Killing Them Safely DVD Review

     Actors: Rick Smith, Tom Smith

Director: Nick Berardini

Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Region: Region 1                                  

      Not Rated

Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO

DVD Release Date: March 29, 2016

Run Time: 95 minutes

 

 

        I can’t say that I ever put much thought into TASERs beyond an instinctual feeling to avoid them. I haven’t been in a situation which put me in the line of fire and have no intentions of ever discovering what it feels like, but the documentary Killing Them Safely gave me facts to back up my instincts. Even if a majority of those hit with the latest police-issued weapon are left without permanent damage, I still see no reason to take the risk of becoming one of the few that don’t survive. And even more importantly, this is just another piece of evidence in recent scrutiny of police behavior, and it is the poor discretion of the users which is far more frightening than the weapon itself.

 

Bicycle Thieves Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola

Director: Vittorio De Sica

Format: Restored, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: Italian

Subtitles: English

Number of discs: 1

Studio: Criterion Collection (Direct)

Release Date: March 29, 2016

Run Time: 89 minutes

 

 

        The approach to cinema as an art form has been divisive from the very beginning, as the Lumiére brother made films ground in documentary-style realism while George Méliès would trail blaze the formalist approach shortly after. Another such moment of stylistic crossroads in film history came with the formalism of Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane (1941) followed by the Italian neorealist approach taken by Vittorio De Sica in Bicycle Thieves (1948). With non-professional actors, natural lighting, and the use of real locations in post-WWII Italy, Bicycle Thieves remains an icon for realism in cinema, regardless of narrative.

 

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks

Director: Francis Lawrence

Disc Info: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Region: Region A/1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: PG-13                                  

Studio: Lionsgate

Release Date: March 22, 2016

Run Time: 111 minutes

        Despite the massive success of The Hunger Games franchise, I have been highly skeptical of the young adult book adaptations since the original 2012 release. The first film gave me pause due to a remarkable number of similarities the PG-13 film shared with a far edgier R-rated Japanese film from 2000. But despite what seemed like blatant borrowing, The Hunger Games was engaging enough to draw my curiosity to the sequel. I somehow assumed that the continuation of “The Hunger Games” in the title ensured the film would finish with another climactic sequence within the games, and was extremely letdown to discover the film utilized a ‘deus ex machine’ moment to remove all significant characters from the action before the Hunger Games completed. This would be like releasing a film called Batman v Superman where the film ends just before they are about to fight. I felt cheated by the title and annoyed at the convenient removal of the only interesting dilemma in the franchise. My frustration was only carried over into the second sequel, which had no Hunger Games and no worthwhile action or plot.

 

Brooklyn Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen, Hugh Gormley

Director: John Crowley

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

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Dubbed: Spanish

Region: Region A/1

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13                                 

Studio: 20TH CENTURY FOX

Release Date: March 15, 2016

Run Time: 105 minutes

 

        I love films in the romance genre, though it often takes a willingness to forgive the predictable contrivances of the genre. Often the goal only appears to be satiating the audience’s desired outcome, which leads to cheesy and unbelievable results involving beautiful actors, manipulated emotions through sentimental soundtracks. Rarely is there a romance film containing characters resembling real people, with actual choices to make and difficult outcomes because of these choices. Brooklyn is one of these rare films, demanding more from its audience while also paying off with far more intelligent rewards due to the excellence in filmmaking. In other words, Brooklyn doesn’t sacrifice logic and character development for the sake of its romantic moments, and this makes them feel earned.

 

Victor Frankenstein Blu-ray Review

     Actors: James McAvoy, Daniel Radcliffe

Directors: Paul McGuigan

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

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: French, Spanish

Region: Region A/1

Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13                                 

Studio: 20TH CENTURY FOX

Release Date: March 8, 2016

Run Time: 110 minutes

 

        This re-imagining of Mary Shelley’s classic gothic novel from Twentieth Century Fox is not a complete waste of time, but it is a bad enough that I am sure the failure has Universal Studios concerned. The iconic horror studio has long been planning a “Monsters Universe” franchise to mimic the success the comic book universes, but the last thing that they want is audience’s to think of unsuccessful attempts such as this. Fortunately, The Mummy is the first endeavor in the open-world of Universal horror, and hopefully audiences will have time to forget this film before they re-imagine Frankenstein one more time.

 

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip DVD Review

Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

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

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: French, Spanish

Region: Region 1

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG

Studio: 20th Century Fox

DVD Release Date: March 15, 2016

Run Time: 90 minutes

 

 

        I don’t know if it was Fox or Regency, but someone certainly seems to be losing faith in the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise, and it is apparent in the slapdash manner with which The Road Chip was constructed. I’m not saying that these CGI incarnations of the 1980s cartoon characters deserved much better treatment in the third theatrical sequel to the mediocre 2007 film, but the entire production feels like a straight-to-video movie. You know the kind; so poorly made that parents will gladly let play on the television in the other room, but would dread sitting through it in a theater.

 

Turn: Washington’s Spies: The Complete Second Season DVD Review

    Actors: Daniel Henshall, Heather Lind, Jamie Bell, Kevin McNally, Seth Numrich

Format: Box set, Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Region: Region 1

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 3

Rated:   Not Rated

Studio: ANCHOR BAY

DVD Release Date: March 22, 2016

Run Time: 438 minutes

 

        Doing its best to toe the line between historical accuracy and escapist entertainment, this AMC Revolutionary War series does its best to provide something for all viewers. Loosely based on the book, “Washington’s Spies,” written by Alexander Rose, “Turn” primarily follows the formation of the Culper Spy Ring headed up by a farmer named Abraham Woodhull (Jamie Bell). As the son of magistrate in a small Long Island town, Abraham is an unlikely suspect, though his disdain for the behavior of the British army camped in the area leads him to take action for the opposing side. Despite initially hoping to refrain from involvement in the war, a few coincidental childhood connections with rebels leads Abraham to take on a crucial role in the formation of America’s first spy ring.

 

The Spoils of Babylon DVD Review

Actors: Jessica Alba, Kristin Wiig, Tim Robbins, Tobey Maguire, Will Ferrell

Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Region: Region 1

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Not Rated

Studio: ANCHOR BAY

DVD Release Date: March 8, 2016

Run Time: 138 minutes

 

        First it was the invention of the DVD and then the popularization of online streaming services, but whatever the reasons behind it, television binge-watching is a phenomenon new to the entertainment industry. Some programming has taken full advantage of the change in how people watch TV, making possible shows like “24” or “Lost,” which require dedicated viewers. And original programming on Netflix or other streaming services seem to lend themselves to these impulsive viewing tendencies, but not all shows are enhanced by binge-watching. In the case of the IFC spoof mini-series, “Eric Jonrosh’s The Spoils of Babylon,” less is more.

 

Brave Miss World Blu-ray Review

 

 

         Though most attention went to the lack of diversity among the nominees during the 2016 Academy Awards ceremony, for many it was a performance by Lady Gaga which had a lasting emotional impact. The pop star was joined onstage during her performance of the Oscar nominated song from The Hunting Ground by dozens of rape victims. My initial instinct was to refer to them as former rape victims, but that is about as accurate as referring to someone who has been to war as a former veteran. This was made clear by the bravery of those onstage at the Academy Awards, but even more so in the strength shown within Cecilia Peck’s documentary, Brave Miss World.

 

Sisters Blu-ray Review

Actors: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, James Brolin

Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, 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: 2.40:1

Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Release Date: March 15, 2016

Digital Copy Expiration Date: May 2, 2018

 

        The chemistry between these two “Saturday Night Live” alumni is undeniable, even if this is only the second feature they have starred in together. Often it is their ability to play off of each other so effortlessly which allows us to believe they are sisters, far more than the actresses’ ability to look like each other, and it is also what saves Sisters from an unfocused screenplay. If you ever thought that a “SNL” skit was funny until it repeated the same joke way past its welcome, you will have an idea of the type of approach Paula Pell takes in writing Sisters, with half of a lengthy 2-hour comedy centered on the joke that is middle-aged people partying like they are teenagers again.

Coming Home Blu-ray Review

Actors: Huiwen Zhang, Chen Daoming, Gong Li

Director: Zhang Yimou

Producers: Li Li, Jia Yueting, Jerry Ye, Zhao Yifang, Zhang Zhao

Format: AC-3, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: Mandarin Chinese

Subtitles: French, Portuguese, Spanish, English

Dubbed: Portuguese, Spanish

Audio Description: English

Rated: PG-13                                           Parents Strongly Cautioned

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Release Date: March 8, 2016

Run Time: 109 minutes

        Coming Home carries on the wonderful tradition of melodrama in Chinese cinema, certainly reminiscent of director Zhang Yimou’s early work (Raise the Red Lantern, The Road Home), but even more so of the quiet family dramas made by the legendary Yasujirô Ozu. There are not many surprises within the narrative of Coming Home, but it is a film instead content to the dedication examination of a simple premise. Even while there is a clear representation of a difficult political time in Chinese history, Yimou wisely makes this a film about the personal impact on individuals rather than the larger issues surrounding them.

 

Macbeth Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard

Director: Justin Kurzel

Format: NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Region: Region A/1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R                                         

Studio: ANCHOR BAY

Release Date: March 8, 2016

Run Time: 113 minutes

 

 

        Despite casting two magnificently proficient actors in the iconic leads, there is little new which can be brought to the words of William Shakespeare. Countless talented actors have spoken these words, leaving only the awe of unique visual spectacle for director Justin Kurzel to breathe new life into this age-old tale of violent ambition and the madness that follows. On a bare stage it is only Shakespeare’s words which paint the visuals into the viewer’s mind, but Adam Arkapaw’s cinematography is a narrator that richly parallels these words with a dreamlike landscape of imagery and ideas. This is still Macbeth, unlikely to brings story surprises to anyone who paid attention in their high school English classes, though the real shock is how engaging a familiar tale can be in the hands of an ambitious young filmmaker.  

Intruders DVD Review

     Actors: Martin Starr, Beth Riesgraf, Rory Culkin

Director: Adam Schindler

Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Region: Region 1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated                                  

Studio: Entertainment One

DVD Release Date: March 1, 2016

Run Time: 90 minutes

        Although it attempts to add a new twist to home invasion horror, the revisionist ideas in Intruders aren’t even original to this recently popularized sub-genre. The blurring of lines between victim and villain is a familiar trope in nearly all revenge films as well as sharing similar space in recent confinement horror such as 10 Cloverfield Lane and the upcoming Fede Alvarez home invasion horror, Don’t Breathe. The latter even involves a homeowner suffering from a disability, not unlike the crippling agoraphobia that the protagonist of Intruders suffers from. Of course, these handicaps may very well serve as the film’s red herring, giving the intruders a false sense of confidence until the tables are turned and they become the victim.

Lost in Hong Kong Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Xu Zheng, Bao Beier, Zhao Wei

Director: Xu Zheng

Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, THX, Widescreen

Language: Mandarin Chinese

Subtitles: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated:

Unrated

Not Rated

Studio: Well Go USA

Release Date: March 1, 2016

Run Time: 113 minutes

 

        I made the mistake of assuming this was a sequel to the hit comedy of errors, Lost in Thailand, and was excited to see the return of the same characters in a new situation. This is not the case, instead actor/director Xu Zheng merely carries over thematic similarities from Lost in Thailand and the 2010 film, Lost on Journey, which he starred in without directing. Lost in Hong Kong provides us with new characters and original comedy of errors while on vacation in an unfamiliar city. While I didn’t find it to be as amusing or engaging as the last outing, there are many clever moments referencing the tradition of slapstick comedy being blended with action and large scale stunts, even finding time to cram in a bit of sentimentality near the end.

 

Weaponized Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Tom Sizemore, Mickey Rourke, Johnny Messner, Jon Foo

Director: Timothy Woodward Jr

Format: Anamorphic, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated:

Unrated

Not Rated

Studio: Cinedigm

Release Date: March 1, 2016

Run Time: 91 minutes

 

        Do I even need to expend energy criticizing this atrocious entry into low budget action? Merely seeing that Tom Sizemore and Mickey Rourke are crammed onto the film’s poster despite minor supporting roles should give you an idea of the B-film tactics used to try tricking audiences into accidentally viewing the film. This might even work for some, but anyone who has been following the career of these two fading stars knows that this is familiar pattern in their careers. And if their inclusion on the poster is not enough proof that the marketing department probably never saw the film, Rourke is featured standing on the cover, despite being handicapped and confined to a wheelchair within the film.

Secret in Their Eyes Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Dean Norris, Michael Kelly

Director: Billy Ray

Writer: Billy Ray

Producers: Mark Johnson, Matt Jackson

Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

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

Subtitles: French, Spanish, English

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Rated: PG-13

Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Release Date: February 23, 2016

Digital Copy Expiration Date: May 2, 2018

 

        Despite a solid cast and a sophisticated screenplay based on the Academy Award-winning Argentinean film, El secreto de sus ojos, Secret in Their Eyes never feels completely necessary. Even dismissing the common decision to remake a foreign film into an English-language copycat, Secret in Their Eyes feels too familiar to a string of better suspense films. With similar moral discussions about certainty of guilt and the consequences of acting on these assumptions, there are many parallels between this film and Prisoners, but not enough new ground is covered to warrant another addition into the sub-genre, much less a remake. 

 

Becoming Bulletproof DVD Review

     Actors: Alec Bandler

Director: Michael Barnett

Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Virgil Films and Entertainment

DVD Release Date: February 23, 2016

Run Time: 82 minutes

 

 

        Not unlike the movie that the documentary captures the filmmaking of, Becoming Bulletproof is far more admirable for the story behind the content than for the skill going into the filmmaking itself. It is a documentary with a message, but not one of political, economic or environmental significance. Instead it is a movie seeking only personal significance; obviously for the actors involved in the production, but also for anyone with a disability, or anyone with similar aspirations to pursue their dreams regardless of the odds they may face.

My All American Blu-ray Review

        Angelo Pizzo has made a career out of writing screenplays based on true life inspirational sports stories, and in the past they have all been directed by his former fraternity brother from his undergraduate days at Indiana University. But whether it is the fault of a diminishing ability to write an inspirational screenplay or his shortcomings as a first time director, My All American comes nowhere near the level of Hoosiers, Rudy, or even The Game of Their Lives. Considering it has been 10 years since his last screenplay made it to the screen, I’m afraid Pizzo may have returned to the well one time too many, with this latest endeavor feeling like a bad copy of his past successes.

The Sheik DVD Review

     Actors: The Iron Sheik, Dwayne Johnson

Director: Igal Hecht

Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Dark Sky Films

DVD Release Date: March 1, 2016

Run Time: 96 minutes

 

 

        I’m sure if you are a fan of WWE wrestling, especially of the iconic figure this film is based on, The Sheik will provide plenty of enjoyment. Personally, I prefer my soap opera with a lot less yelling and a lot better acting, but was still able to find some enjoyment in the character study at the center of this documentary. I may have been able to enjoy the human aspects of the story even more if the filmmakers didn’t allow themselves to seep into the narrative as giddy fans during the second half of the film. While I appreciate their passion, it did little to reassure me the filmmaking wasn’t affected by the filmmakers’ obvious bias.

The Taviani Brothers Collection Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Omero Antonutti, Claudio Bigagli

Directors: Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani

Format: NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: Italian

Subtitles: English

Number of discs: 1

Studio: Cohen Media Group

Release Date: February 16, 2016

 

 

        There are many sibling filmmaker teams, and I’m sure that each has their own unique ways of distributing the directorial duties. For the longest time Joel Coen was listed as the film’s director with Ethan taking producer credits, despite both working together in all aspects of the process. The Taviani brothers, Paolo and Vittorio, have a completely different approach. Although they always share the director credit, each takes turn directing from one scene to the next, neither one interfering with the work of the other. The result is no less seamless, as can clearly be seen in three of their classics included in this Blu-ray film collection.