New in Home Entertainment
September 10, 2013
Star Trek Into Darkness
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
J.J. Abrams’ second outing in the Star Trek universe did reasonably well at the box office but failed to woo the hard core fans, and in turn probably has many folks worried about what he will do to the Star Wars universe in 2015. So what went wrong here? Personally, I think the story is fine but there was too much stupid suspense built up around the villain, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. For months it was rumored that he would play Khan, but those rumors were squelched by the studio and by the time the revelation is made you simply don’t care. Had they just called him Khan from the beginning, there would have been a completely different buzz on the film and probably more enjoyment. After all, the film is as much action as it is trippy sci-fi and there are some really fun moments and big set pieces. The story is a bit predictable and formulaic, but still effective enough. Unlike some of the earlier Trek films, these new additions are much more accessible for the non-Trekkies out there and while this one couldn’t match the first, or even its own hype, it is still enjoyable. B-
Frankenstein’s Army
Rated R for bloody violence and grisly images, and language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
At the tail end of WWII a group of Russian soldiers with a nice video camera discover a secret Nazi laboratory where an evil scientist has built a huge army of pseudo-mechanical humans that act as all sorts of nasty weapons. The movie has the look and feel of a modern version of Castle Wolfenstein but grows old quickly, largely due to trying too hard to be a ghastly B-movie. Disturbing, gross, and disgusting aren’t nearly good enough adjectives to describe what is seen here. I’m sure there is an audience for this kind of film, but for me the carnage was too distracting although the imagination was intriguing. C-
La Cage aux Folles: Criterion Edition
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
French with English Subtitles
When this comedy was released in 1978 I’m sure it was very controversial, but the story of a gay couple who must put on a show for their son’s new future in-laws is still unforgettable and seems rather tame by today’s standards. Nominated for three Academy Awards (Directing, Writing and of course Costume Design), and then spawning a huge Broadway show and an even bigger remake in 1996 with The Birdcage, it’s easy to see why a film like this is considered such a classic. Overall it’s a tremendously entertaining foreign film. A-