Reviews

Very few so called classics live up to expectations. And very few westerns are any good. Even fewer non Italian westerns are any good.

But this remake of Seven Samuri really lives up to its reputation.

With brilliant performances and some great and exciting action scenes, this is one of only two American Westerns I can think of that is actually any good. The other being Wild Bunch.

Every character is memorable and everyone as a favourite. My favourite being Robert Vaughns character.

Still referenced to this day and with that brilliant theme tune.

Well worth watching.

Unfortunately when I went to buy this I accidentally picked up a dubbed version. And the dubbing was terrible. But it didn't matter. You would not be watching this film for the dialogue. But for the shoot outs.

And the shoot outs are brilliant and what make this film. Like most John Woo films they are very balletic and very violent. And everyone is great. But its the last hour that makes this so brilliant. As there is a very long shoot out in a hospital which puts patients and even babies in the line of fire.

Also it was great to see Chow Yun Fat playing a good guy and not a anti-hero. And for John Woo to make a Hong Kong film where the Police are the heroes.

While watching this I was not sure what was going on.

Set in the future, we meet Ricky, in prison.

Also in the corrupt prison there is some drug dealing going on. As far as I can see thats about the story. The rest is a string of random events that lead to some great and imaginative gore scenes. Which is what the film seems to be about.

For some reason Ricky seems to have magical powers but this is never really explained. Just watch for the gore and violence and Yukari Oshima playing a MAN! If you like films like Braindead you will love this.

For gore hounds only...

This is a surprisingly brilliant action / exploitation film that does everything it was meant too.

Extremely tense and brilliantly acted (especially Roddy McDowall and Timothy Van Patten). Set in a American High School in the (then) future. Violence in schools as got to an extreme (much like in real life today). But one teacher is not going to put up with it. Dropping his liberal ways for a tense and violent showdown against one gang.

The Clockwork Orange type vision of the future features some brilliant fashions and characters. And there's a memorable Alice Cooper theme tune.

This film certainly sticks in your head after viewing but leaves you very exhilarated.

This film was a surprise a German comedy drama with political overtones that was good. In fact it was better than good. It was brilliant.

The film begins sort of like a diary jumping threw time and explaining the back story and successfully capturing what life was like living in Communist ran East Germany. Then it successfully captures the madness and excitement of the events shortly after the fall of the Berlin wall.

But all the films best moments are as a young man tries to recreate Soviet Germany of yester-year for his dying mother who is unaware that the Berlin Wall as come down.

Funny and touching.

PS look out for quite a few Kubrick references.

I read the album then one day later I saw the film.

Now in comparison to the other albums Asterix the Gaul is no where near the best. But its still good. And with this film it is the same Asterix the Gaul is no where near as good as the other films but it is still good.

Maybe its the dubbing in the English language version but it just doesn't feel like it all came together. At times it was also confusing. They didn't explain or really animate the rapid hair growth of the Romans very well.

The animation is not great but Asterix fans and young children should like it...

This is a brilliant documentary that follows the life of Herge and his creating TinTin. Its based around a series of interviews conducted in 1971, and covers every thing from his early life and "Nazi collaboration" to the final moments of his life.

Brilliantly edited, very cinematic and fast paced enough to not get boring. This film will give you a new appreciation for the work of Herge.

The film makers make the film more than just another documentary. Using the latest state of the art technology and for a change putting it to good use.

Recently more and more documentaries have been making it to cinemas. But this one as to be amongst the best...

The second part of the blood trilogy that began with Blood Feast.

This one is considerably more professional than the first. But it still as its short comings. Acting is variable. And the plot is weak and does not make a lot of sense. The gore scenes (which is probably the reason why you are watching) are great. And even quite brutal, although the film is too camp to take too seriously. The music is also great and very fitting.

It does suffer from two annoying things however. The annoying little boy for one. But I do think they knew how annoying he was, because at the end even the villagers don't want him back. The other thing is how long the film takes to end. Its got more endings than Spielberg film.

Still its pretty good and worth it if you like gore films...

What is there to say about this film that as not already been said by a million people.

I am shocked that this was unsuccessful on release it is the work of genius. The effort that as gone into this film. You just don't see that anymore.

The film may now seem clichéd but it was the first of its kind. It created the clichés. Long before Orwells 1984 or Blade Runner.

This can be seen as a inspiration behind almost all Science Fiction or Cyberpunk efforts.

I even liked the Giorgio Moroder version. All versions are fantastic. Whatever just find any version of it and watch it. You will not be disappointed.

In recent years Briatin as been making a lot of straight to video horror fodder. Proteus and Cradle of Fear to name but a few. This is one of the better examples. But it is often condemned by critics. Unfairly I think. Its actually quite a good film.

Okay so it looks like it was shot on camcorder for £5.58. And the acting is very amateur. It as a lot of flair and style. The action scenes are quite well done considering the budget. The James Bond style opening is great. A surprising twist ending. And a brilliant and disgusting lesbian scene. Don't expect to much and you wont get to much.

It deserves a watch. It as all the features of a franchise in the making. Unfortunately I don't think we will ever see a sequel...

I had heard bad things about this Chong solo effort. But surprisingly its quite entertaining. I wasn't expecting much after the later Cheech and Chong films such as Still Smoking but this is much better.

Essenstially its just Cheech and Chong without Cheech, although he does have a brief cameo in this. Also there is not much in the way of drug use either. Chongs character even at one point advising another not to use cocaine. Some cast members acting abilities are questionable and a lot of the jokes fall flat. But it is a lot of fun.

Just don't expect another Up In Smoke! That way you should enjoy this more than say, Still Smoking.

Watch it next time its on TV...

I was quite excited when this was released in the UK on DVD. I have never seen it but heard great things about it and its sequels. I don't know what I was expecting. But I was left disappointed.

I think I assumed it was going to be the Spanish answer to Night of the Living Dead. But what I got was a ache typical 70s Euro Exploitation film.

Very atmospheric with variable special effects and very slow moving.

It is well directed but extremely slow moving. There are some great moments along the way and the locations are great. But the characters never really ring true and most only seem to be there to be killed at a later time.

The best thing about the DVD release except the great picture and sound as to be the alternative opening sequence. This opening tries to exploit the success of Planet of the Apes and as even changed the films title to Revenge of the Planet Ape.

I am yet to watch the three sequels but hopefully they are better...

For many years Jackie Chan had been a hero to me. Then came Rumble in the Bronx and he was a hero to everyone. Rumble in the Bronx was a great film I thought. Not Jackies best but great at what it was. It turned out that was to be his last really great film.

A few movies later this came out. Jackies first all English speaking film. As long as you don't count The Protector and Big Brawl.

I have to say I wasn't looking forward too seeing this anyway. The story didn't sound too impressive from the start. And it isn't. Its very convoluted. A TV chef who seems to have super hero capabilities? The acting is really bad (look out for some famous Astralian soap stars though). But its the action that really fails. Anytime some good action is about to take place the image turns into this blurry slow motion technique that makes it hard to see whats going on.

Okay some great moments along the way. And a brilliant cameo from Sammo Hung. But is it really worth it?

This documentary about Brit Pop of the 1990s could have been great. As I was a teenager in the 1990s it felt like the next big thing had happened. It felt like our Sex Pistols. But this is no Filth and the Fury.

All the way threw it is made out like the whole thing only started because of the Stone Roses forgetting other important bands like the Happy Mondays.

It also misses out great moments from the time such as Noel Gallagher saying that he hoped Damon Albarn died of AIDS and other such classics.

There are some great moments along the way and some funny. Mostly all with the Gallaghers. The sad moment when Robbie Williams started making music that sounded like Oasis and Noels love of S Club Juniors.

But you don't feel like you are transported back to the 90s like you were the 70s in the Filth and the Fury.

Flawed but funny and occasionally interesting.

PS Listen for Damon Albarn's accent as it goes from Cockney to middle class and back again.

When I first saw this I thought it was great. But since watching it again I see its short comings. Along the way there are some great moments and some great references.

But the references are what also causes the films downfalls. There are way too many and the film eventually becomes just one big in-joke. Thats not to say that the film is complete rubbish and when the references work they really work. It was great to see characters like Earl Mcgraw from From Dusk Till Dawn again. And the action scenes are usually great. With plenty of over the top gore. Some great dialogue and a brilliant soundtrack. But all in all a lot of it falls flat.

Some of the fights also let you down. The fight against Lucy Lui and Vivica Fox feels uncompleted.

Worth watching when its on telly.

I saw this at the cinema on the day it opened in the UK. I was quite excited about an X Men movie and at the time I was left disappointed. I have since seen it again and find that its actually quite good. But it suffers from one major flaw, that luckily the sequel doesn't. And thats that it feels like a pilot for a TV show.

Still the action scenes are well done and everyone is cast great. One of Marvels best adaptations so far.

Lets just hope the third one lives up to the first 2. This is one of those rare times that a sequel is better. But you really need to see this one in order for the series to make sense and really its not a bad film.

So its another pretentious art / exploitation film from Jean Rollin.

I still found lots to enjoy. From the wonderful locations to the beautiful women. Its story does not make that much sense, but thats part of the charm of these films. Given the right budget and script I always thought Rollin could make a brilliant film. As it is this is full of brilliant imagery.

The script is not up to much but fan of Euro horror will love. It should not be ignored and is probably better than anything coming out of Hollywood at the moment...

So why not give something different a go.

This was really Americas first real martial arts spectacular. But it isn't down to the script or directing. Both are pretty poor.

Its down to four things. Jim Kelly. John Saxon. Shih Kien. Bolo Leung.

And a fifth thing, of course, Bruce Lee.

As far as production values go its Bruce Lees best. But film wise its no where near as good as say Fist of Fury. The film is however his most easily accessible. It also as a great theme tune and amazing fight scenes. The most fun you can have however, is looking for later Hong Kong superstars in early appearances. Including Yuen Wah, Sammo Hung and of course Jackie Chan.

After years of being heavily censored in the UK we can finally see it uncut. And its worth it.

Still good after all these years...

For years the only version of Zombie Flesh Eaters that I saw was the heavily censored video version. Now thanks to a more mature (sort of) BBFC, I have seen the uncut version. And its great.

This is unusual because I have never been a fan of Lucio Fulci. Apart from New York Ripper I never seen a really good film by him. Often his films borderline rubbish and art. This one however gets everything almost right. Almost.

Its a bit of a slow moving film. But there are some brilliant and memorable scenes. The sleazy theme music is brilliant as are the locations. The dubbing is bad but the actors do there best. And whats with the guy on the radios scream at the end.

All in all probably amongst Fulcis best work.

Out of all the Troma films this one is probably the best. Many will argue and say Toxic Avenger but these people are wrong. The Class of Nuke em High is much better. With more colourful characters and a brilliant over the top story line. This film is hilarious but sometimes shockingly violent and bizarre. Acting is to tromas usual standard of passable, but only just. Special effects are great. And everything else is Troma at its finest. Like I said much better than Toxic Avenger or any of there other films.

Definitely one of the best post pub films.

Buy it on DVD today...

I don't think the BBFC thought that a subtitled art film could be so successful so they just let it threw uncut. Which is something to be thankful for for a change.

This film is great. Its not the most original idea to run the narrative in reverse. Even though some people think it is (even an episode of Seinfeld did it). But its how its pulled off. There's still a twist at the end or the beginning.

This film is powerful and shocking and brilliant. With moments of sheer ultra violence. Hopefully Hollywood don't try and remake this.

Absolutely brilliant. I do have to wonder though, would it be so great if it wasn't in reverse order...

Before it all got crude Carry On films were much lighter. This one being the first of all of them. It still as moments that are funny today, but I doubt it will be as seen as say, Carry on Cleo.

The performances here are quite good as well. Especially William (Doctor Who) Hartnell as the drilling sergeant.

A modern audience may find it all a bit slow. Which, of course it is. But unlike later Carry On films there's a continued plot. Which even though its still only there to bounce jokes off. At least it feels like a plot.

Not as funny as some of the later ones, but still better made and acted.

The reason, I think, that I hated this so much is because people raved about it. People even went so far as to say it was the best of all the six films. Then I saw it.

The reason why these films don't work anymore is due to lack of any real emotion. There are no real human characters. Originally we had Han Solo and Leia. These characters gave us real human emotions amongst all that Jedi rubbish. But now thats all gone.

The worst points about this film include the over the top special effects. So much is going on on screen you cant actually see any of it.

The acting is bad as the script. Characters can die because they have given up on life. High tech robots don't seem to know whether new born baby's are boys or girls.

When Vader is finally revealed he is given the worst dialogue possible too say.

Some good ways of linking the series together do work however and thats about it for everything good.

The only other good thing I can think of is Christopher Lee. Who yet again is under used and killed too early.

Forget it...