Mark Turner In the early 2000s a string of horror films were made in Japan that has been referred to as "J-horror". These films were huge hits there and made their way to the US where fans were fascinated with them. So much so that Hollywood took notice and began remaking them left and right. Probably most famous of these are THE RING and THE GRUDGE. Another early entry was PULSE starring Kristen Bell but it wasn't as well received. Now Arrow Video has released a great version of the original film on blu-ray for fans to enjoy.The story involves two separate groups of friends experiencing paranormal encounters that are leaving a mark on them, some literally. The first group works together in a business that supplies plants to buyers. When their tech guy fails to show for work or answer his phone, they check up on him. While there, he walks into another room and hangs himself. Gruesome enough but then they begin to look at a disc he left behind which shows ghostly images from his apartment. A return visit has them exposed to his ghost as well.The second story involves a college student who finds something odd going on as well. When he asks a professor to help, they too discover ghostly images online. These images have an effect on some that view them and they begin to disappear. As someone hypothesizes what happens to souls when they leave here? Do they go to another dimension? And then the question is raised what happens when, after the millions that have died over time, that dimension begins to fill up? Do they try and make their way back? Eventually the two stories intersect with the leads of both uniting to try and discover the answer to these questions. It is their journey and what they discover that makes the film more chilling than you would expect.Some will be turned off to the way this story unfolds. The back and forth between tales, the dismal look of the entire landscape and the somber tone that it emits start to finish. This is not an in your face or jump start scare style film. It is one that creeps into you, crawls under your skin and makes you look over your shoulder even though you know nothing is there. It takes the ghost story we've become acquainted with and melds it with the world of computers, even if these computers look cumbersome since the movie was made in 2001. The pace is slow as the horror unfolds before your eyes. This makes for a movie that deserves attention.Arrow Video, as always, presents this in the best form possible with a hi def 1080p transfer. The extras include a new interview with writer/director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, a new interview with cinematographer Junichiro Hayashi, THE HORROR OF ISOLATION a new video appreciation featuring Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett, an archive making of documentary, premiere footage from the Cannes Film Festival, cast and crew introductions from the opening day screenings in Tokyo, trailers and TV spots and a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork.

gavin6942 A freelancing former U.S. intelligence agent (Robert DeNiro) tries to track down a mysterious package that is wanted by both the Irish and the Russians.The script was written by David Mamet (under the pseudonym Richard Weisz) from a screenplay by first-time writer John David Zeik. Director John Frankenheimer later said, "The credits should read: 'Story by J.D. Zeik, screenplay by David Mamet'. We didn't shoot a line of Zeik's script." Although probably not intentional, fans of Quentin Tarantino might see some parallels with both "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction". More likely these are just common heist tropes, however. Zeik was not just a one-off, however. He went on to work on the "Witchblade" film and television series, among other things.Some of the best parts of "Ronin" are the long, elaborate car chases. Scenes involving cars have been a specialty of Frankenheimer, a former amateur racing driver, ever since "Grand Prix" (1966). Although action sequences are often shot by a second unit director, Frankenheimer did all these himself and sometimes even rode along. While he was aware of the many innovations in digital special effects since the 1960s, he elected to film all these sequences live, to obtain the maximum level of authenticity. To further this, many of the high-speed shots even have the actual actors in the cars.Much of the cinematography is quite technical, with special shutter speeds and film stock that goes over this layman's head. What would be most noticeable to the audience, however, is the use of muted colors. The dreary effect is quite intentional, and even the extras were banned from wearing anything bright or distinct. This is a brownish-grayish world of blurred morality, both overtly and subliminally. While the star of the show is obviously Robert DeNiro, the cast is strong all around. Jean Reno is incredible and probably even overshadows his co-star. Sean Bean has limited screen time, but plays up the cocky angle, leaving us to dislike him almost immediately. Stellan Skarsgård is as strong as Reno, blending seamlessly into his role. This ensemble cast is rounded out by Natascha McElhone, who does a fine job as the leader of the crew. She is hampered a bit by a slight romantic angle the writers threw in, but still comes off strong.Reviews at the time of release were generally positive. Roger Ebert noted, "The movie is not really about anything; if it were, it might have really amounted to something, since it comes pretty close anyway." He is on the right track. The film is, indeed, excellent despite not really being about anything. It might have been improved by better establishing who the different factions were or what objectives everyone was trying to reach... but that would defeat the whole purpose in the process.Coming out in August 2017 with a new 4K scan, this is an unusual choice for an Arrow Video release. Such a film obviously deserves a good Blu-ray, so in no way am I implying that Arrow should have passed on the film. It is just interesting that a company who specializes in cult horror, obscure Japanese gangster films and other lesser-known titles would pick up something so mainstream with big name actors and a relatively recent release date. There must have been an interesting discussion in the office that day.The previous two-disc special edition DVD was already packed with interviews, commentary and more, and all of these are ported over. At the risk of creating an embarrassment of riches, Arrow not only has all these (hours of bonus material!) and the 4K scan, but an in-depth 30-minute interview with Oscar-nominated cinematographer Robert Fraisse, which is a priceless addition.

fredtee Beats me why a lot of reviewers gush over this movie-mess. The kabuki dance with the silver case gets old, fast. A clue that this silver case is all about nothing: A hotel is inspected by DiNero...and very conveniently, on cue from the lobby walks a group carrying a silver case. But the silver case is not captured this time, for DiNero only takes camera shots to plan the capture. Everyone returns a second time and the keystone-cops chases are on... and on... and on... and on.Who is following this plot? Who cares? About as ridiculous as the car chases on the wrong side of highways and tunnels. Are the French cops really so stupid to let these chases go on, bystanders get terrified and hurt, countless vehicles get destroyed....while the reckless drivers go free?At one point DiNero directs his own surgery to remove a bullet from his abdomen. Is there anything this man cannot do? Oh, I forgot, he cannot capture the silver case.Hint: is DiNero an undercover CIA agent, whose real purpose is to find and kill the Irish terrorist who is preventing peace between the British and the Catholic North Irish, through the girl "my name is Deidre." We can only guess.Spoiler Alert: Capturing the silver case means nothing. All of the car chasing and killing mean nothing. DiNero looks and act like he's been forced into acting in this movie...and can't wait for it to end, sipping a cup of coffee. Frankly, neither could I.

KissEnglishPasto ...........................................................from Pasto,Colombia...Via: L.A. CA., CALI, COLOMBIA...and ORLANDO, FL "An Anti-Action, anti-formula movie" was my initial choice for a tag line for this review...but I wanted something more enticing! If you've gotten this far, you're probably looking for a little clarification. Here it is: It is indeed rare to encounter a truly original element in any movie. Much rarer still, is to have such originality overlooked completely by the viewing public. When this occurs, it really upsets me. RONIN offers us just such an unheralded moment of cinematic history! Initially curious to see what percent of reviewers had commented on the totally unique and unprecedented selection of a female driver, in what is, undoubtedly,the most REALISTIC cinema chase sequence of the past 20 years, systematically, I began scouring the reviews. What I discovered has not ceased to amaze me! I would like to share the results with you, and let you measure your own reaction.Out of the 212 reviews that were posted at the time, I carefully went over 70 of them! Only ONE reviewer used a name clearly belonging to woman. Unfortunately, she restricted herself to only 15 or 20 words, so she really didn't end up saying much of anything! (Of course, there were perhaps 7 or 8 anonymous reviews.) Of the 70 reviews, 50, or more, made reference to the chase scene. (Between 80 and 90 percent of those comments were basically positive.) Although Robert De Niro and Jean Reno were the only two actors in the film who definitely had more on-screen time than Natascha McElhone, (Dierdre, the chase car driver from HELL!) around 20 reviewers commented on other actors, whose on-screen time wasn't half that of hers. Only 6 or 7 chose to mention her at all! Probably, more reviewers sited Katarina Witt's 3 or 4 minute cameo spot! (Of course, she was much more scantily clad than Ms. McElhone!) Finally, out of 50, or so, who did talk about the chase scenes, ONLY ONE linked McElhone to them directly! Amazingly, paraphrasing here the reviewer's words, "The car chase scenes are very authentic. (Except that Natascha McElhone looks like she has never driven fast in her life!)" Well, all I can say is, after having screened the scene at least a dozen times, it seems to me that this reviewer was watching a different RONIN! Some might argue that THELMA & LOUISE had car chases. These were all together different, because the movie revolved entirely around its title characters. In RONIN, nobody seems to make a big deal out of the fact, and it is actually Dierdre's boss who pointedly barks at her, "YOU DRIVE!" Is there a lesson to be learned here? Apparently, all this tends to bear out the title of this review..."Clothed women in Action films are invisible to male viewers!"Sad, because RONIN has a lot more to offer than just the chase scenes. It pays yet another subtle tribute to the prowess of women, when an ex-East German operative (Stellan Skarsgaerd) says, "I've hired the very best sniper assassin...SHE never misses!" More than anything else, RONIN provides an utterly believable inside- track on the post-Cold War mercenary and the shadowy, detached world he inhabits, reminiscent of the insider's glimpse of real-world spies offered in the classic, The SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD. If it's John Woo style Action films that make your day...You'll probably find RONIN much too realistic, too cerebral, too noir and too explosion-less for your tastes! On the other hand, if you like your Action movies well grounded in reality, RONIN is a near classic, anti-action, anti-formula film, with a most refreshing European aftertaste, that you will find quite engrossing and enjoyable! 9 STARS.....ENJOY/DISFRUTELA!