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

Batman: Assault on Arkham Blu-ray (4.5 Stars)

Every so often the DC animated department releases one of these animated films. This time around DC went away from their rebooted New 52 setting and instead decided to take a chance at making a film based on the very popular Arkham video game series that have been released over the recent years. While the tie in is not that deep that most will pick up on it, there are still some subtle notices of the video game areas that some of us are use to seeing. Now onto the special features.

I usually get very upset with the special features of many Blu-Rays these days, while this set really didn't make me mad like the previous DC animated film I reviewed did, it wasn't exactly a giant step in the right direction either. There are a few featurettes that come as special features(on the Blu-Ray only), for example the preview of the upcoming Justice League animated film "Justice League: Throne of Atlantis"(this is also on the DVD). While I wouldn't call this much of a special feature, it is nice to see what the future is for these films. That featurettes runs at just over 9 minutes. There is also a nice background featurette that features Harley Quinn(who has a major roles in this film). This feature has nice background of the character, and only runs at just over 13 minutes long. The big featurette of the Blu-Ray is a look at the background of Arkham Asylum from the comics to the video game. This is a nice feature, sadly they barely even mention the connection of this movie and the popular video games. Which is why I actually listened to the audio commentary for once. This commentary was very informative and is a much watch for those who feel let down by the other special features.The Arkham Asylum featurette runs at just over 27 minutes.

As usual with a Blu-Ray it comes with the top of the line sound and picture quality. While once again 7.1 surround sound is missing, 5.1 surround sound does just fine if you are watching on a home theater system. Hopefully though, with future releases that important update comes along.

The movie itself is generally very well done with some very exciting fight scenes. While I cannot say this film is better than the recent New 52 Justice League animated films, it sure feels on the same level in terms of quality. The good thing about moving away from the New 52 film is that legendary Batman voice actor, Kevin Conroy is back once again. When I was younger I grew up watching the animated television show, and to have him back is simply amazing. Troy Baker continues to voice The Joker, and if no one told you Mark Hamill had left the role a few years ago, you wouldn't even know there was an actor change. Baker is really something special the way he delivers those fantastic one liners throughout the film. Very good stuff.

In closing, this movie is a must own for the DC animated fans like myself. What this film also brings to the table is a reason for the Arkham video game fans to own it as well. Either way, this film was very good, although I'm still sort of letdown by the special features.

View the original article here

Poltergeist Blu-ray (4.5 Stars)

One of the biggest moments of my childhood was seeing Poltergeist for the first time at 7 years old. I saw it on a 4:3 set on a very old DVD in my parents' bedroom, after my mom had recently come home from the hospital after surgery. One night, my dad came home from the library with some DVDs, and one of them was Poltergeist. I popped it into the DVD player without hesitation as I'd wanted to see it since I was 5. I knew from the moment it started, Poltergeist was going to be a great movie, but little did I know it would become my favorite movie of all time, and I'd want to experience it again and again.

Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams star in this classic as Steve and Diane Freeling, who live with their three children, 16-year-old Dana (Dominique Dunne), 8-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and 5-year-old Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) in Cuesta Verde, CA, soon learn that their home is haunted, and that the spirits talk to Carol Anne through their television. Everything seems normal at first. Dana gives construction workers the finger and talks on the phone later than she's supposed to, Robbie is a huge Star Wars fan, and Carol Anne feeds her goldfish an entire tube of food. One night, a tree tries to eat Robbie, but they quickly save him. When the ghosts kidnap Carol Anne through the closet, they are forced to fight the evil spirit that holds their daughter if they ever want to see her again.

Well-acted, well-written, and well-directed, with great special effects, Poltergeist is the greatest ghost story put on film.

Let's start with the acting. The performances are top-notch. The way lines are said, the facial expressions, body language, everything about the characters feels real. Craig T. Nelson's performance as Steve is the most real dad in a movie I've ever seen. JoBeth Williams' performance as Diane is the most real mom in a movie I've ever seen. Heather O'Rourke gives the best performance by a 5-year-old I've ever seen. Zelda Rubinstein is also great. It doesn't even seem like they're acting. The special effects still hold up, because they still look real. The plot is still very original, because it's set in modern suburban America, and it's about a normal family that loves each other, rather than an abusive husband and father.

Poltergeist is so well-written that nobody has to die, nor does it have to be gory to keep us on the edge of our seats. Poltergeist features a great plot, great acting, great directing, and great writing. I can't recommend Poltergeist enough. Poltergeist is a kid's movie, so it's not all that scary, though there are scenes that may scare you or creep you out, but you won't be scarred for life. In the end it really is a fun thrill ride. It's a movie every kid must see by the time they're 8 years old. For some reason, I find myself trying, sometimes unsuccessfully, to hold back tears every time I see it.

View the original article here

Hellboy II: The Golden Army Blu-ray (4.5 Stars)

I saw this movie three times now on the counties DVD and wanted my own for reasons that Roger Ebert once confessed he thought perplexing--"Why would anyone want to have a movie on VHS at home?"

In terms of aesthetics there are sound reasons for the question: scale of image, the startling wonder of a fresh print--one lacking quarter second marker, lines, pops, the sense of a shared experience, and more are valid and indisputable.

By I can see this is print, stop it and marvel at the artistic production values--at the incredibly rich visuals of this filmmaker to my heart's content.

I know the story will hold up and I can enjoy so much more and beyond what even the best movie reviewers could experience in their one time through experience in the preview movie rooms they enjoyed.

View the original article here

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition Blu-ray (3.0 Stars)

The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey was a wholly Unexpected one. It lacked emotion, danger, nor atmosphere than the previous Trilogy. I didn't sit gladly throughout until some actual levity and character development appeared and it wasn't until the last twenty minutes of the piece. The extended edition though impacted me immensely, the story all but obviously brighter, safer, freer to be an adventure and a voyeuristic film, instead of the lore, politics and huge arc's that made TLOTR. Though TLOTR's series will always hold a deeper and more passion love in my being and soul, due to the age I saw them, and how they afflicted me and changed my perspective on film-making. But The Hobbit films are still not given enough credit, these films are pure cinema quality fodder, they retain what a true cinema experience is, bold, brash, fun, charming, makes your heart beat, original. Though some scenes and odd bits feel recycled, Jackson and Co. know how to make good action and spectacle. |Yes, The Hobbit films are Not as out there and thoughtful and Tolkien driven, but they still retains the spirit, look, feel of the Middle Earth saga so far established by by Peter Jackson.

The Hobbit AUJ was livened up by the added sequences of the dwarves, their bond, familiarity, strength divided opinion in the theatrical cut, but the Extended though only an added 20 odd minutes still made it broader, you felt the relationship, it exhumed the wit and wilds that these company represent, wherein the theatrical all of them are only messily set up in a thirty minute intro. But sadly the opposite lies here in The Desolation of Smaugs Extended Cut, happily stated by Jackson as "not playing by the rules, it being a recut and not a Extended Cut" his heart still lies in giving us more as he dos. Here though the sequences are Deleted Scenes material, the pact that should never see the light of day, attached to the film in any way should be illegal. But instead he saw this opportunity and altered the film, not at all as detailed driven as he previously has been to the recuts, having run into the Commentary openly admitting he had no idea what film he was watching, and obviously from this recut obviously no idea what he thought he was doing for the REPUTATION OF THIS FILM. It features many ex-positional sequences that obviously had been added for theatrical usages, due to the loss of the NOW added sequences, but not re-editing them out so we don't have repetitive story alleviations, that are not working for the pace of TDOS, both playing over each other through the run time. So Jackson openly admits this in commentary, uncaring, and seemingly not so fond of the cut himself but just passing it of for the fans, but ruining what I class as the best Hobbit film so far.

The Desolation is fast, fastest in cut, pace and storytelling, never letting up in action, spectacle, beautiful sets designs, and introducing stronger characters, bigger presences like Beorn, that you crave to see more of, but crave to see less of in THE EXTENDED CUT. Evangeline Lily superb, elegant, troubled and skilled, Legolas looking young as ever, as theatrical and OTT as ever also, but for the fun of it amped up to 1010% awesome. The film sees us comfortable with the company of the Dawrves of Erebor, also the introduction of an unsung hero in the form of Luke Evans' Bard The Bowman, and also the return of the Necromancer aka. Sauron. It sees our troupe, all known, all ever funny, heroic but flawed and daft, but also a deeper look at the dwarves, as characters and benefactors to this mission, and the simplicity and episodic pacing suits this film. It isn't tied down by much, the strands never over bearing, enough for a young audience to lap up, and enough Middle Earth/Peter Jackson fans happy. Also to see Gandelfs true almighty power at Dol Gul Dor is and stands immense. Everything from the motion capture, visual wizardy itself, the motivations, Bilbo's growth but also slow demise into the cruel lull of the One Ring.

Peter Jackson isnt abject to the notion that true Tolkien-ites want to kill him, but I find much more entertainment, power, emotion and beauty from watching Jackson's iteration and vision than that of Tolkiens wasted imaginary./ Tolkien was the man for ideas, not putting them down well, nor actually evolving them, so comes in Boyens and Welsh and Jackson and make it come true. These films do aim to please, but they also allow you to go, oh I would like to go read that book. Im my humble opinion, both fans stray, your either the films legion or the Tolkien Legion, as Boyens says "many of your fans and of the audience who love these films are not known to Tolkiens work" which lets be honest is a short children's book, some appendices, a 1000 or something book that is flawed and has only found true fanfare and fruition since the release of Fellowship so back off and except the films as they are, grand.

But the Extended Cut is just dull, it strains on the perfect run time of the Theatrical Release, it also goes into details to already knuckle biting irritants in the form of Ryan Gages Alfridd and Stephen Frys Lord of Laketown, both dull, repetitive, there for exposition, there for crudity, and there to get the frame device going. Also longing out the prologue of the film, with the meeting between Gandelf and Thorin throwing in a very hastily put together flashback, that constitutes many a more scenes coming, and also an introduction of a new character, Thorins Father Thrain who is stuck in Dol Gu Dur, enchanted and made. The edit sets back Gandelfs own quest and motivation for the film, to go there, knowing it may be a trap, all the legions of wargs and the pale orcs followers amassing for the pursuing war that Sauron is heading,.

Instead its dulled down, elongated about him rescuing Thrain, yes the intrigue about Azog taking the ring from Thorins father, being one of the brothers to the one ring which the ring master himself is collecting, makes you grin, but if you pay attention, it is explained in one sequences already, layering more on top just dumbs it down, makes the audience feel small and undermined.

The addition of the relationship between Gandelf and Thrain is heart breaking, the sorrow, but the following just loses out, and the inclusion of that classic "ARGH" action/wounded sound effect is obviously thrown in for Jackson love of it and also probably he couldn't be bothered to go into the sound mix and create something new, so any creature or character bumped off, that classic distressed yelp pursues, destroying the atmosphere and the huge moment that is the revealing the eye of Saurons iris is Saurons silhouette, Shores score thumbing. In cinemas it is an immense scene, Gandelf facing evil itself, showing the light of his power, against the thrashings of Saurons. Jackson obviously had this idea way back or felt he needed to add something new into the mix, and the idea the iris of Sauron is Sauron was just a eyes wide open, why didnt I think of that? Moment, but with the threading of deletable and travesty sequences to it, it kills the film in many places and sours its pace, its DNA, but I am happy those scenes didnt make the cut at all. So theatrical cut, a sure go!

The film triumphs in emotionality, connections, Bilbo's acent and slowly and secret decent into this mania and madness, sickness of the ring.

Richard Armatage has been blown out of frame as oh hes this films Aragorn. He isnt, he is more than Aragorn, he is troubled, determined, set in mind to be king, good of heart, good of soul, but good of mind, no. He is stronger and a stand out, you want to give him a hearty wallop on the back but also spit in his face. He is this films own new heroic image, so push aside Viggo comparisons, they are far and between tonally different.

Jackson is the only guy for these movies, the tension, the multi layers of tone and making it fit into the world, the scenes in Mirkwood stand out, all giving it there all and the film feels more confidant and free than the last Hobbit. I still have not seen The Battle of The Five Armies, but having rekindled my love over the Christmas period with my Blu-Ray releases I am set to see it this Saturday, so await my review. I am always forgiving on Jackson, for Kong, for Lovely Bones because, he isnt all talk, he is actions, and all about entertainment and keeping us happy. That he does, and more, no matter what a Tolkien nerd or pompous film critic thinks, feel lucky these are films we should have more of, and will, as long as Jacksons on the scene.

EXTENDED EDITION: 4 stars

THEATRICAL: 5 Stars

View the original article here

Justice League: War Blu-ray (4.0 Stars)

Great film. Special Features are bland This Combo pack set which includes the Blu-Ray/DVD/Ultra Violet is a nice addition to any fan of the DC Comic animated films. The special features in this set contain 4 featurettes. In total these 4 featurettes run at about 90 minutes. While these are interesting behind the scene looks at the film an audio commentary or two would have really pushed this combo pack above, and beyond. As well the set contains "4 Vintage DC Cartoon". To me this is just filler to give the set an hour of extra "features". The best part of the combo pack in my opinion is the one featurette titled "A Sneak Peak of Son of Batman". This is a 10 minute look at the upcoming DC animated film. It gives us fans of the DC animated universe a nice look at what to expect next.

As always Blu-Ray gives out amazing picture , and audio. This Blu-Ray kicks out 5.1 Dolby Digital sound that is truly amazing with a home theater system. 7.1 would have been much better, but I'm not really complaining on that front. The picture quality is stunning. With a 1080p output this really outshines the basic DVD version that comes along in this combo pack as well. If you are lucky enough to buy this combo pack early enough you will be greeted, like most Blu-Rays are today, with a nice slipcover. Personally these are an added bonus for the films.

While I won't actually be reviewing the entire movie here as this is just a Blu-Ray combo pack review, I will say the action and voice acting is very good. Newcomer to the animated DC world like Jason O'Mara (Batman) don't stand out like the rest of the cast. The over the top action at times does hurt the stroy progression at times. Banter between Batman, and Green Lantern is just pure comedy gold as well.

Overall this Blu-Ray Combo pack is a must own for really everybody, not just hardcore DC animated fans like myself. While the extras aren't that spectacular, the movie itself is great, and definitely worth the buy.

View the original article here

The Folks In the attic makes its Blu-Ray debut

6/12/2014 11:14:22 AM, by Guido Henkel
The Folks In the attic makes its Blu-Ray debutUniversal Galleries Home Theatre has introduced the approaching discharge of the Wes Craven 1991 movie, The Folks In The Attic, arranging a Blu-Ray form of the film for September.
In each and every neighborhood, there's one house that grown ups whisper about and kids mix the road to prevent. Now, Director Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street) goes within the People In the attic. Trapped inside a prepared home possessed with a mysterious couple, a youthful boy is all of a sudden thrust right into a nightmare he can?t escape. The boy rapidly discovers the real character from the house's homicidal occupants and also the secret animals hidden in the attic. Who knows what disasters is going to be revealed within this film the Bay Area Chronicle calls, "Wes Craven's most satisfying movie."
The discharge will have a 1080p hd transfer having a DTS 2. HD Master Audio track. Additionally, the discharge may also have a DigitalHD Ultraviolet form of the video. Not one other bonus materials happen to be introduced.
?The People Underneath the Stairs? come in stores on September 2.

View the original article here

The Astonishing Spiderman 2 shifts to Blu-Ray in August

6/19/2014 11:13:17 AM, by Guido Henkel
The Astonishing Spiderman 2 shifts to Blu-Ray in AugustThe new sony Pictures Entertainment has introduced the approaching discharge of The Astonishing Spiderman 2, arranging the video for release on Blu-Ray Disc and DVD in August.
It?s great to become Spider-Guy (Andrew Garfield).? For Peter Parker, there?s no feeling that can compare with swinging between highrises, adopting to be the hero, and investing time with Gwen (Emma Stone).? When you are Spider-Guy comes in a cost:only Spider-Guy can safeguard his fellow New Yorkers in the formidable villains that threaten the town.To Using the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe much more effective than he.? So that as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter involves understand that all his opponents get one factor in keeping:To Oscorp.
The Blu-Ray form of the discharge includes the six-part, behind-the-moments Documentary, ?The Wages of Gallantry: Making The Astonishing Spider-Guy 2,? including greater than 100 minutes of featurettes detailing the way the film was introduced to existence. Available too around the Blu-Ray version only are nine all-new Erased Moments with commentary by director Marc Webb, such as the scene ?Peter Meets His Father.?
Both Blu-Ray and DVD versions from the movie includes a Commentary Track, four Erased Moments and Alicia Keys? ?It?s On Again? Music Video.
?The Amazing Spiderman 2? will arrive on August 19 and could be yours for $45.99 like a Blu-Ray three dimensional/Blu-Ray/DVD/UltraViolet Combo Pack, $40.99 like a Blu-Ray/DVD/UltraViolet Combo Pack or $30.99 like a single-disc DVD. Secure your copy today at Amazon . com.comView the original article here

Rosemary's Baby arrives on Blu-Ray and DVD

6/23/2014 11:20:30 AM, by Guido Henkel
Rosemary?s Baby arrives on Blu-Ray and DVDLionsgate Home Theatre just introduced the approaching discharge of the 2014 TV small-series, Rosemary?s Baby, starring Zoe Saldana. In line with the best-selling suspense novel by Ira Levin and including a teleplay by James Wong, the releases is scheduled to have an August release.
Occur present-day France, Rosemary's Baby focuses on a youthful husband and wife that escapes New You are able to and moves to Paris with about departing their sad past behind. After a number of unfortunate occasions, Rosemary oil (Zoe Saldana) and Guy Woodhouse (Patrick J. Adams) are given a deal they cannot refuse - a condo at most exclusive address within the city. Issue is, it arrives with a haunted past, as well as an immeasurable cost.
The Blu-Ray form of the discharge may also contain two bonus Featurettes, known as "Fear comes into the world: The building of Rosemary's Baby" and "Grand Guignol: Parisian Production Design," talking about the particular subjects from the movie?s production.
?Rosemary?s Baby? will arrive on August 19 and could be yours to possess for $19.99 on Blu-Ray Disc or DVD. Secure your copy today at Amazon . com.comView the original article here

John Badham's Dracula causes it to be to Blu-Ray

6/26/2014 11:27:21 AM, by Guido Henkel
John Badham?s Dracula causes it to be to Blu-RayUniversal Home Theatre just introduced a forthcoming Blu-Ray edition of John Badham?s 1979 form of Dracula, arranging the discharge from the disc for September.
Throughout history, Dracula has filled men's hearts with fear - and women's hearts with desire. Within this stylish retelling from the classic tale of horror, Frank Langella gives an electrifying performance because the bloodthirsty Count, with Mister Laurence Olivier as his legendary enemy, Van Helsing, the famous and relentless vampire hunter trying to finish the Dark Prince's reign of terror within the people of Transylvania!
The discharge will have a 1080p hd transfer having a DTS 2. HD Master audio track. No information has been created available whether this is actually the original, theatrical form of the video or director Badham?s revisited, color-modified version.
Additionally, the discharge may also have a Commentary Track by Director John Badham, and also the Featurette ?The Revamping of Dracula?. Further, the discharge contains Universal Classic Monsters Trailer and also the Dracula Tv Show Trailer
The discharge also has a Digital Copy as well as an UltraViolet version.
Search for ?Dracula? in shops on September 2.

View the original article here

August brings Elvis to Blu-Ray

4/22/2014 11:25:35 AM, by Guido Henkel
August brings Elvis to Blu-RayWarner Home Video just introduced to create tow Elvis films to Blu-Ray Disc later this season. Elvis: That?s the actual way it Is will arrive like a 2-Disc Exclusive Edition Blu-ray Premium Digibook, while Viva Vegas is going to be launched like a 50th Anniversary Premium Digibook inAugust.
With 1000's of ft of materials including sequences put into capture with greater closeness Elvis' performances and the creative process behind-the-moments, the formerly launched Elvis: That?s The Actual Way It Is Exclusive Edition has become being provided like a Blu-ray two disc Exclusive Edition Premium Digibook. Denis Sanders (Shock Treatment) directed this ?rockumentary.? Academy Award-nominated Lucien Ballard (The Wild Bunch) was the cinematographer, following a show?s development from testing to stage.
Additionally towards the movie itself, the discharge includes Patch Up, phone restoration from the film, 12 Outtakes of song and nonmusical sequences, the 1970 Original Theatrical Version along with a DVD form of the video.
Viva Vegas is Elvis? greatest grossing movie, because he shares the screen with Ann-Margret, easily allowing the most electrifying joining Elvis had on the watch's screen. He plays Lucky Jackson, a great Prix race driver working in a casino to boost cash for any new engine she?s expensive hotels swimming instructor - and also the romantic action revs up using their first meeting. George Sidney, who also directed Ann-Margret in Bye Bye Birdie, combines the hormonal warmth wave with fascinating sights of ?60s Vegas. David Winters (West Side Story) choreographed the ten musical song-and-dance moments that also featured his ballroom dancers. Tunes range from the high-curler title track, the stars? duet on ?The Lady Loves Me,? her sultry ?Appreciation? and also the King?s form of Ray Charles? ?What?d I Only Say.?
As bonus materials, the discharge consists of a Commentary Track by Steve Pond, rock journalist and author of ?Elvis in Hollywood?, the Featurette ?Kingdom: Elvis in Vegas? and also the movie?s Theatrical Trailer.
Both releases is going to be on August 12 for $27.98.

View the original article here

See The World’s End on Blu-Ray in November

9/27/2013 10:40:30 AM, by Guido Henkel
See The World’s End on Blu-Ray in NovemberUniversal Home Entertainment has just added The World’s End to their release line-up, scheduling the film for release on DVD and Blu-Ray Disc in November.
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost reteam with director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) in this wildly entertaining thrill ride.  Twenty years after their first epic pub crawl attempt, the “five musketeers” reunite in their home town to complete the ultimate challenge – one night, five friends, twelve bars – a boozy quest on which only the strongest will survive. But after a bizarre series of encounters with the out-of-this-world locals, they soon realize that reaching their final pub, The World’s End, may be the least of their troubles.  They’re having the time of their lives, ready to take on the world… but tonight they may have to save it.
The DVD version contain a Commentary Track with Screenwriters Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, as well as the Making-Of Featurette “Completing the Golden Mile”. While on the surface “The World’s End” looks like a movie about a bunch of old friends getting drunk on a pub crawl, it’s actually about much more.  Look through the eyes of these frequent collaborators at the depth of the themes and the relationships between characters.
The Blu-Ray version is loaded with extras, including the commentary track and making-of featurette. In addition, however, yo uwill find a Cast Commentary with stars Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Paddy Considine on the release, as well as a Technical Commentary with director Edgar Wright and director of photography Bill Pope.
Filling in the Blanks is a look at the stunts and FX of the movie, as cast and crew discuss the prowess of ?“The World’s End” stunt and VFX teams. Watch rehearsals of intricate fight scenes choreographed by some of the movies’ best stuntmen. Learn how the VFX team enhances the existing footage to perfect the film’s look and style.
Further, look for a selection of Deleted Scenes, Outtakes and Alternate Edits, as well as Hair and Make-Up Tests and Rehearsal Footage.
Also included is Stunt Tapes, a behind-the-scenes look at the bathroom fight, the twinbot fight and the beehive fight, as well as VFX Breakdown in which VFX Supervisor Frazer Churchill compares production footage with final shots to take viewers behind the veil of the outrageous visual effects sequences.
There's Only One Gary King is a mash-up of Gary King’s (Simon Pegg) best moments, while Signs & Omens offers up a clip montage that highlights all the hidden clues and hints throughout the film.
Then there is The Man Who Would Be (Gary) King another edition of Edgar & Simon's Flip Chart, in which writers Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg bring back the trusty flip chart to reveal their step-by-step process of creating the story.
“The world’s End” arrives on November 19 and can be yours to partake for $29.98 on DVD and $34.98 as a Blu-Ray/DVD/Ultraviolet combo. Secure your copy today at Amazon.com

View the original article here

Hotel Transylvania [Blu-ray]

Hotel Transylvania is a movie that almost never happened. The film was in the making for six years, and cycled through five directors before Genndy Tartakovsky finally signed on and got the project rolling for good. It?s a good thing he did, because Hotel Transylvania broke box office records back in September, making Hotel Transylvania one of the more successful animated films this year.

The Movie:

Hotel Transylvania follows Count Dracula (Adam Sandler), a hotel entrepreneur and over-protective father who has built a niche for himself and his vampire daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez), in the middle of Transylvania. The hotel has developed a reputation as a secret haven for monsters like the Frankenstein family (Kevin James and Fran Drescher), werewolves (Steve Buscemi and Molly Shannon), the Invisible Man (David Spade), and even Quasimodo (Jon Lovitz). However, when a human boy named Jonathan (Andy Samberg) happens upon the hidden hotel and begins to fall for Mavis, the Count must determine whether to intervene or let his baby girl make her own chances.

The story is surprisingly touching for a cast that features frequent Sandler collaborators and was written by Borat co-writer Peter Baynham and SNL?s Robert Smigel. Sandler?s movies have always been tinged with family lessons alongside the jokes, but in Hotel Transylvania there?s a great balance between Sandler?s Count and a focus on Mavis? wants and needs, and the movie subsequently becomes more than just the Adam Sandler Show.

Still, there are touches of more standard, juvenile jokes throughout. There?s a lengthy fart joke involving Frankenstein?s legs going rogue that Tartakovsky openly admits in the commentary to being a part of as well as a werewolf bum sniffing joke that pops up later on. Audiences that can patiently sit through the kiddy laughs will find some performances and side comments that are terribly clever, and besides, even the fart joke isn?t the worst I?ve seen.

In a year filled with strange, scary and macabre animated films, Hotel Transylvania stands out with its animated characters, who retain many of the looks and appeal of the most horrific monsters from legend, while giving them cute or goofy faces and expressions that won?t make them intimidating for kids. Part of the reason I believe Frankenweenie and ParaNorman didn?t do so well with audiences was that those films focused on animation that was strange and scary. While the looks of those movies may be innovative and gleeful for some audiences, a lot of children don?t want to be frightened, and Hotel Transylvania doesn?t fall into that trap.

Hotel Transylvania isn?t the type of movie that will stand out as one of the greatest animated films of all time. It won?t break down barriers or usher audiences into a brand new era of animation, but it is a pleasant family tale that can be enjoyed again and again, and as such, it?s likely a worthy addition to any family collection.

The Disc:

The packaging for Hotel Transylvania is oddly sized. The set itself is thicker-than-normal, and I was surprised the 3D Blu-ray didn?t feature a signature blue case, like most other standard Blu-rays. While I didn?t catch the 3D version of the film while watching, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment?s film is crisp and heavily detailed on Blu-ray, and the menu page is easy to navigate.

As far as special features go, ?Goodnight Mr. Foot? is a cartoon extra which gives us another glimpse at the hotel featured in the movie, but focuses on different lead characters, with an almost Tom and Jerry-like plotline with a witch and a spider. This aired in certain theaters with the theatrical release.

I?m never a huge fan of deleted footage in an animated movie. Most of the scenes are never fully realized before they become part of the disc and are crudely drawn and difficult to watch. With Hotel Transylvania there are several deleted scenes. One in particular is a lengthy scene that explains more about Dracula?s meet-cute with his wife that is worth a watch if you liked the film. However, they are still unfinished scenes.

?Making the Hotel? is actually a great segment. For some reason, animated films are often a lot better at giving behind-the-scenes looks that focus a little more on process. In this segment, the animators discuss their love for their work and then show us some of the changes that are made while working on scenes as well as how animation goes through multiple stages of drawing and computer effects to achieve a final project.

?Progression Reels? is actually an explanatory piece that shows some of the effects different types of animation can achieve. This is really dry, so if you aren?t in to specifics on animation, it?s not the best use of your time. Additionally, the segment looks at some 3D effects, which obviously aren?t nearly as cool on the regular Blu-ray copy. However, if you want a step-by-step look at certain processes, this is one of the most comprehensive segments with a set I?ve ever seen.

A few other bonus features are available with Hotel Transylvania, including ?Meet the Staff" and "Guests: Voicing Hotel Transylvania,? which focus on the actors, a music video and a behind-the-scenes segment for the music video, and commentary from director Tartakovsky, producer Michelle Murdocca, and Daniel Kramer, the visual effects supervisor. There?s a nice mix of extras for kids and grown-ups, and a few oddities aside, it?s a spectacular set.

Distributor: Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentStarring: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kevin JamesDirected by: Genndy TartakovskyProduced by: Michelle MurdoccaWritten by: Robert Smigel, Peter Baynham

View the original article here

Seven Psychopaths [Blu-ray]

From exploding cars and a stolen Shih Tzu to a heartwarming romance between two lovestruck serial killing serial killers, Martin McDonagh?s second feature film Seven Psychopaths has a little bit of everything in it. Now that it?s coming to home video, let?s go see if it?s a set that's worth a purchase.

The Movie:

For Martin McDonagh, a playwright and director celebrated for his dark comedies, the cruelest joke of all is probably that his films are consistently undermined by underwhelming marketing campaigns. When his first feature, In Bruges, came out it was to the tune of an extremely dull trailer, but the film was such a truly captivating experience that word of mouth has given it new life. Seven Psychopaths followed suit with a dated lime green poster accented with a small dog did all but promise prospective theatergoers that there would be some adorably quirky comedy coming their way. But the marketing team, the relentless villain that it is, has somehow managed to twist the knife in even deeper with the home video box art. The four male leads stand with the all but muted grit of an Expendables group shot in front of an exploding ?7,? thus ensuring Seven Psychopaths will be dismissed as a generic action movie, something it is decidedly not.

For those of us who aren?t fooled by the marketing?s chicanery, getting past the posters allows us to experience a vibrant film that is both smart and disarming. The characters and the scenes in which they breathe have such an inherent value to them that they are nothing short of precious stones sticking out in what could?ve been just another ?fun and gun? action movie. We follow the story of an aspiring screenwriter Marty (Colin Farrell) and his relationship with his best, and only, friend Billy (Sam Rockwell). Marty is struggling with his screenplay called ?Seven Psychopaths? and Billy is desperately trying to support him with inspiration whenever he?s not occupied with partner Hans (Christopher Walken) in his side business of stealing dogs and returning them to their owners for reward money. Through their interactions we are treated to the men?s ideas for the screenplay and these scenes enrichen the film with a quality almost similar to a collection of shorts but nowhere near that obvious.

As the story progresses, and a particular stolen dog gets our guys in trouble with a local hothead crime boss named Charlie (Woody Harrelson), the movie evolves into something else. If a film written by McDonagh led by a character named Marty who is working on a screenplay wasn?t a big enough hint, the audience should soon realize that what they watching is about to get even more self-referential. The characters in the movie begin to run through possible scenes in their movie and before long I started to realize that this whole adventure might just be McDonagh talking to himself. Suddenly there is no Billy or Hans. There is only Marty. Billy and Hans are merely the voices in his head suggesting what Marty should be writing. Should he be making the smart intellectual movie that Hans wants or the blood thirsty one that Billy craves?

Watching this play out, I realized that Marty may just want to write both of those movies and the challenge is set for McDonagh to try and pull it off. It?s a little bit like Spike Jonze?s and Charlie Kaufman?s Adaptation, but where that film has this debate as the climax, Seven Psychopaths plops it somewhere near the middle and covers its own tracks just enough to make you question if those scenes are even important to the larger narrative. Essentially, the viewer is allowed to be Marty, Billy, Hans, or even the ?played for laughs? gangster Charlie, in how they choose to enjoy the movie. To its credit, no one voice overpowers the other (except maybe for Billy?s since his scenes have more flamethrowers). If I am exploring the film on this level, maybe the whole ?stealing dogs to return them for reward money? is some big metaphor for selling the same old movies to audiences year after year. Hey, in that case, maybe the generic marketing is actually a genius joke.

Seven Psychopaths may not be a movie that audiences will watch every week and quote with their friends, but it is an experience that leaves you with a lasting impression and only gets better when remembering certain scenes and marveling at how they all fit together in this film about the writing process that refuses to settle on ever being finished. This lack of finality comes in the form of a coda which suggests that the film might not be ready to end just yet--but it?ll get back to you whenever it is.

The Disc:

The disc might as well be barebones. Out of its six featurettes (or a poetic seven if you count the trailers for upcoming releases) none of them exceed two-minutes. All of the extras are little more than teasing trailers with bits of interview cut into them--reused interviews at that. If anything is a highlight it is the novelty ?Seven Psychocats? which recreates the film?s trailer with cats. However, even this segment loses its appeal seconds in and would be nothing more than an easter egg in a standard Blu-ray release. The worst featurette is called ?Layers.? In the segment, clips of the movie are cut in a way to create some sort of rhythm, but this will probably only make you question why the extra even exists.

Picture and sound quality are fine, although the film seems extremely grainy and the opening scene looks so blown out that I wonder if it?s intentional or the result of poor quality control with the transfer. Surprisingly, the menus are nice and the copious use of typewriter sound effects do a great job to underline that you?re watching a movie from the writer?s point of view. This is not a disc to buy for anything other than the film itself because unfortunately, thanks to the lackluster box art, it does little to improve the look of your shelf.

Distributor: Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentStarring: Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Tom Waits, Abbie Cornish, Olga Kurylenko Produced by: Martin McDonagh, Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin

View the original article here

Die Hard: 25th Anniversary Collection [Blu-ray]

The Die Hard: 25th Anniversary Collection has basically been released three other times with a few different tweaks since Live Free or Die Hard hit theaters in 2007. What audiences are getting that is different with this set is a bonus disc featuring seven brand new featurettes that retrospectively look back on 25 years of John McClane.

The Movie:

The 25th Anniversary Collection features three hard R-rated flicks, Die Hard, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Die Hard with a Vengeance, as well as the PG-13 2007 film Live Free or Die Hard. Each of the films vary in picture quality, as they were shot during different time periods and don?t seem to have been particularly cleaned up for Blu-ray. Excepting the special effects in Live Free or Die Hard, these would probably all look similarly fine on DVD. I?d almost rather have grittier picture quality when it comes to a McClane movie, anyway.

It has been much easier to see how the Die Hard films have continued to resonate over the years when this set showed up and I could watch them one after another. Ever the reluctant hero, McClane (Bruce Willis) hasn?t really changed over the years, although the problems and circumstances he faces have changed and the spectrum has grown from one building to a much broader landscape over the years. Fans may always be privy to the same old McClane, but they never have to go on the same adventure.

Partially, this is due to the variety of rich villains and side characters the franchise has traditionally offered, with only a few missteps. Peppering each of the movies are fan favorite performances, from villainous characters played by Alan Rickman or even Maggie Q to side characters that have lived on in pop culture, including Holly Gennero McClane (Bonnie Bedelia), Sgt. Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson), Trudeau (Fred Thompson), Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson) and Marvin the Janitor (Tom Bower)--the list goes on and on.

When considering the Die Hard movies, normally fond moments and characters pop up, first. However, the Die Hard: 25th Anniversary Collection offers the somewhat unique ability to view each of the four films released in the franchise in order, to really sit up and pay attention to the material, and to hone in on the deft dialogue, the recurring themes, and a few other delicately handled moments that make the entire franchise a cohesive entity. It?s really not just the, ?Yippee ki-yay motherfucker? that holds the franchise together, it?s a lot of careful work by several different directors who believed in the character of McClane and what that character can bring to audiences time and time again. Whether or not fans have favorites among the four movies, I still believe it?s worth it to own all four.

The Disc:

It was a big disappointment that there was not a ton of cohesiveness between discs. The first three movies are set up with the same menu and formatting and the fourth flick in the franchise is literally the regular Blu-ray release just tacked on as part of the set. In fact, the Live Free or Die Hard disc was still sporting previews for The Simpsons Movie, which I actually appreciated, and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which I would otherwise have forgotten existed.

Each of the discs come with a set of bonus features that have been available with other releases. The first Die Hard film, for instance, comes with commentary and news reels, among others. With some of the other movies, deleted scenes and featurettes are available. With Die Hard with a Vengeance an alternate ending is even available. There?s more, but that?s the gist.

The Bonus Disc is split into two sections. Viewers can choose the ?Decoding Die Hard? path or the Die Hard Trailers path. I actually chose the trailers first, and was happy I did, as I was rewarded with the A Good Day To Die Hard trailer at the end.

?Decoding Die Hard? is a lengthy set of retrospective segments that take a look at the making of the first 4 films in the Die Hard franchise, as well as other retrospective interview footage. There?s a full segment on McClane?s character called ?Modern-Day Hero,? which discusses everything from Willis having firm opinions on his character to the gun click over the ?mother fucker? line in the fourth Die Hard film that kept the rating at PG-13.

Each of the bad guys gets a lengthy segment and each of the sidekicks and most of the side characters are remembered during another segment. ?Punishing Blows? takes a look at the action sequences and how Maggie Q?s big scene in the fourth film is the first time McClane has been evenly matched by a woman during an action sequence, which is worth a watch. Following this is a segment on the ?explosive? effects. The most exciting of these is the discussion of the miniature work that goes on in the first couple of films.

While the retrospective featurettes are certainly worth the watch, the packaging is unremarkable and even features a piece of paper listing the extras on the bonus disc glued to the back. If you?ve been hankering for copies of all of the movies in the franchise, the Die Hard: 25th Anniversary Collection certainly fulfills that niche and even offers some worthwhile extras, but it isn?t anything to write home about and it may be worth holding out until the newest film can be added to the mix.

Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Samuel L. Jackson, Justin Long, Maggie QDirected by: John McTiernan, Renny Harlin, Len WisemanProduced by: Joel Silver, Lawrence Gordon, John McTiernan, Michael FottrellWritten by: Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza, Doug Richardson, Mark Bomback

View the original article here

Hit and Run [Blu-ray]

Hit and Run will probably reaffirm fans? love for the real-life relationship of Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, while simultaneously making fans hate heist capers based on car chases. Its low budget road trip story with a criminal bent is never even saved by its slew of guest stars, making it mostly an unfortunate waste of talent.

The Movie:

Written and directed by Shepard and co-directed by David Palmer, Hit and Run follows the story of Charlie Bronson (Shepard) and Annie Bean (Kristen Bell), who are reaching a critical point in their relationship. Just as things get serious, however, Annie is offered a job in Los Angeles, which both happens to be located far away and be a place Charlie is not supposed to head to. Unbeknownst to Annie, Charlie was formerly a bank robber who turned a new leaf after giving up his cronies and entering the witness protection program. When his old partners sniff out some news on Charlie?s whereabouts, a chase across part of the country ensues.

While Shepard and Bell seem to mostly be playing themselves with different backstories, the rest of the cast is filled with stock characters or characters that are too strange to be watchable. In the former category we have Neve (Joy Bryant?hello, Parenthood cameo), an African American female criminal with more than a bit of an attitude. In the latter category, we have Debby Kreeger (Kristin Chenoweth), a college administrator with a drug and sex-laced past who has a dirtier mouth than a prostitute. The worse offender is probably Gil (Michael Rosenbaum), Annie?s besotted ex, who would go to any lengths to prove he still belongs in the young woman?s life. This isn't including any of the one-scene side characters, either.

It?s not that the film?s issues stem from the acting, even when some of the characters are nothing short of outrageous. There are some compelling performances here, especially from the main couple, who still manage their rapport when delving into absurd ?I didn?t know you were a bank robber? conversations. Additionally, Bradley Cooper, who appears in Hit and Run as a dreadlock-sporting bad guy after revenge and some hidden money, sometimes manages to harness his wild character and provide some funny moments onscreen. Unfortunately, the movie is more about the testosterone-filled car chases that begin soon after Charlie leaves with Annie on her big trip to Los Angeles. Everyone wants a piece of Charlie and his pretty sixties Lincoln, including Charlie?s parole officer, a couple of cops, and Charlie?s former crew. Which means fans get lots and lots of moments with Charlie and Annie in various cars as they are getting chased.

I may be female, but cool cars and interesting chase scenes can still pique my interest. There are a few of these moments that are completely investing, including when Charlie grabs an off-road race car and jumps it over a few police and civilian vehicles. However, there are plenty of excessive moments, too, including a lengthy scene where Charlie and Annie do donuts to kick up dirt and escape from ex-boyfriend, Gil. Maybe the movie should have foregone some of the comedy for better action or should have forgone some of the action for better comedy, but at the end of the day, there?s something missing in Hit and Run?s formula. It?s not the biggest waste of time, ever, but, in all likelihood, it?s probably not worth chasing down a copy.

The Disc:

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has a certain flair for its discs, and the studio even pulls out all of the stops for smaller movies like Hit and Run. The menu is clean and easy to navigate, and the desert colors within the film pop, although the yellow backdrop on the menu page makes the characters look a little washed out.

The set doesn?t feature a ton of extras, but six deleted scenes are present, although none offer commentary. The deleted scenes are actually extended scenes, focusing extensively on the early scenes between Bell and Chenoweth, as well as Charlie and his parole officer. Finally, even more car chase scenes are highlighted and a couple of these are even more ridiculous than the stuff that shows up in the movie itself.

Three featurettes follow. The first, ?Street Legal,? takes a look at the vehicles that pop up in the film, which apparently are mostly made up of cars Shepard owned prior to shooting, which makes sense, since he likely wrote the script with his own cars in mind. The other featurettes take a look at other aspects involved in shooting the film and featuring interviews from Shepard and Bell.

It?s actually a decent Blu-ray for a less decent film, and may be worth a purchase if you did enjoy the movie.

Distributor: Universal StudiosStarring: Dax Shepard, Bradley Cooper, Kristen Bell, Michael RosenbaumDirected by: Dax Shepard, David PalmerProduced by: Andrew Panay, Dax Shepard, Nate Tuck, Kim Waltrip

View the original article here

End Of Watch [Blu-ray]

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Dredd [Blu-ray]

There was a time that I thought that no movie based on a comic book could be better than The Dark Knight. But then, this past summer, I saw The Avengers, and I had a new faith in comic book adaptations. I hoped to be wowed yet again only a couple of months later with The Dark Knight Rises, but it turns out I couldn?t really stand that movie, and it looked like Marvel had overtaken DC with the best comic book movie ever. But then, a flick that no one even bothered to see?and a reimagining, at that?came out a few months later that made me change my mind yet again. And that movie is Dredd. All hail the new king of comic book cinema!

The Movie:

Dredd is the greatest comic book movie I?ve ever seen. Here?s why: Judge Joseph Dredd is just an ordinary man who stands by his principles, and that?s it. He doesn?t have a bazillion dollars and a utility belt like Batman. He doesn?t have superpowers or a suit of mechanized death like Iron Man. He doesn?t have anything but his adherence to the law. So much so that when he says, ?Ma-Ma?s not the law. I am the law,? in this picture, you believe it, and you can see that his soon-to-be-victims believe it, too. The audience, just like the criminals, is left with a man who, against all odds, stands against the scum and takes back the streets, if only in just one area of a crime-ridden city. He?s like Travis Bickel or Dirty Harry, but set in a fantasy world of intense crime and violence filled with a new street drug called Slo-Mo. What?s not to love?

Well, apparently a lot, since nobody bothered to see this movie back when it hit theaters. I think a big reason for that is because of the stain the original Judge Dredd left on the name of the character. Being one in probably only ten people who liked the original movie though, I can mildly understand. Most people don?t fully understand that the Judge Dredd from the first movie is not the same Dredd that Karl Urban is portraying, here. This Dredd is much closer to the character in the British comic 2000 A.D., and since Judge Dredd isn?t a household name like Batman or Superman, most folks don?t know how great an ultraviolent picture could be with a very serious Dredd in it, which is what Dredd is. In fact, it?s probably the most badass comic book adaptation ever made. If you like gritty films with morally ambiguous protagonists, then you need to see this movie. It?s one of the best.

The primary reason for its greatness is Karl Urban?s portrayal of Dredd, which is spot on. He plays Dredd gruffly throughout the entire film. He has no character growth whatsoever, much like Dredd in the comics. And instead, it?s the world around him that changes because he?s in it, which is a unique approach to storytelling, but one that pays off big time in this film. His rookie sidekick, Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), also changes, making for an interesting team dynamic. The law is unflinching, and as established earlier, Dredd is the law.

The setting primarily takes place in a single building located in Mega City One called Peace Trees, which is another key to this film?s success?it stays grounded. Dredd?s fight to the top of the building is a scenario that was also used effectively in last year?s The Raid: Redemption, but I think it?s more effective here, and surprisingly, more realistic (Come on, you?re going to tell me that everybody in that building knew martial arts in The Raid?). With Slo-Mo, on the streets, Dredd is sent to investigate some murders and finds that the main source of the drug is in Peach Trees. He finds the drug runner to be a ruthless boss called, ?Ma-Ma? (Lena Headey). It?s refreshing to have a female antagonist.

I don?t have a single complaint with this film, other than the fact the humor found within the comic is all but absent in the film. That said, the pacing is great, the acting is phenomenal, and the slow-motion special effects are beautiful and stylistic. See this picture now, and give Dredd the audience that it?s deserved all along.

The Disc:

The special features in Dredd are many, but most are very short. ?Mega-City Masters: 35 Years of Judge Dredd? featurette is one of the longer extras. It features the creators of the comic and subsequent artists and writers discussing the history of Dredd. If you know nothing about the character, than this is a good place to start. ?Day of Chaos: The Visual Effects of Dredd 3D? featurette is an interesting look at the 3D effects that went into the film, and also the limited computer effects. The film was shot in Cape Town, Johannesburg and very few added effects were even put into the film digitally. It?s kind of sad to see that only a few buildings needed to be included to make parts of Johannesburg look like a post-Apocalyptic wasteland.

Those are the longer features. The rest are much shorter. There?s a ?Dredd? featurette that actually features Karl Urban talking about the character, but that segment is only a couple of minutes long. Another short segment is the ?Dredd?s Gear? featurette that talks about his outfit in the film. ?The 3rd Dimension? featurette goes into detail about how cumbersome the technology could be, so they had to build new cameras. It?s fascinating stuff. ?Welcome to Peach Trees? goes into the primary location of the film. Finally, besides the trailer, there?s the ?Dredd Motion Comic Prequel.? It goes into the character of Ma-Ma, but the movie fully describes her history anyway, so it?s a nice feature, but it?s totally unnecessary.

Overall, the special features are good, but some are too short and I really missed a commentary track. Honestly, I can?t get enough of Dredd. This disc is lacking a bit, but as a whole, it?s excellent. Pick it up.

Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Wood Harris, Lena HeadeyProduced by: Alex Garland, Andrew MacDonald, Allon Reich

View the original article here

Cosmopolis [Blu-ray]

David Cronenberg?s most recent film, Cosmoplis, is about sex, commerce, alienation, white stretch limos, a haircut, sensitivity and the lack thereof. He calls it a comedy. Trudging its way from a limited run in theaters across town into home video, let?s see if it was worth the drive.

The Movie:

There?s an exchange early in the film where Robert Pattinson?s character Eric Packer poses a question and the person across from him states that any attempt at an answer would be met with a loss of respect. Taking on this film in a brief critique is like trying to answer that question. To discuss this movie one would need in depth knowledge of the original book by Don DeLillo, Cronenberg, philosophy, capitalism, and a grab bag of at least seven other provocative words. It?s that kind of movie. The good news is that the full Cosmopolis experience is not going to be found in this review, so it?s perfectly alright to be superficial.

The film begins with a blank canvas soon splattered with the look of a Jackson Pollock painting that comes into form below the credits. These paintings deceive the audience into thinking something is happening--an illusion of movement that becomes the base of the narrative. We are then introduced to the protagonist?s mission: To ride in a white stretch limo across town to get a haircut. To achieve this goal he must endure traffic (one illusion of movement) and guests who challenge his outlook (a second illusion of movement).

In this stretch limo, Eric Packer, a billionaire 28-year-old trader who analyzes the world and speaks in a cadence taken from DeLillo?s textual rhythms, introduces the viewer to other hyper-realized characters who inform his life and share in his conscious. From the characters? extremely well-crafted discourse, the audience can glean not only narrative progress but also a continuous flow of heady intellectual diversions that inform a larger conversation. These characters include Packer?s wife of 22 days, a young analyst, an older art dealer, and a few madmen. The relationships are intriguing through how each person relates to one other and what they all represent to Packer.

As the film progresses, we try to draw connections, but even when we think we?ve cracked the case, we are reminded that it?s only an idea of an answer. This is personified by Samantha Morton?s character, a woman who offers the only tangible solutions and then reminds Packer she?s just a theorist. Thus, her take can?t be given full weight, either.

Unlike talking head movies that seize a certain privilege to spit ideas at its viewers, Cronenberg?s adaptation instead takes continual risks to subconsciously isolate the audience so that they feel as separate from the everyday world as Packer. The limo is used to achieve this effect. Outside its windows lives a world made of extras, set dressing, and plates of a city replacing a green screen. The existence of the unreal puts you in Packer?s seat allowing you to observe from afar while at the same time living inside the limo.

This visual trickery helps the audience submit to the character?s mindset. Packer knows that he is unphased by elements outside his bubble and this leads to his fascination with being hurt. Even when he?s losing everything he is still unaffected-- because nothing affects his physical person. He even turns against the one man specifically in charge of protecting his psychical self to run toward someone who means him harm. Only when Packer abandons the limo is he finally exposed and we, with him, move on to the next big thing.

Packer?s journey ends when he goes out of his way to enter a place he deems to be real. What follows is an interaction with his last guest who is so much his polar opposite that I?d argue they?re supposed to be the same person. The film goes out of its way to end ambiguously so I?ll take the allowance to make up my own ending. I?ll say that the last 22 minutes takes place in a fraction of a second during the haircut. This is a unit of time that Packer romanticized earlier in the film, and since this whole film seems to be about taking ?everything? in at a glance it might as well end on one.

The Disc:

The picture quality is super sharp but there is a strange artifacting or digital fuzz that sometimes looks like an artificial film grain onscreen at times. Benefit of the doubt says this is intentional and it doesn?t detract from the image?s larger impact, but if it?s not purposeful, it is a strange looking Blu-ray. The audio perfectly speaks to Packer?s journey and locations with incredible sound design, as well as a remarkable score by Howard Shore and Canada?s own rockers, the band Metric.

The feature length Citizens of Cosmopolis documentary is outstanding. Though everyone interviewed serves up their personal love letter to Cronenberg, it also provides an in depth look into the moviemaking process in general. Most importantly, it grants access into the reality of working with this auteur. Rather than having separate featurettes, the documentary combines makeup, score, cinematography, special effects, and more into one seamless experience, giving the audience a true look into Cronenberg?s techniques and making it a valuable ?DVD as film school? addition.

The cast and crew interviews on the disc are disappointing, offering mostly the same footage utilized in the documentary. Cronenberg?s feature length commentary is straightforward and speaks to theories on the book, creative decisions and the filmmaking process. After watching Packer go on his journey, it?s good to hear from someone else, and audiences are left with a deeper understanding of Cosmoplis the movie while still leaving impetus to explore the book.

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Kevin Durand, Paul Giamatti, Samantha Morton, Sarah Gadon, Mathieu Amalric, Juliette BinocheProduced by: Paulo Bronco, Martin Katz

View the original article here

Taken 2 [Blu-ray]

Theatrical reviews of Taken 2 have pointed out the sequel to Taken is bland and sometimes laughable, mainly due to following the exact format of the first film. Watching the flick for the first time on Blu-ray, it seems Olivier Megaton?s vision of Taken 2 is not a bland copy of its predecessor, but rather a movie that tries to borrow from its predecessor, but doesn?t quite know how to pull out the best spots and ideas while covering new ground.

The Movie:

Liam Neeson returns as the overbearing father and retired intelligence agent, Bryan Mills. Set just a short time after the events in Taken, the father of one of the bad men killed in the original movie is now overcome by anger and feelings of revenge. Murad (Rade ?erbed?ija) is determined to kill Mills, as well as Mills? ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) and daughter Kim (Maggie Grace).

In order to set up a hostage situation similar to the first movie, screenwriters Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen get into a convoluted and drawn-out narrative concerning Lenore, who was married in Taken but needs a convenient reason to leave the country with her ex. Over wine, the two commiserate about Lenore?s recent separation and Mills swoops in, determined to show Lenore that his spirited spy days are over and that he?s truly a good man. Somehow, the script manages to cobble the makeshift family together in order to visit Turkey for a vacation, where the hostage events in Taken 2 unfold.

Taken 2 would never have worked without Bryan Mills kicking ass and generally showing a brutish will to survive and overcome odds, but it?s biggest mistake is the continuation of the story from the earlier film. The story relies on flashbacks to remind viewers of what occurred in the past and it also chooses the wrong ideas from Taken to copy. Do we really need to see Kim in the fold of terrorists for a second time? Do we need the same vein of terrorists to be involved in this plotline? I?m not sure what else would have worked, but this storyline doesn?t.

Regardless, there are plenty of scenes that are engaging on their own merit. Neeson?s fights against dudes of all sizes are painful, occasionally flashy, and very fitting for the franchise. Additionally, a team-up between Kim and Mills creates an interesting dynamic, as well as a few smart moments where Kim behaves as a capable apprentice rather than as a helpless individual. She has more moxy than she had previously, and it works for her, especially in a scene where she and her father use a grenade-throwing device to help determine her parent?s location. Moments like these should invest the audience, but with a lot of sloppy writing surrounding these moments, it?s difficult to ever fully engage with the film.

With more ludicrous moments than captivating scenes, Taken 2 is the sort of movie viewers might put on in the background while accomplishing other tasks. For a film that in theory had great potential to be entertaining, it?s a pretty hard pill to swallow to proclaim that in practice a good chunk of the film doesn?t work. Taken 2 is definitely not the follow-up Bryan Mills fans envisioned after the first movie, but people who love the character may still want to check the film out.

The Disc:

There?s an unrated option as well as the theatrical version of the film available with the set. The unrated option doesn't add a ton of extra footage to the flick, but at least fans also get deleted scenes. There is plenty of deleted fodder on the disc, but it?s distracting that the scenes are in fairly raw form, with the information from the dailies still on the top and the bottom of the screen.

An alternate ending with a short introduction is also available, which offers viewers some of the final footage, but a new angle and several big changes which leads to more of a revenge-oriented closing sequence from Mills? end. I?m surprised this ending wasn?t used in the unrated cut, which would have created a cut that was far different from the theatrical cut, but if you are interested in watching it, this segment is lengthy and offers a totally new possibility for the film's ending.

?Sam?s Tools of the Trade? is a weird sort-of interactive segment that allows you to take a look at some cool spy tools. Mills has a suitcase kit within the film and all of the weapons are looked into in the segment. If you are really into information about weaponry, you can give it a watch, but otherwise this extra is tedious. There?s also a Q&A with Neeson where he discusses how the trick is to ?not make some sloppy sequel.? That might be humorous, but his love for the physical stuff is very serious, and since some of the action sequences work, it?s worth a watch.

Weirdly, the disc isn?t put together with easy accessibility in mind. Some extras are only available if you are in the menu for the unrated version and vice versa. Additionally, there are some BD Live features, but I had a hell of a time accessing them, having to restart the disc and then load the page, to get the Live stuff to open. With a DVD and a regular digital copy, as well as Ultraviolet capacity, there are plenty of options for watching the flick. Overall, it?s a decent set, but there?s nothing available that makes Taken 2 a really special Blu-ray.

Starring: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie GraceWritten by: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen

View the original article here