Starring: Sean Ryan Fox, Madison Pettis, Jadon Sand, David Arquette, Corey Burton
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: January 6, 2015
Run Time: 141 minutes

Episodes: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Disney Junior’s “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” continues to impress time after time. The show is great and then a few years ago, they introduced Peter Pan into the mix, which made it cooler. Now they have mixed in classic characters like Wendy, Michael and John to complete circle in the all-new special “Battle for the Book!”. This is literally the best episode of the series since it has aired. It is funny, sharp and very entertaining. I am not sure how they are going to top this next time but I can’t wait to see what they have planned next for this show…oh and BTW my two year old loved it also 😉

Official Premise: When Wendy’s special Storybook is stolen by Captain Hook, Jake and his mates go to London to help Peter Pan’s friend (from the classic movie Peter Pan). The longer the book is out of Wendy’s hands, the more she and her brothers (John and Michael) forget about their past adventures on Never Land. The battle for the book continues in Never Land, where Hook plans to destroy the book and its stories in the legendary Ring of Blue Fire. It’s up to our young heroes to save Wendy’s Storybook and the Story of Peter Pan!

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” includes the following voice cast: Sean Ryan Fox (“Life Tracker”, “East of Kensington”) as Jake, Madison Pettis (“Cory in the House”, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 and 3”, “The Game Plan”) as Izzy, Jadon Sand (“Frozen”, “Wreck it Ralph”) as Cubby, David Arquette (“Scream” movies) as Skully, Jeff Bennett (“Tinker Bell” film series) as Mr. Smee, Bonesand Corey Burton (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) as Captain Hook.

If the hour-long season three finale of “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” is not enough for you there is still much more packed into this DVD. In terms of special features we get ten “Jake’s Never Land Pirate School” shorts. The shorts are “Flying”, “Tick Tock Croc”, “B-B-Big Bugs!”, “Go Bucky!”, “Saving Captain Hook!”, “Mama knows Best!”, “Dancing with the Pirates”, “I’ve Got My Sword!”, “Hop-Hop-Hop!”, and “Look Out!”. These are great watchings for the for kiddies to enjoy. Also includes inside every DVD is an exclusive checker board bandanna with gold coins, which is not available anywhere else but this DVD release. So if you love “Jake and the Never Land Pirates”, this is a must own!

Actors: Andre Benjamin, Imogen Poots
Director: John Ridley
Rated: R
Studio: XLrator Media
DVD Release Date: January 13, 2015
Run Time: 118 mins

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

It had to be tough to make a film about the late, great Jimi Hendrix without the support of his family. Most importantly, this means there will be no “Jimi Hendrix” music in the film. No “Foxy Lady,” “The Wind Cries Mary,” “Purple Haze.” But I could except that fact, as long as the story entertained. Sadly, “Jimi: All Is By My Side” doesn’t.

The film takes place in a one year period between 1966 and 1967. Hendrix (a well cast Benjamin, who is really the ONLY reason to see this film) is playing in New York City at a small club in front of a crowd of dozens. He’s playing rhythm guitar in a terrible band. In fact, the guitar he’s playing isn’t even his. He borrows it each night. One evening he is seen by Linda Keith (Poots), who at the time is best known as being the girlfriend of Rolling Stone Keith Richards. She see’s the talent behind the shy face and convinces Hendrix to express himself through HIS music. She also gives him one of Richard’s guitars, which I assume she had strung for a left handed guitarist. The relationship is clearly business but others get the wrong idea. Linda introduces Jimi to Chas Chandler (Andrew Buckley), currently the bass player for the Animals and a young man looking to get into management. He convinces Jimi that London is the place to be and offers to bankroll his visit. And here is where the film stops. Dead.

Writer/director Ridley won an Oscar last year for his script of “12 Years a Slave.” Here’s hoping he researched that project better. Twice in the film a television personality claims that the up and coming bands on the British scene are Queen and the Who. Unfortunately, Queen did not form until 1970 so this chick may have been Nostradamus’ daughter. On his first night in England, Jimi meets Kathy Etchingham (Hayley Atwell) and the two become a couple. The rest of the film consists of the following scenes, repeated often: Jimi plays horribly, Linda tells him he’s blowing it, Kathy encourages him. Again and again and again. There are also a lot of shots of Jimi trying to tune his guitar (like Robert Johnson before him, Hendrix would often tune his guitars down to get a certain sound) Every now and then the story throws in a quick cameo (look, it’s Eric Clapton…hey, it’s Paul McCartney). Also, Ridley seems to have just looked at a scrapbook of Hendrix photos and then written scenes around them, so that each scene ends up looking like the original photo. Later scenes, including one of Hendrix viciously beating Kathy with a phone, leaving her scarred and bleeding, never happened. Much is made about Jimi having to play an upcoming concert great so that he can legitimize his recent invite to play at the upcoming Monterey Pop Festival. When that concert happens, with a couple of the Beatles in the audience, Jimi wows the crowd with a cover of “Sgt. Pepper” and the rest is history.

If there is a positive to this film it is the performances, particularly by Benjamin, Poots and Atwell. I was 10 years old when Hendrix died on October 15, 1970, but I’ve heard enough of his music and seen enough clips of him on television to know that Benjamin has nailed the persona and the man behind the music. It’s a performance that, in a better film, should have earned him some award consideration. And the fact that there is NO Hendrix penned music in the film but surely they could have had Benjamin do a version of “Hey Joe” (written in 1962 by Billy Roberts) or “All Along the Watchtower” (written by Bob Dylan and out in 1967) to remind viewers of what a musician Hendrix was, rather than just have him fumbling on a guitar and throwing in the occasional lick. Thankfully, late last year. the Hendrix estate announced they are looking to approve a film that treats Jimi right. And don’t just take my word for it. Upon seeing “Jimi: All Is By My Side,” Kathy Etchingham, who was Hendrix’ inspiration for “Foxy Lady,” “The Wind Cries Mary” and others, called it “absolute nonsense.” And to quote David Huddleston in “Blazing Saddles” — “Who can argue with that?”

The only EXTRA is a short piece on how the music for the film was created.

Starring: Toby Stephens, Hannah New, Luke Arnold, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Tom Hopper, Zach McGowan, Toby Schmitz, Clara Paget, Mark Ryan, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Sean Michael, Louise Barnes
Rated: TV-MA
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Run Time: 456 minutes

Season: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Ever since “Game of Thrones” blew up on HBO, everyone has been trying to recreate that success. STARZ is the latest to hone in on that with “Black Sails”. This show was described to me as “Game of Thrones” on the sea. I am a big “Game of Thrones” fan, so I figured I would check it out. The show is quite epic for sure. I mean who doesn’t want to see a show about pirates including Long John Silver. I just wasn’t as enthralled as I was with “Game of Thrones”, if we are comparing.The visual effects are stunning but the cast doesn’t really grip me. I have a feeling though this show is going to be going on for a while since the second season starts on January 24, 2015 and the show was already renewed for a third season as well.

Official Premise: 1715. The Golden Age of Piracy. New Providence Island is a lawless territory, controlled by history’s most notorious pirate captains. The most feared is Captain Flint. As the British Navy returns to redeem their land and exterminate Flint and his crew, another side of him emerges. He allies himself with Elenaor Guthrie, daughter of the local kingpin, to hunt the ultimate prize and ensure their survival. Many opponents stand in their way: rival captains, jealous of Flint’s power; Eleanor’s ambitious and intrusive father; and a young sailor recently recruited onto Flint’s crew, John Silver, who constantly undermines his captain’s agenda.

This season comes stocked as a combo pack with a Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet included. The 1080p transfers who perfectly with the lavish sets for this production. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track delivers with the action and works perfectly with Bear McCreary’s score.  The special features are jam-packed for this release. There is a behind-the-scenes look with “Black Sails: A Look Inside”. “Dress To Kill” gives into the series’ wardrobe with the costume designer. “Pirate Camp” shows what it takes to get into character. “Folklore Is Finished: Pirate Politics” dives into the shows story. “A Place In History” looks into the shows period. Lastly “Building The Behemoth” looks into the shows production and sets.

Starring: Christopher Egan, Tom Wisdom, Roxanne McKee, Luke Allen-Gale, Anthony Head, Rosalind Halstead
Rated: TV-MA
Studio: Universal Studios
Release Date: December 23, 2014
Run Time: 382 minutes

Season: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

When I heard that Syfy was making a follow-up series to the 2010 film “Legion” that starred Paul Bettany, I just thought “WHY?”, this is a film that was a small hit but wasn’t really a great movie at all. I still believe in Syfy and I thought I was give the series a chance. The film takes place 25 year the film and in a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas. This is a show that also gets better with each episode leading to an explosive finale. The visual effects are quite impressive as well for Syfy and the Angels are awesome! I liked the show because it is not only sexy and sharp. I am looking forward to what they got in store for season two.

Synopsis: Dominion is an epic supernatural drama set in the near future. Specifically, 25 years after “The Extinction War,” when an army of lower angels, assembled by the archangel Gabriel, waged war against mankind. The archangel Michael, turning against his own kind, chose to side with humanity. Rising out of the ashes of this long battle are newly fortified cities which protect human survivors. At the center of the series is the city of Vega, a glistening empire that has formed from the ruins of what was once Las Vegas.

If you follow Syfy shows you know that they don’t cheap out on their casts and “Dominion” is no different. This new series stars Christopher Egan (“Resident Evil: Extinction”), Tom Wisdom (“300”), Roxanne McKee (“Game of Thrones”), Alan Dale (“Lost”), Anthony Stewart Head (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) and Luke Allen-Gale (“The Borgias”). I have a feeling that season two is going to be even more jam-packed.

Universal is delivering this film as a combo pack with a Blu-ray and Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer is amazing. The sets for this show are really well done and looks amazing. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround works with the action sequences in the series. The special features do not include much. There is an alternate extended version of the finale “Beware Those Closest to You”, which is a worth checking out. Other than that there is a gag reel and some deleted scenes included.

Actors: Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Brendan Meyer, Sheila Kelley, Leland Orser
Directors: Adam Wingard
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Universal Studios
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Run Time: 101 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“The Guest” was on my watch list because it is from director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett, who are the dudes behind last year’s kick-ass horror/thriller “You’re Next”. These guys taking over Hollywood and this film is just proof of how much these guys rule! The film stars Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”), who is absolutely awesome in this role. The film is violent, funny and thrilling. Too bad this film didn’t get a bigger release, it deserved it. 2015 is not even here yet and we already have our first see Blu-ray!

Official Premise: Recently discharged from the military, David Collins (Dan Stevens) unexpectedly shows up at the Peterson family’s doorstep, claiming to be their late son’s Army buddy. Welcomed into their home, the well-mannered stranger becomes part of the family until a shocking wave of violence raises daughter Anna’s (Maika Monroe) suspicions that the mysterious ex-soldier is not quite what he seems.

Universal is releasing this as a combo pack including a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet copy. The 1080p transfer works well with the action and the scale of the film, which really feels so much bigger than it is. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is also quite amazing, like the video makes the film have a this huge scale. The special features are good as well including a solid audio commentary with director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett, these guys are great and this track is a detailed and a lot of fun. There is also a Q&A with star Dan Stevens and some deleted scenes included.

Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater, Cassidy Johnson, Nick Krause
Director: Richard Linklater
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Run Time: 164 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

“Boyhood” is a very unique film. Richard Linklater didn’t rush with this film either taking him time over 12 years with the same cast. We get to watch them grow, specifically a boy named Mason, who ages from 6-18 years old on screen. I like this idea a lot. It is not a documentary either, it is a fantastic story crafted around this family and we get to do on their journey. When you are watching this film, you can’t help but reflecting on your own journey through life as well. The running time is a bit long nearing three hours but if you were to film a movie over a decade, I think I would have some issue delivered a quick 90 minute flick. Plus it fly by like a flash. Come award season, this is going to easily clean up for sure…and honestly it deserves it as well.

Official Premise: Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood” is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (A breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Aequette as Mason’s parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater as his sister Samantha, “Boyhood” charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all the moments in between become transcendent, set to a soundtrack spanning the years “Coldplay’s ‘Yellow'” to “Arcade Fire’s ‘Deep Blue'”. “Boyhood” is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and an ode to growing p and parenting. It’s impossible to watch Mason and his family without thinking about our own journey.

Paramount delivered this film as a combo pack including a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer is sharp and the film itself is skillfully shot as one would expect from Linklater. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track works well with the film’s music, which is a great compliment to the film. The special features are a little light and I would have expected a little more. “The 12 Year Project” is a featurette discussing this decade plus project. There is also a Q&A with Richard Linklater and the Cast, which is in-depth and dives into the production. Even though, we get all that, I would have loved a commentary track to get some insight on the film with the director and cast reflecting on the film over the years.

Media Mikes has teamed up with Warner Brothers to give (25) of our readers and a guest the opportunity to see the new film, “American Sniper,” before anyone else in Kansas City.

The screening will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Pharaoh Theatre in Independence, Missouri and will start at 7:00 p.m.

All you have to do is head to

http://www.gofobo.com/main/sweepstakes/ASMediaMikes and register. (25) random entries will be chosen and those chosen will receive a pass for (2) to attend this screening. This contest ends on January 5, 2015. Winners will be notified by email.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, “American Sniper” is based on the life and exploits of Navy Seal Sniper Chris Kyle, our military’s most proficient sniper. The film stars two-time Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper as Kyle and Sienna Miller as his wife, Taya. The film is based on Chris Kyle’s book of the same name.

“American Sniper” opens nationwide on Friday, January 16, 2015.

Good luck!

January 8, 2015
7:00 p.m.

Pharaoh Theatre
114 West Maple
Independence, Missouri

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Starring: Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Haley Bennett, Bill Pullman
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 30, 2014
Run Time: 132 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Can Denzel Washington do no wrong? This guy is a machine cranking out hit after hit recently. “The Equalizer” is no different either. It also teamed him up with “Training Day” director Antoine Fuqua again. This film is fast, in your face and brutal. Washington is at his best and really delivers an amazing performance. The film also features a solid supporting cast including Chloë Grace Moretz, Melissa Leo and Bill Pullman. There is already talk about a possible sequel, I am on board if Denzel is!!

Official Premise: McCall (Denzel Washington) has put his mysterious past behind him and is dedicated to living a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.

Sony released this film as a combo pack with a Blu-ray and digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer is awesome. It is as gritty as the film itself, yet at the same time really sharply stylized. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 is nothing short of epic. The action sounds amazing and works really well. There are some great special features starting with two Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes. “Home Mart: Taking Care of Business One Bolt at a Time” looks into the climactic sequence. “Children of the Night” features Moretz talking about her character.

There is a three features that are exclusive to Blu-ray, “Vengeance Mode”, Photo Gallery and four more Behind-the-Scenes featurettes. “Inside The Equalizer” talks about bringing Robert McCall back to life. “Denzel Washington: A Different Kind of Superhero” features the actor discussing the demands of the role. “Equalizer Vision: Antoine Fuqua” is a chat with the director. Lastly “One Man Army: Training and Fighting” focuses on the stunts with Washington, Csokas & stunt coordinator, Keith Woulard.

Starring: Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis
Rated: TV-PG
Number of discs: 6
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: December 9th, 2014
Run Time: 1182 minutes

Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

This is it folks, this is the final season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”. Paramount has done an outstanding, I repeat outstanding job of releasing this wonderful series on Blu-ray. Season seven is no less of an amazing season that is predecessors. The two-part episode “Gambit” was a high point for sure. “All Good Things” is easily one of the best episodes and one of Patrick Stewart’s most powerful performance as Picard. This season was tied up very well series. Now that we are done here, I hope Paramount has plans for Blu-ray releases of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Voyager” next. Finger crossed!

Official Season 7 Premise: In this Emmy-nominated final season, Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) confronts an alliance between his sinister duplicate and the unstoppable Borg, Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) guides his son in becoming a warrior, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) faces a time-shattering confrontation with the mysterious, god-like Q in a landmark finale that won science fiction’s prestigious Hugo Award.

Like I said, Paramount has delivered this series each time with outstanding Blu-ray after Blu-ray release. “Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Seven” is no different. These 1080p transfers for these episodes nothing short of amazing. Top that with a flawless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track for each episode and Trek fans will be nothing but thrilled. These episodes have been through a fantastic restoration which involved returning to the original film elements and it was worth every single second of effort because this release is great.

Like the previous six seasons, Paramount has also delivered some amazing special features. There are commentary tracks by Brannon Braga on “Parallels”, as well as “Lower Decks” with René Echevarria and Mike & Denise Okuda and “Preemptive Strike” with René Echevarria, Naren Shankar, and Mike & Denise Okuda. There are a few other new features including “The Sky’s The Limit: The Eclipse of Star Trek: The Next Generation”, which is a must watch. There are two “In Conversation” features, first called “The Directors” and second called “Lensing Star Trek: The Next Generation”. Lastly, there are seven “Archival Mission Logs”, a Gag Reel and over 20 deleted scenes for 18 of the final episodes. 

Starring: Michael Palin, Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm
Director: Terry Gilliam
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance)
Studio: Criterion Collection
Release Date: December 9, 2014
Run Time: 116 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

Terry Gilliam is easily one of the most creative minds ever in film. His have never really been understood and really given the time of day with a mainstream audience but they seem to all become cult classics. “Time Bandits” is one of the best things to come out of 1981, minus myself 😉 This film is one that gets better and better with each viewing and never loses it charm. This latest Blu-ray release is for its addition into the Criterion Collection, which gives us a new 2K digital restoration, supervised by director Terry Gilliam. This is the best that I have EVER seen this film. It is a perfect release.

Official Premise: In this fantastic voyage through time and space from Terry Gilliam, a boy named Kevin (Craig Warnock) escapes his gadget-obsessed parents to join a band of time-traveling dwarves. Armed with a map stolen from the Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson), they plunder treasure from Napoleon (Ian Holm) and Agamemnon (Sean Connery)—but Evil (David Warner) is watching their every move. Featuring a darkly playful script by Gilliam and Monty Python’s Michael Palin (who also appears in the film), Time Bandits is at once a giddy fairy tale, a revisionist history lesson, and a satire on technology gone awry.

Arrow Video recently released a Blu-ray transfer for this film but this is even newer than that edition. Here is the text that is included on leaflet provided with this release: “Supervised by director Terry Gilliam, this new digital transfer was created in 2K resolution on an ARRISCAN film scanner from the original camera negative. The restoration was overseen by Arrow Video and performed by Deluxe Digital Cinema in London. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker were manually removed using MTI’s DRS. The original soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the original 35mm magnetic track.”

Like I said above, this is a flawless transfer. Criterion has been very kind and supportive of Gilliam’s work. I still treasure my 3-disc DVD set of “Brazil” from 1999. This track also comes with a equally flawless LPCM 2.0 surround track. It is definitely much better than the previous 5.1 track that was released in the past. The clarity is easily noticed and the score sounds amazing. The 2K restoration really delivered for both audio and video for “Time Bandits”. This is going to rank as one of the best releases of 2014, no question.

The special features are equally outstanding at the 2K restoration. There is vintage audio commentary track featuring Gilliam, cowriter/actor Michael Palin, and actors John Cleese, David Warner, and Craig Warnock, which was first taken from the DVD release of “Time Bandits” and recorded exclusively for Criterion in 1997.  There is a new piece narrated by film writer David Morgan and featuring production designer Milly Burns and costume designer James Acheson “Creating the Worlds of Time Bandits” focuses on creating the film’s numerous historical periods and fantasy worlds.

There is a conversation between Gilliam and film scholar Peter von Bagh which was taken from the Finland’s Midnight Sun Film Festival dating back to 1998. There is an excerpt from a 1981 appearance by actor Shelley Duvall on Tom Snyder’s Tomorrow show on NBC, which also features the actress discussing her role in “The Shining” as well. Lastly there is an original trailer and stills gallery included and an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic David Sterritt. Even though there is only one new extra on this Blu-ray, I am in love!

Starring: Justin Long, Michael Parks, Haley Joel Osment, Genesis Rodriguez
Director: Kevin Smith
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: December 30, 2014
Running Time: 102 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

When you heard about a premise like “Tusk”, you just shake you head and saw ‘What the fuck?”. Well after seeing the film twice, I am no less left with that exact same question. I have a feeling down the line this is going to become quite the cult classic. I mean literally it is about a guy who turn another guy into a freaking walrus. I mean is just crazy enough to interest anyone, who loves the horror genre.

Official Premise: A podcaster (Long) looking for a juicy story is plunged into an unpredictable, unsettling and absurd nightmare after he travels to the backwoods of Canada to meet an eccentric recluse (Parks) with a lifetime of adventures-and a disturbing fondness for walruses.

Since the film comes from Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma, Mallrats) and was spawn from a podcast discussion, this crazy idea makes much more sense. It stars Michael Parks (“Django Unchained”), who honestly deserves an Oscar for this role, Justin Long (“Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story”), Haley Joel Osment (“The Sixth Sense”) and there is also a surprise appearance from Johnny Depp (if you can recognize him).

Lionsgate is releasing this film as a combo pack with a Blu-ray plus Digital HD included. The special features included are some deleted scenes, multiple “making of” featurettes looking that the behind-the-scenes and also a retrospective on Kevin Smith’s career. There is also a audio commentary with Kevin Smith, which is a worth checking out alone. Lastly there is the original podcast that inspired the film.

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Starring: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Jane Fonda, Rose Byrne, Kathryn Hahn
Director: Shawn Levy
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: December 16, 2014
Run Time: 103 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Here is the main issue with “This is Where I leave You”, it is packed with a great ensemble cast including Jason Bateman (“Arrested Development”); Tina Fey (“30 Rock”); Jane Fonda (“Barbarella”), as well as Adam Driver (“Star Wars Episode VII”); Rose Byrne (“Insidious”); Corey Stoll (“House of Cards”) and Kathryn Hahn (“Parks and Recreation” and with a cast like that expectations are very high but this film has its moments and those moments don’t last long. This drama/comedy is extremely forgettable and you will have probably forgotten about it by the time you get to the end of this anyway.

Official Premise: When their father passes away, four grown siblings, bruised and banged up by their respective adult lives, are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens. Confronting their history and the frayed states of their relationships among the people who know and love them best, they ultimately reconnect in hysterical and emotionally affecting ways amid the chaos, humor, heartache and redemption that only families can provide— driving us insane even as they remind us of our truest, and often best, selves.

Warner’s is releasing this a a combo pack with a Blu-Ray + DVD + UltraViolet Digital HD copy. There is nothing special or actually bad with the Blu-ray presentation. It is basic 1080p transfer with a DTS-Master Audio 5.1 track. The special features aren’t music special either. There is an interview and a commentary track from Shawn Levy and Jonathan Tropper in “· The Narrative Voice”. There are two featurettes “The Gospel According to Rabbi Boner”, “Points of Departure” and some deleted/extended scenes included.

Own “This is Where I Leave You” on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, and Digital HD on December 16th

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Actors: Lou Ferrigno, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Directors: George Butler, Robert Fiore
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Lionsgate
Run Time: 85 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“Pumping Iron” is now available on Digital HD for the first time. This critically-acclaimed 1977 documentary that put the world of bodybuilding on the map and started the career for Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron. This film still holds up today and is cool to see the ‘ole “Austrian Oak” in his prime again. This is a must own for any Schwarzenegger fan out there!

Original Premise: Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this documentary about the 100 days leading up to the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest. Five-time former champion Schwarzenegger is pitted against shy newcomer Lou Ferrigno (TV’s “The Incredible Hulk”) in a showdown that is as mental as it is physical. With psychological warfare, intense determination, trash-talking, and the easy charm that would later catapult Schwarzenegger to stardom, “Pumping Iron” changed the world of bodybuilding forever and launched both men’s careers.

Even though this is a digital release, fans of “Pumping Iron” are going  to get much more than just the movie with never-before-released content in the US. There are two bonus features included additionally with the digital HD release. The first is “Still Pumping” is a group of newly recorded interviews with Arnold Schwarzenegger talking about his life and career. Also included is “The Hard Science of Bodybuilding”, which features Schwarzenegger and other top bodybuilders talking about the sport.

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Starring: Colin Firth, Marcia Gay Harden, Emma Stone, Jacki Weaver, Eileen Atkins, Erica Leerhsen
Director: Woody Allen
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 16, 2014
Run Time: 97 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

Every since “Midnight in Paris”, Woody Allen has been on fire. “Magic in the Moonlight” is the latest winner. The film is set in the south of France in the 1920s smack during the peak of the Jazz Age. The film starts Colin Firth anad Emma Stone, who are amazing in the film together. The film certainly lives up to the first word in its title and is quite enchanting. The music and shooting locations are just beautiful. This is easily another hit for Allen! Can’t wait to see what he has planned for 2015!

Official Premise: Acclaimed magician Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth) dazzles his audiences with feats of supernatural amazement. But when it comes to the inexplicable, Stanley is a dedicated skeptic. Enter Sophie Baker (Emma Stone), psychic, soothsayer, and stunning seductress. As Stanley and Sophie embark on misadventures up and down the French Riviera, will they discover proof of a world beyond the laws of physics or have they fallen under the sway of a more earthly chemistry? Woody Allen pulls the strings with precision in this enchanting romantic comedy that explores the realm between what’s understood in our minds and what’s known in our hearts.

Sony Pictures Classics is releasing this as a combo pack with a Blu-ray and Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer is solid for this Blu-ray. It really captures the look and feel of the 1920’s from the costumes to the settings. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track works great with the film’s music, which I loved. The special features are a little light on the magic. There is a making-of featurette called “Behind the Magic”. The only other extras is “On the Red Carpet: Los Angeles Film Premiere”.

Starring: Harry Connick, Jr., Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Kris Kristofferson
Director: Charles Martin Smith
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: December 9, 2014
Running Time: 107 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Living in Florida, I knew that I had to watch “Dolphin Tale”. It was a good film and after watching it I even took my daughter to go see Winter at the Clearwater Aquarium, which was cool. Honestly, this wasn’t really a film that was screaming for a sequel. The story is cute but it doesn’t stand up to the first film, to be honest. Same cast returned, which is always nice but it doesn’t help either. At least they dropped the terrible 3D gimmack from the first film, which was an incredible waste of time in my opinion. Some kids might enjoy this but it is quite slow moving and at times sad, so be wary there for sure.

Official Premise: The inspiring true story of Winter isn’t over. Several years after receiving a prosthetic tail, Winter loses her surrogate mother, leaving her alone, grieving and unwilling to engage with anyone, even her best human friend, Sawyer (Gamble). Worse, she may have to be moved from her home at the aquarium due to regulations requiring dolphins to be paired. When Dr. Clay Haskett (Connick Jr.) and his dedicated team can’t find her a companion, it looks like they may lose their beloved Winter… until an unexpected turn of events brings them Hope.

Warner Home Video is releasing this as a combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet digital HD code. The 1080p transfer is good looking but nothing special. The audio though delivers a surprise DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track, which is good but not really fully taken advantage of either. The special features are ok  but all quite short. “Underwater Magic” features Writer/director Charles Martin Smith, producer Broderick Johnson, cinematographer Daryn Okada, and actors Nathan Gamble and Cozi Zuehlsdorff discussing shooting in water.

“Look Who’s Running the Show” features Smith, Gamble and Zuehlsdorff talking about the sequel. “Bethany Hamilton Meets Winter” focuses on the cameo from Champion surfer Bethany Hamilton. “The Mission” is a featurette about Clearwater Marine Academy. “True Story” looks into the events that inspired the film. Lastly there is a music video for Zuehlsdorff’s “Brave Souls” and Gavin DeGraw’s “You Got Me” and a blooper reel included.

Dolphin Tale 2 arrives onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on December 9 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment