Captain America: The Winter Soldier Blu-ray (4.5 Stars)

Walt Disney Studios brings us another fantastic Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Frankly, in my opinion Captain America: The Winter Soldier tops every previous MCU film to date. Captain America lends his back story and his persona to the story arch that an overreaching government or powerful group can take control of a country to do no good. I love old spy thrillers like Three Days of the Condor and Marathon Man, and this film blends the superhero aspects and the spy thrillers brilliantly. Also having Anthony and Joe Russo direct the film with a more practical take on the action scenes is another nice throwback to those great 70s movies.

Now I will move onto the special features. Once again, Disney gives the fans the shaft. This is the easiest way to put it. Not only are the Combo-Packs with the DVD a thing of the past, they decided to force 3D into the mix. I personally could care less as I've already upgraded to Blu-Ray, but not everyone has done this yet, nor has their friends or family. I digress though. The special features include your basic deleted scenes and gag reel which total in about 5 minutes for both. The special features also include a nice featurette called "On the Front Line: An Inside Look at Captain America's Battleground". This is a nice behind the scenes look at some of the bigger action scenes from the movie. Sadly, it only runs at 10 minutes long. The other featurette is "On Set with Anthony Mackie: Cut the Check. This is not anything special, and to make it worst it only runs at about 3 minutes. The final piece is a look at Steve Rogers' Notebook, which is an interesting look into the many different versions of his notebook for the worldwide audience. This is a nice featurette which runs at about 3 minutes. Finally comes the big piece, and that is the audio commentary featuring Anthony and Joe Russo(directors) and Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely(screenwriters). This is a very nice in-depth look at not only the film process from the Russo Brothers but, a nice look at how the story was crafted over a couple years. This feature easily steals the show but, that wasn't too hard. Overall, the special features are average, and that is only because the audio commentary saves the day. This is another poor effort from Disney, and there is no excuse for this widely popular film to have very limited special features.

This Blu-Ray also features the 7.1 Surround Sound, and it sounds amazing. This is personally one of the my favorites films to watch with my surround sound because of the added depth, and when the score from Henry Jackman starts rolling, it adds so much more to this amazing film.

Finally, this is really a must add Blu-Ray to your collection. Fans of the MCU will run out to buy this film probably needing no convincing of that, unless you are on the fence about the special features. While the special features are downright laughable overall, the movie itself warrants a buy because this film is just so damn good.

View the original article here

2016: Obama's America

2016: Obama?s America spends an hour and a half advocating a partially wild theory on the very fringes of the Republican Party. That it does so is irrelevant to its overall quality. Every documentary ever made is biased. From Bill Maher?s Religulous to that incredible HBO special about Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, they?re all created for a specific reason, sometimes with goals as big as denouncing religion and sometimes with goals as small as reminding us how special a rivalry was. The only thing that truly matters, at least from a job-well-done standpoint, is whether or not the final product is effective in delivering its biased message.

In order to accomplish this goal, most documentary filmmakers use humor, popular music, snazzy visual effects and/ or emotional images to keep the pace of their film exciting, even for observers who might not be super on board with the subject matter. Filmmaker Dinesh D?Souza, a college president and former White House employee, mostly eschews these typical conventions in an effort to explain his case more as a scholar would. Large segments of 2016?s runtime are actually just D?Souza talking to the camera, which in a way, is noble. Unfortunately, in this case, it?s also misguided. By limiting his approach, he makes one?s enjoyment of his film almost 100% linked to a willingness to buy into his argument, and since he?s attempting to prove a hypothesis that?s 10% crazy, it?s an uphill battle, to put it nicely.

D?Souza?s argument goes something like this: Barack Obama?s father was a radical, firmly opposed to colonization. He was never around during the future President?s childhood, but Obama?s mother kept his memory alive by instilling his values into their son. This created a strange, fucked-up mindset for the child as he tried to live up to the fake, idealized standards of a man who was not there. Moving around the world before winding up in Hawaii, Obama was exposed to many more militants, all of whom offered their own trinkets of wisdom to go alongside his dad?s. Ultimately, this created a man who is aggressively anti-American and aggressively anti-Colonialist.

Now, here?s the problem. Most of that argument is not scandalous. In fact, given Obama?s extensive writings on the subject and what is in the public record, the non-crazy 90% is proveable. To his credit, D?Souza makes a valiant attempt to do so. He quotes extensively from Obama?s book, travels to Indonesia, Kenya and Hawaii, interviews Barack Sr?s radical buddies and even cites an article the late patriarch wrote, all of which is extremely effective in proving the elder Obama was a shitty father opposed to colonization, and some of the influences around after him were on the fringes of the political left. Unfortunately, that?s not the part of the hypothesis that needs all the evidence.

What needs to be proven is the crazy 10% because it?s one of the boldest claims a documentary has ever tried to make. Think about it for a second. This film argues the President of the United States is intentionally making decisions against America?s best interests. While not inherently impossible, an allegation like that needs a mountain of evidence. It needs a lengthy analysis. What we?re given is a cursory list of policy decisions made under his presidency. D?Souza seems to think they?ll be easily accepted as the second half of a cause and effect argument he started by proving the President has spent lots of time with leftist influences, but even given his upbringing, Obama?s apprehension to get aggressive with Iran puts him in line with most Democrats. What we?re supposed to take as a sign of radicalism just as easily plays as liberalism, and the same thing goes for the President?s views on government spending, stockpiles of weapons and taxes.

Deep within this documentary, there are two separate stories that deserve exhaustive analysis. There?s the story of Barack Sr.?s radicalism, and there?s the story of where America might actually be with four more years under Barack Jr. When D?Souza focuses on the former, he does pretty well, but when he uses the loosest of arguments to try and link to the latter, the connection falls apart.

Biased is okay. Poorly executed is not.

View the original article here

God Bless America [DVD]

If you remember when Americans had a true hold on satire, you?re at least as old as I am. What is there now? Mad Magazine is now ridiculously safe and kid-friendly. (Not that it ever wasn?t.) Stewart and Colbert laugh along with their admittedly brilliant punchlines. The Onion is a definite hallmark, but enough disillusioned people consider these stories credible that we may never understand satire as a nation ever again. Luckily, Bobcat Goldthwait has no time for the disillusioned, gifting us the hilariously scathing God Bless America. (Mad Magazine title: Glob Bless Ummerica.)

The Movie:

A well-established comedian, actor, and voice actor, Bobcat Goldthwait has reached a career renaissance as a writer and director of emotion-fueled, blacker-than-black comedies. After Sleeping Dogs Lie and World?s Greatest Dad, Bobcat aimed his offbeat sensibilities at murdering the ignorant and rude people in the world: the people who take up two parking spots and talk loudly in theaters. In other words, God Bless America is one of the most relatable movies in history.

Our schlubby protagonist, Frank (Joel Murray), spends his home life watching brainless dreck (parodies of current reality television) at high volume to drown out his neighbors? constant arguments. His workplace is filled with catch-phrasing drones. His doctor only has bad news whenever he actually pays attention to Frank. The film could be mistaken for a loopy Mike Judge comedy until Frank makes his anarchic intentions a reality by executing teen star Chloe, an amalgam of every whiny, annoying, over-privileged socialite clogging up the airwaves. His deeds are witnessed by a like-minded teenager named Roxy (Tara Lynne Barr), and the two form a strained bond connected by hatred for society at large.

While the rest of the plot?s violent bobbing and weaving across the country is equally enjoyable and unnerving, God Bless America finds its center in Frank and Roxy?s unconventional friendship, which the actors succeed in conveying properly. At times, Frank is the sage father to Roxy?s impulsive daughter, and other times it?s as if they?re on an information-sharing first date, the information being what kind of people they?d like to kill, as well as a shared dislike for screenwriter Diablo Cody. Thankfully, their age difference is commented on realistically and without sensation.

A key line in the film is Frank?s pondering, ?Why have a civilization anymore if we no longer are interested in being civilized?? While some viewers (and outwardly vocal non-viewers) will have a problem with the flippant gun use, especially when considering recent events, their true problems should lie in this train of thought existing in the first place. The majority of this nation's population spends money and time on things that don?t require deep thought and can be experienced in the laziest way possible. (Stark generalization.) I probably relate to Frank more than I?d like to admit, though I?m content to keep those thoughts in my head.

Because the film?s themes are so polarizing, even in satirical context, I feel almost biased for liking it so much, as if a DVD review isn?t the place for personal opinions to take over. The film?s third act does tread through predictable waters, but I really can?t think of many more negative things to say about it. As a character, Roxy gets on my nerves, but it?s because Barr?s performance is genuine. When you get right down to it, the world that Frank lives in is so over-the-top that any sentimental undertones feel like they came from a different movie, but Joel Murray, monologues and all, is so grounded in reality that you don?t notice it at the time. And who gives a shit about sentiment when there are so many morons to blast holes in?

If you only see one road movie this year where a baby is exploded with a shotgun to the tune of Brahms? Lullaby, God Bless America is the perfect choice.

The Disc:

A variety of quality features await you on this DVD. Bobcat, Murray, and Barr give one of the more engrossing commentaries I?ve heard on a comedy in a while. Barr?s youthful intelligence plays well against the two men?s decades-long experience in the industry. Equally informative and silly, there isn't a dull moment on the track.

Also enjoyable is ?Behind the Scenes: Killing with Kindness,? a 27-minute look at the God Bless America's production process. Bobcat talks about relating to Frank and the film?s dark themes, and shows us the pig-fart ringtone inspiration for Frank?s insipid TV watching. We also get to meet bearded cinematographer Bradley Stonesifer, whose marijuana use is referred to all over the place by Bobcat. A companion piece to this is the ?Interviews? portion, another 27-minute extra that sits Bobcat, Murray, and Barr together and allows each to give their insightful input about the making of the film and their chemistry together. Inspirations and criticisms are discussed, and Bobcat rightfully points out that this isn?t Natural Born Killers or a vigilante flick like Kickass.

?God Bless TV? contains deleted scenes from the reality TV sections of the film. Most notable are more of Larry Miller as Chloe?s dad, and the Jersey Shore-teez, a parody of the Shore with babies. There?s also a music video for ?Roxy and Frank (God Bless America),? performed by Mike Carano, which tells the literal story of the film?s characters.

The skippable extras are the short and boring ?Outtakes? feature and the HDNet special, which consists of chopped-up portions of the Interview segment, though they do talk about the trailer with a Marilyn Manson song in it, which you can also see in the special features.

I?d buy this film again if I didn?t already own it. We should be so lucky to have Bobcat as the voice of a generation who has seen it all and has a problem with most of it.

God Bless America [DVD] DetailsDistributor: Magnolia Home EntertainmentStarring: Joel Murray, Tara Lynne Barr, Mackenzie Brooke SmithDirected by: Bobcat GoldthwaitProduced by: Jeff Culotta, Edward H. Hamm

View the original article here

Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-ray Trailer!

Sep 21, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Paramount Home Entertainment announced the Blu-ray and DVD release details for Captain America: The First Avenger, which hits the shelves on October 25. The studio has released a Blu-ray trailer, which you can take a look at below. We also have the full press release with all of the Blu-ray and DVD details, plus the cover art below the trailer.

Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures introduce the latest addition to the incomparable Marvel Super Hero team with Captain America: The First Avenger, ready for action on high definition Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD October 25, 2011. Called "the best superhero movie ever" (Brian Erdy, CBS-TV), the thrill-packed adventure is a blockbuster hit with audiences worldwide, earning over $350 million at the Global Box Office. When a terrifying force threatens everyone across the globe, the world's greatest soldier wages war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull. Loaded with fantastic action, stunning visual effects and an awe-inspiring hero imbued with courage, humanity and an unbreakable spirit, Captain America: The First Avenger transports viewers into a world of daring exploits and excitement. Starring Chris Evans in the title role, the film features an outstanding ensemble cast including Academy Award-winner Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving as Marvel's Ultimate Villain, Red Skull, Dominic Cooper, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke and Stanley Tucci.

The Captain America: The First Avenger three-disc set includes the film on Blu-ray in high-definition 3D and in high definition 2D, as well as on standard definition DVD with a digital copy. The two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack includes a high definition presentation of the film, plus a standard definition presentation with a digital copy. Both sets boast over an hour of behind-the-scenes bonus material including an original Marvel short film, an exclusive sneak peek into the ultimate Super Hero team, Marvel's The Avengers, six featurettes that go behind-the-scenes of the filmmaking process, deleted scenes and much more.

The Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-ray Discs are presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description with English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The DVD in the sets is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Surround and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The digital copy is presented with an English Audio track.

Blu-ray
Feature film with commentary by director Joe Johnston, director of photography Shelly Johnson and editor Jeff FordMarvel One-Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's HammerOutfitting a Hero featuretteHowling Commandos featuretteHeightened Technology featuretteThe Transformation featuretteBehind the Skull featuretteCaptain America Origins featuretteThe Assembly Begins featuretteDeleted Scenes with commentary by director Joe Johnston, director of photography Shelly Johnson and editor Jeff FordTrailers

DVD

The three-disc set includes all of the above, plus the feature film on Blu-ray 3D. Captain America: The First Avenger will also be available as a single-disc DVD presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround, French 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround and English Audio Description and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The disc includes feature commentary, the featurettes "Outfitting a Hero" and "The Assembly Begins" and trailers.

Captain America: The First Avenger, directed by Joe Johnston, from a screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) to fight the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). One of a continuing slate of films being produced by Marvel Studios based on the Marvel characters, Captain America: The First Avenger joins Thor which was released on May 6, 2011 and Marvel's The Avengers which is coming to theaters on May 4, 2012. Captain America: The First Avenger, distributed by Paramount Pictures, hit theaters on July 22, 2011. Sources: Paramount Home Entertainment, Marvel

View the original article here

Captain America: The First Avenger on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D October 25th

Aug 27, 2011 by The MovieWeb Team

Amazon is now taking pre-orders for the Blu-ray release of the 2011 summer blockbuster, Captain America: The First Avenger. The Paramount/Marvel Studios co-production will be available in a 3D Limited Edition combo pack (Captain America: The First Avenger - Three-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy) and a standard combo pack (Captain America: The First Avenger - Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy), as well as the Captain America: The First Avenger DVD. These will hit retail with starting prices of $54.99 and $42.99 respectively.

The Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III) directed feature stars Chris Evans as the iconic superhero along with Hayley Atwell (The Duchess), Hugo Weaving (The Matrix) and Tommy Lee Jones (No Country for Old Men). The film tells the origin story of Steve Rogers' transformation into the super-soldier Captain America and his mission to stop Nazi officer Johann Schmidt/Red Skull. Captain America performed strong at the box office last month and has hauled in over $316 million worldwide to date.

The Blu-ray for Captain America: The First Avenger will feature DTS HD Master Audio 7.1 and a 2:39:1 aspect ratio. Though Paramount has yet to fully detail the release, an unconfirmed listing of special features is outlined below.

Captain America: The First Avenger streets on October 25th, 2011.

Captain America: The First Avenger was released July 22nd, 2011 and stars Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Dominic Cooper, Richard Armitage, Stanley Tucci. The film is directed by Joe Johnston.

View the original article here