The latest entertainment news and reviews in 4K UHD, Blu-ray, movies and more…
My daughter turned 21 on March 1, the same day that the movie 21 and Over was released. In keeping with the theme, I thought it would be fun to celebrate my daughter’s 21st birthday by inviting her to the pre-release screening. I mean, how bad could it be? Let’s find out! Continue reading ‘’21 And Over’ Won’t Leave You With a Hangover (Movie Review)’
There is something admirable about Jack the Giant Slayer’s decision to play itself straight. It has been over 25 years since The Princess Bride, among other films, hit theaters and presented a satirical take on the fairy tale adventure genre, but ‘Jack’ doesn’t go for that angle. Instead, the film is a straightforward adventure tale that utilizes state-of-the-art special effects to present a new take on the “Jack and the Beanstalk” legend. It is unfortunate that the film is not better. I would say it is decent overall, as the film has a few things going for it that I enjoyed, including some of the performances and the overall look of the film. However, with the film feels awkward in being so straightforward, as if everyone involved wished they were in a more humorous or colorful film and it is this unevenness that takes away from my enjoyment of it overall.
Continue reading ‘They Slay ‘Giants’, Don’t They? (Movie Review)’
I can’t speak for the movie itself as I have not seen it yet, but Lionsgate is doing it justice, IMO, by releasing both the 3D and standard versions in one Blu-ray package PLUS both the UV (who cares about that) and the DIgital Copy too! Can I get a hallelujah? Say what you want, the fanboys are still going to buy this one, but unfortunately we have to wait until May 14th to check this out on our format of choice. Check out the full press release below from Lionsgate. As of right now, there is no pre-order up yet, but don’t despair. It’s coming! Continue reading ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D Cuts Into Blu-ray May 14th’
So this past winter has seen the release of action films from a lot of the action starts, old and new. I did not expect The Last Stand to be the best of the bunch, but given that A Good Day to Die Hard was a huge bust and Stallone couldn’t quite land a Bullet to the Head, Schwarzenegger actually ended up coming out on top. The Last Stand was an enjoyable, old fashioned action flick, with plenty of style given the direction by Kim Jee-Woon (Review HERE). Now, everyone who missed it in theaters will get the chance to take home this old, Austrian cowboy in his latest action romp. The Blu-ray arrives on April 30th and appears to be loaded with some pretty cool extras. Read on to find out more about this upcoming release.
Stoker is the English-language debut of Korean director Park Chan-wook, who has previously made thrillers such as Oldboy and Lady Vengeance, which are known for depicting brutal subject matter within the frame of beautifully executed visuals. Those familiar with his work can see that Chan-wook has a deep appreciation for filmmakers such as Hitchcock and he has gone on to make films that echo that sort of work at a more extreme level. Stoker is very much indebted to Hitchcock, as well as Brian DePalma, among others, given how the film portrays a level of suspense in such an effective manner. The film is a psychological drama as well as an American Gothic horror film that Park Chan-wook really directs the hell out of.
Continue reading ‘‘Stoker’ Shows The Deadly Bonds That Tie Families Together (Movie Review)’
Can’t get enough Mel Gibson in your life? I know. We all seem to suffer from that. Wanna relive the film franchise that made him a star and put him on the map on the most glorious of all formats? I know you do. This June…your wait will be OVER! On June 4th, The Mad Max Trilogy Blu-ray Collection debuts from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Check out the full press release below! Continue reading ‘The Mad Max Trilogy Blu-ray Collection Debuts June 4th’
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Salim, Sean and Leah check in to see what John MacLean and his son are up to on this FIFTH installment of the franchise.
Starring Salim Lemelle, Sean Wright and Leah Aldridge.
Directed by Liz Manashil.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Watch us on National Public Television – check your local listing for show times!
Aaron, Liz and Salim review the newest (and last?) film from Steven Soderbergh.
Starring Aaron Fink, Liz Manashil and Salim Lemelle.
Directed by Sean Wright.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Watch us on National Public Television – check your local listing for showtimes!
Kevin, Rachel and Aaron review this bewitching romantic drama.
Starring Kevin Taft, Rachel Appelbaum, and Aaron Fink.
Directed by Amy Taylor.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Detective Comics, or more commonly known as DC, has been churning out some very solid titles since the launch of their New 52 line in 2011. We’ve recently seen the launch of a new superhero known as Vibe. The timing of this new character’s own title was no mistake as it was brought to us just in time for the anticipated release of the third Justice League series. No it’s not overkill. There is a point to all of this.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, The Master, finds Joaquin Phoenix’s character being absorbed into the world of a charismatic intellectual played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. The result is a film that is ambitious, greatly acted (Phoenix, Hoffman, and Amy Adams have all found themselves Oscar nominated for their roles), expertly filmed, but also challenging to fully involve myself in. For a film that is so centered on two key performances, I felt an odd distance to the film as a whole, which made it difficult for me to embrace, despite having so many great scenes throughout. Matching up with other films that could be considered too esoteric for mainstream audiences (Tree of Life), I will be curious to see where The Master ends up standing within Anderson’s body of work, as far as the director’s fan base is concerned. Regardless, the film is beautiful to watch (its cinematography is one of the biggest Oscar snubs of 2012) and looks wonderful on Blu-ray. Continue to learn more about my thoughts on this home media release.
Bruce Willis reprises his iconic role as police detective John McClane in A Good Day to Die Hard, set against the backdrop of deadly corruption and political vendetta in Russia. McClane arrives in Moscow to track down his estranged son, Jack, (Jai Courtney), and is stunned to discover he’s working undercover to protect a government whistleblower, Komarov. With their own necks on the line, the McClanes are forced to overcome their differences in order to get Komarov to safety and thwart a potentially disastrous crime in the most desolate place on Earth – Chernobyl. Continue reading ‘A Good Day to Die Hard (Movie Review)’
We chat with Steven Poster, President of the cinematographers guild.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Interview with Steven Poster – Just Seen It’
Just Seen It is now on National PBS! Check your local listings or PBS website for day and time and if they don’t carry us, ask them nicely if they can!
On this episode, we take a look at the nominees for BEST ACTOR and ACTRESS, BEST DIRECTOR and BEST PICTURE and pick who SHOULD win and predict who WILL win.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Public Television National Episode Five – Oscar Special – Just Seen It’
This year is the 20th anniversary of The Sandlot, which has an all-new Blu-ray release coming out on March 26, 2013. The Sandlot is a a charming story about young friends that just want to hang out and play baseball. There is more going on than that, of course, as we see the boys’ deal with summer activities that include things such as small rivalries, fun at the pool, a baseball signed by Babe Ruth, and a huge dog known as “The Beast”. This was a film from the 90s that I grew up loving and I still think it holds up quite well. It is one of the better kinds of sports movies that does not involve a ‘big game’ and instead focuses more on the adventures these kids get into. The Blu-ray may not arrive until March, but continue on to learn more about this upcoming release. Continue reading ‘‘The Sandlot’ Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary This March’
You want to be part of the greatest manhunt known to man, don’t you? Sure you do, silly! From the Academy Award-Winning Writer and Director of The Hurt Locker, the greatest manhunt in history, Zero Dark Thirty, comes home to the Blu-ray format on March 19th. The film has been nominated for five Academy Awards – including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Sound Editing. Get ready to relive the thrill of the hunt this March by pre-ordering your Blu-ray Combo Pack now and make sure to check out the full press release below from Sony Home Pictures. Peace! Continue reading ‘Join the Hunt on Blu-ray This March: Zero Dark Thirty’
Just Seen It is now on National PBS! Check your local listings or PBS website for day and time and if they don’t carry us, ask them nicely if they can!
What’s coming up on our next episode of JUST SEEN IT that will be airing starting Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. CHECK YOUR LOCAL PBS LISTING FOR DAY AND TIME!
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Just Seen It is now on National PBS! Check your local listings or PBS website for day and time and if they don’t carry us, ask them nicely if they can!
On this episode, we review the black and white drama from Portugal – Tabu; give you our top entertainment picks of 2012; and review the french language – Amour – nominated for best foreign language film.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Public Television National Episode FOUR – Just Seen It’
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