REAL MOVIE NEWS: 2023

Bad City Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Kensuke Sonomura
Actors ‏ : ‎ Hitoshi Ozawa, Akane Sakanoue, Katsuya, Masanori Mimoto, Tak Sakaguchi
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
Language ‏ : ‎ Japanese (DTS 5.1), English (DTS 5.1)
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Widescreen, Subtitled
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 58 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ September 19, 2023

Crime and gangster films coming out of Japan have a wide range of styles, approaches, and budgets. While some belong to the low budget Japanese V-Cinema straight-to-video tradition, others are more artistically respected and subtle in their depiction of organized crime and the violence associated with it. Bad City falls somewhere in the middle, leaning into the spectacle without losing sight of realism and becoming entirely exploitation.

Aporia Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Jared Moshe
Actors ‏ : ‎ Judy Greer, Edi Gathegi, Payman Maadi, Faithe Herman
Language ‏ : ‎ English (DTS 5.1)
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Widescreen, Subtitled
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 43 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ September 12, 2023

When the independent film Primer (2004) was made and released for $7,000, it proved that the budget of a blockbuster wasn’t necessary to make a time travel film. Since Primer, there have been numerous low budget and independent productions to take on the sci-fi premise. There have been so many indie time-travel movies released that the approach in Aporia feels somewhat unoriginal, despite containing a unique twist on the premise.

Persian Lessons Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Vadim Perelman
Actors ‏ : ‎ Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Lars Eidinger
Studio ‏ : ‎ Cohen Media Group
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ Germany
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Blu-ray
Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 7 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ July 18, 2023

I don’t envy anyone attempting to make a movie about the Holocaust at this point, as these narratives have become so common that the tragedy has turned into cinematic tropes. Aside from the occasionally unexpected unique approach, like Life is Beautiful or Jojo Rabbit, films about the Holocaust have a difficulty standing out. Although Persian Lessons doesn’t attempt to completely reinvent the formula, it does have an original premise, albeit one that requires a moderate ability to suspend disbelief. What helps to sell the storyline is the subtly expressive performance by Nahuel Pérez Biscayart.

Hotel Transylvania 4-Movie Collection DVD Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Genndy Tartakovsky, Derek Drymon, Jennifer Kluska
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ French, Portuguese, Spanish
Studio ‏ : ‎ SONY
Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.85:1
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 4
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Digital_copy, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
Run time ‏ : ‎ 6 hours and 5 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ August 15, 2023

In an animated franchise you might naturally expect to come from Universal’s animated division rather than Sony Pictures Animation, Hotel Transylvania is built on the iconic cinematic horror monsters of the past. Much of the humor in the films comes from playing with the tropes associated with each of these classic movie monsters, headed up by the hotel-owning Dracula. Aside from the premise of a hotel that gives reason for all of the horror monsters to congregate in the same location, the Hotel Transylvania films have also been a clever reversal of themes involving the acceptance of someone different. In a film full of monsters, it is the humans who are often the different ones in need of being accepted into the world of monsters.

Kill Shot Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Ari Novak
Actors ‏ : ‎ Rachel Cook, Rib Hillis, Bobby Maximus, Mara Ohara, Mark Murphy
Language ‏ : ‎ English (DTS 5.1)
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled, Widescreen
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 33 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ August 15, 2023

There are many bad movies made every year, without fail, which is why it is so difficult for them to stand out. While it takes effort to be good, poorly made films are often even more impressive, because movies as bad as Kill Shot can’t be planned. Filmmakers intending to make a bad movie come off as insincere, but it takes a series of unfortunate events for something to become this terrible organically. It’s quite remarkable to see a movie this bad, which makes it stand out amidst all the unimpressive mediocrity making up most of the entertainment being watched.

Fast X Blu-ray Review

Director: Louis Leterrier
Actors ‏ : ‎ Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Momoa, Jason Statham
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ French, Spanish
Studio ‏ : ‎ Studio Distribution Services
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Blu-ray, Subtitled
Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 21 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ August 8, 2023

Years ago, Universal announced their intentions of ending the Fast and Furious franchise with the tenth movie. In order to continue the series without going back on their word, Fast X then turned into a two-film conclusion. Just before the release of the tenth installment, however, it was announced that the two-part finale was being stretched out into three films. While I would normally bemoan the money-grubbing practices of studios and the obnoxious practice of cliffhangers in film franchises, Fast X is enough fun to leave me wanting plenty more.

Book Club: The Next Chapter Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Bill Holderman
Actors ‏ : ‎ Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen, Diane Keaton
Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English, Spanish
Studio ‏ : ‎ Studio Distribution Services
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 48 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ July 11, 2023

The premise for Book Club involving four senior friends who take new chances with their lives after deciding to read Fifty Shades of Grey together sounded like something formulated by studio heads. This low-brow high concept relied entirely on the cast of veteran actresses, who most were just excited to see on the big screen without having to be delineated to a supporting role. But other than providing entertainment for an often-ignored demographic, Book Club was little more than sitcom material repurposed for a feature film. Book Club: The Next Chapter serves the same purpose, while also feeling like an excuse to reward these legendary actresses with a European vacation in place of an improved script.

Day Zero Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Joey De Guzman
Actors ‏ : ‎ Brandon Vera, Pepe Herrera, MJ Lastimosa, Ricci Rivero, Jema Galanza
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Widescreen, Subtitled
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 22 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ July 11, 2023

Following the sub-genre’s resurgence in popularity in the late 1990s, often thought to have resulted from the success the Resident Evil video game franchise, zombie movies have become one of the most universal varieties of horror films. Although the output of zombie films has subsided some in recent years, Day Zero proves there are still new areas for the infected hordes to explore. Perhaps fittingly on the heels of a global pandemic and universal concerns about deadly contagions, Day Zero marks the first zombie film I have watched from the Philippines.

The Tank Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Scott Walker
Actors ‏ : ‎ Luciane Buchanan, Matthew Whelan, Zara Nausbaum, Regina Hegemann
Language ‏ : ‎ English (DTS 5.1)
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ New Zealand
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled, Widescreen
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 40 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ June 27, 2023

Creature features are often such a straightforward sub-genre of horror that it largely dependent on the success of the creature design and execution. Even the best script is irrelevant if the monster is unbelievable or constructed with poor CGI effects. On the other hand, The Tank proves that having believable and effective practical effects and a unique creature doesn’t mean much if the story and the characters are blandly unengaging.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny ScreenX Review

When Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was released in 2008, I was certain its failures would mean the end of the franchise. Instead, plans were almost immediately made to release a fifth and final swashbuckling adventure starring everyone’s favorite archaeologist hero, though they would take 15 years and multiple rewrites to reach fruition. Finally, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has reached theaters, with Steven Spielberg stepping down as director for the first time in the franchise and James Mangold taking the helm in a production that mostly feels content to capture the style of the series without any major alterations.

Sakra Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Donnie Yen, Kam Ka Wai
Actors ‏ : ‎ Donnie Yen, Chen Yuqi, Cya Liu, Wai Ying Hung, Wu Yue
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
Language ‏ : ‎ English (DTS 5.1)
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled, Widescreen
Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 11 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ June 13, 2023

Donnie Yen still has the ability to amaze with his martial arts ability and onscreen charisma, as was recently proved by his scene-stealing role in John Wick 4. Unfortunately, the films Yen has made recently in Hong Kong have not been nearly as impressive, though this is more an indicator of the decline of this national cinema (especially when they are co-productions with China). Criticisms of Chinese cinema lately is similar to the complaints many have about the bloated blockbusters of Hollywood. This comparison is even more apt in Yen’s latest Hong Kong/Chinese co-production, which has the structure of a classic kung fu film and the visual excess of a poorly made superhero blockbuster.

Bone Cold Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Billy Hanson
Actors ‏ : ‎ Jonathan Stoddard, Matt Munroe, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jennifer Khoe, Shaan Sharma
Language ‏ : ‎ English (DTS 5.1)
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled, Widescreen
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 49 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ June 13, 2023

Sometimes it can feel like there are no new or original ideas for film plots, and the steady stream of studio blockbusters looking to capitalize on the latest trends does nothing to discourage this feeling. Often even the cash-grabbing sequels in popular franchises become aware of this problem, and the quickest fix is by blending in unexpected genre elements. Bone Cold also seems to be taking this approach, creating a hybrid narrative that combines an action film with the tropes of a horror movie.

Fast X: 4DX Review

Years ago, Universal announced their intentions of ending the Fast and Furious franchise with the tenth movie. In order to continue the series without going back on their word, Fast X then turned into a two-film conclusion. Just before the release of the tenth installment, however, it was announced that the two-part finale was being stretched out into three films. While I would normally bemoan the money-grubbing practices of studios and the obnoxious practice of cliffhangers in film franchises, Fast X is enough fun to leave me wanting plenty more.

Let It Be Morning Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Eran Kolirin
Actors ‏ : ‎ Juna Suleiman, Salim Daw, Ehab Salami, Khalifa Natour
Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
Studio ‏ : ‎ Cohen Media Group
Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 2.39:1
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ Israel
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Blu-ray
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 41 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ March 7, 2023

Jewish Israeli filmmaker Eran Kolirin is best known for his 2007 film, The Band’s Visit, a film about an Egyptian band who becomes stranded in a small town in Israel. Let It Be Morning also deals with confinement in a small community when Israeli military forces block the only road out of a village. A Palestinian family with Israeli citizenship is stuck in the village along with others who were in the area for a wedding. There are clear political themes running throughout Kolirin’s film, but more impactful are the relatable human moments. To consider Let It Be Morning as a film either implicitly or unintentionally addressing Covid-era themes seems like low-hanging fruit, however accurate. At the center of the film are a group of people longing to fix the mess that they have made from their lives, while also being limited in what choices are available due to the circumstances of their situation.

Secret Defense Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Jacques Rivette
Actors ‏ : ‎ Sandrine Bonnaire, Jerzy Radziwilowicz, Gregoire Colin, Francoise Fabian
Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
Studio ‏ : ‎ Cohen Media Group
Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.85:1
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ France
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Blu-ray
Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 54 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ March 14, 2023

Although there are secrets at the center of the plot of Secret Defense, which also contains multiple murders within the story, the film is less a mystery film and more a family drama unfolding with moments of violence. Though many have noted that Secret Defense is one of director Jacques Rivette’s most formulaic narratives, there is still a large gap between this and traditional genre filmmaking. There may be elements expected from a thriller, but it is so leisurely paced that all danger and suspense has been diluted.

Cocaine Bear Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Elizabeth Banks
Actors ‏ : ‎ Ray Liotta, Keri Russell, Margo Martindale
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ French, Spanish
Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English, Spanish
Studio ‏ : ‎ Studio Distribution Services
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled, Blu-ray
Run time ‏ : ‎ 96 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ April 18, 2023

Some films are so high concept that the title tells you everything you need to know about the plot. For some reason, several of these films involve animals, including Snakes on a Plane, Sharknado, and now Cocaine Bear. Although Cocaine Bear differs from the rest because it is based on true events, this does not mean it is any more grounded in realism. This is completely campy cinema, and that is entirely the point.

All Quiet on the Western Front 4K UHD Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Edward Berger
Actors ‏ : ‎ Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer, Moritz Klaus
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
Studio ‏ : ‎ MPI Media/Capelight Pictures
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ Germany
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2
Media Format ‏ : ‎ 4K, Subtitled
Run time ‏ : ‎ 147 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ March 28, 2023

Based on the novel by German author Erich Maria Remarque, the 1930 adaptation of All Quiet in the Western Front remains one of the most impactful anti-war films to ever be made, so I was instantly skeptical at the announcement of a new adaptation (the third, following a TV movie adaptation in 1979). On top of having to compete with the original masterpiece, the German adaptation would also inevitably be compared to recent successful war movies, like 1917. While these comparisons are fair, I was surprised at how much All Quiet on the Western Front stood on its own, playing off of successful war narratives rather than trying to imitate them.

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