Reviews (3)

Gosh! Heather Locklear is a Great Actress!!
The last time I saw Heather Locklear in anything was her performance as Sammy Jo in TV's Dynasty. Come to think of it, she was quite wonderful in that role. This film is has the advantage of a 100 percent cast, story, production, etc., and some rather great music. Let's hope to see more of Heather in films of this calibre. She deserves the opportunity, after all these years, to go straight to the top.

A cut above the rest!
Double Tap is a fresh take on a genre of film that I feel has been lacking creativity for about a decade. It's a classic hitman movie with one of my favorite actors, Stephen Rea(Crying Game, Michael Collins) and some of the all-time greatest supporting actors like Peter Greene(Usual Suspects), Kevin Gage(Heat, GI Jane), and Mikelti Williamson(Forrest Gump). Stylized camera work was bold and effective. One of the coolest action-thrillers on the video shelves!

nothing worse than psuedo artsyness
Ya know, I really hate it when I see an actor I like doing stupid movies. I could care less if heather locklear does a made to video, thats her bread and butter. But Steven(Crying Game) Rea is really annoying here. He's supposed to be some hard core killer or something, but in his attempts to put on a southern (I think) American accent, he sounds more like a nerdy android. Oh yeah- they try to be arty in this drivel and use every stupid film school trick to give this tripe some kind of "edge" Terrible. ... Read more

Reviews (122)

Fine adaptation of an SF classic
This sequel to the mini-series "Dune" combines action from Frank Herbert's novels "Dune Messiah" and "Children of Dune." Paul Muad'Dib (Alec Newman) has taken control of Arrakis, but all does not go as planned. He has become the figurehead for a violent revolution that is spreading across star systems, various conspirators are gathering against him, and the greening of Dune is playing havoc with the traditional Fremen way of life. His children, Leto (James McAvoy) and Ghanima (Jessica Brooks), are destined to play pivotal roles in the complicated machinations for control of Dune and its spice.

This is a handsome production with mostly impressive special effects. The acting tends to be rather wooden, as a great deal of dialogue is given over to exposition about the various complex maneuverings that are ongoing throughout the story. However, if you enjoy complicated stories full of scheming and strategizing among the powerful, as well as an impressive, fully realized alien milieu, you should find something to enjoy here.

The Saga of Dune is far from over.....I hope
"History is written on the sands of Arakkis..."

So begins the tale of one of the most epic mini-series ever produced;and rarely have truer words ever been spoken.Based on Frank Herbert's second and third books in his Dune saga,Children of Dune is a breathtaking look into the mind of a genius.The science-fiction equivalent of Tolkien,Herbert has brought to life a universe unlike any other,that,without fail,sucks you into it in a maelstrom of love,lineage,and legacy.And much to the surprise and awe of a Dune junkie like myself,director Greg Yaitanes not only manages to do Herbert justice with this small screen outing,but manages to do him proud as well.

With awesome special effects(check out the worms!!),perfect casting,mindblowing cinematography,and the greatest soundtrack I have ever had the privilege of hearing,the Children of Dune mini-series is the ultimate science-fiction saga of our time.Arakkis is as real,raw,and powerful as any Shire,Hogwarts,or galaxy far,far away.

Step inside a world of political intrigue,action, and drama.Bear witness to the triumphs of men as well as his tragedies.Behold the Fremen at his best,and also at his worst.And watch as life is born,ended,and given meaning in a beautiful epic that is,in the best and only way to describe it,undying.

Step inside the majesty of Children of Dune.

Dune Messiah and Children done RIGHT!
When I rented and watched the first Dune miniseries, I was shocked at how poor a job had been done. True, the story was kept pretty much intact, but the costumes were horrible, the acting wasn't credible, and the sets were even less credible. Most of the time, you could easily tell that the backdrop was a wall painted to look like dunes and mountains. This time, however, the makers got it right. First, everybody who returns for this second mini-series must have gotten acting lesson in between the two. I was shocked at how good some of the performances were (Paul and Irulan for example). Second, some of the special effects are truly impressive. Throughout most of the miniseries, I could believe that this was a very respectable theatrical release- I love Alia's "fight" scene. Also, the music this time around is unbelievable. I don't think it would be an exaggeration at all to say that this is the score that should have won best soundtrack at the most recent Academy awards.

Many people display disappointment over how some plot points were changed or ommitted. However, in my eyes, the miniseries accomplished the highest note that I think it possibly could have reached: it REALLY made me want to read the books again.

I also think that the miniseries accomplished something that the books did not. I think it added more emotion to the characters and made it easier for viewers to empathize with them. I can return to the books, perhaps, with a better idea of what the characters are going through.

Overall, a very commendable effort- not to be missed by any Dune fans (unlike the miserable first mini-series)

The saga of Dune is far from over.....well, let's hope so- on to God Emperor!

Read the book
I bought this DVD recently, after a 20-year lapse since I last read the Dune books. With only a vague memory of what was supposed to be going on, the movie was pretty much incomprehensible.

What was the reason for Leto II transforming himself into a sandworm? I don't remember, and the movie didn't explain. Somehow, this was supposed to be the next evolutionary step, or some such thing, but why? And why did Leto seem so confident and at peace with his decision, when later we find out that he sobbed in his sister's lap and asked her to help him die?

A lot of the acting is truly dreadful, and seems more appropriate to a stage play than a movie. Many of the costumes look like they came from old the original Star Trek series. And many of the sets were obviously just that ... sets with painted backgrounds.

As with the other adaptations of Dune books, too much had to be left out in the interest of time, and if you aren't very familiar with the story, you can easily be left scratching your head.

Considering it's a TV production, a great effort.
John Harrison wrote the script for this , as he did for the first Dune series. I think some are being too hard on this installment(double). It's the best sci-fi TV to come about in a very long time. The acting for the most part was a great surprise. There's some real talent here. Daniela Amavia's Alia puts most disturbed bombshell ladies in horror films to shame. It's true it's more of a petty political soap opera but that's how the sequel novels also seemed. Like another reviewer said, a knockout scene was where Duncan Idaho had to face the moment of truth and a lot of principle characters get killed off, a la Godfather. The scene captured the moment in story in just about the best way possible. The "wierding" effects like the first Dune are a rush, but the directors wisely use it sparingly and go for build up to dramatic highpoints just as Herbert's books do. Considering the recent sci-fi in the movies, this new director hopefully will get to the big screen sometime. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

It was a good action/adventure film!
I've seen Hard Justice on cable a couple of times and I decided to buy the uncut, no commercial film version. I've seen it twice already. The special effects were explosive and the fighting scenes were fun to watch. It's really good to see David Bradley again in an action/adventure movie. The "love interest sparks" between Nick and Hannah were sweet. It fits well in the story even though there were mostly shooting, blowing cars, and lots of kick-butt fighting.

On the set of Hard Justice
I played one of the many prisoners in this film. The special effects and the stunts were great, as well as working with the other actors. I find myself watching this video again and again because of the action. It is definitely a video to add to your library if you are an action fan.

HOW DID I MISS THIS IN THE THEATER!?
This is one of those films that belongs on your "gotta rent that" list. But after you watch it, you'll put it on your "gotta own this" list. Crazy action sequences that cause spontaneous laughter and a sudden need to hit the rewind button. The bad guys are the best part. Make the popcorn in advance and kill the lights, this film is a must have for any good couch commando.

Beats "Die Hard"!!! Non-stop excitement! Super-charged!
I was blown away by the intensity of the filmmaking. Crazy stunts that I've never seen before. Slick stylized photography. And alot of my favorite supporting actors. Director Greg Yaitanes took what could have been a typical action-flick and made it look like a fifty-million dollar summer blockbuster. In my ten years of being a published film critic, I have never seen raw gritty directing talent like I saw in "Hard Justice." I saw it at least half a dozen times, and I plan on seeing it half a dozen more. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

It was a good action/adventure film!
I've seen Hard Justice on cable a couple of times and I decided to buy the uncut, no commercial film version. I've seen it twice already. The special effects were explosive and the fighting scenes were fun to watch. It's really good to see David Bradley again in an action/adventure movie. The "love interest sparks" between Nick and Hannah were sweet. It fits well in the story even though there were mostly shooting, blowing cars, and lots of kick-butt fighting.

On the set of Hard Justice
I played one of the many prisoners in this film. The special effects and the stunts were great, as well as working with the other actors. I find myself watching this video again and again because of the action. It is definitely a video to add to your library if you are an action fan.

HOW DID I MISS THIS IN THE THEATER!?
This is one of those films that belongs on your "gotta rent that" list. But after you watch it, you'll put it on your "gotta own this" list. Crazy action sequences that cause spontaneous laughter and a sudden need to hit the rewind button. The bad guys are the best part. Make the popcorn in advance and kill the lights, this film is a must have for any good couch commando.

Beats "Die Hard"!!! Non-stop excitement! Super-charged!
I was blown away by the intensity of the filmmaking. Crazy stunts that I've never seen before. Slick stylized photography. And alot of my favorite supporting actors. Director Greg Yaitanes took what could have been a typical action-flick and made it look like a fifty-million dollar summer blockbuster. In my ten years of being a published film critic, I have never seen raw gritty directing talent like I saw in "Hard Justice." I saw it at least half a dozen times, and I plan on seeing it half a dozen more. ... Read more