Review of Michael Clayton (Review)
Introduction This slow burn thriller, in which Clooney plays the title role, concerns the story of a `fixer` who becomes embroiled in a legal case with an agrichemical company who aren`t all that they seem. The film asks a lot of moral questions, and shows ordinary people in extraordinary situations, and the lengths at which they would go to, to get out of them. It`s a straightforward plot,...

Review of Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix (HD DVD) (Review)
ThumbnailIntroduction With David Yates taking the reins (and maintaining a level of consistency seen throughout the films), and featuring the usual who`s who of British acting, it`s business as usual in the fifth instalment in the much loved series. The story continues to grow ever darker (will there be a light at the end of the tunnel?), and the goings on more sinister. Lord Voldemort has returned,...

Review of Blade Runner (HD DVD) (Review)
Introduction Ridley Scott`s visionary cyberpunk sci-fi finally makes it to us in the long awaited Final Cut form, that has been long promised. Blade Runner has soared over the years, where tales of a problematic shoot and multiple recuts by different sources has given it cult status (and could almost be the dictionary definition for the word). It`s a high concept detective noir at heart, with...

Review of Host, The (HD DVD) (Review)
Introduction Before The Host, Bong Joon-Ho is probably best known for the offbeat thriller Memories of Murder. That film got critical acclaim internationally, and raked in piles of cash, earning itself the fourth position in the `most viewed film ever` list in South Korea. Ambitious and with many more doors now opened to the director (and able writers), he chose to produce this highly...

Review of Pan`s Labyrinth (HD DVD) (Review)
Introduction I`d been holding back from the SD release of this film, after having seen it on its original theatrical run. Not because I wasn`t interested in seeing it again, but instead due to the possibility of an HD release, in which I`d get to see a great looking film in even great clarity. It`s been difficult, because the DVD release can be picked up for an absolute bargain price, and because...

Review of Afro Samurai (Review)
ThumbnailIntroduction Voiced by Samuel L. Jackson - an actor who isn`t generally known for his afro wearing, unless you count Jules from Pulp Fiction – Afro Samurai finally makes it onto DVD in the UK. Screened over here during the Adult Swim sessions on Bravo, it`s it originated from a Japanese Manga comic, and reportedly cost over one million dollars per episode. It`s a great eastern/western mix that...

Review of The Graduate (HD DVD) (Review)
Introduction An Oscar winning film (for Director Mike Nichols), The Graduate is regarded by many as a classic of cinema. It launched Hoffman on the world, won an Oscar for Mike Nichols and made Alfa Romeo a lot of money. The film follows Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman) a recent graduate (natch) who is famously seduced by Mrs. Robinson (the late Anne Bancroft). What follows is a harsh break-up, and...

Review of Terminator 2 - Judgment Day (HD DVD) (Review)
Introduction Arguably one of, if not, the best action films of all time, Terminator 2: Judgement Day came on the back of a tidal wave of acclaim over the groundbreaking special effects created by Industrial Light and Magic. Even now, Robert Patrick`s T2 doesn`t look a whole lot different to Weta`s recent Silver Surfer. Luckily, the film lived up to it`s hype and can probably be regarded as one of...