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‘The Muppet Movie’ will dazzle all ages on Blu-ray

New to Blu-ray, for the ‘Nearly 35^th Anniversary Edition’, from Disney is the timeless classic that cemented the legacy of the Jim Henson universe for most children of a generation, and the generations that they have influenced in the following decades, “The Muppet Movie”. The film remains just as vital and hilarious today as it did back then, and for most adults in their 30’s and 40’s, it is an instant time capsule back to their childhood heroes in action again.

The Muppet Movie Blu-ray Review

Starring: The Muppets

Written by Jerry Juhl and Jack Burns

Directed by James Frawley

After a fateful meeting with a big-time talent agent, Kermit the Frog heads for Hollywood dreaming of show biz. Along the way, Fozzie Bear, the Great Gonzo and the dazzling Miss Piggy join him in hopes of becoming film stars too. But all bets are off when Kermit falls into the clutches of Doc Hopper (Charles Durning), a fast-food mogul seeking to promote his French-fried frog-leg franchise.

Read the rest of this page »

Posted by moviejunkieto | September 1, 2013 | Categories: Home Entertainment, Reviews | Tags: Fozzie Bear, Jack Burns, James Frawley, Jerry Juhl, Jim Henson, Kermit, Muppet, Muppet Movie, Rainbow Connection, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin | Leave a comment

‘How to Make a Book with Steidl’ Review (Dork Shelf)

Originally published as part of the Bloor Cinema Column at DORK SHELF

How To Make A Book With Steidl

Meet publisher and printer Gerhard Steidl: revered and sought after worldwide for his ability to make the most exquisite art books imaginable. Using profits from his work with such long-time clients as Chanel, Günter Grass and Karl Lagerfeld, Steidl underwrites his publishing of limited edition books with the world’s best photographers. Superb cinematography frames the scenes between Steidl and the artists in action, revealing the playful, yet exacting process of their creative collaborations. Steidl is constantly in motion, travelling to London, Paris, New York, Vancouver and the deserts of Qatar, allowing us seductive glimpses into the rarely seen homes and studios of such renowned artists as Robert Adams, Robert Frank and Jeff Wall.

How To Make A Book is an intriguing portrait of a fiercely determined and his all-encompassing fascination and obsession with paper and ink (kind of like this week’s other film about Tomi Ungerer). At times a self-deprecating master schmoozer, at other times a grumpy and vindictive control freak, Steidl is never a boring character. During the course of the film we also traverse a product’s lifespan, from conceptual beginnings to the final product of Joel Sternfeld’s book i Dubai, and see how Steidl’s exacting standards, with all the bickering, infighting and frustrations included, work in driving creating and producing a unique and bold final product.

Audiences who invest in the journey and the man will be captivated and engrossed, though the film will likely be too dry and one sided for those who are turned off by Steidl’s OCD tendencies.

Till Next Time

Movie Junkie TO

Follow me directly on twitter @moviejunkieto and by liking my Facebook page at Movie Junkie TO

Email me at moviejunkieto@gmail.com

Dragon Girls Review (Dork Shelf) (moviejunkieto.com)
‘Pacific Rim’ Review (Dork Shelf) (moviejunkieto.com)

Posted by moviejunkieto | August 31, 2013 | Categories: Documentary, Reviews, Theatrical | Tags: Chanel, Günter Grass, Gerhard Steidl, How To Make A Book With Steidl, Jeff Wall, Joel Sternfeld, Karl Lagerfeld, Robert Frank, Steidl, Tomi Ungerer | Leave a comment

‘Far Out Isn’t Far Enough’ Review (Dork Shelf)

Originally published in the Bloor Cinema column for DORK SHELF

Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story

Most people have encountered the work of Tomi Ungerer during some point in their lives. From his award-winning children’s books to his provocative and iconic anti-war illustrations from the 60s and 70s, his work has always had a clever, biting edge balanced with a playful fearlessness. But his outspokenness made him a target of controversy and intense malice. This became even more evident when Ungerer began to illustrate erotic books late in his career, a move that outraged fans of his earlier work and blacklisted him and his publications from most major libraries, schools and bookstores.

Far Out Isn’t Far Enough is the story of a fascinating artist who never compromised his vision even when it meant the children’s literary world completely excised him. Reminiscent of the brilliant Wayne White documentary from last year, Beauty is Embarrassing, Far Out brings us another eccentric, reformed, and solitary man who chose to step back from his limelight and accolades. While not as accomplished or engaging as the Wayne White documentary, Far Out still tells a great story. With the multitude of drawings and artwork the filmmakers have to pull from, the picture has a fantastic and vibrant look.

Fellow author the late Maurice Sendak, of Where the Wild Things Are fame, calls Ungerer one of his greatest influences. Hopefully Far Out Isn’t Far Enough is ‘far enough’ to influence a new generation to put pen to page.

Till Next Time

Movie Junkie TO

Follow me directly on twitter @moviejunkieto and by liking my Facebook page at Movie Junkie TO

Email me at moviejunkieto@gmail.com

Dragon Girls Review (Dork Shelf) (moviejunkieto.com)

Posted by moviejunkieto | August 31, 2013 | Categories: Documentary, Reviews, Theatrical | Tags: Bloor Cinema, Children's literature, Far Out Isn’t Far Enough, Maurice Sendak, Tomi Ungerer, Ungerer, Wayne White, Where the Wild Things Are | Leave a comment

‘Prince Avalanche’ delivers enough to warrant a royal visitation

Starting this weekend at the Cineplex Yonge/Dundas in Toronto is the newest from the director of “Pineapple Express” and the upcoming Nicolas Cage film “Joe”,David Gordon Green. “Prince Avalanche”. Avalanche is a small, inclusionary tale set against the backdrop of a wildfire and used the filing location of Bastrop, Texas to emulate the effects after the Bastrop County Complex fire of 2011.

Prince Avalanche

Starring Paul Rudd and Emilie Hirsh

Written and Directed by David Gordon Green

Meditative and stern Alvin (Rudd) and his girlfriend’s dopey, insecure brother Lance (Hirsch), leave the city behind to spend the summer in solitude repainting traffic lines down the center of a country highway ravaged by wildfire. As they sink into their job in the remarkable landscape, they learn more than they want to about each other and their own limitations. Read the rest of this page »

Posted by moviejunkieto | August 27, 2013 | Categories: Reviews, Theatrical | Tags: David Gordon Green, Emile Hirsch, Nicolas Cage, Paul Rudd, Pineapple Express, Prince Avalanche, Texas | Leave a comment

‘La Pirogue’ needs a little more work to achieve greatness

Starting this weekend at the TIFF Bell Lightbox is the critically acclaimed story of the struggle for a better life and the perilous journey that happens along the way in “La Pirouge”. The tale of African refuges is a story that has rarely been seen on screens before and was a big sensation at last year’s Cannes film festival, even becoming a nominee for the ‘un certain regard’ jury prize.

La Pirogue

Starring Souleymane Seye Ndiaye, Laïty Fall, Malaminé ‘Yalenguen’ Dramé

Written by Éric Névé, David Bouchet

Directed by Moussa Touré

Each year, thousands of people leave Africa in rickety boats to undertake the dangerous (and illegal) voyage to Europe in search of a better life for them and their families. Moussa Touré’s powerful and suspenseful drama focuses on Baye Laye Read the rest of this page »

Posted by moviejunkieto | August 21, 2013 | Categories: Reviews, Theatrical | Tags: Africa, Cannes, Cannes Film Festival, La Pirogue, Laïty Fall, Malaminé 'Yalenguen' Dramé, Moussa Touré, Pirogue, Souleymane Seye Ndiaye, Tiff Bell Lightbox, Touré | Leave a comment

Iceberg Slim pimps out the Bloor Cinema this week

The tale of Iceberg Slim is one of the most extremely unlikely forms of influential and highly regarded people you are likely to see this year. Starting this weekend at theBloor Hot Docs Cinema “Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp” recalls the turbulent life of the now deceased Slim, and how his gritty and realistic novels still inspire many to this day. The film features and candid interview with the man himself before he passed away as well as interviews with those closest to him.

Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp

Starring: Iceberg Slim, Ice-T, Chris Rock, Snoop Dogg

Directed by Jorge Hinojosa

Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp tells a turbulent and transformative tale about the life of Robert Beck, who became an author following decades of pimping. As a young man searching for a role model, Read the rest of this page »

Posted by moviejunkieto | August 19, 2013 | Categories: Reviews | Leave a comment

‘A Band Called Death’ rocks the TIFF Bell Lightbox

Starting this weekend at the TIFF Bell Lightbox is the new music documentary that unearths one of the most influential bands that almost nobody has ever heard of, “A Band Called Death”. The documentary boats executive producers Scott Mosier (friend and producer of Kevin Smith’s films) and Entourage’s Jerry Ferrara, which just goes to prove the vast and different influence their music has had. A band becoming a hit 30 years after recording your demo tape is a compelling and unique story, and one that has never been told on screen this way before.

A Band Called Death

Directed by Jeff Howlett, Mark Covino

Before Bad Brains, the Sex Pistols or even the Ramones, there was Death. Formed in the early 1970s by three teenage brothers from Detroit, Death is credited as being the first black punk band, and the Hackney brothers, David, Bobby, and Dannis, are now considered pioneers in their field. But it wasn’t until recently, when a dusty 1974 demo tape made its way out of Bobby’s attic nearly thirty years after Death’s emergence, that anyone outside a small group of punk enthusiasts had even heard of them. Equal parts electrifying rockumentary and epic family chronicle, the story of Death is one of brotherly love and fierce, divinely inspired expression.

Read the rest of this page »

Posted by moviejunkieto | August 17, 2013 | Categories: Documentary, Reviews, Theatrical | Tags: A Band Called Death, Death, Hackney, Jerry Ferrara, Kevin Smith, Ramones, Rough Francis, Scott Mosier, Sex Pistols, Tiff Bell Lightbox | 1 Comment

‘Kick-Ass 2’ kicks less ass the second time around

Starting this weekend in theaters from Universal Studios is the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2010 cult film that hit large on home video, Kick-Ass 2. This time around the film is under the reigns of writer/director Jeff Wadlow and only produced by the original’s director Matthew Vaughn. The graphic novel sequel to Kick-Ass, Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall, is a veritable blood bath, which beckons the question of how the film will translate to the theater screen.

Kick-Ass 2

Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Donald Faison, Lindy Booth, John Leguizamo, Morris Chestnut, Clark Duke, Augustus Prew, Olga Kurkulina and Jim Carrey.

Written and Directed by Jeff Wadlow

When we last saw junior assassin Hit Girl (Moretz) and young masked hero Kick-Ass (Taylor-Johnson), they were trying to live as normal teenagers Mindy and Dave. With graduation looming and uncertain what to do with their shared calling, Dave decides to start the world’s first superhero team with Mindy. Unfortunately, when Mindy is busted for sneaking out as Hit Girl, she’s forced to retire, leaving her to navigate Read the rest of this page »

Posted by moviejunkieto | August 16, 2013 | Categories: Reviews, Theatrical | Tags: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Augustus Prew, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Clark Duke, Donald Faison, Hit Girl, Jeff Wadlow, Jim Carrey, John Leguizamo, Kick-Ass, Kick-Ass 2, Lindy Booth, Matthew Vaughn, Morris Chestnut, Olga Kurkulina | Leave a comment

‘In a World…..’ is a great directorial debut from star Lake Bell

New in Canadian theaters this weekend is the new romantic comedy from first time director/writer Lake Bell, In a World… The film marks a large step forward for the gorgeous actress known mainly for her roles in “Children’s Hospital” and “How to make it in America” as Lake Bell is putting all her cards on the table here, and the gamble pays off.

In a World….

Starring; Lake Bell, Rob Corddry, Fred Melamed, Michaela Watkins, Alexandra Holden, Ken Marino, Demetri Martin, Tig Notaro, Nick Offerman

Written and Directed by Lake Bell.

Carol (Bell), an underachieving vocal coach, is motivated by her father (Melamed) the king of movie-trailer voice-overs, to pursue her aspirations of becoming a voiceover star. But when her success starts to interfere with the hopes Sam has for his protégé Gustav (Marino), unbeknownst to Sam, they become rivals. Carol moves in with her sister Dani (Watkins) and her husband (Corddry) who with the help of producer Loius (Martin), who is enamored with Carol, help her succeed amidst pride, sexism and family dysfunction.

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Posted by moviejunkieto | August 14, 2013 | Categories: Reviews, Theatrical | Tags: Alexandra Holden, Demetri Martin, Fred Melamed, In a World…., Ken Marino, Lake Bell, Michaela Watkins, Nick Offerman, Rob Corddry, Tig Notaro | Leave a comment

‘The Deep’ brings a riveting tale of survival to the TIFF Bell Lightbox

Starting this weekend at the TIFF Bell Lightbox is the critically acclaimed Icelandic film that made the Oscar shortlist for best foreign language film at last year’s ceremony, “The Deep”. The film comes from director Baltasar Kormákur, the director of the Mark Whalberg starring “Contraband” and “2 Guns” and features a stellar lead performance from one of Iceland’s best actors, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson.

The Deep

Starring: Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Jóhann G. Jóhannsson, Þorbjörg Helga Þorgilsdóttir, Stefán Hallur Stefánsson

Written by: Jón Atli Jónasson, Baltasar Kormákur

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur

In 1984, a fishing boat goes down miles off the coast of Iceland’s Westman Islands in some of the most forbidding seas on the planet, leaving the fishermen at the mercy of frigid and turbulent waters. Miraculously, one of the crew Gulli (Ólafsson) manages to survive, Read the rest of this page »

Posted by moviejunkieto | August 13, 2013 | Categories: Reviews, Theatrical | Tags: Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Þorbjörg Helga Þorgilsdóttir, Baltasar Kormákur, Gulli, Iceland, Jóhann G. Jóhannsson, Stefán Hallur Stefánsson, The Deep, Tiff Bell Lightbox | 2 Comments

MOVIE JUNKIE TO'S Entertainment Fix Your one stop shop for a variety of entertainment reviews.

Latest

‘The Muppet Movie’ will dazzle all ages on Blu-ray

‘How to Make a Book with Steidl’ Review (Dork Shelf)

‘Far Out Isn’t Far Enough’ Review (Dork Shelf)

‘Prince Avalanche’ delivers enough to warrant a royal visitation

Iceberg Slim pimps out the Bloor Cinema this week

‘Kick-Ass 2’ kicks less ass the second time around

‘In a World…..’ is a great directorial debut from star Lake Bell

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