NEWS
Wed
1.2.12
SNOWTOWN SWEEPS THE AACTA AWARDS
Trevor D
The winners of the inaugural Samsung AACTA Awards (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) have been announced, and Warp Films Australia's SNOWTOWN has emerged as the success story of the evening in the feature film category. Of its initial ten nominations, SNOWTOWN has taken out six of the prestigious awards, including last night's ceremony-awarded Best Direction (Justin Kurzel), Best Lead Actor (Daniel Henshall), Best Adapted Screenplay (Shaun Grant) and Best Supporting Actress (Louise Harris). SNOWTOWN also picked up the Best Sound and Best Editing awards at the inaugural Samsung AACTA Awards Luncheon held earlier in the month. Based on the true story of Australia’s most infamous serial killings, also known as ‘The Bodies In The Barrels’ murders, SNOWTOWN is Justin Kurzel’s directorial debut and the first local production from Warp Films Australia. SNOWTOWN was released to cinemas in May, garnering massive critical acclaim and word of mouth. SNOWTOWN is available now on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital platforms. In the television category, SBS's gritty Sydney-based crime drama, EAST WEST 101 SEASON 3 – A HERO'S JOURNEY has added another accolade to its long list of previous AFI Awards with the Best Television Drama Series AACTA Award. EAST WEST 101 seasons 1-3 are available now on DVD. Paul Wiegard, Managing Director, Madman Entertainment said: “We are thrilled the industry has recognised these films and productions, and the abundance of talent behind them. The AACTA awards are a boon for the profile of Australian films and the Australian film industry.”
Older News
|
REVIEWS
Tue
7.2.12
Bunraku (Blu-ray) (2010)
Ray N
Bunraku is part western, part martial arts, part film noir, part graphic novel. It features computer generated backgrounds, enough swirling camera moves to make Tony Scott envious, wonderful colours, a knowing narration and copious inventive action sequences. The result is a movie that looks spectacular, is very stylish and wildly entertaining. This is the type of film that Blu-ray was made for!
 . Sponsored by DeVoteD.
|
Mon
6.2.12
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World-in 4D Aroma-Scope (Blu-ray) (2011)
DanielB
A fourth film in this series was probably a step too far especially after a long break and without most of the original cast. Technically proficient disc can't save it.
 . Sponsored by DVD Buzz.
|
The Inheritor (L'heritier) (1973)
Ray N
The Inheritor is an intriguing, stylish thriller with something to say about the nature of power (power over women as well as the power of the press and industrial conglomerations), politics and society. It looks good, includes some nice action and features a Jean-Paul Belmondo character with more depth than usual. The Inheritor is included in the three disc set French Screen Icons: Jean-Paul Belmondo 2 from Madman that also includes Scoumoune: Mafia Warfare (1972) and The Body of My Enemy (1976).
 . Sponsored by Fetch.
|
Sat
4.2.12
Reservoir Dogs (Blu-ray) (1992)
Trevor D
|
Is it really 20 years since the buzz went around - you have to see this movie!? Reservoir Dogs was the indie film of 1992 which launched director Quentin Tarantino into the big league with its gritty, pop cool look and feel and the dialogue, full of trash culture references, as well as THAT scene. The Blu-ray is still a bracing experience. It looks great, given the major budget limitations, though the new extras pale in comparison to the DVD collector’s edition. Seen now it pales slightly alongside some of Tarantino's other works but is still gritty fun. The film has already had a Blu-ray release but now comes as part of the Quentin Tarantino Collection. Those who don't have the film in their library could do worse than pick up this set.
. Sponsored by DeVoteD.
|
The Office-Complete Series: 10th Anniversary Edition (2001)
Mike B
|
The Office (UK) has been re-released as a 10th anniversary special edition box set including the previously released series one and series two and the the Christmas specials. This ground breaking mockumentary will never date and remains as brilliant now as when first screened. This is not just comedy, this is social commentary featuring one of the most identifiable TV characters since Basil Fawlty.
. Sponsored by Atomic Movies.
|
Fri
3.2.12
Space Battleship Yamato (Blu-ray) (2010)
DanielB
|
To Infinity & Beyond! May the Force be with You! Any other suitably heroic and melodramatic catch phrases will apply...This Japanese live action remake of a 1970s TV series is over the top but lots of fun. Earth is under attack and only the Japanese can save it (makes a change from the Americans anyhow). Excellent Blu-ray but extras are limited.
. Sponsored by Family Boxoffice.
|
Office, The (UK)-The Christmas Specials (2003)
Mike B
|
The Office (UK) has been re-released as a 10th anniversary special edition box set including the previously releasedThe Office: The Christmas Specials . This ground breaking mockumentary will never date and remains as brilliant now as when first screened. This is not just comedy, this is social commentary featuring one of the most identifiable TV characters since Basil Fawlty. The Christmas Specials provide as satisfying a conclusion to the series as you could possibly wish for. Needless to say you will have to watch the preceding series in order to appreciate what Merchant and Gervais have done with the concluding episodes.
. Sponsored by Atomic Movies.
|
Thu
2.2.12
Troll Hunter (Trolljegeren) (Blu-ray) (2010)
DanielB
|
This Norwegian film is a mockumentary about Trolls and the government cover-up that has been hiding them for years. Lots of fun and excitement to be had in this refreshingly different film.
. Sponsored by DVD Buzz.
|
French Screen Icons-Jean-Paul Belmondo-Volume 3
Ray N
|
This four disc set from Madman includes The Professional (1981), The Outside Man (1983), The Loner (1987) and Amazon (2000). They are a varied collection including one gem and for the price are a good introduction to the later films of a genuine French Screen icon. Three of the films have not before been available on DVD in Australia.
. Sponsored by Atlantic DVD.
|
Wed
1.2.12
Page One: Inside the New York Times (2011)
Trevor D
|
Page One: Inside the New York Times is the result of a 14 month long access granted to filmmaker Andrew Rossi to report on the reporters. It is a time of great change within the newspaper industry with falling readership and the rise of online news and blogging. This is a fascinating documentary which asks the essential questions of whether print media is still relevant in 2012, an era of the Huffington Post and WikiLeaks. Although necessarily loose in structure it is still indispensable viewing for those interested in media culture. The DVD quality matches the investigative journalistic feel of the film.
. Sponsored by DVD Buzz.
|
Amazon (Amazone) (2000)
Ray N
|
Amazon is not a very good film, mostly due to some over-shrill acting and a silly script. As an attempt to reignite the previously successful partnership of director Philippe de Broca and Jean-Paul Belmondo it didn’t work, but the locations are beautiful and Belmondo, even in his late 60s, is still well worth watching. Amazon is included in the four disc set French Screen Icons: Jean-Paul Belmondo 3 from Madman that also includes The Professional (1981), The Outside Man (1983) and The Loner (1987).
. Sponsored by DVD Buzz.
|
Older Reviews
|
USER COMMENTS
User Comments disabled. Enable.
OTHER REVIEWS
No recent review links
|
NEW RELEASES
Week Beginning 6th February (Retail):
Battle Royale (Madman)
Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer
Future
Gantz: Perfect Answer (Blu-ray)
Hunter (2011) (Blu-ray)
Lost Highway (Blu-ray)
New York: A Documentary Film
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (Blu-ray)
Week Beginning 13th February (Retail):
Double (Blu-ray)
Shanghai (Blu-ray)
Trespass (Blu-ray)
|
