young 10-year old sister let's rip with a fuck or two, so no - somehow I can't see this being prime time TV with either the language or the subject matter or maybe I don't know if middle America would be watching this? What I do know is that maybe I haven't been watching enough TV if the States can produce something this different but then promptly cancel it 2 seasons on - At least it made it to a full second season unlike "Tru Calling" that got cancelled six episodes into it's second season. A fascinating premise lead's to a young girl's death in which the afterlife becomes a 9 to 5 job for her as a grim reaper catching soul's as people die. A strange mix of wry wit with a lot of sarcasm, nihilism and just plain piss-taking amidst a stew of afterlife interactions between the reapers and the real world - It certainly make's you think! If you REALLY want to see something different then this is for you as it's well off the beaten track to weird. The UK Version is exactly the same as the US Version - Same boxset design and cases with the same special features. SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary by the Cast, Deleted Scenes, Behind-The-Scenes Featurette, The Music of Dead Like Me with Executive Producer John Masius and Composer Stewart Copeland and Photo Gallery. Widescreen: 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Soundtrack: English 5.1. German/French Stereo. Subtitles: French, Dutch, English & German. Rating: (UK) Region 2 -15. Running Time: 10 Hours. Colour PAL. MGM Home Entertainment 10006827 MZ1 / ISBN # 5050070029215>

DEATH TO SMOOCHY (DVD Review) - 16/4/06

Saw this film a while ago and picked it up cheap on DVD recently. It's a real pity this film slipped under most people's radar because it's a great comedy/drama - No strike that - It's more like black comedy/drama as it is played totally straight by some fine actors. Ed Norton is the title character and it's surprising to see him in a film like this? Robin Williams plays his arch rival a foul-mouthed kid's show entertainer supported by Catherine Keener and Danny DeVito (also the director) with a good choice role for brit actress Pam Ferris and a nice cameo from Harvey Fierstein. Be aware that it is NOT a children's film - Being Rated R in the US and 15 in the UK. Not only has it some dry sarcastic wit and pathos it has an easy target in awful kid's shows and their presenters and the exploitative nature of such. This film is a rare treat with a wide range of plot and story matter - for instance where else would you get to see ice-skating dwarves dressed as nazi rhinos?

Available on Region 1 (USA) DVD with the (cover above) listed bonus features: French (Dolby Digital 5.1.) & French/Spanish Subtitles, Interactive Ice Show, Magic Cookie Bag Gallery, Hidden Scene & Web Enabled Interactive Smoochy Games. The Region 2 (UK) DVD has the same Special Features as the Region 1 (USA) minus the listed bonus features. The material on the Region 2 is as follows: Trailer, Cast & Crew Interviews, Director's Commentary, Behind The Scene's Making Of, Additional Scenes & Songs, Bloopers & Out-takes. Runtime: 105 Mins. Aspect Ratio (16:9) Anamorphic. Colour PAL. English Dolby Digital 5.1.FILMFOUR 2002 /CCD30156 /ISBN # 5014138301569>

THE BORROWERS - TV Film Review 16/4/06

It's Easter Sunday and the BBC need to stick a film on for family afternoon entertainment - What do they choose? They put on "The Borrowers" based on the book's by Mary Norton who also happened to have written "Bed-knob And Broomstick" which Disney turned into "Bedknobs & Broomsticks" and also featured another make-believe England as viewed from people across the water. "The Borrowers" is a perfect example of good old fashion charm in a fantasy England setting that has never existed in reality in a world of make-believe that come's over like an early Heath Robinson version of Wallace & Gromit. Totally bizarre it features a good cast with John Goodman in the lead ably supported by Mark Williams (The Fast Show) and now better known as Arthur Weasley from the Harry Potter Films. Also making an early appearance before going onto fame again in Harry Potter is a very young Tom Felton. Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge) and Celia Imrie (Nanny McPhee) both excellent character actors with long-distinguished careers are the Pods and also popping in for a cameo is Ruby Wax with a side order of Hugh Laurie currently big in the States in the TV Series "House, M.D." Similiar to "Stuart Little" and "Mousehunt" in style it's a piece all of it's own. Goodman play's an odious Lawyer ripping off the Lender family for their inheritance and the Pods (The Borrowers) help them fight off his evil scheme. Plenty of slapstick fun and comedy in a warm-hearted tale that will bring back any adult's childhood memories, in fact a perfect family film for Easter day!

Whilst watching this I couldn't help but be reminded of the old 50's sci-fi film "The Incredible Shrinking Man" for some reason? "The Borrowers" is available on DVD on Region 2 (UK) (Cover as above) but only as a Vanilla disc and also on Region 1 (USA) (Cover as below) but the US Version has a small featurette, cast & crew bios, production notes and a trailer.

CHICKEN LITTLE (DVD Review) - 16/4/06

Strange things are afoot from the Disney Studio with this new animated tale of "Chicken Little". Garish colours and popular songs clash in a day-glo storm of strange CGI animals in one of Disney's most bizarre films since "The Black Cauldron" all those year's ago; and I thought that was a great inspiring work, unlike anything Disney had done before. Much the same as this - With a clever spin on the old tale it's aliens this time round and all quite odd in it's tone and texture in a nether world of off-kilter animation with a heart at it's centre. CGI animation is getting stranger and stranger as it's progress forwards take's us into a totally different realm of experience every time and I'm not just talking Disney/Pixar. There is a whole slew of different production companies churning out animated films with computers - some good and some bad. Again this film will appeal to kids but at the same time is enough in the know to pull in a few adults as well! The cover for both the UK & USA DVD's soundly mock's the "Men In Black" and after seeing the film you'll certainly understand why.

The cover's for both the Region 2 (UK) and Region 1 (USA) seem exactly the same apart from minor differences and seem interchangeable. Below is the U Certificate Region 2 (UK) DVD Cover.

With a fantastic cast of voice talent we have Zach Braff as Chicken Little ably supported by the like's of Don Knotts and Patrick Stewart. Other very well known voices include Wallace Shawn and Adam West (His cameo as Ace - The Hollywood Chicken Little is brilliant!) SPECIAL FEATURES: Include 4 Deleted Scenes (14 Mins), Karaoke Sing Along & Where's Fish Trivia Game plus 2 Music Videos by The Cheetah Girls & Barenaked Ladies and a 20 Minute Making Of Featurette with a selection of Movie/DVD Trailers. Runtime: 81 Mins. Rating: G. Colour. Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles: English, French & Spanish. Aspect Ratio: (1.78:1) DISNEY 2006 /36890 / ISBN # 0788855921. Below is the Region 1 (USA) DVD Cover. Special Features the same for both releases.

SERENITY (DVD Review) - 15/4/06

Having never seen Joss Whedon's "Firefly" TV Series I only ended up buying this because I was going to a Convention with a Star Trek connection and needed something for the other guests to sign. As is typical with most American TV Shows unless you get a massive hit immediately within your first year you will more than likely get cancelled - and surprise surprise - after 13 episodes "Firefly" had the plug pulled on it - But the twist is - The cash tills started ringing on DVD sales and Hollywood Money Men (No brainers!) took notice and a film got rushed out. Unfortunately I can only go on the film and to my mind it came across as generic sci-fi. But the upside would have been with the ideas invested in it (Socio-political shadowy Alliance Operatives, the Reapers, Government Conspiracy with River Tam's background) then after a couple of year's this series could have come into it's own but it was not to be. On the strength of "Serenity" the film; I feel "Firefly" is probably as dead as "Angel" another of Joss Whedon's masterpieces. The cast in this film is largely unknown unless you count actor Chiwetel Ejiofor as The Operative fresh from his appearance in drag from "Kinky Boots" and currently starring in "Inside Man" who plays a marvellous villain who is superior in every way be it with weapons, words or unarmed combat and eventually that superiority leads as they say with Pride to his fall. Gina Torres is also known well from her work in "Alias" and of course Whedon's "Angel" as Zoe. This film was obviously shot on a budget but only because it say's so in the making of featurette under the Special Features - Personally I thought the scope and breadth of it was fantastic and the SFX work was superb. Slightly slow but bursting with some good action and plot this won't overly tax you but the failings in this film lay with the Film Studio for not backing the product hard enough - Certainly not with the cast, crew or director.

The Region 2 (UK) "Serenity" (above) has a different cover to the Region 1 (USA) (below) which I don't find as good and the Special Features are the same on both releases. The Region 1 (USA) "Serenity" has a glossy refractive cover that has a luminous sheen to it and I have added a full scan of the Region 1 (USA) DVD Cover at the bottom of this article. SPECIAL FEATURES: Deleted Scenes and Outtakes (Over 20 Mins) and the Joss Whedon Introduction to the film. Featurettes - Future History: The Story Of Earth That Was, What's In A Firefly & Re-Lighting The Firefly. Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Joss Whedon. English & French Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles: English, French & Spanish. Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) Colour. Runtime: 1 Hour 59 Mins. Rating: PG-13. UNIVERSAL 26327 / 2005 / ISBN # 141703050X.

ICE AGE 2 - Film Review 10/4/06

With the inventiveness that take's place in "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown" these films really should be extended into either a TV Series or Direct-To-DVD Shorts. Following on more or less from the original "Ice Age" film we carry on with the adventures of Manny, Diego & Sid - But this time round we get Seann William Scott and Josh Peck (as Crash & Eddie) two psycho-twin possums and another mammoth in the shape of Queen Latifah (as Ellie). Scrat chases after his acorn once again; holding the whole plot together and even save's the day for our heroes, unlike the chaos he caused in his own short on the original Ice Age DVD release. A lot of new character's get introduced this time round and in some scenes the plot plows straight into bittersweet territory; which was surprising but good on the film's producers part, for having the guts to do this in a (technically) kid's film! While not quite a patch on the original film this is still one I want to own on DVD; so hurry up and release it with lot's of Special Features. I also need to get hold of a Scrat poster which is ace!

(P.S.) NOTE TO "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown" DIRECTOR & PRODUCER'S: One more time! Scrat need's his own series and there better be another Scrat short with the Special Features on the "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown" DVD when it's out!

SCOOBY DOO - TV Film Review 10/4/06

Having watched the Hanna-Barbera Cartoons as a kid I was wondering how a live-action "Scooby Doo: The Movie" would work out and strangely enough it's fine! Matthew Lillard as Shaggy has the character voice and movements totally nailed and although the other parts look like their character's they don't really hit the spot unlike Lillard. The CGI Scooby is movement close to the cartoon but this live-action version is really an updated ensemble for a modern audience in the know. Much like the updated versions of "The Brady Bunch" and "Charlie's Angels". Although aimed at kids there are several adult nods to various mainstream references (ie) the Mary Jane character name. Sarah Michelle Gellar does not leave "Buffy" behind and comes over as the airhead version in this, Freddie Prinze Jr. I thought was miscast as Fred and Linda Cardellini puts on a good show as Velma with Rowan Atkinson popping up as his usual comedy routine cameo for his obligatory American films career. As a Saturday night TV Premiere it was good entertainment. If you want to catch it on DVD go for either the Region 2 / Region 1 Double Pack you get "Scooby Doo: The Movie" and it's sequel "Scooby Doo 2: Monster's Unleashed" the only difference being a slight change in the covers and you get a whole load of Special Feature's on both discs (which you can check out below) and it will be considerably cheaper buying both together. Enjoy!!

UK (Region 2) "Scooby Doo: The Movie" -

UK (Region 2) 2-Pack 2-Disc (Same Special Features as Region 1) -

USA 2-Disc Special Features -

USA (Region 1) 2-Pack 2-Disc "Scooby Doo: The Movie/Scooby Doo 2: Monster's Unleashed" -

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL EDITION DVD 9/4/06

(REGION 2) (DCE) 4-Disc Deluxe Collector's Edition: Let's face it this is the version you want to get and it's the true definitive edition. DISC 1: Commentary by James Cameron (same Disc 2), Cast Commentary and Crew Commentary (same Disc 2), Historical Commentary (same Disc 2), Branching Footage (Which can be watched seperately or selected individually or automatic option which branches you out to related video "pods" about the making of the movie while watching the feature) (same Disc 2), Audio Options English 5.1. Surround EX, English 6.1. DTS ES & English 2.0. Dolby Surround (same Disc 2), Subtitles: Main Feature - English, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic, Greek, Portuguese with Commentaries Subtitles - Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish (same Disc 2).The first half of the film is on this disc. DISC 2: Features the same as Disc 1 with the second half of the film and additional Special Features of the 9 Minute Never-Before Seen New Alternate Ending "Brock's Epiphany" (with optional James Cameron Commentary) and the Celine Dion Music Video "My Heart Will Go On". DISC 3: Has 29 Never-Before Seen Deleted Scenes which are very extensive with optional Commentary. Also three Titanic Parodies which personally I found sad to include on this Edition or really any at all - But did notice that of all the parodies available the "French & Saunders" one was missing, probably because it was openly critical of James Cameron and his work ethics and methods? DISC 4: Is in three sections - SPECIAL FEATURES: 1912 Newsreel (Commentary by Ed Marsh), Construction Timelapse (Commentary by Ed Marsh), Deep Dive Presentation (Narrated by James Cameron), Titanic Crew Video, Titanic Ship's Tour (Commentary by Anders Falk), Videomatics, Visual Effects and DVD Credits. MARKETING: TV Specials - HBO First Look: The Heart Of The Ocean & Fox Special: Breaking New Ground. Seven Press Kit Featurettes, seven Trailers, eight TV Spots and Concept Posters & One Sheets. STILL GALLERIES: These are very extensive and for anyone interested in the real story of the Titanic the Bibliography Gallery give's an excellent list of further reading material. Also galleries of the Titanic Script, Storyboard Sequences, Production Artwork, Photographs, Ken Marschall's Painting and By The Numbers (An actual breakdown of just how much the film grossed and where and a list of the awards won and where). Approx film runtime 186 minutes/ Colour/ Certificate 12/THX/ Pal/ Letterbox Version 16:9/Aspect Ratio 2.30:1/Over 5 Hours additional footage/Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount Pictures & Lightstorm Entertainment/ISBN 5039036022927>

This month's Special Edition DVD is the Region 2 4-Disc Deluxe Collector's Edition of James Cameron's "Titanic". I have chosen to illustrate it with example's from the real Titanic; one of the worst maritime disaster's ever, so although this is a DVD Review bear in mind it was based on real life tragedy. Cameron's $200 million plus has transformed a story from the real world into fantasy and a lot of people complained about the lack of detail to actual historical events, people and places - But you have to remember Hollywood deal's in fantasy not facts - So push all that aside and you have a love story on the wrong side of the tracks against an accident of fate as a backdrop. It's a long film but crafted skillfully, by just looking at the Special Features you can see the amount of cash went exactly where it should and show's just how much care and time went into creating this work of art. If you can step around the plot holes you have three hours of pure entertainment which rightly deserved all it's awards and kudos. In the real world many other tragic events took place on the boat and although some get covered in the film other's were missed completely. The band on board the Titanic did play right until the ship went down and all eight member's lost their lives; five Postal Clerks in charge of the Mail onboard ship all perished attempting to rescue the mail before it was lost and although some cowardly incidents were reported many people faced their own personal death's with great bravery and humility come the end. Cameron's initial shooting schedule ran over budget and time which immediately got the film studios in a panic - But he had the last laugh grossing a pile of cash and awards worldwide which were both richly deserved. Not only does this film manage to comment on early 20th. Century social reality it also evokes another period in time of a bygone age involving social strata and class. Having brought together a superb cast (even the side characters are well-fleshed out) we get Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet riffing off a dastardly Billy Zane and his henchman David Warner; Gloria Stuart and Bill Paxton in the modern day setting against Bernard Hill, Victor Garber, Jonathan Hyde and Kathy Bates. Every time I watch this the tear's roll down my face as the ship goes down and by the end when Rose finally meet's Jack again I'm bawling.

(REGION 1) (SCE) 3-Disc Special Collector's Edition: As per normal; for year's "Titanic" was only available as a bare-bones vanilla release, until they decided on a Special Edition and then of course in 3 different versions - below is the USA release.

The USA release was exactly the same as the Region 2 except for a handful of featurettes and TV Segments.

(REGION 2) (SE) 2-Disc Special Edition:

In the 2-Disc Special Edition we lose most of the Special Features and only contain a minimum of what is on offer from the Deluxe Set.

INSIDE MAN - Film Review 8/4/06

This is one of those annoying films that look's really good from the Trailer and you get to see all sorts of stuff going on and it give's the impression that it's more than just a bank robbery and you can expect 2 hours of intense thriller drama but ends up turning into a wet teabag. Denzel Washington with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Willem Dafoe as the side of good end up on the wrong side of what may or may not be a bank robbery.

Stuck in this whole situation is Christopher Plummer and Jodie Foster who may or may not be the bad guy's side of the piece. Foster come's across as icy and you can't tell one way or the other with her character - And unfortunately that's the main problem with this movie. It jump cuts all over the place with little understanding or explaination as to what is happening or what's going on?

The tired story which has been seen numerous times before about the Nazi's and the whole bank heist twist (also seen before) lead's nowhere and finally peters out without any resolution to any of the plot threads and was extremely disappointing. Directed by Spike Lee it seemed like everyone involved in this production was going through the motions and didn't it take ages to get to the very weak finish? At least Clive Owen shines - in you guessed it - a role in where he may or may not be the bad guy? But still very little plot exposition in my mind make's this a big let down...sorry, but I wasn't at all impressed with this. If you want to waste a couple of hour's on a wet Sunday afternoon then this could be the waste of time for you.

DATE MOVIE - Film Review 6/4/06

Oh dear, oh dear! Unfortunately this is one of those films that the trailer shows all the best bits from and the film itself is crap. Admittedly the cat on the bog sequence is tears running down the face funny - But for 90 minutes that's it!! Really can't understand why Alyson Hannigan ( From TV's "Buffy") a person with talent would do this dross and even Tony Cox ("Bad Santa") and Eddie Griffin get drawn into the dire mix! At least Tom Lenk's cameo is short and he should really know better. Talk about really dragging - and I mean dr-ra-aa-gg-iiii-nnnnnnnnn-ggggggggg it out for an hour and a half of really weak material. I think I'll stick with "Scary Movie 4" instead!