Reefer Madness DVD (1.0 Stars)

"Tell your children", that you smoke weed everyday. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rErrkuLYAvI

The film Reefer Madness deals with the dangers associated with smoking marijuana and shows how high-school students, after smoking a little pot, may easily commit rapes and other awful drug-induced activities. In later years, in a more marijuana-enlightened society, this film has become a comedic cult classic.

Reefer Madness was superpose to be a serious message about weed and how kids should stay the hell away from it, but Reefer Madness is filmed so hilariously bad that it came off extremely funny that it's hard not to laugh at.

The acting was dreadful, the music got on my nervous and the message to the story just came off advertising it when you think about it.

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Poltergeist DVD (4.0 Stars)

Craig T. Nelson's Oscar-worthy performance makes a shaky DVD debut. Movie: 5/5

One of the biggest moments of my childhood was seeing Poltergeist for the first time at 7 years old. I saw it on a 4:3 set on a very old DVD in my parents' bedroom, after my mom had recently come home from the hospital after surgery. One night, my dad came home from the library with some DVDs, and one of them was Poltergeist.

I popped it into the DVD player without hesitation as I'd wanted to see it since I was 5. I knew from the moment it started, Poltergeist was going to be a great movie, but little did I know it would become my favorite movie of all time, and I'd want to experience it again and again.

Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams star in this classic as Steve and Diane Freeling, who live with their three children, 16-year-old Dana (Dominique Dunne), 8-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and 5-year-old Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) in Cuesta Verde, CA, soon learn that their home is haunted, and that the spirits talk to Carol Anne through their television. Everything seems normal at first. Dana gives construction workers the finger and talks on the phone later than she's supposed to, Robbie is a huge Star Wars fan, and Carol Anne feeds her goldfish an entire tube of food. One night, a tree tries to eat Robbie, but they quickly save him. When the ghosts kidnap Carol Anne through the closet, they are forced to fight the evil spirit that holds their daughter if they ever want to see her again.

Well-acted, well-written, and well-directed, with great special effects, Poltergeist is, in my opinion, the greatest ghost story of all time.

Let's start with the acting. The performances are top-notch. The way lines are said, the facial expressions, body language, everything about the characters feels real. Craig T. Nelson's performance as Steve is the most real dad in a movie I've ever seen. JoBeth Williams' performance as Diane is the most real mom in a movie I've ever seen. Heather O'Rourke gives the best performance by a 5-year-old I've ever seen. Zelda Rubinstein is also great. It doesn't even seem like they're acting.

The special effects still hold up, because they still look real.

The plot is still very original, because it's set in modern suburban America, and it's about a normal family that loves each other, rather than an abusive husband and father.

Poltergeist is so well-written that nobody has to die, nor does it have to be gory to keep us on the edge of our seats.

Spielberg and Hooper keep it subtle by hardly showing the ghosts.

Poltergeist features a great plot, great acting, great directing, and great writing. I can't recommend Poltergeist enough. Poltergeist is a kid's movie, so it's not all that scary, though there are scenes that may scare you or creep you out, but you won't be scarred for life. In the end it really is a fun thrill ride. It's a movie every kid must see by the time they're 8 years old. For some reason, I find myself trying, sometimes unsuccessfully, to hold back tears every time I see it.

Transfer Quality

Video: 3.5/5

Poltergeist gets an okay video transfer on DVD.

Poltergeist is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 in 16x9. It should be noted that there's severe cropping on the left side when compared to the 25th Anniversary Edition DVD and Blu-ray.

Sharpness is pretty good except for the opening credits being slightly blurred, but readable. Grain is very present and sometimes blocks detail. Blacks are strong but don't really lose any shadow detail. It does occasionally look too dark.

The chair-stacking scene has an unnatural blue tint, and the cemetery scene has an unnatural orange tint. There are unnatural skin tones in some scenes, The "rescuing Carol Anne" scene has a black tint when it should have a blue tint, the "Carol Anne gets kidnapped" scene has an unnatural red tint. The colors are okay otherwise, but still.

I didn't find any MPEG artefacts. There is some aliasing, resulting in occasional interlacing. There are some film artefacts, but they're mostly kept under control, except for the "Carol Anne gets kidnapped" scene showing severe film damage at the top of the frame, and the "rescuing Carol Anne" scene showing some minor film damage at the top of the frame.

Audio: 3.5/5

Poltergeist sounds ever-so slightly better than it looks on DVD.

Poltergeist contains English Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital 2.0, and Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 tracks. I stuck with my native language, which is English.

Dialogue is clear, and at most times, natural except for one scene where JoBeth Williams shouts loudly, making the audio slightly distorted. This may or may not be a transfer issue. Audio sync is perfect.

Jerry Goldsmith's score fills the surrounds very well for a stereo mix. a good example of this is when the Poltergeist theme plays over the closing credits at the end of the movie.

The surrounds are used to a pretty good level, but being a stereo mix, it's limited.

The subwoofer is used decently.

Extras: 1.5/5

Just a trailer. It's a good trailer.

Summary: 4/5

Poltergeist is my favorite movie of all time, it truly is a great classic, and it still holds up after over 30 years as its message is still relevant today. Poltergeist tells the story of a family nothing can tear apart. It's a classic good versus evil story, a story of perseverance in spite of your worst fears coming to light, and holding it together in spite of everything seeming to fall apart. When I watched Craig T. Nelson, I saw my dad on that screen, and I see him on that screen even more now. When I watched JoBeth Williams, I saw my mom on that screen, and I see her on that screen even more now. Your experience might not be exactly like this, but there's no denying that this movie is awesome. I know you're probably worried because of things you've read online about it being scary, gory, or boring, but don't be. The violence is never gory. The occasional cursing never gets too bad. Despite everything that happens, there's a sense of hope that stays the entire movie. Let your kids see it. They'll thank you.

It looks and sounds okay, albeit far short of what Poltergeist deserves, and extras are nearly nonexistent. However, it's worth owning to see Craig T. Nelson's Oscar-worthy performance.

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Kiki's Delivery Service DVD (4.5 Stars)

Hayao Miyazaki is like the Steven Spielberg of animated directors.

The story to Kiki's Delivery Service is about a young witch striking out on her own. At her mother's behest, 13-year-old Kiki sets out on a year-long apprenticeship with her black cat in tow. With a shaky command of her broom, she ends up in a charming little coastal town that looks like a cross between the French provincial and San Francisco. Unfortunately, the local hotels have a strict "no witches" policy and the police have taken a dim view of her recent aerial mischief-making. She's saved from the street by a kindly baker's wife, who offers her room and board in exchange for her delivering by broom the baker's wares.

While I still haven't seen Hayao Miyazaki other films yet as I'm slowly checking one out time by time, but the ones that I did watch from him has already amazed me and there's something about his films that makes me feel good about myself and I can't wait to watch his other films because this is hands down one of the greatest animated director of our generation. This guy hasn't disappointed me yet and his films is for everyone even little kids, yeah they might like it by the pretty looking colors, but I think adults can also lock on to this film has well. Hayao Miyazaki always gives you everything you always dreamed off in a anime and that's why it leaves you feeling happy and full of imagination and that most other animated films lack on. Kiki's Delivery Service is another fantastic film by him the master of anime himself.

The animation in this movie...now where do I even began with the animation. I've seen many animated films that blew my mind away with it's visually stunning effect's, but with this I think the animation in this movie and in Hayao movies do top other HollyWood animated films and it deserves to be viewed by everyone and not lifted in the shadow's. Have you every watched a Hayao Miyazaki film and got so sucked it only by the bright blue sky, there's always something about the blue skies in there's films that I could get lost in them (In a good way).

The main character Kiki was such a likable and understandable character that I already understood her and get what she's coming from. Her pet sidekick the black cat was so adorable and funny as well.

Now for the problems with the film: ...?

Overall Kiki's Delivery Service ( or Majo no takkyûbin ) is a fantastically stunning film with beautiful animation. I'm not going to give it the perfect and that's because to me this isn't like a 4/4 movie, but it's still a damn good film.

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Suicide Kings DVD (4.5 Stars)

by Dane Youssef

"Tarantinoesque (adj) - referring to or reminiscent of the work of the American film-maker and actor Quentin Tarantino (born 1963), known for the violence and wit of his films." --Collins English Dictionary

Tarantino never set foot in a film school. He might not even have taken TV Media in high school. But... he started writing, directing and acting--and he still changed the genre. With "Reservoir Dogs," he was established. With "Pulp Fiction," he was God.

Hollywood is like high school. When one does something that really gets popular, it sparks... the trend. And all the others follow suit--following the leader like cult lemmings. And in film, influence can be essential. Or just sad and embarrassing. Tarantino inspired many--a lot of particular imitators. Some good. And... as for this one?

"SUICIDE KINGS" dares to spin a yarn of a quartet of wealthy privileged youngsters who dream up... and then try the most desperate and daring of schemes--they abduct an ex-Wiseguy.

The reformed mobster is on his way home one night after an invigorating evening out. There's an ambush, he's attacked. He comes to... only to find himself bound-and-gagged in a chair somewhere. What the hell's going on?

A hostage film. A mob-crime flick. And also eventually... kind of mystery "whodunnit?" thriller, the plot twists and turns--especially in the last quarter of the picture.

Just a bunch of boys having fun. Bein' boys--not unlike "Reservoir Dogs", "Pulp Fiction" and "Django Unchained."

"The Godfather in question" finds in a cabin somewhere surrounded by rich collegiate in nice suits who seem to fancy themselves their own independent Mafioso. He sees red--on someone's shirt, as it's covered in the Goodfella's blood. The whole plan goes as wrong as we'd expect and the spoiler richies panic--and then these dumb rich silver spoons all turn on each other.

There's a bit where they cut off the mobster's finger (remember the cop's ear in "Reservoir Dogs"?) The mob is infamous for this. There's a moment where two henchman talks about his shoes--White Nikes, Bruno Mackie's and Stingray Boots, (the discussion of Big Macs and McDonald's in Holland vs. America), these kidnappers are all in fine suits (Tarantino's henchman always were too).

The standard big-heist/kidnapping/robbery/caper genre picture has been a staple of cinema since before movies could speak. And in the '30's, the genre reached its zenith.

"SUICIDE KINGS" boasts one of those casts that we'd expect from the latest Tarantino picture. Christopher Walken, Laura Harris, Jeremy Sisto, Brad Garrett, Jay Mohr, Johnny Galecki, Sean Patrick Flanery, Henry Thomas, Laura San Giacomo and Dennis Leary.

OK, not quite the highest-of-profile names for the most part. But still, everyone does a worthwhile job. Only Walken, Leary and Galecki only really stand-out.

Christopher Walken confirms the belief that any scene he's in--just flat-out works. Even when the screenplay gives him the most ludicrous insights: "But I come from out there, and everybody out there knows, everybody lies: cops lie, newspapers lie, parent's lyin'. The one thing you can count on - word on the street... yeah, that's solid." Uh-huh. That's why so many schoolyard and water-cooler rumors are considered holy fact.

Denis Leary has the most fun in his role doing what I suppose can best be described as "the quintessential Denis Leary role." He's "Denis Leary in the mob." Ranting about his wife and his expensive footwear. Doing a good deed and then bring down his usual Biblical wrath.

Galecki is kind of fun as the rich worrywart nebbish whose family owns the place and seems a lot more concerned with mud being tracked on the floor, what happening to his father's favorite chair than the fact that a mobster is bound and he know everyone's name

All the other actors--they get a passing grade, but they don't quite stand out. And at times, "SUICIDE KINGS" is like that--hit-and-miss.

The whole abduction is so badly planned out--the movie itself even takes notice of this. At one point in the movie, Walken's character says to his captors: "You guys didn't think this through too good, did you?" Anyone with a handful of working brain cells will be thinking the same thing. I kind of wanted to ask the filmmakers this. The amount of obvious mistakes these guys make. Oh, they're clearly not professionals.

These guys kidnap a man with mob connections. They let him know who they are. They introduce themselves to him at the beginning. Really get to know each other. Of course they have to get to know each other, take their walls down and open up... it's integrate to films like these for male bonding--or rather, character development.

You'd think they would have blindfolded him, or be masked themselves. They drop their names. Surely they don't honestly believe they're going to get away with this. And then, is there really a possibility that... how Walken attempts to get out of this... or they do. Even in a god-dammed movie....

The movie's screenwriters Josh McKinney, Gina Goldman and Wayne Allen Rice take Don Stanford's original short story "The Hostage" from and heavily "Quentin Tarantino-ize it." Some thought they paid homage real proper. Some thought all this seems like something at best he might have in the bottom of his drawer--and forgot about forever. The scribes here don't seem to have quite that golden ear. It's not quite tin....

Director Peter O' Fallon has real flair and style. He certainly films this thing with a lot of energy to spare. The kind we've seen best in... well, you know where.

Heist/kidnapping movies that deal with "inside jobs" just gotta have that moment where the ship's going down in flame and the rats all turn on each other.

There's even the plot development where they all turn on each other, trying to find out who the traitor is, the mole feeding the cops the info is--remember the last act of "Reservoir Dogs"? Where all of the criminals go nuts, pull out their guns and...

"SUICIDE KINGS" is nice, fun and disposable. The most memorable thing about it is Walken taped down in a chair. And that's only of the best ways to get Waken. The filmmakers know that.

In the end, most of it is forgettable. Kind of fun (especially the comic stuff), but no, really nothing especially special. No must-see classic. Well, what do you expect from a designer imposter Tarantino?

I agree--a little too much (and I mean from beginning to end) is recycled from Tarantino. Except I don't think Q.T. himself ever rotoscoped.

And Tarantino himself admits to being a big-time movie imitator--one of the very best there ever was. But when he plagiarizes, he knows damn well how to make it feel fresh. He steals from the best of the old school. But he has that golden ear, that Beethoven savant.

"SUICIDE KINGS" is still worth a look for a slow night. Better than a lot of the merde being sh*t out of Hollywood's big uncreative anus. "Suicide Kings" doesn't beat the house and take the pot, but like poker, it's not a bad way to spend a slow night with your friends.

Oh come on, people. It's obvious why they're trying to make designer-imposter Quentin Tarantino. Hollywood is like high school. Show them something most'll get into and watch the trend spark. Before you know

Audiences are just like that--more of the same until they get really sick of it. Couldn't the real criminals here--the culpable screenwriters Josh McKinney, Gina Goldman and Wayne Allan Rice have maybe given this just one more re-write? Or honestly, maybe a few. Should've gotten an expert team of script doctors. Quentin got his personal style by stealing from a lot of different sources. The mistake here--they're just taking directly from Quentin.

But director O' Fallon gives a lot of wild-child style and so does everyone else involved.

I have to say... it is fun. It is a lot a fun. But it is kind of disposable. Better than the average throwaway movie you watch to fill or kill the time on a slow Tuesday night for a buck from Redbox. The picture does have a nice mood and atmosphere--Designer Imposter Tarantino or not.

And in the end... Well... Yeah, it's true. This is all pretty unbelievable. The ending however, is inevitable. And makes all the sense in the world.

It's funny how this movie bombed when it first came out. Maybe cause 1997 was the year of "Titanic," "L.A. Confidential," "Good Will Hunting" and "The Ice Storm." And a real Tarantino film--"Jackie Brown."

From "Reservoir Dogs" to "Pulp Fiction." Hey, if the writers and director had waited a little later, they could have pilfered a little from Quentin's "Jackie Brown" which came out later that year around Christmas. It is a real Hell of a wild ride, Tarantino-esque or not. Like Doug Liman's "Go."

See, for me--The Suicide Kings seems more like Jon Favreau's "Swingers" than the Reservoir Dogs. Hey, maybe that was another source of inspiration!

Walken sees how nervous they all are (who wouldn't be?) and attempts to get them to turn on each other. Seeing as it's a typical hostage situation with the victim being tied to a chair--he tries the usual of divide-and-conquer. "There's an inside guy. A mole," he tells them. "But who?" When they do finally start playing poker, Walken reads them easily.

You might have to see it more than once to really get it all straight. Take notes, if you have to.

Not to give anything away at all, but just to close it all on this one poetic line: "Sometimes the ends really do justify the means. Or at least define the meaning of the words 'karma' and 'justice'."

--Having Really Enjoyed It, Dane Youssef

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Billy Owens and the Secret of the Runes DVD (2.0 Stars)

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Captain America: The Winter Soldier Blu-ray (4.5 Stars)

Walt Disney Studios brings us another fantastic Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Frankly, in my opinion Captain America: The Winter Soldier tops every previous MCU film to date. Captain America lends his back story and his persona to the story arch that an overreaching government or powerful group can take control of a country to do no good. I love old spy thrillers like Three Days of the Condor and Marathon Man, and this film blends the superhero aspects and the spy thrillers brilliantly. Also having Anthony and Joe Russo direct the film with a more practical take on the action scenes is another nice throwback to those great 70s movies.

Now I will move onto the special features. Once again, Disney gives the fans the shaft. This is the easiest way to put it. Not only are the Combo-Packs with the DVD a thing of the past, they decided to force 3D into the mix. I personally could care less as I've already upgraded to Blu-Ray, but not everyone has done this yet, nor has their friends or family. I digress though. The special features include your basic deleted scenes and gag reel which total in about 5 minutes for both. The special features also include a nice featurette called "On the Front Line: An Inside Look at Captain America's Battleground". This is a nice behind the scenes look at some of the bigger action scenes from the movie. Sadly, it only runs at 10 minutes long. The other featurette is "On Set with Anthony Mackie: Cut the Check. This is not anything special, and to make it worst it only runs at about 3 minutes. The final piece is a look at Steve Rogers' Notebook, which is an interesting look into the many different versions of his notebook for the worldwide audience. This is a nice featurette which runs at about 3 minutes. Finally comes the big piece, and that is the audio commentary featuring Anthony and Joe Russo(directors) and Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely(screenwriters). This is a very nice in-depth look at not only the film process from the Russo Brothers but, a nice look at how the story was crafted over a couple years. This feature easily steals the show but, that wasn't too hard. Overall, the special features are average, and that is only because the audio commentary saves the day. This is another poor effort from Disney, and there is no excuse for this widely popular film to have very limited special features.

This Blu-Ray also features the 7.1 Surround Sound, and it sounds amazing. This is personally one of the my favorites films to watch with my surround sound because of the added depth, and when the score from Henry Jackman starts rolling, it adds so much more to this amazing film.

Finally, this is really a must add Blu-Ray to your collection. Fans of the MCU will run out to buy this film probably needing no convincing of that, unless you are on the fence about the special features. While the special features are downright laughable overall, the movie itself warrants a buy because this film is just so damn good.

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Batman: Assault on Arkham Blu-ray (4.5 Stars)

Every so often the DC animated department releases one of these animated films. This time around DC went away from their rebooted New 52 setting and instead decided to take a chance at making a film based on the very popular Arkham video game series that have been released over the recent years. While the tie in is not that deep that most will pick up on it, there are still some subtle notices of the video game areas that some of us are use to seeing. Now onto the special features.

I usually get very upset with the special features of many Blu-Rays these days, while this set really didn't make me mad like the previous DC animated film I reviewed did, it wasn't exactly a giant step in the right direction either. There are a few featurettes that come as special features(on the Blu-Ray only), for example the preview of the upcoming Justice League animated film "Justice League: Throne of Atlantis"(this is also on the DVD). While I wouldn't call this much of a special feature, it is nice to see what the future is for these films. That featurettes runs at just over 9 minutes. There is also a nice background featurette that features Harley Quinn(who has a major roles in this film). This feature has nice background of the character, and only runs at just over 13 minutes long. The big featurette of the Blu-Ray is a look at the background of Arkham Asylum from the comics to the video game. This is a nice feature, sadly they barely even mention the connection of this movie and the popular video games. Which is why I actually listened to the audio commentary for once. This commentary was very informative and is a much watch for those who feel let down by the other special features.The Arkham Asylum featurette runs at just over 27 minutes.

As usual with a Blu-Ray it comes with the top of the line sound and picture quality. While once again 7.1 surround sound is missing, 5.1 surround sound does just fine if you are watching on a home theater system. Hopefully though, with future releases that important update comes along.

The movie itself is generally very well done with some very exciting fight scenes. While I cannot say this film is better than the recent New 52 Justice League animated films, it sure feels on the same level in terms of quality. The good thing about moving away from the New 52 film is that legendary Batman voice actor, Kevin Conroy is back once again. When I was younger I grew up watching the animated television show, and to have him back is simply amazing. Troy Baker continues to voice The Joker, and if no one told you Mark Hamill had left the role a few years ago, you wouldn't even know there was an actor change. Baker is really something special the way he delivers those fantastic one liners throughout the film. Very good stuff.

In closing, this movie is a must own for the DC animated fans like myself. What this film also brings to the table is a reason for the Arkham video game fans to own it as well. Either way, this film was very good, although I'm still sort of letdown by the special features.

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Poltergeist II/Poltergeist III DVD (4.0 Stars)

Poltergeist II isn't quite as good as its predecessor, but, it's a very good sequel to the original and a lot of fun, and is almost as good as it.

This time a preacher named Henry Kane starts to harass the Freelings and they must once again try to save themselves. Returning is Craig T. Nelson as Steve, JoBeth Williams as Diane, Heather O'Rourke as Carol Anne, Oliver Robins as Robbie, and Zelda Rubinstein as Tangina. New characters are Julian Beck as Kane, the evil preacher and Will Sampson as Taylor, who comes to help the Freelings. As the movie progresses, the Freelings soon discover the terrible link between Kane and the Beast.

The acting is great. Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams give flawless performances, just like the last time. Julian Beck flawlessly gives Kane an air of creepiness. Heather O'Rourke gives another flawless performance of her own. Will Sampson does very good as Taylor.

The special effects are great. They, at times, look just as amazing as what we saw in the original movie, albeit in a different way.

The script is near-perfect. Mark Victor and Michael Grais expand on Poltergeist (1982) very well, providing a lot of insight into the original movie.

It pretty much has all the markings of a great sequel.

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Book of Love DVD (5.0 Stars)

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Poltergeist Blu-ray (4.5 Stars)

One of the biggest moments of my childhood was seeing Poltergeist for the first time at 7 years old. I saw it on a 4:3 set on a very old DVD in my parents' bedroom, after my mom had recently come home from the hospital after surgery. One night, my dad came home from the library with some DVDs, and one of them was Poltergeist. I popped it into the DVD player without hesitation as I'd wanted to see it since I was 5. I knew from the moment it started, Poltergeist was going to be a great movie, but little did I know it would become my favorite movie of all time, and I'd want to experience it again and again.

Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams star in this classic as Steve and Diane Freeling, who live with their three children, 16-year-old Dana (Dominique Dunne), 8-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and 5-year-old Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) in Cuesta Verde, CA, soon learn that their home is haunted, and that the spirits talk to Carol Anne through their television. Everything seems normal at first. Dana gives construction workers the finger and talks on the phone later than she's supposed to, Robbie is a huge Star Wars fan, and Carol Anne feeds her goldfish an entire tube of food. One night, a tree tries to eat Robbie, but they quickly save him. When the ghosts kidnap Carol Anne through the closet, they are forced to fight the evil spirit that holds their daughter if they ever want to see her again.

Well-acted, well-written, and well-directed, with great special effects, Poltergeist is the greatest ghost story put on film.

Let's start with the acting. The performances are top-notch. The way lines are said, the facial expressions, body language, everything about the characters feels real. Craig T. Nelson's performance as Steve is the most real dad in a movie I've ever seen. JoBeth Williams' performance as Diane is the most real mom in a movie I've ever seen. Heather O'Rourke gives the best performance by a 5-year-old I've ever seen. Zelda Rubinstein is also great. It doesn't even seem like they're acting. The special effects still hold up, because they still look real. The plot is still very original, because it's set in modern suburban America, and it's about a normal family that loves each other, rather than an abusive husband and father.

Poltergeist is so well-written that nobody has to die, nor does it have to be gory to keep us on the edge of our seats. Poltergeist features a great plot, great acting, great directing, and great writing. I can't recommend Poltergeist enough. Poltergeist is a kid's movie, so it's not all that scary, though there are scenes that may scare you or creep you out, but you won't be scarred for life. In the end it really is a fun thrill ride. It's a movie every kid must see by the time they're 8 years old. For some reason, I find myself trying, sometimes unsuccessfully, to hold back tears every time I see it.

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Patriot Games DVD (4.5 Stars)

"Get down!"

Based on the novel of the same name by Tom Clancy, Patriot Games is the second in a series of movies about CIA analyst Jack Ryan. So how does it hold up? On to the review, please.

Harrison Ford plays Jack Ryan who is on vacation with his family in London. He's retired from the CIA, and is a professor at the U.S. Naval Academy. They witness an attack on Lord William Holmes. Ryan intervenes and is injured, but he kills one of the assailants, Patrick Miller, while his older brother Sean (Sean Bean) looks on. The remaining attackers flee and leave Miller to be apprehended by the police. While recovering, Ryan is called to testify in court against Miller. Ryan is awarded an honorary knighthood and eventually returns to the United States.

While being transferred to prison, Miller's escort convoy is ambushed by his comrades, including Kevin O'Donnell (Patrick Bergin), who kills the police officers, and plans an escape. Miller and his companions flee to Northern Africa to plan their next attempt to kidnap Lord Holmes. Miller however, cannot shake his anger towards Ryan for killing his brother and persuades several members of the group to accompany him to the U.S. to murder Ryan and his family. Ryan survives an assassination attempt outside the U.S. Naval Academy. Later, Miller and a henchman attack Ryan's wife Cathy (Anne Archer) and daughter Sally (Thora Birch) on a busy highway. Her car crashes into a concrete divider severely injuring them both. Enraged over the attack on his family, Ryan decides to go back to work for the CIA, having previously rejected the appeal of his former superior, Admiral James Greer (James Earl Jones).

Perfectly acted, perfectly scripted, and perfectly directed, with perfect special effects, Patriot Games is, without a doubt, the best Jack Ryan movie. Harrison Ford gives a flawless performance as Ryan who's willing to do anything to save his wife and child. Anne Archer also gives a flawless performance as Cathy. Thora Birch does well as Sally. They act just as if they were a real family. Sean Bean gives Miller an air of evil and menace, making him easy to dislike. Everybody turns in flawless performances. W. Peter Iliff and Donald Stewart give Patriot Games a great script. Phillip Noyce directs flawlessly, and never slacks on the pace. The few special effects that show up are flawless.

Patriot Games DVD Review, Video Quality: ????½

Patriot Games looks very good on DVD, presented in 2.35:1 and anamorphic. Sharpness is very good. Shadow detail is quite good, even during the dark scenes. Grain is present, but never blocks detail. Low level noise doesn't seem to be an issue. Color is very good. Skin tones are natural and there is no evidence of color bleed. MPEG artifacts don't seem to be an issue. Film-to-video artifacts don't seem to be an issue. Neither film nor video artifacts seem to be much of an issue.

Patriot Games DVD , Audio Quality: ????½

Patriot Games sounds very good on DVD as well, audio coming in the form of Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 tracks. I watched it with the Dolby Digital track. Dialogue is perfect. Audio sync is perfect. James Horner does the music score and it supports the movie well. The surrounds are very active. The subwoofer is also very active.

Patriot Games DVD Review, Special Features and Extras: ??½

Featurette- Patriot Games Up Close (25:15)

Presented in 1.78:1 and anamorphic with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio, this an interesting doc*mentary featuring interviews from the cast and crew.

Theatrical Trailer (2:36)

Presented in 2.35:1 and non-anamorphic, it's a good trailer.

Patriot Games DVD Review, Overall Score and Recommendation: ????½

Patriot Games is the best Jack Ryan movie, presented well on DVD. It never drags and holds you until the credits roll. It looks and sounds very good on DVD. The extras leave something to be desired, but it's the movie itself that counts and Patriot Games receives my Highest Recommendation.

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Hellboy II: The Golden Army Blu-ray (4.5 Stars)

I saw this movie three times now on the counties DVD and wanted my own for reasons that Roger Ebert once confessed he thought perplexing--"Why would anyone want to have a movie on VHS at home?"

In terms of aesthetics there are sound reasons for the question: scale of image, the startling wonder of a fresh print--one lacking quarter second marker, lines, pops, the sense of a shared experience, and more are valid and indisputable.

By I can see this is print, stop it and marvel at the artistic production values--at the incredibly rich visuals of this filmmaker to my heart's content.

I know the story will hold up and I can enjoy so much more and beyond what even the best movie reviewers could experience in their one time through experience in the preview movie rooms they enjoyed.

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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition Blu-ray (3.0 Stars)

The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey was a wholly Unexpected one. It lacked emotion, danger, nor atmosphere than the previous Trilogy. I didn't sit gladly throughout until some actual levity and character development appeared and it wasn't until the last twenty minutes of the piece. The extended edition though impacted me immensely, the story all but obviously brighter, safer, freer to be an adventure and a voyeuristic film, instead of the lore, politics and huge arc's that made TLOTR. Though TLOTR's series will always hold a deeper and more passion love in my being and soul, due to the age I saw them, and how they afflicted me and changed my perspective on film-making. But The Hobbit films are still not given enough credit, these films are pure cinema quality fodder, they retain what a true cinema experience is, bold, brash, fun, charming, makes your heart beat, original. Though some scenes and odd bits feel recycled, Jackson and Co. know how to make good action and spectacle. |Yes, The Hobbit films are Not as out there and thoughtful and Tolkien driven, but they still retains the spirit, look, feel of the Middle Earth saga so far established by by Peter Jackson.

The Hobbit AUJ was livened up by the added sequences of the dwarves, their bond, familiarity, strength divided opinion in the theatrical cut, but the Extended though only an added 20 odd minutes still made it broader, you felt the relationship, it exhumed the wit and wilds that these company represent, wherein the theatrical all of them are only messily set up in a thirty minute intro. But sadly the opposite lies here in The Desolation of Smaugs Extended Cut, happily stated by Jackson as "not playing by the rules, it being a recut and not a Extended Cut" his heart still lies in giving us more as he dos. Here though the sequences are Deleted Scenes material, the pact that should never see the light of day, attached to the film in any way should be illegal. But instead he saw this opportunity and altered the film, not at all as detailed driven as he previously has been to the recuts, having run into the Commentary openly admitting he had no idea what film he was watching, and obviously from this recut obviously no idea what he thought he was doing for the REPUTATION OF THIS FILM. It features many ex-positional sequences that obviously had been added for theatrical usages, due to the loss of the NOW added sequences, but not re-editing them out so we don't have repetitive story alleviations, that are not working for the pace of TDOS, both playing over each other through the run time. So Jackson openly admits this in commentary, uncaring, and seemingly not so fond of the cut himself but just passing it of for the fans, but ruining what I class as the best Hobbit film so far.

The Desolation is fast, fastest in cut, pace and storytelling, never letting up in action, spectacle, beautiful sets designs, and introducing stronger characters, bigger presences like Beorn, that you crave to see more of, but crave to see less of in THE EXTENDED CUT. Evangeline Lily superb, elegant, troubled and skilled, Legolas looking young as ever, as theatrical and OTT as ever also, but for the fun of it amped up to 1010% awesome. The film sees us comfortable with the company of the Dawrves of Erebor, also the introduction of an unsung hero in the form of Luke Evans' Bard The Bowman, and also the return of the Necromancer aka. Sauron. It sees our troupe, all known, all ever funny, heroic but flawed and daft, but also a deeper look at the dwarves, as characters and benefactors to this mission, and the simplicity and episodic pacing suits this film. It isn't tied down by much, the strands never over bearing, enough for a young audience to lap up, and enough Middle Earth/Peter Jackson fans happy. Also to see Gandelfs true almighty power at Dol Gul Dor is and stands immense. Everything from the motion capture, visual wizardy itself, the motivations, Bilbo's growth but also slow demise into the cruel lull of the One Ring.

Peter Jackson isnt abject to the notion that true Tolkien-ites want to kill him, but I find much more entertainment, power, emotion and beauty from watching Jackson's iteration and vision than that of Tolkiens wasted imaginary./ Tolkien was the man for ideas, not putting them down well, nor actually evolving them, so comes in Boyens and Welsh and Jackson and make it come true. These films do aim to please, but they also allow you to go, oh I would like to go read that book. Im my humble opinion, both fans stray, your either the films legion or the Tolkien Legion, as Boyens says "many of your fans and of the audience who love these films are not known to Tolkiens work" which lets be honest is a short children's book, some appendices, a 1000 or something book that is flawed and has only found true fanfare and fruition since the release of Fellowship so back off and except the films as they are, grand.

But the Extended Cut is just dull, it strains on the perfect run time of the Theatrical Release, it also goes into details to already knuckle biting irritants in the form of Ryan Gages Alfridd and Stephen Frys Lord of Laketown, both dull, repetitive, there for exposition, there for crudity, and there to get the frame device going. Also longing out the prologue of the film, with the meeting between Gandelf and Thorin throwing in a very hastily put together flashback, that constitutes many a more scenes coming, and also an introduction of a new character, Thorins Father Thrain who is stuck in Dol Gu Dur, enchanted and made. The edit sets back Gandelfs own quest and motivation for the film, to go there, knowing it may be a trap, all the legions of wargs and the pale orcs followers amassing for the pursuing war that Sauron is heading,.

Instead its dulled down, elongated about him rescuing Thrain, yes the intrigue about Azog taking the ring from Thorins father, being one of the brothers to the one ring which the ring master himself is collecting, makes you grin, but if you pay attention, it is explained in one sequences already, layering more on top just dumbs it down, makes the audience feel small and undermined.

The addition of the relationship between Gandelf and Thrain is heart breaking, the sorrow, but the following just loses out, and the inclusion of that classic "ARGH" action/wounded sound effect is obviously thrown in for Jackson love of it and also probably he couldn't be bothered to go into the sound mix and create something new, so any creature or character bumped off, that classic distressed yelp pursues, destroying the atmosphere and the huge moment that is the revealing the eye of Saurons iris is Saurons silhouette, Shores score thumbing. In cinemas it is an immense scene, Gandelf facing evil itself, showing the light of his power, against the thrashings of Saurons. Jackson obviously had this idea way back or felt he needed to add something new into the mix, and the idea the iris of Sauron is Sauron was just a eyes wide open, why didnt I think of that? Moment, but with the threading of deletable and travesty sequences to it, it kills the film in many places and sours its pace, its DNA, but I am happy those scenes didnt make the cut at all. So theatrical cut, a sure go!

The film triumphs in emotionality, connections, Bilbo's acent and slowly and secret decent into this mania and madness, sickness of the ring.

Richard Armatage has been blown out of frame as oh hes this films Aragorn. He isnt, he is more than Aragorn, he is troubled, determined, set in mind to be king, good of heart, good of soul, but good of mind, no. He is stronger and a stand out, you want to give him a hearty wallop on the back but also spit in his face. He is this films own new heroic image, so push aside Viggo comparisons, they are far and between tonally different.

Jackson is the only guy for these movies, the tension, the multi layers of tone and making it fit into the world, the scenes in Mirkwood stand out, all giving it there all and the film feels more confidant and free than the last Hobbit. I still have not seen The Battle of The Five Armies, but having rekindled my love over the Christmas period with my Blu-Ray releases I am set to see it this Saturday, so await my review. I am always forgiving on Jackson, for Kong, for Lovely Bones because, he isnt all talk, he is actions, and all about entertainment and keeping us happy. That he does, and more, no matter what a Tolkien nerd or pompous film critic thinks, feel lucky these are films we should have more of, and will, as long as Jacksons on the scene.

EXTENDED EDITION: 4 stars

THEATRICAL: 5 Stars

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Justice League: War Blu-ray (4.0 Stars)

Great film. Special Features are bland This Combo pack set which includes the Blu-Ray/DVD/Ultra Violet is a nice addition to any fan of the DC Comic animated films. The special features in this set contain 4 featurettes. In total these 4 featurettes run at about 90 minutes. While these are interesting behind the scene looks at the film an audio commentary or two would have really pushed this combo pack above, and beyond. As well the set contains "4 Vintage DC Cartoon". To me this is just filler to give the set an hour of extra "features". The best part of the combo pack in my opinion is the one featurette titled "A Sneak Peak of Son of Batman". This is a 10 minute look at the upcoming DC animated film. It gives us fans of the DC animated universe a nice look at what to expect next.

As always Blu-Ray gives out amazing picture , and audio. This Blu-Ray kicks out 5.1 Dolby Digital sound that is truly amazing with a home theater system. 7.1 would have been much better, but I'm not really complaining on that front. The picture quality is stunning. With a 1080p output this really outshines the basic DVD version that comes along in this combo pack as well. If you are lucky enough to buy this combo pack early enough you will be greeted, like most Blu-Rays are today, with a nice slipcover. Personally these are an added bonus for the films.

While I won't actually be reviewing the entire movie here as this is just a Blu-Ray combo pack review, I will say the action and voice acting is very good. Newcomer to the animated DC world like Jason O'Mara (Batman) don't stand out like the rest of the cast. The over the top action at times does hurt the stroy progression at times. Banter between Batman, and Green Lantern is just pure comedy gold as well.

Overall this Blu-Ray Combo pack is a must own for really everybody, not just hardcore DC animated fans like myself. While the extras aren't that spectacular, the movie itself is great, and definitely worth the buy.

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3 Days to Kill DVD (4.0 Stars)

This is the least consequential movie Kevin Costner has made of late. It is also the most entertaining. It offers a view at a slight angle to the universe on the trope of a master killer a-dying who longs to connect with a child too long ignored. Being a prodigal dad is a perfect role for Costner whose gift for comedy has always playing an off balanced and likeable every guy. What Costner achieves is making an assassin funny when he is off the clock. 3 Days to Kill is Bourne and Taken played for laughs.

Costner makes it easy for us to put aside any sense of morality and skim over killings as he spends much of his time fumbling at getting to know his daughter and pumping information from a comedic bad guy who he keeps locked in a car trunk. This baddie supplies details pointing Costner to his targets along with cooking tips and advice on how to relate to a teenage daughter. This character is as necessary and delightful as Joe Pesci in Lethal Weapon: he is not Pesci's take on a Tasmanian devil but a mild, wry, and in the end not really bad.

The rest is spoilers; and that rest for me means silence.

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Evil Dead (4.5 Stars)

Generally I would say that this is one great adaption however the originals are far better in the long run. Gore, great acting, especially from the directors point of view is really mind blowing.

It shows that someone else can direct one of these, and I'm overwhelmed by the fact that Sam is really exited over the relaunch and continues to tell excellent story telling.

Sam may have had very little to do with this film but in the end, the visuals and the terror really helped in the long run.

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Jupiter Ascending (3.0 Stars)

Hello and once again, welcome to Short Paragraph Review #4! Today, I look at the critical bomb, Jupiter Ascending.

Ready. Set. GO!!

I actually like the film with it's interesting concepts of how this powerful family owns different planets and use them for consumerism by "Harvesting" their resources and granting them infinite youth and immortality to feel like the most superior beings in the universe and if a sequel does get made, I would actually like to see more of these concepts to be explored more and the dialogue is well done when it comes to the exposition that's really easy to understand the concepts while not going too overboard like in The Matrix sequels. The visuals are breathtaking and yes, the gold color palette is overused but the unique combination of Renaissance architecture, Gothic art and architecture of Europe all make up for some beautifully looking worlds with a lot of unique practical effects on the make-up and wardrobe design. Simply put, Jupiter Ascending looks marvelous. The action was fun and while a bit too long, it is still satisfying with the Chicago chase being the best part while the music by Michael Giachinno is magnificent. The problems with Jupiter Acending is with the pointless romance between Jupiter and Cane that goes nowhere while some sub-plots have nothing to do with the main plot and ends with no resolution or satisfaction like the wedding plot with Jupiter and Titus that ends abruptly and we move on the next piece. Huh?! Also, the characters, while having interesting stories, aren't really fleshed out and they end up being forgettable especially Jupiter, who is supposed to be this woman with a big destiny of owning Earth but really shows no care for the title and wants to go home (basically, it's her whole character). The product placements are also bad with some of them being so blatantly obvious, my friend lost his mind during the Chicago chase sequence due to the "Chase" logo appearing in the film and the lack of screen time to the villains cause I thought they were interesting but the movie just doesn't have enough time to interact with them and the only one with more screen time is Balem but I still wished to see more of the Abrasax family interact with each other to see this "dysfunctional" angle it had on the characters.

Overall, Jupiter Ascending is a messy film but I am glad it exists cause it shows that filmmakers are still willing to sacrifice a lot of money and effort to make new IP franchise or original films despite not making money and received bad reviews. I would love for the Watchowski's to make an Extended Cut to Jupiter Ascending by adding 50 minutes of footage to include more character interaction, fixing up the dialogue and getting rid of the wedding sub-plot to improve the film's pace but that's just me.

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Bloodsucking Bastards (4.5 Stars)

Bloodsucking Bastards is a special kind of horror comedy that both goes for the jugular and tickles your funny bone in delightfully inventive ways, while giving us the next big catch-phrase to boot. One can never fully know when a song or a phrase or anything, really, will truly take off. I could be wrong, but I doubt screenwriter Adam Herz imagined his throwaway MILF line in his 1999 comedy American Pie would spiral into infamy. Don't be surprised if, later this year, you start seeing #BamSnap pop up all over social media, because if the hilariously off-kilter Bloodsucking Bastards is as big a hit as I know it could be, then you're witnessing the birth of the next great buzzword.

While Bloodsucking Bastards does not have a release date set at this time (it was picked up by Shout! Factory after debuting at Slamdance in January), I had the good fortune of seeing this with a packed crowed at the Arclight Hollywood on Monday. I hope you get to see this as soon as humanly possible because this romp is such a sheer delight, a rare horror-comedy that handles both genres incredibly well in a tightly-paced and efficient manner. If you're the type who prefers hybrid movie comparisons like "The Matrix meets Dune" (I've actually heard that... for real...), then try this on for size: Bloodsucking Bastards is basically the offspring of a drunken orgy between Office Space (or Workaholics), Super Troopers and a group of vampires (not the sparkly kind). Or, to put it more succinctly, Bloodsucking Bastards hits the succulent sweet spot in the Venn diagram of comedy and horror.

The always affable Fran Kranz stars as Evan, the one guy at the office who actually takes his job seriously. While he impatiently awaits a big promotion to Sales Manager (from "Acting" Sales Manager), his slacker best friend and co-worker Tim (Joey Kern) spends most of his "work" time playing various games with cube-mates Andrew (Justin Ware) and Mike (Neil Garguilo). To top it off, Evan's girlfriend Amanda (Emma Fitzpatrick), also the office HR manager, dumps him after he utters quite possibly the most hilarious response to "I love you" ever. Then, things really take a turn for the worse.

Evan's boss Ted (Joel Murray) announces that outside-hire Max (Pedro Pascal) has been named the new Sales Manager, not only dashing Evan's hopes of a promotion, but forcing him to work under his old collegiate nemesis. When bodies start piling up at the office, Evan comes to realize that Max is actually a vampire, turning his co-workers into these bloodsucking bastards to make a more efficient workforce. With the help of Tim and a super-militant security guard named Frank (Marshall Givens), Evan tries to take his beloved office back, by any means necessary.

Fran Kranz's progression from mildly-stressed office worker to vampire slayer is fantastic to watch. Emma Fitzpatrick plays the pissed-off girlfriend to perfection, and Joey Kern knocks it out of the park as Tim, whose made-up catch-phrase "Bam Snap" grows on the audience just as quickly as it does with the characters on screen. Pedro Pascal is wonderful as the boss you love to hate, even before you know he's a vampire, while Joel Murray excels as Ted, who is just trying to turn this office around.

What's great is screenwriters Ryan Mitts and the improv comedy troupe Dr. God (comprised of director Brian James O'Connell and stars Neil Garguilo, Justin Ware, Sean Cowhig and David Park) introduce these characters as familiar archetypes, before turning them upside down. David Park's David is the perfect example. We first meet him in the office break room as a smarmy but harmless guy who just wants to collect everyone's money from the NCAA office pool. For all intents and purposes, he's this movie's Milton from Office Space, but when David "turns," his casual requests to pay up turn into sinister shakedowns in the blink of an eye. Their script also gives characters like David, Marshall Givens' Frank, Zabeth Russell's Elaine, Yvette Yates' Zabeth and Sean Cowhig's Janitor much more meat on the proverbial bone than you'd see in most movies, turning even the smallest of roles into memorable turns.

Directed with verve and precision by Brian James O'Connell (Angry White Man), it's almost shocking that Bloodsucking Bastards only runs 87 minutes. There is so much nuance to story than you would imagine, with O'Connell delivering a taut, hilarious and thrilling story with more blood than you can shake a wooden stake (or the blade of those big paper cutter things) at. Bloodsucking Bastards is a special kind of horror comedy that both goes for the jugular and tickles your funny bone in delightfully inventive ways, while giving us the next big catch-phrase to boot. Bam snap!

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Unfinished Business (0.5 Stars)

The second corporate comedy from Vince Vaughn in the last two years, the first being The Internship-which was passable-and now the overly drought, severely unfunny, Unfinished Business, a lazy screwball comedy that can barely find it's own comedic footing and brings down the talent of it's recognizable lead stars (poor Tom Wilkinson) with it. Vaughn plays failing businessmen Dan Trunkman chasing the deal (that could make or break) his company, that just so happens to lead him to Berlin during the midst of Oktoberfest, the G8 Summit, the Berlin marathon, and a gay fetish festival. Right in succession are Dan's cohorts, a overly depressing, sleazy-drug induced 67 year old Tom Wilkinson, whose only goal in life appears to do the wheelbarrow sex position. And a delirious, head gauging-Dave Franco, channeling his inner Forrest Gump as the bumbling side-kick.

Much like other R rated comedies (Horrible Bosses) the strength therin lies in the chemistry of your leads. Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day all meshed well together. While seemingly a middle aged Vaughn, an older Wilkinson, and a doofus Franco never connect on the levels they should. Instead they pick apart themselves and wallow in their saturation-which in turn does not mellow the audience.

That's not saying Franco can't provide ANY comic relief, if anyone had any moment of rectitude, it's Franco. But we musn't forget brit actor Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz) shows up there, and sticks his man memorabilia through a glory hole (definitely not one of the films finer moments). Then just when you think the movie couldn't deviate any more from the path-Vaughn has to slow down most of the action to adhere to his family issues at home. The screenwriters try to make Dan a family-oriented man, instead this feels a bit rushed, and a little too sappy for a raunchy R rated comedy of this caliber.

Evidently most of the solid jokes are showcased (you guessed) in the trailer. The drugged up Wilkenson makes for some interesting tidbits (not nearly enough to get you through the movie) most of the laughs fail to have any punchlines, and the gay jokes just feel outdone. You're more than likely going to be thinking in your mind "how did these three men end up together?" now that is something that should go unfinished.

Grade: F

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VANish (2.5 Stars)

A low-budget movie. Schizofrenic and downright bloody. "Max, hide the beers.

I mean, who gives a sh*t, man. The whole f*cking van smells like pot and alcohol."

Seeing the title of this movie, it inevitably made me think of the legendary polish product, used to remove stains. I must admit that as the film progresses, and especially during the rough and gore climax in the end, they sure could use a sh*tload of this product to remove the resulting stains (blood stains that is). Eventually, the initial meaning of the movie title will be a reference to the fact that the entire film almost solely takes place in a van. "VANish" surely can be considered as a low-budget film that was made in an unreal short period. In 13 days they've made the whole thing and in a way you'll notice that.

Read more here : opinion-as-a-moviefreak.blogspot.be/2015/03/vanish-2015.html

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