Archive for the 'DVD Reviews' Category
October 30th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is a television series on Disney DXD that is inspired by the Marvel Comics Super Hero team of the same name. In each episode, the Avengers defend Earth from unimaginable threats – dangerous Super Villains, time-traveling conquerors, alien invaders and mythical beasts bent on the total destruction of humanity. When the forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world, when no hope is left… the Avengers Assemble! Join Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, and many more of your favorite Avengers, as they discover the value of teamwork and friendship in the fight against evil! Continue reading ‘The Avengers Volumes 3 and 4: Iron Man Unleashed / Thor’s Last Stand (DVD Review)’
October 28th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Wait, what was that? Those were my ears burning. Bloody Disgusting and The Collective heard my plead for more horror films and they obliged me. Awesome! Phase 7 is an Argentinian film that can best be described like this, for lack of a better term(s) – it’s Shaun of the Dead meets REC meets John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13. It’s also executive produced by the same cats that produced Paranormal Activity, so that’s cool too. How will Phase 7 or Fase 7, as it’s called in Spanish, compare to those films that I previously mentioned? Let’s take a trip to Argentina and find out! Continue reading ‘Phase 7 (DVD Review)’
October 28th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
It’s always a good day when the powers that be drop a huge basket of horror material for review. It’s especially a good day when some of the titles are in Spanish. Atrocious happens to be one of these films. It is written and directed by Fernando Barreda Luna and was shot in Spain with Spanish actors in eleven days. Before going on I will preface this review and say that Atrocious is another “reality-hand-held” type of film. If you’re okay with this then keep going, but if you’re not, then by all means…suck it up and keep going. C’mon! Continue reading ‘Atrocious (DVD Review)’
October 28th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Both had supposedly outlived their usefulness to the Circus, the British Secret Intelligence Service: George Smiley, the retired head of espionage, and General Vladimir, an aging informant who reported to him. When the general walks into a bullet after sending an urgent message to his old handler, the Circus asks Smiley to “tidy things up.” But Smiley hears Vladimir’s message as a call to arms against his nemesis, the Soviet super spy Karla, once again tantalizingly within his grasp in this gripping sequel to John le Carré’s classic Cold War-era spy drama, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Oscar winner Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, Lawrence of Arabia) reprises his BAFTA-winning role as retired spymaster George Smiley for the 1982 sequel. Filmed on location in London, Paris, Hamburg, and Berne, Smiley’s People co-stars Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation, X-Men), Eileen Atkins (Upstairs, Downstairs), and Bill Paterson (Traffik). The miniseries also stars Anthony Bate, Bernard Hepton, Michael Lonsdale, Beryl Reid, and Michael Gough. Continue reading ‘Smiley’s People (DVD Review)’
October 24th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
No
doubt remains: a mole has infiltrated the Circus, code name for the British Secret Intelligence Service. It can only be one of four men operating at the very highest level. Sidelined agent George Smiley is covertly tapped to root out the mole, a task that requires a painstaking dig through the double-blind world of Cold War-era espionage and his own past. Alec Guinness brilliantly captures the weary heart and steely soul of John le Carré’s master spy. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was nominated for an Emmy for best miniseries and won two BAFTA Awards, including best actor for Guinness. The series also stars Ian Richardson, Michael Aldridge, Joss Ackland, Ian Bannen, Ian Bannen, Terence Rigby, Michael Jayston, Hywel Bennett, Anthony Bate, and a memorable cameo by Patrick Stewart, who returns in a larger role for the sequel. Hailed as one of the finest dramas ever made for television, this 1979 BBC miniseries garnered universal critical acclaim for its stellar ensemble cast, literate writing and intricate plots. Continue reading ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (DVD Review)’
October 19th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
The feisty Late, Late Night host is bringing the laughs to your living room in this feature length comedy concert DVD that is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone and plenty of other things. *snare* Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said is brisk in content running time, only a mere 65 minutes in length, but that’s more than enough time to get your laugh on. Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said is also NOT RATED, so you best believe the Scotsman will bring it all to the stage. Let’s keep it going. Continue reading ‘Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said? (DVD Review)’
October 19th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
When a newspaper offers Steve Coogan (24 Hour Party People, Tropic Thunder, and Around the World in 80 Days) the chance to review a series of fine restaurants in the English countryside, he thinks it will make for a lovely getaway with his girlfriend Mischa (Margo Stilley, the daring star of Winterbottom’s 9 Songs). When Mischa backs out, Rob Brydon (TV’s Little Britain, Oliver Twist) – Coogan’s best friend and source of eternal aggravation – fills in as a less-than-ideal travel companion. In semi-fictional performances using largely improvised dialogue from these two real-life friends (the co-stars of Winterbottom’s similar reality/fiction mash-up Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story), Coogan and Brydon can’t help but try to outdo each other as they endure long car rides between meal after meal. Continue reading ‘The Trip (DVD Review)’
October 18th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
An actress, screenwriter and bestselling author (“Postcards from the Edge,” “The Best Awful” and “Wishful Drinking”), Carrie Fisher is the daughter of the late singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds, known as “America’s Sweethearts” in the late ‘50s. She became a cultural icon at age 19 after starring as Princess Leia in the first “Star Wars” trilogy in the 1970s. Despite growing up with “Hollywood royalty” and experiencing early fame of her own, Fisher’s life had its challenges, as she reveals in this uproarious and sobering account. Combining wry wit and raw facts, Wishful Drinking reveals her own hilarious slant on the not-so-glittering side of being a celebrity. It’s a show where she’s circling the drain singing. Continue reading ‘Wishful Drinking (DVD Review)’
October 15th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
The Captains, is a feature-length documentary that “boldly goes where no man has gone before,” giving viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the most durable and profitable franchises in entertainment history, and the men and women who made the Star Trek brand an international phenomenon since 1966. Written and directed by William Shatner, The Captains chronicles one of the most engaging media personalities of our time on his quest to explore the impact that Star Trek has had on his life. Why, in spite of his voluminous stage, screen, and television credits, as well as his numerous Emmys and Golden Globe Awards, does one role in his career loom so large that it nearly eclipses all others? To find the answer, Shatner enlists the help of the elite group of actors including Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Kate Mulgrew (Captain Kathryn Janeway), Avery Brooks (Captain Benjamin Sisko), Scott Bakula (Captain Jonathan Archer), and Chris Pine (Captain James T. Kirk, Star Trek 2009) who also assumed the mantle of Starship Captain. In the process, coupling their own unique stories with their compelling insights, the five Captains give Shatner a better understanding of his own life. Continue reading ‘The Captains (DVD Review)’
October 14th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
One of television’s most influential and beloved programs, The Honeymooners first appeared in 1951 as a series of sketches on the DuMont network’s Cavalcade of Stars starring Jackie Gleason. The following year Gleason moved to CBS, where The Jackie Gleason Show featured numerous Honeymooners sketches and full length shows from 1952 to 1957. These shows aired live and were never rebroadcast. For decades, these early Honeymooners telecasts were lost until Jackie Gleason began releasing them from his private film vault. Now, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the very first Honeymooners sketches, MPI Home Video and Jackie Gleason Enterprises present the most complete collection possible of these rare gems, many of which have not been seen anywhere in 50 years or available previously on DVD. It’s a treasure trove of the hilarious antics of hapless Brooklyn bus driver Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason), his long-suffering but loving wife Alice (Audrey Meadows), Ralph’s neighbor and pal, sewer worker Ed Norton (Art Carney) and Norton’s wife Trixie (Joyce Randolph). Continue reading ‘The Honeymooners: Lost Episodes 1951-1957 – The Complete Restored Series (DVD Review)’
October 12th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
The off-screen craziness rivals the on-screen drama in the sidesplitting comedy Soapdish, which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary with a new DVD release. Boasting an extraordinary cast of stars including Robert Downey Jr., Sally Field, Kevin Kline, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Shue, Teri Hatcher, Garry Marshall, Cathy Moriarty and Kathy Najimy, the hilarious comedy follows the outrageous high jinks of the cast and crew of America’s hottest soap opera, “The Sun Also Sets”. When an ambitious actress connives with the soap’s producer to scuttle the career of the show’s beloved star, nothing works as they planned and there’s enough dirty laundry to keep everyone in hot water. This comedy gem continues to be a fan favorite and the DVD includes a behind-the-scenes featurette and the original theatrical trailer.
Continue reading ‘Soapdish (DVD Review)’
October 10th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh Uh huh huh huh, this is cool… Continue reading ‘Beavis & Butt-Head: Mike Judge’s Most Wanted (DVD Review)’
October 9th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Bringing viewers deeper into the process of psychotherapy than perhaps any previous show, In Treatment: The Complete Third Season picks up as Dr. Paul Weston (Golden Globe winner Gabriel Byrne, The Usual Suspects) continues to struggle with the aftermath of his recent divorce as well as his move to Brooklyn where he now practices. In Treatment: The Complete Third Season finds Weston in the midst of new emotional and physical challenges including hand tremors he fears might be the onset of Parkinson’s disease, the announcement that his ex-wife is remarrying and his youngest son’s problems acclimating to life with a stepfather. Meanwhile, he takes on three challenging new patients and turns to a new therapist, Adele (Oscar nominee Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone), who compels him to confront his own deep-rooted fears about his health, divorce, patients and all-encompassing relationship with former therapist Gina Toll. Continue reading ‘In Treatment – Season Three (DVD Review)’
September 30th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Castle was originally the show that helped me with my unhappiness about the cancellation of Firefly. Like Firefly, it starred Nathan Fillion as a lovable rascal but this time without the edge that Captain Malcolm Reynolds had. Eventually, the show won me over on it’s own merits and it’s one that I genuinely look forward to seeing. It’s got the perfect blend of humor, action, teased romance, and above all the most elusive element to a successful show…chemistry. Not only between Fillion and his partner on the show Stana Katic, but also between the entire cast of the show much like the ill-fated Firefly. Unlike Firefly, this show was given a chance to reach an audience and it’s doing very well in the ratings and the fourth season has just started. Continue reading ‘Castle – The Complete Season 3 (DVD Review)’
September 23rd, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
New York City, September 11, 2001. The morning everything changed. Ten years after the World Trade Center attacks, The History Channel presents the September 11th Memorial Edition, a collection of specials that document a day none of us will ever forget. Covering every aspect of 9/11 — from the events that led to the attacks, to profiles of key terrorists and political figures, to a minute-by-minute account of the attacks, to examinations of the aftermath, and the inspiring stories of the heroes that made the ultimate sacrifices — this commemorative set pays tribute to the many heroes who laid down their lives and brings sharp focus to the momentous, incomprehensible events surrounding this incomparable national tragedy. Continue reading ‘September 11th – Memorial Edition (DVD Review)’
September 19th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
The great halls of Asgard have fallen silent since a new king has overtaken the throne. His name is Loki, son of almighty Odin, brother to the Thunder God, Thor. Once a powerful trickster — the God of Mischief — Loki now rules the grand kingdom with little regard for its subjects. His only thoughts are focused inward, toward the origins of his own pain and suffering. To quell his torment and to gain the respect he feels he so rightfully deserves, Loki must now execute the prisoner chained deep within the dungeons of Asgard, the one man who has ever shown him love. His own brother. Inspired by the acclaimed graphic novel from Robert Rodi and Esad Ribic, Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers takes a look at Thor and of Loki, two adversarial brothers in the mystical land of Asgard and seemingly forever enemies. But just why does Loki hate his brother Thor? And could it be that this master of mischief isn’t really the villain he’s been branded? Loki’s insatiable lust for power and his feud with Thor take on new meaning in this tale for mature audiences.
Continue reading ‘Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers (DVD Review)’
September 17th, 2011 by Jami Ferguson
Discovery Channel’s MythBusters Collection 7, The Emmy-nominated series MythBusters aims to uncover the truth behind popular myths and legends. MythBusters Collection 7 takes on risky experiments as the team dives into dumpsters, attempts to crash and burn an out-of-control racecar and accepts challenges from YouTube fans, such as using a household match to light a homemade cannon. The Mythbusters are Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman and they are the coolest science guys I’ve ever seen. They are supported by the rest of the Mythbusters team, made up of Kari Byron, Grant Imahara and Tori Belleci. Through all means necessary the Mythbusters will separate any myth from any time period into the categories confirmed, plausible, or busted. Sometimes they guess correctly ahead of time. Sometimes they are wrong. No matter what, they are always entertaining.
Continue reading ‘Mythbusters: Collection 7 (DVD Review)’
September 17th, 2011 by Jami Ferguson
Animal Planet’s top-performing series ever returns as biologist and extreme angler Wade travels worldwide to solve freshwater fish tales and lures in watery culprits that allegedly attack mankind. This season, Jeremy finds himself in places he’s never explored as he travels to the far reaches of the globe – from serpentine underwater caves to remote rivers filled with freshwater crocodiles. In the first episode titled “The Mutilator,” Jeremy searches for the giant cousin of the piranha that – with its gnarly teeth and gnawing jaws–has turned from vegetarian to meat eater, with a particular interest in male genitalia. The second episode features “The Flesh Ripper,” a fish with toxic blood. In order to test his hypothesis, Jeremy has to use himself as human bait and lure the fish by covering himself in fresh fish guts. I’ve long been a fan of Billy the Exterminator who takes on gators and other creatures in the Louisiana area, but I am convinced that Billy would soil himself and run like a little girl if he ever went on one of the fishing trips seen in River Monsters. Continue reading ‘River Monsters Season 3 (DVD Review)’
