Posted in: Disc Reviews by William O'Donnell on November 11th, 2010
The Trailer Park Boys are household names in Canada; the central characters even more than the show itself. The mockumentary TV series has been a cult sensation since its inception in 2001, right through its seven seasons and two feature films. Here is the introduction to Ricky, Julian, Bubbles and other charmers from the Sunnyvale Trailer Park.
To praise this show seems nearly redundant as its worldwide success and popularity certainly stands on its own. Nevertheless, this truly is a show that should be praised for managing to have brilliant subtle humour amidst the very loud and lowbrow style of humour it is best known for. As well, there is a certain level of Pathos that one might not think possible from such a motley crew but alas, many of us know people eerily similar to these lads, and can see their natural drive to avoid a painful life and strive for true happiness....yes, yes, all the while growing marijuana and robbing places.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by William O'Donnell on November 9th, 2010
As was the case for my two previous Madeline reviews (https://upcomingdiscs.com/2010/07/20/madelines-great-adventures/ plus https://upcomingdiscs.com/2010/09/21/madelines-halloween-other-spooky-tales/#more-13938) there is little more I could say about the general premise of Madeline. But as I slowly become a connoisseur of this particular character (as this website feels I should be, it seems) I have a few more insights brought on by this Christmas themed edition.
My patience is wearing thinner as the title character insists upon herself this perpetual great-at-everything mien. Having a character be so adored at all times and yet feature little natural charm, can be extremely grating on my nerves.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by William O'Donnell on November 9th, 2010
Grace, California is the kind of “small” town that all the young people wish to escape. Why? I suppose it is because they have ambitions for “greater” things. What are their ambitions while they have to stay? To be as catty and backstabbing as possible while living out a teen soap opera existence. Such is the groundwork for Seven Deadly Sins, a two-part mini-series created for the Lifetime network and based on a series of books of the same name. On this DVD the two parts are merged into a monstrous movie (clocking in at over 3 hours).
The story starts when a new girl arrives from Manhattan and uses the fact that she has designer merchandise and a snobby attitude to usurp the throne as coolest girl in school, all the while making a best friend out of the very girl she usurped. As the story progresses we are offered no more than the usual teen drama prattle of high school cliques, “who likes who” and “who betrayed who” which I frankly could care less about. Things do not perk my interest until a central character dies, only to have their ghost linger as the narrator and sometime provoker of events for her still living friends. It is through this implementation of the supernatural that the film desperately tries to tie in the “Seven Deadly Sins” theme, but it is VERY loose ties that it makes. Really, one should not come up with a provocative, albeit over-used, title first and worry about what it actually means to the story and characters second.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by William O'Donnell on November 9th, 2010
Three couples are meeting for a trip out to the country to have an old fashioned, American orgy. What instigated said orgy is mostly a mystery, as is what truly keeps them motivated to go through with it. Needless to say, most of them are in it for reasons beyond being carefree and their ulterior motives and inner demons will only spoil the party.
The pacing of this film is like that of an art film...which is code for saying it's slow. This would not be a hindrance on the film if the mood of did not waver so often between being painfully uncomfortable and being curiously intriguing (more often the former). Some of the characters are perpetually unlikeable, while others are just so bland that one could hardly care enough to notice if they were likable or not. The last half of the film offers more for the audience as they inch closer to the moment of moving their relationships past casual friendship...and then when they do well beyond that, but that tension is all the film has going for it.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by William O'Donnell on November 7th, 2010
A hitman is getting into his senior years; a notable luxury for someone in his line of work. To feel more secure, he plans to pull off one last job before calling it quits. In order for this film to have an interesting plot something surely must go wrong, and it does. Now reunited with his son, who is aspiring to learn from dear ole (estranged) dad and elevate himself in the crime world, Charlie Valentine hopes to settles things in one way or another.
Gangster films either have too much Scorsese or too much Tarantino in them, and not enough originality. With a slew of typical scenarios, over-wrought tough guy dialogue and enough self-congratulatory bravado to make Joe Pesci blush, this film is hardly bringing anything fresh to the table.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by William O'Donnell on November 7th, 2010
Robert Mutt feels like a hopeless loser and tries to “off” himself (several times). Even in death, he is a failure and finds himself in a mental asylum. Upon receiving some experimental treatment from a new therapist, his confidence is (seemingly) restored and he sets back out into the real world to become a real “somebody.”
Without a doubt, this would be classified as a “Dark Comedy” for it does not skimp on the nudity, vulgar jokes, drugs, violence, cannibalism, and other assorted bits of madness and politically incorrect gems. At the same time, the film is almost endearing in how relentless it is. The disabled are fair game for jokes, but also play the most sentimental roles for our lead (especially one catatonic girl who wins his heart). Mutt is as naive as a young child, and even though the man who is bent on ruining his life is clearly a manic pedophile, he still assumes the best of him and does his best to simply get around him. Mutt's quest is an adorable one but it takes him to the strangest places imaginable. Thanks to hallucinating his life long hero, Clifton Manitoba, an infamous baseball player, and getting some advice from said hallucination, Mutt does everything from dealing out animal porn DVDs to roller skating with a transvestite to find the three things he needs to fell like a somebody: some money, a girl, and a championship ring.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by William O'Donnell on November 1st, 2010
Two young boys start a rivalry that is forged into a friendship by way of helping an ailing dog. As one boy's caregiver passes away, the other boy's family takes him on as one of their own. This family struggles through tough times on their farm as well as tensions from bigoted neighbours because the boy they took into their home happens to be black. Such is the “family bond” thesis of this highly sentimental Xmas film, co-authored by Country superstar Kenny Rogers, and starring country star turned famous dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.
Presented by the Hallmark Channel, it certainly spends much of its time trying to construct those type of “Hallmark Moments” that tug at your heart. The first act (the initial 'unlikely friends' tale) is a bit too cornball for my tastes but darned if it didn't manage to bring in a more interesting story involving a black civil rights meeting, and a racist protest gone violent and nearly deadly. This lead to some interesting choices for the central characters at the climax, which play a slightly unexpected angle on what seemed to be a 'family sticks together no matter' what sort of story. I appreciate it managing to bring me back into the film as it was steering way too steadily into the territory of overly sentimental antics of an impossibly upbeat family...that and Billy Ray's character doesn't seem to visually age despite MANY years going by in the film.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by William O'Donnell on October 27th, 2010
This 1972 concert film has been seldom seen since its first release (which was in 1974) and is only now experiencing its first official release onto DVD and Blu Ray (never having been previously released on home video either). Promoting their just released Exile on Main St. album, the setlist is a high energy service to their love of Chuck Berry inspired rock n roll and complete worship of American blues music.
Some bands have become so popular that they have been mythologized in the public eye. The Rolling Stones are no exception, though much of said mythology is less like the mysticism that follows acts like The Beatles, and more lies in the infamous debauchery of its members...be it the drug consumption, partying with Canada's first lady and/or their various (other?) sexual conquests (David Bowie too?). Never the less, it is concert films like this were it is a relief to see such larger than life celebrities churning out some sloppy rock n roll on stage with loads of youthful energy. Granted, they aren't kids at this point, but don't tell that to the stage persona of Mick Jagger as he trollops about in various sparkling, skinny jumpsuits.
Posted in: Random Fun by William O'Donnell on October 22nd, 2010
Troma Entertainment has harnessed a young group of Canuck filmmakers who go by the moniker ASTRON-6, and will be debuting their first feature film venture into the realm of bad taste. The film is called Father's Day and the trailer, which is filled to the brim with topless women and bloody, man-and-man rape, is already getting attention online. As well, it seems that Troma founder Lloyd Kaufman simply cannot stop talking about the film, based on the amount of clips available online (google Lloyd or Troma and soon find out).
As much as we may love Lloyd's ramblings, perhaps it is best for these bright and handsome purveyors of R-Rated gold to speak for themselves. I badgered them with numerous e-mails until all but one cracked and gave an interview (the last member presumably driven mad by my journalistic vigilance). Below is the fruits of my efforts:
Posted in: Disc Reviews by William O'Donnell on October 15th, 2010
Gunsmoke, in all of its 20 seasons, making it the longest running prime-time drama of all time, has such a strong legacy that it feels odd to review it. Thankfully the challenge is an enjoyable one as the show is at a full head of steam in its fourth season (it was ranked #1 at this time) and each episode is still as engrossing today as it was over 4 decades ago.
James Arness plays Marchall Matt Dillon, and is the law of Dodge City. Both him and the local doctor have rather stony demeanors when it comes to death, and death seems plenty common in 1800s Kansas. More often than not the criminal behind each episodes story is shot dead by the quick draw of Dillon before they could ever see a trial. I suppose that just makes the opening narration all the more suiting as many episodes start with a stock scene of Dillon wandering through a graveyard as Dillon narrates his musings on those that have made one too many mistakes and earned themselves a spot in that yard.
![Ladies & Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/ladies-gentlemen-the-rolling-sto-large.jpg)
