Here’s a bunch of recently reviewed discs that are sure to help the weekend pass. Among the titles, We’ve got several tv series, a cult classic and one of the greatest comedies of all time and it’s less than great sequel.
Fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart.
Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 40th Anniversary
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| MPI / Released 9/16/14 |
40 years ago, five youths on a weekend getaway in the Texas countryside fell prey to a butcher in a mask made of human skin and his cannibalistic family, and horror cinema would never be the same. Violent, confrontational, and shockingly realistic, director Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre terrified audiences in a way never thought possible when it was unleashed on a politically and socially tumultuous America in 1974. Facing a storm of controversy, censorship, and outcry throughout its troubled release, this masterpiece of horror has stood the test of time to become a landmark motion picture and cultural milestone. Extras include commentary, featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes and outtakes, bloopers, trailers, radio spots and still gallery.
Last Word: Still shocking and offensive forty years later, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remains one of the most vile and disgusting films ever produced. The story, in case you’ve been locked in your own flesh room for the last 40 years, is about a bunch of teenagers who are traveling around Central Texas in a hippie van. They pick up a hitchhiker and promptly drop the guy because he’s completely insane. They then end up at a dilapidated house on the side of the road where they’re chased (and mostly killed) by a chainsaw wielding wild man in the aforementioned flesh mask. Oh, and his family is quite insane, too, including creepy old grandpa who is being kept alive by something inhuman.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of the greatest horror films ever made and an early example of the slasher flick. It’s much better than many of the slashers that came after and miles ahead of the slew of sequels and remakes. Inspired by serial killer Ed Gein, Tobe Hooper’s vision relies heavily on atmosphere, rather than blood to accomplish it’s unsettling tone, leaving much to the imagination. Fully restored, the new digital print beautifully captures some of the film’s literally darker moments, but the gritty, grainy independent feel is also emphasized. Yet, superior picture aside, it’s the revised soundtrack that shines with a newly created 7.1 surround sound mix supervised by Toby Hooper, which he also had a hand in designing four decades ago. The film’s score is a masterful example of found-item sound design, brought to chilling new effect in surround. If for some reason you have’t seen The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, see it now. You don’t like horror films? Oh well. See it now. It’s not just a horror film. It’s an experience. (– SB, TS, MW)
Ghostbusters: 30th Anniversary Edition
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| Sony / Released 9/16/14 |
When kooky, spooky college profs Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) lose their university jobs, they decide to go freelance, de-haunting houses in a new ghost removal service. As soon as they open their doors, their first order of business becomes saving beautiful cellist Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) and nerdy Louis Tully (Rick Moranis), whove inadvertently opened the gates of hell… right in their own apartment building. Extras include roundtable, music video, galleries, deleted scenes alternate takes, trivia track, commentary, featurettes and storyboards.
Last Word: One of movie’s greatest comedies, Ghostbusters brings a number of cinematic tropes together into a timeless, energetic love letter to New York. Like Bob Hope’s Ghost Breakers, Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein and even Young Frankenstein, legitimate scares are interspersed amongst the laughs. With energy and wit, the film assembles an amazing ensemble of iconic performances. Ghostbusters is one of the most watchable and over the top cinematic experiences. Murray, Ramis, Aykroyd and Moranis were already well established as comedians, which makes the very funny performances of Weaver, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, William Atherton and David Margulies that much more effective. Ghostbusters is a masterpiece and has never looked or sounded better.
Ghostbusters II: 25th Anniversary Edition
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| Sony / Released 9/16/14 |
It’s a fine time for slime-time when Doctors Venkman (Bill Murry), Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Spengler (Harold Ramis) regroup to nuke the spooks in this high-spirited comedy. Sidelined after their spectacular save of New York City five years ago, the heroes of the hereafter once again answer the call when an underground river of ghoulish goo threatens to rot the Big Apple to the core. Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver), Louis (Rick Moranis), Winston (Ernie Hudson) and Janine (Annie Potts) are all ball for the ride as these supernatural superstars swing back into hilarious action! Extras include roundtable, deleted scenes and music video.
Last Word: Not necessarily a cash grab, but Ghostbusters II doesn’t measure up to the original film in any capacity. All of the elements are there, but it never really comes together. Too much emphasis is focused on “positive energy,” leaving the film a mess of ideas with a bland core. The cast is great, though some of the characters (Egon in particular), seem to have taken on the actor’s identities rather than a reprisal of the character from the first film. Ghostbusters II is perfectly satisfactory entertainment and might be considered good without the first film as a measure. Sound and picture are amazing, and the inclusion of the Bobby Brown music video is worth the purchase price alone.
Big Bang Theory: Season 7
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| Warner Home Video / Released 9/16/14 |
Socially challenged they remain, but the scientific geniuses of The Big Bang Theory always deliver hilarious results. Leonard returns from his North Sea expedition to find that his relationship with Penny involves more beta-testing than he’s ever done in a lab. Howard’s attachment issues with the women in his life in particular and Raj’s social breakthrough with women in general provide more laughs. Bernadette and Amy stand staunchly by the men in their life, even when they’re sitting in marathon role-playing games. Sheldon sees his mom (Laurie Metcalf) in a totally different way, parties with James Earl Jones, establishes a (sort of) bond with his idol Professor Proton (Emmy winner Bob Newhart) and makes a scientific breakthrough that breaks down before you can say Science Friday. Extras include SDCC panel, featurettes, and gag reel.
Last Word: One of the few shows that’s target audience either loves or hates, The Big Bang Theory is more than anything else a funny sitcom with a strong ensemble. Guest stars included Regina King, Bob Newhart, Bill Nye, Kevin Sussman, Christine Baranski, Brian Posehn, Kate Micucci, Wil Wheaton, Laurie Metcalf, Josh Peck, Carrie Fisher, James Earl Jones, Tania Raymonde, and Stephen Hawking. The show also follows the style of most sitcoms today, with story threads that run throughout the season and the constant evolution of the characters and their relationships. Ironically, the geek community loves bashing and negativity, which is where I think much of the criticism from the show is derived from. With seven years under their belt, the writers and ensemble of the series are as strong and as entertaining as ever.
Sleepy Hollow Season 1
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| 20th Century Fox / Released 9/16/14 |
Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison), a British expatriate who dies in the American Revolution, is revived in upstate New York during the time of the cell phone – as is the evil Headless Horseman, who plans to annihilate mankind! Teaming with a feisty police lieutenant (Nicole Beharie), Crane races to vanquish the newly unearthed dark forces – or face the impending apocalypse. Extras include commentaries, featurettes, gag reel and deleted scenes.
Last Word: This reimagining of the Washington Irving classic, Sleepy Hollow adds a time travel factor to add a fish out of water persona for Ichabod Crane. One major difference is that Crane isn’t played as meek, but rather as a leading man. Sleepy Hollow is a supernatural procedural with a fairly tight mythology that turned out to be one of the more entertaining series in recent memory. The cast also includes Katia Winter, John Cho, John Noble, Clancy Brown, Derek Mears, and Victor Garber. With two solid leads in Mision and Beharie, Sleepy Hollow is inventive, addictive and binge worthy.
Arrow: The Complete Second Season
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| Warner Bros. / Released 9/16/14 |
Starling City has been torn apart by the Undertaking, so the need for the hooded vigilante – now known as The Arrow – is more urgent than ever in the explosive second season of the hit action series based on DC Comics’ Green Arrow. After retreating to the island on which he was once stranded, Oliver Queen returns to protect his mother, sister and besieged company – , but comes to realize that allies and enemies have switched sides, and the stranglehold of evil on family, friends and city is diabolically linked to his fateful shipwreck. A once-tight comrade-at-arms and a strength-enhancing, yet mind-warping serum may prove to be the mightiest adversaries The Arrow has ever encountered. Can justice find its target or will all fall before the fury of Deathstroke? Extras include season one recap, featurettes, SDCC panel, gag reel, and unaired scenes.
Last Word: In the second season, we see Stephen Amell’s Arrow evolve from vigilante to hero as Slade Wilson corrupts Starling City using alderman Sebastian Blood as a pawn to extract revenge. Like season one, the series expands and embraces the DC Universe with the introduction of Caity Lotz as Black Canary to the cast and appearances by such characters as Grant Gustin as future Flash Barry Allen, Brother Blood, Bronze Tiger, Sin, Doll Maker, Jean Loring, Dr. Ivo, Amanda Waller, The Huntress, Cyrus Gold, Shado, Clock King, Deadshot, Ravager, Cisco Ramon, Caitlin Snow, Kate Spencer, and Malcolm Merlyn. Arrow stands apart from most other comic book inspired adaptations by truly embracing the verisimilitude of the comic book mythology and bringing it to life in an exciting and entertaining series.
Neighbors
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| Universal / Released 9/23/14 |
By all appearances, new parents Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly Radner (Rose Byrne) are living the American Dream – complete with an adorable baby girl and a beautiful new starter home in the suburbs. Still, the early-thirtysomethings want to believe that they have a modicum of coolness left within them. So when they discover that their new next-door neighbors are none other than dozens of Delta Psi Beta fraternity brothers led by charismatic president Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron), they try to play along and make the best of an awkward situation. But when the frat’s parties grow increasingly more epic, both sides of the property line begin to fend for their turf. The neighbors’ relentless sabotage escalates into outrageous one-upmanship, beginning an epic Greek war for the ages. Also stars Dave Franco and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Extras include Alternate Opening Deleted / Alternate Scenes, featurettes, and gag reel.
Last Word: Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) are a modern, happily married couple with an adorable baby girl. But when Teddy (Zac Efron) and his fraternity move in next-door, Mac and Kelly need to figure out how to tell these guys to “keep it down,” in a sly, hip manner. After Mac and Kelly introduce themselves with stellar awkwardity (my special word), Teddy invites them over for a sweet night of partying. As things wind down, they all believe an appropriate neighborly protocol has been cemented—don’t make too much noise and don’t call the cops.
Whoops.
When the baby’s sleep schedule is disturbed, Mac is forced to call the cops, after which, the fraternity declares war. A gut-wrenching compilation of scheming, revenge, parties, and pranks ensues. It’s awesome. And quite successfully, exciting. Neighbors has a perfect balance of debauchery and heartfelt moments. And while its story is simple, the characters are original and have a delightful amount of depth. Rogan and Byrne have incredibly chemistry that’s pragmatic and heart warming, but at the same time, devious and fun. While they aren’t boring, they do appear rather bored with their lives, as the extent of their excitement is having a minute or two of sex on a dining room chair, as their baby sort-of looks the other way. They aren’t bewildered by or envious of the younger generation. They smoke weed, joke during sex, and exhibit grown-up behavior of folks who were once young. It’s realistic.
Zac Efron’s performance is surprisingly great. From High School Musical to 17 Again to That Awkward Moment, the actor has developed into a sexy, potty mouthed, sadistic fraternity president. And he does it flawlessly. He shows little mercy to Mac and Kelly, orchestrates the most emasculating and grotesque rush events, yet remains lovable. The camaraderie between he and Pete (Dave Franco), Teddy’s second in command/best friend, is sweet and truly brotherly. The subtle traces of resentment, jealousy, and indifference between the two are genuine and intriguing for the frat-genre. Franco’s role reminds the audience that, yes, these guys are also college students with responsibilities, not just morons with ever-flowing cash to burn on ragers. However, Teddy is in Neverland. He doesn’t want to grow up, but more, he doesn’t really believe he can.
Neighbors is ridiculous and truly funny. The depth of the characters really makes this film stand apart from other ridiculous college, frat comedies. The incredible soundtrack and cinematography also make it super enjoyable. Slow motion dancing at glow-in-the-dark themed raves in sync with the beat of killer dub-step tunes immerses you within the fun frantic story. (– Caitlyn Thompson)
Firestorm
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| Well Go USA / Released 9/23/14 |
A storm is heading toward the city of Hong Kong, threatening the lives of everyone in its path. As citizens scramble for cover, a crew of seasoned criminals stage a series of armored car heists in broad daylight, showing no mercy to anyone who gets in their way. Hardboiled police inspector Cao Nam (Andy Lau) has had enough. He vows to take back his city, but quickly learns that regular police tactics are no match for the thieves unmerciful brutality. The more Nam pursues them, the more unhinged he becomes – and the savage confrontation brewing in the streets may leave an aftermath even more horrifying than the devastating effects of nature itself. Extras include making of and trailer.
