Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 6th, 2006
There is no shortage of vampire stories out there. There’s certainly no shortage of kick butt chicks dressed as sparsely as possible running around in depressed future populated worlds. Underworld, without a doubt, does the combination better than anyone. Ultraviolet makes a grand attempt that really ends up being more of a ride than anything else. Now, I can usually follow the most convoluted storylines, but this one gave me some trouble. It seems that while trying to create a super soldier (where is Mulder and Scully when you need them) the government made a big oops and created something akin to a vampire. Those infected with HGV, (I wonder what connection they’re going for there?), possess extraordinary strength. They also develop light sensitivity and a thirst for blood. After realizing these new hybrid beings weren’t going to quite fit in socially, the plan was to round them up and kill them all. That was the plan, anyway, before the likes of Violet. As part of an underground hemophage movement to survive the genocide, Violet finds herself having to protect a child whose blood might contain a cure or a plague. The inevitable chase through a futuristic city serves more to show off some expensive CG f/x than really further any plot.
Ultraviolet makes the fatal flaw of trying to serve too many purposes. There’s nothing wrong with a thrill ride with plenty of eye candy. Still, Ultraviolet is trying to make too many statements. The obvious HIV inferences, combined with the concentration camp mentality of the totalitarian future, overwhelm us most of the time. Another problem is the f/x are often too slick. More often than not the film just doesn’t appear believable. Now I don’t mean “That’s just not possible” unbelievable. I mean, the picture just doesn’t look real. This is what happens when color correction becomes manic. Everything is so smooth and shiny it looks as though it might as well all have been CG. The action is also almost comical. We’re talking Kill Bill on the believability gauge. She just takes on hundreds of enemies at a time. Before long you’re thinking, Who cares? She’s indestructible. Don’t get me wrong, I rather enjoyed it at times. It’s an over-ambitious thrill ride and nothing more. The problem is, it obviously wants to be so much more than that.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 5th, 2006
This is a rather hard review to write. How do you separate the subject matter from the film? What reviewer wants to find himself in the unenviable task of critiquing the likes of a future saint? Certainly the filmmakers must have felt the same burden to do the story justice. But did they succeed? The answer is a not so simple.
The choice of Olivia Hussey was a remarkably inspired one. She portrayed the unselfish passion and self sacrifice as if they were emanating from her very soul. From her first moments on screen it is not hard to believe, while perhaps imagined, that we are seeing just a hint of something divine. The supporting cast does a fine job but can’t help but be overshadowed by Hussey. The location cinematography is also handled nicely with a great realistic approach that creates just the right touch of reality to it all. If the film is flawed at all, it is in its length. At 2 hours, it is overlong to maintain such powerful imagery, yet the running time is far too short to do justice to such a life that has touched and inspired the world. The film doesn’t start at the beginning. We find Mother Teresa already a nun and about to begin her mission to help the poor. Nor is that story complete. Huge gaps in time lead us all too quickly to aged and dying saint apparent. You don’t need to be Catholic to appreciate the film. Few would dare to challenge the purity and good works of Mother Teresa’s life. World leaders have been brought to tears, and more importantly to action, because of her example. Many films have spared no expense in graphic f/x to try and show us a face that is truly evil. Few have attempted to bring us such a picture of goodness. This film shows us how simply it can be done. The film is worth a look on those grounds alone.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 29th, 2006
It’s awfully hard for me to imagine why this abysmally failed sitcom is getting a DVD release when there are so many more deserving shows still waiting. The Ellen Show was populated with some of the most cardboard cutout characters I’ve ever seen. What you talkin’ about Willis? Here’s what I’m talking about. The dialogue is simply rattled off one-liners. Jokes so forced they could get past the famous 1985 Bears defensive line like it was merely a speed bump. Not even the usually ingenious work of Martin Mull could save this show. The series lasted a scant 18 weeks which was honestly 17 more than it had any right to. It’s filled with enough politically correct claptrap to fodder an entire season of South Park mockery. It doesn’t help that Ellen DeGenerate, oops, I mean DeGeneres is simply irritating on the ears and brain. This was truly the most painful viewing experience I’ve had in 5 years of writing these reviews. Stay away! You have been warned.
Video
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 28th, 2006
I’m a lucky guy. I was able to witness the game of baseball before we all became so jaded. While I wasn’t born early enough to have enjoyed Mantle, The Babe, or Joltin’ Joe, I was fortunate enough to watch the likes of Mike Schmidt. Mike stayed 18 years with one team. He never held out and was always responsible in his public persona. Oh, and he ended up being considered the best 3rd baseman of all time in nearly every millennium poll conducted. It is this experience growing up with Schmitty and his like that make these stories feel much closer to home than younger kids are likely to feel. Now we live in the days of juiced hitters, felony convictions, contract holdouts, and almost no player continuity with any team. These films bring hope. After the Black Sox scandal that nearly ruined America’s Pastime, it took players like these to return the game to the glory and most of all the honor from which it had fallen so far. These films make me long for the next generation of greatness. I can tell you they aren’t playing on any field today, but I grew up rooting for the Phillies. In the 1970’s there was a team blitz of the slogan “I believe”. If I learned anything at all it was how to hold on to hope. “Maybe next year.”
First up to the plate is Mickey Mantle. “Mantle: The Definitive Story Of Mickey Mantle” is no fluff piece. The story is candid and at times even harsh on the man. Mantle’s success is so much more amazing when you consider the number and severity of the injuries he suffered in his career. I believe his most impressive stat to be hitting over .300 for ten years. Few players today can string two years together now. A long parade of celebrities both in and out of sports give their insights into “The Mick”. These testimonials are a stunning example of the number of people’s lives he touched. Mantle was considered quite the party animal, but believe me when I say he couldn’t hold a candle to the kids of today in that department. Still, his actions on the field haven’t been approached by more than a few players since his time. He was certainly one of the most vulnerable of these Yankee legends. His career took quite a shaky start as unrealistic expectations dogged him from his first day with the team. The Yankee fans reacted quite harshly to his less than stellar beginnings, earning Mantle a crushing demotion to the minors where he considered quitting baseball. Lucky for the game he didn’t quit. Instead he found the heart to rise above his early setbacks and become truly one of the greats. His retirement years were plagued by alcoholism and finally a failed liver. Suspicions arose when Mantle appeared to be unfairly ushered to the top of the transplant list, a charge other celebrities like David Crosby have had to contend with. Whatever the truth, Mantle used his final days to champion organ donation and to speak out on alcohol abuse. Even in death, he set an example to follow and a challenge to all he left behind.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 28th, 2006
Hosted by Boston comic Fran Solomita, When Stand Up Stood Out is a detailed retrospective of the historic comedy boom that took the city by storm from the late 70’s to the early 80’s. You get the impression it was a fun crowd to be with most of the time. From the famous Ding Ho to the Comedy Connection, some of the nation’s biggest names worked out their routines to the local audiences.
The documentary tells its story very simply. With the use of extensive narrative, vintage clips, and countless interviews, you get a rather complete history of the phenomenon. To the film’s credit, there is as much time spent on the relatively unknowns who worked the circuit as it does with the eventual big names like Bobcat Goldthwait, Denis Leary, Steven Wright, and others. While this might not lead to as much mainstream success, it certainly adds a touch more honesty to the piece. The language is rough, and not a problem so long as you expect it. This is not a family entertainment video. You have to admire the brutal honesty on subjects such as drugs and competitive jealousies that began when Steven Wright was the first to crack the elusive Johnny Carson Show.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 27th, 2006
Coach is one of those shows that never seemed to make a lot of noise. I can’t remember any year it was on that it burned up the ratings or scored many awards. Still, it was the little show that could. It ran for nine seasons, always holding on to a loyal core audience. I’m sure most of the success belongs to the underrated talents of Craig T. Nelson. I’ll admit that this guy just never showed up on my talent radar until his unexpected turn at drama during The District. It was then I learned to appreciate his self-effacing subtle abilities. Now I watch Coach with a somewhat renewed interest. Dick Van Dyke’s lesser known brother in comedy, Jerry is also a huge reason for the show’s stamina, if not outright success. The bumbling Luther was my favorite part of the show. The first season of Coach is a short one. I also appreciate the way it begins. It assumes you already know these guys and doesn’t feel the need to explain why everyone is here. The Coach is already in his position with his staff that we’ll soon get to know better. It’s a quirky show, and not at all one of my favorites, but certainly worth a second look on DVD.
Video
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 27th, 2006
So now we come to the fourth year of NYPD Blue. In the show’s ever-changing look this year was no exception. Most notable is the fact that a new camera operation crew toned down the jumpy camera moves a bit. Style was not sacrificed, but the series is now easier to watch. Smits and Franz are really starting to click now, and we begin to see the special relationship we know will evolve between their characters. This buildup is absolutely necessary for the coming payoff with Simone’s death in later years. Again, several characters came and went, most notably a couple of female detectives. I’ve heard the show described as testosterone heavy, but I can’t believe that could be said of year four.
Greg Metavoy gets a lot more to do starting this year, and I think you’ll find the results entertaining. This is the only character other than Sipowitz to survive the show’s entire run. He’s placed in some awkward moments in year 4. The Simone and Russell romance heats up, and while I tend to think these things cheapen a series, I found this one to be tolerable. It was also quite necessary for the eventual payoff mentioned earlier. As always, NYPD Blue is about Andy, and you won’t be disappointed. The character continues his wonderful growth in this season, mostly aided by the influence of Simone. There’s plenty for every Blue fan out there in this set.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 16th, 2006
I’ve already had a lot to say about this show in my Season 5 review. All of it still applies. Richard Dean Anderson was fortunate enough, some would say talented enough, to have played two iconic characters in one life-time. I propose that he’s really played only one, but in two very different circumstances. I’ve already pointed out the similarities between the actor and his two roles, from their birthplaces to their hobbies and sports activities. This should in no way be interpreted as taking anything away from Anderson. The opposite is, in fact, even more the point. Anderson makes you feel at home with his characters. There’s so much of him there that we have a hard time remembering that there must also be so much that is not. It’s safe to say he has not traveled through wormholes or deactivated a nuclear device with a rubber band, paperclip, and stick of chewing gum. This is the beauty of the style he brings. By making the character very much like himself he gives us an easy-to-identify ordinary human being played against extraordinary events.
We’re sadly nearing the end of MacGyver with Season 6. Still, this was a great year. “Harry’s Will” has to be one of the most popular episodes in the show’s run. Not only is it great material for Anderson to play against, but we learn so much more about the character. This is also quite a star-studded outing with the likes of Henry Winkler, James Doohan, Rich Little, Dick Butkus, and Abe Vigoda. There’s another wonderful fantasy episode where MacGyver dreams he’s in the old West ordering mail order brides that turn out to be the various women in his life. There’s plenty of classic stuff here to more than make the set worth your time and your money.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 16th, 2006
Growing up, that twangy Mike Post music provided a part of the soundtrack of my life. I remember walking around school and everywhere you turned you heard kids saying, “That’ll be $200 a day plus expenses.” We all printed up fake business cards. I can tell you firsthand that it takes more than the props. I didn’t have Jim’s natural charm and finesse. Somehow fifth grade’s Sister Margaret wasn’t buying that my NSA credentials meant my homework assignments were classified and above her clearance level. As I sat in detention wondering what could have possibly gone wrong, one theme kept going through my mind. This is gonna cost her. You guessed it. $200 a day plus expenses.
James Rockford lived in a trailer on the beach. His lovable dad was a truck driver who never did understand how his “sonny” could be mixed up in the dirty world of private investigations. While Rockford always projected a tough guy exterior, it was his soft spot for a sad story that often got him deep in trouble. He could understand the world of injustice. He had spent 5 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Even after a full pardon, the cops considered him a lowlife ex-con. His one buddy, Lt. Becker, usually laid low among his fellow officers, often afraid to admit to being Rockford’s friend. Rockford was also king of the con. When normal tactics didn’t work, he could bring together a group of scam artists and con men to handle the largest of productions. He traveled with his own business card printing press. Afraid of guns, Rockford usually kept his in the cookie jar.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 7th, 2006
You might not know this, but there are two Jackie Chans. The original Chan was an intense martial artist. His films were quite serious and action packed. While humor was always an element to his style, these early films did not really capitalize on that element. The Asian productions were nearly a genre unto themselves. Still, international stardom was elusive to this talented actor.
The second Jackie Chan is the man most Americans are familiar with. Still a talented martial artist, these films show a lighter side to the actor. Chan has become a character of his own like any James Bond or Jack Ryan. Whatever the character he’s playing, what we’re paying to see is Jackie Chan. In these films, Chan allows his own disarming charm to be the creative force in the film. Humor is always served in generous proportions. At times he is almost the caricature of his former self.
