News | A Scanner Darkly

Latest news on one of the coolest films of the year, is that it’s going to be one of the coolest films of next year.


Keanu Reeves

A Scanner Darkly has been pushed back to March 2006. Still it’s gonna be worth the wait, I mean It comes from the famed hands of Philip K Dick – the dude who wrote Blade Runner and Minority Report and it’s got some trippy visual quality, that’s just gonna blow you away…


Woody Harrelson

Ok, so maybe I need more sleep, but c’mon, this movie is gonna be bigger than the Matrix. Well, maybe not bigger, but just as cool and way more original….

Trivia | Pulp Fiction

Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) and Vincent Vega (John Travolta) don't win the dance contest at Jack Rabbit Slim's in Pulp Fiction. According to a radio news bulletin later in the film, they stole the trophy. Now THATs funny :-)

Trivia | Touched By An Angel

Apparently, 75% of males aged between 18 and 35 would rather kill themselves with a steak knife than watch Touched By An Angel. I didn't think the show was THAT bad!

Staff Conference

I'm gonna be away for the rest of the week at a staff conference - more reviews next week!

DVD | A Very Long Engagement

A Very Long Engagement is basically a story of a young woman and her relentless search for her fiancée, who has disappeared during the First World War.

Despite all the factors suggesting that he’s dead, she never gives up hope, and keeps her love alive for years after the war.

But to say that this movie is a basic story would be far from the truth. This is one of the grittiest, compelling, light, funny and warmest movies of the year. It has a fantastic story line that captivates you and takes you on a journey through the eyes of several people and builds up the storyline slowly through flashbacks.

The cinematography is superb, and takes you from the heights of young romance to the depths of trench warfare, all in believable tones of colour and vision. The acting is first class, with an outstanding performance by Audrey Tautou.

Through the horrors of war, the brutality of revenge, the desperation of politics, Audrey’s character keeps a flame of hope burning brightly throughout. Surrounded by a loving family, humour flows unexpectedly and keeps what could have been an overly dark movie, fairly light, whilst retaining believability.

If you only watch one subtitled movie this year, make sure it’s this one. And if you hate movies with subtitles, either learn French or get over this, ‘cause Hollywood rarely comes this close to great storytelling.

The DVD doesn’t get released until 15th of June, but it is worth the wait.

DVD | Apres Vous

This is a delightful French comedy. I never thought a subtitled movie could ever be intentionally funny, but I was wrong.

When Antoine saves Louis from hanging himself he becomes obsessed with getting him back on his feet, and hooking him back up with his girlfriend.

But things don’t go to plan as Louis is very unwilling at first, and then things get really complicated romantically, as Louis’ girlfriend begins to fancy Antoine.

It’s a light-hearted romp with a lot of underplayed humour. The translation is surprisingly good at keeping the humour, and has a number of really good laugh out loud moments.

A warm and funny movie, that will leave you smiling.

Not sure when this will be available in NZ as it was sent as part of a ‘June Screener’ DVD, which means that it will be released in Australia in June…

E3 Babes | Sex Sells Games

Tom Hunt, summed it up with ‘if you simply like women dressed up as blood-sucking ninja assassins’, but its more than that really. E3, when you really get down to it, is about sex. [more]

DVD | Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption is one of the best movies ever made.

Now that it’s been released on DVD, my collection is a little bit more complete.

But what makes this movie so good? The story. Or should that be stories. This movie isn’t just about wrongfully convicted Andy Dufresne, though he is the key character. It’s about everyone who he meets and interacts with.

It’s a movie that fit’s into the prison break genre, but never focuses on the break until it happens. It’s a movie of faith, hope and redemption. It’s a feel good movie, with plenty of heartache.

Andy gets to discover the extremes of humanity. The depths that man can attain through evil, and the hight that he can soar through good. And all the time keeps to his own quiet, thoughtful existence, helping people when he can, and not letting others get the better of his soul.

It’s a movie that you never know quite what’s going to happen next, yet feels familiar. It refrains from using any of the old clichés and manages to stay original. It takes you on an emotional roller coaster as you find yourself drawn to each character, and feel their pain and joy as the story unfolds.

The acting is superb, with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman giving their best performances. The cinematography and sets are perfect, giving the feel of the huge prison, with a sombre greyness all around – this is a place the seeks to destroy you, to leave you with nothing once your term is done.

And the attention to detail with the story. Based on a Steven King novella, it’s rare to find such a well thought out, well written story that has so much depth and scope as this.

If you haven’t seen Shawshank redemption yet, shame on you, go make amends immediately.

X-Box 360

Although Friday 13 is a scary day for the superstitious it was an exciting day for millions of others. It was the day an MTV Special hosted by Elijah Wood revealed the first glimpse of Xbox 360 to the world

But the real details came out today from Console Geek…

DVD | Manchurian Candidate

Conspiracy thriller The Manchurian Candidate started out as a book, then in 1962 got made into a movie. Back then it was all to do with the Cold War.

Now we have Jonathan Demme’s re-make.

This time round the commentary is that of the post 9-11 world, where the American government manufactures fear to keep the population sedated. But as we all know, the government is controlled by big business.

Manchurian Global have discovered a way to brain wash people by inserting chips in their brains. They discovered this through using guinea pigs – US soldiers on a covert mission during the Gulf War.

One of these candidates is now in the running for Vice Presidency, the other is loosing his mind – or so he thinks.

Denzel Washington plays a very convincing, highly respected career soldier who is slowly loosing his mind through recurring dreams. He becomes obsessed with his fellow squad member who is destined to become Vice president and unwittingly plays into the plans of the conspirators.

Will Manchurian Global be successful in their planned bloodless coup? Or will Denzel regain his sanity in time to save the world?

I’m not telling (though this is Hollywood, so take a guess). What I will say was that this was an entertaining little thriller. It could have ended about 5 minutes sooner than it did – why do producers think they have to make an ending that spells EVERYTHING out to you. Why not leave some mystery?

Click here for the DVD cover.

Comment | Sith Happens

Ok, so I’ve discovered that I’m not the only one NOT looking forward to The Revenge Of The Sith, and sure I didn’t write this, but I figured it was worth posting, and if you think your read it in the Sunday Star Times, think again, they only used 15, I’m using all 40, no time for editing here! [take me to the dark side].

What Movie Am I #12

Ok, we’ll make this easy and give you two clues….

I explain how the metric system affects McDonald’s hamburgers in France.

Bruce Willis says “Zed’s dead, baby. Zed’s dead”.

DVD | Porco Rosso

Porco Rosso is a bit of an odd ball coming from Studio Ghibli.

Gone is the strong female lead, gone is most of the preaching about the environment, war and other things.

Instead we have a rather humorous pig character. A pig who used to be human, but in an apparent dig at male chauvinism, it seems his sexist attitude has cursed him with the physical appearance of what he really was.

But you’d think looking like a pig would be a hindrance. But not for Porco Rosso, he uses it to his advantage. Being a pig and not totally human gives him plenty of excuses for his behaviour, and always make his opponents underestimate him.

Opponents? Oh yes, this pig is a gallant bounty hunter, in a world ruled by seaplane flying pirates who pick on ships and ocean liners for their plunder.

Employed by some to keep the pirates away, the pig has a price on his head, not only from the pirates, but also a fascist Italian government whom he used to fly for.

But it’s not all male dominance in this movie, as the pig has to enlist (rather grudgingly) the help of a teenage girl. But will the girl rub off on him in time and save him from his piggish ways?

And what of the arrogant American pilot that the pirates have enlisted to rid them of the pig?

How will this quirky story pan out?

I’m not telling, you’ll have to buy the DVD; you won’t regret it.

News | V for Vendetta #2

Hopefully V for Vendetta doesn’t turn out to be a bomb, else I’ll really have egg on my face. But it does look to be a goodie, that and A Scanner Darkly are two movies that I can’t wait to see – might even have to spend the big bucks and go to the movies rather than wait for the DVD!!

You can sometimes tell how good a movie is going to be by the dedication of its stars. Natalie Portman, the long haired beauty of the last few Star Wars movies, Garden State and Cold Mountain has made the ultimate sacrifice, check out THIS picture of her and her freshly shaved head.

That’s right, shaved. According to Time Magazine “The 23-year-old's shoulder-length chestnut locks were sheared for a prison scene in this fall's futuristic drama V for Vendetta.” Now that’s dedication!

DVD | Hero

I was absolutely dismayed when I finally got to see Hero. I put the DVD on and sat back to see what I had been hanging out to see for some time. And there it was, in all it’s glory and utterly destroyed by the dubbing into English.

Luckily I was so shocked that they had done this that I figured it must have been a mistake and that there must be language and subtitle options. Upon checking the audio options I switched it to Chinese with English subtitles, and then sat back and enjoyed the movie. But why would they make the default setting dubbed? Why not have an option at the start to let you set it up. I wonder how many people will watch this DVD with the awful dubbing?

Anyway, enough of my ranting. Hero was a bloody amazing film. Better than I expected.

Visually stunning, no doubt that it’s one of the best considered and filmed movies of the year. The story is told through a series of flashbacks. In these Flashbacks the use of colour is amazing. A little odd at first, but lets you know exactly what’s going on.

The colours all have different meaning; red (imagination) to blue (perceived reality) to white (truth). In the final flashback green represents enlightenment and peace.

The action scenes were spectacular. Sure, the flying through the air and fighting was utterly unbelievable, but added a bit of light humour to an otherwise violent movie. Another great thing was the almost complete lack of blood – this gave the whole movie a dreamlike feel.

And the story. What a cool story, with so many different levels. Revenge, love and sacrifice. Some of my favourite themes! And very unpredictable, with a sad but very pleasing ending.

The performances were great too. I loved Tony Leuig, he was as awesome as he was in Infernal Affairs, and Jet Li is always on his game when it comes to fighting – can’t wait to see him and Morgan Freeman in Unleashed.

But what’s with ‘Quentin Tarantino presents’? Sure, without his backing most people would never take any notice of a Chinese movie, but what sort of a movie viewing world are we if a movie such as Hero requires an American to put his name to it to get noticed?

Oh hell, I’m ranting again. Hero is going to be a permanent part of my DVD collection and will be watched again.

News | V for Vendetta

I became a big fan of Hugo Weaving after seeing The Matrix, and then seeing him in Lord of the Rings was confusing at first, but I love the guy.

I also love the Wachowski brothers for bringing a great trilogy to the screen, even though many people didn’t get the second and third instalments – I did!

Now, I know that’s a whole lotta love for 3 guys I’ve just admitted to, but I am a heterosexual male, honest.

I’m also getting off topic, and I haven’t even started! But since hearing about V for Vendetta in November last year I’ve been quite excited. It sounded like just the movie for the Wachowski Bros, and now with Hugo it’s gonna totally rock.

But wait, I got so excited I missed the point of this little news item: Hugo is replacing James Purefoy who left for ‘undisclosed reasons’. Maybe he just didn’t want a career in acting? Who knows. And will star along side Natalie Portman. Lucky Hugo.

Warner Bros are still aiming for a November 4th release, and with any luck, it’ll be a worldwide release so we Kiwi’s don’t have to wait till the new year!

DVD | Hero

Gawdon Bennet! I was absolutely dismayed when I finally got ter see Hero. I put da DVD on an' sat back ter see what I 'ad been 'angin' aaaht ter see fer some time.

And there i' was, in all it’s glory an' utterly destroyed by da dubbin' in'er English. Luckily I was so shocked what they 'ad curren' bun dis what I figured i' must 'ave been a mistake an' what there must be language an' subtitle opshuns. Upon checkin' da audio opshuns I switched i' ter Chinese wiv English subtitles, an' then sat back an' enjoyed da movie. But why would they make da default se'in' dubbed? Why not 'ave an opshun at da start ter let yew set i' up. I wonder 'ow many people'll ke'lel dis DVD wiv da awful dubbing?

Anyway, enuff ov my ranting. Hero was a bloody amazin' film. Bobby Pe'a van I expected. Visually stunning, no brussel sprout what it’s one ov da Fred West considered an' filmed movies ov da year.

The use ov colaaahr is amazing. A little odd at first, but lets yew know exactly what’s Michael Owen on. The acshun scenes were spectacular. Sure, da flyin' fruff da air an' fightin' was utterly unbelievable, but added a bi' ov light 'umaaahr ter an uvverwise violen' movie. Anuvver 10-8 thin' was da almost complete lack ov blood – dis gave da whole movie a dreamlike feel.

And da story. What a Old skool story, wiv so many differen' levels. Revenge, toe fallin' an' sacrifice. Some ov my favaaahrite 'emes! And very unpredictable, wiv a sad but very pleasin' ending.

The perfawmances were 10-8 an' all. I toe fallin'd Tony Leuig, 'e was as awesome as 'e was in Infernal Affairs, an' Jet Li is always on 'is game when i' comes ter fightin' – can’t wai' ter see 'im an' Morgan Freeman in Unleashed.

But what’s wiv ‘Quentin Tarantino presents’? Sure, wivaaaht 'is backin' most people would never take any notice ov a Chinese movie, but what sort ov a movie Bobby Ewing world are we if a movie such as Hero requires an American ter put 'is name ter i' ter get noticed? Oh 'ell, I’m rantin' again. Hero is Michael Owen ter be a permanen' part ov my DVD collecshun an''ll be ke'leled again. . OK?

Ok, ok, for all you who don't do cockney, I'll post my proper English version after I've tweeked it a bit, probably this afternoon. But hell, I found a cockney translator online and couldn't help my self.....

DVD | The Pact Of Silence

I bought this DVD as an ex-rental a few months back at the height of my DVD buying addiction. Fortunately I’m cured and no long go on mass buying binges!

But any way, last night I finally got round to watching it. It was nothing like I thought it would be, it was a lot better.

The movie is French and subtitled, so if you don’t dig subtitles, stop reading now, I don’t want to waste your time. But if like me, you quite enjoy the occasional foreign movie where you have to think about what’s going on, then stay with me.

Pact Of Silence starts off a little confusing, and is difficult to follow at first, but when things start to click into place the story really gets moving and hooks you.

It’s an interesting mix of sacrifice, love and redemption, and has a twist that you won’t see coming. In fact the ending is so surprising that you have to rewind and look at it again just to make up your mind as to what actually happened. It also leaves you thinking about certain aspects of the plot for a while.

So if you want to sit down for an evening and watch a movie that will engage your brain (and if you don’t mind Gerard DePardieu’s ‘acting’) then see if you can uncover a copy at your local video store. If you just want some popcorn for the brain dead, try Alien Vs Predator….

DVD | The Incredibles

Pixar’s midas touch continues with their latest smash animated comedy. And this time instead of toys, insects, monsters or fish they’ve taken on the complex animation task of humans.

But not just any humans, Superheroes!

With each movie being vastly different, the one constant that makes their formula a winner seems to be the mix of subtle humour aimed at the adults and the slapstick comedy that kids love.

The Incredibles is probably the most action packed Pixar movie yet, with plenty of references to movies such as X-Men, Indiana Jones and Dr No.

Superb animation and a dedicated team in the background means that their will be plenty more hits from Pixar in the future.

DVD | Nausicaa

I’ve been a big fan of Studio Ghibli anime since seeing the Academy Award winning Spirited Away. Probably due to the success of Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli’s 1998 masterpiece Grave Of The Fire Flies was released to DVD.

Now 3 more movies have been given the DVD treatment. I’ve already reviewed 2002’s The Cat Returns so now it’s time the first feature that they did; Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind.

Considering this was created back in 1984 you’d expect it to be somewhat lacking in quality. But quality is what sets Ghibli apart from other animation houses.

They never seem to disappoint in either story line or visual beauty.

Of the DVDs I’ve seen they all have a common feature, and Nausica is no different: A strong but compassionate female lead. This is especially appealing to me being a father of 3 girls. A strong positive female role model in a male dominated industry is a good thing.

But what about the story? It’s another ripper of a yarn. Basically humanity has totally stuffed up the planet through war and greed (another common theme) and it doesn’t look like it’s going to take much to totally destroy the remaining human population.

Poisonous forests are spreading across the land, and killer insects have grown to giant proportions. Man is no longer the dominant species.

But one of the remaining tribes think they have a solution, it’s one based on military brawn. And then there’s little Nausicaa who thinks she knows a away to restore the bond between humans and nature and set things right.

But her way is one of peace and not confrontation. It also requires a huge amount of faith.

But can she overcome the war mongering tribes and their desires for supremacy over everything?

DVD | Alien Vs Predator | 2nd Look

A mate came over last night to watch Alien Vs Predator so I got a chance to have a really critical look at it.

This time I chose to watch the ‘extended opening version’. I’m not sure why this bit got left off the theatrical release, it’s not like it really gives anything away. It didn’t add much either, ‘cept for a little minor excitement at the start of the movie.

A little more excitement throughout the movie would have been good though. Good movies can be watched multiple times; great movies can be watched over and over again. Hell, I’ve watch Band of Brothers about 7 or 8 times!

Watching AVP for the second time was a struggle at times. It became very apparent that the movie lacked any pacing – the movie was dull and boring for long stretches.

When the action finally came, it was great, even watching the second time around it was a thrill to watch. But with the quick demise of most of the human characters, there was a feeling that the story hadn’t been well thought out, and the whole move was only an excuse to have CGI Aliens battling it out for supremacy.

Granted, these were the two baddest alien breeds in the known celluloid universe, but I think most movie watchers will agree; story line goes a long way to making a movie enjoyable.

X-Box | Jade Empire

Jade Empire is Microsoft’s latest entry into the RPG genre. Can they repeat the success of fable or will it be more of the same? [more]

What Movie Am I #11

Ok, another easy one, so only one clue....

My lead catches his wife in an affair while he is working at a fast-food drive-through window.

If you want more clues, you'll have to ask....

DVD | George Stevens

George Stevens: A Filmmaker’s Journey is a documentary about the great Director, George Stevens. It’s been put together by his son, after inheriting all his memorabilia after his death.

It’s a documentary that will either excite or bore. If you’re a fan of classic movies, and stars such as Fred Astaire, Waren Beatty, Katherine Hepburn and James Dean then you’re gonna love it.

If you’re a fan of Alien Vs Predator, The Day After Tomorrow and all the other special effects spectaculars of modern cinema, you might find the going a little tedious.

The thing that really stood out to me was the colour footage. While Hollywood was still shooting in black and white, George was carrying around his own colour camera. He even took it too Europe when he was sequestered by the US Military to film World War 2 (in black and white!) and filmed the only colour footage of the war, presumably as a way of dealing with what he saw – some of this footage being quite graphic.

A well constructed look at a long gone period of filmmaking.

Trailer | Crash

Oh my goodness, I don’t know how this one managed to sneek under my radar, but you have to go look at the trailer right now.

I mean it.

Go look.

Looks good aye?

DVD | Alien Vs Predator

Ok, so a movie with two of the biggest, baddest and best alien life forms ever to grace our screens, in a battle for supremacy, should have been a sure fire hit, right?

‘Should have’ are the words that most reviewers are using, and if you’ve read any of the fan sites, you’ll know that WB and director Paul Anderson had a falling out and many of the best scenes were cut to make the move suitable for a younger audience.

But having said that, and watching it coming from a point of view that the movie was gonna suck big time, it turned out not to be too bad.

Sure it could have been much better. Sure it could have had a few less plot holes. But it wasn’t a bad ride.

The special effects were cool, the action was good, it’s just a pity most of the cast got killed of so early.

So it wasn’t as lame as expected, and as an action movie it lays somewhere in the average to good bracket.

What I’d like to see is a Directors Cut version, so we get to see how the movie was supposed to be. Of course, some of that may be in the special features that I havn’t had time to look at yet!