The Swarm DVD

Advantages: one of the best movies to come out of the UK, good cast/plot
Disadvantages: none

...in a pre-Doctor Who role as Major Henry West, acting head of the small army brigade in Manchester. The film is most remembered for its iconic images of places like London and the M1 motorway completely void of vehicles and people, by closing off these areas for minutes at a time in the early hours of daylight to minimise distruption to the streets etc. It also has brilliant special effects including explosions and raging fires for example Manchester has shown in the distance to be burning down as "there were no firemen to put the fire out". Compared to other "zombie" films (though this is more about viruses than death), I feel that 28 Days Later is one of the best out there, equal to George Romero's "Dead" Series. It creates terror in a new way to other films as instead of zombies shuffling along, swarming the characters from every direction... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Funny unfortunately, good for star watchers
Disadvantages: Badly made, poor effects.

...This spectacular failure was made at the tail end of the disaster cycle of movies in the seventies and is probably along with The Swarm, the worst of them. It brags (as many of these films do) a huge cast of famous names, mainly older stars who need the work and money! - and many younger ones who ought to have known better. Anyway it provides plenty of unintentional laughs along the way and Sean Connery looks annoyed at having to be in it. By the end you're hoping that the meteor will infact be a full extinction event! Good tsunami sequence though.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Fascinating animals, plants and places, completely addictive viewing.
Disadvantages: Not applicable, you can only wish for more

...This is a truly magnificent box-set comprising of all of the Planet Earth programs that have been aired on TV, and some special features included. The DVDs show fascinating scenes of nature that will be delightful to any nature lover and even those who aren't too keen on the natural world. They show all of the delights of the modern world. From the world's massive mountains to the deepest ocean trenches, Planet Earth discovers the worlds most beautiful or amazing of nature's secrets. One such highlight is a cave filled with bat manure and swarming with cockroaches. Many undiscovered creatures are found crawling around inside. This is a MUST buy for ANY nature enthusiast and days of fun are to be had replaying these brilliant DVDs. Even if you aren't so keen on nature, you will be amazed and fascinated by these majestic scenes. I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good fun
Disadvantages: Hasn't got the deepest of stories

...If what you are after is blood filled action SF film that may have its tongue planted firmly in cheek then this is the one for you. The director place mini news reels in between the main story in a way reminiscent of Robocop which give intriguing hints into this future society. When it comes to the main drive of the film, the war against the bugs this film takes on a different style, a very militaristic totalitarian feel, suitable to the writings of Robert Heinlein who had a military background. The effects in the film are wonderful, the CGI bugs swarming across a planets surface are done in a grand scale that on some level reminds me of the cast of thousands approach to early film epics. If you want thought provoking story this is not the one, but if you like lots of splatter and battle scenes then this could be a fun romp.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful