Starring: Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson, Katherine Heigl, Stephen Lang, Maya Rudolph, Jeff Dunham, Gabriel Iglesias
Directed by: Peter Lepeniotis
Distributed by: Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Running Time: 86 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

I remember the first time I saw the trailer in theaters for “The Nut Job”, I was literally laughing out loud. The film is made for kids but it is filled with tons of great adult jokes that makes this enjoyable to watch with your kids. The film was released this past January which was perfect timing for kids and parents looking for something new since “Frozen” took over the marketplace and it became a nice little hit. The story itself does not have the most meaty plot but it is entertaining for sure and the jokes are very sharp. Plus you can already expect “The Nut Job 2”, when it gets released in January 2016.

Official Premise: Surly (Arnett) is a mischievous squirrel with a mission: to find the tastiest nuts for winter. When he discovers a whole store filled with his favorite food, he plans a heist of nutrageous proportions. But the place turns out to be owned by ruthless bank robbers so it’s up to Surly and his furry friends to stop the nearby bank heist and save the town.

The film is not only funny and entertaining but also packed an all-star cast, Will Arnett (“Arrested Development”) is tearing up the voice-over world with this film and also stealing the show in “The Lego Movie”. Along with him there is Brendan Fraser (“The Mummy), “Liam Neeson (“The Grey”), Katherine Heigl (“Knocked Up”), Maya Rudolph (“Bridesmaids”), Jeff Dunham (“Spark of Insanity”) and Gabriel Iglesias (“Magic Mike”). Tons of great talent.

Universal released this film as a Blu-ray Combo Pack including a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet. I am a little bummed since this was released on 3D Blu-ray also and you can tell that there are some good in-your-face moments in the film. The 1080p transfer is really solid. The animation is not Pixar quality but it is well-done. There is no shortage of color in the film for sure, especially having a purple squirrel. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks works with the comedy, as well as the action and music.

The special features included are pretty good, especially for kids. There are a few deleted scenes that didn’t make it into the final version of the movie. You are able to watch key scenes from the film brought to life from the original sketches in the “Storyboards” section. “The Great Nut Heist” features Will Arnett, the voice of Surly the squirrel talking about the role. “Dance-Off End Credits” is a fun way to get the kids off their feet. Lastly there are two new animated shorts including “Surely Squirrel” and “Nuts & Robbers”.

Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson
Directed by: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hours 16 mins
Walt Disney Pictures

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

CAP IS BACK!!

Fresh from his adventures in New York with his Avengers buddies, Steve Rogers (Evans) is still trying to adjust to his life in the 21st Century. Each day he refers to a notebook he keeps, where he writes down new information to research. A couple entries: NIRVANA (Band?) and ROCKY (Rocky 2). While jogging along the tidal pool in Washington D.C. he meets fellow soldier Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), who gives him another name to put in his notebook, telling him that listening to his “Trouble Man” album will give him all the answers he needs. The artist: the great Marvin Gaye.

It’s almost an understatement to say that, since his revealing to the world, the nation has fallen in love with Captain America. In fact, there is an exhibit detailing his life (so far) in the Smithsonian. Sometimes, when he’s feeling low, Steve visits the exhibit incognito, taking in the sights. And, each time, he finds himself thinking about his friend Bucky Barnes, who gave his life so many years ago. Right?

As exciting as the first film, with wall to wall action from start to finish, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is another perfect piece in what is becoming the most profitable super-hero puzzle of all time. Long time television directors Anthony and Joe Russo (yes, they’re brothers) have crafted an exciting tale that perfectly encompasses not only the adventure that is happing on screen but helping to foreshadow what will probably be the highest grossing film of 2015: “The Avengers: Age of Ultron.” I’m hedging my bets and saying probably because that is the same year that “Star Wars: Episode VII” is due. I wonder if I can buy a movie theatre between now and then.

This adventure finds Cap and friends taking on a new Russian villain known as the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). Cap is a little taken aback because his new adversary bears a strong resemblance to someone from his past. Led by Nick Fury (Jackson) and assisted by Natasha Romanoff (Johansson) and his new friend Sam, Cap soon finds himself battling a member of his own government, the slick and weasely Alexander Pierce (a well cast Robert Redford) as well as the evil group known as HYDRA.

The filmmakers do an incredible job of keeping the action front and center and I dare say there isn’t a boring minute in the films two hour plus run time. The visual effects are outstanding and comic book fans will enjoy the various hints dropped for future films, including a very quick Doc Strange reference! A great addition to the Marvel heroes family, “Captain America: the Winter Soldier” is another testament to the powers that be at Marvel Studios that anything worth doing is worth doing well!

Starring: Christina Ricci, Billy Campbell, Clea DuVall
Director: Nick Gomez
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: April 8, 2014
Run Time: 91 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

The trailer for this “Lizzie Borden Took an Ax” started off very promising including the very creepy popular children’s skipping-rope rhyme…

“Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one.”

…but then I realized that this was a Lifetime Original TV movie and then I lost all expectations. If you know the story of Lizzie Borden, you would expect a very dark and violent film. This film focuses more on the court room battle than on the live of Lizzie Borden and her horrific murder. I have to give it to Lifetime for attempting to tackle a subject like this but personally this needs to be made for HBO or even AMC (they get away with murder -get the pun? haha- on “The Walking Dead”). Lifetime also recently released a bio pic of Anna Nicole Smith, which to be honest felt exactely the same. They both played it too safe for its content. I have always been interested in Lizzie Borden and it blows my mind that even after over 120 years people are still as well. Worth checking out for the performances, if you expect a TV watered down version of the topic.

Official Premise: On a scorching, hot summer day in 1892 in Fall River, Massachusetts, Lizzie Borden (Ricci) returns home to the house she shares with her father Andrew, stepmother Abby and sister Emma (DuVall). But, unlike any normal day, Lizzie encounters the bloody scene of her parents violently murdered. Police quickly question multiple suspects in town, but evidence keeps pointing back to the Borden’s youngest daughter Lizzie, the seemingly wholesome Sunday school teacher, as the prime suspect. Lizzie?s lawyer, Andrew Jennings (Campbell), proclaims her innocence arguing that it is inconceivable a woman could commit the heinous crime of brutally murdering her family with an ax. Or is it? Lizzie is put on trial for the murders, both in the courtroom and in the press, sparking a widespread debate about her culpability. As the case rages on, the courtroom proceedings fuel an enormous amount of sensationalized stories and headlines in newspapers throughout the country, forever leaving Lizzie Borden’s name in infamy.

The best thing about this film is no question Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Christina Ricci (TV’s “Pan Am”). She really gets behind Lizzie and nails the role. She is also backed with a great supporting cast including Golden Globe Nominee Billy Campbell (TV’s “Helix”) and Clea DuVall (“Argo”). Unfortunately, the cast cannot make up for the lacking wow factor that this film does not possess. Either way, this film was a huge success like “Anna Nicole”, when it original aired on January 25, 2014 bringing in 4.4 million viewers and making it the night’s number-one telecast among all key demographics. So like it or not, expect more films like this from this station in the near future. No special features at all are included on this DVD.

Starring: Andrew Jacobs
Director: Christopher Landon
Rated: R / Unrated
Studio: Paramount
DVD Release Date: April 8, 2014
Run Time: 84 / 100 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

By this time you are either a hardcore fan of the “Paranormal Activity” series or you are absolutely tired of it. There is no middle ground. “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones” is the fifth film in the series and the first spin-off (even though it does touch quite a bit on the first four films). Personally, I thought that “The Marked Ones” was one of my favorites in the series. It was very clever how it weaves into the story of the other films in the series without directly being involved. There are some good jumps in the film as well and it is quite creepy. With “Paranormal Activity 5” coming out this October, I can’t wait to see where they are going to go next with the series now.

Official Premise: Another instalment of the widely successful ‘found footage’ horror franchise. This time, we follow a young Latin American, Jessie (Andrew Jacobs), who begins experiencing a number of disturbing and unexplainable things after the death of his neighbor. Quick to investigate, it isn’t long before Jessie finds he’s been marked for possession by a malevolent demonic entity, and it’s only a matter of time before he is completely under its control…

“Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones” is being released as a combo pack including Blu-ray + DVD + HD Digital UltraViolet copy. There are two different cuts of the film included on the Blu-ray, the theatrical version of the film, as well as an extended, unrated cut. Personally, I was very impressed with the unrated cut because it incorporates over 15 minutes of new footage. Usually “unrated cuts” come with like a minute or two of scenes but this one has some solid content. The 1080p transfer works for the most part since the film is very dark and shot with that found footage feel. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track works for the scares. There is not a lot in the special features department besides some more additional found footage not seen in theaters.

Starring: Jude Law, Richard E. Grant, Demian Bichir, Emilia Clarke
Directed By: Richard Shepard
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 93 minutes

Our Score: 2 out of 5 Stars

Jude Law struts and blusters around the screen as a Cockney safecracker who’s just been released after twelve years in prison in Richard Shepard’s Dom Hemingway. The title character makes for a lot of fun and a surprising performance from Law however it’s undercut by an episodic script that doesn’t really know what to do with all its characters, least of all Dom.

Dom’s angry that he’s spent so much time in jail but his objections are foggy from the get go. Immediately he beats the bloody pulp out of his dead wife’s second husband, but then he’s remorseful over being estranged from his daughter (Emilia Clarke), but then that thread is dropped so he might go off and attain reparations for his prison time spent protecting crime boss, Mr. Fontaine (Demian Bichir, who is no more threatening than Dos Equis’s Most Interesting Man in the World character). But first Dom must go on a three day binge of coke and hookers.

Like most things in Dom’s life, his meeting with Mr. Fontaine goes awfully and is spent alternately yelling at the crime boss for money while lusting after his girlfriend and then apologizing for the yelling and the lusting at the behest of Dom’s partner in crime, Dickie (a wonderful Richard E Grant whose judgmental looks deserved more screen time.) This meeting features some of the film’s highlights including Grant chasing a nude Law through an orchard and a spectacularly over the top car crash scene that the remainder of the film can’t live up to.

For some reason the car crash is the near-death experience that rewires Dom into wanting to make amends with his daughter. It’s here where the movie is most problematic as it attempts to balance the deadbeat father-daughter dynamic with the larger than life criminal who’s more compelling when behaving badly. Additionally, it’s hard to believe that this character hasn’t had many near-death experiences in his mess of a life so what made this one so different? The film’s never quite clear on this and an outrageous sequence where Dom attempts to regain his safecracking infamy doesn’t help sell the angle that Dom would ever make good on going straight for his family’s sake. Shepard appears to think that the mere fact that Dom has a dead wife and an estranged daughter is reason enough for the audience’s sympathy without doing anything to actually earn it.

In speaking about Only Lovers Left Alive– which seems to occur often since posting my NYFF review of the film. I usually compliment the distinctive world that director Jim Jarmusch created for his vampires Adam and Eve. This audience sentiment may have reached the director’s ears because on Tuesday night in New York, Jarmusch hosted a screening along with an immersive after party and concert to celebrate the movie’s limited US release on April 11th.

Having already staged similar events in London and Paris, the film took over the entirety of NYC’s Landmark Sunshine Cinema. The theater’s hallways were darkened and lit only through projections of dried blood. Audience members were encouraged to wear sunglasses and gloves in keeping with Adam and Eve’s costuming which made for a striking movie line on the not-so-sunny New York afternoon.

After enjoying the screening of the film, the audience moved a short walk away to Santos Party House where guests were welcomed by staff members in Adam’s “Dr. Faust” scrubs offering a spicy taste of blood at the door. The lower level featured a dj who played a mix honoring the film’s Detroit roots. Exciting for film fans in other areas of the floor, you could visit recreations of Adam and Eve’s rooms.

Heading upstairs was the concert of artists from the film’s soundtrack. Film composer Jozef Van Wissem took the stage first on the lute, eventually joined by the beautiful vocals of Zola Jesus.

The highlight for me was second act, Yasmine Hamdam. In the film, the Lebanese artist entrances Tom Hiddleston’s Adam in a small club in Tangiers and she had a similar effect on this crowd with her powerhouse singing.

Next came what can only be described as the intergalactic rock of White Hills which got the most excited response from the audience. Finally Jarmusch with his band SQÜRL took the stage and it was thrilling to hear, among other tracks, the film’s signature theme “The Taste of Blood” performed live just hours after the film’s credits had rolled.

…………

Should this concert make its way to more US cities, definitely check it out. In the meantime, Only Lovers Left Alive opens in New York and LA on April 11th in the meantime you can check out the film’s newest trailer below:

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Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, John Carroll Lynch, Harve Presnell
Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: MGM
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Run Time: 99 minutes

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

Anytime, I watch “Fargo” it never ceases to amaze me. The film is so dark, yet at the same time SO funny. You are just sitting on your couch going “What the hell just happened”, disgusted yet laughing. It has been a few years since I saw it but it is still as good as always. Since MGM is celebrating its 90th Anniversary, they are re-releasing this Blu-ray but as a brand new remastered edition. If you are not aware this was already released on Blu-ray in 2009 and 2011, but with great results. But this new remastered edition looks even better. Now, if you compare it to MGM’s also recently re-released “Robocop”, it is not as impressive since that was a 4K transfer upgrade. If you never owned this film before, this version is definitely the edition you want. If you already own this I would really run out unless you are a HD video junkie and need that perfect transfer.

Official Premise: The “middle of nowhere” has never looked better in this new edition, now remastered for the best high-definition picture yet! In this film Nominated for seven Oscars things go terribly awry when small-time Minnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) hires two thugs (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife so he can collect the ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. Once people start dying, the very chipper and very pregnant Police Chief Marge (Frances McDormand) takes the case. Will she stop at nothing until she gets her man? You betcha.

When I looked back at my old 2009 Blu-ray, I did realize quite the improvement with the new remastered 1080p transfer. You can tell right from that amazing opening shot. The snowy world that engulfs the film looks much clearly and also sharper. When it comes to The Coen Brothers, you should expect specific choices for cinematography, kudos to  Roger Deakins. This film is really a great example of a fantastic well-shot film presented perfectly on Blu-ray. In terms of audio tracks, this Blu-ray re-uses the same DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track from the previous disc, but that doesn’t mean it is bad. The previous releases have sounded quite amazing, specifically Carter Burwell’s score which is outstanding.

I was hoping for something new in the special features department but what we get here is the same extras from the previously Blu-ray’s, which then was also a straight port from the DVD version.  There is an audio commentary track from director of photography Roger Deakins, if you enjoyed the cinematography like I did then this is a great track. There are a few featurettes “Minnesota Nice” and “Trivia Nice”. Lastly, there is an “Article from American Cinematographer” and a theatrical trailer, TV spot and photo gallery included. If there was a little more in this department, this would would have been a must-upgrade for any fan for sure.

Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Hopkins
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hours 18 mins
Paramount

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

There are going to be three types of people showing up to the cinema to check out the new film “Noah.” First will be people who go to see the big movie-of-the-weekend with the big-name stars. Second will be those people expecting a Biblical tale. Third will be devout fans of filmmaker Darren Aronofsky. I am part of the third group.

I am also a fan of both Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly. Crowe first caught my interest in the mid-nineties with the film “Romper Stomper” while Jennifer Connelly was probably every young boy’s crush of the late-80‘s and 1990’s. However, even with their talent and pull, I don’t know if I would have even gone and seen this movie if it weren’t for its director and co-writer, Darren Aronofsky, whose career I’ve been following since his 1998 directorial debut “Pi.” I have been waiting for years for a major studio to give him a large budget and let him unleash the undeniable talent that he has. And, with “Noah,” a studio finally has.

Those in tune with Aronofsky’s style and previous work could easily see this as a tonal prequel to his 2006 film “The Fountain.” There is a similar visual style at work here as well as the concept of the story. Aronofsky co-wrote “The Fountain” with Ari Handel, with whom also co-wrote this film.

“Noah” is an epic tale, with grand landscapes and fantastic visual effects (for the most part). Yet the story relies mainly on the humanization of the Noah character. As we all know the story of Noah, one doesn’t need to rehash it. This story brings Noah into human form and shows that he isn’t all-knowing and miraculous; rather he is shown as flawed and in constant struggle. Crowe does an excellent job at making you fall for his compassion and sincerity. In due time he is also able to make you fear him and root for him to change his mind. This is certainly one of the better performances he has given in years. It’s worth calling to attention that this is the second time that Russell Crowe has performed opposite Jennifer Connelly. They are husband and wife here, just as they were in 2001’s “A Beautiful Mind,” a film that earned them both Academy Award nominations, with Connelly taking home the Oscar for BestSupporting Actress. Here their characters are quite believable and have an obvious chemistry.

They seem to draw great performances out of one another. The same can be said of the team of Aronofsky and Connelly. This is their second film together, after working previously on 2000’s “Requiem for a Dream.” For reasons only known to the filmmakers, for a majority of the film Connelly’s role seemed to be that of turning to the camera and showing awe or concern. I feared she was going to be underused in the film, until the third act when she steps forward and gives one of the most compelling performances of the film. Hopefully another Oscar nomination will come her way next award season.

The final positive I have for this film is the beautiful-yet-haunting score by Clint Mansell. Like the film itself the music blends well with his score for “The Fountain.” It is powerful, operatic, and seems made to be played against the backdrop of Matthew Libatique’s beautiful cinematography.

If there are any negatives here they are small. One is the composition of the visual effects. The effects themselves are fine but they do not blend well with the live-action shots. I blame this mostly on the clarity of digital projection. Film grain, in the past, helped blend the seams a little better. While most of the visual effects shots were epic and powerful, a few were too noticeable and brought me out of the moment. The second negative is the story structure. While the writing itself was fine, it sometimes came across as a little cliché’; you could almost feel some sort of studio influence at hand.

That being said, “Noah” is a film that should be seen on the big screen with the hope that it will be remembered next award season

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Actors: Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Kevin Hart, Kim Basinger, Alan Arkin
Directors: Peter Segal
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: April 8, 2014
Run Time: 113 minutes

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

Who doesn’t want to see Rocky Balboa go head-to-head with Jake La Motta? Stallone and De Niro are both aging stars but they still have a lot of punch left in them. This is a great match up and a really entertaining film. I think it was overlooked and not given the time of day since it came out during a busy holiday season but if you love these actors then this film is a blast to watch. Plus it packs a fantastic supporting cast including Alan Arkin, Kevin Hart, Jon Bernthal and Kim Basinger. I would recommend getting in the ring with these guys since you will get into extra rounds for sure.

Official Premise: Two retired boxers, Billy “The Kid” McDonnen (De Niro) and Henry “Razor” Sharp (Stallone), have a thirty year-old grudge which has never subsided. The cause of their bad blood? Razor retired the night before a crucial title match, destroying both mens’ careers in the process. Time passes. One boxer becomes a rich playboy, the other lives a modest life. Now they have an opportunity to even the score with one last match.

Warner Brothers delivered another great Blu-ray for “Grudge Match” with this combo pack including Blu-ray + DVD + HD Digital Ultraviolet copy. This is becoming the norm with their films and I loved it. The 1080p transfer is rock solid and really captures the action in and out of the ring with this film. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track also doesn’t miss a punch. It is right there ringside and delivers all the action.

There special features are solid like the film. I just would have loved a commentary track to accompany this film afterwards. “The Bull & The Stallion” talks about teaming up these legendary actors together. “In the Ring with Kevin Hart” is Kevin Hart being Kevin Hart and stealing the show. “Ringside with Tyson & Holyfield” features these also legendary fighters giving their commentary. “Blow for Blow with Larry Holmes: Kevin Hart Unedited” is another great feature with the comedian. Lastly there is an Alternate Opening and also Alternate Endings with an Introduction by Peter Segal and finally some Additional Deleted Scenes included.

Own “GRUDGE MATCH” on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on 4/8

Actors: Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom
Directors: Peter Jackson
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: New Line Home Video
DVD Release Date: April 8, 2014
Run Time: 161 minutes

Film: 4.5 out of 5 stars
3D: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

Despite what anyone says, I loved “The Desolation Of Smaug”. I was literally unable to blink during this film. I have people backing me as well. My wife (unlike myself) was not a huge fan of “An Unexpected Journey” yet she also loved this film. I thought it was a action packed thrilling fantasy adventure ride through Jackson’s Middle-earth. I am literally counting down the days till the conclusion film to the trilogy “There and Back Again”. I agree compared to the book, this trilogy might be a little stretched out but as a fan of Jackson’s Rings trilogy. I just want more. I would definitely recommend this theatrical cut on Blu-ray, especially in 3D. I stress theatrical cut because we all know that there will be an extended cut released this Fall to time with theatrical release of “There and Back Again”. Still though, this is no question of my favorite films of 2013.

Official Premise: “The Desolation of Smaug” continues the adventure of Bilbo Baggins (Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (McKellan) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Armitage), on an epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company travels East, encountering along the way skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant spiders in the treacherous forest of Mirkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous Wood-elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all–a creature more terrifying than any other; one which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself: the dragon Smaug (Cumberbatch).

Warner Brothers really delivered an amazing release for “The Desolation of Smaug” with a combo pack including a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + HD Digital UltraViolet copy. The film is much darker in color and tone compared to “An Unexpected Journey” but I think that the 1080p transfer really looks even better than the first film. The 3D transfer particularly stands out for me. When I saw “An Unexpected Journey”, I thought it had a few great 3D moments but this film really stepped it up a notch. Just seeing Smaug in 3D is worth the purchase alone. What is also good is that the film also plays well in 2D as well. I think that is not the case always and a real bonus. Now concerning the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track, it is absolutely flawless. The action is perfectly toned and the score is well-balanced. I had the picture framed on the walls shaking with this release. Highly recommended.

When it comes to the special features, like “An Unexpected Journey” theatrical cut Blu-ray as well, I am left wanting more. I guess we will all have to wait till the extended edition release to get some real special features. “Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set” is a two part look into the behind-the-scenes on this production. There are four Production Videos featurettes including “Introduction to Pick-Ups Shooting,” “Recap of Pick-Ups, Part 1,” “Recap of Pick-Ups, Part 2” and “Music Scoring.” “Live Event: In the Cutting Room” is a recording of the March 2013 worldwide live event where Jackson answered fans questions and gave a tour of his production facilities. “New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth, Part 2” gives a follow up look into the locations. Lastly there are Trailers & Previews and Music Video for “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran.

Own “THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG” Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo pack, Blu-ray Combo pack, 2-disc DVD special edition, and Digital HD on 4/8

Starring: Jason Bateman and Rohan Chand
Directed by: Jason Bateman
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 29 mins
Focus Features

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Guy Trilby (Bateman) is a man with a dream. That dream is to be named the best speller in America. And what better way to prove your skills than at the annual Golden Quill Spelling Bee? The only problem: Guy is 45 years old.

In a very strong directorial debut, Jason Bateman gives a change of pace performance as a spoiled man-child who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal. Finding a loophole in the rules, which states that no contestant can compete if they have graduated 8th grade, Bateman completely leaves behind the gentle “everyman” persona he’s made a career out of playing in everything from ”Arrested Development” to “Identity Thief.” Whether it’s convincing a fellow contestant that he’s just had sex with his mother or threatening to physically assault a girl contestant, Bateman adds a new “trick” to his overloaded bag of comic goodies.

Equally good is the supporting cast, headed up by eight year old Rohan Chand as a little boy who, despite his best intentions, ends up bonding with guy. That the boy and his father may be just as dastardly as Guy is one of the comic highlights of the film. Other strong supporting work is turned in by Kathryn Hahn as the reporter who sponsors Guy’s attempt, Allison Janey as the “Bee” overseer and the great Phillip Baker Hall as the long time educator who will stop at nothing to keep the spelling bee scandal free.

As a director, Bateman knows how to tell a story and, more importantly, how to pace the comedy so, when it’s at its best, it just flows smoothly across the screen. In a word, “Bad Words” is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!

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Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington and Olivia Williams
Directed By: David Ayer
Rated: R
Running Time: 109 Minutes
Open Road Films

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

First thing I did when I got home from this movie was Google Arnold Schwarzenegger’s age. At this point in life I’m just hoping to look half as fit as he does at 66. In fact I should pray I live that long. The reason that bit of insignificant trivia was at the forefront of my mind is because he can still be a believable action star. After watching ‘Sabotage’, I believe that Schwarzenegger can pull off the lead in as many violent movies he wants to for the next decade. It’s too bad this potential return to form was sabotaged by an obnoxious cast of characters.

Breacher (Schwarzenegger) leads an underground group of mercenary-style DEA agents in a Cartel bust that goes bad when $10 million goes missing by the end of the mission. As much as it would help to visualize my complaints, I don’t feel like rattling off the seven crass biped creatures that make up his squad. They each carry around their own undesirable traits and probably still laugh at their own flatulence in the bathtub. After it becomes apparent that someone in this team has taken the money, the government takes it upon themselves to begin months of questioning and stalking that turns up nothing. But once the government gives up it’s investigation, things become complicated when it appears that the Cartel is now killing them one-by-one. Instead of the federal government becoming interested in an international criminal organization killing DEA agents, an Atlanta detective, Caroline (Williams) picks up an invested interest in the matter.

If it wasn’t for Schwarzenegger and Williams, I would have disliked everything. Despite tallying the highest kill count, Breacher feels like the most sane of the bunch. He seems to be the only one of the group that doesn’t abuse drugs, have a bipolar disorder and is able to carry a civil conversation that doesn’t involve constantly referring to the inquisitive Caroline as a stripper. His ensemble of commando DEA agents come off as a band of vulgar misfits that would much rather get in a fight in the strip club than worry too much about who’s picking them off systematically. I was hoping that the mystery murderers would at least speed up the process.

‘Sabotage’ is mild on the action, but shockingly heavy on the gore. I would have enjoyed more shootouts over people being disgustingly nailed to ceilings and bloated corpses wrapped in chicken wire. This movie goes with a mystery/thriller angle, but falls short of materializing any suspense or intrigue. I’m suppose to be on the edge of my seat with bated breath, but the juggling act of drama, suspense and action has them dropping the ball on multiple occasions instead of performing a trifecta in the genre department.

Despite the ineffective writing I did find myself entertained, but only when Schwarzenegger was realizing not everything has to be delivered in a stone cold tone and when detective Caroline entered a scene equipped with comebacks and pleasantries. I have to touch on these two again because they had a surprising chemistry. Even when the script finally calls for them to “do the deed,” it doesn’t feel forced, but more like a natural comedic break that allows for plot to move forward. Let’s just hope someone realizes Schwarzenegger’s talents are alive and well and shouldn’t be wasted as the sands of time slowly tick away.

Starring: Mae Whitman, Christina Hendricks, Tom Hiddleston, Lucy Liu, Raven-Symoné, Megan Hilty
Director: Peggy Holmes
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: April 1, 2014
Run Time: 90 minutes

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

“The Pirate Fairy” is the latest entry in the Tinker Bell led “Disney Fairies” direct-to-video CG-animated movie series. The last one “Secret of the Wings” was one of my favorites and was also in amazing 3D. This one has last that added dimension but is still an amazing film. It introduces us to a new strong female lead fairy Zarina (voiced of Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men”) and also a captain boy named James (voice of Tom Hiddleston aka Marvel’s Loki)…hint hint who could be hooked to become a captain. These films are very cute and fun as well. My daughter is nearly two and she absolutely loves the Disney Fairies, especially Tinker Bell. I mean what girl doesn’t? This series is great for them and I hope that Disney continues these forever!

Official Premise: From the world of Peter Pan comes The Pirate Fairy, a swashbuckling new adventure about Zarina (voice of Christina Hendricks), a smart and ambitious dust-keeper fairy who’s captivated by Blue Pixie Dust and its endless possibilities. When Zarina’s wild ideas get her into trouble, she flees Pixie Hollow and joins forces with the scheming pirates of Skull Rock, who make her captain of their ship. Tinker Bell (voice of Mae Whitman) and her friends must embark on an epic adventure to find Zarina, and together they go sword-to-sword with the band of pirates led by a cabin boy named James (voice of Tom Hiddleston), who’ll soon be known as Captain Hook, himself.

Disney released this film with a combo pack including a Blu-ray + DVD + HD Digital copy. Since Disney has started their own streaming online service, I have been loving this option. I hope they make an Android app sooner than later…not everyone has an Apple product Disney! The 1080p transfer is mind-blowing. The detail and work that must go into these films must be ridiculous. They create this world in these films and it looks so beautiful and magically. The colors are so vibrant and feel so fresh. If that wasn’t enough this Blu-ray comes with an outstanding DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, that’s right 7.1. Since this film is more action based, it is very impressive.

The Blu-ray is also packed with great special features both for kids and the adults. “Second Star to the Right: The Legacy of Never Land” gives you the chance to explore Never Land’s history and its endless ability to inspire. “The Making of ‘The Frigate That Flies'” takes you behind-the-scenes with Tom Hiddleston at the song recording. “Croc-u-mentary” is a funny documentary about the character “Crocky”. Lastly, there are some Deleted Scenes and Sing-Along Songs included rounding out the extras. Fans of this series should really enjoy these extras after the film.

Author: Charles Solomon
Series: Disney Editions Deluxe
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Disney Editions
Release Date: April 8, 2014

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

What kid didn’t grow up reading Disney Golden Books? These little books have such memories for me, I can always remember great times picking them up at the supermarket and reading them on the way home…and then over and over. “The Art of the Disney Golden Books” does not only deliver pristine and gorgeous art from these books they also provide a lot of history on these books. In fact, they started all the way back in 1933. Ranging from past classics “101 Dalmatians” to “Peter Pan” to “Once Upon A Wintertime” to “Alice in Wonderland” (which I still have my original) to today’s classics like “Toy Story”, “Finding Nemo”, “Tangled” and even as recent as “Frozen”. This is a must own for anyone big or small to enjoy either for themselves or with their family.

Official Premise: The Art of the Disney Golden Books celebrates a legacy that has now thrived for more than eighty years and continues to influence new generations of artists and filmmakers. Through interviews with contemporary animators who recall tracing the characters in their childhood Disney Golden Books, paintings by artists who influenced and inspired the Disney Golden Book illustrations, and a generous complement of Golden Book artwork-much of which was thought to have been lost until very recently-the rich tradition of the series is explored in this vibrant volume.

Disney Press really delivered an amazing book here. I literally couldn’t put it down as I had to see what was coming next and wanted to read every fact given by author Charles Solomon. Some of his other books include “Tale As Old As Time: The Art and Making of Beauty and the Beast”, “Disney Lost and Found” and
“The Disney That Never Was”. So he has quite the history with the company. Some of the images in the book are such high quality and I love the fact that they are actual preview images, meaning they do not have any text included on them. It is really cool to see them presented in that way. Actually since I have read some of these numerous times, I found myself even able to fill in some blanks from memory.

The breakdown of the book is also very interesting. We start with the history of Golden Books, which is unbelievable interesting. Then we switch gears to beautiful art work and, most importantly, to the talented artists that have worked on these books. There is also great sections on the memories and influences for these titles. I think this one really hit home for me since I have such a connection with these books. There is focus on the new creations and past discoveries of characters found in the Golden Books as well from Rapunzel to “Peter and the Wolf”. The book closes out discussing the legacy of Golden Books and the future as well. Can’t wait to read this again and share these books with my own daughter.