Showing posts with label faves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faves. Show all posts

5/04/2012

XXX (Unrated Director's Cut) (2002) Review

XXX (Unrated Director's Cut) (2002)
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[Actually, my rating is 3.5 though I liked it pretty much.]
Contrary to many reviewers, I went to see "XXX" just to see Asia Argento, daughter of famous horror maestro Dario. Of course, I knew Vin Diesel and Sam Jackson, and a greta fan of the latter. Also, I have seen Vin's great sci-fi thriller "Pitch Black," but to me, she is the one to see.
Anyway, "XXX" proved two following things; Vin Diesel is the action star of the next generation (another candidate is, probably, the Rock), and his name will be much more famous than he is now. (Actually while I was watching Serie A games, Italian football games on cable TV, his name was shown extensively in the ads on the ground.) He deserves much attention from us, and his metoric rise of career surely comes from his charisma, which can be easily seen in this otherwise OK action film.
The plot of "XXX" about the instant-made spy with 'I-am-BAAAAAD' attitude is not new. Sam Jackson's role as a reluctant boss handling the most desperate case of international terrorism (and this hopeless novice spy) seems, or is, too clithed. But Vin Diesel fits so well in the key role of Xander Cage, most daredevil extreme sports expert, that no one cares many plot holes there, or the stunts and explosions obviously helped greatly by CGIs.
The other thing "XXX" shows is that, like many other James Bond films, the female parts are less effectively used. Asia Argento, herself already having made a long career as an actress and even a director (this part of career she and Vin Diesel both share), plays Yelena, a mystrious girl from Russia, standing next to the mastermind of the secret organization 'Anarchy 99" which contemplates something, but you soon realize the truth about her and her identity. Like any 'Bond Girl' you pick, she is there to help and love the hero, and maybe she should be so. But I wanted more from her part, just all right as it is.
Hyper-actions galore (on the rousing chase scenes on the river, on the snow-capped mountains, and even on the stairs of Prague ... the last one using some unique thing for skateboard), "XXX" delivers as much as any action flick fans expect. However, it is not the Bond-like gimmicks or action scenes that attract you most. It is Vin Diesel, whose unexpectedly soft eyes betray that this guy cannot be really evil. And the film finally proves that. That is what we call predictable, but in this case, Vin's presence barely makes you forget the fact.

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XXX:DIRECTOR'S CUT - DVD Movie

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11/17/2011

Windsor Castle - A Royal Year (2006) Review

Windsor Castle - A Royal Year (2006)
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This is an inside look at the inner workings of Windsor Castle that most folks don't get to see. Planning a royal party is like planning a battle. Everything has to be exact and perfect. The dining table is so long that a man has to walk on the table with special shoes just so he can light the candles. After these grand dinner parties, the queen ensures that the floral arrangements are delivered to different charities. You can see and hear from the people that have to run this huge palace. Also shown are some rooms that are not open to the general public. You can even see the cast of Les Misarables move their show to the house of Windsor for a special performance. You know you're rich when all you have to do is snap your fingers and bring a whole musical to your home. There's a lot of great info here. Even the man that changes the flags makes an appearance. He's the guy that changes the flag as soon as the queen leaves or comes back home. If you are interested in the royals, this dvd is for you. It's full of wonderful factoids. It's also great for the kids.

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Royal reality in a landmark series produced for the BBC. For the first time ever, cameras go behind the scenes at Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world and home to Queen Elizabeth since childhood. The result is an intimate glimpse of castle life above and below stairs over the course of a year that includes a historic state banquet and the wedding of Prince Charles to Camilla Parker-Bowles. Meet some of the 300 people who live and work in the castle’s 900 rooms: the Queen’s housekeeper, grooms, fendersmiths, and military knights, to name just a few. Accompany HRH Prince Philip, the ranger of Windsor’s 15,000-acre Great Park, as he tours the grounds and speaks candidly about the ups and downs of running this amazing public space. Bonus Footage! Includes over two hours not seen on the PBS broadcast, including exclusive new footage of the wedding of Charles and Camilla.

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