(*) THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN ***½

UK: Terence Fisher, 1957

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Warner Bros

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(*) DRESSED TO KILL ***½

USA: Brian De Palma, 1980

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: MGM

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TWIN PEAKS TUESDAY!

Okay, okay... I know today is Wednesday but somehow I overlooked the fact Twin Peaks: The Second Season was officially released on DVD yesterday!

Twin Peaks aired from 1990 to 1991 and was created by the highly distinctive director David Lynch and Mark Frost (writer of Hill Street Blues and other hit TV shows fame). Twin Peaks proved to be both a critical and popular success before unceremoniously being cancelled at the close of this its second season.

The other work commitments David Lynch took on during this period meant he had less and less time to supervise the show. A uniquely personal vision to David Lynch and enhanced by his collaboration with Mark Frost, Twin Peaks was destined to stutter and shake under the weight of its growing reputation and the broad and unwieldy nature of the television series format. Hiring different directors to deliver scripts increasingly produced by larger and more disparate sets of writers/producers inevitably saw the creative vision diluted and obscured. Ultimately, David Lynch conceded the series had reached its zenith in terms of its TV incarnation and there have been no more seasons of the show. The director, himself, returned to the setting and characters of Twin Peaks, for many fans his greatest achievement, in his controversial and often derided 1992 feature Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

Whilst perhaps not tying up the multitude of plot strands begun by the television series and unmistakably bleaker in its outlook, the film does succeed in providing an illuminating counter point to Twin Peaks the TV series. Recently voted the ninth best television drama ever by critics and TV industry professionals in the UK - for Channel 4's 50 Greatest TV Drama list show - no small feat for an American drama, Twin Peaks remains a landmark in television history and a richly textured work of art.

This 6-disc set is region 1 encoded and NTSC from the US. The distributor label is Paramount rather than Artisan, who released Twin Peaks: The First Season in the US, and is available from online retailers such as DVD Pacific, Amazon.com and Deep Discount DVD.

This release has been an awful long time in coming with many fans of the groundbreaking television series making do with well worn LP recorded VHS tapes. For myself, I must confess to only having recently sat down and watched the first season in its entirety. Being an admirer of David Lynch, I was expecting to enjoy the show but even so Twin Peaks is a polished gem of a TV series. The episodes encompass a plethora of well written characters and the main plot, to find the killer of Laura Palmer, is in many ways the back story to all the sub-plots brought to the surface in the series. Considering the different directors involved and the fact that this was the first run of the programme the mood and atmosphere is superbly maintained throughout. Of course there is no shortage of the bizarre with numerous 'moody' sequences infused with the intangible sense of the oneiric. However, there are also moments of genuine emotion and comedy; in fact I would say it was Twin Peak's ability to switch fluidly between different genre conventions without losing spectator engagement that is the greatest strength of this highly original concept.

By the way the 4-disc set of the first season is available in UK and PAL, region 2 encoded from the Universal Playback label.Anyway, I certainly intend to pick up Twin Peaks: The Second Season come pay day and would urge any Twin Peaks virgins to seriously consider taking the time to delve into this hugely entertaining and enchanted Lynchian world!

To read some early reviews of the Twin Peaks: The Second Season DVD release head over to DVD Talk, DVD Verdict and DVD Town

THE HILLS HAVE EYES ***

USA: Wes Craven, 1977

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Anchor Bay

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THE PRESTIGE ***½

USA/UK: Christopher Nolan, 2006

Format: DVD+RW Bootleg
Region: 0 (UK)
DVD Distributor: N/A

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TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME ***½

FRANCE/USA: David Lynch, 1992

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Cinema Club

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INFERNAL AFFAIRS ****

HONG KONG: Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak, 2002

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Tartan Video

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A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE ****

GERMANY/USA: David Cronenberg, 2005

Format: Sky Digital Television Broadcast
Region: N/A
DVD Distributor: N/A

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(*) BLUE VELVET ****

USA: David Lynch, 1986

Format: SD DVD
Region: R0 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Sanctuary Visual Entertainment

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THE DEPARTED ***½

USA/HONG KONG: Martin Scorsese, 2006

Format: SD DVD
Region: 1 (USA)
DVD Distributor: Warner Bros

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28 DAYS LATER... - Bitesize Review # 15

28 DAYS LATER... **½

UK: Danny Boyle, 2002.
Format: Original Theatrical Release

Note: My bitesize review was originally published by the Kent Messenger Newspaper Group (5.12.2002) and refers to the theatrical run of the film.

Director Danny Boyle has struggled to match the power and originality of his first two features Shallow Grave and Trainspotting. In his latest effort, 28 Days Later... the protagonist Jim, played by impressive newcomer Cillian Murphy, awakens from a coma to find his London hospital devastated and empty. Outside the capital itself is deserted.

When Jim meets Selena (Naomie Harris) we learn a fatal and highly contagious virus called "Rage" has all but transformed Britain into a post-apocalyptic war zone. The virus locks the infected into a permanent state of murderous rage. After joining up with Frank (Brendan Gleeson) and his young daughter Hannah (Megan Burns) the desperate band set off to salvage a future.

28 Days Later... is effectively a contemporary reworking of the zombie movie sub-genre of horror. Writer Alex Garland, author of bestselling novel The Beach, manages to create characters for which the audience feels sympathy and director Boyle employs his repertoire of frenetic action shots with enthusiasm and gusto.

However, one can't help but feel disappointed overall when the film begins so intriguingly only to lose its way later on. Not least in its finale, whereby, a digression into a military run prison facility leaves one feeling they have watched two halves of separate films sewn together with the thread highly visible to all.

THEY - Bitesize Review # 14

THEY ***

USA: Robert Harmon and Rick Bota, 2002.
Format: Original Theatrical Release

Note: My bitesize review was originally published by the Kent Messenger Newspaper Group (28.11.2002) and refers to the theatrical run of the film.

All too often modern horror films consist of inferior imitations of Wes Craven's self-reflexive genre movie Scream. Teen slashers I Know What You Did Last Summer, Urban Legend and other such tripe are devoid of quality acting suffer from weak storylines and are simply not scary. Thankfully, They takes a detour from this depressing trend to deliver a slick and disturbing chiller.

Up coming actress Laura Regan (My Little Eye) plays Juliet Lund – an opinionated and prosperous twenty-something studying for a Master's Degree in Psychology. However, Juliet's focused and ordered life begins to unravel after she witnesses the suicide of life-long friend Billy.

Haunted by the deceased's intense ravings about persecution at the hands of an unknown force from his childhood nightmares, Juliet suffers insomnia. Her mental health is further threatened when she too experiences a reoccurrence of the 'Night Terrors' she suffered as a young child.

Convinced the mysterious "They" Billy warned of are now closing in on her, Juliet seeks the advice of child psychiatrist Dr Booth. Recalling the context of Juliet's childhood nightmares, Dr Booth dismisses these episodes as the result of post-traumatic stress originally relating to the death of her father and now resurfaced due to her friend's suicide.

With this rational diagnosis of her symptoms, Juliet tries to return to her normal life. Unfortunately, as her 'Night Terrors' become more violent Juliet finds herself isolated and alone in a fight to save her own sanity.

POSSESSION - Bitesize Review # 13

POSSESSION ***

USA/UK: Neil LaBute, 2002.
Format: Original Theatrical Release

Note: My bitesize review was originally published by the Kent Messenger Newspaper Group (7.11.2002) and refers to the theatrical run of the film.

Adapted from A.S. Byatt's Booker Prize winning novel of the same name, Possession focuses on the efforts of American research assistant Roland Michell (Aaron Eckhart) and qualified academic Maud Bailey (Gwyneth Paltrow) to unveil a secret love affair between two 19^th century poets.

The investigation begins with the discovery of love letters written by the esteemed Randolph Henry Ash (Jeremy Northam) addressed to lesser-known Christabel LaMotte (Jennifer Ehle), a descendent of Maud's.

Recorded in history as a devout and honourable husband, the suggestion Ash could have been involved with Maud's relative is a revelation of such magnitude to rock the literary world. As Roland and Maud piece together the events surrounding this illicit romance their own relationship begins to mirror the passion and anguish of their subjects.

Disappointingly, neither love story smacks of real sexual energy despite the accomplished acting of the cast. In truth the pacing of the film is hampered by the constant cutting between the affair of the past and the potential romance of the present.

This suggests Possession is better as a book than a film. Although the difficult task of cramming all of Byatt's powerful novel into a two-hour film is one that was always going to compromise the rich texture of the story.

In saying that, LaBute's script still contains some resonant observations with regard to the lure and turmoil inherent to love. The fragile romance of the modern couple is restricted by their own personal apprehensions, a stilting confinement not dissimilar to that of the inflexible social mores of their forebears.

RED DRAGON - Bitesize Review # 12

RED DRAGON **½

USA/Germany: Brett Ratner, 2002.
Format: Original Theatrical Release

Note: My bitesize review was originally published by the Kent Messenger Newspaper Group (24.10.2002) and refers to the theatrical run of the film.

Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter has seen the serial killer with a taste for human flesh become modern cinemas most memorable villain. In Red Dragon, Hopkins third and final appearance as Lecter, we are taken back to the very beginning and witness the arrest of the brilliant but psychological disturbed psychiatrist.

Adapted from the first of Thomas Harris' Lecter novels, Red Dragon establishes a storyline very similar to the subsequent The Silence of the Lambs. A sexual serial killer known as the "Tooth Fairy", played by Ralph Fiennes, has killed two entire families leaving the FBI without any firm leads. Incarcerated in a high security prison Lecter becomes a consultant on the case.

Reuniting Lecter with the man responsible for his capture, detective Will Graham, played by Edward Norton, the film echoes the one-on-one sparring between Lecter and Clarice Starling. Unfortunately, the tension and intimacy of those meetings, so key to the success of Silence of the Lambs, are never recaptured and what is left instead is the exaggerated, all too knowing performance of Lecter first displayed by Hopkins in Ridley Scott's Hannibal.

Indeed, it could be suggested Red Dragon is at its most thrilling when Lecter is left to ponder events from within his cell, while the action centres on detective Graham analysing the crime scenes. Graham has a special if not welcome ability to get inside criminal mindset of killers such as the "Tooth Fairy". However, it is unavoidable not to come to the conclusion that we have seen all these narrative elements before – most notably in Michael Mann's original film adaptation of this novel by Thomas Harris, Manhunter – and this is perhaps where Red Dragon disappoints the most.

The former film was a dark and brooding thriller which intelligently handled the motivation behind the "Tooth Fairy" and his frenzied acts of murder. Manhunter also went much further and more assuredly into detective Will Graham's psychological connection with Hannibal Lecter. Such subtlety and menace is never reproduced in Red Dragon with the resulting re-telling of this story being a solid but decidedly average crime thriller.

MY LITTLE EYE - Bitesize Review # 11

MY LITTLE EYE ***

UK/USA/France/Canada: Marc Evans, 2002.
Format: Original Theatrical Release

Note: My bitesize review was originally published by the Kent Messenger Newspaper Group (17.10.2002) and refers to the theatrical run of the film.

The hottest ticket in television at the moment is the reality TV game show. Whether it is Big Brother, Survivor or the latest 'Pop Star' themed karaoke contest, our desire to play the voyeur has developed into an obsession.

This trend is even more pronounced on the internet with a seemingly endless amount of web cam sites dedicated to broadcasting live 24 hours a day, seven days a week regardless of programme content. My Little Eye from British director Marc Evans employs this very modern phenomenon to breathe new life into the classic haunted house horror narrative.

The plot is simplicity itself, five youngsters agree to be confined in an old house, in the middle of nowhere, for six months with the object of winning one million dollars. Cameras are installed in every room with all the action broadcast live on a subscription pay-per-view website.

However, the situation begins to take on sinister dimensions when our young hopefuls are haunted by aspects of their troubled past. This tension is built upon in the film when it is suggested the broadcast company itself, may be instigating a deadly game in an effort to boost ratings or provoke the housemates into leaving and thus forfeiting the prize money.

Disappointingly, this sense of terror is lost when the plot's finale slips into a series of violent killings, showing little of the assured craftsmanship of the film's beginning. The redeeming aspects of My Little Eye can be identified in its authentic look and superb use of sound.

The majority of the film is shot in a manner mimicking the zooming cameras of reality television. This helps to establish an atmosphere of 'being watched' eeriness from the start. The distorted infra-red night sequences are especially effective with the participants' eyes glowing a startling shade of green.

So while My Little Eye isn't without its flaws it does provide a gripping watch for most of its duration. Moreover, the film serves as a chilling verdict on our attraction to the nature of watching and reality television.

ROAD TO PERDITION - Bitesize Review # 10

ROAD TO PERDITION ****

USA: Sam Mendes, 2002.
Format: Original Theatrical Release

Note: My bitesize review was originally published by the Kent Messenger Newspaper Group (10.10.2002) and refers to the theatrical run of the film.

After enjoying immediate success with the multi-Oscar winning American Beauty, the level of expectancy surrounding English director Sam Mendes and his latest project Road to Perdition has been immense.

Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, a respected and loyal member of an organised crime family run by John Rooney (Paul Newman). In the past, Sullivan has managed to shelter his wife and two young sons from the violent reality of his life

When Michael Jr witnesses a cold-blooded murder committed by Connor Rooney (Daniel Craig), the young boy's life is put in jeopardy and his trust in his father is put in doubt. A bungled heist kills Sullivan's wife and younger son. Determined to avenge the killing of his family, Sullivan flees with Michael Jr to Chicago.

Although the film is a tale of crime, revenge and gangland violence, it is the relationship between Sullivan and his son Michael Jr that provides much of the depth of the film. Road to Perdition is undoubtedly one of the year's most accomplished pictures and the best thing presently showing at mainstream cinema.

HAMMER TIME!

Recently, I drifted into reverie regarding the horror films I used to watch as a youngster on late night TV and on old beaten up VHS. A particularly striking period of this nostagia trip focused on the much celebrated black and white horror pictures of Universal Studios in the 1930s. However, my thoughts then turned away from the black and white images of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff fickering across my mind's eye. As off over the horizon a garish blur of colour slowly came into view and then it hit me, bright smack in the face... Hammer Film Productions!

I was amazed, I had totally overlooked the exploits of my own nation and the imporant part it played in my formative introduction to the world of horror. "Hammer Horror" was all the rage in the 50s and 60s infusing classic horror texts with new vitality via sumptous color schemes and heaving bossoms. And trust me this seductive hyper-stylized re-imaginging of the familiar monster vehicles was not lost on me as a child. I was transfixed with both fear and facination upon first seeing these films and grew to revel in their almost camp jovality.

Thus, I thought it was high time I revisited those old classic British horror movies that helped to turn me on to the whole genre in my youth. Looking through the (limited) available discs at my preferred online DVD rental site, I've added the following to my delivery list: The Curse of Frankenstein, Horror of Dracula, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, The Devil Rides Out, The Nanny and The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires.

I must admit I've yet to see quite of few of these films as my exposure to classic British horror of yesteryear has mainly centred on the numerous Frankenstein and Dracula cycles. Unfortunately, many of my other fondly remembered titles such as The Quatermass Xperiment and Twins of Evil are either "low demand" meaning not available to rent or missing from the listings altogether.

Judging by availability and demand I should be getting The Curse of Frankenstein and Dracula, Prince of Darkness in the next batch of 3 DVDs to be delivered. Nonsensically, I've also thrown in Brian De Palma's Dressed To Kill on a whim, to make up this Anglo/American horror trio. I used to love the movie and all things De Palma whilst at college and haven't seen it in years

If anyone else out there can point me in the right direction for more "Hammer Horror" titles on DVD I should check out please leave a comment.

DVD INCOMING

The Departed (R1, 2-disc Special Edition, Warner Bros) and A Blade in the Dark/Macabre (R0, Double Feature Edition, Anchor Bay) arrived from DVD Pacific yesterday. I haven't had time to take a look at either of the discs yet but I intend to sit down and watch The Departed this week. I was delighted Martin Scorsese, one of my favourite living directors, received his much belated Oscar for Best Director. Having not seen Infernal Affairs, the Hong Kong crime thriller upon which The Departed is based, I can approach to this film without any preconceived ideas of how or to what degree this American remake is better or worse than the source material. I'll post my thoughts at some point in the future.

I ordered A Blade in the Dark and Macabre primarily to bring my order at DVD Pacific close to my preferred £18 spend (£18 is the sum total in British pounds sterling that you can import goods for from outside the EU without having to incur HM Customs chargers. This figure rises to approx £32 if you can get the package to be identified as a gift). However, A Blade in the Dark has been on my 'too watch' list for some time and being a massive Mario Bava fan, I am keen to see how his offspring's efforts compare. More comments on these Lamberto Bava features to follow.

(*) HANNIBAL *****

UK/USA: Ridley Scott, 2001

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

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(*) THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS *****

USA: Jonathan Demme, 1991

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: MGM

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50 GREATEST TV DRAMA

Aired on Channel 4 recently, I sat down and watched the show this afternoon.

For my part I am pleased to see The Sopranos get the industry recognition it deserves and look at Twin Peaks riding high at 9th. I think Shooting the Past should have been much higher but then again I am a massive Poliakoff fan. Good to see Sex Traffic and other contemporary drama such as 24 and Band of Brothers being picked out for praise. No surprises that pieces like This Life, Queer As Folk and the 'Dennis Potter' canon were all present. However, there were also some really got nods to less fashionable pieces such as Heimat, Talking to a Stranger and Threads. I'll definitely be looking into getting my hands on these to watch for the first time.

The final line-up:

1. The Sopranos
2. Boys From The Blackstuff
3. Edge Of Darkness
4. The Singing Detective
5. Cathy Come Home
6. The West Wing
7. Cracker
8. Our Friends In The North
9. Twin Peaks
10. Heimat
11. Prime Suspect
12. Pennies From Heaven
13. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
14. I Claudius
15. Das Boot
16. A Very British Coup
17. This Life
18. Abigail's Party
19. Hill Street Blues
20. Queer As Folk
21. Sex Traffic
22. Bleak House (2005)
23. House Of Cards
24. Shameless
25. Talking To A Stranger
26. Doctor Who
27. 24
28. Scum
29. Brideshead Revisited
30. Traffik
31. Blue Remembered Hills
32. Warriors
33. The Naked Civil Servant
34. Bloody Sunday
35. Auf Wiedersehen Pet
36. Talking Heads
37. Hillsborough
38. The Prisoner
39. Shooting The Past
40. Pride And Prejudice (1995)
41. GBH
42. Made In Britain
43. The Jewel In The Crown
44. Threads
45. Z Cars
46. Caught On A Train
47. Upstairs Downstairs
48. State Of Play
49. Roots
50. Band Of Brothers

Also if anyone else caught the show, do you know what song was used for the intros and then played again throughout the show? The almost haunting if indecipherable lyrics sound familiar but I can't seem to place the piece of music or remember the band.

YMDB HAS MOVED!

Having checked a few of my links due to my inactivity in posting new material (this is dictated by time constraints unfortunately) I discovered Your Movie Database has moved location.

Your Movie Database is a cool website that allows you to compile a list of your Top 20 films of all time. Your list is then viewable to other users and you can leave comment on each other's lists. Any tool that can allow for discussion of these films and provide recommendations to further your own viewing is good in my book.

YMDB can now be found at here. Go make that list!

Check out my list here and leave a comment on this post or on the YMDB website.

A LOAD OF LYNCH

Back in September I picked up Lynch on Lynch from the Faber and Faber series of career length interviews with celebrated film directors. Having only recently found the time to sit down and begin to delve into the book, I decided to accompany my reading by ordering three films by David Lynch from Amazon UK.

As luck would have it Amazon UK are having something of a Lynch sale with selected titles going for £6.97 each. I ordered Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, The Elephant Man and Lost Highway. Out of the three films I have only seen Lost Highway and it is a personal favourite of mine, included in my Top 20 films of all time. I did catch part of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me when it was broadcast on Film Four a few years ago. However, having never seen Twin Peaks the television series I didn't want to expose myself to potential spoilers so I switched channels. Finally, The Elephant Man is a film I have been meaning to see for some time. I have a particular curiosity for the Victorian Era and am fascinated to see how that very distinctly British world is interpreted by an American artist such as Lynch.

This trio of Lynch titles will supplement my other (relatively) recent Lynch purchases Blue Velvet (R0, 2-disc Special Edition, Sanctuary Visual Entertainment) and Dune (R0, 2-disc Special Edition, Sanctuary Visual Entertainment). Both of which I picked up on a shopping spree in Northampton whilst visiting family over the Christmas period.

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS **

USA/GERMANY: Donald Petrie, 2003

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Paramount

Being left in a room with nothing but your girlfriend's DVD collection can do weird things to you. This 'battle-of-the-sexes' rom-com is certainly not my typical night's viewing, however, much like the curiosity that teenage girl magazines evoked in me during my puberty I couldn't resist taking a peek. Actually, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days was far better than I was expecting and at the end of a long day, I did find myself in the right frame of mind to giggling along with the easy, unchallenging humour.

As far as the story goes it is pretty familiar stuff with two supposedly ambitious and calculating young professionals courting each other in the name of a bet, only to realise by the end that in fact they have fallen in love for real. Okay so the film is rather superficial and lacks any real emotional pull (the tissues were left untouched on the bedside table) but in Matthew McConaughey and especially Kate Hudson it does feature two likeable leads. Indeed, Kate Hudson in particular impressed me by her comedic assurance (no doubt picked up from parents Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn) and her disarmingly natural on screen presence. For those who haven't yet seen it I would strongly recommend watching Hudson's engaging performance in effective chiller The Skeleton Key.

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THE DARK *½

GERMANY/UK: John Fawcett, 2005

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Momentum Pictures

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(*) SHALLOW HAL ***

USA/GERMANY: Bobby and Peter Farrelly, 2001

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: 20th Century Fox

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BLUE IN THE FACE **

USA: Paul Auster and Wanye Wang, 1995

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

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(*) MAGNOLIA ***½

USA: Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Entertainment In Video

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UNITED 93 ****

FRANCE/UK/USA: Paul Greengrass, 2006

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Universal Pictures

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NARC ****

USA/CANADA: Joe Carnahan, 2002

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Paramount

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THE SUM OF ALL FEARS *½

USA/GERMANY: Phil Alden Robinson, 2002

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Paramount

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THE SUNSHINE BOYS ***

USA: John Erman, 1995

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: BBC DVD

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CRASH ***½

USA/GERMANY: Paul Haggis, 2004

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Pathé

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HARD CANDY **½

USA: David Slade, 2005

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Lion's Gate

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SCOOP ***

UK/USA: Woody Allen, 2006

Format: SD DVD
Region: 1 (USA)
DVD Distributor: Momentum

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(*) KING KONG ***½

NEW ZEALAND/USA: Peter Jackson, 2005

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Universal Pictures

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ENEMY OF THE STATE ****

USA: Tony Scott, 1998

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Buena Vista / Touchstone

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(*) ALONG CAME A SPIDER **

USA/GERMANY/CANADA: Lee Tamahori, 2001

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Paramount

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(*) FRENZY ****

UK: Alfred Hitchcock, 1972

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Universal Pictures

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(*) ANTZ ****

USA: Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson, 1998

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: DreamWorks

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V FOR VENDETTA ***

USA/UK/GERMANY: John McTeigue, 2005

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Warner Bros

In what is fast becoming our weekly ritual, the girlfriend (or The Countessa as she shall now forthwith be respectfully referred to) and I snuggled up last Sunday evening to watch V For Vendetta. I had succeeded in side stepping the buzz surrounding the film during the course of its theatrical release. However, I was intrigued by its rumoured play upon the Guy Fawkes legend and had been meaning to give the disc a spin at some point.

Now I know very little about the film's tortuous transition from highly respected graphic novel to big budget misfire at the UK box office. I therefore had very few preconceived expectations, aside from a feint hope the Wachowski's brothers involvement in the script but noticeable absence from direction, would serve up a better film than the last two instalments of The Matrix Trilogy. Upon reflection I would have to say that I did enjoy the film by some measure above those ill fated cash-ins. V For Vendetta is not without its flaws but within its comic book sensibilities and anti-hero tale of revolution it succeeds in raising some pertinent questions.

The film's milieu maybe that of a non too distant London in the grip of a fascist dictatorship, but the allusions to present America are unmistakable. Specifically, John Hurt's (in an ironic nod to his casting as the victim in the film adaptation of George Orwell's 1984) Chancellor Adam Sutler, the zealot who reigns supreme over this dystopian totalitarian state, can be read as a thinly veiled allegory for the current tyrannical U.S. administration of George W. Bush. For more on this theme I point you toward a full review by Michael Mackenzie. I take my hat off to Michael as his appraisal is fair and balanced rather than the "for or against" hyperbole which has been a feature of many other opinions on the film. It appears this division is in large part due to the filmmakers omitting or being fanciful with the hallowed original material. In any case I found Michael's review very informative and it offered me a greater understanding of the film.

V For Vendetta does approach the issues surrounding the West's response to the threat of terrorism. It also challenges us to consider the reality of genuine representation and recognition of the will of a country's populous in the political systems of power which operate in a democratic society. However, it must be said the film does all this in a rather silly and idealistically muddled manner. But nevertheless it still succeeds at being entertaining.

The Countessa was far less forgiving and felt this film was... "crap" to put it succinctly. I wouldn't quite go that far. It is true though, if you are not able to come to the film with an adequate suspension of disbelief, intriguing social commentary or otherwise, the film simply isn't going to hold an interest for you.

Memorable line:

"... artists use lies to tell the truth while politicians use them to cover the truth up"

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RUNAWAY JURY **½

USA: Gary Fleder, 2003

Format: Sky Digital Television Broadcast
Region: N/A
DVD Distributor: N/A

Last Friday the girlfriend and I had a night in with a takeaway and a movie. Like many I suspect, we are trying to make a concerted effort to save some money this month after an extravagant Christmas. Anyway, it was the ladies choice on this occasion (there are limits to how many gialli and the like I can talk her into watching lol!). Flicking through the channels a few nights previously it came to my attention Runaway Jury was scheduled to be shown on BBC One. I recalled the girlfriend citing this as a film she particularly enjoyed, being into the courtroom drama/John Grisham adapted Hollywood thriller type of genre. So pushing the record button on the always reliable Sky Plus Box we arrived at Friday night with our film all ready to watch.

I mention the build up and the setting (quiet night in, Sky TV and takeaway) as it wasn't dissimilar to the film. Runaway Jury is not a particularly original film nor is its execution in anyway innovative or new. It is, however, competently made with its requisite cast of attractive lead boy/girl couple (John Cusack and Rachel Weisz) and established supporting heavyweights (Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman). Much like the Domino's pizza we soon devoured, Runaway Jury is a fast, convenient fix which leaves one full but not entirely satisfied.

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WELCOME TO WARCRAFT

I have officially taken the plunge into "Warfcraft" mania!

Earlier in the month I managed to snag Warcraft III: Reign Of Chaos and the game's expansion pack The Frozen Throne off eBay. My knowledge of Blizzard Entertainment's hugely popular series is limited to say the least. That said, a few years ago my work colleagues and I put together a list of our favourite ever PC games with Blizzard's earlier real-time strategy title Warcraft II: Tides Of Darkness getting notable mention. As a result I have had a "Warcraft" game in my 'To Buy List' for what seems like forever.

Anyway, I've been keeping eyes open for an opportunity to sample this distinct gaming franchise for myself. Although the idea of World Of Warcraft, Blizzard's massively multi-player online role-playing title was not really to my palette. Don't get me wrong, I have heard very impressive comments made about the art design and gameplay of this alternative universe game. However, my own limited concentration span and the current demands on my free time have seen me give this option a wide a berth. For a start if the legend of the game's addictive nature holds some truth, a future consisting of marriage break ups, failing to hold down a job and withdrawing from society to such a degree as spending upwards of 48hrs at a time 'living' as my online persona, it is one I can do without.

Following on from some rather horrendous PC problems of late (I'll spare you the details), I have managed to correctly install both games and have taken a very quick peek. First off, the graphics are very impressive and fully realised in eye-popping 3D. As a casual game player and a nostalgic one at that, 3D RTS games still hold an exciting new promise for me. The games high visual standard is reflected in the Menu screens and the introductory cinematics are crisp with lush colours and strong audio support. Although I must say whilst playing through the tutorial mode I found the cartoonish talking heads of the in-game advisor rather laughable. More distracting than actually pulling me into the world of the game.

However, this is a minor criticism and as I am just starting out in my forays into playing Warcraft III, I'll reserve my judgement for a later date. It will suffice for now to say Warcraft III: Reign Of Chaos and it's expansion The Frozen Throne have the potential to be a thrilling and original RTS gaming experience.

By the way, my interest in these titles was rekindled in large part thanks to a couple of excellent reviews by Michael Mackenzie. You can check them out here: Warcraft III: Reign Of Chaos and The Frozen Throne.

DIAL M FOR MURDER ****½

USA: Alfred Hitchcock, 1954

Format: SD DVD
Region:1 (USA)
DVD Distributor: Warner Bros

A couple of Sunday's ago the girlfriend and I sat down and watched Dial M For Murder. I had bought the disc some time last year and promptly added it to the growing "to watch" pile in my room. To be honest based upon what I had read from the odd review and occasional Hitch biography, I assumed the M stood for mediocre rather than masterpiece. However, far from only being notable for Hitchcock's interest in 3D at the time, Dial M For Murder is a bona-fide classic.

The film is something of a departure from Hitchcock's "man on the run" suspense pictures and is faithfully adapted from a successful stage play. To say adapted for the screen is in some ways an overstatement. To paraphrase Peter Bogdanovich, interviewed as an extra on the disc, Hitch's motto when it came to putting plays on the cinema screen was simply to shoot the page as written. This is not to say the film doesn't have some memorable shots. However, Dial M for Murder sees Hitchcock rein in his technical flair to employ his uncanny sense of economically putting the camera in just the right place to aid the development of the plot. This pushes the story to the foreground ably assisted by a quite wonderful script and superb acting.

Ray Millard is a delight as the would be mastermind behind the 'perfect crime' to off his rich wife (Grace Kelly) and his performance goes a long way to making this film the success it is. Anthony Dawson is the hapless crook coerced into Millard's plan, however, typically things do not unfold as foreseen. Any mystery surrounding the crimes is dispensed with almost immediately, but the audience is skillfully gripped from start to finish. The fact we are made aware of every machination of the lead protagonist only heightens our fascination with his eventual downfall. Highly recommended.

IMDB reference

(*) STRANGERS ON A TRAIN *****

USA: Alfred Hitchcock, 1951

Format: SD DVD
Region: 2 (UK)
DVD Distributor: Warner Bros

IMDB reference