3rd June 2012, 03:07 AM
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| Cult Addict Good Trader | | | |
Priest (2011)
Paul Bettany stars as Priest, one of the last of an elite group of vampire killers trained by the Church. But when the vampire menace is all but eradicated, the Priests are put into retirement. But when Priest learns that vampires have attacked his family, it's time to face them once again - even if it means going against the Church. It sounds more interesting than it is. It's a nice premise set in an alternative future, but unfortunately the film fails to engage the viewer. I felt a bit alienated and more of a spectator than a participating viewer. The characters I couldn't warm to and the story just wasn't interesting enough. The editing makes the film move at a breakneck pace and as a result it's hard to get involved. The film whizzes from one thing to another so fast you can't really absorb anything. Not very good I'm afraid. The Blu-ray does look very nice and the film is certainly very visually dazzling - but it all felt a bit vacuous and insubstantial. Not one I'd really recommend. Cyborg (1992)
Early Van Damme vehicle in which he's a mercenary for hire and is hired by a cyborg, Pearl Prophet, to escort her to Atlanta where scientists are working on a cure for the plague that has decimated America. Pearl carries vital information for these scientists. But when she is kidnapped by Fender Tremolo (what a stupid name for a character, Hank Marvin would've been better (those who know what a tremolo is will get the joke)) and so Van Damme sets out after Fender. He also has a score to settle with Fender over some incident. It's all a bit of a mish-mash really and gets a bit muddled at times. But Jean Claude saves the day, as usual.
I've attempted to watch this film a couple of times before, a long time ago, but couldn't gtet into it. This time, though, I really quite enjoyed it. Albert Pyun isn't a very good director though, it has to be said. The whole film is shot as if it's a bad 80's hair metal rock video - all bulging muscles, long hair and scantily clad females. But I found it all quite enjoyable for some strange reason. I'll definitely have to check out Cyborg 2 now. The House by the Cemetery (1981)
Fulci's classic horror needs no introduction - it's thin on plot but big on gore, and that's fine. A young family move into the old Freudstein house, only to discover that it's former occupant may never have left and it's not long before people are being beaten, cut and generally mutilated. It's all nicely done and very much a film of its time, but it's great fun nevertheless. Blue Underground breathe new life into the film with a gorgeous new HD transfer for their Blu-ray and it looks and sounds the best it ever has. I bet Fulci never thought people would still be watching his film over 30 years later! Well worth the upgrade and I thoroughly enjoyed every gore soaked second of it....again. Unknown (2010)
Blu rental. Dr Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) arrives in snowy Berlin with his beautiful wife to attend a science convention. But upon arriving atb his hotel discovers that he's left his briefcase at the airport and so hastily calls a cab to go and retrieve it. Unfortunately, on the way back to the airport, the taxi crashes and he lands up in hospital for four days and in a comatose state. When he regains consciousness he's surprised that his wife hasn't come looking for him. Concerned for her he boks out of hospital and heads back to their hotel. Upon arriving there he quickly learns that someone else has taken his place and is calling themselves Martin Harris and so the race begins to figure out his true identity.
Overall it's not bad and the story packs a nice twist. Not brilliant, but enjoyable enough. Winter's Bone (2010)
A young girl is left to care for her sick mother and her younger siblings when the father takes off. Unfortunately he's due in court and he's used the family house as colateral against his bond - but no-one can find him. The young girl tries to find him which sets her on a path to some sinister discoveries.
It's really not very exciting and nothing much happens, but it does hold your interest. Not bad. Direct Contact (2009)
Good old Dolph Lundgren flexes his muscles in this no-brain actioner. Mike Riggins (Dolph Lundgren) is doing time ina Russian jail when he's offered the chance of regaining his freedom if he carries out a job - rescuing an American woman from the Russians (Yeah, I know, escape from the Russians to atack the Russians). He agrees to this but soon finds out things aren't what they seem and the bullets and fists come freely. An enjoyable actioner that doesn't outstay its welcome. The Lovely Bones (2009)
Blu rental. A young teenage girl is murdered by her neighbour, but her body is never discovered, but she is presumed dead. The story is told from her perspective in the after life and from the perspective of the grieving family. And she watches as the killer goes about his normal life trying to avoid suspicion. It's all a bit overblown and you can tell Spielberg has his finger in it, as bits of it are overly sugary sweet. Nevertheless, it's a reasonably interesting effort from Peter Jackson, but nothing outstanding. Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
Lance Henriksen plays the Host of a Hellworld party. Hellworld is an online game based on the Cenobite mythos. Four young friends arrive at the party unaware that their host is the father of their friend who died recently and there may be more to things than meets the eye. Basically, it's rubbish, and the Cenobites barely feature. Waste of time really. The words idiotic and moronic come to mind. This is one of those rare things - a film that manages to actually insult your intelligence. The twist ending is ridiculous. The Vengeance of Fu Manchu (1967)
Fu Manchu (Christopher Lee) is still very much alive and back again hatching a fiendish plot. He wants revenge on his persecutors and begins by creating a doppelganger of Nayland Smith of Scotland Yard. He then switches them and the fake Smith murders and is tried for his crimes, discrediting Smith in the eyes of the world. But all is not lost, Nayland may yet save the day! Cracking adventure yarn and Lee really does seem to relish his role as the evil mastermind. Some great locations, competent direction and a strong supporting cast make this a winner.
The question now is: am I brave enough to now try the two Franco Fu Manchu offerings? True Grit (2010)
Jeff Bridges takes on the role of Rooster Cogburn in this new version of the western classic. A young girl hires Cogburn to track down and bring to justice the man who killed her father. Unfortunately it's all about as interesting as watch paint dry. For some reason (and I do love a good western) this just didn't draw me in at all and Bridges pretty much just plays the same character he's been playing since the Big Lebowski (and possibly even earlier than that). I found this to be a monumental bore. I couldn't even understand what Bridges was saying half the time, it made Stallone's mumbling performance in First Blood look like Shakespeare in comparison. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Wealthy Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) hires disgraced journalist Mikael (Daniel Craig) to find his niece who disappeared some 40 years earlier. Mikael enlists the aid of the oddball and enigmatic Lisbeth salander (Rooney Mara), the titular girl with the dragon tattoo. What they uncover is far horriying than they expected.
Not a bad remake and I quite enjoyed it. Mara is superb as Lisbeth and Craig isn't half bad either. It's certainly the best film David Fincher has made in a while. Well worth a look.
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