Posted in: Disc Reviews by Dan Holland on January 3rd, 2018
“Backslidin’, how do you do? These slippery people gonna see you through.”
It has been a long while since I have witnessed a pop song’s lyrics fit so poetically into a feature film. “Slippery People” is a track off the groundbreaking Talking Heads album, Speaking in Tongues, released in 1983. Not only does this song fit the plot of American Made within its lyrics (hints of backsliding with a lot of slippery people), but it also represents a specific aesthetic for one of the many years shown throughout the film. Which, by and large, is what American Made does very well: appreciates the nostalgia of the 70’s and 80’s without exaggerating to extremes. More often than not, the “nostalgia aesthetic” very quickly becomes a parody of itself. However, what director Doug Liman offers audiences is bold moves in film form, lightly garnished with relevant nostalgia.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on January 3rd, 2018
The classic American Westerns of the 1940s and '50s directed by the likes of John Ford and Howard Hawks famously inspired filmmakers like Sergio Leone to put their own stylish and revisionist spin on the genre. But while Spaghetti Westerns — genre films produced and written by Italians — are the most famous foreign example, plenty of other countries started making their own horse operas in the 1960s. That includes Mexico and filmmaker Arturo Ripstein, who made an outstanding feature film debut with 1966's Time to Die/Tiempo de Morir.
“It's no good getting out of jail only to enter a cemetery.”
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on January 3rd, 2018
Gun Runners and Angry Inuk on DVD. Lucky for you we have a guy on the inside over at Film Movement. Agent MK has loaded us up on some of the best in independent film from 2017. We start things off with a bit of a Canada theme. If the thought of all of that Canadian Winter air doesn't keep you in the Holiday mood I'm afraid there's just no hope. Maybe this will help. We have 3 copies of both of these films. Each of three winners will get a copy of both films on DVD. Don't thank us. It's Agent MK at Film Movement who is playing Santa this year. Let's just keep this between us or we might blow his cover.
Contest is now closed Winners are Tom Wellerson & Gary Smith
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on January 3rd, 2018
When it comes to ranking the top 10 cool movies of the past five years, Kingsman:The Secret Service would easily make the list. From the opening sequence to the final credits, the movie was simply a fun ride with so many kick-ass moments. I mean, the fight in the church alone is worth the price of admission. The moment I heard Matthew Vaughn was returning to helm the sequel, I instantly got giddy with excitement. Heck, ever since his first film Layer Cake, the guy has managed to produce a stream of cool films that I’ve enjoyed. It’s when the trailer for the sequel first dropped that something didn’t feel right; it still looked like a fun movie, but it just didn’t suck me in like the previous film’s trailer did. I ignored my doubts, because after all, Vaughn has proven himself again and again, so when it came time to see the screening for the film, I had forgotten about my doubts, and I was just ready to have a good time.
Now that we know how the Kingsman organization works, the film wastes no time throwing Eggsy (Taron Egerton) into the heat of action. We watch Eggsy engage in a fight/car chase as Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” plays in the back of a cab. It’s a fun and flashy fight with the camera moving around in impossible angles as the fight literally does some off-the-wall stuff. It’s great for an intro, but this is what we get hit with again and again as the film goes on, and it quickly loses its flair.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on January 2nd, 2018
Detroit is a period crime drama focusing primarily on the Algiers Motel incident during the 12th Street riots in obviously, the city of Detroit. The night of July 25, law enforcement, including the local department, Michigan State Police, and Michigan Army National Guard responded to the hotel to investigate reports of a sniper. During the confrontation, three men were killed and another nine, including two white females, were allegedly beaten and humiliated by the first responders. A trial was held for three of the officers involved and a private security guard, with the deaths being declared justifiable homicide. To many, it is considered one of the biggest miscarriages of justice. Coming off her successful depiction of the manhunt for Osama Bin Laden (Zero Dark Thirty), Kathryn Bigelow reteams with writer Mark Boal to bring this story to life.
Granted, although I had heard about this incident during my history class, I will confess a significant ignorance regarding the specific details. With the knowledge that some liberties were taken in regard to how the circumstances came about, I have to classify this film as a real eye-opener. The events of that evening are told from the multiple perspectives of a cast of established actors and rising stars, which includes John Boyega (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Anthony Mackie (Avengers), Will Poulter (Maze Runner), Algee Smith (Saints and Sinners), Jason Mitchell (Mudblood), John Krasinski, and Jack Reynor (Transformers: Age of Extinction).
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on January 2nd, 2018
On The Ninth Day Of Christmas Anchor Bay gives to you:
Spartacus: The Complete Series on Blu-ray. This set contains all of the show’s 39 episodes on 12 discs. There is a 13th disc with limited extra features that were not found on the original individual season releases. This is a huge release and one heck of a prize for a lucky Upcomingdiscs winner.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on January 2nd, 2018
Miracle On 34th Street on Blu-ray. Our friends at Fox are getting ready to ship their classic film library to Disney. They didn't forget us at Upcomingdiscs. They sent a copy of the Christmas classic Miracle On 34th Street for us to give away. It's the 70th Anniversary Edition.
Contest is now closed Winner is Christina Wharmund
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on January 1st, 2018
Richard Simmons: Sweatin' To The Oldies The Complete Collection on DVD. New Year's Day is upon us and we've been eating a lot of stuff that isn't quite so good for us. Many of you are making a resolution to take off some weight. Our heroes over at Time-Life have come to the rescue with exorcise, old school. They've given us 6 copies of this collection. That means 6 winners! It brings you all 5 volumes of Sweatin' To The Oldies plus a 20-page photo album. This is the 30th Anniversary Edition so you might call it Sweatin' To The Ancients. This is our first contest of 2018. Maybe this is the start of your lucky year.
Contest is now closed Winners are Jessica Rose, Nancy, John H, Jennifer H, Angela Smith
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on December 31st, 2017
The Secret Lives Of Pets on Blu-ray. Ever wonder what your pets are doing when you're not watching? Find out in The Secret Lives Of Pets. Our Secret Santas over at Universal have a copy for a lucky Upcomingdiscs follower.
Contest is now closed Winner is Ty
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on December 30th, 2017
World Series Collector's Edition: 2017 Houston Astros on Blu-ray. It might be the dead of Winter but you can relive the glory of the 2017 Major League Baseball 2017 World Series. You get all 7 games with plenty of options and extras. You can listen to the Astros or the Dodger's radio broadcasts. Also game 7 of the ACLS. Here's a bonus prize. Guess Gino's favorite baseball team. From the correct answers we will give away the single-disc version of this collection that features highlights and clinching moments on 1 disc. Shout Factory is bringing back Summer. So enter to win today.
Contest is now closed Winner is Scott Flere. Jim Gardner was first to guess Phillies and wins the single disc version.
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