Virtuosity (DVD)

Advantages: See Denzel and Russell in one film....
Disadvantages: Doesn’t showcase anyone’s talent whatsoever....

There are probably times in your life, when you see an advert OR trailer for a movie, you think “I won’t watch that....it looks terrible”. In fairness, to ‘Virtuosity’, the plot and ideas are familiar BUT not very well executed.... A grizzled and experienced cop carries out his job efficiently BUT one day, inexplicably messes up. This leads to their banishment whether it be through jail OR leaving town. Subsequently, ...
...assignment ‘only’ they can handle AND they’re revived into action against what is usually a superior foe who has run amok. The cop? Here it’s Parker Barnes (played by Denzel Washington) who killed a few innocent civilians (all revealed through occasional flashbacks) AND is sprung out of a high-tech prison by the authorities. The foe? It’s ‘Sid 6.7’ (played by surprisingly enough, Russell Crowe). The twist? ... Read review

Advantages: Russell Crowe(!!), great cast, acting and special effects
Disadvantages: A bit confusing at the end

The basic storyline here is that a cyber killer escapes a virtual reality programme and goes on the rampage in the real world. In pursuit of him is an ex cop who is freed from prison to catch him. Russell Crowe plays the killer, named Sid 6.7, and plays him very well. Sid has been programmed with the personality of hundreds of murderers and his VR programme is used (this is set in the future) to train police. Trite though it sounds, it is actually ...
...Crowe completely NAKED!! Denzel Washington plays the ex cop, currently in prison for murdering a terrorist who killed his wife and young daughter. He is released on the condition he brings back Crowe. Amongst other personalities, Sid has been programmed with the personality of the terrorist who killed Denzel Washingtons wife and daughter. Confused yet?? You will be. With all the twists and turns in this film, it's very watchable, but easy to lose ... Read review

Advantages: Good imaginative sc-fi
Disadvantages: Rather straighforward plot - nothing new

Denzel Washington plays a cop, Barnes, imprisoned for murder, who has taken the life of the murderer of his family and is playing the price for it. Russell Crowe is Sid 6.7, a virtual reality creation with a growing taste for murder. Everything would have remained fine if Sid 6.7 had remained in cyberspace. Now only Barnes can stop him. This is a gruesome and gripping thriller, in which the threat and intensity of Sid 6.7 grows. I enjoyed this though ... Read review

Advantages: Amazing guitaring, classic tunes, good sound
Disadvantages: no dramatics apart from the playing

...and a cover of Hendrix's Are You Experienced. The duration of the music is 1 hour. Sit back and watch guitar virtuosity at its very finest. Eric seems to be at his prime on the DVD at 35 years of age and the Civil War clothing looks the part aswell. Enjoy the DVD Ben... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Intimate insight into charismatic classical violinist
Disadvantages: Appalling accompanying production package from EMI

...where he grew up and have him remember having to play with gloves on because the heating was out and his mother saying that at aged 5 his first teacher already said he would become a world star! While he is in Russia he demonstrates the other side of his profession - that of teaching. Perhaps one of the nicest parts of the DVD shows him working with a virtuosic young lad aged around 7 or 8 and him using the most wonderful imagery to get across how he wants the piece to sound. It is funny and moving at the same time as you sense two musicians across the generation gap "clicking" as they work on the piece. Maxim's imagery is basic, yet it makes a point so well and he has everyone laughing while at the same time improving the young lad's already amazing performance. Interestingly one gets a fascinating perspective into the somewhat... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful