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Blu-ray Review “Men in Black II”

Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Rip Torn, Lara Flynn Boyle, Johnny Knoxville
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Running Time: 88 minutes

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

To celebrate the upcoming release of “Men in Black III”, we get a chance to experience this great sequel for the first time in high-definition Blu-ray. Even though this film doesn’t exceed the first film, as most sequels don’t, this is still a fun movie and looks great on Blu-ray. This release also includes a sneak preview and $10 voucher to go see “Men in Black III” and also a playable demo for the upcoming PlayStation 3 game.

This Blu-ray packs a very solid and sharp 1080p high-def transfer, with its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The audio packs a fantastic DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Danny Elfman’s score works great again on this Blu-ray. Like the recent new “Men in Black” Blu-ray release, I would have like to seen Sony give this film a 7.1 track but the one included is still solid. Lastly, a real draw for this release is a streaming Ultraviolet digital copy. I love that most if not all Sony releases are following this path.

The special features are also impressive like the Blu-ray presentation though none of them are in high-definition. There is an audio commentary with director Barry Sonnenfeld, which is fun but lacking compared to the great MST3K track from the first “Men in Black”. There is an alternate ending and blooper reel included, which I enjoyed. There are a bunch of featurettes including “MIB: ADR”, “Design in Motion: The Look of MIB II”, “Rick Baker: Alien Maker”, “Squish, Splat, Sploosh: The Stellar Sounds of MIB II” and “Cosmic Symphonies: Elfman in Space” and “Barry Sonnenfeld’s Intergalactic Guide to Comedy”. All of these are decent length and worth checking out.

There are a few short but sweet featurettes on this films creatures including Frank the Pug, Scrad/Charlie, The Worms, Serleena, Alien Esoterica, Jeebs, Jarra, and Jeff the Worm. There is a very short Animatic Sequence on the creation of Serleena. There are five scenes with a “Multi-Angle Scene Deconstructions” including “Opening Sequence: Alternate Version”, “Jay and Jeff”, “Car Chase”, “Jarra Fight Scen, Part 1 & 2. Lastly there is an music video with Will Smith for “Black Suits Comin’ (Nod Ya Head)”.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: black, bluray, ii, men, review

Blu-ray Review “Men in Black”

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D’Onofrio, Rip Torn
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Running Time: 98 minutes

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

It’s funny going back and watching this film and realizing how young Will Smith looks. “Men in Black” is still one hell of a fun movie though. It reminds me of a live-action comic book. The visual effects are also still amazing especially for a film that is 15 years old. I can’t believe it is that old but here we are approaching the third film this summer. This film is a great collection of comedy, action and science fiction. This release also includes a sneak preview and $10 voucher to go see “Men in Black III”.

This Blu-ray packs a very solid and sharp 1080p high-def transfer, with its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. I feel that this release even trumps the first “MIB” Blu-ray release in 2008. The audio is also different than the prior release boasting a very clear DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track compared to the last release Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. Danny Elfman’s score really sounds fantastic through this audio track. I would have like to seen Sony give this film a 7.1 track but the one included is still solid. Lastly, a real draw for this release is a streaming Ultraviolet digital copy. I love that most if not all Sony releases are following this path.

There is definitely no shortage of special features on this disc, but not really anything new from the 2008 release and more are in standard definition not high-def. There are a few silly extras that are Blu-ray exclusive. Like “Ask Frank the Pug!”, which is like an interactive magic 8-ball. “Intergalactic Pursuit: The Men In Black Trivia Game” is a interactive game which you can play in a single-player mode or online with multi-players. Lastly there is an alien subtitle track, which is cool.

There are two commentary tracks included on this release. There is an enhanced telestrator commentary with director Barry Sonnenfeld and actor Tommy Lee Jones and feels like an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. The second one is the more focus on production with director Barry Sonnenfeld, makeup effects artist Rick Baker and the Industrial Light and Magic team. There are five extended and alternate scenes but only in in standard definition. “Metamorphosis of Men in Black” is an impressive behind-the-scenes feature, though also in SD.

“Visual Effects Scene Deconstruction” focus on two scenes: “Tunnel Scene” and “Edgar Bug Fight Scene.”. “Character Animation Studies” is similiar to the last but focuses on the film’s character like Mikey, Jeebs, or Worm Guys. Next, we can enter the “Scene Editing Workshop”, which allow to create you own scenes. Of course, there is also the music Video for “Men in Black” included with Will Smith and Mikey. Lastly, there are a few photo galleries consisting of “Storyboard Gallery,” “Conceptual Art,” and “Production Photos.”

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Film Review “The Woman in Black”

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds and Janet McTeer
Directed by: James Watkins
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 1 hour 35 mins
CBS Films

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

England in the 1900s. Three little girls are playing in the attic. They are suddenly joined by a ghostly vision. Without hesitation, the three children climb up onto the windowsill and jump to their deaths.

Arthur Kipps (Radcliffe) is a young attorney whose about to lose his job. A single father (his wife having died giving birth – which really seemed to happen a lot back then if you believe Hollywood), he is sent to settle the accounts of a recently deceased client. Seeing some quality time with his son may be available, he arranges for the boy and his nanny to join him later in the week. Perhaps this will improve his son’s image of him, as he is currently drawing pictures of his father with big frowns on his face. Upon his arrival, he is given a lift to town by the very wealthy Mr. Daily (Hinds). We know he’s wealthy because he owns the only automobile in town. Upon his arrival at the local Inn Kipps is told that the room he had reserved is no longer available. Despite the innkeeper’s protests, he is allowed to stay the night. In the attic. BOO!

Heavy on the atmosphere but also on the “scares” horror fans have learned to rely on (loud music, hand on the shoulder, the occasional bird that shows up out of nowhere), “The Woman in Black” is still a satisfying re-make of the well received 1989 film of the same name. Co-produced by Hammer Films, the film is a throwback to that studio’s heyday, when horror greats like Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee wandered through the fog in search of things. Radcliffe does the wandering here, roaming from room to room in the deceased client’s oversize house. “Don’t go chasing shadows,” he’s told. But if he didn’t, there wouldn’t be a movie. He learns that many years ago a young boy drowned in the marshlands after a wagon accident. Despondent, his mother went slowly crazy, blaming others for his death. Kipps finds some of her old letters, many of them including the words “you could have saved him!” He also finds himself blamed when other children in the town begin to die horribly. As he learns more about the past he realizes he must do something before his own son arrives.

In only the second film he’s starred in that didn’t have the words Harry or Potter in the title, Radcliffe gives a strong performance. He has grown into a good looking young man and should be able to prove to those that only think of him as the Boy Wizard that there is much more talent to be revealed. Hinds is fine as pretty much the only townsperson who believes Albert has seen…things. The direction is solid with the only drawback being the constant relying on the things that go bump in the night to make us jump. And for you fans of trivia, the role of Albert in the original film was played by actor Adrian Rawlins, who played Radcliffe’s father, James, in the “Harry Potter” films.

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: black, film, review, woman

CD Review: Black Veil Brides “Rebels- EP”

Black Veil Brides
“Rebels- EP”
Universal Republic
Tracks: 3
Video: 1

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Rebels” is the latest release the heavy metal band Black Veil Brides. The EP features 1 new track, 2 cover tracks and an extended video for the song “Rebel Love Song” which is featured on the bands full length album “Set the World on Fire”. The EP also features a performance by Black Label Society and former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde.

Being a fan of Black Veil Brides first two albums I was pretty excited to check out what they had to offer on their new EP. Granted it was only 3 songs and a video I still was all ears. The opening track “Coffins” is a brand new song from the band. Originally written during the bands previous studio session the song was not completed at the time of the full length album’s release. The song was not bad however it sound very much like every other song on album. I would have liked to hear a little more diversity. “Unholy” originally written by Kiss was almost spot on with the original. Zakk Wylde’s solo on the track was a little drawn out and stock sounding. I found the cover of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell” to be the real star in the bunch. The song featured a unique arrangement which gave the song a really updated and modern feel. The video for “Rebel Love Song” had a really cool 80’s look and feel which only added to an already great song.

Members of the Black Veil Army will definitely want to pick this up. The EP would also be a great pick up for someone wanting to check the band out for the first time. “Rebels” is available via ITunes digital download.

Track Listing:
1.)    Coffin
2.)    Unholy (feat. Zakk Wylde)
3.)    Rebel Yell

Video:
1.) Rebel Love Song (Extended Version)

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Interview with Black Label Society’s John “JD” DeServio

John “JD” DeServio is the bass player for the heavy metal group Black Label Society. The band is currently on the Epitaph tour which is also featuring Judas Priest and Thin Lizzy. Media Mikes had a chance recently to talk with JD about the tour and what the band has in store for the rest of 2011 and into 2012.

Adam Lawton: How did you originally get involved with Black Label Society?
John DeServio: I had known Zakk before he joined Ozzy Osbourne. We have been brothers for a long time and we were always jamming and hanging out. I came in back on the “Pride and Glory” tour which was with Aerosmith were we got to tour Japan. That was just amazing. Zakk put Black Label Society together in 1998 and he asked me to do it. I was there until 2000. I had decided to split and do my own music for a bit. I was playing in wedding bands and doing whatever to make money but I just really wanted to make my own music and get better at playing. I also played with Richie Kotzen for about 6 months prior to rejoining Black Label Society.

AL: What were your initial thoughts when it was announced you would be touring with Judas Priest?
JD: It was awesome! We were totally blown away. I grew up listening to those guys and I never thought I would be getting the chance to play with them every night.

AL: How have the shows been thus far?
JD: The shows have been great and everything has been really good. We play an hour a night and the fans have been awesome. This tour has exposed us to some new fans which is always good for us.

AL: have there been any highlights of the tour so far?
JD: I think every day has been a highlight. Being on stage and getting to listen to Judas Priest has been pretty cool.

AL: What can you tell us about the Black Label Society Christmas EP?
JD: The EP has a few Christmas songs played by Zakk and I think it’s a cool idea. We just love to play and Zakk did something similar to this on our last EP which had “The First Noel” on it. This EP has a full Christmas motif to it.

AL: What can you tell us about the upcoming tour with G N’ R?
JD: That will be coming up right after our run with Judas Priest ends. The shows are going to be mostly arenas which are always a lot of fun.

AL: What do you think your greatest musical accomplishment has been thus far?
JD: Tour all this time with Zakk has been an accomplishment in itself. (Laughs) It’s all been great. When I was younger I had the chance to play Madison Square Garden which for me growing up in that area was a big deal. I was playing with Vinnie Moore back then and we opened two nights for Rush. There have been so many great things that have happened over the years.

AL: Is there any place that you haven’t played yet that you want to get to?
JD: I would love to make it over to Israel and the holy land. I have had friends go over there and play who have said it was an experience they couldn’t explain. I think Egypt would be really great as well. China would be another place that I would like to play as well

AL: What other projects do you guys have coming up this year and into 2012?
JD: I have a few bass clinics scheduled for this year. I generally try and schedule those during every tour we do. I went to Berkley College of Music where I learned a bunch of stuff outside of just Heavy Metal. It’s cool for me to get to show off on some other types of music. Hopefully the clinics will open up some ears and inspire a few people. On this run of clinic I have been doing some stuff with Thin Lizzy’s bassist Marco Mendoza and our new drummer Chad Saliga who used to play for Breaking Benjamin. Those guys have been playing along with me so it’s been great. My band Cycle of Pain who released an album back in 2009 is currently writing a new album and we hope to get that out as well.

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: black, deservio, interview, jd, label, societysjohn, ...

CD Review: Black Label Society “Glorious Christmas Songs That Will Make Your Black Label Heart Feel Good” EP

Black Label Society
“Glorious Christmas Songs That Will Make Your Black Label Heart Feel Good” EP
eOne Music
Tracks: 3

Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars

“Glorious Christmas Songs That Will Make Your Black Label Heart Feel Good” is the Newest EP by the Zakk Wylde fronted group Black Label Society. The EP consists of 3 classic Christmas songs performed by Zakk and his band. The album is being released via eOne Music and available today via iTunes.

I found this CD to be somewhat of a letdown. The tracks feature minimal performances of 3 Christmas Classics by Zakk Wylde and company. I really struggled to find something that stood out and was different. I am a huge Zakk Wylde fan and have quite a collection of his material however the only thing that was somewhat interesting about this EP was the ridiculously long title.

Black Label Society’s “Glorious Christmas Songs That Will Make Your Black Label Heart Feel Good” is nothing that hasn’t been done before. However for those BLS chapter members looking for something to listen to during the holiday season the 3 tracks contained on “Glorious Christmas Songs That Will Make Your Black Label Heart Feel Good” should help get you in the Christmas mood.

Track Listing:
•   I’ll Be Home For Christmas
•   Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
•   It’s A Wonderful World

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DVD Review “Black Zoo”

Directed by: Robert Gordon
Starring: Michael Gough, Jeanne Cooper, Rod Lauren, Virginia Grey, Jerome Cowan, Elisha Cook, Jr.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Archive
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running time: 88 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

“When Creature Attack” movies are always fun especially ones that are from the 50’s and 60’s. This one is a little different since they are being controlled by a human. I enjoyed the film quite a bit and I am surprised I have never seen this film in the past. The animal to human interactions are fantastic and probably and also very risky since it looks very real and up close. What drew me most to the film was the amazing old fashioned poster art. Such a classic! The plot is a little cookey with the main baddie being involved with a animal cult…besides that this is a fun romp.

We meet Michael Conrad who is a zookeeper but also leads a cult group who worship animals. Michael cares for the following animals in his zoo: a lion, a lioness, a pair of cheetahs, a tiger, and a black panther; as well as a gorilla but he also uses them to kill anyone who gets in his way. Things get out of control when the cops and his wife catch on to plans and he gets a taste of his own medicine.

This is the first time that this film has been released on DVD, thanks to Warner Bros. Archive Collection. They are responsible for releasing some really great gems and this is definitely one of them. Unfortunately there are no special features on this disc but at least we have a decent transfer to DVD on this disc.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: black, dvd, review, zoo

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