A - Multiple Viewing Possibilities
B - Deserves Another Look
C - Once Should Suffice

BABY BOY
With Tyrese Gibson, Omar Gooding, A.J. Johnson, Taraji Henson, Ving Rhames, Snoop Dogg
Directed by John Singleton
Returning to the 'Hood, director Singleton paints a vivid picture of life being a young black man in South Central LA. This coming of age film focuses on Jody, a 20-year old wise-ass who thinks he's a real tough guy, deserving respect for the mere fact that he is male and has the ability to produce babies (even though he can't support them). But, claiming to be a man, he still lives with his mother, has no job and has two kids from two different mothers. He plays up to the stereotype created around men of his age, gender and race group, without realizing he can accomplish something more than driving around in his girlfriend's car, cheating on her, watching TV, eating his mother's food and acting big. He tries too hard to be what he's not, instead of what he can be. Real life smacks him hard in the face when he's confronted by a range of real life situations over which he has little control (his girl sick of it, her ex-con boyfriend out of jail, his mom's new ex-gangster boyfriend etc.). Jody's situation is a cross-cultural one, but Singleton reflects a premise that because of many reasons (thug life & racism being two of them) it is more ingrained in the young African American. He weaves a fine drama with many true to life moments and focuses on the inner-workings of the suburbs and its people, without bringing the white man or cops into it at all. Not a bad follow-up to his take on Shaft.
4 / C
- PB

BACKSTREET BOYS - Around The World
Strictly for BSB fans. You might have seen some of the clips from this DVD on their MTV diary, but this one focuses completely on their daring 100 hour, 26 000 mile round the world promo trip for their Black & Blue album launch. They covered Stockholm, Tokyo, Sydney, Cape Town, Rio and New York City. Get a tour of the amazing 767 Boeing they rented for the trip, see the fans go ballistic and check out the views and comments of the 5 boys - some more enlightening, others totally useless. There's also a live video of their hit, Shape Of My Heart, and a photo gallery to be perused over & over again. Whether you like the Backstreet Boys' vocal-boy-group style or not, it's hard denying their gigantic stature in the pop world - whether it's all cunning marketing and teenage ignorance fuelling their bank accounts or neigh.
3 / B
- PB

BACKSTREET BOYS
Yes, they are rather smackable like all the other "New Kids on the Block-type" groups, but wouldn't you love to have throngs of girlies worshipping you, make nice money and travel all around the world when you're barely 20? Fuck yeah! A slab of videos and interviews will bring devoted fans even closer to these young idols, who at least try and project a clean image.
1 / C
- PB

BADLANDS
With Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek, Warren Oats, Ramon Bieri
Directed by Terence Malick
Bonnie and Clyde's rampage was one of the earliest couples-on-the-run legends. The Starkweather-Fugate killing spree of the 1950s was a real life preempting of many such "murderous lovers" road-movies, from this film based on the actual characters to Sugarland Express and Natural Born Killers. Malick fully utilizes the American landscape as backdrop to the disturbed young man's senseless trip deeper down the spiral with his ignorant girlfriend in tow. The performances are intense and this film became a classic not long after its initial release in 1973. Together with Days Of Heaven and The Thin Red Line, this is the first of Malick's handful movies scattered over many decades.
4 / C
- PB

BAD NEWS & MORE BAD NEWS
With Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Plainer, Peter Richardson
Directed by Sandy Johnson (Bad News) & Adrian Edmondson (More Bad News)
Bad News is an English heavy metal band that can’t get anything right. With most of the Young Ones in this fake band, it surges along the Spinal Tap vein, but is superior in so many ways due to the less restrained attitude and more outrageous behaviour. Absolutely side-splitting with some great crappy songs you’ll never forget. Originally two parts on BBC, the video is a must-have, as there are so many hilarious scenes, naming but a few, will no doubt pale in comparison to others remembered. Even if you don’t like rock & roll in the least, or ever been in a band to recognize the hang-ups and stupidity, you’ll crack up once you watch this.
6 / A
- PB

BAD SANTA
With Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Bernie Mac, Brett Kelly, John Ritter, Lauren Graham
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Billy Bob Thornton heads the title character as a con that does one big job a year with his midget sidekick. They act as a Santa & Elf double team employed at a different mall each year - at the end of the big spending period cracking the safe and setting up till next Christmas. But this Santa's no jolly old ho-ho-ho! He's a grumpy, grudge-filled drunk who blames his abusive father, hates himself, everyone around him and can't stand the routine he has to go through in order to pull the robbery. With some funny kid-on-lap-Santa-Christmas-wish sessions, it doesn't get stuck there. The writers threw in a fat kid, but Thornton and director Zwigoff prevents it from becoming a soppy bonding device, in stead turning it into a moving (and funny) tool to bring out some morality in our otherwise miserable lead character. This was one of John Ritter's last roles, a good friend of Thornton and everyone's favourite TV Jack in Three's Company (it is also dedicated to his memory). Bernie Mac plays the store security head who sniffs around the cons' business. An hilarious counter-Christmas movie that was executive produced by the Coen brothers.
4 / A
- PB

BAIT
With Jamie Foxx, Steven Morse
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Jamie Foxx does his Jamie Foxx thang (which, I must say, I find quite funny a lot of the time). Here he is a petty criminal who gets a second chance - only because he’s the bait from the title, set up by the fed who’s after the psycho accomplice of Foxx’s brief cellmate (heart attack). With a two-way censor implanted in Foxx’s tooth, they can track him any and all the time, complete with audio. Foxx meets up with his ex girl (who had his kid while he was in the joint). He tries to straighten out, but with his still scamming bro trying to cut him in, the feds interfering with his life (sometimes positively) and the techno-wiz killer after his gold, it's pretty hard patching things up with the ex & baby. The action gets a dose of comedy while the suspense is pretty rubbery.
3 / B
- PB
BAIT
Met Jamie Foxx, David Morse Regisseur: Antoine Fuqua Komediese TV ster Foxx speel ‘n mislukte krimineel wat hom in die warm pot bevind tussen ‘n psigopaat wat dink hy weet waar sy goud weggesteek is en die fanatiese FBI agent wat hom as aas gebruik (om die skelm uit te lok). Komedie en aksie word heel vernuftig vermeng terwyl ‘n aantal elemente dieselfde ou paadjie volg. Hoewel komedie Foxx se voorland is, was sy ernstige rol in Oliver Stone se Any Given Sunday een van sy loopbaan hoogtepunte.
3 / B
- PB

THE BANGER SISTERS
With Goldie Hawn, Susan Sarandon, Geoffrey Rush
Directed by Bob Dolman
In this fairly predictable femme-focussed motion picture we have the well-known story of two wild buddies with a mad past as youngsters who, having grown up ended up on opposite poles - the one is still crazy (and broke) while the other has become a snob, married with children, living a posh life. Goldie is the wild one, Susan the snob - obviously. If Goldie didn't have any work done (be it boob or lip injections), I'll be impressed. But, regardless, it's good to see her at it again, the danger of becoming a TV movie of the week regular always looming on the horizon of an actress of her age. When a predicament forces her to look up her old friend, she picks up an obsessive-compulsive writer who is on his way to the same city - to shoot his father. When the two gals were young and restless, they were groupies known to the best (& worst) rock stars in the 70s as the Banger Sisters. The predicaments, denial, shock, humour and acceptance that come from the reuniting is hardly surprising, but for middle aged folk who feel they may have wasted their lives in one way or another will gain a moment of freedom via these ladies. Sweet, soppy, sentimental and sometimes fun, The Banger Sisters will appeal to the Led Zeppelin generation as opposed to the Linkin Park one. That Goldie's character touches everyone's lives in the picture in some way (be it realisation of their potential, loosening up or living in the moment) is also not surprising.
3 / C
- PB

BARBER SHOP
With Ice Cube, Anthony Anderson, Sean Patrick Thomas, Cedric The Entertainer, Eve
Directed by Tim Story
For a change we have a black culture focussed film not set in South Central LA, but Chicago. Calvin (Cube) inherited the barbershop his father ran all his life and has been trying to keep head above water for several years. His wife is pregnant and he wants a better life for his family. The shop attracts a wide range of employees and customers. On the employee side you have the old-timer with many stories to tell, the fiery ex-con who has to stay on the straight & narrow (2 strikes down), the girl whose boyfriend keeps cheating on her, the poetry loving East African who is in love with her, the young man who believes he knows everything and the white guy who acts more black than him. The customers include chancers, kids and regulars and old guys playing board games. Their personalities create a wonderful mix of situations with a mild humour avoiding the culture cliché. It includes everything from small domestic tiffs and poking fun at one another to boiling testosterone and political issues. Throughout this pulsating day Calvin meets with a notorious businessman to buy the place over, but his intentions with its purpose are not as honourable, placing Calvin in the predicament to win the place back, which (very blatantly) reminds him of how much it has meant (and still does) to so many people. Parallel to this runs the more slapstick story line of two idiots who ripped a cash machine from a store across the way from the barbershop and their mission to get it somewhere to remove the cash. The opening titles are very tastefully created, preparing the audience for a pleasant flick experience, be you short-back-&-sided, afro'd, braided or bald.
4 / C
- PB

BARRY HILTON - Live (& switched on)
South Africa doesn't have a great legacy when it comes to comedians (Al Debo, Pieter Dirk Uys, Mark Banks and Leon Schuster excluded, of course). We don't have much of a stand-up history...if any! I guess the Apartheid years were a bit too morose to galvanise a tradition of one-liners - at least it secured Mr Uys/Ms Evita Bezuidenhoudt with plenty of material from which to make a living. Most of us have seen the stand-up videos of sexual/bodily function obsessed comedians like Eddie Murphy and Andrew Dice Clay or the crazy worlds of Robin Williams and Steve Martin, or the hilariously bizarre Eddie Izzard and Paul Coogan. Expectations are never too high when approaching local comedy (as I did when watching the Cape Comedy Club at the Independent Armchair Theatre in Observatory one Sunday evening- 2 great acts, one OK, one crap and one inexcusable Eddie Izzard rip-off). I'm also guilty to a certain extent of not expecting too much, I don't deny it. Yet, it shouldn't be that way. We should encourage and nurture it. Barry Hilton. The cousin. The bartender on the cider ad. The money-or-the-box-style dude on the old GMSA. The guy actually made me laugh (not like it's a battle to make me crack a smile). His show (recorded at Bertie's in the Randburg Waterfront) is actually quite cool. Mainly because he doesn't try and immitate any foreign guys, but dig into our homegrown oddities and day to day existence to find its funny side (as Uys did, but on a more base, everyday, politic-free level). Though it has very "lekker", locally flavoured "ouk", "ek sê" kind of humour, it is still damn funny and not overdone. As an export, hardly anyone (unless you're a backpacker in London) will get it. Strictly indigenous, this is. But that's no reason to shy away from it. Barry can also make you laugh without resorting to (too much) vulgarity. Recognise your country and rejoice in some of its expressions that is just so South African and cannot be found anywhere else. Watch it, enjoy it and laugh at the diversity of cultural farce we sometimes take for granted or take too seriously.
4 / A
- PB

BARTON FINK
With John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis, Michael Lerner, Steve Buscemi
Directed by Joel Coen
A 1940’s playwright who gets a screenwriting job in Hollywood for a wrestling picture. In between writers block he meets a travelling salesman who lives in the hotel room next door and a dame. It’s not that simple, however. Many dark things unfold as the hotel gets hotter and hotter…hotter than hell, actually. Magnificent dark humour and as usual Goodman only excels in the Coen Bros. films. A must see, like all their other pictures.
6 / A
- PB

BASIC
With John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Connie Nielsen, Giovanni Ribisi
Directed by John McTiernan Having gone from the classic original Die Hard to the appalling Rollerball remake, McTiernan shifts a gear from full throttle action to this military mind-game. Panama. A military exercise operation for a group of new Rangers goes horribly wrong. One survivor refuses to speak, unless it's with a fellow Ranger he's never met. They need to get to the bottom of the disaster before he's shipped out. They call in Travolta who happens to be in Panama, a DEA agent accused of taking bribes. He's unconventional and good at getting into your head during interrogation. The writers go for clever twists and throw you all directions as the different versions of the story get exposed. Gay, black, money, personal and drug issues can get picked from. Secrets, double crossing and lies surface. The search for truth gets convoluted as our young female captain who gets relieved by Travolta (no, not like that), is stuck in the middle trying to make head & tails of the situation. Don't expect the John-Sam Pulp Fiction chemistry, they share a single scene onscreen, Travolta & his female co-interrogator with the single surviving witness the focal point. Little clues are dropped, but they choose to withhold info to keep you guessing - sometimes the obvious guess is right, albeit not because of your didactic investigative skills. An observation - Ribisi sounds like a cross between Buffalo Bill from Silence Of the Lambs and Ed Sullivan…
3 / C
- PB

BASIC INSTINCT
With Sharon Stone, Michael Douglas, George Dzundza, Jeanne Triplehorn
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Dutch director Paul Verhoeven had the critics, movie fans and housewives chatting about this barrier-pushing thriller based on Joe Eszterhas's expensive screenplay. A novelist is the prime suspect in the murder of her boyfriend, like many deaths of people close to her, these killings are described in her books before they happen - this becomes her alibi seeing as only an idiot would do something they wrote about. A copycat? Or is she a black widow-like psycho minx? The cop investigating the case falls under her spell and even though he might be the next victim, he continues to think from behind the zipper. This is the role that fast tracked Sharon Stone (King Solomon's Mines not cutting it), and after RoboCop had Verhoeven truly break into the American market in a big way. Curiously Basic Instinct reflects many thematic similarities to his earlier Dutch film, De Vierde Man (The Fourth Man). Rob Bottin's graphic murder FX was only one of the big talking points, the other one was Stone's underwear-less leg crossing scene in the interrogation room and gratuitous sex scenes. Old Michael Douglas is a creepy little man, especially when he's trying to act hot and steamy in a graphic humping scene (of which there several).
5 / B
- PB

THE BASKETBALL DIARIES
With Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruno Kirby, Mark Wahlberg, Juliette Lewis
Directed by Scott Kalvert
Based on the life story of cult poet Jim Carroll whose teenage years were riddled with drug addiction and general mayhem. Well acted and well made, this also marks one of (Marky )Mark Wahlberg’s first big screen roles after giving up his rapping career. Gritty and dark.
4 / A
- PB

BASKET CASE
With Kevin Van Hentenryck, Terri Susan Smith
Directed by Frank Henenlotter
A boy born with a Siamese twin attached to his abdomen is forced into surgery to remove the deformed "brother". He retrieves his discarded kin and carries him around in a wicker basket as they set out to exact gruesome revenge on the doctors involved in separating the brothers. But, the gory fleshy freaky hunk called Belial soon goes beyond the mere sorting out of the surgeons. Low budget fun which loses its point if viewed in the cut version - so get the uncensored one for a gory blast with a big dose of comedy. Also spawned two sequels from the original director.
3 / B
- PB

BATMAN
With Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger
Directed by Tim Burton
The long anticipated and debated modern rendering of the Batman superhero franchise kicked off to a great start, mostly due to Burton’s understanding of the subject and Nicholson’s lunatic portrayal of The Joker. Keaton might not have been the best choice for the brooding millionaire who dresses up like a bat at night to bring those above the law to justice, but he succeeds real well. Batman has to save Gotham City from the evil vengeance of The Joker and what ensues is a visual feast of great set design, action, humour and atmosphere. In a way quite a historical film, like the first Superman.
5 / A
- PB

BATMAN RETURNS
With Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Christopher Walken
Directed by Tim Burton
Far darker, more mysterious and cold as Gotham City is shrouded in snow and the chilled calculated evil of The Penguin and his associates set to turn things upside down for his own vengeful reasons. With Catwoman not only giving Batman a sexy run for his money, her own agenda seems to conflict as she plays both sides. Again a visual stunner filled with a dark sensuality and style unmatched by the sequels to follow.
6 / A
- PB

BATMAN FOREVER
With Val Kilmer, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Tommy Lee Jones
Directed by Joel Schumacher
With the departure of director Burton and the arrival of Schumacher, the Batman films took on a more camp element (not like the old TV shows, but more cheesy in a modern Hollywood money spinner sense). Kilmer as Batman? I’m not so sure. He carries it off but seems as if he knows it will be his only time donning the cape. But I mean, what actor will go out of his way to play Batman? Carrey is in top form as the Riddler, while Jones is a bit stale as Twoface. Kidman is smoldering, as always, and the introduction of Robin is well timed. With some real bad lines, it still doesn’t make it all that horrible a film. It has the action, the humour the set pieces and more, but in the shadow of the first two films, it pales a bit in comparison. Still, it’s part of the series and we can’t have the same thing rehashed, now, can we?
4 / A
- PB

BATMAN & ROBIN
With George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman, Drew Barrymore
Directed by Joel Schumacher
Finally, an actor who looks exactly like Batman should. But, that might be as far as it goes. The camp factor gets stepped up a notch as childish arguments between Batman & Robin, bad lines from Mr Freeze, Batgirl and generally too much money being spent in the wrong departments causes the franchise to lose a bit of its touch. It does have a certain flair - the action being elaborate and manic, the artificial sexiness viewable by all ages and not just bondage freaks who love to see those codpiece skintight rubber outfits. But, it all just seems to be a little out of hand with too many heros and villains at once. Focussing on a more individual one-to-one confrontation might give us more time to care for the characters. But, it’s over the top Hollywood, and that’s what you get. Flashy entertainment to pass the time.
2 / B
- PB

BATMAN BEGINS
With Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Rutger Hauer, Michael Caine
Directed by Christopher Nolan
After Joel Schumacher's systematic campifying of the Batman franchise, we thought there was no way the dark knight could ever be redeemed. That's until Memento director Christopher Nolan and American Psycho actor Christian Bale teamed up to breathe new life into the comic book hero. Not as bizarre as Tim Burton's visions either, here the genesis of Batman's crime fighting get a realistic edge. As the wealthy heir of the Wayne industrial millions, Bruce goes in self-imposed exile to understand the mind of the criminal. This happens years after the murder of his parents and the confrontation with his helplessness as Gotham City slips into crime. Sought and taught by a secret vigilante ninja sect, he gains the knowledge, strength and technique to defeat his enemies and return to Gotham City to exact some justice. With classified equipment from Wayne Industries' unused military applications, he takes on the big boys and their minions out to tear Gotham City apart. Deep, dark, invigorating, slick and brilliantly made with a great cast, don't expect a lot of neon lighting, cheap lines or any butt-shots… (OK, I counted two crappy car-related one-liners, but hey, you can't be deadly serious all the time).
5 / A
- PB

BATS
With Lou-Diamond Phillips, Dina Meyer, Leon
Directed by Louis Morneau
A lovely bat expert is called upon when Texans turn up dead as a result of governmental experiments on bats, turning them carnivorous & ravenous, infect every other bat they cross. The growing swarm soon raids the town where our sheriff and (I re-iterate, sexy) bat expert wrack their brains to contain and eliminate the bloodthirsty (noticeably rubber) beasties. If only the screenplay had been passed on to a comedy writer to turn it into a tongue in cheek horror experience, it would’ve been a far more rewarding experience. In stead, laughs are extracted from the actors’ attempts at being serious. And poor Leon seemed to end up with each of the sad-ass lines of distinction in the movie. One of the few marketing strokes that worked was the casting of the sultry Starship Troopers honey and the up-side-down Bats logo on the promo T-shirts. Oh, yeah and the air raid stock footage is a classic slice of Ed Wood.
1 / C
- PB

BATTLEFIELD EARTH
With John Travolta, Barry Pepper, Forest Whitaker, kim coates
Directed by Roger Christian
Based on the sci-fi novel by Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard, the viewer is taken into the third millennium where man is an endangered species. The Psychlo aliens wiped the earth forces out in nine minutes. Between all the enjoyable FX scenes, we’re basically dealing with a resistance rising up to reclaim its land from its tyrannical oppressors who see them as useless animals performing menial hard labour tasks. But, our hero becomes the focus of the security chief’s plot to get of our stinking planet and back to his own. Travolta is actually quite funny in his role as arrogant wise-ass alien. Enjoyable big budget pulp that is bound not to spawn a cult following, but at least will rake in far more at the box office than most churches.
3 / B
- PB

THE BEACH
With Leonardo DiCaprio, Tilda Swinton, Robert Carlyle
Directed by Danny Boyle
This is said to be the last collaboration of the Scottish trio that brought us the memorable Shallow Grave, the breakthrough Trainspotting and the semi-surreal, pop-culture filtered A Life Less Ordinary. What a shame if this is the case. With this excursion they delve into the exotic idea of paradise, won and lost. DiCaprio travels East and feels, as many frequently do, that the sugar coated, frequented tourist traps simply aren’t good enough. This is firmly established when a whacked out hotel neighbour gives him a map for a near untouched island of beauty so unbelievable, with a beach so awe inspiring, you wouldn’t want to leave. Many backpackers have heard of it, but no one’s been there. It is believed to be an urban myth. But after finding the map pinned to his door, DiCaprio finds the man next door, having committed suicide. He convinces the French couple staying to the other side of his room to join him. A boat trip and a swim to the island get them there and they discover a dope plantation with AK-47 strapped farmers on the one end and a self-sufficient community of like minded young people who decided to make this place of beauty their home. And the beach. Pure bliss, total serenity, complete harmony. Not quite. Lust, accidents, selfish pursuit of pleasure, unhappy dope farmers and a copy of the map given to some stoners before they left, turn things upside down. The rules laid down and general order created turns to chaos, slowly but surely, just as DiCaprio starts to lose it. Besides the wonderful photography & scenery, the story keeps you there, many unexpected scenes pouncing on you. The fact that our species might get flights of fancy in the area of of going back to basics, our selfish nature and urban animal is usually intent on wrecking whatever we may set our eyes on.
4 / B
- PB

BEASTIE BOYS - Video Anthology
Not many people are aware of the fact that the Beastie Boys were in fact a young Punk band before they made the Rap big-time with producer Rick Rubin behind them. While borrowing from the masters, they did in fact become pioneers in their own right. With the killer album Licensed To Ill they turned the genre on its head. But sadly, as it also shows on this collection, they seem to be embarrassed about this period which put them on the map - none of that album's tunes included on this collection (not even Fight For Your Right or No Sleep Till Brooklyn, featuring Kerry King from Slayer on lead break!). While the trio did a whole lot of growing up in public (from drunken juveniles with a sexist stage show to conscious Buddhist pacifists), their niche is firmly established in the music industry with very little but respect going their way. The Beasties have also managed to find that middle ground of commercially tolerable music but still fitting snuggly within an alternative market. Their early experience with musical instruments also gave them the edge on other MCs who are reliant on a DJ, backtracks or samples. The Beastie Boys could slip from one to the other or combine it with ease, further gelling their identity. Videos from albums like Paul's Boutique, Ill Communication, Check Your Head and Hello Nasty offers up a great variety of Beastie-flavoured fun (and sometimes seriousness). The 18 clips on here cover everything from the prerequisite face in camera alternating turns and surf-, snow- & skateboard footage to the phenomenal '70s cop show rip-off of Sabotage and Japanese monster flick homage of Intergalactic. While some people would be happy with the videos and basic location-, director- and date credits alone, guys like me enjoy getting behind it all. So, for the likes of me there are two commentary tracks, one from the band and another from the video directors. The band commentary can however be quite disappointing, but the director audio track adds a bit to the trivia. Some additional extra features include alternate angles, stills and one hell of a function making it possible to switch between different audio remixes of the songs mid-play! 40 in all, from Fat Boy Slim, Kut Masta Kurt and Dub Hackers to Moby, DJ Paul Nice and the Beasties themselves. Presented in Digital Surround, if you have the sound rigged up for it, step back! This double disc packaging is sweet with a stylish Operations Manual and poster. What are you waiting for? Kick it!
6 / A
- PB

THE BEATLES - A Hard Day's Night
This highly enjoyable breakthrough film has the Fab 4 portraying themselves in a one day stretch leading up to a televised live show. Besides Paul's "grandpa" along for the ride, John, Ringo & George get up to a load of mischief and general tomfoolery amid their best-known tunes. Some scenes of authority bashing must've really freaked out some old farts in the '60's! A Hard Day’s Night is a cult classic well worth watching (even if you can't stand The Beatles).
4 / B
- PB

THE BEATLES - Anthology
If ever you're looking for the definitive one-shot collection of the visual legacy of The Beatles, this Anthology box-set is it. With four discs (containing two episodes each) a fifth one for extras, this set covers the entire life story of the band that changed the world music scene, from Liverpool to the world. The joy, the success, the sorrow and disintegration. It's all here on this well-crafted and assembled extensive documentary series. If you consider yourself a real Beatles fan and have a DVD player, there are very few excuses you can juggle not having this in your collection.
6 / A
- PB

THE BEATLES - The First U.S. Visit
At the genesis of their overwhelming European success, The Beatles had yet to conquer America. Any doubts were thrown out the window when they landed, the fans mobbing the scene wherever they went. This documentary was shot on short notice by the Maysles brothers and in the process pioneered a new music documentary style, following the band everywhere like a fly on the wall. This trip sees the boys in their youthful un-jaded years, blown away by the people's response. With on- and off-stage footage, parties, hotel rooms, meeting other stars, interviews, trains and the Ed Sullivan show (which beamed the Fab Four into 73 million living rooms), this incredible slice of history is worth having. The film also contains a feature length commentary track by Albert Maysles as well as a Making Of documentary running almost an hour, shedding even more light on this world-changing phenomenon.
5 / A
- PB

THE BEATLES - Magical Mystery Tour
A bit too way out and incoherent at the time for many of their fans (depending what you're on), the Beatles entered their more psychedelic phase. In a loose narrative a group of passengers take a magical bus trip while 4 magicians in the clouds (guess who) weave their whacked-out magic. Some hilarious scenes are contrasted with obscure pieces playing off like kiddies TV stories. Each Beatle gets a turn with a song (some worse than others) while older tracks get re-worked. One cosmic "trip".
3 / B
- PB

BEAUTIFUL CREATURES
With Rachel Weisz, Susan Lynch, Iain Glen, Robert laing
Directed by Bill Eagles
Set in Glasgow, the paths of two women cross in an extremely significant way. Both are involved with total pricks for boyfriends, suffering both mental and physical abuse. Dorothy saves Petula from her gangster boyfriend who was in the process of seriously beating her up. It leads to his death and the dilemma of "what now?". The options are outweighed and they come upon the best one. One that has everyone jumping onto the wagon - with fatal results. This very dark thriller has a nasty sense of humour with shocking moments to boot. At times the music blatantly tries to remind you that you're watching a Black Comedy, in effect making the scene play out silly as opposed to creepy. Yet, off beat, fun and gruesome, Beautiful Creatures manages to maintain an identity while still borrowing from a few well-trodden themes. Weisz proves she can do more in the acting department than run around and look pretty in the Mummy movies.
4 / C
- PB


A BEAUTIFUL MIND
With Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connolly, Ed Harris
Directed by Ron Howard
The intriguing story of an extremely bright young man who entered university with one goal (to land an original thought), not only became an important contributor to modern life, but also became his own worst enemy. Ron Howard takes us through his process of falling apart with a slow, meticulous hand. Though Connolly won an Oscar, her performance is not exactly as inspiring as expected, as is Crowe's, at times seeming like he's just gunning for an award. Craftily adapted by Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman, the story doesn't fail to intrigue or surprise, its intellectual capacity making way for basic moments of life threats amid an espionage sub-plot, our inadequate nerd genius becoming a tragic figure (details which will kind of spoil the main surprise). A Beautiful Mind is a moving film with many human qualities and issues of compassion, love and understanding in the face of desperately dismal circumstances and how the mind can be far more powerful than we take it for granted.
4 / B
- PB

BEAVIS & BUTT-HEAD DO AMERICA
With voices by Mike Judge, Demi Moore, Robert Stack
Directed by Mike Judge
Call them idiots, call them jerks, but you gotta love these two pimply teenage morons whose MTV obsessed life and snickering habits grate you as it amuses. In this, their very first full-length feature film, the dumb-ass duo wake up to a stolen TV set. Totally flustered they stagger out into the streets to find it, cold turkey setting in. In stead of finding their set, they fall into an adventure which (accidentally) takes them across America, wreaking havoc as only they can (be it deliberately or accidental). With even the Feds after them, they are under the impression that a guy hired them to go "do" his old lady. In their limited, one track-minded vocabulary this doesn't mean "kill", but "sex". The prospect of finally getting laid is a marvelous one for B & BH. Their scenarios range from hilarious to plain stupid - but would we expect anything less of Beavis & Butt-Head? As 20th century animated icons, these two have become a part of more than just American culture as they steam into the 21st and lounges around the world on DVD in widescreen & Dolby surround sound - scary prospect or sidesplitting joy?!
4 / B
- PB

BE COOL
With John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Vince Vaughn, Harvey Keitel, The Rock, Cedric The Entertainer, Andre 3000, James Woods
Directed by F. Gary Gray
The adaptation of Elmore Leonard's Get Shorty was a hit with audiences. Where his shylock character Chili Palmer crossed over from the mob world to the movie world as a producer, here he sets his sights on the music industry. An old pal with a record company gets whacked in front of him by Russian mobsters. He approaches the guy's widow (now owning the company) after seeing a young girl whose potential is wasted by a team of idiots (a greasy Keitel, and Vaughn trying to act like a black pimp with his muscular henchman, The Rock, as a gay wannabe actor!). The widow is Thurman, who also inherited her husband's bad debt. So, besides the Russians and snubbed record twits, there are also debt-collecting rappers on the case. Obviously the much wiser Palmer is about to play everybody. With many throwaway jokes, comedic violence and general stupidity, the movie merely feels like cashing in on old glory. Even the music industry cameos from Black Eyed Peas to Aerosmith is enough - even though frontman Steven Tyler is better than most of the professional actors! Besides the rampant clichés, from the black gangsta rappers, to Russians and mobsters, the attempt at rekindling the Pulp Fiction chemistry of Travota & Thurman proves to be a mortal one, and even their dance floor sequence fails to stir up much. A silly romp, but one you can do without.
2 / C
- PB

BED OF ROSES
With Christian Slater, Mary Stuart Masterson, Pamela Segall, Josh Brolin, Ally Walker
Directed by Michael Goldenberg
Sweet, touching love story of a flower shop owner who sends a woman he saw crying in her window flowers. She’s a successful corporate woman who doesn’t have time for love. But this time she cannot resist. They both have pasts. He had a wife who died when she went into premature labour and she had a step dad who didn’t care about her. Together they grow and mold each other with an inevitable wedge obviously forcing them apart. It’s almost everything a love story should be (or at least what most people expect of it), but it’s good to see Slater in a romantic role for a change.
3 / C
- PB

BEFORE SUNRISE
With Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy
Directed by Richard Linklater
Talky, sometimes over-intellectualized romantic cinematic glide around Europe with a young American tourist meeting a lovely French girl on a train. They start talking…and talking…and talking. Will they ever kiss, get it on or fall in love and move to of the other’s country? You’ll have to find out for yourself. Linklater’s penchant for talk as in his first two classics, Slacker and Dazed & Confused, again glows in this film which could easily make a great play. As mentioned, it gets a little too philosophically pretentious and unnaturally so in parts, but then at times trivial silliness at least slip in to bring it back to earth. Cute and touching with the concentration on the growing relationship and future possibilities in stead of the European scenery (which does, however get featured, but in a more less touristy, more back street & park sort of way. One of the few films blind people could enjoy just as well as those blessed with sight.
4 / C
- PB

BEHIND ENEMY LINES
With Owen Wilson, Gene Hackman, Gabriel Macht, David Keith
Directed by John Moore
When a US pilot team is shot down over the strife torn Bosnia-Herzegovina area by dastardly militants up to no good, our "about to leave the force" navigator gets dealt a handful when he's stuck in a country he doesn't know with hostility around every tree or bombed out architectural skeleton. Aware of the situation, his countrymen are helpless because of some peace talk disruption ploy. Passable in many respects, but just way too predictable to really enjoy to the full. Some OK jet-dodging-missile action, though.
2 / C
- PB

BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
With John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, John Malkovich, Charlie Sheen
Directed by Spike Jonze
This phenomenal film of convention defying proportions, genius, comedy and social comment has a struggling puppeteer find a filing job on the 7 ½ floor. He becomes obsessed with a co-worker, even though he's married (to a marvelously un-glamorous Diaz). In the office he discovers a little door…which takes you into the head of…the actor John Malkovich. Weird, hilarious, crazy and never boring, the decisions, actions and consequences are absolutely amazing. Missing this would be as detrimental as missing The Big Lebowski.
6 / B
- PB

THE BELIEVER
With Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix, Glenn Fitzgerald, Billy Zane
Directed by Henry Bean
AN AGE OLD SCAPEGOAT STILL TARGETTED
- THIS TIME BY ONE OF ITS OWN...
We meet Danny at an intense psychological time of his life. He is a Nazi skinhead with an AWB tattoo on his shoulder - but, he is Jewish. He is intelligent, eloquent and determined, but affiliates himself with a group of Black & Jew bashing thugs, joining in at any opportunity or taking the initiative. When he joins meetings of a Neo-Fascist movement who wants to go mainstream, his ideas become more radical and he moves from Swastika T-shirt wearing hoodlum to representative of a new wave. His urge to kill Jews is not only illogical and disturbing, but also intriguing in its madness, the filmmakers pulling us deeper into this individual's psyche. A psyche part of which is directly linked to his interpretation & discarding of the traditional religious texts, (visualised as flashbacks into his school days), arguing its loopholes and illogical conclusions. It led to him despising the faith and its people as a whole. While lashing out against his religious heritage, he still maintains a sense of respect for it. This expands into the rediscovery of his roots when he takes a vandalized Torah home when a group of them break into a Synagogue to plant a bomb. This and the daughter of the neo-fascist organization's co-founder start bending his twisted mind-set - not necessarily for the good of all, nor himself…
STRONG PERFORMANCES
Gosling delivers a killer performance, the film solidly hinging on his character and portrayal of this tragic self-deprecating figure. Russell, Zane & Phoenix supplement him powerfully. Daring, controversial, shocking and upsetting, the film reaches deeper than a mere religious or philosophical discussion. It deals with hatred & intolerance and how it can also be directed at oneself, however contradictory its justification.
UNRESOLVED
While Believer will stimulate thought about the nature of hatred, Anti-Semites will comfortably adopt many of the arguments in this film by "a Jew about Jews" as their own, the counter arguments glanced over. Thus its dark subject can easily open some eyes, while, sadly cementing those already glued firmly shut to the compulsion for tolerance and basic human rights in a world already gone fucking nuts.
5 / B
- PB

BELLMAN AND TRUE
With Bernard Hill, Kieran O'Brien, Richard Hope
Directed by Richard Locraine
This low key thriller involves a computer systems engineer unwillingly embroiled in a big buck heist. His 13 year old son is being held captive to ensure the successful execution of his task in making the whole thing possible. Cold blooded and fraught with realism, you'll be on the edge of your seat in the last 15 minutes.
4 / C
- PB

BELOVED
With Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Tahndie Newton
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Epic visualization of the highly acclaimed novel of a black ex-slave woman who is haunted by her past. Even if you can’t stand Oprah Winfrey, give her a chance as she delivers one hell of a performance. Silence Of The Lambs Oscar winning director Demme hadn't been too high profile since that victory, but pulls this vast tale together nicely. Engrossing, enriching, haunting and quite stunning.
5 / B
- PB

BELOW
With Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Davis, Olivia Williams, Scott Foley, Holt McCallany
Directed by David Twohy
There had been so many U-boat films over the years, the classic Das Boot and more recent U-571 only a few (not to mention the nuclear world threat ones like The Hunt For Red October). What the makers of Below attempted was to go the nautical route of the recent Ghost Ship. When an American WW2 submarine picks up three shipwrecked passengers, secrets, lies and horror is the result. Besides German boats above the surface dropping depth chargers, trapping them below, a dark ghostly force seems to be on board, not only able to cause panic, but also result in fatality. A fair amount of suspense prevails in this damp claustrophobic thriller with a couple of good scares making for passable entertainment.
3 / C
- PB

BEN HARPER & THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA - Live At The Apollo
Harper decided to record an album with the Blind Boys Of Alabama (not just a snappy name). The talent of these legendary Southern blind old boys met that of Harper with ease as they created a fantastic album of Blues and Gospel flavoured tunes fusing the old school with the new. This memorable show at the legendary Apollo Theatre sees them running through the 14 songs with passion and ease, Ben's modern approach gelling well with the old guys. Besides the 5.1 Surround Sound recording, you also get a look behind the scenes, photo gallery and making of the album featurette.
5 / B
- PB

BENJI
With Peter Breck, Christopher Connelly, Tom Lester, Mark Slade
Directed by Joe Camp
Safe, classic '70s family faire with the smart happy-go-lucky-everyone’s-buddy stray mutt getting up to mischief, doing good and brightening everyone’s day (except those with bad intentions, like the kidnappers). Cute in parts, soppy in others, while the two kids sing their dialogue as if it’s a school play. Besides its box office success, it takes some sitting through (unless you’re under 10). The churning theme song can get a bit grating.
2 / C
- PB

THE BEST MAN
With Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee
A group of college friends are re-united after a couple of years by the marriage of two of them. Harper is the center of the tale, having written an acclaimed novel (based on all of them, names being changed). The lovely Jordan is now a TV producer and got an advance copy of the book, circulating it amoung the circle. Harper and her had some sexual tension in college that never got fulfilled - and it’s still there. He is, however a bit stressed that she showed the book to the rest of them, some figuring out certain unknown facts easier than others. Some of these facts could not only destroy friendships, but also the whole wedding. Some humour injected keeps it afloat, but the pretension and general false feeling keeps the viewer at a distance. The drawn out ending also makes one feel more uncomfortable and bored than anything else.
3 / C
- PB

BEVERLEY HILLS NINJA (in Afrikaans)
Rolverdeling: Chris Farley, Nicollette Sheridon, Nathaniel Parker, Chris Rock
Regisseur: Dennis Dugan
Die plakkaat, wat my letterlik hardop laat lag het, lees: "Kung Fool !" Hoef ek enigsins daarop uit te brei ? Hoe vanselfsprekend dit ookal sy, gaan ek wel. Chris Farley speel die wereld se mees inkompetente, oorgewig, blanke Ninja, wat as baba onder 'n gedissiplineerde Ninja groep se vlerk geneem is nadat hulle hom langs die Oosterse kus ontdek het. Wanneer 'n beeldskone vrou van Beverley Hills hom om hulp kom vra, raak hy betrokke by 'n geld vervalsings komplot wat hom as beskermer van die dame na hierdie California streek lei. Die komedie wat hieruit vloei is pure slapstick. Farley se lomp, simpel taktiek en westerse onigeligdheidis die hoof bron van fissieke grappe, wat, ek moet erken, my telkens laat skater het. As Jim Carrey die nuwe (oordrewe) Steve Martin/Chevy Chase is, dan is Farley definitief die nuwe John Candy/Chevy Chase. Chase is natuurlik een van slapstick konings van ons tyd. Vir 90 minute se ontvlugting is Beverley Hills Ninja perfek, aangesien jy lekker lag gedurende die prent, maar nie na die tyd daaroor hoef te dink nie. Een van die lawwe tonele wat wel in my geheue vassit is waar ons vaak Ninja 'n slegte ou takel met twee enorme visse wat hy soos nunchaka stokkies gebruik ! Vir 'n meer serebrale komediese ervaring sal Woody Allen se Everyone Says I Love You dalk meer van pas wees. Ninja's kan vinnig onsigbaar raak en gebruik dodelike sterre (shurikens) wat soos messe gegooi word - Beverley Hills Ninja verdien egter 'n onsigbare, derde ster, aangesien dit my nooit verveel het nie. [Farley is 'n paar jaar na hirdie rolprent tragies oorlede aan 'n dwelm oordosis]
3 / A
- PB

THE BIG BLUE
With Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno, Rosanna Arquette, Griffin Dunne
Directed by Luc Besson
This aquatic masterpiece, with the most amazing underwater scenes not only spawned a memorable piece of film work, but also a timeless soundtrack by Eric Serra. Jacques and Enzo (French & Italian) met as children in Greece where their common love of the ocean and deep waters draw them together later in life. They both take part in setting depth records without any oxygen assistance. Though competitive, they love each other, but Jacques’s love for the ocean (who took his father) is also stronger than that for the woman he falls for. When I was younger I thought Arquette was sooo hot. She is the film's lowpoint, but you can't win 'm all, can you? A poetic film that stimulates all the senses.
6 / A
- PB

Classic BIG COUNTRY
This Scottish band had some pretty good songs. Obviously the music videos are rather '80s, throwing in some period pieces, studio performance shoots and live bits. Videos of their songs include Look Away (period piece), Chance (studio performance shoot), Fields Of Fire (steam train with soft focus), In A Big Country (off-road bike adventure & live performance), Peace In Our Time (world capitol locations & live bits), Harvest Home (an old clip - nature picnic scene & performance in warehouse), King Of Emotion (outdoor performance), Broken Heart (in the green & brown outback bush), One Great Thing (with drum majorettes, ballet, Indian dancers, skydivers, swimmers, miners, football players miming + performance), East Of Eden (B&W dramatic narrative).
4 / B
- PB

BIG COUNTRY - LIVE Without The Aid Of A Safety Net
This popular Scottish pop-rock group made their name in the '80s, and recently made the headlines again with the suicide of their frontman. Their distinct sound is immortalized here with a double barreled live show of both unplugged and electric tunes. The 14 favourites include Harvest Home, Peace In Our Time, The Storm, Look Away, Wonderland, Long Way Home, Alone, In A Big Country, and Lost Patrol. With very little tricks and tactics, they wow their audience with an honest rock show of musicality. Unfortunately the DVD contains no extra material.
4 / B
- PB

BIG DADDY
With Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart, Rob Schneider
Directed by Dennis Dugan
Another silly Sandler expedition with a lay-about guy adopting a kid for all the wrong reasons (but eventually starting to develop real fatherly instincts and feelings for blah-blah…). Bad taste and slapstick is not dead as throw away jokes and silliness prevails to generate instant gag driven laughs.
3 / B
- PB

BIG FISH
With Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Jessica Lang, Billy Crudup, Helena Bonham Carter
Directed by Tim Burton
After what seemed like a bit of a distraction with the disappointingly mainstream remake of Planet Of The Apes, Burton is heading back to his form of surreal dream worlds. A young man entering a life of marriage and fatherhood reflects on his father who is on his deathbed. The man always told grand tales, stories and experiences with often more flair than substance. The young man feels he has no idea who his father is, his stories always grand accounts of strange, weird, fantastic and unbelievable events, people and places. In a way it feels like a Baron Munchausen story where tall tales are depicted in all of its colourful glory - and like rumours, they often have a basis in fact. A magical film filled with many trajectories.
4 / B
- PB

THE BIG HIT (in Afrikaans)
Met Mark Wahlberg, Lou Diamond Phillips, Christina Applegate
Regisseur: Che-Kirk Wong
Met swaargewig name soos Terence Chang, John Woo en Wesley Snipes op die vervaardigerslys, verwag 'n mens op baie vlakke 'n onvergeetlike aksie wenner. Ongelukkig is dit nie heeltemal die geval nie. Wahlberg speel 'n kontrakmoordenaar met 'n minwetende "Kugel" verloofde (Applegate), 'n meisie op die kantlyn en 'n agterbakse, skelm kollega (Phillips). 'n Enorme fout word begaan wanneer Phillips 'n ontvoering beplan vir ekstra inkomste agter hul werkgewer se rug. Die oosterse meisie se pa is bankrot en is boonop hul baas se boesemvriend. Phillips hang die daad aan Wahlberg se deur en die poppe begin dans. Dat die aksie nou wel pragtig gekoriografeer en uitgewerk is, kan mens nie ontken nie. Dit maak die grusame daad van moord egter net nog makliker om waar te neem, met die styl wat Woo vervolmaak het en almal nou naboots. Die komedie elemente red die fliek wel op 'n teenstrydige wyse al is dit soms slapstick of morbied. Ons hoort skuldig te voel dat ons simpatiseer met 'n ongetroue moordenaar. Maar hy speel so 'n saggeaarde, eerlike ou wat misbruik word. Boonop is meeste van sy slagoffers slegte ouens. Dus hoop ons dat hy nie gevang of geskiet word, of voortgaan om sy verloofde en meisie se strooi te duld nie. Die stres gee hom 'n maagsweer en soos elke fliek oor kontrakmoordenaars of prostitute, is hy nie meer gelukkig met sy loopbaankeuse nie. Sy gyselaar kan dalk vir hom 'n nuwe perspektief gee. Hoe vergesog, gewelddadig en laf dit ookal sy, is The Big Hit nou wel nie 'n weerspieeling van sy titel nie, maar nieteenstaande propvol vermaak.
3 / A
- PB

BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE
With Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, Paul Giamatti
Directed by Raja Gosnell
Lawrence can be quite grating at times, the shadow cast over him by Eddie Murphy making him look like an amateur. Here he is an undercover cop after a killer bank robber by disguising himself as the crook’s unwitting ex-girlfriend’s grandma. Does have a few laughs, potty humour and stupid scenarios that doesn’t make it all crap.
2 / B
- PB

THE BIG LEBOWSKI
With Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Directed by Joel Coen
One of Bridges best roles in a while. Lazy assed LA ex-hippie Lebowski gets mistaken for the rich and famous Lebowski whose young little tramp ex-pornstar wife made some bad debt with the wrong people. She gets kidnapped and the bum Lebowski gets approached to find her. He just wants to play tenpin bowling with his buddies, man. His life is pulled in all directions resulting in scene after scene of side splitting original comedy and unforgettable scenes. Turturro’s small role will stay with you forever and again Goodman is amazing. Too many things to mention. Watch this one right now if he hadn’t done so already - otherwise, watch it again!
6 / A
- PB
THE BIG LEBOWSKI
My Lord, where do I begin? The Coen Brothers just seem to get better and better. This hilarious, moody trip casts Jeff Bridges as The Dude, an LA '60's leftover just doing his thing, bowling with his pals, bugging no-one. A case of mistaken identity gets him mixed up with a bunch of German palookas who wants the rich Lebowski's money. The weido factions don't end there. Brilliant bits by John Turturro and a host of characters can make this an instant cult classic. John Goodman shines (as he does, only in Coen Bros. movies). Kidnap, surrealism, porno, art and slick style are but a few of the parts to the magnificent whole. The amazing shots, choice of music, great story & dialogue and marvelous all round performances makes this one of the best films of '98...which only played at the art cinemas...
6 / A
- PB

THE BIG PICTURE
With Kevin Bacon, J.T. Walsh, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Emily Longstreth, Michael McKean
Directed by Christopher Guest
A young promising director gets swallowed up in the whole Hollywood-thing alienating himself from his nice girl and real friends. A true rise & fall tale highlighting most of the Hollywood pretensions and how power can go to your head. A thump against the skull is sometimes needed to bring you down to earth as is inevitable here. Strange fantasy shots are scattered throughout the movie with the overtly "comedic" music not always fitting too well. Nice small roles by the likes of Martin Short, John Cleese and Fran Drescher.
3 / C
- PB

BILLY BADD
With Robert Restaino, Nicola Seixas, Thomas Emery Dennis
Directed by Alex Downs
Hilarious action flick about a crazy biker who terrorizes two lovers on the desert highway the same day he’s released on parole. The guy’s “lunatic” act has to be seen to be believed. Seixas is a cute little thing, though, while her boyfriend is an absolutely annoying twit. Most of the scenes try too hard to be extreme while others are just totally cringe-worthy. The film gets many laughs where unintended. It’s not shot too badly, it’s just the screenplay and acting that leaves a whole lot to be desired. You’ll get best results if a bunch of you watch it, laughing at its stupidity. So super-crap you have to love it.
2 / B
- PB

BILLY ELLIOT
With Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jamie Draven
Directed by Stephen Daldry
Like so many films are often limited to an arthouse release, Billy Elliot also deserves a wider audience for many reasons. The most plain and obvious being the universal theme of breaking out of your restrictive surroundings via an unlikely method. It's a coal mining English town with a looming strike. Billy isn't much of a boxer. Their gym gets shared by the ballet classes and he starts checking it out, automatically drawn to its grace and expression. He switches to ballet without his dad's knowledge. Besides the possibility of being labeled a poof, the potential for his dad to freak out when he finds out is merely a matter of time. Billy's ballet teacher spots his potential and wants to send him for an audition at the Royal Ballet school. The long hard road to this possible juncture is one filled with laughter tears, the breaking of stereotypes, rebellion and the unbridled spirit of a determined boy who won't let their meager means stop him from realizing an unlikely dream. A touching film of substance.
5 / B
- PB

BILLY JOEL - The Ultimate Collection
For such a prolific, talented man, Joel has been awfully quiet in recent years. Luckily we have catalogues to fall back on and experience triumphs again and again. This Ultimate DVD collection contains 27 videos (two of them bonus tracks). An interesting timeline biography and discography is also included for those who don't know it all already. With a staggering 100 million albums sold, Billy probably doesn't need to record another album (though we'd like him to) - but perhaps Christie Brinkley's divorce settlement took its fair share. It is quite amazing how many collections, hits and best of's Billy has put out, reintroducing his great songs from his past with some new ones added each time. The New Yorker's songs include: My Life, It's Still Rock And Roll To Me, Everybody Loves You Now, New York State Of Mind, Honesty, You May Be Right, Uptown Girl (with his then wife Christie Brinkley a foot taller than him; breakdancers - done a decade before that boyband covered it), Tell Her About It (old -school soul-rock & roll style & video cpomplete with a fake Ed Sullivan), The River Of Dreams (Southern gospel flavour), We Didn't Start The Fire, Allentown, Baby Grand, Leningrad, The Downeaster "Alexa". Bonus tracks: She's Right On Time and James. With many chart toppers, awards, gold-, platinum- and diamond albums. When you see the aerial shot of the stadium crowd singing Piano Man's chorus for him, my soft exclamation was: "Fuck!" Billy is not just a self-centered musician type, but has a conscientious head on his shoulders. He partook in many a benefit concert for big causes and often look at social issues in his songs (between the love related subject, of course). I did miss this incredible songwriter and musician's songs like Say Goodbye To Hollywood. There is an incredible sense of nostalgia attached to most of Joel's songs, especially the years in which I grew up ('70s & '80s), especially the bitter-sweet ones. A worthwhile disc to have.
5 / B
- PB

BITTER SUITE
With Timothy Dalton, Nastassja Kinski, Kevin Zegers
Directed by Sharon Von Wietersheim
Don't let the video cover fool you. If you're into watching romantic comedies with your girlfriend with lots of snacks on the sleepercouch, give this one a go. Timothy Dalton and Nastasja Kinski are single parents who, by the rules of comedy of error, accidentally rent the same beach house for summer vacation. Neither family wants to leave and the two very different groups are immediately at odds. She's a genetic food developer, he's a chef who likes organic veggies. Her kids are repressed, his are spontaneous, so you can imagine where the arguments will start. They end up sharing the house till another can be found and there's lots of laffs (especially from Tim, way different than you've ever seen him before). You can figure out the obvious ending, but this is good light entertainment and Dalton and Kinski actually work very well onscreen as a couple.
- Uncle Vinnie

BLACK EYED PEAS - The Bridge To Elephunk
The three Black Eyed Peas guys always used female voices on their albums, but it was Fergie who has become a permanent fixture. The Bridge To Elephunk covers the group's career from their debut until their latest hit. Videos include Request + Line, Get Original, Karma, Hey Mama, Shut Up and obviously Where Is The Love. You also get a live version of Let's Get Retarded. Bonus bits include the brief Making Of three clips, more live material and pics. As one of the more original Hip-Hop influenced acts, this package is sure to impress fans.
3 / B
- PB

BLACK HAWK DOWN
With Josh Hartnet, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Sam Sheppard, Eric Bana
Directed by Ridley Scott
In the 90s, the Rwandan conflict reached boiling point with brutish dictatorship and shocking genocide a matter of course. This film is based on actual events where a US led attempt to capture the head honcho went horribly wrong. During this operation several US soldiers lost their lives after an ambush left them reeling, two of their choppers downed by RPG rockets. The fighting is intense and extremely well photographed with stupendous editing and soundFX. To some people it will just seem a muddled urban shoot 'em up under the American flag. There's a bit more to it, though. Many of these men who were in the thick of things, surviving the operation, revealed how closely the actual conflict was recreated. The cast includes a cross section of young & old American actors plus a few Scotsmen and an Australian for posterity, throwing their best Yank at ya. Sometimes the US military is not just there to enforce their ideas of capitalist democracy, but to actually assist the forgotten helpless ones, oppressed by unjust rulers whom it seems will never change in the African dictatorship legacy. Intense, brutal and nail-biting, Black Hawk Down is as important as it is entertaining. A powerful follow-up to Scott's Hannibal.
5 / B
- PB

THE BLADE
With n/a
Directed by n/a
It’s not every day that one gets to see a martial arts spectacular like this. This multi-layered tale based on The One Armed Swordsman has several qualities including an epic art house feel mixed with astonishing action. Many scenes are poetically structured with great attention given to colour hue and shade. Our hero (a swordmaker) loses his arm trying to defend a woman in distress. His father was murdered by a mysterious tattooed warrior who seems to possess the gift of flight. Vengeance oozes as he trains himself with one arm and the broken sword which belonged to his father. A fine piece of work that might bore wall-to-wall action nuts, but will no doubt win over those who believe these Eastern period action movies as puerile.
5 / A
- PB

BLADE
With Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, Udo Kier
Directed by Stephen Norrington
Pumping vampire hunting spectacular oozing style & class. Snipes is our hardcore title character (based on a comic book character) who is out to wipe all vampires off the face of the earth. His mother was bitten by one just before he was born, making him a “daywalker”, a vampire who doesn’t die in sunlight. But he has to fight his craving and takes regular essence of garlic injections to keep his tainted blood in line. With Kristofferson as his side-kick, they travel around doing their job (in bloody spectacular fashion, I might add). When a female doctor gets chomped on by a burnt vampire Blade offed that night, he takes her with him to try and stop the infection, but also uses her as decoy to get to Dorf, the wise-ass vampire who takes over the organized society that doesn’t move with the times in his eyes. Great scenes of action, gore and dark comedy are executed with style and a nail biting pace, a fine soundtrack wrapped around it all.
5 / A
- PB

BLADE II
With Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ron Perlman, Matt Goss
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro
One has to maintain a certain sense of reservation when it comes to sequels. They are almost invariably crap, if not at least failing to equal its predecessor (this is also assuming that its original was any good for a start!). The first cinematic adventure of this comic book vampire fighter was an enjoyably wild trip. In case you're unsure of who & what Blade is, he's a Daywalker: half vampire, half-human - his mother was bitten by a vampire just before he was born. The full effect didn't take root, so he ended up with all of the Vampires' strengths and none of their weaknesses, like light sensitivity for instance. But, the thirst for blood remains and has to be treated with a special serum. This follow-up, made by Cronos & Mimic director Del Toro is a fun, brutal, tongue in cheek vampire romp. There is a new breed of vampire out there - who destroys vampires! It's leader is played by Matt Goss, one half of the 80s Pop duo, Bros.! And he's pretty damn mean as opposed to his poncy musical image of a few decades back. After a bit of uhm & ah-ing (and a hot vampire princess, of course), our Daywalker decides work with the vampires - since these new creatures are targeting the entire globe, threatening mankind as we know it. Kristofferson is also resurrected from the first and with a cheesy team of vampires originally trained to take out Blade they go to war (the tension very tight within the group). What ensues is an invigorating trip of wild fight sequences and the obvious double cross or two. If you try to read any more into it then knock yourself out. Some sequences are well choreographed while some digital Blade images is sometimes evident. Sure, Vampire movies ain't what they used to be - still, with a few one-liners thrown in the fray, Blade II is a blast well worth an evening of escapism.
4 / B
- PB

BLADE TRINITY
With Wesley Snipes, Jessica Biel, Ryan Reynolds, Parker Posey, Kris Kristoffersen, Triple H
Directed by David S. Goyer
With writers and directors fluctuating across all of the Blade movies (Stephen Norrington, Guillermo del Toro), the basic essence of this comic book character translation remains. Our martial arts inflicting (half man half vampire) daywalker hero Blade is still hunting down bloodsuckers and their familiars as they prey on humans. He is framed and captured, high-ranking officials also in on the deal. This time round however, the head honcho, Dracula himself, is resurrected. Whistler (Blade's side-kick), has a daughter who is part of another bunch of vamp-hunters (with over the top technology and weapons) - they save Blade and he teams up with them, reluctantly of course. The action is fast and frenzied and the cliché badgirl vampire (Parker Posey) is simply annoying, the big sucker also pretty unimpressive and our wise-ass TV sitcom-to-big screen third in the Trinity link (Reynolds) is grating from the get-go with just too many wisecracks. Biel is hot. The first Blade was cool, the second OK, this one is flashy and paced, but merely passable in reflection of TV shows reaching this kind of action level - but what were you expecting, movies get better as they climb through the sequels? Then Friday The 13th should be a masterpiece by now! Wrestling (or is that bulked up sweaty soap opera) fans will be glad (or not) to see Triple H as an evil henchman.
2 / B
- PB

BLADERUNNER - Director's Cut
With Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Debra Winger, Darryl Hannah, Edward James Olmos
Directed by Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott seemed to have a knack for this kind of genre. His Sci-Fi feel could've been a result of doing ads for many years, but whichever way you look at it, Bladerunner was just so much more likely to occur in the future with its multi-cultural mix, urban magnitude and avoidance of zapping lasers. The original version had a voice over and a different ending. The director's cut (one of the first to start a bit of a trend), chucked the narration and reinstated the original ending - not much of a change you might think, but when you watch it, the subtlety does affect how you perceive it all. Harrison Ford, in classic bland monotone, is actually perfect for the role of a P.I. kinda guy, known as a Bladerunner who needs to track down and illiminate renegade replicants (clones). Far ahead of its time and so damn brilliant, if you haven't seen it before (shame on you!), go buy it right now, or ask Santa to pop it in your stocking together with the Alien Series.
6 / A
- Pablo Priest
…the 2nd opinion…
BLADE RUNNER
With Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, Daryl Hannah
Directed by Ridley Scott
This film was recently (2004) elected by a conglomerate of experts to be the best work of science fiction in any format. Besides 2001: A Space Odyssey, I am prone to agree with them on a cinematic level. Based on Philip K. Dick's short story Do Android Dream Of Electric Sheep?, Scott took the material and created a timeless future world. Ford plays Rick Deckard, a blade runner, a sort of space detective / bounty hunter who is assigned to track down and eliminate law breaking replicants whose drive to be human is taken away at will by their creators. His recent assignment puts him on the trail of a group of Nexus humanoids causing the authorities some headaches. While they are man-made intelligence, their instinct to be human and to survive gets overridden by administration and the decision to exterminate when no longer useful, or when the powers that be get rebelled against. Our morose hero becomes obsessed by the attractive simulant assistant of a humanoid designer whom he questions in connection with the renegade group. Besides the action, the amazing look and atmosphere (boosted by Vangelis' great soundtrack), the film digs deeply into man's ability to play God, the human psyche, spirit and mortality. Whether you're a Sci-Fi fan or not, this is one of those movies you simply have to experience. Several decades later it is still something to behold. Blade Runner was also one of the first movies to get a Director's Cut re-release. In this case it not just a cash-in scam, and actually improves the narrative.
6 / A
- PB

THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
With Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard
Directed by Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sanchez
In 1999 this young group of filmmakers turned the horror genre on its head with a very innovative approach. At this stage video was still not accepted as a 'serious' filmmaking format. What these guys did was use video and 16mm to construct a story of a student film crew heading out into the woods to document the legendary myth of the so-called Blair Witch, who reportedly killed many people and was never found. This crew actually goes missing in the woods. Along the lines of the appalling Cannibal Holocaust, they use the device of the team's discovered footage ayear later, which reveals the fate of the people involved. The natural acting and handheld cinematography add to the documentary feel, which was utilized in the publicity to have viewers believe it is real and not fiction. Many people actually did fall for it! With a successful Internet campaign and a great fake separate docy screened on TV (that some feel is superior to the movie!), the young moviemakers struck a hit with this impressive debut that uses suggestion, sound and raw emotion to strike terror into their audience.
5 / B
- PB

BLESS THE CHILD
With Kim Basinger, Jimmy Smits, Rufus Sewell, Christina Ricci, Ian Holm
Directed by Chuck Russell
Another good vs. evil flick for popcorn munchers. In the wake of Devil’s Advocate, Fallen and Stigmata, this isn’t really all that much to write home about. Basinger’s junky sister dumps her new born baby with her. She takes care of her until about six years later her sister pops up again with a wealthy religious cult leader who recruits young outcasts. They take the kid away and she’s totally freaked. The reason they want her is because she was born on the day the Star of Bethlehem once again filled our sky 2000 years after it’s appearance at the birth of Christ. Smits is the cop who is investigating ritual murders of six year old kids all born on that day. Our powerful cult leader (in good, friendly, helpful guise) wants to turn her to the dark side or kill her, to prevent her fulfilling her destiny of salvation for many. Basinger and the cop are the only people who can save her. Some cool moments, but too predictable with some artificial looking digital FX.
3 / B
- PB

BLINK-182 - Greatest Hits
With 13 straight & to the point songs of predominantly silly video proportions clock in at about 40 minutes. Dammit (Growing Up) is an early video of the guys at a movie theatre with the classic ex-girlfriend set-up. Josie is another school scenario featuring Alysa Milano. It these beginning stages bassist Mark did most of the singing and they had another drummer. The shared vocals became more commonplace thereafter. What's My Age Again is the classic streaking video (with blur blocks in strategic places), it also features porn goddess Janine Lindemulder (who appeared on their album cover). All The Small Things is their big hit with funny boyband music video cliché rip-offs. Adam's Song gets a warehouse rehearsal space style that zooms in on pictures on the wall). Man Overboard also involves performance clips as well as the band dreaming in the back of the van that they're midget - replicating bits from their past videos, streaking etc. For The Rock Show they open the video announcing they 're going to cash the cheaque for the video and use the money for the clip by going around giving it away, daring, wasting, buying & breaking stuff, throw the cash off rooftop, pay people to get stupid haircuts and more. Stay Together For The Kids handles a serious divorce issue and the video also avoids the usual silly antics. First Date is a '70s skit with hilarious wigs, fashion etc. Feeling This gets a school prison, teen riot set-up. I Miss You is a more stylized video for a more mature song. Down goes from an East LA house party to a cop car chase. Always gets a horizontal screen split in three; not to be watched when you're pissed. A fun band with some memorable tunes.
5 / A
- PB

BLINK 182 - The Urethra Chronicles
These leaders of the new-young-punk-rock-wave may be silly and immature most of the time, but they have some good songs and hilarious music videos. From the brilliant All The Small Things (ripping off boyband and other videos) to the usual school related videos make part of the band's style and crazy sense of humour. This DVD contains 5 videos as well as 2 live clips. Small video profiles cover each of the trio, while a travel & road docy and a look at some of their friends make this quite an enjoyable DVD.
5 / A
- PB

THE BLOB
With Steve McQueen, Aneta Corseaut, Olin Howlin
Directed by Irwin S. Yeaworth Jr.
Made in 1958, this low budget sci-fi thriller sees Steve McQueen in his first starring role. A meteorite crashes outside of his town. A plasma blob emerges from it and attaches itself to the hand of a vagrant investigating the crater. Stevie finds him and takes him to hospital. This alien goo ingests the man completely and slithers away for some more. As it chows down it grows in size. McQueen, his gal and other teens are on the run as the blob not only grows larger, but also redder. With communist paranoia sited as an underlying subtext, it pretty much boils down to a drive-in screamfest, with not as many scares as you'd expect. The classic 'patron fleeing from the cinema' is one of the cool scenes scattered amoung the many time padded sequences. It does remain a classic B riot. Three decades later saw a decent remake that was very '80s, but with the improved special FX made it far more prone to utilizing the gore opportunities.
3 / B
- PB

BLOODHOUND GANG - One Fierce Beer Run
Before their smash album Hooray For Boobies, The Bloodhound Gang released two albums: Use Your Fingers and One Fierce Beer Coaster. The latter album truly set the tone for their hybrid style of rock, rap and crazy, sick sense of humour rolled into one rude sausage. Shot during their Beer Coaster tour mid-late 90's, this may have been too extreme back then. But, with the Jackass craze sweeping the globe, Jimmy Pop and his band's idiotic tour bus antics doesn't seem as vile in reflection. Spending months on the road cooped up in a bus with a bunch of guys can lead to some rampant moronic behaviour. Arguments, freak-outs, drunken behaviour, pranks, fans, groupies and general mayhem is the order of the day. Bassist Evil Jared (who also does the commentary track) is the biggest bully and kid-drummer Spanky G is usually the target. Crude language, crass suggestions, nudity, profanity and stomach churning acts serve up a poo-poo-platter of madness, hilarity and a dose of shock, from Europe to the States and everywhere in between. Some may think that their constant gay joking could be a result of latent homosexual tendencies, but whatever the case, some of it is actually quite funny. Music videos include the classic Fire Water Burn (set in an old age resort), I Wish I Was Queer, So I Could Get Chicks (a fake gay cable access channel show), Your Only Friends Are Make Believe (featuring members of Duran Duran and Nerf Herder), Why's Everybody Always Pickin' On Me ? (set in a psychiatric hospital and school), and of course the all time favourite Kiss Me Where It Smells Funny (Jimmy Pop stealing a fish and running like hell). Like the music it's all for laughs, but it all depends on your particular sense of humour. And if you're into girl-on-girl action, a hidden track will give you just that.
6 / B
- PB

BLOOD SIMPLE
With John Getz, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya, Samm Art-Williams
Directed by Joel Coen
Joel and Ethan Coen’s debut feature proves that they were born to do this job. Their amazing visual sense and ability to write what seems like a basic story and turning it into something magnificent started here. A man and woman is having an affair. The husband hires a PI to tail them then pays him to kill them. Everyone screws everyone over resulting in a wonderful modern noir thriller that lay the foundation for a legendary film-making families legacy.
6 / A
- PB

BLOOD WORK
With Clint Eastwood, Wanda De Jesus, Jeff Daniels, Anjelica Huston, Paul Rodriguez
Directed by Clint Eastwood
BLOODY HELL
Our man Clint is an FBI profiler who loses his last pursued murdering nutter when a serious cardiac arrest floors him mid-chase, wounding the fleeing suspect. Several years later he's putting his life back together with a new donated heart. The medical tests are tedious, though he seems to enjoy retirement. Until a woman approaches him to find out who had killed her sister. He's not interested, until he hears the woman was his heart donor.
OH, WHERE DID ALL THE SURPRISES GO?
Slowly Clint starts to put together the puzzle of linked murders and how it is directly linked to the killer that gave him the slip a few years back. For a start, it's just a little too obvious who the killer is, but we humour Mr Eastwood in exposing the clues and bits anyhow.
BRING BACK HARRY!
Eastwood 'aint no Dirty Harry no more, nor the Man With No Name. While he resembles an old leather bag and seems not to need much acting in scenes where his medical condition reflects in strenuous situations, he still tries to invoke respect and fear with his squinted stare, but without much effect.
THAT'S SNORE LIKE IT
If only…The lame showdown finale could've been more intriguing had the writer spent more time than the heating time of his cup-a-noodle in order to explore wider possibilities and giving the viewer a deserving pay-off - unless it was a fabulous original one and the test audience asked for something as predictable and devoid of any tension. Clint Eastwood is a great celluloid hero, but with flicks like this and Space Cowboys, all you can do is hope that a script worthy of his legacy will come along to leave a memorable stamp on his latter work both as actor and director. If not, we'll have to forget everything he's made after Unforgiven.
1 / C
- PB

BLOW
With Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Paul Rubens, Ray Liotta
Directed by Ted Demme
George Jung was a regular American kid who made a decision never to be poor or needy. When he moved to Miami a whole new world opened up to him. With some friends he started importing vast amounts of marijuana, becoming pretty damn rich. But, when he got nailed and spent some time in jail, his cell mate caught him onto the idea of cocaine importing. George became ultra cocaine cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar's American connection and wealth, decadence and good times were the order of the day. But things are always bound to bomb. This highly enjoyable film takes us through George's life, his loves, his pain and chances to go straight at his fingertips, but circumstances sucking him back in. It seems as if this film should play like Boogie Nights. Some parts are, mainly because of the 70's era in which the bulk of it is set. The glitz, glamour, kitsch, horror and drama flow wonderfully and even if some parts were subject to artistic freedom and interpretation, Jung is made out to be a good guy who just happened to choose a profession (which he was good at) on the wrong side of the law. Laughter, tears, it's all here - and morals are not exactly preached - just facts. The drugs / alcohol / tobacco debate can stretch into eternity and this is just another reflection on its reality, pleasures, pain, pros and cons. The narrative plays like a drug fairytale but with the fairy godmother forgetting to show up. A real fine flick.
5 / B
- PB

BLUE - A Year In The Life Of Blue
For me, this boyband came (for want of a better term) out of the blue. Never really paying much attention to these kinds of musical marketing tools, to me it's was "just another one". This quartet, for a start is from the UK, not the States and have a Brother in there, where the usual formula is lily white. This in-depth DVD look at their rise to fame. It focusses on them as just a group of young friends who are really enjoying the opportunity they have been granted to fulfill a lifelong dream. The boys from Blue are Duncan, Anthony, Lee and Simon and take you through a year in their life, from the very beginning - including everything from photo- & video shoots to publicity tours, performing live, backstage, from their very first recording & shows till the stage where they struck 5 hits, including two number ones. Videos include All Rise, Too Close, If You Come Back and Fly By II [Expect the usual dance routines and studio sets]. Bonus features include Blue On Tour (don't expect raucous bus parties and groupies), a director's cut of If You Come Back as well as an early studio version. Blue's youth still shines through very strongly, but there is at least one of them who is likely to utilize his look and maintain a mindset to go beyond these first steps as Robbie Williams and Ronan Keating has done. As far as boybands go, this should appeal to many girls under the age of 16, or older ones who don't know any better.
3 / C
- PB

BLUE CRUSH
With Kate Bosworth, Matthew Davis, Michelle Rodriguez
Directed by John Stockwell
A surfergirl adamant to win a big wave competition in Hawaii face many obstacles, some good, some bad. She tries to keep her bright younger sister in line (partying, staying out late) while paying the rent with money earned from cleaning hotel room with her two best buddies, housemates & co-surfergirls. She has to practice for the competition, but a haunting accident keeps blowing fear into her. Then there are the wise-ass local boys who won't give her a break. When she meets a handsome football player on holiday with some vulgar buddies, she falls for him. Her buddy (who wishes she could surf like her) gets on her case to focus, resulting in tension amid the fun. These events don't drag the action out, as there are enough interesting narrative elements and surfing sequences in between - building up to the big competition. The surf scenes are very well shot and really put you in the mood for summer. The digitally mapped face of our actress on the surfer body is a little obvious in the big wave parts, but that's hardly of importance. As I watched the opening scene at the film's press preview (not having any info on it), I thought it was going to be a Girlfight set in Hawaii on surfboards…and there Michelle Rodriguez's name pops up! While she would've been a good lead, she does the supporting buddy role justice. Even if the film's intention wasn't a motivational girls-can-do-it theme, it sure succeeds, even if you're male!
4 / B
- PB

BLUE STREAK
With Martin Lawrence, Luke Wilson, Peter Green, William Forsythe
Directed by Les Mayfield
In many ways Lawrence is one of the most annoying successful comedians of recent years (like many would say about Jim Carrey). But, just like the rubber faced nutter, Lawrence succeeds in making you laugh. Here he’s a career criminal who steals a multi-million buck gem, but gets bust. Before the cops nab him, he hides the stone in an air vent in a building in progress. When he’s released from jail, the building ends up being a cop station. In order to get to his rock, he has to impersonate a police officer. He succeeds to get in and gets partnered with a new guy. As to be expected he ends up solving some cases in his unconventional way. An old partner in crime also pops up not just wanting his share, but the whole damn thing. The slapstick situations creep in constantly and are pulled off to a greater and lesser degree. The action is slick, but Lawrence could’ve done a few more of his over the top disguised roles, though. Overall pretty funny, but no Beverly Hills Cop.
4 / B
- PB

The Story of THE BLUES BROTHERS
We all know them, but not how it all got started. Surviving member Dan (Elwood Blues) Aykroyd takes us through his and John (Jake Blues) Belushi's (R.I.P.) creation which debuted on Saturday Night Live and spawned an album even before the movie. Some cool live performances from all over the place capture the spirit of this refreshing flashback. Contains a whole lot of background info for the trivia hound. The Blues lives on.
4 / A
- PB

BLUE VELVET
With Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, Hope Lange, Dean Stockwell
Directed by David Lynch
After his two dark debut black & white classics (Eraserhead & Elephant Man), and the big budget other-end-of-the-spectrum Dune, Lynch found his perfect niche with Blue Velvet. This is the territory where he excels - seemingly normal suburban America with high ideals and moral conscience, but underneath the primary colours of floral gardens, white picket fences and smiling neighbours lays dark, seedy secrets. Lynch regular MacLachlan (Dune, Twin Peaks) is a young man whose normal life is turned inside out when he finds a severed ear in a field. This leads him to undertaking some amateur sleuth work, simultaneously growing fond of the daughter of the cop he reported it to. His investigations lead him to an intriguing club singer who is under the thumb of a domineering hood (outstandingly played by Hopper). He falls for her and wants to save her from this horrid guy, but he's in way over his head. This masterful film is a modern classic with a mood and style second to none.
6 / A
- PB

BLUR - The Best Of
Like the Best Of CD release, the DVD showcases video versions of Blur's hit singles on an extra-feature-less DVD. With 22 of their tracks represented in motion picture form, the DVD traverses their entire career (before vocalist Damon Albarn ventured off into Gorillaz territory). The clips are predominantly bright scenarios with many British exteriors. From the very young carefree days of She's So High, There's No Other Way, Bang and Popscene to the later, more matured era of Coffee And TV, No Distance Left To Run and Tender, the quartet has established themselves as one of the top UK bands of the 90s. The middle portion of their career are many of their fans' favourite epoch with tracks like Girls And Boys, Parklife, Country House, On Your Own, M.O.R., Beetlebum and Song 2 all featuring here. With videos including devices like neon, English streets, holiday video backdrops, living milk cartons, getting blown away by a wind machine in a room, a black & white '60s Italian flick look and Clockwork Orange take or being filmed while they're sleeping, the band's variety of Britpop music also lent itself to the videos released with them. Some cheesy, some impressive, some basic yet effective. A couple of live tracks are also thrown in. Each video starts with the cover of its single release. That's about as far as the bonus portion goes. A documentary on the band, however thrifty would've completed this disc nicely.
4 / B
- PB

BLUR - Starshaped
This retrospective DVD release is specifically aimed at fans of the early Blur days. The one hour documentary includes footage from '91-'94 of the band on tour, including festivals like Glastonbury and across Europe. With live footage and general on-the-road mucking about, this results in a mix of amusing and annoying scenes. But keep in mind that these lads were young yobs who made it big. Two additional shows are included, Live at the Kilburn ('91) and an early four song, 15-minute bit from a performance at the Princess Charlotte after they got signed. You'll encounter songs like Can't Explain, There's No Other Way, Luminous, Pop Scene, Sunday Sunday, Day Upon Day, Chemical World, Fool, High Cool, Bad Day, Slow Down, She Is So High, Come Together, Sing and Won't Do It. A sequence where they make fun of some regular folk having lunch is in pretty bad taste. Strictly for fans.
3 / B
- PB

BOBBY McFERRIN - Spontaneous Inventions
At this historic 1986 show at the Aquarius Theatre, LA (not '68 as the inner sleeve misprinted reads), McFerrin performed a dozen improvised numbers, usually starting with his voice-chest "bass guitar". He uses anything at hand (besides his voice and body) and even incorporates the audience in a mass interactive party from conducting their singing, to slapping rhythms on a guy's leather jacket. He turns existing songs into new creations, from his own material to that of The Beatles, James Brown, and the Gershwins. Bobby has a great range and uses it as he transcends pop, jazz, funk, soul and even opera. Also includes music videos to the two songs that really catapulted him to the public's attention in the '80s, Don't Worry Be Happy (featuring Robin Williams) and Good Lovin'. Something different in this over produced, computer tampered music world. Bruce Lundvall supplies reflective notes on his first encounters with McFerrin as record company exec.
5 / B
- PB

THE BODY
With Antonio Banderas, Jason Flemyng
Directed by Roger Donaldson
What would happen to the Christian faith and situation in Israel if an archaeologist dug up a tomb there containing what may be the skeleton of Jesus - who was meant to rise from the dead after his crucifixion? This interesting premise holds promise in its suspense, but falls short in its execution. The teamed lead character conflict of the not-very-religious female archaeologist who made the discovery and the determined priest sent to investigate the authenticity is fairly standard and holds many an anticipated outcome. As the mystery and fear of the buildup to the outcome drags on far too long, at least its political importance is also reflected and there is an exploration of emotion and conflict of faith in the duality of science & faith and both its merits in today's society. Banderas tries a bit too hard at times to act passionate and dramatically intense, while his co-star is annoying from the get-go with an over-exaggerated attitude and grating characteristics making it hard to have any compassion for her, her motives or justified reactions. The soundtrack is adequately moody (almost immitating the amazing Last Temptation Of Christ score by Peter Gabriel). A promising addition to the religious genre which unfortunately loses it halfway through.
3 / C
- PB

BODY COUNT
With David Carusso, John Leguizamo, Linda Fiorentino, Donnie Wahlberg
Directed by Robert Patton-Spruill
A botched big buck art-heist sends the conflicting crew on the road to deliver the goods, neither one trusting the other, sticking together until they get their cut. Their inner conflict, backbiting and -stabbing causes many tense and humorous situations as they slowly start eliminating one another or whoever gets in the way. Caruso and Leguizamo steal the show as the two most incompatible psychotic bad-asses. Mark Wahlberg's brother, Donnie, makes an admirable turn but gets his neck broken. Ving Rhames is in Marcellus Wallis-mode while Fiorentino is as sexy as always. Body Count is a cool character study with greed, mistrust and the absence of conscience the dangerous cocktail on which these cons ride into oblivion.
4 / B
- PB

BODY SHOTS
With Sean Patrick Flanery, Amanda Peet, Tara Reid
Directed by Michael Cristofer
Publicized as one of the most honest films on sex in the 90’s can be accurate in a sense. Not only because the characters address the camera directly throughout the film, talking frankly about anything the games people play to love and oral sex. Four male friends go out for the night to meet a quartet of lady friends. Mostly they have one thing on their minds. Sex. However, wherever. Each of their tales is told separately after the night’s conclusion. We have the introverted, nice guy who believes in love before sex, the jock who wants to nail everything, the oddball and the neutral, likable guy. Each have a different outcome with each of the different ladies, ranging from an alleged rape, a parking lot quickie, a brand new experience and no sex at all. Well cemented, but ultimately it seems as though it is a bit forced - too variably unlikely for one set of friends on one single night. But a good attempt at telling it like it is.
3 / B
- PB

BOESMAN AND LENA
With Danny Golver, Angela Bassett, Willie Jonah
Directed by John Berry
Athol Fugard's Apartheid era play of a homeless Black couple in South Africa is still a heartbreaking tale, as their situation is still a global problem. Boesman and Lena are constantly on the run from one place to the other, the government's bulldozers moving in almost as soon as they've set up a little shack. Their once good life seems like a faded memory as they drink the sorrows away, get money for empties and walk till their soles are bare, aimlessly drifting in the land of their birth that doesn't seem like their. Boesman has a stranglehold on Lena to ensure a sense of superiority in a land where he's classified a second class citizen, but it's slipping, as she wants her identity back. Race aside, it also reflects a male-female balance of power, the struggle to remain human under the worst of circumstances and the courage to say "enough". Glover and Bassett can give it a more global appeal, but for those who'd seen the play or an early film version with Fugard as Boesman, it doesn't feel as authentic as it could've been (their accents slipping at times and the performance often a bit too "staged"). Less relevant than 20 years ago, but still moving.
3 / C
- PB

BOILER ROOM
With Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck, Nia Long, Ron Rifkin
Directed by Ben Younger
Not being good with either, I do however love a good gambling or money related movie. In the footsteps of Oliver Stone’s Wall Street (that gets a solid nod in the film), Boiler Room deals with an ambitious young man (Ribisi) who joins JT Marlin, a stock broker firm with men in their twenties and early thirties selling at all cost, becoming millionaires. Ribisi dropped out of college, running a gambling room from his apartment. His father, a judge, finds out and the existing tension between them gets even more intense. He gives it up to get a real job, the broker company. He rises to the top of his apprentice group, impressing everyone (and pissing off a few). But this firm has a few sticky bits that don’t add up. Though life is getting real good, Ribisi’s conscience leads him to check out a few matters he happened to stumble upon. To top this, the FBI is also investigating. Fast paced finance-lingo-filled excitement that makes it one of the few movies that keep your attention where most of the action is verbal.
4 / B
- PB

THE BONE COLLECTOR
With Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Queen Latifah
Directed by Philip Noyce
Where Se7en lay the foundation for many serial killer flicks to follow like Cristopher Lambert’s Resurrection and others not worth a mention, The Bone Collector also has that feel to it. The difference here is, Washington plays a forensic investigator who became a quadriplegic, using a sharp rookie (Jon Voigt’s daughter, Jolie), as his eyes in the field. Without this “angle”, it’d be just another serial killer movie. The Bone Collector is a meticulous, cold blooded murderer who offs his victims in gruesome innovative way, constantly leaving clues, playing games with the investigators. As to be expected, obvious, stupid red herrings are thrown in that hardly side-track your suspicions. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer star, Michael Rooker, is under-utilized and portrays an unnecessary role of a grumpy higher rank out to stuff up all their investigative moves. With the killer always one step ahead of them, the frustration of another life lost gets to our investigators, but only makes them more determined until they get that breakthrough. Whether the unveiling of the killer comes as a surprise or not, will vary from viewer to viewer.
3 / C
- PB

BON JOVI - Crossroad
This double CD, single DVD box set includes New Jersey boys Bon Jovi's 15 track Cross Road album (with their hits and favourites like Livin' On A Prayer, Keep The Faith, Wanted Dead Or Alive, Bed Of Roses, Blaze Of Glory, Bad Medicine, I'll Be There For You, Runaway and Never Say Goodbye), as well as the 15 track B-Sides and Rarities (with songs like The Radio Saved My Life Tonight, Edge Of A Broken Heart, Let It Rock, Blood Money, Save A Prayer, Lucky, Raise Your Hands, two live tracks and a bonus track for the Japanese market). The DVD was recorded in London at their successful stadium shows for their album These Days, and includes tracks like Livin' On A Prayer, You Give Love A Bad Name, Always, Blaze Of Glory, Hey God, Wanted Dead Or Alive, as well as two medleys: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Papa Was A Rolling Stone, and Bad Medicine / Shout. For some reason the sleeve designer omitted the extended version of Lay Your Hands On Me from the track listing. The show is energetic enough to keep all Bon Jovi fans well satisfied as they guys demonstrate their professionalism. Halfway into the show giant inflatables pop up, including jukeboxes, a chicken-head go-go dancer (?) and a devil Elvis (?). For a band of this stature you can't go without a fireworks finale. The disc also contains a bonus video of These Days.
4 / B
- PB

BON JOVI - This Left Feels Right - Live
Shot at the Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey (their home state) on 14 & 15 November 2003, this landmark Bon Jovi venture was directed by sibling Anthony M. Bongiovi. The live show contains close on 20 songs, from the favourites like You Give Love A Bad Name, Wanted Dead Or Alive, Livin' On A Prayer, It's My Life, Bad Medicine, I'll Be There For You, Bed Of Roses and Keep The Faith to Misunderstood, Joey, Blood On Blood, Last Man Standing and Dr. Hook cover, Sylvia's Mother. Of course these songs are reinterpreted with more acoustically inclined renditions of their popular rock tunes (see CD review below). There is a half hour behind-the-scenes look at the concert's set-up, pre-press, preparation and missioning to get everything spot-on, outtakes and 5.1 or DTS sound selection for the full-on concert experience. Jon looks either a bit tired and going through the motions 'cause he has to (perhaps he wants to run around and be the rockstar showman like always, but can't for this particular performance) - or he's merely the cool rocker who believes he's earned Elvis stature, showing it in his swagger and style. Bassist Alec John Such has left the fray for many years (his older replacement well equipped, but ill-fitting). The band is older (Jon 41), but far from over the hill. As they go through their set of hits, thrilling the limited ticket crowd, the light in between banter & band introductions come smoothly. The second disc contains Clip Poker, where you can play cards against the band in order to unlock footage from their more rocking Hyde Park concert, a Q&A segment, director's view multi-cam segment and photo gallery. Naturally this DVD contains far more than the TV broadcast of the show.
PS. For an intriguing look behind the scenes of the band who was at the top of their game in the '80s, read Michael Francis' book Star Man (click here) - he was their security man on many tours and exposes quite a bit of shenanigans fans who believe they were pure, good boys will find shocking.
5 / B
- PB

BOOGIE NIGHTS
With Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Dazzling, epic look at the porn industry as we witness the chronicles of a young, well endowed man who takes to the role of pornstar without as much as a flinch. Fame, fortune, excess in all shapes & sizes and the consuming of it (and its consumption of those who go way overboard) lead to loads of good and bad times. Reynolds shines as the porn director while Moore, Wahlberg and Graham are marvelous as the stars. Hoffman is truly brilliant as the shy boom operator. With a wonderful screenplay, amazing visual touch and fine acting (filled with humour), it’s a shame everyone can’t see this film (due to age restrictions for adult material). Never before (and doubtful in the future) will there be a movie like this about this controversial subject.
6 / B
- PP
…the 2nd opinion…
BOOGIE NIGHTS
With Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
This breakthrough film for director Paul Thomas Anderson (now being referred to as P.T. Anderson) was filled with visuals that made an era - in this case crossing two decades. It follows the exploits of a young well-endowed man (Mark Wahlberg) who becomes a pornstar and the relationships with the people around this industry. In the same way as the porn industry signified the 70s (and the video crossover in the 80s), the musical identity is big and brilliant from disco to rock. Songs that feature all over this film include The Emotions (Best Of My Love), Melanie (Brand New Key), War (Spill the Wine), The Commodores (Machine Gun), Night Ranger (Sister Christian) and ELO (Livin' Thing). Then of course there is the amazing emotionally layered soundtrack music by Michael Penn with Patrick Warren. Another great musical segment is the chapter where our pornstar Dirk Diggler and his pal attempt a musical career with terrible but hilarious end results. Boogie Nights is a landmark film you can't afford to miss. DVD contains interviews with director and cast.
6 / A
- PB

THE BOONDOCK SAINTS
With Sean Patrick Flanery, Willem Dafoe, Billy Connoly
Directed by Troy Duffy
Crafty, wonderfully written and directed film about two Catholic brothers who become accidental vigilantes. Marvelous action sequences are told in flashback as the FBI agent assesses each scene of carnage where they exacted Justice on yet another batch of criminals. Dafoe’s performance as the gay FBI agent is magnificent. The action is very Pekinpah/Woo/Tarantino but in no way feels like a copy. Wild, violent, exhilarating entertainment in the post-Pulp Fiction vein.
Tony Montana and Mark Brian Smith's documentary Overnight looks at the swift rise and fall of director Troy Duffy in the most jaw-dropping manner, as his rampant ego alienates everyone around him.
5 / B
- PB

BOUNCE
With Ben Affleck, Gwyneth Paltrow, Joe Morton, Natasha Henstridge, Tony Goldwyn, Johnny Galecki
Directed by Don RoosWhat starts out looking like a dreary love story turns out to be quite a moving tale. A wise-ass advertising guy gives his flight ticket to a family man writer. The plane crashes and he dies. The ad-guy flips, goes over the edge and ends up in re-hab, his company also winning a best ad award for post ads on the crash! One of his rehab tasks is to make amends with someone you've wronged. He sorts a plan to make sure the widow and her kids are OK. But, yep, he slowly falls in love with her, knowing that one day the truth about her husband dying in his seat will have to come out. Bounce is a sober drama of love, loss and triumph that may play much better on the VCR than big screen.
3 / C
- PB

BOUND (in Afrikaans)
met Meg Tilly, Gina Gershon, Joe Pantoliano
Regisseurs: The Wacowski Brothers
'n Vrygelate, aantreklike skelm word deur haar buurvrou genader op meer as een manier. Hulle romantiese betrokkenheid kry 'n heel ander dimensie wanneer Meg Tilly vir Corky vra om haar te help om $ 2 miljoen van haar mafia kerel te steel. Die poppe begin te dans ! Uiters stylvol met goeie spel van al die hoof en byspelers. Dis taamlik grafies in party tonele maar altyd vol intrige en spanning. Die kamerawerk is met vernuf hanteer sonder om pretensie na die voorgrond te stoot. Die tweede helfte van die prent het jou op die punt van jou sitplek amper elke oomblik. Dit is definitief nie vir ons jonger lesers nie weens skokkende tonele.
PS. The Wachowski Brothers wanted to go from their comic book forte' to the cinematic world with their Matrix idea. The producers first wanted to see if they can handle film-language and had them do this as a tester - the rest is history.
4 / B
- PB

THE BOURNE SUPREMACY
With Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Joan Allen, Karl Urban
Directed by Paul Greengrass
To this day I still haven't read the Robert Ludlum Jason Bourne books, seen the mini-series from the '80s or seen the first Damon starrer The Bourne Identity. One doesn't however need any of that when seeing this sequel. Bourne's memory is still a haze, his identity and past not yet resolved. As a member of a secret government agency, his covert, espionage and tactical skills get put to the test and stretched to its limit when members within the government decide to frame him. Killing his lady also won't help putting him in your good books! From India to Russia, this exciting ride is no rule bender, but a well put together action flick that does succeed in giving it a more gritty edge by using indie director Paul Greengrass. Julia Stiles never fails to irritate me, but the rest of the cast makes up for convincing performances overwhelming her bit part.
The DVD extras are substantial with featurettes including the anatomy of a scene, planning explosions, casting, a look at the Crash Cam, the soundtrack scoring, trailers, a commentary track and DVD-Rom content.
4 / B
- PB

BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE
With Michael Moore, Marilyn Manson, Matt Stone, Charlton Heston
Directed by Michael Moore
Irrespective of his rant at the 2nd Iraqi war and George W. Bush (which I quite enjoyed), you'll get to see how strongly Moore feels about America and guns, by catching this thought provoking documentary that is filled with interesting facts and investigations into why over 10 000 Americans die from gunshot wounds every year as opposed to the rest of the world's lower statistics. The spark for this controversial film was the two school kids going on a killing spree at their high school in Columbine. Moore's journey takes him from the NRA (and its spokesperson Charlton Heston), and a (biased but hilarious) animated history of America through interviews with a co-arrested Oklahoma bombing suspect, big arms manufacturers, Matt Stone (South Park co-creator), Marilyn Manson, rednecks, liberals, researchers, ordinary people in the street, two Columbine victims (one paralyzed) and from South Central LA and the American heartland into Canada, looking for answers. He delves into the availability of guns and ammo (starting with the incredible clip of him receiving a gun from a bank as a new account opener!), the media's fear creation in citizens, the blame game and varied stock footage and information further asking the question "why?" If you've seen Moore's first film Roger & Me, you'll know what he's all about, and like that memorable movie, does not leave your mind unstimulated. This was one of the few films of the year that had me discussing it for a length of time afterwards, sometimes getting heated. Whether you're pro- or anti-gun, it is well worth catching as it contains far more than a large guy going around asking questions. Tragedy, humour, shocking facts, madness, social conscience and -commentary, hysteria, indifference and brain stimulation are but a few of the attributes that make this film a must-see.
6 / B
- PB

BOYS DON’T CRY
With Hilary Swank, Chloe Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III
Directed by Kimberly Peirce
This tender look at a young man…trapped in a woman’s body, is not only heartfelt, compassionate and realistic, but also hardcore and shocking. Teena Brandon ends up in Falls City, Nebraska where her new identity of Brandon Teena comes to full fruition. With a court case pending back home for car theft and several thugs after her for getting involved with one of their sisters, she found a home in the white trash drenched Falls City. After meeting John in a bar brawl, they become pals, and in the process, meets Lana, singing karaoke in a bar - it’s love at first sight. The relationship grows and Teena wants to stay. But with the sex change still far away, the lies and fooling can only last as long. While no harm is intended, taking into account the part of the world in which she finds herself, the discovery of this secret won’t be taken lightly. Love is love, no matter what your sex and Brandon’s struggle is more real and more intense than any. All round the performances are fabulous, especially Swank’s deserved Oscar winning turn and that of Sevigny. The simplicity and tenderness are off set by sheer complication and horror, making this film an emotional ride, no matter what your gender.
5 / B
- PB

BOYS FROM BRAZIL
With Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier, James Mason
Directed by Franklin J. Shaffner
Based on the novel by Ira Levin, this intriguing post World War II tale follows the premise of the notoriously sadistic Nazi medical experiment head Dr. Josef Mengele still at large and resurfacing. Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman gets put on his trail by a young Jewish man (played by a pre-Police Academy Steve Guttenberg!), who uncovers a psychotic plot to bring the Arian ideal back into the mainstream with a network of escaped Nazis and sympathizers. A very interesting film with a few surprises lined up. Unfortunately the DVD features no extra material.
4 / C
- PB

BOYZONE LIVE - Where We Belong
Some people might think that the world doesn't need another boy group (let alone one with that pre-teen gender description in the title), but the more the merrier...why the hell not? These Irish boys have been making girls (and no doubt some boys) weak at the knees for a while now and with this video they spread their word to an even broader adoring audience who weren't fortunate enough to catch them live. This show was recorded at Manchester with the place packed so tight with screaming girls you can probably smell the estrogen in the air. With loads of choreography and lighting, the boys drive the place to a frenzy, even if they get soppy...come to think of it, especially when they get mushy! You get to see a bit of behind the scenes stuff as well, while they do all their hits like Words, not to mention a special Grease-medley. That's right, folks, a Grease-medley. To rise to fame like this at such a young age (well, not like their as youthful as Hanson), is a dream come true, not only for a bunch of Irish boys, but anyone, anywhere.
1 / C
- PB

BRAZIL
With Jonathan Pryce, Ian Holm, Katherine Helmond, Robert DeNiro, Michael Palin, Bob Hoskins, Ian Richardson
Directed by Terry Gilliam
After his great stints with Monty Python and on solo feature trips with Jabberwocky and Time Bandits, Gilliam truly found his voice in this incredible cinematic landmark. Fusing a doomed, autocratic future of disorganized retro technology with a fantasy dream world, we're thrown into the consequences of an administrative blunder that leads to the opening of a grey corporate pencil pusher's eyes to the oppressive truth of the system he serves. The look, mood and design of the film is timeless and has become the template for many movies set in the future. Lowry is the grey man in question, who literally takes flight in his dreams. He is one of the few people with a bout of conscience, and when the powers that be incarcerates the wrong man (the above mentioned blunder), he heads out to the family's dreary flat complex and accidentally spots the woman of his dreams (literally - the damsel in his dream world).
With its surreal realm and Gilliam touch, Brazil is still in a league of its own and a must-see.
6 / A
- PB

BRIDGET JONES And The Edge Of Reason
With Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth
Directed by Beeben Kidron
Several years after the huge hit that placed a Texan girl in the role of an English one who can't seem to find love, we're thrown back into the dizzy life of Bridget Jones. Set not too long after the wrap up of the first film, Bridget and Darcy are hooked up and pretty happy. Things start going pear shaped when Bridget's suspicion that a co-worker of her boyfriend is after him, but even more so when Hugh Grant's character resurfaces, now also a TV presenter. They have to do a shoot together in the East and besides the playboy trying to have another go, Bridget lands in some more serious trouble. Fun, light and very much a chick-flick, Zellweger's even more frumpy and puffy than the first one! Director Kidron maintained the first director Sharon Maguire's tone, but it's mainly due to the writing set in motion by original novelist Helen Fielding. Fun, but less impact due to the scene setting already done in the original.
3 / C
- PB

BRINGING OUT THE DEAD
With Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette, John Goodman, Ving Rhames, Tom Sizemore
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Scorsese is the man. Here he takes us into a heat wave New York weekend, on the road with a paramedic on the verge of burning out and three of his partners, a different one each night. Cage is the man in question and his weekend starts with the saving of a beuatiful girl’s father (the stunning Arquette and now Mrs Cage). The man remains in critical condition, constantly shacked back to life, Cage hearing him inside his head, asking him to pull the plug. In addition he is also haunted by a young girl who he didn’t manage to save. There are bad drugs going around and crazy recurring characters add to Cage’s breakdown. Scorsese extracts intensely amazing performances from all characters, even the bit parts. Not much more needs to be said, as this gritty, stylish and gripping film simply has to be seen.
5 / B
- PB

BRIT AWARDS 2004
This selection of Brit nominees and winners for the 2004 awards include 31 tracks. They vary from Dido, Busted, The Darkness, Duran Duran (their classic Girls On Film), Christina Aguilera, Will Young, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Lemar, Sean Paul, Mis-Teeq, Rachel Stevens, Goldfrapp, Kosheen, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, to Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada, Lemon Jelly, Amy Winehouse, Big Brovaz, Sugababes, Gareth Gates, Missy Elliott, Blur, Damien Rice, the legendary David Bowie, incredible Muse, Feeder, The Coral, Stereophonics, and Kings Of Leon. Extras include a look at the Brits School and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.
4 / B
- PB

BRITNEY - The Videos
You love her or hate her. If you love her, this DVD is probably already in your possession. This contains a bunch of Ms Spears' video visions including (what is shockingly called "the groundbreaking") Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know as well as I'm A Slave 4 U (both the 2001 MTV music awards performance thereof and the full video), plus I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman. You get a look at her Pepsi stint with Britney's "Joy Of Pepsi" insert, as well as a dance portion, "Strikes A Pose" The song "Overprotected" can be viewed with outtakes from Britney's screen debut, Crossroads. A Making Of Crossroads is also included while the ad for her HBO Britney Spears Live From Las Vegas show got thrown in for good measure (the operative word "live" used with caution). And if that's not enough, check out the Vogue cover shoot. Referred to as "incredible works of video art", this phrase could be debated. But, be that as it may, whether there are very few flaws when it comes to Britney's figure and management, it still depends on whether you have good taste or not.
3 / B
- PB

BRITNEY SPEARS LIVE FROM VEGAS
If you weren't at home over the 2001 festive season to catch your favourite pop goddess on TV for the broadcast of this "live" HBO spectacular in Vegas, here's your chance to be redeemed. But, now, because it's an HBO production, don't expect any swearing, violence or murder - no, it's worse! The elaborate show is covered with a plethora of lighting, FX, video screens, gimmicks, inbetweeners and more dancing than actual singing. Some of the favourite hits Ms Spears tries to have us believe she performs live include I'm A Slave 4 U, Oops!…I Did It Again, Born To Make You Happy, Lonely, Stronger, …Baby One More Time and even the slaughter of Joan Jett's I Love Rock & Roll. Spending time debating whether she mimes or not is time wasted. But, with so much concentration having to go into the dance steps and wild moves (which suspiciously seem to have zero effect on her voice as she shakes, contorts, gyrates, rolls, jumps and strikes poses) lets get realistic. Not to mention the ultra studio quality of her voice, synched up to the music videos on screen (!). With the average age of the audience around 15, it's not as if any of my words would make a difference. The TV broadcast obviously lacked the extras, which on this DVD include videos of I'm A Slave 4 U, Overprotected, I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman as well as a trailer for her screen debut, Crossroads - the film I tried my best to go see but, unfortunately I just couldn't get a gap in my schedule - no, truly.
I must say, the Elvis suit on the cover leaves me split - it looks sexy and cool, but is also a bit insulting, especially for true Elvis fans.
4 / C
- PB

THE BROOD
With Oliver Reed, Samantha Eggar, Art Hingle
Directed by David Cronenberg
Innovative horror dealing with a disturbed woman seeing an unconventional psychologist. Her aggressive emotions has a hectic outcome as she gives birth to children who carry out her rage against those who provoke it. Shocking, gory and not to be missed.
5 / A
- PB

BROTHER
With Beat Takeshi, Omar Epps
Directed by Takeshi Kitano
Takeshi Kitano/Beat Tekeshi, renowned Japanese filmmaker wrote, directed, edited and stars in this intensely powerful tale of remorseless gangsters, their cold-blooded determination as well as the importance of loyalty and honour. When warring Yakuza families run into serious conflict, our dark and complicated hero has to leave Japan or be killed. He goes to the USA to find his younger brother. The lad had hooked up with a couple of low-key street corner dealers. His older brother inadvertently launches the small group into an operation beyond their dreams. The intensity of the film's pace, emotion and violence lights up the screen like a ballet as death becomes a matter of fact, close relations and feelings for one another still strongly in tact. The often long musical absence adds to that stark realism within its dark subject. The bilingual film walks the line between foreign art movie and action epic. But don't expect any big budget explosions. Takeshi Kitano lures the viewer into this stylish dark world amoung us, making us loath the characters as we can laugh and sympathize with them. Another consummate effort.
5 / B
- PB

BROTHER BEAR
Another Disney animal morality tale with more than just a lesson in growing up, accepting yourself and those around you (including respecting animals). A young man is changed into a bear to teach him a life lesson. Soppy, fun, perilous, adventurous, magical and humourous moments are pasted together with a range of animal and human characters (the focus on the former with characteristics of the latter). Just another Disney flick to some, but a little more worthy that the psychotic cartoons broadcast on TV on a daily basis.
3 / C
- PB

BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF
With Mark Dacascos, Samuel Le Bihan, Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci
Directed by Christophe Gans
An interesting, but not altogether successful mixture of French period piece, monster horror and kung-fu action adventure. A beast is terrorizing the countryside, the population in a grip of fear. A naturalist expert is called in to investigate. With his sidekick they start to find a trail, which leads to more than an anticipated beast, but secrets, lies and deception. The digital FX as opposed to the prosthetic Jim Henson Creature Shop FX are sometimes questionable, but the film's biggest triumph is its attempt at blending the varied genres with added video release treat coming in the shape of it actually being presented in letterbox format.
3 / C
- PB

BRUCE ALMIGHTY
With Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman
Directed by Tom Shadyac
Bruce is an ambitious TV announcer whose key anchor spot keeps eluding him - the wacky news inserts always making its way to him. When he flips out at God for giving him such a raw deal, The Man contacts him via pager and voice message to report at a certain address. What seems to be the janitor turns out to be God himself. After some convincing, Bruce still doesn't really believe the guy who just gave him his powers to see if he can do a better job at running the world. Two hilarious shots has him do an "up yours" to the twerp who nabs his job by miming jazz trumpet (prior to his power boot-up), and projecting gibberish into the mouth of his same nemesis while on air. While it may upset some of the ultra religious, blaspheme-trackers needn't be too phased, as at least the film admits the existence of a supreme being.
4 / B
- PB

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Complete Video Anthology 1978-2000
The stiff-limbed gravel voiced Bruce has always been the working class denim rocker, the down to earth New Jersey guy. This man's-man-rock & roller was always a baseball & beer guy with a social conscience, creating American and industrial town moods. His stories and moments are vivid in his songs. There is nostalgia, social issues and the inevitable moments of love won & lost. All of his videos are here on 2 discs. Many of them are live versions, the way most Bruce fans love him. Old Max Wineberg is on drums most of the time with the rest of the E-Street Band. Here are over thirty tracks with special versions of songs like the Jay Leno- and Charlie Rose appearances. The DVD covers his career highlights from Rosalita, The River, Atlantic City, Dancing In The Dark (with pre-Friends star Courtney Cox), I'm On Fire, Glory Days, Fire, Born To Run (+ an acoustic version), Born In The USA (+ a Charlie Rose show acoustic) and Tunnel Of Love to Human Touch, 57 Channels (And Nothin' On), Leap Of Faith, his cover of War, his Oscar winning soundtrack tunes like Streets Of Philadelphia and Dead Man Walkin' plus Murder Inc., Hungry Heart, The Ghost Of Tom Joad (+ Jay Leno show appearance) and Highway Patrolman. A version of Secret Garden with strings is added. Around 2 ¾ hours of music. Be prepared for some great 80s styles on display, like rolled up short sleeves and rhythm- & style-free dancing. The man is a legend, though and some of his songs are truly great. A wonderful collection.
5 / B
- PB

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - VH-1 Storytellers
The insightful Storytellers series are great for fans of the artist involved, as well as those may not care much, but can find it compelling to get the details behind some of the world's best known songs. Sure, sometimes we want things to remain a mystery, and not have it demystified by a show like this. Here we get old Bruce conveying his thoughts, emotions and inspiration behind some of his tunes. Some Springsteen fans have chapters of favourites, not mere isolated tracks. The ones he focuses on here include Devils & Dust, Blinded By The Light, Brilliant Disguise, Nebraska, Jesus Was An Only Son, Waitin' On A Sunny Day, The Rising, and Thunder Road. He expands on the personal, human, philosophical, social and political layers, and highlights the true songwriting art that is not always what people assume. Bruce chose to perform solo with an acoustic guitar and harmonica as opposed to being backed by a band, making it more intimate and easier to pinpoint the nuances he focuses on (even though he confesses not really being sure how to go about explain these creations!).
5 / C
- PB

BRYAN ADAMS - The Best Of Me
The perfect package for a Bryan Adams fan containing two CDs and a DVD. The Best Of Me CD contains 15 of the man's hits, like Can't Stop This Thing We Started, Summer Of '69, All For Love (with Rod Stewart & Sting - a husky voice fest), Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman, Run To You, and Please Forgive Me. The second CD contains 15 tracks from the 22 song Live At Budokan show. The DVD of the show contains most of the abovementioned, as well as How Do Ya Feel Tonight, Back To You, 18 'Til I Die, a 'Blues Jam', Remember, I'm Ready, Heaven, Cuts Like A Knife, and Everything I Do, I Do It For You. Additional bonus tracks include Fits Ya Good, I Don't Wanna Live Forever, Before The Night Is Over, and Still Beautiful To Me.
4 / B
- PB

BULLETPROOF MONK
With Chow Yun-Fat, Sean William Scott, Jaime King
Directed by Paul Hunter
My expectations were high, but it all came out half-baked. A monk protecting an ancient scroll faces off with his nemesis (an old nazi) in modern day America. These scriptures hold enormous power, including eternal youth - but in the wrong hands can cause havoc on humanity. With the help of a young upstart (who learned his kung-fu from working the projector in a theatre screening old kick & chop flicks) they go on the crusade to secure the scroll and defeat the old bastard nazi. Oh, yeah, you have to throw in the girl, don't you? Chow Yun-Fat has been a great Hong Kong action star with some fine Hollywood turns, Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon the most notable. But this? If you're going to do the cable stunt work in fighting sequences, at least try to equal The Matrix or else it looks like a lame imitation (even when it's not). Sure, it's all tongue in cheek, but hopefully Chow's agent will send something more worthy his way in the future. How about a back to the old school reunion with John Woo?
2 / C
- PB

BURN, HOLLYWOOD, BURN
With Ryan O'Neal, Eric Idle, Richard Jeni, Coolio
Directed by (har-har) Alan Smithee
Joe Esterhaz, millionaire writer of such films as Basic Instinct and (gulp!) Showgirls, came up with this ingenious idea: write a movie about the nom de plomb (Mal, is this how you spell it?) given to a director who wants to have his name taken off a film for whatever reason. This name is Alan Smithee. When such a director happens to share this fake name, he's got a problem. This Hollywood spoof takes the piss out of its pretentious, puerile existence with such flair that even big stars the likes of Stallone, Whoopee Goldberg and Jackie Chan play along as themselves, depicting their temperamental shit to great comedy effect. Stallone's exceptional. These three star in Trio, the biggest blockbuster ever, yet, Alan Smithee stole the negatives and disappeared, the studio having distorted his vision in the cutting room. O'Neal and Jeni are classic as the hyper, conniving, sleazebag, freaked-out, big talking producer and studio head in a mockumentary not as insightful or dark humoured as The Player, but studded with Hollywood cliché’s, cameos and the plastic falseness of this glamorous industry.
5 / B
- PB

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
With Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart
Directed by Eric Bress & J. Mackey Gruber
The time travel theme has come a long way. In this particular take on theme chaos theory gts included with our favourite That 70s Show idiot getting serious as a young man (Evan) who discovers a way to return to his past and alter tragic events. The problem is that every action has a reaction rippling out and changing the course of everything else. All the most obvious scenarios concerning him and his friends get dissected, the outcome often worse. It makes for an enjoyable viewing experience with both suspense and action. The imported disc contains some more extras the fans will really enjoy (except for the perhaps unnecessary two versions of the film, both original and directors' cut).
3 / B
- PB

BUYING THE COW
With Jerry O'Connell, Bridgette L. Wilson, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Bellamy, Alyssa Milano, Annabeth Gish
Directed by Walt Becker
Young romance & sex in America seems to have had ample exposure. But, here's another one. The movie takes its premise from its title - "why sell the cow if you get the milk for free". When mere sex and a relationship gets "complicated" by commitment and marriage, one guy's head goes in a spin. His girl decides they need time apart till he decides what he wants. He harks back to an encounter he had as a teen, falling in love with a girl while on holiday - he tries to track her down to see if it was meant to be (some funny flashbacks and crazy present situations resulting). Just focussing on his dilemma will be a touch boring, so his friends and people around him get involved, adding to some of the fun. One particular womanizer's adventures (Reynolds from TV's Two Guys And A Girl) is particularly funny when circumstances has him question his sexuality. This flick is pretty much a cross between Serendipity and The Sweetest Thing, but without the latter's annoying aspects.
3 / C
- PB

BZN In Zuid Afrika - Die Mooie Tijd
Having frequented South Africa for over a decade to play to their many fans, Dutch group BZN have shot a TV Special on our turf to eight of their songs, including Duizend Keer, Ik Ben Stapelgek, Vader, Voor Deze Ene Keer, Alleen Zonder Jou, Ik Wil Vanacht, Vervolgen and Annemarie. In between the easy listening tunes there's footage of the group visiting various local spots and together with the (mostly outdoor) videos, include locations from the beaches, Table Mountain, Greenmarket Square and the Boland, to Carnival City, a tribal kraal, safari trip, and Sun City. More concise than their previous specials (like Tequila Sunset), this show only clocks in at 44 minutes. With no subtitles, you either need to understand Dutch or Afrikaans.
3 / C
- PB

BZN - Tequila Sunset
Dirk, Jan, Dick, Jan, Jack & Carola - that's the BZN sextet, not very showbiz sounding, but these guys have a huge fan base. Their name is the abbreviation for the Dutch words Band Zonder Naam (Band Without Name). To hook up with their Tequila Sunset album, this DVD companion packs that Helmut Lotti-style TV special punch (not like they got tips from him, the reverse more likely). Shot on location in Mexico, the middle-aged adult contemporary vibe includes jaunts around the city, ocean trips, holiday areas and restaurants with music videos shot on location. They visit the house used by Richard Burton and Liz Taylor during the shooting of The Night Of The Iguana; they get into their whale preservation plight etc. The DVD also contains the Out In The Blue dinner show. Extras include a behind the scenes making of Tequila Sunset; Bonus clips encapsulate Dance In The Moonlight and In The Year 1519 plus a 45 pic photo gallery.
3 / C
- PB