Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by J C on July 4th, 2012
Have found footage films jumped the shark? (If the answer is yes, someone's going to have to hunt down the beast that ate the shark-jumping cameraman so we can retrieve the tape and see exactly what happened.) Though the genre dates all the way back to 1980's Cannibal Holocaust, it saw a spike with 1999's Blair Witch Project and has become the horror delivery vehicle du jour thanks to recent hits like The Devil Inside and the Paranormal Activity films. To be fair, The American Dream doesn't completely qualify as a found footage film — as far as I can tell, no one finds the protagonist's camera — but the movie is a sign that the genre may have already seen its best days.
Like Cloverfield, Chronicle and Project X, The American Dream proves that horror films haven't completely cornered the found footage market. Luis (Jamil Walker Smith) and Ronald (Malcolm Goodwin) are lifelong friends and newly-enlisted Marines who are about to ship off to Afghanistan. Luis is an aspiring filmmaker who idolizes Spike Lee (Smith also directed the film under the moniker J. Smith), so he decides to document his and Ronald's last few days with their families and friends before they leave.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on July 3rd, 2012
Mirror mirror on the wall, which is the fairest Snow White movie of them all? (Or at least 2012.) Well, if we're going by box office receipts and critical reception, the winner is Snow White and the Huntsman, the gothic, snarlier twist on the classic tale starring Kristen Stewart (everything starring Stewart is automatically snarlier), Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth. However, if we're going by costumes, production design and general shiny-ness, Mirror Mirror easily wins. I realize that sounds like faint praise, but this family-friendly take on Snow White has its quirky charms.
Julia Roberts headlines this version as a wicked Queen who is fond of lavish parties and elaborate gowns, but rules over a frigid, destitute kingdom following the disappearance of the popular king she married. Snow White (Lily Collins), on the cusp of her 18th birthday, is the king's daughter and the rightful heir to the throne. After the jealous Queen tries to have Snow White murdered, the exiled princess enlists the help of a noble prince (Armie Hammer) and seven outcast dwarves to take back her kingdom.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on July 3rd, 2012
Our friends at A& E and History continue to help us celebrate our nation's birthday. We're still giving away stuff every day for the next week. For this contest we have another copy of Titanic: The Complete Story on DVD to give away. It's been 100 years since the Titanic disaster. Get the complete story in this 2-disc set.
To win just follow these instructions.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 3rd, 2012
"Squeal like a pig..."
It's one of those lines that you know even if you've never seen Deliverance. The line and film have entered our pop culture and have been referenced in hundreds of films that followed. Along with the iconic rendition of Dueling Banjos, taken from the traditional piece Feuding Banjos, well... you might feel like you've seen the film even if you haven't. Deliverance is a film about Americana that has itself become a large part of Americana. Most of us have found ourselves in a situation where we start hearing those familiar notes in the back of our heads. The truth is, they just don't make them like this anymore.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on July 3rd, 2012
The opening scene of Black Limousine is highly dramatic and highly deceptive. We open on a space station beginning to explode and disintegrate in orbit as a female astronaut tries to revive a seemingly dead male crew member. The music swells as the explosions beginning to trigger and expand. The credits roll. We see David Arquette sitting in a crowded theater watching the screen. He then lingers outside the theater looking at a movie poster and trailing his fingers across the words “Music by Jack McKenzie”. His fingers snap away and he walks off morosely. That is a very effective way to introduce the story and the character. He was a big shot, and yet his car is vaguely shabby with a small dent on the side door.
The next scene is his interview at the limousine service, which mentions that he was involved in a fatal accident that was another driver’s fault. Clearly this a man who needs to get his life back on track. He’s got a daughter that he shares custody for as he tries to regain the talent and notoriety he had before.
Posted in: The Reel World by Gino Sassani on July 3rd, 2012
"There's rumor of a new species in New York."
It would be easy to say that The Amazing Spider-Man is a remake of the first Sam Raimi Spider-Man film. It certainly looks that way. After just a single decade Sony Pictures has decided to go back to the origins of the popular comic character and pretty much start over. This film takes us back to the proverbial origin story. Once again we get to see young Peter Parker, this time played by Andrew Garfield, get bitten by that nasty spider and find himself with wonderful powers, and of, course great responsibilities. The reboot does tend to beg at least two questions up front. Why the quick turnaround, and what could you possibly do to improve upon at least the first two Raimi films? Let's answer each of them, shall we?
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on July 2nd, 2012
Our friends at A& E and History continue to help us celebrate our nation's birthday. We're going to be giving away stuff every day for a week. For this contest we have another copy of The Presidents on DVD to give away. Celebrate our nation's history in style.
To win just follow these instructions.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on July 1st, 2012
To help us celebrate Independence week we've got some kick-butt gaming for you. 2k Games has been a leader video games for years. Many of you have been wanting a new Spec Ops game. Now it's here and we've got a PS3 copy to give away to one lucky Upcomingdisc reader. We have Spec Ops: The Line Premium Edition and it can all be yours. To enter to win this action-packed video game, follow these instructions:
Contest is now closed Winner is Edwin F.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by J C on June 30th, 2012
"Now, if you're unfortunate right now and don't have any weed, I'm sorry. But please stop this movie right now — it just won't work if you can't watch this without no weed."
Did I mention that this disclaimer at the start of Mac & Devin Go to High School comes from a profane talking joint named Slow Burn (voiced by rapper Mystikal)? Anyway, I can't say I wasn't warned.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on June 29th, 2012
Our friends at A& E and History continue to help us celebrate our nation's birthday. You get all the presents. We're going to be giving away stuff every day for the next week. For this contest we have another copy of America: The Story Of Us on Blu-ray to give away. Celebrate our nation's history in style.
To win just follow these instructions.
![America: The Story of Us [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/america-the-story-of-us-blu-ray-large.jpg)
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