Archive Page 364
November 24th, 2014 by Brian White
In my belief, most salesmen, prophets, religious establishments and even motivational speakers will tell you life is full of second chances. And like the fictional character of Jordan Chase in Season 5 of Showtime’s Dexter, if you want something badly enough in life, you just have to “Take It.” Quite honestly, I have always lived my life by a single golden rule, learn from your mistakes. Grow from them. And of course, hopefully never make the same mistake(s) twice. That’s why after talking to a fellow reviewer yesterday about a mistake I recently made in life, I’m ready to come clean and admit I was wrong. I was wrong to initially award Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar a film score of 3.5 out of 5. If George Lucas can tinker with the Star Wars saga as much as his 70-year-old heart desires, I think that warrants me the chance at redemption here. Continue reading ‘Interstellar: Having Thrice-Taken The Rocket Ride (Movie Review)’
November 23rd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Horror is a such an extensive genre in film that it even comes with its own set of sub-genres. It goes further than that though. Those sub-genres even have their own sub-genres, and its like there are sub-genres of sub-genres of sub-genres. Surprisingly, one of those that branches out in many directions is the Zombie genre. I even think there’s enough of them that today’s film could qualify for it. And it might be one of the grand daddies of it. I’m talking about Nazi zombie genre. Of course during World War II, Adolf Hitler just HAD to have been experimenting with undead soldiers right? Anyway, its one of those crazy concepts that is just so wild, it can’t be anything but fun when they do it in modern day. How did it fair back in the 70s though? That’s what we’re here to find out. Join me as we take a trip back to the super low budget 16mm film, Shock Waves. Continue reading ‘Shock Waves (Blu-ray Review)’
November 23rd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Sergio Corbucci is a legendary director of Zapata Westerns, or more commonly known as “Spaghetti Westerns”. He most notably directed the debut of the character of Django played by Franco Nero. That film has spawn thirty some sequels over the years and drove Nero to stardom. However, today’s film, Compañeros would be their last. Nero wasn’t happy with how much Compañeros focused more on another character. Though they had history and had made classic films with one another to this point it seemed to be a deal break for Nero. He’s on record for having turned down some movies if Sergio Corbucci was attached to or in talks to direct. Continue reading ‘Compañeros / Vamos A Matar (Blu-ray Review)’
November 23rd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
November 20, 2014 – Entertainment One (eOne) releases the apocalyptic action thriller LEFT BEHIND nationwide, bookending the holidays with VOD on December 23, 2014 followed by DVD and Blu-ray on January 6, 2015. The movie stars Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage (NATIONAL TREASURE, CITY OF ANGELS, THE CROODS) as veteran pilot Ray Steel. After millions of people around the globe disappear in the Biblically prophesied rapture, Ray must fight to protect the passengers that remain on his flight. Trapped at 30,000 feet, he must find a way to safely land the damaged plane and comprehend the chaos that awaits as the most devastating event in history unfolds.
Continue reading ‘Nicholas Cage Will Not Leave You LEFT BEHIND In This Apocalyptic Action-Thriller January 6!’
November 22nd, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
From The Vault is a new series of live concerts from The Rolling Stones archive which are getting their first official release. ‘Hampton Coliseum Live In 1981’ is the first title in this series. The Rolling Stones American Tour in 1981 was the most successful tour of that year taking a then record $50 million dollars in ticket sales. The tour was in support of the critically and commercially successful ‘Tattoo You’ album. There were fifty dates on the tour which ran from Philadelphia at the end of September through to Hampton, Virginia on the 18th and 19th of December. The show on December 18th, which was also Keith Richards birthday, was the first ever music concert to be broadcast on television as a pay-per-view event. The footage has now been carefully restored and the sound has been newly mixed by Bob Clearmountain for this first official release of the show. Continue reading ‘The Rolling Stones: From the Vault – Hampton Coliseum (Blu-ray Review)’
November 22nd, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Join Lowell Thomas and follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo in this new, digital restoration of Search for Paradise, the fourth of the original, 3-panel Cinerama travelogues. Released in 1957, the motion picture takes you to the “Roof of the World,” the Himalayas and Karakoram mountains of Central Asia, the highest region on Earth. You’ll become part of the adventure as explorer Lowell Thomas searches for paradise in ancient cities, wild river rapids, and the lush gardens of mountaintops. Your first stop is the Forbidden Kingdom of Hunza, a hidden valley bordered by China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, home to a legendary warrior tribe. Next, you’ll challenge the rapids of the Mighty Indus River, fed from a fantastic galaxy of monumental glaciers draining from some of the greatest heights known to man. From there, find respite in the romantic Shalimar Gardens in the Vale of Kashmir, then fly to Katmandu for the coronation ceremony of King Mahendra of Nepal. The adventure concludes with a trip to a U.S. Air Force base, where Thunderbird jet planes cut across the sapphire blue sky overhead at supersonic speed. Flicker Alley and Cinerama, Inc. are proud to present Search for Paradise in the Smilebox® Curved Screen Simulation. Unseen theatrically since the early 1970s and never before issued on home video, Search for Paradise has been digitally remastered from original camera negatives. The film captures the imagination and asks what your dream paradise would be: beauty, adventure or peace. Continue reading ‘Cinerama’s ‘Search For Paradise’ (Blu-ray Review)’
November 21st, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Drunk History is the brain child of Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner. Apparently inspired by drunk ramblings of New Girl star Jake Johnson during a night out. It originally was produced and air on the comedy website Funny Or Die. In 2013, the web show was brought to the television format on Comedy Central. It was produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Drunk History has now been running for two seasons, and I’m pretty sure a third is on the way. I watched a good handful of the web series (which I liked), but never got around to checking out the Comedy Central version. And with this uncensored DVD, I’m pretty glad I was able to just now dive into it for this review. Continue reading ‘Drunk History: Seasons 1 & 2 (DVD Review)’
November 20th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
After terrifying audiences from coast to coast – Closing Night Event at ScreamFest 2014 Los Angeles and Opening Night Screening at 2014 New York City Horror Film Festival – Fear Clinic, the latest excursion into unrelenting terror will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 10, 2015 by Anchor Bay Entertainment. The highly anticipated shocker stars horror icon Robert “Freddy Krueger” Englund, Fiona Dourif, Angelina Armani, Thomas Dekker, as well as Stone Sour and Slipknot lead vocalist Corey Taylor in his acting debut, and is directed by Robert G. Hall (Lightning Bug, Laid to Rest, ChromeSkull: Laid To Rest II).
. Continue reading ‘FEAR CLINIC From Anchor Bay Entertainment Accepting Appointments On Blu-ray Starting February 10, 2015!’
November 20th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Its no wonder that after the back to back experiences of Nightbreed and Lord Of Illusions, that horror maestro Clive Barker hasn’t take the director’s chair since. It wasn’t as much an extreme case with Lord Of Illusions, but once again the studio did not seem to understand Barker’s vision for the film. And during this time, the studios in general didn’t seem to understand that horror could branch out and be other things and still include horror. Barker’s horror’s were of a unique mind, but the studios seemed to think he was just some guy who made Freddy or Jason movies. For this film however, Barker agreed to make a generic and no frills cut that would appease the studio. Barker made the agreement on the guideline that when it came to video his original director’s cut would become readily available. Scream Factory has gone ahead with its debut on Blu-ray and brought you both cuts, just like they did with Nightbreed. Continue reading ‘Lord Of Illusions – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
November 20th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Academy Award® nominated* director Jason Reitman (Up In the Air, Juno) delivers the “powerful and provocative” (Scott Mantz, “Access Hollywood”) MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN, debuting on Digital HD and On Demand December 16, 2014—four weeks before it’s available on disc—from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The film will be available on Blu-ray and DVD January 13, 2015. Adam Sandler (Grown Ups), Jennifer Garner (Dallas Buyers Club) and Ansel Elgort (The Fault in Our Stars) lead “an amazing ensemble cast” (Mark S. Allen, CBS/CW TV) in this film about love and human connection in the modern world. MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN tells the story of high school teenagers and their parents who attempt to navigate their complex relationships in an era defined by social media, online exchanges, and instant gratification. Discover how little you know about the people you know in the film critics are calling “a movie that could change your life! Not to be missed!” (Scott Mantz, “Access Hollywood”). The MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN Blu-ray includes the intriguing featurettes “Virtual Intimacy” and “Seamless Interface,” as well as deleted scenes, including a never-before-seen storyline.
Continue reading ‘MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN Comes To Blu-ray January 13!’
November 20th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire is back for the third season of hit Big Sky crime drama LONGMIRE. In this gripping two-disc, 10-episode set, characters must test their courage and face challenges that will ultimately define them. The action-packed third season of this contemporary Western captivated fans across the country, averaging 5.6 million viewers per episode!* Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release Longmire: The Complete Third Season on March 3, 2015.
Continue reading ‘Longmire: The Complete Third Season on DVD March 3rd!’
November 20th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Calling all “Fanshees”! Season 2 of the action-packed, high octane hit Cinemax® series Banshee is set to close out the year with a bang when Banshee: The Complete Second Season debuts on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD on December 30, 2014. The Blu-ray set also features a Digital HD copy. From executive producer Alan Ball, creator of the hit HBO® series True Blood®, Banshee charts the continuing twists and turns that follow Lucas Hood (Antony Starr), an ex-convict who assumes the identity of sheriff of the rural, Amish-area town of Banshee, where his former lover and partner-in-crime (Ivana Milicevic) lives under the alias Carrie Hopewell. The release is packed with extensive bonus content exploring the world of the show and is perfectly timed for New Year’s Day binge-watching in advance of the Season 3 premiere in 2015. Continue reading ‘Banshee: The Complete Second Season on Blu-ray & DVD December 30th!’
November 20th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
The action and fun of CHiPs Season 3 continues in this wildly popular action-drama that stars Golden Globe nominated Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox returning as high-spirited California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers Francis “Ponch” Poncherello and Jon Baker. Pursuing justice was never cooler as these two fearless partners take to the roads under the bright Southern California sun. Nothing stops them from joining the action … from high-speed car chases to confrontations with armed criminals … CHP officers Ponch and Jon are on patrol — ready, willing, and more than able- in this 5-disc collection of non-stop adventure.
Continue reading ‘CHiPs: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON DVD ON MARCH 3, 2015’
November 20th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Supernova turns 15 years old next year. After blowing out that 15th candle on its cake, it’ll be able to, like most of us probably, give it another look. This film was a pretty massive failure at the box office, too. Also of note, its the first film to use the “Thomas Lee” pseudonym instead of “Alan Smithee”. Reportedly the film was not only directed by Walter Hill (who gets the credit), but also Francis Ford Coppola and Jack Sholder. While I saw the film once and really can’t tell you much from my memory about it, I’m actually VERY excited for the new “Making Of Supernova” documentary being included on the disc. These Scream Factory docs are always no-holds barred and I can’t wait to hear about this troubled production’s history from Lou Diamond Phillips, Daniel Chuba and Jack Sholder (Sholder tends to be very blunt on these things). Its an interesting choice to put out from Scream Factory, but I think this is a scenario where you get this one for the bonus content. Continue reading ‘Scream Factory Presents SUPERNOVA January 13, 2015!’
November 19th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Here is another critic-proof blockbuster that happens to be an entry in a series I very much enjoy. With movies that not only have a massive amount of hype, but are also a part of an ongoing franchise, there really is not much to lose when writing about them. I am not going to focus on the obvious financial success this film will have, but it stands to reason that any opinion I have on the film could only affect me personally, if, say, my views went on to be trashed by mega supporters or the opposite. With that in mind, it pleases me to not only be positive towards the first half of a two-part finale, but find it serving as a strong follow-up to what many consider to be the series high point. Mockingjay Part 1 may abandon one major series staple, but it continues to stands its ground as a well-realized film featuring a female protagonist’s role in a major rebellion.
Continue reading ‘‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1’ Successfully Sparks The Beginning Of The End (Movie Review)’
November 19th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
I first was introduced to Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods when I was in eighth grade/middle school/whatever. My school contained both high school and middle school grades in one building. The high school was putting on this particular number for the annual spring musical. I had no idea what I was in for when I got my ticket. There was something to do with fairy tales and whatnot but I had no real idea. I found myself pretty taken with it as it had a mix of fairy tale play and wonder along with a comedic mix of cleverness and adult humor. That production furthered my interest in wanting to join the drama department when I would be in high school, and I did just that. Also, being a fan of this musical I sought out the taped performance I’m about to review today. It was either a VHS rental or on PBS, one or the other, but I did see it long ago. I imagine this release is tailored to Disney’s upcoming cinematic adaptation of the musical. Continue reading ‘Into The Woods (Blu-ray Review)’
November 19th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella” brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation. Directed by Academy Award® nominee Kenneth Branagh (“Thor,” “Hamlet”) and starring Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine,” “Elizabeth”), Lily James (“Downton Abbey”), Richard Madden (“Game of Thrones”) and Academy Award nominee Helena Bonham Carter (“The King’s Speech,” “Alice in Wonderland”), “Cinderella” is produced by Simon Kinberg (“X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “Elysium”), Allison Shearmur (“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part I”) and David Barron (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”) with Tim Lewis (“Goldeneye”) serving as executive producer. The screenplay is by Chris Weitz (“About a Boy,” “The Golden Compass”). “Cinderella” will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on March 13, 2015. Continue reading ‘Disney Reveals CINDERELLA In This Trailer For The New Live-Action Film!’
November 19th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
Circumstances surrounding a film can often impact the thoughts one has, when attempting to review/critique it. Obviously a film should stand on its own, but certain aspects always have an effect on one’s perception. I say this because it would be difficult not to talk about Rosewater without mentioning writer/director Jon Stewart’s role in all of this. He made the film, so obviously he has plenty of involvement, but the fact that his role was a minor factor in why the story that led to this film exists (however inconsequential The Daily Show may really be in all of this) is an interesting factor to consider. Keeping that in mind, based on the quality of this directorial debut from Stewart, I would say he found a way to be very respectful to his subject, in an effort to make a compelling drama that may not be what one would expect, when it comes to watching a film put together by the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.
Continue reading ‘The ‘Rosewater’ Smell Of A Successful Debut (Movie Review)’
