London Town DVD Review

• Actors: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Daniel Huttlestone
• Director: Derrick Borte
• Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R
• Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO
• DVD Release Date: February 14, 2017
• Run Time: 93 minutes

        As a typical coming of age film set in the world of rock n’ roll, specifically the 1970s punk scene in England, London Town is like a British Almost Famous, with far less charm and a more predictable narrative. The biggest difference is the inclusion of real rock icons in the fabricated narrative, as opposed to a fictional band based on Cameron Crowe’s real experiences as a young journalist. Even with a character based on a real person, London Town often feels more like fantasy than reality. Specifically, it feels like the dream of a young punk fan who has never grown out of the obsession, imagining that their favorite star might show up to save the day when needed most.

Dean: First Trailer Released

 

Come What May Blu-ray Review

• Actors: August Diehl, Oliver Gourmet, Mathilde Seigner
• Director: Christian Carion
• Disc Format: Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: French
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: February 7, 2017
• Run Time: 114 minutes

        Come What May is evidence that there is no shortage of narratives from World War II to be told or of national cinemas willing to repeatedly dip into this well for creative inspiration. French filmmaker Christian Carion returns to the war genre with the same sentimentality utilized in his World War I drama, Joyeux Noel, though this endeavor feels a bit more contrived and leans heavier on the fictional details than his past effort. World War II and the French exodus during German occupation simply serve as backdrop for the intimate melodrama of a father in search of his son. Even though there is historical information within the film, this is a film that uses real events for its narrative rather than one based upon factual events.

A Cure for Wellness Review

        If ambitious vision was all I was tasked to review, A Cure for Wellness would receive extremely high marks. The scope of the film is astounding, from the pristine visual style to the boldly indulgent 146-minute run time. It is rare to see a genre film made by a studio with this much faith in the filmmaker’s vision, especially one released in the first quarter of the year. Unfortunately, while the visual style of the film excels, the narrative is often less satisfying. And although the length was brave, I began to question the studio’s faith in Gore Verbinski by the end of the often redundant tale.

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk 4K Ultra HD Review

• Actors: Joe Alwyn, Kristen Stewart, Chris Tucker, Garrett Hedlund, Makenzie Leigh
• Director: Ang Lee
• Producers: Ang Lee, Stephen Cornwell, Rhodri Thomas, Marc Platt
• Format: 4K
• Language: English
• Subtitles: French, Portuguese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, English
• Dubbed: French, Portuguese, Thai
• Audio Description: French
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: R
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: February 14, 2017
• Digital Copy Expiration Date: December 31, 2019

        The biggest problem with Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, like its mouthful of a title, is that it is overcomplicating something that likely would have worked better in its simplicity. The narrative is practically begging for an intimate character study, while the film style is as overindulgent as possible, in order to make use of the unnecessary cutting edge technical achievements. The film was shot in 3D, using a 120 frame rate, even though there were only a few theaters capable of screening it the way it was meant to be seen. Even the 4K Ultra HD only presents the film in 60 fps. Even though this is the first film to be offered to consumers at this high of a frame rate and offers spectacular visuals, the film’s narrative seems to be begging for something more intimate.

From Dusk Till Dawn: Season Three Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Brandon Soo Hoo, Wilmer Valderrama, Robert Patrick, D.J. Cotrona, Eiza González
• Producer: Mark McNair
• Format: AC-3, Dolby, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: February 7, 2017

        I can only assume that this is likely to be the final season of “From Dusk Till Dawn,” if only because there is finally a level of closure to the narrative. What began as a predictable remake of the 1996 action-horror film has turned into another TV vampire soap opera, but at least this season manages to end with a bang. There are too many characters, most of which are interchangeable in the larger narrative, and they seem to switch sides and reasons for fighting with each season. There is a lot of filler material in season three (as was the case with the first two), but at least it ends with a memorable fight between opposing sides. And where the original premise combined the structure of a horror film within a crime narrative, the climax of season three cleverly integrates the western genre into the mix.

Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Leonard Cohen, Martha Wainwright, Teddy Thompson, Nick Cave, Kate McGarrigle
• Director: Lian Lunson
• Disc Format: NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13
• Studio: Lionsgate
• Release Date: February 7, 2017
• Run Time: 103 minutes

        Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man is a kind of hybrid documentary/concert video, jumping back and forth between two different mediums. While both have value in the overall presentation, I often felt myself longing for one or the other. A documentary without the constant interruption of a tribute concert might have felt more focused, just as there is a desire for an uninterrupted presentation of the performances. It also would not have hurt the documentary about Leonard Cohen to hear a few more of his songs actually sung by him.

The Eagle Huntress Blu-ray Review

• Director: Otto Bell
• Producers: Otto Bell, Stacey Reiss, Jason Weinberg, Sharon Chang
• Format: AC-3, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: French, English, Spanish
• Audio Description: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Rated: G
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: February 7, 2017
• Run Time: 87 minutes

        The Eagle Huntress is a beautifully shot documentary which tells an inspirational story of Aisholpan, a 13-year-old girl who is the first female in her family to become an eagle hunter. It is a feel good narrative, a rare G-rated film tackling issues of feminism while also celebrating cultural traditions. So why is it that this film is also being bashed by many online skeptics? There are concerns that some of the polished visuals are too polished, and that some of the sequences have been staged specifically for the camera. Even if this is true, it does little to change the narrative. Staging beautiful shots of an eagle flying to Aisholpan does not detract from her inspirational story, unless you go out of your way to look for a reason not to like The Eagle Huntress.

Fifty Shades of Grey Hidden Camera Prank Revealed

          Real Movie News has released a hidden camera prank that doubles as a parody of the 2015 hit film, Fifty Shades of Grey, and a satire of the faith-based film industry. The video has been released as the first in a series of casting pranks labeled "Audition Nightmares." Watch the video below or on Vimeo and YouTube.

The sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, will hit theaters in the U.S. this Friday, February 10th. 

 

The 9th Life of Louis Drax Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Aaron Paul, Jamie Dornan, Michael Adamthwaite, Aiden Longworth
• Director: Alexandre Aja
• Format: NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Lionsgate
• Release Date: February 7, 2017
• Run Time: 108 minutes

        Dark children stories made for adult audiences are somewhat rare, but not entirely uncommon. Though only PG-13, last year’s A Monster Calls dealt with heavy topics within the structure of a coming-of-age tale, and nearly all of Guillermo del Toro’s filmography is made up of R-rated fables featuring young protagonists. In that sense, The 9^th Life of Louis Drax is in good company, even if it is not nearly as successful as the films it resembles. 

Graves: Season One DVD Review

• Actors: Nick Nolte, Sela Ward, Skylar Astin, Heléne Yorke, Chris Lowell
• Directors: Joshua Michael Stern, Bob Balaban, Robert Weide, Iain B. MacDonald, Frank Coraci
• Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1
• Number of discs: 3
• Studio: Lionsgate
• DVD Release Date: February 7, 2017
• Run Time: 300 minutes

        If the last election period was an indicator of any one thing, regardless of party lines, it was frustration by the American people of politicians and their double-talk. It has gotten to the point that you can no longer ever trust what a politician says, as they seem to say whatever is necessary in order to win elections. This is why the television show “Graves” may be the timeliest of the political satires to be released in recent years. And calling it a satire may not even be completely accurate, because there is a level of sincerity in the show’s writing that is more optimistic than one might anticipate. Even while there is obvious criticism of the political system, the emphasis remains on hope rather than cynicism.

Spirit of the Game DVD Review

• Actors: Kevin Sorbo, Aaron Jakubenko, Wade Briggs, Anna McGahan
• Director: J.D. Scott
• Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: French, English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Rated: PG
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: February 7, 2017
• Run Time: 98 minutes

        Christian faith-based films have a notorious reputation for amateur filmmaking, but Spirit of the Game, along with other recent Mormon entries into the faith-based genre, proves that no one denomination is guiltier than another. No matter what religion is making the film, if the primarily goal is to evangelize with the content, the result is more propaganda than art. This might even be forgivable if the quality of filmmaking weren’t so laughably poor. Spirit of the Game is no worse than countless Christian-made films, but it certainly is no better either.

Life on the Line Blu-ray Review

• Actors: John Travolta, Kate Bosworth, Devon Sawa, Gil Bellows, Julie Benz
• Director: David Hackl
• Film Format: NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Lionsgate
• Release Date: February 7, 2017
• Run Time: 98 minutes

        I can honestly say that I never put much thought into the effort it takes to keep electricity working, nor was I aware of the dangers faced by the lineman making necessary repairs. If nothing else, Life on the Line succeeded in waking me up to the realities about the dangers of a job like that. Life on the Line serves as a tribute to the brave men who risk danger each time there is a fallen line or a repair is needed, but they deserve to be honored with a film that isn’t also full of contrived melodrama and sub-par filmmaking.

Beyond Redemption Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Brian Ho, Osric Chau, Linna Huynh
• Director: Bruce Fontaine
• Film Format: Dolby, NTSC, THX, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: Well Go USA
• Release Date: February 7, 2017
• Run Time: 89 minutes

        Beyond Redemption is the feature film directorial debut from longtime stuntman, Bruce Fontaine, which makes sense considering the only time the film is slightly bearable is during the sequences of action. The rest of the filmmaking is wholly incompetent, from the derivative undercover cop narrative to the poor production values. This could have been a moderately amusing low budget action film, but instead resigns to being a humorless melodrama with a few fights scenes sprinkled throughout.

Dirty Dancing: 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, Jack Weston
• Director: Emile Ardolino
• Film Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: PG-13
• Studio: Lionsgate
• Release Date: February 7, 2017
• Run Time: 101 minutes

At a certain point, with films as successful as Dirty Dancing, cultural impact becomes more significant than critical reactions. Dirty Dancing may be far from a masterpiece, but it has had lasting popularity that can’t be ignored. Despite all of the cheesy lines and contrived romantic melodrama, this is still a film that is easily quotable and difficult to switch away from when stumbled across on television late at night. Sometimes a guilty pleasure is the greatest pleasure of them all.  

       

Story of God: Season One DVD Review

• Disc Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: January 10, 2017
• Run Time: 270 minutes

        It may seem like somewhat of an obvious choice to have Morgan Freeman as the host of the National Geographic documentary series investigating various faiths and their belief in God. Playing off of the fact that he was cast as the creator in the Hollywood comedy, Bruce Almighty, “The Story of God” follows Freeman on his journey to different countries and a wide variety of cultures in his examination of the belief in a higher power. That Freeman actually seems personally invested in the questions being raised may merely be an indicator of his abilities as an actor, but it does wonders for the accessibility of the topics.

Nerdland Blu-ray Review

• Director: Chris Prynoski
• Format: Animated, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: French, English, Spanish
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• Release Date: February 7, 2017
• Run Time: 83 minutes

        The concept behind Nerdland has seen many different forms over the years. First the idea started as a live-action feature film, before it was pitched as a television series. Then it was an animated series, before it morphed once again, into the animated feature that was finally made. After all of the alterations needed just to get to this finished product, the story of the production of Nerdland resembles the same desperation of the characters searching for fame within the narrative.

Gimme Danger DVD Review

• Actors: Iggy Pop, Ron Asheton, Danny Fields
• Director: Jim Jarmusch
• Producers: Carter Logan, Fernando Sulichin, Rob Wilson
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Rated: R
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: January 31, 2017
• Run Time: 109 minutes

        Despite an anarchistic title and the chaotically unprofessional band that the documentary is about, Gimme Danger ends up a rather bland film experience. The biggest problem is that this film is far more interested in Iggy Pop than all of the remaining members of The Stooges combined, with his interview taking up at least 85 percent of the run time. There are large sections of the film which simply contain Iggy recounting stories from his past, which may be of interest to his biggest fans but doesn’t serve the documentary’s narrative well. Even as we trace the origins of the influential punk band in a conventionally linear fashion, the film often feels as distracted as the band during their many drug-fueled years.

The Handmaiden DVD Review

• Actors: Min-hee Kim, Jung-woo Ha, Tae Kim, Jin-woong Jo, Hae-suk Kim
• Director: Chan-wook Park
• Producers: Chan-wook Park, Syd Lim
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: Korean
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: January 24, 2017
• Run Time: 145 minutes

        I refuse to watch dubbed foreign films if subtitles are available, but the cinematography and art direction is so rich in Chan-wook Park’s The Handmaiden that I found myself wishing that I understood Korean and Japanese. Torn between reading the text in order to follow the narrative and the captivating pull of magnificent images, The Handmaiden kept my eyes glued to the screen for much of the running time, afraid to miss a thing. Park has long been a filmmaker known for his excesses, and his latest is no exception, though he has somehow managed to make a film that feels both indulgent and restrained, often at the same time. The Handmaiden is overflowing with emotion and passion, but that never gets in the way of some of the director’s most precise and thoughtful filmmaking in years.

Passage to Mars DVD Review

• Actors: Zachary Quinto (narrator)
• Director: Jean-Christophe Jeauffre
• Film Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Not Rated
• Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO
• DVD Release Date: January 24, 2017
• Run Time: 103 minutes

Passage to Mars is a documentary about a human mission to Mars, though it never leaves Earth to accomplish this. Scientific advancements come in stages, and the early stages of planning a trip to Mars include testing of the material in the safety of our own atmosphere. In order to be sure a land rover created for travel on Mars will be a suitable option for astronauts, first it is tested in the Arctic. This film is about that journey, which only seems tied to space travel by the constant reminders from voiceover and digital imagery of the Red Planet.