Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on January 15th, 2018
Most people that survive a near traumatic experience don’t go back for seconds. Most people that is. For the group in The House October Built 2, I guess they were adhering to the logic that lightning doesn’t strike the same way twice. Or does it? Embarking on what I can only describe as a horror tour, five friends attempt to capitalize on potential fame and fortune by documenting their experience traveling city to city to explore various haunted houses or hay rides. They even managed to convince the most traumatized member of their group to join them, reopening old wounds and provoking things that best left in the past.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on January 2nd, 2018
Detroit is a period crime drama focusing primarily on the Algiers Motel incident during the 12th Street riots in obviously, the city of Detroit. The night of July 25, law enforcement, including the local department, Michigan State Police, and Michigan Army National Guard responded to the hotel to investigate reports of a sniper. During the confrontation, three men were killed and another nine, including two white females, were allegedly beaten and humiliated by the first responders. A trial was held for three of the officers involved and a private security guard, with the deaths being declared justifiable homicide.
Posted in: The Reel World by Jeremy Butler on December 27th, 2017
“The worst thing that can happen to you in sports is fourth place at the Olympics. Seriously……f$*& you.”
So I only had a vague knowledge of the name Molly Bloom when I initially heard about this movie. Basically, I knew that she used to organize poker games for celebrities and masters of industry. I even recall hearing about her getting into legal trouble, but the specifics regarding her situation escaped me. I imagine that was the case for many people that don’t closely follow the tabloids. Molly’s Game, the film based on the experience, sheds a great deal of light onto her legal trouble as well as providing an in-depth look into the titular character herself. Narrated by Jessica Chastain, who also stars as Molly Bloom
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Jeremy Butler on December 5th, 2017
It is difficult to become invested in a group of characters in just six episodes, but I can say in the case of The Good Karma Hospital, by the time we reached the season finale, I was definitely invested. The story of a big city doctor who leaves her life behind in favor of a journey of self-discovery in a foreign locale is not precisely a new tale, but it is unfolded in such a charming way that you will find yourself willing to overlook its sometimes predictable nature. With a backdrop in south India, the show takes place in a public and underfunded hospital unofficially run by a strong-willed and surly matriarchal character. Mix that with our fish-out-of-water junior doctor, and you get a dynamic reminiscent of the relationship between J.D. and Dr. Cox. Extremely charming and unafraid, they tackle serious issues that plague an underfunded hospital. The Good Karma Hospital is a worthwhile watch.
Posted in: The Reel World by Jeremy Butler on October 27th, 2017
Thank You For Your Service is an enterprising look into what is like for some soldiers who return home from war. Some come back to find life has gone on without them, and so have the people they hold most dear. Some return only in body, with their minds reliving things that happened to them over there. Others will do anything just to go back, because that is the only reality that makes sense to them. All three of these circumstances are portrayed in a way that will hit close to home for some while allowing others an enriched perspective that will have them uttering those words with more emphasis than they would have in the past, “Thank you for your service.”
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Jeremy Butler on October 12th, 2017
When Calls the Heart returns with a six-movie collection that plays out more like a television season. I must confirm my initial concerns that given this was a movie collection, I feared that I would have trouble following the story from movie to movie; however, that is not the case, as each movie picks up exactly where the other left off. With that sigh of relief, I was able to enjoy the wholesome values that are displayed in this frontier drama. Things to appear to looking up for the town of Hope Valley, with the railroad coming to town, looking to build a main route through the town, which would mean more jobs and opportunities for the townsfolk.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on September 6th, 2017
“It’s important to enjoy life while you still can.”
My word, Bruce Willis must be exhausted, helming three movies this year so far and six last year alone; jeez, I know I’d be in need of a serious break. Luckily in RED 2, Willis doesn’t have to hold down the fort alone. Not when you have Malkovich, Mirren, and Parker available to help pick up the slack. That’s right, like Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman’s character from RED) said in the original, “The band is getting back together.” And this time they are picking up some new members as Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins join the cast. RED was great, but RED 2 is epic.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Jeremy Butler on September 5th, 2017
Like normal folks, when I’m hard up for money I may attempt to come up with a quick scheme or two or generate a significant income: may play the lottery (attempt to claim that 700 million dollar jackpot), perhaps sell miscellaneous items, or cash in some bonds. However, this is the first time I heard of attempting to kill a celebrity to collect the payout of a death pool. Killing Hasselhoff tells the story of Chris, a club owner who finds himself in a desperate spot and in need of money. His only recourse appears to be attempting to facilitate the death of Baywatch star David Hasselhoff. Strange, right? I mean, most people would try to get a loan before contemplating murder.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on August 30th, 2017
In the vein established by 21 Jump Street of taking a serious television series and transforming it into a comedy comes Baywatch. I’m sure everyone remembers Baywatch, possibly one of the most watched television series of all time that featured buxom ladies like Pamela Anderson and Yasmine Bleeth in tight swimsuits, running in slow motion. Transplanted for a moderate time period, this film adaptation features this generation’s hard bodies such as Zac Efron, Dwayne Johnson, and Alexandria Daddario (those eyes are hypnotic) taking on the established and iconic roles of Matt Brody, Mitch Buchannon, and Summer Quinn.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on August 30th, 2017
Alien Covenant is a perfect example of making a plan and sticking with it, because if you don’t you may be infected by an alien organism that will explode out of your chest. Graphic, I know, but informative, right? The latest installment in the Alien franchise picks up sometime after Prometheus and continues to pursue the critical question that was posed in the previous film: who created life? An intergalactic colonial expedition comes to face to face with their worst nightmare. It’s ironic how a mission to preserve life results in so much death.
