Drama > Blu-ray Drama > Parental Guidance

"Nothing escapes me. No one escapes me"

Advantages: Iconic and engaging. Breathtaking performances and direction.
Disadvantages: Its pessimism may leave some bored.

...will surely be familiar with the iconic image of a knight playing chess with the grim reaper with a Swedish beach serving as the backdrop. It's been parodied, referenced and homaged to the point where you'd not be mistaken to think that you've seen the whole film. A notable cinematic salute that springs to mind is that of 'Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey' where the duo have to play off against death with a series of board games; Twister, Battleships ...
...the more impressive considering that it's a fifty plus year old foreign film. Set during the time of the Black Plague (circa 14th century), the narrative focuses on one man: Antonius Block (Max von Sydow). A knight during the crusades, Block and his squire Jöns (Gunnar Björnstrand) return to Sweden to see a land ravaged by death and decay. Block wakes up on a beach disillusioned about the existence of god where he meets death himself (Bengt Ekerot) ...

Markula 24.02.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Seventh Seal (DVD)

A unique Film

Advantages: great acting, plot and script
Disadvantages: It can get a bit boring

I remember when Big Fish just came out. I didn't want to see it in the theatres at the time , because quite frankly it just didn't seem like my type of film. However, it was when it premiered on cable and well, there was nothing else around to watch, boredom drove me to watch it, and till this day I didn't regret watching it at all. It was a magnificent film. Not many films like this are around now so I think I'll also call it unusual and unique. ...
...young man who realises he that he knows almost nothing about his father; so he remembers stories and myths his father told him throughout the years and comes to a realisation that they really were metaphorical and end up reliving them as events in his father's life. DVD DETAILS: Label: Columbia Tristar Studio: Sony Pictures DVD Features: Subtitles: English, French, Audio Track Commentary by Tim Burton ...

RedTape 08.07.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Big Fish (Blu-Ray)

Poorly Expressed

Advantages: It tries to bring a little known hero to light.
Disadvantages: It's hackneyed in all respects.

...football player Ernie Davis was the first African-American to win the prestigious Heisman trophy and his pioneering spirit changed the face of American sport forever. Raised in penury in Pennsylvania, Davis overcame financial and social obstacles to become one of the greatest players in American college football. Under the tutelage of legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, he set records that stand to this day. Schwartzwalder was a tough-talking ...
...worked. But despite their clashes, the coach taught Davis everything he needed to know about American football, but was unable to safeguard him from tragedy. Director Gary Fleder has mainly worked in TV and that is perhaps why this film feels more like a made-for-television movie or a miniseries. It lacks scope; shot on grimy film with a phlegm-toned palette that makes everything that happens feel slightly old-fashioned and somehow workaday. This ...

afy9mab 01.09.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Express (DVD)

Love it!!!

Advantages: Dancing
Disadvantages: No real story line

WOW love this DVD cannot get enough of it. It's quite different to the first though.More dancing, BETTER dancing. I was watching this with my sister and my friends I just can't get enough of it. It's one to watch if you're either at home with friends or partner. If you like films such as Oceans eleven and thrteen then you'll love this. Though the dacing is good, wait no good is an under statement it's FABULOUS but it's got no organised story plot ...
...Definitely one to watch. It's aimed at teenagers more than grown adults. I would most definitely recommend this to any on to watch either on a night in. all in all i love it for me the film is the one of the most compared to 'save the last dance'. ...

gaetana 07.10.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Step Up 2 The Streets (Blu-ray)

a surprisingly good film

Advantages: great to learn about the softer side to victoria
Disadvantages: none

...old Victoria in my mind. The film stars Emily Blunt as the young Victoria and follows Victoria's early years when she is portrayed as a lighthearted likeable girl who knows her many responsibilities. It shows her endearing romance with Prince Albert (played by Rupert Friend) which is played beautifully particularly when you find out that he dies 20 years into her reign after they had 9 children and that she mourned his death for the rest of her very ...
...film. The film also provides a quick history in the politics and challenges she faced in becoming a monarch and that many of her advisors were only using her for their own benefit. A really surprisingly good film portraying an often hidden side of this monarch. ...

iallan 11.10.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of The Young Victoria (DVD)