DVD Talk DVD ReviewsDVD Talk DVD Review RSS FeedThe Happening- June 13, 2008 Rent It The opening movement of "The Happening" is a virtuoso guitar solo of alarm. It's the sharpest collection of footage writerdirector M. Night Shyamalan has ever committed to the screen, launching his latest picture on a giddy note of assured doom; a chilling introduction to the human race's greatest adversary: the unknown.When a deadly toxin is released into the air, it causes the public to lash out in violent ways, rolling out waves of...http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=33580 The Children of Huang Shi- June 13, 2008 Rent It Ah, white people. What can't they do "Children of Huang Shi" serves up another steaming pile of Caucasian liberation with the story of George Hogg, whose acts of heroism and benevolence saved a small army of innocent children and guaranteed him a spot as a future cinematic subject. In 1930's China as a journalist, Englishman George Hogg (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) stumbled around the countryside documenting the violent unrest between the Chinese.http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=33578 The Incredible Hulk- June 13, 2008 Recommended HULK SMASH! And he does in a big way in "The Incredible Hulk," a Hollywood patch job of sorts; a production aiming to realign the comic book chi lost to Ang Lee's angst-riddled "Hulk" back in 2003. Now, instead of heavy characterization and a glum attitude, "Incredible" reinstates the basics of the big green hero: destruction and solitude.Hiding out peacefully in South America to keep his Gamma-induced mutation in control, Bruce Banner..http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=33579 Quid Pro Quo- June 13, 2008 Recommended Though it plays like a diluted version of David Cronenberg's "Crash," "Quid Pro Quo" impressively maintains a bewildering mood, probing into an underbelly of cracked minds and disturbing matters of desire. It frustratingly refuses to go bonkers, but the film is a compelling sit, brought to life by two very crafty, pointed performances.Partially paralyzed since he was eight years old, Isaac (Nick Stahl) has made a name for himself...http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=33577 The Incredible Hulk- June 12, 2008 Recommended When it was first announced that there would be a follow up to director Ang Lee's 2003 film Hulk, it seemed like The Inconceivable Hulk would have been a more appropriate title than The Incredible Hulk. "Inconceivable" because Lee's film was a significant disappointment that brought highbrow drama to a character that is most entertaining when he is smashing things, resulting in a movie that very few people were clamoring to see more of..http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=33558 You Don't Mess with the Zohan- June 5, 2008 Recommended There's much to celebrate in "You Don't Mess with the Zohan," which marks the return of Adam Sandler to an unhinged level of farce he's been trying to stifle recently in his career. However, "Zohan" is like a second piece of birthday cake: it looks and tastes terrific, but it's just too much indulgence. Hey, I'm just thrilled Sandler has stopped trying to pluck heartstrings for the first time in a long time. A Mossad agent who's...http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=33488 The Promotion- June 5, 2008 Rent It I really like comedies where two stubborn individuals battle it out for one coveted prize, ignoring all common sense and social grace. Think War of the Roses or Grumpy Old Men. The Promotion really wants to be that kind of film, but sadly, it is not.For his directorial debut, writer Steve Conrad (The Pursuit of Happyness, The Weather Man) takes two regular guys and pits them against one another to see who can get the manager's job at a new..http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=33490 Mongol- June 5, 2008 Rent It "Mongol" is looking to call its own shot with big, wet cinematic brush strokes of epic storytelling, blood-spattered violence, heroic romanticism, volatile brotherhoods, tragic childhood trauma, historical leanings, and animalistic mysticism. After two excruciating hours watching the film, I will say it's all very epic. It's like watching paint dry, but still epic.As a young Mongolian boy, Temudjin watched as his father ruled the land, only.http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=33487 Kung Fu Panda- June 5, 2008 Highly Recommended It's strange to behold a CG-animated film that leads with a swift pace and can manage to unfurl a laborious morale without grinding the whole production to a halt. "Kung Fu Panda" is a real charmer; a lightweight, generously funny family film that benefits from simplicity and a buffet of Asian cinema influences to pick from.Giant panda Po (voiced by Jack Black) is stuck in his role as the son of a popular noodle chef. Frustrated,.http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=33489 The Strangers- June 1, 2008 Skip It "The Strangers" answers the question: could a movie be made where nothing actually happens A breathtakingly boring motion picture, "Strangers" proves a filmmaker needs more than spooky masked killers and brain-dead protagonists to craft a successful suspense offering.Returning home late one night after some painful relationship matters are revealed at a wedding, Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) quietly go about their business..http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=33439 |