Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on August 23rd, 2005
Synopsis
Aspiring singer Ashanti (there’s some imaginative casting for you) and her pet Toto (Pepe the king prawn) are transported to Oz by a tornado. The story then plays out in familiar form, with the roles of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Wicked Witch of the West being essayed by, respectively, Kermit, Gonzo, Fozzy and Miss Piggy.
Posted in: News and Opinions by Archive Authors on August 22nd, 2005
Universal will release separate rated and unrated editions of George A. Romero's Land of the Dead on October 18th. The rated edition (93 minutes) will be presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ration, while the unrated edition (97 minutes) will be presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer; both versions will include English DTS & Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks. In terms of extras, both will include an audio commentary (with George Romero, producer Peter Grumwald and editor Michael Doherty), three featu...ettes ("Undead Again: The Making of Land of the Dead," "A Day with the Living Dead," & "When Shaun met George"), and deleted scenes. In addition, the unrated edition will include five additional featurettes ("Bringing the Dead to Life," "Scenes of Carnage," "Bringing the Storyboards to Life," "Zombie Effects from Green Screen to Finished Scene," "Scream Tests: Zombie Casting Call").
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on August 21st, 2005
Synopsis
When the economic boom in Japan leads to massive deforestation, the raccoons find their habitat threatened. They band together and mount a campaign to stop the destruction of their world by humans. They learn to shape change, and wreak merry havoc with construction crews. Some of their stunts simply frighten the people off, but some of the sabotage is deadly, too.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on August 20th, 2005
Evil sells. From the time of Adam and Eve it appears that Satan makes for great storytelling. The mini-series from NBC gets its name, obviously, from Revelations, the final book in the Bible. Combine the idea of pure evil and the end of times and you get... well, The Omen. Revelations deals more with the impending Armageddon than it actually does with the Anti-Christ. The clash of science and religion is far more important in this film than past films like The Omen. Bill Pullman is a good choice here. His portrayal of a Harvard scientist caught in the middle of this epic tale contains just the right reserved element to make him completely believable. Natascha McElhone is too stereotypical. Her constant ranting of scripture gets tiresome. I’m not really sure I blame the actress more than the way the part was written. This is a long tale that would have benefited from tighter editing. Of course, NBC had to fill 6 hours of prime-time.
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on August 20th, 2005
Boudu Saved From Drowning is a style of film that is quite popular in the modern independent film scene. Tales of understanding the outcasts and what it means to fit in with the status quo have always been powerful, especially ones such as this one, where the moral is that no particular group or culture is without its drawbacks.
This film tells the story of Boudu, a homeless man who decided to commit suicide by jumping off of a bridge, but is saved by a man of “integrity”. He is then taken in to the ma...'s home, given a new suit, and expected to change his ways and become a valuable member of society. Once these cultures collide, the resulting comedy is inevitable. The truth behind the humor, however, is biting.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on August 19th, 2005
Synopsis
A gang of thieves using telekinetic powers is on the loose. They are the result of CIA experiments decades ago, but only about-to-retire Louis Gossett, Jr. (remember when he had a theatrical release career?) takes the threat seriously. He enlists a similarly powered young physics professor to infiltrate the gang. Meanwhile, FBI agent Teri Hatcher is also on the case. The poor prof is soon in over his head.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on August 19th, 2005
Synopsis
A championship wrestling match is disrupted when the winner is challenged by a giant squid. The squid wins by using a move that was the distinctive trademark of a vanished former champion. Could there be a connection? The girlfriend of the current champ, old flame of the former, certainly wonders. There is something about the squid that draws her... Meanwhile, the wrestling bosses want a rematch, but also want the squid to throw the match. He refuses. Can he beat the corruption in the sport ...nd win the girl?
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on August 19th, 2005
I'll bet the script to this film read like a dream. The Exorcist meets Hellboy meets The Mummy. Surely this is the ideal vehicle for Keanu Reeves following his three picture run on The Matrix. Sound too good to be true? Unfortunately, it is. Now, there is a lot that is admirable in this film. For example, the acting, which is is far above the tired bar set by most modern action/sci-fi flicks. Furthermore, the special effects in Constantineare simply fantastic. In fact, I would go so...far as to say that they are some of the most amazing special effects I have ever seen. These are effects so amazing that they actually help to convey the story on their own. It is one thing to hear people describe hell, it is quite another to experience it firsthand through a special effect.
It is a shame that for all of the hard work and thought that went into this film, the end result is so disappointing. The film starts off with such promise. Why must it go downhill? The simple answer is that brilliant visuals can't cover a script that has been dumbed down to appeal to the lowest common denominator in the summer blockbuster movie going pantheon. This could easily have been one of the best comic book films of all time. I am just so disappointed by the potential that was squandered in this production.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on August 19th, 2005
Synopsis
Charlton Heston is the title character, a Union officer who determines on his own hook to track down a group of Apache raiders. He gathers together a ragtag group of raw recruits, criminals and Confederate prisoners, and heads off to Mexico. His second-in-command is Confederate officer Richard Harris, and the two men have a long history of mutual hatred and respect. Heston forges ahead despite all obstacles, and despite the costs both to his men and to the civilians they encounter.
Posted in: News and Opinions by Archive Authors on August 18th, 2005
Lions Gate Home Entertainment will release Crash (starring Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito & Ludacris) on September 6th. This disc will be presented in an anamorphic widescreen transfer, along with English Dolby Digital 2.0 & 5.1 audio tracks. Extras will include an Introduction by Director Paul Haggis, a Director's Commentary, and a Making-of Featurette.
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