The Housemaid (English Subtitled) [HD]

Remaking A Surreal Potboiler--A Lavish And Handsome Adaptation Loses Some Of The Irresistible Madness
The notorious 1960 Korean film "The Housemaid" by Kim Ki-young shocked contemporary audiences with its suspenseful descent into depravity and madness. Taking on a classic (even a cult classic) can be a daunting task. 2010's remake of the same name by Im Sang-soo maintains the same principle characters and much of the plotting, and is able to be much more graphic in nature. But despite the added nudity and sexuality--the film somehow seems much more subdued. In fact, I'll issue a cautionary warning. Billed as a thriller, "The Housemaid" really plays as a slow-burn domestic drama. Still and quiet, anyone expecting edge-of-your-seat excitement will likely be mystified by the thriller descriptive. That's not to say that there isn't much to recommend this version--I just missed some of the wildness of its predecessor. More inspired by than an actual remake, this is a glossy and dignified soap opera that maintains a surprising calm amidst increasingly melodramatic plot points...

FINALLY! An inspired remake of a classic movie!
I heard the announcement this movie would be remade with skepticism. When this DVD came out, I made sure I watched the original 1960 movie FIRST. Then the next day I watched this DVD from Amazon. Wow. For once, a remake that is not made from a blueprint of the original with the intent to cash in from the original's acclaim. This adaption is inspired and original in its own way. The direction and cinematography is amazing, the actors fit their role perfectly, and the plot is clever with a climax that is breathtaking. Definitely not for children with all the sultry sex scenes. This DVD was awesome. Rest assured, it will play in the USA (thank god).

Family affairs
A beautiful young woman comes to work as a housemaid/nanny for an extremely wealthy Korean businessman and his heavily pregnant young wife who live in a world where nothing is denied. It doesn't take long for his eye to wander to his servant. Extreme viciousness ensues as the various members of the household unite to take action to protect and preserve the family at whatever cost. exceptional performances from one and all in the cast down to the two young children of the couple. But the older house servant is riveting to watch with a beautifully layered performance reflecting all her desires, interests, anger, pain and rebellion, often simultaneously. Her performance alone would make the film worth watching and buying. More a class study than a thriller, but there's more than enough action to satisfy most viewers.

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Taekwondo Taegeuk Poomse # 1-8

Pretty good.
Even though the first 18 minutes is set aside for advertising other DVD's, I found this instruction helpful.

I have a lot of Master Kim's DVD's and they are all first rate.

On this one, as in most of his products, he goes over the forms several times so that you get it from all angles.

Highly recommended.





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Gomorrah [HD]

Riveting Movie about the true face of the Mafia
Based on true events. Captures the modern mafia clan (The Camorra) that runs Naples. One of the most unique films ever made about Italy's organized crime. This is not the Sopranos or Goodfellas so don't walk in expecting that.The glitzy aggrandized lifestyle isn't shown here. What is shown is probably the best presentation of what the nuts and bolts day to day business of the mob is, what it's all about & how it has invaded every aspect of Italian life. It's in subtitles but is still worth watching.

If this was to educate it missed it
Read the outline, watched it to the end.. and this is a perfect example of someone trying to make a documentary and failing. Other reviewers liked it, but if the intent was to make you feel depressed then it almost worked. I understand the crime in Italy, and the problems people have there, in some places in the US it is no better (Chicago) but it felt disjointed and it was tough to find a thread to follow in this one, other than the mafia is bad.

Gomorrah
The movie was okay, it was too long and sometimes the actions were cloudy and with subtitles sometimes you still do not get the true meaning of the language spoken. Some of the scenes were better than others.

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Sports Safaris Vertical Fleet Mark and Costa Rica Lodges

Too many topics for one video
These are two things my family loves -extreme skiing and Costa Rica - but putting them both into one video was strange and it was a mad rush through 4 places in Costa Rica. Too much for one video and there was no segway between the two extremes of climate. It was a high level look at 4 nice costa rican resorts but there wasnt enough time to even see the hotels properly.





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The Objective

If you liked Outpost, you'll like The Objective
This movie flirts with the idea that the old notions of the magical Djinn are based in truth, and that out in the deserts of the Middle East they are still to be found.

I have a soft spot for movies about small bands of soldiers, heading off into the boondocks where they will face the unknown in ways they could never have imagined. Outpost, Predator, Aliens, Dog Soldiers... These are all films that fit into that niche. So does The Objective.

The Objective is riddled with mythological motifs that will fly over the head of most people. If you've ever read the substantial works of Joseph Campbell and liked them (Hero with a Thousand Faces, The Masks of God series, etc.,) then this film will really appeal to you. If you have no idea what the books I just mentioned are all about, then you probably have very little interest in comparative mythology, and this movie might not be your cup of tea. Without the mythological references, The Objective might just seem like...

Well, I liked it
Lots of mixed reviews on this one. But, I thought the Objective was a great movie. Sure there's many unanswered questions--many times that's what makes for a good story. Not all of us want all the answers spoon-fed to us. The camera work is great, lots of eerie scenes, and a good story of supernatural meets sci-fi meets military action.
Spooky enough without being a gore-fest, and open-ended enough to make it more thought provoking than most action/suspense films out there today.

Do NOT believe the 4 and 5 star reviews
This movie earned a 1 star because the 32 (combined) 4 and 5 star reviews had to be connected to the film in some way or another. Even for a typical "B" movie this one was heavy on cheese. Weak story line with no real explanation at the end = 90 minutes of my life I will not get back. Opening scene they have a Huey flying in the "Special forces" team ... low budget is one thing but at least get close to accurate or be clever and never show any aircraft if all you have is something 30 years removed from the timeline of the movie. The "Special forces" team (all but one) had enough fat on them to disqualify them from humping it up and down ANY mountain anywhere much less in that environment with gear.

If this gives you any perspective ... this was the first thing I have written a review on in years of Amazon use. Yes, the movie was bad enough to motivate a review after I was suckered into giving it a chance based upon the high rated reviews. Look elsewhere for entertainment.

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The Countess [HD]

The Blood Countess and the Beginnings of the Feminist Movement
Writer/director/producer/musical scorer/actress Julie Delpy brings to the screen a character from history that few know. The film is based on the true history of the woman known as The Blood Countess, but after viewing this film it is obvious that the actual figure on whom the story is based was a brilliant political mind, a woman of noble breeding who could read and write in four languages, who once widowed was able to successfully defend her lands from the warring Turks and exact control over the reigning Hungarian King Matthias. But back to the history of the character as written by Delpy. 'Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed (Báthory Erzsébet in Hungarian) (1560 - 1614) was a countess from the renowned Báthory family of Hungarian nobility. She is considered the most prolific female serial killer in history and possibly the most prolific of any gender. She and four collaborators were accused of torturing and killing hundreds of girls, with one witness...

Lacks passion, rewrites history
For a movie about blood, The Countess is surprisingly lacking in passion. The characters seem distant and it is very difficult to believe this countess, so ruthless and successful as a power broker and commander of both king and armies, was tragically consumed over a jilting by her young lover--enough to bleed virgins in an attempt to regain a youthful vigor.

The story is unconvincing and, also, a puzzling misrepresentation of the circumstances that produced one of history's most infamous serial killers. Although I heard first about Bathory from this movie, on looking further, it seems The Countess is fictitious not only in terms of the warped romantic justification for her killings, but the machinations behind her rise to power is downplayed, as is social context of her cruelty, and the complicity of servants and family members. Even the tools she chose to kill and torture are apparently fictitious.

So with lackluster acting and sickening scenes of depravity...

the price of love
Julie Delpy writes, directs and stars in "The Countess", a tale loosely based on the infamous Hungarian Countess Erzebet Bathory (also known as Elisabeth Bathory).
The director wanted the audience to look at the life and tribulations of the countess through a female lens, while trying to banish all those perceptions of Bathory being evil into something that has nothing to do with witchcraft and the dark side at all, but it is actually the countess descents into madness because of her lover and her enemies.

I think Julie Delpy has achieved that and she is perfect in her role as the normal-turned-to-a-madwoman Countess Erzebet Bathory. You can see she loves life, her subjects and after the mourning of her husband's passing, she does seem normal until she meet Istvan Thurzo (Daniel Brühl). She fall madly in love with him although he is much, much younger than her.

Still, Istvan loves her too. And that's when the problem starts as people begin to talk and...

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The Good, The Bad, The Weird [HD]

4

Princess of Montpensier

French Swashbuckler with an Intelligent Script
Love it, love it, love it. The acting, the cinematography, the costumes...

Most swashbucklers - let's say "The Three Musketeers" - feature sizzling action, romance, treachery...but in the end they are little else but entertainment. This one is a fable of misguided passion.

Marie, the beautiful woman of the tale, becomes the object of desire of four men. The first is her childhood sweetheart, the second is her husband, the third is a prince, and the fourth is a count who is commissioned to educate her. This is a man's world, and they all attempt to woo Marie to become their prize...but she will not offer her love to anyone but her first object of desire.

The events are placed in the context of a religious war between the Catholics and the Protestants in 16th century France. Perhaps the most interesting character, the moral center of the film, is the Count of Chabannes - a man who renounces violence after killing a pregnant woman. He becomes...

An Impassioned Examination of 16th Century France
Basing a long film on a short story is usually a risk; the story often runs thin before the long film is complete. This is most assuredly NOT the case in Bertrand Tavernier's decision to adapt (with Fran

Exhumed

Amazing Piece of Noir Film Making
*********************************MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*******************************************************************
Scorpio Films Releasing is famous for doing comedic horror films that are often outrageous and always entertaining. On this film they decided to go with a straight psychological horror film that delves into the minds of people slowing going mad. The film centers around the last 5 members of a cult that believed that the outside was poison and the only way to survive was to stay in select houses. Almost the entire film is shot in the last house the cult has. Inside the house the world has stopped for them. Each character deals with the stagnation in their own way. Due to financial issues the group ahs to allow an outsider to move into the house and his arrival starts the final descent. Excellently cast with Debbie Rochon as the Governess with Michael Thurber as the Butler the defacto leaders. Sarah Nicklin plays Laura the daughter of the cult founders who died...

Intelligent and powerful, not a normal horror film.
I rented this from Bl*ckb*st*r first because I knew this was a lot different from Richard Marr-Griffin's other films. It was in black & white and didn't aim for laughs along with the shocks. After one watch through I placed my order. It is excellent filmmaking. It is disturbing and very thoughtful. Calling it a horror film would be doing a disservice to the film and to potential viewers. It is not a slasher/supernatural shock fest. It is a slow burn which raises a lot of questions that you won't find quick and easy answers for. If you want a dumb horror/gore flick you have lots of options out there. If you want something that stays in your brain, buy Exhumed now. Debbie Rochon and Michael Thurber take the lead with Rochon offering spurts of crazed violence while Thurber is much more restrained, you get the feeling that his character doesn't really like what he does, but he does it all the same, knowing that he will eventually be held accountable. Sarah Nicklin and Michael...

Solid Indie Horror Flick
When I saw the rating of this movie I was a little surprised.

I saw "exhumed" at the premiere and bought the DVD. I thought
it was a very solid indie horror. Richard Griffin did a fine
job directing a solid indie cast. Ken Willinger did a fantastic
job as Cinematographer. I thought it was one of the better indie
horror films I'd seen in awhile.

The story is paced well and the acting is very solid. Evalena Marie
did a solid job as the lead Rocki. And horror icon Sarah Nicklin
was awesome as usual. Michael reed and Michael Thurber also stood out.

I think people are less patient with low budget indies. And it's sport to
trash them. But if you want to go into a movie like Exhumed and want to
enjoy it you will. If you just want to blast a movie because it doesn't have
big stars and a million dollar budget it doesn't matter if it's solid.
You will just find some reason to kill it.

I like Griffin's...

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Five Minutes of Heaven

Truth and Reconciliation
When friend Vika (Anamaria Marinca) asks Joe Griffen (James Nesbitt), the brother of a man killed in 1975 by one Alistair Little (Liam Neeson), if killing Alistair would not be good for him, Joe replies ' Not good for me? My five minutes of heaven!' And so runs the razor sharp dialog and acting and power of this little film from the UK that relates the story of a 1975 event in Northern Ireland when Catholics and Protestants were at war and the young Protestant Alistair Little (Mark David), as a UVF member (Ulster Volunteer Force), gathers his friends and 'kills a Catholic' - but the murder happens in front of the victim's 11-year-old brother Joe Griffen. Flash forward to 2008 when Alistair Little (now Liam Neeson) has served his prison term and is set up by the media to relate the story of the incident and supposedly meet and shake hands on camera with the now mature Joe Griffen. It is a film about youthful involvement in terrorism and the sequelae that haunts or obsesses the victim's...

powerfully honest and transparent
One of the best films I have seen on the struggle to reconcile with one's own self as well as one's enemy. There is no cheap forgiveness portrayed here. The acting by Neeson and Nebitt is unbelievably good and the directing is incredible. I couldn't believe that this was a made-for-tv film. Goes to show that on a shoe-string budget, BBC can produce stuff that is far superior to the drivel that comes out the mouth of Hollywood.

One people will watch 30 years from now
A perfect movie is a rare thing. No committee can produce perfection; the too many cooks are never so present as during the production of a movie. I've seen a few, but not many. When 1 person does everything, there's one vision to be 1% short. But when tens or hundreds do it, then each contributes his individual failure until we're left wondering, as we do when watching some YouTube clip of kids riding their bikes off a roof, "Wow..what the **** were they thinking?" However, "Five Minutes of Heaven" comes darn close to perfection.

Two men collide, and then 33 years later collide again. Some serious sparks ensue. Who was right? Who lost the most? Who owes what to whom?

If you're reading these reviews, I'd advise you to stop now and get this film. This is fine film making with a pungent theme. Watch it for its powerful and beautiful tale of loss and recovery. Watch it for two great actors giving superlative performances. Watch it recreate a terrifying yet...

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Abducted: Kidnapped And Brutalized

k7
This was seriously intense from start to finish. I polished off an entire bag of potato chips while watching this I was so nervous. It's just one intense scene after the other! Had a great plot, too.

shane
Man, this is a really original movie. The story is basically a guy is kidnapped accused of committing a murder as a child. Really intense and not what you'd expect.

Kidnapped Viewer
Abducted and kidnapped redundant?
First warning of bad is a film made in 2011 and DVD released in 2013.
Second warning of bad is a unknown production conglomerate. Must have been a dead spot in their schedule to find time to release this or maybe they were just freed from abduction by viewing audience.
Third warning are cover graphics that have little to do with the overall tone of the movie or are just way overstated just to sell the product.
Fourth warning of bad. No subtitles to compensate for poor enunciation, poor dialogue script, bad audio. Not that anything of importance was said for 90% of the movie.
Fifth warning and this is very rare except in the cheapest of cheap - no scene or chapter option in main menu.
Sixth warning are lots of holes in the storyline such as how likely is it that the bride (in wedding gown) was kidnapped earlier and no one knows about it (police don't exist in this fairy tale).
Final warning of bad is me choosing to ff...

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Lol (Laughing Out Loud)

I like every movie Sophie Marceau has starred in...
She portrays the life so many women live after divorce with the ups and downs of raising children by herself, yet trying to find a life for herself all at the same time. She always adds so much to every movie because she delivers believable emotions whether it is laughter or genuine tears. She adapts to any script and never misses a beat.





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You Kill Me [HD]

A Killer DVD!
"You Kill Me" is a great "little" movie about a Polish hit-man from a snow plowing family in Buffalo, NY. Played by Ben Kingsley, the title character is a drunk that has to go to rehab or be kicked out of the family. (most likely,killed). He moves to San Fran and joins AA. Gets a job at a funeral home and meets the girl of his dreams. If you like quirky independent films that are more story than showy, this movie is for you. Great performance by Luke Wilson as well. Much funnier than the title suggests, and one to savor with the rest of your collection.

Black Comedy that's actually funny
Tea Leoni and Ben Kingsly are the perfect complement to each other in this brutally honest spoof of AA. Having been to a few meetings myself, I can speak from experience that the 12 step program can be cut to one easy step -- shut-up and quit, snivelers! Ben is completely believable as a contract killer too drunk to pull the trigger. And Tea shines as her normal, very funny and smart self. Luke Wilson wanders around aimlessly like he was added at the last minute for a name credit. What a relief to watch a movie that doesn't start slow and end with a disappointment. These two trade barbs with the precision of Irish Clog Dancers. Not only will you find yourself laughing out loud, you will also find yourself shedding a tear of happiness toward the end. If you don't find this flick LOL funny then you should trade in your blue jeans for and white collar and sulk into a seminary until you find your sense of humor. Keep it up Tea, cheers to you and Ben!!!

Gandhi Gets a Gun
It's very tough to find a great actor, and tougher to find a great script. This movie meets both.

An alcoholic gangster assassin named Frank (Kingsley) is encouraged to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings because he can't do his job well due to his drinking problem. One night his cohorts find him sleeping while at 'work'. At one of the AA meetings he tells people what he does for a living. When asked if he isn't afraid of being caught, he finds comfort in the anonymity of his new found circle of friends.

There is a lot of violence, but with lively Bohemian music in the background, the movie never loses its comedic touch.

This story is dark humor at its best.

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The Unbroken

Suspenseful and Entertaining
Maybe my opinion is biased by my nostalgia, having grown up in the 80's and spent many a muggy summer night renting movies like April Fools Day, Woodchipper Massacre and Witchboard. The Latter of which this film reminded me of, especially the feel, the red headed lead even has a semi revealing shower scene ala Tawny Kitaen-although I think this was more coincidence rather than homage. Warwick Davis is great (duh)-Daniel Baldwin shows the other less adept performers how to convincingly chew through the dialogue. Movies like this have found a stable venue on channels like SyFy and Lifetime not just DVD and streaming, which makes for ample places to hopefully stumble upon it. I watched the movie in the company of my adult son and enjoyed it, but would have no problem having watched it with my gal-pal who is not a fan of horror movies-especially since this one feels more like suspense. Check it out, lots of fun!

A Decent Ghost Story...
I've mentioned this before in some of my previous book reviews, but I am an absolute sucker for a good ghost story; as such, the same can be said for ghost movies as well. The problem is that they seem to be few and far between. With modern-day films about ghosts, we many times get rehashed genre staples that don't break any new ground. Fortunately, THE UNBROKEN does not adhere to that description. Although not perfect, this film does entertain, if you can make your way through it.

I have to tell you up front that it was sorta difficult for me to get through the first 3/4 of this film. Overall, the movie is pretty well done...but the acting started bugging me pretty quickly into it. This is particularly true for the character of Tommy, portrayed by Patrick Flanagan. Whether it is his acting style or the scriptwriting, the dialogue he presents just seems forced and unrealistic.

But, THE UNBROKEN does keep you intrigued enough along the way to look past...

Thriller!
I have to admit, I got this movie just because Warwick Davis was in it...and I didn't really expect much. This is a low-budget film and is a little slow to get going, but I actually found myself really getting into it and enjoying the characters. Daniel Baldwin (how many of them are there???) was surprisingly good as the menacing neighbor. If you are looking for a horror film, you will probably be disappointed, but as a low-budget thriller, this one is actually pretty good.

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5 Souls [HD]

Sorry, this is just a waste of time
This film does not have poor production values, the acting isn't bad, and it's not made in someone's back yard with a shakey-cam, but it's just not a good film. The concept is murky, the film is confusing and it just doesn't reach out & grab you or fill you full of dread...it's just rather dull and flat. A man has gone to get vaccinations prior to going to Africa on his honeymoon, has a serious reaction & ends up in the hospital. He is visited by some guy holding a rosary that claims he is some kind of entity, a fallen angel, if you like, and the man is asked to prove himself by killing 5 people. It turns out the man happens to be an architect & he & his fiancee were involved in some shady dealings that caused a building to collapse. There is an ex-cop on the trail of the contractor these people worked for because his young daughter died in the building collapse. How does this all fit together, you may ask? I was asking myself the same thing. The answer is, not very well. Do...

I'M FREE TO ROAM IN A PRISON OF DARKNESS
This is an odd film that is an existential mystery. Noah (Ian Bohen) finds himself in a coma talking to the angel of death (Steven Schub). He cuts a deal. He lives if he kills 5 people. This aspect reminded me a little of the film "Subliminal."

In a subplot Sam (Steve Bacic) and Sara (Allison McAtee) are investigating a collapsed building. The two subplots tie together about an hour into the film.

This is one of those films that is well made for the genre. It kept me interested, yet frustrated at the lack of clues. The ending was interesting but was a bit preachy. It is more of an experimental indie style film that is not for everyone. Don't expect a major league horror film as depicted on the cover.

Parental Guide: F-bomb, sex, brief rear nudity (Kristina Anapau). Allison McAtee- bra/panties/side breast.

Disappointing horror film
5 SOULS tries to be a slick and original horror film, but it simply has too many flaws that it can't overcome. The result is a convoluted tale that leaves the viewer wanting more.

I really wanted to enjoy this film. The premise sounds solid and director Brett Donowho has another film out there that looks really good (A HAUNTING AT SILVER FALLS) as well. But it can't overcome its problems. As the credits rolled, I actually felt kinda sad. This movie could have been so good.

5 SOULS is shot pretty well, although there are several grainy shots and a few of the low-light scenes look too dark. The acting is ok, although Steven Schub stands out among the rest of the cast as the evil `demon' who is forcing him to collect souls. Schub relishes his evil role and portrays it with the dramatic flair of a Shakespearean actor.

There's no special effects or gore to speak of, but there are plenty of opportunities where it could have been used. I'm not sure if...

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Plastic

Not recommended
I wish I had waited till someone else reviewed this movie. It was not worth the time or the money spent on it. It was cheaply made (like somebody's home movies). I'm willing to overlook cheapness if the plot is good but there was no salvation in that department either. I'm not saying this is the worst movie I've ever seen - it just wasn't worth paying money to see.

Really good independent film
When purchasing a low budget film, you know going in the quality might not be the same as a bigger budget Hollywood film, so it didn't bother me that it seemed low budget, because that is what this is. I am able to get past that really fast if the story is good. This story is good.
This type of horror movie is more scary than the Zombie ones so popular now, because this stuff really can and does happen. I believed every moment of it while watching this movie.
It's about the neighborhood guy who is keeping young girls in his home and slaughtering them one by one. None of the neighbors are the wiser, although the one next door does think the guy is kind of odd and has his eye on him. I don't want to give away too much, but it was very suspenseful, especially when someone came to his door to deliver a notice, and he was that close to being found out.
All in all, I recommend this movie to horror film buffs who like real live situations over blubbery things crawling out of...

Good indie horror movie with great ending
I thought this was pretty creepy and had enough really scary moments to keep me interested. There is gore, but it wasn't overkill. This IS NOT a Hollywood movie, it is obviously a low budget, independent film, but if you enjoy those horror movies you will love this. The ending, I thought, was really surprising and subtle and not what I would expect from this genre. I saw this on one of those 8 pack horror movie DVD's and it was definitely the best of the bunch. Of course the fact that I bought an 8-pack horror movie DVD tells you something about me so if its not your thing, then go elsewhere. But if you like Indie Horror this is a definite thumbs up.

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Profile of a Killer

Refreshing approach to a serial killer theme; great acting.
The screenplay is excellent and worthy of a big budget film. This story is not your usual serial killer story. This truly is what the title says it is; It is a profile of a killer. It appears there is no motive for this young man's homicidal actions. He says he comes from a "good home", has never been abused, and his parents reveal that he has excelled academically and in any activity he's attempted at school. He's "just a kid", as Saul, the retired FBI agent observes.

So, why is he doing this? This is the task he sets for Saul after he kidnaps him. Profile the killer and figure out what makes him tick, what makes him murder.

This movie is not a blood fest or a jump out of your seat scary movie, but it is not for the little ones in your family . There are moments that are chilling.

Pollari, the actor, that plays David (the killer) created a character that is multi-layered. There are times where you see the chilling cold-blooded killer, the rage that...

Killer
This a movies that gives the point of view of the Killer and it is spooky and feels so real. This movie is a must see for those that drive on serial killer flicks.

Good Movie - Filmed In Minnesota!!
We had seen this movie - it was a good movie. I was afraid it was going to be based on unsettling psyche but was not like that.

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Secret Honor

A masterful one-man performance
I saw this movie on cable the year it came out. Although I was only 16 at the time and knew almost nothing about Watergate, I was absolutely awe-struck by Philip Baker Hall's riveting portrayal of Richard Nixon. There are no car chases, no love scenes, no special effects -- just one actor relying solely on raw acting talent to tell a complicated story in a way that is so powerful, so multilayered, that it holds your attention for over an hour.

Now that I have a fuller knowledge and understanding of political scandals in general, I'm equally impressed with the alarming depth and accuracy of this movie's "fictional" script writing. The writers obviously had inside knowledge of the plutocratic string pulling that goes on in Washington.

It is puzzling, to say the least, why a movie this good is so hard to come by, especially when one considers how well-known the director is.

I am the American dream.
SECRET HONOR invites us to spend an intimate evening alone with the only man ever to resign the presidency, Richard Nixon. The Criterion disk contains a bunch of extras, including an hour and twenty-some minutes worth of Nixon, the real Nixon, on videotape and kinescope. It surveys a number of his speeches, beginning with the Fund Crisis (`Checkers') Speech in 1952 and ending with his August 9, 1974 Farewell Speech to the White House Staff. Also included is a newspaper managing editors' question and answer session, from 1973, in which Nixon first told us "I am not a crook." If you're new to Nixon, or need a refresher course in Nixonia, I strongly suggest you watch these before watching the movie. A few politicians are, maybe once in their career, forced to make an embarrassing speech confessing a personal weakness or transgression. Nixon seemed to have made a career out of such speeches, and this tip-of-the-iceberg special feature gives a good sense of Nixon's personal...

"Secret Honor" - best kept secret in Nixon films!
Philip Baker Hall's performance as Richard Milhous Nixon rates as my favorite among Nixon films. His portrayal of Nixon covers all the bases, from quiet obedience to his beloved mother to the snarling, foul mouthed paranoiac we've all come to love (or hate). The film is riveting as Hall's Nixon drags the audience deeper and deeper into his harsh world view and finally brings us to the very edge of his despair. The end will have you laughing, cringing or both. Brings into sharp relief the concept that we are all heroes in our own mind, and it will make you wonder what sort of spirit dwells in the leaders we currently elect if a man this twisted with hate, self loathing and paranoia could be elected president twice. Just an amazing film. Even if you don't subscribe to Hall's portrayal as reality you can't deny that this a talented and powerful performance. This film should be a must have among the "conspiracy" minded.

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Death Warrant/Double Impact/Cyborg

Not the clearest picture
Since I like all kinds of movies, I thought I would pick this up, on the cheap, since cable television used to show these all the time. I was a little disappointed by the DVD print that came my way with these three films, as they are somewhat blurry on all three of the films. I don't think I would by a multi-package of films again, due to the blur factor.

Unless you've lived under a rock for the last 20 years, you already know what you are going to get with Jean-Claude, which is not such a bad thing. Cyborg I would probably only watch once, Double Impact & Death Warrant many, many, more times.

Van Dammagisty, indeed.

Three Times The Van Dammage!
I love TGG Direct sets. I have the Leviathan, Burnt Offerings and Lifeforce horror triple feature from this same company. I grew up on Van Damme movies and when I saw this I had to get it. These are three really great Van Damme movies and Double Impact is usually considered his best film. All films are 1:85.1 anamorphic widescreen. The picture on all of these is great quality. The movies themselves are great. I love all three of these. I haven't seen any of these in over 15 years so it was a great refresher seeing them again. Collecting all of Van Dammes best movies on DVD is real affordable these days and this is a great place to start. Lots of action and well worth the price.

VAN DAMME IS THE BEST
jean-claude van damme is the best, and with this collection you'll know what i mean. with movies like these you'll love to buy more of his movies and u might even turn out a van damme fan....like me. jean-claude van damme is the best and always will be. Don't miss out on your chance to have your own JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME COLLECTION

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Let Fury Have the Hour

Creative Response Lives In Us All!
Let Fury Have the Hour is an inspirational film that takes a look at how the policies of deregulation in the 80s inspired a new generation of artists, musicians, activists, skateboarders and poets as they formed their voice of "creative response" to what they saw as the dismantling of the social safety nets that held American society in place for a generation and a half. Embracing artists who cross borders with their music and poetry, the idea that we are all of one world, i.e. "world citizenship" is also a message that this film imparts (a topic that could deserve an entire film unto itself).

The interviews of LFHTH with those artists (as well as with historians and economists, giving an intellectual rigor to the proceedings) are very thought-provoking, especially given today's economic times in this country and around the world. The editing is fast-paced and intricate, keeping you on your toes at all times! Rounded out by a great soundtrack of music from punk to hip...

Punk is dead.
This movie is depressing. Yes, I am a punk and have been since the mid 1980s. And it is good that we are looking back and realizing how cool we were to do the things we did and say the things we said. But there isn't a whole lot of political or cultural context in this film. Just interviews with middle-aged punk MEN talking about how cool they've always been.

I mean seriously, men love themselves and they want to talk about it all the time. This is great don't get me wrong. But Punk Rock is about grrrls too. And lots of other stuff. I would like to have watched a documentary that was less about punk rock men congratulating themselves and more about the world which created a need for Punk Rock and DIY. Darby Crash knew what was going on. So did the editors of Flip Side. Again, not a lot of context here. Disappointing.



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