Who Killed Alex Spourdalakis
Posted in No Huddle by Archive Authors on February 2nd, 2015
Who Killed Alex Spourdalakis sounds like a murder mystery. The cover of the DVD says, “Ignorance, negligence, indifference”. The documentary was produced by the Autism Media Channel, and the cover also says, “Autism and the US healthcare system”. The implication is that things are not going well for the growing number of parents of autistic children. In March of 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that the rate of autism had risen to 1 out of 68 births in the United States, and that was nearly double from ten years prior.
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Black Sea
Posted in The Reel World by Gino Sassani on February 1st, 2015
“I found something.”
Once in a while a film comes along that defies the current trends and styles in Hollywood. Inevitably, those films usually end up being dumped on the box office in the late winter months after the holiday blockbusters have run their course and the push for notice by the Academy has reached the end of the calendar year. It is in the depths of these cold months that studios deliver the almost-rans, the square pegs, and once in a while a gem that doesn’t really fit any of the other models.
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Black or White
Posted in The Reel World by Archive Authors on January 30th, 2015
There are certain things that are obvious to some of us, and nobody wants to talk about them. All people are full of weaknesses that they then try to deny exist. People are people, but some people think they are better than other people. It seems obvious that we should all try to get over our hatred and be more accepting of all our differences and see how much alike we all are. Black or White is an important movie that comes in the form of a fun and heartwarming melodrama.
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Color of Time
Posted in No Huddle by Archive Authors on January 30th, 2015
I give James Franco a lot of credit. He works very hard for a big-shot Hollywood actor. He is ambitious in ways that no one from his generation even comes close to being. He’s fearless in his choices and will do practically anything that sparks his creative muse. He is constantly working on film projects, making sure that he includes big-budget blockbusters, but his real passion is a string of micro-budget experiments. He just starred on Broadway in Of Mice And Men. He has won Golden Globes, and he has been nominated for Oscars. He also pursued simultaneous degrees at numerous institutions.
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Art and Craft
Posted in No Huddle by Archive Authors on January 30th, 2015
Art And Craft is a documentary about an off-kilter mind. That is not necessarily a bad thing. To have an off-kilter mind, that is. Many great geniuses and many great artists have had off-kilter minds, like Van Gogh and Kafka and others too numerous to mention. Art And Craft is about a man who painted many of the great works of art. The only problem is his paintings are nearly exact copies of the originals by famous artists. Mark Landis is one of the most prolific art forgers of the last 30 years. The other thing that should be noted is that he gives all the art away to museums as original works of the great masters.
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Mythbusters 10th Anniversary Collection
Posted in No Huddle by Gino Sassani on January 29th, 2015
“Who are the Mythbusters?”
You know who the Mythbusters are, don’t you? They’ve been a staple on the Discovery Channel for over 12 years now. Yes, this 10th year anniversary release is a little late, but a welcome title all the same. If you really don’t know who the Mythbusters are by now, I can’t think of a better way to get acquainted than to pick up 50 of their best episodes in one collection
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May in the Summer (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on January 29th, 2015
“Love is an endless act of forgiveness.”
May Brennan is the best-selling author of a successful book centered around Arabic proverbs. She is played by Cherien Dabis, who is also the writer/director/producer of May in the Summer. Both Dabis and her fictional counterpart use short, pithy phrases like the one above as the basis for exploring familial and romantic relationships. But while May encounters rousing success with her (fictitious, unseen) book, Dabis’ picturesque, breezy, ultimately disposable film is a little bit more of a mixed bag.
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The Judge (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on January 28th, 2015
“Did that just happen?”
I have to confess that I entered The Judge expecting a different kind of film than I actually saw. After seeing the trailer, I was reminded of some of the classic courtroom dramas I’d seen over the years, from 12 Angry Men through …And Justice For All. On the ride to the screening I found my mind was swimming with the “closing arguments” Al Pacino delivered in …And Justice For All and was trying to image how Robert Downey, Jr. was going to try to top that.
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Trace Adkins: Live Country
Posted in No Huddle by Gino Sassani on January 27th, 2015
His uncle played Christian music, and he sang bass in a chorus for some years. His father gave him a guitar and started him on lessons at age five. With all of that background, it seems no surprise that Trace Adkins became a hit on the country music scene. It was obvious to everyone but him. Instead he looked to sports and a chance to be a lineman for Louisiana Tech until he blew out his knee. When the doc told him he had no chance at a football career, did he turn to that music? Nope.
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Exclusive Interview With Tom Whitus – Writer/Director Of The Junior Spy Agency
Posted in Podcasts by Gino Sassani on January 26th, 2015
A while back Normandy reviewed The Junior Spy Agency, written and directed by Tom Whitus. It took a while and word got back to Tom and he was gracious enough to offer up some of his valuable time. It’s a neat little family movie. I had a great time talking to the brains of the outfit. Bang it here to listen in on my fun chat with Tom Whitus.
The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness
Posted in No Huddle by J C on January 26th, 2015
“Hello, please allow me to observe you working.”
A sign bearing those words hangs inside Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation factory responsible for films like Grave of the Fireflies and My Neighbor Totoro. It’s one of many polite directives that adorn the airy workspace, but it also describes the mission of The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness. The movie gives fans an unprecedented look inside the world (and walls) of Studio Ghibli, and watching the creative process is alternately fascinating, frustrating, and exciting. However, the documentary also surprisingly turns out to be an elegy for a dying art form.
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Zarra’s Law
Posted in No Huddle by Jeremy Butler on January 25th, 2015
Justice or vengeance: how often the lines of the these two things become blurred. At what point does justice become vengeance, or when does it become warranted to take the law into your own hands? Zarra’s Law tells the story of two men who have lived their life coloring inside the lines, doing the right thing, only to see the murderer of someone they loved dearly walk free after a less-than-satisfying sentence. Retired cop Tony Zarra’s (Tony Sirico) life is frozen at the moment he witnessed his brother’s murder. Despite being on separate sides of the law (Tony being a cop and his brother being a member of the mob),
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Heather McDonald: I Don’t Mean to Brag
Posted in Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on January 25th, 2015
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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Boardwalk Empire: Season 5 (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on January 22nd, 2015
“If we’re good today, we’ll be better tomorrow.”
The final season of Boardwalk Empire breaks the mold of what the show has been for the first four years. The action jumps ahead several years to 1931. It’s a necessary plot point if we’re going to be ending the popular series in the fifth season. I understand the jump and why it works. I guess my only real question is: why are we jumping ahead to end what is one of the best shows on television?
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Zodiac: Signs of the Apocalypse
Posted in No Huddle by Brent Lorentson on January 22nd, 2015
Whether you believe in horoscopes or not, just about everyone out there knows their “sign”. I never really put too much stock in astrology; it always seemed like harmless fun people can have for a few moments each day as they read their horoscope for the day to see what possible good fortune can come their way. In the new film, Zodiac: Signs of the Apocalypse, the film takes a different look at these astrological signs. Rather than be signs that help reveal one’s personality, these symbols instead are supposed to be warnings for the upcoming apocalypse.
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Kroll Show: Seasons One & Two
Posted in No Huddle by Brent Lorentson on January 22nd, 2015
Thanks to Chappelle’s Show, Comedy Central has helped pave the way for comics on the cusp of breaking out to produce their own sketch comedy shows to springboard themselves to a larger audience. Key & Peele has flourished in the sketch comedy scene, and now there is Nick Kroll with his own sketch comedy show Kroll Show. But in the world of sketch comedy, is there really a need for more shows? After all, NBC still has Saturday Night Live; well, to be fair, it has been a while since SNL has been consistently funny.
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Contest – Win Wonder Years Season 2 On DVD From Time Life & Star Vista
Posted in Contests, Expired Contests by Gino Sassani on January 22nd, 2015
We have some great friends over at Time Life and Star Vista. They’re you’re friends, too. This time it’s season 2 of The Wonder Years. Take a trip back in time to what it was like to be a kid in the 1960’s. Plus there’s Joe Cocker’s version of A Little Help From My Friends. It’s all here for a lucky Upcomingdiscs winner.
- 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 – Who was your best friend when you were 10?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is Lisa Smit
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.
The Bridge Season 2
Posted in No Huddle by Gino Sassani on January 20th, 2015
“It’s complicated.”
Fox has decided to jump off The Bridge. In a move I find more than a little surprising, the show ends here with this second season. From the sets extras I get a strong idea that no one involved with the production saw it coming either. This was one of the better shows on television, and with Sons Of Anarchy also finished, Fox is losing some extraordinary quality to their lineup. At least Sons Of Anarchy got to run its course and tell its story. Sadly, the same can’t be said for The Bridge. I was looking forward to more from a show that was getting better as it moved into its own invention.
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Boyhood (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on January 20th, 2015
Boyhood is all the rage right now. With all the hoopla surrounding the film, it should be noted that it is ordinary. It is just about people living their lives. One could even call it boring. One can say that because life is boring. It is not as exciting as it is in the movies. Life is about small moments that add up to memories and then it is over. Boyhood doesn’t make grand statements about boyhood, or about motherhood or fatherhood for that matter. It is just about a few people and what happens to them.
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Viktor
Posted in No Huddle by J C on January 20th, 2015
We can blame thank Liam Neeson — or “Liam Neesons” — for this recent run of action movies about men of a certain age who tear their way through some part of Europe in the name of their missing or dead children. Viktor — a French/Russian production starring Gerard Depardieu and Elizabeth Hurley — is one of these latest Taken take-offs. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the more inert revenge films you’re likely to see.
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Contest: Win A Copy Of Mama’s Family: Season 4 or 6 From Time Life And Star Vista
Posted in Contests, Expired Contests by Gino Sassani on January 19th, 2015
We have some great friends over at Time Life and Star Vista. They’re you’re friends, too. They keep trying to make sure you get to spend enough time with Mama. Of course, we’re talking about Mama Harper and the gang at Mama’s Family. They’ve given us copies of both season 4 and 6 to give away. All you have to do is tell us which one you want. Each season will go to a lucky winner who wanted that season.
To win just 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 – Which one do you want?
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winners are Joni (season 4) & Roy Leader (season 6)
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.
The Identical (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on January 19th, 2015
What if Elvis Presley had an identical twin brother no one ever knew about? (It would certainly help explain all those Elvis sightings years after the King’s death.) That’s the kooky conceit at the center of The Identical. Unfortunately, rather than embracing the absurdity of its premise, the movie is an amateurish, uninspiring combination of “by-the-numbers musical biopic” and “painfully-earnest family drama.”
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American Sniper
Posted in The Reel World by Gino Sassani on January 17th, 2015
“The thing that haunts me are all the guys that I couldn’t save.”
I have to admit I was a little skeptical that Clint Eastwood followed up his directing stint on Jersey Boys as quickly as he did to shoot American Sniper. The former was far from one of his better efforts, and he looked increasingly out of his element by the time it was said and done. He jumped into his preparation for American Sniper almost immediately, and the results could have been…underwhelming. Instead Eastwood hit his target with the kind of profound impact I don’t think I’ve seen from him since Unforgiven.
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Foxcatcher
Posted in The Reel World by Brent Lorentson on January 16th, 2015
While writing up this review the Oscar nominations are going to be announced in a few hours and for Foxcatcher, any nominations it receives will be yet another footnote in this films journey as it widens its release to a larger audience. Ever since director Bennett Miller won best director at Cannes in 2014 for the film Foxcatcher has become one of the most buzz worthy films of 2014 with a trio of actors that have had more than their fair share of praise for their performances.
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Jessabelle (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on January 15th, 2015
When I think about the swamps of the Louisiana bayou, with the exception of hungry gators lurking beneath the murky depths, I can’t help but think about the connection it has to the supernatural. I blame seeing Lucio Fulci’s The Beyond for this. It’s a film that haunted me when I was a kid, and the imagery has stuck with me over the years. There have been numerous films over the years that have explored the supernatural of the bayou; most successfully we saw this in the Kate Hudson thriller The Skeleton Key.
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