DVD Review: Wonder Woman
In this direct-to-video animated release of Wonder Woman, the plot is based on George Perez’ reboot of the character. Specifically, the “Gods and Mortals” arc that started the character’s second volume back in 1987. The film presumes that Wonder Woman exists in a world of her own and there are no references to the greater […]
Blu-ray Review: Capote w/ In Cold Blood (2-Disc Double Feature)
Thank you, Sony, Thank you. The idea of a DVD or Blu-ray double feature is hardly new but the recent release of 2005’s Capote and 1967’s In Cold Blood as a double feature on Blu-ray deserves special praise. The first is a biopic that follows Truman Capote as he was doing research for In Cold […]
Blu-ray Review: High School Musical 3 – Senior Year (Deluxe Extended Edition)
High School Musical is a genuine phenomenon. After a 2006 made-for-TV movie and a 2007 direct-to-video sequel proved to be huge hits, Disney decided to make a third film for the big screen. HSM doesn’t represent any real school of today; heck the students of East High make the kids at Rydell High in Grease […]
DVD Review: Blindness
On the face of it, the premise of Fernando Meirelles’ (City of God, The Constant Gardner) seems intriguing: an epidemic of white blindness sweeps the entire world, with no warning. In a short period of time, almost everyone is rendered blind and everyone is powerless to stop it. Soon, the only person left with the […]
Blu-ray Review: Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman is the movie that launched Julia Roberts to mega-stardom. Though Roberts had a few films under her by the time Pretty Woman was released (Mystic Pizza, Satisfaction and Steel Magnolia’s), there’s no question that Richard Gere was the bigger star as the film went before the cameras. However, one look at Roberts’ huge […]
DVD Review: Poison Ivy 4 – The Secret Society
Back in 1992, the original Poison Ivy served to relaunch Drew Barrymore’s career after she had emerged from years of alcohol and drug addiction. That film was nominated for a coveted Grand Jury prize at Sundance and went on to earn a respectable cult following, but an ill-conceived pair of increasingly absurd sequels–Poison Ivy II: […]
Blu-ray Review: The French Connection
While The French Connection certainly deserves to be described as tough, edgy, profane and explosive, somewhat slow should be added as well. Te action doesn’t start right away; instead; director William Friedkin (The Exorcist) and screenwriter Ernest Tidyman (High Plains Drifter), crafted a story in which the tension slowly increases. The two men created enough […]
Blu-ray Review: Amadeus (Director’s Cut w/ Bonus Music CD)
Amadeus stands as one of the most beautiful Bly-rays currently available. One of the most opulent films ever produced, director Miloš Forman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The People Vs. Larry Flynt) shot the film primarily in France, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Though most of the scenes take place indoors and there are […]
Blu-ray Review: Madagascar – Escape 2 Africa
I enjoyed 2005’s Madagascar, so I was more than happy to sit down and take a look at the second installment. Part two picks up where the first movie left off, with the same group of animals, along with a few new ones and a brand new villain. Escape 2 Africa begins with a brief […]
DVD Review: Friday the 13th, Part 3 – 3-D Deluxe Edition
Paramount was ecstatic. The low-budget slasher flick Friday the 13th had been a surprise hit and its sequel had done solid business as well. However, the tide seemed to be turning against them. The MPAA was cracking down on horror films and the public was becoming more concerned about what effect violence in the movies […]