Actors: Dave Foley, Derek Richardson, Sarah Chalke, Rob Riggle
Directors: Kevin Deters, Stevie Wermers
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Run Time: 46 minutes

Films: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

Since their debut in 2009, Wayne and Lanny have become my favorite Christmas elves. The “Prep & Landing” series is something I look forward to ever year. It is always so clever and smart. Also they are Executive Produced by John Lasseter, so you know it is going to be sharp. This Blu-ray release includes the original “Prep & Landing” and also “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice”. Both of these specials are two of my must-watch each Christmas season. If you are a fan of these specials, then you are going to be excited nonetheless to enjoy them on this high-def Blu-ray. Also keep an eye out since there is another holiday special being planned, though date not disclosed at the time of writing. Fingers crossed for Holidays 2012.

“Prep & Landing” – On Christmas Eve, a high-tech team of elves from an elite unit known as ‘Prep & Landing’ ensures homes around the world are prepared for Santa’s visit. But when two hilarious little elves face unexpected challenges and are pushed to their limits, it’ll take a great big effort to save the season. Enjoy a heartwarming holiday classic sure to make everyone’s Christmas list!

“Prep & Landing: Naughty Vs. Nice” – The outrageous yuletide adventures of Christmas elves Lanny and Wayne continue in this totally tinsel adventure that reminds us there’s room for everyone on the ‘nice’ list. Santa’s stealthiest little elves must race to recover classified North Pole technology, which has fallen into the hands of a computer-hacking naughty kid, in order to stop Christmas from descending into chaos. Bring the family together for a comical adventure that puts the Ho, Ho, Ho in your holidays!

This release comes in a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack. The animation is very polished and looks sharp on its 1080p transfer. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track also works well with Michael Giacchino score. The special features are also very impressive for this release. There are two bonus “Stocking Stuffer” shorts “Operation: Secret Santa” and “Tiny’s Big Adventure”. There is a fun behind-the-scenes feature with Grace Potter performing in-studio on “Behind the Jingle”. “Kringle Academy” is a cute feature on how to become one of the few, the proud, the merry. Lastly “North Pole News & Commercials” are fun little extras that kiddies will surely enjoy.

Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman
Director: Brian Henson
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Run Time: 85 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
EXtras: 4 out of 5 stars

There is no film that I think about Christmas more with that “The Muppet Christmas Carol”.  It is one of my all-time favorites.  The music, the Muppets, the Christmas cheer…couldn’t ask for anything more.  This film has also never looked better on Blu-ray.  Disney really gave this film a really nice 20th anniversary edition release with this “It’s Not Easy Being Scrooge Special Edition”.  Although, this release only included the theatrical version and does not include the extended cut with the song “When Love is Gone”. I am sure this is going to upset many folks but it is what it is.  This does though include a very sharp digitally remastered 1080p transfer with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.  I really though this was a nice upgrade for such a wonderful film.  If you are looking to get into the holiday mood, then cuddle up with some hot chocolate and get ready to sing-along with the Muppets.

I am going to turn this review over to Gonzo to give the official premise: “Greetings, holiday movie fans and culture lovers, I am the Great Gonzo.or as I am better known to fans of this classic motion picture-literary legend Charles Dickens. Ready to laugh, cry, sing, frolic, cavort, and enjoy yourself beyond belief!? Well, you’re in luck, because this Great Gonzo’s “From Chickens to Dickens” 20th anniversary edition of The Muppet Christmas Carol is guaranteed to put you in a holiday spirit that will stay with you forever – or at least until your Aunt Edna starts complaining that nobody is eating the fruitcake she brought.again! Available for the first time ever on Blu-ray with high-definition sound and picture, so you can enjoy even more of my blue-ness, not to mention the incredible spectacle of Kermit the Frog as Bob Crachit, Miss Piggy as Emily Crachit, Academy Award-winner Michael Caine as Scrooge, wonderful songs by Academy Award-winner Paul Williams, and, of course, my pal Rizzo the Rat as.well, Rizzo the Rat. A heartwarming and hilarious holiday classic, told as never before by yours truly! Yule love it! Happy Holidays!”

I am a big fan of this special featurets included on this Blu-ray. One of my favorite extras on this Blu-ray is the “Disney Intermission”. This is a brand new bonus feature, which activates when the film is paused and leads into five classic holiday-themed songs performed by the Muppets Chickens and chums. There is an all-new audio commentary with Muppets including Kermit, Rizzo, Gonzo and many more.  Highly recommended. “Frogs, Pigs and Humbug: Unwrapping a New Holiday Classic. A Behind the Scenes Look” is a vintage featurette hosted by director Brian Henson, Gonzo and Rizzo and gives a nice behind-the-scenes into the making of film. There is a funny blooper reel included form the the set.  “Pepe Profiles Gonzo: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Weirdo” is a funny featurette on Pepe the King Prawn. Lastly, Gonzo and Rizzo take the lead in showing us how the holiday is celebrated in “Christmas Around the World” feature.

Brad Loree is known best for playing Michael Myers in “Halloween: Resurrection”.  He is also has performed stunt work on numerous TV and film projects including  “TRON: Legacy” and “Watchmen”.  He is the star of the recently released “Mr. Hush” directed by Dave Madison.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Brad about his film and stunt work.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved playing the role of Holland Price in “Mr. Hush”?
Brad Loree: Well Mike, I meet writer/directors at the con’s all the time who claim they want to work with me, but Dave Madison actually sent me a script and then kept his word by using me as Holland!

MG: Can you reflect on playing such an iconic character such as Michael Myers in “Halloween: Resurrection”?
BL: When i got offered the part of Michael Myers, I was already on another show. But when they explained that I wasn’t going to be just the stunt-double, but actually play The Shape, I quickly left my previous gig and jumped into the role! It was a great honor!

MG: What do you like most about working in the horror genre?
BL: My favorite thing about the horror genre is doing conventions and meeting the fans. Great people!

MG: You’ve worked stunts in two of my favorite films, “TRON: Legacy” and “Watchmen”, can you tell us about those experiences?
BL: Well, on “Tron” I got to meet ‘The Dude’, Jeff Bridges. Awesome guy! Did a little gag where he gets kicked by his younger self and slides several feet backwards on this platform. “Watchmen” was fun because I got to be a motorcycle cop, an arresting officer and also the lead character’s fist punching thru a wall! And Zach (Synder), the director, is my fav of any I’ve worked with!

MG: What has been your most challenging role stunt performing?
BL: My most challenging stunt was on a TV show called “Mantis”. I had to jump thru an 8ft by 8ft window from the 3rd story and, across a 14ft abutment below! If i’d fallen short, well….

MG: Tell us about your upcoming projects?
BL: My next project is to be determined. I’ve been laid up for a few years now due to a motorcycle wreck. But i am hoping to do more acting in the future and may try my hand at writing/producing. Wish me luck!

Eduardo Sánchez is the co-director of “The Blair Witch Project”. He also directed genre films like “Altered” and “Seventh Moon”. His latest film “Lovely Molly” is a unique approach to the genre and leaves you chatting about the film days after it is over. Media Mikes had a chance to chat about the new film and what else he is currently working on.

Mike Gencarelli: How would you say that “Lovely Molly” differs from your past work?
Eduardo Sánchez: It’s more of a drama than my other films. I wanted it to be that kind of film, the kind of horror films that I love, that have strong characters and isn’t just about the creature.

MG: The film is very intense, how did you get Gretchen Lodge to sign on as her first film?
ES: I asked her nicely! We both knew how difficult it was going to be so we discussed the intense nature of the material and it just seemed that we trusted each other. She trusted that I wasn’t going to exploit her and I truster her in going to the places that I needed her to go. It worked out very well.

MG: Besides the film itself, tell us about the “Is it Real?” aspects posted online?
ES: They are story extensions that we like to have on most of our projects. When making a film, you end up with a lot of great material that never makes it into the movie, so this is our way of exploiting some of that stuff and adding more to the story. It was a lot of fun for me because I had very little to do with this on LOVELY MOLLY, so I experienced most of this material like an audience member would, which was pretty exciting.

MG: On “Lovely Molly”, you not only directed but also wrote and edited, what was your most challenging aspect?
ES: The editing really through me for a loop. I hadn’t edited a feature by myself since film school, so I completely underestimated how emotionally taxing it was going to be. It was tough and I felt very isolated in my basement for all those months. Couldn’t have done it with my co-editor Andrew Vona, who was a great help to me, not only as an editor but as a motivator. He always believed in the film.

MG: I enjoyed the film “Midnight Son”, how did you get involved as an Executive Producer
ES: One of the sound mixers on SEVENTH MOON hooked me up with Scott Leberecht, the writer/director. He had shot it but had no money for post, so I got a few people involved and we went to work on it. It took a long time but we finally got it out in 2012. Really proud of Scott and Matt Compton, who produced the shit out of this film.

MG: What do you have planned next?
ES: I am posting a Bigfoot movie called EXISTS that should be out next year. I’ve been wanting to make a Bigfoot movie since I was a kid so it as a dream come true. And it’s looking pretty damn good so I can’t wait to set this sucker loose on the world! Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/existsmovie

Phillip Friedman is best for his wonderful transformation as the Old Woman in the terrifying horror film “Insidious”.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Phillip about his role in the film and how he feels about spreading fear into 30 year old men!

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get the role of Old Woman in “Insidious”?
Phillip Friedman: I had never thought I would be playing an old woman. (Laughs) having said that it was one of the most fun roles I have ever done. I generally like playing characters that are far away from my own personality and it makes things more interesting. I auditioned for the role and also met with James Wan. He wanted to know how comfortable I would be dressed as a woman. He really wanted to know how comfortable I would be on the set and if I could do the job.

MG: Can you tell us about the transformation process of the character?
PF: Make-up took somewhere between 2-3 hours to put it all on. It wasn’t to challenging as the make-up people were great. It wasn’t the most fun part of the shoot but it really wasn’t too bad. Taking it off was a little bit more challenging than putting it on. It took a little over an hour to get the makeup off. It was a process.

MG: Are there any moments from shooting that stick out for you?
PF: Just working with Patrick Wilson and Lin Shaye for the last scene was great. I enjoy playing and for me working is playing. It is very enjoyable and satisfying. Even more so when you are working with people who you respect and you are making something that people want to see.

MG: How does it feel to promote fearish nightmare into a 30 year old man? Umm, I mean a friend of mine of course!
PF: [laughs] I have been attending some fan conventions lately and have had so many people come over to me and tell me they are glad to meet me and that they don’t have to have nightmares anymore. That has been a fun part of things. It’s great to see that regular folks like to get scared. I am glad that I can help them.

MG: With “Insidious 2” on the way, any word if the Old Woman will be returning?
PF: I probably only know as much as everyone else. I believe there was an interview with Lee and James where they stated that a screen play was in fact done. I have heard that it may start shooting this year and be released next year but you never know. There is never a way of knowing until it actually happens.

MG: What other plans do you have for this year?
PF: My representation is currently working on getting me some roles while I myself am also always looking for roles. You never know what is just around the corner. Sometimes things that you would never expect come right out of the blue. It’s definitely not like having a regular day job where you know what’s coming.

Actors: Pia Zadora, Bill McCutcheon, Ned Wertimer, John Call
Directors: Wallace Worsley
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: KINO INTERNATIONAL
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Run Time: 81 minutes

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

“Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” has always been one of my favorite “bad” movies.  It is a cheesy 1964 science fiction film and it regularly featured in the “bottom 100” list on IMDB.  I found out about this film many years ago thanks to being spoofed on “Mystery Science Theater 3000”. Since then it has always been a favorite around the holidays.  When I say this is bad…I mean bad. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t recommend it.  I highly recommend it.  It is one of those films that you just have to watch over and over and then tell you friends about it.  Kino is giving this film the real treatment in this special edition Blu-ray.  The film is not what you would call high-definition worthy but it reminds me of other films like “Plan 9 from Outer Space”. The song “Hooray For Santy Claus” is such a terribly bad song that it will have you humming it all season.

Official Premise: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians tells the story of the depressed children of Mars (including one played by an 8-year-old Pia Zadora), who can only be brought out of their funk through the jolly cheer of Old St. Nick. So the Martian leaders travel to Earth and kidnap two local kids and Kris Kringle himself. Brought back to the Red Planet, they are forcibly installed in a factory to make toys. But you can’t manufacture happiness, with Santa having to teach his alien overseers the true meaning of Christmas.

Kino Classics has really made this bad film actually quite amazing.  It is a fully restored edition from HD elements and it is the first time that this movie is available on Blu-ray. The full-screen, 1.33:1 transfer looks a literally a thousand times better than the mass public domain prints. The mono audio track works for the film and didn’t really expect much more than that here. There are tons of great vintage special features included here. The collection of extras are really all over the map. First we get various vintage Christmas-themed footage for Santa’s Cool Holiday Film Festival. Then we have Shari Lewis and Lambchop giving a season’s greeting. America’s favorite family The Nelsons have a sponsor ad for Eastman Kodak.  Max Fleischer’s “Christmas Comes But Once a Year and Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” cartoon is included. Castle Films’ Santa short subject from 1950 shows up, as well a bit from Abbott & Costello and also 1951’s Howdy Doody’s Christmas.  Did I mention all over the map? Lastly there are 50’s and 60’s vintage theatre Christmas greetings.

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Michael Paul Stephenson is known best for his role in the cult classic horror film “Troll 2”. Since then, Michael has written and directed the documentary about the film called “Best Worst Movie”, which takes a look at the fandom and his experiences with the film. His newest documentary is called “The American Scream”, which premieres on the Chiller Network on October 28th. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Michael about his passion behind his films and comparing “Best Worst Movie” to “The American Scream”.

Mike Gencarelli: I am a big fan of your documentary “Best Worst Movie”. Tell us about how “The American Scream” was born?
Michael Paul Stephenson: The short answer is that we got really lucky. The long answer is long so bare with me but it is meaningful in terms of how this happened. Not this summer but the summer before we were working on a narrative feature called “Destroy”, which we are planning to shoot next year. So we were in the middle of that, when Chiller Network contacted one of my producers and told him that they were big fans of “Best Worst Movie” and asked “What is Michael doing next?”. My producer kind of scratched his head and said “Let me get back to you!” He called me and told me about this idea for a documentary on people that create home haunts for Halloween aka homemade haunted houses. Right off the bat connected with the idea. When I had originally planned to do “Best Worst Movie”, there was never a question of if it would be good or bad. It was something of a feeling that I had to do it. That is the way I felt about this project. It felt as a director that it would be a very playful place to work. I wasn’t interested in the commercial haunts or the haunting industry but the home haunter is an artist of sorts. True, these people decorate for Halloween but all of that is rooted in creativity and passion for the holiday. I also connected emotional to this, since I grew up in a small town and my neighborhood was very into Halloween. So I had some great memories as a kid.  And so this project just grew from that.

MG: So this project was more of a labor of love for you. Do you find that aspect makes it easier when doing a documentary?
MPS: I think you have to have that aspect, especially with a documentary. I think you have to really love the subject matter and connect with it emotionally. That is one of the fears I had coming off “Best Worst Movie”, there is no way that I am going to find another documentary project that feels as personal or meaningful in the same way. In my opinion, you can’t set out to make an effective documentary if you are not personally invested into it. I feel very lucky that this subject spoke to me in such a personal way. It just seemed like this project was meant for me. The Halloween before this was project was born, my wife and kids live in Los Angeles and we were complaining about our neighborhood. We didn’t know our neighbors and complained that our kids are not going to have the same Halloween that we had growing up. We figured that was the price for living in the city. We ended up though finding three streets in Los Angeles that celebrate Halloween and trick or treating in a very big way. Everyone goes to these streets during the holiday. We actually then moved into that neighborhood! So the timing is just weird but seemed to really work out.

MG: What do you think is it about horror fans that they are so devoted?
MPS: It is passion man. And heart. With horror fans, these are people that love movies. They love the experience that the movie gives them. It is the same thing with hauntings. And it is same thing with anyone that is doing something with heart and passion. You can really get behind these people. It can be boring subject matter but if you find someone that is passionate about it, it is infectious and that is something that everyone thrives for. For “The American Scream”, it just so happens to be about things like home made Halloween decorations and with “Best Worst Movie” it was about a bad movie. At the heart of it all, it is that passion ultimately.

MG: How do you feel that “Best Worst Movie” compares to “The American Scream”?
MPS: That is a good question. There are obviously parallels between both worlds. Ultimately with “Best Worst Movie” it is about passion and also artistry. The same thing for “The American Scream”, there is an artist, there is creativity and also passion. My editor and I joke and say that we have to make one more film in order to complete, the trilogy of artistry in unexpected places. It is true, they are very similar in many respects. The challenging aspect in comparison to “Best Worst Movie” was that it was filmed over the course of four years. It was a hard push, then a break. It was challenging but it was just me and there was not rush. With “The American Scream” I had one month, a ticking clock, from the time we started until Halloween finished. There was no luxury like “Let’s come back next Halloween”. It was a shrinking window every day. My favorite documentaries always have strong arcs. Sometimes with characters a good arc takes time. I wanted to see certain character’s arcs but we had this ticking clock. Also with “Best Worst Movie”, there was no expectations or very low expectations. With “The American Scream” I had to follow up something that really worked. So there were heightened expectations and a lot of pressure with that.

MPS: Yeah! We have two projects in the works right now. There is the narrative that is a mix of dark comedy and horror, though more dark comedy. It is called “Destroy”. We announced it now about a year and a half ago. The script actually came to me from Zack Carlson, who is one of the programmers for the Alamo Drafthouse. I got the privilege to know Zack when I was filming “Best Worst Movie”. He was the first person to show “Troll 2” on a big screen. We read the script and just fell in love with it. We start filming looks like around May next year. It is terrifying and definitely a big step. But it is material that I have connected with. It doesn’t hurt that it comes from a writer that I also connected with as well. Then we also recently helped executive produce a low-budget comedy called “Zero Charisma”. It was filmed in Austin and was directed and written by our dear friends and collaborators Katie Graham and Andrew Matthews. Andrew was the editor of “Best Worst Movie” and “The American Scream”, so he is like family. Katie has been a DP on both movies as well. After “Best Worst Movie” premiered, they wrote this film and brought it to us. It is their baby but we have helped them make it. And it should start being submitted to festivals shortly.

Starring: Gerard Butler, Jonny Weston and Elisabeth Shue
Directed by: Michael Apted and Curtis Hanson
Rated: PG
Running time: 1 hour 55 mins
20th Century Fox

Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars

What do you get when you pair two of Hollywood’s best directors, a talented leading man and a tale that assures audiences it’s based on a true story? If you guessed a mediocre film called “Chasing Mavericks” then pat yourself on the back.

Eight year old Jay Moriarty (Cooper Timberline) and his friend Kim (Harley Graham) are playing on the rocks along the Pacific Ocean. As Kim’s puppy gets closer and closer to the water Jay jumps into action. However in saving the dog Jay is washed off the rocks and pulled under water by the powerful waves and current. Suddenly Jay finds himself fished out of the water and safe in the grasp of one Frosty Hesson (Butler). “Small world,” Frosty tells him. Later Frosty gives the children a ride home. Jay is surprised to see Frosty is one of his neighbors. “Like I said,“ Frosty tells him, “small world.”

Years later, we meet fifteen year old Jay (Weston), who, because of his experience, has learned to embrace the ocean and is one of the best surfers around. One morning he sneaks a ride on Frosty’s van and soon finds himself awestruck as Frosty and friends conquer the Mavericks, mythical tide swells that can reach as high as 25 feet. He convinces Frosty to train him to ride the big waves. Frosty gives Jay twelve weeks to master the event. Twelve l-o-n-g weeks.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I didn’t like “Chasing Mavericks.” It’s just that I liked it better the first time I saw it, when it was called “The Karate Kid.” Here Frosty/Mr. Miyagi teaches the lessons he needs to through hard work and training, sometimes so subtly that Jay/Daniel-son doesn’t even know he’s being taught. And if Jay is Daniel then the ocean is Johnny Lawrence – the bad guy who only knows how to bully you. It is the scenes on the water that give the film any kind of interesting plot. Thanks to the “based on a true story” clue you know that eventually Jay will meet his goals…they certainly wouldn’t make a movie about someone who failed! Another boring plot point concerns the fact that Jay’s dad has left the family (coincidentally around the time Jay learns to enjoy surfing) and Frosty’s dad died young. This gives both men “daddy” issues to deal with along with the waves.

Curtis Hanson, who directed one of the greatest films of the 1990s (“L.A. Confidential”), directed the bulk of this film. It was only after taking ill with a few weeks of filming left that Michael Apted, himself an accomplished filmmaker (“Coal Miner’s Daughter,” England’s “UP” documentary series) stepped up. Together they make the surfing action jump right off the screen, but neither can save the flat padding that fills the rest of the film…padding which turns the movie into a cinematic wipe-out.

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Actors: Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rufus Sewell
Directors: Timur Bekmambetov
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: October 23, 2012
Run Time: 105 minutes

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

If you are not aware of it, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” is actually based on the New York Times Best Selling novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, author of “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” (who also wrote this screenplay).  When I heard that the fantastically original book was being turned into a movie, I was thrilled.  Then I found that the people behind it were Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov, I could have done a back flip.  Well, then I saw the film.  It actually pains me to say but it was a little tough to watch. The vampires looked cool but the story was rather lame and empty. I am very generous with my rating since I really want to kick major ass.

The film was wasn’t some B-movie either. It carried a strong $69 million dollar budget and was even filmed in 3D.  The best parts that drew any attention was the stylized action, which was very sparce to begin with. Those scenes also would have looked the best in 3D but we were only able to review this in 2D, so some of the thrill was lost there as well.  I recommend seeing it but this could have been so much cooler.  I mean with a title like “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”, it just oozes coolness. Major missed opportunity here. Who knows maybe the 3D adds so much to this film that makes up for the lameness but I doubt it.

Official Premise: “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” explores the secret life of Abraham Lincoln before he became President, and the untold story that shaped our nation. Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton (Dark Shadows) and Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) bring a fresh and visceral voice to the bloodthirsty lore of the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history’s greatest hunter of the undead.

Fox delivered this release in a Blu-ray + DVD + UV Digital Copy combo pack.  The 2D Blu-ray transfer looks sharp but lacked the edge and depth the the 3D transfer would have delivered on.  The saving grave for the film though is the kick-ass DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track, which works with the three actual action scenes. The special features are damn impressive as well.  There is an audio commentary with the novelist and screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith, which is pretty cool! “The Great Calamity” is a  graphic novel CGI short film, definitely worth checking out! “The Making of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” runs a sweet 75 minutes and is a super in-depth five part making-of documentary.  This covers all aspects of the production from the book-to-screen. Lastly, there is a music video for “Powerless” by Linkin Park and the theatrical trailer.

Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, Brian Cox, John Lithgow
Director: Jay Roach
Rated: R / Unrated
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Run Time: 85 minutes (R-Rated) / 96 minutes (Extended)

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
EXtras: 3 out of 5 stars

Not sure about everyone else, but I am sick and tired of all the political bullshit that has flooded the web and TV in the last few weeks. I am not a fan at all. I think the @ShitMyDadSays twitter feed has described the election process best “Anyone who thinks they know what’s best for 300 million people is a titanic asshole. So we’re just voting for king of the assholes.” Amen. So, this film was the answer to my prayers! It was a big FU to all things dealing it politics. It was completely raunchy over-the-top and in your face. I commend Jay Roach for finally returning to funny films, unlike the shitty “Meet the Parents” franchise. Will Ferrell is also at the top of his game in his funniest role since “Step Brothers”. Combine his performance with Zach Galifianakis’ belly-laughing character and it is a match made in heaven. The extended cut is actually a real nice improvement from the theatrical and contains an additional 11 minutes of hilarity. Don’t miss this film! Best comedy of the year, no question!

This release comes in a Blu-ray + DVD + UV Digital Copy combo pack. I love that Warner’s is known for this format and I love the use of Ultraviolet digital streaming! The video and audio on the Blu-ray does look great and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 works perfect with the dialogue and the music.
Alright if you are looking for some deep production filled special features and great commentary tracks you are going to be very disappointed. But if you are looking for just some more madness and insanity continued from the film than you are going to like these extras. There is a Line-O-Rama, which is just a laugh after laugh mash-up. There are a few deleted scenes, some are funny enough to be in the film. Lastly there is a hilarious gag reel, that needs to be watched numerous times to catch everything missed due to laughing.

Official Premise: When long-term congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) commits a major public gaffe before an upcoming election, a pair of ultra-wealthy CEOs plot to put up a rival candidate and gain influence over their North Carolina district. Their man: naïve Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), director of the local Tourism Center. At first, Marty appears to be the unlikeliest possible choice but, with the help of his new benefactors’ support, a cutthroat campaign manager and his family’s political connections, he soon becomes a contender who gives the charismatic Cam plenty to worry about. As Election Day closes in, the two are locked in a dead heat, with insults quickly escalating to injury until all they care about is burying each other, in this mud-slinging, back-stabbing, home-wrecking comedy.

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Actors: Tom Kane, Dee Bradley Baker, Matt Lanter, James Arnold Taylor, Matthew Wood
Directors: Dave Filoni
Rated: Unrated
Studio: WARNER HOME VIDEO
Release Date: October 23, 2012
Run Time: 506 minutes

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

“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” is like a fine wine…it gets better with age. The first season was decent, the second was good, the third was great and the the fourth season is simply the best. It is extremely rare that a show only gets better as it develops. It just shows how plentiful and deep the Star Wars universe really is.  I mean bringing back from the dead, Darth Maul, was one of the best choices that this series has made to date. Usually with shows, the start to loose their ideas and creative steam but not Dave Filoni and his amazing team. This show only seems to get more dark, deep and intense as the series moves on, don’t even get me started on the current fifth season. All 22 Action-Packed episodes are included beautiful here in high definition. “Star Wars” fans don’t miss this highly recommended release!

Official Premise: In its critically acclaimed fourth season, the battle to save the galaxy reaches new heights of peril and new depths of darkness. The valiant Jedi Knights and clone troopers defend exotic planets from enemy forces. They wage war underwater, battle across a night-shrouded world and take on the merciless Death Watch. Our heroes are tested like never before as Anakin is haunted by the realities of his past, Ahsoka fights to free her people, and an undercover Obi-Wan braves a deadly bounty hunter tournament. Season Four culminates with the shocking return of a villain from the past: the ruthless Darth Maul, who will stop at nothing to achieve vengeance.

The Blu-ray presentation is quite impressive with its 1080p transfer and 2.35:1 aspect ratio. You sometimes forget that this is a TV series since the quality on the show challenges many feature films.  The cinematic aspect of this series is amped more with its surround sound pouding DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, you literally find yourself dodging lightsabers and blaster fires. The special features are also very impressive with more than six-and-a-half hours of extras. I really enjoyed the idea of the video commentaries, which run about two hours.  First up we have the “Jedi Temple Archives”, which adds up to almost five hours in itself. It covers everything from deleted scenes to development reels to focus on various aspects of animation, character designs, storyboards and much, much, much more. If you are fan of the series, you will be watching these without blinking one.

There are five super engaging and very informative commentaries with supervising director Dave Filoni and company.  The episodes chosen for this are “The Battle of Mon Cala” three-episode arc (“Water War,” “Gungan Attack” and “Prisoners”), “The Darkened World of Umbara” four-episode arc (“Darkness of Umbara,” “The General,” “Plan of Dissent” and “Carnage of Krell”), “The Slaves of Zygerria” three-episode arc (“Kidnapped,” “Slaves of the Republic” and “Escape from Kadavo”), “The Obi-Wan Undercover” four-episode arc (“Deception,” “Friends and Enemies,” “The Box” and “Crisis on Naboo”) and my favorite “The Darth Maul Returns” four-episode arc (“Massacre,” “Bounty,” “Brothers” and “Revenge”).  Easily these are the best special features to date out of all four of the seasons.

Cast: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Gene Raymond, Mary Astor
Director: Victor Fleming
Distributed by: Warner Archive
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 83 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Prior to receiving this review DVD, I have never seen this fantastic film before. But I surely know the names of Victor Fleming, Clark Gable and Jean Harlow and I would never say no to check out some of their work.  This film was originally released in 1932.  The film looks absolutely amazing for a film that..get ready…80 years old.  Wow, that is absolutely amazing.  The film is already so sharp and well done.  Films are not made like this any more and this one is such a classic.

Thanks to Warner Archive, yet again for finally releasing this film on DVD.  It is not just a drop off on DVD either, this film is newly remastered. Boy, does it look amazing for an 80 year old film.  It is also beautiful presented in 4X3 full frame and its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1.  Warner also delivers the original mono track, which suites the film perfectly. Lastly, there is a trailer included on the disc as well. If you are looking for a classic MGM studio film on a rainy day, I highly recommend picking this up.

Premise: From the first moment wisecracking Vantine (Harlow) takes refuge on the plantation run by Carson (Gable), he sizes her up as an easy mark for his virile charm. But when a research engineer (Gene Raymond) and his elegant wife, Barbara (Mary Astor), appear on the scene, Carson falls hard for the beautiful Barbara, discarding Vantine as nothing more than a “cute little trick.” The steamy rivalry between the women soon boils into a jealous rage – with violent consequences. Oscar®-winning Best Director Victor Fleming (Gone with the Wind, 1939) deftly orchestrates the script’s tense drama and hilarious erotic comedy, helping Gable and Harlow turn Red Dust into pure gold.

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Actors: Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Kara Hayward
Directors: Wes Anderson
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Run Time: 94 minutes

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

When it comes to Wes Anderson’s films, they are this different brand of cinema. There is really nothing like them and they are definitely not for everyone. I am a big fan of all of his work, whether it is “Rushmore”, The Royal Tenenbaums” or even “Fantastic Mr. Fox (which might even be my favorite). This film is so unique and enthralling and leave you literally glued to the screen and hesitating to blink. The young stars of this film really steal the show, Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward. They are mesmerizing on the screen. Rounding out the amazing cast is Bruce Willis (“Die Hard”) as well as Academy Award nominees Edward Norton (“American History X”) and Bill Murray (“Lost in Translation”) and Academy Award winners Frances McDormand (“Fargo”) and Tilda Swinton (“Michael Clayton”). Fans of his work, should not miss it and those looking for something original and different should definitely check it out.

Official Premise: Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom follows two 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm begins to brew off-shore – and the peaceful island community is turned upside-down and changed forever.

This release is very impressive within its Blu-ray/DVD/UV Digital Copy combo pack. I am a big fan of the Ultraviolet streaming service and I know I will be taking advantage of that aspect quite a bit. The 1080p transfer is extremely impressive and meets Wes Anderson standards and showcases Robert D. Yeoman’s wonderful cinematography. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track believe it or not is the star of the show. The sound is practically flawless and works perfectly with the score and dialogue. The downfall of this release though is the special features. There are only a few dull short featurettes including “A Look Inside Moonrise Kingdom,” “Welcome to the Island of New Penzance,” and a “Set Tour with Bill Murray.” Come on Wes Anderson, we know you can do better? Where’s the commentary track and actually meaningful special features?

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Actors: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Daryl Hannah, Sean Young
Director: Ridley Scott
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: October 23, 2012
Run Time: 117 minutes

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

“Blade Runner” has been labeled with “The #1 Sci-Fi Film of all time” and it damn well deserves it.  The film is so epic and even though it is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, it looks like it was made yesterday.  This release comes stocked with a 4-Disc Blu-ray/ DVD + Book + UltraViolet Digital Copy Combo Pack.  I am particularly psyched about the streaming digital copy. How does that sound in terms of ass-kicking? What since the film is celebrating its birthday, there should be gifts right?  This one comes packed with goodies, including an all new concept spinner car replica, an action Lenticular and a 72 page art production book with never-before-seen Ridley sketches, poster art and photos. All that is fantastic and should satisfy any fan of the film. This commemorative gift set also includes all 10+ hours of bonus content from the equally amazing 2007 Ultimate Collector’s Edition, as well as all five feature film versions – The Final Cut, ‘92 Director’s Cut, Domestic and International Theatrical versions and the rare Workprint.

Also like the 2007 Ultimate Collector’s Edition, the video includes a really sharp pristine 1080P transferred from the newly minted 4K master. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track is simply remarkable for the “Final Cut”.  I have seen this film so many times and yet it still never managed to impress me.  I should also note that the Vangelis’ score is also perfectly showcased on this TrueHD track. The rest of the versions are presented in standard Dolby Digital and the rare Workprint is presented in Dolby 2.0 stereo. If you are looking for the special features from the 2007 edition, look no future. There is over 10+ hours of extras included here as well spread out over the five disc, which seem to cover every aspect of the film’s production that is imaginable from commentaries to featurettes.

The first disc houses the film’s audio commentary tracks. Disc two holds the amazing must-watch documentary, “Dangerous Days” and runs over 3.5 hours itself. Disc three is baren of extra but don’t worry disc four is jam-packed. There are numerous featurettes, including “The Electric Dream: Remember Philip K. Dick”, “Sacrificial Sheep: The Novel Vs. the Film”, Philip K. Dick: The Blade Runner Interviews, “Signs of the Times: Graphic Design”, “Fashion Forward: Wardrobe & Styling”, “The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth”, “Promoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster Art” and “Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick Deckard”. There is also some vintage featurettes and screen tests for Rachel & Pris, as well as various deleted and alternate scenes. Lastly the extras are wrapped up on the fourth disc with theatrical trailers. The fifth disc sums up this amazing collection of extras with yet another audio commentary track and a great featurettes “All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cuts”, which covers every possible aspect of the various cuts.

I still have (and cherish) my limited and numbered “Blade Runner”- Five-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition in the kick-ass briefcase. So this edition doesn’t top that one in terms of coolness but in my eyes but it is still absolutely amazing! I know this maybe be hard to believe but, YES!, it is definitely worth the double-dip. Warner Bros. is also releasing a solo three-disc Blu-ray Book edition.  It will also deliver the five cuts of the film and all special features from the 30th Anniversary set.  Though the Blu-ray Book itself gets chopped down to only thirty-six pages instead of seventy-two pages.  It also cuts out the DVD disc, UV copies and of course the spinner replica and Lenticular hologram. So you decide which one you want but I highly recommend this release is a no-brainer if you are a fan!

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Starring: Tommy Blacha, Brendon Small, Mark Hamill, Victor Brandt, Malcolm McDowell
Directors: Tommy Blacha, Brendon Small
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Cartoon Network
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Run Time: 144 minutes

Season: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 Out of 5 stars

When I first heard about “Metalocalypse” back in 2006, I was excited since I am big fan of brutal music and also Adult Swim’s animated show. The show has developed so well over the years and has consistently blown away any expectations I had. The show recently completed its fourth season on Adult Swim and has been the best season since the first. This season the show also returns to its original 11-minute long episode format, which I persoanlly preferred. It is so amazing to realize how far this virtual death metal band Dethklok has come since 2006 with CDs and tours. This show is totally brutal and I honestly cannot get enough of this. This release also includes a bonus of the entire season available to watch using Ultraviolet digital streaming copy. Now we just need to get seasons one and two put out on Blu-ray. You get that Adult Swim?

“Season four of “Metalocalypse” begins with our heroes, extreme metal gods Dethklok, as they ejoin from the sky to the earth to confront the evils that lay before all-human kind: the evils of dating fans; the evils of perceived racism, of the ‘tell-all’ books, of the bullying helpless diabeties, and the evil of fellatio. Will Dethklok face their fears or will they self-destruct when they world needs them most? The Metalocalypse continues…” Also the truth behind the shadowy organization, the Tribunal is starting to reveal itself and its mission to end Dethklok.

The fourth season contains the following episodes: “Fanklok”, “Diversityklok”, “Prankklok”,” Motherklok”, “Bookklok”, “Writersklok”, “Dethcamp”, “Dethvanity”, “Going Downklok”, “Dethdinner”, “Breakup Klok”, “Church of the Black Klok”. This season features guest appearances from some awesome talent like Corpsegrinder (Cannibal Corpse), Cam Pipes (Three Inches of Blood), Dweezil Zappa, actor Jon Hamm (Mad Men), and director Werner Herzog (Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans).

The Blu-ray presentation on this season is an nice improvement over season three.  It is presented it in its 1.78:1 broadcast ratio and looks sharp in its 1080p transfers.  The star of the release though has to be the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track, since the show is based around music and this does not disappoint. There are also some decent special features, adding up another two hours of bonus content.  There is fun interactive “Facebones DethGame”, which has some decent replay value.  There is a sweet tribute to all the brutal fan art that was submitted to the show.  There is a montage sequence included for the “Black Klok”. There is also “StaresDowns” with the band, a feature called “MurderThoughts”, A “Pickles Flyby” and a Tribunal BTS featurette. The feature that steals the show though is “Nathan reads Shakespeare #4: A Comedy of Errors” this is a 90 minute feature film and is a must see for fans!

2012 is a big year for Adult Swim’s virtual death metal band Dethklok. They are headlining a 34 date concert tour this Fall and also they just released a new album, “Dethalbum III”. The album also just debuted at #10 in the Billboard 200, which is the highest that series has ever achieved. If you are a fan of “Metalocalypse”, you should be doing back flips for all this brutality. Now we just have to wait for a fifth (and hopefully not last season) from Brendon Small. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take another two years to release that.  But at least for the time being we can mosh it out at the concerts and blast the new tunes!