DVD: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Final Fantasy. Based on the widely popular Playstation game Final Fantasy VII, going into watching this movie I really don't know much about what as been happening between the Playstation Video game and up till the start of the film. Thankfully that on one of the discs of the DVD it runs through the Video game so that anyone can understand all of the characters and the relationships between them all. Overall the story if very understanding. To me there was a great blend of both action and and story. Right off from the beginning you are emerged into a great, nearly unmatchable opening chase scene between our main character Cloud.

One of the first things you see in this movie is the Visual style. Its amazing to see exactly far we have gone in the Entertainment industry. The CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) is shown at its highest quality, It is breathtaking. This look really blows my mind everytime I sit down and watch this.

The Action is another aspect that comes from the Video games of Final Fantasy. Final Fantasy VII is no exception this is up in the ranks of some of the best fight scenes in the industry today. Up towards the end the action keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what's next.

One thing I was very skeptical. The voice acting in CGI, or other foreign films the voice is either horrible and/or not matching the mouth movements. Having seen this film many times I can say that it feels right on and watching it could be programmed to follow the English voice over.

DVD

The DVD is presented in English and Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital Languages. English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Thai, mandarin (traditional), and Cantonese subtitles. The film is Approx. 101 minutes long and is Mastered in High Definition.

The special features of the film include the story digest of the Playstation Video game, a 'Making Of' Featurette, Venice film festival footage, sneak Peek and Up coming Final Fantasy games, trailers, and Deleted Scenes.

The special features are a great addition to the film I think if you are a Final Fantasy fan or just someone who is looking for a great action flick, this is one I prefer in either buying or renting.

DVD: Legend of Suriyothai

The Legend of Suriyothai. Francis Ford Coppola presents this great story about the actual historical events of the rise of King Mahachakrepat (Prince Thienraja) and how a young woman helped her country during a time of war. Based on real events the story deplics what would other go just to gain power, and other acting selfless and fighting on the front lines for there country.

The newcomber, to the American audience M.L. Piyapas Bhirombhakdi plays Queen Suriyothai. She does a spectacular job in the film from start to end, when she was talking you could relate to her feelings and under stand what and where the story is going. Overall the acting in this film was excellent, I'm surprised that this didn't come to the America Theaters I thought there would be a large group of people would like it.

Story wise, I will admit that at times it could feel drown out and boring but if you watch it to the end you'll understand why they had the scenes of either dialogue or action. I don't know that much about the history of Saim, but from what I have read so far it straight on.

Action in also in the film which is epic from what some of us have seen in film in Lord of the Rings or Troy. The battle scenes where amazing they had a group of twenty or more elephants on screen at once. I thought it was cool on how they controlled and fought on the elephants.

Watching The Legend of Suriyothai is a eye catcher, no that doesn't mean there great CGI or what not, but from costumes to sets they were great. The gold in the crowns, shoes, and other items was greatly detailed. Everything was very believable.

The film is a great historical and leisure film. Do to the American version which is cut up to three hours. The original film in about eight hours. This is everything you can ask for action, romance, betrayal, war, and politics. Some of what the American film indusrty as lack for some time. I would recommend this film to anyone.

DVD

The Legend of Suriyouthai is mastered in High Definition (HD) with 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, Subtitles in either English or French. The film is also presented in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen.

The Special Features contain directors Commentary, Deleted Scenes, 'Making Of' Featurette, Poster Artwork Gallery, and a Photo Gallery. Most films that come from over seas rarely have and features for a dvd. The special features on this one are great compared to others like this one. Overall the DVD is a Buy.

DVD: Death Trance

Death Trance. When a coffin is stolen, a young monk begins a journey to return the coffin back to its rightful place. While the coffin thief is only using it to find a worthy enough foe. Death Trance is based on the Japanese animated manga series which as gain a lot of fame in Japan. Now a live action version comes to the big screen in a ruff, dark action packed martial arts film. Action director Yuji Shimomura brings this story to life, as much like the action in Versus he fills Death Trance in a roller coaster ride of action excitement non-stop.

The story-line of Death Trance follows closely to Book One of the Manga Series. With the Goddess of Destruction, causing pure havoc on the world and now one can stop her. Death Trance shows it all from the very beginning.

There are a wide range of unusual characters. Which is a great thing. The characters are more goth like for example there's two women who are sort of the same person if you put them together with the opposite sides of there body covered and faces pure white. Another character that reminded me as some thing in Final Fantasy Seven in one of the battles there is a sort of S&M type of guy with this large wide sword. Which was pretty awesome. With the coffin was a very young child which I thought was funny she loved to see the main character Grave (Tak Sakaguchi) getting into fights with groups of enemy's.

The action in the film was amazing it was non-stop. If you've ever seen Versus, then you'll know that the action scenes in this is good. The fight scenes become very exciting also due to the music in the film. Now after seeing this I believe everyone should have Metal/Rock music incoperated in martial arts fight scenes. The music I thought matched theme of the fight which made it great. The time line of the story is unknown, but I thought it was cool when you see the first couple of fights with swords and other types of weapons, then all of a sudden they bring in guns into the fight. Which I say, Awesome! They made many weapons that had a gun connected to the hand of the sword and another combination I won't mention.

The story-line, action, characters, and setting of the film where really well done in Yuji Shimomra's directorial debut he done a great job. Many more film will surely go his way. If you liked Versus, or like martial arts films then I recommend thins one all the way.

DVD

The Dvd aspect of Death Trance is good it comes with doubly Digital 2.0 or 5.1 sound in either Japanese or English, and ofcourse English subtitles, and 1.75:1 Adamorphic Widescreen.

The Special Features on the Dvd has a 'Making Of' feature, a interview with Tak Sakeguuhi, and the original trailers as well as of other trailers of films presented by Media Blaster. The making of feature is around ten minutes which is ok but I know there could have been more add to it, and I like the interview with Tak Sakeguchi. Overall this Dvd is a buy.

DVD: South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut

South Park Bigger Longer and Uncut. In 1997 Two men Matt Stone and Trey Parker created a Television show in where it showed a group of kids who lived in the small town of South Park, Colorado. Two years later the group of foul talking children of South Park came to the big screen.

Just much like the television show South Park Bigger Longer and Uncut play much like the show. With America on the brink of war with Canada, can the four young kids of South Park, Colorado save the world from war and also from Satan?

The film is laugh out loud funny. Who would of known that a group of kids and those around them with foul language would be so hilarious. If you like racism and vulgar language jokes then you'll most likely love this film, but if not then I think you should stay away from this one. The fans will find many of the same characters they know and love in the Comedy Central television show.

What I thought of this film was that the story was a well thought out. The songs the characters sung (like Uncle F**ker, and the Oscar nominated Blame Canada) where great and well written. Ofcourse the script was well written. The acting in South Park the creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker play most of the characters in the film which is always great acting. Other than Matt an Trey they have some other great actors like: Isaac Hayes as Chef, Dave Foley, and Eric Idle. This movie is really other then a like it or love it film. If your a fan of the South Park television Show you'll probably love this one If you're not you should keep your distance.

DVD

The Dvd of South Park Bigger, Longer and Uncut presents the film in 16x9 Widescreen version with Dolby Digital 5.1 Sound in either English or French. The Dvd also contain English subtitles, and a Interactive menu with 3 Trailers of the film.

This Dvd was very disappointing. The film alone is a great buy but in this era of Dvds There should be more special features. Three different trailers really isn't a special feature on a Dvd. I would have loved to see a "making of" Feature.

If you own every seasons of South Park on Dvd and are die hard fans than this is one that you should add to your collection. If you like the film but you are not that big of a fan I would suggest that you should rent it, but the Dvd shouldn't be a buy for you.