Lots of stuff in this one; both good and bad.
But, if you like giant monsters, ex-nuns, sketch comedy, daydreamers, buddy cops, Jack The Ripper, time traveling heroes, bitter gamers, stop motion animation and Charlie Sheen, then we’ve got something for you.
Fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart. It’s that time of the week.
Zero Charisma
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| New Video Group / Released 4/8/14 |
As the strict Game Master of a fantasy role-playing game, Scott (Sam Eldson) leads his friends in a weekly quest through mysterious lands from the safety of his grandmother s kitchen. But his mastery of his own domain starts to slip along with everything else in his life when cool new guy Miles (Garrett Graham) joins the game, quickly winning over the group with his confident charm. When Scott is finally dethroned by an unexpected coup, he realizes he must roll the dice and risk everything to expose Miles as the fraud he believes him to be. A darkly comedic fable of epic proportions, Zero Charisma is an ode to nerds from every realm.
Last Word: Sometimes a movie floats to the surface of your periphery and it seems like a great way to kill the hour and a half before Sleepy Hollow comes on. You know, one of those movies you expect to be pleasant, non-threatening and easily digested like a Hot Pocket. Then you watch it and everything changes. Things you thought you had buried deep inside you come crawling up from the depths of your memories, calling out in the dry raspy voice of a dessicated vampire, “Remember me, Elizabeth…we used to wear a cape when no one was looking”. Things that are hard to forget. Yeah, Zero Charisma is one of those movies.
At first, the premise seems to be rather innocuous: “An overgrown nerd who serves as Game Master of a fantasy board game finds his role as leader of the misfits put into jeopardy when a new initiate enters the group.” Nothing too revealing in that statement right? Nothing that would lead you to think that in a short 86 minutes all those deep seeded hurts and fears that were once right on your nerdy kid surface would come oozing back out again (Not that you ever thought that could happen. I mean you’ve grown up and are so far removed from that era of smelling like a can of spray cheese and grilled onions, that a mere movie couldn’t remind you of how horrible it was back then). But I’m getting ahead of myself here.
The film stars Sam Eidson as Scott, an overly demanding man-boy who lives at home with his grandmother and spends all of his time designing quests for his gaming buddies (who are seemingly stuck in the same exact head-space as Scott). When one of the players leaves the game to save his marriage, Scott finds a replacement in Hipster Geek Miles (Garrett Graham) a guy who is the epitome of what nerd culture has become in the last decade or so. Whereas Scott is your stereotypical dork immersed in a culture that leaves little chance at a life outside it (which seems to be of his own choosing), Miles is the suave and charismatic dabbler who thinks that it would be fun to go full-nerd for a while. Miles can speak the lingo like a champ (He works for a Geek website called GeekChic), provide nerd answers to nerd questions (Which is faster? the Enterprise or the Millennium Falcon?) and acts like “one of the boys”, but there is still a level of disconnect between him and the rest of the nerd herd here…he’s cool and they are not.
As Miles begins seducing Scott’s small circle of friends away from him (most of whom are in fear of Scott on some level- the man is a maniac when it comes to his game), Scott begins to lose his grip on his own life. Who he is as a human being is literally lived behind the Game Master’s cardboard barricade and once that has been threatened, Scott goes a bit manic. Of course, it’s difficult to go in depth into Scott’s psyche without giving away too much. This movie is expertly crafted on Sam Eidson’s performance of Scott and his ability to create a protagonist that is so unlikeable, yet has such a vulnerability, that it is hard not to root for him even though he is a huge dick (and, I expect, that a lot of that rooting has to do with a certain familiarity that people will see in Scott, be that of a personal nature or someone they used to pal around with back in the day). It is difficult not to fall in love with Scott, even though you hate him too.
There is a particular moment in the film after Scott has a complete meltdown during a game (which takes place at Miles’ hip pad- again, evidence that the game is being co-opted by him) and is caught cheating in order to bring Miles down a peg. As each and everyone of his friends (including his best mench Wayne- played fantastically by Brock England) turn from him to bathe in the glory of Nerd King Miles, a deeply hurt and rage-filled Scott tells each of his former buddies, “When he (Miles) is done with his experiment, don’t even think of coming back to me.” It is here that you realize what the movie really is about and why it can affect you in the way that it does. If you happen to have come of age during the ’70s/early ’80s, nerd culture was not the super-cute darling that it is today. Kids got beat up for liking comic books, or RPGs, or actively participating in an activity that was deemed beneath the mainstream. You were called out for being a dork often (if not daily) and learned quickly to disconnect from a whole lotta people. Those who were like you, you clung to. They became your touchstone. You could talk about your passions openly, search out information on favorite comic artists, movies and books together (remember, this was before the Internet) and simply be yourself.
You were, on some level Scott. And then, all of a sudden, the things you loved the most were, in a way, taken from you (maybe not intentionally but it still felt like that) by a new culture, one that claimed fandom, but who didn’t have to pay their dues like you did. It became easy to find out the minor characters of DC and Marvel, easy to search out archaic facts about The Last Starfighter, easy to do/find/participate in anything. Your nemesis became like Miles. They might have liked the stuff you did, but you weren’t ever going to be invited to the party. And yes, that metaphorical party I just mentioned was, in fact in the movie and filled to the brim with all the Hipster Nerds who are just a bit too cool. Now, like most movie formulas you’d expect that there would be a confrontation between the Hero (Scott) and the Villain (Miles) and it would unfurl in a way that would redeem the Hero in the eyes of those who witness his epic battle. And you wouldn’t be wrong, there is. But this movie is steeped in a bit more realism than you’d expect and the battle doesn’t go as planned (does it ever in reality?). But that’s not the point.
The point comes after the battle, after everything is over and the Hero doesn’t learn his lesson, doesn’t see the silver lining, doesn’t exactly grow as a human being…because it’s rare that we actually do any of these things and that’s what makes Zero Charisma an incredibly moving, difficult and yes, even sappy film. Sometimes we step in a lot of shit but the beauty part comes from scraping it off your shoe and moving on. And maybe, even staring a new game. (– Elizabeth Weitz)
Philomena
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| Starz/Anchor Bay / Released 4/15/14 |
When she fell pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena Lee (Judi Dench) was sent to the convent to be looked after as a fallen woman. She cared for her baby for three years until the Church took him from her and sold him, like countless others, to America for adoption. Coerced into signing a document promising never to attempt to see her child again, she nonetheless spent the next fifty years secretly searching for him, unaware that he was searching for her from across the Atlantic. Extras include commentary, featurettes and a Q & A with Steve Coogan.
Last Word: Based on a true story, Philomena, tells the story of Philomena Lee’s search for the long lost son she gave birth to out of wedlock in the fifties. Flashbacks reveal that she was “taken in” by the Church, but in exchange for shelter she’s forced into hard labor and has limited time with her son before he’s sold to an American family against her will. After fifty years of silence, Philomena’s (Dame Judy Dench) story is brought to Martin Sixsmith (Steven Coogan) a cynical and fallen journalist whose only current interest involves being gruff and regaining credibility in the news world. In an attempt to revamp his career, Martin reluctantly agrees to write Philomena’s story as a human-interest piece.
While the performances of Philomena are wonderful, I found the structure of the film, alongside an unimpressive score, rather distracting at times. The flashbacks are overly dramatic (borderline intrusive) and were quite lengthy for a ninety-minute feature. With a campy, PBS-special-like melody accompanying those flashbacks, I was taken out of the story – which is actually complex and enjoyable. The search for Philomena’s son surprisingly avoids trite moments of realization and mushy emotionality – spoiler: No. It’s not Coogan. That would’ve been barf. Instead, the journey is delightfully mysterious.
Philomena is a female lead to be admired and watched closely. Her giddy love of romance novels (and spoiling the books from start to end) has that adorable, head-shaking, lovability that comes with elderly folks. She’s chaste and conservative, but has a hilarious potty mouth and awareness, that accentuates her status as a wise old woman who has observed and experienced a lot of pain. But instead of a depressive and complaining attitude, she’s compassionate and smiley to all. There is no room for grudges.
However, alongside that youthful exuberance, is palpable guilt, which is heart breaking in quiet moments. But nothing deters Philomena’s eternal optimism. In contrast, Coogan expertly delivers his disdain for such sentimentality. Having been a political advisor for so long, Martin is tired and jaded. His demeanor is always abrupt and condescending. But of course Philomena is never shy in telling him to be more polite. The villain in Philomena is the Church. And it’s easy to despise their cruelty, but Coogan and Dench’s characters challenge viewers to face the difficult task of forgiving and being positive regardless of past wrongdoings. And Philomena’s positivity cannot be trumped by Martin’s negativity. In a powerful scene where Coogan has just exploded, Dench calmly says, “I don’t want to hate people. I don’t want to be like you.”
Coogen shouts back, “I’m angry!”
And she breathes, “It must be exhausting.” It’s a phenomenal statement. (– Caitlyn Thompson)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
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| 20th Century Fox / Released 4/15/14 |
With sweeping cinematography and stellar performances The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, tells the story of a timid magazine photo manager who lives life vicariously through daydreams and when a negative goes missing must embark on an incredible true-life adventure. With stand-out performances from Ben Stiller and Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott and Shirley MacLaine, the The Secret Life of Walter Mitty‘s extras include more than an hour of behind-the-scenes special features, including deleted, extended and alternative scenes, featurettes that dive into filming in Iceland and Walter Mitty history, a gallery of exclusive reference photography, and music video “Stay Alive” by José González, and more.
Last Word: Mitty (Stiller) works at LIFE Magazine in the mundane but important position as the print publication’s archivist, made even more important as the cancellation of the magazine has become imminent.
Kristen Wiig co-stars as love interest Cheryl Melhoff and the two sparkle on screen in this romantic delve into daydreams. Adam Scott plays the villainous Ted Hendricks, Mitty’s new boss at LIFE and Sean Penn plays Sean O’Connell, LIFE’s on assignment globetrotting cover photographer.
Kathryn Hahn and Shirley MacLaine play Walter’s performance artist sister and widowed mother, respectively. MacLaine’s matriarchal role serves as encouragement to Walter, and reminds him of the potential he could have reached, had his father not died forcing Walter to start working so hard as a teenager at Papa John’s. Hahn’s Odessa serves as a balance to Walter’s id as well, choosing art and fantasy over being a serious worker bee.
Beautiful and epic shots of Greenland, a volcanic explosion, the Afghan mountain ranges of the Hindu Kush all prove to Walter that there is a bigger world out there by taking risks and making tough choices. (– Clay N Ferno)
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| Universal / Released 4/15/14 |
For the past two years, high school security guard Ben (Kevin Hart) has been trying to show decorated detective James (Ice Cube) that he’s more than just a video game junkie who’s unworthy of James’ sister. When Ben finally gets accepted into the police academy, James invites him on a ride-along designed to scare the hell out of him and ultimately demonstrate if Ben has what it takes to take care of his sister. But when the wild night leads them to the most notorious criminal in the city, James will find that his new partner’s rapid-fire mouth is just as dangerous as the bullets speeding at it. Ride Along also stars John Leguizamo, Jay Pharaoh, Bruce McGill and Laurence Fishburne. Extras include commentary, alternated take and ending, deleted scenes, featurettes, and gag reel.
Last Word: I am pretty sure Ride Along, starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, won’t be winning any Academy Awards at next years Oscars. It will, however, be sure to entertain anyone who chooses to watch this action-comedy directed by Tim Story. Story, the director behind the Fantastic Four franchise, is no stranger to action films. Nor is he unversed in comedies, as we have seen in 2004s Barbershop or 2005s Taxi. Ride Along is both action packed and funny as hell.
Ice Cube plays, Atlanta Police detective, James Payton, a serious, gritty, seasoned law officer who seemingly always gets his man. Kevin Hart is his is soon to be brother-in-law, Ben Barber. He is an enthusiastic, motivated, though somewhat hapless gamer, who happens to be dating Payton’s beautiful sister, Angela, played by Tika Sumpter. After being accepted into the Police Academy, Ben looks to be accepted by her brother. Ben tells him he will do anything to show James he is worthy of both Angela’s love and James’ respect.
Comedy ensues, when James decides to take Ben along with him for a day of actual police work. Chaos, mayhem, and hilariousness result. Harkening to action comedy films that have preceded it, director, Story balances the genres well and never slows its pace. Never sacrificing one for the other the film uses the action as a catalyst for the comedy and vice versa. Both Cube and Hart shine in a very 48 Hrs kind of way. The supporting cast featuring John Leguizamo, Bruce McGill, Jay Pharaoh and Laurence Fishburne are great as well.
I don’t know what to say about this film without spoiling all the funny. I will say that something that actually flipped me out was seeing a film with an ACTUAL opening credits sequence. Used to introduce Ice Cube’s Det. Peyton character and set up the under-plot, it was refreshing to see someone utilize an opening credit sequence like they used to in the 80’s action films this film properly pays homage to.
I never thought I would recommend it but here we are, me telling you to go see it. I hope you enjoy it.
Like I said initially this isn’t going to win any major awards for acting or story but dammit it is funny and fun to watch and sometimes films should be allowed to do that. (– Benn Robbins)
Ripper Street: Season 2
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| BBC Home Video / Released 4/15/14 |
The long shadow of Jack the Ripper may be gone, but the job of protecting London’s Whitechapel district has never been harder for Detective Inspector Edmund Reid (Matthew Macfadyen) and his loyal deputies Detective Sergeant Bennet Drake (Jerome Flynn) and Captain Homer Jackson (Adam Rothenberg).
The year is 1890. As the century enters its final decade, recession stalks Great Britain. Its preeminent role in the world is under threat and nowhere is the bloated British Empire’s problems felt more keenly than in its dark heart: the East End of London. Against a society in rapid decline, the men of Metropolitan Police’s H Division take on new crimes including a new drug scourge of an imperial nature, a female gang set on vengeance against their industrial tormentors, escaped bombers, subversive cult Svengalis and a mad eugenicist that stalks the circus freak shows for prey – an investigation that brings the elusive “Elephant Man” (Joseph Drake) to their aid. These new threats will test Reid and his allies to their very limit, all while facing corruption in their own ranks from the neighboring force of Limehouse’s K Division, and its formidable and entirely amoral leader, Detective Inspector Jedediah Shine (Joseph Mawle).
The team faces challenges on the home front too. Without his wife Emily to anchor him, Reid wrestles personal demons of guilt and isolation. Drake has a new wife; but in committing to her, may have lost the brutal intensity that was a hallmark of his policing. Jackson, no longer bound by the need to keep a low profile, questions the suitability of Whitechapel as a place to call home while ‘Long’ Susan Hart (Myanna Buring) struggles to protect her brothel on Tenter Street and livelihood from the secret debt she owes the ruthless moneylender, Silas Duggan.
In addition to Joseph Mawle, new cast members in season two include David Costabile, Damien Molony, and Leanne Best. Guest stars this season also include Paul Kaye as Gabriel Cain, Neve McIntosh as Raine, Gina Bellman as Jemima Swan and James Wilby as Charles Broadwick. Extras include cast and crew interviews
Flowers in the Attic
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| Lionsgate / Released 4/15/14 |
Based on the bestselling book by V.C. Andrews, the highly anticipated film adaptation that remains true to the novel, and features an all-star cast including Heather Graham, Ellen Burstyn and Kiernan Shipka. Flowers In The Attic, is a gothic story of four siblings who, after the death of their father, are torn from a peaceful life and subjected to abuse resulting from a dark, family secret. Abandoned by their mother and forced to endure unimaginable treatment living in the attic of their grandparents’ mansion, the children form their own family unit. But as the oldest boy and girl come of age both emotionally and physically while caring for their younger siblings, they are entrapped by their family’s sordid past as they try to survive and escape the harsh living conditions. Extras include a featurette.
Last Word: You don’t tune into a Lifetime Movie of the Week because you are looking for superb plot points and great acting, you go into hoping for a stellar level of cheese that will satisfy your guilty pleasure center. And trust me, like a Snickers, this will satisfy you. Incest, over-acting, scenery-chewing, incest, starving children, bitchiness, incest…you get the picture. A horrible movie? Yep, but it’s horribly good. (– Elizabeth Weitz)
The Practice: The Final Season
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| Shout! Factory / Released 4/15/14 |
David E. Kelley’s Emmy Award-winning legal drama returns for an eighth and final season that paves the way for its critically acclaimed spin-off, Boston Legal. Major upheavals have left Ellenor (Camryn Manheim), Eugene (Steve Harris) and Jimmy (Michael Badalucco) in charge of the firm. In an attempt to rebuild their ranks, Ellenor hires an old friend: the enigmatic and ethically-challenged Alan Shore (James Spader). Shore’s brilliant-yet-highly-unorthodox methods succeed in winning big cases: but will they also threaten the future of the firm? A must-own for fans of Boston Legal, The Practice: Season 8 features not only the debut of Alan Shore, but early appearances from Tara Wilson (Rhona Mitra), Catherine Piper (Betty White), Sally Heep (Lake Bell)…and the legendary attorney Denny Crane (William Shatner).
Confession of Murder
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| Well Go USA / Released 4/15/14 |
In Korea, murder has a statute of limitations and the time is up on a series of brutal slayings that left Lt. Choi (Jae-yeong Jeong) a broken and obsessed man, with a scarred face from their one encounter. Now, a handsome and beguiling young man has come forward, taking credit for the crimes. As the confessed-killer woos media and wins fans, Choi’s rage spins out of control. Is he the killer? Can justice ever be served? And who is the mysterious J, who claims the author may not be the killer after all? Extras include interviews, trailer and featurette.
Möbius
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| Lionsgate / Released 4/15/14 |
In the high stakes world of espionage, one Russian FSB operative will do whatever it takes to crack an international money laundering operation and American banker, Alice, is the key. The only problem is that he isn’t the only one after Alice. Now he must find out who he can trust and use everything he knows in order to get to the truth and bring down a powerful Russian oligarch. Starring Jean Dujardin and Tim Roth, Möbius includes featurettes and interviews with cast and crew.
Last Word: A glossy thriller that looks great, but is otherwise a dreary bore of a thriller. Using English, French and Russian may seem smart and/or, but overall it just added to the film’s unnecessarily overcomplicated plot. Roth and Dujardin are great actors, but coupled with not so great characters, is nothing more than a waste of talent.
Boys of Abu Ghraib
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| Vertical Entertainment / Released 4/15/14 |
Based on shocking, real-life events that made headlines around the world following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq…
In this military thriller, American soldier Jack Farmer (Luke Moran) is stationed overseas at Abu Ghraib, an Iraqi prison seized by U.S. armed forces. There, he is tasked with guarding the cell block where top-priority suspected terrorists are held, known as the Hard Site.
A rookie to the Military Police, Jack is shown the ropes by a veteran guard (Sean Astin), who demonstrates how to control the prisoners by using violence and intimidation. But during his long, lonely shifts, Jack develops a secret bond with Ghazi (Omid Abtahi), an English-speaking detainee.
Soon, Ghazi is subjected to harsh interrogations over his suspected involvement in building bombs with intent to kill innocent civilians. As the questioning progresses to torture, the forbidden friendship is revealed. Now, with his career and Ghazi’s life on the line, Jack must choose between loyalty to his country or his virtue.
Jan Svankmajer’s Alice
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| First Run Features / Released 4/15/14 |
When Alice follows the White Rabbit into Wonderland, so begins this dream expedition into the astonishing landscape of childhood, through many dangerous adventures, and ultimately to Alice’s trial before the King and Queen of Hearts.
Czech animator Jan Svankmajer has created a masterpiece of cinema, a strikingly original interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale. Svankmajer’s Alice remains true to the absurdity of Carroll’s original, but bears the stamp of his own distinctive style and obsessions. Combining techniques of animation and live action, he gives a new and fascinating dimension to the timeless tale of childhood fantasies. Extras include short films and book of essays.
Last Word: Animator Svankmajer maintains a storybook tone in his feature length directorial debut, mixing live action with stop motion animation. While visually interesting, the film keeps the viewer at an arm’s length, making it difficult to emotionally connect with it. That’s not to say it’s worth seeing, just the opposite. Overall, there isn’t much like it and one could argue that the director’s influence can be seen in the work of other visually-centric filmmakers such as Tim Burton and Wes Anderson. Svankmajer’s Alice is certainly faithful to Carroll’s classic text and an easy recommendation, though not for everyone.
95ers: Time Runners
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| Inception Media Group / Released 4/15/14 |
FBI special agent Sally Biggs possesses the secret power to rewind time, allowing her to become a star at work investigating unsolved cases and control almost everything in her life.
But when paranormal apparitions begin to surround her, Sally suspects the mysteries may have something to do with the destabilization of time. And her worst fears are realized when her scientist husband inexplicably disappears.
In the distant future, millions have died in a brutal war being fought using time machines as ultimate weapons—ensuring victory by manipulating the past. When those in possession of
this terrifying technology discover Sally’s secret, they want her dead … Bringing the battle to her present realm.Now, hunted by assassins while her own timeline is unraveling, her only hope is to follow her husband’s ghost to discover the truth before the fabric of her being and the ones she loves are erased from existence forever.
Wrong Cops
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| IFC / Released 4/15/14 |
Officer Duke has a bit of a problem: He accidentally shot a man while holding a teenager (rocker Marilyn Manson) captive, and now he’s storing the body in the trunk of his car. Luckily Officer Duke (Mark Burnham) fits right in with the rest of the local police force, who really couldn’t care less about solving crimes and are much more interested in committing petty theft, blackmailing colleagues, soliciting prostitutes, sexually harassing the community and pursuing careers in electronic music. So they probably aren’t going to be so helpful when it comes to dealing with that body in the trunk anyway, which means Officer Duke may not have that much of a problem after all. Directed by Quentin Dupieux (Rubber, Wrong), Wrong Cops also stars Eric Wareheim, Ray Wise, Grace Zabriskie and Roxane Mesquida.
Last Word: I wish I liked Quentin Dupieux’s work more. The problem is that I just don’t enjoy surreal or ironic. I feel like it’s trying too hard, and like his previous work, Wrong Cops just didn’t work for me. Episodic in nature, the film is mean spirited, and it’s attempts at humor are simply not funny (which I understand that’s the joke, but that still doesn’t make it funny). Filmed to look like a Seventies cop show was clever when Spike Jonze did it for the Beastie Boys, now, not only has it been done, but it’s been done far better. And not nearly as tedious.
The Formula
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| Level 33 Entertainment / Released 4/15/14 |
The Formula is a modern adult fable about the pleasures and perils of sexual and romantic chemistry. Two enterprising engineering students, Quinn (Brandon Baker) and Graham (Mike Schminke), discover an extremely effective mathematical formula for picking up women. Hopelessly romantic, Quinn falls head over heels for T.J., a pretty student teacher, while Graham, a chauvinistic womanizer, sets his sights on racking up the personal best co-ed score board ever!! Following their hypothesis that it’s all about the “bottom line,” Quinn and Graham’s clinical trials reveal that finding true love has no New Math equation.
Date & Switch
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| Lionsgate / Released 4/15/14 |
High school seniors Michael and Matty have been best friends since 3rd grade. Still virgins, they make a pact to help each other “score” before Senior Prom. But relationships get complicated and their mission takes an unexpected turn when Michael falls for Matty’s ex-girlfriend and Matty announces that he’s gay. Extras include commentary, featurettes, and deleted scenes.
Last Word: This teen comedy feels more like a sitcom than a film, but just lacking a much needed laugh track. With the exception of the handling of a teen’s coming out, this film could have been any other cliched filled teen comedy from the last twenty years. There’s unfortunately not a lot of genuine moments in this otherwise forgettable attempt at a romantic comedy, and a lot of laughs despite one forced attempt after another.
Carol Burnett Show: Carol’s Crack-Ups
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| StarVista / Released 4/15/14 |
Carol Burnett, the 2013 winner of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, personally selected the 17 hilarious episodes in Carol Burnett Show: Carol’s Crack-Ups, from her extensive archive. They all feature one of the show’s fan-favorite hallmarks: sketches so funny that they tested the strength of even the most seasoned cast members — Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, Tim Conway and later Dick Van Dyke. Among other unforgettable moments, enjoy Harvey Korman cracking up with Tim Conway in numerous sketches, and, see Carol try to hold back the laughs as Vicki Lawrence took the stage as her timeless character, Mama.
Across 6 spectacularly-loaded DVDs, consumers will crack-up along with Carol and crew in UNCUT episodes as they originally aired on television. Showcasing some of the most acclaimed and beloved moments from the legendary series from television’s Golden Age, the set includes classic sketches such as “The Family,” “Carol and Sis,” “Alice Portnoy,” “The Charwoman” and “The Old Folks,” along with sidesplitting parodies and favorite segments including “TV Commercials,” “Terminal Hospital,” Rebecky and Raised to Be Rotten. And, adding to the crack ups are guest stars galore, including such luminaries as Carl Reiner, Charo, Roddy McDowall, Ruth Buzzi, Andy Griffith and many others.
Fans of classic TV comedy will also enjoy hours of StarVista’s acclaimed and extensive special programming featuring interviews, cast commentary and bonus sketches such as Valerie Harper and Tim Conway’s installment of “As the Stomach Turns”; George Carlin’s dentist sketch; the therapy session with James Garner and Ken Berry; plus the interrogator routine with Tim, Harvey and Lyle; as well as two brand new featurettes never-before-available: “Tim Conway: Chief Cracker Upper” and “Tim on the Street.”
Camp Dread
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| RLJ/Image Entertainment / Released 4/15/14 |
The “Summer Camp” horror trilogy was one of the most popular franchises of the 1980s. However, the decade ended and so did director Julian Barrett’s career. Now Barrett plans to resurrect his gory series via a modern reboot patterned after reality filmmaking. With his former leading lady and an eclectic group of 10 young “contestants,” Barrett returns to the same locale where his old splatter-fests were filmed. When one of the campers is found savagely murdered, they realize there’s more at stake than just fame and fortune. Each of them is in a fight for their lives as they realize summer is over – forever.
Once
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| 20th Century Fox / Released 4/1/14 |
A tale that follows ‘the Guy’ (Glen Hansard), who works part-time helping his father run a small, vacuum cleaner repair business, but dreams of one day having his songs recorded and landing a record deal. Emotionally vulnerable, he is still coming to terms with the recent departure of his girlfriend and lacks the conviction and passion to move on in his pedestrian life. One day, he meets ‘the Girl’ (Markéta Irglová), an Eastern European immigrant who has moved to Dublin to start a new life for herself. Currently working as a house cleaner in an upper-class residence, she is struggling financially. She yearns for what she cannot afford–a piano to help her escape from the daily grind of finding her way through this strange new land. A relationship blossoms between ‘the Guy’ and ‘the Girl’, as they’re both struggling. Their shared love of music causes them to flourish and grow with a new found confidence as they take a chance on each other and a new beginning on life. Extras include commentaries, featurettes and webisodes
Anger Management: Volume Three
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| Lionsgate / Released 4/15/14 |
Anger Management: Volume Three follows Charlie Goodman (Charlie Sheen), a non-traditional therapist specializing in anger management. He has a successful private practice, holding sessions with his group of primary-patient regulars each week, as well as performing pro bono counseling for an inmate group at a state prison. His life is complicated by his relationships with his own therapist and best friend (Selma Blair), his ex-wife (Shawnee Smith) whose positive outlook but poor life-choices frustrate Charlie, their 15-year-old daughter who has OCD (Daniela Bobadilla) and, of course, his interfering and meddlesome father, Martin (Martin Sheen). Extras include a gag reel.
Last Word: Anger Management is not funny. It’s cliche ridden, mean spirited and the writing is consistently medicore. Yet, somehow I watch it. Binging on each awkward and unfunny set up and joke execution. Sheen, who was so great on Two and a Half Men, merely walks (or more often sits) his way through episode after episode, his eyes half open, his speech slurred and the laugh track chuckling along laboriously. It’s bad. It’s so very bad. But I can’t stop watching. Recommended.
Doctor Who: The Web of Fear
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| BBC Home Video / Released 4/22/14 |
This classic 1968 Doctor Who six-part adventure has been restored and digitally remastered, thanks to the discovery of a batch of missing episodes last year. Previously available exclusively on iTunes, The Web of Fear introduces the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) to UNIT and Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart, played by Nicholas Courtney (who later returns as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart). The TARDIS narrowly avoids becoming engulfed in a cobwebby substance in space. It arrives in the London Underground railway system, the tunnels of which are being overrun by the web and by the Great Intelligence’s robot Yeti. The Intelligence’s goal is to drain the Doctor’s mind; can the Doctor sabotage the device before the Intelligence’s plan comes to fruition?
Newhart: Season 3
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| Shout! Factory/Released 4/22/14 |
Dick Loudon (Newhart) and his wife Joanna (Mary Frann) have their hands full running their quaint colonial inn. In addition to the seemingly never-ending parade of unusual guests, they must contend with the quirky antics of their employees and friends: the spoiled maid Stephanie (Julia Duffy), dim-bulb handyman George (Tom Poston), and the back(wards) woodsmen Larry, Darryl, and Darryl (William Sanderson, Tony Papenfuss, and John Voldstad.) And to top it off, Dick has become the host of the small-time talk show “Vermont Today,” produced by the upwardly-mobile Michael (Peter Scolari). Guest stars this season included Ray Walston, Brian Robbins, José Ferrer, Liz Sheridan, G.W. Bailey, Dave Coulier, and Estelle Getty.
The Mr. Magoo Theatrical Collection (1949-1959)
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| Shout! Factory / Released 4/22/14 |
Since 1949, Mr. Magoo has bumbled his way to good fortune for more than six decades. His endearing misadventures in everyday life and his stubborn self-confidence have entertained generations.
Voiced by the multitalented comedic actor Jim Backus, the nearsighted Mr. Magoo was an instant hit and went on to become a classic animated character starring in two Academy Award winning theatrical shorts, three television series and two television specials.
This special collector’s edition brings together for the first time on DVD all 53 theatrical cartoons, including 12 cartoons in anamorphic widescreen for the first time, and the feature film 1001 Arabian Nights, all in one deluxe collection. Also included as a special feature is the vintage documentary A Princess For Magoo: The Making Of 1001 Arabian Nights, an interview with film critic and historian Leonard Maltin, a documentary on UPA & Mr. Magoo, and 14 commentaries. All shorts have been newly remastered in their original theatrical aspect ratios.
Last Word: Growing up in the Seventies Mr. Magoo was a regularly scheduled television fixture and this set provided a healthy nostalgiac flashback. Jim Backus’ iconic voice brought the character much of his charm, and although there’s not a lot of difference between the cadence of Magoo and Thurston Howell III, Backus’ Magoo seems to have a more charming and playful tone. Since these shorts were originally intended for a theatrical and often adult audience, Magoo’s earliest appearances within have the inimitable character a bit more cantankerous than in his more modern evolution. Although the character appeared in no less than three animated series, this collection contains the best Magoo’s ever (although, any true fan needs Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol as well). A must have and highly recommended.
Barefoot
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| Lionsgate / Released 4/22/15 |
Barefoot follows Daisy (Evan Rachel Wood), a beautiful young psychiatric patient who’s been raised in isolation most of her life. When she meets the “black sheep” son of a wealthy family (Scott Speedman), he takes the naive beauty home for his brother’s wedding in a last-ditch effort to show his parents that he has straightened out his life. Soon after the very proper Southern family meets the unusual, yet charming Daisy, they are drawn in by her innocent views of life and quirky mannerisms. What starts as an unlikely pairing turns into the perfect match. Co-starring Treat Williams, Kate Burton and JK Simmons, Barefoot is filled with endearing moments and plenty of heart-felt laughs
Scream Park
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| Wild Eye Releasing / Released 4/22/14 |
The Fright Land amusement park is on the verge of closing down for good. But the park’s owner, Hyde (Hellraiser’s Doug Bradley), has one last plan to sell more tickets… murder. Hiring two backwoods maniacs to break into the park and hack and slash all his employees, Hyde thinks these killings will create a media sensation, but he has just unleashed a horror that no one can survive. A slasher is the 80s tradition that also stars Nivek Ogre from Skinny Puppy fame.
The Trials of Muhammad Ali
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| Kino Lorber / Released 4/22/14 |
This powerful documentary examines the life of Muhammad Ali beyond the boxing ring to offer a personal perspective on the American sporting legend. Investigating Ali’s spiritual transformation – including his conversion to Islam, his resistance to the Vietnam War draft, and his humanitarian work – this documentary connects Ali’s transcendent life story to America’s struggles with race, religion, and war in the twentieth century. Extras include featuette, deleted scenes, commentaries and educational resources.
Last Word: Growing up, Muhammad Ali was more than an athlete, and this must see documentary explains in some small part, why he was regarded as such. His strength in the ring was secondary to the strength of his convictions and that his transition to icon was notable through his own self awareness of his legacy as a man, not as a boxer. Highly recommended.
Big Bad Wolves
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| Magnolia / Released 4/22/14 |
A series of brutal murders puts the lives of three men on a collision course: the father of the latest victim now out for revenge, a vigilante police detective operating outside the boundaries of law, and the main suspect in the killings – a religious studies teacher arrested and released due to a police blunder. Extras include trailer, making of and featurette.
Last Word: It’s hard to give away too much of the film without ruining it, but rest assured, Big Bad Wolves is a unique and intense viewing experience. It’s relentlessly violent, unpredictable, and suspenseful. It might be easy to label the film as “Torture Porn”, but I believe that Big Bad Wolves has another layer of depth beyond what is usually found in the genre. It’s disturbing and highly recommended.
Seven Warriors
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| Well Go USA / Released 4/22/14 |
A rousing modern retelling of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, the film depicts The Warlord Era: where desperate soldiers have become thieves and bandits, leaving towns – and lives – in ruins. The villagers of Guangxi rise up, hiring seven warriors to take up arms against the marauders and save their home. Adam Cheng (The Legend, Saving General Yang), Max Mok (Once Upon a Time in China series), Jacky Cheung (Bodyguards and Assassins), Lam Kwok-Bun, Wu Ma (White Vengeance), Shing Fui-On (A Better Tomorrow) and Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (Hero, Infernal Affairs) are the warriors, with Lo Lieh (Five Fingers of Death, Supercop) as their sworn enemy…who was once their comrade-in-arms.
Last Word: Seven Warriors isn’t a bad movie. It’s just redundant. What’s the appeal in watching this when the film it’s based on, The Seven Samurai is so much better? Even The Magnificent Seven, also inspired by The Seven Samurai, gave the concept a spin by setting it in the Old West. This one? Not so much. I’d take Akira Kurosawa’s original with Toshirô Mifune over this every time.
Gila!
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| Polyscope / Released 4/22/14 |
The movie opens with a young couple parked in a bleak, rural locale pondering their future, A giant gila monster attacks the car, sending the young couple running for their lives. Chase Winstead , a young mechanic and hot rod racer and his girl Lisa (Madeline Voges), meets up with Chase’s former nemesis, Waco Bob (Jesse Janzen) and his sidekick Carla (Christina De Rosa). Prompted by calls from Mayor Wheeler (Gerard Pauwels) ,The local Sheriff (Terence Knox) enlists the help of Chase, a young mechanic and hot rod racer, locates the crashed car in the ravine and finds evidence of the giant lizard. They attempt to destroy the lizard, but that only emboldens it. The creature continues to prey on the small town. It starts to head for the Winstead homestead, However, Chase packs his prized hot rod with nitroglycerin and rigs it to speed straight into the monster, terminating the lizard in a fiery explosion and heroically saving the town.
Junction
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| Grand Entertainment Group / Released 4/22/14 |
Junction stars David Zayas, Michael O’Keefe, Anthony Rapp, Anthony Ruivivar, Neal Bledsoe Tom Pelphrey, Harris Doran, Summer Crockett Moor, Sharon Maguire and Danielle Kotch. The film follows four strung-out meth-addicts who discover a dark secret about a homeowner during a burglary, pitting them not only against the police but against each other. And as they spiral out of control toward the explosive climax the lines blur between right and wrong until the final unexpected twist is revealed.
