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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’
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)’
“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!’
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.
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)’
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!’
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
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’
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
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)’
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)’
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’
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’
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′
Right off the bat, I should say that between the novel by Victor Hugo, the stage play, and previous film adaptations, I am quite familiar with the story of Les Miserables. The idea of a big-budget film musical, with an A-list set of actors, and an Oscar-winning director certainly sounds like a success story in the making, and I think in a lot of ways this film works and is sure to get a lot of support from audiences. At least two performances are absolutely wonderful, the music is of course great, and from a production standpoint, there is a lot of ambition to be seen. Still, it is very clear that director Tom Hooper very much wanted to direct the hell out of this film and goes pretty overboard with his visual touch on this film. As a result, the film is hindered by its overall presentation, especially as it attempts to rush through so many events during much of its runtime. It will end up being dependent on the viewer as to whether or not this version of Les Mis does right by them, as it still does have stirring musical numbers.
Continue reading ‘‘Les Miserables’ Is Bombastic, But Sure To Please Audiences (Movie Review)’
Salim, Aaron and Guest Reviewer Aaron Neuwirth review the new Western from director Quentin Tarantino. Starring Aaron Fink, Salim Lemelle and Aaron Neuwirth. Directed by Amy Taylor.
Synopsis: Bounty Hunter King Shultz frees enslaved Django, to he helps him track the deadly Brittle Brothers. So the two team up capture the South’s most wanted criminals. All the while, they hunt for Django’s enslaved wife.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Django Unchained Movie Review – Just Seen It’
Sean, Liz and Rachel want to sing their reviews (well, at least Sean does) but fortunately, they just talk about the movie instead. Enjoy! Starring Liz Manashil, Rachel Appelbaum and Sean Wright. Directed by Matt Breault.
Synopsis: After breaking parole, Jean Valjean is tracked by the ruthless policeman Javert. Valjean finds redemption in his love and care of the child Cosette. But Javert continues his unrelenting hunt for Valjean.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Les Miserables Movie Review – Just Seen It’
Over-protective parents Marty and Alice must leave town for work. So they ask they Alice’s Mom and Dad to watch the kids for a few days. But Diane and Artie find lots has changed since they were calling the shots in Parental Guidance.
Leah, Rachel and Brenna review the new family comedy starring Billy Crystal and Bette Midler. Starring Brenna Smith, Leah Aldridge and Rachel Appelbaum. Directed by Liz Manashil.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit Continue reading ‘Parental Guidance Movie Review – Just Seen It’
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