Topic: Never Ending Movie Marathon (short reviews)

[samuelrichardscott]

Scream of the Banshee (2011)

Overview:
Lauren Holly is an archaeology professor whose interesting discovery turns out to have catastrophic consequences. While searching in the claustrophobic confines of a university basement Professor Isla (Holly) and two of her assistants uncover a hidden box. Unwittingly the trio release the Banshee, a creature which possesses the power to kill with the ferocity of its scream. Can Professor Isla find a way to contain the Banshee within its box before it's too late?

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- The blood splatter effects are very well done.
- Although the plot is thin, it is capable and has a few interesting moments.
- Lauren Holly is the highlight out of the casting.
Cons:
- This is a horror, but there isn't enough scares at all.
- The majority of the CGI is questionable.
- The characters are boring and unlikeable.
Overall:
A couple of good ideas behind a thinly conveiled story but there just isn't enough going on to care. Skip it. 2/5

[Piffi]

Oh.. Well, i was thinking about order this one.. I got a few other horror movies from "The After Dark" series.. Wich i liked. But after reading your review, i will drop this one!

[samuelrichardscott]

Robin-B-Hood (2006)

Overview:
Action superstar Jackie Chan plays a heavy-hitting acrobatic cat-burglar who will take up any challenge, no matter how perilous, to finance his gambling addiction and penchant for high-living. Unexpectedly, his life is turned upside down when he and his two partners-in-crime (Flashpoint's Louis Koo and veteran Michael Hui) accept a mysterious kidnapping assignment from an eccentric underworld tycoon. When the target turns out to be a cute toddler with a talent for stealing hearts, they are literally left holding the baby!
Mishaps aplenty ensue, and events take an even more dramatic turn when they realize the baby's life is in danger, and refuse to hand him over. Soon, they're in the fight of their lives, as they take on specialist police units, mob enforcers and worst of all-dirty nappies!
Loaded with big-laughs and breathtaking fight-sequences, the director of New Police Story delivers a stunning action-showcase, which features some of the very best stunt-work Chan has done in years.

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- Jackie Chan is my favourite actor of all time and it's great to see him return to HK action-comedy. Still doing his own stunts at that age too.
- I really liked the hard hitting change of tone just before the end. Added some drama but didn't overdo it.
- Some great action choreography. The fight with the two guys in white suits and the chase when the pram gets hooked to a security truck immediately made me think of Chan in "Police Story" mode.
- As always, the ever reliable supporting stunt team and Benny Chan/Jackie Chan team-up.
- The outtakes during the end credits. Not a JC movie without them!
Cons:
- Unfortunately the two hour runtime is slightly long. There are some scenes which could be trimmed for pacing in my opinion.
- The theme tune. Jackie, you're the greatest star alive, but you can't sing!
Overall:
Essential purchase for Jackie fans. It's not up there with Police Story or Project A, but it's a hell of a lot of fun. Recommended. 4/5

[samuelrichardscott]

For those interested, the above is available for just £0.01 + postage used on Amazon. I buy a lot from zoverstocks and never get a scratched disc. I've put the blu on price watch!

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I buy a lot from zoverstocks and never get a scratched disc.

Same here.
Strangely they ship to Germany from Jersey, which means the package has to go through German customs (Non-EC commerce). This way it can take easily two weeks until my order arrives.

[samuelrichardscott]

They ship from Jersey because it is a tax loophole in the UK and they make more money. They are based on mainland UK though in a place called Macclesfield and buy under the name "Music Magpie". Interestingly they supply Poundland with their used DVD's.

[Piffi]

I gotta ask Sam.. Do you know about a tv-show named "Eddie Stobart" ? Its british, and since you are from or live in UK. Do you know if\where i can get "Eddie Stobart" on blu? I know they have it on regular dvd it seems on amazon. But i cant find on blu anywhere.. You got a clue?

Thanks

[samuelrichardscott]

Hi Pfiffi,

Not only do I know the show, I actually know some of the family Eddie Jr. and William Tinkler personally. They sponsor the greatest football team in the world also, Carlisle United. Anyway, Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers is only available on DVD as far as I know.

Sam

[samuelrichardscott]

Assault of Darkness (2009) AKA Legend of the Bog

Overview:
A 2000-year old mummified murder victim is disturbed from his hellish grave and rises from the dead seeking retribution for years trapped in purgatory. With his body unable to decay and his soul unable to reach heaven or hell it begins to wreak havoc on a group of strangers who unwittingly share a guilty secret.
Their only hope of salvation lies with a lone hunter (action's premier hard-man Vinnie Jones) with a dark past of his own. Only he can confront the evil our of the darkness and send it back to the hell from which it came.
Alone in the dark, this misfit group must confront misfortyune and mayhem as this mysterious victim seeks vengeeance on the dark secrets of their past.

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- Nora-Jane Noone is the only person here with a capable performance. Shame she is in crap like this after a breakthrough in Neil Marshall's The Descent.
Cons:
- The rest of the cast. Vinnie Jones is one of those hit or miss actors. I like Guy Ritchie, Mean Machine and Midnight Meat Market Vinnie, but not this Vinnie.
- Not a lot actually happens. They get lost, walk and come across a 'bog monster' who doesn't really do much.
- The story between the main characters and the bog monster doesn't tie in very well.
- The front cover is Vinnie Jones with a machine gun. Well, there is no machine gun here, and he isn't a main character as one would think, but a supporting character.
Overall:
Not even for the most hardcore of horror fans. Skip it. 1.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Assault of Darkness joins my worst of 2009. Other films from 2009 I gave a 1.5/5 to are:
- Against the Dark
- Hotel for Dogs
- Kung Fu Flid
- Nine
- Repo Chick (and I'm a fan of Alex Cox)

I haven't given out a 1 or a 0.5 yet for 2009.

[samuelrichardscott]

Rushmore (1998)

Overview:
Rushmore is the story of a gifted, rebellious teenager named Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman), a 10th grader at elite Rushmore Academy. Editor of the school newspaper, captain or president of innumerable clubs and societies, Max is also one of the worst students in the school, and the threat of expulsion hangs permanently over his head.
Max's world is rocked when he falls for elegant 1st grade teacher Miss Cross (Olivia Williams), and finds himself competing for her affections with his friend, steel tycoon Mr. Blume (Bill Murray), the wealthy father of two of his classmates.

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- The dry humour really shines through, especially in the dialogue between Jason Schwartzman and Luke Wilson.
- The stage plays are just brilliant. Hilarious.
- The main cast is pretty good. Bill Murray shines as always, Olivia Williams is well selected and Schwartzman surprisingly manages to hold the lead role.
Cons:
- I think a little more time could've been spent on the later relationship development between Schwartzman and Murray.
- Some of the supporting cast, particularly the younger ones, are a little ropey at times.
Overall:
If you like Wes Anderson's style, you'll probably like this. My personal favourite is still "The Life Aquatic" but this is recommended viewing. If you haven't seen any of Anderson's movies, start here rather than with the uninspiring Bottle Rocket. 3.5/5

[Piffi]

Hi Pfiffi,

Not only do I know the show, I actually know some of the family Eddie Jr. and William Tinkler personally. They sponsor the greatest football team in the world also, Carlisle United. Anyway, Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers is only available on DVD as far as I know.

Sam

Oh, nice! They've been on the tv-show a bit the greatest football team in the world? Nice, but Carisle United? Never heard of that one. But i thought it was MANU that was the greatest team
But thanks for your time

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Nice, but Carisle United? Never heard of that one.

That is because they are so great that they usually pass completely unnoticed.
Or when did you last time take notice of the universe?  

[Piffi]

Hehe, good point

[samuelrichardscott]

We might be mid-table a couple of leagues below the premiership, but still the best in the world. You guys are so narrow-minded.