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RəX Regent (349 KP) rated The Black Pirate (1926) in Movies
Feb 18, 2019
Two-tone Techncolor milestone
Two Tone Technicolor in all its glory! This is it. The first widely distributed Technicolor movie back before we even had sound. This was hardly the first foray into colour, in fact colour almost goes as far back as film itself, as does sound, but it was not until the mid-1920’s that breakthroughs in both mediums would bring them into mainstream.
Sound would take first, with Technicolor taking just a little longer, mainly due to the technical issues of using it both in front and behind the camera. But as time went on, these issues were gradually dealt with with the rest is cinema history.
So, having gotten the technical bit out of the way, on to the Douglas Fairbanks Jr. blockbuster. And that is precisely want this was. A by-the-numbers acrobatic action movie by the undisputed star of the day, Fairbanks.
The plot follows a Duke (Fairbanks) whose ship is attacked and destroyed by a Pirates. He is the soul survivor and vows revenge. He soon finds himself in the company of the very pirates he is looking for and infiltrates their crew by being the best god-damn pirate there ever was!
He meets a princess (Billie Dove) and saves the day, gets the girl and the evil pirates are dispatched. All, amidst lots of colourful blood, to emphasise the Technicolor I suppose and slides down a few sails with his dagger along the way.
The performances are typical for a Hollywoodland movie of the day, but besides the outstanding physicality of Douglas, I would not say that there was anything particularly noteworthy about the acting, let alone the production on the whole. Having said that, the tone and cliche’s which this film has brought to the genre as whole are legendary and there is that foray into colour of course.
This were it all began folks…
The DVD
Unfortunately my copy was just the cheap R-0 version, whcih was clearly (ironically) taken from a old VHS recording. The colour is vivid but wrong. Greens have replaced blacks and the overall print quality was poor but watchable. I have seen bit s of the KINO HD Blu-ray edition and this looks great.
It also has the original score by Mortimer Wilson, something whcih this bargain basement DVD does not. The music supplied is okay; a mix of classical pieces on a loop but none this is cued and rarely suits the scenes let alone the action on screen. Further proof that there never was such a thing as silent cinema, just no synchronised sound.
For the real experience, get the Blu-ray, though it is very expensive at the moment, but if you just want to see what all the fuss is about, this DVD is quite watchable, at least as an entry version.
Me, I am after the upgrade!
Sound would take first, with Technicolor taking just a little longer, mainly due to the technical issues of using it both in front and behind the camera. But as time went on, these issues were gradually dealt with with the rest is cinema history.
So, having gotten the technical bit out of the way, on to the Douglas Fairbanks Jr. blockbuster. And that is precisely want this was. A by-the-numbers acrobatic action movie by the undisputed star of the day, Fairbanks.
The plot follows a Duke (Fairbanks) whose ship is attacked and destroyed by a Pirates. He is the soul survivor and vows revenge. He soon finds himself in the company of the very pirates he is looking for and infiltrates their crew by being the best god-damn pirate there ever was!
He meets a princess (Billie Dove) and saves the day, gets the girl and the evil pirates are dispatched. All, amidst lots of colourful blood, to emphasise the Technicolor I suppose and slides down a few sails with his dagger along the way.
The performances are typical for a Hollywoodland movie of the day, but besides the outstanding physicality of Douglas, I would not say that there was anything particularly noteworthy about the acting, let alone the production on the whole. Having said that, the tone and cliche’s which this film has brought to the genre as whole are legendary and there is that foray into colour of course.
This were it all began folks…
The DVD
Unfortunately my copy was just the cheap R-0 version, whcih was clearly (ironically) taken from a old VHS recording. The colour is vivid but wrong. Greens have replaced blacks and the overall print quality was poor but watchable. I have seen bit s of the KINO HD Blu-ray edition and this looks great.
It also has the original score by Mortimer Wilson, something whcih this bargain basement DVD does not. The music supplied is okay; a mix of classical pieces on a loop but none this is cued and rarely suits the scenes let alone the action on screen. Further proof that there never was such a thing as silent cinema, just no synchronised sound.
For the real experience, get the Blu-ray, though it is very expensive at the moment, but if you just want to see what all the fuss is about, this DVD is quite watchable, at least as an entry version.
Me, I am after the upgrade!
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Greta (2019) in Movies
Apr 24, 2019 (Updated Apr 24, 2019)
Fans of watching talented creative people slum it in productions unworthy of their abilities will find much to enjoy in this roaringly bonkers psycho-thriller. Kind young waitress (Moretz) finds a handbag on the train, returns it to the owner (Huppert), a lonely old widow. The pair soon strike up a close friendship. And then ---
Some talented people here, not least director Neil Jordan, but this film is not nearly as subtle or restrained as you might expect it to be: it can't wait to get going with the ominous strings and half-baked jump scares. Full marks to the cast for taking it as seriously as they do; Huppert is in majestic form and Moretz is not bad either. The film is never actually scary at all, but the story is so uproariously overwrought that it's an entertaining watch throughout. That doesn't change the fact that if it featured a less-distinguished cast, this would almost certainly be going direct to DVD.
Some talented people here, not least director Neil Jordan, but this film is not nearly as subtle or restrained as you might expect it to be: it can't wait to get going with the ominous strings and half-baked jump scares. Full marks to the cast for taking it as seriously as they do; Huppert is in majestic form and Moretz is not bad either. The film is never actually scary at all, but the story is so uproariously overwrought that it's an entertaining watch throughout. That doesn't change the fact that if it featured a less-distinguished cast, this would almost certainly be going direct to DVD.
Charlie (19 KP) rated Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood in TV
May 14, 2019
Law of equivalent exchange
Contains spoilers, click to show
I have watched this anime on Netflix a few times and now own the box set on DVD. It has made me laugh, cry, root for a mass murderer (rest in peace Barry the Chopper) and yell "WHAT THE F***!!"
The two most heart wrenching moments in this series for me is Ed screaming for Al to come back and sacrificing a limb to get his baby brothers soul back and the moment the little girl turns into a chimera. "Daddy play?" Always makes me tear up.
In the end Ed and Al get their happy ending, with Ed and Winry getting married and having kids. It's a true testament as tongow much Ed loves Al by the fact he gave up his alchemy to save his brother.
Happy endings might seem a tad cliche but if any characters in any universe deserved it, it was the Elric brothers
Would like to see a spin off tho with Roy mustang and his crew!!!
The two most heart wrenching moments in this series for me is Ed screaming for Al to come back and sacrificing a limb to get his baby brothers soul back and the moment the little girl turns into a chimera. "Daddy play?" Always makes me tear up.
In the end Ed and Al get their happy ending, with Ed and Winry getting married and having kids. It's a true testament as tongow much Ed loves Al by the fact he gave up his alchemy to save his brother.
Happy endings might seem a tad cliche but if any characters in any universe deserved it, it was the Elric brothers
Would like to see a spin off tho with Roy mustang and his crew!!!
Lukas Griffith (3 KP) rated Jean-Claude Van Johnson - Season 1 in TV
Jan 22, 2018
Van Damme Amazing!
Jean claude van johnson is not your typical Van Damme actioner, its a masterpiece and nothing like you would expect to see from Action star Jean Claude Van Damme. His performance his brilliant and honestly Emmy Award worthy. The show is so beautifully crafted and entertaining. You don't even have to be a fan to love this work of art. Given the fact that Van Damme has went from Action packed blockbusters to some time to time well crafted straight to dvd's as he fell off the big screen and into the low budget dvd action delites, he is on the rise to come back in a big way. JCVD is brilliant and has the talent to entertain and make you laugh and cry at the same time, his acting is at his all time best. JCVJ should not be missed and more attention is needed so that their will definitely be more to come. A must see.
Sarah (7799 KP) rated Escape Room (2017) in Movies
Mar 23, 2018
Beyond stupid
Considering this was a straight to dvd/Sky film, I hadn't been expecting much and sadly it delivered even less than that.
I understand why this film has been made as escape rooms are huge at the moment, but this is such a poor attempt at a horror film. It's not scary, and there's no real suspense or nothing to make you care about the characters. There are so many ways they couldve done a horror escape room, and they picked the lamest storyline available. Put that together with a bad script and terrible acting and it makes for a tedious 90 minute watch. It's not even entertainingly bad, it's just awful.
All I can say is that for anyone watching this, please don't let it put you off doing a real escape room. Real escape rooms are really fun and entertaining and pretty challenging, and not in the slightest bit boring like this sorry excuse for a film.
I understand why this film has been made as escape rooms are huge at the moment, but this is such a poor attempt at a horror film. It's not scary, and there's no real suspense or nothing to make you care about the characters. There are so many ways they couldve done a horror escape room, and they picked the lamest storyline available. Put that together with a bad script and terrible acting and it makes for a tedious 90 minute watch. It's not even entertainingly bad, it's just awful.
All I can say is that for anyone watching this, please don't let it put you off doing a real escape room. Real escape rooms are really fun and entertaining and pretty challenging, and not in the slightest bit boring like this sorry excuse for a film.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Donkey Punch (2008) in Movies
Jul 21, 2018
Severely underrated low budget English horror/thriller! Taking a very modern turn on the horror theme and tackling some very taboo ideas as a group of youngsters decide to live it up on holiday losing all their inhibitions as they drink, take drugs and have sex. During which a sex myth tried out leads to one of them dying. As the others battle their own conscience and morals as well as each other to get out of the mess they are in, only ending up in more extreme violence. A good idea for a film that dares to be different. Some may be put off by the sex scene which borders on porn and by the violence. However it does raise some good issues to make a graphic film. Another good entry in recent English horror films. The DVD has quite a few interviews with the cast, director both after and during the making of. Along with some deleted scenes and commentaries.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Tideland (2006) in Movies
Aug 2, 2018
A must for Terry Gilliam fans
It's funny how the DVD for this film contains an introduction by the director, Terry Gilliam, basically saying he forgives you if you hate his film because the subject matter is not for everyone. I don't know if I've ever seen that before.
This film definitely does not shy away from controversial subjects like awkward relationships between grown ups and children and the death of a parent with a girl being raised mostly on her own.
After a sudden death, a young girl and her loser father go to live in an abandoned house house in the country. The girl begins to explore her new world, makes some new friends and creates an imaginary world all her own.
I was fascinated by the film, the look, the cinematography, the acting and the story. Certainly not mainstream but well worth a look.
This film definitely does not shy away from controversial subjects like awkward relationships between grown ups and children and the death of a parent with a girl being raised mostly on her own.
After a sudden death, a young girl and her loser father go to live in an abandoned house house in the country. The girl begins to explore her new world, makes some new friends and creates an imaginary world all her own.
I was fascinated by the film, the look, the cinematography, the acting and the story. Certainly not mainstream but well worth a look.