Movieman's Guide to the Movies
The Final Word on Physical Media
“The Originals” season two actually improves upon its freshman year with good storylines and a well rounded ensemble that in some instances rivals “The Vampire Diaries” and on the whole, I found this series more enjoyable and fresh by comparison. The Blu-ray released by Warner Home Video offers great audio/video transfers while the bonus material, while fine, does feel a tad light in substance.
Continue reading “Review: The Originals: The Complete Second Season BD + Screen Caps”
“NCIS”: The Twelfth Season is another solid year for the venerable series that excels mostly to the ensemble cast which, for the most part, has been together since the beginning. The stories also remain compelling with new and different obstacles for the team including a deadly antagonist to start the season out with a bang.
Continue reading “Review: NCIS: The Twelfth Season BD + Screen Caps”
I actually had to look up what and when the original movie came out because I hadn’t the foggiest clue there was an Invoking 1 let along now The Invoking 2 and with the first getting wretched reviews, I guess it comes to no surprise this “sequel”, which is the latest in the anthology subgenre, doesn’t fair much better with so-so acting (at best) and stories which are run-of-the-mill bad.
Angel a.k.a. Danny Boy, is a well acted drama that doesn’t entirely resonate on a visceral level, though there were a few tragic and emotional scenes, but still offers a viewpoint on the volatile times in Ireland. The Blu-ray released by Twilight Time offers good video and audio transfers but the lack of bonus material is disappointing and makes the $30 MSRP far too high of a price unless you are a fan of the film.
At Close Range is a bit uneven but still effective character drama headlined by a few great performances especially by Sean Penn and Christopher Walken. Despite some flaws, it’s a compelling story and worth checking out at least once. The Blu-ray released by Twilight Time is nice and all with good video/audio transfers yet again comes at a high price.
“Madam Secretary” is an entertaining if not flawed series. Where it lacks in writing and plot, it more than makes up with a respectable ensemble cast including the still charming Téa Leoni leading the pack. I can only hope some of the issues get shored up in the second season but as a freshman series, it’s adequate.
Dark Was the Night is a nice, if not uneven, creature feature that is well worth at least a rental thanks in large part to the underrated character actor Kevin Durand and a half-decent yet compelling story. The Blu-ray offers good video/audio transfers while the bonus material is limited.
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“LEGO Star Wars: The New Yoda Chronicles” is a fun series and addition to the popular LEGO brand that will appeal to both kids and adults, though this one is geared toward younger viewers. Still, I had a lot fun watching these 4 episodes and look forward to future seasons.
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“The Vampire Diaries” might not be as strong as it once was and the writing isn’t the best with contrived storylines, yet the ensemble cast mostly makes up for the series’ shortcomings so it should be interesting to see how it does going forward without star Nina Dobrev as well as a few other key departures. Still, the show has some entertainment value for what it is.
Continue reading “Review: The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Sixth Season BD + Screen Caps”
I wasn’t nearly as impressed with Dressed to Kill as others have since it doesn’t offer much mystery and the psychological elements which De Palma is normally a master of (look no further than Blow Out), isn’t very enticing either. I guess Angie Dickinson and Nancy Allen excelled in their roles as Michael Caine, while not entirely remarkable, still manages to turn in a sufficient (and unique) performance.
Continue reading “Review: Dressed to Kill (Criterion) BD + Screen Caps”
Closer to the Moon chronicles one of the more unusual heists in history and for the most part, it is a well made drama with two fine performances by Vera Farmiga and Mark Strong. The DVD released by MPI offers good video/audio transfers but falls flat in the bonus material department.
The Age of Adaline seemed to be born out of a Nicolas Sparks novel with incredible coincidences and a quasi-sappy storyline. That said, I can’t deny this was at least an entertaining and inventive romantic-drama with some fine performances including Harrison Ford and Ellen Burnstyn, and to some extent Blake Lively. If you’re game for this type of film, it might be worth a rental.
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Furious 7 takes insanity to the next level with incredible action sequences as well as impressive stunt work to go along with seeing characters I’ve come to care about since the beginning. No doubt the loss of Paul Walker weighed heavily on the cast and crew and one must give kudos for getting it done.
“NCIS: New Orleans” is I’d say passable entertainment and an OK start for its first season thanks in part with some satisfactory storylines and story arcs to go along with the charisma Scott Bakula still possesses even in the much maligned “Enterprise.” This 6-disc DVD set is well done with some decent enough bonus features and good video/audio transfers.
Continue reading “Review: NCIS: New Orleans: The First Season DVD”
The D Train is just plain awkward through and through and for me, awkward does not equal funny and that’s to go along with obnoxious characters. The Blu-ray release is simple enough featuring good video/audio and minimal bonus material.