Into the Blu

It is very easy to compare a film like The Longest Day to a more current film in Saving Private Ryan. But where Saving Private Ryan only focused on how the Americans did things, The Longest Day went deeper. Based on the book of the same name written by Cornelius Ryan, The Longest Day is shown from 3 sides; the American/British, German and French. Continue Reading

For anyone who has read my reviews know, I am not a big fan of the classics.

It is just the way I am. But when I received The Sand Pebbles to watch and review, my interest was definitely peaked given what I had heard about the film. This was my first opportunity to watch a film with famed actor Steve McQueen, as well as world renowned actor and narrator, Richard Attenborough. I was very excited to see what all the talk was about.

Continue Reading

Going in, I really had no interest in Shall We Dance? When I was told I would be reviewing this, I knew right away that I would not like the movie. So, when I sat down this evening and watched the film, I actually did give it a chance and I am glad actually I did. I came out pleasantly surprised. Continue Reading

Love him or hate him, Terry Gilliam’s directorial career has experienced more twists and turns than anything I could even imagine. Shoot, a film about a Gilliam production failure was even done and well-received by many, including the former Monty Python cast member himself. When Heath Ledger died, I guess it would only make sense that a film with Gilliam would potentially be thrown into turmoil as a result (Gilliam was directing Ledger at the time of his death), though it does appear to be working fine now. So while he’s dealing with his current production, this year is a milestone of sorts as The Adventures of Baron Munchausen celebrates its 20th anniversary on disc.

Continue Reading

My exposure to the Justice League (JLA) and to comics as a whole is pretty limited. Sure, I go see Iron Man, Batman and a lot of the other adaptations, and I remember seeing Superfriends growing up, but I was never really a comic book guy so to speak. I do understand and respect the following; it’s just something I never really got into. I also respect the concept of the JLA: you get all of your singular heroes together in one spot and perhaps introduce new villains or have the existing ones get into some epic throwdown? Hell yeah, I say!

Continue Reading

When it comes to teen high school comedies, I think I have seen them all. They all seem to have the same premise. It is usually a couple of guys who are in high school and are looking to get laid at a prom or party or wherever they can get it. Nothing has changed in the 33 years that I have been watching movies. It works, the premise still works. But not all movies can pull off the perfect teen comedy?but Superbad comes super close.

Continue Reading

I give credit to Paul Anderson for being passionate about his material. It doesn’t hurt that, in his short-storied career, he’s directed some of the more memorable films over the last several years, including Daniel Day Lewis in the engrossing and excellent There Will Be Blood. Wait, this isn’t the dramatic director, it’s another guy? Well, OK.

Continue Reading

I like TV shows. It seems that most of the time I am always late to the party. It took me a year to watch 24 for the first time, 4 years to watch CSI and so on and so forth. The same thing can be said for Damages. I didn?t watch the first airing of it on FX. I honestly prefer to watch TV shows either on disc or via my on demand or DVR so I don?t have to deal with commercials. So, when I popped in Damages last night, I didn?t expect that I would be finished already. Yes, all thirteen 45 minutes episodes done. It was that addictive. Continue Reading

It’s year 4 at Hogwarts, and for me this was the best Potter of the first five films. Hogwarts plays host to the prestigious Triwizard Tournament, and that means putting up students from two other wizard schools. Here we get an inkling of just how large the Potter universe truly is. Up until now our experience has only taken us through the world of Hogwarts and its peripheral environs. Continue Reading

Having never seen A Passage to India before this Blu Ray release, I was not sure what to expect. I did inquire with someone who had seen the film to give me a brief description of what I was to expect. Basically, my taste in movies is of the basic variety, more mainstream type movies. So, I really had to go into this viewing with a very open mind. Continue Reading

I have a cousin who is absolutely in love with the Broadway production of Rent currently playing in New York. To date she’s made the trip to New York from the Philly area no less than 3 times and will likely do so again. I attempted to channel that passion as much as I could as I sat down to watch this Blu-ray version of the production. Unfortunately, I don’t believe I was quite successful. From what I can see there is no doubt in my mind that Rent is a phenomenal experience, but I am also equally certain that this film could not capture the energy and emotion that theatre goers have been raving about. Continue Reading

I remember a few years ago when Closer was released. The cast was very promising and the movie received nothing but rave reviews. The one thing about Closer is that while it is extremely sexy and dangerous, it also can easily resemble any one of our lives. Whether you are single or in a relationship, who doesn?t feel instant attraction at times when they meet someone for the first time. The dilemma is, do you act on those feelings or ignore them? Is it worth the risk? Continue Reading