VAN HELSH**

Advantages: Great theme tune and some good action sequences.
Disadvantages: Overuse of CGI, bad writing and a waste of money.

...a monster hunter who is sent by some guy to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula (Played by Richard Roxburgh) from unleashing more evil doings. When he gets there he meets up with Kate Beckinsale's character where they team up to battle the count. They battle with werewolves, frankenstein and the Count's three brides. I know the above story sypnosis sounds kind of lame but that's because it is. Van Helsing basically is a guy who goes round killing monsters and that's it. Review The movie starts off in black and white as a homage to the old horror movies such as the ones that starred Christopher Lee. This was something that I quite liked as the CGI seemed less irratating than when the flick was in colour. Not that all the CGI was bad or anything it was just that I felt it was overused in some places in the film. As the movie progresses...

ralfschumacher 12.05.2004 · Read review
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Review of Van Helsing (DVD)

Van for the Money

Advantages: Tremendous fun that doesn't take itself seriously
Disadvantages: Shoddy CGI in places, more plot holes than a colander

...on and hissing the baddies for the full two-hour running time. It has its tongue firmly in cheek when required, with plenty of amusing asides and comedy characters to keep your funny bone tickled. The film begins like a traditional Universal creature feature in atmospheric black and white, with Frankenstein trying to bring his creature to life while the villagers advance on the castle with pitchforks and blazing torches. There?s even the cry of ?It?s alive!? and plenty of Van der Graaf generators humming away in the background. It?s a nice back story for one of the star monsters that segues into the film?s present where we walk in on Van Helsing finishing off an assignment (à la Indiana Jones) and Dr Jekyll?s other half. It?s a worthy introduction to the man in the hat, with Hugh Jackman proving himself a rugged and convincing hero with fuzzy...

afy9mab 13.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of Van Helsing (DVD)

A model van .

Advantages: good model
Disadvantages: none

...When sorting out my dads possessions we discovered a couple of corgi model cars one was a model of a ford model T van with Lyons tea advertising on its side. Corgi is a Northampton firm that started making colorful pressed metal toys in 1930. In 1956 the first corgi model cars appeared. These cars are now collector's pieces. The corgi Lyons tea van that I found was made around 1985. It was made as a collector's model. These cars are not really made for young children but for those aged over 14. This model van measures 9cm long by 4cm wide it is 5 cm tall. This van is I believe a true copy of a Ford model T van. The Lyons tea van is made of a blue dye cast metal. On the side of the van are the Lyons name in gold and the company address in black. The roof of the van is white the radiator trim gold the wheels gold with black...

mumsymary 30.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of Corgi Ford Model T Van Lyons Tea

Wilder van your average college

Advantages: Mindless humour
Disadvantages: Can be annoying in places

..., and the pledges were very irritating . I've always hated the entire concept of the Greek system in American schooling, it totally stamps on the concept of the underdog and those who dare to be different. Van and his friends and the geeks are the true stars of this film, especially the Asian guy and the black dude. ( I wasn't paying enough attention to catch any names) At the end of the day this is a well made and very funny movie with an interesting message and a good outcome. It may not be totally feel good factor stuff but it's well worth a look if you haven't seen it. (this review also appears on dooyoo)...

atytyut2434 18.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of Van Wilder: Party Liaison (DVD)

Van Wilder

Advantages: Some funny scenes, Ryan Reynolds plays his part well.
Disadvantages: Not really bringing anything new to the genre.

...Van Wilder: Party Liaison is a comedy film starring Ryan Reynolds and Tara Reid with Kal Penn and Daniel Cosgrove the most notable supporting cast. Van Wilder (Ryan Reynolds) has been at Coolidge College for seven years and has shown no intention of graduating. He is enjoying his time there and spends it partying, helping his fellow students and organising parties and fundraisers. Understandably, Van's father no longer wishes to pay for his 'education' and withdraws his funding. As Van is the big man on campus, the college paper journalist, Gwen (Tara Reid) is asked to write a paper on him and his exploits. This is such a success that she writes a follow up paper. Van attempts to romance Gwen but she is already involved with Richard (Daniel Cosgrove) so the two men start up a rivalry with one another which results in them playing...

dandadda 06.03.2009 · Read review
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Review of Van Wilder: Party Liaison (DVD)

The Late Great Townes Van Zandt

Advantages: Archive footage, interviews, live performances
Disadvantages: None

...For anyone who has read my previous comment on the great Townes Van Zandt, or has heard and enjoyed his music, this DVD is a must see. If neither is applicable to you but you are interesting in an insight into the tragic workings of a genius, this is also a must. This is the an often heartbreaking, sometimes amusing, always fascinating account of the life and times of Townes Van Zandt: Texan troubadour, manic depressive, misunderstood drunk, lovelorn poet and close friend to a lucky and select few. Van Zandt has written countless classic songs of loss, hope and heartbreak including the hits Pancho and Lefty and If I Needed You and has been covered by countless artists from Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan, some of whom are interviewed here. As a biographical documentary, this is an engaging and lovingly crafted film...

Nixu1980 06.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Townes Van Zandt - Be Here To Love Me (DVD)

Van-tastic

Advantages: Brilliant script writing that keeps the film flowing.
Disadvantages: Wish I had a personal assistant...

...Introduction - My friend Tim introduced to the film, he clearly had a misconception about what University (English version of College) would be like, turns out his false ideas all spawned from one film, Van Wilder: Part liaison. The film was released in 2002 as a comedy and was directed by Walt Beckers. The lead male role is played by Ryan Reynolds, an at the time fairly new actor who has since continued to play similar comedy based roles in films such as 'Just Friends'. Tara Reid plays the lead female role, best know for her performances in the American Pie films and Cruel Intentions. Plot - The film starts as it means to go on, we see Vance (Van) Wilder (Ryan Reynolds) standing with an old Chinese lady kneeling down in front of him, but we only see the top half of her head. Accompanying this rather suggestive scene are some...

B_O_M_B_A 25.09.2008 · Read review
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Review of Van Wilder: Party Liaison (DVD)

Van Halen- Definitive?

Advantages: Good quantity/ quality
Disadvantages: Confusing tracklist

...'s About Time" - 4:15 (new song) "Up for Breakfast" - 4:57 (new song) "Learning to See" - 5:15 (new song) "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" - 3:48 (from Van Halen) "Finish What Ya Started" - 4:24 (from OU812) "You Really Got Me" - 2:38 (from Van Halen) "Dreams" - 4:53 (from 5150) "Hot for Teacher" - 4:43 (from 1984) "Poundcake" - 5:20 (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge) "And the Cradle Will Rock..." - 3:34 (from Women and Children First) "Black and Blue" - 5:27 (from OU812) "Jump" - 4:04 (from 1984) "Top of the World" - 3:54 (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge) "(Oh) Pretty Woman" - 2:53 (from Diver Down) "Love Walks In" - 5:11 (from 5150) "Beautiful Girls" - 3:57 (from Van Halen II) "Can't Stop Lovin' You" - 4:08 (from Balance) "Unchained" - 3:29 (from Fair Warning) Disc 2 "Panama" - 3:32 (from...

Lukejones1 08.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of Best Of Van Halen, The - Van Halen

Van-Quishing Vampires!

Advantages: great CGI, easy "no brainer" film
Disadvantages: Dracula is camp, a bit predictable.

...I like fantasy. I enjoy inhuman beasts and battles and tales of daring-do. So there is no need to ask why I decided one evening to settle down with a bag of popcorn to watch Van Helsing. I am not however someone who has read the original books about Frankenstein's monster or Dracula, and my knowledge is limited to that which I've picked up from various references in movies and from other people. Van Helsing apparently links the two and the initial black and white scene shows you the Frankenstein monster being created as a lead up to the "real" meat (or should I say stake?) of this movie. Van Helsing kills monsters for the church. He's tough, macho and of course has a hidden past, hidden even from himself, he has a somewhat worrying memory problem. Hugh Jackman is not the worlds best actor but he pulls Van Helsing off well as honestly...

VickyVickster 17.08.2005 · Read review
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Review of Van Helsing (DVD)

Van Zant all the way

Advantages: Great music and lyrics, vocals
Disadvantages: A couple of weaker links

......Introduction... For those of you who havent heard of Van Zant they are Donnie and Johnny Van Zant and are brothers of Ronnie Van Zant who was the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd before he tragically died in a plane crash while the band were on tour in 1977. Johnny became the vocalist of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987 and the two brothers have been recording as Van Zant since 1984. Johnny - Johnny is the younger of the two and is 49 years old, He is the singer of the duo and is the current singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Johnny is a very good singer who has the range to sing full on rock songs and slower country rock ballads. Donny - Donny is 52 years old and is the lead guitarist of Van Zant but he also shares some of the singing duties with his younger brother Johnny who is the lead singer. Donny is a very impressive guitarist...

jcneil 12.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of Get Right With The Man - Van Zant