Posted in: Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on May 17th, 2018
I think it’s a fair assumption to say the DTV market for film is pretty much the best it has ever been in regards to securing talent to star in the films. When you look at a film like Bent and its cast of Karl Urban (Dredd), Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) and the great Andy Garcia (The Godfather 3, and my personal favorite Things to do in Denver When You’re Dead), it’s difficult to not get excited over its potential. To sweeten the pot, the film’s director, Bobby Moresco, has produced two films that have best picture Oscar nominations, so one has to wonder, what went wrong? I’m not saying the film is bad, but instead you’d just expect this film to be in another tier and not simply settling with a soft release in the new release section at Wal-Mart.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on May 16th, 2018
"I shall tell you of William Wallace. Historians from England will say I am a liar, but history is written by those who have hanged heroes. The king of Scotland had died without a son, and the king of England, a cruel pagan known as Edward the Longshanks, claimed the throne of Scotland for himself. Scotland's nobles fought him, and fought each other, over the crown..."
Mel Gibson had a bit of a rollercoaster life for a while there.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on May 14th, 2018
"Tell me a story."
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the comic book character of Black Panther in 1966 for an issue of The Fantastic Four. He became the first black superhero in the comic world. He starred in Marvel's Jungle Action title before getting his own comic. The character was popular, but through an unfortunate set of circumstances he was at times thought to be related to the militant group of the same name that popped up that same year. For a short time he went by the name Black Leopard, but the original name rose above the unintended connection and continued to enjoy on and off success over the decades. Black Panther was introduced to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) with Captain America: Civil War. He's finally getting his own film
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on May 14th, 2018
As a general practice, I usually try to avoid watching a sequel without first having seen the first film. However, with Maya the Bee 2: The Honey Games, that was hardly necessary, as it functioned as more of a standalone than a continuation. The story continues to follow the titular character, Maya, as she continues to try to aid her hive in any way she can, this time, participating in the Honey Games in order to prevent her hive from losing half of their honey. Sadly, this movie did not get Nalyce’s stamp of approval, as her attention started to wain pretty much as soon as we started watching it. That said, we soldiered on, and eventually she did manage to find a couple things that she did like about it. Despite this, Maya the Bee 2 won’t be becoming a permanent fixture in her entertainment rolodex.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on May 12th, 2018
"Someday we might look back on this and decide that saving Private Ryan was the one decent thing we were able to pull out of this whole godawful, shitty mess."
There are movies that only come along once a decade, sometimes only once a generation. There have certainly been tons of films made about World War II, and some of them have been among those special kinds of films. But there's something different about Saving Private Ryan, and I've yet to encounter someone who hasn't been touched in some way by viewing the movie. I have been fortunate enough in my life to have lived without experiencing the horrors of war firsthand.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on May 9th, 2018
“This has got to be the largest AA meeting in the Western Hemisphere.”
That one-liner from 2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bill Withers is one of the funnier nods to the, ahem, well-traveled club he just joined. It's also featured in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: In Concert, a wonderfully comprehensive collection of the four induction ceremonies between 2014 and 2017. This 2-disc Blu-ray set features over 10 hours of content, including full induction speeches, 53 musical performances, and reunions that will have classic rock fans drooling. (Not to mention some notable snubs.)
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on May 8th, 2018
The world’s most erotic novel series is coming to an end with the release of the final chapter, 50 Shades Freed. Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan reprise their roles as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, as the pair enters wedded bliss. Their romance has been a whirlwind, going from meeting to marriage in what seems to be less than six months. However, when it’s right, it’s right; besides, it’s rare that you find someone with the same taste, if you know what I mean. Naturally, happily ever after won’t come as easily, as our couple will have to face an old enemy and a new challenge that could threaten to tear the two of them apart.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on May 4th, 2018
For Dylan O’Brien, it just seems like his start just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Going from the awkward best friend on MTV’s Teen Wolf to becoming a leading man on the silver screen, he has shown charm and charisma normally only seen in veterans. Another great way a star distinguishes himself is to get attached to a franchise, something he has done with the Maze Runner trilogy. Of course, Maze Runner: The Death Cure spells the end of that run; given his performance in the film, it does not spell the end to his rise. An entertaining and engaging conclusion to the franchise, Maze Runner: The Death Cure follows former glader turned revolutionary Thomas as he continues his battle against his former employers WCKD,
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by J C on May 3rd, 2018
“It’s not hard to go from genius to laughingstock.”
Close your eyes and imagine someone just said the word “genius” to you. (And also pretend like you can’t see the familiar, wild-haired figure on the DVD cover art that accompanies this review.) What person comes to mind when you hear that word? I’m willing to bet it’s Albert Einstein, the German-born Jewish theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity. That’s what makes Einstein the perfect inaugural subject for Genius, National Geographic’s anthology series that also doubles as the cable channel’s first stab at scripted drama.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on May 1st, 2018
"We just shoot you. Less paperwork."
Most of us like a good heist film. It's fun to watch clever crooks work out complicated plans and then execute them. It's not hard to root for the crooks if they're likable enough characters. With me I almost have a kind of reluctant respect for criminals who are able to outsmart sophisticated systems. There's something about the perfect crime that fascinates a film lover like me. Logan Lucky was one of the better heist films I've seen in years, and I was ready to spend an hour and a half being impressed by ingenious crooked plan that runs like clockwork once again. What I ended up with was a horribly overlong 2 hours and 20 minutes.
