New in Home Entertainment
September 16, 2014
Godzilla
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of destruction, mayhem and creature violence
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
Destined to revisit us every few years or so, Godzilla makes its newest reincarnation in this very serious and much more thoughtful monster movie about a uber-large prehistoric-like creature who while at first appears to be an enemy to humans, holds the power to protect them from an even more destructive force. I’m surprised that the film did so well at the box office considering how much time it focuses on the human story and how little is actually dedicated to the monster fights. Then again, in spite of being a tad boring and overly-full of exposition and dialogue, the fights are pretty impressive throughout and the whole experience is mostly fun. I still much prefer the box office bomb Pacific Rim if I had to compare the two. B
Think Like a Man Too
Rated PG-13 for crude sexual content including references, partial nudity, language and drug material
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
I know I saw the first Think Like a Man, but frankly I can’t remember anything about it. This new one, however, is one I wish I could also forget. The guys and girls head to Vegas for a wedding that turns into disaster during their respective bachelor parties. Stealing every cliche that you can imagine, the pic comes off as a lousy example of genre comedy. None of the jokes work. Not even in the least. The actors are trying so hard to be funny that the whole concept eludes them. You get the sense that the project was pitched as “The Black Hangover” but forgets that not only was that particular movie smart and funny, but the two following attempts to recreate the magic failed miserably. It’s like putting money on the table only to regret it, except instead of wishing you hadn’t wasted money, you wish you hadn’t wasted so much valuable time. D
Willow Creek
Unrated
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Writer/Director Bobcat Goldthwait continues on his hot streak of critically acclaimed genre pictures with this found footage story of a young couple who go to Northern California in search of Big Foot. There are some truly horrifying moments in this film that seem to last forever, making you sit trembling waiting to see what will happen next. Sure there’s a little too much of the couple aiming the camera at themselves in weird moments when no one really would, but the two actors, relative newcomers Alexie Gilmore and Bryce Johhnson, both of whom have starred in other Goldthwait projects, turn in riveting performances that are quite convincing. We don’t get many films that are both smart and scary, and if you love horror, you must check this one out. A-
Spartacus: The Complete Series
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Starz hit Spartacus is finally getting its definitive collection in this huge box set containing every episode of the well-received sword and sandals epic series as well as tons of special features. Sure its a bit silly and has way too much sex and violence, but it is very entertaining if you are in the right mood. And with all of the beautiful and buff people, it also serves as a great inspiration to get off the couch and get your butt to the gym. B-