Collection ID 1318
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez, John Hillerman
Genre: Drama
Studio: Paramount   Release date: 1974   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Roman Polanski's brooding film noir exposes the darkest side of the land of sunshine, the Los Angeles of the 1930s, where power is the only currency--and the only real thing worth buying. Jack Nicholson is J.J. Gittes, a private eye in the Chandler mold, who during a routine straying-spouse investigation finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into a jigsaw puzzle of clues and corruption. The glamorous Evelyn Mulwray (a dazzling Faye Dunaway) and her titanic father, Noah Cross (John Huston), are at the black-hole center of this tale of treachery, incest, and political bribery. The crackling, hard-bitten script by Robert Towne won a well-deserved Oscar, and the muted color cinematography makes the goings-on seem both bleak and impossibly vibrant. Polanski himself has a brief, memorable cameo as the thug who tangles with Nicholson's nose. One of the greatest, most completely satisfying crime films of all time. "--Anne Hurley"
My Rating:
My Review: Chinatown: Made in 1974, this film noir classic is a masterpiece of the genre. A truly remarkable film. Perfectly cast with Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston, this movie (directed by Roman Polanski) features excellent directing wrapped around a hard-boiled detective plot. The pacing was perfect and the characters carried more substance than any two movies. Set in L.A. during the late 20's early 30's. The plot is a roller-coaster ride from land scam to murder mystery to deep dark family secrets. I've seen it three times and it still keeps me guessing.

Collection ID HM001-1998
Director:
Starring:
Genre: Home Video
Studio:   Release date:   Rated:   
Language (Country): ()
Summary: Christmas 1998 - Dec 25: At Keith & Charlene’s house, with Keith, Charlene, Amber & Chantelle opening gifts. At Ted & Sharon’s house with Ted & Sharon; Keith, Charlene, Chantelle and Amber; and Kary and Jim Rashka - What a madhouse. Robert & Kim were there in spirit.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 561
Director: David Twohy
Starring: Vin Diesel, Colm Feore, Thandie Newton, Judi Dench, Karl Urban
Genre: Action & Adventure
Studio: Universal   Release date: 2004   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, Spanish, French (USA)
Summary: Vin Diesel returns to the big screen in the Chronicles of Riddick playing the title role, and reprising his character from the lesser known, but more polished Pitch Black (2000). Now more of a household name Mr Diesel has a wider audience, and much larger budget, which should have meant more, but fails to deliver on several levels. The set designs and CGI are impressive, and a familiar but somewhat inventive story pits our hero against a band of marauding futuristic Nazi's called Necromongers who travel from World to World and either convert or annihilate it's inhabitants. Some fill work explains the connection between the two movies, and we learn that apart from being a resourceful (and indestructible at times) criminal, our hero is also a "Furion", part of a thought exinct race, who are the only ones capable of defeating the villians (according to prophecy). Another subplot explains that the young girl saved in the last movie is now also incarcerated on an offworld penal colony and needs to be saved, and of course Riddick is pursued throughout the movie by bounty hunting mercenaries trying to cash in on the reward on his head. All this handled better would have made for a great movie, but the action bounces around in a muddled fashion, and makes the whole experience protracted and leaves the viewer a little weary. This is NOT a bad movie, by any means and will appeal to fans of this sort of action flick, but throughout it is more than a little inconsistent. The script constantly calls for Diesel to remain ice cool, and have plenty of smart quips, and 007 style remarks throughout the 2 hour running time, whilst trying to purvey a sense of desperation and destruction which doesn't tie up. If you enjoy spectacular Dune style depictions, and lavish special effects, this is the picture for you, just don't take it too seriously, as the director seems to have unfortunately done.
My Rating:
My Review: As an action flick, Riddick rises above the tide. A cinematic masterpiece, music that enhances the visual expression, costumes that speak of a deeper vision, sets and special effects worthy of a cinematic experience. There are action scenes unlike any other movie. Combat that is a blur, a montage, a transmogrified visual representation of pain and fury. The characters are swept up in a fast paced story that leaves this audience wishing for more. More background, better acting, and a deeper meaning. The DVD version that I own is an unrated director's cut. The additional scenes add character depth, motivation, and additional background for this sci-fi inferno of non-stop action and thrilling adventure.

Collection ID 765
Director: David Twohy
Starring: Vin Diesel, Colm Feore, Thandie Newton, Judi Dench, Karl Urban
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 2004   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Riddick, now a hunted man, finds himself in the middle of two opposing forces in a major crusade. Colm Feore plays Lord Marshal, a warrior priest who is the leader of a sect that is waging the tenth and perhaps final crusade 500 years in the future. Judi Dench is Aereon, an ambassador from the Elemental race. She is an ethereal being who helps Riddick unearth his origins.
My Rating:
My Review: As an action flick, Riddick rises above the tide. A cinematic masterpiece, music that enhances the visual expression, costumes that speak of a deeper vision, sets and special effects worthy of a cinematic experience. There are action scenes unlike any other movie. Combat that is a blur, a montage, a transmogrified visual representation of pain and fury. The characters are swept up in a fast paced story that leaves this audience wishing for more. More background, better acting, and a deeper meaning. The DVD version that I own is an unrated director's cut. The additional scenes add character depth, motivation, and additional background for this sci-fi inferno of non-stop action and thrilling adventure.

Collection ID 1262
Director: David Twohy
Starring: Vin Diesel, Colm Feore, Thandie Newton, Judi Dench, Karl Urban
Genre: Action & Adventure
Studio: Universal   Release date: 2004   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, Spanish, French (USA)
Summary: Vin Diesel returns to the big screen in the Chronicles of Riddick playing the title role, and reprising his character from the lesser known, but more polished Pitch Black (2000). Now more of a household name Mr Diesel has a wider audience, and much larger budget, which should have meant more, but fails to deliver on several levels. The set designs and CGI are impressive, and a familiar but somewhat inventive story pits our hero against a band of marauding futuristic Nazi's called Necromongers who travel from World to World and either convert or annihilate it's inhabitants. Some fill work explains the connection between the two movies, and we learn that apart from being a resourceful (and indestructible at times) criminal, our hero is also a "Furion", part of a thought exinct race, who are the only ones capable of defeating the villians (according to prophecy). Another subplot explains that the young girl saved in the last movie is now also incarcerated on an offworld penal colony and needs to be saved, and of course Riddick is pursued throughout the movie by bounty hunting mercenaries trying to cash in on the reward on his head. All this handled better would have made for a great movie, but the action bounces around in a muddled fashion, and makes the whole experience protracted and leaves the viewer a little weary. This is NOT a bad movie, by any means and will appeal to fans of this sort of action flick, but throughout it is more than a little inconsistent. The script constantly calls for Diesel to remain ice cool, and have plenty of smart quips, and 007 style remarks throughout the 2 hour running time, whilst trying to purvey a sense of desperation and destruction which doesn't tie up. If you enjoy spectacular Dune style depictions, and lavish special effects, this is the picture for you, just don't take it too seriously, as the director seems to have unfortunately done.
My Rating:
My Review: As an action flick, Riddick rises above the tide. A cinematic masterpiece, music that enhances the visual expression, costumes that speak of a deeper vision, sets and special effects worthy of a cinematic experience. There are action scenes unlike any other movie. Combat that is a blur, a montage, a transmogrified visual representation of pain and fury. The characters are swept up in a fast paced story that leaves this audience wishing for more. More background, better acting, and a deeper meaning. The DVD version that I own is an unrated director's cut. The additional scenes add character depth, motivation, and additional background for this sci-fi inferno of non-stop action and thrilling adventure.

Collection ID 764
Director: Peter Chung
Starring: Vin Diesel, Rhiana Griffith, Keith David, Roger Jackson, Tress MacNeille
Genre: Action, Animation, Sci-Fi, Short, TV Movie
Studio: Universal Home Video   Release date: 2004   Rated: See all certifications   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: This story opens with the new action hero and the two other survivors of Pitch Black already caught by a giant spaceship filled with dread. The sinewy leader has a unique--and creepy--jail for master villains and she has her sights set on Riddick. And Jack as they cross paths with a ship of body hunters and are brought on board. The captain of the ship, Chillingsworth has an interesting hobby - she captures wanted criminals and makes living statues of them.
My Rating:
My Review: An animated prequel by Peter Chung, creator of Aeon Flux anime movie. The action in this movie takes place between Pitch Black and the Chronicles. It isn't much of a story. A crazy comic book throw away story where the villain wants to make frozen statues out of various characters she's captured in her prison ship. The movie features the voices of Vin Diesel (as Riddick) and Keith David (reprising his role as 'Iman' from Pitch Black). The movie serves as a ready excuse for some anime style violent graphics. There is some character development in the Jack and Toombs characters. Their relationships to Riddick are slightly extended, but mostly this movie fails to deliver on any serious level - Story and entertainment are lacking. The mercenary crew of bounty hunters pursues Riddick and his allies as they attempt to escape from a frozen doom. I give it a 2 out of 5. If this movie hadn't been included on my Blu-Ray copy of the Chronicles of Riddick, I might never have watched it.

Collection ID 1572
Director: Peter Chung
Starring: Vin Diesel, Rhiana Griffith, Keith David, Roger Jackson, Tress MacNeille
Genre: Action, Animation, Sci-Fi, Short, TV Movie
Studio: Universal Home Video   Release date: 2004   Rated: See all certifications   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: This story opens with the new action hero and the two other survivors of Pitch Black already caught by a giant spaceship filled with dread. The sinewy leader has a unique--and creepy--jail for master villains and she has her sights set on Riddick. And Jack as they cross paths with a ship of body hunters and are brought on board. The captain of the ship, Chillingsworth has an interesting hobby - she captures wanted criminals and makes living statues of them.
My Rating:
My Review: An animated prequel by Peter Chung, creator of Aeon Flux anime movie. The action in this movie takes place between Pitch Black and the Chronicles. It isn't much of a story. A crazy comic book throw away story where the villain wants to make frozen statues out of various characters she's captured in her prison ship. The movie features the voices of Vin Diesel (as Riddick) and Keith David (reprising his role as 'Iman' from Pitch Black). The movie serves as a ready excuse for some anime style violent graphics. There is some character development in the Jack and Toombs characters. Their relationships to Riddick are slightly extended, but mostly this movie fails to deliver on any serious level - Story and entertainment are lacking. The mercenary crew of bounty hunters pursues Riddick and his allies as they attempt to escape from a frozen doom. I give it a 2 out of 5. If this movie hadn't been included on my Blu-Ray copy of the Chronicles of Riddick, I might never have watched it.

Collection ID 574
Director: Kwon-taek Im
Starring: Hyo-jeong Lee, Seung-woo Cho, Sung-nyu Kim, Hak-young Kim, Jung-hun Lee
Genre: Drama
Studio: New Yorker Films   Release date: 2000   Rated: R   
Language (Country): Korean (South Korea)
Summary: This DVD presents the film in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) with Korean Dolby Digital 2.0 (Pro-Logic) soundtrack and defeatable English subtitle. The extras include American theatrical trailer, and trailers for few other foreign films.While the DVD's color saturation is satisfactory, the detail is lacking and digital artifacts are apparent. It's certainly serviceable, but Il-sung Jung's cinematography deserves better.As for the film itself, the acting is a bit smug and Pansori narrative-style (a Korean chant) disrupts the flow from time-to-time. However, there is still much to recommend it. The story has "Cinderalla meets Romeo and Juliet" flavor to it, and the film makes a good introduction to *traditional* Korean culture. And of course, Hyo-jeong Lee as Chunhyang is beautiful.P.S. I am a Korean guy and the film does not reflect modern Korean culture. Yes, South Korea is still (unfortunately) male-dominated, but not to the extent as presented in the film. Be open-minded when watching this film.
My Rating:
My Review: As beautiful as a peach blossom. Filled with truth, love, beauty, and loyalty. This movie is as moving as it is refreshing. Filmed in two styles, a narrative traditional Korean theatrical presentation slips into a modern cinematic presentation with a fantastic cast, some wonderful acting, wondrous locations, authentic costumes and a moving tale worthy of praise. A story of love, corruption, fidelity, and perseverance. This one gets a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1275
Director: Kwon-taek Im
Starring: Hyo-jeong Lee, Seung-woo Cho, Sung-nyu Kim, Hak-young Kim, Jung-hun Lee
Genre: Drama
Studio: New Yorker Films   Release date: 2000   Rated: R   
Language (Country): Korean (South Korea)
Summary: This DVD presents the film in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) with Korean Dolby Digital 2.0 (Pro-Logic) soundtrack and defeatable English subtitle. The extras include American theatrical trailer, and trailers for few other foreign films.While the DVD's color saturation is satisfactory, the detail is lacking and digital artifacts are apparent. It's certainly serviceable, but Il-sung Jung's cinematography deserves better.As for the film itself, the acting is a bit smug and Pansori narrative-style (a Korean chant) disrupts the flow from time-to-time. However, there is still much to recommend it. The story has "Cinderalla meets Romeo and Juliet" flavor to it, and the film makes a good introduction to *traditional* Korean culture. And of course, Hyo-jeong Lee as Chunhyang is beautiful.P.S. I am a Korean guy and the film does not reflect modern Korean culture. Yes, South Korea is still (unfortunately) male-dominated, but not to the extent as presented in the film. Be open-minded when watching this film.
My Rating:
My Review: As beautiful as a peach blossom. Filled with truth, love, beauty, and loyalty. This movie is as moving as it is refreshing. Filmed in two styles, a narrative traditional Korean theatrical presentation slips into a modern cinematic presentation with a fantastic cast, some wonderful acting, wondrous locations, authentic costumes and a moving tale worthy of praise. A story of love, corruption, fidelity, and perseverance. This one gets a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 598
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Starring: Antonella Attili, Enzo Cannavale, Isa Danieli, Leo Gullotta, Marco Leonardi
Genre: Art House & International
Studio: Buena Vista Home Vid   Release date: 1990   Rated: R   
Language (Country): Italian (Italy)
Summary: Giuseppe Tornatore's beautiful 1988 film about a little boy's love affair with the movies deservedly won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film and a Special Jury Prize at Cannes. Philippe Noiret plays a grizzled old projectionist who takes pride in his presentation of screen dreams for a town still recovering from World War II. When a child (Jacques Perrin) demonstrates fascination not only for movies but also for the process of showing them to an audience, a lifelong friendship is struck. This isn't just one of those films for people who are already in love with the cinema. But if you are one of those folks, the emotional resonance between the action in Tornatore's world and the images on Noiret's screen will seem all the greater--and the finale all the more powerful. "--Tom Keogh"
My Rating:
My Review: (Italian - Nuovo cinema Paradiso) An astonishing film. Cinematic masterpiece. Moving drama about one mans life - Growing up as a foster child of the local cinema house. Director Giuseppe Tornatore creates a piece that is moving dramatic and brilliant. The writing is outstanding and the performances are powerful. I give it a 5 out of 5.