5 comments about The Lawnmower Man (New Line Platinum Series).

1. When this movie was first released on VHS I immediately noticed an inconsistancy. When you looked at the length of the movie on the video case it had the same length as is listed on amazon at 108 mins. However if you actually sat down and watched the VHS release, it was actually about 2 1/2 hours long. Then I bought myself a VHS copy of the film and again I found that it was a version far longer than indicated on the video case. When I bought this movie on DVD it again said that the movie was 108 minutes long, I assumed it was the same as the VHS had been with the same inconsistancy. I was very wrong. When I watched the DVD, it was not an extended or a director's cut of the film. It was the original 108 minute theatrical release of the film. I was so disappointed to see so much footage cut away from the film which I had seen on the VHS release, that I returned the DVD right away to where I had purchased it from. I am keeping my VHS copy of this film, and I am waiting for the extended director's cut to be released on DVD before I buy it in that format. If anyone knows anything about this, let me know.



2. Hi - This movie is one of my favorites movies talking about computer technology. Is based in a Stephen King story. The issue here is that this is not the complete movie. Several years ago I bought a VHS copy of "The lawnmower man - Director Cut", and in this version has all the deleted scenes integrated at the movie. I must agree that some of them integrated scenes at the movie are not making any sense, but can give us a complete vision of the original script (is a director cut) . In this version at DVD, the deleted scenes are added at the side B of the DVD and are not integrated at the movie. This is a shame because New Line Cinema could make a Director Cut version in dvd, and not this version. If you want to see the deleted scenes integrated at this movie, you must buy the VHS "Director Cut" version, or wait to see if New Cinema will release in the future the director cut in dvd



3. I own the Director's Cut of "The Lawnmower Man" on VHS that run 141 minutes. The original theater version is only 108 minutes long and this is all that is available on DVD. The reason is because of the director "Brett Leonard" himself. I saw him doing a review of the film and he stated that he never wanted all that extra material to be release. According to Mr. Leonard it made the film to long and boring to many people.
   
   The problem is that the 108 minute version of the story looks as if things have been removed. When I saw this film at the theaters in 1991 I was lost on what the story was trying to convey. Then I rented the 141 minute version and it all fit together so I bought a use version of the VHS copy.
   
   Yet, VHS will rare out and so will the machine that I play it own. I do not understand why it is just a problem to release the Director's Cut onto DVD. Everyone well make more money than it would cost to put it together and it would please a lot of customers.
   
   Look what Steven Spielberg did in November 2007. He re-released the original 1977 version of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" with the other two versions on three separate DVD's. Then in December of 2007, Ridley Scott released the original version of "Blade Runner" with 4 different versions on five DVD's.
   
   All Mr. Leonard has to do is release both both version on DVD or just the Director's Cut version and the customers will be content.
   
   If you have not seen the Director's Cut then please do and if you enjoy it enough please write your own email. Fan's email does have an effect. I do believe that the original "Star Wars" will be release as it was in 1977 on DVD if the fans keep on complaining.



4. Yeah I know, the movie bears little resemblance to the book.
   Who cares? The movie is better.
   Awesome FX.
   Super mega powers that I'd give anything to have.
   A smart and fun script.
   Yet another must have/ must see sci fi movie.
   RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!



5. This movie is great, a classic any science fiction fan can enjoy. The plot is based on a short story by Stephen King. I've never read the book, but it seems like King's work. Classic cyberpunk, virtual reality themes from the 90's. Some cool CGI special effects (for the time) and some good actors. I won't get into the plot, but basically its virtual reality gone wrong. I've watched this film many times, its worth owning if you are into VR and the like.

5 comments about Ghost in the Shell (Special Edition).

1. This is the first "Ghost in the Shell" movie to have been based on the popular manga. It's set in 2029, apparently in Hong Kong, and follows the agents of Section 9 - a government agency that deals with unsavoury (and frequently criminal) elements. Life is very different : the internet plays an much greater role in life than it does now, while most people now have technology-enhanced bodies. These improvements range from controlled metabolisms to cybernetic bodies.
   
   Section 9 has a small, though clearly very effective team. Daisuke Aramaki is is charge, though takes no active part in the missions - a rather elderly gentleman, he deals with bureaucrats, politicians and reports. (In fact, he life seems to ne so busy that her doesn't always get to read the reports submitted to him). Major Motoko Kusanagi effectively operates as the team leader in the field. Kusanagi is a cyborg - a human brain fitted in a metal body that features some very cool optional extras. Batou is not only a very experienced officer, he is also - apparently - the closest thing the Major has to a friend. While he is primarily biological, he does have some quite significant implants - most obviously his eyes. Togusa, who has virtually no implants at all, is the most recent arrival to Section 9. He was recruited by Kusanagi herself, who views diversity as a strength. Ishikawa, meanwhile, barely appears at all - he acts as Section 9's computer expert and doesn't6 take part in any of the fighting.
   
   As the film opens, Section 9 has been helping the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deal with a couple of difficult political asylum cases. (The individuals requesting asylum were proving to be as unsavoury as those they were requesting asylum from...Section 9's involvement meant no awkward decision had to be made by Minister Nakamura). At the same time, Nakamura is building up to a round of very secret talks...disturbingly, it would appear that the talks and the delegates are now under threat. The Minister's Interpreter has been attacked, with the technological upgrades to her brain proving her weakness. These upgrades have been hacked into, by a shadowy terrorist known only as the Puppet Master. This process is known as Ghost Hacking, and is an attack on the victim's very consciousness. It allows the hacker to alter his victim's memories - essentially destroying their very identity. The interpreter, the Monkey Man believes, would have been used by the Puppet Master to kill the key delegates at the talks - and everyone involved with these talks is now under surveillance.
   
   There is very little to go on as to the Puppet Master's true identity. The "infamous Master Hacker", whose nickname was coined by the Ghost Pack, is believed to be American. However, any remaining details - age, background and (despite the moniker) even gender - are all a matter of speculation. However, this incident is the first confirmed Puppet Master attack in Hong Kong - and it seems clear that, for whatever reason, Nakamura's round of talks is his intended target.
   
   The film features some great artwork and is very atmospheric. With the Major, in particular, there is a very clear and real sense of isolation. This stems from the fact she is largely technological, rather than biological - "cyborgs", she says "have a tendency to be paranoid about their origins". Ironically enough, she's not alone in her loneliness - despite how much easier technology has made it to communicate, it's a mood that seems all too common throughout the city.



2. A few memorable scenes, lots of dialog that tries to examine some deep subjects but fails. Not miserably, but fails. Had I seen this when it came out, it might have had a bigger impact on me, but the characters were wooden and the ending unsatisfying.
   
   If a human could have an artificial heart and still be human, what if the whole human was artificial? When is someone no longer human and does it matter anyway? Mildly interesting story that can stand on its own, it just doesn't stand very tall.
   
   Unfortunately, reviewers on Amazon give out 5 star ratings like they are candy for dying kids. Every teenager (mental or otherwise) rushes off to plug their latest fad. At least I liked it well enough to finish it...



3. The film is great, and I really liked the english transfer. This disc has 5.1 in both Dolby and DTS for both Japanese and English. You really feel the action rolling past you when listening. The set has some great extras, too. The case has a clear plastic sleeve, and the inside is a tri-fold with the two discs and special extras. The two sided poster is the image on the cover, and the opposite is the Major floating on a red background. The postcard is also nice. Recommended for the collector, otherwise the single disc will do.



4. Ghost In The Shell' (released 1996 in the U.S.) by director Mamoru Oshii was a real butt-kicker for its time and brought renewed interest to Japanese Animation from North American film critics long after the landmark emergence of Akira (1988). The highly cerebral and detailed scriptwriting brought raves from some critics, while the sometimes altered translated English-dubbed version brought baffled reviews from others.
   
   While there are some great animated cinematic-styled action sequences, the film is still also an intellectual and philosophical mystery maze with characters struggling with the meaning of survival in a cybernetic world - themes that would years later influence and inspire the Wachowski brothers as they explored similar themes in 'the Matrix' trilogy.
   
   Along with possibly being one of the first original and sophisticated cyber-mystery thrillers, 'Ghost in the Shell' was also one of the first anime that appeared to integrate the old ink, cell, and paint methods into computer CGI digital graphics thoroughly and successfully to a seamless level of cinematic film mastery.
   
   (Back in the 80's, 'Akira' was still heavily using cell graphics and original BG paintings, while other anime in the 80's like 'the Lensmen" and 'Phoenix 2772' still had CGI technology in its underdeveloped early stages - the differences between CGI and Cell animation could be easily observed by the viewer.)
   
   Kanji Kawai's striking operatic music beautifully enriches and enhances the mood of 'Ghost in the Shell'. The music classically and digitally bridges the new with the old.
   
   Still, the qualitative uniqueness of the movie comes down to its detailed and highly complex science fiction screenplay, which is similar in sophistication and spirit to the ones that exists in films like 'Blade Runner' and '2001 A Space odyssey' (and also to some limited degree to Pixar's new 'Wall.E'). These are the type of films that force the viewers to think at times while going along for the ride. (And it appears that films like these just don't come along very often.)
   
   But if that gets too boring for some viewers there's still always enough stylish but brutal butt-kicking by Motoko (Major) Kusanagi and Batou to keep any viewer tuned into the cyberpunk thriller right to the very end.
   
   ***



5. I saw this for the first time a few days ago when I bought it. I'm new into the world of anime and after buying all the Studio Ghibli stuff, this was recommended to me when I stated I wabted to branch out more. I like the animation style, and the fact that there's gore where the second movie didn't have much.

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

1. 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



2. 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



3. 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...



4. 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. I recently discovered the Appleseed movies a month ago. I had seen the film VEXILLE which was made by the same person who did the 2nd and 3rd Appleseed films. After I was blown away by the mix of hand drawn animation and CGI, I knew I had to check out his other film work. I was even more blown away by APPLESEED and APPLESEED EX MACHINA.
   
   It is 2131, there is one city left remaining on Earth called Olympus. Humans and bioroids (artificial clones) appears to co-exist peacefully. All is not well underneath the idyllic surface. The existence of bioroids have angered some humans thus leading to the destruction of a government building that contained third generation bioroids. The destruction of the building also means doom for bioroids who needs a life extension like Deunan's friend Hitomi.
   
   Deunan Knute, a tough as nails female soldier and her ex-boyfriend Briareos, who is 75% machine and the other members of the ESWAT team needs to retrieve the lost Appleseed technology to help Hitomi and the rest of Olympus, and put a kibosh on the growing threat of the military.
   
   I personally loved this film. The action was non-stop. The animation was awesome. I love the combination of hand drawn animation and CGI. The techno soundtrack fits perfectly into the setting of the film. I personally enjoyed the storyline.

5 comments about 12 Monkeys (Collector's Edition).

1. I loved this movie when it first came out; I watched it again a few months ago.
   I love the whole end of the world spin, but the animal rights garbage I can do without.
   Brad Pitt is brilliant in this movie, too bad he's gotten so boring in recent years.
   I dunno, it's just not a movie that really keeps my interest anymore.
   The story is ok, the ending is great.
   I would have given 12 Monkeys five stars when it first came out, I'm giving it three now.
   There are better movies on this subject nowadays, I Am Legend being a five star example.
   I recommend a rental.



2. Sci-fi thriller. Bruce Willis does a great job. The end will blow you away.



3. I initially didn't want to watch this film, I'd heard things from other people, who'd found it quite difficult to follow, and yes, that did put me off. But after some persuasion (and the fact I always make my Dad watch my movies, and I rarely watch his), I decided to give it a go.
   
   I did find that I really got into watching Twelve Monkeys, including working out stuff that my Dad hadn't worked out when he first saw it. (The first shot of the young boys eyes was so obviously Cole's character younger - but I worked it out cos it's a hideous cliché, that's always used.) I also noticed that the passage from The Book Of The Revelation is quoted twice, referring to seven golden vials filled with God's wrath. Kathryn says it in her lecture, and then the homeless guy also repeats it.
   
   The story starts off in the future - the viewer is never given a set year, although it's mentioned that 1% of the population survived by the year 2035. So possibly, the viewers are left to make up their own minds that it could possibly be sometime after this. An unknown, lethal virus has wiped out five billion people in 1996. The survivors now live underground, and a convict called James Cole (Bruce Willis) reluctantly volunteers to be sent back tin time to 1996 to gather information about the source of the epidemic so scientists can study it. Mistakenly, Cole is sent back to 1990, where he is promptly locked up in a mental institution, and he meets Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe) and Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt), who is also in the mental institution. He needs to find a group of people, calling themselves The Twelve Monkeys, who could possibly be releasing the virus in different cities. He also recurring dreams, which feature intermittantly throughout the movie, showing the viewer a bit more each time. What's really happening?
   
   I found it incredibly difficult to watch Brad Pitt in this movie. His acting is incredible, but I just couldn't handle watching him. Apparently, to get him to act the way he did, he inititally sent him to a speech coach, and then took away his cigarettes. Very strange. And what was with the eyes? I didn't really notice them (I was focusing on something else), until it was pointed out, and then they gave me shivers up my spine. Yes, his acting is brilliant, the way he managed to do, but I really struggled with watching him, and a couple of times, had to look away from the screen.
   
   The 'romance' between James & Kathryn didn't ring true for me. It happens all of a sudden - considering she hated him to begin with - and just seems totally unbelievable.
   
   The different things that are explored in the movie, really got my brain buzzing, and I found it difficult to switch off after watching it - but I was still thinking about Brad's character too. Time travel is heavily the focus of the movie, and it's paradoxes - James kept seeing things in the future and the past, and I couldn't work out whether he was projecting these images or what. It also touches upon the subject of mental illness, reality, animal rights, and the technological advances which could bring about the end of the world.
   
   There's always different things to watch out for during the movie, and I never found myself bored at any point, despite the running time of two hours. I did end up working out the ending, but thankfully not too soon. Cos that just would have been disappointing!
   
   I really did enjoy watching this film, although needed something a bit light hearted to watch after it. The standout thing for me was Brad Pitt. I definitely came away from the film, thinking about his performance. And for the girls, we get to see Bruce Willis naked! From behind! A highlight of the movie.



4. From his days with Monty Python to his visionary epic Brazil, Terry Gilliam has never been an ordinary filmmaker. His unique sense of style and his trademark absurdist humor can be found in all of his films. In 1995, he cemented his reputation as one of the most unconventional directors in America with his brilliant science fiction film, 12 Monkeys. 12 Monkeys is an apocalyptic, romantic, time travel adventure inspired by the French film, La Jetée, which was written by Chris Marker. However, Gilliam's film is entirely his own, a stunning masterpiece of contemporary cinema, and one of the most cleverly bizarre films ever made. The screenplay was written by David and Janet Peoples, who inject the story with an intimate humanistic quality, juxtaposing romance with an eerie atmosphere of impending disaster.
   
   In the year 2035, James Cole (Bruce Willis) is a prisoner in a subterranean stronghold where the last survivors of a cataclysmic virus are held up. Their world is monitored by a panel of scientists who use the prisoners for mysterious experiments. Cole is selected to go up onto the Earth's desolate surface and collect life forms for the scientists to study. Upon his return to the underground prison, Cole is told that he's a candidate for an experiment, which if it were successful he would be given a full pardon. He is sent back in time to discover the source of the virus, but he arrives in the wrong year. After getting into a fight with police officers, Cole is sent to a rundown insane asylum where he befriends a psychiatrist named Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe). He also meets a host of mentally dysfunctional patients, including a paranoid schizophrenic named Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt) who spends most of his time watching cartoons, harassing other patients, and ranting about government conspiracies. Jeffrey helps Cole in an escape attempt, which ends with Cole being caught by the mental hospital's guards and being put into an isolation room, heavily restrained. He mysteriously disappears from the hospital and arrives back in the future. There, the scientists tell him that despite his failure he has been exceptionally useful. They ask him if he would be willing to go back and further investigate the 12 Monkeys... and Jeffrey Goines who may be involved with their formation. However Cole is sent, not only to the wrong time but the wrong place. He lands in Southern France, in the middle of WWI. He's shot in the leg before he vanishes into time.
   Meanwhile, Kathryn Railly has been giving lectures on abnormal psychology and the theoretical "Cassandra complex", which states that some people suffer a mental disorder that makes them believe that they are clairvoyant, and knowledgeable of future catastrophes. After one of her lectures, she's ambushed by a strange man who wants her to drive him to Philadelphia. It's Cole and he's traced the origin of the virus to Jeffrey Goines and his billionaire virologist father. Kathryn convinces Cole that he's delusional, but then Cole's story is proven to be true when she discovers that the bullet she removed from his leg dates back to the first quarter of the 20th century. Now she must uncover the truth and help Cole to stop the spread of the virus, but nothing is what it appears to be.
   
   The entire cast is superb. Bruce Willis delivers one of his most nuanced performances as Cole, creating a strong yet vulnerable man who must overcome his own fears of madness in order to save humanity. Madeleine Stowe gives a fascinating performance of a sane woman, who must call into question all of her long held beliefs, and face the insanity of the world around her. But the most memorable character is Jeffrey Goines, who is brought to by Brad Pitt in one of his most remarkable performances ever. He succeeds in making Goines sympathetic, funny, and completely manic. Not only does show off his underutilized versatility as an actor, Brad Pitt also gives us, the audience, access to the off kilter world in which the entire film unfolds. As for Gilliam's direction, 12 Monkeys proves that he's capable of making films that are not only humorous, but stark and profound as well. Ironically, the film's greatest flaw is also its greatest strength. As an audience, we are never explicitly told how the story ends. Sure, there are implications within the film, but there are so many different interpretations that one single idea feels constricting and limiting. Terry Gilliam's brilliance is that he doesn't dictate his story to the viewers; rather he allows them to discover its subtleties and secrets on their own, and then draw their own conclusions. It makes the film even more interesting to watch with a group of friends and everyone's perception of the ending is contrary. It's this idea of open interpretation that makes 12 Monkeys so timeless.
   
   Also recommended:
   Monty Python's Flying Circus: Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
   Monty Python and the Holy Grail
   Jabberwocky
   Time Bandits
   Brazil
   The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
   The Fisher King
   Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas



5. Great sci-fi movie to watch. Bruce Willis does a great job playing the part, along with Brad Pitt also. Need to see movie.

5 comments about Robocop - Criterion Collection.

1. I was really looking forward to getting this DVD and it didn't disappoint. The video quality was crisp and clean and the audio was excellent. The extra features were a little thin and very recycled, but otherwise this was a great addition to my library.



2. This Blu-ray release of Robocop DOES NOT contain any special features, contrary to what the back cover says. It is only the movie(Uncut Version), a trailer, and subtitles. I had expected at the very least the same special features and documentary that are on my friends DVD release.
   
   I do not own the DVD release of Robocop, so I cannot compare the picture and transfer quality of the Blu-ray and DVD. However after reading about the many different DVD releases of Robocop, the special features alone make the Blu-ray release seem to worth about $5.



3. So, does this release come in a steelbook. I heard from some people saying that they got a regular package. Can anyone clarify?



4. I just received the DVD version from Amazon.com, some are commenting on
   the Blu-Ray for some reason. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is in fact a Steelbook case. It's really cool, I own just about every release of Robocop and "case wise" this one is the best.



5. Re-experience a classic with a bevy of special features before the Aranofsky remake shifts into high gear.

5 comments about Ghost In The Shell - Solid State Society (Limited Edition Steelbook).

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. If you've seen the series you will love this sequel. A whole new mystery, slightly different character relations (considering what happened at the end of the series). The story goes in a different direction than you may expect at any point! Plot twists make this a must have for any Ghost in the Shell fan!



4. In GitS SAC, there are two episodes which I thought to be the best (of both seasons); these were Affection and Poker Face. Both of the episodes give a (rare) peek into the past of Motoko.



5. This is an excellent series. It gets more to the point faster than the first season, though the first season is by no means bad. 2nd GIG kept me engaged and wondering what was going to happen next. Its by no means a thriller Anime, but its in depth story plot and the many twist and turns are what kept me engaged. For an Anime its storyline was superb. I am an ardent 'hater' of Anime, but Ghost in The Shell Anime series is an exception. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves good story plot lines and good plot twists.

5 comments about Ergo Proxy, Volume 6: Deus Ex Machina.

1. What more can I say about this phenomenal anime series? For those who have watched through the whole series and finally reached the finally: the end was well worth the wait. You will be awed and shocked by the final two episodes and the events that take place within. The only problem (and a good one) is that the ending is so complex, you may need to watch the series over again to fully understand it. On another note, many viewers may struggle with the complex themes and metaphors throughout the final chapter, but this is one reason why I watch anime so often: you have to actually have a brain and think things through sometimes. This is not Transformers the movie (all action, no story). This is another anime that shows you why these are not made for kids.
   
   This is the greatest artistic anime to date. The colors, the tone, the music, even the voice acting (both Japanese and English are perfect; I actually prefer the English dub). An amazing finale to a great series! This is an instant classic that should be in every anime library.
   
   Pros: Artwork is the best I have seen so far, amazing story, wonderful characters.
   Cons: Very advanced story and metaphors, some viewers may be unable to comprehend.



2. I hope you came to the last volume's reviews to provide that last needed push to purchase the entire series. Hopefully you didn't catch too many spoilers in the process. I rent most of my anime because I'm picky about movies in general, but the margin between great anime and good anime is so wide it's even harder to commit.
   Volumes of Ergo Proxy sat unopened, waiting for their siblings to be born, because I knew that fewer than 6 episodes in a sitting would leave me foaming for more. I expected more from the ending, and it almost delivers, but I wouldn't be giving the work its due respect if I got all fanboyish. This is the one that will mobilize or reanimate any interest in Anime, not because it's perfect, but because it engages all the faculties. It is such a glorious and unpredictable reexamination of classic sci-fi themes that even when things seem `off' they only draw you in further.



3. I thought this was one of the best anime series to date, when I had seen the whole show from start to finish i came and bought all the discs. I think the ending was a perfect fit for this particular series because all the questions I might have held about Vince and Re-al and The Creator were in-fact answered. I would give this disc a 6 star review if I could, because I know anyone that's into philosophy, religion and general questions like..."why am I here?"...will love this anime and be hooked after the first disc. I was sad to see it end but I honestly couldnt have asked for a better ending.



4. Only the problem is a sudden ending,
   but if you started watching this anime,
   you should check this! :D



5. To me, who tries to stick to it, because I've already bought the last five. This is a big disappointment. A rather weak ending to cap off an great story in my opinion.

5 comments about Freejack.

1. Somehow, it's possible to put Emilio Estevez, Rene Russo, and Anthony Hopkins together in a movie, and get a mediocre result. I didn't know it could be done.
   
   Estevez (as Alex) and Russo (as Julie) are madly in love. She gives him a kiss for luck and he's off in the Formula 1 racer. Next, the car goes airborne, explodes in a ball of flame, and Alex is --
   
   A "freejack," an escaped body, a piece of property. The time travel thingie yanked him out of the car at the last instant, into the future, where his strong young body was harvested to house some aging, sick rich guy (Hopkins). Problem is that Alex isn't through with that body yet. The rest of the movie is a gun battle/chase scene (he's a race driver, remember?) with Mick Jagger as the bounty hunter. Jagger does a fair job of sneering, and it's probably good that he was called on for little else.
   
   Effects are minimal. There are lots of cars and armored vehicles running around, put together with colorful but cheesy effect. There are a few humorous moments, like the nun or the recipe for river rat. There's a happy ending. That's enough to make it passable amusement. If that's all you wanted, it may meet your needs.
   
   //wiredweird



2. i saw this film at the theaters and though it was ok. not great but a nice little sci-fi action movie and the added actraction of mick jagger in it. well years later the place i work was one of the concert dates the stones played, so i got the work the show for free and meet the band. well mick asked the workers after the band thanked us for our hard work if any of us had seen any of his movies and a few of us raised our hands, so he asked if we had seen "freejack" to witch i raised my hand alone. he asked if i saw it at the movies witch i said i did. he then took a $5.00 dollar bill signed it and gave it to me with a sorry for my having wasted my money . he said it read great and they had a great time making it but somewhere it got "F__kup"! i own this movie and it's ok but the $5.00 and the sigiing of it makes this film a little more special to me so enjoy even if mick doesn't!!



3. Freejack was a bit of a disappointment, considering the makeup of the cast: Emilio Estevez, Rene Russo, Anthony Hopkins, and Mick Jagger among others, though by no means is it a bad movie.
   A race-car driver is teleported out of a deadly crash only to be transported 18 years into the future where things are just a tiny bit different...
   In short, the acting is generally pretty good (though nothing great), the setting is above average, while the dialogues and the plot are below average.
   The major setbacks are in relation to:
   1) The weak plot and especially the weak dialogues, for which the writers are to blame.
   2) Mick Jagger is pathetic in this film! Almost as bad were the actors playing the minor/supporting roles.
   3) Emilio Estevez, Rene Russo, and Anthony Hopkins were given terrible lines. What a waste of an AMAZING cast!
   Though the potential for a good movie was definitely there it fails to take off, primarily due to the writers.
   In a nutshell, it's an ok movie and that's about it; no masterpiece here... Wait till they show it on TV.



4. Emilo Estevez, Anthony Hopkins, Mick Jagger, and Rene Russo lead an allstar cast in this futuristic sci-fi action thriller set in the future. Good action, some comedy and Mick Jagger fits; in this great futuristic movie.
   Alex Furlong (Estevez) was an Indy race car driver who unbeknown to him has been chosen for a body swap in the future from the very rich CEO of a company played by Hopkins. Right before Furlong was to be killed in a crash during the race, he is snatched from his time period and teleported to the future. Mick Jagger is a commander of a type of police-force bounty hunter army who is charged with getting Furlong delivered to complete the body/mind switch. Something goes wrong and the action heats up. Will Mick Jagger deliver the Freejack (Furlong)?



5. I like this movie because it brought so many things I like to the table. The stars: Emilio Estevez, Mick Jagger, Rene Russo, Anthony Hopkins. The action: F1 racing, futuristic cars & chases, space guns & gear. The romance between Emilio & Rene. The psychedelic images at the end, etc. Definitely worth watching.

5 comments about Renaissance.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. "Renaissance" is so stylishly done and so startling visually that one finds one's self hooked from the opening moment. Unfortunately, because of this the failings of the storyline itself make the let-down that much more painful when it comes.
   
   Do not get me wrong -- I enjoyed this movie. I am glad I own the DVD. But I still cannot help feeling that when the big secret is revealed -- that the kidnapped scientist has discovered the secret to immortality -- to have the sympathetic protagonist cry out: "she is dangerous! Don't you see, without death life will have no meaning!" ...well, perhaps it is because I am old enough to have a sense of my own mortality that this line of reasoning makes no impact upon me. If the film is supposed to persuade me that NOT DYING is a bad thing, then it will need to make a stronger argument in order to succeed.
   
   So, if you are seeking a futuristic adventure with a plot driven by an intellectually justifiable idea, then this is not the movie for you. However, if you have never quite shaken off your sense of awe at the cityscape of near-future Los Angeles as imagined in "Blade Runner" then the harsh black-and-white near-future Paris of "Renaissance", with its fluid point-of-view magnifying the viewer's overall sense of disorientation, will not disappoint you.



4. It's like nothing you've ever seen before, but like a lot you've seen before. The picture is a stark, visually striking solid black and white. No shades of grey. It was made using motion capture with live actors on a soundstage along with CG animation. As the Amazon review states, "with the preponderance of the action taking place at night, frequently in the rain, the City of Light more often suggests a very literal representation of film noir." That's the main idea in a nutshell. Although that's kinda odd since film noir is precisely about ambiguity and dealing with those shades of grey in human affairs. And I should say the solid white is very bright and I don't mean that metaphorically. I had to lower the brightness level on my TV because it was hard to look at.
   
   The influences are obvious, coming from well known graphic novels, sci-fi film classics, and film noir. The story, characters, and overall mood are familiar, as is, to an extent, the futuristic city-scape environment (not that that's a bad thing)- but this black and white comic book visual style hasn't been realized in a film before. Also to be appreciated is the fact that this is a western-made animated film for adults which is still fairly rare even though clearly there is an audience.
   
   The story is adequate, characters not always the most compelling. Highly recommended for those interested in a unique visual experience.



5. Renaissance is another of those French imports in the mode of the "Triplets Of Belleville;" both of the artsy-fartsy school of animation; equally pretentious; equally putrid. It too is totally in black and white; absolutely no grays. It is actually difficult to watch, physically. So it is not only poor in content, it's annoying too. But the critics liked it, generally, so I watched for a while. Finally, I gave up. As I remember, the critics liked the "Triplets," too. I should have known better. Aag!

5 comments about Johnny Mnemonic.

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



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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. A fascinating film that brings together several genres and also several influences. First the technical level of virtual reality and computerized graphics. Interesting though not exceptionally original (see for one example The Lawnmower Man). Second the Japanese, Chinese, Honk Kong, Kung Fu type of action. There it is in a way renewed because it is grafted onto, into or under another type of post-apocalyptic vision that is typically American: underground resistance (with one of the archetypes being the Terminator trilogy, or The Running Man) or people who refuse the modern slavery imposed by the corporate trust that governs and controls the world, through dependence on data-processing machines that create a nervous disorder that is both incurable and catching. The models of this underground vision are numerous. Here he sets it in the guts of an old decaying bridge, so over-ground and over-water, in between two banks it does not join any more. Great. The film adds to that a small dose of brain manipulation, mind torturing with elements that have been made famous by The Matrix trilogy for example. The most original element is that the brain is used as a data transporting device that cannot be hacked or pirated since it is not going through a digital network. And the last load of data comes from China (the future of the world?) though it is ridden with riots and rioting crowds (the anti-Chinese-communist element?) and has to be taken to the USA, Newark mind you, to be offered to the world for its own salvation by the underground resistance (the American boy-scout do-good syndrome?). Then the other interesting elements are more isolated elements here and there than structuring elements. The dolphin that this poor Johnny obstinately calls a fish is a nice piece of animal and mammal lore that makes the dolphin the saving intercessor of humanity. The criminal Christian preacher who crucifies his victims in the name of Jesus and God is a wink against the fake Christians who are selfish and interested, even greedy in money and power bigots. And the final liberation with a final scene of natural vegetation and landscape with real natural colors is very similar to the end of the third Matrix. But this time the intercessor, messenger or courier did not have to be sacrificed and he finds a new lease in life with some restored memory. Interesting indeed, but within a full background without which it looks slightly dry and sterile.
   
   Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines