Archive Page 220
June 7th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
As proven this past February, A Cure for Wellness has few tricks up its sleeves that audiences have not seen before. I believe director Gore Verbinski knew this going in but still wanted to go all in. Fitting in the same league as gorgeously designed, but narratively challenged films such as Shutter Island and Crimson Peak, A Cure for Wellness plays like a film where the destination is perhaps clear, but the journey is still cinematically interesting. Like those other films, it may be overlong and overstuffed, but the fact that a major studio funded such an odd project feels like a triumph for film in general. It doesn’t hurt to note just how disturbing some of the visuals are, which does play well to the genre fans looking for strange jolts. Of course, the film flopped, but now anyone can go and discover it for themselves on Blu-ray.
a Continue reading ‘A Cure For Wellness (Blu-ray Review)’
June 7th, 2017 by Brian White
Despite loving Sofia Boutella in Kingsman: The Secret Service I must admit I wasn’t too keen on this newest monster tale reboot when I saw the first theatrical trailer. Yawn! I thought to myself another modern day movie that feels like it has to insert a woman into a leading role normally occupied by a man. I know that’s a sexist way to look at things, but I’m an old, tired man now and sick of all the ultra sensitivity in this world. Ha ha. But seriously, it wasn’t until the second trailer of The Mummy that got me semi-excited for things here. For some reason it just spoke to me more. After all though how could one refute the star power of Hollywood’s ageless vampire, Tom Cruise? That’s a rhetorical question because you can try, but ultimately you’ll fail. The man can do no wrong in modern day action films. By the way I don’t count the Jack Reacher films as action films. However, it was this news here that The Mummy would be the start of Universal’s Dark Universe that really made me take notice of. I’m all about a well planned out, shared universe full of continuity so I’m super stoked to see where things go from here. And truth be told I’m forever thankful that 2014’s Dracula Untold was a one off. Thank the Gods for that! Continue reading ‘The Mummy Unwraps The Bandages of a Dark Monster Universe (Movie Review)’
June 7th, 2017 by Aaron Neuwirth
Everyone was where they need to be and all of the objects were in place, and yet, when attempting to conjure up success, The Mummy did not rise. While I was wrapped up in anticipation for a new take on The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise, everything seemed to unravel rather quickly as the film shambled along. With all the mummy puns out of my system now, let me just say I can’t help but feel disappointed, as Cruise is one to fully commit and star in quality pictures, but The Mummy didn’t deliver the summer fun I was hoping for.
Continue reading ‘Cruise ‘Mummy’ Threatens Dark Universe (Movie Review)’
June 6th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Just in time for Arrow’s sixth season on The CW, viewers can catch up with the thrilling series as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases Arrow: The Complete Fifth Season on Blu-rayTMand DVD on September 19, 2017. Averaging 3 million viewers weekly for each original episode, Arrow is the #2 series on The CW season to-date amongst Adults 18-34, behind only The Flash.* The release contains all 23 exhilarating episodes from the fifth season, the show’s 2016 Comic-Con Panel, never-before-seen featurettes, and much more. Arrow: The Complete Fifth Season is priced to own on DVD and Blu-ray which includes a Digital Copy. Arrow: The Complete Fifth Season is also available to own on Digital HD via purchase from digital retailers.
Continue reading ‘ARROW: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON Comes To A ‘Terrific’ Blu-ray Set September 19th!’
June 6th, 2017 by Brandon Peters
Los Angeles, CA –Shout! Factory has announced that Wakefield, the new 2017 feature starring Bryan Cranston and Jennifer Garner, is coming to shelves in a Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo on August 22, in conjunction with IFC Films. Wakefield is available for pre-order now on Amazon.com and Shoutfactory.com. Oscar® nominee* Bryan Cranston leads a tremendous cast in Wakefield, an adaptation of acclaimed author E.L. Doctorow’s short story by screenwriter and director Robin Swicord.
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June 6th, 2017 by Bron Anderson
Emmy Award winner Rami Malek (“Mr. Robot”) stars in Writer/Director Sarah Adina Smith’s (The Midnight Swim) psychological thriller BUSTER’S MAL HEART, available on digital now and on Blu-ray and DVD July 18 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Malek plays a troubled man on the run who recalls the mysterious events that brought him to his present fugitive state. Buster’s Mal Heart also stars DJ Qualls (“The Man in High Castle”), Kate Lyn Sheil (Equals) and Lin Shaye (Insidious). The film is said to be a complex, funny, and thoughtful science fiction. See below for more details on this release. Continue reading ‘Buster’s Mal Heart Arrives on Blu-ray and DVD July 18th’
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!’
