Archive Page 548
September 17th, 2011 by Scott Wampler
Over the past decade, Will Ferrell’s taken a spin on the same ride that Eddie Murphy, Mike Meyers, and Chevy Chase took before him: he came out of nowhere to become an MVP on NBC’s SNL (whoa, that was a whole bunch of acronyms), appeared in a handful of smallish roles in other people’s comedies (not to be confused with another acronym: OPP), starred in a few of his own, found massive success in a few more, tried his hand at dramedy, had the public fall out of love with him, and is now in the “taking more chances while considering a sequel to his most popular character” phase of his career (that’d be Ron Burgundy, if you’re curious). Personally, I’ve always enjoyed Ferrell’s work, even when I haven’t particularly enjoyed his films, and I’m one of the few people you’ll find that’ll aggressively defend Stranger Than Fiction. But with Everything Must Go, I didn’t know what to expect: would I enjoy the dramedic talents of Ferrell…or fall in line with the 24% of critics who panned the film? Continue reading ‘Everything Must Go (Blu-ray Review)’
September 17th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
I was surfing Amazon.com for some random stuff to buy when lo-and-behold I ran into one of my favorite band’s latest musical offerings. Powerman 5000 just released a cover album of tunes, and I didn’t even know about it. How could this happen? I’m usually in the loop. I proceeded to quickly scoop up a copy and have been jamming out the last few days with the latest tunes. That was also the catalyst for me to write this review. Considering the band had just released a full length album not even two years ago, how does Copies, Clones and Replicants measure up to their past releases. Come with me to Somewhere On The Other Side Of Nowhere and find out. 😉 Continue reading ‘Powerman 5000 – Copies, Clones and Replicants (CD Review)’
September 16th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
What a way to close out the week than with a sneak peek at some stills and the brand new trailer for one of the scariest franchises of all time: [REC]! Well, here’s the entire press packet from Filmax International. [REC] 3: Genesis is not only the third film in the franchise, but will serve as the prequel to the first film. Anyways, I cannot wait for this to hit theaters and Blu-ray. American horror filmmakers need to take note and see how it’s done by this creative Spanish team! Continue reading and check out the pictures along with the killer first trailer to what sure looks to be another scary @$$ entry into the world of [REC]!!! Continue reading ‘‘[REC] 3: Genesis’ Preview and Trailer!’
September 16th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
Seeing the pieces fall together in a film all so perfectly is a beautiful thing. The right combinations can sometimes still make for chaos, but at other times work in perfect rhythms. Drive presents this very positive latter angle. Taking a standard crime-story and turning into a piece of neo-noir art makes for a great cinematic experience. This film accomplishes that. Drive is stylish, pulpy fun. The type of inventive film that makes an old plot feel very fresh; and its lead by Nicolas Winding Refn’s fantastic direction and Ryan Gosling’s quiet cool as the lead. Continue reading ‘Buckle Up And ‘Drive’’
September 16th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
AMC announced today that Emmy Award-winning make-up effects artist Greg Nicotero has been a named co-executive producer of “The Walking Dead.” Nicotero has also inked a first-look deal with the network, which gives him the opportunity to bring his own passion projects to AMC. At Saturday’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Nicotero won Best Prosthetic Make-up for AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” Nicotero directs a series of webisodes this season and is also set to direct an episode. “Greg’s talent extends well beyond the word of special fx makeup,” said Joel Stillerman, AMC’s SVP of original programming, production and digital content. “He is also a truly talented director, and has an incredibly comprehensive understanding and appreciation for great storytelling. His knowledge and respect for the genre is unparalleled, and we are looking forward to expanding our relationship with him with an eye towards developing more great original series.” Continue reading ‘Greg Nicotero Named Co-Executive Producer of ‘The Walking Dead’’
September 15th, 2011 by Kellen Boyle
Drive, starring Ryan Gosling, based off of the book written byJames Sallis, is a movie that’s hard to throw into a genre. It’s about a Hollywood stunt driver who works part time as a mechanic and a wheelman for the criminal underworld, until a failed heist means he has to kill everyone…you know, that old chestnut. The film isn’t as advertised…..and I mean that in the best possible way. Seeing early previews of the film, I entered the theater expecting to see some sort of cross between The Transporter meets Fast and the Furious meets some romantic hub ub utilizing the sex appeal of Gosling. What I got was blood….lots of it. Continue reading ‘‘Drive’….To The Movies!’
September 15th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Called “a mind-blowing masterpiece” (FOX-TV), writer/director J.J. Abrams’ (Star Trek) breathtaking adventure SUPER 8 debuts in a Blu-ray™/DVD Combo Pack with Digital Copy November 22, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Produced by Amblin, Bad Robot and Academy Awardâ winner* Steven Spielberg, the exhilarating story follows a group of friends in a small Ohio town who witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie. When they realize that it was no accident, they set out to find the truth—something more shocking than any of them could have imagined. Combining action, humor and heart, the film features outstanding performances from a fresh young cast including Elle Fanning (Somewhere), Gabriel Basso (“The Big C”), Zach Mills (Kit Kittredge: An American Girl) and newcomers Joel Courtney, Riley Griffiths and Ryan Lee, along with veteran actors Kyle Chandler (“Friday Night Lights”) and Ron Eldard (“Blind Justice”). Continue reading ‘‘Super 8’ debuts in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack with Digital Copy November 22nd’
September 15th, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
TV Land’s hilarious show returns for more hijinks when “Hot in Cleveland” Season Two debuts on DVD November 29, 2011. The hit series stars acclaimed actresses Valerie Bertinelli (“One Day at a Time”), Jane Leeves (“Frasier”), Wendie Malick (“Just Shoot Me”) and Betty White (“The Golden Girls”) in the role that has already garnered her a SAG Award, a Gracie Allen Award and a 2011 Emmy® nomination. Season two continued to delight audiences, averaging over three million total viewers and posting triple-digit gains over the network’s primetime average. Continue reading ‘‘Hot In Cleveland’ Season Two warms up the shelves on DVD November 29th’
September 15th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
I do not always have a chance to do this, but I have to sort of defend a movie that I am not all that partial to. The original 1971 Straw Dogs, from director Sam Peckinpah, was a film that came out during a transitional time in Hollywood, the New Hollywood period. It was controversial at the time and to this day, presenting a number of difficult scenes to watch, while serving as an exploration of violence in different forms with ambiguous answers to some of the actions of the characters. This 2011 update has nothing to say and feels completely unnecessary. While admittedly well made in places, this is the worst kind of remake, one that does not go the route of reimagining plot elements from the original and instead follows the same path beat for beat. Continue reading ‘You Can Put These Remade ‘Straw Dogs’ To Sleep’
September 14th, 2011 by Gregg Senko
After today, there are only two more Wednesdays of release dates that restart 52 DC titles at issue 1. While I was unable to get my hands on issue 1 of Deathstroke (sold out) or a few of the other DC notables today, I did pick up six other firsts. Read on to see what’s worth a buy and what’s worth leaving on the shelf.
Continue reading ‘Today’s ‘New 52’ Releases from DC’
September 14th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
So now that we have left the summer movie season behind (a recap featuring the Why So Blu crew’s top picks can be found HERE), it is time to get into the big fall releases. There are a lot of great looking releases on their way, including both “prestige” level films as well as those that look to be a lot of fun. Rather than try to rank out a top ten, I have simply put these films in order of their release date, acknowledging that there is only a small chance that any of these would change. Once again, I am using the term “fall” somewhat loosely, as I am applying it to films arriving in theaters post Labor Day and up to the end of the year. With that said, there are enough films on the way that I have even made a long list of other notable releases below these selected titles. Continue on to see what upcoming films have caught my eye. Continue reading ‘Aaron’s Most Anticipated Films For Fall 2011’
September 14th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
In the spring of 1980, the Mariel boatlift brought thousands of Cuban refugees to the sun-washed avenues of Miami in search of the American dream. From acclaimed director Brian DePalma, Scarface is the rags-to-riches story of Tony Montana (Al Pacino), who finds wealth, power and passion beyond his wildest dreams…at a price he never imagined. Tony Montana’s meteoric rise, lavish life and soul-destroying fall, are the elements of the film have that inspired a worldwide following and changed the fortunes of the movie from a mediocre box office under-performer into a phenomenon. The role of Tony Montana gave Pacino one of his most memorable roles as he blasts his way to the top of Miami’s drug underworld in a bravura performance. Continue reading ‘Scarface: Limited Edition Steelbook (Blu-ray Review)’
September 13th, 2011 by Brian White
Before there was Insidious, there was 2001’s The Others. Of course, they are completely different stories, but they both travel down a similar road I love in my movies, that being the paranormal/supernatural one. I could go on and on about my love for both of these films, but for today, my proverbial spotlight will be shining solely upon Lionsgate’s September 20th Blu-ray release of The Others. And rightfully so, this film stands the test of time in my opinion. It’s very rare that a film of this caliber, which depends almost exclusively on its one hell of a twisted ending, lends itself well to many repeat viewings. It has been awhile since my last rendezvous with The Others, so here goes nothing. Continue reading ‘The Others (Blu-ray Review)’
September 13th, 2011 by Patrick Bellante
When I thought about Madden this year I thought wow this is going to be the same old dog and probably no new tricks. To be honest the only reason I even thought about purchasing this installment was because I love Cleveland and our hard working running back, Peyton Hillis, got the fans vote to grace the cover of this edition. The one drawback I was expecting from this title was the lack current rosters due to the NFL lockout that almost plagued the season. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that an updated league roster was available right out of the package. Continue reading ‘Madden NFL 12 (PS3 Game Review)’
September 12th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
So imagine the heavy metal version of Calvin and Hobbes and you have something close to resembling Hesher, a strange sort of drama that features a tornado of destruction, in the form of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who enters the life of young TJ, a boy still grieving the loss of his mother. Hesher is definitely the product of independent cinema and it is a strange blend of many different qualities that still have me questioning whether I truly enjoyed this film as whole or just aspects of it. Fortunately, as opposed to going through some kind of aggro rage bender like Hesher would, I can simply work out my thoughts through the process of reviewing this Blu-ray. Continue on to see where I ended up with this very warped version of a buddy film/family drama. Continue reading ‘Hesher (Blu-ray Review)’
September 12th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
Not long ago, I had the chance to talk to with some very influential people in Disney about the restoration work done for the upcoming Dumbo Blu-ray. Those people included Sara Duran-Singer, the Senior Vice-President of Post-Production, Dave Bossert, the Creative Director of Walt Disney Studios Animation, and Joe Jiuliano, who is the Director of Film and Video Services The discussion yielded a lot of interesting information on how Disney restores and preserves their films as well as some interesting trivia such as the fact that legendary Warner Brothers animator Chuck Jones got his start working for Disney. We also found out that some of Disney’s classic live action films including (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Swiss Family Robinson, and Mary Poppins) have already been restored and will be coming to Blu-ray. Ostensibly, we were supposed to talk about the amazing restoration done on Dumbo, but I managed to sneak in a question about the legendary Song of the South which is still locked up in the vault, and I actually got an answer that might surprise you. Read on to find out more… Continue reading ‘A Talk With Disney About the Restoration of Dumbo’
September 12th, 2011 by Gregg Senko
Last night I received a very sobering text message from fellow WSB writer Gerard Iribe. It stated that Spartacus star Andy Whitfield passed away. For months I had wondered of the progress of the actor’s battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and last night was not the outcome I was expecting. Instead of focusing on the sadness of his departure, however, I figured it better to reflect on the positive that he brought to us as well as the indirect impact he has had here on Why So Blu.
Continue reading ‘The Passing of Andy Whitfield’
September 10th, 2011 by Scott Wampler
Of late, I have developed quite the interest in Asian cinema. Oh, sure, I’d dabbled before– I’ve got more than a few Miike films on my shelf, for instance– but lately I’ve been going bananas with our friends to the East (note: “Friends to The East” does not include Kim Jong-Il, just in case anyone’s concerned about my political affiliations). It started with me revisiting Old Boy, and quickly turned into me buying up a slew of Asian Blu-rays over the past few weeks: The Good, The Bad, and The Weird and The Host and I Saw The Devil and — of course– House. And so, when the opportunity to review the Asian horror film Cold Fish arose, I gladly accepted. Unlike another, American-made horror film released under the “Bloody Disgusting Selects” banner that I just reviewed (YellowBrickRoad), this one was actually pretty damn good. Let’s get to it. Continue reading ‘Cold Fish (DVD Review)’
