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Mr. Nobody tells the life story of Nemo Nobody, a 118-year-old man who is the last mortal on Earth after the human race has achieved quasi-immortality. On his deathbed, Nemo shares his life story with a reporter and reviews the choices he made along the way. Yet even with his last breath, a pivotal decision awaits to conclude his destiny. Continue reading ‘Mr. Nobody (Blu-ray Review)’
Scream Factory is upgrading their 2010 Roger Corman Collection DVD entry of The Slumber Party Massacre with a wonderful new Blu-ray. They had once said that the DVD edition was the best it was going to get, but times change, new things spring up and they were able to develop a new HD transfer from the film’s original negative. There were some a bit perturbed by this who had bought the DVD set, but I say “wah wah” that came out 4 years ago. And I’m never going to whine about upgrading a favorite to Blu-ray. They ported over the entire array of bonus features and added a new interview to the mix to give this release some new flavor. I think it’s great that they’ve been able to upgrade some of the older Shout! Factory titles to Blu-ray (last month saw the upgrade of Bad Dreams/Visiting Hours double feature). And once you see the video transfer on this sucker, you’ll be pretty ecstatic you double dipped. Continue reading ‘The Slumber Party Massacre (Blu-ray Review)’
For film lovers, the idea of putting director Ridley Scott and author Cormac McCarthy together for a film seemed like a grand idea. Between Scott’s abilities to provide thrilling atmosphere and a compelling depiction of process in his films and McCarthy’s skill for writing about the darkest sides of humanity, while sometimes adding a slight touch of pitch black humor, a project like The Counselor had all the potential to be a strong ensemble thriller, matching up to the Coen Brother’s take on McCarthy’s previous work, No Country For Old Men. Unfortunately, despite all the atmospheric work done from a filmmaking standpoint, the shallow characterization and lingering story did not quite make this dark tale excel to its fullest. Now there is a longer version of the film available on Blu-ray, which is packed with Ridley Scott-style goodness.
Continue reading ‘The Counselor: Unrated Extended Cut (Blu-ray Review)’
2013 marked the passing of 50 years since one of the darkest days in American history; the assassination of the 35th President of the United States of America John Fitzgerald Kennedy. In light of this (is it in good taste to call it a “milestone”?) half century of time passage, a film based on the event and leading up to it was put into commission. The film, Killing Kennedy, was aired on The National Geographic Channel back on November 10 and was produced by acclaimed filmmaker Ridley Scott. The film received rather mixed reviews, but garnered star Rob Lowe a Screen Actors Guild award nomination for his portrayal of the fallen President. Now, it’s coming to you on Blu-ray courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Continue reading ‘Killing Kennedy (Blu-ray Review)’
Baggage Claim has come from a long line of romantic comedies featuring impossibly beautiful women with problems finding love. It is annoying to have to say something like, “take my words with a grain of salt, as this is not my preferred genre,” but it is true. Baggage Claim is definitely a film that is made for an audience that is into these kinds of clichéd romantic comedies, which feature attractive casts and the bare minimum requirements to develop a premise that slightly differs from those that came before it. One can throw the “hypocrite” label at me all they want, when I recommend a horror movie that feels ever so similar to another one and does not do a whole lot new, but what can I say? Some movies just do not work for me, especially when I have examples of similar ones that do. Baggage Claim may work as easy entertainment for some, but there is very little here that had me legitimately enjoying the film.
Continue reading ‘Baggage Claim (Blu-ray Review)’
Chan-wook Park’s Oldboy from 2003 is one of my favorite films of all time. It came highly recommended to me by my good friend John Rocha. He refused to tell me as much as possible about the plot and didn’t want to discuss anything aside from it being “terrific” until I saw it. And when I first saw it, my mind was freakin’ BLOWN (overused term, I know, but how else do you describe it?). It was an incredibly engaged movie that hooks you from the first frame and has you on the edge of your seat trying to piece together and figure it out before the film does. It also had some really cool action, including a memorable one take confined space fight with a hammer. And then, the biggie, the jaw dropping “HOLY SHIT” ending. I immediately knew I would never forget this film. No matter how hard you try, you’ll never forget 2003’s Oldboy. I began immediately forcing the film upon my film buff friends and spreading the good word. Everybody seemed in agreement; Oldboy was a great film and one of the best of the decade. Continue reading ‘Oldboy – 2013 (Blu-ray Review)’
Alexander Payne’s Nebraska had been making the rounds in 2013 winning many accolades based on the performance of long time acting veteran Bruce Dern. Come time for the Academy Awards’ picks for the best of 2013, Nebraska proved even moreso winning nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Bruce Dern), Best Actress (June Squibb), Best Director (Alexander Payne) and Best Original Screenplay (Bob Nelson). While it may not be a clear frontrunner for any of these awards, these nominations are recognition enough for this terrific little film. And just in time before the awards are handed out, you can check out the film people have been raving about on glorious Blu-ray as it will be release on February 25th (the Oscars take place on March 2nd). After the review, get you copy in time by pre-ordering using the link below! Continue reading ‘Nebraska (Blu-ray Review)’
It’s always great when you’re called upon to review a former winner of Best Picture. This time I’ve been tapped to look back on 2002’s Chicago. The film was quite the sensation back in 2002, racking up 6 wins on 13 nominations at the Academy Awards (including Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones). It didn’t stop there, the film was big with movie-going audiences as it lit up the box office with just under 171 million dollars in the US and over 306 million dollars worldwide. It was even such a significant dent that the Academy Awards celebrated its tenth anniversary with a few tributes to it during the 2013 Oscar ceremony. Lionsgate is reissuing it with the “Diamond Edition” that includes a new, almost two and a half hour, documentary taking a look back at the production and sensation of the 2002 Best Picture winner that was Chicago. Continue reading ‘Chicago – Diamond Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
When I first saw Gravity, it was extremely difficult to walk into a movie like this when there was so much hype and garnered praise surrounding it. I mean, it has to be good, right? Well, that’s the exact sentiment and question I carried with me when I went into my initial 3-D IMAX theatrical screening of Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity. It just had to be epic! And so what?! Even if it sucked, how could you possibly refuse a screening of this magnitude? It’s an outer space feature presented in 3-D IMAX! You can’t refuse that! No sane person can. It at least has to look breathtaking and gorgeous. With all the positive praise and acclaim this picture had been receiving, I was willing to gamble on the fact that my screening was going to be filled with something very stellar. And to think…this all began with my first introduction to the flick last July at Comic-Con in beautiful San Diego at the “EW – The Visionaries” panel (see my coverage here). Continue reading ‘Gravity (Blu-ray Review)’
When I first got word of this new Blu-ray box set, Rocky Heavyweight Collection, and its eligibility up for review, I thought long and hard to myself. Do I have the strength to endure throughout this review, but not only that, can I do the Blu-ray box set justice? The Rocky franchise contains some of my earliest childhood memories and some very damn fine cinematic moments. Its patriotism alone is as symbolic to America as the flag is. Heck, the franchise may be even more symbolic of America than even apple pie. So being such a huge and passionate fan of the series, the question of whether I can do the set justice in a review is a valid question in my opinion. And not only that, anyone who has ever done a 5 or more disc Blu-ray box set review knows that they can be very cumbersome to not only tackle, but also report thoroughly throughout without risking exhaustion and puttering out near the finish line. Just ask Brandon Peters with his last go around on the Friday the 13th Blu-ray box set over here. That review is a damn fine example as any of a huge undertaking done grand and guess what? I bet you he knows first hand what I am talking about here. Continue reading ‘Rocky Heavyweight Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
Now, this is what you call a fast turnaround. The film with which I’m about to give you a Blu-ray review has had a Surviving Christmas like run. Jamesy Boy debuted on the internet (streaming services, I presume) in early January. The film then had a theatrical run that started January 17th. And now, here on February 25th, it is already coming home to you on Blu-ray. So, if you wanted to see this one and it wasn’t playing near you or you just couldn’t find the time to get to it before it left your local arthouse (I’m guessing), fret not. Here it is already. You didn’t even need to practice any patience to wait on it. So, let’s dig right on in to this little one, shall we? Continue reading ‘Jamesy Boy (Blu-ray Review)’
Ancient mysteries. Powerful evil. And a fearless hero’s quest through a fantastical realm of steam-powered wonders and sinister magic. In THE ADVENTURER: THE CURSE OF THE MIDAS BOX, seventeen-year-old Mariah Mundi’s life is turned upside down when his parents vanish and his younger brother is kidnapped. Following a trail of clues to the darkly majestic Prince Regent Hotel, Mariah discovers a hidden realm of child-stealing monsters, deadly secrets and a long-lost artifact that grants limitless wealth – but also devastating supernatural power. With the fate of his world, and his family at stake, Mariah will risk everything to unravel the Curse of the Midas Box! Continue reading ‘The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box (Blu-ray Review)’
This is one of those situations where I’m “easy”. Dolph Lundgren Vs. Zombies. Sure! Dolph Lundgren Vs. Zombies AND ROBOTS! Sign me up now! Battle Of The Damned promised me just that. And going in, that’s what I really expect and no more. Give me the vintage Dolph Lundgren goofy goods. Give me the gore vicious Zombie treats. Now, lets blend them. I’m not going to lie to you, when I first saw the trailer for this one I got pretty excited. I put on my “need to see” list, believe it or not. With such little aspirations, it would seem hard for this film to fail. But, Battle Of The Damned manages to make some choices behind the camera that doesn’t do it any favors on the viewers eyes and processing of the film. The story is just fine, it’s the way its told that does the disservice. Keep on reading and I’ll explain myself further. Continue reading ‘Battle Of The Damned (Blu-ray Review)’
CJ Entertainment imports another South Korean film to the United States. This time its Fists Of Legend. While its not even relatively close in subject matter, using the vice of reality television to tell this story reminded me that of Slumdog Millionaire. But, anyway, this film is one that showcases the popular fighting of MMA as a centerpiece to this story of longtime friends with a troubled history reunited after many years of being estranged. The film features some well directed action pieces and a great set of characters that will have you the viewer well invested fight-by-fight antsy to see who will win as if it was an actual match. I was quite surprised at not only the quality of the film, but how much I was into it. Continue reading ‘Fists Of Legend (Blu-ray Review)’
If you’re going to cheat on your lover, don’t get caught. And if you do get caught, you’d better hope your lover isn’t secretly insane. Kevin (Billy Zane of TITANIC) learns the hard way when his girlfriend Sadie (AnnaLynne McCord of 90210) discovers that he’s having a scorching affair with her best friend (Viva Bianca of Spartacus). Now Sadie has planned a romantic weekend getaway for just the three of them, complete with terror, torture and twisted psychosexual games. The trap is set. The party has begun. And tonight, hell hath no fury like a woman SCORNED. Continue reading ‘Scorned (Blu-ray Review)’
Academy Award winner Robert Redford stars in ALL IS LOST, an open-water thriller about one man’s battle for survival against the elements after his sailboat is destroyed at sea. Using only a sextant and nautical maps to chart his progress, he is forced to rely on ocean currents to carry him into a shipping lane in hopes of hailing a passing vessel. But with the sun unrelenting, sharks circling and his meager supplies dwindling, the ever-resourceful sailor soon finds himself staring his mortality in the face.
Continue reading ‘All Is Lost (Blu-ray Review)’
It was unfortunate to not see this film take off big, theatrically. I was quite impressed by what I saw in theaters, given my adoration for the book, but the film could not quite connect with the masses in the same way that something like The Hunger Games has proven to do. Based on the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning novel by Orson Scott Card, which is one of my favorites, I walked away feeling really positive about the film, but seeing a sequel does not seem like something that’s in the cards. It matters little though, as the film, even with its minor flaws, was one that I found very satisfying, and I now have a solid Blu-ray to go with it.
Continue reading ‘Ender’s Game (Blu-ray Review)’
I’m sorry, but whenever I think of the title Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season, I can’t help the imagery conjured up in my mind of one of television’s most shocking episodes of all time, “The Rains of Castamere.” Wow! I never saw that coming and rightfully so because I’ve never read George R.R. Martin’s novels either. So with that being said and for so many other reasons as to why, which I’ll get into more below, this third season was one of the best of the series so far for me and so many other countless fans of the HBO show. And get this, in the ten nearly one-hour episodes a piece, we only covered half the terrain that is Martin’s third novel, A Storm of Swords. Can you believe it? That’s almost 10 flipping hours of content, but only half of a book’s length! Continue reading ‘Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray Review)’
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