Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on August 1st, 2010
Extraordinary Measures is a moving story about family and a father’s perseverance to find a cure for his children. John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) seeks out the help of an irritable medical researcher (Harrison Ford) whose theory cannot be fully developed without extensive funding. As the time ticks away, so does the probability of finding a cure. This film requires an emotional investment and audiences will be surprised at how invested they become.
Coming from emotionally charged source material, the filmmaker (Tom Vaughn) was given the difficult task of conveying personal emotion to a mass audience. Too often stories similar to this are made into low budget made for TV films which are downtrodden for their ineptitude. It is difficult for audiences to shed that stigma from the marketing of this film. However, on a positive note, Extraordinary Measures is executed quite well. The momentum of the film is driven from the story and less on aesthetics. The shot selection, editing and score of the film are all pedestrian at best. However, there is something to be said for a film that has an arbitrary execution and still manages to maintain the audience’s attention.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on July 31st, 2010
The second (and final) season of this erotic horror anthology series follows the pattern set down by the first. David Bowie replaces Terence Stamp as host, and takes up the job of briefly uttering portentous statements before each story rolls. These stories star such luminaries as Giovanni Ribisi, Eric Roberts, Jennifer Beals and Lori Petty, and are based on tales by a pretty impressive line-up of line-up of writers: Poppy Z. Brite, Kim Newman, David J. Schow, Gemma Files and Ramsey Campbell, to name but a few.
As before, the erotic fixations give the series a clear identity, but also narrow its focus so that a marathon viewing of episodes would be a bit tiresome. But again, as before, the talent involved means horror fans would be remiss to pass the series up without giving it a serious look.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on July 31st, 2010
In 1983, director Tony Scott wasn't quite as prone to self-caricature as he is today, but he was already enamored of glossy, pretty surfaces, and if nothing else, his vampire movie The Hunger was glossy and pretty. The film arguably remains the most high-profile mixture of eroticism and horror, its place in libidinal history cemented by the love scene between Susan Sarandon, Catherine Deneuve, and Deneuve's body double. The film's lasting cult appeal resulted in a short-lived TV horror anthology series, presented by brothers Tony and Ridley Scott, and running two seasons (1997-8 and 1999-2000). Here we have Season 1, hosted by Terence Stamp.
The series' mandate was to present glossy sex-and-horror tales in a half-hour format. In this respect, it follows in the footsteps of The Hitchhiker (1983-91), but the intervening years mean generally better production values for The Hunger. An annoyingly long opening credit sequence leads to an enigmatic 30-second intro from Stamp (everything set to the sort of flashy cutting and visual excess that sure feels like it was directed by Tony Scott, even if it wasn't). The actual stories are notable for their talent on both sides of the camera – directors such as Russell Mulcahy, Patricia Rozema, and Tony Scott; actors like Daniel Craig, Karen Black, and Jason Flemyng. Even more interesting is the fact that just about every story is either adapted from a short story by a notable writer (Robert Aickman, F. Paul Wilson, Brian Lumley, Edgar Allen Poe) or scripted by one (Harlan Ellison, David Schow). The limitations of TV and budget are still present (beware some extremely ill-advised CGI), and the centrality of sex to the narratives mean that things can feel repetitious if you watch many episodes back to back. On the other hand, there is also some genuinely disturbing imagery here (check out the climax to “Necros”). In small doses, then, worth watching.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on July 28th, 2010
Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen have done a lot of movies together in the last five years including Dragon Tiger Gate, Kill Zone, and Flashpoint. This duo has had a knack of combining strong stories with fantastic martial arts. In 2008, they decided to take on the story if Ip Man, the grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun. Ip Man also had a few famous students including the legendary Bruce Lee. Can Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen produce another quality martial arts flic?
In the 1930’s, Foshan was the center of Chinese martial arts and had plenty of masters willing to teach anybody who was willing to learn. But the most skilled man of martial arts in all of Foshan is not on the front lines teaching students. He’s back in his mansion with his wife and child and goes by the name of Ip Man (played by Donnie Yen). Ip spends his days training and studying his art of Wing Chun much to his wife, Cheung Wing-sing’s (played by Lynn Xiong) dislike.
![Ip Man (Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/ip-man-collectors-edition-blu-r-large.jpg)
Posted in: Podcasts by Gino Sassani on July 28th, 2010
I had the chance to chat with Cyrus Nowrasteh on Tuesday Night. His recent film, The Stoning Of Soraya M. is one of the most unforgettable films you will ever see. I recently had the opportunity to review the film on Blu-ray and can personally attest to its power. What a pleasure it was to have this opportunity to talk to the man behind those startling images.
To hear my chat with Cyrus Nowrasteh simply bang it here: Cyrus Nowrasteh Interview
![The Stoning of Soraya M. [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/the-stoning-of-soraya-m-blu-ray-large.jpg)
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on July 28th, 2010
Timer is an innovative concept. In the film, people can choose to be fitted with a timer which counts down until that person meets their soul mate. The timer will tell you precisely how long you will have to wait to find true love. Oona (Emma Caulfield) is in the rare situation of having a blank timer. Her soul mate has not had one implanted yet and the suspense is getting to her. Oona decides to go out of her comfort zone and begin dating a considerably younger man named Mikey (John Patrick Amedori). The only problem is that Mikey is not slated to meet his soul mate for another four months.
This film has a strong and imaginative concept. The writer/director Jac Schaeffer takes an ambitious approach at the romantic comedy genre and the result is a muddled film. The performances are mediocre and the characters are not fleshed out enough. I found myself struggling to identify with any of the characters. The concept needed to be further examined with more confrontation and a grittier approach. When attempting to make profound statements about our culture in the happy-go-lucky genre of romantic comedy it becomes difficult. By viewing this film as a critique of the popularization of internet matchmaking and dating, it asks the audience to enjoy more of the present and worry less of the future. The statement is sound, but the vision is never fully realized.
Posted in: Podcasts by Gino Sassani on July 28th, 2010
So, how is your weekend going? Mine started out with a conversation with horror writer/director William Malone. Malone created quite a few scares in his career with the likes of FeardotCom and the Masters Of Horror highlight Fair-Haired Child. Malone's latest film is the impressive Parasomnia. I recently reviewed the film here at Upcomingdiscs on DVD. Malone was kind enough to arrange for me to get a Blu-ray, which I'll talk about later.
Until then, enjoy a conversation with William Malone. Bang it here to listen in: William Malone Podcast
![Parasomnia [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/parasomnia-blu-ray-large.jpg)
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on July 28th, 2010
Woody Harrelson is Arthur Poppington, a child-like adult who fights crime by night in the guise of Defendor. His costume and weapons are DIY: a helmet that records his adventures on VHS, a duct tape “D” on his black turtleneck, a trench club, a slingshot, marbles, lime juice. He is obsessed with tracking down “Captain Industry,” a mythical figure whom he blames for the death of his drug-addicted mother. He runs afoul of corrupt cop Dooney (Elias Koteas at his scuzziest best), beating him and “rescuing” prostitute Kat (Kat Dennings), and the latter convinces him that the crime boss Dooney works for is, in fact, Captain Industry. Arthur sets out on his crusade, and the question is whether his naiveté will triumph, or get him killed.
A quirky, charming take on the super-hero genre, Defendor deftly mixes pathos and laughs. There is enormous fun in seeing Koteas taking one improbable beating after another, but there is also real sadness and drama in Arthur and Kat's stories. For all its “real world” patina, Defendor is ultimately no more realistic than The Dark Knight, but that in no way detracts from the deeply human, deeply moving, character-driven tale that unfolds. Quite the wonderful little movie.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on July 28th, 2010
Final Fantasy XIV ESRB Rating, Street Fighter X Tekken, and Jailbreaking is okay? - Welcome to the column that will be quite happy when streaking is determined to be socially and legally acceptable known as Dare to Play the Game.
Nothing to report on World of Warcraft this week, because I’m not playing. Yep, the extent of my Warcraft life this week was reading Arthas: Rise of the Lich King by Christie Golden and watching my wife play her Gnome Warrior (tank spec) named Ankletank. It is as funny as it sounds. Kneecaps and toejam beware! In addition, I turned to my 360 for my other source of weekly entertainment.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 27th, 2010
I get this terrible knot in the pit of my stomach whenever I discover that I have to review a Kevin Smith film. I know there are a core of solid fans out there who appear to get the inside joke. It's long been my belief that he must have the best blackmail file in the industry to keep getting studio deals to release films. It's not like any of his films have broken any box office records. Still, he keeps getting work. So, it was with that admitted prejudice and knot with which I approached my viewing of Cop Out. My shoulder had developed this nasty twitch as the disc menu took forever to load. Like a condemned man waiting for the chair generators to come on line, I watched the Warner logo and the FBI warnings slowly resolve themselves on my monitor. Then something totally unexpected happened. It was like that proverbial last-second call from the Governor. The knot disappeared, and the twitching miraculously ceased. I actually enjoyed the movie. It's a miracle of the highest degree. Somewhere some holy dead guy just put in his final miracle on his way to sainthood, because Kevin Smith released a pretty good movie.
Detectives Jimmy Monroe (Willis) and Paul Hodges (Morgan) have been partners for a long time. Nine years, in fact, which as Paul informs us is longer than the life of your average great dane. At times it appears miraculous that the duo has managed to last that long together. They bicker more than an old married couple on their way to Divorce Court on television. To an outsider it might appear they don't like each other at all. But when the chips are down and they get suspended for causing a little havoc on their latest undercover, they have each other's backs. The suspension couldn't have come at a worse time for Jimmy. His daughter wants a $48,000 wedding, and his ex-wife's rich husband is more than willing to foot the tab so that he can rub Jimmy's face in it. So Jimmy does what any father would do to save his pride. He decides to sell a mint baseball card that his late father cherished to pay for the wedding. A good plan. That is, until a couple of punk hoods decide on just that moment to rob the sports memorabilia store. They end up with Jimmy's baseball card. Jimmy and Paul finally catch up with one of the hoods only to discover that he sold the card to a big drug kingpin for a couple of bags of drugs. So, now it's off to confront Poh Boy (Diaz) to get the card back. Poh Boy offers to return the card if Jimmy can trace a car of his that was recently stolen. The car contains some valuable evidence that he wants back, including a witness ,Gabriela (de la Reguera) who has been locked in the trunk for two days. Now Jimmy and Paul need to protect the witness and bring down Poh Boy, with no badges and two of their own detectives trying to pin some recent murders on them. This should be a lot of fun, and it is.
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