[DeadAlive]

I think it is more like 22 seconds cut in the US release of DM2. The final sequence that shows Jackie (In typical HK humourless OTT fashion.) acting brain damaged after drinking the industrial strength alcohol. None of the action is cut at all.

Talking of JC.......

The Karate Kid
Like most self respecting Jackie Chan fans I had so many reservations about this this when I first heard about it, but I have to confess that I actually enjoyed this. It doesn't have the cheese factor of the original, and the action sequences suffer from the usual fast cuts and shakey camera that is typical in Western action films, but when all is said and done this does have some great location shots and it really packs an emotional punch. The most important thing for me though is Jackie Chan's convincing performance. It is easily his best in an American film to date. He plays it completely straight and when he needs to give that extra bit of emotion it is done well. In one particular scene I must have got some dust in my eye from somewhere.....cough cough, sniff sniff. (Damned dusty cinema! ) Some scenes are almost shot for shot from the original, but most of it takes on a life of its own as it becomes more of a story about cultures than just a boy moving to a new city and getting bullied. I have to also admit that Jaden Smith handles himself well and really looks like he was pushed physically to the limit during the training sequences.

Also watched over the past week...

Splice
Interesting but often predictable sci-fi/horror with good performances and some cool effects which will definitely get a second viewing when this hits DVD.


Night Of The Living Dead
Tom Savini's remake of the classic George A. Romero story works for me to a point. I like the way he makes the character of Barbara a stronger more self sufficient one, and Tony Todd is quite good before he slipped into Candyman mode and got totally type cast. The gore is quite subdued and well done too, although I believe this was down to cuts rather than original choice, but my biggest issue is where this goes in the last five minutes. A quality remake for the most part though.


House Of Mortal Sin
Sleazy British flick that falls more into psychological thriller than horror. Directed by cult favourite Pete Walker, this has a seedy undercurrent as the plot revolves around a sexually repressed priest who is blackmailing young women who have been confessing thier most personal secrets to him. Blackmail turns to murder when his actions are questioned by family and friends of the latest woman in his sights. Deliberately paced and a little melodramatic at times featuring a cast that is more recognisable for TV work.


The Vampire Lovers
One of the first Hammer vampire films to go past heaving bussoms into full nudity and also tackle the then almost taboo subject of lesbians. Ingrid Pitt is fantastic as the sultry vampire who can just about seduce anyone she pleases (Male or female. ). Peter Cushing is still on hand to lend some thesbian muscle support. I was amused by the fact that George Cole has a prominent role in this too, though he seems so out of place to me.


Bloodsuckers
A good cast is fritted away on this poor attempt at doing something different with the Vampire story. Peter Cushing gets very little screen time which is a crying shame as he is easily the best thing about this mess. Patrick Mower provides some unintentional laughs in the lead.