Collection ID 507
Director: Danis Tanovic
Starring: Branko Djuric, Rene Bitorajac, Filip Sovagovic, Georges Siatidis, Serge-Henri Valcke
Genre: War
Studio: Noé Productions   Release date: 2001   Rated: R   
Language (Country): Serbo Croatian (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Summary: Bosnia and Herzegovina during 1993 at the time of the heaviest fighting between the two warring sides. The two Bosnian soldiers, Niki and Ciki, wander into the no man's land and become the victims of bombing.
My Rating:
My Review: No man's land: (France/Italy/Slovenia - Nikogarsnja zemlja) This movie is a European production. Written and directed by Dannis Tanovic, this movie has a consistent feel throughout. Exceedingly well done. Excellent acting, a great ccast, fantastic sets, locations and costumes. A war film? Two soldiers from opposing camps, one Bosnian - one Serbian, end up in a trench together, in 'No man's land'. Wounded and trapped between enemy lines, the only way they can survive is through cooperation. This movie has a lot of underlaying content and truth. A fantastic tale. The characters define concepts bigger than themselves, and their acting reveals many bitter truths. The ending is tragic and telling. A definite must own.

Collection ID 1212
Director: Danis Tanovic
Starring: Branko Djuric, Rene Bitorajac, Filip Sovagovic, Georges Siatidis, Serge-Henri Valcke
Genre: War
Studio: Noé Productions   Release date: 2001   Rated: R   
Language (Country): Serbo Croatian (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Summary: Bosnia and Herzegovina during 1993 at the time of the heaviest fighting between the two warring sides. The two Bosnian soldiers, Niki and Ciki, wander into the no man's land and become the victims of bombing.
My Rating:
My Review: No man's land: (France/Italy/Slovenia - Nikogarsnja zemlja) This movie is a European production. Written and directed by Dannis Tanovic, this movie has a consistent feel throughout. Exceedingly well done. Excellent acting, a great ccast, fantastic sets, locations and costumes. A war film? Two soldiers from opposing camps, one Bosnian - one Serbian, end up in a trench together, in 'No man's land'. Wounded and trapped between enemy lines, the only way they can survive is through cooperation. This movie has a lot of underlaying content and truth. A fantastic tale. The characters define concepts bigger than themselves, and their acting reveals many bitter truths. The ending is tragic and telling. A definite must own.

Collection ID 1542
Director: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young, Will Patton, Howard Duff
Genre: Drama
Studio: Orion Pictures   Release date: 1987   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (USA)
Summary: A coverup and witchhunt occur after a politician accidentally kills his mistress.
My Rating:
My Review: An outstanding cast (Kevin Costner - playing Lt. Cmdr Tom Farrell), Gene Hackman (playing Def. Sec. David Brice), Sean Young (playing Susan Atwell), Will Patton (playing Scott Pritchard), and many others. Excellent acting by Costner and Hackman. The writing and direction were superb. The pacing and editing outstanding. As the story went on, the pace picked up, growing frenetic and urgent as the build up to the climax approached. The technical aspects of the movie were truly outstanding, as were the locations and sets. This movie was very well produced. The story: Lt. Cmdr Tom Farrell has just arrived in D.C. to take a post at the Pentagon. Soon after he arrives he becomes embroiled in a conspiracy of dramatic personal and national security consequences. What secret was covered up when Susan Atwell died? What secret may be revealed with the ensuing investigation? The hooks and twists are woven so tightly that you can't escape. As the noose draws tighter around the stunning climax the revelations pile up and the danger escalates. An amazing thriller, worthy of numerous repeat viewings. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 27
Director: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young, Will Patton, Howard Duff
Genre: Drama
Studio: Orion Pictures   Release date: 1987   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (USA)
Summary: A coverup and witchhunt occur after a politician accidentally kills his mistress.
My Rating:
My Review: An outstanding cast (Kevin Costner - playing Lt. Cmdr Tom Farrell), Gene Hackman (playing Def. Sec. David Brice), Sean Young (playing Susan Atwell), Will Patton (playing Scott Pritchard), and many others. Excellent acting by Costner and Hackman. The writing and direction were superb. The pacing and editing outstanding. As the story went on, the pace picked up, growing frenetic and urgent as the build up to the climax approached. The technical aspects of the movie were truly outstanding, as were the locations and sets. This movie was very well produced. The story: Lt. Cmdr Tom Farrell has just arrived in D.C. to take a post at the Pentagon. Soon after he arrives he becomes embroiled in a conspiracy of dramatic personal and national security consequences. What secret was covered up when Susan Atwell died? What secret may be revealed with the ensuing investigation? The hooks and twists are woven so tightly that you can't escape. As the noose draws tighter around the stunning climax the revelations pile up and the danger escalates. An amazing thriller, worthy of numerous repeat viewings. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 257
Director: Dan Aykroyd
Starring: Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Demi Moore, Valri Bromfield
Genre: Adventure
Studio: Applied Action   Release date: 1991   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: A businessman finds he and his friends the prisoners of a sadistic judge and his equally odd family in the backwoods of a bizarre mansion.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 968
Director: Dan Aykroyd
Starring: Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Demi Moore, Valri Bromfield
Genre: Adventure
Studio: Applied Action   Release date: 1991   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: A businessman finds he and his friends the prisoners of a sadistic judge and his equally odd family in the backwoods of a bizarre mansion.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 454
Director: Joel Coen
Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Touchstone Pictures   Release date: 2000   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (UK)
Summary: Three stumblebum convicts escape to go on a quest for treasure and meet various characters while learning where their real fortune lies.
My Rating:
My Review: Written by Ethan and Joel Coen, loosely based upon Homer's epic poem, 'The Odyssey'. Directed by Joel and Ethan (uncredited) Coen (Raising Arizona, Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, The Man Who Wasn't There, Burn After Reading, True Grit (2010 remake)). Starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter and many others. Another fantastic movie by the Coen Brothers. They sure do make good movies. Supposedly, this movie is loosely based upon Homer's epic poem - The Odyssey. I wouldn't know. I've only read pieces of that poem, I didn't quite get it… It didn't rhyme the way most poems do. Here's an adventure of three escaped inmates. During the Great Depression (The early 1930s in the U.S.) in the deep south (Mississippi), these three members of a chain gang manage to escape - and that's where our adventure begins. Everett McGill (played by George Clooney), Pete Hogwallop (played by John Turturro) and Delmar O'Donnell (played by Tim Blake Nelson) are on a quest to recover the loot. Bank heist money hidden away in Everett's home. Along the way they encounter a series of challenges and foes. A trio of Sirens who attempt to seduce the boys. A notorious bank robber (Baby Face Nelson), a campaigning governor and his opponent, a KKK lynch mob and a blind prophet who warns them about the treasure they will find. A surprising and enjoyable ride. The movie took me places that I never expected to see. The acting was superb and the direction joyful. The best part about the acting and direction was the way in which the characters became more important than the actors. I forgot that I was watching George Clooney and truly saw Everett McGill trying his best to complete the arduous quest that god has tasked him with. The music was so good that it actually lifted me up at times - Not to belabor the point, but the music really is an integral part of the movie. It is a character and the character of the movie on its own. A hilarious movie with brilliant writing and undeniable charm. As the end approaches your sense of wonder and joy is elevated. The sweet, sorrowful ending is quite satisfying. This movie deserves all the accolades it has earned (Nominated for 2 Oscars) and more. I give it a 5 out of 5. Of course I own a copy, what a silly question.

Collection ID 1167
Director: Joel Coen
Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Touchstone Pictures   Release date: 2000   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (UK)
Summary: Three stumblebum convicts escape to go on a quest for treasure and meet various characters while learning where their real fortune lies.
My Rating:
My Review: Written by Ethan and Joel Coen, loosely based upon Homer's epic poem, 'The Odyssey'. Directed by Joel and Ethan (uncredited) Coen (Raising Arizona, Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, The Man Who Wasn't There, Burn After Reading, True Grit (2010 remake)). Starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter and many others. Another fantastic movie by the Coen Brothers. They sure do make good movies. Supposedly, this movie is loosely based upon Homer's epic poem - The Odyssey. I wouldn't know. I've only read pieces of that poem, I didn't quite get it… It didn't rhyme the way most poems do. Here's an adventure of three escaped inmates. During the Great Depression (The early 1930s in the U.S.) in the deep south (Mississippi), these three members of a chain gang manage to escape - and that's where our adventure begins. Everett McGill (played by George Clooney), Pete Hogwallop (played by John Turturro) and Delmar O'Donnell (played by Tim Blake Nelson) are on a quest to recover the loot. Bank heist money hidden away in Everett's home. Along the way they encounter a series of challenges and foes. A trio of Sirens who attempt to seduce the boys. A notorious bank robber (Baby Face Nelson), a campaigning governor and his opponent, a KKK lynch mob and a blind prophet who warns them about the treasure they will find. A surprising and enjoyable ride. The movie took me places that I never expected to see. The acting was superb and the direction joyful. The best part about the acting and direction was the way in which the characters became more important than the actors. I forgot that I was watching George Clooney and truly saw Everett McGill trying his best to complete the arduous quest that god has tasked him with. The music was so good that it actually lifted me up at times - Not to belabor the point, but the music really is an integral part of the movie. It is a character and the character of the movie on its own. A hilarious movie with brilliant writing and undeniable charm. As the end approaches your sense of wonder and joy is elevated. The sweet, sorrowful ending is quite satisfying. This movie deserves all the accolades it has earned (Nominated for 2 Oscars) and more. I give it a 5 out of 5. Of course I own a copy, what a silly question.

Collection ID 759
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko, Andrea Riseborough, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 2013   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: In 2077, the human Jack Harper works with his companion Victoria "Vic" on the surveillance station Tech 49. Jack repairs drones and his memory was erased as part of the security process to stay on Earth, and he knows that Earth is completely depleted after sixty years of war against the alien invaders Scavengers "Scavs". The aliens have destroyed the moon and were defeated by nuclear weapons and the earthlings have moved to Jupiter's moon Titan since the planet was completely destroyed. Now Jack has to protect the power stations that use the ocean to supply energy to Titan fixing the drones. He also has recollections of a mysterious woman at the Empire State Building when Earth was habitable. Jack and Vic receive instructions from Sally (Melissa Leo), who is located on the space station Tet, and Vic is anxious to leave Earth in two weeks to join the survivors on Titan. However, Jack has a cabin in a secret place where he likes to stay alone. When the spacecraft Odyssey crashes on Earth, Jack witnesses the drones killing the human crew but he rescues a woman, Julia, who is the woman of his recollections. Julia and Jack recover the flight recorder but they are captured by the Scavengers. Soon they learn that the Scavs are actually a group of humans, who tell Jack that the invasion was a lie. Jack does not believe them, and they release Julia and Jack into the radiation zone to find the truth.
My Rating:
My Review: Oblivion - 2013 (Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Mystery) A visually spectacular sci-fi thriller derivative of many other sci-fi movies (notably Moon). Directed by a new talent - Joseph Kosinski (Tron Legacy), starring some old talent - Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko and others. The story is interesting if a bit derivative. In the year 2077, the Earth is a scarred husk barely surviving after a long running battle with off-world invaders. Earth's irradiated landscape is home to a caretaker force of technicians tasked with the tedious job of patrolling the remaining radiation free zones and maintaining the water conversion reactors. Jack Harper (played by Tom Cruise) is a maintenance tech left behind on the earth to care for water conversion reactors and the drones that do most of the ‘hands on work’. He lives in a secure facility high above the desolate landscape of a ruined earth. His live-in companion - Victoria, is a controller and he's the troubleshooter who goes out on runs to maintain the drones that service the reactors. He's occasionally called upon to deal with the irradiated scavs (scavengers), but the alien refuse is no match for his technological edge. Everything is going smoothly until a crippled starship crashes and the lone survivor emerges from the wreckage. The CGI, photography, locations, lighting, editing and visual effects are all outstanding. The soundtrack, pacing and production superb. The acting is good, and the direction excellent. The cast does a fine job of selling the story and the execution is superb. I didn't have any trouble following the plot as it contained numerous elements derived from previous sci-fi movies/themes. While the script is tight and well written it's a bit of a let down in the lack of originality. Thankfully all the other elements exceed my expectations. I give this movie a 5 out of 5. I bought and own a blu-ray copy because of the outstanding visuals and landscapes.

Collection ID 1482
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko, Andrea Riseborough, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 2013   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: In 2077, the human Jack Harper works with his companion Victoria "Vic" on the surveillance station Tech 49. Jack repairs drones and his memory was erased as part of the security process to stay on Earth, and he knows that Earth is completely depleted after sixty years of war against the alien invaders Scavengers "Scavs". The aliens have destroyed the moon and were defeated by nuclear weapons and the earthlings have moved to Jupiter's moon Titan since the planet was completely destroyed. Now Jack has to protect the power stations that use the ocean to supply energy to Titan fixing the drones. He also has recollections of a mysterious woman at the Empire State Building when Earth was habitable. Jack and Vic receive instructions from Sally (Melissa Leo), who is located on the space station Tet, and Vic is anxious to leave Earth in two weeks to join the survivors on Titan. However, Jack has a cabin in a secret place where he likes to stay alone. When the spacecraft Odyssey crashes on Earth, Jack witnesses the drones killing the human crew but he rescues a woman, Julia, who is the woman of his recollections. Julia and Jack recover the flight recorder but they are captured by the Scavengers. Soon they learn that the Scavs are actually a group of humans, who tell Jack that the invasion was a lie. Jack does not believe them, and they release Julia and Jack into the radiation zone to find the truth.
My Rating:
My Review: Oblivion - 2013 (Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Mystery) A visually spectacular sci-fi thriller derivative of many other sci-fi movies (notably Moon). Directed by a new talent - Joseph Kosinski (Tron Legacy), starring some old talent - Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko and others. The story is interesting if a bit derivative. In the year 2077, the Earth is a scarred husk barely surviving after a long running battle with off-world invaders. Earth's irradiated landscape is home to a caretaker force of technicians tasked with the tedious job of patrolling the remaining radiation free zones and maintaining the water conversion reactors. Jack Harper (played by Tom Cruise) is a maintenance tech left behind on the earth to care for water conversion reactors and the drones that do most of the ‘hands on work’. He lives in a secure facility high above the desolate landscape of a ruined earth. His live-in companion - Victoria, is a controller and he's the troubleshooter who goes out on runs to maintain the drones that service the reactors. He's occasionally called upon to deal with the irradiated scavs (scavengers), but the alien refuse is no match for his technological edge. Everything is going smoothly until a crippled starship crashes and the lone survivor emerges from the wreckage. The CGI, photography, locations, lighting, editing and visual effects are all outstanding. The soundtrack, pacing and production superb. The acting is good, and the direction excellent. The cast does a fine job of selling the story and the execution is superb. I didn't have any trouble following the plot as it contained numerous elements derived from previous sci-fi movies/themes. While the script is tight and well written it's a bit of a let down in the lack of originality. Thankfully all the other elements exceed my expectations. I give this movie a 5 out of 5. I bought and own a blu-ray copy because of the outstanding visuals and landscapes.