Review Iron Angels 1-3 / Vinegar Syndrome Archive Collection / Standard Edition: The best it ever has looked!

genre: girls with guns, heroic bloodshed, gun fu, action, martial arts

Here are my thoughts on the Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray release of Iron Angels 1-3. For the actual reviews, I would like to refer to my reviews on the films.

Review Iron Angels 1

Review Iron Angels 2

Review Iron Angels 3

When it comes to action, Hong Kong cinema is the best. Even today! But a lot of masterpieces haven't been preserved well. Thankfully, some titles have been able to get the proper releases they deserve. I am very happy to report, that the Iron Angels trilogy is one of them.

Disclaimer: The screenshots provided are pictures I have taken of my TV when playing the film on my 4K Blu-ray player. I still have to purchase one for my PC. But trust me when I say that the image quality is superb. The grain in the pictures is not that visible. Besides, I prefer grain over DNR.

It's a real joy to watch these films in this high quality. I will never understand why the filmmakers involved don't do their best to preserve films, especially if they are gems like these. What can I say about the sound? I think it's decent enough. But I am sure the audiophiles among us will have some complaints. Sometimes the soundtrack sounds muffled. Then again, for the most part, it sounds good enough. While I can appreciate the extras. I don't particularly care for them. Although, I do think they aren't nearly as much of them as there could have been. The trailer for Iron Angels for me is one of the most memorable. Why not include it?

Overall, since there has never been an official release of these films on Blu-ray, it's a no-brainer to buy this trilogy. While watching the first two films in the franchise, I found myself enjoying the quality so much, I fully rewatched them all. Mind you, I would watch all of these in the worst qualities, since I truly love this franchise. But, honestly, this is the best quality you can get at the moment. 

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Review V/H/S Viral (2014): Not that bad, just not scary!

genre: found footage, horror

The first two films in the franchise played around with conventions in a good way. This third part, went into the wrong direction.

Idea wise, there was enough there to deliver the horror goodness. Execution wise, it fails miserably. There is zero dread and zero tension. For most horror films, this is a basic requirement. How anybody could think that it's not necessary is beyond me. There is no coherency in this anthology.  While I understand, that this is a hard thing to push through, it is what made the first two films in the franchise succeed. Now, it's just a bunch of video clips tied together in an immensely faulty narrative.

I personally wouldn't have any problems with the coherency if the parts themselves would be creepy and scary. And they simply aren't. I found the whole viewing experience to be boring. I even paused to watch something on YouTube to distract myself. Then going back, didn't do anything for me.

Overall, a major downgrade from the previous two films in the franchise, although technically still sound.

Also check:

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TOP 10 RECOMMENDATIONS FOUND FOOTAGE FILMS

Somebody on YouTube wasn't happy with the fact that I only had one good recommendation after I shared my opinion on House on Eden, which is one of the worst found footage films in existence. This inspired me to make this TOP 10. In the video, I explain why I think this is the case. You can also read the reviews for each film except Searching. I still have to do a review for that one!

Top 10:

1. One Cut of The Dead

2. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum

3. The Visit

4. V/H/S

5. V/H/S/ 2

6. [Rec] (2007)

7. [Rec]² (2009)

8. As Above, So Below

9. Noroi a.k.a. Noroi The Curse

10. Searching

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The V/H/S franchise

Listed here are all the titles in the V/H/S franchise. Consider this a work in progress. I still have to watch and review them all.

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V/H/S 2012

V/H/S/2 2013

V/H/S: Viral 2014

SiREN 2016

V/H/S: Video Horror Shorts 2018

V/H/S/94 2021

V/H/S/99 2022

Kids vs. Aliens 2022

V/H/S/85 2023

V/H/S/Beyond 2024

V/H/S/Halloween 2025

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Review House on Eden (2025): Warning! - Don't watch this!

genre: found footage, horror

House on Eden seems to be a pet project of Kris Collins, famous TikToker and Youtuber, KallMeKris.

To be honest, I am aware of the fact that several YouTubers have tried to make real films and none have them have succeeded. I mean, that doesn't mean that they lack the talent to do so. It's, just that making videos for YouTube, TikTok etc. is a different beast. Many seem to underestimate this, and Kris Collins seems to be one of them. A shame really, how cool would it have been if someone managed to make a good horror film without the TRUE experience you need to do so. 

Kris Collins is a good actress. But, that doesn't qualify her as a good filmmaker. It is very clear to me that she thought she can do anything. And this film proves otherwise.

For more thoughts, watch / listen to the video review underneath.

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Review The Last 7 Days a.k.a. Sebelum 7 Hari (2025): Not worth your time!

genre: horror, drama

Rich in atmosphere, but fails to deliver the goodies I want from a horror film. Real shame if you ask me. The production values were decent, and the acting was quite good. But everything else was sub-par.

I read an interview that went deep into the rituals and explain the important elements of those rituals. And while I appreciate someone explaining them after the fact, at the time of watching it doesn't matter much. Since the gist of it is apparent. Most of the people perform these rituals to gain something they desire at the cost of their of other people's souls. The focus should be on the horror as a consequence of taking part in black magic. If you want me to never do this ever, then you better make sure, to terrify people.

This film fails to do this. So don't even bother watching this.

Also check:

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Review Bosch, Bosch Legacy and Ballard: Crime show that seems similar to The Wire but has it's own story to tell!

genre: crime, drama

Unlike many cop shows, this one isn't a procedural. It has the illusion of being realistic and true. But that is for experts to decide. I found an authenticity to certain elements. But I could see that for entertainment’s sake, a lot of liberties have been taken. That is fine. Since Bosch does deliver on compelling drama.

So what makes Bosch worth it? Well, lead Harry Bosch, played by Titus Welliver, has a unique perspective on crime. His mother was a prostitute, who got murdered by a serial killer. From that moment, he was an orphan, subjected to all kinds of policies and bureaucracy. He saw how people like his mother weren't taken seriously. For him, people are people, it shouldn't matter where they come from and what their profession is. They deserve to get justice. If that means he is to break some rules, then so be it!

In essence, the show is about Bosch trying to do his job while having to put up with a lot of drama and politics. I liked it, née, I loved it. Not going to lie, there are some slow parts, that drag too much. Although, these scenes do emphasize what is at stake.

You will learn to like and appreciate most characters as they navigate towards the end conclusion. The greatest thing about the show are the dynamics between the characters. In that regard, it reminds me a lot of The Wire. There are even quite a few actors of that show in this, playing very different roles. Which is very nice! For example, Jamie Hector who played Marlo Stanfield, now plays a responsible cop, who like Bosch is doing his best to get the bad guys.

Overall, definitely, a show I can recommend!

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Bosch Legacy deals with the life of Bosch after being forced to retire. It becomes clear that while he loved the badge, it's an object he doesn't really need to solve cases. He has become a private investigator. This kind of makes him more dangerous. Previously, he was bound by all kinds of rules. Now he isn't.

Not going to lie, while I liked the majority of the show, I wasn't too happy with his daughter getting prominence. I learned to appreciate her, eventually, but I would not have been sad if she was thrown out of the show. I did miss some characters although, some important ones, did make an appearance, which warmed my heart.

Overall, it's a decent follow-up, I personally would have like to see continued.  Don't really see, why they decided to cancel it.

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In Bosch: Legacy a new character was introduced, called Ballard, played by Maggie Q.At the start of the show, we are shown that she is doing cold cases now. There is a good reason for this but I won't spoil. Like Bosch, she has to deal with a lot of resistance and politics.

Ballard is slightly different. More than Bosch, she has to prove herself while fighting the odds. Although, it does seem, this show is more focused on the main story than previous shows in the franchise. Bosch does make a few appearances. I hope, he will make more in future.

Ballard consists of new characters, who officially are there in a voluntary capacity. This to me is weird. These people can potentially be put in danger simply by being involved. You would think they would be compensated for that. But I do like how, these volunteers are just as invested or even more so to solve the cases.

Ballard is a fun to watch from start to finish. I hope they will continue the show!

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Review Believer (2024): Made me sleepy!

genre: horror, mystery, thriller

Believer is a horror mystery with a great premise. Unfortunately, that premise has not been exploited properly. I understand the approach. At first, I didn't really mind that it was taking its time. But I was expecting an increase in tension and dread. But that doesn't happen. Want to find out more? 

Then please, watch and listen to my thoughts on this film.

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Review The Ghost Station (2023): Not scary!

genre: mystery, horror

Longhaired Asian Women or Ghosts terrify me. There is something eerie about them. So naturally, Asian horror films like The Ring and The Grudge are right up my alley. Does The Ghost Station come close to these classics? Find out!

Please watch / listen to our thoughts in the video.

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Review F1 The Movie (2025): Unpopular opinion - It's Bad!

genre: racing, sports, action, adventure, drama

Ever since this film was announced, we were looking forward to this film. Especially after this was called the Formula 1 equivalent of Top Gun Maverick. Well, it's many things, but it ain't that. Please watch / listen to our thoughts on the film. This is our honest opinion.

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