Into the Blu

In the Winter of 1969 an elite force of the U.S. Army was sent on a top secret assignment in South East Vietnam. The objective: rescue Sgt. Four Leaf Tayback from a heavily guarded NVA Prison Camp. The mission was considered near suicide. Of the 10 men sent, 4 returned. Of those 4, 3 wrote books about what happened. Of those 3, 2 were published. Of those 2, just one got a movie deal. This is the story of the men who attempted to make that movie: Continue Reading

I remember dragging my ex-girlfriend to see this movie in the theatre on Valentine’s Day back in 2003.  She was very surprised as she had always known me to be very anti-Ben Affleck.  With the exception of Good Will Hunting I have never been a fan of his wooden characters he portrayed or that grin he always seems to proudly display.  Maybe it is just me?  I was going to pass on this movie completely until two reasons persuaded me not to.  The first was the awesome music soundtrack.  I remember having a copy of this CD a month before the movie even came out.  It was then that I discovered the amazing lungs of Evanescence’s Amy Lee.  There are a total of two Evanescence songs playing during two key emotional moments in the movie.  The second was a referral from a friend who lives out-of-state who basically encouraged me to put my dislike for Ben Affleck aside and check this movie out for what it was… a comic book superhero movie. Continue Reading

“I am not a crook” said President Nixon as he vigorously defended his record in the Watergate case. This famous line would forever stain the president’s career and personal life. It’s hard to believe Watergate happened so many years ago, yet it still brings the controversy of all other legendary US cover-ups. Today I will review the film Nixon as presented for the first time on Blu-ray. Continue Reading

The only thing I really knew about the Saw franchise coming in was that it was kind of about a guy who would get people in these really elaborate torture devices, and give them a set amount of time to escape, and there would be some form of self-mutilation involved. Now, I don’t know how right or wrong that is, but let me just say that my exposure to the whole “torture porn” genre is limited at best, as I have the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre and have seen the first Hostel film. Otherwise, they’re not just my cup of tea. You know why? ‘Cause I’m a married man, not a 18-year-old boy!

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There was a time when I hated Billy Bob Thorton and everything he was in. Since then I don’t know what has changed, but those same roles I used to hate him in, I can’t seem to get enough of. His laid back almost down to Earth style has really captivated me. It really doesn’t seem like he has to do much acting, maybe at one point, but by now he has to have spent more time acting as an alcoholic jerk than he has as himself. So hate him or love him, you have got to admit that his certain brand of humor is a sure floor kicker. Continue Reading

Though comic scribe Alan Moore may want little to nothing to do with this film adaptation of his graphic novel of the same name, From Hell manages to be an entertaining, pulpy, if not a little overblown thriller. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when Johnny Depp plays the lead and directors the Hughes Brothers work hard to break from the norm of their previous efforts (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents). Having only viewed this movie upon its original DVD release, and feeling mixed about the results, I found myself enjoying From Hell more than I expected or remembered. Maybe the great transfer on the Blu-ray Disc had something to do with it. Continue Reading

As a film, Hostel is in a class of it’s own. It takes the “disturbing gore” genre to a whole new level. There isn’t much in between ground for this film. You will either really enjoy the film or you will be very much disgusted. The plot of the film revolves around two college students and a friend they recently met as they journey across Europe. They are looking to have a good time and “meet” as many women as possible along the way. They journey from Hostel to Hostel. At one point they are starting to feel as if they have hit their peak. This changes when they are getting high with a local named Alex who recommends this Hostel he knows of in the small country of Slovakia. Supposedly at this Hostel the girls are more beautiful and are turned on even more by American men. Continue Reading

This is absolutely one of my favorite movies in this genre. It’s an epic war movie that deals with the Greeks and their massive army trying to take over the city of Troy. The feud starts when Paris (Orlando Bloom, Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings), one of the princes of Troy, falls in love with Helen of Sparta. He takes her home with her, triggering the war. The ruthless King Agamemnon of Greece, played by Brian Cox (X-men 2), comes to the aid of his brother, King Menelaus of Sparta (Brendan Gleeson, Lake Placid), who is married to Helen. King Agamemnon uses his brother’s anger as an excuse to go to war, as he has been aspiring to take over Troy for many years. Continue Reading

In the Boy Scouts every year they have something called a Jamboree. It’s a chance for troops around the country to get together and talk about the things young adolescent boys talk about. The week is filled with friendly, and not so friendly, competition. There’s plenty of talk about unity and the common problems they all face. Imagine, if you will, street gang jamboree. Continue Reading

Whether you believe it should be or not, Basic Instinct is a classic. Yes, it is cheesy, gratuitous, and ridiculous at times. Heck, even Paul Verhoeven freely admits that the plot is silly and unrealistic. Yet, there is something about the film that still grabs you and doesn’t let go. Something about the chemistry of Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone that just gets it right. Something about the way Verhoeven relishes in the excesses of camp and trash while still maintaining an awkward level of quality. Continue Reading

I remember eight years back when Payback was first released. I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to watch it, and when I got the chance to check it out, I instantly enjoyed it. Upon finding out about the release of the new director?s cut, I found myself eagerly anticipating it once again, as it promised to be a completely different film. Continue Reading

Since we have already reviewed the DVD version of the Director?s Cut of King Arthur, some aspects of this review, those that are not format specific, have been ported over to this review.

After fifteen years in the service of the Roman army in Britain, Lancelot (Ioan Gruffudd) and other knights of the round table look forward to being released and returning to their homeland of Samartia. Their leader, Arthur (Clive Owen), pines for Rome. But one last rescue mission turns into a nightmare, and then the … Continue Reading