Movieman's Guide to the Movies
The Final Word on Physical Media
Under Wraps I’m guessing, based on the credits, was a Kickstarter campaign and on the whole is a harmless animated film (though it is only 47-minutes long) for kids to watch, though it seemed to be done on the cheap especially when filmmakers forgot to remove an FX company’s watermark, though it does go by quickly… The DVD released by Arc Entertainment is basic with OK audio/video transfers but with no features, there’s not much to this release.
Begin Again is one enjoyable movie about the music industry without too many inclusionary or referential backgrounds, unlike something like High Fidelity (which is a great movie on its own), and instead is a light-hearted character drama with some catchy songs and actually, Knightley isn’t a half-bad singer. Basically, this is a fun movie that’s neither challenging nor forgettable at the same time.
Audrey Rose is not what one would call a lost or forgotten psychological horror-thriller from the 1970s and frankly, even with Anthony Hopkins, it’s not a very effective film especially considering the ridiculous screenplay.
The Vanishing is a well made and one of the more disturbing dramas ever highlighted by a wholly creepy performance from Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu.
I suppose Sex Tape had good intentions to be a racy adult comedy and on the surface with Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel, not to mention supporting roles by Rob Cordory and Ellie Kemper, one would think it’d work on some level but instead it’s a laugh-less flick with maybe only one memorable scene while the rest is throwaway material.
Locked In actually isn’t a bad movie and despite some shortcomings with the screenplay/story, the acting from the main cast are pretty good and there’s enough there to keep one’s attention. Still, at best this is only worth a rental unless you can nab this for under $5.
I’ve made my thoughts clear on the “Ancient Aliens” series as tabloid junk marketed to the believers of aliens but worse than that, it makes assumptions and leaps with little to no evidence surrounded by so-called experts who we’re supposed to take at their word. Still, I guess as junk entertainment, it’s harmless, just don’t take anything at face value.
Continue reading “Ancient Aliens: Season 6, Volume 1 Blu-ray Review”
The Taking of Deborah Logan, which was produced by Bryan Singer, isn’t terrible but it’s also just the latest in a slew of found footage horror films. The acting isn’t bad and there are a few creepy moments but not nearly enough to give this a recommendation. The DVD released by Millennium has OK audio and video transfers and the solo feature is forgettable.
Hellion features strong performances from Aaron Paul and newcomer Josh Wiggins surrounding a well written dramatic story that overly compelling yet for the cast it’s worth at least one viewing. The DVD released by MPI has good video and audio transfers and a forgettable featurette, though it is interesting to watch the short film for which this was based upon.
Albeit not the perfect first season, “Penny Dreadful” is a show that begins to run on all cylinders from the get-go and being only 8-episodes, made for binge-viewing. What stands out from the others even in the pay television venue is the performances from a cast of who’s who including Timothy Dalton, Josh Hartnett and Eva Green, the latter whom well deserving of a Golden Globe nomination.
Continue reading “Penny Dreadful: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review”
Autumn Blood is slow-moving, a bit too slow actually, but the performance from hopefully star-in-the-making Sofia Lowe at least makes it tolerable and not a complete waste of time. The DVD distributed by Arc Entertainment offers up good looking and sounding video and audio transfers but there’s nary a feature in sight.
Obvious Child is a bit uneven and frankly the main character of Donna is a bit annoying, though I guess one could call her, and Jenny Slate’s performance, refreshing that she is a flawed person. Still, it’s not a movie for everybody with one core subject matter that will turn many off.
Gone with the Wind: The 75th Anniversary Edition is another nice set but a bit unnecessary considering just five years ago had a ton of features and contains the same audio and video transfers.
Continue reading “Gone with the Wind:75th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Review”
Chemical Peel actually isn’t a half-bad little psychological horror-thriller even with some annoying characters that did tend to test one’s patience. Even so, it’s worth at least a rental as its distinguishable enough from other in the genre.
Edge of Tomorrow is one of the better movies to come out of a (mostly) disappointing summer 2014 although due to a generic title change and less than stellar advertising, didn’t quite catch on with audience (it did manage to cross the $100M mark domestically, however). It’s a fun film from start to finish and well worth at least a rental if not outright day one purchase.