Starring: Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson and Takamasa Ishihara
Directed by: Angelina Jolie
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hrs 17 mins
Universal

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

I first heard the story of Lou Zamperini about 20 years ago while watching one of Tim McCarver’s HBO Sport Specials. I learned that Zamperini had run in the 1936 Olympics (which were held in Berlin) and, even though he didn’t win his event (the 5000 meter race) his time on the final lap so impressed Adolph Hitler that the leader had a personal meeting with him. I also learned that, during World War II, Zamperini’s plane crashed in the Pacific and he became a prisoner of war. The story ended by informing me that, thought dead, a memorial track event was held in California and that Zamperini actually showed up at the second one. An interesting story, to be sure. But the life of Lou Zamperini, how it was lived and how it was molded, took place between races and that is the story of UNBROKEN.

The film opens with Lieutenant Lou Zamperini (O’Connell in a star-making role), a bombardier, and his fellow airmen in a dogfight with Japanese pilots. Making it through, but with the plane badly damaged, the crew is given another assignment and put in a plane that is the talk of the base, mostly because it is in such disrepair. True to its myth, the plane malfunctions and the plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean. Eight of the eleven crewmen are killed but Zamperini and the others spend 47 days on a raft, living off of rainwater and the fish they manage to catch. They are eventually spotted and sent to a prisoner of war camp in Japan. They’re meager dinner is a handful of rice, thrown into their cells. Lou notices the names of nine sailors that had occupied his cell before him. When he inquires as to their whereabouts he is told they were beheaded. Welcome to Japan.

Masterfully directed with a script by a who’s who of Oscar nominated screenwriters, “Unbroken” is easily the most inspirational film of the year as well as one of the year’s best! Jolie proves herself to be a smart director, letting the cast and the script tell the story and capturing the magic on camera. Not to diminish her contributions here. Any time you have a film set during war time it is very easy to go for the heartstrings and gloss over things that would make lesser men cowed by what took place. But here Jolie refuses to hide, or deny, any of the treatment administered by Zamperini’s tormentors. We are introduced to Zamperini’s life via flashbacks and it is these scenes in which we learn why he is so tough. Taunted as a “dago” in school, Zamperini is urged to join the school track team, where his speed and ability to run long distances (helped, no doubt, by his mischievousness as a young hell-raiser) earn him the nickname “The Torrance Tornado.” His brother’s words – “A moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory” – ring in his ears and inspire him.

In the P.O.W. camp he is singled out by the camp commander (Ishihara – better known as acclaimed guitarist and songwriter Miyavi) who, realizing what it takes to make it to the Olympics, figures if he can break Lou he will be successful in breaking the other prisoners. Known as “the Bird” – we learn that to call him anything else will get you killed – he is both impressed with Lou’s achievements but also disgusted with him, and the others, as enemies of Japan. His performance is frightening. O’Connell not only undergoes mental changes on screen, but physical as well. As his torment begins you can’t help but cringe at his emaciated frame. But it is the strength hidden behind his eyes that makes O’Connell’s performance truly stand out.

The story is straightforward and the script, by Joel and Ethan Coen (“Fargo,” “No Country for Old Men”), William Nicholson (“Gladiator”) and Richard LaGravenese (“The Fisher King”), adapted from the bestselling book of the same name by Laura Hillenbrand, steadily follows Zamperini throughout his ordeal. The film is beautifully photographed by Roger Deakins, a long-time associate of the Coen brothers and the score, by Alexandre Desplat, sets the tone of the film beautifully.

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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Photo Credit: Yolanda Perez

The youngest of four children in an acting family from Long Island, New York, nine-year old Nicolette Pierini was destined to follow in her elder siblings’ footsteps. She began her career as a performer in commercials and short films, including Fool’s Day, All That Remains, Keeper, Poetry Man, and Transitions. However, Pierini received her first big break when she booked the role of “Flora O’Neil” opposite veteran actors Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen in the Rob Reiner-directed drama THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE. Also, she most recently, appeared as “Lola” in the feature film TIO PAPI, directed by Fro Rojas.

This week she will appear as Mia opposite Quvenzhané Wallis in the new film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, “Annie.” While taking a break from a busy day in New York, young Nicolette took time out to talk to me about the film.

Mike Smith: Can you tell us about Mia, your character in “Annie”?
Nicolette Pierini: She is the youngest of the foster children. She’s very young and she loves Annie. She has a very big heart.

MS: How did you get the role?
NP: I had to go to various auditions. One for acting. One for singing and acting. And then one for dancing and singing and acting.

MS: Had you had a lot of musical training before you auditioned?
NP: I went to dance lessons so I had a little bit of experience. I could tap and I could ballet, so I did have a little dance training. And I’d done a lot of singing. I love singing. It’s really fun.

MS: What kind of music do you like?
NP: Any kind really. I love the music…I love the emotions behind a song. I like how a song is put together. I’ve actually written some songs myself.

MS: Do you think as you get older you’ll try to pursue a musical career as well?
NP: (considering the question) Yeah…YEAH!

MS: What else are you working on?
NP: Right now I’m just going on auditions and I’ll see what comes. Hopefully something that’s right for me.

Nicolette loves to hear from her fans. You can drop her a note at the following social media sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicolette-Pierini-Fan-Page/225583847456286
Twitter: @Npierini0

Starring: Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, and Rose Byrne
Directed By: Will Gluck
Rated: PG
Running Time: 118 minutes
Columbia Pictures

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

I need to be upfront with everyone. I have never seen any previous creation of “Annie”. I’ve never laid eyes upon the 1982 original film adaptation, I haven’t viewed a live stage production, or have taken the time to watch either made-for-TV movies on the little orphan. Like most though, I do know the basic premise, and the songs “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life”. I also have fond memories of the delightful scene in “Serial Mom” where a woman is battered to death while singing along to the movie. I’m not telling you to not to take my opinion seriously or with a grain of salt, but just keep in mind, I had no expectations. With that said, “Annie” is probably your best bet for family fun this holiday season.

Annie (Wallis) is a cheeky young girl gallivanting around Harlem and searching for her parents, believing that they will return to her one day. Then they will be the happy family she dreams they will be. Annie lives with other foster children in the care of Miss Colleen Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). She’s soaked in booze and uses every vocal opportunity she has to put Annie down.

In the much nicer, cleaner and more brightly lit part of town, is Will Stacks (Foxx). He’s an isolationist cell phone tycoon and an absolute germaphobe. Not as bad as Howard Hughes though. His habits don’t mix well with his current mission, to become the mayor of New York City. Watching him in action, you actually wonder how someone like him went along with the idea of becoming a public official for one of the world’s largest cities in the first place. At one point he spits up mashed potatoes on a homeless person.

So by pure chance, these two meet. Stacks “saves” Annie’s life and he quickly disregards Annie, right after applying some hand sanitizer, as to not get any poor on him. His circle of trust, the lovely Grace (Byrne) and the skeevy Guy (Bobby Canavale) see the potential to increase his likeability amongst the populace by having him temporarily adopt Annie. Annie simply sees this as another great opportunity in life although she’s fully aware she’s a political ploy. Hijinks, flashy tech, and montages ensue along with some catchy tunes that I haven’t heard besides the aforementioned songs.

The highest praise I can give this movie isn’t to the movie itself, but to Rose Byrne and Quvenzhane Wallis. The actresses already radiate a delightful charm by themselves, but together they’re quite endearing. Their scenes together feel like the most genuine among any of the other characters. While most dialogue in “Annie” feels hokey or nauseatingly cute, the conversations between their two characters feel honest. It’s almost like they give each other some meaningful girl power to help propel their own self-esteem and optimistic outlook.

Outside of that, there are a list of negatives, including an overacting Cameron Diaz, an odd pro and anti-capitalist slant, and hit or miss self-aware winks towards the camera; just to name a few. What had me push all those aside is the charming energy this pumped into me. I tapped my toes, I smiled, I laughed, and if you have any kind of happy reaction to something, it’s worth noting.

While I may have nothing to compare “Annie” to in terms of its predecessors and stories, I must note that it comes off playfully mocking towards the original source content. It’s almost like it knows that what it’s doing is sure to piss some people off, such as fans of the original. Well. I’m not a fan of the original. I enjoyed its taunts, its urban take on the original score, and it’s smug cuteness.

Starring: Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern
Directed by: Jean-Marc Vallee
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 55 mins
Fox Searchlight

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

When we first meet Cheryl Strayed (Witherspoon) she is pulling a nail off of her big toe. Cheryl is on a hike and her boots are too small. On the other hand, her pack is too big. So big, in fact, that other hikers have nicknamed it “Monster.” As she begins the 1,000 mile trek down the Pacific Crest Trail it is obvious that Cheryl is heading towards a clean future. And doing her best to lose the past.

Carried on the slight shoulders of star (and producer) Witherspoon, “Wild” is a sharp and smartly directed film that, despite the basic plot (woman hiking alone), manages to entertain. If you remember Emilio Estevez’ brilliant film, “The Way,” from a few years ago, “Wild” would be a most welcome companion piece.

Told via flashbacks, we learn, bit by bit, why Cheryl has undertaken this journey. From a childhood raised by a mother (Dern) she adored to a marriage she doomed by her drug use and promiscuity to the sudden illness that takes her beloved mother, we are given small peeks into her past and then see how they affect her path. As she begins she isn’t a mile down the road before she starts trying to convince herself that she can quit any time she wants. But quitting is not on her agenda. From temperatures in the hundreds to trails blocked by snow, the further she goes the closer she is to her goal. Along the way she finds the time to leave brief messages (usually bits of poetry) in the notebooks provided along the trail, gaining an almost cult like following from fellow hikers who so rarely see a woman make the journey.

Witherspoon, an Oscar winner almost a decade ago for “Walk the Line,” has really come back to the big screen recently with a vengeance. Her performance here (and her work in the up-coming “Inherent Vice”) is strong and steady. The same with Dern. Though only seven years separate the two actresses age wise, their scenes together are moving. This is due to a combination of performance and material. Based on Strayed’s book detailing her journey, Nick Hornby’s screenplay is both straight forward and humorous. When a writer for “The Hobo Times” tries to get an interview with Cheryl he is not dissuaded by her constant reminders that she’s hiking just like everyone else and is not the very rare “lady” hobo!

Vallee’s direction, like his work on last year’s “Dallas Buyers Club,” is strong yet understated. He allows the film to flow as slow and smooth as a walk in the woods. Coupled with the smart script and fine performances, “Wild” is a must see.

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As individuals, we are all faced with difficult lifestyle choices from time to time. One is the delicate issue of work and life balance, which plays a central role in determining our quality of life and long-term health. It is also hard to achieve such a balance, however, as while some become fixated by routine and their careers others neglect their professional standing and instead embark on a life of hedonism and adventure. The key is to strike a balance that delivers the most enjoyable possible life and one that includes a fulfilling career and a series of adventures into the unknown.

This is something that was touched upon recently by clothing brand the North Face and its innovative #seeforyourself campaign, which used a yellow taxi to accost everyday NYC citizens as they went about their daily business. They were presented with a simple question: would they be willing to abandon their plans for the day and take a trip into the unknown for a few hours filled with adventure, thrills and excitement? In other words, would they take a step towards breaking with routine, embracing the spontaneity of live and achieving a better work-life balance if only for a day?

As you can see from the video below, many choose to give in to their instinct and enjoy a day out at some of North America’s most spectacular outdoor resorts. A victory for the heart and soul over the mind, this was a campaign that truly challenged those who participated to question the lifestyle choices that they make on a daily basis.

Sponsored Post

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Starring: Martin Freeman and Ian McKellan
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hours 24 mins
New Line

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

It’s over. After thirteen years and six films, Peter Jackson has completed not one but two amazing film trilogies that will be thrilling viewers for generations to come. Welcome to the final chapter of “The Hobbit” series, “The Battle of the Five Armies.”

When we last saw Bilbo Baggins (Freeman), he and his dwarf friends had royally pissed off the great dragon, Smaug, who was doing his best to destroy Laketown. In case you didn’t see the middle film, “The Desolation of Smaug,” the final film opens with the same scenes that closed part two. Kind of like getting to see the end of the fight from “Rocky” when you screen “Rocky II.” Once things calm down the film settles into its narrative…Thorin (Richard Armitage) has gotten “gold fever” and begins to distrust those around him. Did you ever see the old Daffy Duck cartoon where he stumbles into a vault and begins to hoard all of the treasure? Well, it’s pretty much like that except Throin doesn’t run around yelling “mine, mine, mine….no, no, no!” Meanwhile, the Orcs are heading towards our heroes’ location, guaranteeing that the title battle will indeed take place – Orcs, Dwarves, Elves and Eagles spend an almost wordless 45 minutes kicking serious ass. So why am I not as in love with this film as the previous ones? One word: Legolas. Apparently his long blonde hair makes him able to defy gravity among other incredulous activities. Yes, I know it’s a fantasy but come on all ready!

On the plus side the film’s cast is as game as ever to bring the story to life and the special effects continue to amaze. If nothing else, Jackson has established himself as a master storyteller, even when the story sometimes goes a little off track. The saga is over and what never could have been imagined on screen two decades ago has now come to life. If that’s not something to be thankful for at this time of year I don’t know what is.

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What do you do when, in a span of two years, you direct some of the best episodic television as well as one of the most popular television movies of all time? If you’re Randal Kleiser, you graduate to features, where you’re first film, “Grease,” remains, almost four decades later, the highest grossing movie musical of all time. Not a bad start!

Born in Philadelphia, Kleiser headed west to study his chosen craft at the University of Southern California. It was there he met a fellow student named George Lucas. He graduated USC in 1968 and, on the basis of his impressive Master’s thesis film, “Peege,” began his career. After directing episodes of such popular television shows as “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “The Rookies” and “Family,” he graduated to made-for-television films. His first, “Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway,” starred former “Brady Bunch” star Eve Plumb as a girl who, feeling her home life is tough, runs away to the big city where she’s soon selling her body. While this is almost happenstance on today’s television it was quite a shocker in 1976. His second film-for-television starred up and coming “Welcome Back, Kotter” star John Travolta as “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.” Based on a true story, the film earned three Emmy nominations, winning one. It also became a favorite of fans, thanks to Travolta’s performance and Paul Williams’ song, “What Would They Say,” which Travolta sang. Travolta and Kleiser would reunite the next year when the young star appeared opposite Olivia Newton-John in the musical smash “Grease.”

Kleiser, a director with an eye for young talent, followed up with “The Blue Lagoon,” starring Brooke Shields. He then featured Peter Gallagher and Daryl Hannah in “Summer Lovers” (which Kleiser also wrote) and then teamed up Jamie Lee Curtis and Patrick Swayze in “Grandview U.S.A.” Other films include “Big Top Pee Wee,” “Flight of the Navigator” and “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid.” In 1996 Kleiser wrote and directed “It’s My Party,” one of the first major films to address the issue of AIDS (though, in “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble,” Travolta’s character, Tod, was born with a deficient immune system, which is not unlike being born with AIDS). “It’s My Party” tells the story of Nick (Eric Roberts), whose most recent blood test reveals that he is HIV positive. Nick decides to go out on his own terms and throws himself a “going away” party.

This year, Kleiser turned to the stage, where his first production, “The Penis Chronicles,” currently plays four times weekly at the Coastal Playhouse, in West Hollywood, California through January 11, 2015. Mr. Kleiser took time out from his schedule to speak with me about working on the stage, the continued magic of “Grease” and a project near and dear to his heart: “The Nina Foch Project.”

Mike Smith: You’re about to finish your first foray onto the stage. How did you get involved with “The Penis Chronicles?”
Randal Kleiser: Tom Yewell was my assistant on “White Fang” and “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid”. He then became my director of development at Disney Studios. After that he moved back East for several years. Last year his friend Greg O’Connor sent me his play, “The Penis Chronicles” and I read it expecting to just give him my comments. I was extremely impressed and immediately wanted to help launch it.

MS: As someone who had worked primarily in television and film, does the role of the director change when it’s live theatre?
RK: The biggest difference is that the control is in the hands of the actors, rather than the director. I’m used to being able to fine tune movie performances, doing multiple takes until we achieve each moment perfectly. There is an excitement about live theater that I haven’t experienced in my movie career. You never know what’s going to happen. Last week we had a power outage during the play and used iPhone flashlight apps to light the actor.

MS: You were able to fund the initial 8-week run of the show through Indigogo. Any thoughts of extending the run?
RK: We are pleased to announce that we are extending until at least January 11th. After that, we aren’t sure. It depends on the public continuing to show up.

MS: What can you tell us about your upcoming film, “B.F.F.?”
RK: That is a project written and directed by young filmmaker Greg Carter. I’m overseeing it in an executive producer capacity.

MS: You went from directing one of the most popular television films of all time (“The Boy in the Plastic Bubble”) to helming the most popular movie musical as a first time feature film director. Why do you think “Grease” continues to find fans after all these years?
RK: I get asked that a lot. It must have been the perfect storm of cast chemistry, a hit Broadway play, the new music, and characters that everyone could identify with.

MS: It’s been almost 20 years since “It’s My Party” was released. These days in Hollywood it’s almost common-place to have major studios producing projects like “Angels in America” and “The Normal Heart.” How hard was it to get “It’s My Party” made?
RK: I wrote it while under a deal at Disney. They were not jumping at making it. Duh. Luckily, John Calley had just taken over United Artists and I went over to see him. I showed him pictures from the actual party that the script was based on and he greenlit the project that day.
I couldn’t have been more thrilled.

MS: Tell us a little about the “Nina Foch Project” and her influence on your career?
RK: Nina Foch was a vital presence in the entertainment industry, at home onstage, on screen, and in the classroom. Her acting career spanned seven decades, including starring roles on the Broadway stage and numerous television appearances from the golden era of live television drama through the most popular series and sitcoms of recent years. She was best known for her performances in classic films, such as “An American in Paris,” “Spartacus,” and “The Ten Commandments.” Her role as Erica Martin in “Executive Suite,” directed by Robert Wise, garnered her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1955. Nina joined the USC School of Cinematic Arts where she taught for many years, offering the Advanced Seminar in Directing Actors for Film. She worked with – and inspired – many of today’s most successful actors, singers, directors, screenwriters, and producers. After studying with her, I hired her on several occasions to guide me in breaking down scripts I was about to shoot. She would drill me on each moment, each line, each piece of punctuation so that I was ready to shoot only what was necessary to forward the story and ready for any possible question from the actors. My classmate George Lucas put up some funds to shoot a whole semester of her class before her death in 2008. She instilled in me the same thing that motivated her: a desire to transfer the fascination. The Nina Foch Course for Filmmakers and Actors is available in DVD and online form at www.ninafochproject.com.

MS: What, if anything, do you have planned next?
RK: I have four films ready to go and am looking to complete funding on them. All my director friends are in the same boat. We have to become entrepreneurs and do our own projects, rather than wait for the studios to change from only doing sequels, comics and remakes.

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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December 14, 2014

The Kansas City Film Critics Circle, the second oldest organized critics group in the country, held their annual end-of-the-year award gathering this afternoon, with “Birdman” and “Boyhood” taking home the lion’s share of the major awards. This is the 48th year the group has awarded their annual James Loutzenhiser awards.

Michael Keaton’s big return to the big screen, “Birdman,” won four awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (for Keaton), Best Supporting Actor (Edward Norton) and Best Original Screenplay. Richard Linklater’s 12-year in the making “Boyhood” received the Robert Altman Award for Achievement in Directing (for Linklater) and Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette). Other films earing awards include “Gone Girl,” “Obvious Child” and “The Lego Movie.”

Here is a complete list of winners:

BEST PICTURE: “Birdman”
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD FOR BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING: Richard Linklater – “Boyhood”
BEST ACTOR: Michael Keaton – “Birdman”
BEST ACTRESS: Rosamund Pike – “Gone Girl”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Edward Norton – “Birdman”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Patricia Arquette – “Boyhood”
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicholas Glocobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo – “Birdman”
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Gillian Robespierre – “Obvious Child”
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: “The Lego Movie”
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: “CitizenFour”
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: “Ida” (Poland)
VINCE KOEHLER AWARD FOR BEST SCI-FI, FANTASY or HORROR FILM: “The Babadook”

For more information on the Kansas City Film Critics Circle and previous year’s awards go to www.kcfcc.org

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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Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Aaron Paul, Ben Mendelsohn, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Running time: 154 minutes

Our Score: 1.5 out of 5 stars

I really had no interest in seeing “Exodus: Gods and Kings” prior to seeing the trailer. They really roped me in with that trailer. It looks action packed and visual entertaining. Well, that trailer certainly had a great editor. “Exodus: Gods and Kings” is a bloated, boring, 2.5 hour mess. I wasn’t convinced by any of the performances at all. I was really hoping for an epic action film but this was very slow paced and when the action came it had little to no pay off.

Everyone should know the story of Moses but in case you don’t, the film follows a once respected General, Moses (Christian Bale), who comes back after being banned by the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton) to save free the 600,000 slaves that are his people. After warnings to Ramses, the city is taken by a sea of deadly plagues. Moses and his people set out on to escape Egypt and to carry out God’s plan.

When I see a movie in the theaters, I have never fallen asleep ever. This film almost came close to ruining that streak. The visual effects were good when they were happening but I just felt like they really far and few between. There were two cool scenes and when the plagues start and the part of the sea other than that. I really was underwhelming. Same goes for the 3D in the film, that was a real shame and wasn’t used at all. I mean literally nothing. I feel bad for Bale and Edgerton because they really are great actors but this was a very poor choice for them. Save your money and catch this on cable.