Pitch Black Review - Off The Shelf Reviews

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

Vin Diesel might be kind of an oddball, but I adore the fact that he liked this role so much that he essentially bought the rights to it and made it his own franchise. You have to respect he's got a great nerd energy about making movies. Even if it's not a billion dollar franchise and the movies lose money, he's still committed to it.

[@travellingshoes5241]

I find his lack of charisma unappealing. Saying that though i really need to give this one another go.

[@TimedRevolver]

@@travellingshoes5241 It's not really a lack of charisma, he just doesn't work his in a way we're used to male action stars doing it.

[@rydz656]

He's not committed, he threatened to get SAG lawyers involved when he heard about the boot camp for Saving Private Ryan.

[@ThreadBomb]

Between Vin Diesel and Dwayne "franchise viagra" Johnson, I think Vin will have the stronger cinematic legacy. He's the better actor, and has appeared in better films. Admittedly the high point of his career was over twenty years ago...

[@Goo5eman]

The death of fry is actually a lot more messed up when you realise that riddick can see her being torn apart but all we can see i darkness and rain. Adds alot to the general feeling of the scene.

[@norwegiangamehunter4868]

Being used to seeing Gary and Iain for years I was a bit off when Jess was introduced during the pandemic. However, after seeing this and a few other reviews I really enjoy Jess’ analysis and thoughts. He has solidified this role in the OTSR crew and I hope he sticks around for years to come.

[@15blackshirt]

Forget Dom Toretto, Riddick is Vin Diesel's best role

[@paulhirst7602]

This was the film that made Vin diesel famous, and it still holds up 20 years later. He and Dwayne Johnsons ego's both ended up battling each other in the fast and furious movies over the years.

[@xenablossom4682]

Plus, who can forget Vin Diesel as The Iron Giant? Still making people cry after 21 years. And how, decades after The Iron Giant, he'd make us ball our eyes out again as Groot?

[@HigHrvatski]

49:20 "Like I said, it ain't me you gotta worry about" Hands down my favorite scene, when the big boys emerge 👌.

[@gazmont72]

Love Gary's knowledge of films. He is such a likeable guy. Can just imagine sitting in a pub asking him all sorts of questions regarding movies. Would love to hear his thoughts on 'The Ritual'...

[@WrecklessEating]

Great review guys. Love this film.

[@ChrisPeteG]

Interesting to hear you say that about Keith David as I ALWAYS go back to this film when I think of him. When he voiced the Arbiter I just remembered him as being from Pitch Black and Chronicles of Riddick.

[@ronmarchini2500]

Just rewatched this for the first time in like 15 years, this is such a great review. Well done!

[@TRTMN-vs3ew]

30:52 The point you guys made about Riddick playing on the worst in people and then bringing judgment upon them is actually very interesting. I personally think Riddick shares the same role as the archangel Samael. Samael in Hebrew means Venom of God, Poison of God, and Blindness of God. Samael's function is to destroy sinners. He does this by tempting men into sin or evil. Should they succumb then Samael will destroy them. In comparison, Riddick encourages and condones others into doing something that he does not truly approve of or goes against his moral code. He then kills them or turns their plans against them thus passing judgment over them. I might be reading too much into this but still, I think the comparison is valid in terms of what Samael and Riddick both embody.

[@dawnray7831]

Jess: Begins making comments about Vin Diesel as Groot. Gary: Turns to check with picture of Groot on the wall, to make sure Groot approves of what Jess is saying.

[@fourthdrawerdown6297]

This review makes me look at Pitch Black in a whole new light. When I first saw it I thought it was just a B movie Alien knock off but it has so much more if you’re prepared to look for it. It also reminds me of Sorcerer in the way that these disparate characters find themselves in the same place at the same time; but where in Sorcerer humanity is unceremoniously snuffed out by circumstance, in Pitch Black it prevails (just) in the form of Riddick. Great review, great movie. I’m gonna have to watch it again soon.

[@ThreadBomb]

It really it a movie that improves with repeated viewing, as you can overlook the unnecessary visual gimmicks and focus more on the characters and subtle world-building.

[@nickmattio3397]

Those creatures probably evolved like those in The Descent over 1000s of years even though they might not be indigenous there, they’ve built ant/termite like colonies underground and have adapted with no eyesight really but heightened other senses

[@ChrisPeteG]

Pitch Black is excellent. Along with Deep Blue Sea it is one of the top creatures features from the turn of the Millennium. Also pairs nicely with Starship Troopers

[@awhussain40]

Great review guys, you should do Pandorum which is an underrated sci-fi/horror/adventure.

[@HiCZoK]

Pandorum is interesting but it's no pitch black or event horizon

[@jeffmartin9753]

Pandorum!

[@Countraccoonula]

I'm hooked. Love your reviews while I'm working.

[@Rockman7532]

I rented this from the video store all the time back in the day

[@Jay-mu4xl]

It's Thursday! Jess is back which is awesome! Have a good one shelfers! 👊

[@kellinwinslow1988]

First time I saw the beautiful Claudia Black in this film. This was right before she did Farscape. Saw this in theaters and it was a great experience. It's far better than Alien 3. Too bad they didn't let him do the story for that movie. It's interesting that we really don't know if Riddick actually did anything bad before he was caught. I felt like he just wants to be left alone. Vin really has a certain charm that makes him stand out from other action stars. Personally I like all the Riddick films and the game. Even the second film is more interesting on repeat viewings. The second one took some chances and I give them credit for that at least. Plus it draws a lot of designs from Dune which is cool. Hopefully the 4th one will come out like they have planned.

[@Emulous79]

I also thought of Dune while watching Chronicles. What's also uncanny is how similar Claudia Black looks to Megan Gale, who played Valkyrie in Mad Max Fury Road.

[@quicogil4565]

I just rewatched this classic yesterday

[@G_Elektrik]

Nice review guys , watch it many years ago and still like it, a cool sci fi with elemements of terror. a bad guy turn antihero and the twist and turns and characters makes it a nice film, also you can see there the potential of vin diesel to become a movie star

[@nolanbrown84]

An aspect that I always loved about this movie is that fact that if the bio-rapters were NEVER introduced this movie could go forward as an action thriller, but once the raptors are brought in it creates an even larger struggle of trust(even for Riddick) between the survivors. They don't want to trust each other but reluctantly forced to in order to survive. This creates anxiety in the audience because by the time the raptors are emerging en masse from their subterranean lair, the viewers have chosen their favorite characters, but a new, nearly omnipotent force enters the equation.

[@UnCreativeDeconstructionism]

thought this was a "Gaming Friday" about "The Chronicles of Riddick" lol also *TURN UP*

[@jackcraven2266]

Very good action sci-fi horror, and Riddick is such awesome and interesting character. Wish the next couple movies about him were better though.

[@rexremedy1733]

There is a scientific explanation for the perceived over saturation of the picture in the first half of the movie. There are three different stars with different surface temperatures leading to different spectres of light emission. One is cool, which tints the light into red. One is like our sun, maybe a little hotter, so it’s light is tinted into a sharp or cold white. And one is very hot, which tints it’s emitted light into blue. Frankly I find this Color scheme for each of the suns and how it tints the surface of the planet into the light of the respective Star a very subtle and good way to establish how alien the set really is. That it is not just a planet which by accident just so happens to look like earth. Which would be very lame.

[@seedhillbruisermusic7939]

yeah Gary and Jess!

[@AubreyTheKing]

Great review you guys! I'll definitely check this one out! I hope oneday we can get a review by Gary, Iain and Jess all in one video! All their theories and speculations are just interesting! Hope to see this three man collaboration someday!

[@daydreamindavey7315]

"Fry, we have no idea what you do around here, but we desperately need you back."

[@Emulous79]

What's the odds of that? I just saw this film a week ago, saw The Chronicles of Riddick for the first time yesterday, and now you guys put this up :O

[@adrianramirez8882]

I'm glad Jess has done his civic duty and stepped up when Iain went off the rails!

[@adrianramirez8882]

@ nothing 9 months of rehab can't fix!

[@McDylbot]

Do you reckon being forced to watch Ankle Biters pushed Iain over the edge?

[@tylersmith9868]

@@McDylbot please explain what happened to my boy Iian?!

fanfiction Iain is an Alcoholic or drug addict?

[@adrianramirez8882]

@ no worse, he's going through withdrawals from Ankle Biters.

[@alcoholicgoat]

Thank you I've been waiting for a thorough review of this movie

[@dargis49]

Surprised you didn't like the lighting. This movie is actually praised as a reference movie because of the lighting. Also, watched this movie first in the theater and still love it to this day.

[@Based_Shogun]

First time I saw this I couldn't decide if it was a mid-ish tier thriller passion project or a low-ish tier horror movie. It has some jarring effects and visual choices which bring it down in my eyes, but the acting and tension is so good that it's very entertaining.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

Radha Mitchell was great in this and Silent Hill. I really wonder why she's not in more quality stuff.

[@mariolopez3728]

Radha Mitchell has appeared in quite a few quality movies. Besides Pitch Black and Silent Hill she has also appeared in other movies like Man On Fire, Surrogates, The Crazies, Olympus Has Fallen just to name a few.

[@MagikarpMaestro]

Nothing in recent years that's for sure

[@mariolopez3728]

@@MagikarpMaestro Well mate the older you get....the less movies you star in....especially if you are an actress!

[@MagikarpMaestro]

@@mariolopez3728 Well mate! Tell that to Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren who are in just as many films if not more as they've aged. Consistently getting nominated as well. I'm sure Radha has her reasons for not being in many films recently and I'm sure we can agree it's a shame as she's a decent actress.

[@mariolopez3728]

@@MagikarpMaestro Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren are exceptions to the rule. Most actresses will not reach their status. Ask Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Catherine Zeta Jones, etcetera. They'll be in films....but they won't have starring roles anymore. It's safe to say that Radha Mitchell will be included in that list too. Hollywood does not take kindly to having their stars age gracefully.

[@monkey5459]

Great review guys and it's great to see you two working together again 👍

[@Thrakus]

Gary and Lain are like Wayne and Garth , This is like when Garth was alone.

[@shakesmccracken6456]

43:18 Voldo of Soul Edge/Calibur

[@chroniclejim5073]

No mention of Cole Houser who is more famous than most of the actors in this? Nice seeing Jess again.

[@taurinstraiter2325]

3:57 You're welcome.

[@thomaskphillips2582]

This was a good film I enjoyed rewatching this film a few times over excellent review guys

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

I am a huge riddick fan and this review whas spot on. Will you guys review chronicles next I would love to see that. Great video btw 👍

[@GODCONVOYPRIME]

I do love these longer videos.

[@TheMightyCookieShow]

This movie facinates me. It was an outstanding stand alone scifi film, but that they attempted to use it to launch a franchise at the 11th hour. Interesting.

[@mattmidgley4275]

Great review again lads, OTSR 🤙🤙

[@jayhinds7547]

I also thought this was an Escape From Bucher Bay review lol

[@leecroft1983]

Me too 😁

[@craigrivers82]

Well , i was going to go to bed but, you guys uploaded 😃

[@the_fd_180]

Solid series of films.

[@anthonyhudak9363]

Can you guys please review THEM! (1954)?

[@TheBeird]

I’ve been very fond of this film since I first saw it . . . twenty years ago 😨 In fact I like all the Riddick stuff. Games, anime, even the sequels (which should both only be seen in their longer Director’s Cuts). But it is a mess. Something like Butcher Bay or Dark Fury should have been the immediate sequel to Pitch Black. If they were adamant on bringing in the Fantasy elements - which I don’t object to in theory - they should have bled them in slowly through multiple stories. Because going from Pitch Black to Chronicles is jarring. In fact, I would have liked the Riddick character to have been plopped into any sub genre of sci-fi, and have him be a subverter of what that sub genre is. See how he tears it down. Never mind. Good review

[@assassinxsteveo]

Anyone else still waiting for movie 3 in Riddick’s story…????? Asking in year 2022..

[@ChrisPeteG]

For me, as much fun as I have with the rest...this really is best viewed as a stand alone film, the sequels really go into too many different directions. This one is a pure, simple, one off story that works incredibly well as a minor classic.

[@ThreadBomb]

I have much affection for this film, but the visual gimmickry did turn me off the first time I watched it. The movie doesn't really need it, as otherwise it is a very solid thriller. It's a shame about the sequels. Chronicles is ridiculous, and the third movie feels like a Vin Diesel vanity project. If they do another movie, they should take their cue from the first movie, and make it a thriller (not an action movie) with Riddick as only one of an ensemble cast. It's interesting that this does seem to be a specific sub-genre within science fiction: an assorted cast trying to get off a desolate planet while being picked off by a fantastical threat. Aliens is one; Screamers is another.

[@alisonklages1892]

I have been waiting for this!

[@alisonklages1892]

I am so in love with this movie. I hated horror movies as a teen but could not stop watching this film. I agree, it is the humanity that is so appealing. How can I not want to watch Vin Diesel in this series over and over? Damn!

[@bernardroth7200]

Hell yeah as soon as I saw Jeff I knew it was going to be good

[@iamtrappedonanisland998]

Nice...again, I WAS going to bed...with our time differences, this always happens. Lol oh well! I have to watch this♡

[@lonedragon3261]

Nice shirt, Jess!

[@allencampbell3350]

JESS!! Great shirt mate!!

[@adampoll4977]

My only complaint with this film is the small amount of time we get with Claudia Black, dammit!

[@davidcokeley2918]

Yeah she was so young and beautiful check her in stargate sg1 there's this sence were she fireing a machine gun and her body moves with the recoil it's hot!

[@davidcokeley2918]

The episode is uninvited season 10

[@majdo007]

I cannot wait to see this after work. (no speakers).

[@Luvie1980]

Vin Diesel best movie.

[@Luvie1980]

fcukugimmeausername fast 1 was great because of Paul walker.

[@RichiEnglish]

One of my all-time fav sci-fis

[@redpillnibbler4423]

Pitch Black gets better with each viewing and the sequels are so underrated and under appreciated.One of the best movie franchises imo.

[@nickblack2006]

Excllent review, question where did Jess go ?

[@SciFirstMovieTalk]

Great discussion and some great theories! I don`t admitting that I do absolutely love this film - certainly one of Diesel's best in my opinion and with some really interesting sci-fi concepts!

[@bassethound7133]

This review was fantastic, saw this gem in the theater back in the day. Love this movie and when I sat down to watch it with my wife, a couple years back, she fell asleep, I thought about divorcing her. Maybe too much wine. Lol Cheers!

[@tjenahoj]

Yes, thanks for the love for this movie! I like the entire series in fact. :)

[@benpascall4297]

Film just about to get a 4k release from Arrow Video (their first 4k Blu ray title)

[@thechosenones4375]

Great review. This movie has a great concept for a horror movie, but then steps all over it by having Vin be TOO cool, and thus strays into cheese.

[@eightykakes15]

Wow, it has been 20 years... 👴🏾 Where's my walker?.. 😂 Remember watching PB with my girlfriend when it was a new release on DVD. Really surprised me. One of my sci-fi favs.

[@harukamier1604]

yow ive been waiting for thisss

[@mrnaughtycat]

I remember Claudia black from Farscape

[@AdrianMendoza23]

great review

[@Darek_B52]

Will you be doing all the live-action films and the anime?

[@OffTheShelfReviews]

Not straight away - but over time we would like to review the sequels

[@PondoSinatra680]

I like the whole trilogy. I really like the third film, don’t know why.

[@Darek_B52]

I mean a Camel can survive 15 days without water. This being an alien creature that is nocturnal it's possible that it lacks much of a need for rain...course this is ignoring the possibility of water under the ground.

[@TheGoldenAdonis]

cool review. Surprised you didn't talk about Jack more though. I felt like that was a pretty big swerve/ plot point. and if I remember correctly there was something about them smelling her etc?

[@mrg3241]

Can anyone explain to me how two sets of rings around the same planet is possible??

[@irishvader2193]

You should review arrival

[@Porscha_after_dark]

Taylor love ❤ Troetto love 💗 LOVE ❤

[@xenablossom4682]

I got to watch the film for the first time 2 weeks ago, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@quinceorchard]

Would you guys ever review the Sharknado films in the future

[@elguitarTom]

Very good movie! Full of memorable scenes. It's not boring one second!

[@daydreamindavey7315]

Thought that was Robin Wright!

[@chaoscommentary2179]

Am I having déjà vu I sear you guys reviewed this years ago

[@IDKeffect82]

Underrated movie. I liked all of them.

[@miikasuominen3845]

This film has a "Strange Feeling"... I don't know how to put it into words. First time I saw it, it was kinda "Meh" to me. After watching it a couple times more, I have to say, I actually like it!

[@quinceorchard]

Hey hope you guys are doing alright during these crazy times

[@kampferlin2079]

Please review The Chronicles of Riddick & Riddick

[@kylecurry577]

A watchable horror/ sci-fi movie...entertaining, good story with some qualities of “Alien” &”Aliens” . Vin Diesel plays the anti-hero character quite well.

[@thenoob_artist0586]

Really liked this movie . The Ridick character is badass and first time see this movie the first thing I think that girls with short blonde hair is really cute XD

[@johnashley327]

Underrated movie.

[@notimportant3686]

didn't realize how badly the cgi didn't hold up.... in my memory it looked decent, but i got some Spawn vibes in some of the clips in this video.... dang

[@dargis49]

NOTHING is as bad as Spawns CGI. Horrible.

[@notimportant3686]

@@dargis49 well, the era was different.... cgi was only beginning in the spawn era... it was absolute ghastly but it had the excuse of limited ability of the time.... there was some decent looking cgi when pitch black came out

[@dejabu24]

I love this movie , the sequel was weak but this one was great

[@HiCZoK]

One of my fav movies even though I understand it's flaws

[@sebestyengorka2375]

Where’s Iain??

[@adrianramirez8882]

Recovering from watching Ankle Biters.

[@jeffn4836]

fanfiction You’ve said that exact same joke enough by now, I think. You played the joke out. It went from mildly humorous to annoyingly pedantic.

[@kentxx12]

This movie is a classic :)

[@TheWaynos73]

Vin is actually a really good actor, in Pitch Black and Boiler Room he was sensational - just shitted his career away doing xXx and Fast and the Furious movies. I could honestly see him doing a Tarantino film - he needs a director to get him away from doing crap films.

[@ThreadBomb]

I think the first xXx still stands up as a fun American spin on James Bond.

[@MagikarpMaestro]

Please review Jeepers Creepers

[@quinceorchard]

You guys should review a film called "Attack of the killer doughnuts" yes that's a real film I'm not joking