A Walk Among the Tombstones Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, David Harbour, Boyd Holbrook

Director: Scott Frank

Writer: Scott Frank

Producers: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, Brian Oliver, Tobin Armbrust

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

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

Subtitles: French, Spanish, English

Dubbed: Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: Universal Studios

Release Date: January 13, 2015

Digital Copy Expiration Date: May 2, 2016

        Liam Neeson was once a varied and versatile actor. He may still be one, but somehow can’t seem to escape the same cliché and caricature roles of seasoned cops and well-worn detectives. A Walk Among the Tombstones offers him exactly this, but is one of the few outings that also provides the actor with solid material to pair with predictable casting. A clever screenplay based on the bestselling Lawrence Block mystery novels makes this one franchise I would not mind seeing receive future cinematic installments. Stop making horrendous Taken sequels, Mr. Neeson, and give us more or Matt Scudder.

 

The Drop Blu-ray Review

     Actors: James Gandolfini, Tom Hardy, John Ortiz, Matthias Schoenaerts

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

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

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Japanese

Dubbed: French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Run Time: 107 minutes

 

        Based on the short story by Dennis Lehane, The Drop is a film with themes better understood with the knowledge of the story’s original title, “Animal Rescue.” Though there is an abused dog found abandoned within the narrative, this is a film better appreciated with the understanding that this is not the only animal within the story in need of rescue. It is the subtle nuances in themes and metaphor’s such as this within the sophomore feature from Belgian filmmaker Michaël R. Roskam which make him a subtle talent not to be dismissed, and this is only enhanced by the spectacular performances given by the three leads.

 

Gone Girl Blu-ray Review

   Actors: Tyler Perry, Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris

Format: Blu-ray, Widescreen

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

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: January 13, 2015

Run Time: 148 minutes

        I am actually quite amazed that director David Fincher was not honored with a Best Director nomination for Gone Girl. It isn’t that I believe the film to be better than the onslaught of heavy drama that followed it in award season, or even that this is one of the filmmaker’s best films, but the manner in which Fincher was able to elevate the material shows sophistication and skill. What could have been a simple and sloppy exercise in campy entertainment is instead a spectacularly complex cinematic experience. Fincher’s pristine visual style enhances and compliments the dark adult tale adapted from the Gillian Flynn bestseller.

 

The Pirates Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Son Ye-jin, Oh Dal-su, Choi Jin-ri

Director: Lee Suk-Hoon

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

Language: Korean

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Well Go USA

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Run Time: 130 minutes

        I imagine that there were a lot of nuances in the humor of The Pirates that was lost on me due to the language barrier. Subtitles can only take you so far, and I although I can still infer more meaning from their actual tone and inflection than the voice-over dubbing, nothing can replace understanding the language in which the jokes are being told. The other aspect of this large-budget spectacle picture is the action at sea, which feels best suited for the big screen. Still, there are effects to be admired which are at their best in this high definition presentation, not to mention the spectacular HD surround sound, making you feel at sea.

 

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Sammo Hung, Andy On, Philip Ng

Director: Wong Ching-Po

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

Language: Cantonese

Subtitles: English

Dubbed: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Well Go USA

Release Date: January 13, 2015

Run Time: 96 minutes

 

        The title is not the only thing about Once Upon a Time in Shanghai that feels derivative, to the point that it seems an intentional stylistic choice. Star Philip Ng gives his best Bruce Lee impression, complete with mannerism, moves and attitude. This is only further enhanced by the fact that much of the plot seems vaguely reminiscent of The Big Boss (a.k.a. Fists of Fire), the vehicle which catapulted Lee into fame. While this imitation technique could have brought the film down, the success of Ng’s performance makes it an entertaining (albeit forgettable) romp.

 

Love is Strange DVD Review

     Actors: John Lithgow, Alfred Molina

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles: French

Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

DVD Release Date: January 13, 2015

Run Time: 94 minutes

 

        Love is Strange is a quiet meditation on the nuances of a seasoned relationship. It is so quiet, in fact, that despite the wonderful performances and intelligent screenplay it fails to have emotional resonance. Although it is still a nice respite from the onslaught of mindless Hollywood blockbusters, I couldn’t help but wish that a bit of that excitement had been transferred into this film. Respect can only go so far in entertainment, and then the drama needs emotional resonance or some sort of dramatic scenario to pull a film like this out of its singular note mood.

 

Bad Turn Worse DVD Review

     Actors: William Devane, Mark Pellegrino, Logan Huffman, Jeremy Allen White

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay

DVD Release Date: January 13, 2015

Run Time: 92 minutes

 

 

        Bad Turn Worse is one of those independent films defying Aristotle by having the whole somehow less than the sum of its parts. The overall movie is rather pedestrian, but broken down in all of its elements there are many obvious rising talents scattered within the production. Rather than being a perfect film, Bad Turn Worse seems an indicator of better films to come from these filmmakers.

Regular Show: Mordecai Pack Review

Format: Multiple Formats, Box set, Full Screen, NTSC

Language: French (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 2

Studio: Cartoon Network

DVD Release Date: January 27, 2015

Run Time: 176 minutes

 

 

        Fans of the irreverent Cartoon Network animated series, “Regular Show” are likely to be pleased with the release of some of the episodes included in this compilation pack, specifically those from the later seasons not yet available for home entertainment. Others may be too preoccupied with the neglect to release these later seasons in completion, and those die-hard fans are also likely to already own an earlier episode included in this collection. Either way, it should come as no surprise what these compilation releases are like. They are loosely themed collections that are a simple excuse to drag more money out of the fanbase, but they wouldn’t keep making them if some of the fans weren’t buying them.

 

Paddington Theatrical Review

 

 

 

        The increase in digitally created characters saw an increase this past year, most notably with the revival of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and with the intelligent primates of Dawn of the Planet of Apes. Although these films feature cutting-edge effects and technology, it seems to me that the greatest indicator of their success is the ability to blend in. The narrative should not be secondary to the impressive technical abilities of the film, and Paddington succeeds in having the spirit of the source material taking precedence over flashy effects.

No Good Deed Blu-ray Review

     Format: Blu-ray, Subtitled

Language: English

Subtitles: French

Region: All Regions

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)

Studio: Sony

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Digital Copy Expiration Date: December 31, 2018

Run Time: 84 minutes

 

        The biggest crime of No Good Deed is simply how dull and unimaginative it manages to be with the simplistic plot. Sure, it is absurd how the film connects the storyline with a ridiculous twist at the end. Yes, the narrative is dominated by unimaginative violence and terror perpetrated against attractive women in peril. The plot is contrived, the characters one-dimensional, and the dialogue asinine, but it is the lack of imagination that truly irritated me.

 

Traffickers Blu-ray Review

    Actors: Chang Jung Lim, Daniel Choi, Oh Dal-su, Jo Yoon-hee

Director: Kim Hong-seon

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

Language: Korean

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Well Go USA

Release Date: December 23, 2014

Run Time: 111 minutes

 

 

        Traffickers opens with an intense sequence, before even getting caught up in details of plot or character, and at its best moments returns to this suspenseful style of filmmaking. Unfortunately, the plot is never able match these glimmers of effective filmmaking. Despite some well-shot sequences, the final product is too uneven and jumbled. There are too many coincidences and twists, in an apparent attempt to create an exciting fictional storyline from real-world criminal events.

 

Get on Up Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Craig Robinson, Octavia Spencer, Nelsan Ellis

Director: Tate Taylor

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

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

Subtitles: French, Spanish, English

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: PG-13

Studio: Universal Studios

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Digital Copy Expiration Date: May 2, 2016

        From the opening sequence that has Chadwick Boseman in make-up as an aged James Brown pulling a shotgun on the employees of his car dealership for using his personal restroom, it is quite clear that Get on Up is determined not to be your typical straightforward biopic. From winks and nods to the camera from the protagonist to a narrative that jumps back and forth in time as a means of maintaining high octane storytelling fitting the subject, this is a movie set out to capture the essence of James Brown over aspects of realism. Just the same, Boseman’s incredible performance is so frighteningly accurate that the film remains grounded despite all of the filmmaker bells and whistles and shortcomings in storytelling.

 

The Guest Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Brendan Meyer, Sheila Kelley, Leland Orser

Director: Adam Wingard

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

Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1)

Subtitles: French, Spanish, English

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: Universal Studios

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Digital Copy Expiration Date: May 2, 2016

 

        Sometimes action movies are dumb and fun, like pretty much all of the buddy cop films from the 1980s, especially those starring Sylvester Stallone. Sometimes they are highbrow like the Bourne franchise or most adapted from Tom Clancy novels. Rarely are there movies that are able to capture both the intelligence of thoughtful action paired with the excitement of innovative spectacle. The Guest isn’t so much one of these movies as it is a hodgepodge of collected sequences and referential nods to many influential films of the past. Despite the clear tendency to borrow from other films, or perhaps because of it, The Guest is pulsing with an undeniable energy and sense of spectacle.

 

Pride Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Bill Nighy

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, DTS Surround Sound, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Release Date: December 23, 2014

Digital Copy Expiration Date: December 31, 2018

Run Time: 120 minutes

        The greatest success of Pride is the ability to keep the film hopeful and amusing, despite some heavy topics that might have easily carried the narrative into the realm of melodrama. It is a true story that is inspirational by facts alone, with no need for further embellishment or contrived cinematic manipulations. Instead, we are given the rare privilege of a film based on a true story that is as entertaining as it is inspirational.

 

Kelly & Cal DVD Review

     Actors: Juliette Lewis, Jonny Weston

Director: Jen McGowan

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

DVD Release Date: December 30, 2014

Run Time: 110 minutes

 

 

        There is a sincere honesty in both the writing and the portrayal of Kelly (Juliette Lewis) in Kelly & Cal, however derivative, predictable and unpleasant as the film itself may be. The real honesty is that there are some narratives that I would simply prefer not to see, both for lack of enjoyment and originality, regardless of how well they are executed. Juliette Lewis gives a wholly convincing performance as punk rocker-turned suburban mom, but the screenplay by Amy Lowe Starbin left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

Last Weekend DVD Review

     Actors: Patricia Clarkson, Joseph Cross, Zachary Booth

Director: Tom Dolby, Tom Williams

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

DVD Release Date: December 30, 2014

Run Time: 94 minutes

 

 

        When the motion picture industry first began, it was an affordable source of entertainment for the lower working class, those who couldn’t afford tickets to the theater, symphony or ballet. Last Weekend’s biggest error is thinking that a film about the 1% can be sentimentalized into audiences having sympathy for the narcissistic over-privileged. Only Patricia Clarkson’s uncanny ability to subtly make any role engaging, there is no focus in the debut feature from Tom Dolby and Tom Williams.

 

The Trip to Italy Blu-ray Review

 
 
 

     Actors: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon

Director: Michael Winterbottom

Format: Blu-ray, Widescreen

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: Dark Sky Films

Release Date: December 23, 2014

Run Time: 108 minutes

 

 

        There is desperation behind actors who are always performing, constantly to try and convince others of their talent, and even more transparent insecurities in those who spend a majority of their conversations boasting and exaggerating minor achievements. I have spent enough time on set listening to pathetically unsuccessful day players and background actors do this that I have no urge to find these personalities in my entertainment as well. Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon may be adequate entertainers when they are playing someone else, but the singular joke of these two actors desperately trying to one-up each other through a TV series and two films has significantly worn out my patience.

 

At the Devil’s Door Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Ashley Rickards, Naya Rivera, Catalina Sandino Moreno

Director: Nicholas McCarthy

Format: Blu-ray, Widescreen

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: MPI Home Video

Release Date: December 16, 2014

Run Time: 95 minutes

 

        Filmmaker Nicholas McCarthy (The Pact) has a real sense for creating dread onscreen, creating some truly terrifying images to go with the narrative in At the Devil’s Door. The only problem is that nothing in his derivative screenplay matches the visuals created, making At the Devil’s Door feel more like a horror demo reel than a complete story. Frightening as some of the images are, they are neither grounded in reality nor attached to realistic characters that the audience can be convinced to care for. Instead, each scene merely feels derived for the singular purpose of setting up each atmospheric sequence to the next, like a collection of style-heavy student films rather than a complete narrative.

 

Cam2Cam DVD Review

     Actors: Ben Wiggins, Russell Geoffrey Banks

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Ifc Independent Film

DVD Release Date: December 16, 2014

Run Time: 90 minutes

 

 

        Sometimes bad acting or poorly written dialogue can be forgiven, though this is typically only the case in B-film genre pictures which offer other distractions. This usually comes in the form of sex or violence, both of which Cam2Cam seems to offer up with its premise and a DVD cover featuring a near-nubile girl carrying an ax. Unfortunately, Cam2Cam fails to deliver quality or exploitation, leaving audiences with nothing more than a cheaply shot tepid thriller.   

 

Time Bandits Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Ralph Richardson

Director: Terry Gilliam

Format: Widescreen, Blu-ray, Restored, Special Edition, Subtitled

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Criterion Collection

Release Date: December 9, 2014

Run Time: 116 minutes

 

        Terry Gilliam emerged as a filmmaking talent to be watched with his initial work done with the Monty Python troupe, with his feature debut being Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975). Although Time Bandits (1981) shifted into a darker fantasy tone that has since become stylistically recognizable as distinctly Gilliam, he still utilizes many of the talents from Monty Python (even co-writing the screenplay with Michael Palin). This creates a blend of irreverent zaniness and childlike sentimentality, fanciful settings and realistic concerns. It is a children’s film that doesn’t pander or dumb down, and one which contains layers of meaning to be stripped away with repeat viewings and maturation.