REAL MOVIE NEWS

Cut Throat City Blu-ray Review

Aspect Ratio : 2.35:1
MPAA rating : R (Restricted)
Director : Rza
Media Format : Dolby, Widescreen
Run time : 2 hours and 3 minutes
Release date : October 20, 2020
Actors : Shameik Moore, Demetrius Shipp Jr., Denzel Whitaker, Keean Johnson
Language : English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Studio : Well Go Usa
Number of discs : 2

Social relevance showing up in genre filmmaking is far from new, though it has taken on additional significance in the current cultural climate in America. We have seen this in the increase of female representation in action-oriented genres, including the announcement that the next 007 will be a woman. Similarly, racial representation within Hollywood has taken some clear strides in recent years, which is why she is also black. Because of this, it is equally unsurprising to see RZA integrating these themes into his latest film. Unfortunately, these themes often get lost in a convoluted plot that can’t seem to decide what genre it belongs to or what it wants to say. In terms of representation, Cut Throat City wins, even though it fails at some basic aspects of storytelling.

Broil Blu-ray Review

MPAA rating : (Not Rated)
Director : Edward Drake
Media Format : Dolby, NTSC, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Run time : 1 hour and 31 minutes
Release date : October 13, 2020
Actors : Jonathan Lipnicki, Avery Konrad, Timothy V. Murphy, Lochlyn Munro, Catherine Lough Haggquist
Studio : Well Go Usa
Number of discs : 1

Family-driven terror has been showing up more frequently in the horror genre in recent years, but not in the expected ways. Rather than having a family invaded or attacked by an outside force, we are now seeing the threat come within the family more regularly. These films show us husband against wife (The Invisible Man), parent against child (Mom and Dad), child against parent (Brightburn), among others. This has been especially true of occult narratives such as Hereditary and Ready or Not, and at first it appears as though Broil would fit into this category as well.

American Pie Presents Girls’ Rules DVD Review

Aspect Ratio : 1.78:1
MPAA rating : R (Restricted)
Director : Mike Elliott
Media Format : NTSC, Subtitled
Run time : 1 hour and 36 minutes
Release date : October 6, 2020
Actors : Madison Pettis, Lizze Broadway, Natasha Behnam, Piper Curda, Darren Barnet
Subtitles: : Japanese, Spanish, Thai
Producers : Karen Gorodetzky, Abbey Lessanu, Joseph P. Genier, Mike Elliott
Language : English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Studio : Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

The entertainment industry has always reflected the ideology of the times, adjusting as society changes their common belief systems. When this occurs sincerely, audiences feel their views being represented equally and accurately, but then there are times that filmmakers and studios are merely capitalizing on the trendy movements. Despite the obvious attempt by the American Pie franchise to become ‘woke’ with the female-led Girls’ Rules, it feels like a blatant attempt at pandering to audiences for a quick profit. It doesn’t feel the least bit sincere, and it is a shaky balancing act continuing a sexually exploitative narrative without offending the female sex. While this is done by shifting a vast majority of the objectification onto the male characters in a vengeful interpretation of modern feminism, even that feels contrived coming from a male director and his two male screenwriters.

The Secret: Dare to Dream Blu-ray Review

MPAA rating : PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Director : Andy Tennant
Media Format : Digital_copy, NTSC
Release date : September 22, 2020
Actors : Katie Holmes, Josh Lucas, Jerry O'Connell, Celia Weston, Katrina Begin
Studio : Artisan / Lionsgate
ASIN : B08CJV1XQR
Number of discs : 1

Any time a film is associated with a philosophy, religion, or self-help book, the filmmakers seem to have an exceedingly difficult time with subtlety. The agenda of selling the audience members on the belief system that the narrative is focused on often becomes more important than the narrative or other filmmaking elements. With The Secret: Dare to Dream, we are immediately assaulted with the source material being referenced in the form of a cumbersome title. But while this film is a far cry from being a memorable romantic comedy, audiences could do a lot worse in these days of bad Netflix teen romances, Lifetime movies, and the yearly bombardment of faith-based films released in the spring.

Invincible Dragon Blu-ray Review

Director : Fruit Chan
Disc Format : Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen
Run time : 99 min
Release date : October 6, 2020
Actors : Jin Zhang, Anderson Silva, Kevin Cheng, Annie Liu, Stephy Tang
Subtitles: : English
Language : Cantonese (DTS 5.1)
Studio : Well Go USA

I don’t think it comes as any surprise that the main reason audiences tend to watch martial arts films are the action sequences. There is a reason that these films have a tradition of implementing action directors, as well as a primary director of the entire production, and that is not for consideration of plot or character development. Invincible Dragon has two action directors, likely responsible for the film’s greatest asset, but it also has a plot as focused on a mystery as it is kicking ass. If only the screenplay and direction by Fruit Chan (Dumplings) was as consistent as the action choreography, this Chinese martial arts-mystery would have been highly watchable. As it stands, the successful moments of martial arts fighting are enveloped by the tonally inconsistent narrative that surrounds them.

The Legend of Tomiris Blu-ray Review

Aspect Ratio : 2.35:1
MPAA rating : Not Rated
Product Dimensions : 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 8.32 Ounces
Director : Akan Satayev
Media Format : Subtitled
Release date : September 29, 2020
Subtitles: : English
Language : Russian (DTS 5.1), Russian (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Studio : Well Go USA

After the onslaught of media coverage about the live-action Mulan film released by Disney, from marketing material to the controversy over the film itself, it is not entirely surprising that this female warrior was my first thought upon watching The Legend of Tomiris. While nowhere near as well-covered as the criticisms of Mulan have been, several nations have taken issue with the content in The Legend of Tomiris as well. However, while the issues of Mulan have much more to do with production and the politics of cast members, the issues with The Legend of Tomiris have more to do with the actual content of the narrative. And this would make sense, as this film is based on an actual historical figure, while Hua Mulan has long thought to have been a fictional character.

The Trip to Greece Blu-ray Review

Actors: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Format: Subtitled, Widescreen
Number of discs: 1
Rated:
NR
Not Rated
Studio: IFC Independent Film
Release Date: August 25, 2020
Run Time: 104 minutes

In a scene near the end of The Trip to Greece, Rob Brydon remarks that it has been ten years since the first trip he took with friend and adversary, Steve Coogan. This is surprising to Coogan, as it may also be to audience members that have been following their journeys to beautiful scenery and expensive meals. The breezy irreverence often seems to main selling point of the series, which sets the dramatic character development behind overlong scenes of competing celebrity impressions and two men never afraid to talk with their mouths full, if it means they get to hog the spotlight. That this is the supposed last installment in the franchise doesn’t bring with it the promise of any grand revelations or resolutions, but simply another serving of the same.

How to Build a Girl Blu-ray Review

Actors: Beanie Feldstein, Alfie Allen
Director: Coky Giedroyc
Format: Subtitled, Widescreen
Number of discs: 1
Rated:
R
Restricted
Studio: IFC Independent Film
DVD Release Date: August 11, 2020
Run Time: 104 minutes

How to Build a Girl feels like watching an entire TV series in fast-forward. The character arcs and development may make sense in real-time, but as movie, we watch a shy and awkward 16-year-old turn into a completely different person in less time than a montage would take. Perhaps if the film actually took place over a longer period of time, it would only be an issue of poor screenplay adaptation and sloppy editing, but since she remains 16 for the entirety, there is also the unsavory inclusion of her explicit sexual awakening with older men. However progressively feminist the narrative may be, there is nothing particularly enjoyable about watching an underage girl allow herself to be exploited in a misguided pursuit of liberation.

A Dog’s Courage Blu-ray Review

Actors: Doh Kyung-soo, Park So-dam
Director: Oh Sung-yoon
Format: Subtitled, Dolby, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Language: English (DTS 5.1), Korean (DTS 5.1)
Subtitles: English
Region: Region A/1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated:
NR
Not Rated
Studio: Well Go Usa
Release Date: August 18, 2020
Run Time: 102 minutes

There is a universality to animation which has otherwise been lost since the arrival of sound in film. It doesn’t matter what nation made the film when we are watching are constructed images; the common act of amorphization often meaning there are even fewer ways of distinguishing culture, and Disney long ago proved that cultural appropriation can be an effective tool. With a quick redubbing by voice actors in each language, it can be easy for an animated film to be accepted as essentially nationless. A Dog’s Courage (translated as Underdog from the original South Korean title), on the other hand, provides a narrative that is distinct in its representation of a precise place, however universal the overlaying canine storyline may be.

House of Hummingbird Blu-ray Review

Actors: Jihu Park, Saebyuk Kim, Seungyeon Lee
Director: Bora Kim
Format: Subtitled, Dolby, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Number of discs: 1
Rated:
NR
Not Rated
Studio: Well Go Usa
Blu-ray Release Date: August 4, 2020
Run Time: 138 minutes

As many great coming-of-age films are, House of Hummingbird draws inspiration from the childhood of its filmmaker. This element of realism adds a layer of melancholy to the proceeding, often feeling as though we are spying on someone’s intimate memories, and not always the ones that we might fill a photo album with. It is a film filled with universal experiences of growing up, but framed within a specific cultural moment in Seoul, South Korea.

Gundala Blu-ray Review

Actors: Abimana Aryasatya, Tara Basro, Bront Palarae, Ario Bayu
Director: Joko Anwar
Disc Format: Subtitled, Dolby, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Language: Indonesian (DTS 5.1), English (DTS 5.1)
Subtitles: English
Region: Region A/1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated:
NR
Not Rated
Studio: Well Go Usa
Release Date: July 28, 2020
Run Time: 120 minutes

With the worldwide success of Hollywood’s superhero franchises, not to mention the recent popularity of “cinematic universes,” it was inevitable that the genre would expand beyond the United States. As Indonesian action films have thrived in the past decade, it is unsurprising that they are the next to enter into the world of superhero cinema. Adapting a comic book character from the late 1960s to modern times for the first installment in Indonesia’s cinematic shared universe for superheroes, Gundala is a step in the right direction, even if there are still miles to go before achieving the scope and quality expected from the genre.

Samurai Marathon Blu-ray Review

Actors: Danny Huston, Takeru Satoh, Nana Komatsu, Mirai Moriyama
Director: Bernard Rose
Format: Subtitled, Dolby, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Language: Japanese (DTS 5.1)
Subtitles: English
Region: Region A/1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated:
NR
Not Rated
Studio: Well Go Usa
Release Date: July 21, 2020
Run Time: 104 minutes

Samurai Marathon doesn’t resemble some of the samurai films that have been coming out of Japan in recent years, such as the Rurouni Kenshin franchise. These popular movies are jam-packed with action, stylized to the point of almost resembling superhero films (not unlike some wire-fu films in the kung-fu genre), and feature popular young stars in key roles. Because some of the cast from the Rurouni Kenshin films are also in Samurai Marathon, it is not surprising that some fans have noticed the shift in style. Samurai Marathon actually resembles a style from the recent past, most notably the films of Yôji Yamada (The Twilight Samurai, The Hidden Blade), which utilize a slice-of-life realism that is more concerned with character development that flashy action scenes.

Enter the Fat Dragon Blu-ray Review

Actors: Donnie Yen, Niki Chow, Teresa Mo, Jing Wong
Director: Kenji Tanigaki
Format: Dolby, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Language: Cantonese (DTS 5.1)
Subtitles: Cantonese, English
Region: Region A/1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated:
NR
Not Rated
Studio: Well Go Usa
Release Date: July 14, 2020
Run Time: 97 minutes

When people are at the top of their game, that is usually when they have the urge to expand their range. This is clear in all fields, explaining Michael Jordan’s decision to play baseball, any number of actors who have transitioned into the world of music, musicians transitioning into the world of acting, or Kanye West’s apparent plans to try his hand at politics. It also explains why comedic actors inevitably try dramatic work at one point or another. While Enter the Dragon is a martial arts film like many others that Donnie Yen has made, the addition of slapstick comedy makes it the type of film one might expect to see Jackie Chan starring in. And though Yen is capable of the added element, this doesn’t save the film from being a bit derivative and tonally uneven.

Sniper: Assassin’s End Blu-ray Review

Actors: Chad Collins, Sayaka Akimoto, Ryan Robbins, Lochlyn Munro, Emily Tennant
Director: Kaare Andrews
Producers: Vicki Sotheran, Greg Malcolm
Disc Format: Subtitled
Language: English
Subtitles: Dutch, Norwegian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovene, Thai, Romanian, Arabic, Finnish, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Danish, German, Italian, Korean, Swedish, Latvian, Estonian, English, Portuguese, Polish, Lithuanian, French, Greek, Spanish, Slovak
Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: English
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Rated:

R

Restricted
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: June 16, 2020
Run Time: 95 minutes

As the eighth film in the Sniper franchise is released on home video, it is becoming apparent that we will likely see this series stay in the family for as long as they can come up with clever titles and Tom Berenger is available for a brief appearance. And even when the original star is no longer available or willing, the series can continue with the next generation of Thomas Beckett in his son, Brandon (Chad Michael Collins). The cast is consistent from film to film, as is the unimaginative plotting.

Olympic Dreams DVD Review

Actors: Nick Kroll, Alexi Pappas
Director: Jeremy Teicher
Disc Format: NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Region: Region 1
Number of discs: 1
Rated:

PG-13

Parents Strongly Cautioned
Studio: IFC Independent Film
DVD Release Date: May 19, 2020
Run Time: 82 minutes

If I were to describe an independent film starring an actor known for his comedic roles who encounters and engages in a flirtatious friendship with a much younger woman while on a job in a foreign country, it would be easy to mistake my description for the 2003 hit, Lost in Translation. This just goes to prove that independent films, for all of their claims of creative originality, can also be guilty of formulaic plotting and derivative content, because the exact same description works for 2019’s Olympic Dreams. While it is a likable enough film, the only original element of this newer independent dramedy about two lonely souls meeting in an unfamiliar city is the setting. And while being the first film to be shot inside of the actual Olympic Village is a certain claim of originality, the filmmakers seem far more preoccupied with this element of the storytelling than the character development or dialogue.

Tea with the Dames Blu-ray Review

Actors: Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith
Format: Subtitled, Widescreen
Number of discs: 1
Rated:

NR

Not Rated
Studio: IFC Independent Film
Release Date: May 5, 2020
Run Time: 84 minutes

Four legendary British actresses from stage and screen, all of which have been given an honorary Dame status, have been friends for over 50 years. Apparently Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, and Joan Plowright all keep in touch by spending weekends together reminiscing in a country getaway one of them owns, and allowed a film crew to intrude on one of these sessions for the documentary, Tea with the Dames. The title was originally Nothing Like a Dame, which can still be seen several times in the film itself, as the production becomes a part of the film. The change wasn’t made because the beverage they drink (they have champagne, but no tea), but because of the direction of the conversation, which contains some gossip from their classic days of stage and screen.

Better Days Blu-ray Review

Actors: Zhou Dongyu, Jackson Yee
Director: Derek Tsang
Format: Dolby, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Number of discs: 1
Rated:

NR

Not Rated
Studio: Well Go Usa
Release Date: May 5, 2020
Run Time: 135 minutes

Narratively speaking, there is nothing particularly original about the themes and structure of the Chinese melodrama, Better Days. In terms of being a story taking place in high school, involving bullying that leads to both suicide and a murder, which is presented as something of a mystery, Better Days often feels like a feature-film variation on the Netflix series, “13 Reasons Why.” However, it is in the differences of the narratives that Better Days finds its distinct voice, and the film may have been more successful had those elements been favored more.

Ip Man 4 Blu-ray Review

Actors: Donnie Yen, Scott Adkins, Wu Yue
Director: Wilson Yip
Disc Format: Dolby, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS 5.1), Cantonese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Cantonese (DTS 5.1)
Subtitles: English, Mandarin Chinese
Region: Region A/1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number of discs: 2
Rated:

NR

Not Rated
Studio: Well Go Usa
Release Date: April 21, 2020
Run Time: 105 minutes

The Ip Man franchise has long been dedicated to themes of Chinese pride, as displayed by the telling of the Wing Chun master’s story. In the first film, it was the Japanese occupying force that our Chinese hero dispelled, and in a later entry it was the British. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the film in which Ip Man takes on America would prove to be the most transparently nationalistic in the franchise, once again allowing him to take on another nation’s military. Depiction of the United States is often so negative that the film flirts with full on nationalistic propaganda, but fortunately the fight choreography is still pretty good.

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