All posts by Joseph Savitski »

Gen 13 (1998) Movie Review

Gen 13 (1998) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski June 6, 2004

Back in the mid-90s, the most popular team in comic books wasn’t the X-Men, but a group from independent publisher Image Comics. Created by Jim Lee, Brandon Choi and Jim Scott Campbell, “GEN 13″...

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Godzilla, Uncut Version (1954) Movie Review

Godzilla, Uncut Version (1954) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski June 3, 2004

Before this year, few American viewers had ever seen the original, undiluted version of “Godzilla”. Thankfully, Rialto Pictures has taken it upon themselves to change that with their release of the Japanese cut of...

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The Day After Tomorrow (2004) Movie Review

The Day After Tomorrow (2004) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski June 1, 2004

Any film that bears the credit “directed by Roland Emmerich” is not going to be particularly deep. It’s likely to be a vapid, two-hour waste of time. It’s too bad that “The Day After...

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Ring Virus (1999) Movie Review

Ring Virus (1999) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski May 19, 2004

Fans of the Naomi Watts horror film “The Ring” may be surprise to learn that the US remake wasn’t the first attempt at redoing the story. It was remade in South Korea in 1999,...

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Batman (1989) Movie Review

Batman (1989) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski May 19, 2004

Before 1989, unless you were an avid comic book reader, you probably viewed Batman as a clownish superhero, trading punches and quips with bad guys with his youthful assistant Robin faithfully at his side....

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Van Helsing (2004) Movie Review

Van Helsing (2004) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski May 19, 2004

Let’s be honest, “Van Helsing” is a big, dumb movie. But it also happens to be a relentlessly enjoyable dumb movie. While illogical and sometimes confusing, it delivers a staggering amount of spectacle, enough...

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The Record (2000) Movie Review

The Record (2000) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski May 7, 2004

It’s been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that’s the case, then the makers of “The Record” must adore “I Know What You Did Last Summer”. But while the South...

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Batman Returns (1992) Movie Review

Batman Returns (1992) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski May 7, 2004

With two bad movies back to back that ultimately wrecked the series, it’s hard to remember that at one time the Batman series was actually really good. Probably the best example of that is...

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The Guyver (1991) Movie Review

The Guyver (1991) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski May 1, 2004

“The Guyver” was one of the first in a series of Western film adaptations of anime, released in hopes of capitalizing on the success of “Akira”. Given the cold shoulder when initially released in...

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Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999) Movie Review

Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski April 28, 2004

While the second part of the Gamera trilogy was a rather disappointing effort, the series bounces back with a spectacular finale. In the three years that passed between movies, the filmmakers have corrected the...

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Gamera 2: Attack of Legion (1996) Movie Review

Gamera 2: Attack of Legion (1996) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski April 27, 2004

When “Gamera: Guardian of the Universe”, Gamera’s 1995 comeback, proved to be a critical and commercial hit, the Daiei Company wasted no time in bringing back director Shusuke Kaneko and writer Kazunori Ito for...

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Live or Die (2003) Movie Review

Live or Die (2003) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski April 17, 2004

Anyone looking for an excellent reason to die young should immediately rush out and buy this waste of a DVD. Although billed as an action/comedy, is has little action and the only laughs are...

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Godzilla vs Destroyer (1995) Movie Review

Godzilla vs Destroyer (1995) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski April 14, 2004

Toho Pictures decided that the 22nd Godzilla film would be the great monster’s swan song, although his retirement eventually proved to be a short one. Clever enough to tie the film to events from...

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Comrade (aka Double Agent, 2003) Movie Review

Comrade (aka Double Agent, 2003) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski April 14, 2004

The words “double agent” and “espionage” conjure up exciting images, especially when being used to describe a movie. It’s sad that this Korean import doesn’t live up to those expectations. By choosing to focus...

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Godzilla vs Spacegodzilla (1994) Movie Review

Godzilla vs Spacegodzilla (1994) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski April 4, 2004

Probably the best thing about “Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla” is its title. It promises a terrific new monster, and it has a nice ring to it. Too bad the actual movie is an inept...

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Hellboy (2004) Movie Review

Hellboy (2004) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski April 2, 2004

Movies featuring little know comic book characters have come a long way since the modestly budgeted “The Crow” in 1994. Now Columbia Pictures gives Mike Mignola’s creation the full big budget treatment, complete with...

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Ju-on: The Grudge (2003) Movie Review

Ju-on: The Grudge (2003) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski March 24, 2004

Any adventurous moviegoer looking for a good scare will find exactly that in “Ju-on: The Grudge”. And those who say Japanese horror cinema is past its peak will find a harsh rebuke. Well-crafted, stylish,...

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Ju-on: The Curse (2000) Movie Review

Ju-on: The Curse (2000) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski March 20, 2004

Asian horror films are becoming all the rage in the West, especially with the popularity of “The Ring”, “The Eye”, and the “Battle Royale” series. So it goes without saying that “Ju-On” has an...

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The Punisher (1989) Movie Review

The Punisher (1989) Movie Review

Joseph Savitski March 4, 2004

With the big budget version soon to come out, it’s inevitable that there’s going to be renewed interest in the original attempt to bring Frank Castle to the screen. But anyone planning on renting...

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