Samurai Jack - Complete Collection: DVD Review

Samurai Jack - Complete Collection: DVD Review

Rating: PG
Released by Madman Home Entertainment


One of the most influential cartoons of the 21st century, Samurai Jack heralded some of the earliest work of Genndy Tartakovsky.

It's the tale of a Samurai, Jack, who's a displaced in time samurai warrior and who's fighting to avenge the death of his father against the demon Aku. But, as Jack's about to bring down Aku, he's sent forward in time. And so, begins Jack's quest to get back to the past.

Samurai Jack is a brilliant series, which will appeal to fans of Tartakovsky's lightning quick animation and trademark humour. With creatures of legend and moments which reference the Samurai films of the past, it's quite reverential and reminiscent of Kung Fu, the old TV series.

With all 4 seasons collected together, Samurai Jack is a must have for fans of the animation genre.

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Death Row - Into The Abyss: DVD Review

Death Row - Into The Abyss: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Madman Home Entertainment

German director Werner Herzog returns to the doco format after a brief outing as the bad guy in the Jack Reacher movie.

This time, he turns his attention to the death penalty in Texas by following a series of people, locked up for murders in parts of the region. A series of four stories, each looks at the cases involved in very great detail and at the ramifications of what lies ahead for the killers, their families, and the people affected by their actions.

With a viewpoint vehemently opposed to the death penalty, Herzog's crafted a series of pieces which aren't sentimental or skewed to his viewpoint, but which instead look at all facets of what's occurred and examine the human condition.

Hauntingly told, and in depth, they're likely to get under your skin as you realise the futility of what these people have done, how the system affects them and why it will never be a perfect world. Using a series of occasionally unorthodox questions, Herzog eschews the usual line of interrogation and instead manages to get under their skin in a way most doco makers would never achieve.

Extras: Four mini docos as well as a feature length film are enough material for this set.

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Three new Host posters unveiled

Three new Host posters unveiled

Three new posters from Stephenie Meyers' The Host have been released.

The Host starring Saoirse Ronan is due out in March and is directed by Gattaca's Andrew Niccol.

Redband Evil Dead trailer debuts...

Redband Evil Dead trailer debuts...

Good news for fans of the Evil Dead 2013 remake.

A brand new redband trailer for the Evil Dead 2013 has been released.

And it seems to have plenty of gore on hand....

Brand new A Good Day to Die Hard Trailer

Brand new A Good Day to Die Hard Trailer

Good news for fans of Bruce Willis as John McClane.

He's back in another Die Hard film, out in February.

And a brand new trailer for A Good Day To Die Hard has been released...

New Man of Steel image

New Man of Steel image

There's a brand New Man of Steel image from Zack Snyder due later this year.

It shows Henry Cavill as Superman...

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World: DVD Review

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Ent

Those pesky Mayans, eh?

Predicting the end of the world and then some.

Well, this comedy-drama with Steve Carell and Keira Knightley is a tender piece which looks at what people would do if a massive asteroid was coming on collision course with the world. It's no Armageddon with the disaster scenario living up to expectations and when the plan to destroy it fails, then the end of the world is really coming.

Carell plays Dodge, whose wife leaves him when the news hits. Realising his life's not gone to plan, Dodge ends up befriending Knightley's Penny, who just wants to see her family in England. And when Dodge receives a letter telling him his first love always loved him, he decides that's the push he needs to go and find her.

So the pair end up on a road trip - and I'm sure you can guess the rest.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a quite sweet, tender piece which is all about the two leads rather than everyone else. Carell does a morose, downbeat turn as Dodge and gives it a feeling of quiet desperation and reality; equally, Knightley works well off of him and gives the film a bit of heart. It may ultimately affect you more than you'd expect as well.

While it's a little predictable as to how this will end, the journey is a good one and a quirkier one than you'd expect despite a bit of meandering and uncertainty over where it's going next narratively.

Extras: Making of, trailer, commentary

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