Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 21st, 2007
A remake of writer/director John Waters' 1988 cult hit, Hairspray is an exhuberant movie musical that builds off the smash-hit Broadway production to recreate the excitement on film for a new generation. Whether it's bigger and better than previous iterations, I can't say, because this DVD release marks my first Hairspray experience. What I can say is if Waters' original and the Broadway show are even half as good, they're definitely worth your time.
If that doesn't convince you, this Hairspray also presents John Travolta as an obese, middle-aged woman — a transformation that required plenty of make-up and, more importantly, allowed Travolta to finally reveal his true self for all to see.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 21st, 2007
A remake of writer/director John Waters' 1988 cult hit, Hairspray is an exhuberant movie musical that builds off the smash-hit Broadway production to recreate the excitement on film for a new generation. Whether it's bigger and better than previous iterations, I can't say, because this DVD release marks my first Hairspray experience. What I can say is if Waters' original and the Broadway show are even half as good, they're definitely worth your time.
If that doesn't convince you, this Hairspray also presents John Travolta as an obese, middle-aged woman — a transformation that required plenty of make-up and, more importantly, allowed Travolta to finally reveal his true self for all to see.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, Regular Columns by Michael Durr on November 21st, 2007
Not enough Family in Microsoft, Not enough Rockband and Too Much Sonic Blast - Welcome to the column where there might be too much of a good thing but we will never know when to stop known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another addition of Dare to Play the Game. Welp, Puzzle Quest is beaten; Lord Bane has fallen and one lone achievement is left: reach level 50. Sitting at an eyelash away from 48, I would say this falls by the end of the weekend. Lord Bane was actually beaten at level 43 which is pretty good I would say. A few tips to those that might be struggling with Bane but keeping control is the key. If you learn Headbutt from Orc Lord and combine that with Flaming Skulls (wizards) and get a little bit of luck, you will come out on top(Ultimate Troll Rings also work wonders). The other tip for the level 50 experience achievement is to enable the Medal of Selentia as your head gear which doubles your experience from every combat and learn the spell Sense Blood which you grab from Gnolls. Liberal use of those two will enable you anywhere from 200 to 500 experience per combat from the simplest of creatures (we are talking level 20 orcs).
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 21st, 2007
James West (Conrad) was a Union Army vet. He’s the kind of act first think about it later kind of guy. Artemus Gordon (Ross) was a typical con man. He could create the most convincing disguises and was also a master of sleight of hand. Together they worked for the Secret Service in the days of the western frontier. The two of them were the prototype of the future spy. They would use incredible inventions and Bond-like gadgets along with their own skills at trickery to investigate major Federal crimes, often plots against the
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 21st, 2007
Fans of classic Christmas films need not worry that their perennial favorites are about to be displaced by this third entry into the Santa Clause franchise. In fact, throughout most of the 92 minute running time of The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause I was looking for my own escape clause out of watching the film. However, in the true spirit of Christmas and with a feeling of total dedication to duty, I remained firmly affixed to my easy chair and watched every second of the film. It was all for you, my gentle reader
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 21st, 2007
This collection of SpongeBob cartoons has a distinct musical theme, underlined by the main offering, “Atlantis SquarePantis,” a 2-part episode that just aired. SpongeBob and friends travel to Atlantis on a song-powered bus (but of course!) and witness the many marvels of the lost city. Their tour guide is Lord Royal Highness (voiced by David Bowie). The action is cheerfully episodic, and many of the song sequences are very funny (one highlight being Sandy’s ditty which occurs with the cast transported into a 1991 video game). The other shorts are pretty fun, too, with the highlight being “Sing a Song of Patrick,” wherein the starfish writes his own pop tune, with hilariously catastrophic results.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 19th, 2007
It was in the second year that the format of
Posted in: Brain Blasters by David Annandale on November 17th, 2007
So I’m in the middle of working my way through Severin’s latest Black Emanuelle box set, and a screening of Black Emmanuelle/White Emmanuelle (actual title Black Velvet) has prompted these musings, which I inflict on you here rather than in the review itself. Now, European sexploitation movies from the 70s aren’t exactly the deepest experience going, but there’s plenty of food for thought in this film, even despite (or because of) its flaws.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 16th, 2007
Despite its lame title, I've been excited about seeing Live Free or Die Hard since it was announced. The Bruce Willis franchise has been a favourite of mine for a long time, thanks to the original Die Hard which stands as one of the greatest action films of all time.
Willis reveals in the commentary that he and director Len Wiseman (Underworld) set out to make a Die Hard movie that surpasses the middle two in the series and is as good as the first. While Willis apparently feels they succeeded, I beg to differ. Live Free or Die Hard is certainly a good action flick, but nothing can ever surpass Die Hard in my book. Opinions of the film aside, this DVD set is sure to satisfy John McClane fans of any stripe.
Posted in: News and Opinions by Archive Authors on November 16th, 2007
A discovery made by a kung fu obsessed American teen sends him on an adventure to China, where he joins up with a band of martial arts warriors in order to free the imprisoned Monkey King.





