Archive Page 407
May 7th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
As a big Steve Coogan fan, I was happy to see him return to playing a character that brought him a lot of early fame. I was actually able to see this movie last year, as I was oversees, where the Alan Partridge character is much more popular. I was pleased to see the film receive a small theatrical/VOD release earlier this year, as there is a lot to like about it, with Coogan playing this radio DJ character who gets caught up in a crazy hostage situation. On June 10th, everyone will be able to see the film for themselves and find out what comedic joy they’ve been missing. Continue on to read more about this upcoming Blu-ray release.
Continue reading ‘Steve Coogan Stars As ‘Alan Partridge’ On Blu-ray This June’
May 6th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Based on the popular novel by Willy Vlautin, THE MOTEL LIFE is a searing and profound examination of brotherhood set in the timeless Sierra Nevadan frontier. Frank (Emile Hirsch) and Jerry Lee Flannigan (Stephen Dorff) work odd jobs, drink hard, and drift from motel to motel. Their only escape is through Frank s fantastic stories and Jerry Lee s rich illustrations. Everything changes when Jerry Lee is involved in a hit-and-run accident, which forces the brothers across the state to the home of Frank s old flame, Annie (Dakota Fanning). Continue reading ‘‘The Motel Life’ on Blu-ray & DVD June 3rd!’
May 6th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
Helix is an intense thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travels to a high-tech research facility in the Arctic to investigate a possible disease outbreak, only to find themselves pulled into a terrifying life-and-death struggle that holds the key to mankind’s salvation…or total annihilation. The 13-episode sci-fi drama is executive produced by Ronald D. Moore (TV’s “Battlestar Galactica”), Lynda Obst (Contact), Steven Maeda (TV’s “Lost”, “CSI: Miami”, “The X-Files”) and Brad Turner (TV’s “24”). Continue reading ‘‘Helix: The Complete First Season’ on Blu-ray & DVD July 1st!’
May 6th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
One of the best films of the first half of this year is arriving on Blu-ray on June 17th. I was a big fan of Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel and was happy to catch it a couple times in theater (Review HERE), as well interview some of the cast and crew (HERE). The film is an adventure story of sorts, though it has plenty of other things going on that are comedic, mysterious, dramatic, and other words that describe this expansive, yet not-too-lengthy film. It has a huge cast, the includes many frequent players in Wes Anderson’s films, but is highlighted by Ralph Fiennes and young Toni Revolori, who make their Anderson film debut. The Grand Budapest Hotel is a weird and unique film that is unlike pretty much anything else coming out this year. Continue on to learn more about this upcoming Blu-ray release.
Continue reading ‘Check Into Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel On Blu-ray This June’
May 5th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
I guess if I had to consider my attachment to the original Veronica Mars series and how it came into play with the viewing of this film, I would say I was in a fairly decent position to review the film, without caving into the pressures of being a fan and alienating those unfamiliar with the show. Sure, I am a fan of the TV series, which I caught on Netflix, years after it was off the air. That said, I have not revisited the series since. Not that I do not have affection for the show, as I think Veronica Mars was a great series at its best, with fine performances from a large portion of its cast, which had a number of interesting characters and relationships, on top of a format that could balance comedy, drama, and mystery all in one. Having a new movie to experience, my best hope was that it could continue in that tradition, without feeling like it was pandering exclusively to those who loved it all those years ago. I never really thought it could stay away from that completely, but fortunately the film has enough sharp writing, aided by some nice lead performances, to make it worthwhile.
Continue reading ‘Veronica Mars (Blu-ray Review)’
May 5th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
The most provocative film from the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW should not exist, and yet it does. Like nothing you’ve ever seen, Randy Moore’s directorial debut is a bold and ingenious trip into the happiest place on earth. An epic battle begins when a middle-aged American husband and father of two learns that he has lost his job. Keeping the news from his nagging wife and wound-up children, he packs up the family and embarks on a full day of park hopping amid enchanted castles and fairytale princesses. Soon, the manufactured mirth of the fantasy land around him begins to haunt his subconscious. An idyllic family vacation quickly unravels into a surrealist nightmare of paranoid visions, bizarre encounters, and an obsessive pursuit of a pair of sexy teenage Parisians. Chillingly shot in black and white, Escape From Tomorrow dissects the mythology of artificial perfection while subversively attacking our culture’s obsession with mass entertainment. Continue reading ‘Escape From Tomorrow (Blu-ray Review)’
May 5th, 2014 by Gerard Iribe
When Nick Di Santo learns that his father is not only alive but can possibly reveal the origin of his son’s dark gift, he sets out on a trip that takes him to an abandoned mansion he thought only existed in his childhood imagination. Co-written and directed by Victor Salva (Jeepers Creepers, Jeepers Creepers 2) Dark House may just have something for everyone. Will the film succeed or get locked up in the cellar? Let’s see what happens. Continue reading ‘Dark House (Blu-ray Review)’
May 4th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Another wartime film to celebrate memorial day comes from Olive Films on May 13. This one is the propaganda dogfight film Flying Tigers, starring the legendary John Wayne. This tale of Japanese hunting mercenary pilots taking the sky for some crafty dogfights was a mass hit with critics and general audiences back in 1942. It was also nominated for three Academy Awards (taking home none of them); Best Effects (Howard Lydecker, Daniel J Bloomberg), Best Music (Victor Young) and Best Sound (Daniel J Bloomberg). The film is known for its fantastic dogfight sequences that were a working of using planes, models and actual wartime footage. Continue reading ‘Flying Tigers (Blu-ray Review)’
May 4th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Olive Films will release Home Of The Brave on Blu-ray May 13 in celebration of Memorial Day. No, this isn’t that terrible movie with 50 Cent, Jessica Biel and Samuel L Jackson from 2006. Woof, was that bad. No, this is the Home Of The Brave from 1949. As it stands, there are actually four feature films with the title Home Of The Brave. This one deals with some racial issues during that of World War II. The one bit of interesting that it had from me going in (I’d never seen the film before) was getting to see that of a young Lloyd Bridges. He’s an actor I’m sure our younger readers see the name and go “who”?
. Continue reading ‘Home Of The Brave (Blu-ray Review)’
May 4th, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Scream Factory delivers its first real foreign film import in 2012’s Vietnamese ghost story House In The Alley, arriving on DVD May 27. The case for the film claims that its the highest grossing film in Vietnam history. That’s kind of unique and interesting that a horror film gets to claim that title for that of an entire country. The film also is pretty low budget too, so I’m sure its likely one of the most profitable movies in Vietnam film history as well. As an added bit of humor, the film was released on Valentine’s Day back in 2012. And while it seems kind of funny, Valentine’s Day weekend is gangbusters for a horror movie as they work as great date movies. Continue reading ‘House In The Alley (DVD Review)’
May 3rd, 2014 by Brian White
Truth be told, had I been living among the stars and privileged in life last year in Los Angeles, Her would have been my #2 film of 2013 easily knocking down The Wolf of Wall Street here. Oh no! The cat’s out of the bag over how much I love this film! Now don’t fret! We’ll spend more time talking about the film in great detail below and why it’s so critically acclaimed, but for now just know this. It’s been quite some time since I have been witness to a movie that has been so deep and undeniably in-tune with the complexities and dynamics of “human” relationships. And don’t get me wrong. I know how absolutely absurd that sounds especially when the main plot of the film is about a brokenhearted sap who has a romantic relationship with his phone, but I think it’s that light sci-fi (my favorite genre) setting that really pushes the envelope and propels this feature into new realms and undertakings that’s really going to surprise first time viewers who were either reluctant to catch it in the theater due to its obscene premise or just weren’t fortunate enough to have it play near them (I know how that feels). Ladies and gentlemen, I present you Her. Continue reading ‘Her (Blu-ray Review)’
May 2nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
On June 3, 2014, SCREAM FACTORY™ is proud to release RAVENOUS Blu-ray™ on home entertainment shelves in the U.S and Canada. Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this highly collectible SCREAM FACTORY™ release features insightful bonus content. This is an awesome pickup by Scream Factory and begins their foray into niche horror films of the 1990s and early 2000s. Its also kicks off the 2nd month of their SUMMER OF FEAR. And what’s more exciting? The Summer of Fear is amazing and yet their saying we’ve not seen anything yet come Fall 2014. I cannot wait! But, today, we have the specs on RAVENOUS! Continue reading ‘Scream Factory Satisfies Fans’ Hunger For RAVENOUS On June 3rd!’
May 2nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Directed by José Padilha, ROBOCOP stars Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley and Samuel L. Jackson. In ROBOCOP, the year is 2028 and OmniCorp – the world’s leader in robot technology – sees a golden opportunity to reap billions for their company. When Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) – a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit – is critically injured, OmniCorp grabs their chance to build a part-man, part-robot police officer. OmniCorp envisions a RoboCop in every city and will stop at nothing – no matter the cost to Alex – to make sure the program succeeds. But OmniCorp never counted on one thing: there is still a man fighting inside the machine. The film is written by Joshua Zetumer and Edward Neumeier & Michael Miner, and produced by Marc Abraham and Eric Newman. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Columbia Pictures’ released ROBOCOP theatrically on February 12, 2014. Continue reading ‘Crime Has A New Enemy When ROBOCOP Arrives On Blu-ray June 3’
May 2nd, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
The final film I was able to see for the Newport Beach Film Festival was this fun little indie called Arlo & Julie. I really enjoyed it. With a neat story, very likable characters, and a soundtrack consisting mostly of old jazz to better evoke some specific films and filmmakers that I see as likely influences, Arlo & Julie has a lot of what I like to see in smaller films that I can only hope to see reach a larger audience at some point. It does just enough to set it apart from other films, but also has plenty in common with the quaint little indies that I tend to like a lot.
[ Continue reading ‘NBFF 2014 Review: ‘Arlo & Julie’’
May 2nd, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
I am a Batman fan. People who know me well enough are pretty clear on that. With that said, while Batman and the characters in his universe provide more for me to think about, I also grew up reading and watching Spider-Man (and occasionally his amazing friends). I may find something more inherently interesting in the Caped Crusader, but it is easier to find fun in watching your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man knock out bad guys and one-liners, while zipping through New York City. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 delivers on that and while the film is certainly stuffed with story and setups, it also features some dazzling action, a few very solid performances, and some ambition to go with some unfortunate desire to rest a lot of weight on Peter Parker’s shoulders.
Continue reading ‘‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ Forever (Movie Review)’
May 2nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Academy Award winner Jack Palance stars in this terrifying adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel
Dracula, written for the screen by sci-fi/horror master Richard Matheson
(The Twilight Zone, I Am Legend, Duel) and produced by the legendary Dan Curtis
(Dark Shadows, Trilogy of Terror, The Winds of War). Palance
(City Slickers, Batman, Shane, Contempt) is Count Dracula, whose centuries-old existence is threatened after he attacks the lovely Lucy Westenra (Fiona Lewis,
Dr. Phibes Rises Again), and her fiance (Simon Ward,
The Tudors, Young Winston) calls in famed vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing (Nigel Davenport,
A Man for All Seasons; Mary, Queen of Scots) to investigate. Originally shown on CBS-TV in 1974,
DAN CURTIS’ DRACULA has long been considered among the most frightening versions of the Dracula story; the
Los Angeles Times called Palance “the definitive Count Dracula – as flesh-crawling an experience as you’ve ever had.” Filmed on location in England and Yugoslavia,
DAN CURTIS’ DRACULA has been transferred and restored in 2K High Definition from the original 35mm camera negative and presented here on Blu-ray for the first time!
Continue reading ‘Dan Curtis’ DRACULA Starring Jack Palance Available On Blu-ray May 27th!’
May 2nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Just in time for the premiere of DreamWorks Animation’s highly-anticipated sequel, the Academy Award®-nominated HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON flies into stores loaded with Viking-sized bonus features, including an exciting episode from the studio’s hit television series “DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk.” Packages also include a code for up to $7.50 off one movie ticket to see How to Train Your Dragon 2 in theaters.*
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Continue reading ‘DreamWorks Animation’s HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Collector’s Edition Comes To Blu-ray Combo On May 27th’
May 1st, 2014 by Brian White
When I moved to Austin, TX over a year ago from Cleveland, OH I expected my change of scenery to be quite stimulating and invigorating, but you all know that whole grass is always greener on the other side thing, right? While the skies may not be grey all the time like in Cleveland, I would take that downtown skyline any day. However, I say this only to illustrate a point because the same comparison can be made when analyzing recent DC super hero films to Marvel ones. Although I believe the Nolan Batman trilogy to be some of the best superhero films ever made, I can clearly see where comic book purists can get off complaining that the onscreen events are too dark, brooding and unconventional in terms of how a comic book movie should look, pop and shine on the big screen. I can accept that, so can most people, but also many cannot. So where am I going with all this? Well, let me get straight to the point I am trying to make. Continue reading ‘A Neon Powered Conduit & ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ (Movie Review)’
