CD Review: The Cult “Choice of Weapon”

The Cult
“Choice of Weapon”
Producer: Chris Gross/Bob Rock
Cooking Vinyl
Tracks: 14

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

“Choice of Weapon” is the latest release from the British rock band The Cult. The album is the bands ninth studio album and is the follow up to the 2007 album “Born into This”. “Choice of Weapon” is being released via Cooking Vinyl and features 10 brand new tracks produced by Chris Gross and Bob Rock.

After being pushed from its originally scheduled 2011 release date The Cult’s “Choice of Weapon” is finally here! Each of the 14 songs on the album are perfectly crafted and feature lush musical arrangements making this album a really great listen. Singer Ian Astbury’s Jim Morrison esc vocals provide an eerie yet beautiful feel to the multi layered instrumentation. The albums opening track “Honey from a Knife” is a straight forward rocker that sets the stage beautifully for what is to come. Tracks such as “The Night in the City Forever” and “Wilderness Now” take you on a soothing sonic journey where you can almost envision what is being described in the lyrics.

This album was surely worth the wait. The band sounds phenomenal and producers Chris Gross and Bob Rock did a great job capturing the energy of the band and I think each of the 14 tracks really showcases everyone efforts. I did find that the album took a few listens through before it really grabbed hold but once it did it didn’t let go. I found myself putting the album on repeat as the tracks never seemed to get old or tiresome. Both diehard and casual Cult listeners will enjoy this album.

Track Listing:
1.) Honey from a Knife
2.) Elemental Light
3.) The Wolf
4.) Life>Death
5.) For the Animals
6.) Amnesia
7.) Wilderness Now
8.) Lucifer
9.) A Pale Horse
10.) The Night in the City Forever
11.) Every Man and Woman is a Star
12.) Embers
13.) Until the Light Takes us Away
14.) Siberia

To order your copy of “Choice of Weapon” head over to www.amazon.com or the Apples iTunes store.

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The Marshall Tucker Band’s Doug Gray talks about New Album and Touring

Doug Gray is the Founder and Lead Singer of The Marshall Tucker Band.  He has been with the band for 40 years now and shows no sign of slowing down.  He recently released a solo album of lost recordings called “Soul Of The South”.  The Marshall Band will be appearing in Orlando, FL at the Orlando Jai-Alai Fronton on Friday April 13th, click here for more info on that show. Doug took out some time to chat with Media Mikes about the new album, touring and what else the band has planned next.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your new album “Soul Of The South”?
Doug Gray: This was a record that never had a name and was never going to be released. I started recording it within a year after Tommy (Caldwell) had gotten killed, our bass player, so around 1981. I wanted to go to Nashville and pick some songs out.  I had wanted to do something more rhythm and blues, since I grew up singing rhythm and blues.  I found a Michael Bolton song that he had written but never release, as well as a bunch of different songs. I thought it would be fun to do if not to keep my mind off things. I ended up with the Memphis Horns on there and a lot of other players from Nashville and also other rock ‘n roll bands.  Once we made a cassette of it…we never listened to it for about 28 years. After that time, one of the partners for the record label got a copy of the cassette and said we should pull try and pull some of these tracks out and release them.  So we put it out and people really seem to like it. It was just another experiment and so far it’s paid off.

MG: What do you like most about touring today?
DG: You know what, people that left us after the first five years came back in 20 years and said “Man, you are as good as you ever were”.  20 years later, you get parents that come with their kids.  Now I am even seeing pregnant women and I know there is going to be another generation of fans.  I think that is cool as can be.  The music is good and that is what it is. We just love going out their and sharing it with our fans. As long as the fans come, we will still get up there on the stage.

MG: I know the fans have their favorites songs but what are yours to perform?
DG: Well I think “Take the Highway” is one of the first original rockers. You go back and listen to it today and it sounds better now than it did on the record. The good part is that we actually are playing it better.  We did it as good as we could back then but we updated it as time went along.  We play it faster.  It wears me out singing it and it is just intense. Just so fantastic and it only gets better and better.

MG: Do you feel that The Marshall Tucker Band as evolved from when you started?
DG: We had no choice.  A lot of the times, guys get older and they don’t want to be on the road. Toy (Caldwell) himself told me, before he passed, he said “I am glad you got it, your the one that will keep it going”.  We don’t sell anything compared to people that walk around with submarines on their head [laughs].  But we are continuously selling CDs and digital downloads. We have opportunity for the next five years to be with Sony Distribution.  They see it just like the public sees it.  Am I proud that I stuck with it and do I believe in all the people I brought in this thing? You better bet your butt I do!  Everyone plays and everyone is a part of it.  That is what is important!

MG: I am a big Lynyrd Skynyrd and Zac Brown Band fan, would love to see you guys tour together in the future.
DG: We do stuff with Skynyrd all the time.  As far as Zac Brown goes, we do have a gig coming up with them.  Somehow Marshall Tucker always seems to get incorporated in the mix.  As far as big group shows, I would love to go to Philadelphia at the JFK Stadium and have 120,000 people there with us.

MG: What can we expect from 2012?
DG: Oh man.  December the 21st, we will be waiting to be lifted up into the sky with this Mayan calender thing.  We will probably be on the tour bus and no better way to go if you gotta go.  We are going out there and got a lot of concerts and festivals upcoming.  I love doing the festivals, whether we are playing for 4,000 people or 200 people it doesn’t matter. As long people show up they are going to be treated to some of the best music they have heard in a week.

MG: Tell us about next year’s Rock Legends II cruise?
DG: It is going to be cool, man.  It is from January 10-15th, 2013. The most important thing is that Paul Rodgers is now on the roster, he is such an amazing singer.  The Foreigner guys are gonna be there. Hatchet is on there with us.  We are just so excited for this.  There is going be some amazing four-hour jams on this cruise.  I have already spoke Rodgers and plenty of other guys.  I don’t have to even ask Hatchet or .38 Special because they can’t keep their asses off the Marshall Tucker stage [laughs]. We just jam and it is going to be fantastic.

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iPad Game Review “Sliced Bread HD”

Format: iPad in HD, also available on iPhone
Last Updated: Mar 21, 2012
Version: 1.01
Price: $1.99
Sliced Bread Games LLC

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

What’s the best thing since sliced bread? Well, the new game “Sliced Bread” for your iPhone and iPad, could be the correct answer.  Even though it is extremely similar to the popular “Fruit Ninja”, I feel the game offers enough to make it stand alone on its own. I feel it is different since it feels more welcoming while throwing in some impressive game play and graphics. If you are looking for a quick, fun and easy game to play “Sliced Bread” is a little slice of heaven.

In this game you are able to enter the kitchen and test your slicing skills. Your goal is to slice up many various baked good including bread, bagels and pastries while avoiding the angry fruit. I enjoyed that fact that you can not only slice certain objects once but numerous times as well to make it even more challenging. This is really a fun and addicting game that will easily take up countless hours on your iPad.

The game included two modes Extreme Baking mode and the non-stop Pastry School mode. Extreme Baking is what you expect…just a non-stop timed all-in race to slice as much as you can. The school is a more structured mode with ability to use items you earn to assist. You are even able to “Remodel Bakery”, which gives the allows you to choose different backgrounds. The game definitely has reply value, which is a plus. Lastly, you can also battle your friends or the global scores in either Game Center or OpenFeint leaderboards.

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Film Review “The Kill Hole”

Directed by: Mischa Webley
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Tory Kittles, Billy Zane, Peter Greene
Rated: N/A
Alternate Ending Studios

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“The Kill Hole” directed by Mischa Webley is a film that tells the tale of two soldiers and how they are coping with what they did while in the service. Chadwick Boseman plays the character of Lt. Samuel Drake an ex-soldier struggling to deal with some of the things he and his unit did while working for a Government Contractor. Tory Kittles plays the role of Sgt. Devon Carter a retired army sniper living a secluded life in the mountains while plotting revenge against the officers responsible for ruining his mission. The two ex-soldiers cross paths when Drake is forced to hunt down Carter in an effort to keep government secrets from getting out.

“The Kill Hole” is filled with some great acting by all those involved. Billy Zane does a good job in his role as Marshall a counselor attempting to help Drake and other service men cope with their post war problems. Ted Rooney does a great job playing the bad guy role. Rooney does such a good job in the role of James that you really feel disgust and hate for this character. Tory Kittles and Chadwick Boseman really bring their A games to this film. Both deliver great performances while showing two totally different viewpoints. Personally I would have liked to have seen more of Kittle’s character as he definitely was the more interesting of the two.

This film is worth checking out even if you are not into military themed films. Mischa Webley did a great job putting this film together. Webley did a great job including some good dialogue and beautiful shooting locations which I felt only added to the films appeal. The only thing I found to be a negative was the musical score. The music its self was not bad however, at times when the actors were speaking the music continued to play over the top of their conversation often overshadowing the performance. I just found it hard to focus on the scenes where this was the case as the two were almost competing against each other. That aside “The Kill Hole” is a good film.

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Concert Review: GWAR “Return of the World Maggot Tour” Syracuse, NY

“Return of the World Maggot Tour”
GWAR, Municipal Waste, Ghoul, Legacy of Disorder
Date: Thursday, March 22nd 2012
Venue: Wescott Theater, Syracuse, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

The theatrical shock rock band GWAR made its way back to the Wescott Theater in Syracuse, NY on March 22nd as part of their “Return of the World Maggot Tour”. Though the venue was not completely full GWAR and the rest of the bands on the bill provided a great night of entertainment for those brave enough to weather the dousing’s of fake blood and ooze.

Legacy of Disorder who hails from New Zealand started the night off playing what could be considered as a unique blend of technical grind metal. Though the crowd response was somewhat minimal as fans were still filtering through the doors the band played a solid, straight forward set. Ghoul would take the stage next bringing their own style of horror inspired theatrics to the stage. The band clad in blood stained burlap hoods set the tone for what was to come later in the evening. At several point during the bands set they treated the crowd to free blood showers and some comedic banter provided by vocalist/guitarist Digestor and bassists/vocalist Cremator. Thrash heavy weights Municipal Waste were up next and elevated the night’s energy to a whole new level. Singer Tony Foresta worked the crowd into a frenzy by enlisting the help of the ever so popular “Wall of Death” and the more traditional “Circle Pit”. As the crowd slammed away to classic tracks by the band they were also treated to several new songs off the bands upcoming album “The Fatal Feast: Waste in Space”.

The latex clad kings of Richmond, VA better known as GWAR would close out the night leaving no stone or person un-bloodied. The band blasted out vintage tunes such as “Sadam A Go Go” and “Crack in the Egg” along with songs of the bands more recent album “Bloody Pit of Horror”. A likeness of “Jersey Shore” star Snookie was brought out and quickly put to rest by GWAR front man Oderus Urungus and his slaves which sent fake blood and ooze spewing everywhere. Later on in the evening the dreaded “World Maggot” was awoken from its slumber and preceded to attack a couple of unworthy slave pit scum before being beheaded by the bands faithful side kick Bone Snapper. Gwar closed out the night with “The Road Behind” which was a touching tribute to guitarist Cory Smoot aka Flattus Maximus. Smoot passed away while on the bands previous tour from a pre-existing heart condition. All in all those in attendance appeared to leave happy and will undoubtedly be going to work or school the following day with tinges of red and green speckling their skin.

GWAR Set List:
1.) Zombies, March!
2.) Sadam A Go Go
3.) Immortal Corrupter
4.) Crack in the Egg
5.) Jagermonsta
6.) Bring Back the Bomb
7.) Tormentor
8.) KZ Necromancer
9.) The Salamanizer
10.) Uberklaw
11.) Ham on the Bone
12.) Metal Metal Land
13.) Sick of You
14.) Maggots
15.) Road Behind

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Book Review “Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone”

“Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone”
Author: Johnny Ramone
Release Date: April 2nd, 2012
Publisher: Abrams Image
Hardcover: 175 pages

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Calling all Pinheads it’s time to add another book to your ever growing collection of Ramones literature. In the past year we have seen the releases of “I Slept with Joey Ramone” written by Joey’s brother Mickey Lee as well as “Poisoned Heart: I married Dee Dee Ramone” which was penned by Dee Dee’s ex-wife Vera King. “Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone” is the latest book to join the ranks. The 175 page hardcover book is being released posthumously and tells the tale of John Cummings and his evolution into Johnny Ramone the unspoken leader of one of Punks most influential groups.

“Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone” was written entirely by Johnny prior to his death in 2004. The book is brutally honest and pulls no punches as Johnny recounts some of the more memorable Ramones stories. Throughout the book you can get a sense that deep down underneath that often scowling exterior was man that really cared about what he was doing and the people he was with. The book is jammed packed with rare photos taken throughout Johnny’s life and the Ramones career. The book also features a really great forward written by original Ramones drummer Tommy Ramone.

John Cafiero, Steve Miller and Henry Rollins did an amazing job editing this book. Being a huge Ramones fans there are not many pictures I have not seen of the band. As I made my way through the book I was instantly taken in by these newly unearthed pictures. The overall feel of the book really grabs the reader as it reads as one man’s dying testament to his friends and fans. “Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone” is a must have for any music lover!

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Blu-ray Review “Air Collision”

Directed by: Liz Adams
Actors: Reginald VelJohnson, Jordan Ladd, Gerald Webb
MPAA Raing: Unrated
Distributed by: The Asylum Home Entertainment
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Running Time: 90 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

There is no secrets here, you get exactly what you would expect from a Asylum released film. It is Syfy quality action and special effects. But that is not a bad thing, I actually enjoyed this film. It wasn’t trying to be much more than what you see. I mean first of all, how can you show no to Reginald VelJohnson. It seems like Asylum might be trying to recruit the cast of TV’s “Family Matters” since they got Jaleel White to do the fantastic “Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus” last year. The film also stars Jordan Ladd, though she is barely recognizable due to mega face work. Overall this is fun, includes decent special effects and a recognizable cast.

“Air Collision” takes the action the air in this new action film, which focuses on an mid-air collision between a passenger jet and Air Force One. After a freak solar storm destroys a bunch of satellites, air traffic control loses control of the sky and the two planes to go off course and on course to hit each other. It is up to Reginald VelJohnson to help save the day and avoid a catastrophic disaster.

Since this is an Asylum release, the Blu-ray presentation is quite impressive. The video looks good in its 1080p 1.78:1 transfer. The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track also works well, with the music and action scenes in the film. The special features in the film are typical for an Asylum release only. They only consist of a brief “Making of Air Collision” behind-the-scenes look in the production with the cast/crew. Lastly there is a Gag Reel included as well.

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DVD Review “The Deadly Spawn”

Directed by: Douglas McKeown
Starring: Michael Robert Coleman, Charles George Hildebrandt, James Brewster
Format: PAL / Region: Region 2
Classification: 15
Distributed by: Arrow Video
Release Date: March 19, 2012
Running Time: 81 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

There is just something so perfect about a film with a tagline of “They Crawl, They Breed, THEY EAT!” They don’t make film’s like this anymore today. This latest Arrow Video release includes a digitally remastered window-boxed transfer in the original full frame aspect ratio. This film has held up over the years and still entertains very much. It is just refreshing to see actual creature effects, it is something the 80’s excelled in, since today everything is CG. This release also includes a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Rick Melton. It also comes packed with a double-sided fold-out artwork poster. There is a collector’s booklet featuring new text from Calum Waddell and Tim Sullivan. “The Deadly Spawn” is a fun classic horror film that only gets better with each viewing.

After a meteor crashes into Earth, a small, American town becomes under siege with “THE DEADLY SPAWN, carnivores from outer space, who multiply and feast on the locals. It is up to a group of kids who stand up to these invaders and attempt to save the town and the world before it is completely overwhelmed. The film features some amazing visual effects from John Dods. Like I said, you just don’t get creature effects like this today. God Bless the 80’s and Arrow Video for releasing this gem!

The special features are very impressive. There is new an interview featuring “2001 Maniacs” director Tim Sullivan and Special Effects Director John Dods. If you are a fan of audio commentaries, this one has two, with writer and producer Ted A. Bohus and editor Marc Harwood. There is a comic-style prequel with its own musical score. There is an alternate opening sequence with new effects and credits. The extra “In the Workshop of S/FX Director John Dods” focuses on creating the film’s visual effects. There is a selection of archive TV interviews featuring the filmmakers. There are photo gallery featuring behind-the-scenes images, pages from the script, artwork and more. Since the film does have some aspect of comedy, there is a fun outtake reel. Lastly there is Audition Tapes and an original Theatrical Trailer included.

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DVD Review “Don’t Go in the House”

Directed by: Joseph Ellison
Starring: Dan Grimaldi, Robert Osth, Ruth Dardick
Format: PAL / Region: 2
Rating: 18
Release Date: March 26, 2012
Distributed by: Arrow Films
Running Time: 80 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

I am a big sucker for 80’s horror slashers. Thanks to Arrow Video always providing us horror fans with the best horror films from that period. “Don’t Go in the House” is a mix between “Psycho” and . It definitely stands alone though and kicks some serious ass. It is also complete and uncut for the first time released on DVD.

Following the death of his abusive mother, Donny start hearing voices in his head. Though not burying his mother, he keeps her in the room upstairs and contains to see visions of her haunting him. Donny sets out for girls in order to satisfy the voices and his new blood lust. Of course he is not looking for love because after he tricks them into his house, they will never make it out alive and might join his mother in the spare room.

Although I was only able to review a screener not the final DVD release, it is said to also come with a reversible sleeve of original artwork and a collectable booklet by horror expert Anthony Timpone. This is something that Arrow Video is known for and usually with the Blu-ray releases there are multiple covers included, which is a great feature. The only special features included on this release are a trailer and teaser for the film.

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Digital Film Review “Home: The Horror Story”

Directed by: Temístocles López
Starring: Richard Beymer, Grace Zabriskie and Tracy Nelson
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 90 minutes

Our Score: 1 out of 5 stars

Let me start with the fact, that it takes a lot if anything to really offend me and this one is no different. Though if you get easily offended, I would think try about this film because its primary objective is to attempt to offend you. Even though the film is subtitled “The Horror Story”, it plays like a strict comedy (although not funny at all) with no actually horror aspects. Of course unless you consider racism, pedophilia, incest, rape, and murder…aspects of horror. “Home” really does not leave anything untouched. But it is not paritcular vulgar since it approaches each issue with satire. Still I think it tries to hard to offend that it doesn’t focus on one issue to succeed in.

The film’s premise follows Bob Parkinson, a very conservative family, who after getting into a car accident ends up having to get a brain operation. After returning home he realizes that things are a lot different since he left and it is a mix between a very vivid experiences to a horrifying nightmare. He finds out his daughter was kidnapped and is being ransomed off piece by piece, his wife has turned into a sex maniac, his son is a closet homosexual who has been sleeping with a priest and much more madness.

If you are a fan of this film, originally released in 2000, you might enjoy this newly re-mastered version. It is currently available on iTunes to rent or purchase. I wouldn’t recommended it at all to be honest but to each is own. “Home” was compared to the work of John Waters but if you go that far you just might as well watch a John Waters film, since you will be met with better quality.

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Mayim Bialik talks about “The Big Bang Theory” and New Book

Mayim Bialik known best for her role in the TV series “Blossom”. Mayim currently co-stars on “The Big Bang Theory” as Amy Farrah Fowler. Her character has become one of my personal favorites on the show. She also recently released a book on parenting called “Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Mayim again to chat with her about her role on “The Big Bang Theory” and also her new book.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you tell us about the evolution of the Amy Farrah Fowler character?
: Basically I am thrilled every time they keep bringing me back. I didn’t really know what they had in mind for this character. It is one of the challenges of being an actress when you are not a regular. You just never know what they are going to have in store for you. It has been a huge thrill. I never expected to be working regularly again.

MG: How do you keep such a straight face when saying some of the more funny lines your character has?
MB: We get a whole week to get the giggles out of our system. At the same time it is our job to bring the lines across. That’s something I take very seriously and I think the other people on “Big Bang Theory” do as well. It’s our jobs to make everything work. It’s a good challenge.

MG: What do you enjoy most about working on the show?
MB: I love to play that weird character where anything could come out of her mouth. I also really love working with Jim Parsons. He is not only a fan favorite but he is critically acclaimed and won Emmys. It is amazing to watch him work and be a part of that.

MG: What can we expect from your characters relationship with Penny on the show?
MB: In general we do what people like and we keep doing that. There will definitely be a lot more of that same stuff. I think as Bernadette and Howard’s wedding is still being part of plots you see Amy continue to be interested in that.

MG: Where you able to meet Leonard Nimoy during his guest appearance on the show?
MB: No. I wasn’t actually in that episode. The two weeks that I haven’t been on were the weeks they had Leonard Nimoy and Stephen Hawking. It was horrible to miss those but it is incredible for our show.

MG: What can we expect from the closing of this season?
MB: We find out the night before we start script. I actually have no idea. I haven’t been in two weeks of episodes so I literally don’t know what has happened. I am actually only one episode a head of the American public. I have no clue. Melissa Rauch and I pretty close and we literally ask each other what we think will happen next week.

MG: Can you tell us about your new book, “Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way”?
MB: I have been writing for a website called Kveller. I was then approached to write about the style of parenting we practice. It involves things like natural birth and breast feeding. I didn’t think it was all that weird because it was kind of the way mammals and people have been parenting since the beginning of history. It has gotten some really interesting attention. Most of it has been really positive and it has given a voice to a style of parenting that a lot of us believe in not just because we are celebrities. I am the only celebrity I know that parents this way. It’s not just for celebrities.

MG: How long did the book take to write and what did you enjoy most about the process?
MB: We had a proposal ready in about 4 months. I think it took me less than a year to write all the other chapters. It has been really fun! I was in New York for a week doing press. I got to be on “The View” and Barbara Walters was fascinated with my sex life so that was kind of fun. It’s been really fun. The book went into it third printing the first week it was out. So, things have been great.

 

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“Jaws” Gets Detailed on Blu-ray with Features including “The Shark is Still Working” Documentary

BLU-RAY COMBO PACK INCLUDES BLU-RAY + DVD + DIGITAL COPY + ULTRAVIOLET PLUS OVER 4 HOURS OF BONUS FEATURES:

  • The Shark is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of Jaws – All-new feature-length documentary featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with cast and crew including Steven Spielberg, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider.
  • The Making of Jaws: A feature-length documentary featuring interviews with key cast and crew
  • Jaws: The Restoration: An all-new in-depth look at the intricate process of restoring the movie.
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Outtakes
  • From the Set: An insider’s look at life on the set of Jaws
  • Storyboards
  • Production Photos
  • Marketing Jaws
  • Jaws Phenomenon 
  • Original Theatrical Trailer
  • BD-Live: Internet-connected features
  • My Scenes: Bookmark your favorite scenes
  • Pocket BLU App: App for smartphones and tablets. Take content on the go!

DVD FEATURES INCLUDE:

  • Spotlight on Location: The Making of Jaws: Highlights from the full-length documentary featuring interviews with key cast and crew. Digital Copy + UltraViolet.

Technical Information

  • Rating: PG
  • Running Time: 2 Hours 4 Minutes
  • Number of Layers: BD-50. Dual
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
  • Blu-ray Technical Info: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1/DTS Digital Surround 2.0 Mono, French DTS Digital Surround 5.1, Spanish DTS Digital Surround 5.1
  • DVD Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1/Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

Click here to visit the official “Jaws” Blu-ray website

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Blu-ray Review “The Divide”

Directed by: Xavier Gens
Starring: Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Rosanna Arquette, Courtney B. Vance
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Distributed by: Anchor Bay
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Running Time: 122 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

I had a hard time watching this film, it was extremely graphic and shocking. I think that was the angle they were going for but it just wasn’t for me personally. You had to expect this film to be intense though since Xavier Gens was directing. He is known for directing “Frontier(s)”, the hard to watch NC-17 horror movie and if you have seen that film, this one could have been made by Disney. The film drags major clocking in at over two hours and could have been trimmed down to 90 minutes easily. If you are looking for a effects driven end-of-the-world film, this definitely not it. The only real effects (beside some amazing makeup transformations) are in the opening scene and then this turns into a dark character drama. Overall, it definitely delivers real raw human and brutal reality post-apocalyptic feel but it just takes too long to get there.

The film has one hell of a cast though and everyone gave some really gritty and tough performances. Lauren German (Hostel: Part II) kicks-ass as the female heroine, Michael Biehn (“Aliens”, “The Terminator”) does what he does best, plays a bad-ass, Milo Ventimiglia (“Heroes”) get to shine in this role, playing one crazy son bitch, Courtney B. Vance (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) gives a real and very raw performance, Michael Eklund (“Hunt To Kill”) is one creepy bastard and Rosanna Arquette (“Pulp Fiction”) gives her 10/10 performance and then tops that. If this film had to be rated based on its performances alone it would be much higher.

The film follows nine strangers, tenants of a New York apartment complex, they all escape a nuclear attack escaping to the bunker-like basement. As time goes by, the group realizes that they are stuck and start to loose their grip with reality and begin to turn on each other. Everyone is out for themselves very quickly as treachery, madness, sexual torment and savage violence start to kick in. Like I said the film is very intense and hard to watch.

The Blu-ray presentation on the other hand is very impressive. The 1080p Blu-ray transfer looks fantastic even though the film is very dark and deary. The audio also contains a very surprising Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track. I really enjoyed the score to the film as well as I felt it channeled Jon Hopkins’ “Monsters” score. Then we get to the special features, which takes this release down the shitter again. The only real extra is an audio commentary track with director Xavier Gens and actors Michael Biehn, Michael Eklund, and Milo Ventimiglia. It is an overall fun track and does add some insight into the film, even though I was not a fan. Lastly, there is the trailer and a DVD copy included.

 

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, divide, review

Blu-ray Review “John Le Carré’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”

Directed by: John Irvin
Starring: Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Anthony Bate, George Sewell, Bernard Hepton
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Distributed by: Acorn Media
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Running Time: 324 minutes

Mini-Series: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I was not a fan of 2011’s remake of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” at all and thought it was completely confusing and boring. The original 1979 mini-series on the other hand is a lot more entertaining and stars the wonderful Alec Guinness (“Star Wars”) in the lead role. I think it was the fact that this complex and in-depth story was spread out over 5+ hours instead of being crammed into a 2+ hour movie. There is just something that is so classy about the PBS aired British series. In this American re-cut “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”, the series is spread out over six episodes.

The mini-series reveals that a mole has infiltrated the Circus, code name for the British Secret Intelligence Service. Agent George Smiley (Guinness) gets the job of find out who can be the mole and finds that it can only be one of four men who sit at the very highest level. Throughout this task of digging through the world of Cold War-era espionage and also his own past. Alec Guinness really nails the heart of John le Carré’s character and gives a new view to the definition of a spy.

This new HD transfer comes packed with sharp and bright 1080p transfer. The audio overall is decent but only boasts a Dolby Digital 2.0 track. Overall this Blu-ray release is not the best restoration ever but if you are a fan of the series, it is worth checking out and it definitely expands on the issues that the past DVD releases have had.

The special features are impressive including some new extras for this release. There is a very interesting exclusive interview with John le Carré, author of the book, who talks about the mini-series and his book. There is an all-new interview with Director John Irvin talking about the production and its cast. There are eleven of deleted scenes that were a part of the original series, which was cut down from seven episodes to six. It is also exclusive to this Blu-ray release. The production notes are included in text format and gives some interesting information about the series. There is a glossary of main characters and terms, which comes in very handy with this film, I would recommend printed them off the internet and keeping on you while watch. Lastly there are cast filmographies and John le Carré biography included.

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Blu-ray Review “Marquis de Sade’s Justine”

Directed by: Chris Boger
Starring: Glory Annen, Jeannie Collings, Jennifer Guy, Katherine Kath, Martin Potter
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Distributed: Redemption Films
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Running Time: 109 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

The film is written and narrated by Marquis de Sade himself, though is rather bland a bit boring. The other notable aspect was that Roger Deakins, shot this film and has since went onto films like “The Shawshank Redemption” and “No Country for Old Men”. Though beautiful shot, the film does not have any legs to keep you entertained and interested throughout. If you are looking to check out the work of Sade in films, I recommend his related work in 2000’s “Quills”. Though “Justine” is one of his more notable novels, I just wasn’t completely drawn in for the feature version.

The film is a story story of two sisters, one morally pure and one full of lust, who are cast out into a world ruled by crude desires. The girls are faced with the murder, prostitution, bondage and branding. These are all aspects that can only be told by Marquis de Sade. It is a tale of desires, pleasures and corruption of the innocence. The two completely different sisters needs to find a way to break free of this world before they are encompassed.

The 1080p transfer is good but not out of this world. Redemption has done a lot better in the past for sure. The audio includes a LPCM 2.0 track, which works well but is also nothing special for this film. The special features are also not very impressive. There are some standard definition interviews from director Chris Boger and screenwriter Ian Cullen. There is “Alternate Title Sequences”, which includes the English and French titles. Lastly there is also the Theatrical Trailer and Photo Gallery included.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, de, justine, marquis, review, sades, ...
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