Cinematic Landmarks DVD

Advantages: Open the pod bay doors HAL.
Disadvantages: Sorry, I can't do that Dave.

...Attempting to decide how Stanley Kubric's epic masterpiece, "2001 - A Space Odessy," based on the novel by Arther C. Clark, compares to other films of the same genre is perhaps as pointless as trying to decide once and fo all what the point is. It stands, and probably always will, on its own as a cultural and cinematic milestone. The plot, if there is one, revolves around the mysterious black monolith, and its influence on the cycle of human evlotuion. The monolith is first experienced by apes who, perhaps due to its power, make the breakthrough of using tools and weapons. The film then jumps to 2001, where the black monolith is discoverd buried just under the surface of the moon. A mission is sent to the target of the monolith's powerful radio transmissions, Jupiter, where the ship's computer (the infamous HAL2000) goes into paranoid... Read review

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Advantages: Great release of a little seen movie
Disadvantages: Not the best Deodato movie, not overly gory either

...of the casting. But the score movies along at a brisk pace and is totally in keeping with the action onscreen. Fans of the gore might be a little disappointed here; this is more of a thinking person's thriller than a "I'll rip out your intestines" type affair. This is harder to swallow when you discover that the movies director is Ruggero Deodato the man behind Cannibal Holocaust and Jungle Holocaust (AKA Lost Cannibal World). Neither is there the blatant use of eroticism that Deodato displayed in Waves Of Lost. But needless to say it's another landmark victory to see the DVD sat in a prime location on HMV shelves in with the other Shameless titles. The Movies High Spot: The first understanding of what is happening to York's character and some rather hasty looking work on his teeth, while at the same time York see's a child with the same... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A classic at a knock down price
Disadvantages: only lacking in the power of today's shockers

...explained by Carpenter, Debra Hill, producer Moustapha Akkad and Jamie Lee Curtis. This is the best kind of documentary because it is made specifically for the DVD. The 2.35:1 photography is quite good and it’s bizarre that the rip-offs were never shot in full Panavision-anamorphic widescreen, because this is definitely the film's best quality. Director John Carpenter knew this and has stuck with the format ever since. The POV camera and the gradual fading-in appearance of Michael in the background is clever and quite cinematic, something the imitators and sequels never were. The sequels just got worse and worse, more so than any other smelly franchise. The only thing that improved was the score. No matter how tame it may seem by today’s standards, this is landmark film will always remain a classic, and it's just a shame that... Read review

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