Movieman's Guide to the Movies
The Final Word on Physical Media
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.
Sharknado 2: The Second One is a great entry into the series and is a whole lot of fun through and through with great in-jokes and some wonderful cameos that were great to see (particularly Robert Hays in a fun callback to Airplane). This obviously is not something to take seriously and is especially fun to watch with friends making for a better experience.
Continue reading “Sharknado 2: The Second One Blu-ray Review”
Stagefright has cultivated cult classic status and while it’s never was my kind of movie, never really found it that engrossing in a horrific kind of way.
Persecuted seems to try to be the religious version of an Oliver Stone film but fails at almost every turn. First, the actual plot is thin and seemingly inconsequential not to mention overly dramatic; second, the pacing and editing felt off making a 90-minute movie feel a lot longer; and third the acting is at best average although I’ll give some credit to James Remar for at least giving it a go.
The Dogs of War is one of the more pleasant surprises to come out of the Twilight Time pike with a great performance from Christopher Walken and a unique storyline that distinguishes it from other war films.