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Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts

Godzilla (2-Disc Special Edition) (DVD+UltraViolet) (2014) Directed by Gareth Edwards

Godzilla (2-Disc Special Edition) (DVD+UltraViolet) (2014) Directed by Gareth Edwards

 
Godzilla
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In this gritty, realistic sci-fi action epic, Godzilla returns to its roots as one of the world's most recognized monsters. Directed by Gareth Edwards and featuring an all-star international cast, this spectacular adventure pits Godzilla against malevolent creatures that, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #42 in DVD
  • Released on: 2014-09-16
  • Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Formats: Multiple Formats, Ultraviolet, NTSC
  • Original language: English
  • Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
  • Dimensions: .20 pounds
  • Running time: 123 minutes

Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews
317 of 369 people found the following review helpful. 5Loved the movie, don't understand all the hate By robert furlano
After seeing it in theaters with friends and a cheering crowd on opening night, i came home to see what the rest of the world thought and was confused by some of the rage people were haveing about it. The film was great but that is coming from a lifelong Goji fan. Don't believe what you hear the acting was good and Godzilla and the mutos are in the film for a collective 41 minutes. the music is perfect for the scenes really sets the mood. But some people just wanted a simple action movie with no characters or a subtle deep plot that some movies have.

77 of 87 people found the following review helpful. 5A Godzilla movie made for Toho fans not the summer blockbuster crowd By Ansgar Odinson
This movie was simply perfect. It follows the Godzilla format perfectly while telling a unique and original Godzilla story. Many staples from the Godzilla franchise are all over this movie and plenty of fan service for the old school crowd. The director really captured the heart and soul of the Godzilla franchise. I get the idea that a lot of the hate you hear for this movie is coming from people who aren't old school Godzilla fans. Whether you are a fan of the Shôwa series, Heisei series or Millennium Series there is definitely something in this movie for you. I cant say too much more without spoilers.

On the other hand if you have never seen a classic Japanese Godzilla movie then this likely isn't for you. Like it's predecessors the story focuses on the human characters and the philosophical question of how much control does man have over nature. While there are some great monster on monster brawls if you strap yourself in for that reason alone you will be greatly disappointed. The best way to describe Godzilla is the love child of an art film and a disaster film. This movie was made for the existing fan base, not for the summer blockbuster crowd.

134 of 164 people found the following review helpful. 5Simply Breathtaking By Patti Wiseman
Every time he arrived I got the chill down my spine not knowing what was going to happen next. Every time they showed him all I could do was smile. It might not have been for long but when he did come... Oh boy was it worth it. People don't understand the concept of it! You show Godzilla too little and people complain... You show Godzilla too much and people will still complain! How Mr Edwards made the film was spot on. Well done Mr Edwards well done

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Special Edition) (DVD + UltraViolet Combo Pack) Directed by Peter Jackson

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Special Edition) (DVD + UltraViolet Combo Pack) Directed by Peter Jackson

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
 
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Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #271 in DVD
  • Released on: 2014-04-08
  • Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Formats: Multiple Formats, Ultraviolet, Color, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
  • Original language: English, French
  • Subtitled in: English
  • Dimensions: 10.00" h x 6.00" w x 8.00" l, .31 pounds
  • Running time: 161 minutes

Customer Reviews

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2031 of 2206 people found the following review helpful. 5The Desolation of Smaug: One Tolkienian's Perspective By Anthony L.
I have read absolutely everything that JRR Tolkien has ever written, and consider myself a Tolkien fanatic. This is my perspective on The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. Please stick with me to the end, and I'll try not to lose you. Let's begin. So...if The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was Peter Jackson giving the purists their dues with a relatively straightforward and book-faithful film, then THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG is Peter Jackson saying: "You've had your fun. Now stand back and watch what I can do."

And the ride he takes us on is absolutely exhilarating. SMAUG is darker, moodier, and more mature than any Middle Earth film we've seen thus far. Evil hangs over our heroes like a black pall (literally). Beset on all sides by revenge-seeking orcs, wargs, terrifying spiders, pale creepy-crawlies, double-crossing elves, treacherous humans, a growing Evil in a ruined Elvish citadel, and a huge, vain, fire-breathing dragon...both the heroes and the audience are plunged into a terrifyingly new world. And there's a lot of new stuff to feast your eyes on along the way.

Castwise, Tauriel is a welcome female addition to the gang, played with charisma and spunk by Evangeline Lilly. Lee Pace's regal and scheming elf-king Thranduil is absolutely astounding, delivering a tour-de-force in a few minutes of screentime. Luke Evans could not be better as Bard, simultaneously grim and noble. But of course, the real draw here is Benedict Cumberbatch, wearing two very villainous hats. The first is as the Necromancer, who, in addition to manifesting himself as an inkblot, is really quite scary. And the second...is the reason that you came here in the first place: Smaug. The Terrible. Smaug just so happens to be the greatest dragon ever! He is everything I wanted him to be and more: vain, seductive, manipulative, terrifying, and of course, absolutely huge. I'd just like to congratulate Cumberbatch and the conceptual crew on his tremendous design.

Our returning cast is also fantastic. Richard Armitage's Thorin Oakenshield is electrifying, with gravitas and stage presence enough for a character twice his stature. His grave eyes and deep voice tell of a lifetime of war and sorrow, and every line he speaks could be delivered by a king. Martin Freeman continues to be perfect as Bilbo, and Ian McKellen's Gandalf is just as crusty and warm as you remember him. Oh, and Legolas? Legolas is awesome. Like, web-swinging, spider-slaying, arrow-shooting, orc-killing awesome!

Speaking of orc-killing, The Desolation of Smaug has, in THIS Tolkienian's perspective, the best action scene of the year: the barrels. The breathless, crazy, confusing, insane three-way-battle sequence (don't tease me for it) had me LITERALLY crying with sheer unadulterated glee! The rest of the action, including a hard-hitting spider attack, and a sprawling, rather one-sided battle between 10 dwarves, a hobbit, and a dragon shows that Jackson has absolutely outdone himself!

Well, now for the cons. If Desolation of Smaug has a con, it's that it really, really wants to keep moving to newer, darker territories, so whenever it slows down it feels, well...like an intermission between set-pieces. And the ending will divide the audience: you'll either love the breathless cliffhanger, or hate that you have to wait another year to find out what happens! And as a Tolkien purist, I have to address the fact of accuracy. SMAUG really isn't that accurate to the books. But you know what - I actually like that! I enjoy having absolutely NO IDEA what Peter Jackson has cooked up next. God knows what he's got cooked up for Part Three!

So in conclusion, The Desolation of Smaug is a terrific ride. Filled with amazing action, excellent performances, and the requisite gorgeous New Zealand landscape shots and Howard Shore score, SMAUG is everything I hoped for and more. My rating? Five Kings Under the Mountain - an absolute must-see! I hope you've enjoyed my (completely subjective) perspective on the film. Drop a line in the comments to tell me what you thought.

P.S. Remember that the like/dislike buttons are not for saying whether or not you disagreed with the reviewer, but for whether the review was helpful in your decision to purchase the film. If this review was helpful to you, please give it a like. Cheers!

378 of 432 people found the following review helpful. 5Tremendous fun, and a great expansion of the world of Middle-earth! By Blue Canary
First off, I have no trouble admitting this movie is not perfect: I think the editing could have been tighter; I would have preferred a bit more focus on Bilbo's part of the story; and the filmmakers' determination to ignore all laws of physics, (especially in the 'molten gold' sequence), is truly impressive.

So, now that that's out of the way: I ADORED this film! Flaws and all, I loved it, and after watching three times in theater, found I only loved it more.

Yes, it strays from the book, and embellishes the story left and right; the thing is, those embellishments come from Jackson and co.'s deep love of the material, and their desire to spend just as long in Middle-earth as they possibly can. They LOVE this world, and it shows. They want to show us everything, and bring to life details the books only hinted at. Even when they make choices I wouldn't have made, I'm grateful to them for bringing this world to life so richly.

The cast is uniformly stellar. Martin Freeman, in particular, IS Bilbo Baggins, and every moment he's onscreen is a joy. I was one of those who initially doubted Richard Armitage could pull off Thorin, (so much older in the books), but he has won me over completely. I've really come to love all the dwarves, in fact, and to appreciate them as individual characters, which is frankly something the book never actually managed. (Special shout-out here for James Nesbitt, who's charm as Bofur never fails to make me grin!)

And then there's Tauriel, played be Evangeline Lilly. Her character was controversial, but why? No, Tauriel was not in the book. But as Tolkien never once said, "and all of the elves were men," and as there wasn't a single named female character in the book at all, Tauriel's presence is both justified and necessary. [For the record, I saw the similarly controversial "romance" between Tauriel and Kili as no romance at all: just a very clearly one-sided puppy love from Kili, and a warm fondness and protective instinct from Tauriel. Very sweet, and really not over-the-top.]

Much as I loved The Hobbit: AUJ, this one's better. The pacing is improved, the story-telling is tighter, and the action feels more plot-relevant. I could easily write on and on about my favorite scenes, and how many great moments have lodged permanently in my memory, but better to let folks watch this for themselves.

I do just want to add, regarding those reviews that gave one star expressly because this is not the extended edition: Getting two cuts to chose from is a good thing, folks. No one is forcing anyone to buy the movie twice. Me, I actually WILL buy both, because I know from experience that when I re-watch these films, I'm sometimes in the mood for the longest possible visit to Middle-earth, (extended edition), and sometimes I just want to cut to the chase (theatrical). But no one's making me do that, and it's awesome that we do have a choice!

284 of 342 people found the following review helpful. 5Excellent Installment 2 Illustrates Old Adage By L. Elgin
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is an excellent, fast paced, action packed film that was absolutely fabulous eye candy in IMAX 3D; and yet Peter Jackson still takes time to deliver excellent character development and back story, which was well appreciated by this viewer even if some of the story line is original to Jackson's movie. This installment is also more reminiscent of Jackson's LOTR trilogy with the welcome return of the elves as a major part of the story line. I can highly recommend the second film to anyone who appreciates Jackson's deferential approach to Tolkien. However after reading perhaps the hundredth review from fellow readers who still appear not to have noticed, I feel compelled also to point out that all movies based on books are highly abridged versions of the original literary work. 

The old adage "a picture is worth a thousand words" should be instantly apparent as the reason for this difference before the opening credits are finished rolling. As vastly different art forms books and movies are by necessity presented in a way that will best connect with their particular audience; so why incessantly complain that there are differences between them? In the Desolation of Smaug the art of effective movie making is once again aptly illustrated by Jackson and underscored by Philipa's skillful transformation of the book into a screen play that can still do J.R.R. Tolkien's vision justice. 

 And when a few frames of a movie can chew through twenty or more pages of a book, deviations from the original source material are to be expected in order to maintain pacing and give certain characters enough dialogue to cast leading actors of the caliber required for such an epic film. Not to mention that some readers protests seem oddly out of place in reference to the Desolation of Smaug when the first installment, An Unexpected Journey, was as widely criticized for being too slow paced. 

The second part of the trilogy is anything but plodding. The extended versions are often the best compromise the movies can offer to the book. I for one can hardly wait for the Bluray, 3D extended version of The Desolation of Smaug to be delivered to my door (while equally glad that I am not required to sit for six hours to watch the complete movie version of The Hobbit--unless I want to at home!)

The Amazing Spider-Man (Three-Disc Combo: Blu-ray / DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy) Directed by Marc Webb

The Amazing Spider-Man (Three-Disc Combo: Blu-ray / DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy) Directed by Marc Webb

 
The Amazing Spider-Man
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The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #510 in DVD
  • Color: color
  • Brand: Columbia
  • Released on: 2012-11-09
  • Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
  • Number of discs: 3
  • Formats: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Ultraviolet, AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
  • Original language: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese
  • Subtitled in: Cantonese, Chinese, English, French, Korean, Spanish
  • Dubbed in: Chinese, French
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Dimensions: .25 pounds
  • Running time: 136 minutes

Editorial Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews
435 of 530 people found the following review helpful. 5The Amazing Spider-Man - point by point By Kyle Shultz
I read a lot of reviews for this movie before watching it myself. In the end, they all boiled down to a few basic criticisms, which I kept in mind as I made my own appraisal. Here are the major problems people seem to have had with Marc Webb's "Amazing Spider-Man", along with my responses.

1. The reboot was too soon.

This more or less depends on your point of view. True, the last Spidey movie was in 2007, a mere five years ago - more than long enough to warrant another Spider-Man film; not exactly long enough to call for a complete reboot. On the other hand, I think a lot of people would agree that it's been more like eight years since the last GOOD Spider-Man film. I loved Raimi's work with the character, though I do criticize him on some minor points. But in the end, he really dropped the ball with Spider-Man 3, running a lot of good characters into the ground and painting himself into a corner with two hours of very messy plotting. In the end, whether a reboot was necessary per se is a matter of personal preference. But even if you think it wasn't necessary, is it fair to write off the new movie completely as a result? I don't believe it is.

2. We've heard it all before.

Yes and no. This is another interpretation of Spider-Man's origin story. But it's very different from Raimi's first Spider-Man film. More importantly, it's a well-done interpretation. At the heart of this "origin story" is Peter Parker's development from a somewhat geeky, trouble-making teen into a true hero. This transition happened far more quickly in Raimi's first movie, mainly because Maguire's Peter had a more strongly-developed moral compass to begin with. Neither version is objectively inferior in my opinion, but I do have a personal preference for the deep character drama achieved by Webb. The point is, yes, this is the spider-bite story again, but it's a good spider-bite story.

3. The hype about "secrets being revealed" was a big lie.

Yes, it was. This is most definitely not "the untold story". Significant-sounding lines from the trailers such as "Do you think what happened to you was an accident?" and "If you want the truth about your parents, Peter, then come and get it" didn't even feature, which I'll admit kind of annoyed me. That amounts to false advertising in my opinion. I was very happy with what I got, but it wasn't what I was promised. The thing is, there is some big mystery going on in this movie with Peter's parents. However, their story doesn't feature very heavily in this first movie. The elements of it that do were given away in the trailers. So don't bother watching this solely to find out more about Richard and Mary Parker. Their story will have to wait until the sequel.

4. The villain was weak.

My main problem with this film's take on Dr. Curtis Connors was that it diverged so heavily from the comics. The Connors I remember was an intriguing villain because he was a father and a husband who transformed himself into a monster in a quest for healing. Billy Connors and his mom aren't around here. Instead there's a bachelor, British-accented Connors who frequently runs the risk of going boldly where so many villains have gone before. Fortunately, Rhys Ifans' performance is good enough to prevent this happening most of the time. Connors' motivation makes sense overall, though little time is given to truly flesh it out. Perhaps if his mysterious connections to Norman Osborn had been explored in greater detail, he would have been more memorable.

5. The Lizard's design was flawed.

Most people who didn't care for the Lizard's look seem to describe it as "too human". The face certainly is. It wasn't really that scary. I've seen alternate designs which the production team ultimately abandoned which I think would have been a lot better. So basically I would agree with this criticism, but for me it was a minor quibble.

6. It had too much teenage angst and Twilight-esque drama.

Actually, it had none. The teenage interactions were more mature than I'm used to seeing in film or TV, with even Flash Thompson evolving from a typical bully into a likable character over time. There are a few moments of stereotypical rebellion from Peter, but they lead rapidly into the tragic events that change him, so they're quickly forgotten. Despite the early publicity saying that this movie would be "darker", I don't think I'd describe it that way. It's a little less cheesy and a little more gritty in parts, but there are enough moments of clever humor to give the viewer a break from the gradually building tension.

The Amazing Spider-Man does have flaws. But in my opinion, its good points are so good that they cancel out the missteps. Andrew Garfield brings the wisecracking, geeky, sometimes mischievous Peter Parker from the original comics to life better than anyone I've seen (or heard, in animation) thus far. He nails the sense of humor that was frequently lacking from Maguire's Spidey. I had my doubts about Emma Stone as Gwen, but her acting was superb as well. She and Garfield have great chemistry on screen, which bodes well for the future. Really all the main cast was terrific, but I must make a special mention of Dennis Leary's Captain Stacy. He truly did a fantastic job. The special effects in regard to Spider-Man's web-slinging and other stunts were breathtaking, and clever cinematography draws the audience into the action effortlessly. The music was forgettable for the most part, but served its purpose in the more dramatic scenes (much like the soundtrack to The Avengers).

In short, watching this movie was a delight for me as a long-time Spider-Fan, even with the memory of Raimi's better efforts fresh in my mind, and I'm very much looking forward to the sequel (teased at the end of this movie by an intriguing mid-credits scene). Worth buying, worth watching, and worth re-watching. It's a fun, engaging superhero film, and deserves to be judged on its own merits, which are considerable. Please don't let the unfair amount of negativity surrounding this movie scare you away from it. If you give it a chance, you won't be sorry.

49 of 59 people found the following review helpful. 5Fitting Reboot of a Comic Legend By The Wiz
After watching the first five minutes of The Amazing Spiderman, I knew I was gonna like it; after the first hour (which includes a lot of exposition without being tedious) I actually preferred this one to the Raimi versions mainly cuz I think it possesses an intensity and believability that the previous films lacked.

Marvel seems to be producing more mature, rebooted versions of all their super-hero series and I actually prefer this variation on the Spider Man story as well, especially the disappearance of the pointless Mary Jane obsession (which always made me respect Spidey a little less). I suspect that a more scientifically savvy audience appreciates an ever evolving origins story and I also enjoyed the initial dealing-with-new-superpowers interlude which was very amusing and again just seemed a much more realistic reaction from Peter Parker to his new abilities. Exceptional performances for Peter and Gwen are what truly make this production stand out from every other action-packed big-budget flick out there, not to mention a truly scary and menacing super-villain causing some sequences to play a little like a horror film. The tragic loss of his uncle is intensely emotional making the motivation for becoming a vigilante seem more credible, while the use of fantasy tech to supplement his powers added to this as well. love Martin Sheen as uncle Ben, never been much of a Sally Fields fan but apparently the producers were looking for star power to offset the use of mostly unknowns in the starring roles (which I think was a stroke of brilliance by the way).

The FX action sequences are seamless, gorgeous, captivating and again convincing (hitting on this alot I know but I think it's an essential factor). It's the details that make the difference, like while on the job at dizzying heights getting a call on his cell from aunt May reminding him to pick up eggs on his way home. The wise-cracking Spidey is not only back but actually funny with flawless comedic timing throughout and the gratuitous Stan Lee cameo was priceless. This is a new Spider-man, a better one, one whom you will be emotionally invested in by the dramatic ending which brilliantly wraps up an all-around excellent, excellent film! :o)

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. 4UNNECESSARY REBOOT, BUT STILL ENTERTAINING! By DR SHOCK
I'm a big fan of all three Raimi Spider Man films and when I heard they were doing a reboot I was skeptical, but being a fan of the character for over 40 years I decided to go see this film.

The Good: 1) We get the wisecracking Web Head from the comics, 2) The special effects are excellent, 3) A better Gwen Stacy. 4) Mechanical web shooters 5) The best Stan Lee Cameo ever!

The Bad: 1) This wisecracking Web Head is a little too mean spirited and Peter is way too cool to be the nerdy outcast from the comics. 2) The Lizard is poorly designed, he isn't sympathetic like in the comics and that takes a lot away from the character. He is much more interesting if he can't control his changing into The Lizard and having a family gives the character complexity. 3) They don't utilize the fact that his web shooters are mechanical and even though they weren't organic in the comic books, I prefer that route in the live action films. 6) When uncle Ben dies, it isn't heartfelt and Peter doesn't show enough emotion about it.

Toby McGuire may not have been the perfect wise cracker in the Raimi films, but he was engaging to watch when not in Spider Man mode. This was key to making a super hero film that was entertaining through out the entire film. (like Robert Downey as Iron Man).

I know a lot of people complained about Spider Man taking his mask off all the time, but if you think about it that mask would have to be extremely uncomfortable and hot, so I think that is just a realistic observation by the filmmakers, but some times emotions are needed to be seen and you can't see expressions through the mask.

The Amazing Spider Man is a very good film, but I won't watch it nearly as many times as the Raimi Spider Man films. It just isn't as much fun or as good. The Blu Ray has a very good transfer and some interesting bonus material, but nothing like the Raimi Spider man films received on their 2 disc DVD sets.

Looking forward to seeing Spider Man 2 on opening day. :-D

Update *** Went to see the 2nd film in this series and I was pretty disappointed. My review for that film will come soon.....

End of Update****

Need For Speed (Plus Bonus Features) Directed by Scott Waugh

Need For Speed (Plus Bonus Features) Directed by Scott Waugh

Need For Speed
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Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #4074 in Movie
  • Released on: 2014-08-05
  • Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Subtitled in: English
  • Running time: 182 minutes

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful.
4Better than you think it is
By John S. Harris
I had no idea this film was based on a video game when I saw it. I was just looking for a few hours to kill so I snuck into this movie after seeing the one I paid for.

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. It starts off a bit slow but soon zips into high gear (pardon the pun) and shows some tremendously cool high-speed racing.

The actors infuse their stock characters with enough nuance and depth to make them interesting.

This ain't Shakespeare, that's for sure. But you could do a LOT worse. For a film based on a video game this movie is far, far better than you think it is.

Worth checking out.
23 of 29 people found the following review helpful.
4An 80s TYPE ACTION MOVIE with 21st Century technology
By Chris Kennison
All the things you assume about "Need for Speed" are all pretty accurate; it is juvenile, another "Fast and Furious" type movie and it is pretty much from beginning to end a car race, car chase, car crash type movie. While you may not like that type of thing, "Need for Speed" thankfully has more going on than just what its videogame origin promises. Fortunately, Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), who plays Tobey Marshall, is a fantastic and passionate actor and he's joined by an entire group of actors and characters that will stick in your mind long after the film is over.

Watching the film, I couldn't help thinking that Tony Scott and Don Simpson left a mark on the world they have left behind. I kept thinking that it had that "Top Gun", "Beverly Hills Cop", "Days of Thunder" type feel to it. Everything in the film was just larger than life with beautiful sceneries, machismo splashed with comedy and characters that are as much over-the-top as the premise of their actions. Tobey Marshall is the `Maverick' type; loaded with skill but he can't seem to control it when he needs to. Maybe my love of those great Scott/Simpson/Bruckheimer movies of the 80s clouded my vision, but I felt it and it was a good thing.

Tobey Marshall is an A-class street racer and with that comes a strange sensation that you will have to have to overcome in order to enjoy the film."Need for Speed" is based upon a videogame and with that, you have to remember that this is absurdity. You have to think of "Need for Speed" as you would have thought about the Sylvester Stallone movie "Death Race 2000" from the 70s. When Marshall and his racing partners crash and weave through normal every day traffic, you will hate them because they are the kind of people you would hate if you were driving to work on a Tuesday morning, but you have to forget that. If you can't overlook that, then you won't enjoy the film.

Despite some poorly plotted and unrealistic moments toward the end, "Need for Speed" remains a cut above the rest when it comes to action/racing films. If you're assuming that it is just a bunch of racing and ridiculousness, than you would be wrong and right. It is about racing and ridiculousness, but within that are beautifully drawn characters with passionate purpose and endless humor and excitement for what they do. The intelligence of the driving and the brilliance of the racing sequences put "Need for Speed" over-the-top. Thanks to Aaron Paul and Imogen Poots, who plays a character that most men can only dream about, "Need for Speed" is endlessly interesting and impossible not to care about.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
2Razzle-dazzle stunts in a so-so story
By The Movie Man
"Need For Speed," based on a popular racing video game franchise, attempts to capture the excitement of the game in a real-world setting. The story features a near-impossible cross-country race against time -- one that begins as a mission of revenge. In a last attempt to save his struggling garage, blue-collar mechanic Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad") -- who with his team skillfully builds and races muscle cars on the side -- reluctantly partners with wealthy, arrogant ex-NASCAR driver Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper). Just as a major sale to car broker Julia Bonet (Imogen Poot) looks as if it will save the business, a disastrous, unsanctioned race results in Dino's framing Tobey for manslaughter.

There are some exciting racing sequences, which are far superior to the script, which is composed of cliches and overly familiar plot turns. Mr. Paul, excellent as Jesse Pinkman in the "Breaking Bad" series, is wasted here and given so little to work with that he resorts to simply gritting his teeth and glowering. Car chase fans may enjoy the staged action, but if you look for a solid plot and believable characters, this isn't your flick.

Bonus extras include a digital copy, deleted scenes, audio commentary, and several featurettes that focus on the movie's car stunts and action sequences. These are often far more interesting than the feature itself.

Snowpiercer Directed by Bong Joon-ho

Snowpiercer Directed by Bong Joon-ho



Price: $14.99
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Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #11860 in Movie
  • Released on: 2014-07-11
  • Rating: R (Restricted)
  • Subtitled in: English
  • Running time: 127 minutes

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81 of 90 people found the following review helpful. 44 1/2 stars. If you want something different in your sci-fi, this is it! By M. Oleson
Theatrical review. There may be spoilers.

So here it is July 4th weekend. What are the sci-fi choices in theaters now? Well, I could go see the umpteenth version of "Transformers" which is playing in about 30 theater screens within a 5 mile radius of my house. Or, I could drive 10 miles and check out this unusual looking film from South Korean director Joon-ho Bong. It does have Chris Evans, fresh from "Captain America" and Tilda Swenton, last seen as an 80 year old woman in "The Grand Budapest Hotel." I decided to take the drive.

First of all, you have to buy into the premise. It's the near future and global warming is for real, so the scientists come up with a solution which, in fact, fixes the problem. They also kill everything on the planet with a catastrophic cold wave. The cockroaches survive as usual as you will find out later in the film. There are survivors who manage to board a train that circles the globe non-stop...forever. The train is the foresight of a man known as Wilford. I usual give actor credits here, but it is suggested I not, as it is a big surprise. It wasn't to me, but if you want to look it up go to IMDb or something.

Like much of the world, the train is split up into the "have-nots" led by Curtis (Evans) and his mentor, Gilliam (John Hurt). They live in the back of the train, far removed from the "haves" way up front. The 1 percenters are led by Wilford and his second in command, Mason (Swinton). And before I go much farther, she's a hoot. Especially when the contingent reach the kiddie's classroom. In addition, there are a collection of thugs whose mission is to keep the riff raff in the back where they belong. They live in squalor and get a protein bar for their daily ration. I won't go into the content but it will put your gag reflex in overdrive. As fair warning there are a couple more events that will unsettle most. But the film does do a good job of setting the stage for the conditions these people have been in for 17 years and why they want to escape.

Armed with little more than their determination, the rebellion is afoot. One by one the rebels move up car-by-car until they reach the domain of the guy in charge of the locks between the cars. Namgoon Minsoo (Kang-ho Song) is the guy and is aroused from his cryogenic sleep along with his daughter, Yona (Ah-sung Ko). He agrees to help (always in Korean) but only if he's supplied with a regular supply of homemade drug that he's addicted to. Essentially the film is as simple as that. Get to the engine where Wilford lives.

The combat portions of the film are excellent. The film is purposely dark and gloomy. It isn't a feel good movie. People you become fond of are killed. Kids are in the mix and are exploited, but damn if this isn't a refreshing change from the stuff we are often exposed to in mainstream movies. The film ends on a bleak, if hopeful note. But this isn't mainstream. Which is probably why the woman walking out of the theater behind me said to her husband. "That's the worst movie I've ever seen"! She obviously hasn't see the latest "Transformers."

41 of 47 people found the following review helpful. 5For good reason too By Stewart F. Hoffman
Snowpiercer has actually been doing the rounds outside the United States since the 1st of August 2013, and was already a hit before it landed here. For good reason too, and if I were in charge of handing out awards, I would immediately without a second thought hand over trophies to Kyung-pyo Hong (cinematography), Joon-ho Bong (direction) and the absolutely amazing Tilda Swinton.

The ‘mechanics’ of having a single train house the human race aside, Snowpiercer is a distillation of the human condition. A metaphor if you will, simplified with its separate components exaggerated to tell a story about class structure, and the deluded notion that the human race is predictable, and as such controllable.

The story centers around an uprising lead by a man called Curtis (Chris Evans), and a quest to reach the front of the train. Along the way, as they break through to each new compartment, new environments and mysteries unfold. Snowpiercer is inventive, and violent at times, but always entertaining and certainly one of the more unique films to hit theaters in the last two years.

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful. 4A smarter-than-usual action film, and a great alternative to the usual summer fare By Robert Hayes
SNOWPIERCER has been one of my most anticipated movies since I first heard about it last year. I eagerly followed all the news I could get my hands on, and was one of many who bristled at the thought of Harvey Weinstein going snip-happy over it for a theatrical release. Thank goodness that never came to pass. So, now that I've seen it, was it worth the wait? Did it live up to my expectations? I would say the answer to that question is an unequivocal yes. This movie was definitely worth the wait, although there are a few aspects of it that slightly dampened the experience. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth where a chemical released into the atmosphere, ostensibly/hopefully to alleviate global warming, causes Earth to turn into a frozen wasteland. Humanity's few survivors are packed into a perpetually moving train designed and conducted by Wilford, a mysterious person who has a godlike status among the passengers. During their time on the train, society has solidified into a rigid class system (not unlike real life sometimes) that is separated by the different cars on the train. Chris Evans plays Curtis, a young man who plans to lead a revolt and take control of the engine. With that, I'll stop describing the plot because it is best to go into this film with as little information as possible, so as not to spoil anything. Thematically, the film deals with class struggle and the ways that people are controlled to keep social order. The film doesn't really beat you over the head with its ideas, but there are a few sequences which present them in an effective way. Performance-wise, there is little to complain about. Chris Evans does a marvelous job, and this might be the best performance of his career (so far). He plays the part of a reluctant leader with appropriate amounts of brooding, and outrage at what he finds out on his way to the front of the train. John Hurt plays Gilliam (a nod to Terry Gilliam, no doubt), an old man in the tail car who is sort of a mentor to Curtis. There were also decent showings by Jamie Bell and Octavia Spencer as two of Curtis' fellow revolutionaries. However, the most entertaining performance was given by Tilda Swinton as Minister Mason. She is nearly unrecognizable, and gives a delightfully cheeky performance as what is essentially a stooge for the establishment. She was given several great character moments, and she nailed them all. Visually, I thought that Bong Joon-Ho (and his cinematographer) effectively and realistically created a world in which to immerse the audience. Not everything is explained or spoon-fed, which was also a plus. The CGI wasn't as good as in mainstream Hollywood films, but it wasn't terrible either. About the best you can expect from a lower-budget Korean-Czech coproduction, and pretty high by Korean standards. Mostly, the visual effects showing the frozen outside world looked good, and the effects used inside the train worked as well. Overall, I thought the movie was excellent. The only real gripe I have is with some occasional pacing issues, although once the plot is set in motion it never lets up. I highly recommend you see this movie, not only to support smaller films but because its more intellectually engaging than half of the crap that passes for entertainment these days.

Transformers: Age of Extinction Directed by Michael Bay

Transformers: Age of Extinction Directed by Michael Bay

Transformers: Age of Extinction Directed by Michael Bay

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Average customer review:
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Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #49 in Movie
  • Released on: 2014-09-16
  • Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Subtitled in: English
  • Running time: 166 minutes

Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews
63 of 84 people found the following review helpful. 4Entertaining, enjoyable, at times shocking and just a bit irritating! By Ranny Levy
It’s been years since the Decepticons and the Autobots battled for the fate of the humans in Chicago and human defenses against alien forces are at an all-time high. A government branch of humans is targeting all Transformers, Autobots and Decepticons alike, with the help of a menacing assassin. While all of this is going on, Cade Yeager, a struggling inventor from Texas tries to make enough means to keep his property and put his daughter Tessa through college. While looking for parts to help his inventions, he stumbles upon a broken down, rusted truck and decides to fix it up. To his surprise, the truck turns out to the mighty Optimus Prime. Cade fixes him and decides to help him defeat the forces coming for Earth yet, again once he realizes what the government is doing to Transformers. Now, the fate of the entire human race lies in the hands of Optimus and this family of humans and, without them, we might just face extinction.

This film is entertaining and visually very well done. Director Michael Bay uses the first IMAX Digital 3D camera, making the images more immersive and stunning than anything that’s been seen on the big screen so far. It’s very intense to be sitting in the IMAX Theater seeing these 50 ft. robots captured in such a realistic way. If you’ve seen any of the previous films from this franchise you know that they are nothing short of action packed. The cinematography and CGI is able to show the intense battle scenes and large scale attacks in a breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat way. One thing that I don’t like about the visuals is the inconsistency of the Transformers from film to film. The main characters look the same but some of the Autobots that are introduced in this film are designed completely different than in any of the previous films. Their faces are constructed to have features that look extremely humanesque and it is strange to see them next to Optimus and BumbleBee who still have the classic Transformer look. Another inconsistency is that, in the last film, every time a Transformer was hit they would spill a blood-like-liquid, but in this film, if they are injured, the liquid that comes from the wounds is bright green.

It is very strange to see a Transformer film without Shia Labeouf but, I am quite impressed with Mark Wahlberg and the way he tackles this role. I think he’s a fantastic actor and really grounds the film. I’m also a fan of Nicola Peltz and think she is decent in this film. However, I am really sick of the way girls are portrayed in this franchise. Every single leading lady looks like a Victoria’s Secret model, is completely helpless about 75% of the movie, can never figure out how to help them self and has to be told to run before they do. Near the end, they have one moment of courage and that’s pretty much all. It’s a formula that is completely predictable in all of the Transformer films, but alas, it’s what sells.

Like I said before, this film is entertaining and it enjoyable. It kept me engaged, concerned for the characters, shocked and, I’ll admit, I did almost cry near the end. However this film is peppered with extremely cliché and honestly annoying lines and interactions. From the very beginning, Tessa is introduced as a stereotypical film version of a teenage girl. She rolls up with her friends screaming and giggling about how excited they are to party and be crazy. The whole interaction is cheesy and unnecessary and sets her up to look like a bimbo. After that, her boyfriend, who looks suspiciously similar to the Hemsworth brothers, comes to save the day and the rude, inappropriate and just plain stupid things he says to Tessa’s father drove me insane. There are several lines in the film that prompted me to say to myself, “Really? Was that really necessary?” The last irritating thing is the fact that they really drove the whole “American Way” and patriotism to the ground. In every seen at Cade’s ranch there are at least two American flags shown and it is constantly mentioned that they’re just good ole’ Texas folk, protecting America with cries of: “Don’t mess with our country!” “Think of your country!” “Fight for your country!” Previous films were less centered on our nation and more about the human race as a whole.

Despite my qualms regarding this movie, it is entertaining and the visuals are extremely well done. I give it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend this film for ages 13 to 18 due to the violence and language. However, if you have seen the previous films and are under 13, then this film should be suitable for you. If you're a fan of Transformers, action or just want to experience the first film to ever use the million dollar IMAX Digital 3D camera, be sure to check out Transformer: Age of Extinction in theaters now.

Reviewed by Raven D, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more youth reviews, go to kidsfirst dot org.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful. 5Two films in one! Almost 3 hours of Glorious Transformers Action, Cheese, and Lens Flare! By Strategos
The original Transformers film was 144 mins. Pretending that the second film never happened, the third is 154 mins. And this film... is a whooping 165 mins! Literally, that's 2 hours and 45 mins of cheesy, ridiculous, over-the-top sci-fi battle royale with cheese!

To tell the truth, I feel about this film almost exactly the way I feel about Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (itself an enormous 169 mins). Fans with short attention spans need not apply with either of these films, but someone deeply invested in the spectacle and lore of the film's world will love every minute of it. Just as the third Pirate's film meandered and went who-knows-where between moments of insanity, this film likewise takes the shadowy-silhouettes, bratty-vapid-American-girl moments, lens-flare camera romance, and robot-to-robot-violence and cranks them all up to 11.

Literally I cannot understand anyone liking the first 3 (4 counting the second one) Transformer films and not loving this movie. Yeah, there's no Megan Fox or Shia LaBeouf (Rejoice! All the other annoying humans are gone as well! Bummer, replaced by more annoying humans). But really, Mark Wahlberg and company do just fine. Yeah, the girl is annoying because you can't decide whether Michael Bay wants you to feel protective like a father or just drool over her all-American-bimbo-persona. Sure, Stanley Tucci's Steve Jobs villain/stereotypical misguided businessman is going to be hit-and-miss for some viewers. However!!!

This film is literally the personification of everything that makes the "Bay-Formers" franchise what it is. The action scenes are even more over-the-top (if that's possible). The battle scenes are even more overblown. The family homestead moments are even more like a commercial for the U.S. Army. The len-flare is even more blinding. And at almost three hours, there is simply MORE of everything.

I used to have a saying as a teenager. "Longer is better." Some people may like their films at an hour, but personally I love to be able to watch a big long film in the theater or at a home. I can always just watch part of it if I'm not in the mood or don't have time for the whole thing all at once. It may be a bit exhausting, but I can't help but feel like I'm really getting my money's worth.

The only real downside if there is one, is that the second film within the film (the Chinese half of the film) felt incredibly tacked on and is obviously geared at ensuring a big box office result in Chinese theaters. Such that this film could have been released in a Part 1 and Part 2 format like so many films are these days. But personally I have no problem at all with having an entire separate film within a film set in another country. It's the direction the whole world is moving, and I personally embrace this globalization if it results in a wider perspective and introduces me to new ideas and ways of thinking.

So there you have it. This film is absolutely fantastic. If you love the Transformers (as directed by Michael Bay) and can sit still for almost three hours.
43 of 60 people found the following review helpful. 3A Visual Masterpiece, Nothing More, Nothing Less By Kellen
I'm certainly not bashing Age of Extinction, but it is hard to ignore its obvious downfalls. I have been a fan of the three previous movies for three reasons: 1) they are visually impressive, 2) they are fast-paced, and 3) they are often humorous. Age of Extinction does a fine job in each of these categories. That being said, it struggles in literally every other category.

I must admit that I was pleased to hear Mark Wahlberg would replace Shia Labeouf. Don't get me wrong, I thought Labeouf did an excellent job in the first three movies, but I was ready for a change. Though Wahlberg is a fantastic performer, his character can only be as good as his script. Unfortunately, the character scripts are not one of the strong points of Age of Extinction. Cheesy dialog is persistent throughout the movie.

The quality of the script and story often go hand-in-hand. Which is certainly the case in this film. Okay, so none of the Transformers movies have impressive story lines, but Age of Extinction is noticeably worse than its predecessors. It seems like they have run out of ideas. No matter how many Decepticons the Autobots kill, they always regenerate in significant numbers. It will be interesting to see how Michael Bay approaches the next two films.

For Michael Bay, a smoking hot actress is a necessity in every Transformers movie. In this case it is Nicola Peltz. Though attractive, she is depicted as a 17-year-old girl. I realize that she isn't actually 17, but I still found it a little weird. Apart from that factor, her acting is okay. I personally thought her performance in Bates Motel was much better. But again, this is partially due to the poor writing.

As I mentioned, the flaws are obvious and shouldn't be surprising if you've seen the previous three movies. The quality of the CGI should not surprise you either. I have always been amazed by the complexity of the Transformers, and Age of Extinction certainly displays this in all of its magnificence. Some may disagree, but I find the CGI in Transformers more impressive than that of Avatar. Every single action scene is filled with great cinematography, impressive explosions, awing destruction, and extreme complexity. You will certainly be impressed.

If you are looking for a visually spectacular action-packed movie, Age of Extinction is one to seriously consider. Just keep in mind that it is not likely to exceed your expectations in all areas.

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