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Reviews Written By: AFOK05KDCHSHL

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	The Musketeer
	"Old-fashioned melodrama with Hong Kong-style action scenes"	2009-10-28
THE MUSKETEER (UK/Germany/Luxembourg - 2001) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS In 17th century France, a young would-be Musketeer (Justin Chambers) struggles to prevent a plot by Cardinal Richelieu's villainous compatriots to plunge the country into all-out war. Hoping to ring the changes on Alexandre Dumas' famous novel, director Peter Hyams (CAPRICORN ONE) and screenwriter Gene Quintano (COMIN' AT YA!) combine swashbuckling melodrama with newfangled Hong Kong action techniques, though Quintano's half-hearted script fails to bring anything new to the table EXCEPT its action set-pieces. Former Calvin Klein model Chambers is blank but athletic, and he's overshadowed by spirited co-stars Catherine Deneuve (the Queen of France) and Tim Roth (the villain), alongside Mena Suvari (AMERICAN BEAUTY) as Chambers' potential love interest. Hyams' strives to recreate the grime and squalor of the period through careful lighting and décor, though a number of scenes unfold in near-darkness, undermining their dramatic effect. The movie is redeemed, however, by the work of action choreographer Xiong Xin-xin (Yang Hun-hun), a Hong Kong movie veteran with numerous films to his credit (SKINNY TIGER AND FATTY DRAGON, BLACK MASK, TIGER ON BEAT, WONDER SEVEN, TIME AND TIDE, etc.). He's best known for his recurring role in the "Once Upon a Time in China" series, which may explain why the climax of THE MUSKETEER - a showdown between Chambers and Roth in a room full of stepladders - is basically a replay of the climactic sequence from the first ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA (1991), one of the greatest action set-pieces ever filmed.
	The Musketeer
	"Old-fashioned melodrama with Hong Kong-style action scenes"	2009-10-28
THE MUSKETEER (UK/Germany/Luxembourg - 2001) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS In 17th century France, a young would-be Musketeer (Justin Chambers) struggles to prevent a plot by Cardinal Richelieu's villainous compatriots to plunge the country into all-out war. Hoping to ring the changes on Alexandre Dumas' famous novel, director Peter Hyams (CAPRICORN ONE) and screenwriter Gene Quintano (COMIN' AT YA!) combine swashbuckling melodrama with newfangled Hong Kong action techniques, though Quintano's half-hearted script fails to bring anything new to the table EXCEPT its action set-pieces. Former Calvin Klein model Chambers is blank but athletic, and he's overshadowed by spirited co-stars Catherine Deneuve (the Queen of France) and Tim Roth (the villain), alongside Mena Suvari (AMERICAN BEAUTY) as Chambers' potential love interest. Hyams' strives to recreate the grime and squalor of the period through careful lighting and décor, though a number of scenes unfold in near-darkness, undermining their dramatic effect. The movie is redeemed, however, by the work of action choreographer Xiong Xin-xin (Yang Hun-hun), a Hong Kong movie veteran with numerous films to his credit (SKINNY TIGER AND FATTY DRAGON, BLACK MASK, TIGER ON BEAT, WONDER SEVEN, TIME AND TIDE, etc.). He's best known for his recurring role in the "Once Upon a Time in China" series, which may explain why the climax of THE MUSKETEER - a showdown between Chambers and Roth in a room full of stepladders - is basically a replay of the climactic sequence from the first ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA (1991), one of the greatest action set-pieces ever filmed.
	The Phantom of the Opera [Blu-ray]
	"Visually stunning adaptation of the old literary warhorse"	2009-10-28
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (UK/USA - 2004 - color & sepia) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Panavision) Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS France, 1870: The Paris Opera House is haunted by a mysterious figure (Gerard Butler) who tutors a young opera ingénue (Emmy Rossum) and becomes enraged when she falls in love with a handsome nobleman (Patrick Wilson). Joel Schumacher's long-planned adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's ultra-successful stage musical opens with the greatest set-piece of this director's career: A spine-tingling shift from grainy monochrome to saturated color as the timeframe switches from 1919 to 1870, restoring the dilapidated Opera House to its former glory in a swirl of visual effects trickery. It's a powerful moment, one which encapsulates the very essence of this venerable cinematic warhorse. What follows is every bit as sumptuous as the stage show, with a younger cast in familiar roles: Newcomer Rossum is an angelic Christine, beautiful and talented in equal measure, while Wilson shines as her lovestruck admirer, whose dalliance with Christine invites the Phantom's wrath, played with strength and conviction by Butler. Simon Callow and Ciarán Hinds provide comic relief as the Opera's new owners, and there's strong support from Miranda Richardson (the Opera's ballet mistress, bound to the Phantom by more than mere coincidence), Minnie Driver (generously eccentric as the obstinate diva whose monstrous ego and limited talent prove to be her undoing), and veteran Murray Melvin as the frazzled orchestra conductor (a sublime, near-wordless performance). The film is a spectacle in all senses of the word, designed and photographed to glorious cinematic excess. Webber and Schumacher financed the production independently, so the finished product is true to their respective vision, but while the results are a feast for the senses, it's also compromised in unusual ways: Except for the chandelier sequence and an earlier scene in which the Phantom murders a nosy stagehand (Kevin McNally), Schumacher de-emphasizes the horrific elements of Gaston Leroux's original novel in favor of Gothic visuals (note the Cocteau homage during Christine's first visit to the Phantom's subterranean lair), and he's too quick to reveal the Phantom as a flesh-and-blood creature without any supernatural trappings, which undermines his potency. Those unfamiliar with the stage show may also bristle at the amount of dialogue which is SUNG rather than spoken, draining several crucial scenes of their dramatic urgency, especially during the film's final stretch, though the climactic pay-off is genuinely heartfelt. Romantic, resplendent, defiantly old-fashioned, this 'Phantom' overcomes its minor obstacles to emerge as a triumph in every department.
	Bad Lieutenant
	"Long trawl through the gutter"	2009-10-28
BAD LIEUTENANT (USA - 1992) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtrack: Mono A dissolute New York cop (Harvey Keitel) finds redemption whilst investigating the case of a nun (Frankie Thorn) who was gang raped and forgave her attackers. Abel Ferrara's grimy little epic has been described as 'daring', 'brave' and 'controversial' by its many admirers, as though rubbing the audience's nose in excrement for 98 minutes automatically qualifies the movie for sainthood. Keitel's performance is astonishingly natural and convincing, and his various acts of debasement (whether taking drugs, masturbating in front of two young women he's pulled over for a minor traffic violation, or regressing into infantile chemical-induced behavior while Ferrara's camera stares impassively at the actor's full-frontal nudity) are quite audacious. However, the movie is little more than an endurance test, and after a full hour of watching Keitel take drugs, more drugs and yet MORE drugs, many viewers will want to throw up their hands and cry: "Enough already! Get to the damn punchline!" And when that punchline is finally reached - after a long, L-O-N-G trawl through the scuzziest Catholic guilt trip you'll ever see - it hardly seems worth the effort. However, the scene in which Jesus (Paul Hipp) makes a fleeting appearance is strange, unsettling and beautiful, all at the same time.
	Daydream Believers - The Monkees Story
	"OK biopic sacrifices historical accuracy"	2009-10-15
DAYDREAM BELIEVERS: THE MONKEES' STORY (Canada/USA - 2000) Aspect ratio: 1.33:1 TV soundtrack: Stereo The rise and fall of a manufactured pop group - America's answer to The Beatles - who struggled to be taken seriously as bona fide musicians. Appropriately for a band as airbrushed and stage-managed as The Monkees, Neill Fearnley's entertaining biopic is equally airbrushed and stage-managed, dispensing with unpleasant reality (for the most part) in favor of feel-good party tricks. Ron McGee's innocuous teleplay (based on Harold Bronson's book 'Hey Hey We're the Monkees') sketches the group's history in broad narrative strokes, from the audition which brought Davy (George Stanchev), Micky (Aaron Lohr), Peter (L.B.Fisher) and Mike (Jeff Geddis) together, to the international success of their madcap TV show (used as little more than a marketing tool) and their subsequent disillusionment, sparked by management's refusal to allow them greater creative input. Events are depicted in pastel shades, rather like the TV show, but without the laughs. Peter is shown smoking pot, and the guys' bickering descends into chaos as the band falls apart (they disbanded in 1970), but the script refuses to take risks, which means viewers are short-changed by a lack of historical accuracy: For example, there's no mention of the resentment caused when Peter Tork became the first to jump ship in 1969, only a bittersweet ending which barely mentions their break-up at all. Fans will be astonished by the physical resemblance of the actors to their real-life counterparts (except for Lohr, whose similarity to Micky Dolenz is superficial at best), and their impersonations are equally remarkable, especially during the lengthy musical interludes (including a meticulous recreation of the famous 'Daydream Believer' promo, and the opening montage of the TV show), all realized with startling accuracy. If nothing else, however, "Daydream Believers..." reminds us that The Monkees produced some of the most enduring pop songs of the 1960's (including 'Last Train to Clarksville', 'I'm a Believer' and the excellent 'All of Your Toys'), reproduced here in their entirety (the actors mime to original recordings). Devotees will either be outraged or enthralled. NB. 'Jack Nicholson' and 'John Lennon' turn up in brief cameos, both played by uncredited actors.
	Breakdown
	"Fine thriller with believable plot twists, exciting climax"	2009-10-10
BREAKDOWN (USA - 1997) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital After their car breaks down in open country, a married couple (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan) are pitched into mortal danger when Quinlan disappears after accepting help from a sinister trucker (J.T. Walsh). Well-scripted thriller, in which Russell and Quinlan become entangled in a ghoulish extortion plot after falling prey to some less than savory characters (I'll say no more). Believable plot twists lead to a dynamic climax which should have most viewers rivetted to their seats, and which probably accounted for director Jonathan Mostow being hired to direct TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES (2003). Tense, exciting stuff, worth a look.
	Ringu
	"Burns slowly without ever really igniting"	2009-10-10
RING [Ringu] (Japan - 1998) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Stereo SR A TV journalist (Nanako Matsushima) joins forces with her ex-husband (Hiroyuki Sanada) to trace the source of a strange videotape which brings death to anyone who watches it... Hugely successful on its home turf, Hideo Nakata's cult favorite (based on a novel by Kôji Suzuki) ignited a worldwide interest in supernatural horror movies (consolidated a year later by the international success of THE SIXTH SENSE) and spawned a wave of sequels and spin-offs, many of which have since been optioned and/or remade by US studios. On its own terms, however, RING is a huge disappointment. Things get off to a bad start with the opening teaser, a slow-burning 'scare' scene which builds toward nothing more than a lacklustre freeze-frame, ruining the intended effect, and the subsequent narrative relies too heavily on mood to be truly effective. Nakata generates tension through a gradual accumulation of details, as Matsushima and Sanada follow a series of clues to a remote island where they uncover the identity of a 'character' in the cursed video, whose restless spirit seeks vengeance for a past transgression. The movie closes on a scene of stunning, visceral horror (impressionable viewers are warned that this sequence is PROFOUNDLY frightening), but it's the only highlight of an otherwise mediocre movie. Nakata has since built a career on such material (CHAOS, DARK WATER, etc.). Followed by RING 2 (1999) and the tangentially-related THE SPIRAL (1998).
	Breakdown
	"Fine thriller with believable plot twists, exciting climax"	2009-10-10
BREAKDOWN (USA - 1997) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital After their car breaks down in open country, a married couple (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan) are pitched into mortal danger when Quinlan disappears after accepting help from a sinister trucker (J.T. Walsh). Well-scripted thriller, in which Russell and Quinlan become entangled in a ghoulish extortion plot after falling prey to some less than savory characters (I'll say no more). Believable plot twists lead to a dynamic climax which should have most viewers rivetted to their seats, and which probably accounted for director Jonathan Mostow being hired to direct TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES (2003). Tense, exciting stuff, worth a look.
	Breakdown
	"Fine thriller with believable plot twists, exciting climax"	2009-10-10
BREAKDOWN (USA - 1997) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital After their car breaks down in open country, a married couple (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan) are pitched into mortal danger when Quinlan disappears after accepting help from a sinister trucker (J.T. Walsh). Well-scripted thriller, in which Russell and Quinlan become entangled in a ghoulish extortion plot after falling prey to some less than savory characters (I'll say no more). Believable plot twists lead to a dynamic climax which should have most viewers rivetted to their seats, and which probably accounted for director Jonathan Mostow being hired to direct TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES (2003). Tense, exciting stuff, worth a look.
	Breakdown
	"Fine thriller with believable plot twists, exciting climax"	2009-10-10
BREAKDOWN (USA - 1997) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital After their car breaks down in open country, a married couple (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan) are pitched into mortal danger when Quinlan disappears after accepting help from a sinister trucker (J.T. Walsh). Well-scripted thriller, in which Russell and Quinlan become entangled in a ghoulish extortion plot after falling prey to some less than savory characters (I'll say no more). Believable plot twists lead to a dynamic climax which should have most viewers rivetted to their seats, and which probably accounted for director Jonathan Mostow being hired to direct TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES (2003). Tense, exciting stuff, worth a look.
	28 Days Later [Blu-ray]
	"High concept horror has its faults and virtues"	2009-10-09
28 DAYS LATER... (UK - 2002) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital Survivors of a virus which turns infected victims into murderous zombie-like creatures struggle to stay alive amidst the chaos. High-concept horror from TRAINSPOTTING director Danny Boyle and novelist-cum-screenwriter Alex Garland (THE BEACH), produced on a modest budget and filmed with digital video cameras (transferred to 35mm for theatrical exhibition). Cillian Murphy is the hapless hero, compelled to join forces with a motley band of survivors (including Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson and Noah Huntley) who run afoul of an Army encampment run by well-meaning - but deluded - military officer Christopher Eccleston, whose rash behavior unleashes a fresh wave of horror. Comparisons with the work of George A. Romero are inevitable, though the film's impact is blunted by rapid editing which curtails the violence and renders some of the action scenes incomprehensible in places. However, Boyle uses edgy visuals to keep the audience off-guard at all times, and the narrative builds to a satisfying conclusion. The opening sequence, in which Murphy stumbles through deserted London streets, is truly haunting. Followed by 28 WEEKS LATER (2007).
	Red Planet
	"Bland but watchable sci-fi epic"	2009-10-09
RED PLANET (USA/Australia - 2000) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Panavision) Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS 2050: Sent to investigate the failure of a science project on Mars, a group of astronauts become stranded on the 'red planet', at the mercy of a dangerous, malfunctioning robot. Antony Hoffman's good-looking space opera is a bland but watchable enterprise, toplined by Val Kilmer, Carrie-Anne Moss, Benjamin Bratt and Terence Stamp, in which a group of disparate characters are cast adrift on an alien world and forced to endure a series of life-threatening crises. Hoffman and his scriptwriters (Chuck Pfarrer and Jonathan Lemkin) pull few surprises out of the hat, and some of the computer-generated visual effects are too fake-looking to make much of an impact, though performances and production values are uniformly fine. Released at the same time as Brian DePalma's equally lackluster MISSION TO MARS (2000).
	The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
	"Fine opening to ambitious fantasy trilogy"	2009-10-09
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (USA/New Zealand - 2001) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital Surround EX / DTS-ES / SDDS Somewhere in Middle Earth, an unassuming hobbit (Elijah Wood) comes into possession of a powerful ring coveted by evil forces throughout the land, and he embarks on a quest with elves, humans and fellow hobbits to destroy the ring once and for all. The first in a trilogy of fantasy films based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic novels, helmed by the unlikely figure of Peter Jackson (previously responsible for splatterfests like BAD TASTE and BRAINDEAD). Despite a three hour running time, the film is invigorated by strong production values, excellent performances (especially Ian McKellen as a helpful wizard, Viggo Mortensen as a brave mortal who joins forces with his otherworldly brethren, and Wood as the hapless hobbit entrusted with a sacred mission) and a breakneck pace which remains faithful to the spirit of Tolkien's endeavors. The computer generated castles and landscapes are breathtaking in places, but Jackson is forced to overplay his hand in this respect, and the trickery loses some of its impact after a while, but there's no denying the craftsmanship and dedication of the production team. Christopher Lee plays the central villain with frightening gravitas, and there's a wealth of fine supporting players, including Liv Tyler, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving, amongst many others. An extended version of the film has since appeared on home video. Followed by THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002).
	28 Days Later
	"High concept horror has its faults and virtues"	2009-10-09
28 DAYS LATER... (UK - 2002) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital Survivors of a virus which turns infected victims into murderous zombie-like creatures struggle to stay alive amidst the chaos. High-concept horror from TRAINSPOTTING director Danny Boyle and novelist-cum-screenwriter Alex Garland (THE BEACH), produced on a modest budget and filmed with digital video cameras (transferred to 35mm for theatrical exhibition). Cillian Murphy is the hapless hero, compelled to join forces with a motley band of survivors (including Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson and Noah Huntley) who run afoul of an Army encampment run by well-meaning - but deluded - military officer Christopher Eccleston, whose rash behavior unleashes a fresh wave of horror. Comparisons with the work of George A. Romero are inevitable, though the film's impact is blunted by rapid editing which curtails the violence and renders some of the action scenes incomprehensible in places. However, Boyle uses edgy visuals to keep the audience off-guard at all times, and the narrative builds to a satisfying conclusion. The opening sequence, in which Murphy stumbles through deserted London streets, is truly haunting. Followed by 28 WEEKS LATER (2007).
	28 Days Later (Full Screen Edition)
	"High concept horror has its faults and virtues"	2009-10-09
28 DAYS LATER... (UK - 2002) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital Survivors of a virus which turns infected victims into murderous zombie-like creatures struggle to stay alive amidst the chaos. High-concept horror from TRAINSPOTTING director Danny Boyle and novelist-cum-screenwriter Alex Garland (THE BEACH), produced on a modest budget and filmed with digital video cameras (transferred to 35mm for theatrical exhibition). Cillian Murphy is the hapless hero, compelled to join forces with a motley band of survivors (including Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson and Noah Huntley) who run afoul of an Army encampment run by well-meaning - but deluded - military officer Christopher Eccleston, whose rash behavior unleashes a fresh wave of horror. Comparisons with the work of George A. Romero are inevitable, though the film's impact is blunted by rapid editing which curtails the violence and renders some of the action scenes incomprehensible in places. However, Boyle uses edgy visuals to keep the audience off-guard at all times, and the narrative builds to a satisfying conclusion. The opening sequence, in which Murphy stumbles through deserted London streets, is truly haunting. Followed by 28 WEEKS LATER (2007).
	Red Planet
	"Bland but watchable sci-fi epic"	2009-10-09
RED PLANET (USA/Australia - 2000) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Panavision) Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS 2050: Sent to investigate the failure of a science project on Mars, a group of astronauts become stranded on the 'red planet', at the mercy of a dangerous, malfunctioning robot. Antony Hoffman's good-looking space opera is a bland but watchable enterprise, toplined by Val Kilmer, Carrie-Anne Moss, Benjamin Bratt and Terence Stamp, in which a group of disparate characters are cast adrift on an alien world and forced to endure a series of life-threatening crises. Hoffman and his scriptwriters (Chuck Pfarrer and Jonathan Lemkin) pull few surprises out of the hat, and some of the computer-generated visual effects are too fake-looking to make much of an impact, though performances and production values are uniformly fine. Released at the same time as Brian DePalma's equally lackluster MISSION TO MARS (2000).
	The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Widescreen Edition)
	"Fine opening to ambitious fantasy trilogy"	2009-10-09
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (USA/New Zealand - 2001) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital Surround EX / DTS-ES / SDDS Somewhere in Middle Earth, an unassuming hobbit (Elijah Wood) comes into possession of a powerful ring coveted by evil forces throughout the land, and he embarks on a quest with elves, humans and fellow hobbits to destroy the ring once and for all. The first in a trilogy of fantasy films based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic novels, helmed by the unlikely figure of Peter Jackson (previously responsible for splatterfests like BAD TASTE and BRAINDEAD). Despite a three hour running time, the film is invigorated by strong production values, excellent performances (especially Ian McKellen as a helpful wizard, Viggo Mortensen as a brave mortal who joins forces with his otherworldly brethren, and Wood as the hapless hobbit entrusted with a sacred mission) and a breakneck pace which remains faithful to the spirit of Tolkien's endeavors. The computer generated castles and landscapes are breathtaking in places, but Jackson is forced to overplay his hand in this respect, and the trickery loses some of its impact after a while, but there's no denying the craftsmanship and dedication of the production team. Christopher Lee plays the central villain with frightening gravitas, and there's a wealth of fine supporting players, including Liv Tyler, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving, amongst many others. An extended version of the film has since appeared on home video. Followed by THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002).
	Event Horizon
	"Grab-bag of 'supernatural' horrors in space"	2009-10-09
EVENT HORIZON (USA/UK - 1997) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Panavision) Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital / DTS In 2047, an interstellar rescue team boards a spacecraft in orbit around Neptune which has been missing since disappearing through a black hole, and they're stalked by an alien presence which uses their worst fears against them. Paul Anderson's overblown space shocker has a great cast (including Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Joely Richardson and Kathleen Quinlan) and some eye-popping space vistas, but the storyline doesn't amount to very much, and the set-pieces are variable in quality and effectiveness. Fantastic visual effects, gruesome HELLRAISER-style imagery in places. Well made, and certainly watchable, but equally missable.
	The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Full Screen Edition)
	"Fine opening to ambitious fantasy trilogy"	2009-10-09
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (USA/New Zealand - 2001) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital Surround EX / DTS-ES / SDDS Somewhere in Middle Earth, an unassuming hobbit (Elijah Wood) comes into possession of a powerful ring coveted by evil forces throughout the land, and he embarks on a quest with elves, humans and fellow hobbits to destroy the ring once and for all. The first in a trilogy of fantasy films based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic novels, helmed by the unlikely figure of Peter Jackson (previously responsible for splatterfests like BAD TASTE and BRAINDEAD). Despite a three hour running time, the film is invigorated by strong production values, excellent performances (especially Ian McKellen as a helpful wizard, Viggo Mortensen as a brave mortal who joins forces with his otherworldly brethren, and Wood as the hapless hobbit entrusted with a sacred mission) and a breakneck pace which remains faithful to the spirit of Tolkien's endeavors. The computer generated castles and landscapes are breathtaking in places, but Jackson is forced to overplay his hand in this respect, and the trickery loses some of its impact after a while, but there's no denying the craftsmanship and dedication of the production team. Christopher Lee plays the central villain with frightening gravitas, and there's a wealth of fine supporting players, including Liv Tyler, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving, amongst many others. An extended version of the film has since appeared on home video. Followed by THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002).
	Backdraft (HD DVD)
	"Spectacular action scenes, insincere drama"	2009-10-08
BACKDRAFT (USA - 1991) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtracks: 6-track Dolby Stereo / Q Sound Two firefighting brothers (Kurt Russell and William Baldwin) are forced to confront the ghosts of their past whilst pursuing an arsonist who targets prominent members of Chicago's political elite. Former TV actor Ron Howard ("Happy Days") directed this high-profile Hollywood blockbuster, in which a cast of solid B-list actors and A-list supporting players (Robert DeNiro, Donald Sutherland, et al) are upstaged by scenes of fiery devastation, wrought with frightening intensity by incredible stuntwork and state-of-the-art visual effects. Plot-wise, the film is an old-fashioned barnstormer, directed with gee-whizz efficiency by Howard, whose attempts to wring high emotion from Greg Widen's corny script rings entirely false from the outset. Hans Zimmer's generic music score is overbearing in places, particularly during the 'tragic' finale.
	The Hole
	"OK thriller keeps viewers guessing"	2009-10-08
THE HOLE (UK/France - 2001) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital A young girl (Thora Birch) is the sole survivor of a horrendous ordeal in which four overprivileged students from an exclusive boarding school were trapped for several weeks inside an underground bunker. Birch accuses a fellow student (Daniel Brocklebank) of locking them inside and leaving them to die, but Brocklebank provides another - even more sinister - version of events. Which one is lying? Nick Hamm's low-key shocker is less a horror film than a study of psychological torment, as a group of foolhardy youngsters are caught up in a situation beyond their control. The inevitable explosions of violence are brief but potent, and the script (penned by debut writers Ben Court and Caroline Ip, based on Guy Burt's novel 'After the Hole') keeps viewers guessing about the villain's true identity until the proverbial last minute. Beautifully photographed by Denis Crossan (I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER), and crafted with expert precision by editor Niven Howie, THE HOLE maintains a genuine cinematic aesthetic, even though much of it takes place within the confined spaces of the bunker itself. Featuring Desmond Harrington, Laurence Fox and Keira Knightley as Birch's fellow prisoners, Embeth Davidtz (THIR13EN GHOSTS) as a somewhat blinkered psychologist, and Steven Waddington (EDWARD II) as an ambitious detective rendered helpless by the web of lies conjured by his young suspects.
	Backdraft
	"Spectacular action scenes, insincere drama"	2009-10-08
BACKDRAFT (USA - 1991) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtracks: 6-track Dolby Stereo / Q Sound Two firefighting brothers (Kurt Russell and William Baldwin) are forced to confront the ghosts of their past whilst pursuing an arsonist who targets prominent members of Chicago's political elite. Former TV actor Ron Howard ("Happy Days") directed this high-profile Hollywood blockbuster, in which a cast of solid B-list actors and A-list supporting players (Robert DeNiro, Donald Sutherland, et al) are upstaged by scenes of fiery devastation, wrought with frightening intensity by incredible stuntwork and state-of-the-art visual effects. Plot-wise, the film is an old-fashioned barnstormer, directed with gee-whizz efficiency by Howard, whose attempts to wring high emotion from Greg Widen's corny script rings entirely false from the outset. Hans Zimmer's generic music score is overbearing in places, particularly during the 'tragic' finale.
	Backdraft
	"Spectacular action scenes, insincere drama"	2009-10-08
BACKDRAFT (USA - 1991) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtracks: 6-track Dolby Stereo / Q Sound Two firefighting brothers (Kurt Russell and William Baldwin) are forced to confront the ghosts of their past whilst pursuing an arsonist who targets prominent members of Chicago's political elite. Former TV actor Ron Howard ("Happy Days") directed this high-profile Hollywood blockbuster, in which a cast of solid B-list actors and A-list supporting players (Robert DeNiro, Donald Sutherland, et al) are upstaged by scenes of fiery devastation, wrought with frightening intensity by incredible stuntwork and state-of-the-art visual effects. Plot-wise, the film is an old-fashioned barnstormer, directed with gee-whizz efficiency by Howard, whose attempts to wring high emotion from Greg Widen's corny script rings entirely false from the outset. Hans Zimmer's generic music score is overbearing in places, particularly during the 'tragic' finale.
	The Skulls (Collector's Edition)
	"OK yarn will please target audience"	2009-10-08
THE SKULLS (USA - 2000) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS After being recruited to a secret society operating behind closed doors at his Ivy League university, a young student (Joshua Jackson) becomes suspicious of the organization's ringleaders following the unexpected 'suicide' of a close friend (Hill Harper) who had set out to expose the society's criminal methods. The cross-pollination of film and television continues apace with this entertaining yarn, featuring a number of well-known TV faces, including Craig T. Nelson ("The District"), William L. Petersen ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") and Steve Harris ("The Practice") as the token grown-ups, and Leslie Bibb ("Popular") as Jackson's love interest. Paul Walker (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) is the golden-haired jock who seems to know more about Harper's tragic death than he's prepared to admit. On hiatus from "Dawson's Creek", Jackson coasts through proceedings on the strength of his TV persona (smart, plucky and wise beyond his years), battling the age-old rituals of an ancient cabal which moulds a selection of today's student body into tomorrow's politicians and business leaders, and will stop at nothing to conceal its activities from the outside world. Murder and mayhem are the order of the day, though the movie is flawed by a couple of implausible plot twists and a rather tepid climax. Beautifully photographed by Shane Hurlbut; directed by Rob Cohen (DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY). Followed by THE SKULLS II (2002).
	Desert Heat
	"OK Van Damme vehicle"	2009-10-08
DESERT HEAT [Coyote Moon] (USA - 1999) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital A disillusioned ex-soldier (Jean-Claude Van Damme) goes to the desert to commit suicide, but instead gets drawn into a small town plagued by thuggish drug runners. Van Damme's career continued its downward slide with this routine actioner, inspired by YOJIMBO (1961) and bolstered by violent set-pieces and a gallery of eccentric supporting characters (played by Pat Morita, Danny Trejo, Larry Drake and Vincent Schiavelli, amongst others). Tom O'Rourke's screenplay springs few surprises, but director John G. Avildsen (THE KARATE KID) keeps the pot boiling in between scenes of gunfire and hand-to-hand combat, and Van Damme strikes something of a god-like figure in his skintight vest and clinging jeans (it's doubtful he ever looked sexier than he does here). Undiscriminating action fans will lap it up, though it doesn't really amount to very much.
	The Skulls
	"OK yarn will please target audience"	2009-10-08
THE SKULLS (USA - 2000) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS After being recruited to a secret society operating behind closed doors at his Ivy League university, a young student (Joshua Jackson) becomes suspicious of the organization's ringleaders following the unexpected 'suicide' of a close friend (Hill Harper) who had set out to expose the society's criminal methods. The cross-pollination of film and television continues apace with this entertaining yarn, featuring a number of well-known TV faces, including Craig T. Nelson ("The District"), William L. Petersen ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") and Steve Harris ("The Practice") as the token grown-ups, and Leslie Bibb ("Popular") as Jackson's love interest. Paul Walker (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) is the golden-haired jock who seems to know more about Harper's tragic death than he's prepared to admit. On hiatus from "Dawson's Creek", Jackson coasts through proceedings on the strength of his TV persona (smart, plucky and wise beyond his years), battling the age-old rituals of an ancient cabal which moulds a selection of today's student body into tomorrow's politicians and business leaders, and will stop at nothing to conceal its activities from the outside world. Murder and mayhem are the order of the day, though the movie is flawed by a couple of implausible plot twists and a rather tepid climax. Beautifully photographed by Shane Hurlbut; directed by Rob Cohen (DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY). Followed by THE SKULLS II (2002).
	Bunker
	"Plenty of atmosphere, not much forward momentum"	2009-10-08
THE BUNKER (UK - 2001) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital Surround EX 1944: A group of German soldiers take refuge from advancing Allied forces inside a bunker on the German-Belgian border, where they're haunted by what appear to be the restless spirits of a Medieval massacre... Debut director Rob Green aims for something less exploitative than your average low budget shocker, but he's rather handicapped by Clive Dawson's feeble script, which mistakes 'creeping dread' for 'narrative drive', and the resolution is both confusing and unsatisfactory. The funereal pace and lack of action is further amplified by Russell Currie's dissonant music score, which fails to bolster the visuals in a constructive manner. Still, some viewers will get a kick out of the creepy setting and sudden flashes of violence, and there's an excellent cast, toplined by Jack Davenport (THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY), Jason Flemyng (LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS) and Andrew Tiernan (EDWARD II). See also DEATHWATCH (2002), a marginally superior reworking of the same basic storyline.
	Before Night Falls
	"Best for those with prior knowledge of its subject"	2009-10-08
BEFORE NIGHT FALLS (USA - 2000) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital The life and times of Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas, whose political viewpoint and experiences as a gay man rendered him unwelcome in his home country. Evocative study of a renowned artist whose craft was forged under duress, within a political system which defined Art and sexuality as two sides of the same 'dangerous' cultural coin. Viewers with a prior knowledge of Arenas' life and work will derive more from the episodic narrative than most casual viewers, though no one could fail to be impressed by Javier Bardem's Oscar-nominated performance in the central role. Strong supporting cast, too, including Johnny Depp in brief - but memorable - dual roles, Olivier Martinez (as Arenas' closest friend) and a virtually unrecognizable Santiago Magill (DON'T TELL ANYONE) as one of Bardem's early sexual conquests. Directed by Julian Schnabel (BASQUIAT).
	Desert Heat
	"OK Van Damme vehicle"	2009-10-08
DESERT HEAT [Coyote Moon] (USA - 1999) Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital A disillusioned ex-soldier (Jean-Claude Van Damme) goes to the desert to commit suicide, but instead gets drawn into a small town plagued by thuggish drug runners. Van Damme's career continued its downward slide with this routine actioner, inspired by YOJIMBO (1961) and bolstered by violent set-pieces and a gallery of eccentric supporting characters (played by Pat Morita, Danny Trejo, Larry Drake and Vincent Schiavelli, amongst others). Tom O'Rourke's screenplay springs few surprises, but director John G. Avildsen (THE KARATE KID) keeps the pot boiling in between scenes of gunfire and hand-to-hand combat, and Van Damme strikes something of a god-like figure in his skintight vest and clinging jeans (it's doubtful he ever looked sexier than he does here). Undiscriminating action fans will lap it up, though it doesn't really amount to very much.
	Double Team
	"Formula plot, terrific set-pieces"	2009-10-08
DOUBLE TEAM (USA - 1997) Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35) Theatrical soundtracks: SDDS / Dolby Stereo SR A counter-terrorist officer (Jean-Claude Van Damme) pursues the criminal mastermind (Mickey Rourke) who has kidnapped Van Damme's pregnant wife (Natacha Lindinger). An American action movie, directed by noted Chinese filmmaker Tsui Hark on European locations, featuring an unlikely combination of Belgian beefcake (Van Damme) and US basketball icon (Dennis Rodman) as the good guys pitted against Rourke's pumped-up terrorist, seeking revenge for the death of his infant son! A curious mixture, designed to introduce Tsui to international audiences following the director's long - and successful - career in SE Asia (where he produced and/or directed a number of iconic entries, including the "Once Upon a Time in China" and "A Better Tomorrow" series). Narrative and characterization are minimal at best, and the visual effects are surprisingly poor for a late 1990's action pic, but die-hard fans will doubtless embrace the film's outrageous set-pieces, including a final showdown between Van Damme and Rourke in a crumbling Roman arena which recalls the Colosseum battle between Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris in THE WAY OF THE DRAGON (1972). Voyeurs will also appreciate the attention lavished on Van Damme's physical splendor: Watch out for a brief - but memorable - sequence in which the almost-naked actor uses a weighted bathtub as training apparatus, which is played and edited like a hot 'n' heavy sex scene, complete with orgasmic sound effects! Pristine, eye-popping camera-work by Peter Pau Tak-hei (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON).