XCOM: Enemy Unknown (Xbox 360)
Posted in Game Reviews by Michael Durr on November 2nd, 2012
When a company decides to adapt a made for pc game into something a console can play, it can either become a nightmare or something very rewarding. It simply is not a game of system requirements but rather adapting a keyboard layout and game play into something that allows for more bite sized morsels. But at the same time, one cannot produce a dumbed-down game and must pay homage to the classic. After years, I think we might have one of the very few games that has underwent this transformation and done it fantastically. Enter XCOM: Enemy Unknown.
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Flight
Posted in The Reel World by J C on November 2nd, 2012
Can a scumbag also be considered a hero? Lance Armstrong fans probably mull that question each time a new, unsavory revelation about the now-disgraced cyclist comes to light. The issue was addressed in 1992’s Hero, which starred Dustin Hoffman as a low-life who saves a group of passengers on a crashed airplane. Flight also takes to the not-so-friendly skies to examine whether it’s possible to reconcile a lifetime of destructive behavior with an extraordinary act of valor.
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Wreck-It Ralph
Posted in The Reel World by Gino Sassani on November 2nd, 2012
“I’m bad and that’s good. I will never be good and that’s not bad.”
One of the easiest ways to let your age show is to talk about your favorite video games. If you’re old enough, you even remember a time when there weren’t any video games at all. Most people refer to this era as The Dark Ages. But I’m willing to admit that I put a deposit down on an Atari 2600 system these many years ago. If you have a love of all things video games and a great appreciation for the history of the field, Wreck-It Ralph was built just for you.
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“31 Nights Of Terror” The 2012 Annual 4E Awards
Posted in Super Round Up by Gino Sassani on October 31st, 2012
Anyone who is a fan of horror or science fiction knows who Forry Ackerman was. He gave more to the industry than anyone else. He coined the term sci-fi and inspired the likes of Stephen King, John Landis, Steven Spielberg, and many others. He was the editor of Famous Monsters Of Filmland and held the largest collection of movie memorabilia anywhere in his famed Ackermuseum.
I’ve been lucky enough to have counted Uncle Forry as a friend since 1991, when I first visited the Ackermuseum. I’ve spent many hours and meals with him and miss him greatly.
I was invited to write and perform an original song tribute to Forry in January of 2000. It was my honor to perform the piece in front of a room of invited guests with Forry by my side. I was told that the plaque, containing the lyrics, remained one of his prized processions until the day he died, long after most of his collection had been sold.
In honor of Forry, Upcomingdiscs will present our award for the best that horror home video had to offer from one Halloween to the next. I call them 4E based on a keychain Forry once gave me that said “4E 4E remember me with every key”. Upcomingdiscs will remember Forry each and every Halloween with the annual 4E Awards.
This year the selections were made from among the staff here at Upcomingdiscs.
To be eligible a film must have been released on home video since last Halloween.
And now … the third Annual 4E Awards. (click continue to see our selections).
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“31 Nights Of Terror” Wrong Turn 5 (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 31st, 2012
“Fairlake, West Virginia, established in 1814. The entire population disappeared in 1817. To this day nobody knows what happened to them.”
I know what you’re thinking. When I look at a direct-to-video horror series and see a number 5 next to the name, it’s usually time to roll my eyes and reluctantly place the disc in my Blu-ray player so that I can warn you guys just how bad it really is. But we’re not talking about just any horror title. We’re talking about the Wrong Turn franchise, which has actually gotten better since it went into sequel-hell.
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The Doors: Live at the Bowl ’68 (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on October 30th, 2012
Whether you’re into their music or not, The Doors: Live at the Bowl ’68 gives fans a chance to see a band (and a rock icon) at the height of their powers. Admittedly, The Doors didn’t have the longest shelf life — the band was formed in 1965, released their self-titled debut album in 1967, and frontman Jim Morrison was found dead in a Paris apartment in 1971 — but their impact can be felt to this day. Of course, when I say the band was at the height of their powers, you should understand that means there’s a pretty good chance Morrison was on acid.
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Sound of My Voice (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 30th, 2012
“Somewhere in the valley, there is a woman living in a basement. She’s actually amassing followers. These people believe that she will actually lead them to salvation, or whatever. And yes, she’s dangerous – but we have to see this thing through. All the way.”
When The Sound Of My Voice opens you really don’t know what to expect. We watch a group of people acting almost as though they have been taken hostage. They are given drab clothes to wear and ordered to clean themselves very thoroughly
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Gabe the Cupid Dog
Posted in No Huddle by BABY on October 30th, 2012
Baby here again. Yeah, I’m that German Shepherd Chow that keeps you UPS/Fed Ex guys on their toes. Now, if only I can figure out a way to keep you on your trucks. I just started a SWAT team here at Upcomingdiscs. That’s right. Whenever I want a treat or to be pet I swat Gino with my paw. It doesn’t always work on the first try, but I believe in the motto: If at first you don’t succeed, swat and swat again. Sometimes it finally works. Other times … well … Let’s not talk about that right now, okay. We have a movie to talk about.
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“31 Nights of Terror” Really Horrifying Top Five Lists
Posted in Random Fun by Michael Durr on October 30th, 2012
Whenever the 31 Nights of Terror rolls around, I find myself trying to be a little creative or come up with something different. Now, at first glance, a few top five lists does not scream any sort of real creativity. However, these are not your conventional list five movies and have intellectual conversation where everybody just ends up disagreeing. Oh no, I guarantee you will smile, laugh or at least be encouraged to write my webmaster and demand that I go back to my old job of stalking Alyssa Milano at baseball games. Now that’s really creepy. Let’s go shall we?
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“31 Nights Of Terror” Contest: Win XCOM: Enemy Unknown From 2K Games
Posted in Contests, Expired Contests by Gino Sassani on October 29th, 2012
It’s time to take out some more bad guys?
2k Games has been a leader video games for years. Many of you have been waiting for it and now it’s here. We have a copy of XCOM: Enemy Unknown for the PS3 to give away to one lucky winner. Michael Durr’s about to drop his review on us soon. Control Earth’s defenses against an alien invasion with this exciting new game from 2K Games.
To win follow these directions:
- 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 why you think you can handle this action.
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is Chun Lau
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.
Contest: Win One Of Two Great Titles From Lifetime: What Color Is Love/ The Fantasia Barrino Story
Posted in Contests, Expired Contests by Gino Sassani on October 29th, 2012
Our friends over at Lifetime have given us a copy of What Color Is Love and The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life Is Not A Fairytale to giveaway. This is a wonderful you pick-em contest. What Color Is Love tells the story of a sports reporter who falls for an athlete. The romance leads to a dramatic court battle over their mixed-race son. In the second film a single teenage mom has to overcome great obstacles to become a singing sensation.
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 – Which title you’d like if you win. The two winners will get the DVD they requested.
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is now closed Winner is The Fantasia Barrino Story – Catherine Brown & What Color Is Love – Carrie Douglas
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.
Paul Rodriguez: Just for the Record
Posted in No Huddle by Jeremy Butler on October 29th, 2012
Stand-up special or biography? As it turns out it was a little of both. Before this DVD I did not know who Paul Rodriguez was; now I am proud to say I’m a bit of a fan. His stand-up, Just for the Record, gave an informative insight into his rise from migrant worker to professional comedian. He exudes an air confidence from beginning to end, but more than that, he breathes soul into his act with stories that make you feel something within yourself and that is something I have not felt from a comedy special in a very long time.
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The Flintstones: Prime-Time Specials Collection – Volume 1
Posted in No Huddle by Michael Durr on October 28th, 2012
Quick, what cartoon was generally considered to be the first primetime cartoon of its kind, running from 1960 to 1966 with over a hundred and sixty episodes? Give up? Well that show would be the Flintstones, a stone age comedy that imitated the Honeymooners with quick wit and wholesome family jokes. Today, we have a review that brings together a couple of primetime specials that aired during the late seventies. Let’s explore the first volume of Flintstones Prime Time Specials Volume 1 from the Warner Archive.
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Regular Show: The Best Dvd in the World* (At this Moment in Time)
Posted in No Huddle by Michael Durr on October 28th, 2012
Most people know I’m a sucker for cartoons and I am willing to give any new toon a try. Often in this day and age I might be let down as a lot of newer cartoons do not always hold up against many of the well defined classics of my childhood. However, I rarely get jaded and I am always eager for the next new show to come chomping down the block. The title for us today to review is Regular Show and 16 of the best episodes that a single disc can buy. Let’s take a look.
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“31 Nights Of Terror” 247°F
Posted in No Huddle by Gino Sassani on October 28th, 2012
There are many kinds of horror films. Today’s trend appears to go the route of graphic blood and guts. It’s what we call torture Porn. You know the kind I’m talking about. The Saw and Hostel franchises best illustrate that kind of sub genre. The more classic horror films often feature a monster or creature of some kind. The best of these portray the monster not as evil, but terribly misused or misunderstood. These films have been with us since James Whale and Boris Karloff delivered Frankenstein to our collective consciousness.
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So: Peter Gabriel (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by J C on October 28th, 2012
“I think we all knew it was good. But it was only when we started getting hits, which is sort of a rare thing in my life, that you start thinking, ‘Maybe we’re gonna sell something here.’”
Peter Gabriel was one of the founding members of late ‘60s prog rock pioneers Genesis and released four untitled/self-titled solo albums in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, which spawned hits like “Solsbury Hill” and “Shock the Monkey.” But it wasn’t until 1986 that the British rocker enjoyed the greatest success of his career.
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“31 Nights Of Terror” Exclusive Interview With Christina Ulloa From 247°F
Posted in Podcasts by Gino Sassani on October 27th, 2012
I had a chance to talk with Christina Ulloa from the recent direct to video film 247°F. We’ll be posting the review tomorrow. While you’re waiting for that, hear what the actress has to say about the project.
Bang it here to hear my chat with Christina Ulloa
“31 Nights Of Terror” Vampire Dog
Posted in No Huddle by BABY on October 26th, 2012
“I have a surprise for you.”
“Boo.” Don’t be scared, unless you happen to be a delivery guy from UPS or Fed Ex. It’s just me. I’m Baby, and I’m the German Shepherd/Chow that runs security here at Upcomingdiscs. It’s been a while since Gino let me in the theater to review a movie. Something about speaker wires not being chew toys. Anyway…I don’t want to talk about that right now. What I do want to talk about is a movie called Vampire Dog, and this doggie is more of a pain in the neck than a choker collar
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Cloud Atlas
Posted in The Reel World by J C on October 26th, 2012
“When creating art, there’s a fine line between greatness and nonsense.” You know who said that? I did as soon as the end credits for Cloud Atlas started rolling. The sci-fi adventure/historical drama/mega-budget drag show has modest aspirations: all it’s trying to do is tell an epic, centuries-spanning story about the human condition. Needless to say, Cloud Atlas is easily one of the most ambitious and audacious films released in the last few years. No wonder it took three directors to wrestle this thing into theaters.
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Contest: Win Fenway Park Centennial – 100 Years As The Heart Of Red Sox Nation From A&E
Posted in Uncategorized by Gino Sassani on October 25th, 2012
Our friends over A&E are staying in the baseball post-season spirit by giving us three copies of 100 Years As The Heart Of Red Sox Nation. Now you have a chance to visit the “green monster” any time you like. The best part? It’s free.
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 who is your favorite Red Sox player of all time is..
- Only those comments that answer our question will be considered.
Contest is open to residents of the U.S. & Canada only, and will conclude on Sunday, November 25th, 2012.
Please – only one contest entry per person!
“31 Nights Of Terror” Coma (Mini-Series)
Posted in No Huddle by Archive Authors on October 25th, 2012
Coma was a movie with Michael Douglas in the 70’s. It has now been redone as a miniseries with a running time of 160 minutes in 2012. It has a large and familiar cast including JamesWoods, Geena Davis, Richard Dreyfuss, Joe Morton, and Ellen Burstyn, but the lead is Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) who plays a surgical intern at an institute that is named after his grandfather. The institute is world famous for being the best place to care for patients in an advanced vegetative state, or in other words, coma. It is based on a novel by Robin Cook who is known for his medical thrillers.
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Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Year Eight
Posted in No Huddle by Gino Sassani on October 25th, 2012
“In New York City’s war on crime, the worst criminal offenders are pursued by the detectives of the Major Case Squad. These are their stories.”
Dick Wolf used to pretty much own NBC and prime-time drama. His flagship series Law & Order lasted 20 years, tying the record held by Gunsmoke for the longest-running scripted drama. It was his wish to break the record, but by season 20 the franchise had lost some steam and was axed by NBC. It wasn’t a total loss for Wolf,
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“31 Nights Of Terror” The Cottage
Posted in No Huddle by Brent Lorentson on October 24th, 2012
When a movie claims to be based on a true story, I tend to take this with a grain of salt. In some form or another, any movie can have some basis in reality; the writer simply puts their own spin on it. With a movie like The Cottage, I’m not too sure what part is supposed to be the true story. Is it the creepy tenant that kills anyone who gets in his way? Or perhaps it is the fact that the creepy killer stalks families to try and have a relationship with their young daughter?
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Louie Anderson: Big Baby Boomer
Posted in No Huddle by Jeremy Butler on October 24th, 2012
Not my brand of comedy. When it comes to stand-up comedy I am no expert, but I have seen enough comedy specials to understand the mechanics of how they work. That being said, to be successful in comedy it takes comedic timing, the right level of energy, and relatable material. Louie Anderson latest comedy special, Big Baby Boomer is lacking in each of these departments.
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Gunsmoke: The Sixth Season, Vol. 2
Posted in No Huddle by Gino Sassani on October 24th, 2012
The setting for Gunsmoke was the by-now-famous Dodge City, circa 1870’s. Phrases like “get out of Dodge” would enter the popular lexicon as a result of this resilient series. Marshall Dillon (Arness) was charged with keeping the peace in Dodge City. The only other character to see the entire 20-year run was kindly Doc Adams (Stone). Star Trek’s own Doc, Leonard McCoy, took many of his traits from Doc Adams. He was the humanitarian of the city, always looking to help someone. Like McCoy, he had a taste for bourbon and a soft heart underneath a rather gruff exterior and was always ready with free advice.
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