Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on January 4th, 2016
Hill Street Blues: The Final Season. It just might be one of the greatest shows in television history. It certainly changed the face of television drama. Shout Factory brings the season on home. Now we want to send the final season to your home.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on January 4th, 2016
At this point, the most shocking M. Night Shyamalan-related twist would be for the director to make a movie that people actually enjoyed. (The “M.” stands for “maligned,” right?) Hopes weren't exactly high when it was announced Shyamalan — who was once fated to become either “the next Hitchcock” or “the next Spielberg” — would be dabbling in the fading found footage genre. So imagine my surprise to find that The Visit — a broad, nutty mix of comedy and horror — is the director's loosest, most playful effort since Signs. It's also his first (subjectively) non-terrible flick in about a decade.
We meet a harried single Mom (Kathryn Hahn) as she prepares to send her two children on a week-long trip to meet her estranged parents. Becca (Olivia DeJonge) is a 15-year-old aspiring filmmaker who decides to document the experience of meeting her grandparents on camera; she also wants to find out the reason Mom had a falling out with them. Tyler (Ex Oxenbould) is a 13-year-old freestyle-rapping, germophobic goofball who enjoys undercutting his older sister's self-seriousness. The pair take a train to the rural Pennsylvania town where their mother grew up and are met at the station by Nana (Deanna Dunagan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie), who take the kids back to their dilapidated farmhouse.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on January 4th, 2016
It’s been a long wait for those of us wanting to see Eli Roth’s return behind the camera since Hostel 2 hit the screens. I’ve been more than a little excited since hearing about Roth’s plans to bring the cannibal genre to its jungle roots. It’s been long enough since audiences have been shocked by the ferocity we haven’t seen from the genre since Cannibal Holocaust and Cannibal Ferox. Sadly, the intentions were there, but the execution just fell short. Instead of getting the shock and gore we’ve come to expect since Cabin Fever and Hostel 1&2, this time around we get a film that feels a little restrained.
Justine (Lorenza Izzo) is a college freshman who desperately feels the need to protest against the injustices in the world but hasn’t quite found a cause worth fighting about. That is, until in one of her classes the subject of female circumcision is brought up. It’s a subject that offends and disgusts, and it’s one of Roth’s moments to interject his “agenda” upon the audience. Though for most viewers they will simply pick up on this scene as being a way to foreshadow some of the brutality to come.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by J C on January 4th, 2016
“This road is like a magnet for serial killers.”
There's a difference between paying tribute and ripping somebody off. Wrecker — a high-speed, low-budget actioner — bills itself as “an homage to road classics like Duel.” Unfortunately, that's far from the only nod to Steven Spielberg's 1971 thriller. Wrecker rehashes every significant story beat from Duel, except with a lot less filmmaking skill and a pair of infinitely more annoying protagonists.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Dan Holland on January 3rd, 2016
It is not very often that I am able to say that a film revolving around an extramarital affair keeps me engaged. While the writing in Adulterers became rather unfavorable towards the end, the strength of the conflict and the pacing of the editing and cinematography combine to make a significant force. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by the intensity of the drama that unfolds among the disturbed trio, but there were many moments that distracted me from that pleasure. Through this review, I aim to be as fair and as spoiler-free as possible. I believe this film is definitely worth the watch, regardless of what does not “work” for me.
Adulterers tells the story of Samuel Deuprey (Sean Ferris), a hardworking man, who comes home to find his wife (Danielle Savre) in bed with her lover (Mehcad Brooks). The events and scenes that follow are rooted in humiliation, depravity, and violence, as Samuel decides to resolve the situation in his own way. The way in which Adulterers heightens the tension is through adding details such as: the events transpire on the couple’s anniversary, Samuel works long hours to provide for his wife, money may or may not be involved, etc. While each of the details introduced into the film’s story may be cliché for dramatic films about affairs, they are absolutely necessary in order to understand Samuel’s rage and mania.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on January 3rd, 2016
The Bible Collection. Our friendly little elf friends at history want to remind us all what Christmas is really about. It's not that small trees need love. This prize is a 16-disc collection of some of History's best Bible documentaries. You get episodes from Mysteries Of The Bible: The Bible's Greatest Heroes, Mysteries Of The Bible, The Execution Of Jesus, God vs. Satan: The Final Battle, Bible Stories From The Old Testament, Bible's Secrets Revealed, Mary Of Nazareth, Jesus: His Life, Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years and both parts of Banned From The Bible. All going to a lucky Upcomingdiscs follower.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on January 2nd, 2016
As soon as you see the opening credits to The Last House, you have a pretty idea that you're not in Kansas anymore, which was quite strange for me, since I'm supposed to be in Florida. Director Sean Cain lets you know up front that the film will challenge your ability to keep up. It doesn't help that you get an intercut of actor Ezra Buzzington spouting some kind of philosophy that makes no sense, partly because you can't understand everything he's even saying. Sadly, the film doesn't come with subtitles, so it appears that Cain just doesn't want you to get comfortable at all. Well... mission accomplished. So, is that a good thing or a bad thing?
As the film proper begins, we get to know a hooker named Love (Walsh). Yeah, typical hooker stage name, except Love is her real name, while her "hooker" name is Barbara. Already I think someone has seen way too many Kevin Smith films. She's fallen in love with one of her clients. Ned (Mewes) spends money for her time to give her a break from having to do what hookers do best. He finally convinces her to quit the sordid life and be with him full time. Of course, that isn't going to go over well with Sonny (Forcinito), her pimp. He has already committed her and two others to a private party for the night. So Love's going out on one last job before going straight. If that doesn't sound familiar, you're not watching enough movies.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on January 2nd, 2016
Duck Dynasty Seasons 1-8. Our friendly little elf friends at History want to give you the business. The Robertson family business, that is. Well...here it all is. Every episode of the first eight years including the Deck The Halls Christmas Special. You get 18 DVD's in all. It's our way of helping one lucky winner keep all their Ducks in a row. That means hours of Phil, Si, Willie and Jase. That also means hours of terrific guest stars and crazy antics.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on January 2nd, 2016
“History of man is defined by war. And war is defined by the men who fight it.”
Well, it is definitely more high-tech than the 2007 version, but is that necessarily a good thing? That’s what you are here to find out in this reboot of the popular video game of the same name (minus the Agent 47 part, that is). Rupert Friend is Agent 47 in this updated version, and I will say that despite my initial upset feelings about the recasting of the character, he does an excellent job as the highly motivated and proficient assassin. As far as reinvention goes, I was pleased with this despite it being theoretically ridiculous in some areas, but hey, isn’t that what fantasy is anyway?
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on January 2nd, 2016
"His imperfections were unsettling. But Frank Sinatra was a genuine artist, and his work will endure as long as men and women can hear and ponder and feel. In the end, that's all that really matters."
He was The Beatles before The Beatles were The Beatles. His voice would make women swoon and men want to be him. He romanced some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood history, and he sat at tables with kings, princesses and presidents. He was The Voice. The Chairman Of The Board. He was Old Blue Eyes. His name was Francis Albert Sinatra, but we all called him Frank.
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