Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 14th, 2006
Synopsis
What is it about a comedic film about death set in the English countryside that people have to equate it to Waking Ned Devine? Now granted, that film was a crowd pleaser and is a pleasure to watch, but let’s not stigmatize the films that have been released after it. Consider the case of Undertaking Betty, a film about a funeral director named (really) Boris Plots (Alfred Molina, Spider Man 2) who has known Betty (Brenda Blethyn, Beyond the Sea) for quite some time, but h...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 13th, 2006
Hawaii 5-0 was one of CBS’s most successful shows of the 1970’s. A great deal of money had been spent creating facilities to take advantage of the Island’s unique setting. When the show had finally run its course, executives with the network were not keen to give up the production resources, so they simply created a new show to fill the same time slot and utilize the Hawaiian settings. Instead of a cop, this new show would center around Thomas Magnum (Selleck). Magnum was a former Naval Intelligence operative from ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 13th, 2006
This was David Spade’s first HBO special from 1998. Following in the footsteps of giants like George Carlin and Rodney Dangerfield, he somewhat misses the mark here. For some reason Spade displays a serious lack of energy. The real hook for this show was his return to the Tempe Improv where he got his start in his home town. This is still your basic stand-up comedy concert. On Spade’s hit list are such topics as: Dating, Hotels, Parents, and Fast Food Workers. It’s not until about the last 12 minutes that some real...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 13th, 2006
The Academy Awards are starting to build a case against their own validity. In 2005, they nominated a simply amazing film called Downfall in the Best Foreign Film category, but eventually gave the award to The Sea Inside. While Sea is a fine film, it was clear that the Academy got nervous about the ramifications of giving an award to a film about the last days of Adolph Hitler, and took the easy way out.
In 2006, they again got nervous and avoided ultimate controversy by giving their Best...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 13th, 2006
Synopsis
Apparently Carlos Mencia is being hyped as the latin version of Dave Chappelle when it comes to the eyes of Comedy Central, as he appears to be the guy who says whatever is on his mind, and is an equal opportunity offender. But as we all know with brussels sprouts, if you try to force something on someone, chances are they’re going to resist it.
To his credit, Mencia (who looks suspiciously like George Lopez) does immediately try to shoot that perception down, or at least make fun of it, ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 13th, 2006
Synopsis
Not knowing what just how much further reality TV could go, imagine my shock and amazement when reality shows dived into places that people didn’t feel like going, like bail bondsmen offices or tattoo parlors. A&E has just the thing for you, as a compilation disc of the best episodes of the show Inked is now out on DVD.
For those unfamiliar with the world of skin art, Inked takes a look inside a tattoo parlor owned by BMX star (and husband of musician Pink) Carey Hart and hi...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 13th, 2006
Synopsis
As one who is not a fan of much techno and even less a fan of Moby, it was a little surprising to see what my thoughts were on a recent live DVD that the artist has released (brief political soapbox rant commencing). Quite frankly, I’m not a fan of the man’s politics and his far-left rantings and ravings, and find his urge to help peddle Snapple-like tea beverages a little interesting. What I find even more interesting, nay a bit ironic is that among those that were thanked for the singer’s May 25,...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 13th, 2006
Certainly a surprise upon its initial release, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo exceeded so many box office expectations a sequel was inevitable. From what I've heard, European Gigolo represents everything wrong with movies today; however, I did not let that abysmal word-of-mouth prevent me from giving the first installment a chance. Unfortunately, after viewing the original, I can't see how the sequel could be any worse.
This film has its share of supporters, and I can't really come down on anyone ...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 12th, 2006
The Greatest Game Ever Played?
When I saw that title on the DVD case my immediate thought was: “How did Disney find out about my 1981 Marathon game of RISK where I took out Mark “Trip Sixes” Shreader in 9 hours of battle? Of course, I soon decided they meant professional sports. This film would be about the Minnesota Viking playoff whoopin’ of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Turns out that wasn’t it. Point of fact, not one game of the 1980 World Series victory of the Phillies made the cut. Sudde...
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 12th, 2006
Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments hits store shelves in a new three-disc special edition, just in time for the release of the new made-for-TV mini-series. While the film classic is no stranger to DVD, it has yet to be released with this kind of gusto. At over three-and-a-half hours long, the film is simply too much for one disc to hold. The first disc contains the first 140 minutes, while disc two finishes up with the last 80. Plus, as a bonus, we get the original 136-minute silent version (also a DeMill...
