Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 27th, 2007
The second season of Weeds follows much the same formula as the first, and incase you haven’t seen the first season I suggest you do so beforehand. But for your benefit I’ll quickly run over what you’ve missed. Nancy (Mary Louise Parker) has recently lost her husband and the only way she sees to raise her children in the affluent neighborhood they’ve become accustom too is by dealing weed. Most of her customers are parents, most notably the town councilman Doug Wilson (Kevin Nealon, Saturday Night Live). While dealing with problems at home and on the streets Nancy goes through life the best way she can, which is rather comedic for the rest of us.
Season 2 picks up with Nancy getting in over her head with the narcotics business as she begins growing her own product. But with the help of several members of the community things seem to be playing out rather nicely, even with Nancy dating a DEA agent. Her son’s eventually find out just how their mother keeps paying the bills, and both deal with it in their own ways. But even that’s not the last of Nancy’s problems as Celia heads up an anti drug committee in the community, promising to make Agrestic a drug free community.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on July 26th, 2007
Preston Foster is a bitter ex-cop who masterminds a gigantic robbery. Hiding behind a mask, he forces three cons to work with him, and makes sure they too wear masks, so only he knows everyone’s identity. The heist also involves framing an innocent flower delivery-man (Joe Rolfe), who unfortunately has done his own stint in jail, and so is put through the brutal wringer by the police. Freed but understandably ticked off, Payne sets off on the trail of the men who framed him. Tracking one to Tijuana, Payne adopts his identity and arrives at the resort where Foster and others have gathered. Foster’s master plan is complicated by the arrival of his daughter, who develops an interest in Payne.My summary likely makes the film sound hellishly convoluted. Though it does indeed have a plethora of twists and turns, the storytelling remains crystal-clear throughout, and it is astonishing how many issues and incidents it packs into 99 minutes. The near torture that Payne suffers at the hands of the police is wince-inducing, and Neville Brand and a young Lee Van Cleef are memorably sleazy cons. Marvellous fun.
Audio
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 26th, 2007
Written by Evan Braun
I don't particularly like boxing, or wrestling for that matter. Martial arts don't usually turn my crank either, so it's a little inexplicable for me to be such a UFC fan. And yet, I am. Very much so.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 26th, 2007
Actor Matt Damon, ever since his big burst into our homes via 1997’s Good Will Hunting, has always been a gem of an actor for myself. The man, quite possibly, hasn’t really made a bad film.. In his second trilogy (the first being the Ocean films), Damon plays Jason Bourne, a former government agent whose running all over the place trying to figure out why the government wants to kill him. And the fact that he has amnesia doesn’t help one bit either.
An obvious comparison to this film and James Bond has been made numerous times. And that, in all honesty, is a major disservice to this film. Sure the Bond films are classics in their own right, but the last few (with the exception of Brosnan’s Goldeneye and the most recent Casino Royale), haven’t fared all that well. The Bourne series, on the other hand, are crafty, cunning and skillful knowing that they don’t need to include over-the-top stunts or sequences that don’t seem overly plausible. This film plays out like the domino effect with each sequence revealing a new part of Bourne’s past. Only the film rarely falters in its explanation or story continuance. And the fact that Ludlum is known by pretty much ever adult around (I know… so is Fleming), adds a more interesting appeal to this film.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 26th, 2007
Billy Madison (Adam Sandler) is the son of the founder of Madison Hotels. The company is on the Fortune 500, having started from a few hotels in PA and now has become a huge company. Like many fathers he wants to pass the business onto his son. The only unfortunate part of this equation is that Billy is a complete and utter moron who does nothing but drink beer, get high and basically act like a child despite being 27. After learning that his father basically paid his way through school bribing his teachers, Billy is determined to repeat the 12 grades he never completed. The only catch is that Billy must pass each grade within a 2-week grace period and by June 15th.
I sometimes wonder if there is something wrong with me. Everyone I talk claims that Billy Madison was extremely funny containing laugh a minute humor and comedy. Maybe I was out of it or I simply don’t “get†the humor, but I literally only laughed once during this entire film (when Billy is poking fun at the 3rd grader who has trouble reading). Otherwise from that, I found myself repeatedly wondering what was so funny. The story is rather dull and actually makes no sense. Where on Earth would something like this even possibly happen? Are we actually suppose to believe that a 27 year old man would be allowed to return to school? I don’t care how rich your father is, this would never happen. A possible modern example could be the Hilton Hotels and Paris Hilton, but even thinking of that comparison just doesn’t work here.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 26th, 2007
Written by Evan Braun
Space Ghost & Dino Boy is the kind of show that seems as though it would carry with it a great deal of nostalgia. Its characters are memorable and its animation is characteristic of an era of cartooning long since gone. Unfortunately, since I missed the show’s heyday by a good 20 years, it’s impossible for me to join in on these fond memories.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 26th, 2007
Written by Evan Braun
Space Ghost & Dino Boy is the kind of show that seems as though it would carry with it a great deal of nostalgia. Its characters are memorable and its animation is characteristic of an era of cartooning long since gone. Unfortunately, since I missed the show’s heyday by a good 20 years, it’s impossible for me to join in on these fond memories.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 25th, 2007
Written by Evan Braun
I was prepared right from the get-go to absolutely hate this set. I could not imagine any scenario by which I would be able to get any enjoyment out of MTV’s My Super Sweet 16. So colour me surprised. It turns out there is some appeal in the show after all.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 25th, 2007
Written by Evan Braun
I was prepared right from the get-go to absolutely hate this set. I could not imagine any scenario by which I would be able to get any enjoyment out of MTV’s My Super Sweet 16. So colour me surprised. It turns out there is some appeal in the show after all.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 25th, 2007
Streets of Fire is yet another welcome addition to the ever growing number of high def titles. This movie, self-described as a rock and roll fable, was first made in 1984 and stars Diane Lane, William DaFoe, Michael Pare and Rick Moranis in a rare serious role. Diane Lane plays Ellen Aim, who has returns to an old haunt that looks much like the Battery of New York City, to give a charity concert. After the conclusion of her first song, Ellen is kidnapped by a biker gang. Her manger, Billy Fish wants her back. Enter the film’s hero, a soldier of fortune named Tom Cody (Michael Pare).
Cody is reluctant due to his history with Ellen. He agrees to help after Fish offers him $10,000. The rest of the movie follows the rescue attempt as well as a hilarious over-the-top fight and a great closing concert scene.
![The Bourne Identity [HD DVD] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/the-bourne-identity-hd-dvd-large.jpg)
![Billy Madison [HD DVD] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/billy-madison-hd-dvd-large.jpg)
![Streets of Fire [HD DVD] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/streets-of-fire-hd-dvd-large.jpg)
