Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Jeremy Butler on March 15th, 2019
“The people that take in foster kids are really special. They are the kind of people that volunteer when it’s not even a holiday. We don’t even volunteer on a holiday.”
This film really helped me to gain an understanding into the world of adoption. Beforehand my knowledge was basic. I had no idea of the real challenges that come with opening your doors and hearts to a child in the foster care system. This film also has the added benefit of being one of my favorite films of 2018, as it was a film that my wife insisted on seeing, and I was just indulging her, but I ended up loving it more than she did. Which is saying something, as she really loved the film. Loosely based on writer/director Sean Anders’ own experience, Instant Family gives a voice to the ups and downs of the foster care system as well as the adoption process.
Posted in: Uncategorized by Gino Sassani on March 14th, 2019
Our friends over at Walt Disney Studios are going to be keeping us very busy over the next few weeks. They've decided that our faithful followers deserve some free stuff and I couldn't agree more. First up we have the Disney classic The Little Mermaid: The 30th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray. We can resist the wonderful animation and those great songs? It's perfect for kids of all ages and you should absolutely let us treat you to a copy on us and Disney.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 14th, 2019
"I love a comedy. Is there cake?"
The Favourite is a somewhat awkward film. Director Yorgos Lanthimos took on a rather brave but dangerous task when he decided to create a farce. Most audience members don't understand the term. They use it rather synonymously with comedy or spoof, but it is truly something very different. A comedy is meant to deliver as many laughs as possible. You get pratfalls, one-liners, slapstick, and other over-the-top methods to bring about those laughs. Spoofs take a specific subject or genre and expose some of the more innate aspects of the material, all in good fun. Leslie Nielsen was a master of the spoof with his Airplane and Naked Gun films. All of these are popular and understood forms of entertainment. The farce is a totally different thing altogether. While there might be laughs to be had, the primary directive of a farce isn't to actually be funny. The farce is a world of the absurd. It's a ridiculous portrayal in which everyone involved plays it completely straight. The actors/characters don't know they are in a farce, so there aren't any clever one-liners or overt attempts at humor. The film is presented as a serious attempt, and there is no one winking at the audience. It's a difficult thing to pull off, and The Favourite pulls it off wonderfully, but the unfortunate result is that most people merely shook their heads, not knowing what to make of the entire thing. So the film is misunderstood, and that in itself is a bit of a tragedy. It's somewhat appropriate, I suppose, because Shakespeare was a master of both farce and tragedy. Go figure.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 14th, 2019
"Millions of people around the world believe we have been visited in the past by extraterrestrial beings. What if it were true? Did ancient aliens really help to shape our history? And if so, what if there were clues left behind, something hiding in plain sight? What if we could find that evidence?"
Ever since Eric von Daniken released his speculative book and its subsequent 1970 film Chariots of the Gods, there has been an entire field of study created around something commonly called Ancient Astronaut Theory, the idea is that extraterrestrials have visited many of our ancient civilizations. The theory continues that these visitors had a hand in shaping our development, whether it be through technology or even manipulation of our very DNA. These believers point to a world of evidence to support their claims. There are tons of images from earlier civilizations that could certainly be interpreted as depicting modern devices, concepts, or even spacemen. There is plenty of speculation that some of the knowledge and accomplishments of these peoples could not have been possible without some outside interference. There are even those who believe that aliens best explain our religious beliefs and that God himself was/is an extraterrestrial being. Whatever your own beliefs on the subject, there are certainly some fascinating points to be made. There is no question that the speculations and observations bring up some interesting queries that deserve our attention. This series attempts to document much of this evidence and the beliefs these findings have inspired.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Jeremy Butler on March 14th, 2019
In life, we all fall down; it’s a fundamental fact of life. This is a story about how we get back up. 100 Yards is about Rich Porter, an NFL prospect who loses his way after suffering tragedy. With a potentially great opportunity in front of him, he cuts himself off from the world. The hits just keep on coming as he is diagnosed with cancer. Instead of battling his disease, he is resigned to his fate until his meets a young boy with the same condition as well as a compassionate nurse that try their best to bring Rich back to the light and get him to hope again. 100 Yards is a story about regaining faith that no situation is completely lost, and it is about how we approach it.
This is an emotional tale; that is made evident early on as we watch Rich Porter sacrifice an opportunity of a lifetime, going from a number one NFL draft pick to relocating to the Philippines to search for his missing mother. He is not the only person suffering in this story, but he is the engine that drives forward the plot, and you can’t help but feel for him. His loss is significant, making him very relatable. Honestly, I would mostly likely respond in a similar way if I was in his shoes.
Posted in: Podcasts by Gino Sassani on March 13th, 2019
Patrick Kilpatrick may be one of the biggest stars you don't necessarily know. He's a prolific actor with over 14 project already in various stages of pre-release. His credits go all the way back to Tocix Avenger and include televisions shows like Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman, Matlock, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine & Voyager, The X-Files CSI & NCIS: New Orleans. His film credits include Minority Report, the under-appreciated Parasomnia, The Presidio and Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. What is more impressive than his over 150 roles is the life he's led off-screen. The book Dying for a Living: Sins & Confessions of a Hollywood Villain & Libertine Patriot documents the first half of that journey. It's has a unique narrative style and a visceral storytelling that will certainly keep your attention. I got to do more than read the book. I had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time talking to Patrick. He's just as interesting in person. Now you can share that experience and eavesdrop on our conversation. Bang it here to listen to my chat with Patrick Kilpatrick.
You can visit his home page by banging your cursor here: Patrick Kilpatrick Home Page
Posted in: Super Round Up by Gino Sassani on March 12th, 2019
Howdy Partners. It's Gino down on the Upcoming ranch and do we ever have a busy week ahead of us. We've hit the slow time for releases but it seems like all of the studios want to stampede on this week's round-up. The other studios are certainly envious of Universal's Best Picture winning Green Book and it's coming out on UHD Blu-ray/4K. It was my SEFCA choice for Best Picture and even if my fellow critics went another path I still say this is the very best film from 2018. Now you get to see it in all its 4K glory. Let's just not mention any of this to Spike Lee, okay? Okay. Universal also remains in the driver's seat for Mortal Engines on UHD Blu-ray/4K. Lionsgate takes us back in time once again for the 11th season of Ancient Aliens on DVD and then they jump to the future with A.I. Rising also out on DVD this week. Lionsgate also let's it go down to The Last Man on Blu-ray. Eagle Rock goes across the pond to deliver Foreigner Live At The Rainbow '78 on Blu-ray. It's a trip back in time for the iconic band's tour after their first album hit the charts. Warner Brothers commits Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of The Grindelwald to UHD Blu-ray 4K. TNT boards The Last Ship: The Final Season on DVD. Film Movement goes Over The Limit on DVD and seduces us with Marquise on Blu-ray. Fox also goes across the pond for London Fields out on DVD.
And, Partners, don't forget. If you'll be making that video withdrawal from Amazon, lasso yourself one of our many links to get there. It helps keep us going here on the Upcomingdiscs ranch. Until next week, share some light with someone this week... television light, that is. Now let's get those titles rollin'!
Posted in: The Reel World by Gino Sassani on March 8th, 2019
"Does announcing your identity help with the covert part of the job?"
Let me begin by saying that actress Brie Larson doesn't want me to write this review. It's not that I didn't like the film and intend to cut it down. Actually I rather liked the movie, and while it isn't going to crack my top five Marvel films, it's a very entertaining film that adds wonderfully to this always evolving world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or as we fan geeks like to refer to it, the MCU. So she wouldn't take much if any umbrage with my evaluation of the film. It turns out that I happen to be a white male, and she has made it known that she doesn't want to see reviews for this film written by white males. Sorry, Brie. I suggest you skip this one. Just put it out of your mind. Still reading, Brie? I thought you might be. So, after a rather long wait for a movie only teased at in the final frames of a stinger added to Avengers: Infinity War, we finally get to meet the newest member of the Marvel MCU. Welcome, Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, and as they used to say on the comic covers when welcoming new characters: I hope you survive.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on March 7th, 2019
It may only be March, but I’m willing to bet The Standoff At Sparrow Creek will make the list of my top films of 2019. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this is the next breakout film people will be talking about, because it’s just that damn good. Think about what Reservoir Dogs mashed up with Glengarry Glen Ross would be like if they were mashed together and the characters were all members of a militia; then you’ll somewhat have an idea of what The Standoff at Sparrow Creek has in store for you. We’ve all heard rumblings about militia groups, the kind that have their hidden bunkers that have stockpiles of weapons and ammunition that are ready to go into battle at a moment’s notice. At the same time we live in a world where it’s heavily frowned upon to want to own an automatic assault rifle, and those involved with these groups are often depicted as country bumpkins who are military washouts or just “gun nuts”. Well, writer/director Henry Dunham has decided to offer up a new look into this group and even dares to get into their heads and what motivates them. But Dunham isn’t trying to make any political statements, but instead he’s crafted a well drawn out thriller that explores each of these characters and gives them each motivation for their actions, keeping them human despite their actions at times.
What kicks off the film is a shooting at a police funeral, In a panic to find out who may be responsible, Gannon (James Badge Dale) has all the members of his group meet up at a lumber mill to sort things out. It’s at the mill where Gannon discovers that a gun and other materials are missing and that the person responsible for the shooting is one of the members of his group. Knowing the police are going to be out for blood, Gannon decides to interrogate the members of his group in hopes of finding the rogue killer and offering them up in order to preserve the safety of the militia.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 6th, 2019
"In the ring, you got rules. Outside, you got nothing. Life hits you with all these cheap shots. People like me, we live in the past. You got people that need you now. You got everything to lose; this guy has got nothing to lose."
For the last couple of decades the sport of boxing has lost much of its popularity, at least here in the United States. The big matches used to be events where neighbors and friends would gather and enjoy the spectacle together. It likely started when long-time fighting fan and announcer Howard Cosell distanced himself from the sport, and the collapse appeared finally complete around the time Mike Tyson added ear to his menu. It's devolved so far that I haven't known who the champ is for more than 10 years. Everyone used to know the champ. It didn't matter if you followed the sport. The names used to be household names. No longer. That doesn't appear to be as true with the boxing movie. Films like Rocky and Raging Bull helped to create an entire genre of the boxing movie, and it has survived the real thing. In 2015 Sylvester Stallone partnered with director Ryan Coogler to revitalize the aging Rocky franchise and focus the new films on the son of Rocky's friend and ring-rival Apollo Creed. Together with Michael B Jordan in the new titular role, the franchise saw new light, and Stallone would finally give the performance of his life. Coogler and Jordan went on to join the Marvel Universe and create one of the highest box office takes in history with The Black Panther. Now he's back as Adonis Creed without Coogler in the director's chair. This time Steven Caple Jr. directs from a story co-written by Stallone, who wrote the original Rocky back in 1976. I'm happy to say there's still some heart left in the old man and his franchise.
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