Archive Page 541
October 29th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
I cannot imagine it being at all simple to develop a story set around a future society, with a specific set of rules in place. For all the fun it must be to describe the ways characters must behave and dress and how the look of the world has changed, getting down to the logistics of whatever it is that is setting the plot within this future society must be a difficult process. Often times a fine B-movie emerges out of a simple sci-fi concept, simply because it was entertaining enough to have its obvious flaws be looked over (Equilibrium comes to mind). With In Time, it seems like there is enough here to make a very entertaining feature; however, something seems to have gone very wrong in the scripting stage, as the dialogue is really bad and the various themes of the film are pretty heavy handed. Continue reading ‘‘In Time’ Features No Aging Or Good Dialogue’
October 29th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
In the 1998 Terry Gilliam film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which has Johnny Depp playing one of the various incarnations of writer Hunter S. Thompson, you could use many different adjectives and phrases to describe it, but a decidedly fun romp is not the one I would immediately jump to. With The Rum Diary, a film based on a novel that Thompson wrote about his experiences in 60s Puerto Rico, but did not publish until the late 90s (which was due to his friendship with Depp), there is a decidedly lighter tone in a lot of ways, but it is the aimlessness and overall resolution of the film, which I think holds it back from achieving a greater sense of purpose. Continue reading ‘Go Gonzo With ‘The Rum Diary’’
October 29th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
As I’ve previously mentioned in an earlier review, there’s nothing quite like getting a special package of horror flicks for review that you have never heard of. The difference with The Hagstone Demon is that it’s a Blu-ray. Score! Yep, never heard of this one, and the cover art doesn’t do it any favors either, but the description and some of the accolades it has received did peak my interest, but we’re not in it for preference. We have a job to do and we’re gonna do it. Sit back and relax as I bring you a horror film review of something that you may never have heard of – The Hagstone Demon. Continue reading ‘The Hagstone Demon (Blu-ray Review)’
October 29th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Oh yeah, the groovy 60’s are here, but not quite like you imagined them. The 10th Victim is technically a science fiction satire piece that revolves around a world where people hunt other people and take turns as the hunter and prey. Female or male – there is no discrimination based on sex. Game on! Italian superstar Marcello Mastroianni and sex Godess Ursula Andress heat up the screen in this visually provocative tale of sex, lies, deceit, and eccentricity. In fact, if you want to know where Mike Meyers got most of the ideas for Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery then you need to look no further as it’s all here. Blue Underground has brought us the Blu-ray of this 60’s gem, so let’s see how it stacks up in high definition, shall we? Continue reading ‘The 10th Victim (Blu-ray Review)’
October 29th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
The phrase “less is more” comes up a lot when dealing with particular characters that people tend to love. In Shrek 2, the character of Puss in Boots was first introduced and became an immediate favorite to many. Given that character’s popularity and the fact that DreamWorks Animation has decided to milk Shrek for all it’s worth, it comes as little surprise that the swashbuckling feline was able to land his very own spin-off movie. Now, while my admiration for the Shrek franchise faded around the third film in that series, I felt fairly indifferent towards what to make about this newest addition. The film could have easily backfired by bringing a supporting player into the spotlight. Thankfully, I actually enjoyed quite a few aspects of this movie, mostly in the ways that it actually distanced itself from the pop culture reference-heavy Shrek films and stood as a fairly conventional, but entertaining adventure film. Continue reading ‘Shrek Origins: ‘Puss In Boots’’
October 28th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Wait, what was that? Those were my ears burning. Bloody Disgusting and The Collective heard my plead for more horror films and they obliged me. Awesome! Phase 7 is an Argentinian film that can best be described like this, for lack of a better term(s) – it’s Shaun of the Dead meets REC meets John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13. It’s also executive produced by the same cats that produced Paranormal Activity, so that’s cool too. How will Phase 7 or Fase 7, as it’s called in Spanish, compare to those films that I previously mentioned? Let’s take a trip to Argentina and find out! Continue reading ‘Phase 7 (DVD Review)’
October 28th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
It’s always a good day when the powers that be drop a huge basket of horror material for review. It’s especially a good day when some of the titles are in Spanish. Atrocious happens to be one of these films. It is written and directed by Fernando Barreda Luna and was shot in Spain with Spanish actors in eleven days. Before going on I will preface this review and say that Atrocious is another “reality-hand-held” type of film. If you’re okay with this then keep going, but if you’re not, then by all means…suck it up and keep going. C’mon! Continue reading ‘Atrocious (DVD Review)’
October 28th, 2011 by Jami Ferguson
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is one of my top ten favorite movies of all time. This fact makes absolutely no sense because I am not usually a fan of musicals, movies made before I was born, and I always find Gene Wilder to be a little bit creepy. I could practically recite every bit of dialogue verbatim and sing you every song. On the flip side of that is Tim Burton’s abomination Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. With its insulting carbon copy oopma-loompa no other movie has ever angered me more and I don’t think I will ever forgive Tim Burton for it. As I open my Willy Wonka Collector’s Edition, I try to put that disgrace of a film out of my mind. Seeing a golden ticket right away helps put me in the right frame of mind and I remember that the one and only Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Blu ray is here! Continue reading ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory: 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Set (Blu-ray Review)’
October 28th, 2011 by Mary Welms
How often in life do we meet people that we know are just a perfect piece in our puzzle of life? Johnny Depp and Hunter S. Thompson’s friendship began in a bar, Christmas 1994 Aspen, Colorado not far from Thompson’s home. The two bonded instantly the first time they met. Johnny was a fan of Hunter since reading “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” as a teenager. Depp went on to play Thompson’s alter ego in the movie of the same name in 1998. While preparing for this role Johnny moved into Hunter’s basement, studying his habits and mannerisms. While going through the basement he found a manuscript titled “The Rum Diary” written by Thompson when he was in his twenties. Depp convinced Thompson to publish it and Thompson agreed as long as they did a film version. Continue reading ‘The Rum Diary (Movie Review)’
October 28th, 2011 by Patrick Bellante
I am not a big fan of Batman or the DC universe for that matter. However, I did stumble upon an amazing video game that my friend had last year and it happened to be Batman: Arkham Asylum. So I borrowed the title and could not seem to put it down until I finished it. With an amazing combat system, story, gadgets of plenty, and amazing visuals. Feeling satisfied with the game I said wow they need to make a sequel to this. Sure enough I found out a new Batman game was in the works and decided that when the release date was announce my pre-order would be placed. After picking up Arkham City at 12:01 A.M. on Oct. 18, 2011 I was instantly hooked with a brand new story, sharper visuals, more gadgets, and the same effective combat system. Continue reading ‘Batman: Arkham City (PS3 Game Review)’
October 28th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Both had supposedly outlived their usefulness to the Circus, the British Secret Intelligence Service: George Smiley, the retired head of espionage, and General Vladimir, an aging informant who reported to him. When the general walks into a bullet after sending an urgent message to his old handler, the Circus asks Smiley to “tidy things up.” But Smiley hears Vladimir’s message as a call to arms against his nemesis, the Soviet super spy Karla, once again tantalizingly within his grasp in this gripping sequel to John le Carré’s classic Cold War-era spy drama, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Oscar winner Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, Lawrence of Arabia) reprises his BAFTA-winning role as retired spymaster George Smiley for the 1982 sequel. Filmed on location in London, Paris, Hamburg, and Berne, Smiley’s People co-stars Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation, X-Men), Eileen Atkins (Upstairs, Downstairs), and Bill Paterson (Traffik). The miniseries also stars Anthony Bate, Bernard Hepton, Michael Lonsdale, Beryl Reid, and Michael Gough. Continue reading ‘Smiley’s People (DVD Review)’
October 28th, 2011 by Brian White
So I somehow managed to double-book myself between press screenings for In Time and The Rum Diaries. Bummer! It was a hard decision to make between which one I would ultimately have to pass on. In Time looked promising in the action department, where as The Rum Diaries features my new favorite, the beautiful Miss Amber Heard. What’s a guy supposed to do? I reluctantly chose In Time and graciously let Mary Welms have Johnny Depp all to herself. I’m such a nice guy sometimes. It’s a crying shame people don’t see my inner beauty more often. Instead, they seemingly focus on my skeleton bike jacket and my long sexy hair. Boo! Continue reading ‘If You Have The “Time”: In Time (Movie Review)’
October 26th, 2011 by Ken Johnson
You often hear Hollywood stories of writers, producers, directors, studio heads, and agents all getting involved in a promising movie only to throw every element know to man into it, and ending up with a spoiled cellulose version of Frankenstein. This is the only explanation for Anonymous that I can find when I arrived in the theater ready for a heavy period piece after suffering through the trailers on TV for the past week, but I had no idea the abyss into which I was heading. Continue reading ‘‘Anonymous’ is Arduous! – Anonymous (Movie Review)’
October 26th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
I am giving out a lot of admiration to quiet thrillers lately. Between Martha Marcy May Marlene and this foreboding drama, one certainly needs to take a breath, sit back, and watch a simple comedy to keep from becoming too distraught in their own lives. Take Shelter is a very well acted story about a man having visions of impending doom and how he and his family deal with it. It features fantastic performances from the leads and serves as a direct alternative to many of the “in your face” thrillers that have come out over the year. While it is another very deliberately paced drama, it is due to the lead actors that I was very drawn into what this film had to offer. Continue reading ‘‘Take Shelter’, A Storm’s A Brewin’’
October 25th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Okay, so here we are at last with the final film in the establishing saga of what will bring us an Avengers film next year. Here is Captain America: The First Avenger. It’s been what, at least half a dozen individual super heroes, give or take, right? We just had Thor, Iron Man & Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, and so forth. I guess it was time to give Captain America his due since he will be the leader of The Avengers; it makes sense. Now the big question is, will Captain America: The First Avenger makes sense of itself? It’s a tall order, but let’s see what we can see as Why So Blu? takes a stab at Captain America: The First Avenger on Blu-ray! Continue reading ‘Captain America: The First Avenger (Blu-ray Review)’
October 25th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
Attack the Block is wholly original and entertaining, believe! While shot on a low budget with many new and young actors, this film far exceeds similar, recent alien invasion films, due to its wonderful style and confidence one can glean from the filmmaking portrayed here. Coming from the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Attack the Block is a wonderful blend of sci-fi, horror, action, and comedy that I can easily see as becoming a cult classic. Given that this is the film I have watched the most this year, it is safe to say that I really enjoy it. Now everyone has the chance to check it out, as it has made its debut onto Blu-ray. Continue reading ‘Attack The Block (Blu-ray Review)’
October 24th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
No
doubt remains: a mole has infiltrated the Circus, code name for the British Secret Intelligence Service. It can only be one of four men operating at the very highest level. Sidelined agent George Smiley is covertly tapped to root out the mole, a task that requires a painstaking dig through the double-blind world of Cold War-era espionage and his own past. Alec Guinness brilliantly captures the weary heart and steely soul of John le Carré’s master spy. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was nominated for an Emmy for best miniseries and won two BAFTA Awards, including best actor for Guinness. The series also stars Ian Richardson, Michael Aldridge, Joss Ackland, Ian Bannen, Ian Bannen, Terence Rigby, Michael Jayston, Hywel Bennett, Anthony Bate, and a memorable cameo by Patrick Stewart, who returns in a larger role for the sequel. Hailed as one of the finest dramas ever made for television, this 1979 BBC miniseries garnered universal critical acclaim for its stellar ensemble cast, literate writing and intricate plots. Continue reading ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (DVD Review)’
October 24th, 2011 by Brian White
Don’t ask me why, but I have just concluded reading some prose from William Shakespeare. Anyone familiar with his writing knows that he liked to write in metaphors. One such line I just read goes like this, “I cannot do it; yet I’ll hammer it out.” That’s exactly how us, as reviewers, feel from time-to-time when we are forced with deadlines, an overwhelming amount of material to cover or simply the lack of desire to talk about a particular title we hate. But Shakespeare is right. Despite the adverse feeling that grinds mentally in your skull like the gears of your automatic transmission failing, you just have to bear the load, find the “strength to endure” and carry on. You have to find that proverbial Thor’s hammer and just conquer with it. And so ladies and gentlemen…that’s exactly what I’m doing here. I’m laying waste to the land and conquering this review. Continue reading ‘Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings (Blu-ray Review)’
I cannot imagine it being at all simple to develop a story set around a future society, with a specific set of rules in place. For all the fun it must be to describe the ways characters must behave and dress and how the look of the world has changed, getting down to the logistics of whatever it is that is setting the plot within this future society must be a difficult process. Often times a fine B-movie emerges out of a simple sci-fi concept, simply because it was entertaining enough to have its obvious flaws be looked over (Equilibrium comes to mind). With In Time, it seems like there is enough here to make a very entertaining feature; however, something seems to have gone very wrong in the scripting stage, as the dialogue is really bad and the various themes of the film are pretty heavy handed. Continue reading ‘‘In Time’ Features No Aging Or Good Dialogue’
