Into the Blu

I have a memo for Hollywood. Crude and stupid does not equal funny. There seems to be a real epidemic of crude and stupid would be comedies out there. You know the type, the kind that Seth Roan seems to specialize in. Films where every other word is the F bomb, where all the men are crude and stupid and the women hot and vapid. For me crude and stupid equals tedious. Which brings me to the film I Love You, Man, which is about as tedious as they come. Continue Reading

Wholesome family entertainment. That seems to be a very common buzzword these days when it comes to films. Families with kids are complaining that there is just too much violence and sexual content in films that are designed to appeal, in part, to children and pre-teens. Frankly, I feel that that is a bit of an overstatement but I do understand the desire of parents to have available good quality age appropriate entertainment for their kids. Continue Reading

It seems more and more films are showcases for the big car chase, explosions, alien invasions and large robots, often times featuring mindless action and even more forgettable dialogue. Don’t get me wrong, I love a great action film but also love to view a film that features an excellent script, steady direction and nuanced storytelling, where what isn’t said in a given scene is more important than what is said. Just such a film is A River Runs Through It which is making its high def debut on Blu-ray this week and is a real keeper. Continue Reading

It seems that lately horror and thriller films have taken a turn to bloodying up the technological things we so often take for granted. From phones to internet connections; the things we so frequently use naively are intended to simplify life by enhancing our ability to communicate, however can be used for evil! While the concepts of such films in the past have completely lacked any sincerity in identifying our calamitous dependence for all things technology perhaps Elsewhere can provide some palpable social commentary. But I’m leaning towards Elsewhere averting any perceptive form of exploring societies misuse of social networking in place of sexual situations, violence, and tacky dialogue. Continue Reading

When looking at movies like Mr. Troop Mom you really have to put things into perspective and get yourself into that specific mind set in which you can appreciate its simplicity as if you were once again a child. Let’s face it; most of the movies we loved so much growing up have hardly passed the test of time, and despite not having the same effect on us presently they sure did captivate us growing up. While my anticipations of Mr. Troop Mom aren’t equivalent to some of the quality I was accustom to growing up, I can guarantee you there is an audience of adolescence out there who are going to love this film as we once may have. Continue Reading

There is no doubt that Quincy Jones is a giant in the world of music, from his early days as a jazz musician and bandleader to his latter career as a record producer. In addition to many decades, his career in music spans all musical genres from jazz to pop, soul, R&B, classical and the blues. His signature is almost everywhere including being the producer of Michael Jackson’s greatest solo recordings, including the Thriller album, which in this writer’s opinion is the very best sounding pop album ever produced, due, in large measure, to Quincy Jones efforts. As he approached his 75th birthday, it was appropriate that a concert be scheduled to celebrate his long and distinguished musical career. I can think of no better place for that concert to occur than Montreux, Switzerland, home of the universally renowned, Montreux Jazz Festival. Continue Reading

Back in 2008, there was a lot of buzz about this film. Buzz in a good way as in the film is an Oscar contender, not only as best picture but for the performances of the two lead actors, Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr. However, that buzz seemed to die down after the premier of the film was put off into 2009, missing the Oscar cut off date. When the film finally premiered this year, it did so to rather tepid reviews and a lackluster box office take. I was familiar with the subject matter of the film due to Steve Lopez’ book and columns in the LA Times about Mr. Ayers. While this is clearly a compelling story, I was not expecting much in the way of a great film in light of the fact that the film opened to mixed reviews. This was one film I was waiting to see on Blu-ray, to see of it could match the pre-release buzz back in 2008. Thankfully, I am pleased to be able to report that while flawed, The Soloist is a much better film that I had been lead to believe by the movie press. Imagine that! Continue Reading

 I would fail an administered polygraph test miserably if I said I have not been looking forward to this moment since 3:01 AM EST on December 16, 2006.  No, I am not talking about the second coming of Christ, but rather the greatest American hero of modern times…Jack Bauer in Hi-Def!  What exactly is so significant about 3:01 AM, December 16, 2006 you may ask?  Well it’s none other than the date and time I ventured out to Wal-Mart to get the impossible to find, at the time, Sony Playstation 3.  It was later that weekend that I was introduced to the world of Blu-ray and I have not looked back since, except to reflect on that magical moment of seeing the crystal clear blue Bahamian waters and the tiny goose bumps lavishly spread across Jessica Alba’s exotic tanned flesh in Into The Blue.  Ahhh (thoughts of serenity race throughout my brain and ricochet off my skull until)…the fingers snap…my attention is broke…back to the review I embark in discern. Continue Reading

Team building.  If you’ve ever worked in an office, you have probably experienced some sort of team-building exercise.  If you have ever played team sports or were in the military, you certainly know all about it.  Now throw a twist on it.  Take 11 intelligent, but barely seasoned sailors and give them one of the best racing yachts money can buy.  Mix that all together and make it a 10-day competition on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean.  Batten down the hatches and hoist the kite!  We’re about to set sail on the Morning Light.  Continue Reading

The Deep is one of those films that is probably better know and more famous for the appearance of the lead actress in the film rather than a the quality of the film itself. Those of you like yours truly who were teenagers when the film arrived in theaters know exactly what I am talking about, namely the stunning visuals of Jacqueline Bisset underwater in that tight white top! The Deep has now made its high def debut on Blu-ray. How does it and more importantly, Jacqueline Bisset look? Pretty darn good! Continue Reading

Time have really changed in regards to the standard TV fair seen during the summer months. It used to be that all we had in the summer was reruns of the previous season’s prime time shows. Now, in addition to those reruns and really cheaply produced “reality” programming, the cable networks have started to produce original programming for summertime viewing. Once of the leaders in this regard is TNT with their critically acclaimed and popular Closer series. Another strong effort in this category is USA Network’s Burn Notice, whose second season is now available on Blu-ray. I was never really impressed with the look of the show on USA’s HD channel. Will the Blu-ray be much of an improvement? Continue Reading

I must say, it is a great time to be a music lover. While the recording industry overall is in the doldrums, especially CD sales, the advent of high definition and the lossless audio codecs supported by Blu-ray really provide for the first time, the ability to bring the complete live concert experience into the home via the home theater. Fortunately, we are seeing more and more classic artists taking advantage of all the benefits that the Blu-ray disc format brings to the table both visually and sonically. The latest example is the John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers and Friends Blu-ray release featuring Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor and Chris Barber from Eagle Rock Entertainment, which is a real crowd pleaser. Continue Reading