Reviews

I hope I'm not being too condescending here, but I have the feeling that most of the people that didn't enjoy this film simply have no experience with hallucinogenic drugs and those that did enjoy the film, have.

The whole basis for the fright factor in this film, is that disturbing feeling of not being able to trust your own eyes or your own mind for that matter, when you are high on shrooms. Of course most people have heard all the talk and clichés about tripping even if they haven't actually experienced it for themselves but I think the fear factor is much more believable if you have actually experienced it first hand.

Of course that doesn't bode well for the films ability to reach out to it's audience when the ones that will really "get it" are in the minority but I found the film entertaining and thought it did a really good job with the cinematography and conveying the visuals of tripping with out going to far over the top.

I also enjoyed the music and thought it was well matched to the mood of a psychedelic horror film.

Will

Michael is probably too cutesy for most action movie fans and too Hollywood for the intellectual crowd but I found it both extremely funny and very touching, despite it being both cutesy and formulaic.

When three skeptics are sent to investigate a man claiming to be an angel they end up escorting him on a grand tour of the mid-western country side only to find that it is each of their own hearts that need investigation.

When taking this film apart, as with most films today, there isn't a lot of new material but when taken as a whole it has a refreshingly original approach and is off-beat enough to entertain one all the way through.

While not being a "Family" film it is suitable for all ages and a good film to share with the whole family or that special someone.

"Michael" isn't a great film but it certainly is a good film, a touching film, and well worth seeing.

KWC

In the vein of John Doe and The 4400, Charlie Jade is an intelligent character driven sci-fi series shot in and around Cape Town, South Arfica. The unique location of South Africa gives the show a refreshingly different atmosphere compared to the standard fare of Hollywood back lot sets that we see in the vast majority of television shows being broadcast today.

The concept of parallel universes is by no means a new idea, even a little worn, but the excellent acting and contrasting character studies give the concept new life and I for one, have quickly developed an attachment to this series.

I hope the show is able to find a USA venue as that would help to insure a second season but so far the show is only seen on SPACE and a smattering of small countries including South Africa, Korea, France, Japan, Italy, and Romania. I believe it is seen on Space in both Canada and the UK.

If you like sci-fi and have access to this series I think you will find Charlie Jade an intelligent, fulfilling, and entertaining experience.

Will

This is a remake of a classic forties film based on a Somerset Maugham novel and an excellent first effort at a dramatic role by Bill Murry.

The film takes you on a wondrous journey from the garden parties of wealthy New England industrialists, through the hell of the first World War, a personal journey into the Himalayas of Tibet, and a return to the avant-garde of 1930's Paris.

Against the backdrop of this grand tour is played out a contrasting palette of human emotion and behavior. From the searching heart of Larry Darrell and the wall of addiction that Sophie hides behind to the jealous scheming of Isabel's envy the arc of this journey plays out.

The Razor's Edge is not a flawless gem and neither does it offer any secrets to the meaning of life but it makes a valiant effort and in the end it touched my soul and reminded me what it is to be alive.

I recommend this film without reservation.

KWC

This is one of those movies that can entertain you as long as you don't get too critical. The basic premise of the story line is a good one but as with many low budget Sci-Fi films there are flaws in the telling.

The biggest flaw is in the title itself. Being as this dog befriends Ally Sheedy's character and basically snarls at all the men it come across the film probably should have been called "Woman's Best Friend" or better yet "M.A.X.".

Other than the title though the movie is basically a good film and you have to get pretty picky to find any real problems with it. It's not a great movie but it has some good scares, moments of comic relief, and some cool special effects.

I don't know why this film has gotten such a low over-all rating. I know that IMDb ratings tend to average a bit on the low side but still this movie deserves a lot better than a 4.4. I have given the film a 7 and feel this movie is good enough to add to any one's DVD library if found at budget prices.

Definitely worth a rental if you haven't already seen it.

EB

I have already commented on this film before. Shoot I even wrote a whole new review ten minutes ago but the darn web site deleted it while I was in the middle of writing it!

Any way, those of us that have seen this film know how cool and great it is but for the rest of the world to get their chance to see it this film really deserves to be released to DVD.

What is the hold up? Why hasn't this movie already been released as a DVD? Come on Vestron, you have a real gem of a movie here that would have to make you more money on DVD than it does just sitting there in the can.

So come on guys, release this film. Kick it out with some advertising and I'll bet it does just as well as a lot of low budget new releases.

ElvesBrew

Will Carroll

Nowhere Man was obviously cashing in on the fallout from X-Files but it did so in a unique and entertaining way. While the series suffered from constant scheduling changes it actually had a very good initial script and created an atmosphere that was both tense and compelling.

Greenwood's character was both the hunter and the hunted. The show kept you feeling as those you were being subjected to a contagious psychosis that didn't always wear off as soon as the weeks episode was over. A great show for any conspiracy fan.

Unfortunately Nowhere Man wasn't given a chance to build an audience and as so many of the best television Sci-Fi it was canceled at the end of the first season.

It is a shame that some bright media producer doesn't take advantage of these old Sci-Fi series and start up a cable channel that resurrects some of these series. There must be over two dozen of these series out there, that could be easily resurrected. After all they already have built in audiences that would become instant loyal fans to any network that chose to bring the shows back to life.

Any one else up for a network that would bring back Roswell, John Doe, VR5, Nowhere Man, Farscape, Odyssey 5, Dead Zone, Lone Gunmen, Nightmare Cafe, The Hitcher, Something Is Out There, Firefly, Prey, and on and on (add your favorite canceled series). Seems like a money maker if managed right.

This is no blockbuster film but it doesn't pretend to be one either. What you see is what you get, an entertaining romantic-comedy that is easy to like and fun to watch.

Madeline Stowe is as beautiful as ever and is perfect opposite Sly Stallone. They look good together and it isn't hard to believe that they might actually like each other. The screenplay does a good job of creating a believable hero out of Stallone and placing Stowe in a position of need without coming across as needy and one dimensional.

This isn't a cinema masterpiece but it easily meets it's goal of entertaining the majority of those that watch it without resorting to moronic situation humor.

A pleasant surprise.

This movie comes at you on many different levels and while a bit ambitious it actually delivers. Sort of an Elmo James meets William Burroughs, except crank ain't really Bill's cup of tea. The characters could have come across very one dimensional but they didn't. The story could have easily degraded into a drug induced shoot'em up but it dodged that bullet too. Just when the setting starts to become a bit claustrophobic it opens up into something entirely new.

Val Kilmer has more than proven his "Star" potential with films like Red Planet and The Saint but dam he's so good in these small films that I dread the day that he chooses to pursue mostly headliner fare. Here he has the starring role but while he is the focus it is a very collaborative effort.

The movie has an excellent supporting cast with Vincent DiOnofrio as the connection, good ol boy "Poo Bear". I almost didn't recognize DiOnofrio with out his trade mark New York accent. Adam Goldberg plays brain fried "Kujo", Doug Hutchinson, best known for his sawed off prison guard in the Green Mile, plays Morgan a Narcotics officer and partner to Garcetti, played by the excellent Anthony LaPaglia. Check LaPaglia out in Lantana, great movie too. Peter Sarsgaard plays as Jimmy the Fin, best friend to Danny Parker/Kilmer. Ya can't help but like Sarsgaard in this role. I'm glad to see he is moving up with a strong supporting role in K-19 Widow Maker.

Other great players include Debrah Unger as Colette, Kilmers neighbor femme fatale. I have had this crush on her ever since she played in the amazing mind twist, The Game. Luis Guzman plays as Colette's heavy fisted boy friend and B. D. Wong, known mostly for stage work, plays the buyer. There's a ton of great walk on parts too numerous to list but keep an eye out for Meat Loaf.

As I said there are a lot of ways that this film could have failed but an excellent cast gave director D. J. Caruso the tools to make it all work. Caruso has done mostly TV work up till now with TV episodes from VR 5 (Whatever became of VR), Smallville and Dark Angel to name a few. Writing talents are provided by Tony Gayton who just finished up with Murder By Numbers, a larger but in no way better film. Every one of these people did a fine job and it shows.

This film takes a screenplay that pushes the boundaries of the status quo and lets it run wild. Surrealistic, erotic, and darkly disturbing this film goes places most people won't admit they've been. For those few that are comfortable with who they are it presents an entertaining journey thru the extreme reaches of human eroticism. Suspense driven it takes the rider thru dreams and reality never quite allowing you to tell which is which until the very end. If you only enjoy movies with well defined good and evil you might find this an uncomfortable journey but for the adventurous soul rest assured, it is a journey worth taking.

"The Mechanic" is based on simple and classic plot elements such as trust and betrayal but the magic that ties it all together is what makes this film stand out as one of my favorites. Both Charles Bronson and Jan Michael Vincent are at their best, aided in large part by an excellent screen play by Lewis Carlino who also penned the 1966 classic "Seconds" and later "The Great Santini" with Robert Duvall and "Resurrection" with Ellen Burstyn. The film has a slightly twisted perspective which, despite the predictable plot elements, leaves you guessing all the way to the end.

Directed by Michael Winner, a long time friend of Bronson, at first glance the movie appears to be a typical 70's action film but Winner has taken the time to make it work . I'm not a big fan of Winner, with films like Death Wish being to blame but he did an excellent job with this movie and the character study of Arthur Bishop, in particular. The contrasts between the darkness of a Hitman who is also a trusted Mentor and the admiration of the Apprentice who is deceiving the Master are artfully woven into a film that is far more than the sum of all its parts.

This is done by the same crew that gave us ReAnimator and while it follows in the same tradition of camp, cheese, and corn, "From Beyond" offers something more. There is sexier sex from Barbara Crampton, fresh from the Young and the Restless daytime soap. It is hard to decide if it is her Femme Fatal or her Black Leather Dominatrix that is the sexier. She does them both so well. Jeffery Combs gets a true starring role in this time out and offers much more depth to his reluctant hero character. His mentor/adversary Dr. Pretorius, played by Ted Sorel, is the essence of perverse genius. The special effects are also more intense and a step beyond anything else you're likely to have seen. Especially the battles between Pretorius and Combs' character, Crawford Tillinghast. With all the tongue in cheek humor, the campy sets and costumes, and the cheesy dialogue there still lies a truly spine tingling and disturbing storyline beneath it all. This movie could have easily been just another campy horror film but the terror of perversion makes it so much more.

This film disturbs and entertains, excites and amuses a unique vision unlike anything else.