Topic: KinkyCyborg's Random Reviews 2011

[KinkyCyborg]

American Crude



Title:American Crude
Year: 2007
Director: Craig Sheffer
Rating: R
Length: 98 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Other: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: Chinese, English, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai

Stars:
Raymond J. Barry
Amanda Detmer
Michael Clarke Duncan
Jennifer Esposito
Ron Livingston

Plot:
Tonight seemed like a good idea at the time...

Michael Clarke Duncan (School For Scoundrels), Jennifer Esposito (Taxi), Ron Livingston (Office Space) and Rob Schneider (Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo) give hilarious performances in this offbeat comedy!

For years, Johnny (Livingston) has been successfully devising schemes that would help him achieve the American Dream. Until the night he throws a bachelor party for his best friend. Now, before the frantic evening is over, all his best-laid plans comes crashing down as the paths of several highly eccentric characters (including a transsexual prostitute, a runaway virgin, a gorgeous gun-wielding ex-con and a porn king) converge in this seriously twisted comedy where no deed - good or bad - goes unpunished.

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

Decent cast in a real shitball of a movie. I thought this was going to be a slapstick comedy about a bachelor party gone out of control and it does attempt this but also tries to be a half dozen other things as well. There were a couple of mildly humorous moments but for the most part this was a stupid dud. 

Rating:

[KinkyCyborg]

Predators



Title:Predators
Year: 2010
Director: Nimrod Antal
Rating: R
Length: 107 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Adrien Brody
Topher Grace
Alice Braga
Walton Goggins
Oleg Taktarov

Plot:
Robert Rodreguez presents Predators, a bold new chapter in the Predator universe. Adrien Brody stars as Royce, a mercenary who reluctantly leads a group of elite warriers in a mysterious mission on an alien planet. Except for a disgraced physician, they are all cold-blooded killers – mercenaries, mobsters, convicts and death squad members – human "predators." But when they begin to be systematically hunted and eliminated by a new predator breed, it becomes clear that suddenly, they are the prey!

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Bonus Trailers
Featurettes
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

I was entertained by great action as one comes to expect from the Predator franchise but really it's just more of the same. I get it already... the Predators love the thrill of the hunt and are always raising the bar in terms of the skills of their prey but from a race of highly skilled, highly intelligent beings with sensational technology there has to be some other story to explore there. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for a Predator love story but there has to be some other yarn to spin besides the same old trophy hunting plot.

I have a hard time envisioning Adrien Brody as a badass. I can never quite shake the image of him playing a truly pathetic sap in The Pianist. They should have went with a different lead there. Also I would have enjoyed a more prolonged battle between the Predator & The Yakuza. It was over too fast and was a little too dark to really enjoy.

Overall still quite entertaining although I believe a little re-invention is required in this franchise.

KC

Rating:

[KinkyCyborg]

Death Wish



Title:Death Wish
Year: 1974
Director: Michael Winner
Rating: R
Length: 93 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Olympia Dukakis
Marcia Jean-Kurtz
Charles Bronson
Hope Lange
Vincent Gardenia

Plot:
In this explosive story of revenge and urban violence, Charles Bronson plays Paul Kersey, a bleeding-heart liberal who has a change of opinion after his wife and daughter are violently attacked by a gang of thugs in their apartment. His daughter is raped, and his wife is raped and murdered. Bronson then turns vigilante as he stalks the mean streets of New York on the prowl for muggers, hoodlums and the like. Death Wish is a violent, controversial film that is frank and original in its treatment of urban crime and the average citizen’s helplessness in dealing with it. Herbie Hancock wrote the musical score. And watch for a young Jeff Goldblum in his film debut as one of the thugs.

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

The mother of all vigilante movies starring Charles Bronson as the iconic Paul Kersey. This was the movie that I gained my true appreciation for Bronson as an actor. Having now watched this again after so many years I focused more on the character and less on his actions this time around. It was incredible to watch his metamorphosis from a gentle loving husband with liberal views into a fed up terminator of the criminal dregs of New York City. He has a difficult time at first coming to terms with this new dark passenger of his who drives him to lure thugs into arms reach of his bullets but by the end he is quite comfortable with what he has become which of course opened the door for 4 sequels, some good, some not so good.

Some thoughts... the opening beach scene where he frolics with his wife revealed he was in pretty good shape back in 1974 at age 53!

Early role for Christopher Guest and the screen debut of Jeff Goldblum as one of the thugs. He only has a few minutes of screen time and only a couple lines which is just the way I like him!

I'm sure many of people had interesting thoughts running through their heads after watching this movie. The thought of taking matters into your own hands has a lot of appeal and while I don't know if I'd have the gumption to do it myself I certainly don't discourage the idea of ordinary citizens taking out the trash. It would certainly be harder in this day and age to do it without getting caught with so much video surveillance and such these days.

I'll try to take in the sequels in the near future to see how they hold up as I don't remember much about them anymore except for a character in either part 2 or 3 called The Giggler who can outrun anyone all the while laughing while he runs. Turns out he couldn't outrun a bullet! 

KC

Rating:

[KinkyCyborg]

House M.D. Season 1




Title:House M.D.: Season One
Year: 2004
Director: 1. PilotBryan Singer, 2. PaternityPeter O'Fallon, 3. Occam's RazorBryan Singer, 4. MaternityNewton Thomas Sigel, 5. Damned If You DoGreg Yaitanes, 6. The Socratic MethodPeter Medak, 7. FidelityBryan Spicer, 8. PoisonGuy Ferland, 9. DNRFrederick K. Keller, 10. HistoriesDaniel Attias, 11. DetoxNelson McCormick, 12. Sports MedicineKeith Gordon, 13. CursedDaniel Sackheim, 14. ControlRandy Zisk, 15. Mob RulesTim Hunter, 16. HeavyFred Gerber, 17. Role ModelPeter O'Fallon, 18. Babies and BathwaterBill Johnson, 19. KidsDeran Sarafian, 20. Love HurtsBryan Spicer, 21. Three StoriesParis Barclay, 22. HoneymoonFrederick King Keller
Rating: NR
Length: 966 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.78:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
1. PilotHugh Laurie
Lisa Edelstein
Omar Epps
Robert Sean Leonard

Plot:
Go deeper into the medical mysteries of 'House', TV's most compelling new drama. Hugh Laurie stars as the brilliant but sarcastic Dr. Gregory House, a maverick physician who is devoid of bedside manner. While his behavior can border on antisocial, Dr. House thrives on the challenge of solving the medical puzzles that other doctors give up on. Together with his hand-picked team of young medical experts, he'll do whatever it takes in the race against the clock to solve the case. It's the intriguing new series 'TV Guide's' Matt Roush hails as "...the uncommon cure for the common medical drama."


EPISODES:
1. Pilot
2. Paternity
3. Occam's Razor
4. Maternity
5. Damned If You Do
6. The Socratic Method
7. Fidelity
8. Poison
9. DNR
10. Histories
11. Detox
12. Sports Medicine
13. Cursed
14. Control
15. Mob Rules
16. Heavy
17. Role Model
18. Babies & Bathwater
19. Kids
20. Love Hurts
21. Three Stories
22. Honeymoon

Extras:
Scene Access
Featurettes

My Thoughts:

The wife and I found ourselves faced with the prospect of watching a different television series while we wait for the arrival of Dexter Season 5 on dvd so we decided to start watching House which more than a few of our friends simply beam about. It was a departure of sorts, being the first network TV show we have watched for quite some time as we normally stay within out HBO/Showtime comfort zone.

I must say it was very enjoyable and we hurtled through the first season in no time. We are both usually quite busy and we find it difficult to arrange time to watch our shows together but with House we found ourselves somewhat scheduling our other activities around our evening episode right after dinner.

Hugh Laurie is a marvel worthy of the Golden Globes he has received for his role as the acerbic, sarcastic and miserable Dr. Gregory House. Despite his not so sunny disposition he is a brilliant diagnostic physician with a crack team of young and eager specialists. What makes Laurie's performance even more resplendent is his mastery of Western English as not a hint of his native British tongue can be heard.

The episodes are equally funny, shocking, informative and at times tense and gut wrenching. A concern of mine early in the series was that I wasn't seeing enough character development as each episode played like a story on it's own with no real background. Just past the half way point we start to see some history, particularly from House as the mystery of his bum leg unfolds and we begin to understand the root cause of his bitter nature.

Excellent supporting cast with Lisa Edelstein as hospital administrator Dr. Cuddy who is about the only one who can match House barb for witty barb. Robert Sean Leonard, whose performance in Dead Poet's Society is one of the best acting performances I have ever watched, plays Dr. Wilson, House's sounding board and only real friend. Omar Epps, Jennifer Morrison and Shane Spencer make up the three young doctors of House's diagnostic team. Morrison's Dr. Cameron has a thing for House which should play out more in season 2.

House now finds itself into Season 8 on TV now and I have heard from some of the shows faithful that they are beginning to tire a bit from the series and I can already see why as I think the network executives banked on Laurie's character to sustain the show through thick and thin but I can see it losing it's appeal in the absence of some major developments to the show's core. From what I can tell most of the main characters are still around in season 8. Part of the success and longevity of a show like ER was the ever changing landscape as they were bold enough to either move along or kill off regulars, even the most popular, only to bring in fresh faces with different strengths and stories to tell. Maybe that is the kind of shot in the arm that House now needs.

Looking forward to Season 2 as for us it is still new and we are hungry for more.

KC


Rating:

[KinkyCyborg]

Roman Holiday



Title:Roman Holiday
Year: 1953
Director: William Wyler
Rating: NR
Length: 118 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Gregory Peck
Audrey Hepburn
Eddie Albert
Hartley Power
Harcourt Williams

Plot:
Roman Holiday was nominated for ten Academy Awards®, and Audrey Hepburn captured an Oscar® for her portrayal of a modern-day princess rebelling against her royal obligations who explores Rome on her own. She meets Gregory Peck, an American newspaperman who, seeking an exclusive story, pretends ignorance of her true identity. But his plan falters as they fall in love. Eddie Albert contributes to the fun as Peck's carefree cameraman pal. Stylishly directed by William Wyler, this romantic comedy ranks as one of the most enjoyable films of all times.

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Featurettes
Gallery
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

Likable but predictable story of a Royal princess (of an unknown country that is never mentioned!) who, tired of her sheltered life, runs away to experience everyday normal mundane things as if they were all wonders to behold. The beautiful Audrey Hepburn plays this wild spirit with both parts elegance and fun. While on her sabbatical, she runs into Gregory Peck, a journalist with a small American news agency who quickly deduces who she is but doesn't let on he knows. Instead he decides to show her the wonders of Rome while secretly getting the scoop on her flight from the hierarchy.

It was a cute movie and you'll find no bigger fan of Audrey Hepburn than me but I'm not sure why it received as many accolades as it did and a Best Actress Oscar for Hepburn. Perhaps this story was told for the first time back in 1953 and I've just seen too many more current renditions of that theme. Regardless, the movie was good but did not leave any profound impressions upon me.

Peck, who always seemed to play goody-two-shoes type characters seemed initially to be a deceitful scoundrel in the early goings but predictably he does the right thing at the end to extend his moral virtues.

A good finale which I thought was going to be a fairy tale ending turned out to be a bittersweet parting of ways.

A solid golden oldie!!

KC

Rating:

[KinkyCyborg]

The Cry Of The Owl



Title:The Cry of the Owl
Year: 2009
Director: Jamie Thraves
Rating: R
Length: 100 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles:

Stars:
Paddy Considine
Julia Stiles
Karl Pruner
Phillip MacKenzie
Gordon Rand

Plot:
Obsession, betrayal, suspicion and murder. A young woman (Julia Stiles, The Omen, Passage) finds herself inexplicably attracted to a mysterious stranger (Paddy Considine, The Bourne Ultimatum) who has been stalking her. But when her boyfriend suddenly disappears and her enigmatic stranger becomes the prime suspect, she gets caught in an intense and dangerous game of deadly deception. Based on the novel by suspense master Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr. Ripley), this powerful psychological thriller will keep you guessing right up to its mind-blowing conclusion.

Extras:
Scene Access
Bonus Trailers
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:

Quirky Canadian made film about obsession and how events can spiral out of control because of it. It was decent with some interesting twists but ended horribly with a huge unanswered question.

A troubled man (Paddy Considine), fresh off a recent divorce begins spying on a woman (Julia Stiles) who turns out to be even more creepy than he is. She quickly turns the tables of obsession on him much to the chagrin of her friends and ex-boyfriend. A confrontation between the two men leads to a disappearance which casts a shadow of suspicion on the peeping tom.

This is quite riveting in parts and begins to get scary in subtle ways. My wife had watched this and said she didn't care for it but I give it more credit for telling a good story and retaining interest without an abundance of action. Again, I would have preferred a more enlightening ending but overall it's a solid, low budget, straight to video drama.

The small town scenery was very familiar and reading the IMDB dossier on the movie I was not surprised to see that some of the filming locations included Pickering, Port Perry and Milton Ontario... all places I have frequented at various times.

KC

Rating:

[KinkyCyborg]

The Frighteners

Again, I won't be able to commit to a full blown horror marathon but I wanted to get in at least one favorite of mine from the genre.



Title:The Frighteners
Year: 1996
Director: Peter Jackson (1961)
Rating: R
Length: 110 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Michael J. Fox
Trini Alvarado
Peter Dobson
John Astin
Jeffrey Combs

Plot:
In the sleepy little town of Fairwater, a monstrous evil has awakened... an evil so powerful, its reach extends beyond the grave. Director Peter Jackson and Executive Producer Robert Zemeckis unleash a riveting thriller with the most spectacular special effects this side of the hereafter.

For Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox), death is a great way to make a living: ridding haunted houses of their unwelcome "guests." But he's in cahoots with the very ghosts he promised to evict! It's the perfect scam... until Frank finds himself at the center of a dark mystery. A diabolical spirit is on a murderous rampage... and the whole town believes Frank is behind it.

Boasting music by Danny Elfman, co-starring Trini Alvarado, Jeffrey Combs and John Astin, this supernatural chiller is so fiendishly entertaining, it's scary!

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Production Notes
Closed Captioned
Film Highlights

My Thoughts:

Fun early film from Peter Jackson before he went on to make films about Hobbits and such. I remember when I first started collecting dvds this is one I wanted bad but had a hell of a time finding it. Was like wrapping my fingers around the Holy Grail when I finally tracked it down.

A man (Michael J. Fox) who can communicate with the dead has his ghostly friends spook people into hiring him for exorcisms. Eventually the spirit of a serial killer from years ago starts claiming victims prompting him to become the unwilling hero.

While there are some fun moments and cameos this is actually quite action packed and intense. Some excellent effects for the time (1996) and hugely memorable characters enhance this horror/action hybrid into near cult classic territory.

Almost forgot Chi McBride was in this as one of Fox's accomplice apparitions. R. Lee Ermey reprises his Gunnery Sergeant persona from Full Metal Jacket to a tee as the cemetery boot camp leader.  One ironic and sad scene showed Fox being interrogated about the recent murders and as he sits there all emotional and upset his hands shake uncontrollably which as it turns out was a harbinger of his impending fight with Parkinson's Disease. 

Some might consider this movie silly, even mocking of the horror genre but I find it to be a fun guilty pleasure of mine that I like to revisit from time to time. Time to start hunting this one down on Bluray now! 

KC

Rating:

[KinkyCyborg]

Shadow Man



Title:Shadow Man
Year: 2006
Director: Michael Keusch
Rating: R
Length: 95 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Steven Seagal
Eva Pope
Imelda Staunton
Vincent Riotta
Michael Elwyn

Plot:
Steven Seagal stars in this pulse-pounding thriller about an ex-C.I.A operative who must unravel a lethal web of international espionage to save his daughter and stop a deadly virus from falling into enemy hands. When rogue operatives within the C.I.A. smuggle a lethal virus out of the U.S. and use ex-intelligence officer Jack Foster (Seagal) as their courier, they have no idea the fury that they’re about to unleash! Unaware of the plot he’s involved in, Jack takes his daughter on a trip to Europe, where she’s kidnapped by a mysterious foreign agent. Now to save her and take down her kidnappers, Jack must blast his way into the shadowy world of international espionage, where enemies lurk at every corner and friends can turn on you in an instant!

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers

My Thoughts:

What a certified piece of shit this was. Ridiculous on so many levels starting with the cover art showing a slimmer Seagal with about 12 pounds of jowls missing from his face. What was the point? Did they think I wouldn't notice the difference once I popped in the DVD and started playing the movie?! He's the same porker he's been in the last half dozen or more movies he's been in.   I can understand he's getting older and putting on weight but don't try to fit that body into the role of an action star! Time to start picking roles that are more suited to your age and physical appearance. I don't understand how he cannot be embarrassed with himself on screen now. He has about one move left that he still does himself... the clothesline. All the other really hard stuff like running and jumping he uses a stunt double.  You can't even understand him as he mumbled most of his dialogue.

Enough about Seagal. Let me now slam the movie. His daughter gets abducted by baddies as leverage to recover a biological virus that was hidden among his possessions. Very little made sense throughout the movie including who was on what side and why their guns never emptied of bullets. The only positive I can glean from this fiasco was the presence of British actress Eva Pope who made for some delicious eye candy.

I'm baffled why anyone would even briefly consider investing in the production of such a stupid movie until I saw in the credits that Seagal was a co-producer and then it made sense. His next project should be as a celebrity guest on The Biggest Loser. Seriously....

KC

Rating:

[Jimmy]

I can understand he's getting older and putting on weight but don't try to fit that body into the role of an action star! Time to start picking roles that are more suited to your age and physical appearance.

I have a good feeling that any other kind of role are out of his acting range

[Dragonfire]

I can understand he's getting older and putting on weight but don't try to fit that body into the role of an action star! Time to start picking roles that are more suited to your age and physical appearance.

I have a good feeling that any other kind of role are out of his acting range

   You're probably on to something there.   Oh wait...he could start playing dead bodies in cop shows..he's already got the blank expression down.   

The bullet thing has bugged me too..  I developed a theory years ago after watching one of Segal's other stinker movies...  his characters have special, top secret, self replicating bullets.

[KinkyCyborg]

I can understand he's getting older and putting on weight but don't try to fit that body into the role of an action star! Time to start picking roles that are more suited to your age and physical appearance.

I have a good feeling that any other kind of role are out of his acting range

So true!

[KinkyCyborg]

Cop Land




Title:Cop Land
Year: 1997
Director: James Mangold
Rating: R
Length: 105 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Sylvester Stallone
Harvey Keitel
Ray Liotta
Robert De Niro (1943)
Peter Berg

Plot:
This tense action-thriller explodes with nonstop excitement and riviting star performances! Syslvester Stallone stars as Freddy Heflin, the sheriff of a place everyone calls "Cop Land" – a small and seemingly peaceful town populated by the big-city police officers he's long admired. Yet something ugly is taking place behing the town's peaceful facade. And when Frddy uncovers a massive, deadly conspiracy among these local residents, he is forced to take action – and make a dangerous choice between protecting his idols...and upholding the law! Robert DeNiro (Heat), Harvey Keitel (Pulp Fiction) and Ray Liotta (GoodFellas) head an incredible cast in this critically acclaimed and unforgettable motion picture!

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers

My Thoughts:

Another movie I love to revisit from time to time. Here we get to see Sly Stallone shine amongst many other stars. I'm quite comfortable in saying this was the best performance of his career playing the simple, decent Sheriff of Garrison, NJ, a town filled with cops, many of them dirty. It's because of his simple, naive nature that the corrupt officers never take him seriously and end up going down because of it.

Outstanding cast including Harvey Kietel & Robert Patrick, two of the dirtiest cops, Ray Liotta, friend to Sheriff Heflin but also on the take and Robert DeNiro as the frustrated IA officer trying to bring down the tower of corruption in the NYPD but often handcuffed and completely frustrated by the sheer immenseness of the nefarious network. Michael Rapaport, Annabella Sciorra, Frank Vincent and even Edie Falco in a small role round out the cast.

There is nary a weak performance to be found anywhere in Cop Land but Stallone stands head and shoulders above the rest. His character at times seems unbearably dense and docile but there is a sleeping giant in him that awakens, leaving him disgusted with all the unscrupulous deeds he has turned a blind eye towards from his law enforcement brethren over the years and he decides to take action. From the scene where he leaves the station with Superboy to bring him in only to be ambushed by a trio of baddies, then staggering up the street deaf and stunned, leading right up to the final shootout was one of the best and most compelling segments of film making I have ever watched. Awesome!

As High Def is now becoming the norm for me I find I am less awestruck with each additional Bluray I watch and so nothing picture wise stood out for me. The story of Cop Land is so brilliant and fascinating you would be drawn in even if watching it on a 13 inch B&W tv. That being said I'll stick with my current setup. 

A Five Star Movie!!!!!! 

KC

Rating:

[Dragonfire]

It has been a while since I saw this one, but I really liked it.  I was very impressed with Stallone too.  I was also irked when he wasn't nominated for any awards for his performance.

[Jimmy]

I'm quite comfortable in saying this was the best performance of his career playing the simple, decent Sheriff of Garrison, NJ, a town filled with cops, many of them dirty.

Try to watch F.I.S.T. he did just after Rocky in 78 he gave quite a performance in this one. He is also not too bad in Capone.

In fact most of the acting works he did before First Blood is excellent (First Blood is his last good role before he became a charicature of himself).

And you're right he is excellent in Cop Land

[Achim]

(First Blood is his last good role before he became a charicature of himself).

Which is is now caricaturing himself splendidly with The Expendables