Gifted (Blu-ray Review)
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.
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. 
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. 
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. 
I guess for the past couple of years now Entertainment Weekly has put on a Women Who Kick-Ass Panel at 
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. 
With such heavy, deep and dark fare taking over recent past picture selections (go Cronenberg!), its time to lighten up the rest of the summer with a few lessor known comedies starting today – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! This time out we’re jumping into the mix with a few movie oddballs for a farcical film that enlists the traditional mistaken identity plotline, but uses it to maximum comedic potential. Seems a high profile psychiatrist and his practice is in need of a temporary replacement and who better than an alleged insane man to fill the void. Brilliant wackos, cheating lawyers, hot doctors and jelly doughnuts without the jelly make up the merry mayhem of…The Couch Trip!
When it comes to certain actors, there are some you’ll just watch no matter what the hell they do. Bryan Cranston is one of those few who are worth it just for their name involvement. I think post-Breaking Bad, many are now in agreement with that. Shout! Factory has managed to partner up with IFC Films and land a little independent drama starring the master thespian. Its called Wakefield and has him opposite Jennifer Garner. She’s someone I really like, but I know she’s hit and miss with many people. The film has an intriguing premise and will be available to own on Blu-ray August 1st. Shout! Factory had originally announced it was August 22nd, but you benefit and its available much sooner. You can take a gander at the review and scroll on down to the very bottom if you’re interested in pre-ordering it to add to your collection. 
Fear knows no limits when the suspenseful horror-thriller It Comes at Night creeps its way onto Blu-ray™ (plus Digital HD) and DVD September 12 from Lionsgate. From acclaimed writer/director Trey Edward Shults (Krisha), It Comes at Night tells the story of a man who will do anything to protect his family, no matter who or what the threat might be. Theatrically released by A24 and starring Joel Edgerton (Loving), Chris Abbot (A Most Violent Year), Carmen Ejogo (Alien: Covenant), and Riley Keough (American Honey), the Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh It Comes at Night is an “all-consuming and deeply disturbing chiller” (Collider) that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Pre-order below to have your copy ready and waiting September 12th! 
James Gunn is forever going to be known as the man who brought us Guardians of the Galaxy. Though, like Peter Jackson before he was the Lord of the Rings guy, he got his start in low rent horror. For Gunn, his roots trace back to none other than the schlockiest of schlock, Troma. And the best thing? The guy has neither forgotten, nor is he ashamed of his roots. He continually grows and keeps that badge of honor with him. In 2006, he got his shot at his feature film directorial debut in that of Slither, coming off being the writer of Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead remake. Slither originally made it to the HD-DVD format, but never crossed over to Blu-ray in the US (A few other countries have edition from many years ago). Proving worth the wait, its become a Scream Factory Collector’s Edition that you can snag on August 1st, which you can pre-order using the link below. 
Saturday brought us wonderful Marvel and Warner Bros. Hall H panels covered in detail 
HBO’s Westworld concluded its critically acclaimed first season this past December and is currently in production filming things for season 2. The series-created, executive produced, and written by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin, based on the 1973 Michael Crichton movie of the same name. Saturday’s Hall H cast panelists included Ben Barnes as Logan, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Armistice, Ed Harris as the Man in Black, Luke Hemsworth as Stubbs, James Marsden as Teddy, Thandie Newton as Maeve, Simon Quarterman as Lee Sizemore, Rodrigo Santoro as Hector, Angela Sarafyan as Clementine, Jimmi Simpson as William, Tessa Thompson as Charlotte Hale, Evan Rachel Wood as Dolores, Shannon Woodward as Elsie and Jeffrey Wright as Bernard. The panel was moderated by internationally renowned vocal artist/beatboxer/musician/comedian Reggie Watts.
