Posted in: The Reel World by Gino Sassani on March 31st, 2019
"Welcome to The Taj. Home to statesmen and celebrities for over a century."
There are times when movies come almost uncomfortably close to real life experiences. This can be both a blessing and a curse. I've heard World War II vets have mixed feelings after watching Steven Spielberg's relentless portrayal of the D-Day storming of the beaches of Normandy. Many cried because it brought them back to a place that lives vividly in their own minds. Some were resentful for the pain they experienced. As an audience member who has never experienced anything close to battle, it was compelling and also fatiguing.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 22nd, 2019
“Everything is possible…even the impossible.”
To be clear, the fact that Disney has delivered a big-budget, star-studded follow-up to one of the most beloved family films in its staggering catalog is *exceedingly* possible. This is, after all, the age of reboots and live-action remakes of movies we already love. What seems impossible is that Mary Poppins Returns and its sensational leading lady both live up to and (re)capture the spirit of the Walt Disney-produced Julie Andrews classic from more than 50 years ago!
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 22nd, 2019
Foreigner was one of those bands that managed to bridge the sounds of the 1970's and 80's. They had that solid classic rock sound but managed to work in some legendary hooks that gave the band life beyond most of the members themselves. Eagle Rock Entertainment has unearthed quite a little unpolished gem from the archives here. The band hit pretty well with their first self-titled album moving around four million copies with an almost instant hit in Cold As Ice. That song established the band's best moments of synth pop and edgy vocals and lyrics. So with just one album under their belt the band set out on the road and managed a successful tour.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 15th, 2019
Green Book represents an historical milestone for me as a critic. In my decades of reviewing and more decades following films, I have never selected a personal Oscar Best Picture two years in a row. I tend to be somewhat out of touch with the voting members of the Academy or even my fellow SEFCA (Southeastern Film Critics Association) members. But it finally happened. Last year my selection was The Shape Of Water, and it took the top prize. This year I went against the grain of the SEFCA members who chose Roma as the best film, and Green Book meandered to # 7 on their list. Fortunately, the Academy saw it my way for the second consecutive year, and Green Book took home the statue. Spike Lee threw a temper tantrum, and I'll talk about that in my conclusion.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 15th, 2019
"The wizarding and non-wizarding worlds have been at peace for over a century. Grindelwald wants to see that peace destroyed."
Back in the early days of the internet before videos went "viral", there was a Thanksgiving cartoon about a chef who needed to serve too many people with a small turkey. So to compensate, he kept stuffing that sucker until it eventually exploded. Watching the latest entry in the J.K. Rowling Wizarding World, I was very much reminded of that early video. There's an attempt to make the running time a bit leaner than we've typically seen with these films.
Posted in: Uncategorized by Gino Sassani on March 14th, 2019
Our friends over at Walt Disney Studios are going to be keeping us very busy over the next few weeks. They've decided that our faithful followers deserve some free stuff and I couldn't agree more. First up we have the Disney classic The Little Mermaid: The 30th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray. We can resist the wonderful animation and those great songs? It's perfect for kids of all ages and you should absolutely let us treat you to a copy on us and Disney.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 14th, 2019
"I love a comedy. Is there cake?"
The Favourite is a somewhat awkward film. Director Yorgos Lanthimos took on a rather brave but dangerous task when he decided to create a farce. Most audience members don't understand the term. They use it rather synonymously with comedy or spoof, but it is truly something very different. A comedy is meant to deliver as many laughs as possible. You get pratfalls, one-liners, slapstick, and other over-the-top methods to bring about those laughs. Spoofs take a specific subject or genre and expose some of the more innate aspects of the material, all in good fun. Leslie Nielsen was a master of the spoof with his Airplane and Naked Gun films.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 14th, 2019
"Millions of people around the world believe we have been visited in the past by extraterrestrial beings. What if it were true? Did ancient aliens really help to shape our history? And if so, what if there were clues left behind, something hiding in plain sight? What if we could find that evidence?"
Ever since Eric von Daniken released his speculative book and its subsequent 1970 film Chariots of the Gods, there has been an entire field of study created around something commonly called Ancient Astronaut Theory, the idea is that extraterrestrials have visited many of our ancient civilizations. The theory continues that these visitors had a hand in shaping our development, whether it be through technology or even manipulation of our very DNA.
Posted in: Podcasts by Gino Sassani on March 13th, 2019
Patrick Kilpatrick may be one of the biggest stars you don't necessarily know. He's a prolific actor with over 14 project already in various stages of pre-release. His credits go all the way back to Tocix Avenger and include televisions shows like Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman, Matlock, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine & Voyager, The X-Files CSI & NCIS: New Orleans. His film credits include Minority Report, the under-appreciated Parasomnia, The Presidio and Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. What is more impressive than his over 150 roles is the life he's led off-screen. The book Dying for a Living: Sins & Confessions of a Hollywood Villain & Libertine Patriot documents the first half of that journey. It's has a unique narrative style and a visceral storytelling that will certainly keep your attention. I got to do more than read the book. I had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time talking to Patrick. He's just as interesting in person. Now you can share that experience and eavesdrop on our conversation. Bang it here to listen to my chat with Patrick Kilpatrick.
Posted in: Super Round Up by Gino Sassani on March 12th, 2019
Howdy Partners. It's Gino down on the Upcoming ranch and do we ever have a busy week ahead of us. We've hit the slow time for releases but it seems like all of the studios want to stampede on this week's round-up. The other studios are certainly envious of Universal's Best Picture winning Green Book and it's coming out on UHD Blu-ray/4K. It was my SEFCA choice for Best Picture and even if my fellow critics went another path I still say this is the very best film from 2018. Now you get to see it in all its 4K glory. Let's just not mention any of this to Spike Lee, okay? Okay. Universal also remains in the driver's seat for Mortal Engines on UHD Blu-ray/4K. Lionsgate takes us back in time once again for the 11th season of Ancient Aliens on DVD and then they jump to the future with A.I. Rising also out on DVD this week. Lionsgate also let's it go down to The Last Man on Blu-ray. Eagle Rock goes across the pond to deliver Foreigner Live At The Rainbow '78 on Blu-ray. It's a trip back in time for the iconic band's tour after their first album hit the charts. Warner Brothers commits Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of The Grindelwald to UHD Blu-ray 4K. TNT boards The Last Ship: The Final Season on DVD. Film Movement goes Over The Limit on DVD and seduces us with Marquise on Blu-ray. Fox also goes across the pond for London Fields out on DVD.
And, Partners, don't forget. If you'll be making that video withdrawal from Amazon, lasso yourself one of our many links to get there. It helps keep us going here on the Upcomingdiscs ranch. Until next week, share some light with someone this week... television light, that is. Now let's get those titles rollin'!
