The Good Lie (Blu-ray Review)
Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon stars alongside Corey Stoll and the Lost Boys, a group of real-life Sudanese refugees. Together, against the backdrop of their shared losses, the Lost Boys and these unlikely strangers find humor in the clash of cultures, and heartbreak as well as hope in the challenges of life in America. Along with Witherspoon and Stoll, the film stars real-life Sudanese refugees Arnold Oceng and newcomer Kuoth Wiel; Ger Duany and rapper Emmanuel Jal, who were both former child soldiers and Lost Boys; and Femi Oguns. Rounding out the cast are Sarah Baker as Faith Based Charities volunteer Pamela Lowi; and, as the younger Lost Boys, Peterdeng Mongok, Okwar Jale, Thon Kueth, Deng Ajuet and Keji Jale, all of whom are children of Sudanese refugees. Continue reading ‘The Good Lie (Blu-ray Review)’
We’ve come to the end of an impressive run of Blu-rays from CBS and Paramount with the release of Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season 7. A three year mission, that is. Now, the complete Original Series, Next Generation Series and Enterprise Series are all available on Blu-ray with glorious and stunning high definition picture quality. Seriously, one look at the remastering on these and you’ll be pretty stunned, especially with what they’ve done to The Original Series (We’re talking almost modern quality here). The big question now is whether or not they will go forth and start bringing the “ahead of its time” Deep Space Nine faction to Blu-ray. That is something that is in the air. Apparently CBS and Paramount are really eager and wanting to pull the trigger on it, but its a risk as the show has a big following, but not as much as the first two series. From what I’ve read, the way you can let them know you want it is by speaking with your wallet and purchasing the Blu-rays that are already out there (Petitions do you no good as those are pretty much “false promises” by many who sign). As I close out this fine series, I cross my fingers hoping Deep Space Nine is coming soon, and with the 50th anniversary of Star Trek right around the corner, it’d be the perfect treat. 
From what I can tell, Horns is going to be like Jennifer’s Body. It carries that same tone and vibe, but what I’m really getting at is the fact that you’re really going to love it or you’re going to absolutely hate it. I really can’t see anyone stuck in the dead middle here. However, that’s just my initial thoughts after having just watched Horns for the first time. I know and have read many accounts of people praising Horns for daring to be something different and bold. Regardless, I am a huge fan of what Alexandre Aja has brought us in the past so I decided to tackle Horns on Blu-ray this holiday season, if for nothing else than just utter curiosity. 
Truth be told I wanted nothing to do with The Equalizer when it came out theatrically. I even went as far as to not make any plans to attend the press screening of it when it dropped in my area. What kind of reviewer does that? I can tell you. It’s a bad one. I guess it all harkens back to the fact that whenever I heard this film being tossed around while in production my mind instantly drifted to an elder white man (Edward Woodard) from the television series back in the mid 80’s, not the bada$$ that Academy Award winner Denzel Washington really could be circa his Oscar-winning Training Day era. If it wasn’t for a bad day this past November, which resulted in a trip to the cinema to see The Equalizer, I may not have reviewed this Blu-ray, but instead passed it along to another reviewer to cover because of my stupid arrogance and ignorance. It’s funny how fate works in mysterious ways. 
Tusk is one of those rare gems where if you never heard of it before and accidentally stumble upon the film’s trailer you secretly say to yourself I just got to see it, if for nothing else, the shock value. However, I know what you’re all thinking. Is it worth 90-minutes of your life? To some people that’s quite an investment in time. The parents of the world will understand what I’m rambling on about and questioning here, but fret not! The answer to my question is exactly what we are all gathered here to talk about today. Seeing Tusk on Blu-ray was the first time I viewed the film so down below you’re going to learn everything you’v ever waned to know about the movie and its production history, plus my valuable insights on the topic too. 
When I think back to joys of my childhood some of my earliest thoughts of happiness revolve around family and sports, but quite honestly movies and comics. Yep! As a child, I had one wild imagination growing up and with no nearby childhood friends to play with I had to find ways to occupy my time and keep myself busy. I swear I rehearsed that lightsaber duel as Luke Skywalker against Darth Vader in the Empire Strikes Back almost daily. However, I digress because we are not here to talk Star Wars, but that of Ninja Turtles. So remember, just five sentences ago I mentioned the word comics? Yes! Besides Groo, I can still remember those rated-R, crisp, black and white pages of those early Mirage Studios issues of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That was 1984! A lot has happened in the world of the four turtles since then, but possibly none more revolutionary than the casting of Megan Fox as April O’Neil in this newest onscreen reboot by Michael Bay’s production company, Platinum Dunes. 
Anyone interested in the history of film knows that the 1930s was considered the Golden Era of Hollywood. Technological advancements were changing the way the film landscape was shaping up, stories started pushing through and testing the limits. The final year of that decade closed out an impressive run with one of the biggest Academy Award races ever. It wasn’t called “Best Picture” back then, but “Outstanding Production” in the 12th Annual Academy Awards for films in 1939 featured a roster of The Wizard Of Oz, Gone With The Wind, Wuthering Heights, Of Mice And Men, Love Affair, Stagecoach, Dark Victory, Goodbye Mr. Chip, Ninotchka and the film we’re here to talk about today, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. This 75 year old Frank Capra classic was nominated for 11 of those Oscars, but only took home one of them (Lewis R. Foster, “Best Story”). However, I believe more important than an Oscar is being a film that stands the test of time, one that you constantly go back to and still remains relevant to the conversation even 75 years later. While, yes, others on that list meet that qualification, it was as damn good year, but Mr. Smith Goes To Washington somehow has a timeless message and spirit that carries with it to make it one of the best and most important films ever made. 
Something exciting actually happened here this past summer in Austin, TX. Hooray! The pilot episode of The Strain premiered at the ATX Television Festival here in June this year. Now although I wasn’t present for its festival premiere, I was able to catch the pilot episode the night it aired this past July on FX networks and I was shocked by just how much fun I had with the show. However, soon the shock wore off and was instantly replaced by a thirst for each Sunday night to come and usher in a new blood curdling episode. Before I knew it, thirteen weeks went by like that and I’m left now holding the Blu-ray of Season One in one hand, pecking on the keyboard of my laptop with the other and drooling out of the corner of my mouth for more to come in Season Two. So where shall we start? I know! Let’s talk the basics first…the beginning. 
Call me crazy (no pun intended), but every time I look at the title of this film, its poster art and the fact that it stars Ben Kingsley, I just get Shutter Island on the brain. Is that fair to typecast this film instantly like that? I don’t think it is, but I can’t help the way my brain thinks sometimes. There are two reasons why I really wanted to see Stonehearst Asylum and was overjoyed when I learned I’d be reviewing it on the Blu-ray format. The first reason is obvious. It stars one of my favorite actresses, the forever beautiful Kate Beckinsale. And second, this film comes highly recommended from a co-worker of mine so I’m glad if nothing else that I’m finally having my first viewing of it on my favorite HD home media format, Blu-ray. So let’s talk some Stonehearst Asylum now! 
An imaginative animated tale for the pre-school/kindergarten set, The Hero Of Color City chronicles the adventures of a diverse band of crayons that come alive in a little boy’s room when he drifts off to sleep. Replete with valuable life lessons, this enchanting story will entertain and inspire in a stunningly rendered and utterly unique animated world. In support of the December 2 release, Magnolia Pictures has partnered with the non-profit organization, The Crayon Collection. The group collects crayons from national and regional restaurant chains to donate to children in need.
In years to come, we’re going to look back and forget Marvel was ever “taking a big risk” with Guardians Of The Galaxy. The property was based off one of their most obscure titles and focused on weird galactic space adventure featuring no household name characters. And to lead it all was a lesser proven lead, Chris Pratt. With both the hugely positive response from critics and fans alike along with being the year’s biggest box office success, both those things are soon to change. It’s fantatstic to think this all was the product of a man whose filmmaking roots come from Troma, James Gunn. And he doesn’t forget where he came from either. Did you spot Lloyd Kaufmann in the film? Also, who WASN’T jamming out to “Awesome Mix Vol. 1” after this movie dropped? 
