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Night at the Museum

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on May 6th, 2007

Synopsis

Holy crap, this movie made a boat load of money for Fox when it came out around Christmas 2006, making $250 million and running second only to the Pirates of the Caribbean sequel for box office money. And to see Ben Stiller finally appear in a film that could be considered a blockbuster success was nice too. And in Night at the Museum, he gets to play Larry, night security guard in the New York Museum of Natural History.

Based on a book by Milan Trenc, the story contains man…
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History Boys, The

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 23rd, 2007

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The History Boys is a film version of the award-winning play of the same name. The link between film and play is especially strong here, as not only was it adapted and directed by the original writer and stage director, but each member of the stage cast also reprised his or her role for the film.

Set in the early 80’s, The History Boys is about a group of bright young men preparing for their futures and the teachers helping them along. The boys have just received top marks at their grammar sch…
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Deja Vu

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 20th, 2007

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As I watched the DVD for Deja Vu I had this uncanny feeling that I’d seen it all somewhere before. Suddenly it hit me. I had seen it all before. It was a darkened multi-plex last Thanksgiving weekend. That’s when I saw the film for the first time and was somewhat intrigued by the originality of the story. I have to say that watching it again on DVD, I think I liked it more the second time around. The basic concept is perhaps not original at all. It is the framework of the idea that I found refreshing. The film also…
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Queen, The

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 12th, 2007

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The Queen is all about Helen Mirren’s performance. All of the buzz I heard leading up to the Oscars was about Mirren’s remarkable turn as the queen bee herself, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and rightfully so.

The film presents an intimate perspective on the royal family during the week of Diana’s death. Despite her majesty’s very public persona, she is actually a very private person, bound to tradition. She’s at odds with new prime minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen, Blood Diamond), who…
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Notes on a Scandal

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 10th, 2007

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Notes on a Scandal is an unsettling film, uncomfortable to watch because it highlights some of the darkest aspects of the human condition. It’s a film about loneliness, secrecy and obsession, and thanks to incredible performances by its leading ladies, it succeeds as a thriller.

Barbara Covett (Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents) is an aging schoolteacher and a voracious diarist. When young, beautiful Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett, The Aviator) shows up as the high school’s new art teache…
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The Pebble and the Penguin (Family Fun Edition)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 4th, 2007

Perhaps in an all too unsubtle move, the MGM/Fox contingent has released The Pebble and the Penguin on the same day as the recently released Happy Feet. The film chronicles the quest of Hubie (Martin Short, Innerspace), a penguin who is trying to win the love of Marina (Annie Golden, Twelve Monkeys) as a mate. But Marina is also eyed by Drake (Tim Curry, Clue), and knows that Hubie must not have her, so he throws Hubie into the ocean. Hubie meets Rocko (Jim Belushi, Return to Me), who helps him stand up to Drake while winning the love of Marina.
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Turistas

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 2nd, 2007

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Turistas is a horror film about six hard-bodied 20-somethings whose vacation in paradise turns bad when they’re drugged, robbed and kidnapped on behalf of a crazed doctor who wants to harvest their organs while they’re still alive.

I think that about sums it up. Now let’s talk about why this film isn’t any good. First, while I realize characters in horror movies are supposed to fall into traps, never before have I seen characters this stupid. They don’t just make one or two dumb choices. No, these kids take every single chance they get to put themselves in danger.
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The Hannibal Lecter Collection

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 24th, 2007

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He’s one of the most compelling villains of modern fiction. Disturbing, disgusting and absolutely captivating at the same time, Hannibal Lecter can really get inside your head.

You may not have read the novels by Thomas Harris, or even seen all of the films, but I’m willing to bet you’re familiar with The Silence of the Lambs. One of the greatest thrillers in film history, the film in which Sir Anthony Hopkins became Dr. Lecter is the cornerstone of this three-movie set.
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The Last King of Scotland

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 22nd, 2007

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The Last King of Scotland generated quite a bit of buzz at this yearï¿½s Oscars, most notably the performance by Forest Whitaker. Based upon the book of the same name, which was in turn based upon the Ugandan dictator between 1970 and 1979; Idi Amin. Although the movie involves a completely fictional protagonist it apparently shadows the life of Idi Amin quite well, which offers a nice mix of fiction and reality.

Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) recently graduated from medical school and decides to lead his expertise to a small countryside hospital in Uganda.
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Eragon

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 21st, 2007

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Eragon is based upon the best selling book, which was written by then nineteen-year-old Christopher Paolini. This film was met with much hype, but initially to me seemed to be another generic Lord of the Rings type rip-off, with the addition of a dragon. Not usually my type of movie, but The Lord of the Rings trilogy did more that just amaze me maybe Eragon has a trick or two up its sleeve.
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Romeo + Juliet (Music Edition)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 15th, 2007

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No matter where you grew up or what books youï¿½ve read, you have undoubtedly come across the workings of William Shakespeare, and especially his Romeo and Juliet. This film takes the dialogue from the original play pretty much word for word but depicts it in a more modern time, with, of course, then-teen heart throbs Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as our star-crossed lovers.

Instead of swords and castles, there are guns and skyscrapers. The famous opening argument with Benvolio, Tybalt and Mercuteo is a public firefight that kicks off the film.
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Harsh Times

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 15th, 2007

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Iï¿½ve been anticipating the release of Harsh Times for quite a while now, never being able to catch it in the theatre, I finally got the chance to check it out. Christian Bale is by now known for his versatility and wide range of playable characters; Harsh Times offers another committed and deep portrayal to his resume. Bale plays ex-ranger Jim Davis who is back in Los Angeles after a 6-year tour. He is trying to land a job with the LAPD so he can marry his Mexican sweetheart and have her live in America.
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Borat – Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 11th, 2007

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If youï¿½ve been anywhere on the planet over the past year then thereï¿½s no doubt that youï¿½ve at least heard the name Borat in passing, well Borat – Cultural Learning of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan has finally made its way to DVD. Although Iï¿½ve wanted to see this movie since I saw its preview before Jackass 2, this is the first time Iï¿½ll actually be watching it and I eagerly anticipate it; Iï¿½ve heard lots of things about this controversial mockumentary comedy. Adding to my anticipation of the film is the fact that Seinfeld writer Larry Charles is the director.
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Trust the Man

Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 8th, 2007

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To watch a good movie you must have the right equipment. A nice sound processor connected to kicking speakers are an absolute must. Add a 200 Watt 17 inch powered sub and you’ve increased the experience ten fold. Wrap it all up with a sweet DLP HD monitor and you now have everything you need – except of course a good movie. Trust The Man is everything but. All you need here is a good supply of insulin and an IV drip to keep you from lapsing into a sugar coma. I’m not talking peanut butter cup melts in your mouth sweet. I’m talking pure concentrated syrup makes you want to hurl sweet.
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Walkout

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 2nd, 2007

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I don’t mean for this to be a joke, but when Paul Mooney recently said that he was glad that Hispanics got their (and I’m paraphrasing here) “African-American wake up call” in the midst of the illegal immigration debate of 2006, the problem wasn’t whether or not the Hispanics were being treated fairly or not. The problem was that this discussion has been going on in some manner or fashion for almost four decades now without a large-scale epiphany that required action. However back in 1968, there was some action (which led to the coordinated efforts of students to walk out of their classes in Los Angeles High schools as a protest of the conditions there), and Walkout helps to tell the tale.
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The Prestige

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 26th, 2007

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The Prestige surprised me like no other film has since The Usual Suspects. The entire film plays out like a good bit of misdirection, slight of hand and illusion, with some pseudo-science thrown in for good measure.

Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman, X-Men) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale, Batman Begins) are rival magicians, both inspiring to be the best the world has ever seen. They began as partners, working together as assistants to an established magician, but when a trick goes terribly wrong, their relationship is forever changed.
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Flyboys

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 23rd, 2007

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Comments on the supplemental material on this edition have been ported over from Brendan Surpless’ excellent (and recent) review of the Blu-Ray disc, which also can be enjoyed on this site.

Now onto the review…

I was listening to a “mini” commentary track from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone the other day as they were talking about the overall silliness of a film like The Day After Tomorrow and that basically the film was done by a bunch of “hacks”.
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A Good Year (2006)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 23rd, 2007

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If you’d asked me last year whether I thought Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe should work together again, I would have said “absolutely.” No hesitation. We’re talking about the director and star of Gladiator, after all, and I’d love to see another epic picture from that team.

What I didn’t expect to see was A Good Year, a romantic comedy that wholeheartedly joins the ranks of the “wine is like life” camp. What’s with that, anyway? Maybe it’s time to move on to another beverage, like coffee. You know, coffee and life have a lot in common – plenty of lessons to be learned there.
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Idiocracy

Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on February 18th, 2007

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Synopsis

I grew up with Beavis & Butthead, the so stupid it hurts MTV cartoon show that basically would launch MTV programming and put it on the map for future series. Mike Judge was the creator behind that masterpiece. He would go on later to be the guy behind King of the Hill and a few assorted good shows. However, somewhere along the way he decided to direct a couple of movies. His most recent affair, Idiocracy; a feature film staring Luke Wilson (Old…
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Flicka (2006)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 15th, 2007

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Maria Bello gives a wasted performance in the Tim McGraw vehicle Flicka, a by-the-numbers family film that is such a retread of other more competent efforts, one wonders, What is the point? Alison Lohman plays McGraw’s teenage daughter and friend-to-Flicka, a role type that was much better utilized in classics, such as Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Summer of the Monkeys. Lohman is the precocious adolescent, who struggles through boarding school, and her relationship with gruf…
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The Guardian (2006)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 14th, 2007

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In the great tradition of Hollywood rehashes, The Guardian applies a new coat of paint to a tried-and-true formula. In this case, we’re talking about the story of Top Gun with Coast Guard rescue swimmers in place of Air Force fighter pilots. Oh, and maybe throw in a little Officer and a Gentleman for good measure.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. They’re the elite, the best of the best. Their training program is the most difficult in the world, and it will weed out anyone who can’t cut it in their dangerous profession.
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The Fifa 2006 World Cup Film – The Grand Finale

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on February 2nd, 2007

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The World Cup is unquestionably the greatest sporting event in the world. No other event, sporting or otherwise, pulls nations together like the World Cup does. Once every four years, the whole of the world (save for the majority of the United States) takes a month off to focus their eyes on the efforts of a group of young men to put a white ball into a white net. This film is the story of the 1996 edition of the famed tournament.

This film does a great job of capturing the story of the tournament, while not …
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Half Baked (HD DVD)

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 30th, 2007

Iï¿½m sure Iï¿½m not the only person wondering why on Earth a studio like Universal, with so many classics in their vault, would release Half Baked so quickly onto HD DVD. One can presumably assume that the only reason they chose to release it at this particular time is to bank on the recent popularity of David Chappelle. The only unfortunate part here is that Chappelleï¿½s performance, while sometimes funny, shows that his talent was best used elsewhere.
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Bandidas

Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 30th, 2007

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Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek are buddies in real life, so it makes sense for the two of them to show up in a film together. I was a little surprised to find this disc on my doorstep, however, having totally missed its existence during its theatrical release. It is a good reminder of how much a movie’s success is driven by marketing. Clearly, this is one of those films that the studio wasn’t happy with, so they cut their losses and quietly put the film into select theaters underneath the radar.

It’s a shame, …
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The Marine

Posted in Disc Reviews by David Annandale on January 29th, 2007

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John Cena is The Marine. Though, as matters develop, The Maroon might be a better handle. At any rate, after being discharged for having Disobeyed a Direct Order in Iraq (where, in a scene distinctly reminiscent of the opening of The Naked Gun, our boy shoots up one of those elusive Al-Qaeda training camps that nobody else seems to be able to find). Readjustment to civilian life is difficult, but then, while heading out for a little holiday with his wife (Kelly Carlson), an unfortunate stop at a gas station results in Carlson being abducted by a violent gang of jewel thieves headed up by Robert Patrick (who comes across, as was pointed out to me, like the love child of Martin Sheen and Chandler Bing).
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