Into the Blu

With all the so-called “Bieber-fever” going on, it was inevitable that the token feature film would debut. Here it is, 104 minutes of fan service for those still fawning over his one and only album (no remixes and acoustic version don’t count in this case). Continue Reading

Documentary films can sure stir up a bit of controversy, due in large part to the fact that that is often their purpose. They are designed to give exposure to a particular issue that may be unreported in the press and can go into a level of detail and insight not possible on a TV news program. They also have a very distinct point of view, a bias if you will, that can be either on the right or left of the political spectrum. How you view the documentary can often depend on your political leanings, regardless of the truth or merit of the film. There are some documentaries that, even with a particular bias, get the facts so right to be well worth a viewing regardless of your political affiliations. Just one of those documentary films if the subject of this review, Inside Job. Continue Reading

BBC is the premiere source for the most engaging and incredible documentaries in my opinion, the scope and scale surpass blockbuster movies and the cinematography and approach used to film these docs prove the filmmakers talent, dedication and passion. ‘Wonders of the Solar System’ removes us from our comfort zone and expands the view from our friendly Planet Earth to the mystery that is our Solar System. Does it live up to the BBC’s previous efforts?

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Call me a sucker for nature documentaries if you want. There are several great ones already out on Blu-ray including Galapagos, Planet Earth and Earth, just to name but a few. The latest entry into this field is the subject of today’s review, Oceans from the folks at Disney Nature, How does it stack up against the best? Continue Reading

As a long-time listener to Elvis’ music, I was extremely excited to view the Golden Globe winning film, Elvis on Tour.  Furthermore, Elvis earned his great reputation as a live artist, and I was greatly looking forward to seeing the type of legendary performer we no longer see.

However, I did go into this with some trepidation, as this was not the Elvis of “Comeback Special” fame – this was the jumpsuit-cladded, sideburn-toting, kung-fu kicking Elvis of the 1970’s.  Was there still enough charisma and talent left to carry a whole concert film, or was this the pale echoes of a once legendary performer?  Continue Reading

When it comes to documentaries, the British Broadcasting Corporation, otherwise known as the BBC, strives to not only to provide a high quality production, but the best that can be offered.  The 2007 release of Planet Earth was truly a sight to behold and up to that point, was arguably the greatest nature documentary of all time.  Not only did the crew manage to capture the beauty of nature, they also managed to grab footage never before seen, ranging from highly endangered creatures to behaviors of desperation. You would think the BBC would be satisfied with such a monumental undertaking, but they decided to follow it up.  Their latest Blu-ray release is an extension of sorts from Planet Earth, simply titled life. Continue Reading

BBC is synonymous with groundbreaking documentaries, with Planet Earth being the ultimate example of riveting documenting and beautiful cinematography. Wild Pacific is produced by Planet Earth’s producer Huw Cordey, which brings along some expectation. Does Wild Pacific bode well in comparison to its big brother, Planet Earth?

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IMAX films are known for delivering the highest quality in sound and video, trying to bring the actual experience as close to home as possible.  Granted, you don’t get the massive, curved screen and concert speakers at home like you do at an actual IMAX/Omnimax theater, but you’re still getting a top-notch product nonetheless.  The latest arrival from the IMAX folks is Under the Sea.  Most IMAX films run in the 40 to 45-minute range and this educational film is on par with that at a few seconds shy of 41 minutes.  Grab your wetsuit and scuba gear as we head Under the Sea. Continue Reading

Needless to say, the death of Michael Jackson created a media maelstrom. It didn’t take long before the rumors and rampant speculation began over the cause of his death. Had he been ill? Were drugs the cause? If so, what kind? One couldn’t turn on the TV without finding coverage of his death. The only way to escape it was the keep the TV off, or so it seemed. Continue Reading

Approaching a skateboard documentary such as Dogtown & Z-Boys without a prior knowledge (or interested) of skateboarding made me curious. Being a somewhat neutral viewer, would I still find the documentary interesting? Would it be filled with references that non-skaters would not understand? Overall, is it a well made documentary? Continue Reading

There have been plenty of great documentaries over the past few years. However, the one problem with documentaries is that they do have a particular point of view. Your reaction to a particular documentary will likely be dependent on that point of view and how you look at the world from both a political and social perspective. In other words, a documentary with a liberal bias, as most of them have, will not be looked on as favorably by someone who identifies themselves as a conservative as one who identifies themselves as a liberal. However, there are some documentaries which should shock and grab the attention of people across the entire political and social spectrum. Food, Inc. is just one of those documentaries. Continue Reading

Galapagos, considered to be earth’s microcosm, tells the story of a series of islands that were Darwin’s inspiration for the theory of evolution. The islands even now are home to a large array of different species seen nowhere else on the planet. The documentary covers everything from the history of the islands, Darwin’s presence and the amazing animals that inhabit the area. Continue Reading