‘Grave Encounters 2’ fails to scare up interest on Blu-ray
New to DVD and Blu-ray exclusively from Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada and Indiecan Entertainment is the newest addition to the found footage horror genre that takes into the halls of a rundown asylum that may house the spirits of the deceased with Grave Encounters 2. The first Grave Encounters came out of nowhere and became an improbable hit so the question remains that with an increased budget and backing can the sequel deliver as much as the original did?
Grave Encounters 2
Starring: Richard Harmon, Sean Rogerson, Leanne Lapp, Dylan Playfair, Stephanie Bennett and Howard Lai
Written by The Vicious Brothers
Directed by John Poliquin
In 2011 the found footage horror film Grave Encounters about a ghost hunting TV crew being haunted to their apparent deaths in an abandoned mental institute became an internet and festival sensation. In the sequel Grave Encounters 2 Alex (Harmon), (more…)
‘The Great Magician’ performs on the Blu-ray stage
New to DVD and Blu-ray from Well Go USAEntertainment is the new action fantasy from the director of Shinjuku Incident and One Nite in Mongkok Derek Yee, The Great Magician. The film stars three of Hong Kong’s biggest stars Tony Leung, Lau Ching-wan and the stunning Zhou Xun in a period piece actioner with plenty of magic. But how great is this magician and is he worth your hard earned dollars?
The Great Magician
Starring: Tony Leung, Lau Ching-wan, Zhou Xun, Wu Gang, Paul Chun and Yan Ni
Written by Chun Tin-nam, Lau Ho-leung and Derek Yee
Directed by Derek Yee
In the years after the Revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty in China and established the Republic, the country is broken up into fiefdoms held by warlords, who are busy fighting each other. Village warlord Bully Lei (Ching-wan) is accused of using magic to recruit soldiers to his cause. New arrival Chang Hsien (Leung) (more…)
Anchor Bay assigns the ‘Ultramarines’ to Blu-ray
New to Blu-ray from Anchor Bay films is the computer animated “Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie”. As the title indicates, the film is an adaptation of the popular Games Workshop series of games under the Warhammer 40,000 label (Warhammer 40K for short), which started as a tabletop miniature wargame where players would decorate and assemble their own forces to take on their opponents. The universe has expanded to include expansion battle packs, books and video games along the way, and now it unveils its newest crossover with the animated film.
Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie Blu-ray
Starring the voices of: Terence Stamp,John Hurt, Sean Pertwee, Steven Waddington and Donald Sumpter
Directed by Martyn Pick
Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie Official Trailer
It is 41st Millennium, and the only force that stands between humanity and alien hordes are the Space Marines. Genetically enhanced, (more…)
Canadian Film Fest prepares to invade ‘Skull World’
Playing as part of this year’s Canadian Film Fest at the Royal Cinema in Toronto this week is the new documentary from the director of 2011’s The Collapsed Justin McConnell, Skull World. The film, playing Friday Mar 22 2013, is the tale of one man’s dreams and obsession over the growing phenomenon known as Box Wars.
Skull World
Starring: Greg “Skull Man” Sommer
Directed by Justin McConnell
An enterprising man in his early 30s Greg, and his alter-ego Skull Man, is at war, ‘Box Wars’ that is. Step into Greg’s world full of warriors, magic, glory, and metal music. Greg is e founder and developer of the Canadian-chapter of Box Wars, an international (more…)
‘Admission’ manages to avoid academic probation
New in theaters today, Mar 22 2013, is the newest film from the man behind Being Flynn, About a Boy and the original American Pie, director Paul Weitz, Admission. The comedy features Tina Fey hot off her final episodes of the smash hit TV series 30 Rock and comedy’s everyman Paul Rudd in a story about an admissions facilitator and a passionate teacher. So how does the film fare in making the grade?
Admission
Starring: Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Nat Wolff, Gloria Reuben, Wallace Shawn, Michael Sheen and Lily Tomlin
Written by Karen Croner based on the novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Directed by Paul Weitz
‘From Up on Poppy Hill’ looks to charm TIFF Bell Lightbox patrons
Starting an exclusive run this Friday Mar 22 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox is the latest animated film from Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli is the latest film from Hayao Miyazaki’s son and protégé Goro, From Up on Poppy Hill. TIFF will be screening the film in both its original Japanese with subtitles and a new dubbed version featuring and all-star voice cast. With Hayao providing the script this time around for Goro, the question remains can Goro live up to the immense and vast legacy that his father has carved out through his many years of work?
Written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa
Directed by Goro Miyazaki
Canadian Film Fest Mini Reviews
Canadian Film Fest Mini Reviews
Starting Wednesday Mar 20 2013, and running for 4 days at the Royal cinema in Toronto, is the 7th edition of the Canadian Film Fest. The fest aims to feature the best available from the Canadian film scene and promote Canadian Film and Film production on the whole. The fest features a number of panels on filmmaking and the state of the Canadian Film Industry to compliment the 6 features and 19 shorts in the program. (more…)
‘Olympus Has Fallen’ looks to overthrow theaters this weekend
Starring: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo, Angela Bassett, Dylan McDermott, Radha Mitchell, Ashley Judd, Cole Hauser, Finley Jacobsen and Rick Yune
Written by Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
New in theaters this week across Canada from VVS Films is the newest action/thriller from Training Day director Antoine Fuqua, Olympus Has Fallen. The film is the first theatrical release from Fuqua in 4 years, since Brooklyn’s Finest, and this time around he has loaded his cast with a litany of familiar faces. So how will Olympus Has Fallen fare compared to the past works of Fuqua?
‘A Colt is my Passport’ is one of the highlights of TIFF’s free weekend
Playing March 16 2013 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox as part of the Spotlight Japan series is the Nikkatsu noir classic, “A Colt is my Passport”. The tale of a betrayed hit man from 1967 is also part of the TIFF Bell Lightbox Family Free weekend, so the 10 pm screening is actually free for those who show up one hour before show time to collect a ticket. With a free showing on the big screen of this Nikkatsu gem how could you go wrong?
A Colt is my Passport
Starring: Jo Shishido, Chitose Kobayashi, Jerry Fujio and Akiyoshi Fukae
Written by ShuichiNagahara and Nobou Yamada
Directed by Takashi Nomura
Kamimura (Shishido) is a hard-boiled hired killer commissioned by a local gang to take down a rival boss. He pulls the job off with his customary efficiency, but everything goes to hell anyway. The rival gang lord who hires Kamimura and his driver Shun (Fujio) (more…)
Is ‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone’ a magical night at the cinema?
Debuting in theaters this week is the new comedy from seasoned television director (30 Rock, Royal Pains, Law & Order) Don Scardino and comedy heavyweights Steve Carell and Jim Carrey, “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone“. Wonderstone takes place in the apparently cutthroat world of Vegas magicians and uses the glittery background of Vegas to frame it story. The only question that remains is whether it’s funny or not?
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Starring: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi,Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini and Jay Mohr
Written by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein
Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Buscemi), friends and partners since they were 10 years old, have ruled the Las Vegas Strip (more…)
Gerard Butler surfs through ‘Chasing Mavericks’
Chasing Mavericks Blu-Ray Review
Starring Gerard Butler, Jonny Weston, Elisabeth Shue, Abigail Spencer, Leven Rambin
Written by Kario Salem based on a story by Jim Meenaghan and Brandon Hooper
Directed by Michael Apted and Curtis Hanson
New to Blu-ray and DVD from Fox Home Entertainment is the ‘inspired by a true story’ surfing movie Chasing Mavericks. The troubled production saw star Butler injure his back during filming and the movie split between two directors after Curtis Hanson fell ill with complications following heart surgery and the final two weeks of principal filming were finished by Michael Apted. So with all the personal issues on the production, is the final product worth the purchase?
Chasing Mavericks is the inspirational true story of real life surfing phenomenon Jay Moriarity (Weston). As a child Moriarity becomes fascinated by the ocean and the power of the waves. Years later, as a 15 year old, Jay discovers that the mythic (more…)
‘Wreck-It Ralph’ blasts its way onto home screens
Wreck-It Ralph Blu-Ray Review
Starring the voices of John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Mindy Kaling, Denis Haysbert, Skylar Astin and Ed O`Niell
Written by Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee based on a story by Rich Moore, Phil Johnston and Jim Reardon
Directed by Rich Moore
New to DVD and Blu-Ray from Disney Home Entertainment is the Oscar nominatedanimated feature film Wreck-It Ralph. The classic 8-bit video game inspired film was a smash hit when it was released in theaters last year and proved to be one of the front runners in one of the best years for animated feature films in a long time. Featuring a smorgasbord of cameos from famous classic video game characters and the newest and possibly most adorable ‘Disney Princess’ to date, the only question that remains is how awesome will the film transfer to home video.
For decades, Ralph (Reilly) has played the bad guy in his popular video game. The main villain in the game ‘Fix-It Felix’, Ralph has been thrown off the top of a building (more…)
‘Playing for Keeps’ has Gerard Butler grin and bear it
Starring: Gerard Butler, Jessica Beil, Noah Lomax, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Judy Greer
Written by Robbie Fox
Directed by Gabriele Muccino
New this week from VVS Entertainment is the new Gerard Butler vehicle, playing for Keeps. Butler continues his string of romantic comedies with this tale of a down on his luck former athlete’s attempts to reconnect with his son and former flame. Most of Butler`s romantic comedy fare has been dull and unoriginal to date, will Playing for Keeps fare any better?
Anthony Hopkins is ‘Hitchcock’ on Blu-ray
Hitchcock Blu-ray Review
Starring Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Danny Huston, Toni Collette, James D’Arcy, Jessica Biel and Michael Wincott
Written by John J. McLaughlin based on the book “Alfred Hitchcock and the making of Psycho” by Stephen Rebello
Directed by Sacha Gervasi
New this week on DVD and Blu-ray from Fox Home Entertainment is the semi-biopic about the making of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Hitchcock. The film stars Hannibal Lecter himself, Anthony Hopkins, as the Master of Suspense himself and Helen Mirren as his long suffering wife Alma. The film when released in theaters split audiences, so how does the transfer work on the small screen?
‘Life of Pi’ astonishes on Blu-ray
Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Rafe Spall and Gerard Depardieu
Written by David Magee based on the novel by Yann Martel
Directed by Ang Lee
Fresh offof director Ang Lee`s best directing Oscar win, Fox Home Entertainment brings Life of Pi to DVD and Blu-ray. The tale of faith and perseverance was a 4 year passion project for most involved, director Ang Lee no exception as he jumped in both feet first. The worldwide smash cost hundreds of millions to finally bring the book many thought was ‘un-filmable’ to the screen. So how will the grand spectacle transfer over to the small screen?
Disney’s ‘Brother Bear’ hits Blu-Ray with a new dual pack
Brother Bear Double Feature Blu-ray
Brother Bear and Brother Bear 2
Starring the voices of: Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, Jason Raize, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, Micheal Clarke Duncan, D.B. Sweeny, Patrick Dempsey and Mandy Moore
Brother Bear directed by Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker
Brother Bear 2 directed by Ben Gluck
New this week from Disney is a handful of 3 disc Blu-ray Double Features, one of which is for the Disney animated film Brother Bear and its direct to video sequel Brother Bear 2. When Brother Bear came out in 2003, during what some regard as the ‘lean years ‘of Disney animation when Pixar dominated everything they produced, it was bumped from the traditional Disney summer release slot in favor of the immensely popular Finding Nemo. Making its way to a double feature Blu-ray with its sequel for the first time, the question remains is it worth the purchase price?
Disney’s ‘Hunchback’ hits Blu-ray with new dual pack set
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Double Feature Blu-ray
Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hunchback of Notre Dame 2
Starring the voices of: Tom Hulce, Kevin Kline, Demi Moore, Tony Jay, Jason Alexander, Charles Kimbrough, Mary Wickes, David Ogden Stiers, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Haley Joel Osment and Micheal McKean
Hunchback of Notre Dame directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
Hunchback of Notre Dame 2 directed by Bradley Raymond
New this week from Disney is a handful of 3 disc Blu-ray Double Features, one of which is for the Disney classic Hunchback of Notre Dame and its direct to video sequel Hunchback of Notre Dame 2. The re-interpretation of the classic Victor Hugo novel ‘Notre Dame de Paris’, Disney’s Hunchback manages to make the sad and misshapen Quasimodo into a loveable hero. But will the double feature pack be worth a purchase when you include part 2?
Disney’s ‘Mulan 1&2’ hits Blu-ray with a new dual pack set
Mulan Double Feature Blu-ray
Mulan 1 and 2
Starring the voices of: Ming Na, B.D. Wong, Eddie Murphy, Pat Morita, Harvey Fierstein, James Hong, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh and Lauren Tom
Mulan directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook
Mulan 2 directed by Darrell Rooney and Lynne Southerland
New this week from Disney is a handful of 3 disc Blu-ray Double Features, one of which is for the Disney classic Mulan and its direct to video sequel Mulan 2. Mulan is the classic story of a girl risking it all, her life and family honor, because she wants to protect her father. For the first time available as a double Blu-ray set, the question remains is the set worth your hard earned dollars?
Anchor Bay unleashes ‘Girls Against Boys’ on Blu-ray
New to DVD and Blu-ray from Anchor Bay Entertainment is the revenge thriller “Girls Against Boys”. The newest film from writer/director Austin Chick, Girls against boys features Danielle Panabaker in a rare bad girl role after she takes drastic actions after a sexual assault is not followed up on accordingly by the police. So how does Girls Against Boys hold up to other twisted tales of revenge?
Girls Against Boys
Starring: Danielle Panabaker, Nicole LaLiberte, Liam Atkin, Michael Stahl-David and Andrew Howard
Written and Directed by Austin Chick
After Shae (Panabaker), a college student that is having an affair with an older married man, is assaulted by several men in a matter of days she reaches her breaking point. Shae is drawn into co-worker Lu’s (LaLiberte) twisted plan for revenge against all men. (more…)
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema takes a trip to ‘Greenwich Village’
Starting today, Mar 8 2013, at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema is the new documentary focusing on the politically charged singer songwriters of the 1960’s and early 1970’s that called Greenwich Village home, “Greenwich Village: Music that Defined a Generation”. The epicenter of the folk music movement of the 60’s, hundreds of acts grew from the streets of Greenwich to conquer the world. Director Laura Archibald is clearly a large fan and enamored of these artists and their achievements as the entire tale is seen form the one side that is the artist’s themselves.
Greenwich Village: Music that Defined a Generation
Narration by Susan Sarandon
Written by Laura Archibald, Rob Lindsay and Kevin Wallis based on the novel by Suzie Rotolo
Directed by Laura Archibald
In the 1960s and early 1970s, Greenwich Village attracted numerous artists and activists. This creative and politically (more…)
WWE’s ‘The Marine 3’ falls short on delivering the goods
WWE Films brings its newest installment in their “Marine” series of films to Blu-ray and DVD via Fox Home Entertainment this week with “The Marine 3: Homefront” This time the role of marine is filled by WWE wrestler Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, inheriting the role from John Cena and Ted DiBiase Jr, playing the character of Jake Carter. Each new Marine film stars a new marine, character and actor, so how does Jake Carter and the Miz stack up in the series?
Marine 3: Homefront Blu-Ray Review
Starring: Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, Neal McDonough, Ashley Bell, Michael Eklund and Jared Keeso
Written by Scott Wiper and Declan O’Brien
Directed by Scott Wiper
WWE’s ‘Dead Man Down’ limps into theaters
Starring: Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace, Isasbelle Huppert, Dominic Cooper, F. Murray Abraham, Armand Assante, Stu “Wade Barrett” Bennett and Terrence Howard.
Written by J.H. Wyman
Directed by Niels Arden Oplev
The newest theatrical release from the wrestling entity driven WWE Films hits theaters this weekend with the original Girl with the Dragon Tattoo herself Noomi Rapace leading the way in Dead Man Down. The film Reteams Rapace with the director of the original Dragon Tattoo trilogy for the first time since the worldwide smash as director Oplev is also making his feature film English language debut. But will Dead Man Down be a similar sized hit or dead box office?
‘The Walking Dead’s’ 5 most anticipated characters yet to appear on TV
With this Sunday’s (Mar 3) episode bringing back uber fan favorite Morgan Jones (Lennie James) and the appearance of comic book favorite Tyresse (Chad L. Coleman), even if he’s working with David Morrissey’s Governor for now, the influx of new characters has been on the rise for this season’s “The Walking Dead”. Even Axel (Lew Temple), with his short stay, was another character who managed to work his way in from the original comic book once the prison came into play. But the comic book just recently went past 100 issues (107 as of this article) and the group is in a much different place. (more…)
James Bond reboots with ‘Skyfall’
Skyfall Blu-ray (2013)
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Bérénice Marlohe, Ben Whishaw with Albert Finney and Judi Dench
Written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan based on characters created by Ian Fleming
Directed by Sam Mendes
Now available on DVD and Blu-ray from Fox Home Entertainment is the latest entry in theJames Bond saga, Skyfall. Ian Fleming’s iconic creation celebrates its 50th year in film with this new entry. Starring the enigmatic and some argue best bond of the series, Daniel Craig, Skyfall doesn’t just serve to continue the series as much as reboot the franchise around Craig in order to establish Bond for another 50 year run, or so Fox and MGM studios hope.
In Skyfall, James Bond’s (Craig) loyalty to M (Dench) is tested as her past returns to haunt her. We open in the middle of an important lifesaving operation that goes drastically wrong. (more…)
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