Production Year: 1998 - Horror - Director: Stephen Norrington - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, N'Bushe Wright, Donal Logue, Udo Keir, Traci Lords, Udo Kier more
Based on the comic book of the same name, BLADE (Snipes) is a half-mortal, half-immortal bent on avenging his mother's death and destined to rid the earth of a race of vampires.... more
Blade [DVD] [1998]
The recipe forBladeis quite simple; you take one partBatman, one part horror flick, and ... more
two parts kung fu, and frost it all over with some truly camp acting. What do you get? An action flick that will reaffirm your belief that the superhero action genr...
Blade [DVD] [1998]
The recipe forBladeis quite simple; you take one partBatman, one part horror flick, and ... more
two parts kung fu, and frost it all over with some truly camp acting. What do you get? An action flick that will reaffirm your belief that the superhero action genr...
Blade DVD
A blood chilling action-packed thriller about modern day vampires unlike any previously ... more
encountered. Wesley Snipes is Blade the ultimate vampire hunter and immortal warrior who possesses the superhuman strength and cunning of a vampire but shares n...
Angel Blade DVD
Teenage prostitutes are being killed and no one knows why. The streets of Las Vegas loom ... more
with an undercurrent of lust fantasy power passion and addiction. Enter detective Bradley Cooper an on the edge cop who is slowly unraveling the secret behind the murdered prostitutes... they were all pregnant. Dr. Martin Gites a renowned author and psychologist who is linked to each killing is let off the hook by Commissioner Shank. He leads Cooper to lingerie shop owner Frida the only shop owner in town selling the angel panties found on each victim at the scene. Everyone has a dark secret. A secret that kills anyone who tries to uncover it's wicked truth. A truth that is about to unveil it's wrath on Bradley Cooper or it's next victim!
adventure with a lot of swordplay and repayment of blood debts; but it differs in that it stretches the formula in interesting ways. Its moody angst is turned up to full power and it has a twilit elegiac quality, a sense of the sadness of things, which is at once very Japanese and very stylish.Yukio is one of the assassins of the house of Takemikazuchi, a group of exiled royal guards from a neighbouring kingdom who have created a life in the isolated low-tech kingdom Japan has become in some near future. She is in fact the last of the original Takemikazuchi family, who have gradually been marginalised and murdered. Informed of this and on the run from her fellow swordsmen, she takes refuge with, and falls for, Takashi, an assassin of a more modern kind, an alienated young man whose concern for his retarded sister sits uneasily with his bomb-making. The film moves steadily from explosions of passionate action beautifully choreographed to quiet intense moments of stillness, ending ambiguously on the latter. It is a superior film in its genre because it coherently questions the values and actions it celebrates. --Roz Kaveney
Sling Blade [DVD] [1996]
Billy Bob Thornton wrote, directed, and starred inSling Blade, a mesmerizing drama with ... more
haunting overtones ofTo Kill a Mockingbird. Thornton plays a mentally retarded man who has spent 20 years in a psychiatric hospital for killing his mother and her lover. Released into the community from which he came, he befriends and protects a lonely boy regularly harassed and abused by his mom's boyfriend (a terrific performance by Dwight Yoakam). The story is ultimately about sacrifice, but Thornton certainly doesn't get twinkly about it. Some of the best material concerns the hero's no-big-deal efforts to integrate into a "normal" life: working, eating fast food, earning admiration for his handyman skills, and attaining a semblance of community among other damaged souls. John Ritter has a great part as a gay shopkeeper who tries to assuage his own loneliness by spilling his guts out to Thornton's uncomprehending character.--Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
Production Year: 2004 - Horror - Director: Alexander Witt - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Thomas Kretschmann, Jared Harris, Sandrine Holt, Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Oded Fehr
A review by blackmagicstar4 on Blade (DVD) February 25th, 2009
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Outstanding
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Special Effects
Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?
Good
Advantages:
Excellent special effects, Great narrative, good character development
Disadvantages:
None
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
~ The Power of an Immortal ~
Blade is a Vampire action film starring famous actor and a personal favourite of mine Wesley Snipes. It was interesting to know that Wesley as well as starring in the film helped produce it. It is based slightly on the Marvel comic of the character Blade but has been changed to make a dark and sexy film. There are many differences between the comic character and the film. I first saw this film when it was first realised on video and my auntie was babysitting at the time. I’ve always been a fan of vampire films and this didn’t disappoint. I know own this and the other two in the trilogy on DVD box set and I never get bored on them. I am also a fan of Stephen Dorff so having both actors in this film just did it for me.
~ INFO ~
Director- Stephen Norrington
I hadn’t heard of Stephen Norrington before Blade as I was quite young but since this film he has directed many other great films including Death Machine and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He has had other offers to direct films such as Ghost Rider and The Crow.
Produced- Peter Frankfurt, Wesley Snipes, Robert Engelman Written- David S Goyer (Screenplay) Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan (comic book) Music- Mark Isham Distributed- New Line Cinema Release Date- 21 August 1998 (US) - 13 November 1998 (UK) Certificate- 18
~ PLOT ~
Blade is a half Vampire half human who slays vampires to protect the innocent race. He is a day walker which means he can go out in the day time unlike normal vampires and is strong, fast and a vicious fighter. Blade has an enemy who has come to town named Frost who is determined to get rid of Blade and rule the city. His past comes to haunt him but he must continue to save the humans from a cold killer. Blade has befriended human Whistler who mentors him and makes weapons for him to use. After saving a young girl from a group of vampires he must keep her from the enemy as well as saving the race.
~ CAST ~
Wesley Snipes – Blade
Blade has had a hard life and now lives as a vampire hunter. He is a hard fighter and is known to the vampires as The Day Walker. He has a ruthless reputation and many of his enemy are scared of him knowing he can find them day or night which is his advantage. Blade seems strong minded and determined to achieve what he sets himself.
Wesley Snipes is a successful well known actor and after Blade has starred in films such as- The Art of War (2000), 7 Seconds (2005) and The Detonator (2006), he has also appeared in the following Blade films to complete a trilogy.
Stephen Dorff – Deacon Frost
Deacon Frost is a powerful and influential killer who has a strong army behind him and a mission to defeat the threat to his race The Day Walker. He has a lot of money due to his night club and owns an expensive apartment where he is fully protected. Frost is a savage. If is men does not obey him he kills them on the spot and he seems to have a high confidence that no one can touch him.
Stephen Frost has starred in other successful films including- Riders (2002), Alone in The Dark (2005) and World Trade Centre (2006). He has also worked with singer Britney Spears in her music video of Everytime where he appears as her boyfriend.
Kris Kristofferson – Abraham Whistler
Whistler is Blade’s mentor and dear friend who helps make weapons and is like a father to Blade. He has lost his real family to the vampires and has sworn to help Blade protect the race. He is a master in Martial Arts and is an expert in weaponry.
Kris is a well respected actor and has been in the film industry for many years. Some of his most successful films are- Planet of the Apes (2001), Silver City (2004) and the new release He’s just not that into you (2009).
N’Bushe Wright- Dr Karen Jenson
Karen is saved by Blade after being attacked by a vampire. She is confused, scared and at first runs from him because of what he is. She comes in handy to the Day Walker being a doctor she helps with treatment. She seems to be an independent woman and seems to have a bond with Blade.
Blade has a lot of brilliant scenes and well filmed parts. It was hard to pick out favourite parts as every scene was action packed, interesting and motivating. Straight away we have a cliff hanger and the first part shown in the present day is mind blowing. We see a busy nightclub in town which is packed and buzzing. This is one of my favourite scenes. The music chosen is perfect for the adrenaline pumped dancers. We see an attractive couple walking toward the sound of this place and we are automatically confused with why it is based in a slaughter house. The location is dingy, dark and doesn’t look like a typical place for a nightclub to be. The cuts are fast and the action is out standing. As the sprinklers are let off and blood rains on everybody below you understand that the people there are not human but vampires. Liked the way they didn’t make it obvious at first what they were, it was done in a clever and mysterious way to catch the audience at the same time as the human man.
The first look we get of Blade is good. As the young man who entered the club realises he is doomed he stumbles on a figure dressed in leather. The camera rolls up to reveal a tall, muscled man with sunglasses. The words Day Walker are mumbled and that’s where the fighting kicks in. Unlike other vampire films Blade includes some realistic fight scenes and is not over the top. Blade is fully armoured and is quick, efficient and strong. The camera cuts fast to each fight and the music continues low in the background. The whole atmosphere is done right and it makes the audience involved in the action. I think the character of Blade was casted just right. Wesley Snipes fits the profile and his acting is brilliant as well as being a piece of eye candy for the female viewers. Deacon Frost is also another well casted character. Stephen Frost has a great look and is acting is also superb. Even though he is not obviously muscled his ruthless and cold ways are more of a danger. The character in the comic books is suppose to be older than the casted actor and have more of a scientific mastermind look but I think for the time this was chosen right. I loved the character of Frost, he is ambitious and even though he is not very liked by vampires he can influence people very well. It’s also properly because I have a liking for Stephens Dorff think it helped keeping my attention on the screen. All of the characters are well developed and we get to know about their past and see them change through out the film.
MISE EN SCENE
I think the whole look and atmosphere of the film was superb. Most of it was filmed at night time obviously being a vampire film most of them are only out at this time but it also helped with the dark and eerie scenery. It gives it a tensed feeling all the way through. The film included many different locations to keep you interested and they varied a lot. There were the dingy places like Blades warehouse and the streets of the city including the alleys as well as the up market classy apartment owned by Frost and the Hospital. The costumes also fitted the film and characters well. Blade’s outfit is powerful. The leather coat, trousers and armoury fitted around his chest give him that all powerful look. There is a wide range of weapons which was brilliantly used- the variation of guns used gave it a new modern thrill, the use of swords for personal and explicit combat and the daggers and spiked discs were good for that variation of fighting.
SP/FX
The special effects are also a huge reason why the film is successful. The way the vampires turn to bones and then blow away is a brilliant effect. All of the fighting scenes include many special effects that are done in a polished and perfectly done way. The power vampires have is much greater than humans so all of the fights are enhanced for critical damage but it is not shown as unrealistic like many films do. It shows the characters of having great skills and really blows your mind away. Even though there were some super powers included in the comic that was not evident in the film I think for the time period it is at the highest standard it could be without ruining it.
NARRATIVE
Blade has a strong story with many anti climaxes to keep you amazed. It has humour, tear jerkers and angry, buzzing action. It includes many elements to appeal to a wide ranged audience and not just the young typical males. The sub plot of romance gives it a level of humanity as it develops the characters well and we see a softer side of Blade other than the killing. The story from the comic book was evolved to make it serious to the action. Blade is not seen as a super hero who properly would have been made fun of and is seen as a different kind of hero which is more realistic to the times today.
THE FACTS
I found it interesting that when I was researching the film many other Hollywood actors were asked to do the part before Wesley Snipes these included- Denzel Washington, LL Cool J and Martin Lawrence.
~ DVD ~
The single Blade DVD can be brought on play.com for £5 although I brought the whole trilogy for £10.
Special Features
• Trailer • Deleted Scenes • Cast and Crew (Stills, Text and Soundbites) • 'Special Effects' Featurette • 'Designing Blade' Featurette • 'Behind The Scenes' Featurette • Audio Commentary from Wesley Snipes and Steven Dorff • Interactive Menu • Scene Access
~ RECOMMEND ~
Blade is a fun, sexy and cool vampire flick which has everything you need for a great film. I would defiantly recommend it and it is good value of money to buy the DVD. It is a high quality movie and has excellent acting, fighting and characters. If you have watched any of the others the first Blade film is defiantly the best.
~ thanks for reading~ Blackmagicstar4 Feb 09~ published on Dooyoo and Ciao. xx
Advantages: A comic book adaptation that actually works Disadvantages: A little predictable, may be too violent for some.
...dark and violent character as Blade torn free from the pages to burst onto our screens.
The Comic Book Hero
***************************
Blade is a hero with a difference. He is half vampire, born as his mother died from a vampires bite. He has all of their strengths and none of their weaknesses, and is consequently known by the vampire fraternity as “The Daywalker”.
Rescued from a life of feeding on the homeless, by his mentor and sidekick Whistler ... ...his sidekicks??
In this film, Blade has two sidekicks, Whistler, who creates his weapons and generally looks out for him, and Dr Karen Jenson, a haematologist, who just happens to be the damsel in distress, bitten by a vampire she is looking for a cure before she succumbs.
The Villain
************
And what comic book story would be complete without a villain??
To fill this role we have Deacon Frost. As he was turned, rather than being born a ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great action and specail effects Disadvantages: the story is ridiculous (but it doesn't really matter)
...We only know him as Blade but we find out that he was orphaned at birth, his mother being bitten by the vampire, Deacon Frost, while in labour. Due to the circumstances of his birth Blade became immune to the bite of vampires and wanting revenge, became a vampire hunter.
In the original story his first prey was Dracula himself who he eventually managed to hunt down and destroy in Japan. Dracula is soon resurrected by his servants and a protracted ... ...We join the story when Blade is an adult and an experienced Vampire hunter. Following the Marvel storyline we find out that Blade's mother was bitten by Deacon Frost when she was carrying Blade but instead of this conferring immunity to Blade it partially turned him in to a vampire. Blade gained the super human strength possessed by vampires but was also afflicted him with a lust for blood. It was only when as a wayward youngsters he was taken in ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Superb action film Disadvantages: Storyline is a little weak.
...in my opinion is the Blade trilogy and in particular this one, the first big screen adventure for the half man, half vampire Blade. The fact that Wesley Snipes stars as the Daywalker was one of the factors that lead me to watching it but it certainly was a good decision.
When his mother is bitten by a Vampire during Childbirth she dies but the baby takes on the form of a half Human, half Vampire Daywalker who later becomes known as Blade (Wesley ... ...think the main difference between Blade and the likes of Spiderman and Daredevil is the lack of a long boring introduction. My main objection to these types of movies is the hour long build up before anything actually happens. Instead Blade launches straight into the action and building up the back story around the main plot, which grabs hold and keeps your attention a lot easier. Rather than being a one off film I've found that Blade is a film I ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
I liked the sound of Blade when I first heard about it way back in 1998. It sounded different, unique, and had a new slant on things (well, vampire things), but why were HMV forever trying to flog it off? Hmmm, best avoid it and spend my hard earned pennies elsewhere. Skip forward to the shiny new millennium though (slipping off the Bacofoil suit and leaving the flying car in the hover driveway naturally) and Blade has now been snapped up by the ... ...of vampire and human attributes), Blade uses hi-tech gadgetry and science to thwart his vampire foes and rid the world of this blood sucking scourge. Top of list if villains is the ruthless Deacon Frost, leader of a group of 'impure' vampires that are preying on the innocent and the vampire who killed Eric's mother. When Dr Karen Jenson is attacked and bitten, Blade uses her to track down Frost and soon discovers that something big is going on. Vampire ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Wesley Snipes, loads of blood and action Disadvantages: Not for the squeamish
...will follow!).
***Synopsis***
Blade (Snipes) is a man who is different from other mortals. He is half man, half vampire. His mother was bitten by a vampire when she was pregnant and the "virus" transferred to him while he was still in the womb. She died giving birth, and he was left all alone. Later on in Blade's life he meets Whistler (Kris Kristofferson) who takes him under his wing and teaches him many things. Whistler has his own reasons to ... ...as well.
Whistler and Blade make a good team; their one and only mission in life is to kill as many vampires as they possibly can. They are working to protect the human race and destroy these creatures who feed on the blood of the innocent. In Blade's own words, he has all of their strengths and none of their weaknesses. The vampires call Blade the "daywalker" as he is able to walk in sunlight. He does have one weakness - the thirst - which he keeps ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: great action Disadvantages: some mistakes in film
...generated special effect and stunts.
DVD Extras on this 2disk set
Disk one:
The film and two commentaries
The first with director Guillermo Del Toro and producer Peter Frankfurt
The second with Wesley Snipes and screenwriter David goyer
Disk 2:
Deleted and alternative scenes with optional directors commentary
‘A pact in blood’ interactive collection of documentaries
Director’s notebook
Art Gallery
Music video by cypress hill ‘child of the wild wild west’
Blade 2 video game survival guide (available on PS2 and X Box)...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Good story and effects Disadvantages: A bit trigger happy with the CGI in places
...quite reallistic with exception to one near the start of the film where the CGI took over a little too much.
Overall Blade 2 not only makes a good sequel but is really good as a stand alone film as well so is really good for fans of the original and newbies alike and is recommended to all horror / action fans.
Price & Availabilty:
You can buy Blade 2 on DVD from Amazon for around £7 on its own but it is also available as a box set with the other 2 instalments for £14 so is pretty good value for money.
**** This Review Can Also Be Found At www.dooyoo.co.uk ****...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: A great action movie, good value DVD Disadvantages: It's very bloody, violent so not for the squeamish
...on DVD I would like Blade 2 on DVD to, ?Dear Santa, please may I have?..? and I did, but was I disappointed, you?ll have to wait till the end.
If you?re planning to see the movie and prefer to know what I thought, but nothing else skip to ?Action? further down, nothing after that will give anything away. If you do read on, I have ?altered? a few minor things to give nothing away.
~//:::::::::::::::::\\~
The Clot (Plot, sorry)
The vampires have another problem (blade being their first), they are being hunted by kind of super vampires, who are stronger, faster, and very hard to kill (they?re getting their asses kicked basically). They approach Blade for help, informing him that once these ?Reapers? finish with vampires that they will start on humans, Their numbers are small at the moment, but are increasing rapidly like a virus...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Plot: Blade is the ultimate vampire hunter possessing superhuman strength and the cunning of a vampire but with none of their weaknesses. Deacon Frost, the vampire overlord, has plans to conquer mankind and Blade must overcome this threat before the entire human race is annihilated...
DVD Description
Based on the comic book of the same name, BLADE (Snipes) is a half-mortal, half-immortal bent on avenging his mother's death and destined to rid the earth of a race of vampires. Meanwhile, the modern-day technologically advanced vamps he's targeted are in pursuit of his special blood type needed to summon an evil god who plays a key role in their plan to execute the human race. A dark action thriller from the director of DEATH MACHINE and the writer of THE CROW: CITY OF ANGELS and DARK CITY with plenty of blood and guts.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date: 26/07/1999
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: EDV 9012
Barcode: 5017239190124
Production Designer: Kirk Petruccelli
Screenwriter: David S. Goyer
Editor: Paul Rubell
Creator: Stan Lee
Cinematographer: Theo Van De Sande
Composer: Mark Isham
Subject: Stan Lee
Executive Producer: Stan Lee, Lynn Harris, Bob Engelman, Wesley Snipes, David S. Goyer, Peter Frankfurt
Special Features: Trailer, Deleted Scenes, Cast And Crew, Special Effects, Designing Blade, Behind The Scenes
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review: "...The battle scenes are pure comic-book derring-do replete with acrobatics borrowed from Hong Kong action thrillers and continual morphing..." (New York Times, p.E27, 21/08/1998)
"...BLADE's design team have constructed a consistent universe and taken it seriously....Told respectfully and well..." (Sight and Sound, p.42-3, 01/11/1998)
"...Pulsing with a techno beat..." (USA Today, p.8E, 25/09/1998)
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08.12.2002
