‘A Haunted House’ manages to scare up no laughs
New on Blu-ray from VVS films is the latest spoof film from Marlon Wayans, A Haunted House. The film marks Marlon’s first solo foray into the spoof film world without any of the rest of the infamous Wayans clan involved. Also responsible for the script, with writing partner Alvarez, the success, or failure, of the project lies solely with Marlon this time around. So will Marlon be able to do it on his own?
A Haunted House
Starring; Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Marlene Forte, David Koechner, Affion Crockett, Alanna Ubach, Nick Swardson, Andrew Daly, J.B. Smoove and Cedric the Entertainer
Written by Marlon Wayans and Rick Alvarez
Directed by Michael Tiddes
‘The Bible’ miniseries is a jam packed Blu-ray
The Bible Blu-ray Review
Starring: Diogo Morgado, Darwin Shaw, Roma Downey and narrated by Keith David
Directed by Crispin Reece and Christopher Spencer
From executive producers Mark Burnett (Survivor) and wife Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) and Fox Home Entertainment comes the near 7 ½ hour TV miniseries in a 4 disc Blu-ray set, The Bible. The sprawling epic series played earlier this year on the History Channel in 10 1 hour parts and now arrives in a Blu-ray set for the purchase. With further plans now in place for a 3 hour theatrical release about the life and times ofJesus Christ from this same team, the question is do they manage to pull this ambitious project off?
Narrated by Emmy winning actor Keith David, The Bible features a stunning international cast including Portuguese actor, Diogo Morgado as Jesus Christ and beloved actress, Roma Downey as Mother Mary. And for the first time since their award winning collaboration on Gladiator, Oscar and Grammy winning composer Hans Zimmer reunites with acclaimed vocalist Lisa Gerrard to create the majestic musical backdrop for this epic production. (more…)
Hidden Gem ‘Graceland’ graces the TIFF Bell Lightbox
One of the grittiest films to play at last year’s Reel Asian Film Festival in Toronto was the crime thriller “Graceland” from the Philippines. Not to be confused with the lavish estate of Elvis in Memphis, Graceland in this case refers to the seedy underground that inhabits and seeps out of every pore of the city of Manila. A place where everything has a price and nothing appears to be as it seems. Graceland is finally getting a long deserved theatrical run at the TIFF Bell Lightbox starting May 10th and it’s definitely a film that should not be missed.
Graceland
Starring Arnold Reyes, Menggie Cobarrubias, Dido De Le Paz and Ella Guevara
Written and Directed by Ron Morales
Marlon Villar (Reyes) is a pious family man who minds his own business, takes care of his daughter Elvie (Guevara) and visits his bed-ridden wife at the hospital every night. (more…)
‘Veep’ is one candidate worth supporting on Blu-ray
New to Blu-ray from HBO Home Entertainment is the new series from the creator of the similarly politically charged “The Thick of It” and “In The Loop” Armando Iannucci, Veep. Starring “Seinfeld” vet Julia Louis-Dreyfus and a handful of improv veterans like Tony Hale and Matt Walsh, Veep has all the quick witted retorts and lightning fast dialogue that has become a trademark of Iannucci productions, but also features the slapstick sensibilities of SNL vet Louis-Dreyfus as well. Set in the ‘other offices’ not in the white house, Veep explores the desperation and idiosyncrasies of a power hungry woman that cannot manage to escape the mediocrity that surrounds her position.
Veep Season 1 Blu-ray
Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale, Reid Scott, Timothy Simons, Matt Walsh and Sufe Bradshaw
Created by Armando Iannucci
‘Deadball’ rounds all the bases on DVD and Blu-ray
New to Blu-ray and DVD from Well Go USAEntertainment and Sushi Typhoon studios is director Yudai Yamaguchi’s follow up to his 2003 cult hit “Battlefield Baseball”, Deadball. The further blood drenched misadventures of juvenile delinquent Jubeh, played again by Tak Sakaguchi, play as a higher budgeted remake of the first film, with a different opponent this time around, and features some of the more ingenious tongue in cheek sequences in the Sushi Typhoon history. So how does this trip to the baseball diamond compare to other Sushi Typhoon outing s?
Deadball
Starring: Tak Sakaguchi, Mari Hoshino, Miho Ninagawa, Takamasa Suga
Written by KeitaTokaji
Directed Yudai Yamaguchi
Baseball prodigy Jubeh Yakyu (Sakaguchi) is the most feared and dangerous juvenile delinquent in all of Japan. After accidentally causing the death of his father with a super-powered, deadly fireball pitch, (more…)
‘Luv’ packs some heart in a familiar story
New to DVD from Indomina Releasing is the acclaimed sophomore drama from director Sheldon Candis that impressed many at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, Luv. The film stars a stellar cast of African American actors in this unique coming of story. Centered by a strong performance from 12 year old Rainey Jr will Luv deliver enough to warrant a purchase?
Luv
Starring: Common, Michael Rainey Jr,Danny Glover, Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Charles S Dutton, Lonette McKee, Michael Kenneth Williams and Megan Good
Written by Justin Wilson and Sheldon Candis
Directed by Sheldon Candis
‘Tormented 3D’ marks a return to form for Takashi Shimizu
Back in 2002, in the middle of the boom of the Japanese Horror (J-Horror for short) craze in North America that arrived after the release of “The Ring” remake, director Takashi Shimizureleased his blockbuster smash Ju-on: The Grudge. For a while Shimizu was on top of the genre with the Ju-on sequel and the American remakes that he directed himself. But ever since the lackluster results of the Grudge 2 American sequel, Shimizu has failed to recapture the acclaim he once had in North American with a string of disappointing films that have not connected with audiences. New to Blu-ray from Well Go USA Entertainment, Tormented aims to mark a return to form for Shimizu and re-establish his name as a leader in the genre.
Tormented 3D Blu-ray Review
Starring: Hikari Mitsushima, Takeru Shibuya, Tamaki Ogawa, Teruyuki Kagawa and Nao Ohmori
Written by Sôtarô Hayashi, Daisuke Hosaka and Takashi Shimizu
Directed by Takashi Shimizu
Daigo (Shibuya) doesn’t speak anymore, not since he killed that rabbit on the playground at school. (more…)
The best movies you never saw: ‘Ghost Graduation’
Don’t worry if you are puzzled and scratching your head after reading the headline, most people in the general public outside of its native Spain have not heard of Ghost Graduation. This delightful comedy comes across as a blend of “Ghostbusters”, “ParaNorman” and “The Breakfast Club” and has charmed audiences worldwide. A hit at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, the programmers of TIFF brought the film back this year as part of the TIFF Next Wave festival back in February as well. So what is it about this film that has people raving?
Ghost Graduation (Promoción Fantasma)
Starring: Raúl Arévalo, Alexandra Jiménez, Javier Bódalo, Anna Castillo, Andrea Duro, Alex Maruny, Jaime Olias, Carlos Areces, Aura Garrido and Silvia Abril
Written by Cristóbal Garrido and Adolfo Valor
Directed by Javier Ruiz Caldera
The introverted Modesto (Arévalo) is an unsuccessful high school teacher who from an early age has been able to see ghosts. But (more…)
‘Bangkok Revenge’ fails to pack a punch on DVD
New this week from Well Go USA is the French/Thai co-production that marks the feature film directorial debut of actor Jean-Marc Minéo, Bangkok Revenge. Originally released under the title “Rebirth”, the film features actor/stuntman John Foo, star of the 2010 live action “Tekken” film, as a one man destruction force fighting his way through Thailand. The big question is how does Bangkok Revenge stack up against the plethora of action films coming out of Thailand and other Asian countries?
Bangkok Revenge DVD Review
Starring: John Foo, Caroline Ducey and Michael Cohen
Written and Directed by Jean-Marc Minéo
A young boy left for dead by the assassins who killed his parents is taken under the wing of a martial-arts master and shaped into a lethal killing machine with an insatiable appetite for revenge. As a ten-year-old child, Manit (Foo) saw his parents murdered in cold blood. When the killers were finished, they put a gun to his head, and pulled the trigger. Incredibly, Manit survived, though the bullet in his brain left him devoid of all emotion. Subsequently adopted by a kindly martial-arts master, Manit trained tirelessly for the next 20 years, always knowing that the day would come when he would bring his parent’s killers to justice. When the time comes to embrace his destiny, Manit embarks on a violent quest for vengeance that brings the entire Bangkok underworld crumbling down. (more…)
‘Parental Guidance’ needs a time out on Blu-ray
New to DVD and Blu-ray from Fox Home Entertainment is the newest comedy from the director of “The Game Plan” and “She’s the Man” Andy Fickman, Parental Guidance. The film stars Billy Crystal and Bette Midler as grandparents put into action as babysitters for the grandkids they barely know and clashing with the parenting decisions and direction of their daughter and her husband. The film is aimed at same crowd who enjoyed the “Meet the Parents” series, but does it pack as much laughs as the first “Meet the Parents” had?
Parental Guidance Blu-ray
Starring: Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott, Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush and Kyle Harrison Breitkopf
Written by Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse
Directed by Andy Fickman
Old-school grandparents Artie (Crystal) and Diane (Midler) get more than they bargained for when they get stuck babysitting their type-A daughter Alice’s (Tomei) three overprotected kids. But things go from hectic to hysterical when Artie and Dianne realize the kids are running the house with newfangled technology, created by the family patriarch Phil (Scott), that they have no idea how to use . To make matter worse Artie has lost his decades old job in favor of a newer and younger replacement. But playing by his rules, which include sugary snacks, old fashioned games and tough love, Artie manages to outsmart the kids and he and Diane endear themselves to the children they long to spend more time with. (more…)
‘Lincoln’ aims to talk his way into your Blu-ray collection
New on Blu-ray from Disney Home Entertainment is the Oscar wining biopic from Steven Spielberg about Abraham Lincoln’s fight to abolish slavery with the 13th amendment to the constitution while also trying to bring about then end of the long and very bloody civil war dividing the country, Lincoln. The film features an all-star cast both behind and in front of the camera that had writer Doris Kearns Goodwin on set as an adviser and the production using many real locations to replicate the events as factually as possible. So how does the historic epic translate to the small screen?
Lincoln Blu-ray
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, David Spader, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Hal Holbrook, John Hawkes, Jackie Earle Hailey, Bruce McGill, Lee Pace, Tim Blake Nelson and Jared Harris
Written by Tony Kushner based on the novel by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Lincoln (Day-Lewis) tarts as the Civil War continues to rage. Struggling with continuing carnage on the battlefield, Lincoln is fighting another great battle with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves. But the promise of an impending peace threatens the amendment from going to vote so Lincoln must make some tough decisions. His wife Mary (Field) is still grieving the loss of their son years before and fears her other ambitious son Robert’s (Gordon-Levitt) determination to enlist will cost him his life as well. The film follows Lincoln through to his ill-fated trip to the theater. (more…)
The ‘Shadow People’ aim to creep you out on Blu-ray
New to Blu-ray and DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment is the based on true events horror thriller Shadow People. The film stars the current co-star of AMC’s smash television show The Walking Dead, Dallas Roberts, the film is perfectly timed to capitalize on the show’s third season final episodes. But does this horror/thriller pack the goods?
Shadow People Blu-ray
Starring: Dallas Roberts, Alison Eastwood, Anne Dudek, Mattie Liptak, Christopher Berry and Mariah Bonner
Written and Directed by Matthew Arnold
Shadow People is about a small town radio personality named Charlie Crowe (Roberts) who unravels a conspiracy about encounters with mysterious beings. These ‘Shadow People’ were the cause of hundreds of unexplained deaths. He encounters CDC Epidemic Intelligence Agent Sophie Lancombe (more…)
‘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…)
‘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…)
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?
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