Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 21st, 2008
This is one of those wholesome movies the entire family can enjoy. From veteran director Michael Apted (Coal Miner’s Daughter), Amazing Grace is the true story of William Wilberforce, the 18th Century political activist who spent nearly his entire adult life campaigning to end the British slave trade. It’s a simple but compelling story wonderfully told, with a superb cast including Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four), relative newcomer Benedict Cumberbatch (Atonement) and stage and screen legends Albert Finney (Big Fish) and Sir Michael Gambon (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 18th, 2008
It's not often that a review starts with the final score, but I'm going to break that rule. Go out and buy this DVD set. Stop reading this review, leave your residence, and go directly to your nearest DVD retailer for a copy of the 3-disc version of Hot Fuzz. When I first watched Shaun of the Dead, I was absolutely blown away at how deftly creators Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright were able to mix the comedy, spoof and horror genres into one of the most entertaining and original films of the decade. While I had high hopes for the follow up project, deep down I was expecting to find a case of the sophomore slump; a good film that manages to fall short of the success of the debut. Not only was my gut feeling dead wrong, but I am of the opinion that the two have actually been able to surpass their previous success. Shaun of the Dead was not a fluke, but merely a warm-up to the amazing success of Hot Fuzz.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 17th, 2008
Honestly, is adding a cinematic volume onto a series when one film seemed to have addressed it is beyond me. You've got Carlito's Way, a film whose main character (played by Al Pacino) died at the end, yet in Carlito's Way - Rise to Power, we're getting a prequel? I think that all that could have been answered was done so in the Pacino film, but we're seeing a film about how Carlito, pardon the word choice, has "rose to power"? What's the point? Needless to say, I'm still popping the hood and looking what's underneath.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 16th, 2008
So from time to time, I get television shows to review that frankly I don't really follow. However, my wife does, so she grabbed the tenth season of Frasier from me quicker than a crackhead getting a fix at the methadone clinic. I encourage you to peruse and enjoy her literary stylings.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 16th, 2008
What we've got here is a nasty case of the Sequels. Rush Hour, the original Jackie Chan/Chris Tucker vehicle, was a fun action-comedy with an amusing twist on the buddy-cop genre. Rush Hour 2 was a re-hash, bigger but not better, but still worth a rent. Six years later, Rush Hour 3 proves the third time is definitely not the charm, with 121 minutes of recycled gags, bad acting and uninspiring action.
This two-disc release may be a top-notch DVD, but I certainly hope you don't get suckered by a nice transfer, good audio and a whole whack of extras. No matter how well you dress it up, this film's a walking, talking turd.
Posted in: Expired Contests by Archive Authors on January 14th, 2008
After a short delay over the holidays, we are back to conclude the last three days of our 12 Days Of Contests promotion. Today, for our Day 10 Edition, we explore our planet with two copies of the 5-disc BBC Planet Earth series. Yes... that equals 10 discs of Planet Earth being given away!
So - enter away below by commenting! We have extended the draw dates for all 12 of our "12 Days of Contests" contests to Tuesday, February 5th... so check back at that time so see who won!
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 12th, 2008
When Close Encounters of the Third Kind came out in 1977, a young Steven Spielberg was coming off of the unexpectedly phenomenal success of Jaws. This was the director's chance to solidify his career as a well-respected filmmaker, and build a lifelong career. While most directors would have either gone the route of making Jaws II or picking up a no-brainer script from a proven scriptwriter, Spielberg wagered his success on the odd tale of a possibly mentally deranged individual's belief in extra-terrestrial life. What he came away with was a film that won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography, was nominated for four Golden Globes (including Best Picture and Best Director), and has become synonymous with the legacy of the famed director.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 11th, 2008
My wife and I have gotten into a small discussion about October Road. A fellow writer has mentioned that this show is the natural progression of shows like Gilmore Girls, where you've got young twenty and thirty somethings living in an idyllic setting, somewhere in the Northeast, as they take in the residents of the town they used to spurn. I think my wife likes it in that vein. Me? Not so much.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 9th, 2008
Back in the summer of '89, a popular action flick was calling my name from the shelves of the local video rental store. It was Young Guns, and I'd heard it was wild, gun-toting ride from start to finish. Problem was, I was eight years old and there was no way my folks were going let me see such a violent movie, for fear two hours with Billy the Kid would make me a career criminal.
Boy, have times changed. Granted, Young Guns wasn't the baddest film on the block 18 years ago, but it was reflective of the then-current action standards. In 2007, we've got stuff like Shoot 'Em Up, a film so over-the-top violent that the tables have turned — I wouldn't let my parents anywhere near it, for fear they'd have simultaneous, massive myocardial infarctions.
Think you can handle a taste of the old ultraviolence? Read on.
Posted in: News and Opinions by Archive Authors on January 8th, 2008
According to the Financial times, Paramount/Dreamworks has an out clause in their exclusivity contract with HD DVD. FT states that Paramount is looking to use that clause to move over the better looking pastures of Blu-ray.
Earlier this week Newline confirmed to Variety magazine that they would go Blu-ray exclusive as well. If this all comes to fruition, it would leave Universal as the lone soldier on the HD DVD side of the format war... most certainly leading to the formats demise. We here at UpcomingDiscs.com will continue covering both formats as long as they are supported. More news on this as it comes out.
![Carlito's Way: Rise To Power [HD DVD] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/carlitos-way-rise-to-power-hd-dv-large.jpg)
