DVD Talk review of 'Darkman' (HD DVD)
#1
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DVD Talk review of 'Darkman' (HD DVD)
I read Joshua Zyber's DVD review of Darkman at http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=29764 and... of all your great reviews this one is my favorite. Okay, I'm going to go cry now about the fact this freaking movie of all movies gets a rare TrueHD track from Universal.
"Darkman is a shit movie that hasn't gotten any better with age." may be the best movie review quote ever. Stick that one on the box Universal.
"Darkman is a shit movie that hasn't gotten any better with age." may be the best movie review quote ever. Stick that one on the box Universal.
#2
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Glad you enjoyed it, darkside. I gots to call 'em as I sees 'em.
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Gotta differ with Darkside here about your review, Josh. I'm not a huge fan of the movie, so this is not about a differing opinion. It was just that the tone of your review was so shrill and strident it turned me off. I get the fact that you didn't like the movie, but I felt you were beating me over the head with it. It almost read out of character for you, since you're usually much more level headed and eloquent in your writing than "Darkman is a shit movie", etc.
#4
DVD Talk Legend
If the movie sucks, there's no point in mincing words about it.
As far as differing in tone from my other articles, perhaps you missed my infamous UltraViolet review.
As far as differing in tone from my other articles, perhaps you missed my infamous UltraViolet review.
#5
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Originally Posted by Rusty James
Gotta differ with Darkside here about your review, Josh. I'm not a huge fan of the movie, so this is not about a differing opinion. It was just that the tone of your review was so shrill and strident it turned me off. I get the fact that you didn't like the movie, but I felt you were beating me over the head with it. It almost read out of character for you, since you're usually much more level headed and eloquent in your writing than "Darkman is a shit movie", etc.
Others have different opinions. DVDTown's review of Darkman uses this quote, "Darkman may be one of the finest comic book style films to date". The existence of films like Batman Begins, Hellboy and Sin City make this statement bat shit insane, but I respect that its the opinion of the reviewer for all its hyperbole.
Last edited by darkside; 08-19-07 at 10:21 AM.
#6
At the time Darkman came out, it was a fun movie. Raimi has an odd humrous style to his action/horror movies. I can understand the severe lashings Darkman gets but I thank Josh saying we have a decent video transfer, because I'm gettin' the motherfuker.
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Darkman came out the same time as Burton's Batman & most critics actually preferred Darkman at the time. It's a superhero/comic story, so it won't be very realistic, but the over-the-top Evil Dead 2 style worked for it. And it's still fun to see Liam Neeson dancing crazily like the Tinman. The video & sound were both surprisingly good, but you shouldn't complain that they gave a movie like Darkman a good transfer & True hD, you should just complain they don't do the same every movie.
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by El Kabong
Darkman came out the same time as Burton's Batman & most critics actually preferred Darkman at the time.
It's a superhero/comic story, so it won't be very realistic,
The video & sound were both surprisingly good, but you shouldn't complain that they gave a movie like Darkman a good transfer & True hD, you should just complain they don't do the same every movie.
Last edited by Josh Z; 08-29-07 at 09:43 AM.
#9
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Josh, don't hold back. Did you like the movie or not?
I remember loving it when it came out, but have not re-watched it. This convo has made me put it at the top of my watch pile. I wonder how it will hold up for me....
I remember loving it when it came out, but have not re-watched it. This convo has made me put it at the top of my watch pile. I wonder how it will hold up for me....
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Originally Posted by TheV
I was hoping for a more balanced review about the audio and video. This wasn't it.
#12
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Having just finished my own review of it, I concur with Josh's assessment of the technical aspects. Perhaps TheV is annoyed at the cracks Josh made about Universal in those sections of the review.
#13
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Don't mock a DVDtalk reviewer TheV, they'll gang up on you.
I think you're right Suprmallet. As a fan of the movie, the digs against it, spread throughout every section of the review, are a little much. But all in all, a decent review that more than adequately covers all areas that a DVD review should cover.
Personally, I think that he went a bit overboard on slamming the film, and that a DVD review should be more a review of the DVD and not just the film.
I think you're right Suprmallet. As a fan of the movie, the digs against it, spread throughout every section of the review, are a little much. But all in all, a decent review that more than adequately covers all areas that a DVD review should cover.
Personally, I think that he went a bit overboard on slamming the film, and that a DVD review should be more a review of the DVD and not just the film.
#14
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Originally Posted by TheV
Hmm...since I've already seen the film I've got my own opinion. I was hoping for a more balanced review about the audio and video. This wasn't it.
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It was hard to peel through to the tech specs with all the opinions of the movie. It went way overboard with the slams of the film, hard to overlook the bias. I'd check out the second review by David H. He simply states that he doesn't like the film in the overview section, but is even-handed about it in the tech sections. I couldn't tell whether you hated the audio/video or were still talking about the film. It gets too much and then the review isn't useful. A lot like Fox News.
I don't think a lot of people who are interested in the film will be seeing it for the first time, and if they are then they'd be dissuaded by the first few paragraphs...no need to beat a dead Darkman.
And that is my opinion of your opinion.
I don't think a lot of people who are interested in the film will be seeing it for the first time, and if they are then they'd be dissuaded by the first few paragraphs...no need to beat a dead Darkman.
And that is my opinion of your opinion.
Last edited by TheV; 09-01-07 at 11:05 AM.
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by TheV
It was hard to peel through to the tech specs with all the opinions of the movie. It went way overboard with the slams of the film, hard to overlook the bias. I'd check out the second review by David H. He simply states that he doesn't like the film in the overview section, but is even-handed about it in the tech sections. I couldn't tell whether you hated the audio/video or were still talking about the film.
A lot like Fox News.
That is certainly the first time anything I've ever said has been compared to Fox News!
I don't think a lot of people who are interested in the film will be seeing it for the first time, and if they are then they'd be dissuaded by the first few paragraphs...
(Wait, now I do sound like Fox News! )
Last edited by Josh Z; 09-01-07 at 06:10 PM.