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US DVD/VIDEO
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WALK THE LINE |
Plot & Script: 9/10
DVD Extras: 2/5
Joaquin is: The main character.
Worth buying?: Charting the life stories of both legendary musician Johnny Cash and singer June
Carter, Walk the Line has proven to be among the most popular music biopics of all time. And with good reason. Spearheaded by two
superb performances, the film's main focus is on Cash himself, from his childhood, early successes, eventual troubles through to
the legendary concert of Folsom Prison. With songs actually sung by the two leads, this deservedly gained Joaquin another Oscar
nomination. |
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DVD Available:
2-disc edition
widescreen
fullscreen
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HOTEL RWANDA |
Plot & Script: 9/10
DVD Extras: 2/5
Joaquin is: In a small supporting role.
Worth buying?: Don't let the fact that Joaquin's only has a small role put you off this film. It's a
beautifully-shot, critically aclaimed film based on the true and tragic events that took place in Rwanda in 1994, when tribal
conflict became genocide. Don Cheadle's portrayal of Rusesabagina is subtle and commanding, clearly conveying the strength of a man
who, despite great personal risk, saved over a thousand Rwandans by giving them refuge in his hotel. A harrowing and overwhelmingly
powerful film. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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LADDER 49 |
Plot & Script: 6/10
DVD Extras: 4/5
Joaquin is: One of the main characters.
Worth buying?: In paying simple tribute to firefighters, Ladder 49 gets to the heart of those
who risk their lives for a living. There are no surprises in this film, but by focusing on the simple integrity of Jack's personal
and professional commitment, the movie gives Phoenix a showcase for unselfish virtue, while John Travolta provides dignified
support as Jack's mentor and devoted firehouse captain. Ladder 49 is routine in most respects, but it's a much-deserved
valentine to working-class heroes. |
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DVD Available
VHS Unavailable
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THE VILLAGE |
Plot & Script: 7/10
DVD Extras: 3/5
Joaquin is: The main character.
Worth buying?: Shyamalan proves once again that he is a true showman who knows how to serve up a
spookfest. He builds up the unease with style and elegance, and clearly knows how to get the his best out of his talented actors,
including Bryce Dallas Howard in an excellent debut. Even if you guess the twist, it's still a satisfyingly scary ride. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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BROTHER BEAR |
Plot & Script: 7/10
DVD Extras: 3/5
Joaquin is: One of the main characters.
Worth buying?: Brother Bear has a dramatic story and is at times heartbreakingly sad, but the
movie's overall tone is more earnest and warm than tragic. The hand-drawn animation is lush with an exquisite range of colours.
Not as good as The Lion King but still some good, old-fashioned family fun. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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BUFFALO SOLDIERS |
Plot & Script: 8/10
DVD Extras: 3/5
Joaquin is: The main character.
Worth buying?: A wickedly funny black comedy that, contrary to popular belief, isn't
really commenting on the US military, but rather our inability as humans to be at peace with ourselves and the world.
Insightful, brilliantly performed and frequently hilarious, the characters of Buffalo Soldiers will stick in your mind
well after you've forgotten the plot. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE |
Plot & Script: 5/10
DVD Extras: 2/5
Joaquin is: The main character.
Worth buying?: The film's audacious style and unlikely plot elements are just too far-out and
bizarre to work for most people. However, the cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle is beautiful, and those inclined towards more
eclectic movie consumption might find some chilly treats to chew on here. |
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DVD Available
VHS Unavailable
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SIGNS |
Plot & Script: 8/10
DVD Extras: 3/5
Joaquin is: One of the main characters.
Worth buying?: M. Night Shyamalan's tale of faith and aliens is both scary and provocative,
held together by strong performances. The tension is almost tangible: every nerve on edge and every gasp wrung out. The
ending has been criticised by some, but rejecting explosions means we can focus on a truly touching and thought-provoking
scene as a family finds faith in each other. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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QUILLS |
Plot & Script: 9/10
DVD Extras: 4/5
Joaquin is: One of the main characters.
Worth buying?: Funny, startling & poignant by turns, Quills is more than the
sex-obsessed indie flick many took it for. It's intelligent and well-scripted, and brims over with ideas on censorship
& propriety. Geoffrey Rush takes centre stage, but it is the supporting parts which give it life: Winslet is typically
refreshing & Joaq's priest is desperate, idealistic genius. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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THE YARDS |
Plot & Script: 8/10
DVD Extras: 3/5
Joaquin is: One of the main characters.
Worth buying?: The trailer would have you believe that this is an all-action mob thriller.
But it isn't. The Yards is well-acted and well thought-out; a look at a world with no happy endings, where power can
corrupt, and where one mistake can destroy your life. Joaq is on fire here, and not least because he gets nekkid. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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GLADIATOR |
Plot & Script: 9/10
DVD Extras: 5/5
Joaquin is: Oscar-nominated!
Worth buying?: In a word: yes. If you don't know about Gladiator by now you must be living
under a rock, but in case you are... It's a sprawling, powerful, CGI-ridden epic, with a worthy performance from Crowe,
great turns from Reed & Harris, and a poignant, multi-layered, barnstorming show from Joaq. Buy it now. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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8MM |
Plot & Script: 5/10
DVD Extras: 4/5
Joaquin is: In about half the movie.
Worth buying?: Be warned: this is dark, violent and disturbing. Cage is painful to watch
and at the end the plot just gets risible, but James Gandolfini is good and Joaquin is sexy & hilarious. Despite
the bad press, 8mm does have something to say, even if you have to watch it nine times to hear the message. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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CLAY PIGEONS |
Plot & Script: 7/10
DVD Extras: 2/5
Joaquin is: One of the main characters.
Worth buying?: It's a bit of a silly film, with a darkly sick plot. Janeane Garofalo is
funny as ever, and it's clear Vince Vaughn is having a ball & you enjoy it right along with him. Joaq is adorable
& clueless, but though the movie is entertaining, it does go on a little too long. Advisable to rent it first before
you buy. |
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DVD Available
VHS Unavailable
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RETURN TO PARADISE |
Plot & Script: 8/10
DVD Extras: 2/5
Joaquin is: One of the main characters.
Worth buying?: Not for the faint of heart. In RTP the conflict is nearly all internal:
an examination of loyalty, honour & sacrifice. It's affecting stuff, especially when you start asking questions of
yourself. Vaughn & Heche are good, but it is Joaq who burns up the screen here, and the shocking end will hit you
in the chest with a force like a 15lb sledgehammer. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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U-TURN |
Plot & Script: 6/10
DVD Extras: 2/5
Joaquin is: In about three scenes.
Worth buying?: Unless you have a fondness for Oliver Stone, road movies, Sean Penn (or
all three), I wouldn't bother. This is fairly classic indie stuff, with a stellar cast and fine performances, but if
you only want it because Joaquin's in it, you'll be disappointed: he fights briefly with Danes & Penn, then he's
out of the game. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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INVENTING THE ABBOTTS |
Plot & Script: 6/10
DVD Extras: 2/5
Joaquin is: One of the main characters.
Worth buying?: ITA is entertaining enough; Joaquin gives a solid performance but the
character doesn't demand much of his skills. The plot's a bit cutesy and it's been done before, but the cast is strong,
there's good chemistry between Liv & Joaq and, if nothing else, Joaq & Billy are pretty to look at. |
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DVD Available
VHS Unavailable
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TO DIE FOR |
Plot & Script: 10/10
DVD Extras: 2/5
Joaquin is: In about 70% of the movie.
Worth buying?: Absolutely, without a doubt, yes. This is a suberbly crafted black comedy
with delicious dialogue and a clever, witty plot. Joaquin and Nicole Kidman both give career-defining performances, and
it's a brilliant, welcome return for My Own Private Idaho director Gus Van Sant. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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PARENTHOOD |
Plot & Script: 10/10
DVD Extras: 1/5
Joaquin is: In about 15mins, off and on.
Worth buying?: He's not in it much, but when he is he packs his usual emotional punch.
He's also small, cute and blonde. Add to that the fact that this movie boasts a fantastic ensemble cast, a hilarious
script & plausible story, and this is a movie well worth having, whether you love Joaq or not. |
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DVD Available
VHS Available
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