Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on January 10th, 2011
My dislike of romantic comedies has been well documented on this site time and time again. At times, I even try to enlist the help of my loving wife who doesn’t really care for them either but is willing to lend a hand. Unfortunately, my next three reviews will all involve the curse of the romantic comedy. So let’s take a look inside and see if we can last through this trilogy of terror.
Lane Daniels (played by Hilary Duff) is a fashion journalist in New York City in search of a guy. Scared yet? I mean it is Hilary Duff. I heard she once bit the head of an eyeliner pencil off and swallowed it whole. Lane’s best friend, Joanna (played by Amanda Walsh) tries to help but the main problem is that Lane has this insane checklist.
Posted in: News and Opinions, Random Fun by Michael Durr on December 10th, 2010
When I was asked to do a Holiday Gift Guide this year, I quickly realized I wasn’t exactly the best person in the world to tell the public what games they should be buying this year. I’m a cheapskate by nature and my idea of a good game to get this Christmas is the one that is at the bargain bin for twenty bucks or less. But I also realized that by knowing games like I do, I can provide a great traditional and a not-so traditional Holiday Gaming guide. Enjoy.
Before I dive into the guide, let me explain the format. I have selected games from the three major consoles (no handhelds): Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii. I have also selected one game for the PC in an attempt to be fair to that fading community (I expect a CRT monitor to be thrown at me at any time now). I will go over that game with the traditional information, etc, etc. Then to put a little pizzazz on that, I have added a low-cost alternative (from $15-$40) for those who can’t afford a $50 or $60 game. This game will traditionally be older (except in a few cases) but still provide quality gaming. Good for cheap bastards like me who can’t always get a game on the day it releases. (Or even six months later). Without further adieu, we present the 2010 Holiday Gaming Guide.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on December 6th, 2010
Supergroups generally don’t last very long. In one album and out the next, it is usually a case of too many egos trying to co-exist. A favorite band of mine can certainly be described as a supergroup: Velvet Revolver. The lineup is made up of powerhouses from such great bands as Guns n Roses and Stone Temple Pilots. It is grandiose power rock and a whole lot of awesomeness.
It is the year 2005, Velvet Revolver has just released the album Contraband in the year prior. The album would eventually sell over 2 million copies and even won a Grammy for their efforts. As a result of their success, a tour was pretty much automatic. So, it was little surprise that the tour ended up in Houston, Tx for a show at the Verizon Wireless Theater. The band put on a great show and the crowd was enthusiastic in return.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on December 3rd, 2010
Truth is I don’t do very well with Christmas movies. Most of them reek of bad acting and a whole mess of clichés. One of my least favorite movies of all time is A Christmas Story, a masterpiece of absolutely awful movie making. So, needless to say when I received Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas Cottage, I wasn’t exactly abundant with anticipation. Let’s just hope that we don’t want to shoot our eye out over it or anything.
The year is 1977. Thomas Kinkade (played by Jared Padalecki) is busy at working drawing his girlfriend, Hope (played by Gina Holden) as she models (don’t worry, this is a Christmas movie, so all we get is some bare shoulder action). However, he has to stop what he’s doing and go home for Christmas. Where is home you might ask? Why, that’s Placerville, California. The little town also happens to be known as the Christmas Tree capital of the World.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on November 29th, 2010
My wife is known as a very big Madea fan. She’s watched most of the Madea films and often quotes lines at random. So, naturally when I saw I was receiving a Tyler Perry film, I thought I might be able to slide the movie into my wife’s direction. However, Tyler is trying to expand his repertoire into something more than a one-trick pony and I kinda got left holding the bag (or the disc in this case). This should be quite the adventure staring Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard, let us begin.
Today is a very special day. Andrea (played by Sanaa Lathan) is going to marry Chris (played by Rockmond Dunbar). Charlotte Cartwright (played by Kathy Bates) is doing a favor for her friend, Alice Reynolds (played by Alfre Woodard) by picking up the tab and throwing a lavish wedding. At the wedding, Andrea and Chris meet Charlotte’s son, William (played by Cole Hauser) and his wife, Jillian (played by KaDee Strickland).
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on November 27th, 2010
As one could expect, I read a lot of books when I was a kid. I stuck with the classics from Ronald Dahl, Tolkien, and even Charles Dickens . But among all of the male authors in this boy's life, I also read a few female ones too. One stands out in particular, Beverly Cleary. From Henry Huggins to Runaway Ralph and the beloved Dear Mr. Henshaw , I clearly enjoyed her work. But I must confess, I even read the beloved Ramona books, so naturally I was delighted to see Ramona and Beezus on my doorstep.
Ramona Quimby (played by Joey King) is 8 and three quarters and attends the third grade. She would be a normal student if it weren't for one thing: her overactive imagination. It gets her into trouble more often than not and leaves her at the mercy of her third grade class. Apparently, it also leads to less than desirable grades and a report card that she has to hide when she gets home.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on November 22nd, 2010
Some of you might know that even though I couldn't fight my way through a sturdy paper bag, I am an avid fan of all types of martial arts and combat sports. There is something about the grittiness of two men pounding each other into submission that keeps me riveted to my seat. My curiosity was peaked when I saw a copy of Human Weapon, Season One appear on my doorstep. Hopefully this History Channel show would help me appreciate martial art combat that much more.
Imagine traveling the globe from week to week learning about various martial art styles from the originating country. Once you get to that country, you spend a whole week in intense training from a variety of experts that happen to live there. Then you take all that you gathered that week and use it against somebody who has studied the martial art for years, perhaps even a master and try to beat him. Sound impossible? Well tell that to Jason Chambers and Bill Duff.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on November 21st, 2010
As a kid and teenager, I watched a steady diet of cartoons (I still do). I never really adventured much into the high school television programs and movies except maybe ones like Saved by the Bell or Head of the Class. Most of them were too sweet and perfect and last time I checked I’m not perfect so I couldn’t relate (the sweet jury is still out). Hopefully 16 Wishes which did quite well on the Disney Channel would be a little different. I wouldn’t count on it.
Abby Jensen (played by Debby Ryan) is about to wake up to a very special day. It is her 16th birthday!! (Papers and streamers everywhere, oh glorious!) In fact, this little lady right here has something more than a 16th birthday, she has 16 wishes printed on construction paper!! (More streamers!!). They are wonderful wishes but there is a special one at number sixteen, a picture of Logan Buchanan (played by Keenan Tracey), high school quarterback, yadda yadda yadda. She must want to make kissy face with this boy, we'll see if she ever gets her chance.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on November 16th, 2010
My dad was a Vietnam veteran. He did his time and came home to his wife (and eventually me). Because of when I was born, I never knew my father before the war. Therefore, I can’t really speak on his personality changes after he went off to fight the good fight. But in the same breath, I can tell you that we really don’t talk about that time except in very broad brush strokes. War is heck and hopefully my experience with The Dry Land is one that isn’t such a painful undertaking.
James (played by Ryan O’Nan) is an Army man and has come home from Iraq and arrives in the El Paso airport. He is greeted by his wife, Sarah (played by America Ferrera) and his best friend Michael (played by Jason Ritter). They exchange pleasantries and affection and go home to their doublewide trailer so that James can adjust to civilian life once again.
Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on November 14th, 2010
My relationship with Fable is a mostly satisfactory experience. When I first bought my Xbox 360, the first game I actually purchased on the backwards compatible list was Fable: The Lost Chapters. Delighted by the gameplay and fantastic story, I quickly pre-ordered a limited edition copy of Fable 2 which in turn became my favorite game ever on the Xbox 360. Now, with the third one released, I decided to follow the same itinerary by purchasing a LE copy. It’s time to lead a revolution.
The video for this game is widescreen and capable of 1080p resolution. If you have played Fable II, you will notice a lot of similarities in the video presentation. Colors are lush here and there is a whole lot going on whether you are in the woods or in the thick of the city. Scenery really will catch you by surprise and even though a quest might lead you one way, you could find yourself easily going off the beaten path.
![Beauty & the Briefcase [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/beauty-the-briefcase-blu-ray-large.jpg)
![Christmas Cottage [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/christmas-cottage-blu-ray-large.jpg)
![The Family that Preys [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/the-family-that-preys-blu-ray-large.jpg)
![Ramona and Beezus [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/ramona-and-beezus-blu-ray-large.jpg)
![Human Weapon: Complete Season 1 [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/human-weapon-complete-season-1-bl-large.jpg)
![16 Wishes [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/16-wishes-blu-ray-large.jpg)
![The Dry Land [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/the-dry-land-blu-ray-large.jpg)
