The Devil's Tomb Movie Review

Title: The Devil's Tomb

Format: DVD 

Year: 2009

Label: Lionsgate


Directed by Jason Connery and staring Cuba Gooding Jr. this is a pseudo religious horror movie with a familiar theme and a few familiar faces.


Like so many low budget movies of late, The Devil's Tomb secures a couple of big name stars to play small roles to boost it's marketability but this doesn't really help the production value in this case.

A group of elite soldiers are enlisted to penetrate an underground bunker where

a secret is hidden and evil is unleashed....so it's basically a cross between outpost and The Thing. Where Outpost excels with it's £200,000 budget, The Devil's Tomb fails with it's $10,000,000 budget.

Now I actually like Cuba Gooding Jr. He's a great actor when he puts the effort in and I like some of his recent efforts - he is becoming a kind of B-Movie legend, BUT this film does him no favors at all ( and he does the film no favors .) His expression hardly changes throughout the entire think. Ray Winston has a minute role which he manages to make ridiculous with his bizarre accent and although Ron Perlman's performance is ok, it is not enough to save us.

The rest of the cast a ok, by TV standards, but there are times when it feels like a cheap episode of star trek next gen.

All in all, the direction is ok, the story is predictable, the effects and makeup are good, the characters are poor and the acting is wooden ok.


UK Films Rating: 3/10
Release Rating: 7/10 - Good transfer, cast & crew interviews.
Did James like it? No

Death Run Movie Review

Title: Death Run
Format: DVDR
Year: 1987
Label: Unknown


A Trash movie from prolific zero budget movie director Michael J Murphy - this one is a cracker. A post apocalyptic romp filmed in the UK on a shoestring with terrible acting, awful action sequences and bad makeup. But it has a decent storyline and a lot of charm.

The acting is bad but it's no worse than alot of the acting in some of the Italian outings filmed on much bigger budgets.

The same goes for the makeup and sound. Bad by normal standards, but perfectly acceptable in this genre. I may be mistaken but it feels like the director intentionally set out to make a poor man's Bronx Worriors and ended up creating something not too far out of the ball park.

The story involves a couple being cryogenically frozen to survive the oncoming nuclear apocalypse. They awaken 25 years later and find themselves in a new world full of mutants and diseased gangs. This couple are introduced as the main characters, but they don't really have any presence and their acting is probably the poorest of all. But this is not a problem, there is plenty going on which detracts away from them. About halfway through we are introduces to another lead male character with more muscles and slightly better acting ability.

The bad guy is called Massiah - A bisexual english mutant Nazi. It kinda works. There are also plenty ( or a few ) scantily clad girls, lots of blood and some excellent cheesefest dialogue. The direction is good. Typical exploitation low angles. The only unforgivable element is the action / fight scenes. Everyone looks like they are afraid of hurting each other. 

I really like this one. For the budget and considering the acting ability and locations available, I think they did a pretty good job. The picture quality is fine ( shot on 16mm ) the music is quirky, the dialogue sounds like it was dubbed in a bathroom but again, not a problem. Really deserves a decent DVD release.

UK Films Rating: 6/10
Release Rating: N/A
Did James like it? Yes

Death Sentence Movie Review

Title: Death Sentence
Format: DVD
Year: 2007
Label: Entertainment In Video


This is a revenge movie, pure and simple. Done many times before by many great actors and directors, but this one is a little different. Now I'm a big fan of revenge movies. I'm a fan of vigilante movies too. What these movies all seem to have in common is the fact that the protagonist is driven so much that when they go on their revenge mission, nothing can stop them or make them feel that revenge is the wrong way to proceed. Also, the good guy is usually pretty bad ass. These two common denominators are missing from Death Sentence, and that's the beauty of it.

I can't say that I'm a fan of Kevin Bacon, but for me, this movie proves that he

is in fact a solid actor that can connect with the audience and it has made me warm to him as an actor. The reason for this bold statement, is that his charactor is so very vulnerable and he portrays this so bloody well.

Bacon's character is an average joe. He witnesses his son's murder. He seeks revenge with no skills, no confidence and no solid plans. It goes wrong and then he has to deal with the consequences. There are some Taxi Driver / Falling Down moments thrown in for good measure too.

John Goodman is pretty cool in this and on a whole the acting is great. It's a small movie that has a unique flavor.

At times, the direction is outstanding and there are some elaborate set pieces and a super long single take in a multistory carpark which is brilliant.
All in all I was entertained and somewhat surprised by Death Sentence. It may feel slow paced in places, but it's worth sticking with.

UK Films Rating: 7/10
Release Rating: 6/10 - Poor Transfer, over saturated. Excellent making of.
Did James like it? Yes

2010 Movie Review

Title: 2010
Format: DVD
Year: 1984
Label: Warner Bros.


A Sci-Fi sequel with a hell of alot to live up to. Did it succeed in this task - well it turns out that living upto the Kubrick's original 2001 is not really what this movie aims to do. If that was the task, it fails, but that is not to say that 2010 isn't an outstanding sci-fi film in it's own right.

2001 was a visual, emotional and atmospheric treat. 2010 manages use these elements but also intergrates more on dialogue to develop the characters and the plot.

I must say I am a big fan of 2001 and for this reason, I didn't feel the need to

watch 2010 until recently as I feared great disappointment. How wrong I was.

The effects are outstanding even by today's standards. The acting is solid, the characters are well developed and the plot is intriguing. It can be hard to understand at times, and would maybe have been easier to take in if the crew acted a little more confused about the discoveries they make so that the viewer could empathise, but this is a minor niggle.

In places it reminds me of Disney's 'The Black Hole' and you can also see where more recent films such as Event Horizon and Sphere found their inspiration.

This is not a Kubrick film and shouldn't be expected to be. If you are a sci-fi fan and watch this movie with an open mind you might just find a new sci-fi top 20 candidate.

UK Films Rating: 8/10
Release Rating: 6/10 - Good transfer and no real features.
Did James like it? Yes

City Hall Movie Review

Title: City Hall
Format: DVD
Year: 1996
Label: Warner Bros.


This is a political thriller staring Al Pacino and John Cusack with a minor supporting role by Bridget Fonda.

The plot revolves around the Mayor of New York ( Pacino ) and his deputy ( Cusack ) caught up in a political scandal when a young boy is caught in the cross-fire between a mobster and a cop. The boy dies. In fact all three die. It becomes a political mine field when suggestions that the cop was dirty hit the media.

The acting is top class with all actors including the supporting roles delivering outstanding performances. The only exception is Bridget Fonder. It's not a terrible performance but the makes no real impact or connection with the other characters. This may be down to the writing. She is a similar role to Sandra Bullock in A Time To kill which was released in the same year, but Fonda's Character is not developed we'll enough and feels like an after thought. "We need a supporting actress similar to that film they are shooting over at Warner Bros."

The direction is excellent and the whole production is slick. In a very 
90's way. Maybe too slick.

The plot develops nicely and at a steady pace allowing the characters to develop and the bond between the Mayor and his deputy to cross over to the viewer.

After you get over the dense dialogue, the American political  and New York colloquial  Dialect and etiquette, you start to get a feel for the city. The viewer is lead to feel less alienated by the fact that Cussack's character is not originally from New York and although he tries to actively participate and integrate the Cultural influences present in City Hall into his own life, he is still only learning.

When you finally get around to absorbing the plot, you may think that you know how it will end. You are probably right. But the journey is worth the ride in my opinion. Even though there are no major unexpected twists, the way the prices come together is engaging mainly due to the fact that the actor make the character feel real.

In conclusion I would recommend this movie for those who enjoy political thrillers. There have been some great ones in recent times and this one is often over- looked. 

UK Films Rating: 7.5/10
Release Rating: 3/10 - OK transfer and only a Trailer
Did James like it? Yes

Freerunner Movie Review

Title: Freerunner
Format: DVD
Year: 2011
Label: Revolver

The stars of the very successful Football Factory & The Business team up again for 'The Ultimate Death Race.' Sounds like fun.

First of all I have to mention that I have been sorely disappointed with Hassan & Dyer's recent films with the exception of Dead Man Running which I actually enjoyed. The duo seem to be living out their roles from The Business in real life. From the heights of success and coolness to the dirty shell-suited desperadoes just clinging on to a slither of dignity in their third act. But that could all change with 'Freerunner.'

The UK DVD release from revolver 
features Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan weilding massive machine guns. It looks cool, but you soon realise by reading the synopsis on the back that neither of them in the lead role in this movie. Sean Francis is. He is not on the front cover at all. So we know the cover is misleading, not a good start, but at this point I'm not put off. 

The movie starts with some overly stylised shaky camera footage of some free runners - running and jumping. It's ok but doesn't really hold your attention. The added film grain and colour grading seems to work ok, but that damn shaky camera is so annoying. We get a glimpse of Hassan and Dyer and then some bad acting by the freerunners. Oh dear. There is some voiceover work by Hassan ( or was it Dyer, I can't remember ) and then we are introduced to the main character who has an internal dialogue voice over. Not a good start for him either BUT after the pointless monologue, we see some actual acting and it turns out that Sean Feris actually carries this film. His acting is good, he looks like Tom Cruise, he sounds like Tom Cruise and he is playing a similar role to... Tom Cruise 'Race against time...get to the bad guys before they get to you' - It works. That is the the positives. All of the positives in that one sentence.

The negatives are substantial. The film has too many vibes going on. Serious action vibe, tongue in cheek vibe, grindhouse vibe... Some of the characters don't seem to know what their motivation is or what context to play their roles. Dyers character is unconvincing as the main bad guy. Hassan doesn't really have a role worth mentioning at all.

The first half of the film is very hard work. The acting is bad, the direction is awful, the freerunning stuff is tedious and the story is very weak. The second half is alot better, the real story is revealed and the race begins. There story is basically: a group of freerunners have to race to the other side of town. They have exploding colors fitted. Only one will survive. Bets are taken from billionaires and it's televised in a running man style. The main problem with this is freerunning. It just isn't necessary and is actually quite boring to watch. They are meant to be fighting for their lives but the fights are general action is lame. It would have been much better to stick to the old tried and tested random people or bad-ass convicts.

To summerise. The main problem with Freerunner is the free running. The second problem is that Dyer and Hassan's characters are one dimensional at best. The fact that the DVD miss-leads the viewer so badly really doesn't help matters. Those guns shown on the cover are not in the movie at all. Hassan doesn't go anywhere near a gun at any point and Dyer spends 99% of his screen time in an office.

UK Films Rating: 3/10
Release Rating: 7/10 - Behind Scenes and freerunning extras
Did James like it? No

Sexy Beast Movie Review

Title: Sexy Beast
Format: DVD
Year: 2000
Label: FilmFour

Sexy Beast is a gangster movie featuring Ray Winstone. Maybe you are thinking that about sums it up, I know that's all I'd really have to know to make my own assumptions as to the nature of the movie - a gritty London based run of the mill cockney  cock fight. This is not at all what this film is like - is that a good thing? I'm not entirely sure.

The story revolves around two couples, retired from a life of crime who have found peace and harmony living the good life on Spain. A face from the past appears summoning Ray Winston's character to return to London for 'one last job' - so far so big standard. The difference here being that Ray Winston is not the hard man. He's afraid if saying no and it takes alot of courage for him to say no. Ben Kingsley's character will not accept no for an answer. 

I must say that the direction shows some real flares of genius but also is left wanting in other places. The script is great but the plot doesn't quite deliver. The acting is superb especially by Cavan Kendall and Ben Kingsley.

It feels like a gangster film fighting against being an art film which doesn't quite sit well together. It may be my own Pre-conceived notions of what a gangster movie, or maybe even a conflict movie should be, but for me, although it has a great atmosphere, it never really feels immersive. The plot doesn't thrill. Maybe it isn't meant to. The lead character is not a hero. Again maybe this is not a bad thing, it's very realistic in that sense and it gives the character some genuine depth.

The release itself is very good. Great packaging and artwork. Lots of extra features.

On the whole I would recommend watching this movie we a Pre-warning not to expect your typical gangster film. If you go into expecting that, it will lead you on for the first half of the movie and you may be disappointed with the second half.

UK Films Rating: 7/10
Release Rating: 8/10 - Exellent transfer. Trailers. Behind Scenes...
Did James like it? Yes