Saturday 9 April 2011

DVD Reviews

Midgets vs Mascots
Starring: Gary Coleman, Scottie Pippen, Jordan Prentice
Director: Ron Carlson
Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment

Available Now - £12.99 (DVD) & £19.99 (Blu-ray)
Review by Brad Harmer

Five midgets and five mascots fight it out in thirty ridiculous, Jackass-like challenges for a $10 Million prize left by an eccentric, midgets-mascot-loving millionaire. Wrestling live alligators, risking their lives and generally humiliating themselves, this motley cast will do anything to win...Watch as mascots are mauled by bulls, midgets are challenged to drinking games and Gary Coleman fights NBA star Scottie Pippen in his last ever role.

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t expecting much of this and, thankfully, I was rather pleasantly surprised. It’s a fun, toilet humour based mockumentary that never takes itself seriously and has great fun with the whole concept. Gary Coleman is the real star of the show, and his one-liners can be hilarious.

Of course, it’s not all roses. There are some real pacing issues, with things either hanging around a scene for far too long, or skipping along willy nilly when there’s plenty of mileage left. It’s fun, but flawed. Get a few beers in, rent a copy and chuckle with friends...but definitely try before you buy.

The Emotionally Fourteen Rating
Violence:
Several scenes of slapstick comedy and fighting.
Sex/Nudity: Lots of sexual humour and partial nudity.
Swearing: Frequent and strong.
Summary: A fun comedy farce with some occasionally pacing problems. Definitely worth a rental, though. 7/10
Marchlands
Starring: Dean Andrews, Alex Kingston, Jodie Whittaker
Director: Stephen Greenhorn
ITV Studios Home Entertainment

Available Now - £19.99 (Double DVD)
Review by Brad Harmer

Marchlands is the story of three different families living in the same house across three generations, the 1960s, 1980s and the present day. The families are linked by the spirit of a young girl, Alice - the daughter of a family that lived in the house in 1968, who died under mysterious circumstances.

This series is well put together, but the acting comes across as a little stilted in places (and not from the child actors, you may be surprised to learn). Still, Dennis “Wedge Antilles” Lawson is in this, so we can forgive it most things.

Marchlands isn’t especially scary, but what it is is a really good mystery story that will keep you guessing right up to the end as to how everything is going to wrap up. It’s wonderfully plotted with a great sense of progression as another thread of lies unravels and another clue comes to light. There are some creepy moments along the way, but nothing that you could truly call scary.

The effects are about as good as you’d expect for an ITV mini-series (ie. not very), but still...Wedge.

The Emotionally Fourteen Rating
Violence:
One pretty realistic and bloody beat-down.
Sex/Nudity: Several scenes where bonking has obviously just happened, and sex is a central theme in the story, but there’s nothing explicit onscreen.
Swearing: Some mild British slang swearing.
Summary: Whilst never truly scary, this ghostly mystery will keep you guessing right up to the end. Excellently produced and acted, and worth a look. 8/10

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART ONE: BEHIND THE SCENES


Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort's immortality and destruction - the Horcruxes. On their own and on the run, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever...but Dark Forces in their midst threaten to tear them apart. Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place. The long-­‐feared war has begun and the Dark Lord has seized control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting all who might oppose him. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort...alive.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ -- Part 1 releases on Blu-ray and DVD Monday 11 April



DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK

Set in beautiful Vancouver, four friends set out on an everyday errand and end up in a fight for their lives when they discover the body of a dead hooker left in their trunk. Lead by a sexy, impulsive Badass, her distant Geek twin sister, their bible thumping, Jesus loving Goody Two Shoes friend, and a chaotic, rock star Junkie pal, the group has to put aside their differences to dispose of the body before they're next. Thrown into their own personal purgatory, they face off against persistent police, a sleazy motel manager, chainsaw wielding triads, and a brutal serial killer. All the while they are followed by a mysterious Cowboy Pimp who wants to claim the corpse for his own. Will they uncover the truth behind the body and be able to stand up to their demons? Buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life filled with gun fights, extreme violence, blood, guts, gore, and goats.

The debut feature film written, directed and produced by Jen & Sylvia Soska and featuring music by Fake Shark-Real Zombie! is released on DVD in the UK by Bounty Films on 23 May 2011.

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