5 comments about Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray].

1. But I love this movie! So stylish, and the music is so lavish and entrancing! The total experience is mesmerizing! I seem to be able to watch any of the versions and enjoy them equally! So 5 versions, or one version, matters not to me! And not to mention the stellar lineup of actors that we have here! Not a clunker performance in the bunch!
   
   The only thing that is a letdown about this movie is that it leaves you wanting more!



2. the "final cut" wasn't that great, in my opinion. Not really bad, but the changes were pretty minimal, the most memorable of which was a longer, more gory version of a scene that I thought worked fine in the "Director's Cut".
   
   Of course here you get both of these versions, plus several others, in a sharp-looking HD transfer, plus loads of extras, for just over 20 bucks. It's hard to go wrong, especially with one of the great early masterpieces of cyberpunk cimema, and probably the best film adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story to date.



3. This Blu-ray version is the perfect and now, the only right way to see this movie. Let's face it's just the best movie of all time



4. There's been a lot said about this set, so I'll just say that I was impressed with the quality of transfer, the choices and options of versions, and the additional material to see what happens in the actual production and post of a movie from a standpoint beyond the usual behind the scenes mini features.
   
   Still glad I can get a few HD (not Blu-ray discs).



5. XXXXX
   
   (Note: This review is for the movie "Blade Runner: The Final Cut" (2 disc special edition) released in 2007.)
   
   This movie is based on the novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" (1968) by Philip K. Dick (1928 to 1982).
   
   This movie depicts a dystopian (opposite of a utopia) Los Angeles in the year 2019 in which genetically manufactured beings called "replicants" (visually indistinguishable from adult humans) are used for dangerous and degrading work on Earth's off-world colonies.
   
   Following a small replicant (also called a "skin-job") uprising, replicants become illegal on Earth and specialist police called "blade runners" are trained to hunt down and "retire" (kill) escaped replicants trespassing on Earth.
   
   Besides the plot, this movie seems to forecast important concerns of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries such as overpopulation, globalization, climate change, and genetic engineering.
   
   The plot of this movie is simple. Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is a semi-retired blade runner who's after four ruthless replicants illegally on Earth named Zhora (Joanna Cassidy), Leon (Brion James), Pris (Daryl Hannah), and Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer). Deckard accidentally develops a romance with the more sophisticated replicant Rachael (Sean Young).
   
   I watched this movie ("The Final Cut" which is essentially the same as the rushed "The Director`s Cut") with a friend who did not see the original theatrical release that had Deckard's voice-over narration. Guess what? My friend could not follow the story!!! I could since I'd seen the original release but I found that I still missed Deckard's voice-over.
   
   I especially missed the voice-over when the Roy Batty replicant "dies" at the end of the movie. This key scene was not as emotionally appealing with the voice-over absent.
   
   I think I deduced the reasons why the voice-over is so important to this movie:
   
   (1) It allows the viewer to follow the action
   (2) It provides the human and emotional touch to counterbalance all the technological and visually-stunning special effects
   (3) It adds a "retro" feel that reminded me of old-time detective movies
   (4) The story drags without it.
   
   Thus, the obvious question is, "Why wasn't there an option to have the voice-over?" Answer: I don't know but it may have to do with marketing. By having such an option, those who feel the voice-over is integral to the movie would have been satisfied.
   
   The ending of the final cut, I felt, was too abrupt. The original ending gave the feeling that Deckard and the replicant Rachael would have a future together.
   
   The special effects that highlight the steel-and-microchip jungle of twenty-first century L.A. and the background music provided by Vangelis are still fantastic and exhilarating.
   
   The final cut has about a minute more of extended scenes and never before seen special effects than the original theatrical version and the director's cut. The entire movie has been digitally restored making the images clean and crisp. The audio is excellent. There is a thirty second introduction by director Ridley Scott and three audio commentaries. The second disc has a three and a half hour documentary making it perhaps the "definitive" documentary for fans of this movie.
   
   BOTTOM LINE:
   
   Without the voice-over narration, this movie (The Final Cut) loses its magnificence and emotional impact.
   
   RECOMMENDATION:
   
   Get the four or five disc "Collector's Edition" where one disc has the original theatrical released version (that easily is a five-star movie) with Deckard's voice-over narration. This will, unfortunately, cost you more money.
   
   (1982; 2 hr; wide screen; 2 discs; 36 scenes)
   
   <>
   
   XXXXX

5 comments about Appleseed (Limited Collector's Edition).

1. This movie is great! The animation style is great along with the action and Deunen's mad fighting skills!! I mean, a forehead shot while diving backward? Insane! Does anyone know what E.S.W.A.T. stands for anyway? Some high-tech version of Special Weapons And Tactics, perhaps?



2. I am glad that I 'flixed this film before purchasing. It was entertaining, but I have little desire to see it again. There were several holes in the story and the characters were flat and uninteresting. The theme could have been made into a great sci-fi anime series and I hope that this will be the next step, that and going to a hand drawn style rather than CG.
   
   If you want to see a CG film that is just as pretty (or more so) then check out FF7 Advent Children. Guaranteed to rock your world!
   
   Pros: Pretty CG, action, good theme and story
   Cons: lots of loose plot threads, dull characters, too short, needed fleshing out
   
   Viewing preference: Japanese with english subtitles



3. This was very enjoyable and satisfying.
   
   The case is the finest I have ever seen.
   
   The content on the bonus disk is fantastic too...
   
   This entire work says, very simply: "Someone Cared Enough to pay attention to everything and get it right."
   
   The few criticisms that one might have over it not being exactly like the original Appleseed VHS back in the day, can be addressed by saying simply that it is 2008 not 1988.
   
   The fact that the story, character design, and over all impact of the original work was retained is good enough for me.
   
   The new take on this material is fresh from every perspective, without destroying what was truly the core of the original Anime.
   
   I have watched this 3 times since purchasing it and it is beautiful and exciting.
   
   Worth every penny. I'm just picked up the Appleseed ExMachina collectors edition also. I'm excited to watch it.
   
   :D



4. Mind blowing... It is just AMAZING the kind of animation achieve on this ANIME/movie. Watch it! Own it!!! It reminds me of my ROBOTECH days...



5. By the end there just wasn't enough to keep me entertained and I found myself growing bored with it very quickly. The break neck action and interesting concepts were fun at first but by the end, I really felt like I needed more and this feature wasn't going to provide it. If you were a fan of the manga, you'll probably be a fan of this feature as well but otherwise this is really just a release for people who are looking for some decent mech action without much story to bog you down.

5 comments about Johnny Mnemonic.

1. I like this movie. It's got plot, good characterization and style as well has high production values. It's the movie where Ted "Theodore" Logan got to prove he had the chops to play Neo in The Matrix. There is a kind of over-the-top intensity to the movie that makes up for the lack of comic relief throughout.
   
   It's a first class science-fiction caper that remains true to the world it creates.



2. this movie is awesomely bad, i mean who fights a dolphin other than the bad guys in flipper? really.



3. I really enjoy Keanu Reeves in everything he does, but this one is crazy. The story's ridiculous and it's played too seriously to be good. Ice-T is cool as usual and you won't even recognize Dolph Lundgren. Oh well, can't all be hits.



4. I was quite excited about an adaptation of one of Gibson's works, but in retrospect, I wish I never saw this movie. It actually put such a bad taste in my mouth that I've stopped following Gibson's written works.
   
   Two Comments:
   
   Keanu is a HORRIBLE actor in this film. It's been years, but I still can't forget him standing on a pile of junk and complaining about how he misses his expensive suits and prostitutes. So bad.
   
   The Director is HORRIBLE. Seriously, I could have put this film together better.



5. The fact that Keanu Reeves' success in the "Matrix" trilogy has eclipsed all past missteps in his career surely makes bearing the burden of having starred in "Johnny Mnemonic" easier for him...but even now, there's no denying that it's one really silly movie.
   
   This failed "cyberpunk" thriller tells the tale of a "mnemonic carrier" - a man with the ability to hold encrypted digital data inside of his head (Reeves) - being hunted down for carrying a particularly touchy bit of information inside of his mind; running from an evil corporation, the Yakuza, and a delusional and deadly preacher (Dolph Lundgren, "Universal Soldier") in a drug-laced dystopian future, he hooks up with a beautiful bodyguard Jane (Dina Meyer, "The Movie Hero") and the two of them begin a race against time to extract the information from his head.
   
   My most immediate beef with the film is that Keanu Reeves cannot act in it to save his life. Dynamics and an archetypal character helped him cover this up in films like "Speed" and "The Matrix", but from jokish contemplative scenes to a guffaw-inducing rant, "Mnemonic" is not at all Reeves' best vehicle. Then again, he can't touch Henry "Spider" Rollins, who almost steals the picture with his atrocious performance. Even fans of Dolph Lundgren will find their hero in less than top-form (after getting over the comedy of seeing him in an overgrown beard and haircut and wearing a robe).
   I hate to say it, but Ice-T is the best actor in this whole film.
   
   With a brainiac story and no acting to speak of to fall back on, the movie even fails when it comes to compelling action: what's there is poorly thought-out and choreographed, with no kung fu and only the blandest of gunfights to occupy yourself with. In addition, there's some questionable logic to try and sort out - like, why did Jane save Johnny in the first place? Why did the Yakuza kill Ralphie? Why are the Lowteks armed only with crossbows when they have all sorts of other technology at their disposal? Why is Dolph, featured minimally, listed as a starring role? I don't know - all logic disappears when it's found out that dolphins wearing techno-gear are used to decipher codes in the future.
   
   Eventually, "Johnny Mnemonic" is a lopsided mess: I can't decide whether the filmmakers were trying to be too carefree or too serious with the script, but combined with imperfect actors and some poorly-executed scenarios, there are few upsides to this movie.
   It's no surprise to me that director Robert Longo has yet to make another feature...

5 comments about Renaissance.

1. Based on the reviews I read when this movie came out, I expected it to be an interesting technological oddity with gimmicky visuals.
   
   I was stunned, then, when I finally rented the DVD, to see how brilliant the visuals really are. Much was made (curiously) in the film's publicity about the way it was rendered in "pure black & white", when in fact, the filmmakers have used shades of grey (as well as an incredible level of precise detail) to give the images depth and to keep the viewer's eyes from getting fatigued. Take a look at the customer images on this movie's Amazon page for examples.
   
   The result is one of the most visually sumptuous films I've ever seen. While the overall atmosphere is dark, there are enough "well-lit" scenes to provide variety. The design and execution of the visuals are among the most original and stimulating uses of computer animation I've ever seen. After watching it once as a rental, it was a no-brainer to buy a copy for myself for any time I need a little brainless eye-candy.
   
   The story is a standard issue crime/sci-fi thriller, but this film is worth five stars just for its visual brilliance alone.



2. To watch this movie, all you need is the ability to like awesome movies because this movie is really kickass. Sure, I have plenty of haters who think I like nothing but violence from my games and movies, and yes, this movie does have an R-rating, but it's not very violent. This movie is absolutely fantastic and very refreshing.
   WHAT IT'S ABOUT: The year is 2054 in Paris, and a corporation called Avalon promises a irresistible offer of "ageless beauty." All of sudden, one of Avalon's most valuable employees Illona Tasuiev; goes missing because a scientific breakthrough she uncovered and a mysterious photo album from 2006 that shows cover ups of scientific failures that resulted in the deaths of nine children. So, it is up to Detective Carris to delve into the world of corporate cover ups and espionage, genetic research, murder, betrayal, and organized crime.
   STORY: SCORE- 9.25 OUT OF 10- The storyline is remarkable, and could easily surpass many Hollywood films, especially in entertainment with its shocking twists and unexpected moments. This film is basically a combination of action/drama/mystery/romance/futuristic.
   ARTWORK: SCORE- 9 OUT OF 10- The animation is remarkable and incredible. Though, unfortunately some might be turned off by the fact that this movie is only in black and white.
   ACTING: SCORE- 9.5 OUT OF 10- This movie really shines in this area, with such superb actors from films like Casino Royale, Pirates of the Carribean, Lord of the Rings, and The Descent. All great movies with great actors, which really shows in this movie.
   MUSIC: SCORE- 9.5 OUT OF 10- The score is awesome, it fits in very nicely with rest of the amazingly good movie that should not be missed.
   ENTERTAINMENT: SCORE- 9.5 OUT OF 10- This is undoubtedly one of the best movies I've ever watched, and the second best animated movie I've ever watched (Sorry Renaissance, but Tekkonkinkreet is still my favorite animated movie). Even if you're not really into animated movies you should still watch it because it is absolutely incredible. Don't bring the kids to watch it though. This movie has an R-rating for: some violent images, sexuality, nudity, and language. So, this is an adult-only movie, and kids wouldn't really like it anyway.
   OVERALL: SCORE- 9.5 OUT OF 10- No one should miss out on such an amazing movie experience because it's just so freaking amazing! The only flaws are some slow parts and some people might be turned off by the fact that this movie is only in black and white. Oh, and just because this movie takes place in Paris doesn't mean they speak French, it's all in English, so no worries.



3. I have to agree with Thomas J. Bonner. I have no idea where anyone got 'visually stunning' where this movie is concerned. It's in black and white and like a comic strip for Pete's sake. Just look at the picture on the box and know that this is how the whole movie is presented. So, what is so visually stunning?



4. This film is a visual experience. Try to remember the first time you watched 2001: A Space Odyssey. You knew that it was made in the late 60's, but were still blown away by the visuals.
   
   Well, Renaissance is its the visual equivalent. Too bad the storyline isn't as good as it could have been, hence only 4 stars.



5. It had an interesting style (CGI) that is very similar to that seen in Spiderman: The New Animated series. That being said, one thing that really bothered me was the shiny appearance of the characters. It definitely annoyed me for some reason.
   
   As far as the story goes, it is essentially nothing entirely new to the sci-fi genre. A cop looks for a kidnapped scientist. The scientist is trying to find the secret to eternal life. It is interesting but nothing that will really pull you in.
   
   For a movie set in such a visually stylized universe, it lacks musical style. As a matter of fact, I cannot seem to remember whether or not the film had music in it. For me, the soundtrack is a very important part of the movie experience, and it really can make an average movie above average.
   
   I did enjoy this piece, as its style is unique and I can appreciate that.
   Go ahead and buy it if you are into CGI films or science fiction in general.

5 comments about Akira (Special Edition).

1. Akira is frequently cited as the best Magna of all time. This is probably due to the barrage on the senses that lasts for well over 60 minutes in the second half of the movie which is a non-stop smash down of Neo-Tokyo done in the style of the day of reckoning.
   
   The story revolves around the mysterious Akira, which gives people special powers so dangerous that they can basically nuke buildings by thought alone.
   
   The film takes place in Neo-Tokyo where the government is using the military to shutdown a revolution that is taking place of the streets. Biker gangs cause chaos and are involved in constant reprisals. One gang of teens finds themselves becoming embroiled in a conspiracy involving a scientific experiment of a magnitude that threatens civilization as we know it.
   
   Not everybody is a fan of Akira the first time round but some of this movie's most ardent supporters found themselves suddenly taken aback by it only after subsequent viewings. Akira grows on you, and over the decades remains a classic example of how Manga changed all action movies forever.
   
   Akira is up there with the likes of Vampire Hunter D, Ninja Scroll and Ghost in a Shell, so if you are looking for the best of the best Manga, or even just outrageously good mayhem, then Akira is a must see.



2. One of the best Japanese animation projects ever made, Akira is a true classic. The story does tend to get just a little silly at the end, but the movie as a whole is extremely entertaining, and the quality of the animation still holds a standard over today's sci-fi movies.
   
   A note on the "New" English Dialog: It actually makes the story easier to understand. For those of you who were hoping to find the "Original English" dub, its not provided on the Special Edition, contrary to some false info I have read on forums claiming it is. I missed the old voices, especially from the first time I saw this movie in a theater in NYC. None the less, the nostalgia holds faithful. Akira is fantastic.



3. The Good Things
   *Loads of fantastic action.
   *Fair (but notable) amounts of bloody violence.
   *Despite the age, the animation quality is good. Backgrounds are extremely detailed and artistic. Video remastery has made the colors very vivid.
   *Art design is great. Even though the characters look a little weird, they are memorable. Above all, the city stands out and the bikes are cool.
   *Interesting story. It's actually very thick with politics and far-out ideas, and may come across as convoluted at first. It's good, because it keeps you thinking (could be bad too, because it may be confusing).
   *Some deep themes to think about (about society and humanity, for example). Lots of fascinating ideas.
   *Interesting cast of characters, which are fairly well-developed.
   *Although die-hard fans may prefer the original 1988 dubbing, I believe that the new English dubbing on this disc is great. The voices match the characters better (Kaneda no longer sounds like a sufer dude), it's not as goofy (the General no longer growls all the time), and some phrases sound better.
   *Bizzare (but good) music.
   
   The Bad Things
   *Even with the new English dubbing, some of the dialogue is goofy or corny. Some of it is laughable (could also be a good thing, because it's fun and memorable).
   *The two main characters like to scream at each other a lot ("Tetsuo!!!!!" "Kaneda!!!!!!!"). It's kind of funny.
   *As noted above, plotline can be confusing.
   *Storyline is shortened for the film format, and is therefore different from the manga (albiet the movie is a good adaptation anyway; both the comic and the film were made by the same man).
   
   It is easy to see why this film stands out as one of the most essential anime films ever made; it is to anime what "Star Wars" was to live-action movies. It is loaded with innovative action scenes; most of them still blow me away. It is fast, furious, and completely unrestricted. Above all, it has exceptional quality in all respects (art, story-telling, music, sound, etc). The story may be hard to follow in some spots, and the characters may not be as well-developed as in other films (like "The Ninja Scroll" or "Berserk"). Still, it is wildly entertaining and somewhat thought-provoking. I highly reccomend this film to anybody who is even remotely interested in anime (and doesn't mind seeing some blood).
   
   It is English dubbed (the new 2001 dubbing, not the old 1988 dubbing), but I am sure that it also includes the original Japanese dubbing with English subtitles.
   
   Disc one includes a cool subtitles track that translates background graffitti. Disc two includes shed-loads of still image galleries (something like 4,000 images!). It also has a few feauturettes and the trailer.



4. Back in high-school, there was all this talk. Talk about stuff. Some of that stuff was comics, some of that stuff was Manga. Eventually, some of that stuff got down to Anime. I had no access to it at the time, but went over to a friends house to see an example of the best anime has to offer of a supposedly superior form: Akira. Oh boy, I thought! Superior! Better than Disney? Now that's a tall tale. I can't wait. After viewing this, my thoughts were: superior.. hm, yes here's how it was... they were lying. Through their teeth. Virtually nothing about this is better than practically any example of animation from anywhere.
   
   For a start: It is not fun. Animation is supposed to be fun. It is not engaging. The characters are mostly dull, rebellious varieties with no remarkable traits. Apart from limited action, notably the cycle chase at the beginning, it is not fast moving. It is not immersive. Never once did I think, wow I wish I could be in this movie somehow. Here's what it is. It is very long, pretentious, poorly plotted, and above all, boring. So why two stars, instead of a mere one? The drawings are very, very good.
   While I don't like Manga style, I have to say it does look crisp, and visually interesting. This is a good example of that. However, in almost every other regard, it falls quite flat.



5. When I first saw this in the early '90s, I thought, "What a load of over-rated technotrash." I thought the underlying plot about a government conspiracy of psychics, a dystopian future, and some kid getting messed up on pills before turning into a giant tentacle machine was retarded.
   
   And I was right. I rented the movie again, about a decade later, wondering if perspective would change my mind. Nope. It's still a bad film. Sure, it's pretty and all, what with the awesome motorcycle and... Uh... Damn, that and the giant psychoturd at the end are really the only two visuals to come out of the film, aren't they?
   
   Man, this thing's horrible. Just don't even bother with this hot mess. Instead, here are some useful things you could do with your money: go buy some Uniball 207 medium point gel pens and draw your own hentai; pick up the first two volumes of "100 Bullets" and get hooked; "Sea Monsters" for the Wii; light some cigars with some Lincolns.
   
   One star. But only because I can't give it fewer.

5 comments about The Matrix Reloaded (Full Screen Edition).

1. I am a huge fan of the first movie and have a special place for it in my heart. Unfortunately by the time Reloaded came around the Wachowskis lost their original spirit completely. The only way to fix this would be to come out with a 4th movie where neo comes back and destroys the entire matrix and gets a new body (preferrabley with eyeballs). Anyhow, The Matrix Reloaded can't stand toe to toe with The Matrix.
   
   They gave purpose to all of the characters though its often contradictory and changes from scene to scene. This purpose was also in conflict with the motivation and emotional side of the characters themselves. Further, the narrative of this movie does not weave any meaning together on a grand scale. This movie also managed to destroy the purpose of the original, which was bucking the system totally and unplugging yourself. Remember the feeling when Neo was going to go in and destroy the entire matrix and do what know person has tried before?? Thats not here by any means. By the end of the third movie Neo is also no longer a hero. He basically gives up and dies to preserve the matrix. Disappointing right? Another reason this movie destroys the first is that Neo's arch nemesis changes from the matrix itself to agent smith. Thats a huge change and might be the sole reason why this movie is a failure.
   
   The Wachowski brothers are not story tellers, but copy and pasters of everything from art to philosophy, and this time they had no idea what they were doing.
   
   Although it has some of the best special effects of alltime this can be contributed to the CG artists.
   
   Plot holes galore:
   How does Neo know to go to or find Seraph without even knowing who he is?
   Why would Trintiy leave Neo when he is going on the most dangerous part of the mission?
   The only reason for the Link character is to remind you that you that they are still in the matrix. Somehow he gets more screen time than both morpheus and trinity.
   For the many years and technological advancements that Zion has, why does it look like they are all in poverty?
   Why does Morpheus need neo at all??
   For all the time they had, and technology in Zion, didn't they realize that nuking the machines on the surface was their only choice in ending the war? Killing everyone in the matrix to shut it all down becomes the ONLY satisfactory option when the machines are dangerous to the small, surviving, population of Zion. The movie doesnt address this fact.
   
   Neo had no single agenda, whether it be staying with Trinity, killing smith, or killing off the matrix.
   If they had stuck to a single resolve many of my negative points and plot holes would not have arisen. But look what happened, they didnt. That makes for a poor, unemotional, hodge podge puppet show that cost millions of dollars to make.
   
   The real viruses are the wachowski brothers for wasting my time and money on this series.



2. this is the second movie in the Matrix saga.it chronicles the
   continuing fight of the resistance to free humanity from continuing
   enslavement from the machines which keep reality hidden from them.this
   is not what i would call good movie.it is a collection of repetitive
   and ridiculous unrealistic fight scenes,coupled with an incoherent
   storyline.plus there a lot of 'profound' sayings which aren't really
   profound at all.then you have characters speaking in riddles which are
   gibberish half the time.at time,i felt i was being preached a
   philosophy lesson.My vote for The Matrix Reloaded is a 2/5



3. Part 2 may have been the best as far as action goes out of all three. I like the story line and yes there were some holes but it is still a movie. The Matrix series is one of those movies where it's basis was more about life and reality as we know (or maybe don't know it)but they used the ides of computers and technology to explain it. Hence the coming of the chosen one to save the human race, the architect, and this reality not being our real home.



4. Truly stunning visual effect. Keanu Reeves,Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss totally rocked in all that action. Hey it's sci-fi fantasy the story line can afford to be blurred.



5. I agree with most people that this Reloaded sequel doesn't live up to the original The Matrix. To me that just compliments the original, though. I wasn't expecting anything better than the first and neither should you.
   
   To make up for the reuse of the recycled elements of The Matrix, they've poured in action to the brim. It's almost too much. Where as before one agent could kill all three or more of them, each individual has this new confidence and ability to handle themselves, not to mention Neo who can just Superman his way out of a 25-Smith situation. Very convenient.
   
   Still, it's worth seeing how the story plays out being you can buy this DVD new for $5 including shipping. Can't beat that!

5 comments about Robocop Trilogy.

1. Well, I was skeptikal, and no this is a real person and not some dude that works for the company or a company involved in the release of this product, im real indeed. So yeah, I was skeptikal. Usually, trilogy packages leave out special features and such, so thats the norm im used to. This trilogy package however was everything and more you would want from the 3 movies that reinvented the cathphrase man of steel. I think the last movie sucks, but thats just me. The first 2 are good, and the robocop classy cheesyness that only they could pull off and still be a viable good movie stays intant. OCP baby! For Life! 2 Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Buy this, if you like robo, cuz its as good as it gets.



2. This is Great for any Robocop fan, it was excatly what I had pictured it to be when it arrived on my doorstep. The only reason this Trilogy doesn't get a 5 out of 5 is its quality. At times the quality isn't great but is okay.



3. Remember when Robocop used to actually NOT look cheesy? Times have really changed. There's some really goofy things that happen in the movie that drag it down a *little* bit.
   
   First of all, the very bad animation of that one SUPER robot that came into the picture to eliminate Robocop. Did you see how fake that thing looked? It walked like it was walking on sandpaper. It was not believable in the slightest that this devastating robot was actually *right next* to the people in that one office.
   
   I liked how Robocop stopped acting so much like a threatening robot as the movie went on. He had some human emotions that weren't really noticeable until near the end of the movie, when he started saying "thank you" to that one woman who gave him baby food (yes, that's right- baby food). There's probably a joke behind that, about a big scary machine robot eating baby food.
   
   One thing I found really funny was how the bad guys outside on the streets were standing around destroying everything with these new updated and extremely powerful guns, and yet, despite all those men in the police station, not ONE of them ran out there to see what was going on, haha.
   
   I think the biggest problem is that Robocop just doesn't look BAD enough anymore. He's calm, he's got some protection from bullets, and he's able to walk forward in a quiet intimidating matter. But... I don't know.
   
   A decent movie at any rate. Just some comical segments that are only funny because the movie doesn't hold up as well as it used to back in the late 80's when it came out. Some of the fighting scenes are really intense, and when the human being that turns into Robocop dies in the beginning, it was surprisingly graphic watching his head blow apart. I enjoy the movie at any rate.



4. The first two Robocop movies were outstanding sci-fi/action adventure films. Which is why I couldn't believe a 3rd film had been made that I had never heard of. Now I can only wish that I had still never heard of it. The third instsallment is so badly written and so poorly done that it taints the first two films.



5. Very impressed with this company. I was notified the product would be late and they sent it sooner then expected.

5 comments about Strange Days.

1. Some 12 years after its initial release, I finally got around to watching this from start to finish. I have to say it is quite impressive. A rich, sometimes oppressive sensory experience, not unlike Moulin Rouge, but also hard-edged and violent and contemporary in so many ways. While it is not the world we passed by, or currently live in, it expresses the many fears of what we are becoming, which in America means polarized along any number of lines, whether racial, ethnic, economic, political or cultural. Then again, I don't believe in the good old days. While the characters in this film are colorful and exaggerated, I found myself sucked in and fiercely attached to their situations and outcome. I saw new sides to Ralph Fiennes, usually associated with stoic evil or intensity, but in this he is humanized, flawed, often at cross purposes with himself. Very compelling. Angela Bassett as well, a simmering moral core, exhibiting fierce toughness but also a certain vulnerability that makes her even more attractive than usual. I also enjoy the multiple references and derivatives of Blade Runner that run amok in this film. While I would never accuse 'Strange Days' of being perfect or entirely believable, it is an interesting voyage, a nightmarish vision and overall gripping experience.



2. I liked this movie because it moved quickly and Ralph Fiennes was excellent in his portrayal.
   
   However, I've never seen such intentionally vulgar, full body displays (in an "R" rated movie) of a Rape in progress--which cinematically delights in the graphic humiliation of a woman; And which accepts as normal a somewhat gritty city.
   
   Moral dignity is not a theme in this movie. Fast action, wonderful camera work, and decent acting by all other supporting cast members is.
   
   I feel dirty after watching this movie and believe viewers should be so advised.



3. Back in the mid 1990s there was talk about how Katherine Bigelow (ex of James Cameroon and director of popular shows like Near Dark and Point Break) was doing a new movie with state of the art POV (point of view) content that used new camera techniques to put the viewer inside someone's head. The reason for this was to film James Cameron's vision of a world where people are able to record others people's lives via a neural net interface for playback... a sort of hippy drug for the turn of the Millennium. There was a lot of hype about this film.
   
   Unfortunately Strange Days never lived up to its expectations. The film contained a lot of music sequences (such as bands playing) with lyrics that are frankly, bad. Just listening to the rap video makes you ask why they didn't even attempt to rhyme? It was dreadful then... and it's horrible today.
   
   Ralph Fiennes' American accent was as inept as the script's one-liners with a delivery that didn't pay off. Jennifer Lewis did lots of nudity for what seems like the sake of nudity and quite frankly most of us would prefer her with her clothes back on. Talented actors, such as Vincent D'Onofrio cop running around chasing people, are completely wasted.
   
   While there is an interesting twist involving the sudden appearance of a serial killer the film gets boring and overlong with action sequences and back stories that never once stir our imagination or make a hair stand on end. To top it off the coolness expected of Bigelow's production is lost somewhere between bad hairdos and bad karma. Given that James Cameron is supposed to be a major part of it, Strange Days is a horrible let down. In the end the bad guy even reveals everything. The editing during this sequence is some of the worst ever committed. Strange Days had a lot of potential with big names and a considerable budget. The end result is an incoherent mess and defines the word disappointment.



4. A brilliant, ambitious failure.
   
   Looking back at this movie from the perspective of 13 years in the future, you can see what the writers and the director were trying to achieve, and, simulataneously, how far they fell short.
   
   The contradictions make it interesting.
   
   The LA of this 1999 looks like a kindler, gentler American occupied Baghdad. It seems to be occupied by a foreign army, and yet nobody seems to get killed. The city is in a constant state of riot, and yet it's supposed to be an earth shattering moment when some people (after watching for almost a minute) finally attack some riot cops who are beating up a black woman in front of their eyes. There's a powerful sense of the apocalyptic and yet in the end all it turns out to be is a few rogue cops (a few bad apples) trying to cover up a police murder.
   
   The concept of experiencing someone else's brainwaves could have been a cheesy gimmick and yet it's the strongest part of the movie, especially the scene where the prositute is murdered and forced to watch her own death from the point of view of the murderer. That in a way sums up the brainwashed, cable news saturated, Rush Limbaugh and Fox News dominated American people of today. The government in the process of murdering American civil society brainwashed the American people out of their own point of view and into the point of view of their oppressers. The constant bombardment of triviality in the media erases the individual and the ability of the individual to see things through his/her own eyes.
   
   And then there's the tape. We're told it's a "lightening bolt from god" but is it? Jeriko One seems more like an obnoxious jerk than a messiah. Would a character of that kind of influence really have been dumb enough to mouth off to the cops while he's on his knees in a back ally and while the cops had their guns trained on him?
   
   Anyway, I could go on, but I'd recommend this movie, in spite of it's flaws, simply because it tries so much and forces you to regret how much it fails to achieve what it promises.



5. I enjoyed this film a lot.. although not many fans of "Drug" movies will tag it as such.. but it's a very good thriller with lots of twists and turns.
   
   =)

5 comments about Meatball Machine.

1. "Meatball Machine"
   A great silly title, for a great silly movie,
   It's essentially a cross between "Tesuo: the Iron" and a Gwar video with an Evil Dead vibe going on.
   Fetus-Aliens in their bizarre tentacle-ships attach themselves to people's chests and orifices,
   and transform them into mechanical killing machines (called necroborgs)
   hell-bent on eating each other,
   which they need to do in order to live.
   Sound wacky enough?
   Well it is, but it's still very enjoyable.
   Suprisingly, there's a love story here too.
   But don't worry that doesn't detract from all the off-the-wall silliness.
   
   Here's a few reasons you might want to catch this flick:
   - Lots of great blood & gore, (eye-drilling, head-splitting, etc.)
   - A whole bunch of wild battles,
   - Bizarre transformations involving whipping red hoses and internal mayhem,
   - Psychotic costumes
   - Disgusting/gorgeous aliens
   - All the campy laughs and blood you could possibly want.
   
   MORAL OF THE STORY:
   The only thing better than a man-made machine,
   is a machine made out of man.



2. I believe that Meatball Machine was made for the sole purpose of grossing the hell out of people!! And if that's the case, it did a REALLY DAMN GOOD JOB!!! It forever will hold the place in my movie collection as the bloodiest, most disgusting, most disturbing, most downright chilling horror movie I've ever seen!!
   
   There was the one scene where the girl gets her eyes drilled, and I almost lost it. I almost popped the DVD out of the player and ran away! It was so gross and disturbing!! Nothing has made me scream and cringe more than that one scene where her eyes got drilled!! It haunts me!!
   
   Meatball Machine is more disturbing the Saw movies.
   Meatball Machine is bloodier than Dead Alive, and YES, it is possible.
   Meatball Machine is funnier than Knocked Up.
   Meatball Machine is scarier than The Sixth Sense.
   Meatball Machine is more of a must buy than any DVD/DVD Box Set you'll ever want in your life.
   
   It's a must-buy movie, because it will make you disturbed. It is vomit-enducing, but so entertaining at the same time. It is very much a must-buy horror movie, because it is one big bloody cake of genres that you will love.



3. Tremendously original, tremendously gorey with lots of scenes where you may cringe - then laugh - then cringe again. There is just no other movie like this. Hard to describe, other than to say if Akira was made live-action, it would hopefully be something like this. Buy now.



4. MEATBALL MACHINE is a tale about the trials and tribulations of young love. It is also a story about alien parasites that latch onto human hosts, drill out their eyeballs, and assimilate / mutate their organs, turning them into weapons of mass destruction. Our young lovers are caught up in this epic struggle between extraterrestrial warriors, bent on utterly destroying each other in the messiest ways conceivable! Will true love prevail, or shall the necroborgs inherit the earth? MM is a fantastic example of the triumph of imagination / ingenuity over budgetary limitations. The extra feature short films are cool as well. Highly recommended (to the non-squeamish)...



5. From what everyone was saying comparing this to the Saw flicks, I dunno it wasn't that gory.. maybe I am just weird :)
   
   I think HER transormation was GREAT, and the story was very good however and I DO recommend it, but compared to today's gore-fests it is not as bad as the cover makes it seem. It has a lot of stop-action which is kinda old school and not gory to me.. again maybe I am jaded and just can look at it with a different perspective.
   
   Bottom Line it is a really cool movie, -- a real love story-- but don't be scared off by the gory references.
   
   Not to be a spoiler, but I wish they ADDED 20 minutes to the ending to see what was gonna happen.. oh never mind see it for yourself!
   
   Jim

5 comments about Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society.

1. The product was all that I had hoped for and even arrived earlier than expected.



2. Fits well with the series, though it can feel like little more than an elongated episode. The DVD I ordered from Amazon was defective; however, Bandai replaced it without giving me any static. If you enjoy the other movies and the 2 seasons this is a nice addition to your collection, but do not expect too much from this movie.



3. When I first saw the "Ghost in the Shell" film back in the nineties, I was not impressed. I simply did not get why the film was so lauded, as I found it boring and the characters unappealing. What a change 10 years and a different format can make (not to say that Stand Alone Complex is a mere rehash of the movie). I am now a "Ghost in the Shell" fanatic, and the 2nd Gig is the best thing to come out of the franchise.
   
   After the success of the first season of the GitS TV series, a second season was commissioned, and this stellar series is the result. The first season laid all of the groundwork (beautiful animation, a complex plot, a fascinating near-future world, and characters you really felt for), and the 2nd Gig takes everything to the next level. The already solid production values have been improved upon, and the slick animation and detailed designs give the impression of a feature film. This is especially noticable in the wide shots and the action sequences (which are thankfully more frequent and more visceral).
   
   All of the members of Section 9 are back (including the Tachikomas!), and despite their gruff exteriors they really grow on you. You can feel the comraderrie between Major Matoko Kusanagi, Batou, Togusa, and the rest, and you find yourself really investing in these people's lives. This time around, the story begins with a group calling itself the Individual Eleven taking over the Chinese embassy in Japan. Yet there's something bigger afoot, and by the end of the series the political intrigue and terrorist actions have convincingly and seemlessly escalated to a point where war in emminent. The 2nd Gig also introduces two fascinating advesaries for Section 9, a governmental information specialist named Ghoda (who has an awesome character design) and an intriguing rebel name Kuze who may not be all bad.
   
   As before, the main story episodes are broken up by a series of stand-alone episodes that help to expand and explain the world of Ghost in the Shell while providing plenty of solid character moments. The thing I love most about 2nd Gig is how at their heart, most of the stand alone stories are simple police procedurals that can be enjoyed as just that. However, every single one of these standalone episodes raises ethical and moral questions that will really get you thinking about the world we live in today and what it means to be human. And sci-fi geeks will have lots of fun deciphering what all of the technobabble refers to, as it is never explained to the audience (but its meaning is readily apparent to anyone who really pays attention).
   
   "Ghost in the Shell SAC - the 2nd Gig" is a rollercoaster of a ride that provides plenty of thrills and political intrigue. But what elevates it to a must-see is the way it challenges you to think about life and the direction our world is headed (the show raises so many fascinating questions about technology's increasing role in our society) while still providing first-rate entertainment. It is also populated with characters you truly to get attached to without realizing it. In fact, I almost cried at not one but two episodes, which I never do. Not too shabby for a sci-fi cartoon, huh?
   
   If you have any interest in science fiction or anime, this set is a must-purchase. It's a great deal, and the DVDs have a good amount of extras in the form of cast and crew interviews.



4. After all the positive reviews and my wife away for a few days I thought I'd geek out on some animated sci-fi goodness but . . . yikes! I couldn't tell what was going on about. . . 90% of the time. The "animation" most of the time consisted of slightly panning stills where only the character's bottom lip would wiggle slightly. . . Robot nurses with dental floss for uniforms? Robots that act like little kids and get NO reaction from anyone with this behavior!?! People putting "cyber" parts in their brain that can be hacked just by receiving a call phone call? Did none of you watch this? It was utter stupidity. . . Big thumbs down for me.



5. Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig is a great anime series and a great television show period.
   
   Although I personally enjoyed the first season's classic detective yarn slightly more, the monologues were heavy and the action sparse. SAC 2nd Gig ups the action this time around as it is more of an espionage and political intrigue story, although the elements of mystery litter throughout. This should please fans who were iffy about the films and the talkiness of the first season.
   
   The Box is a heavy duty casing with magnetic latching flap. Whereas the first season box set was wrapped in a flimsy disposable wraparound, 2nd Gig gets it right for the truly serious collectors.
   
   Rarely does a television show captivate me as much as this one. With the exception of the new Battle Star Galactica, I can't think of any other series which has blown my mind and entertained me at the same time as much as this one. If you like cop drama with a hint of sophistication and a bit of action, then this series is for you.