Tarantino’s epic spaghetti western set within World War II has been in pre-production since before the Kill Bill movies, due to the fact Tarantino wanted to make sure the script was perfect. He considered it his masterpiece and reworked the story over the course of over a decade. Through many rewrites and various casting changes the film was released in 2009.

Did it live up to the hype? Read the full story

I can’t recall when I laughed harder in the theater than I did when we went to see Borat. That was one outrageous comedy. However, the problem with being outrageous is when you have to follow-up with your next film. The natural inclination is to be even more outrageous which can result in a film rather than being funny and thought provoking, is simply crude and embarrassing. Such is the fate that befell Sacha Baron Cohen with Bruno, his not so successful follow-up to his outrageously successful Borat. Bruno gives a whole new meaning to the phrase no holds barred comedy and not, unfortunately, in a good way. Read the full story

I can’t really say that I was all that familiar with the X-Men comic book prior to the first film coming out. I had heard about the comic but never really had the inclination to read it. I guess I am told old to read comics anyway. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the first two X-Men films. Perhaps it was helpful that I could watch the films with a clean slate and not be biased in any way based on the comic’s long history, second guessing the plot and character development. While I enjoyed the first two films, I thought that the third was really dreadful. It was with interest that I waited for the fourth installment in the X-Men film library, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Unfortunately, I found this film to be even less worthwhile than the prior film, X-Men: The last Stand. Read the full story

Hot Fuzz was one of my favorite if not my most favorite release on the late and lamented HD DVD format. Besides being a hilarious film, it featured excellent video and audio presentations. It was one of the films that I looked forward to seeing on Blu-ray to see if the increased storage capacity and higher bit rate of Blu-ray could improve on the already outstanding audio and video presentations on the HD DVD. Well, Hot Fuzz is finally making its debut on Blu-ray and I was anxious to put the disc through its paces. Was it worth the wait? Yes indeed it was. Read the full story

Having just experienced two 10+ hour plane flights in the past two weeks, I sure have had my fill of bad films. When you are on flights of that duration and have a hard time sleeping on planes like I do,you will watch almost anything to help pass the time. Most of that time on this trip was filled with bad films a couple of which I may review when they arrive on Blu-ray in the next couple of months. It was therefore a pleasure once I returned home, to pop in State of Play, a well written and acted thriller that I enjoyed immensely, making up for all the bad films I watched on those flights, well almost. Read the full story

If there is a better race racing themed film than Seabiscuit, I have yet to see it. The film was originally released to theaters in 2003 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture but didn’t win, losing out The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, by far the weakest of the three Lord of the Rings films. I have not seen Seabiscuit since its theatrical run and was anxious to see how it looked and sounded on Blu-ray. I am pleased to report that it looks and sounds great and is a worthy addition to the collection of any film fan. Read the full story

Children of Men was released by Universal on the ill fated HD DVD format and was a film that I really enjoyed when I could get the darned disc the play properly. if there was ever a disc from hell, it was Children of Men on HD DVD as it was prone to freezing and skipping to the point that you could never just sit down and watch the film from beginning to end without some sort of calamity occurring and your quests asking just why should I invest in that format? It was therefore with some anticipation that I waited for Universal to get around to releasing the film on Blu-ray which they finally have. Thankfully, I can report that the disc plays perfectly without even the hint of any playback issues. Read the full story

Every now and then, a film comes out with little in the way of fanfare or critical acclaim and just takes you by surprise. The film just completely captures your attention. pulling you into the action, playing mind games with you as you try to figure out what is really transpiring on the screen before you, all the while staying one step ahead of you. One such film is Inside Man. Read the full story

Films based on the historical record can be a bit of a mixed bag. The main reason being that we already know the outcome, which can have the effect of robbing the film of narrative suspense. However, some directors seem to excel with these types of films and are able to grab and hold out attention and build suspense, even though we know the ultimate outcome. One of these director’s is Ron Howard who directed Apollo 13, which is an outstanding film that is able to maintain a sense of suspense throughout as well as provide a very moving cinematic experience, despite the fact that we know all turns out well. It was therefore with great anticipation that I sat down to watch another Ron Howard film, Frost/Nixon, based on the award winning London play. Read the full story

I remember back in the late 90’s when I saw the trailer for Ronin starring Robert DeNiro.  It looked like an international spy thriller, which, in my mind, was a role that was a bit out of sorts for the actor.  Then again, if the star is a good actor, and DeNiro is one of the best, than he should pull this off, regardless of what we’re used to seeing him play.  I never did get around to seeing it back then, so the film’s release on Blu-ray was my first experience with it…and what a great format to introduce yourself to a film.  Hold on to your seats and strap on the Kevlar.  Ronin is about to take you on a whirlwind tour of France, except on this site-seeing adventure, you are more likely to experience well-placed bullets and a little espionage as opposed to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.  Read the full story

[On the loudspeaker a voice begins to crackle...] “May I have your attention please?”  “May I have your attention please?”  “Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?”  “I repeat, will the real Slim Shady please stand up?”  “We’re going to have a problem here…”  And so goes the story of Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known by his stage name of Eminem, or by his alter ego Slim Shady.  Is anyone else confused yet or is it just me?  Come on…give me at least a few minutes to explain.  I will make it short and painless I promise.  And here…we…go…. Read the full story

It was a decade ago when Pitch Black was released in theaters.  Little did we know at the time that the character of Riddick would be expanded upon with another film and content outside of both movies.  For now though, we’ll focus on the movie that started it all with nighttime baddies galore, Pitch Black. Read the full story

The character Riddick, played by Vin Diesel, made its big screen debut in 1999’s Pitch Black.  In 2004, the hard-nosed, no-nonsense, intergalactic convict, made his return in The Chronicles of Riddick.  Upon unleashing this Blu-ray in my PS3, I was prompted by a Riddick screen that asked me to choose between the uncut director’s version or the theatrical release.  Not one to have previously seen this film, I opted for the director’s cut.  I will say, I was open-minded yet apprehensive going into this film.  Pitch Black certainly did not light my fire or most of the movie-going public for that matter.  After all, it pulled in a dismal U.S. gross at under $40 million.  Nevertheless, let’s give The Chronicles of Riddick a shot because here come the Necromongers! Read the full story

“I’ve got spurs that jingle jangle jingle.” All this time I thought this was just a cowboy western movie?  Yikes!  What did I just watch?  I am kidding of course.  Well I did the unthinkable, something I told myself I would never allow myself to do.  I watched Brokeback Mountain, for review purposes of course.  I took one for the team as I settled down over two nights to watch the film, while at the same time keeping an open mind.  Since the film’s release I never wanted anything to do with this movie.  Whether it was over my hatred of Ang Lee’s Hulk or not wanting to see Heath Ledger in this role, I avoided this film like the plague of 1340.  There’s no denying that while watching this movie I have seen unspeakable acts that I cannot get out of my mind, but it’s the story that makes Brokeback Mountain the Academy Award winner it is.  I think my co-worker said it best.  Despite the taboo and very controversial subject matter, cinematically Brokeback Mountain is an outstanding, but very tragic, story of forbidden love.  I don’t believe anyone could argue that statement after viewing this movie.  C’mon, you know you want to see this one.  Let’s put on that cowboy hat, rustle up some sheep and learn some more about this Academy Award winning film. Read the full story

Role Models kind of hits home for me.  Why, you ask?  It has a bit to do with the main character, Danny, portrayed by the always-funny Paul Rudd.  He wakes up one day, at the ripe age of 35, and wonders where the past 10 years of his life have gone.  He also questions why he is not happy and how he is not doing what he would like to be doing in life, while all his other friends have these prestigious jobs and such.  I swear, envy is one of the most dangerous traps people can fall into.  “Be careful what you wish” for is my new motto in life.  I don’t mean to sound like I am not grateful for all the good things I have in life, but like the character of Danny in the film, I cannot help feeling like I have not found my calling in life as of yet.  I was put on this Earth to do grand things right?  In many ways, Role Models is a biopic of my life minus the relationship storyline.  Anyway, this is not a self-help clinic so let’s move onto discussing the film itself. Read the full story

For fans of quality cinema the name Sideways should ring a few bells, after all just a short while ago it surprisingly raised so many eyebrows. Sometimes credited for re sparking the career of Paul Giamatti and launching Sandra Oh into the spotlight, Sideways has taken audiences by surprise with its unique humor and character depth.  The film is based upon the novel by Rex Pickett, and written for the screen by Jim Taylor and Alexander Payne; the ladder of which directed the film. Having been nominated for so many awards and taking home several including Best Picture at the Golden Globes, Sideways at last makes it’s way into the world of high definition. Read the full story

Most of the time, the attention of the movie-going public as well as the entertainment press is focused on the blockbuster films or those whose casts are filled with big named stars. However, every now and then a film comes out of nowhere with a small budget, a beautifully written screenplay and engaging and multidimensional characters and captures the attention of the press and garners multiple award nominations. This year, that film is Slumdog Millionaire. In 2006 it was Little Miss Sunshine, which garnered critical acclaim, an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and two Oscars, one for Best Original Screenplay (Michael Arndt) and the other for Best Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin). Little Miss Sunshine finally makes its debut this week in high definition on Blu-Ray and I couldn’t wait to give it a spin. Read the full story