Product Reviews

Reviewer:
shabbawabba
Reviews:
0
Votes:
20 (75% helpful)

Page 1 of 0

  1.  a bit more like it guys...

    Posted: 

    As a somewhat disillusioned (but ever-faithful) bon jovi fan I wasn't sure what to expect from them this time-didn't like 'Have a nice day' much there were about 5 or 6 tracks there that i liked and 'Lost highway' was alright but lacked oomph for me in places, was really craving the 80's/early 90's stuff! little did i know that this would be more like it. The new single seemed fine, if unremarkable, but retained their knack for writing catchy songs, the album actually is quite special really. Some reviewers have likened this one to something of a coldplay/U2 hybrid, yes there is a slight whiff of that here, however i can't remember the last time either of those bands (speaking as a U2 fan also) actually sounded this good. What the listener is presented with here is more of a mature sounding band, but in a good way-in fact the album could be described as a spiritual cousin of 'These Days' but with a slight difference in tempo, there are some really nice tracks here my favourites probably being 'work for the working man' a contender for another single?-would certainly fit the climate we're in and furthermore proof of their relevance?, 'Fast Cars', 'Bullet' 'When we were beautiful' 'thorn in my side' and 'Superman tonight' but i hasten to add the others are also good-didn't care much for 'Happy now' but you can't win 'em all can you? The only thing i would disagree with is that this is a return to 'hard Rock', it arguably isn't, but it is still stadium friendly fare and will undoubtedly get the crowd in 'Jon's church of rock 'n' roll' singing along (if they select those new songs with sing-along quality). What struck me especially is the improvement and evolved quality of the lyrics,you could say there are still ballads here but they are wrapped up so well in mid tempo melodies etc that for once they don't seem forced or a rip-off of themselves (like on previous attempts) -well done fellas! I also appreciated the build up of certain songs to really quite epic arrangements, a change for them you could say on this scale? Overall a nice album from them that whilst may take a bit more time to become as memorable as previous efforts should fit quite well alongside them in time.

  2.  YES PLEASE! That'll do nicely...

    Posted: 

    Well, where does one start? Not sure how i discovered this band now that i think about it, i may have come across a picture of them...oh yes i remember i then researched on good ole google and discovered they actually sound as ace as they look! Had to see (hear) what this album was like and it hasn't disappointed i have to say. Steel Panther were always going to be mentioned in the same breath as The Darkness weren't they? I'm not saying that they aren't derivitive (that's the whole point though) and even The Darkness' first effort was good it was just over exposure in the mainstream that soiled their name. These guys however are actually different you can place the tributes and gross out and laugh at the lyrics (they swear at every available opportunity) it is time for the 80's rock revival! Bring back the flash bring back the excitement and more to the point bring back the fun party! As mentioned previously what the listener is assaulted with here is crude but catchy nonsensical (and close to the mark on occasion!) lyrics bolstered onto some pretty meaty riffs that you've secretly been craving. The haters will no doubt howl their dismay because they don't take themselves too seriously and because they represent something that is generally considered decadent but it is time to blow off the cobwebs of the boring 'alternative' scene and turn your ears off to the arguably dull and unremarkable British music scene. I don't assume that my opinion is fact and people can like whatever they like but it surely is time to stop listening to musicians who whine about how their life sucks, in order to seem credible, and just 'Party all day (F*** all night)'. If you have a sense of humour and love the great bands of the 80's get out the air guitar (if you haven't misplaced it!) and turn up to 11!

  3.  Not as bad as you are led to believe...

    Posted: 

    ...However the transfer for a dvd is the worst you will ever see! (Methinks it was taken directly from a vhs version) oh well nevermind. Onto the film,well i saw this absolutely years ago and only really remembered the ending so was so glad it appeared on dvd (nice one play!) as an avid superheroes/comic book fan i needed to have it despite the films bad (and arguably undeserved) reputation,it's better than you think. What you have here is a very low budget version of the popular character that in places succeeds in providing some great entertainment, some well edited action scenes (however few) and a largely true to the source material origin story.there is also what i believe to be a genuine attempt at some dramaticism where characters are concerned and this is where others would point out it's supposed failures, i respectfully disagree, what you have is a glaringly obvious production issue (there are arguably many) in terms of caps missing costume for most of the film but a chance to explore the alter ego of captain america-steve rodgers coming to terms with his rude awakening 50 years on. It is arguable that many superhero movies neglect the human element this however provides a nice change.
    The story does become daft but enjoyably so, pyun does an adequate job but needed more money to do more justice, so far he is the only one who attempted to do a captain america movie (until the captain america-first avenger movie) and deserves more respect really, he does ok with what he has (see also 'cyborg' and 'the sword and the sorceror') yes those are rubber ears and yes the main villain wasn't originally italian but oh well, salinger does a fine job but lets see what the next guy does. If you can overlook the terrible transfer and the aforementioned half criticisms you'll enjoy it, approach positively and without thought (the last part is probably key) and you'll enjoy it. Bring on the remake!

  4.  Brilliant...no joke

    Posted: 

    I am a huge fan of Batman and all the Batman movies, Batman Begins had the epic scale,darkness and gritiness, Batman Returns can be appreciated using just two words Michelle Pfeifer, Batman Forever is another fave and great for if you're looking for fast-paced escapist adventure it was also the first one i saw at the cinema so it holds memories for me(ahhh), i wont say too much about Batman And Robin for fear of public ridicule. Needless to say they all had something different to offer and i like 'em all, However this remains the best for me as it was the start of the reinvention and Burton hits the nail well and truly on the head. Could this be the best comic book movie ever? is such a thing possible? if it is this is a definite contender for the title. What we have is some great action, some great gadgets and a great twisted storyline that Burton obviously had fun with, Michael Keaton plays the part with real enigma and charisma and surprises everybody as to how well he does sinister also. The love interest is played well by Kim Basinger though it is difficult to put my finger on as to why this is, however overlook this in favour of Jack Nicholsons Joker villain,this he obviously enjoyed and proves to be a role that could really be called 'how to play a psyhco without breaking a sweat and without making it look like you're acting'.Ace stuff. The batsuit is well crafted and back to basics, i do agree the nipples were a puzzling choice in the later two maybe it's a historical reference to Roman armour or something or just to make them look more like a muscle-bound Adonis?. The film is shot nice and dark but still accessible to fans of tongue in cheek, there is plenty of that here as with any superhero movie, some great SFX e.g the batmobile shields hold the movie together also and i dont really think it has aged really. Overall its Burton all over, but you cant really articulate why, it's just great tried and tested Good V.S Evil. Both Batman and The Joker are likeable characters so pick a side.

  5.  Feast on this!

    Posted: 

    I agree with the other reviewer on this movie it is brilliant despite a disapointing ending, i felt the need to review this as it has been largely overlooked possibly due to the fact that it was released at the same time as The Lost Boys and does have some similarity story wise but is actually otherwise very different stylistically. I heard comparisons about this movie to The Lost Boys which coincided with its showing on tv, i didnt really like this at first cant explain why maybe because i am also a big fan of The Lost Boys and this just seemed too different style wise and almost a rehash at the time? Needless to say i gave it another go and came to my senses fully appreciating it a 2nd time, this is a seriously atmospheric movie with some clever snippets of info/lines that reveal things but dont give it all away, not only that but it is a lot more intense check out the bar scene-seriously nasty stuff! there are some great visual metaphors if you look close and some great and fresh new takes on the vampire myth, it may take some getting used to but its worth it. Look out also for a show stealing Bill Paxton, clearly enjoying himself in the role of Severen-one of the best examples of over-acting paying off nicely. This movie has some great action sequences and a little romance all put together quite eerily, in the words of Severen-'Bullseye!'

  6.  Cross the frontier with this classic!

    Posted: 

    I am really glad someone else has reviewed this because it is so underrated and deserves more recognition and also more showing on tv. This movie has heart and excitement and although the SFX could seem unfinished by todays standards they were actually very much ahead of their time and you can tell some serious work went into it. I am also glad i got this on dvd as it was a childhood favourite and remains a favourite even now, the VHS version i have still kept even though it is seriously crusty and worn it brings back memories for me like a lot of older movies do. I bought a cheap but cheerful multi region dvd player just for this and a few other rare gems/unreleased dvds that are criminally not available on R2. What you have here is simply a great adventure about a small time kid becoming a big time hero in an even more big time galactic war that probably should have been developed further. The musical score is memorable but like the whole film itself could be compared rather unfairly to star wars, alas it doesnt have the same epic feel but then Alex wouldn't be the last starfighter now would he? There are some great space dog fights, some great lines, great explosions and great larger than life characters-enter Grig the 'gung-ho Iguana'/mentor and Centauri a galactic talent scout/conman/mentor. The ending of the movie could be considered convenient and the movie should have been longer in my view but its as great as i remember it, its worth a look. Watch it once because it certainly wont be the last.

  7.  Perfect, with no unsightly tights to be found

    Posted: 

    Cant believe i am the first to write about this movie! where is everyone? this movie is one of those seemingly perfect movies where everything fits...well perfectly, Kevin Costner may puzzle some at first but i can assure you he works as well as everything else here, just turn a blind eye to his american accent and arguable mullet haircut and it'll all run smoothly, with no mean feat from the production values and supporting cast, in places it actually makes for pretty gritty viewing and damn close authenticity. If that doesnt grab you then the action, the love story that actually isnt too dominating or sugary,the villain Alan Rickman in probably his best role, fresh from his equally brilliant turn in Die Hard will steal the show.The historical aspect of Jerusalem gives a real sense of time and period, a little comedy, note a brilliant Friar Tuck and one of the coolest sidekicks, if you could call him that, in the form of Morgan Freemans Azim. Also add one witch, Sherwood forest and some great woodsmen characters and you have seriously great stuff. Again for me it has a lot of memories attached to it, i was 5 when this came out and all i wanted after watching this was a sword and a bow and arrow, of course i got what i wanted when we went on holiday to center Parcs(Sherwood forest) its every little boys dream to be that kind of hero but im sure the adults will empathise as well. Overall here is a movie that will hit the spot every time you watch it.

  8.  Lost and found

    Posted: 

    Looks like a few other people got here before me in reviewing this movie, but thats no problem im happy to join the followers on the bandwagon, it just proves the level of coolness and greatness of this movie. This is definitely one of my many favourites ever since i saw it on sky one some years ago, its difficult to say why i like it so much you'd have to watch it. The best way to describe it is to say that it is a more intense Goonies tailor-made for teenagers and therefore is possibly one of the best teen movies if put in that category. However there is more to it than this is its also one of the best vampire movies ever and a worthy contemporary to Near Dark, another brilliant vamp movie. Though the eighties as a decade is not commonly known for being cool this movie would make anyone think otherwise with its (then) young cast. Just forget the mullets and you're onto a winner with some brilliant SFX, editing, characters-note a show stealing turn from Kiefer Sutherland as the deceptively evil David, the handsome hero add in the frog brothers for some slapstick fun, an ace retro rock n roll soundtrack, the leather jackets(this film made me want one!) as well as this add into the mix the tried and tested vampire mythology, the fangs, sunlight, blood etc all updated well to a new audience, of any age and generation i might add. You cant help but get lost with this movie but you'll be glad you found it. Leave to simmer for about 100 mins for the perfect killer.

  9.  'A kind of magic'

    Posted: 

    Brilliant!, great action, great characters, great settings, great acting( i think we can overlook Lamberts attempt at a Scottish accent in favour of his more moody prescence) and a great story. This movie will grip you from the very beginning thanks not only to the opening song by queen in the form of the anthemic 'Princes Of The Universe' but also the swordfight in the car park and the flashback to 16th century Scotland. Not only this but you are presented with Christopher Lambert in probably his best and most enigmatic role and one of the best ever baddies in my view: Clancy Browns kurgen a nasty piece of work with an equally nasty but cool voice-' Macleod...' on a more personal note i have to jump on the bandwagon with the other reviewers, right as they are, as it does seemingly have everything. My mom never liked me watching this when i was younger but my dad always let me whenever she was out, this is probably why i have so many memories of this movie and why it is one of my favourites. Without repeating what the other guys said this movie is definitely one to watch and never gets tiresome or boring i promise you. Like it does with me, it will leave you saying '...Another time Macleod...'

  10.  well worth discovering

    Posted: 

    I first discovered this band when flicking through the music channels on cable a good 6 years ago, whereby i saw the video for 'Need You Tonight' i was instantly drawn into its cool grooves and really liked what i heard but the video was cool too in a retro kinda way. I got hold of the album with that song on it and became a fan instantly, however 'Need You Tonight' was only one of a string of great tracks on an album that has pop, rock, funk and a slight dance capability, listen out for the brilliant 'Mystify','New Sensation','Kick' and one of the best ballads ever in my opinion 'Never Tear Us Apart'. However if that proves too sugary there is the cool rocker 'Devil Inside'. Being into a range of rock music from many eras i found this to be an 80's album that doesn't really age it's a crime that 'Move On' didnt make the final list of tracks originally. It is definitely one of my favourites if not THE favourite with Bon Jovi's 'Slippery When Wet' coming damn close, i would definitely recommend 'Kick' to everyone as it has a bit of everything really. The deluxe version is great too as there are some unusual but great outtakes and some fun remixes that, not really being a fan of remixes, i actually liked. My advice though is that if you prefer something a little more accessible and straightforward then flip to the first disc where tou will find lots of remastered goodness