Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 22nd, 2014
"There are over 120,000 juveniles incarcerated in detection centers across the United States. Upon release 75% will either return to prison or die in the street. What follows is based on the true story of Camp Kilpatrick and the people there who tried to make a difference."
The Rock -- sorry, Dwayne Johnson, sure has come a long way from his melodramatic days as a WWE superstar. His first major film role, as the Scorpion King in 2001's The Mummy Returns was more about his physical presence than any acting ability. Two years later, he proved he could handle action comedy with The Rundown. Now, with Gridiron Giants, Johnson has added the drama notch to his genre belt.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on July 22nd, 2014
by Normandy D. Piccolo
“Magnum, Rockford and Marlowe never had to rake leaves before a case.”
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on July 22nd, 2014
- “Are you some kind of big deal?”
- “Yeah, I’ve been around.”
Posted in: Podcasts by Gino Sassani on July 21st, 2014
A while back we reviewed the film Lucky Bastard. (Review) Since that time the film's creative folks have taken a little heat. The film is rated NC-17 but it's neither particularly violent or pornographic. Naturally, these guys have something to say. I ended up talking to Lukas Kendall, one of the co-writers. He had some really interesting things to say. He was great fun to talk with. This is one of our liveliest interviews. You don't want to miss what he has to say. Don't take my word for it. Bang it here to sit in on my chat with Lukas Kendall
If you're interested in checking out his petition to the MPAA make sure to bang it here, as well: Fix The MPAA Rating System
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on July 21st, 2014
"Maybe it was all inevitable. An unavoidable collision between mankind and technology."
Just about any project that Christopher Nolan has any attachment to is going to get my attention. And from the first glimpses of the film in the early teasers, Transcendence always felt like a film Nolan would seem right at home making. Instead, taking the helm for the first time as director is Wally Pfister. Though this may be his first time in the director’s chair, Pfister is no stranger to working on pictures of large scale; after all, he’s been Nolan’s director of photography since Memento back in 2000. So how does Pfister do with his first at bat? Well, it could be a lot worse…
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 21st, 2014
Pacino and Depp in a mob drama about an undercover fed and his unknowing Mafioso mentor? Fuggedaboudit. Donnie Brasco is based on the true story of F.B.I. agent Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp, Blow), who spent six successful years undercover in the New York Mafia, as one Donnie Brasco. The film opens with Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino, Heat), an aging made man, connecting with Donnie about a diamond ring. Donnie’s cover is he’s in the jewelry “business”, and Lefty wants to unload a ring some guy …gave him as payment for a debt. When Donnie insists the ring’s a fake, Lefty goes back to see the guy, bringing Donnie along. The guy still claims it’s the real deal, but Donnie asks for a minute to “talk to him.” Permission from Lefty granted, Donnie smacks the guy around, threatens murder and makes the guy give up the keys to his Porsche.
So starts a tight relationship, between made guy Lefty and Donnie, his connected underling and chosen pupil. Lefty, a killer with 26 hits under his belt, eventually vouches for Donnie to his bosses – a big move, because it means he’s responsible for Donnie. If something goes wrong – like Donnie turning out to be a cop – the mob veteran will die with his protégé. With Lefty standing up for him, Donnie is allowed into the fold of a mafia crew led by Sonny Black (Michael Madsen, Kill Bill), a violent, ambitious leader.
Posted in: Podcasts by Gino Sassani on July 20th, 2014
Once again I caught up with director Declan O'Brien. We talked with him after he had finished Wrong Turn 4. We reviewed Wrong Turn 5 where Declan continued to impress. He is one of the best when it comes to dealing with budgets. He makes sure every cent is on the screen. He did it again with Joy Ride 3. Yet another franchise saved. Most car crash films spend more on one stunt than Declan had for the entire film. Yet, he delivered again. Sit in with my latest talk with Declan O'Brien. Bang it here to join the conversation: Declan O'Brien
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 20th, 2014
"Let me know when the governor gets here."
Well, he's in the house, and I'm going to get a lot of razzing for this review of Last Action Hero. The person who thought I should see a shrink for looking forward to the next Saw film is going to be calling for my outright commitment to an institution dedicated to covering walls with nice padding so we won't hurt ourselves. I know this film is generally considered "bad" by critics and moviegoers alike. It swept the Razzies in 1993 and has since been only the kind of film 10-year-olds would really like to see. Me, I've always simply loved this film. From the first time I saw it at the box office, I was hooked. It was one of the first new laserdiscs I bought back in the day, and I watched the heck out of that disc. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I love this movie.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Brent Lorentson on July 20th, 2014
Not to be mistaken for the much anticipated Ant-Man that should release next year from Marvel, Antboy is the latest import out of Denmark that shows that the worldwide box office is becoming a more level and diverse playing field. For the longest time foreign films were a thing that belonged in art house cinema and found in a tiny section at the mom-and-pop video store. Now in a generation of the internet and most notably Netflix, the wide range of foreign cinema is being made available, and in my opinion this is a great thing.
For the parents out there worried about their kids having to read subtitles, no worries, the film comes with a dubbed track that is the default option on the DVD. As for the film itself, I’ll be honest, from the cover art I set my expectations low and prepared for the worst. Thankfully my concerns were quickly alleviated.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 20th, 2014
"Tales of monstrous, man-eating anacondas have been recounted for centuries by tribespeople of the Amazon Basin, some of whom are said to worship these giant snakes. Anacondas are among the most ferocious and enormous creatures on Earth."
Today Anaconda would have most certainly been made as a "found-footage" film. All of the makings of one of these trending movies are there. We have a documentary crew in an isolated area, and most of them get killed. Fortunately, the trend wasn't so big in 1997, and so Anaconda got to be the film that it turned out to be. Now Mill Creek is offering a budget-priced release of the film in high definition on Blu-ray. Is it worth even that price? Read on...
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