Archive Page 508
June 25th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Back in the director’s chair (naturally) is the great Werner Herzog, flying high after his last critical hit, The Cave of Forgotten Dreams. This time out, Werner Herzog tackles the subject of the death penalty. Wow, Herzog, the death penalty, and existential cinema collide? I’m there! One has to go into something like Into the Abyss with an open mind due to the subject matter at hand and check any preconceived notions at the door. Will we choose sides, will we remain locked in neutral? It’s good to know that we have Captain Herzog at the wheel, but depending on what you may think of his past works, is that necessarily a good thing? Keep reading after the jump to find out. Continue reading ‘Into the Abyss (Blu-ray Review)’
June 25th, 2012 by Gregg Senko
There are a few vacations I’ve taken that greatly overshadow any others I’ve been on. Ilha Grande, Brazil. Red Rocks National Park in Colorado. The San Diego Comic-Con. Ah Comic-Con, the only man-made stop of the aforementioned trio. After attending three Cons (’08-’10), I can honestly say I was extremely disappointed on missing last year’s and have been suffering from withdrawal ever since. So when a book came across my desk to review, aptly titled Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture, I took notice and gladly accepted the task to cover its content. What started out as a literary whetting of the convention appetite, turned into one solidly educating and entertaining read.
Continue reading ‘Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture (Book Review)’
June 23rd, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
It is kind of fun to reference To Rome with Love as “this year’s Woody Allen film”. Allen seemingly works non-stop, releasing new films on a near yearly basis and has a pretty strong batting average overall that most other filmmakers would kill to have. Especially given his creative freedom, Allen has enjoyed plenty of success, but that also tends to find him running hot and cold at times. To Rome with Love feels like “lesser Allen”. It’s certainly not “bad Allen”, as the film has plenty of enjoyable aspects to it, but especially after coming off of the very warm reception from Midnight in Paris (Review, Essay), this film felt problematic. There’s a new locale and a strong cast, but the film has issues with how to utilize its assets and ends up lighthearted, but overwritten and messy. Continue reading ‘Woody Allen Meanders ‘To Rome’’
June 23rd, 2012 by David Freedman
Salim, Greg and Aaron discuss all the possibilities of the new Spiderman movie with both anticipation and apprehension! Abandoned by his parents as a boy, Peter Parker is raised by his Aunt and Uncle. But when he finds a mysterious briefcase, it leads him to his father’s former partner. Seeking the answers to his past, Peter must also stop an unimaginable terror. Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Rhys Ifans. Directed by Marc Webb. Based on the Marvel Comic created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Produced by Avi Arad. Follow us on Twitter: @justseenit Continue reading ‘The Amazing Spiderman – Just Seen It ‘Preview Review’’
June 23rd, 2012 by David Freedman
Princess Merida defies custom and her mother’s wishes to be married. But her recklessness unleashes a horrible curse on her family. With the future of her kingdom is jeopardy, only she can break the curse. This new release from Pixar/Disney Features the voices of Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson. Written and Directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, and Steve Purcell. Produced by Katherine Sarafian and John Lassiter. Follow us on Twitter: @justseenit Continue reading ‘Brave – Just Seen It Movie Review’
June 23rd, 2012 by David Freedman
Based on the Broadway musical, a small town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip. Both have dreams of singing careers while paying their dues working at the most famous rock club in LA. But when the city boy gets his big break, it threatens their love. This movie boasts a fantastic ensemble cast with Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand and Paul Giamatti. Directed by Adam Shankman and written by Justin Theroux, Chris D’Arienzo and Allan Loeb.Based on the Musical Book by Chris D’Arienzo.Produced by Jennifer Gibgot, and Jennifer Gibgot.Follow us on Twitter: @justseenit Continue reading ‘Rock Of Ages – Just Seen It Movie Review’
June 23rd, 2012 by Brian White
I guess the world didn’t have enough with the 2010 redux of Clash of the Titans. That’s a good thing in my opinion. In many ways, especially in the visual effects category, I thoroughly enjoyed the remake much more than the 80’s odyssey. I was young and naïve back then. Heck, back then I thought those effects were the sh1t. Well I guess in hindsight they really were, but whether you like it or not, Wrath of the Titans picks up a decade after the events of Clash, but sadly without the beautiful Gemma Arterton. Boo in that respect! How does it stack up to its 2-year old brother? That’s what we’re about to address below. Ready to come on this magical journey to hell and back with me and feel the wrath? Continue reading ‘Wrath of the Titans (Blu-ray Review)’
June 23rd, 2012 by Brian White
Can you believe it? I have never seen the 80’s television show 21 Jump Street in my 37+ years of living on this land and water filled planet. I’m a virgin! That’s horrible! I should be dragged down the streets by my ugly hair or publicly pelted and stoned in the middle of town square for admitting that, right? Well whatever capital punishment you decide for me, rest assured I will do my very best to bring justice to this Blu-ray review of the 2012 action comedy of the same name. Ready or not, here I go… Continue reading ’21 Jump Street (Blu-ray Review)’
June 22nd, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Sometimes I just really like it when things work out the way I expect them to. In the lead up to Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, I had a pretty exact image of what my response was going to be upon seeing the film and it ended up being more or less everything that I wanted out of it. Should that sully my feelings toward it, given that I predicted my own reaction to the film? I don’t think so. Should I be disappointed that the film did not surprise me by going in a different direction than what I expected? I don’t think so either. I was initially intrigued by the film based on the setup and who was involved and got what I wanted. ‘Seeking a Friend’ presents a premise that is inherently dark, but adds on some sensibilities of a romantic comedy and a likable cast, which makes it a rewarding film to see. Continue reading ‘I Found Joy During ‘Seeking A Friend’’
June 22nd, 2012 by Brian White
The wait is FINALLY over! One of my favorite fictional books of 2010 has been adapted and now for very first time…officially presented on the big screen in eye-popping 3-D, if you so choose. Hip, hip hooray! Of course, I’m talking about none other than Seth Grahame-Smith’s mashup novel, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, a combination of two things that I love the most in life…history/historic figures and blood sucking/curdling vampires! How can you possibly go wrong with this combo subject matter? I’ll pause for a brief second. Good. I didn’t think I would hear any complaints. And by the way, anyone who is curious about the aforementioned literacy piece of work I referenced can read my full book review and learn all about it over here, but be warned…the rest of this review is going to focus solely on Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter…the 2012 Timur Bekmambetov action horror film. Continue reading ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Stakes Itself (Movie Review)’
June 22nd, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. From Disney and Pixar, a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition and challenges destiny to change her fate. Brave follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her skills and resources – including her clever and mischievous triplet brothers – to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late, discovering the meaning of true bravery. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, Brave is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor that audiences of all ages around the world have come to eagerly expect. Continue reading ‘Brave (Movie Review)’
June 22nd, 2012 by Jami Ferguson
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter explores the secret life of our greatest president, and the untold story that shaped our nation. Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (director of Wanted) bring a fresh and visceral voice to the bloodthirsty lore of the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history’s greatest hunter of the undead. Continue reading ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter – History/Vampire Mash-up’
June 22nd, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
It is interesting how this year’s feature from Pixar is both somewhat of a departure, yet also a familiar story that they are attempting to tell. Brave, first and foremost, is an enjoyable film, which manages to provide a story that is humorous, exciting, and fitted with some emotional stakes that seem true to Pixar form. What makes it both different by Pixar standards, yet familiar as well, is the fact that it stands more closely to being a traditional Disney film, featuring a princess character who makes particular choices and is forced to tackle a life-changing adventure, to an extent. The result is a film that eventually heads down a path with an inevitable conclusion, while also meeting the acceptable requirements of servicing a strong, lead female character, and providing a strong mother-daughter relationship tale. Continue reading ‘Pixar’s Princess Learns How To Be ‘Brave’’
June 22nd, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
There is a certain level of expectancy when seeing a movie like this. I was first made aware of this bizarre sounding mash-up idea a little over a year ago. The film is based on a book by Seth Grahame-Smith (who also served as the film’s screenwriter), which became a bestseller. I read the book based on recommendations and obvious intrigue, due to the fact that it’s called Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, and I found it to be a really interesting read in the way it told a tale that involved vampires, while clearly being well-researched in the way it tied story elements into historical events. Unfortunately, the film represents little that was seen in the book, which would not be a bad thing, except for the fact that the movie is not very good on its own. There is some fun to be had in the campy/stylized way the vampire hunting action is portrayed, but all of the other clunky aspects make it feel like just another generic action movie that happens to be set in a particular time period, with a layer of the supernatural to help distinguish it. Continue reading ‘‘Lincoln’ Lincoln, What You Thinkin’, Those Vampires Have Blood They’re Drinkin’’
June 21st, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
Did you know that 1% of the white noise you see on your television is actually background radiation from the Big Bang? From the formation of the earth and the emergence of life, to the advance of man and the growth of civilization, the CGI-driven special History of the World in Two Hours 3D offers viewers a rapid-fire view of 14 billion years of history – an epic story that reveals surprising connections to our daily lives. Featuring incredible graphics specially created for 3D, this 3D blu-ray – the latest release in A+E Networks Home Entertainment’s best-selling 3D line-up — will make a nice addition to the collection of any fan of history and science. Continue reading ‘History of the World in Two Hours 2D / 3D (Blu-ray Review)’
June 21st, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
It’s been 50 years since man first ventured into the unknown, and the heavens are only now yielding their greatest secrets. Season 6 of the pioneering series “The Universe” takes viewers further than ever, to the extreme edges of our solar system where chaos and catastrophe bring epic drama to the planets – including some of the most horrifying days on Earth. Through stunning CGI, witness the birth pangs of the solar system, shocked into existence by a nearby supernova, and enduring over 700 million years of brutal bombardment by deadly asteroids; colossal cataclysms that shaped the planets and transformed their climates forever; and startling new scientific discoveries revealing a hellish history of continuous devastation on Earth. And travel to the system’s very fringes to explore the possibility that the Sun has an evil twin, a monstrous star known as Nemesis suspected of causing every mass extinction in Earth’s history. In signature cutting-edge style, The Universe: The Complete Season Six, available in both blu-ray and DVD, features astounding NASA footage and the opinions of leading astrophysicists to probe even more deeply into the billion-years-old story of the world beyond Earth. Continue reading ‘The Universe: The Complete Season Six (Blu-ray Review)’
June 20th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Man on a Ledge is a silly film about a man perching himself outside of a building, with a heist-like situation occurring at the same time. It has a fairly strong cast and seemed like a film more fit for early autumn, rather than in the middle of January this past winter. After seeing it, it is clear why. As I said, the film is silly, but also wastes putting many of its best aspects to better use. There is certainly some enjoyment to be had, but not enough to look over the incredible amount of suspension of disbelief involved in taking the central scheme and plotting of this film seriously, let alone recommend the film. Now we have the Blu-ray release, which may show off a solid audio/video presentation, but still has the same forgettable thriller present, with a lackluster set of extras as well. Continue reading ‘Man On A Ledge (Blu-ray Review)’
June 19th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Eagle Rock Entertainment brings Stone Temple Pilots: Alive in the Windy City to the Blu-ray format in what is to be the band’s first authorized home video release on the any format. The show is taken from their 2010 performance in Chicago at Riviera Theater in support of their latest (at the time) self-titled album. The Stone Temple Pilots: Alive in the Windy City Blu-ray contains 18 tracks new and old for new and old fans alike. An interview with the band, full lossless audio, and high definition video are included on the Blu-ray. Keep it here to see if Stone Temple Pilots: Alive in the Windy City is worth a look, or if you should turn a a deaf ear to the disc altogether. Continue reading ‘Stone Temple Pilots: Alive in the Windy City (Blu-ray Review)’
