This one’s got a bit of everything; from male strippers to Nazis from space.
Fire up those queues and shopping carts.
After the jump check out reviews for:
- Magic Mike
- American Horror Story: The Complete First Season
- Moonrise Kingdom
- Prometheus
- Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
- Safety Not Guaranteed
- Iron Sky
- Chernobyl Diaries
- Castle: The Complete Fourth Season
- Pete’s Dragon
- The Campaign
- Bait 3D
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| Warner Bros. / Released 10/23/12 on Blu-ray Combo, DVD, & digital download |
Somehow Channing Tatum has become a charismatic actor.
In the last few years he’s shown he’s capable of handing romance, action, drama and comedy. And now, with Magic Mike, Tatum delivers one of his best performances yet.
As Mike, Tatum is a bit of a dreamer; spending his days doing construction, his nights as a male stripper, putting away cash to start his own business building one of a kind furniture. Mike is a simple guy, who longs to be deep, but most of his relationships are superficial.
Mike meets The Kid (Adam, played by Alex Pettyfer), taking him under his wing as the latest stripper at Tampa’s Club Xquisite. There, he joins fellow performers Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash and Adam Rodriguez. Matthew McConaughey as the club’s owner Dallas, delivers the best performance of his career; he’s funny, he’s charismatic, but there’s something going on behind his eyes – he’s taking everything in, working the room with a bit of an almost psychotic energy.
Mike finds himself attracted to Adam’s sister, Brooke (Cody Horn, delivering a performance that feels like it was delivered via teleprompter). Director Steven Soderbergh’s cautionary tale plays a bit like Boogie Nights–Light, as Adam finds himself deep in a world of dancing, partying, picking up women, making easy money, ego, and taking and dealing drugs. Suddenly Mike becomes self aware, realizing how much of Adam’s failures he sees within himself.
But, Soderbergh never lets the darkness permeate the film, and Magic Mike is heavy on charm, and has more depth than it deserves to. Channing anchors the film and really delivers the internal struggles, sadness, and self-awareness of the ridiculousness around him without it feeling forced or overdone. Pettyfer delivers an understated performance and I wouldn’t be surprised to see McConaughey’s name mentioned often come awards season.
Extras are very light with only extended dance sequences, a brief behind-the-scenes and a play all feature for the dance numbers. A Soderbergh/Channing commentary is notably absent.
Magic Mike continues Soderbergh’s reign as one of the most diverse filmmakers working today and despite the marketing of the film as the “male stripper movie,” it’s sharp, funny and well executed. Highly recommended.
Prometheus
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| 20th Century Fox / Released October 9, 2012 |
Ridley Scott’s return to science fiction was this not a prequel, but sharing the same airspace as his seminal film, Alien. Rarely does a filmmaker return to his high profile earlier work and find success (Lucas, Spielberg, et. al) and despite my apathy after seeing the film in it’s initial release, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the experience worked so much better when revisited.
I think the initial disappointment stems from the film’s approach in relation to the other films in the series, while they can be easily defined by genre (Alien is a Haunted House picture, Aliens is a war/action film, etc.), Prometheus instead focuses on a number of ideas; the universe, the human race and theology. The cast is uniformly great with particularly strong performances from Noomi Rapace, Logan-Marshall Green, Idris Elba, Charlize Theron and in particular, Michael Fassbender as replicant/android David. The film is visually stunning, and there are enough ideas in this film to fuel a lifetime of discussion. The unfortunate part is that the ideas aren’t as well explored, thought out or as well structured to satisfy a linear narrative. Extras include commentaries, deleted/alternate scenes, and viral marketing videos.
Prometheus is an interesting, although frustrating film, but without a doubt one of the most interesting and best produced discs of the year. Highly recommended.
Iron Sky
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| Entertainment One / Released October 2, 2012 |
Although it doesn’t work all of the time, Iron Sky, which focuses on a secret Nazi base on the moon attacking the Earth is more entertaining than it deserves to be. There’s a Palin-esque President in power, who sends a new mission to the moon (hoping it will cinch her a second term). In addition, she’s put an African American male model on the team (he’s not an astronaut, but very marketable). When the landing team discovers the Nazi base on the dark side of the moon, the model, James Washington, is captured and interrogated by a mad Nazi scientist and his betrothed daughter, who becomes smitten with Washington. The solution? The scientist injects Washington with a serum to turn him into a true Aryan (that’s right, whiteface). From there, it’s back to Earth to set the plan in motion and overtake the planet under Aryan rule.
Depending if you’re smiling after reading that will likely determine if you’d enjoy the film. Then understand that it never reaches the fun that you’ve imagined in your head. It’s a great looking film and there are moments of absurd inventiveness and innovation, but overall, it just doesn’t work. The biggest problem is that it seems that the filmmakers set out to make a “cult film”, and that never seems to work. A cult film has to be discovered and embraced, not constructed and marketed as such. Extras include commentary, featurettes and trailers.
If you do like the concept, it’s well worth a rental and if you’re one of those, “it’s so bad, it’s good” it might disappoint. It’s not that bad and it’s not that good. Just a wasted execution of what could have been a fun concept.
Chernobyl Diaries
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| Warner Bros. / Released 10/16/ 12 on Blu-ray Combo, DVD, & digital download |
One of the laziest and most redundant films of recent memory. A group of friends traveling in the former Soviet Union get a local who gives them a tour of the remains of Chernobyl. Bypassing military and entering the former town, the group soon finds themselves being hunted off by something that’s still lurking on the grounds.
The problem is there’s nothing new or suspenseful within. It’s just another standard issue horror film with forgettable characters and a predictable execution with an ending reminiscent of more than a half dozen more memorable films from the last several years. Extras include a viral video, a fake commercial and a deleted scene.
The Chernobyl Diaries is handsomely produced, but the shocks aren’t shocking, the scares not scary and the film not worth seeing.
American Horror Story: The Complete First Season
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| 20th Century Fox / Released September 25, 2012 |
I tried watching American Horror Story when it aired. Several times. Yet for some reason I couldn’t get past the opening half of the pilot. Finally, I sat down and tore through this in two days, and am convinced; not only is American Horror Story one of the most interesting, creative and disturbing series that I’ve seen in some time, but also feel that it’s eventual influence on television will be akin to Twin Peaks. With a large ensemble cast including Jessica Lange, Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Zachary Quinto, Sarah Paulson, and Taissa Farmiga among others, American Horror Story plays with the conventions of serialized television, linear storytelling and the ghost/haunted house genre.
Love and sex is the focus of the series and the various ways that it is used to manipulate, hurt, comfort, and entice the characters is a combination of kink, jealousy, fetish, obsession, and delusion. Extras include several featurettes and a commentary on the pilot episode. American Horror Story creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk have created a finite show (the second season features an entirely new story with much of the original cast) that might be one of the most disturbing and violent series ever to air on television.
And it’s awesome.
Highest recommendation.
Bait 3D
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| Starz/Anchor Bay / Released September 18, 2012 |
I love giant animal movies. They are without a doubt one of the most entertaining genres ever committed to film, which is why the premise of “sharks in a supermarket” might have been the greatest idea since dipping chocolate into peanut butter.
Bait takes that premise and wastes it. Part of the problem is logic. We see a shark attack in the opening scene and the film picks up a few later where our cast of characters are all set up with their own subplots (shoplifter, girl seeing her ex with her new boyfriend, a thug with a heart of gold pulling a heist to get his brother out of trouble with some criminals) all in a supermarket when a tsunami hits, descimating the town and filling the underground market and garage full of ocean water.
And sharks.
The cast does their best with a lukewarm script constructed by six writers and the only recognizable face is “whatever happened to” Julian McMahon, who delivers the film’s strongest performance. Bait is frustrating because it sets up a really fun premise and once the sharks find themselves lurking under the aisles, it never really lives up to it’s full potential. Extras only include a set of storyboards. Bait is mildly entertaining, but for true fans of the giant animals run amok genre, you might be disappointed.
The Campaign
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| Warner Bros. / Released 10/30/12 on Blu-ray Combo, DVD, & digital download |
Will Ferrell plays an incumbent Democratic politician and Zach Galifianakis plays his political rival, a big money funded Republican, who run against one another for a congressional seat. The film, though mildly successful at portraying the manipulation, spin doctoring and marketing of candidates is really nothing more than a vehicle for both comedians to dish out the same tired schtick that stopped being funny more than a few films back.
If you’ve seen any film featuring two characters attempting to outwit one another by performing unrealistic, outlandish stunts, you’ve pretty much seen The Campaign. The supporting cast is solid, albeit unspectacular, with Dylan McDermott, Jason Sudekis, Jack McBrayer, John Goodman, Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow pretty much delivering what you expect. Extras are slight with alternate/deleted scenes and a gag reel. The Campaign falters with a subject rich for smart comedy and biting observation, instead we get the dumb comedy that isn’t nearly as funny or clever as it thinks that it is.
Pete’s Dragon: 35th Anniversary Edition
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| Disney / Released October 16, 2012 |
It’s truly a testament to the power of cinema that when I first saw Pete’s Dragon way back in 1977 I bought it. Revisiting the film in for the first time in 35 years, I know why I was charmed, but certainly understand why it isn’t a bigger part of the Disney brand. First, it’s set in the backwoods of Maine at the beginnings of the 20th century, and focuses on Pete, a young orphan. He befriends a giant animated dragon, Elliot, who can turn invisible and who is being pursued by a hillbilly gang led by Shelley Winters. Pete fortunately befriends a lighthouse keeper and her father (Helen Reddy and Mickey Rooney), who provide a home for Pete. Along the way, Jim Dale and Red Buttons show up as snake-oil salesmen who want Elliot, well, basically for his parts.
If this wasn’t nonsensical enough, there are songs. Lots of songs. Too many songs.
Pete’s Dragon might be entertaining for the younger set, but to revisit it as an adult bordered on torture. Although beautifully animated, Elliott is a clod of a character; a slapsticky, klutzy oaf, which makes him mildly amusing, but not necessarily super-likable. Picture and sound are good and extras include a featurette, a deleted sequence, a deleted song and trailers. Pete’s Dragon is another casualty to the sweet mistress of nostalgia. Good for the kids before they get cynical.
Moonrise Kingdom
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| Universal / Released October 16, 2012 |
Finally Wes Anderson has delivered a movie that actually borders on being a parody of a Wes Anderson film. This time the auteur tackles young love, and like most of his work, it’s cold and distant. Set in 1965 on a fictional New England island, orphan and loyal scout Sam runs off with the love of his life, Suzy.
They are both twelve years old.
Now, like all Wes Anderson movies, Moonrise Kingdom has it’s charms, but there’s a coldness that permeates his work. These characters are in love because we are told that, in no way is there a genuine emotion. The cast, of course, it top rate and includes Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton as Suzy’s parents, Edward Norton as a scout leader, Bruce Willis as the island’s sheriff, Bob Balaban as the film’s narrator and Harvey Keitel as Norton’s scout superior. Anderson’s good luck charm, Jason Schwartzman, appears in a small role.
There are very few filmmakers that have such a defined vision that a single frame of film could be instantly recognized as an example of his work; Wes Anderson is such a director. Unfortunately, as time has gone on, his aesthetic has become more finely tuned, and his interest in storytelling has become more technical and less organic. Moonrise Kingdom is the result of that evolution.
It’s entertaining, but not particularly whimsical or memorable like his earlier films, in particular Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. In fact, the film takes one of cinema’s funniest actors, Bill Murray, and puts him in a joyless role; not dramatic mind you, just joyless. Extras include three brief featurettes. Moonrise Kingdom is a must see for fans of Anderson and is certainly worth a rental, but it pales in comparison to Anderson’s earlier work.
Castle: The Complete Fourth Season
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| Disney / Released September 18, 2012 |
Like James Garner’s Jim Rockford and Tom Selleck’s Thomas Magnum before him, Nathan Fillion’s Richard Castle has become heir apparent to the self-aware, charismatic television alpha male.
In the fourth season of this highly entertaining series, author Castle and his partner NYPD detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) team up to solve a number of cases while engaging in banter that would make Nick and Nora Charles jealous. Like many television series, there’s a palpable chemistry between the leads and in the case of these two characters, there’s the challenge of getting them together. This dramatic (and sexual tension) certainly weighs heavy across this season’s twenty three episodes, but it in no way affects some of television’s sharpest writing. Between Beckett’s emotional baggage and Castle’s Peter Pan complex there is enough friction to keep things going for some time. Extras include commentary tracks, deleted scenes, featurettes and a blooper reel.
Four seasons in, Castle isn’t quite as fresh as it once was, but it certainly is more comfortable than ever. Highly entertaining and recommended.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
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| 20th Century Fox / Released October 23, 2012 |
Probably not the most accurate historical record, but pretty entertaining nevertheless, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter reimagines the sixteenth president as a bit of a superhero. Complete with a secret origin set in tragedy, Lincoln finds himself driven to fight the forces of evil. As the film peels back our recorded history, revelations about the truth present themselves. That, as President, Lincoln looked to abolish slavery to cut off the vampire’s food supply and end their feeding. Director Timur Bekmambetov is one of cinema’s strongest visual stylists and this film does not disappoint in that respect.
Although Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is strong in the action department, it’s weakness is not to play the more absurd moments with a bit more humor. Benjamin Walker as Lincoln comes across as stiff and doesn’t have the screen presence to infuse the role with any wit or sparkle. Extras include featurette, a feature length making of documentary, a music video, a trailer and commentary.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is moderately entertaining, but it stumbles unexpectedly as it’s criminally dull and humorless. Mildly recommended.
Safety Not Guaranteed
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| Sony / Released October 30, 2012 |
With a strong cast anchored by Mark Duplass, Audrey Plaza and Jake M. Johnson, Safety Not Guaranteed is a charming and unique film that deserves to find a wide audience on DVD and Blu-ray.
A classified ad looking for a time travel companion entices a Seattle magazine to investigate, revealing a paranoid supermarket employee who has uncovered the secret of time travel. Audrey Plaza plays a writer from the magazine who investigates with her editor Johnson. Befriending Duplass while investigating the story, Plaza opens up emotionally, sharing with him her own past and essentially compromising herself in the process.
It’s very hard to articulate what makes this film unique without revealing too much, but Safety Not Guaranteed is smart, charming with well developed characters. Extras include a brief featurette and a very brief behind the scenes look at the story that inspired the film.
Safety Not Guaranteed is clever, smart, and witty and is likely to rank among my top ten of the year. Highest recommendation.
