Into the Blu

I cant say that I am a fan of extended edition films. Normally, the film as exhibited in the theater was the best version of the film. Extended material which is usually from the cutting room floor, was there for a darn good reason and really was better left unseen. It kind of reminds me of a poor answer to a college essay exam where you don’t really have a clear vision of what the answer should be, so you just regurgitate everything that you can recall about the particular subject of the question in the hopes that you hit upon just enough to get some credit. Continue Reading

I had seen the trailer for Unknown and thought that it looked rather interesting. Clearly, Liam Neeson has become something of an action suspense stars what with his riveting performance in Wanted in a role that is rather similar to the one he has in Unknown. While I was intrigued by the story line for the film as revealed in the trailer, I was quite surprised by the film, which while keeping one’s attention for a time , is nothing more than a remake of another film, set in Berlin rather than on Mars. Continue Reading

I was surprised when I saw Jackass 3 on store shelves when it wasn’t released in 3D, considering the industry is hoisting 3D up as a savior for staggering box office performances I would assume that they would try and take that same approach with home media release. I’m guessing they’re going to wait a while and release the 3D Blu-ray down the road… So is the film worthwhile without the extra dimension?

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I guess you can say that I was pulled into the world of Happy Potter against my will. One of my kids was a fan as was my wife so when the first film was released, I was dragged along. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed the film. I kept hearing how the films were faithful to the books and how detailed the books were and that I should really read the books as well. The books are rather long and for quite awhile, I was very content to just visit the cinema with the family and get the whole gist of the book in a couple of hours. It was not until a trip to of all places, the UK, where I first grabbed a copy of The Half Blood Prince which I was able to finish on a long trip. I enjoyed the book and really found it interesting to see how the book was brought to the screen. Continue Reading

When you look over the mass marketplace of entertainment, it is amazing to see the lack of totally original content that seems to be available these days. From films to TV to music, the mass market seems to regurgitate the same things over and over again, looking to cash in on what they think has been popular in the past or looking to create content on the cheap. You see it in TV with the upsurge in reality TV shows which seem to gather high ratings at low cost. You see it the non reality genre as well. I mean, have many versions of CSI or Law and Order Do you really need? Then there is the recycling of old TV shows that haven’t been on in decades. The same is true for popular music, where act after act does nothing but imitate another. After all, isn’t Lady Gaga nothing but a clone of Madonna? Continue Reading

Warner Home Video in Canada is releasing Wave II of their Limited Edition Steelbooks (available exclusively through Futureshop).  The first of five releases is Batman Begins (also being released are Goodfellas, Heat, 2001 & The Matrix).  While the differences between this release and the previously released version are slight (same A/V specs with only three new “additional footage” special features), it is the Steelbook packaging (with slick cover art) that makes this release stand out.   Most of this review will be ported over from our original review of Batman Begins (written by Brian White), with the new features highlighted for easy finding. Continue Reading

There is no doubt that is great that we are seeing all of there 20th and 30th and beyond anniversary releases of some truly classic films on Blu-ray. However, there is a downside for any of us, like yours truly, who were around when some of these films hit the theater for the first time. They really remind us how fast time is flying by, whether we are having fun or not. Holy cow, Batman, has it really been 20 years since Thelma & Louise first hit the screen? Has it been 20 years since Mr. Angelina Jolie i.e. Brad Pitt, first hit the screen and had all those ladies cooing in their seats? Well, unfortunately is is true. We are now all 20 years older. Just how does Thelma & Louise hold up all these years later? I am pleased to report, quite well. Quite well indeed. Continue Reading

I was reading an article on the web the other day asking why anyone casts Jennifer Anniston in a movie anymore given that she is box office poison these days. The question asked was just how many more bombs would it take before she has a hard time getting any work. Given that she continues to get work, we clearly haven’t reached that point yet. Maybe soon give the trailer I have seen for her new film with Adam Sandler “Just Go With It”. In pondering this issue, which is not exactly one of the great issues of the day, it quickly dawned on me that Jennifer Anniston was far from the only one to ask this question about. Continue Reading

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is a sequel to the 2001 film Cats & Dogs. I can’t say that I’ve ever seen the original but it definitely isn’t a prerequisite to the sequel. I’ve always had a thing for family films it gives me the opportunity to be a kid again for the duration of the film. What really makes these children oriented movies fun is when there are a few parts for the adults as well. With a cast including Bette Midler, Neil Patrick Harris, Nick Nolte, Christina Applegate, and James Marsden Cats & Dogs instantly has potential. Continue Reading

Romantic comedies are always hit and miss; there is rarely a perfect combination of laughter and believable romance. While the genre seems to be fading away in terms of quality there have been a few winners over the year, but ultimately I just see them as comedies now. While I never was interested in seeing this film in its theatrical run I am looking forward to it now. Casted with Justin Long (Waiting, Live Free or Die Hard) and Drew Berrymore (Whip It, Fever Pitch) it definitely has potential to be a funny movie in that quirky kind of way. Backing them up are Kristina Applegate, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, and Ron Livingston. So will Going the Distance go the distance? Let’s find out. Continue Reading

Filming of Case 39 finished in 2007, but the movie did not find a theatrical distribution in North America until October of this year, almost three years later. I think it may have something to do with the sudden popularity of co-star Bradley Cooper after the success of The Hangover. Normally, a long delay like this would be a sign of problems, but I was willing to give it a chance because it was directed by Christian Alvart who made one of last year’s most underrated movies, the sci-fi/horror flick Pandorum starring Dennis Quaid. Was it worth the wait?

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One often hears complaints about the lack of quality family entertainment. As a parent myself, I understand that sentiment completely, as far too much “Family” entertainment simply lacks much in the way of action and content of interest to adults. Other than the various Pixar films, most films designed with children in mind as the primary audience leave my mind to wander, thinking about the shopping list and errands I have to run rather than watching and enjoying the film. While not the greatest film of all time, the subject of this review, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, is a clear cut above most family films in terms of action and adventure, and a good deal better than I had thought it would be going in. Continue Reading