Radu_Vladislas Reviews

Legit (2007– )

"Danny's a fanny... deid cat in a carrier bag.... HAPPY DAYS!" - Happy Boab

[10/10 · 11 February 2011]

This is a great little show so it is. I have watched it and watched it and still watch it on DVD to this very day. It never gets tiresome.

It's about two guys (Fox and Danny) who work in a market place together and what they get up to day to day. Fox lives in a caravan in Danny's garden. And Danny lives in the house with his mother. They are always scheming on how to make money as quickly as possible. And at times Fox has no choice but to perform drastic measures to make sure he lives up to being a good dad for his two kids. One incident involves breaking into a zoo to steal a monkey for his son for his birthday. And in another incident in "Night of the Lobster" he has to get 500 pounds together to give his daughter for her elite dance school position she got into.

Speaking of which in "Night of the Lobster" they are hired by an eccentric collector to track down a film called "Night of the Lobster" which apparently is extremely rare and those who starred in it are either dead or missing. The collector "Ophelia Baws" said she will pay them £1000 for the movie. So they try and track it down only to find out that it is only a myth. They decide to film it themselves and cash in on the idea. This leads to Fox getting stuck in a window of his caravan during the filming of a scene, and needs to be cut out of the side of his caravan with a chainsaw. Which leaves a huge hole in the side of Fox's home. A hole which he covers with black plastic refuse sacks.

Each and every episode is magic so it is. The show has some thing special in it that was never given time to really grow. Due to the unfair actions of the BBC this show was cut down without being given a chance. The BBC opted to renew Dear Green Place for a second series over this. Due to Kiernan and Riley from the Still Game fame being linked to DGP. Just because big named comedy stars are in it doesn't mean it will be a success and DGP proved this. It fails on all levels. And it too, eventually, was cancelled. I still say to this very day that Legit should have been the one out of the two that got two series made as it was the better show.

If the BBC have any respect for good comedy then they need to bring this show back. At least for one more season any way. And give it some advertising to promote it. Stop investing in shows that have run their course (Rab C Nesbitt for instance) and start on fresh new things like Legit. It's the least they can do. After all I don't pay my license to be handed recycled gunk and be expected to like it. Rab had his time and he was good back in the day. Leave him be now. Stop living in the past BBC.

Do the right thing and PLEASE bring Legit back. It's not too late.

HAPPY DAYS!.

Friday the 13th (2009)

Killer, intruder, homicidal man. If you see me coming run as fast as you can.

[8/10 · 3 July 2009]

This movie has some good moments in it and one or two moments that were just over done. The atmosphere in it was decent enough for a modern day horror movie. And in saying that though it wasn't as creepy as the earlier movies in the series (the first seven). Mind you no Hollywood movie nowadays can come close to the eighties horror movie atmosphere. And no amount of money or movie making talent will change that fact.

Amanda Righetti (Whitney Miller) is a honey so she is. She's great And I wont hear a negative word towards her. When I saw her character get killed by Jason at the start I was shocked. I was sitting there thinking to myself "You bastards. You have gone and killed my beloved Amanda!". That was a drop in morale for me that moment. What shocked me most of all was that I remember her getting the locket with JV's mothers picture in it while in the house. And Whitney was supposed to resemble Jason's mother. So you'd think he'd hesitate in killing her if she looked like her right?. So I sat there sulking while watch the movie as I thought Amanda (Whitney) was brown bread (dead). Then during a scene where her brother trips on an alarm Jason had set up to let him know of intruders in the area, the camera then dives into JV's underground base. And what do we see down there? Whitney chained up. So I was like "YAY!" and my morale rose. I guess Jason saw the resemblance at the last moment before he inserted the machete into Whitney's face.

And from that moment on I was wondering if Amanda (Whitney) would actually get to see the end of the movie without a machete rammed somewhere the sun doesn't shine. And with Jason involved it's anyones guess if she was to survive. Watch the movie people to see if Whitney does make it. I am not telling you. I am just glad she wasn't killed at the start after all. I was excited with what was going on after I found out Whitney survived the initial attack. I started wishing I was there to keep her safe. Sounds daft that doesn't it. Mind you in saying that and at the sight of Jason coming through the trees with a machete and your in his line of sight. The best thing to do is quote Bender from Futurama "Cheese it!" and just don't stop running until you reach Alaska.

I think the sex scenes were over done in this movie. I don't have a problem with boobs being on show. The showing of boobs is a good thing he he. There are some lovely boobs on show. But the second sex scene in the movie (the one in the bedroom) was long and drawn out. It lasted about twenty or thirty seconds more than it should have. It doesn't matter how fine the woman is in the scene. The scene could have been shortened in length. Next time I watch the movie that scene will be skipped and the same goes for every time after that as well. Fast Forward is the way. Too many sex scenes and long scenes like that spoil this kind of movie. I might be more of a gore hound than a porn hound in saying that though. And if anyone disagree's with my comment about the over use of sex in this movie then go watch some porn, not a slasher movie.

The songs used in the movie are not my kind of music. They could have used some Brainstorm songs like (Inside The Monster), (Painside), etc. Songs to rock to (and in Jason's case... songs to kill to).

All in all with the negative points and plus points I'd say it was a decent enough movie. I just treated it as another JV (Jason) movie and didn't think of it as a remake too much. It worked. I just hope they don't make any more following this series. And go back and finish off the other Jason movies. The old series needs closure before a re-start is given to the franchise.

And by the way Hollywood, do me a favour, cast Amanda Righetti in more movies. She is a good movie star (and a beautiful one at that).

Count Dracula (1977 TV Movie)

Those that trespass against us, beware the shadows of dusk.

[10/10 · 10 November 2007]

The last time I had seen this was on TV back in the early 90's. That was to my knowledge the last time the BBC aired this classic. I recently ordered this from Amazon and it arrived this morning and I refrained from viewing it till nightfall. I started it about 10:55pm and it finished around 1:28am as I paused it for a snack break but only for a few moments. Anyway, all the memories came flooding back like it was just yesterday I had viewed this, not the early 90's.

The atmosphere in this is amazing so it is. The music is perfect for every situation, it is creepy and tense, and works wonders for the movie. The set pieces for every location are exceptional too (the graveyards and castle and forest thick countryside). They really do stand out and grab hold of you and don't let go as you are pulled into the storyline through the exceptional music and surroundings. Night time for example when Jonathan was stranded at the pass waiting on Dracula turning up for him, the storm in that scene was VERY atmospheric. The thing is it probably helped that I was watching it when it was raining outside and the wind was blowing strong, that and with it being night made it all the more enjoyable to view.

At this moment in time I am listening to the "Nox Arcana" Gothic ambient album called "Transylvania" and it is giving me goose bumps as the movie is still fresh in my mind, this is because it is not long finished (about 10 minutes ago). I highly recommend this album to those into the creatures of the night and their activities. A nice atmospheric piece listening to it in the dark (like I am at the moment).

The cast in this production is flawless. Louis Jordan as Count Dracula worked really well. He brought a sort of stern not to be messed with look to the Count in his performance, and yet still managed to be seductive to the ladies as well. Frank Finley is on top form as Professor Van Helsing (but when is Frank never a joy to watch). Judi Bowker as Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra is eye candy for me. She is a honey so she is. Her performance is not flawed in anyway what so ever. I think everyone else I have not mentioned gave 100% to their roles. The cast was very well chosen indeed, well done!.

In my opinion this is THE BEST version of the book to movie by far. The BBC are damn good at making atmospheric shows (Survivors, Count Dracula). It is this sort of movie (TV movie in this case) starring Louis Jordan that makes me support British horror over everything else when up against other countries in the same genre.

And in saying that this Louis Jordan Dracula production, along side Hammer Films, cannot be beaten for exceptional set pieces and atmosphere. It's things like Hammer movies and Count Dracula (1977) that make me proud to support the British movie and TV industry when gems like this turn up. I'd like to see Danny Boyle and Neil Marshall do something along this line of movie, they would be good at it. Danny Boyle and Neil Marshall are the new Terence Fisher's of British horror.

The Ghost Train (1941)

The Ghost Train (a timeless classic)

[10/10 · 18 June 2007]

I have a thing for old black and white movies of this kind, movies by Will Hay and Abbot & Costello especially as those are my favourites. I picked this movie up on DVD as it was using the same idea as Will Hay's "Oh Mr Porter" which is one of the finest comedies ever made. I just finished watching this movie less than ten minutes ago (the movie finished at 12:45am). I find that movies of this kind, to do with Ghost Trains, etc, are best viewed at night time with the lights out. That way you get into the storyline more and night time viewing works well with this movie.

The one-liners in the movie may seem a little dated to some viewers, I guess this depends on the viewer. They are not dated to me though. I am 28 and even though I am not old enough to have been around when this movie was first released (my dad was though). I still have a lot of appreciation for some of the old movies of this kind. Sitting in the room in front of the TV with some snacks and drinks and kicking back and relaxing at night while watching these movies, not many things can beat the feeling you get while doing this. It is an escape from reality for a while.

I noticed that one of the men in the movie (he has a black mustache) he appears about three quarters of the way through the movie after his car crashes and he is looking for a woman he was followed to the station. This man was in the Will Hay classic "The Ghost of St Michaels" as well. Just thought I'd point that out in case no one noticed :).

The set pieces in the movie are very atmospheric. Outside the abandoned station looks good and as if there is not a soul for miles in any direction, and the inside of the station is very cosy looking away from the rain storm that is outside. I felt like I would have loved to have been there in the movie with the cast. The atmosphere in this movie is something that is missing from a lot of movies now. It keeps you hooked from the moment the movie starts till it finishes.

We need more of this type of movie in todays market. But sadly it could be over looked in favour of movies with nudity and swearing and crude humour. This sort of movie making era (The Ghost Train, Oh Mr Porter, etc) to me is the golden age of cinema!.

Flight of the Living Dead (2007)

Dead Airways! It will be your first and LAST choice for travel!.

[9/10 · 17 May 2007]

The idea of the movie sounded a little stretched (storywise) from what I had heard about it. I mean I didn't see how they could make a movie about 90 minutes involving zombies on a plane. I was proved wrong in my thoughts and I for one am glad I was as well. The movie is decent and it far surpasses the other movie with a similar theme to it (you know the one).

The thrills were there and in a plentiful doze as well, some nice eye candy as well from three lovely looking ladies in the movie: Kristen Kerr (Megan), Heidi Marnhout (Emily) Emily looked cool as a zombie, Sarah Laine (Cara) Cara looked cool as a zombie as well (not in an attractive way either ha ha). The scene where we see the zombies crawling through the vents is a nice touch as well. Not many movies show us how the killers get to and from their destinations while dragging along their victims carcasses for consumption later on. They usually just pop up in places and then disappear. It may not have been that special a scene, but I thought it was a neat one.

There was some comedy in the movie it came more or less from Kevin J. O'Connor (Frank - the criminal in cuffs). He spewed fourth some witty lines in the right places as well. Speaking of comedy there was one scene where the cop I think it was shot a zombie that was flying through the air, as if it had just bounced off of a trampoline and the cop fired at it LOL.

If you like zombies then this movie should be given a viewing at least once. I wont say you will like it if you like zombie movies. As I know all too well that everyone has a different taste. But give it a go and see what you think, you might like it, then again, you might not. What I will say though, you will see a lot worse than this movie, oh yes!.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein (2001 Video Game)

Start the war machine, the Reich will rise!.

[9/10 · 15 May 2007]

In the game Himmler is up to no good as usual along side his fellow Nazi's, only this time it is far worse than the usual murderous escapades. He is trying to resurrect a long and supposedly forgotten Saxon God to help create a dark force to conquer the Allies that will sooner or later be knocking at the door of Berlin.

And here enters your character, an operative of the OSS, that's sent behind enemy lines to throw a spanner, or five, into the works of one of Himmler's personal projects the "SS Paranormal Division" and their plan to hold the sacred ceremony to resurrect the demonic Saxon, Prince Heinrich I, which in the end if successful will literally be the beginning of the end as he will unleash an army of darkness on the world.

The atmosphere through the entire game is a creepy like atmosphere and also one of war. It blends the two of them perfectly well, with no fuss. The score for the game is the highlight as each music piece matches what is going on on screen. The controls are fine as well as I use keyboard and mouse, not a pad. I have lost count of how many times I have played this game and finished it, I have even downloaded single player levels people have made with the level editor. This adds tenfold to the experience of the already excellent single player mode in the game.

If another Return to Castle Wolfenstein is going to be made, as I have heard rumours there is another one on the way. They had better keep all that is good about this one in the next one.

Thanx for a killer game to play well done to those who made it!.

Land of the Dead: Road to Fiddler's Green (2005 Video Game)

Land of the Dead: Road to Fiddlers Green (PC Review)

[7/10 · 15 May 2007]

The whole idea of this game is more than appealing to me as I am a massive zombie fan, be it Romero's movies, Fulci's movies, Dan O'Bannon's Return of the Living Dead, or even Peter Jackson's Brain Dead. I love nigh on all undead movies (one or two aside though). I have over 25 novels with a zombie theme to them.

The music score for this game (on every level in the game) is one of creepiness and tension. Take for instance the music for level 2. The score for that level is one that is just eerie as hell it's self!. It doesn't help either when you see the zombies coming through the rows of corn at you with the music in the background, very creepy!. And in being so the game should only EVER be played in the dark hours, lights out, with headphones. When you do this you forget the flaws the game has for a time and are immersed in the world on display.

We need more games of this type, and soon. I cannot wait for Dead Island to arrive on the PC as it looks like a cross between "Lost" and "Zombie Flesh Eaters". Hell, anything with zombies in it that is half decent or very good has my attention. And this game, although it isn't very good, it is playable. I myself have completed it on the PC 11 times now. I used the Land of the Dead X3 mod file for it when playing it. This adds double the zombie count to every level and it also gives you enough ammo to deal with the extra zombies as well, if you're careful that is!.

The graphics were passable, even though they were about 3 steps behind the modern FPS games out there. I for one go for immersion and experience during game play than fancy graphics and shallow experiences during game play. As a horror movie and video game fan I love the atmosphere in this game and it for this reason I award it 7 out of 10. If the zombie hit detection was better then it would have got a 9 from me. The zombies take too many bullets to go down. If you can let that slide, I can, then you might just see yourself enjoy the creepy world on display in this game (played at night time of course).

Anyone in the industry out there that is listening, if you can make it happen do so!. Bring out the supposedly cancelled "City of the Dead" game as it was similar in style of game play to this game. Hopefully minus the zombie hit detection flaw that is!.

Land of the Dead: Road to Fiddlers Green - 7/10.

28 Days Later (2002)

A very nice entry to the British horror movie scene, and to the horror genre as a whole!.

[9/10 · 13 May 2007]

I loved this movie from the get go, what with the whole idea of an apocalyptic vision of Britain, and the inclusion of "The Infected" running around as well wiping out, or infecting, all remains of human existence they find. It thrills me even to this day.

The atmosphere in the movie gives off the feeling of there really being no more hope for those spared the initial outbreak, and killing spree, caused by those infected with a rage virus. It makes you feel as if you're vastly out numbered and in danger no matter where you go or where you hide.

The ghost town like London was executed well, well enough to fool you into thinking "how could they make this happen", we get over turned buses and abandoned cars and fully desolate streets (no sound what so ever). It's creepy, if viewed in the right frame of mind.

Movies like this and Hot Fuzz and also Dog Soldiers and The Descent makes you proud of the British movie industry, instead of ashamed of it. Very entertaining movies they are as well. Unlike Hollywood where they remake classic after classic and Americanise foreign horror movies in the current rut they are in. Instead of being original to some extent!.

Well done, Danny Boyle, and the rest of his crew for a job well done.

The Hitcher (2007)

I was entertained to some degree, until a certain scene in the movie annoyed me.

[3/10 · 13 May 2007]

The storyline was almost identical to the Rutger Hauer classic. It was this that kept me going to the end. Ah the end, how it annoyed me with it's politically correct nonsense. Why say that you might ask?. Well I say it because of the two trucks pulling the guy apart death scene towards the end of the movie. Now it was a woman in the original that got tied to the trucks, if my mind serves me correct.

The reason why it wasn't the woman was because they were too scared to mistreat the female characters in the same way the men get treated (watch the movie to see what sex gets it worse). This is why we see a guy being pulled apart instead, as it would be oh so wrong for it to happen to a woman wouldn't it!.

No wonder I am loosing faith in the horror scene of late. It is too PC for it's own good!. If a character is in a horror movie, regardless of what sex they are, they should all be subjected to the fate the others in the movie have if the story so requires it. Not re-write it to suit the feminist minded crowd. In the original Hitcher, the writers didn't care who got killed, as they set out to make a horror/thriller. And this is why it will always be the better choice of the two.

How I long for those days again where we can watch a movie and take a wild stab (wild guess) at who's going to survive and who's not and actually be wrong, for once!.

Another remake that disappoints. Maybe one day I will see a remake worthy of the title it is trying to cash in on!.