Archive Page 529
February 27th, 2012 by Scott Wampler
There was a time when a new comedy starring Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson would’ve been, well, kind of a big deal. Sadly, those days seem to have passed. Somewhere in between Gulliver’s Travels, The Pink Panther 2, and Drillbit Taylor, these formerly reliable comic actors stopped drawing massive crowds and started churning out dreck, and– as a result– new projects by this formerly popular trio stopped being anything to get excited over. Things had gotten so bad, in fact, that when David Frankel’s The Big Year suddenly arrived in theaters last year, many filmgoers were stunned to be hearing about the film for the very first time. Where had The Big Year come from, and what did it want with us? Frankel’s flick was largely ignored by audiences during the three-and-a-half days it was in theaters, but now it’s arrived on Blu-ray, and we’re free to discover what kind of movie The Big Year really is. Is it a comeback vehicle for all involved, a reason to get excited about Black, Martin, and Wilson again? Or just another mediocre entry in all of their filmographies? Read on to find out, folks. Continue reading ‘The Big Year (Blu-ray Review)’
February 26th, 2012 by Ken Johnson
It’s Oscar Day! After a week of preparation and stories leading up to the event, I’m almost sad that the day is upon us. Of course, this also means I have to return to Northeast Ohio and my day job, but I think I am ready to get back. In today’s video clip, we walk you down the red carpet and show you some behind the scenes footage of the media setting up, and let you see what the stars will see and from their vantage point as they work their way down the red carpet to the Kodak Theater. Continue reading ‘Oscars – Day 7’
February 25th, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
The Moment of Truth (Il momento della verità), from director Francesco Rosi, is a visceral plunge into the life of a famous torero – played by real-life bullfighting legend Miguel Mateo, known as Miguelín. Charting his rise and fall with a single-minded focus on the bloody business at hand, the film is at once gritty and operatic, placing the viewer right in the thick of the ring’s action, as close to death as possible. Like all of the great Italian truth seeker’s films, this is not just an electrifying drama but also a profound and moving inquiry into a violent world – and it’s perhaps the greatest bullfighting movie ever made. Continue reading ‘The Moment of Truth: Criterion Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
February 25th, 2012 by Ken Johnson
Thursday rounded out nicely, having spent the morning dining on Wolfgang Puck treats, then in the evening, it was time for the Oscar Nominated Features Symposium. The Animated Features Symposium is a chance to meet the filmmakers behind the year’s Oscar Nominated Animated Features and a chance to ask them questions about the animated medium. Continue reading ‘Oscars – Day 6’
February 25th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
I do like it when I laugh a lot during a comedy. The funny thing about this film is that I did laugh a lot during it, yet it is hard for me to say that I really loved it. I liked it for sure, it has Paul Rudd being incredibly charming, smarmy, and just plain silly, along with a very talented supporting cast; all with moments to shine. The film is also just plain bizarre at times, fitting in having little moments that I can appreciate based on my own tastes. Still, even as a smile remained on my face, the structure of this film has its faults, not feeling like a seamless experience, as it reaches its inevitable plot beats. Were the premise to be strong enough to go somewhere more interesting, this film could have relied on more than just humorous moments from its cast, but as it stands, it does provide enough humorous moments from the cast, which is just fine. Continue reading ‘Set Yourself Free For A Laugh With ‘Wanderlust’’
February 25th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Mill Creek Entertainment, a recognized leader in value DVD entertainment will release Season One of “That ‘70s Show,” on Blu-Ray this March. Featuring all 25 Season One episodes of retro comedy in stunning HD, this marks the first release of a prime-time network sitcom from the ‘90s on Blu-ray. With never before seen bonus features, this 4-disc collection will be available on March 20, 2012, for the unbelievably low price of $24.98 MSRP. “That ‘70s Show” is an Emmy® award-winning comedy revolving around a group of teenage friends, their mishaps, and their coming of age, set in 1970s Wisconsin. The show aired from 1998-2006 with over 11 million viewers in its first six seasons and is now nationally syndicated on multiple broadcast and cable networks. This hilarious, series features an all-star cast of Hollywood A-listers including Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama, Danny Masterson as well as their amazing supporting cast including Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith, Don Stark, Tanya Roberts, and Lisa Robin Kelly. Continue reading ‘‘That 70’s Show’ Season One on Blu-ray March 20th’
February 25th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Called “A new masterpiece…” (TV Guide) Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s powerful and acclaimed documentary THE WAR arrives for the first time ever on Blu-ray May 15, 2012 from PBS Distribution and Paramount Home Media Distribution. Six years in the making, the epic, seven-part film directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective through the personal accounts of men and women from four quintessentially American towns. Revealing the most intimate human dimensions of a worldwide catastrophe, the 15-hour documentary paints a vivid portrait of how the war touched the lives of every family on every street in every town in America. Continue reading ‘‘The War’ on Blu-ray May 15th’
February 25th, 2012 by Ken Johnson
Thursday is one of my favorite days covering the Oscars (along with the rest of them) because Thursday morning is the Governor’s Ball Food and Beverage Preview! The Governor’s Ball is a formal dinner held at the Hollywood and Highland Center immediately following the Oscars telecast. You have to remember the Oscars take place at 5:30pm Pacific time, so when the show is over three hours later, there is still plenty of time to party in Tinseltown! In our video for today, we had a chance to go one on one with Wolfgang Puck and get some of his perspective on throwing the official party of the Oscars. No pressure there! We also talked with Lauren Ashamalla from Sequoia Productions, who handles the logistics of the decorations and furniture for the Governor’s Ball. It is interesting to see the level of detail that goes into planning this one party! Continue reading ‘Oscars – Day 5’
February 25th, 2012 by Ken Johnson
In today’s video clip, CableSuite 541 Movie Critic and Star 97 DJ Jim Kulko and I opine about our favorites for the Oscar wins this year. Many people ask why the Oscars don’t more closely track the box office with the movie making the best money in the year winning best picture. Well, you have to remember, the folks who put on the Academy Awards is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the academics who promote and advance the movie-making craft. This means that they are concerned about the art form, not those movies us Midwesterners choose to spend our money to see. Continue reading ‘Oscars – Day 4’
February 24th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Last year my title for the film review of Battle: LA stated that you may need a video game controller in order to watch it. With Act of Valor, it seems more like a supplement to playing a video game. If you were to become tired of playing Modern Warfare or Battlefield, then Act of Valor is easily a way of keeping that emotional state alive. For a film that is based around authenticity of the actions taken by the actual active duty U.S. Navy SEALs, it is certainly just as concerned as looking like a slick video game come to life. The big difference is that this film is clearly working on a lower budget and lacks some of the visual panache that is more easily achieved by experienced action directors. Still, Act of Valor does contain a lot of harrowing action sequences, glued together by a plot that is a straight procedural and entirely inconsequential. Regardless of the intentions of this film (which started out as a recruitment film in early stages), if one desires a flurry of explosive action that is slightly more realistic than average, this is that film. Continue reading ‘‘Act of Valor’ – Rated M For Mature’
February 24th, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
Catherine Deneuve’s porcelain perfection hides a cracked interior in one of the actress’s most iconic roles: Séverine, a Paris housewife who begins secretly spending her afternoon hours working in a bordello. This surreal and erotic late-sixties daydream from provocateur for the ages Luis Buñuel is an examination of desire and fetishistic pleasure (its characters’ and its viewers’), as well as a gently absurdist take on contemporary social mores and class divisions. Fantasy and reality commingle in this burst of cinematic transgression, which was one of Buñuel’s biggest hits. Continue reading ‘Belle de jour: Criterion Collection (DVD Review)’
February 23rd, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
2002’s Frida would be Salma Hayek’s passion project finally come to fruition after so many years of rejections. She obviously had to pay her dues and build herself up as an actress and producer to get this done. Just because you’re hot in this town doesn’t mean you can always get what you want. It also helps that the script for Frida was that good. Salma Hayek, in the role she was born to play, is artist Frida Kahlo who wasn’t always rich, famous, or an artist. Frida chronicles her story from adolescence and into her chance encounter with the already great and established artist Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina) who takes a fancy to her work, but later, towards her. The couple become inseparable, but what Frida doesn’t know, and will soon find out, is that Diego is a womanizer. He’s got women lining up left and right and even has a wife while courting Frida. Diego’s wife Lupe Marin is played Valeria Golino. After some disagreements, Golino shows Frida the ropes on how to deal with Diego and they become friends… Continue reading ‘Frida (Blu-ray Review)’
February 23rd, 2012 by Blu-ray Brian
I’ll tell you what. I just watched the below trailer a second time now and this film looks like a romping good time. Of course I’m talking about the feature Dennis Quaid, Aimee Teegarden and Tony Oller star in, the suspense thriller Beneath The Darkness, coming Blu-ray and DVD on February 28th from Image Entertainment. And guess what?! My very favorite PR person kindly set aside 2 copies of this title on Blu-ray to give away to 2 lucky winners. Check out the film’s trailer below and find out how you can enter today. Good luck! Continue reading ‘BENEATH THE DARKNESS Blu-ray Giveaway Contest!’
February 23rd, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
The summers of 2010 and 2011 have provided me with two films that, on the surface, have very little in common with one another; however, after some careful consideration, I have found many intriguing similarities between the two. I am speaking of 2010’s Inception, written and directed by Christopher Nolan, and 2011’s Midnight in Paris, written and directed by Woody Allen. These films are unlikely allies, because, in a broad sense, they are both very concerned with the concept of dreams. Both films contain a somewhat multi-layered approach to their concepts and story and were met with much success both critically and financially. It would seem audiences were on board for multifaceted thinking in the case of both a blockbuster film and a low key “art house” comedy. Regardless, I had a simple goal in mind, which I hope properly puts forth how I wanted to turn a single idea into an in-depth article concerning two films I greatly admire. [Major spoilers for both films, beyond this point] Continue reading ‘Midnight InCeption’
February 22nd, 2012 by Ken Johnson
Today is the big travel day to the Oscars. We woke up today in Ashtabula County, and before I get to lie down in pajamas to sleep again, we’ll drive to Pittsburgh to catch our flight, land in Las Vegas to rent a car, and then drive five hours over to Hollywood! As I think about the day today, my thoughts turn to the Sunday night Oscars broadcast. I for one am glad to see an old veteran anchoring the show again. And of course, by old veteran, I mean this year’s host, Billy Crystal. Last year, producers opted for a younger couple to host the show, no doubt as a way to lure younger audiences to watch the program. Continue reading ‘Oscars – Day 3’
February 21st, 2012 by Sean Ferguson
“War Horse,” the Academy Award-nominated Best Picture, is a story of incredible friendship, loyalty, courage, hope and tenacity. Based on the Tony Award-winning play, and set against the sweeping canvas of World War I, this deeply heartfelt tale begins with the remarkable friendship between a feisty colt named Joey and his young trainer Albert (Jeremy Irvine). When they’re forced apart by war, the film follows Joey’s extraordinary journey as he changes and inspires the lives of everyone he meets. No matter where they go or what they experience both boy and horse keep forging ahead, driven by devotion and the hope of returning home. Filled with spectacularly rich visuals, “War Horse” is one of the most powerful and moving stories of friendship and love ever filmed. Continue reading ‘War Horse Arrives on Blu-ray April 3! Check out the Details!’
February 21st, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
From visionary director Steve McQueen, one of the most talked about films of 2011 comes home to stunning Blu-ray from Fox Searchlight and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. A film festival powerhouse, SHAME has captivated viewers through its haunting depiction of the life of a sex addict and his emotionally troubled sister. Evocative performances from Golden Globe® nominee Michael Fassbender and Academy Award® nominee Carrie Mulligan make SHAME the must-have release of the year. Get your hands on SHAME on Blu-ray Combo Pack April 17 and see the movie everyone is talking about in the privacy of your own home. Available for pre-order now on Amazon. Continue reading ‘‘Shame’ on Blu-ray April 17th’
February 21st, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Called “a powerful thrill ride that is simultaneously gritty and dazzling” (Claudia Puig, USA Today) the global smash hit MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—GHOST PROTOCOL explodes onto Blu-ray and DVD (both with UltraViolet™), On Demand and Digital Download April 17, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Boasting “a bullet train of action and an arsenal of cool gadgets” (David Germain, Associated Press), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—GHOST PROTOCOL delivers non-stop thrills and breathtaking stunts, including a dizzying ascent up the world’s tallest building that Roger Ebert called “one of the most spellbinding stretches of film I’ve seen.” The extraordinary Tom Cruise returns as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, along with an exceptional cast of actors including Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), Simon Pegg (Star Trek), Paula Patton (Precious) and Michael Nyqvist (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo). With a worldwide box office take of more than $650 million, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—GHOST PROTOCOL is the must-own action-thriller of the year. Continue reading ‘‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ on Blu-ray April 17th’
