12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways – Day 1: The Original Christmas Classics Anniversary Edition On DVD From Dreamworks
Posted in Contests by Gino Sassani on December 25th, 2015
It’s back. Upcomingdiscs proudly presents our 12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways. We’re running a new contest for each of the 12 Days Of Christmas.
On The First Day Of Christmas Dreamworks Gives To You:
The Original Christmas Classics Anniversary Collector’s Edition. This DVD collection features some of the biggest Christmas Classics from the vintage days of the television specials. In one collection you’re going to get 7 all-time classic specials. We’re talking Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty The Snowman. Those are two of the best there ever was. The set also includes the rare Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. In this day of super heroes this is one of the earliest. It’s Santa’s origin story told in wonderful stop-motion. I haven’t seen it since I was a kid. What a blast to share it with my family. The set also includes The Little Drummer Boy, Cricket On The Hearth which stars Roddy McDowall and Danny Thomas, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol and Frosty Returns. You want this collection on your shelf before the next Christmas season rolls around. Now you can win it on DVD thanks to our Christmas buddies at Dreamworks.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
- Fill out your name and email address in the comment form below – your email address will remain private and visible only to us.
- Do not post your address as an actual comment! Instead tell us – What’s on top of your wish list this Holiday Season (and did you get it).
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is Catesha Pitts
Winners are notified by E-mail. If you did not get a confirmation E-mail from us, check your Spam filter and contact us. Any prize not claimed in 2 weeks will be forfeit and be placed in the end of year contests next Holiday Season.
Don’t forget to check out more Holiday fun at: Dreamworks Classic Santa
Joy
Posted in The Reel World by Archive Authors on December 25th, 2015
Joy is the name of a person, not a state of mind. Joy Mangano is apparently not an easy person to know, but she did submit to a long series of conversations with brilliant writer/director David O. Russell. I say David is brilliant because he is, to me, the single most indispensable artist working today. He is able to do things that no one else can do. He makes comedies, but only in the broadest sense of the word. He takes a subject that may seem insignificant and puts it through a mad process like Dr. Frankenstein until something magnificent comes out. The process seems like a whirlwind for whoever is caught up in it
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Pan (Blu-ray 3D)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on December 25th, 2015
Pan is a very big and expensive movie, so when you buy your ticket you are getting a lot for your money. Most movies are not for everyone, but it is safe to say that an expensive movie will offer more entertainment value than an inexpensive or cheap movie. Pan was also put together by an award-winning team of respected filmmakers who have been very successful in the past. That is also a good bet when you are buying a ticket. Pan is an expansion of the story of a beloved children’s classic, Peter Pan. Again, you can’t go wrong there. In fact, it is mostly new material that serves as a prequel to the existing story where Captain Hook is basically a nice guy, and there is a whole new villain instead.
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12 Rounds 3: Lockdown (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on December 25th, 2015
With their impossibly beefy frames, larger-than-life personas, and familiarity with staged combat (sorry, buddy), pro wrestlers fit the old-school action star mold perfectly. Unfortunately for them, Hollywood isn’t nearly as interested in action flicks that don’t have superheroes, dinosaurs, or Liam Neeson. And while interconnected cinematic universes are all the rage at the moment, Lionsgate and World Wrestling Entertainment have a pretty interesting partnership themselves. Their latest offering is the dopey, compulsively watchable 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown, which is considerably more entertaining than it has any right to be.
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Dragon Blade (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on December 25th, 2015
Whenever I read the caption that says the story is inspired by true events, the first thing I wonder is how much of film is actually truth and how much is poetic license. Am I the only one who wonders that? I’m guessing I’m not. In the case of Dragon Blade, I’m thinking that the opening featuring Jackie Chan’s trademark clumsy marital arts style is likely the latter, a tale that falls short of war epic status due to sentimental tendency. Held my attention in the beginning; however, I felt my interest wane in the middle, and by the conclusion it had lost me completely. Sad, because I was excited for this film when I originally heard about it.
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The Big Short
Posted in The Reel World by J C on December 23rd, 2015
“I’m guessing most of you still don’t really know what happened.”
There is absolutely nothing funny about the financial crisis of 2008. Besides the fact that the bursting of the U.S. housing bubble led to the failure of countless businesses and a disastrous decline in consumer wealth, the crisis involved key phrases like “credit default swap” and “collateralized debt obligation.” Those terms are much more likely to make your eyes glaze over in boredom or confusion than they are to inspire laughs. The Big Short cannily recognizes this challenge and crafts a farcical, incisive narrative about a small group of outcasts who saw the whole thing coming.
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The Dungeonmaster / Eliminators
Posted in No Huddle by Dan Holland on December 23rd, 2015
Once again I have the pleasure of reviewing a Blu-ray double feature distributed by Shout Factory. This time out, I have been graced with two sci-fi adventure films from the mid 1980’s: The Dungeonmaster and Eliminators. Although the two films play well as a double feature, the cheesy (yet oh, so beautiful) aesthetics and special effects are not these films’ only connection. Peter Manoogian sits in the director’s chair for Eliminators and also one of the segments of The Dungeonmaster. Manoogian came onto my radar with his 1992 video feature Demonic Toys, so I was really excited to experience his earlier (and arguably better) work.
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Tuesday Round Up: December 22, 2015
Posted in Contests, Tuesday Round Up by J C on December 22nd, 2015
Here’s a happy thought: Pan in 3D soars into UpcomingDiscs headquarters this week, courtesy of Warner Bros. And that’s just a taste of the fun we’re having around these parts, as we count down to Christmas. Lionsgate sharpens Dragon Blade, goes the distance with 12 Rounds 3, and looks up to The Giant King. Finally, Shout! Factory leave us in charge of The Nanny: Season 5.
Now it’s time for your weekly reminder that you can win free stuff. Once a month we’re going to give away a surprise DVD title from our archives to a lucky winner who comments in our weekly Round-Up posts. All you have to do is comment in a Round-Up post — like this one! — and tell us which of the featured titles you’re most curious to read about. (Quick reminder: You’re not telling us which title you’d like to win; your free DVD will be a surprise.)
The winners and their prizes will be announced the first week of every month right here in our Tuesday Round-Up post. You can’t win if you don’t comment. Contest is open to residents of the U.S and Canada.
One last reminder before signing off for the week: if you’re shopping for anything on Amazon — perhaps as you finish off that Christmas list — and you do it through one of our links, it’ll help keep the lights on here at UpcomingDiscs. See ya next week!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED: Congrats to Vicki Wurgler, who won Field of Lost Shoes on DVD.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on December 16th, 2015
“A long time ago in a galaxy far far away…”
It sure does seem like it was a long time ago since Star Wars was actually very good. It doesn’t matter if you thought Empire or Jedi was the last good film; few people that I’ve encountered mentioned the more recent trilogy in the same sacred breath as those original films. Star Wars gave us swashbuckler adventure in the spirit of the early serials. Then it was about a mythical epic story that swept a generation into its colorful universe. What George Lucas created in the late 1970’s will never die.
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Holiday Gift Guide Spotlight: History/A&E
Posted in Holiday Gift Guides by Gino Sassani on December 16th, 2015
I think I see your problem. You have this list. It’s a list of people you need/want to buy a Christmas gift for. The trouble is that they’re into home theatre, and you don’t know Star Trek from Star Wars. You couldn’t tell a Wolf Man from a Wolverine. And you always thought that Paranormal Activity was something too kinky to talk about. Fortunately, Upcomingdiscs has come to the rescue every Christmas with our Gift Guide Spotlights. Keep checking back to see more recommendations for your holiday shopping. These gift guides ARE NOT paid advertisements. We take no money to publish them. A&E/History have sent some cool sets that we’ll also be giving away during our 12 Days Of Christmas Giveaways.
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Tuesday Round Up: December 15, 2015
Posted in Contests, Tuesday Round Up by J C on December 15th, 2015
Your mission — should you choose to accept it — is to check out our review of box office smash Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, which is available on Blu-ray today. Also this week, Shout! Factory enrolls in Zombie High and offers a double feature of The Dungeonmaster/Eliminators. Finally, A&E quacks up with Duck Dynasty: Seasons 1-8 and blesses us with a 16-disc Bible Collection.
Don’t forget that this post is also your latest chance to win free stuff. Once a month we’re going to give away a surprise DVD title from our archives to a lucky winner who comments in our weekly Round-Up posts. All you have to do is comment in a Round-Up post — like this one! — and tell us which of the featured titles you’re most curious to read about. (Quick reminder: You’re not telling us which title you’d like to win; your free DVD will be a surprise.)
The winners and their prizes will be announced the first week of every month right here in our Tuesday Round-Up post. You can’t win if you don’t comment. Contest is open to residents of the U.S and Canada.
One last reminder before signing off for the week: if you’re shopping for anything on Amazon — perhaps as you cross items off your Christmas list — and you do it through one of our links, it’ll help keep the lights on here at UpcomingDiscs. See ya next week!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED: Congrats to Vicki Wurgler, who won Field of Lost Shoes on DVD.
Holiday Gift Guide Spotlight: Barron’s Educational Series Books
Posted in Holiday Gift Guides by Gino Sassani on December 15th, 2015
I think I see your problem. You have this list. It’s a list of people you need/want to buy a Christmas gift for. The trouble is that they’re into home theatre, and you don’t know Star Trek from Star Wars. You couldn’t tell a Wolf Man from a Wolverine. And you always thought that Paranormal Activity was something too kinky to talk about. Fortunately, Upcomingdiscs has come to the rescue every Christmas with our Gift Guide Spotlights. Keep checking back to see more recommendations for your holiday shopping. These gift guides ARE NOT paid advertisements. We take no money to publish them. Maybe someone on your shopping list loves movies and loves books. The best place I can offer you here is the folks at Barron’s Educational. I’ve seen two books from them this shopping season that you really want to check out. The first we’ve already talked about. The second is for that Dr. Whovian on your Christmas list
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A Christmas Tail
Posted in No Huddle by BABY on December 15th, 2015
Baby here again. Yeah, I’m the Shepherd/Chow that runs the whole operation here at Upcomingdiscs. I give the orders and everyone jumps. OK, I made that last part up. You know who does jump? It’s those UPS and Fed Ex guys who keep trying to deliver stuff here. They’re getting a little too cocky, if you ask me. The problem is that no one around here asks me anything. The only time I get asked for something is when a dog film comes into the house.
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Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on December 14th, 2015
“This may very well be our last mission, Ethan…make it count.”
You wouldn’t know it from looking at him, but Tom Cruise is now 53 years old. So it’s only natural to wonder how many more Missions the indomitable superstar has left in him. Well if Rogue Nation is any indication, the above quote is meant to be more winking than prophetic. Just like its tireless star, the fifth installment of the 19-year-old Mission: Impossible film franchise is sprier, tighter, and more energetic than its age might suggest.
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Inside Amy Schumer: Season 3
Posted in No Huddle by Archive Authors on December 10th, 2015
Inside Amy Schumer is satire. The definition of satire is the use of irony, humor, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. Satire, frankly, is not always very funny. I don’t find Schumer terribly funny, but she can be at times. I do think she is spearheading discussions of numerous issues. So how you judge Schumer can depend on what you think is important. It can also depend on where you stand on the issues she brings attention to, or whether you might even be a target of her satire.
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War Pigs (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on December 10th, 2015
“In a war, there’s really only two things that are gonna ruin your day…officers and orders.”
The concept of duty — particularly giving and following orders that will almost certainly result in death — is at the forefront of War Pigs, a straight-to-DVD actioner that doesn’t actually have that much action in it. For a movie with the likes of Dolph Lundgren and Chuck Lidell gracing its Blu-ray cover, scaling back on the butt-kicking seems like a death sentence. However, I was surprised to find the action sequences were actually the weak link in this limited but reasonably entertaining World War II yarn.
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Some Kind of Beautiful (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on December 9th, 2015
“Why are the Romantics relevant today?”
Some Kind of Beautiful shamelessly embraces every rom-com cliché in the book. The utterly nonsensical title, the main characters’ impossibly-posh digs, and the film’s exceedingly contrived and predictable plotting are probably enough to send jaded moviegoers running to the airport exit. So why am I not kicking this film to the curb? Well it helps that this particular group of attractive stars shares a relaxed, mature chemistry that carries the story through its more outlandish shenanigans.
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The Guardsman
Posted in No Huddle by Jeremy Butler on December 9th, 2015
A bit animated in certain areas, but all in all a pretty good martial arts experience in my opinion. The Guardsman tells the story of a man charged with the safe keeping of the emperor of China, a job that entails a great many challenges even from those he considers family. When word is received that a group of Japanese pirates will make an attempt on the life of the emperor and a group of countrymen are complicit in the plot, our hero is unsure where to turn and who he can trust. Fair warning, in true fashion of martial arts films, it is English subtitles, so if you do not enjoy getting your dose of literature, this may not be the film for you.
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Tuesday Round Up: December 8, 2015
Posted in Contests, Tuesday Round Up by J C on December 8th, 2015
Play along with me for a minute, if you don’t mind.
– “Knock, knock.”
– (I’ll pretend like I just heard you say, “Who’s there?”)
– “One of this week’s major new releases.”
All right, this charade has gone on long enough. By now you’ve probably figured out that one of our featured titles this week is Knock Knock, the Keanu Reeves thriller that comes courtesy of Lionsgate. On top of that, CBS/Paramount shows us what life is like Under the Dome: Season 3.
Even though it’s a lighter week than usual, you still have a great chance to win free stuff. Once a month we’re going to give away a surprise DVD title from our archives to a lucky winner who comments in our weekly Round-Up posts. All you have to do is comment in a Round-Up post — like this one! — and tell us which of the featured titles you’re most curious to read about. (Quick reminder: You’re not telling us which title you’d like to win; your free DVD will be a surprise.)
The winners and their prizes will be announced the first week of every month right here in our Tuesday Round-Up post. You can’t win if you don’t comment. Contest is open to residents of the U.S and Canada.
One last reminder before signing off for the week: if you’re shopping for anything on Amazon — perhaps as you cross items off your Christmas list — and you do it through one of our links, it’ll help keep the lights on here at UpcomingDiscs. See ya next week!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED: Congrats to Vicki Wurgler, who won Field of Lost Shoes on DVD.
Holiday Gift Guide: Film Detective
Posted in Holiday Gift Guides by Gino Sassani on December 8th, 2015
I think I see your problem. You have this list. It’s a list of people you need/want to buy a Christmas gift for. The trouble is that they’re into home theatre, and you don’t know Star Trek from Star Wars. You couldn’t tell a Wolf Man from a Wolverine. And you always thought that Paranormal Activity was something too kinky to talk about. Fortunately, Upcomingdiscs has come to the rescue every Christmas with our Gift Guide Spotlights. Keep checking back to see more recommendations for your holiday shopping. These gift guides ARE NOT paid advertisements. We take no money to publish them. Now we turn our attention to the folks at The Film Detective. You won’t need Columbo to work this one out.
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Where Children Play
Posted in No Huddle by J C on December 7th, 2015
We’ve seen this story before: a family tragedy compels a tortured young soul to return home after a long absence. It’s almost always about a prodigal son who is forced to come to terms with his past so he can heal in the present and get on with his future. (Think Garden State or Elizabethtown.) Where Children Play absolutely deserves credit for inserting a more diverse cast of characters into that familiar template. However, the filmmaking here is too heavy-handed and inert to truly make an impact.
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Zero Tolerance
Posted in No Huddle by Jeremy Butler on December 4th, 2015
This may well be the first film that I’ve seen where the police were actively aiding someone seeking revenge for the death of a loved one. Don’t get me wrong, it is not a foreign concept; however, in my experience police participation is usually comes about towards the conclusion of the story. In the case of Zero Tolerance, an officer signs on to help from the very beginning knowing full well how things are going to end. The fresh perspective on the situation was enjoyable; however, it did not fully compensate for how the story unraveled. Peter, a twenty-year veteran police officer is called to the scene of a homicide, a woman found naked and bound in a body of water.
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Mississippi Grind (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on December 4th, 2015
“I don’t care about winning. I just like to play, I really do.”
In Mississippi Grind, a pair of damaged gamblers hustle their way through the American South so they can buy into a high-stakes card game in New Orleans. That’s technically the “plot” of the movie, but it’s not really the point…nor is it where the film’s true charms lie. Instead, this well-made, low-key character dramedy feels like a welcome throwback to the sort of buddy/road films that have mostly been pushed out of multiplexes.
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Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo
Posted in No Huddle by Archive Authors on December 2nd, 2015
I’ve reviewed Amy Schumer before she become a mini-phenomenon. She seemed a little desperate and cheesy, but now she is worshipped for being the cutting edge of comedy. I think the cutting edge of comedy is a little cheesy and desperate in general. I remember the first time I saw Amy was on the tail end of a Comedy Central roast of Charlie Sheen, and she was a self-described nobody at the time. Not long after, Comedy Central decided to make her a somebody. Her show, Inside Amy Schumer, had many flashes of brilliance that were embedded in gross-out humor full of sex and gender issues. That is the heart of what makes Amy Schumer special.
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The 1955 Rock ‘N Roll Revue and Rhythm and Blues Revue with Rock, Rock, Rock!
Posted in No Huddle by Archive Authors on December 2nd, 2015
History is important, but there is a lot of it to keep track of. History, by its nature, is about things that are preserved and archived so they won’t be forgotten. In this case, we are looking at a little slice of the history of rock and roll. Is the history of rock and roll something that is important? I would argue that everything about the past is important. Not everyone cares, but some people care passionately about forgotten gems from the past. Everybody cares about something, and some people care about everything, but the further back in the past something goes, the more likely people won’t care at all.
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