Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 2nd, 2003
The Tick was a live action show based on the wildly different super-hero of the same name. He was also featured in an incredibly funny animated series in the early 90’s that also ended way before it’s time. The Tick follows the comedic adventures of a muscular, but dim witted 300 lb powerhouse whose duty is to clean the city of evil-doers while shouting inane phrases such as the always catchy “Spoon!”
When I first heard that they were going to make a live action version of the Tick, I was very skeptical ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 2nd, 2003
Synopsis
In 1933, a luxury liner sails from Mexico to Germany. On board: Vivien Leigh, who is bitterat the loss of her youth; Simone Signoret, a Spanish countess who is being deported; OksarWerner, the ship’s doctor with the bad heart condition who falls in love with Signoret; JoseFerrer as the rude, crude, stupid Nazi mouthpiece; Lee Marvin as the washed-up ball player; andso on and so on and so on. The format of big stars and their multiple interlocking tales was firstperfected in...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 1st, 2003
The Christian rock/rap group dc Talk had gone about as far as it could go by the new millennium, and they found themselves at a crossroads. There was virtually no new ground for them to tread upon as a group, but they didn’t want to shut down the show, either. Instead, the band went on hiatus. Each member subsequently put out a solo record, and started the process of building a fan base all over again.
All of the solo albums are surprisingly good in their own unique way, and all have done fairly well at re...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 1st, 2003
I can sum up my feelings about the documentary “Stevie” with one word; “uneven”. Some portions of the film are surprising, touching and moving. Other portions, however, leave the viewer feeling a little sick, wondering how anyone could feel sorry for a person as desperately evil as Stevie.
In the end, all of the various problems with this film rest solely on the shoulders of its director. By bringing cameras into Stevie’s world, he has colored it, and made it something different than what it would otherwise...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 31st, 2003
Not since the height of the American Western has there been a film genre where we find ourselves rooting for the bad guys and booing the good guys. Yesterday’s Jesse James and Billy The Kid have become Michael Corleone and Tony Soprano. Add to the mix that The Sopranos have totally revolutionized the face of the television drama. It’s no fluke that this show dominates nearly every Emmy category there is. The cinematography is feature film quality. The cast is high end and the writing is gutsy and tight. Make no mistake about it.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 30th, 2003
dc Talk is a bit of an anomaly in the growing Christian music scene. While not necessarily a group that crosses over into the mainstream, they have grown into about as big of a Christian music act as they can become. The group is made up of three members, each one unique in their musical style and talents. The rock, rap and pop influences they bring together blend to create something new and unique. Backed by a full band, dc Talk has created a live show that rivals most major mainstream acts.
Welcome to th...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 29th, 2003
In his directorial debut, Matt Dillon gives us a character driven story with fantastic cinematography and numerous plot twists. Matt Dillon, better known for his role in teen flicks and his over the top performance in “There’s Something about Mary” definitely can add another credential to his Hollywood portfolio – actor and director. It just seems funny that in his directorial debut he features himself as the main character.
Dillon plays Jimmy Cremmins, a New York con artist, whom in the wake of a huge in...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 27th, 2003
Harrison Ford is the top selling actor in Hollywood these days. He owes this distinction in no small part to a couple of trilogies he did early in his career. While Star Wars might have been a chance for Ford to break out, Raiders of the Lost Ark and its sequels defined his abilities. Indiana Jones is the perfect hero. He’s strong, intelligent, and above all moral. Unlike the stereotypical hero Jones is also vulnerable and at times flawed. Credit Steven Spielberg for the iconic stature Indy occupies today.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on October 27th, 2003
Synopsis
From its inception onward, here is the history of the Brooklyn Bridge, with special attentiongiven to the lives of the men whose dream this bridge was. As with Burns’ other documentaries,this is fascinating stuff, with great archival material, and some gorgeously evocative shots of thebridge.
Audio
The sound is mono, but stereo isn’t really necessary for this documentary. The main pointis whether or not the narration is clear, and it is. The accompa...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on October 27th, 2003
Synopsis
At a Hawaiian resort, a five-year college reunion is underway. Four young women inparticular are excited to be chosen as centerfolds for Cavalier magazine (don’t ask). One by one,they are killed in boringly unbloody ways. Investigating is local detective Kari Wuhrer and ex-LA cop Bretn Huff, sent to Hawaii after a stock footage car chase back home. The dialogue withmake you want to hit your head with a sledgehammer, the mystery’s resolution is simultaneouslyobvious and nons...