Based on the Young Adult novel by Lois Lowry, a near two decade passion project for actor Jeff Bridges, The Giver is yet another in what has become a bit of a glut in science fiction films set in a…
Known for his so-called “message movies,” independent producer/director Stanley Kramer made a career of bringing attention to social issues that most major studios looked to avoid. Whether he was exploring racism, nuclear war, or politics, Kramer always tried to approach…
After directing over 140 television shows for CBS during the 1950’s, and receiving mixed reviews for his first two films, 1962 proved to be a pivotal year for John Frankenheimer. Both The Manchurian Candidate, and The Birdman of Alcatraz earned…
Editor’s Notes Portions of this review appeared in our coverage of the original Blu-ray edition of ‘White Christmas.’ The top grossing film of 1954, White Christmas retains classic holiday status, despite the fact that the major story has very little…
Editor’s Notes: Portions of this review also appear in our coverage of the previous Blu-ray release of ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.’ Picking up where An Unexpected Journey left off, just after their escape from a pack of Orcs,…
Fascinating, funny, and occasionally shocking, The Dog is a documentary portrait of the late John Wojtowicz (1945-2006), whose 1972 attempted robbery of a Brooklyn bank inspired the film Dog Day Afternoon. Sidney Lumet’s 1975 drama about an everyday Joe (Al…
A truly polarizing figure, fans of the WWE either love or hate John Cena, and it seems as though the man himself wouldn’t have it any other way. Personally, though he’s never been a favorite of mine, his work ethic…
Known for his songs that make light of popular culture, and often parody well known hits, “Weird Al” Yankovic, has sold more than 12 million albums since 1979. Last summer’s Mandatory Fun, which features parodies of hits by Lorde, Iggy…
The Vanishing (or Spoorloos in its native Holland) introduces us to Rex Hofman (Gene Bervoets) and his girlfriend Saskia (Johanna ter Steege). On vacation in France, the couple has pulled into a gas station/mini-mart to refuel, and to pick up…
The Sopranos debuted on HBO January 10, 1999, quickly becoming a ratings phenomenon, attracting 12 million viewers at its peak. A complex drama about a mob boss, his family, his crew and his shrink, fascinated viewers and garnered piles of…