Collection ID 1333
Director: James McTeigue
Starring: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry, John Hurt
Genre: Action & Adventure
Studio: Warner Home Video   Release date: 2006   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA, UK, Germany)
Summary: "Remember, remember the fifth of November," for on this day, in 2020, the minds of the masses shall be set free. So says code-name V (Hugo Weaving), a man on a mission to shake society out of its blank complacent stares in the film "V for Vendetta". His tactics, however, are a bit revolutionary, to say the least. The world in which V lives is very similar to Orwell's totalitarian dystopia in 1984: after years of various wars, England is now under "big brother" Chancellor Adam Sutler (played by John Hurt, who played Winston Smith in the movie "1984"), whose party uses force and fear to run the nation. After they gained power, minorities and political dissenters were rounded up and removed; artistic and unacceptable religious works were confiscated. Cameras and microphones are littered throughout the land, and the people are perpetually sedated through the governmentally controlled media. Taking inspiration from Guy Fawkes, the 17th century co-conspirator of a failed attempt to blow up Parliament on November 5, 1605, V dons a Fawkes mask and costume and sets off to wake the masses by destroying the symbols of their oppressors, literally and figuratively. At the beginning of his vendetta, V rescues Evey (Natalie Portman) from a group of police officers and has her live with him in his underworld lair. It is through their relationship where we learn how V became V, the extremities of the party's corruption, the problems of an oppressive government, V's revenge plot, and his philosophy on how to induce change.
Based on the popular graphic novel by Alan Moore, "V for Vendetta"'s screenplay was written by the Wachowski brothers (of "The Matrix" fame) and directed by their protégé, James McTeigue. Controversy and criticism followed the film since its inception, from the hyper-stylized use of anarchistic terrorism to overthrow a corrupt government and the blatant jabs at the current U.S. political arena, to graphic novel fans complaining about the reconstruction of Alan Moore's original vision (Moore himself has dismissed the film). Many are valid critiques and opinions, but there's no hiding the message the film is trying to express: Radical and drastic events often need to occur in order to shake people out of their state of indifference in order to bring about real change. Unfortunately, the movie only offers a means with no ends, and those looking for answers may find the film stylish, but a bit empty. "--Rob Bracco"

Beyond "Vendetta"
The graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd
More by Alan Moore
From Graphic Novel to Big Screen
More by Natalie Portman
More by Hugo Weaving
More by the Wachowski Brothers
My Rating:
My Review: Screen-play by the Wachowski brothers (of the Matrix trilogy), directed by James McTeigue (assistant director on all three Matrix movies), starring Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. An explosive, action packed, sci-fi thriller which asks the question; "Are you afraid of your government?". The story is one of conspiracy, deceit, abuse of power, revenge and revolution. An oppressed people are inspired to revolution by a masked crusader intent on exposing corruption in the highest places. There is some incredible dialog in this movie. The sets, locations, and costumes create an eerie near future setting that convinces us that this could happen in our life-time. I bought a copy and I'm happy I did.

Collection ID 800
Director: Edward Bernds
Starring: Cesare Danova, Sean McClory, Joan Staley, Danielle De Metz, Gregg Martell
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Studio: Zimbalist-Roberts-Bernds Productions   Release date: 1961   Rated: Approved   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Algeria 1881. Two men, Michael Denning and Hector Servadac are having a duel with one another when a comet goes past the earth at low altitude. The strong wind this creates transports the two men to the moon. They find themselves in a jungle inhabited by reptiles and prehistoric humans. They have a difficult time before they manage to adapt to the dangers, but eventually they each find a girl to spend time with, awaiting the next return of the comet to take them back to Earth.
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Collection ID 1517
Director: Edward Bernds
Starring: Cesare Danova, Sean McClory, Joan Staley, Danielle De Metz, Gregg Martell
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Studio: Zimbalist-Roberts-Bernds Productions   Release date: 1961   Rated: Approved   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Algeria 1881. Two men, Michael Denning and Hector Servadac are having a duel with one another when a comet goes past the earth at low altitude. The strong wind this creates transports the two men to the moon. They find themselves in a jungle inhabited by reptiles and prehistoric humans. They have a difficult time before they manage to adapt to the dangers, but eventually they each find a girl to spend time with, awaiting the next return of the comet to take them back to Earth.
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Collection ID 1605
Director: John Carpenter
Starring: James Woods, Daniel Baldwin, Sheryl Lee, Thomas Ian Griffith, Maximilian Schell
Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
Studio: JVC Entertainment Networks   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, Latin (USA, Japan)
Summary: The church has long known that vampires exist. However, it is discovered that a group of vampires are searching for a powerful doom for mankind. The Vatican then secretly enlists a team of vampire-hunters, led by Jack Crow, to hunt down and destroy the vampires before they find the crucifix.
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Collection ID 109
Director: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O'Shea
Genre: Drama
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation   Release date: 1982   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: A lawyer sees the chance to salvage his career and self-respect by taking a medical malpractice case to trial rather than settling.
My Rating:
My Review: Paul Newman plays Frank Galvin; a down on his luck, washed-up, ambulance chaser. Recovering from a series of set-backs, the character is a lawyer with little left to live for and a problem with the bottle. When a simple 'open-and-shut' malpractice case comes his way, a case of conscience compels him to reverse course and set things right. Instead of taking the out of court cash settlement, Frank decides to make this his last stand. The direction (by Sidney Lumet) and writing (screenplay by David Mamet) are superb, and Paul Newman's hallmark performance all combine to make this movie a truly outstanding cinematic effort. The camera work, sets and lighting were another outstanding feature. Faith, morality, justice and redemption - They're all on trial in this movie. Paul Newman should have won an Oscar for his performance in this movie. 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 893
Director: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O'Shea
Genre: Drama
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation   Release date: 1982   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: A lawyer sees the chance to salvage his career and self-respect by taking a medical malpractice case to trial rather than settling.
My Rating:
My Review: Paul Newman plays Frank Galvin; a down on his luck, washed-up, ambulance chaser. Recovering from a series of set-backs, the character is a lawyer with little left to live for and a problem with the bottle. When a simple 'open-and-shut' malpractice case comes his way, a case of conscience compels him to reverse course and set things right. Instead of taking the out of court cash settlement, Frank decides to make this his last stand. The direction (by Sidney Lumet) and writing (screenplay by David Mamet) are superb, and Paul Newman's hallmark performance all combine to make this movie a truly outstanding cinematic effort. The camera work, sets and lighting were another outstanding feature. Faith, morality, justice and redemption - They're all on trial in this movie. Paul Newman should have won an Oscar for his performance in this movie. 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1721
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Dominique Pinon, Chantal Neuwirth, André Dussollier
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance, War
Studio: 2003 Productions   Release date: 2004   Rated: R   
Language (Country): French, German, Corsican (France, USA)
Summary: Five desperate French soldiers during The Battle of the Somme shoot themselves, either by accident or with purpose, in order to be invalided back home. Having been "caught" a court-martial convenes and determines punishment to be banishment to No Man's Land with the objective of having the Germans finish them off. In the process of telling this tale each man's life is briefly explored along with their next of kin as Methilde, fiancée to one of the men, tries to determine the circumstances of her lover's death. This task is not made any easier for her due to a bout with polio as a child. Along the way she discovers the heights and depths of the human soul.
My Rating:
My Review: France - Un long dimanche de fiançailles. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Delicatessen, Alien: Resurrection, Amelie). Starring Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Jodie Foster and many others. This movie is intricately plotted, dramatic, and richly narrated. The story of endearing and lasting love during WWI. A soldier fighting in the trenches is assumed dead by everyone except his fiance. The movie is a quest to discover the truth of the matter. Very well cast, this movie had some terrific acting, directing and music. Very well done. A visual feast that swept me away to France in the 1920's. Harsh yet Idyllic, this war movie never lets us forget how horrific war can be. Yet, at the same time, this romantic drama reveals the beauty of love in Idyllic pastoral settings.

Collection ID 117
Director: David Cronenberg
Starring: James Woods, Sonja Smits, Deborah Harry, Peter Dvorsky, Leslie Carlson
Genre: Fantasy
Studio: Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)   Release date: 1983   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (Canada)
Summary: Max Renn runs a TV channel, and when looking for new material to show--he discovers "Videodrome." His girlfriend, Nicki Brand, goes to audition for the show, and Max gets drawn into the underlying plot that uses the show as its front for a global conspiracy.
My Rating:
My Review: David Cronenberg (writer and director) is a genius. He's definitely very high on my list of Directors. He's created a mind-bending assortment of truly expressive films (Shivers, Scanners, The Dead Zone, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Naked Lunch, eXistenZ, Eastern Promises). Artwork in celluloid. His efforts are fresh, impressionable and memorable. Here's another gem in his crown. A sci-fi prophecy that foretells the power and influence of television programming. It's penetrating influence, it's corrupting power, it's amazing reach. In this movie, James Woods is a TV executive looking for fresh new programming to feed to his sleazy late-night audience. Searching for the risqué, the cutting edge, the controversial, he stumbles upon a pirate signal. Something no one is supposed to see - Or is he? He soon becomes involved in a deep conspiracy where he's a key player. Despite his desperate efforts to control his destiny, he finds that he's been programmed as easily as his late night line up. The power of the signal is compelling, unstoppable and deadly. The movie is filled with bizarre, violent and erotic imagery, designed to stimulate, titillate and shock the viewer. If you enjoy Cronenberg movies, this is a must see. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 901
Director: David Cronenberg
Starring: James Woods, Sonja Smits, Deborah Harry, Peter Dvorsky, Leslie Carlson
Genre: Fantasy
Studio: Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)   Release date: 1983   Rated:   
Language (Country): English, French (Canada)
Summary: Max Renn runs a TV channel, and when looking for new material to show--he discovers "Videodrome." His girlfriend, Nicki Brand, goes to audition for the show, and Max gets drawn into the underlying plot that uses the show as its front for a global conspiracy.
My Rating:
My Review: David Cronenberg (writer and director) is a genius. He's definitely very high on my list of Directors. He's created a mind-bending assortment of truly expressive films (Shivers, Scanners, The Dead Zone, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Naked Lunch, eXistenZ, Eastern Promises). Artwork in celluloid. His efforts are fresh, impressionable and memorable. Here's another gem in his crown. A sci-fi prophecy that foretells the power and influence of television programming. It's penetrating influence, it's corrupting power, it's amazing reach. In this movie, James Woods is a TV executive looking for fresh new programming to feed to his sleazy late-night audience. Searching for the risqué, the cutting edge, the controversial, he stumbles upon a pirate signal. Something no one is supposed to see - Or is he? He soon becomes involved in a deep conspiracy where he's a key player. Despite his desperate efforts to control his destiny, he finds that he's been programmed as easily as his late night line up. The power of the signal is compelling, unstoppable and deadly. The movie is filled with bizarre, violent and erotic imagery, designed to stimulate, titillate and shock the viewer. If you enjoy Cronenberg movies, this is a must see. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 571
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver
Genre: Drama
Studio: Buena Vista Home Vid   Release date: 2004   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: im excited about this movie it looks more scarier than signs and should have its surprises coming from M. Night!
My Rating:
My Review: Another movie written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. One of my favorite directors. Shyamalan also did Sixth Sense, Signs and Unbreakable. I rated all of these 5 out of 5, and may come as no surprise that I'm giving 'The Village' a 5 out of 5 as well. A love story inside a story inside a story. Very well written. The cast was fantastic. With names like: Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrian Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Brendon Gleeson, this movie contains some top notch acting. The costumes are vivid, evocative and splendid in period. The sets and locations take you back to a simpler time. The music moves you, catching your breath, lifting your spirits and giving you hope. The direction is impecable. This movie has more emotion and reason in it than M. Night Shyamalan's previous films. Despite the reviews of a couple of naysaying friends, I thought this was a fantastic movie. I'm glad I bought a copy and I look forward to his next film.