Wondering what might make a nice holiday gift or a good selection to add to the queue to watch during the season of sugarplums and latkes?
Look no further; over two dozen reviews after the jump including some holiday specials, big Hollywood movies and some obscurities as well.
Hangover Part II (Blu-ray Combo)
Warner Home Video / Released December 6, 2011 on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD
The Pitch
Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu’s wedding. What could go wrong? Director Todd Phillips’ explosively funny follow-up to his award-winning smash hit demonstrates that though what happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, what happens in Bangkok can hardly be imagined!
The Review
Comedy movies are a tricky thing.
One of the markers of success, in my opinion, is rewatchability.
The Hangover shares this important trait with such films as Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, The Blues Brothers, Dumb and Dumber, and Beverly Hills Cop.
And like those films, the sequel is pretty crappy.
Director Todd Phillips has not only reassembled his cast from the 2009 film, he’s also reassembled the plot, retreading the same exact structure without any of the joy and surprises that the original film held, but this time substituting Bangkok for Vegas. The movie is funny, and often, inappropriately so. But ultimately unsatisfying as the characters walk through the same scenario with often the same results. The cast seems bored, and like Ocean’s 12, you often feel like their vacation has been interrupted while being called to set. Extras include a gag reel, featurettes, a digital copy and more.
The Hangover Part II delivers what it’s supposed to; be funny. Unfortunately, I’ve seen all of the jokes before.
Crazy, Stupid, Love (Blu-ray Combo)
Warner Home Video / Released November 1, 2011 on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD
The Pitch
Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling lead an all-star cast in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Fortysomething straight-laced Cal Weaver (Carell) is living the dream—good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart, Emily (Julianne Moore). So when Cal learns that his wife has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his “perfect” life quickly unravels. Cal, who hasn’t dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth so handsome player Jacob Palmer (Gosling) takes him on as wingman and protégé, opening Cal’s eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style. Despite Cal’s makeover and his many new conquests, the one thing that can’t be made over is his heart, which seems to keep leading Cal back to where he began.
The Review
A sweet and warm film, anchored by strong performances and an albeit, predictable plot, Crazy, Stupid, Love is just that; a reminder of just how important love is in life and the lengths one would go to find it, preserve it and save it.
One of the most admirable qualities about the film is that as funny as it is, the humor is grounded. No joke is made at the sacrifice of the verisimilitude of the film’s reality. By the end of the film, you’ve fallen in love with the characters and are in no hurry to say goodbye. Extras include featurettes, deleted scenes and an alternate ending.
Crazy, Stupid Love is smart, funny and endearing and a must see. Highly recommended.
Hollywood Party
Warner Archive / Released November 1, 2011
The Pitch
The screen’s great Schnarzan (Jimmy Durante) wants to wow the visiting Baron Munchausen (Jack Pearl, reprising his familiar vaudeville and radio character) by throwing him a big, bustling Tinseltown bash. Hollywood Party – 8 directors and 8 writers (2 credited) strong – is the wild, wildly inconsistent but ever fun musical-novelty result, packed with kicky dance montages offering pre-Code chorines and Berkeley-like kaleidoscopic shots, spiked with a color cartoon insert from Walt Disney, muscled up with Schnarzan’s lion-wrasslin,’ and thronged with notables (including Mickey Mouse, Ted Healy and his Stooges and Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy, who put an egg in Lupe Velez’s shoe and are duly repaid). Dress to impress!
The Review
Running a taut 68 minutes, Hollywood Party manages to pack in an awful lot of entertainment. Plotless, but the true definition of “a cast of thousands,” is non-stop schtick, music and laughs. Durante parodies Tarzan, playing a jungle movie star who throws a lavish party filled with musical numbers, vaudeville routines and even a color Disney cartoon (and an appearance by Mickey Mouse). As a fan of many of the actors within, I wasn’t even aware this film existed and it truly is an experience that should be had by every cinegeek. Extras include a trailer and deleted songs.
Packed with production numbers, jokes, familiar faces of classic Hollywood and the all important man in a gorilla suit, Hollywood Party is highly recommended.
Night Watch
The Pitch
Elizabeth Taylor ventured but once into the scarified world of Grande Dame Guignol, and Night Watch is the striking result. Taylor’s matron in menace role is that of Ellen Wheeler, a lonely insomniac trapped in a loveless marriage and by an obsession with a creepy gothic manse next door. One night while indulging in her alcohol fueled ramblings, Ellen spots a corpse inside the vacant house. A corpse that resembles her deceased, two timing first husband…a corpse that no one else thinks exists. Adapted from a play by suspense mistress Lucille Fletcher (Sorry, Wrong Number, The Hitch-Hiker, Night Man), Night Watch re-teams Liz with her Butterfield 8 co-star Laurence Harvey, playing Ellen’s emotionally distant second husband in one of his final film performances. Genre stalwart Billie Whitelaw rounds out the cast.
The Review
Liz Taylor plays crazy in Night Watch.
But not just mentally “off” crazy, I’m talking full bat-shit, tasting colors, nuts. With a sporadic British accent and an over the top performance that seems more geared for the stage than for in front of the camera, Taylor is nevertheless captivating to watch. Unfortunately, for as intense her performance is, the rest of the cast isn’t quite as electric. It is a solid genre picture, and the thrills are in full force with a heavy helping of melodrama and a legitimately surprising twist ending.
Night Watch is a fun, suspenseful film that delivers. Recommended.
Reckless
The Pitch
By 1935, every movie fan in the world knew Jean Harlow as both a blonde bombshell and a delightful comedienne. To expand her range, the studio gave her a dramatic role in Reckless – and Harlow was a hit. She plays musical star Mona Leslie, the bride of a champagne-stewed blueblood. When he blows his brains out, Mona is suspected of his murder, igniting media frenzy. The film is also notable for its Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein title tune (Harlow, whose considerable skills didn’t extend beyond acting, was dubbed and body doubled in the musical numbers), plus a cast that includes Franchot Tone, Rosalind Russell, and as a hotshot promoter, William Powell, who would become the last love of Harlow’s tragically short life.
The Review
It takes awhile for the plot to kick in and unfortunately by the time it does, it’s a little late. Disjointed, unfocused and a bit of a mess, with the tone shifting dramatically halfway through. For cinegeeks, there are a number of brief appearances by future familiar faces including Rosalind Russell, Mickey Rooney and Ted Healy. Extras include a radio promo and an on stage pre-recording session.
Reckless is a mess of a film, and offers little other than a footnote on the career of Harlow and Powell.
The Smurfs Holiday Celebration
Warner Home Video / Released October 4, 2011
The Pitch
In these two delightful tales, our little blue friends touch the lives of those in need and spread Christmas cheer to everyone around them, as they impart valuable lessons about the spirit of giving and sharing.
The Review
I spent many Saturday mornings watching The Smurfs and despite losing my affinity for the characters, I jumped at the chance to revisit them with this DVD, The Smurfs: Holiday Celebration, which contains two fairly average holiday specials, The Smurfs’ Christmas Special and Tis The Season To Be Smurfy. My problem with both of the specials is the presence of human beings. I’ve always thought The Smurfs worked best in their own environment, but to younger fans who enjoyed the movie, this release is full of good lessons and morals, and will likely be a perennial holiday favorite.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland Deluxe Edition
Warner Home Video / Released October 4, 2011
The Pitch
Andy Griffith, Shelley Winters and Jackie Vernon lend their voices to this captivating cartoon about the Snowman’s winter return to the children of a small town for a winter season of fun and games. But he’s lonely at night when left by himself. So the grateful kids build him a beautiful snowlady companion. Jealous of the attention given Frosty, Jack Frost blows up a blizzard and swipes Frosty’s magical, life-giving hat. Only true love can bring Frosty back to his old fun-loving self.
Review
I remember seeing this when it premiered when I was a kid and absolutely fell in love with it. Christmas specials have become a rarity these days, and this one, although not nearly as iconic as the original, is a solid sequel. Narrated by Andy Griffith, Frosty’s Winter Wonderland is as warm and inviting as a cup of hot cocoa on a snowy afternoon. A featurette is included on the history of snowmen.
My only complaint with this relief (strangely called a “Deluxe Edition”) is that it’s pretty slim considering that it only contains a feature running 23 minutes. Nevertheless, it’s a must have for anyone who grew up with it who wants to share it with their own families or relive the magic for themselves. Recommended.
Twas the Night Before Christmas (Blu-ray)
Warner Home Video / Released October 4, 2011
The Pitch
For some unexplained reason, letters to Santa Claus are being returned to the children of Junctionville. It seems some sour soul has angered St. Nick, calling Christmas “a fraudulent myth!” The skeptical rodent Albert Mouse has to be brought to his senses “and let up a little on the wonder why.” How Albert is persuaded to change his tune paves the way for Santa’s jolly return to Junctionville — and the joyous finale of this charming animated fable inspired by Clement Moore’s poem. Joel Grey, Tammy Grimes, John McGiver and George Gobel are featured voices.
The Review
Another strange holiday solo release (this one on Blu-ray for a 23 minute special), Twas The Night Before Christmas is a fine effort, but forgettable in comparison to many of the other perennial favorites. It’s too talky, with Rankin Bass’ less desired animation (as compared to their iconic Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer or a Year Without a Santa Claus). The lone extra is a digital comic book feature on how the world celebrates Christmas. I certainly can’t understand why the Blu-ray of this title and it’s a mild recommendation at best.
Dr. Seuss’s Holidays on the Loose!
Warner Home Video / Released October 18, 2011
The Pitch
Fun is on the Loose with 3 Dr. Seuss Holiday Classics!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
“Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot.” And every family likes How the Grinch Stole Christmas! a lot! This joyous, heart-tickling holiday event based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved book and featuring the voice of Boris Karloff has delighted all ages since its 1966 debut. Can the Grinch steal the town’s holiday spirit by stealing their holiday treats? Or does Christmas… perhaps…mean a little bit more? The answers to those questions unfold charmingly under Chuck Jones’ pitch-perfect direction.
The Grinch Grinches The Cat in the Hat
What happens when the mischievous Grinch decides to wreak havoc on the world, but the happy and ever-so-delightful Cat in the Hat stands in his way? The result is a triumphant story of an unlikely hero who uses a little caring and compassion to help save the world from an unfriendly and unbeautiful future. Watch and see if the Cat in the Hat can go from a peaceful picnic in the shade to helping the frightfully mean Grinch turn a new leaf.
Halloween is Grinch Night
The sinister Grinch who stole Whoville’s Christmas is back to declare Halloween as “Grinch Night”! While the Whos are caught in a horrible storm of Sour-Sweet Wind, the Grinch and his trusty pooch Max, take this opportunity to terrorize the little town. Unfortunately for him he is surprised by a young boy whose unexpected courage prevents the Grinch from unleashing his awful horrors onto their tranquil town. Grinch Night will never be the same!
The Review
This is what a holiday release should look like. Collecting the animated masterpiece, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, as well as the two other Grinch specials, this is a must have for viewers of any age. Extras are plentiful and include commentary, featurettes, pencil tests, interviews and more.
The only real downside to this release is that How The Grinch Stole Christmas has been re-released more times than Evil Dead 2. Dr. Seuss’s Holidays on the Loose! is a must have if you don’t have How The Grinch Stole Christmas already, otherwise it’s really for completists only.
The Adventures of Tintin: Season One
Shout! Factory / Released November 22, 2011
The Pitch
Adapted from the long-running graphic novels by the late cartoon artist Hergé (a.k.a. Georges Remi), the popular animated TV series The Adventures of Tintin, co-produced by Nelvana and Ellipsanime Productions, chronicles the young and intrepid investigative reporter Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy, along with Captain Haddock, the muddled genius Professor Calculus, and the bumbling detectives Thompson and Thomson as they embark on incredible globe-trotting adventures full of excitement, mind-boggling mystery and fun.
Experience the excitement and wonder of
The Adventures of Tintin at home before you head to the theaters for the brand new major motion picture that weaves in elements from the stories “The Secret of the Unicorn,” “The Crab with the Golden Claws,” and “Red Rackham’s Treasures,” that are among the first five episodes of the series and included on this DVD set.
The Review
Capturing Hergé’s line work far better than CGI animation ever could, The Adventures of Tintin is a solid and entertaining adaptation of the popular comic series. The thirteen episodes adapt seven books including The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn, Red Rackham’s Treasure, Cigars of the Pharaoh, The Blue Lotus, The Black Island and The Calculus Affair. Voice work is solid and the colors and animation are truly representative of the source material. Video quality is disappointing however, revealing that there wasn’t any remastering of the content. Extras are non-existent, which is unfortunate giving the release is obviously meant to capitalize on the upcoming Steven Spielberg/Peter Jackson film. Even without any supplemental material, The Adventures of Tintin is terrifically engaging and truly faithful to the Belgium icon. Recommended.
Conan: The Barbarian (Blu-ray Combo)
Lionsgate / November 22, 2011
The Pitch
Based on the character of Conan as originally created by Robert E. Howard, a boy born on the battlefield grows into a hulking warrior hell-bent on avenging his father’s death. But Conan’s personal vendetta soon escalates into an epic battle of impossible odds, facing the fiercest of rivals and the most horrific of monsters.
The Review
Over the top, excessive, misogynistic, exploitive and tremendously entertaining, this reimagining of Howard’s iconic character is packed with CGI blood, ridiculous gore and dipped in a testosterone bath. Jason Momoa isn’t particularly charming, but how many barbarians are? He looks like he stepped out of a Frazetta painting. The film features a solid supporting cast including Stephen Lang, Ron Perlman, Rachel Nichols and Rose McGowan. Morgan Freeman is narrating and his drawl might be great for penguins, but doesn’t work well here. Extras include featurettes and commentary. Visually, Conan is far more impressive than it’s writing, which is filled with stock characters, and a clumsy narrative; but on the flip side, it’s a movie about a barbarian, so it kind of works. Recommended.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure
Walt Disney Home Video / November 8, 2011
The Pitch
It’s Adventure Day and Professor Von Drake is sending Mickey and pals into the far reaches of outer space. The team blasts off in their Clubhouse Rocket in search of Treasure Stars that will point the way to the Out-of-this-World Treasure, their ultimate goal. The interplanetary trip takes preschool viewers first to the Moon, Mars and the Rings of Saturn. Along the way, the gang gets help from friendly space aliens Moon Men Chip and Dale, Martian Mickey and Pluto from Pluto but they also encounter sneaky Space Pirate Pete, who wants the Treasure all for himself. Eventually the Clubhouse Rocket’s crew and Space Pirate Pete manage to become friends, and they all follow the trail of the Treasure Stars to the mysterious Planet Mickey where they discover the location of the Out-of-this-World Treasure. It turns out to be a futuristic, space age version of the Clubhouse — the perfect meeting place for all pals across the universe!
The Review
Although I’m not a huge fan of CG animation, it’s refreshing to see the classic Disney characters actually do something rather than run around a theme park. The last time these characters (at least Mickey, Goofy and Donald) headlined a film it was 2004’s Three Musketeers.
As for this particular volume, I’m not the target audience, as it’s geared toward younger viewers with education in mind (believe it or not, I’ve mastered counting to ten and identifying colors). That being said, it is a wonderful introduction to the classic Disney pantheon. Extras include a bonus Goofy episode and digital download. For nostalgiac Disney fans, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure won’t exactly satisfy, but for younger viewers, this is both an educational and charming disc and a worthwhile addition to every family’s home video library.
Behind The Mask
MGM MOD / Released October 26, 2011
The Pitch
Amateur sleuth Lamont Cranston, alias “The Shadow,” is called upon to solve the murder of a newspaper columnist.
The Review
Taking Maxwell Grant’s pulp character and translating him to the screen has never been as successful as Orson Welles’ radio performance. Nevertheless, Behind The Mask is the third in Monogram Pictures’ Shadow films and although it’s entertaining, it’s not really The Shadow character as portrayed in print and on the radio. Running a tight 67 minutes, there’s a bit of comedy in with the thrills, which makes for an fun film, but not a very faithful adapatation. Shrevvy and Margo Lane both make appearances and there’s a lot less “clouding of men’s minds” from Lamont Cranston (now a sleuth, rather than playboy) and a lot more of lurking around doors. That being said, if you enjoy older B-pictures or are a fan the genre, this curiosity is a solid recommendation.
Chillerama
Image Entertainment / November 29th, 2011
The Pitch
It’s the closing night at the last drive-in theater in America and Cecil B. Kaufman (Richard Riehle, Bridesmaids, Hatchet) has planned the ultimate marathon of lost film prints to unleash upon his faithful cinephile patrons. Four films so rare that they have never been exhibited publicly on American soil until this very night! What could possibly go wrong?
The Review
The danger of anthologies is that by combining the work of several artists, they always tend to be uneven.
That’s not the case with Chillerama, which is pretty mediocre throughout. Trying to tap into a drive in culture that unfortunately is non-existent with crappy genre parodies, Chillerama feels like a live action MAD Magazine parody produced by Troma. The four shorts, Wadzilla, I Was A Teenage Werebear, The Diary of Anne Frankenstein, and Zom-B-Movie are schlocky and the film overall feels cheap. Extras are plentiful, with commentaries, featurettes and deleted scenes.
Chillerama is the kind of film that might be fun watching it while drinking heavily.
But, I don’t drink.
30 Minutes or Less
Sony Home Entertainment / Released November 29th, 2011
The Pitch
The dull life of a small town pizza delivery guy, Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) collides with the big plans of two wanna-be criminal masterminds (Danny McBride and Nick Swardson). The duo kidnaps Nick, forcing him to rob a bank. With only mere hours to pull off this near impossible task, Nick enlists the help of his ex-best friend and grade school teacher, Chet (Aziz Ansari). As the clock keeps ticking, the two must deal with the police, hired assassins, flamethrowers and their own tumultuous relationship.
The Review
Director Reuben Fleischer follows up his amazing Zombieland with this less than amazing sophomore effort. Loosely based on a true story, 30 Minutes or Less suffers most from it’s cast, who are all playing the stock personalities that they have become known for. If you want to see a movie that features Eisenberg being Eisenberg, Ansari being Ansari, McBride being McBride and Swardson being Swardson, this film delivers. It’s certainly a watchable effort, but forgettable and unfortunately not particularly funny. Extras include a featurette, outtakes and deleted scenes.
30 Minutes or Less is mildly entertaining, albeit forgettable way to spend a few hours. Mildly recommended.
Detective School Dropouts
MGM MOD / October 18th, 2011
The Pitch
Two of the most inept detectives that ever bungled a case find themselves way over their heads in this wacky action adventure that leads them from Los Angeles to Rome and Venice. Trying to reunite a pair of misplaced lovers, our incompetent duo begin a crazed caper with two Italian families–feuding for 1,700 years! These misguided Americans solve no crimes, but provide an outrageous good time.
The Review
Slapstick is funny.
Don’t believe me? How many people have won money on America’s Funniest Home Videos by capturing a child knocking an adult male in the testicles?
Which is exactly why I completely dug Detective School Dropouts, an obscure little gem from 1986 which is not only slapstick heavy, but also features cheesy dialogue and predictable gags.
But it’s also funny. The comedy team of Lorin Dreyfuss (Richard’s brother) and David Landsberg (character actor and later, television producer) have wonderful chemistry, which makes this film’s obscurity even more disappointing.
For fans of comedy, Detective School Dropouts is a cult picture deserving of a wider audience. Recommended.
Don’t Worry, We’ll Think Of A Title
MGM MOD / October 18th, 2011
The Pitch
A bumbling short-order cook? A secret organization thinks he is a defected Soviet cosmonaut in hiding! The result? Extreme confusion and hilarious slapstick mayhem.
The Review
Featuring Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie and Richard Deacon, who helped make the
Dick Van Dyke Show one of the best series in the history of television,
Don’t Worry, We’ll Think Of A Title often feels like a vaudeville act stretched out to feature length.
And might be a prime example why vaudeville isn’t around anymore. The film is full of cliché set-ups and pay-offs, lots of eye rolls and snappy one liners that aren’t so snappy.
The film is filled with lots of cameos including Carl Reiner, Milton Berle, Moe Howard, Irene Ryan, Forrest Tucker, and Danny Thomas and supporting players include Joey Thomas and the second voice of Fred Flintstone, Henry Corden.
Don’t Worry, We’ll Think Of A Title is a film best left unseen, but if you’re anything like me your morbid curiosity might get the best of you. Don’t let it.
Malone
MGM MOD / October 18th, 2011
The Pitch
Based on the novel “Shotgun” by William Wingate, this drama depicts an ex-CIA hit man on the run who stumbles into a real-estate swindle/murder plot in Oregon.
The Review
A fairly watchable, mild action film of the Eighties starring Burt Reynolds, who was quickly fading from his perch as Hollywood star.
Surrounded by a supporting cast which includes Cliff Robertson, Tracey Walter, Lauren Hutton and Kenneth McMillan, Malone feels like a number of similar films of the time period. And like many of them, this one is forgettable.
The Help (Blu-ray Combo)
Walt Disney Home Entertainment / Released December 6th, 2011
The Pitch
The #1 New York Times bestseller by Kathryn Stockett comes to vivid life through the powerful performances of a phenomenal ensemble cast. The Help is an inspirational, courageous and empowering story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project — one that breaks society’s rules and puts them all at risk. Filled with poignancy, humor and hope — and complete with compelling, never-before-seen bonus features — The Help is a timeless, universal and triumphant story about the ability to create change.
The Review
Rarely do I suggest that a film should be longer, but I do think that The Help would have been better served by an HBO mini-series rather than a feature. The problem is that the film needs a little more room to breathe. We’re told of the relationships and dynamics, but this is one of the rare cases where the story would have benefited from actually seeing these events. The entire cast gives phenomenal performances, but all of the characters feel as though they are written a bit more shallow than the film’s milieu might suggest. The film isn’t as honest or daring as the material deserves to be. Extras include featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes and a music video.
The Help misfires because it almost works as much as it should, and although it doesn’t emotionally resonate as it should, it’s still a film worth seeing for both the acting and the moments that do work. Recommended.
Fright Night
Walt Disney Home Entertainment / Released December 13th, 2011
The Pitch
Senior Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) finally has it all—he’s running with the popular crowd and dating the hottest girl in high school. In fact, he’s so cool he’s even dissing his best friend Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). But trouble arrives when an intriguing stranger Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves in next door. He seems like a great guy at first, but there’s something not quite right—and everyone, including Charlie’s mom (Toni Collette), doesn’t notice. After witnessing some very unusual activity, Charlie comes to an unmistakable conclusion: Jerry is a vampire preying on his neighborhood. Unable to convince anyone that he’s telling the truth, Charlie has to find a way to get rid of the monster himself in this Craig Gillespie-helmed revamp of the comedy-horror classic.
The Review
Fright Night is the latest attempt by Hollywood to reimagine a beloved film, and on almost every level it succeeds. No longer is Peter Vincent a television horror movie host, but rather a Criss Angel-styled Vegas magician, portrayed by David Tennant. Anton Yelchin is earnest as Charlie Brewster who becomes obsessed with discovering the true nature of his possibly vampiric neighbor, played by Colin Ferrell in a charming performance delivered with a twinkle in his eye and a smirk across his lips. As a fan of the original, director Gillespie and writer Marti Noxon have made a refreshingly funny and entertaining remake that in many ways surpasses the original. And major props for the cameo by original “Jerry,” Chris Sarandon.
Extras include deleted scenes, gag reel, music video, featurettes, deleted scenes and more.
If you’re a fan of the original, you won’t be disappointed and if you haven’t seen it before, you’re in for a treat. Highly recommended.
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