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Summary: Samuel L Jackson and Colin Farrell swagger through "S.W.A.T.", a guns-and-big-trucks macho extravaganza based on the 1970s TV show of the same name, in which police teams are brought in to take care of extremely dangerous situations. Jackson plays a sergeant brought out of retirement to form a new squad, which includes rebellious Farrell and tough babe Michelle Rodriguez.
After a lot of training and head-butting with a smarmy police captain, the squad gets assigned to transfer the head of a European crime cartel (Olivier Martinez) who's declared on television that he'll give $100 million to anyone who gets him out. Every scumbag in Los Angeles descends to claim the money, turning a routine transfer into a bullet-filled gauntlet. Despite some gaps in logic and a generic flavour, "S.W.A.T." will satisfy most action-movie junkies. --"Bret Fetzer"

Languages: English

Subtitles: English

Summary: SALT is the story of award-winning and internationally-renowned photographer, Murray Fredericks, on his annual solo pilgrimage to the heart of Lake Eyre in the remote north corner of South Australia. Alone on the most featureless landscape on earth, SALT interweaves Murray's sublime pictures, with innovative time-lapse sequences, and illuminating and exposing video diary excerpts. Stripped back to its essentials, Murray's emotional and mind altering roller-coaster ride is told through a fusion of personally reflective sound bytes and satellite phone conversations with his wife and family at home in Sydney. Totally isolated, with only the horizon line as his reference point, and thoughts as his only companion, Murray is forced to overcome the environmental elements of rain, mud plains, lightning, equipment failure and the ever intrusive salt. The resulting photographs are not just sublime pictures of a remote and surreal location-they are still points that punctuate a journey of the mind and spirit. Fredericks looks into the abyss and finds that, in the midst of nothingness, there is everything.

Languages: English

Subtitles: English

Sound: AC-3

Summary: Even Things That Go Bump in the Night Need Protection…
“with cutting-edge technology, "Sanctuary" creates a world teaming with mermaids, dinosaurs and monster mayhem” – TV Guide
Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping) is a brilliant and enigmatic scientist who seeks out all manner of monstrous creatures. Aided by her protégé, forensic psychiatrist Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne), and her fearless daughter Ashley (Emilie Ullerup), the Sanctuary team tracks down, studies and protects the strange and often terrifying creatures that secretly populate our world.
As seen on Sci Fi Channel (Syfy), "Sanctuary" is one of the only series to shoot extensively on green screen using extraordinary visual effects and virtual sets. Helmed by some of the innovative talents behind "Stargate SG-1" and "Stargate Atlantis", the series creative team includes executive producer, writer and creator Damian Kindler; executive producer and lead actor Amanda Tapping; and executive producer and director Martin Wood.
BONUS FEATURES:
Audio commentaries on all 13 episodes with cast and crew including Amanda Tapping, creator Damian Kindler, director Martin Wood and more
3 Making-of Featurettes: “Welcome to the Sanctuary”, “Sanctuary Residents”, “"Sanctuary" Visual Effects”
Sanctuary: The Original Webisodes
Bloopers, Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery
Season Two Sneak Peek

Stills from Sactuary: Season 1 (Click for larger image)

Summary: Since its release in 1998, Steven Spielberg's D-Day drama "Saving Private Ryan" has become hugely influential: everything, from the opening sequence of "Gladiator" ("Saving Marcus Aurelius") to the marvellous 10-hour TV series "Band of Brothers", has been made in its shadow. There have been many previous attempts to recreate the D-Day landings on screen (notably, the epic "The Longest Day"), but thanks to Spielberg's freewheeling hand-held camerawork, "Ryan" was the first time an audience really felt like they were there, storming up Omaha Beach in the face of withering enemy fire.
After the indelible opening sequence, however, the film is not without problems. The story, though based on an American Civil War incident, feels like it was concocted simply to fuel Spielberg's sentimental streak. In standard Hollywood fashion the Germans remain a faceless foe (with the exception of one charmless character who turns out to be both a coward and a turncoat); and the Tom Hanks-led platoon consists of far too many stereotypes: the doughty Sergeant; the thick-necked Private; the Southern man religious sniper; the cowardly Corporal. Matt Damon seems improbably clean-cut as the titular Private in need of rescue (though that may well be the point); and why do they all run straight up that hill towards an enemy machine gun post anyway? Some non-US critics have complained that "Ryan" portrays only the American D-Day experience, but it is an American film made and financed by Americans after all. Accepting both its relatively narrow remit and its lachrymose inclinations, "Saving Private Ryan" deserves its place in the pantheon of great war pictures.
On the DVD: "Saving Private Ryan" on disc comes in a good-quality anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer with a suitably dynamic Dolby Digital 5.1 sound mix in which bullets fly all around your living room. Extra features are pretty minimal, with a standard 30-minute "making of" piece called "Into the Breach" and two trailers. There are text notes on the cast and crew as well as the production, and a brief message from Mr Spielberg himself about why he decided to make the movie. --"Mark Walker"

Summary: Turbo-charged comic Jack Black shakes "School of Rock" to its foundations, wailing with born-again metalhead passion as Dewey Finn, a guitarist who gets kicked out of a band because he grandstands too much--or, to put it another way, enjoys himself. Through an intercepted phone call, Finn gets a job as a substitute teacher for a fifth grade class at a private grade school. Neither students nor teacher quite know what to do with each other until Finn discovers that some of his young charges can play instruments; at once he starts turning them into a blistering rock & roll troupe that can crush his former band at an upcoming competition. School of Rock is silly and formulaic, but director Richard Linklater ("Dazed and Confused"), writer Mike White ("The Good Girl"), and especially Black and co-star Joan Cusack invest the formulas with such glee that the movie is irresistibly fun. --"Bret Fetzer"
On the DVD: Like the movie, the DVD extras are smarter and a lot more entertaining than your average flick. The making-of feature ("Lessons Learned") has the usual behind-the-scenes banter but Jack Black is in fine form--that is, something special--interviewing as much as being interviewed about the making of the film. His unique pitch to Led Zeppelin to use their song is alone worth the price of the DVD. Black is more his maniacal self and a bit more grating in MTV's Diary segment, but his commentary track with director Richard Linklater is as insightful as it is funny. Ok, it's a lot more funny, but entertaining throughout. The commentary track featuring just the kid actors is less so, but any preteen would love listening to it. To top it off, the DVD-ROM has Dewey Finn's instantly famous blackboard history of rock. You can drill down to the bands mentioned and get a brief history of each. --"Doug Thomas"

Summary:

Summary: What should have been an explosive finale to the trilogy in "Scream 3" ends up becoming something of a damp squib, with little of the suspense that made the first two so memorable. Kevin Williamson, creator of the original "Scream", claimed he always saw the series as a trilogy, so it's a pity that he couldn't have had more of a hand in the last of the series, settling for a producer credit while the screenplay is penned by Ehren Kruger (ironic in itself, given director Wes Craven's most famous creation). When a crucial player in the first two movies is killed in the now obligatory pre-credit murder sequence, the attention switches to the set of "Stab 3", the third in the fictional film series based on the original Woodsboro murders of the first "Scream" movie. Sydney Prescott, who has spent the last few years targeted by the Ghost-faced killer, is drawn out of hiding in the Californian hills to face the killer one last time. Along the way she is re-united with old friends, (both living and dead) and discovers more about her family history than she ever wanted to know.
Most of the players look a little bored with the whole thing now and Craven just doesn't inject any pace into the proceedings, happy, it seems to produce virtually carbon copy set pieces from the previous instalments. The film sags incredibly in the second act and when a convenient "pre-recorded" message from the late Randy Meeks turns up, it's not so much evidence of that character's forethought, more of the scriptwriter's laziness. It has its moments though: Jenny McCarthy hiding from the killer in a wardrobe room filled with Ghostface costumes, a great cameo from Carrie Fisher and the constant bitching between Cox and the wonderful Parker Posey, who plays Gail Weathers in the fictional "Stab 3". Ultimately, though, as the closing chapter in a great horror series, "Scream 3" fails to live up to its predecessors. --"Jonathan Weir"

Summary: "Serenity" is a film that, by rights, shouldn't have been made. For starters, it's spun out of the short-lived and quickly-cancelled TV series "Firefly", which has only itself got the full recognition it deserves on DVD. It then marries up two seemingly incompatible genres, the western and science fiction, has no major stars to speak of, and pretty much has `hard sell' written all over it.
Perhaps that explains its modest box office performance back in 2005. What it fails to reflect, however, is that this is one of the most energetic, downright enjoyable sci-fi flicks in some time. Not for nothing did many rate it higher than the "Star Wars" movie that appeared in the same year.
It follows renegade captain Mal Reynolds and his quirkily assembled crew, as they work on the outskirts of space, trying to keep out of the way of the governing Alliance. That plan quickly changes when they take on a couple of passengers who have attracted the attention of said Alliance, and thus the scene is set for an action-packed, cleverly written movie that deserves many of the plaudits that have rightly been thrust in its direction.
What's more, "Serenity" works whether you've seen the TV series that precedes it or not. Clearly fans of the "Firefly" show will be in their element, but even the casual viewer will find an immense amount to enjoy.
The only real problem is that given the film's box office returns, further adventures of Reynolds and his crew look unlikely. Unless "Serenity" turns into a major hit on DVD, that is. It's well worth playing your part in making that happen.--"Simon Brew"

Languages: English

Summary: I recently invested in an unlimited pass for the cinema and have since tried to see as many films as possible. I can safly say that this is one of the best so far next to Scorcese's "The Departed".
Good performances all round, a good script and overall good pacing make this film never boring. It may be a tad predictable in the 'whos gonna die next' kinda way and the romantic subplot, but the fun is in seeing how it unravels. There are some genuinely funny moments which contrast nicly with some truely horrific ones. It is also very aware that it is a horror film underneath the comedy but nicely bypasses the pitfalls that so many horror films fall into.
The adverts claimed it was 'the best horror comedy since Shaun of the Dead' and there is certainly no lie there. Some people may even prefer this.
Great film

Comments: Animated

Summary: When a shark accidentally clobbers himself, a small fish named Oscar (voiced by Will Smith, "I, Robot") just happens to be around, prompting everyone to believe that he killed the shark himself. This lie soon makes Oscar a celebrity, worshipped by the general mass of fish, wooed by a glittering golddigger (Angelina Jolie, "Girl, Interrupted"), missed by his best friend (Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain")--and hunted by the godfather of great whites (Robert De Niro, "Goodfellas"). Can a vegetarian shark named Lenny (Jack Black, "School of Rock") get Oscar out of this mess? The formulaic story of "Shark Tale" never reaches the giddy heights of Pixar's output ("Finding Nemo", "Monsters Inc.", "Toy Story") or the freewheeling comedy of "Shrek", but it's capably told and impeccably animated--the sheer technical skill is stunning. Kids won't get the mobster jokes or the other pop-culture references, but they'll enjoy it nonetheless. "--Bret Fetzer"

Comments: Special Edition

Summary: When "The Shawshank Redemption" was released in 1994, some critics complained that this popular prison drama was too long to sustain its plot. Those complaints miss the point, because the passage of time is crucial to this story about patience, the squeaky wheels of justice and the growth of a life-long friendship. Only when the film reaches its final, emotionally satisfying scene do you fully understand why writer-director Frank Darabont (adapting a novella by Stephen King) allows the story to unfold at its necessary pace.
Tim Robbins plays a banker named Andy who is sent to Shawshank Prison on a murder charge, but as he gets to know a life-term prisoner named Red (Morgan Freeman), we soon realise his claims of innocence are credible. We also realise that Andy's calm, quiet exterior hides a great reserve of patience and fortitude, and Red comes to admire this mild-mannered man who first struck him as weak and unfit for prison life. So it is that "The Shawshank Redemption" builds considerable impact as a prison drama that defies the conventions of the genre (violence, brutality, riots) to illustrate its theme of faith, friendship and survival. Nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Actor and Screenplay, it's a remarkable film (which movie lovers count among their all-time favourites) that signalled the arrival of a promising new filmmaker.
On the DVD: "The Shawshank Redemption" limited-edition release contains the complete 48-minute documentary "Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature", including interviews with all the principal cast and crew; plus more interview material and the theatrical trailer. --"Jeff Shannon"

Languages: English

Subtitles: English

Summary:

Languages: English, French, Spanish

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Summary: Guy Ritchie ("Snatch", "RocknRolla") attempts to reinvent one of the world's most iconic literary figures as an action hero in this brawny, visually arresting period adventure. Robert Downey Jr. is an intriguing choice for the Great Detective, and if he occasionally murmurs his lines a pitch or two out of hearing range, his trademark bristling energy and off-kilter humor do much to sell Ritchie's notion of Holmes. Jude Law is equally well-equipped as a more active Dr. Watson--he's closer to Robert Duvall's vigorous portrayal in "The Seven Per-Cent Solution" than to Nigel Bruce--and together, they make for an engaging team. Too bad the plot they're thrust into is such a mess--a bustling and disorganized flurry of martial arts, black magic, and overwhelming set pieces centered around Mark Strong's Crowley-esque cult leader (no Professor Moriarty, he), who returns from the grave to exact revenge. Downey and Law's amped-up Holmes and Watson are built for the challenge of riding this roller coaster with the audience; however, Rachel McAdams as Holmes's love interest, Irene Adler (here a markedly different character than the one in Arthur Conan Doyle's "A Scandal in Bohemia"), and Kelly Reilly as Mary Morstan, the future Mrs. Watson, are cast to the wind in the wake of Ritchie's hurricane pace. One can imagine this not sitting well with ardent Sherlockians; all others may find this "Sherlock Holmes" marvelous if calorie-free popcorn entertainment, with the CGI rendering of Victorian-era London particularly appealing eye candy. "--Paul Gaita"

Languages: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Korean, Thai, Mandarin Chinese, Indonesian

Sound: AC-3

Summary: Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the world's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and Jude Law returns as his friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room... until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large - Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) - and not only is he Holmes' intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may give him an advantage over the renowned detective. Around the globe, headlines break the news: a scandal takes down an Indian cotton tycoon; a Chinese opium trader dies of an apparent overdose; bombings in Strasbourg and Vienna; the death of an American steel magnate... No one sees the connective thread between these seemingly random events - no one, that is, except the great Sherlock Holmes, who has discerned a deliberate web of death and destruction. At its center sits a singularly sinister spider: Moriarty. Holmes' investigation into Moriarty's plot becomes more dangerous as it leads him and Watson out of London to France, Germany and finally Switzerland. But the cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead, and moving perilously close to completing his ominous plan. If he succeeds, it will not only bring him immense wealth and power but alter the course of history.

Languages: English

Summary: A movie that would not have been out of place in the run of paranoid-political thrillers of the 1970s, "Shooter" works an entertaining variation on the assassination picture. Mark Wahlberg, carrying over good mojo from "The Departed", slides neatly into the character of Bob Lee Swagger, master marksman. Swagger has retreated from his duty as an off-the-books hired gun for the military, having become disillusioned with his government (switching on his TV at his remote mountain cabin, he mutters, "Let's see what kind of lies they're trying to sell us today."). Ah, but the government needs Swagger to scope out the location of a rumored attempt on the life of the president, so a shadowy government operative (Danny Glover) begs Swagger to use his sniper's skills to out-fox the assassin. From there--well, spoilers are not fair, since the movie has a few legitimate shocks and a very nice wrong-man scenario about to unfold.
A novel by the Washington Post's Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Stephen Hunter gives the movie a logical spine, even if the premise itself is the stuff of conspiracy theorists. Wahlberg gets support from Michael Pena, as a skeptical FBI agent; Kate Mara, as a trustworthy widow; and Ned Beatty, trailing along memories of "Network", as a supremely cynical Senator. Along with the well-executed action sequences (the previously unreliable director Antoine Fuqua gets it in gear here), the movie includes a few potshots at the Bush administration. No, that doesn't put "Shooter" at the level of "The Parallax View" or "All the President's Men", but it provides some tang along with the flying bullets. "--Robert Horton"

Comments: Animated

Summary: Full of verve and wit "Shrek" is a computer-animated adaptation of William Steig's delightfully fractured fairy tale. Our title character (voiced by Mike Myers) is an agreeable enough ogre who wants to live his days in peace. When the diminutive Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) evicts local fairy tale creatures (including the now-famous Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio and the Gingerbread Man), they settle in the ogre's swamp and Shrek wants answers from Farquaad. A quest of sorts starts for Shrek and his new pal, a talking donkey (Eddie Murphy), where battles have to be won and a princess (Cameron Diaz) must be rescued from a dragon lair in a thrilling action sequence. The story is stronger than most animated fare but it's the jokes that make "Shrek" a winner. The PG rating is stretched when Murphy and Myers hit their strides. The mild potty humour is fun enough for the 10-year-old but will never embarrass their parents. "Shrek" is never as warm and inspired as the "Toy Story" films, but the realistic computer animation and a rollicking soundtrack keeps the entertainment in fine form. Produced by DreamWorks, the film also takes several delicious stabs at its cross-town rival, Disney. "--Doug Thomas, Amazon.com"
On the DVD: DVD could have been invented to showcase "Shrek"'s stunning computer animation--admirably served here by 16:9 anamorphic widescreen presentation--while the exuberant soundtrack comes alive in 5.1 Dolby Digital.
There are plenty of extras to choose from on this DVD, from The Tech of Shrek and fake Character Interviews to the amusing Swamp Karaoke Dance Party featuring the whole cast. However, none of these features have much depth, nor do they last long and it would be easy to feel slightly disappointed--were it not for the excellent Shrek's ReVoice Studio. This first-of-its-kind feature requires a computer running Microsoft Windows 98SE or higher, "Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 "or higher, an Internet connection and a DVD-ROM drive. However, once the DVD-ROM is up and running, the instructions could not be clearer and within minutes the whole family will be dubbing their voices over favourite characters and scenes--rendering the other extras almost irrelevant.--"Helen Baker"

Comments: Animated

Summary: The lovably ugly green ogre returns with his green bride and furry, hooved friend in "Shrek 2". The newlywed Shrek and Princess Fiona are invited to Fiona's former kingdom, Far Far Away, to have the marriage blessed by Fiona's parents--which Shrek thinks is a bad, bad idea, and he's proved right: the parents are horrified by their daughter's transformation into an ogress, a fairy godmother wants her son Prince Charming to win Fiona, and a feline assassin is hired to get Shrek out of the way. The computer animation is more detailed than ever, but it's the acting that make the comedy work--in addition to the return of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, "Shrek 2" features the flexible voices of Julie Andrews, John Cleese and Antonio Banderas, plus Jennifer Saunders as the gleefully wicked fairy godmother. --"Bret Fetzer"

Summary: Went to see the movie today. I have played the game 1 and 2 and like them a lot so I worried if the movie could do them justice.

I think it did. Sure they may have gone a little for the more spectacular but they captured much of the atmosphere and feel of the down and kept many of the elements from the games.

When the world turned to the dark/rust world I thought they did it very well. It was better than the games, in the movie you literally saw things peeling away to be replaced by the rust walls.

I was not too pleased that they used a female main character instead of a male one like in the games but I got over it. Most of the elements and story were the same as the first game but they let a few things in from the second game such as pyramid head who was just as scary and hard.

It was pretty bloody in parts and certainly not for the squeamish, yet they retained the overall scariness of the games.

Languages: Deutsch, Englisch

Subtitles: Deutsch

Sound: DTS-HD 5.1

Summary: Jahrelang sind Heather und ihr Vater Harry auf der Flucht, um den dunklen und geheimen Mächten einen Schritt voraus zu sein. Eine Flucht, die Heather nicht ganz versteht - nur die grausamen Albträume, die sie plagen, lassen erahnen, welchem Schrecken sie zu entfliehen versuchen. Wieder in einer neuen Stadt kommt Heather an ihrem 18. Geburtstag nach Hause um festzustellen, dass ihr Vater verschwunden ist. Aber die Suche nach Harry führt direkt nach Silent Hill und immer tiefer in dessen dämonische Welt. Kann sie die Gefahr abwenden, für immer dort gefangen zu sein?
Quelle: amazon

Summary: This is an obviously committed attempt to evoke the 1930x27;s comic-book style on screen, and in some ways it succeeds admirably. The visuals are brilliant, if a little obviously computer generated at times, and the city scenery is a suitable mixture of modern and nostalgic. The huge evil machines are suitably huge and evil, and the score is quite good.
The fun ends there though - this film is terribly badly cast for a start. Gwyneth Paltrow is shallow and annoying as reporter Polly Perkins - she is almost never seen without either a smirk or a sulky scowl on her face, and by the end I was absolutely sick of her inane remarks. Jude Law does not convince as the Sky Captain, and although he gives a competent performance, the idea of him saving the world just doesnx27;t work. Angelina Jolie as the courageous commander Frankie Cook, and Giovanni Ribisi as the Sky Captainx27;s trusty techno-genius sidekick are a little better, although the awful script gives then very little to work with.
Really, this film should have far more appeal - it looks absolutely superb, and features some great comic book robots, flying machines etc.. Usually I would say that it was worth watching despite all the faults, but in honesty I think its impossible to escape from the atrocious script and bad casting for long enough to really get involved. Light entertainment strictly for the kids only, and even they wonx27;t want to watch this one more than once.

Sound: Dolby

Summary: Sleepy Hollow is a horror film with a difference. It is a gothic, fantasy, with murder mystery elements which can't help but capture your imagination and attention.
Sleepy Hollow is set in 1799, in the eerie little village of Sleepy Hollow.
Recently murders have swept through the village leaving it's inhabitants living in fear. The strangest part about these murders are that the victims heads are always missing!
The main character of this film is Ichabod Crane from New York City who is sent, to use science and reasoning to seek the truth. And just like every murder mystery, he has to find the clues to find the murderer. But in this murder mystery there is a twist!
This film is packed full of excitement, suspense, and mystery. It keeps your attention throughout adding more twists and turns to the plot as it goes.
This is the best horror film i have seen and is well worth buying, and the more times you watch it, the deeper you look into the truth.
The film not only features Johnny Depp, but also stars Christina Ricca, cameos :Christopher Lee and Christopher Walken, and it features Michael Gambon and Miranda Richardson. All these actors/actresses act to perfection and help make the film as brilliant as it is.
Sleepy Hollow is a film to be proud of in anyones film collection.

Languages: Chinese

Summary: Along with Drunken Master, Snake in the Eagle's Shadow launched a new fusion of comedy and kung fu. And it's easy to see why Snake has been so popular--it's easily the most engaging of Jackie Chan's early films. Everyone abuses and humiliates a downtrodden orphan until he befriends an old man, who turns out to be the last master of the "snake fist" fighting style. Jackie becomes the old man's student and finds himself in battle with the master of the "eagle's claw" style, who has vowed to destroy the snake fist clan. Though these plot elements are familiar stuff, they're all executed with outstanding verve; the performances, the fight choreography, and even the obligatory training sequence are unusually complex and well filmed. Jackie is in top form and coming into his own as a star.

-KENTFLIX

Languages: English

Subtitles: Hindi

Summary: "Snatch", the follow-up to the Guy Ritchie's breakthrough film--the high-energy, expletive-strewn cockney-gangster movie "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels"--hardly breaks new ground being, well, "another" high-energy, expletive-strewn cockney-gangster movie. Okay, so there are some differences. This time around our low-rent hoodlums are battling over dodgy fights and stolen diamonds rather than dodgy card games and stolen drugs. There has been some minor reshuffling of the cast too with Sting and Dexter Fletcher making way for the more bankable Benicio Del Toro and Brad Pitt, the latter pretty much stealing the whole shebang as an incomprehensible Irish gypsy.
Moreover, no one can complain about the amount of extras featured on this DVD that includes 15 minutes of deleted scenes, a making-of documentary, trailer, storyboards, production notes and commentary from Ritchie himself. And, sure, people who really, really liked "Lock, Stock"--or have the memory of a goldfish--will really, really like this. The suspicion lingers, however, that if the director doesn't do something very different next time around then his career may prove to be considerably shorter than that of 'er indoors. --"Clark Collis"

Languages: English

Sound: Dolby Digital

Summary: "Song for Marion", a London-set comedic drama, is about shy, grumpy pensioner Arthur who is reluctantly inspired by his beloved wife Marion to join a highly unconventional local choir. At odds with his son James, it is left to charismatic choir director Elizabeth to try and persuade Arthur that he can learn to embrace life. Arthur must confront the undercurrents of his own grumbling persona as he embarks on a hilarious, life-affirming journey of musical self discovery.

Languages: French, Spanish, English

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Sound: DTS 5.1

Summary: A cryptic message from the past sends James Bond (Daniel Craig) on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), the beautiful and forbidden widow of an infamous criminal. Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organisation known as SPECTRE.

Meanwhile back in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott), the new head of the Centre for National Security, questions Bond s actions and challenges the relevance of MI6, led by M (Ralph Fiennes). Bond covertly enlists Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw) to help him seek out Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), the daughter of his old nemesis Mr. White (Jesper Christensen), who may hold the clue to untangling the web of SPECTRE. As the daughter of an assassin, she understands Bond in a way most others cannot.

As Bond ventures towards the heart of SPECTRE, he learns of a chilling connection between himself and the enemy he seeks, played by Christoph Waltz.


Bonus Features:
**Theatrical Feature Blu-ray

**SPECTRE: Bond s Biggest Opening Sequence
**Video Blogs
**Gallery

**Digital HD

Summary: How does "Spider-Man 3" follow on the heels of its predecessor, which was widely considered the best superhero movie ever? For starters, you pick up the loose threads from that movie, then add some key elements of the Spidey comic-book mythos (including fan-favorite villain Venom), the black costume, and the characters of Gwen Stacy and her police-captain father. In the beginning, things have never looked better for Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire): He's doing well in school; his alter ego, Spider-Man, is loved and respected around New York City. And his girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), has just taken a starring role in a Broadway musical. But nothing good can last for Spidey. Mary Jane's career quickly goes downhill; she's bothered by Peter's attractive new classmate, Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard); and the new "Daily Bugle" photographer, Eddie Brock (Topher Grace), is trying to steal his thunder. Enter a new villain, the Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), who can transform his body into various forms and shapes of sand and who may be connected to Peter's past in an unexpected way. There's also the son of an old villain, Harry Osborne (James Franco), who unmasked Spidey in the previous movie and still has revenge on his mind. And a new black costume seems to boost Spidey's powers, but transforms mild-mannered Peter into a mean and obnoxious boor (Maguire has some fun here).
If that sounds like a lot to pack into one 140-minute movie, it is. While director Sam Raimi keeps things flowing, assisted on the screenplay by his brother Ivan and Alvin Sargent, there's a little too much going on, and it's inevitable that one of the villains (there are three or four, depending on how you count) gets significantly short-changed. Still, the cast is excellent, the effects are fantastic, and the action is fast and furious. Even if "Spider-Man 3" isn't the match of "Spider-Man 2", it's a worthy addition to the megamillion-dollar franchise. "--David Horiuchi"

Languages: English, French, Spanish

Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Sound: AC-3

Summary: J.J. Abrams' 2009 feature film was billed as "not your father's Star Trek," but your father will probably love it anyway. And what's not to love? It has enough action, emotional impact, humor, and sheer fun for any moviegoer, and Trekkers will enjoy plenty of insider references and a cast that seems ideally suited to portray the characters we know they'll become later. Both a prequel and a reboot, Star Trek introduces us to James T. Kirk (Chris Pine of The Princess Diaries 2), a sharp but aimless young man who's prodded by a Starfleet captain, Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood), to enlist and make a difference. At the Academy, Kirk runs afoul of a Vulcan commander named Spock (Zachary Quinto of Heroes), but their conflict has to take a back seat when Starfleet, including its new ship, the Enterprise, has to answer an emergency call from Vulcan. What follows is a stirring tale of genocide and revenge launched by a Romulan (Eric Bana) with a particular interest in Spock, and we get to see the familiar crew come together, including McCoy (Karl Urban), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Sulu (John Cho), Chekhov (Anton Yelchin), and Scottie (Simon Pegg).
The action and visuals make for a spectacular Big-Screen Movie, though the plot by Abrams and his writers, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (who worked together on Transformers and with Abrams on Alias and Mission Impossible III), and his producers (fellow Losties Damon Lindeloff and Bryan Burk) can be a bit of a mind-bender (no surprise there for Lost fans). Hardcore fans with a bone to pick may find faults, but resistance is futile when you can watch Kirk take on the Kobayashi Maru scenario or hear McCoy bark, "Damnit, man, I'm a doctor, not a physicist!" An appearance by Leonard Nimoy and hearing the late Majel Barrett Roddenberry as the voice of the computer simply sweeten the pot. Now comes the hard part: waiting for some sequels to this terrific prequel. --David Horiuchi

Stills from Star Trek (Click for larger image)

Languages: English

Sound: Dolby Atmos

Summary: After docking at Starbase Yorktown, the USS Enterprise, halfway into their five-year mission, ventures into new dangerous uncharted territory. There, the Enterprise is destroyed by a new ruthless enemy with a deep hatred of the Federation, and strands Kirk and his crew on a remote planet with no means of communication. Kirk must then work with the elements to reunite his crew and get back to save Starbase Yorktown from this dangerous menace.

Languages: English, Klingon

Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese

Sound: Dolby Digital

Summary: When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Comments: Animated

Summary: Make no mistake, "Clone Wars" is honest-to-goodness authentic "Star Wars". The animated series takes place between "Episode II, Attack of the Clones" and "Episode III, Revenge of the Sith". If the feature films covers the beginning and end of the war, "Clone Wars" depicts the actual battles and events that made heroes into legends. Don't expect too much character development, as the episodes tend to be driven more by flat-out action than by dialogue (which can be a good thing, considering some "Star Wars" dialogue). We see such familiar faces as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and Mace Windu in combat, and we meet the elite Arc clone troopers plus new Jedi--the amphibious Kit Fisto and two women, Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee. We also see a little more development of Anakin--showing off the best pilot skills in the army, defying Obi-Wan, and engaging in a deadly duel with Sith apprentice Asajj Ventress. But just when it's clear that the Separatist droid armies are no match for a Jedi, the tide begins to turn with the introduction of the menacing General Grievous, who plays a crucial part in "Episode III". The cast mostly consists of veteran voice actors, but Anthony Daniels does appear as C-3PO.
"Clone Wars" was created by Genndy Tartakovsky, whose resume includes such stylish series as "Samurai Jack", "Dexter's Laboratory", and "The Powerpuff Girls", and the program won a 2004 Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More). These 20 episodes, which played on the Cartoon Network, can be viewed as a seamless 69-minute whole or as individual chapters. DVD features include two commentary tracks, a making-of featurette, video game and "Episode III" trailers, and an Xbox playable demo of the stealth game "Republic Commando". If you're a fan who can't wait for "Episode III", "Clone Wars" is essential viewing. "--David Horiuchi"

Comments: Animated

Summary: If you remember episode 4 and 5 with as fond memories as me, then i am sure that you will enjoy this. For action characterisation and story this leaves the first x27;3x27; film episodes standing. By the creator of Samurai Jack this has style and brings back the true excitment of Star Wars. Both volumes are excellent and are enjoyed by both my children as well.

Languages: English

Subtitles: Dansk, Norsk, Finsk, Svensk, Engelsk

Sound: AC-3

Summary: STAR WARS (George Lucas, 1977)
Part IV in a George Lucas epic, Star Wars: A New Hope opens with a rebel ship being boarded by the tyrannical Darth Vader. The plot then follows the life of a simple farmboy, Luke Skywalker, as he and his newly met allies (Han Solo, Chewbacca, Ben Kenobi, C-3PO, R2-D2) attempt to rescue a rebel leader, Princess Leia, from the clutches of the Empire. The conclusion is culminated as the Rebels, including Skywalker and flying ace Wedge Antilles make an attack on the Empires most powerful and ominous weapon, the Death Star.

STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (Irvin Kershner, 1980)
Fleeing the evil Galactic Empire, the rebels abandon their new base on Hoth. Princess Leia, Han Solo and the droids R2-D2 and C-3P0 escape in the damaged Millenium Falcon, but are later captured by Lord Darth Vader on Bespin. Skywalker, meanwhile, follows Ben Kenobi's posthumous command and receives Jedi training by Yoda on Dagobah. Will Skywalker manage to rescue his friends from the dark lord?

STAR WARS: EPISODE VI - RETURN OF THE JEDI (Richard Marquand, 1983)
Darth Vader and the Empire are building a new, indestructible Death Star. Meanwhile, Han Solo has been imprisoned, and Luke Skywalker has sent R2D2 and C3PO to try and free him. Princess Leia - disguised as a bounty hunter - and Chewbacca go along as well. The final battle takes place on the moon of Endor, with its natural inhabitants, the Ewoks, lending a hand to the rebels. Will Darth Vader and the dark side overcome the rebels and take over the universe?

STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE (George Lucas, 1999)
The evil Trade Federation, led by Nute Gunray is planning to take over the peaceful world of Naboo. Jedi's Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to confront the leaders. But not everything goes to plan. The two Jedis escape, and along with their new Gungan friend, Jar Jar Binks head to Naboo to warn Queen Amidala, but droids have already started to capture Naboo and the Queen is not safe there. Eventually they land on Tatooine, where they become friends with a young boy known as Anakin Skywalker. Qui-Gon is curious about the boy, and sees a bright future for him. The group must now find a way of getting to Coruscant and to finally solve this trade dispute, but there is someone else hiding in the shadows. Are the sith really extinct? Is the Queen who she really says she is? and what's so special about this young boy?

STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES (George Lucas, 2002)
Ten years after the 'Phantom Menace' threatened the planet Naboo, Padmé Amidala is now a Senator representing her homeworld. A faction of political separatists, led by Count Dooku, attempts to assassinate her. There aren't enough Jedi to defend the Republic against the threat, so Chancellor Palpatine enlists the aid of Jango Fett, who promises that his army of clones will handle the situation. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi continues to train the young Jedi Anakin Skywalker, who fears that the Jedi code will forbid his growing romance with Amidala.

STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH (George Lucas, 2005)
It is three years after the Clone Wars. The leader of the droid army, General Grievous, has captured Chancellor Palpatine on board his ship, the Invisible Hand. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker must fly through Coruscant safely, and enter the Invisible Hand so that they can rescue the captive Chancellor. Just when Palpatine is about to be released, Count Dooku shows up. Obi-Wan and Anakin both battle it out with him, but Obi-Wan ends up unconscious. Anakin slices off his head and kills him. Anakin carries Obi-Wan, and Palpatine follows him. They meet General Grievous face to face, and Anakin tries to fly the last half of the ship so that they can safely land on Coruscant. Later, Palpatine starts acting strange, constantly manipulating Anakin into believing that the Jedi Council is against him. Eventually, it is found out that he is the Dark Lord of the Sith. Jedi Master Mace Windu fights him...

Languages: English, Spanish, French

Subtitles: French, Spanish, English

Sound: DTS-HD High Res Audio

Summary: Secrets Of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey -- For the first time, discover the complete story behind the making of The Force Awakens, revealed through in-depth footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers in this full-length documentary|The Story Awakens: The Table Read -- Cast members, familiar and new, reflect on the memorable day they all first came together to read the movie's script|Building BB-8 -- See how J.J. Abrams and team brought the newest droid to the screen, creating an instant fan favorite in the Star Wars universe|Crafting Creatures -- Watch movie magic as the filmmakers bring a cast of new creatures to life|Blueprint Of A Battle: The Snow Fight -- Go deeper into the epic, climactic lightsaber battle between Rey and Kylo Ren|John Williams: The Seventh Symphony -- The legendary composer shares personal insights of his work on Star Wars and The Force Awakens|ILM: The Visual Magic Of The Force -- An insider's look into the remarkable digital artistry of the movie's visual effects|Plus -- Deleted Scenes

Languages: English, French, Spanish

Sound: Dolby

Summary: A young man looking for adventure and what ever comes his way breaches The Wall to find a magical kingdom. He is seduced by a beautiful woman who claims to be a captive princess. Later he finds a little gift at his doorstep. Yep the little tyke looks like its father.

Well Young Dunstan Thorn is unaware of his heritage and has a soft spot in his heart for a local girl, Victoria (Sienna Miller). He would do anything for her, even bring back a fallen star; this quest will take him to the other side of The Wall and we will go with him on the quest.

This quest reminds you of "The Walrus and The Carpenter" by Lewis Carroll, as we dive into adventure with the fallen star Yvaine (Claire Danes), a witchy woman (Michelle Pfeiffer), a flying pirate (Robert De Niro), and several loving "yeah right" brothers, who are prince's and would love to get their hands on their father's (Peter O'Toole) throne.

Unlike many stories of this type we dive in so fast that we have no time to acquaint ourselves with the shock of the other world. They may have been in a tad too much of a hurry to tell the story. However it had its moments. It had style. It was the best show in town.

One double plus part of the film was the narration by Ian McKellen which takes up about tow thirds of the story. Ian is excellent; however being a fairy tail it might have sounded better with the late Edward Everett Horton Fractured Fairy Tales narrator (12 episodes, 1959-1960)

Languages: English, German, Spanish

Sound: DTS 5.1

Summary: With the demise of all SG1's enemies, the writers have resorted to the old "alternate timeline caused by time travel" storyline. Ba'al's last clone is captured and about to be executed when he, laughing, tells SG1 and the assembled crowd that they're making a big mistake. At that, people start dissolving into thin air. Yes, his creator has killed their grand-dads, or the equivalent. Somehow, our heroes survive this holocaust and the storyline is how they try to restore the timeline back to "theirs".

Probably the last thrashings of a tired franchise, this storyline is unsurprising and predicable, but remains great fun. There's no real "wow" moments here, but, like any fairground rollercoaster, although you may know what is coming, you can still enjoy the feeling as the certainties within the Stargate universe are stripped away and you drop into the void.

I really liked the series, still follow Stargate: Atlantis and am generally a sucker for SF, so have no problems in recommending your purchasing this.

However, new viewers should NOT start here, since, unless you know the majority of the backstory, you will be lost immediately.

Languages: English

Subtitles: English

Sound: Dolby

Summary:

Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish

Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Sound: AC-3

Summary: It's not a franchise on the order of "Law & Order", "CSI", or "Star Trek"--not yet, anyway--but with "Stargate Atlantis", a more than worthy successor to "SG-1", "Stargate" is becoming a nice little cottage industry in itself. The premise, in a nutshell: The Ancients, the greatest race the universe has ever known (or something like that), abandoned Earth millions of years ago, taking Atlantis with them; they then sunk the entire city in order to escape the clutches of the dreaded Wraith, an implacable bunch of villains who nourish themselves by sucking the life from humans. Now, as the two-hour "Rising" pilot details, a new team has gained access to the legendary city. Once they arrive, Atlantis loses the power to sustain its protective shield and rises to the surface, and thus begin the team's adventures (i.e., using the stargate to travel to other planets in the Pegasus galaxy, encountering aliens both hostile and friendly, and trying to defeat the Wraith, or at least stay out of their way).
Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson), "SG-1"'s driving force, is missed, but "Atlantis" has a strong replacement in Major John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan), easily the most charismatic member of the new team. Like O'Neill, Sheppard is a wiseacre and a loose cannon, as well as a superb pilot with an innate understanding of the Ancients' arcane technology. His humor, humanity and conscience provide a welcome contrast to the other characters, especially brilliant-but-neurotic Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) and ultra-serious project leader Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson), who has little to do but give orders and stand up for her people. The Wraith, who resemble a vampire mutation of the albino blues guitarist Johnny Winter, are the focus of most of these 19 episodes (including the pilot). These bad boys will stop at nothing--"nothing", I tell you!--in their quest to snack their way through every galaxy in the universe, with Earth their ultimate feeding ground. And while the final four episodes, dealing with the Wraith's massive attack on Atlantis, end with an unsatisfying cliffhanger (basically, nothing is resolved), earlier shows effectively keep their ominous presence in the forefront. The episodes in which the Wraith play little or no active role are often compelling as well, including "Thirty Eight Minutes" (one of our heroes' "puddle jumper" spacecraft gets stuck in the stargate), "Childhood's End" (we meet a race whose members are convinced that only ritual suicide is keeping the Wraith at bay), and "The Eye" (a planet-size hurricane/tsunami bears down on Atlantis). As is the case with "SG-1", the visual effects work, especially by TV standards, is excellent; in fact, one might wish for bit more cool sci-fi action and less talk in some of the episodes. Special effects include commentary (by directors, writers, and/or actors) for every episode, as well as the occasional behind-the-scenes featurette. "--Sam Graham"

Languages: English

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Summary: Replicators and Wraith. ZPMs and hyperdrives. Good guys, bad guys, and guys who could go either way. They’re all on hand for the fourth season (originally aired in 2007-08) of "Stargate Atlantis", still one of television’s finest sci-fi shows. There are a number of new developments in the course of this 20-episode run. The first is the departure of leader Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson), who’s gone from the team by the third episode, replaced by Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping, who will be familiar to "Stargate SG-1" fans after her long stint on that now-defunct series); seems Weir’s body contains “nanites,” the elements that make up the “sentient machines” known as the Replicators, which leads to her making a supreme sacrifice on behalf of her fellow humans. (Speaking of the Replicators, these bad boys are so formidable a threat to the entire known universe that even the Wraith--the cat-eyed, white-haired, weird-skinned, vampire-like Johnny Winter lookalikes who feed on humans--fear them, resulting in a rather fraught, on-again-off-again alliance with the Stargaters. Unfortunately, the Replicator-Wraith showdown, which could have made Godzilla v. Megalon look like a game of tag, isn’t exploited to nearly the degree one might have wished for.)
Meanwhile, the team’s personal lives are examined more closely this time, as Teyla (Rachel Luttrell) becomes pregnant, dreadlocked beefcake dude Ronon (Jason Momoa) considers rejoining his original tribe, irreverent hero Lt. Col. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) returns to Earth for his father’s funeral (where he runs into his ex-wife and estranged brother), and genius scientist Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett, a good actor whose character’s incessant glass-half-empty, pessimistic whining is getting a bit old by now) once again meets up with his sister, who also made an appearance in Season Three. Overall, the fourth season contains several terrific stories (like “Adrift,” in which the entire city of Atlantis heads into space in search of a new home planet, “Tabula Rasa,” in which the crew is infected with amnesia, and “Trio,” described by its creators as the most logistically complex episode of the entire series), and a smattering that aren’t so hot. As always, "Atlantis" has terrific special effects, sets, and action (this show ain’t cheap to produce, and it shows), plenty of wit (Sheppard, upon being served a strange-looking meal by his captors: “Is that a form of torture?”), and a very generous selection of bonus features, which include commentaries for every episode, featurettes, and photo galleries. "--Sam Graham"


Beyond "Stargate: Atlantis – Season Four" on DVD
" Stargate: Atlantis" – Season One on DVD
"Stargate: Atlantis" – Season Two on DVD
"Stargate: Atlantis" – Season Three on DVD


Stills from "Stargate: Atlantis" - Season Four (Click for larger image)

Languages: English, French

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Sound: AC-3

Summary:
If "Stargate Atlantis" isn't the coolest sci-fi series on television, this five-disc, 20-episode box set from the second season (2005-06) offers ample evidence that it's right up there. The writing is good; the stories are intriguing, and the science part of the equation is credible enough to justify our suspension of disbelief. The characters are for the most part well-defined, and the acting, while perhaps not Emmy-caliber, is just fine. The action is exciting, the effects work impressive, the costumes and sets first-rate. But what "Atlantis" really has going for it is the presence of some of the baddest bad guys in the cosmos: the Wraith.
With their flowing white locks, cat-like eyes, pale, almost translucent skin, and teeth so bad they'd make the British blush, the Wraith rock. They also have a constant need to feed--on humans, of course--and are a serious threat not only to Atlantis but to the entire known universe, including good ol' Earth. And although there are occasional diversions, the producers and writers have wisely kept the focus on these implacable antagonists; in fact, the newest member of the team, one Ronon Dex (played by the dreadlocked and hunky Jason Momoa), is a "runner" who escaped the Wraith's clutches, was a fugitive for years before being found by our heroes, and specializes in dispatching the villains with cold precision. In the course of the season, via single episodes and several multi-parters, the Stargate team, commanded by Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson in the show's least interesting role) and led by insouciant Major John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan), with genius-neurotic Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) handling the scientific intricacies and yet another doc, Carson Beckett (Paul McGillion, affecting a Scottish brogue), overseeing medical matters, deals with the enemy on many fronts. Lt. Ford (Rainbow Sun Francks) defects after assuming Wraith-like characteristics. The team experiments with a "retrovirus" designed to turn Wraiths into humans (the results are decidedly mixed). They encounter a human who raised a Wraith female from childhood and insists she's just like us (she's not). They're captured and imprisoned on a Wraith "hive" ship. And in the final episode, the humans and the Wraiths even form an alliance of supposedly mutual convenience (the episode is a cliffhanger that awaits resolution until Season Three, but anyone who thought this "partnership" was a good idea for our side clearly hasn't been paying attention). As was the case with the Season One set, bonus materials are generous, including audio commentary (by actors, directors, and others) on every episode, various featurettes, photos, and more. Now if only there were a few Wraith interviews... --"Sam Graham"
Hear How Beckett's Character Developed in this Exclusive Clip
Imagine "Stargate Atlantis" without Dr. Carson Beckett... finding it difficult?
After several screen-tests, the creators of the show did too, listen to them
tell you why Beckett became the prominent character that he is in Season Two.




Beyond "Stargate Atlantis: The Complete Second Season"
Stargate Atlantis: Rising (Pilot Episode)
The Complete "Stargate Atlantis" Collection
More Science-Fiction Television

Stills from "Stargate Atlantis: The Complete Second Season"

Languages: Czech, English, French

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Sound: AC-3

Summary: Despite the 3-star rating, for me `Stargate: Atlantis' remains slick and absorbing television and it's still one of my favourite shows. But so often with season three there's a great deal of promise, only for little to be delivered in terms of engrossing stories with a moral core, or with convincing character development. I also find it disconcerting how the Wraith are being developed into a race devoid of any redeemable qualities and how despite their sentience they're treated as little more than base life forms, even when they take human form and gain the potential to do good, as evidenced in episode 2- `Misbegotten' (7/10).

Sadly, I also think the show is beginning to suffer from a lack of well-rounded, sympathetic characters- Rodney is central to a huge number of episodes in this season compared to his fellow cast members, episodes that see him learning valuable lessons, only to revert back to his usual rude, sarcastic, abusive self in the next episode, apparently having learned nothing from the experiences. Ronan proves himself once and for all to be completely one-dimensional in the fourth episode- `Sateda' (4/10)- he's violent, threatening, reckless, disobedient and has no other sides to his personality.

Episode 5- `Progeny' (10/10) is totally absorbing, tense and surprising, combining the best themes that the original Stargate and Stargate: Atlantis have to offer.

Episode 7- `Common Ground' (6/10) is the latest attempt to resurrect the way-past-its-peak/flogging-a-dead-horse Genii story-arc. The story has strong shades of an episode series co-creator and executive producer Brad Wright wrote for the Outer Limits a few years ago called `Quality of Mercy' exploring how captivity can mess with your sense of reality and alter your preconceptions, but the story is just too thin here. The Genii were once an interesting race and really convincing foes despite their technological inferiority, but since Colm Meaney was supplanted as their leader it's a storyline that's clearly become directionless. On the positive side, the Wraith prisoner in this episode is dealt with fairly and with some sympathy, which makes a welcome change.

In episode 15- `The Game' (7/10) Sheppard and McKay begin playing what they assume is an Ancient form of recreation, but which turns out to be absolutely real to the inhabitants of a distant planet. It's a fun idea, but the way the premise is constructed is just too implausible and the story is filled with so many coincidences that for me it just lost all credibility. It also has some really poor characterisation- Dr. Weir supposedly spent years as a talented delegate back on Earth, it was in fact one of the reasons she was awarded the leadership of the Atlantis expedition, but in this episode she can't even succeed in keeping two representatives from opposing sides at the conference table for a minute and a half (and they aren't even that uncompromising). This could have been Weir's chance to shine and for her character to finally be recognised as the talented, respected, useful member of the team we know she can be, but instead we have 44 minutes of Sheppard and McKay bickering like 5-year-olds.

Episode 12- `The Return, Part I' (9/10) is incredibly promising, as an Ancient transport is accidentally discovered travelling through space. Its crew members are subsequently brought back to Atlantis where the Ancient female leader takes abrupt and surprising action. But as the story resumes in `The Return, Part II' (6/10) it suddenly becomes another story entirely, the female Ancient representative vanishes into thin air and with the exception of Jack O'Neill swimming through a flooded area of the city the episode doesn't come close to realising its potential.

Then comes episode 17- `Sunday' (7/10) which is downright baffling. It starts off as a gentle sidestep into the personal lives of the expedition members and suddenly, right out of the blue the Atlantis team suffers a surprising loss in the form of one of their closest colleagues. All I can say is...prepare yourself for the end of an era.

The penultimate episode `Vengeance' (6/10) sees the return of part Human, part Wraith Michael in a much repeated story in the Stargate franchise. Is it just me, or is this the opposite direction most viewers would have preferred this character taking? There's no ethical conflict, or even any conscience left in the character at all, he's completely transformed into the clichéd villain and is now lumped in with the many other enemies the Atlantis expedition has managed to accumulate since arriving in the city.

The season final episode- `First Strike' (8/10) rightly continues on from the best episode of season three `Progeny' and also sets the all-action, guns blazing, no compromises, no retreats tone that has made the season finales of the previous two years so entertaining. Unfortunately, I think the story layout for the finale's has now become too familiar i.e. the stakes are set high for Atlantis, the mission doesn't go as planned, the consequences could be disastrous for all and then comes the obligatory cliff-hanger ending. Earth's military again involve themselves in the affaires of the city, but this time the implications are very ominous for the civilian contingent of the expedition, suggesting a movement towards an even more militaristic regime in future seasons, which I personally don't agree with, but I guess I'll have to reserve judgment until season four...

Languages: English, French, Spanish

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Sound: AC-3

Summary: As the curtain is drawn on the first of the 20 episodes that comprise this fifth (and apparently last) season of "Stargate Atlantis", we’re assured that “the threat level is down” across the universe. The “sentient machines” known as the Replicators have been defeated; The Wraith, the white-haired, translucent-skinned, cat-eyed vampire dudes who have been our heroes’ principal nemeses all along, are in disarray; And while the character known as Michael, who was the subject of the team's ongoing ""retro-virus"" experiment (designed to make Wraiths human) in Season Two and played a significant recurring role in Season Three, is still around, he too no longer inspires much dread. So, “the threat level is down,” right? Yeah, right. You don’t need to be an astrophysicist to know that rosy analysis is mere wishful thinking. Indeed, Michael’s human-Wraith “hybrids” are a serious menace almost immediately; and by the end of the season, not only have the Wraith pulled themselves together, they have constructed the mother of all “hive ships,” located Planet Earth, and begun attacking it. In between, regular "Atlantis" fans will witness a few significant developments: among other things, Samantha Carter ("Stargate SG-1" veteran Amanda Tapping), who took over command of Atlantis in Season Four, is soon replaced by the by-the-book civilian Richard Woolsey (Robert Picardo); team member Teyla (Rachel Luttrell) has a baby; and Rodney McKay (David Hewlett), the kvetching genius scientist, and medical doc Jennifer Keller (Jewel Staite) kindle a romantic relationship. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks), another "SG-1" veteran, appears in two mid-season episodes.
Story-wise, Season Five offers considerable variety; “The Daedalus Variations” is heady sci-fi filled with technical mumbo-jumbo about parallel universes, while “Whispers” is a zombie jamboree straight out of "Night of the Living Dead", and "Vegas", an “alternate reality episode” in which Lt. Col. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan, in what is still the show’s most appealing role) plays a beleaguered homicide detective, takes place almost entirely in that city. As usual, the best stories are the ones involving the Wraith, including “The Queen,” in which Teyla temporarily transforms into one of those villainous creatures. Also as usual, the visual effects are first-rate, and the bonus material is copious (including commentaries for every episode and all manner of featurettes) and impressive. If this is indeed the end of "Stargate Atlantis" as a series (a feature-length movie is already in production), it will certainly be missed--but at least they’re quitting while they’re ahead. "--Sam Graham"

Summary: The film begins with gripping scenes and haunting music ... Fighter jets landing, powerful spiritual music that is sad and almost like a funeral - setting the tone for what is to come. Ben Affleck plays the CIA agent Jack Ryan to perfection. There is great casting for all the major roles and key characters in the book. Although in the book, the city of Denver is the location used by terrorists for the attack, the choice of Baltimore, Maryland makes sense, since there is a port which clearly can be the point of entry for contraband. The fact is the film remains true to the intentions and spirit of Tom Clancy's book. There is political maneuvering, espionage, edge-of-your seat gripping moments after the attack and a very well executed plot. Suspense builds and the story unfolds ... The topic is fascinating and timely. It is almost like the "007" films of old ... You more or less know what to expect, but the ride is so engaging, you are caught up in the drama and events.

A nuclear bomb is discovered in the desert by a bedouin, left buried from a downed airplane during the '73 Israeli War. He suspects it has some value and can make money by selling it. An agent purchases it for a mere pittance, vastly less than its true worth ... so realistic. After the unexpected death of the Russian President, his replacement is investigated by the CIA. The US President, his advisors and the CIA are busy extracting information about this relative "dark horse" to discover his stand on the major issues. In the past, Jack Ryan had written a paper on him, extrapolating his views on world events ... He accompanies a delegation from the US to visit Russia and ensure nuclear disarmament is going according to plans. Each side assesses the opposition with wary reminders of the past ever in the forefront of their minds ... How difficult it was to learn about Soviet arms during the cold war, US agents had died trying to access .information ... now a delegation was freely being shown the labs, nuclear reactor and storage facilties. Times had indeed changed ...

The US President attends a filled to capacity football stadium in Baltimore, MD when suddenly, unexpectedly and rapidly Secret Agents usher him out ... A huge explosion occurs, with the mushroom cloud indicating a nuclear bomb went off. During the disaster, Jack Ryan seeks his superior, only to find him taking his last breath. He pays his last respects and uses his cell phone and ID bage to enter the White House. Jack had discovered irrefutable evidence that proves it was *not* a Russian attack. The nuclear substance originated in the United States. The fingerprints of the explosion and subsequent fall out are positive proof. However, suspense builds as the US President and Russian President are on stand-by preparing for war ... trying to read each others motives for action. The unraveling of the peace accords takes minutes although it took years and years to create peace and disarmament. The difficult decisions faced by the US President are depicted superbly ... The raw emotions arising during such a national disaster are naturally conveyed. The only failure in the film is the choice of selecting a disgruntled fascist group as the culprits for the attack. Keeping it closer to the story line in the book would have paid off huge dividends in the short and long run. In the years following 2001 and the Sept. 11th attack, using ancient history such as Nazi-like fascists as the enemy just does not play well with an audience. It leaves a huge credibility gap ...this is why it reminds me of the "007" films. Despite this one major flaw, for which I deducted one star, the film was a hit with this viewer. I highly recommend it.
Erika Borsos (bakonyvilla)

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Summary: I first saw this after I had taped it from Sky Movies for rainy-afternoon watching. My hopes weren't high. But it turned out to be a delight.

I didn't quite believe in her as a fashion designer, but once Melanie got home to Alabama that didn't matter: they could have made her a corporate lawyer or an advertising executive or a journalist without affecting the essence of the story. I did wonder what on earth could have made Melanie walk out on the gloriously handsome Jake, since apart from getting drunk on his stag night he didn't seem to have done anything wrong, but I think we are meant to understand that the unplanned pregnancy, the rushed marriage and the subsequent miscarriage had a lot to do with it. Besides brilliant leads the film is full of talented supporting actors who play the often understated, throwaway comedy to perfection. Earl, Pearl, Stella, Lurleen, Bobby Ray and Wade were almost cameo roles, and I wish they could have been given more screen time. The DVD has the wonderful bonus of another showing of the movie with Andrew Tennant's commentary over the whole thing, in which he explains that originally there were a lot more scenes with many of these actors which sadly had to be left out of the final cut (that's also where the second lightning strike disappeared). The insights into the construction of a romantic comedy and the decisions which were made about characterisation and dialogue are fascinating.

Now, I am not American, and I have no idea whether the South as portrayed here is pretty accurate or a parody or even an idealisation, but it left me wishing I could go and see it for myself (perhaps after a bit of research - when I first heard Kate snarl "Oh, go back to your Double Wide and fry something" I thought she was referring to a type of oven rather than a trailer home). For good and ill, it seems to be saying, the South is still different: as Melanie explains to the hapless and blameless Andrew, "It's not about the money. Not down here".

This isn't Tennessee Williams or William Faulkner. Your emotions won't be harrowed or your world view changed by this film; but that's not what it's here for. This is simply a touching, funny, well-crafted romantic comedy which manages to follow the rules of the genre without losing its individual freshness and flavour - and it stars not just one but two of the most handsome men in film. As far as I'm concerned it's worth every penny!

Summary: The sort of action thriller for which the phrase "high octane" could have been conceived, "Swordfish" stars John Travolta as Gabriel Shear, an enigmatic criminal operator who is as admired as he is feared. Using sexy sidekick Ginger (Halle Berry) as bait, he pressgangs Stanley Jobson, (Hugh Jackman) the world's greatest computer hacker, into helping him relieve the world banking system of a few billion dollars to finance his own enterprises. Jackman agrees, on the promise that Travolta will help him regain custody of his daughter.
The numerous explosions and set-piece exchanges of high calibre gunfire tend at times to blowholes in the narrative fabric and sense of "Swordfish", a film that nonetheless engages through its extravagant silliness. Vinnie Jones is under-used as a fearsome minder, a close-up of Halle Berry's breasts isn't entirely integral to the plotline, while Travolta enjoys himself as the dapper ringmaster of this orgy of techno-chaos, especially in scenes in which he blasts away a brace of pursuing assassins with improbable aplomb and during his opening, Tarantino-esque monologue. By the end, he has shown himself in his apparently true colours in such a way that events of September 11, 2001--although made prior to them--lent the film an eerie sense of prescience. --"David Stubbs"