WARRIOR KING (DVD Review) - 30/10/06

Right let's clear up the confusion: This film is called "Tom Yum Goong" - Not "Warrior King" as it is in the UK, or elsewhere "Revenge Of The Warrior" or "The Protector" - But "Tom Yum Goong"! It infuriates me that people seem to change and swap titles around when it's original title is fine - It just makes people confused and think "have I seen this film or is it something else entirely?" a bit like releasing "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens in the USA and re-titled "A Hard Winter's Night" what's the point? Stupid title changes aside Tony Jaa's follow-up to "Ong-Bak" is a very different kettle of fish to that with a lyrical opening setting of beautiful Thailand and it's spiritual nature eventually shattered by crime-lords and the pursuit of cash with the illegal animal trafficking of elephants. Zeroing in to the Australian underworld and it's various mafias we get some (literally!) bone-crunching action as Tony Jaa's character of Kham set's out to find his stolen elephants. Unfortunately the fight at the Tom Yum Goong Restaurant feels flat in the sense that half the time you can't see what is actually happening and the face-off with what feels like several hundred bad guys looks like they are on a conveyor belt being processed into Jaa's waiting fists with the requisite THWACK-THWACK-CRUNCH-CRUNCH-THWACK of the Sound Effects Department which became over the top and got irritating very quickly -THWACK!
That's not to say this isn't a great film and it has a whole lot going for it - But it certainly isn't on a par with the excitement of "Ong-Bak". The head villain is a sneering lady boy and several well muscled; very big bad guys, bite the dust in the end of this emotional and colourful action film. We even get some scenes with a capoeira fighter and a wushu fight in a Buddhist temple floating with water and burning in flames.
SPECIAL FEATURES: This UK (Region 2) 2-Disc Special Collector's Edition 0f "Warrior King" is probably vastly different to other versions. Featuring Cast & Crew Interviews, Featurette "Creating The Warrior: Pre-Production Action" and "A Different Line: Multi-Angle Fight Sequences". With the Featurette "Making The Warrior: Behind The Scenes" and a selection of Theatrical Trailers plus a Featurette "On The Press Trail". English Subtitles: Thai 5.1. & DTS. Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen. Rated: 18. Contender Home Entertainment 2005/2006. CTD51097/ISBN # 5030305510978.

PULSE Film Review - 29/10/06

Really wanted to see "Saw 3" first but knew I wouldn't make it to Leicester Square for the starting time - So having seen the trailer for "Pulse" a remake of the original Japanese horror which looked quite good I settled for this instead. A low-budget film from the Dimension stable it chugs along quite nicely. Not a lot really happens in the film - But it has an unerring sense of menace about it probably because it is so downbeat. With a sinister and eerie quality too it - Sometimes rather ethereal; it has a brooding cast of flickers and shadows, in your face close-ups with a nasty selection of jumps. From a small scale happening it reaches it's claws out into an encompassing disaster that affects the world and the ending's a shocker! The on screen effects are enough to give you a headache with all the judders and crazed transmission signals - Luckily I have a large box of red sticky tape in the garden shed so I'm alright! (If you want to know what that comment mean's you'll have to watch the film!)

Out on Region 1 (USA) DVD Unrated Special Edition on the 5/12/06.

EARTHLINGS (DVD Review) - 29/10/06

I picked up this fringe DVD documentary full title "Earthlings Ugly Bags Of Mostly Water" from the London Expo convention that I went to this weekend just past. Having an interest in all-things-Star Trek this documentary immediately appealed to me as it was all about the Klingon language - Unfortunately I did not realise how 68 minutes could somehow go on forever and thought I'd dropped into a time vortex. An assorted bunch of loonies from the USA took themselves far too seriously and I think the USPS Postal Worker who really was trying hard to learn Klingon will probably end in tears literally "going postal". Amongst the crazies we actually had Michael Dorn himself expounding on his part in the saga and also the creator of the language itself Marc Okrand. I'm all for expressing yourself but this was quite frightening in many ways - Especially the Father who only spoke Klingon to his son from the day he was born. Region 2 (UK) PAL - Rating Exempt. Runtime: 68 Mins. Languages: English & Klingon (Of course!) Colour: B&W and Colour. Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Letterbox. SPECIAL FEATURES: Director's Commentary, Extended Michael Dorn Interview (42) Mins, Director Interview (12) Mins and Theatrical Trailer. Also with Exclusive Klingon Menus created by Marc Okrand. SWIPE Films 2005/2006. WWW.EARTHLINGS-MOVIE.COM ISBN #5060138390003.

JACKASS NUMBER TWO Film Review - 26/10/06

Having seen the original "Jackass The Movie" I expected more of the same this time around and got more than I thought as things went to extremes and had to jam my fist in my mouth to stop laughing so much. With no sense of direction we get an endless series of skits, japes and pranks from every angle. You can tell from the opening of this film as one of the Jackass crew has a snake sink it's fangs into his knob dressed as a mouse that it's all down to the lowest possible denominator. I sat there will my hand to my mouth, shocked and amazed as some of the sickest; vilest images, were put onto film and loved every minute of it! Some stuff will make you cringe, other parts will make you feel sick or even turn away from the screen and some frankly will miss the spot entirely and bore you rigid.
So childish and juvenile I defy anyone to not enjoy this film? I really cannot believe some of the things they filmed and how dangerous it must be? You can't tell me they weren't hurt somewhere along the line filming this? Really this viewing is so over the top it beat's their last excursion to the cinema as the Jackass team really push all this way too far - I had tears running down my cheeks it was so funny. Totally awe inspiring I was more or less guffawing all the way through. Having had a good laugh I'm going to check out the rest of the Jackass boys back catalogue for further fun.

ICE AGE 2: THE MELTDOWN (DVD Review) - 22/10/06

Like pulling on your favourite coat this class act of a sequel to the original "Ice Age" is darker in tone but just as exciting and fulfilling as the original - All the characters return plus some new ones with a very strong moral thread running through the plot as the cast of animated animals attempt to escape from the coming meltdown in the form of a flood. We get a couple of villains and side-villains to keep things ticking over with a love story and comedy galore plus a sub-plot with Scrat as he continues to acquire his acorn. The excellence continues in this Limited Edition 2-Disc Set on Region 2 (UK) which doesn't appear in the US until late November. We get a further cartoon short with "No Time For Nuts" featuring Scrat and a selection of Interactive Games with Audio Commentaries to the main feature. With an extensive look behind the scenes at the filming of "Ice Age 2" we get numerous featurettes and shorts covering a Sid Sing-A-Long, Crash & Eddie Stunts plus a Sound Effects Laboratory and Deleted Scenes. Tests & Storyboards with a Multi-Angle Function and Music Montage. Also the Lee Ryan Music Video for the end credits and much more... which basically means there is a ton of stuff on here such as Animation Tests, Theatrical Trailers, some amusing "old style" film footage mocked up to cover the characters, a couple of "News" reports that actually start out quite creepy like some horror film then turn into a comedy retrospective and so on & so forth. The Collector's Edition cardboard slipcase is one of those raised effect types that really gives the cover a depth to it with Scrat on the front. Rated: U (UK). Runtime: 86 Mins Approx. PAL - Colour. Audio: English 5.1. Dolby, 5.1. DTS, 5.1. Audio Description, Commentaries 2.0. Subtitles: Main Feature English only. Letterbox Version 16:9 Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 (Approx). 20th CENTURY FOX 2006. F1-0GB 2998001001 / ISBN # 5039036028691>

LA FEMME NIKITA {5th. Season} (DVD Review) - 19/10/06

So finally "La Femme Nikita" the TV Series draws to a close with it's 5th Season cut short with only 8 episodes across 3 discs - Why did they bother? Most of the main characters are not really in it and the ridiculous flights of fantasy are purely ludicrous that they make no sense at all? Characters actually do things so totally out-of-character which really goes against the grain and the preposterous nature of all this double-crossing and set-ups starts to really fray the nerves; that it's become irritating finally, much like "Alias" has. I can honestly say that I enjoyed the first 3 series of both "La Femme Nikita" and "Alias" and they were good entertainment but they both really petered out into their fourth seasons. Quit now and go out on a high! With this final 3-disc boxset of Region 1 (USA) DVD's we get a short selection of Special Features in the form of a pile of deleted scenes and the Season 5 internet teaser trailer plus a retrospective featurette on Season 5: Declassified. Subtitles: French /Spanish (Episodes only). NOT RATED - Bonus material not rated or close-captioned. Colour - Runtime: 354 Mins. English Dolby Surround Stereo. Warner Brothers. 80181/ISBN #1419833308.

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT 2 (DVD Review) - 16/10/06

Only just found out about this sequel to the original and really the alarm bells should have been ringing? Mr. Periwinkle hated the first one and I really doubt if he would enjoy this! Coming over like a wet Thursday afternoon in Bradford and with the feel of a TV outing and a piss-poor budget we get "The Butterfly Effect 2". The first must have made some dosh otherwise New Line would not have stumped up the cash for a Direct-To-DVD sequel and when the "Making Of..." tells you the film was shot over 20 days that more or less sum's it up. Starting off quite well with an horrific car crash it's all down hill from here to the law of diminishing returns. Losing it's way (and the plot!) we get some sub-standard video effects and some soft porn, padded out with numerous scenes at the office (for godsakes!) and a healthy dose of sleaze later on turning into the obligatory sequel set-up for the next pile of shit in this series. Unfortunately amidst this dross there is actually a thin thread of love and melancholy about loss and how the slightest change can turn everything on it's head amongst the stormy, snowy wastes of Canada once again. Special Features encompass an Audio Commentary and the "Altering Reality: On The Set Of The Butterfly Effect 2" Featurette plus a pile of Previews and DVD-ROM capability. Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1. & Stereo. Runtime: Approx 92 Mins. Colour - NTSC. Region 1 (USA) Rating: R Restricted. English & Spanish Subtitles. Close Captioned Feature Film only. Aspect Ratio: Enhanced 1.85:1. NEW LINE 2006. N10434/ISBN # 0780655567.

OVER THE HEDGE (DVD Review) - 14/10/06

[SPECIAL UPDATE 28/11/06: To open the "In Hibernation" feature on this disc you need to select that bag on the main menu; then using your DVD remote enter the code 695 (Either: Press 6-Enter, 9-Enter, 5-Enter or 6-9-5 Enter) this will unlock 2 extra Special Features - One is the cast's version of Jingle Bells called "Jingle Burps" with Hammy centre stage and another game featuring Hammy in "Hammy's Cookie Grab".]
This lovingly made movie which is rich and vibrant in colours and textures has at last been released on Region 1 (USA) DVD. An entertaining feel good story of Consumerism run rampant as viewed by the animals "over the hedge" from the creators of Shrek (You can tell by the artwork!) and Dreamworks Films. Based on the comic strip we get a well thought out DVD menu disguised as a snack machine dispensing various "Special Features". Opening with a Preview for Dreamworks/Aardman's new animated film "Flushed Away" with the catchline "Plumbing Soon..." we also get a new Hammy cartoon "Hammy's Boomerang Adventure" certainly up there with Twitchy from "Hoodwinked" and Scrat from "Ice Age". Also a small feature on "Bee Movie" due November 2007 on the CGI roster for that year and also a very small advert for "Shrek The Third" due May 2007. Under DWK ("Dreamworks Kids") we get a How To Draw Hammy and Critter 411 features and Games & Activities by accessing the DVD-ROM or playing the two games on the disc "Backyard Obstacle Course" or "Acorn Toss". "Behind The Hedge" covers the Making Of with a Meet The Cast feature and a Verm Tech Infomercial, plus The Tech Of "Over The Hedge" & Filmmaker Commentary with extensive Galleries and further previews. Another special feature is the In Hibernation section where if you go to www.overthehedgemovie.com on November 28th 2006 you can presumably by entering a code from the site; gain access to further special features, in fact "waking them up" from slumber? A quality film with a fantastic cast but the brightest star amongst these is Steve Carell as Hammy The Squirrel in a brilliant performance captured perfectly on screen. Rating: PG. Language: English/French Dolby Digital 5.1. English/Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0. Captions: English. Subtitles: English, French & Spanish. Widescreen Enhanced for 16.9 TVs. Colour - NTSC. Runtime: 1 Hr. 23 Mins. Special Features not rated. 2006/111111005416/11767/ISBN # 1415725675.

OPEN SEASON Film Review - 14/10/06

Another of the current slew of CGI Animated films that I'd seen a Trailer for and looked fairly entertaining but bored me rigid for about three-quarters of the way through then decided to perk up in the last twenty minutes or so? Wasn't at all impressed with the dull buddy story between a deer and a bear and at times it was quite unpleasant to watch. The animation was uninspiring but with the talent on show here you would expect something better from the likes of Martin Lawrence and Ashton Kutcher, Gary Sinise & Billy Connolly. A rather dire and turgid mess - May appeal to children but I doubt if they will sit still for long?

BULLY - TV Film Review 2/10/06

I actually recorded this onto my hard-drive to watch later under the rather "embarrassing" mistake of thinking it was another film entirely that I had wanted to get around to seeing. I had thought I was going to be watching "Mean Creek" and ending up seeing "Bully" instead - But both had similar storylines so that was the confusion? Strangely enough "Bully" turned out to be rather compelling as it was "based on a true story" but more than likely came from the actual book of the story as the warnings at the end of the film mention that it isn't a direct take on real-life events and that is a bit confusing? Larry Clark who directed this has a slew of graphic films under his belt and Leo Fitzpatrick (From Clark's "Kids") crops up as a character called The Hitman with able support from Nick Stahl and Brad Renfro. Rolling along with a massive gay subtext a mile-long through the proceedings we get a local bully and his "friends" who eventually decide to do away with the erstwhile companion.
Swathes of drugs and sex carry these losers along on a momentum of teenage angst until it all steps over the line and then a vicious stabbing and then they all lose the plot. Later the recriminations start over who did what and why and nobody wants to take any responsibility for their actions. When the actual thing ends up in court the sentences get handed out and it's all no longer a game after murder. Screwed up kids screwing up their lives in the worst possible way.
It also amazes me how we can get muff and tit scenes but no cock action? Was this just a case of female exploitation bearing in mind that this film was unrated in the USA? I think an audience will have to make it's own mind up about the sometimes horrific aspects of this controversial film? The Region 1 (USA) DVD is Unrated and the Region 2 (UK) version is Rated an 18 certificate.

X-MEN 3: THE LAST STAND (DVD Review) - 1/10/06

And so to the "maybe" final part of the story - and the Region 2 Special Edition 2-Disc DVD Set of "X-Men 3: The Last Stand". Didn't really know what to make of this? Different director this time around in the shape of Brett Ratner and most of the cast return from the previous films plus some new characters. It gave me the feeling of trying to jam in so much that there just wasn't enough time to actually tell the story; which although very thin plotwise, is there but very tenuous. The very slim running time of 99 mins doesn't help and it all feels very rushed - We get some amazing SFX and other parts are dreadful effects wise? Not only does it feel flat parts seem nonsensical - Overall this film was a disappointment to me - Although a couple of points do make you want to shed a tear.
Even the Collector's Edition cover has all the characters jammed on it - Even tiny pictures in the background in an attempt to get them all in - Laughable really! The story as it is revolves around the development of a cure for mutancy and the resulting war that strangely enough only seems to last for a few hours? Amongst those shenanigans we get further threads that more or less pad out the story - Quite a dismal mess really!
SPECIAL FEATURES: These cover both discs and have the usual pathetic Easter egg hunt - Which I find predictable and infuriating! "press left 222 times - arrow right - enter 72936 code - press down - enter $$$$$$$ and you get a 1 second clip of Halle Berry in her trailer on the toilet" Oh, please - Just stick to adding the stuff you've got to your menu list instead of arsing around!! DISC 1: 2 Audio Commentaries, 22 Deleted Scenes/3 Alternative Endings with Optional Commentary, Easter Eggs (Duh??) and Upcoming Trailers/Previews and obviously the film as well! DISC 2: 4 Featurettes, Character Stills Galleries, "X-Men Up Close" Interactive Gallery, 7 Vignettes, 4 Blogs, Animatic Galleries, Concept Art, Storyboards & Model Galleries, Trailers and another bloody Easter Egg!
Region 2 (UK) 2-Disc DVD Special Edition with Collector's Edition Cardboard Outer Slipcase. Letterbox Version 16:9 - 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio (Approx). Colour - PAL. Rating: 12. Runtime: 99 Minutes (Approx). Sound: English 5.1. EX, English Descriptive 5.1., English 6.1. DTS ES, Commentaries 2.0. Surround. Main Feature Subtitles: DISC 1 - English SDH, English SDH Commentary 1 & 2. DISC 2 - English SDH and European. 20th Century Fox 2006. FG-OGB 2998601001/ISBN # 5039036027489>