Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by J C on September 27th, 2012
If the phrase “You got served” only conjures up images of wait staff or a notice to appear in court, then Battlefield America may not be for you. The film comes “from the writer, director and creator of You Got Served” — the hip hop-flavored dance drama that became a modest hit in 2004 — but offers up a child-centric twist. For fans of You Got Served, the best way to enjoy this inferior film may be to pretend the dancers in that movie were tragically shrunk down to kid size.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on September 27th, 2012
The presidential election is right around the corner. We have two candidates where either one could realistically win. We just hope that there is no funny business and that all of the voting is on the up and up. Regardless, the History Channel has produced many specials over the years that deal with different facets of the presidency. Let’s take a look at three of those specials in this 3-disc set.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on September 26th, 2012
"At the dawn of the 23rd century the world is on the verge of environmental collapse. Mankind's only hope for survival lies 85 million years in the past."
You think dinosaurs are dangerous. Expectations are dangerous. Expectations can kill like a bullet straight to the brain. Expectations are merciless. Some say it was a huge meteor that took out the dinosaurs, but it wasn't a meteor at all. This time it was ... wait for it.... expectations.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on September 26th, 2012
"I'm Jimmie DeRamus. Folks call me Big Daddy. My family's been in Louisiana since before the Civil War. Today we run one of the largest pawn shops in the South. Where I live there's no such thing as business as usual. I'll buy and sell anything. And by that I mean anything."
The formula worked for the guys in Vegas for several years, and it's still bringing in a solid number of viewers. Like any successful series, someone decided that two shows would be twice as good. Someone was wrong.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by William O'Donnell on September 26th, 2012
The first word that springs to my mind when considering this box set is “essential.” I try to use that word without all of the marketing baggage that comes with it, conjured up by countless previous DVD releases of other films that have claimed to be “essential.” This set lives up to that term perfectly. Raiders of the Lost Ark alone is an incredibly important film (as my review below explains in a gushing fanboy-ish manner) and the entire series is a must have for any true fan of American cinema. This transfer to Blu Ray is a very successful one, making this the ultimate collection to purchase.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by J C on September 26th, 2012
“‘Cause I’m a con, don’t mean I ain’t got no rights.”
The movies have done a pretty good job of showing us the action, drama, horror, comedy and, yes, sex that lies behind prison walls. But there are far fewer examples of films examining what happens once an inmate is paroled and tries to re-enter the “real world.” The most famous movie parolee is probably Brooks from The Shawshank Redemption, and that didn’t turn out so well.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on September 25th, 2012
"Ancient monuments precisely aligned to celestial events. History written in stone honoring otherworldly rulers. And a calendar accurately predicting shifts in the Earth's axis every 26,000 years. Did the Mayans of Central America really create one of the most advanced civilizations of ancient times? Or did their intelligence originate somewhere else? Perhaps out of this world."
Ever since Eric von Daniken released his speculative book and its subsequent 1970 film Chariots of the Gods, there has been an entire field of study created around something commonly called Ancient Astronaut Theory.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on September 25th, 2012
Not too long before he was heading Impossible Missions, Peter Graves spent a television season in Australia on the western series Whiplash. It was a traditional western in the sense that all of the standard elements were there. There were outlaws and saloons, posses and gunfights. What made this half-hour series stand out was the genuine Australian locations. The show was filmed in the Outback and was even aired on Aussie television. The locations gave the show a unique backdrop and a scenic look that certainly set it apart from the many American westerns on television at the time.
Posted in: The Reel World by Gino Sassani on September 23rd, 2012
"You've broken the law and I am here to arrest you. I am fate with a badge and a gun protecting the prey from the predators, the good from the bad. We are the police."
David Ayer is no stranger to police dramas. You might say it's his favorite cinematic subject. Just look at his list of screenplays which include the likes of S.W.A.T. and Training Day and a director resume that includes Harsh Times. He's not afraid to delve into the darker nature of the police. He's at it again with End Of Watch which he both wrote and directed.
Posted in: News and Opinions by Gino Sassani on September 22nd, 2012
It turns out that 13 is going to be your lucky number this Halloween. The folks at Busch Gardens are celebrating their 13th year of Howl-O-Scream and it appears they've created an eerie night of spooks and spectaculars for your fright. Upcomingdiscs will be there for all of the action and we'll be reporting back in early October.
In the meantime, yours truly was invited to sneak into the bowels of the park at 2:00 AM just a few days ago. No, I didn't have to climb over the walls or outrun the Cheetahs. It was all part of a media night invitation to preview one of the new haunted houses for Howl-O-Scream. It was a blast, to be sure. Best of all, they've captured my descent into Oglethorpe Asylum where "The Creature" is stirring and he isn't a mouse. Check out my early morning adventure and then check out Howl-O-Scream for yourself. Bang it here for the video: Gino Scream Cam








