Ian's Dvd Reviews

34 new DVD Reviews have been posted over on my 'Personal blog'

2006-07-28T07:31:00Z

Since I switched to a more informal, and much less time-consuming, style of review I've published 34 DVD reviews so if you're tracking this blog I'd suggest you head on over to irascian.blogspot.com where all the new reviews are posted, pronto. A handy set of links to each DVD review can be found on the home page of my personal web site if you're not subscribed via an RSS reader to that blog.

As a general rule, I post most reviews at weekends, although the occasional mid-week review slips in when work isn't too hectic.

Personal favourites have included The Proposition, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Longtime Companion, La Haine , Good Night, and Good Luck and Hidden. Check them out at your local DVD store.

Short Reviews: March of the Penguins (2005) and Jarhead (2005)

2006-05-14T09:50:00Z

Pressure of work means I haven't had time for any new "full reviews with screen caps" posts over the last few weeks. However I have posted a short review of the March of the Penguins DVD and the Jarhead DVD over on my personal blog.

Lord of War (2005)

2006-03-18T14:09:00Z

LORD OF WAR. 116 mins. Cert. 15. Region 2. Release Date: 6th March 2006. Rated 7/10.

Provocative 'thriller' about the gun trade that tries not to preach, but ultimately can't help itself. The narrative style makes for a rather jerky ride, but ultimately one well worth taking and the movie doesn't go for the cheap cop out at the end. Recommended even if, like me, you're not really a Nicolas Cage fan. Read full review with screen caps...

The Brothers Grimm (2005)

2006-03-18T09:19:00Z

THE BROTHERS GRIMM. 114 mins. Cert. 12. Region 2. Release Date: 13th March 2006. Rated 5/10.

Patchy and over-long fairy-tale struggles to find an audience - too scary for the kids, too slapstick for the adults. Some great performances and interesting extra's can't hide the fact this DVD is not one of Gilliam's best. All-in-all a bit of a mess, and a near miss! Read full review with screen caps....

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

2006-03-12T17:15:00Z

KISS KISS BANG BANG. 99 Mins. Cert. 15. Region 2. Release Date: 13th March 2006. Rated 7/10

Very clever romantic-comedy-thriller manages to mix all the genres in a witty and subversive way. With an excellent cast and top-notch script the release is only let down by a very 'vanilla' DVD release that doesn't include so much as a trailer. Fans should probably wait for the inevitable 'Special Edition' release with some half-decent extra's. Read full review with screen caps....

Empire of the Sun (1987)

2006-03-12T00:33:00Z

EMPIRE OF THE SUN (1987). 147 mins. Cert. PG. Region 2. Release Date: 6th March 2006. Rated 7/10.

Spielberg's under-rated masterpiece, with arguably the best child acting performance ever - from Christian Bale. The DVD release doesn't live up to its 'Special Edition' claim but you should buy this one for a great transfer of a great movie, if not the packaging or extra's! Read full review with screen caps ...

All About Eve (1950)

2006-03-11T13:24:00Z

ALL ABOUT EVE. 132 mins. Cert. 12. Release Date: 27th February 2006. Rated 8/10.

Timeless classic gets a wonderful digital restoration. Extra's may be few and far between and claims that this new 'Cinema Reserve' release indicates the 'ultimate' edition ring a little hollow, but with a cast and script this good, the lack of extra's is a minor quibble. More...

Into The Blue (2005)

2006-03-05T22:08:00Z

INTO THE BLUE. 106 mins. Cert. 15. Region 2. Release Date: 27th February 2006. Rated 5/10.

Some incredible underwater footage, beautiful 'eye-candy' (for both the boys and the girls), and an excellent digital transfer can't hide the fact that the plot is tedious, slow and hackneyed, the acting questionable, and the characterisations absurd. Give this one a miss! More...

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

2006-03-05T19:31:00Z

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. 121 mins. Cert U. Region 2. Release Date: 6th February 2006. Rated: 7/10. A visually stunning, beautifully acted and directed costume piece, albeit one that's been translated to the film medium many times already. Well worth seeing, if only to find out why Keira Knightley's stock has dramatically risen with the release of this film. More...

Where have Ian's DVD Reviews gone?

2006-02-26T17:41:00Z

DVD Reviews have been suspended, but will be revived in the second quarter of this year when Ian has got his certification exams out the way. Thanks for your patience!