I.D. (1995)

A no-frills British film about police officers who get boozed and bloodied while investigating football (soccer) hooliganism from the inside - they join the Shadwell Army, a group of footy fans with a sideline in GBH.

Films about cops with good intentions getting seduced by the seedier side of life while undercover aren't in short supply, but I.D. manages to hold its own even when placed next to them. It's believable and fully aware of its limitations, yet still manages to deliver a few surprises from time to time. 

John (Reece Dinsdale) is the lynchpin of the story, but kudos to Warren Clarke, too, as bar-owner Bob, whose dialogue was like thuggish poetry.

4 red cards out of 5

Event Horizon (1997)

A lone recovery ship travels to the deep, murky edges of known space to investigate the reappearance of a vessel that was previously lost. When they get there they don’t find powdered milk and space cookies.
It’s a solid science fiction/horror premise that has a decent build-up, thanks in part to some of the cast, but ultimately fails to deliver anything worthwhile. The final third in particular is lacklustre and overly-formulaic, leaving even the bigger questions unanswered.
There seemed to be no practical reason why the ship interiors would look like they do, but they’re certainly the most visually interesting and memorable part of the whole thing. The fake bulkheads are the star of the show.

2 bespoke terrors out of 5

Blue Juice (1995)

Dramedy is often a synonym for crap, but occasionally something rises to the surface and exceeds expectations. Blue Juice is a film like that. It's about surfers but isn't set in California, it's set in Cornwall, the sticky-out bit at the SW of England. In place of sandy beaches are reefs, sharp and deadly. J.C and his friends spend their time semi-successfully dodging encroaching winds of change and responsibility while waiting for the waves. It has none of the resplendence of a Hollywood surf movie, but it has something much, much better - it has laughs and real heart.

3½ life-changing decisions out of 5

DOG SOLDIERS [2002]

Splat-pack British director Neil Marshall has all sorts of fun with his low-budget feature-length debut. Tackling the werewolf lore with a violent, loud and quite often funny film that's more action than horror.
It's like a cross between Predator, The Evil Dead, Aliens and Night Of The Living Dead with several laughable references to The Matrix, The Wrath Of Khan and Zulu.
As much of a wild romp that this film is, it never really breaks any new barriers or gives the viewer much to think about. In fact it seems, the cast and crew were having more fun making the film than it is to watch it in a few spotty areas.
Still, it's a lot of fun and receives extra brownie points for being one of the few films that gets werewolves right.

3 Kick-ass boxing matches out of 5