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

MAD MAX
With Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Tim Burns, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Roger Ward
Directed by George Miller
This is the movie many a new filmmaker wish they'd made. Original, simple, to the point and damn effective. This is still a defining late '70s Australian movie which, with its Road Warrior sequel kick-started an entire culture of post-apocalyptic action road movies. Max is a cop whose life is torn apart when a ruthless biker gang avenges the death of one of their own (as a result of a spectacular opening car chase sequence) - leading to the death of his friend, colleague and family. So Max goes renegade and with the last of the nitrous boosted V8 Interceptors (still a damn cool ride today) he heads out to exact justice his own way. Brilliant characters all around, great photography and more than a mere cult classic.
PS. Try to get your hands on the original Australian dialogue version, the American dub not only trying to be too macho, but also losing a lot of the Aussie dialect, terminology and expressions.
6 / A
- PB

MAD MAX 2 - The Road Warrior
With Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Vernon Wells, Mike Preston
Directed by George Miller
What an ass-kicker! It is not often that a sequel matches or even outdoes its original (granted its predecessor was anything to look at to begin with). The world has crumbled even further and wars of the world have ruined economies and thrown the scavenging population into a primitive lawless existence. The rarity of fuel has become the new gold. Vicious gangs roam the wastelands plundering everything in sight in their search for this precious commodity (and because they enjoy it). One such reigning force head by The Humongous (a masked muscleman) repeatedly terrorize a barricaded colony guarding their oil well. The loner and ex-lawman Max intervenes and offers the colony a way out. Again the array of characters and road action is fantastic. A total blast from start to finish.
PS. Like the original film, Brian May from Queen took care of the musical score.
6 / A
- PB

MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME
With Mel Gibson, Tina Turner, Helen Buday, Frank Thring, Bruce Spence
Directed by George Miller & George Ogilvie
While this is a cool movie in its own right, it somehow lost a lot of the original Mad Max flavour, watered down a touch to reach more audiences perhaps. At times it seems more fashion conscious and Hollywoodized, losing the gritty realism of the first two. Max still roams the wasteland. He reaches Bartertown - run by a mean dictator (a hamming Tina Turner - whose theme song was also quite popular). The favourite sport is a fight to the death in a domed cage where opponents are attached to bungi-cords. The reigning champ is Master-Blaster - a brainy midget on the shoulders of a huge, dim-witted tough guy. Additionally there is a colony of kids who survived a plane crash, believing Max is their prophesized salvation. Bruce Spence (the gyro-captain from the Road Warrior) returns as a new character - this and many other transitional plot holes like Max's leg no longer damaged only add to the division between this third installment and the others. Strangely Miller went on to make kiddie friendly animal movies like Babe and André, but also Witches Of Eastwick. The Crossing is the only other known film by co-director George Ogilvie.
PS. Early 2000 there was talk of a fourth Mad Max and a TV series. Hopefully this won't transpire as the Thunderdome film nearly ruined the myth and legend of the chracter called Max Rockatanski (who, as Mel Gibson, went on to win an Oscar running around the Highlands in a kilt).
4 / B
- PB

DIVINE MADNESS
Madness. What a band. What great songs. 28 in total get slapped onto this disc with some extra features as well. It runs chronologically through songs like The Prince, One Step Beyond, My Girl, Baggy Trousers, Grey Day, It Must Be Love, Cardiac Arrest, House Of Fun, Driving In My Car, Our House, Wings Of A Dove, Michael Caine, Uncle Sam, Waiting For The Ghost Train, Lovestruck, Drip Fed Fred... From a Top Of The Pops performance to videos shot in studios and on location, the nuttiness is always there, except for some of the later songs where they tried to get a bit too serious. One cool thing they did from the start was include these little silly intros to their videos, quite fun watching them all in full now, as I'm sure the music shows often chopped them off to get the songs. An audio commentary track from Chas Smash, Chrissy Boy and Brazo is quite informative, even though one of them sound a bit sour and the other trying to keep the Madness flag waving. Other extra features include a Photo gallery and Divine Quzzical. Hidden footage and a Rom feature are also at your disposal. Madness will remain a one of a kind 7-piece phenomenon with timeless tunes with devotedly attached memories.
6 / A
- PB

MAGNOLIA
With John C. Reilly, Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Jason Robards, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Melora Walters, Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy, Jeremy Blackman, Melinda Dillon
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Like Altman’s brilliant Short Cuts, Anderson uses a similar structure of several parallel story lines intertwined, spanning across one powerful, significant day. In Magnolia the pieces are a little more connected, though, all of it coming together in a fabulous conclusion. At the base is a dying TV producer and his wife who never loved him, but does now that he’s fading without turning back. His estranged son is a sex guru giving a seminar. A cop looking for someone special meets a disturbed girl whose father is the presenter of a quiz show produced by the dying man - he himself inflicted with the disease. An ex-contestant on the show seeks for love and loses his job… It might all seems plain and non-eventful to some, but the deep emotional, human, funny and disturbing situations arising from it grips you so thoroughly that the lengthy running time means nothing. Like Short Cuts and Glengarry Glen Ross, Magnolia deserves the Ensemble Oscar (that unfortunately doesn’t exist). This is a wonderfully moving film that might be filled with angst, but even if you don’t love that kind of element or cannot stand anything about the film (God knows how that could be possible), do yourself a favour and watch it for the ending - totally wow. You haven’t seen something like that in a while… and anyone who says they predicted it are lying.
6 / A
- PB

MANCHESTER UNITED - OFFICIAL REVIEW 96/97
Hierdie video is 'n goeie byvoegsel vir die Cantona video hierbo. Hoewel Cantona hierin verskyn, fokus dit egter op die Manchested United span se welslae en groei oor die laaste paar jaar. Dit is definitief 'n moet vir Man United aanhangers. Maar selfs diegene (soos ek) wat nie te gaande is oor sokker nie, kan die talent en vernuf van hierdie spelers waardeer. Ek wonder egter hoe ver hulle sal vorder in rugby spanne as hulle glo so gou beseer word wanneer hulle op die gras val...enigiets vir 'n strafdoel, of hoe?
2 / B
- PB

MANDOZA - Live At Sun City
The Kwaito king (for the moment anyway) has built up a huge local following with a lot of radio and TV support helping immensely. This show was recorded at Sun City and it seemed as though he wasn't miming as he did on two EMI industry parties several years back (!). The man is backed up by a few male singer-movers, and they get the crowd going. But, at times the show feels a little lackluster with the same old moves, motions and styles. Besides doing all his fave's live, you also get music videos of his hits Tornado, Godoba, Sgelekeqe, Indoda, and of course, Nkalakatha (the tune that's been used everywhere for everything from). There are also behind the scenes looks, album cover pix and the 2004 SAMAs.
3 / B
- PB

MANIAC
With Joe Spinell, Caroline Munro, Tom Savini
Directed by William Lustig
Many a senseless psycho killer film erupted from the '80s. But very few had the psychological intensity and convincingly graphic visceral horror than Maniac. 25-year old director William Lustig teamed up with character actor (and Maniac writer) Joe Spinell in his first starring role. Compiling a character from news headlines, they created a sad and disturbed man haunted by his maternally abusive past, having him venture out into the night to kill, keeping them with him by taking their scalps home with him. Lustig's gritty depiction of New York city is a dark and realistic place where death lurks in the shadows. Tom Savini's incredible make-up FX is pretty much one of the film's stars, no punches pulled, no self-censorship applied. Savini also has a bit part. Needless to say this bloody film had the public up in arms (and I'm sure still does in many sectors). A friend of ours' mom bought a Betamax copy in Belgium in the '80s, and we watched it many times, shocked at the graphic nature, creeped out by Spinell's performance, thrilled by the taboo fact that it was banned in South Africa, and fascinated by the execution of the FX. Regardless of its low budget, the movie has a great look and atmosphere. Maniac is an intense film not recommended for those easily shocked. This DVD release includes a cool commentary track by Lustig & Savini, a radio interview with the director and stars, TV spots and a documentary, The Joe Spinell Story, tracking the larger the life character's life, career and untimely death.
5 / A
- PB

MAN ON THE MOON
With Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love
Directed by Milos Forman
The life and times of comedian Andy Kaufman was indeed a strange one. From being spotted doing his unusual act at a stand-up show to becoming a character on the TV show Taxi, all the way through to his rude lounge act character and wrestling women. Always causing a stir, firing up everyone, sometimes the joke only caught by him and his partner. Though this is all funny (for the greater part), unless you’re familiar with the man and his work, it is harder to identify with Carrey’s portrayal. One is never sure whether it is exaggerated, overplayed or over-sentimentalized. Regardless of this being a selected viewer comedy (with many tragic undertones), Forman’s masterful biopic talents (as proved in The People vs. Larry Flynt), it is well worth a watch. If not for that, to see Carrey’s development as an actor and not merely a first class buffoon.
3 / B
- PB

MANSFIELD PARK
With Embeth Davidtz, Jonny Lee Miller, Allesandro Nivola, Frances O'Connor, Harold Pinter
Directed by Patricia Rozema
Though billed as a "wicked comedy", the comedic elements are weighed in lesser measures than the upper class cruelty. Based on the Jane Austen novel, this Weinstein production is an enjoyable period piece with a lot of frustrating moments - mainly due to the conventions of nineteenth century English society. Fanny Pierce is a young girl from a poor family, sent to serve at a wealthy country estate with her aunt. She befriends the son and as they grow up the affection between them remain a distant brother-sister one. Love, honour, respect, lust, selfishness, strength of character, elder approval, individuality, class pride and emotions all get put to the test. The choice of marriage for love or status comes into play and things take some unexpected turns. With good all-round performances Mansfield Park is a fine addition to the period piece drama genre along the lines of the Merchant-Ivory productions (yet on a smaller scale). Features SA born actress Embeth Davidtz.
4 / B
- PB

THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE
With Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, James Gandolfini, Michael Badaluco, Tony Shaloub
Directed by Joel Coen
You can't go wrong with the Coen brothers. You can always expect something different, even when it seems so straightforward on the surface. And it can't get more straightforward than here. This black & white release set in 1949 follows the trials and tribulations of a barber dissatisfied with his job, life, marriage and general existence. He's a simple, everyday guy who doesn't like to talk much, minds his own business. When a somewhat underhanded opportunity comes his way to possibly change his dipensation, his non-malicious intentions turn fatal and spark off a course of events. The Coen brothers' amazing sense of visual poetry, unusual character depiction, great dialogue, concepts and unique narrative style makes them one of our leading modern filmmaking pairs. They make the films they (and many of us) love, not the ones aimed at raking it in at the box office. If you've seen Blood Simple, Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, Fargo, The Big Lebowski and O Brother Where Art Thou? you'll know what I mean. Thornton delivers an incredible job as the title character Ed, the supporting players also never missing a beat. The extra features include an interview with cinematographer Roger Deakins, an enlightening commentary track with Thornton and the Coens as well as a making-of documentary, trailers, photo gallery, filmographies and deleted scenes.
5 / B
- PB

THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO LITTLE
With Bill Murray, Joanne Whally, Peter Gallagher
Directed by Jon Amiel
Who can forget Meatballs, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Caddyshack and Groundhog Day? The comedy genius of Bill Murray can hardly be compared to the over the top slapstick of our pal Chevy Chase. His subtleties are far and wide, not mere banana peel fare. Murray's career is far from washed-up as he portrays a bit of an idiot (What else?) who visits his brother in London on his own birthday. In order to avoid being embarrassed by Murray in front of an important business dinner that evening, Gallagher sends ol' Bill on a Theatre Of Life excursion. This Theatre plays off in the streets of London with real people placed in exciting situations from where to improvise. An aspiring (but awful) actor, the best he could do is finding a job at a video store. A single accidental switch throws Murray into a world of secret agents, plots, money, women, murder and an imminent time bomb which will bring an end to a peace treaty. Of course, all along the way he thinks it's all just acting! Hilarious set pieces and misunderstandings drive the story without boring or soppy bits. Murray guides it all perfectly, acting the jerk that is believed to be a super-agent due to his ignorance and accidental antics. On DVD the fine Dolby digital soundtrack of big band orchestral sounds cuts through in crystal vibrancy. This is great entertainment from the director who brought us Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter.
4 / B
- PB

MARIAH CAREY - Around The World
When they say that Mariah Carey is the number one best selling female artist of the 90s, it's not just publicity hype, but fact. With over a dozen number one hits she has covered some serious territory. This DVD is perfect for Mariah fans with live footage, interviews, music videos and behind the scenes clips that is sure to thrill. There has always been an unofficial fan war between Whitney and Mariah fans - while both have great voices, it's with the personalities that the choices fall. Whatever your preference, it is undeniable what a musical force Ms. Carey became over the last decade, and hats off to her.
3 / C
- PB

MARILLION - The EMI Singles Collection
I had always been under the impression that once Fish left Marillion on a solo career path the band ceased to be. On watching this DVD containing 22 of their hits it was thus a big surprise when half way through another vocalist popped up! Cripes, I was never an overwhelming fan of the progressive rock stylings that this UK phenomenon spawned, but could I have been that ignorant? Once you glide through the bonus discography portion, complete with sleeve images and lyric sheets, you realise "hang on, I remember these designs" somewhere between Led Zeppelin and Motorhead - stuck in the gray matter after decades of wading through record store shelves. Just like many people prefer the Sammy Hagar Van Halen as opposed to the Dave Lee Roth heyday, many Marillion fans who became ones after Fish had departed, prefer the new guy to the original vocalist. But, in effect, this pretty much turned them into two different bands within one career. Like so many of their contemporaries, Marillion was never much of a visual band, some of their members' awkward builds, Mullet hairdo's, balding patches and/or bad dress sense didn't detract much when it came to the music - which was (and still is) intricate and solid. Being mostly familiar with the Fish-era Marillion, those numbers stood out on this DVD, some of the songs they produced being truly great accomplishments, like He Knows You Know, Lavender and in particular Kayleigh. Older tunes like Garden Party and later Incommunicado reflected their certain sly sense of humour. The keyboard driven songwriting skills also led to fine tunes such as Lady Nina, Heart Of Lothian, Sugar Mice and Warm Wet Circles. The "new" Marillion (for want of a better term) also spawned some good tunes and is represented here with videos for songs like Hooks In You, Cover My Eyes, No One Can, Dry Land, Hollow Man and what I never realised was theirs, the moving song Sympathy. For a Marillion fan without a DVD player, this is a good enough reason to embrace the new age and start browsing for a machine straight away…
4 / B
- PB

MARILLION - From Stoke Row To Ipanema
A Year In The Life - June '89 - July'90
I'm sure in many after hour bars and even around the office water cooler there are still discussions raging around who the better Marillion singer is: the original Fish or his replacement Steve Hogarth. This double disc documents the induction of the latter vocalist into a volatile situation with big boots to fill, having to retain his own style while hoping not to alienate hardcore Marillion fans. Fish left in Sept '88 and the band wasted no time in pushing forward. Disc 1 contains a documentary on Hogarth's appointment, their first shows, footage from the studio & music videos. The disc includes everything from Hogarth and the key members' views (on the music, the future and so forth) and the obscure show they played in the Crooked Billet pub in Stoke Row as a tester, to special designed digital trigger gloves allowing Hogarth to assist the keyboard player when he has his hands full. The interviews were conducted by UK rock journalist Mick Wall. Disc 2 contains the live show played in 1990 at De Montfort Hall, Leicester, England. The show contains 18 tracks plus director's cuts of The King Of Sunset Town, Easter, Holloway Girl, Berlin, Seasons End and Incommunicado. The songs make up a mixture of old and new: Uninvited Guest, Warm Wet Circles, Hooks In You, Kayleigh, Lavender, Heart Of Lothian, Market Square Heroes etc. The backstage intro bit is brief, frivolous and could've been left out completely, which wouldn't exactly make a dent in the formidable total running time over 3 hours.
4 / B
- PB

MARILLION - Recital Of The Script
This DVD release is especially for old-school Fish-fronted Marillion fans. It includes 8 live tracks from their show at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on 18 April 1983. They include their particularly identifiable rock tunes Script For A Jester's Tale, Garden Party, The Web, Chelsea Monday, He Knows You Know, Forgotten Sons, Market Square Heroes and Grendel. Some extra clips from their 1982 show at The Marquee is added for posterity plus a Fish interview where he reflects on their first shows and the live experience in particular. The inner cover features some classic shots, Fish's tacky make-up and all. This may be two decades old, but still remains great music.
4 / B
- PB

MARILYN MANSON - Guns, God & Government World Tour
Always outspoken, controversial, flamboyant and sometimes ridiculous, Marilyn Manson and his band always try to break taboos and offend those who don't take kindly to their brand of hard rock. This tour for the Holy Wood album includes tracks from across the band's career. You also get a voyeuristic documentary glimpse into their depraved world, backstage, onstage and elsewhere. Shot across 1999-2001, this dark trip is great for fans and horrific for haters. The live show contains a host of songs: The Beautiful People, Lunchbox, Rock Is Dead, The Nobodies, Sweet Dreams, Antichrist Superstar, The Dope Show, The Fight Song, Disposable Teens, Irresponsible Hate Anthem and more.
5 / B
- PB

The Work Of Director MARK ROMANEK
Mark Romanek has an extremely impressive list of bands and artists on his music video CV, and some rather memorable ones at that. He's taken on everything - rap/hip-hop (Jay-Z), commercial rock (R.E.M., and the timeless clip for Lenny Kravitz' Are You Gonna Go My Way?), hard rock (Audioslave's explosive Cochise), funky rock (Red Hot Chili Peppers), industrial rock (Nine Inch Nails' fantastic hand-cranked clip), varied alternative rock (Sonic Youth, Beck, Weezer, Eels), metal (Linkin Park), pop (No Doubt, Janet Jackson solo & with brother Michael), vocal (Fiona Apple), Rolling Stones legends (Mick Jagger and Keith Richards respectively), country legends (Johnny Cash), icons (David Bowie, Madonna), R&B-pop (En Vogue), as well as k.d. lang, and G.Love & Special Sauce. All of Romanek's videos have such individual characters, hardly ever replicating anything as he experiments with great new visual ideas.
Extras include enlightening director & artist commentary tracks to the videos, a documentary featuring interviews with Romanek and his colleagues, as well as Rick Ruben, Michel Gondry, and musicians he's worked with. Romanekian is a docy featuring Ben Stiller and Chris Rock stuffing about (often quite funny), plus the making of Jay-Z's 99 Problems.
6 / A
- PB

THE MARKSMAN
With Wesley Snipes, Anthony Warren, Peter Youngblood, Ryan McCluskey, Warren Derosa, Emma Samms
Directed by Marcus Adams
This straight to DVD flick is a fairly entertaining action movie. A Russian military rebel (with classic oily mullet look) has captured a dormant nuclear power plant, which he is planning to re-core and detonate. The Americans get called in. Wesley Snipes is a special ops expert sent into Southern Russia with his team. They need to free some scientist held hostage and mark the exact spot where an air raid will bomb the plant before the nuclear rods are installed. Obviously you get the double-cross and added crisis resulting from it. Several action pieces keep it flowing while some bad editing execution make scenes like the two US jet fighters in one plane seem as though they're taking on one another as opposed to the enemy planes. The description of Snipes' character is a Painter - a title that would have had Wes fans expect their action man to be embarking art movie terrain!
3 / C
- PB

MAROON 5 - Live Friday The 13th
These scraggly college looking lads certainly made it big. This DVD contains their live show with songs like the expected This Love, Harder To Breathe, Sunday Morning, She Will Be Loved and Must Get Out. Not to forget Shiver, Through With You, Tangled, Wasted Years, Secret / Ain't No Sunshine, Not Coming Home, Sweetest Goodbye, and Hello. Besides the additional behind the scenes footage, you also get a CD with the live audio from the show. While these guys are hardly incompetent, some bands and some type of music is not necessarily perfect for the live situation, the recordings actually preferred - but full-on fans won't feel that way.
4 / B
- PB

MARS ATTACKS!
With Jack Nicholson, Nicolas Haas, Sarah Jessica Parker, Annette Bening, Glenn Close, Pierce Brosnan, Natalie Portman, Rod Steiger
Directed by Tim Burton
Far superior to its tandem Martian invasion big budget hoo-haa Independence Day. Amazing updating of 50’s Invasion Flicks, from the wacky space invaders to the UFO’s, soundtrack and character acting. An all round fun, crazy experience with various story lines criss-crossing as everyone tries to escape the mad Martians taking over planet earth. Just as free and entertaining as comic books on the subject (if not more so). Another Fine Burton effort.
5 / A
- PB

MASSIVE ATTACK - 11 Promos
This phenomenal musical entity has over the past decade become one force to be reckoned with. While they do reflect many commercial attributes, this DVD illustrates just how dark and off-center Massive Attack actually are (as if you couldn't taste it before in their audio creations). For a start, the very un-commercial move of the package design, or rather, lack of. No sleeve, no printing, just a little sticker sealing the see-through DVD box with age restriction, copyright details & barcode, the track listing printed lightly on the disc itself. No text spine or design to catch the eye - which, in effect, actually sets it apart from all the other colourful discs on the shelf. It could also be a bright capitalist move, which will compel vendors to place it somewhere more visible (like where I saw it on the Look & Listen counter). But back to what is of importance. The videos range from plain & basic to brooding, bizarre and explicit. One particular video (Be Thankful For What You've Got) has a stripper in the landmark Raymond's Revue Bar in London's Soho area miming the words while doing a total, full-on strip show. Fantastic. Karmacoma sails along Twin Peaks territory with a range of weirdoes performing bizarre acts in hotel rooms, latent and post-violence strongly present. Protection (with our Everything But The Girl lass) is an innovative peep into an apartment block (which was actually a set built flat on the ground, a crane panning along the various windows, looking downward, but creating a strange effect as the people lie on their backs or get strapped in to appear standing). The classic in utero singing baby adds to Teardrop's already amazingly hypnotic groove together with Elizabeth Fraser's beautiful voice. The video to my absolute favourite song, Angel (with Horace Andy) is simple enough (a guy chased in slow motion from a parking garage by a group of people), but its punchline is staggering. There is the simple, single shot video for Unfinished Sympathy, Rising Son's demolishing clip, Daydreaming with Tricky, the brooding voyeuristic obsession of Inertia Creeps and more, spanning their entire career. Creative, thought provoking, atmospheric and brilliant, these 11 promo clips could easily have detracted from the initial essence embodied by the songs, but instead fleshes it out into more rich and appreciative fragments of audio-visual art. The DVD also contains a weblink for those who choose to pop it into their PC as opposed to DVD player or PS2 console.
6 / A
- PB

MEATLOAF - VH1 Storytellers
This DVD release of the VH1 TV show features an extra 53 minutes. Jim Steinman's absence (due to illness) as writing force behind Meat Loaf is felt, but the big man takes care of business, dropping anecdotes amid the great songs they've collaborated on over the decades. Sometimes funny, sometimes a bit on the wise-ass side, the tales give a new perspective on songs you've known for ages. With the stage set built like a high school locker room, the songs include All Revved Up & No Place To Go, Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad, A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste, You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, (Hot Summer Nights), I'd Do Anything For Love, Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through, More Than You Deserve, Heaven Can Wait, Paradise By The Dashboard Light and Bat Out Of Hell. Band biogs and lyrics are also included. This episode of the VH1 series found Meat Loaf almost in the middle of programming, amid over 50 such diverse artists like Elvis Costello, Black Crowes, Melissa Etheridge, Bee Gees, Phil Collins, Sting, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews, Tom Waits, David Bowie, Lenny Kravitz, Def Leppard, Smashing Pumpkins, ELO, Robert Plant and Billy Idol.
4 / B
- PB

THE MATRIX
With Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn, Carrie-Ann Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano
Directed by the Wachowski Brothers
After the Schwarzenegger films and Die Hard it seemed as though the action film needed some serious re-invention - don't get me wrong, those movies are a blast, but where to from there? In step the brothers Wachowski, Andy and Larry. With the backing of block-busting Hollywood über-producer Joel Silver, the duo who brought us the dark, sexy thriller Bound, turned it all upside down. By creating a mysterious story line, dumping its audience into a hybrid of modern life, reality, technology, illusion and science fact & fiction, we're treated to a nexus of new filmmaking. With the aid of innovative new technology, staggering camera techniques, digital effects, stunts & wirework and inspiration from intense Japanimation Manga films, we enter the world of Neo, a computer hacker approached by a group of underground tech-heads - his eyes are opened to reality as he discover that the world is not what it seems. A reluctant hero, Christ figure and centre of a prophecy, Neo embarks on a searing journey through what he believes the world is about, and how things really stand. Besides the stylish approach and its imitations that followed, the slick fashion of black design, PVC, rubber, leather has now also gone totally mainstream, leaving the bondage, dominatrix and counter culture fans not too impressed. I'm sure attendance to Kung-Fu classes also increased after this film's release. Relentless action and phenomenally executed scenes of unforgettable degree makes this modern classic the genesis of a can't-miss trilogy. The DVD extra features include documentaries and behind the scenes look at the film's creation. Filmographies of the lead parties can be perused while extra special features can be unlocked by Following the White Rabbit and taking the Red Pill. Web access and DVD-Rom features can also be accessed, like the screenplay, storyboards and more. What a package.
6 / A
- PB
...2nd opinion...
THE MATRIX
With Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano
Directed by The Wachowski Brothers (Andy & Larry)
Technically immaculate tekno/action/adventure/Sci-Fi/FX movie combining loads of different techniques and amazing, meticulous cinematic craftsmanship (from pre- to post-production). Neo is a computer hacking expert who gets sucked into an alternate existence the rest of us humans are blinded to. The underground resistance movement no longer oblivious to the wool pulled over our eyes, lure him into this world, believing he might be the saviour. The result is an eye-popping Magna-style, slick fast paced thrill ride of revolutionary proportions both in the visuals and the audio (winning Oscars in both categories). A definite must-see, if Keanu’s acting is not taken too seriously…
5 / A
- PB

THE MATRIX RELOADED
With Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett-Smith
Directed by The Wachowski Brothers
Where the first of this explosive trilogy had imitations spread rife across every bit and byte of media, the sequels are destined to rattle the uncreative houses yet again by laying a foundation to be plagiarized, from adverts to music videos and all encompassing areas. The machines are burrowing down to the city of Zion, the last underground vestige of humanity's resistance, standing together to fight the illusion of the Matrix. Neo's powers are increasing and Morpheus still believes in the prophecy. Trinity and Neo have become as close as two people can, adding a romantic element to the emphasis on the humanity factor - no, it's not a soppy one, but a very tasteful and necessary addition to the trilogy. The emphasis on the choice to regain humanity, results in many a philosophical discussion that may bore those who merely wanted to get blown away. Some things need explanation and justification, so be patient. With all ships called to fight the digging sentinels, Morpheus, Neo and Trinity defy orders to try and stop it all before it strikes. As to be expected, the slow-motion action is a fluid ballet of incredible choreography, photography and FX. Slick and stylish to say the very least. The freeway chase sequence is phenomenal. It is handy to have seen the first one before catching the sequels - experiencing the original on DVD will be the most fulfilling experience as you witness the nexus of a new breed of filmmaking in digital widescreen with extras digging into the rabbit hole of The Matrix.
The extra material disc contains the expected behind-the-scenes looks and featurettes with interviews and fascinating peeps the technical stuff. The Freeway Chase making-of is phenomenal (they actually built an entire mile+ stretch of road, seamlessly integrating painstaking choreographed live action with digital images). You also get to take a look at some of the Matrix related advertising (cell phones, energy drinks). There's a making-of The Matrix game, a look at The Animatrix and the hilarious MTV Movie Awards segment where Reloaded footage was intercut with hosts Sean William Scott and Justin Timberlake's banter.
…and then… We have certainly become more jaded as digital technology improved - Jurassic Park had us gaping in awe, now, as Keanu fights off a flood of Agent Smith's, we think in the back of our heads, hmm, check out the digital Neo…that's entertainment I tells ya.
6 / A
- PB

THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS
With Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett-Smith
Directed by The Wachowski Brothers
The incredible visionary journey that started in the mid-'90s and crossed over the millennium has reached its final, spectacular destiny. While Andy and Larry Wachowski admittedly adopted Japanese anime and Manga style action, characters and situations, they were the ones to perfect its seemingly impossible transfer to live action (with the help of an incredibly competent crew, Eastern stunt coordinators and FX teams). Revolutionizing film-making may not have been their ultimate goal, but they surely did that together with creating a multi-layered trilogy which integrated its narrative and philosophy to other directly related media (like the PS2 game Enter The Matrix and intense anime collection The Animatrix - all story lines directly relating to the trilogy, supplementing its already in-depth philosophical tale of man-machine integration and rivalry). In this concluding chapter Neo's powers are reaching its peak (as is the case with the relentless Agent Smith). The machines are about to reach the human city of Zion where an intense and brutal battle is to ensue. Digital or not, the robotic man-driven machines fighting the horde of sentinels is quite spectacular. With the insane Agent Smith and his duplicated army posing a threat to the survival of both the remaining humans and the machines alike, Neo has to undertake a dangerous journey to fulfill his destiny as The One, even if The Architect told him otherwise. While FX-laden, as an individual film Revolutions does not tower above its two predecessors, but keep in mind that it is the denouement of a trilogy and should be seen as a whole.
As to be expected with the DVD you get an extra disc with spectacular making-of documentaries as well as a look at the new online game & more. Probably because of the quantities printed, finally there's a double disc sold in South Africa at under R200.
Together with The Lord Of The Rings, this is one of the great trilogies of our time which will take a lot to be topped - let's just hope they don't stuff it up with a lame-ass TV series…god forbid.
5 / B
- PB

MAX
With John Cusack, Noah Taylor, Molly Parker, Leelee Sobieski
Directed by Menno Meyjes
Cusack plays the title character, a Jewish artist in pre-WWII Germany who lost his arm in the preceding first Great War. Unable to paint, he starts a modernist art gallery. He is well off and lacking in nothing. Meeting an impoverished corporal who fought in the same war, he encourages the man to develop his painting skills and express his true inner feelings. The young man doubts his own abilities and is unsure whether to pursue his artistic ambitions or public speaking prowess for the military. His name is Adolf Hitler. An intriguingly interesting hypothetical scenario on how seemingly small choices can have an unparalleled impact on the world.
4 / C
- PB

M. BUTTERFLY
With Jeremy Irons, John Lone
Directed by David Cronenberg
Preceding the Crying Game, this deep dark tale of lust, love, Chinese opera and confidential government secrets seem quite a strange mixture, but being based on fact makes it even more shocking. A French diplomat had an affair with a Chinese opera singer who ended up being a man! How that eluded him god knows! Besides this, “she” was a spy getting volatile information from him. Slow moving and gruelling for fast paced action fans, but a beautifully shot true life shocker nonetheless.
5 / B
- PB

MEAN CREEK
With Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, Josh Peck, Carly Schroeder
Directed by Jacob Estes
While along the lines of Stand By Me, this is far from being as involving, humourous and character building as that Stephen King written coming-of-age flick. Here a group of kids take a fat bully out on a river trip. Things get out of hand and tragedy is the result. The youngest of the Culkin brothers does a good job, the rest of the kids also delivering believable performances. While you're expecting some inevitable event, you're not sure what and when. Don't expect a fun Bratpack style movie.
PS. Had the film been shot in a more grainy 16mm format, I think it would've been far more effective, but possibly diminish its commercial viability.
4 / C
- PB

MONTY PYTHON'S THE MEANING OF LIFE
With Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin Directed by Terry Jones
The Meaning Of Life is the last full-length feature with all the Pythons together and (though they're all brilliant in different ways) remains to me, one of their best. Tracking the viewer through life's stages from birth to the afterlife, you can only wager that what you'd expect is an unconventional, off-center and absolutely hilarious look at our human (dis)position. Each vignette is an individual classic adding to the masterpiece as a whole. Be it religious or philosophical questions, human nature, laws, habits or just plain stupidity, the Monty Python team manages to breath both hilarious humour and intellectual contemplation into a range of madcap situations often so true to life you don't know if it is permissible to laugh - as it's at the expense of your species and in effect yourself. But those who can't laugh at themselves have a lot to learn about life. Watching this movie may bring them in touch with that missing link inside their existence. Unfortunately there is no additional material, but with a film this killer, it would be extra gravy to an already succulent multi-course comedy feast. Absolutely unmissable.
6 / A
- PB

THE MEDALLION
With Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, Claire Forlani, Julian Sands
Directed by Gordon Chan
There is a legendary two-part medallion which, when joined by a powerful young boy born in the Year of the Snake, will granted great power and even immortality. Bad guy Snakehead wants to gain these powers and use it for evil means. Guess who has to stop him? Cop Eddie Yang and Interpol agent Arthur Watson. With action, lame humour and a supernatural slant, the larger Hollywood budgeted Medallion still fails to reach the classic impact of Chan's early Hong Kong classics. The trite recipe follows all the prerequisites with all actors pulling their most polished typecast performances from the paper bag. Chan is the nice Eastern cop with incredible athletic and martial arts abilities (big surprise). Evans is the bumbling slapstick Interpol cop who reluctantly teams up with Chan (you don't say). Sands is the lame, borderline camp villain (wasn't Warlock enough?). Forlani (the girl who looks like a cross between Bette Midler and Michelle Pfeifer who is trying to force open her squint eyes) is the pretty sidekick and potential romantic interest (an unfortunately tired essential element). But, the kids will find this a blast, especially the comedic violence and physical gags.
2 / C
- PB

MEET THE PARENTS
With Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller, Blythe Danner
Directed by Jay Roach
A male nurse wants to marry his girlfriend but need to meet the parents first. Her dad is an ex-FBI agent. DeNiro does his squinting thing while giving the nervous Stiller one hell of a hard time. A couple of bad taste jokes are actually quite funny whiole it may offend some people. Overall it's get-away-from-it comedy with some laughs as well as stupidity heading pretty much where you know it will.
4 / B
- PB

ME, MYSELF & IRENE
With Jim Carrey, Rene Zellweger
Directed by the Farrelly Bros. (Peter & Bobby)
Super loony Farelly comedy with Carrey in the role of good traffic cop who’s been stepped on all his life. That is until schizo his alter ego Hank pops up once he snaps. On the road to take a lovely, wrongfully accused girl (once innocently involved with a bad criminal) to her home state, he forgets to take his medication. Hank pops up without warning as they’re on the lam from her dodgy old connection and some corrupt cops. The funny scenes are all over the place, usually marvelous bad taste. Many think Carrey’s gone sour, but this is one hell of a scream that only he could’ve played.
5 / A
- PB

MEN IN BLACK II
With Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Lara Flynn Boyle, Johnny Knoxville, Rosario Dawson, Tony Shalhoub, Rip Torn
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
The original MIB flick was a blast. Great characters, hilarious scenarios, radical make-up FX, (crap theme song) and all that. The sequel feels like an enormous budget TV show follow-up. Don't get me wrong, it's elaborate and crazy with wing-nut eared Smith and crag-faced Jones going through the motions with a slight twist. An important light has been left on earth a few decades back by a space race - an evil alien has been criss-crossing the universe to find it, destruction imminent. Jones (agent K) was de-neuralized in the first one to return to his normal life. He, however, holds the key of knowledge that will ensure the planet's survival. He teams up with Smith (agent J) again, who hasn't been able to find a compatible partner, both in his job of regulating aliens on earth as well as in life - not being able to establish a relationship, his top secret job making it impossible. Without any serious homo-erotic allegations, J & K fill each others holes as it were, the one's mediocre job as postman in a small town and the other's lonely life in the city occupied with his job seeming pointless. But, together they're an unstoppable wisecracking force that can save the world from any alien, from behind shades with some serious firepower always handy. The silly / cute / funny factor come in waves and various degrees of good, bad and pathetic. Some subtle subversive jabs make up for the overwhelming crap that also gets injected, but, hey, a range of ages needs to be catered for in order to sell the flick as widely as possible, remember - gotta get them millions rolling back in.
3 / C
- PB

METALLICA - SOME KIND OF MONSTER
With Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, Bob Rock
Directed by Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky
Like any hugely successful band, Heavy Metal gods Metallica have had their share of problems. This insightful and eye-popping documentary follows the band along the recording of their St. Anger album which ended up to be protracted over several years. The band's most critical crises erupted at once - from the tension between head figures James & Lars getting intense and bassist Jason Newstead quitting, to James heading off to rehab and a mediating psychologist called in to keep the unit together. So, far more happened than merely the shadowing of a band at work. Years of bottled frustration, personality clashes, stubbornness and basically being in each other's faces for two decades (Jason Newstead and James's rift leading to the former's departure), the therapist was not only to help rebuild them as a band, but also as people and friends. James booking into rehab brought the entire recording process to a grinded halt for about a year! The three core members (later joined by Suicidal Tendencies & Infectious Grooves bassist Robert Trujilo, audition hopefuls also filmed) are frank and open about their feelings, things often heating up intensely. Besides the studio and therapy scenarios (which also included a session with fired guitarist Dave Mustaine who formed Megadeth), the cameras also follow the individual members in their personal capacity, outside of band matters. Both enlightening and entertaining, sometimes shocking, but as a whole incredible, fans may be shocked by their idols or get a new insight as to their humanity. If you love the band, this will humanize them even more, and if you've never heard of them, this remains a totally engaging look at the troubles encountered in life, art, business and all three rolled into one. And if you were wondering, the music is not excluded but a constant presence. This double DVD includes pretty much another feature length's worth of extra scenes that didn't make the final cut (some cool, other understandably omitted). You also get extra live footage and interviews, plus commentary tracks from both the band and filmmakers (thus giving you in total about 4 movies' worth!). The band's commentary is very disappointing, though.
6 / A
- PB

THE MEXICAN
With Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, James Gandolfini
Directed by Gore Verbinski
This great tale of a fiesty romance and a legendary old pistol to be collected from Mexico to be brought back to a mob family has one drawback. Julia Roberts. To think that big stars can't be miscast is a misconception. Pitt is good as the buffoon-like Jerry whose klutzy worldview dumped him into working off a "debt" to the aforementioned mob operation. His final task was a botched one, so the collection of The Mexican (a beautiful, valuable hand-crafted legendary gun believed to be cursed) would be his final duty. But, his gal wants to go to Vegas. If he doesn't do the job, he's dead - if he doesn't go to Vegas with her, she dumps him. They lock horns constantly about him being selfish and not tending her needs - they even attend couple classes. This is where the downside comes in. Roberts is not funny as she yaks and screams, she's an annoying bitch-ass! Even if she's supposed to project this for the role, she's goddamned unbearably grating. Never having shared the worldview of her "talent" and "beauty", I did like her in Erin Brockovich (not like the Oscar choice was too well thought through either). In this pic, two basic storylines are juxtaposed - Pitt going from one mishap to the other in Mexico and Roberts taken hostage by a hitman as security in case Jerry tries to screw them. If it wasn't for Gandolfini, the Roberts segments would've been suicidal and each time we cut back to Mexico, a sense of relief washes over you. As betrayal, plot details and other little secrets crawl out of the woodwork, the tale leads to a pretty rewarding conclusion as the very cool story gets pumped up with attention grabbing scenarios of humour and action. A better leading lady would've made it a total winner.
4 / B
- PB

MICHAEL
With John Travolta, William Hurt, Andie MacDowell, Bob Hoskins, Robert Pastorelli
Directed by Nora Ephron
Much loved little film about three employees at a publication travelling to a small town where an angel’s been sighted. Travolta is overrated in his role as the angel who has seen many a battle. He insists on travelling to their publishing headquarters in the big city by car (to see all the sights). Along the way they get into trouble, have fun, see sadness and inevitably become better people. Cute, giggle-funny but overall a bit annoying and not believable enough - even though it’s all fantasy.
3 / C
- PB

MICHAEL BOLTON - The Essential
The husky voiced Bolton has thrilled many fans over several decades with his soulful crooning style. Some may be cheesy adult contemporary love songs, but the guy is good, giving his music a convincing soul thrust. Whether you prefer him with his scraggly long hair or the short cut doesn't matter, his voice remains on the mark. He even co-wrote a song with the mighty Kiss. This is a great package for true Bolton fans. You get all of his music videos from '85-'95, as well as a full live show. The videos include the tunes Soul Provider, (Sittin' On) The Dock Of the Bay, How Am I Supposed To Live Without You, How Can We Be Lovers, Georgia On My Mind, Missing You Now, Said I Loved You…But I Lied, and Time, Love and Tenderness - plus live videos for To Love Somebody, When A Man Loves A Woman (with the legendary Percy Sledge) and Lean On Me. The live concert delivers 16 songs, many of the ones mentioned above, but you also get Love Is A Wonderful Thing, You, I Found Someone, We're Not Making Love Anymore, Since I Fell For You, and Yesterday. In addition there are on and off stage, interviews with bonus music videos: A Love So Beautiful and The Best Of Love.
4 / B
- PB

MICHAEL COLLINS
With Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, Julia Roberts
Directed by Neil Jordan
This biopic on the life and death of the man who started the IRA is an interesting piece of work, but, as most of these films, one is never sure of its historical accuracy and whether it’s exaggerated flag waving or an over-romanticized vision fuelled by artistic license. Collins took up arms against the English crown to have them leave Ireland, resulting in many deaths and a more rigorous English military presence. It resulted in a truce with a signing af an agreement that would mark the end of the armed struggle, something Collins wanted more than anything. But the allegiances were split down the middle, the Irish president not wanting to go for the stepping stone to future independence. Rickman plays Rickman, Neeson is over-enthusiastic, Quinn and Rea are blandly straightforward and Roberts is quietly present. None act badly, just little things tend to scratch at the surface, never having been a huge Quinn, Roberts or Neeson fan.
4 / C
- PB

MICHAEL JACKSON - Number Ones
Coinciding with the CD release of Michael Jackson's number one hits collection, this DVD of the same title is a visual testimony to one of our times most fascinating, bizarre and tragic entertainers. From 1979 to 2001, Jackson piled in the number ones (not to mention top 10 hits). With three less videos than the 18 tracks on the album release, these 15 clips range from psychedelically cheesy and low budget to some of the most expensive, elaborate, groundbreaking and unforgettable promo clips of our time. This disc runs chronologically (as opposed to the HIStory Hits DVD collection) and gets the ball rolling with Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough from Off The Wall. From Thriller there's Billie Jean, Beat It and the phenomenal 14 minute werewolf /zombie spectacular of the title track. From Bad there is the short version of the Scorsese directed title track, Smooth Criminal and Dirty Diana (with Steve Stevens on guitar). That little Home Alone McCulkin prick features in the elaborate Black Or White from Dangerous. From HIStory comes the tender You Are Not Alone and Earth Song. Blood On The Dance Floor and You Rock My World (the 10 minute version) wraps it up. Framed, guilty, misunderstood, whichever the case, these songs and videos are classic pop moments tracking many of our lives as we grew up.
6 / A
- PB

MICHAEL JACKSON - Video Greatest Hits - HIStory
With the Prince of Pop's reputation on a constant see-saw trip, especially after his baby-balcony incident, the controversial TV interview expose and new child molestation charges, there is little denying the man's accomplishments and unforgettable videos (not to mention fodder for 'Weird Al' Yankovic parodies). This DVD collection contains 10 of his most unforgettable videos (not in chronological sequence, so you can't see his progressive facial metamorphosis…). There's the pavement slab lighting of Billie Jean, the multi-cultural dance set-ups and McCaulay Culkin brat featuring in Black Or White with its extended post song solo dance move sequence (in all of its crotch grabbing glory). You also get the gang street fight scenario of Beat It. American Werewolf In London director John Landis' extended clip for the groundbreaking Thriller is featured in its full length with the great werewolf and zombie make-up by award winning Rick Baker - and who can forget that zombie dance routine. The video also contains a funny prescript mentioning that Jackson does not prescribe to the occult (!). The Way You Make Me Feel is presented in its long version. Then there are the old school low budget classics of Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough and Rock With You, featuring big bow tie tux and super-glitter disco suit with superimposed backdrops (a far cry from the costly John Singleton directed Remember The Time with Eddie Murphy and Mrs. David Bowie, Iman amoung its cast). Bad, directed by none other than Martin Scorsese (with Wesley Snipes as one of the hoods) features (as with almost every Jackson video) the choreography trademarks, moves and attitude. It can be seen in its complete 18-minute version. Besides his musical impact, the '80s fashion spin-offs as a result has to be the most influential in the jacket design field (the Beat It and Thriller jackets still the most noticeable from the era - even if it is as an '80s rip-off in films like The Wedding Singer). And if you still have these on Betamax taped from Pop Shop, and seen it hundreds of times, here you get to experience these pop landmarks in picture perfect quality and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. An added bonus includes lyrics - seeing as many of us have trouble figuring out exactly what the hell Michael's saying! Whatever the world opinion of the man, he has been an earth-shattering vehicle for groundbreaking music videos, fashion and pop-culture as we know it.
6 / A
- PB

MICHAEL LEARNS TO ROCK - Paint My Love
I don't know which one is Michael, but none of them seemed to have learned the art of rocking. These Denmark superstars are total fans of American music along the lines of Chicago. They're not a bunch of hunks, but are still hugely popular in their own country as well as South East Asia and South Africa, due to the highly accessible music they make. This DVD contains 16 of their most popular songs - including early videos of songs like I Still Carry On (with big hair!). The clips are mostly unimaginative stand-at-a-location-and-perform-the-songs routines. Besides their huge hit Paint My Love, you also get their first big breakthrough, The Actor plus songs like Some Day, That's Why You Go Away, Take Me To Your Heart, The Ghost Of You and Without Your Love. The songs have an overwhelming slant towards (often soppy) love-songs. Extra features include the making of the Take Me To Your Heart music video, an EPK and live performance plus additional documentary bits. A bland, but listenable band whose name is still crap.
3 / C
- PB

The Work Of Director MICHEL GONRDY
Like Spike Jonze's DVD, French visual genius Gondry also fills up a double sided disc. Both sides contain 27 of his absolutely brilliant music videos from 1995-2003. Some of his regulars include Björk and Oui Oui (each 6 in total), The White Stripes (x 3) and two of the Chemical Brothers. These are also the most incredible ones. Björk's are all visual fairytales. The White Stripes get a clip consisting entirely of animated Lego blocks (!), a drum and amp multiplication slant and a home scene where the preamble of each room's aftermath is physically projected onto the walls, becoming part of the scene. Chemical Brothers' Let Forever Be is an absolute visual triumph of scene shifting, elements from each brought back into the other, between real life and studio set-ups - it has to be seen to be fathomed. He's also done videos for Daft Punk (Around The World), Beck, Rolling Stones, Kylie Minogue, Lucas, Massive Attack (Protection), Foo Fighters (the nightmare Evil Dead angle of Everlong) and Cibo Matto (an innovative split screen running two scenes - one forward, another backwards - linked up with amazing physical technical finery. Gondry's angle is rhythmically inclined (being a drummer) and he also has a fascination with repetition (visually and physically), almost all of his videos displaying it in one form or another. Extra footage include over a dozen clips billed as Stories And Things - they range from short films and some of his very first Super-8 work as a kid to him playing drums in various locations; Levi's, Schmirnoff and Polaroid commercials and an off-the-wall piece with Jim Carrey driving a bed, singing Pecan Pie in an Elvis fashion (!). His menu page is one of the best I've seen, a miniature slice of entertaining on its own - Gondry sits outside, playing a little drum kit, a kid's head in each tom-tom, the boys screaming every time he hits the drum they occupy…whacked out and hilarious. An absolutely incredible experience and one of the best additions to anyone's DVD collection (together with the Spike Jones and Chris Cunningham companion releases). Truly inspiring video makers. Each of these Palm Pictures Directors releases contains a stylish, individual, info packed 52-page book with pictures, interviews, drawings and other great stuff on each groundbreaking director.
6 / A
- PB

MIGHTY JOE YOUNG
With Charlize Theron, Bill Paxton
Directed by Ron Underwood
Sweet Disney-flick with the staggeringly beautiful South African born Theron in the role of friend and guardian to a king size gorilla out in Africa. Her mom researched the animals and got killed when ruthless poachers shot her as she tried to protect the gorillas. Joe also lost his mom and the bond between him and the blonde girl grew stronger as both grew - him much more than her! Paxton arrives on the scene a decade or so later, making acquaintance with Joe in a spectacular way. He convinces Theron to have Joe moved to the States where he can be protected. But the poacher who killed her mom (and whose two fingers Joe bit off) is out for revenge after all these years. The Joe suits, puppets, animatronics, digital FX and whatever else was utilized, is so convincing and realistically executed you start to see Joe as an actual miracle of nature and not a mere special effect. Though predictable at times it is still quite touching.
3 / C
- PB

The Best Of MIKE OLDFIELD - Elements
In his early days as record company maverick, (then not-yet-billionaire) Richard Branson took a gamble on a musician. It paid off for Mike Oldfield as well as Branson and his Virgin Records. Oldfield's Tubular Bells opus was like no other album. Jean-Michel Jarre and other electronic musicians ventured into experimental, yet commercially viable territory, but Oldfield's use of predominantly real instruments set him apart. While not as active lately (except for a Tubular Bells re-visitation and X-Files contributions), this DVD covers some his most active period and 20 songs that came from his mind. It opens with a live, one take TV performance of Tubular Bells (Part 1) on BBC's 2nd House in 1976. Some of his classical renditions include the traditional arrangement Don Alfonso, In Dulci Jubilo (Bach) and William Tell Overture (Rossini). His more commercial pop songs include Moonlight Shadow, Five Miles Out, Shadow On The Wall and Pictures In The Dark. Etude comes from his incredibly emotional soundtrack for The Killing Fields. In addition you get the multi-instrumentalist's Space Movie (his music set to rocket and space footage) and the more electronic 6-part Wind Chimes. Most of the videos are extremely dated, sometimes with video FX that was top of the range then, but primitive by today's standards - the music is still great. An interview with Oldfield also adds a little insight into how he approaches music.
5 / A
- PB

MIKE OLDFIELD - Exposed
In 1979 Mike Oldfield's Exposed tour was video taped at its Wembley Conference Centre performance. The entire show is on two DVDs and include both Incantations (in 4 parts) and Tubular Bells, plus Guilty and the Encore. The stage is filled with musicians, back-up singers, and paper jets, which the audience pelted around during intermission and thereafter, coinciding with moments of applause! Oldfield and his sonic colleagues are such amazing musicians, making the intricate tunes seem total child's play. Besides the conventional rock instruments, there are also strings, horns and percussion, adding up to several dozen people on stage. Before the show starts there are a few interviews with some of the musicians and organizers - a first for most of those involved. Mike Oldfield has an incredible musical brain of which many contemporary earth dwellers are not aware, but can rediscover here. The music has a timeless quality to it, but with the fashion, hairstyles and the song Guilty (segmenting the two parts of Tubular Bells), the funky / disco swing of the era filters through.
PS. Most of the musicians wore Oldfield's favourite clothing style, horizontally striped T-shirts.
6 / B
- PB

MILES DAVIS - The Miles Davis Story
The life and times of this trumpet icon is told through the reflections of friends and family. He is not painted as an angel, but rather remembered as a genius who had his flaws. Father, rebel, prodigy, womanizer, artist, drug addict, anti-apartheid spokesman and eccentric - Miles was all this and more. This and his incredible Jazz legacy, from traditional to experimental and innovative, made him a man that is not likely to be forgotten. An insightful documentary on an unforgettable character whose mind-blowing music will stick to us forever. In addition you get the classic Miles Davis album on CD, Kind Of Blue with its incredible original 5 tracks plus an alternate take of Flamenco Sketches, not on the original release.
5 / B
- PB

MILLER’S CROSSING
With Gabriel Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, Albert Finney, Jon Polito, John Turturro
Directed by Joel Coen
Fantastic gangster thriller about a right hand man who plays all the sides (while he’s also being played). Filled with delicious lingo and lines straight from a 30’s gangster movie, the Bros. Coen succeed in ripping off the genre and still give it their unique stamp. Hoods, flatfeet, dames, hits, gambling, busts, double crossing and more. People who dislike Byrne will relish him getting beaten up constantly. Great stuff.
5 / A
- PB

MILLION DOLLAR BABY
With Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Many people rooted for Martin Scorsese to finally get an Oscar® nod with The Aviator (2005), but alas they can't seem to resist Clint (best director), or Hilary (best actress) or Morgan (best supporting actor). I'm one of those who feel Scorsese needs recognition for his fine work, but an award does not make a movie better than it is. Million Dollar Baby was not bad at all, but not mind-blowing either. Passionate, emotional, struggle against the odds, age, youth, fragility of the body and soul - all come into play. The basic, sure thing themes get cultivated: a poor girl wanting to accomplish something (becoming a boxer); an aging trainer who has been alienated by his family (dead to his daughter), questions God, pouring his life into his decaying gym and grooming fighters for champions; the wise old ex-fighter friend narrating the tale. With the girl's insistence that he train her and his witnessing her pathetic technique, he decides to give it a go. Amid this he becomes a guardian figure, the two caring deeply for one another in a father-daughter structure, one neither of them experienced properly before - but, she's placed in a position where her career puts her in harm's way. Obviously the white trash trailer park girl with the golden heart rises to become quite a fighter - and then… would an Oscar® winning movie be complete without a serious ailment, injury or physical disability striking one of the lead characters? Yep, it does happen quite unexpectedly, but at its appearance you go, "ah, gunning for another Oscar, Clint?" Well, it seemed to have worked.
PS. Fellow 2005 Oscar® contender Scorsese (The Aviator) was shamefully snubbed for his classic, brilliant and striking Raging Bull in 1980, so why the hell should all-American Clint get it for his (inferior by comparison) piece of work?
3 / C
- PB

MILLIONS
With James Nesbitt, Daisy Donovan, Alex Etel, Lewis McGibbon
Directed by Danny Boyle
This lovely film deals with two boys (the youngest in particular) who find a bag full of money after moving to a new home with their father (after the mother's death). The boy is obsessed with saints and frequently amusingly communicates with different ones. They keep the money a secret (to a certain extent) and spends it on all sorts of junk, but the youngest tries to use it for good deeds. But, the stolen money, which was thrown from a train, is being tracked by its dangerous owner. Millions features great casting with the youngsters and is feel-good movie without going the sell-out soppy heartstring plucking route. Boyle has come a long way since Shallow Grave and Trainspotting and here takes a very mild step back after his bloodthirsty but marvellous 28 Days Later.
4 / C
- PB

MINISTRY: TAPES OF WRATH
The electronic / industrial / metal cross-over pioneers known as Ministry was not merely a trend setting phenomenon, but an undeniable tune creating force in the shape of Al Jourgensen & Paul Barker (with many an alternatively inclined contributor fanning their already unconventional and powerful flame). Their blending of programmed beats, metal guitars, issues, humour and the subversive, crossed many a barrier in music history, spawning countless imitators. But none can do it quite like Ministry. This collection of 13 music videos spans from 1985 to 1999. Twitch wasn't their first album, but did become the genesis of a new musical era, turning electronic pop into an aggressive force, the video taken from that album being Over The Shoulder, Al's vocals less distorted than later years. The video sets the stage for their subversive alternative style, Al's freaky look turning Goth and Post-New Romanticism on its head. Stigmata, The Land Of Rape And Honey and Flashback follows on with the visual style becoming more vivid (yet distorted) and industrialized, footage from their live video In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up also included with Dead Kennedys kingpin Jello Biafra on stage. Burning Inside is taken from their pivotal release, The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste. Three tracks from their incredibly influential and still killer album, Psalm 69, get featured. The paced and incredibly infectious Jesus Built My Hotrod (filled with funny clips and cars), N.W.O. (against an LA riot backdrop) and Just One Fix (the strong drug reference in many of their songs coming to a head in its most vivid manner with cult junkie writer William S. Burroughs featuring in this angst ridden video). Their slowed down '96 release, Filth Pig, spawned some great tunes, like the cool cover version of Bob Dylan's Lay Lady Lay, which gets featured here together with Reload - an hysterical video placing our Ministry masterminds in a JFK & Jackie O scenario, assassins coming in the shape of everything from Popes & Zimmer frame folk to Fidel Castros & Marilyn Monroes! Two of their Revolting Cocks project numbers from '93 also get featured. Crackin' Up's psychedelic imagery is contrasted by the horror / comedy / sexual of the Rod Stewart cover Do You Think I'm Sexy. Video distortion, satire, fire, speed, saturated lighting, smoke, maggots and other visually intriguing motifs make up a lot of the Ministry video landscape, one which builds upon their already impressive output of unforgettable music. Uncensored and in fine digital quality.
6 / A
- PB

MINORITY REPORT
With Tom Cruise, Max Von Sydow, Lois Smith, Samantha Morton, Peter Stormare
Directed by Steven Spielberg
PRE-CRIME
It is 2054. The police are solving murders before they happen, utilizing a trio of Precogs (someone who can see future events). How? Technology manages to extract visions they have as a 3-pronged psychic unit in an isolation chamber (called the Temple), analyzing it like video clips and finding the location, arresting the offender to be before they can do any harm.
SEEING THE FUTURE VIA LITERATURE FROM THE PAST
Another one of Philip K. Dick's short stories get the Spielberg treatment, like his last outing with the moving A.I. Dick also wrote Ridley Scott's Bladerunner and the recent Impostor. Again it represents a fabulous future vision where retinal scans personalize your access, identity and even target you for advertising - using your name in product pitches as you pass ad billboards. Traffic, video newspapers, animated cartoon cereal boxes, TV and data storage all get marvelous futuristic spins - the set design and digital trickery blending wonderfully, Spielberg melding the human factor with that of the invisible post production in a virtually seamless believable way while still offering us traditional drama, suspense and action.
MISSION INSURMOUNTABLE
Tom Cruise is the cop (with a bitter past, obviously) who keeps his State safe from murder, the rate reverting to zero since the programme was instated a few years back. There's a vote coming up to have the program go national, an ex-theology student turned cop arriving to investigate any flaws the seemingly impeccable method may have. After a rare visit to the Temple, the female of the Precogs communicate a clue to Cruise - our hero cop then becomes the suspect in a future crime, seeing himself kill another man. The chase is on for him to find out where and who the stranger is and why he'd want to kill him. A set-up? It's not exactly a mystery as to the "who", but more a "how" and "why".
STARPOWER
While Cruise carries himself well, as usual, it does feel a bit like he's reiterating his Mission:Impossible character with forgivable, justified flaws. As the lead protagonist having to find the key to his own innocence, the entire film rides on his shoulders, but with such an array of amazing visuals, sub-plots, gadgetry and red herrings woven into the narrative, Tom's starpower is a by-product when it comes to drawing audiences towards this picture. Notwithstanding the Spielberg moviemaking legend.
4 / B
- PB

MISS CONGENIALITY
With Sandra Bullock, Benjamin Bratt, Michael Caine
Directed by Donald Petrie
Ms Bullock was quite the cutie when she first dazzled us in Demolition Man and Speed. But, with films like these her exaggerating of character stereotypes in two directions just doesn't seem to cut it. Here Sandra plays a rough tomboy FBI agent whose eating habits and grooming leave a lot to be desired (stereotype 1). A mad killer leaves a clue that leads them to a beauty pageant and she has to go undercover as a contestant, made beautiful by Michael Caine - the Pigmailion premise (stereotype 2). These extremes and obvious clashes with her will and duty, cause reason for giggles, sneers and sighs - no outright bursts of laughter (as the producers had hoped). From forced anti-beauty-pageant-feminist-talking-with-stuffed-mouth to sexy-slow-motion-walk-in-tight-dress-and-becoming-a-real-"girl", it all plays for laughs, but fail to convince if not entertain. Bratt does his cop thing as in TV's Law & Order, but for a comedy slant. Caine is great as the camp beauty advisor who has to whip her into shape in a few days. But we all know there's a lovely lady lurking inside the gun toting butch and unkempt gal. Blah-Blah. Not enough action, not enough comedy and too much crappy scripting. But if you love that little Bullock it's bound to tickle your fancy.
3 / C
- PB

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2
With Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames, Antony Hopkins
Directed by John Woo
A better director for the job they couldn’t have chosen. Mr Cruise can be partly thanked for that, being co-producer. The eye-popping trailer for M:I-2 is one adrenalin filled cracker of a teaser. Sure, the movie isn’t like that from start to finish, but when those meticulous total Woo action sequences storm in, you know you’re watching an amazing holiday movie. Our special agent Ethan Hunt has to get the bad guy who steals a deadly virus & vaccine to be sold to a pharmaceutical mogul who wants to corner the market with this disease, manufacturing the cure and making a fortune. To get the psychotic ex-agent, Hunt has to recruit the guy’s ex-girlfriend (a pro thief) to lure him from hiding (in Australia). Obviously he falls for her. Definitely the action flick of the summer with a pace and humanity that is usually hard to maintain, but Woo pulls it off. Cruise apparently did all his stunts - if so, good for you Tommy, well executed (but then a lot of it is green screen...).
4 / B
- PB

MISSION TO MARS
With Tim Robbins, Gary Sinese
Directed by Brian DePalma
Set in 2025, DePalma takes us on a journey with a scientific team and their investigation for the colonization of the red planet. This mission goes horribly wrong with a rescue mission in return sent up to see if any survivors can be salvaged. Quite removed from what one would expect from DePalma, but no doubt a film he simply had to make to add to his range of great non-Sci-Fi films like Scarface, Carlito’s Way, Carrie, Dressed To Kill, Phantom of the Paradise, The Untouchables and Blowout. I might spoil it for prospectively excited future viewers, but without really giving away an ounce of red soil, the quickest way to summarize this inter-planetary visual feast and emotion powder keg, is to say that it’s a brew of Apollo 13, The Abyss, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and 2001: A Space Odyssey… Whether it's a successful concoction will depend on how you view the film.
4 / B
- PB

MR. DEEDS
With Adam Sandler, Wynona Ryder, Peter Gallagher, John Turturro
Directed by Steven Brill
If you don't know by now what to expect from Sandler (unless you seen the brilliant Punch Drunk Love), you're probably a strict Fellini watcher. Sandler plays Longfellow Deeds, he runs a pizza place in a small town and is named as the closest tracked relative of a wealthy man who just passed. He inherits 40 million, but there are stock strings attached and the corporate tosser who wants to take over pulls strings to push things in his favour - in the process they want to keep Deeds' identity secret. Mr. Deeds moves into the mansion and spreads his good hearted wisdom all over (his past time writing greeting cards, non of which the card companies ever accept). Ryder is a reporter who gets assigned to find out who and what this new millionaire is. This causes things to go pear shaped. Obviously he falls for her, but she's not who she says she is, his image getting twisted and tarnished by her media bastard boss. Fun, with isolated laughs but overall on a par with what you'd expect from a Sandler comedy vehicle.
3 / C
- PB

MOBY - PLAY The DVD
At face value the single bald figure of Moby doesn't seem like much of a musical force. The man has however made one hell of an impact on both pop and dance music over the last half a decade. The 10 video clips include 5 never before seen (in the US). Some of the videos are strange (Honey), hilarious (Bodyrock), animated (Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad & Natural Blues), wacky (Find My Baby) and so on. The additional Bodyrock audition tape is a scream. One of the extra features includes a home movie shot by Moby himself, starring himself, from dumping in the plane toilet to performing live, travelling the world or sitting at home, making up absurd little sketches etc. It's quite funny in parts, but mostly deliberately silly. Six tracks from his performance on Jools Holland's live TV show include Natural Blues, Porcelain and Everloving. In addition you can also pop the disc into your PC to remix two of Moby's tracks. The second disc contains Moby's Megamix for your CD player with a variety of 19 Moby mixes by Futureshock, Katcha, Dani König, Ferry Corsten, Mike D, Dave Clarke, Moby himself and others. From DVD to CD to PC, the acoustic-technological fusion of Moby's wondrous music spans across the board to be enjoyed on many levels, in various formats. Welcome to the new age of music (again!).
5 / B
- PB

MOLLY
With Elisabeth Shue, Aaron Eckhart, Jill Hennesy, Thomas Jane
Directed by John Duigan
After Rainman, any film dealing with autism in any way seems to pale in comparison. Still, this fact aside, unfortunately Shue is simply not believable as the quirky woman who has to be looked after by her brother when the institution where she was cared for closes down, due to lack of funding. Obviously he has to adapt to all her strange habits, routines and problems: getting to know her. He loses his job to top it all. After an experimental procedure she starts to recover…completely…and the normal, intelligent woman trapped behind the disability, unfolds. Many touching and humorous moments help to fuel this drama of prejudice overcome and self-discovery. At least the ending has a dual sad/triumphant slant.
2 / C
- PB

MONA LISA
With Bob Hoskins, Cathy Tyson, Sammi Davis
Directed by Neil Jordan
Neil Jordan, director of Company of Wolves, The Crying Game, Interview with the Vampire and other predatory pics, takes us through the high class prostitution racket of London in the '80's. Our favourite stocky pommy, Bob Hoskins, plays the recently released con turned driver to prossie Cathy Tyson. His boss, played by best supporting actor Oscar winner, Michael Cain, is a bit of a rotter and makes you wonder why ol' Bob took the rap for him. Simple minded but trustworthy and straight forward (like a pitbull?), Bob gets involved in tracking down a girl for Cathy, who had been sucked into the sordid world she once escaped. Passionate and bleak, this one's quite visceral and human at the same time.
5 / B
- PB

MONSTER
With Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, Pruitt Taylor
Directed by Patty Jenkins
Charlize Theron shines in her glammed-down turn as Aileen Wournos, the hard life prostitute who was executed for the murder of seven men. However much poetic license was implemented to evoke more empathy I'm not sure - fact remains, she grew up abused and battered, her simple need to be loved going unsatisfied. Homeless, penniless and turning tricks, she meets a young girl in a gay bar - the two systematically start a relationship. After a John sexually assaults and rapes her, her murder to follow, she does him in first. This releases the wrecking ball for a killing spree with the intention of getting away and starting over with her new lover. Besides her formidable acting turn, Theron also co-produced. Oh yeah, on the patriotic front - Theron won a Critics Award and Golden Globe for her performance and the ultimate Oscar®. It's the first (and more than likely last) time that a Seff-Efrican will strike it that big in Harleywooad - so way to go Charlize!
PS. 2005 Gavin Hoo's adaptation of Athol Fugard's Tsotsi won the Oscar® for Best Foreign Film.
5 / B
- PB

MONSTER IN LAW
With Jane Fonda, Jennifer Lopez, Nichael Vartan, Wanda Sykes
Directed by n/a
The old mother-in-law coal gets picked from the fire again. Jane Fonda dusts off her acting cape and adds some ham for good measure as she opposes Lopez, the new bride whose stealing her son away from her. At first the fiancé plays along to please her mother-in-law to be, but also sharpens the knife when things get out of hand. With the odd amusing moment, it's all-American comedy by numbers with the nasty gripes and pokes supposed to result in laughter.
2 / C
- PB

MONSTER'S BALL
With Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, Sean Combs, Heath Ledger, Peter Boyle
Directed by Marc Forster
The film that earned Halle Berry her Oscar (and hammed-up speech) is an intense character study of three generations of death row guards and the bigoted seed planted by the elder. A racist attitude continued by the son but resisted by the grandson. After a shocking double tragedy and an execution, the middle generation (Billy Bob Thornton) gets involved with the black wife of the condemned man, set to change or destroy their lives. The controversial sex scene dwarfs in the greater scheme of this film's passionate look at human behaviour. The cover does not state it, but there are some extras, including outtakes and a Sundance Channel documentary, Anatomy Of A Scene, covering all aspects of the execution portion, including interviews with writers, director, editor, and composers.
5 / C
- PB

MONSTERS INC.
With the voices of Billy Crystal & John Goodman
Directed by Peter Docter, David Silverman, Lee unkrich
As far as digital animation goes, each feature reveals a new bit of innovation, from Toy Story to Dinosaurs or Antz to Shrek. The imaginative story of closet monsters being working guys who need to do their job to collect kids' screams in order to power their world's electricity is a fun-filled, crazy trip alongside a buddy team voiced by Crystal & Goodman. Our green, one-eyed small guy & turquoise hairy big one has a slithery adversary who tries to cheat his quota and accidentally lets a kid into their world. It's believed a touch from a kid will kill a closet monster. The odd pair of wise-crackers gets stuck with the kid and it's their mission to get her back home - not that easy as you'd expect. Enough funny, action-packed, tight and cute moments to get both young viewers and their folks into to groove. (some scenes may freak out very young kids, though).
4 / B
- PB

MOONLIGHT MILE
With Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Holly Hunter
Directed by Brad Silbering
We enter this story after the funeral of a young man's fiancé who was murdered in a coffee shop. He ends up staying with her parents, feeling very awkward and confused. While their marriage never happened, the folks treat him as if it had, him feeling obligated to stay, even leading to the dad convincing him to go into business with together. The emotional conflicts and confusion of his own feelings & identity, and pleasing the almost-in-laws have a somber yet amusing quality, the introverted Gyllenhaal well cast for this. Through it all the case of the murderer comes up and the lad meets an interesting woman in the post office when he goes in to try and retrieve the wedding invites before they go out. Far from merely straightforward, Moonlight Mile has a certain charm, style and mood that makes it rather unique, sad and entertaining in one go.
4 / B
- PB

MOONRAKER
With Roger Moore, Lois Chiles, Michael Lonsdale, Richard Kiel, Corinne Clery
Directed by Lewis Gilbert
Certainly one of my favourite Bond flicks, probably because it 's literally out of this world, sending Bond into outer space to prevent Drax from executing his apocalyptic plan of starting a master race in space and wiping the existing one off the face of the earth ! The well known shuttle design made it out of earth's atmosphere even before NASA launched Challenger ! This embodies the spirit of the 007 movies - maximum entertainment at any cost. The Bond Babe name of choice: Dr Holly Goodhead. The last three Moore installments, For Your Eyes Only ('81), Octopussy ('83) and A View To A Kill ('85) held Roger on the crest without him going out with a whimper; wild capers, action and stunts from Greece, Italy and India to Iceland and Germany. For those born in the late '60s & '70s, Moore is usually the best Bond.
5 / A
- PB

MORISSEY - The Malady Lingers On
Indeed it does…Mr. Happiness himself actually doesn't make us reach for the razor blades as he pulls his smug act on these simple but effective videos from 1991-1992. The 8 clips include him and his band on locations ranging from the UK and USA to Italy and Germany. From basic one-room performances, on the beach or strolling along the alleys of Nice or driving a Rolls in Arizona, the sullen alterna-pop flows nicely. The tracks include Glamorous Glue, Certain People I Know, Tomorrow, We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful, My Love Life, You're The One For Me Fatty, Sing Your Life, and Pregnant For The Last Time. Not the most optimistic of popstars, Morrissey still has a certain irresistible darkly humourous flair with a sound that is very much time-bound, but making it a great flashback.
4 / B
- PB

MOSTLY MARTHA
With Martina Gedeck, Sergio Castellitto, August Zirner
Directed by Sandra Nettelbeck
Martha is a meticulous chef in a popular up market restaurant in Germany. Her obsession with food and perfectionism result in her near inability to deal with people. When her sister dies in a car accident and she has to look after her traumatized and stormy daughter, her life perspective gets tossed about the skillet a few times - something her visits to the psychiatrist could never do. To add gas to the flame, a new Italian cook gets hired at the restaurant. Besides her inability to act as a substitute mother, the paranoia of being replaced does not make things easier. But, as Martha's personality takes the blows and her survival instinct kicks in, she finds ways around her dramas. Sure, her relationship with the kid will develop into more, as with the Italian cook, but it is a joyous process to travel with her through this tough and often humourous journey.
4 / C
- PB

MÖTLEY CRÜE - Carnival Of Sins Live
During their late '80s glammy-metal heyday Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars and Vince Neil, collectively known as Mötley Crüe, lived up to their rowdy reputation, often bringing them close to death. At that time these kind of hair bands were a dime a bakers dozen - but the difference with these guys were the fact that they actually had some damn fine rock songs, still cool today. This ass-kicking original line-up comeback tour takes out all of the stops. The authentic LA glam-metal bad boys light up the stage with a hefty show of around two-dozen songs, covering all the best tunes across their repertoire including Too Fast For Love, Shout At The Devil, Dr. Feelgood, Girls Girls Girls, Generation Swine and New Tattoo. Most of the album title tracks get a spin, as well as Looks That Kill, Theater Of Pain, Too Fast For Love, On With The Show, Too Young To Fall In Love, Red Hot, Louder Than Hell, Live Wire, Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away), Home Sweet Home, Same Ol' Situation, and Kickstart My Heart. Nikki Sixx gets a solo which is hardly your regular bass solo, but more of an electronic-pyrotechnic display. Tommy Lee's drum solo takes him from his kit up into the ceiling to an industrial and electronic kit. Lee also comes from behind his drums later on with a video camera to have the audience flash their breasts. Cover versions of The Beatles' Helter Skelter and Sex Pistols' Anarchy In The UK close up the show. For the carnival theme the huge stage set-up is enhanced with a carnival tent look, sexy dancers, a midget host, chopper bikes and loads of lights and pyro. The show opens with a stop-animated sequence of the band having to save the world from a big comet. The second disc of extra features include a documentary of the tour, interviews, meet & greet with the fans, as well as two music videos for Sick Love Song and If I Die Tomorrow. The former track features animation depicting each member's darkest hour, from car crashes and over-doses to jail time. There's also a time-lapse clip of the stage set-up. The audio options for the show include Digital Stereo, Digital 5.1 or DTS Surround.
6 / A
- PB

THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
With Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo De la Serna, Mia Maestro, Mercedes Moran, Jean Pierre Noher
Directed by Walter Salles
Kids walk around with his face on their T-Shirt, not having a clue who's adorning their garments. This lovely, intimate film looks at the early life of Cuban revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara as he and fellow medical student friend Alberto decided to cover South America on a motorcycle during a sabbatical form their studies in 1952. Along their way (covering Argentina, Peru, Chile and Venezuela), traveling to assist at a leper colony, they encounter people of the earth, suffering with all of life's hardships trying to survive. This had a profound impact on the young Guevara and shaped his thinking and ideology that led to his work alongside Fidel Castro. With a sympathetic, honest and warm view, the filmmakers created a portrait of a good man whose humanity seems tangible as he and his friend experience a continent with all of its joy and sorrow, coming of age at the same time.
4 / B
- PB

MOULIN ROUGE
With Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent
Directed by Baz Luhrmann
Director Baz Luhrmann gave us the tremendous Romeo+Juliet version with DiCaprio & Danes. His amazing sense of timing, framing, pace, composition, music, set & costume as well as camp appeal explodes in a marvelously decadent feast for both eye and ear. When a young writer and his bohemian buddies want to put on an extravagant show at the very popular (but financially floundering) Moulin Rouge with its lead courtesan as the star, the inevitable happens. The boy falls in love with the girl. Problem is, to finance it, she has to get cozy with a wealthy creep. With his keen eye and ear, Luhrmann mixes old and new songs & compositions into a musical like you'd never experienced. The effervescent scenes and performances are charged with colour, music and passion, turning the sad, somber scenarios even more drab and real within this fantasy world of about a century ago. Moulin Rouge can easily be seen as the best musical you're likely to see this year (unless you got to experience Hedwig & The Angry Inch).
This double DVD set is packed with extras. For a start the slick digipak folds open to reveal the discs - the inlay unfortunately containing only a single chapter selection leaflet in stead of a snazzy production booklet. But, the additional digital material is ample, so a minor "flaw" like that can be overlooked with ease. For a start the commentary tracks total 2: one with Director Luhrmann, Production Designer Catherine Martin and Director of Photography Donald McAlpine, and another track containing the Writers' commentary of Luhrmann and co-scribe Craig Pearce. The "Behind The Red Velvet Curtain" function allows you to access eight video segments branched into the film, highlighting informative details about certain aspects of the movie, be it historical, artistic or technical. There is the obligatory "Making Of" featurette as well as looks at the stars and the story. Three music videos and interviews relate to the songs in the film as well as outside (the Lady Marmalade plug tune) while a Design Gallery is available as well as a look at the marketing of the film. Six abandoned scenes can be picked up off the cutting room floor and some of the dance sequences can be viewed from the angles of your choice or full uncut dance scenes show you the overall scope of the choreography. The interviews certainly bring the viewer a greater sense of enlightenment and involvement. Luhrmann's ultra-energetic, sometimes manic manner may have an uplifting or annoying effect on viewers, though. But without his attitude the film would certainly not have been as vibrant as it turned out. With around 6 hours worth of extras, this is how DVD should be utilized.
6 / A
- PB

MULHOLLAND DRIVE
With Justin Theroux, Naomi Watts, Laura Elena Harring, Ann Miller, Robert Forster
Directed by David Lynch
Well alright! David Lynch is back on form with one hell of an intriguing, cryptic, visually stunning and yes, weird movie. Sure, The Straight Story wasn't what we expected of him - but that's part of its genius, besides the fact that regardless of its simplicity and, well, straight approach, you could feel Lynch bubbling underneath. Mulholland Drive could be seen as a Twin Peaks meets Lost Highway and won Lynch a Cannes Best Director award plus a few others. It is set against the backdrop of movie-making Hollywood where a sexy woman loses her memory after a car smash on Mulholland Drive. She accidentally hooks up with a young, starry-eyed aspiring actress who is new in town. Together they set out to find out who the woman is. This sets in motion one phenomenal visual feast of mind-, time- and character bending proportions. The mixture of characters contribute to the confusing (yet irresistible) narrative - men in diners describing strange dreams, hitmen knocking off more than intended, eccentrics, pretentious movie types and bit part characters who have more significance than you'd think. Just like accidents and coincidences are not necessarily as straight forward. I mean, Billy Ray Cyrus features in a small role - how weird is that! If you want to sit and figure out exactly what this marvelously executed film is about, by all means - all I know is it's one of the year's great ones (2002). Apparently this film was a rejected TV pilot, expanded into a phenomenal full lenght feature - one of the best conversions I've ever witnessed. After I saw this on the big screen for the first time, I exit the cinema and the world honestly seemed a touch on the different side, people's faces, everything had a strangeness to it, a glazed invisible halo of oddness. Whether it was the hypnotic pace (over an unnoticed 140+ minutes), crafty sound creation & editing and subtle take-over of your senses as Lynch sucks you into his realm together with Angelo Badalamenti's score, I do not know. Fact remains, not many movies leave you with an impression like that - even if it doesn't make sense at the time! That much more reason to watch this DVD again…and again…
The DVD bonus features include the movie trailer, interview clips and director & cast biogs (Lynch's an absolutely classic info-less byte, besides his filmography). The DVD cover mentions chapter selection (but you can't - probably a Lynch idea, having to watch it in one go!). It also states it is presented in full screen version, but the disc thankfully plays in widescreen (unfortunately not letterbox).
6 / A
- PB

MOUSE HUNT (in Afrikaans)
Met Lee Evans, Nathan Lane, Christopher Walken
Regisseur: Gore Verbinski
Twee deur die blare broers erf 'n nuttelose tou fabriek en 'n bouvallige huis. Hul finansiele dilemma lyk egter na iets van die verlede wanneer hulle ontdek dat die argitek van die ou huis 'n gesogte een is en miljoene daarvoor gevra kan word. Daar is egter net, klein probleempie. Die muis. Hierdie oulike knaagdiertjie was heel gelukkig voor hulle ingetrek het en verdedig sy huis net so effektief as wat hy die broers terg en mal maak. Alles word probeer om die muis van kant te maak met baie snaakse gevolge (gewoonlik tot die homo sapiens se nadeel). My verwagtinge vir hierdie fliek was die van 'n saai Home Alone-tipe ervaring, maar ek was heel aangenaam verras. Die interaksie van die Britse Evans (in Yankee-mode), Lane en die muis (lewend, meganies en digitaal) is iets heel besonders en die situasies varieer van spannend tot totale uitbundige slapstick. Walken se kort en kragtige rol as 'n pes deskundige is fantasties, veral aangesien hy dit so ernstig soos al sy ander rolle aanpak. Of hierdie rolprent soos Babe se varkvleis verkoop daling en 101 Dalmations se troeteldier winkel uitverkope 'n impak sal he, sal net tyd alleen weet. Nietemin is dit te vertaande dat die muis hier die ster en held is. Morele subtekste en dieper betekenis kan uitgedelf word (as jy lus het), maar met die wonderlike visuele impak en humor is dit nie juis nodig nie, sit net terug en geniet.
4 / A
- PB

MULTIPLE MANIACS
With Divine, Edith Massey, Mink Stole
Directed by John Waters
A black & white classic made on an absolute shoestring. Here Lady Divine’s Cavalcade of perversion goes from town to town exhibiting smutty and hilarious acts. But, love (and lust) is part of this little tale, inevitably leading to chaos and madness. Just what we’d expect of John Waters.
5 / A
- PB

THE MUMMY
With Brendan Fraser, Rachal Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo
Directed by Stephen Sommers
This is a wild and FX-laden retelling of the Mummy tale. Fraser gets saved from the noose in Egypt by a beautiful damsel (with a great knowledge of the region and its history). He leads her to the burial place of the priest who was caught messing with the Pharaoh’s wife (and got mummified and buried alive). He had serious powers which could lead to resurrection or total destruction (with the help of the book of the dead). When his rest gets disturbed, he awakens and all hell breaks loose as his powers grow and he becomes more & more human. His goal is to resurrect his lover (with the use of our damsel and plummet the world into cradle of doom. Obviously our hero and side-kicks have to stop him, leading to an often slapstick bunch of energetic action scenes.
3 / B
- PB

THE MUMMY RETURNS
With Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, Patricia Velasquez, The Rock
Directed by Stephen Sommers
The wild imagination of writer / director Sommers has no boundaries with FX technology. Its ludicrous proportions, however makes it a toss-up between totally silly and escapist spectacle. Even wilder and louder than the one before, it still lacks the atmosphere of the old Mummy classics by opting for stringy humour, lame one-liners and wise cracks in between the unfolding plot, action and scenery. Our hero couple who defeated the evil mummy, the O'Connells (now married with a 10 year old), get sucked into his realm again when his reincarnated forbidden love plots to resurrect him again. This is only possible via a bracelet which belonged to the vicious Scorpion King. Co-incidental reincarnations, relations, accidents, destiny, fate and old familiar faces wrap together to drive towards a crazy climax. WWF superstar The Rock suits the role of the Scorpion King real well, his minimal dialogue a blessing. Digital FX just don't seem to be enough anymore as it's spotted a mile away and, "oh, more of that." But if you can look past that, scientific inconsistencies (and Fraser's tosser hairdo), the action, speed and dumb humour will pull you through.
3 / B
- PB

MUNICH
With Eric Bana, Geoffrey Rush, Daniel Craig
Directed by Steven Spielberg
One of the most shocking disasters in Olympic history happened during the 1972 Munich Games when an Palestinian terrorist group took members of the Israeli team hostage - ending in their deaths. The Israeli government recruited an agent to track down the people behind it, and with his team of experts, eliminate them by any means necessary. Spielberg delves into the meticulous details behind the events and its retaliation. The Massad tracking, planning and execution of each mission add to the running time, but keep you focused. With many intense, shocking and violent scenes, this is no E.T. One of the best parts of the film is the very un-Spielberg tone, mainly due to the more grainy and de-saturated look of the well-replicated '70s period, and the subject matter of course - but he has made movies like Schindler's List. Our new James Bond, Daniel Craig, plays a South African.
5 / B
- PB

THE MUSKETEER
With Tim Roth, Stephen Rea, Mena Suvari, Catherine Denieve
Directed by Peter Hyams
With so many Musketeer movies scattered across the last century of filmmaking, it's surprising that another jumped up on screen. The difference here is the incorporation of an Eastern action choreographer, turning what could've been basic sword fighting sequences into a crazy acrobatic feats of near superhuman skill and agility. Based on Dumas's book of a young man out to avenge his parents' death and hooking up with Musketeers to fight the tyranny of the Cardinal Richelieu whose evil henchman is the murderer in question, Hyams creates a fresh look at this classic tale.
3 / B
- PB

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING
With Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine
Directed by Joel Zwick
We all know the story about Nia Varlos and her little play with the same name, picked up on by Tom Hanks & his wife to be turned into a movie. It seems as though wedding movies are far from losing steam in the romantic comedy genre. The difference here is the real life correlation with the Greek culture, family and its traditions and quirks Nia having first hand experience. A plain Greek girl who thought she'd never meet the right guy falls for a handsome non-Greek. It's almost unheard of and leads to a range of situations. Overbearing loud family members, taking over of the arrangement and crazy moments culminate in a fun, light comedy that will find a wide audience beyond its cinema success. The most tolerable of the N*Sync bunch, Joey Fatone features in a small role for you boyband fans.
4 / C
- PB

MY LIFE WITHOUT ME
With Sarah Polley, Scott Speedamn, Debbie Harry, Mark Ruffalo, Amanda Plummer
Directed by Isabel Croixet
A young mother of two discovers that she is terminally ill with an inoperable cancer. In stead of telling her husband and kids about it, she opts to make a list of the things she'd always wanted to do and sets out to get as many of them done before she dies. Some of it includes experiencing sex with someone other than her husband and finding her him and the kids a good new wife and mother. While some will see her as selfish, others can see this as noble in sparing her loved-ones a drawn out, painful process. She does not discard her simple life and low paying job (living in a caravan in her mom's backyard), but remain a loving mother and wife. Fine all-round performances and a concentrated, intimate human focus with a naturalistic, saturated style draws the viewer into this bitter-sweet experience.
5 / C
- PB

MYSTIC RIVER
With Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburn
Directed by Clint Eastwood
As a modest film about a father's loss, vengeance and the truth, this would be a fine film. But as a blown-out-of-proportion-masterpiece, nominated in all top Oscar categories, I'm not too sure. A trio of friends had their lives shattered (especially the victim) after one is abducted and molested. He never fully recovered from the ordeal. Decades later Penn's character's daughter turns up dead and circumstantial evidence lead suspicion to the disturbed Robbins. While this may have been gripping as a book, as a film it doesn't blow you away as they'd hoped, the actors making you too aware of the fact that they are delivering a "performance". Regardless, Robbins and Penn walked off with Oscars for their trouble. Touted as Eastwood's best work, I beg to differ.
Double disc DVD includes documentaries, commentary and interviews.
2 / C
- PB