Gone Dark

Starring:Lauren Bacall, Claire Forlani, Henry Czerny, Pete Postlethwaite, Joris Jarsky, Barbara Gordon (II), Joan Gregson, Janet-Laine Green, Roman Podhora, Billy Khoury, Allen Stewart-Coates, Jesse Bond, Matt Holland, Colin Glazer, John Boylan (II), Tracy Waterhouse, Zoltan Buday, Neil Barclay, Joe Nascimben, Layton Morrison
Director: Lewin Webb
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Its not a classic but
It tried, it failed
Great DVD
I'm confused....
uwe boll fails at life

Alone in the Dark
Starring: Christian Slater , Tara Reid , Stephen Dorff , Frank C. Turner , and Matthew Walker
Director: Uwe Boll
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007XBM5W
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Amazon.com

As another entry in the video-game-to-movie genre, Alone in the Dark certainly delivers in terms of its splattering gore and number of things that get shot or blown up with the kind of arsenal familiar to any fan of games that allow the player to shoot or blow things up. You could argue that some game-based movies have been big successes--gauged either by audience appeal or box office scores. Even though a lot of hardcore gamers probably won't care, Alone in the Dark is not of that ilk. At least the Resident Evil and Tomb Raider series had some interesting characters and locations (not to mention sexy stars). But Alone in the Dark is crippled from the first by a mundane setting of caves, laboratories, and street-fighting backgrounds as well as a cast (including Christian Slater, Stephen Dorff, and Tara Reid) that couldn't be less interested in the overly complex plot. The absurdity starts right away with a long expository pre-title text crawl that carries all the gravitas of a "Monty Python" sketch intro. The gist of the plot has a group of scientists, special-ops military guys, and paranormal freaks and geeks investigating evil creatures that were once harnessed by an extinct subset race of Native Americans. Unleashed again, the creatures must be destroyed, which is where the video game blasting and attendant gore comes into play. Considering the cult following the game series carries (the first installment is over a decade old), Alone in the Dark could find a nice little life on DVD, but theater-goers might discover the title's a little too literal. --Ted Fry

Description

Edward Carnby (Christian Slater) is a private investigator specializing in unexplainable supernatural Phenomena. His cases delve into the dark corners of the world, searching for truth in the occult remnants of ancient civilizations. Now, the greatest mystery of his past is about to become the most dangerous case he has ever faced. With the help of his ex-girlfriend, archeologist Aline Cedrac (Tara Reid), and his bitter rival, government agent Richard Burke (Stephen Dorff), Edward is about to learn that just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it cannot kill you!

Customer Reviews:

Its not a classic but.......2007-06-23

I recently saw this movie and I enjoyed it. I didnt find anything wrong, probably because I was looking to be entertained rather then find hiding meanings. Its a great action movie. Plus, im a huge metal fan. They have six videos on the dvd from good metal bands, that was just icing on the cake for me.

It tried, it failed.......2007-06-21

This reminds me a little of "Relic", but relic didn't preach like a documentary. Perhaps they thought it made it Film Noir, but they were sadly mistaken. I like Christian Slater, and the rest the cast is decent in their parts. The creatures are downright good. Weapons that fire light bullets kind of cool. So why does it fail as a movie? The intro text back story is to long, Slater telling things in background dialogue gets old, and his character doesn't seem to feel anything. The supposed tension between him and an old 713 rival never really feels tense. The ending is just stupid. Supposedly the creatures are sealed up again, but they can't find anyone in the city or at the 713 headquarters. Did everyone get wiped out like the tribe of people in ancient times? Who knows and who cares? Not me. That stupid beginning and ending were just to much. I might have tolerated the bad dialogue throughout but putting that lame beginning and ending on it were to much. So although I had seen this some time ago, when I rented it again it was obvious why I never bought it. The only movie that stinks enough to get one star though is Ishtar.

Great DVD.......2007-05-16

I like it. there are so many for me to comment on. All the DVD'S ARE GREAT. Thank you

I'm confused...........2007-04-21

I saw this movie in the theater and still don't really know what it's actually about. I have to say though, that if you rank this "film" as a comedy, then it deserves 5 stars, sadly, I'm pretty certain that Uwe Boll didn't mean it as such (though i'm sure he would say otherwise). Despite this movie being as bad as it is, I have to say that it made for one of the best movie going experiences that I have ever had, the consesus of the viewing audience was that this movie was so bad, that noone minded one bit when everyone in the theater started heckling it out loud in Mystery Science Theater fashion. The movie was fool of great moments and memorable lines like "don't be insane!" and virtually every word to come out of Tara Reid's mouth, but the best part came when one of the characters called out for their lost friend Marco and literally 5 people, including myself, couldn't resist the urge to yell "polo" at the screen. This is one of those movies that's so unbelieveably bad that it borders on being art (if you consider taking a dump on a puppy artistic expression that is). It amazes me that there are people out there that may actually like this movie, I can't think of a single use for it, though I can honestly say that if a copy of this film were found in Sadam Huisein's palace during operation Iraqi freedom, then it certainly justifies going to war and is proof that Saddam had at least one weapon of mass distruction.

uwe boll fails at life.......2007-04-17

Have you ever been stabbed in the face? I haven't but while I was watching this movie, I had this almost overbearing curiosity to find out what its like. Seriously, this movie is so bad, suicide won't erase the haunting visions of sheer ineptetude from your mind. this movie is probably the worst movie ever made. well, there are worse movies out there, shatter dead and 13 seconds being two that i can name off the top of my head, but i mean come on both movies had a combined budget of a McChicken sandwhich with a small order of fries. whats this movies excuse?

Average customer rating:

Not bad at all
awesome flick!
Good Story, Sub Par Hack and Slasher. 39 out of 100
Put on a sweater - you will have goosebumps!
What's Wrong With Horror Movies Today?

Malevolence
Starring: Al Bertolone , Courtney Bertolone , Keith Chambers , Jay Cohen , and Danielle Cunetta
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007LPSM2
Release Date: 2005-04-19

Description

It's ten years after the kidnapping of Martin Bristol. Taken from a backyard swing at his home at the age of six, he is forced to witness the unspeakable crimes of a deranged madman. For years, Martin's whereabouts have remained a mystery... until now. When a bank robbery goes wrong, desperate felons Julian (Brandon Johnson), Marylin (Heather Magee), and Kurt (Richard Glover), scatter to meet up later at an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. Grabbing hostages Samantha (Samantha Dark) and her young daughter Courtney (Courtney Bertolone) along the way, the group has no idea that the house they've chosen for their seclusion is about to become a hunting ground - with them as the prey...

Customer Reviews:

Not bad at all.......2006-12-23

I saw this movie and there were quiet a few scarey parts that I didn't know what would happen. I found it very interesting and it held my attentiion until the last minute of the movie. If you are into a psychological horror, not necessarily a gore movie, try this one.

awesome flick!.......2006-11-11

Take the key elements from Halloween, FF13 pt.2, TCM (74), and you get this masterpiece. A must for suspence/slasher fans. Great movie it will creep you out big time!

Good Story, Sub Par Hack and Slasher. 39 out of 100.......2006-08-24

Malevolence is the story of 4 young bank robbers who flea to a rural safe home after robbing a huge metropolitan bank. En route, one of the thieves is forced to carjack a lady and her daughter at a gas station, and take them to the safe house. While at the house, one of the people that was taken hostage escapes, running to the neighbors home; the home of a hack and slash killer.

The setting and scenery in Malevolence was fun to watch. It was unique and eery. But outside of that, the story offers little. Samantha Dark holds the film together, and is the only actor who doesn't overact to the point that you want to scream. The rest of the cast is horrendous. Don't expect to see them again.

The movie was paced pretty good, but there weren't a lot of frights. I was scared at times, but never really on the edge of my seat. I think the reason I stayed immersed in the film was due to the setting, and Samantha Dark.

The killer was old school hack and slash, complete with the big butcher knife. There were many cheesy horror cliches used in the last 30 minutes.

Malevolence is a very sub-par movie in many ways. It is worth watching for the unique story and setting if you can tolerate horrible acting. It is by no means as good as most other horror films on the shelf, but worth watching for fans of the genre.

You will see it, remember some parts, and might even buy it if you like the unique aspects.

Total Score (out of 100) = 39

17 (out of 50). Enjoyment. A rating based on my overall enjoyment of the film.
4 (out of 10). Acting. How good was the acting?
7 (out of 10). Immersion. Did the movie suck me into the story?
7 (out of 10). Intangibles. Special effects. Movie pace. Is the movie forgettable, or something you will talk about and remember for weeks? Years?
3 (out of 10). Must see. Is this movie worth seeing/renting?
1 (out of 10). Must buy. Is this movie a must buy/purchase?

Put on a sweater - you will have goosebumps!.......2006-05-07

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (5/06)

Nancy Mehl wrote Malevolence in a fast paced manner that managed to keep me on the edge of my seat in a constant state of terror! That is exactly where I want to be when I am reading a horror novel. I live in a hot desert area and I actually had goosebumps on my arms for the majority of the book. I also kept asking myself why I was reading this book right before bedtime! I was guaranteed to have creepy dreams.

Icy Curtis is the lead character. She and her son Danny have relocated to a new area shortly after the death of her husband. Her son is having problems adjusting to this new place, or so she thinks. Actually, there are some unscrupulous people at his school committing obscene crimes, including those against children. There is also an evil presence at work influencing the people around her. As people close to Icy are horribly murdered, she starts an investigation of her own. She is aided by former police detective Milt Barbarino. They develop a close friendship as a result of this. She also discovers that her son is in jeopardy.

Icy's fears about her son's safety are very realistic and I felt that the suspense created by a mother's love and desire to protect her vulnerable child greatly added richness to the story. It made the book so much more than just a creepy horror novel. The characters are real; you worry about what happens to them. Especially as some of them are being killed off.

As Icy continues to investigate, she discovers a connection to her past, and learns a huge surprise about where she came from. She also finds connections between herself and the murder victims. This ties directly into the story, but to say more about it will give too much away. You will just have to read Malevolence to find out more!

What's Wrong With Horror Movies Today?.......2006-04-18

If I'm not mistaken, this movie was released straight-to-video. I've never seen a s-2-v movie I liked, so I'm not sure why I thought this would be an exception. I had read an extremely inaccurate synopsis on the internet for this movie, but it had sounded good so I rented it. This movie is terrible. I've seen a lot of bad theatrical horror films, this movie doesn't even deserve a theatrical release. But, I must admit. It had a few good elements (hence, my 2 stars). The music (composed by writer & director Stevan Mena) is really good, like "Halloween" & "Friday the 13th" good. Some of the uses of the music during scenes where the killer appears are pretty effective. But this movie sucked from the beginning. It begins with a little kid (who we've already seen has been missing) watching a man kill a young girl in a basement/torture chamber. Then 10 years later, we meets Kurt (Richard Glover), Marilyn (Heather Magee), Max (Keith Chambers), and Julian
(Brandon Johnson). Marilyn and Max are siblings. Marilyn and Julian are lovers. They four plan to rob a bank and after they do (apparently the budget wasn't big enough to film the robbery) Max is dead and Kurt is heading to the meeting spot, a secluded "deserted" house in the middle of nowhere.
When Max was shot, I was compelled to write a thank-you note to the writer,
because Keith Chambers is one of the worst actors I've ever seen. This man should be shot. Anyway, as Marilyn and Julian stop to bury Max's body. Kurt drives to the house when his tire blows. Kurt (dressed in the same jumpsuit he robbed the bank in and holding two bags of cash...What a dumb a$$) jacks a car that contains a young mother named Samantha (Samantha Dark) and her daughter Courtney (Courtney Bertolone). Why does Samantha have a English accent? Anyway, Kurt takes the young mother and daughter to the house, when Courtney manages to escape. Kurt runs after her, leaving Samantha in the house. Kurt ends up at another house (the setting of the torture chamber) and is killed. The killer takes one of Kurt's money bags and uses it as his mask. Marilyn and Julian then arrive at the meeting spot to find Samantha and most of their money missing. Insert next cliche here. Anyway, at the end of the movie we find out who the killer is. Never before have I known exactly what was going to happen before it did, writer Mena doesn't even bother to add something in at the end to make us go "wow, now that's a twist." Instead, after "discovering" the identity of the killer; we are given yet another "I saw it forty minutes ago" twist. I think Stevan Mena should stick to scoring horror films rather than writing them. Seriously, folks. Don't waste your time.

GRADE: D- (because of the music). F (ignoring the music)

Average customer rating:

A great little film noir
Jim Thompson on film--and punchy!
An Underrated, Relatively-Unknown Noir
Newer film noir entry
trust 'ol uncle bud...and see what happens.

After Dark, My Sweet
Starring: Jason Patric , Rocky Giordani , Rachel Ward , Bruce Dern , and Tom Wagner
Director: James Foley
Manufacturer: Artisan Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005Y6XA
Release Date: 2002-03-26

Amazon.com

If you like the twisted, amoral characters that inhabit the world of pulp novelist Jim Thompson, you're going to love After Dark, My Sweet, one of the most faithful of many Thompson adaptations. Protagonist Kevin "Kid" Collins (Jason Patric), called "Collie" by those attracted to his shaggy dog side, escapes from a mental hospital and shuffles into a lonely desert town (and Patric really has the gait of a former pugilist down). Enter widow Fay Anderson (Rachel Ward), with legs that could stop a truck and a half-baked scheme to kidnap the scion of a rich family, which she's dreamed up with her unctuous and untrustworthy Uncle Bud (Bruce Dern), and it's the beginning of the end for the likable Kid.

After Dark, My Sweet is a film about judging people. No one is who they seem. Only by guessing their true intentions can Collins have a chance to survive. The film also has brilliant performances by the three leads, especially Dern, whose Uncle Bud is delightfully unhinged. Director James Foley (Glengarry Glen Ross, The Corruptor) is subtly adept at fleshing out the characters and their ambiguities, which solves the problem inherent in adapting Thompson's sleazy tales--namely, that much of the drama is internal, and therefore unfilmable). --Wayne Karrfalt

Customer Reviews:

A great little film noir.......2007-02-20

Film noir focuses on desperate people doing desperate things. And that is exactly what this movie entails.
Others have gone over the plot here so I will not do that. I will say that all actors did exceedingly well in what can be very difficult roles to play. They all acted off each other in a believable manner.
Bruce Dern was never seedier than he is with this character. Jason Patric and Rachel Ward also excel at thier characters.
What is decieving here is the setting....somewhere in the southwest, desert area. Film noir is typically dark and shadowy but here there is lots of sunlight. It takes the focus off the setting and puts it on the plot, which I found to be an interesting twist and quite effective.
In the heat, the emotions bubble over. Lust, greed, deception, lies, mistrust and paranoia all play out in layer upon layer and is accented by Jason Patric's character very effectively.
For those who like film noir with a twist you will certainly like this little known gem. It is immediately captivating and magnetic. I don't know how I missed it on it's original release but certainly glad I caught up to it. Take a chance folks... you won't be disappointed.

Jim Thompson on film--and punchy!.......2006-09-15

Very nice piece of work with strong casting. How can you do better than have Bruce Dern play an ex-cop sleazeball? Or Rachel Ward as a dangerous femme fatale? Or Jason Patric as a semi-addled former boxer with smoldering sexuality?

Answer: you CAN'T. Yep, we're in Jim Thompson land--aka Desperation City, and each one of these three characters has some kind of desperation going on, as do just about all of Thompson's characters. This is neo-noir at its best; you reduce the story down to fundamental elements and have James Foley directing--a rock solid director--and you got yourself one humdinger of a flick.

So yeah, there's sex and violence and yeah, they both come out of Desperation. Oh yeah. The flashbacks of Patric (as Kevin Collins), a former boxer, when he was in the ring, add just the right element for cementing the story and its Thompsonesque flavor. So there's a planned heist and stuff, but the formula isn't important. What's important is the atmosphere, the acting, the emotional punch on display. And it's definitely here.

Great piece of work. Go for it.

An Underrated, Relatively-Unknown Noir.......2006-04-26

Intense actors like Bruce Dern, Jason Patrick and Rachel Ward combine to make this modern-day film noir a winner. Of the three, I don't know who was most interesting as all offer good performances and intriguing characters.

Patric does the narration in this noir, playing an ex-boxer and mental patient. Wow, that alone makes for an interesting guy! He looks dumb, but he isn't. Ward is the slinky, attractive, cynical, intelligent and compassionate co- conspirator of a kidnapping plan that goes bad. Bruce Dern also is in the mix and Dern never fails to fascinate in about any film.

The movie could be considered kind of downer to the average viewer, but I found it fascinating....and I don't like depressing movies normally. What I found was a kind of quirky crime film. Take a look and see if you agree. This is pretty unknown film that shouldn't have that status because it's simply a good story and well-done.

Newer film noir entry.......2006-04-13

A dark, twisted thriller about an ex-prizefighter, lately escaped from a mental hospital, who gets mixed up in a kidnapping scheme that goes awry. The fighter, played very well by Jason Patric, is brighter and more human than the two he gets mixed up with - Bruce Dern and a miscast Rachel Ward. Patric falls desperately and hopelessly in love with Ward. In fact, everything in the movie, which is based on a Jim Thompson crime novel, appears desperate and hopeless - the characters, the situation, even the outcome. Patric sacrifices his life so Ward can escape punishment for the kidnapping, a noble jesture for sure, but a strain on credulity. Another somewhat unrealistic aspect is the behavior of the kidnapped boy, who is virtually mute and unresponsive the whole time. But the story is an interesting one, and Patric, with his quiet, slow-thinking voice holds our attention.

trust 'ol uncle bud...and see what happens........2005-12-05

This is a great adaptation of my favorite Jim Thompson novel.

Jason Patric is excellent; he projects the raw physicality of a young Brando with just the right amount of modern psychotic edge. Rachel Ward is certainly beautiful enough to inspire many a man to do something dangerous and/or stupid( the sound of her husky voice alone would bring me to my knees!) Bruce Dern, after too many yrs in semi-retirement, acts with such sleazy charm that i almost wished it were the 1970's again and he were in his full-on psycho mode.

This has to be the brightest noir ever filmed and the washed out desert locations help tremendously when it comes to building an alternative atmosphere to the old school "city noirs".

Of all the adaptations of Jim Thompsons work so far, this one is my favorite.

Average customer rating:

credible portrayals - interesting concept
forlani fan
Great Mystery Thriller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gone Dark
Starring: Lauren Bacall , Claire Forlani , Henry Czerny , Pete Postlethwaite , and Joris Jarsky
Director: Lewin Webb
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001WTUHQ
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Customer Reviews:

credible portrayals - interesting concept.......2007-02-14

I think Ms. Forlani does a great job capturing the American accent and playing a character that seems so against "type." I've seen her in other movies and on tv (Meet Joe Black, The Medallion, CSI: New York) but this role really spun my expectations sideways.
I was impressed with the scenes between her and Ms. Bacall, and I think they played off each other's talents convincingly. Definitely an examination of a "day in the life," as Ms. Forlani puts it. There isn't a great external journey or quest or adventure, so much as the film seems like a voyeuristic peep show watching characters spinning in place, or if anything, spiraling down out of control.

forlani fan.......2005-08-14

very good cast.liked technique of plot line jumping. Had some holes w/credibility as pertaining to monica's addiction, and not being able to be detected by her law enforcement superiors.
liked low-key production, in this day of special effects, it was refreshing.Claire Forlani was beautiful as always.

Great Mystery Thriller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2005-06-02

this is a great mystery thriller about the revenge of an elderly woman on her kidnapper!!! It's a must see!!!

Average customer rating:

Dark Tides
Starring: Katherine Kendall , Paige Turco , John Newton (III) , and John Mese
Director: Bret Stern
Manufacturer: Rph Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00006RCNG
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Average customer rating:

A great little film noir
Jim Thompson on film--and punchy!
An Underrated, Relatively-Unknown Noir
Newer film noir entry
trust 'ol uncle bud...and see what happens.

After Dark, My Sweet
Starring: Jason Patric , Rocky Giordani , Rachel Ward , Bruce Dern , and Tom Wagner
Director: James Foley
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00000ILFO
Release Date: 1999-05-25

Amazon.com

Description

The get-rich-quick-scheme of a sexy widow and a con man needs a perfect pawn to set it in motion. Their choice has a few skeletons in his closet, however, and he gets involved only to be close to the seductress. If he finds out she's manipulating him, the stakes could turn deadly. Jason Patric, Rachel Ward, Bruce Dern

Customer Reviews:

A great little film noir.......2007-02-20

Jim Thompson on film--and punchy!.......2006-09-15

An Underrated, Relatively-Unknown Noir.......2006-04-26

Newer film noir entry.......2006-04-13

trust 'ol uncle bud...and see what happens........2005-12-05

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Def Comedy Jam, Vol. 5

Henry VIII And His Six Wives

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