Forgotten Friday Flick – “Zero Effect”
With iconic actor Bill Pullman getting praises as the titular character in the upcoming The Ballad of Lefty Brown and Director Jake Kasdan’s work soon to be on display via the less-than-anticipated Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, it felt timely to repost an MIA oldie but a goodie to remind folks of the genius side of both Kasdan and Pullman via the best of their past work together…welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! Today’s selection, originally posted at my previous stomping grounds back on August 1, 2014, is one of my all time personal favorites. A combination of an incredible screenplay, decent direction and some career best performances, it’s a film that fell through the cinematic cracks and thus truly earns the right to be called a hidden gem. Quirky detectives, captivating blackmailers, amusing assistants and all under the arm of wit and charm, welcome to the world of…Zero Effect!
Since those top lists of ten are always popular columns, why not attach such a number to my weekly indie roundup? Yup, I’m tenaciously tackling a triumphant ten smaller cinematic flicks to give smaller film fare lovers a much needed critical head’s up. Tales of angry moms and their big billboards, curious teen gals with something up their sleeve, a couple whose distance equals death, the cutthroat arena of business mixed with a virus, life and love L.A. style, the consequences of morality on Wall Street, the angst and aspirations of an adolescent girl, a skilled driver with more to lose than his license, a new bride who’s been put through the ringer and a husband and wife looking to rekindle the passion all make up the subjects of the movies dissected in this edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the succinct opinions on Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Thumper, Radius, Mayhem, It Happened In L.A., The Price, Lady Bird, Wheelman, A Bride For Rip Van Winkle and Amanda & Jack Go Glamping all below!
While I didn’t get to review it earlier in the year (I’m not sure if any official copies were sent out for review), Scream Factory released a box set dedicated to legendary Spanish horror actor/writer/director Paul Naschy. That set was built and constructed in the vein of their previous three Vincent Price Collection efforts. Luckily, like those sets, they are continuing on with a second Collection of Naschy films from his rather lengthy and dedicated career in the horror genre. Personally, I’m not familiar with him, so I’m excited to dig into this set after all I’ve heard. He’s billed as Spain’s answer to Lon Chaney, having played many of the classic monsters (Wolfman, Frankenstein’s monster, Count Dracula, The Mummy and others) as well as his own. Coming in just in time for the holidays, this set from Scream factory will release on November 14th. Pre-order below to own this unique Collector’s item. 
Olive Films announced that it will release Letter from an Unknown Woman and A New Leaf on their Signature Blu-ray editions. Letter from an Unknown Woman features Academy Award® winner Joan Fontaine (Best Actress, Suspicion, 1942) and is written for the screen by Academy Award® winner Howard Koch (Best Screenplay, Casablanca, 1944) and produced by Academy Award® winner John Houseman (Best Supporting Actor, The Paper Chase, 1974). A New Leaf stars its writer and director, the two-time Academy Award® nominee Elaine May (Best Screenplay, Heaven Can Wait, 1979; Primary Colors, 1999) alongside Academy Award® winner Walter Matthau (Best Supporting Actor, The Fortune Cookie, 1967) and Academy Award nominee James Coco (Best Supporting Actor, Only When I Laugh, 1982). 
Laugh it up when “The LEGO® NINJAGO® Movie” arrives onto 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital. “The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” stars Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Olivia Munn, Kumail Nanjiani, Michael Peña, Zach Woods and the legendary Jackie Chan. “The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” was directed by Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher and Bob Logan. The screenplay was by Bob Logan & Paul Fisher & William Wheeler & Tom Wheeler and Jared Stern & John Whittington, story by Hilary Winston & Bob Logan & Paul Fisher & William Wheeler & Tom Wheeler and Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman, based on LEGO Construction Toys. Jackie Chan (“Kung Fu Panda,” The Karate Kid”) stars as Master Wu; Justin Theroux (“Megamind,” “The Leftovers”) is Garmadon; Dave Franco (“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising”) plays Lloyd; and Olivia Munn (“X-Men: Apocalypse”) is Lloyd’s mom, Koko. Making up the secret ninja crew, Michael Peña (“Ant-Man,” “The Martian”) is Kai; Fred Armisen (“Portlandia,” “SNL”) voices Cole; Kumail Nanjiani (“Silicon Valley,” “The Big Sick”) is Jay; Abbi Jacobson (“Broad City”) plays Nya and Zach Woods (“Silicon Valley,” “The Office”) voices Zane. 
Acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) delivers “a mind-blowing masterpiece” (Scott Mantz, “Access Hollywood”) with the extraordinarily original mother!, arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD December 19, 2017. The film arrives on Digital HD December 5, 2017. Described as “darkly exhilarating” (Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times) and “Aronofsky’s most daring film yet” (Ben Croll, Indiewire), mother! stunned critics and audiences around the world. Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem star in the visually arresting psychological thriller that will leave your heart pounding and your mind blown. The film also stars Oscar® nominees Ed Harris** and Michelle Pfeiffer***, along with Domhnall Gleeson, Brian Gleeson and Jovan Adepo.
Given the fact that when this series originally aired earlier this year I pretty much had to watch each episode twice due to many slow lulls that put me to sleep like a baby probably doesn’t make me the best suited reviewer to tackle Westworld: Season One. However, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t like what I saw either because I did. It was just on so late at night, I was exhausted and this combo leaves me with the attention span of a kitten. I’m joking of course because I truly am stoked for Westworld: Season One being the very first HBO title on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format. Besides 
“Rock-a-Doodle” is another cartoon by Don Bluth, the maker of “An American Tail,” “All Dogs Go to Heaven” and many likable others. It’s about a rockabilly-yodeling roosterBased on the play “Chantecler” written by Edmond Rostand, Rock-A-Doodle is about a group of happy barnyard animals.
Republic Pictures was the king of the Western, with John Wayne being their main star. Over time, studio executives realized that horror was quite profitable, so they enlisted director Lesley Selander to deliver them a supernatural picture unlike anything else he had made previously. Selander was reliable; someone who had turned in pictures on time with a small budget. The only drawback was his lack of experience with the horror genre, which unfortunately is evident within every frame of the film. The Vampire’s Ghost never rises above a cheap knockoff of the Val Lewton produced monster films of the age.
In the world of Pixar, it used to be that they typically didn’t cash in on making a boatload of sequels beside Toy Story. Now, we have Monsters University and Finding Dory recently with an Incredibles 2 on the way. But, the odd outlier is now the Cars series, as it now has as many entries as Toy Story. Cars, the series that hasn’t been a critical favorite nor one of their powerhouse box office performers. However, when it comes to the merchandise, like toys and bed sheets, Cars is one of their most successful. So, now with a third movie, these honestly serve as a glorified commercial to sell some new stuff and be in the conscience of a new generation. The film came out this past summer and will be Disney and Pixar’s first full animated film to hit the 4K Ultra-HD format when it drops on November 7th. 
Bad ideas, bad ideas, bad ideas. Phil Lord and Chris Miller are the guys who tend to take bad ideas and make them into great things. Though, with their firing from Solo: A Star Wars Story, I’m not so sure of even that any more. They had nothing to do with The Emoji Movie, but I imagine if they did, I probably would have found interest in this movie’s release. Instead, like many people, its an eye-roller for me. Although, look, I get it. I understand there can be dollars to be made here. I understand it’ll probably be strictly for people who are younger than ten years old. I’m also a parent. I also have kids who wanted to see this movie, which magically we didn’t make it to the movie theater to see. But, here it is, on the glorious 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format for us to consume for the very first time, in the confines of our own home. Will I survive? I don’t know. Its available now, as Sony made this release available on the format on October 24th. 
For so many damn years, there’s been nonstop chatter about Stephen King’s series of novels dubbed “The Dark Tower”. These dealt with a gunslinger characters and some sort of super ambitious premise that everyone demanded to be put into a movie. King fans kept telling you that this was going to be the film of all films or HBO series of all HBO series if they ever adapted it. Many names would get attached over the years. Projects would stop, they would start. It almost felt like this urban legend that it would ever happen. And then, finally, something budged off the ground. The excitement came in the casting of Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey, but then the trailer and marketing came and nobody seemed to care, fans seemed to not have any defense. It was one of the summer’s biggest disappointments. I didn’t see the film, I’ve never read any of the books. So, here I am as the casual observer, going in super clean to give you the review of the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray release, made available October 31st! 
I have a new modern day definition of the word fun. When I think of “fun” now I am reminded of the fantastic Thor: Ragnarok film trailers. In a world full of so much seriousness, hate protests and whatnot it’s totally awesome to think how a two minute plus movie trailer can put a smile on your face from ear-to-ear. Not too much does that to me in real life nowadays. I didn’t even let Thor’s butch haircut damper my spirits, albeit does suck to see him shed those locks no matter what the circumstance is. Despite Chris Hemsworth not donning those beautiful golden locks all the way through this third Thor solo entry I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to having some serious F-U-N with the Ragnarok folks here. I’ll also admit this too as I feel like I’m late to the party here because all my California peers have already seen and reviewed it. Heck, even the boob tube declares it as “one of the best reviewed Marvel films to date.” So if you’re asking me if I’m excited about Thor: Ragnarok, hell yeah I am! Let’s get this superhero party started! 
