The Reel World

As someone who devoured The Hunger Games during a single marathon sitting a week before the movie’s release, I was particularly curious and excited to see Suzanne Collins’ best seller get the big-screen treatment. Judging by all the Team Peeta devotees and side-braid-sporting, would-be Katnisses — who had certainly been waiting for the movie a lot longer than I had — at my opening night screening, I was far from the only one. (The record-breaking box office was another clue.) Still, in a theater packed with rabid superfans, and with a beloved property making its much-anticipated jump onto the silver screen, the question of whether or not the movie is actually any good can often seem somewhat beside the point.
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Dr. Seuss and his cast of strange and wonderful characters have been around since before I was born. The first book I ever read by myself was Green Eggs And Ham, and I can remember the experience quite vividly still. Each Christmas I run the 1960’s Boris Karloff version of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It’s been a tradition at the Sassani household for decades. It started with television broadcast that led to videotaped copy which found its way to a laserdisc, followed by a DVD and now a beautiful Blu-ray from the folks at Warner. If these things don’t qualify me as a bonafide fan of the good Doctor, I’m not sure what else will.
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“In valor there is hope”

It would be easy to dismiss Act Of Valor as either a recruiting tool piece of propaganda or yet another in an endless line of war films attempting to capture some form of authenticity. It would be easy, if you haven’t seen the film. I can promise you that no matter what your views on war or the military in general, the one thing you simply won’t be able to do is dismiss Act Of Valor.
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“Have you seen her? The Woman in Black? She once lost a boy, and now she’s come back. Our parents all worry, they make such a fuss: For if she can’t find him, she’ll take one of us.”

Now this looks like a Hammer film. A subdued cool color palette, stunning Gothic set pieces, a wonderful location ripe with grieving and decaying symbolism, and genuinely scary ghosts make The Woman in Black an impressive throwback to old fashioned horror. Having been a fan of the original 1983 novella by Susan Hill and the 1989 TV teleplay for Britain’s ITV network, I looked forward to Hammer’s adaptation. I was not disappointed.
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At first glance Haywire appears a bit out of character for the likes of director Steven Soderbergh. It’s not that he hasn’t delivered action films in the past. It’s that he’s never quite tied himself to such a tried and sometimes true formula before. When you first look at the press for Haywire you’re going to pretty much dismiss it as a standard action hero film that follows in the mold of a Steven Seagal/Chuck Norris mold with a touch of Bourne Identity thrown in to meet the more recent trends
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“Fight for honor. Fight for your children. Fight for your future. Fight for immortality!”

I know there are a lot of you out there who can’t wait for the huge 300 sequel: 300 The Battle Of Artemisia. You might even have your calendar circled for the Clash Of The Titans remake sequel Wrath Of The Titans, also on the horizon. In case you find that you just can’t wait, director Tarsem Singh has created a weigh-station, of sorts, with his action-packed Immortals.
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Written by John Delia

Most everyone would like to be the boss, but in most instances there’s only one.  I hope my readers don’t have a boss as despicable as the ones in Horrible Bosses, a nicely funny comedy directed by Seth Gordon.  Filled with a lot of hilarious situations, this film is perfect for mature adults. If you are not offended by sexuality and a lot of crude language, then run to see Horrible Bosses.
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Written by John Delia

It’s a chick flick, so there you go, I said it right up front.  And What’s Your Number? is very predictable, so there you go again.  AND it’s 27 Dresses with a bit more sex and without Katherine Heigl.  Actually, I almost liked the film up until two scenes that show the moral decay of American cinema.
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Written by John Delia

When I see Seth Rogen’s name listed in the cast of a film, the first thing that comes to my mind is a wild comedy.  But in 50/50 Rogen adjusts his bizarre persona and creates a character that provides the right medicine to a poignant situation.  Although the film gets a little sappy at times, it delivers a strong, meaningful story.
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Written by John Delia

The inspiring, moving, poignant true story Dolphin Tale splashes into theaters this weekend with a family friendly theme that’s sure to touch your heart.  Filmed in Florida where it happened, it’s a movie about a dolphin that receives a compassionate helping hand and a strange new lease on life.
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Written by John Delia

The film Killer Elite plays out like you are watching a video game — kill an assassin and move up to the next level.  Exciting, power-packed, and relatively predictable, the film tends to mirror other action movies that have been released this year. The thing that does play better than the rest involves the suspense that comes with trying to decide who really is the bad guy here.
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Written by John Delia

Sweet, charming and touching, My Afternoons with Margueritte has what it takes when it comes to entertainment value.  What makes the film so good comes from the acting of Girard Depardieu, Gisèle Casadesus and fine directing by Jean Becker.  If you prefer a film that has excellent acting with a loving script, then My Afternoons with Margueritte is your French strawberry croissant.
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Written by John Delia

Here’s a remake that actually makes for better entertainment.  It’s called Straw Dogs, and the cunning little tale takes you into the dark side of a dysfunctional town and renders fear.   I was very much blown away by the film from its mellow beginning to a buildup of concern and a final turn of events that made me shudder.  If you like films that have a deep seeded alarming undertone, then rush to see Straw Dogs.
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Written by John Delia

Just to make sure that the trailer for Drive doesn’t give you the wrong idea, NO, this is not a Jason Statham movie in the vein of the adrenaline pumping Transporter series.  Ryan Gosling holds his own in this rough surrealistic drama that inserts all the thrills shown in the preview and more.  If you like looking into the mind of a tough loner who is on a road to a life full of angst, then take a ride to Drive.
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Not all documentaries can make a mark in society, but I found Genius On Hold a remarkable film that takes a crack at big business and proves positive.  Genius On Hold is eye opening, courageous and extraordinary. It’s a father and son story of fate that intertwines life struggles, crime and monopolies, which decide their future.  If there’s one documentary you see this year, make it be Genius On Hold.
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Today we begin a new feature here at Upcomingdiscs.

From time to time we are invited to take a sneak peak at some of the movies that are about to make their box office debuts. They are not coming out on home theater release… just yet. You can count on them truly being Upcomingdiscs. The new series of articles will be called The Reel World. They may include several new films in one piece or focus on one particular release. With a summer filled with potential blockbusters, we decided this was the time to roll out the new feature. What better way to kick the whole thing off than with one of this summer’s most anticipated films: Thor.
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