The Japanese film Happy Family Plan looks at the effects of the recession on family – and how some things resonate with everyone – and add a real, quirky Japanese game show for heightened drama. The DVD release includes features that familiarise us with some of the country’s language, ritual and food. It’s an unusual […]
Category: DVD Reviews
DVD Review: God Bless America: Bobcat Goldthwaite Takes Out The Trash!
If you’ve ever been ticked off by a jerk who not only zips into that parking space you were heading for, but parked diagonally across its neighboring space as well; if you’ve ever wanted to wring the necks of a group of kids chattering through a movie, or put a definitive end to reality shows […]
The Killing: The Complete First Season – Two Weeks In A Frustrating Murder Investigation!
AMC’s The Killing debuted to rave reviews and hit us with four or five amazing episodes of television before seeming to wander off and devolve into self-indulgence for four episodes before roaring back with three amazing episodes to finish its first season. The season finale puzzled some, infuriated others and intriguing just as many. The […]
DVD Review: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Rocks The Small Screen!
When I reviewed David Fincher’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo for its theatrical release, I noted that it surprised me because it was as good as the earlier, Swedish version that made Noomi Rapace familiar to an international audience. Considering its length and the fact that it’s very much a film that should be […]
Battle Royale: The Complete Collection 4-Disc Collector’s Set – Before The Hunger Games There Was Battle Royale!
Battle Royale – and its sequel, Battle Royale II – are among the most brutally beautiful movies I’ve ever seen. The original film is about a class of junior high school students are dumped on a deserted island and forced to kill each other off; the sequel, finds another ninth grade class being forced to […]
2-Disc Set Shows That Puss In Boots Is Terrific In 2D Too!
Dreamworks Animation’s Puss In Boots was a big hit in 3D, but, as the DVD release shows, it’s great fun in 2D, too – and the DVD Double Pack contains both a new Puss adventure – The Three Diablos – and plenty of bonus material.
The Gantz Saga: Saved From Death To Wage War On Aliens!
The Gantz Saga is a two movie adaptation of the popular manga. At first, it seems like a straightforward superhero vs. aliens tale – albeit with an odd origin – but as the story progresses, it begins to ask questions and shift from one perspective to another.
The Way – It’s About The Journey, Dummy!
Generally speaking, uplifting/inspirational movies tend to be clusters of clichés gathered together in a group and wallowing in mushy scores and ham-fisted acting. The Way opts to go another way – it’s a gentle, almost meandering story about a man coming to grips with the loss of a son and both finding himself and finding his […]
The Fades: Season One – The Spirits Are Angry – And Hungry!
Paul is just another well read 17-year old geek who pals around with the equally nerdy Mac – except for his apocalyptic nightmares that are so vivid, he wets the bed when he has one – until a dare to explore a derelict shopping mall leads him to a terrifying discovery – he can see […]
Doctor Who: Sensorites – William Hartnell’s Cranky Grandfather vs. Cautious Telepaths!
Doctor Who and the Sensorites was the seventh adventure of the first Doctor. It’s a tale of trapped humans, scared aliens and thwarted ambition.
Queen: Days Of Our Lives is Perfect for ANY Queen fan
Queen: Days Of Our Lives is an excellent documentary that was put together for the “World’s Greatest Rock Band”. This special collection of Queen footage was directed by Matt O’Casey and produced by Simon Lupton and Rhys Thomas. The remaining band members of Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had asked Lupton and Thomas to […]