Call Me Lucky Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Barry Crimmins

Director: Bobcat Goldthwait

Format: Multiple Formats, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

Release Date: October 13, 2015

Run Time: 105 minutes

 

 

        It is remarkable how many successful comedians come from tragic loss and a traumatic past, but not nearly as amazing as what comedian Barry Crimmins used this pain to accomplish, on and off stage. Call Me Lucky gently allows this narrative to unfold, never forcing or exploiting the material. Director Bobcat Goldthwait appears briefly among many other comedians to tell his own personal connection to Crimmins, but his handling of the subject is always distanced and respectful, never contrived or emotionally manipulative.

 

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Blu-ray Review

    Actors: Thomas Mann, Nick Offerman, Rj Cyler

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

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

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13 

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: October 6, 2015

Run Time: 106 minutes

 

        Finding the delicate balance between sentimental and realistic, with humor bridging the gap, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl often feels like independent cinema’s answer to films like The Fault in Our Stars. With the most expensive acquisition of any film to be bought at the Sundance Film Festival, there is a crowd-pleasing quality to Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, regardless of the dark humor utilized in the cumbersome title. Try as the film might to stay away from the cliché trappings of the familiar narrative, it ultimately cheats in order to remain original as long as possible while still providing many of predictable plot points for this type of narrative. Regardless of constant assurances through voiceover, this film goes exactly where it is expected to go, even wrapping the narrative up neatly with the cliché voiceover of a letter written to a college admissions department.

       

In the Courtyard Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Catherine Deneuve, Gustave Kervern, Feodore Atkine

Director: Pierre Salvadori

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

Language: French

Subtitles: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R 

Studio: Cohen Media Group

Release Date: October 6, 2015

Run Time: 97 minutes

 

        I’m struggling to write this review, because I’m worried that my words won’t adequately represent the subtle charms of a film like In the Courtyard. Although it is extremely French at its core, the film’s themes are universally relatable, with performances from the leads most effective through the silent expressiveness of their faces. There is a lot about the structure of this narrative which aligns with the dramedy style found in a majority of American independent cinema, combing awkward humor and familiar pangs of realistic struggle. This is recognizable in any language, regardless of ethnicity or nationality.

 

Insidious: Chapter 3 Blu-ray Review

    Actors: Stefanie Scott, Dermot Mulroney, Angus Sampson, Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell

Director: Leigh Whannell

Producers: Jason Blum, Oren Peli

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

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Dubbed: Spanish

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Release Date: October 6, 2015

Digital Copy Expiration Date: December 31, 2018

Run Time: 97 minutes

 

        I’m not sure I understand how a film titled “Chapter 3” can be considered a prequel to the first two chapters, though this is not nearly as disappointing as the lack of ambition within the narrative. While it does an adequate job capturing the essence of what made the first two films successful, the thrills and entertainment feel far more obligatory than they did under the direction of James Wan. Longtime horror collaborator and screenwriter Leigh Whannell gives his first attempt at directing after years of providing the scripts for Wan, but it simply feels like he is attempting to imitate this style rather than establishing a voice of his own.

 

Landmine Goes Click Review

 

        There isn’t a narrative that requires more commitment from the audience to the material than the revenge film. The basic structure always begins with an endurance test of emotional torture forced upon the viewer, typically with relentless physical abuse on an undeserving victim. Without this connection, the justification for revenge would not be prevalent, and the purpose of the genre seems to rely upon the audience’s participation in the primal urge for vengeance. Landmine Goes Click succeeded in dragging me along on this affecting journey through the emotional ringer, with the help of Levan Bakhia’s confidence as a director and the raw commitment in the performances of his cast.

 

Manglehorn Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Al Pacino, Holly Hunter, Chris Messina

Director: David Gordon Green

Format: Blu-ray, Widescreen

Language: English

Region: Region A/1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

Release Date: October 6, 2015

Run Time: 97 minutes

 

 

        Manglehorn has a familiar plot structure, one which is not too far off from similar roles that Al Pacino has played recently (especially Danny Collins), but the sincerity in the material and his performance swept me up and allowed me to forgive any shortcomings in storytelling. Director David Gordon Green applies his type of unsentimental honesty to the familiar narrative, which is what made him a force in the world of independent cinema early in his career with films like George Washington and All the Real Girls. It is refreshing to find that both Pacino and Green returning to the type of art which showcases the talent which made them famous in the first place, and Manglehorn is easily the best thing either has done in years.

Dead Rising: Watchtower DVD Review

     Actors: Meghan Ory, Jesse Metcalfe, Keegan Tracy, Virginia Madsen, Dennis Haysbert

Director: Zach Lipovsky

Format: Multiple Formats, AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Region: Region 1

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

DVD Release Date: October 6, 2015

Run Time: 118 minutes

 

        With the zombie sub-genre so fully saturated, both in blockbusters and these lower budget attempts, and the poor track record of movies based on video games, I was certain that Dead Rising: Watchtower was going to be a trying viewing experience. While it didn’t exact blow me away with any original ideas on the material, I was shocked to find that I never had the urge to fast-forward through the content, despite an uncharacteristically lengthy running time. Not only does the film have enough strength to survive the weaker aspects of the zombie narrative, this may be one of the more faithful video game adaptations.

 

We Are Still Here Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Barbara Crampton, Andrew Sensenig, Larry Fessenden

Director: Ted Geoghegan

Format: Blu-ray, Widescreen

Language: English

Region: Region A/1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Dark Sky Films

Release Date: October 6, 2015

Run Time: 83 minutes

 

 

        Part of the problem I have always had with haunted house movies is the logic behind the family’s refusal to simply move out when the haunting begins, and We Are Still Here sidesteps this by confining the horror action to the film’s climax. Once the truth about the house is revealed, it is too late to escape and an hour of slow build-up finally pays off with a chaotic final act. If only the journey to get to the explosive ending were a bit more competently made, I would have an easier time recommending We Are Still Here. As it stands, the last twenty minutes make a great short film, while the first hour feels like amateur filmmaking.

 

Tremors 5: Bloodlines Blu-ray Review

Actors: Jamie Kennedy, Pearl Thusi, Brandon Auret, Ian Roberts, Natalie Becker

Director: Don Michael Paul

Writers: Woodrow Truesmith, M.A. Deuce, John Whelpley

Producer: Ogden Gavanski

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

Language: Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Italian (DTS 5.1), German (DTS 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1), Portuguese (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (DTS 5.1), Thai (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (DTS 5.1)

Subtitles: Arabic, Portuguese, Cantonese, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Swedish, English

Region: All Regions

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: PG-13

Studio: Universal Studios

Release Date: October 6, 2015

Digital Copy Expiration Date: May 2, 2016

 

 

        There is a difference between a good film and a fun film, and it is possible to be one without the other (explaining the success of movies like Sharknado). I expected the direct-to-home fifth installment of Tremors to be fun, with no anticipation of quality filmmaking. Perhaps it helped that I went into Tremors 5: Bloodline with such low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised at equal balance of quality and campy fun.

 

The Timber Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Mark Caven, Josh Peck, James Ransone

Director: Anthony O'Brien

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

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Well Go USA

Release Date: October 6, 2015

Run Time: 80 minutes

 

        I don’t know if I was more bored or confused by The Timber, but both were a result of poor filmmaking. The screenplay is too smart for its own good, leaving the audience in the dark in a pretentious attempt at forcing them to piece together plot rather than providing exposition. The direction could also be blamed for failing to convey the story adequately amidst the purposefully sparse dialogue, with the editing also easily faulted for the incoherence of the film’s minimal action sequences. This is a film full of technical shortcomings, which destroy the attempt at intelligent storytelling. 

 

Black Coal, Thin Ice Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Fan Liao, Xuebing Wang

Director: Diao Yinan

Format: Blu-ray, Widescreen

Language: Cantonese

Subtitles: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Well Go USA

Release Date: September 29, 2015

Run Time: 110 minutes

 

 

        The magnificence of Diao Yinan’s abilities as a filmmaker lie in his ability to keep a film absolutely riveting, even in the moments where it is difficult to follow the narrative. Black Coal, Thin Ice is not a perfect film, but I wouldn’t change a thing about Yinan’s approach to the material. Every scene kept me engaged, and even if the screenplay demands more attentiveness from the audience than your typical neo-noir, this is only further reason for repeat viewings. And Black Coal, Thin Ice is a film I would not mind watching more than once.  

A Murder in the Park DVD Review

     Actors: Dexter Hammett, Dan Nachtrab

Directors: Christopher S. Rech, Brandon Kimber

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Region: Region 1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

DVD Release Date: September 29, 2015

Run Time: 91 minutes

        True crime stories are extremely popular right now, with the explosion of popularity behind the Serial podcast showing that an unbelievable narrative told well can often be more exciting than an action film. A Murder in the Park takes a unique approach, evolving from an investigative crime procedural to a story about corruption and deceit. To say that this story plays out in a satisfying way would be a stretch, though it remains consistently fascinating throughout every twist and turn.

 

Soul Boys of the Western World DVD Review

     Actors: Tony Hadley, John Keeble

Director: George Hencken

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Region: Region 1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

DVD Release Date: September 29, 2015

Run Time: 111 minutes

 

 

        Some music documentaries have the ability to tell human interest stories which are elevated beyond mere fan appreciation, to provide a narrative that can be fascinating to those unfamiliar with the band as easily as those who own all of their CDs. Soul Boys of the Western World is not one of those movies, instead made in a way that is likely only to appeal to those with a sense of nostalgia for this music. Though I was familiar with a few hit songs, my knowledge of Spandau Ballet prior to watching this film was virtually nonexistent. More importantly, after watching the documentary, I am no more a fan than I was before I wasn’t even sure who they were.

 

In the Name of My Daughter Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Adele Haenel, Catherine Deneuve, Guillaume Canet

Director: Andre Techine

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

Language: French

Subtitles: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R

Studio: Cohen Media Group

Release Date: September 22, 2015

Run Time: 116 minutes

 

        Some of the relevance in the true-crime narrative of In the Name of My Daughter may be lost on those who have not followed the ongoing French murder case, which returned to the courts even as the film was being completed. This may have made this a hard sell for international audiences, but it was lack of excitement and relatable characters which caused this movie to fail for me as entertainment, far more than relevance. Filmmaker André Téchiné does his best to theorize answers to the mystery and fleshes out the characters involved with this process, but the result is as unsatisfying as it is unsavory.

 

The Red Road: The Complete Second Season DVD Review

     Actors: Jason Momoa, Julianne Nicholson, Kiowa Gordon, Martin Henderson, Tom Sizemore

Director: Aaron Guzikowski

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Region: Region 1

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: ANCHOR BAY

DVD Release Date: September 22, 2015

Run Time: 265 minutes

 

        Television shows are at an advantage over films when it comes to character development. Even with minimal episodes in each season, as is the case with Sundance TV series “The Red Road,” more time is spent with the characters than would be in a film. There is also usually the opportunity for story continuation, though that chance ended for this show when it was cancelled after the second season. This is unfortunate, because this is the season that I truly became invested in these characters and would have likely returned for more episodes with them.

Pitch Perfect 2 Blu-ray Review

Actors: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Elizabeth Banks, Hailee Steinfeld

Director: Elizabeth Banks

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

Region: All Regions

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: PG-13

Studio: Universal Studios

Release Date: September 22, 2015

Digital Copy Expiration Date: May 2, 2016

 

        The basic premise is downright asinine; the structure is a mirror image of Pitch Perfect; the climactic final song never believably sold me as a winning number; and yet, despite the many flaws of Pitch Perfect 2, it is undeniably entertaining. Even though the film feels directed at a specific demographic of teenage girls (who make up a surprisingly large percentage of all cinema ticket sales), I found myself easily won over by Pitch Perfect 2 and its irreverent charm. More impressive was how little this movie reminded me of the similarly toned television series, “Glee,” which far outstayed its welcome.

 

Breaker Morant Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown

Director: Bruce Beresford

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

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Rated: PG

Studio: Criterion Collection (Direct)

Release Date: September 22, 2015

Run Time: 107 minutes

 

 

        The complexities of the true story which Breaker Morant is based upon layers the narrative with moral ambiguities and discrepancies, making this a difficult film to categorize. It plays out like a typical courtroom drama, though the audience must sit in as members of the jury in a case which is not clear cut or simple; one could easily find justice in the argument from each side, as well as fault. This was a case that was much larger than the men or lives involved, having impact on the outcome of a peace treaty to end the war these crimes occurred during, as well as effecting relations between the countries involved long after the case had been closed.

 

Zathura Blu-ray Review

Actors: Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Kristen Stewart, Dax Shepard, Tim Robbins

Director: Jon Favreau

Producers: Scott Kroopf, William Teitler

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

Language: English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese, Korean, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Dutch, Indonesian, Thai, English, Spanish, Japanese

Dubbed: Portuguese, French, Thai, Spanish, Japanese

Region: All Regions

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Release Date: September 22, 2015

Digital Copy Expiration Date: December 31, 2018

Run Time: 101 minutes

        As Jumanji was one of the vehicles to catapult Kirsten Dunst into celebrity, Zathura served the same purpose for Kristen Stewart and Josh Hutcherson ten years later. This was also a chance for director Jon Favreau to try his hand at a spectacle-filled adventure film prior to delving into the world of comic book films. Zathura is part of another interesting trend in the actor-turned-filmmaker’s work; this film followed the success of Elf, and Favreau’s next film is a live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book. I once heard Favreau say that he wants to make movies that his kids can enjoy, and that seems to be a genre he thrives in.

 

Jumanji Blu-ray Review

Actors: Kirsten Dunst, David Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde, Robin Williams

Directors: Joe Johnston

Producers: Scott Kroopf, William Teitler

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

Language: English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese, Finnish, Swedish, Korean, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian, Dutch, Thai, Spanish, English, Danish, Japanese

Dubbed: Portuguese, French, Thai, Spanish, Japanese

Region: All Regions

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Rated: PG

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Release Date: September 14, 2015

Digital Copy Expiration Date: December 31, 2018

Run Time: 104 minutes

 

        Jumanji was made during a time when digital effects were far from perfect, however moderately they were relied on in telling the imaginative story of a board game come to life. It was also made during a period filled with nostalgia for me, as I remember experiencing the excitement of the film in theaters as a kid. Regardless of how cartoonish the computer generated monkeys may be, Jumanji will always brings me back to a place of joy and wonder; a perfect fit for an adaptation of the storybook by author Chris Van Allsburg, which I enjoyed as an even younger child. Now I can enjoy the experience all over again, twenty-years later, with the Blu-ray Anniversary Edition release.

The Indian in the Cupboard Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Rishi Bhat, Lindsay Crouse, Litefoot, Steve Coogan, Richard Jenkins

Director: Frank Oz

Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall

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

Language: English

Subtitles: French, English

Dubbed: French

Region: Region A/1

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Rated: PG

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Release Date: September 22, 2015

Run Time: 96 minutes

 

 

        I didn’t much like The Indian in the Cupboard when it came out, and I found it somewhat tiresome to watch 20-years later. Part of the problem with this unfortunate children’s book adaptation is that it came out the same year as a far more exciting and successful adaptation: Jumanji. The Indian in the Cupboard, by comparison, is slow-paced and unfortunately cast. While Jumanji had the performance from a young Kirsten Dunst, The Indian in the Cupboard has the awkward Hal Scardino, whose credits ended soon after this performance. Even with Frank Oz as the director, there is no sense of humor and minimal excitement to make this movie memorable or even enjoyable.