After reviewing both Silent Movie and Young Frankenstein, I was extremely curious to see which of the remaining seven discs in the Mel Brooks Collection would fit into the categories of “underrated comedy” or “overhyped disappointment”.  For this third movie, I selected another Mel Brooks film I had not seen before, To Be or Not to Be, Mr. Brooks’ 1983 remake of Ernest Lubitsch’s 1942 original.

Mr. Brooks has never struck me as a subtle humorist, and I had some worry that a comedy-musical-drama about World War II and Nazism could be taken from funny to farcical under his guidance.  Perplexingly, I also had high expectations at the same time – with such rich subject matter, and a stellar cast, this movie had the potential to be really good.  And in short, this movie was really good, the type of comedy I grew up on, and the type that seems to have fallen out of favor with the viewing public. Read the full story

The Music Man started off as a Broadway musical and became a hit in 1957, winning five Tony Awards. Due to the film’s success the usual route was taken and a film adaptation was made in 1962. Does the Blu-ray release breathe new life into the classic musical or does it simply try and inflate a time weathered ruin? Read the full story

I’m not sure what everyone’s problem is with this film.  I have previously been lambasted for openly writing my feelings about how much I liked Fame during its theatrical run and I have seen and heard nothing but pessimistic and repugnant comments from the critical community.  Am I the only one out there who sees the beauty, faith and inspiration that can be drawn from the film?  Should I be concerned or seriously ponder anymore why I thought Fame was one of the better movies of 2009?  I initially went into the theatrical presentation of this movie that I had little to no interest in, especially considering the subject matter, and I came out a believer.  I’ll expound on that in a little bit, but for now let’s talk more Fame! Read the full story

In the realm of classic musicals such as An American in Paris (a previous review of mine), next on the critique agenda was Gigi.  Released in 1958, Gigi has been billed as “A stylish triumph from start to finish,” but can it withstand the test of time and the transfer to Blu-ray?  Let’s find out. Read the full story

I am not a fan of musicals.  That’s my pessimistic intro and when I found out I would be reviewing An American in Paris, I was apprehensive but moved forward with an open mind.  After all, it does star Hollywood legend Gene Kelly.  Growing up, I remember my mom frequently watching musicals such as The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Oklahoma! and Meet Me in St. Louis.  Meanwhile, my dad was listening to Black Sabbath and Lynard Skynard.  I drifted toward the latter.  Guys in cowboy hats smiling and singing in a circle just didn’t do it for me.  Open mind, here I come.  Let’s review the classic musical, An American in Paris. Read the full story

Hot off the release of Saturday Night Fever, John Travolta made his way back into the spotlight with his dance moves; this time with the inclusion of a great singing voice and a high school backdrop in 1959. While the film itself was actually released in 1978, it is based upon the Broadway play of the same name from 1972. While some minor elements have changed in the transition, the film remains quite true to the original production and has garnered quite a following since its release over 30 years ago. Cast alongside Travolta are Olivia Newton John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway all playing memorable roles, but with the release of so many great musicals in the modern age can Grease really hold up? Read the full story

The origins of South Pacific date back to 1946, in a collection of short stories titled Tales of the South Pacific. This in turn inspired the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein stage adaptation; a simplified and condensed version dubbed South Pacific. That brings us to 1958 and yet another adaptation this time to film in the form of a musical, which always gets mixed reactions from me. I absolutely loved Sweeney Todd, and on the flip side absolutely hated High School Musical. What I’m trying to get across is, within each genre there’s the good, the bad, and the ugly. Will what most refer to as a classic identify with me, or will something have been lost in time? Read the full story

For the most part, movie trilogies are a mixed bag. While there seem to be many, there are only a few where the third installment is at least as good as the original. The top two that come to mind are the Bourne series and Indiana Jones, where, at least in this writer’s opinion, the third installment betters the first. I am sure there are some of you out there will also want to add the Lord of the Rings given that it was the third installment, The Return of the King, which garnered the Oscar for Best Picture. Not me as I felt The Return of the King to be the worst and most ponderous of the three films. Now we can add High School Musical to the list of film trilogies. How does High School Musical 3 Senior Year compare to the wildly successful first installment? Read the full story

High School Musical originally aired as a television film by Disney. Upon its release it was the most successful television film for Disney, and its popularity has since only risen. High School Musical has been dubbed as a modern day Romeo and Juliet, as the story centers around the blossoming love of two high school students in rival cliques. I think any self respecting Shakespeare fan would find that comment laughable. Comparing a literary classic to this is amusing, a tale of two lovers bound apart by feuding families and two high school students who can’t date because one is cool and the other isn’t. Laugh out loud. Alright, I’ve never seen the movie, and I’m not about to write it off just yet. Disney doesn’t't often disappoint, and I happen to like musicals, a lot. I’m just going to have to rewind my mindset about 10 years and watch it from a pre teens point of view, who knows I might just be surprised. Read the full story

What do you get when you mix Blade Runner with Rocky Horror Picture Show, throw in a bit of gore and some Marilyn Manson-like inspiration?  Well you get Repo! The Genetic Opera, of course.  Opportune for me, I like the artistic, gothic and occult themes that movies like these present.  The rest of the world’s population is out of luck.  If you are the least bit curious about this title, like I was when I first learned about the film from a press release, then a rental is a must.  Read the full story

Growing up musical movies really captivated me, as they do most children. It’s something everyone can appreciate and have a good time with, however, call it growing up if you want, but Disney just hasn’t been on stride with musicals as of late. Sure the success of High School Musical and others can debate that, but there just hasn’t been that pizzazz that I yearn. But I open my eyes and mind going into The Cheetah Girls: One World, hoping for a nostalgic journey to when these films captivated my imagination. Is Cheetah Girls going to impress, or just be another contemporary drag? Read the full story

Mamma Mia! The Movie was slated to be second on my to-do agenda after my next Blu-ray review was finished.  With repeated requests from my mother to finally write this review I decided to bump this one up on my list of reviews to get done.  Like all good stories there is a prologue.  My parents came over the evening December 13^th to watch The Dark Knight on Blu-ray.  After being overwhelmingly satisfied with The Dark Knight my mother petitioned for an encore Blu-ray presentation.  She eyed the Mamma Mia! The Movie Blu-ray she saw sitting on my media shelf, still sealed in the retail shrink-wrap, knowing full well that she would get to see her favorite movie of the year before its video release date.  I was reluctant to follow-up The Dark Knight with a screening of Mamma Mia! The Movie, but I pondered why not, I had to watch and review it sometime.  I figured at least if I did not enjoy it someone else would.  So without further ado here is my initial Blu-ray experience with Mamma Mia! The Movie. Read the full story

Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Helena Bohnam Carter, and a 1970’s Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim about a barber with a penchant for truly close, and rather bloody, shaves. With these kinds of ingredients, you have a can’t miss recipe for Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street. The finished product is a wickedly clever and most unusual movie experience. Tim Burton’s style blends so seamlessly with the dark humor of the original production. If I had any reservations going into the film, it was the casting of Burton’s go-to actors Depp and Carter. Read the full story

I have a cousin who is absolutely in love with the Broadway production of Rent currently playing in New York. To date she’s made the trip to New York from the Philly area no less than 3 times and will likely do so again. I attempted to channel that passion as much as I could as I sat down to watch this Blu-ray version of the production. Unfortunately, I don’t believe I was quite successful. From what I can see there is no doubt in my mind that Rent is a phenomenal experience, but I am also equally certain that this film could not capture the energy and emotion that theatre goers have been raving about. Read the full story

WHAT TIME IS IT? Well, actually it’s about 2:30pm EST during a snowstorm where I’m sitting, but had I asked the same question to either of my kids, or likely any preteen of the female gender, I may have been answered with: SUMMERTIME! followed by the rest of the theme from High School Musical 2, which has already been so ingrained into their very being, they have no choice but to break into song on cue. Yep, that even includes my 3 year old. You might think I’m a sad excuse for a parent, but maybe I’m just looking for ANY possible alternative to grown men singing about fruit salad. So yeah, we’re cool with HSM at my house, and it’s only easier to justify on Blu-ray.
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Dreamgirls created a substantial amount of buzz when it was first released at the end of 2006, and has since won two Academy Awards. Although this movie never really struck me as being something I just had to watch, I’ve been curious to check out what all the praise was about. For those of you that don’t know, Dreamgirls is a musical, a whole whack load of singing intertwined with the ongoing plot; much like Grease or Chicago. Like most musical films, Dreamgirls is adapted from a play of the same name, and inspired by the history of Motown Records. Read the full story

Chicago is an adaptation of the musical Chicago, which debuted in 1975, and has since become an iconic Broadway show. In addition to its success on the stage Chicago is an acclaimed film, which took away six Academy Awards at the 2002 showing, including Best Picture. I’ll admit I’m not one for musicals so I wasn’t exactly looking forward to watching this movie for the first time, but I went in with an unbiased mind and hoped for the best. Read the full story