May The 4th Be With You
Hot Topic and Her Universe Team Up For Launch
On Star Wars Day

On May 4th, Star Wars fans celebrate George Lucas’ revered space saga to show that the Force is truly everywhere. They refer to this day as “May the 4th Be With You.” This year, clothing retailer, Hot Topic, is celebrating with the fans in a big way by offering, for the first time, new Star Wars fashion tops and hoodies from Her Universe, the female sci-fi genre line created by actress Ashley Eckstein, voice of Ahsoka Tano on the hit animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The Star Wars By Her Universe line will debut on Hottopic.com and in select Hot Topic stores on May 4th with the first 50 customers who purchase a Her Universe item online at Hottopic.com receiving a FREE Star Wars Tote Bag. This will be the first time fans can get this exclusive new tote bag from Her Universe featuring a custom pattern using Star Wars symbols, a $20.00 value for free, as a gift to the first 50 fans. In addition, all day on May 4th Hottopic.com will be offering 20% off all Star Wars merchandise and will have special Star Wars features and content on their Hot Topic Facebook and Twitter pages.

“Hot Topic has always been my personal retailer of choice when it comes to fangirl fashion,” said Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein. “Together we would like to thank the fans for their loyalty and support on this special day with these new designs and promotions.”

Close to half of all Star Wars fans are female which is why Hot Topic and Her Universe will have a number of new styles and designs for those fans to look “Geek Chic” – from racer back tank tops and fashion tops to a unique Princess Leia hoodie. One of the most anticipated pieces is by popular Star Wars artist and designer, Denise Vasquez, whose stunning new Darth Vader dolman top utilizes design elements inspired by the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). “My T-shirt design for Her Universe was inspired by my love for my Latin culture and my love for Star Wars,” said Vasquez. ” I incorporated one of my favorite Darth Vader quotes in my design, which shows a positive message for Geek Girls like me who will wear this shirt with pride. ‘La Fuerza es fuerte con este’ …’The Force Is Strong with this one!’

Her Universe was launched in 2009 by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, and her partner, The Araca Group, known as one of the most innovative theatrical production and merchandise companies in the world. Her Universe was created to directly address the expanding market of female fans by entering into its first agreement with Lucas Licensing to develop and produce a line of female-centered Star Wars apparel and accessories. The success of that line was followed up with a collection for the Syfy network including such shows as Battlestar Galactica. Visit www.hottopic.com to purchase the new Her Universe Star Wars collection. You can learn more about Her Universe by going to www.heruniverse.com and by following Eckstein on Twitter and visiting the Her Universe Facebook page.

Photo credit: Kelsey Edwards – Kelsey Edwards Photography

MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Distributed by: Warner Home Video
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Running Time: 48 minutes

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I love Peanuts as much as the next person but this DVD release is aimed at sports, which is not my favorite subject.  This is also the 4th DVD in the “Happiness Is…Peanuts” series, though unfortunately not the best one.  Still watchable if you are a fan of Peanuts and definitely recommended if you like sports and Peanuts.

The DVD only runs a short 48 minutes.  The special included is this DVD is called “Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown”.  It is cute but when it comes down to it, I am not a sports fan even for cartoons.  Besides the special there is also a show section of “The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show” called “Snoopy’s Brother Spike”.  Whenever I think about Peanuts, I always think about their holiday episodes, which are always my favorites.  I am not sure what the next Peanuts special Warner Home Video will be releasing but I still will look forward to it.

Synopsis: Batter up with Peanuts and celebrate their greatest sports moments in this all-new collection. For Charlie Brown, a new baseball season equals new hopes of winning. Unfortunately, one player just isn’t measuring up, which makes the team decide that Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown. Then suit up for a triple-header of laughs with The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show. In The Pelicans, Charlie Brown gets stuck with mascot duties while Peppermint Patty is on the road to victory with her baseball team. Great Pumpkin finds the Peanuts gang visiting the bowling alley in hopes of teaching Charlie Brown a new sport with hilarious results, and it’s game on as the neighborhood cat meets his match when Snoopy’s older brother Spike trots into town. It’s time to catch the winning spirit and share these tales with your teammates, since happiness is what Team Snoopy is all about!

Happiness is… Peanuts ™: Team Snoopy is available on DVD on 5/1: http://bit.ly/IIUnNc
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MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Distributed by: Warner Home Video
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Running Time: 170 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Watching Tom and Jerry cartoons is something I can just never turn down.  With this new DVD collection of episodes, it focuses on an “Around the World” theme.  Although it isn’t just traveling without our planet, there is a lot of adventures in outer space as well, which I enjoyed.  With the 22 episodes included, there is plenty of fun and crazy antics going on between our famous feline and mouse.

This collection like past ones are a mix of classic and new episodes.   Tom and Jerry cartoons are just so timeless that this show will never not be relevant.  Especially with the new “The Looney Tunes Show”, I would love to see a new reboot of “Tom and Jerry” as well. I love the fact that Warner Home Video has continuously been releasing these in themed packages.  I am curious to see what they are going to come up with next.

The episodes included are:  “Way-Off Broadway”, “Martian Mice”, “Medieval Menance”, “Abracadumb”, “The Million Dollar Cat”, “Din-O-sores”, “Invasion of the Body Slammers”, “I Dream of Meanie”, “Neapolitan Mouse”, “Kitty Hawked”, “Flamenco Fiasco”, “You’re Lion”, “Kangadoofus”, “Monkey Chow”, “Freaky Tiki”, “Monster Con”, “Royal Cat Nap”, “Spaced Out Cat”, “The Two Mouseketeers”, “Tom & Jerry in the Hollywood Bowl”, “Johann Mouse” and “Treasure Map Scrap”.

Premise: Tom and Jerry travel the globe by land, sea, and air in this collection of 22 hilarious adventures. From Broadway to outer space, hitch a ride with your favorite cat and mouse for non-stop fun and action. Whether the furry duo is running from an erupting volcano on a tropical island or conducting an orchestra in Hollywood, you can count on laughs the whole way. Sword fights, magic spells, and treasure maps fill these delightful escapades and will have you climbing on board for more expeditions. So grab your luggage and bring the entire family along for a boisterous trip around the world and beyond.

Tom and Jerry: Around the World available on DVD 5/1 http://bit.ly/HYoyUl
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Tom Hiddleston is known best for his role of Loki in “Thor” and the upcoming “The Avengers”. Media Mikes was able to attend a recent press conference and got a chance to ask Tom a few questions about the role and also what we can expect from “The Avengers”.

Mike Gencarelli: Loki traditionally doesn’t have as cool of a signature weapon as most of the super-heroes out there. What prop or weapon from the “Avengers” were you jealous of?
Tom Hiddleston: Well, if you’ve seen the new trailer, I do get to play with a rather wonderful toy in the film. But there was one day on the set when I managed to get a hold of Captain America’s shield and I went parading around with it. One of the producers stopped me and asked, “What are you doing with that?” (laughs)

Q: If you could put together your own team of super-heroes – let’s say – super-villains, who would be your evil super friends if you could choose from any characters in literature, comics, movies, etc
TH: Hmmmmmm (thinking) A little bit of help from Darth Vader, if I might. Hans Gruber from “Die Hard.” Scar from “The Lion King.” Robert Patrick from “Terminator 2” – the T-1000. Probably Schwarzenegger from “Terminator.” Iago, absolutely. That’s a pretty awesome group of people

Q: Since you brought it up, what was the “rather wonderful toy” you eluded to that you get to play with?
TH: It’s a kind of evolution of the staff that he played with at the end of “Thor.” But that’s Odin’s spear. So at the end of “Thor,” it’s Odin’s spear – this is his own makeshift staff of destruction.

Q: Will Odin be in “The Avengers?
TH: Odin won’t be in “The Avengers.”

Q: In the trailer it looks like all of the action takes place in New York. Is Loki coming to destroy New York or is he here to do damage on a global scale?
TH: Well, no…it’s not just one city. But inevitably Manhattan becomes the focus point, partly because that’s where Tony Stark lives. There’s one shot in the trailer where you can see, I think, the Quinjet flying towards Manhattan and in the middle of it is Stark Tower, which is in the fictitious world of the comics. Tony Stark has a huge interestingly-shaped tower opposite the Chrysler building, which is his base of operations. That’s where Stark Industries works out of. And so Stark Tower becomes a focus point for lots of reasons.

Q: What is Loki’s relationship with Stellan Skarsgård’s character in this movie?
TH: (laughing) This is where I can sense the red dot forming on my forehead. (laughs again) And the Marvel sniper in the corner on the roof over there — he’s got his eye on me. Working with Stellan…he’s amazing. He’s someone I’ve long admired as an actor. I really do think he’s an exceptional, exceptional actor and is really capable of bringing a level of complexity and truth to roles and performances which in another actor’s hands could seem dry or slightly invisible. So I loved working with him — he’s a real actor’s actor. He’s been doing it for so long. He plays the same character in “Avengers” that he played in “Thor”… Erik Selvig, who is a scientist. He’s employed by S.H.I.E.L.D. after his encounters with S.H.I.E.L.D. in “Thor,” to do some work for them. That’s all I can say.

“STEP UP: REVOLUTION” is the next installment in the worldwide smash “STEP UP” franchise, which sets the dancing against the vibrant backdrop of Miami. EMILY (Kathryn McCormick) arrives in Miami with aspirations of becoming a professional dancer and soon falls in love with SEAN (Ryan Guzman), a young man who leads a dance crew in elaborate, cutting-edge flash mobs, called “The Mob.” When a wealthy business man threatens to develop The Mob’s historic neighborhood and displace thousands of people, Emily must band together with Sean and The Mob to turn their performance art into protest art, and risk losing their dreams to fight for a greater cause.

Starring RYAN GUZMAN, KATHRYN MCCORMICK, MISHA GABRIEL and PETER GALLAGHER. In theaters July 27, 2012.

Directors: Björn Stein, Måns Mårlind
Actors: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, Stephen Rea, Theo James
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Running Time: 88 minutes

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

What is great about “Underworld: Awakening” is that even if you haven’t seen any films in series, you can still watch this film. The opening scene sums up the whole series and catches you up to speed. So what can you expect for the fourth film in the series? Well, surprising quite a bit. This film has more of everything vampires, werewolves, action and even adds 3D to the mix.  It is action packed and most important boasts the return of the sexy yet deadly Selene. In fact out of all the film in the series, this is easiest my favorite!! So if you are reading this Sony…let’s get started on “Underworld 5”!!

Kate Beckinsale returns to the role of Selene (after skipping “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans”) and she is back with a vengeance.  She is honestly the most bad-ass female vampire/warrior ever to hit the screen.   In this installment, after being caught and confined for testing, she escapes only to find that the world has changed.  Humans have discovered about the existence of both the Vampire and Lycan clans.  The humans has started a war in order to remove both species. Things get a little more complicated when Selene finds out that she has a daughter that she didn’t know about during the time she was held and she is the target of both species.

Let’s focus for a second on the film’s 3D.  This is one of my favorite live action 3D Blu-ray’s that I have seen seen.  Most live-action 3D Blu-ray are said to be darker, this one puts that statement to rest.  The film itself just uses the 3D so well, holds a constant depth and also rocks out with the film’s constant action. This all goes along well with the film’s amazing 1080p transfer and 2.40:1 aspect ratio.  So, this film not only looks amazing it also sounds even better.  Sony packed this Blu-ray with a super impressive DTS-HD MA 7.1 track and really pushes the format to the max.  This film also comes with a standard Blu-ray and DVD of the film, as well as an Ultraviolet digital streaming copy.

The special features like the film are also very impressive. Firstly there is a massive commentary track with directors Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, producers Richard Wright and Gary Lucchesi, executive producer and visual effects supervisor James McQuaide.  Everything is covered her from proudction to effects, very highly recommended.  “Selene Rises” focuses on the return of Kate Beckinsale playing Selene. “Casting the Future of Underworld” looks at the series new player, Theo James and India Eisley and plans for future installments. “Resuming the Action” talks about shooting in 3D and creating the film’s amazing action sequences.  “Building a Better Lycan” showcases the plans to create better werewolf visuals for this installment.  “Awakening a Franchise, Building a Better World” is a general making-of featurette and also touches on revamping this series. “Previsualization Sequences” are exclusive to the Blu-ray 3D release and includes six scenes.  Lastly there is a Blooper Reel and Music Video for “Heavy Prey” by Lacey Sturm Feat. Geno Lenardo.

Directed by: Ellen Goosenberg Kent, Amanda Micheli, Jenny Carchman
Producers: R.J. Cutler, Julie Goldman, Allyson Luchak, Danielle Renfrew, Ellen Goosenberg Kent
Tribeca Film Festival
Running time: 73 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

It’s difficult to say who One Nation Under Dog, which screened last week at the Tribeca Film Fest, will appeal to when it makes its debut this summer on HBO. Dog lovers, of which I include myself, will undoubtedly find it at times unbearable and those who swap over channels when they see Sarah McLachlan’s SPCA ad starting up might mistakenly do so again. However, to do so would be needlessly dismissive to an extremely well made look into the conflicting relationship this country has with man’s best friend.

In three parts derived from the doc’s subtitle, ‘Stories of Fear, Loss and Betrayal,’ directors Kent, Micheli and Carchman show the various ways in which a population so obviously in love with dogs comes to euthanize millions of them every year. ‘Fear’ gives a fascinating view at the ins and outs of how dogs, in this case a New Jersey family’s pack of Rhodesian Ridgebacks with a history of violence, come to be legally defined as ‘dangerous’, ‘potentially dangerous’ and ‘vicious.’ The distinctions sound small but they do determine whether a dog lives or dies after biting a human. ‘Loss’, arguably the most sensitive third of the film, delves into how people cope with their pets’ passing. It may surprise some to watch an adult dog-loss support group in progress, but to anyone whose lost a significant pet it’s not hard to see the benefits of such a place and the filmmakers never once look down on them. Neither is the funeral of a terrier at a pet cemetery treated with any less sincerity than that of a human friend.

It’s in the last third of the doc, ‘Betrayal’, where the film turns from the stories of individual lost pets to the outright slaughter that occurs on a daily basis for preventable reasons. Betrayal hammers home the importance of spaying or neutering pets and the merits of adopting the shelter dogs so desperately in need of homes. Some of the footage in this chapter comes with a warning about its graphic nature and it is indeed brutal to the point I felt physically unsettled but ultimately a documentary on this subject would have been incomplete without going this far.

To those who watch this documentary, you will need tissues at the ready for the obvious lost dogs but thankfully, also for the inspiring stories of dogs saved from the brink of death by the numerous rescuers who stand up for those who can not for themselves. Watching one such trainer turn some left for dead, terrified animals into loving members of new family’s was one of the most astonishing things I saw amongst Tribeca’s docs this year.

One Nation Under Dog: Stories of Fear, Loss and Betrayal premieres on HBO June 18th at 8pm

Bruce Campbell is one of my favorite actors of all-time. His films like “The Evil Dead” series have such a cult following behind them. Bruce is also a series regular on the hit show “Burn Notice”, entering its six season this summer. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Bruce again about the upcoming “Evil Dead” remake to “Burn Notice” to hanging out on Twitter.

Mike Gencarelli: We are all anxious for a sequel to “My Name is Bruce”, what is the current status of “Bruce Vs. Frankenstein”?
Bruce Campbell: On hold. Not sure if I want to make another “meta” movie. I think fans want real action, not “fake” action.

MG: You mentioned it would be the “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World of horror”, can you let us know who are looking to get in the film?
BC: If we make it, I would try and get as many old/new horror icons as possible.

MG: Season 6 of “Burn Notice” is expected to begin Summer 2012, what can we expect from Sam Axe?
BC: More of the same bad ass action. I don’t know the upcoming plots, but the basic stuff I have been told is really cool.

MG: Anymore spin-off movies planned after “The Fall of Sam Axe”?
BC: Not sure. None planned now, but the ratings were great, so…

MG: Tell us about your experience working on “Cars 2” voicing Rod ‘Torque’ Redline?
BC: It was very enjoyable working directly with John Lasseter, but very short. I just did one session since, technically I get killed off early.

MG: We all know that “Ash” isn’t going to be in the “Evil Dead” remake, why did you decide to assist in producing the film?
BC: I’m a producer on all the Evil Dead films, so it’s only natural. This way, we can stay involved and make sure the fans dig the end result.

MG: Will you having a cameo the film in any sense?
BC: Can’t say.

MG: Since joining twitter as @GroovyBruce, what do you enjoy most about using the social network?
BC: It’s a great way to see who’s out there, what they like, what they want to know – and it’s also a way to let them know what’s coming up.

MG: Tell about your involvement with Oregon Cultural Trust?
BC: I’m just a big fan of Oregon and a big fan of culture, so it seemed like a good fit.

MG: Can we expect you to make a cameo in Sam Raimi’s latest film “Oz: The Great and Powerful”?
BC: Heck yeah – filmed it last fall. Stay tuned on that!

Directed by: Tom Putnam, Brenna Sanchez
Producers: Tom Putnam, Brenna Sanchez
Tribeca Film Festival
Running time: 85 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

“Burn”, winner of the Heineken Audience Award for Documentary at TFF, takes a look at the firefighters of Detroit, a city where abandoned buildings are everywhere and arson is rampant. More specifically, directors Tom Putnam and Brenna Sanchez, reveal the ups and downs of fire fighting in the Motor City through the eyes of Engine 50. Ultimately Burn is a heartfelt and character driven documentary, that doesn’t lose sight of the larger picture of a struggling US city.

The directors of “Burn” introduce us into the company through a good cross section of figures within it. We first meet Dave Parnell, a field engine operator on the eve of his retirement after 33 years of driving the truck. He opens the film with the sage sounding “I wish my mind could forget what my eyes have seen.” It’s a beautiful and sincere statement but also brilliantly connects him to his younger colleagues who in quick edit repeat this mantra they’ve obviously heard during Parnell’s many years. The camaraderie among the ladder company is immediately recognizable here and the directors smartly establish the whys of these men’s chosen occupation when the risks are so great. The ladder company is their home away from home, they bicker and eat together like family and when the time comes they admittedly get an adrenaline kick from the actual fire fighting. Burn includes footage actually shot from the firemen’s helmets that is incredibly impressive.

Being able to capture the bonds between Engine Company 50 early on is crucial to the rest of the film, as we turn to how many sacrifices these men make and just how much help they still need. For all the dedication of the firemen, they are severely underfunded and often their equipment is in need of repair that’s not in the budget. In a city full of abandoned buildings, an ethical dilemma arises in the form of deciding whether or not it’s worth the hazards of saving a building “designed to kill firemen” or to just let it burn. The latter option is brought in by a new executive fire commissioner, Donald Austin, who to the film’s credit is treated really fairly despite clearly being seen by the Engine 50 men, as an outsider. Austin was born in Detroit but spent 30 years in Los Angeles. The let-it-burn policy will of course save on the company’s equipment but it reveals to us the dedication of the E50 men whose instincts it goes against. It’s hard to choose either well meaning side and the film rightly doesn’t try to.

A third focus shows explicitly what these men can face when we meet Brendan “Doogie” Milewski who at age 30 became paralyzed from the waist down after a wall in an arson fire collapsed on him. Putnam and Sanchez get an intimate look into his physical therapy process and he is completely candid about the struggles he now faces both physically and mentally. Doogie is grateful to have survived but neither him nor the filmmakers downplay the lost plans for his future.

At 85 minutes, “Burn” moves swiftly and yet in an amazing balancing act still manages to engage us in so many personal amongst the story of a city in need. These men give so much to the city they care about, it’s about time this dedication was shown to a larger audience.

Get ready for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to assemble on the big screen for the very first time in “Marvel’s The Avengers,” only in theaters May 4th!

“The Avengers” will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they’ve ever faced.

When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.

Click here for Mike Gencarelli’s review

Click here for Mike Smith’s review

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans and Samuel L. Jackson
Directed by: Joss Whedon
PG 13
Running time: 2 hours 22 mins
Paramount

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Phew! That is the sound I made at the end of “The Avengers.” After two plus hours of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and their pals, I was able to take a breath and say to myself, “he did it…he pulled it off.” Of course, in the capable hands of Joss Whedon did I really need to worry?

The story concerns an evil plot to take over the Earth hatched by the very jealous Loki (Tom Hiddleston), brother (kind of) of Thor (Chris Hemsworth). Loki seeks an object called the Tesseract, an almost endless source of energy currently in the hands of S.H.I.E.L.D. and under the watchful eye of Nick Fury (Jackson). After infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters Loki steals the Tesseract, intending to turn it over to a race of beings that want to destroy earth and, seemingly, put Loki in charge. After learning that one of his best men has turned on him, Fury summons a little help. Avengers assemble!

A roller coaster ride of non-stop action, “The Avengers” manages to take the different tones set by the previous films and fashion them into one strong voice. Each character remains true to him/her self, clashing with the others at first but eventually finding a common goal to unite.

My biggest fear for the film was that some of the actors would just walk through their roles, hoping to get lost in the crowd. But instead they deliver strong performances across the board as if they were worried they WOULD get lost in the crowd. Downey sets the tone perfectly as Tony Stark/Iron Man. His sarcastic style is still around (he refers to Thor as “Point Break”), but behind that self assuredness lies a man who longs for more than a flashy suit. The other characters are involved in their own things. Besides Iron Man and Thor, we meet Captain America (Evans), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Dr. David Banner (Mark Ruffalo), who has a habit of getting angry and becoming the Hulk. Each maintains the characters they brought to life in previous films, with the exception of Ruffalo. Taking over from Eric Bana and Edward Norton, Ruffalo gives Banner just the right amount of humanity needed to make us care about him. Sure, we want to see him get big and green, but we also know the toll it’s going to take.

The on screen battles are well choreographed and, though they sometimes seem to go on forever, manage to build in excitement. The script, by Whedon and Zak Penn, is clever and full of comments that seem to have been lifted directly from the comic pages. The 3D effects were well rendered and, more importantly, well utilized. And, like in other films, there are a few surprises left over for after the credits.

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Directed by: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures
Running time: 143 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

“The Avengers” was a project that was simply destined to be something amazing. With the brilliant mind of Joss Whedon, writing and directing, it was a sure bet. Of course there was still concerns. “Iron Man 2” was not up to par with the first film and of course everyone has seen the films focusing on The Hulk. “The Avengers” is the best superhero film, might I say ever?! I have never been to a screening where the audience is as engaged in the film. Five times, at least, there was rampant cheering,  clapping and even standing ovations…and that was only during the film let alone when it ended.

Now let’s get to our superheros in “The Avengers”. I was wondering how they were going to split this film over all the superheros that it complied. Well let me tell you they did it perfectly. I would say that Captain America (Evans) was the lead focus in the film, which is ok with me, with Iron Man (Downey Jr.) following in close second.  Both were perfectly in their roles and delivered the best performance yet for their respective characters. I gotta give it to the Hulk (Ruffalo) though for completely stealing the entire movie. I wouldn’t imagine after two disappointing films, but damn was I pleasantly impressed. Chris Hemsworth is just bad-ass as Thor and holds his own. Smaller less-known characters like Scarlett Johansson, playing Agent Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow, and Jeremy Renner, playing Clint Barton aka Hawkeye, definitely play well with the others and kick some ass. Lastly major props need to go to Tom Hiddleston, playing Loki, for sealing the deal as the film’s major villain.  He is one bad son-bitch. Overall though, this cast just shined and really worked as a team.

Joss Whedon is known for his amazing TV work like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Angel” and “Firefly” but he has never had major success theatrically. This film will change all that, he is now a superstar. I really hope that Marvel/Disney allow Joss to follow-up with “The Avengers 2”. He has such a fantastic handle on the series and know exactly what the fans wants to see and delivers it…and more.  The film also run impressively long at almost 2.5 hours, which I wouldn’t have wanted it a minute shorter.  “The Avengers” also not only sums up some of the best visual effects, I have seen in the last few years, it is also FUNNY AS HELL!  That’s right, I mean belly laughs. If the audience wasn’t cheering or sitting on the edge of the chair, they were laughing out loud.  Great job again of perfectly blending the action and comedy of the series.

Let me tell you one thing, whether you like this film or not, if you are a fan of the Marvel Universe you better stay through the credits!!! Holy crap what a great lead-in the the next project in the ever-expanding world that Marvel is creating. Get ready for next year with sequels to both “Iron Man” and “Thor”. This Marvel superhero franchise shows no signs of slowing down and as long as they follow from the lead of “The Avengers”, they will not be able to fail. Thanks again Joss Whedon, you are a God!

Directed by: Joe Dante
Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, John Glover, Robert Prosky, Robert Picardo
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: Warner Home Video
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Running Time: 106 minutes

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

Warner Brothers definitely made up for their mistakes with the first “Gremlins” and delivers a very impressive release for “Gremlins 2: The New Batch”. This time around, the ante is upped and the gremlins are more out of control. I remember the first time I saw this film in the theaters, I was completely blown away but its satirical humor and over-the-top action. Although not this film doesn’t excel for this series but still is a damn fun time, especially in high-definition.

Like I said, the Blu-ray presentation is a real step up from “Gremlins”. It’s MPEG-4 AVC 1080p transfer looks almost perfect and very sharp in its 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track is also very impressive and works well with Goldsmith’s score and the special effects. Unlike “Gremlins” though, this Blu-ray does not also contain an English 2.0 track as well. Overall, this is a very impressive Blu-ray.

The special features are only in standard definition but overall not bad. There is an audio commentary with director Joe Dante, writer Charlie Haas, producer Michael Finnell and actor Zach Galligan. Worth checking out if you enjoy this zany sequel. There is a short but decent feature “The Making of Gremlins 2: The New Batch”, which plays like a spoof mockumentary. There are over 20 minutes of deleted scenes included with Optional Commentary. There is a few good ones overall and worth checking out. Since this film is a real romp there is an excellent gag reel running about 6 minutes. There is an “Alternate Home Video Sequence”, which includes a fun scene made for the home video release, remember home video? Lastly, there is the theatrical trailer included.

Synopsis: Billy Peltzer and Kate Beringer move to New York City and meet up with their Mogwai friend, Gizmo, when a series of accidents creates a new generation of diverse gremlins. Billy, Kate, and Gizmo must once again use all their experience to prevent another catastrophe.

Buy It 5/8 on Blu-ray™
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Directed by: Joe Dante
Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday, Frances Lee Mccain
MPAA Rating: PG
Distributed by: Warner Home Video
Release Date: December 1, 2009 / May 8, 2012
Run Time: 106 minutes

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

This Blu-ray release was for the film’s 25th Anniversary, so nothing new hear besides a release to support the release of “Gremlins 2” Blu-ray. There has been some really terrible talk about this Blu-ray but I didn’t see any may issues and quite enjoyed it. I grew up watching “Gremlins” and my wife got to experience this film for the first time on Blu-ray.  We were both whistling the theme song for days following.

The Blu-ray, while not the best transfer ever, was not the worst either.  Have you ever seen “Black Christmas” on Blu-ray?…Yikes! The VC-1 encoded 1080p transfer looks fine for me in its aspect ratio of 1.78:1. Like I said not the best but definitely not the worst. The audio was definitely impressive and worked well with Jerry Goldsmith’s classic score.  There are two audio tracks included boasting a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and an Dolby Digital 2.0 track.

The special features included are a bit lacking but worth checking out.  There are two audio commentaries included.  The first includes director Joe Dante, producer Michael Finnell and special effects artist Chris Walas. The second commentary track features director Joe Dante, and actors Phoebe Cates, Zach Galligan, Dick Miller and Howie Mandel.  Both tracks are equally decent, one focusing on production and one shooting stories.  “Gremlins: Behind-the-Scenes” is a 1983 vintage featurette featuring footage from the shoot.  It is dated but fun to take a trip back to 1983.  There are also over 10 minutes of additional scenes included, which definitely add some fun scenes and more Judge Reinhold.  Lastly, there is a photo gallery and trailers for “Gremlins” and “Gremlins 2: The New Batch”.

Synopsis: A man buys a Mogwai as a Christmas present for his son. The young boy is told to keep the pet away from water, out of the light and never to feed it after midnight. Inadvertently, the creature is dampened and almost instantly, produces half a dozen furry replicas of itself –which continue to multiply and turn the small town upside-down.

Buy It 5/8 on Blu-ray™
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Directed by: Akin Omotoso
Starring: Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Fana Mokoena, Makhoala Ndebele, Thisiwe Ziqubu
Distributed by T.O.M. Pictures
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 88 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

“Man on Ground” is definitely one hell of a visual film but I found myself scratching my head throughout the movie. I commend Akin Omotoso on his artistic vision but the story is a little too difficult to follow through out. The film isn’t all bad though, it packs a very intense cast who each deliver wonderful performances. I do not feel that this film will have much reach to a mainstream audience but the indie world might grasp on, if they can follow it.

The story follows the disappearance of a young Nigerian man, Femi (Fabian Adeoye Lojede), after being run out of his country and imprisoned. His brother, Ade (Hakeem Kae-Kazim), who is a London banker goes looking for him and tries to get the the bottom of this mystery. Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Fabian Adeoye Lojede and Thisiwe Ziqubu, who plays Femi’s fiancee, all give fantastic performances.

The film aimed as a thriller and it definitely succeeds in that area. It shows the thrilling would of the immigrant underworld in South Africa. One note of the shoot was the scenes of the smoking, it was shot with slow-motion and very intense. Another saving factor for the film is that it is short, running only 88 minutes. If Omotoso could have resolved the narrative issues this could have been a successfully thriller.