Into the Blu

I know that I have commented a few times in the past that there is really precious little in the way of original material coming out of Hollywood these days. I don’t know if it is the result of a brain drought or due to the economy, with film makers and their financial backers only willing to make or finance films that are based on tried and true formulas. Hence, copies of prior successful films seem to be what we are left with these days. The only real originality these days seems to be what for lack of a better term I will call combo films as opposed to the combo pack so common these days with Blu-ray releases. A combo film is one that combines two or more successful films into one which can lead to a mildly entertaining result. Such is the case with the subject of this review Battle: Los Angeles. Continue Reading

I have always found The Green Hornet to be the most overlooked of the comic book action heros and one that was in desperate need for an updating. Given the recent incredible (both commercially and artistically) of the Batman movie franchise, it seemed to me The Green Hornet would be a natural as the two heroes had a lot in common thematically, namely Super heroes that were not really “super” and who were misunderstood by the general public. However, as films, there is a huge difference. Batman had a genius behind the camera, Christopher Nolan, with a real vision about how to bring the comic book to life, whereas, The Green Hornet has Seth Rogan. Not exactly a fair fight! Continue Reading

It’s really easy to spot a bad movie when you see one. One of the easiest things to spot is when a movie gets a direct-to-video sequel. Does S.W.A.T. Firefight break the mold or is simply cash grab with the S.W.A.T. moniker to try and increase revenue?

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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

In the sports world, one often hears that a team is greater than the sum of its parts, that is, the team is better as a unit than the individual talents of the players would have lead you to believe with team chemistry and the ability to work well together being the key elements to such success. In the movie business on the other hand, the opposite is too often true with the whole being is lesser than the sum of its parts would have lead you to believe. Usually a good story concept and even a good cast is undone by poor execution. Such is the case with the movie that is up for review, Takers. Continue Reading

Knight and Day came out amidst action films such as The Last Airbender and Jonah Hex in the summer of 2010, with company like that my expectations were pretty low for the film and when I originally saw the trailer prior to its theatrical release it didn’t excite me even though I have enjoyed Tom Cruise’s other recent efforts with J.J. Abram’s MI:3. Were my initial expectations right or did I judge unfairly?

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Heist films are a dime a dozen or so it seems. However, every now and then a real good one comes along. The good ones, in addition to a fine cast and excellent performances, feature a tight and fasted paced script and a subplot, somewhat independent of the main plot, to keep you interested and involved in the fate of the characters. All this and more is found in the subject of this review, The Town. Continue Reading

Often the brunt of satirical humor, outside of its cult following Highlander isn’t exactly highly sought after. Failing to bring in the numbers at the box office; Highlander has since found enough of a following to spawn several sequels, television spin-offs and a recently announced remake. The installment in question today is the second which reunites Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert in their original roles, whilst bringing the ever talented Michael Ironside and Virginia Madison into the mix. With the new cast improvements can Highlander 2: The Quickening improve upon an already decent movie, or will it completely tarnish the franchise that never really had legs to carry it?

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 In a time where M. Night Shymalan has been hit with some pretty negative criticisms with his past few original ideas, this marks the first real adaption (minus Lady in the Water) that the director has undertaken. Does a movie directed by M. Night that isn’t written by him any better?

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Most men love their Westerns. On the other hand, most women tend to get upset when they lose the bet and as a result are stuck watching a Western. That being said, I fall into the later group, so the thought of watching Jonah Hex was a little daunting. I have however in the past liked comic adaptations such as Superman, The Hulk and Iron Man and I am happy to report that this comic book turned movie was also very entertaining.

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It’s no surprise that the Matrix sequels took so long to get individually released on Blu-ray, with the box set selling well on the strength of the first film and the Animatrix and those who felt the sequels were under-performers who refuse to own the sequels taking advantage of the first Matrix’s individual release, we are now given the option to own the second of the trilogy. Is it worth it?

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