Picnic at Hanging Rock Dual-Format Edition Review

     Actors: Rachel Roberts, Anne Lambert, Jacki Weaver

Director: Peter Weir

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Color, Surround Sound, Widescreen

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 3

Rated: PG

Studio: Criterion Collection

Release Date: June 17, 2014

Run Time: 107 minutes

 

 

        Peter Weir’s success in Hollywood has been so extensive that it is often easy to forget about the influences he has had on his native cinema as well. Picnic at Hanging Rock was the filmmaker’s sophomore film, and one which would catapult his international reputation while simultaneously playing a significant role in the New Wave of Australian cinema. Weir’s Australian films were not only met with critical praise worldwide, they were also among the most popular films in the nation at the time, helping to propel the national cinema in a new direction.

 

An Adventure in Space and Time Combo Pack Review

     Actors: David Bradley

Directors: Terry McDonough

Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 3

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: BBC Home Entertainment

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Run Time: 90 minutes

 

 

        As popular as “Doctor Who” has been for so many decades and various incarnations, it is rather difficult to imagine the struggle that the series first faced with the creation of those defining first episodes. The BBC provides a predictably heartfelt recreation of these humble origins with An Adventure in Space and Time, strengthened by a solid cast of performers playing performers. This story may be a work of non-fiction, but it is sure to attract the many sci-fi fans that have made “Doctor Who” the longest running series of its kind.

 

Adult World DVD Review

     Actors: Emma Roberts, John Cusack, Evan Peters

Director: Scott Coffey

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

DVD Release Date: June 10, 2014

Run Time: 93 minutes

 

        I wanted so desperately to like Adult World, but that was made impossible by horribly passive direction from Scott Coffrey and a bipolar screenplay from Andy Cochran that veers back and forth from obvious and cliché plot points to forced quirkiness in character development. Despite having a few unique things to say about our society’s desire for fame and celebrity, Adult World’s positive ideas are overtaken by the screenplay’s assortment of purposefully unsympathetic characters and a hipster ideology. Only the supporting performance by John Cusack saves this film from being entirely tiresome.

 

Haunt DVD Review

    Actors: Jacki Weaver, Liana Liberato, Harrison Gilbertson

Director: Mac Carter

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

DVD Release Date: June 10, 2014

Run Time: 85 minutes

 

 

        There are a number of technical aspects which are competently made within Haunt, but they are so far removed from the logic of the film and its storyline that this film feels more like the ghost of better haunted house films than an original story of its own. The biggest problem is a complete lack of character development, not to mention the missing cohesion between the cast members meant to be a family. There is no feeling of connection between the family members, mostly because the characters don’t feel developed enough to matter to each other. This film is far more interested in well-photographed eerie and foreboding images, and a few special-effects driven scares enhanced by a noisy soundtrack. In other words, this is like a dozen other haunted house films, instantly forgettable for having nothing to set it apart.                

 

Bible Quiz DVD Review

     Actors: Mikayla Irle, JP O'Connor, Rachel Holley, Christopher Teeny, Rich Nelson

Director: Nicole Teeny

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Virgil Films and Entertainment

DVD Release Date: June 10, 2014

Run Time: 76 minutes

 

 

        Documentaries are the most forgiving independent films in terms of critical praise. There is less of a need for production values in the medium, and even home movies can be turned into compelling entertainment if the subject is intriguing enough. Films can be made without much of a crew or even a concept of what the film will be or what it has to say, and a lot of the time keeping the camera running is all that is needed for the personal drama to unfold naturally. Bible Quiz is made by Nicole Teeny, and it is no surprise to find that one of teens at the center of the storyline is a Christopher Teeny.

 

Napoleon Dynamite Statue Unveiled on 20th Century Fox Studio Lot

        Most successful films are re-released on special anniversary edition DVD and Blu-ray releases after ten years, and a few even have special events to celebrate the landmark. The honor bestowed on Jon Heder’s portrayal of the title character in Jordon Hess’ Napoleon Dynamite Monday afternoon on the 20^th Century Fox Studio lot was something else entirely. Now housed just beyond the studio’s main entrance is a multi-colored bronze statue of the tater-tot-loving bespectacled odd-ball.

 

 

Kill Zombie! Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Yahya Gaier, Mimoun Ouled Radi, Sergio Hasselbaink, Gigi Ravelli

Directors: Martijn Smits, Erwin van den Eshof

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Dolby, NTSC, THX, Widescreen

Language: Dutch

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Well Go USA

Release Date: June 10, 2014

Run Time: 87 minutes

        Every other country has made a zombie film, so why not Denmark? Kill Zombie! doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is the only saving grace of yet another attempt at the flooded sub-genre of horror. Having the zombies in Amsterdam is not an original enough concept to detract from similarities this film shares to similar horror-comedies made in England (Shaun of the Dead) and the United States (Zombieland). While I would rather watch Kill Zombie! over any of the zombie films taking themselves too seriously, I would watch the films that this one is imitating first as well.

 

The Ringer Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Brian Cox, Johnny Knoxville, Jed Rees, Bill Chott

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, AC-3, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English (DTS 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: English, French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Run Time: 95 minutes

 

 

        I never thought that I would say that a Johnny Knoxville movie is too sensitive for its own good, but that is most certainly the case with The Ringer. Despite the brazen storyline of a man pretending to be mentally handicapped in order to fix the Special Olympics and the fact that Knoxville was coming off of his success with the shock humor of “Jackass,” The Ringer is nearly entirely all good-natured humor. Trim a little bit more and I’m willing to bet they could have moved this soft PG-13 down to a PG.

 

Kissing Jessica Stein Blu-ray Review

 

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, AC-3, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English (DTS 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: English, French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Run Time: 97 minutes

 

        These days there is an entire market of LGBT entertainment, even a distribution label focusing exclusively on films with these characters and themes, but it is still rare for a movie with gay and lesbian themes at the forefront of the narrative to become mainstream successes. What is really remarkable is that Kissing Jessica Stein still seems ahead of its time twelve years after it was made. How many widely distributed LGBT romantic comedies have been released since this film?

 

Robocop Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley

Director: José Padilha

Writers: Joshua Zetumer, Edward Neumeier, Michael Miner

Producers: Marc Abraham, Eric Newman

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, AC-3, Color, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English (DTS 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (DTS 5.1)

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: English, French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: PG-13

Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Run Time: 117 minutes

        The original 1987 Robocop franchise was science-fiction action, with equal emphasis on both genres built evenly into Paul Verhoeven’s dark cult hit. Much of the darkness remains in José Padilha’s remake, as well as the action, but rather than blend the two genres together, they stay separate from each other. This makes for a few high-octane action sequences void of much significance beyond the eye candy, and a remaining film that aligns more with classic Hollywood horror creature-features more than anything else. There is certainly a lot of intelligent discussion and political allegories amidst the screenplay written by Joshua Zetumer, and then rewritten by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner, but none of it blends with the genre aspects of the film. Basically, this Robocop is either fun or intelligent, but never both at the same time.   

 

Son of God Blu-ray Review

Actors: Gary Oliver, David Rintoul, Paul Knops, Sebastian Knapp

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English (DTS 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: English, French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Run Time: 138 minutes

 

        I’m stuck between having nothing to say and too much to say about Son of God. I have nothing to say about the film itself, which is an inoffensive and entirely unnecessary Sunday-school adaptation of Jesus’ greatest hits from the Bible. I have too much to say about the production (or post-production, as that is all that was needed for this film’s creation), the producers, the marketing campaign, and the backlash from many prior to even seeing the film. I just don’t know how any of what I have to say is relevant, and I don’t want to talk about the film itself for fear that it will be half as dull as the actual experience of watching it. 

 

Pretty Little Liars: The Complete Fourth Season DVD Review

     Actors: Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson

Format: Multiple Formats, Box set, Color, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 5

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Warner Home Video

DVD Release Date: June 3, 2014

Run Time: 963 minutes

 

        Even though there are slight differences to the characters and setting, “Pretty Little Liars” has been done before. It is “Desperate Housewives” for the “Gossip Girl” age group. The mystery and the melodrama surround a group of young looking but sexually promiscuous teenage girls. They are accurately portrayed to be rather idiotic, but what makes no sense is how stupid all of the adults are in the show. It feels like a series written for teens by teens, reeking of naivety and unoriginal storylines from decades past.

 

Most Hated Movies: 24 Exposures DVD Review

     Actors: Adam Wingard, Simon Barrett

Director: Joe Swanberg

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Rated: Unrated

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

DVD Release Date: May 27, 2014

Run Time: 77 minutes

 

 

Joe Swanberg helped cultivate the mumblecore movement in the recesses of low-budget independent cinema alongside the far more successful Duplass brothers, and I have to disclose my barest distaste for these films. With that being said, Swanberg’s attempt to blend the style with a typical serial killer narrative ends up resulting in a film that is only shades off from being softcore porn, from the nonsensical male fantasy narrative to the bad acting between cheesy sex scenes. The film’s only decently written dialogue comes from the main character, whose distasteful choice in art-form is defended by his claim that it needs no defending, which is most definitely a stand-in for Swanberg’s explanation for why his films are so shitty.

 

Run & Jump DVD Review

     Actors: Will Forte, Maxine Peake

Director: Steph Green

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Rated: Unrated

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

DVD Release Date: May 27, 2014

Run Time: 106 minutes

 

 

        Not all of Run & Jump works; there are moments which feels somewhat directionless, making for a slightly uneven film. The inconsistencies of the storytelling are easily forgivable, however, because the acting in each of the roles is steadfast. Filmmaker Steph Green clearly has a gift in bringing the best out of her performers, from leads down to the bit roles, though this only makes the deficiency in other directorial duties more apparent. When all is said and done, however, this is an impressive debut feature for the filmmaker.

 

Death Spa Blu-ray Review

     Director: Michael Fischa

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Color, Widescreen

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: Unrated

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Run Time: 87 minutes

 

       

        Never heard of Death Spa before? That could be because it was also released under the name Witch Blade, or it could just be the fact that slasher gorefests like this 1987 lost camp classic were too common in the 80s to know them all. This only allows new fans to discover the grindhouse greatness of Death Spa for the first time, along with fans who will appreciate the unrated cut on the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. Rarely do the drawn posters from 80s horror provide a film that lives up to the first-impression expectations brought on by the art; everything you see on the cover for Death Spa is exactly what you get, for better or worse. 

 

Endless Love Blu-ray Review

    Actors: Gabrilla Wilde, Alex Pettyfer, Bruce Greenwood

Director: Shana Feste

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Ultraviolet, Color, Widescreen

Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS-HD High Res Audio), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (DTS 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (DTS 5.1)

Subtitles: French, Spanish

Dubbed: Spanish, French, English

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Rated: PG-13 

Studio: Universal Studios

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Digital Copy Expiration Date: May 2, 2016

Run Time: 210 minutes

       

        With very little resemblance to either the book by Scott Spencer or the oddly disturbed 1981 Franco Zeffirelli version, Shana Feste’s Endless Love is terrible and contrived in its own unique ways. Then again, even using the word “unique” to describe the awfulness of this film is an unearned and inaccurate sentiment. Every moment of Endless Love which comes even close to working is merely the shadow of a copy of an imitation of many much better films. This is a film that will only work for ignorant audience members unfamiliar with love or even its representation on film. In other words, this is a movie made for fourteen-year-old girls, destined to give them false impressions about what real love actually looks like. News flash for Feste; love does not resemble a 105-minute commercial. Next time try giving us some semblance of character development and realistic conflicts rather than contrived scenarios involving vapid models standing in as actors.

 

Gambit Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Colin Firth, Tom Courtenay, Alan Rickman

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, AC-3, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Run Time: 89 minutes

 

        I would be curious to know what director Michael Hoffman is responsible for in the creation of Gambit, because it is nearly impossible to believe that changes weren’t made to the screenplay by Joel and Ethan Coen. The end result has little appearance of anything that is likely to come from this respected pair of filmmakers, with the exception of an extremely poorly executed attempt at a Raising Arizona-style comedy in the absurd. The only hint of reasoning behind the Coen brothers’ involvement in this project is their known affinity for darker British comedies of yesteryear, but even The Ladykillers comes off looking like a masterpiece compared to Gambit. 

 

Bushido Man Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Mitsuki Koga, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi

Director: Takanori Tsujimoto

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Anamorphic, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: Japanese

Subtitles: English

Dubbed: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Shout! Factory

Release Date: June 10, 2014

Run Time: 88 minutes

       

        While there is something to be said for the restraint in filmmaking shown in a majority of Bushido Man, I fear that this will merely leave many audience members feeling assaulted by the final sequence. It combines two distinctly different styles together, which is an interesting approach for a film about a man adapting numerous martial artist techniques into one, but the end result is a disjointed film blending classic martial arts with the gruesomely masochistic cartoon action seen most often in a Sushi Typhoon release. This film could have been made two different ways, and either would have been better than attempting both.

 

Falling Skies: The Complete Third Season Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Drew Roy, Connor Jessup, Maxim Knight

Producers: Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Remi Aubuchon, Greg Beeman

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated:  Not Rated

Studio: Turner Home Ent

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Digital Copy Expiration Date: June 3, 2016

Run Time: 440 minutes

 

If you like “The Walking Dead” but want more sci-fi and less horror, “Falling Skies” may be the show for you. If you repeatedly watch “Battlestar Galactica” but don’t find the melodrama cheesy, “Falling Skies” may be a perfect fit. For all of the rest, this show may have too much melodrama and sci-fi geekiness to overcome. It may sound as though I’m being harsh on the show, but it is on-par with TNT programming, and it is better than some of the other alien projects Steven Spielberg has attached himself to in the past decade.

 

Dracula Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Jack Palance

Director: Dan Curtis

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Color, NTSC

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Run Time: 98 minutes

 

       

        Dan Curtis is well-known in the world of vampire entertainment, having served as writer/producer/director for the popular 1960s cult series, “Dark Shadows,” as well as the 1991 revival. Less remembered is his television adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which aired in 1974. There have been many adaptations of this exact same story, and it all comes down to preference in performances and differences in style. Dan Curtis’ version may not be the most modern, classic, terrifying or graphic of the many Dracula adaptations, but it does feature a fantastic performance from Jack Palance in the key title role.