Ric's Reviews

Film: Tyrannosaur

2012-02-18T10:59:00.003Z

Renowned Scottish actor and director Peter Mullan takes the leading role in this downbeat drama which is the directorial debut of Paddy Considine, star of the brilliant Dead Man’s Shoes.

Mullan is Joseph, an abusive brutish drunk of a man who, through shared misery, befriends local charity shop worker Hannah (Olivia Colman).

Mullan and Colman are fantastic in their portrayals of a lonely man with nothing left to live for and an outwardly respectable woman who hides an alcohol problem and an abusive husband.

At times this is a difficult watch. I almost switched off after the sickening (and needless) opening scene but Mullan makes for compulsive viewing so I persevered and was rewarded with a film that demonstrates the remarkable acting skill of the two leads and heralds the arrival of Considine as a fine director.

Unfortunately the film drags the viewer into the constant depressing atmosphere shown and the lack of uplifting moments mean that as a whole, it fails to entertain.

Powerful and compelling but ultimately just too miserable.

Tyrannosaur is available on DVD now.

Ric’s Rating: Dodgy

Reviews News: New Rating System

2012-02-15T12:57:00.005Z

I've decided to give the rating system a revamp.

Instead of the % ratings there will be six categories, these are:

ESSENTIAL - A book or movie that must be experienced.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Very good but lacking that special something to make it essential.

GOOD - Something that's pretty decent but has faults.

DODGY - A story that isn't up to scratch but may appeal to some people.

POOR - Nothing much to recommend for anything that falls into this category.

ABANDONED - This is for anything so bad that I can't endure the entire thing.

I don't intend to change any previous ratings but might if I have the time or the inclination so in general this system will start with the next review.

Hopefully this makes the ratings a bit clearer, let me know what you think.

Film: The Muppets

2012-02-11T14:32:00.004Z

Brothers Gary (Jason Segel) and Walter (a muppet) are inseperable so when Gary decides to take his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) on a trip to Hollywood Walter tags along, determined to visit the legendary Muppet Theatre.

They find a ruined theatre about to be demolished by oil baron Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) and decide to track down Kermit The Frog who sets about assembling the old gang to stage a show that will raise the ten million dollars required to save the theatre.

This is the first Muppet movie I've seen since Christmas Carol and the characters have lost none of their appeal. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and the rest of the muppets are in fine form, especially the crazy drummer Animal who steals every scene that he's in.

Segel, Adams and Cooper all look like they are having great fun too and there are appearances by Jack Black, Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong, Alan Arkin, Whoopi Goldberg and Mickey Rooney.

It's more of a nostalgia trip than a riotous comedy and I did have to look past the song & dance numbers but this is still a nice film that shows the incredible staying power of these characters.

If you fondly remember The Muppet Show you'll enjoy it and a new generation of youngsters will be singing "It's time to play the music....it's time to light the lights".

The Muppets is in cinemas now.

Ric's Rating: 72%

Film: The Horseman

2012-02-09T12:04:00.003Z

A grieving Father decides to hunt down those involved in his daughter’s drug related death in this brutal 2008 drama from Australia, which caused quite a stir on it’s release due to the graphic nature of the violence on-screen.

After viewing a sex tape featuring his daughter Christian (Peter Marshall) systematically tracks, traps and tortures all those implicated in it’s production and distribution. Along the way he picks up a teenage hitchhiker struggling with her own issues.

The carnage is interspersed with memories of Christian’s introduction to Fatherhood, moving moments show the Father and toddler daughter playing in their garden but unfortunately these tender scenes are too few and far between.

The film suffers by concentrating on the terrible vengeance wreaked on the bad guys, It could have been an altogether different story had it made more of the powerful emotions involved.

Overall this is still a decent tale of revenge but the final third gets a bit silly when we see a battered and broken Christian still managing to fight off the villains and escape all manner of dangerous situations.

The Horseman is widely available on DVD and various movie channels etc.

Ric’s Rating: 68%

Book: Blood Tears by Michael J Malone

2012-02-07T22:13:00.002Z

Glasgow Detective Ray McBain discovers a link to his own past while investigating the murder of a retired caretaker. Determined to catch the killer he keeps his own connection to the victim a secret. Unfortunately superior officers are soon made aware of this and the man doing the investigating finds himself locked up for the murder. Desperate to prove his innocence, McBain escapes and turns to an old friend on the opposite side of the law for help.

McBain is a fascinating character, haunted by a harsh upbringing and latent memories, he has risen to the top of his chosen profession, only to see the accolades of many successes slip away. But is he entirely innocent?
There is an eclectic supporting cast which includes career criminals, conflicted cops, and an old shrew of a Nun, all of whom help or hinder McBain in his quest.

Michael J Malone’s debut crime thriller features the controversial issue of child abuse within the Catholic Church but skilfully manages to avoid over-burdening the reader with a sense of gloom. The energetic pace helps the tale remain entertaining throughout and my home city is thankfully represented positively. The thoughtful descriptions of it’s sprawling Necropolis being a highlight.

A cool new voice in the increasingly popular Scottish crime fiction genre, Malone deserves a place alongside the likes of Stuart MacBride, Alex Grey and Ian Rankin.

Blood Tears is due for release in June 2012 from Five Leaves Publishing and you can visit Michael’s blog, May Contain Nuts, via the link in the “Visit These Places” section on this page.

Ric’s Rating: 82%

Film: Hostel Part III

2012-02-01T13:00:00.002Z

The latest instalment of the kidnap & torture franchise cleverly switches the action to Las Vegas as we join a bunch of guys on a Stag weekend.

Lured by beautiful women they head off to the seedier parts of town and soon find themselves bundled into the back of a van before waking up in huge cages.
They are then selected one by one to be the star attraction in a gruesome show staged by the Elite Hunting Club.

Although this clearly doesn’t have the budget of the first two films it’s slightly better than the lacklustre part 2. The Las Vegas setting adds impetus to events and a cool twist towards the end helps maintain interest.

While it isn’t anywhere close to the fantastic original this does manage to entertain fans of the series.

Hostel Part III is available on DVD now.

Ric’s Rating: 62%

Film: The Grey

2012-01-29T17:01:00.004Z

Liam Neeson (Taken) leads a group of plane crash survivors on a journey for survival across a frozen wilderness with a pack of hungry wolves in pursuit.

The survivors are all members of an oil drilling crew, men on the fringes of society with their own reasons for spending so much time away from home.

Providing the perfect blend of emotion and excitement this adventure movie features some strong performances. Neeson is as reliable as ever and excellent support comes from Frank Grillo (Warrior) and Dermot Mulroney (Young Guns). The men struggle to get along while traversing the hazardous terrain but must learn to work together if they are to survive.

They don't all make it, there are some jump-out-your-skin deaths and some very moving moments, all of which combine to make this the first must-see movie of 2012.

The Grey is in UK cinemas now.

Ric's Rating: 88%

Film: Straw Dogs

2012-01-27T14:13:00.001Z

This remake of the notorious 1971 Dustin Hoffman film casts X-Men’s James Marsden in the lead with notable support from Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgard and James Woods. TV favourites Dominic Purcell (Prison Break) and Walton Goggins (The Shield, Justified) also feature.

David Sumner (Marsden) and his wife Amy (Bosworth) decide to return to her hometown, a tranquil setting that should be conducive to David’s writing.
They soon hire a group of locals to repair their barn and tension quickly builds, leading to a sexual assault on Amy.

I haven’t seen the 1971 version but because of it’s reputation I was expecting something more visceral than what’s on show here. The attack on Amy is very unpleasant but it lacks the power required for this type of scene to suitably shock. Subsequent events also seem somewhat anti-climactic.

There are some nice performances, especially from James Woods, but for a controversial rape / revenge drama check out the recent remake of I Spit On Your Grave (see review elsewhere here).

Ric’s Rating: 45%

Film: Before The Fall

2012-01-26T12:05:00.002Z

In wartime Germany a promising young boxer leaves his family (and the prospect of a mundane job) behind when he is lured to a school for The Elite.

Freiderich soon makes both friends and foes in the competitive environment but the boys soon learn that the reason they are there is far more serious than spying on girls and boxing matches.

This German film is no action packed war movie as the cover may suggest. It’s a thoughtful coming of age tale that takes place during one of the darkest times in recent history.

It takes a while to get going but once the petty rivalries make way for really disturbing issues this becomes a captivating film that presents a WWII story that (to my knowledge) hasn’t previously made it onto our screens.

Before The Fall is available on DVD in the UK now.

Ric’s Rating: 68%

Film: The Sitter

2012-01-22T16:53:00.002Z

Jonah Hill (Superbad, Cyrus) proves that he's a more than capable leading man in this comedy that mixes Adventures In Babysitting (aka A Night On The Town) with American Pie.

Noah Griffith (Hill) agrees to look after the children of his Mother's friend while the "oldies" are out for the evening but, as expected, chaos ensues.

Griffith agrees to pick up his girlfriend from a party and obtain drugs from the local dealer, all with the kids in tow. The group then find themselves chased by gangsters and caught up in many awkward situations.

Corny and predictable but often hilarious this will appeal to fans of Horrible Bosses and The Hangover. Hill is great as the down-trodden Griffith and he manages to make the character likable.

Ric's Rating: 70%

Book: Finders Keepers by Belinda Bauer

2012-01-21T15:30:00.006Z

Children are vanishing in the town of Shipcott and local Policeman Jonas Holly vows to save them, even though he’s just returned to his job following a personal tragedy.

Belinda Bauer’s third novel returns to the community featured in the previous books and Steven Lamb, the kid from Blacklands, once again takes centre stage.

Lamb knows some of the missing children but he is reluctant to trust the local policeman and even conveys those fears to the city cops brought in to solve the case. Meanwhile he is experiencing his first love and inside he knows that he is slowly becoming a man so feels that he must stand up for his beliefs.

Will Steven once again triumph in the face of extreme adversity?

This is another excellent yarn from the CWA Gold Dagger award winning author. She has created a sleepy little town that harbours many dark secrets and features some fantastic characters. From the wonderfully complicated Holly and the determined teenager Steven, the insecure DI Reynolds and his colleagues, each character is fully rounded enriching the overall feel of the tale.

To fully enjoy this I’d recommend that you read the previous books, Blacklands and Darkside (see reviews elsewhere here), especially Darkside as it’s essential to understand Jonas Holly. The small town policeman is one of the best characters in recent crime fiction, tortured but no stereotypical alky, he seems to understand the perpetrator of the crime while retaining an air of menace himself.

Captivating, realistic and poignant, I can’t wait for my next visit to Shipcott.

If you haven’t read Bauer then what are you waiting for?

Ric’s Rating: 89%

Film: A Lonely Place to Die

2012-01-20T12:16:00.001Z

A group of climbers venture into the beautiful Highlands of Scotland (ok, I’m biased) to tackle some treacherous peaks. Their trip soon becomes a race for survival upon the alarming discovery of a captive girl.

Gripping from the vertigo inducing opening scene, this fine British film moves along at a cracking pace as the reluctant rescuers attempt to outrun the warring factions in pursuit of the girl.

Melissa George (Triangle, The Amityville Horror) heads the cast which features lots of familiar faces from UK and Scottish television, all of whom perform well and look very comfortable in what must be a first for many of them.

The finale lives up to the rest of the film when it comes to tension and entertainment but it takes place during a rather bizarre street carnival more akin to the streets of Rio or New Orleans than Inverness.

Anyone who enjoyed the likes of Vertical Limit and the Sidney Poitier mountain movie Deadly Pursuit will love it and it’s another plus for British film.

Ric’s Rating: 73%

Film: Stay Cool

2012-01-10T14:38:00.003Z

The old cliché about books and covers comes into play here. Check out the cover. High School chick flick, right? Wrong. What we have here is a whole lot more interesting.

It’s the tale of successful author Henry McCarthy (Mark Polish, who also wrote the film) returning to his High School to deliver a motivational speech to graduates. In order to get into the minds of the teenagers McCarthy decides to spend some time at the school and what follows is a surreal story that takes the 37 year old right back to his own High School days.

All the essential elements of a classic school movie are here, from staying with his parents (where his bedroom still has posters of The Lost Boys), old friends, enemies, teachers and the object of his teenage affections (Winona Ryder).

It all comes together perfectly to create a funny and poignant film that takes one back to their own school days. This is a perfect example of a “little known gem”, it’s the kind of film that doesn’t get a UK cinema release because it has no current major stars and it’s a school film aimed at adults so no mass appeal, such a shame.

The entire cast are fantastic. Mark Polish is perfect as the former geek still looking for love and Winona Ryder (who starred in the classic school movie Heathers) is excellent as his long lost sweetheart. Chevy Chase does a cool comedy turn as the principal and Sean Astin (The Lord Of The Rings trilogy) is hilarious as the flamboyant “Big Girl”.

I managed to find another poster that much more accurately depicts the film so I had to post

that too.

Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates the influence that their school days had on their lives , pretty much everyone then.

Stay Cool is released on DVD in the UK on 30th January 2012 courtesy of Metrodome.

Ric’s Rating: 92%

Film: Cash

2012-01-06T22:37:00.003Z

Jean Reno is fast becoming France’s answer to Steven Seagal, he seems to be appearing in an endless amount of straight to dvd films of varying quality.

This effort gives Reno second billing and he features prominently on the cover but he doesn’t show up for quite some time, although he does make a significant impact and his charisma shines through.

The main character is a con artist called Cash (Jean Dujardin, a man who strongly resembles UK tv star Robson Green). Following the death of his brother, Cash plans revenge and with the help of Reno and others he goes about hurting the culprits where they’ll feel it most, in their pockets.

The Ocean’s Eleven type antics are mildly interesting but the whole thing lacks excitement and pace. A surprising appearance by Ciaran Hinds from UK tv’s Above Suspicion was the most entertaining thing about it, he even speaks French, complete with the accent.

Cash was made in 2008 but arrives on DVD in the UK on 9th January 2012 courtesy of Metrodome.

Ric’s Rating: 37%

Book: Text Message by William Malmborg

2012-01-05T09:11:00.001Z

A Christmas shopping trip becomes a terrifying ordeal for sisters Mallory and Jenna in the new thriller from the author of Jimmy (see review elsewhere here).

While Mallory browses in a lingerie shop she sends her sister elsewhere and soon receives an ominous text message stating simply “I have your sister”.

The perpetrator then begins setting Mallory tasks and in order to spare Jenna from suffering she must complete each one, no matter how dangerous or degrading. A security guard, Dan, offers his help. But can he be trusted?

Enter the villain of the piece, Mr Campbell and we soon learn that he has become a predator due to some horrific incidents in his past.

This fast-paced tale takes place over the course of a single day in which the shopping mall has to close early due to adverse weather leaving the girls alone with the seriously unhinged Campbell.

The book will please fans of films like Saw and anyone who enjoys “horror” without silly monsters or anything supernatural going on.

Text Message is a heart-stopping and often disturbing thriller that remains easy to read but is not for the faint of heart.

For more information on the author and his other projects visit www.williammalmborg.com

Ric’s Rating: 74%

Film: The Legend Of Bruce Lee

2012-01-04T23:33:00.002Z

While watching this biopic of the legendary martial artist I gradually suspected that I was looking at something made for tv. A glance at the running time (a staggering 183mins) added to my suspicions. Research duly confirmed that this is a condensed version of a Chinese tv show that ran for 50 episodes, each one 45mins long.

It does throw in a couple of nifty fight scenes but even the charismatic Danny Chan (who bears a striking resemblance to Lee) and brief appearances from Marc Dacascos (Brotherhood Of The Wolf) and Michael Jai White (Exit Wounds, Blood & Bone) fail to broaden its appeal beyond the intended audience.

Bruce Lee's story has already been told for Western audiences in the fantastic Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story and this serves as a timely reminder of just how good that film was.

Recommended only to Bruce Lee devotees.

The Legend Of Bruce Lee is released on DVD in the UK on 9th January 2012.

Ric's Rating: 39%

Film: Elite Squad: The Enemy Within

2012-01-04T12:09:00.002Z

We kick off the 2012 reviews with a cracker from Brazil that should appeal to anyone interested in world cinema.

When Captain Nascimento (Wagner Moura) takes responsibility for a botched prison hostage rescue he expects to be kicked out of the Brazilian police. Instead he is given a position within the political machine and decides to use this to benefit his colleagues on the street.

When the police begin to get the better of the drug dealers Nascimento soon learns that he faces a more dangerous foe, corrupt officers and those who stand to make political gain through their activities.

This sequel to 2007s The Elite Squad contains a curious mix of explosive action, political drama and family problems that works very well indeed.

Evoking memories of the best of South American cinema (City Of God, Amores Perros) this intricately woven tale comes together beautifully and features fantastic performances from all involved.

There’s no need to have seen the original (I didn’t) as this works as a stand-alone film although my compulsion to experience events leading to those depicted here make it a must-see.

Elite Squad: The Enemy Within is available on DVD in the UK now.

Ric’s Rating: 84%

Preview: Blood Tears by Michael J Malone

2011-12-30T23:30:00.002Z

Blood Tears, the debut crime novel from award winning poet, book reviewer, brilliant blogger and fellow Scotsman Michael Malone is published in June 2012 by Five Leaves Publications.

Here is the lowdown on what’s in store for crime fiction fans:

A body is discovered: the terrible mutilations spell out the wounds of the Stigmata.

For Glasgow Detective Inspector Ray McBain the killings are strangely familiar......and then the dreams begin.

Blood Tears is the first in a series of books featuring Ray McBain, a detective who has too many friends in the underworld for his own good, but enough to support him when he is forced to go on the run.

June 2012 seems a long way off but Michael has kindly provided me with an advance copy so check back soon for a full review.

Please visit the author’s blog, May Contain Nuts for more information on the book and loads of other cool stuff.

Top Films Of 2011

2011-12-29T12:22:00.003Z

These are the films that I’ve enjoyed most over the past 12 months. All of them were “on target” in 2011.

The Next Three Days
Russell Crowe hatches a plan to help his wife escape from prison in this excellent re-make of the French film Anything For Her. Going into this one I didn’t know anything about it or that it was a re-make. This worked greatly in the film’s favour as I didn’t know how things were going to turn out.

Full review here http://ricsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/01/film-next-three-days.html

Let me In
Another re-make and again I haven’t seen the original. This tale of a child-like urban vampire manages to be the rarest of films, a great horror.

Full review here http://ricsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dvd-let-me-in.html

Fast & Furious 5: Rio Heist
Also known as Fast Five this sequel really delivers. Big on action and excitement it also features a brilliant fight scene involving Vin Diesel and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Full review here http://www.ricsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/film-fast-furious-5-rio-heist.html

Cell 211
A rookie prison guard finds himself locked in with the inmates during a riot in this brilliant Spanish drama. Can he keep his true identity hidden? Ferocious film with cool performances.

Full review here http://ricsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/film-cell-211.html

Terry
This British mock-documentary from director / star Nick Nevern follows a London wide boy as his life spirals out of control. It’s powerful stuff and very realistic.

Full review here http://ricsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/dvd-terry.html

Mother’s Day
Rebecca DeMornay is amazing as the Matriarch of a violent family in this excellent home invasion film from director of Saw sequels Darren Lynn Boussman.

Full review here http://www.ricsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/11/film-mothers-day.html

Horrible Bosses
What do you do when your boss is a tyrant? Three hapless friends conspire to bump theirs off in this surprisingly good comedy featuring fine performances from Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston.

Full review here http://ricsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/film-horrible-bosses.html

Thor
The God Of Thunder finally arrived on the big screen and director Kenneth Branagh delivered a film packed with action, effects and …….laughs! Excellent precursor to the upcoming Avengers film.

Full review here http://ricsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/04/film-thor.html

Rio Breaks
This emotional documentary follows two young boys as they attempt to escape a life in the slums of Brazil through professional surfing.

Full review here http://ricsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/06/film-rio-breaks.html

Warrior
At last, a decent MMA (mixed martial arts) film. An estranged family bring all their problems into the octagon in this modern day Rocky with great performances from Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy.

Full review here http://ricsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/09/film-warrrior.html

Near misses
Biutiful, Red State, Outcast, Stake Land, Collapse, Faster and The Troll Hunter.

Film: Territories

2011-12-21T13:29:00.001Z

When a group of travellers are pulled over by cops for a seemingly routine check they soon discover that these guys aren’t cops and this is anything but ordinary.

They are taken deep into the woods and subjected to a series of tortures typical of those employed against various terrorist suspects in recent years

It soon emerges that one of the captors is a veteran soldier who spent time working with detainees at the notorious Guantanamo Bay.

A tense opening half hour soon becomes a plodding unpleasant affair with few redeeming features. A cool P.I turning up to get to the bottom of the group’s disappearance provides little relief from the gloom.

Rather pointless really.

Ric’s Rating: 40%

Film: Faces In The Crowd

2011-12-19T00:06:00.003Z

Anna Marchant (Milla Jovovich) survives an encounter with the notorious serial killer Tearjerk Jack but the incident leaves her suffering from Prosopagnosia aka “face blindness”.

Unable to recognise her attacker Anna makes for a bad witness, much to the chagrin of cop Sam Kerrest (Julian McMahon) but even more troubling is the fact that she cannot recognise her friends, her partner or even her own reflection.

This begins very promisingly with Jovovich performing admirably as the nervy victim. Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break, The Walking Dead) also puts in an appearance but it’s all too brief as the actress playing her part frequently changes in order to illustrate the face blindness. This happens with all the characters, the notable exception being McMahon and the reason for this is explained, rather shoddily, towards the films finale.

What could have been an excellent serial killer film turns out to be a cheesy and predictable effort that’s mediocre at best, although it’s nice to see Jovovich in something other than a Resident Evil film.

Faces In The Crowd is released on DVD in the UK on January 9th 2012.

Ric’s Rating: 58%

Book: Committed by John W Mefford

2011-12-12T23:48:00.003Z

The discovery of a corpse leads Michael Doyle into the murky world of corporate takeover in the debut thriller from John.W.Mefford.

It emerges that the victim was known to Doyle and he is compelled to bolster a flagging police investigation, unaware that he is upsetting some very powerful people.

Whilst caught up in this personal crusade Doyle’s professional life is also thrown into turmoil as his company is swallowed up by an Indian firm known for their ruthless drive for profits.

Are these two seemingly unrelated events connected?

Starting off like a romance novel this takes some time to get going and often gets caught up in the details of corporate shenanigans. Only when the true nature of events is revealed does it become a compelling tale.

It has murder, revenge, corruption, bribery and scandal although I can’t help feeling that Doyle’s girlfriend should have had a past so much more complicated than the one delivered. Their relationship would have been much more interesting if tested more severely.

This is the first in a planned series for Mefford’s recurring character and it’ll be interesting to see what’s next for the budding investigative journalist but hopefully the next instalment will tone down the sickly sweet romance and crank up the action.

Ric’s Rating: 62%

Film: Bridesmaids

2011-12-04T18:20:00.003Z

Annie (Kristen Wiig) is overjoyed when her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) asks her to be maid of honour at her upcoming wedding. What Annie doesn't know is that Lillian has made a new friend Helen (Rose Byrne) and the two soon compete to organise the best wedding ever.

There are some fine comedy performances here. Wiig is perfect as the ditzy Annie and Melissa McCarthy is hilarious as the crass Megan.

Unfortunately, as is the case with many comedy films these days, all the funniest moments were shown in the trailer. There are laughs to be had but this is no female version of The Hangover, it's more of a romantic comedy.

It soon becomes a tiresome tale of a lonely woman looking for love and it's all as predictable as they come.

Mildly amusing but not what it appears to be, this is a chick flick masquerading as a middle aged American Pie.

Ric's Rating: 54%

Film: The Flight Before Christmas

2011-12-03T15:31:00.002Z

When impetuous young reindeer Niko unwittingly leads wolves to his herd he decides they would be better off without him so he sets off on a quest to find his Father, one of Santa’s famous flying reindeer.

Along the way he is joined by Julius the flying squirrel and Wilma the weasel, together they embark on the seemingly impossible journey to Santa’s Fell, but the wolves are close behind.

This beautifully animated film is a festive treat for both kids and adults. It has charming characters and nice moments of humour but the trio’s journey isn’t without peril.

The Flight Before Christmas is an ideal movie to enjoy with the kids as we approach the festivities, it’s available on DVD in the UK now courtesy of Metrodome.

Ric's Rating: 71%

Film: Assassin: City Under Siege

2011-11-27T15:32:00.001Z

A group of circus performers are infected by a toxic gas in this madcap martial arts movie from Hong Kong.

Sunny (Aaron Kwok) is the clown of the bunch and he becomes separated from the others. While he recovers from the effects of the gas, the gang have been using their new found strength and speed (which enhances their already considerable abilities) to terrorize the city.

Will the laughing stock be able to save the day?

This crazy high kicking film evokes memories of the fantastic Kung Fu Hustle. While it doesn’t reach the dizzy heights of that film it does entertain. There are many brilliant fight scenes where Sunny and his newfound allies (two “specialist” cops) face off against the ever-mutating bad guys.
The action is peppered with nice moments of humour too.

This is a must for fans of Hong Kong action movies.

Assassin: City Under Siege is available on DVD in the UK now.

Ric’s Rating: 70%

Film: An African Election

2011-11-26T13:34:00.003Z

This documentary film follows the 2008 presidential election in Ghana.

In a continent where many dictators and warlords rule, Ghana prides itself on its democratic society.

As the film progresses we follow the vying parties and their candidates on the campaign trail.

Up to this point this is a reasonably interesting documentary but it showed nothing that couldn’t be covered by a news bulletin. Then, somewhat fortunately for director Jarreth Merz, it all kicks off when there is no clear winner.

Unlike places like the UK there can be no coalition and a second round of votes is required.
With one party accusing the other of manipulating results tensions spill out into the streets and war looks likely. Will diplomacy prevail?

Now this becomes an edge- of- your- seat thriller where anything can happen.

Credit is due to all involved who allow Merz access to their political beliefs, systems and even home lives. The star of the show is undoubtedly the charismatic former president of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings. Despite an ambiguous rise to power he is still much loved by a sizable chunk of the population and he uses his considerable political might to support his party’s new candidate, Atta Mills.

Don’t let the slow start put you off, this captivating documentary becomes a tense and emotional ride.

An African Election is in selected UK cinemas now.

Ric’s Rating: 74%

Book: Ask The Dice by Ed Lynskey

2011-11-25T14:47:00.002Z

Since the age of 18 Tommy Mack Zane has worked as a hitman for Mr Ogg. Now in his fifties and framed by his boss Zane turns to his old buddies D Noble and Esquire to help him clear his name and take down Ogg.

Ed Lynskey’s latest slice of noir evokes memories of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer and feels like it should be set in the days of Al Capone and Elliot Ness. Infused with melodious jazz tones it transports the reader into a smoky world populated by shady characters but don’t be fooled, this is a modern-day tale.

Zane refuses to use a mobile (cell) phone but he does make the occasional foray into the world of emails and internet although his penchant for poetry makes him an unlikely Reaper.

Lynskey’s prose almost takes the violence out of this tale but there are murders aplenty as Zane frequently looks back on a life spent rubbing out those who have crossed his conniving paymaster.

Surprisingly the story comes across as rather poignant, the main character is very engaging and the explosive finale provides a final round knockout.

Ric’s Rating: 80%

Short Story: Inside by Victoria Watson

2011-11-22T22:49:00.003Z

While watching the demolition of a building, a young woman ponders past events which took place within.

This short story is similar to Victoria Watson’s previous tale Keeping Quiet but where that was an elderly lady looking back this is a much younger woman contemplating her past.

As events gradually unfold and we learn the building’s purpose various typical teenage events are remembered, like misguided sexual adventures, but when the final tragedy is revealed it puts all these things into perspective.

Emotional and thought provoking, this is another fine example of the power of the increasingly popular short story format which has seen a dramatic re-birth since the rise of the e-reader.

Ric’s Rating: 68%

Book: Holiday Of The Dead

2011-11-21T12:01:00.003Z

Wild Wolf Publishing assembles some of the most exciting horror authors around to bring us this zombie anthology containing thirty eight tales featuring our favourite flesh eating foes.

The stories vary in length and content but all feature the basic premise of the dead returning to life with the inevitable catastrophic results.

Stand outs include:

Jennifer by Iain McKinnon in which the hero of the piece may not be what he seems.

Apocalypse Noo by Vallon Jackson which takes us on a scenic trip to Loch Tay in Scotland where the locals are anything but friendly. Vallon Jackson is a pseudonym for Matt Hilton, author of the Joe Hunter thriller series.

Thanksgiving Feast by A.M Boyle which is a surreal tale of an old turkey farmer and a special knife.

Seahouses Slaughterhouse by Rod Glenn which sees the return of Han Whitman, the brilliant anti-hero from Rod’s Sinema novels, see reviews elsewhere here.

My recommendation for tackling this book would be to dip in and out of it reading just one or two stories per sitting. Reading it like a novel can ruin the effect as some of the tales tend to merge.

Check elsewhere here for info. on a recent multi-author Holiday Of The Dead event in Glasgow which I attended.

Ric’s Rating: 72%

Short Film: Jenny Ringo And The Monkey's Paw

2011-11-20T17:55:00.003Z

When his hardworking flatmate goes on holiday a slacker must fend for himself but while out on a shopping trip he encounters a strange magician.

Granted three wishes and without the guidance of his sensible friend he makes selfish choices, with troublesome results.

Chris Regan's short film works well when it sticks to the basic idea of "be careful what you wish for" and he also gets good performances from the cast.

Unfortunately it all gets a bit silly when the wished for "friends" begin showing alien type characteristics and the aforementioned magician bursts into song.

All involved show bags of potential and you can find out more about Chris and his other projects at www.whatwritesatmidnight.blogspot.com

Ric's Rating: 50%

Film: Mother's Day

2011-11-19T18:15:00.001Z

The Koffin brothers have just robbed a bank and during the escape the youngest of the trio was shot. The fugitives head to the family home home so that their Mother can tend his wounds.
Unbeknown to them their Mother has lost the house and they turn up all guns blazing during the new owner’s housewarming party.

So begins the best home invasion film since Panic Room. Rebecca DeMornay (The Hand That Rocks The Cradle) puts in a scintillating performance as the feared Matriarch who goes about the business of violence and intimidation using an outwardly friendly manner which makes her all the more unnerving.

Another plus is the gradual revealing of secrets between the party-going friends. This creates great tension between them while they also attempt to survive the increasingly violent incident they are caught up in.

Saw II, III & IV director Darren Lynn Bousman has delivered a nail biting thriller that surprisingly flew pretty much under the radar.

Highly recommended.

Ric's Rating: 86%

Film: In Time

2011-11-14T23:00:00.002Z

Singer turned actor Justin Timberlake takes the lead in this futuristic thriller in which humans have been genetically engineered to stop aging at 25. Unfortunately they only get to live for another year and the implanted countdown clock on their arms is a permanent reminder of how much time they have left.

In this society the currency is time with everyone having to bargain their days, minutes and hours on everything from phone calls to food. Timberlake’s character suddenly finds himself in possession of an abundance of time and sets about investigating the people who ration it.

This promised much but delivered little. When we reach the fourth or fifth time JT manages to save himself with seconds to spare it all becomes a bit boring. Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later) does finally manage to play a menacing character after his previous failed attempts in films like Red Eye and The Dark Knight but that isn’t enough to recommend this one.

Ric’s Rating: 47%

Blogfest: I Love The Noughties

2011-11-14T19:05:00.004Z

Almost forgot about this blogfest. Visit www.davewrotethis.blogspot.com for full details.

Here are some recommendations of films throughout the noughties.

2000 - O'Brother Where Art Thou. It's the hilarious jailbreak comedy that proves George Clooney can act.

2001 - Brotherhood Of The Wolf. My all time favourite, you can find the trailer elsewhere here.

2002 - The Count Of Monte Cristo. The classic gets a cool update.

2003 - Bad Santa - Billy Bob Thornton playing the type of Santa you wouldn't take your kid to see.

2004 - Hidalgo - Great underdog tale of a Mustang competing in a long distance race. Trailer is elsewhere here.

2005 - Ong Bak. Brilliant martial arts film.

2006 - Running Scared - Paul Walker tries to track down a missing gun in this cool thriller.

2007 - Mr Brooks. Kevin Costner in the unlikely role of serial killer. Brilliant.

2008 - Rambo - Sly Stallone proves he's still got it.

2009 - Avatar - It's Dances With Wolves all over again but an amazing spectacle.

A decade of cool films, try to check them out if you haven't already seen them.

Book: Jimmy by William Malmborg

2011-11-10T13:11:00.002Z

As High School Prom approaches an entire community is perplexed by the disappearance of two teenage girls, but Jimmy knows where they are.

Jimmy Hawthorn appears to be a regular teenager with regular teenage problems and just as things are looking up for him he begins to wonder if acting out his kidnap and bondage fantasy was such a good idea after all.

All of the main characters in this book are teenagers making me wonder if they are the intended audience. If so it’s very risky as there are some graphic scenes of rape, torture and bondage.

That being said the author has managed to include these in a tale woven around a fascinatingly complex main character. Jimmy’s best friend is his brother Alan, the pair have a great relationship and Alan is happy when Jimmy finds a girlfriend. Unfortunately Alan has no idea that Jimmy already has two girls locked up in an abandoned underground shelter.

This can be compared to the recently reviewed film The Woman, but where that was awful due to the lack of a compelling story, this excels in that department. It’s a captivating journey through the mind of a young man who crosses the line and brings his darkest fantasies to life, with terrible consequences for all involved.

Ric’s Rating: 80%

TV Show: American Horror Story

2011-11-08T23:41:00.006Z

The first episode of this horror tv show from the USA hit UK screens this week and I managed to catch it.

When psychiatrist Ben Harmon (Dylan McDermott) is caught having an affair he decides his family needs a fresh start. This comes in the form of a new house, it's a fantastic property at a knock down price but the house has a tainted past.

I almost switched this off at the end of the opening scene due to the appearance of my least favourite horror character, the scary kid. Hollywood listen up, the little girl in The Ring was scary but now every time I see a little kid running around killing people (especially if it's a girl with long black hair, which isn't the case here...yet) I burst out laughing.

Anyway, I continued watching and was pleasantly surprised. There is allsorts going on here. From deviant sexual practices to a seriously deranged teenager and creepy neighbours.

The performances too are pretty good, McDermott and Connie Britton are engaging as the couple trying to work things out but Jessica Lange steals the show as the unhinged neighbour Constance.

I will be tuning in again so hopefully it continues to surprise instead of going down the unintentional comedy route.

Ric's Rating: 70%

Short Story: I Should have Seen It Coming by Victoria Watson

2011-11-08T11:59:00.001Z

An ordinary office worker loses her job and stumbles across an old pack of tarot cards in another short sharp dose of fiction from Victoria Watson.

Gradually she learns the tarot and becomes Jacqueline Stargazer, a sought after party guest, but when psychic night bookings begin she delivers some advice that has tragic consequences.

This is really all about how someone’s life can change after losing their job and its thought provoking stuff that remains entertaining throughout.

These Trestle Press short stories make ideal lunch break reading, it’s nice to be able to complete a tale in a short period of time and anyone lacking the discipline or attention span required for novels should give them a try.

Ric’s Rating: 67%

Short Story: Rowan's Folly by Darren Sant

2011-11-08T09:31:00.003Z

The third instalment of the Longcroft series brings us a violent tale of lust and revenge as electrician Andy Rowan succumbs to temptation in the shapely form of thug Shane Cullen’s daughter, but her Dad isn’t Rowan’s biggest worry.

Meanwhile a pair of gormless burglars pick the wrong house to rob.

This is the longest of the short story series so far and it pays off bigtime. Darren Sant has introduced a fine blend of characters, many of which I suspect we haven’t heard the last of.

Each story leaves me hungry for more and I can’t wait to visit the Longcroft estate again.

Interestingly the author has invited submissions for the fourth instalment. Head over to http://www.santsrants.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Ric’s Rating: 74%

DVD: Saint

2011-11-04T13:37:00.002Z

Just released on DVD in the UK by Metrodome this Dutch horror comes across as a mash up of Halloween and Bad Santa.

In 1968 young Goert witnesses the slaughter of his entire family by a mysterious group led by the red robed, white bearded St Nicholas.

Fast forward 42 years and Goert is a police officer who attempts to warn his bosses of the coming atrocities. He has learned that St Nicholas strikes when there is a full Moon on December 5th.

Meanwhile a group of teens prepare to celebrate and unwittingly encounter the evil Santa and his helpers.

Not being familiar with the tradition of St Nicholas and Black Peter I struggled to comprehend what was going on (apart from the obvious killing spree) but there are enjoyable scenes in this movie. While dressed as St Nicholas the gormless Frank happens across the man himself and a brilliant fight / escape scene ensues where Frank, fuelled by panic, manages to fend off the ghouls.

It's all very silly but good fun in parts and works well as an alternative Christmas movie.

Ric's Rating: 63%

Short Story: Keeping Quiet by Victoria Watson

2011-11-03T11:51:00.002Z

An elderly lady contemplates the twists and turns of a life that has mostly passed her by in this moving short story from Victoria Watson.

From her childhood before the war to her current predicament she takes us on a melancholy journey. A domineering Mother put paid to most fun in her childhood and even as an adult she bows to her Mother’s will, although things begin to change when her own daughter arrives.

The short story format (currently championed on ebook by Trestle Press) is perfect for this sad tale. It contains everything required to paint a full picture of a life filled with regret.

Powerful and affecting, this is a perfect introduction to short stories for anyone hesitant to try.

Ric’s Rating: 78%

Book Event: Holiday Of The Dead

2011-11-02T17:02:00.004Z

Waterstone's in the heart of Glasgow was the venue for this multi-author event and in attendence were Rod Glenn, Tony Wright, Matt Hilton, Iain McKinnon, Iain Paton and John McCuaig.

Holiday Of The Dead is a collection of stories featuring the undead.

Here is the blurb:

The zombie apocalypse can really put a downer on your holiday... 38 holiday-themed zombie stories from new and established authors including Night of the Living Dead co-writer, John Russo, Tony Burgess, Shaun Jeffrey, Rod Glenn, Ian McKinnon, Matt Hilton, David Dunwoody, Wayne Simmons, Bowie V Ibarra, Joe McKinney, Remy Porter, A P Fuchs and Eric S Brown. Over 500 pages crammed full of flesh-eating horror and dark humour from the cream of UK, US and Canadian talent. Theme parks, serial killers, seaside resorts, Christmas, Thanksgiving and fishing trips. You'll scream, you'll laugh and you might even shed a tear... Holiday zombie horror has never been so entertaining.

Each author read from their contribution to the collection. It was a heady mix of destruction and carnage and as you might expect there were quite a few twists. Lets just say that the zombies aren't always the most dangerous characters in these tales.

After the event all authors spent time signing books and chatting to fans.

Heres me with Rod Glenn, author of the fantastic Sinema books (see reviews elsewhere here).

Matt Hilton, author of the cool Joe Hunter thriller series (you'll find a review of the very first one elsewhere here) also took time out for a chat. Matt goes by the pen name of Vallon Jackson in this book.

It was my very first book event and I'm sure it won't be the last. Check back soon for a full review of Holiday Of The Dead.

DVD: The Woman

2011-10-28T17:02:00.003+01:00

On a hunting outing not too far from his home, outwardly respectable family man Chris (Sean Bridgers) discovers a woman (Pollyanna McIntosh) living in the wild.

He decides to capture her and keep her hostage in his cellar under the pretence of helping her adjust to civilized society.

What follows is an abhorrent spectacle of torture and rape which even involves the rest of Chris' family, especially his young son. Eventually she escapes and goes looking for revenge, showing an amazing aptitude for the use of bladed weapons, maybe the wolves taught her.

Ordinarily I would have turned this off but I wanted to be able to post a review so I persevered. Bear in mind that I am a fan of both Hostel and Saw but unlike those films this has no redeeming features. The acting is way below par and I'm struggling to see how this managed to get an, albeit limited, UK cinema release.

Apparently it gained some notoriety because some people walked out at a film festival. I can see why they did, it's a thoroughly unpleasant experience that lacks the essential element for this type of film, a compelling story.

Not clever and certainly not funny.

Ric's Rating: 11%

Book: Murder In Silence by Gary Kassay

2011-10-25T21:49:00.003+01:00

Take the comfortable and familiar feeling of watching your favourite cop show (mine is NYPD Blue) and mix it with the readability of your favourite police procedural novel series (mine is John Sandford’s Prey series) and you’ll come up with something not far removed from Gary Kassay’s stunning debut thriller, Murder In Silence.

When two police officers are found dead, their throats having been ripped out, it’s up to Inspector Duke Becker and his team to track down the killer. Becker heads up the NYPD Special Investigations Unit – Homicide and unusually for the genre he’s no depressed recovering alcoholic, he’s just a regular guy who happens to be good at his job.

The book doesn’t rely on Becker alone, there is an eclectic supporting cast. Jimmy Nova, Becker’s garish partner, Marielle Wilson the tenacious reporter and veterinarian Elizabeth Cunningham all lend their own unique qualities to the tale.

Drawing from personal experience (Kassey is a real-life cop) the author brings a level of authenticity rarely found in crime fiction. From the details of the case to the cop-speak and practical jokes, all areas are covered in a realistic manner that brings the characters to life.

The case itself takes a number of alarming turns. The first of which is when it’s discovered how the murders are committed and the most harrowing of all is when the connection between the victims is revealed. It’s shocking stuff and has significant impact, making the reader question their own views on the killings.

This is the best self-published book I’ve read since Chris Kuzneski’s The Plantation. Kuzneski now frequents best-seller lists, Kassay deserves the same.

For more information on the author and upcoming Duke Becker novels visit http://www.garykassay.com/

Ric’s Rating: 94%

DVD: This Boy's Life

2011-10-24T14:41:00.003+01:00

Recently released on DVD here in the UK by Second Sight this 1993 film serves as a stark reminder of just how good Robert DeNiro can be.

This is the true tale of the childhood of author Tobias Wolff who moves town to live with his Mother’s new husband, the seemingly affable Dwight (DeNiro).

Dwight’s true obnoxious personality soon emerges and Tobias is subjected to mental and physical abuse while his Mother (Ellen Barkin) looks on.

This is an acting masterclass from DeNiro, he absolutely nails his portrayal of the deluded Dwight, who is convinced that he has the boy’s best interests at heart. Leonardo DiCaprio is fantastic too as Tobias, a young man still trying to find his way while dealing with a horrendous family life.

Never having seen this before I was completely captivated from the beginning and even if you’ve already seen it it’s worth another look. The 1950s setting ensures that there is no dated feel and the snippets of information at the end provide suitable closure on all the characters involved.

Ric’s Rating: 89%

Film: Real Steel

2011-10-17T16:59:00.001+01:00

It’s Rocky with robots as former boxer Charlie (Hugh Jackman) trains a machine rescued from the junkyard to go for the title.

Charlie lives a hand to mouth lifestyle so when his estranged son needs looking after he sees this as a big inconvenience.

Inevitably the pair bond through the rescue and training of their robot, Atom. They decide to use real life boxing techniques and a flamboyant style to make Atom stand out from the crowd. It works, as Atom is soon propelled to the big league of robot boxing. But can the re-engineered pile of scrap metal mix with the sophisticated top level fighting machines?

This has echoes of another Stallone flick, the largely forgotten arm-wrestling tale Over The Top. The Father & Son relationship here is very similar, as is the road trip type environment. Jackman is his usual watchable self and Dakota Goyo provides adequate support as the boy desperate for his Father’s affection. Atom too is very likable, the junkyard scene where he is discovered provides one of the films highlights and it left me keen to find out about his origins. Sequel perhaps?

It’s cheesy, predictable and sentimental……..but bloody good fun.

Ric’s Rating: 76%

Film: Blood In The Mobile

2011-10-12T17:21:00.003+01:00

When Danish film-maker Frank Piasecki Poulsen becomes concerned about the source of minerals used in the manufacture of mobile phones he decides to approach his own phone company, Nokia, for some answers.

Met with a muted response he then decides to travel to the Democratic Republic Of Congo to see the mineral mines for himself.

What follows is a shocking journey through a country ruled by armed gangs and warlords leading to the mine itself. Aided by a 15 year old boy who escaped the mine, Poulsen is able to gain access and film the men working underground. What he sees is like a vision of Hell on Earth.

This powerful documentary movie shows the real life version of events portrayed in the film Blood Diamond and is very disconcerting indeed. It forces us to ask ourselves how comfortable we are with the practices Nokia and the other mobile phone companies indulge in to keep prices down.

Curiously this is the second film I’ve reviewed recently regarding Congo and it’s interesting to see the city of Kinshasa, which was the setting for Viva Riva (see review elsewhere here), as it really is.

Blood In The Mobile opens in UK cinemas on 21st October 2011.

Many thanks to Aim Publicity and Dogwoof for the preview disc.

Ric’s Rating: 81%

Film: Red State

2011-10-11T13:18:00.002+01:00

Writer / Director Kevin Smith proves that there’s more to him than offbeat comedy with this violent and unpredictable road trip / kidnap / siege thriller.

Three teenage boys head out on a trip that promises sexual adventure but they end up fighting for their lives. They have been lured into a trap by a group of religious fanatics led by Albin Cooper (Michael Parks).

The film then veers off in a surprising direction when a team of ATF agents descend on the church.

Michael Parks is mesmerizing as the cult leader, he possesses a melodic and captivating voice, perfect for the role of an extreme preacher.
Melissa Leo, fresh from her Oscar success in The Fighter, again turns in a decent performance as the temptress turned torturer. It’s also nice to see John Goodman back on the big screen as the grizzled government agent who questions his orders.

It all gets a bit silly towards the end but it’s exciting stuff from Kevin Smith. I’ve never been a fan but if he continues in this vein I will be converted….hallelujah !!

Ric’s Rating: 79%

Book: Flashes Of Revenge by Darren Sant

2011-10-11T09:22:00.002+01:00

Darren Sant steps outside the grim setting of his ongoing short story series, the Longcroft Estate, to bring us six tales of revenge.

Kicking of with the startling Revenge Is A Warm .45 this collection delivers thrills, laughs and food for thought.

As with Sant’s other stories (see reviews elsewhere here) my only complaint is that they are too short. I could have spent loads more time with the two aged gangsters in Unforgiven. The seemingly strange band members in The Ungrateful Dead were also very intriguing.

I’m new to short stories in general but I’m quickly discovering that a short sharp dose of crime fiction can be very refreshing. I’m also keen to see if the author will tackle a full length novel.

Ric’s Rating: 72%

DVD: Just Do It

2011-10-09T18:34:00.004+01:00

‘A tale of modern day outlaws’ proclaims the tagline to this documentary film that follows a group of activists during a year filled with protests and marches.

Coming across more like a disgruntled branch of the Student’s Union these individuals seem to care more about the act of protesting than the causes they claim to be fighting for but they do manage to achieve surprising results, and by the end of the film one or two of them had actually won me over.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m on board with most of the issues but I found it difficult to be preached to about what happens to taxpayer’s money by people who are lucky enough not to have to hold down jobs where they would actually be paying income tax.

The biggest issue concerning the group is climate change and the turning point (for me) in the film is when the attempted protest at a UN summit in Copenhagen is heavy-handedly thwarted by the Danish police. The extreme action by the Danish police force was cleverly filmed eventually leading to the arrests themselves being deemed illegal by the Danish courts.

Other campaigns include helping workers faced with redundancy occupy their factory and standing against a proposed airport runway which would mean the demolition of an entire community.

This film manages to both engage and infuriate on many different levels. Perhaps that’s the point.

Just Do It is available on DVD in the UK from 17th October 2011.

Ric’s Rating: 70%

DVD: The Dead List

2011-10-07T17:28:00.001+01:00

This French thriller stars Jean Reno (Leon) as the head of a notorious crime clan but unbeknown to him his son wants out.

It all starts out promisingly enough as the family pull of a daring robbery and discover that they have a determined cop on their tails. A lucrative airport heist is then planned which will provide all participants with enough money to walk away.

Unfortunately all momentum is lost when what could have been an enjoyable cops & robbers drama becomes a tale of Father and Son rivalry.

The characters are dull, lack chemistry and there isn’t really anyone to root for.

For hardcore Reno fans only.

The Dead List is available on DVD in the UK from 10th October 2011

Ric’s Rating: 41%

DVD: Viva Riva

2011-10-02T18:13:00.006+01:00

Fuel is short in the African country of Congo and when charismatic thief Riva (Patsha Bay) finds himself in possession of a large quantity he quickly cashes in and begins to party.

Looking for the missing fuel is Cesar (Hoji Fortuna) and he will stop at nothing to get it back.

This film was made entirely in the Congo and won 6 awards at the African Movie Academy Awards.

It's a violent and sexy thriller that has a similar feel to that of City Of God but it does fall short in the entertainment department. The bad guys aren't particularly scary, Cesar looks a bit like a comedy pimp and the violence, while brutal, is also unintentionally funny.

More interesting than entertaining it shows great potential for the future of African films and anyone with an interest in world cinema will get something from it.

Viva Riva is released on DVD in the UK on 17th October 2011.

Ric's Rating: 58%

Ric Recommends: Rio Breaks

2011-10-02T16:48:00.001+01:00

This powerful documentary movie arrives on DVD in the Uk on 3rd October 2011.

You can find a full review elsewhere here but in the menantime check out this brief trailer which sets it up nicely.

Short Story: Community Spirit by Darren Sant

2011-09-29T23:38:00.001+01:00

Tracy and her young son Tom have escaped an abusive household and plan a fresh start in a new location. Unfortunately they are placed in the notorious Longcroft Estate.

The second in Darren Sant’s short story series sees the single mother struggle to repay a loan shark while protecting her son from the local bullies. If she can’t raise the cash needed the thug has made it clear what he’s after instead.

Will she keep him at bay?

Like the previous instalment A Good Day (see review elsewhere here), this really is a very brief short story, but it does manage to convey everything required to have an impact.

Reminiscent of the tv show Shameless but without the comedy element this also manages to be surprisingly uplifting.

I’m already looking forward to my next visit to the Longcroft Estate.

Ric’s Rating: 78%

Book: Now You See Me by SJ Bolton

2011-09-29T13:20:00.002+01:00

When police officer Lacey Flint witnesses a murder she becomes involved in the case, against the wishes of certain senior detectives. It soon becomes clear that the killer has an interest in Lacey herself as well as the most notorious serial killer of all time, Jack The Ripper.

Lacey shows her value to the investigation when she reveals her own fascination with The Ripper and provides insight that just may help catch Jack’s modern day equivalent.

As the story progresses it takes a cool twist showing that there is more going on here than a straightforward copycat. Flint’s own murky past becomes relevant and she has to decide if she can help catch the killer and remain on the force.

This is an entertaining serial killer novel that moves along nicely thanks to short snappy chapters. There are also some fine characters on show. Lacey herself manages to surprise while her colleagues Joesbury and Tulloch provide interesting support.

The final reveal is a bit too much of a stretch of the imagination for me but it’s a compelling tale that cleverly combines facts from the original Ripper murders with smart contemporary fiction.

Ric’s Rating: 71%

Film: Warrior

2011-09-25T17:54:00.004+01:00

When troubled Iraq war veteran Tommy (Tom Hardy) decides to enter a mixed martial arts fighting tournament he can think of no-one better than his former alcoholic Dad (Nick Nolte) who he hasn’t seen for over ten years to train him. So begins an uneasy alliance as the duo prepare for battle, but unbeknown to them another family member has also decided to enter.

Joel Edgerton is Brendan, Tommy’s brother. Brendan makes a living as a high school physics teacher but runs into financial difficulties that force him to return to the fight game.

The $5million prize money has attracted the world’s top fighters including the legendary Russian athlete Koba, played by real life pro-wrestler Kurt Angle.

Can either of the brother’s beat their formidable opponents and prevail? You’ll have to see it to find out but make sure you avoid the trailer at all costs as it reveals the finale.

This could easily have turned into one long training montage movie but thankfully it concentrates on the background of the three main characters so that when the tournament begins the fights carry a lot of emotional weight.

Hardy and Nolte are excellent as the estranged Father & Son but Joel Edgerton’s performance as the family man turned fighter steals the show. This is Rocky for the MMA generation and it’s the best sports film I have seen in a long time.

Ric’s rating: 84%

DVD: Stake Land

2011-09-24T14:46:00.002+01:00

Following the horrific demise of his family in a pulsating opening scene, Martin (Connor Paolo) is befriended by the mysterious stranger known only as Mister (Nick Damici).

The duo then head off into a world familiar to fans of zombie movies as they traverse ruined towns & cities meeting various characters along the way. Only this time it isn’t zombies that have caused the problem, it’s an epidemic of vampires.

Nick Damici is cool as the emotionless vampire killer and Connor Paolo is perfect as the vulnerable boy trying to survive. They meet up with a Nun (an unrecognisable Kelly McGillis) and a pregnant singer (horror movie regular Danielle Harris) but as is the case with many of these movies it isn’t always the vampires that are the most frightening thing they encounter.

The Brotherhood is a religious cult led by Jebediah (Michael Cerveris) and they believe God has infested the Earth with vampires to eliminate sinners from the world. Unfortunately Cerveris is the weak link in the cast, he too closely resembles comedy bald guy Evan Handler from Sex & The City and Californication to be taken seriously as a villain.

That aside I just wasn’t expecting this to be as good as it is. Can you believe it? It’s actually an original take on the vampire movie. Ok, it borrows heavily from films like 28 Days Later but throwing vampires into the mix is a clever and fresh move.

It’s a visceral and violent road trip that also provides moments of melancholy as the survivors long for a world they may never see again.

Metrodome release Stake Land on DVD in the UK on 17th October 2011.

Ric’s Rating: 77%

DVD: Everywhere & Nowhere

2011-09-21T11:54:00.002+01:00

Being a young Muslim in London isn’t easy these days and Ash (James Floyd) is torn between the traditional family values pressed upon him by his older brother Ahmed (Alyy Khan) and his desire to become a successful nightclub DJ.

Ash and his friends are regulars at the local club and his sister (Shivani Ghai) is seeing the resident DJ, Ronnie (Simon Webbe from boyband Blue). Ronnie agrees to give Ash a chance at the club but just as things are looking up, many personal issues threaten to ruin the opportunity.

The cast, especially James Floyd, are all fantastic in their portrayal of conflicted individuals. Adam Deacon (Anuvahood) delivers another fine performance as Zaf and Art Malik (Ghosted, True Lies) pops up as Ash’s Uncle.

Emotionally charged and very relevant it’ll appeal to fans of films like Shifty (see review elsewhere here) but will also please anyone who enjoyed the comedy film East Is East as it has similar family dynamics.

It’s another slick presentation of contemporary urban life from Kidulthood director Menhaj Huda and it also boasts a cool soundtrack.

Everywhere & Nowhere is released on DVD in the UK on 3rd October 2011.

Ric’s Rating: 80%

DVD: Double Impact

2011-09-17T16:31:00.004+01:00

This 1991 action movie gets a DVD release in the UK on 19th September 2011 courtesy of Second Sight.

Following the murder of their parents, six month old twins Chad and Alex are separated. Chad moves to California with Uncle Frank (Geoffrey Lewis) and Alex is left at a Hong Kong orphanage.
Twenty five years later the brothers (both played by Jean – Claude Van Damme) reunite for revenge. The twins must overcome their personal differences and take on the villains, including female body-builder Cory Everson and perennial martial-arts movie bad guy Bolo Yeung.

This has stood the test of time surprisingly well. Following the recent reality show Jean – Claude Van Damme: Behind Closed Doors (see review elsewhere here) and his upcoming turn in The Expendables 2 it’s a timely reminder of how much fun a JCVD movie can be.

Ok, the effects are outdated and the acting is cheesy but this is still a very enjoyable action movie that showcases Van Damme’s considerable skills which, hopefully, will be gracing the big screen again next year.

Ric’s Rating: 68%

Film: The Troll Hunter

2011-09-16T18:20:00.003+01:00

Bears are being blamed for attacks on cattle in Norway but when a mysterious tracker shows up a group of students ask him if they can tag along and film what happens. They get a lot more than they expect.

It transpires that Hans is a professional Troll Hunter and the government have been keeping their existence hidden from the public.

This Norwegian film breathes new life into the "found footage" genre and also works as a monster movie. The Trolls themselves come in all shapes and sizes and while they reminded me of The Flumps (UK kids tv show) the film remains captivating and has some great moments of tension, like when the group find themselves trapped in a Troll's cave.

It's not up there with Rare Exports (see review elsewhere here) but fans of that film are sure to enjoy it.

Ric's Rating: 74%

Short Story: A Good Day by Darren Sant

2011-09-13T13:20:00.002+01:00

The first in Darren Sant’s series of short stories sees a junkie more adept at robbing and conning face a moral dilemma which could put him on the path to redemption.

Flash cars driven by wealthy looking men are beginning to show up on a regular basis so what does one grimy flat contain that could interest them so much?

I’m new to short stories and while I enjoyed this it’s almost too short to merit a review. Saying more would give the entire thing away but if you enjoy quick-fire fiction that feels like a blast of cold fresh air first thing in the morning then this could be right up your street.

Looking forward to the next volume but maybe I’ll save a few of them before reading in order to prolong the enjoyment.

Ric’s Rating: 68%

Book: Quarantined by Joe McKinney

2011-09-12T15:48:00.004+01:00

Detective Lily Harris must solve a murder amidst the chaos of the city of San Antonio, which has been quarantined due to a deadly flu epidemic, in this thriller from Joe McKinney.

The corpses pile up day after day but amongst them is the body of an eminent Doctor who shows no signs of the virus.

Harris and her partner Chunk must work the case while avoiding all the hazards the infected city has to throw at them.
As her frustration mounts Harris then takes the mighty gamble of deciding to go along with her husband’s plan to escape the city.

There is great set up work here as the reader is immediately thrown into a horrific environment in which the cops struggle to continue to do their job. As well as looters and angry residents, they face corruption at every turn.

The family side of the story is very emotional as ordinary parents attempt to do their best while civilization breaks down around them. Unfortunately the murder case lacks impact, it doesn’t introduce any interesting characters and the whole thing comes to a rather anti-climactic end.

Ric’s rating: 59%

Film: Fright Night

2011-09-11T19:03:00.006+01:00

As a massive fan of the original 1985 movie this one was always going to have to work very hard to impress me but much to my surprise this isn't half bad.

For anyone who doesn't know here are the basics. Former nerd Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) has turned a corner in his life, he's dating a cool girl and making new friends, but when old buddy Evil Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) tells him that his new neighbour Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire Brewster must decide to either back-up his former friend or dismiss his theory as that of a deluded teen.

This manages to strike a perfect balance of paying homage to the original and throwing in some new twists and turns. The best of which is David Tennant's turn as the updated Peter Vincent. No longer a washed up actor, Vincent is more of a David Blaine / Chris Angel type character, but throw in some hard drinking and foul language and you have a gloriously over the top creation played to perfection by the former Dr. Who.

Colin Farrell also manages to smoulder his way through the part of Jerry without ever matching Chris Sarandon's fantastic original performance.

This is a rare treat, a remake that should appease fans of the original while bringing the story to a whole new audience.

Look out for Chris Sarandon's neat cameo appearance, although it's a pity they didn't also find room for William Ragsdale, the original Charlie Brewster.

Ric's Rating: 73%

DVD: My Best Enemy

2011-09-08T18:00:00.005+01:00

As Nazi Germany attempts to annex Austria two childhood friends, one a Jew and one a German, find themselves on opposite sides.

Rudi (Georg Friedrich) has grown up as a close friend of the Kauffman family, who own an art gallery in Vienna , but he has always secretly envied Victor (Moritz Bleibtreu). Privy to the Kauffman’s secrets Rudi soon makes the encroaching Nazis aware of a valuable artefact in their possession and the family is soon captured.

What follows is a powerful and clever drama that should have merited a UK cinema release, just when you think you know what’s going to happen it veers off in another direction whilst always maintaining its credibility.

It’s a Count Of Monte Cristo type tale of betrayal and revenge set in one of history’s darkest times but it’s told in a fresh style with fantastic performances from the two leading characters, it even manages one or two moments of humour.

The film is in German with English subtitles but please don’t let that put you off, it’s a cracker. I’ve included the German poster as it better reflects the film, the UK DVD cover would make you think that this is all about airplane battles, which isn’t the case at all.

My Best Enemy is released on DVD in the UK on 12th September 2011.

Ric’s Rating: 89%

Book: The Misunderstood and other Misfit Horrors by Jason Brannon

2011-09-05T16:17:00.002+01:00

This short story collection from the author of Winds Of Change (see review elsewhere here) consists of nine eerie tales featuring an eclectic cast of characters.

There is an Angel after offerings of blood, an eccentric collector of clocks, babies that can predict the future and creepy scarecrows that may not be what they seem.

We start of with the nightmarish Beware The Death Angel in which town newcomers prepare for a sinister local tradition. The stories then vary in content and length ending with the fantastic The Misunderstood in which a farmer attempts to protect his land from a supernatural beast.

This is the first time I’ve read a short story collection but it’s something I’ve been meaning to try for a while and this is the right place to start for anyone partial to some short sharp doses of horror. Each one is highly entertaining and the whole collection creates a cool otherworldly feeling that I’d have been happy to wallow in for a bit longer as a couple of the tales felt a little too short. Many could have been expanded and perhaps that’s something the author will consider. Failing that I’d be more than happy with another volume to add to this collection of wonderfully dark misfits.

Ric’s Rating: 74%

The winner is........

2011-09-03T12:02:00.003+01:00

The winner of a signed copy of Carver by Tom Cain is.........................

Mark

for the inspired choice of Sid James.

Mark, drop me a line with your address to the blog email and the prize will be on its way to you soon.

Well done !!

DVD: As Blood Runs Deep

2011-09-02T00:02:00.004+01:00

Eddie and Shane are two small town boys who spend most of their time on the road trying to earn a few bucks, morals don't come into it. They decide to rob a house in the affluent area of Hilliard but this results in the tragic death of a young boy. Homicide Detective Noah Cordin (Nick Stahl from Terminator 3) is assigned to the case and the investigation leads him back to his home town where a mixed reception awaits.

This feels like a tv movie, but a decent tv movie. Stahl is as dependable as ever and Jonathan Tucker (Hostage) delivers another intense performance. Small town politics involving the victim's mother also add an extra dimension to proceedings.

While this lacks the quality of bigger productions it's still a competent crime thriller that's based on true events.

As Blood Runs Deep (originally known as Meskada) is available on DVD in the UK from 5th September 2011.

Ric's Rating: 57%

Competition: Carver by Tom Cain

2011-08-30T08:30:00.002+01:00

Tom Cain's new thriller is available now and courtesy of Transworld Publishers I have a signed copy to give away.

Here is the lowdown:

--------------------------------------

The collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008 sent shockwaves around the financial world. Never before had such a large and prestigious organisation been allowed to fail, and to fail so quickly. It began a domino effect, hitting banks and economies around the world. Theories abound as to the cause of the collapse - the sub-prime bubble, bad management, even good old fashioned greed.

But what if it was none of the above. What if Lehman Brothers had been brought to its knees by the deliberate and wilful act of one man bent on a course of financial terrorism? Moreover, what if it was only a dry run for a bigger and even bolder attack on the financial capital of the world, the City of London?

Samuel Carver is about to find himself on the biggest mission of his life.

----------------------------------------------

This is the latest in the Sam Carver series and to be in with a chance of winning just use the comments box to tell me about your favourite series character. Characters from books & movies count so it could be anyone from Jack Reacher to Austin Powers.

Just tell me why you like them and you could be the winner....

Book: Creep by Jennifer Hillier

2011-08-29T15:00:00.003+01:00

Fatal Attraction meets Misery in the debut thriller form Jennifer Hillier.

Dr. Sheila Tao is about to get married and because of that fact she puts an end to the short fling she’s been having with her teaching assistant. Unfortunately the assistant, Ethan Wolfe, doesn’t handle this very well and embarks on a campaign to ruin Sheila’s life.

What starts out as petty acts of revenge soon take an altogether darker turn as Ethan’s true nature is revealed.

Sheila’s own tumultuous past also comes to the fore and secrets that she has strived to keep hidden soon become common knowledge to all involved. This has a particularly unsettling effect on her fiancé, Morris.

This appears to be a familiar tale of obsession but there are some deliciously dark surprises and the characters all have their own issues adding just the right amount of depth.

It’s a cool, easy read that manages to successfully mix different elements from the broad spectrum of today’s crime fiction. There is murder, kidnap, police procedure, love and betrayal all wrapped up in a sexually charged story that revolves around a slightly off-the-wall main character.

You can visit Jennifer’s blog via the link in the ‘visit these places’ section on this page for information on the sequel and loads more cool stuff.

Creep is available in the USA and on Kindle now and is released in paperback in the UK on 08/12/11.

Ric’s Rating: 78%

Film: Conan The Barbarian

2011-08-29T09:42:00.007+01:00

Jason Momoa attempts to emulate Big Arnie in this remake of the fondly remembered 1982 movie.

Young Conan (Leo Howard) witnesses the slaughter of his village and the murder of his Father (Ron Perlman) and vows vengeance against the perpetrators, led by Khalar Zym (Stephen Lang).

What should be a fun swords & sandals tale quickly becomes dull as Momoa makes for a plodding Conan, he doesn’t have the screen presence or charisma for such a big character. Leo Howard is much more believable as the ferocious younger version.

Also, Stephen Lang (great in Avatar) isn’t a convincing villain. He just looks like an old guy trying to mix it up with brutes half his age and the garb he dons for the finale transforms him into a crazy mash up of Medusa and Big Trouble In Little China’s Lo-Pan.

Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons Of Anarchy) gives the best performance but isn’t in the film long enough to have a major influence.

Just as with the recent Clash Of The Titans remake this one falls short which makes me think that these type of films are probably best suited to early 80s VHS, which some of us may look back on through rose tinted glasses.

Ric’s Rating: 42%

Film: The Smurfs

2011-08-27T17:28:00.008+01:00

I had fond memories of The Smurfs cartoon so was happy to go see this one with my daughter.

Now, in the cartoon the evil wizard Gargamel was alway trying to locate The Smurfs village but he never managed it. In this movie Gargamel storms the village within the first five minutes causing panic amongst the little blue guys.

During the escape a band of Smurfs, led by Papa, take a wrong turn and, with Gargamel hot on their heels, they are transported via portal to present day New York City.

On their quest to return home they befriend Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and Grace (Jayma Mays) while always attempting to aviod Gargamel who has followed them.

Instead of spoiling memories, as films like this tend to do, this manages to update fun characters and bring them to a new audience. The Smurfs are wonderfully animated and well voiced by Jonathan Winters (Papa), Alan Cumming (Gutsy) and Katy Perry (Smurfette) to name but a few but it's Hank Azaria's perfect portrayal of Gargamel that steals the show.

There is also plenty of laughs for the grown ups like when Patrick questions the constant use of the word smurf and exclaims "smurf, smurf, smurfity, smurf" "Theres no need for that language" replies a stern looking Papa. Priceless.

Go on, use your own or someone else's kids as an excuse and catch this one.

Ric's Rating: 75%

Blog Tour: Carver by Tom Cain

2011-08-24T23:20:00.003+01:00

I'm very pleased to announce the first ever competition here at Ric's Reviews.

It's all happening on 30th August so make sure you don't miss out on a chance to win a signed copy of Carver by Tom Cain.

Film: Horrible Bosses

2011-08-24T17:49:00.003+01:00

After years of dedication and hard work Nick (Jason Bateman) has lost out on the promotion he craved.
Dale (Charlie Day) is being sexually harassed by the dentist he works for and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) can’t stand to see the drug addicted Bobby (Colin Farrell) in charge of the company he loves.

With the help of Jamie Foxx as the fantastically named Mother-Fucker Jones the trio decide to kill each others bosses.

This is a riot from start to finish and all cast members seem to be having a great time. Jennifer Aniston as the sexually charged dentist, Kevin Spacey as the slimy CEO and Colin Farrell as the coke snorting nunchuck wielding Bobby, who sports the best comedy comb-over since Bill Murray’s in Kingpin, all ham it up gloriously while Charlie Day provides the most laughs of the three employees with his impressive turn as the panicky dental assistant.

Full of fantastic one-liners and brilliant set-pieces (breaking into Bobby’s house is a highlight) this is the comedy of the year so far.

Ric’s Rating: 84%

DVD: Iron & Blood: The Legend Of Taras Bulba

2011-08-22T11:57:00.001+01:00

Join the Russian Braveheart as he wages war with Poland and……his own son.

As the title suggests Taras Bulba is a Russian legend, the authenticity of the story is a little vague but it’s based on a book first published in 1835 that claims to be founded in truth, although it all feels overly romanticized to me. More Beowulf than Braveheart perhaps?

Bulba joins his sons, Ostap and Andriy, as they march on Poland but unbeknown to the old warhorse one of them is in love with a Polish noblewoman. Andriy soon defects and joins the Poles in the fight against his own people.

This isn’t the place to start if you aren’t already used to foreign language films, the idiosyncrasies can be a bit off-putting, but if subtitles don’t deter you then it’s an enjoyable tale of love and war that features a fine performance from Bohdan Stupka as the irrepressible Bulba.

Made in 2008 it’s just arrived on DVD in the UK courtesy of Metrodome.

Ric’s Rating: 64%

Book: The Sacrificial Man by Ruth Dugdall

2011-08-17T16:45:00.004+01:00

Ruth Dugdall’s second novel to feature probation officer Cate Austin deals with the thorny issue of assisted suicide.

Alice Mariani has been convicted of helping her lover kill himself but the troubling facts are that he was not unwell and that Alice consumed part of his flesh.

The story is told from Alice’s perspective and seamlessly switches from present to past as we take a journey through her troubled childhood, exploring the events that moulded her into the strong, intelligent and confident woman she has become.

Cate’s role is to examine the case and recommend a sentence to the Judge and her investigations delve into the motives of both Alice and the mysterious “Smith”. These investigations unearth many, often unpredictable and sinister, factors, all of which contribute to the unsavoury event.

Dugdall’s intelligent and articulate prose immediately captivates and the murky past of Alice together with Smith’s hidden agenda make for an unpredictable read that will satisfy fans of crime fiction who don’t require their stories to be unnecessarily bloody or violent. The emphasis here is firmly on the characters, all of whom are multi-layered.

The Sacrificial Man is a thoroughly satisfying read and Ruth Dugdall proves to be a smart new voice in the crime fiction genre.

Ric’s Rating: 81%

DVD: Blood Fighter

2011-08-11T22:00:00.001+01:00

A family of Muay Thai fighters make a living by staging exhibitions in their bar but when thugs attempt to put them out of business the fighting becomes all too real.

This Asian film features some decent fight scenes and a nice back story for one of the characters but it takes so long to get going that by the time it all kicked off I had already tired of it.

If you want an excellent Asian martial arts movie check out Ong-Bak instead.

Blood Fighter is available on dvd in the UK from 15th August 2011.

Ric’s Rating: 48%

Book: Hood Rat by Gavin Knight

2011-08-06T17:09:00.004+01:00

Author Gavin Knight spent two years with police forces in London, Manchester and Glasgow working on his debut book. It’s a non-fiction tale that almost reads like a thriller. Divided into three parts, one each for the cities mentioned, it takes you on a journey into crime-ridden estates populated by people with either no option or no desire to find a regular job. These are the gangsters, dealers and crooks that operate not too far from you & me.

In Manchester we join cop Anders Svensson as he attempts to bring feared gangsters Merlin and Flow to justice.

London is where we find Pilgrim, an enforcer with a sad past who spends time in jail only to discover that the rules of the street have changed upon his release.

My home city of Glasgow is the setting for the final third where Karyn McClusky begins a crusade against knife crime.

I haven’t read a non-fiction book in a long time and I struggled with the delivery of this to begin with. It felt like I was being bombarded with information given in short sharp sentences. However as I settled into it and my brain finally realised I wasn’t reading a “story” I found that the style completely suited the material and I was totally immersed in the tales from each city that, as in real life, don’t always come to a satisfactory conclusion.

Not quite up there with David Simon’s Homicide: A Year On The Killing Streets but very relevant. I even found that I was familiar with some of the cases mentioned.

Put simply, if more non-fiction books were like this I’d be reading more of them but for now I’ll just eagerly await Gavin Knight’s next project.

Ric’s Rating: 75%

DVD: UFC Ultimate Royce Gracie

2011-08-04T16:33:00.001+01:00

Back in the early 90’s I saw a vhs tape of The Ultimate Fighting Championship, a no-holds-barred fighting tournament involving eight participants, each a master of their chosen style. The winner was Royce Gracie, a smallish man from Brazil who used his family’s own discipline, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

I couldn’t believe what I had witnessed, it was marketed as a savage tournament with fists flying and blood spraying everywhere. What Royce Gracie did was use his superior skill to take the violence out of the fighting, he would tie these brutes up in knots and have them begging for mercy, and he made it look so easy.

Gracie went on to win 3 out of 4 of the first Ultimate Fighting Championships and was the first inductee into the UFC Hall Of Fame.

This dvd explores the past of the man known as the Father of modern Mixed Martial Arts and delves into the origins of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu which was born in the mind of Royce’s Father, Helio. There is also revealing interviews from Royce himself as well as some of his opponents alongside footage of the fights.

The UFC now has weight divisions and many rules that the fighters must obey and although I’m still a fan this journey back to the days when the only rules were no biting and no eye gouging feels like a breath of fresh air. If only we could go back to a proper no rules event where the winners progress and fight again on the same evening leading to a final involving two battle weary warriors. I’m pretty sure that most of today’s competitors couldn’t hack it.

An absolute must for any fan of mixed martial arts, especially those who appreciate brain triumphing over brawn.

Ric’s Rating: 94%

Ric Recommends: Terry

2011-07-30T15:29:00.001+01:00

Check out the trailer for this fantastic British documentary style film featuring a brilliant performance from Nick Nevern (who also wrote & directed) in the leading role.

The film is so realistic it often makes for uncomfortable viewing but this just adds to the overall experience.

Highly recommended for fans of gritty drama. You can find my full review elsewhere here.

DVD: Big Fan

2011-07-26T23:22:00.004+01:00

In this drama from 2009 an obsessed fan's encounter with his sporting hero doesn't turn out as planned.

I expected more from this. Instead of the dark drama I was hoping for I got a tale of a 30something nerd living with his Mum who's life revolves around American Football and radio talk shows pertaining to it.

It's a decent performance from Patton Oswalt in the leading role but every time I thought it was about to get interesting it didn't.

Maybe I just don't understand sports obsessives but on this evidence I wouldn't even want to try.

Ric's Rating: 34%

DVD: Anuvahood

2011-07-24T15:11:00.003+01:00

When wanabee gangsta Kenneth "call me K" (Adam Deacon) and his friends are bullied and robbed by local thug Tyrone (Richie Campbell) it's up to K to prove his street cred and take on Tyrone.

This British comedy follows in the footsteps of Ali G and provides some hilarious moments, there just aren't enough of them to make is as good as it could be.

Adam Deacon writes, directs and stars, maybe he has taken on too many roles in this production because he is great on screen as the deluded K. In particular, the scene where he gets high rapping along to his favourite tracks in his bedroom is hilarious.

Campbell is also fantastic as the manic muscle-bound Tyrone who has a penchant for baby oil.

It's a decent little comedy that shines in places but fails to deliver in others.

Ric's Rating: 62%

DVD: Lake Mungo

2011-07-24T14:31:00.004+01:00

Soon after the accidental death of teenager Alice Palmer her family begin to experience eerie feelings and visions. Their suspicions appear confirmed when the ghostly figure of Alice appears in photographs taken by her brother.

This Australian ghost story, filmed in a documentary style, manages to do what most of today's horrors can't, it scares.

Debut director Joel Anderson creates a very atmospheric film that consists mostly of interviews with Alice's family and friends. This works surprisingly well and creates the type of "real" feeling that the likes of the shambolic Paranormal Activity (1 &2) aim for.

Just when you think you know where this film is headed it veers off in another direction becoming a kind of dysfunctional family drama that the ghost story just happens to be part of.

Interesting, creepy and pretty unique, this will please anyone yearning for a decent understated and gore-free horror film.

Lake Mungo is available on DVD in the UK from 25th July 2011.

Ric's Rating: 74%

DVD: The Devil's Rock

2011-07-21T22:49:00.003+01:00

The Channel Islands during WWII and two Allied Forces soldiers on a covert mission investigate what sounds like torture taking place, only to discover a Nazi hideout with a terrifying secret. The Germans have been attempting to summon a demon to aid their war effort and unfortunately for all but one of them they have succeeded.

The film mostly features three cast members. Craig Hall as the soldier from New Zealand, Matthew Sunderland as the German Colonel and Gina Varela as one damn sexy shape-shifting demon.

The sworn enemies must work together to survive while always doubting each other’s word and keeping the evil she-demon at bay.

Debut director Paul Campion creates a fantastic creepy atmosphere and all three actors mentioned deliver good performances.

Films like this prove that you don’t need a big budget to make a decent movie and the special (non-cgi) effects are reasonably good too. They even manage to make Gina Varela remind me of Tim Curry’s Prince Of Darkness from Legend.

Better than most straight to dvd horrors this is great gory fun.

The Devil's Rock is available on dvd in the UK now.

Ric’s Rating: 71%

Book: Sinema 2: Sympathy For The Devil by Rod Glenn

2011-07-20T17:18:00.003+01:00

Preceded by a very insightful foreword from the author this sequel catches up with Han Whitman a year after the events of the first book. Feeling more like a continuation than a new novel I’d say that reading Sinema: The Northumberland Massacre (see review elsewhere here) is essential before you pick this one up.

Haunted by his actions Whitman decides that in order to restore balance he must eliminate one “guilty” person for every innocent that was slain. So in the biggest role-reversal since Arnold Schwarzenegger became the good guy in T2, Whitman begins to identify and eliminate various types of criminals.

Meanwhile, the son of a victim and the lone survivor of the massacre team up to track Whitman down.

These and other elements, such as a blossoming relationship with a police officer and dreams of the past give this book a completely different feeling to the first. Gone is the revulsion, this time you can understand the mission (or experiment as the character calls it) and there are even some moments of dark humour. It’s wild ride that takes you into the past of the main character and explains how he became an outwardly ordinary but deeply scarred individual.

Rod Glenn’s original Sinema novel will live with me for some time and here he has managed to expand and enrich the story while delivering another thrilling tale. This instalment is a more conventional serial killer novel and fans of the hit tv show Dexter will love it.

Ric’s Rating: 80%

Film: Cell 211

2011-07-17T17:44:00.007+01:00

This brutal Spanish prison drama was made in 2009 but only hit UK cinema screens this week.

It tells the story of Juan (Alberto Ammann), who while taking a tour of the prison prior to starting his job as a guard gets caught up in a riot. He manages to convince the inmates that he is a new arrival and is accepted by the leader of the group, Malamadre (Luis Tosar). Hearing of the riot Juan's pregnant wife Elena heads to the prison to find out just what is going on.

This is a ferocious film, the violence starts within the first five minutes and the pace rarely lets up. There are excellent scenes of high tension too as Juan's true identity could be exposed. As the riot escalates events take various twists and turns which make you question who the real villains are.

Luis Tosar (featured in the poster) delivers a stunning performance as the menacing Malamadre who often shows that he knows right from wrong while always living up to his fearsome reputation.

The film won many awards in Spain's 20009 Goya Awards (Spanish Oscars) including Best Actor for Tosar and Best Breakthrough Actor for Ammann as the conflicted Juan.

This is an explosive and edgy film full of fine performances and it has already been lined up for a Hollywood remake.

If you only see one subtitled film this year, make it this one.

Ric's Rating: 93%

DVD: The Round Up

2011-07-16T14:57:00.003+01:00

This French drama set in July 1942 in occupied Paris depicts several Jewish families that are attempting to peacefully go about their business during a difficult time. Slowly their rights are eroded leaving them with few places to go and little chance of employment. They continue to live as best they can until, inevitably, the German forces come for them.

This true story of one of the darkest times in France’s history makes for difficult viewing. It focuses on the children and how, in spite of everything, they continue to want to be typical children, running around playing games even while under armed guard.

Jean Reno (Leon) features as a Doctor struggling to cope in the huge stadium that serves as a temporary detention centre and Melanie Laurent (Inglorious Basterds) is Annette, the nurse helping him.

As the detainees are shipped from place to place the film wisely avoids the death camps that are the group’s final destination. Instead concentrating on events leading to the final journey taken by over 13,000 people, including over 4,000 children. The disgraceful actions of the French police in these events are also covered.

Not since The Pianist has a World War II film moved me as much. This is a film that anyone with even a passing interest in the war will find utterly compelling.

The round Up is available on DVD in the UK from 18th July 2011.

Ric’s Rating: 77%

Book: Beautiful, Naked & Dead by Josh Stallings

2011-07-12T23:20:00.002+01:00

When an L.A strip club waitress calls her friend, club bouncer and all-round badass Moses McGuire, asking for help, he figures it’s nothing important and gets distracted by other females at the club. Turning up at her place hours later he discovers her mutilated body and vows to track down the killers.

Riding a wave of guilt and bound by his word to a dead girl Moses sets off on a path that will lead through brothels, mobsters, corrupt cops and sexual deviants as he seeks retribution.

This has explosive scenes of violence, there are shoot-outs and fist fights galore but there are also some lighter moments. When McGuire discovers an abandoned puppy he decides to keep her and becomes a regular down at the dog park where his considerable presence doesn’t go un-noticed amongst the respectable regulars.

Josh Stallings’ self published debut is a breath of fresh air in the series character genre. Here we have a hard drinking, pill popping, womanizing main character with suicidal tendencies who is, very importantly, not a cop. This provides a different perspective to that of the majority of series novels.

A fine introduction to a cool character and a sign of great things to come this is highly recommended for fans of action thrillers.

Ric’s Rating: 76%

DVD: No Surrender

2011-07-11T17:30:00.004+01:00

New Year’s Eve at The Charleston club in Liverpool descends into chaos as rival religious groups are booked to celebrate the evening in the same venue. It also happens to be manager Mike’s first night on the job and along with the religious bigots he has local gangsters, a fugitive terrorist, terrible acts and a smitten waitress to deal with.

The cast all do a decent job especially Michael Angelis as the affable Mike who finds himself caught up in chaos and attempts to do the right thing. Bernard Hill (Titanic) and Joanne Whalley (Scandal) show the potential that led to further success and plenty of familiar UK tv faces create a feeling akin to creator Alan Bleasdale’s hit show Boys From The Blackstuff in which Angelis and Hill also featured.

There are some comedy gems here, the blind boxer who constantly goads his old rival and the warring inappropriate band are highlights but on the whole the film is light on laughs and may have worked better as a drama. There is palpable tension that gets lost in the pursuit of jokes.

Made in 1985 it's refreshingly not politically correct and will appeal to fans of classic British tv show Auf Wiedersehen Pet.

No Surrender is released on DVD in the UK on 25th July 2011.

Ric’s Rating: 57%

DVD: Unknown

2011-07-07T12:06:00.002+01:00

Dr Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) arrives in Berlin and leaves some luggage behind at the airport. During his journey to retrieve it he is involved in a car accident and awakens days later in hospital desperate to assure his wife (January Jones) that he is ok. Amazingly when he reaches her she claims not to recognise him and then introduces him to her husband…..Dr Martin Harris (Aidan Quinn).

What follows is Neeson’s quest to prove his identity. It’s all run-of-the-mill stuff involving hidden agendas and terrorist plots with only fleeting moments of tension. It’s light on action too so anyone expecting another Taken will be disappointed, the similarities end at the poster.

Neeson is as reliable as ever and Diane Kruger delivers a scene stealing performance as the taxi driver from the accident who gets caught up in the chaos. Unfortunately they don’t manage to make this particularly interesting and if you’ve seen the trailer it pretty much gives the ending away.

One for avid Neeson fans only.

Ric’s Rating: 48%

DVD: Assassin Rising

2011-07-05T16:29:00.003+01:00

A small village attempts to fend off a marauding army in this martial arts adventure from Thailand.

Tales of the village survive to modern times and a group of students visit the ancient site only to be magically transported back in time into the middle of the legendary conflict.

There are some cool battle scenes and kills reminiscent of the video game Mortal Kombat but it hurtles along so quickly that it forgets about character development.

There are many warriors, pantomime villains, mysterious profits and sage-like village elders. It has great potential but never manages to rise above the over-acting and dodgy CGI.
However, it is good fun and delivers a surprisingly emotional (albeit with a little slice of Eastern propaganda) ending.

If you’re more of a Monkey than a Crouching Tiger then it might just be up your street.

Assassin Rising is available on dvd in the UK now.

Ric’s Rating: 60%

Book: Sinema: The Northumberland Massacre by Rod Glenn

2011-07-01T17:41:00.004+01:00

A video store owner decides to test himself. His mission is to exceed the numbers of victims of Britain’s most notorious mass murderers. In order to accomplish this he adopts a new identity, aspiring author Han Whitman, and ingratiates himself with the locals of a village called Haydon, then sets about systematically eliminating them.

Whitman is gradually accepted by most of the villagers and soon begins a relationship with the barmaid at the Inn where he is staying. A feeling of contentment ensues but he is determined to proceed with his plan of annihilation, whatever the cost.

This reminds me a lot of the recent Uwe Boll film Rampage (see review elsewhere here) but in that film the main character’s life was going to shit before he went off on one. In this case there is a severe lack of motivation, which may be closer to the real life horror of these types of incidents, but it makes for a less entertaining story as you cannot understand or root for this guy. Whitman’s cruelty knows no bounds and no one is safe. Man, woman, child and animal are all victims here and it can be a harrowing read.

That being said, this type of writing takes guts and Rod Glenn pulls no punches as he takes the reader on an often alarming and uncomfortable ride. When the killing starts the ferocious pace does not let up and you are compelled to see it through to the pulsating final confrontation.

This is a hardcore serial killer thriller that won’t appeal to those used to cosy whodunits. But if you can handle it you will be treated to a book that delivers a level of excitement often absent in current crime novels.

Ric’s Rating: 89%

Preview: Beautiful, Naked & Dead by Josh Stallings

2011-06-30T11:35:00.003+01:00

The author himself has kindly sent me a review copy of this book.

Check out the brief synopsis:

BEAUTIFUL, NAKED AND DEAD is hard-boiled crime novel. Moses McGuire a suicidal strip club bouncer is out to avenge the death of one of his girls. From his East L.A. home, through the legal brothels of Nevada and finally to a battle with the mob in the mountains above Palo Alto, it is a sex soaked, rage driven, road trip from hell.

Sounds pretty cool.

Check back soon for a full review.

In the meantime you can visit www.joshstallings.net for more information.

Film: X Men: First Class

2011-06-27T22:30:00.002+01:00

First up, why wasn’t this called X Men: Origins? We’ve already had X Men Origins: Wolverine and this covers Professor X, Magneto, Beast, Mystique and some other characters so Origins would have worked.

Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) can read minds so when the CIA come asking for help from him and his companion Raven (Mystique) it’s an offer he can’t refuse. While tracking an international terrorist (Kevin Bacon) he encounters Erik, who can control all metals. Erik has a murky past and is on a personal mission of revenge. Will he put his quest aside to join Xavier’s fledgling team?

Set during the cold war Cuban missile crisis this serves as a fine introduction to the characters mentioned. Michael Fassbender is fantastic as Erik (Magneto) and James McAvoy is competent as the young Professor X. Kevin Bacon also puts in a great OTT performance as the despicable villain and there is even a small role for original V and Total Recall star Michael Ironside.

The problems here are the slow pace and the use of some uninteresting characters. Marvel have plenty of great characters to choose from who have been underused in the previous films. Where were Iceman, Gambit and Colossus? Instead we get Banshee, Havoc and Angel, all of whom are ok at best and then there’s Jason Flemyng as Azazel who looks, for all intent purposes, nothing more than a red version of Nightcrawler.

It’s reasonably enjoyable but boils down to a mediocre reboot of the franchise that really just put me in the mood for watching the original trilogy, questioning the need for it at all.

Ric’s Rating: 65%

DVD: West Is West

2011-06-26T17:43:00.003+01:00

This long awaited sequel to the 1999 comedy East Is East sees controlling Father George Khan (Om Ouri) take his wayward son Sajid (Aquib Khan) on a trip to Pakistan to show the boy his roots and help him discover who he is.

Upon arrival George (or Jahangir in his native land) is reunited with the wife and daughters he left behind 30 years previously before heading to England where he re-married and had another family while Sajid is a typical fish out of water.

There are laughs here but the film is mostly about life choices for George and growing up for Sajid. Entertaining and touching this is a different type of film from the hilarious East Is East but it works well as we get to know the characters much better.

I'm sure that fans of the original will enjoy this but I also expect that some will be disappointed by the change of tact. I wasn't.

Ric's Rating: 76%

Ric Recommends: Spiral

2011-06-25T18:06:00.002+01:00

It's been ages since I posted a trailer so here is a real treat.

I reviewed this a while back, just click the "little known gems" label and you'll find it on the second page.

Joel David Moore (Avatar) is fantastic as a troubled man in this tense drama.

It's available everywhere on dvd. Check it out !

TV DVD: The Kingdom I & II

2011-06-23T22:54:00.002+01:00

This cult 90’s haunted hospital tv series from Denmark is the brainchild of controversial producer / director Lars Von Trier, the man behind movies such as Dogville and Antichrist.

Strange things are afoot as the staff and patients go about their business. The sound of a miniature bell ringing signals the arrival of the ghost of a little girl who wanders the passages, unable to rest in peace.

Mrs.Drusse, a patient, can communicate with the dead and she continuously has her son, a hospital porter, ferry her all around in search of the spirit so that she can help it pass over.

This fascinating show has a lot more to it than the ghost story. We also have brain surgeon Helmer who is spiteful of the fact that he has left his beloved Sweden (under a cloud) and has to take a position in a Danish hospital. Dr. Hook, who does not like the arrogant and abrupt surgeon, begins a relationship with a fellow doctor who is carrying another man’s child. A medical student who thinks removing a head from a corpse is a great prank and the hapless boss who creates fantastic comedy scenes worthy of shows such as The Office.

Von Trier himself appears at the end credits of each episode with a brief explanation of events and some accompanying philosophical observations. This (surprisingly) works very well, the man obviously has great pride and enthusiasm for his work and it’s infectious.

Visually this isn’t appealing, it is grainy and almost colourless and the acting can be cheesy in a Europop kind of way but if you can see past these shortcomings this is captivating stuff. The many plotlines combine to create great drama in which the ghost story often takes a peripheral role.

The dvd box set contains both series in full and is loaded with interesting extra features. A planned third series was scrapped following the deaths of two of the leading actors but the show did get a Hollywood revamp in 2004 with Stephen King involved in proceedings, it was re-titled Kingdom Hospital.

Step out of your comfort zone and give it a try.

The Kingdom I & II dvd box set is available in the UK from July 4th 2011.

Ric’s Rating: 74%

Book: Before I Go To Sleep by S.J Watson

2011-06-20T13:02:00.002+01:00

Memento meets Groundhog Day in this debut thriller from S J Watson.

Christine awakens every morning with no recollection of the last 20 or so years. She still thinks of herself as a young woman and is shocked to see the reflection of a woman nearly 50 years old in the mirror. Add to that the fact that she has no idea who the man sleeping next to her is and you get the idea of the daily events of her life.

On the advice of her Doctor she begins to keep a journal that she must find and read every day to keep herself aware of who she is and her current situation so that she may begin to lead a somewhat normal life.

Through long periods of this book I found myself wishing that I was suffering from memory loss myself so that I wouldn’t be able to recall the many pages spent going over the same morning routine until Christine manages to bring herself up to speed.

Eventually the daily added snippets of information lead her to discover that not all is as it seems and she might finally recall the events that left her with this debilitating condition.

Although at times it was tough to get through, as the book builds to the finale the pace quickens and the tension missing from the first three quarters finally arrives leading to a satisfying if clichéd climax.

This has already been optioned for film by Ridley Scott’s production company but he’ll need to avoid the repetition to make it work on screen.

Ric’s Rating: 59%

Film: Bad Teacher

2011-06-18T19:45:00.005+01:00

The last thing Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz) wants to do is work for a living but when she is dumped by her rich boyfriend she has to return to the career she thought she'd left behind, teaching.

She gets by doing the bare minimum and showing little interest in her students but when she hears that there is a cash bonus for the teacher of the class with the highest marks in the state test she sees it as an opportunity to fund the breast enlargement that she thinks will help her snag another rich guy.

Diaz is charming and sexy as the scheming Halsey and good support comes from Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel and Lucy Punch as fellow teachers.

There are enough laughs to make this decent easy viewing that's perhaps more suited to home than cinema but it remains a reasonably enjoyable experience.

Ric's Rating: 68%

DVD: Hereafter

2011-06-16T13:15:00.004+01:00

Three stories of life after death connect in this drama from director Clint Eastwood.

George (Matt Damon) used to make a living as a medium but after his "gift" ruined a few relationships he decided to leave it all behind and work in a regular job.

Marie (Cecile De France from Switchblade Romance) almost drowns in a tsunami and while unconscious she experiences strange visions.

Lastly, we have young Marcus who cannot move on with his life following a death in the family.

This is all pretty interesting and the acting is good, even a brief appearance by Bryce Dallas Howard (The Village) adds power to the story. Sadly it all shuffles along at a snail's pace leading to the inevitable meeting of the three main characters.

This is a very interesting film but it fails to entertain and the sickly sweet ending significantly ups the cringe factor.

Ric's Rating: 43%

DVD: Paranormal Activity 2

2011-06-16T12:58:00.003+01:00

A family set up a cctv system to record strange happenings in their house at night.

The first Paranormal Activity was pretty dull but I thought that with the added elements of the baby and the dog this would be a bit more creepy, boy was I wrong.

These films are great at creating an atmosphere of dread but then they do nothing with it.

This time around we are subjected to constant monotonous cctv footage of empty rooms and a pool being cleaned by an automatic device.

When something does eventually happen it's so silly that I actually laughed out loud.

This is the worst so called horror film that I have endured for quite a while, I almost switched it off a few times but the promise of something about to happen kept me watching, unfortunately it just didn't deliver.

I'd say that this would maybe scare an 8 year old but no 8 year old would sit through it to witness the one or two attempts at horror towards the end.

Very poor indeed.

Ric's Rating: 22%

DVD: Doing Time For Patsy Cline

2011-06-13T13:50:00.003+01:00

Ralph (Matt Day) leaves his parent’s farm in the Australian outback to pursue a career in country music. Packing only his trusty guitar he heads for the bright lights of Nashville.

He is soon waylaid by Boyd (Richard Roxburgh) and Patsy (Miranda Otto), a strange couple who offer him a lift. After an uncomfortable night in a motel the trio head off again only to be stopped by the cops soon after.
Ralph and Boyd then find themselves in an odd outback prison and it is here that the film suddenly becomes very strange indeed.

Interspersed with the prison scenario is one of Ralph & Patsy in Nashville with Boyd as their agent. As the film progresses it is never quite clear if this is Ralph’s fantasy or a future timeline with the prison as the flashback.

This is a very curious film with fine performances, especially from Otto as the flaky Patsy. Unfortunately it suffers from never quite deciding if it’s a comedy, drama or musical and ends up as a weird mash-up of all three. Also, the country music soundtrack is so loud and overpowering that it often drowns out the dialogue.

It’s nice to see something a bit unusual but this could have been so much better.

Doing time For Patsy Cline is released on DVD in the UK on 20th June 2011.
Ric’s Rating: 48%