Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 18th, 2025
"Sometimes I feel the past is a more comfortable place than the future."
I think for anything to have a grand finale, it has to have been grand to begin with. And I don't think one could argue that Downton Abbey hasn't been grand, at least at some points in its life. Downton Abbey spent six years on television and has amassed 52 episodes. In that relatively short run, the series has also managed to collect over 200 award nominations and several Golden Globes along with other prestigious awards. Let's not forget a rather loyal fan-base that has watched each episode with anticipation of the next sharp barb or character revelation and will insist on franchise authenticity.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 15th, 2025
“Now we’re playing some football.”
Let’s just start with the high marks: Marlon does his thing, which I fully expected that he would. Right when you think that we have already seen the best that he has to offer, he finds a new gear, and let it be known that he will not be typecast as just a comedian or as a writer or as producer. He is, in fact, him. Pun intended. Tyriq Withers shows some promise as a leading man, and like his character is clearly hungry to make a name for himself, with this project being his second box office horror appearance this year (the other being I Know What You Did Last Summer). Also, you can see Jordan’s Peele’s influence on the film, as there are a handful of similarities to his previous projects
Posted in: 1.85:1 Widescreen, 2160p, Classic, Dolby Digital Atmos, Drama, UHD Blu-ray (4K), Warner Bros. by Gino Sassani on November 14th, 2025
"Well, gentlemen, in my opinion, if we send him back to Pendleton or we send him up to Disturbed, it's just one more way of passing on our problem to somebody else. You know, we don't like to do that. So I'd like to keep him on the ward. I think we can help him."
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest was the first movie I ever saw on HBO. These were the very early days of the cable network. It was before the dawn of any real home video. It was at my Aunt Shirley's house that several members of the extended family gathered in dining room chairs around a 19-inch television to watch a movie uncut and without commercial interruption for the first time in our lives. A lot has changed since that 1970's afternoon at my aunt's house. Today we have hundreds of such choices on our television dials. I've seen a huge wave of home video technologies since that day that have included CED video discs
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 14th, 2025
“The History of Black New York†thematically explores various aspects of the black experience through the use of historian testimony and period specific media. The documentary begins with the early arrival of the Dutch on Manhattan Island and their fair treatment of black slaves. With the arrival of the English, morality and race became intertwined in New York, as with the rest of America, leading to the ensuing years of black oppression and segregation.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 13th, 2025
"I wish I could have enjoyed it more. It's only due to the flaws in my character which I'm rather proud of."
Douglas Adams once told us in his series of Hitchhiker's Guide books that the secret to life, the universe, and everything is 42. While Adams was a great writer and had a wonderful imagination, his math is a little suspect. Any of us who have grown up with This Is Spinal Tap over the last 40 years, we know the real answer is 11. If that confuses you, then stop reading right now. Go out and rent, stream, buy, or pinch a copy of 1984's This Is Spinal Tap. Once you've watched that film, you can come back and rejoin the conversation on the long-awaited sequel: Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 11th, 2025
"Hi, Dad. It's me, Frank Jr. I want to be just like you, but at the same time be completely different and original. So, if you're proud of me, give me a sign. Like, maybe make me see an owl or something."
The Naked Gun (2025) is a beautifully absurd film that had me and everyone in the theater laughing in tears. It is both a continuation and reboot to the original franchise that introduces a new generation of characters, which still honors the classic formula of deadpan delivery, absurd plotlines, and visual gags that gave the original its significance. It was like a breath of fresh air in a lackluster era of Hollywood which felt was seriously rich in soul. I can’t even joke; my face was hurting from laughing and smiling throughout the entire movie!
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 6th, 2025
"I know my life isn't too exciting. I know I'm not to exciting either. I don't have a fancy job. I don't drive a fancy car. I'm not a member of any kind of country club but I do have a nice house, a strong back and a heart full of love to give. The world is so full of bad things it's frightening especially if you're alone. No one should be alone. People should be happy. I think I can make you happy."
So Tony Tost wants to make me happy. He's released Americana now on home video and streaming. Here's what I need from you to make that happen. As a writer give me a great story that keeps me on the edge of my seat. Show me and don't tell me wherever it's possible to do that. As a director I'll need you to give me a cast that can carry the weight of it all and I want compelling characters. You see, Tony. I want very much to care about the people I'm watching. I want to become quickly invested in who they are and what they want or need.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 31st, 2025
"Some called Bregna the perfect society. Some call it the height of human civilization. But others know better. The Goodchilds built Bregna to ensure us a future. They built the Relico, a memorial to remind us of what we've survived. They built walls to protect us. They tell us that outside, nature has retaken the world. But the real problems lie within. We are haunted by sorrows we cannot name. People disappear, and our government denies these crimes. The Goodchild regime provides for us, as long as we stay quiet. So we trade freedom for a gilded cage. But there are rebels who refuse to make that trade, who fight to overthrow a government that silences us, who fight in the name of the disappeared. They call themselves the Monicans. I am one of them."
It all started as the brainchild of Peter Chung. It was an adult anime series that aired on MTV from 1991 to 1995. The series looked at a dystopian future where all kinds of "beings" existed, mostly from the practice of too much cloning, which eventually led to mutants and other strange creatures. In this dark future, humanity has fallen to basically two city-states .
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 27th, 2025
"It's rare, but sometimes, there's this moment in the car where everything goes quiet, my heartbeat slows, it's peaceful, and I can see everything, and no one, no one can touch me. And I am chasing that moment every time I get in the car. I don't know when I'll find it again, but, man, I want to. I want to. 'Cause in that moment, I'm flying."
The first think I noticed when the writer/director John Kosinski-led F1 arrived here in UHD Blu-ray from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment was that they had changed the film's name. when it was available for screenings, it was simply called F1. I guess someone in marketing thought the name was somewhat confusing so they decided to add "The Movie" to the title. I guess this was in case any of you out there got confused and was not aware you were watching a movie instead of an actual race somewhere. I'll never claim to understand exactly what studio marketing people really do for a living that doesn't involve a set of darts and a target with various "ideas" spread out in the landing area.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 24th, 2025
“This is not going to end well.”
I can’t tell you how telling that quote was for me. At least the movie has a catchy opening song in “Everything Goes With Blue,” courtesy of Smurfette, a.k.a. Rihanna, who voices the character. Interesting detail: all Smurfs movies from the 21st century have had Smurfette voiced by a famous singer. In The Smurfs (2011) and its sequel The Smurfs 2 (2013), Katy Perry voiced the character. In Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017), Demi Lovato provided the voice, and in this 2025 reboot, she is voiced by Rihanna. Another interesting detail: this marks Rihanna’s second animated movie she has lent her voice to, with the first being Home (2015), which was released 10 years earlier.
