Collection ID 1325
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Peter Appel
Genre: Action & Adventure
Studio: Sony Pictures   Release date: 1994   Rated: Unrated   
Language (Country): English, Italian, French (France)
Summary: Luc Besson ("The Fifth Element") made his American directorial debut with this stylized thriller about a French hit man (Jean Reno) who takes in an American girl (Natalie Portman) being pursued by a corrupt killer cop (Gary Oldman). Oldman is a little more unhinged than he should be, but there is something genuinely irresistible about the story line and the relationship between Reno and Portman. Rather than cave in to the cookie-cutter look and feel of American action pictures, Besson brings a bit of his glossy style from French hits "La Femme Nikita" and "Subway" to the production, and the results are refreshing even if the bullets and explosions are awfully familiar. "--Tom Keogh"
My Rating:
My Review: Another great movie by Luc Besson. Starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman and Danny Aiello. Watch the uncut version if you can, if you're not 'disturbed' by the implications of the additional scenes. This movie is an action flick and comedic love story. Jean Reno stars as the steely hit man, Natalie Portman is an orphaned girl who's wreaked by the violence of her world. When Leon sees the damage inflicted on her, he breaks down and allows her into his heart. Oldman plays a truly despicable crooked cop who doesn't care about the little people that get in his way. The three together play great in this fantastically directed movie.

Collection ID 22
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitch Ryan, Tom Atkins
Genre: Action
Studio: Warner Bros.   Release date: 1987   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: A veteran detective is partnered with a young detective with a suicidal death wish.
My Rating:
My Review: A great cast - Starring Mel Gibson (Martin Riggs) and Danny Glover (Roger Murtaugh), this buddy cop movie has some great pacing, writing, direction and spot on acting. Roger Murtaugh is ready to retire, but he's not done yet. When saddled with a new partner, he does his best to adapt to this crazy cop with a 'death wish'. With excellent character direction and development, the story isn't neglected. A pretty good plot about drug smugglers, a conspiracy, and a group of fanatical special forces bad guys. The pacing and editing keeps your adrenaline pumping and the climax isn't disappointing. Glover and Gibson had great chemistry together and this movie is a classic cop buddy movie which spawned numerous sequels. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1537
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitch Ryan, Tom Atkins
Genre: Action
Studio: Warner Bros.   Release date: 1987   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: A veteran detective is partnered with a young detective with a suicidal death wish. Two Cops. Glover carries a weapon..... Gibson is one. He's the only L.A cop registered as a Lethal Weapon
My Rating:
My Review: A great cast - Starring Mel Gibson (Martin Riggs) and Danny Glover (Roger Murtaugh), this buddy cop movie has some great pacing, writing, direction and spot on acting. Roger Murtaugh is ready to retire, but he's not done yet. When saddled with a new partner, he does his best to adapt to this crazy cop with a 'death wish'. With excellent character direction and development, the story isn't neglected. A pretty good plot about drug smugglers, a conspiracy, and a group of fanatical special forces bad guys. The pacing and editing keeps your adrenaline pumping and the climax isn't disappointing. Glover and Gibson had great chemistry together and this movie is a classic cop buddy movie which spawned numerous sequels. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1681
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Studio: Warner Bros.   Release date: 1987   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Martin Riggs is an L.A. cop with suicidal tendencies and Roger Murtaugh is the unlucky police officer with whom Riggs is assigned. Together they uncover a huge drug-smuggling operation, and as their success rate grows so does their friendship.
My Rating:
My Review: A great cast - Starring Mel Gibson (Martin Riggs) and Danny Glover (Roger Murtaugh), this buddy cop movie has some great pacing, writing, direction and spot on acting. Roger Murtaugh is ready to retire, but he's not done yet. When saddled with a new partner, he does his best to adapt to this crazy cop with a 'death wish'. With excellent character direction and development, the story isn't neglected. A pretty good plot about drug smugglers, a conspiracy, and a group of fanatical special forces bad guys. The pacing and editing keeps your adrenaline pumping and the climax isn't disappointing. Glover and Gibson had great chemistry together and this movie is a classic cop buddy movie which spawned numerous sequels. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 107
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Joss Ackland, Derrick O'Connor
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures   Release date: 1989   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Riggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of South African diplomats who are using their immunity to engage in criminal activities.
My Rating:
My Review: The movie 'Lethal Weapon', directed by Richard Donner, written by Shane Black and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover launched a successful and popular franchise that spawned three sequels, numerous genre similar movies and a revival of 'cop buddy' movies in the 80s and 90s. There's even a 'Lethal Weapon 5' in production now. This second movie moved the cop duo of Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Glover) in a couple of new directions. Adding the Leo Getz character (played by Joe Pesci brought some excellent comedy relief to the film. We also get a more detailed view of Riggs' darker side. The story - Riggs and Murtaugh are investigating the source of a trunk full of gold when they stumble upon a big time smuggling operation being run with South African 'Diplomatic Immunity'. The movie dates itself with the Apartheid references, but the movie is an excellent action packed adventure in the tradition of all good 'Cop Buddy' movies. Gibson and Glover are excellent together, and this film continues the franchise with an excellent production. It keeps your interest, moves at an action packed pace and features some well cast acting and direction. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 891
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Joss Ackland, Derrick O'Connor
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures   Release date: 1989   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Riggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of South African diplomats who are using their immunity to engage in criminal activities.
My Rating:
My Review: The movie 'Lethal Weapon', directed by Richard Donner, written by Shane Black and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover launched a successful and popular franchise that spawned three sequels, numerous genre similar movies and a revival of 'cop buddy' movies in the 80s and 90s. There's even a 'Lethal Weapon 5' in production now. This second movie moved the cop duo of Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Glover) in a couple of new directions. Adding the Leo Getz character (played by Joe Pesci brought some excellent comedy relief to the film. We also get a more detailed view of Riggs' darker side. The story - Riggs and Murtaugh are investigating the source of a trunk full of gold when they stumble upon a big time smuggling operation being run with South African 'Diplomatic Immunity'. The movie dates itself with the Apartheid references, but the movie is an excellent action packed adventure in the tradition of all good 'Cop Buddy' movies. Gibson and Glover are excellent together, and this film continues the franchise with an excellent production. It keeps your interest, moves at an action packed pace and features some well cast acting and direction. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 1682
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Joss Ackland, Derrick O'Connor
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Studio: Warner Bros.   Release date: 1989   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, Afrikaans (USA)
Summary: Riggs and Murtaugh are trying to take down some drug dealers but the they turn out to be not run of the mill drug dealers; they have automatic weapons and helicopters. Eventually they grab one of their vehicles and find a million dollars worth of gold coins or Krugerrands in the trunk. Later Murtaugh is threatened by the men they're pursuing. That's when the Captain reassigns them to protect a man named Leo Getz who is suppose to testify in a big case. When they get to where Leo is, someone tries to kill him and that's when they learn he laundered half a billion dollars worth of drug money. He then takes them to a place he once went to and that's when the people there start shooting at them. Later when they come back with back up they learn that the men work for the South African consulate and have diplomatic immunity. They deduce that they are the ones they were looking for, but because of they have diplomatic immunity they can't do anything.
My Rating:
My Review: The movie 'Lethal Weapon', directed by Richard Donner, written by Shane Black and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover launched a successful and popular franchise that spawned three sequels, numerous genre similar movies and a revival of 'cop buddy' movies in the 80s and 90s. There's even a 'Lethal Weapon 5' in production now. This second movie moved the cop duo of Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Glover) in a couple of new directions. Adding the Leo Getz character (played by Joe Pesci brought some excellent comedy relief to the film. We also get a more detailed view of Riggs' darker side. The story - Riggs and Murtaugh are investigating the source of a trunk full of gold when they stumble upon a big time smuggling operation being run with South African 'Diplomatic Immunity'. The movie dates itself with the Apartheid references, but the movie is an excellent action packed adventure in the tradition of all good 'Cop Buddy' movies. Gibson and Glover are excellent together, and this film continues the franchise with an excellent production. It keeps your interest, moves at an action packed pace and features some well cast acting and direction. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 1683
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Stuart Wilson
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Studio: Warner Bros.   Release date: 1992   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Martin Riggs finally meets his match in the form of Lorna Cole, a beautiful but tough policewoman. Together with Roger Murtaugh, his partner, the three attempt to expose a crooked former policeman and his huge arms racket. The crooked cop (Jack Travis) thwarts them at every turn, mainly by killing anyone who is about to talk, but Murtaugh has personal problems of his own as his family are brought into the equation.
My Rating:
My Review: The third (and should have been last) movie in the franchise. Directed by Richard Donner. Starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo and others. Gibson and Glover are back, joined by one too many co-stars. Two's really enough, but this movie insists on a never ending supply of 'Side-Kicks'. I'm not entirely sure why, but the script not only called for a third 'Partner', but they let Joe Pesci (playing Joe Pesci - oh, wait, no it's Leo Getz - Or is it Leo Getz playing Joe Pesci) tag along for the ride. If you thought his character was annoying in the sequel, your going to love him in this movie - He's more annoying than ever! Martin Riggs (played by Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) are now 'Sergeants' - Having been busted down in rank for their inability to abide by proper policy and procedure. While the original had its charm in a bit of irreverent humor, the sequel moved the comedy up a notch and this one brings it front and center. The comedy here makes a mockery of the characters. It's tamer in tone than the original (no dark notes here) and the characters are portrayed as incompetent clowns, dancing about for our amusement. Jeffrey Boam, credited with the screenplay here and in Lethal Weapon 2, doesn't do us any favors by making the characters more obnoxious than they need to be in order to move the story forward - On the other hand, the ridiculous character play does help to detract from a rather predictable and dull plot, because the character's personal drama is far more interesting than anything having to do with the movie's antagonist. What is the story? Oh yeah, bad guy used to be a cop, so he knows all about how the cops operate. He steals guns and such and sells them to the local gangs. The buddy cop genre could definitely take a break from this duo. The stunt work is great and the truck chase quite thrilling, but overall this movie didn't rate much higher than a tired yawn. Thankfully we weren't subjected to a sex scene with Mel Gibson's ass riding Rene Russo's character. I actually remember my dread just thinking that it might happen. I give this movie a 2 out of 5.

Collection ID 1683
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Stuart Wilson
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Studio: Warner Bros.   Release date: 1992   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Martin Riggs finally meets his match in the form of Lorna Cole, a beautiful but tough policewoman. Together with Roger Murtaugh, his partner, the three attempt to expose a crooked former policeman and his huge arms racket. The crooked cop (Jack Travis) thwarts them at every turn, mainly by killing anyone who is about to talk, but Murtaugh has personal problems of his own as his family are brought into the equation.
My Rating:
My Review: The third (and should have been last) movie in the franchise. Directed by Richard Donner. Starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo and others. Gibson and Glover are back, joined by one too many co-stars. Two's really enough, but this movie insists on a never ending supply of 'Side-Kicks'. I'm not entirely sure why, but the script not only called for a third 'Partner', but they let Joe Pesci (playing Joe Pesci - oh, wait, no it's Leo Getz - Or is it Leo Getz playing Joe Pesci) tag along for the ride. If you thought his character was annoying in the sequel, your going to love him in this movie - He's more annoying than ever! Martin Riggs (played by Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) are now 'Sergeants' - Having been busted down in rank for their inability to abide by proper policy and procedure. While the original had its charm in a bit of irreverent humor, the sequel moved the comedy up a notch and this one brings it front and center. The comedy here makes a mockery of the characters. It's tamer in tone than the original (no dark notes here) and the characters are portrayed as incompetent clowns, dancing about for our amusement. Jeffrey Boam, credited with the screenplay here and in Lethal Weapon 2, doesn't do us any favors by making the characters more obnoxious than they need to be in order to move the story forward - On the other hand, the ridiculous character play does help to detract from a rather predictable and dull plot, because the character's personal drama is far more interesting than anything having to do with the movie's antagonist. What is the story? Oh yeah, bad guy used to be a cop, so he knows all about how the cops operate. He steals guns and such and sells them to the local gangs. The buddy cop genre could definitely take a break from this duo. The stunt work is great and the truck chase quite thrilling, but overall this movie didn't rate much higher than a tired yawn. Thankfully we weren't subjected to a sex scene with Mel Gibson's ass riding Rene Russo's character. I actually remember my dread just thinking that it might happen. I give this movie a 2 out of 5.

Collection ID 731
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryo Kase, Shidô Nakamura
Genre: Drama, History, War
Studio: DreamWorks SKG   Release date: 2006   Rated: R   
Language (Country): Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 (USA)
Summary: The island of Iwo Jima stands between the American military force and the home islands of Japan. Therefore the Imperial Japanese Army is desperate to prevent it from falling into American hands and providing a launching point for an invasion of Japan. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi is given command of the forces on the island and sets out to prepare for the imminent attack. General Kuribayashi, however, does not favor the rigid traditional approach recommended by his subordinates, and resentment and resistance fester among his staff. In the lower echelons, a young soldier, Saigo, a poor baker in civilian life, strives with his friends to survive the harsh regime of the Japanese army itself, all the while knowing that a fierce battle looms. When the American invasion begins, both Kuribayashi and Saigo find strength, honor, courage, and horrors beyond imagination.
My Rating:
My Review: Based on a book (by Tadamichi Kuribayashi), screenplay written by Iris Yamashita and Paul Haggis, directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara and many others. Of the two movies (this one and Flags of our Fathers), this one is by far the better movie. The writing is much better as is the acting, the setting and the story is original. We've never seen this side of the battle before, and I for one appreciated it. I won't turn this into a debate on the atrocities of war, or which side did what to whom. As a movie, this was an outstanding accomplishment. Eastwood's directing seems better in this movie, but the acting and quality of the actors was also visibly better. I really liked the 'letters' aspect as well. Throughout the movie, there is a focus on correspondence with loved ones. Each side had families back home, and we were shown a side of the soldier we are rarely allowed to see. The side that wants to survive, the side that wants to make it through to the other side. The pacing, lighting and camera work were all outstanding. Bravo Mr. Eastwood. This one is outstanding. 5 out of 5.