Archive Page 480
January 7th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
The year 2012 presented a number of harrowing situations on film, such as the plane crashes that took place in The Grey and Flight, along with the wrath of both Titans and Russell Crowe’s voice in ‘Les Mis.’ The Impossible presents what is literally a story of impossible survival, as a family deals with a horrific event. Based on a true story, this is a film about the struggle to survive during the catastrophic 2004 tsunami that ravaged the coast of Thailand. It features three very strong performances and top-notch direction, as it attempts to place a visual eye on the horrors suffered by people caught in a deadly fight against nature. Few issues regarding what is being ultimately presented aside, The Impossible is an intense film that certainly displays effective filmmaking techniques and powerful drama. Continue reading ‘‘The Impossible’ Surpasses Its Odds (Movie Review)’
January 6th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
House of Lies is a Showtime series based on the book by Martin Kihn, which presents a dark comedy focused on a management consultant and his team. Despite not receiving universal acclaim, the series was popular enough during its first season run, with the second season of the series debuting this January. I missed this show during its initial run, but have now had the chance to catch up on its first season. What I took away from watching this series is that Showtime essentially wanted to create their own version of HBO’s Entourage, by way of Glengarry Glen Ross. The solid cast and satirical style certainly helps in all of this, but the show is not without its flaws as well. Continue on to find out more regarding my thoughts on the series, as well as the quality of this DVD package of the complete first season.
Continue reading ‘House Of Lies: The First Season (DVD Review)’
January 6th, 2013 by Gregg Senko
On December 26, 2004, a massive earthquake occurred on the floor of the Indian Ocean. This violent undersea action set forth a chain of events that caused an enormous amount of pressure and force upward and outward. The end product was a tsunami and resulting devastation unlike any the world had seen before. The casualties numbered over a quarter million spread over southeast Asia, destroying entire towns, lives and displacing the living from their relatives. In the case of one particular family, an immense natural disaster was not going to keep them apart. But without the use of computers, phone lines or radios, finding one another would seem like nothing short of The Impossible.
Continue reading ‘‘The Impossible’ Accomplishes the Improbable’
January 4th, 2013 by David Freedman
Liz, Sean and Salim do a quick review if this new crime drama with an all-star cast based on the novel Starring Liz Manashil, Sean Wright and Salim Lemelle. Directed by Jude Law.
Synopsis: Mobster Mickey Cohen runs the crime syndicate in 1940’s Los Angeles. So two police sergeants decide he must be stopped. Together with an elite squad they assemble, they battle Mickey and his thugs.
Continue reading ‘Gangster Squad Movie Reivew – Just Seen It’
January 4th, 2013 by David Freedman
What’s coming up on our next episode of JUST SEEN IT that will be airing starting Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013.
CHECK YOUR LOCAL PBS LISTING FOR DAY AND TIME! Continue reading ‘Just Seen It Episode 4 Promo’
January 4th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
Starting this year out on the right foot, the latest entry in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise manages to put Hollywood in a position to go nowhere but up. I do enjoy my share of horror films and was happy to enter into this film with an open mind, but man is it terrible. Given my love for the original film and my general fondness for the second, the idea of a film billed as a direct continuation of the original entry written and directed by Tobe Hooper was slightly intriguing. Even in a post-Cabin in the Woods world, where horror movies can be boiled down to words on a dry erase board, I went for it. The results were not good. Texas Chainsaw 3D is not just a bad film, it is an idiotic one that literally cannot do basic math. Read on to find out why. Continue reading ‘‘Texas Chainsaw 3D’ Tears Through The Floors And Hits Rock Bottom (Movie Review)’
January 3rd, 2013 by Gerard Iribe
“One of the most memorable movie-going experiences of the year” (Richard Roeper, “Richard Roeper & The Movies”), the “keenly felt, knuckle-biting drama” (Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly) FLIGHT makes its Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Download and On Demand debut on February 5, 2013 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Hailed by critics and audiences alike, FLIGHT is directed by renowned filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Cast Away) and stars the incomparable Denzel Washington in a performance that “will be talked about for years” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) and has earned him Golden Globe®, SAG and Critics’ Choice award nominations. Written by John Gatins, the film tells the story of Whip Whitaker, a commercial airline pilot who miraculously lands a plummeting airplane during a breathtaking sequence described as “the hairiest, scariest, most realistic, and thrilling plane crash in movie history” (Richard Corliss, Time). But despite his heroics, Whip comes under investigation and begins what may be an even more harrowing personal descent. FLIGHT also boasts an exceptional supporting cast including John Goodman, Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, Bruce Greenwood, Melissa Leo and Brian Geraghty. Continue reading ‘‘Flight’ debuts on Blu-ray February 5th!’
January 1st, 2013 by David Freedman
Aaron, Brenna and Leah review this French-language drama nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress. Starring Aaron Fink, Brenna Smith and Leah Aldridge. Directed by Sean Wright.
Georges and Anne live a quiet life together. When Anne suffers a debilitating stroke, Georges must care for her. But as Anne’s mind and body seriously decline, Goerges finds his beloved slipping away.
Continue reading ‘Amour Movie Review – Just Seen It’
January 1st, 2013 by Gregg Senko
While Zero Dark Thirty is going to get its mass release in January, you can whet your appetite in the meantime with the independent film SEAL Team Six. I can’t make a comparison between this and Zero Dark Thirty, but I can say SEAL Team Six achieves moments of proficiency with its smaller scale approach while still aiming for the feel of realism.
Continue reading ‘SEAL Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden (Blu-ray Review)’
December 31st, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
No, nothing fancy, just trying to be creative with the title. Is it working? Probably not, but you get the gist of it. I, hereby, present my Top 10 theatrical releases of 2012 (most are already on Blu-ray for your viewing pleasure and some are about to hit the high definition format in the coming weeks) and a few that were edged out a bit in the running, that should also be given a look, because they are exceptional films in their own right. It’s sort of been a peculiar year in film, with tons of films flying in under my radar that I did not actually catch in theaters, but that were made available to me via Blu-ray, that did make it on this list. Peculiar or not, 2012 was a great year of film, so dig in while it’s still hot! Continue reading ‘Gerard’s Top 10 Super Duper Films of 2012!’
December 30th, 2012 by David Freedman
Guest Reviewer Kevin Taft, David and Leah discuss the three movies from 2012 that did not live up to their expectations.
Starring Kevin Taft, David Freedman and Leah Aldridge. Directed by Liz Manashil.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Les Miserables, Magic Mike and Prometheus -2012 Movies That Let Us Down – Just Seen It’
December 30th, 2012 by David Freedman
Liz, Aaron and Leah offer up three unique documentaries as an alternative to the holiday blockbusters. Starring Liz Manashil, Leah Aldridge and Aaron Fink. Directed by David Freedman.
Synopsis: In this documentary round table, we review West of Memphis, about three men wrongly accused of murder, Chasing Ice which documents the destruction of glaciers from global warming, and The Central Park Five, about a group of teenagers imprisoned for an assault they did not commit.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘West of Memphis, Chasing Ice and Central Park Five Movie Reviews – Just Seen It’
December 30th, 2012 by David Freedman
Aaron, David and Brenna review this new comedy about a dysfunctional first family. Starring Aaron Fink, David Freedman and Brenna Smith. Directed by Liz Manashil.
Synopsis: Skip is the president’s eldest son and a troublemaker. After an incident at college, he moves back into the white house. But the president and firstlady find family matters as tough as world affairs.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘1600 Penn TV Pilot Review – Just Seen It’
December 29th, 2012 by Charles Cassady
Narumi Fujishima isn’t your typical high school student; he’s never really fit in and has been becoming increasingly more isolated from his fellow classmates. But he’s not alone, and when Ayaka, the sole member of the Gardening Club, introduces him to the reclusive girl who lives above the ramen shop. Narumi enters a whole new secret world. Alice is a NEET, someone who is Not Employed, being Educated or in Training, but as Narumi quickly discovers, that doesn’t mean that she does nothing all day. In between tending to her small army of stuffed bears, Alice is an expert hacker and very exclusive, private detective. To his surprise, Narumi finds himself drafted as one of the strange, but elite team of associates that Alice has assembled from her NEET acquaintances. Together they’ll battle gangs, thieves, murderers and drug lords. And in the middle of it all, Narumi will find his life changing forever in Heaven’s Memo Pad! Continue reading ‘Heaven’s Memo Pad: Complete Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
December 28th, 2012 by Jami Ferguson
The latest breakout comedy series from HBO – “Girls” – debuts on home entertainment this winter, just in time for holiday gift giving and a few weeks before the premiere of season two. Created by and starring Lena Dunham, who also executive produced along with Emmy winner Judd Apatow (Bridesmaids) and Jenni Konner (Help Me Help You), “Girls” takes a comic look at the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of girls of four twenty something’s – Hannah, Marnie, Jessa and Shoshanna – who are trying to figure life out. They’ve been living in New York for a couple of years, but they’re still not sure what they want – from boys, from each other, from themselves. And things aren’t getting any clearer. The answers aren’t always easy, but the search is profoundly relatable. “Girls” was nominated for five 2012 Emmy Awards: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress (Dunham), Outstanding Directing (Dunham), Outstanding Writing (Dunham) and Outstanding Casting. Continue reading ‘Girls: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray Review)’
December 28th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Now it is time to dig into the list of what I consider to be my favorite films of 2012. I have to say that this was not the easiest list to put together. Theatrically, I have seen 120+ films this year, so there were a lot of films to give praise to and consider how to reference in terms of their placement on this list. Some of these films certainly affected me more than others, but there were plenty that were easily strong enough to potentially wind up on my year end list. As a result, the only course of action was to take, was to do my best to give praise to the other films on this list by being sure to have honorable and special mentions for all the films that were in contention. Still, I am very satisfied by this final list that I have put together, mainly because it is my list and it contains films that I really enjoyed the most this year, for various reasons. So here we go (by the way, lots of Easter Eggs hidden in the pictures):
Continue reading ‘Aaron’s Top 10 Films of 2012 And Other Odds & Ends’
December 27th, 2012 by Gregg Senko
Earlier this month I released my worst films of 2012. That was probably one of the easiest lists I ever put together. The good ones from the year the Mayan calendar ended were a little more difficult to assemble. It was another year of superheroes at the box office which brought in super dividends for their studios. Disney lost big with John Carter, but cashed in on Wreck-It Ralph. Channing Tatum had four…err, three films on the agenda for the year, both doing very well. Then there’s the highly anticipated Tolkien work, The Hobbit, which took viewers on another journey through Middle Earth (with some really bad CGI). But while there may be one ring to rule them all, it was the following ten works that were the crowning achievements of film for me in 2012.
Continue reading ‘Gregg’s Triumphant Top 10 Tantalizing 2012 Films’
December 26th, 2012 by Brian White
For my Top 10 list of favorite films from the calendar year of 2012 I decided to take the high road. What I mean by that is in these annual posts I also tend to pick on and rip apart all the films I either hated or was utterly disappointed by in the current calendar year. Not this year! I’m not spreading any more animosity into the world than ultimately necessary. I feel I did that enough this year. I’ll do what it takes to make this world a better place so therefore, rest assured, my Top 10 list is not only more harmonious and peace loving than previous years gone by, but also greener too. I know you all print these lists out so now without my endless, rambling rants and complaints you’ll have less paper to waste. Hey, what can I say? I’m a changed man! Continue reading ‘Brian’s Undeniably Sexy & Irresistible Top 10 Films of 2012′
