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.
Posted in: Super Round Up by Gino Sassani on March 5th, 2019
Howdy Partners. It's Gino down on the Upcoming ranch, and I have some titles we need to round up and get to market for you. A little birdie told us that RLJE Films is releasing The Standoff At Sparrow Creek on Blu-ray today. RLJE Films also score with 100 Yards out on DVD. Warner Brothers is going the distance with Creed II out on UHD Blu-ray, and you folks know what that means; yeah, it's 4K for your home theater enjoyment. Shout Factory pairs up Liz And The Bluebird on Blu-ray. Paramount takes a shortcut with Instant Family out on Blu-ray. Fox picks sides with The Favourite also out on Blu-ray.
Out in The Reel World, Marvel takes command of the box office with Captain Marvel.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Brent Lorentson on March 4th, 2019
It’s been a while since there has been a good invisible man film. It’s one of the original Universal horror monsters that just doesn’t seem to get the fanfare that I feel it deserves. Some of the greats in Hollywood have tackled incarnations of the character. John Carpenter with Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992); then there was Hollow Man (2000), but neither of these films are what you would consider classics, though they are films I had fun with. So when The Unseen crossed my path, I was looking forward to this. After all, it has been a while since this type of character has been tackled; then factor in that it is being helmed by Geoff Redknap, who previously worked as a special effects artist on Cabin in the Woods, Watchmen, and numerous other projects. This just seemed like it would be a good match. The result is a bit of a mixed bag.
Posted in: The Reel World by Gino Sassani on March 2nd, 2019
"I'm the master of the slow fade."
That would be a good way to describe director Neil Jordan and his latest Hitchcockian thriller, Greta. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Ray Wright, but let's be perfectly honest here. The film doesn't score on the writing. It's a completely predictable thriller, and there's nothing truly innovative or clever about the story. There's nothing here that we haven't seen before. This isn't a clever film by any stretch of the imagination. It's the execution of a tried story that makes this film as compelling as it actually becomes. And all of that comes from some rather unique cinematography and two quite powerful performances by the leading ladies in the star roles. Put that together and this ordinary film at least touches on something close to extraordinary.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Jeremy Butler on March 2nd, 2019
The city morgue on the graveyard shift? Well, you can’t ask for a better setting for a horror film, can you? Shay Mitchell has been making a decent run in horror/suspense with her role of Peach on the stalker thriller You, as well as her newest role in this horror film The Possession of Hannah Grace. Horror films have become a new obsession for me in recent years, so I was very excited for this addition. Though given how saturated the market has become in recent years, my expectation was on the lower side of the spectrum. In its favor, there are several other familiar faces, including Stana Katic of Castle fame and Grey Damon. Additionally, the story unfolds in a suspenseful manner, which is half the battle right there. Though no possession film will ever top The Exorcist, The Possession of Hannah Grace is a worthwhile addition to the genre. I mean, it scared my wife out the room.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on February 27th, 2019
At first glance, Mary Queen of Scots has all the makings of a film you’d expect to be nominated for numerous awards; after all, it’s a period drama that showcases some remarkable performances from Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie. Unfortunately this retelling of the story between Queen Elizabeth (Robbie) and Queen Mary (Ronan) is bogged down with its politics and the struggles these women have being leaders while their differing religions present a conflict preventing them from ever working together. Let me just jump into this and attempt to sort this film out.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Jeremy Butler on February 27th, 2019
“For the record, I am a better Dorothy Parker than Dorothy Parker.”
Looks like Melissa McCarthy is attempting to branch out from her usual branch of raunchy comedy. Or at least she is dipping her toe in the water of such an idea, as Can You Ever Forgive Me is not without its raunch. Based on the novel by Lee Israel, a known literary forger said to have forged over 400 false letters from notable writers, McCarthy plays the character and brings the comical quips that she has became famous for. Paired with Richard E Grant, the two work off one another with positive results. Probably one of the best examples of a non-romantic pairing I’ve seen this year.
Posted in: Super Round Up by Gino Sassani on February 26th, 2019
Howdy Pards. Last week we didn't have a lot to share with you so we stayed down at the bunkhouse on Tuesday. Things are still quiet this time of the year but we have a few things coming your way. In fact some of it's already here. Walt Disney Studios lets us go sleepin' with the fishes in the 30th anniversary Blu-ray of The Little Mermaid along with some fun and games as Ralph Breaks The Internet on Blu-ray. Congrats to Rami Malek for his Oscar playing Freddie Mercury but Universal has a different kind of queen with their Mary Queen Of Scots on UHD and that's 4K here on the ranch. Monarch Home Entertainment goes invisible with The Unseen out on DVD. Sony Pictures takes control of our screens with The Possession Of Hannah Grace on DVD. On the big screen Focus Features names the thriller Greta for a reel world review this Friday.
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: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on February 26th, 2019
All good things must come to an end, and so it was at Walt Disney Studios. The Golden Age of feature film animation had started with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. By the end of the 1970's, it was all but gone. As the studio entered the 1980's the things had gone from bad to worse. Walt was gone, and so it seemed was the magic. Most of The Nine Old Men had either retired or passed away. The studio leadership was considering closing the animated studio and moving on to live-action films only. It was a dark time for the artists and creative folks at the Mouse House. A shadow had fallen. Sounds pretty much like the beginning of a Tolkien tale, doesn't it?
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on February 26th, 2019
Ralph Breaks the Internet is a sequel to the hit Disney animated film Wreck it Ralph. In Ralph Breaks the Internet, we follow our heroes from the last movie, Ralph and Vanellope, as they travel the internet in search of a broken part for Vanellope’s arcade game. They find the missing steering controller on eBay, and it’s the last one in existence. Up for auction, they give the winning bid for $27,000. They now must find a way to earn the money to pay for the controller with a deadline in five hours, or they will lose Vanellope’s game forever. Ralph Breaks the Internet is a painfully average film, and compared to its predecessor, a huge disappointment. This sequel wasn’t bad, however, but it wasn’t too great either. There’s one big problem I had with this movie, and it’s Ralph. Ralph in the first movie had already gone through his character arc and was a very well developed character by the end of the film. In this movie it feels like they purposely broke the character just for a story line. Ralph in Ralph Breaks the Internet is now a needy, clingy, and annoying character. Throughout the movie Ralph is constantly holding Vanellope back from doing the things she wants to do to save herself. People who relate to her should start to feel how annoying Ralph can be.
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