‘UP IN THE AIR’ is a Good, but Lightweight Film
December 22nd, 2009 by Bob Ignizio
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is a professional hatchet man. When businesses have to downsize, he’s the guy who gets called in to deliver the bad news. Bingham has no close friends or family, and loves having a job that keeps him constantly on the move from one city to the next, living out of airports and hotel rooms. He finds a kindred spirit in businesswoman Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga). Continue reading ‘‘UP IN THE AIR’ is a Good, but Lightweight Film’
After the death of his twin brother, Paraplegic marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) voyages to the alien world of Pandora to complete the mission his late sibling had signed up for. The mission involves transferring Jake’s consciousness into an artificially grown body called an avatar via some futuristic gizmo. These avatars have been created to look like the native humanoid population, known as the Na’vi. 
Don’t worry. I am not posting this to make a shameless plug to capitalize on Brittany Murphy Blu-ray sales, but instead I simply wanted to express my condolences for Hollywood’s loss of a much-adored actress on Sunday. Brittany may not have been a favorite of mine, but I always respected her for her talent and unique acting style that lent itself well to the vicious tales told in one of my most revered films of all-time, Sin City. 
Finally the release date for Avatar arrived. The street lamp-hung signs at July’s Comic-Con now fulfilled their advertising destiny. The autumn-released teaser trailers and strategically placed glimpses were no longer needed as the real deal had landed. Rumors had swirled for months as to how much the film cost. Some said it was the first $300,000,000 film ever made, the most expensive to date. 
For nearly three hours tonight I sat in the movie theater and completely forgot about all of my troubles, all of my worries and nothing else even mattered to me in the world except the universe James Cameron masterfully created in Avatar. I even forgot I was part of the human race as I sat there in captive bewilderment. Not even the rude patron kicking on the back of my chair could distract me. 
Ever since I recently attended the musical of the same name, a few months back, I have eagerly wanted to watch Young Frankenstein on Blu-ray. I was almost ready to pull the trigger on a Blu-ray purchase when all the sudden The Mel Brooks Collection was announced and I got news that I would be getting the chance to review the film. Talk about coincidence. Thank you for listening God! 
Looks like Warner Home Video is following Universal’s take on providing their Blu-ray customers with a DVD copy of the film they just purposely bought on the Blu-ray format. While it’s not the same flipper technology Universal is using, Warner will be packaging each Blu-ray in 2010 with an additional DVD disc and a Digital Copy disc. Can you say wow? Is it necessary? I guess that depends upon the customer in question. 
Before you blast me for bad grammar contained within my post’s title, take a sigh of relief and know that yes I have checked with the Internet’s #1 authority, 
This past week, a very rare thing happened in U.S. cinema. A film was released for one week. Yep, that’s it, seven days. On December 11th, Director Lawrence Jordan’s concert film, Larger Than Life in 3D hit theaters making anything but a big splash. Filmed at the three-day long Austin City Limits music festival in Austin, Texas this past October, Larger Than Life in 3D features the musical work of Gogol Bordello, Ben Harper and Relentless7, and last but certainly not least, Dave Matthews Band. 
I have to admit to being late to the scene when I first discovered Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, or Lady Gaga to the layperson. I remember hearing the name before, but I knew nothing about the brains behind the woman who is responsible for orchestrating that infectious “Just Dance” track that seemingly always blasted from my wife’s KISS FM listening habits in the car. 
If the title of this post did not intrigue you, then I am sorry to say that you are not alive. I am just kidding. I recently just returned from a business/vacation trip to Las Vegas. If there is a heaven on Earth, then Las Vegas is that to me. As usual, I did not want to come back to the harsh winter climate of Cleveland, Ohio. Despite the few days of below normal temperatures out in Las Vegas, I can always find ways to have a good time out there. 
I missed this one in the theaters so I am excited to check it out on the Blu-ray format. Luckily, I won’t have to wait that long to do so. Sony Pictures recently announced a February 9th Blu-ray release date for the Penn Badgley and Dylan Walsh thriller 
Hilary Swank and Richard Gere take flight in the story of Amelia this February on Blu-ray. The inspirational and romantic journey of the adored American heroine soars to Blu-ray (with an included digital copy) on February 2nd. The Blu-ray disc will feature a English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio surround track. Check out the full press release below courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray release is also available for pre-order now at 
Ahhh Vegas. They really know how to throw a party out there. Call it the entertainment capital of the world, the grown-ups’ playground, call it what you may, there’s no denying that those casinos know how to bring in an audience and have them leaving happy. The folks at the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino are no stranger to this, as this past week the famed establishment hosted the likes of none other than Dave Matthews and his guitarist-extraordinaire friend, Tim Reynolds. 
I have been waiting for this day for a long time! Today…officially dubbed “The National Hangover Day”…is the day Blu-ray fans get to see the #1 R-rated comedy of all-time in glorious High-Definition. I can’t imagine a better way to experience The Hangover than on the Blu-ray format. 
Nearly twenty years ago, a wise figure once said, “Death comes for us all, Oroku Saki.” This astute sensei was none other than Master Splinter, from 1990’s 
Being the huge Rob Zombie fans we are here we thought we would share some photos sent to us from the show we attended in Detroit this past November (11/27/09). Extra special thanks to Mirak of 
With the recent release of New Moon, the latest installment in Summit’s Box-Office behemoth the Twilight Series (or Saga, or whatever they’re calling it), vampires seem to be on everyone’s mind nowadays; be it for the tweens’ phenomenal adoration of them or the fan boy disdain of what they represent. One thing is for sure; the pale sulky vampires are here to stay until weekend openings say otherwise. 
