Review Archive: November 2004
Tsukihime, Lunar Legend Vol. 01: Life Threads
A moody challenger for Hellsing's title as best Vampire show of recent years, Tsukihime is a complex character driven horror story about a boy with an accursed ability to percieve death and a vampire princess who is fighting a war with both the church and her own kind. Matt Shingleton takes a look at the R1 release.
King of Bandit Jing: Volume Four
Bringing the young bandit Jing's adventures to an end Dave Foster checks out the fourth and final volume in this entertaining series from ADV Films.
Hero
To coincide with the North American DVD release of Zhang Yimou's acclaimed "Hero", Michael Mackenzie has reviewed the superb R2 Japanese release, which presents the theatrical cut of the film with excellent image quality and a pounding full bit rate DTS track in a lavish 2-disc set.
Gad Guard: Volume 2 - Corruption
The Gads are back in town. Kev reviews volume two of Gonzo Digimation's enjoyable little series with robots.
Gad Guard: Volume 1 - Lightning
Kev takes a look at another mecha-anime from the guys who bought you "Hellsing" and "Full Metal Panic". It's about a boy and his big robot and is very good.
Port of Call
Noel Megahey reviews the second of four Bergman Collection releases from Tartan in December. One of the director's earliest films from 1948, Port of Call follows the misfortunes of a young girl whose promiscuity flies in the face of social attitudes.
A Lesson In Love
Unless it comes under the title of Smiles of A Summer Night, one usually has reason to worry about the description of any Ingmar Bergman film as a 'romantic comedy'. Noel Megahey reviews the latest release in Tartan's Bergman Collection.
Super Size Me
MAtt Day has taken a look at the R1 release of Super Size Me. Now Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 is out of the running the movie looks like a sure thing for best documentary at the Oscars, but really, Moore would't have been much competition for this...
That '70s Show: Season 1
That '70s Show is to current times what Happy Days was to viewers in the '70s. Funny and charming, this sitcom focuses on Eric Forman and his friends and family, as they tackle life from 1976 onwards. Bex takes a look at the recent R1 release of the first series of this show.
Xanda
Xanda is a sport, popular in Mainland China, that combines traditional kung fu with combat-orientated styles such as wrestling and boxing. This film follows lead character Qiang as he prepares to enter a brutal Xanda tournament. Review by Michael Sunda.
The Return
Nat reviews the UGC/Fox DVD release of The Return, the debut film from young Russian director Andrei Zvyagintsev which stunned him on its theatrical release earlier this year...
Garfield: The Movie (Special Edition)
The fat cat with a taste for lasagne finally gets the big screen treatment, but is it purrfect or a bit of catastrophe? James takes a look at Peter Hewitt's film which is released through 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Fighting Spirit Vol.02: Debut Match
Seconds out, round two! Matt Shingleton steps into the ring to check out Volume Two of Geneon's R1 release of Fighting Spirit - Japan's number one Boxing Drama.
H.R. Pufnstuf: The Complete Series
Noel Megahey revives childhood memories reviewing the UK Region 0 release of Sid & Marty Krofft's live-action cartoon series from 1969. Jimmy tries to escape from Living Island with the help of a friendly dragon, to keep his golden flute from clutches of an evil witch. The 3-disc DVD contains every episode and some extra features.
Spider-Man 2
D.J. Nock can spin a web any size. Well, he wishes, after taking the "ultimate spin" with Spider-Man 2. Could it be the greatest comic book film ever? D.J. is prepared to find out...
The Creature From The Black Lagoon: Legacy Collection
Mike Sutton has reviewed, courtesy of Loaded 247, Universal's release of "The Creature From The Black Lagoon Legacy Collection". A very impressive set of three fondly remembered monster movies is enhanced by good transfers and some worthwhile extras.
Night Train Murders
A precautionary tale against travelling on late night trains if ever there was one, Night Train Murders proves to be a sordid little exploitation thriller that actually manages to be a valid social study. Michael Mackenzie has reviewed the recent R0 USA release by Blue Underground.
Philadelphia, Here I Come
Noel Megahey reviews the American Film Theatre adaptation of Brian Friel's drama. A young man wrestles with his conscience on the day before he emigrates to America and reflects on what he is leaving behind.
Smallville: The Complete Second Season
The Superman legend soars to new heights, in the second year of "Smallville". Clark develops heat vision, leaps his first tall building, and meets the late Christopher Reeve. D.J. Nock reviews the box set...
Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi Volume 3: Destiny
It's time to bid a fond farewell to Kaoru, Aoi and friends in the final volume of Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi. Matt Shingleton takes a look at the R1 DVD release from Geneon to see if the series is given the send off it deserves.
I, Robot: 2-Disc Special Edition
Alex Hewison takes a look at the Fox Home Entertainment two-disc special edition DVD release of I, Robot. One of the summer’s big hits comes to DVD with a sparkling transfer, ear-shattering sound and enough extras to last you through Christmas. But do they and more importantly the film make for good viewing?
Great Expectations
Gary Couzens has reviewed the Region 2 release of Great Expectations, Alfonso Cuarón's underrated 1998 update of Dickens, starring Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow. This Fox DVD has good picture and sound, but only a trailer as an extra.
A Little Princess
As Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is released, Gary Couzens looks back at director Alfonso Cuarón's previous work on DVD. A Little Princess is a film that disappointed at the box office back in 1995 but looks better and better as the years pass. A very early Warners DVD has good picture and sound, but no extras.
Conduct Zero
Kev reviews ADV's first foray into Korean comedy with "Conduct Zero" - a love story, ahhhhhhhhhhh.