Discount Crank 2: High Voltage

3.8 stars

I loved the first Crank and the first time I saw this sequel was disappointed. But watching the two back to back yesterday made me realize that Crank:High Voltage was simply one-upping the first in anarchic fashion, and seen from that perspective, and with all expectations turned off, this is one weird, wild flick.

Neveldine and Taylor shoot in HD and this blu-ray disc is amazing, state of the art like their other movies. And that crispness is well-used by the insane shots and colorful weirdness here, as well as some nicely washed out scenes with flat color palettes that contrast nicely. If you like eye candy, you'll love this. And if you like being surprised, step right up.

The story makes zero effort at seriousness; the word "implausible" is mentioned early on and is a good watchword for C:HV. Nothing here is meant to be taken seriously, merely to be entertaining. Crank's silly Chinatown scene is echoed by a horse race version, a sign that N/T are here purely for the laughs and the action. And Amy Smart delevers a whole new side of raunchy goofiness to her character this time around.

While not as non-stop as Crank, HV does have more than its share of action, and the whole recharge theme is played for laughs pretty well, especially as Statham gives his all to those shots. His face is very funny at times, and this must be his most humorous turn to date.

Too wild and weird for some, no doubt, this movie will be perfect eye candy/brainfreeze for others. If you like Statham, Smart, the craziness and visual clarity of N/T, and/or general insanity, then you'll enjoy this silly ride.Get more detail about Crank 2: High Voltage.

Cheapest Superman Returns

Superman Returns has had a controversial run this far on video. The standard definition that Warner Brother's released first, was a jaw-dropping disaster (even as regular dvd goes). The compression problems, the color reproduction, the banding and aliasing...ugh. I had been bummed out by this having seen it in IMAX 3D where it looked positivelt luminous. It was a flagship release for HD DVD, and the problems continued there and with it's first Bluray release in 2006. The picture and sound were enormously problematic. WB wisely kept track of the complaints much like Sony did on the first release of The Fifth Element. This release looks and sounds terrific. It's not perfect, but it's not perfect in a way most people will notice. There still is evidence of digital noise reduction (DNR), which is a fancy way of saying the picture has been smoothed out to remove compression noise and film grain. I'm fine with the absence of compression noise, which is a technical flaw, but I love film grain because it is what lets me know it has been sourced from the original print, and it renders detail second to none. This print still looks gorgeous for the most part. Color and black levels are generally excellent, albeit muted, which is more to do with Bryan Singer's vision of the film. X-Men has a similar look. The horrible technical flaws which were so disappointing in the standard definition DVD version are gone, and this is an exciting, often beautiful print. Some of the murkier scenes really are more to do with Singer's muted pallette. The sound has been upgraded as well with Dolby TrueHD and LPCM. It is an exhilarating and pulverizing soundtrack. The jetliner rescue is just awesome. Ambient surrounds, music and dialogue are all supber. I loved the iconic flight between Supe and Lois. The special effects look luminous and the music reproduction is superb. I know there are some gripes, but this is the version to have and it is a "must upgrade" if you have the SD version.Get more detail about Superman Returns.

Cheap Deep in the Valley (Unrated)

The movie was ok and nothing earth shattering. The women were pretty and the story so-so.Get more detail about Deep in the Valley (Unrated).

Buying Underworld: Evolution

This movie falls short of the original, and is plainly, a horrible sequel. Without the enigmatic Lucien, the charismatic Viktor and the sinister Kraven, the plot falls short and is boring. When those characters died, the story died, as did the incredible acting. Bill Nighy (Viktor) and Michael Sheen (Lucien) were what made the first movie and are both highly talented actors. Scott Speedman (Michael) is a boring character, and a mediocre actor. I did not feel the chemistry between him and Selene in this movie just like I didn't see it in the first movie.

There was nothing interesting going on with the raunchy sex scenes and the whole Corvinus family storyline with Marcus and William. BORING.

I only give it 2 stars because of some scenes from the past featuring my favorite character Viktor in it. Other than that, it's a 1 star movie and not really worth seeing.

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Buy Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

We were very pleased with this purchased. The dvd arrived in great shape and quickly. Just what we wanted.Get more detail about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Purchase Knocked Up

lets face it, Apatow, Rogan and the gang are all very talented and hilarious. sure the characters are almost always simplified to demonstrate a certain persona of ourselves, but that doesnt stop the movie's message from ringing clear and the trip to be an enjoyable, and funny, one.

i doubt anyone is here reading this having not heard anything about the people involved in the flick, but if you enjoy the gang, then this is highly recommended. if you have never watch an apatow film, 40 yr old virgin is a better place to start (all his films are pretty much a 50/50 mix of his 2 television shows, "undeclared" and "freaks & geeks")

one thing i must recommend to newbies and fans alike, watch the plethora of outtakes on the bluray release, there are some plot arcs and ongoing jokes that were completely cut from the movie that are just hilarious!Get more detail about Knocked Up.

Order A History of Violence

A History of Violence is a film about Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen)l a loving husband and father to a family with two children in a small town in Indiana. Corn fields surround his rural area home and he drives a pick-up truck. Tom also owns a small diner in town and has been in this town and married,living a quiet idyllic existence for about twenty years.

The movie slowly builds and develops complexity when Tom stops a vicious robbery in his diner. He protects his innocent employees and customers in amazing defensive and offensive reflexes beyond what normal men can do. Tom reminded me of a Clark Kent that can turn into his alter-ego Superman when needed. (His son also shows Tom's quick reflexes and thinking when he is unfairly attacked by high school bullies. By standing up to the bully and his friends he gains respect and the right to be left alone.)

Unfortunately for Tom, he is featured as a hero on several news stations as well as the newspaper. His life and face are in the spotlight, which immediately signals a threatening mobster from out of town (Ed Harris). He arrives into town with two thugs with a story that Tom attacked him and ruined his face and eye with barbed wire. Tom's past is unpeeled layer by layer as he struggles to protect his family from his violent past.

After the two confrontations and killing out of town mobsters, Tom is ruinited with his "good guy" brother, Ritchie (William Hurt). Ritchie is mixed up with the mob and wants vengence with Tom for leaving him "holding the bag" from the past. The acting does not skip a beat - the casting is excellent and the movie is mesmerizing. This is a top-notch psychological thriller, putting light on beliefs, relationships and the audacity of using violence to protect and save relationships.Get more detail about A History of Violence.