Lil Bub, the internet cat star owned by Indiana musician Mike Bridavsky received a red carpet welcome on Thursday night  as  the documentary she stars in, Lil Bub and Friendz, made its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival. While last year’s fest featured a feline-centric short titled “CatCam,” Lil Bub is a feature-length doc, dubbed by co-director Juliette Eisner as “the most epic cat video in the entire world”.  It also features Bub’s peers, Grumpy Cat and the man behind animated viral phenomenon, Nyan Cat. Eisner and co-director Andy Capper discussed the appeal of cat videos at the premiere.

So why are people so obsessed with cats?

Eisner: I mean that’s a good question. We try to kind of answer that in the film but I think it has to do with the unscripted nature of the cat video. People don’t really see cats doing strange things often because they’re not as you know, out there as a dog per se.

Capper: Dogs are just out there…cats you have to live at someone’s house for like five years til you have access.

Eisner: People just keep cat videos open at their desktop while they work every single day and it just makes them feel fuzzy inside. Fuzzy and warm. So this is an hour-long fuzzy and warm film.

Bub owner, Bridavsky carried Bub down the carpet as her signature physical appearance—Bub lacks any teeth, has a constant overbite due to a shortened lower jaw, extra toes and a bone condition in her legs—also causes difficulty walking.

How’s Bub handling the red carpet and all of this attention?

Bridavsky: It’s great, she’s just cold right now.

Her health is okay?

It is, she has a bone condition that makes it hard for her to walk. Sometimes her bones get inflamed and she is in some pain but I have a very good vet and specialists who take care of her.

How’d you choose the name Bub?

Bridavsky: I actually just, the first time I met her, I just picked her up [holds Bub aloft] and just went ‘Hey Bub!’ And that was it.

So not a Wolverine reference?

Bridavsky: It’s not but we’ve done stuff with Wolverine since because of it.

How’s fame changed Bub?

Bridavsky: It has not changed her.

How about you?

Bridavsky: Yea, probably.

In what way?

Bridavsky: I have a famous cat now!

As for whether or not the filmmakers are all ‘cat people’, Bridavsky has four other cats who reside in his studio, Eisner revealed in the post-screening Q&A that she had cats dubbed Brother and Sister growing up while Capper was missing his feline friend who was back home in London.

Lil Bub and Friendz will be screened tonight (4/20) as part of the free Tribeca Drive-In series with additional public screenings on Tuesday and Thursday. Information regarding tickets can be found on the Tribeca Film Guide.

Meanwhile, you can check out Bub’s official Youtube channel at youtube.com/lilbubbub

Starring: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Robert Duvall, Werner Herzog, Richard Jenkins, David Oyelowo
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Paramount
DVD Release Date: May 7, 2013
Run Time: 130 minutes

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

Before this film was released, I had never heard of this ass-kicking ex-Army anti-hero created by Best-Selling Author Lee Child, Jack Reacher. Tom Cruise takes on this title role and really nails the role. I have to say I came into this film expecting a crazy action film like in “Mission Impossible”, but I was really surprised with what I got. This is a real slow-burn detective story mixed with some great action and one hell of a car chase scene. Besides Cruise, the rest of the cast is also phenomenal including Rosamund Pike (“Wrath of the Titans”); Werner Herzog (“Rescue Dawn”), who is usually behind the camera directing but he is quite a stunning villain; David Oyelowo (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”); Richard Jenkins (“The Cabin in the Woods”) and Jai Courtney (“A Good Day to Die Hard”). If you like Cruise then you should enjoy this for sure. Just don’t expect an all out action-fest. I would love to see this series continued in further installment but I have a feeling that this will be Jack Reacher’s first and last go.

Official Premise: Adapted from a novel in Lee Child’s best-selling crime series, the film sees Cruise in the title role as an ex-military policeman turned vigilante drifter who is called in to investigate after an expert sniper takes the lives of five random victims. When the authorities pull in former army sniper, James Barr (Joseph Sikora), they are certain they have the perpetrator, but Barr believes he’s been set up and asks that Jack Reacher (Cruise) be assigned to the case. At first, Reacher is weary of Barr but after some thorough investigation he is led to believe there is an unseen force pulling the strings of the investigation and he’s determined to get to the truth.

Paramount really went through the trouble of delivering a very nice presentation with this Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. Also included is an UltraViolet digital streaming copy. The 1080p transfer is super sharp and top that with a very impressive (and unexpected) DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track. At first I thought that this wasn’t necessary but it really worked with the car chase scene and Joe Kraemer score. The special features are pretty darn good. There are two commentary tracks, the first with Tom Cruise, director Christopher McQuarrie and the second with composer Joe Kraemer. I am very impressed that Cruise lended his voice and it is worth checking out. “When the Man Comes Around” is a look into the film’s journey from the page to the screen. “You Do Not Mess with Jack Reacher: Combat & Weapons” focuses on that training and stunt choreography through the fight sequences. Lastly, “The Reacher Phenomenon” is a look into this series popularity around the world with Lee Child. Also included is a $10 off coupon for sports tickets at Ticketmaster and there is also a code for the first chapter of Lee Child’s next “Jack Reacher” novel “Never Go Back”. So if you are a fan of the series, this is a nice bonus!

Rob Zombie is one of the founding members of the band White Zombie, but is notable for his solo act which spawned hits like “Living Dead Girl” and “Dragula”. While still working in music, he turned his sites over to writing and directing films. He has written and directed films like “House of 1000 Corpses”, “The Devil Rejects”, “Halloween (2007)” and “Halloween II (2009)”. His latest film, “The Lords of Salem”, is his most real and dark film to date. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Rob about the film and also his newest solo album “Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor”.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about what or who were you major influences when you were written “The Lords of Salem”?
Rob Zombie: There wasn’t really one thing in particular. Truthfully, the biggest influence for me is that I wanted to make the type of midnight film I remember watching when I was in high school. Back in the day before you can get your hands on everything, I used to have these film books. I used to look at photos from movies like “Suspiria” or “Eraserhead”. I used to say “Fuck, I got to see these movies!” The feeling I would get when I would watch these movies was so special since they were so unique, odd and unlike anything mainstream. I wanted to make a movie that was like that. If you go to see “Lords of Salem” you are going to see something that isn’t what you wouldn’t typical expect to see at the movies. It takes it you to a whole other place. On a grand scale, that was really the inspiration that I wanted to make something like that.

MG: In terms of directing, did you learn any new tricks on this film?
RZ: Well I learned more patience, I think. It is very easy to be impatient when you are making a movie. I learned to just slow the camera down, slow the actors down and let the movie breathe. I wasn’t worried about the audience getting bored or restless, those qualities sometimes can help a movie. It is very easy to make a movie fast paced and keep people interested but sometimes that detracts from the certain mood you are trying to create. Sometimes you need the movie to drag in order to pull people down with it. That was something that I learned on this movie.

MG: The budget was $1.5 million; what was your biggest challenge working with that?
RZ: Everything! [laughs]. Everything was huge challenge. We had no money for anything. The cheapest movie that I have ever made in my life cost $7 million (which was “House of 1000 Corpses”). I was not used to be down in the no budget range. So as we were shooting, I was constantly re-writing the script and constantly changing things. So every second of the day was a challenge.

MG: The witch burning scene was very intense; tell us about shooting that scene?
RZ: We shot that whole scene very quickly, in fact it was done in one night. We had no time. Once again, I had come up with this great plan for shooting the witch burning scene but then I realized that we only had an hour to shoot. I set up one grand shot that I thought would have the most impact and then just went for it. My big goal was to not make it ever look like we didn’t have any time or money. That was what I was always trying to hide.

MG: How did you get genre legends like Patricia Quinn and Meg Foster, who had quite the transformation, on board?
RZ: It was fantastic. I have always loved Patricia Quinn because I was a huge “Rocky Horror” fan. I loved her in everything that she has done but she also hasn’t done a lot. She also hasn’t done a lot recently. But I always wanted to work with her. I had met her over dinner about 15 years ago talking about a movie that never happened, so I had always had her in my mind from day one. Meg Foster was someone who I always thought was cool and very beautiful with those piercing eyes, but I didn’t know if she would be right of this film. I wasn’t sure at first. So I got her on the phone and after talking for about an hour, I know that she would be perfect. She totally understood and got the film.

MG: Being a musician yourself; tell us about working with John 5 on the score?
RZ: He was great to work with on this film and obviously I have been working with John now for over eight years. I know how talented he is, not just as a guitar player but also a musician. It was very easy. I conveyed my ideas and what I was thinking and he executed them perfectly. He was great on this film.

MG: Tell us about the composition of The Lords music track?
RZ: That one was tricky trying to figure out what that track would be. John had worked on a few things and it wasn’t just right. I remember one day we were on the phone together, I was on the east coast and John was on the west, and we were just humming little weird melodies back and forth to each other on the phone. It was then that we found the sound that we were looking for. Neither of us can remember who came up with it first but we just knew we had it when we heard it.

MG: Horror fans are the toughest of any genre fan; what do you think they will appreciate the most within “The Lords of Salem”?
RZ: What I would appreciate most about the film is that it is different. I think that horror fans are tricky. They are all different kinds of people. Sometimes they are not the first ones to embrace something different. But again all of those films that I spoke love as a kid, those weren’t embraced at the time either. So I purposely made a film that would be a tough sell to people…but that is why I made it. I think it will be split. Some people will love it to death and some people just won’t get it.  But that is ok with me since everybody cannot get everything!

MG: Your new album “Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor” is heavy and dark; tell us about the inspiration behind this album?
RZ: Well I think the movie and album sort of played into each other. I was doing them both around the same time. I had an editing room in my house were we edited the movie. Then we moved the editing room out and moved in a recording studio. I went right from one to the other. I think the vibe of the two projects sort of melded together. I wanted both of them to be weird and unique and that was the goal for me.

MG: Where do you find time to tour, making films and also new music?
RZ: That is all I do man! Where do I find time for anything else is more the question…[laughs].

MG: Do you still plan on directing “Tyrannosaurus Rex” next? What else is in the cards?
RZ: No, that project isn’t happening anymore. What is happening next besides the two we just spoke about is that I will be doing a lot of touring. I headline the Mayhem Fest 2013 tour, which is starting in June and that will go for a while. But the next film project I got is called “The Broad Street Bullies”, which is a true life sports film about the Philadelphia Flyers… which is totally different!

Starring: Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko and Morgan Freeman
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hrs 6 mins
Universal

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

2077. Its been 60 years since the last Super Bowl was held. Earth is now a radioactive nightmare following an alien attack. After destroying the moon, and turning Earth into a topsy-turvy world of earthquakes and tsunamis, the aliens came down to the surface. Thanks to nuclear weapons we won the battle. But we lost the war, as the planet was no longer habitable. The remains of the human race now reside on Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, while what remains of Earth is patrolled by mechanical drones. They are there to hunt and destroy the few remaining aliens who remain. Of course where there are mechanical objects there must be a mechanic to fix them. Mechanic #49 is named Jack Harper (Cruise). He goes about his job daily, fixing drones and blasting the occasional alien. The daytime goes pretty well for Jack. But at night he’s haunted by a recurring dream featuring himself and a beautiful young woman (Kurylenko). It is a dream, isn’t it?

An ambitious film with a story that begins to slip into camp, “Oblivion” could have been a great addition to the science fiction genre’. Unfortunately, after a strong first half, we’re dealt with some plot points that defy credibility. Jack is living the sweet life with Victoria (Andrea Riseborough), who serves many functions. Technically she is Jack’s air traffic controller. It’s her job to assign his work and then direct him where he needs to go. She’s also his eyes when he’s on the planet’s surface, always on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. The two are also a romantic couple, spending their off hours swimming in their rooftop pool and counting the days until they are relieved of their post and allowed to join the rest of the world on Titan. Each morning Victoria gets her orders from Sally (Melissa Leo), who ends each daily exchange with the same question: “Are You An Effective Team?”

Despite a strong performance by Cruise, as well as a fine supporting turn by Morgan Freeman, “Oblivion” begins to lose steam when Jack tracks a returning spaceship to the planet, discovering several occupied life pods. Trained to kill any humans not cleared in their systems, the drones kill all but one of the ship’s crew. Before they can kill the last one Jack intervenes and the drone stands down. When he opens the pod he is stunned to see the same woman who has been filling his dreams. He takes her to Victoria, but she is not pleased to see her. She begins to feel that she and Jack are no longer an Effective Team! But her love for Jack keeps her from notifying Sally that there may be a problem with the mission, though she’s not sure what.

As I noted above, “Oblivion” could have been great. However, once the mystery woman appears the film begins to slip away. One major error kept screaming to me during the remainder of the film. Even though the mystery woman is in her underwear when found, and her ship is destroyed, she keeps showing up in various outfits that include her name. Where did they come from? Why do they fit so well? And why does the music get extra loud when I ask myself these questions?

On the positive side, the film features an amazing array of special effects, including such incredible set pieces like a deserted New York library or a former ocean, now a barren patch of land with moored battleships littered upon it. If only as much time was spent on the too-predictable story as was spent on the special effects.

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Sheri Moon Zombie is known best for her roles in her films like “House of 1000 Corpses”, “The Devil’s Rejects”, made by her husband Rob Zombie. She is the star of his latest film “The Lords of Salem” and it is her best role yet. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Sheri Moon about “The Lords of Salem” and what we can expect from the film.

Mike Gencarelli: Your role has a much more serious tone from films like “House of 1000 Corpses”. How did you give life to your character, Heidi?
Sheri Moon Zombie: After I received the script, read it and discussed the character with Rob (Zombie). We talked about what direction we wanted her to go and also about everything from her appearance, dreadlocks, tattoos, wardrobe and to the way her apartment looked. There were so many components to focus on for this character. It was quite an undertaking.

MG: Having worked with your husband, Rob Zombie, now on all of his films. How did this project differ for you?
SMZ: I approach every character that I play differently. They all have been challenging in their own ways. Heidi was particularly challenging for me. I had to work every day on the film. The emotional decline of Heidi was a lot for me to go through and just getting into her head everyday was a lot of work.

MG: Your character has a bunch of tattoos and dreadlocks, how long did it take to transform?
SMZ: Well, some days it was two hours and some days it was three. The tattoos would last for a couple of days. So if the they survived from the day before then it would be a little easier. But it definitely was a process [laughs].

MG: Tell us about working with the phenomenal female cast in the film?
SMZ: I loved working with all the ladies in the film. It was a very female driven cast, which is something you don’t see very often in films these days. The witches from 1692 were so great to work with and they were so free and liberating. Meg Foster was wonderful to work with. Of course, the modern day witches in the movie played by Dee Wallace, Judy Geeson and Patricia Quinn were just amazing to work with as well. I loved how they weren’t overtly looking like witches and were like normal woman for their age. I have known Dee before but working with Judy and Pat were a great experience for me but at the same time very intimidating at first. They were all so warm and fun to work with.

MG: Meg Foster was amazing and really transformed for this film.
SMZ: Yeah, she was fucking insane! What a pleasure to work with her as well!

MG: What was your most favorite scene in the film?
SMZ: My favorite scene that I worked on would have to be the palm reading scene with Patricia, Dee and Judy. It was like seven pages of dialogue that we had to do. I loved the set for Judy’s apartment. That was also the first scene that I had with the three women together. It was a really good day shooting that scene.

MG: The film had some great jumps; anything scare you during the shoot?
SMZ: Nothing really scared me in the film. I wanted to hold some things back for my character’s point of view. When Heidi was sleeping in bed and we see they character Amon, played by Gabriel Pimentel standing beside her bed, I didn’t want to see him in that suit until we actually shot. When you are there on set it is different, nothing is scary.

MG: So ladies choice…you a Rush fan outside of the film? [Note: If you see the film you will understand this question]
SMZ: You know what, I honestly was not a Rush fan in anyway before. When Rob wrote that in the script and picked out the music, I was listening to them because Heidi would have. So there are a few songs that I really like now. I have grown to love me some “Tom Sawyer” since then!

Actors: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Karl Pilkington
Directors: Dan Fraga
Studio: Warner Archive
DVD Release Date: April 9, 2013
Run Time: 328 minutes

Season: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

I have been a fan of “The Ricky Gervais Show” when it aired on the UK radio station, XFM, over ten years ago.  Since then this show was been developed as a podcast, audio book and mostly recently an animated series.  When this animated series was announced I wasn’t particularly thrilled.  I originally thought that re-releasing the podcasts with new animations was a little lame, but I forgot how very funny all of these actually were. Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington are very funny together.  This season contains the last 12 out of the 39 episodes produced. There has been talks about a fourth season, but was shelved last year from Gervais himself. If you are a fan of shows like “The Office”, “Extras” and “An Idiot Abroad” then this is sure to deliver some great laughs whether you are a fan of the podcasts or not.

Official Premise: Series 3 starts with an impossible mission as Karl pitches another movie idea and struggles in vain to relay the insane plot to Ricky and Steve. Over the following 12 episodes Karl offers fascinating insights into his family history, encounters with domestic insects and the dangers of wearing crash helmets. Challenged at every turn by Ricky and Steve, who entertain with their own priceless real-life exploits, Karl remains stoic and retains his bizarrely unique perspectives regardless. As things draw to a close. The tree imagine themselves in an old people’s home – still arguing over utter nonsense with the final word going to Ricky, appropriately enough.

This DVD release is being release by Warner Archive as a “made-to-order” DVD. I would love to see these seasons make their way to Blu-ray like in the UK but I have a feeling that this is the best that we are going to get. These episodes have been manufactured from the best-quality video master currently available and has not been remastered or restored for this release. The animation is simple yet still looks very good on this DVD presentation. They come with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The audio track included is a Dolby Digital track. The first and second season included a some great extras but this release is completely baron. The second season DVD was also “made-to-order” but it still contains some sweet extras. So I was left disappointed with this final season but at least it is available for fans.

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Starring: Rob Corddry, Rob Huebel, Malin Akerman, Erinn Hayes, Ken Marino, Megan Mullaly, Henry Winkler, Lake Bell
Studio: Warner Archive
DVD Release Date: April 9, 2013
Running Time: 156 minutes

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

I have loved “Childrens Hospital” ever since the first season but I feel that we are starting to part ways.  The fourth season of the show is definitely funny in parts but it doesn’t feel as unique that it has in past season. The show only runs 11 minutes per episode and I think that that works in its favor. The show packs a phenomenal cast including Rob Corddry, Rob Huebel, Malin Akerman, Erinn Hayes, Ken Marino, Megan Mullaly, Henry Winkler and Lake Bell. This season also had some wonderful guests starring including Jon Hamm, Dominic Monaghan, Nick Offerman, Frances Fisher and Brian Huskey. There is great talent here but maybe the show has run it course for me. “Childrens Hospital” has spawned two spin-offs shows. One of them is good,  “NTSF:SD:SUV::” and one of them not so good “Newsreaders”.

Official Premise: TV’s sickest medical series returns for its fourth twisted season, winner of the 2012 Emmy® Award for Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment. A satirical jab at network medical dramas, Childrens Hospital explores the lives of a group of self-absorbed doctors who put their libidos first and patients second. Amnesia, Madonna sightings, single-mom promotions, assassination attempts, Mafia kingpins and the accidental electrocution of one of its stars are just some of the topics addressed.

I am assume that I am not the only one who feels this way either since this is the first season that is being produced only as an MOD or Made-to-order DVD. Warner Home Video’s past releases have been much higher quality.  They have come with nice cases with slipcases.  These episodes have been manufactured from the best-quality video master currently available and has not been remastered or restored for this release. They come with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The audio track included is a Dolby Digital track. Lastly there is also no special features included here.  The past DVD releases for Season 1 & 2 and Season 3 have had some great extras included. Overall this is a letdown from past releases but at least it is available for fans. And fans should keep an eye out for more episodes this Summer as the the series was renewed for a fifth season by Adult Swim.

Starring: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, LeVar Burton, Marina Spirtis
Number of discs: 6
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Paramount
DVD Release Date: April 30, 2013
Run Time: 1181 minutes

Season Three: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

When I first watched the third season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, I was blown away. “The Best of Both Worlds” was one of the best storylines to come out of this series. I saw it long after it was originally aired and I have known about this arc but it still shocking and holds up as one of the best cliffhangers on TV. Overall, the whole series in general really running on all cylinders and kicking ass. The cast and the writers are settled in their roles and really delivered their best performances. Also available the same day is “Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Best of Both Worlds” for the mega “Star Trek” fans who are looking for a new edit of that fantastic storyline into a new-feature format. This is another very impressive release from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount. They have been giving this series nothing but love since they started releasing these seasons. If you love this series, then this release is a must-buy!

“Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Three” delivers absolutely perfect 1080p transfers of each episodes. These episodes don’t just look good. They look stunning. Top that with a flawless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track for each episode and Trek fans will be nothing but thrilled. I wonder what Gene Roddenberry would have thought if he could have seen his creation presented like this. Alternate audio tracks also include an English Stereo Surround, French Mono, Italian Mono, Castilian Mono, German Mono and Japanese Mono tracks. If you have seen these episodes on TV or DVD, this give you the show like you have never seen it before due to this fantastic restoration which involved returning to the original film elements.

The special features are quite impressive for this season. The newly produced high definition extras (found mostly on disc six) include an all-new featurette called “Inside The Writer’s Room”, which is moderated by Seth MacFarlane. He leads a panel and a great discussion on the creation of the show’s acclaimed third season with some of today’s best science fiction television writers including Ronald Moore, Brannon Braga, Naren Shankar and Rene Echevarria. There is an entirely new multi-part documentary called “Resistance is Futile – Assimilating Star Trek: The Next Generation”, which really dives into the behind-the-scenes on the making of Season Three. There is a very nice tribute to Michael Piller, which includes never-before-seen interviews with cast, crew and more discuss his lasting influence on the “Star Trek” franchise. Rounding out the high-def extras is a new gag reel for fans, which is located on disc five.

Additional extras included are spread out over the six discs. There are four “Archival Mission Logs” including “Selected Crew Analysis Year Three”, “Mission Overview Year Three”, “Departmental Briefing Year Three: Production” and “Departmental Briefing Year Three: Memorable Missions”. There are four all-new audio commentary track spread out on the release. Disc one features a commentary track from Ron Moore on “The Bonding”. Disc three features features a commentary track from Ron Moore and Ira Steven Behr on “Yesterday’s Enterprise”. Disc four features the last two audio commentary tracks. The first is with Rene Echevarria and Mike & Denise Okuda on “The Offspring” and the second is with Ron Moore on “Sins of the Father”. If you are looking for audio commentary on the episode “The Best of Both Worlds: Part 1”, you should check out the stand-one release mentioned above. Lastly, there are also episodic promos available for each of the 26 episodes.

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Starring: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Paramount
DVD Release Date: April 30, 2013
Run Time: 85 minutes

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

For all “Star Trek: The Next Generation” fans, we all know that “The Best of Both Worlds” was one of the best arcs in the series. The classic two-part cliffhanger ended the third season and started the fourth season. This Blu-ray contains both parts of this great story blended into one seamlessly edited feature length film. The only issue with this Blu-ray is that since “The Best of Both Worlds: Part 1” was one of the best cliffhangers ever, putting the two parts together kind of takes a little bit of that away anticipation away. But I love this story and this new edit works quite well. Also “The Best of Both Worlds: Part 2” isn’t available until Paramount releases the “Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 4” on Blu-ray possibly later this year. But in the meantime fans can enjoy it in advance right here.

Official Premise: The powerful cliffhanger: The Best of Both Worlds Part 1 and 2 has been fully restored in brilliant 1080p HD and seamlessly edited together into one feature-length presentation…and the crew of the Enterprise is asked: How do you stop an unstoppable foe? The Enterprise team discovers the devastated remains of a Federation colony as an ambitious young officer joins the crew to confirm the presence of the deadly Borg. Soon after, Borg drones abduct Captain Picard, mutilating him horribly as they assimilate him into their collective. Commander Riker must take over as Enterprise captain as Steerfleet braces for an all-out battle to defend Earth. But the Borg’s power proves overwhelming, and resistance is futile. Will Riker be forced to destroy his former captain to save Earth and the Federation?

So I wouldn’t really consider this a double-dip since it does come with some great special features.  This is also the only place to watch the two-part edit since only Part 1 is available on the third season Blu-ray. Some fans also might want to only own the episodes in a feature-length format then the whole seasons. The Blu-ray presentation is pretty sharp as well with a nice Velcro snap half-cover slipcase, simple but nice touch. Another bonus to this release is that Paramount is including a UltraViolet digital streaming copy of the episodes. They are beautifully presented in 1080p with a stunning 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. The episodes have never looked or sounded better. The special features include an audio commentary track with Cliff Bole, Mike & Denise Okuda and Elizabeth Dennehy. There is also a featurette “Regeneration: Engaging the Borg” and a Gag Reel included. These bonus features are also not available on the “Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Three” Blu-ray release.

Actors: Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Emma Stone
Directors: Ruben Fleischer
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: April 23, 2013
Running Time:

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

I am not the biggest fan of gangster films. My all-times favorites have been always been “Goodfellas” and “Casino” but besides those, I never really dig this genre. “Gangster Squad” is a movie with a great talented cast but suffers from a weak script and the same-old, same-ole gangster approach. Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn and Emma Stone all are good in the film but their performances suffer from being stuck in a box and not able to perform outside of it. This film was affected by the Colorado shooting last summer and was forced to re-cut the a shootout scene that took place in a movie theater. I feel that it was a smart move to re-shoot. If you like Gangster films, you might really enjoy this film but otherwise it feels like to be done already and nothing new here.

Official Premise: Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and – if he has his way – every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop – except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of LAPD outsiders led by Sgt. John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), who come together to try to tear Cohen’s world apart.

Whether “Gangster Squad” is good or not, it still packs a fantastic Blu-ray presentation. Warner Brothers delivers a two-disc combo pack set with a Blu-ray and DVD of the film. There are also two digital copies included, Ultraviolet and iTunes. I personally always prefer the digital streaming copy since you don’t have to use your own storage space on your device. The 1080p transfer is very sharp and work well with the tone of the film. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track works well with every gunshot and explosion. I also thought that Steve Jablonsky’s score really got presented very well.

The special features are pretty good as well. There is an audio commentary track from director Ruben Fleischer. It is not my favorite commentary track ever but does have some good info. “The Gangland Files” is a Picture-in-Picture overlay during the film that gives interviews and facts about the film. “Focus Points: The Set-Up” is a collection of fifteen behind-the-scenes featurettes which add up to abut 45 minutes together. There are seven deleted Scenes with an introduction from the director. “Rogues Gallery: Mickey Cohen” is a documentary about the famous gangster. “Then and Now Locations” is a collection of photos from locations. Lastly, “Tough Guys with Style” is a short piece with the cast about the production.

“Gangster Squad” available on Blu-ray Combo pack, DVD and Digital Download 4/23

Starring: Chad Michael Murray, Abigail Spencer, Katee Sackhoff, Emily Alyn Lind
Director: Tom Elkins
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lionsgate
DVD Release Date: April 16, 2013
Run Time: 100 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

Let’s get this out of the way…what were they thinking with this title? I remember when I first say this film announced on Bloody-Disgusting and I just thought to myself “WTF, are they serious?” I understand that “The Haunting in Connecticut” was a very successful film but they could have easily have just called this “The Haunting in Georgia” and it would have gotten much more respect. It is based on a true story and in fact the film is quite awesome! Yes, I am serious.  The film is scary and has about tons of really great jump moments. I mean seriously, a man can’t handle that much! The story itself might not be the most well thought out of the year but it delivers the scares and for me that is the more important.  After watching as many shitty horror films as I do per year, this was easily one of the better and quite impressive.  I don’t look forward to going to bed tonight though. I will look forward to the third installment “The Haunting in New York” for sure!

Director Tom Elkins gets his first time in the director’s chair with this film and really proves his knows what he is doing.  He previously worked as an editor on films like “The New Daughter” and “Red Eye”, so he knows the genre quite well.  Since he also edited this film, he succeeds in piecing the good parts together well and effectively. I can’t wait to see what his next directorial effort will be.  Chad Michael Murray and Abigail Spencer both deliver strong performances or at much they can expect from a direct-to-video sequel. The star of the film for me is Emily Alyn Lind.  She is absolutely amazing and might I mention only 10 years old! You might know here best from her roles in films like “Won’t Back Down” and “J. Edgar, as Shirley Temple” and her TV role in ABC’s “Revenge” as Young Amanda Clarke.  She is going to be a huge actress for sure as she grows up, she keep an eye out!

Official Premise: Building on the terror of The Haunting in Connecticut, this horrifying tale traces a young family’s nightmarish descent into a centuries-old Southern hell. When Andy Wyrick (Chad Michael Murray, House of Wax) moves his wife Lisa (Abigail Spencer, TV’s “Mad Men”) and daughter Heidi to an historic home in Georgia, they quickly discover they are not the house’s only inhabitants. Joined by Lisa’s free-spirited sister, Joyce (Katee Sackhoff, TV’s “Battlestar Galactica”), the family soon comes face-to-face with a bone-chilling mystery born of a deranged desire a haunting secret rising from underground and threatening to bring down anyone in its path.

Lionsgate delivered a very impressive Blu-ray release for this film.  It also comes with an Ultraviolet streaming digital copy.  The 1080p transfer looks absolutely stunning within its 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The visual aspect of the film is a real home run and is well represented here. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track is also amazing.  Yes, some of the jumps are a little cliche but it is effective and very scary. The special features are a bit of a let down though.  There is an audio commentary track with Director Tom Elkins, Writer David Coogeshall and Co-Producer Brad Kessell, which is not bad.  “Seeing Ghosts: The True Story of the Wyricks” is a cool feature for all ghost lovers.  There are over 15 minutes of deleted scenes with optional commentary with Director Tom Elkins and also some outtakes. Lastly there is a trailer for the first film and the sequel.

Meg Foster is known best for her roles in films like “They Live” and “Masters of the Universe”. She goes under a complete transformation for her latest role in Rob Zombie’s “The Lords of Salem”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with her about her role in the film and how she got into her character.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with Rob Zombie’s “The Lords of Salem”?
Meg Foster: My manager phoned me and told me about the part. I was very interested in the role after reading it. I grew up in New England and something about it just reminded me of my childhood. I thought the words were just so beautiful. I think Morgan had some wonderful things to say. I had know about Rob Zombie’s work. Rob and I had a telephone conversation and I just keep relating back being a child in New England. I spent a lot of time in the woods and I had all of these wonderful childhood memories. Rob creates so much space for his actors. He expands everything. He is so generous in spirit and so very talented. It is like being a part of a painting. You are not just another color. You are YOUR color.

MG: Let’s talk about your transformation in this film; how did you get into character?
MF: Rob had his hands in creating everything. He worked with all the department heads. He had extraordinary effects, wardrobe, hair and make-up. They all worked together. The coven of witches from 1692 was quite amazing. I am not sure if you can actually see in the movie how amazing the costumes were. I was wearing wolf skin. It was like actually being one of them. You said transformation…that is really what it was. We actually didn’t have much makeup on, it was in fact dirt. I loved it. It made me feel like being a part of the earth. With the wardrobe, Julia Gombert used bones to hold pieces together. It was so well done and beautiful though. So this is how I got into the role.

MG: What was your the most challenging aspect of the role?
MF: I didn’t really do any planning for the role. I went through hair and make-up and just let the character develop on her own. The space that Rob developed for us actors made me feel so safe. I didn’t feel like there were any real challenges, but this is in retrospect. When I went in front of the camera and I just wanted to be as present as I could in the moment and let whatever was going to happen, just happen. The words that I had were very special. I like letting it just flow with the moment and follow the environment that was created. I don’t even know if I have words for this film! It is so multi-layered. It is like a labyrinth, a very visual labyrinth.

MG: What is it about the horror genre that interests you?
MF: It is always different. I like working in any genre. But I think that horror and sci-fi has always been popular and relevant. I remember watching Bela Lugosi in “Dracula”, when I was a child on “The Early Show”. It never frightened me but it terrified by brother. He was three or four at the time. He wouldn’t go to sleep that night without a crucifix in this bed [laughs]. So horror is the real deal.

MG: One of my favorites in the genre is “They Live”, can you reflect on the continued fan base surrounding this film still today?
MF: It is amazing. I have been so fortunate. I have worked with some of the most wonderful directors. John Carpenter was really great to work with on this film. When “They Live” came out and it wasn’t big at first but then it came back on Betamax and then got another life on DVD. Ever since doing “They Live” people always recognize me for the film. If I am in a market and I just hear them say “They Live” and I turn around and say “John Carpenter” and then say “Roddy Pipper” [laughs]. I absolutely love this film. It is quite extraordinary and the film itself is just timeless.

Actors: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson
Directors: Quentin Tarantino
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Weinstein Company/Anchor Bay
Release Date: April 16, 2013
Run Time: 165 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

When it comes to Quentin Tarantino you know that you are getting not your typical Hollywood cookie cutter movie. “Django Unchained” is a real shocker from the moment it starts and doesn’t let up until its finale.  I have to admit, I am not a big fan of Jamie Foxx but as an actor you can’t not like him. He really plays the hell out of this role.  Christoph Waltz was absolutely stunning.  I literally hung on every word that he spoke. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor but he is in over 2 hours in a 2 hour and 45 minute movie. To me that is more than just supporting.  Leonardo DiCaprio easily delivers one of his best performances to date…again unrecognized with any awards. Samuel L. Jackson is good but I feel that he has lost his appeal a bit since he went joined up with “S.H.I.E.L.D” and all. Definitely not as powerful as he was back in the “Pulp Fiction” days.

The film is quite long but doesn’t drag. Quentin’s dialogue is mesmerizing and perfectly delivered by each the actors. The action is very powerful and intense that you find yourself yelling back at the screen. I love the force and explosion behind each bullet wound. Some of the battle scenes at Candyland reminded me a bit of the Crazy 88’s fight in “Kill Bill: Volume 1”. I have no idea how this film cost $100 million though.  It is quite epic don’t get me wrong, but there is no major special effects in here. I would have to rank this film third behind “Pulp Fiction” and “Inglorious Bastards”. So it may not be Quentin’s best film, but it is still a blast to watch. If you are a fan of his style then don’t miss this for sure.

Official Premise: Set in the South two years before the Civil War,  “Django Unchained” stars Academy Award®-winner Jamie Foxx as Django, a slave whose brutal history with his former owners lands him face-to-face with German-born bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz (Academy Award®-winner Christoph Waltz). Schultz is on the trail of the murderous Brittle brothers, and only Django can lead him to his bounty. The unorthodox Schultz acquires Django with a promise to free him upon the capture of the Brittles – dead or alive. Success leads Schultz to free Django, though the two men choose not to go their separate ways. Instead, Schultz seeks out the South’s most wanted criminals with Django by his side. Honing vital hunting skills, Django remains focused on one goal: finding and rescuing Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), the wife he lost to the slave trade long ago.

Django and Schultz’s search ultimately leads them to Calvin Candie (Academy Award®-nominee Leonardo DiCaprio), the proprietor of “Candyland,” an infamous plantation. Exploring the compound under false pretenses, Django and Schultz arouse the suspicion of Stephen (Academy Award®-nominee Samuel L. Jackson), Candie’s trusted house slave. Their moves are marked, and a treacherous organization closes in on them. If Django and Schultz are to escape with Broomhilda, they must choose between independence and solidarity, between sacrifice and survival…

Starz/Anchor Bay did a very fine job with this release. The combo pack release includes a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy and an Ultraviolet digital streaming copy. The 1080p transfer looks stunning with its beautiful aspect ratio of 2.40:1. The film feels quite large and epic. This looks amazing on all the film’s wide shots and also the action scenes. When it comes to Quentin Tarantino, you have to expect good music and a great score. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track really sounds amazing. You find yourself dodging every single bullet amongst the action. The dialogue is perfectly balanced. The songs in the film represent the Spaghetti Western quite well.

The special features are a bit of a letdown though. I was hoping for some a nice look behind-the-scenes on the film and also some commentary tracks. Instead we get three featurettes, which are good but not at all what I was hoping for. “Remembering J. Michael Riva: The Production Design of Django Unchained” is a nice homage to the film’s production designer, who passes on during shooting. “Reimagining the Spaghetti Western: The Horses and Stunts of Django Unchained” has interviews with Tarantino and Jeff Dashnaw, the stunt coordinator, chatting about the production. “The Costume Designs of Sharen Davis” focuses on the wardrobes used in the film. Lastly there is a trailer for “Tarantino XX Blu-ray” and “Django Unchained Soundtrack”.

Tim Kirk is the producer of the new documentary “Room 237: Being an Inquiry into ‘The Shining’ in 9 Parts”. The film takes a look behind the film “The Shining” and exposes some of the films deeper meanings. If you are a fan of “The Shining”, then you need to watch this film ASAP! Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Tim about the film and his thoughts on the theories.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you end up getting involved producing “Room 237”?
Tim Kirk: For several months a few years ago, my baby daughter could only sleep while being gently rocked in my arms. During this time, I completed the Internet. In the deep recesses I found a mind-blowing essay about The Shining. I sent it to my friend Rodney Ascher, knowing he would dig it and hoping that he was awake. He called 10 minutes later and Room 237 was born.

MG: Tell us how the documentary ended up being split into nine parts?
TK: When we sat down to structure the film, we had many sequences of varying lengths. We tried a number of structures and this one seemed to work the most. Numbering the parts was aimed at giving the viewer a sense of the shape going into it, and a way to keep track of where they are in the film as they are watching. It’s an unusual structure so we tried to provide clues along the way.

MG: The documentary is thought-provoking and intriguing; what was your biggest challenge with this project?
TK: I think the biggest challenge of making this film was that there is no map for making a film like this. That’s also why making it was so fun and liberating.

MG: How long did the film take to complete from conception to release?
TK: We spent a year researching. Another year interviewing and editing. Then another year in post.

MG: Some of the theories are a little bit of a stretch in my mind; which ones do you feel have the strongest case in the film?
TK: We tried to make the strongest case we could for each theory. Rodney once described the apparatus of the film as being “this persuasion machine.” I have completely believed each theory at one point or another. Right now, three some years in, I don’t know what to think any more.

MG: Are you shocked by the response that this film has generated since its release?
TK: I am blown away by the response to this film. At many times during the making of the film, Rodney wondered if he wasn’t Jack, typing away on his nonsense novel. In that scenario, I am probably Lloyd, pouring the drinks and urging him on.

MG: Is there any extra footage planned for the Blu-ray release? What other kind of extras can we expect?
TK: We have some deleted scenes, many audio, for the DVD. Some great theories and ideas that didn’t make it into the film. Let me just say “Big Dipper.” Also, some alt trailers and other goodies.

MG: Being a fan myself; what is your personal favorite scene in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”?
TK: I think my favorite scenes are when Jack is at the bar, talking to Lloyd. We get a glimpse into the sort of novel Jack would be writing if he could. He clearly fancies himself a working man’s writer, using crass and derogative language. His spells of angry eloquence here and on the stairwell are in real contrast to the phoney we meet in the interview scene.

MG:What do you have planned next after this film?
TK: Working with Rodney is great and we have a couple of documentaries in the works. There is a narrative project I’m working on. I’m also hoping to become a fierce soccer dad.

Directed by: Carl Urbano, Don Lusk, Paul Sommer, Robert Alvarez, Jay Sarbry
Voices of: Charlie Adler, William Callaway, Teresa Ganzel, Dick Gautier, Phil Hartman, Don Messick, Frank Welker, Patric Zimmerman
Number of discs: 2
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: April 30, 2013
Running Time: 290 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I am not sure what it is about “Tom and Jerry” but they have always been one of my favorites. This popular cat and mouse duo has been around since 1940 and have never left the public eye for long. This animated series features the duo as kids, probably taking a page from “Muppets Babies”. “Tom and Jerry Kids Show” premiered in 1990 on Fox Kids and ran through 1994 for five seasons for a total of 65 episodes. This complete first season includes the first 13 episodes. So how does the the young Tom and Jerry rank against the older Tom and Jerry? Well it is fun and still had me laughing! So I give it a thumbs up…It was good as a kid for me and still good for me as an adult! I look forward to future seasons!

Official Premise: A Rivalry for All Ages! Spend some time with the beloved animated duo in their furry, formative years in Tom & Jerry Kids Show: The Complete Season One. Available for the first time on DVD in this 2-Disc collection, these delightful adventures follow the kitten and baby mouse as they taunt each other and create mayhem like only young ones can. Joined by their pals Droopy, Dripple, Spike and Tyke, Tom and Jerry bring on the giggles and good times in episodes such as Toys Will Be Toys, Bat Mouse, Cosmic Chaos and The Maltese Poodle. So run wild with 13 episodes from the hit TV series that feature more than four hours of hi-jinks that will be sure to bring out the kid in all of us!

“Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1″ is animated fun for the whole family. I have a 10-month old daughter and she literally lit up when these cartoons came on. I love that. For a show that I watched growing up now I will be able to share with my own child. The 13 episodes are split over a two-disc set with over four hours of guaranteed laughs and of course many “Tom and Jerry” hi-jinks. Each episode of this show is about 7 minutes so it works out that there is more like 39 mini-episodes included. The colors on the episodes still look sharp for a show that was produced well over 20 years ago, feeling old now. The audio included on the DVD is a typical Dolby Digital Mono track, which works well for the show itself. There are no additional special features included on the DVDs.

Season 1 episodes list:
Disc 1
1: Flippin’ Fido, Dakota Droopy & the Lost Dutch Boy Mine, Dog Daze Afternoon
2: Toys Will Be Toys, Droopy Delivers, My Pal
3: Prehistoric Pals, Super Droop & Dripple Boy Meet the Yolker, Marvelous Marvin
4: Bat Mouse, Puss n’ Pups, Outer Space Rover
5: The Vermin, Aerobic Droopy, Mouse Scouts
6: Sugar Belle Loves Tom, Sometimes, Mall Mouse, Super Duper Spike
7: Cosmic Chaos, Droopy of the Opera, Beach Bummers

Disc 2
8: Gator Baiter, Hoodwinked Cat, Medieval Mouse
9: Clyde to the Rescue, Droopio & Juliet, Maze Monster Zap Men
10: Crash Condor, Yo Ho Ho…Bub, Scrub-a-Dub Tom
11: No Biz Like Snow Biz, The Maltese Poodle, Cast Away Tom
12: The Little Urfulls, Droopo – First Bloodhound, Indy Mouse 500
13: Exterminator Cometh, Foreign Legion Frenzy, Urfo Returns