Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 24th, 2013
"Welcome to the wonderful world of magic."
They say that the hand is quicker than the eye. Through the art of misdirection and skillful manipulation we have been awed by magicians ever since Glog made Ooof's club disappear somewhere in Mesopotamia circa 20,000 BC. It's not all skill, really. The truth is we've always wanted to be fooled. We're begging for "magicians" to tamper with our sense of reality. I don't know how fast the hand happens to be, but today we're fooled at the speed of 24 frames per second (unless you happen to be Peter Jackson)
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 24th, 2013
“Midnight is the most evil part of the night. If someone dies at 23:59 hours, his soul will not rest in peace and will return to the mortal world.”
Every culture has its own set of ghost stories. They’re usually passed around very late at night by a group of very impressionable young people. That’s precisely where 23:59 — an atmospheric and thoroughly effective Malaysian/Singaporean horror flick — picks up, with a group of army recruits on an island training camp sitting around telling spooky tales. The only thing missing was the campfire.
Posted in: The Reel World by Gino Sassani on June 21st, 2013
The boys are back, and I only have one question. What the heck took so long? I have a lot of respect for Pixar and the groundbreaking films they've created over the last couple of decades, but I have to question someone's marketing good sense when they get a sequel to Cars out before anyone bothered to look towards what is arguably the studio’s best creation to date. For me it's all about Monsters, Inc. I hadn't fallen so hard for an animated film since The Lion King, and so I was thrilled when I got the invitation to graduate early from Monsters University.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 20th, 2013
"On the evening of April 13th, 1865 John Wilkes Booth initiates his plan not only to kill Abraham Lincoln, but to decapitate the government of The United States."
Whatever you may think of Fox News or Bill O'Reilly, it would be a terrible mistake to discount seeing Killing Lincoln because of purely political leanings. The Department Of The Interior tried it when the book came out and underwent a campaign to keep the book from the public gift shops with claims of inaccuracies. Give O'Reilly credit for not taking the accusations lying down.
Posted in: Contests, Expired Contests by Gino Sassani on June 18th, 2013
Our new friends over at Pictures From the Fringe have given us a copy of Saving Lincoln on DVD to give away to a lucky Upcomingdiscs reader. The unique film uses vintage Civil War photography to enhance the drama of the life of Abraham Lincoln. Saving Lincoln – featuring: Tom Amandes (TV’s “Everwood”), Lea Coco (J. Edgar), Penelope Ann Miller (The Artist), Bruce Davison (X-Men¸TV’s “Last Resort”), Josh Stamberg (TV’s “Drop Dead Diva”) Creed Bratton (TV’s “The Office”) and Saidah Arikka Ekulona (Righteous Kill).
To win just follow these instructions.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 18th, 2013
"Now, this game has 12 rounds. You win more than you lose, I turn myself in. You don't, a lot of people die including you. If you refuse to cooperate, people die. If you make any attempt to contact the police, people die."
I'm usually pretty skeptical when it comes to movies that are made by any of the various fighting federations out there. W?? usually stands for "What The F***". I get it. There are a lot of tough guys out there who would like to follow in the footsteps of guys like The Rock. But for every successful transition to acting there are a hundred stories of mindless muttering substituting for actual... I don't know.... words
Posted in: Random Fun by Gino Sassani on June 16th, 2013
Posted in: Contests, Expired Contests by Gino Sassani on June 16th, 2013
Our great pals over at CBS/Paramount have given us a copy of Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters IN 3D for one lucky Upcomingdiscs reader. If you have a 3D player this one will really show off your system. It's unrated and a three dimensional blast in the past. The Avengers' Jeremy Renner and Quantum Of Solace's Gemma Arterton turn the Grimm tale on its head. Be sure you can play 3D discs before entering.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
Posted in: Contests, Expired Contests by Gino Sassani on June 15th, 2013
Our friends over at Walt Disney Studios want to help kick-off your Father's Day by giving us all something Dad can really enjoy. That's a high definition passage to the land of Oz. We're giving away Oz The Great And Powerful on Blu-ray to one lucky reader.
To win just follow these instructions.
Posted in: Bitchy Rants by Gino Sassani on June 15th, 2013
You know, it sure ain't easy taking care of our kids these days. Everywhere you turn there's a Russian mobster trying to kill you, or another dirtbag throwing a terrorist party. And guess who's always around when it's time to open up the presents? That's right. It's me. At least the kid has decided to get into the family business: Killing Scumbags. Being a father means having to give up your vacation once in a while. Yippee Ki Yah, Happy Father's Day from John McClane.
