Week of 20 March
DVD: Primevil ? (Stars Emily Foxler, Nick Mennell, Brianna Brown, Lance Henriksen, Maxine Bahns; £12.99; UK Cert 15; Runtime 85 mins) The last film produced by The Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner before his death in November 2010, Primevil (originally titled The Lost Tribe) is the story of a group of thinly drawn characters who find themselves stranded on an uncharted island inhabited by a tribe of ape-like creatures with a taste for human flesh. It's a by-the-numbers horror movie that lacks any intensity or tension and will be incredibly familiar to anyone who's ever seen Predator. Despite having such a name as Kershner behind it, the film also boasts a painfully brief cameo by Lance Henriksen and creature effects by Oscar-winner Barney Burnham. But apart from the big names, competent acting and satisfactory direction, the film really has nothing else going for it. The only interesting note is that the entire movie exists simply because the producers weren't happy with the original cut (now released and available as After Dusk They Come) and, instead of ordering reshoots because the cast were no longer available, decided to start from scratch with new actors. No extras — Adam Stephen Kelly
DVD: The King Maker ?? (Stars Gary Stretch, Cindy Burbridge, John Rhys-Davies; £15.99; UK Cert 15; Runtime 88 mins) The third Thai film to ever be shot in the English language, The King Maker is a $15,000,000 historical epic based on the true story of the King of Siam and his Queen's desire to have him slain so that she could be with her young lover. During her devious attempts on his life, her husband becomes engrossed in defending his land against renegade forces in the north alongside his Portuguese allies, lead by John Rhys-Davies, whose character's daughter (Burbridge) begins a relationship with a handsome soldier (Stretch) from her homeland who washed up on the island after being shipwrecked. The story is coherent enough, but the way its told through the largely horrendous cast just about kills it. Native director Lek Kitaparaporn is obviously skilled at his job, providing some beautiful and colour-rich shots of the incredible scenery and architecture that the film shows off – the art direction here is superb, as are the large-scale battle scenes – but nothing else falls into place. The film has potential and a great old school war epic feel, but the choppy editing, script and performances dumb it down tremendously. Extras: Only the trailer. — Adam Stephen Kelly
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Week of 14 March
DVD: Savage ?? (Stars Darren Healy, Nora Jane-Noone, Ryan Andrews, Karl Argue, Cathy Belton, Andrew Bennett, John Burke; £12.99; UK Cert 18; Runtime 84 mins) The debut feature from writer-director Brendan Muldowney, Savage is a low-budget Irish film that explores the effects of violence upon a man who has endured a horrific assault at the hands of thugs. Working as a press photographer, the lonely life of Paul Graynor (Healy) is turned upside down when attacked at knifepoint. Surviving the hellish ordeal, he must walk the long road to recovery as a changed man. Initially driven by fear, Paul has to learn to take control of himself, but in doing so is pushed over the edge and into a venomous world of anger and disillusion. Divided into chapters in a way reminiscent of Lars von Trier's soulless dud Antichrist, Savage packs a punch at its blood-spattered conclusion, but fails to be much more than a gritty story devoid of any biting social commentary other than its message that the Dublin of our times is a far darker place than so many believe. Healy is excellent and convincing in his role, but is unable to carry the overly artsy psychodrama on his shoulders. No extras. — Adam Stephen Kelly
DVD: Beatdown ? (Stars Rudy Youngblood, Susi Abromeit, Eric Balfour, Danny Trejo, Michael Bisping, Bobby Lashley, Heath Herring; £12.99; UK Cert 18; Runtime 86 mins) Co-written and directed by experienced stunt co-ordinator Mike Gunther, Beatdown is yet another fight flick that has arrived on DVD as a result of the recent influx of mixed martial arts-themed movies. From the film-makers behind Circle of Pain, which at least was coherent and offered minor entertainment, this low-budget romp is centred around a young man who, after being burdened with a huge debt owed to the mob by his recently murdered brother, decides to enter the dangerous world of underground fighting to earn some quick cash and get the gang off his back. Partnering up with a new colleague, his boss and a former MMA champion, the fighter is about to find love in the unlikeliest of places, while simultaneously making enemies on the backdrop of his battles. It's a formulaic, uninteresting and borderline paltry affair with questionable performances and cameos from both Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce stars. Extras: A behind the scenes feature complete with cast and crew interviews; Choreographing the Beatdowns; 6 days on the set with Michael Bisping; a brief clip of the winner of a contest whose prize was a small role in the film; and the trailer. — Adam Stephen Kelly