Archive Page 183
March 9th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
We’ve recently touched upon dramatic work, suspense cinema and even a little horror for the genre fans all under the watchful eye of women. Feels about time for a past picture with some sassy superhero fun – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! Today we’re loading up and putting it in gear for a blast from the past that proves that a spirited gal does indeed rule the roost. Armed with merely quick quips and a rebellious nature (oh, and yes a very big and cool monster tank!), this week’s selection features one lethal lady in charge who knows how to have fun. Water and power, genetically modified supersoldiers, a long and deadly shrinking pipe, a gigantic jet and one metal vehicle with some very decorative modifications – all play things for the feisty female known as Tank Girl!
Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “Tank Girl”’
March 9th, 2018 by Aaron Neuwirth
I often credit 2008’s The Strangers as one of the last times a horror film unsettled me. Others have scared me since, but that one was something different. Now, ten years later, we have a sequel, The Stranger: Prey at Night. It’s nowhere near as terrifying and often feels like a different move that happens to have some familiar faces…er…masks, but it’s reasonably effective for what it’s doing. The film suffers from a wider setting and dimmer character choices, but it’s stylish in a way that had me admiring the new direction this follow-up decided to take.
Continue reading ‘‘The Strangers’ S10: 10 Years Later (Movie Review)’
March 8th, 2018 by Gerard Iribe
Described by Steven Spielberg as one of our great filmmakers, not just for the art and passion he put on screen, but for the impact he has made on the conscience of the world , the films of producer and director Stanley Kramer (The Defiant Ones, Guess Who s Coming to Dinner) frequently confronted social issues considered too controversial for the major studios. In Inherit the Wind he tackled the creationism vs. evolution debate. When a teacher in a small Tennessee town is brought to trial for teaching Darwinism, attorney Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy, Bad Day at Black Rock) faces off against fundamentalist leader Matthew Harrison Brady (Frederic March, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) in an explosive battle of beliefs. Also operating as a searing critique of McCarthyism, Inherit the Wind was nominated for multiple Academy Awards, and is rightfully recognised as one of the most entertaining, and provocative films of its era. Eureka Classics is proud to present Inherit the Wind for the first time on Blu-ray in the UK in a special Dual Format edition. Continue reading ‘‘Inherit the Wind’ [Eureka Classics] on Blu-ray & DVD May 14, 2018!’
March 8th, 2018 by Gerard Iribe
An action-packed mystery western based on the best-selling novel by Alistair MacLean (The Guns of Navarone, Ice Station Zebra, Where Eagles Dare), Breakheart Pass throws open the throttle for runaway excitement! At the height of the frontier era, a locomotive races through the Rocky Mountains on a classified mission to a remote Army post. But one by one, the passengers are being murdered. Their only hope is John Deakin (Charles Bronson, Hard Times, The Magnificent Seven), a mysterious prisoner-in-transit who must fight for his life and the lives of everyone on the train as he uncovers a deadly secret that explodes in a torrent of shocking revelations, explosive brawls and blazing gun battles. With a rousing score by Jerry Goldsmith and a powerful supporting cast that includes Ben Johnson (The Last Picture Show), Richard Crenna ( First Blood) and Jill Ireland ( Hard Times), Eureka Classics is proud to present Breakheart Pass for the first time on Blu-ray in the UK in a special Dual Format edition. Continue reading ‘‘Breakheart Pass’ [Eureka Classics] on Blu-ray & DVD May 14, 2018!’
March 8th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
Small crop of only a mere three lesser-known cinematic hopefuls this week, but thankfully I’ve got my first five-star indie flick of 2018. (So don’t lose hope film fans!) Girls with an affinity for quips and killing, a gang of grifters play a game of who’s conning who and a bad son tries to do a little good by finding his mother’s killer all make up the exciting line up of this edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the critical skinny on Thoroughbreds, The Swindlers and Juggernaut all below!
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Three New Indie Titles’
March 6th, 2018 by Brandon Peters
Thirty six years ago, two fantastic visionaries in the realm of puppeteering and one of the men responsible for the first two Star Wars films put their heads together for a a mystical fantasy film, The Dark Crystal. Those men were Jim Henson, Frank Oz and Gary Kurtz. I’m not sure kids today are so hot on The Dark Crystal, but when I was growing up in the 1980s, it seemed to be on TV quite a bit and at every VHS rental store. Maybe its popularity is nostalgic adults like myself. Regardless, its exciting to see this film get the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray upgrade and that the life and work of Jim Henson still is important and relevant to studios today. There is a fancy digibook version of this on standard Blu-ray, but the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ay is getting a standard case. Regardless, this new release, that has a new bonus feature, will be available March 6th. Pre-order below! Continue reading ‘The Dark Crystal – Anniversary Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
March 6th, 2018 by Brandon Peters
Nominated for five Academy Awards and winning over critics and audiences alike this past fall was Greta Gerwig’s feature directorial debut, Lady Bird. The coming of age tale of a teen girl going through her senior year at the beginning of this century brought another strong performance from Saoirse Ronan, and maybe put more than just us film geeks on notice for Greta Gerwig and if it hadn’t been for that equally awesome performance by Allison Janney in I, Tonya, the Best Supporting Actress Award would be Laurie Metcalf’s. Lionsgate is bringing it to Blu-ray just after the awards which will remind how refreshing and how much of a joy this film is or for many others a nice discovery of the film they heard’s name called a few times in the big categories for the Oscars. You can pick it up Tuesday or pre-order it using the Amazon link below. Continue reading ‘Lady Bird (Blu-ray Review)’
March 6th, 2018 by Blu-ray Brian
The global film sensation sparked by EL James’ best-selling book trilogy returns with the seminal final chapter of the darkly alluring tale that captivated the world. Stay in, complete your collection and experience the climax of this worldwide phenomenon with the ultimate at-home movie night when Fifty Shades Freed arrives on Digital and the all-new digital movie app MOVIES ANYWHERE on April 24, 2018 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on May 8, 2018 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Continue reading ‘Clothes Come Off In Fifty Shades Freed on 4K Blu-ray This May’
March 6th, 2018 by Brandon Peters
Grabbing most of the slasher spotlight in 2006 was Adam Green’s Hatchet, that just embraced and celebrated all the was stalk n’ stab horror. But there was another film that should have been a huge landmark but flew under the radar. That film was a super grassroots low budget film Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon. Not only was it ahead of the game in its fake documentary/found footage style for most of the film, but its deconstruction and comedic aspects were the best of the genre and even more hard nosed inside baseball than genre legend Scream. But, the folks at Scream Factory are aware and know how special this film is as they are releasing it under their collector’s edition banner on March 27th. Get in for that pre-order now! Continue reading ‘Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
March 6th, 2018 by Aaron Neuwirth
OSCAR ® winners Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, and Tom Hanks team up for the first time in this thrilling film based on a true story. Determined to uphold the nation’s civil liberties, Katharine Graham (Streep), publisher of The Washinton Post, and hard-nosed editor Ben Bradlee (Hanks) join forces to expose a decades-long cover-up. But the two must risk their careers –– and their freedom –– to bring truth to light in this powerful film with a celebrated cast. Add THE POST to your digital collection on Movies Anywhere™ beginning April 3 and enjoy the ultimate home viewing experience on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on April 17.
Continue reading ‘Oscar Nominated Best Motion Picture THE POST Available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray This April’
March 6th, 2018 by Brandon Peters
Writer and director Martin McDonagh has hit big this year with his highly acclaimed and decorated third feature film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. It has been collecting hardware for the overall film as well as the performances of Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell, with Woody Harrelson receiving nominations for his role. Like many others, I’ve been a big fan of McDonagh for his first two films; In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. Films that are also worthy of the celebration Three Billboards is receiving this year. What makes me excited for this 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray and standard Blu-ray release is that his short film (and first), the Academy Award winning Six Shooter starring Brendan Gleeson has been included. This release is already available, so if you’re too tired to go to a store and pick it up, please click on the Amazon link to order yourself a copy. Continue reading ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
March 6th, 2018 by Brandon Peters
Next year, Joe Dante’s classic comedy, The ‘Burbs will be turning thirty. And with that, Shout! Factory, under the Shout Select label, will be giving this cult classic its rightful due on on a US Blu-ray. The film wasn’t a box office smash, the critics didn’t care much for it, but its had the last laugh by living on and being a favorite by many. This new edition contains a few new interviews as well as a new 2K transfer of the film. Most of the features found on the Arrow Video UK release of the film from a few years back are also found on this release, including the workprint of the film from Joe Dante’s archives. This one is coming at you on March 20th, so go ahead and get your pre-orders in and sell off your little standard release from not to long ago, this one has easily upgraded over it. Continue reading ‘The ‘Burbs – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
March 5th, 2018 by Brandon Peters
Director Steven Spielberg’s critically lauded WWII epic Saving Private Ryan celebrates its 20thanniversary this year with a new 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo release on May 8, 2018 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. A DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures co-production, Saving Private Ryan won five Academy Awards®, including Best Director, and two Golden Globes®, including Best Director and Best Motion Picture—Drama, and was named by the AFI as one of its 100 greatest American films. Boasting a stellar cast headed by Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Ted Danson, Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Paul Giamatti and Barry Pepper, the film is widely considered one of the greatest war movies ever made.
Continue reading ‘SAVING PRIVATE RYAN Debuts On 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray May 8th!’
March 3rd, 2018 by Brandon Peters
I’ve long been a fan of the works of Agatha Christie, either through actually reading one of the books or checking out an adaptation of one I hadn’t put my eyes to text with. In terms of movie-going, when the trailer dropped for this Kenneth Branagh film, it had an interesting approach to it, but it also looked like both something we have seen in a long time and also like nothing else out there. People agreed as this one was sort of the poor man’s Greatest Showman as this was released during a time when Thor: Ragnarok, Justice League, Daddy’s Home 2, Wonder and Coco were also making some good money (Technically Justice League was making some decent money, they just spent too much on it). With solid reviews and obviously a terrific audience reception, it looks as if we’ll be moving forward with another film in the near future with classic Christie protagonist Hercule Poirot. You can check out this case on the train of his when it releases to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, February 27. Continue reading ‘Murder On The Orient Express (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
March 3rd, 2018 by Jason Coleman
Being a big fan of great films as well as the equally tasty turns within, the teaming of writer/director Ted Geoghegan and actress Kaniehtiio Horn is a big deal for yours truly. The man behind the mind blowing haunted house opus We Are Still Here (which scored in my Top Ten Films of 2015!) and the gal who played one unforgettable needle-to-eye wielding serial killer in the standout segment Vision Stains via the anthology flick The Theatre Bizarre (a poignant performance that scored Horn a coveted spot on my Top Five Best Female Performances in 2011!) finally joining forces for a no-holds-barred thriller about a young tough female Mohawk warrior who is forced to fight American military renegades hell-bent on revenge – needless to say it’s a cinematic slam dunk.
Continue reading ‘Interview: ‘Mohawk’ Director Ted Geoghegan And His Lethal Leading Lady Kaniehtiio Horn Talk About Teaming Up’
March 2nd, 2018 by Jason Coleman
Today’s distinctively female helmed past flick marks a twisted family pairing to die for – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! Ever remember watching early work by odd auteurs and having an epiphany moment of ‘here is a talent not to ignore’ – welcome the Soska Sisters. Steeped in both a love of horror and a skill of making truly unforgettable films, the Soska’s revel in all things genre related and this week’s perversely and passionately abnormal flick is one of their best. A wonderfully insane conundrum of horror, drama, revenge and the effect power has over people – in other words a seriously savory mind job known as….American Mary!
Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “American Mary”’
March 2nd, 2018 by Gerard Iribe
A high point in the already success-laden career of writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz ( A Letter to Three Wives, All About Eve), and one of the most glamorous and extravagant films from Hollywood s Golden Age, The Barefoot Contessa is a tragic drama about the tumultuous rise and fall of fictional Hollywood actress Maria Vargas ( Ava Gardner). Humphrey Bogart plays down on his luck writer and director Harry Dawes, reduced to working for an egotistical and abusive producer, Kirk Edwards (Warren Stevens). Whilst scouting for the female lead in his new movie, Dawes meets the beautiful and charismatic Maria Vargas, a barefooted flamenco dancer, in a Madrid night club and convinces her to star in his movie. Maria is an overnight sensation, but cannot find satisfaction in the shallow world of Hollywood, and the men in her life who treat her as nothing more than a commodity. Continue reading ‘The Barefoot Contessa (Eureka! Masters of Cinema Blu-ray Review)’
March 1st, 2018 by Jason Coleman
Indie is the secret word for today and the lesser-known cinema out this week is as plentiful as ever. Tales of damaged writers, fame seeking hypochondriacs, money stealing psychos, folks fixated on love, damaged dads and moms and big brutal bigfoots all provide a little movie escapism for film fans looking of the beaten movie path. Check out the six Encapsulated Movie Reviews of The Vanishing of Sidney Hall, 5 Doctors, Midnighters, November, Foxtrot and Primal Rage for your reading convenience below.
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Six New Indie Titles’
