Actors: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, Bokeem Woodbine
Directors: Len Wiseman
MPAA Rating: PG-13 / Not Rated
Studio: Sony
Release Date: December 18, 2012
Run Time: 118 / 130 minutes

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

Alright, we all love Paul Verhoeven’s “Total Recall” from 1990 with Arnold Schwarzenegger. This 2012 reboot there very hard to compare to that film, maybe a little too hard. It picks and chooses aspects of the original film, while trying to stand out on its own. I do have a bit weak spot for science ficiton. This film is very sly and sharp. It is a well-polished, very loud and colorful action/thriller. Colin Farrell is good in the role but does have that comedy angle that Schwarzenegger brought to the role in the original. If the amazing CG and visuals aren’t enough for you, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel are great eye candy to look out. If you can get over the fact that this film is called “Total Recall”, there is a lot of action packed fun to be had here.

Official Synopsis: Prepare for non-stop excitement and pulse-pounding thrills in this “smart, sexy and action-packed” (Scott Mantz, Access Hollywood) action thriller. Colin Farrell stars as Douglas Quaid, a factory worker who visits Rekall, a revolutionary company that can turn his superspy fantasies into real memories. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, the line between fantasy and reality blurs as Quaid becomes a man on the run and the fate of his world hangs in the balance. Costarring Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel and Bryan Cranston, Total Recall is bursting with mind-blowing action sequences and spectacular visual effects, the ultimate high-energy thrill-ride!

Whether you enjoyed this film or not Sony delivers an amazing three-disc release with with two Blu-rays’s and a DVD. There is also a Ultraviolet digital streaming copy included. There are two cuts of the film including the theatrical release (118 minutes) and the extended director’s cut (130 minutes). The DVD and Ultraviolet copies only packs the theatrical release. The extended director’s cut really improves the film quite a bit, instead of the play-it-safe PG-13 theatrical release. I really enjoyed the new story lines and alternate ending. This is the way the film was meant to been seen and the way that I would recommend watching. “Total Recall” delivers one of the years best high definition 1080p transfers. It is literally perfect and works so well with this very pretty looking film. The audio also delivers a perfectly balanced Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound track.

The special features are nothing short of amazing on this release. On the first Blu-ray, there is a great and very honest commentary track from director Len Wiseman. Highly recommend this track. ““Total Recall Insight Mode” is perfect to check out during a second viewing since it allows the viewers to watch behind-the-scenes clips through the film. On Disc two there is a multitude of featurettes, as well as a 8-minute gag reel. “Science Fiction vs. Science Fact” is a look into the reality behind the future with Michio Kaku, Professor of Theoretical Physics and Author of Physics of the Future. “Designing The Fall” looks into the visuals and set designs but runs way too short. “Total Action” is a seven-part feature focusing on the films actors Colin Farrell, Jessica Biel and Kate Beckinsale and the making of key scenes including the film’s climax.

The last feature on disc two is a collection of Pre-Visualization Sequences called “Stepping Into Recall”. It shows various scenes in different animated states includingt “Apartment Waterfront Chase”, “The Fall Fight”, “Flight and Tripping Den”, “Elevator Chase” and “Car Chase”. The DVD of the film contains the gag reel, “Total Recall Insight Mode,” and the “Science Fiction vs. Science Fact” and “Designing the Fall” featurettes. Also not sure how this is related to “Total Recall” but there is a playable game demo of “”God of War™: Ascension”” for Playstation 3, which is in advance of its March 12, 2013 release. But it is a nice treat for fans of the game’s franchise!

Since our last chat with Keith David back in April of 2010, he has gone on to co-star in one of my favorite films of 2012, “Cloud Atlas”, in which he plays four different roles. Also as we speak, he currently has three films in theaters. Keith is known best for his roles in projects like “The Princess and the Frog”, “Platoon” and “They Live”. He has won two Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance on projects like “The War” and “Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat about “Cloud Atlas”, as well as his other recent projects.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your four very different roles in “Cloud Atlas”?
Keith David: I met the directors and they offered me a job and it was great. This project was one of the most thrilling experiences of my career actually. I got to work with and meet some really great actors. These are people that I have admired from afar for years. Before this, I had never met Halle (Berry) before. I had met Tom (Hanks). We actually did a stage reading for “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” many years ago. It was fun to be on a set and really get to watch these different characters evolve as they were doing make-up tests. It was just thrilling and I had a blast.

[Note: Here is a breakdown of his four roles. Kupaka – “The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing” set in 1849 and was directed by The Wachowski’s; Joe Napier – “Half-Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery”, set in 1973, and directed by Tom Tykwer; General An-Kor Apis – “An Orison of Sonmi~451”, set in 2144 and directed by The Wachowski’s; and lastly, Prescient – “Sloosha’s Crossin’ an’ Ev’rythin’ After” set in 2321, also directed by The Wachowski’s.]

MG: Speaking of make-up, what was your most challenge role? Was it An-Kor Apis?
KD: Yes, I think that An-Kor Apis was one of my favorites. He was the most drastic transformation for me. He was also the culmination of the previous two characters that I play. Kupaka starts out as a slave. Joe (Napier) also sort of works for ‘the man’, until he gets the opportunity to step up to the plate and become more of himself. Then in the next re-incarnation, An-Kor Apis becomes the leader of rebellion. In terms of soul, it was a nice journey for me.

MG: You got to work with both Tom Tykwer and The Wachowskis, how was it switching between the different aspects of the production?
KD: It was amazing. I have never been a part of something like this before. It was such a seamless collaboration. The Wachowski’s, Lana and Andy work together beautifully. Even when they asked for slightly different things, it still felt like one voice. The pre-production before we got there must have been tremendous. There is a lot of back stories and how each piece fits into the puzzle, but the three of them were so clear on it. Going back and forth between the two teams, there was nothing abruptive about it. It was very wonderfully seamless.

MG: How was it filming in Germany and Spain?
KD: I mean what is not to like [laughs]. It was extremely beautiful. When I wasn’t shooting, I got to wander around and explore. I went to the beach and got to swim in Spain. Berlin is such a wonderful city and there is just so much to do. I even have some friends from the States, who now live in Berlin, who I have done shows together with back in New York about three years ago. One of them even has her own Gospel group, so I got to sing in eight Gospel concerts while I was in Germany. That was very cool!

MG: Tell us about your role of Big Earl in “Christmas in Compton”?
KD: That was another fun piece. Big Earl is the nurturer of the neighborhood and runs this Christmas tree lot, which is how he makes a living. He is raising his son, who is really a grown man. After going to college for a few years, his son decides he wants to be a record producer. After Big Earl has a heart attack, he puts his sons name on the lot and tells him to take over. His son, in a bit of bad judgment, puts up the lot on a bad deal and dad has to come to the rescue. I personally love stories about fathers and sons. Sometimes when fathers want more for their children, they end up being harder on them than necessary. This ends up hurting them more than applying the growth that we want most for them. Overall, though I feel it has a nice message.

MG: You have another film “The Last Fall” out now as well, tell us about that?
KD: Again, I thought it was a really good story about what happens after your dream is disrupted. Sometimes you have to be careful what you ask for or you may get it or if you’re not careful you will lose it. I thought that [director] Matthew Cherry did a great job with it. It is in theaters now and hits DVD in January.

MG: You also got new TV series called “Belle’s” slated for next year, what can we expect?
KD: I play the head of a family. My wife is deceased but I still carry on the restaurant with her name on it. I have two daughters, who have trouble getting along and a sister-and-law that gets on my nerves [laughs]. I also have a lovely granddaughter that I am crazy over. The show focuses around what happens behind-the-scenes of the restaurant and also when it gets busy. It is really run and premieres also in January.

MG: Did I miss anything? What else you got planned for 2013?
KD: Right now, I am also narrating a documentary for the History Channel called “The Bible”. It will be airing right before Easter.

Actors: Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Aziz Ansari, Joy Behar
Directors: Mike Thurmeier, Steve Martino
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Run Time: 88 minutes

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

When I the last chapter in this “Ice Age” franchise, which was also the first in 3D”, “Age of the Dinosaurs”, I thought the series had jumped the shark.  After a few viewings though, I that film has grown on me.  I was excited right off to see “Continental Drift”.  I thought the story looked cute, the 3D looks sharp and the new characters were fun.  I was right on all-three aspects.  This isn’t anything ground breaking in the story department but perfect for kids.  There are a bunch of great new characters, voiced by Jennifer Lopez, Aziz Ansari and Peter Dinklage.  This installment also introduces music into the film, with original songs and I think it works very well. Overall, I am very satisfied with this film and is perfectly timed for release to make a perfect Christmas gift this holiday season for every kid. Can’t wait to see what they come up with for the fifth installment in the “Ice Age” franchise.

Official Premise: This all-new chapter in the beloved Ice Age franchise reconnects families with herd favourites Manny, Sid, and Diego. Joining familiar friends of the Ice Age world on their latest journey is Sid’s long-lost and side-splittingly funny Granny plus a band of pirates led by the fearsome orangutan Captain Gutt. And no Ice Age film would be complete without celebrated icon Scrat, whose existence revolves around the elusive acorn. Scrat once again returns with his very own exploits; however this time his pursuits result in world-changing consequences.

One of the best aspects of the “Ice Age” franchise has always been its amazing voice cast. Ray Romano is always fun to listen to playing Manny.  Denis Leary plays the tough guy with the big heart, very well as  Diego.  John Leguizamo was born to play Sid with that lovable slur. Queen Latifah joined the cast last year voicing Ellie and is a nice match for Manny. Also Seann William Scott returns voicing Crash and  Simon Pegg as Buck.  Newcomers to the cast include Nicki Minaj voicing Steffie and parents will enjoy the “Shaun of the Dead” reunion as Nick Frost joins the cast with Simon Pegg voicing Flynn.

Fox delivers this release with a wonderful combo pack included the 3D Blu-ray, the standard Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Copy and also Ultraviolet digital streaming copy. You can literally want this film whenever and wherever you are. The 3D presentation really suits this franchise well and looks even better at home in a sharp 1080p transfer with an aspect ratio of 2.40:1. I think that the depth added in the 3D and really makes the action scenes feel like your on a rollercoaster ride. Besides the 3D, the film is also backs but an incredible DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1. There is no aspect of this Blu-ray release that isn’t amped up and ready to blow you away.

The special features are exploding out here with over four hours of extras.  Kids are going to eat up watching the film with the interactive “Party with a Pirate!” mode, very fun.  There is also a sing-along mode as well. I actually really enjoyed the original songs included here! There are many exclusive featurettes included, which gives some fantastic background into the production.  “Through a Pirate’s Spyglass: Voices Ahoy and Capturing the Crew” look into the recording sessions with the cast. “Granny and the Stink of the Sloths”, “Scrat Got Your Tongue?” and “Whale of a Tale: Drifts, Rifts, Beasties and Myths” focus on each of the respective characters and their aspects in the film.   There are two music video for the songs “We Are” and “Chasing the Sun”.  There are also some decent deleted Scenes included. “The Scratist” is an all-new animated short spoof with the lovable Scrat. “Ice Age: The Story So Far” is a seires overview for those who need a refresh on the first three films.  Lastly there are the original theatrical trailers included.

Christopher Bessette is the writer and director of the film “Trade of Innocents”. The film recently played in the Toronto Cornerstone International Film Festival and we were awarded “Best Feature”. The film was released limited in theaters early this Fall and will be released on DVD on December 11, 2012. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Christopher about the film, what people can do to help in real life about human trafficking and also what he had plans next.

Mike Gencarelli: You have not has a simple career as filmmaker ranging from places like Amazon and the jungles of Central America, Russia, South East Asia, throughout Europe, across Canada and most of the United States; what do you enjoy most about working in so many different situations?
Christopher Bessette: I am really grateful for the places my career has taken me. You learn to be sensitive to cultural differences and become the observer in the nuance of communication… primarily because you don’t speak the language, so you learn to watch their physical mannerism and reactions.  This has been invaluable for me as a director.

MG: Tell us about how you were inspired to write and direct “Trade of Innocents”?
CB: Interesting how coffee shop conversations can ultimately lead you to the other side of the world. In 2008 I was in a coffee shop with a friend and she shared with me her missions work with orphans in Cambodia.  She told me about the plight of the people and the intense suffering they’ve endured.  My heart was broken and I immediately thought of two of my characters that are in Trade of Innocents. Two months later I get a surprise phone call from a broadcaster that I had worked with 17 years earlier and they asked me to help them tell a story about an organization that rescues children from the sex trade in CAMBODIA! I already had a story that I wanted to tell, so the trip would be dual purpose, I’d do the work for the broadcaster and I’d location scout and research for my movie.  So now I’m in country and I am seeing things happen all around me.  When your readers see the movie and the “Puppy Love” scene in the bar of the hotel; that really happened.  I chased down a perpetrator, following an investigators lead, exactly like the scene in the movie.  People might say, “come on” but if they could feel an ounce of pain my soul suffered when the pedophile was getting away with the little girl, they’d understand why I wept when we recreated that scene for Trade of Innocents… even as gut wrenching as that was, still it wasn’t the impetus.  On that same trip I found myself in the village of Svay Pok, 11 KM outside of Phnom Penh in a building called Rahab’s House. If you’ve seen the Dateline report, this is the building that was a notorious brothel. It is now used used as a community center, day care, medical clinic, church etc.  I went upstairs to the second floor, the room was sterilized freshly painted and void of furniture. Rahab’s House administrator told me that the room upstairs, “The Virgin Room or the Pink Room” was the room brothel owners held children as young as 5, 6 years old for the pedophiles.  I looked out of the bared window of that room to the dirt streets below and saw children playing. I wondered if a little girl looked through this same window wondering why she couldn’t be out there with her friends. I found myself whispering the words, “Oh God, help me tell her story, I have to do something, help me tell her story.”  Needless to say I came home with the story burning in my heart.

MG: How was it working with such an amazing cast like Dermot Mulroney, Mira Sorvino, John Billingsley and Trieu Tran
CB: Absolutely brilliant. Each actor has a different approach. My job is to serve each one so we communicate effectively and in-turn they serve the story, and the story serves the audience.  Here’s where the multi-culture experience comes in handy, I watch their unspoken communication actions and reactions and that gives me clues on how to effectively communicate with each of them.  Trieu Tran and I were in-sync from the beginning, I would say “a couple of words” to Trieu and he’d be like, “gotcha” and boom it would be outta the park!  All of these people are incredible professionals and my level of work with them is very subtle, whereas with other actors in the same piece, it is a lot more intense.  The end result is you’re looking for balance.

MG: Where you aware of Mira’s position on the topic of human trafficking before casting?
CB: She was a goldmine find.  I wasn’t personally aware of it but when her name came to the table, everybody on the producing team started buzzing about her passion with the  issue.  To have an actress that is extremely skilled and passionate about the issue is such a huge blessing.

MG: How does “Trade of Innocents” compare from your previous films?
CB: It is ambitious,  it carries poetic imagery of subtext, that for the viewer looking for it, will find.  I won’t spoil all of it by telling you, but the theme of redemption runs throughout… in each of the characters, even in colors.  The color red for example is typically associated with the red light district or a lady of the night, but in our film you’ll find it played in all of the positive ways, the red krama (scarf) the red drapes in Princess Willow Leafs palace, the Crimson Sun Bird that leads Amy into shanty town etc.

MG: Do you think that this film will create awareness for this “epidemic” of a situation?
CB: One film won’t be the answer, people will. The film will entertain but I hope that somewhere along the journey the viewers realize, “This is really going on!”  There is a collective voice that is silent for the most part crying  – that little girl looking through the bars of a window, hoping that a modern day abolitionist will stand up and say, “Enough, this is wrong.”  I hope it stirs those people that will make a difference.

MG: What do you have planned to follow-up this film?
CB: From real life drama / thriller in “Trade of Innocents” to real life drama in a supernatural thriller: imagine if I told you “The 6th Sense” was real.  True Story –  A 12 year old boy wakes from a coma and he is unable to speak but he can write.  He writes two letters, to two families, street addresses it to their house and everything… but he’s never met them before.  The contents of the letters contain exact details and names of their deceased children he’s met on the ‘other side.‘ They have a message for their parents and the world.

Starring: The Doobie Brothers
Distributed by: Eagle Vision
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Total Running Time: 148 minutes (including extras)

Our Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

With a career spanning over 40 years, over 40 million albums sold, and 25 band member line-up changes, the Doobie Brothers are a band that’s a ripe subject for an amazing documentary that chronicles their highs and lows and downs and outs. Unfortunately, “Let the Music Play” isn’t that documentary. While it does satisfy the prerequisites through band member interviews and archival footage and stills, it doesn’t really grab hold of the reigns and become something that is completely engaging or memorable.

The film establishes its pattern from frame one: talking head > concert footage/stills > repeat. While the stories each of the Doobies tell are fairly interesting, there are constant and tedious refrains of self-praise (“This is a band that could play anything!”) and stories of how a relentless recording and touring schedule burnt out so many members of the group. It’s pretty cut-and-dry stuff and, as a result, “Let the Music Play” never ascends above the level of a “Rockumentary 101” student’s final project.

How could the documentary have been a better one? For starters, the interview questions could have been a lot more probing and elicited more personal responses that shine a light on the band’s soul. We don’t get to hear any anecdotes or specific “There was this ONE time on the road…” stories that often make band bio films fascinating. It would be one thing if the Doobies were fairly droll individuals who weren’t articulate and interesting to listen to, but that’s far from the case. Throughout the entirety of “Let the Music Play”, we keep waiting for those stories that probably could and want to tell – the ones that we’ll remember after the end credits have rolled – but they’re never delivered.

The filmmakers would have done well to borrow some well-established motifs – and dare I say clichés – that are constantly used in the myriad of “making of classic rock albums” docs that have been released over the past decade. Legendary producer Ted Templeman factors into “Let the Music Play” quite frequently, shedding light as to what working with the Doobies was like, and accurately describes them as “Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with leather jackets”.Given this, why not put him behind a mixing console so he can play some of the individual tracks from the multi-track studio mixes to highlight some of the three-part harmonies that made songs like “Black Water” unique and classic? It’s a huge missed opportunity that could have added the type of depth that the film as a whole lacks. And what about all of those guitars we see behind each of the guitarists while they are being interviewed?  Why not let them play them from time to time to demonstrate how some of the classic licks that the Doobies are famous for were created? Pat Simmons has a guitar in his lap whenever he’s talking to the camera!  Alas…another missed opportunity.

Perhaps the biggest shortcoming of “Let the Music Play” is that it really doesn’t let the music play much at all. It would be one thing if footage of great performances were scarce but that’s clearly not the case given that the disc’s sole extra is 48 minute worth of live performances. The nine tracks that comprise this bonus feature are presented chronologically and span a wide range of the years from longhair to mullet to grey. The opener, “Rainy Day Crossroad Blues”, shows lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Johnston and a handful of his band mates gathered in a circle around a hotel’s outdoor pool area. A single camera on a tripod captures Johnston chunka-chunking away at his acoustic guitar and singing the lyrical sections that he’s already come up with for the song and humming the rest. It’s a stop-and-start affair full of trial and error, but the net result is that we get front-and-center seats to see the miracle of life as a new song is born. Even though this home movie clip runs a mere four minutes, it’s more fascinating that the entirety of the 100-minute documentary that it’s been tacked on to. Adding it and a couple of the other live footage clips to the film would have allowed “Let the Music Play” become something special and worthwhile.

It’s a shame that the film falls so short of being the definitive documentary about a band that is so proficient and significant and whose music is often timeless. “Let the Music Play” should, when inhaled, provide a great high but, instead, only delivers a disappointingly weak buzz.

Starring: Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage and Ian McKellen
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hours 49 mins
New Line Cinema

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Sometimes we build up our expectations, often to the point that we can never be satisfied. Francis Ford Coppola has made some film masterpieces but they are often compared, unfairly, to “The Godfather.” Michael Jackson’s “BAD” is a great album. But it’s no “Thriller.” After “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy Peter Jackson could have said “sorry, no more Tolkien stories for me.” But he’s back with the first of three films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” Is it “The Lord of the Rings?” No. But you already knew that.

Taking place about 60 years before the adventures chronicled in “The Lord of the Rings” films, the story begins with an elderly Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) writing in a notebook. He is recounting his younger days for other Hobbits to learn from. The story is one of adventure, dwarves and a certain creature who goes by the name Gollum. What follows is a jaw-dropping visual carnival courtesy of Peter Jackson and company!

Full of everything from giant spiders to goblins, from Orcs to a giant dragon, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is a two hour-plus adventure into a world never seen before. The tale finds young Bilbo (Freeman) being visited by the great Wizard, Gandalf (McKellen) and thirteen Dwarves, led by the great warrior, Thorin (Armitage). Along the way they come across virtually every creature that Jackson and the people at WETA could devise. And this is the drawback of the film. It is almost TOO crowded with strange and exotic creatures. Like “King Kong” before it, it seems like Jackson decided if it can be made let’s put it on film.

The film is also shot in a process that’s is explained as such: normally film goes through a projector at the rate of 24 frames through the gate per second. Jackson has filmed “The Hobbit” at the rate of 48 frames per second, which gives the film an incredible clarity that is actually off putting for the first 20 minutes or so. However, once you get used to it the images are quite breathtaking, especially during the battle sequences.

There are two more films planned to tell the story of “The Hobbit.” Will they be better than “The Lord of the Rings?” Probably not. But if they’re anything like “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” that should be just fine.

Related Content

• Film Review “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
• Film Review “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
• Film Review “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”
• 3D Blu-ray Review “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 3D: Extended Edition”
• CD Review “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Special Edition)

Actors: Corey Sevier, Jasen Wade
Directors: John Lyde
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Entertainment One
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Run Time: 94 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

Zombie Osama Bin Laden? What will they think of next? If that doesn’t draw you into “Osombie”, nothing will. Obviously, you know that this film needs to be taken with a very large grain of salt. But believe it or not, this film works.  It is a nice mix of action and horror. There are swords, guns, zombies and exploding heads.  How can you say no to all that? I mean the terror isn’t really there but the special effects are decent for a low-budget film.  Did I mention again this has a Zombie Osama Bin Laden? Shake you head if you want but this is worth checking out for a good laugh.

Officie Premise: Dusty (Eve Mauro) is on a desperate mission to rescue her brother, a conspiracy theorist who is convinced Osama Bin Laden is still alive. In Afghanistan, she falls in with a team of Special Forces soldiers on a secret assignment. When the group crashes headlong into a zombie apocalypse, Dusty and the troops realize they must find and destroy the root of this evil before it s too late.

Believe it or not the Blu-ray presentation on this low-budget action/horror flick looks impressive.  The 1080p transfer also compliments the effect work quite well. The audio track included, DTS-HD Master Audio track, doesn’t break any new ground but works with the action scenes.  Though on the downside of this release, there are zero special features includes, as this is completely bare bones.  I was hoping for a make-up effects featurette or at least a commentary track from the director explaining himself for bringing back Bin Laden and then killing him again.  This release is still worth checking out for a decent laugh.

Creator: Matt Groening
Cast: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Release Date: December 11, 2012
Run Time: 286 minutes

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

When this show got canceled back in 2003, I was dying for more “Futurama”. Between me and you, I like this show far better than “The Simpsons”, post-90’s. This volume contains the first 13 episodes of the seventh season of the show. This season has some really good episodes. This season touches base on everything happening in pop-culture this year from the Maya Calender to the election to even Bender having a baby. Some of the best episodes of the series here and a real improvement from season six. These episodes also have a great replay value and only get funnier. If you want more “Futurama”, the second half of season seven begins in June 2013.

Official Premise: Crank up the gravity and put your head safely in a jar! It’s Volume Seven of FUTURAMA – the animated sci-fi comedy from The Simpsons creator Matt Groening. Crammed with a whole new dimension of extras not shown on TV, this cosmic collection includes 13 bizarre and brilliant episodes involving ancient prophecies, Presidents’ heads, robot gangsters, angry butterflies, and of course, sausage-making. It’s a shipload of futuristic fun!

The episodes includes in this volume are: The Bots And The Bees; A Farewell To Arms; Decision 3012 ; The Thief Of Baghead; Zapp Dingbat; The Butterjunk Effect; The Six Million Dollar Mon; Fun On A Bun; Free Will Hunting; Near-death Wish; 31st Century Fox; Viva Mars Vegas and Naturama.

The special features are A-MAZING! There are commentary tracks on all of the 13 episodes from this season.  There is even a bonus commentary on the second episode “A Farewell To Arms” from the Animators of Rough Draft Studios.  These are worth the price of the release alone! There is an alternate ending for the fifth episode “Zapp Dingbat”. I am a big fan of the score from “Futurama” and there is a nice feature on the composer “Christopher Tyng’s Big Score”, read our interview with Christopher here. There is a funny sing-along with the character in “Futurama Karaoke”.  Lastly there is a funny infinite loop for “Möbius Trip” and some really great collection of deleted scenes in “Too Good For TV”.

Created by: Fred Freiberger
Starring, Jim Malinda, Bill Ewing, Naomi Pollack, Christopher Man
Narrated by: Burgess Meredith
Distributed by: Warner Archive
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 344 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Korg: 70,000 B.C.” is a short-lived live-action Saturday morning TV series from 1974 that was executive produced by Hanna-Barbera. The show only lasted one season of 16 episodes but has developed quite the following over the years. I can’t say that I was able to watch this show during its original run, but I was aware of this series, despite its short-life and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The series also spawned a board game and comic series tie-in back in the day. Warner Archive is behind this complete collection of this show. It is the first time it has every been released on DVD.

Official Synopsis: A plaintive hunting horn, heard over a ruddy sunrise, signaled the start of something different on Saturday mornings in the mid-seventies. Clan Korg had arrived to take kids and kids at heart on a series of live-action anthropological adventures across the dangerous terrain of prehistory. Aided by consultants from both New York’s American Museum of Natural History and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Korg ditched battling dinos and discovering fire for a more mature focus on the dawn of cooperation and compassion amongst our Neanderthal brethren as personified by it’s pre-nuclear family. Korg is the patriarch of the clan, which includes Mara, his mate; Bok, Korg’s younger brother; and Korg’s three offspring: Tana, 15; Ree, 12; and Tar, 11. Together, they brave opposing tribes, cave bears and fire while discovering the roots of art, diplomacy and commerce in the world of 70,000 BC. Burgess Meredith narrates.

The quality of the episodes are decent for a 35+ year old show.  This release hasn’t been remastered or restored but it has been taken from the best-quality video master currently available.  So it looks good but could look much better, I am sure.  But I think that fans of the series will just be happy to finally have this series available on DVD.  They are presented in 4 X 3 Full Frame with it’s original aspect ration of 1.37:1.  The audio track included is a Dolby Mono track, which is in line with all the Warner Archive release.  There are no other extras included besides the episodes.

Directed by: Marshall Lewy
Starring: Robert Carlyle, Alexia Rasmussen, Kathleen Wilhoite, A Martinez, Michael Des Barres, Danny Masterson
Distributed by Strand Releasing
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running time: 94 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

I came across this film since I was asked to interview Robert Carlyle. Read our interview here! I have been a fan of his work dating back to “Trainspotting”. He is one of the best character actors in the business, as he completely transforms himself throughout each role. Currently he is playing Rumpelstiltskin in the TV series “Once Upon a Time” and that just backs up my comment if you have seen the show. Carlyle completely emerges himself in the role of  Lachlan MacAldonich and easily delivers his best performance to date. If you are looking for a great character drama to sum up the year, then look no further than “California Solo”.

The film follows Lachlan (Robert Carlyle), who is a ex-Britpop rocker that is now working in a farm in Los Angeles. After he gets into a run-in with the law for driving drunk, he faces the treat of deportation. Lachlan has to not only fight to stay in the US but also confront his inner demons that he has been avoiding. We get to see many different aspects of Lachlan as his enters this journey and battles his biggest fears.

What does get me a little upset about this film is that all the hard work will probably not get the respect it deserves. With the theaters crowded with possible award deserving films, the indie gem “California Solo” might get lost in the shuffle. Out of all the performance, I have seen this year, I believe that Carlyle deserves to be recognized for this performance. The man even sing a tune in the song, which only adds to the honesty and rawness of the film.  Director Marshall Lewy also delivers a side of California that you never usually see.  I really enjoyed watching this film through his vision and I will be following to see what he does next very closing. “California Solo” is in theaters now, so if you can track this down be sure not to miss it and spread the word!

Actors: Freddie Prinze Jr., Monica Rial, Vic Mignogna
Directors: Justin Cook
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Funimation
Release Date: December 28, 2012
Run Time: 84 minutes

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

With “Mass Effect 3” tearing up video game systems right now, fans are in looking for more and more.  Thanks to Bioware and visionary Production I.G, we are delivered “Mass Effect: Paragon Lost”, which is an anime prequel to “Mass Effect 3”.  Production I.G. is known for their work on “Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C.” and “Blood: The Last Vampire”. The anime style is great and really works with the franchise. If you are a fan of the “Mass Effect” series and have played 1 and 2, then this is great way to great introduced  into 3.  Now if you haven’t played any it is still overall an awesome anime and will make you run out and purchase the game ASAP! In fact this month there is a newly released “Mass-Effect Trilogy” for Playstation 3.

Officical Premise: Mass Effect: Paragon Lost follows the early career of Alliance Marine, James Vega. Vega leads an elite Special Forces squad into battle against a mysterious alien threat known as The Collectors. Stationed at a colony in a remote star system, Vega and his soldiers must protect civilians from ruthless invaders determined to capture the population for unknown purposes.  Movie audiences will discover new insights into the Mass Effect universe with an unprecedented glimpse into the haunted past of the franchise’s newest hero.

I have to say with anime, I always prefer a Japanese audio track but “Mass Effect: Paragon Lost” really does features a very sharp English voice cast including Freddie Prinze, Jr., Monica Rial (Deadman Wonderland) and Vic Mignogna (Fullmetal Alchemist).  I still would have liked at least an option for a Japanese track but since this is more of a US release, I understand why it is not included. The real stars of the film though is composers David Kates and Joshua R. Mosley really steal the show with their fantastic score. Kates previously worked on the scores for both “Mass Effect” and “Mass Effect 2”, so he knows the series well. I am sure the score would sound even better with the audio track on the Blu-ray release.

The special features for the film are maybe not a lot in terms of quantity but nothing short in quality.  First we get “All Doors Open: A Look Inside Electronic Arts”, which a nice look into the studio.  I really enjoyed “An Inside Look at the Mass Effect Universe”, this is a really in depth look into how much work was but into the film, including character modeling and designing. I really enjoyed this 13 minute featurette. There is a decent behind-the-scenes featurette with “Directing Effect”, which looks into creating the film from the game with cast/crew interviews – also runs a nice 25 minutes. Lastly there is a trailer included.

Robert Carlyle is a wonderful character actor known for his role in projects like “Trainspotting”, “The Full Monty”, ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”. In his new film “California Solo”, he plays a washed-out ex-Britpop rocker-turned-farm worker. This role is honestly one of his most revealing and honest to date. Robert took out some time to chat with Media Mikes about the role and what we can expect.

Mike Gencarelli: Where did you pull your inspiration for Lachlan MacAldonich in “California Solo”?
Robert Carlyle: I was fortunate, in the respect, to have known a lot of people who are involved in that world like the Gallagher brothers of Oasis and Ian Brown from The Stone Roses. It was interesting for me to then try and realize what their live would have been like had they fucked up and ended up on a farm in Los Angeles. The role was written very honestly and also believable. He doesn’t like to talk about his past rocker life and just works on this farm. So it was interesting for me to re-examine that aspect of the character. The only similarities between Lachlan and me are that we both have failed at points in our career. But it was very interesting for me to dive into a character like him.

MG: Did you know writer/director Marshall Lewy before he wrote the role with you in mind?
RC: No I didn’t at all. I read the script and I remember thinking about halfway about the role that it is wasn’t going to be me, it better be somebody really fucking like me [laughs]. I spoke with my manager after reading it and found out he wrote it with me in mind. Well maybe not so much with me in mind but with the characters that I have played in the past. Lachlan certainly shares a lot of emotions with characters that I played back in the UK and still do to this very day. I am kind of known for that, in a sense, that I am able to give characters voices that maybe do not have one.

MG: The film has quite the emotional journey for Lachlan, was it a challenging character to portray?
RC: It certainly was! I think there are 96 or 97 scenes in the film and I am in 96 of them [laughs]. So that was a bit of an ask. I was a little bit concerned about that and spoke with Marshall about it. He stuck by his word and thought that it would work well. He believed we needed to see all aspects of this character. You see the certain side of the charm that Lachlan has got. Then you see the hopeless side of him, due to the way his drinks. But overall you get to see all aspects of this man, which I think makes it very interesting.

MG: Your are known for your chameleon-like ability to portray a wide range of characters; do these roles always find you or do you seek them out?
RC: I have been very lucky with that aspect and I am fortunate. I have never been the type of guy who would go around and knock on doors. I just look for roles that have honesty and really challenge me to do something different.

MG: You also sing the title song for the film, written by Adam Franklin, tell us about that?
RC: That was actually the scariest part of this role [laughs]. In the end though, it was kind of liberating. It was shot towards the end of production in the last few days. I didn’t use a voice coach to find my singing voice. I didn’t even know what my own signing voice was. But what you hear in the film is exactly what we shot. Plus Lachlan was never meant to be a singer. He is the guitar player, so he didn’t need to really have a perfect voice. However, I was quite pleased with it.

MG: How was it going from a role like “California Solo” to Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold in “Once Upon a Time”?
RC: It is quite a leap. It is fantastic to be on a show like that. In the early 90’s, I wanted to take on roles that were very different from what I did last. I wanted to build up a background with good versatility. As the years have gone on, I hopefully have shown that I am able to play parts like Rumpelstiltskin and he is a culmination of that. He is the most out-there and certainly the most theatrical role that I have ever been given. So I am just looking forward to continuing that and hopefully playing it well.

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Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren and Scarlett Johansson
Directed by: Sacha Gervasi
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 1 hour 38 mins
Fox Searchlight

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

More than three decades after his death, director Alfred Hitchcock is still referred to as “The Master of Suspense.” And rightfully so. Films like “Rebecca,” “Vertigo” and “North by Northwest” were wildly successful. Yet, even with that track record, it took every resource he could find to make his most famous film, “Psycho.” But he turned the production into a labor of love, both on screen and behind it.

Any film that includes conversations between one of films greatest directors and killer Ed Gein can best be described as tongue in cheek. And that is the tone director Gervasi sets in “Hitchcock.” Gein, whose horrible crimes were not only the basis for Robert Bloch’s novel “Psycho” but the characters of Leatherface in “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and Buffalo Bill in “Silence of the Lambs.” Incidentally, I didn’t call Gein a serial killer because, even though he killed several people, to save money he was only tried for one murder. And apparently you have to be convicted of at least three murders to be called a “serial” killer. Who knew?

“Hitchcock” finds the great director gaining a new generation of fans through his weekly television program. However, he feels “cheapened” by television and looks for his next great film. Coming across Bloch’s book he becomes fascinated with the subject matter and, despite the protests of the big shots at Paramount, decides to make a movie. Behind the scenes is his long time adoring wife, Alma (Mirren), who was in fact a fine filmmaker before she and “Hitch” met.

Hopkins does a good job imitating the voice and cadence of the great director, however sometimes his makeup makes him look more like Bob Newhart then Hitchcock. As Alma Mirren is strong and decisive. “Psycho” is as much her film as it is Hitchcock’s and the film stresses that point. Johansson and James D’Arcy are well cast as “Psycho” stars Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins while in a quick cameo Ralph Macchio plays screenwriter Joseph Stefano, hired by Hitchcock because he had issues dealing with sex, rage and his mother!

Production values are fine, giving the film a nice period feel. The film is also a nice look back at the early days of Hollywood, when the fact that Hitchcock wanted to show a toilet on screen was deemed shocking.

Twink Caplan is best known for her role of Miss Geist in “Clueless”.  She also had a fun role in this year’s raunchy comedy “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie”.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Twink about her role in the film and reflect on playing Miss Geist.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about working with Tim & Eric in “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie”?
Twink Caplan: Working with Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim in “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie” was insane fun. We had met a few years earlier when I worked on “Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show.” It was a huge compliment to find out the duo had me in mind while writing the role of Katie. The cast was impressive with Will Ferrell, Zack Galifianakis, John C. Reilly, Jeff Goldblum, Robert Loggia, Will Forte… I was excited to play the lead female in this glorious company of men.

MG: The duo are know for their bizarre comedy, where you aware of this before coming on board?
TC: Reading the script I couldn’t wait to start. I was in my 60’s playing the older woman girlfriend of Eric, who is in his 30’s.

MG: What was the funniest thing that happened on the production?
TC: The funniest thing that happened on the production? The sex scene …when Tim slapped a realistic suction-cup dildo to his forehead and still had the remnants of the indentation and a red rash the next day. He’s very fair skinned. That scene was so wild with escalating in-the-moment improvisation.  When you are so absorbed in the character you realize later you might have done something or you might have gone too far or you might have…oh no…its a Tim and Eric movie!!

MG: What did you enjoy most about playing Miss Geist in “Clueless” movie?
TC: I loved the 40’s fitted clothes and stunning wedding dress Mona May designed for me. The character was humble and sweet and playing opposite Wallace Shawn was the topping on the cake. Hiring Paul Rudd and watching his career blast off. Alicia was adorable and Donald was a ball of energy and Breckin and Brittany were so funny….and gorgeous Stacey…I loved working with the entire cast and we were very close. I’m working with Stacey Dash now playing her old school agent in “Stacey Dash is Normal,” for television. The best opportunity was working with Scott Rudin who is a genius and Sherry Lansing who is not only beautiful but an amazing woman.

MG: …and TV series?
TC: Paramount Studio is luscious and Amy Heckerling and I had Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin’s bungalow. It was brilliant. We continued to do the Clueless series and I was one of the Executive Producer’s as well as playing the role of Miss Geist. It was fun casting the Guest Stars and meeting new actors and its always fun to be able to be in a position to grant wishes.

MG: How did you meet Amy Heckerling and work with her on various projects?
TC: I met Amy Heckerling at Warner Brothers. She had just finished filming European Vacation. We hit it off immediately. We were yin and yang and it was a perfect match! Our working relationship continued for twenty-two years. Amy is a wonderful friend and very clever. I loved her writing and knew she was special. They say a happy set starts at the head of the fish and our sets were always calm and happy which speaks for Amy.

MG: Tell what you have planned upcoming?
TC: In January, I’m looking forward to start filming writer/director Craig Goodwill’s “Boy Toy,” a satirical fairytale adaptation of his award winning short, “Patch Town.”

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Actors: Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Madonna, Glenne Headly, Mandy Patinkin
Directors: Warren Beatty
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Touchstone Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Run Time: 106 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

When I think of “Dick Tracy”, I immediately get transported back to my grade school school yard back in 1990.  We used to run about the school yard pretending that we were characters from the film.  I even had (and actually still have) school-work folder with the “Dick Tracy” logo.  I had various toys from the film and even shirts.  So is “Dick Tracy”, the best comic book adaption film to date…nope but it has history with me and that is worth the purchase only.

Plus since this film is available on high-def Blu-ray for the very first time, it comes with a hot new digital restoration.  The 1080p transfer really delivers the goods.  The audio track included is DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and works well with the score and the film’s action.  I wish Disney would have given more effort here as well. This film has never looked better (for what it is worth, it’s 1990 come on!).  Fans of this film should definitely check this out, just don’t expect anything in the special features department.

Warren Beatty played the role of Dick Tracy well.  Today he is probably not the best choice but in 1990, he was the bees knees.  Madonna was decent as well and sings a great song “Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)”, which won the Oscar that year. But the star of the film is really Al Pacino. I love his take on the character Big Boy. Also who doesn’t love William Forsythe depiction of Flattop. The make-up is this film is awesome and there is no shock that it won the Oscar for Best Makeup that year.

Synopsis: Thecomic strip detective (Beatty) finds his life vastly complicated when Breathless Mahoney (Madonna) makes advances towards him while he is trying to battle Big Boy Caprice’s (Pacino) united mob. Winner of three Academy Awards (1990), including Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Makeup and Best Music (Original Song for “Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)”).

This release comes as a combo pack with Blu-ray disc and digital copy. I would have also like to see an DVD copy as well. There are zero special features included on this release, which is very disappointing. I would have loved to at least gotten a trailer or even better the animated short “Roller Coaster Rabbit”, which was released theatrically with this movie. Oh well there is always the 25 anniversary in three years, hint-hint!

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