Archive Page 522
March 15th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
The Town is a very fun bank heist/cops and robbers movie. The film is Ben Affleck’s second time in the director’s chair, a follow up to the excellent Gone Baby Gone, and this film continues to prove that he is quite capable behind the camera. The film is well made, wonderfully entertaining, and backed by a strong cast. Even as it follows some familiar beats of this genre, it manages to be both a crowd-pleaser and confident in its structure. Now The Town has been given a second release, dubbed the “Ultimate Collector’s Edition”, which contains a new cut of the film that features an alternate ending, among other new bonuses. While not the film I expected an elaborate double-dip from, at least it’s a very watchable and well assembled film to see an ultimate version of. Continue reading ‘The Town: Ultimate Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
March 15th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Finding the words to properly review a stand-up special can be tricky. It can be especially difficult when dealing with a comedian that you may not be entirely familiar with. Fortunately, I do enjoy Pablo Francisco in general, though I have never spent time watching a special of his as long as this one entitled You Put It Out There. Filmed in Santa Ana, CA, this is a lengthy stand-up special, which has Francisco going all out with his impressions and joking about various issues. It is both funny and exhausting. But, as is always the case, his “movie voiceover king” impression never gets old. Continue reading ‘Pablo Francisco: They Put It Out There (Stand-Up Special Review)’
March 15th, 2012 by Blu-ray Brian
How can you possibly go wrong here? Let me echo the magic word FREE. Free as in a FREE Blu-ray giveaway. And not just for any movie. Oh no! We’re talking Tinker Taylor Solider Spy, one of 2011’s finest. So here we are. The film comes out on Blu-ray and DVD next Tuesday, but you have an exclusive chance to win it first…HERE. Three lucky winners will win a Blu-ray copy and in addition…the pot is sweetened….one additional randomly chosen winner will receive the film’s soundtrack. How’s that for a very cool Thursday announcement? Not bad, huh? Of course, kudos goes out to our friends at Universal Home Entertainment for bringing us this contest to host. Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Continue reading ‘Tinker Taylor Solider Spy: Blu-ray Giveaway Opportunity!’
March 15th, 2012 by Lauren Pacheco
If you haven’t heard the buzz from when Huff was filming last year, get ready because now that the first rough cut has been made you are about to hear a lot more about this nursery rhyme favorite turned twisted thriller. I was recently asked by Director Paul Morrell to stop by the editing bay of his studio and watch a rough cut of the film. Having written a script review I knew what the story line was going to look like. I also was able to see the live action on set for a few days during filming so I had an inkling of what to expect. Still when I sat down in front of the screen to watch it unfold before my eyes, I lit up with marvel. Continue reading ‘Huff (2012): Rough Cut (Movie Review)’
March 15th, 2012 by Matt Goodman
Sex, drugs, and disco is what 54 is all about. 54 was an odd experience for me, particularly due to how the subject material was handled. The film constantly switches it’s tone from incredibly serious to incredibly silly. The film does in fact feature an all-star cast including Mike Myers (Austin Powers), Neve Campbell (Scream), Ryan Phillippe (Flags of Our Fathers), and Salma Hayek (Grown Ups). Does 54 make the cut? Is it as crazy as I’m making it out to be? Read on to find out. Continue reading ’54 (Blu-ray Review)’
March 15th, 2012 by Scott Wampler
At this point, there’s a good chance that you’ve already heard people singing the praises of Gareth Evans’ The Raid (now clunkily titled The Raid: Redemption, but we’re just gonna continue calling it The Raid): for months now, the film—which may, in fact, be the greatest action movie since the original Die Hard—has been making the rounds on the festival circuit, and it’s never played to anything less than a wildly enthusiastic response. Earlier this week, Evans’ film played as part of the SXSW 2012 lineup. Wanna know more? Read on for our official review. Continue reading ‘SXSW Film Festival: ‘The Raid’ (Movie Review)’
March 15th, 2012 by Scott Wampler
This past weekend, the 2012 SXSW Film Festival opened with Drew Goddard’s Cabin in The Woods, a horror/comedy mashup you’re going to end up seeing on a whole bunch of film geek top-ten lists come December 2012. The buzz surrounding Cabin in The Woods has—let’s be frank—kind of bordered on the hyperbolic, calling it a “masterpiece”, “brilliant”, “worth seeking out immediately in a packed theater”, and a dozen other effusive bits of praise. Well, folks, I can’t help but join in with the rest of ‘em: this is a film that’s worthy of every bit of hype it receives. Read on to find out why you need to see Cabin in The Woods immediately. Continue reading ‘SXSW Film Festival: ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (Movie Review)’
March 15th, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
As seen on PBS’s Masterpiece Mystery!, the impeccable Hercule Poirot is back on the case in these eleven mysteries from the hit series. David Suchet returns to reprise his role as the definitive Poirot, portraying Agatha Christie’s beloved Belgian with intelligence and bone-dry wit. Brimming with beguiling 1930s period details, these lavish adaptations look better than ever in this remastered edition. Also starring Hugh Fraser (Sharpe) as the affable Captain Hastings, Philip Jackson (Little Voice) as Chief Inspector Japp, and Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon.
March 13th, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) is a volatile basketball coach with a dark past who arrives in a small, rural Indiana town to attempt to lead the high school team to victory. This group of underdogs needs all the help they can get, and no one would have ever suspected that it would come from the unlikely duo of Dale and his newly hired assistant coach, the town’s recovering alcoholic, Shooter (Dennis Hopper). Under Dale and Shooter’s guidance, the Hickory team surprises their town – and themselves – by not only becoming an unstoppable team during the basketball season, but also taking home the 1952 State Championship.
Continue reading ‘The Hoosiers: 25th Anniversary Edition Comes to Blu-ray June 5!’
March 13th, 2012 by Blu-ray Brian
A terrorist sets off an explosion that rocks the Federal Building and unleashes a toxic gas throughout the ventilation system. His purpose: to expose the Government’s secret biological warfare weapon, a deadly virus that instantly attacks a person’s adrenal system, causing them to become inhumanly aggressive, with an uncontrollable urge to kill each other. Sounds like the ingredients for a rich feature, no? Well on April 10th, you can find out for yourself when Anchor Bay Entertainment unleashes The Terror Experiment on Blu-ray and DVD. Check out the two quick videos below and pre-order your Blu-ray today! Continue reading ‘Anchor Bay Unleashes THE TERROR EXPERIMENT on Blu-ray’
March 13th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
When I think of books meant for the young adult crowd (not counting the onset of vampire romance fiction), I tend to think of books that center around characters in their teens dealing with various types of drama, regardless of the genre, dealing with it, and experiencing a healthy level of growth because of it. In the film Young Adult, we are given a protagonist who is the author behind a young adult book series, but does not practice the methods of a positive influence. Charlize Theron (who is great in this role) manages to play an unlikable character who manages to become more unlikable as the film goes on. That would generally be a bad thing, but this film actually uses that as its intention. As a result, Young Adult manages to be a somewhat unique character study, fitted inside an incredibly dark and at times awkward comedy that does not hold back the way other films would. Read on to learn more about this film’s Blu-ray presentation.
Continue reading ‘Young Adult (Blu-ray Review)’
March 13th, 2012 by Jami Ferguson
Boasting high-energy dancing, an inspirational story and an impressive cast of rising stars and screen veterans, writer/director Craig Brewer’s (Hustle & Flow) modern update thrilled audiences of all ages with its combination of youthful spirit and infectious fun. Newcomer Kenny Wormald stars as Ren MacCormack, a city kid transplanted to the small town of Bomont where dancing has been outlawed. Ren goes up against Bomont’s reverend (Dennis Quaid) to challenge the ban with the help of the minister’s daughter (Julianne Hough, “Dancing with the Stars”) and in the process reminds the entire town that dancing is more than youthful exuberance—it’s a celebration of life. The film also stars Andie MacDowell (Beauty Shop) and Miles Teller (Rabbit Hole) and features an outstanding soundtrack with musical artists including Blake Shelton, Big & Rich, Ella Mae Bowen and more. Continue reading ‘Footloose (2011) (Blu-ray Review)’
March 12th, 2012 by Blu-ray Brian
You got to like it when you look at the PR clip included in this post and the You Tube page says “One of the most controversial films in history finally arrives! Battle Royale.” I don’t know about you, but I’m SOLD. Battle Royale and Battle Royale: The Complete Collection is available for the first time in North America on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on March 20th from Anchor Bay Entertainment. Mark your calendars. That date is coming up soon! In the meantime, check out the synopsis we have been provided below as well as two clips, a Red Band and a Behind The Scenes one. Enjoy! Continue reading ‘The Controversial ‘Battle Royale’ Throws Down on Blu-ray This March’
March 12th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
A gripping story about the secret world of exorcism and one woman’s struggle against pure evil, THE DEVIL INSIDE is unleashed on Blu-ray (for purchase exclusively at Best Buy), DVD, On Demand and for Digital Download May 15, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. In 1989, emergency responders received a 9-1-1 call from Maria Rossi confessing to three brutal murders. Twenty years later, her daughter Isabella (Fernanda Andrade, “Fallen”) seeks to understand what really happened that night, traveling to the Centrino Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Italy where her mother has been locked away. When Isabella recruits two young men to cure her mother using unconventional methods, they discover the horrifying truth. Now Isabella must face pure evil or forsake her soul. A frighteningly intense film that dares to unveil ancient secrets about the realities of possession, THE DEVIL INSIDE terrified audiences with its shocking revelations, ultimately earning more than $53 million at the U.S. box office. Continue reading ‘‘The Devil Inside’ on Blu-ray May 15th (Best Buy Exclusive)’
March 11th, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
Game of Thrones is the blockbuster new series from HBO that won two 2011 Emmy awards including Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage). The drama follows kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and noblemen as they vie for power in a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime. Two powerful families are engaged in a deadly cat-and-mouse game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. As betrayal, lust, intrigue and supernatural forces shake the four corners of the Kingdoms, their bloody struggle for the Iron Throne will have unforeseen and far-reaching consequences. Continue reading ‘Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray Review)’
March 10th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
On Friday, March 9, 2012, at the Regent Showcase Theater in Hollywood, California, the Los Angeles Animation Festival presented a screening of the 1999 animated film, The Iron Giant, followed by a Q&A with director Brad Bird, actor Eli Marienthal (all grown up), and members of the crew. The screening was presented with an original 35mm print of the film, in a theater that was packed with fans. Those who know of the history of The Iron Giant remember that, despite high critical praise, the film did poorly in theaters, only to find a much larger audience on home video and DVD. Now the film has a strong cult following, which was certainly apparent due to the enthusiasm seen at this crowded charity screening of the film. Continue on to find a full recording of the Q&A that followed the screening of the film. Continue reading ‘Los Angeles Animation Festival: The Iron Giant’
March 10th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
It’s always great discovering “world films” that normally wouldn’t be seen by the general public unless a big studio were to import the film for stateside consumption. I’m glad that Magnolia has stepped up and not only not brought Mandrill stateside from Chile, but continues to deliver world films from all over to us. And on Blu-ray no less! Mandrill, which means “baboon” in Spanish, stars martial artist sensation Marko Zaror (Undisputed 3) as a James Bond-ish hitman who is out for revenge. Mandrill will encounter dangerous men and even more dangerous women while trying to solve the murder of his parents. Let us see if Mandrill is worth your time. Continue reading ‘Mandrill (Blu-ray Review)’
March 9th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Well I had fun with this space jam. It must be tough for guys like James Cameron, George Lucas, or in this case – director Andrew Stanton, who work years on end to deliver a passion project of theirs, but have so much negative thought put into whether it will succeed or not based on early impressions. I am not sure how John Carter will do in its opening weekend and I am not sure how the majority of the population will react to it, but I had fun; warts and all. While the story rides the line between being too old fashioned and too involved, given the lack of a clear backstory build up, I really admired the spectacle that was presented. I found this to be a fun sci-fi yarn, full of inventive visuals, a handful of interesting characters, and some well-staged action. It has a few flaws, but it plays well enough as an old tale finally brought to life on the big screen. Continue reading ‘‘John Carter’ – Get Your Ass To Mars’
