Jean Claude Van Damme 5 Movie Collection (Blu-ray Review) - Mill Creek

USA/1996-2006
Directed By: Various
Written By: Various
Starring: Jean Claude Van Damme
Color/481 Minutes/R
Region A
Release Date: March 15, 2016

The Films
MAXIMUM RISK
The film to start this package off is a perfect example of a mid 90s action flick starring an action star who had already made his best films years before. Unfortunately for the rest of this collection JCVD is our star in every film so I'm afraid that fact will remain sadly true. That said, the film has no shortage of action though it feels like it was made with weekend cable screenings in mind. The high point being the scene in the subway station where we get to see a dummy hit by a speeding subway car. The story of mistaken identities, and finding out family history feels rehashed but a couple nude scenes with co-star Natasha Henstridge keeps things interesting when the action is at a lull. An average but harmless flick.

DOUBLE TEAM
There are some things that don't make sense to me about this movie. Things like why the opening credits look like they were made with a label maker? How the hell did Dennis Rodman make it into a major motion picture? What is Mickey Rourke up to these days? You know, life's hard hitting questions. The action comedy mash up is filled with explosions, shoot outs and fantastic fight choreography but the action is the only thing keeping my attached. The story is weak, the acting is weak (how many lines can Rodman mumble his way through?) and the promise of Van Damme fighting a tiger ends up being a letdown. Oh and let us not forget how much Coke product placement there is and that our heroes are literally saved from a massive explosion by a fucking vending machine.

UNIVERSAL SOLDER: THE RETURN
The 2nd theatrical film of the series followed a pair of made for TV films and bombed at the box office and is no longer considered canon to the series. How could a JCVD vehicle from 1999 that was the fourth film in a series that had already went to TV productions for sequels twice and co-stars Bill Goldberg bomb at the box office and essentially be written out of the franchise's history you ask? It looks and feels like a video game that was already outdated by the time it was completed. I'm not at all familiar with the UNIVERSAL SOLDIER series so I don't know how this fits in but since it has been disowned I suppose it doesn't really matter. There's plenty of action but most of it feels like an amusement park thrill ride. It's always nice to see Michael Jai White and the soundtrack has some solid metal bands on it so I guess there's that.

THE HARD CORPS
A lumpy headed (seriously, what is that giant lump on Van Damme's forehead?) Van Damme plays a depressed former Army Special Forces soldier suffering from PTSD who gets a gig protecting a former boxing champion from a violent thug he sent to prison. Too much is asked of Van Damme here. He's not a great actor and it shows throughout this one but to be fair just about everyone else in this movie gives weak performances too. There's nothing funny at all about PTSD but the scene of Van Damme at the rap concert is unintentionally hilarious and that shows how much of a failure this movie is.

SECOND IN COMMAND
The final film of the set redeems things a bit after the low point that was THE HARD CORPS. SECOND IN COMMAND is an entertaining war film starring Van Damme who leads a small group of US Marines who are fighting in Eastern Europe to protect the president of Moldavia from being kidnapped. The setting is interesting giving us a tight urban environment filled with shoot outs and tense moments. It's competently written and directed and the acting is okay. This is probably the most violent film in the collection.

The Audio & Video
The first disc features the first three films reviewed above and they all looking pretty good. The picture quality is sharp with nice colors and good detail level throughout. Black levels are generally handled well with very few issues of blocking or compression. Audio is crisp with no damage or background noise. The second disc features the final two films on the set so you'd imagine image quality would fare a bit better or at least be as good. That isn't the case as THE HARD CORPS and SECOND IN COMMAND use obviously dated masters and don't look much better than an upconvert to HD. Detail lacks and colors don't shine like they would in a proper HD transfer. SIC is rather hazy and soft as well. Oddly enough the worst looking movies in the set are the most recent productions. The audio on this disc is fine, comparable to the first disc.

The Extras
None.

The Bottom Line
The films are a mixed bag with some good, some bad but mostly everything is in the middle and just okay. If you're a big JCVD fan the set is a no brainer and at the bargain price point that Mill Creek is offering this collection of films at if you're even remotely interested in it you'd be a fool not to give it a chance.

JEAN CLAUDE VAN DAMME 5 MOVIE COLLECTION is available HERE

THE BEFORE TIME (DVD Review) - Brain Damage Films

USA/2014

Directed By: Miguel Muller

Written By: Scott Bunt

Starring: Ted Jonas, Jules Hartley, Aidan Marus

Color/80 Minutes/Not Rated

Region FREE

Release Date: March 8, 2016

The Film

The headless bodies of eight Hispanic men have been found in the Arizona desert spiking TV ratings. An independent producer proposes a reality TV show idea to capitalize on the story and the ratings based around two rival groups investigating the story and the legend of an ancient treasure of gold buried in the area but they quickly find out the truth lurking in the desert is far more dangerous than they could have imagined. 

THE BEFORE TIME uses the found footage, handheld camera style to show the story of this reality show cast as they venture in to the desert and try to set up shots and scenes for their production. The group is filled with semi-famous local talent and a lot of shitty young attitudes with big dreams about making it big. Sometimes they're serious about getting their work done and others they're disrespecting locals and acting like stereotypical assholes. They fall victim to creepy natives, drug laced foods and ghostly occurrences as each day brings them deeper and deeper into the unforgiving desert.

It all feels familiar, like ground we've tread before. It's predictable and despite being decently made and having an exciting scene or two, it's not very interesting. The cast is decent but their writing is lazy. The movie leaves too much to the imagination and doesn't give us the visual goods often enough. It's an attempt at making the film more psychologically driven than it needs or even should be. 

THE BEFORE TIME isn't a bad film overall but it doesn't capitalize on its best aspects and suffers from many of the downfalls of the found footage style.

The Audio & Video

Brain Damage Films gives THE BEFORE TIME a nice home on DVD with a 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer that has a sharp look and good colors for a standard def transfer. Black levels are deep and there's no problems with compression or blocking. The mostly English audio which features sporadic Spanish with English subtitles is handled with a 5.1 surround mix which sounds very nice. There's no damage or background noise and the overall quality is crisp and powerful when needed.

The Extras

-Behind the scenes featurette

-Trailer

The Bottom Line

If you're a lover of the found footage genre you'll find plenty to enjoy with THE BEFORE TIME. 

THE BEFORE TIME is available HERE

SUSPENSION (2015)

Canada/2015
Director: Jeffery Scott Lando
Writer: Kevin Mosley
Starring: Ellen MacNevin, Sage Brocklebank, Kylee Bush

SUSPENSION tells the story of Emily, an unpopular high school girl still coming to terms with the fact that her father went on a murder spree years before. To help her cope, she draws a graphically violent comic fictionalizing the murders. But as she loses herself in her own story, the line between what's real and what's not begins to blur.

SUSPENSION is the first film I've watched as part of 2015's "8 Films To Die For", and I have to admit that going in I didn't really hold out much hope for any of them. That being said, SUSPENSION was actually pretty decent. I got real excited by the opening title sequence which was just an overhead shot slowly following a truck as it pulled up to a barn. Yet there was a filter on the shot that made it appear to be a comic book style line drawing. While this isn't anything we haven't seen before, I thought it was an interesting stylistic choice that not only looked pretty cool but tied in with the theme of the comic our main character is drawing throughout the movie. In fact, SUSPENSION is filled with a lot of interesting stylistic choices that I really appreciated. Unfortunately, the plot of the film is just pretty by the numbers. The movie is filled with plot twists that anyone who's ever seen a horror movie can see coming from a mile away. And ultimately, Suspension becomes another horror movie that looks good, but doesn't really have a lot of substance.

Review by Shawn Wolfe

EROTIC ADVENTURE OF CANDY / CANDY GOES TO HOLLYWOOD (Blu-ray Review) - Vinegar Syndrome

Vinegar Syndrome gives us two re-releases this month, with this double feature of the CANDY film by Gail Palmer being the first and is an upgrade to Blu-ray over the previous Peekarama Collection DVD released back in July of 2014. This is a welcomed upgrade of an already attractive that really could (and did) stand on its own two feet.

The Blu-ray carries over all of the same content as the DVD which we reviewed upon its release. You can see that review HERE. Instead of writing all the same things over again I will save you some time by saying the picture is sharper, with more overall depth but especially in details such as clothing and surface textures. The skin tones look gorgeous with a natural fleshiness that only a well done Blu-ray transfer can convey. The upgrade from an already well done DVD is immediately and constantly noticeable.

The Blu-ray of THE EROTIC ADVENTURES OF CANDY and CANDY GOES TO HOLLYWOOD  is worth the upgrade if you already have the DVD and certainly worth a first time purchase if you haven't picked up the previous DVD and is available HERE

MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK (Blu-ray Review) - Mill Creek

USA/1993
Directed By: Bob Balaban
Written By: Dean Lorey
Starring: Andrew Lowery, Traci Lind, Danny Zorn
Color/85 Minutes/PG-13
Region A
Release Date: March 15, 2016

The Film
Johnny Dingle has had eyes only for Missy McCloud since they were small children and now Missy is the hottest girl in school With prom approaching Johnny concocts a scheme to get Missy to be his prom date but things go awry and Johnny winds up dead. The grave can't contain Johnny after Missy has already said yes though so he's back from the dead and ready to party... if he can keep himself together.

MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK is a charmingly funny high school comedy romance with an interesting idea behind it. The cast, including Andrew Lowery as Johnny and Traci Lind as Missy are great and have good chemistry. It's a cute mix between the Brat Pack pictures of the 80's and the more family friendly horror trend of the later 80s. Unfortunately the movie relies on two or three recurring gags that lose a bit of their punch with each recurring use. Body parts falling off an inopportune times is funny but it turns the film into a one trick pony by the end.

When it's all said and done MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK is a mixed bag as many of the jokes are repeated too often and the story of Missy's dad, along with most of the town, wanting to kill Johnny because he's a zombie become stale too quickly. The relationship between Missy and Johnny help carry the film passed these issues and keep things light and fun enough to be an enjoyable viewing experience.

The Audio & Video
Mill Creek gives MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK its debut on Blu-ray with an attractive 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that is largely very well done. The image is sharp and has a warm color palette. Detail level is often quite strong in surfaces and textures but there is some light digital noise reduction noticeable, heavier at certain points than other, that give the image a slight waxy quality. There's also a couple incidents of edge enhancement that could have been passed up with no damage done. Skin tones look healthy and natural when they aren't dealing with the DNR issue and black levels are deep and don't suffer from any sort of crush or compression. There's a bit of speckling scattered throughout but the picture quality is quite clean and free of any debris for the most part. The Dolby Digital surround mix is nicely done, with a crisp quality that is free of any damage or background noise. The original score by Harry Manfredini and the soundtrack of 80s and 90s pop rock tracks blend nicely with the dialogue. Overall the technical quality of the disc is imperfect but a damn fine job that fans of the film will welcome with open arms that hopefully don't fall off.

The Extras
Bare bones.

The Bottom Line
There are some flaws that keep MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK from being held in the same regard as the classic teen comedies of its era but it's still an entertaining, lighthearted comedy that brings the laughs often enough.

MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK is available HERE

EROTIC ADVENTURES OF CANDY / CANDY GOES TO HOLLYWOOD (Blu-ray Review) - Vinegar Syndrome

Vinegar Syndrome gives us two re-releases this month, this double feature of the CANDY films by Gail Palmer being an upgrade to Blu-ray over the previous Peekarama Collection DVD released back in July of 2014. This is a welcomed upgrade over an already attractive version that really could (and did) stand on its own two feet. 

This Blu-ray carries over all of the same content as the DVD which was reviewed upon its release. You can see that review HERE. Instead of writing all the same things over again I will save you time by saying the picture is sharper, with more overall depth but especially in details such as clothing and surface textures. The skin tones look gorgeous with a natural fleshiness that only a well done Blu-ray transfer can really convey. The upgrade from an already well done DVD is immediately and constantly noticeable.

The Blu-ray of EROTIC ADVENTURES OF CANDY and CANDY GOES TO HOLLYWOOD is worth an upgrade if you already have the DVD and certainly worth a first time purchase if you haven't picked up the previous DVD.

Note: There's a single frame digital glitch at the end of the first film, just before the credits which is the result of a manufacturing error. This could easily be overlooked but Vinegar Syndrome has already begun repressing corrected discs and is setting up a replacement program for those that have already purchased the disc. You can get in contact with them on their Facebook page for more information.

A VIOLENT LIFE (DVD Review) - One 7 Movies

Italy/1970
Directed By: Sergio Citti
Written By: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Starring: Laurent Terzieff, Franco Citti, Anita Sanders
Color/140 Minutes/Not Rated
Region FREE
Release Date: February 9, 2016

The Film
Bandiera and Rabbino are brothers living in the poor waterside town of Ostia. The brothers make their living by committing petty crimes for food and money. The brothers drink away their problems and don't deal with their lifelong struggles with religion put on them by their abusive father. They discover a runaway girl sleeping in a field one day and bring her home and a bond quickly forms between the three until a stint in jail for the brothers separates them from the girl and their relationship takes a violent turn once they're reunited.

Off the bat A VIOLENT LIFE is uneven in several ways, most of all in tone. A drama about relationships of all sorts, the film is heavily plagued with bits of out of place comedy and upbeat music. The film's flow is choppy feeling more like episodes of the trio's life. There are some powerful moments including a flashback to when the Badiera (Laurent Terzieff) and Rabbino (Franco Citti) were young boys and their father kills their beloved goat and the whole family has a hearty laugh at their expense, even making fun of their tears. This event leads to a powerful shift in the brothers that sets them on their life's path.

While the movie isn't perfect it does give an interesting and poignant view into the mind of Pier Paolo Pasolini (Salo: The 120 Days Of Sodom). His views on relationships, religion (particularly the Catholic church), government and more are easily apparent without being preachy or egotistical. That is what makes A VIOLENT LIFE worth watching.

The Audio & Video
One 7 Movies delivers A VIOLENT LIFE on DVD with an anamorphic widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The picture looks decent and is perfectly watchable but detail isn't amazing and the film's overall look is bland. This style does fit the setting of the movie however so it works in that regard. The audio is in the film's native Italian with a mono mix that is clear and free of any background noise. It's not a dynamic mix but it gets the job done nicely. There are optional English subtitles which are easy enough to follow along with and read well despite a few spelling or grammatical errors sprinkled throughout. The main issue with the subtitles is that whenever there is a break in dialogue the subtitles of the last words spoken remain on the screen until there is another line of dialogue. Breaks in dialogue can last several minutes so it is a bit annoying even if it isn't totally distracting.

The Extras
Bare bones.

The Bottom Line
The film is flawed but it has some merits to it. Most of all it is an interesting piece of Pasolini's filmography and worth watching to experience more from the controversial artist.

A VIOLENT LIFE is available HERE