DVDs My collection

''The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt Road.''

[In Elvish]

''I give hope to men. I keep none for myself.''

The former Fellowship of the Ring prepare for the final battle for Middle Earth, while Frodo & Sam approach Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring.

Viggo Mortensen: Aragorn

Return of the King asserts itself as the final and best of the Rings Trilogy. I recall seeing it at the cinema and despite my disappointment at Saruman being cut from the theatrical version and others, including certain Witch King scenes plus The Mouth Of Sauron at the Black Gate which I loved in the book. Despite these missing the film had me glued for it's three hour duration from start to finish.

Be it the the amazing conversation between Elrond and Aragorn where he gives him the sword. Although in the book his sword is remade and given to him in Fellowship nevertheless I admit this scene is great cinema and really sells the pure adrenaline and emotion of Aragorn's beginning transformation into a King through his impending fight against Evil, against Sauron.

Like Two Towers we are treated to separated characters, on one side it flicks to Sam, Frodo and Smeagol as they approach Mordor and Mount Doom then back to Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas trekking towards the Paths of the Dead and preparing for battle. But King really is faceted because then we also have all these other pivotal characters Gandalf and Pippin at the White City in all it's magnificence with the maddened Denethor. Theoden and Eomer preparing to help Gondor from the descending armies of darkness. The secretive Eowyn with Merry going to fight even thought they are not permitted too. Return Of the King gives so much detail and luscious fantasy and story before we even come to the battle scenes its a great film. Chuck in the battle at the White City, the final climactic onslaught at the Black Gate and the powerful scene where Sam carries Frodo up Mount Doom showing the powerful bond of friendship and vigor, bravery and compassion, then what you have is not only a film which is great but one that is the definition of what can only be described as close to perfection.

Much to my satisfaction the Extended Version of Return of the King capitalizes on the already perfect theatrical version and dressing it with details sadly missing previously. What we then have are the scenes with Saruman, the Witch King parts and the Mouth of Sauron back in which I mentioned were missing. Also more material from the book to do with Faramir and Pippin, Sam and Frodo's mishaps in Mordor and their disguises as Orcs and Aragorn looking finally into the Palantir to make himself known and seen to Sauron is particularly captivating and effective.

For me a film can never be too long or too short, and rarely when you get a film as incredible as King do you want it to end. I know I didn't, it's magical and mesmerising, be it a moving scene with Ian Mckellan and Billy Boyd preparing for fighting at Minas Tirith or Elijah Wood and Sean Astin struggling with the Ring's evil resonance, this film is pardon the pun very precious.

A true masterpiece from Peter Jackson and his crew and cast fulfill his vision, Howard Shore utilizes the Score and adds to the beauty that is Return of the King.

''So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?''

''Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them.''

''For death and glory.''

''For Rohan. For your people.''

''The Horn of Helm Hammerhand will sound in the deep, one last time!''

Frodo and Sam continue on to Mordor in their mission to destroy the One Ring. Whilst their former companions make new allies and launch an assault on Isengard.

Christopher Lee: Saruman the White

Brad Dourif: Grima Wormtongue

The Two Towers is like Fellowship a triumph that any Tolkien fan, adventure/fantasy or war enthusiast should see.

Acting wise Elijah Wood as Frodo is simply phenomenal, captures the pain that the little soul must be expriencing.
Ian McKellen as Gandalf is excellent again as the newly formed White Wizard, even though he has a much smaller role than before.
Viggo Mortenson as Aragorn was another good choice and you could really experience what he must be going through. John Rys-Davies was really good, his jokes with Legolas refreshing.
Sean Astin fit the description of good old Sam well and also acted out the character perfectly.
Bernard Hill as Theoden, Brad Dourif as Grima, Miranda Otto as Eowyn, Karl Urban as Eomer, David Wenham as Faramir and Liv Tyler as Arwen were all excellent also in their performances. Gollum was really perfect and multi layered. Andy Serkis deserves recognition and praise as well as awards, for the perfect distorted muffled warped voice for Gollum, and an applause to the design team who made the motion capture suit.

Love the Extended Version where Christopher Lee & Brad Dourif are given more screen time they deserve. Director Peter Jackson did another excellent job in this movie along with Howard Shore.

One scene they needed to include in the normal version was the one in the extended edition of the flashback between Faramir, Boromir and Denethor. That scene was really essential to explaining the relationship of Faramir, and his father and brother.

The Battle of Helms Deep was so energized you couldn't tell what was CGI mostly. The battle of Isengard was also well done and when the ents broke the dam and Isengard was flooded.

The cinematography was beautiful and just jaw-dropping gorgeous. Makes me really want to be in New Zealand. Rohan, and Edoras especially were beautiful. Howard Shore's score was again perfection, a character in itself. The Rohan theme song fit the beautiful scenery perfectly.

That scene between Theoden and Aragorn, where the King loses hope and Aragorn gives him the speech, that spark is one of courage and depth to me and another fave part of mine. What with new additional characters and characters with separate paths and Stories The Two Towers was a hard one for Jackson but still turns out to be what we all expect.

A Masterpiece.

''I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall, nor our people fail.''

''Our people, our people. I would have would have followed you, my brother... my captain... my king.''

''Be at peace, Son of Gondor.''

In a small village in the Shire a young Hobbit named Frodo has been entrusted with an ancient Ring. Now he must embark on an Epic quest to the Cracks of Doom in order to destroy it.

Viggo Mortensen: Aragorn/Strider

Elijah Wood: Frodo

Ian Mckellan: Gandalf

The fellowship is the heaven version and pinnacle milestone of film like Two Towers & Return Of the King which I feel are all one compact vision.

Fellowship has one of the best prologues I have ever seen in in my life. The part where Boromir is dying and Aragorn is comforting him is one of the most emotional and tear inducing scenes for me.

The WETA effects, camera work, editing, sound and Orchestra work by Hoeard Shore are all dripping perfection.

For this piece of work Howard Shore has created and drawn out a truly beautiful soundtrack to accompany the movie visually. In truth, you can listen to the CD alone and experience the movie, just close your eyes. Howard brings all of the epic moments from the movie to life through the art of music.

To tell the story of LOTR, the cast of the movie was required to do much more than just act but had to tell an epic story of human struggles and emotions, ranging from anger to joy to sadness which spanned over 10 years for the cast and crew. The acting in this movie is beautiful, and nearly flawless. The characters are fleshed out and believable, the relationships are hypnotising, and it is as if the audience experiences everything and is part of the ensuing adventure.

The casting drew together a small group of seasoned veterans, including Lee, McKellan, and Holm, giving the movie a solid backbone of experience and life. The other characters are also played out beautifully, especially that of Sean Bean's. The relationship between he and Mortensen make the story of the movie all the more real. Sean Astin and Boyd also deliver sound performances, but the most unique aspect of the movie is the relationship between Astin and Wood. Seeing the making and the Extended Version, it is much easier to understand, but Astin forged a friendship with Wood during filming, and this was able to make the close bond of the two in Fellowship even more real and powerful.

In conclusion and in essence, Fellowship & LOTR can be credited as many things, because it does something incredibly challenging and does it exceedingly without flaw.
Peter Jackson had to adapt from a series of books, he had to capture Tolkiens unique view of writing material, he had to deliver a vivid and real world full of gritty earthy fantasy, and it required its cast to deliver brilliant performances full of emotion, relationships, and conflicts.

Watch Theatrical or Extended Versions both are perfection.

Masterpiece.

''Fifty years from now, the sun is dying, and mankind is dying with it. Our last hope: a spaceship and a crew of eight men and women.''

Was looking forward to watching this and it proved to be most interesting and it proved to be quite exciting and entertaining.

Was some great effects and good acting, was a big tribute to 2001:A space oddysey. A number of similarities yet with a more upgraded and modern tone to it.

Cliff Curtis as Dr Searle as usual was very chameleonic and moulds into his role.

Chris Evans as Mace was an interesting role too. He's unemotional,cold,and dedicated to the mission then heroic and caring the next.

Cillian Murphy as Robert Capa the main Character is an intelligent thoughtful lead and Cillian acts his part well

Some good action and dramatic emotional scenes, with some shocking twists and jumpy thrills.

A good solid Sci-fi action film that has a positive outcome and similarities to Alien and Space Oddysey.

''I am Jaguar Paw! This is my forest! My sons and their sons will hunt here after I am gone! ''


As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, the rulers insist the key to prosperity is to build more temples and offer human sacrifices. Jaguar Paw, a young man captured for sacrifice, flees to avoid his fate.

Rudy Youngblood: Jaguar Paw

Dalia Hernández: Seven

Immense, epic, primal Aztec thriller. One man's fight to save his family from impending doom and adversaries intent on his demise.

Firstly I cannot stress enough how you really do feel as soon as Apocalypto begins, you're part of the villagers lives, as it sucks you in you cant help but get a little attached and immersed by them, which I find is a very clever element.

You know something bad is going to happen by the heightened sense of foreboding and when it does it turns the main hero Jaguar Paw's world upside down.
Alot of violence and gore intensify the film and show how brutal Aztec life could be in the different yet similar tribal culture.

Mel Gibson has made another successful film study which has alot to say in today's society, about the more we take from the world and don't give back the more the world won't have anything left to give. Definitely recommend seeing this film to see how Jaguar Paw, wonderfully portrayed by Rudy Youngblood, defies his captors and rushes to save his family who are trapped. Resulting in one of the best chase movies ever, an exotic, blended, subtitled Fugitive but with more adrenaline rushes, blood, gore and shocks.

It's sensitive and Paw's wife Seven is beautiful, wonderfully played by Dalia Hernández. Who could forget her heavily pregnant form and Paw listening to his child within her, and the love they have for each other conveyed in their eyes. Truly wonderful.

For all its seriousness also there are a number of humourous elements within Apocalypto which also sucks you in. Definitely an insight too into Aztec life a long while ago around the time of Christopher Columbus.

Amazing to think there are still tribes similar in the amazon nowadays who bare a remarkable likeness to the tribes on show in Apocalypto, showing that timeless quality, that traditional transition.

Sacrifices, graphic scenes and a perspective not just of Jaguar Paw but of the one's chasing him, Zero Wolf is a formidable nemesis who after losing his son is after blood, Paw's blood. Ultimately Apocalypto gives us a turbulent journey of a man who wants nothing but to get his family back and in this task ends up overcoming impossible odds.

Jaguar Paw's adventure and ordeal will make your heart beat fast everytime.

A tense thriller revolving round Nicholas Garrigan, a young doctor(played by James McAvoy) and Ugandan Dictator Idi Amin(played by the superb Forest Whitaker).

Inspired by true events this story starts off all good with its main hero thrown into the limelight when he becomes Doctor to Amin.

On the outside it seems wonderfully perfect scenario until he finds he cant escape Uganda. What goes on behind the perfect image/scenes and propaganda is strife and murder, fear and misery.

Forest Whitaker's performance as the crazed dictator is nothing short of blinding. James McAvoy also very pivotal and portrays his character with finesse.

Only thing i didn't like was the way it ended which left it all floating up in the air. Of course the factual part was interesting about Amin's regime ending and right prevailing. A good effort, humour also in doses in this, made me laugh on a number of a occasions.

Also Forest Whitaker farting i cant get out of my head! And James Mcavoy shagging every 10 seconds. Doctor's the worst i tell u !

Forest Whitaker deserved the oscar for his perfectly executed portrayal of a crazed power hungry man. ( Not the fart ,the acting :P).

Horrific, gory as hell, sick yet funny. I really enjoyed this chapter of Hannibal Lector. Think alot of the critics were far to harsh on this film. Judge for yourself and make up your own mind. Worth watching. Would say Gaspard Ulliel did a good job of potraying Hannibal, very cold and emotionally detached and isolated, yet at times human and vunerable. Nice to have a fresh face in the role admittedly Anthony Hopkins is the master but he was getting overused especially with the add ons which are Hannibal and Red Dragon.

Murray: Is it true what they're sayin', he's some kinda vampire?
Clarice Starling: They don't have a name for what he is.

A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.

Jodie Foster: Clarice Starling

Anthony Hopkins: Dr. Hannibal Lecter

The events in this film occur after the events in Manhunter(1986). Although there are several characters common to both films, there are only two actors who appear in both movies. Both actors play different characters in both movies. Frankie Faison plays Lt. Fisk in Manhunter and Barney in Silence of the Lambs, and Dan Butler plays an FBI fingerprint expert in Manhunter and an entomologist in Silence of the Lambs.
The film originally was going to be released in the fall of 1990. However, Orion pictures, which distributed the film, decided instead to delay its release until January 1991 so that it could concentrate all their efforts in promoting Dances with Wolves (1990) for Oscar consideration.
Silence of the lambs is one of the masterpieces of the last decade. And does it have its reasons. First of all, it's entirely dependent on the terror that gnaws all the way to the mind of the viewer. The decline of the Human Being is magnificently chiseled with one liners that amusingly depict the killers and psychopaths state of mind and approach us carefully into a nature that is deformed, evil and sick of the Man's putrefaction.

The main spectacle is drawn between Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. Both entirely relevant to the movie, they produce a bright contrast and with their performances they nail the feelings right and expose one of the best duels on movie history. This duel, although, is not conventional. Clarice Starling will use Hannibal Lecter's profound knowledge of the criminal mind to capture the infamous Buffalo Bill. But Hopkins will play a game in which their personalities will engage in a retroactive combination, in a "quid pro quo" mind spar: she will have to expose her most profound, hidden secrets to Lecter, so he can also dispatch on his pleasure of analyzing the suffering of others. Both of them reveal all of their character's whole personality with their eyes: Foster is in constant pressure, scared but facing hell with courage and Hopkins shows human emptiness in his eyes, windows to what is a world full of deprivation.
In preparation for his role, Anthony Hopkins studied files of serial killers. Also, he visited prisons and studied convicted murderers and was present during some court hearings concerning serial killings.
Anthony Hopkins described his voice for Hannibal Lecter as, "a combination of Truman Capote and Katharine Hepburn."

Hannibal Lecter: Why do you think he removes their skins, Agent Starling?
[sarcastically]
Hannibal Lecter: Enthrall me with your acumen.
Clarice Starling: It excites him. Most serial killers keep some sort of trophies from their victims.
Hannibal Lecter: I didn't.
Clarice Starling: No. No, you ate yours.

Ted Levine is truly scary. You get the impression that he is the true Buffalo Bill, twisted and perverse. He shows absolutely no human, recognizable aspect. He is a terrible villain.
Buffalo Bill is the combination of three real life serial killers: Ed Gein, who skinned his victims; Ted Bundy, who used the cast on his hand as bait to make women get into his van; and Gary Heidnick, who kept women he kidnapped in a pit in his basement. Gein was only positively linked to two murders and suspected of two hers. He gathered most of his materials not through murder, but grave-robbing. In the popular imagination, however, he remains a serial killer with uncounted victims.

Easily one of the best and most sophisticated crime thrillers I've seen, The Silence of the Lambs is a masterful stroke of a movie. To begin, the performances are what really shine here. Both Foster and Hopkins are award-worthy. Jodie Foster is completely believable in her role as the intelligent heroine, and really has the audience sympathizing with her. On the other hand is Lecter, wonderfully played by Hopkins - his character is one scary guy, I definitely wouldn't want to be near him. Their chemistry in the film is amazing, and the conversational scenes between them, both of them separated by bars or a glass wall, are tense and brilliantly acted. The performances all around are simply top-notch.

Hannibal Lecter: A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

The plot itself is an intriguing one at that, and I liked the relationship that was formed between the FBI agent and the serial killer - it's all really interesting. Then, there's the serial killer that is the sole reason that Clarice has any relation to Lecter - because Lecter has information that could help her. The gender-bending Buffalo Bill is shown throughout the movie, kidnapping women, and the viewers get an insight into his bizarre world, mostly shown in his underground "chamber" under his house, where he skins and stores his victims, dead and alive, and wears their skins. The finale in the pitch-black basement/lair between Clarice and Buffalo Bill is genuinely terrifying, and will surely have you on the edge of your seat.

Interesting to know also the inspiration for the Silence of the Lambs was the real life relationship between University of Washington criminology professor and profiler Robert Keppel and real life serial killer Ted Bundy. Bundy helped Keppel in his investigation of the Green River Serial Killings in Washington. While Bundy was executed 24 January 1989, the Green River Killings went unsolved until 2001 when Gary Ridgway was arrested. On 5 November 2003, Ridgway pleaded guilty to 48 counts of aggravated first degree murder in a King County, Washington (Seattle) courtroom.

A last concluding note: Lecter's mention of having consumed a victim's liver with "some fava beans and nice chianti". Liver, fava beans, and wine all contain a substance called tyramine, which can actually kill you if you're also taking a certain class of antidepressant drugs known as MAO inhibitors. MAO inhibitors were the first antidepressant drugs developed, and were used primarily on patients in mental institutions. Lecter both worked in, and was committed to, a mental institution.

Interesting Goofs

Factual errors: A forensics expert's opinion of the autopsy scene: over 8 errors were made. Among them: the body was fingerprinted without collecting evidence under the victims fingernails, and the ink would have destroyed the evidence. You cannot get fingerprints off a body if it is in that condition.
Miscellaneous: In flashbacks, young Clarice Starling has brown eyes. However, when she is older, Agent Starling's eyes are pale blue.
Revealing mistakes: As the forensics come to take photos of the victim's body, the "corpse" visibly blinks as the hands touch its face.

''Well, Clarice - have the lambs stopped screaming?''

''I am the Dragon. And you call me insane. You are privy to a great becoming, but you recognize nothing. To me, you are a slug in the sun. You are an ant in the afterbirth. It is your nature to do one thing correctly. Before me, you rightly tremble. But, fear is not what you owe me. You owe me awe.''

A retired FBI agent with psychological gifts is assigned to help track down "The Tooth Fairy", a mysterious serial killer; aiding him is imprisoned criminal genius Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter.

Anthony Hopkins: Dr. Hannibal Lecter

Edward Norton: Will Graham

Ralph Fiennes: Francis Dolarhyde

Excellent installment to the Hannibal series. Red Dragon A very clever prequel.

Ralph Fiennes, Edward Norton, Anthony Hopkins and some of the best and loved Actors of mine in this to make this Masterful Prequel. Beautiful performances especially from Ralph & Anthony. Two players who know how to dance with villainy.

The start of the movie had me glued to the start and I watched this after a very difficult time in my life, the day my heart got broken. Thankfully Red Dragon succeeded in taking my mind of things, and I find that it deserves a decent Review and to go in my Favourites considering my fondness for the film.

The only thing that annoyed me about Red Dragon is that Anthony Hopkins looks alot Older and Lambs, it was hard not to compare and think of how young he looked in that. Considering Dragon is a prequel to make Hopkins look younger somehow is now possible even the mediocre X-men 3 has made use of CG smoothing for actors faces/facials.

It's got some nice twists, music, pace and alot of charm. Darkly immersed and satisfying Brett Ratner shows he can do the Dark Side, not just comedy or Action Set Piece movies.

Touching and enjoyable, loads of laughs with some serious scenes.

Pending Review...

Christine: I remember... there was mist. Swirling mist upon a vast glassy lake... There were candles all around, and on the lake there was a boat...
[pause]
Christine: ... And in the boat, there was a man.
[walks over to the Phantom, at his organ]
Christine: Who was that shape in the shadows? Whose is that face in the mask?
[touches his face and rips of mask]
The Phantom: [covers face] Damn you! You little prying Pandora! You little demon! Is this what you wanted to see? Curse you! You little lying Delilah! You little *viper*! Now you cannot ever be free! Damn you! Curse you!
The Phantom: [changes mood from angry to sad] Stranger than you dreamt it, can you even bear to look, or dare to think of me?... This lonesome gargoyle who burns in hell but secretly yearns for heaven secretly, secretly but Christine... fear can turn to love you'll learn to see to find the man behind the monstor this... repulsive carcass that seems a beast but secretly dreams of beauty secretly, secretly...
[crying]
The Phantom: Oh, Christine.
The Phantom: [Christine hands him the mask]
[spoken]
The Phantom:Come. We must return. Those two fools who run my theatre will be missing you.

Her voice became his passion. Her love became his obsession. Her refusal became his rage.....


A disfigured musical genius The Phantom, hidden away in the Paris Opera House, terrorizes the opera company for the unwitting benefit of a young protege,Christine whom he trains and loves. Yet a love triangle surfaces as her childhood sweetheart Raoul comes back into her life...

Gerard Butler: The Phantom. Retains soulful resonance and passion with his unique role. Quite good singing on his part that may not be tuned but has power.

Emmy Rossum: Christine. Tranquil, delicate and her voice resonating. A talented young actress who adds her character sweetness and poise.

Patrick Wilson: Raoul. The other love interest who also flexes some impressive vocals. A talented actor and singer.

Miranda Richardson: Madame Giry. Fantastic supporting actress in another fantastic role.

Minnie Driver: Carlotta. Had her own song for the film, she plays her part well as the spoiled lead at the beginning.

The movie, in my opinion, takes what is best about the play and does it even better. Though some of my favorite bits from the stage show (the rehearsal of Don Jaun where the piano plays itself, Raoul's part in "Wondering Child") are gone, they have been dropped in favor of brilliant improvements, namely having the chandelier crash at the conclusion of the film (it really brings the whole thing full circle), and allowing more glimpses of Paris 1917, finally explaining why it is Raoul returns, what happens to the Phantom, etc. Other good bits that we see now but never saw onstage: an affectionate moment between Meg and Madame Giry, some history of the Phantom, a deeper sense of what Meg may know or not know about the Phantom's presence, the stalking of Josephe Bouquet, the life of the underclass of the opera house, the Hall of Mirrors from the book, etc. Also, the music has been beautifully re-orchestrated, and never sounded better. I'll take orchestra over canned synths, any day, thank you.

The cinematography is beautiful and the "opera" moments are well done- complete with the intense, almost intrusive dancing and vibrant but totally unrealistic sets and costumes that characterized "grand opera" at the time. The sense of constant claustrophobia back stage is great, and adds to that sense of what it was like to live and work in this tiny world where everyone is a performer and half your wardrobe comes from the costume department (did anyone else catch that moment where Christine takes her dress from the wardrobe?), adding to the central question at "Phantom's" core- what (who) is real, and what (who) is an illusion- and is real preferable to illusion, or vice-vera?

The bleedingly bright colours and deep shadows of the movie help echo all of this- reminding us always, this story is not real, hero on white charger and all, but we don't want it to be: it's a legend, it's a fairy tale, it's a farce... it's a masquerade. It's, as the Auctioneer says, "a strange affair." "Phantom" told and acted realistically, totally wouldn't work, so don't ask it to, or judge it that way.

The best thing about this movie is the performances, and the director has done a wonderful thing by moving AWAY from Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, both of whom gave role defining performances, neither of which are any more "correct" than any other. The question isn't, are Butler and Rossum as good as their predecessors, but rather do their versions of the characters work, and the answer is: yes. Return to "Phantom" as a text, not as a show with a history, and you'll see that Christine is supposed to be dreamy, lost, emotionally unstable and young, just as Rossum plays and sings the role. Butler, with his harsher singing and deeper range, is much more believable as a madman who is sometimes pathetic and pitable, but still ultimately a deranged egomaniac who lives underground and makes wax statues of the woman he loves. The rest of the cast is equally good, with Minnie Driver giving a heroically hysterical performance, Jennifer Ellison combining strength and curiosity with innocence and a certain grounded quality (I've always believed the audience is ultimately supposed to identify with Meg, who is the only character who never panics and maintains a healthy sense of "reality) that contrasts nicely with Rossum's morbid dreaminess, and Patrick Wilson doing much more with Raoul than any of the actors I've seen on stage. I wish Simon Callow had had more to do, but such is life- at least he was there. Miranda Richardson continues to prove she can play anything, and conveying more with a look than most actresses can with a full script of dialogue. Her accent is totally brilliant: it sets her apart, makes her glamorous and mysterious, and at the same time, is another sly tongue in cheek reminder that what we are watching should only be believed to a point: it is, after all, just another version of beauty and the beast.

Multible plots,emotional, this really moved me. Different cultures all with a connection to each other somehow. Vunerable people who ultimately have different struggles and how one ripple can affect so many different people. Thought the Japanese girl was brilliant as the deaf mute. Really felt like she was isolated and alone. Brad Pitt i thought looked very old in this but very good acting while Cate Blanchett was exceptional and diverse as always. This won an oscar for the music and i must say i love the guitar notes and mixture of compositions. Makes me want to play more, not just the guitar but the piano too.

Pending Review...

Pending Review...

Albert Wesker: [to Dr. Isaacs] Continue with your research, Doctor... while it is still YOUR research.

Milla Jovovich: Alice

Oded Fehr: Carlos Olivera

Ali Larter: Claire Redfield

Iain Glen: Dr. Isaacs

Survivors of the Raccoon City catastrophe travel across the Nevada desert, hoping to make it to Alaska. Alice joins the caravan and their fight against the evil Umbrella Corp.

The third installment, draws inspiration from a range of films like 6th Day and Matrix yet in one hand offers different aspects to the world of Resident Evil breathing life and some new ideas into the franchise, while on the other hand it is extremely unlike the resident evil we all know, it is at times more like the games than the first two.
Examples: The world has ended more or less and the Zombies have taken over the surface is very unlike the games, but the film is full of things from the games, but used subtly enough so as not to shove it in your face. The whole trapped obstacle course at the beginning screams the games (while the set is different the whole designated area with deadly traps is very RE).
The plot is driven forth by finding documents/notebooks again very RE and the Umbrella Lab looks brilliant, better than anything they designed in the games by far.

Now for the plot, it was very simple, but then the film would have suffered from a very detailed plot, what was more important were the characters which were far superior to the previous films, and I suspect it has to do with Russel being appointed Director. Easily Anderson's best writing for characters although it's punch scenes seem to be a little less grand than the other films (the laser corridor in re and the nemesis shootout with the STARS in Apocalypse) and the biggest disappointment was there were no monsters in the film apart from the staple Dogs and Zombies, the crows, while cool don't count and the Tyrant is only in it at the end. But that is more to do with budget than the script.

The acting was far better in this film, and for once the supporting characters were well enough done for you to care about them or even just get a sense that they are real people in a bad situation. Unlike RE:A in which the main characters were planks and the support characters basically were just warm props.

The action scenes were done excellently, although at the beginning there is a little of the shot too close cut too fast syndrome but that evens out in the later scenes. The gore was good, not over the top like some rubbish zombie film but not as mild as the other RE films.

The ending was a little off, and lacked the big WHAM that Anderson usually ends the RE films with, I think less would have been more for this films ending, when you see it you will know what I mean.

Bring on the sequel and Wesker!

''Can Spider-Man come out to play? ''


When bitten by a genetically modified spider, a nerdy, shy, and awkward high school student gains spider-like abilities that he eventually must use to fight evil as a superhero after tragedy befalls his family. With great power comes great responsibility...Tobey Maguire: Spider-Man / Peter Parker

Willem Dafoe: Green Goblin / Norman Osborn

Kirsten Dunst: Mary Jane Watson

James Franco: Harry Osborn

Amazing spider-man.
Saw this on my 18th BD.
watched it loads of times, still do. Spider-Man I can happily leave on repeat all day, a guilty pleasure for me.

It starts with one of the best sequences accompanied by Danny Elfman's score, Sam Raimi has triumphed at portraying Marvel's Spider-man on the big screen.

The upside down kiss between Tobey & Dunst, the last showdown between Goblin, Peter Parker becoming Spider-man, I love it so much.

Granted Green Goblin looks abit like something out of Power Rangers than the guy from the comics but I overlook this, granted Spider-man 2 tops this ace once Raimi gets his footing.

All in all, its blockbuster material and fun, the music and comic aspirations hit me everytime. An ordinary guy who gets great power learns to use it and becomes the hero we all want him to be. Peter Parker and Mary Jane frustrated me the ending but you know she knows deep down. More to come and that for me is why Spider-man is priceless.

A Masterpiece, Class!

''Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: "With great power comes great responsibility." This is my gift, my curse. Who am I? I'm Spider-man.''

''Sometimes... to do what's right... we must be steady... and give up the things we desire the most... even our dreams.''


Peter Parker is beset with troubles in his failing personal life as he battles a brilliant scientist named Doctor Otto Octavius, who becomes Doctor Octopus (aka Doc Ock), after an accident causes him to bond psychically with mechanical tentacles that do his bidding.

Tobey Maguire: Spider-Man / Peter Parker

Kirsten Dunst: Mary Jane Watson

James Franco: Harry Osborn

Alfred Molina: Doc Ock / Dr. Otto Octavius

Thought the first one was really amazing and then i saw this and it was just as good and even better in some aspects.

The effects have improved so much and the villian Dr Octopus or Doc Ock is perfect! Played superbly by Alfred Molina.
One of the best scenes in this is the Showdown on a speeding train with Ock and Spidey, that starts on a clock Tower and escalates in him trying to stop said train. Magic!

Love the way Peter loses his powers then regains them through his love for mary jane...

I've watched this so many times! Also worth checking out the Spiderman 2.1 which is the Director's Cut and has more scenes and Material worth checking out.

''Go get 'em, tiger.''

Pending Review...

''Before you could say 'gypsy scum' we were knee-deep in dog muck, thieving kids and crusty jugglers.''


Jealous colleagues conspire to get a top London cop transferred to a small town and paired with a witless new partner. On the beat, the pair stumble upon a series of suspicious accidents and events.

Simon Pegg: Sgt. Nicholas Angel

Nick Frost: PC Danny Butterman

Very funny and very entertaining. Action packed, comical and certainly Nick Frost and Simon Pegg are a good pair again. Good follow up to my loved Shaun Of the Dead.

May i just say Simon Pegg is a credit to my country in the laugh stakes. An ordinary bloke combined with Edgar Wright's script and writings has blasted into orbit with Shaun and now Fuzz also.

Steve Coogan & Bill Nighy at the start too with extended cameo's is the icing on the cake in a beginning that had me laughing my socks off. We had Die Hard, we had Bourne but fuck me, Hot Fuzz will give stitches!

A fave part for me? aside from the quirky country accents and Cornetto from the shop, that blasted thing Nick Frost does with his notebook in the car with the funny little animation...Magic!

Simon Pegg & Nick Frost reprise their ingeniousness not lost since Shaun and emphasize it in spades in Fuzz.
Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Paddy Considine all give performances that dazzle.

Music and locations top marks! While a shoot out at Somerfield, a Pub brawl and a Town where everyone is armed to the teeth is of the charts in our eyes.
Hot Fuzz will remain for years to come an accolade to British filming showing our originality and humour that sadly is lacking in the rest of the world. You have to be British to appreciate the humour here hands down, whereas it will have people drooling and envying our uniqueness hands down.

Again Hot Fuzz spoofs the whole Policeman gig just like Shaun Of the Dead did with the whole Zombie Horror B-Movie gig, it does so though and comes of triumphant and certainly no matter how many times you watch it Fuzz will leave you laughing, hurting and your facial muscles aching from the experience.

Fuzz=Masterpiece.

''The swan's escaped, right... and who might you be?''

''Mr. Staker, yeah... Mr. Peter Ian Staker.''

''P.I Staker? Right! Piss Taker! Come on!''

''Listen. Since I've met you I've nearly been incinerated, drowned, shot at, and chopped into fish bait. We're caught in the middle of something sinister here, my guess is dad found out more than he was looking for and until I'm sure, I'm going to continue to do things the way I think they should be done.''

''Archaeology is the search for fact... not truth. If it's truth you're looking for, Dr. Tyree's philosophy class is right down the hall.''

''He chose...poorly.''



When Dr. Henry Jones Sr. suddenly goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, eminent archaeologist Indiana Jones must follow in his father's footsteps and stop the Nazis.

The third installment of Indiana Jones and it's a pleasure going back to it's creative roots like the first film, makes you fall in love with Indy all over again afresh.

Harrison Ford: Indiana Jones has the charm and heroism of the previous two installments.

Sean Connery: Professor Henry Jones, inspired casting who could be more fitting to play Indy's father than legendary Connery. He gives the film a huge boost.

Denholm Elliott: Dr. Marcus Brody, another jovial character who offers humour. Love the bit where he say the pen is mightier than the sword in the tank with Connery.

Alison Doody: Dr. Elsa Schneider, the femme fatale and risky love interest of Jones.

John Rhys-Davies: Sallah A character welcome back after Raiders

This is my personal fave of the trilogy, it has some memorable scenes and the plot is one i can relate to that revolves round the Holy Grail and the cup of life. Loved the bike chase, the frantic tank scene, the tests at the end. Of course the beginning start with the prelude featuring River Phoenix is inspiring and compelling start to the movie.

Music Top notch again bow John Williams.

Plot spot on, cast without fault and an adventure that is fun and unforgettable.

Steven Spielberg & George Lucas have emulated that classic formula that was lost since Raiders and given us this timeless third film in the trilogy.

You know when I said I knew little about love? That wasn't true. I know a lot about love. I've seen it, centuries and centuries of it, and it was the only thing that made watching your world bearable. All those wars. Pain, lies, hate... It made me want to turn away and never look down again. But when I see the way that mankind loves... You could search to the furthest reaches of the universe and never find anything more beautiful. So yes, I know that love is unconditional. But I also know that it can be unpredictable, unexpected, uncontrollable, unbearable and strangely easy to mistake for loathing, and... What I'm trying to say, Tristan is... I think I love you. Is this love, Tristan? I never imagined I'd know it for myself. My heart... It feels like my chest can barely contain it. Like it's trying to escape because it doesn't belong to me any more. It belongs to you. And if you wanted it, I'd wish for nothing in exchange - no gifts. No goods. No demonstrations of devotion. Nothing but knowing you loved me too. Just your heart, in exchange for mine.

Charlie Cox: Tristan Thorn

Claire Danes: Yvaine

In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm.

Vindictive witches, a magical star that moonlights as a beautiful woman, seven brothers--all possible heirs to a vacated throne--picking each other off, a Medieval Las Vegas, a gate guardian who does kung-fu, flying pirate ships, wild swashbuckling sword play; this movie has it all.

A great fairytale style adventure for adults, although a little too violent in places for kids. Fantasy stories are often difficult to write, as the author has to create an entire world, but the land this story takes you to is given more than adequate foundation, and the back stories of the numerous characters are developed quickly and clearly. Basically, there are "two worlds," one of scientific law, and the other where magic governs. They are separated by a stone wall, with one single gate of passage. Entry from the "real" one into the "fantasy" land is restricted by an old guy who beats the snot out of interlopers.

There are several subplots, but the one prize everybody wants: the witches, the princes, a gypsy, a star crossed lover, and a few others is a woman who is sometimes human, sometimes a stellar object (don't ask, just believe!), and she has a power they're all after. Extremely well written, all these interlocking subplots converge for some good old style fairy tale good vs. evil fireworks. Acting is superior throughout; the witches are scary, the backstabbing princes are nasty, the star/woman is indeed "heavenly," the spectator ghosts are amusing, the pirates are both greasy and funny, the hero easy to root for. Special effects are devised and utilized very well.

I'm quite particular about movies depending on the very mood that I exhibit at any given time, but this film caught me completely off guard in its capability for both originality and level of surprise.

After The Lord of the Rings, I thought that perhaps all we had to look forward to in the fantasy genre was for the Harry Potter series to finish its run. I'd seen several attempts of new efforts here and there that simply failed to captivate me.

What held me from the very start was the well-spoken narration by Ian McKellen. From there on it just became more and more charming to behold with each set and character introduction. The whimsy was light and delightful.

There were the archetypes of old, but they were merely touched upon, not hammered upon in great detail. The story was very complicated, yet simple in concept. I thought that the beauty of the story telling was that everyone knew what actually should happen to the main character which was a direct contradiction to his main goal.

I thought it was remarkable that the story held no restraint in eliminating characters. It was quite brutal yet understandable.

The film, to me, was all about true beauty of soul and the meaning of love, a deep love that is such a powerful bond. So many characters were absolutely remarkable for their own inner radiance. The quality of them helped to turn the tale in surprising new directions that really kept the pace exciting.

The ending surprised me above all things most. I'm prone to finding tears of sorrow in movies, but rarely to tears of happiness burst free. In the last moment of the movie, I shed some tears of joy. I praise Stardust for keeping fantasy alive and wonderful. This film is a blissful escape, and a very charming one overflowing with imagination and new ideas.