Lake Mungo: DVD Review
Lake Mungo
Rating: M
Released by Madman
A doco style horror, Lake Mungo is an Aussie film about a sixteen year old
girl Alice Palmer who drowns in the local dam.
Initially the family's overcome by the tragedy after her body's discovered -
but then they start to see visions of Alice in the house - and in photos and
videos.
Calling in a parapsychologist, the Palmer family begins further
investigations&.however, that's when the true reality starts to come to
light.
You really need to see this film before the team behind the Ring horror
series get their hands on it - it's moody, evocative, creepy and disturbing.
Cleverly put together, the doco style helps lend a sense of verite to the events
unfolding in front of you on the screen - and the fact it's wonderfully
understated and underplayed will give you goosebumps.
It's hard to talk about this without spoiling it - and to talk of spoilers is
to build a mystique which isn't perhaps there.
Suffice to say this is an effective supernatural onion of an eerie film - as
the layers gradually unpeel, there are some real jolts and surprises as the
twists are unveiled. It's also just the right length - which seems like an odd
thing to say but any further prolonging of events could put you off.
Recommended - and you may feel a little unsettled afterwards....
Extras: Deleted scenes, commentary and trailer.
Rating: 8/10
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Who Do You Think You Are? DVD Review
Who Do You Think You Are? DVD Review
Who Do You Think You Are?
Series 1 - 4
Released by Madman
With nearly 30 hours worth of television, this is some in depth set.
It's the UK series which started the ball rolling - and preceded the explosive boom interest in discovering more about one's roots. (Certainly in my parents anyway)
It's a very simple premise - grab a celebrity and get them to do some basic genealogy and discover something of their history - then film the results as they find out something they hadn't really been expecting or anticipated.
The end result is compelling television - with a raft of celebs including the likes of Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, Stephen Fry and Jeremy Irons to name but a few, there's plenty of people from all different walks of fame.
But what the series indicates is that all of us are linked in inextricable ways to our past - in Jeremy Clarkson's case, what he found out was a real shock. Thanks to the smart way this is made, it's never intrusive and is appealing that the celebs open themselves up so much to the cameras.
Extras: Basics really - some unseen footage - and a piece giving the basics on how to research your family - there's nothing earth shattering on this but the shows are enough to keep you entertained and informed - as well as intellectually stimulated.
Rating: 7/10
Who Do You Think You Are?
Series 1 - 4
Released by Madman
With nearly 30 hours worth of television, this is some in depth set.
It's the UK series which started the ball rolling - and preceded the explosive boom interest in discovering more about one's roots. (Certainly in my parents anyway)
It's a very simple premise - grab a celebrity and get them to do some basic genealogy and discover something of their history - then film the results as they find out something they hadn't really been expecting or anticipated.
The end result is compelling television - with a raft of celebs including the likes of Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, Stephen Fry and Jeremy Irons to name but a few, there's plenty of people from all different walks of fame.
But what the series indicates is that all of us are linked in inextricable ways to our past - in Jeremy Clarkson's case, what he found out was a real shock. Thanks to the smart way this is made, it's never intrusive and is appealing that the celebs open themselves up so much to the cameras.
Extras: Basics really - some unseen footage - and a piece giving the basics on how to research your family - there's nothing earth shattering on this but the shows are enough to keep you entertained and informed - as well as intellectually stimulated.
Rating: 7/10
Monday, 9 August 2010
Law Abiding Citizen: DVD Review
Law Abiding Citizen: DVD Review
Law Abiding Citizen
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: R18
Gerard Butler stars as Clyde Shelton - in front of his eyes one day, his wife and daughter are brutally killed in a home invasion.
Shelton survives but when it comes to trying the case, a hotshot lawyer Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) manages to get the one who stabbed him and his wife off - because he persuades him to testify against his accomplice.
Ten years go past - and suddenly Shelton is confessing to the murder of the one who got away&.and things get worse for Rice when Shelton's imprisoned but people involved in the case end up dead.
Suddenly the killings are so close to home - and the clock is ticking for Rice.
How far would you go to avenge your family's death? Well for Butler it's about as far as he's ever gone before - he's quite terrifying in his change from household man to psycho raging against the justice system.
There's a smart premise here that one man wants to bring down the corrupt system - there's some taut action scenes and a vein of tension pumping throughout this - coupled with the good solid central performances of Foxx and Butler, and this is a watchable - but disposable piece of Friday night entertainment - things blow up, explode - the usual fare.
Extras: Behind the scenes docos and trailer - as well as producers commentary - nothing outstanding but solid for the release
Rating: 6/10
Law Abiding Citizen
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: R18
Gerard Butler stars as Clyde Shelton - in front of his eyes one day, his wife and daughter are brutally killed in a home invasion.
Shelton survives but when it comes to trying the case, a hotshot lawyer Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) manages to get the one who stabbed him and his wife off - because he persuades him to testify against his accomplice.
Ten years go past - and suddenly Shelton is confessing to the murder of the one who got away&.and things get worse for Rice when Shelton's imprisoned but people involved in the case end up dead.
Suddenly the killings are so close to home - and the clock is ticking for Rice.
How far would you go to avenge your family's death? Well for Butler it's about as far as he's ever gone before - he's quite terrifying in his change from household man to psycho raging against the justice system.
There's a smart premise here that one man wants to bring down the corrupt system - there's some taut action scenes and a vein of tension pumping throughout this - coupled with the good solid central performances of Foxx and Butler, and this is a watchable - but disposable piece of Friday night entertainment - things blow up, explode - the usual fare.
Extras: Behind the scenes docos and trailer - as well as producers commentary - nothing outstanding but solid for the release
Rating: 6/10
Saturday, 7 August 2010
Green Zone: Blu Ray Review
Green Zone: Blu Ray Review
Green Zone
Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Pictures
The team behind the successful run of Bourne movies have reunited for this thriller set in Iraq after the 2003 war.
Matt Damon is Captain Roy Miller, who's in charge of the hunt for WMDs - but every lead they're following turns out to be a dud; each time they're sent in, there's absolutely no trace of anything.
So with suspicions aroused over duff intelligence, Miller starts to follow his own leads - and finds himself slap bang in the middle of a major conspiracy.
Matt Damon continues to push his image as the dependably stoic and intelligent everyman that has seen him become a big screen success; Green Zone itself is a conspiracy thriller which takes a little while to unravel but if you have your wits about you, you can see where it's going - and how it will end.
Overall it's a solid thriller with some great set pieces and a certain level of tension - once again, it's another good performance into Matt Damon's career.
Extras: Behind the scenes, commentary with director Greengrass and Damon, docos on how the making and how Damon prepared - a good solid bunch.
Rating: 8/10
Green Zone
Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Pictures
The team behind the successful run of Bourne movies have reunited for this thriller set in Iraq after the 2003 war.
Matt Damon is Captain Roy Miller, who's in charge of the hunt for WMDs - but every lead they're following turns out to be a dud; each time they're sent in, there's absolutely no trace of anything.
So with suspicions aroused over duff intelligence, Miller starts to follow his own leads - and finds himself slap bang in the middle of a major conspiracy.
Matt Damon continues to push his image as the dependably stoic and intelligent everyman that has seen him become a big screen success; Green Zone itself is a conspiracy thriller which takes a little while to unravel but if you have your wits about you, you can see where it's going - and how it will end.
Overall it's a solid thriller with some great set pieces and a certain level of tension - once again, it's another good performance into Matt Damon's career.
Extras: Behind the scenes, commentary with director Greengrass and Damon, docos on how the making and how Damon prepared - a good solid bunch.
Rating: 8/10
Friday, 6 August 2010
Remember Me: Blu Ray Review
Remember Me: Blu Ray Review
Remember Me
Rating: M
Released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
R Patz aka Robert Pattinson returns to the screen in this romantic drama.
He's Tyler, a rebellious student in New York in 2001, who's got a strained relationship with his lawyer dad (an aloof and emotionally hard Pierce Brosnan) ever since his brother committed suicide.
Tyler is a bit of a closed book drifter, a one night stands kind of guy who won't emotionally open up - but that all changes when a twist of fate brings him to Ally (Lost's Emilie de Ravin).
Ally too is emotionally damaged - having seen her mom murdered on the subway when she was 11, she isn't initially too keen to let Tyler into her life.
But the pair's paths are intertwined and fate has a way of playing these things out&
Sure, the story may be the usual tale of brooding teen love but thanks to pitch perfect performances from Pattinson and De Ravin along with the rich ending of Remember Me which emotionally shocks you by knocking the wind out of your cinematic sails, this is quite the surprise - it's unexpected, powerful and may well leave you agog.
Extras: Cast and directors commentary plus a making of.
Rating: 7/10
Remember Me
Rating: M
Released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
R Patz aka Robert Pattinson returns to the screen in this romantic drama.
He's Tyler, a rebellious student in New York in 2001, who's got a strained relationship with his lawyer dad (an aloof and emotionally hard Pierce Brosnan) ever since his brother committed suicide.
Tyler is a bit of a closed book drifter, a one night stands kind of guy who won't emotionally open up - but that all changes when a twist of fate brings him to Ally (Lost's Emilie de Ravin).
Ally too is emotionally damaged - having seen her mom murdered on the subway when she was 11, she isn't initially too keen to let Tyler into her life.
But the pair's paths are intertwined and fate has a way of playing these things out&
Sure, the story may be the usual tale of brooding teen love but thanks to pitch perfect performances from Pattinson and De Ravin along with the rich ending of Remember Me which emotionally shocks you by knocking the wind out of your cinematic sails, this is quite the surprise - it's unexpected, powerful and may well leave you agog.
Extras: Cast and directors commentary plus a making of.
Rating: 7/10
Toy Story 1&2: Blu Ray Review
Toy Story 1&2: Blu Ray Review
Toy Story 1 and 2 - Blu Ray/ DVD Releases
Rating: G
Released by Disney
The claw, the aliens, Jesse, Prospector, Al's Toy Barn, Randy Newman's "You've Got A Friend in Me"; there's so much to remember and love from the Toy Story series.
The story of Tom Hanks' Woody, the lovable cowboy toy, so beloved by his owner and his friendship and rivalry with Tim Allen's space age toy Buzz Lightyear have thrilled generations of kids - both young and old.
These rereleases on Blu Ray are definitive - both the stories and a whole wealth of extras make for essential viewing - and a chance to lose yourself completely in the toy world.
While it's great to see Toy Story again, personally, it's Toy Story 2 which soars - I'd forgotten how close to tears the story of Woody finding his compadres Jesse, Bullseye and the Prospector brought me. There's humour aplenty in the first film but there's a confidence in Toy Story 2 that eclipses the animation and gives it a humanity which is hard to resist.
Extras: Wondrous entertainment for all the family - and all new special features ensure these releases don't feel like rip offs.
Rating: 9/10
Toy Story 1 and 2 - Blu Ray/ DVD Releases
Rating: G
Released by Disney
The claw, the aliens, Jesse, Prospector, Al's Toy Barn, Randy Newman's "You've Got A Friend in Me"; there's so much to remember and love from the Toy Story series.
The story of Tom Hanks' Woody, the lovable cowboy toy, so beloved by his owner and his friendship and rivalry with Tim Allen's space age toy Buzz Lightyear have thrilled generations of kids - both young and old.
These rereleases on Blu Ray are definitive - both the stories and a whole wealth of extras make for essential viewing - and a chance to lose yourself completely in the toy world.
While it's great to see Toy Story again, personally, it's Toy Story 2 which soars - I'd forgotten how close to tears the story of Woody finding his compadres Jesse, Bullseye and the Prospector brought me. There's humour aplenty in the first film but there's a confidence in Toy Story 2 that eclipses the animation and gives it a humanity which is hard to resist.
Extras: Wondrous entertainment for all the family - and all new special features ensure these releases don't feel like rip offs.
Rating: 9/10
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Step Up 3D: Movie Review
Step Up 3D: Movie Review
Step Up 3D
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Rick Malambri, Adam G Sevani, Sharni Vinson
Director: Jon Chu
So it's back to the heady world of street dance for a third time.
This time we're back in Nooo Yoik, with Adam G Sevani's Moose about to start college - Moose, a nerdyish kind of kid who reminds you of Bruno from the original Fame because of the curls...well, that and the dancing.
Moose is going to college to study engineering - but his heart's really in the street dance. When he finds himself slap bang in the middle of a dance off during orientation he catches the eye of Rick Malambri's Luke, a chiseled chinned wonder who's like the foster dad to the street dance community.
You see, Luke's parents used to be dancers - and Luke carried on their dream by opening a club and training ground for his street crew The Pirates and generally nurturing the dancing talent in the city.
Unfortunately though, the bank's about to foreclose on the club and their only shot at survival is to win the World Jam Championships and take on their arch rivals The Golden Samurai.
Throw into that teen mix, the arrival of dancer Natalie (Home and Away's Sharni Vinson) who catches Luke's eye but harbours a terrible secret - and the showdown's set.
Look, Step Up 3D is clichéd, full of quite frankly terrible dialogue (You were born to dance is just one of the clunkers) and twists that you can see coming a mile off.
The characters are relatively 2D and have a penchant for at times seeming wooden - but let's be brutally honest, a film like this isn't about the plot - or even the acting.
That's simply secondary to the dance sequences themselves - and the majority of the film segueways from one heavily choreographed dance section into another.
The 3D brings some of those sections to life (although you can already envisage how it'll be used - a hat flies in the air) and while some of them are impressive -particularly the final dance off section - they feel a little too heavily choreographed and just didn't engage me. That's not to knock the commitment and passion of the cast while they're dancing - they give 110% in the dancing stakes.
Some of that I think could be the age difference - I'm clearly never going to be a B Boy busting out some phat moves in a dance crew showdown.
Though it has to be admitted that there will be certain sections of the teen audience which will lap this up and want to head home to copy da movez.
Ultimately the 3D element in this Step Up is a little wasted and doesn't really bring much to the genre - but your teens will adore it and may well be inspired by it all.
Step Up 3D
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Rick Malambri, Adam G Sevani, Sharni Vinson
Director: Jon Chu
So it's back to the heady world of street dance for a third time.
This time we're back in Nooo Yoik, with Adam G Sevani's Moose about to start college - Moose, a nerdyish kind of kid who reminds you of Bruno from the original Fame because of the curls...well, that and the dancing.
Moose is going to college to study engineering - but his heart's really in the street dance. When he finds himself slap bang in the middle of a dance off during orientation he catches the eye of Rick Malambri's Luke, a chiseled chinned wonder who's like the foster dad to the street dance community.
You see, Luke's parents used to be dancers - and Luke carried on their dream by opening a club and training ground for his street crew The Pirates and generally nurturing the dancing talent in the city.
Unfortunately though, the bank's about to foreclose on the club and their only shot at survival is to win the World Jam Championships and take on their arch rivals The Golden Samurai.
Throw into that teen mix, the arrival of dancer Natalie (Home and Away's Sharni Vinson) who catches Luke's eye but harbours a terrible secret - and the showdown's set.
Look, Step Up 3D is clichéd, full of quite frankly terrible dialogue (You were born to dance is just one of the clunkers) and twists that you can see coming a mile off.
The characters are relatively 2D and have a penchant for at times seeming wooden - but let's be brutally honest, a film like this isn't about the plot - or even the acting.
That's simply secondary to the dance sequences themselves - and the majority of the film segueways from one heavily choreographed dance section into another.
The 3D brings some of those sections to life (although you can already envisage how it'll be used - a hat flies in the air) and while some of them are impressive -particularly the final dance off section - they feel a little too heavily choreographed and just didn't engage me. That's not to knock the commitment and passion of the cast while they're dancing - they give 110% in the dancing stakes.
Some of that I think could be the age difference - I'm clearly never going to be a B Boy busting out some phat moves in a dance crew showdown.
Though it has to be admitted that there will be certain sections of the teen audience which will lap this up and want to head home to copy da movez.
Ultimately the 3D element in this Step Up is a little wasted and doesn't really bring much to the genre - but your teens will adore it and may well be inspired by it all.
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