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The Clowns (Blu-ray Review)

Normally I would take this first paragraph of space to kind of tease the following Blu-ray, but after having just witnessed something touching and truly extraordinary I’ll let Federico Fellini do some of the talking:  Others have commented on the circus.  It’s an inflated framework, drowned with literary allusions.  Yet, despite it all, it does exist, re-introducing itself as a precise nucleus: a dimension and an authentic atmosphere that is not possible to archive, that is not covered in dust, because that life-style and the way of portraying itself include, in an exemplary way, some long-lasting myths: the adventure, the journey, the risk, the chance, the rush, the presence in the spotlight…  – Federico Fellini Continue reading ‘The Clowns (Blu-ray Review)’

Hung – The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray Review)

Hung follows the travails of Ray Drecker, a well-endowed former high school sports legend turned middle-aged high school basketball coach.  In this season, Ray, and his unlikely pimp Tanya, have taken on slick “life coach” Lenore Bernard as co-pimp, devastating Tanya in the process. With Lenore pushing a debonair version of hooker Ray on her upscale clients, Tanya wants to prove she has the “right stuff” when it comes to being a successful – and far more ethical – pimp than Lenore.  Meanwhile, Ray finds his feelings for his ex-wife Jessica rekindled.  The series stars Thomas Jane (The Punisher,*61 from HBO) as Ray Drecker and Jane Adams (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) as Tanya Skagle, both of whom received Golden Globe® nominations for their roles; Anne Heche (Men in Trees) as Ray’s ex-wife, Jessica Haxon; Eddie Jemison (Ocean’s Thirteen) as Jessica’s successful husband Ronnie; Sianoa Smit-McPhee (As the Bell Rings) as Ray’s daughter Darby; and Charlie Saxton (The Lovely Bones) as Ray’s son Damon. Continue reading ‘Hung – The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray Review)’

Hannibal (Blu-ray Review)

Wrapping up the 90’s, 1999, to be exact, author Thomas Harris decided to continue his Hannibal Lecter tale with the sequel to Silence of the Lambs with Hannibal. This caused quite a stir in Hollywood, and rights were snatched up, with production to begin for the film version of Hannibal as soon as possible.  The great Ridley Scott would direct, but would any of the previous cast members return?  We know what ended up happening, so with that out of the way let us see how Hannibal on Blu-ray stacks up.  Continue reading ‘Hannibal (Blu-ray Review)’

Modern Family – The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray Review)

America’s favorite extended family is back for even more laughs as Modern Family returns with this season two Blu-ray set!  This season two set is packed with tons of exclusive features and never-before-seen footage,and all 24 episodes of the critically acclaimed hit, plus deleted family interviews, extended and deleted scenes, a hilarious gag reel, a music video and much more.  The Pritchett clan has Jay sitting at the head, a true guys’ guy experiencing a bit of mid-life crisis, has remarried a much younger wife, Gloria, whose passion and loyalty is matched by her 11-year-old son, Manny, a boy wise beyond his years. Blending together into this new family has quite the learning curve with some culture clashes, a few awkward misunderstandings, and plenty of sweet victories along the way.  Modern Family was nominated for seventeen Emmy’s this year and ended up winning  five Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Writing for a Comedy Series and Directing for a Comedy Series, all of which except for the latter were consecutive wins. Continue reading ‘Modern Family – The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray Review)’

“50/50” Tips The Odds In Your Favor

Cancer Comedy!  See, when you scream that at someone, besides the natural awkward chuckle some may have, selling this idea may not be the obvious path to success.  There is a tendency to make a film covering this sort of topic feel too sentimental or overly expressive in how it wants to make you feel.  Basically, there is a tricky balance to maintain, if one wants the audience to be able to laugh with the lead characters involved in a story about someone getting cancer and dealing with it.  50/50 does manage to maintain that balance.  It is a heartfelt comedy/drama that manages to wisely balance its jokes with sincerity and not come off as something too maudlin. Continue reading ‘“50/50” Tips The Odds In Your Favor’

Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said? bows on DVD October 18th

America’s favorite Scottish late-night talk show host returns to COMEDY CENTRAL!  The Network Television Premiere of “Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said?” debuts Saturday, October 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.  Filmed at the Polk Theater in Nashville, Ferguson explains his love for “friendly cussing” and the frustration he feels when he cannot use certain “naughty” words on the “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson.”  In his second one-hour special to air on COMEDY CENTRAL, Ferguson explains what sex education was like growing up in Scotland, how celebrity scandals make for easy work days and how terrifying it was to meet “Bond-like” villain, Dick Cheney, while hosting the White House Correspondents dinner.  On October 18, “Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said?” will be released on DVD uncensored and extended by COMEDY CENTRAL Home Entertainment  and Paramount Home Entertainment with 20 minutes of material not seen on COMEDY CENTRAL and bonus features that include “Craig Arrives in Nashville” and a “Fan Rap.”   Continue reading ‘Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said? bows on DVD October 18th’

‘Night Train Murders’ Coming to Blu-ray January 31, 2012

It was released as SECOND HOUSE ON THE LEFT, NEW HOUSE ON THE LEFT, and TORTURE TRAIN. The ads screamed, “Most movies last less than two hours! This is one of everlasting torment!”  It remains one of the most graphically fiendish films in exploitation history, the story of two teenage girls traveling through Europe, forced into a nightmare of sexual assault and sadistic violence.  Irene Miracle (INFERNO, MIDNIGHT EXPRESS), Flavio Bucci (SUSPIRIA), Macha Meril (DEEP RED), and Marina Berti (WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOUR DAUGHTERS?) star in this depraved shocker directed by Aldo Lado (SHORT NIGHT OF GLASS DOLLS, WHO SAW HER DIE?) and featuring a haunting score by Ennio Morricone (THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE).  Experience evil gone off the rails: NIGHT TRAIN MURDERS is now presented in a brand-new High Definition transfer from the original uncensored negative!  Continue reading ‘‘Night Train Murders’ Coming to Blu-ray January 31, 2012′

Castle – The Complete Season 3 (DVD Review)

Castle was originally the show that helped me with my unhappiness about the cancellation of Firefly.  Like Firefly, it starred Nathan Fillion as a lovable rascal but this time without the edge that Captain Malcolm Reynolds had. Eventually, the show won me over on it’s own merits and it’s one that I genuinely look forward to seeing.  It’s got the perfect blend of humor, action, teased romance, and above all the most elusive element to a successful show…chemistry.  Not only between Fillion and his partner on the show Stana Katic, but also between the entire cast of the show much like the ill-fated Firefly.  Unlike Firefly, this show was given a chance to reach an audience and it’s doing very well in the ratings and the fourth season has just started.  Continue reading ‘Castle – The Complete Season 3 (DVD Review)’

The Tempest (Blu-ray Review)

Writer/Director Julie Taymor has returned to cinema with her latest visual feast for the eyes and the soul in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. If you’re not familiar with Ms. Taymor then let me reacquaint you with her style.  She had previously written and directed Titus, Frida, and Across the Universe.  The Tempest marks her fourth film, and her second feature film based on a William Shakespeare play.  For those that are not familiar with her past feature works she was also responsible for the Lion King musical and the director of Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark.  She left Spiderman due to creative differences, though.  Let’s find out how The Tempest on Blu-ray scored, shall we.  Continue reading ‘The Tempest (Blu-ray Review)’

Beauty and the Beast 3D/2D Diamond Edition (Blu-ray Review)

One of the biggest movies in Disney history,  Beauty and the Beast has already been released to Blu-ray, but it’s being re-released as a 3D/2D package to offer a whole new experience!  With its incredible blend of traditional animation with computer generated images, Beauty and the Beast was the only animated movie to ever be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture until the Disney/Pixar release of  Up eighteen years later.  All in all, the movie received two Academy Awards for music in 1992, three Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture, (the first animated movie to do so), Best Original Score, and Best Original Song in 1992, and two Grammy Awards in 1993.  Continue reading ‘Beauty and the Beast 3D/2D Diamond Edition (Blu-ray Review)’

Robocop 2 (Blu-ray Review)

Robocop (Peter Weller) returns to fight his toughest opponent yet: his replacement! Robocop 2 pits two unstoppable cyborgs against each other in a battle to the death that will leave only the strongest standing! Containing the latest in gadgetry and weaponry as well as the brain of the madman Cain (Tom Noonan) who designed the drug “Nuke,” this new cyborg isn’t just more sophisticated than his predecessor…he’s psychotic and out of control! It will take everything Robocop has to save Detroit – and himself – from total destruction. Continue reading ‘Robocop 2 (Blu-ray Review)’

Nirvana: Live at the Paramount – BEST BUY EXCLUSIVE (Blu-ray Review)

This is going to be the shortest Blu-ray review of my illustrious career.   Why?   I can answer that one quite easily.  It’s because this review is about a band that I would gladly lay down my life in defense of any day of the week against attacks of slander, malicious propaganda or evil naysaying.  Their mere existence on this planet gave and continues to give the propulsion, motivation, drive, passion, energy/octane and encouragement necessary for me to be all I can be in life and NO ONE is going to contradict or say other wise without having words with me face-to-face.  Of course, I’m talking about the legendary grunge band from Seattle, Washington that’s responsible for starting a musical revolution and catapulting the careers of so many others to follow, ladies and gentlemen…NIRVANA. Continue reading ‘Nirvana: Live at the Paramount – BEST BUY EXCLUSIVE (Blu-ray Review)’

Aquaman #1 – The New 52

The final week of The New 52 is upon us, and while I will have a review of multiple titles next week, today is going to focus on a character DC has had trouble delivering to readers on a more serious level. Aquaman. The sea-farring superhero turned 70 this week, debuting in issue #73 of More Fun Comics on September 25, 1941. He gets his reboot today. How appropo.

Continue reading ‘Aquaman #1 – The New 52’

How To Make It In America: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray Review)

“From the creators of Entourage…” Okay, I’m in!  Yes, I’m shallow, but you love it.  I got the word that I would be reviewing How To Make It In America, and got real excited.  Granted the title is a bit peculiar due to having the Entourage cloud hanging over it.  People may start talking and assuming that How To Make It In America will be Entourage’s successor, or something like that.  I am happy to report that that is absolutely 100% NOT TRUE.  How To Make It In America is one of the newest shows on HBO, and if past programming is any indication, this new show will be of the highest quality with regards to story, budget, and all of those things.  Right about now you’re probably wondering if How To Make In America is any good, right?  Then take my hand.   Continue reading ‘How To Make It In America: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray Review)’

The Heart Specialist: Online DVD Giveaway Opportunity

Here’s your once-in-a-lifetime free chance to WIN a DVD copy of the “Heartwarming Romantic Comedy” featuring an All-Star Ensemble Cast HEADlined by my girl Zoe Saldana, Wood Harris and Brian J. White (nope…sadly not me) available on Blu-ray and DVD October 4th.  What’s the film all about?  Well, I’m glad you asked that because I have all that information and more for you.  So please, read on! Continue reading ‘The Heart Specialist: Online DVD Giveaway Opportunity’

D23 Expo: Kinect Disneyland Adventures

Kinect: Disneyland Adventures allows you to experience a place where two magical worlds unite: Kinect for Xbox 360 invites you to take a journey where stories come to life and dreams come true, right in your living room! Explore Disneyland park — from Main Street U.S.A. to Critter Country — join Peter Pan to battle Captain Hook, high-five Mickey Mouse or hug Snow White.  Harnessing the controller-free magic of Kinect for Xbox 360, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures allows children, families and Disney fans of all ages to explore Disneyland park, step into adventures based on attractions, engage in challenging quests and interact with beloved Disney characters using their full bodies and voices, no controller required. Kinect: Disneyland Adventures is your portal to a magical world of Disneyland park adventures through Kinect and I got to see it early at Disney’s D23 Expo! Continue reading ‘D23 Expo: Kinect Disneyland Adventures’

Friends With Benefits is Available on Blu-ray December 2!

Dylan (Justin Timberlake) is done with relationships.  Jamie (Mila Kunis) decides to stop buying into the Hollywood clichés of true love.  When the two become friends they decide to try something new and take advantage of their mutual attraction – but without any emotional attachment.  Physical pleasure without the entanglements.   Sounds easy enough for two logical adults, right?   Not so much.  They soon realize romantic comedy stereotypes might exist for a reason.  Directed by Will Gluck (Easy A), and starring Justin Timberlake (The Social Network) and Mila Kunis (Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actress, Drama, Black Swan, 2010) Friends With Benefits also boasts hilarious performances by Woody Harrelson (Zombieland), Emma Stone (Easy A), Andy Samberg (“Saturday Night Live”) and snowboarding sensation Shaun White in his film debut. Continue reading ‘Friends With Benefits is Available on Blu-ray December 2!’

Henry’s Crime (Blu-ray Review)

I was hoping for more from a little arthouse flick about a bank robbery and the art of theater.  It seemed like a nice change in pace for Keanu Reeves, who can be capable when he isn’t being openly mocked (some would say unfairly).  Plus, Vera Farmiga and James Caan were on hand as co-stars in the film.  So what went wrong?  Well, the film was really just too uninvolving.  It has a lot of good pieces, but did not seem to know how to properly assemble them.  There’s a fun heist movie in here and there is also a fun romantic comedy, but the film does not manage to find the right kind of energy to make these plots very entertaining.  It has its moments here or there, but much like Reeves’ character in the film, I mainly felt detached from this story.  Regardless, Henry’s Crime is now available on a pretty bare bones Blu-ray release, so let’s get down to it. Continue reading ‘Henry’s Crime (Blu-ray Review)’