DVD Verdict reviews: TROY, I, ROBOT, SHAUN OF THE DEAD, and more!

Today, DVD Verdict posted reviews of EASY RIDER: 35TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE
EDITION, THE HISTORY OF IRON MAIDEN, PART 1: THE EARLY DAYS, I, ROBOT,
LEGONG: DANCE OF THE VIRGINS, LUTHER, MARIA FULL OF GRACE, PHILADELPHIA:
ANNIVERSARY EDITION, RAMONES: RAW, SHAUN OF THE DEAD, SUGAR, TROY, and A
WRINKLE IN TIME:


EASY RIDER: 35TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION (reviewed by Dan Mancini,
overall score 88/100):
"The New Hollywood generation didn't break out of the old Hollywood
system so much as they took it over and became it. Their revolutionary
films in the early '70s became increasingly self-indulgent as their
power and wealth increased and they retreated into cloistered mansions
in the California hills."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/easyrider35th.php

THE HISTORY OF IRON MAIDEN, PART 1: THE EARLY DAYS (reviewed by Bill
Gibron, overall score 95/100):
"Honestly, the history of Iron Maiden is just not that jaded. Sure,
there are some sore feelings here and there, and an occasional nod to
the nearly dictatorial nature inherent in the group's design (Steve
Harris isn't the sole original member by accident). But overall, what we
discover is that through hard work, a unified vision and a deep
dedication to giving the fans exactly what they wanted, Iron Maiden
overcame the odds and succeeded."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/ironmaidenhistory1.php

I, ROBOT (reviewed by Eric Profancik, overall score 88/100):
"To be able to enjoy this film at all, you must acknowledge that it is
not Asimov's work. You have to toss out any expectations that the
various short stories have been put to film in this blockbuster starring
Will Smith. Further, you have to accept that many liberties have been
taken with that source material in crafting I, Robot. But, if you can do
all that, then you'll find a reasonably entertaining, fluffy, sci-fi,
summer blockbuster."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/irobot.php

LEGONG: DANCE OF THE VIRGINS (reviewed by Rob Lineberger, overall
score 91/100):
"Legong is like a National Geographic photo spread come to life, replete
with the gaudy temples, weather-worn faces, and vaguely erotic naked
torsos. From historical, sociological, and ethnographic standpoints, the
footage in this film is fascinating."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/legongdancevirgins.php

LUTHER (reviewed by David Johnson, overall score 84/100):
"As it turns out, Luther is a well-made, beautifully filmed, and solidly
acted historical epic, which deals honestly with events that are both
wonderful and tragic; events that show Christianity at both its highest
and lowest."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/luther.php

MARIA FULL OF GRACE (reviewed by Lacey Worrell, overall score 93/100):
"One could argue that a fictional drug mule, who despite an existence
filled with poverty and despair ultimately contributes to the worldwide
spread of drug use, is unworthy of a sympathetic audience. However, this
film underscores the fact that the problem is much bigger and more
complex, making it impossible to point a finger at...and judge...this
individual's motivations and actions."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/mariafullgrace.php

PHILADELPHIA: ANNIVERSARY EDITION (reviewed by Maurice Cobbs, overall
score 87/100):
"Where the movie To Kill A Mockingbird uses racial discrimination as a
vehicle to explore larger issues of humanity, this film uses the AIDS
epidemic in the same way. The idea at the core of both these films is
the idea of human beings connecting despite their differences, fears,
and prejudices."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/philadelphiaae.php

RAMONES: RAW (reviewed by Dan Mancini, overall score 91/100):
"While other punks sneered at mainstream success even as they bought
mansions and sports cars -- the unavoidable hypocrisy that tainted punk
at least a little once it blossomed out of the dilapidated clubs of New
York and London -- the Ramones never hid their desire to be as big as
the Beatles. For over 20 years the band waged a Don Quixote-like war
against rock's bloated excesses and marketing department banalities,
perennial failures who took their lumps and kept on keeping on."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/ramonesraw.php

SHAUN OF THE DEAD (reviewed by Patrick Naugle, overall score 95/100):
"Believe the hype: Shaun of the Dead is one of the funniest, goriest,
greatest movies of the year."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/shaundead.php

SUGAR (reviewed by Brett Cullum, overall score 90/100):
"It comes off feeling like a true story rather than a cinematic tall
tale. It is a thing of beauty for its honesty and frankness in
portraying the hustler scene. Most people will find it unsettling and a
little gross, but that is the point. Prostitutes are not people who end
up shopping on Rodeo Drive despite what Pretty Woman may have led you
to believe."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/sugar.php

TROY (reviewed by Erick Harper, overall score 84/100):
"The great thing about writers who have been dead for 3000 years is
that they don't demand royalties or any degree of creative control over
a project."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/troy.php

A WRINKLE IN TIME (reviewed by Amanda DeWees, overall score 84/100):
"The good news is that young viewers who have yet to take on the
intellectually challenging novels by L'Engle may well find this
miniseries a nonintimidating introduction to her Time Tetralogy. The
friendly, comedic interpretations of some of the otheworldly characters,
and the visual wonders of the other worlds themselves, may be just the
thing to engage the interest of youngsters."

FULL REVIEW: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/wrinkleintime.php

Mike Jackson
Editor & Webmaster, DVD Verdict
www.dvdverdict.com