Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Michael Shannon
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hrs 23 mins
Warner Brothers

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Warner Brothers has brought Superman back with the “Man of Steel” and it is better than ever. This movie will definitely revitalize the franchise. They obviously think so being that they already have “Man of Steel 2” in the works.

The movie starts out on Krypton with the birth of Kal-El. His father Jor-El (Russell Crowe) warns the planets elders of the destruction of their world which General Zod (Michael Shannon) interferes with. They did a great job showing more of life on Krypton and its technology. General Zod tried to convince Jor-El to join him but of course Jor-El refuses which leads to a good confrontation and build up.

Kal-El is sent to Earth to survive and give hope to the human race. We are now seeing a mature Kal-El aka Clark Kent living on earth trying to just blend in. Of course he gets pulled into doing some heroics which eventually leads him to look back on his life and the meaning of his existence. The way the mix the story of the young Clark Kent to the man he is in the film is very well done that it did not matter that we knew what was going to happen. Kevin Costner did an excellent job as Jonathan Kent even he didn’t have much screen time. It was just enough and not too much but did lay the ground work for Clark’s upbringing.

Lois Lane (Amy Adams) gets word of a mysterious person who saved people and follows the trail that will eventually lead to the Man Of Steel. I feel that their relationship was quick and didn’t build on it much and could have used more time. Now let’s get to Michael Shannon as General Zod. He did an amazing job and was very scary. You can reason with and see why he is so angry. After all he just wants to preserve the Kryptonian way of life.

Last but not least let’s talk about Henry Cavill as the Man of Steel. He has a very good strong presence about him and showed some good emotion as a being from another planet just trying to blend in with the world. Throughout the movie he is called Clark Kent or Kal-El. They did not call him Superman except for once in the movie.

The fights scenes were great and definitely worthy of the Man of Steel. They were fast, strong, and powerful. The special effects were great and smooth. I was able to see it in 3D and felt that it didn’t add anything to the movie but it didn’t take away from it either. At the end of the movie after the final confrontation my mouth just dropped and didn’t believe what I saw. This is a must see and I do not believe that the Superman fans will be disappointed.

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogan and James Franco
Directed By Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogan
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 47 mins
Columbia

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

The directorial debut of Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogan gives us a clever and interesting combination of a comedy and action movie. With so many movies made every year, very rarely does an original one come along that isn’t a sequel or based off of a book or comic strip. This film, in my opinion, is a truly original and well made comedy.

When old friends Jay and Seth get together to take a long needed vacation from their normal Hollywood lives they experience something neither of them ever expected. After a day comprised of “stoner” activities, Seth invites Jay along with him to a party at James Franco’s house. Though Jay is at first reluctant to attend he gives in a tags along.

At the party is Jason Segal, Emma Watson, Rhianna, and a cocaine snorting Michael Cera. We’re also introduced to pretty much everyone who appeared in “Superbad,” “Pineapple Express” and “Knocked Up.” As with most gatherings of friends, soon the time comes to cut on each other and there are some great one liners through out the whole party. Still feeling a little out of place Jay asks Seth to run with him to the gas station to get a drink. What they witness on their journey will change their lives. After feeling what they think is an earthquake, they are surprised by blue lights that come from the sky. They are genuinely frightened when the witness people being sucked up into Heaven. The Rapture has begun. Freaked out they run back to the party to explain what they have seen and to see who has been “taken” at the party. They are surprised to see that the party is going on and no one knows what they are talking about. It’s Hollywood, so of course there aren’t any pure souls at the party. Soon an actual earthquake opens up a hole into hell where all perish except our group of main characters.

Now barricaded in Franco’s house tensions are high and survival is the mine set. With the end of the world upon them they reason that things can’t get any worse. Enter Danny McBride. His on-screen appearance is one of the funniest scenes I have witnessed in recent memory. We learn alot about the characters here from a quick rundown of what Danny thought happened the night before. Being the badass he is, McBride relates that he was in a drunk and stoned oblivion and is completely ignorant of the previous night’s events. Now with the full crew here we get a lot of “Funny or Die” scenes based on booze, foul language, sex jokes and getting high. One would think after a disaster like this you would want to find help and get rescued. But, for this group of guys, it becomes a reason to make their own drug induced sequel to “Pineapple Express.”

This film is all comedy, some action, a little faith and a lot of laughs. The relationships we see through out the film are part of the laughs. James Franco has a weird bro love for Seth Rogan, where Rogan wants to be the best he can be for Franco because, well, he IS James Franco. Jay is a small town actor who likeed Seth the way he was while Jonah Hill and Jay, the two most likeable people in the group’s circle, absolutely hate each other. With a passion I might add.

21 Days is a new psychological horror flick in the wave of the Found Footage genre and it’s being produced by the team who created the disturbing Spanish film Atrocious in 2011; Fernando Barreda Luna and Jessica Villegas. This time they are partners with Writer/Director Kathleen Behun, to bring this terrifying and intense ride that promises to chill the nerves of all the genre fans. “The script is very creepy and full of suspense. I think we are crafting something very perverse” – Fernando Luna. The premise runs around a presumed haunted house which no one has been able to live in more than 21 days. The website will explore more the mythology that surrounds this story. The project has started Pre-­‐Production and plans to be completed in the Fall.

Synopsis: Three filmmakers embark on a paranormal challenge by barricading themselves in a house so haunted, no family has been able to live in more than 21 days, in order to film the supernatural phenomena which presumably occur… but nothing can prepare them for the evil that lies in wait… There are some places so dark, so evil, where no human-­‐ no living thing-­‐ should dwell…

Title: 21 Days
Year of Production: 2013
Writer/Director: Kathleen Behun
Cast: TBD
Producers: Kathleen Behun, Jessica Villegas, Fernando Barreda Luna
Company: TORTILLA FLATS PRODUCTIONS, NOPAL ARMY PRODUCTIONS
Website: www.21daysthefilm.com

More information will be released as the production continues development

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When you Starring: Henry Thomas, Jesse James, Fred Dalton Thompson, Kaley Cuoco, Stephen Tobolowsky, Ray McKinnon
Director: Harry Thomason
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Run Time: 106 minutes

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

When you think of country music, it is hard not to think about Hank Williams. He will always be considered one of the most legendary country artists of all-time.  This little indie features a pretty impressive cast including Henry Thomas (“E.T.”), Jesse James (“Jumper”), Kaley Cuoco (“The Big Bang Theory”), Fred Dalton Thompson (“Law & Order”) and Stephen Tobolowsky (“Groundhog Day”). The cast does what they can from the fairly weak script. I don’t think that this is going to convert people to listen to country music but definitely worth checking out if you are a fan.

Official Premise: Based on the controversial life story of singer-songwriter, Hank Williams, THE LAST RIDE tells the powerful tale of country music’s original bad boy. The man, the myth and the music come together when Williams travels from Alabama to a series of New Years shows in West Virginia and Ohio. This remarkable journey leads straight into the heart and soul of the legendary performer…as he takes one last shot at redemption. Featuring all-new versions of Hank Williams’ greatest songs, this emotional tale of hope and truth is one you’ll never forget.

The Blu-ray presentation is impressive despite the low-budget of the film.  The 1080p transfer is not going to win any awards but its delivers a clear presentation.  Of course when it comes to Hank Williams, the music is key.  So the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is quite impressive and delivers the tunes quite well. In terms of special features there is only one extra included, which is a short featurette titled “A Look Inside The Last Ride”. I would have loved to seen more in this department. Commentary tracks would have been a nice bonus.

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Thirteen’s the Lucky Number for Horror Fans When…

FRIDAY THE 13^TH: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION
Debuts on Blu-ray™ Friday the 13^th of September

All 12 films from Warner Bros. and Paramount in One “Horrific” Collection for the First Time 

10-Disc Set Includes 7 Blu-ray Debuts, 11 Hours of Extra Content in Collectible Tin Packaging, 40-page Book with Behind-The-Scenes Photos, Camp Crystal Lake Counselor Patch and More 

Burbank, Calif., June 11, 2013 – On September 13th, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will provide plenty of blood-curdling thrills when Friday The 13th: The Complete Collection debuts on Blu-ray™. For the first time, all twelve Friday the 13th films will be packaged together, (with seven of them making Blu-ray debuts) as a result of a strategic distribution alliance between Paramount and Warner announced last fall, granting Warner exclusive video distribution rights to over 600 Paramount titles. The set also includes a Friday The 13th Killer Extras Bonus DVD.

This intense ‘slasher’ series is one of the longest-running and most successful horror franchises in film history, surpassing the domestic theatrical box-office grosses of such legendary series as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.The film that turned psycho killer Jason Voorhees and his infamous hockey mask into a pop culture icon has also bested the horror competition as the #1 home entertainment seller, with total sales of $119.7M to date.

The 10-disc collection ($129.95 SRP) includes the twelve films on nine Blu-ray discs, as well as a killer DVD bonus disc full of special features on the making of the famous franchise. The must-own set will be presented in a collectible tin case with 11 hours of previously released special features and a 40-page soft cover book. The book is excerpted from Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday The 13^th, a fan-favorite volume that’s viewed as the ultimate memoir of the series, and highlights some of the 200 interviews, 600 photos, storyboards, concept art and more. Also included is a brand new, official Camp Crystal Lake embroidered Counselor Patch.

Friday The 13^th: The Complete Collection also includes digital versions of all 12 films with UltraViolet™, allowing viewers to download and instantly stream the films to a wide range of devices from computers and compatible tablets to smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players.

One of the most frightening franchises in film history, Friday The 13^th focuses primarily on the character of Jason Voorhees, who drowned as a young child at Camp Crystal Lake due to the inattentiveness of camp counselors. Many years later, the camp becomes the scene of a number of murders – all of which are either committed or motivated by the avenging Jason, who forever lurks at Crystal Lake with his finely-honed machete.

Films in the Collection include:

• Disc 1 – Friday the 13th (1980) 
• Disc 2 – Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
• Disc 3 – Friday the 13th Part 3 in 3D (1982)
• Disc 4 – Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) NEW TO BLU-RAY
• Disc 5 – Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985) / Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)  NEW TO BLU-RAY
• Disc 6 – Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) / Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)  NEW TO BLU- RAY
• Disc 7 – Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993) / Jason X (2002) NEW TO BLU-RAY
• Disc 8 – Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
• Disc 9 – Friday the 13th (2009) (Theatrical Version and “Killer Cut” Extended Version)
• Disc 10 – Killer Bonus DVD Disc

Friday The 13^th: The Complete Collection (BD) 
Street Date: September 13, 2013

Order Due Date: August 9, 2013

Rating: R

Pricing: $129.95 SRP

Cat. #:  1000408970

About Warner Home Video: 
With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc., commands the largest home entertainment distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Video and New Line Cinema.

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees, as well as directly to consumers through WBShop.com and WB Ultra.

**About UltraViolet

UltraViolet allows you to collect, watch and share movies and TV shows in a whole new way. Available with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs, DVDs and Digital Downloads, UltraViolet lets you create a digital collection of movies and TV shows. Services such as Flixster and VUDU allow you to instantly stream and download UltraViolet content across a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players. Restrictions and limitations apply. Go to ultraviolet.flixster.com/info for details. For more information on compatible devices go to www.wb.com/ultravioletdevices.

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The Doobie Brothers: Live at Wolf Trap
Blu-ray (also available on DVD, CD, and vinyl)
Eagle Vision
Total Running Time: 166 minutes (including extras)

Our Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

From the opening motorcycle revving to the closing bows, “The Doobie Brothers: Live at Wolf Trap” makes a solid two-hour case for why the Doobies stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the greatest bands of the classic rock era. The two-hour show is packed with iconic hits that never seem dated: “Long Train’ Runnin’”, “Take Me In Your Arms”, “Jesus is Just Alright”, “Black Water” – the list goes on and on. Filmed in 2004 at Virginia’s Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, the band immediately launches into a groove that combines elements of rock, country, bluegrass, blues in a way that is always appealing and flat-out fun. And, as the closing credits roll, one question is clear: Why aren’t the Doobie Brothers in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?  They’re looooong overdue.

The 2004 Tommy Johnston-led line-up draws almost exclusively from the band’s LPs from the 70’s that featured Johnston on lead vocals and guitar. Songs from the considerably mellower Michael McDonald era of the 1980’s are almost entirely absent – a respectable move given that McDonald’s “ya mo’ be there” vocal is such an inseparable earworm trademark. The sole McDonald track performed at the Wolf Trap – “Takin’ It to the Streets” – is handled vocally by founding Doobie, Pat Simmons, and the Brothers’ touring bassist, Skylark. The result is a live version that is equally as good if not better than the original version. It also provides the energetic bassist some center stage time that he so richly deserves. In fact, if there’s an intoxicatingly awesome performance to watch on this disc, it’s his.

Despite the fact that the concert is from almost a decade ago and has been available on DVD for  nearly as long, it truly shines on this first-ever Blu-ray issue given that the show was filmed using 10 high-definition cameras. While the overall program does suffer some from rapid-fire editing, the picture is always crisp and clean and the colors are perfectly balanced. The disc defaults to a LPCM stereo audio track that often buries the lead vocals so much that they’re almost inaudible in various spots. Switching over to the vastly superior DTS Master HD mix provides a much more even mix that utilizes the surround channels very effectively.

The disc also suffers from other technical issues that should have been corrected before this disc made it to market. The biggest problem is the extreme difference in sound levels between the live concert itself and the bonus features that are included, which include “backstage pass interviews” (which is more-or-less a sampler from the “Listen to the Music” documentary released late last year) and interactive links that appear during the concert that allow the viewer to jump into interview segments that directly pertain to the song being performed. While this audio glitch isn’t a big deal for the former, it’s hugely frustrating to have to crank up the volume to hear what Johnston and Simmons are saying and then, as a result, return to the concert footage now at deafeningly-loud sound levels. Some simple equalization and basic mixing would have gone a long way. It’s also somewhat annoying that the distracting talking head icons that appear at the bottom left corner of the screen to indicate the availability of the in-concert interview clips can’t be turned off completely.

Technical issues aside (they’re the only reason I’m docking this one by a full star), this is an amazing disc that showcases a legendary band in peak form. Now 40+ years on down the track, the Doobie Brothers’ long train is still runnin’ as strong and as powerful as ever.

Actors: Bill Cosby
Number of discs: 15
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Shout! Factory
DVD Release Date: June 25, 2013
Run Time: 2340 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

If you were an adult or kid in the 70-80′s then you should be aware of “Fat Albert” and the man behind the show Bill Cosby. And no I don’t mean the terrible 2004 live-action film. Bill Cobsy is one of the greatest comedians of our time. Kids these days most likely will not recognize him since he hasn’t done much in the last decade or so. Well, I remember the “Fat Albert” original animated series growning up and it is a riot. Finally, thanks to Shout! Factory we can own the complete series, which includes the best original 36 1972-75 Episodes, all 24 1979-81 episodes and all 50 1984 episodes. If you are a fan of this show and looking to take a trip down memory lane then this would be the set for you to purchase.

Official Premise: Premiering in 1972 on CBS this classic animated series was created, produced and hosted by comedian Bill Cosby, who also lent his voice to a number of characters, including Fat Albert himself. The show, based on Cosby’s remembrances of his childhood gang, focused on the lovable, oversized Albert and his friends. The show always had an educational lesson emphasized by Cosby’s live-action segments, and the gang would usually gather in their North Philadelphia junkyard to play a rock song on their cobbled-together instruments at the end of the show.

“Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” Season 1 from 1972 contains the following 16 episodes: “Lying”, “The Runt”, “The Stranger”, “Creativity”, “Fish Out of Water”, “Moving”, “Playing Hookey”, “The Hospital”, “Begging Benny”, “The Hero”, “The Prankster”, “Four Eyes”, “The Tomboy”, “Stagefright”, “The Bully” and “Smart Kids”. Season 2 from 1973 contains the following 5 episodes: “Mister Big Timer”, “The Newcomer”, “What Does Dad Do?”, “Mom or Pop” and “How the West Was Lost”. Lastly, we get season 3 from 1975 contains 15 episodes including “Sign Off”, “The Fuzz”, 3 Ounce of Prevention, “Fat Albert Meets Dan Cupid”, “Take Two, They’re Small”, “The Animal Lover”, “Little Tough Guy”, “Smoke Gets in Your Hair”, “What Say?”, “Readin’ Ritin’, and Rudy”, “Suede Simpson”, “Little Business”, “TV or Not TV”, “The Shuttered Window” and “Junk Food”.

Next up we have “The New Fat Albert Show” season 1 from 1979 with 8 episodes, including “In My Merry Busmobile”, “The Dancer”, “Spare the Rod Bucky, Weird Harold…”, “Sweet Sorror”, “Poll Time”, “The Mainstream”, “Free Ride” and “Soft Core”. The second season from 1980 is next with 8 episodes including “Pain, Pain Go Away”, “The Rainbow”, “The Secret”, “Easy Pickins”, “Good Ol’ Dudes”, “Heads Or Trails”, “Pot Of Gold” and “The Gunslinger”. The last was season 3 from 1981 with another 8 episodes, including “Habla Espanol”, “Two By Two”, “Barking Dog”, “Water Are You Waiting For?”, “The Father”, “Double Cross”, “Little Girl Found” and “Watch That First Step”

The last series included for this show is “Bill Cosby’s Fat Albert” from 1984 with another 50 episodes including “Have a Heart”, “Watch Thy Neighborhood”, “Cosby’s Classics”, “Justice Good as Ever”, “Rebop For Bebop”, “Sinister Stranger”, “Handwriting On the Wall”, “Busted”, “It All Ads Up”, “Never Say Never”, “Don’t Call Us”, “The Runner”, “Video Mania”, “You Gotta Have Art”, “Long Live the Queen”, ”The Joker”, “Second Chance”, “Kiss and Tell”, “Teenage Mom”, “Film Follies”, “Harvest Moon”, “Read Baby Read”, “The Whisky Kid”, “Millionaire Madness”, “Call of the Wild”, “Funny Business”, “Three Strikes and You’re In”, “What’s the ID?”, “Rules Is Cool”, “The Birds, the Bees, and Dumb Donald”, “Double Or Nothing”, “Hot Wheels”, “No Place Like Home”, “Not So Loud”, “The Jinx”, “You Don’t Say”, “Amiss With Amish”, “Gang Wars”, “Computer Caper”, “We All Scream For Ice Cream”, “Superdudes”, “Painting the Town”, Rudy and the Beast”, “Wheeler”, “Faking the Grade”, “Write On”, “Cable Caper”, “Say Uncle”, “No News Is Good News” and “Attitude of Gratitude”.

For episodes that range from 30-40 years old, these episodes looks damn good. They are presented in full frame and are well represented by Shout! Factory. If you didn’t think that 110 episodes were enough to leave you satisfied, there is still more in the special features. “Hey, Hey, Hey . . . It’s The Story Of Fat Albert” is solid hour long documentary on the show and it’s legacy. There are audio commentary tracks with Show Creator Bill Cosby, Storyboard Artists Michael Swanigan And Tom Tataranowicz, Writer Robby London And Host Wally Wingert, which are definitely worth checking out. Lastly there is a Still Gallery included, as well as DVD-ROM content with Script And Storyboards.

Lance Burton is one of the greatest stage Magicians of the past century. He has starred in numerous TV specials including “Lance Burton Magic Magician: The Legend Begins”, which aired in 1996 on NBC. His show “Lance Burton Master Magician” opened at the brand new Monte Carlo Hotel in the Lance Burton Theatre also in ’96. He has also performed over 15,000 shows throughout his 30-year career in Las Vegas. Today Lance Burton is happily retired and is currently working on a number of documentary and narrative film projects. Lance was also Magic Advisor on Disney’s “Oz The Great and Powerful” and taught magic to James Franco on the film. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Lance about his role on the film.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us how did you get involved with the production “Oz the Great and Powerful”?
Lance Burton: I got a call from Grant Curtis, one of the producers on “Oz”, a few years ago and he explained that they were doing. He told me about this character, which was a stage magician and they were looking for someone to help with the magic. So I asked for the script to see what they were talking about. I read it and I just fell in love with the project. I thought it was just fantastic. I flew out to Michigan where they had the operation setup and I met with Grant and Sam Raimi. Sam explain his concept of the film to me and introduced me to all the people involved with the film. From there we just went to work.

MG: How was it working with James Franco and teaching him some tricks?
LB: I met with James for a day or so and worked with him on a couple of slide of hand tricks, a couple of months out and I gave him some homework to do. Then we all moved out to Michigan. The good thing was that we had about two weeks before filming started to practice every day. So we had a regular rehearsal schedule to work on the magic that was going to be throughout the film. So since we had a couple of weeks before filming started, that became very valuable time. James didn’t have any prior education with magic but he is a fantastic actor and that is about 90% of the battle. Robert-Houdin, the father of modern magic, has said that his classic definition of a magician is “an actor playing the part of a magician”. Sam wanted the magic to be authentic and he wanted James to play the role as a magician. Sam wanted to me to work with him on the way that he carries himself, as well as the magic. The flare of a magician, both on-stage and off-stage. So I worked with him on little flourishes that he can incorporate into different scenes. When I was on-set, I was able to chime in and throw out ideas during shoot, which was great.

MG: For you being the one always having performed the magic; how was it being on the other side of it?
LB: It is a completely different type of satisfaction. When you go out and do a show, whether it is live or a TV show, you do a good job and you feel good. In this case, I wasn’t the one performing it. But again when I saw the finished product, I felt very proud. I felt lucky to be able to contribute to this sure-to-be instant classic, “Oz The Great and Powerful”. It is almost like a pride that a parent feels about a child.

MG: How long would you say you worked on the film?
LB: We had a fun time. It was two weeks in preparation and then I was on the set for about a month during filming. I was there for the scenes in Kansas and then a little bit of when they get to Oz.

MG: What was your most memorable experience from your work on the film?
LB: I will tell you one thing to look for in the film, which was one of my most proudest moments. I had been teaching James how to twirl a cane between his fingers like a baton. I was thinking that this would be something usable that we can work into the film. The first time that he goes into Emerald City, goes into the throne room and sits on the throne, he picks up this scepter. In the script, it says Evanora is sitting there and is enraged. I thought “Ah, what if he twirled that scepter between his fingers?” I thought it would be very disrespectful and could help help get her enraged. So I went to the prop department to see the scepter. I asked them if there was anyway to make it a little longer and they said “Sure”. I talked it over with James and Sam and everyone seemed to like the idea. I wasn’t on the set when they filmed that scene but when I saw the film in theaters. I was very excited to see that twirl in the film.

MG: After this experience, do you see yourself taking on this role again?
LB: It was a very satisfying experience and it was very interesting work. “Oz” was such a huge hit. My prediction is that there is going to be a whole franchise.  So who knows what the future holds.

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Actors: Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Ahna Capri, Bob Wall, Shih Kien
Directors: Robert Clouse
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Run Time: 98 minutes

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

Bruce Lee is one of our most well-known martial arts icons.  “Enter the Dragon” was one of Bruce Lee’s last films but one that made him the international star that he has become. To celebrate it’s 40th Anniversary, Warner Bros is releasing this Ultimate Collector’s Edition giftset, which includes collectible art cards, lenticular card and an embroidered patch. Top that with a new transfer and some amazing new extras and this release is instant purchase for any martial arts or Bruce Lee fan! It is crazy to believe that this film is actually 40 years old but it still holds up today and has never looked better.

Official Premise: Recruited by an intelligence agency, outstanding martial arts student Bruce Lee participates in a brutal karate tournament hosted by the evil Han. Along with champions Roper and Williams, he uncovers Han’s white slavery and drug trafficking ring located on a secret island fortress. In the exciting climax, hundreds of freed prisoners fight in an epic battle with Lee and Han locked in a deadly duel.

“Enter The Dragon” is not new to Blu-ray as it has been previously released back in 2007 in the early days of Blu-ray.  If you own that release this one is a real improvement.  The new transfer looks much sharper and clear. Really hides the fact that this film is 40 years old. The real star of this release though has to be the audio track which was upgraded from a wimpy Dolby Digital 5.1 last time to a powerful DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The track really delivers the punches and the action overall quite well.

The special features are in line with what should be included with an Ultimate Collector’s Edition. There are three new featurette including “No Way As Way”, “The Return to Han’s Island” and “Wing Chun: The Art that Introduced Kung Fu to Bruce Lee”. These are worth the purchase alone of this release. There is a nice commentary track with producer Paul Heller. There is an a few interviews with Lee’s wife, Linda Lee Caldwell compiled together. “Curse of the Dragon” is a excellent extensive documentary looking into Lee’s legacy and death, narrated by George Takai.

“Location: Hong Kong with Enter the Dragon” focuses on the shooting locations. “Blood and Steel: The Making of Enter the Dragon” is a typical behind-the-scenes that runs 30 minutes and dives into the films stuntwork and fight choreography.”Personal Profile Bruce Lee: In His Own Words” is a rare interviews with Lee pieced together with film clips. There is a vintage featurette from 1973 included, which I always enjoy watching.  There is a personal B&W featurette called “Backyard Workout with Bruce Lee”, nice but runs only two minutes. Rounding out the extras are five trailers and seven TV spots.

Enter The Dragon 40th Anniversary is Available on Blu-ray 6/11/2013 at the WB Shop http://bit.ly/ETD-40
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Actors: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, John Cho, Amanda Peet, Jon Favreau
Directors: Seth Gordon
Rated: R / Unrated
Studio: Universal
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Run Time: 111 / 121 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

When you read that “Identity Thief” is from the director of “Horrible Bosses” and the producer of “Ted”, I figure how can they do wrong.  Both of those films are very funny and crowd favorites. “Identity Thief” also reunites Seth Gordon and Jason Bateman and add into the mix everyone’s favorite Melissa McCarthy.  She is everyone’s favorite right? I think she was great in “Bridesmaids” but I think that she is getting a little old already. The film has funny moments but overall feels like too much of the Melissa McCarthy show, which is like too much of a good thing. Included on this Blu-ray is both the 111-minute theatrical version and extended 121-minute unrated cut. That leads right into my other point, comedies do not need to be two hours long.  What happened to a tight 90-minute comedy?

Official Premise: Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses) and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) lead an all-star cast in this hilarious blockbuster hit. Unlimited funds have allowed Diana (McCarthy) to live it up on the outskirts of Orlando. There’s only one glitch: she’s financing her shopping sprees with an ID stolen from Sandy Patterson (Bateman), an accounts rep who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Patterson is forced to extreme measures to clear his name.

Despite the film being a hit or not, Universal still delivered a nice release (as always) with a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy combo pack.  The digital copies include an Ultraviolet and iTunes codes. The 1080p transfer is clear and sharp, looks as good as a comedy can. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track, which worked well with the comedy. The special features are also a bit of a letdown as well. “The Making of Identity Thief” is a typical behind-the-scenes featurette with cast/crew. “Scene Stealing” focuses on the personas of Bateman and McCarthy.  There are five minutes of Alternate Takes with tons of improv from our actors. “The Skiptracer’s Van Tour” takes us on a tour with Robert Patrick. Lastly there is a forgettable gag reel.

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Actors: Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, Bill Nighy
Directors: Bryan Singer
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Bros Home Entertainment
Release Date: June 18, 2013
Run Time: 114 minutes

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

When I first saw the trailer for “Jack the Giant Slayer”, I thought to myself “Come one now another big-budget fairy tale”. The film went one to become the biggest flop of the year so far costing nearly $200 million and only grossing $65 million in North America. I have to say though after watching it it wasn’t nearly as bad as it looked. If you look at it from the perspective of mindless fantasy action, it work for the most part. I would have preferred to see this film in 3D, since it would have popped more but the 2D version still worked. Overall, we get solid visual effects though surrounded by a weak campy story.

I have to admit, I am not a fan of Nicholas Hoult. Didn’t like him as Beast in “X-Men: First Class” and skipped “Warm Bodies” due to him. He does not strike me as an action hero in this film at all. On the other hand, I am a huge fan of Ewan McGregor but in my mind he is too good for this but does make the best out of it. Notable voiceover for the main giant, General Fallon is voiced by Bill Nighy and his smaller head is voiced by John Kassir aka The Cryptkepper in “Tales from the Crypt”. Stanley Tucci is the baddie and seems like he didn’t want to be there. Ewen Bremner couldn’t have died sooner (oops spoiler), hated him. Also keep an quick eye out for Warwick Davis in the beginning of the film.

Official Premise: Jack the Giant Slayer tells the story of an ancient war that is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack, into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom, its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend—and gets the chance to become a legend himself.

Warner released this film with a Blu-ray/DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy Combo Pack. Since the film delivered some impressive CG work, the 1080p transfer is absolutely fantastic within its 2.4:1 aspect ratio. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. track works perfectly with the constant action. The special features are good but for a production this size, I expected more. “Become A Giant Slayer” is a eight-part behind-the-scenes look into the production including, “Know Your Enemy”, “Suiting Up”, “Attack Tactics”, “The Magic of a Beanstalk”, “How to Zip”, “Giants’ Kitchen”, “Saving the Princess” and “Defending Your Kingdom”. Lastly there is a deleted scene and gag reel included.

Actors: Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Kenneth Mars
Directors: Mel Brooks
MPAA Rated: Not Rated
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Run Time: 88 minutes

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

One of the best lines ever in a film “I’m hysterical, I’m having hysterics. When I get like this, I can’t stop. (Max throws water on him) I’M WET!!! I’M WET!!! Cause, I’m hysterical!!! (Max slaps him) I’M IN PAIN!!! I’M IN PAIN!!! And I’m wet and Cause, I’m still hysterical!”

“Mel Brooks’ The Producers (1968)” is easily one of the best comedies of all-time. It stars Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder and is 90 minutes of non-stop laughs. The life of this film was replenished with the 2001 Broadway musical with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. The show became one of Broadway’s biggest success and even spawned a remake from with the duo in 2005. Though the 2005 remake left a bad taste in our mouths…in plain English…it was terrible. So I am thrilled to see the original film back in the spotlight. 45 years have passed and it is just as funny as the first time I saw it.

Official Synopsis: From the endlessly funny mind of filmmaker Mel Brooks comes this triple-Oscar-winning explosion of pure comic lunacy about low-rent Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Mostel) and his high-strung accountant Leo Bloom (Wilder). They discover that, with the help of a few gullible investors, they can make more money on a flop than on a hit. So armed with the worst show ever written – Springtime For Hitler – and an equally horrific cast, this double-dealing duo is banking on disaster. But when their sure-to-offend musical becomes a surprise smash hit, they find themselves in the middle of a Broadway blitzkrieg.

This Collector’s Edition Blu-ray comes with a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack with a reversible cover art. The Blu-ray features a brand new HD transfer and it really looks amazing. It is hard to believe that this film is 45 years old but a nice face lift and has never looked better. DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track works perfectly with the films dialogue and musically numbers. If you prefer the original mono track, that is also available on the Blu-ray.

The special features include all extras from previous editions including the featurette “Mel And His Movies: The Producers”, which is a great bonus. There is an hour-long making-of documentary called “The Making of The Producers”, with cast and crew talking about the production. This is a must see for all fans of the film. Also included are a sketch gallery, a 3-minute deleted scene, a photo gallery and a theatrical trailer. I would have loved to see a commentary track from Brooks or Wilder but still a very impressive first time on Blu-ray release.

Barry Bostwick is one of those actors that you know you’ve seen but sometimes can’t name. Let me help you out. The California-born Bostwick was bitten by the acting bug early, often putting on shows in his backyard with his brother. After high school he moved to New York to continue his education and started getting small stage roles. His career was made when, in 1972, he originated the role of Danny Zuko in the Broadway musical “Grease,” earning his first Tony Award nomination. Another nomination came with his work in “They Know What They Wanted.” The third time was the charm when, in 1977, he won the Tony Award as Best Actor in a Musical for “The Robber Bridegroom.” In 1975 he starred as Brad Majors in the still-cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Television fans may remember him as the Mayor on “Spin City” or as the title character in two “George Washington” mini-series.

Bostwick is now appearing in the new film “Finding Joy, ” which opens this Friday, June 7. While promoting the film he took time out to speak with Media Mikes about the weather (we spoke after a much publicized week of tornado-like weather), spray tans and why, forty years later, “Grease” is still the word.

Mike Smith: Hello from Kansas City.
Barry Bostwick: You’re still there? You haven’t blown away yet? (laughs)
MS: So far.
BB: I don’t know how you do it. You guys are braver then me. (laughs)

MS: Can you give us a little insight into Alan, your character in “Finding Joy?”
BB: Was that his name? (laughs) I never remember the names of my characters. He’s a very interesting guy. He’s very agoraphobic…he hasn’t left the house in years. And I found that to be a link to his whole personality and character. He would import any excitement in his life through his girlfriend. It was an interesting journey for this guy to unbind himself from his reasoning about why he couldn’t leave the house as well as unbind himself from the reasons he Is so angry and resentful towards his son. It all comes together in the end and he’s able to solve all of these issues. (SPOILER ALERT)…..And then of course he dies! That’s movie-making (laughs)

MS: What attracted you to the role?
BB: There were some real challenges for the character, and for me there were many opportunities to try to be funny…try to be quirky…try to be different. The hardest part was keeping my tan. He has this hideous orange tan which is a side effect of the erectile dysfunction drug he’s taking. Every two days I had to stand naked in front of some young girl in my hotel room as she sprayed me down. It was very uncomfortable. Mostly because I was standing naked in front of a young girl in my hotel room! (laughs) It was a very weird situation. It took forever for that spray tan stain to get out of my hair. When I look at photographs from the film I think to myself, “God, I look like George Hamilton.” The white hair and the dark tan go very well together. The quirkiness was also what I found interesting. In mainstream show business I have a tendency to be cast in more conventional roles for my age. So myself, and many other actors that I’m a contemporary with, get very attracted to these projects because we get to do things we may not be able to do anywhere else. I also get to work with a lot of exciting, young talent. Whether they’re behind the camera or acting…it’s people who are experiencing their creative chops for the first time. Sharing the excitement of them getting their first movie made. There’s an enthusiasm that’s catching and you like to be a part of those people that are just starting out and still have that energy.

MS: When you’re on the set with someone who’s just starting out do you ever think back to when you were just starting out?
BB: Oh, yeah. I try to tell them how damn lucky they are to have a job in show business and to not complain about the hours and the food. (laughs) I know I wouldn’t want to start out in show business these days. I have an 18-year old son (Brian) who wants to be an actor. One week he thinks he’s just going to hit the pavement and become a big star and then the next he’s thinking he’ll never make it. He knows that there are 10,000 young guys in Hollywood who are starting out on the same level. It’s a tough, tough, tough, tough time. These days you not only have to be a good actor. You have to be a computer genius and a networking maven.

MS: Here’s a name I’m sure you’ll remember: Danny Zuko. You originated the role of Danny in “Grease,” earning a Tony Award nomination for your work. Why do you think the show is still so popular after four decades?
BB: I think it’s because of the archetypical characters that everybody grew up with. Everybody had a gang of some sort, whether it was just friends in the neighborhood or a real gang. And I think that the issues that they face in the show…personal issues of identity…are universal. Every actress at that age likes to play the “bad girl” and every actor likes to play the “bad boy,” and “Grease” is full of these phony “bad boy/bad girl” characters that, underneath it all, are really quite innocent and genuine. Just like kids in high school it’s all about façade and image. And the music is fun. Plus I think kids like to say “f***” on stage! (laughs)

MS: What do you have coming up?
BB: I have a web series debuting June 3 called “Research” which is being platformed out in 10-12 minute episodes. I have a movie coming up on the SyFy Channel called “Blowing Vegas Off the Map” and I just finished a film called “Slay-Bells” where I play a biker-Santa. I’ve also got a role in an episode of Showtime’s “Masters of Sex,” a series about Masters and Johnson, which should air in the fall. I’ve got a lot of family stuff…my son graduates high school this week and I’m knocking on every piece of wood I see!

Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Cole Hauser, Sebastian Koch, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Yuliya Snigir
Director: John Moore
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Release Date: June 4, 2013
Run Time: 98 minutes

Film: 1.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I have to admit, it might affect my “man-card” but I am not a big fan of the “Die Hard” series as a whole. The first film has its moments and plus who can say no to a Christmas-themed action movie. Also I am a fan of the third film, which teams McClaine up with Samuel L. Jackson. I never even saw or wanted to see “Live Free or Die Hard” and yet we are getting a fifth installment of this seemingly tired franchise. I know that Bruce Willis was once badass as John McClane but he definitely seems to be getting to old for this shit. The plot to this film is such a mess and, in fact, barely exists. It is just a massive bunch of explosion mixed together and set in Russia. Not a big fan of Jai Courtney at all either. But as it pains me to say this, the boys will be back again and “Die Hard 6″ is moving forward with Fox.

Official Premise: Bruce Willis is back in action – mind-blowing, heart-stopping, rip-roaring action – as John McClane, the heroic New York cop with a knack for being in the wrong place at the right time. John’s latest predicament takes him all the way to Russia to track down his estranged son, Jack (Jai Courtney), who has been imprisoned in Moscow. But the mission takes a deadly turn as father and son must join forces to thwart a nuclear weapons heist that could trigger World War III!

Despite this film being a big mess, in terms of audio and video though it is absolutely kicking! 20th Century Fox delivers a nice Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy combo pack. The digital copy includes an UltraViolet and iTunes digital copy. My copy was delivered missing a code, so I hope that isn’t happening for others as well. The Blu-ray disc includes both a theatrical cut and an extended version, which features a few changes to the beginning and end of the film. It doesn’t make the film any better off either. The 1080p transfer is solid and delivers the scale of the film quite well. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 is a beast and really kicks some ass, especially with the action – which is non-stop.

The special features are impressive, despite the painfulness of the film itself. There is an audio commentary track from director John Moore and first assistant director Mark Cotone. “Making It Hard To Die” is a 15-part behind-the-scenes documentary, which runs an hour and covers all aspects of the production. “Anatomy of a Car Chase” is a featurette on the opening action sequence. “Two of a Kind” looks into the father/son relationship. “Back in Action” is a piece on the return of John McClane…again. “The New Face of Evil” focuses on the three villains. “Pre-Vis” and “VFX Sequences” looks into the special and visual effects from the film. Lastly there are seven deleted scenes and five storyboards sequences included, as well as a Concept Art Gallery and Theatrical Trailers.

I have no idea what they were serving in the lunch room of Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn during the 1950s but whatever it was it had an extra helping of talent. Songwriter Jeff Barry is a graduate of the school, as is actor Bernie Kopell. Barbra Streisand is a member of the class of 1959 while Neil Diamond attended for a couple of years before graduating elsewhere. Had he stayed he would have been a member of the class of 1956. That class also boasts the great Lainie Kazan.

A life member of The Actor’s Studio, she debuted on Broadway in 1961’s “The Happiest Girl In the World.” In 1964 she not only appeared as Vera in the classic musical “Funny Girl” but served as Barbra Streisands understudy. After 18 months of not missing a performance Streisand developed a throat problem and Kazan went on. Almost five decades later she’s still going strong. Best known for her Golden Globe nominated performance in “My Favorite Year” and as Nia Vardalos’ mother in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” Kazan has also been seen on such popular television programs as “Desperate Housewives” and “Modern Family. She also reprised her role as Belle Steinberg Carroca in the Broadway musical version of “My Favorite Year,” earning a Tony Award nomination for her work.

While promoting her new film, “Finding Joy,” which opens on Friday, June 7, Ms. Kazan chatted with Media Mikes about her career. Feel free to call her Professor Kazan.

Mike Smith: What can you tell us about Gloria, your character in “Finding Joy?”
Lainie Kazan: Gloria is an ex-stripper. It’s a very quirky film…very out of the box. I play Barry Bostwick’s wife. I’m very inappropriate. I learned that I was based on a real person. I finally got to meet her while we were shooting the film. She’s VERY inappropriate. She’s larger than life. She and her husband just love each other to death. They’re very affectionate. I just fashioned my character accordingly. She’s blonde and buxom….very Jayne Mansfield-y.

MS: Was there anything particular that attracted you to the project?
LK: I liked the script. It’s a very interesting little script. I loved the director (Carlo De Rosa). He’s Italian and he brought along his lighting designer and cinematographer. There was a little Italian contingency! I really enjoyed them…their point of view on the film. And I think Barry Bostwick is fantastic. I enjoyed working with him. And the young people in the film…Josh Cooke and Liane Balaban…I thought they were wonderful. Plus I love Fort Lauderdale, where we filmed. The entire experience was delightful.

MS: Barry Bostwick pretty much said the same thing…it was great to work in Florida and even greater to work with the young talent.
LK: They were wonderful.

MS: You are one of the primary reasons that “My Favorite Year” is probably my favorite comedy.
LK: Thank you.

MS: When I knew we were going to talk I posted the news on Facebook and I can’t tell you how many “My Favorite Year” lines were posted on my page.
LK: That film was one of the most joyous experiences of my life. I had just come from doing “One From the Heart” with Francis Ford Coppola, which was probably one of the hardest but most educational experiences of my acting career. Then I went into this little comedy and…Oh My God, what a joy! I learned that you don’t have to work so hard…it doesn’t have to be painful to have a success. I just loved working with Richard Benjamin (the director of “My Favorite Year”). What a great guy he is…what an eye he had for comedy.

MS: Ten years later you earned a Tony Award nomination when you played Belle Steinberg in the stage musical version of “My Favorite Year.” Was it odd to revisit the role?
LK: It was strange. It was very hard to translate the story from film to stage. Theater is a different medium and it requires a different kind of acting, which I’d never done. I’d gone from a theater project into film but never from film into theater. It was a challenge.

MS: Do you have a preference? Would you rather do a film or television show or do eight shows a week?
LK: I love to sing. I do a lot of concerts. That’s my favorite thing to do. I love theater. I love that you get on stage at the beginning and you end at the end. And that you’ve had a full, rich experience getting there. But I also love the intimacy of film. The camera can get into your soul.

MS: Are you working on anything now?
LK: I have another film coming out on June 18th called “Divorce Invitation.” I’m also going to be singing in Las Vegas at the Smith Center and at Feinstein’s in San Francisco. I’m singing a little here and a little there. I’m also now teaching. I’m a professor at U.C.L.A. I teach acting for the singer. They call me the Professor who’s preserving the Great American Songbook!