Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Brent Lorentson on June 17th, 2014
Of the cartoons that are on air, it’s no contest in choosing what is my favorite show. Regular Show just strikes a chord with me and reminds me of the antics of Ren and Stimpy back in the 90’s. Sure, the show airs on Cartoon Network and kids could watch it, but the show seems more aimed at a teenage audience or at least the parents who are trying to find something to watch with their children. Here at Upcoming Discs, when we get a series to review this usually entails a lot of binge-watching, because, well, to review a series we don’t just watch a few episodes, we watch it from start to finish whether it’s a show we have a good time with or one of the ones that have us struggling to keep our eyes open and our attention on the screen. When it comes to Regular Show, it’s a show I have no problem clicking on that play-all button and just kick back and have fun watching whatever shenanigans Mordecai and Rigby get into.
Like with numerous releases from Cartoon Network, Regular Show has numerous DVDs with episodes from multiple seasons and thrown together in a DVD pack, so some episodes on the Season 3 release may be duplicates for some fans out there. Thankfully, though, when making these combo packs, it never is simply heavy on one season in particular.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 16th, 2014
"Uncooperative witnesses are becoming a specialty of mine."
That statement clearly describes Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson...except it doesn't. Not anymore. The Closer was a stand-out hit for the folks at TNT. It's no surprise that when the show’s star Kyra Sedgwick wanted to leave that the network would want to continue the show. That's a little harder when the lead leaves. Shows have survived the loss of their lead, but the remaining years were usually something lesser than it once was. That's not the case here. The title was changed, and with just a few cast tweaks the series returned as Major Crimes, and I dare say a much better show than its predecessor.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on June 16th, 2014
I hope everyone had a fantastic Father's Day! I've actually been lucky enough to have two strong paternal figures in my life (my dad and stepdad), which is much more than I can say for the young protagonist in Joe. The latest Southern Gothic drama from director David Gordon Green — adapted from the Larry Brown novel of the same name — features one of the very worst dads you'll ever see. To balance things out, the title character is one of the unlikeliest father figures in recent memory.
The movie's opening scene drops us right into the toxic relationship between 15-year-old Gary (Tye Sheridan) and his no-good alcoholic father Wade (Gary Poulter). Gary has been forced to become the provider for his family, which also includes his mom and sister. He goes looking for a job with a crew of workers tasked with deadening trees. (Poisoning weak trees so they die and can be cut down.) The crew is run by Joe (Nicolas Cage), a personable, authoritative ex-convict. Gary convinces Joe to give him a job, and the teenager proves to be a relentlessly hard worker. The same can't be said for Wade, and Joe gets a first-hand look at the abusive relationship between father and son. As Joe's bond with Gary continues to grow, the ex-convict — who struggles with his violent nature on a moment-by-moment basis — finds it increasingly difficult to resist getting involved in the young man's family drama.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on June 16th, 2014
By Zach Abati
Telling a story that takes place in one location isn’t the easiest thing to do. Films like Clerks, 12 Angry Men, and Saw show that it is possible to do, as long as you have the writing and direction to pull it off. Alpha Alert was able to do just that, even though it still had its ups and its downs. When a terrorist attack hits the streets of D.C., Cpt. White (Jennifer Morrison), Pfc. Diego (Stephen Rider), and Sgt. Oldsman (Josh Stewart) become trapped as an innocent elevator ride now becomes an escape mission. Each of them, struggling with PTSD, will have to deal with one another and their own illness as they run out of time and slowly realize that not everything is as it seems.
Posted in: The Reel World by Archive Authors on June 15th, 2014
When I see films I don't like, I tend to dismiss them. I have seen many, many movies over the years, and I have seen many, many terrible movies. In the last few years, there have been an increasing number of post-modern, self-referential meta-movies full of smarmy irony. So many of these films have been made that it seems that I don't see simple un-ironic movies that are just plain funny anymore. It is actually a great skill to create something really funny. 22 Jump Street is supposed to be a stupid comedy that one can enjoy without thinking. First of all, I sat through the whole movie and didn't laugh once. That doesn't mean that most people won't laugh at this movie. But I'm angry. After I saw the movie I saw that lots of critics gave it favorable ratings. I'm angry because the standards of critical thinking are collapsing. I think it's hard for many to appreciate real humor, but I can guarantee there is no real humor in 22 Jump Street.
There are so many things I didn't like about this movie, so let me start with some of the things I did like. There was a female roommate who had a biting, sarcastic tongue and caustic manner. That was about it.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 13th, 2014
"It's a different world out there."
You can say that again. The television landscape is changing, at least on cable. Ray Donovan is the latest in the string of new shows that are attracting talent once thought out of reach for television. A show starring Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight, this Showtime series looked to be something very special... and it almost is.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Brent Lorentson on June 13th, 2014
Revenge films are simply one of those guilty pleasures that seem to always be in the pipeline for being released, whether it’s on the big screen or straight to DVD. They are the kind of films that allow us to escape into the anti-hero’s frame of mind and go along on their journey of vigilantism. Perhaps we may not have encountered the same circumstances of characters avenging slain family members (The Outlaw Josey Wales, Death Wish) or violent sexual assaults (Ms. 45 and Make Them Die Slowly) each film gives us the chance to remove ourselves from reality and politically correct convictions and root for these characters. Vendetta follows in the long line of revenge films before, but does is hold up to the classics of the genre?
Danny Dyer (Doghouse & Severance) plays Jimmy Vickers, who is a special ops interrogator who returns home after hearing about the murder of his parents. With no witnesses to the crime, Jimmy uses his acquired talents to discover those who are responsible for the murder.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 12th, 2014
"You got a chapter in one of those books on jumping to conclusions?"
It's easy to jump to conclusions with a name like True Detective. The moniker conjures up images of the true crime pulp magazines of the 40's and 50's. You might get a sense that this is one of those "based on a true story" type of shows. There was even a second when I expected we might have our first "found footage" television shows. Whatever ideas you have going in, expect your perceptions to change. Whatever else it is or is not, True Detective is one of the most unique and atmospheric shows I've had the pleasure to watch. And that's just the opening credits.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on June 12th, 2014
There have been more than a few films that have revolved around radio DJ’s. Good Morning Vietnam, Talk Radio, and Private Parts: these are just a few films that explore the world of the character behind the microphone, who speaks through our radios through the day-to-day grind. Now, following in the success of the Oscar nominated film Philomena, Steve Coogan steps into the radio DJ world as Alan Partridge. Most of us are used to listening to our local DJ’s who come on between songs and blast us with their obnoxious personalities, silly games and pop culture news of the day on our morning drive to work. But as the radio market seems to be phased out as listeners have options like Serius XM and personal listening devices loaded with music, the need for DJ’s is simply becoming a thing of the past. And that is where Alan Partridge starts off.
The local radio station is being bought out, and the radio talent is being phased out for newer and more polished voices to bring in the younger listeners. With his job on the line, Alan Partridge (Coogan) makes a feeble attempt to save his job by throwing another DJ, Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney) under the bus.
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