Payback DVD

Advantages: raw, gritty, good performances, humourful
Disadvantages: may not appeal to all, violent, sometimes vulgar

If there is one thing that people love more in cinema than a hero, or even a villain, it’s definitely an anti-hero. Think about it… HERO Modest and caring Brave and respectable Goes by the book Believes in justice Evades violence whenever possible Emotionally weak and complex On the other hand… ANTI-HERO Makes his own rules Will gladly step out of line to get the job done Thinks for himself (and his mission) Will gladly ...
...Believes in his own kind of justice Which would you prefer to watch? A hero may be more aesthetically pleasing to some, putting forward a good image of justice, society and being helpful to others, but an anti-hero shows the world for it’s real dog eat dog virtues; it takes a wolf to catch a wolf. How many times have your eyes lit up when you see ‘Dirty’ Harry Callahan dish out his own brand of justice? Where’s the book? ... Read review

Advantages: Maria Bello, action sequences
Disadvantages: Messy plot, confused direction

...and a small time crook. Payback also seems to aping the film noir genre with the main character employing voice over narration to explain the story but even this is not consistent and the darker atmosphere gives way to lighter comic exchanges. The violence is the one theme that can be seen to run consistently through the whole of the story but even in this the director seems to be inconsistent in the way he decides to handle it. Some is truly brutal ...
...certificate but yet again other violent moments are no more than comic book. The adult certification is also deserved for the strong language and scenes of drug abuse although there isn't a lot of sexual content surprising since all the female characters seem to be call girls. It feels like the film is desperately trying to be a gritty crime thriller but despite its graphic violence it fails to convey any realism. Buildings blow up and cars crash ... Read review

Advantages: Some Funny Bits, Some Good Action
Disadvantages: Weak Script, Some Unconvincing Plots

...Based the novel Payback by Richard Stark, at the end of the film it seems that there was just so much of the book that they couldn't include, that they didn't compensate and they just left the holes open. To complicate this movie even more, it just so happens that everything just falls into place for Porter even without his trying. Although the film would have you believe Porter thought up all the devious, often ingenious traps for the bad guys, ...
...and that he couldn't possibly do that. Performances are creditable, Mel Gibson as Porter is ok, but you feel he is trying to hard to convince us of the ruthlessness of the character. The delectable Maria Bello is convincing as Rosie, Porter's love interest. Gregg Henry also stands out as Val Resnick as does Lucy Lui as Pearl his dominatrix girlfriend. James Coburn also deserves a mention for his often humorous portrayal of Fairfax, one of the outfits' ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting characters. Great soundtrack. Mel is mean, man.
Disadvantages: None really (although some might be concerned about the brutality).

...going to get back." Payback is a brutal film at time, but extremely funny with it. Porter's search for his ex-partner and his money leads him into the heart of a ruthless, citywide (it's filmed in Chicago, but the city is never named) crime syndicate called "The Outfit". Porter (voice over): "Crooked cops. Do they come in any other way? If I'd been just a little dumber, I could have joined the force myself." Gathering enemies and hangers-on along ...
...hands on his cash. Payback is filmed in an interesting style; the colours are washed out and with the voice over, it has an almost film noir feel to it. As stated earlier, it's a very brutal film. People are killed in direct ways with quite a bit of violence, but the directness and brutality are part of what makes this film work for me. Despite the fact that quite a large proportion of the film was changed (the plotline with Kris Kristofferson was ... Read review

Advantages: entertaining
Disadvantages: bit too violent

Payback is one of those films that doesn't really set the world on fire but you can say it didn't fail to entertain. It's also a chance to see Gibson not playing a nice guy for once even though he is the hero in the film. Gibson plays Porter, a hard edged criminal who is double crossed by his partner and left for dead. As soon as he's back on his feet the only thing to do is get Payback. He's owed £70,000 from a job and he wants hit back but his ...
...to get his moeny Porter must go through crooked cops, crime bosses and street gangs. The film has some very violent scenes that can be hard to watch but it also has some dark humour thanks to a BDSM loving Lucy Liu and James Coburn in a cameo role. This is also one of those films that has a great twisted ending. The film was shot with a very bleached style that has been faithfully reproduced on the dvd. The disc has both 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen ... Read review

Advantages: Lots of episodes
Disadvantages: Only some have commentary

...When I first saw this TV show I thought it was the best American sit-com in years. It is about a man called "Earl J Hickey" who hers about Karma (if you do good things good things will happen to you) he has done nothing but bad things in his life and nothing but bad things happen to him. So he makes a list of everything bad he did and makes up for them one by one. It was so funny my sides were sore. I would recommend this DVD to someone looking for a good laugh. As well as the 24 episodes you also get a bonus episode exclusive to the DVD. It was a lost pilot and is called "Bad Karma" in this episode he makes a list of everyone who has ever screwed him over and decides that it's payback time. This bonus episode is very funny. It also comes with deleted scenes like most DVD's. These are nothing special but a good extra all the same... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Every episode shows you the joy of being a good person
Disadvantages: Can't think of any!

...life with the help of his brother (Randy Hickey - Ethan Suplee famous for his roles in Cold Mountain and John Q) and writes a list of everything he has done wrong with the intention of rectifying each deed. Other Characters include the mysteriously but funny Darnel who is part of the witness protection program and works in the Crab Shak (local restaurant), and his new wife Joy (Earls ex wife). Kenny, a man who was bullied by Earl for years during school and many many more exciting and marvelous characters. This DVD is for anyone looking for a good laugh. As well as the 24 episodes you also get a bonus episode which is a lost pilot and is called "Bad Karma" in this episode Earl makes a list of everyone who has ever screwed him over and decides that it's payback time. Hilarious! With episode titles such as "Didn't Pay Taxes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: easy viewing
Disadvantages: plot holes

...for the bad guy (see Arlington Road for a less predictable ending) maybe I'm a morlock Director: Ron Howard (Cocoon, Da Vinci Code) Released: 1996 Rating: 15 Run time: 121 minutes (2 hours 1 minute) Taglines: Someone is going to pay DVD Release: December 1997 DVD special edition release: March 2004 Soundtrack by Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins (rock) Cast ------- Mel Gibson - Tom Mullen (Payback, Braveheart) Rene Russo - Kate Mullen (Thomas crown affair remake) Brawley Nolte - Sean Mullen (Nick Noltes son!!!!) Gary Sinise - Det. Jimmy Shaker (Big Bounce) Delroy Lindo - Agent Lonnie Hawkins (Heist) Lili Taylor - Maris Conner Liev Schreiber -. Clark Barnes (Scream) Donnie Wahlberg - Cubby Barnes (6th Sense, Saw 2) Evan Handler - Miles Roberts Nancy Ticotin - Agent Kimba Welch Michael Gaston - Agent... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful