Category: DVD Review

New in Home Entertainment

January 12, 2016

Irrational Man
Rated R for some language and sexual content
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 42%
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Woody Allen’s latest stars Joaquin Phoenix as a burnt out writer who becomes a professor at a small college only to get a new lease on life when he toys with the idea of killing a local judge to help out a random stranger. The film starts out as a potentially sweet rom com, but turns too dark once the professor takes his eyes off of a desiring love interest (Emma Stone) and onto murder in the first degree. There are some pretty entertaining moments on occasion, but much of the plot seems too forced and the overall result is blah. C

The Look of Silence
Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving disturbing graphic descriptions of atrocities and inhumanity
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Indonesian with English Subtitles
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
From The Act of Killing director Joshua Oppenheimer comes this sobering foreign documentary that follows a young man who interviews several men who were responsible for brutally killing his brother (and many more civilians) during the genocide that took place decades ago in Indonesia. The perpetrators were not only left unpunished for their atrocities but they were considered heroes by many and to this day hold positions of power within the country. The film shows a sick side of humanity while at the same time examining extreme bravery as the man confronts his very neighbors who describe with a smile on their face the violent ways they killed indiscriminately. Being a subject that not many Americans know about, it brings to the forefront a desperate cry for respect for our fellow man and an empathy for those who have undergone such horrible tragedies without any way of ever exacting justice. The knowledge is only slightly helpful given the level of helplessness seen by the movie’s characters. A-

New in Home Entertainment

January 5, 2016

Infinitely Polar Bear
Rated R for language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Mark Ruffalo plays a man suffering from bipolar disorder who attempts to rebuild his family as he gets the opportunity to take care of his two young daughters while their mother, played by Zoe Saldana, goes to business school. With almost any other actor this would be considered movie-of-the-week material at best, but with Ruffalo as the lead, the movie is upgraded to so much more. His performance goes beyond quirky. You actually feel like you know the character and while annoying, you can even stand to be around him by the end. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have watched the film had Mark not been nominated for a Golden Globe for the role, but I’m glad I did as the movie is entertaining and a great showcase for a true talent. B

Experimenter
Rated PG-13 for thematic material and brief strong language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
In 1961, Yale professor Stanley Milgram (Peter Sarsgaard) conducted a controversial experiment that showed how obedient ordinary people could be, even when they think they could be harming a fellow subject in the experiment. This movie explores that case and its long-term ramifications. When the film is showing us Milgram’s life and his contributions the film is fascinating. When the fourth wall is completely disassembled and it gets too artsy, the film loses focus. In spite of its occasional distractions, the film is entertaining, informative and at the same time very frightening when you think of how it explains modern-day headlines. B-

The Visit
Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic material including terror, violence and some nudity, and for brief language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Writer/Director M. Night Shyamalan was in great need of a hit after his run of failures including The Last Airbender, The Happening and After Earth. Instead of keeping at the big-budget thriller game, he went with the low-budget, found footage approach with this film about a young girl who records she and her brother’s trip to visit the grandparents they have never met. While there, they discover that grandma and grandpa carry a dark and disturbing secret. While not the scariest film of the year, the story ends up being effective and refreshingly funny due to a twisted sense of humor and some great acting from the mostly unknown cast. And since the film cost relatively nothing to make, it ended up being Shyamalan’s first hit in over a decade. B

New in Home Entertainment

December 22, 2015

War Room
Rated PG for thematic elements throughout
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
From the makers of the smash faith-based films Fireproof and Courageous comes their biggest film yet, War Room, which focuses on a 30-something couple who are having troubles with their marriage and careers when a wise old woman enters their lives to teach them the power of prayer. Overall, the film still has the same big problem as the other films mentioned: it’s a Christian film built for Christians to watch. I can’t see anyone outside of the faith that would get anything out of the message. In addition, there is so much cheese here that it gets distracting. Whether its the 50-something actress playing a senior citizen like she studied under Tyler Perry, or the weird jump rope contest at the end of the film, there are some quirks that keep this film from being a really great movie. That being said, the script here is much more focused than their other scripts and the acting isn’t as lousy as what we’ve seen in the past. But all of this doesn’t matter. The audience aimed for here went to see the movie in droves (it made $68 million at the box office) and I’m sure that the blu-rays will end up in tons of stockings this year as well, in spite of what any “critic” has to say about it. B-

Pan
Rated PG for fantasy action violence, language and some thematic material
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
One of this year’s biggest disappointments at the box office was Pan from director Joe Wright. This prequel to the Peter Pan story features Peter and Captain Hook teaming up to fight the ominous Blackbeard, played here by Hugh Jackman. As you’d expect the production is fantastic and there are some really incredible set pieces, but the script is a bit too unconventional and there are some rather bizarre idiosyncrasies that distract from what could have been a really good film. I especially had problems with the inclusion of modern songs, sung or chanted by the cast throughout the film. It’s an artsy touch that should have been rethought. But even with its peculiarities, I still found the film enjoyable and can tell you that it’s worth the rental. B-

Wolf Totem
Rated PG-13 for disturbing images and violence involving animals and for brief sexuality
Available on DVD and Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D combo
In Mandarin with English subtitles
Director Jean-Jacques Annaud (The Bear) is a master at telling stories with animals and here he presents a famous Chinese novel about a group of nomadic Mongolians, industrialized Chinese and a pack of wolves who all struggle to find their place in a rapidly changing world. What drove me to want to watch the film though wasn’t the subject or the director, but rather the fantastic score which is one of the last pieces of music composed and conducted by the late James Horner. The film is surely beautiful to look at and while Annaud lays it on way too thick with the Earth day message, there is real artistry at play here and there are some incredibly majestic moments to be taken in when the sights and sounds come together. B

New in Home Entertainment

December 15, 2015

Ted 2
Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, and some drug use
Available one DVD and Blu-ray
Seth MacFarlane’s fowl-mouthed teddy bear is back with Mark Wahlberg and this time Ted is trying to prove to the courts that he should have the same rights as a person in order that he can stay married to his human wife. While any social commentary is largely missed and many of the jokes land with a thud, the film does provide a ton of laughter amidst the disgusting sense of humor that you’d expect from the sequel. Once again, the cast looks like they are having a blast while filming, and we get to at least smile while watching them enjoy themselves. B-

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
Rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, and brief partial nudity
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
In this latest installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt finds his agency on the verge of extinction while at the same time trying to take down a huge international crime ring known as the Syndicate. I really hate promoting Cruise, simply because every dollar the man makes means we are supporting a different crime syndicate in Scientology, but I can’t deny that this is a really good film. In a year where 007 really missed the mark with Spectre, this American knock-off gave us the Bond film we didn’t get in the fall. A-

Jellyfish Eyes: Criterion Edition
Unrated
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
This Japanese import from Criterion is possibly one of the weirdest films I’ve ever seen. If you’ve ever been subjected to your child’s Pokeman cartoons, or any of its copycats, imagine that but come to life. Here a group of elementary school kids in Japan all have a cell-phone controlled battle pet called a F.R.I.E.N.D. and a secret agency is trying to control the world through these creatures. The film’s budget was very low but you wouldn’t know it from the special effects utilized. The eye candy doesn’t take your mind off of the fact that the film is just too strange to be palatable and the unfortunate result is pure, unadulterated annoyance, followed by a huge headache. C-

 

New in Home Entertainment

December 1, 2015

Cooties
Rated R for horror violence and gore, language including sexual references, and some drug use
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Twisting the horror sub-genre once again is Cooties, a film about grade schoolers who eat tainted chicken and become zombies. The cast, including Elijah Wood, Rainn Wilson and Alison Pill as school teachers trying to survive the epidemic, add a surprising amount of credibility and skill to what would normally be a cheesy b-movie. Unfortunately, the cleverness wears off as you get tired of little children meeting their demise in horrible yet funny ways. Ultimately the film is a comedy more than a horror film and the comedy gets too thin long before the third act. C

Fear the Walking Dead: The Complete First Season
Rated TV-MA
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
We are starting out December with a lot of zombies apparently. This spin-off to the uber-popular AMC series The Walking Dead moves us to sunny Los Angeles as the outbreak is just getting started and a new cast of characters are struggling to survive the scourge we all know is coming. While not quite as riveting or violent as the The Walking Dead, this show works. The writing is strong and they got some terrific actors to tell the story. The smartest part of all is that the movie is not about zombies. It’s about people put into an impossible scenario and we around the fishbowl get to watch what they do. I can’t wait to see what comes next. A-

The Stanford Prison Experiment
Rated R for language including abusive behavior and some sexual references
Available on DVD (Blu-ray will be released on January 12)
Based on one of the craziest true stories you’ve ever heard of, this movie follows an experiment where a psychology professor at Stanford (Billy Crudup) places a group of men in a made-up prison, half as prisoners, half as guards, just to see what happens. It’s an amazing and sickening display of the abuse of power, even in a made-up scenario. The movie itself is incredibly uncomfortable to watch and yet you can’t take your eyes off it. I never want to watch it again, but it is definitely worth experiencing one time. A-

New in Home Entertainment

November 24, 2015

Shaun the Sheep
Rated PG for rude humor
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
From the creators of Wallace & Gromit comes this fantastic little stop-motion animated film about a family of sheep who inadvertently give their owner amnesia while trying to take a day off, and then go on an adventure to recover him. Told without spoken dialog, the film is a creative and fun story with great imagination and big belly laughs. While technically a flop (the film only made 19 of its 64 million dollars in the U.S.), it was a critical smash, garnering a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Whether or not you have kids, you owe it to yourself to check this one out as it will bring a huge smile to your face and give you a great film to suggest to your friends who I can almost guarantee haven’t seen it yet. A-

Ricki and the Flash
Rated PG-13 for thematic material, brief drug content, sexuality and language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Everything about this film says it should have been a hit. The Silence of the Lambs director Jonathan Demme was at the helm and Juno writer Diablo Cody wrote the script. The greatest actor of our time, Meryl Streep, was the star. The film even had my favorite rock star, Rick Springfield, in a large starring role. But this film about an aged rocker wannabe who tries to rekindle her relationship with her family falls very flat. The movie has its moments but so much of it seems inauthentic that it becomes a hard pill to swallow. C

American Ultra
Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, drug use and some sexual content
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
American Ultra asks the question “what if Jason Bourne was stoner?” It’s a question that only a stoner would ask, but enough talented people put their time and money into it to really come up with a solid answer. In this case Jesse Eisenberg is just a loser pothead who suddenly realizes that he is a butt-whooping secret agent capable of taking on whatever the US government can throw at him. Along with his girlfriend, Kristen Stewart, the two try to stay alive long enough to figure out what is going on. Eisenberg and Stewart are actually somewhat likable heroes here and some of the film is fun to watch. The plot is ridiculous and contrived, but the acton is extreme and the violence has a twisted sense of humor to it that makes it less real and less offensive. Still, the film has a very limited audience and it justifiably flopped at the box office. C+

New in Home Entertainment

November 10, 2015

Trainwreck
Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
From The 40 Year Old Virgin director Judd Apatow comes this shock comedy about a selfish single journalist (Amy Schumer) who knows love is in her best interest but would rather live her life without romantic commitment. Written by Schumer, the film is as dirty as her standup comedy and television show, but deep within there is a heart, if not misplaced. The result of bringing Judd and Amy together is an absolutely hilarious two hours that will have you cringing at some moments and tearing up at others. B+

Terminator Genisys
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and gunplay throughout, partial nudity and brief strong language
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in yet another Terminator film where resistance leader John Connor (Jason Clarke) sends back his father Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) to protect his mother (Emilia Clarke), who is already being protected by an older version of the Terminator robot played by Schwarzenegger. Of course things don’t go as planned and a ridiculous plot unfolds leaving you scratching your head for two hours. To make matters worse, the actors, who are all mostly very solid, give horrendous and unbelievable performances that I can only blame on the lousy script and direction by folks without the pedigree to handle a big franchise film such as this. And to make matters worse, the special effects, for which this franchise is probably most famous, are a step down from what we’ve seen in previous installments. D

New in Home Entertainment

November 3, 2015

Inside Out
Rated PG for mild thematic elements and some action
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
Pixar has always had a talent for taking stories that don’t sound very interesting and turning them into thrilling pieces of animated art. For example Up followed an elderly man obsessed with balloons and Ratatouille tells the tale of rat who dreams of cooking. In this case, Inside Out shows us the inner emotions of a pre-teen girl as she moves with her family from the midwest to San Francisco. She’s up, she’s down and then when a chemical imbalance occurs she is at risk of forever entering a dark world with no joy. Speaking of joy, Joy is her personified happiness who scrambles in her brain to try to fix the problem and get her girl back on track. It’s a brilliant, lovely film, full of intelligence and creativity. After a string of critical misses from Pixar, it’s nice to see that their brain trust isn’t dead, but rather very much still alive and kicking. A

The End of the Tour
Rated R for language including some sexual references
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
From The Spectacular Now director James Ponsoldt comes this based on a true story about the five day interview between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) and David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) which took place after the release of his novel Infinite Jest. Because of the very nature of the film (it’s an extremely dialog-heavy pic with a very heavy undertone) it is somewhat of a hard sell, but this really is a great little indie worth checking out if not for the subject then for the terrific performances by Segel and Eisenberg. A-

Seymour: an introduction
Rated PG for some mild thematic elements
Available on DVD
In his first attempt at a feature narrative, famed actor Ethan Hawke shows us the life of virtuoso pianist Seymour Bernstein and his impact on the people in his life. The beautiful thing about this doc, besides the music, is the way Hawke has allowed us into the world of Seymour. It’s like we ourselves get the chance to sit down over coffee and absorb an ounce or two of the man’s greatness. It’s inspiring and motivating to say the least. At times it will absolutely bring a tear to your eye. A

I Love Lucy: The Complete Series
Available on DVD
I just couldn’t find anything bad to review this week and to close out there’s I Love Lucy on 33 DVDs. It’s one of the most important television shows of all time and still hilarious 64 years later. This new set from Paramount contains all six season of I Love Lucy (1951-1957) plus three season of the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957-1960). It will take you weeks or more to get through but could be the perfect Christmas present for the right fan. A

New in Home Entertainment

October 27, 2015

Southpaw
Rated R for language throughout, and some violence
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Training Day director Antoine Fuqua gives us his take on a boxing movie with this drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a champion heavyweight who faces an unimaginable tragedy which takes him from being on top to spiraling down to the very bottom. While boxing movies are very formulaic, and this one is no different, Southpaw beats the audience up with darkness, bringing you down to the depths felt by its hero. It’s a tough and challenging film to watch but the performances by Gyllenhaal and Forrest Whitaker, elevate the film to a perch where you can at least breath while you’re waiting for something positive to happen. Some of the film isn’t the most authentic, such as the time it takes for both his world to fall apart and the climb back, but this is a very solid movie for the subgenre and very much worth the journey. One final note, pun lovingly intended, this is one of the last scores by Oscar-winning composer James Horner who died in a recent plane crash. It’s a really great piece of music that adds a huge amount of emotional depth to the picture. B+

Max
Rated PG for action violence, peril, brief language and some thematic elements
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Growing up I had an overabundance of dog adventures to keep me busy, such as those from Lassie, Benji, and even Rin Tin Tin, but it seems like its been decades since we’ve had a good one hit theaters. With Max we get a German Shepherd whose master is killed in a skirmish in the Middle East and then sent to live with his master’s brother back stateside. While there, a dangerous adventure unfolds putting everyone’s life at risk. I actually expected more of a kid film here, considering its rating and trailer, but I would suggest not letting young kids see it as it takes a violent turn towards the end that was completely unexpected. That being said, that turn creates a different kind of film that I actually found enjoyable. While Hollywood veterans Lauren Graham and Thomas Haden Church play the adult leads (not that great I might add), its the dog, named Carlos in real life, who steals the show. I was amazed and inspired as they turned Max into an action hero. B

Pixels
Rated PG-13 for some language and suggestive comments
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
Adam Sandler is back at his dumb-movie best as a former child video game champion who must save the planet when aliens attack the Earth in the form of 80’s video games like Galaga, Centipede and Pac-Man. If the premise isn’t bad enough, the lack of laughter pushes this one over the edge. I think the filmmakers, led by Harry Potter director Chris Columbus, thought that several big-budget set pieces connected by whatever plot they could dig up would be enough. But its not and the film ultimately stagnates with mediocrity. D

Mulholland Drive: Criterion Edition
Rated R for violence, language and some strong sexuality
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
It makes sense that Criterion would take on this 2001 thriller by David Lynch about a women with amnesia (Laura Harring) who befriends a young actress (Naomi Watts) staying in her aunt’s home in beautiful but gritty Los Angeles. While the film has its dramatic and engaging moments, it leaves you with a sense of oddity that is rather difficult to piece together. This Criterion collection has new special features that try to help you have a better understanding of what you are watching, but I’m not sure if it is worth your time. C

New in Home Entertainment

October 20, 2015

Jurassic World
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril
Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D
Likely to hod the 2015 box office record until Hunger Games and Star Wars come down the track, Jurassic World was the surprise box office smash of the summer and a very pleasant diversion from some other deeply disappointing tentpoles. Taking place years after the disasters of the first three films, the park Jurassic World is now open to the public and entertaining millions of visitors per year. Since people have become somewhat bored with it though, the scientists at the park create a new dinosaur named Indominus Rex who unleashes chaos and havoc throughout the island when it escapes from its compound. While much of the plot is ridiculous and counterintuitive, the film itself just plods along knowing the audience won’t care and will have a blast by the end. It helps having a lead like Chris Pratt who I will credit almost 100% of the film’s success to. He is a dynamic and likable hero who has the potential to be one of the biggest stars of his generation. But credit must also go to the phenomenal creative team who put together a two-hour roller coaster ride that you want to get back onto the second you get off. B+

Dope
Rated R for language, drug content, sexuality/nudity, and some violence – all involving teens
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
This Sundance favorite tells the story of young black nerd named Malcolm who dreams of going to Harvard but must face the reality of growing up in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles. When a party goes wrong, Malcolm discovers a large amount of drugs in his backpack and he and his friends must decide what to do to not end up dead or worse, in jail. While the plot sounds like an extreme drama, it is actually an absolutely hysterical comedy unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It tears apart stereotypes while at the same time giving them credibility. It is a movie that makes you laugh, cheer, cry and think, all in the span of less than two hours. It’s the kind of film that people for years to come will be talking about with great admiration. A

Z For Zachariah
Rated PG-13 for a scene of sexuality, partial nudity, and brief strong language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
After what we can assume was a devastating nuclear war, a young girl who thinks she’s all alone in the world (Margot Robbie) discovers another survivor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) near her farmhouse. As the two begin their relationship as the last couple on the planet, a strapping young survivor (Chris Pine) enters the scene to disrupt their harmonious relationship. While interesting, the film ultimately feels like it is missing something. I’m not sure how they could have improved it but the whole project seems like its waiting for something to happen that never occurs. That being said, it is well acted and believable given the circumstance. It’s just not very enjoyable. C+

Testament of Youth
Rated PG-13 for thematic material including bloody and disturbing war related images
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Based on the best-selling memoir by Vera Brittain, Testament tells the tale of brilliant young women (Alicia Vikander) who is determined to get into Oxford when World War I hits and changes her entire life. I’m actually surprised this film didn’t get more attention upon release. It’s a lovely period drama with good flow and some rather great acting by a young and talented cast. It has a strong message about seeking and finding meaning in life without thumping you over the head with the message. And between Ex Machina and this, Vikander will definitely be on my short list for a best actress nom this year. A-

Billy Elliot The Musical Live
Not Rated – but would be an R due graphic language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Winner of both the Tony and Laurence Oliver for Best New Musical, Billy Elliot is a great example of taking a very good movie and turning it into a beautiful stage production. With music by Elton John, the songs and drama are stirring and intelligent and the story becomes so much more than just a boy who wants to dance. My only problem is that while I’d love to watch it with my own young son, I can’t due to the extremely harsh language throughout. While I’m sure it’s organic in nature, it’s the one reality of the show I wish they could have made a little less real. A-