Blu-ray Review “Identity Theif”

Actors: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, John Cho, Amanda Peet, Jon Favreau
Directors: Seth Gordon
Rated: R / Unrated
Studio: Universal
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Run Time: 111 / 121 minutes

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

When you read that “Identity Thief” is from the director of “Horrible Bosses” and the producer of “Ted”, I figure how can they do wrong.  Both of those films are very funny and crowd favorites. “Identity Thief” also reunites Seth Gordon and Jason Bateman and add into the mix everyone’s favorite Melissa McCarthy.  She is everyone’s favorite right? I think she was great in “Bridesmaids” but I think that she is getting a little old already. The film has funny moments but overall feels like too much of the Melissa McCarthy show, which is like too much of a good thing. Included on this Blu-ray is both the 111-minute theatrical version and extended 121-minute unrated cut. That leads right into my other point, comedies do not need to be two hours long.  What happened to a tight 90-minute comedy?

Official Premise: Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses) and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) lead an all-star cast in this hilarious blockbuster hit. Unlimited funds have allowed Diana (McCarthy) to live it up on the outskirts of Orlando. There’s only one glitch: she’s financing her shopping sprees with an ID stolen from Sandy Patterson (Bateman), an accounts rep who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Patterson is forced to extreme measures to clear his name.

Despite the film being a hit or not, Universal still delivered a nice release (as always) with a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy combo pack.  The digital copies include an Ultraviolet and iTunes codes. The 1080p transfer is clear and sharp, looks as good as a comedy can. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track, which worked well with the comedy. The special features are also a bit of a letdown as well. “The Making of Identity Thief” is a typical behind-the-scenes featurette with cast/crew. “Scene Stealing” focuses on the personas of Bateman and McCarthy.  There are five minutes of Alternate Takes with tons of improv from our actors. “The Skiptracer’s Van Tour” takes us on a tour with Robert Patrick. Lastly there is a forgettable gag reel.

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews, Film Headlines Tagged With: bluray, identity, review, theif

Blu-ray Review “Jack the Giant Slayer”

Actors: Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, Bill Nighy
Directors: Bryan Singer
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Bros Home Entertainment
Release Date: June 18, 2013
Run Time: 114 minutes

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

When I first saw the trailer for “Jack the Giant Slayer”, I thought to myself “Come one now another big-budget fairy tale”. The film went one to become the biggest flop of the year so far costing nearly $200 million and only grossing $65 million in North America. I have to say though after watching it it wasn’t nearly as bad as it looked. If you look at it from the perspective of mindless fantasy action, it work for the most part. I would have preferred to see this film in 3D, since it would have popped more but the 2D version still worked. Overall, we get solid visual effects though surrounded by a weak campy story.

I have to admit, I am not a fan of Nicholas Hoult. Didn’t like him as Beast in “X-Men: First Class” and skipped “Warm Bodies” due to him. He does not strike me as an action hero in this film at all. On the other hand, I am a huge fan of Ewan McGregor but in my mind he is too good for this but does make the best out of it. Notable voiceover for the main giant, General Fallon is voiced by Bill Nighy and his smaller head is voiced by John Kassir aka The Cryptkepper in “Tales from the Crypt”. Stanley Tucci is the baddie and seems like he didn’t want to be there. Ewen Bremner couldn’t have died sooner (oops spoiler), hated him. Also keep an quick eye out for Warwick Davis in the beginning of the film.

Official Premise: Jack the Giant Slayer tells the story of an ancient war that is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack, into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom, its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend—and gets the chance to become a legend himself.

Warner released this film with a Blu-ray/DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy Combo Pack. Since the film delivered some impressive CG work, the 1080p transfer is absolutely fantastic within its 2.4:1 aspect ratio. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. track works perfectly with the constant action. The special features are good but for a production this size, I expected more. “Become A Giant Slayer” is a eight-part behind-the-scenes look into the production including, “Know Your Enemy”, “Suiting Up”, “Attack Tactics”, “The Magic of a Beanstalk”, “How to Zip”, “Giants’ Kitchen”, “Saving the Princess” and “Defending Your Kingdom”. Lastly there is a deleted scene and gag reel included.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, giant, jack, review, slayer

Blu-ray Review “Mel Brooks’ The Producers”

Actors: Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Kenneth Mars
Directors: Mel Brooks
MPAA Rated: Not Rated
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Run Time: 88 minutes

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

One of the best lines ever in a film “I’m hysterical, I’m having hysterics. When I get like this, I can’t stop. (Max throws water on him) I’M WET!!! I’M WET!!! Cause, I’m hysterical!!! (Max slaps him) I’M IN PAIN!!! I’M IN PAIN!!! And I’m wet and Cause, I’m still hysterical!”

“Mel Brooks’ The Producers (1968)” is easily one of the best comedies of all-time. It stars Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder and is 90 minutes of non-stop laughs. The life of this film was replenished with the 2001 Broadway musical with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. The show became one of Broadway’s biggest success and even spawned a remake from with the duo in 2005. Though the 2005 remake left a bad taste in our mouths…in plain English…it was terrible. So I am thrilled to see the original film back in the spotlight. 45 years have passed and it is just as funny as the first time I saw it.

Official Synopsis: From the endlessly funny mind of filmmaker Mel Brooks comes this triple-Oscar-winning explosion of pure comic lunacy about low-rent Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Mostel) and his high-strung accountant Leo Bloom (Wilder). They discover that, with the help of a few gullible investors, they can make more money on a flop than on a hit. So armed with the worst show ever written – Springtime For Hitler – and an equally horrific cast, this double-dealing duo is banking on disaster. But when their sure-to-offend musical becomes a surprise smash hit, they find themselves in the middle of a Broadway blitzkrieg.

This Collector’s Edition Blu-ray comes with a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack with a reversible cover art. The Blu-ray features a brand new HD transfer and it really looks amazing. It is hard to believe that this film is 45 years old but a nice face lift and has never looked better. DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track works perfectly with the films dialogue and musically numbers. If you prefer the original mono track, that is also available on the Blu-ray.

The special features include all extras from previous editions including the featurette “Mel And His Movies: The Producers”, which is a great bonus. There is an hour-long making-of documentary called “The Making of The Producers”, with cast and crew talking about the production. This is a must see for all fans of the film. Also included are a sketch gallery, a 3-minute deleted scene, a photo gallery and a theatrical trailer. I would have loved to see a commentary track from Brooks or Wilder but still a very impressive first time on Blu-ray release.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, brooks, mel, producers, review

CD Review “Man of Steel: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Limited Deluxe Edition”

Composer: Hans Zimmer
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Number of Discs: 2
Format: Limited Edition, Deluxe Edition
Label: WaterTower Music
Running Time: 113 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

When you see the name Hans Zimmer, you have to expect an epic and stellar score. The Academy Award, Grammy, and Golden Globe-winning composer is one of the most recognized and respected names in Hollywood. When you think of Superman, you expect an equally epic score. You can thank John Williams for that back in 1978 for the original “Superman” film. Well rest assured since the “Man of Steel” is amazing. When I hear a score and it literally gives me chills when listening to it, that is how I know that I am in love with it. From the moment this starts, I was completely taken back with this score. Easily one of my favorites scores of 2013 so far. Also did I mention that this score almost runs a whopping TWO HOURS!? No joke! If that doesn’t scream epic…nothing does!

This is the first time that he is teaming up with director Zack Snyder. Zimmer is known for his work with directors like Christopher Nolan, Ron Howard and Gore Verbinski. Speaking of two of these directors, Hans is composing the following upcoming films Verbinski’s “The Lone Ranger” and Nolan’s “Interstellar”. You also have to give it to Hans Zimmer for taking on a score like this. Since the sound of Superman is so epic and recognizable you want to make sure not to mess it up. But I feel that he did it perfectly.   This score is available in both the standard and deluxe editions.  So why would you you want to upgrade to the deluxe edition? Well one reason… it contains the track “Man of Steel (Hans Original Sketchbook)”, which clocks in at over 28 minutes long. Yes 28 minutes long! This exclusive track is performed solely by Zimmer and is it a fantastic portrayal of how he experimented in order to find the right sound for this score. Easily worth the price of the CD alone!

Believe it or not that is not the only bonus tracks included with the deluxe edition.  There are also an additional seven tracks, including one of my favorites “This is Madness!”.  When a track is called “This is Madness!” you can only expect it to be extremely epic and boy is it! Also the deluxe edition comes in a super cool embossed steel case, and fans will get access to multiple videos showing an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the music. But…wait there is still more…you will also get a chance to download all 24 songs in DTS Headphone: X, which reproduces a cinematic multi-speaker surround sound experience using only the user’s headphones. This is super cool and a must for any fan of film scores. All and all, I will say that this Limited Deluxe Edition is the only way to purchase this score!

Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. Look to the Stars
2. Oil Rig
3. Sent Here for a Reason
4. DNA
5. Goodbye My Son
6. If You Love These People
7. Krypton’s Last
8. Terraforming
9. Tornado
10. You Die or I Do
11. Launch
12. Ignition
13. I Will Find Him
14. This Is Clark Kent
15. I Have So Many Questions
16. Flight

Disc 2:
1. What Are You Going to Do When You Are Not Saving the World?
2. Man of Steel (Hans’ Original Sketchbook)
3. Are You Listening, Clark?
4. General Zod – Junkie XL
5. You Led Us Here
6. This Is Madness! – Junkie XL
7. Earth
8. Arcade – Junkie XL

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: CD Reviews Tagged With: cd, deluxe, edition, limited, man, motion, ...

Blu-ray Review “A Good Day to Die Hard”

Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Cole Hauser, Sebastian Koch, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Yuliya Snigir
Director: John Moore
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Release Date: June 4, 2013
Run Time: 98 minutes

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

I have to admit, it might affect my “man-card” but I am not a big fan of the “Die Hard” series as a whole. The first film has its moments and plus who can say no to a Christmas-themed action movie. Also I am a fan of the third film, which teams McClaine up with Samuel L. Jackson. I never even saw or wanted to see “Live Free or Die Hard” and yet we are getting a fifth installment of this seemingly tired franchise. I know that Bruce Willis was once badass as John McClane but he definitely seems to be getting to old for this shit. The plot to this film is such a mess and, in fact, barely exists. It is just a massive bunch of explosion mixed together and set in Russia. Not a big fan of Jai Courtney at all either. But as it pains me to say this, the boys will be back again and “Die Hard 6″ is moving forward with Fox.

Official Premise: Bruce Willis is back in action – mind-blowing, heart-stopping, rip-roaring action – as John McClane, the heroic New York cop with a knack for being in the wrong place at the right time. John’s latest predicament takes him all the way to Russia to track down his estranged son, Jack (Jai Courtney), who has been imprisoned in Moscow. But the mission takes a deadly turn as father and son must join forces to thwart a nuclear weapons heist that could trigger World War III!

Despite this film being a big mess, in terms of audio and video though it is absolutely kicking! 20th Century Fox delivers a nice Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy combo pack. The digital copy includes an UltraViolet and iTunes digital copy. My copy was delivered missing a code, so I hope that isn’t happening for others as well. The Blu-ray disc includes both a theatrical cut and an extended version, which features a few changes to the beginning and end of the film. It doesn’t make the film any better off either. The 1080p transfer is solid and delivers the scale of the film quite well. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 is a beast and really kicks some ass, especially with the action – which is non-stop.

The special features are impressive, despite the painfulness of the film itself. There is an audio commentary track from director John Moore and first assistant director Mark Cotone. “Making It Hard To Die” is a 15-part behind-the-scenes documentary, which runs an hour and covers all aspects of the production. “Anatomy of a Car Chase” is a featurette on the opening action sequence. “Two of a Kind” looks into the father/son relationship. “Back in Action” is a piece on the return of John McClane…again. “The New Face of Evil” focuses on the three villains. “Pre-Vis” and “VFX Sequences” looks into the special and visual effects from the film. Lastly there are seven deleted scenes and five storyboards sequences included, as well as a Concept Art Gallery and Theatrical Trailers.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews, Film Headlines Tagged With: bluray, day, die, good, hard, review, ...

Blu-ray Review “House of Cards: The Complete First Season”

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Corey Stoll, Reuel Pendleton, Sakina Jaffrey, Michael Kelly, Kristen Connolly
Developed by: Beau Willimon
Number of discs: 4
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
DVD Release Date: June 11, 2013
Run Time: 674 minutes

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

“House of Cards” is a pretty cutting edge TV series since it was made for and released specifically for Netflix. It consists of 13 episodes, which were released all at once on the paid online service. It is a fierce political drama with Kevin Spacey, perfectly leading pack. The show also co-stars Robin Wright, Kate Mara, and Corey Stoll (whom I loved in “Midnight in Paris”). David Fincher also co-created and directed the first two episodes and really set the tone for the whole season, which intense, smart and extremely well-written. This show also has paved for way for other shows to premiere online with Netflix. I can’t wait for season two, bring it on! If you are a fan of political dramas, then “House of Cards” is the show for you.

Official Premise: “House of Cards” follows House Majority Whip Frank Underwood (Spacey), a strong-willed, power-hungry Democrat from South Carolina set on conquering Washington D.C. alongside his wife, Claire (Wright). When the President decides to pass over Frank for a presumed appointment to Secretary of State, Underwood takes matters into his own hands by using Congress, the media, and corporate boosters as pawns in exacting revenge on those who betrayed him

Sony Pictures Entertainment gave this series a nice Blu-ray presentation. The 1080p transfer looks very impressive and is presented well with an aspect ratio of 2.00:1. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 works well with the drama filled intense dialogue. I am a bit disappointed that there are ZERO special features included for this series.  If you are a subscriber to Netflix, there would be no reason for you to purchase this Blu-ray since you can watch the episodes already online for free. I would have loved to see some featurettes and commentary tracks included. So if you don’t have Netflix, then this would be for you but after you finish the season don’t expect anything extra.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, cards, complete, house, review, season, ...

Blu-ray Review “Doctor Who: The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe”

Actors: Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Paul Kasey, Arthur Darvill, Nicholas Briggs
Directors: Farren Blackburn
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: BBC Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Run Time: 60 minutes

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

If you are a fan of “Doctor Who”, then like myself you look forward to the holiday season each year for the “famous” Christmas specials. While some of the past Christmas specials were completely independent from the series, “The Doctor, The Widow, and The Wardrobe” fits itself into the timeline very well. This seems to be a trend now also with the recent special “The Snowmen”. The story is a nice homage to “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and is easily one of my favorite specials. Currently this special is only available to purchase on a solo Blu-ray but I assume it will be included on the “The Complete Seventh Season” when it is released later this Fall. So if you can’t wait, this is a sure steal!

Official Premise It’s Christmas Eve, 1938, when Madge Arwell comes to the aid of an injured Spaceman Angel as she cycles home. He promises to repay her kindness – all she has to do is make a wish. Three years later, a devastated Madge escapes war-torn London with her two children for a dilapidated house in Dorset. She is crippled with grief at the news her husband has been lost over the channel, but determined to give Lily and Cyril the best Christmas ever. The Arwells are surprised to be greeted by a madcap caretaker whose mysterious Christmas gift leads them into a magical wintry world. Here, Madge will learn how to be braver than she ever thought possible. And that wishes can come true…

The Blu-ray presentation for the episode is impressive as it always has been with BBC Home Entertainment. The 1080i transfer is quite clear and sharp. The DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 surround audio track kicks some major ass and deliver for the special. It also packs a nice festive punch for the holidays. The special features are damn impressive, especially just for the one special. There is the short but sweet prequel to this special. There are also three featurettes with for “The Best of the Doctor”, “The Best of the Companions” and “The Best of the Monsters”. On top of the great extras, inside the Blu-ray there is a free in-game reward code for the online game “Doctor Who: Worlds in Time”.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, doctor, review, wardrobe, widow

Blu-ray Review “The Ray Harryhausen Double Feature: She and H.G. Wells’ Things to Come”

Actors: Randolph Scott, Helen Gahagan, Nigel Bruce, Raymond Massey
Directors: Lansing C. Holden, Irving Pichel, William Cameron Menzies
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Legend Films
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Run Time: 500 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Ray Harryhausen Double Feature consists of “She (1935)” and “H.G. Wells’ Things to Come (1936)” as well as a bonus film “The Most Dangerous Game (1932)”. Now, if you are a fan of Ray Harryhausen then you would already know that he did not do the special effects for these films. But what you might not know was that he was behind the colorization and restoration of these three classic films. So this release is presented by him in terms of him acting primarily as the color consultant. So it might be a little stretch calling this a “Ray Harryhausen Double Feature” but still these are classics and it is nice to see them getting a nice Blu-ray transfer to high definition.

“She” Official Premise: From the creative team that brought you King Kong, a thrilling tale of adventure, immortality and lost love. A group of explorers, led by the dashing Leo Vincey (Randolph Scott), sets out on a mission in search of the legendary flame of life, a mysterious force that bestows immortality. Their perilous journey takes them to the heart of a remote glacier where they are taken captive by the beautiful but impossibly cruel She.

“H.G. Wells’ Things to Come” Official Premise: A landmark collaboration between writer H. G. Wells (Island of Lost Souls), producer Alexander Korda (The Thief of Bagdad), and designer and director William Cameron Menzies (Gone with the Wind), Things to Come is a science fiction film like no other, a prescient political work that predicts a century of turmoil and progress. Skipping through time, Things to Come bears witness to world war, dictatorship, disease, the rise of television, and finally, utopia.

Both “She (1935)” and “H.G. Wells’ Things to Come (1936)” have been restored to high definition from their original 35mm film elements and for films that are nearly 80 years old they look quite impressive. Since these have been selected and personally color-designed by Ray Harryhausen himself, you know that there was some love given to them. Also in this collector’s set we get both the color version of the film along with the original black-and-white format. Even though the transfer looks good, the audio tracks are not really up to Blu-ray par standards. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono tracks may not be perfect but they are able to deliver for these aged film, especially with Max Steiner’s amazing score on “She”.

The special features are impressive, especially for a Legend Films release. The bonus film “The Most Dangerous Game (1932)” is available on the extra DVD included, also in both color and black-and-white. The Blu-ray disc includes a great commentary track for “She” by Ray Harryhausen and Mark Vaz. We get some great details about the colorization and restoration. There are “Colorization Process Interviews with Ray Harryhausen” and “Film Interviews with Ray Harryhausen”, which is a must watch for any fan of his work. There are 12 minutes of classic sci-toy commercials, which are a great retro piece. Lastly there is a biography and filmography included for Ray Harryhausen.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, double, feature, harryhausen, hg, ray, ...

DVD Review “Jack and the Giant Killer (1962)”

Starring: Kerwin Mathews, Judi Meredith
Directed: Nathan Juran
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Legend Films
DVD Release Date: May 28, 2013
Run Time: 94 minutes

Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars

Legend Films is re-releasing the 1962 film “Jack and the Giant Killer” to capitalize on the release of Warner Bros recent film “Jack The Giant Slayer”. The DVD though is very unimpressive. The colors are extremely faded and the print looks a bit sad. Stop-motion animator Jim Danforth tried to recreate what Ray Harryhausen did with Nathan Juran’s “The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad” but falls short of his talent. I would recommend the Rifftrax version of this film, at least it’s worth the laugh, which is also released by Legend Films coincidentally.

Official Premise: Farm boy Jack heroically rescues Princess Elaine from sorcerer Pendragon by slaying his bloodthirsty giant. But when Pendragon uses his evil powers to bewitch and imprison Elaine in his enchanted fortress, Jack must cross the ocean to brave dragons, two-headed ogres and an army of ghouls to save his lady love!

Even though the film’s transfer has seen better days, I have heard that this film has two versions of it floating around. One of them is the original 1962 version and the other has musical numbers added in. At least this one is the original 1962 version, since I have heard that the musical version is even more unwatchable. There are no special features included here, which is not shocking as all since this is just a cash-in release. If you are a childhood fan of this film and have never owned it prior, it just comes down to your love of this film and if you have $8.99 to blow.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 1962, dvd, giant, jack, killer, review, ...

DVD Review “American Mary”

Actors: Katharine Isabelle, Antonio Cupo, Tristan Risk
Directors: Jen & Sylvia Soska
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Xlrator
DVD Release Date: June 18, 2013
Run Time: 95 minutes

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

I have to admit prior to this film, I had never heard of the Twisted Twins aka Jen and Sylvia Soska. But I can’t turn down a good horror flick…and boy was this quite a suprise. “American Mary” is the follow-up to their indie hit “Dead Hooker in a Trunk”. They wrote, directed and even co-starred in this. I found myself almost mesmerized by the film and its slow yet steady pacing. It is gory, in-your-face and will leave you with an unsettled feeling in your stomach…but to me that means that it was successfully. This film was also recognized by Screamfest and when I see that label you know the film major potential. Keep an eye out for the Soska Sisters because they are going to be the future of the horror genre for sure.

Official Premise: “American Mary” is the story of a medical student named Mary who is growing increasingly broke and disenchanted with medical school and the established doctors she once idolized. The allure of easy money sends a desperate Mary through the messy world of underground surgeries which leaves more marks on her than the so-called freakish clientele. Appearances are everything.

Katharine Isabelle, known best for her role in the “Ginger Snaps” series, was absolutely amazing in this film.  You literally hung on her every word. If you are looking for a fresh and original horror film, then I will highly recommend this…just not for the squeamish. This DVD is rated R but I have heard that there is an uncut version, which is six minutes longer and I would have loved to seen that version for this release. The special features on the DVD are impressive.  “A Revealing Look at the Making of American Mary” is a great behind-the-scenes look into the film with cast/crew.  There is also very entertaining commentary track with the Soska Sisters, Katharine Isabelle and Tristan Risk.  If you enjoyed the film, this track is a great way to enjoy a second viewing.

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: american, dvd, mary, review

Film Review “The Internship”

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 1 hour 59 mins
20th Century Fox

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

I owe Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson a great debt. Back in 2005 they did a film together called “Wedding Crashers.” Funny film but I remember it best because a screening of “Wedding Crashers” constituted the first date for my wife and I. Happily still together we took in the new pairing of Vince and Owen in the film “The Internship.”

Billy (Vaughn) and Nick (Wilson) are born salesman. To paraphrase a popular saying, they could sell ice to an Eskimo. Currently they are in the high-end watch business. And now they’re not. In the middle of a sale they learn that their company has folded. Desperate, Nick takes a job selling mattresses in a store run by his sister’s boyfriend (a very funny Will Ferrell cameo). Billy begins a job search on line and discovers that GOOGLE is currently hiring. Actually the company is looking for interns, with a promise of a job for the best and brightest. Using their sales skills, the two talk their way past the admission board and embark on a journey to prove their Googly-ness!

Slow starting, “The Internship” is a buddy comedy with a message: that no matter who you are you have a purpose. Almost twice as old as all of the other candidates, the two find themselves at odds with pretty much everyone there. They are so out of touch that when a rival intern sends them to Stanford to get some information from a bald instructor in a wheelchair named “Professor Xavier” they blissfully head out. Of course, like all large gatherings, there are usually a few outcasts and Billy and Nick become a team with brooding Stuart (Dylan O’Brien), nerdy hot-chick Neha (Tiya Sircar) and Yo-Yo (Tobit Raphael) a home schooled young man whose mother is the very definition of “Tiger Mom,” all being guided by team leader Lile (Josh Brener, who I’m certain will one day play Woody Allen in a bio-pic). The younger roles are all well cast, with each actor getting a chance to develop their character.

The film picks up when the teams begin competing with either. Whether they’re inventing a new phone app or playing a game of Quiditch, the concept of team first is driven home by Vaughn, who apparently has a vault full of inspirational “Flashdance” references. The script, co-written by Vaughn and Jared Stern (who co-wrote the Vaughn/Ben Stiller vehicle “The Watch”) has some funny lines, most of them delivered by Vaughn. Wilson gives Nick a sweet personality that works well for him when he’s trying to woo one of the GOOGLE instructors. Speaking of GOOGLE, the company should be pleased with the almost two-hours of free advertising the film provides. And if you’ve nothing to do this summer, you may want to see if they still need some interns.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Film Headlines, Film Reviews Tagged With: film, internship, review

Film Review “The Purge”

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Rhys Wakefield
Directed by: James Demanaco
Rated: R
Running time: 85 minutes
Universal

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

It sounds like a sweet deal…unemployment is at 1% and crime is at its lowest ever. As long as you exclude the Purge, 12 hours of the year where mayhem reigns supreme. The year is 2022 and the only significant differences are that we have new founding fathers who’ve lead America on a new path of enlightenment; one that is gleefully coated with blood. For half a day in the month of March, starting at 7 p.m., all emergency services are suspended and all crimes are made legal, including murder. This begs multiple questions in the first couple minutes of the movie. What happened in America for the solution of our problems to be a murder-thon? Can a night of carnage really be worth 364 days of peace and prosperity? Is the Purge just a huge excuse to eradicate those deemed poor and useless by society? Well, we’re just gonna have to ignore those questions.

After a very simplistic explanation of the Purge, we meet James Sandin (Ethan Hawke). He lives in the largest house in his upper middle class neighborhood. We then meet his lovely wife Mary (Lena Headey), his teenage, school girl outfit wearing daughter, Zoey (Adelaide Kane) and his loner oddball son Charlie (Max Burkholder). I’m surprised there wasn’t a golden retriever named Max to complete this family. After the introduction of our soon to be victims, we go through the motions of a dinner and conversation. Even when the family locks down the home and the Purge begins, the family just goes through the motions. Of course this would be a boring movie if everything went according to plan. The young Charlie watches in horror on the home’s security cameras as a ragged bleeding man pleads for his life (Edwin Hodge). As the only character with a conscience, it’s up to Charlie to let the unknown man in and give the movie some excitement. A mob of masked people arrive outside the home. Only one of the mysterious assailants takes off his mask to talk directly to the family. This polite and well-spoken lunatic (Rhys Wakefield) tells the family to hand over the “filthy homeless pig” and be spared. Or suffer the consequences when they rip the protective metal sheets off the house.

Before this movie began, it had two paths to choose from. A futuristic movie that went over the social ideas of class warfare and America’s obsession with violence or it could have been a violent fist pumping good time. I give credit to writer/director James Demanaco for going straight down the middle of these two paths. He drops little hints of problems within our own society, but not enough to nauseate us. He also manages to sprinkle in some suspense before giving us the blood splattering good time we know is coming. The acting by the two leads isn’t anything spectacular, but it isn’t terrible. There are plenty of things that prevent this movie from becoming the fantastic thriller I know it could have been. Our main characters aren’t fleshed out and lack sufficient background to care about their plight. It’s amazing how the first half of this movie has no character development. There’s also the questionable motives by the family, the crazed intruders and even the bloody stranger. My review could have easily been a list of questions directed at each character’s actions.

But as the film wound down and I realized those nagging questions weren’t going to be answered, I turned off the thought processes in my brain and enjoyed the flick. With false scares and jump out of your seat moments, it’s a fun little movie. Even though the pacing at the beginning is a bit off, the final 30 minutes of this movie had every eye in the audience glued to the screen. I have to admit though that one final question popped into my head as the crowd cheered on the suburban family fighting back against their intruders. How many people are watching this and thinking the Purge actually wouldn’t be a bad idea? Is it really that far-fetched to assume citizens would approve of a concept like the Purge? These questions were solidified as applause arose from the crowd as an axe was violently driven into someone’s spine. Considering I’ll never be able to afford the security system in this movie or last in a dystopian future like this, I don’t think these are questions I want answered.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: film, purge, review

Blu-ray Review “The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse”

Actors: Lee Perkins, Marshal Hilton, Maria Olsen, Michael Villar
Directors: Justin Paul Ritter
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
Release Date: June 18, 2013
Run Time: 88 minutes

Film: 1.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1/2 out of 5 stars

“The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse” is a feature film version of the cult underground Dynamite comic series, “The Living Corpse Exhumed” by Ken Haeser and Buz Hasson. I have been to many comic conventions and have seen these guys there. The animation is terrible. The voice cast is amateur and almost laughable. The zombie genre has some pretty high standards recently and this film just doesn’t meet those. I found myself actually tempted to turn the film off many times as well, which is rare for me. This might work well with the convention scene but otherwise steer clear!

Meet John Romero, the decaying corpse with a conscience, wracked with guilt and ready to kick ass. In his first frenzy of undead hunger, he’ll infect his own wife and slaughter his young daughter. But now this reluctant brain-eater must brawl his way through the wretched fiends of Hell itself to protect his surviving son from the horrors of the living. Get ready for a limb-ripping, flesh-chomping animated battle from beyond the grave, based on the hit underground graphic novel from Dynamite Entertainment.

The Blu-ray presentation of “The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse” is not as bad as the film itself. Even though I was not a fan of the animation the CG still looks decent despite its very low production feel. The Dolby True HD 5.1 audio track also works well with the film’s sound design, but nothing that blows you away for sure. The score is very mellow and not that memorable either. The only special feature on the release is a downloadable PDF for a “The Living Corpse: Haunted” comic. Come on people, this is an example of a good comic series getting ruined by a low quality poor film version.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: adventures, amazing, bluray, corpse, living, review, ...

Blu-ray Review “Atlantis: The Lost Empire / Atlantis: Milo’s Return”

Actors: Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Cree Summer, Don Novello, Claudia Christian
Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Number of discs: 3
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Run Time: 176 minutes

“Atlantis: The Lost Empire”: 3 out of 5 stars
“Atlantis: Milo’s Return”: 1.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

Last year Disney started flooding the market with their less than par animated films on Blu-ray in these 2 Movie Collection sets. A few of them that we got “The Rescuers”/”The Rescuers Down Under”, “Pocahontas”/Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World” and “Mulan”/”Mulan II”. This month we are getting a few more to add to our collections including “The Emperor’s New Groove”/”Kronk’s New Groove”, “Lilo & Stitch”/”Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch” and this release “Atlantis: The Lost Empire”/”Atlantis 2: Milo’s Return”. “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” is not the best thing that Disney has every made, it is watchable and put not one of my favorites.  The sequel is another story, it was original made as a TV show “Team Atlantis” but failed and ended up being pieced together as a film. It is quite the failure in terms of Disney. I would say this release is for the hardcore Disney fans only.

Official Premise: Set a course for adventure as Milo Thatch and his fearless crew dive into the mysteries of the sea.  The group’s underwater expedition brings them face-to-face with gigantic sea monsters, spectacular spirits and the mythical land of Atlantis while they discover the power of friendship and teamwork.  Loaded with thrills and stunning visual effects, this sensational 2-Movie Collection takes audiences on an unforgettable voyage they’ll want to experience over and over again!

The 2-Movie Collection release of “Atlantis: The Lost Empire / Atlantis: Milo’s Return” is a 3-disc set. Which includes both films on one Blu-ray with each film also included on their own DVD. In terms of Blu-ray presentation, the 1080p transfers are great for “Atlantis: The Lost Empire”, which really looks clear and the colors are beautiful. “Atlantis: Milo’s Return” is not the greatest, especially since it really has that made-for-TV feel to it. Just doesn’t work for me overall. Both films come stocked with a standard, yet impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio tracks, same thing applies here also as the video transfer. The first film sounds stunning and very epic, while the sequel does not reach that same level at all. Decent but no wow factor.

The best thing this Blu-ray has going for it that “The Emperor’s New Groove”/”Kronk’s New Groove” and “Lilo & Stitch”/”Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch” doesn’t is that it actually has special features on the Blu-ray disc. There is an audio commentary on the first film from producer Don Hahn and directors Gary Trousdale & Kirk Wise.  I actually thought it was quite interesting and informational. “The Making of Atlantis” is a sweet hour long extensive ten-part documentary, which covers all aspects of the production. “The Lost Empire Deleted Scenes” includes four unused scenes. There is one deleted scene from “Milo’s Return” running thirty-two seconds long…really? Lastly there is “How to Speak Atlantean” as a faux news reel, “Atlantis: Fact or Fiction?”, which is fun for the kids and Theatrical Trailers included.

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Author Interviews, DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: atlantis, bluray, empire, lost, milos, return, ...

Blu-ray Review “Lilo & Stitch: 2-Movie Collection”

Actors: Chris Sanders, Daveigh Chase, Tia Carrere, Ving Rhames, David Ogden-Stiers
Directors: Chris Sanders, Dean Deblois
Number of discs: 3
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Disney
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Run Time: 153 minutes

“Lilo & Stitch”: 5 out of 5 stars
“Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch”: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

Last year Disney started flooding the market with their less than par animated films on Blu-ray in these 2 Movie Collection sets. A few of them that we got “The Rescuers”/”The Rescuers Down Under”, “Pocahontas”/Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World” and “Mulan”/”Mulan II”. This month we are getting a few more to add to our collections including “Atlantis: The Lost Empire”/”Atlantis 2: Milo’s Return”, “The Emperor’s New Groove”/”Kronk’s New Groove” and this release “Lilo & Stitch”/”Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch”. I was never a huge fan of “Atlantis” but “The Emperor’s New Groove” is a great and very underrated film and “Lilo & Stitch” is a no brainer bonafide Disney classic. Thanks to “Lilo & Stitch”, I am proud to call my wife and daughter, my “ahona” every day. The sequel is not too bad either, not amazing but not as terrible as some Disney direct-to-video.  I can’t wait to sit down and introduce my daughter to “Lilo & Stitch”.

Official Premise: “Lilo and Stitch” is the story of Lilo, a lonely little girl, and Stitch the mischievous little creature from outer space. When Stitch crash-lands in Hawaii, Lilo adopts him as her pet, but he soon turns her world upside down. Stitch takes Hawaii by storm, wreaking havoc and hanging ten while he evades the alien bounty hunters who are after him, and also learning about loyalty and friendship. Featuring six original Elvis Presley songs, “Lilo and Stitch” is fun for the entire family. The laughter continues in the hysterical sequel “Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch.” As Stitch settles into life with his human family it appears his molecular makeup is out of whack and his friendship with Lilo is threatened as a result. Lilo and her friends must find a way to restore his “goodness” level before he ruins everything, including Lilo’s big hula competition – the same competition her mother won years before.

The 2-Movie Collection release of “Lilo & Stitch”/”Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch” is a 3-disc set. Which includes both films on one Blu-ray with each film also included on their own DVD. In terms of Blu-ray presentation, the 1080p transfers both looks stunning! The colors are vibrant and very crisp. “Lilo & Stitch” looks better obviously due to production quality of the film. But “Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch” also is quite sharp, especially since it is direct-to-video. Both films come stocked with a standard, yet impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio tracks. “Lilo & Stitch” packs some amazing music including Elvis Presley and sounds amazing. “Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch” doesn’t have the flair of the first film but also sounds very impressive for a direct-to-video entry.

Now we get to the special features, which is a real disappointment just like the “Lilo & Stitch”/”Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch” release. We get ZERO special features included on the Blu-ray, only on the bonus DVD copies. This is a real disappointment, especially with the first film’s audio commentary, which now can only be listened if you are watching the DVD of the film. I would have loved to had the opportunity to watch it with the Blu-ray. Same thing goes for the recently released “The Emperor’s New Groove”/”Kronk’s New Groove” double feature Blu-ray as well. Disney if you are reading this please cut it out with the double feature Blu-ray. This issue is the result of that.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 2movie, bluray, collection, lilo, review, stitch, ...
« sdf
Previous
Page 154 of 272
Next
Next Page »