Russian Fireworks DVD

Advantages: Interesting crime thriller, with a great twist in the tail.
Disadvantages: Violence is very graphic.

...FILM ONLY REVIEW ~~~~~~~ I was dragged along to watch this by my 16-year-old daughter and didn't even know what the movie was about, or who the director or leading actors were until I got to the cinema. Mostly I only go to the cinema to watch movies that I am very keen to view, and simply can't wait until they are released on DVD. This means that I usually go to the cinema already somewhat biased towards liking the movie, but in this instance I went with an open mind and a totally unbiased view. This movie totally blew me away, and was absolutely riveting viewing from start to finish. So what's it about? It's a crime story about the Russian Mafia, or more precisely about the Russian Mafia in London. British actress Naomi Watts plays Anna, a nurse in the maternity wing of a London hospital, who grows very attached to a newly... Read review

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Advantages: Unusual view of a London we don't see
Disadvantages: Hollow inside

...Set in and around the Finsbury area of London, David Cronenberg goes out to prove that Muslim terrorists are not the only thing to fear in this once exclusive district. Eastern Promises follows the story of Anna a Midwife in Trafalgar Hospital, whom one day delivers the child of a young Russian girl, while the baby survives the mother dies. With no way of identifying the mother other than her Christian name Tatiana, Anna decides to get her only possession a diary written in Russian translated. With Russian blood in her family Anna initially tries to get her uncle Stepan to translate the diary, but he seems to be struck by an issue of dignity feeling that in doing so he is condoning Anna to grave rob. In her search for the truth Anna heads to a Russian restaurant, the card of which was found in Tatiana's diary. It's here that she finds... Read review

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Advantages: great fantasy/action film, originality shines through
Disadvantages: disappointing to those that have read the books

..., and that is the 'prophecy'. It tells of a Great Other who will break the equilibrium the Truce holds over the Watches, and so will tip the balance of power one side or the other, depending on which side they happen to choose. And when the largest Vortex either watch has seen in centuries emerges, it looks like the prophecy is in the final stages of its happening. But who will the Great Other side with? Set in modern day Russia, 'Night Watch' portrays a world that is very close to our own, making it all the more intriguing for the audience. It's filmed and acted in Russian, giving it a very unique edge over it's Hollywood counterparts, and this just helps the film play out the basis of the original books brilliantly. Original Russian locations really makes the film more watchable, adding to the good script, brilliant filming and great acting. Added... Read review

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