Archive Page 218
June 6th, 2017 by Jason Coleman
The cinematically filled 20th Annual Dances With Films Festival 2017 (taking place June 1-11 at the Chinese 6 Theaters at Hollywood and Highland – go to www.danceswithfilms.com for more details!) is in full film swing and the reels are unspooling fast and furious for film fans to enjoy. Continuing our own fest coverage, below are a massive nine feature film reviews and even that is merely a taste of the myriad of flicks that have screened so far this year. Revenge tales with super powers, father/daughter dramas, real life inspired flicks, tales of both serious and comical woe, haunted houses, deadly dogs, musicians, hackers and deadly hobos without a shotgun – it’s all dissected here for your convenience! Check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews of the first feature film crop via the DWFF 2017 including Eliza Sherman’s Revenge, Tomorrow, Maybe, D-Love, Grief, Inheritance, Chance, American Folk, Missing In Europe and Central Park via three different film categories below!
Continue reading ‘Dances With Films Festival 2017 – Nine Encapsulated Movie Reviews’
June 6th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Fist Fight is a comedy that came and went this past winter and accomplishes what it sets out to do in the weakest way it can. Working as a very loose remake of Three O’Clock High, the novelty comes from seeing the meek Charlie Day go up against a very intimidating Ice Cube, all while Tracy Morgan, Jillian Bell and other random cast members add some jokes in the background. The results are a mixed bag of laughs, where most of the humor is reliant on cursing and the results of letting the camera roll. It fits with a realm of other broad, R-rated comedies, but it does not exactly fit in the upper leagues.
a Continue reading ‘Fist Fight (Blu-ray Review)’
June 5th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Scream Factory and IFC Midnight are back at it again with another supernatural horror pairing. This time its in the form of British horror film Don’t Knock Twice, A wild supernatural shocker that delivers a barrage of nonstop jolts and searing nightmare images. The film stars Katee Sackhoff (Whom I’ve long been a fan of) and Lucy Boynton (Whom I’ve recently become a fan of via the terrific Sing Street) as a mother-daughter duo. Please note that this one has the Walmart exclusive tag on it, and you’ll only be able to get it there starting June 6th. If you’re that anti-Walmart, or don’t need it right away, you’ll be able to buy it pretty much everywhere else that carries Scream Factory titles on August 1st. So, if you pre-order it from me from the Amazon link below (Coming soon) like a good reader, your copy won’t get to you until August 1st. Continue reading ‘Don’t Knock Twice (Blu-ray Review)’
June 5th, 2017 by Jason Coleman
There’s nothing better than a no-nonsense leading lady force to be reckoned with to make a wild west yarn even wilder. But add to that a careful character layering that also infuses equal amounts of passion, romance, heart and grit and you’ve got one dynamic and long lingering female performance that demands to be seen and praised. Such is the fate of the terrific turn by actress-to-watch-for Abby Eiland via the Dances With Films 2017 recently screened dramatic western set against the 19th century American Southwest titled Cassidy Red. Eiland plays Josephine “Joe” Cassidy, a headstrong daughter of a prostitute and a gunslinger who heads into town with skills and singular vengeance in mind when she finds out her lover has been gunned down – and she’s not happy.
Continue reading ‘DWFF 2017 Interview – Captivating “Cassidy Red” Actress Abby Eiland Talks Westerns, Female Grit And Becoming Something Dangerous’
June 4th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
In the fall of 2015, everyone was taken by surprise by the popularity of the Keanu Reeves pure action film, John Wick. The Keanu Reeves-led film featured what seemed like a silly premise, but played into becoming an all timer thanks to some fresh, innovative and game changing action choreography that felt a bit of a return to form for the low budget affair. While the first one was a pretty modest hit, Lionsgate rolled the dice with this sequel, John Wick: Chapter 2 and were rewarded when this one built of the previous film at the box office, while continuing on with the critical praise. Wick’s second outing will be available on the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format (Just like the first, which looked LOVELY) on June 13th. Get your pre-order in now by clicking on the Amazon link at the bottom of the page following the review. Continue reading ‘John Wick: Chapter 2 (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
June 2nd, 2017 by Jason Coleman
With Wonder Woman looking to kick a little cinematic ass this weekend, it felt right to explore a past picture with equal amounts of feisty female hand-to-hand combat but for the pint size set – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! Having already covered the likes of Anne Parillaud in La Femme Nikita and Melanie Griffith in Cherry 2000 as some of my favorite movie mavens with moxie, a flick about a gal who proves that big action can come in small packages from 2011 then immediately came to mind. It’s a tale of a child who has grown up and trained with a singular focus that is suddenly thrust out into the real world filled with love, hate and human monsters. Think on your feet, adapt or die and check out the action awesomeness of…Hanna.
Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “Hanna”’
June 1st, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
While I’ve mainly tackled reviews of Criterion Collection films that reflect the past, it is neat to deal with something more modern. Dheepan is a 2015 French film that won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It tells the story of Tamil refugees reconstructing their lives in France. The film comes from writer-director Jacques Audiard, who has made several films, but caught my attention with the prison crime-drama A Prophet and followed that up with also great romance drama Rust and Bone. While Dheepan draws from some other notable films, it still serves as a new step for Audiard, which can be explored further, now that it is available on this involving Criterion Blu-ray.
a Continue reading ‘Dheepan – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
June 1st, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Huzzah or should I say tra la laaa! for another solid superhero movie this month. I have no familiarity with the Captain Underpants children’s book series, but I’m all for a film that can turn juvenile humor into an enjoyable, colorful and clever animated comedy about friendship and being yourself. That’s about as deep as it gets and while this latest DreamWorks Animation film is more expressly for kids than adults (opposed to adult-themed laughs in a kids movie), there is a rich amount of energy that makes Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie fun for all ages.
Continue reading ‘‘Captain Underpants’ Is A Mighty Tighty Whitey Delight (Movie Review)’
June 1st, 2017 by Brian White
Like George Washington once proclaimed “I cannot tell a lie.” Wonder Woman is my number one most anticipated film of the year. Say what? I’m 100% serious and no I’m not on any drugs. This is 80 plus years in the making here, folks! I would be prone to say Justice League is, but I’m weary about how ridiculous Cyborg looks thus far. Ha ha. However, I’ll reserve judgement of that until November. For now let me bask in the ever radiant light of everything Gal Gadot and the Amazonian princess she portrays, Wonder Woman. Call me a sucker, but I just love a strong female protagonist in my action movies, and it doesn’t hurt if they’re hot too. So you’ve all seen my proverbial masturbation over the three DCEU films that have come before, Man of Steel, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, and now it’s time to lasso up Wonder Woman. Wouldn’t that be spectacular to lasso up Wonder Woman, huh (insert dirty evil thought)? Ha ha. Come on! Let’s get started! Continue reading ‘Wonder Woman: Beauty, Brains and Brawn! (Movie Review)’
June 1st, 2017 by Jason Coleman
It’s June here in Los Angeles and that could only mean one thing – multi-film festival time! First up for the indie film enthusiast is the coveted and prestigious Dances With Films Festival 2017 (taking place June 1-11 at the Chinese 6 Theaters at Hollywood and Highland – go to www.danceswithfilms.com for more details!) which this year is celebrating it’s amazing 20 year anniversary! (Congrats!) Notable flicks of the past like Honeyglue, Soledad and Lola’s Last Letter (all featuring 5-star turns by the likes of actors Adriana Mather, Jesse Celedon and Valerie Brandy!) and filmmakers to watch for like the stunning Christopher Soren Kelly (his short Monkeys has pure Fincher aesthetic!) all came out of the fantastic film festival known as Dances with Films. This year seems even more filled with promise as 2017 boasts more than 160 films to choose from – the odds are most assuredly in a movie geeks favor! So in gearing up to find the good stuff, I’ve strapped on my movie-watching boots and am hitting the flicks hard to provide you with the most comprehensive cinematic coverage beginning with a first look preview. And while there are a myriad of fine films to choose from (hey, can’t list them all here!), below is merely a tiny taste of the films that initially intrigued and peaked my possible best of fest interest – an on-screen appetizer for those hungry for more. So from gals kicking some Wild West ass to docs through the eyes of resilient youngsters here are my first glance picks on…”What To See!” Continue reading ‘Dances With Films Festival 2017 – ‘What To See’’
May 31st, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Make it a family movie night with the beloved blue creatures in the fully animated, all-new take on The Smurfs when Sony Pictures Animation’s SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE debuts ondigital June 20 and on 4K Ultra HD™/Blu-ray™ + Digital, Blu-ray + Digital and DVD July 11 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Boasting an “A” CinemaScore with general audiences and a rare “A+” with those under the age of 18, SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE follows Smurfette and her friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history! Continue reading ‘SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE Comes To 4K Ultra-HD July 11th! You Know You’re Excited!’
May 31st, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Just in time for the fourth season premiere of the #1 show on The CW, catch the fastest man alive as he zigzags through the action-packed release of The Flash: The Complete Third Season from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Blu-rayTM and DVD on September 5, 2017. Delivering 5 million Total Viewers per episode, The Flash is a Top 10 series on all broadcast with Men 18-34 (#7) and Men 18-49 (#10)⃰. Fans will be able to revisit all 23 electrifying episodes from the third season, including the DC-crossover episode, plus over two hours of extra content, including behind-the-scenes featurettes on the “Invasion!” cross over episode and the “Duets” musical episode, a conversation with Andrew Kreisberg and Kevin Smith, deleted scenes, and more. The Flash: The Complete Third Season is priced to own on DVD and Blu-rayTM which includes a Digital Copy. The Flash: The Complete Third Season Continue reading ‘THE FLASH: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON Bolts Its Way To Blu-ray September 5th!’
May 31st, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
It would appear that Wonder Woman is the result of studio heads and producers thinking things through a bit more and allowing for more creative freedom. Thanks to some talented filmmakers and actors, this is the film the DCEU needed to get themselves out of the hole that began with an underwhelming Man of Steel and reached the furthest possible low with Suicide Squad. And since Disney is no longer paying us reviewers to speak ill of non-Marvel Studios superhero movies (kidding), I’m happy to talk about just how entertaining Wonder Woman is. It may still have some of the standard problems found in superhero origin films and DC’s cinematic branding as of late, but it also plays to a sense of optimism, earnestness and well…wonder.
Continue reading ‘Wonder Woman Ends DC Cinematic Crisis (Movie Review)’
May 31st, 2017 by Jason Coleman
Two very full film fests are hitting hard and fast in June (comprehensive coverage is the motto!) so no time like the present to get to the weekly array the lesser known film fare for those seeking smaller cinematic selections. Examinations of former beleaguered British Prime Minsters, sisters with a desire to seek out the truth, spiritual sci-fi stories and two father/son tales – one involving vampirism – grace the themes via this weeks colorful crop of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the critical skinny on the five films Churchill, Past Life, Dean, 96 Souls and Aaron’s Blood below. Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Five New Indie Titles’
May 30th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
A looming global catastrophe forces Batman and Nightwing to partner with an unlikely hero in Batman and Harley Quinn, the next entry in the popular series of DC Universe Original Movies. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the all-new, feature-length animated film arrives August 15on Digital and August 29 on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Deluxe Giftset, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. Spawned from an original story by animation icon Bruce Timm, Batman and Harley Quinn will be available in several popular formats as the first Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack release of a DC Universe Original Movie; Blu-ray Deluxe Giftset, featuring an exclusive Harley Quinn figurine; Blu-ray Combo Pack; DVD; and Digital. The Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc featuring the film; the Blu-ray Combo Pack features the film in hi-definition; and the DVD features the movie in standard definition. The Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Combo Pack include a digital version of the film. Continue reading ‘Own BATMAN AND HARLEY QUINN August 29th On 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray!’
May 30th, 2017 by Blu-ray Brian
“Totally riveting” (Bill Zwecker, FOX-TV) and filled with “heart pounding excitement” (Pete Hammond, Deadline), the thrilling and eye-popping GHOST IN THE SHELL arrives on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand July 25, 2017 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The future comes early on Digital HD July 7. Continue reading ‘Ghost In The Shell Will Haunt Blu-ray and 4K July 25th!’
May 29th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Robevrt Zemeckis and Bob Gale are most known for their collaborative effort on the Back To The Future trilogy (Also Used Cars). Before that, they had a script lying around called The Looters. That film wound up getting picked up many years later by Walter Hill when he was looking for a thriller to pick up. The name later changed to Trespass because of the LA Riots and it not wanting any association with it. A positively review film, it didn’t make much at the box office. However, its a piece of the legendary Walter Hill’s filmography and Shout! Factory continues their love the director by giving Trespass a Collector’s Edition release under the Shout Select line. You can pre-order from the Amazon link below to have yourself a copy of the film when Trespass arrives on Blu-ray for the very first time on June 27. Continue reading ‘Trespass – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
May 29th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
This make sense, but still caught me by surprise when Scream Factory announced not just a release, but a Collector’s Edition of The Lawnmower Man. I’m just so used to seeing trashy cheap, $5 dump bin double feature DVDs of the two Lawnmower Man films together. Now, the film gets to see some love and get some depth after all these years. People forget, but this was a big hit at the box office back in the early 1990s. Heck, virtual reality is back in vogue now, so I’m sure there’s some studio exec drooling at the thought of maybe trying to do this movie again. Anyway, lets revisit this first film and forget the second ever existed shall we? Scream Factory will be releasing it on June 20th and you can pre-order it using the Amazon link below. And since we are on early 90s technology-based horror, I wonder what Ghost In The Machine is up to these days (Hint hint, wink wink). Continue reading ‘The Lawnmower Man – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
