Why The Great Wall Whitewashing Accusations Are Wrong

        We live in the age of perpetual internet anger. As well as making information easier to access, there is a seemingly endless stream of outrage about one thing or another on social media. Although this can be a useful tool, those who are quick to react without first obtaining all of the fact can end up looking like the tool. Online fervor over the casting of Matt Damon in the Chinese fantasy epic, The Great Wall, is the latest casualty of casual internet stupidity. Allow me to take the time to inform the indignant of their ignorance.

Alien: Covenant crew photo released

 Introducing the ALIEN: COVENANT crew. Check out the new photo below from the upcoming film, then watch Legion on FX tomorrow, February 22, for an exclusive Alien: Covenant debut.

 

 

 

Grace and Frankie: Season Two DVD Review

• Actors: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Sam Waterston, June Diane Raphael
• Directors: Dean Parisot, Rebecca Asher, Trent O'Donnell, Arlene Sanford, Andy Ackerman
• Disc Format: Box set, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1
• Number of discs: 3
• Studio: Lionsgate
• DVD Release Date: February 21, 2017
• Run Time: 389 minutes

        “Grace and Frankie” is another example of an original Netflix show willing to break from the norm, both in the tackling of LGTBQ issues and featuring the sex lives of characters that aren’t in their 20s or 30s. As refreshing as it was to see a television show that wasn’t afraid to center on four characters in the twilight of their life, not to mention the acceptance of all sexual preferences, “Grace and Frankie” seemed like a single-season premise. Watching the first season drag out its simple idea often had me wondering if it would have made for a better film than series, and I definitely had concerns that they would not be able to stretch the material out for another season. Not only did they make a second season, there is also a third on the way. Although I was right about the initial premise wearing thin, the title characters are pushed in new directions this season.

Manchester by the Sea Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges
• Director: Kenneth Lonergan
• Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: R
• Studio: Lionsgate
• Release Date: February 21, 2017
• Run Time: 137 minutes

        The problem with seeing films after they have received their critical and award-season hype comes mostly from the expectations held by audience members. This probably explains a majority of the backlash against this season’s biggest winner thus far, La La Land, and it definitely affected the way I perceived Manchester by the Sea. Even though I saw this film long before nominations began coming out, there was something else that affected my perception of the film: the marketing. Yes, I had expectations built up because of high critical praise (award nominations had not yet been announced when I first watched the film), but even more misleading was the trailers I had seen depicting a feel-good indi film. I realize the marketing department did not want to spoil certain plot developments (which I will also avoid in this review), but the trailer also misleads audiences into thinking the tone of the film was far lighter than it actually is.

Bad Santa 2 Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox
• Director: Mark Waters
• Format: Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Dubbed: Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R/Unrated
• Studio: Broad Green Pictures
• Release Date: February 21, 2017
• Run Time: 94 minutes

        I’m certainly glad that we didn’t have to wait an entire year for the home entertainment release of Bad Santa 2, which is often the case for holiday films released theatrically during that season. It makes logical sense, as few people are likely to rush out to buy and rent a Christmas movie in February, but that kind of delay would have built up the anticipation unnecessarily. I enjoyed the first film immensely and was somewhat disappointed to miss this sequel in the theaters. I was even more disappointed when I finally did see it, but it would have been much worse had I been forced to wait until next holiday season.

Before I Fall | New Clip

Zoey Deutch breaks hearts in a new clip from director Ry-Russo Young's BEFORE I FALL. Based on the best-selling young adult novel by Lauren Oliver, the critical hit and fan favorite from the 2017 Sundance Film Festival starring Deutch alongside Halston Sage, Kian Lawley, Cynthy Wu, Medalion Rahimi opens in theaters March 3rd.

LOGAN | NEW Limited-Edition Comic-Artist Posters Released

LOGAN hits theaters everywhere on March 3, 2017!

 

 

Terrence Malick's Song To Song Trailer Release

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.