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.
This season introduces a lot of great new talent. Many of the competitors have crossed over from the show to the massively popular monthly pay-per-view events for which UFC has become famous. If you're a fan of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), this set will offer you everything you could possibly ask for.
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.
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.
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.
To avoid uneccessary confusion, I’ll say that I certainly enjoyed the set. That having been said, it wasn’t without its problems. The stories are short and uninspired, at least by modern standards. Just about every Space Ghost segment (and I can’t think of any exceptions) ends with a deus ex machina moment in which the title character pulls himself out of a bad situation with a new ability or bit of gadgetry we were previously unfamiliar with. That, however, seems to be merely a part of the formula.
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.
To avoid uneccessary confusion, I’ll say that I certainly enjoyed the set. That having been said, it wasn’t without its problems. The stories are short and uninspired, at least by modern standards. Just about every Space Ghost segment (and I can’t think of any exceptions) ends with a deus ex machina moment in which the title character pulls himself out of a bad situation with a new ability or bit of gadgetry we were previously unfamiliar with. That, however, seems to be merely a part of the formula.
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.
There can be no question that I’m nowhere near the show’s intended demographic (12-18 year old girls, if I had to guess it). Everywhere you look on the set you’re destined to find large amounts of loud, glossy pink lettering, whereas I’m more of a minimalist myself.
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.
There can be no question that I’m nowhere near the show’s intended demographic (12-18 year old girls, if I had to guess it). Everywhere you look on the set you’re destined to find large amounts of loud, glossy pink lettering, whereas I’m more of a minimalist myself.
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).
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 25th, 2007
In Good Company is a 2004 film from the director of About a Boy. It tells the story of Dan Foreman, an experienced 50 something head of an ad agency. His comfortable and familiar world is torn apart when a young executive impresses and is promoted to the job Dan held, despite the agency having its best period in 20 years. That young man is Carter Duryea, played by Topher Grace. Upon his arrival, he tries his best not to upset the balance, attempting to befriend Dan and his family. Corporate politics force his hand into firing people for profit balancing. Eventually he invites himself over to the house of Dan for dinner and meets his daughter, Alex.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 24th, 2007
The latest in Lionsgate's line of movies about nice black people (see Daddy's Little Girls and Akeelah and the Bee), Pride presents a well-tread story with a few tweaks.
Its formula is the sports team underdog winning against all odds. The sport is swimming, which I don't think we've seen much of in the past. All of the usual players are here, though: the frustrated coach inspired to lead, the unlikely athletes who are too poor and too black to succeed, the rival team too rich and too white to be beaten, the crusty old guy who helps out and the token love interest for our protagonist coach.