LIVE FEED

A GROUP OF FRIENDS ON VACATION RUN AFOUL OF AN ASIAN GANG AND ARE TORTURED AND MURDERED AS A RESULT.
THE DIRECTOR OF THIS MOVIE HAS SAID HE WANTS TO MAKE THE SICKEST, MOST PERVERTED, BLOODIEST MOVIES HE CAN MAKE.  LIVE FEED EASILY FILLS THOSE SHOES.  THERE IS SEX, BLOODY VIOLENCE, BLOODY TORTURE, CANNIBALISM, VOYEURISM AND IT ALL TAKES PLACE IN AN ASIAN PORNO THEATRE.  THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.  IF YOU ARE INTO THIS GENRE, THEN THIS MOVIE IS FOR YOU.  IF NOT, THEN PASS ON IT.
RATING  2.5 OUT OF 5

THE DVD EXTRAS INCLUDE A MAKING OF FEATURE, DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES AND AN AUDIO COMMENTARY.

LIVE ANIMALS

AFTER A PARTY ONE NIGHT A GROUP OF COLLEGE KIDS GET KIDNAPPED AND ARE HELD HOSTAGE BY A SLAVE TRADER.  WHEN TWO OF THEM ESCAPE, THE CHASE IS ON.
NOT A GREAT MOVIE.  BAD ACTING, WEAK STORY AND PLOT HOLES THAT ARE UNFILLABLE.  THE SLAVE TRADER IS A LITTLE CHILLING SINCE HE IS A MEAN NASTY PERSON BUT HAS A GENTLENESS ABOUT HIM.  THE VICTIMS GENERATE NO SYMPATHY AT ALL AND THUS YOU REALLY DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM.  ONLY WATCH THIS IF YOU HAVE NOTHING ELSE AVAILABLE.
RATING  1.5 OUT OF 5

 

PETER AND VANDY

PETER AND VANDY TELLS THE STORY OF THE EVOLUTION OF A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO TITLE CHARACTERS.  JASON RITTER PLAYS PETER AND JESS WEIXLER PLAYS VANDY.  THE MOVIE IS VERY NON-LINEAR, SHOWING SCENES FROM THEIR FIRST MEETING, TO THEIR BEING IN LOVE, TO THEIR EVENTUAL BREAKUP IN A RANDOM ORDER. 
I FOUND THIS MOVIE TO BE SOMEWHAT AVERAGE.  THE ACTING WAS GOOD; I ESPECIALLY LIKED SOME OF THE FACIAL REACTIONS OF VANDY.  AND WHILE THE MOVIE WAS NON-LINEAR, IT WASN'T HARD TO FOLLOW AND THAT STYLE DOES FORCE YOU TO PAY ATTENTION AND STAY INTERESTED.  I FOUND THE CHARACTERS TO BE BELIEVABLE IN THEIR ACTIONS AND WHAT THEY SAID.  BUT, I JUST COULDN'T SEEM TO GET THAT INTERESTED IN THEM AND CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM.  THIS IS A MOVIE ABOUT EMOTIONS, BUT THE MOVIE ITSELF ISN'T THAT EMOTIONAL.  THAT WAS MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH IT.
RATING  3 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD HAS NO BONUS FEATURES. 

GOOD DICK

THE GIRL (MARIANNA PALKA, WHO ALSO WROTE AND DIRECTED) LIVES LIKE A HERMIT, HATES MEN, HATES HER LIFE, HAS SOME SERIOUS MENTAL ISSUES AND RENTS SOFT CORE PORN ON A DAILY BASIS.  THE GUY (JASON RITTER) LIVES IN HIS CAR, IS A RECOVERING ADDICT, WORKS AT THE VIDEO RENTAL STORE AND IS ATTRACTED TO THE GIRL.  HE DISHONESTLY INSERTS HIMSELF INTO HER LIFE AND THEN WE GET TO WATCH THEM TRY AND ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP.
THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT MOVIE.  THE GIRL -- THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS ARE NOT NAMED -- HAS BEEN A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND THAT TRAUMA OVERSHADOWS HER ENTIRE LIFE.  AS A RESULT, SHE IS SUSPICIOUS OF EVERYONE, MOSTLY MEN, ACTS OUT IN UNCONVENTIONAL WAYS AND JUST WANTS TO BE LEFT ALONE.  THE GUY IS VERY PUSHY, SOMEWHAT DISHONEST, BUT IS ATTRACTED TO THE GIRL AND TRIES EVERYTHING HE CAN TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH HER.  IF HE SUCCEEDS OR NOT IS THE PAYOFF OF THIS MOVIE.  YOU SHOULD WATCH IT TO FIND OUT.
RATING  3.5 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD EXTRAS INCLUDE A GAG REEL AND A REPORT FROM THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL.

SUPER 8

IT'S THE SUMMER OF 1979 AND SIX TEENS ARE MAKING A ZOMBIE MOVIE.  ONE NIGHT THEY WITNESS A TRAIN WRECK, AND THE SMALL OHIO TOWN THEY ARE LIVING IN IS SOON OVERRUN BY THE MILITARY AND THEN SOME VERY STRANGE THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN.  THE TEENS CONTINUE TO MAKE THEIR MOVIE, BUT IN THE PROCESS GET INVOLVED IN THE STRANGE EVENTS AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON.
THIS IS A BIG BUDGET SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE, SO YOU GET ALL YOU WOULD EXPECT: GOOD STORY, EFFECTIVE ACTING AND SPECTACULAR SPECIAL EFFECTS.  HOWEVER, I THINK THE EFFECTS GOT IN THE WAY OF THE STORY A LITTLE BIT, AND IT DIDN'T HAVE A SPECIAL FEEL TO IT.  AS I WAS WATCHING IT I WASN'T DRAWN INTO THE STORY ENOUGH TO GET THAT SENSE OF WONDER THE TEENS WERE FEELING.  THE ONLY OTHER CRITICISM I HAVE IS THAT THIS WAS A PG-13 WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN JUST AS GOOD WITH A PG RATING. 
RATING  3.5 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD HAS NO EXTRA FEATURES.

SOURCE CODE

AN AIR FORCE HELICOPTER PILOT IS RECRUITED FOR A MISSION TO FIND A TRAIN BOMBER.  THE MISSION IS DONE THROUGH RELIVING THE LAST EIGHT MINUTES BEFORE THE EXPLOSION OVER AND OVER UNTIL THE BOMBER IS FOUND.  THE PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS THIS IS CALLED THE SOURCE CODE.
JAKE GYLLENHAAL PLAYS THE PILOT, VERA FARMIGA PLAYS HIS COMMANDING OFFICER, MICHELLE MONAGHAN PLAYS THE LOVE INTEREST AND JEFFERY WRIGHT IS THE SCIENTIST WHO DEVELOPED THE SOURCE CODE.  THE MOVIE BEGINS WITH THE PILOT ON THE TRAIN NOT KNOWING WHAT IS GOING ON, AND AS THE AUDIENCE WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING EITHER.  AS THE PILOT LEARNS THIS NEW WORLD WE ALSO LEARN ABOUT IT AND ABOUT HIM.  IT IS A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY OF TELLING A STORY AND KEEPING THE AUDIENCE INVOLVED.  AS MUCH AS THIS IS A MYSTERY AND SCIENCE FICTION THRILLER WITH PLENTY OF ACTION, IT IS ALSO A LOVE STORY AND A STORY OF HOPE.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE.
RATING  4 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD EXTRAS INCLUDE A COMMENTARY TRACK, A TRIVIA TRACK, INTERVIEWS WITH THE CAST AND DIRECTOR AND A SECTION THAT GIVES BRIEF HISTORIES ON CERTAIN IDEAS BROUGHT UP IN THE MOVIE.  

THE FOREVER DEAD

A ZOMBIE BUNNY ESCAPES FROM A LAB, STARTS BITING PEOPLE TURNING THEM INTO ZOMBIES, WHO BITE OTHERS, AND SO ON.  A GROUP OF SIX END UP IN A HOUSE AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SURVIVE.
ACCORDING TO IMDB, THE BUDGET FOR THIS MOVIE WAS $10,000.  FOR THAT AMOUNT, THE MOVIE DIDN'T TURN OUT TO BAD, HOWEVER IT IS FAR FROM BEING ANYTHING GOOD.  THE STORY IS RATHER STUPID, THE ACTING IS BAD, THE LIGHTING IS BAD AND AT TIMES THE FILM SEEMS TO WASH OUT, SO THEY MAY HAVE BEEN USING BAD FILM STOCK.  BUT, THE EFFECTS ARE WELL DONE, AND IF YOU ARE INTO A LOT OF BLOOD AND GUTS THEN THIS IS THE MOVIE FOR YOU.
RATING  2 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD EXTRAS ARE A MUSIC VIDEO AND A STILL SHOT GALLERY.

CONTAGION

AN OUTBREAK OF A DEADLY VIRUS BEGINS IN CHINA AND QUICKLY SPREADS ACROSS THE GLOBE.  THIS MOVIE TELLS THE STORY OF HOW THAT OUTBREAK IS DEALT WITH, FROM THE DOCTORS AT THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL TO THE OFFICIALS FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. 
AN ALL STAR CAST -- MARION COTILLARD, MATT DAMON, LAURENCE FISHBURNE, JUDE LAW, GWYNETH PALTROW, KATE WINSLET AND MANY OTHERS YOU WILL RECOGNIZE -- MAKE THIS A VERY GOOD THRILLER.  COTILLARD, FISHBURNE AND WINSLET PLAY DOCTORS TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO STOP THE VIRUS; DAMON AND PALTROW ARE CITIZENS WHO ARE AFFECTED TRAGICALLY BY THE VIRUS; LAW IS A BLOGGER TRYING TO EXPOSE THE CORRUPTION BEHIND IT ALL.  THE FILM MOVES BETWEEN THESE THREE STORY LINES QUITE WELL, KEEPING YOU INTERESTED IN ALL THREE AND WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE.  AS FOR THE OUTCOME, YOU PRETTY MUCH KNOW WHAT IT IS BEFORE YOU START, BUT THE INTEREST IS IN HOW THEY GET THERE AND WHAT HAPPENS ALONG THE WAY.  I THINK THE MOVIE WAS VERY EFFECTIVE IN SHOWING THAT.  REALISTIC THINGS HAPPEN, PEOPLE GET INFECTED WHO YOU MIGHT NOT EXPECT TO AND OTHERS DO THINGS THAT AREN'T EXACTLY LEGAL BUT ARE DONE FOR PERSONAL REASONS.  A GOOD INTERESTING THRILLER.
RATING  4 OUT OF 5

WATCHED ON http://www.1channel.ch/ 

THE 8th PLAGUE

WHEN NIKKI DOESN'T COME HOME FROM A CAMPING TRIP, HER SISTER LAUNA GETS WORRIED AND DECIDES TO GO LOOKING FOR HER.  LAUNA ENDS UP AT AN ABANDONED PRISON, AND WITH THE HELP OF TWO FRIENDS, A DEPUTY SHERIFF AND AN EX GUARD, THEY SEARCH THE PRISON FOR NIKKI.  HOWEVER, WHAT THEY FIND IS A EVIL PRESENCE THAT TURNS PEOPLE INTO DEMON ZOMBIES.
THIS IS A LOW BUDGET HORROR MOVIE, SO YOU WOULD EXPECT BAD LIGHTING, CHOPPY EDITING AND SUB PAR ACTING, WHICH THIS MOVIE HAS.  THE FIRST HALF OF THE MOVIE MOVES VERY SLOW, BUT ONCE THEY REACH THE PRISON, THE ACTION PICKS UP AND IT BECOMES SUSPENSEFUL.  ALSO, IF YOU LIKE YOUR HORROR MOVIES BLOODY AND GORY, YOU WILL GET THAT HERE.  FINALLY, IT IS VERY PREDICTABLE -- THE ENDING COULD BE SEEN COMING ALMOST FROM THE BEGINNING.  BUT, ALL IN ALL, NOT A BAD MOVIE.
RATING  2.5 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE A MAKING OF AND DELETED SCENES.

YOUR HIGHNESS

PRINCE FABIOUS AND PRINCE THADEOUS (JAMES FRANCO AND DANNY MCBRIDE) ARE BROTHERS WHO ARE POLAR OPPOSITES: FABIOUS IS THE PERFECT PRINCE: HONORABLE, BRAVE AND LOYAL.  THADEOUS IS NOT.  ONE DAY UPON RETURNING HOME FROM A QUEST, FABIOUS BRINGS HIS FUTURE BRIDE BELLADONNA (ZOOEY DESCHANEL) WHOM HE SAVED FROM AN EVIL WIZARD.  WHEN THE WIZARD KIDNAPS BELLADONNA, FABIOUS AND THADEOUS ARE SENT ON A QUEST TO FIND AND SAVE HER.  ALONG THE WAY THEY MEET ISABEL (NATALIE PORTMAN) WHO IS ON A QUEST ON HER OWN.
THIS IS A RAUNCHY PERVERSE COMEDY.  THERE ARE MANY DISTURBING SCENES AND SITUATIONS THAT MAY BOTHER YOU, BUT IF YOU ARE ACCEPTING, IT IS VERY FUNNY.  ALL OF THE ACTING IS GOOD.  THE STORY IS ENTERTAINING AND IT WILL KEEP YOU INTERESTED.  I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW WELL AND EFFECTIVE THE STUNTS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE DONE -- THERE WAS A LOT MORE ACTION THAN WHAT I EXPECTED.  IT WAS FILMED IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AND THE BEAUTY OF THAT COUNTRY CAN BE EASILY SEEN THROUGHOUT THE MOVIE.  IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOME RAUNCHY HUMOR THIS WEEKEND GIVE THIS MOVIE A SHOT.  YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.
RATING  3 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD ONLY HAS THE RATED AND UNRATED VERSIONS.
  

PLEASE GIVE

KATE AND ALEX (CATHERINE KEENER AND OLIVER PLATT) LIVE NEXT DOOR TO ANDRA (ANN GUILBERT) WHO IS 91 AND ABOUT TO DIE.  KATE AND ALEX OWN ANDRA'S APARTMENT AND PLAN TO EXPAND INTO IT WHEN SHE DOES DIE.  KATE AND ALEX HAVE A 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ABBY (SARAH STEELE) WHO HAS ACNE AND SELF-IMAGE PROBLEMS.  TAKING CARE OF ANDRA ARE HER TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS MARY AND REBECCA (AMANDA PEET AND REBECCA HALL).  THIS MOVIE EXPLORES THEIR LIVES ALONE AND WITH EACH OTHER.
THIS WAS A QUIRKY COMEDY.  IT WON'T HAVE YOU ROLLING ON THE FLOOR; THE COMEDY IS GENUINE BUT ALSO VERY SUBTLE.  KATE IS A GOOD HEARTED PERSON WHO IS SEARCHING FOR MEANING IN HER LIFE AND IS TRYING TO FIND THAT THROUGH HELPING HOMELESS PEOPLE.  ALEX IS SOMEWHAT CAREFREE AND IS JUST ATTEMPTING TO LIVE HIS LIFE.  ABBY IS YOUR TYPICAL TEEN: A BIT REBELLIOUS, A LOT SELF-CONSCIOUS AND JUST TRYING TO FIND HERSELF.  MARY IS A BORDERLINE ALCOHOLIC WHO IS OBSESSED WITH TANNING AND SAYS WHAT SHE IS THINKING WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES.  REBECCA IS SOMEWHAT OF A WALLFLOWER WHO IS LOOKING FOR A RELATIONSHIP.  AND ANDRA IS A CRANKY OLD WOMAN WHO THE REST ONLY PUT UP WITH SINCE THEY ALL THINK SHE IS ABOUT TO DIE.  THIS IS A WELL WRITTEN WELL ACTED SLICE OF LIFE COMEDY WITH MANY CHARACTERS WHO ARE JUST A LITTLE OFF CENTER.
RATING  3.5 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE A BEHIND THE SCENES, OUTTAKES AND AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR.  

RUBBER

ROBERT IS A TIRE WHO ONE DAY COMES TO LIFE IN THE DESERT.  AS HE STARTS HIS JOURNEY HE DISCOVERS HE HAS A SPECIAL POWER THAT ALLOWS HIM TO BLOW UP STUFF.  HE ALSO HAS A CHANCE MEETING WITH A YOUNG GIRL, IS ATTRACTED TO HER AND FOLLOWS HER.
RUBBER IS A VERY DIFFERENT MOVIE.  THERE IS A MOVIE WITHIN A MOVIE AND A COUPLE OF TIMES THOSE TWO WORLDS COLLIDE, BUT THERE IS NO TRAGIC EVENT THAT HAPPENS.  WHATEVER NEEDS TO HAPPEN HAPPENS AND THEN THE TWO SPLIT APART AGAIN AND GO ON THEIR WAY.  IT MAY SOUND CONFUSING BUT THE MOVIE IS DONE SO WELL THAT IT NEVER GETS CONFUSING.  VERY QUICKLY YOU FEEL THE TIRE IS ACTUALLY ALIVE AND HAS EMOTIONS, FEELINGS AND MEMORIES.  IT CERTAINLY FEELS ANGER, FOR WHENEVER A HUMAN DOES SOMETHING TO IT THE TIRE GETS IT REVENGE.  ALSO, THE TIRE DOES VERY HUMAN THINGS: SHOWERING, SWIMMING AND WATCHING TV TO NAME A FEW.  THIS IS A MOVIE THAT YOU WILL EITHER LOVE OR HATE.  I LOVED IT, AND I BELIEVE IT WILL BE A CULT CLASSIC AND A FAN FAVORITE FOR YEARS TO COME.  GIVE IT A TRY.
RATING  3.5 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE INTERVIEWS WITH THE DIRECTOR AND CAST.

BAD TEACHER

ELISABETH IS A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER WHO GETS DUMPED BY HER FIANCEE.  SHE WANTS IMPLANTS AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO RAISE THE MONEY TO GET THEM, INCLUDING BREAKING THE LAW.  SHE ALSO WANTS THE SCHOOL'S NEW SUBSTITUTE, AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET HIM.  SHE ALSO DRINKS, SMOKES POT, SHOWS MOVIES RATHER THAN TEACH AND HAS A VERY FOUL MOUTH.
CAMERON DIAZ PLAYS THE TEACHER AND JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE PLAYS THE SUB.  THEY BOTH DO AN OKAY JOB, BUT NOTHING GREAT.  YOU WILL RECOGNIZE A LOT OF THE SUPPORTING ACTORS, AND THEY ALL DO AN ADEQUATE JOB.  AS FOR THE MOVIE, IT IS A COMEDY AND IT DOES HAVE A FEW LAUGHS BUT NOT MANY.  THE STORY IS SIMPLE, THE PLOT IS JUST BARELY THERE AND THE ENTIRE MOVIE IS PREDICTABLE WITH NO SURPRISES ALONG THE WAY.  AND EVEN THOUGH THEY TRY TO REDEEM ELISABETH, IN THE END YOU JUST DON'T CARE THAT MUCH ABOUT HER.
RATING  2.5 OUT OF 5

THIS RENTAL DVD HAS THE RATED AND UNRATED VERSIONS BUT NO SPECIAL FEATURES.

CATCH.44

THREE WOMEN, TES, KARA AND DAWN WORK FOR MEL, A DRUG PUSHER.  THEY MESSED UP THEIR LAST JOB, SO MEL HAS GIVEN THEM A CHANCE TO REDEEM THEMSELVES WITH THIS NEW JOB: FINDING OUT WHO IS ENCROACHING INTO MEL'S TERRITORY.  BUT, AS WITH MOST CRIMINALS, THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM, AND THE GIRLS HAVE MORE PROBLEMS THAN WHAT THEY PLANNED ON.
THIS MOVIE STARS MALIN ACKERMAN, NIKKI REED AND DEBORAH ANN WOLL AS THE THREE WOMEN, BRUCE WILLIS AS MEL AND FOREST WHITACKER AS MEL'S HENCHMAN RONNY.  WILLIS DOES HIS USUAL GOOD JOB, PLAYING THE DRUG LORD WITH A COOL EVILNESS; WHITACKER IS REALLY GOOD IN A ROLE THAT REQUIRED HIM TO PLAY DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES, AN EMOTIONLESS KILLER AND HAVE AN APPEARANCE OF BEING JUST A LITTLE INSANE.  I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THE WOMEN IN THE ROLES THEY WERE PLAYING: THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO BE TOUGH ENOUGH TO BE DOING WHAT WAS REQUIRED OF THEM, BUT THEY DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF ACTING WITH WHAT THEY HAD TO WORK WITH.  AS FOR THE MOVIE ITSELF, THE DIRECTOR WAS TRYING TO MAKE IT IN THE STYLE OF A TARINTINO MOVIE: THE EDITING, THE DIALOGUE, CERTAIN SCENES AND EVEN THE SELECTED MUSIC.  IT WORKS FOR THE MOST PART, HOWEVER IT DOESN'T HAVE THE FEEL OR THE ENERGY OF A QT MOVIE. 
RATING  2.5 OUT OF 5

WATCHED THROUGH http://www.1channel.ch/

BEREAVEMENT

AT THE AGE OF SIX, MARTIN BRISTOL IS KIDNAPPED BY GRAHAM SUTTER, AN INSANE MADMAN AND SERIAL KILLER.  MARTIN IS FORCED TO WATCH SUTTER AS HE KILLS HIS VICTIMS.  FIVE YEARS LATER, ALLISON COMES TO LIVE WITH HER AUNT AND UNCLE, AND ONE DAY WHILE OUT JOGGING SHE SPOTS MARTIN IN THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE WHERE HE LIVES.  WHEN ALLISON GOES IN TO TRY AND FIND HIM, SHE GETS CAPTURED BY SUTTER, WHO THEN GOES AFTER HER FAMILY.
THIS MOVIE IS A PREQUEL TO MALEVOLENCE.  WITH THAT BEING SAID, IF YOU HAVE SEEN MALEVOLENCE, THEN YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE.  HOWEVER, WHILE THIS IS A HORROR AND SLASHER MOVIE, IT RELIES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL TERROR TO PROVIDE THE FEAR.  GRANT RICKABY AS SUTTER EMBODIES THE ROLE OF INSANITY WITH A CHILLING CREEPINESS, VIOLENT AND ABUSIVE ONE MOMENT AND THEN CARING THE NEXT.  THE REST OF THE CAST IS ALSO VERY GOOD: ALEXANDRA DADDARIO AS ALLISON, MICHAEL BIEHN AS HER UNCLE, NOLAN FUNK AS HER LOVE INTEREST AND SPENCER LIST AS THE ELEVEN YEAR OLD MARTIN DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB, CONVEYING HIS EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS THROUGH HIS ACTIONS SINCE HE DOESN'T SPEAK A WORD. 
RATING  3.5 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD HAS A BEHIND THE SCENES, AN ON THE SET, DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES AND A DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY.

BEHIND THE MASK:THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON

LESLIE VERNON IS PLANNING ON BECOMING THE NEXT LEGENDARY MASS KILLER AND HE WANTS TO DOCUMENT HIS PATH TO THAT GOAL.  SO HE HIRES A GROUP OF GRADUATE STUDENTS TO FILM HIM AS HE GETS READY TO DO THE KILLINGS.  ALONG THE WAY, WE GET TO KNOW HIM AND HIS MOTIVATION FOR WANTING TO KILL.
NATHAN BAESAL PLAYS VERNON AND DOES A VERY GOOD JOB.  FOR THE FIRST TWO THIRDS OF THE MOVIE HE COMES ACROSS AS INTELLIGENT AND LIKABLE BUT THERE IS AN UNDERLINING OF INSANITY THAT COMES THROUGH.  THE LAST THIRD OF THE MOVIE HE BECOMES A MURDERER, FOCUSED ONLY ON THE KILLINGS.  IT IS A VERY CHILLING PORTRAYAL.  AS FOR THE STYLE OF THE MOVIE, IT BLENDS A DOCUMENTARY LOOK WITH A TRADITIONAL FILM LOOK, WHICH ADDS TO THE REALISM OF THE STORY.  HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT AS MUCH AS THIS IS A SERIOUS MOVIE, IT IS ALSO A SATIRE ON THE SLASHER MOVIE GENRE, AND DOES HAVE MOMENTS OF COMEDY.  BE SURE TO WATCH THE MORGUE SCENE THAT RUNS DURING THE FINAL CREDITS.
RATING  3.5 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD CONTAINS A MAKING OF FEATURE, EXTENDED AND DELETED SCENES, CASTING FOOTAGE AND A CAST COMMENTARY.

THE WOMAN

THE CLEEKS APPEAR TO BE YOUR TYPICAL FAMILY: MOM, DAD, TWO DAUGHTERS AND A SON.  THEN ONE DAY DAD CAPTURES A FERAL WOMAN WHILE OUT HUNTING, LOCKS HER UP IN A ROOT CELLAR AND ORDERS THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO PARTICIPATE IN "CIVILIZING" THE WOMAN.  HOWEVER, THINGS DON'T GO QUITE AS PLANNED, AND WE BEGIN TO LEARN THAT THE CLEEKS HAVE SOME VERY DARK AND DISTURBING PROBLEMS IN THEIR FAMILY.
THIS MOVIE WAS DIRECTED BY LUCKY MCKEE AND WRITTEN BY MCKEE AND JACK KETCHUM, SO YOU KNOW IT IS GOING TO BE SICK, TWISTED AND PERVERTED.  IT DOES NOT DISAPPOINT.  THERE ARE SCENES WITH THE FAMILY THAT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, THERE ARE SCENES BETWEEN THE WOMAN AND THE FAMILY THAT WILL MAKE YOU SQUIRM AND QUITE POSSIBLY FEEL DISGUSTED AND THEN THERE ARE OTHER SCENES THAT ARE SWEET AND INNOCENT, IN A FREAKY KIND OF WAY.  THE ACTING IS SUPERB, ESPECIALLY POLLYANNA MCINTOSH AS THE WOMAN: HER PORTRAYAL IS TERRIFYING AND HORRIFIC, BUT THEN THERE IS TIMES WHEN YOU WILL FEEL SORRY FOR HER.  SEAN BRIDGERS AS THE FATHER IS SOMEWHAT OVER THE TOP, BUT STILL CHILLING; ANGELA BETTIS AS THE MOTHER IS SUBSERVIENT TO HER HUSBAND UNTIL SHE DECIDES TO STAND UP TO HIM, WHICH HAS A TRAGIC RESULT FOR HER AND ALSO SETS OFF AN UNSTOPPABLE CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT LEAD TO A VIOLENT AND BLOODY END.  THIS IS A HORROR FILM, BUT THE HORROR DOESN'T LIE IN THE IMAGES AS MUCH AS IT DOES IN THE STORY AND THE SITUATIONS THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND THE WOMAN FIND THEMSELVES IN. 
RATING  3.5 OUT OF 5

WATCHED THROUGH http://www.1channel.ch/

BLOOD RANCH

A GROUP OF COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE ON THEIR WAY TO BURNING MAN.  THEY PICK UP A HITCHHIKER WHO IS AN IRAQI WAR VET AND THEN FIND A TERRIFIED AND BLOODY WOMAN OUT ON THE ROAD ALONE.  IN TRYING TO GET HER HELP, THEY END UP AT A PLACE CALLED THE WEB, RUN BY A GUY NAMED SPIDER, WHO HAS COLLECTED A GROUP OF FREAKS AND ALLOWED THEM TO PHYSICALLY AND SEXUALLY TORTURE KIDNAP VICTIMS.
THINK OF CIRCUS FREAKS ON ACID WHO LIKE TO TORTURE PEOPLE AND YOU WILL GET AN IDEA OF WHAT THIS MOVIE IS.  IT IS UNRATED, BUT THERE IS NOT A LOT OF BLOOD OR GORE AND NO NUDITY.  HOWEVER, THE ACTIONS OF THE FREAKS ALONG WITH THE LANGUAGE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE GIVEN IT AN UNFAVORABLE RATING.  THE STORY IS PRETTY THIN, AND MOST OF THE MOVIE IS JUST ONE FREAK AFTER ANOTHER DOING VERY WEIRD THINGS.  
RATING  2 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD CONTAINS NO SPECIAL FEATURES. 

MALEVOLENCE

AFTER ROBBING A BANK, THE ROBBERS TAKE A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER HOSTAGE AND HOLE UP IN AN ABANDONED HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.  WHEN THE DAUGHTER MANAGES TO ESCAPE, SHE RUNS TO THE NEAREST HOUSE WHICH HAPPENS TO BE AN OLD SLAUGHTER HOUSE THAT A DERANGED SERIAL KILLER IS NOW LIVING IN.  THE KILLER THEN COMES AFTER THE ROBBERS.
AS SOON AS THIS MOVIE STARTED IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS THE DIRECTOR WAS TRYING TO CREATE THE FEEL AND LOOK OF AN 80'S HORROR MOVIE, WHICH HE DOES VERY WELL.  HOWEVER, HE BRINGS NOTHING NEW AND AS A RESULT THE MOVIE IS BLAND AND PREDICTABLE.  IT WAS FILMED IN AN ACTUAL RUNDOWN OLD SLAUGHTER HOUSE, AND IF IT HAD BEEN USED TO ITS FULLEST, THE MOVIE WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE CREEPY AND SUSPENSEFUL.  ON THE TECHNICAL SIDE, THE ACTING IS GOOD AND THE CAMERA WORK AND LIGHTING DO ADD TO THE MOVIE, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE IT ANYTHING MORE THAN A MIDDLE OF THE ROAD FEATURE.
RATING 2 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD CONTAINS A MAKING OF SHORT, DELETED SCENES, AN INTERVIEW WITH SAMANTHA DARK (THE MOTHER) AND A COMMENTARY TRACK WITH THE DIRECTOR AND CAST.

CENTURION

THERE IS A LEGEND ABOUT THE NINTH LEGION OF THE ROMAN ARMY: 3000 STRONG, THEY MARCHED INTO SCOTLAND AND WERE NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN, BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN AMBUSHED BY THE PICTS.  THIS MOVIE BEGINS THERE, AND THEN TELLS THE STORY OF THE FEW SURVIVORS WHO TRY TO MAKE IT BACK TO ROMAN LAND. 
THE CENTURION IS PLAYED BY MICHAEL FASSBENDER, WHO ENDS UP THE LEADER OF THE SURVIVORS.  HE PROMISES THE NINTH LEGION'S GENERAL, PLAYED BY DOMINIC WEST, THAT HE WILL GET THE SOLDIERS BACK HOME SAFELY.  FASSBENDER IS EXCELLENT, SHOWING EMOTIONS, BEING VIOLENT AND BEING HUMOROUS WHEN IT IS NEEDED.  ALL THE SUPPORTING CAST, AS THE SURVIVORS, ALSO DO VERY WELL IN THEIR ROLES.  BUT OLGA KURYLENKO IN THE ROLE AS A PICT TRACKER AND WARRIOR IS OUTSTANDING.  THE ROMANS CUT OUT HER TONGUE SO SHE CANNOT SPEAK, SO ALL HER ACTING MUST BE DONE THROUGH FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND BODY MOVEMENTS.  THERE IS ONE SCENE WHERE SHE IS ABOUT TO FIGHT THE GENERAL AND THE LOOK ON HER FACE IS CHILLING.  SHE IS RELENTLESS IN HER PURSUIT OF THE ROMANS, DRIVEN BY HATRED OF WHAT THEY DID TO HER AND HER FAMILY.  AS ONE CHARACTER PUT IT "SHE IS AN EMPTY WELL THAT CAN ONLY BE FILLED WITH ROMAN BLOOD."
CENTURION WAS DIRECTED BY NEIL MARSHALL AND HIS MOVIES ALWAYS CONTAIN STRONG CHARACTERS, PLENTY OF VIOLENCE AND GORE AND A GRITTY REALISM.  THIS MOVIE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT IN THAT REGARD.  THERE ARE PLENTY OF FIGHT SEQUENCES WITH BLOOD SPURTING AND BODY PARTS FLYING.  THE ENTIRE MOVIE WAS SHOT ON LOCATION, AND DURING THE SCENES IN THE SCOTTISH MOUNTAINS THE TEMPERATURE GOT DOWN TO -18 CELSIUS.  A VERY WELL DONE ACTION FILM WITH A GOOD STORY, EXCELLENT EFFECTS AND BELIEVABLE ACTING.
RATING 4.5 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD CONTAINS DELETED SCENES, BLOOPERS, A MAKING OF FEATURE, BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTAGE, CAST AND CREW INTERVIEWS AND AN AUDIO COMMENTARY WITH THE DIRECTOR AND CREW.

SEASON OF THE WITCH

TWO KNIGHTS, PLAYED BY NICOLAS CAGE AND RON PERLMAN, DEFECT FROM THE CRUSADES.  WHEN THEY ARE CAPTURED AND CHARGED AS DESERTERS, THEY ARE GIVEN A WAY OUT BY THE CHURCH:  TAKE AN ACCUSED WITCH TO A MONASTERY TO BE JUDGED BY MONKS TO SEE IF SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BLACK PLAGUE THAT HAS RAVAGED THE LAND.
THIS IS A VERY GOOD ACTION MOVIE.  THERE ARE PLENTY OF FIGHT SEQUENCES, ALTHOUGH NOT TOO BLOODY SINCE IT IS RATED PG-13.  AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE ABBEY, THEY DO RUN INTO A FEW OBSTACLES THAT ALSO CREATE SOME GOOD ACTION SCENES.  THE MOVIE STARTS OUT BASED IN HISTORY, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A FEW MISTAKES, AND GRADUALLY MOVES INTO MORE OF A FANTASY/SCIENCE FICTION STORY.  THE CGI EFFECTS ARE DONE WELL, BUT TO ME THEY ALWAYS SEEM A BIT CARTOONISH, BUT THEN THAT IS INEVITABLE WITH CGI.  CAGE AND PERLMAN ARE BELIEVABLE AS KNIGHTS, BUT SOME OF THEIR LINES SEEM A LITTLE TO CONTEMPORARY TO BE SAID IN THE 14TH CENTURY.  THE SUPPORTING CAST ALSO DOES WELL, ESPECIALLY CLARE FOY WHO PLAYS THE WITCH: 90% OF HER SCREEN TIME IS SPENT CAGED UP IN A WAGON -- THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN EASY.  THE ENDING WRAPS UP THE STORY WELL, BUT IT IS A LITTLE "HOLLYWOOD" IN ITS POSITIVE OUTLOOK.
RATING  4 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD CONTAINS ONLY THE MOVIE. 

MAD COWGIRL

THERESE IS A HEALTH INSPECTOR WHO IS DYING FROM SOME TYPE OF BRAIN DISEASE.  SHE IS DIVORCED, IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH A PRIEST, IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER WOMAN, IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH HER BROTHER, OBSESSED WITH A KUNG FU TELEVISION SHOW, OBSESSED WITH RELIGION AND MAY HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH MAD COW DISEASE. 
THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE STRANGEST MOVIES I HAVE EVER SEEN.  IT WAS CHOPPED UP INTO SCENES THAT SOMETIMES CONNECTED BUT USUALLY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER.  THERESE DEFINITELY HAS MENTAL PROBLEMS, AND I THINK THE DIRECTOR MAY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONVEY HER MADNESS BY MAKING THE MOVIE ALMOST SEEM LIKE IT WAS CRAZY.  SARAH LASSEZ PLAYS THERESE AND DOES A VERY GOOD JOB.  SHE GOES FROM BEING SEXY TO BEING DEPRESSED TO BEING VIOLENT ALL DONE QUITE BELIEVABLY.  IF YOU WATCH THIS ALONE, IT WILL MAKE YOU THINK AND IF YOU WATCH IT WITH SOMEONE, YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE A LONG DISCUSSION AFTER IT IS OVER.
RATING  2.5 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD HAS BIOS OF THE CAST, DELETED SCENES, SOME PRODUCTION AND BLOOPER SCENES AND ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF TRAILERS FOR KUNG FU MOVIES WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

MY DEAD GIRLFRIEND

STEVE AND AMY ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP.  ON THE DAY SHE MOVES IN WITH HIM, HE ACCIDENTALLY BACKS OVER HER WITH HIS CAR AND KILLS HER.  DISTRAUGHT, STEVE RECITES A SPELL FROM ONE OF AMY'S WITCH BOOKS AND BRINGS HER BACK TO LIFE, BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, WHEN THE DEAD COME BACK TO LIFE THEY COME BACK AS ZOMBIES WHO ARE, AS AMY SAYS, "HUNGRY."
THIS IS A LOW BUDGET INDEPENDENT HORROR FILM, AND IT SHOWS IN THE ACTING AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS.  HOWEVER, IT IS ALSO A COMEDY WITH A WELL WRITTEN AND VERY FUNNY SCRIPT.  THERE WERE A FEW TIMES WHEN I LAUGHED OUT LOUD AND THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN MUCH WITH ME.  THERE IS GORE, BUT NOT TO A SICKENING DEGREE, NO NUDITY AND THE F WORD IS USED, BUT NOT OVERUSED.  WHEN YOU WATCH THIS YOU WILL BE ENTERTAINED, WHICH IS WHAT YOU WANT FROM A MOVIE.
RATING  3 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD CONTAINS A CAST INTERVIEW, BLOOPERS, DELETED SCENES, A SHORT FILM AND A COMMENTARY TRACK.  

SYMPATHY

TRIP (STEVEN PRITCHARD) HAS JUST ROBBED A BANK AND TAKEN AS A HOSTAGE SARA (MARINA SHTELEN) A REBELLIOUS TEENAGER WHO TRIES TO THWART TRIP ANY WAY SHE CAN.  THEY HOLE UP IN A MOTEL FOR THE NIGHT WHERE ESCAPED CONVICT DENNIS (AARON BOUCHER) BARGES INTO THEIR ROOM AND TAKES BOTH TRIP AND SARA HOSTAGE.  THEN THROUGH THEIR ARGUING, FIGHTING AND LYING TO EACH OTHER THE TRUTH ABOUT EACH OF THEM IS REVEALED.
THIS IS A CHARACTER STUDY SET IN A MOTEL ROOM WITH ONLY THREE PEOPLE.  ALL THREE ACTORS DO A GOOD JOB, ESPECIALLY SHTELEN AND BOUCHER.  SHTELEN GOES FROM BEING A SCARED LITTLE GIRL TO A WOMAN USING SEX AS A WEAPON TO A CRAZED VIOLENT UNCONTROLLABLE PERSON.  IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS SHE WILL DO ANYTHING TO SURVIVE.  BOUCHER IS THE HEAVY, AND HE DOES A VERY GOOD JOB.  MANY TIMES HE APPEARS TO BE ON THE EDGE OF GOING BERSERK, USUALLY FUELED BY ANGER.  THE LAST 30 TO 40 MINUTES ARE VERY INTENSE, BRUTALLY VIOLENT AND UNABASHEDLY BLOODY. 
RATING 4 OUT OF 5

WATCHED THROUGH http://www.1channel.ch/ BUT IS AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX.

PERVERT

JAMES COMES HOME FROM COLLEGE TO SPEND THE SUMMER WITH HIS FATHER, WHO IS BORDERLINE CRAZY AND PAYS HOOKERS TO LIVE WITH HIM.  AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE HOOKERS START SHOWING UP DEAD, KILLED BY SOME STRANGE CREATURE RUNNING AROUND THE HOUSE.  WHEN THE CREATURE IS DISCOVERED, JAMES AND PATTY, HIS DAD'S NURSE, TRY TO STOP IT.
THE STAR OF THIS MOVIE IS ADULT FILM ACTRESS MARY CAREY.  A MAJORITY OF HER SCENES ARE TOPLESS, AND SHE IS COMPLETELY NUDE A COUPLE OF TIMES.  I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE JUST ON HER ALONE, BUT THEN IT IS A HOMAGE TO RUSS MEYER, SO THERE IS A QUIRKY SENSE OF HUMOR, A SICK PERVERNESS THROUGHOUT AND THE CAMERA WORSHIPS BOTH MARY'S FABULOUS CHEST AND THAT OF JULIETTE CLARKE, WHO PLAYS THE NURSE.  YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED WHEN THE CREATURE IS REVEALED.  ALL IN ALL A VERY GOOD SEXUAL HORROR COMEDY FILM.
RATING 3 OUT OF 5

THE DVD EXTRAS INCLUDE A MAKING OF FEATURE, DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES, BLOOPERS AND TWO AUDIO COMMENTARY TRACKS.

ICE SCREAM THE REMIX

RICKY OWNS AN ICE CREAM SHOP THAT IS FAILING, SO TO INCREASE BUSINESS HE CHANGES IT INTO AN ADULT ICE CREAM SHOP, HIRES SOME SEXY WOMEN AND CHANGES THE FLAVORS TO VIRGIN VANILLA, BUSTY BUTTERCRUNCH ETC.  BUT, THEN SOMEONE STARTS KILLING OFF HIS EMPLOYEES.
PROBABLY THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS MOVIE ARE THE WOMEN, ALL ARE HOT AND HAVE NO PROBLEM GETTING TOPLESS.  ALSO, THE SOUNDTRACK HAS SOME GOOD SONGS ON IT.  THE STORY IS WEAK, THE ACTING IS BAD AND THE EFFECTS ARE ON THE BORDERLINE.  ONLY WATCH THIS IF YOU LIKE SEEING TOPLESS WOMEN SERVING ICE CREAM.
RATING 2 OUT OF 5

THE DVD HAS A BEHIND THE SCENES FEATURE.

THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 2 FINAL SEQUENCE

MARTIN IS A SHORT FAT MENTALLY CHALLENGED SEXUALLY ABUSED LONER WITH ASTHMA WHO IS OBSESSED WITH THE MOVIE "THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE FIRST SEQUENCE" AND DECIDES TO EMULATE THE EXPERIMENT FROM THAT FILM BY LINKING TOGETHER 12 HUMANS.
SICK, DISGUSTING AND PERVERTED ARE HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE THIS MOVIE.  THE DIRECTOR DEFINITLY PUSHED THE LIMITS OF DECENCY, AND A COUPLE OF TIMES CROSSED THEM COMPLETELY.  THAT BEING SAID, YOU GO INTO THIS MOVIE KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT AND IT MORE THAN DELIVERS ON THAT.  YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF ITCHING TO SEE THE NEXT SCENE, NOT BECAUSE THE ACTING IS GREAT OR THE STORY COMPELLING, BUT BECAUSE YOU WILL WONDER WHAT SORT OF DEPRAVED LUNACY IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.
RATING 2.5 OUT OF 5

WATCHED THROUGH THE WEBSITE http://www.1channel.ch/

THE SEDUCTION OF MISTY MUNDAE

MISTY (MISTY MUNDAE) SPENDS A WEEK WITH HER AUNT INGA (JULIAN WELLS) AND DURING THAT TIME HAS HER CURIOSITY AWAKENED FOR SEX WITH BOYS AND ESPECIALLY SEX WITH WOMEN.
THIS MOVIE IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT: A THIN STORY ONLY THERE TO TIE TOGETHER THE SEX SCENES, MOST OF WHICH INVOLVE WOMEN.  IF YOU ARE INTO SOFT CORE LESBIAN SEX WITH SEMI-HOT WOMEN THEN THIS IS THE MOVIE FOR YOU.
RATINGS  MOVIE: 2 OUT OF 5  SEX: 4 OUT OF 5

WATCHED THROUGH THE WEBSITE http://www.1channel.ch/

HESHER

HESHER IS LOW LIFE CRIMINAL WHO MOVES IN WITH TJ, HIS DAD AND TJ'S GRANDMA, A FAMILY TRYING TO COPE WITH A TRAGEDY AND NOT DOING A GOOD JOB.  ALONG THE WAY, TJ IS BEFRIENDED BY NICOLE AND SEES HER AS A FRIEND, BUT ALSO HAS A CRUSH ON HER.
THIS MOVIE IS VERY EMOTIONAL BUT ALSO HAS SOME EXTREMELY FUNNY MOMENTS.  HESHER IS PLAYED BY JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT AS A MENACING VIOLENT THUG.  HE IS VERY CONVINCING JUST THROUGH SOME OF THE TERRIFYING LOOKS HE GETS ON HIS FACE, ALONG WITH HIS ERRATIC DEVIL-MAY-CARE ACTIONS.  TJ IS A 13 YEAR OLD TRYING TO COPE WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS GOING ON IN HIS LIFE WITH NOT VERY GOOD RESULTS.  HE IS PLAYED BY DEVIN BROCHU, A VERY TALENTED YOUNG ACTOR.  MANY TIMES TJ LASHES OUT IN ANGER AND BROCHU PULLS OFF THE EMOTIONS WELL.  RAINN WILSON PLAYS THE DAD.  HIS WAY OF DEALING WITH EVERYTHING IS MEDICATION AND SLEEP.  NICOLE IS PLAYED BY NATALIE PORTMAN WHO, BY ACCIDENT, GETS PULLED INTO THIS FAMILY AND JUST SORT OF RIDES ALONG WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING.  THROUGH UNCONVENTIONAL ACTIONS, HESHER GETS THROUGH TO TJ AND HIS DAD AND HELPS THEM GET ON THE ROAD TO NORMALCY.
RATING 3.5 OUT OF 5

THIS RENTAL DVD HAS DELETED SCENES, OUTTAKES, A BEHIND THE SCENES FEATURE AND OTHER EXTRAS.

THOR

THOR TELLS THE STORY OF THE GOD OF THUNDER FROM A LITTLE BOY UP THROUGH HIS BANISHMENT FROM ASGARD TO LIFE ON EARTH AND HIS EVENTUAL RETURN TO ASGARD.
I'M NOT A BIG COMIC BOOK FAN, SO I DIDN'T KNOW A LOT OF THE HISTORY ABOUT THOR, BUT THE MOVIE COVERS THE MYTH WELL ENOUGH SO THAT I DIDN'T FEEL LOST IN WHAT WAS GOING ON.  THOR STARTS OUT ARROGANT AND RECKLESS AND BY THE END OF THE MOVIE HAS GROWN INTO A CARING AND RESPECTFUL GOD.  THE ACTION SEQUENCES WERE WELL DONE, EVEN THROWING IN A LITTLE HUMOR WHILE THOR WAS ON EARTH.  THE CGI EFFECTS FOR THE MOST PART WERE WELL DONE, ALTHOUGH AS WITH ANY CGI THERE IS ALWAYS A CARTOONISH LOOK TO IT.  THE PRINCIPLE ACTORS ARE CHRIS HEMSWORTH AS THOR, ANTHONY HOPKINS AS ODIN AND NATALIE PORTMAN AS JANE FOSTER.  THEY ALL DO A GOOD JOB, AND YOU WILL RECOGNIZE MANY OF THE SUPPORTING ACTORS.
RATING 4 OUT OF 5

THIS DVD RENTAL HAS NO SPECIAL FEATURES.

THE DESCENT PART 2

THIS PICKS UP WHERE THE DESCENT LEFT OFF.  SARA IS FORCED INTO HELPING A RESCUE TEAM GO BACK INTO THE CAVES TO FIND HER FRIENDS.  ONCE AGAIN THEY ENCOUNTER THE FLESH EATERS AND HAVE TO FIGHT THEM OFF TO SURVIVE.
AS A STAND ALONE FILM, THE DESCENT PART 2 IS AN OKAY HORROR MOVIE.  IT'S VERY BLOODY, VERY VIOLENT AND DOES HAVE SOME SCARY AND SHOCKING SCENES.  AS A SEQUEL TO THE DESCENT, IT WRAPS UP THE STORY NICELY AND LEAVES AN OPENING FOR A PART 3.  HOWEVER, THERE ARE SIMILAR THINGS TO WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST MOVIE, BUT JUST IN DIFFERENT MODES.  PERHAPS THAT IS INEVITABLE WHEN DEALING WITH A STORY THAT TAKES PLACE IN A CAVE.  I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE ENDING; WHAT HAPPENS DOESN'T SEEM TO FIT THE STORY, EXCEPT THAT IT ALLOWS FOR ANOTHER SEQUEL. 
RATING: 3.5 OUT OF 5

THE DVD CONTAINS A BEHIND THE SCENES, DELETED SCENES AND A COMMENTARY TRACK WITH THE DIRECTOR AND CAST.

THE DESCENT

A YEAR AFTER SARA LOSES HER FAMILY IN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT, SHE AND 5 OTHER FRIENDS GO CAVE EXPLORING.  AT FIRST, THE CAVES SEEM QUITE HARMLESS AND BEAUTIFUL, THEN THE EXPLORERS ARE ATTACKED BY A CLAN OF FLESH EATING BEASTS.  THE REST OF THE MOVIE IS ABOUT THEIR ATTEMPT TO SURVIVE.
THIS IS A GREAT HORROR FILM.  IT HAS ALL THE ELEMENTS YOU WOULD EXPECT: TERROR, VIOLENCE, BLOOD AND GORE AND EVEN SOME HUMOR THROWN IN.  IT IS AS MUCH ABOUT THE WOMEN'S DESCENT INTO THE CAVES AS IT IS SARA'S DESCENT INTO MADNESS.  I LIKED HER TRANSFORMATION FROM A GENTLE PERSON INTO A FIERCE FIGHTER.  ALSO, THE FIGHT SCENES ARE WELL DONE, QUITE GRAPHIC AND VERY EXCITING.  ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL DEVELOPED AND BELIEVABLE.
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5

THE DVD CONTAINS A BEHIND THE SCENES, DELETED SCENES, BLOOPER REEL, AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR AND TWO COMMENTARY TRACKS.

HANNA

HANNA STARS SAOIRSE RONAN AS A 15 YEAR OLD ASSASSIN TRAINED BY HER FATHER ERIK HELLER, PLAYED BY ERIC BANA.  TRYING TO KILL BOTH OF THEM IS HELLER'S FORMER HANDLER, PLAYED BY CATE BLANCHETT.  WHILE ON THE RUN, HANNA MEETS UP WITH A FREE WHEELING BRITISH FAMILY AND DISCOVERS WHAT SHE HAS BEEN MISSING BY NOT LIVING A NORMAL LIFE.
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE IDEA OF HAVING A 15 YEAR OLD GIRL PLAY AN ASSASSIN WAS NEW AND ORIGINAL.  I WASN'T DISAPPOINTED.  THE FIGHT SCENES INVOLVING HANNA WERE WELL DONE AND DIDN'T PULL ANY PUNCHES (EXCUSE THE PUN) AND SHE KILLED WITHOUT EMOTION.  I ALSO LIKED THE SCENES WHERE HANNA WAS DISCOVERING A WORLD SHE HAD NEVER SEEN -- EXPERIENCES WITH TELEVISION AND ELECTRICITY BEING TWO OF THEM.  ON THE DOWN SIDE, I DON'T THINK BLANCHETT'S CHARACTER WAS EVIL ENOUGH TO BE THE VILLAIN AND THAT TOOK AWAY FROM THE SUSPENSE IN THE CHASE SCENES.  THE MOVIE DOES BOOKEND ITSELF WELL WITH AN ECHOING OF AN EVENT IN THE OPENING IN THE ENDING. 
RATING: 3.5 OUT OF 5

THIS DVD RENTAL CONTAINS NO EXTRAS

LIMITLESS

LIMITLESS STARS BRADLEY COOPER AS  EDDIE MORRA, A DOWN AND OUT WRITER WHO IS HAVING WRITING PROBLEMS, MONEY PROBLEMS AND GIRLFRIEND PROBLEMS.  THEN, ONE DAY HE RUNS INTO HIS EX BROTHER IN LAW WHO GIVES HIM A NEW EXPERIMENTAL DRUG.  THIS DRUG ALLOWS EDDIE TO ACCESS HIS ENTIRE BRAIN TURNING HIM INTO A GENIUS.  HOWEVER, THERE ARE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS WHICH EDDIE MUST OVERCOME TO SURVIVE.
I LIKED THIS MOVIE.  IT IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE IF YOU ACCEPT THE PREMISE THEN YOU CAN ACCEPT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MOVIE.  THE ONE IRRITATING PART OF THE MOVIE IS THE CONTINUOUS NARRATION BY MORRA EXPLAINING THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON.  I JUST WANTED HIM TO SHUT UP AND LET THE STORY UNFOLD ON ITS OWN.  THE ENDING SEEMED A LITTLE LIKE A COP OUT, JUST AN EASY WAY TO TIDY THINGS UP.  I WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE STORY IS SAYING YOU CAN SUCCEED BY TAKING DRUGS.
RATING: 3 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD CONTAINS NO EXTRAS.

SOMEONE'S KNOCKING AT THE DOOR

A group of medical students find some old records at their school detailing experiments done on a married couple involving a new drug.  The experiments turned the couple into sadistic killers who murder their victims through sexual torture.  The students also find some of the drug and take it themselves.  The killers return to the school, and the students try to figure out what is happening.
This is a brutal violent film that involves male rape and mind bending episodes brought on by drug use.  There is full frontal nudity of both males and females.   Two or three times during the movie there were stretches of 20 to 30 seconds without any dialog and only music playing.  I could understand what the director was attempting to do, but it seemed to take away from the flow of the movie rather than enhance it.  The ending was a bit unexpected, but if you watch the movie again, the clues can be picked up.
My rating: 2.5 out of 5

The DVD extras contain a 45 minute behind the scenes, deleted scenes and two commentary tracks.   

BAD REPUTATION

This is a movie about a shy high school girl who has no friends and spends most of her time alone.  Then one day, the captain of the football team takes an interest in her and invites her to the after game party at his house.  She goes, and he and his teammates and their girlfriends get her drunk, take advantage of her and put up flyers at school labeling her the school slut.  The victim then decides to get revenge on the ones who attacked her.
I found this movie to be somewhat unbelieveable and boring.  The actions of the victim's mother and the school guidence councelor were completely false.  And up until the last 20 minutes, the movie just sort of plodded along, and the way she gets her revenge is not very new -- it's stuff that has been seen many times in different movies.  Finally, the ending was just awful.
My rating: 2 out of 5

The DVD has no extras.