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by Dustin P. Anderson

This is a documentary on the growing concern for the rising number of African-American children being born into unwed households. The film’s title 72% is a statistic of how many African-American single mothers are currently living in America. The documentary asks scholars and television personalities for their take on the growing crisis among the community. I feel I must make this quick addendum: as a white male I can only take this movie for how I saw it and how it made me feel. I am aware that I am not necessarily the target audience intended for this documentary, but it was a good watch besides.
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I remember seeing a trailer for this movie a few months back and feeling underwhelmed. It was one of those experiences where you see a trailer and feel like through that contact alone that you can determine the entire course of the movie. Fortunately, I have no trouble admitting when I am wrong, and that was the case for Clouds of Sils Maria. I didn’t have any clue what I was in for, and though slow pace of the film and the ever-changing landscape did get a bit tedious at times, the film possessed a story that I can only describe as life imitating art. Ironic, given that the film covers the story of a renowned actress being asked to return to a play that made her famous but this time in an older role, another once upon a time playing the younger one.
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Soccer mom comedy, there’s a new one for me. I must say, not what I expected. I haven’t spent a lot of time devoted to the life and times of a soccer mom, but after Heather McDonald’s “I don’t mean to brag,” it is clearly more interesting than it seems. In this hour special she lays it all out for you, from breastfeeding (or more accurately non-breastfeeding) to her less-than-romantic sex life with her husband (to husbands everywhere, the expiration date of condoms is not a legitimate come-on). When it starts out, you may be thrown by the less-than-funny skit intro, but I assure you, there are a few things worth seeing.
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So you have a horror fan on your shopping list this year. You’re not sure if they like classic or slasher. Do they appreciate the wonderful films of the past, or do they like to go for the jugular? You know there’s a ton of horror titles out there, but which ones are any good? You also want this gift to be something special. The guy at the store doesn’t know Frankenstein from Jason. You ask for his help, and he looks at you like something out of The Walking Dead. Shopping for a horror title scares you more than a walk at Camp Crystal Lake with a bullseye tattooed on your face. Don’t lose your head over this one. Anchor Bay and Shout Factory’s Scream Factory have that perfect special gift. It’s The Halloween Collection. You get the classic John Carpenter film and all of the slash-fest sequels as well. It’s 10 films in one high-definition splatter festival. And it won’t cost you an arm and a leg… well maybe a foot.
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Here we have a film that knows all the rules and stereotypes of horror films, but instead of twisting things around and turning the genre on its side, we get a convoluted mess that actually had some real potential.  The film is stacked with some solid B-list actors who actually put in performances that remind the viewer why at one point these actors had relatively successful careers.  Brian Austin Green (90210), Mena Suvari (American Pie  and American Beauty), Zack Ward (A Christmas Story and Postal),  and Joanne Kelly (Warehouse 13) are some of the actors that fill this cast, all with solid resumes such that you’d expect at any point they could make the leap to the A-list.
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The main thing I look for in a movie is “not the same old thing”. So many movies are retreads into comfortable viewing. If we’ve seen it a million times, we must like it, right? Why fix it if it isn’t broke? Unfortunately, most movies are the same old thing because of laziness and apathy. Hollywood doesn’t really welcome new ideas. Are You Here is not “the same old thing”. Some people might not like something new, but I do. I like to be challenged by characters that grow right before your eyes and become people you never expected they’d be. Are You Here is basically a romantic comedy, which makes it even more unusual for it to have such challenging characters.
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“It’s been a long time getting from there to here.”

But it’s finally arrived. We now have all four seasons of Star Trek: Enterprise on high-definition Blu-ray collections. On the surface, this was the easiest show to release on Blu-ray. It’s the only Trek series already in widescreen format, and it’s the only one to have been filmed, at least partially, in high definition to begin with. There was a risk, however. The series has gotten some of the most mixed reviews of any of the shows in the franchise. The truth is, it’s been getting kinder buzz in the years since it left the air. In fact, most people, myself included, feel that Enterprise was at its very best when it was taken off the air
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“If you want to achieve something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse. And we’re all utterly sick of hearing excuses.”

There are no excuses when it comes to Cinemax’s Strike Back. Finding a way is exactly what this team does and what this series is about. These guys can shoot it out with about 200 terrorists and come out with barely a scratch. We’re talking action of the highest order. And that was just season 1. Wait until you find out what these guys are up to in season 2. Regulars won’t survive, and a lot of bad guys are going to get killed
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“So no one told you life was gonna be this way. Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, your love life’s D O A. It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear. When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month or even your year. But I’ll be there for you…”

And for ten years and 236 episodes, they were there for you. It was part of NBC’s famous Must See TV Thursday Night. The show has been a perennial Top 10 placeholder in the Nielsen ratings.
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It’s that time of year when the studios enjoy churning out their holiday films to help get people into the holly jolly spirit of things.  Thankfully for us bah-humbuggers out there, studios also release films that kick dirt in the face of the holiday season.  Silent Night isn’t the film to play after a night of caroling while trimming the tree and listening to the fire crackle.  Instead this is the film to watch with a six pack and a group of friends to just blow off some steam.
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“What’s out there? Out in the great beyond? And what’s beyond that? What’s beyond beyond? The answer is, I don’t know. And quite frankly, I don’t want to know.”

There is a lot of talent in front and behind the camera on this film, and if this film delivered on its potential this could be a surprise moneymaking giant.  Unfortunately this film doesn’t manage to live up to its potential and becomes a missed opportunity for all involved.  I’m not saying I didn’t like the movie; in fact I enjoyed quite a bit, but when you have Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill headlining your movie
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Our friends over A&E are staying in the baseball post-season spirit by giving us three copies of 100 Years As The Heart Of Red Sox Nation. Now you have a chance to visit the “green monster” any time you like. The best part? It’s free.

To win just follow these instructions.

1. Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
2. Do not post your address as an actual comment!  Instead – Tell us who is your favorite Red Sox player of all time is..
3. Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.

Contest is open to residents of the U.S. & Canada only, and will conclude on Sunday, November 25th, 2012.
Please – only one contest entry per person!

The title might be a bit misleading this year. Alicia is not so “good” this season. She’s tougher and more willing to make the hard choices. She’s more cutthroat in court and even when it comes to asserting her position in the firm and with her cheating husband. This is not the “stand by your man” show it might have appeared to be when it began. It’s evolved, and that only makes for better television.
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Check out the trailer for this Holiday film. It’s coming your way December 7th, 2012. Gerard Butler is a down on his luck soccer star coming home to build a relationship with his son and rebuild his own life. The film also features Dennis Quaid, Uma Thurman, Jessica Biel and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

It was a great Summer for contests here at Upcomingdiscs. We want to thank A&E/History and 2K Games for really stepping up for our readers.

Remember them when you’re out there shopping.

Here’s the winners for June/July

Ice Road Truckers – Dee & Michael Carter

Houston Astros Collection – James

Exit Humanity – Chaz Walter

The Monster Package From A&E – David Lintz

Girl Fight – Ron Miller

Bling Ring – Daniel M.

WWII In HD on Blu-ray – Michael Grammer

America: The Story Of Us – Joseph Menard

Spec Ops: The Line for PS3 – Edwin F.

Spec Ops: The Line for XBOX – Michael Scott

The Presidents – Kathleen Gereg

Titanic: The Complete Story – Connie Lewis.

Congrats to the winners and thank you all for spending time here at Upcomingdiscs!

It’s been a busy weekend for movies. We also caught Pixar’s new film Brave. A review is coming. It’s another fun adventure. While you’re waiting go behind the scenes for some Pixar magic