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Michael Durr

About Michael Durr

Michael Durr has been reviewing movies for the better part of fifteen years now. He primarily enjoys thrillers, sci-fi, animation and even a little courtroom drama. His favorite films include Escape from New York, the Goonies and anything with Alyssa Milano. When he’s not praising Kurt Russell as the greatest actor of our time or scratching his head over a David Lynch flick, he’s spending time at home in Texas with his lovely wife, Lori and his amazing son. How they put up with him is a mystery, but even Basil Rathbone doesn’t have the time to solve that one.

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Just Go With It (Blu-Ray)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on June 16th, 2011

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It is that time again boys and girls for the movie of the week. This week, we visit a genre that is staler than your grandmother Edna’s cookies: the romantic comedy. *boo* *hiss*. Okay, okay before you start throwing those almond cookies, I think I need to let you know that there is a $5 bill in it for each of you. *whisper from editor* “Do we have that in our budget?” “No silly, just go with it.”. Audience – “What was that?” Why, our movie today is the Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston picture: Just Go With It. Roll the film!
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David Byrne: Ride, Rise, Roar (Blu-Ray)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on June 12th, 2011

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As one could probably guess from my tender age of thirty five years, I listen to lots of 80’s music. Not only did I grow up in it, the music was energetic and often thoughtful (without being too depressing). But the thing I remember most about the music on a whole is the brilliant videos behind them. David Byrne of Talking Heads was the head (literally) of one of my favorites, Burning Down the House. A great musician and pop legend, David Byrne is back to entertain us in Ride, Rise, Roar.
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Kill the Irishman (Blu-Ray)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on June 8th, 2011

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Somewhere in my family’s history, I have a couple of odd branches. One of them leads to a former Pope (17th century I believe) and the other is even more curious, the mob. Specifically, it leads to the most popular gangster of them, Al Capone. It is pretty far down the branch, but interesting nevertheless. This leads us to our movie review for today: Kill the Irishman which deals with the real life story of Danny Greene, a man who escaped death countless times and took down the mob.
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Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (Collector’s Edition) (Blu-Ray)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on June 5th, 2011

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Many times when you see a trailer over and over, one has to ask themselves: Do they really want to see the movie or is repetition to the point of acceptance playing its fatal card? In the case of Legend of the Fist: Return of Chen Zhen, I had seen the trailer several times in front of Ip Man and the sequel. I wasn’t sure if I was anxious for the movie, so much that I really wanted to see Donnie Yen go absolutely crazy with his kicks and amazing martial arts.

True Blood: The Complete Third Season

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on June 4th, 2011

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The other day, I was taking a look at my past reviews and I realized that I have been reviewing on this site for over six years. If you have been reading my reviews for that long and you aren’t married to me, bless you for sticking it out that long. Heck, I’ve only known my wife for almost 4 of those years. Anyhow, I have reviewed a plethora of subjects. One of the hardest things to do is to review a dvd season in the middle of its run. It becomes even harder when that show is True Blood
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Year of the Carnivore

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 28th, 2011

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Unlike most people my age, I still have a surreal view of love despite a plethora of failed relationships and a horrendous first marriage. Sometimes, I feel like I am the only person who doesn’t have a screwed up concept of love. But thankfully I did find my true love before anything happened to my ideology. Enter the movie Year of the Carnivore, a movie that disguises itself to be about sex when in reality it is more a statement about good old fashioned love.

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Childrens Hospital: Complete First and Second Seasons

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 28th, 2011

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One could say that I watch a healthy dose of Adult Swim. My favorites are Robot Chicken and the Venture Bros but I usually find that I can enjoy just about any of the shows given a few episodes and the inability to change channels. Seriously, the Adult Swim block on Cartoon Network produces quality television and stuff you won’t find anywhere else. Childrens Hospital is one such show that explores the lighter side of medicine. As long as there aren’t any clowns in this, we should be okay.

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Gnomeo and Juilet (Blu-Ray)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 24th, 2011

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The story of Romeo and Juliet is a story that is retold at least once every generation. It can be retold using a different time period or with alien races or perhaps even in a thirty second commercial. It is a fairly easy story and parts can be tweaked given the audience and intention. So begins the story of Gnomeo and Juliet. Take one part animation, one part garden gnomes and a dose of laughter that could be just what the classic play needs. Or it could become a tragedy of the highest order.
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I Am Number Four (Blu-Ray)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 23rd, 2011

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When I was a kid, I always wished and hoped I had super powers. Frankly, I did not even think my parents were my parents, rather hosts for somebody who would eventually change the world. Somewhere along the way, I grew up (kinda) but always wondered what would happen if things were different. I Am Number Four explores the story of a teenager who could change the world with his powers if he can simply stay alive long enough. By the way, I still don’t think my parents were my parents.
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Brotherhood

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 19th, 2011

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When I got to college, I had no idea what I wanted to be. I had signed up for computer science so I could go on to be a video game programmer. The truth is, I placed that as my major because I did not know what else to put. As luck would find it, five years later would get me a degree in Finance which I have never used in the professional world. But there was one thing in college I knew for sure. I wanted nothing to do with any fraternity and I am guessing Brotherhood is not going to change this opinion.
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Thor: Tales of Asgard (Blu-Ray)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 16th, 2011

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Recently, I saw the brand new live-action film of Thor in 3d on a giant IMAX screen with some close friends (watch for the Hawkeye cameo!). All of us thought the movie was pretty good (though we really didn’t see the point of 3d, big shock). As to be expected, I knew (and hoped) an animated feature of Thor with his big hammer was right around the corner. However, when I received said feature, Thor was right on it, but he was holding a sword? This requires some further analysis.
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Webster: Season Two

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 12th, 2011

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Sometimes I miss the days of my youth. Huddled in front of a thirteen inch color television set with the knobs you had to turn but not too quickly (or else you were forced to break out the pliers) to your desired channel. It seems like I watched so many sitcoms back then. Silver Spoons, Different Strokes, Facts of Life, etc. But I do seem to remember a show about a small child named Emmanuel Lewis who would play Webster. It was awfully cute back in the mid eighties, I wonder if it holds up today.
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Blue Valentine (Blu-Ray)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 11th, 2011

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The real world will try to teach us many things. It teaches us that only two things are certain, death and taxes. Unfortunately, one of the things that is not always certain is the wonderful mystery of love. Sometimes, it lasts for a lifetime but more often than not it can be a cruel device and become fleeting. The movie, Blue Valentine deals with this difficult subject and explores one such relationship that is clearly on the ropes.

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The Avengers (Marvel): Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Vol. 1 & 2

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 5th, 2011

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The movie to introduce Thor to the motion picture audience is set to open this Friday. Captain America isn’t too far behind that and opens up in July. Most movie goers have also seen one or both of the Iron Man and Hulk films. But all of those characters will soon be assembled into a mighty team called the Avengers. But before that mammoth movie, first we have to get the kiddies involved with a new cartoon series. Enter Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
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Blood Out

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 1st, 2011

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Sometimes you walk into a movie simply knowing that you are about to watch a train wreck. I am not talking about Unstoppable or Under Siege 2 (though the latter was arguably a train wreck in its own right) either. It is the kind of movie where you hope there is enough action and some mindless t&a to get you through the ninety minutes. Then maybe at the end of it all, one can forget about it and move on. Let us move on to the dinner course this evening, Blood Out.
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Stan Lee’s Superhumans: Season One

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on April 27th, 2011

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Hi there, true believers. Take a walk with me today as we go inside the world of super humans. Humans that have powers far beyond average homo-sapiens. Can you control electricity or perhaps possess the strength of several men? Whether you answer yes or whether your eyes go ablaze in wonderment, you might just be interested in Stan Lee’s Superhumans. Season one awaits, let us proceed.
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Growing Pains: The Complete Second Season

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on April 25th, 2011

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In the 1980’s, I grew up watching a lot of sitcom family shows as I am sure a lot of kids my age did. Somewhere in my late teens and twenties, I ran away from sitcoms and straight in to cartoons and wrestling. (you thought I was going to say reality shows didn’t you?) But before that happened, I probably saw every last one of those crazy family sitcoms. Including Growing Pains. So when I received Growing Pains Season 2 to review, I knew I didn’t need season one and could dive right in. (
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Knockout

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on April 23rd, 2011

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Boxing has never been a particularly popular sport for me to watch. The boxing world has always seemed to be one of lies and politics. But on the other hand, I will watch with interest any movie that has boxing as a major subject. Rocky, Raging Bull, heck The Great White Hype are all fine examples of exciting boxing movies. That is why when I received Knockout with Steve Austin, my interest was peaked a little to say the least. Let us see how it goes.
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Ip Man 2: Collector’s Edition (Blu-Ray)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on April 23rd, 2011

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There are usually two schools of thought when it comes to judging sequels. One tends to be very harsh on the proceedings expecting it to surpass the original (which it hardly ever does) in all aspects of film-making. The other still expects a good film but realizes that this sort of thing is usually financially driven and just hopes for something that can favorable stand against the original. I happen to be in the later crowd. But, I certainly found myself inching towards the former when I received the blu-ray package to review Ip Man 2, Legend of the Grandmaster. Let’s go inside, shall we?
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Top Spin 4 (Xbox 360)

Posted in Game Reviews by Michael Durr on April 18th, 2011

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Most people my age grew up watching tennis with the likes of John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors or those who went for female competition went with Anna Kournikova and the Williams sisters. Maybe with the later, competition isn’t the right word. Needless to say, tennis can be a very entertaining sport to watch. For the most part, the video game world really hasn’t made too many tennis games that are entertaining to play. Hopefully that changes with 2k’s latest game: Top Spin 4.
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Major League Baseball 2k11 (Xbox 360)

Posted in Game Reviews by Michael Durr on April 14th, 2011

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Baseball has always been a passion for me. I played the game as a first baseman until my sophomore year in high school and have watched the sport as long as I was able to see it. I still have fond memories of my dad taking me to tons of games where the Charlotte O’s would play (an AA farm team for the Orioles). My favorite team? The Phillies (since the early 80’s). So naturally, I was pretty excited to see Roy Halladay grace the cover of MLB 2k11 for the Xbox 360. Here is hoping to another great year.
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Guilty, The

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on April 9th, 2011

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Since this week it appears I am taking on a U.K. flavor for my reviews, I decided to throw one more British drama review ripped straight from their local tele programs. This one involves a lawyer who turns into a judge and dons the infamous powdered wig. To my shock, it isn’t even labeled as a comedy, so why am I already laughing? Well, before I go mad as a hatter, let’s proceed forth with The Guilty. We will see if this judge is a cheeky bugger or a wanker. I’m guessing on the latter.
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Man in a Suitcase: Set One

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on April 7th, 2011

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I say old chap, I do fancy a good British TV show. Maybe, it is because I grew up with more than my share of shows like Monty Python and the Black Adder. Maybe, I just like their funny accents. There is probably a bloke in the next alley who is willing to give me a beating for that comment. However, I will hold out and share with you my take on Man in a Suitcase, a late 60’s British drama that aired on ABC. Could I possibly bribe this bloke with some fish n chips?

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The Civil War, A Film by Ken Burns

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on April 4th, 2011

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I have been reviewing various discs for plenty of years now. As a rule, I’ve stayed away from most documentaries as I know that unless they involve video games, I will probably use them for a sleep aid. That is not to say I can’t enjoy them, I just know my track record. Then, I received the grand mother of all documentaries, The Civil War by Ken Burns with an anniversary edition to boot. Yep, this is going to be a long and bumpy ride, let’s hold on shall we?
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Marillion: Live from Cadogan Hall

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on March 31st, 2011

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There is a place in London of the United Kingdom that is down in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea that used to be the first Church of Christ. However, throughout the years the populace decreased that flowed into the church and it became a shell of its former self. Still a goregous location, in 2001 it became home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. That building is called Cadogan Hall. Fast forward to 2009, a band called Marillion decided to play there which led to this 2011 release.

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