Category Archives: DVD Reviews

Gangster Squad Blu-ray

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(Please Excuse The Mess, We are Recovering and Updating From a Site Hack)

Original Review. By Ryan Guerrar

 

“Inspired” by true events, which in Hollywood means that history mostly gets ignored in favor of action, Gangsta Squad is a very simple story. A squad of police officers “off the books” team up to stop a mafia boss from taking over Los Angeles in 1949. Yes, basically that is it. You know everything you need to know from the trailer.

Gun toting gangsters, shootouts, smooth characters and car chases. This movie is trying to be an updated version of The Untouchables (1987) on the west coast. Only that film delivered more depth of character and a better all-around story. For those looking for anything more than a fun action film will be disappointed. For everyone else, this movie is entertaining.

Visually the film captures the time period well. All of the actors fit in each of their roles and you believe they actually belong in that era. Additionally, the use of framing shots in various angles and lighting are somewhat reminiscent of a film noir style (obviously not black and white). This helped create a world that is visually pleasing to the eye.

There are solid performances from an ensemble cast led by Sean Penn (I am Sam) who plays eccentric mob boss Mickey Cohen. Penn is the biggest and only standout performer as his character is the only one that we get any real insight on that is not superficial. We learn how he has been a fighter all his life to take and keep what was his. As such he seems very much the formidable villain that the gangster squad is trying to shut down. However, going with the cinematic style of the film, Penn’s character, along with the others, almost takes on a cartoonish detective serial quality that makes them all one dimensional.

Josh Brolin (Men in Black 3) plays the hard headed, honorable tough guy cop Ryan Gosling (Drive) plays the cool, smooth and collected lady killer. He gives his performance in a voice that holds true to the cartoonish detective style that plagues Penn’s character. Not too high, not too low but matches his character’s style though it may comee as an annoyance to some. Anthony Mackie (The Adjustment Bureau) plays the street smart beat cop who is looking to make a difference. Robert Patrick (Terminator 2) plays the old gunslinger along for one last ride into the sunset who is followed around by the “young guy” Michael Pena (End of Watch) who idolizes the old hero gunslinger. The group is rounded out by Giovanni Ribisi (Boiler Room) who plays the quirky communications and intelligence expert.

All of these roles are played well by really good actors, only they all have nothing to act with. There is absolutely no depth to any of these characters other than what I just explained. This creates apathy among the audience which devoids the movie of any tense moments during any of the various shoot outs. To be honest, it takes a lot of effort to really care about any of these characters.

This cast is rounded out by Emma Stone (Easy A) who plays the pretty girl on the arm of the powerful mobster that the lady killer steals away. Like the others, this is all the depth you get from Stone. However it must be noted that Stone’s natural look, red hair and smokey voice contribute to the romanticized style of the era. It is a real shame she did not have more to work with, especially across from Gosling who she had previously worked well with as a love interest in Crazy, Stupid, Love.

So in the end we find ourselves with a mostly superficial film that is visually pleasing. And if you know this going in, you will be entertained. There are plenty of gun fights and car chases to keep the story and action moving. And at no time did it ever feel dull or slow right up to the final shootout, which is grand, but not over the top and ends this movie on a Hollywood high note. I am not saying that this film is great, but at least it is entertaining.

3 of 5 stars

 

Blu-ray Review By Gareth Von Kallenbach

I really liked this movie. This is a great mix of action, drama, and film noire that harkens back to the Hollywood Gangster classics of old. Aside from the amazing cast, the Blu-ray release has amazing picture and sound presentation that for me rivals what you get in the theater and in many cases beats it hands down depending on your setup.

Director Reuben Fleisher has provided a very informative commentary that takes you through the creation of the film as well as his process and the bonus features included the deleted scenes and features really are a step above the great stuff that Warner includes with their home releases.

This is a great movie that while taking a bit of time to get starter, is a all out spectacle that is one of the better films in recent years and is not to be missed.

This is 40 Blu-ray

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The last time we saw Pete and Debbie in the movie “Knocked Up”, they were just reconciling after a short separation. Pete found Debbie too controlling and regularly escaped the house leading Debbie to believe he was having an affair when really he was in a fantasy baseball draft. Five years later, Pete is no longer a band promoter but trying to keep his own record label afloat, while Debbie owns and manages a clothing boutique.

To the casual observer, Pete and Debbie, played with great chemistry by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, live an idyllic life with a nice house, two daughters and promising businesses. But a closer look finds Pete would rather play Scrabble on his iPad while on the toilet than spend time playing with his daughters. Most would never guess Debbie is a stress smoker since she goes to great lengths to hide her habit. Stressing over turning 40 isn’t helping her quit and neither is trying to figure out which of her employees is stealing from her. Is it the sexpot Desi, played easily by Megan Fox, or is it the strange Jodi, played with eerie weirdness by Charlyne Yi? As for Pete’s business, his stubborn antipathy towards popular music is driving his record label towards bankruptcy. But that’s not all that’s troubling Pete and Debbie. Both have daddy issues and neither know how quite to handle their over-emotional 14 year old daughter.

Sound like a hodge-podge of dilemmas? It certainly is. What started out as an amusing tale of turning 40 quickly devolved into a manic mess of pointing fingers, curse words, teenage angst and mental breakdowns. At one point in the film, Debbie’s dad, played by John Lithgow, looked utterly confused and I could empathize. If this movie had a storyline, it got lost along with any sympathy for Pete or Pete’s dad played by Albert Brooks. You know it’s bad when you start hoping the 8 year old daughter, Charlotte, says something funny again to break the tension.

With this strong cast of actors, including director Judd Apatow’s daughters Maude and Iris who played Pete and Debbie’s daughters, Sadie and Charlotte, there was no issue with the performances. Maybe some of the story was trimmed away in the editing room, but with a run time of 134 minutes, one would think some semblance of a storyline could have been left. Sure, there was plenty to laugh at, especially with bit parts played by Jason Segal, Melissa McCarthy and Chris O’Dowd.

I really wanted to like this movie. Judd Apatow, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann sounded like the perfect trio to make a funny movie. Alas, the funny stuff is in the trailers. Save yourself some dough and wait for the DVD, where some of the storyline may make it in the deleted scenes.

2.5 out of 5

The Blu-ray set in my opinion greatly improves upon the film in several ways. First, the picture and sound quality is better than what you get in the cinemas in my opinion. Secondly the deleted, extended, and alternate scenes give a new level to the film and I wish that many of them had remained in the final cut. The gag reel alone is gerat and offers some great laughs. For me though the commentary with Judd Apatow is a real treat as getting to hear who he goes about his creative process as well as the other features on the disc greatly improve the film.

3.5 stars out of 5 for the Blu-ray relase.

Red Dawn Blu-ray

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Back in 1984 in the late stages of the Cold War, the movie named “Red Dawn” was released. It starred several young actors and actresses who went on to a variety of success including Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Grey, and Lea Thompson. The film follows a group of high school students who fight to defend their town, families, and country after an invasion of Soviet and Cuban forces occupies mainland America.

Despite being delayed for nearly 3 years due to financial issues, the new version of “Red Dawn” has arrived and also features an impressive young cast of future stars. Chris Hemsworth has gone on to find fame as Thor while Josh Hutcherson has found fame playing Peeta in “The Hunger Games”. The fact that this movie was filmed before either of those actors appeared in their signature roles allows the studio to now benefit from the increased name recognition of the cast.

Instead of a California town, the new film is set in Spokane, Washington where thanks to news clip segments at the beginning of the film, we understand that the country is involved in numerous conflicts around the globe and some question whether or not we have enough forces to secure our borders. Enter Jed Eckert (Hemsworth), who’s just returned home on leave after serving combat duty in the Middle East. His younger brother Matt (Josh Peck), is a quarterback at the local high school team and he bears resentment toward his brother for leaving shortly after the death of their mother. Their father is a well-respected member of the force and does his best to ensure harmony between the brothers as well as their local community.

The brothers are literally shaken awake by an airborne assault as North Korea lands troops throughout their community. Unsure what is happening, Jed, Matt, and several of their friends managed to escape into the wilderness and devise a plan for survival. Further complicating matters is the fact that Matt’s girlfriend Erica (Isabel Lucas), has been taken prisoner. Jed, with his military background quickly assumes control of the group, but Matt finds himself distracted from following orders and missions whenever he sees an opportunity to pursue Erica’s freedom.

The group calls itself “The Wolverines” after the local football team, and engages in a series of hit-and-run tactics against the invading forces. The plan is to make the occupation so costly that they will eventually give up. While they do have initial success, they soon realize that they are fighting against substantial odds not the least of which is their own internal conflicts and agendas as well as diminishing supplies.

When a recon group from the military under the command of Col. Andy Tanner (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), arrives and tells the Wolverines about a device that may hold the key to their victory. The two sides must team up in an all-out assault on enemy headquarters in an effort to save the day.

While the film has plenty of action, the leaps of logic and common sense it requires the audience to take are astronomical. I understand that for a film of this type you must suspend a lot of reality in order for it to work. I’m not supposed asked questions about the logistics of the enemy’s plan and their actions. Suffice it to say that I could think of at least a dozen factors that were not brought into play. While the enemy may indeed have the ability to shut down various electronics and defensive capabilities which enabled the invasion. That does not explain where the military outside of the combat zone is, why our allies and remaining military are not dropping bombs and nukes on North Korea in retaliation, and scores of other inconsistencies. It is essentially left to our imaginations as to why this is not happening and we’re just supposed to accept on blind faith that there’s a good reason for this even though the recon unit manages to infiltrate Spokane in a helicopter and makes mentions of Missouri to Arizona as being free of any enemy influence.

The best thing I can say about the film said if you are willing to overlook the abundance of plot holes and logic gaps, as well as some at times stiff acting and dialogue, there are some enjoyable action seems to be found. The young cast works well with one another and often gave a very energetic and physical performance.

If you are a fan of the original, you may enjoy this film from a nostalgia standpoint, otherwise leave your common sense behind, sit back and enjoy the ride.

2.5 stars out of 5

Blu-ray features

There is a Blu-ray, standard DVD, and digital version included and some features on how the film was made as well as the trailer for the film included.
The Blu-ray release offers sound and picture quality that goes beyond what we expereinced in the cinema, and the extra material help make this a release worth owning, especially for fans of the original.

Wreck-It Ralph Blu-ray

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In this modern age of console, p.c., and mobile video games it’s easy to forget the days of my youth when the video arcade was king. This is not to say that we didn’t have gaming systems of our own but an Atari 2600 and PlayStation 3 are about as similar as one of Henry Ford’s model T’s to a fully loaded Mercedes.

Suffice it to say I remember very clearly when video games were only a quarter, and how timeless classics ranging from Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, and countless other arcade treasures became cultural icons as well as school yard conversation topics in the pre-Internet days.

Walt Disney Studios have crafted an amazing visual spectacle that combines numerous references to gaming greats old and new with their new movie “Wreck-it Ralph”. The film stars John C. Reilly as Ralph, the villain of a very popular arcade game called Fix it Felix. When the arcade closes for the evening Felix Jr. (Jack McBrayer), and the other residents the game enjoy carefree life of companionship and socialization while Ralph is relegated to a pile of bricks in the town dump and forced to watch the frivolity enjoyed by his workmates from a distance.

His only relief comes when he travels to a central gaming hub and enjoys the company of other gaming villains in a support group. During one such group, Ralph drops the shocking revelation that he wishes to become a hero. Not only does this disclosure shock his fellow gaming villains but the cast of his game, one of whom taunts Ralph to go off and win a hero’s medal elsewhere.

Undaunted, Ralph sets off and finds himself in a brand-new 3-D shooter called Heroes Duty. It is here that Jack meets Sgt. Calhoun (Jane Lynch), a grizzled and bitter veteran who’s been programmed to have the most tragic back story ever developed for gaming persona. Despite his bumbling actions, Ralph achieves his medal and plans to returns to his own game in triumph. Unfortunately in the time that he is been away, the arcade owner believes that his game is defective since Ralph is missing from it and labels the game out of order.

This is a terrible situation especially for older game, as once a game is un-plugged, all of the characters contained within are lost forever. On his way back to his game, Ralph finds himself in a colorfully festooned sugar and treat filled racing game as he attempts to retrieve his medal and set things right unaware that an even bigger threat is looming that threatens all the game characters in the arcade.

Assisting Ralph is Vanellope von Schweetz, (Sarah Silverman), who is an impish glitch that Ralph views as a kindred spirit as she is also ostracized by her fellow game cast. With the gigantic race looming, and the loony King Candy (Alan Tudyk), making things difficult Ralph must rise up and become more than he ever thought he could be to save the day.

The 3-D animation the film the spectacular but what really makes the movie is fine performances by Riley, Lynch, and Silverman, as well as the amazing supporting work by Tudyk, McBrayer, and the rest of the cast. The jokes are extremely clever and come at you at a fairly steady pace. The film was nearly 2 hours in length so parents be warned that this and the PG rating might make things a little harder than usual for extremely young viewers.

There were several fantastic jokes that clearly went over the heads of many of the younger viewers during our test screening as they were geared at those who grew up with arcades and the original Nintendo console.

The film did have a few pacing issues but they were minor and did not as a whole take away from my overall enjoyment of the film. While it falls just short of being considered a modern classic, the movie is definitely one of the more enjoyable films of the year and one that I hope spawns several follow-ups as it was pure Disney magic and gaming nostalgia blended to perfection.

4 stars out of 5

Blu-ray details

The 4 disc combo pack includes both a standard and 3D Blu-ray disc as well as a DVD and digital copy for those who wish to enjoy Ralph on the go.

Aside from the very sharp picture and sound quality that was provided the bonus features are worth the cost alone.

It includes the award winning “Paperman” short, a gamers guide to Wreck-It Ralph, Features, and of course, the deleted and alternate scenes.
During their panel at Comic con, the creative talent had said how many ideas they had that did not make the final film, one can only hope the deleted scenes are a sign of a pending sequel. Either way, run, do not walk and own this impressive release.

ARGO DVD and Blu-ray

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The film just won the Academy Award for Best Picture and is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

As a small child, I can remember the Iranian hostage crisis as it dominated the news media for over a year. While I did not understand the political atmosphere behind it, I did understand that a group of our embassy staff were being held prisoner in a foreign land for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Director and star Ben Affleck has brought a new side to the story to light in the form of his new film “Argo”, which is based upon true events which have recently become declassified. The story centers around six workers of the embassy in Tehran, who fled the chaos when a disgruntled mob stormed the embassy walls. At that time it was unheard of for an embassy to be occupied as they host country and internal security were thought to of been more than adequate protection.

However for a country in a state of revolution, much less one that was extremely upset with America’s refusal to return the deposed Shah to face trial, security from the local populace was not available when the unthinkable happened.

After being turned away by the British and New Zealand embassies, the six escapees find refuge in the residence of the Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor (Victor Garber), who refuses to turn them away despite the volatile political situation harboring them would create should they ever be discovered.

On the other side of the world, C.I.A. Director Jack O’Donnell (Bryan Cranston), and his staff are desperately looking for a way to retrieve not only the Americans held hostage but also the six individuals currently being sheltered by the Canadian ambassador.

With few viable options available, save for the longshot of trying to get the refugees to bike through 300 miles of winter and soldier laden roads to the Turkish border, Tony Mendez (Affleck), is brought in to find other options.

One evening, Tony gets the idea to go to Iran posing as a Canadian filmmaker on a location scouting trip for an upcoming film. His plan is to pass the refugees off as part of his crew thanks to newly issued passports from the Canadian government.

In order to add validity to his plan, Tony recruits award-winning makeup artist John Chambers (John Goodman), and producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin), to help establish the necessary cover for the operation.

Soon Tony, John, and Lester have obtained a script for science fiction film named “Argo”, and the use the Hollywood trades and publicity machine to establish their back story of their production company and film project.

With time running down, Tony must venture alone to Tehran to meet with and prepare the refugees for extraction as well as firming up their cover with the local Iranian authorities.

What follows is a tense political thriller that is extremely well performed and captivating throughout. What really impressed me about the film was that Affleck expertly paced it and refrain from using such overused stereotypes such as car chases, fight sequences, and love scenes to tell the story.

The cast is exceptionally good all around and the film does a good job capturing the look and the atmosphere of the situation without ever becoming preachy and taking extreme political stances. Instead the focus is on real people caught in an extraordinary situation from which they were unprepared, and the extraordinary measures taken by good people in the United States and Canada who stepped up and did the right thing regardless of the cost to them personally or politically.

“Argo”, was an extremely pleasant surprise in one of the most enjoyable films I have seen this year. While I understand it would not be for everyone, I would not be surprised to see the film get a few Oscar nods come awards season as they would be in my opinion well deserved.

4 stars out of 5.
DVD and Blu-ray features.

The picture and sound were amazing and surpassed even the presentation in the theaters. I enjoyed the bonus material which included.

Feature Length Picture in Picture: Eye Witness Account
Commentary
Rescued from Tehran: We Were There
Argo: Absolute Authenticity
ARGO: The CIA & Hollywood Connection – Escape From Iran: The Hollywood Option

“ARGO” available on Blu-ray Combo pack, DVD and for download 2/19!




argoBD

Peter Pan

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Walt Disney home entertainment has brought the beloved and timeless classic “Peter Pan” to Blu-ray for the first time. The film was delighted fans the world over generation since his debut in 1953 and tells the tale of the forever young boy named Peter who whisks three siblings away to never Neverland for a fantastic adventure. Chocked with classic characters such as the infamous Capt. Hook, Tick Tock Crock, Wendy, and Tinkerbell the film is instantly endearing and captivating. As any visitor to the Disney parks will tell you, getting on the Peter Pan ride often requires a wait almost as long as that which the higher profile rides do. Surely a testament to just how beloved this tale was amongst the countless Disney Classics to have been released .

The film is a shining example of Disney at its finest as not only is the animation and story telling first-rate but the incredible musical numbers and characters only get better over time and will delight everyone in your family kids and adult alike. Younger kids of today are extremely lucky to be able to have a collection of like this available as growing up, the only way to enjoy this film outside of when it appeared in theaters, was to hope to catch it on the Wonderful World of Disney, or relive the story through picture books and records.

The three disc set features a Blu-ray, DVD , and digital copy of the film as well as a host of features which are a must for any fan or collector. Bonus features include a never before seen cene song, deleted scene, and alternate ending for the film as well as scores of featurette’s and bonus materials. The picture and sound quality is simply amazing and highlights all that Blu-ray has to offer as the film is been lovingly restored to beyond pristine condition and is a must own for fans and collectors alike.

Warner Home Video Announces New Clint Eastwood Film Collections

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Burbank, Calif., February 11, 2013 – Clint Eastwood’s illustrious motion picture career has spanned more than half a century and touched generations of filmgoers. The filmmaker/actor has received five Academy Awards®[1]and his films have grossed more than $2 billion at the domestic box office. This year marks the 38th anniversary of the relationship between Warner Bros., Clint Eastwood and Malpaso Productions, which has culminated in more than 40 films made for the studio. Now, in honor of Warner’s year-long 90th anniversary celebration, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release two new Eastwood Collections, just in time for Father’s Day gift-giving. The Clint Eastwood 40 Film Collection (DVD) and the Clint Eastwood 20 Film Collection (Blu-ray™) will debut June 4, 2013, respectively priced at $179.98 SRP and $129.95 SRP. The order due date for both is April 30, 2013.

In addition to his most recent film, Trouble with the Curve, each collection will include “Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story,” produced by Richard Schickel. This unprecedented new film focuses on Eastwood’s directorial style as seen through the eyes of many of his producing partners and actors. It explores how Eastwood’s style is unique and illustrates why he has managed to be successful for more than four decades. The major talent participating includes Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman and many others and the insights that emerge are nothing short of extraordinary. “Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story” will be making its television debut on TCM in May.

A complete list of Eastwood titles appears below.

Eastwood’s relationship with Warner Bros. began in 1975 with the signing of a long-term pact, and Eastwood’s Malpaso Productions moved onto the studio’s storied lot. Among the many awards the actor/filmmaker has received for his work are four Oscars® and 10 nominations[2], including Best Picture and Best Director Academy Award® wins for Unforgiven (1993) and Million Dollar Baby (2005) both of which were made at Warner Bros. Eastwood has also received five Golden Globes®, countless critics association accolades and Lifetime Achievement awards from, among others, the Directors Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, the American Film Institute and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (Cecil B. DeMille Award). In addition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented him with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. Recently, Eastwood was made a commander in the prestigious French Legion of Honor (Légion d’honneur), cited for his “body of work, his longevity and his ability to delight audiences around the globe.”

Early in his career, Eastwood starred as the “Man with No Name” in A Fistful of Dollars, his first “spaghetti western,” which was a box office success and drew attention to the young actor. Additional roles followed, including the role of Harry Callahan in five “Dirty Harry” films, beginning in 1971. That same year, he made his directorial debut with Play Misty for Me. Other noted Eastwood films include the Charlie Parker biography Bird; The Bridges of Madison County; In the Line of Fire; Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil; White Hunter, Black Heart; Absolute Power; Space Cowboys; Mystic River; Flags of Our Fathers; Letters from Iwo Jima; Gran Torino; and Invictus, starring Oscar® winners Morgan Freeman[3] and Matt Damon[4] in the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with Francois Pienaar, captain of South Africa’s rugby team, to help unite their country.

Film Titles for Clint Eastwood 40 Film Collection

1. A Perfect World

2. Absolute Power

3. Any Which Way You Can

4. Bird

5. Blood Work

6. Bronco Billy

7. City Heat

8. Dirty Harry

9. Every Which Way But Loose

10. Firefox

11. Gran Torino

12. Heartbreak Ridge

13. Hereafter

14. Honkytonk Man

15. Invictus

16. J. Edgar

17. Kelly’s Heroes

18. Letters from Iwo Jima

19. Magnum Force

20. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

21. Million Dollar Baby

22. Mystic River

23. Pale Rider

24. Pink Cadillac

25. Space Cowboys

26. Sudden Impact

27. The Bridges of Madison County

28. The Dead Pool

29. The Enforcer

30. The Gauntlet

31. The Outlaw Josey Wales

32. The Rookie

33. Tightrope

34. Trouble with the Curve

35. True Crime

36. Unforgiven

37. Where Eagles Dare

38. White Hunter Black Heart

39. Eastwood Factor Documentary

40. Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story Documentary – NEW!

Film Titles for Clint Eastwood 20 Film Collection

1. A Perfect World

2. Dirty Harry

3. Every Which Way But Loose

4. Firefox

5. Gran Torino

6. Heartbreak Ridge

7. Hereafter

8. Invictus

9. J. Edgar

10. Letters from Iwo Jima

11. Magnum Force

12. Million Dollar Baby

13. Mystic River

14. Pale Rider

15. Space Cowboys

16. Sudden Impact

17. The Gauntlet

18. The Outlaw Josey Wales

19. Trouble with the Curve

20. Unforgiven

21. Eastwood Factor Documentary

22. Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story Documentary – NEW!

ARGO: What Really Happened Video and Home Video News

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Burbank, CA, January 2, 2013 – One of the most acclaimed and honored movies of the year, “Argo” is arriving onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on February 19 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. Based on the declassified true story, “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis, focusing on the little-known role that the CIA and Hollywood played.

Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”) directed and stars in the film, which was produced by Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck”), Affleck, and Oscar® winner George Clooney (“Syriana”). “Argo” also stars Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”), Oscar® winner Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine”) and John Goodman (“Flight”).

“Argo” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and on single disc DVD for $28.98 The Blu-ray Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray, and the theatrical version in standard definition on DVD. Both the Blu-ray Combo Pack and the single disc DVD include UltraViolet, which allows consumers to download and instantly stream the standard definition theatrical version of the film to a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players.*

SYNOPSIS

On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top “exfiltration” specialist, Tony Mendez, to come up with a plan to get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

AWARDS

“Argo” has earned numerous major honors to date, including Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture and Best Director; Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Picture and Best Director; the Screen Actors Guild Award® for Outstanding Cast Performance; and the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement. In addition, the film earned seven Academy Award® nominations, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Arkin) and Best Adapted Screenplay; and seven BAFTA Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Affleck) and Best Supporting Actor (Arkin). (Oscars and BAFTA Awards not yet announced.)

Star Trek: TNG Season 2 Preview Event Episode Review

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Greetings & Salutations Folks!

Before we go any further, on behalf of myself and all the amazing folks @ ‘Skewed & Reviewed’ …..
I’d like to wish y’all a most excellent seasons greetings! Everybody regardless of religion or
culture seems to have a reason to celebrate during this time of year so i’d just like to convey
my best to all of my fellows whether they be gamers, comic fanatics, movie feinds, whatever!

I’ve got a very ‘unique’ movie review this time around. I might be my last one for the year of 2012 I don’t
know yet. But i’ve gotta say, it’s definately a good one to cap off the year with.
Definately one worth remebering.

These days, alot of movie theaters are having a tough go at it. I mean, nowadays they have more competition
than they did a few years ago what with digital downloads, dvds, you name it.

Some theaters are taking a unique approaches to try and turn things around. Some are re-releasing classic movies
from years ago before the digital age, some are going into business showing events suchs as rock concerts. A few
are even having limited releases of some of the best episodes from t.v. shows current and long past which brings us to
todays review.

There’s a belief that there are some things you just don’t mess with … and that defaintely pertains to comics, movies,
and video games. In this case though, it’s a ‘good thing’. Take ‘Star Trek’ for example. In recent years since movies
and T.V. shows started being released on DVD theres’ definately been an effort to capitalize on it even more with with
the various DVD formats and audio options.

Many of us have seen the re-release of the orignal Star Trek TV series on DVD and Blu-ray and with that release came
digitally remastered cuts with new scenes with new visuals and audios added and thus far those changes and additons
have remained true to and even given the classic series a fresh look. Last week, I had the chance to attend a preview of
sorts that hit theaters for the upcoming release of season 2 of Star Trek:TNG on blu-ray on Dec. 4th

Now, i’m not a ‘die hard trekkie’ by any means. But as a kid, I did watch the original Star Trek t.v. and Star Trek:TNG.
And of course, when Star Trek: DS9 came around while I was in high school I was still a fan. I can rmember thinking once
or twice how cool it would be to watch these on the big screen. Well, I had the chance and it was indeed awesome!
I more folks are ‘trekkies’ than they’d want to admit because the theater I was in was empty until minutes after the showing
started. THEN …. the whole theater was abound with fans. By the time previews were over there wasn’t an empty seat in the
joint.

The preview fo Star Trek:TNG season 2 featured two iconic episodes, “The Measure Of A Man” which tackled the dilema
regarding whther or not ‘Data’ as an artifical intelligence was a sentient being and whether or not he was property and as
such could be considered a ‘slave’ and “Q Who” featuring ‘Q’, one of the Star Trek’s most notorious characters as well as
the first appearence of the Borg. Perhaps the most terrifying villians in the Star Trek universe. The showing also new footage
never before seen in the orignal television showing and included segments from a reunion with the cast of Star Trek:TNG.
The theater showing also included a featurette included with the season 2 boxset on how they went about converting the
film version of Star Trek:TNG to digital format and how they capitalized on the improvements in audio technoledgy/formats.

Earlier, i mentioned that I was not a ‘die hard trekkie’ but by the time the showing ended, I was on my feet giving a standing
ovation along with the rest of the audience members in the theater. So i’m a ‘trekkie’ big deal! If there is a ‘trekkie’
or more in your family, the Star Trek:TNG season 2 blu-ray is defiantely a must for your holiday gift list!

Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines

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The inbred cannibal mountain man clan from the “Wrong Turn” series is back with a new tale in “Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines”. This time out the story centers around five college students who descend upon the West Virginia town of Fairlake for a music festival. Unfortunately for them, the festival is held in the same vicinity as the murderous cannibal clan. This the group is headed by Maynard (Douglas Bradley), who horror fans will know best from his iconic turns as Pinhead in the “Hellraiser” series.
When an accident incarcerates the students and Maynard in the local Sheriff’s office, the sheriff discovers that Maynard has an outstanding warrant for his past crimes and is instructed to hold him until the federal marshals arrive in the morning.

Maynard insists that doing so would be an automatic death sentence for all, as his boys will stop at nothing to ensure his freedom. Naturally the small-town sheriff despite being low on staff due to the music festival decides to stand her ground. As if on cue the power goes out and Maynard’s boys wreck havoc on those few people left in town as most of the towns folks have taken in the festival off-site.

Wave after wave of deadly traps are set which soon finds the heroes ranks diminished by the bloodthirsty clan who will stop at nothing to ensure the freedom of Maynard.
As with most horror films the movie does require a considerable amount of suspension of reality and common sense in order for it to function. One would have to wonder how, in the event of a power blackout in town the nearby festival has more than enough power to continue functioning without a hitch. One would also have to wonder why deputies assigned to the festival would not be checking in with the Sheriff at regular intervals and when they were unable to do so might raise the alarm or at least return to investigate.
As I said earlier for the film the function one is not supposed ask questions of this nature. Instead the film is one of the better efforts in the series which I am pleased to say rejuvenated itself with the release of last year’s prequel.

The killings were a good mixture of gruesome and creative without being overly gratuitous as some people have complained about previous films in the series.
Outside of Bradley, the cast are largely unknown, save for Roxanne McKee who fans may know from her appearances on Game of Thrones.
Writer-director Declan O’Brien who successfully helm the previous films series clearly has an affinity for the subject matter and does not try to do too much in the way of changing a successful formula aside from putting this film in the town rather than in some rural backwoods.

The picture and sound quality were extremely sharp which added to the enjoyment of the film especially during some of the more intense moments. The film moves along at a solid pace and though there are not a lot of surprises in it it is entertaining despite the constraints of logic which I’ve mentioned previously.
The ending sets up a new installment well and I for one look forward to seeing what the series has in store the next time around.
Fans of the series will want to add this to their collection, and if you’re a casual fan it’s definitely worth a look for those looking for the next horror fix.

Snow White and the Huntsman Blu-ray

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Universal Home Entertainment has knocked it out of the park with the visually stunning release of “Snow White and the Huntsman”. Combining superior sound and audio, the release is a must own for fans and collectors alike.

It is easy to be cynical or dismissive regarding the trend in Hollywood to take up beloved gems of the past – namely our childhoods – and adapt them to the big screen with all of the flare and clichés of a summer blockbuster. Yet, what happens when it actually ends up winning you over? There’s a moment in movies like “Snow White and the Huntsman” in which you realize you have let go of those prejudices and notions of incorruptible nostalgia and you’ve actually started to enjoy a new rendition of something old. It’s the directorial debut for the film’s helmer, Rupert Sanders; and to be honest he’s the star of the show. As shallow as it is to say, the visual effects and action overshadow most flaws with characters, acting, or uneven pacing. Not only because his directing ability is well done, but because any flaws with the movie are relatively minor.

The movie retells the familiar story of Snow White (Kristen Stewart), likely popularized by Disney’s adaptation for most of us. Yet, the film takes more influence from the original fairy tale with the additional focus on the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth). Snow White grows up in a kingdom under the rule of her wicked step-mother, Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron). The Queen is a narcissistic tyrant obsessed with preserving her physical beauty – at the behest of the entire land and its people. One day, the Queen’s mirror warns that Snow White is fairer than her which leads her to order Snow White’s death. Snow White escapes, and goes on an adventure to save herself and her kingdom with the help of the Huntsman, seven dwarves, and other fantastical allies.

The movie’s framework holds up fairly well. To be honest it was my biggest worry going into the movie – that its plot would break under bloating or simply feeling uninspired. Neither was the case, yet if it were to tip in one side or the other it definitely tips in the direction of a bloated plot. Some characters simply do not get the screentime they require, and with so many characters already it feels like some of them could have been taken out entirely without much effect. Trimming down of characters and irrelevant plot threads could have benefitted the movie greatly. It does, however, do a serviceable job establishing its own identity among fantasy epics. It’s refreshing to see a movie fully embrace two extremes – full-on hard fantasy and the more gritty, realistic and perhaps minimalist fantasy. It strikes a balance with both, so you will see great effects for trolls and fairies while still maintaining a gothic medieval feel. The plot moves forward at a mostly well-paced format, but unfortunately wavers here and there. Sometimes I wished the movie would linger on certain scenes longer – as it can help to have us dwell on great character moments or moments of visual beauty – an unfortunate side effect of a bloated script. While not a problem for the overall plot, the uneven pacing in some scenes can feel a bit rushed. Some questions in the plot went unanswered, but fortunately they aren’t important to the overall understanding of the story.

The only other major issue with the movie is acting. Kristen Stewart as Snow White was an odd choice. Not to say her performance is bad in this film, but it is awkward at points. In some moments she does very well but in others she seems uninspired. It is hard to see her as the titular character instead of just Kristen Stewart in those instances; and in those scenes it feels like she’s as much part of the audience as we are – just with more of a one-note “concerned” facial expression for every instance. While not a breaking element, it leaves more to be desired from her, especially in interactions with others. Chris Hemsworth was much more enjoyable as the Huntsman, and honestly I think his performance along with Theron’s far outbalance any flaws in Kristen Stewart’s acting. The chemistry between the two protagonists seems one sided, as Chris Hemsworth acts well on his side of the equation, but Stewart unfortunately does not reciprocate. Essentially this makes a potential major relationship fall flat. However, Theron completely inhibits the role as the evil Queen. While she may overact in some scenes, she does an excellent job playing a sinister, abusive, powerful and surprisingly tragic villain.

The highlight of the movie is definitely its visual design, cinematography, and action. The only downside in this area is that this movie will definitely remind you of other great movies from long ago. Obvious inspiration from “The Lord of the Rings” echoes while watching, as it even features the same faraway montage shots of the group traversing grand vistas. If you can get passed these obvious influences, it does establish a vibrant and inspired design. That is one of the greatest aspects of the movie – the fact that the director can do so much in a single scene to really draw you in. He does an excellent job using color and pattern contrasts to a striking and awesome effect. There are some great moments that have no action yet are just as enthralling to watch, something difficult to do with just visual style. A great use of color really brings out the themes of the movie – the grey monotones and gothic style bring out a sense of dread and annihilation throughout the Queen’s empire. She truly is a force of parasitism – entirely vampiric in the way she sucks the life out of the entire land around her. She is the embodiment of self-obsession with physical beauty – a force so vain and narcissistic that she acts as a black hole absorbing all beauty around her. Sanders plays this against the vibrant designs of the forest in which Snow White spends most of her time. Alive, colorful, and natural – she embodies natural beauty – and in doing so she seemingly commands nature itself.

Sanders’ directing ability really shines in scenes of action. Instead of lazy overuse of “shaky-cam” to get the effect, he balances it with just enough on-screen choreography so you get intensity without confusion. The movie is truly action packed with familiar medieval-esque battles throughout, but highlighted by truly amazing shots of action and use of fantastical effects. There were a couple instances of eye-rolling wonder at battlefield tactics, but that gets into too much of an area of nitpicking. The action really is one of the best aspects of the movie, and these scenes by themselves outweigh many already mentioned issues.

Overall, “Snow White and the Huntsman” has proven to be a great initial outing for director Rupert Sanders. There are some issues in the flick – namely some instances of uneven pacing and acting issues which leaves some potential to be desired. But even these seemingly huge issues are overshadowed by an excellent use of visual design, cinematography, and action. The plot may be merely serviceable overall, and the movie will remind you of great films long past; yet it still happens to triumph in its main goal – to retell the classic fairly tale of Snow White in the modern Blockbuster sense. In a summer packed with science fiction and superheroes, an entertaining fantasy movie fits in quite nicely.

3.5/5 Stars

Loaded with bonus features, the disc rates even higher than the theatrical release,

4 stars out of 5.

Titanic Blu-ray Edition

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The Academy award-winning masterpiece Titanic, has arrived on Blu-ray with a visually stunning four disc set that not only captures the magic and thrills of director James Cameron’s film but expands upon it.

The film tells the tale of starcrossed lovers Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio), who although from very different walks of life, meet and fall in love aboard the spectacular but doomed ocean liner during its maiden voyage.

The backdrop and the events of the story are framed by side story about a modern-day treasure hunter who speak with an now elderly Rose about her experiences board the ship as they seek to find the fabled jewel that once belonged to Rose. Moving between the past and the present and with a running time over three hours, the film never once loses interest or momentum as despite knowing what is to come you are likely to find yourself absolutely captivated by the cast and the extremely lavish visuals as well as the very touching storyline.

Cameron spared no expense capturing the majestic look of the ship and crew even down to making sure that the buttons on crew uniforms and dining Hall place settings were not only authentic to the time but also attempted to the ship itself. When the film was first released many people questioned how a film about a ship that everyone knew was good destined to sink could return its $200 million plus investment, but the film became the second-highest grossing box office film in history second only to James Cameron’s “Avatar”.

This extremely impressive set has been digitally remastered and is absolutely stunningly gorgeous to behold. The set also contains the DVD version of the film spread over two discs.

The collection also features over six hours of bonus material and special features including 30 scenes never seen before.

Paramount home entertainment has gone all-out to present the ultimate presentation of this amazing film which took all numerous Academy Awards including best picture and best director. Visually stunning and with picture and sound quality that surpasses even that of the theatrical presentation this is a must own for fans and collectors alike and I could not recommend this release more highly.

August 2012 Skewedcast DVD and Blu-ray Roundup

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We have new releases from Walt Disney, Sony, Warner Bros, Well Go USA, and Shout Factory as well as something awesome from Cinematic Titanic.

Titles featured included The Pirates: Band of Misfits, The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show, Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt. Blu-ray releases for Chimpanzee, The Tigger Movie, Pocohontos and The Rescuers double packs, The Aristocats, and some awesome foreign action films including Quick, White Vengeance and much more.

August SKewedcast DVD and Blu-ray segment

Dragons Age: Dawn of the Seeker

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For the discerning Dragon Age fan, there has been much anticipation for this direct-to-DVD film in the Dragon Age universe. While seemingly difficult to do well, movies based off video games have an inherent stigma that is nearly impossible to shake. But every so often, one comes along and delivers some real entertainment that adds to the brand, augmenting the richness of the world created by its Makers. Pun intended. ;-)

Dawn of the Seeker is set in the timeline after the events of Kirkwall (Dragon Age 2), and involves only one crossover character (also the main character), Cassandra Pentaghast. The location of the film, Orlais, was a pleasant surprise. Orlais is hinted at in both the first and second Dragon Age games, but as of yet, we have not seen it show up in the game series. Thus, I consider it a treat to get a sneak-peak at what I hope and assume will be part of DA3.

The story starts with a gathering: blood mages, a dragon, a little girl drinking blood, and a group of templar-like attackers, which we later find out are seekers. Dressed in black platemail, with a golden eye sigil, the Seekers make quick work of the mages. I realized early on that I could expect this movie to follow suit with its video game predecessors in showing large amounts of blood and gore, as well as gratuitous beheadings! The girl is rescued and taken back to the city. The High Seeker delivers his report directly to the head of the entire Chantry: her holiness, The Divine. Akin to Catholicism’s Pope, the Divine is the highest seat in the religious order. The Templars serve the Chantry by watching over and protecting the mages, while sometimes protecting others from the Mages of The Circle.

Excitement and adventure ensue when a fellow seeker kidnaps the little girl and convinces Cassandra to come along. A group of blood mages kidnaps the girl back, but this is just the beginning…

At 90 minutes, the film is well paced, with great voice acting, a decent script, and some excellent graphics near the end. From the gorgeous view of Orlais to the dragon flying through billowing smoke, some parts of Dawn of the Seeker really shine — significantly more so than others. The majority of the film is mediocre animation, but it’s not so bad as to distract the viewer from the plot. The action is fluid and the movement believable, even though the overall look smacks of late ‘90s CGI. If you are expecting something to the tune of The Adventures of Tin Tin, you will be sorely disappointed.

If you are a fan of the Dragon Age franchise, then this movie is worth your time You will be flung back into a universe you have come to adore, and it will certainly lend to you some excitement and anticipation for Dragon Age 3 (which, I hope will be better than 2). For those of you who haven’t played the games, it is doubtful that you will find significant enjoyment; as a stand alone, it just doesn’t hold up.

3 out of 5 stars. (Only because I’m a Dragon Age fan.)

Editor: Jeff Boehm

Wrath of the Titans Arrives on Home Video June 26th

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On June 26, “Wrath of the Titans” will be available for download from online digital retailers including iTunes, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon, Vudu and CinemaNow.

Our Review from Chris Daniels.

Sequels often struggle to live up to the expectations set by their predecessors. Wrath of the Titans delivers. Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, and Ralph Fiennes reprise their roles as Perseus, Zeus, and Hades in this continuation of the Clash of the Titans remake from 2010. They’re joined this time by Rosamund Pike, who portrays the strong, female love interest as the beautiful Queen Andromeda.

Perseus has settled down to become a fisherman with his son. His wife has been written out of the story — either by design or because the actress was not available. She seems to be dead for no particular reason. Perseus has chosen to live life as a mortal, despite his father, Zeus (Neeson), offering him a seat of power on Olympus. Early in the movie, Zeus comes to his son and asks for help, telling him something big is coming. Only Perseus, a demi-god, would have the strength to ensure humanity’s survival.

The rest of the story involves Perseus’s journey to save the world from the reawakening of Chronos. Mythology geeks and fantasy buffs will appreciate the severity of this situation.

While the makers of this film certainly didn’t reinvent the wheel, or even attempt to one-up their previous film, they surely succeeded in making an entertaining screenplay. In short: if you liked the first, you will like this one. It has all the action, sword-swinging, flying-horse-riding, and titan-killing you would expect from the series. The CGI is impressive, and the 3D effects were not too objectionable.

If you enjoyed the first, seeing the second is worth your time and money.

4 stars out of 5

The Disc features amazing picture and sound quality as well as a wide range of features.

“Wrath of the Titans” Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack contain the following special features:

· Maximum Movie Mode: Control your destiny and choose one of two unique experiences: The Path of Men or The Path of Gods

o Focus Points

§ Battling the Chimera

§ Who Are The Titans?

§ Agenor: The Other Demi-God

§ The Cyclops Fight

§ Prison of the Titans

§ Minotaur: The Human Nightmare

§ The Heavens Raise Hell on Earth

§ Hephaestus: God of Fire

§ Lost in Tartarus’ Labyrinth

§ Creatures of the Titans

o Storyboard Comparisons

o Deleted Scenes and more!

· DVD disc: Feature film in standard definition

“Wrath of the Titans” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

· Deleted Scenes

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS

The film is also available digitally in High Definition (HD) VOD and Standard Definition (SD) VOD from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.


ULTRAVIOLET

*UltraViolet allows you to collect, watch and share movies and TV shows in a whole new way. Available with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs, DVDs and Digital Downloads, UltraViolet lets you create a digital collection of movies and TV shows. Services such as Flixster and VUDU allow you to instantly stream and download UltraViolet content across a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players. Restrictions and limitations apply. Go to ultraviolet.flixster.com/info for details. Learn about VUDU compatible devices at vudu.com.

Chernobyl Diaries Theatrical and Blu-ray Review

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What do you get when you pair the director of “Paranormal Activity” with a handful of unknown actors, a one-hit wonder soap-star-turned-singer, and a plot based upon the Chernobyl meltdown? You guessed it: a sub-par suspense film with a poorly executed ending.

Meet Chris, Amanda, and Natalie – a trio of pretty Americans touring Europe and en route to Russia to meet Chris’ older brother, Paul, in Minsk. Unbeknownst to Amanda, Chris confides in his older brother his plan to propose to her upon their arrival in Moscow, their next destination. However, Paul decides to intervene and proposes a new plan: an extreme tourism excursion in the abandoned city of Pripyat, just outside of the Chernobyl nuclear plant. Despite Chris’ pleas, the group decides to take up Paul’s offer and embark the next day to Chernobyl/Pripyat under the guide of Uri, an ex-Soviet Special Forces agent.

Piling into an assault-van of sorts and accompanied by a pair of last minute travelers – an Aussie named Mike and his blonde Norse girlfriend, Zoe – they set off on the 2-hour drive to Pripyat. However, it is upon arrival at their destination that they find the area restricted to tourists by the Soviet guard. Undaunted, Uri drives the van to another remote access point, stealing them into the abandoned city of Pripyat for their excursion. It is there, as one can imagine, that some unknown element intercedes and prevents them from leaving the city. Somehow wires to the van’s starter are cut and they are forced to stay overnight. It’s at this point, as you can imagine, the horror movie element sets in and the typical suspense-film-plot takes over.

Of course, people leave the van to investigate “strange noises” and, of course, they are picked off one by one. As the movie progresses and the horror-film starts to settle in, the plot unravels and you’re ultimately left with one of the lamest endings conceived. Basically, you’ve had almost two hour’s worth of build-up and suspense for absolutely nothing.

Suspense-wise, you’re definitely going to jump here and there; my poor date had to suffer through my grabbing his hand and leg on more than one occasion. Acting wise, there’s nothing substantial. Jesse McCartney draws upon his experience as a soap actor for the more emotional role and Devin Kelley who plays Amanda seems more adept at sticking out her chest than acting her way out of a bag. But I digress, horror movies aren’t exactly based on strong acting skills, right?

If you’re looking for a good suspense film, something that gives you an excuse to grab your date’s hand or squeal like a girl, then this is a good film for that. If you’re looking for something twisted, something akin to “The Hills Have Eyes” or “Silent Hill,” then this falls rather short in comparison. The director had so many opportunities to delve further into the Chernobyl mystery and play up the radiation/mutation stab, but failed to provide any substance behind his direction. For my taste, there were too many unanswered questions and vague allusions for me to be wholly impressed with the movie. The premise had a lot of potential and promise but honestly failed to deliver.

2 Out Of 5 Stars
DVD Review by Gareth Vom Kallenbach
The Blu-rau version offers sharp picture and sound quality that for me helped to enhance the film as far to often with quasi-found footage movies, they are to dark. This time, I could see all the details in vivid clarity which added a new level of appreciation to the film for me. It has some bold thingfs going for it such as telling the film from a found footage perspective, yet the person operating the camera is not part of the cast. In many ways it was like a hidden camera story, just with much better photography.

The film dragged in parts for me and made it difficult for me to have much sympathy for the characters and to be concerned about their fates. That being said, the film did have a few nice twists and turns and is a nice change up from the haunted house and posession films which have become all to frequent for my taste.

The alternate ending contained on the Blu-ray was a nice touch, and to me was a nice improvement over the original theatrical ending.

The bonus materials include an infomercial based on one of the characters and a featurette.

While it will not set any new standards for the genre, thanks to the sharp picture and sound quality the film is worth checking out and would be ideal for groups and Halloween parties.


“Chernobyl Diaries” is an original story from Oren Peli, who first terrified audiences with his groundbreaking thriller, "Paranormal Activity."

The film follows a group of six young vacationers who, looking to go off the beaten path, hire an "extreme" tour guide. Ignoring warnings, he takes them into the city of Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, but a deserted town since the disaster more than 25 years ago.

After a brief exploration of the abandoned city, however, the group soon finds themselves stranded, only to discover that they are not alone...

Brad Parker makes his feature film directorial debut with "Chernobyl Diaries." The screenplay was written by Oren Peli and Carey Van Dyke & Shane Van Dyke, based on a story by Peli. Peli also produces, with Brian Witten. Richard Sharkey, Rob Cowan, Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Allison Silver, Milan Popelka and Alison Cohen serve as executive producers.

The film's cast includes Devin Kelley, Jonathan Sadowski, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Jesse McCartney, Nathan Phillips and Dimitri Diatchenko.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS

“Chernobyl Diaries” Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following special features:

· Alternate Ending

· Uri’s Extreme Tours Infomercial

· Chernobyl Conspiracy Viral Video

· Deleted Scene

“Chernobyl Diaries” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

· Chernobyl Conspiracy Viral Video

· Deleted Scene

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS

On October 16, “Chernobyl Diaries” will be available for download from online digital retailers including iTunes, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon, Vudu and CinemaNow.

The film is also available digitally in High Definition (HD) VOD and Standard Definition (SD) VOD from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.

Immortals – DVD & Blu-ray

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With the success of films such as 300 and Clash of the Titans, it was no surprise that more mythology-based films would be following them into theaters. With the pending release of Wrath of the Titans, 20th Century Fox has released The Immortals, coming to Blu-ray and DVD on March 6.

For those not familiar with the film, it stars future Superman, Henry Cavill, as well as an impressive array of supporting actors ranging from Mickey Rourke, Freida Pinto of Slum Dog Millionaire fame, and John Hurt in an epic Greek fable where the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

Cavill stars as Theseus a human mortal who has gained favor of Zeus yet still toils away with his mother under a cloud of shame due to suspicions surrounding his birth and lack of a father. Rourke stars as the evil King Hyperion who embarks on a genocidal campaign in an all-out effort to find the legendary Epirus Bow, a device that would give him power to unleash war on both heaven and earth. The gods are deeply concerned about Hyperion’s actions but the rules prevent them from directly intervening in the affairs of mankind. They also fear that their archenemies, the Titans, might be released by Hyperion who sees no end to his bloodlust.

Fate soon joins Theseus with Phaedra (Pinta), a beautiful Oracle, to help rally the defense to defeat Hyperion and save mankind. The film has simply amazing action sequences and is shot in the muted color stylings that made 300 such a unique visual experience. While there are some gaps in the plot, the action is intense and beautifully filmed although graphically violent.

The amazing picture and sound quality shine through on this release from Fox Home Entertainment and it is loaded with special features such as deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes featurette. The Blu-ray version, which will also come with digital copy, will feature an alternate opening, two alternate endings, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes and a graphic novel based on the film.

I have to say one of the more pleasant surprises is how Cavill shows that he’s definitely a leading man on the rise and definitely looks up to the task of taking on the role of Superman in next summer’s much-anticipated release. He plays Theseus with the mix of strength and quiet dignity, who bravely rises up to the challenges set before him.

The character-driven film never gets overshadowed by the lavish special effects and epic scenery. Mickey Rourke plays a very effective Hyperion, mixing villainy with restraint. He does not become one of these cartoony villains chewing the scenery and instead quietly exudes an air of menace during all times that he is on the screen.

The fight scenes are well choreographed and the action flows dynamically from one scene to the next. The finale featured some epic fight scenes and some of the most innovative and dynamic choreography captured on screen to date. From the same producers of 300, The Immortals does share the graphical style that was established in 300, that being said, that is where the connections end, and this movie is a unique adventure that you will not want to miss.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Blu-ray

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Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law return once again as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows“. In this installment, a series of bombings across Europe has positioned the nations of the world on the brink of war. Holmes is convinced that there is a criminal mastermind behind the numerous, seemingly unrelated events and he believes it is renowned scholar James Moriarty (Jared Harris).

Watson, well-accustomed to Holmes’ eccentric and erratic behavior, is dubious of Holmes claims. Besides, Watson has his upcoming wedding to focus on, and only deigns to spend time with Holmes at the promise of a stag party at an upscale gentlemen’s club. While the bachelor party includes an entertaining Stephen Fry playing Holmes’ brother, Mycroft, Holmes has ulterior motives for taking Watson to this particular club. Early in the film, Holmes had cleverly intercepted a message from Irene Adler (Amy McAdams), that led him to a fortuneteller named Madam Simza Heron (Noomi Rapace), a woman Holmes believes has been targeted for death by Moriarty, who just happens to be working at the gentlemen’s club.

Eventually a meeting with Moriarty is arranged for Holmes. The two intellectuals spar with one another verbally in a civilized manner, with menacing undertones. Holmes isn’t able to convince Moriarty that Watson is no longer a partner in any of his endeavors and, Holmes is forced to take drastic measures to ensure the doctor and his new wife stay out of harm’s way. From Paris to Germany and other European locales, Holmes, Watson, and Simza and her gypsy friends race against time to uncover the diabolical plot that Moriarty has set for their demise in his quest to drive nations to war.

The film is an absolute delight and is a rare sequel that is even better than the previous film in the series. Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law have amazing chemistry with one another and their timing is absolutely perfect. The duo deftly mix action and comedy as well as the serious subject matter of the plot line and are utterly captivating and enjoyable to watch every step of the way. Rapace continues to impress in a much softer character than her Lisbeth Salandar role in the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Swedish trilogy. and is poised to become one of Hollywood’s new leading ladies.

Having become familiar with Harris’ work on the series Mad Men, I was delighted to see him expertly portray such a complex character as Moriarty: a gentleman scholar of impeccable upbringing and education who is also a twisted and evil genius. Harris plays Moriarty perfectly and never lets you forget the dark and sinister side of him without ever becoming a campy or cartoony vaudeville villain.

Guy Ritchie returns as director and lets his stars carry the film. The action has been ramped up this time around with some spectacular action sequences but the action never overshadows the character-driven story. The film was well-paced and an absolute thrill ride from beginning to end mixing fantastic action and some great humor for a very winning combination that is not to be missed. I am already looking forward to future outings of Holmes and Watson on the big screen as this was a truly enjoyable experience that shows you how action comedies are supposed to be made.

Sparkling picture, color, sound, and tons of features makes this a must own.

4.5 stars out of 5

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas Blu-Ray

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Harold Lee (John Cho) and Kumar Patel (Kal Penn)are back for a third outing, this time making the holiday season their target of misadventure. ” A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas” has arrived on DVD and Blu-ray from Warner Bros Home Entertainment.

In the film, the title characters have grown apart, as Harold is now married and becoming a success in the business world. Kumar is still unmotivated to do much more than get high, and seems ok with it.

When a package is accidentally delivered for Harold at their old address, Kumar decides to visit his old friend. This turns out to be a disaster as a prized Xmas tree which is vital for Harold to win the approval of his father in law is destroyed.

Desperate to find a replacement on Xmas eve, the two have no choice but to team up to try to save Xmas and in doing so, encounter everyrthing from deranged criminals to Neil Patrick Harris.

Fans of the series will love watching the duo back in action and the disc is loaded with bonus material including both and extended and theatrical cut of the film as well as claymation segments and tons of behind the scenes features.

The Blu-Ray set contains a standard DVD as well as an Ultraviolet version of the film for those who want to take the mischief with them when on the go.

The picture and sound quality are first rate, and you will not want to miss this modern holiday classic.

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 DVD

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Twilight fans can now own the first half of the final chpater of the epic series as Part 1 of Breaking Dawn has arrived on DVD and Blue-ray.

The tale of melancholy teen Bella (Kristen Stewart), preparing for her wedding to the Vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson), is the central theme of the film as well as the unexpected complications and dangers of their union.

While fans of the series know what to expect, the film does try to be more mature than the previous films in the series while it stays true to it’s core audience and gives them exactly what they have come to expect and does not stray from what has been a successful formula.

The two disc set has amazing sound and picture quality and is loaded with bonus features such as behind the scenes, making of segments, and so much more.

Final Destination 5 on Blu-Ray

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Director Steven Quale brings us the latest bloody installment of the “Final Destination” series which has arrived on Blu-Ray and DVD from New Line Home Entertainment.
In this installment Sam Lawton (Nicholas D’Agosto) and his girlfriend Molly Harper (Emma Bell), work in the same office with their friends and boss Dennis (David Koechner).

Sam has been offered an apprenticeship in Paris as a cook and though this has been Sam’s dream Molly feels that she is holding him back. This becomes awkward for the both of them as this happens right before they leave for a conference with their co-workers.

As with past films in the series, Sam has a vision of a very gruesome accident that kills him and his friends in a very grisly manner, this time through a bridge accident.

Sam awakens from his vision and manages to get several of his friends and his boss to safety before the accident happens. Despite being unable to explain how he saw the accident coming to his friends and the local authorities, Sam and his friends are thankful to be alive.

As fans of the series know, death does not like to be cheated, and one by one the survivors die in a series of freak accidents. In a race against time, they must follow the advice of a creepy medical examiner (Tony Todd), who advises them they must find someone to replace them in order to escape their fate.

What follows is a carnage filled thrill ride which will have you on the edge of your seat. Even though the film was released in 3D it shines in the stunning 1080p High Defintion transfer and Dolby 5.1 sound.
Bonus features include alternate death scenes to special effect segments. If this was not enough, there is even an Ultraviolet digial copy included so you can watch the movie on the go.

Dolphin Tale on Blu-Ray

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The inspirational true story of Winter the dolphin comes to home video and Blu-Ray in time for the holidays from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
When an injured dolphin is found and brought to a marine hospital, her extensive injuries cause the dolphin, named Winter to lose her tail. As a result, her prognosis for survival is not very good. However with the help of a boy named Sawyer who enlists a marine biologist (Harry Connick Jr.), and a prosthetic specialist (Morgan Freeman), the team are able to craft a prosthetic tail for Winter.

The film is very uplifting and Winter is amazing to watch. She plays herself in the film and is a true inspiration. The strong cast does a good job keeping things moving and the amazing sound and visuals of the Blu-ray bring the adventure to life in vivid detail and clarity.

The disc is loaded with features such as a gag reel, and the True Story of Winter as well as behind the scenes and much more.

An Ultra Violet disc is included in the Blu-ray set along with a standard DVD which allows you to see the film from your computer, laptop, or mobile device.
Dolphin Tale stars Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, and Morgan Freeman and is a heartwarming delight that is ideal for children and the entire family this Holiday Season and beyond.

4 stars out of 5

Star Wars The Old Republic and DVD Holiday Gift Guide on Geek Nation

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I have our hands on preview of Star Wars: The Old Republic as well as our 2011 DVD Holiday Gift Guide on BJ Shea’s Geek Nation.



Geek Nation and Skewed and Reviewed Talk Star Wars: The Old Republic


Our Gift Guide and free magazines are below.


Free PDF or Digital copy of our latest magazine.

56 pages filled with our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, two Geek Gil Centerfolds, Guild Wars 2, RAGE, PAX Prime, Blizzcon 2011, Travel articles, and so much more.


At Magcloud


Issues 7 and 8. Digital and Ipad Versions

If you do not want to have to sign up for Free Magcloud access you can download the PDF version for free at the following URLS


At Badongo


Issue 7/8 PDF


On Our Skydrive


Skydrive PDF


Winter Issue is the correct file for Skydrive.

The Looney Tunes Show: Volume 2

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Bugs, Daffy, and all the local gang are back in Volume Two of the Looney Tunes Show from Warner Bros. The side-splitting set features four epsiodes from season one of the show as well as music videos and great shorts by the Coyote and Roadrunner.
From the gang taking a relaxation weekend at a spa or attending bugs his high school reunion this set will delight fans of all ages. I really get a kick out of sing the Tasmanian Devil back in action as he was always more my favorites as a kid.

The timeless characters are instantly endearing and a high-quality sound and video enhance the high quality of the episodes.

Well I would love to see full season sets in the show this is the next best thing those looking to bring the laughter and fun home.

With third season set due in March this is one that you will not want to miss.