Archive Page 205
August 10th, 2017 by Jason Coleman
Sorry film fans – a lesser amount of cinema covered this week as requests to see the very tasty looking Ingrid Goes West, saucy seeming The Only Boy Living in New York and questionable Open Water 3: Cage Dive went sadly unfulfilled. But thankfully what was witnessed by yours truly turned out to be some very interesting indie fare, all of which managed to do so much with so little. One boy’s obsession with fanged creatures, faith tested via bloody sword battles and alien tales of self discovery make up the three nifty notables in this weeks small but significant Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the critical opinions for The Transfiguration, Pilgrimage and The Answer below!
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Three New Indie Titles’
August 10th, 2017 by Blu-ray Brian
I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I have anxiously been waiting like a dog for their master to return home from work for the past several months in anticipation of Warner Bros. at least dropping a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release date for Wonder Woman. Praise the gods! That day has finally arrived! This is the day that Zeus had made possible! Celebrate the wonder when “Wonder Woman” arrives onto Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital. Gal Gadot returns as the DC Super Hero in the epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins (“Monster,” AMC’s “The Killing”). Continue reading ‘Wonder Woman Whips Her Lasso on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray September 19th’
August 9th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Loyal fans of visionary writer/director Dan O’Bannon (The Return of the Living Dead) know well the terrifying thriller from his 1991 cult classic THE RESURRECTED, based on the story by H.P. Lovecraft. The film stars John Terry (Zodiac, Full Metal Jacket), Jane Sibbett (Arrival II), Chris Sarandon (Fright Night), Laurie Briscoe (Breaking Point) and Robert Romanus (Fast Times at Ridgemont High). OnSeptember 12, 2017, SCREAM FACTORY™ Home Entertainment is proud to present THE RESURRECTED on home entertainment shelves. Available for the first time on Blu-ray™, this definitive release features new 2K transfer, interviews and revealing extras. A must-have for movie collectors, horror enthusiasts and loyal fans, THE RESURRECTED Blu-ray is available for pre-order now at ShoutFactory.com. Continue reading ‘Dan O’Bannon’s THE RESURRECTED Debuts On Blu-ray September 12th!’
August 9th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
There was honestly never much of a chance I wasn’t going to enjoy another ensemble heist comedy from director Steven Soderbergh. Logan Lucky is the hillbilly cousin of Soderbergh’s Ocean film series (reminder: Ocean’s 12 is underrated), and it’s just as fun. And of course, only Soderbergh, who retired due to resentment towards the Hollywood studio system, would come back in a way that hardly suggests he’s not having a blast making movies with big name stars again. That said, Logan Lucky tries its best to show off just how unglamorous it is compared to the glitz of his fancier heist trilogy.
Continue reading ‘Lots To Like In ‘Logan Lucky’ (Movie Review)’
August 7th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Saban Films is one of the recent distributors that have attempted to provide a home for more moderately-budgeted films, but the problem with something like The Hunter’s Prayer is the lack of any awareness. Sure, years ago seeing Sam Worthington in a bland action film would have made for an easy mid-September/January release, but the film was barely featured in theaters in 2017. I can’t say it’s much of a shame, as the movie has little to offer, but it speaks to a weird issue where this by-the-numbers action flick was only able to go so far. Regardless, the film is now available on Blu-ray.
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Continue reading ‘The Hunter’s Prayer (Blu-ray Review)’
August 6th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
An uplifting and empowering coming-of-age movie centered on a determined young Maori girl, Whale Rider is an inspiring drama that is sure to captivate the whole family. Ripe for rediscovery, this award-winning film tells a poetic story that transcends the usual tropes of coming-of-age films, unfolding into a graceful tale about challenges of changing customs, community, and courage. Bolstered by stunning cinematography and smart storytelling, this touching tale makes its Blu-ray debut August 22nd, 2017, as a 15thAnniversary Edition from Shout! Factory’s Shout Select line. Bonus features include audio commentary with director Niki Caro, “Te Waka: Building the Canoe” featurette, a “behind-the-scenes of Whale Rider” featurette and more! Fans can pre-order their copies now by visiting ShoutFactory.com. Continue reading ‘Whale Rider – 15th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
August 4th, 2017 by Robert Jaros
When I saw the cover for this movie I was immediately not interested, a bunch of old men paired with the title Going in Style had me thinking it was going to be a movie about a bunch of old guys who do something extravagant one time then they die (or something to that effect). However, the reality was that this is a feel good and fun movie that you can enjoy either alone or with your family. There is a nice twist that leaves the viewer feeling like the apparent villain received the consequences they deserved and that the “good guys” received the positive outcomes they deserved, something I find increasingly rare in todays movies. For a remake of a 1979 film with George Burns, Art Carney and Lee Strasberg it’s a solid update made for today audiences. Continue reading ‘Going In Style (Blu-ray Review)’
August 4th, 2017 by Jason Coleman
Keeping the movie comedy coming we’re digging into more past picture hilarity in a bid to extend end of summer fun – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! Everyone familiar with icons in the world of farcical films needs to introduction to laugh-out-loud leading man stylings of the sensational Steve Martin, but this week we’re highlighting one of his lesser-known gems that fans may have missed. Seems an obnoxious and eccentric rich dame is looking to extend her life past death – and Martin becomes an unwitting participant. (Isn’t he always?!) Weird rituals, bewitching soul bowls, spoiled rich gals and one odd toilet flushing mystic provide the funny fuel for the fire in Carl Reiner’s hilarious romp…All Of Me!
Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “All Of Me”’
August 4th, 2017 by Jason Coleman
Back from vacation and ready to do movie battle with a multitude of indie outings, it’s time to dissect some smaller film fare for you fans. Taking on seven cinematic hopefuls this week with a wide range of genres and effectiveness. (According to yours truly anyway!) Romances during war time, horror houses with many sinister stories to tell, careful character studies, moms with moxie, gun-toting gals, shocking real-life racial events and a hundred year old werewolf legends make up the flicks covered in this edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the critical skinny on the flicks The Last Face, Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories, Columbus, The Bad Mother, House on Rodeo Gulch, Detroit and Lycan below!
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Seven New Indie Titles’
August 3rd, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
It may not have been painful, but The Dark Tower is not an exciting launch to the cinematic world fans have been waiting for. After years of attempts to bring Stephen King’s novel series to the big screen, the result is a bland shrug of a film. Despite the efforts of four screenwriters to do the best they could in crafting a story that functions as an adaptation, cinematic sequel and feature-length TV pilot all in one, there are few merits to take away from something that had potential to be trippy fun. The Dark Tower may have wanted to be the epic fantasy western fans were counting on, but it’s more like a film that sped its way through the waste lands of familiar ideas and dull action.
Continue reading ‘‘The Dark Tower’ Falls (Movie Review)’
August 2nd, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Gifted is the kind of film where an emotional courtroom scene plays out, with rain just outside the window to emphasize the drama, but you don’t mind because the main characters involved still spend relaxed moments with each other minutes later. This is a film that traffics in ideas expected from stories dealing with legal guardianship over precocious children but is still quite likable thanks to the rapport shared between the cast members. It’s not sly enough to suggest a level of self-awareness and the way it plays out is certainly in line with your average tearjerker. It’s just a good thing I didn’t mind spending time with these people. Given the relatively small budget, the film was a moderate success in theaters, but can now be seen on Blu-ray.
a Continue reading ‘Gifted (Blu-ray Review)’
August 1st, 2017 by Brandon Peters
The Boss Baby wanted in on some of that Zootopia cash in 2017. The trailer was one of those that was paired with Rogue One: A Star War Story and also hooked on to Sing! Yeah, those are some really successful movies that also had an attendance of young children and families. While it was no Zootopia in terms of the box office, a half a million dollars (Well, inches from it) is nothing to sniff at. No, this film didn’t really gather to my interest at all with the trailer, as it looked pretty expected and easy given what they were trying for, but my children were excited by it and really wanted to see it. I didn’t get them to the theater for it, but I am able to rectify that now. You can too, if you so choose (And at the highest standard for that matter), when the film releases on the 4K Ultra-HD format on July 25th. Continue reading ‘The Boss Baby (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
August 1st, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Hold onto your capes! Based on the bestselling book series by Dav Pilkey, DreamWorks Animation presents CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS: THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE. “…One of the funniest, most heartwarming films of the year” (William Bibbiani, Crave Online). Certified Fresh on RottenTomatoes.com, this outrageous family comedy tells the story of two overly imaginative best friends, George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch), who hypnotize their principal (Ed Helms) into thinking he’s the hero from their comic books: Captain Underpants. CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS: THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE also features the voice talent of Nick Kroll as Professor Poopypants. Continue reading ‘CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS: THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE Arrives On 4K Ultra-HD September 12th!’
July 31st, 2017 by Brandon Peters
The Mcconaissance. A term coined for the career comeback of Matthew McConaughey. A multi-year film run that resulted in the Academy Award winning performance for The Dallas Buyers’ Club. An Oscar win was something many thought was possible in the 1990s, but for most the 2000s, he was just seen as slumming it around in romantic comedies, an underwhelming drama and some failed big budget films (Like Sahara, which is actually awesome, go check it out). However, if you look at the box office haul for those romantic comedies, they were making money. Basically, he was making movies that boys wanted to see, which is silly, but that’s how backward the world of film fandom/criticism can be. But, this turn all began with this little film here, The Lincoln Lawyer. Its now coming to the 4K Ultra-HD format from Lionsgate on August 15th. Continue reading ‘The Lincoln Lawyer (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
July 31st, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Money serves as a symbol of success and has said to be the root of all evil. It is also fittingly the meaning of the French term L’argent, which happens to be the title of writer/director Robert Bresson’s final film. L’argent captures Bresson’s minimalist style, as it tells the tale of how one counterfeit bill affects the lives of many. Now a part of The Criterion Collection, plenty can now see just how well this film holds up. The film won the Director’s Prize at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival and showed just what kind of cinematic power can come from presenting life as it is in this dramatic feature that takes characters down a sorrowful hole mostly met with despair.
s Continue reading ‘L’argent – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
July 30th, 2017 by Brian White
I guess for the past couple of years now Entertainment Weekly has put on a Women Who Kick-Ass Panel at Comic-Con International. This year’s panel featured a single woman, Charlize Theron, showcasing her most recent work Atomic Blonde, which dropped in theaters this week finally and her involvement in Fate of the Furious and one of my personal favorites Mad Max: Fury Road. This year Entertainment Weekly senior writer Sara Vilkomerson was chosen to sit down with Theron in front of a captive Saturday Hall H crowd that was just rendered speechless by the previous panel, the Justice League. While I wasn’t impressed with the lack of enthusiasm and knowledge Vilkomerson employed in her interview of Theron, the latter woman wowed me a lot. She’s beautiful, yes. However, she’s also very humble and gracious, but make no mistake about it you don’t want to pick a fight with her. The proud mother went into detail regarding the endless, grueling hours of training she endured for her role in Atomic Blonde as well as the injuries she was subjected to. I mean good God she clenched her teeth so hard that she broke two of them. I wouldn’t mess with a woman like that. LOL. Continue reading ‘Comic-Con 2017: Charlize Theron & ‘Atomic Blonde’ (Movie Review)’
July 30th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
When Lena Dunham’s Girls debuted, I gave it a watch. I didn’t make it past the pilot. It turned me off big time and I hated pretty much every character. Sometime during season 3, I was unemployed and binging some HBO stuff I hadn’t seen and decided on giving Girls another shot. The problem I had before wasn’t the show, it was me. I’m glad I went back, because it has been a fond part of my Sunday night HBO watching for a few years now. Hannah, Marnie, Shoshanna and Jessa weren’t people I related to, but I enjoyed watching them grow up. And by that, you watch them stumble, make horrible decisions and drift further apart in their friendships. Its something we all have done thematically in our 20s, but when its brought in a more blunt and honest look, its hard to take in. But once you let it, its quite a fun ride. The show has now come to a conclusion, and I hope it has a legacy of being something very truthful and very fun in own way for the most part. You can find it to purchase on Blu-ray from HBO when it releases on July 25th. Continue reading ‘Girls: The Final Season (Blu-ray Review)’
July 29th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
In a summer that’s already thrown us into war and pulled us out feeling optimistic enough with Dunkirk, Detroit has now come along to fuel a different, more complicated fire. Working as a war film, a hostage thriller, a horror film and a searing commentary all rolled into one, director Kathryn Bigelow isn’t here to hold hands and make false assurances. Detroit is an angry film that once again plays as a spectacular historical research project brought to cinematic life by Bigelow and screenwriter/producer Mark Boal. Made with the same confidence that found this filmmaking duo success with The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty, Detroit heads back in time to paint a startling picture of a pivotal moment in American history.
Continue reading ‘Anger And Horror Abound In The Powerful ‘Detroit’ (Movie Review)’
