Highlander Season 4 (1995)

Directors: Various

Writers: Various

Starring: Adrian Paul, Lisa Howard, Stan Kirsch, Jim Byrnes, Philip Akin & Peter Wingfield

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103442/episodes#season-4

 We open up this season with Duncan (Adrian Paul) traveling back to his native Scotland to find out who's been robbing the family graves. We get some more background info on Joe Dawson (Jim Byrnes) in episode two. Learn how he lost his legs and how he became a watcher. Kenny (Myles Ferguson), the 800 year old immortal in the ten year old body, returns to stir up some shit. Duncan experiences a "dark quickening" and becomes evil. Joe gets put on trial by the watchers for letting the immortals know about him and befriending Duncan. This was a great cliffhanger for the next season, on Netflix they give the first episode of Season 5 (One Minute To Midnight) as the last episode for Season 4.

 This seasons guest appearances again weren't that high-profile. A lot of people that made there careers in television. It did however pick up in storyline. There were a few episodes that took the spotlight off of Duncan and onto some of the supporting cast. When you're in the middle of a six-season marathon, that's a good thing.

Verdict: * * * *

- Xtoph

Highlander Season 3 (1994)

Directors: Various

Writers: Various

Starring: Adrian Paul, Lisa Howard, Stan Kirsch, Jim Byrnes & Philip Akin

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103442/episodes#season-3

 The Highlander marathon continues with Season 3. This season Duncan (Adrian Paul) finds a new love interest in Anne Lindsey (Lisa Howard) an ER Doctor. So she's around most of the season. Things start off light with one of Richie's old girlfriends show up claiming he's the father of her baby, and he's dumb enough to fall for it even though immortals can't have children. Also, episodes where Duncan has to babysit newly immortal 18 year olds or comes across an 800 year old in a ten year old body. Things get darker mid-season when Duncan starts having hallucinations and fighting demons that aren't there in "Shadows". By episode 14 we are introduced to Kalas (David Robb), a real bad dude that Duncan has a long-going feud with. Methos (Peter Wingfield), the oldest immortal, also shows up this round. Turns out he's been posing as a watcher. For the season finale, another two-parter, one of the watchers decides to copy all of the watcher files and take them to a news agency to expose all the immortals.

 This season was pretty good, as they all are, no complaints here. Not as many high-profile guest stars. Chandra West from Puppetmaster 3 & 4 was in an episode and so was Brion James form Blade Runner. A lot of good music was featured though. Jim Byrnes who plays Joe Dawson is a blues musician so we got some of his music. His character started a club called "Joe's Place" so more blues was featured in a few episodes.

Verdict: * * * *

- Xtoph

Highlander Season 2 (1993)

Directors: Various

Writers: Various

Starring: Adrian Paul, Alexandra Vandernoot, Stan Kirsch, Jim Byrnes & Philip Akin

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103442/episodes#season-2

 Season 2 brings us another 22 episodes beginning with "The Watchers", where we are introduced to Joe Dawson (Jim Byrnes) the watcher Duncan (Adrian Paul) becomes friends with and is a mainstay in the series. Later in the series Duncan has to take on a mortal serial killer that likes to kill immortals. Tessa (Alexandra Vandersnoot) & Richie (Stan Kirsch) get shot by a mugger. Duncan moves to a dojo after Tessa's death. Richie takes his first head and Duncan gives him the boot without so much as a handshake. Xavier St. Cloud (Roland Gift) returns and really fucks shit up for Duncan while teaming up with the renegade watcher, Horton (Peter Hudson). Towards the end of the season Richie returns to ask Duncan for help because another immortal is killing humans and framing him for the murders. Then for the two part season finale Horton comes back yet again, this time giving a convicted murderer plastic surgery to look like Tessa in his attempt to kill Duncan.

 This was a pretty wicked season. Had a few cool guest stars as well. Geraint Wyn Davies (of Forever Knight), Traci Lords & Sheena Easton all show up early in the season. Dustin Nguyen (of 21 Jump Street) returns playing a completely different character than he did in Season 1. Wtf? Rowdy Roddy Piper kicks some ass in episode 10, but still should have been used a lot more than they did... And Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals) reprises his role as Xavier St. Cloud, one of the greatest villains ever.

Verdict: * * * *

- Xtoph

Highlander Season 1 (1992)

Directors: Various

Writers: Various

Starring: Adrian Paul, Alexandra Vandernoot & Stan Kirsch

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103442/episodes#season-1

 I haven't really been keeping up the reviews as of lat because I've been on a Highlander kick. Just finished season 1 yesterday and didn't plan on talking about it until I realized there are people that have no clue what "Highlander" is. I was talking to one of my friends and she has never even heard of it. Such a disappointment... Anyway, I figured what with prospect of a new movie in talk. Maybe I should go ahead and give a little run-down on it.

 Highlander the series, a spin-off from the feature film franchise, follows the immortal Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) of the Clan MacLeod. (Not to be confused with Conner of the movies, as they say in the show "Same clan, different vintage".

 For those who don't know. The Highlander, in this case Duncan (In the movies Conner, the animated series Quentin and the anime Colin) is a legendary immortal from the Highlands of Scotland. Hence... Highlander. Being a highlander has nothing to do with being immortal. The immortals are a race that no one knows the true origins of. The basics are this: They don't die unless you cut off their heads. They live by the rule "There Can Be Only One". They all fight for the prize. To be the last immortal. When they cut off another's head they gain all of their knowledge and power (the quickening). They won't fight each other on holy ground. That is the basic rundown.

 So the series follows Duncan in modern times (the 90's) and has flashbacks to all kinds of different eras. The other two main characters are his girlfriend Tessa (Alexandra Vandernoot) and a kid he takes in, Richie Ryan (Stan Kirsch). There are all kinds of stuff going on it this series. The opening episode, "The Gathering" features both Duncan and Conner (Christopher Lambert). He takes on people that are not immortals as well... Episode 6 they are held hostage in a courtroom by a convicted killer (Andrew Divoff). Or in episode 8 where a mad scientist (Joe Pantoliano) kidnapping people from the emergency room to experiment on them.

 If you're a music fan like me, some of the guest stars include Joan Jett, Vanity, Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals) and Roger Daltry (The Who). Or if your a genre fan people like Andrew Divoff (The Wishmaster) and Marc Singer (Beastmaster). This season we are also introduced for the first time to Amanda (Elizabeth Gracen) who became a mainstay in the series and star of the spin-off Highlander: The Raven, and in the 22nd episode the secret society of watchers. A Great place to leave us hanging for season 2.

 So, obviously I'm a nerd for this series, but I think it stands the test of time. I love re-watching this show. It ran for six seasons, so I'll be dropping off a few more season run-downs. You can watch it on Netflix. I'm sure it's on syndication in televison somewhere as well...

Verdict: * * * *

- Xtoph

The Dungeonmaster (1984)

a.k.a. Ragewar

Directed by: Dave Allen, Charles Band, John Carl Buechler, Steven Ford, Peter Manoogian, Ted Nicolaou and Roasemarie Turko

Written by: Charles Band, Allen Actor, Rosemarie Turko, John Carl Buechler, Dave Allen, Jeffrey Byron, Peter Manoogian and Ted Nicolaou

Starring: Jeffrey Byron, Richard Moll and Leslie Wing

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089060/


 Paul Bradford (Jeffrey Byron) is your every day run-of-the-mill computer nerd with a super computer that speaks to him. (Only in the 80's, right?) He's in love with his girlfriend (Leslie Wing) and wants to get married. Mestema (Richard Moll) is a very bored centuries old wizard looking for a good fight. He kidnaps Paul's girlfriend and challenges him to a battle of magic. Paul must complete 7 tasks to win back his woman.

 You gotta love the low-budget 80's flicks. Seven battles, means seven writers and directors each doing their own part to the anthology. What we have is something reminiscent of Sinbad's seventh voyage and Beastmaster in the modern world, pitting science vs. the occult. Only, Paul's just not as bad-ass as Sinbad or as likable as Dar. The directing ain't that great, and you can tell it's been pieced together. What I do love is Richard Moll. He is always the perfect cartoon villain. When I was a kid I couldn't look at him and not see Bull from Night Court, but he really pulls these roles off well. If you go in not expecting much but wanting to have a good time and a laugh then check this out. And if everything I mentioned wasn't enough...  Charles Band's segment "Heavy Metal" puts Paul up against none other than Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P.!!!

Verdict: * * *

- Xtoph

Conan - X-Box 360 Game - Angled Doors Review

 Robert E. Howard's classic character brought to life for you to control. Similar to God Of War, but it's Conan. Lot's of weapons and you can buy moves and upgrade your character. But most importantly: Blood, Boobs and Gore. That's what makes it Conan. Dig it.

- Xtoph

Comic Book The Movie - DVD - Angled Doors Review

 This is a mockumentary about a comic book that is being turned into a movie. Mark Hamill stars and directs. It's a fun little indie film that takes a look at the comic book culture and takes place at a comic-con. There are lots of cool cameos and interviews by the likes of Hugh Hefner, Stan Lee, Kevin Smith, Bruce Campbell and many more. There are a lot of very cool bonus features to check out too... "Behind The Voices" featurette that has a lot of the people who do some of the coolest cartoon character voices. Extended interviews with Bruce Campbell and Kevin Smith. Deleted Scenes, Bloopers and more. Comic fans and cartoon fans should definitely check this out.

- Xtoph

Season Of The Witch ( 2011 )

Season of the Witch
Starring:  Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Stephen Campbell Moore, Claire Foy, & Stephen Graham

Directed By Dominic Sena

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479997/


     Ah, what a way to start off the new year.  Last year at this time I was trying to get over the Avatar craze, but was met with sub-par fair.  I guess having Rogue Angels ( Legion ) and Vamps on a blood shortage ( Daybreakers ) was a little too much for your average movie goer.  This year however, will see a possible month for movies.  Just this month alone Nicolas Cage will have 2 big releases with SOTW and Drive Angry 3D, and if it's any indication as to how Nicolas is going to fair, well lets just say that he is off to a helluva start.

     Season Of The Witch takes place in the 14th century crusades time.  Behman ( Cage ) and Felson ( Perlman  ) are friends and fellow crusaders who seem to be doing nothing more than ripping through countless enemies in countless battles, and debating who will by the drinks later.  After taking an innocent life during a battle, Behman and Felson denounce the crusades and set off in search of something different.  Along the way, our hero's run into a village that seems to be run over by the Black Plague.

     After being arrested, Behman & Felson are more or less asked to take what is believed to be the source of the Plague ( a girl ) out to another  town to be dealt with by other religious heads at the monastery.  If they complete this task, both men will be pardoned for their crimes.  Knowing that the trip will be rough and possibly dangerous, Behman recruits a few of the villagers to assist with the transportation of the girl.  Along the way, the team has to overcome the possibility that maybe this child isn't what she seems and they might be in for more than they bargained for.

     I gotta admit, I expected this movie to suck.  I will now eat my words.  With a run time of 95minutes, the pace was pretty brisk and the story moved along with ease.  The fighting scenes were decent, but seemed like it was holding back on the gore, which really didn't need to be shown because the Black Plague victims were disgusting enough to make some people look away, which made me wonder how in the hell did this movie only get a PG-13 rating?  Oh wait, if there was a tit or cock shot, it would've been a hard R rating.

     Overall I was impressed with this movie.  I'm glad to see Cage busting out some decent roles now.  Kick Ass & Sorcerers Apprentice were only just a taste as to what we might see from Mr. Cage in the years to come.

-Mr. What?- ( * * * )

Tron: Legacy ( 2010 )

Starring:  Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, & Beau Garrett

Directed By Joseph Kosinski

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104001/


     It doesn't matter if you're 6 or 90, there is something for everybody in Tron: Legacy.  Reading all of the so called "critics" reviews you would swear that this was the new Ishtar.  Why?  Because this isn't a Fern Gully rip off with blue monkeys?  Look people, this is NOT Avatar.  Tron: Legacy is better, and has a TON of heart unlike Avatar.  Plus, this isn't a remake.  It's a sequel that took over 20 years to make.  And I for one am very happy the studio took it's time, and yes it shows.

     The story itself wasn't too contrived or bland,  it actually flowed well, and kept me in my seat.  Sam Flynn, the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn, looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 20 years. Along with Kevin's loyal confidant, father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.

     Nearly everything about Tron: Legacy was epic.  The CGI for the Cyber Universe was amazing.  Having Daft Punk doing the score really added to the feel of the characters and the world they resided in.  The highlight(s) for me was the revised light cycles and CLU 2.0.  First off The light Cycles were awesome to behold on a big screen.  These newer ones were more agile and seemed to flow at a hypnotic pace.  I often caught myself drooling over the races, and was applauded for letting my inner geek show. 

     CLU 2.0 should be given a lot of credit.  To take a younger Jeff Bridges face, and work it like a puppet to perfection on a digital level, AND make him a main character was epic!  I've viewed this movie twice now, and am still amazed at how good of a job the animators did.  Kudos to all of you involved with CLU 2.0, your hard work shows.  At times you have to shake your head and go "damn, that's awesome".

     I guess if I had any complaint against Tron: Legacy, it would be against the 3D.  I really didn't see the need to add it, because for the most part the movie was 2D and really didn't need to be in 3D.  That's it though, just that small gripe.  As a fan for the original Tron I give this movie my utmost respect and admiration. I saw the First one as a kid in a Drive in, Then as an adult I was very lucky to see the sequel in a theater.  I just hope it doesn't take 20+ years to film another addition to the possible franchise.

     Do yourself a favor, and go see this movie.

Mr. What? ( * * * * )

Clash Of The Titans 3-D ( 2010 )

Starring: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Flemyng, & Gemma Arterton

Directed By Louis Leterrier

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800320/



We begin today’s review with a public service announcement:

The new mythological adventure/fantasy film “Clash of the Titans” is advertised as a 3D production and tickets are priced accordingly -- which is to say, at about one-and-a-third times the cost of a ticket to a plain-old 2D movie.

Well, it ain’t worth it.

I’m not talking about the quality of the film itself, which is not very high -- although not as low as you probably (and understandably) fear/expect.

Rather, I’m talking about the sheer awful quality of the 3D transfer of the film.  “Clash” was shot in standard format, then gussied up to add a small bit of depth on the screen and considerably more at the boxoffice.  A mere handful of shots have a feel of multi-dimensional immersion.  But that number is small in comparison to the 3D sensation afforded by, oh, “How to Train Your Dragon,” which was made expressly for the 3D format, or even “Alice in Wonderland,” which, like “Clash,” was retrofit for 3D but with a more studied hand.

And, of course, all of those pale next to “Avatar,” a film which “Clash” continually calls to mind for reasons not entirely its own fault.  Because, you see, if the filmmaking and 3D effects aren’t anything like those in “Avatar,” other things, alas, are.

“Clash,” you see, stars “Avatar”’s Sam Worthington as -- get this -- a half-human/half-not-human hybrid whose quest to drive evil from his planet involves riding a winged beast that no man has ever mastered and settling an internal conflict about which portion of his nature should command his loyalty.

Obviously, “Clash” isn’t an “Avatar” knock-off -- it’s far too soon even for the most opportunistic filmmaker to pull that trick.  Rather, it’s loosely based on the laughably stoic and dated 1981 “Clash of the Titans,” which was itself loosely inspired by the Greek myths involving Perseus, a demi-god (in this case, a son of Zeus and a human mother) who fought off such beasties as the Medusa and a gigantic sea monster (or Kraken) in his rise to become, later in life, a beloved king.

In this telling, Perseus (Worthington) watches as the fisherman who adopted him as a foundling is killed by the god Hades (Ralph Fiennes), who’s engaged in crushing a human insurrection against the rule of Zeus (Liam Neeson).  Hades has threatened to destroy the city of Argos by unleashing the Kraken unless the city offers its princess as a sacrifice, and Perseus, though mistrusted by the humans because of his godly parentage, leads a small band intent on destroying the Kraken and sending Hades back to the underworld.

“Clash” is basically a quest story, broken up with fights against monsters (a couple of which are pretty cool, actually) and some truly limp and ill-played attempts at humor (a pair of hunters with Yakov Smirnoff accents join Perseus’ crew for no discernable reason).  Fiennes and, as Argos’ senior solider, Mads Mikkelson, afford some juicy fun, but Worthington projects the charisma of the young Russell Crowe’s lighting double.  And there’s a fair bit of gore for a PG-13 film, for what that’s worth.

But the going is pretty slim here.  Director Louis Leterrier (“The Incredible Hulk”) cannot stoke any of the film’s elements -- semi-romance, personal salvation narrative, or, most importantly, dramatic adventure -- into anything engrossing.  It all passes quickly, as far as that goes, but when it’s over it passes entirely.  And something that sells for a premium price ought to linger.

( * * ) -Mr. What?-

How To Train Your Dragon ( 2010 )

Starring the voices of: Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson & America Ferrera

Directed By Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892769/



"How to Train Your Dragon" is yet another animated movie taking its cues from the "Star Wars"/"Harry Potter" story frame -- you know, "motherless boy finds his special destiny during a hero's quest full of fantastic creatures and sassy tomboys."

The big difference between "Dragon" and so many other mainstream family movies plotted along those lines is that "Dragon" also happens to be terrific. It's charming, funny, exceedingly well-made and features enough comically thrilling flying-lizard mayhem to cause your child's head to lightly explode.

Set in a Viking village infested with sporadic Scottish accents and livestock-stealing dragons, the movie follows the education of Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) -- a whelp who questions his desire to become a dragonslayer after he secretly befriends a fire-breathing lizard he wounded.

The filmmakers have clearly digested their "Potter" and their "E.T.," but they've digested it rather well. The animation is sharply staged. The voice talent (which includes America Ferrera, Gerard Butler and Craig Ferguson) does more than simply regurgitate pop-culture references (and given that this is a Dreamworks joint, that's a minor miracle). The sheer variety of dragon creature designs is a riot, and Hiccup's vaguely Pokémon-looking dragon pal ends up being subtly expressive to the degree that the boy-dragon relationship becomes a little moving. That's a nice surprise, given the preponderance of bug-eyed cartoon Norsemen of varying accents.

Take your kids and start saving up for the DVD, because I suspect they'll be asking you to buy it as soon as they leave the theater.

-Mr. What?-

Alice In Wonderland 3-D ( 2010 )

Starring:  Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Helen Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover, & Matt Lucas

Directed By Tim Burton

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/


For all its visual panache, its clamorous storytelling, and its toy chest full of bizarre textures, Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” is a strangely passive film, dutifully ladling out its bits of filmic wizardry and expanding Lewis Carroll’s fantastical mythos in a promising new direction without any palpable sense of glee or verve.

It’s pure Burton, from the cluttered frames and grotesque characters and fiendish music to such thematic elements as an absent daddy and a golden-tressed heroine; clearly there’s a harmony of director and source material.  But there’s also a sense that Burton has come to the film reluctantly and kept himself occupied with razzle-dazzle with none of the passion he brought to “Edward Scissorhands” or “Ed Wood” or “Big Fish” or even “Sweeney Todd,” all of which seemed to engage him more deeply. 

“Alice” is, effectively, an updating of Carroll’s classic tale of mind-expanding journey into an alternative reality governed by strange laws of logic, grammar, play and peril.  Its heroine is not a little girl but a young London woman of 19 years (Mia Wasikowska) being courted by a dim-brained but wealthy young man whose marriage proposal causes her to flee -- all the way, in fact, to the rabbit hole down which she tumbled as a child during adventures she recollects now only in haunting dreams.

Once in Wonderland -- or, more properly, as she learns, Underland -- she finds that the bloody-minded Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) has imposed a reign of terror, abetted by a court of sycophants, the vicious Knave of Hearts (Crispin Glover) and a pair of homicidal beasties:  the Bandersnatch and the Jabberwocky. 

An underground cadre of loyalists seek to restore the rule of the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) -- including the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the Tweedles, -dee and -dum (Matt Lucas) and the animated White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat and Blue Caterpillar (the voices of Michael Sheen, Stephen Fry and Alan Rickman, respectively).  But they all live in mortal fear of the Red Queen’s forces and wait for Alice to return and slay the Jabberwocky, an event that has been foretold in an oracular manuscript.  Alice, though, assures them that she is no killer.  Besides, it’s all a dream, isn’t it?

This story, inspired by Carroll and credited to screenwriter Linda Woolverton, recalls Steven Spielberg’s contemplation of a grown-up Peter Pan in “Hook,” which seemed at least partially the director’s effort to reconcile his own youthful enthusiasms with grown-up responsibilities.  Here, though, Burton seems absent, unless you count Depp’s goggle-eyed, psychologically skittish Hatter as his stand-in (it wouldn’t be the first time for those two, of course).  Indeed, Alice’s story as told here rather closely resembles the story of Wendy Darling in the original “Peter Pan,” another heroine who hoped to avoid maturation by flying into fantasy.  In that light, there’s little wonder that Burton, now in his 50s, with children of his own, can’t find a way to make the story ring emotionally.

He does, however, make it into something of a razzle-dazzle movie, at least intermittently.  Clearly Burton’s visual aplomb and ease with special effects mesh with Carroll’s imagination.  The gardens of Underland, with their horseflies and dragonflies and chatty flowers, the now-he’s-here-now-he’s-not Cheshire Cat, the arrayed armies of playing cards and chess pieces, the neurotic energy of the Hatter’s speech and behavior:  it’s all delightful and
exactly what we want from Burton.  Among the performers, the director’s stalwarts Depp and Bonham Carter dig into their roles with such infectious relish that not even the hammy Glover can equal them.

(A word on the film’s use of 3-D seems apropos here:  There are moments of imaginative use of the technology scattered throughout “Alice,” but you never once have the sensation of complete immersion that “Avatar” provided almost constantly.  It feels like it will be years -- decades, even -- before anyone else catches up to what James Cameron and company achieved.)

Absent a sense that Burton is connected at a personal level to the material, much of what’s good about this “Alice” feels like window dressing or ambient clatter.  “Alice in Wonderland” is one of the most filmed and staged stories of all time, and you could feel genuine excitement in imagining Tim Burton bringing new life to the material.  Strangely, and unfortunately, among those who seem not to have shared that sense of anticipation was Tim Burton himself.  He’s present in this film, sure, but he never feels truly invested.

Overall Rating:  ( * * * 1/2 )

Mr. What?

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2009)

Director: David Yates

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter & Alan Rickman

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417741/

 Another Harry Potter movie. This is his 6th year at Hogwarts. As usual the school year starts out with some shit going down and hte headmaster pulls him in and fills his head with some shit about him being the chosen one.

 Once at school he finds a book once owned by the mysterious "Half Blood Prince" filled in with lots of hand-written notes that make Harry into the little bad-ass. Shit happens, evil comes, someone dies, etc, etc.

 All in all, it's a fun movie. The whole series is great, don't get me wrong. It just seems that after so much time you would hope for a twist somewhere... instead we get everything we expect. Which is nice... but I want more. You know what to expect and that kind of takes away from the fun of the movie. I hope for some big changes in the series future.

Final Verdict: * * * 1/2

- Al B. Damned